14 The Proposal

Saigou waved his hand towards Demiurge and Shalltear.

Demiurge, with one hand clasped behind his back, bowed gracefully, adjusted his glasses, and walked slowly to stand before Saigou.

Shalltear, on the other hand, was panting heavily.

Her crimson eyes shimmered with a fervent and twisted obsession as she crawled on the ground, approaching Saigou with the eagerness of a loyal dog.

Once she reached Saigou, Shalltear's delicate nose sniffed the air, her waxen skin flushing with excitement.

This made Saigou wonder if there was something unusual about his scent.

Nevertheless, he couldn't help but admire Shalltear. Even in a crawling position, her demeanor remained impeccably elegant.

"Demiurge, Shalltear!"

Saigou spoke in a deep, commanding tone.

"Present, my lord!"

"I am here, Supreme One!"

Both Demiurge and Shalltear immediately composed themselves, adopting a respectful and attentive posture.

"You two need not follow Momonga's progress investigation. Instead, delve deep into human territory for me. I require ample intelligence!"

"This intelligence should include, but is not limited to, the myths, history, culture, races, and current political environment of the continent."

"In your investigative efforts, you are permitted to use all unconventional and extreme measures."

"...Especially you, Demiurge. As a demon skilled in deception and disguise, extract the necessary information from the upper echelons of human society."

"Humans are greedy, and with your demonic methods, I am confident you won't disappoint me!"

The dark flames beneath Saigou's hood resonated with an ominous and commanding tone, delivering orders to Shalltear and Demiurge.

Saigou could not afford to wait for Momonga's slow investigation.

Due to his meticulous nature, Momonga would inevitably slow down the progress.

Every personality has its dual aspects, and Momonga's caution meant that the process would be slower.

Therefore, when instructing Momonga to gather external intelligence, Saigou also needed to deploy a 'special' team to penetrate human territory and obtain the required information.

Only with a thorough understanding of this world's history and nations could Saigou make informed decisions.

To acquire intelligence swiftly, special measures, including brutality and bloodshed, would be necessary.

Saigou had refrained from detailing these methods earlier, choosing instead to discuss them privately with Shalltear and Demiurge.

He knew Momonga might not accept some of these methods.

Saigou was uncertain what Momonga would become in the future, but as of now, Momonga's moral standards as a human were still high.

Thus, there might be methods he would refuse.

As for himself, Saigou had flexible moral boundaries. Rising to a high position in human society was not something achievable by purely virtuous individuals.

Saigou had witnessed too many of the darker aspects of human society.

"You do not need to report the details of your process to me, just provide the final results. Also, do not disclose your actions to Momonga."

"...Furthermore, do not overdo it. Keep your actions discreet. I do not wish for our operations to attract unwanted attention before we fully understand this world."

"Especially you, Shalltear!"

Saigou emphasized his specific requirements, casting a stern glance at Shalltear.

Saigou remembered that Shalltear had a 'raging' ability, a skill she had used during the game when Nazarick was invaded.

In the game, such abilities merely added attributes and brought some negative effects.

However, in reality, the trouble such skills could cause was evident.

Shalltear, being directly addressed, trembled with apprehension and quickly bowed her body, stammering, "...I will heed your commands, most exalted one!"

Hearing Shalltear's self-address, Saigou furrowed his brow.

Though she used the term 'servant,' Shalltear's self-reference was not a noble's humble term but rather akin to how a courtesan from the pleasure district might refer to herself.

In other words, Shalltear's self-reference carried connotations of lewdness and self-objectification.

This was similar to Albedo's manner of self-reference.

Whether it was Peroroncino or Tabula, their character settings were indeed quite wicked.

"Lord Zarathustra, I understand your profound intent. Rest assured, I will present you with the most detailed intelligence about this world."

"...I will be the vanguard of your conquest, bringing darkness and terror to the land, ensuring that all beings who resist fall into despair under your supreme, deathly radiance!"

Demiurge placed one hand behind him and one in front, his face twisted into an evil grin as he bowed respectfully and spoke.

He felt that Lord Zarathustra had given him the best possible task.

Confronted with the insignificant and cowardly humans, it was only fitting for demons to use terror and malevolence to make them submit.

Even if he needed to extract information from humans, it was only natural for a demon to employ demonic methods.

Just listen to what Lord Zarathustra requires!

The geography, history, culture, nations, and mythological data of this world—just from these demands, one could imagine the immense ambition and grand plans of the lord.

As the loyal servant of the Supreme Being, created by the World Disaster, Demiurge would exert all his efforts to prepare for the Supreme One's world-conquering plan.

