“Momo-, Momonga-sama, it is an honor for you to come here.”
“Eh…. Mare there is no need to be afraid, just take it slow. If you are not used to it, you do not
need to be so formal… Of course it’s only in private.”
“Th-, that cannot be done, how could I not use honorifics to address you… Even my sister would
never do so. That would be too rude.”
Although he did not like children to treat him so respectfully..:
“So its like that, Mare. If you insist then I have no objections. However, I want you to know that I never forced you to do so.”
“Ye-, Yes! …. Spe-, speaking of which, Momonga-sama why have you come here? Ha-, have I
perhaps done something wrong….”
“Nothing of the sort Mare. I came here to reward you.”
Mare’s expression went from worry and fear from being scolded, to becoming surprised.
“The job that Mare currently has is extremely important, because the people of this world could
have an average level of 100 or more. If there are those kinds of opponents, even with the alert
network, it will also be necessary to hide the Great Tomb of Nazarick from preying eyes. This is
an important matter.”
Mare constantly nodded in agreement.
“So Mare, I wanted you to know that the way you are doing your job is perfect and satisfies me.
Entrusting this job to you, makes me feel at ease.”
Something that Momonga learnt from his experiences in society, is that superiors must praise
the hard work of outstanding subordinates.
The Guardians all gave Momonga high evaluations, so in order to maintain their loyalty,
Momonga must also assess them highly on their job.
If the Guardians and NPCs that the guild created, felt betrayed and disappointed after trying to
maintain a perfect performance, it would be Momonga’s failure as a leader. That was why he
always had to pay attention, and maintain the attitude of a ruler in front of them.
“... You can understand my thoughts right, Mare?”
“Yes! Momonga-sama!”
Although he was wearing female clothing, looking at Mare’s tense face you could clearly see he
was male.
“Very good, then for your excellent work, I want to give you a reward.”
“Ho-, how can I! This is my duty!”
“... According to your work performance, it is only proper to present you with a reward.”
“No-, no! Our sole reason to exist is to serve the Supreme Ruler, so our hard work is the most
natural thing to do!”
With such a back and forth discussion, the opinions will never intersect, so Momonga came up
with a compromise.
“How about this. Giving you this reward, I also hope that you wil continue to be loyal to me, that
way there shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
“Is, is there real y no problem?”
With a strong attitude Momonga took out the reward——It was a ring.
“Momo-, Momonga-sama… You took the wrong thing!”
“No——”
“——Wrong! That is the ring of Ainz Ooal Gown, only the Supreme Rulers can hold it! I cannot
possibly accept such a thing.”
Mare trembled at the unexpected reward, and Momonga was also surprised at his reaction.
Indeed, this ring was only for a dedicated member of the guild to use, there were only one
hundred of these special items. These rings were already distributed among the 41 other
members, so there were another 59 rings——No, 58 rings who did not have an owner. This was
indeed a valuable item, but to give this as a reward, there was the hope it would be properly
utilized.
In order to calm Mare who wanted to run away, Momonga solemnly told Mare:
“Calm down, Mare.”
“No, no, no way! How could I accept the ring that only the Supreme ruler can have——”
“Think calmly Mare. In the Great Tomb of Nazarick, not having the ability to teleport would bring
about a lot of inconvenience.”
Hearing this, Mare slowly started to calm down.
“I hope that in the event that an enemy attack, each of the Guardians could act as a commander
for every floor, when it comes to that time, if you cannot freely teleport or escape, it would be too unsightly; that is why I am giving this ring to you.”
Momonga held the ring in his hand. Under the moonlight, the ring seemed to emit a glorious
shine.
“Mare, for your loyalty, I feel very happy: I also understand why, as a subordinate, you wouldn’t
want to accept the ring that represents us. However, if you understand my feelings then you will
accept my command and take this ring.”
“Bu-, But, why me…. Could it be the other Guardians received one…?”
“Although I intend to give one to them, you would be the first. Because I am satisfied with your
work, if I gave it to someone who did nothing it would devalue the ring as a reward. Do you want
me to reduce the value of this ring?”
“No-, I would never dare!”
“Then take it, Mare. After taking this ring, continue working hard for both Nazarick and me.”
Mare nervously extended his hand, and slowly accepted the ring.
Seeing Mare do this, Momonga felt guilty. Even though he wanted to give the ring as a gift, he
also had another selfish reason.
If others were able to teleport as well, it would become easier for Momonga move unnoticed.
Once Mare put on the ring of Ainz Ooal Gown, it instantly changed its size to fit Mare’s slender
finger. Mare started intensely at the ring on his finger, relaxed a little and sighed. Then he
bowed deeply towards Momonga… “Momonga-sama, thank-, thank you very much for giving
me this gift… From now on, I wil work harder in order to not disappoint the expectations of
Momonga-sama!”
“Then forgive me for troubling you, Mare.”
“Yes!”
Mare resolutely answered, his young face showing off an unwavering resolve.
The one who designed Mare, Simmering Teapot-san, why did you make him wear this kind of
clothes?
Was it to create a contrast to Aura’s attire or was there another reason?
Just as Momonga was thinking about this, Mare asked a question.
“If-, If I may ask Momonga-sama… Why are you dressed this way?”
“... Eh, Wel …”
Because he wanted to sneak away——Of course he could not say that.
Mare looked up with sparkling eyes and watched the troubled Momonga. How would he deceive
him? If this fails, then his act of being a dignified superior would go to waste. There was no
subordinate who would approve of a superior who wanted to sneak away. Momonga tried to
come up with an excuse but was unable to think of anything, but at that moment a voice spoke
up behind them.
“It is simple, Mare”
Turning around Momonga was immediately entranced.
She could be seen as a beautiful lady standing in the moonlight. The bluish moonlight
illuminated her, making her shine as if a goddess had descended. Her black wings were waving,
blowing a gust of wind in front of them.
It was Albedo.
Although Demiurge had also arrived, due to Albedo’s beauty Momonga did not notice his
presence immediately.
“Momonga-sama wore the armor in order to conceal his name, to avoid interrupting anyone’s
work. If they saw Momonga-sama’s arrival, everyone would stop what they were doing and