Chapter 4: Preparations

The meeting with the guardians lasted half an hour more as I went through the matters I had preplanned. After I was through the list and content with the work assignments, I decided to promptly take my leave, letting my guardians deal with the rest of the work.

I knew very well what I was doing; I was escaping from my duties and shoving most of the menial work on my subordinates. But seeing the delighted smiles of the guardians made any bubbling guilt simply wash away. And besides, a part of me reasoned that it was only natural for someone in my position to do things in such a manner. Otherwise, if I took all the burdens on myself, not only would I make my new life miserable, but I would undermine my subordinates' wishes to please me and show off their talents, and earn my praise. 

In this singular meeting, I had confirmed that the desire to please and earn approval from me was strong with these NPCs turned living beings. In that regard, I was truly fortunate and blessed to have such proactive subordinates. And I didn't doubt their capabilities either. All I had to do was make sure they didn't overdo it.

Before I left, however, I did let my companion know of my intentions.

"Nix."

The woman in question straightened further as she attentively waited for any orders or commands.

"When you're done with your work and have free time, come to my room. There are some things I wish to discuss with you in private."

I spoke, not missing the undertone my own words carried and hinted at my intentions.

I left soon after I got her gentle nod and verbal affirmation.

-x-

4 figures watched as their Master and Creator left, his all-encompassing and benevolent Aura no longer washing over the entire room and cuddling them like a wrapped blanket.

Their thoughts might have varied slightly but they all could feel one thing: A sense of longing, loss, and a desire to be in the presence of their Master once again.

"Haaa…"

After a while someone lightly sighed, barely heard by others only due to their Levels and enhanced sense, causing the silent tension in the room to loosen as they all eased just a tad. In the presence of their Master, the Supreme One, the Ruler of Elysium Nexus, they couldn't afford to show an ounce of laxity. It was paramount that they listened to and understood every work of their Master and the deeper meaning behind those words. After all, everything their Lord spoke was nothing short of words of great wisdom and absolute truth, an absolute fact that nothing and nobody could deny.

"Now then."

An ethereal voice caused the others to look at the equally ethereal figure of Nix Celestine, the one who was created by the greatest of all Supreme Beings and one who was chosen as their Master's right-hand woman, the greatest position any guardian could not even dream of achieving as it wasn't their right. Such a position could only be granted by the Master of the Nexus himself.

Each of them knew their purpose, their duty, and the expectations placed upon them.

"Lady Nix."

Sylvia Arborius, the guardian of the second floor, Ethereal Grove, responded as she and the others waited for their Leader and wisest among them to speak.

"As you have been told by our lord, we are to work together as a team and handle all the necessary tasks pertaining to the investigation of the rest of the Guild and its denizens. Master has already given us a general framework to work with and it would be the height of foolishness to not follow it and thus show disrespect to the Supreme One."

Everyone nodded promptly, the very thought of disrespecting their Master and Lord as nothing short of blasphemous and worthy of a thousand deaths. Their faces contorted into a mixture of revulsion and unease at the very thought.

"As such, as per our Lord's orders, I shall now be specifying the finer details that were left unsaid by our Master in hopes that we, the Guardians, would be capable enough to pick it up ourselves and show that we are competent enough to understand his intentions without him having to explain everything to us word by word."

"Yes, of course!"

"I wholeheartedly agree, Lady Nix."

"TRULY, OUR LORD KNOWS THE BEST."

"Good. I'm glad to see my fellow guardians understand and agree with my sentiments. Now, that said. The following are your immediate tasks for the moment: The 2nd Floor Guardian, Sylvia Arborius."

The one in question, a beautiful green-haired woman with emerald green eyes and a gentle smile, perked up in response.

"My lady."

"You guard the true entrance to the Elysium Nexus and subsequently the largest floor, barring the 8th Floor. As such, it is paramount that we ensure there are no issues on your floor. Until The Gatekeeper recovers, you shall be in charge of not only the 2nd Floor but also the 1st Floor's [Gate]."

"Understood, My lady. I shall not disappoint."

Nix nodded with a gentle smile, then turned to the next figure, a hulking being in a pitch black armor.

"3rd Floor's Guardian, Valoron. We borrowed some of the summons from your floor. I hope that didn't cause any shortage of units for your floor?"

"NO, MY LADY. IT HARDLY PUT A DENT IN THE NUMBER AND HAS ALREADY BEEN RECOVERED. FEEL FREE TO TAKE MORE IF YOU NEED."

"I see. That is good. For you, I believe what Master said was all that was needed. Keep guarding the Arena as you usually do."

The man wearing armor simply nodded.

"I WILL GUARD THE ARENA WITH MY LIFE."

"4th floor's Area Guardian, Gaia."

"My lady!"

The Earth Primordial bowed, showing due respect to her superior. Not only was she talking to the Guardian Overseer, the Supreme One's right-hand woman, but she herself wasn't on the same level as the others.

Gaia was created as an Area Guardian by the Supreme Ones along with 3 others. Together the four primordials of Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind: Pyra, Nereida, Gaia, and Zephyros managed the fourth floor together. However, among them, Gaia was the eldest and was elected as the spokesperson for the others. However, that wasn't the only reason. Pyra was her namesake, a hot-blooded battle maniac who couldn't handle delicate and complicated tasks. Zephyros was still too young and reckless. Nereida was the closest to an ideal replacement but she was shy and still inexperienced in matters such as these, thus it was Gaia's responsibility to act as the representative of their respective floor when need be. Especially when an urgent call from their Master such as this had to be answered.

Until this moment, she had felt her presence suppressed by the more powerful presence of the behemoths that were the Floor Guardians among whom she was allowed to stand. She had barely opened her mouth in the entire conversation, only listening and mentally taking note of everything the Supreme Master said so she could ensure she didn't fail to perfectly accomplish her assigned task.

