The guardians were gathered in the throne room of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick.

Their master's decision was due, they lowered themselves to one knee and waited patiently, nevertheless they couldn't hide the briefest flashes of worry on their handcrafted faces.

Some time ago the Supreme One had left for a walk, putting the guardians at ease that he would be alright, after all he has been in this world for centuries, thus the guardians although unwilling had no say in the matter as Lord Ainz simply disappeared.

Next thing they know; the Lord hastily returns and orders Nazarick to be put on the highest security level - Red.

What the Supreme One had witnessed? They had no clue, but one thing was for sure. If it forced the Supreme One's hand to order for maximum security then it had to be a serious matter.

Shalltear grimaced as she looked up at her Lord. Those magnificent pristine white bones of his! Those perfect curves and joints! Those solid foundations! Oh, how she craved to touch, to caress them. Even the slightest of touch would no doubt make her climax. She shuddered at the thought.

But, before her wild fantasies could run out of control she was broken out of her trance as the Lord has finally spoken.

"My guardians it is with a heavy heart that I announce the tomb will face its challenge sooner than expected."

Gasps could be heard in the massive chamber; where not only the bulk of the floor guardians; but the area guardians were present as well.

Demiurge put on a knowing smile, which was followed by Albedo without a moment delay.

Shalltear and the Twins held a confused expression. However, their magnanimous Lord seeing their dismay had swiftly come to their aid and carried on. Just as expected from a Supreme being.

"As you may know, the cosmos hides terrible entities... and one such foe had decided to take it into her head to destroy me."

Shock.

Utter disbelief was written on each and every face around Ainz as he decided to share his plight. Although he expected such a reaction, after all he was like a father to many of them, but still... Seeing it himself didn't sit right with him, but he had to share this intel less the guardians encounter the subordinates of such a monster.

"Lord Ainz, forgive me if I am being rude, but who would dare oppose the will of the Supreme beings? Who would dare hurt you?!" Shalltear exclaimed in rage as a red aura, her bloodlust exploded into a torrent of killing intent.

She was soon cut off however as the form of the succubus shivered. Her wings fluttered frantically as her face clouded over.

Shalltear wasn't one to lose ground especially not against her rival; Albedo, because if she did, then she would surely lose her advantage over their competition; who would be head-wife?

But seeing the state Albedo was in, Shalltear momentarily staggered.

Soon Albedo's rage exploded and looked at Ainz with craze in her eyes. Shalltear's earlier outburst paled in comparison.

Demiurge for a brief moment thought that he had caught a glimpse of the Lord flinch upon the obsidian throne, but that was impossible. As such he has dismissed it, his imagination must have played a trick on him. It sure was lively today.

"Stop. This. At. Once." Came the commanding voice of Cocytus from the sidelines.

"You. Are. In. The. Presence. Of. Lord. Ainz." He continued, breathing out freezing air in between words. As he finished, he hit the marble floor with his Halberd signaling that Albedo's behavior was unacceptable in the presence of their master.

"Thank you, Cocytus." Ainz nodded in his direction magnanimously before continuing.

"Now that everyone is calm, let us continue. Please keep a steady head as I am going to tell you a story. A story that will shed light to our dispute."

The Lord has spoken and thus they have listened. As the Lord would go on to tell of his struggles; his victories of the past there would be dead silence in the massive chamber while everyone listened intently. As the story went on however, there would be several outbursts of disbelief and anger, which would be quickly stifled in the Lord's presence. That however did not mean that they held no hatred towards those who had wronged the Master, on the contrary their silent hatred only intensified as the story reached its climax.

Ainz had to disclose some information about his past to the guardians otherwise they would be at a disadvantage against the coming threat. Although thanks to his ridiculous mana pool and spell craft he had managed to activate several of his countermeasures which delayed his opponent.

Primarily the {Delay Teleportation}'s improved version was in play here, which he could sustain and thus delay the enemy as long as his mana pool lasts. This spell however had an astronomical mana requirement which scaled at an exponential rate. He calculated that at maximum he could win a day or two before whatever was pushing the world's boundaries would get through.

He had no disillusions about the fighting power of this world, it was up to him to stop the coming threat. He would have to protect the world yet again, but… this time the balance has shifted.

No longer was he alone.

Together with the guardians he would not fall, he could not allow himself to fail before the children of his dear friends and comrades.

They would be the bastion to protect this world, warding off any that may hurt it. And he would be theirs.

While he told of his past, with slight alterations, he paid close attention to the reactions of the guardians.

Shalltear had a disgusted face, contorting even further as he kept on describing his experiences in the world. The twins' visage was disturbed as well, although to a much lesser degree, while worry reflected in their amethyst eyes.

Albedo had the most intense outbursts of fury throughout the story, but she managed to restrain herself almost instantly, after all she couldn't disrespect the master, her future husband by distracting him. She also couldn't lose to Shalltear, not in any front.

As for Demiurge… he stood their stone faced, only emitting a faint aura of bloodlust. Ainz couldn't exactly tell what was going through the archdevil's mind, but then again… he was aware of what he must be feeling. Demiurge was seething in rage no doubt, but somehow, he had managed to control it better than most. Maybe his devilish intellect was at play here?

And Cocytus. Ainz couldn't discern anything, as the four-armed giant stood there frozen, unmoving. But he was sure that Cocytus sympathized with his fellow guardians as well and shared their feelings.

