(No difference of T or M versions of this chapter)

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO: Seeds of doubt

Draudillon Oriculus stood speechless. Demiurge just basked in the wonderous glory of his Lord. What once was a battlefield on the barren Katze Plain now was a lush landscape with a gigantic freshwater lake. The cracked and dead earth of the Katze Plain now had bushes and grass, large trees even stood tall like they had been there for years.

"What... was that thing?" She finally managed to make out. Apart from the entire landscape of death changing to life... before that, she had seen The Sorcerer king summoned some kind of golem. But it's size and scale were unimaginable!

"That was a friend of our named Gargantua! He guards one of the floors on Nazarick, as do I." She just sat down shaking her head. He looked at her curiously.

"Sorry, Demiurge... that was just a lot to take in..." she looked at the lake and it's crystal clear waters reflected the sun. He smiled and nodded knowingly.

"Indeed, witnessing Lord Momonga showcase his power has made my knees weak as well, metaphorically speaking of course... she looked up at him and wondered if he was possibly in love with this Lord Momonga of his.

"Well... shall we get back?' Demiurge smiled at her but the look on her face soured his mood. She seemed... distraught.

"What wrong?" He asked curiously.

"This is it isn't it? This is where our friendship ends and you just torture me or do whatever you have planned?" She asked and Demiurge shook his head.

"No, if you don't mind, I would like you to keep you in my company for a while longer, then we can get on to your final purpose," he said with no smile or laugh. She looked at him oddly, that wasn't the answer she had expected from her friend.

"Anyway, the celebration for our Lord will be starting shortly, we really should hurry," Demiurge said waving his hand.

"Eh? So where will I be going?" He looked at her confused.

"Well, I would like to show my pet to my friends, so you will be accompanying me to this celebration." He said with a confused tone.

"Oh, I see..." She said darkly. She would probably be one of the sources of "entertainment" at this celebration. She shuddered at the horrors that would no doubt be laying ahead for her.

In Nazarick the maids were in full swing getting things ready. Even nonmaids were lending a hand to get things the best they could be for their Lord Momonga. Yuri had to be physically stopped by Albedo, who kept trying to go help. But she explained that was not her job any longer and if Momonga wants their... attention tonight that she should not be sullied from work. Yuri finally agreed and just watched in frustration... but did end up giving orders and delegating actions. This, she argued, could fall under her position as "Queen".

"Where is Lord Momonga now?" Albedo asked a passing maid who only shook her head. This was a surprise party and he had no idea it was happening, so they needed to be ready before her husband came back.

"Um, I believe he is talking with that Jircniv fellow still... he should be arriving shortly," Solution said as she held one eye shut. She was using her ability to keep track of her Lord. Albedo loudly clapped her hands.

"Lord Momonga will be arriving soon, get everyone here so that we may congratulate him on his amazing performance and making Nazarick an official country soon!" everyone quickly nodded at her that heard the obvious announcement and hurried to get ready.

When Momonga walked into the throne room looking for everyone, he was startled. Everyone was already there waiting for him. They let out a cheer as he just stood there surprised, not really knowing how to react to this as they had successfully caught him by surprise. Demiurge suspected he was just playing along...

"You... everyone... what is this?" He asked looking at everyone's smiling faces, Albedo was front and center and ran to him beaming with joy.

"Well, today was such a big day for you, for all of us! And your performance was amazing, so we decided to put this together in celebration of your achievement and to honor you of course!" Albedo said smiling.

Yuri and Narberal both came running up behind her smiling. Momonga smiled at his harem then at the rest of the beaming faces. As he looked out at the crowd he could not find Peroroncino. His heart dropped... why was his friend not here?

"Um, where is Peroroncino?" Momonga asked still looking out over the crowd. A look of shock crossed Albedo's face as she put her hand over her mouth. Momonga looked at her confused.

"What? What is it?"

