CHAPTER IV: HOMEWRECKER


"I understand Aura and Mare spying on me because I'm their direct subordinate but...did every guardian really have to watch me?" I ask curiously before taking a sip of the juice brought from the 6th floor of Nazarick, the taste rich yet subtle. Aura starts to respond with food in her mouth but the white-haired woman who introduced herself as Shalltear Bloodfallen eyes her angrily for her bad table manners. Aura swallows after long seconds of speaking nonsense with her mouth full just to spite Shalltear who's becoming visibly annoyed. "It started with me and then I invited Mare who invited Shalltear who invited Albedo who invited Demiurge who invited Cocytus...it's simple really," she states before moving back to the large animal in front of her, my brow raising again at how such a small person could eat so much in one go. Mare seems to read my face from across the table, responding, "This is her normal meal size. It's nothing extra."

It feels strange to be sitting here so casually when I'm eating exotic food way above my pay grade with beings far stronger than I am along with a family that thought a few moments ago that I was dead. "So Basugul...I hear you're now calling Overseer Albedo as Lady Albedo...is there something I should know?" Shalltear states with a dark smirk, my breath catching in my through as I try to look her in the eyes. Her eyes flash suddenly and I look away, her laughter following the sudden move. "Your instincts are good for a human. If you stare too long into my eyes and if I will it, you become another of my puppets...now answer my question," she commands in a serious tone and I'm forced to take another sip of juice to calm my nerves. "It was an...accident. I always refer to nobility as a lady and when I used it on Albedo, she seemed to like the title and ordered me to use it from now on," I state as calmly as I can but flinch when an umbrella moves my head to look at Shalltear who orders me not to look away.

I start to sweat slightly in nervousness as she stares at me with a blank expression that slowly becomes a dark smile, her umbrella disappearing into a swarm of black butterflies. "You will refer to me as Lady Shalltear when you address me. Is that understood, human?" she commands and I nod my head once in understanding. I emulate what I did for Lady Albedo by moving from my chair to a knee in front of her and bowing my head. "I, the Novice of the 6th Floor Basugul, will henceforth address you as Lady Shalltear Bloodfallen, Vanguard Guardian of the Great Tomb of Nazarick-"

"Vanguard Guardian! That is an interesting twist. I approve, human," she states as she places a hand on my head in a casual acceptance, commanding me to rise and move back to my seat. Before I can get back to it, a casual kick from Aura drives me to the ground as she grins down at me. "Where's my fancy title, subordinate?" she gloats as she moves me to a sitting position by grabbing and pulling my robe collar. I look over the see Mare standing next to her, raising his hand in a sign of wanting a title as well. I'm more amused than anything that they too wanted a title and swing my body around to take a knee, lowering my head as I try to think of what to call them. "I will, from this point on, refer to you as the Masters of the Arena, Lady Aura and Lord Mare, Guardians of the 6th floor-"

A shoed foot taps my head, interrupting my train of thought as I look up to see Aura annoyed more than pleased. "I'm Aura. He's Mare. If you're supposed to be my subordinate, you might as well make it short," she gloats with a growing grin and I nod my head once, lowering it again and starting over. "I will, from this point-" I start to say but Aura taps me on the head with her shoe again, my head looking up to see her grinning face. "Blah blah blah! I'm not super talkative like the others so keep it less formal!" she states as she taps me one more time on the head for good measure, my head nodding once as I respond. "Of course, Aura. I'll keep it short."

Aura gets closer to me and kisses me on the cheek, my face blushing from the sudden show of affection while I hear Shalltear growl angrily and Mare gasp in surprise at Aura's reaction. "See, you listen and obey...and let's say I like my men obedient-" she whispers while holding my face gently but Shalltear is already on her feet and storming towards me, a casual movement of her hand moving Aura away from me. I turn towards her and lower my head in fear of reprisal but she raises it with a rough hand, pinching my face and shouting a command for me to look into her eyes. I do as instructed while shaking violently, her eyes glowing bright red as I feel my mind start to slip away from me and an odd calm replace it. She gently let's go of my face and I see her shouting at Margaret to remain seated as she turns back to me. "What are your intentions for Aura and Mare!? Are your thoughts impure!?"

"They are the ones who stand above me. What they demand I will try to give," I say plainly, the words coming out easily and without fear. Her face snarls at mine as she grabs my chin, moving her face dangerously close to mine as she bars her teeth. "And if what they ask is in defiance of Lord Ainz!? If what they ask will doom the Great Tomb of Nazarick or any that dwell within it!?"

"My lord and master is Lord Ainz above all others. His will overwrites all in the Great Tomb of Nazarick," I state, Aura trying to say something but Shalltear cutting her off and rounding on me again. "And if she asks you to take that which is precious!? If she asks a lowly worm like you to be her beloved!?" she shouts but Aura kicks her away with a flying kick, landing with a grin and snapping her fingers in front of my face. My calmness leaves my mind and is replaced with confusion at the sudden fears I feel. "I was joking, Shalltear! Lighten up! No need to use Charm Species on him!" she shouts with a giggle, clearly enjoying my misfortune and the outcome.

