Pleiades Day Part 1

1

Yuri Alpha -- one of the Battle Maids and the assistant leader of the Pleiades -- was thinking as she observed every action she took with a keen gaze that did not miss a single movement.
身为战斗女仆的一员、以及七姐妹副队长的由莉·阿尔法以不放过其任何动作的锐利视线、观察着她的一举一动，一边这么思索着。

--She was not the most suitable person for this job.
——最适合这份工作的并不是自己。

Ultimately, she was a Battle Maid. Combat was her primary calling, while being a maid was a secondary vocation.
她终究是「战斗」女仆，战斗才是自己的「主要」工作，而女仆不过是「次要」的。

Originally, this responsibility for this task would surely have been borne by a person who could have been called her friend, Pestonya S. Wanko.
本来的话，这样的工作是肯定是应该由即使称其为自己的友人也不为过的，佩斯特妮·S·汪可来负责担当的吧。

However, she understood very clearly that such a thing was impossible.
不过她也非常理解这是不可能的事。

Yuri’s friend was currently within the Frozen Prison of the 5th Floor. It was a harsh environment that would set one’s bones shivering with cold, but Yuri did not have any special thoughts about the matter. That was because she knew that her confinement was nothing more than merciful treatment from the Supreme One.
现在由莉的友人正身处第五阶层的冰結牢狱之中。虽然那是连骨头都会冻得吱吱作响的严酷环境，但对此由莉并没有什么特别的感想。那是因为她知道，禁闭不过只是无上至尊宽大且慈悲的处置。

After all, Pestonya had used her own judgement to twist the will of the one who had gathered all the Supreme Beings, the absolute ruler of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, Ainz Ooal Gown.
畢竟佩斯特妮以自身判斷扭曲了既是无上至尊们的整合者也是纳萨力克地下大坟墓绝对支配者的安兹·乌尔·恭的旨意。

Such disloyalty should have warranted capital punishment.
这本该是死罪的大不敬。

Nigredo, who had committed the same offense, was confined in the same place as her. In that sense, they were as close as though they were of the same blood. And with Pestonya by her side, Nigredo would not be too badly chilled. After all, her fur possessed cold resistance. Rather, if they had been imprisoned on the 7th Floor, perhaps she might have been worried for Pestonya.
与其同罪的妮古蕾德也在同样的地方禁闭中。她们两人在某一件事上就像是有血緣關係般团结。而且在妮古蕾德身旁的话也不会冻得太厉害吧，畢竟她的毛髮擁有對寒冷的抗性。反而要是在第七階層禁閉的話，那或許倒還會擔心下佩斯特妮。

Still, would it not be better to let a regular maid help with this? No, there’s no way Sebas-sama would not have considered that. But still… Yuri glanced at the steely butler who stood to one side. Was it inappropriate to do so because of her position? --Hm.
（不过、果然还是让某個一般女仆来协助会比较合适吧？不，塞巴斯大人不可能没有想到这一点。但是……）由莉偷偷瞄了一眼站在一旁如同钢铁般的管家。（是因为她的立场这么做并不妥当吗？——嗯）

“--Hold on for a moment. Your body’s center-line has shifted a little. Please visualise the difference in the strength between your dominant and your subordinate foot, and then try again from there.”
「——稍微停一下。身体的重心有些偏移了。请想像慣用足和逆足之間的力度差異，再從那裡開始重試一次。」

“--Yes.”
「——是」

The person who answered was a human in a maid uniform.
做出回应的，是穿着女仆服的人类。

This person was an extremely rare sight in Nazarick, a pure human. Her name was Tsuare.
此人是在纳萨力克中非常少见的、纯粹的人类。名字是琪雅蕾。

She was a woman who had been brought to Nazarick from the Re-Estize Kingdom’s Royal Capital, and she had been assigned to Sebas as his direct subordinate. That said, while she had done some maid’s work before, she had zero official experience as a maid, which was why she was undergoing training like this.
她是從里·耶斯提杰王国的王都被带到納薩力克来的女性，现在分配為塞巴斯的直属部下。但是她虽然多少做过佣人的工作，但却并没有任何正式的女仆经历，因此才会像这样接受训练。

Since she had been through a fairly long period of training, which included proper walking posture and a regular maid’s duties, Yuri’s personal opinion was that she passed. In other words, it was time for her to accumulate practical experience and progress towards her goal of a being more perfect maid.
由于已经受過相當長一段时间的訓練，包括走路姿势和一般的女仆业务在内，就由莉个人而言即使给她打个合格也是可以的。也是时候让她试着积累实地经验，以更为完美的女仆为目标来迈进了。

However, the man besides her would not permit that.
可是身旁的男人却不允许这么做。

In order to train a more perfect maid, they had been drilling her strictly, without pause.
为了将其教育成更为完美的女仆，而不断实施着严厉的训练。

Yuri returned to her original position, quietly watching Tsuare as she walked.
由莉回到了先前所站的地方，静静的眺望着迈起步子的琪雅蕾。

...Seems like she’s getting tired.
（……差不多也开始疲劳了啊）

Tsuare’s forehead sparkled with shiny beads of sweat.
琪雅蕾的额头上闪烁着汗珠的光辉。

That was only to be expected. She had been practicing for over an hour now. Even walking normally for an hour was enough exercise to make a person break a sweat. How much more so for someone like her who had devoted her whole heart to this, focusing her attention into the tips of her fingers and toes? It was exhausting work, not just in a physical but in a mental sense.
也是自然。训练已经连续进行了一小时了。就算普通的走一小时也是会让人出汗的运动量了。更何况还是像她这样全身心的投入、将注意力贯彻至指尖脚尖。不只是肉体上的疲劳，精神上的负担也是相当大才是。

To Tsuare, who was purely human -- unlike Sebas and Yuri -- these drills must have been a harsh experience.
这对于与塞巴斯和由莉不同，纯粹只是个人类的琪雅蕾来说，无疑是严酷的训练。

...Why is Sebas-sama training her like this? She’s already reached a certain standard… Or does he want her to reach the level of a regular maid? The poor thing.
（……为何、塞巴斯大人要如此训练她？明明已经达到了一定水准了才是。……难不成想要她达到一般女仆的标准？不管怎么说那样也有些可怜了啊）

A regular maid of Nazarick could easily clear the training routine which Tsuare was doing now. However, they had been created by the god-like Supreme Beings. Thus, it was only natural that they should be capable of doing so.
对于纳萨力克的一般女仆来说，琪雅蕾现在所做的训练不过只是易如反掌的东西。不过，她们可是由足以与神相媲美的无上至尊们所创造出来的存在。因此她们做得到那是理所当然的事。

In contrast, it was also natural that Tsuare -- who was not made by the Supreme Beings -- would be unable to do so.
相反，不是由无上至尊们创造的琪雅蕾做不到不同样也是当然的吗。

However, the present circumstances would not permit that.
不过现在的情况却不允许这么做。

By order of the Supreme One, Tsuare would apparently be serving as the leader of the human maids within E-Rantel in the future. That would imply that she would be the bearer of the Supreme One’s will, and thus she would produce excellent results.
将来琪雅蕾好像会根据无上至尊的命令，在任耶·兰提尔作為人類女僕們的整合者工作的样子。
就这层意义上来说，她确实肩负着无上至尊旨意這塊招牌，因此必須要拿出漂亮的工作成果。

But according to rumors from the regular maids, the human maids in question would not be serving the Supreme One. Instead, they were simply hired help responsible for cleaning and odd jobs in the residence of E-Rantel’s former mayor. If that was the case, was there a need to place such high demands on her, Yuri wondered.
可是根据从一般女仆那里听来的传言，这里所指的「人类女仆」并非侍奉于无上至尊左右的侍从，而只是负责耶·兰提尔原市长邸宅的清扫与杂务而雇佣的人罢了。那样的话，不是没有必要要求的这么严格吗，由莉是这么想的。

She observed the way Tsuare walked.
看着琪雅蕾走动的样子。

It was 25 meters from the opposite wall to here.
从对面的墙壁走到这里大约有二十五米。

She had walked this short distance so many times already, and she had done so every day.
这么短短的距离她已经走了多少次了呢。而且这还不是今天一天的事。

Honestly, this girl is really hardworking.
（真的、这孩子还真是很努力呢）

Beneath her cool exterior, Yuri smiled faintly.
由莉在冷瞮的表情下露出了微微的笑容。

“...I submit that she is of a passable standard. What do you think?”
「……属下判断可以达到合格线了，您怎么看？」

She turned to the side, requesting confirmation from the butler beside her.
将视线看向旁边，向一旁的管家确认道。

“No. She is a long way from passable. It would be better to continue training her for a while more.”
「不，離合格還有很長的距離，再稍微繼續訓練下比較好。」

“...Sebas-sama, attempting to pile on too much instruction within a short time will not produce good results. Shall we break here for the day?”
「……塞巴斯大人，要在極短時間內灌輸進去是不會有好結果的，今天就到此結束如何？」

Sebas shook his head.
塞巴斯搖了搖頭。

“As you have said, forced instruction will not produce good results. However, she has little time left. Several days ago, Ainz-sama officially informed Tsuare of the date when she would begin assuming her duties. Tsuare will be taking the position of head maid and she will be managing the human maids. Any mistakes she makes, now and in the future, will shame Nazarick.”
「的確如你所說，強硬的灌輸教育不會有好的結果。但是她剩下的時間只有一點了。前幾日安茲大人那裡傳來了琪雅蕾前往耶‧蘭提爾赴任日期的正式通告。琪雅蕾會就任女僕主任的職位，管理人類女僕們。今後她的失誤將會成為納薩力克的恥辱。」

“While that is true... you will be going with her as well, Sebas-sama. If anything happens, would it not be better for you to handle it?”
「雖然是那樣子沒錯……塞巴斯大人也將同行吧。要是發生什麼事，由塞巴斯大人來處理不就好了嗎？」

“Such thinking would be a mistake. While I will strive to keep her from making mistakes, I cannot always be by her side. In addition, she is placed above others. It is her duty to serve as an example for her subordinates -- to be someone whom others admire.”
「那樣的想法是錯誤的。當然我會盡全力不讓她發生失誤，但我不能一直在她身旁。而且她是立於人上者。那麼成為下屬的榜樣還有——讓人以憧憬的眼神看著，這是作為前輩的職責吧。」

