Rei Ao's effortless, rule-transcending power once again stunned Albedo—and deepened the reverence in the hearts of the bowed Guardians below.
Just then, a barely perceptible glint flashed in Rei Ao's eyes as he sat upon the throne. He lifted his head slightly, as if sensing some vast change beyond mortal reach.
An invisible, immense ripple was surging outward from the Great Tomb of Nazarick as its center!
It wasn't an energy shock, but a shift on a far more fundamental, law-level plane.
All of Nazarick—from the uppermost graveyard to the lowest underground palace—began to tremble faintly. It wasn't a destructive quake; it felt more like a colossal beast, asleep for countless ages, stretching its limbs and acclimating to a new environment.
The Guardians felt it clearly. By their very nature they are tightly bound to Nazarick, and that bond let them sense the ground beneath them slipping its familiar anchor and sailing toward a completely unknown set of coordinates.
A clear, knowing, faintly amused smile tugged at Rei Ao's lips. "Just as I thought…" he murmured. His gaze swept the Guardians below, whose faces showed shock and doubt, and his voice carried through the hall.
"Do not panic. This is neither an attack nor a calamity. This is the beginning of rebirth. The Great Tomb of Nazarick has cast off its old shackles and is crossing the barriers between worlds to arrive in a brand-new realm."
His words landed like an anchor, instantly calming their restless hearts—only to be replaced by even greater astonishment and curiosity.
"A… a brand-new world?" Demiurge pushed up his glasses, eyes gleaming with fierce excitement and hunger for knowledge. "Rei Ao-sama, do you mean Nazarick as a whole is being transported to another world?"
"Yes," Rei Ao affirmed. "A real world, with complete physical laws, an ecosystem—and perhaps native civilizations. From this moment on, the ground under your feet and the sky above your heads are real."
A subdued stir ran through the Guardians despite their iron discipline.
Shalltear covered her mouth, crimson eyes full of disbelief. Cocytus's four arms drew in slightly, his carapace rasping. Aura and Mare traded a tense look, seeing in each other the same shock—and a flicker of curiosity about the unknown.
"A new world…" Albedo breathed, her gaze drifting to the throne room's shut doors, as if she could see through the heavy stone to what lay beyond. Her heart swelled with boundless gratitude for Rei Ao-sama. It was he who saved her from oblivion—and who was now leading them into a grand new horizon.
Rei Ao rose from the throne. The motion was unhurried and natural, yet carried a decisive weight. "Albedo," he said, "come with me. Let's take a look at this new world."
"By your will, Rei Ao-sama!" Albedo bowed at once, eyes alight with expectation.
"Supreme One! Please wait!" Demiurge stepped forward quickly, bowing low, his tone earnest and anxious. "An unknown world means unknown risks. You are Nazarick's supreme pillar—priceless. You must not take risks lightly. Please, let us Guardians conduct the reconnaissance."
His concern was reasonable. In a world completely unfamiliar, no one could predict what might happen. If the new Supreme suffered any harm, it would be a catastrophic blow to a Nazarick that had only just been reborn.
Rei Ao paused and looked at Demiurge. There was approval for his loyalty in that gaze, but no intent to yield. "Demiurge, I see your loyalty and caution," he said evenly. "But this world poses no uncontrollable risk to me."
The quiet certainty in his voice allowed no doubt.
Demiurge opened his mouth to press the point, then, meeting Rei Ao's calm yet unarguable eyes, swallowed his words and bowed deeply.
"Yes. I overstepped. The Supreme is farsighted and his power reaches the heavens; of course he fears nothing." His eyes flicked, and he offered a compromise.
"In that case, might you allow Shalltear to accompany you? As Guardian of the first three floors, she is strong, highly mobile, and keenly attuned to undead and living beings. She can scout the vicinity and handle trivial nuisances so they will not disturb your pleasure."
Being named so suddenly, Shalltear blinked—then her crimson eyes blazed. To venture into a new world at the Supreme Lord's side—what an honor, what favor! She bobbed her head like a pecking chick, hurried out of line, dropped to one knee, and in her distinctive voice—slightly coy yet utterly reverent—pled:
"Rei Ao-sama, please do allow Shalltear to attend you! I will use this body to clear every obstacle and crush any ant that dares offend your majesty!"
She raised her head, eyes fever-bright with hope, terrified he might refuse.
Rei Ao's gaze passed over Shalltear and Demiurge; he understood Demiurge's intent perfectly. Send a bodyguard—and give a Guardian the chance to be at the new Supreme's side, tightening the bond. He didn't mind that kind of calculating loyalty.
"Very well," he said lightly.
"Thank you, Supreme Lord!" Shalltear nearly burst with joy. She forced herself to bow again, shoulders trembling with excitement.
Rei Ao said no more and strode toward the throne room doors. Albedo shot Shalltear a cold glare, then followed at once, graceful and composed. Shalltear hastily smoothed an already immaculate dress, lifted her chin and squared her shoulders like a proud peacock, and quick-stepped after them, her face shining with barely contained delight.
Behind them, Demiurge and the other Guardians lowered their heads with solemn respect, watching their Supreme, the Overseer, and a fellow Guardian walk toward the doors about to open—onto an entirely new world.