Valkyrie's Shadow

Chapter 28

I can’t move. If I move, hmm…Narberal has been neutralized as well.

The fatalistic line of thought wove its way through the mind of Pandora’s Actor as he looked down at the table where a variety of goods were arrayed before him.

On this busy first day of the grand opening, he was working full-time in his role as Momon: making his presence known to the citizenry, visiting with merchants and dignitaries alike. Initially, that had not been the plan: his Father had taken him aside a few days ago, instructing him to pose as the Sorcerer King. Momonga-sama would go out as Momon, where he could experience for himself the progress which had been made in E-Rantel.

Yes...that was the plan, and Pandora’s Actor had very much wanted his Master to see all the accomplishments that he and his fellows had worked hard to achieve. But, that dawn, he made his way over to the former Mayor’s residence and found Albedo waiting – no, blocking the door. With an angelic smile on her face, the Guardian Overseer had informed him that Ainz-sama had changed his mind and he would personally be holding audience all week as the Sorcerer King: with his Prime Minister at his side, of course. She then pointed to the gate leading to the rest of the city with Ginnungagap and suggested that Pandora’s Actor be on his way in tones that were far too friendly.

And, so, he wandered about the city, ensuring everything was in perfect order and the atmosphere was suitable for the festive event…which eventually resulted in his current quandary.

With the opening of the border came the flow of goods carried by the regional trade. With a word here and there and the skillful assistance of an ambitious young noblewoman who had volunteered to help coordinate things, several major purveyors of magical goods had been secured. Not only that; a delegation from the Imperial Ministry of Magic would be displaying their work – as well as several promising developments from the Imperial Magic Academy – in the main plaza.

I-it’s not just for me; the Adventurer Guild needs magic items, and the Sorcerous Kingdom should employ more magical utilities…yes…it’s not like I’m doing it to sate my own personal interests…

While he did not expect anything of even mid-level potency from their offerings, he was interested in the applications that they had come up with. Though generally low tier, the people here were remarkably innovative when it came to the development of magical items, and it was not uncommon to see things that were entirely unheard of in Yggdrasil. With their new magic came new magic items, and it was gratifying to expand his knowledge and expertise in this field. Not only that but, as the Guardian responsible for the Treasury, he considered it his duty to do so.

He had earmarked the time that he estimated it would take for them to set up and open their displays to the public, then positioned himself over at a stand nearby: pretending to browse the mundane items on display. One stand away from the Ministry of Magic’s exhibition, he had committed a grave error.

Did I drop my guard? No – I expected this…or did I? This amount…is strange. Definitely strange.

He had long become used to the attention of the women of the city; he had learned to converse with them cordially and set them down gently in conversation without bruising their emotions and shattering expectations. He could brush off the tails he occasionally picked up and developed ways to display his prowess in his efforts to both deflect their feelings and further stoke the citizens’ rising regard for the Dark Warrior. The citizens of the Sorcerous Kingdom were also long accustomed to his presence, and most knew where the boundaries of admiration and respect were drawn.

They’re not from here, that’s why. It must be the case…

Usually, if he continued moving, the women of the city would not follow him all over the place. As he had wandered around the plaza today, however, the pack of women kept growing until he felt the sheer gravity of their emotions emanating from behind him. They would try to get his attention; asking him questions, trying to touch his cloak and armour or come into his line of sight. Recalling their assortment of garments and varied appearances, he was certain that they were a part of the influx of foreign merchants filling the city.

He skimmed the thoughts of the growing following of women, though he supposed he did not need to do so to discern what they desired. There must also have been a fluffy pink haze that trailed after him wherever he went. These women of travelling merchant stock were far more brazen than the local women in both physical expression and thought: merely seeking the thrill of a casual encounter before they packed up and moved on. With an ear to the pulse of trade, rumors and the tales which circulated with their travels, they projected their wildest fantasies onto the Legendary Momon. Having no experience with such…open…individuals, he had stopped to stand where he currently was to brood over how to extricate himself from the ever growing numbers which pressed at him from every side.

He had fallen into the trap of assuming his customary brooding stance: placing his gauntleted right hand in a contemplative position below his chin while he cradled his elbow in the other. He was quite fond of it – believing the dark image it presented was filled with cool mystique…and it appeared the women surrounding him thought so as well.