This argument was sound. It was so sound that it permitted no further response
這是正論。讓人啞口無言的正論。

In truth, Yuri felt the same way. As the eldest of the Pleiades, she worked hard everyday to keep her little sisters from seeing her in a disgraceful state.
實際上由莉也是如此。在七姊妹之中作為最年長的姊姊，日日都在為絕對不能讓妹妹們看到丟人的樣子這事努力。

Although Yuri had already accepted his reasoning by this point, Sebas was not finished speaking.
雖然在這個階段由莉已經接受了，但塞巴斯的話還沒有結束。

“Please think about Ainz-sama.”
「請想想安茲大人。」

“Ainz-sama?”
「安茲大人嗎？」

While Yuri was confused by the sudden mention of the Supreme One’s name, she thought of the pure white face of her absolute ruler. The being who had united the 41 Supreme Beings.
由莉雖然因為突然出現的至尊的名字而不由得表現出困惑，不過她想起了絕對統治者那張潔白的臉孔。那位統合了至高四十一人的存在。

“As the Supreme One, he has no need to take action personally. That is because we were made to serve as his arms and legs, to complete any task given to us no matter how difficult.”
「身為無上至尊，本來是沒有必要一馬當先的行動。因為我等本是作為那位大人的手腳而生，不管有多麼困難的命令都會完成。」

That went without saying.
理所當然的事。

The denizens of Nazarick existed to receive orders and perfectly execute them. No, one could say that they were permitted to exist in order to do so. Nobody here thought otherwise.
納薩力克是為了將收到的旨意其完美實行才存在的。不對，要說是因為這樣才被允許存在的也可以。在這裡不會有人抱持著別的想法。

“That is a matter of course, but what about this?”
「那是極其理所當然的事，不過，這到底是？」

“But what is actually happening now? Right now, Ainz-sama has personally taken the lead. I feel this is in order to show us what it means to be a ruler.”
「但實際上又是如何呢？現在安茲大人自身正站在最前頭行走。我認為這是為了讓我等見識作為統治者的姿態。」

Yuri hmm-ed in agreement.
由莉嗯嗯地應和著。

“...And there is one more possibility, a most disastrous possibility, one that frightens me and which I do not wish to say is the correct answer…”
「……還有一個最糟糕的可能性在，不過對我來說實在是過於恐怖的想法，實在不願去想說那才是正確答案……」

Before Yuri could ask about that possibility, Sebas spoke again.
在由莉開口問另一個可能性之前，塞巴斯再度開口。

“In the past, Ainz-sama defeated the strongest of the Floor Guardians, Shalltear-sama. With his charm, he united the Supreme Beings. And his wisdom can even awe the twin intellectual pinnacles of Nazarick, Albedo-sama and Demiurge-sama. Thus, he has shown us the image of an absolute ruler who is fully furnished with the essential qualities of fighting power, charisma and intellect. That being the case, should we not follow in his footsteps?”
「過去安茲大人打倒了最強的樓層守護者夏提雅大人。在魅力這方面則是擁有整合了無上至尊們這一實績在。還有智謀上讓納薩力克巔峰的那二人——雅兒貝德大人和迪米烏哥斯大人都為之敬服。也就是說是給我等展現出了一個完全具備了戰鬥力、魅力還有智力這些對於絕對統治者來說必要的東西的形象。那麼我等不正應該效法安茲大人給我們展現的形象嗎？」

“I see…”
「原來如此……」

“Naturally, setting the unattainable peak that is Ainz-sama as our goal is not only disrespectful but foolish in the extreme. But even if it is just by one step, I feel we should strive to draw closer to Ainz-sama. While forcing her to do this might be a mistake, it is also necessary if she is to stand above others.”
「自然，將安茲大人這個絕對無法達到的頂點當作目標是不敬且愚蠢至及的事。但就算一步也好，我也認為應該要努力接近安茲大人才對。雖然強制她這麼做可能是錯誤的，但是要站在高位上的話，對她來說努力也是必要的。」

Yuri sighed deeply. That was a perfect explanation.
由莉深深的嘆了一口氣。這道理實在是過於完美。

That being the case, Yuri had nothing else to say.
既然是這樣子，由莉也沒有要多說的話了。

“Still -- is that really all?”
「但是——真的只有這樣嗎？」

Sebas looked at Yuri as he said this, and then he spoke so quietly that even Yuri, who was standing beside him, could barely make out his voice.
這麼一問讓塞巴斯直盯著由莉看，然後以連站在旁邊的由莉也只能勉強聽到的細小聲音開口。

“Ainz-sama said that we could welcome Tsuare as a guest of Nazarick, but Tsuare herself told Ainz-sama that she wished to work as a maid. Some people might think her words would be a sign of underestimating the work of a maid. Under these circumstances, if Tsuare makes any mistakes in carrying out the instructions given to her by Ainz-sama, his opinion of her will surely plummet. It is very difficult to restore a ruined reputation, and so I do not want her to even begin to stumble, regardless of the harshness of my methods.”
「安茲大人說過可以以納薩力克地下大墳墓的客人的待遇迎入琪雅蕾，但是琪雅蕾自己對安茲大人說想要以女僕的身份工作。對一部份的人會認為這發言是小看了女僕的工作也無可厚非。在這個情況下，要是琪雅蕾在這次安茲大人下達的旨意上有什麼疏忽的話，對她的評價將會一落千丈吧。曾一度掉落的評價想要改變是非常困難的事，因此就算硬來也不能摔在這最初的一步上。」

In her heart, Yuri wrinkled her eyebrows.
由莉在心中皺起了眉頭。

That was because training Tsuare harshly for that reason was equivalent to saying that Nazarick was at fault.
因為這個理由對琪雅蕾施以嚴格的教育的話，等於是說納薩力克這一方有問題。

While the Supreme One had decreed that Tsuare would be a fellow worker in Nazarick, Yuri had heard from Lupusregina that there was a subtle separation between her and the regular maids. The regular maids looked on Tsuare as an outsider who was stealing their precious job from them. While they would not treat her coldly or disdainfully thanks to orders, what they really thought sometimes shone through in the way they treated Tsuare. I noticed because it’s me, her little sister had said.
雖然至尊下達了旨意說琪雅蕾是一同在納薩力克工作的存在，但是由莉記得聽露普絲雷其娜說過一般女僕與她之間有道微妙的隔閡在。一般女僕們將琪雅蕾當作奪走自己尊貴工作的外人。
當然因為有命令在，她們是不會冷淡對待她或是輕視她，但似乎有時對待琪雅蕾的態度上，內心的想法還是會隱隱表現出來。因為是我才注意得到喔，妹妹是這樣說的。

Perhaps Pestonya could have mediated matters between both parties, but she was under confinement and had missed the chance to meet Tsuare.
要是佩絲特妮在的話，就能在兩者之間斡旋了也說不定，但她受到禁閉處罰和琪雅蕾錯過了。

It was almost as though she had changed places with Pestonya. That might have been a source of the regular maids’ unhappiness.
簡直就像是她和佩絲特妮交換了一樣，這點也可能招致了一般女僕們的不快。

Yuri had no words to answer Sebas, but she made a suggestion anyway.
由莉雖然無言以對，但仍向塞巴斯提案。

“I understand. However, it might be best to give her a rest. ‘Too much cramming is unproductive’, Yamaiko-sama once said.”
「我明白了。但還是稍微休息下比較好。強塞太多的話會帶來不好的結果，夜舞子大人是這麼說的。」

“Did Yamaiko-sama  say that?! Is that so… while we could eliminate fatigue with our abilities… if Yamaiko-sama said so… Very well. Then, Tsuare, take a break. Have a seat on that chair and rest.”
「夜舞子大人嗎！？是這樣嗎……雖然以我們的力量來消除疲勞也是可能的……是夜舞子大人……。也好，那麼琪雅蕾，稍微休息下吧。坐在那裡的椅子上休息吧。」

“--Yes.”
「——是。」

Yuri and Sebas watched Tsuare’s back as she walked to the chair.
由莉和塞巴斯目送著琪雅蕾走向椅子的背影。

“She moves much more beautifully now compared to before.”
「與之前相比，走路方式變得漂亮很多了呢。」

“Thank you very much. It is all thanks to you, Yuri.”
「非常感謝，這些都是多虧了由莉。」

“It was nothing of the sort. That was the fruit of her hard work. Speaking of which, what sort of training will she be doing next?”
「沒有那樣的事，是她努力的結果。話說接下來是要進行什麼訓練呢？」

Yuri had been asked to handle walking practice, and somebody else would handle other things.
由莉被拜託的是步行訓練，其他的事由別人來指導。

“Cleaning and the like will be taught by Eclair.”
「掃除相關的事情由艾克雷亞來教導。」

“Ahh, is he in charge of that?”
「啊啊，他是負責掃除的嗎？」

He was the perfect candidate to teach someone how to clean. Yuri felt that it was a bit of a shame.
關於掃除他是完美過頭的人選。由莉覺得有一點點可惜。

Yuri enjoyed teaching other people. While that did not extend to taking the jobs of others, she would gladly accept any request to do so.
由莉很喜歡教育別人這樣的工作。雖然不至於到要搶人家的工作，但要是被拜託了就會高興的接受。

Yamaiko-sama probably expected that of me -- that is to say, myself.
（大概這是夜舞子大人如此期望我——在下的吧）

While she could not behold the revered visage of her creator now, matters related to the Supreme Being who had made her moved her heart and warmed it.
雖然現在無法拜見尊容，但是與創造自己的至尊相連的事情讓由莉感動萬分，覺得心都溫暖了起來。

Halfway through, Sebas produced a pocket watch from his breast pocket.
看到一旁的塞巴斯從胸前的口袋掏出錶來。

“Yuri, we still have quite some time until we are due to meet Eclair…”
「由莉，和艾克雷亞約好的時間還相當有餘裕……」

“I feel we should stop here for today. Forcing her to carry on while she is tired might lead to bad habits. If they end up being ingrained in her, all our efforts until now might be wasted.”

Yuri shrugged.

