Just as Tatsuki was about to say something, Yukino lightly brushed aside her hair and proposed of her own accord.
"Lady Cocolia, if you don't mind, you can stay in my place. There are two unused bedrooms, and it's rather wasteful to leave them empty."
Cocolia had no objections. Abiding by her principle of obeying her Master's arrangements, she turned her gaze toward Tatsuki. Truth be told, Tatsuki was slightly surprised by Yukino's proposal.
"You usually like peace and quiet, don't you?"
Wearing a serious expression, Yukino explained.
"Tatsuki-kun, I'm already imposing on you by paying a low rent for that big apartment you let me use, so it's a bit much to bother you further. Our place is quite large too, and leaving those empty rooms is a waste."
Then she bit her lip, a little shy, but forced herself to continue.
"And also… you won't want any… interruptions whenever you're, um, dealing with Eriri and the others, right?"
Tatsuki: "…"
He almost wanted to say that if it's Cocolia, he truly wouldn't mind! Cocolia was fully equipped with both figure and looks, that cool, mature big-sister vibe! If Cocolia didn't have those charms, Tatsuki would not have taken up the request from the consciousness of the previous Great Guardians. If it had been a man like Sampo, he definitely would not have agreed.
But since Yukino had already said it, he also had no particular objection.
"Sure. How about you, Cocolia?"
Cocolia nodded, then walked over to Yukino and extended her right hand in greeting. Yukino got the hint and shook her hand.
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Yukino."
"And… likewise, Miss Cocolia."
Facing someone taller than herself, whose bearing was even more imposing than her own mother's, Yukino couldn't help feeling a huge weight of pressure. If her mother was the type of dignified, strong-willed family head, then this Miss Cocolia was an even grander authority figure.
Learning from the previous experience, Tatsuki had already asked Sayuri to prepare many daily supplies – fine blankets, top-quality necessities, everything they could need – so they didn't have to go shopping again this time. They only had to buy some suitable clothes for Cocolia, since her Belobog-style outfits weren't all that appropriate here and, in any case, she hadn't brought them.
After that, Tatsuki brought Cocolia to meet Sayuri, as well as the seven from Night Raid who lived on the first floor. Once the ladies went out again on a shopping trip, Tatsuki ended up on the couch with Eriri and Nezuko.
The two women caught each other's glance and started making their move, helping Tatsuki relieve. He sank back on the sofa, eyes half-closed in delight.
…
Yukino, who had just finished washing some teaware, came out and caught sight of that all-too-familiar scene.
Her body trembled slightly, and she hurried off to the bathroom, intending to focus on doing laundry to distract herself from what she'd just witnessed.
But it was like a key had unlocked all those memories. Scenes she'd once glimpsed in the bath, in the kitchen – together with voices she had overheard – played one after another in her mind. With ears and the back of her neck turning red, she bit her lip, her trembling hands smoothing the hem of her maid uniform.
…
Whatever was going on in the bathroom, Tatsuki was unaware of. In a home enveloped by his controlled aura, he couldn't be bothered paying attention to everything around him. All he heard was the washing machine running, while he relaxed under Eriri and Nezuko's service. He contentedly stroked their heads, then opened the chat group.
There, March 7 and the others were pinging him.
March 7: "Tatsuki, you left so suddenly! You didn't say a word!"
Bronya: "Tatsuki, Silver Wolf, Emilia… I hadn't even properly thanked you all, yet you left at once."
Tatsuki: "Nothing special to thank me for."
Tatsuki: "Right now, Belobog is in the middle of restarting. We'd only get in the way. If you ever want to see me or Cocolia, that's just a thousand points. I'm not short on points now; if you want to meet Cocolia, it's pretty simple."
Bronya: "I understand… Mr. Tatsuki has already helped me so much, I really don't know how to repay you. Not just me—Seele wants to thank you face to face too. She came asking me about your whereabouts a few times today."
Tatsuki: "Oh? I only saved her that one time. It was nothing. Tell her she shouldn't dwell on it."
Bronya: "Seele is… persistent. I doubt I can talk her out of it."
Tatsuki: "Alright, then just let her know I'll drop by if I'm free."
Bronya: "Alright."
Emilia: "Bronya, can I consult you in the future if I have questions about leadership or governance?"
Bronya: "I'm still learning. There's a lot I don't know yet. Let's learn and improve together."
Emilia: "Sure!"
Nami: "By the way, how's our other queen doing?"
Exusiai: "Esdeath."
Esdeath: "Nothing unexpected. Just a normal coronation ceremony."
Shinobu Kocho: "My, my, so we have three big rulers in the chat."
Emilia: "Eek, I'm not aiming to be some big ruler. I just hope for people's recognition."
Bronya: "I only want to rebuild Belobog."
Esdeath: "In truth, the Empire is ruled by Tatsuki. Isn't that so, Tatsuki?"
Tatsuki: "Tch."
Silver Wolf: "Mmm, I'm not so interested in your politics. Anyone got good games to play?"
Ainz: "Well, I do have this VRMMO… If anyone's got free time, they can come give it a try! My guild… it's empty now."
Silver Wolf: "If there's gaming, count me in."
Tatsuki: "Sure, I'm curious to try. Get me a way to log in."
Silver Wolf: "Me too, gimme a kit."
Ainz: "Yes, oh big shots. I have a small favor, though."
Silver Wolf: "Go on."
Ainz: "Would you be willing to join my guild?"
Silver Wolf: "That's it? No problem."
Ainz: "Thank you! Tatsuki-san, I have one more thing. If you join, I'll give you the guild master spot if you want!"
