Salted Fish

Tenth Floor Meeting Room.

Aside from his personal lounge, this was the only place in Nazarick where Momonga could exercise his Guildmaster authority to lock down completely. Even Albedo and Sebas, who possessed high-level clearance, could not enter, nor could they eavesdrop by any means.

This was a hidden sanctuary, a perfect refuge where Momonga could temporarily shed his disguise.

"Phew, it's finally over."

"You're quite the pro at sneaking off, Momonga. To think you'd leave Herohero and me behind without a word."

Now that there was finally no one else around, Momonga let out a long sigh. He slumped directly into his chair. Heaven knows how nervous he had been just moments ago; if not for his Undead racial traits, he would have cracked under the pressure long ago.

He had to play the role of the supreme ruler while simultaneously observing the expressions of the Floor Guardians, constantly adjusting his words on the fly.

Momonga felt that even working a real job hadn't been this exhausting.

Seeing Momonga in this state, Naiyuan offered a minor complaint, then silently began to listen to the other's venting.

During this time, a visibly weary Herohero also appeared. He paused for a moment upon seeing the two of them, but didn't say much. He simply sat down beside Naiyuan and began to listen to Momonga's rambling.

The three of them remained in this state: one talking, two listening silently, occasionally interjecting to offer their own perspectives.

"I really feel much better now that I've said it all. Thank you, Naiyuan and Herohero, for being willing to listen to me drone on for so long."

Having poured out all the troubles weighing on his heart, Momonga felt his mood lift instantly. He looked at the two friends who had been listening to his complaints and spoke with a hint of apology.

This was a domain the Floor Guardians could not reach, so Momonga had nothing left to hide and allowed himself to fully relax.

"It's no problem. Listening to a friend's troubles and offering guidance is our responsibility as companions."

Herohero's earlier irritation at being left behind had already faded. After all, seeing the immense pressure Momonga was under, his own petty grievances were merely a drop in the bucket by comparison.

Besides, he hadn't been truly angry; he just wanted to vent a little.

"Herohero is right. Considering we're the ones who slacked off and dumped this work on you, this is the least we can do."

Naiyuan patted Herohero on the shoulder and spoke to Momonga with a touch of embarrassment. After all, if the two of them hadn't wanted to slack off, Momonga wouldn't have been in this position.

"And Momonga, you don't need to worry so much. Be more confident. From what I observed earlier, the Floor Guardians' loyalty is not an issue. Your skeletal face doesn't betray any emotion, and your tone of voice carries plenty of authority. You'll be fine."

Seeing his friend's anxiety, Naiyuan recalled the events from earlier and offered him some encouragement.

Herohero nodded his head, which was composed of viscous slime, signaling his agreement with Naiyuan's words.

Having been a spectator the entire time, Herohero had seen everything that transpired between Momonga and the Floor Guardians, and he also felt there were no issues.

Or rather, Momonga had performed far better than expected. (Herohero was a Slime and technically had no eyes, but he had purchased a premium item that allowed him to clearly perceive his surroundings.)

"If you both say so, then I feel much better."

"So, you two finally admit it. You've actually been thinking about slacking off and being lazy this whole time."

Momonga nodded in satisfaction; his friend's words had done much to soothe his previously ruffled mood.

However, as he recalled what had just been said, his mood instantly soured again. Good grief, no wonder you two were so in sync—it turns out you were both harboring the same idea.

"Ahem, don't worry about those little details!"

Naiyuan rubbed the dragon horns on his head, his eyes darting to the side with a guilty conscience.

Caught up in the atmosphere earlier, he hadn't been able to help himself and had just blurted it out. Naiyuan felt a headache coming on.

Although Herohero's face showed no discernible emotion, he slowly turned his head away as well. He didn't know what to say.

"You idiot Naiyuan, you actually just said it out loud. What do we do now? You go figure it out; I'm done with this."

Herohero opened his Communication Magic, signaling at lightning speed for Naiyuan to step up. Whoever said it should be the one to deal with the consequences.

"Um... alright. Actually, it was all Herohero's idea. I was just led astray by him."

Under the barrage of Herohero's glares, Naiyuan turned his head. Just as he was about to say something to Momonga, he immediately sold out Herohero, who was standing to the side preparing to watch the show.

Even though it was something they had both agreed upon from the start, he couldn't be the only one to take the fall. If they were going down, they were going down together. Don't blame me, little Hero, but after all, friends are supposed to share both blessings and burdens. Now that we're in trouble, you can't just stand by and watch.

"Naiyuan, you bastard!!"

Herohero, who had initially nodded in satisfaction at the other's apparent sense of timing, hadn't expected to be dragged into the water just a moment later. He stared at the innocent-looking Naiyuan, speaking through gritted teeth.

"Is there something wrong with what I said? Little Hero, don't think about running away. Let's face this together."

Naiyuan patted Herohero on the shoulder with a resolute expression, ignoring the murderous aura radiating from him, and said loudly.

"Ahem, you two, hold on a second. I was just asking; I never said I was going to hold you accountable."

Watching his two friends backstabbing each other, Momonga hurried over to smooth things over.

His initial annoyance vanished without a trace. Watching their antics, he almost laughed out loud.

"Sigh, I'll just be blunt. We're just two salted fish. Momonga, whether or not we can continue being salted fish depends on you."

Seeing that the other wasn't angry, Naiyuan immediately hatched a plan. He quickly darted to Momonga's side, wrapped his thick arm around his shoulder, and with a dead-serious expression, spoke righteously.

Beside them, the head formed from Herohero's slime simulated human organs, revealing a polite smile. He wrapped his arm around Momonga's other shoulder and watched him quietly.

He wore an expression that clearly said, I have no objections; Naiyuan is right.

"Tsk tsk, you two really are comfortable pushing all the work onto me, aren't you? Doesn't your conscience hurt?"

Momonga looked at the two of them, feeling quite strange. Their display had nearly left him dumbfounded.

"Not at all ×2."

Naiyuan and Herohero exchanged glances and spoke in unison.

Herohero: "I'm a Slime, I don't have a conscience."

Naiyuan: "A conscience? How much is that worth? Do you want me to dig one out for you? As a Dragonoid, even if I lose a heart, it only takes a few minutes to grow back."

Momonga looked at the two unrepentant, smug individuals before him with a headache. Good grief, they both sounded so reasonable that he couldn't even refute them.

"You guys..."

"We'll be counting on you from now on, Guildmaster! ×2"