Mass for the Dead Chapter 13

End of Date (逢瀬の果て) is the thirteenth main story chapter in Mass for the Dead. It was released to the public on April 1, 2021.

Episode 1: In The Fog
In the Round Table Room, while observing the crater in the Katze Plains using the Mirror of Remote Viewing, Albedo sees the corpses of the Vampire Bride s that were escorting Shalltear Bloodfallen. Since the corpses still remain that would indicate that Shalltear must still be alive. Momonga unsure if the summons died due to some accident, heads to the Throne Room with Albedo. There Momonga activates the master control of the Great Tomb of Nazarick management system. To his surprise he finds Shalltear's name is still present on the console, meaning that she is alive, but her status was now under betrayal if the readings were correct, indicating that Shalltear was under the mental influence of a third party. This only serves to confuse Momonga even more as the Floor Guardian's trip from the Northern Cave and the situation with the dead Vampire Brides don't make sense.

Albedo still viewing the mirror reports that she found Shalltear in the center of the crater in a stationary position. This only begs more questions, such as why Shalltear's brainwashers would keep her where she is if they could control her. He then realizes that the brainwashing was incomplete as no orders where given to the vampire when the mental effect took hold. Seeing that Shalltear was left behind by her attackers, Momonga is furious but quickly calms down to focus on the situation. The Overlord prioritizes his thoughts, first to identify who brainwashed Shalltear, and how as the vampire should be immune to mental effects. His thoughts drift to maybe this phenomena being the result of a talent as it is an unknown power he does not fully understand.

First Momonga confirms the details with the last people who saw Shalltear: Yuri Alpha and Lupusregina Beta. Back at the Round Table, he learns that Shalltear was being accompanied with her two summons and using [Perfect Unknowable] to return back to the tomb. This tidbit of information makes Momonga wonder if Shalltear's attackers could see through Shalltear's [Perfect Unknowable] or maybe it was by accident. Albedo at his side states that even though the circumstances are still unknown on Shalltear's betrayal, they should quickly deal with it as to prevent the risk of an information leak. Her assessment makes sense and Momonga agrees, but orders her that a priority to find the culprits and brainwashing method over dealing punishment as this situation could happen again in the future. Albedo acknowledges his orders and prepares to select people to deal with the situation. However Momonga considering that a mighty being could appear, then declares that he will be moving out as well, much to Albedo's shock.

Episode 2: Unprecedented Crisis
As this is a unprecedented situation, Momonga insists that he accompany the investigation team. Furthermore if any of them are brainwashed, the situation will get worse. This bringing everything they have is necessary for this mission. Albedo relents but will ensure that his safety will be taken first.

At the Amphitheater, the team is ready and has been assembled composed of Mare Bello Fiore, Cocytus in his full equipment and Albedo armored in Hermes Trismegistus. As there may be a possibility of encountering people, Momonga dons his Mask of Envy and Járngreipr to cover his face and hands. The groups sets off to Shalltear’s location by carriage. On the road Momonga ruminates on how something like this could have happened, though he convinces himself that the situation will be verified soon. From the windows of the carriage Cocytus and Mare note that they entered the foggy region of the Katze Plains.

Outside Albedo reminds her comrades to deploy their defenses and to prepare for an engagement. The four walk on foot towards the location while they take in the details on the dreary plains and it’s high concentrations of negative energy. Such a place is noted to be excellent for hiding a being like Shalltear. An Eight-Edge Assassin approaches them and reports that it has found the recent corpse of a beast. Albedo guesses it to belong to one of the wolves of Aura Bella Fiora that was lent to Shalltear. The Overseer Guardian orders that the area be blockaded before proceeding. Undead troops composed of four Death Knights appear to guard the area and the Eight=Edge Assassins report that there is no suspicious activity within range. While Momonga worries about remote monitoring, he is confident that their countermeasures are enough and with the undead, any person that enters the affected region will be detected. Taking a moment to examine one of the bodies, Mare confirms that it is indeed one of her sister's wolves. Cocytus studying the ground notes that there are traces of a fierce battle. The question begs to as who Shalltear was fighting to exert this much power and why she chose to fighting rather than retreating.

