The Tenth Floor of Nazarick, the Throne Room.
The once-empty hall was now filled to the brim. Well, not with humans—but with all manner of demons and monsters.
At the command of the Three Supreme Beings, every Floor Guardian of Nazarick had assembled here. Even Aureole Omega, the Guardian of the Cherry Blossom Sanctuary, had arrived. Standing to one side were all the maids of Nazarick as well, including the Pleiades.
Since even the ordinary maid NPCs were members of Nazarick, Naohara and the other two had summoned them too, gathering everyone in the Throne Room.
Under the fervent gazes of the crowd, three figures appeared beside the throne.
"My apologies for calling you here on such short notice. Please forgive my selfishness."
Momonga, holding his dragon-headed staff, seated himself upon the throne and addressed them calmly. His skeletal form alone radiated an overwhelming sense of authority.
Herohero and Naohara stood silently on either side of the throne, their expressions neutral as they looked down at the assembled guardians.
Momonga had originally suggested adding two more thrones, but the idea was rejected. Naohara felt one throne was enough, while Herohero claimed he was more comfortable standing. Sitting only made him nervous.
"You must be joking. To be summoned by the Supreme Ones is the highest honor for us Floor Guardians."
Demiurge gave a slight bow, speaking with graceful composure.
"The command of the Supreme Ones is absolute. We have merely fulfilled our duty."
Cocytus exhaled a cold breath, addressing the three with utmost respect.
The other Floor Guardians followed in turn, declaring that this was their mission and that they harbored not the slightest complaint.
"Very good. I have seen your resolve."
"As for why you have been summoned today, it is to determine Nazarick's future course of action."
Momonga paused and glanced at Naohara, signaling for him to continue.
Meeting his friend's gaze, Naohara stepped forward. His dark-golden dragon eyes swept over the guardians below as he spoke steadily.
"We have already gathered intelligence about this world. The information will be distributed to you shortly in document form. For the future of Nazarick—Aura and Mare, step forward."
"At your service."
The moment their names were called, Aura and Mare stepped forward and knelt on one knee, answering respectfully.
They desperately wanted to call him Father-sama, but they knew this was not the time. In such a solemn setting, they could not allow themselves to be willful.
"You are to establish a temporary base within the forest. At the same time, identify the powerful magical beasts within it. Do not alert them."
Naohara's gaze softened as it fell upon the two of them, and his tone grew gentler.
Behind them, the other guardians and maids watched with undisguised envy. They, too, longed to receive such warmth from the Supreme One—but there was nothing they could do. After all, Aura and Mare were Naohara's children. They were not.
"As you command, Naohara-sama… no, Father-sama."
Aura and Mare looked up in delight.
From his words, they understood they had been granted permission to address him as Father-sama.
They also realized he had no intention of blaming them. When their plan had been exposed, they had feared disappointing him. But now it was clear—Father was still Father, just as before, still doting on them as he always had.
"Alright, you two may step back for now."
"Shalltear, Sebas, Solution—step forward."
Naohara gave a small nod, signaling the pair to withdraw, then called out the next three.
"At your service."
The moment they heard the Supreme One's voice, Sebas and the other two stepped forward and knelt on one knee, answering respectfully.
"Sebas and Solution, you are to head to the nearby towns and gather intelligence."
"Shalltear, you will secretly ensure their safety. Also, keep an eye out for any humans capable of using martial arts. If you find one, capture them and bring them back to Nazarick."
"We obey."
Just as the three were about to withdraw, Herohero suddenly spoke.
"Solution, Shalltear—wait."
"Take this with you."
He stopped them and tossed over an item.
It was a crystal glowing with a dark crimson light. Within it, the faint image of a small door flickered in and out of view, almost lifelike.
"Herohero-sama, what is this?"
Shalltear caught it hurriedly and asked in confusion.
"This is the [Replica Crystal]. It can replicate the effect of an item, but only once."
"I used it to replicate the World-Class Item [Demon Gate]. Since World-Class Items can't have their active effects copied, only its passive ability was preserved."
"It can trigger the passive effect [World's Blessing] once. It will block a single effect from another World-Class Item, buying you time to escape."
Herohero answered calmly on the surface, but inside he was extremely tense. No matter how much time passed, he still wasn't used to being watched by so many people.
"Is this Herohero-sama showing concern for us?"
Shalltear's eyes lit up. Solution beside her looked just as delighted, both of them staring at him eagerly.
"I suppose so…"
Under their burning gazes, Herohero turned his head slightly and replied in an indifferent tone.
He felt like he was about to explode. The Slime passive skill Black Heart was frantically suppressing his emotions. Without it, he would have long since lost his composure.
If Naohara hadn't said something about how two delicate-looking young ladies and a frail old man heading out alone might seem dangerous, he wouldn't have bothered preparing the item at all.
Satisfied with the answer, Shalltear and Solution happily returned to their places below. Sebas, who had silently watched everything unfold, followed them.
"Sephis, step forward!"
After Herohero finished, Naohara secretly sent him a teasing remark through Message, then immediately cut the connection before he could respond.
Then he called out the next guardian's name.
"Father-sama."
Upon hearing his name, Sephis stepped forward at once and knelt on one knee, looking up at Naohara respectfully as he awaited orders.
"My child, you will act alone. Cleanse the trash of this New World and gather wealth to serve as Nazarick's operational funds. I trust your judgment."
When facing his child, Naohara no longer kept his expression cold. A faint smile appeared as he spoke gently.
Since Nazarick's currency differed from that of the New World, the three of them had discussed sending one guardian to move freely and acquire local wealth.
On the surface, it was a mission to gather funds. In reality, it was a perfectly legitimate excuse to travel and sightsee.
After firmly insisting on it, Naohara had secured the assignment for his child, Sephis.
Momonga had originally tried to argue for Pandora instead. After all, Pandora had been guarding the Treasury all this time, and Momonga wanted him to have a chance to go out as well.
But under Naohara's relentless pressure, Momonga ultimately gave up.
He felt that his skeletal body simply couldn't endure further "persuasion."
Pandora's Actor would just have to continue guarding the Treasury. He was probably used to it by now.
"Yes, Father-sama. I will not disappoint you."
Sephis froze for a moment at the assignment, then responded firmly.
He knew this comfortable task had been specially secured for him by Father-sama, and the thought filled him with gratitude.
"Good. You may step back."
"As you command."
Sephis bowed deeply to Naohara before retreating slowly.
"Albedo, step forward."
"At your service."
"As for you…"