Unlike other floor guardians who had occasionally interacted with the Master of Nexus, she felt she wasn't worthy of such an honor. She was, after all, a mere Area Guardian.

"I would like you to gather a report on the supply of [Elemental Stones] that your floor produces. Check to see if there have been any changes in the number and quality that is produced. Once done, you can move on to the other produce from your floor."

Gaia listened in rapt attention, her long wavy brown hair moving gently as she nodded her head to show she understood the orders.

"Understood, my Lady. I will see to it promptly."

Nix smiled at the eager and determined expression on the face of the Area Guardian. She could tell just by observing that Gaia felt a little out of place here, considering her official title was an Area Guardian which was usually below a Floor Guardian. However, she unofficially represented all the Area Guardians and the other Primordials, so she was an unofficial Floor Manager in all but name. Even her Master didn't once question her presence so that only cemented that idea in her head.

"Excellent. And Gaia."

"Yes, my lady?"

The wavy brown-haired, golden-eyed beauty with a supple yet prime figure looked at her in confusion and a hint of nervousness.

"You do not have to be so tense, dear. I understand you may feel out of place or under-ranked, standing among the Floor Guardians."

She watched as the Earth primordial's eyes widened slightly in shock and her nervousness increased severalfold, though she hid it well. The others present too looked at the Earth Primordial with interest and curiosity, something that didn't quite help her situation. Though seeing that nobody seemed to be displeased or objected to her attendance in this meeting, it was clear that they either didn't mind or simply accepted her presence here. Seeing the wilting form of the Level 90 Earth Primordial, she promptly continued to not cause the poor thing any more distress.

"However, your floor's situation is a bit special. The Supreme Ones did not deem it necessary to assign a formal Floor Guardian like the other floors but instead divided the entire area into sections with you Primordials as the Area guardians of each region. There must be a profound reason for why they did that, one such guess would be to 'optimize the NPC level distribution' as I've so heard, though I will not be so presumptuous as to say I fully understand their reasoning. I too am but a mere creation of my Master."

Every Guardian who listened to her nodded in affirmation but they also argued in their heads that Lady Nix's existence was still special. She was still the wisest among all the other creations of the Supreme Ones. There was a reason she stood beside their Master.

Nix's words continued in the otherwise silent halls of the sacred chamber where their Lord reigned.

"However, it is also true that they knew that it'd be problematic when it came to representing your floor. It'd not be feasible to have all of your Primordials show up every time a meeting between the Floor Guardians took place. As such, they made you decide among yourself to select a representative. And so you, Gaia, were chosen in that manner. Now, as the representative of your floor, you might not be an official Floor Guardian in terms of power or title, but you most certainly are a Manager of your Floor in effect. Understand that my Master acknowledged your presence here. Otherwise, you wouldn't be allowed here. So, banish any thoughts of being undeserving and focus on your work, Gaia."

Nix finished with a tone that contained a mixture of motherly care and gentle pushing by a guardian who prompted their children and wards to fulfill their potential. Gaia listened intently, her nerves gradually easing as Nix spoke with reassuring warmth. She straightened her posture, feeling a surge of determination welling up within her.

"Thank you, my Lady." 

Gaia replied, her voice steady and resolute.

"I will carry out my duties to the best of my abilities."

Nix smiled approvingly, her eyes reflecting pride in the Earth Primordial's newfound confidence. 

"That's the spirit, Gaia. Remember, your role is essential in maintaining the harmony and balance of Nexus. Trust in your abilities, and never doubt your worth."

With a final nod of encouragement, Nix turned her attention to the other Guardians, seeing their respectful gazes.

She couldn't help but smile at that.

"Jibril."

The War Angel in question perked up, ready to perform her duties.

Like others, she was assigned similar tasks related to the exploration, management, and report creation of the fifth floor that she managed. Fifth Heaven was the name given to the fifth floor and it was guarded by the strongest War Angel Jibril and the 4 Great Seraphs that worked under her.

Jibril was not only among the top 4 strongest beings in the entire Nexus, but she was also among the smartest beings in the entirety of Elysium Nexus, bar the Supreme Beings of course as they were considered to be in a realm beyond the reach of mere Creations. It was only supported further by the item she always carried on her person.

The Book of All Knowledge, written by Lord RusticBucket and her Master, All4One. Jibril was given the greatest wisdom of Yggdrasil by her Master himself.

She smiled, knowing how much care, love, and reverence the War Angel showed to what must have felt to her like a sacred gift from her Creators. Lord RusticBucket was the creator of Jibril but her appearance and description were something that her Master All4One had suggested and helped in. In a way, she too was a creation of her Master. Many others in the Elysium Nexus had similar links to All4One, some more so than others. That was why he was considered the Supreme Creator among all the Supreme Beings of Nexus. His wisdom was something that all other Supreme Beings respected and tended to follow.

Having accomplished her work of assigning all the important tasks, she began concluding the meeting. She had been asked to meet with her Master and she wouldn't want to keep him waiting for too long.

"Then, please work hard dear Guardians. I shall be awaiting your reports. Make sure that nothing is left out. Even a small or seemingly bland and useless detail must not be glossed over. Lord All4One has placed his expectations on us. Do not betray those expectations."

A chorus of affirmations and vigorous nods resounded in the sacred room before, one by one, all the Guardians left to their assigned tasks.

She smiled, having performed her current duties. 

It was time to meet with her Master. In private.

-x-

I teleported straight to the hallway on the 9th floor that had the private rooms of the now ex-Guildmembers. Looking around, I found a single individual standing a little distance away.

Coincidently, the figure was in the same direction as my destination, the Guildmaster's Quarters. I moved with purpose, approaching the figure who seemed to be in a daze, almost as if daydreaming about something, though the expression on its face was stoic and revealed nothing to the onlookers.

