All guardians snapped into attention, their eyes locked upon the figure of their respective creators standing behind the four Supreme Beings.
While they did not share the same aura, the same grand presence, or even their colors, the guardians would never mistake their appearance for anything else.
They were, without a doubt, the visages of their creators.
"M-Momonga-sama… These are…"
"The s-supreme beings… No…"
"S-Spirits…?"
"P-Phantoms…?"
Mare, Aura, Shalltear, even Demiurge were caught speechless upon hearing Momonga's words and seeing the appearance of the blackened versions of their creators and supreme beings.
And in response to their words, Momonga nodded and waved the golden staff of Ainz Ooal Gown to his side.
"Indeed… These are Phantoms… Beings created through my memories of the 40 Supreme Beings of Nazarick who had since left. I will have them roam around the floors of Nazarick just like they used to, protecting it. While they were far from the original strength of my friends, they would suffice in buying some time, especially since I will be able to summon them at will."
The phantoms, while much weaker than him, Yuuji, Aika, Lelouch, and every single floor guardian present, including Sebas, they could still contend and defeat the Pleiades with relative ease.
Moreover, they were expendable. They did not require materials that would be consumed to summon. Just a bit of magic from Momonga.
As long as they were in his memories, he would be able to summon them.
The floor guardians looked in silence, still consumed in their shock, to which Momonga snap them out of when he tapped his staff onto the ground.
"I shall allow interactions with them for anyone. However, I hope you will not neglect your duties. They will be here for support. Not distractions. Do you understand?"
""Yes!""
He nodded deeply. He could see it deep within them that none of the guardians would take this boon for granted. And he trusted them.
He hoped that instead, they would work with greater determination and a lighter heart. And when they tire, they would have someone to lean on to and rest.
Seeing their reactions… it seemed he had made the right decision.
Aura and Mare shed tears of happiness… Their happiness and overwhelming sense of relieve and gratefulness for being able to see their creator once again, even if it was a phantom, had filled them with renewed vigor and determination.
Demiurge, Sebas, and Cocytus kneeled in silence, their eyes still locked upon their respective creators, and their expressions stilled. But deep within, their hearts were nothing but calm.
Happiness, excitement, gratefulness, respect, admiration, and awe, not only to their creators, but to Momonga as well and his power capable of replicating a fraction of all the supreme being's appearance and power.
Shalltear kneeled even deeper towards the phantom figure of her bird-headed creator. Her lips curled into a wide smile as tears drop from her face straight onto the ground, darkening it.
In her mind, she was repeatedly saying thank you for creating her and make her belong to Yuuji.
She would definitely become everything he wished for. She would admire Him like a little sister with a massive brother complex would her dear brother. Love Him like a loving wife would her husband. Yearn for Him like a cum-dumpster slut onahole would her master. And be his sword.
She would dedicate herself to be everything he wished her to be, for it was now her wish as well.
"Thank you… Thank you for everything, Peroroncino-sama…"
The words she had been repeating in her mind could not help but escape her lips as emotions overwhelmed her.
And they did not escape the eyes of the Guardian Overseer, who glanced at her with eyes filled with… envy.
Her eyes lingered at the enviable figure of Shalltear, before her eyes landed on Aika, Yuuji, and finally… her creator. Tabula Smaragdina.
Her eyes stared at the squid-like figure of her creator, piercing through him, as if she was trying to find the answers to her questions on the slick, slippery surface of his skin.
Why…? Why did he give her such emotions…? And why did he not give her her "Destined One", just like how Peroroncino did for Shalltear? Why give her the overwhelming feeling of lust and love, without anyone to pour it into?
'Wait… No, perhaps it's better this way.'
A sudden realization hit her.
If her creator did not give her such a feeling… Then she might've let her nature and lust take over and give herself to anyone.
How could she do such a thing…?
The proud Guardian Overseer of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, administrator of the home of the Supreme Beings, and one of the most powerful defenders of Nazarick second only to the Supreme Beings; How could she simply give her precious virginity to just anyone?
She had heard the wise words of the Supreme Being who had the same race as her, Aika-sama.
She would only let her "beloved hubby" touch her. Other men won't even be able to touch the tip of her hair. That gazing at her shadow alone was already more than enough for them.
A succubus who gave her body to multiple partners and succumbed to their own lust, which they should've controlled, was a lowly succubus. It simply meant they couldn't get an exemplary partner who could satisfy their lust and magical needs, and could only make it up with numbers.
A true succubus would only need her "Destined One". Someone who could give her everything she needed, and even more.
These words Aika-sama uttered were met by a staggered awe of Bukubukuchagama-sama, Peroroncino-sama, and her own creator, Tablua Smaragdina-sama.
And Albedo agreed with each and every single one of her words. After all, the living proof was before her right at this very second.
Aika-sama, who never had any other partner aside from Yuuji-sama, could become so powerful and… happy. She had found her "Destined One", someone who could satisfy her physically, mentally, magically, and spiritually.
