We end the discussion after that. And decided that the Friendly Mock Battle will be held the day after tomorrow. And that means that we have a whole day to rest—which I don't particularly need. I would have been fine with having a Friendly Mock Battle today—but well, it doesn't mean that I would mind having it a day later.
And about my introduction to the public. They want to introduce me to the public after arranging some things which might take 2-3 weeks. So, it seems they will introduce me to the public after 2-3 weeks . . . which is . . . which is kinda not 'okay' with my plan. I had planned for my introduction to be done this week. But well . . . it's a national matter, not some trivial matter. Of course, it would take some time to give notice to the public for a gathering and also it would take time to prepare for that gathering. Huhhh I sighed. how could I not see such obvious thing . . .to think that they have to spell it out for me . . . AUGHHH I am embarrassed of myself.
Huhhh I sighed again but this time to clear my mind and to try to not think about my blunder.
"My Lord, Are you alright? If something is troubling your mind, Please tell me, I would do everything in my power to destroy it. So, it could never trouble you ever again." Azael asked with a very concerned voice but very determined at the same time.
Ah! I forget I am not alone.
After the discussion ended. Cardinals brought Jagrath and Azael to the Slane Theocracy's most luxurious inn in disguise. However, Cardinals wanted them to stay in the royal palace but Jagrath rejected their idea and instead placed the idea of them—Jagrath and Azael—to stay in the inn in disguise with the explanation of "I am afraid that if I stay in the palace in which you all want me to. I wouldn't be able to understand the people of this country and if I couldn't even understand the people of this country—A country which will help me go against fake Ainz Ooal Gown—then I have no chance of winning in this Country-to-Country fight. And I am pretty sure that everyone here understands that this fight is no longer a personal fight but rather a country to country fight. –"
"—In this fight a country is going against a country and no matter how much you all want to deny that theirs is not a country. It isn't going to change the truth that they have formed a country and they have an army. However, any further denial of their country will only worsen our chances of winning. And I Don't Like To Lose. . . However, if you are all still against me staying in an inn then, I allow you all to choose the inn and I also allow you all you to send anybody and in any number for the peace of your minds. But the personnel you will send should be in disguise and shouldn't be found out in the public. And also they should be able to blend in the crowd."
Cardinals send High-Level officers of ClearWater Scripture as escort and undercover agents for Jagrath and Azael. Cardinals also send Six Miko Princesses to take care of everything Jagrath and Azael may need. Kind of maid but in disguise. However, the Cardinals could have sent some high noble maid. But it would have presented some problems.
While a higher maid capable of serving Cardinals or High nobles could serve Jagrath and Azael, they can't be fully trusted with the top secret information like the presence of Gods. Cardinals feared that if maids were send to serve Angelic Gods such as Jagrath and Azael, then no matter what their status might be, they would reveal the presence of Angelic Gods like Jagrath and Azael before the 'Gathering'. And sending the Six Miko Princesses—on the other hand—served many benefits. Six Miko Princesses already knows about Jagrath and Azael. And Six Miko Princesses also have already served Jagrath and Azael once before. So, they can be better suited to serve Jagrath and Azael than any other maid. Six Miko Princesses also can provide some sort of protection while nobel maids can't. however, how much of that 'protection' will be necessary when the ones they ought to protect are much, much stronger than themselves . . .?
Six Miko Princesses were disguised as six beautiful noble maids. And four groups of High-Level officers of ClearWater Scripture were either disguised as businessmen or a couple of friends. Four groups of ClearWater Scripture were divided as Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D. Group A and D were disguised as businessmen on their business trip while Group B and Group C were disguised as some noble rich friends.
The inn they were staying in had a luxurious five story building. Jagrath and Azael were staying on the third floor. Six Miko Princesses were staying in the room beside Jagrath and Azael. Group A and Group C were staying in the room which is a floor below the room of Jagrath and Azael's. while Group B and Group D were staying in the room which was a floor above the room of Jagrath and Azael's.
Ah! I forget I am not alone thought Jagrath as he remembered that Azael is here too, sitting on a chair beside him.
Although I said 'sitting' its wasn't exactly what would be called a 'sitting on a chair' but rather 'standing' beside a chair which was meant for him to sit on and no matter how much Jagrath told him to sit on his chair, Azael always refuses with something like he can't possibly sit on a chair which is right beside his lord, it would be disrespectful of him to do so. and much more. In the end, Jagrath had to give up on making Azael sit on his chair.
However, Azael's standing on a place for hours and hours concerns Jagrath for Azael's health. But he can't make him sit on his chair as Azael sees himself as a mere servant and Jagrath as literal God. And because of Azael's perspective, Azael thinks that he should try to speak as little as possible as to not disturb his lord which also means concealing his presence as much as possible. And because of him trying to conceal his presence, Jagrath sometimes forgets that he is not alone and Azael is with him.