“...Bad habits are hard to break, are they not?”
「今天就到此結束比較好。在疲勞的時候硬來的話，有可能會養成不好的習慣。要是身體記住了，至今為止的訓練有可能都白費了」由莉聳聳肩「……養成的習慣要改正很困難不是嗎?」

“...It is as you say. Then, let us stop here for today. Thank you for coming here today for her.”
「……的確如你所言，那麼今天到此為止吧。今天為了她而來非常感謝。」

Sebas nodded to show his thanks. After that, Yuri heard Tsuare make to rise, so she held out a hand to stop her. Tsuare also nodded in thanks.
塞巴斯稍微低下頭致意。然後聽到對話的琪雅蕾也——因為打算要站起來，所以由莉舉起手制止了——一樣低下頭表示感謝。

Yuri looked at the gloves Tsuare was wearing.
由莉看了一眼琪雅蕾戴的手套。

They looked like the same gloves Sebas was wearing. If they possessed the same abilities as well, they would be magic items which reduced elemental damage from fire, acid and the like. While they were only about as powerful as expendable items, the fact that Sebas had actually given her an item bestowed upon him by the Supreme Beings showed how much he thought of her.
外表看上去和塞巴斯戴的是一樣的手套。要是性能也一樣的話，那就是擁有抗酸、抗火等減輕屬性傷害效果的魔法道具。雖然頂多只是有著消耗品程度的力量，但是既然將至尊給予的道具交給她，也就是說塞巴斯相當在意她的事。

No. Yuri immediately rejected her own thought.
不，由莉立刻否定自己的想法。

Given the way he was worried about how the people around Tsuare looked at her, he had been thinking of her for a long time now.
連周圍對琪雅蕾的目光都有在擔心這一點來看，一開始就好好地把她放在心上了吧。

Was it because he had been ordered to by the Supreme One, or was it for some other reason?
那是因為受到了至尊命令的緣故嗎，還是因為他個人的想法呢？

When Yuri saw the white handkerchief peeking out of Tsuare’s maid uniform, the corner of her mouth settled down.
看到琪雅蕾繫在女僕服上的白色手帕，由莉的嘴角緩和了下來。

Asking would be terribly insensitive.
問的話就太不解風情了。

2

Yuri returned to her room -- or rather, she returned to one of the rooms assigned to the Battle Maids. This room was a suite which comprised a bedroom, guest lounge, bathroom, toilet and other such sub-facilities. It might be easier to think of this place as a compressed version of the Supreme Beings’ rooms.
由莉回到了私室、更为正确的说，是分配给战斗女仆们的其中一间房间。这间房间是由寝室、客厅、洗浴室、卫生间，这样复数的房间所构成的套房。将其比作无上至尊房间的缩小版或许会更容易理解一些。

The bedroom did not feel cramped, even with three double beds in it. The guest lounge had a dining table and a sofa, as well as chairs -- six of them in total.
即使寝室中三张双人床排排放，也不会让人觉得狭小。客厅中餐桌和长沙发、还有一些其他椅子总计六把左右。

There were three Battle Maids who lived in this expansive room.
在这样宽敞的房间中生活的战斗女仆，一共有三人。

They were Yuri Alpha, Lupusregina Beta and Narberal Gamma.
分别是由莉?阿尔法、露普斯蕾基娜?贝塔、娜贝拉尔?伽马这三名。

Adjacent to this room was another one of the same size, which was occupied by CZ2128 Delta, Solution Epsilon and Entoma Vasilisa Zeta. Incidentally, while Shizu and Entoma had other private rooms besides the 9th Floor, it was not uncommon for them to stay with Solution or Yuri because sleeping alone was boring.
而这间房间的隔壁，还有着另一间同样大小的房间。而希絲?德尔塔、索琉香?埃普西隆、安特玛?巴西里萨?泽塔就住在那里。顺带一提，虽然希絲和安特玛——在第九阶层以外的地方——还有着别的私室，但由于一个人睡很无聊的缘故，来索琉香或由莉她们的房间留宿并不是什么稀奇的事。

Yuri leaned against the stylish sofa and consciously tried to avoid looking anxious -- though because she was undead, her anxiety had never been that strong to begin with.
由莉依靠在气派的沙发上，并意识着不要露出焦虑的表情——虽然因为是不死者的缘故，焦虑的情绪本来就不是那么的明显。

This is bad… there isn’t any more work… what should I do now…
（这可不妙啊……没有其他工作了……之后要怎么办才好啊……）

Her sole task today was the education of Tsuare, which she had just completed.
今天的工作，就只有方才就已经完成了的对琪雅蕾的教育而已。

She flipped through her planner, but there was nothing else scheduled for her. Naturally, she had not specially arranged things to be that way. In other words, what awaited her over the next few hours would be hellish boredom.
即使翻阅記事簿，上面也并没有其他的日程計畫。而這自然不會是特意安排出来。那也就是说之后将会有好几个小时的、无聊且像地狱一样的时间在等着自己。

It was not that today’s schedule was particularly light, hence the free time. Rather, to Yuri Alpha the Battle Maid, she had always had long stretches when she had nothing to do.
并不是说今天正好比较空，而有了时间上的余裕。倒不如说，对于战斗女仆的由莉·阿尔法来说，一直都是没有工作的时间要更长。

No, saying that she had nothing to do would be wrong.
不，没有工作的时间要更长這句話有語病。

To the Battle Maids of the 9th Floor, who had been created to defend the 10th Floor of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, patrolling and preparing to respond to intruders at any time was fulfilling the core purpose which their creators had intended for them.
对于为了守护纳萨力克地下大坟墓第十阶层，现在是第九阶层而被制造出来的战斗女仆来说，在这第九阶层贯彻勤务，为了随时能够迎击侵入者的巡逻和准备，正是符合创造者意愿的本分才对。

However--
可是——

Nobody in this world could possibly reach this Floor.
在这个世界上有誰能到达的了这个阶层呢。

Indeed, even when beings on par with the Supreme Beings had assailed this place in their hordes, they could not breach the holiest of holies. The invincible fortress of all invincible fortresses. Standing watch here was no different from doing nothing.
沒錯，這裡即使与无上至尊们匹敌的存在成群袭来的那时，也是未能攻破的圣域中的圣域。难攻不落中的难攻不落。警卫在这样的地方，到头来和什么也不做的又有什么区别呢。

In all honesty, Yuri was somewhat displeased with her present circumstances.
老实说，由莉对自己现在的境遇有一些不满。

Too much free -- no, too much standby time is a little… I need to think of more work to do.
（闲——不对，待机时间太长實在是有點……。还想要再多些工作啊）

Of all the tasks assigned to the Battle Maids, the ones which took the longest to carry out and which felt the most fulfilling were duties in the log cabin on the surface. However, due to the rotation of their shifts -- it was Entoma’s turn today -- they would not come around that frequently. Yuri had just completed her shift two days ago, so she would have to wait for two more people to go -- two people had not been assigned this duty -- before it would be her turn again.
在分配给战斗女仆的工作中，勞動时间最长、最能让人有工作实感的，是位于地面木屋的勤务。不过由于实行轮班制的缘故——今天轮到安特玛担当——也不会那么频繁的轮到。因为由莉两天前刚刚轮完，所以还要再等两人——有两人并没有被安排这份工作——才会再轮到她。

Therefore, in order to make use of all this time, Yuri had been looking for extra things to do, but regretfully she had not found anything like that on the 9th Floor.
为此，为了打发多出来的时间由莉，试着在找了找多出来的工作，可遗憾的是在第九阶层并没有找到。

For instance, whether or not she could stand guard along the hallways. The problem was that hallway security was now handled by Cocytus’ personal vassals. If she did so, it might be taken as mistrusting Cocytus’ subordinates. That would be indirectly insulting Cocytus.
比如，是否能作为警卫站在走道处呢。但问题是，现在走廊的警备是由科塞特斯的手下的奴役负责的。如果自己那么做的话，很可能被人认为是对科塞特斯下属的不信任。那就等同于是在間接的侮辱科塞特斯。

She knew this was just a selfish impulse of hers, but her body told her that it wanted to work hard and throw off a spray of sweat -- even though the undead did not sweat.
虽然自己也明白这只是任性，可身体就是在诉说着想要工作挥洒汗水——虽然不死者根本流不
出就是了。

Is there really nothing to do… I’m envious of the regular maids...
（就这么没有工作吗……真是羡慕一般女仆啊）

Since she did not have anything to do in terms of her primary vocation of “battle” , then she would just have to perform her secondary tasks as a “maid”.
既然没有「主要」工作——战斗的话，那就找找「副要」工作——女仆的工作好了。

However, if she did that, it would lead to a fatal problem.
可那样的话，就会产生一个致命的问题。

In Nazarick, there were beings known as the regular maids, in addition to the Battle Maids.
在这纳萨力克之中，除了她们战斗女仆以外，还有着被称为一般女仆的人存在。

To them, the work of a maid was their primary vocation. They were the main force responsible for such tasks. Therefore, it would be strange to arrange for such work if it did not revolve around them. If anyone asked why, the simple and natural answer would be because the Supreme Beings had arranged it in that way.
对她们来说女仆的工作，才是她们的「主要」任务。就女仆所负责的工而言她们才是主力军。所以若不以她们为中心来安排工作反倒才奇怪呢。如果要问为什么的话，由无上至尊们所编排的系统，自然是不可能会出错的啊。

In other words, even if Yuri found work which could be done, it was very likely that it had already been assigned to someone else. In contrast, if it had not been assigned to someone else, then there was probably some special reason behind that.
也就是说，即使由莉发现有工作可做，那也非常可能是已经配属给了其他人的工作。相反，如果谁也没有配属的话，那就应该是有着什么特殊的理由才是。

With those reasons in mind, if Yuri performed those tasks, she would be taking their jobs. Of course they would not show their displeasure if Yuri had actually done that. But when Yuri put herself in their shoes and thought about how it would feel to have someone take her work away, she no longer wished to do so.
因为以上理由，如果由莉做了的话，就等于是抢了她们的工作。当然即使由莉真的这么做了，她们也不会流露出不满的吧。可是只要换位思考，一想到自己的工作如果被谁抢走的话，由莉便不想这么做。

Yuri once more thought about the two people in confinement.
由莉再次想起了禁闭中的两个人。

If laboring to one’s last breath for Nazarick was the greatest joy imaginable, then betraying them was the most horrific torture. It was deeply ironic that she, as a free person, could understand the sentiments of those two people so well.
若为纳萨力克死而后已是无上的喜悦的话，那与其背道而驰自然是无上的拷问。明明是自由身的自己，却对那两人的心情理解万分这是何等的讽刺啊。