The moment I reached close by, however, the figure jolted minutely and stood at attention.

"Master."

The figure bowed politely, making my gaze drift to the curious physics at play currently. But I quickly caught myself before I was distracted further.

"Grayfia. How are you today?"

My nod and subsequent inquiry made her raise her head, her platinum-white braided hair shifting slightly. Despite no longer bowing, she still had her face down as a clear show of servitude and respect, her hands folded together in front of her blue and white Maid dress, very reminiscent of her attire from the DxD anime that I barely remembered when making her. This was the closest outfit I could find for her. She looked very much like the Grayfia in the DxD Anime, though she was mentally much younger and not a bonafide MILF as this version of her never developed a love interest with the redhead Satan. Still, if put side by side, I dare say it would be nigh impossible to tell the difference between the original one and my version. Despite being centuries older, DxD Grayfia, thanks to her Devil heritage, was still a woman in her twenties in terms of appearance.

"I am well, thank you for inquiring, master. The tasks around the 9th floor have been attended to diligently, as always. The others are currently taking a break in the cafeteria. Is there anything specific you require of me today?"

I nodded in affirmation.

"That is good to know, Grayfia. But I was asking about yourself mainly. I noticed you were… zoning out. Does something bother you, Grayfia? Would you like to share your worries with me?"

The woman in question remained stoic but I could feel a hint of embarrassment and shame leaking from her. If I had to take a guess, she likely felt embarrassed that she was caught doing something 'shameful' like that. Silly girl, my head maid was.

"I appreciate your concern, master. It's nothing of significance, just a passing moment of reflection. However, if you wish to know, I will confess that my idle musings stirred some memories of the past Devil Civil War. But please rest assured, I am fully dedicated to serving you and will not allow any personal concerns to interfere with my duties."

I looked at her in contemplation.

The Devil's Civil War. Right. I suppose her background text has become real too. I did make her a Summon from Another World, of sorts.

Thinking back to the time I created her, she was supposed to be a version of Grayfia from an anime called High School DxD that I had been quite acquainted with for… reasons in my first life. Yes, I was a big nerd who read a lot of fanfiction in my free time. You caught me.

Even after I woke up in Neo Japan and started playing Yggdrasil, I couldn't fully forget that anime.

So, when the time came when I had to design the Maids, I didn't hesitate to take some liberal inspiration from works from my first world.

Grayfia was one of them. A High Ultimate Class Devil from Underworld of High School DxD world, which was converted to a Level 90 Archdemon Battle Maid character with Lawful Good alignment in Yggdrasil terminology. She was the strongest among all the Battle Maids, the main powerhouses and guardians of this floor.

Her backstory was a rather gloomy one, albeit one where she ultimately found a new meaning and purpose in life.

Grayfia Lucifuge was born into the prestigious Lucifuge Household, known for its unwavering loyalty to the Lucifer Clan, one of the Original Satans. From a young age, Grayfia was groomed to serve her family and clan with unwavering devotion. She excelled in combat and strategy, honing her skills to become a formidable warrior and tactician.

However, tragedy struck when the War between the Original Satans and the Usurpers erupted. The Lucifuge Household, staunch supporters of the Lucifer Clan, found themselves embroiled in the conflict. Grayfia fought valiantly alongside her family and comrades, but despite their efforts, they were overwhelmed by the sheer might of the Usurpers.

In the chaos of battle, Grayfia witnessed the destruction of her household and the loss of her loved ones. The once proud and noble Lucifuge bloodline was decimated, leaving Grayfia as the sole survivor. Overwhelmed by grief and despair, she felt like she had lost everything she held dear. With nothing left to live for, Grayfia resigned herself to her fate, ready to embrace death's embrace.

However, fate had other plans in store for her. As she faced off against the Crimson-Haired Prince of Destruction, Sirzechs Gremory, in a final desperate battle, Grayfia found herself outmatched and on the brink of defeat. Just as all hope seemed lost, a mysterious magic circle appeared, whisking her away from the battlefield in the nick of time.

When Grayfia awoke, she found herself in a strange and unfamiliar place: the Elysium Nexus, the guild and home of All4One. He offered her a new purpose, a chance to start anew in a world far removed from the horrors of her past. Grateful for the opportunity to escape her despair, Grayfia accepted All4One's offer to serve as his Head Maid.

Under All4One's guidance, Grayfia found solace and purpose once more. Though haunted by the memories of her tragic past, she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her new master and guild, channeling her skills and loyalty into serving their cause with unwavering dedication. Through her unwavering devotion and resilience, Grayfia found redemption and a new sense of belonging in the Elysium Nexus, leaving behind the shadows of her past to embrace a brighter future.

"I see."

My expression softened, realizing that her stoic face hid a certain hollowness that still peaked through her expressive silver eyes. She hid her pain well, but it was obvious to me that she was not truly okay. Even if she acted similarly, she wasn't the Grayfia I knew from the Anime. She was her own person, with many a minute or major differences, I was certain.

I raised my hand and gently brought it to her head, caressing her soft and silky platinum-white hair as she stiffened slightly and looked at me with that same stoic face. Though her eyes told me she was surprised by my actions and… delighted.

I smiled, knowing my actions calmed her down and made her happier, at least.

"It's alright, Grayfia. I know it's hard on you, the memories of your gloomy past. But know that you don't have to suffer from them alone. You have me here. I will help you. I promise. Because I truly do care for you, my dear Grayfia."

My hands slipped from her head and reached down to her warm and gentle right cheek. I caressed her gently, making her involuntarily close her eyes and lean onto my palm, feeling her emotions shift slightly from appeasement and joy to pleasure and… desire. She didn't respond but she seemed to be lost in my caress.

But the moment I noticed that shift, however, I slowly and covertly pulled my hands back.

