While Rei Ao was still lost in the pure bliss of Nazarick's grand bath, the group chat suddenly came alive again.
Akame: "Rei Ao hasn't checked in for quite a while."
Stella: "True. @Rei Ao, hey, how are things over there? Is Albedo's issue resolved?"
Frieren: "Since he's the one handling it, there's no problem he can't solve."
Frieren: "He's probably doing some very hands-on biological research with Albedo right now."
Hiiragi Shinoa: "Agreed."
Kasuga Hijiri: "Nnngh, there's really no need to discuss that in such detail."
Yomogawa Ayame: "I just hope everything goes smoothly…"
Mai Sakurajima: "Tch, I actually hope things don't go too smoothly on that 'biological research' front. He's about to turn into a total stud horse at this rate!"
Ai Hayasaka: "Judging from prior experience, reality is… pretty much exactly like that."
Megumi Kato: "..."
…
The flood of @mentions and questions in the group forced Rei Ao to temporarily pull a part of his consciousness away from the steamy hot-spring tangle he was currently in with Shalltear, Albedo, and the others.
Right now, Shalltear was wrapped around him like an octopus, whispering "Supreme One~" in his ear in a voice so sultry it practically dripped.
Rei Ao couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
Enjoying their passionate service, he still split off a sliver of divine sense to reply in the chat.
Rei Ao: "Don't worry, everyone. Albedo's problem has already been resolved."
Sui: "What exactly was troubling Albeda-san? I couldn't tell anything from the trade itself."
Izawa Shizue: "As long as it's solved, that's what matters. But what exactly did she run into before?"
Rei Ao: "That's a long story, and it touches on what they really are at their core."
Rei Ao: "To put it simply, Albedo and every single member of this Great Tomb of Nazarick where I am now—they weren't truly 'alive' to begin with."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Not truly alive? What do you mean?"
Rei Ao: "Albedo and the others originally existed as NPCs (non-player characters) and guild creations inside a virtual reality game called YGGDRASIL."
Rei Ao: "Due to some unknown trigger, they, along with the entire Great Tomb of Nazarick, crossed through the barrier between worlds and arrived in the real world I'm in now—a world with a complete physical system and genuine lifeforms. And in that process, they gained true life and real souls."
Yotsuya Miko: "Ehhhhh?!"
Yotsuya Miko: "NPCs from a game turning into real living beings?! (shocked.jpg, face completely twisted)"
Bibi Dong: "I've heard from people in the group that 'games' are a kind of virtual entertainment."
Bibi Dong: "To cross the boundary between virtual and real like that—such a method is on the level of creation itself."
Misaka Mikoto: "Waaah! Turning from data into living, breathing people? That sounds so cool!"
Misaka Mikoto: "It feels different from the electronic lifeforms we have on our side, though."
Frieren: "Going from virtual to real does indeed go beyond the scope of ordinary magic."
Kasuga Hijiri: "Unbelievable… That would mean they now have a true self and real potential, no longer bound by pre-set programming."
Shiba Miyuki: "Some scholars over here have mentioned similar theoretical possibilities, but seeing it actually happen… it truly is astonishing."
Hiiragi Shinoa: "Araa~ In that case, does Albeda-san's earlier problem have something to do with this as well?"
Rei Ao: "You guessed right, Shinoa."
Rei Ao: "Albedo's problem was that right before the game servers shut down, the system flagged her as an error and almost deleted her data."
Misaka Mikoto: "So that's how it was. As long as it's fixed, then good."
Yuzuriha Inori: "Then… does she now have a real heart of her own?"
Rei Ao: "She does."
Not only does she have a real heart—she also has a way of making his heart race like crazy.
Fubuki: "The diversity of worlds really is beyond imagination."
Fubuki: "But I'm more curious about the world you're in now. Aside from Nazarick, are there other powers?"
Rei Ao: "Of course. This world is vast and complex, with human empires and other races as well."
Rei Ao: "For now, you could say I've taken over one human nation in this region and am using it as a temporary base of operations."
Enju Aihara: "Uwaa! Rei Ao-nii already became a king?!"
Tohka Yatogami: "A country, huh? Then there must be lots of tasty food, right?"
Ai Hayasaka: "(calm analysis) Going straight from a game guild to ruling an actual country in reality… that kind of leap—well, that's just so you…"
Couronne: "It sounds like a lively place… but also possibly a very dangerous one."
Marcille: "Another world! Magic! Different races! (eyes sparkling) I—I really want to go see it! I'm sure I could find all kinds of rare magical materials and knowledge!"
Mio Akiyama: "Ugh… Just hearing about it sounds dangerous already. All sorts of powerful monsters and factions…"
Julis: "Different magical systems? That certainly has research value."
Mitsuha Miyamizu: "Ruling a country? That's amazing! But it must be exhausting too, right?"
Touka Kirishima: "I'm not exactly interested in human nations… but if it's you running it, Rei Ao, it might feel different."
Rei Ao: "Exhausting isn't really the word. With Albedo and the others assisting me, governing is pretty easy."
After all, he was basically just a hands-off boss.
Rei Ao: "As for danger, for many of you, this place really wouldn't be all that dangerous."
Rei Ao: "If any of you are interested in this world's culture, its power systems, or just want to come for some pure adventure, you can tell me anytime."
Rei Ao: "I can open a temporary world channel for you."
The moment he said that, the group chat exploded with even more activity.
Marcille: "I want to go! Please, you absolutely have to let me go! It's for magical research!"
Tohru: "I want to see whether that world has any dragonkind too. I really want a good fight!"
Izawa Shizue: "Shadow-sis and the others are very interested as well."
Sui: "The plants and ecology of another world would definitely be worth investigating."
Saeko Busujima: "Being able to cross blades with powerful fighters from other worlds… that's something I'd welcome."
Stella: "It does sound like a good place to train."
Misaka Mikoto: "Mm… If I get the chance, it'd be pretty fun to go see a different ability system up close."
Yomogawa Ayame: "If I could learn from a different style of governance…"
Rei Ao: "If you plan to come, give me a heads-up beforehand so I can make arrangements."
~~~
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