Momonga's POV
Shalltear: "My my, it appears I'm the first to arrive."
(Shalltear: A true vampire. She guards the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.)
Shalltear: "Oh wow!~ Lord Sesshōmaru!"
As Shalltear struts toward my long-time friend Sesshōmaru, I can't help but mentally chuckle at the sight of her wrapping her arms around him.
Shalltear: "The one man I could never dominate—my eternal beloved!"
I hear a faint, bemused chuckle escape Sesshōmaru's lips.
Sesshōmaru: "And hello to you too, Shalltear. Though..."
Aura: "Back off, Shalltear. You're starting to drool on him."
Shalltear doesn't even look at Aura as she retorts.
Shalltear: "Hello, half-pint. I didn't see you there."
Aura grits her teeth. Shalltear presses on, ever mocking.
Shalltear: "Having such a foolish sister must be exhausting, Mare. However, do you manage it...?"
Mare glances nervously at his sister, sensing her patience running thin—until she retorts:
Aura: "Miss Fake Tits."
Shalltear gasps and covers her modest chest with both hands.
Shalltear: "What?!"
Aura grins smugly.
Aura: "Just as I thought. That's why you used a Gate spell—you rushed here to see Lord Sesshōmaru, and with all that padding in your top, you were terrified they'd shift if you ran."
Shalltear lets out a gasp as Sesshōmaru's subtle smirk betrays his amusement.
Shalltear: "Watch it, elf! You've got nothing but a boy's chest!"
Aura: "True, but I'm only 76. I can still develop. You, on the other hand, are stuck in that undead husk forever. Maybe it's time you accepted those are just bug bites."
Fury boils over.
Shalltear: "How dare you! I'll make sure you regret that!"
The two launch toward each other, shouting like squabbling siblings. I shake my head and say to Sesshōmaru without turning.
Momonga: "Talk about nostalgic. They act just like Peroroncino and Bukubukuchagama, don't they?"
Sesshōmaru: "Hn. It does bring back memories."
Cocytus: "What a ruckus! Cease this childish behavior in front of the Masters!"
Sesshōmaru and I turn to see Cocytus arriving.
(Cocytus: Guardian of the 5th floor. A warrior in every sense of the word, he once requested personal training from Sesshōmaru, captivated by his warrior spirit.)
Shalltear: "I'll stop when this elf bitch pays for her lies!"
Aura: "Try it, vampire!"
Just as Cocytus prepares to intervene with an ice spell, a surge of pressure ripples across the air—immense and unmistakable. Lightning crashes beside me, and both Shalltear and Aura drop to their knees, barely able to stand.
I look to my side—and there he is.
Sesshōmaru stands in his towering dog yōkai form, fur bristling, golden eyes burning, his massive demonic aura emanating raw authority.
Sesshōmaru: "Enough! Shalltear. Aura. This is no time for petty squabbles."
Both girls bow their heads instantly, kneeling.
Shalltear and Aura: "Forgive us, my lord."
Momonga: "I'm glad you're here, Cocytus."
Cocytus: "I will always answer the call of you and Lord Sesshōmaru."
Momonga: "Hmm. Good work."
Sesshōmaru nods, his eyes sharp—but then, a slight grin tugs at the edge of his mouth. It's that expression I've come to know too well: trouble is arriving.
Demiurge: "Apologies for the delay, everyone. I hope I haven't kept you waiting."
(Demiurge: Guardian of the 7th floor. A high-ranking demon and Sesshōmaru's first apprentice. He and Makima co-lead Nazarick's defense when crisis strikes. Makima guards the throne—wait...)
Momonga: "Sesshōmaru, where is your guardian? I expected her to arrive swiftly once the order was issued."
Sesshōmaru: "While you were thinking earlier, I used the Message spell to tell her to remain at her post. Makima serves as our eyes and ears. Since she and I are bound, she sees what I see."
Momonga: "As expected of you... you always think several steps ahead."
Sesshōmaru: "You'd have done the same, Momonga."
Albedo steps forward and kneels.
Albedo: "My lords, the Guardians pledge our eternal loyalty."
The rest follow suit.
Shalltear: "Shalltear Bloodfallen, guardian of the 1st through 3rd floors. I serve and obey!"
Cocytus: "Guardian of the 5th floor, Cocytus. I serve and obey!"
Aura: "Aura Bella Fiora, guardian of the 6th floor."
Mare: "Mare Bella Fiora, co-guardian of the 6th floor."
Aura and Mare: "We serve and obey!"
Demiurge: "Demiurge, guardian of the 7th floor. I serve and obey!"
Albedo: "Leader of the Guardians, Albedo. I serve and obey. With the exception of Victim, Makima, and Gargantua, all Guardians are present and have pledged their loyalty."