“Haa…”
「哈……」

From deep within herself, Yuri exhaled the dissatisfaction which filled her.
由莉打心底里，吐出了包含了自己所有不满的叹气。

--Crunch crunch.
——喀茲喀茲

“Aiyaya, what’s wrong, Yuri-nee? Stomachache?”
「诶呀呀，咋地了由莉姐？是吃坏肚子了吗？」

The person addressing her in such a casual tone was one of her sisters, Lupusregina Beta.
用輕浮的口調说话的是妹妹中的一人，露普絲雷其娜?贝塔。

She had the same smile she always had, but the fact that she had asked that question while knowing full well she was undead was clearly to tease her.
虽然还是一如既往的面带微笑，但明知道由莉是不死者还问出的问题，无疑是为了捉弄自己。

Yuri narrowed her eyes and glared back.
由莉眯起眼睛向其瞪去。

And in the face of that innocent, pure-hearted smile, she sighed again.
面对那完全是天真无邪的笑容，又再次叹了口气。

“Uwah~ How mean, to sigh when you see your little sister’s cute face~”
「呜哇。看着妹妹可爱的面孔还叹气什么的，还真是过分啊」

“I do envy you…”
「你真是叫人羡慕啊……」

One could almost see the question mark appear on top of Lupusregina’s head.
仿佛能够看到露普斯蕾基娜的头上冒出了个问号。

The reason why Yuri envied her was not for her happy-go-lucky personality, but for her area of responsibility.
之所以由莉会羡慕，并不是因为她那乐天的性格。而是因为她所负责的工作。

Lupusregina was one of the busier Battle Maids. Her job was to defend Carne Village -- although she felt that the word “village” could no longer be used to describe something of that scale -- and maintain its security. More precisely, her purpose was to observe and remain alert while preventing the leakage of the technologies developed within the village, among other colorful tasks.
在战斗女仆中露普斯蕾基娜属于较忙的一类。她的工作是保护卡恩村的——虽然感觉那个规模已经不能再用村字来形容了就是——警戒工作。更为正确的来说是监视和警戒，以及關於避免村中开发出来的技术泄露出去一切这些多姿多彩的任务。

I’m sure she finds her job very meaningful.
（想必能感到很有工作意義吧）

Yuri’s gaze then turned to another one of her sisters, who had been entrusted with an equally meaningful task.
由莉的视线轉往了另一个同样担任着有意義工作的妹妹。

Her little sister had her mouth half-open -- Narberal Gamma.
半张着嘴的妹妹——娜贝拉尔·伽马。

She had been sitting motionlessly on the sofa since just now, her mouth half-open as she looked into the air. Her typically energetic ponytail drooped lifelessly.
从刚才起就如同雕像一樣一動不動地呆坐在沙發上、半张着嘴看着空中。一直很有精神的马尾也好像无精打采的耷拉了下来。

--Crunch crunch.
——喀茲喀茲

“Nar-chan, what’s wrong with you?”
「小娜怎么了吗？」

“Nothing I guess, just being retarded.”
「沒呀，我想只是在發呆吧。」

The two of them were talking, but Narberal’s eyes were still fixed in space, making people think that something was there.
兩人明明正在說話，娜貝拉爾的視線卻絲毫不動地定在空中，讓人覺得那裡有什麼東西在。

Yuri’s eyelashes twitched.
由莉抽動了下眉毛。

As a Battle Maid, one ought to behave accordingly, even in the privacy of their own room. However, before Yuri could say anything, Lupusregina spoke up first.
身為戰鬥女僕，就算是待在自己房間的時候，也該表現出相應的舉止才對吧。不過在由莉說什麼之前，露普斯雷其娜就開口了。

“Well, it can’t be helped. She’s resting, after all.”
「那也是沒辦法的哩。因為在休息中啦。」

“Was she like this in the past?”
「之前好像不是這個樣子的喔？」

“Nar-chan’s security for Ainz-sama, after all. When she’s outside, she can’t let Ainz-sama see anyone being rude, she has to decide whether or not to immediately kill anyone who’s rude to Ainz-sama, and then she has to focus herself to stay on alert for the enemy, so wouldn’t that wind her up? It’s only when she’s in a safe space that she can unwind, so it can’t be helped. Also, a face like that might be pretty normal for her species.”
「畢竟小娜的工作是安茲大人的警備啊。在外面的時候，不能讓安茲大人看到無禮的態度，又要判斷該不該立刻殺了對安茲大人無禮的傢伙，還要集中全副精神警戒敵人，所以一直都在繃緊著神經吧？只會待在安全的這裡的這段時間內鬆懈下來也是沒辦法的事啦。而且說不定以種族上來說，擺出那張臉其實是很正常的也有可能喔。」

She thought about the face of the Treasury’s Area Guardian. Indeed, her face seemed to resemble his.
想到了寶物殿領域守護者的臉，的確這樣看來的話是有點相像。

Yuri cast out the mental image of the their two faces overlapping.
由莉把自己將兩人的臉重疊起來的想像驅逐出去。

Speaking of which, if I say that Narberal’s attitude isn’t fitting of a Battle Maid, then isn’t the way I keep sighing even less fitting? I can’t do that.
（話說回來，要是說娜貝拉爾的態度與戰鬥女僕不相符的話，一直在嘆息的我豈不是更不相符了嗎？可不能做這樣的事啊。）

Sebas had said before that “One who stands above others must be an example for their lessers”. As their big sister, and as their assistant leader, she had to project an image that could serve as a role model for her little sisters.
塞巴斯也說過，「在上位者，必須成為下位者的榜樣才可以」。那麼作為姊姊，作為副隊長，必須給妹妹們展現出作為榜樣該有的形象才行。

Since the Supreme Beings had made Yuri as the eldest of the sisters, then Yuri had an obligation to play the role of the eldest sister to the hilt. That would be a combination of her loyalty to and repaying the kindness of her creator, Yamaiko.
無上至尊們將由莉作為長女創造出來，那麼由莉就得要好好的盡到作為長女的職責。那既是對把自己創造出來的夜舞子的報恩，也是與忠誠相連的表現。

However -- how should she do it?
不過——該怎麼做才好。

--Crunch crunch.
——喀茲喀茲。

“Yuri-nee, you’ve been looking pretty suspicious since just now. What’re you doing?”
「由莉姊，從剛剛開始樣子就很可疑耶，在做什麼啊。」

After pondering whether or not to give an honest answer, she decided to use Lupusregina’s question to speak her mind. She would have Lupusregina lend her a hand… or a paw, as it were.
在考慮要不要坦白回答的最後，決定要借用露普絲雷其娜的主意而說出真話。可說是連人狼的手都想借。

“...I have no tasks to perform.”
「……沒有工作啊。」

“Ahh~”
「啊啊—」

Lupusregina looked at Yuri like she was gazing upon a starving refugee from afar.
露普絲雷其娜用像是看著遠方飢餓難民的樣子的眼神看著由莉。

Her eyebrows twitched, but she powered through the impulse. She was a person who worked at the behest of the Supreme Beings. Her currently unoccupied self could not hope to compare. She had to know her place.
雖然眉毛抽了一下，但還是用力忍了下來。她是接受無上至尊的使命工作的人，幾乎沒在做什麼的自己根本無法比。要搞懂自己的立場。

“Yuri-nee, didn’t you go to the Treasury with Ainz-sama?”
「由莉姊不是也跟從著安茲大人去了寶物殿了嗎？」

“...Just once.”
「……只有一次。」

“After that?”
「那之後呢？」

“...Not at all.:
「…………沒有去了。」

“Ah~”
「啊—」

Lupusregina cast her eyes to the air. Strangely enough, it seemed to be the same place where Narberal was looking..
露普絲雷其娜的視線拋向了空中，奇怪得是正好是娜貝拉爾正在看的地方。

Hm hm… Is it something which people who aren’t working can’t see…?
（呵呵……。是不是有什麼沒在工作的人就看不見的東西啊……）

--Crunch crunch.
——喀茲喀茲。

“...So what have you been eating just now?”
「……剛剛開始就一直在吃些什麼啊？」

“Oh, these? You slice potatoes thinly, then fry them, and then you sprinkle salt on them. I had the head chef make them -- they’re delicious.”
「這個嗎？將馬鈴薯切成薄片後油炸，然後再撒上鹽的東西喔。請料理長做的，挺好吃的喔。」

Lupusregina pulled out several thin potato slices, delivered them to her mouth, and then ate them.
露普絲雷其娜從抱著的袋子裡拿出切成薄片的馬鈴薯，送往口中，然後吃了下去。

Crunch crunch.
喀茲喀茲。

They made a crisp, lively sound.
發出了輕快的爽脆聲音。

No, in truth she already knew what Lupusregina was eating. Yuri could not consume food, but she could prepare it. Her skills were simple and could not produce special effects from special ingredients, but when it came to regular dishes, she could make just about anything.
不，實際上，她在吃些什麼這件事還是知道的。由莉雖然不能進食，但是可以做菜。雖然基本作不出利用特別食材而帶有特殊效果的料理，一般的菜色的話，大致上都會做。

Then why had she asked that question out loud--
那說到又是為何要開口問這件事呢——

“--Eating while standing is hardly graceful, and the crumbs are falling everywhere. Remember to clean up afterwards.”
「——站著吃東西太不文雅了，而且殘渣還掉了一地。之後要好好打掃啊。」

The regular maids did not clean this room. Instead, Yuri and the others took turns to clean it. That said, it was fundamentally Yuri cleaning up for the other two while they were out to work. The reason why they did not let the regular maids in here was not so much that they did not want to let their jobs be taken, but more that their pride refused to allow them to let others clean up their own messes.
這個房間並沒有讓一般女僕們打掃，而是由莉她們輪流掃除。雖說如此，基本上還是由莉代替經常外出工作的兩人來打掃。至於不讓女僕們進來的原因比起不想讓工作被奪走，更多還是因為身為女僕的自尊不允許把自己弄張的房間交給他人來掃除。

