“No, Ainz-sama. I checked again multiple times, but there was not a single mention.”
“Then, Sebas, tell me why you have done so. Why did you not report it? …I want to know why you have ignored my order. Is the word of Ainz Ooal Gown not enough to compel you?”
That sentence shook the atmosphere. Sebas hurriedly replied.
“Of course not. It was my foolishness to think that it wasn’t important enough to report to you, Ainz-sama.”
Silence descended.
Four killing intents pierced his body: Cocytus, Demiurge, the angel Demiurge was holding in his arms and Solution. With a single command, they would not hesitate to attack him.
There was no fear of death. To die for Nazarick was a great honour, but the notion of dying as a traitor made Sebas’ body shake. For a creation of the 41 Supreme Beings, dying as a traitor was the greatest shame there could be. By the time Sebas’ forehead was full of sweat once more, Ainz spoke.
“...So what you are saying is, it was your own foolish decision? Is that what you mean?”
“Yes, Ainz-sama. Please forgive my indiscretion.”
“...Hmm, is that so… I understand.”
After hearing Sebas’ heartfelt apology, Ainz’s neutral voice returned once again. As there were no orders to eliminate Sebas, the atmosphere returned to normal once again. However, Sebas could not rest easy as Ainz’s next command made Sebas’ heart sink.
“Solution. Bring Sebas’ pet over here.”
“Understood.”
After Solution left, door closed quietly. Sebas’ sharp senses tracked Solution’s footsteps beyond the door, walking farther and farther away. In this place, there were four heteromorphic beings: Ainz, Demiurge, Cocytus and the strangely shaped angel. Was the reason they didn’t bother to hide their appearance because there wouldn’t be a need to? If someone from Nazarick wished to silence someone, killing was the best method. He should have released her sooner. Sebas shook his head on the inside , but it was already too late for such thoughts. He could feel two people approaching the door.
—What should I do?
Sebas’ looked up at the empty ceiling. If she’s coming here, then he needed to decide. There was only one choice. He looked at Demiurge and Ainz who were still watching him, and his gaze fell down to the floor once again. A knock sounded at the door and opened. There were two women standing there, as expected.
“I have brought her.”
Even though Sebas has his back turned to her, he could hear Tsuare gasp at the door. Maybe she was panicking after seeing a devil, Demiurge. Maybe she was scared after seeing a giant insect, Cocytus. Maybe she was terrified after seeing an angel that looked like a fetus. Maybe she was petrified after seeing death incarnate, Ainz. Or maybe it was all of it.
The Guardians’ displeasure only intensified with Tsuare in front of them. In some way, she was the embodiment of Sebas’ mistakes and failures. Tsuare could not stop shaking at all the hostility directed at her. In this world, Guardians were the ultimate beings, and all weaklings would tremble in fear at the mere sight of them. The fact that Tsuare wasn’t crying was already an amazing feat. Sebas did not look back, but he could feel Tsuare’s gaze fixed on him. Her courage came from the fact Sebas was in the same room.
“Cocytus, Demiurge, stop. Learn from Victim’s example.”
With Ainz’s soft voice, the atmosphere changed. No, it should be said that all hostility towards Tsuare vanished. Ainz extended his left hand towards Tsuare and motioned for her to enter.
“Enter, Sebas’ new human pet, Tsuare.”
As if she was under a spell, she entered the room with shaky steps.
“You didn’t try to escape, very courageous of you. Or did you hear something from Solution? That depending on how you act, Sebas’ fate will be decided?”
Tsuare, who was shaking non-stop, could not reply. Sebas felt her gaze towards his back intensify. It alone let him know how she truly felt. Without hesitation, Tsuare stood behind Sebas as she entered the room. Cocytus slowly moved and stood behind Tsuare as if he was waiting for something. Tsuare grabbed the corner of Sebas’ sleeves. Sebas could remember when she first had grabbed onto him in the alleyway. Perhaps if he had acted more prudently back then, this would not have happened.
Demiurge looked at Tsuare in a cold manner and then suddenly—
“Kneel immed—”
— The sound of a finger snap rung out.
Demiurge, who was about to speak understood what his master wanted, and swallowed the words he wanted to say.
“—It is fine, Demiurge. For having the courage to not run away, I, the ruler of Nazarick shall forgive her for the lack of manners.”
“My deepest apologies.”
Ainz nodded slowly at Demiurge’s apology.
“Then…”
The chair squeaked as weight shifted.
“First would be the introduction. I am Ainz Ooal Gown, Sebas’ master.”
It was so. The 41 Supreme Beings, they controlled everything; even Sebas’ life and death. His master’s declaration that he was a servant brought him the greatest joy. Unfortunately, the happiness was only strong enough to make his back shake a little. It wasn’t because Tsuare was there, because for a moment he even forgot that she was there. No, it was something else. Even while Sebas thought about it, the conversation continued.
“Ah... ...I’m…”
“It’s alright, Tsuare. I just need to know that you exist. I have no interest in you besides that. You simply need to stand there. You will find out why I called you over soon.”
“Then…”
The red light in Ainz’ empty eye sockets moved.
“...Sebas, I want to hear it from you. I ordered you to act as discreetly as possible.”
“Yes.”
“Because of this worthless woman, you allowed an annoying matter to develop, am I correct?”
“You are right.”
Tsuare squirmed a little at the mention of ‘worthless’, but Sebas remained still.
“...Do you not think it was an act of willfully disobeying my order?”
“I deeply apologize that my shallow thoughts have displeased you. I shall take caution so something like this never happens again—”