Preparation

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

Momonga already carried a World Item on his person. The red sphere on his chest, though it appeared ordinary and seemed like a weak point, was a genuine World Item; anyone who attacked it without knowing its nature would be met with a powerful counterattack.

As an Ancient Jet-Black Slime, the oldest of the slime races, Herohero possessed formidable corrosive abilities. Their strength was such that they could even corrode Divine-class weapons. However, because his own defensive stats were on the lower side, he was given three World Items.

Naiyuan, on the other hand, was an all-rounder warrior who balanced attack, defense, and speed. Since he didn't have a great need for World Items, he only took two.

Momonga obtained the Staff of Millennium, the Wheel of Benevolent Fall, and the Red Jade, totaling three World Items.

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

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

"That should be about enough. Even if the NPCs were to rebel en masse, we could easily wipe them out."

Herohero let out a sigh of relief as he looked at the World Items equipped by the three of them, speaking in a relaxed tone.

"I have to say, Hero, how did you become so cautious?"

Watching the now-relaxed Herohero, Naiyuan asked with a hint of curiosity.

The drastic change in the other's personality surprised him. If they hadn't been chatting just moments ago, he would have thought someone had hacked his account. This personality was even more cautious than the Momonga from the original story.

Momonga, standing to the side, also pricked up his ears (do bones even have ears?), as he was quite curious about this as well.

"Naiyuan, Momonga, we went through so much trouble to escape that dark society. Being cautious is never a mistake. I don't want to end up dying suddenly and inexplicably one day, just like..."

"Hero, we should talk about the NPCs!"

Just as Herohero was about to continue, Naiyuan interrupted him. Herohero, having been cut off, seemed to remember something and promptly shut his mouth.

Momonga looked at the two of them strangely, feeling as though there was a secret he wasn't privy to, but it seemed neither of them wanted him to know.

However, Momonga didn't dwell on it. After all, everyone had their own secrets. Although he was curious, he felt it was impolite to pry into others' secrets, so he didn't ask further.

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

After a brief silence, Naiyuan offered his suggestion to Momonga.

"Eh? Why me? You and Herohero could do it just as well, couldn't you?" Hearing Naiyuan's suggestion, Momonga instinctively tried to decline, wanting the seemingly more reliable Herohero and Naiyuan to take his place.

"Come on, you're the Guildmaster, after all. From the perspective of the NPCs, you are the highest-ranking existence in Nazarick and hold more authority than us," Naiyuan said with a helpless shrug.

"Naiyuan is right. Guildmaster Momonga, you are more suitable than us to command the NPCs."

Herohero also chimed in to persuade him.

"This... I suppose that's true, but you know that as Guildmaster, I'm really just a mascot-like figure. Leading others and such—I'm completely incapable of that!"

Looking at the two friends before him, Momonga offered a weak rebuttal.

"That won't do, Momonga."

"You have to remember that you are the Guildmaster of Nazarick, and you were chosen by all of us. Don't think you aren't capable; you need to believe in yourself. The forty-one of us didn't choose you for any other reason than the fact that only with you here can everyone in Nazarick stay united. It's the trust of your companions, and you've managed Nazarick for so many years and done a great job. You are fully qualified, so don't let everyone's expectations down, Guildmaster!!!"

Naiyuan looked at Momonga with a determined expression, placing his hands on the other's shoulders as he began a session of forced hypnosis and chicken soup for the soul. He had to teach the man a lesson today; otherwise, how was he supposed to slack off happily in the future?

"Guildmaster, Naiyuan is absolutely right. You mustn't let our expectations down!"

Herohero chimed in to support Naiyuan at this moment. After all, he didn't want to take on the responsibility himself, so he had no choice but to sacrifice his friend.

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

Momonga, feeling a bit dazed from the pep talk, nodded subconsciously and agreed.

"As expected of our Guildmaster. Then, without further ado, let's begin."

Seeing Momonga agree, Naiyuan nodded and placed his right hand to his ear, activating a communication spell.

"Albedo, you may enter."

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

Momonga tried to stop him. He wasn't mentally prepared yet; could they not be so fast?

"My Lord, do you have any orders?"

Before Momonga could finish his sentence, Sebas, Albedo, and the others had already walked in. This forced him to shut his mouth and maintain a dignified appearance. Fortunately, as an undead skeleton, his expression was unreadable. For the first time, Momonga felt it was a truly good thing that he had chosen to be an undead.

"Sebas!"

Momonga's deep voice rang out, carrying a faint sense of majesty that stunned Herohero and Naiyuan standing to the side. They hadn't expected him to put on such a convincing act.

"Your subordinate is here."

Sebas stepped out of line, slowly walked up to Momonga, and bowed.

It looks like there are no problems, but I still need to test things out a bit more.

Seeing the NPCs' reactions, Momonga thought to himself.

"Go outside and scout the environment surrounding Nazarick."

After a moment of contemplation, Momonga decided to have Sebas check the nearby environment first. After all, since they had transmigrated, the surroundings of Nazarick must have changed as well. It was best to let the NPCs scout the situation first to plan the next steps.

Furthermore, he could simultaneously observe the autonomy of the NPCs to see if they could actually leave the Great Tomb of Nazarick. In the game, NPCs could not leave the Great Tomb and were restricted to acting within the base, so this was a direction worth testing.

"By your command."

Sebas turned and left immediately upon receiving the order, without the slightest hesitation.

"As for the Pleiades, you should head to the first floor for now to assist Sebas with his investigation."

"Understood."

The group of maids, who had been standing in the corner the entire time, bowed and slowly departed. As they left, one maid with golden hair couldn't help but glance back at the figure who had been standing silently beside Momonga the whole time, before finally leaving the room with clear reluctance.

"It is truly wonderful that you have returned, Herohero-sama."

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

"Solution, is it?"

He watched her with a complex expression; she was an NPC he had created.