After dinner, Sebastian and the others returned to their respective rooms, while both monk had departed. Inside his quarters, Sebastian switched on the system radio and contacted Tanya.
"Tanya, report your situation."
On the other end, a firm and commanding female voice answered; it was Tanya.
Sebastian had ordered Tanya, Boris, and a small detachment to remain in the Divine Realm among the Heroes, supporting their efforts to rescue and open new dimensions.
He had also struck a deal with the God: for every world he helped them reclaim, the ownership of that world would belong to him. With such arrangements, Sebastian could secure an endless supply of new worlds, vast sub-mines of resources, ensuring his strength would never run dry.
"Commander, Tanya reporting!" Tanya's voice rang with precision.
"Tanya, give me your status report," Sebastian said.
"Our side has successfully secured three worlds. The resistance was minimal. Construction projects have already begun, resource extraction, cultural restructuring, faith conversions, and more." She reported with clinical accuracy.
Satisfied, Sebastian nodded. The Realm is connected to three thousand worlds. To him, they were not mysteries waiting to be feared, but opportunities waiting to be claimed, three thousand sub-mines for his dominion.
After issuing a few more orders, he ended the transmission. Moments later, Sebastian received several messages from Ainz Ooal Gown. The Overlord world had essentially fallen under his control.
The Great Tomb of Nazarick's forces stood at the very peak of military strength in that realm. Sebastian had shared portions of his technology and troops with them, ensuring swift conquest.
"Seb, the world is under complete control," came the news, "You should visit soon."
"Alright. I'll establish a portal soon," Sebastian replied.
Once Nazarick was connected to his current world, Sebastian's campaign across the multiverse would accelerate dramatically. By the time he finished all arrangements, it was already late.
As night fully settled, the Territory fell into silence. Everyone slept. Everyone but one. Tsubaki.
"It's already so late…" She stood at the window, gazing at the pale moon carved into the starless sky. The silver light outlined her fair features, her brows drawn in quiet tension. Her heart was tangled in turmoil.
"That man must be asleep by now," she whispered, looking toward Sebastian's room.
Earlier that day, she had seen the Jewel of Four Souls in his possession. Since then, she had been torn between desire and hesitation. For as long as she could remember, Tsubaki had longed for the jewel, eternal youth, unfading beauty, the dream of immortality. And now, it was right before her eyes. How could she let this chance slip away?
Yet, a strange hesitation gnawed at her. For some reason, the hunger that once consumed her for the jewel had dimmed. Even she couldn't explain why.
"No. I can't let this opportunity pass!" Resolve flashed across her eyes. She extinguished her lamp and silently slipped from her room.
In the darkness, Sebastian's eyes opened slightly. He had never been asleep. Though the noise at his door was almost imperceptible, his sharpened senses picked it up at once. His body had endured countless transformations, his five senses honed far beyond the ordinary.
He already knew who lingered outside. Paper talismans wriggled through the crack of the door, forming a row of tiny figurines that aligned neatly on the floor. They stood still, staring toward his bed. When nothing stirred, they merged into a larger figure.
The paper construct crept forward and carefully removed the latch. The door opened without a sound. One by one, small heads peeked inside. Tsubaki.
Sebastian remained motionless, feigning slumber.
"Are you asleep?" Tsubaki approached, waving a hand before his still face. When he failed to react, she stuck out her tongue at him playfully before beginning her search.
"It's just lying here so casually?" Her eyes lit up as she spotted the Jewel of Four Souls resting on the bedside table. A smile tugged at her lips.
She reached out. But her hand froze midair. Memories flooded her mind, moments of camaraderie, battles fought side by side. She knew if she took the jewel, she would sever everything between herself and Sebastian. Nothing would ever return to the way it was.
Was eternal beauty truly worth the price?
Her thoughts drifted, almost absurdly, to her daily sparring with Ram, and how she always ended up beaten senseless. A laugh escaped her lips.
Slowly, she withdrew her hand. Casting one last glance at Sebastian's resting figure, she smiled faintly, then hurried out, forgetting even to close the door.
"…She didn't take it?" Sensing her presence fade, Sebastian finally opened his eyes. He looked at the table where a fake Jade gleamed faintly with violet light.
A satisfied smile touched his lips.
In the original tale, Tsubaki had betrayed master and comrades alike for this jewel, selling her very soul to become a black witch. For her to walk away now… Sebastian could only imagine the struggle within her heart.