It hadn't been my intention to shift the mood in that direction—I simply wished to make her feel better. But I had a soft spot for most, if not all, of the creations in the Guild. These were all beings quite dear to me and Grayfia also happened to be quite attractive naturally due to her Devil heritage. By DxD lore that I vaguely remembered, all devils were very attractive and had naturally good-looking forms. Especially the more powerful ones. So, yes. Despite wearing a normal French maid outfit, her curves were very much pronounced. From her thin curvy waist to her supple wide hips and her very substantial breasts that created a slight strain against the whites of her clothes' fabric, one could easily tell that the formal and civil dress hid a lascivious body.

But that didn't mean I would take advantage of that. I knew when to hold myself.

I smiled at the platinum-haired woman in front of me and spoke.

"Well, I am happy to see you as always, Grayfia. I will be going to my room and resting there."

The maid looked pensive for a moment but quickly nodded politely.

"Of course, master. I shall be at your service. Please feel free to ask me if you desire anything."

Perhaps it was just my imagination, but I couldn't help but wonder if there was an innuendo hidden in her polite and stoic sentence somewhere. She seemed quite formal and exuded the aura of seriousness and attentiveness while saying it, so it was likely my own imagination running wild. I decided not to think too deeply about that topic and let it go.

"I will, Grayfia."

I smiled and then started walking towards the end of the hallway towards the last door. My private quarters.

-x-

She watched as her lord and master started walking towards his private quarters, pausing for a moment before she began trailing him at a respectable distance. It was her duty to be near her master and serve his any desire.

She tried to not think back to the moments prior when she could feel the warm and loving touch of her master on her cheeks. That single touch alone had made her prior gloom vanish and fill her with thoughts of joy and… she wouldn't want to admit it due to how inappropriate and blasphemous it was to feel such a way towards someone of her master's stature, but his touch… it induced a state of euphoria inside her. She hid it well, at least she tried really hard not to show it. But inside, she was ready to melt from just her master's touch. There was no magic spell used there, not an ounce of mana was used. Yet, it was like a magical touch.

It made her relax and clear away her thoughts and worries. It refreshed her and it also made her feel putty in his hands.

Her cheeks warmed slightly as the phantom sensation of his touch still lingered on her face. She promptly doubled down on her posture and ensured that there were no gaps in them. She was a trained warrior, a fighter, and a briefly a general too in the Civil War that took everything away from her. And prior to that, she was trained in the duties and etiquette of a maid.

It was only due to those two lessons, deeply engraved in her body and mind, that she managed to not show a disrespectful visage to her master. Even if he was not looking in her direction.

The very thought of slipping in front of him, possibly making him disappointed in her, made her feel great revulsion and dread. She absolutely refused to show such a sight to the one who offered her a new life after she had no will to live. He provided her an anchor to this new reality and the meaning of her existence.

She looked at the tall and broad figure of her master.

Her master, the All4One, cut an imposing figure, tall and commanding with an aura of power and authority. His presence alone exuded an air of confidence and wisdom, hinting at his formidable capabilities and mastery of his myriad domains.

He possessed a striking and regal countenance, with sharp, angular features that conveyed both strength and intelligence to her and anyone who looked at him. His eyes, a piercing shade of deep indigo, akin to a dense cloud of nebula surrounding two black holes in the center, seem to hold a wealth of knowledge and experience, reflecting the depths of his inner strength and resolve.

His long, flowing hair cascaded in waves of midnight black as he walked in front of her, framing his face with an almost ethereal allure when she had the opportunity to gleam at his magnificent face. Each strand of his hair had seemed to shimmer with a faint, otherworldly luminescence, hinting at the potent magic that seemed to course through his very veins.

Clad in robes of rich, deep hues accented with intricate golden embroidery, All4One cut a figure of elegance and refinement as he walked in the perfect gait to his private quarters. His attire exuded an air of ancient mystique, hinting at the centuries of knowledge and wisdom that he likely possessed. Since the moment she opened her eyes to gaze at him, she knew she was facing a being far above her in all manners. It was akin to a mortal seeing a true god. His feats, as she learned during her time here, only solidified that belief, filling her with unshakable conviction of her master's grandeur and supremacy.

Despite his formidable appearance, however, there is a sense of warmth and compassion in All4One's demeanor, a kindness that belied his immense power. His gaze held a depth of understanding and empathy, inviting trust and respect from all who stood before him. Like herself. He had easily managed to soothe her mental turmoil and readily offered his support and care. It was, in a way, baffling to hear from such a being that he cared for someone so insignificant like her.

It made her already mushy heart melt into a liquid that then boiled and turned into vapors of heated yearning.

Her master was a being beyond her, someone who was worthy of being called a True God, and yet she, a mere devil servant, couldn't help but crave his attention and… if it was ever possible… maybe even a small portion of his affection. Just a tad. 

Grayfia couldn't suppress those treacherous emotions inside her as she outwardly stoicly followed her master to his abode.

-x-

After entering my private chamber, Grayfia following my lead without my asking her, I reached the bedroom. I politely asked Grayfia to stand in the attached living room—she expressly refused to sit on one of the living room sofas or even a conjured chair despite my incessant urging, stating it would be highly inappropriate for her to do so, that silly stubborn girl—as I closed my bedroom door and had a modicum of privacy.

Not that I was planning on doing anything secretive or shady. I simply wished for my private to inspect and introspect myself.

So, I spent the next couple of minutes admiring my new form in the body-length mirror that was attached to a wall inside the 'small' dressing room attached to my bedroom.

Unequipping the robes I wore as my character All4One, I roamed my hands on my stomach, feeling the chiseled pecs, the broad and hard skin that very much contrasted to the skinny and lanky form I was used to for the past many years.

I breathed in deeply, feeling my smooth and perfectly defined chest muscles move in perfect harmony. Then I breathed out, feeling a delighted and satisfied smile tugging on my lips.

