Inside a mansion in the Royal Capital.
A slender figure paced back and forth through the room.
Demiurge's brow was tightly furrowed, his tail lashing impatiently behind him.
From time to time, he cast his gaze toward the door, as if waiting for someone.
"Is there truly a possibility that Sebas has defected…?"
Although he usually found Sebas extremely irritating, that was due to the inherited wills of Lord Touch Me and Lord Ulbert.
In his own heart, however, he was unwilling to see Sebas or any of the other Guardians make even the slightest mistake.
Magic lamps in this world were rarely bright. Demiurge's gaze unconsciously bypassed Momonga, who was seated on the sofa, and landed instead on Albedo, who was chatting and laughing casually with Solution.
"What are you doing here…?"
He truly could not understand why Albedo, who was responsible for affairs in the Holy Kingdom, was in the Kingdom at a time like this. Could she be here to coordinate with him, the soon-to-appear "Jaldabaoth"?
A vague possibility crossed his mind, but his thoughts were currently consumed by the question of whether Sebas might betray them, so he did not dwell on it further.
In any case, it was not something that would affect the overall situation.
Hearing Demiurge's question, Albedo did not answer. Instead, she leaned her pretty face close to Solution with a curious expression and whispered, "Is Sebas really in love?"
Her voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone present.
Aside from Demiurge, whose temples were visibly throbbing, Cocytus, Victim, and Momonga, seated on the sofa, all subtly adjusted their positions to better hear Solution's response.
"He's been making eyes at that human girl these past two days." Solution glanced toward the door with concern, recalling Sebas's recent behavior. "That girl clearly isn't anything special. I really can't understand what Lord Sebas is thinking. If he wanted to fall in love, there are plenty of beautiful ones in Nazarick…"
No risk, and even less possibility of betrayal… "Ah…" Cocytus exhaled a breath through his mandibles, rubbing his hands together in excitement. "Do you think the little dragonoid Sebas might come to me to learn swordsmanship?"
He was already picturing a four- or five-year-old dragonoid child clad in armor, learning the sword in the future.
"We also need to determine whether it's a boy or a girl…" Momonga joined the conversation uncharacteristically, and excitement could even be seen on his skeletal face.
"According to Lady Bukubukuchagama's settings, boys should wear girls' clothes, and girls should wear boys' clothes…"
Albedo's red lips parted slightly, revealing her pearly teeth as her beautiful face filled with curiosity. "Quick, tell us in detail how they've been making eyes at each other."
"Well, all day long… while eating, while cleaning… even while sleeping… Actually, they don't even realize they're making eyes at each other." Solution looked helpless. She felt that Sebas was such a serious and powerful person, yet he could not even restrain himself.
Hearing this satisfying answer, Albedo's golden eyes sparkled with delight.
"Sigh…" Demiurge let out a deep sigh. Looking at the group enthusiastically gossiping, he suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness.
In truth, his reason had always told him that Sebas would not betray them.
But… Lord Ulbert had once told him something. Love makes people foolish, and thus the wise do not fall in love lightly.
Albedo's figure was reflected in his eyes. She was the perfect example.
Despite possessing wisdom comparable to his own, she often lost her composure whenever matters involved Lord Helant.
Fortunately, with Albedo's intellect, she was only affected in trivial matters. When it came to major issues of principle, she remained extremely reliable.
But… did Sebas possess wisdom like Albedo's?
The answer was no.
Since he did not, why fall in love at all?
Veins throbbed on Demiurge's forehead, and his tail lashed about with even greater impatience.
I'm truly afraid that your rigid mind will fail to see reason and do something out of line.
He hardened his resolve and exchanged a glance with Momonga. The Supreme Being's command was to determine whether Sebas had any possibility of defecting.
That is, to make him snap out of it…
gulp.
Sebas's Adam's apple bobbed as pea-sized beads of sweat rolled down his chin and dripped onto the floor.
"You seem very nervous."
Momonga's oppressive voice rang out, and Sebas could clearly feel the Supreme Being's gaze settle upon him.
For a moment, it was like being roasted beneath a scorching sun. Even with his level 100 physique, he could not stop the sweat from pouring down like rain.
"Well? Are you surprised that I came?" Momonga asked again.
Under such overwhelming pressure, Sebas found it difficult to maintain his composure.
He could only stiffly lift his head and look at Lord Momonga, who felt different from usual.
Instinct told him that the wise, kind, and majestic Lord Momonga he knew now seemed like another being entirely. Distant, unfamiliar, and faintly unsettling. If he had to describe it, it was like a monster that had been locked away in a palace for years and had only just been released.
"Lord Momonga, I…" Sebas forced a few words out of his parched throat, his heart filled with complicated emotions. "Is this because of Tuare?"
Beside Momonga, Demiurge cast a glance at Solution.
The door opened, and Tuare's eyes widened as she looked at the monsters gathered in the room, terror written plainly across her face. Then she saw Sebas.
An inexplicable courage surged up within her. She stepped into the room and stood firmly at his side.
She first gave Sebas a gentle smile, then spoke with grace. "My lords, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Tuare."
Commendable courage. A good performance. Noticing the affection in Tuare's eyes as she looked at Sebas, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Albedo's lips.
Long ago, Helant had arranged for her to handle the matter concerning Ninya's elder sister. She simply had not expected these sisters to have such a connection with Nazarick.
One had received the mercy of the Supreme Being, while the other had even captured a young and innocent heart.
So next…
The softness vanished from Albedo's face, replaced by solemnity. Now we will see whether Sebas's loyalty will be affected because of her.
"Tuare, I will give you two choices…" Momonga spoke slowly, his tone filled with pressure and temptation. "The first choice is for me to give you a sum of money so you may live a carefree life. The price is that your memories will be erased, and you will forget Sebas."
Hearing this, Sebas's heart tightened, and he subconsciously turned to look at the girl beside him.
"The second choice is to die here!" Momonga's tone grew extremely terrifying, and he even released his Level 1 Aura of Despair.
Tuare was instantly engulfed by boundless fear of death. Every instinct in her body screamed at her to choose life.
"Choose the first one. Live." Sebas closed his eyes and kept whispering under his breath.
"If I have to forget Mr. Sebas, then I would rather you let me die!"
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