Chapter 41: Leora Ekklesia
Inadvertently, Aurelius ignored the sound of grinding teeth behind him and looked at Zesshi.
"I will give you plenty of hugs later. Get up first."
"Is it necessary? Rather than that, where is this place?"
She exclaimed as she looked around the magnificent throne hall, stretching herself in his arms like a kitten.
"This is where I rule and also my home," Aurelius explained, and Zesshi quickly took in her surroundings, noting the floor guardians and the NPCs standing respectfully behind them.
"There are a lot of people here who look stronger than me."
"Feeling competitive again?"
"Yeah, it's the first time I've met such strong people. It feels like my heart is beating fast."
In the light atmosphere created by Zesshi, Aurelius smiled involuntarily.
"Let me introduce you to everyone. You are the first, after Hamsuke, to be welcomed as a colleague in Nazarick. Most people brought here from the outside world were all experimental subjects."
Zesshi's face crumpled at the thought of being second.
"Am I not the first?"
"As a half-human, you are the first. Hamsuke is just a beast. I'll introduce you to Hamsuke later. Feel free to treat yourself to your heart's content."
"Okay, that's it."
"Now, introduce yourself."
"Yes, of course... Everyone, I'm Antilene Heran Fouche, also known as Zesshi Zetsumei. I'm the Extra-Seat in one of the special operations units of the Slane Theocracy—the Black Scripture. I've decided to live in Nazarick from now on, swear allegiance to my master, and have a baby. That's it. Nice to meet you all. Please take care of me."
Her condescending attitude was natural and did not offend anyone, but her remark about having a baby made some women's faces contort with displeasure.
Of course, it was inconvenient for the denizens of Nazarick to welcome outsiders as companions because no one entered Nazarick as a colleague, only as a test subject or Aurelius's personal plaything. Demiurge, however, was pleased by the addition of someone who could support Cocytus and Aurelius and seemed like a warrior.
Only he and Aurelius seemed to accept her presence favorably.
"Everyone, treat her well as a companion. This is not a command because I know it might be tough at first, but I trust you all and your pure hearts. Cooperate with her so she can blend in with you. Of course, if she makes a mistake, it is also your right as her senior to reprimand her, but it is also your duty to guide her on the correct path. Understood?"
"Yes!!"
Everyone shouted unanimously, and for a moment, Albedo, who could be considered Aurelius's first wife in name and reality, cast her gaze towards Zesshi.
"Congratulations on becoming a member of Nazarick. You must understand what it means to be loyal to the great Aurelius-sama. We will help you, but we will not tolerate any thoughts against Nazarick or our master."
Aurelius remained silent at Albedo's words. Albedo had the authority to oversee the floor guardians, and it was natural for her to speak with such authority. Aurelius thought it best not to interfere with her command.
"Please take good care of me, Albedo-san. I will try to be of help to the master. I will become the master's bride eventually. The master wants a child from me."
At this point, Albedo's golden eyes shone brightly.
"It is absolutely true. However, accepting you as a bride comes later."
"I can wait, and I don't care how many girls the master has. I will be the best among them."
Gnashh-!
The grinding of teeth was heard again.
"That remark is quite alarming. Well, that's fine. We'll set aside women's rivalries for now. Come to think of it... Since you have discarded your old self and identity and decided to live as a new person here, I think you should also discard your old name and use a new one, just like that pet, Hamsuke."
"Me? A new name?"
"Yes. What are your thoughts about this, Aurelius-sama?"
"Ah, indeed, Albedo. As expected of you, it's a good suggestion."
Albedo nodded seriously, blushing at Aurelius's praise while subtly squeezing her legs to hide her arousal. Aurelius then turned to Zesshi, who also nodded.
"Since you say so, I have no problem. Please give me a name," Zesshi said with a smile. She was happy to be with him. As far as she was concerned, she was in a much better place now than in the sanctuary.
Aurelius, sitting on the throne, contemplated a new name for Zesshi. It was the first time he'd considered giving someone a name since he created Luminous, so he was cautious. He looked at the black-and-white girl, who had now stood up from his arms and was holding the War Scythe beside him.
Her mix of black and white appearance reminded him of the moon in the night sky.
"Luna Noctis… Your name is Luna Noctis from now on."
"Luna Noctis?" she asked, tilting her head and looking at Aurelius.
"The mix of black and white reminded me of the moon in the night sky. That's why I think of you as the moon and call you Luna. Your last name is Noctis because it means 'night.'"
"Luna Noctis... Luna... Yeah, I think it's good. Thank you, Aurelius-sama."
Luna smiled happily and hugged Aurelius, her small frame burrowing completely into his arms. The female NPCs watching the scene glared at Luna, almost ready to eat her alive.
"I'm glad you like it."
Aurelius sighed softly and raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
From now on, she would live under the name Luna Noctis, leaving her extremist past behind. She muttered the name Luna Noctis, and Aurelius could tell she liked it.
Luna moved away from Aurelius, and he turned his gaze to the silver-haired girl, Shalltear, who stood attentively beneath the platform.
Shalltear's heart fluttered at her lord's gaze, sensing he had something to say to her.
Was this the moment she had longed for so much?
Shalltear looked at Aurelius with lustful, pleasure-filled eyes, blushing around the corners of her mouth.
"Shalltear, dress up neatly, and come to my room on the ninth floor. I'll give you plenty of time. Take care of yourself as much as possible."
"Haaaaa... yesss~ I will obey your order, my lord..!"
Shalltear grabbed her chest, which trembled with excitement, a perverted smile spreading across her face.
"Then I'll go now. Let's all do our best and faithfully fulfill our duties."
"Yes!!"
The loud voices of the NPCs echoed through the throne room.
Aurelius's figure disappeared in an instant, and the view shifted to his bedroom.
*****
At the same time, far away from the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick...
Boom!
The ground exploded in flames.
What was once a meadow turned into a scorched wasteland in an instant.
"Where am I?"
Her red eyes, lighter than Aurelius's, scanned the area. Her hair, a deeper red than Aurelius's bloody eyes, flowed behind her.
She wore a tight black suit that emphasized her slender figure, making her seem even more powerful.
"I thought I was just facing the end of Yggdrasil," she muttered, her voice echoing across the land.
"Is this still Yggdrasil? Or is it a glitch?"
She glanced around, causing her tightly covered breasts to shake slightly.
"Well, for now... Seems like I need to move."
With each step she took, the meadow burned even hotter.
She was Leora Ekklesia.
One of the 5 strongest Dragon Players of Yggdrasil, the Blazing Dragon, or the Red Dragon Lord. She, too, had arrived in this new world.