"Um... well in an attempt to keep this party a surprise... I may have... not told him about this event... And then forgot to inform him about it, after... I was just so excited, it must have slipped my mind, I just assumed he'd be coming here by your side anyway." Albedo admitted.

Momonga wondered about the truth to this, he was aware Albedo's mind was second to none and could keep track of events better than a computer, but then that meant she just lied to him... the ladder seemed preposterous so he figured she was telling the truth and had just made an honest mistake.

"Well we were not together for the battle, have a maid go get him then, and we should wait for him before doing anything." Everyone in attendance nodded in agreement as Lupusregina dashed off to Peroroncino's room without being told to. But before she could return Yuri asked around to some people.

"Lord Momonga... it would seem Lord Peroroncino never returned to Nazarick after the battle. He wanted to personally get Nfirea back to Carne and he's yet to return from there." Momonga nodded.

"Oh, I see, well that does make sense," he said with a smirk. Jin would find almost any excuse to visit Carne village these days it seemed.

"Then... should we still wait?" Albedo asked. Momonga shook his head.

"No, I'm sure he's busy there, just inform him of this event should he still wish to attend," he ordered and Albedo turned slightly away to cast [MESSAGE]. As she did so he saw a new face. A little girl with long silver hair, she was wearing an elegant silk gown, not suitable for her age and drinking, wine? She was standing next to Demiurge.

"Demiurge, who is this?" He was a little surprised to see someone he did not recognize in the inner sanctum of Nazarick. Demiurge, now called upon, came up to Momonga smiling. The child bowed respectfully but also seemed to be on edge.

"Lord Momonga, this is my pet, the former Queen of the Draconic Empire, Draudillon Oriculus," Demiurge announced her formally. Many suspicious eyes fell on to her then to Demiurge and the glare became that of worry.

"Hello Lord Momonga, it is a pleasure to meet you at last, and may I say... a bit terrifying to be in the presence of one who wields such... power!" She said truthfully. She had already laid withness to overbearing power, it was the creation of the freshwater lake that impressed her the most, as a former ruler she understood the relife an appearance of usable water would put on the surrounding human nations, it was extremely beneficial.

"I see, well it is nice to meet you... former, Queen?" He looked at Demiurge who shook his head slightly.

"Well, welcome to Nazarick young one... I hope your stay here is... pleasant?" He looked at Demiurge once more, who frowned and again, shook his head. It seemed Demiurge had plans for her... he knew better than to get in the way of anything Demiurge was doing, whether he understood it or not... that was real trust. As he looked at all the floor guardians... to think, there was a time he thought they could ever possibly betray him, what a fool he was.

"Thank you Lord Momonga," She simply said. She must have some inclination to what was in store for her. But for now, he turned his attention to the rest of the crowd and... the table with food on it!

"Oh are there..." he asked out loud but already scanning the spread on the tables.

"Yes My Love, the bacon-wrapped scallops you enjoy so much are ready for you," Albedo said smiling. A smile opened up on Momonga's Dark Elf face as he walked to where Albedo had directed him to.

As the festivities officially kicked off, two people walk side by side on a lonely road outside of Carne. They look at the village and the blood-stained field out

"You alright Nfirea? Seeing all that must be a lot to take in..." Jin said as he walked next to the young boy who had remained quiet after Jin teleported them here.

"Yeah... I just never thought..." he muttered shaking his head. Jin chuckled.

"Sorry about the other villagers... you were the only one on our list to protect," Nfirea looked up in slight confusion.

"Your potions, they are important... so you are too," Jin said. Nfirea just frowned.

"Um... what worries me isn't his power... or yours since I know you're strong too... it's the kind of men you two are." Nfirea said as they looked at the village that was coming up as they picked up their pace a bit.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's Enri... um, I know she loves me... but whenever you or Momonga get brought up in conversation... her whole demeanor changes... like she'd really..." jin put up his hand and laughed.

