Chapter 29: Chapter 28: Cried the Red Dog: A Tale of Shame and Redemption
Just minutes ago, he was on death's door, with a prognosis of fifteen minutes left. His abdomen and chest had been brutally battered, his insides a mangled mess, some even spilling out. It was a gruesome ordeal, yet he harbored no resentment or anger toward the culprit. In the words of Lord Ainz, it was a moment of, "Lupusregina, I forgive you entirely."
Solution, though irked by her sister's attack on their beloved brother, directed her gaze not at Lupusregina but at him. He never shows me that sloppy face! she thought, seething.
Why? Because he was cradled in Albedo's lap, a heavenly haven. Albedo gently stroked his hair, warming his heart and softening his expression into blissful surrender. How could he resent Lupusregina, who had unwittingly opened the gates to this paradise?
Lupusregina, meanwhile, knelt prostrate on the floor, vivid finger marks etched across her throat.
Bursting through the study door, Albedo lunged inside. What are you doing to what's mine? She seized Lupusregina's throat with a fierce grip, forcing a choked gasp from her. Hoisted high, it seemed Albedo might crush her or slam her down. Only Solution's cry of "Heal him first!" spared the newly renovated study from ruin.
Urging the coughing Lupusregina to act, they restored the man to health. His body was whole, his mind clear, but weakness lingered, so they laid him on a chaise longue—not the hard carpet. Albedo joined him there, offering her lap as a pillow. Lupusregina's eyes widened, realizing too late the gravity of her mistake.
This one is precious to me. You're always so thoughtless, never considering consequences. Why are you even here? Albedo's stern lecture echoed, though her dignity faltered slightly as she cradled the man. Without him, Lupusregina might've faced a fist to the gut.
Lupusregina's actions were undeniable, and as Guardian Overseer, Albedo's authority was absolute. Lupusregina could only droop her ears and bow in shame. Albedo, still fuming, repeated her points twice before granting Lupusregina a chance to explain.
"Y-Yes… I'll explain," Lupusregina stammered.
She recounted the events, drawing Albedo and Solution's piercing stares toward the man. Oblivious, he basked in the softness of Albedo's thighs, their fragrance intoxicating.
Thud. Albedo dumped him onto the floor.
"Sit beside Lupusregina," she commanded.
"Yes, ma'am," he replied, kneeling beside Lupusregina, bewildered.
Albedo pointed accusingly. "You lack delicacy!"
"!?" Why's he so shocked? Ainz and I have told him this before, Solution thought.
Lupusregina seemed friendly, always smiling, but she was a sadistic werewolf who relished tormenting humans. Still, she wasn't reckless enough to attack a stranger unprovoked—especially one Ainz had ordered to heal if harmed. Yet, she had acted for a reason.
"Lupusregina Beta, right? Lord Ainz sent you as a substitute for a healing potion?" the man had said.
"…Calling me a potion?" Lupusregina's smile soured.
She was a high-ranking cleric, far surpassing mere potions.
"My apologies. A medicine kit, then," he corrected.
"…Oh, I get it. You're looking down on me, huh?" she snapped.
No delicacy, no tact, too blunt, utterly insensitive. Despite his polished manners—likely drilled into him by Rana—Albedo's mood darkened further. The man bowed low, absorbing her wisdom.
Albedo had more to say but was pressed for time. She instructed him to stay put in three days and returned to Nazarick, later regretting not specifying that very night. She dove back into work.
Even after Albedo left, the young master remained on his knees. "I… lacked delicacy?" he murmured.
"What are you saying? Lord Ainz already pointed this out," Solution retorted.
"I thought I was being careful…"
"Let's be clear: you're hopeless."
Solution wasn't harsh; he was genuinely lacking. Years of bedridden confinement left him woefully short on social experience. There was hope for growth, though.
"I didn't mean to offend Lupusregina-sama, but it seems I did. My apologies," he said.
"No biggie. You're pretty light on your feet, huh?" Lupusregina teased.
"Am I?"
"Yep!"
Despite nearly killing him, he showed no fear or malice. Lupusregina, a sadist who tortured and healed repeatedly, had never met a human unfazed by her.
"I kinda like that!" she chirped.
"Thanks, I guess," he replied.
"You're supposed to be thrilled! That's what Albedo meant by delicacy!"
"Ugh," he clutched his chest.
She cackled. Initially annoying, he was proving entertaining. "How about a handshake to make up?"
He offered his hand with a serious expression, making her laugh again. "We both got chewed out by Albedo, huh? Man, she was terrifying!"
Solution tensed, sensing trouble.
Lupusregina's words weren't thoughtless, but Solution's retort was merciless. You want me to go easy? Are you trying to stunt Lupusregina's growth? Do you despise her? Everyone thinks you're close sisters, but you secretly look down on her. What would others think? Solution's barrage left Lupusregina apologizing, regretting her interjection.
When Lupusregina's handshake was swatted away, she didn't immediately understand. Then, glaring murderously, she growled, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm sorry, I was startled. I didn't realize Lupusregina-sama was that timid," he said.
Her eyes blazed with killing intent, but he only gave a bitter smile. "To think someone as beautiful as Albedo-sama could seem scary? That's timidity."
