To be treated like a child by their most beloved Supreme Being was the greatest grace imaginable.
Even the usually rational and composed Demiurge, the demon whose mind spun intricate webs of strategy and inference, felt his composure crack. His breathing grew subtly heavier without him noticing, and a searing wave of heat surged through his sharp intellect, momentarily shattering his eternal calm.
Looking at the undisguised affection shining in Lord Helant's deep blue eyes, Demiurge understood it clearly in his heart: Lord Helant truly believed in them—trusted them, cherished them—not merely as tools or creations, but as cherished children.
"How lucky you are, Herox…" Demiurge murmured under his breath, casting an envious sidelong glance at the towering Demonic Dragon standing beside him.
Herox, bathed in the warmth of his Father's gaze, stood tall and proud, his scaled chest swelling with quiet joy. If only Lord Ulbert Alain Odle, his own creator, were here to witness this moment—to offer even a fraction of such open affection.
"Very well," Helant said gently, his voice carrying the soothing timbre of a proud parent. He turned toward Sebas Tian, who had been waiting respectfully at the edge of the gathering with the Pleiades arrayed neatly behind him.
"Some changes have occurred in the Great Tomb of Nazarick. Sebas, your report."
The impeccably dressed butler stepped forward with measured grace, bowing deeply before both Supreme Beings.
"Lord Helant, Lord Momonga," Sebas began in his calm, dignified tone. "As per your earlier instructions, I have conducted a preliminary reconnaissance of the surface. The environment surrounding the Great Tomb has transformed dramatically. What was once the desolate swamps of the Helheim has become vast, rolling grassland beneath an unfamiliar sky. However, no man-made structures, roads, or signs of intelligent life have been detected within a one-kilometer radius of our position."
Momonga nodded thoughtfully, his crimson eyes glowing faintly behind the visor of his elaborate robes.
"Then, Mare," he said, turning to the shy dark elf boy still clutching his staff, "I'll trouble you to conceal the surroundings. Use your magic to raise a suitable forest barrier and camouflage the Tomb's outer walls. We must remain hidden until we understand this new world."
"Y-Yes, Lord Momonga!" Mare stammered, bowing quickly, his cheeks still faintly pink from his Father's earlier warmth.
While Momonga continued issuing precise instructions—tasking Aura with scouting the immediate perimeter alongside her magical beasts, and directing Cocytus to reinforce the outer defenses—Helant's attention drifted briefly to Demiurge.
The demon stood with perfect posture, yet his tail flicked ever so slightly, and his gloved fingers twitched at his sides. The envy in his crimson eyes when he looked at Herox was unmistakable.
Is he jealous of Herox? Helant thought, with quiet amusement.
No matter how formidable or cunning these NPCs were—Floor Guardians designed to command legions and conquer worlds—they remained, at their core, like children yearning for the approval and love of their parents. The forty-one absent Supreme Beings had left deep imprints on their settings, and those emotional needs lingered even now.
It seemed he would need to offer them all a little more individual attention later. A pat on the shoulder for Demiurge, perhaps, or a few kind words to ease that hidden longing.
"Cough."
Momonga cleared his throat—more out of habit than necessity—and the assembled Guardians instantly snapped to perfect attention.
"Everyone," he continued, his deep voice echoing slightly in the vast coliseum, "how do you view Helant and me? Your honest thoughts are important. We may be your creators, but this is a new world, and we must move forward together."
The loyalty displayed thus far was absolute, beyond any doubt. Yet each NPC had been crafted by different guild members, infused with unique personalities, backstories, and biases. Understanding their individual perspectives would help guide Nazarick's future.
"Let us start with Shalltear."
The vampire Floor Guardian lifted her head, her pale cheeks flushed a delicate crimson that contrasted beautifully with her silver hair.
"Lord Momonga," she declared breathlessly, "is the most beautiful existence in all the worlds—the very crystallization of perfection and beauty itself." Her ruby eyes sparkled with obsessive adoration before shifting to Helant. "And Lord Helant is an even more benevolent and warm deity, a guiding light whose kindness rivals the sun."
Next came Cocytus, his mandibles clicking respectfully. "LORD MOMONGA IS THE WISE RULER WHO COMMANDS ABSOLUTE POWER. LORD HELANT IS THE HONORABLE WARRIOR WHO EMBODIES MERCY AND STRENGTH."
Mare whispered timidly, "L-Lord Momonga is… very cool and strong… and Lord Helant is… the kindest Father…"
Aura puffed out her small chest proudly. "Lord Momonga's super reliable as the Guild Master! And Father—Lord Helant—is the best dad ever!"
Demiurge adjusted his glasses, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Lord Momonga is the unparalleled leader whose intellect shapes destiny. Lord Helant is the compassionate creator whose trust inspires infinite loyalty."
Finally, it was Herox's turn. The massive Demonic Dragon knelt fully, lowering his horned head until it nearly touched the ground.
"My most beloved Father," he rumbled, voice thick with reverence as he gazed up at Helant, "the most perfect Supreme Being whose light I will follow until the end of time."
