Demiurge's passionate monologue moved Momonga a little, and he could not help but nod in approval. He mused that being called Dark Warrior would lead people to mock him for having such a lame name, and he lamented picking that alias so casually.
"Forgive me for wasting your valuable time, Mo-Dark Warrior-sama. Then, you lot will wait here for orders, and explain to the others that I am on the move."
"Understood, Demiurge-sama."
"Well, it seems your subordinates approve as well. Then, Demiurge, let us be off."
Momonga walked past the bowing Demiurge, who raised his head and followed his master.
♦ ♦ ♦
"Why was Mo… cough, why was Dark Warrior-sama dressed like that?"
"I don't know, but there should be some reason for it."
The remaining Evil Lords muttered to each other in confusion.
After all, they had not seen through Momonga's disguise because he teleported here.
Momonga had no idea of knowing this, but the denizens of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, or rather, all of Ainz Ooal Gown's servants radiated a certain aura that the servants could sense in order to determine whether a stranger was friend or foe. Within the guild, the aura of the Forty One Supreme Beings that ruled Nazarick — now reduced to Momonga alone — was enough to tell them that the one before them was their absolute ruler. They could sense his mighty presence from a distance and they could not have mistaken Momonga for anyone else, even through his full plate armor. They would have seen through Momonga's disguise immediately, regardless of how he arrived.
It was easy to differentiate his aura from the others in Nazarick.
The doors to the first floor swung wide, and someone climbed the stairs.
Judging by the aura that came from the stairs, the newcomer was a Guardian.
The Evil Lords saw the beautiful face of the Guardian Overseer, Albedo, rising from the steps. They went to one knee as they realised that they were in the presence of someone who was the equal of their master, Demiurge.
To Albedo, the vassals kneeling before her was merely natural, and she paid them no heed as she looked around.
Only after Albedo failed to find the person she was looking for did she turn back to the Evil Lords. She spoke without addressing anyone in particular:
"...I don't see Demiurge around. Where is he?"
"He… a Dark Warrior-sama passed through just now, so Demiurge-sama decided to accompany him outside."
"Dark Warrior...sama? I don't recall a name like that among the servants… Which servant did Demiurge accompany? A Floor Guardian following a lowly servant? How strange…"
The Evil Lords did not know how to respond, and looked at each other.
Albedo smiled gently to the Evil Lords:
"Could it be that mere servants like you dare to deceive me?"
Her tender, final warning made the Evil Lords shiver, and they realized that they could not keep hiding things from her.
"When Dark Warrior-sama came here, Demiurge-sama concluded that he was a person worthy of our respect."
"...Momonga-sama came here!"
Albedo's voice seemed to crack a little, and so the Evil Lords calmly replied:
"...His name was Dark Warrior-sama."
"...And his guards? Did Demiurge receive some notification from Momonga-sama? But I already arranged to meet him, so does this mean Demiurge did not know Momonga-sama was coming? Ah, forget it, I need to change and bathe!"
Albedo touched her clothing.
Her clothes were dirty from her work. Her hair was tangled at the ends, as were her wings.
However, such petty imperfections could not begin to diminish the appeal of a world-class beauty like Albedo. It was insignificant, like the loss of a point or two out of a hundred million. However, to Albedo, even the slightest blemish on her appearance was a mark of failure. She could not show this filthy self of hers to the man she loved so dearly.
"The nearest bath… the one at Shalltear's place? ...But then she might get suspicious… although I'll just have to bear with it. You lot, go to my room and get my clothes! Quickly!"
Just then, one of the Evil Lords called out to Albedo, who was pacing around. She was the Demon General of Jealousy.
"...Albedo-sama, though this might be rude, would your present attire not be better?"
"...What do you mean?" Albedo angrily retorted as she stopped in her tracks. She thought the other woman wanted Momonga to see her in this unkempt state.
"...No, I simply meant that a beautiful woman like yourself would be best served by showing the signs of your hard work. In the end, you will still benefit, will you not, Albedo-sama?"
The other Evil Lords added their suggestions, "By the time you could bathe and prepare herself to meet Momonga-sama… Dark Warrior-sama, much time would have been wasted. It would be a shame to miss a good opportunity because of that."
"I see—" Albedo mused.
They had a point.
"That makes sense… it seems I panicked because I have not seen Momonga-sama for such a long time. I can only meet Momonga-sama after eighteen hours, don't you think eighteen hours is too long?"
"Yes, it is."
"If only I could finish laying out the administrative framework and return to Momonga-sama's side… then I'd better not waste time griping and find Momonga-sama. Where is Momonga-sama now?"
"He just stepped out."
"I see."
Although Albedo's reply seemed curt, there was a distant smile on her face as she imagined being with Momonga, and she flapped her wings in an adorable way. She walked past the Evil Lords with hurried steps.
The footsteps suddenly halted, and Albedo asked the Evil Lords again:
"For the last time, do you really think Momonga-sama will approve of seeing me dirtied like this?"