Preparation

After a brief selection process, the seven items were quickly distributed, two to each person, with the remaining one entrusted to Herohero for safekeeping.

Momonga already carried a World Item himself. The red orb embedded in his chest looked ordinary, almost like a weakness, but it was a genuine World Item. Anyone unaware of its nature who attacked it would suffer a fierce counterattack.

As one of the oldest Slime races, the Ancient Jet-Black Slime, Herohero possessed formidable corrosion abilities.

Its strength was such that even divine-class weapons could be corroded. However, his own defense was rather low, so he received three World Items.

Naiyuan, meanwhile, was an all-around Warrior who combined attack, defense, and speed, so he had little need for World Items and only took two.

Momonga received the Staff of Millennium and the Wheel of Benevolent Fall, along with the Red Jade he already possessed, for a total of three World Items.

Herohero received three World Items: Ragnarok, the Heart of Fusion, and the Gate of Demons.

Naiyuan chose the Ring of Eternal Snakes and the Eternal Seal, two World Items.

"That should be about enough. Even if the NPCs rebelled as a group, we could easily wipe them out."

Herohero looked at the World Items equipped by the three of them and let out a sigh of relief as he spoke casually.

"Say, Little Herohero, why have you become so cautious?"

Seeing Herohero relax before him, Naiyuan asked curiously.

The change in Herohero's personality was so drastic that it surprised him. If they had not just been chatting earlier, he would have thought someone had stolen Herohero's account. This personality was even more overly cautious than Momonga in the original plot.

Meanwhile, Momonga pricked up his ears. (Did bones even have ears?)

He was also very curious about this matter.

"Naiyuan, Momonga, we worked so hard to escape that dark society. There's nothing wrong with being cautious. I don't want to suddenly die someday without knowing why, just like..."

"Little Herohero, we should talk about the NPCs!"

Just as Herohero was about to continue, Naiyuan cut him off. Herohero seemed to remember something after being interrupted and fell silent as well.

Momonga looked at the two of them strangely. It seemed they had some secret he did not know about, but neither of them appeared willing to tell him.

Still, Momonga did not think too much about it. Everyone had their own secrets. Though he was curious, prying into someone else's secrets was very rude to him, so he did not press the matter.

"Ahem. I think, Momonga, you can summon Albedo and the others now."

After a brief silence, Naiyuan made a suggestion to Momonga.

"Huh? Why me? You and Herohero can do it too, can't you?" Upon hearing Naiyuan's suggestion, Momonga instinctively tried to shirk the task and have the more reliable-looking Herohero and Naraku take his place.

"Come on, you're the Guildmaster, after all. From the NPCs' perspective, you hold the highest status in Nazarick. You have more authority than we do." Naiyuan spread his hands helplessly.

"Naiyuan is right. Guildmaster Momonga, you're more suited than us to give orders to the NPCs."

Herohero also chimed in to persuade him.

"Th-That's true, but you know my position as Guildmaster is really more like a mascot. I absolutely can't do something like leading others!"

Momonga weakly protested as he looked at his two friends.

"That won't do, Momonga."

"You have to remember that you are Nazarick's Guildmaster, the Guildmaster unanimously chosen by all of us. Don't think you can't do it. You need to believe in yourself."

The forty-one of us chose you not for any other reason, but because only with you could everyone in Nazarick stay united. You had the trust of your companions, and you had managed Nazarick so well for so many years. You were completely qualified, so don't let down everyone's expectations, Guildmaster!!!"

Naiyuan looked at Momonga with a resolute expression, placed both hands on his shoulders, and began force-feeding him motivational speeches through sheer hypnosis. Today, he was definitely going to teach him a proper lesson, or how else would he enjoy slacking off in the future?

"Guildmaster, Naiyuan is right. Don't let down our expectations!"

Herohero also supported Naiyuan at this moment. He did not want to handle this sort of thing either, so he could only sacrifice Momonga.

"Ah! All right, I'll give it a try."

Momonga was somewhat dazed from all the pep talk and instinctively nodded in agreement.

"As expected of our Guildmaster. Then let's not waste any time and get started."

Seeing Momonga agree, Naiyuan nodded and placed his right hand beside his ear, activating Communication Magic.

"Albedo, you may come in now."

"Wait, I'm not ready yet..."

Momonga had just wanted to stop him. He was not mentally prepared yet—could they not move so quickly?

Before he could finish speaking, Sebas, Albedo, and the others had already entered.

Momonga, who had wanted to say something more, could only close his mouth and maintain a dignified appearance. Fortunately, as an Undead skeleton, no one could read his expression. For the first time, Momonga felt that choosing to be Undead had been a truly wonderful decision.

"Sebas!"

Momonga's deep voice rang out with a faint sense of authority, causing Herohero and Naiyuan to stare in surprise. They had not expected him to put on such a convincing act.

"Your subordinate is here."

Sebas stepped forward, slowly approached Momonga, and bowed.

There doesn't seem to be any problem, but I still need to observe them further.

"You will go outside and investigate the current environment beyond Nazarick."

After pondering for a moment, Momonga decided to have Sebas inspect the nearby surroundings first. Since they had been transported to another world, the area around Nazarick must have changed as well. He would first send an NPC out to scout the situation before making further plans.

At the same time, he could observe the NPCs' autonomy and see whether they could truly leave the Great Tomb of Nazarick. After all, in the game, NPCs could not leave the Great Tomb and could only move around within the base. This was also a possible direction to test.

"Your subordinate obeys."

Upon receiving the order, Sebas immediately turned and departed without the slightest hesitation.

"As for the Pleiades, you will head to the First Floor first and assist Sebas with his investigation."

"By your command."

The Maid Corps, who had been standing silently in the corner, also bowed and slowly left the area. As one golden-haired maid was leaving, she could not help looking back at the figure who had been standing beside Momonga without saying a word. Only then did she reluctantly depart.

"Lord Herohero, it's truly wonderful that you have returned."

Herohero seemed to sense her gaze and looked toward the maid.

"Solution?"

He watched her with a complicated expression. She was an NPC he had created.