This is nice.

That was all I had to say to my new form. It was designed to be handsome, a face that people would pay attention to if they caught a glimpse of it. I had no shame in admitting I was very vain when designing my Avatar.

Chuckling, I looked around in the dressing room, filled with all sorts of clothing, neatly arranged in order and fashion styles. Picking up one of the more tame and simpler clothing, a simple white collared shirt that was a mixture of the modern design and a hint of fantastical in its simple designs, I also pulled up black trousers and promptly wore them.

As much as it was fun to roam around in robes and whatnot. I still had a fondness for the comforts a simple shirt and trousers provided.

Given that even the simple-looking attires were still clothing that gave certain perks or effects in-game, the ones I wore had very little to offer in that regard. Other than being moderately durable, they were more or less simple clothes. 

Once dressed, I sat on the comfortable bed, humming in delight at the soft and comfortable feeling. Soon, I was lying on my back, my hands cushioning my head and giving it some needed support.

As I dangled my feet idly, my thoughts wandered to the recent events.

I'd made it. I'd made it to the New World. Even though I hadn't truly confirmed if this was that same new world, my gut feeling told me it was.

I'd made it, not just me but others too. The reports I'm scheduled to get would put the final stamp on it but I could more or less sense everyone in the back of my mind if I focused. It was one of the new aspects of my powers that I hadn't focused on until now. But when I closed my eyes, I could feel a connection to each and every individual, the NPCs, in the Nexus' confines. That link gave me a subconscious reassurance of that fact. The reports were merely a formality, really. A physical proof for psychic knowledge. An official documentation for the records, if you will.

Opening my eyes, I looked at the ceiling of my room. The view that greeted it was one of nebulae. Not a mere painting but not real either. I could feel it, the construct of illusion magic it was made from. It was good enough that if I ignored my meta-knowledge, it felt as if my room opened up to outer space. It was similar to the throne room, but much more confined, and unlike the illusion I was seeing here, the one from the throne room was much more—

I paused and blinked.

Ah. I need to check to see if the ceiling is accessible now.

I took in a contemplative breath and wondered what the result would be.

From my expanded knowledge of this place, I knew instinctively that a barrier would likely greet me or anyone if they tried to go up. But was it still indestructible and impregnable? And on that note, did I even want to test and break it, when it wasn't doing me any harm? What would be the outcome of that action? Would a space greet me? Obviously. If the view I know is any indication, the space would likely be a void between the galaxies. Maybe even the void between the galaxy clusters. A space without atmosphere.

And what happens when two spaces, one without atmosphere and air pressure and one with none are linked?

On second though, I should make sure that it's not leaking or anything.

I chuckled nervously. Even though I had a tremendous amount of magic and spells, I didn't want to test my might against the deep space. 

Maybe one day.

But it didn't have to be today. Or tomorrow. Or any other day in the next month or year, even. Some day in the distant future, I'll think about expanding my presence into outer space. Maybe once I'm done exploring every part of this planet and am bored—

A series of knocks disturbed me from my reveries and I turned to look towards the door.

"My apologies for disturbing you, master. But Lady Nix has come to meet you as you'd requested."

I sat back up at that.

Ah, is it time already?

I hadn't realized that I had been thinking and daydreaming for so long. Or maybe Nix finished early. Either way, the confusion led way to anticipation and joy as I spoke my next words.

"Let her in, Grayfia. Have her seated on the sofa. I'll be there."

The last bit was added as an afterthought. I'd very briefly wondered if I should invite her into my bedroom but then decided against that. I wanted to spend time with her and get to know my partner more but something told me if I invited her here, then I'd get to know her in a different way. A part of me, likely the lower one, was quite agreeable to that idea, but I told myself not to rush things so much. I had time and Nix wasn't going anywhere.

My diligent head maid promptly left once my instructions ended, her nigh-silent footsteps (even to my enhanced senses) sounding less and less as I heard the faint sound of the door opening followed by a brief conversation that I barely heard. Then someone else entered my private abode and was followed by Grayfia who paused to close to door.

My heart beat a little faster as the steps approached closer, my physical senses already informing me of the identity of the arrival which was redundant as my mental connection had already let me know of the person's identity long ago.

The leading footsteps turned in another direction and walked a few more steps before halting.

I stood up, knowing Nix was already waiting for me in the living room. I had already noticed that she didn't sit, nor was she prompted by Grayfia to do so. They both seemed to be waiting for me judging by the direction their bodies were facing, as my senses helpfully informed me.

I walked up to my door and before I could move to open the door, I felt a ping of Magic activating through my senses, making me pause briefly.

The next moment, the door opened and I was greeted by Grayfia's stoic yet poised self, opening the door for me.

Ah.

I had to hold back a huff of amusement. I didn't expect her to use short-range Teleport to open the door for me.

I could have done that myself, you know.

I held back from saying that as I already knew the reply I'd get.

Something along the lines of– It'd be rude to let a Supreme Being do such a menial task as opening the door. That is the duty of your servants, my lord.

So, I simply smiled at the stoic maid and started moving towards Nix who I could see was waiting for my arrival, her face just as beautiful and her smile just as alluring and heartwarming. It made mine wider as I approached her.

"Good afternoon, my lord. I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long?"

The question was seemingly harmless and would have been on course for a normal greeting if I hadn't sensed a brief hint of trepidation in Nix.

She was actually worried that she'd kept me waiting for too long. She hid it well, even from my emotion-sensing powers, but I could still catch a hint of it.

Why?

I asked and already knew the answer to my own question.

And I held back a sigh at the reason and instead kept up my smile as I responded.

"No, no. You did not keep me waiting, Nix. If anything, I expected your work to take longer, so this is a pleasant surprise if anything. Besides, your work is important. I wouldn't have minded even if you had taken much longer. I had my own thoughts to keep me occupied."

