Because of what had happened with Sephis, Naohara wandered down the corridor, his thoughts in disarray.
"So it really is because of being a Dragonoid… My emotions are much easier to provoke than before."
He let out a quiet, helpless sigh.
The incident with Sephis left him deeply unsettled. He knew it couldn't have been Sephis alone. Aura and Mare were likely involved as well.
They were all his children. Of course they would talk to one another.
Even though he had warned Sephis not to harbor such thoughts, the idea still weighed heavily on him.
His own children plotting to assassinate his closest friend.
What kind of absurd development was that?
Lost in his tangled thoughts, Naohara hadn't gone far before he encountered a figure that looked strangely out of place within the Great Tomb.
It was Sebas, carrying a large bundle of items in his arms.
"Naohara-sama."
Sebas immediately bowed upon seeing him.
"Sebas, what are those in your arms?"
"They are items requested by Momonga-sama. He intends to test their effects."
Noticing Naohara's confusion, Sebas promptly explained.
"Would you like this subordinate to summon a maid to attend you?"
As a butler, Sebas naturally grew concerned seeing Naohara walking alone.
"No need. I'd like to be alone for a while."
Naohara waved his hand lightly and continued deeper into the corridor by himself.
"Has something happened?"
Watching Naohara's somewhat lonely back, Sebas felt a flicker of worry. It was the first time he had seen Naohara-sama, one of the Supreme Beings, in such a state.
"I should inform Momonga-sama and Herohero-sama. Perhaps the two of them can think of something."
With that thought, Sebas straightened his posture and quickened his pace toward his destination.
...
"Naohara-sama, may I ask what brings you here?"
On the Tenth Floor residential area, a voice filled with concern interrupted Naohara's aimless wandering.
It was Demiurge, standing directly in front of him, worry evident in his eyes.
As Nazarick's foremost strategist, Demiurge was skilled at reading others through the smallest shifts in expression.
So when he saw Naohara, he almost doubted his own perception.
Confusion.
The face of a Supreme Being—especially Naohara-sama, regarded as one of the strongest among them—should always exude composure and authority. How could such a person show something as uncertain as confusion?
"Ah, Demiurge. Sorry… I didn't notice you, even at this distance."
Naohara looked up at him, a trace of apology in his voice.
His normally steady, magnetic tone now carried a faint hoarseness.
Sephis's questions—and the image of his own killing intent toward him—kept replaying in his mind, stirring irritation and regret.
He had hoped a walk would clear his head.
It hadn't helped.
"Naohara-sama, is something troubling you?"
"Perhaps speaking with Momonga-sama and Herohero-sama might ease your mind."
Demiurge offered the suggestion carefully. After all, if a Supreme Being was troubled, only fellow Supreme Beings such as Momonga-sama and Herohero-sama could truly counsel him.
"No. I can't go to Momonga and Herohero about this."
Naohara shook his head, rejecting Demiurge's suggestion. Right now, he didn't even know how he was supposed to face them.
His own children were secretly plotting to kill them.
How was he supposed to bring that up?
"Then… if this subordinate may be so bold, allow me to share your burden, Naohara-sama."
Seeing his state, Demiurge stepped forward and spoke with unusual daring.
As a Guardian, listening to a Supreme Being's troubles and offering his humble advice was also part of his duty.
"…Alright. Let's talk."
Perhaps he simply needed someone to confide in. After a brief hesitation, Naohara agreed.
The two of them sat down directly on the floor by the corridor and began their conversation.
After sorting through his thoughts, Naohara finally spoke.
"Suppose there's a child who, for his father's sake, plans to eliminate two people who hold the same status as his father—so as to secure his father's position."
"But those two people… are actually the father's closest friends."
"Demiurge, if you were that father, what would you do after finding out?"
Demiurge fell silent in thought.
The scenario itself wasn't complicated. He quickly grasped the outline of the situation.
But with his level of intelligence, he immediately sensed something deeper beneath the question.
A child. A father. Two close friends.
As the pieces connected in his mind, cold sweat began forming on Demiurge's forehead.
If his guess was correct, this matter could shake Nazarick to its core.
Every Guardian would be dragged into it.
No one would remain untouched.
"Naohara-sama… this question…"
Demiurge's voice trembled faintly.
