Sebas sat behind a large mahogany desk within the main office of the late duke Astarte.
Having lived within the mansion that had become his base of operations for a few days, he could not help but be disappointed and longed for his home.
The mansion itself was a grand and luxurious estate second only to the royal palace. Built upon the blood, sweat, tears, and gold of the people that he had gained through rampant corruption, the estate was a shining model of splendor and grandeur, hiding the darkness it created within the darkest confines of its cellars and basement.
Compared to the majesty and divine architecture carved by literal Gods, however, the building – and all mortal creations for that reason – paled far in comparison.
To even compare it in the first place would be a slight towards the Great Gods that Sebas would not tolerate in the slightest.
That said, for the standard of this world, this mansion was something not just any nobles or wealthy merchants could buy.
The wealth required to purchase the estate was astronomical, so much so that only the royal treasury would be able to purchase it directly without having to resort to purchasing loans.
However, Yuuji-sama, in the few weeks they arrived in the new world, had managed to procure immense wealth from the kingdom and the empire while also rooting his influence in their economies, becoming an indispensable part of it.
With it, Yuuji bought two high-end mansions to be their base of operations within the two nations. One within Arwintar, the royal capital of the Empire, for his use, and the other within Re-Estize, the royal capital of the Kingdom, for Shalltear's use.
Sebas could not help but feel immense respect and admiration for the one known as the greatest supreme being of all.
To be able to conquer nations without even lifting up a sword was something truly only a supreme being could achieve.
Sebas mused in his mind as his eyes were locked onto the magic scroll in his hand.
On the desk were many more scrolls that he had bought from the mage's guild within Arwintar. Most were first-tier, with a few being second-tier, the highest tier sold to the general public.
Such low tier magic would normally be spared from his attention. However, one of the missions he had received was to see if he could find any new, interesting, or useful magic they did not possess.
In Ainz and Lelouch's words, they might be utilized in ways they could not expect or be developed into something better.
The comfortable silence within the office persisted. That was, until a knock came on the door and a familiar voice resounded from behind it.
"Sebas-sama. May I come in?"
"Yes. You may enter."
The door opened to reveal the beautiful, golden-haired maid who served as his assistant in this mission, Solution.
"I have come to deliver a letter for you."
Solution placed a letter with a wax seal onto his desk before stepping a few steps back, and waited as Sebas reached for it and examined it.
"It came earlier than expected."
"They are getting desperate, after all. And it is all thanks to Yuuji-sama's mechanism~!"
Solution's beautiful smile turned into a sadistic grin as she mocked the owner of the wax seal. But just as quickly, her expression turned radiant and full of affection when she mentioned the greatness of her beloved.
Sebas nodded his head in agreement, his admiration for Yuuji's brilliance doubling once more.
He broke the wax seal and opened the contents of the envelope, and began to read.
"As expected. It is exactly as he foresees…"
Solution's lips grew into a wider grin, and now, there was a tinge of pride within them. Pride for loving such a great being such as Yuuji.
"Then, shall we move on to the next phase, Sebas-sama?"
Solution suggested with excitement, anticipation, and a sadistic pleasure lacing her every word.
However, to her disappointment, the heat butler of Nazarick shook his head.
"No. We shall make them wait. Their unease and desperation will make them easier to "persuade". When they were truly on the edge, that would be when we extend the olive branch."
"...Very well."
Sebas could hear the obvious disappointment in her voice, which he had no doubt stemming from her enthusiasm to accomplish her mission perfectly and return to his side as soon as possible. However, he appreciated her obedience to his words and nodded once more.
"It will not be long. Then, we shall return to Nazarick to report the result of our work to the Supreme Beings."
"Yes, I understand."
Solution's smile returned to her face as she bowed and left the room, allowing Sebas to return to his silence.
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Albedo stood with her arms folded under her plentiful chest, which had grown even larger thanks to her beloved's "Divine Essences" and touches, towering over the prostrating Princess Renner, listening to what she had to say.
By her side, Demiurge similarly stood with his hands behind his back, listening in silence.
And when she finished explaining it all, and what she intended to do to provoke her foolish eldest brother, Albedo and Demiurge could not help but acknowledge the power of the mind subservient to them.
Albedo's luscious pink lips curled into a slightly wider smile. Everything was just as her beloved had said. The princess was truly an "asset" worth keeping.
"Well done~ Keep this up and you won't need to worry about anything. We demons are extremely particular with contracts. Deception in all things, but where your oath is given. You and your beloved "puppy" shall be safe when my Master reigns supreme."