As one, they became silent, with faces flushed and lips parted while their glistening eyes gazed up at his figure in pained longing. He had inadvertently brought their emotional tension to a plateau, which could only be described as a razor thin wire stretched to its limit. If he did anything, that thread would almost certainly snap and chaos would erupt. Even the girl manning the stand gazed up at him in the same way: she blissfully shrugged off the fact that he was obstructing her business. He thought that if he asked for one of her wares he would have received a dozen for free.

What in the world is she selling, anyways? Food? A tool? It’s so ridiculous that I can’t appraise it. Why does this strange object cost so much?

He wanted to sigh, but he couldn’t. He wanted to walk away, but he was trapped. He would probably be able to escape by suddenly leaping up onto the rooftops but, seeing that his objective was right beside him, it would look awfully strange if he were to simply hop back down again.

Oiiii...Nabe? Narberal? Narberal-sama? This Hero is in distress…

Nabe, his first and last line of defence, remained unaware of the thoughts he was casting in her direction as he eyed her out of the corner of his visor. Well, she did only have a single level in Doppelganger, after all. Her cold manner and sharp words were effective at chasing off even the most amorous individuals, but this convenient ability had been sealed away by a gaggle of curious casters from the Ministry of Magic exhibition that had surrounded her.

“Adamantite caster! What tier of magic do you possess?”

“What are your most effective combinations of spells in crowded quarters?”

“I have scrolls and wands on me: would you like to exchange them with some of yours?”

“What are your thoughts on Slime-centric research for urban utility applications?”

“How about Van Gushmond’s thesis: Fundamental Principles of Magocratic Governance?”

“Oh, Beautiful Princess, sign my grimoire!”

Narberal had been explicitly instructed to be at her absolute best behaviour by Ainz-sama for the duration of the event, so she stood stuck in the crowd of magic casters near the exhibition. Tersely answering what questions she thought would be allowed, her face looked like she was being forced to chew on rivets forged out of Adamask alloy. Minutes passed as they both weathered their respective sieges.

The exhibition would open soon, yet he couldn’t move to inspect all of their magic items: what sort of cruel and unusual torture was this?

“The Ministry of Magic is proud to present the World of Magic exhibition!” A woman’s voice floated over the din of the crowd with the assistance of a magical loudspeaker, “Come one, come all – a plethora of rare and advanced magical items to feast your senses upon!”

He knew he shouldn’t. He didn’t want to – no, he wanted to but he couldn’t. He had to.

Pandora’s Actor turned his head towards the voice.

Oh schei–

The thread of tension snapped, and the trap was sprung: the ninety-three women who had surrounded him exploded into a screaming mass, like a swarm of Banshees unleashed upon the crowded plaza. With all their excitement directed at him, the sound entered through the gaps in his armour, reverberating endlessly throughout the metal suit.

S-s-sonic damage? Why does it feel so effective, they’re so low level!

“Kyaaa! Momon!”

“Momon!!!”

He twisted and turned, trying to make his way out of the crowd from under the crashing waves of amorous intent. He felt the entire main plaza staring in his direction.

Ah, I’m supposed to revel in attention – why does it pain me so?

“Touch me, Momon!”

I can only be one or the other!

“I want your babies, Momon!”

The women seemed to feed off of the competition for his attention, fighting to press themselves against him.

Hello? I’m in armour, you know? You’re not going to be able to feel anything. Woah!

He couldn’t feel their bodies, but he could definitely feel their thoughts, which continued to rise on the crescendo of emotion. He continued working his way through the crowd.

Slowly, slowly. Yes, miss, that’s flattering but…

No, no, I don’t want to know how many lovers you have in each city, nutte!

No! Why? What is the point in me doing that!

!!!

That last imparted thought made him freeze. A chill ran over his body.

Psychic damage? Who…who was that! What are you making me wear in your head! Actually…I’ve never seen some of those items befo–nein! Which one of you degenerate–

His gaze fell on the source of the horrifyingly obscene thoughts: with bright, emerald eyes and hair the colour of bright flames, she couldn’t have been more than fourteen. Sensing his intense gaze focused upon her, she returned a smouldering one of her own as she lasciviously traced her tongue over her lips.

Nope! Nopenopenopenopenope.

