The next morning arrived in silence. I woke long before the others. Through the window in the chamber, the sky was still a deep, star-speckled navy—the sun was still hours away from rising.
Demiurge lay asleep in my arms, pressed close against my chest. His tail had coiled loosely around my waist during the night, and his breathing was slow and even. The sharp, ever-calculating expression he usually wore had completely softened. He looked… peaceful.
While my hand gently stroked his hair, tracing slow, soothing patterns, careful not to wake him, my other hand instinctively open [TRIAD OF ETERNAL SIGHT] again. The fragmented data from yesterday hovered in semi-transparent panels before my eyes.
The enormous, multi-layered silhouette of Nazarick dominated the center. I could see the Pleiades maids patrolling hallways, Death Knights standing motionless at the gate posts, the occasional shadow of a shadow demon gliding along floors.
A small, tiny glowing cluster labeled "Village" came into focus. Tiny figures moved in villagers carrying water, human searching herbs, a few humam patrolling.
Father still, the tight triangular pattern of point represent the city lit up. I glimpsed at white-robed priests chanting in a grand temple square, Black Scripture members drilling in a secluded courtyard, priests launching scouting spells into the sky.
It wasn't a full world map by any means—Just these three isolated regions for now. Then I aligned the segments using the relative distances and angles provided, it began to resemble a crude real-time World-View projection.
At the same time, I use massage toward Momonga and Ulbert, quietly checking who was already waking up.
Only one signature responded right away. Momonga.
I opened a private [Message] channel.
Henry [Hey, you're up early.]
A brief, pause. Then his voice-deep, calm, carrying that faint perpetual exhaustion-reached me.
Momonga [Good morning to you to, Henry…I actually cant slept.]
Henry [No sleep at all?]
Momonga [None. The undead template is too efficient. No fatigue, no sleep mechanic... Just endless, unblinking awareness. It's strangely draining after a while. And of course I can't eat anything anymore. A skeleton don't come with taste receptors… or much of anything else.]
There was the smallest, dry exhale that might have been a laugh if he still had lungs. I kept my hand moving in slow circles over Demiurge's hair while I answered.
Henry [I figured. Even in this new body, we still have a human mind. Or at least the remnants of one. Staying up late forever… it doesn't damage the body anymore, but the mind? That's different. The thoughts just keep spinning... Listen, once ublert are awake, we gather in the meeting room for the usual morning briefing, I can fire up [SCREEN OF REALITY] again. You already know what it can do after last time. I should be able to create another temporary layer. That give you a proper sleep state, full sensory restoration included. You'd be able to rest like you used to, and actually taste food again, satisfaction, real fullness, everything. It won't alter your base body permanently, but for several hours you'd be able to rest like a living being and actually enjoy a meal.]
Silence stretched for several long seconds.
When Momonga finally answered, his voice was quieter—almost vulnerable in a way only someone who'd known him since the old YGGDRASIL days would recognize.
Momonga […You're really willing to use it for me twice?]
Henry [You're my oldest friend here, Momonga. You carried the guild on your back when we were just screwing around in the game. If I can give you even a few hours, where you don't have to be the flawless undead overlord every second. I'm doing it! No question asked!]
Another pause—longer this time.
Momonga [… Alright. I'll take you up on it. We'll do the regular meeting first—the usual.]
Henry [Deal. I'll be ready whenever you give the word.]
Momonga [Good… And Henry?]
Henry [Yeah?]
A brief silence followed, the kind that carried more than words ever could.
Momonga [thank you.]
I smiled faintly into the darkness, fingers still moving gently through Demiurge's hair.
Henry [Don't sweat it, buddy. That's what friends do.]
The [Message] link closed.
I lowered my gaze once more to Demiurge. He hadn't stirred once. One of his hands was rested loosely over my heart, as though even in sleep he was making sure I was still there.
--------------
After finishing talking to momonga, I noticed a soft golden light beginning to spill through the window—dawn had finally arrived.
Not wanting to disturb Demiurge's rare, deep sleep any longer than necessary, I raised a hand and murmured a quiet incantation. The heavy velvet curtains slid closed on their own with a soft rustle, sealing the room back into comfortable darkness.
Demiurge continued sleeping peacefully for perhaps another twenty minutes. His breathing stayed slow and even, tail still loosely curled around my waist like an anchor.
When his eyes finally fluttered open—diamond-blue glowing softly in the low light—I leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to his forehead.
"Good morning," I whispered.
He blinked once, twice, then a small, contented smile curved his lips. "Good morning, Henry," he murmured back, voice still husky with sleep.
I brushed a stray lock of dark hair from his face. "Go take a bath first. My schedule isn't too packed today, so there's no rush."
He studied my face for a heartbeat—then simply nodded. No protest, Not a single word of argument. I could practically read the thought behind those eyes, if we stayed in the bathtub together, the entire day's schedule might derail. Efficient even when half-awake.
He slipped out of bed with that fluid grace, tail uncurling reluctantly, and then vanished into the bathing chamber.
I wait until he emerged roughly twenty minutes later—hair damp, skin still faintly steaming. Then I took my turn. The bath was quick, ten minutes at most. Hot water, soap, a quick dry with the wind magic, and I was done.
Stepping back into the bedroom in nothing but a towel around my waist, I was quietly surprised to find Demiurge still there, and hadn't left to his office yet. Before I could even open my mouth to ask, he was already crossing the room in smooth, purposeful strides, one of my prepared outfits was already draped carefully over his arm.
Without a word, he began helping me dress.
I knew better than to refuse. Refusal would only earn me that patient smile, and faintly disappointed look he sometimes wore when someone (usually me) tried to reject.
So I stood still and let him take over—lifting an arm when he tapped it, turning slightly when he nudged my shoulder, straightening my back as he smoothed the fabric.
His touch was precise yet gentle, almost reverent—sleeves slid on, collar adjusted, buttons fastened one by one, lapels smoothed flat. I stayed quiet and compliant, letting him move my body however he needed.
While he worked, I sent two quick [Message] to both Momonga and Ulbert(whom had only just woken up.)
Henry [Morning, you two. I'll be heading to the conference room soon. I'll wait for you there whenever you're ready.]
Momonga's reply came almost immediately.
Momonga [Understood. Give me three minutes to drag this old skeleton out of bed.]
Ulbert [On my way, old man. Don't start the boring stuff without me.]
I couldn't help but smile to myself.
When demiurge finished with the last button on my vest, took half a step back to inspect his work, then gave a single, satisfied nod.
I closed the distance between us, cupped his face gently, and kissed him softly, lingering, right on the lips. "Thank you," I said against his mouth. I pulled back just enough to meet his half-lidded eyes—behind those glasses.
His cheeks flushed a deep, unmistakable crimson—still a sight that caught me off guard every time, given how composed he usually was. His tail gave one quick, involuntary flick behind him.
Then, without another word, we left the room together. With the heavy door closed behind us.
We walked side by side down the grand corridor for a few paces before our paths diverged—him toward the administrative and the endless stack of reports that awaited him, while me toward the central meeting hall.
A quick glance over the triangle showed him pausing at the corner, watching me go with that quiet, intense focus he always had when he thought no one was looking. Before finally turning away toward his duties.
I could only smile, looking at his behavior.