Chapter 23: Flesh And Bone

Atlas had been summoned back to the Great Tomb Of Nazarick, to report on the end of his task. Through some hard work, Atlas had established dominance in a large portion of the Great Forest Of Tob. In doing so, he had created an army that could already rival a nation, securing their foothold in the region.

As he was guided by a vampire bride, he slowly observed the surrounding area around the tomb entrance, wondering on how so much land had been moved to make the tomb hidden. The vampire abruptly came to a halt as she reached a random spot in the plains.

"Demiurge-sama shall guide you from here." She said as she disappeared.

"Welcome! Ainz-sama awaits you, come with me!" A voice spoke.

Atlas turned around to find himself in The hallways of the tomb, unaware of how he had already arrived there. He noticed the man behind him, it was none other than the figure that appeared in the fight with the invaders some time before. He was in fact, Demiurge, an existence close to perfection.

Atlas knelt on one knee.

"Thank you for your greeting, Lord Demiurge!" Atlas spoke.

"Stand up, Ainz-sama is waiting."

Demiurge briskly walked through the halls towards the room that they were designated to meet Ainz in, saying some quick words of advice to Atlas.

"You have done well, I expect that Ainz-sama will award you with a higher position, but accept whatever reward, regardless." Demiurge instructed.

"Make sure to keep up the good work, and serve Nazarick well."

They finally reached a grand door, opening it to reveal a large office with Ainz sitting behind a well made table, waiting for them.

"Ainz-sama, I present to you, Atlas." Demiurge announced.

"Good, I will now speak to everyone in this room." Ainz responded.

It seemed that there were already people waiting in the room, also waiting for their arrival.

"Everyone here today is aware of the army that Atlas has amassed in the Great Forest, I have brought him here to commend him and to hand down a new task to him. But I have invited you all here for something else. I will be taking a trip to E-Rantel for a job as 'Momon'. While I am there, Conduct yourselves as usual, make sure to prepare for Sebas, Solution and Tuareninya's safe return. We will be conducting some more ambitious operations soon." Ainz announced.

"Atlas. You have served Nazarick extremely well, you have completed your mission to a degree that not even I would expect from one such as yourself. For your devotion and drive, I will assign you as District Guardian of the Necropolis." Ainz announced.

"You will be given the provisional duty of protecting that area, make sure to maintain our hold in the region."

"Now, I will be leaving in 1 day. You are free to have a day off." Ainz announced to everyone.

"WHAT?!! AINZ-SAMA WHAT IS THAT YOU SPEAK OF?!!"

"Exactly what you think, everyone present may have a day to relax." Ainz spoke.

Ainz went to his bed chamber and that was the end of the meeting.

Atlas proceeded out of the room and walked through the hallways without any intent. He had just received a great honour from Lord Ainz, becoming a guardian. Though his rank may be lower than other guardians, he still felt a sliver of power and recognition in receiving the title. But nevertheless he still felt that he was not above anyone that was created by the Supreme Beings, feeling rather alone in the crowd.

Perhaps it was better when he thought that they were just comrades, not godly existences. But those times are already long past, becoming remnants of the past.

"Atlas-san." A feminine voice spoke.

He turned around to see Narberal Gamma standing 5 metres behind him.

"Good work on receiving Ainz-sama's favour. I see that you listened to all of my suggestions and completed the mission with ease." Narberal spoke.

"Yes, Lady Narberal, your advice guided me to a flawless completion of the task. I thank you for my victory." Atlas spoke as he bowed his head.

"Don't be so formal, are we equals? Address me familiarly, we have already worked together." She spoke.

"Hmmm... being a skeleton must be much better than living in flesh. I see you aren't trash." She chuckled.

"..."

"No reaction? So mature, this is our day off, relax." She spoke.

"There is no time for rest, I will continue to do work, Lady Narberal. If you require me, please speak your mind." Atlas said.

"It is our day off, walk with me, that is my request." Narberal announced.

"Very well."

Atlas walked with Narberal, following the maid as she walked to an unknown area to him. He felt a warm presence emanate from his soul, making him feel calm and at peace. Perhaps this was what people call trust, or perhaps something that was much more sinister.

Eventually they reached a large pool of warm liquid.

"This is the slime bathes, come, we will take our day off with pride." She spoke.

"Lady Narberal, I must work."

"Ainz-sama ordered us to relax, so you will do so. what happened to your unwavering loyalty?"

Atlas reluctantly gave in to her reasoning, going to the baths to follow Ainz' orders.

Atlas entered the warm bathes, feeling sense of unrivalled comfort as the slimes started to systematically clean all of his bones. The feeling was further amplified by the warmth of the bath, making him feel peaceful. Atlas rather liked the bath, perhaps he will visit it again on his next day off.

"Atlas-san, I see you are enjoying the baths." Narberal said as she entered the bath.

"Did you not once say that I should not be present when you are changing?" Atlas spoke.

"You had flesh back then, you are a skeleton now." Narberal spoke.

"So am I any different? Flesh is but a shell covering my bones."

"But it is also a repulsive thing that makes you look human." Narberal answered.

"Lady Narberal, you also seem human to me." Atlas responded.

"What happened to treating me respect?"

"..."

"Then I will show you my original form."

Narberal's body morphed into a slender build, holding an expressionless 'face'.

"I am a Doppleganger, my other form was designed by Nishikienrai-sama." Narberal spoke.

"I see, you seem much less humanly." Atlas spoke.

"Do you not appreciate the care that the Supreme Beings put into creating that form?" Narberal playfully asked.

"Not at all-"

Narberal changed back into her humanly appearance.

"Then use the flesh that Ainz-sama gave you." Narberal spoke.

"The Supreme One gave you that form. I would like to see it again."

"Acknowledged."

Atlas activated the ring, forming flesh yet again.

"Are you satisfied, Lady Narberal?"

"Not yet."

Atlas felt a slightly uncomfortable feeling, lashing out on instinct.

"Do you not prefer my skeletal form? It most resembles Ainz-sama, this flesh form degrades me!" Atlas shouted.

Narberal stepped back in the bath, settling 5 metres away from Atlas without saying a word.

"Do you not come here because I resemble Lord Ainz, Do you only come here to make me battle in my mind? I DON'T UNDERSTAND! YOU COME HERE TO ME JUST TO TORMENT ME, HAVE I NOT GIVEN YOU THE RESPECT THAT YOU DESERVE?"

Atlas wept in the bath, wiping his eyes with the abrasive skin of his human body, sickening himself further.

"WHY DID YOU BRING ME HERE?"

Narberal moved closer to him.

"You saved my life, regardless of your reasons. I just wanted you to acknowledge that I wish to talk to you as an equal, not as a superior." Narberal spoke.

"Ainz-sama, has Albedo-sama, I would not dare become his. Meeting with someone just because they resemble Ainz-sama would be far too shallow." Narberal said in a serious tone.

"ATTENTION, DISTRICT GUARDIAN ATLAS! THE NECROPOLIS IS UNDER THREAT!" Said a very loud voice.

"I see, well I bid Lady Narberal farewell." Atlas said as he deactivated his ring.

"I will see to this situation."