In another hall on the ninth floor of Nazarick, a group of guardians met, concealed within an isolating barrier. They were divided into two sides for the first time in a long time –those greedy and those afraid.
"I don't agree... as Aura said, it is too risky... the reward is not worth the risk, and even if it was, wouldn't it be more prudent to wait for Ains-sama's input? One meagre mistake could mean the eradication of Nazarick-" The ice gigant Cocytus was sitting together with the two dark elves on the opposite side of the table.
In front of him were a beautiful succubus and a scheming demon, both holding a belief that this was a one-time streak of luck.
"You severely underestimate the defensive capabilities of the Great Tomb, Cocytus. Ray-sama's arrival changes everything, Ains-sama's plans and our plans. The last thing we need is for our enemies to become stronger. Ains-sama's words were clear and precise: 'Conquer the world'. And to achieve that, we need Ray-sama's power while we prevent others from getting to him," Demiurge, the demon, fixed his glasses with a contingent voice.
"It is still risky to make a move on a foe we know absolutely nothing of. Moreover, what we know is already enough to deter our movements. Lady Elysir is not here, but Lady Yasaka is. Ains-sama warned us about the threat of them both, not only Lady Elysir".
"I also witnessed Lady Azrael's capabilities; she's not to be trifled with," Aura remarked, recalling the massacre in the forest earlier today.
"If such astounding individuals follow Ray-sama closely as his servant, wouldn't it be logical to assume he's also an astounding individual?" Cocytus deduced he noticed that neither Albedo nor Demiurge seemed to put Ray Lux in high regard; the fear of Yasaka and Elysir still lingered, overshadowing their reason.
"What do you suggest we do, then? They're deep into the tomb right now, within the range of the defence system, debuffing spells and the atrocities of the eighth floor. We won't have another chance like this even when Ains-sama returns," Albedo asked grimly, her mind recalling how way back they had been brutally humiliated by that woman and couldn't accept that outcome; she couldn't accept her beloved Ains-sama to be looked down upon.
Yasaka Okami together with her master had been so kind as to step into the dungeon willingly, she didn't want to miss this chance as restraining them outside would be technically impossible.
"Try to establish a friendly relationship with him and his entourage. In order to try and compel him to align with our objectives, we still have another option," Cocytus suggested.
"What is it?" Demiurge frowned.
"A friendly spar... allow me to fight".
**
**
Exquisite dishes, luxurious treats, beautiful maids and yet... a sombre atmosphere. Yasaka and I seemed to be the only ones enjoying this meal.
Introductions were in order. Sitting before us was the 'Guardian Overseer' or surrogate leader of Nazarick as long as Ains Ooal Gown wasn't present. Her name is Albedo, and she's a succubus... a demon of lust. She's certainly sexy, but I don't feel she exudes that seductive aura that you'd expect from a succubus.
Aside from her, Aura and Mare, there were two more individuals. A shrewd-looking demon with glasses called Demiurge, this man is giving off a quite ominous aura, and he's just sitting there silently eating like a noble.
And lastly, the person who I consider is perhaps the strongest in this room just by his energy alone –Cocytus. He's a giant made out of... ice? I don't know if it is ice, but it looks like Ice. He's got four massive arms and wielded a massive halberd... he wasn't eating. He was just like Azrael, standing to the side like a loyal bodyguard.
I told her to relax and sit, but Azrael refused to do so... she said she could feel things weren't right and wanted to be on guard.
"We weren't expecting your arrival, Ray-sama. If you had happened to come a few days earlier, you would have met Ains-sama on his way out," Albedo began, cleaning her plucked lips with a handkerchief.
"I didn't plan to, but thanks for receiving us. We don't plan to stay for long".
"What is your next destination, if you'd allow me to ask?" Demiurge asked me.
"I have no specific destination; I want to explore this world and learn more about it," I said offhandedly, 'And I want to meet and predate a few strong people while I am at it, like you...'
"We'd love to help you, but the information we have is also very scarce. Ains-sama has set out together with Narberal Gamma –another of the Pleiades– with your same objective: to explore and understand this world better. Truly supreme beings do share the same vision," Albedo giggled, sending a slight glare in Yasaka's way. A glare my kitsune ignored, too focused on the delicacy we were eating, eagerly expecting our passionate evening, nothing could ruin her mood... or so I thought.
"If you would allow us to ask a question... the reason you are here, was it because you were summoned by anyone else in this world?" Demiurge asked again.
I noticed he and Albedo seemed to be playing some rhetoric behaviour. Albedo was playful, deviating my attention from the crucial questions that Demiurge was asking. The atmosphere turned sombre at that time.
