Uh... did I overdo it?
Ainz was now in a dilemma; he originally only wanted to put a little pressure on Iri, then remind her to recall the feeling she had when learning Pure Throwing Spear from Shalltear.
He never expected her to actually use Blood Frenzy and Blood Pool; if it weren't for this, Ainz himself would have almost forgotten that the first skill Iri learned was actually Blood Frenzy.
This is great... now it looks like a father 'forcing' his daughter to evolve into a Great Demon. What should I do?
On one hand, he was thinking of preventing Iri from becoming someone who views human lives as ants, like the Guardians, while on the other hand, he was 'forcing' her towards the opposite direction.
The child, Iri, was very hesitant to attack her comrades. When she was still in Nazarick, Iri even intended to teach Shalltear a lesson for this.
Now... although it was under the effect of Blood Frenzy, the fact that she attacked a teammate really made his daughter feel very frustrated.
How should this situation be resolved now?
His original goal had also been achieved. Having a fight with Iri was indeed far more beneficial than fighting those Black Workers.
If he hadn't had the High-tier Physical Nullification enchantment, and had only relied on close combat, in that situation just now, if he hadn't used a small trick to deplete Iri's Guardian Ring uses.
And then, if he had dispelled Perfect Warrior, he really wouldn't have been sure he could defeat Iri. And most importantly... this child truly showed him a possibility.
It was the martial art Iri used at the very end—Dragon Fang Thrust!
Since it has come to this, Iri probably won't be able to get up for a while, right?
Then, let's proceed with the original plan of capturing those Black Workers and ending it. This level of commotion is sufficient.
Ainz looked at Iri, who could now only rely on her weapon to support her trembling body, and thought.
"To be able to achieve this, it certainly proves you are of Nazarick's bloodline, but... it's only to this extent." Ainz said, raising his hand and pointing at the Black Workers huddled to the side, thinking, 'Just knock out the rest!'
"Negative Energy Touch."
As soon as Ainz released his skill, he saw Iri's figure, who was standing in the distance, vanish, transforming into a phantom image that instantly blocked in front of the Black Workers, taking the full force of the blow for them.
However, this time Iri was not knocked back like before, but stood quite steadily there.
Eh? How does she even know this? Is Iri's performance too excessive? Ainz was dumbfounded.
"Ah... ah... Little Yi! Guhehehe..." Albedo couldn't hold back this time and directly revealed her infatuation.
Ainz didn't even bother to remind her of the occasion, as Ainz himself was quite surprised. The reason Iri was able to take Ainz's magic without harm just now was because she used Albedo's special skill—Bodyguard.
This skill was Albedo's trump card as a vanguard guardian. Its effect was to take one instance of damage for the guarded target and completely nullify that damage.
Even the immense damage of Ultimate Magic could be nullified, making it a very excellent skill. However, it did have limitations and drawbacks: it could only be used twice a day, and while it could nullify damage indiscriminately, it did not nullify status effects attached to the attack.
So, after Iri once again took the Negative Energy Touch, which came with stun and confusion effects, with her face, she couldn't even stand steadily now. She directly gripped her weapon tightly and half-knelt on the ground. This should be the end of it, right?
A speechless Ainz once again aimed at the Black Workers, and once again used Negative Energy Touch. The result... Iri still stood in front of them without hesitation, difficultly blocking the attack.
"Enough... enough! Iri-meimei!" The uncle who looked like a priest shouted with a pained expression.
Ainz felt uneasy watching this. Although it was an act, Iri didn't need to risk her life for them, did she?
Hmm? Wait a moment? Why would Iri risk her life to protect them?
Although the unexpected Blood Frenzy did injure their people, according to Iri's original plan, wasn't the act supposed to end at this point?
Why would she still protect them? There must be a reason... and at this moment, Ainz recalled Iri saying with an incredibly innocent smile, 'This is all part of Ainz-papa's plan!'
Uh... could it be that Iri has some other intention?
One must know that Iri's thought process is very similar to Demiurge's. Perhaps she really does have a plan!
Then what should he do? If he insisted on killing these Black Workers, wouldn't that be hitting himself in the face?
In that case... then! Let's try a more moderate approach again! Ainz thought.
"Splendid!! To do so much for your comrades, very good, very good!!" Ainz spread his hands and laughed heartily, putting on a very pleased expression, then turned around with a flourish and waved his hand.
"Albedo, take good care of Nazarick's bloodline. As for her companions..." Ainz looked back at the nervous Black Workers and continued.
"Treat them as temporary guests of Nazarick. Remember! Only temporarily. Also... I do not wish to see them anywhere else in Nazarick. Teleportation Gate!" Ainz finished speaking, and a Teleportation Gate opened before him, which he entered.
The other end of the Teleportation Gate connected to his room. As soon as he returned to his room, Ainz immediately relaxed, throwing himself onto his bed like a child.
This should be fine, right? For now, he would put those Black Workers under house arrest and see Iri's reaction. Anyway, they couldn't escape.
Hmm... when Demiurge first proposed this plan, he wasn't very keen on it, but he couldn't think of a better alternative himself. Moreover, Demiurge kept saying that this was all within Ainz-sama's expectations, so how could he refuse!
Sigh... so tired. I wonder if Iri will hate me for this... after all, he treated her like this... Ainz felt incredibly melancholic at this thought.
...
"Hellank? Are you alright!" After Roba cast recovery on Hellank, Hellank finally regained consciousness. Imina, disregarding everything, immediately hugged him.
"Ow ow ow... Imina, be gentle! Hey! Where are you taking Iri-meimei!" Hellank, who had just woken up and taken a bear hug from Imina, saw two maids in black maid outfits helping Iri up, seemingly wanting to take her somewhere, and so he became nervous again.
Uncle Roba and Arshe, seeing this, also prepared for battle again, even though they knew this choice was unwise.
"Everyone, please rest assured. Little... cough... mm, Miss Iri is of Nazarick's bloodline, so naturally, nothing will be done to her. Lupusregina." The peerless beauty in white came over to explain, then turned her head and called out.
"Oh!" Then, behind her, another red-haired maid raised her hand and responded.
"Heal these temporary guests, then take them to the guest rooms." After the peerless beauty in white finished instructing the red-haired maid, she once again turned her gaze to Hellank's group.
"Although Ainz-sama, in his great mercy, treats you as guests, please also show some self-respect and do not do anything to disappoint Ainz-sama." The peerless beauty in white glared at them with eyes that regarded them as trash, then also turned and slowly departed.
"Are we... saved?" Hellank said, letting out a sigh of relief.
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