Sociality and Community

Overlooking the control panel of the Museum, I suddenly acquired reports from the numerous espionage scarabs I sent out. The many reports gave me insight on the power and threat our neighbors had on Nazarick, of them all, only the Slane Theocracy shows any true threat to Nazarick and its denizens.

Most of Nazarick can only be harmed by weapons enchanted with magic with only the weakest being susceptible to normal weapons, the Theocracy being a nation that is both powerful and abundant in the magics means trouble for Nazarick though this is no problem with Necron armies.

Already, the weakest foot-soldier is resistant to magic with how Necrodermis works. With Necrodermis, magic is made null against us. Not adding to the fact that Gauss energy, by itself, ignores all forms of magic making magic shields and enchantments pointless.

If ordered, this world could be conquered in a matter of hours once preparations were to be completed. The only thing stopping me from doing so are the orders from The Architect to not conquer the world yet because it wouldn't be 'entertaining,' as he pointed out.

In the end, all I may do currently is send out scarabs for information and the canoptek wraiths those scarabs requested.

Then, I heard the sound of footsteps behind me. I already knew who it was since I was the one who requested their presence.

"You called, my Lord?"

"Being a member of the Supreme Attendants means that you have foregone all your former titles and epithets... Even your name. Yes?"

"That is correct, my Lord."

"Do you remember your former name? Your former titles?"

A few seconds pass without an answer until the Attendant looked up to face me.

"Yes, my Lord."

Immediately looking back down out of respect and duty.

"What was your name, my Attendant?"

"I was Nefyl of the Tardarin Dynasty. Formerly a member of your 'Inner Circle,' the Avatar of War and Conquest, the Patriarch of the Tardarin Dynasty, and High Phaeron of the Immortal Legions. Most notably known as the 'God Eater'."

"In the history of the Supreme Attendants, there had never been a moment where the Attendants had an authority to serve apart from myself. Yes?"

"The Attendants have never had a captain or commander to lead us, my Lord. There are none worthy to lead us but you."

"Then the day has arrived."

"Nefyl of the Tardarin Dynasty. By the powers invested in me by the Council of Authorities, the Order of Phaerons, the College of Eternals, and the Imperial Parliament, I name you the Reius-Phaeron of the Supreme Attendants. Hence forth, each of your brothers and sisters are under your command."

The Warden said in Necrontyr, as the ancient language now became so legendary in its time in the grandness of reality, it was now on par to the power of the Enuncia, a language so powerful that only a few words were capable of disintegrating a man.

With the words said, Nefyl's core had lit up as his form changed into a greater version of the Attendants. Now. His body was now made of Necronite as his shoulders now having the sigil of the Tardarin Dynasty engraved on it with the symbol of the Empire on his chest.

His core discarded its former purple with that of pure black as the core now fueled itself with Dark Matter instead of the Warp. In his transformation, Nefyl had let go of his Aertek Spear as the transformation was excruciating and hell with the spear transforming itself to a new weapon.

"Arise, Nefyl, Reius-Phaeron of the Supreme Attendants."

The smoke that emanated from Nefyl's body continued as his transformation completed. Taking his new weapon he arose to face me.

"I live to serve, my Lord."

He then raised his weapon and bowed.

"With your new form, I already know you will serve fabulously. You will not disappoint me."

"You honor me too much, my Lord."

"Honor means nothing if one cannot serve properly. I give you this power because I see you fit to be the captain of my Attendants."

"I will strive to not disappoint you, my Lord. With this blade in my hands, no one is capable of stopping me."

"Then it is good that I gave you the title of Reius-Phaeron, I shall trust you in that regard."

"Thank you, my Lord. What orders do I have?"

"As of yet, none. You may do as you wish but preferably I would wish for you and your fellow Attendants to mingle with the denizens of Nazarick, familiarize yourselves with the Tomb."

"Your Will be done, my Lord."

As the figure of Nefyl disappeared into the shadows of the Museum, I looked back to the control panel and thought.