"No, I never come to my customers. My customers come to me, Demiurge. Nobody summoned me into this world; I came out of pure curiosity."
"Then... is it possible for anyone else in this world to incur your services?" He carried on.
"So long as they have a fitting sacrifice and catch my eye, there is no reason why I wouldn't offer my services", I answered truthfully; there was also the fact that they had to catch my eye; if they were chosen by the system, I didn't have much of a choice. But in person, I wouldn't just accept a sacrifice out of anyone; that was a personal preference.
My therapies are not as simple as they used to be. Before, they were just for healing; now, they categorically change an individual's life. I can't just be massaging anyone, as there could be consequences.
Be it as it may, they didn't seem to like my answer.
"Ains-sama has shown interest in having all of us undergo the 'therapy', the same process that triggered Solution Epsilon's evolution. As a matter of fact, her current task is to accumulate more 'sacrifices' for us to undergo this process. Ains-sama has a big treasury, but he's unwilling to part with most of the items of that treasury as they have sentimental value to him," Albedo explained and made a hand sign towards one of the Pleiades, Yuri.
The maid left to another room and came shortly after with three items she put on the table that looked rather luxurious and some even exuded a powerful energy.
"These items are the Blood Chalice, Golden Needle, and Ancient Pungent Dragon's Horn. They're mythical items, one rank beneath the legendary world items. These are the ones Ains-sama is willing to part with and what we're willing to sacrifice, Ray-sama" Albedo showcased the items with pride, and I frowned.
They look extremely valuable, and you're telling me there are more like this somewhere in this dungeon...? I sighed and picked up the Chalice; it seemed to be made out of gold but had blood stain marks all over it; what truly exuded energy, more than the chalice, was the blood around it.
"Should I take this as you requesting my services now, Albedo?"
"Yes~ although things didn't go as planned; Demiurge and Cocytus were supposed to get your therapy together with another Floor Guardian who isn't currently in Nazarick. Her name is Shaltear, and she works alongside Solution to attain more treasures," She explained with a thrilled sight.
"What exactly is Ains Ooal Gown's objective...? does he want-"
"He wishes for all of us guardians and members of the Pleiades to evolve... just like Solution did", Demiurge clarified, "But we do not possess enough sacrifices to complete this task any time soon. Still, your arrival does help Ains-sama's ambitions".
I didn't have an issue with that; it would be a lot of Chaos Points coming my way, but... for what? Why does he want them all to become stronger? They look strong enough to me. Also, just going by what Solution's sacrifice was, it should be about eight thousand at most... I need three hundred thousand for the next rank, which is ridiculous.
"I don't have a problem with that; whenever you need me, have Solution make a booking-"
"But we have an issue, Ray-sama..." Albedo drifted.
"What is it?"
"We are willing to pay double or perhaps even triple so long as you can guarantee your services will be exclusive to Nazarick." Her playful countenance dropped to the point Yasaka stopped eating, and her ears perked up. Ains-sama has great ambitions regarding this new world; he wishes to rule it."
I whistled as if I had called it.
"And as his loyal servants, we will make sure that this world bows to his will; that's why, Ray-sama, please assist us in this task, and you and Lady Yasaka will get paid accordingly," Albedo spoke like a proper fanatic. Whenever she mentioned this Ains, it was like her eyes transformed into hearts. That guy got her infatuated.
"I don't work for anybody", I sighed, "You can sacrifice anything you want, and as you are Solution's acquaintances, I won't refuse your sacrifices and start the therapy. But I don't pretend to stop here and wait until your conquest ends; I don't have that leisure".
"Does that mean... you would be willing to enhance our enemy's strength for a sacrifice...?" Demiurge asked his final question, which seemed to denote the tone of the whole topic.
It was then that I understood the sombre atmosphere, and I wasn't the only one.
*WHOOSH!*
The moment Azrael swung her scythe in position, Cocytus did the same with his Halberd and exhaled a frozen breath. Silence reigned the room, and I smiled at both Demiurge and Albedo, who weren't smiling.
From the corner of my eye, I caught Aura and Mare. They didn't feel comfortable, but that didn't mean they were not ready to make a move.
I see how it is. They want to conquer the world, but they're afraid the powerful people of this world will offer me sacrifices to counter their advances. I'm bound to make a reputation for myself everywhere I go. That's a fact.
"If their sacrifice is compelling enough, I don't have a reason to reject them", I answered and crossed my arms beneath my chest, waiting for their next move. Kuu, who was sitting to my right, already had her long claws ready to fight.
We're on the ninth floor of this dungeon, more than a hundred metres underground. But I'm not afraid... if they attack me. No, I'm praying for them to attack me.
Give me a reason to predate you all.
"Then I'm afraid we won't reach an understanding".