Having completed the two agreed-upon duels, EeDeChi and Barrett returned to the main hall.

Ainz was indeed a ruler of promise-keeping. After exchanging false compliments, Ainz produced a simple copper can adorned with golden patterns.

Under the surge of magic, the copper can began to twist slowly like a pillar of water, overflowing with a golden radiance. The radiance expanded gradually, forming a ball of light that engulfed the contorted can.

Soon after, the ball of light descended and unfolded into a human form. As the light dimmed, the limbs and head of a person became discernible. Finally, the body of a golden-haired girl lay curled on the cold ground.

This was Arche, whom EeDeChi had vowed to rescue—a girl who had been killed by Shalltear but now resurrected.

Arche had been quite famous in the adventurer circles of the Baharuth Empire, and Barrett had heard of her as well.

She possessed an Innate Talent: the ability to discern the highest rank of magic her opponent could cast. Moreover, she could wield magic of the 3rd Tier, making her a formidable mage among humans.

Judging solely by her appearance, Arche was undoubtedly the elder sister of a pair of twin sisters, Kuuderika and Ureirika. Her face was almost identical to theirs, and she appeared as an enlarged version.

Upon seeing the girl she had exerted great effort to rescue now resurrected before her eyes, EeDeChi's face showed not joy but rather veins bulging on her forehead. Her gaze turned more ferocious, as if she had encountered the revival of a demon lord.

Because of her resurrection, Arche was completely naked, with skin as tender and fair as a newborn's, her voluptuous curves exposed without a shred of cover, fully visible to everyone.

Barrett knew the captain's temperament well—she couldn't stand seeing a woman exposed. Quickly, he retrieved a robe from his spatial ring and draped it over the naked body of Arche, temporarily shielding his view of admiring the beautiful woman.

Ainz rubbed his bone chin thoughtfully and nodded lightly, feeling that his past act of killing Arche was indeed a regrettable mistake.

Suddenly, he noticed Albedo gathering magical energy in the palm of her hand. Glancing over, he saw Albedo staring at Arche with eyes filled with extreme jealousy.

"Is she that sensitive?" Ainz startled. He cleared his throat and redirected his gaze from Arche to Barrett.

Albedo, realizing her loss of composure, blushed and dispersed the energy in her hand.

Under the robe, Arche's eyelashes fluttered lightly. She slowly opened her weary eyes, her body seeming to thaw from ice, gradually awakening from an ancient and profound slumber.

She sat up, her gaze confused and weary, blinking as she looked around.

Soon, she scanted the undead before her—Ainz Ooal Gown—and the silver-haired girl in black dress, Shalltear.

Horror, fear, futility, and despair flooded her mind. She had watched her companions die tragically before her eyes, and in the end, she died too, unwillingly. The memories of bloodshed surged into Arche's mind like a torrent, filling the void left by her recent resurrection.

"Monster! Monster!" Arche hoarsely screamed, her voice distorted due to her recent revival. Her once lifeless eyes widened, her legs kicking wildly on the ground. Her naked body recoiled in terror, her expression filled with fear and dread.

She had died in a nightmare, and yet she awoke to find herself still trapped within it. Her killer was still within arm's reach. She desperately tried to rise and escape backward, as if fleeing from the terrifying reaper right before her eyes.

A strong and steady hand pressed on Arche's shoulder, firm and warm, imparting courage and strength to her.

Arche turned her head, looking up at EeDeChi holding her shoulder. EeDeChi grinned, showing a gentle and loving smile.

"Ah!" Arche's pupils widened, but just one glance at EeDeChi caused her stomach to spasm. She vomited yellow liquid, her eyes rolled back, and she passed out.

"What's going on?" EeDeChi's smiling face turned dark.

"Uh..." Barrett was at a loss for words.

After a moment of thought, he explained, "I heard before that Arche has an Innate Talent, able to perceive the highest tier of magic an opponent can use.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"It's a blessing from above for the lucky ones, but also a curse. Like a water mage facing a tsunami, she must have seen your magic ability with her Innate Talent and suffered a severe mental shock, causing her to faint."

"I see." EeDeChi listened to the explanation, her face still dark like a summer storm cloud about to unleash a downpour.

Barrett, unfazed, took out several strips of cloth, wrapped the unconscious Arche like a mummy under her robe, and intentionally or unintentionally took a few liberties. Then he held her in his arms.

EeDeChi and Barrett bid farewell to the Great Tomb of Nazarick group, exchanged polite words about visiting again when they had time and how good the tea was. Ainz opened a teleportation gate leading to the capital city of the kingdom. EeDeChi, carrying Arche, left with Barrett.

Watching the two adventurers and the resurrected Arche disappear into the magical curtain of the teleportation gate, Ainz pondered.

He called a meeting and had Demiurge, who was carrying out a mission far away, join remotely in the form of a projection.

After some discussion and analyzing EeDeChi's battles, Ainz turned to Sebas and Cocytus beside him and asked, "What do you think of EeDeChi's strength?"