Mare using his magic detect Shalltear just ahead of the battlefield. There they find a listless stationary Shalltear. While the Eight-Edge Assassins spread out to canvas the area, Momonga calls out to the vampire to gauge a reaction. The vampire gives none as she can only react when an opponent gets to a certain distance to defend herself. However this means that whoever did this to Shalltear were unable to capture her after she was brainwashed. Albedo informs her master that they are ready to step in, but Momonga has another alternative. He reveals his Shooting Star, a Divine Item that can grant wishes by consuming experience. With it Momonga hopes that it can release Shalltear from the mental control. The item's magic is cast, but nothing happens which causes Momonga to panic and orders everyone to immediately withdraw.

The group have retreated back to Nazarick on the 1st Floor. Just as Albedo finished reporting to Momonga that no one followed them, Momonga begins kicking the stone flow in a rage. His tantrum subsides once his emotions are suppressed by his undead status. Albedo quickly begs for forgiveness for whatever affront she caused, but Momonga tells her that she is not to blame and apologizes for showing a terrible side of him. Cocytus asks his liege why he made the decision to withdraw from the field. Momonga then explains that his attempt to free Shalltear using his Divine Item class ring but it failed, which can only mean one thing. That Shalltear was mind controlled by a World Item, shocking all present. World Items are the only existences that can surpass the Guild Weapons and Divine Items and could explain why Shalltear's who is normally resistant to mind control would be affected. This leads Momonga to conclude that World Items may exist in the current world, perhaps brought by a player in the past. Cocytus asks Momonga if this attacked on Shalltear was intentional or by accident. Albedo believes it may still be too early to tell, though Momonga ponders on how much their unknown enemy knows of them. So far what they could ascertain is that no one suspicious is spying on Nazarick and Shalltear was left at where she was. Cocytus voices his opinion that the attackers may have been interrupted when the cast the mind control on Shalltear and hence it is incomplete. The hypothesis seems to match the current situation, but Momonga believes the attackers may still attempt to take advantage of the situation Nazarick is in. An order is given to Albedo to recall all Floor Guardians that are active outside of Nazarick. So far no one other than Shalltear are mentally controlled according to the master control, but he does not wish to take any chances. Momonga then tells Albedo to hurry with him to the Treasury. As the two head to their destination, a question nags at Momonga on who they are dealing with.

Elsewhere outside of Nazarick and on the road, a group is running. The spear wielding man stops running and orders the rest of his surviving comrades to rest as he believes they should be safe at this distance. After a woman with a large hat reports that there are no nearby presences, the group settle down. Exhausted from their flight from the plains, the group collapse on the ground and begin treating their wounds. So far two members of their party Beaumarchais and Cedran have been killed. Their member Kaire is also severely wounded by the spear wielding man believes that she should be fine with the application of healing magic. It turn out not to be the case as the woman in the hat finds that the wound Kaire has will not heal. An axe bearing man deduces that the wound is not normal, due to it coming from a cursed weapon and hence hindering healing magic. With multiple members of their group dead and near death, the spear wielding man believes that they only have one option, which is to return to the home country. Others in his group agree with their leader's decision. Their thoughts turn back to the vampire they encountered. Their leader thinks it might be a Dragon Lord, maybe one of the undead ones like the Vampiric Dragon Lord or the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord. But those Dragon Lords should be dead, but the woman in the hat states that the vampire they fought had strength of a Dragon Lord and besides the dragons he listed were both undead. The axe bearing man suggests they report the entity to their superiors and that they should expect to be real busy soon.