"...and that concludes my story." Ainz finished in a low tone as he looked at the guardians one by one, as if asking; is there any questions? And there was…

"B-but L-lord Ainz... isn't it impossible to summon so many powerful Black Goat?"

"Silence Mare. You would doubt the words of a Supreme being?!"

Mare shuddered under Albedo's rebuking tone as he clutched his wooden staff to support himself.

"I... I'm s-sorry!"

The master witness to this, shook his head before speaking up on Mare's behalf.

"Now, now Albedo. Let it be, I do not mind."

Albedo obediently let the matter go, after Ainz insisted one final time.

"Yes Mare; normally that would be the case." Ainz said as he placed a skeletal hand on his boney chin.

"If I recall correctly no-one has ever summoned more than four of such creatures, but my circumstances were a bit different... you see..."

Ainz looked over to Demiurge, who instantly understood his intent.

The thoughtful master had placed his trust in his capable hands as one of the smartest minds in Nazarick to interpret his will to the less fortunate. What an honor he thought, before he proceeded to cough into his palms gaining the attention in the staggering throne room.

"My fellow guardians do you truly not realize it?"

Confused faces were present everywhere he looked, only Albedo had a smug smile plastered on her pristine visage. What's up with her? Ainz thought.

"Ainz Ooal Gown is not only Supreme being, but the one who stood above all the Supreme beings!"

Demiurge exclaimed enthusiastically as he carried on.

"Do you think that there is impossible in front of the wisest, most magnanimous and powerful of all Supreme beings?" Demiurge asked mockingly, not realizing such a simple truth was the height of blasphemy.

Understanding dawned on the guardians' faces, as their eyes shone — admiring their last Master.

"Now, do you understand?" Demiurge finished with a rhetorical question before bowing in Ainz's direction.

The Overlord seemed to shrink into his crystalline throne under the marveling gazes of his guardians, this however had gone unnoticed by the loyal servants of the Tomb.

Finally, their master's deep adamant voice echoed in the massive chamber, carrying a slight chill with its touch.

"Now that everyone understands...

... form a line before me and swear absolute loyalty once more."

The guardians obeyed without a second thought and lined up before him.

Still, they were utterly confused as they eyed each other, looking for answers. Surely, the Supreme one didn't doubt their loyalty. Did it cross his mind that one of them might betray him? Laughable. They were all loyal to the bone.

Several pair of eyes darted around the room, guessing as to who's loyalty could be questioned that the Lord would ask a show of devotion. But of course, everyone was happy to comply and most of their worries evaporated after the Lord's deep voice carried on.

"Do not think for a moment that I'd doubt any of you... You are the children of my comrades, my friends as such I have trust in you…

… you will understand once this is over."

Lord Ainz left the throne room shortly after they have declared their fealty. Shalltear and Albedo shuddered uncontrollably, while Aura had a smug smile on her face and Mare caressed his locks shyly.

To understand all this we have to go back a little in time...

When the Lord have heard their declaration of loyalty, he had called up each of the guardians to the throne and touched each of their heads for a moment. Although, it was a nice gesture and Demiurge praised the Supreme One for his foresight. After all, they have received the greatest gift. The touch of a Supreme being.

Yet, Demiurge had to realise that the Lord's train of thought is never so simple and every move of his accomplishes several objectives at once. He still couldn't figure it out, but somehow the Supreme One had bestowed upon each of the guardians a fraction of his incomprehensible power. Truly, they were undeserving of such a thoughtful master.

Demiurge seeing that his fellow guardians were out of commission for a while decided to head towards his floor and ready his subordinates. Lord Ainz stated that he wished Nazarick to be protected, but more than that he wished that the children of his friends be safe, even if it meant sacrificing any and every floor up to the eight.

It truly resonated with every guardian, more so how adamant Ainz was about this. Although they tried to object numerous times, Ainz had shut them down each and every time. He didn't wish to put them in harm's way.

It was inconceivable.

They were created to be shields to the Supreme beings, even if it meant laying down their lives, for the Supreme One, for the 41, they would do it without question, without regret.

Demiurge came to an abrupt halt as he realized something.

Why the Supreme One had ordered them to ready their minions, to go on the highest alert level.

He wanted them all inside the tomb, he had even ordered for the reconnaissance groups to return. Now then, why would he ask for such a thing?

He wanted to face the threat alone.

Why? Why? WHY?! Demiurge asked himself repeatedly as he lashed out, destroying the crimson walls of his floor. He didn't even need to think about it. It was obvious. Lord Ainz was a merciful Master, maybe the most merciful out of All the Supreme beings, but this? Putting himself in harm's way just to protect them? His guardians? Ludicrous.

Perplexing. That would mean that their disposition as guardians would lose its meaning.

After all, what kind of a guardian is it that needs its master to protect it?

He glanced one final time to the shivering life stock before making up his mind.

He owed this to the master, he owed this much to his creator as well. If it meant that Ainz would be safe, then he would disobey his orders and fulfill his core purpose. The reason for which he was created; to protect the Supreme beings, to protect Ainz Ooal Gown.

He grimaced grimly and used the {Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown}, — another kindness he and the guardians received from the master, — to teleport to the other floors.

He had to let them know. He had to let the others know what their master was planning.

They had been trapped in the void for centuries, they were no use to the master then.

No more.

No more would they stay idle.

They would uphold their duty.

Their duty to guard the legacy of the Supreme Ones. And their duty to protect. To protect the most merciful Master one could ever wish for.