"Anyone would be scared after that!" Lupusregina clenched her fists, restraining the urge to pummel him, mindful of Albedo's warning.
"I endured worse from you but wasn't scared. Not only timid but sensitive to pain? I heard you're a Pleiades battle maid, yet pain and fear come with combat. Should I petition to demote you to a regular maid?"
"Weak human, daring to—"
"Weak, frail, human. So I should grovel to the strong? Never crossed my mind. People don't think of what they can't imagine."
I'm a werewolf, not human! Enough already! Lupusregina's golden eyes narrowed, focused solely on crushing him. Albedo's warning vanished from her mind.
Solution saw danger. Lupusregina might kill him. His words were excessive, but her sadistic glee was absent—this could be lethal. Stopping Lupusregina was easier than him; he wouldn't back down after Albedo's insult.
"You've forgotten Albedo-sama's words. You've made this mistake before, haven't you? Who's orders did you ignore? Sebas? No, Ainz-sama? Unbelievable… to think someone in Nazarick could defy Ainz-sama."
Lupusregina froze. She hadn't outright disobeyed, but in Carne Village, she'd ignored a crisis and failed to report to Ainz, earning his wrath.
"Albedo-sama said you lack foresight. Foolishness can be forgiven, but failing to follow orders? Unable to grasp Ainz-sama's commands, chasing whims without seeing dangers? Your recklessness could endanger Nazarick. Ainz-sama would act to eliminate threats—for you! He'd face danger because of you!"
"…Ugh." Lupu's crying!? Solution gasped.
Both sisters reveled in tormenting others, but seeing Lupusregina grit her teeth, tears welling in her eyes from anger and regret, was new. Solution felt a pang of pity—and found teary Lupusregina oddly cute, her wicked slime nature shining through.
"But that's why Ainz-sama believes in you!" the man continued.
"…What?" Lupusregina blinked, tears streaking her cheeks.
"Carne Village is a backwater. Not naive enough for saintly legends, but still simple. Too small for you. Ainz-sama wants you to see bigger things. Your mistakes aren't praiseworthy, but Ainz-sama caught you in his great hands. You're his cherished child, watched with a father's warmth."
Another tear fell. The man was a devil, Solution realized, as cunning as Albedo or Demiurge. Lupusregina's mild resentment toward Albedo was harmless; their chains of command were separate.
"…Ainz-sama expects things of me?" Lupusregina asked, voice fragile.
He comforted her with florid words, quoting romance novels Solution had lent him, ignoring her grinding teeth. Lupusregina, used to empty flattery, found his words soothing, her cheeks flushing with pride. Quick to recover, her carefree nature shone through.
"I get it!" Lupusregina puffed out her chest, a crow—no, a werewolf—who'd cried and bounced back. "If Ainz-sama thinks of me, I'll forgive you for passing on his words. But I'm still miffed!"
With a mischievous grin, she tugged her collar lower. "Since I caused you trouble, you can touch my chest a little, as thanks."
She smirked wickedly, planning to tease his flustered reaction. If he tried, she'd mock him as a pervert. Still underestimating him, she forgot her time in Carne Village, surrounded by naive villagers like Enri or shy Nfirea, who kept their distance.
Her Pleiades uniform, a modified maid outfit, was less armored than Narberal's but sexier than most, second only to Solution's. Her collar revealed collarbones and the curve of her chest, her skirt's deep slit teasingly close to exposing more. Lupusregina's wild beauty—vivacious, ever-smiling—overwhelmed most men.
"Then I won't hold back," he said.
"Huh?"
He raised his left hand high, right hand low—not a battle stance, but an attack of sorts. Lupusregina had bared her cleavage, implying permission (she hadn't). Breasts are fine, but the butt's okay too, she'd heard from Sixus (she hadn't).
His left hand slipped under her collar, grasping her ample chest, fingers brushing a sensitive peak, pinching lightly. His right hand dove into her skirt's slit, gripping her firm backside, fingers tracing its contours.
"~~~~~!!!" Lupusregina screamed, nearly causing a scene if not for the soundproofed study.
"What are you doing!?" She recoiled, clutching her chest and crouching. A village maiden at heart, her seductive ploy backfired.
"You listening!?" she shrieked.
He ignored her, staring at his right hand—the one that grabbed her. He brought it to his nose.
Solution cringed. That's kinda pervy, Lupusregina thought, yet grinned.
He wiped his fingers with a handkerchief and turned to Solution. "Have the maids prepare a bath and clothes."
"Your clothes are tattered, true. I'll arrange it," Solution said.
"Not for me. For Lupusregina-sama."
"What?" Solution blinked.
"Me?" Lupusregina echoed.
"Lupusregina-sama had an… accident."
"Huh?" Solution was lost.
Lupusregina understood, frantically pressing her skirt. "She's… uncomfortable. A bath and clothes are needed. Don't ask more—I've learned delicacy. I won't say what happened."
Solution stared at her sister, trembling and red-faced. "Lupu… did you wet yourself?"
"WAAAAAAAH!" Lupusregina wailed, tears flowing anew.