Across the land, the soil seemed to come alive, constantly shifting and rolling as though it possessed a will of its own.
The sudden change made Naohara and the other two stop in their tracks on their way back to Nazarick.
"I think this spell is called Earth Surge."
After watching for a moment, Naohara turned to the other two.
"Earth Surge? But isn't the area a bit too large? Its power has clearly surpassed the spell's original limits."
Herohero sounded genuinely surprised.
"It's probably been strengthened with a specialized Job Skill."
Momonga immediately pinpointed the issue and explained it to Herohero.
"Judging by the scale, it has to be Mare. He's the only one capable of casting an Earth Surge at this level."
Naohara looked at them with absolute confidence, practically flaunting it. His expression said it all:
"See that? Pretty impressive, right? As expected of my child."
The smug look on his face made Momonga and Herohero bristle. If Demiurge and Sebas hadn't been standing nearby, making it inconvenient to act, they might have already thrown a punch.
"My lords, what are your next plans?"
Demiurge stepped forward to ask, completely unaware that he had just prevented a battle between Supreme Beings.
"We'll go check on Mare."
Naohara answered. Momonga and Herohero nodded in agreement.
At this point, they could do whatever they pleased. There was nothing holding them back.
The five of them changed direction and flew downward.
On the ground, their undisguised approach immediately caught Mare's attention.
The moment he saw the Three Supreme Beings flying toward him, he stopped casting and bowed nervously.
"Um… welcome, Father-sama, and the two Supreme Beings."
His timid voice reached their ears. Naohara looked at Mare with satisfaction and nodded.
"You've worked hard, Mare. The spell turned out very well. Nazarick's concealment depends on you."
Naohara stepped closer, praising him while gently patting his head.
Whether it was because of his life two incarnations ago in what he jokingly called the Head-Rubbing Village, or simply due to his transmigration, he had developed a fondness for patting people on the head. It gave him a strange sense of satisfaction.
And since the ones being patted didn't resist—in fact, they seemed to enjoy it—there was no reason to stop. Everyone was happy.
"Mm… it's my responsibility as a Floor Guardian. Thank you for your concern, Father-sama."
Mare spoke happily while enjoying the touch on his head.
For a Guardian, nothing brought greater joy than receiving care from a Supreme Being—especially when that Supreme Being was their own creator.
Standing to the side, Momonga and Herohero felt a subtle stir in their hearts. They had NPCs as well, yet they had never treated them like this.
The warm, affectionate atmosphere before them made their thoughts wander.
Herohero, at least, had met Solution before, and the two seemed to get along quite well.
But Momonga had yet to visit the NPC he created since his transmigration. Watching this scene now, he couldn't help but start forming new ideas.
"Perhaps I should go see Pandora's Actor as well."
Momonga couldn't help thinking that. He had avoided meeting him before, partly because Pandora's Actor felt like a black mark in his past. But thinking about it now, the way he turned out was entirely the result of his own settings.
As his creator, he might not be able to treat him the way Naohara treated Mare, but showing some concern was only natural. After all, he was his child too.
"Since you've completed your task, then as your father, I should give you a proper reward."
Naohara had no idea that watching his interaction with Mare had prompted Momonga to consider visiting Pandora's Actor. Instead, he was busy thinking about what to give Mare.
"After all, this seems the most suitable. Mare, you and Aura will each get one. Later, remember to give the other to your sister."
After some consideration, Naohara decided on rings.
Even though Mare was a Floor Guardian, teleportation was restricted within Nazarick. If he wanted to travel elsewhere, he would have to walk. That was why Naohara chose to give him two rings.
"This… this is a ring exclusive to the Supreme Beings! How could I, a mere Guardian, possibly wear it?!"
Mare stared at the rings in Naohara's hand, clearly tempted, but quickly regained his composure and replied in a flustered panic.
"It's fine. And I'm sure Momonga and Herohero don't mind, right?"
"If it's Naohara's decision, I have no objections."
"I don't have a problem with it either."
At Naohara's question, Momonga and Herohero both nodded.
As close friends, they fully supported his choice. They wouldn't care even if he handed out Divine-class Items to everyone. A few rings meant nothing, as long as he was happy.
Demiurge, standing nearby, looked longingly at the rings in Naohara's hand. Yet there was no jealousy or resentment in his heart.
As the child of a Supreme Being, receiving such a gift was only natural.
He silently told himself this, while inwardly vowing to work even harder to carry out the Supreme Ones' plans. Perhaps one day, he too might earn such recognition.
Unaware that Demiurge had suddenly become fired up for no reason, Naohara continued.
"And since you're both my children, you and your sister Aura can spend more time on the Eighth Floor."
"Go find Sephis and play with your brother. I'm sure he'll be very happy to see you."
"Don't let Sephis's usual cold and distant attitude fool you. When it comes to family, he values it more than anything."
Naohara looked at Mare with a faint smile. As Sephis's creator, no one understood him better.
Back then, driven by his longing for family and the knowledge that he could never return to his original world, he created Sephis under those emotions and embedded the most fundamental directives into his settings:
[Family is the most important existence.]
[Any being that threatens or harms family must be eliminated.]
Thinking back on those two lines, Naohara was certain Sephis would be a good older brother.
"Sephis-niisan?"
"I understand, Father-sama. I'll accept them."
Mare stopped refusing. Father-sama had already gone this far, and the other two Supreme Beings had agreed as well.
Looking at the two rings in his hands, Mare revealed a pure, delighted smile. It was the first gift he had ever received from Father-sama.
"If you like them, then keep them safe. It wouldn't be good to lose them."
Naohara spoke gently as he watched Mare carefully put the rings away.
"Yes, Father-sama. I will protect them with my life."
"Ah—ow!"
Mare's usual timid expression vanished, replaced by firm resolve.
But as soon as he finished speaking, a fist landed solidly on the top of his head.
Clutching his head with both hands, Mare cried out in pain.
"Don't use your life to protect something so trivial. In my eyes, even a hundred rings aren't worth a single strand of your hair."
Naohara looked at him seriously, feeling a bit helpless inside.
The Guardians were excellent in every way, except that sometimes they were just too rigid.
If he didn't make it clear, Mare might genuinely risk his life to protect a ring in a life-or-death battle.
"Uu… I understand, Father-sama."
Mare responded softly, but his heart felt warm and full.
So this is the feeling Sephis-niisan described… the feeling of family?
I'll work even harder for the two Supreme Beings and properly repay Father-sama's love.
Seeing Mare's reaction, Naohara nodded in satisfaction.
"Then keep up the good work, Mare. We'll be heading off now."
"Yes, Father-sama. Please take care on your way."