She had found her soulmate…
And perhaps, having heard Aika's words and agreeing with her, her creator also gave her these emotions and yearning to find her "Destined One".
Of course, it would've been easier for her if he had just given her her soulmate, just like Peroroncino-sama did to Shalltear.
However… This was still much better than being a lowly succubus slut who would simply spread their legs for any unworthy male to approach them.
The thought of even being equal to those inferior beings who would sell their bodies to obtain sexual liquids of inferior men made her skin shudder in disgust.
So… Perhaps this was for the better.
Now, she only needed to find someone who would be worthy of her heart, body, mind, and soul…
Though… the only one she could think of was…
"The Phantoms shall walk the halls of Nazarick starting from tomorrow. All guardians, announce this to all members of Nazarick, so they would not be surprised by their presence."
""Yes. As you command.""
All guardians lowered their heads in unison as the Phantoms slowly dissipated into nothingness.
A look of longing immediately spread across all the guardians' visage. However, while it pained him to see his children wear such an expression, he steeled his heart.
Showing them that the other supreme beings were mere phantoms once again would cement the fact into their minds. And with it, he hoped they would not grow too dependent on the Phantoms.
"Then, you are dismissed."
Momonga waved his staff in a dismissive manner towards the Guardians. Then, he glanced towards Yuuji, Aika, and Lelouch.
With a nod, the four supreme beings disappeared from their location, leaving all the Guardians in their spot, still kneeling in reverence to the disappeared figures of their lords.
There was a moment of silence.
Then starting from Albedo, one by one, the guardians raised from their kneeling position.
"Hah… I didn't expect any of that to happen. To think Momonga-sama would allow us to interact with the phantoms of all the supreme beings from now on…"
"U-Uhn… B-But, I-I'm looking forward to it!"
"As. Do. I. However. Our. Duties. Shall. Not. Be. Neglected. We. Shall. Still. Do. Our. Best. For. The. Supreme. Beings. Who. Still. Remains."
A huff of chilling, no, freezing wind blew out from between Cocytus' large mandibles. And the graveness of his words were accentuated by the tap of his halberd onto the ground.
All the guardians nodded at his words.
"Well said, Cocytus. This is a boon granted to everyone within Nazarick to further encourage us to work harder. And we shall not disappoint the supreme beings' expectations. Please inform this to your respective subordinates as well."
Once again, all guardians nodded in unison towards the words of their Guardian Overseer.
"Then, I shall be going now to fulfill my duties~ Fare thee well~"
A tear in space that led into a swirling darkness opened behind Shalltear as she curtsied towards her fellow guardians.
She then turned and walked into the portal, disappearing from the colosseum grounds.
With the many wards and protection against the use of teleportation magic within the underground tomb of Nazarick except for a few specific areas, the use of teleportation magic was not recommended. That was why the Supreme Beings created the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown, which allowed unlimited teleportation between named rooms of the tomb, and the teleportation arrays and waypoints meant to connect the various floors.
However, none of the guardians reprimanded Shalltear for the use of her [Gate] spell, for if they have the spell as well, they would've used it so they could complete the task given by the Supreme Beings more quickly.
Even Aura could only look at Shalltear admonishingly without actually admonishing her, as she did it out of her devotion to the order given by the Supreme Being.
However… Albedo knew that wasn't the only reason why Shalltear left in a hurry.
It was apparent when she could see the love and lust practically oozing out every pore of her body.
She was doing it to prove herself and gain Yuuji-sama's favor.
After receiving Aika-sama's permission to pursue Yuuji-sama and even receiving Yuuji-sama's tacit permission to pursue him, it was only natural that Shalltear would dedicate her entire being to that goal.
And she looked so happy. Unlike her, who was struggling to find her "destined one".
Envy flashed across her eyes for a moment as she gazed at the spot where Shalltear disappeared.
But then, a flash of realization came to her.
Instead of moping around, she should work harder and show off her abilities as well…!
Then… Perhaps, she might just be able to gain his attention and become closer to him. And with this, perhaps she could tell if he were her "destined one".
Yes… She should quickly complete the task of announcing the news regarding the Phantom's appearance in Nazarick and begin her preparation for the meeting tomorrow.
Every second she spent moping around could be another second spent on her preparations to make sure everything would be perfect for her meeting with Yuuji-sama tomorrow. She must quickly acquire information regarding the surrounding civilization, down to every single village and community there was.
"We shall get going as well. Demiurge, may I trouble you for your time later on after you finish the task momonga-sama had assigned to us? I would like to discuss the preparations we shall do before the meeting with Yuuji-sama and Lelouch-sama tomorrow."
With a solemn nod, Demiurge gave his promise to the guardian overseer.
"Of course. I shall accomplish my task as soon as possible and bring the necessary documents and maps we may need."
"Thank you. Then, meet me in the office at your earliest convenience."
"Understood."
The guardian overseer then turned her attention towards the rest of the guardians that still remained in the colosseum.
"Well then, let us complete the task given by the supreme beings to the best of our abilities."
""Yes!""
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