The Guardians bow deeply. The screen fades to black.
Narrator:
The world of the massively popular DMMORPG Yggdrasil drastically changed after its last day of service. Though magic remains, its rules have shifted. And the NPCs... they now act of their own volition.
Momonga: "Raise your heads."
A black aura seeps from me—melancholy made manifest.
(Geez... could I look any more hopeless?)
The Guardians lift their heads in unified reverence.
Momonga: "We are pleased you've all assembled."
Aura and Mare glance at each other, surprised by the unexpected gratitude. Albedo speaks for them all.
Albedo: "Your thanks are wasted on us. We live to serve you both—our creators. Though we may fall short, we vow to rise to your expectations."
All Guardians: "This we vow!"
I bare my skeletal smile. Sesshōmaru unfurls his ethereal fur, radiating divine regality. The sight is... commanding.
Momonga: "Excellent. I have no doubt you will fulfill your duties."
Sesshōmaru's demonic aura crackles with black lightning, his tone regal and powerful.
Sesshōmaru: "Now then. The situation outside is unknown. I've sent Sebas to scout the surrounding area."
Sebas approaches.
Sesshōmaru: "Report."
Sebas: "The swamps surrounding Nazarick are gone. We are now in flat, unbroken grasslands—no buildings, humans, or monsters within one kilometer."
Momonga: "So we have indeed been transported... how strange."
(Still hard to believe how composed Sesshōmaru is. He adapts with a grace I could never match...)
Sesshōmaru: "Albedo, Demiurge. Fortify Nazarick's defenses. Strengthen reconnaissance. Makima will remain at her post—we cannot afford to expose her true form yet."
Demiurge: "Understood."
Momonga: "Mare, can we conceal Nazarick?"
Mare: "Y-yes! If we use dirt and vegetation we can camouflage it. It'll be hard with magic alone."
Albedo: "You would defile Nazarick's sacred walls wi—"
CHOKING SOUNDS
Before she finishes, Sesshōmaru's hand is at her throat, lifting her.
Sesshōmaru (demonic voice): "Momonga didn't address you. If I see you insult Mare again... you will suffer."
Momonga: "Sesshōmaru, enough!"
He stops, dropping Albedo. She gasps for air.
Momonga: "She has learned her lesson. Don't let your instincts override your judgment."
Sesshōmaru walks back, eyes lowered, standing at my side in silence. I turn back to Mare.
Momonga: "Are you confident the dirt will be sufficient?"
Mare: "Y-yes... especially if you approve, my lord."
Momonga: "Sebas, can we blend the Tomb with the terrain?"
Sebas: "If we create false hills, yes."
Sesshōmaru: "Caution. We know little of this land. We must find a human settlement to gather intel. Never underestimate your opponent—doing so invites failure."
The Guardians seem stunned by his insight.
Momonga: "Agreed. We will camouflage the rest with illusion magic. Mare?"
Mare: "Understood, my lord."
Momonga: "Now, each of you—tell me what you think of Sesshōmaru and me."
Shalltear: "You are radiant beyond compare. And Sesshōmaru—he's pure, elegant might. He loves... even those beneath him."
Cocytus: "You are sovereigns, unmatched. And Sesshōmaru is the ideal warrior—an honor-bound knight of unshakable resolve."
Aura: "You're clever and always thinking ahead. Lord Sesshōmaru's... regal. Commanding."
Mare: "You're kind, merciful. Lord Sesshōmaru is like a father... always protecting us."
Demiurge: "You act decisively with wisdom and mystery. Lord Sesshōmaru is the strongest demon in existence. I believe him to be a god."
Sebas: "The last of the Supreme Beings... and the ones who remained until the very end."
Albedo: "My lords. Supreme beings. My beloved Sesshōmaru is my one and only."
Momonga: "R-right... you've all spoken well. Carry out your orders. Serve with loyalty."
All Guardians: "My lords!"
I place a hand on Sesshōmaru's shoulder—and we teleport.
Sesshōmaru's POV
Sesshōmaru: "Sorry... about earlier."
Momonga: "I know you care deeply, but it was too much."
I lower my head.
Sesshōmaru: "Ever since coming here... it's harder to control myself. The demon blood... it's changing me."
Momonga: "Go rest. I'll handle things for now."
I smile faintly.
Sesshōmaru: "Very well. When you need me, come yourself—or send Makima."
I teleport to my private quarters, lying back on my bed.
Sesshōmaru (muttering): "They were certainly enthusiastic with the praise... but I'll need rest for tomorrow."
(Especially for those poor villagers...)
The screen fades to black as his silhouette remains, the rise and fall of his breathing the last visible sign.