Ainz stood up with a fingersnap and let his robes flutter with a wave of his arm.
“Thanks to Sebas, we have collected plenty of information. There is no reason to linger here any longer. Thus, we will return to Nazarick. Sebas, I will leave it to you to take care of that woman. I would like to say that so long as your loyalty has not changed, I won’t interfere, but we will need to examine her a little before letting her go. It would be problematic if she decided to go around telling wild stories, wouldn’t it Demiurge?”
“Yes, it is indeed so. As long as unknown enemies exists, we must prevent any information leak about us if possible.”
“Then what should we do?”
“…May I suggest testing her first?”
“A sound idea… Sebas, let us postpone the matter on how to deal with Tsuare just a bit longer. We will not kill her, but that is no guarantee either.”
Sebas could not hide his surprise. Since these words implied that Tsuare’s fate was still unclear, did this mean that even the Great Ruler of Nazarick was unable to make an immediate decision?
“Ainz-sama, is it due to my mistakes that we are retreating from this mansion — the capital?”
“…It is so, but not so as well. As I stated earlier, we have already obtained all the information we need. As long as there is no reason to remain undercover here, I have judged that it would be safer to simply retreat. Demiurge, I shall take Victim and return first.”
Ainz received the angelic fetus and activated his magic.
“「Greater Teleportation」!”
Ainz fluttered his robe like an actor as the magic activated. His figure appeared as if it had been sucked in by a black hole and disappeared completely. For a moment, Sebas was confused at Ainz’ new act that he had never seen before, but regained his composure.
“Demiurge, she appears to be very tired, so I want to let her rest for a bit. I believe there won’t be any problem now if I carried her?”
“…I suppose you’re correct, Sebas.”
Demiurge smiled devilishly and gently motioned towards the door as if he was ushering him out.
“But I want you to keep in mind that we will call her again if necessary. This might be unnecessary, but I don’t want to go on a fox hunt in the capital.”
“…Please follow me.”
“…Yes.”
Tsuare answered with cracking voice and followed Sebas with her barely moving legs. Their footsteps echoed across the hallway. They walked in silence and soon reached Tsuare’s room. It wasn’t far, but it felt as if they had walked quite some distance. Only after having arrived in front of the door, Sebas spoke as if he had finally made up his mind.
“I won’t apologize for it.”
He could feel Tsuare flinch behind him.
“But, it is my fault that there was an order to eliminate you. If I had been more cautious, it would not have happened.”
“…Sebas-sama.”
“I am a loyal servant to Ainz-sama and the 41 Supreme Beings. Even if similar situation occurs, I will follow their order… So please, be happy amongst the humans. I will petition him to allow it… Ainz-sama can manipulate memories, so ask him to erase all your bad memories and be happy.”
“…Including memories of you?”
“…Of me as well. Nothing good will happen if you remember me.”
“And what exactly is good for me?”
Sebas felt strong will in Tsuare’s words, and turned around to face her. What Sebas came face-to-face with was a woman who was still teary, but had strong will in her gaze. He feebly thought of words to convince her. Nazarick was indeed an amazing place blessed by the Supreme Beings. However, that thought was limited to the creations of the 41 Supreme Beings and NPCs of Nazarick. It was not a place where talentless and talentless human beings could survive. It was also not a place which would accept a weak and worthless being like Tsuare either. It was impossible without the blessings of the Master. So, Sebas spoke.
“…I have told you to be happy amongst other humans.”
“My happiness is being together with Sebas-sama. So, please, take me with you.”
Sebas felt a bit of sympathy for Tsuare.
“…You seem to take joy even in the most insignificant things. You are simply thinking that because of the hell you have been through.”
Because she had experienced the worst, she felt happy even in an inferior condition. Sebas judged so, but Tsuare denied it with a smile.
“…I don’t think this place is a hell. I can eat until I’m full and I can get proper work… I was born and raised in a small village, life was hard there as well.”
For a moment, Tsuare looked as she was looking into the distance before she faced Sebas once again.
“We worked our land even when we were hungry, but the local lord took most of our crops. There wasn’t enough left to feed ourselves. Plus, we were just toys to him. Even when I was screaming, he was raping me while laughing. While laughing. I was just—”
“— I understand.”
Sebas hugged Tsuare, who was rigidly laughing and gently wrapped his arms around her shoulder. In that moment, he could feel her tears flowing out as if a floodgate had been opened. There was no way that what she had experienced and had seen was everything there was in the world. But for Tsuare, the human world was like that.
Sebas was thinking to himself. What would be the best alternative? There was only one answer. However, there was also a high chance of incurring his Master’s wrath and then he would have to kill Tsuare.
“There is a chance that you will die.”
“If it’s by your hands, someone who saved me when I was going to die there and then…”
Sebas came to a decision and steeled himself when he saw Tsuare’s expression.
“Very well, Tsuare. I shall ask Ainz-sama to take you to Nazarick.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s a little early to thank me. If he orders me to kill you as a result—”
“— I am already prepared.”
“Is that… so.”
Sebas relaxed his arms and tried to move away, but Tsuare did not let go. She looked up at him while holding tightly onto his clothes. In those eyes were looks of expectation. Sebas had his own guess, but could not confirm what those expectations were. Besides, there was something to confirm.
“I want to make one thing certain. Will you have no regrets leaving the human world? Will you ever want to return to it?”
Just because she goes to Nazarick doesn’t mean that she will never see human society again. There was no particular reason to imprison her either, but that didn’t mean there is no possibility for it either.
“…I wanted to see my younger sister once again… But I don’t particularly want to remember the past…”
“I understand. Then wait in this room. I will meet with Ainz-sama.”
“I will.”
Tsuare let go Sebas and wrapped her arms around his neck. Ignoring Sebas, who was confused about what she was doing, she stood on the tips of her toes. For a moment, Sebas and Tsuare’s lips met each other. It was only for a brief moment that their soft lips met before Tsuare moved away.
“It was electrifying.”
Tsuare moved away while touching her lips with both of her hands.
“It was my first time having a happy kiss.”
Sebas could not say anything, but Tsuare smiled happily.
“Then I will wait here. Please, take care, Sebas-sama.”
“Ah, yes… I will take care of this shortly.”
“Did something happen? Your face is red.”
It was the first thing Sebas heard when he came back to the room. On the mention that his face was red, he breathed deeply. To show inconsistencies in one’s emotions was not fitting for someone who was about to enter into an audience with the Master. Suppressing his left hand, which unconsciously tried to touch his lips, Sebas put on the perfect face.