Pleiades Day

Part 6

“Thank you for your hard work.”

While she had rushed back as quickly as she could, her Master had already finished speaking with the other two. On the way back, Yuri received a [Message] to go to her Master’s personal quarters.

After meeting her Master did not have a bad impression of those two, so it would appear that the meeting with them had gone well.

Yuri’s impression of the two of them went up slightly.

Just as Yuri thought, looks like the job’s almost over, her Master spoke.

“Now then, tell me what you think.”

She must have accidentally let a look of surprise appear on her face.

With what seemed like a wry grin, her Master repeated:

“You are also a member of the Pleiades. Should I not hear your opinion out as well? Tell me, is there anything which displeases you?”

“N-no, there is nothing which I am unhappy with.”

“Hm~ Is that so. Then, I shall ask something else. Have you been busy lately?”

How should she answer that question? Either response she could give — being busy or not busy — seemed very disrespectful.

Yuri struggled to find an answer, but she could not.

“…Really now. Then, I shall rephrase my question. Yuri, I would like to give you a new task. Will you have the time to complete it?”

“If it is your order, then I shall make as much time for it as need be, Ainz-sama.”

“I see. Then, your — no, I came across a suggestion. And that suggestion said—”

Her Master unrolled a piece of paper on the desk.

“I believe that we need child education services which can scout out talented individuals and cultivate them. This way, we might be able to strengthen Nazarick. Even if it does not work out, we can still use it to develop technologies for ourselves, which can also be used as a foundation to strengthen Nazarick as well,’ or something like that.”

Yuri was familiar with that suggestion.

After all, she had written it herself.

“That is a good suggestion. I reached a decision after discussing the matter with Albedo. Yuri Alpha.”

“Yes!”

“You will be in charge of the orphanage we will be building in E-Rantel.”

“An, an orphanage?”

“Indeed. Children will be educated there. I will entrust the founding and administration of that orphanage to you. You need only discuss the details with Albedo. — Now then, are you up to the task?”

Her eyes full of determination, Yuri replied:

“Yes! Please leave it to me!”

“Very good,” her Master nodded.

“You will be in charge of this matter, and I will guarantee you the full support of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick. Build the orphanage of your dreams — you may tell Albedo that those are my words. Do not allow yourself to regret anything. However, like I said just now, we have other goals in mind, so we might not be able to perfectly fulfil your desires. However, we will not be able to obtain good results if we abandon things from the start. Do you understand what I am trying to say?”

“Yes!”

Yuri understood her Master’s intentions. However, she did not understand why he had to explain everything to her in such detail and in such easily-understood terms.

“Then… if you are to be in charge of the orphanage, you will need the help of capable people. If you feel anyone in Nazarick is up to the task, you may pick as you see fit. Naturally, people who are already busy are exempt from selection…Do you have anyone in mind?”

Yuri blinked for a moment, unable to comprehend her Master’s intentions. Had the Supreme One’s peerless instinct and intellect seen through her confusion?

Yuri decided that she would need to clarify, even if it could be taken as disrespect. Just as Yuri was about to speak, a flash of inspiration flashed through her mind.

“Does, does that mean I may pick people who are in confinement?”

“Of course. If need be, they can even be freed from confinement.”

In other words, the two of them were fine. Yuri struggled to resist the urge to smile and maintained a poker face while bowing respectfully to her Master.

“I understand, my Supreme Lord!”

As she realized the great mistake she had made, Yuri made a mental note:

— The Master before me is as kind as Yamaiko-sama.

As he watched Yuri leave, overflowing with passion, Ainz spoke to the people in the corner of the room.

“Now then, you may dismiss the spell.”

“Yes, Master. My apologies.”

The forms of two of the Battle Maids revealed themselves.

They were Narberal Gamma and Lupusregina Beta.

“We are deeply grateful to you for bestowing an important task upon our sister Yuri.”

Ainz looked back to Lupusregina, who had spoken in behalf of the two of them.

“…I had already considered having Yuri handle the management of the orphanage. It was no trouble at all to go along with your suggestion. Then, do either of you have any other requests?”

“No, Master.”

While he could be said to be studying Lupusregina’s expression, Ainz was not good at reading the thoughts of others. All he saw was the same earnest face Lupusregina always had, the girl who had earnestly pleaded with him to give her elder sister work to do.

“Hm~” Ainz leaned back in his chair. “…Then, if anything happens or if you notice anything, notify me immediately.”

After hearing their answer, Ainz dismissed the two of them.

He watched the two of them leave, and then Ainz looked at the regular maid Decrement, and spoke as though he was seeking her approval.

“It is a good thing for sisters to get along. Indeed… it is a beautiful thing.”