At the first-floor exit of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, the massive stone doors stood slightly ajar, letting in a faint breeze from the unknown world beyond.
"Helant San, are you sure you don't want a disguise?" Momonga asked helplessly, eyeing his radiant best friend. A soft halo of white-gold light hovered around Helant's head, and faint motes of starlight drifted from his long silver hair. "If an NPC recognizes us, how are we supposed to sneak out?"
Way too flashy, Helant San.
They had agreed to slip out quietly—just the two of them, no fanfare. Yet here Helant stood in his full celestial-themed outfit, looking like a walking divine phenomenon.
Momonga had only just managed to fool Narberal with a full equipment swap and layered illusion magic. The last thing he wanted was to bump into another NPC. They were far too enthusiastic, far too clingy.
"Helant San, you're literally glowing like a light bulb. The NPCs will spot you from a kilometer away." Clad head to toe in heavy dark armor and a hooded cloak, Momonga edged a cautious step away from the luminous aura.
Helant gave a carefree smile, utterly unconcerned. "As if a disguise would stop them from recognizing you."
He pointed casually at the open gate. "Take two steps outside and I guarantee someone will know exactly who you are."
"Fine, Helant San. Today I refuse to believe that nonsense!"
With that, Momonga strode confidently toward the exit, shoulders squared.
I've swapped my equipment, layered on stealth magic, and even changed my aura signature. There's no way anyone will recognize me!
This guy just doesn't want to ruin his perfect looks, so he made up that lousy excuse.
Just as Momonga's foot crossed the threshold, a deep, rumbling voice rang out behind him.
"Lord Momonga?"
Ah... He stiffened mid-step and slowly turned. The three towering Demonic Generals—Rage, Jealousy, and Greed—stood frozen in the corridor, staring at him in open shock.
"Wh—what are you doing here?"
After a brief, stunned pause, all three dropped heavily to one knee in perfect unison.
Momonga stood rooted to the spot. "Helant was right…"
"Lord Momonga, why are you here?" Demiurge appeared in a swirl of shadow before the generals could speak further, bowing deeply with polished courtesy.
Helant stepped forward, beaming at Momonga with an unmistakable I-told-you-so grin.
"He and I felt like sneaking out for a look around."
See? I told you so.
"Sneak out?" The words sent alarm bells ringing in Demiurge's mind. In an instant, his brilliant intellect conjured the worst possible scenario—the Supreme Beings who had vanished one by one without a word.
Surely these two were not planning to abandon them as well.
Reason told him it was highly unlikely, yet the mere possibility twisted his heart. His voice trembled faintly as he bowed lower to Helant. "Please allow this humble servant to accompany you."
Without looking back, Helant walked on. "Follow if you like."
Momonga, now recovered from his embarrassment, leaned closer and whispered, "We agreed it would be just the two of us. Having Demiurge along will spoil everything."
"Oh, Demiurge is clever. He won't spoil a thing."
Outside the tomb, the vast grassland stretched endlessly under a breathtaking night sky. A river of starlight poured down from the heavens, forming a gleaming celestial stream that mirrored perfectly on the dew-kissed grass.
The cool evening breeze carried the fresh scent of earth and wildflowers—pure, untouched nature.
Helant narrowed his eyes, savoring the sensation with quiet wonder.
How many years had it been since he last felt a breeze like this, saw stars this bright?
"[Flight]!" Momonga activated a flying item and shot smoothly into the air.
Behind Helant, light and darkness swirled together, condensing into a magnificent pair of wings woven from flowing star-river light—perfectly matching the Milky Way overhead.
With a single graceful beat, he soared upward, starlight rippling across his feathers like liquid diamonds. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
"A super-rare collectible outfit…" Momonga muttered, casting an envious glance at his own item vault. A sour pang twisted in his chest. "If only I'd grabbed a few sets!"
If only I'd collected some cosmetic costumes too instead of hoarding practical gear.