Thus, ordering the person who had clearly dirtied the room to clean it up was only to be expected. Even if that person was under the orders of the Supreme Being and led a busy life every day.
那麼命令明顯把房屋弄髒的人做掃除是理所當然的。即便那個人受到至尊的敕命，每天都過著忙碌的生活。

In addition, having someone eat something which went crunch crunch while she was feeling frustrated made Yuri angry, as though she was being looked down upon.
而且由莉煩惱的時候立刻站在一旁喀茲喀茲的吃東西，感覺好像被瞧不起了一樣的感到火大。

This was her complaint against Lupusregina, who had made an undead being like herself feel that way.
這是對讓身為不死者的自己都產生了這樣的情緒的露普絲雷其娜所做出的抱怨。

“Okie~”
「好的哩。」

--Crunch crunch.
——喀茲喀茲。

Irritation flooded Yuri’s heart.
由莉的心中湧出一絲焦躁感。

--So help me, I will throw a silver dagger at you.
（——乾脆拿銀制小刀丟她吧）

Lupusregina was a Werewolf, and while she was weak against silver and similar metals, she possessed a resistance to other metals as well.
因為露普絲雷其娜身為人狼種族，擁有對於銀還有與其相似的金屬的脆弱性的同時還有著對於
除此之外的金屬的耐性。

For instance, a silver weapon would increase its damage done to her by 25 points, while weapons of other metals would do 10 points less damage. The final damage was calculated after subtracting defensive strength and the like, so if that value was zero, even a silver weapon would not be able to do her harm. Since it was only a silver dagger, a light throw would not cause any damage to her.
比方來說，如果是銀屬性的武器的話，在最終傷害值上就會追加大概25點，其他金屬的話就會減少10點這樣的特殊技能。這個最終傷害值是指減掉了防禦力之類的結果，如果這個數值是零的話，即使是銀武器也不會算在傷害當中。因此如果只是銀制小刀的話，輕輕丟一下是不會有傷害的。

However, silver was the metal which Lupusregina hated the most. Just touching it disgusted her. One could say it was the best metal to punish her with.
但是，銀是露普絲雷其娜最討厭的金屬，只是碰都覺得討厭。因此要給予懲罰的話，可說是最恰當的金屬。

Perhaps she had used her skill [Animal Instinct] to sense Yuri’s thoughts, but Lupusregina hastily spoke up.
不知道是不是用了特殊技能〝野獸直覺〞察覺到了由莉的想法，露普絲雷其娜慌慌張張的開口。

“H-hang on! Come on, give me a break while we’re off-duty. I’ll speak properly in front of Ainz-sama and stuff, I’m a capable woman, you know.”
「稍等一下哩！休息的時候就拜託通融下我吧。在安茲大人的面前我會好好的用正經的說話方式的，我可是能幹的女人喔。」

Capable woman. Yuri was about to furrow her brows when she heard that, but then she thought that Lupusregina was working harder than her, so she could not say anything.
能幹的女人，雖然說到這裡時由莉皺了下眉頭，不過想到她果然比自己有在好好工作，就什麼都說不出口。

I want to work too… No, Yuri. How can you be jealous of this girl?
（我也想要工作……。不行喔，由莉。怎麼能嫉妒這孩子呢。）

Yuri beat back the Dark Yuri within her heart. Then, she felt something connecting at the same moment as she heard a voice.
由莉將出現在心中的黑暗由莉擊退後，在感覺到連什麼東西的同時聽到了聲音。

『--Yuri Alpha.』
『——由莉‧阿爾法。』

Nobody in Nazarick could possibly mistake the owner of that voice for any other.
這個納薩力克裡是不會有人聽錯這個聲音的主人。

“A-Ainz-sama!”
「安、安茲大人！」

Yuri genuflected in the appropriate posture of greeting.
由莉單膝跪地，採取了拜見的姿勢。

Of course, her Master was not here and he was probably not watching. However, she could not show any disrespect to her Master’s voice.
當然主人並不在此地，也並沒有在看著這裡吧。但是不能對主人的聲音採取有失禮數的態度。

『...I have a request for you. Come to my room… ahem, my room in Nazarick.』
『……我有要拜託妳的事。到我的房間……咳，到我在納薩力克的房間裡來。』

“A request for me?!” Her absolute Master had no need to ask Yuri Alpha for anything. All he had to do was give an order. “I will proceed there at once!”
「拜託我的事！」絕對的主人沒有必要拜託由莉‧阿爾法。只要一聲令下就好了「我立刻前去！」

『--Umu. And hurry.』
『——嗯。快一點。』

After saying so, the [Message] ended.
宣告這句後<訊息>就消失了。

“Was that from Ainz-sama?”
「是安茲大人傳來的嗎？」

“Yes, he said he had a request for me.”
「是的喔，說是有要拜託我的事。」

The tension and passion she was feeling was so surprising that it made her face stiffen up.
連自己都感到訝異的緊張感和熱情讓表情都僵硬了起來。

As an undead being, her strong emotions should have been suppressed, but the enthusiasm kept welling up inside her.
因為是不死者所以過強的情緒應該會被壓抑住的，不過湧上的激情卻源源不絕。

Right now, she was like Shalltear.
這下子就跟夏提雅一樣了。

For some reason, she felt excited despite being undead. While that might have been because of a status abnormality like [Blood Frenzy], she could not conclude that was the case.
她不知為何，明明是不死者卻一直精神亢奮。雖然可能是因為擁有血之狂亂而使得狀態異常延長化了，不過得不到結論。

Even the undead could be divided into those who could feel strong emotions and those who could not. In order to ascertain this, the Guardian Overseer Albedo had taken it upon herself (apparently) to experimentally investigate the matter.
就算是不死者也分成可以表達強烈情感的和辦不到的，為了查明這件事，守護者總管雅兒貝德曾經自主——似乎是——嘗試調查。

She gathered superior undead mercenary monsters, undead created by the Supreme One’s skills, as well as automatically spawned lesser undead generated by Nazarick in order to collect various data from all of them. Yuri had taken part in that exercise as well.
召集了作為傭兵召喚而來的上位不死者和使用無上至尊的特殊技能做出的不死者以及納薩力克內自動出現的下位不死者後進行的各種數據收集，由莉也曾參與其中。

However, these experiments had begun with a special experiment just for Shalltear, and it sparked a great uproar between Albedo and Shalltear that soon spiralled out of control. In the end, the experiment was terminated with no definite findings. After that, she had been interested in hearing about the results of the research as an experimental participant herself. She heard from Albedo -- who had been punished to do cleaning with a mop -- that it was hard to reach a conclusion due to the lack of information on the superior undead beings in this world, so the plan had been temporarily put on hold.
但是這個實驗，卻以夏提雅專用的特別實驗為開端，發生了雅兒貝德VS夏提雅這樣的騷動而變得一發不可收拾，最後不了了之的落幕了。那之後，因為作為參與過實驗的一員而有些興趣所以打聽了下研究結果後，從作為懲罰而被命令進行拖把掃除的雅兒貝德那裡得到了由於這個世界的上位不死者相關情報不足，難以得出結論而暫時凍結計畫的的答案。

Yuri vaguely recalled Demiurge saying that if that research had been conducted in a different place, perhaps it might allow the undead to feel strong emotions.
由莉隱約記起在迪米烏哥斯說過這個研究在不同的地方進行下去或許可以讓不死者也能有強烈的情感。

At that time, would she be able to express her emotions more fully?
屆時自己也能擁有更豐富的情感表現嗎？

And would that be a good thing?
而那會是件好事嗎？

She did not know if the upwelling within her was one of unease or anticipation, but Yuri locked away her personal thoughts on the matter. She would be appearing before the Supreme One soon, and she had to focus herself.
在那湧上而來的不知是不安還是期待的情緒之中，由莉把自己個人的想法蓋了起來。接下來就要站在無上至尊的面前了，不集中精神可不行。

“--Then I’ll be off. I don’t think anything will happen, but please take care of things if they do.”
「——那麼我走了。雖然我想不會有什麼事，但發生什麼的時候就拜託了。」

“Kay~”
「了——」

“I understand. Take care, Yuri-nee.”
「我明白了。一路慢走，由莉姊姊。」

Narberal interrupted Lupusregina just as she was about to raise a thumb that was oily from her potato chips.
娜貝拉爾打斷了正打算豎起被薯片的油弄髒的大姆指的露普絲雷其娜說話，這麼回答道。

The relaxed mood around her up till now had vanished.
至今為止的鬆懈氣氛消失不見。

Narberal had her usual faint smile on her. Her ponytail was still drooping slightly, but one could say it was the same as always. Time spent with the Supreme One was special.
是平時浮現淡淡笑容的娜貝拉爾。只是，馬尾還是有點下垂，但要說和平常一樣的話那倒是一樣。和無上至尊在一起的時候是特別的。

“Oi, oi, she was saying that to me!”
「喂、喂、剛剛那是對我說的耶！」

Ignoring the voice of her little sister from behind, Yuri set forth.
無視後方傳來的妹妹的聲音，由莉邁出步伐。

There was no special meaning to that.
沒有什麼其他的意思。

She had been summoned by the Supreme One, so spending even a second extra in conversation with her sisters was a waste. It was most definitely not because her sister’s smile had angered her.
這是因為被無上至尊所傳喚，所以和妹妹多說一秒都覺得可惜。絕對，不是因為對妹妹的笑容感到火大的緣故。


3

Yuri Alpha arrived before the chambers of her Supreme Master. On either side were the insectoid vassals Cocytus had assigned as sentries, who remained stock still. While they were higher-level than Yuri, it was nothing worth worrying about. More than that, Yuri’s heart was focused on the thick, heavy door before her.
由莉到達了至高的主人的房間前。在門的左右兩邊，有著當作衛兵而配置的科賽特斯手下的蟲型僕役，維持著紋風不動的姿勢。雖然他們兩人的等級都比由莉高，但這並不是值得在意的事。比起這個，由莉的心更懸在眼前這扇厚重的門扉上。

She exhaled -- of course, Yuri did not need to breathe, so she was just going through the motions -- and inhaled. Then, she worked her shoulders up and down, as though to relieve her tension.
輕吐了口氣──當然，由不需要呼吸的由莉來做的話就像是模仿──再吸進一口氣。接著像是要紓解緊張那樣，輕輕地上下肩膀。