In the Treasury Momonga with Albedo, Yuri and CZ2I28 Delta, the former takes the women to the location of where the guild's World Items are stored. Using magic he bypasses the poison gas by having them all fly in the air. Reaching the corridor for the deep recesses of the Treasury, Momonga explains to his subordinates of the World Items and their power and why they have the strictest security. Given the power of these items, in order to be protected against a user with a World Item, another World Item or a special job class is needed. They reach the lounge of the Treasury where they find Pandora's Actor. Momonga gives out an order to the Area Guardian, Yuri and Shizu to move treasure to the Throne Room and reminds them to be on guard for Chaos Beasts. Additionally he asks Pandora's Actor that before he heads to 10th Floor to give him his Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown as he will keep it safe until Pandora's Actor returns from the Throne Room. Pandora's Actor and the two Pleiades excuse themselves to carry Momonga's orders.

Meanwhile, Albedo and Momonga head to the Mausoleum. Albedo having been quiet is inquired by Momonga on her silence. Albedo replies that she is fine, but asks Momonga if lifting the mental control off Shalltear is possible. Momonga answers that there is a possibility, but is hesitant to use such a method. As using World Items though great in power, some have very limited uses and he is unwilling to use such trump cards. That being said Momonga asks Albedo his own question in that is he a pitiful master? Albedo thinks that he is terrible for thinking such a thing as he is wise to conserve such valuable resources given the dangers in the new world. Momonga tells her that they have only one method to free Shalltear, which is by defeating her something Momonga does not look forward to doing. To him Shalltear is like a child of a friend, but he knows that he can't leave her as she is. But that the battle is imminent with her as he hasn't leveled down. Albedo silently acknowledges her master's determination and as Overseer Guardian will take responsibility to resolve the crisis.

Episode 3: Sortie
Momonga with the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown addresses a meeting in the Round Table Room that not just include the Pleiades, Floor Guardians, but also the protagonist and Slimeko. He knows that they have questions as to why they were recalled but Nazarick has a pressing issue of dealing with Shalltear. The only way to do so is to defeat her, and a role he declares he must do. It was he who sent Shalltear out into the field and allowed her to end this way and thus the cause of this predicament. Demiurge interjects stating that he the fault may not be his as this situation may have been the result of his debut. He volunteers bear the responsibility in place of Momonga. Likewise Yuri tells her master that she and her sister are also to blame as they should have returned together with Shalltear even though she used [Perfect Unknowable]. Momonga however states it was he who approved the operation and as a leader who stands above them he must not impose his responsibility on them. Besides none of them in their present condition can defeat Shalltear as she surpasses all the Guardians. To minimize casualties Momonga must meet Shalltear at the battlefield.

Before he gives the order, the protagonist interjects stating that Momonga going out to face Shalltear alone could be dangerous. It could even be the enemy's aim to poke a hole in their defenses when the two are engaged in battle. Albedo agrees stating that even though Momonga is perfect, he will be dealing with Shalltear and focused on the battle, but then their enemy may take the opportunity. Demiurge thinks that this may be the enemy's way to observe Nazarick's strength, if they play into their hands then Nazarick will lose their trump cards. Furthermore Albedo warns that of Momonga takes to the field and intervene, the enemy knowing of his existence might be harder to predict. Momonga hearing all their opinions then agrees that a lot is at risk. He then turns to the protagonist and asks if her has another plan. The protagonist tells Momonga while Shalltear Bloodfallen has terrifying power and not all the NPCs have regained their levels, they can still win through strategy. Momonga asks him to elaborate on how to defeat the vampire. Moments later after listening to the homunculus's plan, the Overlord agrees that the protagonist has thought of everything from the right people to the details of Nazarick's defense. Though he thinks the plan is wonderful, it places risk on the Deputy Assistant Diplomat and asks him if he is prepared to do what is needed. Despite that the identity of their enemy is unknown, the protagonist can't deny that the attack may be related to their previous plan with Jaldabaoth, in any case he is also responsible for this turn of events and wishes to proceed. Albedo voices her agreement, speaking on behalf of the Guardians that they cannot permit Momonga to face Shalltear where an enemy has a World Item and pledges to fulfill the propose plan. Momonga is still unsure but Albedo steps forward that she understands that he cares for all of them, but to allow her to release Shalltear from her current state. Doing this is her duty as a Guardian. Hearing enough Momonga has one condition for the execution of the plan.