Sebas, who had engaged with EeDeChi in a serious battle, now restored to human form and dressed in a dignified, slim-fit black tailcoat, bowed his head. "I believe EeDeChi's combat prowess is comparable to mine, or perhaps even superior. If she hadn't chosen to abandon her sword against me, I might have been at a disadvantage."

Ainz recalled how Sebas had pursued EeDeChi in dragonoid form in the arena, and his heart sank at Sebas's words.

"And you, Cocytus? What is your opinion?" Ainz turned to the tall, silver figure on the other side.

Cocytus, holding a large katana and inspecting it closely, with an imperceptible nick on the blade, remained silent for a moment. Setting aside the sword, he responded, "My lord Ainz, I believe the giant sword in EeDeChi's hands rivals that of a World Item in quality."

"It seems this adventurer is quite troublesome," Ainz remarked.

"My lord Ainz, I don't think EeDeChi is malicious, but she seems to lack intelligence. Perhaps that is her weakness," Sebas interjected.

"No, Sebas, you are wrong," retorted Demiurge in the projection. "This is just EeDeChi's disguise. She dared to bring an ordinary human into our headquarters, indicating she must have some reliance. But to conceal her true strength, she pretends to be foolish to lull us into complacency! My lord Ainz, we must not underestimate her! EeDeChi is a cunning person!"

Sebas was not convinced and said, "Demiurge, perhaps you're overthinking it. I feel EeDeChi is just a simple girl."

"Heh heh, do you remember last time? EeDeChi clearly realized that the gift you gave her was a tracking device, but she didn't accuse you or show hostility toward our probing. She just discarded the gift. She's very calculating; don't be deceived by her surface actions," Demiurge sneered.

The subordinates started arguing, and Ainz felt quite troubled.

To make matters worse, Cocytus interjected, "Enough arguing. Let the most wise Lord Ainz make the judgment."

Both Demiurge and Sebas fell silent, respectfully lowering their heads, awaiting Ainz's decision.

In truth, Ainz also felt that EeDeChi didn't seem very intelligent, but Demiurge's analysis sounded more intricate and reasonable. Ainz knew his own intellect wasn't as sharp as Demiurge's; Demiurge was the smartest among them.

"I lean towards Demiurge's analysis. Being cautious is not a bad thing, regardless. Never underestimate any enemy," Ainz said.

"My thoughts have finally caught up to Lord Ainz's pace!" Demiurge's eyes were moist, glistening with tears.

"EeDeChi hasn't shown much hostility towards the Great Tomb of Nazarick for now, so there's no need to rush to deal with her," Ainz shifted the topic.

He continued, "The ancient Dragon Race has slowly started to emerge, the race that once ruled the world in ancient times. They are likely our biggest threat. We should be concerned about the Wild Magic they have. For now, we shouldn't make too many enemies. Let's continue monitoring EeDeChi."

A red light flickered in Ainz's eye sockets as he temporarily set the tone for the future actions of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.

Ainz was just about to announce the end of the meeting to the guardians and tell them to go about their own business when a soft, sultry female voice lingered in his ear.

"My Lord Ainz~," Albedo wiggled closer, rubbing up against him.

"When you looked at Arche's naked body earlier, your gaze was a bit unusual. So, you really do prefer it when they're completely undressed!"

Albedo wrapped one arm, soft as silk, around Ainz's shoulder, while the other hand started to pull down the front of her pure white gown, her full, enticing breasts about to spill out.

"Hey, hey! Watch the situation! There are others here!" Ainz grabbed Albedo's arm, mentally groaning in distress.

He had indeed felt a stir when he saw Arche's voluptuous body earlier, but it was only a fleeting moment. How did Albedo notice that?

Sebas and Cocytus, upon hearing this, immediately turned and walked away with an almost "unspoken" understanding. The other maids quickly left as well. Only the petite, loli-like Shalltear remained, furiously tugging at Albedo's dress, trying to pull her away from Ainz.

Albedo ignored Ainz's words, already starting to pull down her corset straps. Her golden eyes were filled with endless affection, her expression both flirtatious and eager. Shalltear's tugging only accelerated the removal of her clothes.

"Hurry, pull Albedo away," Ainz ordered Shalltear, who was the only one with a functioning brain.

But seeing that Albedo was already succeeding, Shalltear also began to remove her own clothes, like an octopus, throwing herself at Ainz.

Amidst the warm, soft embrace, Ainz fell to the ground, stretching out his skeletal hand, and cried, "Help…"

…

Under the warm winter sun, EeDeChi and Barrett walked on the withered yellow grass. Having finally left the massive underground lair of the Demon King and returned to the surface, they breathed in the fresh air, feeling both mentally and physically lighter.

Barrett still held the Arche in his arms. He squinted up at the sun in the sky and remarked, "Ainz, that great demon king, truly lives in luxury. The maids around him, and those girls, are the crème de la crème. They must be even more extraordinary than the legendary Eight Greed Kings."

EeDeChi sneered and said:

"It's a pity the cock can't crow."