Slice One
"Ainz-sama is amazing today too, aaaaah..."
"Isn't he always like that?"
"You have a point, heheh."
The three chattering maids in order of speaking were Foire, Decrement and Cixous. Right now it was dinner and they were sitting on the cafeteria chatting away like tiny school-girls talking about their favourite crush, Ainz Ooal Gown.
Cixous giggled at the end there which was unusual. So the other maids picked up on it easily.
"What's so funny?"
Decrement asked.
"I was on Ainz-sama duty today in his office, it was- Waahh. He's so~ cool."
"Uwah! I'm so jealous! I only have about five days four hours thirty-seven minutes and 3 seconds until I get to be able to service Ainz-sama!"
Foire lightly started cutely punching Cixious's shoulder.
Cixous, with a superior look on her face, grinned. The expression on her face said "Now I'm the superior being, bow before me" in a sarcastic manner.
Which prompted Foire to accelerate the speed of her punches.
"Haha, that's enough of that. She'll die if you continue hitting her you know?"
Decrement joked as she stood up and walked behind Foire to carry her light body away from Cixous.
Foire had a huge smile on her face, everything happening right now was just a light jest, a comedy play between them so no one here took offence to anything that happened.
As this was happening, the door to the cafeteria room opened.
The presence wasn't overwhelming but granted some attention from the maids present in the room.
"Sebas-sama! What are you doing here?"
Foire waved towards the old tough man with a build of steel signalling to come towards her and her group.
Sebas obliged and began walking towards them.
"Good evening, Foire, Cixous, Decrement."
Sebas didn't purposefully memorize all the names of the maids, he just knew them. Despite being the leader-figure of the butlers he still had some responsibilities for the maids and is a superior for Pestonya. It's only natural that he'd know the names of those below him and Nazarick.
It was strange for Sebas to be here after all he never ate with the maids much less talked to them casually if it wasn't for work.
Which was why everyone in the room looked confused but they continued to eat their dinner anyway.
"Sebas-sama, I'm glad you've taken the time to come here but why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be working at E-Rantel?"
Cixous asked Sebas who took a seat right beside her.
Sebas took a deep breath and replied.
"Earlier Ainz-sama called me to his office and begun speaking to me about the situation in E-Rantel which drifted into the topic of 'employer and employee' relationships."
"Uhuh, Uhuh."
The maids present and the ones secretly listening in nodded in understanding seeming extremely interested in the topic of conversation.
Sebas continued.
"-Ainz-sama seems to be fond of having a positive and friendly relationship with those under him. I was moved by his words and wanted to be like Ainz-sama and work how he works. So I've decided to come here as the first step of following behind the shadow of Ainz-sama."
"Waah, as expected of Ainz-sama being so benevolent and magnanimous as to offer Sebas some amazing advice."
"Of course, he's Ainz-sama after all."
Decrement spoke in amazement with Cixous replying.
"And so because of that, I have decided to spend more time with my subordinates than usual. All because of Ainz-sama."
Sebas smiled graciously as the food arrived at his table though normally he would have to go get it himself the other maids got it for him being because he was a superior of a superior. The manager of the manager at your work branch.
"Wait, Sebas-sama."
Cixous spoke up.
"What is it?"
"Did you say that you spoke with Ainz-sama earlier? I was on duty for Ainz-sama today but Ainz-sama didn't call anyone else to his office besides Albedo and Demiurge-sama. How is that possible?"
Sebas put his hand on his chin and closed his eyes, it looked like he was trying to remember something.
And then that something he was trying to remember popped in his head.
"That's because Foss was on duty during the time. According to the timetable, you should have finished swapping with Foss a few minutes before I arrived."
Sebas memorized the entire timetable.
"Ah, so that was it. Hehe... I didn't know you memorized our work shifts, I'm honoured."
Cixous let out a sheepish laugh.
"Ainz-sama would do more for us."
Sebas humbled Ainz.
And then they began casually chattering, as time went by the table which originally had about three people turned into six, then eleven until the entire table was filled, surrounding the main star.
Sebas Tian.
.
Slice Two
The sounds of ice being dropped into a cup echoed throughout the entire room. This wasn't Cocytus's lair, this was the Ninth Floor of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
On this floor was the Bar of Nazarick operated by Sous-chef.
The Mushroom figure sighed in satisfaction, he was made by his creator to enjoy this aura in the room, it was embedded into him through his character settings.
The atmosphere of the bar was calm and anxiety-removing, anyone could come into this place and easily release all their worries. The room was dark with tinted purple light coming from separate light sources.
Anyone in here would be forced to naturally sigh at will after being enveloped in this calming atmosphere.