Tatsuki: "…"
Wow, giving me the guild master role, huh? If it were some random woman offering to throw themselves at me, well… that's one thing, but a guy? Then again, it's Nazarick… not bad. The subordinates there, if manifested for real, would be fairly strong. He was confident he could control them, stopping all that killing sprees nonsense.
That would be a win-win!
Tatsuki: "Sure."
Ainz: "Thank you, boss!"
With them in the guild, Ainz Ooal Gown would surely rise to the top of YGGDRASIL once more! Just imagining it got him all excited.
…
After some casual talk, Tatsuki opened his status.
[Human]: Tatsuki Hayashi
[Points]: 2.132 million
[Apocalypses]: Spiritual Apocalypse (12 stars), Anomalous Apocalypse (12 stars), Uncertainty Apocalypse (12 stars)
[Abilities]:
B-Rank: Physical Enhancement (lv 4), Lightning Dharma: Yin Lightning (lv 4), Rokushiki (lv 4), Armament Haki (lv 3), Observation Haki (lv 4)
A-Rank: Intuition (lv 4)
S-Rank: Gemstone - Vector Manipulation (lv 6), Zanpakuto: Dominator (lv 6), Gluttony (lv 5)
The biggest changes were in his apocalypse points—2.132 million. Still far from the 5 million needed for the next big threshold, but enough for some leveling.
Also, over the past week of going to school and lazing about, he'd practiced Armament Haki a bit. Remarkably, he soared from lv 1 to lv 3 in just one week. Similarly, Lightning Dharma had maxed out at lv 4 simply by minimal training. It showed that for low-level abilities, even without spending apocalypse points, his growth was very quick.
With 2.132 million in points… he decided to gamble on the lottery wheel again. At the current rate of Apocalyptic Journeys and Apocalyptic Games, quickly amassing 5 million wasn't realistic; best to strengthen himself further.
Spinning the 24‑slot wheel repeatedly: He hit empty on 14 tries, but on 10 tries he got the same item.
[Ding! Congratulations! You've gained Senzu Beans×10!]
Yes, the Dragon Ball item that instantly restores stamina. Ten each time, a total of 100. They were useless for him personally, but good to keep around to save allies in a pinch.
He wasn't satisfied with that and continued spinning. On the 25th spin:
[Ding! Congratulations on obtaining an A-rank ability item: "Heavenly Dragon Slayer Crystal (Perfect)!"]
"An ability item?" He inspected it.
[Ability Item]: Heavenly Dragon Slayer Crystal (Perfect)
[Item Intro]: Use to obtain an A‑rank ability "Heavenly Dragon Slayer Magic." Once the user fully develops it, they can transform freely into a dragon, unaffected by motion sickness.
He recognized it from Fairy Tail. An A‑rank ability, "Heavenly Dragon…" well, he didn't really want it. If it were S‑rank, maybe. Probably he'd give it to Eriri or someone else.
Continuing with the wheel: 4 more empties, then on his 30th pull:
[Ding! Congratulations on getting an SS-rank ability "Myriad Worlds Mystic Eyes of Death Perception!"]
"Mystic Eyes of Death Perception? Ryougi Shiki? But those eyes normally connect to the Root, so how does it become SS? Let's see."
[Ability]: Myriad Worlds Mystic Eyes of Death Perception
[Rank]: SS
[Effect]: Connected to the Myriad Worlds Source, capable of freely slaying entire worlds!
"Huh, referencing a myriad worlds source… slaying a world? Definitely not the original MEoDP." He mused that he usually drew some special versions of abilities: Vector domination stronger than in A Certain series, a Zanpakuto "Dominator" far beyond Bleach standards, and now these Myriad Worlds MEoDP.
"Fuse them!" He didn't hesitate, fusing. The moment he did, he felt his eyes shift. Lines of death riddled the tables, chairs, everything in sight. Just one glance let him sense those lines. If he severed them, that object would die. Possibly thanks to his powerful mind, he didn't suffer the mental strain that Shiki Tohno or Shiki Ryougi endured seeing death lines everywhere.
"…Huh? Tatsu, your eyes just turned icy‑blue with a prismatic gleam," Eriri, sucking on his lollipop, noticed. She looked up curiously.
"No big deal. It's my new ability. Don't worry about it—go right on."
Hearing that, Eriri and Nezuko relaxed and kept going.
Then Tatsuki opened the enhance ability tab, picking the mystic eyes.
He spent 711 000 points to raise SS-rank Myriad Worlds Mystic Eyes to lv 6. Then, while he was at it, he boosted Gluttony from S-rank lv 5 to lv 6 at a cost of 500 000.
He also upgraded Intuition a bit, an A-rank skill, from lv 4 to lv 5 for 150 000 points. He wanted an all-around safety net.
In total, after the 30 spins and these upgrades, he'd spent 1.391 M, leaving him with 741 000 points. The next big goal was 5 million, though.
Exiting the chat group, he first felt changes not in the mystic eyes, but in Gluttony: the Stellaron in his body was quickly digesting, refined into massive amounts of primal energy. He planned to channel some of that energy to strengthen his own body.
Primal energy swirled, intensifying his physique. He sensed boundless power gather within him, possibly enough to withstand missiles barehanded. As for how strong his punch now was, he'd test it later.
"Mm!"
Eriri and Nezuko both sensed him grow stronger, so their cheeks puffed slightly. They even got more enthralled. Next thing, they weren't content just to use their mouths…
"…"
He was still eager to test his new abilities, but this was the urgent business now.