"So you're afraid Enri will leave you for one of us, is that it?" Nfirea just nodded. Jin stopped walking and thought about something for a minute. Nfirea picked up on that he was trying to do think of something hard to say.

"I'll tell you this Nfirea... I once had eyes for Enri myself, in fact, she was one of the first girls I've ever... anyway... even after I made my move on her... she told me she was in love with you... so you at least need to know I am no threat, I many have my... interests, but I also respect relationships, I ain't gonna NTR you." Jin said laughing at his own bad joke.

"NTR?" Nfirea blinked at the weird phrase. Jin shook his head as to say it didn't matter.

"Enri is safe with you... and Momonga is even more of a standup guy than me so..."

"I understand all that, but her feelings could..." Jin slapped Nfirea on his back.

"You're overthinking this too much kid... you two are young, enjoy life together, and don't worry about her, she's a good girl," Jin said laughing at how naive Nfirea was acting, but it was cute all the same.

"O...okay... oh, but there is one thing..." Nfirea said silently like he was embarrassed about what he was going to say.

"Uh... how do you... um, please a woman... I mean like, more than once?" He blurted it out so fast Jin lost a step when he realized what Nfirea had just asked him. Jin put his hand to his chin thinking how to answer. In truth, Jin just relied on his Dark Elf form to make up for his lack of... staying power, essentially he used a cheat code... so how could he help Nfirea with this problem?

"Hmm... what about healing magic? I heard that can help..." Jin suggested. Nfirea shook his head.

"I don't know any, and healing potions... wait..." Nfirea stopped walking. Jin blinked confused but could tell Nfirea might be onto something. After a bit, he began to mutter and continued his pace.

"What? What is it?" Jin asked as he could see Nfirea smiling...

"Oh, um... the new potions I made... I might be able to add a stamina component... but if it lowers the healing aspect of it... it won't be worth it... I got to get to my lab right away!" Nfirea mussed but Jin laughed and pointed to two girls running at them. It was Enri and Nemu.

"Enri!" Nfirea cried out as he ran to her. Nemu made a beeline for Jin who picked her up. Nemu laughed as Enri and Nfirea hugged. Tears of joy appeared in Enri's eyes/

"I'm so glad your back safe Nfirea! oh and Sir Jin! Why are..."

"I brought our little Nfirea back safe, plus I wanted to see Nemu!" Jin said looking at the girl in his arms who laughed and gave him a hug.

"little?" he heard Nfirea whisper to himself.

"Anyway, as of now this village officially belongs to us, um to Nazarick... there will next to no taxation on your crops and you will never be asked to participate in any battle again," Jin explained. Enri then noticed it was just them.

"Oh? And what happened to the rest of the men taken?"

"They are dead," Nfirea said coldly. Enri looked shocked to hear this and looked at Jin who only nodded.

"So the empire..." She started but Nfirea shook his head.

"It was Momonga Enri... he, he killed them... all of them... the entire Re-Estize army, every last one killed by a golem Momomga created..." Nfirea muttered darkly.

"What? He wouldn't do...that, right?" She looked at Jin who looked away, clicking his tongue. As much as he wanted to defend his friend, what Nfirea was saying was the truth.

"We, uh... could only save Nfirea in time... sorry," he ended up lying anyway. Momonga could have saved the villagers the same way he did Nfirea... he simply didn't have a reason to.

"Oh, well I'm glad you did that at least..." Nemu had a confused look, she didn't understand what they were talking about. Jin just gave her a smile as he carried her to her house alongside Enri and Nfirea.

"Have you come to marry me yet Mister Ji Joe?" Nemu asked with wide eyes. Jin laughed at her innocence.

"Sorry, little Nemmy, you'll have to wait a few years before you can get married, like I told your sister's friend here, enjoy youth while you can." Nemu looked confused.

"But Enri says having Nfirea as a husband makes her happy, I just want to be happy too!" She said smiling. He patted her head gently. Enri and Nfirea were both looking at them now.