If the Master wanted for a display of entertainment or something along the lines to entertain him then surely he could've made one himself or went to the Beyond and mingle with the Others though such schemes and doings are beyond one such as I, a second-dimensional construct.

* Guildmaster's Office *

Meanwhile, in the office of Ainz; he was having another of Albedo's daily reports. It another report about the new 'installations,' of Szrazyn's modifications to the Tomb.

In the report, it stated that many of the modifications were positive, the only one being a negative were the communication stations that were recently getting traffic as many of the denizens now used the stations near daily.

"... statistics show that more of these stations will be helpful in the relay of information throughout the floors."

"Then once Szrazyn is found, have these reports copied and sent to him."

"Understood, Lord Ainz."

"Is that all, Albedo?"

"There is the matter of the human village, Lord Ainz."

"With Szrazyn's manipulation, the villagers believed we defeated the soldiers and saved the village. We shall continue the manipulation and keep this link between the tomb and the village."

"Understood, Lord Ainz. That is it for my daily report."

"Then search for Szrazyn, use my personal communication device that he gave me to acquire his ear."

"Understood, Lord Ainz."

Ainz took a device from his portal and then gave it to Albedo. Holding it as if her life depended on it, Albedo walked to the doors of the office and prepared to leave.

It was at that moment when her and Shalltear met face to face. If Albedo had her way, she would have kept herself at the side of Ainz yet her orders were clear and was to find Szrazyn.

The doors opened and closed as Shalltear walked to the far end of the table in front of Ainz.

"Lord Ainz, I hope you are doing well."

"And I hope you are as well, Shalltear. What brings you to my room today?"

"Well I came to lay my eyes upon your eternal beauty, Lord."

"Eh! I- I see. Thank you for your words, Shalltear, but I wish to know the actual reason to your visit."

"Thank you, Lord Ainz. To explain, I am about to join Sebas, who has already left to the human capital. I presumed I wouldn't return to Nazarick for a time so I wanted to leave with your goodbye. Though I must ask, Lord Ainz."

"Yes?"

"We've all been informed that Lord Szrazyn sent these golems called 'wraiths,' that serve the role of spies and information-gatherers. Why do Sebas and I have to go to the human capital?"

"The reason as to why that is is because you and Sebas have a clear resemblance to humans. Szrazyn's wraiths unfortunately do not."

"I see. Thank you for answering my ignorance, Lord Ainz. I shall now take my leave."

* Ninth Floor *

The Ninth Floor of the Great Tomb of Nazarick was the floor of Nazarick which constituted the tomb's luxuries such as the Spa Resort and the Bar.

It is also here where the residences of the many maids, butlers, and servants of the Ninth and Tenth floors can be found.

It was the morning of the day, the homunculus maids had all awoken from their sleeps. Many of the maids never had a thought of ever meeting one of the Floor Guardians, less not the Supreme Ones.

Yet to the amazement of the maids, some of the 'Supreme Attendants,' of Lord Szrazyn were there at the canteen they daily ate in.

It was a miracle for Cixous, Foire, and Lumière to be there. They were the first ones to come to the canteen today and they never expected one of the fabled Supreme Attendants to be there, let alone thirteen of them.

The three homunculi were confused and anxious, more anxious, at the sight of the Supreme Attendants, to the point of staying silent. They didn't dare gain the attention of the Attendants, going to get their food immediately and sit as far away from them possible.

Before going to their seats, the three maids asked the chefs why the Attendants were there.

"Your guess is as good as mine, Cixous."

"I see."

She said in a defeated tone, now trailing behind Foire and Lumière to their table. As the three maids walked, from behind, a voice called out to them.

"You! Maids. We have questions for you."

Cixous made a very high-pitched noise that was near silent at that pitch. Both Foire and Lumière were nearly paralyzed from the anxiety but both did as they were told while practically dragging Cixous with them.

"How may we be of service, my Lords?"