At this moment, Shalltear, who had been slightly delayed by Demiurge, quickly interjected, "...As your most trusted servant, I shall offer my blood to you, most exalted one!"

After speaking, Shalltear shot a reproachful glance at Demiurge, as if blaming him for stealing her chance to express her loyalty.

Demiurge merely adjusted his glasses, smiling faintly, and remained silent.

"Albedo, the security of Nazarick is now your responsibility. Should any intruders appear, capture them, extract intelligence from them, and then hand them over to Kyouhukou."

With these instructions given, Saigou no longer needed to stay in Nazarick. Those assigned to fieldwork would go about their duties, while those handling internal affairs would proceed with their tasks, allowing him to focus on researching the dark space within his guild room.

This was the mark of a competent leader.

"I will not allow any lowly fools to soil the soil of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, my Lord!"

Albedo responded softly, bending her delicate body in a graceful bow.

Saigou nodded, activating the power of the ring he wore to teleport directly to his room.

As soon as Saigou disappeared, Albedo's expression changed dramatically. She turned to Shalltear with a wide, terrifying grin.

"...Ha! How dare you, you seven-gilled lamprey, attempt to steal the Supreme One's affection while I am unable to speak! You are truly deserving of death a thousand times over!"

Unfazed, Shalltear covered her mouth and chuckled, her bewitching eyes unflinching as she glared at Albedo.

"...Big gorilla, you act so docile and even refrain from smiling normally. Are you afraid that your disgusting grin might repulse the Supreme One?"

Albedo's expression darkened, her black wings flaring out. "...Shalltear, shut your mouth. Even if you attach false attributes to your flat figure, do you really think it will make the Supreme One look at you any longer?"

"...Remember, falsehoods are ultimately just falsehoods. No matter how much you try to fake it, it will never become real!"

With this, Albedo proudly thrust out her chest.

Shalltear, her eyes narrowed and her face paling, was visibly shaken by Albedo's display—a subject she preferred to avoid discussing.

"...I... I... Albedo, do you wish to battle me here?"

"Why not!"

Albedo's face twisted into a malevolent grin as she issued a harsh laugh.

Seeing the escalating argument between the two, Demiurge stepped in to mediate. "...Enough, both of you. Private duels are prohibited within the Great Tomb of Nazarick."

"...If you do not wish to incur the wrath of the Supreme One, please calm your tempers for the moment."

Demiurge's words managed to bring a semblance of calm to the two adversaries.

"I can see the loyalty and devotion you both have for the Supreme One. Why not heed my suggestion and settle your differences in another manner?"

At Demiurge's suggestion, Shalltear and Albedo turned their attention to him, as if seeking his advice.

"With only two of the forty-two Supreme Beings remaining, and the others having departed from us, we cannot afford to lose any more of our Supreme Ones!"

"...Currently, having only two Supreme Beings in the Great Tomb is insufficient."

"Although it is unpleasant to think this way, if our Supreme Beings were to abandon us, we would need to find successors who can inherit their positions."

Before Demiurge could finish, both Albedo and Shalltear fixed him with wary, rare shared glares. "...Demiurge, cease your delusions!"

"...Your delusions are tantamount to overstepping your bounds. How dare you covet the position of the Supreme One?! If that is the case, we may have to eliminate you right here!"

Demiurge quickly waved his hands in protest. "...That is not my intention. Please allow me to explain further!"

"...What I mean is, the Great Tomb of Nazarick needs successors. Given your excellent lineage, should they bear the blood of the Supreme One, they would undoubtedly produce the most exceptional heirs!"

"How about this proposal? The one who first bears an heir for the Supreme One shall ascend to the highest position, rather than resolving the issue through a conflict that would anger the Supreme One."

"...While I believe the Supreme One would not abandon us, the presence of heirs would also bolster the strength of the Great Tomb of Nazarick!"

Demiurge's proposal intrigued both Albedo and Shalltear.

The notion of who could bear an heir for the Supreme One first to claim victory was highly appealing.

Seeing that the argument had subsided, Demiurge shrugged.

Resolving conflicts between women with wisdom seemed the right approach. Surely, the Supreme One's wisdom could offer a better solution to their discord.

Yet, Demiurge decided to overstep this once to assist in resolving the problem, for if even such minor matters required the Supreme One's intervention, what was the point of their roles as subordinates?

As for Albedo's and Shalltear's fertility, or whether a proposal was feasible, it was beyond Demiurge's concern.

…

In another world, within a barrier established on Itogami Island, a beautiful woman dressed in a twelve-layered kimono turned to her companion and asked, "...Natsuki, are you ready?"