I'd have taken a short nap if she took longer than a few hours.

I mentally shrugged.

"Come, sit with me, Nix. No need to stay standing."

I prompted her to take a seat beside me as I sat on the larger of the three plush sofas that surrounded a designer table in the middle. Nix didn't need further prompting and sat beside me.

Grayfia moved a step in my direction and bowed as she asked.

"Master, might I inquire if you and Lady Nix would care for some refreshments? I could prepare a selection of snacks and beverages to your liking, should you so desire."

I looked at her bowing form and then wondered for a brief moment if I did.

Snacks, huh. I guess I won't mind some.

I turned to my partner.

"Would you like some, Nix?"

She smiled and nodded, then turned to Grayfia.

"Thank you for the offer, Grayfia. Some light refreshments would be lovely. Please, prepare whatever you think would be suitable."

Her words contained the warmth and compassion she had in excess and her words of agreement and gratitude seemed to breach even the stoic head maid's façade and reach her heart as I felt a very brief hint of a smile on Grayfia's face.

She however collected herself and politely looked at me in confirmation as well.

I smiled.

"I would as well, Grayfia. Any non-alcoholic drink would be fine. Though, I'd prefer something cold."

Grayfia nodded and promptly turned to walk a distance away. Not out of the room but simply a little further away so as to not disturb us as she used [Message] to call the chefs and maids to prepare our snacks and drinks.

I turned to my companion in the meanwhile.

"Did your work go well?"

I asked, as a way of starting a conversation. Because this was my plan. To converse and get to know Nix better. Talking about work-related matters wasn't the best start in that direction, but it was a start nonetheless and I also had to do it as the 'Boss' of this place. Nexus could be considered an organization, with me at the top as the Founder and Chairperson. Did that make Nix the CEO?

Hmm…

Suddenly, I wanted to see Nix in a businesswoman outfit.

I mentally shook that stray thought and focused on the present.

Nix's smile didn't change as she promptly answered.

"It did, my lord. I've assigned every floor manager their respective task and have been informed that the assigned tasks would be done in less than 6 hours."

6 hours, huh. That's… that's actually quite fast considering they have to inspect every nook and cranny and then make a report on it. The size of some of the floors is no joking matter. Actually, whoever is doing the inspection of the 1st floor has my sympathies. I'll have to give them extra praise in private.

I nodded to myself and to Nix as well.

"Good."

I paused for a brief moment and then added. Grayfia had returned to her position on the left of me, a polite distance away but ready to act promptly if I required her. Like a perfect headmaid. I had zero regrets when I went for a Head Maid rather than a Butler like Sebas Tian from the Great Tomb of Nazarick. I had wondered if it wouldn't be such a bad idea to have Diablo from Tensura as my Butler. But I ended up choosing Grayfia over him. There were mainly two big reasons why. I'll let you figure it out.

"Did you tell them not to hurry? I don't wish for them to hasten too much. It is fine if they take longer and compile a proper report. Time isn't a serious constraint right now."

At least, I don't think I'd mind if they take double or even triple that time. Maybe even longer.

As long as it didn't take weeks, I'd be fine with it. 6 hours sounded absurd if anything. Though I wouldn't presume they couldn't do it. If my metaknowledge told me one thing, it was that I wouldn't have to worry about the competency and efficiency of the denizens of Nexus. No, I'd instead have to worry about them overdoing things and doing things too quickly that I couldn't catch up. I knew Momonga's plight from the anime and had taken measures to ensure I didn't suffer from the same.

I had the means to counter and even surpass their efficiency if need be. But I digress.

Nix briefly looked contemplative at my words and her smile turned into one of a thoughtful frown. She still looked just as cute, though. My mind noted offhandedly.

"I… didn't take that into consideration. My apologies, milord. The thought that the floor managers would hasten their work, perhaps too much, to impress you didn't quite cross my mind."

Ah, so she caught on to that.

I mentally noted. Nix was smart enough to catch my intentions from my verbal hints alone. She knew I was suggesting that the work should take longer than 6 hours, considering how much there was to cover. Also, it would be unfair to some of the Guardians/Managers as some floors were much larger than others and required a lot more time to fully inspect.

"And it'd be unfair to some of the guardians as they have more to cover."

Yup, she also caught that. Thank past me for making such a competent woman as my companion.

I smiled, satisfied.

"Yes. Tell them to take their time and properly inspect and document their findings. I am in no hurry to read their reports."

No, seriously. I'm not. I want to know about the full circumstances of my Guild base but I'd be happy if I don't have to handle the reports today itself.

Nix nodded at my words.

"Indeed. I should inform the managers the same."

I waved at her to do so and she promptly made a motion that I connected with an action done when using the [Message] spell. I knew NPCs were capable of using this spell. At least those with this spell ingrained within them were. For the residents of Elysium Nexus, that meant all the Floor Guardians and Area Guardians. I knew how useful this spell was so I had installed them in each one of them just to be sure. 

Though, one of my old notes had a short warning that told me to test the privacy of this spell. Something about the possibility of it being hacked. I didn't remember fully but the New World had a spell like this and it was 'hacked' in the past and led to some terrible events that caused the leaders to be wary of using such spells and instead rely more on the traditional means, even if they weren't as quick.

I made a mental note to ask one of my Guardians—probably Jibril as she was the most interested in acquiring knowledge about things and she also happened to have the Yggdrasil Wiki and forums discussing in-depth the Magic and Spells from Yggdrasil that I and another guildmate had compiled into an e-book a while back for fun (for him) and for accessibility purposes (for me). There were a lot of metadata and mechanics detailed inside the book and if I remember correctly, RusticBucket had named it something corny like the Book of All Knowledge or something, even though it was just a backup archive with a bunch of theories and ideas that I thought were interesting or useful later on. 

