Unlike guilds made up by students, the guild Ainz Ooal Gown—that is, Momonga's guild, required its members to be heteromorphic races and working adults.
Because of this, guild members didn't spend much time discussing school grades or teachers, but rather talked mostly about their real-life situations. Conversations like this were commonplace in the guild's daily life.
After quite a while, once he had poured out all of his feelings, Herohero's "head" moved slightly, as if bowing in apology.
"Sorry for making you listen to me complain for so long. I can't really vent in the real world, so I lost control of myself for a bit."
Seeing Herohero's apology, Momonga hurriedly reassured him, "Don't worry about it, Herohero-san. You're so busy and yet you still log in, so of course it's only right that we listen to your complaints."
"No matter how much you have to vent, I'll listen patiently. And the fact that you're willing to complain to us means you think of us as friends, doesn't it? That actually makes me very happy."
"That's right. Momonga is right, Little softie. It's been so long since I heard your voice, it's really nostalgic. Since we don't have anything else to do anyway, chatting like this isn't bad."
"It feels like the old days, when everyone was still around." Luke smiled at Herohero.
Because Herohero's form reminded him too much of the slimes in World of Warcraft he used to play, Luke had always been in the habit of calling him Little Softie.
Even though Herohero was older than him, with the combined mentality of two lifetimes, Luke felt no psychological burden about it.
Herohero seemed to regain some energy after venting his stress, and he laughed much more cheerfully than before.
"Momonga-san, Luke-san, really, thank you both. I never expected that upon logging in, I would meet friends I hadn't seen in years. I'm truly happy."
"Hearing you say that makes me really happy too." Although an undead face showed no expression, Momonga's tone clearly conveyed his genuine feelings.
On YGGDRASIL's final day, being able to meet an old friend online was truly a delightful surprise.
"But I should probably log off soon." Herohero's tentacles moved through the air, as though operating something. It was obvious he was working his control interface, preparing to log out.
"Mm… it really is quite late." Momonga, watching Herohero's movements, spoke helplessly.
"Sorry, Momonga-san, Luke-san."
"I see. That's a shame… Happy times are always so short."
"Little softie, why don't you stay with us until the very end? Would that be alright?"
Looking at Momonga's regretful eyes and Herohero's exhausted body, Luke could no longer hold himself back.
Even though it might create many uncertainties, even though things might not turn out like the original story, and even if they did cross over, they might not end up together…
But seeing his former companions again, he didn't want to think about that anymore. After years of battles, he was no longer just an outsider watching anime and reading novels. He was a participant in the story itself.
People have feelings. Exploring new maps together, raiding new bosses together, gathering materials together, working bit by bit to strengthen the guild together—these memories were unforgettable to him.
"I'd like to stay with you until the end too, but I'm just too exhausted. I've been working overtime for a whole month straight."
Luke fell silent. He couldn't exactly hold someone back by force to stop them from logging out, nor could he reveal anything.
What, was he supposed to tell them that after the shutdown, they might all be transported to another world, and Momonga would suddenly become Bone-Daddy Overlord?
"Ah… then you really must be worn out. Hurry and log out, get a good rest." Momonga let out a quiet sigh, as though he didn't want his friend to notice the regret in his heart.
"Truly sorry, Momonga-san, Luke-san. But how long are you two planning to stay logged in?"
"I plan to stay until the very end, until the forced logout at shutdown. There's still some time left, and maybe someone else might come back before then."
"Of course I'll stay with Momonga. You both know I'm the most free one here. Don't be jealous, the world's just unfair. After all, I'm a rich second-generation, and what's more, I don't even have to shoulder any family business."
Luke, in a cheerful tone, followed up after Momonga's words with his own decision.
When Luke had crossed over, his parents had already long passed away, and he had no memories of his predecessor.
To him, his parents in this life only existed in photos. For someone who had lived over twenty years in his previous world with his parents alive and well, it was difficult to feel anything for these parents.
Still, during festivals and holidays, Luke properly honored them. After all, granting life was the greatest gift.
"Hahaha, I see. That's just like you, Luke-san, always so full of energy. I really envy that. But I honestly didn't expect this place to still be preserved until now."
Upon hearing Herohero's words, Luke immediately looked at Momonga. In the original story, those very words had wounded Momonga's heart.
For someone who deeply loved his guildmates, everything here was the fruit of their joint efforts, their shared memories.
Precisely because of that, when reality caused one member after another to quit, Momonga had worked alone to maintain the guild, never changing its settings, just so that it would remain for everyone.
Of course, in this life, with Luke at his side, Momonga wasn't as lonely as before. Still, hearing such words from a comrade surely saddened him.
But soon, Momonga was cheered again, because Herohero followed up by saying, "Momonga-san, you've continued to maintain the guild as its leader, so that we could return at any time. Thank you so much."
"Because this is the guild we all built together, it's my duty as guild leader to maintain it so everyone can return at any time! Besides, Luke-san has always been by my side helping me as well…"
"Precisely because of that, Momonga-san is the guild leader, and we were able to fully enjoy this game. I hope that the next time we meet, it will be in YGGDRASIL 2."
"Although I haven't heard any news of a sequel, as you say, it would be wonderful if that happened." Momonga nodded. Luke guessed that he was envisioning a future where everyone gathered together once more.
"When that time comes, I'll be counting on you again! I really can't hold out any longer, so I'll log out now. Meeting you again at the end made me very happy. Good night."
Momonga almost spoke out, but after a pause, he managed to say his final words, "I'm also very happy to have met you. Good night."
Luke also nodded to Herohero, "Little softie, remember to take care of your health. Unlike me, you're not forever eighteen. Remember, overwork leads to baldness. Though, if you did go bald, you'd also get stronger."
Above Herohero's head, an emotion icon of a smiling face appeared. In YGGDRASIL, characters could not display facial expressions, so to show emotions they would use icons instead.
Momonga and Luke also opened their control interfaces, bringing up the same smiling icon.
Herohero's final words were, "Hopefully, we can meet again somewhere."