"Now then, onto the next subject. The prized bastard, Sung Jin Woo." I said, glancing at Albedo, who fought that man head-on. He was the main target and the source of our grief and my barely concealed hatred due to his usurpation of my maids.
Lupusregina Beta, Solution Epsilon, Entoma Vasilissa Zeta.
Three Pleiades maids, three of my children, were under the direct necromantic control of that second-rate necromancer with a strange character build. The mere thought of him ignited a raging fury in my nonexistent blood before my emotional suppression skill activated.
As for the fight, Albedo's defenses held firm, and she clearly suffered harm. Her black, pristine armor, Hermes Trismegistus, displayed some degree of damage and wear, but nothing that couldn't be repaired.
"In terms of strength and power, he's almost equal to Reinhard van Astrea; he's level one hundred without a doubt," Albedo said with a neutral expression, crossing her hands beneath her ample bosom.
"His HP and MP stats are through the roof."
Pandora's Actor added, shaking his head in disbelief before continuing.
"I never saw someone with that amount of vitality and magic potential. His shadow army is tethered to his rapidly regenerating MP, and so long as he has MP, he can indefinitely maintain his army."
"His shadow summons are a mixed bag, however. They ranged from level twenty to level eighty in strength. His strongest shadow summon is that formicidae humanoid."
Pandora's Actor said, his voice cracking a little.
"He coordinates mentally with his shadows. I can say that with confidence because I have been on the receiving end of their aggressive attacks. His shadow army can be harmed conventionally and magically; they're not a problem individually, but when you are pinned with hundreds of them, it becomes a problem."
Albedo said with grim confidence as she walked forward and knelt right in front of me, extending her arms with a brown document in each hand. I took it and opened it, skimming the contents. The document was filled with information about the shadows, the variants, and their abilities.
"Albedo works fast and dutifully. Maybe I should give her a vacation?"
Cocytus, behind her, exhaled loudly, blowing cold gusts.
Ah...
I get what Albedo was doing; she was trying to make it seem she was the better guardian by always providing me reports or documentation before I could ask for them. I get it, she was trying to impress me. I immediate recognized her actions, since I did the same thing too when I was employed, trying to impress my manager.
Shalltear, despite her flaws, noticed it as well and jotted something down in her notes; she proved sharp when it came to Albedo's actions.
Pandora's Actor cleared his throat. Ahem. "A long battle of attrition must be avoided at all costs since he has access to health and even mana potions."
"I apologize for my failure to secure a sample, Ainz-sama."
Albedo said, eyes and mouth twitching, with an aggravated expression, as she ground her teeth beneath her closed mouth. I couldn't help but share the sentiment.
HP potions were common and easily made or bought if you didn't bother with the manufacturing process in Yggdrasil. MP potions, however, didn't exist in Yggdrasil. They've existed in other games, and I am aware of their concept, but for the guardians who weren't aware that such a thing could exist, it was visibly worrisome.
All the more reason that we needed to capture Sung Jin Woo alive.
His MP potions, weapons, shadow army, and items were succulent prizes, and we must acquire them. His capture would further prove that Nazarick can win its own battles and is a formidable force.
"The three Pleiades maids have shown no signs of their former personalities as per Albedo's overtures for appeal when they were utilized as shadows." Pandora's Actor muttered.
"I advise a coordinated effort when fighting him with at least three combatants. One to keep the shadow army at bay, one to provide support, and one to engage in combat."
Demiurge proposed, and it was rationally sound. I didn't intend to fully engage in conventional PVP combat with our new enemies anyway. I didn't want a battle; I wanted a slaughter, then their unarguable execution.
"That's indeed a sound proposal." Albedo agreed without much effort.
"I propose that at this point, we treat him like he's capable of resurrection. He's a necromancer after all, he's bound to have that kind of trick."
Pandora's actor said while raising his left hand. I was thinking of the same thing. Resurrection was a necromancer's bread and butter, even in Yggdrasil.
Everyone then nodded, muttering in agreement.
The sight of my guardians coordinating as allies and exchanging vital information, brainstorming, and criticizing ideas made me think of my former allies. Nostalgia crept through my head, but unfortunately, I had to push those thoughts away.
There was a problem to deal with.
A problem that I made due to my decision to claim this whole new world or dimension. A small voice in the back of my head started to scream and become more prominent, shouting that it wasn't too late to call it quits and then abandon all ventures here.
I certainly would've made that decision if only those three maids were here. Had they returned severely wounded or just died, but their souls not taken over. I would've resurrected them, then called it quits immediately.
Now though?
The situation was critically dreadful; everyone demanded blood and bone. I had no reservations nor the heart to deny their wants, especially the remaining grieving maids. They must see me as the unrelenting and unforgiving supreme being; their disapproval in this kind of situation would be appalling.
Demiurge approached me, whispering in my ear. "The demon that we captured days ago knew nothing about Reinhard van Astrea nor Sung Jin Woo. The demon also demanded release since he complied and didn't resist."
"We cannot afford to be soft, Demiurge. Do not grant him freedom. We are under martial law. If there are any other entities or living beings in the levels or thresholds, immediately demand their surrender."
I said with the authority of a proper king, I learned a lot from Emperor Jircniv.
I am also well aware that my decision to adopt an authoritarian stance in our scouting policy was the reason Sung Jin Woo and Reinhard became our enemies rather than our allies. I could tell Demiurge or the rest of the guardians to stop that kind of approach, but what would they think of me?
There was a massive crisis at the moment, and if I yield, the guardians might perceive that as weakness. I couldn't afford to change, and I couldn't afford to look weak.
"Ainz-sama. We are ready to discuss the other humans, the ones that Reinhard-knight and Sung-bastard are protecting." Pandora's Actor's voice yanked me out of my thoughts.
"Yes, let us discuss this, Megumi Fushiguro first."