After Naohara left, Yuri stood up and led Entoma, who wore a complicated yet obedient expression, into the room.
The room was fairly spacious, about a hundred square meters, giving it an open and airy feel.
There was nothing else inside except a single table placed quietly in the center.
Two tea sets rested on top of it, steam rising steadily from the cups.
Six chairs surrounded the table. Three were already occupied, their occupants idly fiddling with small personal items to pass the time.
Solution was not present. Because she was attending to Herohero, her sole duty for now was to remain by his side.
"Yuri, what took you so long to come in?"
"And Entoma, you're half an hour late. Even if you're my sister, I won't forgive you that easily."
The one speaking was a lively-looking maid named Lupusregina, with bright red hair and lightly tanned skin. At first glance, she gave off a cheerful, sunny impression.
But in Nazarick, a place filled with monsters, could such a maid truly exist?
Of course not.
Although she usually acted carefree and friendly, she was actually quite calculating. She loved suddenly popping up to scare people, spoke in a frivolous tone, easily grew familiar with others, and enjoyed vividly telling risqué jokes in front of them. Yet in private, she was a sadist on par with Solution.
What she enjoyed most was the look of despair when someone's last shred of hope was crushed.
"We ran into Naohara-sama, so we were delayed a little."
Yuri replied calmly as she took her seat. Entoma also went to her own chair and sat down.
"Naohara-sama? How lucky. He's the most kind and powerful Supreme Being."
Lupusregina looked at the two of them with obvious envy.
"Yes. Naohara-sama is very kind. He gave me a lot of meat."
The well-behaved Entoma voiced her opinion as well. In her view, Naohara-sama not only gave her plenty of delicious food, but even personally escorted her to the meeting without putting on any airs as a Supreme Being. To her, he was the very best Supreme Being.
"So that's why you were late? How lucky you are, Entoma… little sister."
The maid who spoke was just as petite as Entoma. Her delicate features were as refined as a doll crafted by an artist. One eye was covered by an eyepatch, while the other glowed like a green gemstone.
Though she also wore a maid uniform, hers was distinctly different, decorated with various strange little accessories. Beside her rested a white assault rifle, giving her an oddly adorable appearance.
"Call me 'big sister,' CZ."
Entoma said with clear dissatisfaction. Since no Supreme Being had designated who was the elder sister, Entoma and CZ frequently argued about it. Each was convinced she was the older one.
"I'm sorry. The Supreme Beings never specified that I am the younger sister, so I cannot agree."
CZ replied without any change in tone, her expression completely blank.
"Then next time I'll go ask Naohara-sama to change it for me."
After hearing CZ's response, Entoma immediately blurted out the idea without hesitation.
Given how much Naohara-sama liked her, she believed such a small request would be no problem. When that happened, she would finally be able to have CZ call her "big sister" properly and openly.
"Hehe."
At the thought, Entoma couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
"No, we can't trouble a Supreme Being over something so trivial."
CZ replied evenly, though if one listened carefully, there was a trace of unease in her voice.
She and Entoma had always competed over who would be the older sister. If Entoma really succeeded, that would make her the younger one—something she absolutely refused to accept.
"Looks like you'll be the little sister after all, CZ."
Lupusregina grinned, fanning the flames. For someone as mischievous as her, nothing was more entertaining than teasing her two younger sisters.
"Lupusregina, that's enough. Don't take it too far."
The dark-haired maid spoke coldly, reining her in before she went overboard.
"Nabe, you're no fun at all. Not cute in the slightest."
Lupusregina pouted at the rebuke, sounding bored as she plopped back into her seat.
"Alright, that's enough. Let's begin today's meeting."
Yuri, the vice-captain and eldest sister, tapped the table and spoke in a firm tone.
The others immediately stopped fooling around and sat up straight, as obedient as students in front of a teacher.
If Naohara were here, he would definitely sigh in recognition. As expected of something created by Yamaiko—that unmistakable teacher-like presence was all too familiar.
"Although we're thirty minutes late, I now declare today's meeting officially in session."
"The topic is: for the future of Nazarick, who is best suited to become Naohara-sama's partner?"
Yuri sat properly and laid out the agenda.
Momonga had Albedo. Herohero had Solution. Only Naohara-sama had no woman by his side. For the sake of Nazarick's future, the maids had gathered to discuss the matter.
"Question. What about Aura-sama?"
CZ asked expressionlessly. From her perspective, Aura-sama and Naohara-sama seemed quite close. She had even seen Naohara-sama pat Aura-sama's head before.
"I considered that. But Aura-sama told me that Naohara-sama sees her more as a daughter. He doesn't have any other intentions."
Yuri shook her head as she explained.
It wasn't that she hadn't thought of it—the answer just hadn't been ideal.
"Then what about Shalltear-sama?"
Nabe proposed another candidate. Shalltear-sama was still an option.
"Shalltear-sama seems more inclined toward Herohero-sama than Naohara-sama."
Yuri spoke with a hint of helplessness.
She had already looked into Shalltear's feelings. Compared to Naohara-sama, Shalltear-sama admitted she was more infatuated with Herohero-sama's tentacles. Although she later added that being with both of them would also be fine, Yuri hadn't taken that part seriously.
Having one attendant serve two Supreme Beings? Wouldn't that risk straining their friendship? There was no such convenient arrangement.
"I don't know Naohara-sama that well. But as we said earlier, he is a benevolent Supreme Being. Perhaps we shouldn't choose a partner for him. Maybe we should let him decide for himself."
Lupusregina said this with a smile.
"What are you implying?"
Nabe asked calmly, though a faint ripple crossed her face, breaking her icy composure.
"If Naohara-sama chooses for himself… that means we have a chance too, right?"
CZ's tone didn't change, but her eyes shifted ever so slightly.
"Isn't Sister Solution already with Herohero-sama…"
Entoma, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, suddenly spoke up. She looked at the others with a strange glint in her eyes.
"But what about Aura-sama?"
"It's fine. Aura-sama won't mind."
Yuri adjusted her glasses, almost as if she were muttering to herself while addressing the four of them.
As soon as she finished speaking, silence fell over the room. The atmosphere dropped sharply, turning tense and heavy.
"I'll be going."
"Me too."
"See you."
...
After a brief exchange of glances, they offered their farewells and left one by one, each lost in her own thoughts.