Condolences

On the ground, the soil seemed to have been given life as it continued to change.

This change caused the Naiyuan Trio, who were returning to Nazarick, to stop in their tracks.

"I think this spell is Earth Surge."

After observing for a while, Naiyuan spoke to the other two.

"Earth Surge? But isn't the range of this spell a little too large? Its power has already exceeded its original limits."

Herohero said in surprise.

"It was probably enhanced with a specialized class skill."

Momonga immediately saw the issue and explained it to Herohero.

"Judging by this, Mare must be the one who cast it. After all, only he can unleash an Earth Surge of this magnitude."

Naiyuan looked at the two with a confident expression, putting on a show as though he were saying:

"See that? Isn't he amazing? As expected of my child."

That smug expression annoyed Momonga and Herohero. If Demiurge and Sebas had not been standing nearby, making it inconvenient to act, they would have wanted to go up and punch him.

"Three Lords, what are your plans next?"

Demiurge, completely unaware that he had prevented a battle between Supreme Beings, stepped forward to ask.

"We're going to check on Mare."

Naiyuan replied, while Momonga and Herohero nodded beside him.

For them now, they could do whatever they wanted, entirely at their own discretion.

The five of them then changed direction and flew down.

On the ground, Mare immediately spotted them as they flew without concealing themselves.

Seeing the three Supreme Beings flying toward him, Mare immediately stopped his spell and nervously bowed.

"Um, welcome, Father and the other two Supreme Beings."

The somewhat timid voice reached their ears, and Naiyuan nodded in satisfaction as he looked at Mare before him.

"You've worked hard, Mare. The spell worked very well. Nazarick's concealment will depend on you."

Naiyuan came before him and praised him, one hand stroking the hair atop his head.

Perhaps because he had been from Head-Patting Village in his life before last, or perhaps because of transmigration, he now liked patting other people's heads. It gave him a sense of satisfaction.

And the people whose heads he patted did not object. They even seemed to enjoy it, so why not? It was good for everyone.

"Mm, it is my duty as a Floor Guardian. Thank you for your concern, Father."

Mare said happily as he enjoyed the touch on his head.

For the Floor Guardians, nothing made them happier than the concern of a Supreme Being, especially when that Supreme Being was their creator.

Momonga and Herohero, standing nearby, were somewhat moved. They had NPCs as well, but they had never treated them like this.

The warm, affectionate atmosphere before them sent their thoughts wandering.

Herohero was doing all right. At least he had met Solution, and the two of them seemed to have a good relationship.

But Momonga had not gone to see the NPC he created since arriving in this world. Seeing this scene now, he could not help forming a new thought.

Perhaps I should go see Pandora too.

Momonga could not help thinking that. Previously, because he considered Pandora a dark part of his history, Momonga had not wanted to meet him. But now that he thought about it, Pandora had become this way because of the settings he had made back then.

As Pandora's creator, he could not treat him as Naiyuan did, but he still needed to show concern. After all, Pandora was his child too.

"Since you have completed your task, as your father, I should give my child an appropriate reward."

Naiyuan did not know that seeing his interaction with Mare had made Momonga want to visit Pandora. Instead, he was considering what gift to give Mare.

"I suppose I should give you these. Mare, one for you and one for Aura. Remember to give one to your sister later."

After thinking it over, Naiyuan decided to give him rings.

Although Mare was a Floor Guardian, within Nazarick, where teleportation was forbidden, the only way to get anywhere else was by walking. Thus, Naiyuan decided to give him two rings.

"These are rings exclusive to the Supreme Beings. How could I, a Floor Guardian, wear one?"

Mare looked longingly at the rings in Naiyuan's hand, but quickly came to his senses and replied with a frightened expression.

"It's fine. And I assume Momonga and Herohero have no objections, right?"

"Since it's Naiyuan's decision, I have no objections."

"I don't have a problem with it either."

Hearing Naiyuan's question, Momonga and Herohero nodded in response.

As his friends, they completely supported Naiyuan's idea. They were only a few rings, after all. Even if he gave everyone a divine-class item, they would not care, as long as he was happy.

Demiurge, standing nearby, looked at the rings in Naiyuan's hand with longing, but he felt neither envy nor resentment.

As the child of a Supreme Being, it was only natural for Mare to receive rings.

Demiurge told himself this while secretly resolving to work hard to complete the Supreme Beings' plans. Perhaps then, he might have a chance to receive one too.

Unaware that Demiurge had become fired up for no apparent reason, Naiyuan continued.

"And since you are both my children, you and your sister Aura can visit the Eighth Floor more often."

"Go find Sephis and play with your brother. I think he will be very happy to see you both."

"Don't be fooled by how cold and difficult Sephis seems to get along with normally. When it comes to family, he values it more than anything."

Naiyuan looked at Mare with a faint smile. As Sephis's creator, he could be said to understand him better than anyone.

Back then, longing for a family, Naiyuan had created Sephis under the influence of those feelings and added the most fundamental rules to his settings.

"Family is the most important thing."

"Anything that threatens or harms family must be eliminated."

Thinking back to those two commands, Naiyuan knew that Sephis would certainly be a good older brother.

"Brother Sephis?"

"I understand, Father. Then I'll accept them."

Mare did not continue refusing after hearing that. Father had already put it this way, and the other two Supreme Beings had agreed as well.

Looking at the two rings in his palm, Mare revealed an innocent smile. This was the first gift he had received from Father.

"If you like them, keep them safe. It would be bad if you lost them."

Seeing him carefully put away the rings, Naiyuan gently reminded him.

"Yes, Father. I will protect them with my life."

"Ah, that hurts!"

Mare abandoned his usual timid demeanor and spoke with a resolute expression.

But once he finished speaking, what awaited him was a fist heavily knocking against the top of his head.

Feeling the pain in his head, Mare covered it with both hands and cried out.

"Don't use your life to protect something so trivial. In my eyes, even a hundred rings are not as important as a single strand of your hair."

Naiyuan looked at Mare seriously, feeling somewhat speechless inside.

The Floor Guardians were good in every way, except that they were too stubborn about certain things.

If he did not make it clear, then during a life-or-death battle with an enemy someday, Mare really might use his life to protect a ring.

"Mm, I understand, Father."

Mare replied quietly, but he felt immense joy inside.

Is this warm feeling what Brother Sephis told me family feels like?

I must repay Father's love properly.

Seeing his reaction, Naiyuan nodded in satisfaction.

"Then keep working hard, Mare. We'll be leaving first."

"Understood, Father. Travel safely."