Her tension was not for a good reason, such as excitement at being summoned to the chambers of the Supreme One. It was for a bad reason.
她之所以會緊張，並不是因為被傳喚到無上至尊的房間前而興奮──這樣的好理由。而是因為不好的理由。

That was because she could not think of a reason why she would be selected out of all the entities in Nazarick who were stronger and wiser than herself. The most likely possibility was that he had business with herself, as the assistant leader of the Pleiades Seven Sisters. However, Yuri felt it was more likely that the Supreme One was going to rebuke her for idleness.
這是因為，在有著眾多勝於由莉的強者與智者的納薩力克裡，找不到半點自己會雀屏中選的理由。可能性最高的，應該是有事找身為七姊妹副領隊的自己吧──。不過，由莉覺得至尊是要斥責工作上怎麼樣都忙碌不起來的自己的可能性比較大。

These negative thoughts kept floating up in her head, and they weighed down Yuri’s footsteps. Whatever the answer was, she would find out when the door opened.
因為盡是浮現這種負面的想法，讓由莉的腳步變的有點沈重。答案為何，打開這扇門就會知道了。

Yuri reached out to knock.
由莉伸手敲門。

And then, the regular maid Decrement poked her head out. She was probably on duty today.
然後，應該是今天的值班者吧，一般女僕的蒂克莉蔓探出頭來。

She was a lively, short-haired maid.
是位短髮，活潑的女僕。

Her pure and innocent eyes were always sparkling, and her movements were as cute as a small animal, bringing the usual smile to Yuri’s face. In particular, the regular maid Increment -- who was made by the same Supreme Being as Yuri’s own creator -- had a way of tensing up her back while she was reading which made Yuri feel very warm.
她天真無邪的眼睛總是閃著光芒，來回動作的模樣像小動物那般可愛，讓由莉浮現了往常的笑容。特別是跟由莉一樣，在同一位至尊手上誕生的一般女僕茵克莉蔓，她讀書時的緊繃背影讓由莉感到非常溫暖。

However, Decrement’s air of vitality was gone. It would not be quite right to say that she was nervous about her shift today. The slightly green tint to her face conveyed a sense of fear.
不過現在，蒂克莉蔓的活潑氣氛消失殆盡。如果說是因為今天的值班而緊張，又不太對。些微發青的臉色有著恐懼的色彩。

Something cold flowed down Yuri’s back. Her heart which should not be beating lurched.
由莉的背部有著冰冷的東西流下，應該不會動的心臟大幅地跳動了下。

What tragedy had happened before Yuri had arrived?
是在由莉來了之後會發生什麼慘劇嗎？

However, once she recognized who Yuri was, a hint of relief came to Decrement’s eyes, and she regained a bit of her composure. Why was it that a maid who should have kept these emotions hidden could not help but reveal them?
不過，確認來者是由莉之後，蒂克莉蔓的眼瞳浮現了些微的安心，似乎稍微恢復了點餘裕。本來應該將這種感情隱藏起來的女僕卻不禁把心情顯露出來了，這是為什麼。

The look on Decrement’s face implied that the situation was the opposite of what Yuri had imagined.
蒂克莉蔓在這一瞬間露出這種表情，也就是說事情跟由莉的想像相反。

Whatever the situation within the room was, Yuri’s arrival had put Decrement at ease. In other words, Yuri’s presence had saved Decrement.
房間內發生著由莉到場就能安心的事態，由莉的存在讓蒂克莉蔓得救了吧。

“I am Yuri Alpha. I present myself in response to Ainz-sama’s summons.”
「在下是由莉．阿爾法。應安茲大人的召喚來此參見。」

“I understand. Please wait a while.”
「我明白了。請稍等一下。」

As expected, her voice carried a hint of relief within it.
果然她的聲音帶著些微的放心。

The door before Yuri closed. Naturally, Decrement was awaiting the instructions of her Master within the room.
由莉面前的門關了起來。當然，蒂克莉蔓是要請求房間裡頭的主人的指令。

Yuri swallowed audibly, preparing herself for whatever awaited her within the room.
由莉的喉嚨鳴動了聲，做好了面對房間裡頭等待著她的事情的覺悟。

Decrement opened the door once more.
蒂克莉蔓再次將門打開。

“Ainz-sama has granted his permission. Please enter.”
「安茲大人已經下達了准許。請進。」

As though pushed forward by Decrement’s uncharacteristically tense voice, Yuri entered.
像是被蒂克莉蔓那不像她的充滿緊張感的聲音給推了一把那樣，由莉走進房間。

Yuri’s gaze rested on her Master, while she took in the interior of the room without moving her eyes -- the situation was grave, and when Yuri sensed what had happened, her face twisted for a moment.
由莉的視線對著主人，不轉動眼睛那樣窺探屋內的樣子──事態太過嚴重，然後察覺了發生什麼事情的由莉，一瞬間扭曲了表情。

It was no wonder that Decrement had that look on her face. Being made by the same Supreme Being, it was only natural that they would have the same expression when they were worried.
也難怪蒂克莉蔓會露出那種表情了。因為她們是由同一位無上至尊所創造的，才會因為擔心而露出那種表情吧。

However, Yuri worked to ignore that, and so she passed through the door, arriving before her master.
但是，由莉努力無視這些，就那樣穿過房間，站到主人面前。

“--Your servant, Yuri Alpha, has come in response to your summons, Ainz-sama.”
「──屬下由莉．阿爾法，應您的召喚前來，安茲大人。」

Yuri bowed her head, and Ainz responded immediately, as though he wanted her to raise it immediately.
由莉一低下頭，安茲立刻像是要她抬頭那樣出聲。

“Mm. You came just in time, Yuri.”

Her master slowly steepled his fingers in front of his mouth.

“Do you know what I wish to say?”
「嗯。來的正好啊，由莉。」主人緩緩地將手交握在嘴前。「妳知道我想說的是什麼嗎？」

“If you will permit your servant to guess…”
「如果容許屬下猜測的話……」

Yuri wanted to look at a certain corner of the room, but she resisted.
由莉雖想把視線投向房間內的某個角落，但忍了下來。

“...Is that so. Well, that makes things easier.”
「……是嗎。這樣事情就好辦了。」

Yuri knew her Master’s eyes had left her, going in the direction she was strenuously trying to ignore.
由莉知道主人現在的視線離開了自己，往她努力無視的方向投去。

Yuri stiffened her resolve, and spoke.
由莉下定決心，開了口。

“Does it concern that matter?”
「是關於那個的事對吧。」

“Indeed. That is precisely the matter.”
「沒錯。就是那個的事情。」

In that place was Yuri’s sister, Solution Epsilon.
在那個地方的是由莉的妹妹。索琉香．愛普史龍。

For some reason, she was in a seiza position.
但是不知為何──正座著。

The fact that she would be sitting in that posture within the room of the Supreme One suggested that she had done something worthy of rebuke.
既然在無上至尊的房間內正座的話，毫無疑問地是做了什麼會被斥責的事情吧。

Yuri was undead, but her gut suddenly cramped up.
由莉雖然是不死者，但胃部卻有一陣疼痛的感覺。

“...W-what has, my sister done?”
「……妹、妹妹她，做了什麼嗎？」

“Umu…”
「唔嗯……」

The Supreme One slowly rose from his seat. Then, he turned his back on Yuri. After looking to the sky for several seconds, he turned his head around and spoke.
無上至尊緩緩地從椅子上站起。然後背對了由莉。抬頭看了天花板數秒後，扭頭轉過身來說話。

“Solution took my Miyoshi-kun, no, Miyoshi -- I don’t know if you know, so I shall quickly explain; he is a Sapphire Slime which I use for certain purposes, and Solution has hidden him away somewhere. Even when I asked her, she refused to speak. Therefore, I called you over.”
「索琉香把我的三吉君，不、三吉──不曉得妳清不清楚所以我說明一下，是我在某個用途上使用的藍寶石黏體，索琉香不知道藏去哪裡了。就算我問她藏去哪，她也不想開口。所以，才把妳叫來。」

“Aieee!”
「噫！」

A strangled shriek escaped Yuri’s lips.
由莉發出了嘶啞的悲鳴。

That was a truly monstrous sin. It would not be surprising if one were to be executed for it. No, it was a sin which demanded the complete annihilation of the party in question. Since Solution had committed such a grave offense, she could not even begin to beg for leniency on her behalf.
這是何等的滔天大罪。就算因此被殺掉也不奇怪。不，是應該將其存在給抹消的大罪。既然犯下了此等大罪的話，就連請求饒命這事都做不到了。

Yuri mustered up all her strength to speak.
由莉竭力擠出話語。

“...If she must be questioned, your servant submits that Neuronist-sama might be more suitable.”
「……如果要逼問她的話，屬下認為尼羅斯特大人比較合適。」

Yuri desperately struggled to keep the tears which the undead should not possess from escaping her eyes.
對不死者來說應該不存在的眼淚快要奪眶而出，由莉拚命忍著。

She had to kill off their sisterly ties. This was the appropriate attitude to take with one who had disrespected the Supreme Beings.
得把姊妹的情誼扼殺才行。這才是對無上至尊做出不敬行為之人該有的態度。

“...I will not do that. Firstly, if I seriously intended to investigate this matter, I would only need to read her memories.”
「……我不會那麼做的。首先，如果我是認真地要追查的話，只要讀取她的記憶就行了。」

“Yes!”

Indeed, that was correct. That would mean the reason why she had been called up was to shoulder her responsibility as elder sister, to make Solution confess even if she had to use harsh methods.