Lumière said as Foire bowed with Cixous following in suit.

"What... What do you, uh, mortals do in your free time?"

"Uh... we..."

Lumière tried to answer the question but she could not think of any proper answers, fortunately Cixous left her silent state and answered.

"W-we like to eat and play some games, my Lord."

"Hm, is that so? Then might we all eat together?"

The three maids were quite speechless at the mere thought of dining with the Attendants. As the three were still thinking of a response, the Attendants made room for the three to sit at.

"Might we gain an answer to my question?"

"Oh. Forgive me, my Lord. We, uhm, don't think it is appropriate for us to dine with you, Lords."

"And who said such a thing? The Master? Lord Ainz? If no such authority said you could not dine with us then nothing hinders you from doing such a thing."

The Attendant then tapped on the seats left for the maids.

"Please, come and sit with us."

The maids did as the attendant said. The three homunculi were quite scared of saying anything and so ate their meals in a silence.

That silence was broken by the same attendant who invited them to their table.

"What are your regular duties, maid?"

"W-well we usually clean and do the mundane tasks in the ninth and tenth floors. From cleaning the floors, walls and ceilings to the laundry of the different people who live in the two floors."

"I see. As a maid, were you trained in the martial arts? Or were you all made to only be maids?"

"Uhm, the Pleiades Battle Maids are the ones you're speaking about. They're the ones who are both maids and warriors while we Homunculus Maids were made for the conditioning of the floors."

"I see."

After that, another silence came over the table as the Attendants ate, or rather, consumed the foods in front of them through atomizing them and consuming their energies.

Attempting to start a conversation, Cixous asked.

"What is your name, Sir?"

The Attendant moved his head to Cixous, his sudden movements frightened the little maid but through her will and curiosity, she was brave in her stance.

"I am Hestyr. What is yours, maid?"

"Cixous, my Lord."

"Please, Cixous. I am a humble servant of the same master, call me Hestyr."

"Al-Alright, He-Hestyr."

It was quite weird for Cixous to be allowed to call someone their personal name who was in higher standing than herself. She stuttered his name because of her built in loyalty and discipline to iterate the 'Lord,' and 'Lady,' honorifics.

"May I ask where you come from?"

For a moment, silence once again took control of the air. Cixous became anxious once again as she thought her question was something she shouldn't have asked. Her head felt heavy and her eyes stayed down.

"Memories of our home gives us... Bittersweet emotions."

Cixous raised her head to face Hestyr, her eyes fixed at the dark green of his eyes.

"Forgive me for asking, Hestyr."

"You have no need to apologize. In actuality, speaking of our home, the empire our Lord created gives us a sense of pride and joy that we joyfully embrace."

"Th-Then what was your home like?"

"My home was a great place. It was a beacon of the empire as we were at the center of it all. My home of Iskariya was a central part of the empire being that most of the governmental institutions and branches called my home theirs as well.

The beauty and splendor on my world was only rivaled by other core points of the empire with our capital, the home of all Necrons; Necronia, being the only thing greater than Iskariya."

"What of Necronia, Hestyr?"

"Oh, Necronia. A place one could only call heaven. It was the world where all Necrons originate and the birthplace of our Lord and God.

Such a place was beyond comprehension and thought of mortal beings."

"Mortal beings?"

Foire asked, her own curiosity about one of their Supreme One's home peaked in turn asking the question.

"When I mean mortal beings, I mean peoples and races who's lives may end abruptly at an unknown amount of time, for example, a human can live upwards to a eighty to a hundred years though eighty is their average milestone."

"I see. Please continue with Necronia!"

Foire said in an excited tone, Hestyr gazed at the maid for a quick second then went back to talking about Necronia. It would continue on like this for another minute or so until the other homunculus maids arrived.

The maids were all surprised at the sight of the Attendants, like those before them, and were all quiet yet listened in on the tales of Hestyr on the home of Szrazyn. Yet it would be when the Pleiades would arrive to have their meals would things start to get exciting.