"But I'll be ten soon! And that's when papa said I can stayer to look for a husband, if they have enough money that is ." Nemu announced as if she were quoting someone, probably her father, he looked at Enri who nodded.

It was true... children did develop physically quicker in this world than their old world, and life here was hard and short, so the need to procreate quickly was a real one... but they were about to bring civility to this neck of the world and a legal age of only ten, was a bit low, even for one as depraved as Peroroncino.

"Ten is the age when one can legally marry, that is under the old Lords laws anyway... not sure what the age will be with Lord Momonga now ruling us as you say he does now," Enri said thinking about other changes that would be coming their way.

"As an official um... member of The Sorcerer Kings court, I officially announce the new age of marriage is uh... fifteen." This was the legal age back in Japan when Jin was human, so it seemed good a place as any. Enri looked at Nfirea, luckily they both narrowly made this new rule as she was fifteen.

"I see, I will inform my father of this... new rule," Enri said, forcing a smile. It was clear there was a weirdness to a sudden new rule, but Jin felt it was ... better this way.

"WAIT! So now I have to wait... SIX more years to marry you?" Nemu cried out in disbelief. Jin ruffled up her hair.

"Sorry Nemu, I don't make the rules, well wait... I guess I do... anyway it's a rule I know Momonga will approve so... sorry little one," She just gave him a pouty face that made everyone laugh. It was at that moment he got a [MESSAGE] from Albedo.

"Lord Peroroncino, we are having a celebration for Lord Momonga, please return to Nazarick," It simply said then cut off. Jin walked them to the village entrance.

"Well, I've been called away... hrm, look Nfirea, Ernri, you too Nemu. Why not come visit us in Nazarick? Momonga was already wanting to see you guys again," Jin offered. Nfirea and Enri exchanged worried looks.

"It'll be okay, and it will give you a chance to see he isn't as scary as you might think he is..."

When he's not slaughtering thousands... he thought to himself. Enri and Nfirea forced smiles and bowed.

"Of course, just let us know when you'd like us to come," Enri said with a more natural smile. Jin sighed a bit and nodded.

"Alright! I'll talk to you later then... Nfirea, don't forget what I told you," Jin said as he waved his hand and cast [GREATER TELEPORTATION].

By the time Jin arrived back in Nazarick, the party was well on its way. "Fashionably late" was always his style anyway. when he entered the hall he saw Momonga with his three beauties... no four. Shalltear was far closer to him than Albedo or the other three liked. It didn't make sense till he saw Suzuki's Dark Elf face... it was flush red! Then his eyes saw the goblet of red liquid sloshing around in Momomga's cup.

"He's drunk! Jin proclaimed to himself in shock. Shalltear was holding a flask and seemed to be making sure he always had wine to drink... he was pretty sure this is what was annoying Yuri the most as she too looked put off by Shalltear's close presence to Momonga.

Narberal was talking to Momonga and Shalltear... but he could not make out the conversation. Jin saw at once that Shalltear was trying to get Momonga drunk and take advantage of him. he laughed inwardly.

"Good luck Shalltear, you'll need it." He said smiling and taking a glass of wine for himself that Kilistran brought over for him.

"There you are Lover!" Kilistran said leaning in to kiss him. He offered no resistance and kissed her quickly back.

"Hey, Kilistran... so how's everything been?" he asked giving her flat chest a quick pat... just like a boy's chest...

"Oh really well! The food has been amazing, your friend sure has eaten a lot of those round things, and wine." She giggled at how Shalltear was putting the moves on Momonga. Albedo looked very put off but was trying to politely hide it. When Albedo was Peroroncino she immediately made her way over.

"Glad you finally made it, could you do something about HER?" Albedo asked motioning to the lusty vampire. Who had now gotten to sitting in his lap?

"Come on, what's so bad about Shalltear? I mean, he has those two already..."