Jibril will likely be happy and eager to study and make counters and protection against any means of third-party tracking, interception, and message alterations.

Jibril would be able to decode and improve upon the [Message] spell, I was sure. I wouldn't take a chance even if the [Message] spell we used was not the same as the ones the denizens of the New World used and thus didn't have the same flaws. Better safe than sorry.

Nodding to myself, I turned to Nix who had just finished her call and was now looking at me.

"I've announced to them that they are given twice the initial time to properly research and make a report. Is that satisfactory, milord?"

"It is."

I nodded and then took a deep breath.

Okay… work stuff is done now. Time for more personal matters. So… where to begin.

I resisted tapping my fingers on my thigs as a habit and glanced at the smiling Nix who seemed to be patiently waiting for my next questions or commands. I turned my gaze towards my head maid who was standing on my left, looking ready to serve my any command.

"I—"

I began but cut myself short when I heard the door open and two maids entered the room, catching everyone's attention. Giving them a brief glance, I realized it wasn't one of the dozens of regular maids but instead one of the Battle Maids that brought the trays.

Virgo and Sakuya, huh.

I easily identified the pink and white-haired young women, respectively, in maid attire that was tailored to them and thus different from Grayfia and even each other. 

Virgo wore a classic maid ensemble featuring a black-and-white color scheme. The dress included a fitted bodice, flared skirt, and delicate lace trimmings. She had a white apron with lace detailing worn over the dress, along with a matching maid headband adorned with a small bow. Celestial-themed accessories added a touch of magic to the outfit, reflecting Virgo's celestial nature as a Celestial Spirit.

She also wore a leathery and metallic hand cuff on both of her hands which differed from what I remembered of her source character who had handcuffs with broken chains. But when I was designing her, I changed it with a more designer hand cuff that looked more like an accessory than something worn by prisoners. I didn't like the impression it gave that Virgo was anything resembling a prisoner. She was my maid. A Battle Maid. 

Though I did make her a permanent Summon of sorts as her background. She was supposed to have been summoned by me from her realm, like Grayfia, and happily accepted to serve me as my maid.

On the other hand, Sakuya's maid outfit was predominantly black with white accents and intricate detailing. The dress featured a fitted bodice with lace trimmings, a flared skirt, and a crisp white apron tied at the waist. White cuffs adorned her sleeves, adding a polished touch, accessorized with a maid headband.

She resembled Grayfia a lot. Like a slightly younger version of her, even though my very shoddy knowledge hinted that she was canonically much older than even the MILF Grayfia from DxD. Both had similar platinum white hairs, though Sakuya's were more silver than Grayfia's white. Also, Sakuya had deep blue eyes, unlike Grayfia's silver. Though, ever since their creation, they were often labeled as identical twins and sisters by my guildmates. And I never bothered correcting them. Even if I knew their origins were from two completely different sources, they did indeed resemble each other and the idea of them being related seemed quite amusing. Though, I never hardcoded a sisterly relation in their bio.

Similar to Grayfia and Virgo, Sakuya too was a Summon from Another World, according to her bio. Her background did suggest that she served in a place called Scarlet Devil Mansion but I didn't specify any more details as I didn't remember any. Also, it was likely that I had written her personality to be very different than one from her source due to my shoddy knowledge but I didn't mind. I wasn't necessarily trying to recreate exact replicas of some anime characters. Only basing their designs on them and adding some relevant backstory. It prevented me and my guildmates from having to brainstorm ideas and that was a good thing as those guys weren't exactly sane with their ideas.

I let the two place the snacks they'd brought as I mentally thanked them for giving me some extra time to think.

Even though I was going to speak before, I didn't know what I was going to ask Nix. I now knew that it would have led to me slipping up and pausing as my head came up blank. So, phew, I was saved from such embarrassment in front of my Maids and partner.

"Nix."

I began, getting a prompt reply.

"Yes, my lord."

"You spend all your time near the throne, do you not?"

She looked somewhat confused as she slightly tilted her head and put a dainty on her cheek. 

Cute.

"I do."

She nodded, after a brief contemplation.

"Hm. I think it'd be fine if you had a room to sleep and rest. Even if you don't need to sleep or take a break by necessity."

"Ah. If you say so, my lord."

She easily agreed to my suggestion, which made me curious. I was expecting some form of denial or an argument against that suggestion.

"And I'd like to have you nearby in case I need you. Your presence near my personal quarters will be most agreeable, in fact."

She nodded but didn't say anything, letting me continue. I did notice a rising excitement and joy in her though.

"But unfortunately, there aren't any free rooms available near mine. All the rooms in this section were claimed by my guildmates and it'd be rude to change them, even if they're not here."

She nodded, her eyes now more attentive at the mention of my guildmates.

The two maids were done placing the snacks and beverages and were now standing beside Grayfia, likely ready to take away the empty trays, cups, and plates once we were done.

I noticed how even their ears perked up at the mention of my guildmates. I got the impression that they (my guildmates) meant more to these NPCs that recently turned sentient than they did to me. Obviously, I knew of the devotion NPCs tended to hold for the 'Supreme Beings' a.k.a. us Players. But I didn't think they'd be as interested in my fellow guildmates as the ones from Nazarick. After all, for them, I was more or less their creator. Only a few of them had others as their co-creators and the Maids here weren't one of them. It could have been idle curiosity on their part, though.

Or I might have been wrong in my assessment there.

Ignoring their curiosity, I continued.

"But you see. My private quarter has plenty of space and I have little use for it. I wouldn't mind some company here. How would you like to move in with me, Nix?"

Was I blatantly asking Nix to become my live-in partner, possibly hinting at a very intimate living condition from now on? Why, yes, of course.

Did I have to go about it in such a roundabout manner though? No. But I chose to do it this way still.