Then came Albedo.
She rose gracefully, her black wings folding neatly behind her as she first addressed Momonga with solemn respect.
"Lord Momonga is the supreme leader of all the Forty-One Supreme Beings—the one who remained to guide us when the others departed."
Her golden eyes then turned to Helant, and her entire demeanor softened dramatically. The formal subordinate melted away, replaced by the tender gaze of a woman deeply, hopelessly in love.
"Lord Helant," she continued, voice dropping to a warm, intimate murmur, "is the greatest master I could ever serve… and the person I love most deeply in all existence."
Albedo's gaze burned with raw intensity, like a pool of molten gold reflecting only Helant's figure. Her cheeks flushed faintly, and her gloved fingers tightened at her sides as though resisting the urge to reach out.
"All right, I understand." Helant reached out and stroked Albedo's cheek. The warm, delicate sensation under his fingertips made him squeeze it a few more times without realizing it.
Albedo's pupils trembled violently, her face flushed, and her breathing quickened.
Lord Helant touched my face.
I should jump him! Run up and kiss him.
"We still have things to do, so we'll be heading back first."
Hum!
The figures of Helant and Momonga vanished in front of everyone.
Albedo knelt on one knee, her slender hand covering the reddened spot on her cheek where it had been squeezed. She giggled foolishly. "Lord Helant touched me, hehe."
The Guardians immediately stood up.
Mare hugged his staff with a happy expression. "Father is so warm."
"Brother, why have you grown so tall?" Aura held Herox's hand. She had wanted to ask earlier. The original Brother Herox was not even three meters tall, and he would not have gone around wearing only a cloak.
As soon as she said this, all the Guardians turned their gazes toward Herox.
They had noticed it too, but with the two Supreme Beings present, it had not been appropriate to ask.
Under the lights of the arena, Herox's mouth split into a fierce smile as he said proudly, "Father changed my 'settings' yesterday through a world item called 'Hac King'."
Herox was extremely happy. There was nothing more joyful than having his creator remain in Nazarick.
"Lord Guardians, the two Supreme Beings have gone to rest. I must go and make arrangements, so please excuse me." Sebas straightened his back, gave a respectful bow, and prepared to leave.
Hearing this, Albedo said excitedly, "Sebas, if Lord Helant has any needs, please be sure to notify me. If…"
Before she could finish, Sebas frowned slightly and turned to leave decisively.
The Supreme Being needed his service. Listening to another word was a waste of time.
"Sebas is just stubborn," Demiurge thought to himself. He then turned to Shalltear, who was still kneeling on the ground. "What's wrong, Shalltear?"
Facing the concerned gazes of the Guardians, Shalltear's face flushed, and her whole body trembled. "My underwear… my underwear is in a bad state."
"First being struck hard by Lord Momonga's death aura, and then soothed by Lord Helant's holy light. I… it's wonderful."
The moment she heard Helant's name, Albedo became like a lioness whose territory had been invaded. She ground her teeth. "You bitch."
"Lord Helant is the person I love dearly. I will never allow a leech like you to harbor even the slightest thought about him." Albedo's aura erupted at once.
Shalltear refused to back down. "Ha. You think you can monopolize Lord Helant? You big-mouthed gorilla."
Demiurge pushed up his glasses. "Well then, Aura, let's leave women's matters to the women."
"No, I don't want to." Aura hid behind Herox and giggled. "I'm going back to prepare a storybook and have Father tell me a story."
Demiurge was stunned. "Tell a story?"
Aura reminisced happily, "Lady Buku used to use all sorts of voices to tell stories to Mare and me. She even said that if possible, she wanted Father to join in."
Father…
I wonder, if Lord Ulbert… No, that's not right. Even if Lord Ulbert were here, he wouldn't be the kind of father who tells stories to children.
"Then, I shall take my leave first." Herox was still not quite used to his new body; sensorially, he felt as if he were running around naked.
As he walked, he glanced at Cocytus.
To be completely naked at all times without changing your expression or losing your composure, you're really something, Cocytus.
"Then I'm leaving too. Lord Momonga assigned me a task." Mare ran off.
With Mare and Herox gone, Cocytus and Aura also departed.
Watching Albedo and Shalltear still arguing in the distance, Demiurge sighed. "I originally wanted to discuss the matter of the Supreme Beings' offspring."
"It seems I'll have to find another opportunity to talk about it next time."
Speaking of offspring, Lord Helant's figure appeared in his mind again.
Gentle, powerful, and kind.
Most importantly, he was Ulbert's best friend.
If I also…
Demiurge shook his head vigorously, throwing those stray thoughts out of his mind.
"Let's go see how the defenses of the Three Demon Generals are doing."
____
This chapter got long. Sorry if it got boring, but it was important to seamlessly integrate the MC into the story and all the NPCs' thoughts.
The most canon-accurate Demiurge, my friends. I can't expand this chapter any further, lest I make it too sus.
P.S. I saw a female Demiurge image on Reddit, and ngl.. that image had me tweaking💀