"...I see. I have heard and understand your opinions. Then, I shall hand the tasks that were once performed by my former comrades to you. Carry them out faithfully."
After seeing the Guardians genuflect once more, Momonga teleported away.
The scenery before his eyes changed in an instant, from the Colosseum to the chamber of the Golems of Lemegeton. After looking around to make sure nobody was looking, Momonga sighed deeply.
"I'm so tired…"
Although his body did not feel tired, the mental fatigue was weighing down on his shoulders.
"...Those guys… why do they think so highly of me?"
They were describing someone else entirely. After hearing the Guardians take turns to share their opinions of him, he wanted to laugh and mock them, but from the looks on their faces, it did not sound like they were joking at all.
In other words, their words were sincere.
If he did not act in a manner which fit their views of him, it might disappoint them. As he thought about that, the pressure on him grew and grew. And in addition to that, there was another problem, which made Momonga frown.
Of course, his skeletal face could not show expressions, yet it seemed as though it did.
"...What should I do about Albedo… if this keeps up, how will I face Tabula-san…"
The pressure crushing their heads to the ground suddenly vanished.
Even after the departure of the master of their revered creators, nobody raised their heads. After a while, someone sighed in relief. The tense atmosphere was gone now.
The first to get up was Albedo. Her white dress was stained where her knee had touched the ground, but she did not mind at all. She flapped her wings to swipe off the dirt on her feathers.
After seeing Albedo rise, the others followed suit, though nobody dared to speak.
"That, that was scary, Nee-chan."
"Yeah, I thought I'd be squashed flat."
"As expected of Momonga-sama, to think his presence would have such a great effect on us Floor Guardians…"
"As. A. Supreme. Being. His. Might. Overmatches. Ours. But. I. Did. Not. Expect. Him. To. Be. This. Powerful."
Thus the Guardians shared their impressions of Momonga.
The aura that Momonga emitted was the source of the power that had crushed the Guardians to the ground .
「Despair Aura」.
Besides inflicting a fear effect, it could reduce the stats of its victims. Normally, it would not have an effect on the level one hundred NPCs, but on this occasion, its effects had been strengthened by the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown.
"Momonga-sama must have unleashed the air of authority that represents his right to rule."
"Indeed. Before we stated our positions, Momonga-sama did not exert his might. However, once we showed ourselves in the role of Floor Guardians, he must have revealed a fraction of his awesome power to us."
"In. Other. Words. Momonga-sama. Revealed. His. True. Ability. As. A. Ruler. In. Response. To. Our. Pledges. Of. Loyalty."
"That does seem like the case."
"He didn't radiate that aura when he was with us. Momonga-sama was kind, and gave us something to drink when we were thirsty."
Aura's words caused the other Guardians to emit an air of tension. It was condensed jealousy that was almost visible to the naked eye. The worst-off was Albedo. Her clenched fists shuddered and her nails threatened to rip through the fabric of her gloves.
Mare's shoulders trembled, and then his eyes went wide.
"That, that must have been the true power of Momonga-sama, the ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. It was amazing!"
That changed the mood instantly.
"Exactly! He showed us his ability as an absolute ruler in response to our feelings… as expected of our creator. The zenith of the Forty One Supreme Beings, and the kind master who remained here with us until the very end."
Albedo's words put a blissful look on all the Guardians' faces, although the expression on Mare's face was better described as "relaxed."
There was nothing which could delight them more than the master who created them, the master to whom they owed their utmost loyalty, revealing his true face to them.
The Guardians, no, every entity created by the Supreme Beings wanted nothing more than to aid their creators in some way. The next best thing would be to receive their trust and to be treated as useful servants.
This was a simple, natural truth.
This was the greatest joy in life for these characters who were created to aid the Supreme Beings. Then, as though to wipe away this jubilant atmosphere, Sebas said from the side:
"Then, I shall take my leave first. I do not know where Momonga-sama has gone, but I should stay by his side."
Jealousy was written all over Albedo's face, but she quashed her feelings and replied:
"I understand. Then, Sebas, serve Momonga-sama well and do not disgrace him. Report to me if anything happens. In particular, if Momonga-sama summons me, you must let me know immediately. Everything else is of secondary importance to that!"
A pained expression crossed Demiurge's face as he listened quietly from the side.
"But if he desires me in his bedchamber, you must inform Momonga-sama that I might be a while, in order to bathe and cleanse myself for him. Of course, if he wants me to proceed to him immediately, that is fine as well. After all, I do my best to keep clean for him, and my clothes have already been selected so I can heed his call whenever it comes. In any case, Momonga-sama's wishes will always come first—"
"—I understand, Albedo. If I waste too much time here, I will not have enough to properly serve Momonga-sama, which would be disrespectful. Therefore, forgive my abrupt departure, but I must take my leave. Floor Guardians, I bid you all a good day."
After saying his farewells to the wide-eyed and open-mouthed Guardians, Sebas immediately jogged away, as though to leave Albedo (who was preparing for a long monologue) behind.
"Speaking of which… it is fairly quiet around here. Shalltear, is something the matter?"
After Demiurge's question, everyone's eyes went to Shalltear. She was still on her knees.
"What. Is. Wrong. Shalltear?"
She lifted her head after she was called on again. The dazed look on her face would make people think that she had just been woken up.
"...What. Happened?"
"Ah, after being exposed to Momonga-sama's awesome presence, I could not help but get excited… I fear my underwear has gone through a bit of a crisis…"
Silence.
Everyone looked at each other, unsure of what to say. The Guardians mused that Shalltear had, by far, the most fetishes among them, and that one of said fetishes was necrophilia. They facepalmed as they thought about this, although Mare didn't quite get it and was thoroughly confused. No, one of the Guardians was not content to simply shake her head and sigh.
That was Albedo.
The jealousy surging in her made Albedo come out and say:
"You slut."
Shalltear sensed Albedo's hostility as she heard those scornful words. Her lips curled in hostility, and she responded with a bewitching smile.