Reincarnated as Itsuka Shido: Collecting Spirits as Lovers-Chapter 215: Becoming Shalltear’s Helper

"For now, I’ll assign you to assist Shalltear in managing the 3rd Floor of Nazarick."

Although there were currently no enemies capable of casually entering and leaving Nazarick, someone still needed to maintain and monitor each floor. The first three floors, collectively known as the "Grave," could also be referred to as catacombs, subterranean burial chambers where dozens of undead wandered in perpetual darkness.

As for why Shalltear was the only Floor Guardian tasked with overseeing multiple levels, it was simply because she was the most suitable for the role. Her overwhelming strength and combat style made her the ideal first line of defense.

Her role was to patrol and assess the readiness of these floors, collecting feedback from the area guardians. The first three floors were designed to slow down and weaken intruders before they could reach the deeper levels of Nazarick. In the event of an invasion, Shalltear could use her abilities to disrupt and cripple any advancing enemies.

However, as things stood, no one in this world was capable of infiltrating Nazarick right now. Most warriors were far too weak, except for a some capable people.

"Shalltear, take Shido to the first three floors and teach him everything he needs to know."

Ainz turned to Shalltear, who looked visibly eager to guide Shido through the levels under her care, particularly her residence on the 2nd Floor.

"Yes, Ainz-sama! Let’s go, Shido!"

"...Oh."

Without hesitation, Shalltear grabbed Shido’s hand and eagerly dragged him through the gate leading to her floor. Her enthusiasm left Ainz momentarily speechless, he hadn’t expected her to be this excited.

"That girl!" Albedo ground her teeth in frustration. Shalltear’s shameless behavior irritated her to no end. She could sense that Shalltear had some hidden agenda involving Shido, though she couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

"Forget it... she’s probably just excited to finally have a secretary or something." Ainz said with a sigh, shaking his head. In his mind, Shalltear had simply been lonely managing all three floors alone. Now that Shido was there to support her, she could finally take it easy, even if just a little.

Albedo didn’t respond. She simply stared in the direction where Shalltear and Shido had vanished. Aura did the same, her eyes fixed on the now-empty space. Her expression was unreadable, lost in thought, but what she was thinking, no one could tell.

"What’s wrong, Onee-chan?"

Mare, sensing something unusual about his sister, tilted his head and asked curiously.

"It’s nothing, nothing," Aura replied with a smile. Snapped out of her thoughts by her brother’s voice, she gently reassured him, her usual cheerful tone returning as if nothing had happened.

Mare simply nodded and didn’t say anything further. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Ainz, who was now walking over to Demiurge’s battered body, still bearing the heavy damage inflicted by Shido.

With a wave of his hand, Ainz cast a healing spell. Moments later, Demiurge stirred, groaning softly as he held his head. The blow he had taken was powerful, and the lingering dizziness clouded his senses.

"Are you alright, Demiurge?" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Ainz asked calmly once Demiurge had managed to stabilize himself.

"...Yes, Ainz-sama." Demiurge replied, dropping to one knee in front of his master. His voice was steady, but his expression betrayed him. He gritted his teeth as he lowered his head, not out of anger toward Shido, but from a deep sense of shame.

He wasn’t furious about the defeat anymore. What truly gnawed at him was the feeling that he had become a disgrace in front of Ainz.

"What’s wrong?"

Ainz’s voice cut through the silence like a sharp blade, piercing directly into Demiurge’s heart. The tone wasn’t loud, but it carried weight, a subtle pressure that made Demiurge feel as though he had failed his master.

"Ainz-sama! Please forgive me for my disappointing performance. I will accept any punishment you see fit!"

Demiurge bowed deeply, pressing his head against the ground with such force that the floor cracked beneath him.

Ainz remained silent, watching the scene unfold. Despite Demiurge’s shame, Ainz hadn’t been surprised by the outcome. In truth, he had already expected Demiurge to lose. After all, Demiurge wasn’t built for direct combat, his strength lay in strategy and manipulation.

And Shido, armed with a World Item, stood among the most powerful beings on par with top-tier players from YGGDRASIL. Ainz had foreseen the result from the moment the match began.

The only reason Ainz hadn’t stopped Demiurge from fighting Shido was because he wanted them to settle their disagreement through battle.

"I’m glad to know you now understand just how helpless you were."

Ainz didn’t soften his words. Like a splash of ice-cold water, his blunt statement was meant to jolt Demiurge awake, forcing him to confront reality.

"...But." Ainz continued after a brief pause, "that loss will help you grow stronger. Engrave it in your mind, and use it to ensure you never lose again."

Demiurge had braced himself for harsh reprimand, he expected anger, disappointment, perhaps even punishment. But instead, Ainz offered him something far more powerful.

Motivation.

With a newfound clarity in his heart and his master’s words etched deep into his soul, Demiurge nodded firmly, determination burning in his eyes.

"Yes, Ainz-sama!"

"Good."

Ainz gave a satisfied nod. Without saying more, he began turning away, intending to leave, but halfway through, he paused and looked back at Demiurge.

"One more thing. Since Shido has defeated you, he is now officially a member of Nazarick. I expect there will be no more disagreements between the two of you."

"...Understood."

Demiurge bowed his head once more. He fully grasped the meaning behind Ainz’s words and accepted them without hesitation. After all, the conflict had begun with his own provocation and arrogance, attitudes that had led to his humiliating defeat. But now that Shido was a comrade, Demiurge knew such a mistake couldn’t be repeated.

Satisfied with Demiurge’s response, Ainz gave a final nod before teleporting out of the floor, reappearing in his private bedchamber.

...

"Haaaaa... So tired."

After being dragged around on a tour of the first three floors by Shalltear, Shido collapsed onto his bed, thoroughly exhausted. The tour had been long and, frankly, uneventful. Most of the areas they visited were barren and empty, with little of note beyond flat landscapes. While a few structures stood out, such as Shalltear’s residence and the quarters of other area guardians, the rest was devoid of much interest.

Now, Shido was lying flat on his back, arms spread out as he tried to relax.

His own residence had been arranged on the Second Floor, not far from Shalltear’s residence.

As Shido lay resting, his thoughts drifted back to the way Shalltear had been looking at him throughout the tour, like a hungry predator eyeing its prey. Her gaze had been intense, almost overwhelming, and it left Shido feeling slightly speechless.

He hadn’t expected his charm to affect someone like Shalltear so strongly, especially given her high magic resistance. But that wasn’t really bad since that meant his love spot could still affect higher level beings to a certain degree.

Still, Shido knew he couldn’t ignore the situation. If left unchecked, there was a real possibility that Shalltear might try something... He felt that she might eat him the next time they met.

But if it ever came to that, Shido wasn’t afraid.

He smirked to himself.

’If she tries to eat me, I’ll fight back, and make her moan until she begs for mercy.’