[Message]
Momonga: "So you not only succeeded in transforming into a dragon, you even captured a True Dragon Lord along the way? Just like you."
Naohara: "It practically delivered itself to me. No reason to turn down a free gift."
Naohara: "Besides, it's an undead True Dragon Lord. It might help you learn Wild Magic."
Momonga: "You really didn't have to go that far for my sake."
Naohara: "Why are you being so polite with me? We're practically family. Anyway, let's leave it at that. I should be back in about half a day."
The [Message] ended.
...
Nazarick, Throne Room.
Momonga lowered the skeletal hand beside his head and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Good. He's safe.
Before this, Momonga had already prepared for the worst. If something had really happened to Naohara, he would have immediately cast the Super-Tier spell [Wish Upon a Star].
And if that still wasn't enough, he would activate the World-Class Item [Ring of Ouroboros].
Because of the dragon transformation, Naohara had handed all of his World-Class Items over to Momonga for safekeeping.
The [Ring of Ouroboros] was extremely valuable, but if it truly came to that, Momonga would not hesitate to use it.
Fortunately, Naohara was not only safe, but had even gained an unexpected reward. There was no need for such drastic measures now.
"Momonga-sama, is there news from Naohara-sama?"
A pleasant female voice sounded from beside him. Momonga turned to look at Albedo, who stood nearby.
"Yes. He should be back in about half a day. Not only did he successfully transform into a dragon, he also captured an undead True Dragon Lord."
Momonga nodded as he spoke, maintaining a composed tone, though the joy in his voice was unmistakable.
"As expected of Naohara-sama."
Albedo offered her usual praise to one of the Supreme Beings. Then her gaze shifted slightly as she spoke in a seemingly casual tone.
"You and Naohara-sama are very close, Momonga-sama."
"And the same with Herohero-sama. The friendship between the three Supreme Beings is truly enviable."
Albedo smiled gently, as if it were just an idle remark.
"Yes. Even though we aren't related by blood, to me, the two of them are like family."
"Albedo, would you mind listening to me ramble for a bit?"
Momonga's smile faded slightly as he spoke in a quieter voice.
"Of course, Momonga-sama."
Momonga turned his head and looked at the forty-two flags hanging on both sides of the hall. The soul fire within his eye sockets flickered as memories from the past slowly surfaced.
"It was a long time ago. Back then, I was completely alone. No friends, no family. Every day I went through life by myself. Just when I thought things would always stay that way, I met everyone."
"Touch Me, Peroroncino, Herohero, Punitto Moe, Naohara, Ulbert…"
"They were all such kind people. Back then, we would spend every day discussing which boss to challenge next, exploring unknown maps together. Those were truly happy times."
"But good things never last. As time went on, for various reasons, everyone began to disappear one by one. Some of them vanished without even saying goodbye."
"In the end, everyone left. Only Naohara and I remained, still holding on. Those days were difficult. If it weren't for Naohara encouraging me and staying by my side, I probably wouldn't have been able to keep going."
Momonga paused slightly before speaking again, almost as if talking to himself.
"Heh… maybe it sounds a little embarrassing to say this, but back then, Naohara was my emotional support."
"Naohara is different from me. He's always saying he'll handle his own problems. On the surface he acts like nothing bothers him, but when it really matters, he's someone with a strong sense of responsibility."
"Even after everyone left and only the two of us remained, Naohara never stopped. He kept grinding monsters, exploring new areas, and quietly guarding Nazarick alongside me."
"Maybe, just like me, he's been waiting for the day everyone returns."
"Before Nazarick was transported to this other world, Naohara and I sent out a message, hoping everyone could gather one last time."
"Albedo, do you know how scared I was back then? I was afraid everyone had already forgotten those memories. Afraid they had forgotten Nazarick. Afraid that the persistence Naohara and I held onto… meant nothing at all."
As Momonga spoke, his body began to tremble slightly. The sight made Albedo's heart ache, and she couldn't help but speak up to comfort him.
"It was not meaningless. At the very least, Herohero-sama responded to the hopes of you and Naohara-sama in the end."
"Yes… Herohero came. Even if it was only one person, I was still satisfied."
Momonga let out a quiet sigh, but his thoughts drifted to Naohara.
Back then, when Naohara had wanted to take his own life, it was probably for the same reason.
When it came to feelings toward Nazarick, Momonga believed he could never compare to Naohara.
After all, even he couldn't maintain perfect attendance for twelve straight years without missing a single day of logging in.
Momonga often wondered about it.
If Naohara and Herohero hadn't been there, and he had come to this unfamiliar world alone, what would he have done?
Even with the NPCs around, he would probably still feel lonely from time to time.
"So, Albedo, I will not allow anyone to harm Naohara."
"If anything were to happen to him, then this world would have no reason to exist."
Momonga slowly turned his head. The crimson glow inside his eye sockets darkened into black as [Despair Aura] began to seep out unconsciously.
It sounded like he was speaking to Albedo, yet also like he was speaking to himself.
Something like that must never be allowed to happen.
"Of course. Even at the cost of our lives, we Guardians will protect the three Supreme Beings."
Seeing Momonga react so strongly, Albedo immediately knelt and spoke with absolute sincerity.
That was right. Protect only the three Supreme Beings.
After hearing Momonga's story, the resolve in Albedo's heart grew even stronger.
To ensure no accidents could occur, she would eliminate every possible risk.
Nazarick only needs three Supreme Beings.