"It's not the same! Yuri and Narberal have dignity and class... Shalltear is just some slu... annoying woman... and look at how she is trying to take advantage of Our Lord?" Albedo asked again, flailing her arms at the two. Usually, Demiurge would be all over this but he seemed to be walking around with some loli... wait, what?

"Okay... um, tell Clementine to go someplace where Shalltear can't find her... Shalltear will be in a bad mood when she gets shot down by him." Both women blinked at him.

"How do you know? He is getting kind of drunk..." Albedo asked looking back and forth between the two. Jin just smiled and walked over to the food tables, helping himself to some food and much more drink.

Jin walked up just in time to hear Shalltear pitiful cries of rejection. She was now in tears, not drunk, but acting very much like it...

"Why Lord Momonga? Please lay with me once! You don't even... OH! Lord Peroroncino! I... I. did not see you there..." she said trying to quickly regain her composure. She smirked at her and flicked her nose roughly.

"Uh-huh... you smelled me the second I entered this room," he said laughing at how bad a liar she was. She let out a yelp and grabbed her nose in an overexaggerated fashion. He shooed her away as she made an angry face. he'd let her pay him back tonight when she needed to release her frustration.

"So what were you three talking about anyway?" Jin asked turning to Momonga and Narberal. the former maid frowned as Momonga shrugged.

"I was trying to impart the wisdom, in my all "knowing wisdom" (he made finger quotes) to my wife Narberal here... the benefits of... being nicer!" Momonga said, a tad louder than he should have, he clearly had been drinking a lot. Jin chugged his glass of wine, hoping he could catch up.

"I am plenty nice... I keep reminding my husband..." Narberal said coldly.

"Yeah, but only to those of Nazarick! Your attitude toward people outside of Nazarick is still rotten Nabe!" Momonga said as he grabbed her politely but as a way to look at her in the eyes.

"Okay... here is my next... my, first order to you! As you... your husband and god, or whatever..." Momonga said waving his hand around like it didn't matter. Jin thought that was actually funny as hell but stifled his laugh to not ruin Suzuki's moment.

"I order you to be nice... NO! To um, HELP the next person who approaches you for it, that isn't of Nazarick! You have to do it... no matter what it is!" he said nodding his head in satisfaction. Jin was going to say something about how literal she would take "no matter what it is"... but this wasn't his business so he simply gave Narberal a wink and walked away laughing.

"Well, I... if you say I must then..." Even though those were her words, her crossed arms were tells she was not happy with that order.

Albedo walked past him and brushed his arm with his fingers as to covertly say "thank you". He acted like nothing happened and scanned the room for...

"P.A.!" Jin called out to Pandoras's Actor. He was sitting at a table with Eclair Eclair Eclair and Shizu.

"What are you three doing? Planning how to take over Nazarick?" Jin said eyeing Eclair over exaggeratedly. Eclair coughed and knocked over his multi-colored drink in surprise.

"Shit! He knows of my new plan! But i was so careful this time!" Ecair screamed as he ran out of the room muttering something about his plans falling apart like dry leaves in the autumn wind of despair. Jin facepalmed he laughed so hard. Shizu just looked mildly annoyed and ran after Eclair. Pandora's Actor greeted Jin.

"Guten Tag, Mein Führer. How are you doing?" Jin took a seat across from him and shrugged.

"Well the kids in Carne village are scared as hell of Suzuki now... but I invited some of them here to learn he isn't as bad as they think," Jin said to the german dressed, guardian. Pandoras's Actor nodded his head.

"Indeed, our image will rely heavily on that village in our early days..." Pandoras's Actor agreed. They both silently took a drink of the wine that was already at the table. Kilistran simply stood behind Jin in silence until he remembered she was following him.

"Oh, have a seat with us," he motion next to him. A smile appeared on her face and she walked over, sitting very close to Jin. Pandoras's Actor looked at her.