Some time later at the crater in the Katze Plains, the protagonist, Soi, Slimeko and Albedo stand ready. Albedo back in her armor informs her team that so far only undead seem to be present around the area and that the Eight-Edge Assassins report no suspicious activity. Though she warns even if detection is blocked and there are no people around the protagonist may need to disguise himself, but it will also confuse Shalltear. So far Shalltear is in the same position as she was when Momonga and the others came by. Before they proceed with their operation Soi leads the group to clean the area of undead.

Once the undead are eliminated from the area and their forces are in place, Albedo wants to proceed as planned. The protagonist instead wishes to open a dialogue first with Shalltear before descending to conflict. If all goes well he might be able to retrieve some information on the enemy who did this to the vampire. Despite the risk, the diplomat goes alone to talk to Shalltaer as he hopes that his non-threatening appearance will not cause her to turn aggressive. The homunculus carefully stepped towards the mind controlled Floor Guardian, making sure to not to make any threatening moves. Eventually he gets close enough that Shalltear registers his presence and casually greets him as if it was any other day. The homunculus returns the greetings while Slimeko and Albedo watch from afar, the Overseer Guardian being vigilant for the slightest hint of danger. When Shalltear asks her colleague why he is here, the latter informs her that he was ordered to bring her back by the master they both serve. The Floor Guardian informs him that they serve different masters, clearing showing that there is a discrepancy in her mind of her loyalties. The protagonist presses the question on who is her current master now, but Shalltear is unable to come up with an answer as her memory is missing. She still refuses to return with the homunculus and dares him to try.

The protagonist seeing that negotiations have broken down and his fruitless attempt at information gathering then signals Albedo to initiate the operation. Albedo happy to start is ready to "guide" her fallen colleague and calls out a challenge to Shalltear who readily accepts as she she feels this is destiny to fight her superior.

Episode 4: War Begins
A troop of undead warrior composed of Death Knights Approach Shalltear. The undead are all line in an orderly fashioned as arranged without gaps by the protagonist to turn them into a phalanx. Shalltera unimpressed by the formation casts attack magic on the troop. The summons take the magic attack but still march to the vampire in formation. Despite getting attacked by the vampire with her claws the undead keep their defensive lines. Behind them archers at the rear at the protagonist's command begin firing volleys of arrows at the Floor Guardian. The projectiles are a mere annoyance to the vampire, and thinks that the homunculus planned this poorly as a commander. But then several explosions happen right at her feet. Originally thinking it was magic and yet no magic casters are in sight see spots that the explosions are coming from spears that are also being shot at her. Determining that they are magical throwing spears she tries to charge at the phalanx only to get hit by more explosions. The barrage keeps up she realizes the damages will accumulate on her and attacks again with magic, killing the undead in the phalanx knocking back the archers.

The ground suddenly shakes and the earth hits Shalltear who surmises it to be an [Earth Surge] from Mare who is hiding somewhere. Being disadvantage on the ground, Shalltear takes to the air believing she should be safe and is proven wrong when an explosion hits her. Albedo calling her from below that they took ever precaution following the protagonist's plan. Shalltear sees that the protagonist created a strategy was looking ahead at her actions for this battle, but is confounded that the diplomat is skilled in fighting. As she wonders where he learned this trick, Shalltear has a flashback of her dueling in the Amphitheater in her armor and recalls a vague but familiar person there as well teaching her to anticipate and prepare for her enemy's behavior.

Back in the present Shalltear now on the ground wonders who that person who was teaching her was but decides to concentrate on the battle. A pack of wolves appear and the protagonist orders them to attack. The vampire annoyed at the beasts sees that they were trained by Aura who Shalltear suspects is lurking about. Engaging the pack she slaughters them but more wolves take their place which she again rips them apart. She suddenly feels an uneasy sensation. At first ignoring to focus on her canine opponents the feeling grows stronger. After taking a look at her surroundings she finds that she is now alone with the protagonist having vanished. Frustrated Shalltear heart beings racing and a sudden realization dawns on her what the protagonist is planning.