Seeing the signal in Momonga's eyes, Ren Kuroda let out a quiet, helpless sigh before finally stepping forward to stand before the gathered guardians.
"The Great Tomb of Nazarick has arrived in another world due to certain… special circumstances."
"At the moment, we know absolutely nothing about this new world. Because of that, Nazarick must immediately enter a state of full alert."
His calm voice echoed through the grand hall.
"First—Sebas, you and your subordinates should head out and survey the area surrounding Nazarick. Investigate the terrain and gather information about any nearby factions."
"If there are powerful local forces in the region where Nazarick has appeared, conduct a thorough investigation as soon as possible. Determine whether they pose any potential threat to us."
"Additionally, Nazarick's sudden appearance in this world may attract unwanted attention. Concealing our presence will also be important. Mare and Aura, I'll leave that task to the two of you."
These instructions were mostly arrangements Ren already knew from the original course of events involving the Sorcerer King. He had simply added a few refinements on top of them.
After that, Ren turned his gaze toward Nazarick's greatest strategist—the demon Demiurge.
"Since we've arrived in an unfamiliar world, we must quickly understand the structure of its powers and territories."
"Demiurge, your abilities allow you to control others. I want you to infiltrate a human settlement and obtain a complete map of this world as soon as possible."
"If possible, bring back books as well—historical records, biographies, anything related to the world's past."
"Not only will this help us understand the world more quickly, it will also allow us to learn its language and culture at a faster pace."
"As for the rest of the guardians—simply continue performing your assigned duties."
"Although we've arrived in a strange and unknown world, I believe that with all of your strength, the Great Tomb of Nazarick will establish a firm foothold here soon enough."
Unlike Momonga, who had previously been just an office worker in the real world, Ren had at least once led subordinates of his own.
So after delivering a rapid-fire series of orders, nearly everyone present in the hall was left momentarily stunned.
Only Albedo, the Overseer of the Guardians, and Demiurge maintained expressions of complete understanding.
To them, the Supreme Beings were entities who possessed both overwhelming power and boundless wisdom.
Such performance from Ren was simply… natural.
Not just Lord Ren.
They were certain that Lord Momonga was just the same.
The reason Momonga hadn't issued the orders himself was probably deliberate.
In their minds, it was likely his way of reminding the guardians that Nazarick had not just one Supreme Being—but two.
While Momonga had once led the other forty-one Supreme Beings as their guild master, Lord Ren was equally one of their divine creators.
Momonga's earlier actions, therefore, must have been meant to demonstrate that Ren Kuroda's authority stood equal among the highest rulers of Nazarick.
Yes.
Both Albedo and Demiurge believed they had completely understood Momonga's deeper intentions.
A Supreme Being who cherished his comrades.
And one whose wisdom was as vast as the sea.
Meanwhile, Momonga's inner thoughts were entirely different.
As expected of Ren…
To think he could come up with so many arrangements in such a short time.
Right now, the only people left in Nazarick are the two of us.
If we, as its leaders, had performed poorly just now… the guardians might have been disappointed.
Once the guardians of each floor had departed and the vast throne hall was left with only Ren and Momonga again—
Momonga finally released a huge sigh of relief.
Although he had once been the guild master, he had never acted superior toward his companions.
He had always treated everyone as equals.
But now, without warning, he had become the highest ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
For someone who had once been nothing more than a corporate employee, the pressure was overwhelming.
"Momonga," Ren suddenly said.
"I think it's about time we part ways for a while."
"I'm planning to head outside and explore the world beyond Nazarick."
"Since we've been transported to another world, investigating it is inevitable. I've decided to conduct the reconnaissance personally."
Ren's words immediately drew Momonga's full attention again.
To be honest, after suddenly arriving in a strange new world, the only person Momonga truly felt he could rely on was the companion standing before him—Ren.
"Didn't you already assign Demiurge to handle that?" Momonga asked.
The burden of ruling Nazarick was already immense.
And Albedo and Demiurge both appeared frighteningly intelligent.
Momonga felt an enormous amount of pressure as Nazarick's supreme leader.
Originally, he had hoped Ren would help share some of that responsibility.
So if possible, Momonga truly didn't want Ren to leave Nazarick right now.
Not to mention—
The outside world was completely unknown.
What if something dangerous happened?
Unlike the guardians, who could be resurrected through Nazarick's systems, if Ren or Momonga died—
Setting aside whether resurrection magic even worked in this world—
Given their current levels and strength, the cost of reviving them would be astronomically high.
It might even be impossible.
And more importantly, Ren was now Momonga's only remaining companion from the old guild.
In Momonga's heart, while Albedo and the others were important…
They still couldn't compare to Ren.
"The guardians of Nazarick each have their own duties," Ren explained calmly.
"And judging by their personalities, do you really think they'll have any goodwill toward humans?"
"If we send them to infiltrate human society, they might end up causing huge trouble."
"That's why I'm the most suitable person for the job."
"After all, when I'm not fighting, I look no different from an ordinary human."
"Between the two of us, someone has to remain in Nazarick to coordinate everything—at least for now."
"And honestly…"
Ren glanced at Momonga's skeletal body.
"With that skeleton appearance of yours, infiltration missions probably aren't your strong point."
"So naturally, that leaves me."
After hearing Ren's explanation several times, Momonga finally agreed to the plan.
But in reality, Ren had two true reasons for leaving Nazarick.
Gathering intelligence was merely an excuse.
Although he hadn't finished the entire story of the Sorcerer King, Ren still knew the general outline of events.
The first reason was that Ren's personal style differed somewhat from Momonga's current nature.
Momonga's alignment value was –500 Justice—an existence of pure evil.
Because of that, Ren knew there would inevitably be certain actions or decisions he simply couldn't agree with.
However, with only the two of them remaining as Supreme Beings of Nazarick, internal conflict would be disastrous.
So Ren chose to temporarily distance himself instead.
The second reason was Ren's main storyline missions, which currently consisted of three objectives.
The first:
He needed to become an Adamantite-ranked adventurer.
The second:
He had to help the Great Tomb of Nazarick establish its own nation.
The third:
He must assist Nazarick in gaining the submission of at least one country.
So Ren's decision to leave Nazarick now was primarily to complete the first mission—to become an outstanding adventurer.
At the same time, keeping some distance from Momonga and the others would prevent unnecessary conflict.
After all, if Ren constantly witnessed the way Nazarick operated, disagreements might eventually arise.
And if such conflict led to division within Nazarick, that would be disastrous.
Because if the Great Tomb of Nazarick fractured—
Then the second and third missions would become impossible to complete.