"May I truly? To receive such a boon… I do not have words to express my happiness. I'd want nothing more than to spend all my time with you, my love."

My heart skipped a beat, or two, as I stared at the enchanted and glimmering eyes of my companion and partner. Once again I was made aware of the ocean of nearly obsessive emotions, of love and desire, that my Nix seemed to hold for me and once again they were barely held back by a mere dam that somehow managed to hold all of those waves back.

I smiled lovingly at the delighted and bright smile of my Nix and spoke.

"And I'd be happy to have you with me forever."

For a moment, I forget the presence of the three maids who were quietly standing nearby in the same room. For a moment, their presence seemed to meld together with the surroundings and the surroundings became dull and out of focus. Only the beautiful and loving form of Nix, my Nix Celestine, was all I could focus on.

I reached to cup her cheeks and gently caressed her warm and soft skin, devoid of a single flaw. Her cheeks were perfect, just like the rest of her.

Nix seemed to melt into my embrace as her head moved to enjoy and respond to my caressing.

We didn't speak a word. I simply pulled her close to me and before long she was back on my lap, in my embrace.

This felt natural. This felt… ideal. This was where Nix belonged. In my embrace.

I held her tighter and felt her own grip on me, both of our warm bodies raising in temperature as the two of us stared loving at each other, seemingly enthralled by the other.

My grip on my emotions slipped a little as I moved my face closer to her. A repeat of my actions from before.

"Nix."

I whispered.

"My love."

Her melodious voice replied, causing my heat to increase further.

I touched her lips with a thumb and she brought a hand to my own cheeks as we moved to share a passionate kiss, filled with our loving sentiments.

"Sleep with me, tonight."

I commanded.

"I'd be delighted to be near the love of my life."

I kissed her again, feeling her sweet and warm lips, moistening as our kiss turned more passionate.

I want her. I want her so bad.

My thoughts converged to one action. They told me to take this heavenly beauty to my bedroom and ravage her to my heart's content. I wanted to make passionate love to her.

But then my sensible self had to interrupt the hot pink mood I was in and remind me that the whole intention of this meeting was to get to know my partner better. That I had this meeting in the living room instead of my bedroom for this very reason. And yet, here I was, falling back to my base desires.

What was the whole point of having a conversation when I wasn't going to talk to her?

The same sensible self also reminded me that I had three others in the room, watching my actions.

I mentally grumbled as I separated from my very delicious companion's lips, watching her flushed face and half-lidded eyes. She looked enthralled and that look of ecstasy and desire (for me) caused my blood to flow south and my thoughts to turn a darker shade of pastel pink—

—But I held myself back.

Tonight. Wait till tonight. Not now, not in the presence of my maids. Be sensible. Don't be a horny idiot. Have some self-restraint. You're not a horny teenager.

Chastising myself for my brief lapse, I still held Nix close to me and instead directed my attention to the snacks, if only to distract myself. They had been served a little while ago but I got distracted. Understandable, really. Nix was distracting, in a lot of ways. But it wouldn't do to not appreciate the delicious-looking snacks that my chefs had crafted with hard work and passion and brought promptly by my diligent maids. It would be an insult to them if I didn't at least taste them.

I glanced at the said maids and barely prevented myself from cringing in embarrassment as I saw their warm happy smiles. For some reason, the three seemed really pleased by our actions. Though I did feel a flicker of emotions from Grayfia, it was so brief I couldn't catch it properly. And as they noticed my gaze on them, all three dawned their stoic and professional façade once more. However, they were still happy inside. I could tell.

Uh… why?

I chose to ignore their curious actions and instead focus on the snacks in front of me and my loving partner in my lap.

At my prompt, Nix took a freshly baked biscuit, one of many baked products in front of us, and happily munched on it as she continued to enjoy her time on my lap. I was no different as I took some roasted nuts— not ones I knew from Earth but likely something from in-game. They were tasty, kind of spicy.

The two of us, Nix and I, spent our time appreciating the snacks and enjoying the company.

We talked occasionally, mostly about idle things related to snacks or other mundane topics, but most of it was spent in a comfortable silence.

I realized that I didn't have any reason to hurry and to know my partner more intimately by conversing with her. I could take my time and let the natural flow carry me. There was no need to plan things. Not about my relationship with Nix. No, it was fine to let things develop freely and simply let the course of things guide me.

The time I spent with Nix in my lap was much more pleasant than I could have thought.

The quiet and peaceful time continued for hours and soon it was time for dinner, as Grayfia politely informed me.

I wasn't hungry and was still content with the snacks we'd had a few hours ago—which were probably a little too much for a simple snack, really—but I didn't deny her offer. Instead, I was eager to taste proper meals. Yggdrasil had a ton of cuisines and I would be lying if I said I didn't want to taste them and relish in them now that I could actually eat them.

So, Nix and I had a full-course dinner and then after some more time spending in each other's company, we decided to retire for the night.

That night, I slept with the woman of my desire, feeling her warm embrace and divine body beside me.

That night, I also didn't make a move on her. It was true that I wanted to cross the line and truly mark her as mine, but I was somehow happy with just a warm cuddle and the passionate goodnight kiss we shared. Not even my lower brain protested at the idea of cuddling with my beloved.

"Goodnight, my love."

Nix spoke as we peered into each other's eyes as we cuddled.

"Goodnight, Nix."

I kissed her on her forehead and pulled her face closer to my chest as I closed my eyes and easily fell asleep as I caressed her soft locks of hair and smelled her pleasant and soothing aroma, my last memory of the day being Nix's beautiful and loving eyes that glimmered even in the dark and her loving smile that just warmed my heart and filled me with bliss and content.

7 years of endless grueling and suffering. It was all worth it for just this one day and night with her. I just knew tonight I'd get the best sleep in all 3 of my lives.

-x-