Just as Momonga was quietly admiring the grand scenery before him, a loud thump echoed through the amphitheater.
"Lord Momonga!"
He turned his skull-like head toward the voice and saw a small figure sprinting in his direction. Recognition came at once. Ah… isn't that one of Buku's creations?
He could never forget the NPCs crafted by Bukubukuchagama. She had often gone on at length about how "adorable" her work was—especially the twin dark elf guardians: Aura Bella Fiora and Mare Bello Fiore.
"Aura," Momonga greeted warmly as she skidded to a stop, "how have you been?"
She beamed up at him, her mismatched eyes bright, before he reached out to ruffle her hair. The guardian clearly enjoyed the gesture, smiling wide.
"Great, Lord Momonga! Mare and I just finished our patrol around the floor."
"Speaking of your brother, where is he?" Momonga glanced about, but the other twin was nowhere in sight.
Aura turned toward the terrace above. "Mare! Get down here! You're making Lord Momonga wait!"
A timid voice called back, its echo drifting across the massive structure. "It's too tall, Sis! I can't jump from that height!"
"That's not an excuse for keeping a Supreme Being waiting! Hurry!"
There was a pause, then a resigned, "Fine!"
From above came a small squeak, followed by a sudden blur leaping from the terrace. Dust kicked up where he landed, and once it cleared, the younger twin was revealed—robe slightly askew, staff in hand—hurrying toward them.
"Sorry for making you wait, Lord Momonga!" Mare said, voice tinged with anxiety. "I-I didn't mean to…"
"It's fine," Momonga assured him gently. "It wasn't a bother. I simply wanted to let you both know that in about half an hour, we'll be meeting with the other floor guardians here."
Aura tilted her head, frowning slightly. "Does that mean… Shalltear will be here?"
"Yes," Momonga said evenly. "I'm aware you two don't get along, but she is still a fellow guardian—technically your cousin, even."
The tension between the two wasn't surprising. Their creators, Bukubukuchagama and Peroroncino, hadn't exactly been on friendly terms themselves, despite being siblings.
But before the conversation could continue, Aura's eyes caught on something in his hands. She gasped. "Wait… is that the legendary Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown?!"
A deep, satisfied chuckle escaped him. "Indeed it is. Actually… would you two mind helping me test something? There are a few abilities I'd like to verify." He wanted to know whether the staff's power in this new reality was the same as in Yggdrasil—and whether his own magic would function identically.
Aura straightened, eyes alight with enthusiasm. "Of course, Lord Momonga! We'd be honored!"
"Good. Then let's begin. \[Summon Primal Fire Elemental]."
At once, the crimson orb set into the staff flared to life, pulsing with heat. Sparks crackled in the air where the staff's tip pointed, swirling together until a blazing figure erupted into existence. The elemental's form towered above the twins, fire cascading from its shoulders like a living inferno.
"Wow… so cool!" Aura had seen many fire elementals before, but this—summoned directly by Nazarick's supreme guild weapon—was something else entirely.
"Indeed," Momonga said. "Would you like to fight it, Aura?"
Her answer came instantly. "I'd love to, Lord Momonga!" Whip in hand, she darted forward, eyes blazing with excitement.
Mare fidgeted beside him. "L-Lord Momonga… is there something I can do?"
"Of course, Mare. I'd also like to test my other summons. Would you care to face one?"
The dark elf hesitated, then nodded. "S-sure… I-I don't mind."
"\[Summon Mid-Tier Undead: Skeletal Dragon]!"
A flash of pale light burst several meters away, coalescing into a towering dragon made entirely of bones. Crimson flames burned in its eye sockets, a mirror to Momonga's own.
Mare swallowed hard, then with a quiet breath to steel himself, advanced toward the beast.
The amphitheater rang with the clash of battles—Aura shattering the fire elemental's armor-like crust with whip strikes, flames bursting with each impact; Mare ensnaring the skeletal dragon with thick vines, snapping its spine with a final, decisive bind.
One by one, the summons crumbled into nothingness.
"Well fought, both of you," Momonga said, producing two cups of water.
Aura's eyes widened. "To be offered a drink by a Supreme Being—there's nothing more we could ask for, Lord Momonga!"
"S-she's right… thank you," Mare murmured as he accepted his.
"Think nothing of it," Momonga said, his voice warm despite the unchanging skeletal visage. "You both fought well."
Momonga's words had barely left his mouth when a void — a perfect, lightless wound in reality — tore open a short distance away.
From it stepped the guardian of Nazarick's first to third floors, Shalltear Bloodfallen.
The moment her crimson eyes landed on Momonga, she dropped her frilled umbrella without a second thought. Before it could touch the floor, the ornate parasol dissolved into a flutter of black bats that scattered into the air.
