“Back then, Ainz-sama didn’t have an expression like a man, but… how should I put it …… although I know it comes across as disrespectful, but at that moment his expression was like a child who wished to run away.”
“I didn’t sense that? Could it be that you were mistaken?”
Demiurge looked slightly away and towards the direction of the 「Crystal Screen」. It showed the clear image of their master walking through the woods.
“You think so? I don’t think that I would misread the expression on the man I love…....”
Albedo’s eyes also turned towards the 「Crystal Screen」, and she had the expression of an intoxicated woman. This expression irritated the anxious Demiurge.
“Then! What is his expression now?”
“The current Ainz-sama has a determined look on his face. As a woman —— perhaps this way of thinking is disrespectful, but knowing that my beloved master wishes to carry out that determination, I will not get in his way. Furthermore, Ainz-sama has already promised to me that he will definitely return safely.”
Seeing that Albedo was not planning to say anything further, Demiurge asked disdainfully and with a displeased look:
“This is still too irrational, naive; a purely emotional judgment. Ainz-sama is the last Supreme Being who remains here. Knowing that he faces a situation where his life may be in peril, it is our responsibility to come up with a plan to remove that danger. Even if we will be blamed afterwards, even if we will have to sacrifice our lives, we ought to step forward and act, right?”
With a loud bumping noise, Demiurge stood up.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
The voice that called out to Demiurge’s turned back was eerily calm.
“You’re still asking something so obvious? Of course to send out my subordinates——”
Noticing the sharp sound of metal closing in, Demiurge turned his head and saw an unsheathed blade——it was Cocytus’ Divine Class item.
“..... I see…… calling me back and at the same time commanding me to be here, was it for this, Albedo?”
“Correct Demiurge…… the seventh floor is already in lockdown under both Ainz-sama and my authority, and all of your subordinates are in our grasp. You or Ainz-sama, it doesn’t need to be said whose orders they will obey, no?”
“...... Truly a fool. If Ainz-sama meets his death because of this, how do you plan to take responsibility! Ainz-sama is our last object of loyalty!”
“Ainz-sama will definitely return.”
“What proof do you have for your assurance?!”
Demiurge glared. That pair of eyes lacked eyeballs. In fact it was completely without pupil or iris, but were shining jewels with numerous small cuts.
“To believe in our masters, this is also part of our obligation as their creations.”
Demiurge repeatedly opened and closed his mouth. And eventually, tightly closed his eyes shut.
Because he also reckoned that—— that too is correct.
All of the Nazarick NPCs, who were absolutely loyal to the 41 Supreme Beings, had subtle differences in the way they demonstrated their obedience. On the issue of loyalty, of course Demiurge and Albedo had different approaches.
However, Albedo’s concept of loyalty gave Demiurge a huge shock.
But even so, he was still worried and his restlessness would not disappear. It was why, in the past, they spoke of a descendant to carry on his will.
If Ainz-sama were to disappear like the other Supreme Beings, to whom should they be loyal to from that day onwards?
For us who were created to be loyal to them, after this value was lost then what would be the meaning of existence?
As if to hide his own emotions, Demiurge rudely sat on the chair again, not one bit like his usual self.
“If… anything should happen to Ainz-sama, you must discard your position as Overseer of the Guardians.”
“...... Demiurge. you. dare. telling. Albedo. to. step. down. from. a. position. bestowed. upon. her. by. the. Supreme. Beings? Such. insolence!”
Albedo smiled at the shocked Cocytus.
“No problem. However, Demiurge, if Ainz-sama returns safely, you will have to obediently follow my commands should any similar situation arise in the future.”
“Of course.”
“Well then, Cocytus, what do you think are Ainz-sama’s chances of winning?”
Cocytus reluctantly told the other two his personal judgment.
“Thirty to seventy. Ainz-sama is thirty.”
Demiurge’s shoulders could not help but give a jump. For Cocytus, the strongest warrior amongst them, to say something so ominous, there was no way Demiurge could ignore this. However Albedo had a different reaction. Upon hearing this statement, she revealed a beaming smile as she fully grasped the situation with ease.
“Is that so. Then let’s wait and see how Ainz-sama turns the tables to obtain victory.”
♦ ♦ ♦
After splitting up with the two people, Ainz walked towards Shalltear’s position. Thanks to his own special abilities, he was able to differentiate between north, south, east and west, and stuck to a straight line through the woods when heading towards Shalltear.