I don't know how to feel and am thankful that Aura decides for me. "Alright, did you have enough time to stay with family yet? We need to start your training and make you not a wuss!" she states while raising her hand towards me, my brow raising when I don't understand. She sighs to herself and moves one of my hands into a similar position, slapping it with her own and smiling back at me. "I expect you to understand what that is in the future but for now, just know that when I gesture like that, this is what I'm asking for," she gloats as she puts her hands behind her head and starts casually making her way towards the door. Another gate opens that she slows walks into, Mare waving his goodbye before following after.

Shalltear stops at the gate, turning towards me slowly with an evil smile. "If you so much as lay a nail on her in any unwarranted fashion, I'll make sure you can't use either of your hands," she growls but she hums when she sees my head lower. "I will do as you instruct, Lady Shalltear," I state calmly, her voice laughing in dark humour at my supplication even as she walks through the Gate.

I'm left with so many questions but decide that I have time later to ask them.


"You're enslaved and...and betrothed to a...dark elf!? She's not even half your age!" my mother shouts at me from across the table, my hands raised in surrender as I keep my face neutral. "I hope you realize I have no control over what they do or say. They're the guardians of Nazarick so I must obey them without too many questions."

"That white-haired woman was clearly not human! None of them are human! How can you have sworn your loyalty to them!?" Margaret shouts at me while slamming her hands on the table, the fine silverware and cups that our guests had brought rattling on the table. I start to feel my anger build and vent it at them, not sure what the outcome is but not caring at the time. "I didn't have a choice! I foolishly ran out there and thought I was gonna be the hero just to end up in my current situation! This is better than death so I'd appreciate it if you both lighten up!"

Margaret gets up and leaves the table, my mother following behind as she storms out of the room. Only Karen and I are left in the dining room and I sigh when I see her downcast head. "C'mere, Karen," I say with open arms, my little sister rushing from her chair and into my arms with a sad expression on her face. I start to rub her long, black hair in an attempt to make her feel better but her next question is still filled with sadness. "Will you ever come back?"

"I don't know...Lord Ainz said to forget about home...but how can I? How can I just walk away from you guys and not feel anything?" Tears start to gather in my eyes at the idea of being forced away from home, my grip tightening lightly around Karen as she starts to cry to herself. I was never the best brother...and now I can never be-

"Stay where you are," a powerful voice states, my heart lurching in my chest when I see the form of Lord Ainz in the room. Although he has his mask on to conceal his skeletal face, Karen looks at him and becomes frightened at the looming presence in the room. I stare at my lord with tear-filled eyes, doing my best to hold his gaze despite the hurt I feel. "You cherish this family greatly, greater than you do those within the Great Tomb of Nazarick," he states knowingly, my head starting to lower but raising when I start to feel defiance. "I do, Lord Ainz...I don't know what to feel anymore...I never cared this much about anything and now, it'll all be gone-"

"To have a family outside of Nazarick is to invite its enemies. Those who fight us will fight the town of Islo looking for us," he states but before I can answer, he raises his hand to silence me and continues to speak. "These people may be under my protection but I cannot be its defender at every waking moment. None in Nazarick have a connection to this place...none except you..." he states calmly, a skeletal hand pointing at me with dreadful import. "Therefore, you will be the one to defend it alone. You will do so in the name of Ainz Ooal Gowl and may not gain the aid of any of Nazarick in this defense. What forces you raise will be yours to command but my will and the will of those you are assigned will take precedence."

His hand extends towards me, the watch he gave me earlier moving into his hand as he crushes it into pieces. The pieces float in place as he casts Create Greater Item, transforming the broken watch into a badge with a symbol on it. My hand outstretches as the badge floats back to me, my hand grasping the metal and my eyes glancing over the symbols. Is this his symbol?...am I really okay with this? "The symbol is similar in function to the watch but different. It allows you to come and go as you please between here and the Great Tomb of Nazarick. It will link you to those that command your will and allow them to know what you know and see what you see. Know that now, even as a level 3 Novice, you represent the Great Tomb of Nazarick and Lord Ainz Ooal Gown. Do not disappoint me, Basugul of the 6th Floor."

"Wait..." I whisper as I move Karen into my seat and rise to stand before Lord Ainz who's still just am imposing as before but now has an air of regal that I didn't notice amidst the constant fear. I offer a shaking hand to him, not sure if it's the right move but relieved when his hand moves to grasp mine. Though his hand looked frail and thin, the terrible magical energy he commanded could be felt through it like a low shock of electricity. I grasp his hand firmly and shake it as confidently as possible despite the fear of his power.

"Get away from him, monster!" Margaret shouts from behind me, my hand releasing his as I rapidly turn around to see her armed with a knife. She twirls the blade into her fingers and throws it straight like an arrow, the blade aimed at Lord Ainz's head and unobstructed in its flight path. I don't have time to use a spell. Gotta act now! My hands go as high as I can make them and I brace myself, the knife lodging awkwardly into my left hand with a sharp bite of steel piercing bone and flesh. I don't let the pain take hold, ripping out the knife with my free hand and tossing it to the ground while casting Light Healing to fix the damage.

Margaret and I stare at each other for a moment but I turn my back on them, lifting my new symbol into the air and casting the Gate spell on our door. I bow my head and gesture with my hands towards the gate, Lord Ainz nodding to me and entering the gate first with me close behind. "Goodbye, bro bro..." Karen says from her seat, my stride stopping as I half turn and see her waving at me. I force a smile and wave back weakly before turning around and entering the gate, conflicting emotions warring in my heart.

I will make this work...somehow...