Demiurge's sharp eyes locked onto the soaring figure of Lord Helant, his heart leaping into his throat. Lord Helant was flying too fast—far beyond what normal flight magic allowed. It would be impossible to keep up on foot.
What if he decided to leave? We wouldn't be able to… Demiurge didn't dare finish the thought. In an instant, he shifted into his true frog-demon form, leathery wings unfurling as he launched himself after them with desperate speed.
High above, Helant wheeled through the sky several times, arms spread wide, drinking in the boundless freedom of open air.
Momonga drifted beside him, gazing upward at the endless sea of stars. "Blue Planet San would love this view."
"Yes," Helant agreed softly. "He was always the one in the guild who loved natural scenery the most."
The stars winked ceaselessly overhead, brighter and clearer than any night in YGGDRASIL.
"This world is like a jewelry box," Helant murmured. "So beautiful…"
"It really is," Momonga replied quietly. "So beautiful."
Bathed in starlight, Helant felt utterly healed—a transcendent sense of freedom filling his soul. For a moment, the strangeness of being transported to this new world vanished entirely. This place truly accepted him.
He raised a hand toward the sky, fingers closing as if grasping the stars themselves.
"This is where I belong!"
Far below, Demiurge's crimson pupils contracted sharply. Countless thoughts collided in his mind, weaving together into one crystal-clear conviction.
The Supreme Beings intend to dominate the entire world!
Both Lord Momonga and Lord Helant clearly cherished this world's beauty. Lord Helant even declared his belonging aloud—an unmistakable sign of ambition.
"I must inform the others at once," Demiurge whispered to himself, joy surging through him. "Let us offer the whole world to the Supreme Beings!"
The weight of that glorious mission instantly erased his earlier fear of abandonment.
"We must prove ourselves useful to the Supreme Beings!"
Rumble…
A faint tremor rippled through the earth below. Helant and Momonga exchanged a glance.
"It's Mare. Let's go down and take a look."
Helant folded his starry wings and dove, carving a brilliant streak of light through the night sky.
On the surface, Mare stood with his staff raised high, face scrunched in concentration as he poured mana into reshaping the terrain. Thick forests rose around Nazarick's walls, earthen mounds formed natural barriers, and layers of illusion settled like mist—perfect camouflage.
He scanned every detail nervously. I have to do this perfectly. Maybe then Papa will praise me… and Lord Momonga might give me more candied hawthorn skewers…
The memory of his father's warm hug and the sweet-sour treat made Mare wipe sweat from his brow and press on with renewed determination.
"Nice work, Mare."
A gentle voice sounded right behind him. Helant blurred into view in a ghostly instant—his quadruple racial classes and speed-focused builds making the movement effortless—and scooped the boy up into his arms.
"Papa—I mean.. Father.." Mare's eyes went wide, cheeks flushing bright red. "Why are you here?"
Helant ruffled his dark hair affectionately. "I came to see if you were slacking off, of course."
"N-no! I'd never slack!" Mare's face paled in panic. Did Papa not trust me?
"Don't let him scare you," Momonga said as he landed a moment later, amused. He couldn't help marveling again at his friend's ridiculous speed—if this had been PvP, Mare would already be dead.
Reassured, Mare looked up at Helant with hopeful eyes.
"Our adorable Mare," Helant chuckled, tousling the boy's hair vigorously until he giggled. "Of course I trust you without question."
"It looks great, Mare," Momonga added, inspecting the newly formed forest ring and illusion veil. Nazarick was now perfectly hidden from casual view.
"Good job. This is for you."
He produced a Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown—the guild's symbol of highest authority—and held it out.
Mare's eyes sparkled as he accepted it reverently.
Watching from a respectful distance, Demiurge's muscles tensed, his gloved fingers tightening as he fought to hide the quiet, burning longing in his heart.
A Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown… How he wished to prove himself worthy of such trust one day.