Chapter 31: Responsibility

The world keeps on turning without the heroes and villains. Everyone on this forsaken existence could be obliterated and it still would not stop the world from turning. The world moves independent of the events in history, whether it be dead or alive, the world will keep on moving. The echoes of salvation are but the world's attempts to fool the populace into thinking that they are important. Their lives mean nothing, their everything is not even something.

However, once in a million years there is an entity that can stop the world, an entity that can destroy it. This entity is called a disaster, but in reality it is a saviour. In a world so old that skeletons have already been recycled into new beings, the cycle continues. The death caused by disasters are but a wake up call for the populace to remind them that they are but a speck of dust; humans more so. Sometimes the most feeble of the races are the ones that end up claiming the world as their property, so the world sent disasters to make them feel pain.

And so the New World finally received the most devastating disaster of them all. The bringers Of Death, Nazarick. But perhaps this cycle will move on, find another place to call home. Maybe the insects will finally learn.

***

Atlas travelled back to the tomb as the event had already finished, leaving behind death in his wake. The Re-Estize kingdom had come to know of the existence of Jaldabaoth, fearing him as a possible demon lord of sorts, perhaps even the demon king. Corvus became the name that was closest associated with the new demon king, being the entity that could toy with heroes of adamantite class. The kingdom lost a considerable amount of manpower on that day, leaving them vulnerable. In this vulnerability, Momon became their saviour, securing Ainz' goal of infiltrating the kingdom.

Atlas was rather dissatisfied however, feeling that he had not fought many challenging opponents. The only person that he could truely call a satisfying opponent was Narberal, because she severely damaged him in their duel. Even though the duel was staged, it was still highly dangerous as the two fought with near maximum lethality.

At last Atlas finally reached the entrance of the tomb.

"Atlas-dono, I see you have made it back from the glorious operation!" Demiurge spoke joyfully as he appeared before him.

"Yes, Lord Demiurge, I completed my task and executed a traitor to Nazarick!" Atlas announced as he knelt down.

"Very good, I will now take you to meet Ainz-sama!"

Demiurge guided the skeleton against through the large tomb, eventually reaching the throne room.

"This meeting will be as public as the last one, Don't he shy."

Demiurge opened the door, revealing all of the guardians and Ainz waiting for them.

"Ainz-sama! We have completed the operation with no problems whatsoever!" Demiurge announced.

"Very good." Ainz spoke.

Ainz pointed to Atlas, indicating to the latter to step forward.

"I hear that you have completed every task to an extremely high standard. I will reward you along with the others." Ainz spoke.

"I will grant you one reward each, starting with District Guardian Atlas. But before that, I must clear things up with the District Guardian."

"Atlas. Did you engage in a near lethal battle with Narberal Gamma?" Ainz asked in a serious tone.

"Yes, my lord." Atlas said as he knelt down and bowed his head.

"Why did you do this?"

"I participated in this battle to bring glory to your adventurer persona, by making myself seem like a powerful opponent to increase your fame." Atlas explained.

"But in this fight, you wounded Narberal Gamma, no?"

Atlas stuttered for a second, regaining his composure.

"Yeh-ye...Yes, to ensure that the battle seemed real."

Ainz stood up from his chair, pointing to the skeleton.

"You understand that you have wronged my servant no matter the situation?"

"Yes."

"You will take responsibility. See to it that she recovers quickly from the wound, and make sure to do as she says for the duration of the recovery period."

***

10 minutes earlier:

"Ainz-sama, if you do not mind this request, May I ask that my reward be something personal?" Narberal asked.

"State your request and I will see if it is within my power."

"May I have District Guardian Atlas to myself for one day?"

"Granted."

***

Present:

"You may now ask for your reward." Ainz spoke.

Atlas felt a deep sensation of regret for making Ainz disappointed and for causing an actual wound to Narberal, bowing deeper.

"I cannot ask for anything."

"Nonsense. State your request."

"I request that I be allowed to amend my mistakes by resigning from my current titles." Atlas spoke.

"Denied. Since you cannot think of a proper request, you will spend your time tending to the injured Pleiades, you may request your reward at a later date."

Atlas left the room feeling ashamed of himself, wondering on how he could have made such a grave mistake. Now all that he could do was to tend to the wounded maid.

Atlas arrived at the maid's room within 5 minutes of leaving the throne room.

"Lady Narberal, I am sincerely sorry for causing such an injury on you. I will apologise with my life if you so please!" The skeleton spoke as he walked into the room.

Inside was an 'injured' Narberal with a dark wound on her shoulder, sitting on a cushioned chair in bath robes.

"You have caused me great pain. Will you take responsibility?"