Simply by being in her presence, the princess could feel the heat of damnation radiating from the monsters before her. Particularly the demoness with world-shaking beauty and jet-black feathered wings.
She felt even more powerful and… dangerous than the man who appeared and seemed like the "Devil" himself.
'Just what kind of monster is this being for these devils to serve it?'
Renner asked herself, but even with her vast intelligence, observation, and deduction skills, she could not find an answer that was not itself unthinkable.
"Hah… But truly, listening to 'his' words, even through you, has been an aggravating experience, more than I expected. But at least, his foolishness did have some uses. Having you serve refreshments instead of maids would prevent information from spreading like a disease."
Albedo snorted softly, which Renner followed suit almost immediately.
"I agree, my lady."
The contempt that dripped from her lips spoke volumes on how she felt about the arrangement as she recalled how her eldest brother had her serve tea for him because she should be "playing the role" as a woman.
"Very well, continue to push the fool towards idiocy for now. And when my beloved master arrives, make sure that the Noble Faction acts just like themselves."
Albedo let out a cruel, mocking laugh with a crystal timber, which Renner joined.
"Of course. And my lady, will I be allowed to meet your master beforehand? I must admit, from the many stories you have told of his overwhelming power, majesty, and your romance, I admit I am curious to behold the majesty of such supreme being for myself."
Albedo's smile turned softer when she saw the genuine curiosity and interest of the little mortal princess before her. She recalled her having the same expression whenever she would ask her stories of her romance as a reference for the princess's own romantic pursuit.
Of course, even the Golden Princess herself knew the futility of attempting to place her "pet" in Albedo's master and most beloved's place. However, hearing such a beautiful love story from a being such as Albedo was more interesting than whatever gossip and shallow love the idle maids and young ladies had for their excuse of "romance".
"Succeed, and meeting him shall be your first reward. And as I've said many times before, to be in his presence alone is a bliss you would wish for again and again when he is gone."
"Then, I look forward to my success, Lady Albedo, Lord Demiurge."
Renner grinned, her eyes dark with giddy malevolence, and the great succubus and archdevil called up the [Gate], and vanished with two steps into the whirling void.
Once she was sure they were gone, Renner raised to her feet when there was a knock at her wide, white double doors.
The mask of the Golden Princess was affixed once more upon her visage before she responded.
"Enter."
The enchanted locks opened, allowing her visitor to open it with ease.
A beautiful, golden-haired boy in the spring of his youth came. It was her puppy, her Climb, her bodyguard, her everything.
He knelt in front of Renner with his head bowed in absolute reverence, his mithril and orichalcum blended armor clinked with minimal noise with his movement.
Fifteen springs, as best as either of them could say, had passed, and the look of love and devotion was never absent in his visage. And she hated it when he bowed his head down.
"Raise your head."
She commanded as a princess should, and he obeyed, as a knight.
"My princess, do you wish to inspect the city again and grant your blessings unto the populace?"
"Yes, my climb, yes. And you will protect me, won't you?"
She asked with innocent blue eyes.
'No matter the cost!'
He cried out inside of his mind, losing his gaze into the endless clear pool of radiant blue. But aloud, he answered.
"Of course, my lady."
He did his best to keep the overwhelming love he had for her, her ideals, her character, her appearance, her everything from seeping into his spoken words. How well he did, he hoped it was well enough to not let his innocent princess perceive the inappropriate feelings a knight shan't ever have towards his princess.
He quickly distracted himself and spoke out his concern regarding her wish.
"My lady, I understand your generosity and love for the less fortunate populace of the kingdom. However, for your safety, I must still suggest additional bodyguards to protect you. It is no secret that you ending the slave trade had put you in sights of the Eight Fingers, and with them running more and more rampant as of late, being out in public with only me to guard your body may be dangerous."
This was the nth time he had suggested such a thing to her. And again, she shot him down.
"I understand, but I accept the risk. And most of all, I believe in you. So, please try your hardest."
She gave him a soft, radiant smile that thrilled him to the core, and the matter was closed. The princess' trust in him fuelled his determination more than what he had for himself.
"Are the chest of copper coins and 'bread slip' papers ready?"
"Yes, my princess. Everything has been arranged and the carriage is ready for your immediate departure."
"Good. Then, we shall head out immediately."
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AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please comment your thoughts~! I would love to hear what you think about it~!!!!
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