"My lord, it's so good to see you!" Shalltear exclaimed, closing the distance in an instant and wrapping her arms around him.
"Get off him, you lamprey!" Aura snapped, yanking the vampire away.
"Now, now, Aura," Momonga said calmly, "there's no need to be unkind. Shalltear's done nothing wrong." He wasn't bothered in the least by the affectionate greeting.
"Forgive me, Lord Momonga," Aura muttered, stepping back. Shalltear only gave her a smug little smirk in return.
Not long after, three more guardians arrived in quick succession.
First came Cocytus, the towering insectoid warrior of the frozen prison, radiating frigid mist from his jagged mandibles.
"Lord Momonga. It. Is. A. Pleasure. To. See. You!" he rumbled, each word accompanied by a puff of icy breath.
Demiurge followed, his devilish smile as sharp as his mind. "Indeed, as Cocytus says, my lord. Though I admit, I am curious about the purpose of this summons."
Last was Albedo, Nazarick's flawless overseer. She bowed deeply. "My lord, I have done as you commanded. Every guardian is present—save for Gargantua."
"Well done, Albedo… though we are still missing someone," Momonga replied.
Albedo froze mid-bow, a flicker of panic crossing her perfect features.
Impossible! I accounted for everyone—Shalltear, Cocytus, Demiurge, Aura, Mare… Did I mishear when he said not to bring Gargantua or Victim?
As if on cue, another gate swirled open beside Momonga. From it bounded Rubedo, her energy and cheer a stark contrast to the room's usual solemnity. Without hesitation, she clung to him as though she might never let go.
"Hi, Lord Momonga! I did exactly what you asked—I asked Aureole if her scrying magic worked, and it does!" she said brightly before finally releasing him.
Aura moved to intercept, instinctively protective. "Calm yourself, Aura," Momonga said, raising a hand. "She is not a threat."
The younger guardian halted, still wary. Few in Nazarick had ever set foot on the 8th Floor—Albedo being the sole exception—so Rubedo's identity was a mystery to most.
"Allow me to introduce Rubedo, one of the area guardians of the 8th Floor, and Albedo's younger sister," Momonga announced.
Demiurge's glasses caught the light as he adjusted them. "Ah… the legend who single-handedly annihilated most of the forces that once invaded Nazarick."
"Aw, you flatter me," Rubedo replied with a playful smile. "It was nothing. They threatened the Great Tomb—what kind of denizen would I be if I let them pass?"
"My lord," Albedo interjected, her tone careful, "isn't Rubedo forbidden from leaving the 8th Floor? I do not object, but I am curious why you've allowed it now."
"You're correct—she has never left before. But the situation we find ourselves in is… uncertain. She is stronger than any other guardian. A little extra insurance will not hurt."
"I understand," Albedo said, bowing. "Thank you for granting us a glimpse of your boundless wisdom."
A sudden beep-beep resonated in Momonga's mind.
\[Lord Momonga]
\[What is it, Sebas? Have you found something?]
\[Yes, my lord. It appears we are no longer in the marshes of Helheim.]
\[Most interesting. Come to the 6th Floor immediately and report your findings.]
\[As you command. Additionally, CZ2128 Delta and I encountered a human about seven kilometers from the Tomb. He attacked us on sight. I estimate him to be around level 57.]
\[Bring him here—restrained.]
\[It shall be done.]
Less than a minute later, a third gate opened, and Sebas emerged with Shizu at his side. Between them stood a man bound in chains.
"Sebas," Momonga said, "report to the guardians and me."
"With pleasure, my lord." The butler inclined his head toward the assembled audience.
"First, we are no longer in the marshes of Helheim," Sebas stated. A ripple of surprise spread through the guardians. "The Tomb is now surrounded by grasslands, extending at least ten kilometers in all directions.
"During reconnaissance, we encountered this man. Before we could speak, he charged us with lethal intent."
The amphitheater's air grew sharp with killing intent, the pressure almost tangible.
The prisoner was a young man with slicked-back blond hair and narrow gray eyes. He wore ornate armor and a choker, with a single earring in his left ear. His long lance—nearly his height—was now secured in Shizu's possession. He shifted uneasily under so many hostile stares, the fear plain on his face.
"Sebas, remove his gag," Momonga ordered.
"At once, my lord." The butler complied.
"Who are you," Momonga asked, voice cold and even, "and why did you attack my servants?"
"Go to hell, undead!" the man spat. "I've no reason to speak to a vile thing like you!"
The room's murderous aura thickened to the point of suffocation.
"Hmm… Sebas," Momonga said after a pause, "bring Pestonya here. I believe our guest could use… encouragement."