“--Understood!”
「是！」確實是這樣沒錯。那麼之所以會傳喚自己，是要負起姊姊的責任，就算硬來也要讓索琉香坦白吧。「──遵命！」

Yuri hardened her heart.
由莉下定了決心。

Solution was a Slime. Thus, she was adept at dealing with physical attacks, and she possessed an especially strong resistance to piercing or slashing attacks. However, bludgeoning attacks could hurt her.
索琉香是黏體(Slime)。因此擅長對付物理攻擊，特別是對於突刺或是斬擊之類有很強的抗性。不過，若是毆打系的話，就會造成傷害。

Yuri activated her gauntlets, having them envelop her fists. Then, she stepped towards Solution.
由莉啟動了護手，讓它把手完全包覆住。然後對著索琉香的方向踏出了一步。

“..Wait.”
「……等一下。」

This time, her supreme master had given an order.
這時至高的主人下達了命令。

“May I know what is the matter, Ainz-sama?”
「請問是什麼事呢，安茲大人？」

“Yuri, what did you intend to do?”
「由莉，妳打算做什麼？」

“...Your servant was planning to interrogate Solution.”
「……屬下打算逼問索琉香。」

“...Umu. Then, then why, are you using your gauntlets to cover your fists?”
「……唔嗯。那、那麼為什麼，要用護手包著拳頭呢？」

Yuri realised her Master’s intent, and then she was stunned. The implication was that he wanted Yuri to carry out the procedure with her bare hands. She would directly feel the sensations of striking her little sister, thus tormenting Yuri, the person carrying it out.
由莉領悟了主人的意思後感到愕然。言下之意就是要由莉空手進行。直接感覺毆打妹妹的觸感，讓身為執行者的由莉也感受到痛苦。

“U-understood. If that is what you command, Ainz-sama.”
「遵、遵命。如果安茲大人如此命令的話。」

Yuri returned her gauntlets to their standby state. Her supreme Master hmmed and nodded, then tilted his head.
由莉讓護手回到待機狀態，至高的主人嗯嗯地點頭，然後將頭傾斜。

“Hm?,,, It feel like my question was not answered, but if you understand, then that will make things simple. Well, forget it. Let’s go with this. In that case, get the answer from Solution, Yuri.”
「唔嗯？……雖然有種問題沒有被回答的感覺，不過妳理解了的話事情就輕鬆了。嘛，算了。就這樣吧。那麼，由莉，從索琉香那問出答案吧。」

“Yes!”
「是！」

Yuri stood before Solution. Perhaps she knew what would happen to her after this, but her little sister merely looked downwards. Yuri raised her fist high, prepared to strike.
由莉站到索琉香面前。是知道了自己接下來會被怎麼對待吧，妹妹只是沉默地看著下方。
打算要毆打的由莉握緊拳頭，將手抬高。

“--Stop!”
「──停！」

Yuri sensed worriedness in her Master’s voice as her body went stiff, and then she looked back.
主人那甚至能讓人感覺到包含著焦急的聲音使由莉全身僵硬，回過頭。

“You… what were you planning to do?”
「妳那是……打算要做什麼？」

Yuri did not understand what her Master’s words meant, and she was confused.
由莉無法理解主人這番話的意思，感到困惑。

“No, ah, in accordance with your orders, your servant was planning to obtain the answer from Solution…”
「不、那個、照著安茲大人的命令，屬下打算從索琉香那問出答案……」

“...Uh...hm? ...Was I mistaken? Let me ask again, how did you intend to make Solution answer me?”
「……唔、嗯？……是我會錯意嗎？讓我再問一次，妳打算怎麼向索琉香問話？」

“Yes! Your servant intended to beat her until she was near death, and get the answer from her while her mind was clouded.”
「是！屬下打算先將她毆打至臨死，在她意識朦朧之際趁機問出。」

After hearing this, her Master suddenly froze. Then, he stared closely at Yuri.
聽了這話之後主人突然動也不動。然後緊盯著由莉看。

Had she said something wrong? After nervousness swept over Yuri, her Master turned his back to her once more.
是不是自己說錯什麼話了，由莉如此戰戰兢兢之後，主人再次背對她。

After a few eternal seconds, her master slowly began to speak.
經過了漫長無比的幾秒鐘之後，主人緩緩開口。

“Yuri. That was not what I ordered. Perhaps Solution hid my Miyoshi because she was obeying some wish of Herohero-san’s. It is something which she cannot tell me. That was why I was thinking that perhaps you could help me ask her for the answer.”
「由莉啊。我所命令的並不是那種事。索琉香會把我的三吉藏起來，這或許是因為有符合黑洛黑洛桑期望的什麼理由。那是不能告訴我的“什麼”。所以我才想，如果是妳的話或許可以問出來吧。」

“M-my sincerest apologies!”
「這、這真是失禮了！」

Yuri hurriedly put her hands on the floor and bowed deeply.
由莉慌忙將手撐在地板上，深深地低下頭。

Indeed, if it was for that reason, then she would not be blamed. That deputy executive director had been forgiven because the Supreme One had ordered it. However, it was one thing to permit it and and another to like it.
確實，如果是這種理由的話就不會問罪。那位副執事長能夠被原諒，也是因為無上至尊是如此決定的。但是，允不允許跟喜不喜歡就完全是兩回事了。

“--It is fine. Incidentally, I believe you are mistaken. I am not angry at what Solution did. Rather, I find it quite intriguing.”
「──沒關係。順便一提，妳似乎是誤會了。對於索琉香採取的行動，我並沒有生氣。不如說，我
認為這是非常耐人尋味的事情。」

Yuri noticed that it was not just her expression which had changed, but Decrement and even Solution as well.
由莉注意到了，不光是她而已，連蒂克莉蔓，甚至是索琉香的表情都變了。

Why was that? Before Yuri could ask, her Master had already spoken.
這是為什麼呢，在由莉如此發問之前主人先說話了。

“--Solution.”
「──索琉香。」

“..Y-yes, Ainz-sama.”
「……是、是的，安茲大人。」

This was the first time Yuri had heard her sister speak since she had entered the room. Her voice was very much unlike that of the Solution which she knew.
由莉來到這個房間之後第一次聽見妹妹的聲音，這非常不像平時的索琉香的聲音。

Her Master circled around the table, passed near Yuri, and stood in front of Solution. Then, her Master took out a data crystal. It would seem he knew what abilities the crystal had just by holding it, but almost all data crystals shared the same appearance, and only certain job classes could tell their types apart by their exteriors alone.
主人繞過桌子，走近由莉──最後站到索琉香面前。然後主人拿出了數據水晶。似乎只要用手拿著就能知道數據水晶被賦予了怎麼樣的力量，不過數據水晶的外表幾乎都相同，要光從外表判斷水晶的種類只有一部分的職業做得到。

“I now give you an order. While there is no doubt that this item belongs to me -- destroy it.”
「現在我要對妳下令。雖然這個毫無疑問是我的持有物──不過把它破壞掉吧。」

“T-though it is your will, p-please forgive me, Ainz-sama…”
「雖、雖說是您的旨意、還、還請原諒，安茲大人……」

Solution refused in a trembling voice.
索琉香以顫抖的聲音拒絕了。

“I see. Then, let’s move on.”

Her master pointed to the lamp on the ceiling.

“That light is part of my room, but you are to destroy it.”
「原來如此。那麼下一個。」主人指向天花板的照明。「那個雖是我房間的照明，不過破壞掉吧。」

“B-but…”
「可、可是……」

“Repairing damage to the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick requires the payment of a fee. However, one can repair a certain sum’s worth of damage every day for no charge. In particular, the upper floors were designed to be particularly cheap given the fact that intruders often attempted to invade, so even repairing the entire floor is not a great expense… In contrast, things on the 9th Floor are quite expensive. Well, items within the royal suites are usually expensive; that’s how it commonly appears in the world.”
「修復納薩力克地下大墳墓所受到的損傷需要支付一筆費用。不過每天在一定額度內可以免除修復費用。特別是上面的階層，因為時常有入侵者所以設定的特別便宜，就算要修復整個階層也不是一筆大錢。……相反地，地下第九階層的這裡，東西就貴了哪。嘛，皇家套房裡的東西大多是昂貴的，這是世間的一般印象呢。」

Her master spread his arms.
主人展開了雙手。

“Even so, repairing a single lamp is no great expense, and it should fall under the amount for the free daily repairs. Very well -- proceed.”
「話雖如此，一盞照明的修復費用並不是什麼大錢，應該可以包含在每日免費修復內吧。好了──動手吧。」

“...Is that really alright?”
「……真的可以嗎？」

“This is my order, so it is fine. Do it.”
「這是我的命令。無所謂，動手。」

Solution rose and walked below the lamp and extended her hand. The slimy hand engulfed the lamp, and after a while one could hear the sound of dissolving and crushing.
索琉香站起身走到照明的下方，伸出了手。化為黏體狀的手將照明包覆住後，可以聽見一邊以酸溶解一邊壓壞的聲音。

With one of the lights destroyed, the interior of the room grew slightly darker.
因為照明的其中一盞被破壞了，室內稍微暗下來了一些。

“I see, I see. So I should consider that I can order damage to be dealt to the guild base so long as it does not cause incur an actual loss to the Guild, then? Solution, why did you break it? Or rather, why could you break it?”
「原來如此，原來如此。我應該當作只要在不造成工會損失的範圍內，就算命令破壞據點也是可行的嗎？索琉香，為什麼妳破壞掉了？不，為什麼，能破壞呢？」

Solution had a surprised look on her face.
索琉香露出一臉不可思議的表情。

“...I see, it would seem there was a problem with the way I asked that question. Pay it no heed. Then… if you can do damage so long as it does not incur a loss to the Guild, what is the extent of damage which would qualify as a loss? ...The creator’s instinct? Or was it because I ordered it? What is different from summoned monsters? Is there a difference between Aura and Mare? Hmm, now this is interesting.”
「……是吗，看来是我的提问方式有问题啊。别在意。那么……如果可以在不造成損失的前提下進行破坏，那麼要到何种程度才会被视为造成損失呢？……根据被创造者的直觉吗？还是因为我是这么命令的？与召唤出的怪物又有何不同？亚乌菈与马雷之间差异又是否存在？哼嗯—這还真是有意思。」

Her Master seemed to be in a world of his own, as though there was nobody else within his eyes.
仿佛房间中的所有人都没有映入眼帘似得，主人低语着没入了自己的世界。

“Still, you could only destroy it because friendly fire was enabled, so would this have originally incurred a cost? If that’s the case, then fighting within Nazarick would be very troublesome… I need to investigate this in detail. This is wonderful, Solution. If you had not hidden Miyoshi-kun away, I would not have thought to look into this.”

With that, her Master turned around and looked at Solution.