"You don't need to worry. That won't happen."
"Just tell me what you think."
Seeing that Demiurge had understood the hidden meaning, Naohara reassured him.
He knew exactly what Demiurge was afraid of.
But as long as he was alive, such a thing would never be allowed to happen.
"My apologies, Naohara-sama. I lost my composure."
Demiurge lowered his head slightly.
Now that he had calmed down, he realized the key point.
Naohara-sama already knew about it.
And he had already stopped it.
With that realization, Demiurge quietly let out a breath of relief.
"In my opinion, that father should guide his child and help him understand the true relationship between them."
"If the child abandons that idea after understanding, then the matter is resolved."
"After all, the child's intentions are sincere. They're simply misplaced. This is more a misunderstanding than anything else."
"And as Naohara-sama said, that child loves his father deeply."
After thinking for a moment, Demiurge expressed his view.
Naohara didn't interrupt. He simply listened.
"What if… that father did something excessive to his child at the time?"
Naohara nodded and continued.
Demiurge paused briefly before answering.
"Naohara-sama already knows the answer."
"As I said, that child loves his father deeply—so deeply that he was even prepared to risk his life to assassinate…"
He stopped there. The rest didn't need to be spoken aloud.
If someone was willing to stake his life for his father, how could he hold onto resentment so easily?
Hearing that, Naohara felt the tight knot in his chest loosen at last.
"Thank you, Demiurge. Your answer really made me feel better."
"You overpraise me, Naohara-sama. In situations like this, those involved are often confused, while an outsider sees more clearly. I merely spoke from an outsider's perspective."
Demiurge responded modestly, though the tail swaying behind him betrayed his excellent mood.
To him, being able to ease the doubts of a Supreme Being was itself a reward.
"But I do think you helped me a lot. So… this is for you. Consider it your reward this time."
Naohara smiled lightly, then reached into a spatial rift and took out an item, tossing it toward Demiurge.
Demiurge hurriedly caught it. The moment he saw what it was, he froze.
"Naohara-sama… are you truly giving this to me?"
He stared at the ring resting in his palm, its surface glinting faintly. His usual composure vanished completely.
His body trembled uncontrollably as he spoke, unable to suppress his excitement.
A ring.
The ring he had longed for.
Just yesterday, he had envied Mare and sworn to dedicate himself fully to carrying out the Supreme Beings' plans in hopes of earning such a reward.
And yet, before he had even done anything, the ring had already fallen into his hands.
"If you like it, then wear it. This is your reward, Demiurge."
Naohara watched his reaction with a faint smile. It was exactly what he expected.
Even in a past life, he had felt a bit of regret for this loyal subordinate who had never received a ring. Now, taking this opportunity to reward him, he could finally make up for that small lingering regret.
"I will redouble my efforts in carrying out the plans of the Supreme Beings."
"Good. And when you have time, go see Sephis. I hope you two can become good friends."
"I understand."
At those words, Demiurge's eyes flickered.
He understood that Naohara-sama was hinting for him to speak with Sephis and guide him.
He had no intention of refusing. In fact, he had already planned to do so.
By all logic, harboring such unforgivable thoughts should warrant immediate elimination.
But Sephis was the child of a Supreme Being.
Since Naohara-sama had spoken, Demiurge would not pursue the matter further—at least not in that way.
"As a Guardian, not only did he fail to ease Naohara-sama's burdens, he instead caused him distress."
"How fortunate you are, Sephis. Naohara-sama even fell into confusion because of you. What an honor."
Looking at Naohara, Demiurge felt a faint trace of envy.
He truly envied that kind of pure bond.
"Demiurge, go take care of your duties. I'm going to see Momonga and Herohero."
Now that he had calmed down, Naohara waved to him and began heading back the way he came.
He planned to check on Momonga and Herohero first, then find another opportunity to speak with Sephis and fully resolve the misunderstanding between them.
"Please take care, Naohara-sama."
After watching him disappear from sight, Demiurge turned and walked toward the Eighth Floor.
He intended to have a proper talk with Sephis.
The thoughts and plans Sephis had harbored filled him with quiet fury.
"If a Guardian dares to harm a Supreme Being, then what is the meaning of his existence?"
"Sephis… let me see how firm your resolve truly is."