Sous-chef took great pride in talking to other people and releasing their stress and working in this room especially.
And it was especially during these times that many people would come.
The bell opening the door rang-
"Good evening... Demiurge-sama."
A demon wearing an orange suit with a business-like allure walked in while adjusting his glasses with his ever-so-lasting grin on his face. He was a regular patron of the bar and the Commander of the Defensive Forces in Nazarick as well as having the title of a Floor Guardian.
If he wasn't working with the Abellion Sheep, devising plans or being at service of Ainz in any way he would come here for a drink to gather his thoughts.
Despite being a competent intelligent creature even he needed time to rest. But of course, he could work his bones off if ordered and still maintain the same work ethic.
"Would you like the usual?"
Sous-chef queried.
"Yes, thank you Sous-chef."
Demiurge sat down and rested one arm on the table along with the elbow of the other, he sat there thinking about something.
"Is something the matter?"
The cup of ice Sous-chef was working on before Demiurge arrived was in his hand as he questioned Demiurge.
"Ainz-sama seems to be devising something, from his actions... Could it be the elves? Isn't it too early for that? No... I-"
Ah... I don't understand what he's saying other than what he said about Ainz-sama. Of course, he is unpredictable; his wisdom and unfathomable intelligence are what allows that. That is what makes Ainz-sama the greatest leader to ever exist. The true Supreme Being.
Sous-chef mused in response to Demiurge's mumbling.
"Please, let go all your worries as you're in here. Your drink is ready."
Sous-chef with his completed drink passed it onto Demiurge. Despite having a mushroom face, his voice contained a smile showing that he cared about the situation.
Demiurge took it a sip and sighed heavily but didn't let himself rest as he let him fall back into deep thought again. But before he could think of anything he felt a glare on him.
He looked up and smiled.
"My apologies, I almost forgot to take your advice."
Demiurge was a sadistic demon but he was benevolent to other denizens of Nazarick, besides one certain person.
With that he looked at Sous-chef, but not directly at him; he was looking past him as if he was letting go of all his thoughts.
"Is there something you want to talk about?"
Sous-chef sensed this and started a conversation.
"There's nothing- wait, where is Eclair? Shouldn't he be here? If I recall his work timetable, he should be here as your casual assistant."
"Ah that, Shizu Delta came here not long ago and kidnapped him."
Both men laughed at that prospect. Kidnapping, that would be a horrible thing but put into this context it was nothing short of a small inside joke between the denizens of Nazarick.
"That's unfortunate, I was looking forward to having a chat with the proclaimed next ruler of Nazarick."
Demiurge scoffed and took another sip.
That was when the ringing bell rang and the door opened.
"Good evening, Sebas-sama."
Sous-chef welcomed Sebas as he walked in, while Sebas would come once in a while he wasn't a regular customer.
"Good evening, Sous-chef."
Sebas walked in and glanced at Demiurge who grinned at him mockingly. Sebas and Demiurge were somewhat Archenemies determined by their creators Touchme and Ulbert, so their meeting here wasn't the best of ideas.
Sous-chef knew this and stiffened up but as long as nothing happened, it should be fine.
"It's rare seeing you here, Sebas-san."
"You're here as always, Demiurge-sama."
Sebas took a seat a chair away from Demiurge, it seemed like he walked in here hoping that Demiurge wouldn't be here.
Demiurge had the courtesy to wait for Sebas to finish ordering his drink before speaking.
"Kufufu-heh-heh. You can drop the titles, just call me by Demiurge while we're here."
Demiurge put his drink on the table and shifted over to the empty seat beside Sebas.
Sebas braced himself at Demiurge's approach but kept his composure as he sipped his newly received cocktail. Both of these guys hated each other's guts but none of them would do anything wrong directly, so none of them would cause trouble.
"I see then, Demiurge, is there something you want to talk about?"
"Is there a reason why you're here?"
Demiurge replied with a question, he probably knew the answer to his question but asked anyway.
"I came here to relax, what are you doing here?"
"Likewise but I still intend to think of Ainz-sama even while relaxing. That's a good thing, wouldn't you agree?"
Demiurge scoffed and tilted his head towards Sebas as he sipped his drink. He ignored Sebas's question and threw that remark.
That phrasing would be considered harmless but since it was Demiurge saying it, it practically meant "Even while resting I'm still working, unlike you."
Sebas noticed the underlying meaning but ignored it.
"That is undoubtedly a good thing. I praise you for your hard work, especially in the 'grooming' of the Abellion sheep."
Sebas expressed his dissatisfaction with Demiurge's ways of dealing with the Abellion Sheep. What Sebas meant with the Abellion sheep is relating to the "Happy Farm" where Demiurge continuously flays all sorts of beings alive as his job, he thoroughly enjoys it too. Sebas didn't share his sentiment and hobbies, he greatly despised them.