“You’ve given me quite an interesting research topic. Well done.”
「不過，這是因為解除了友軍開火才有辦法破壞的，本來這也會产生费用吗？如果是那样的话，在纳萨力克内部发生战斗的场合就会变得很麻烦啊……有必要详细调查一下啊。真是棒极了，索琉香。假如你没有做出将三吉君藏起来这样的举动的话，我也不会想到去调查这些的吧。」这么说着转过头来的主人看向了索琉香「还真是给我出了相当值得检讨的课题啊，做得相當不错。」

“M-my deepest thanks, Ainz-sama.”
「万、万分感谢。安兹大人」

Yuri could understand Solution’s confusion very well. The reason she had earned the Supreme One’s praise was far too mysterious for their meager powers of reason to comprehend.
索琉香的困惑由莉非常能够理解。讓无上至尊佩服的理由实在是太过高深，仅凭她们的理解能力实在是难以弄懂。

“Then, I shall continue the investigation. Yuri, give your possessions to Solution.”
「那么，就继续调查吧。由莉啊。把你的所持物给索琉香。」

There was no hesitation as Yuri handed over her precious gauntlets -- which had been made by her creator -- to Solution.
由莉毫无迷茫的、将从自己的创造主那里得来的贵重的护手，递给了索琉香。

“Now, destroy them.”
「那接着把這個破坏吧。」

“I - I beg your forgiveness, Ainz-sama.”
「這、這还请安兹大人饶恕。」

Solution lowered her head.
索琉香低下了脑袋。

“Hmmm. I’ll take it that you can’t destroy her possessions. Then--”

A Death Knight suddenly appeared before her Master.

“Destroy this.”
「哼嗯。该當作无法破坏所持物吗。那么——」主人面前突然出现了一具死亡骑士「把这个破坏掉吧。」

Solution shook her still-lowered head.
低着脑袋的索琉香摇了摇头。

“You can’t destroy a Death Knight which I made? Then, can you swallow it without damaging it?”
「破坏不了我做的死亡骑士？那可以在不给予它损伤的同時将其吞下去吗？」

“If that is all.”
「只是那样的话。」

Solution approached the Death Knight and pressed her face to it.
索琉香靠近死亡骑士，并将脸凑了上去。

Her head swelled up like it was floating, and her hair lost its false form, revealing its true nature as dirty-colored slime as it swallowed the Death Knight whole. After that, Solution’s head returned to normal, and the massive form which had been standing there had vanished without a trace.
整个脑袋就像浮起來一樣膨胀了起来，头发也解除了拟态，骯髒顏色的黏體現出真身，就像是要整個覆盖住似的把死亡骑士吞了下去。随后当索琉香的头部回复到平时的拟态状时，原本还在那里的巨躯已经消失的无影无踪。

“Hmm. ...If I had the Death Knight disappear in this state, would it cause you any harm?”
「哼嗯。……倘若我让这个状态下的死亡骑士消失的话，對妳會有什麼影響吗？」

“No, not at all.”
「不，并没有任何问题」

“Really now. Then I shall do it. Good, I see, hm… in other words, the basic consideration is that concealment by itself is not a crime? In that case, maintaining another shape should be the important point, then? Or is there some other reason? Is allegiance the key…? Or is it a system reason? Friendly fire is active, no? It’s also possible that it might be purely due to unwillingness… huh. As I thought, this does merit careful study. That said, I’ve conducted all sorts of experiments, but I haven’t investigated enough. The fact that I could reaffirm that point is also an excellent out--”
「是吗。那我就动手了哦。好，原来如此，哼嗯……那也就是说藏匿本身不是罪行才是基本的考量？如此一来的话维持其形状便是重点了嗎？还是说有着什么别的理由？從属于何方才是关键……？又或者说是系统上的理由？明明都已经解除了友軍開火？也有只是纯粹不想这么做的可能性存在……吗。果然还是得详细调查啊。话说明明已经进行了各种实验了，却还是调查不足啊。光是能重新认识到这一点，这次的事也有着非常出色的成——」

Her chattering Master suddenly fell silent. Then he clapped his hands and looked to Yuri.
如此滔滔不绝的主人突然沉默不语。接着拍了一下手，看向由莉。

“...What am I doing? Didn’t I call Yuri here to get the location of Miyoshi-kun out of Solution? Forgive me. I seem to have lost myself in my investigations”
「……我都在干些什么啊？不是为了从索琉香那里打听出三吉君的所在，才特意叫由莉过来的吗。不好意思啊。好像有些沉迷于调查了呢。」

“No, I would not dare. Your servant understands that your investigations are very important, Ainz-sama.”
「不，诚惶诚恐。属下能够理解大人想要调查非常重要的事。」

It was immediately obvious that her Master was pondering a complex and difficult problem. Perhaps if one of the two intellectual peaks of Nazarick were here, they might be able to explain a part of their Master’s thoughts. Unfortunately, neither of them were present. As a result, all she knew was that being able to understand her Master was an amazing thing, but she did not know exactly how amazing it was.
主人所思索的是非常复杂且高度的问题，这是一眼便能看出来的事。若是纳萨力克智慧最高峰的那两人在这里的话，或许就能为其说明主人想法其中的一部分了吧。但遗憾的是，现在那两人的身影都不在这里。为此即使能够理解自己的主人非常厉害，却不能明白到底有多厉害。

Yuri was a little unsatisfied with that.
这让由莉稍微有些不甘心。

“Now then… go speak with Solution and find out why she did such a thing.”
「那么……就去和索琉香谈谈，问出她为什么会做这样的事吧」

“Yes! I hear and obey!”
「是！谨遵旨意！」

Although she wanted to ask why she could not talk normally with her sister, Yuri mentally shook her head. Her Master must have roughly gathered the reason why.
虽然想說妹妹現在不是可以正常的講話嗎，可由莉还是在心中摇了摇头。关于这点主人大概也是明白的吧。

She recalled what Sebas had said today.
回想起今天塞巴斯所说的话。

As the one who had assembled the Supreme Beings, there was no way he could not have seen through her little sister’s thoughts. In other words, there must be some special reason for this.
身为整合了无上至尊们的大人，不可能连妹妹這种程度的想法都看不透。也就是说这其中一定有着某种理由才是。

Yuri turned back to Solution, who had resumed her seiza position at some point.
由莉转向了不知何时又回复到正座姿势的索琉香。

“Before I ask you where you hid Miyoshi-kun-sama, answer a question for me. Why did you do such a thing? Miyoshi-kun-sama is Ainz-sama’s possession. You should have known that.”
「在问妳把三吉君大人藏到那里去之前，先回答我。为什么、要做出这样的事。三吉君大人是安兹大人的道具，这妳也是知道的吧」

Solution’s eyes flickered.
索琉香的眼睛略微动了一下。

In order to keep her from evading the question, Yuri pressed both her hands on her face and forced their eyes to meet.
为了不让她逃避，由莉用双手按住她的脸颊，强行對上了目光。

For someone with no fixed form like Solution, escaping from between those hands should have been easy as pie. However, she did not do so. Incidentally, Solution’s eyeballs were also fake, so meeting her gaze was meaningless. After all, she did not use vision to perceive others. Even so, she locked eyes with her elder sister, because Solution could understand how she felt.
对于本体就是不定形姿态的索琉香来说，要想从按住的雙手間抽身本该是易如反掌的事。然而，她却并没有这么做。顺带一提，由于索琉香的眼球运动也是拟态，即使四目相对也是毫无意义的。毕竟她可不是用视线来观察對方。可明明应该是这样，眼神卻還是好好的對上了，這是因为索琉香能够理解姐姐的心情吧。

The two of them looked at each other.
两人目不轉睛的望著對方。

Finally, Solution’s lips moved.
终于索琉香的嘴唇有了动作。

“Yuri-nee… I-I’m not happy with this.”
「由莉姐……我、我不甘心。」

What aren’t you happy with? The reason why she did not ask that was because Yuri sensed that Solution had not finished speaking. Thus, she released her grip on Solution’s face, and stepped back.
「不甘心什么。」之所以没有这么问，是因为由莉感觉到了索琉香的话还没有说完。因此她只是放开双手，稍微后退了一步。

“...Ainz-sama!”
「……安兹大人！」

Solution’s eyes turned from Yuri to her Master.
索琉香的视线从由莉轉向了主人。

“Why! Tell me why! I am a Slime too! I can clean you better than Miyoshi-kun-sama! Why! Why won’t you let me bathe with you and lick your glorious body clean?!”
「为什么！到底是为什么！我也一样是黏體(Slime)！比起三吉君大人我能將安兹大人弄得更乾淨！为什么！不能允许我与大人一起入浴，舔干净大人的御体呢！」

Her Master turned around.
主人转过了身。

Sensing rejection from his attitude, Solution’s face was filled with despair. Yuri could understand this misery very well, and from the corner of her eye, she saw Decrement making the same face.
从那态度中感到了拒绝的情感，索琉香露出了绝望的表情。由莉非常能够理解这样的辛酸，视界一角的蒂克莉蔓也露出了同样的表情。

Why did it end up like this… if that was not what the Supreme Beings wished for… then my dear little sister will have committed a terrible sin...
（怎么会这样……如果這不是无上至尊所期望的行为的话……妹妹犯下的就是大罪……）

It was a grave offense, worthy of capital punishment. No, there was no other possible response to it than the death penalty.
这是难逃极刑的大罪。不，除了极刑以外根本就没有别的可能。

Just how long had passed since her Master had turned around? While the actual amount of time had probably not been very long, it felt like several times that amount to Yuri. When would he give the order to punish her sister?
自主人转过身去后究竟过了多久呢。虽然应该并没有过多久，可对于由莉来说却仿佛过了足足几倍的时间。到底什么时候才会下达处刑妹妹的命令呢。

Finally, a question rang through the air.
终于，提问声响了起来。

“...Is that all?”
「……只是这样吗？」

“What else could there be?!”
「除此之外还能有什么呢！」

Solution wept in response to her Master’s question -- although her tears were only a part of her body, which were reabsorbed back into her when it reached her chin.
对于主人的问题，索琉香潸然泪下——虽然那不过是她身体的一部分，泪水在下巴处就被吸收进了身体。

She could understand her sister’s feelings, but--
妹妹的心情能够理解，但是——

“Solution Epsilon! How dare you!”
「索琉香·愛普史龍！！实属无礼！」

At the very least, she wanted it to be done with her own hands, those of her elder sister. With that in mind, Yuri clenched her fists--
至少要由自己这个当姐姐的亲手，这么想着由莉握紧了拳头——