After meeting with Aura and Mare, I felt a spell being cast.
[Lord Kaiselin.]
The voice echoed in my mind—it was Sebas. He was using the [Message] spell.
[What is the situation outside?]
[Yes, my Lord. The surroundings appear to be a grassland. No signs of intelligent life have been found.]
[Not a swamp, then?]
[Correct, my Lord. It is a grassland.]
[Any other unusual signs?]
[None, my Lord. Aside from the Great Tomb of Nazarick, there are no artificial structures whatsoever.]
[Very well… return in twenty minutes. Once back in Nazarick, come to the Amphitheater. I have summoned all the Guardians—you will report what you saw there.]
[As you command.]
I cut the connection and leaned back in thought. Just then, a portal opened and someone else stepped through.
"Oh my, am I the first to arrive?"
The voice sounded youthful, though her tone was refined. A girl emerged, clad in a jet-black ballroom gown with a voluminous skirt. Lace gloves, frills, ribbons, and not a patch of bare skin exposed.
Her appearance rivaled Albedo's—divine beauty, porcelain skin, long silver hair styled elegantly to one side. Her eyes, crimson like my own, glimmered with wicked delight.
She appeared no older than fourteen—a perfect harmony of innocence and allure.
Aura wrinkled her nose, muttering irritably.
"Ugh, what's that awful stench?"
A thick wave of perfume wafted from the girl, heavy and cloying.
"Smells disgusting."
Ignoring Aura's jab, the silver-haired girl advanced toward me, her fragrance growing more intense. I found it excessive, though I held my tongue. No need to wound her pride.
"You've arrived, Shalltear."
"Yes, my Lord. I wished to be the first to greet You."
Shalltear curtsied gracefully, her smile betraying a faint tremor of excitement.
She leaned close, whispering in my ear.
"Oh, my beloved Master… the only one I cannot control, the one I adore…"
Her crimson lips brushed my skin, her breath hot and sensual.
This girl—created by my former guildmate Peroroncino. That damn fool had once proclaimed, 'Eroge is my life!'—and thus Shalltear Bloodfallen, a degenerate vampire, was born.
Shalltear, Guardian of the 1st through 3rd Floors of Nazarick. A True Vampire.
Her arms wrapped around my neck, pressing her heated body against mine.
Aura scowled.
"Cut it out already."
"Oh? And who might this little one be? I hardly noticed you there."
Her mocking tone made Aura bristle. Aura's eyes flicked to Shalltear's chest, and a grin spread across her face.
"Fake boobs."
A verbal bombshell.
"H-how did you know?!"
"…Ah."
The words slipped out before I could stop them. She'd just admitted it herself. Poor Shalltear…
Still, I consoled myself—big breasts are wonderful, but flat ones have their charms too.
Aura burst into laughter, teasing relentlessly.
"It's obvious. They look unnatural. How many layers did you stuff in there?"
Shalltear flailed, her composure crumbling.
"Pft! So that's why you used [Gate]—so nobody would see! Oh, I get it now!"
"Silence, brat! At least I have some!"
"Hmph! I'm only seventy-six! I'll grow more in time. But you—you're undead. You'll never change. How tragic."
"Ghhk…!"
Shalltear faltered, defeated by Aura's brutal truth.
Before the quarrel escalated further, a voice like cracking ice thundered through the hall.
"Enough. Your bickering… is disgraceful before our Master."
The source loomed into view: a massive insectoid figure, towering 2.5 meters tall, six arms brandishing dreadful weapons. His chitin gleamed icy blue, covered in jagged spikes. A freezing aura spread around him.
Cocytus, Guardian of the 5th Floor. Ruler of the Frozen River.
He slammed his halberd into the ground, the frost spreading.
"Before our Master… you go too far."
"Th-this girl insulted me first!"
"I was only telling the truth!"
Even with Cocytus present, their argument continued.
"Shalltear. Aura. Enough."
I glared at them, crimson eyes burning. Both bowed their heads in shame.
"…Forgive us."
"Good. Well done for coming, Cocytus."
"Swift obedience… is the duty… of a true servant."
His icy breath steamed into the air as he bowed.