"Thank you very much, Sebas. But is there something else you're trying to convey?"
Demiurge sensed what Sebas was trying to say, and replied with a question.
The atmosphere of the bar changed, it was now grim and darker. Mostly because of the two beings who were polar opposites sat right beside each other having a 'casual' conversation.
Sebas opened his mouth.
And he spoke.
"That's r-"
"-That's enough."
He was interrupted by Sous-chef.
"This is supposed to be a place to relax, please do not start fights and enjoy your cocktails."
Sous-chef finally put his foot down and ordered the two Floor Guardians to stop talking before it could grow into something bigger.
"My apologies."
Sebas wholeheartedly apologised.
"You have my deepest regrets, Sebas. Kufufu-keke~"
Demiurge derisively "apologised" to Sebas in an exaggerated manner bowing himself.
That wasn't genuine.
Sebas's eyebrows twitched and he stood up.
"Have a blessed day."
Sebas spoke as he left the room. Demiurge was disappointed, he couldn't get any reaction out of him.
Sebas Tian had the habit of separating himself from Demiurge before things got out of hand, it was mostly to prevent Demiurge from getting too carried away and satisfied with his mocking.
Therefore, Demiurge was disappointed but he didn't let that get to him. But likewise, to Sebas, he didn't let any of Demiurge's words get under his skin.
You could say it was Sebas's victory today.
"Demiurge-sama, please do not do something like that in here again."
Sous-chef had a very displeased tone, the atmosphere in the room returned to normal but Sous-chef was slightly annoyed.
"Of course, it won't happen again. Not here, that is."
Since Demiurge was programmed by his creator to continuously poke a stick at Sebas, he wouldn't stop. It was their moral standing between each other and that that sparked conflict between them.
Of course, he wouldn't poke that stick while working, only during times like this would he do something like that.
You could say what happened now is a once in a while thing that Demiurge could do.
Before Demiurge could continue thinking about Sebas the door opened again.
"Good evening-"
Sous-chef noticed this and welcomed the guest but was cut off by pleads for help.
"Help! He~~lp me! It hurts, she's squeezing onto my stomach- Eeeee..."
Eclair fainted as Shizu Delta walked into the room squeezing him into oblivion.
"Shizu... Could you please let go of Eclair-san?
Sous-chef asked.
"I refuse."
"Is that so... Anyways, Demiurge-sama, do you want a refill?"
Sous-chef wasn't fazed by her response, actually, that was her response every time she walked into the bar holding Eclair.
"Yes, thank you."
Demiurge replied as he turned his attention over to Shizu.
Shizu walked over to Demiurge and sat on the seat Sebas was just sitting on.
She didn't say a word but she was still squeezing the life out of Eclair who was unconscious.
...I'm sure he's alright.
Demiurge thought as he adjusted his glasses.
That was when the door slammed open.
"Shizu! What are you doing here?! I've been trying to find you this entire time, did you not remember the meeting Sebas-sama scheduled? Drop Eclair and follow me!"
Yuri, the older sister of the Pleadies stomped in with an angry look on her face and grabbed Shizu by the ear.
The meeting was in half an hour from now but since Yuri had that type of personality, she preferred to arrive early.
"I refuse. I refuse. I refuse."
"Argh, stop refusing and get over here already! Oh, good evening Demiurge-sama, Sous-chef."
"Good evening."
Sous-chef nodded in response, not saying anything.
Shizu dropped Eclair to the ground and was dragged by Yuri from the ear out of the room. She was repeatedly muttering. "Ow. Ow. Ow." in a monotonous and timed tone.
After they left Demiurge decided he's had enough and stood up.
"Are you leaving?"
"Yes, thank you for your hospitality."
"Please come back."
Demiurge smiled and walked out of the room, the bell rang as he left.
Sous-chef picked Demiurge's cup and began wiping it with a cloth. It was an amazing feeling that only he and a selected few of bartenders who enjoy their jobs would feel.
At peace and content.
"Thank you, Ainz-sama, for everything that has happened. I find it truly fun and enjoyable."
Sous-chef looked up and spoke to himself. Then he giggled, which turned into a chuckle and into a laugh.
"I love this."
He mumbled as he hummed to a tune that one of the Supreme Beings sang when five of them gathered into this room long-long before all of this.
Then the door rang again, another patron walked in.
"Good evening-"
.
End.
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Hey, author here, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I like to keep it short and sweet with at least two slices of Nazarick per chapter.
Thank you for reading this and I hope you continue to read it. And I take criticism regardless of how it looks like.
Goodbye.