"I believe we haven't been introduced." Pandoras's Actor said extending his hand, she looked at the odd fingers but shook his hand still.

"I am Kilistran Denshusha, first wife to Lord Peroroncino!" She said in a dignified manner.

"Eh?" Jin and Pandora's Actor but said the same thing looking at her. But this was followed by a much louder... Angier version from behind them.

"EHHHH?" Shalltear loomed behind them, the look on her face was furry and she was glaring death at Killistran,"

"Oh, Mistress Shalltear! I did not..."

"You think you can MARRY Lord Peroroncino? A filthy dragon like you?" She pushed Killistran against the seat she was sitting on. Jin thrust himself between the two looking panicked.

"Shalltear... what... what are you doing? Jealousy isn't..."

"I'm not jealous... n, not really... Lord Peroroncino is a pervert of the highest order... marriage to an inferior being like this... is..." She looked at the frowning face of her maker and realized she had probably made a mistake.

"...not your call to make!" He reminded her. Her eyes popped open like she had woken up from sleep. She then realized the whole room had stopped doing what it was and was now staring at them, Albedo just facepalmed and could be heard groaning.

Shalltear cleared her throat and bowed in a dignified manner.

"I am sorry... I forgot myself... if you will excuse me," She said before quickly turning and leaving. Aura could be heard calling her an idiot loudly over the murmur of the crowd. Jin sighed and followed her.

"Stay here and give P.A. some company, would you Killistran?" She nodded that she would as Jin ran after Shalltear.

"Why is Shalltear upset?" Mare asked confused. Zesshi did not want to attend the party so stayed in her room so the twin were hanging out together, like old times.

Aura shook her head in disgust, but deep down she could understand how Shalltear might be feeling.

"She's just an idiot Mare... don't worry yourself about her," Aura said, taking a drink from her glass. Mare looked at her then imitated her and also drank. Mare just looked at the door Shalltear had run out of. He looked at Demiurge was walking around with a girl and talking to Yuri.

"Um... hey sis, who is that with Demiurge?" Aura furrowed her brow at his question.

"I heard him say she was just his new pet... so I don't think she matters," Aura said nodding at her own answer.

"O...Oh... if you say so," He said as he realized she had taken a sip, so did he. Mare looked at the door still like he really wanted to go.

"What's up Mare, why so interested in her?" Aura asked cocking her eyebrow. Mare's eyes darted back and forth nervously.

"Oh um, no reason..." Aura knew when Mare was lying to her, but he only did do if he really thought he had to, so she dropped the subject.

"Look... don't get involved with those two, honestly I think both are hopeless." Aura said shrugging and shaking her head. Mare frowned and scowled at Aura.

"Lord Peroroncino is not hopeless!" Mare said sternly. He then put his glass down hard and stomped out of the room in an "I am angry" manner. Aura sat in surprise. That was not like Mare to be so... Wait, had she had not been reading him right?... Was there was something weird about Mare, or was it her?

"M...Mare wait!" Aura called out and ran after her little brother but a hand stopped her. She looked up and saw it was Momonga, he had his hand on his shoulder. Just looking into his miscolored eyes melted her heart and she stopped and nodded. He smiled and picked her up, this, of course, made her forget all about... well everything as the object of her pure love held her up to his face.

"Don't worry Aura... I think Mare is going through something... notice Zesshi isn't here?" Aura nodded then caught what he was hinting at.

"You think they are fighting? but Mare never said... hrm, not that he ever would..." Aura said nodding but realizing the weird potion Momonga was holding her in.

"Um, Lord Momonga, could you uh..." She said looking down at her dangling feet.

"Oh right... he set her down, a tad clumsily.

"Let Mare handle his own problem for once... it will help him grow," Momonga said patting Arua on her back. She nodded, she did tend to run to aid, but that was what an older sister was supposed to do.

"I...if you say so Lord Momonga..." she said returning with him to the rest of the party.