Finally breaking past the edge of the crowd, he leapt away onto the nearby rooftops and hopped back down into the alley behind, darting into the rear entrance of the Adventurer Guild. He made his way through the back hall, emerging near the reception desk – startling Ishpen and Wina – and scurried up the stairs to the second floor. Walking over to one of the windows overlooking the main plaza, he peeked through the shutters. After a moment, he heard footsteps on the stairs behind him and quickly turned around to see who had tailed him.

“Is there something wrong, Momon?” Pluton Ainzach asked him – apparently he had come to see who had run through the back areas of the Guild Hall.

“Nothing, nothing at all…”

His voice trailed off, and Ainzach looked up at him curiously.

“Do you think me a prude, Ainzach?”

“Pardon me?”

“No, never mind. I was just thinking about how advanced young people seem to be these days.”

“That may be so, Momon,” Ainzach replied in a neutral tone.

Pluton, auch du?

“Well if you need anything,” the guildmaster said as the silence stretched on between them, “I’ll be working in my office – we have some stocking up to do.”

Pandora’s Actor sighed and continued to stand at the window. Fifteen minutes later, the crowd of women had dispersed and it seemed clear enough to peruse the offerings of the Imperial Ministry of Magic.

『Hello…? Pandora’s Actor?』

He received a Message just as he began to descend the stairs.

『Shalltear, is it? Hm…』

『Yes, I tried using a Message scroll: I see that I got it right arinsune.』

『Is there something I can help you with?』

『I would like to consult you on the use of a few magic items arinsuka…your insight would be greatly appreciated.』

『But the exhibition…』

『Hm?』

『No, it’s nothing. I should be able to set aside an hour or so to help you.』

『Oh, thank you – I will open a Gate at your location.』

Stepping through the portal which opened on the second floor, he entered a dark and cramped room. Below a dim oil lamp which seemed to barely shed any light at all, Shalltear Bloodfallen reclined on a simple wooden chair across a rough dining table from Ludmila Zahradnik. A Human maid stood ready to attend them nearby.

“Welcome back to Warden’s Vale, Momon,” Baroness Zahradnik stood to greet him. “I’ve never had the opportunity to express my gratitude for everything that you’ve done for me.”

“Umu.”

Before everything else, the first thing he felt – or rather he did not feel – was the cacophony of thoughts that had inundated him in E-Rantel. Gently assuaging his frayed sensibilities in the blessed psionic silence, he observed each person in turn: Shalltear was Undead, so his ability to detect thoughts did not work on her. He could read the maid, but her thoughts were as calm and quiet as a pristine pool of still water. The Baroness…was blocking him.

No, that shouldn’t be possible.

He ran his gaze over her slender figure until he noticed the dull grey Ring of Mental Fortitude on her left hand. Shalltear had requested one from the Treasury and, after seeing it on her vassal’s middle finger, all of the pieces which composed the current situation fell into place. Developments on Shalltear’s end had advanced at a rapid pace, and his gamble continued to pay out the various other dividends which he had dared to hope for.

Taking a seat at the table with a flourish to distract her from the dull glow of the ring, he continued to observe the Baroness’ outward appearance. It seemed that she had matured both physically and mentally; it was nearly impossible to see the naive noble scion he had shrewdly tested several weeks ago.

Pandora’s Actor let out a satisfied sigh with his peace of mind restored.

“Is something the matter?” Shalltear asked.

“Ah, no,” he replied, continuing to register the changes in the young noblewoman. “If anything, being here in your home sets my mind at ease.”

“Wow~” Shalltear said.

The maid’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with her hands. The Baroness’ lips trembled slightly as a maidenly blush coloured her cheeks.

Huh?

“I-I am...quite flattered,” she replied in a slightly flustered voice, “but I do not wish to come between you and Nabe.”

“Eh?” He stared blankly at her through his visor.

“You are a…couple, yes? You two seem so close, so this must be the case. It is said that you came here from some far away place, pursuing some great cause around the world together…I feel it quite romantic.”

No...no...give me back my peace of mind!

“Though there is one thing I am curious about,” she shifted in her seat to look at him. “Do you plan on settling down somewhere once you start a family together?”

Pandora’s Actor raised a gauntleted hand to his helmet.

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