"Azael, it's nothing. I simply was lost in my thoughts." I reassured Azael.
Azael immediately assumed a kneeling posture and said with his head down. "My lord, I apologize for disturbing you with my lowly concerns. Please bestow your punishment on your servant for his crimes."
Huh? . . .my mind went completely blank for several seconds from sheer shock. I have never been so shocked after hearing an apology before. for several seconds I couldn't think of anything else besides what?! What do you mean 'lowly' concern?! And punish . . . you?! NEVER! .. . . I will never punish 'You'. . . and- and what do you mean by servant?! . . . I thought you were just programmed to act 'that' way. I didn't think that you literally see our relationship as a master-servant relationship.—as Jagrath thought of the word 'master-servant' Jagrath saw the times when Azael was standing beside him like a servant. Jagrath saw the times when Azael refused to speak even a word just . . . like a servant. Jagrath saw the times played out before his eyes when Azael act-ed like a servant of which Jagrath- everytime-thought of work of the "Butler" program and nothing more and nothing less.
Jagrath felt horrible after he realized that he was unintentionally acting like a Master to Azael and not as a Friend or a Father which he wanted to act like to Azael.
After several or more seconds, Jagrath's shock had died down and his mind started to think on the ways by which he could change his relationship with Azael but nothing came up. Jagrath's mind can only think of the times he acted as Master and didn't notice Azael's abnormal behavior which was just like a servant.
Every second he became more and more emotional and felt more and more horrible for his behavior toward Azael. Every second his mind played every time he acted like a rude and cruel master toward Azael over and over again.
His eyes started tearing up. Then the first tear from his eye as he saw a kneeling figure which was Azael. then second . . . then third . . .then fourth . . . his eyes don't stop crying.
Azael looked up as he saw a drop of water fall and hit the floor. He looked up and found his Master crying . . . tears just didn't stop falling from my lord's beautiful eyes. Have I done something to make my lord cry? . . . .
As Azael looked up . . . Jagrath saw Azael's eyes tearing up as he laid his eyes on Jagrath. Now, Jagrath couldn't stop his eyes from crying more . . . and more. Jagrath became so emotional that he stopped thinking from a reasonable point of view a long time ago and thrust his human body forward and hugged Azael as tightly as he could.
"Please Forgive Me!" he repeated over and over again . . . Azael on the other hand was now very confused. All he wanted to know was 'Why is Lord Jagrath crying? Why did he hug me all of a sudden? Why would he say . . ." forgive me". . . over and over again.? Why would lord Jagrath seek forgiveness from a lowly servant such as me?'
"Lord Jagrath, Please don't apologize to a lowly servant such as me! and Please stop crying. I c-can't see—"
Just as Jagrath heard the words "lowly servant" again, a crack appeared in place of his heart. He interrupted Azael immediately and tried to clear up the misunderstanding.
"NO! Azael, Please don't say "lowly servant'. . . please! . . . You are more than that to me. You are my one and only family left. You are the one whom I created with passion, with admiration, w-with . . . love. I c-created you with LOVE! . . . I even used a World-Class Item to give you the final touch to your entire being . . . I value you even more than just a filthy twenties. I value you . . . like a son. Please don't ever refer to yourself as 'lo-lowly servant' ever again! . . . And I am not someone great enough to be called Master by you . . . I am not someone great enough . . . please don't ever refer to me as 'master' or 'lord' . . . please . . ."
They both stayed in each other's arms for a couple of seconds more before Jagrath slowly pushed Azael away and Azael spoke while switching his eyes between the floor of the building and the tearing eyes of Jagrath. "I-I Understand. My Lo- . . . My Lord. I am grateful for the love you showed to me. I am grateful for the body you give to me. However, please let me say this: I can't—no . . . I don't want to refer to you directly. I want the honor of calling you 'my lord'. I am ready to receive whatever punishment you may give to me, but please. . . don't take my honor from me by not letting me call you 'my lord'."
At that point, Jagrath understood a thing that he didn't earlier and that was . . . Azael wanted a master-servant relationship. Azael desired a master-servant relationship. Azael wasn't unhappy by referring to him by 'my lord' but rather happy to do so. and he thought I just now called him 'my son' then why can't I allow him his happiness like a father?. . .and if that happiness lies in him calling me 'my lord' then why am I so resilient to let him Not call me that? . . . rather I should be happy to let him do so.
"Of course, you can. If your happiness lies in calling me 'my lord' then from now on I order you to always refer to me as 'Lord'"
TO BE CONTINUED(2)