At that moment, another voice echoed.
"My apologies for the delay."
A tall man entered, about 180 centimeters, skin sun-browned, hair slicked back and black as night. He wore round glasses, a sharp three-piece suit, and carried the air of an elegant businessman—though his swaying, spiked tail betrayed his infernal nature.
Demiurge. Guardian of the 7th Floor. Architect of the Burning Hells.
"You've come, Demiurge."
"Yes, Lord Kaiselin. Forgive my tardiness."
"Very well. Though one remains…"
"Oh my, I seem to be last. Forgive me."
Her voice rang out with bold confidence, like a student strolling into class after arriving late.
It was Luminous.
The Dragonkin. A unique race introduced in a Yggdrasil event—available only for custom NPCs. A perfected variant of Dragonborn, surpassing them in every way.
Her long white hair contrasted with a dark gown, crimson eyes with slitted pupils glowed with majesty. In truth, she resembled me so closely she could be mistaken for my sibling—or perhaps even my female counterpart.
Her beauty rivaled Albedo's, her figure accentuated by a dress that clung tightly to her voluptuous curves.
Albedo stepped forward, her voice commanding.
"Guardians. Present your loyalty to our Supreme Master."
One by one, they straightened into perfect formation. Shalltear stepped forward first.
"Shalltear Bloodfallen, Guardian of the 1st through 3rd Floors, at Your service."
Kneeling, she bowed deeply.
Cocytus followed.
"Cocytus… Guardian of the 5th Floor… at Your service."
The Dark Elf twins advanced next.
"Aura Bella Fiora, Guardian of the 6th Floor, at Your service."
"M-Mare Bello Fiore, also Guardian of the 6th Floor… a-at Your service."
Demiurge bowed gracefully.
"Demiurge, Guardian of the 7th Floor, at Your service."
Then came Luminous.
"Luminous, Guardian of the 10th Floor, at Your service."
Finally, Albedo herself stepped forward.
"Albedo, Overseer of the Guardians, at Your service."
Seven Guardians knelt before me, their voices joined in solemn oath.
"With the exception of Gargantua of the 4th Floor and Victim of the 8th, all Floor Guardians kneel before You. Command us, O Supreme One. Our loyalty is Yours, utterly and completely."
The sight of their devotion filled me with exhilaration.
"Raise your heads. I have matters to convey. Sebas—step forward."
"Yes, Lord Kaiselin."
Sebas bowed low.
"Tell them what you witnessed."
"As you command. Within one kilometer of Nazarick lies only grassland. No artificial structures were found. A few small animals, but no humanoids or large creatures."
"Monsters?"
"No, my Lord. Merely ordinary beasts."
"…I see. You have done well, Sebas."
I exhaled quietly. Just as in the original story, we had transferred safely.
But this was no longer Yggdrasil.
It was another world entirely.
"Mare. I have an order for you."
"Y-yes, my Lord! Command me!"
"Trembling child… cover Nazarick. Bury it beneath earth and conceal it with plants. Alter the surrounding terrain to match. Take whatever resources you need."
"U-understood!"
For now, concealment was paramount.
Finally, I addressed them all.
"One last question. To each of you—what am I to you? Shalltear, speak first."
"You are beauty incarnate, the most resplendent being in existence. All who see Your gaze are enthralled."
"Cocytus."
"Stronger… than all Guardians… the true Sovereign… of Nazarick."
"Aura."
"You are compassionate and deeply considerate."
"Mare."
"Y-you're very kind, my Lord!"
"Demiurge."
"A master of wisdom and insight, paired with decisive action. The Absolute among Absolutes."
"Sebas."
"The one who succeeded Lord Momonga, never abandoning us to the end. A merciful ruler."
"Luminous."
"My Lord, You are beauty itself, beyond comparison. And You are the one I love."
"And finally… Albedo."
"The Chief of the Supreme Beings. My great Master. And—more than Luminous—you are the one I love most."
Luminous shot her a sharp look at those words.
"I understand your hearts well. You may step back."
Activating the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown, I teleported to my chambers on the Ninth Floor.
"…Damn. This is harder than I thought."