261 The Supreme Beings
The Wish Shop, ???.
"That kid is so feisty, can't blame her though." Adam sunk into the main couch with a sigh.
When he stopped time in AI's world it adversely affected the balance between timelines. It was like a singular cog being stuck inside a massive machine. He wouldn't face problems if it lasted for an hour or less. But anything after that was pure insanity and could have lasting repercussions.
'Good thing she calmed down with a few boxes of jawbreakers and ice lollies.' He prepared them in advance and it was perfect.
It was a cheap price to pay for the mess he made. Though he did handle that, there was a bigger mess that got left behind in that world. And he would prefer dealing with the former more, but he couldn't.
"I still haven't talked with Miyako." He didn't get the chance as he spent most of his time with Ai.
Adam didn't regret that choice, but he did want to talk to Miyako at least once. However, he couldn't stretch his stay there or he would create more problems. Worst case scenario that little kid would blow her head in anger and place some sanctions on him.
'But something doesn't feel right.' Adam crossed one leg over the other. Before he left Ai's world, that administrator said something and it hasn't left his mind yet.
"'Be more careful' What did she mean by that?" His eyes narrowed.
Adam could tell that it wasn't linked to what he did, but she tried to warn him about something else. If she provided more information that would have been helpful, but she didn't and it was a problem.
'Some sort of restriction? For that to work on an administrator the subject should be of an equal or higher standing than them.' Many things were in the air for him to reach the answer.
The only concrete way of doing that was to peek into the future. But, that was not an option. Even if he knew that he was being targeted, Adam had to come up with other ways to get information than that.
"I need to reach the answer through other ways." With a cup of tea in his hand, Adam leaned onto the backrest.
What Adam knew was that he got targeted. He was unsure of who was doing this and why. But he could make some guesses if he looked over his recent actions.
'Good thing I left some traces behind.' Adam knew it could become a problem from the moment he acted. But that didn't matter. He would need to do better so that others aren't roped into his mess. Especially those he cared about.
"But so far no one has taken the bait." He muttered in disappointment.
Even then, Adam wasn't pressed for time right now. He could brainstorm till the next client arrived.
However, the cheerful ring went off in the next instant. The door pushed open and Adam's eyes focused on the woman who walked in.
There was an incredulous look on her face, leaning on disappointment. But, soon her pupils shrank sharply, but Adam showed a cordial smile.
"Welcome, how can I help you?" He asked but the woman covered in a pure white dress started to shake in her place.
"Hello…? You alright?" His words didn't help much either.
Her body hunched over as her gasps echoed in the awkward silence. Crow-like wings spread wide behind her. And the shiny golden pupil peeked through the silky black hair that covered her face.
"I found you, My Lord!" The elated voice rang in the confines of the room.
"…Who?" And Adam had no idea what this insane woman was talking about.
.
.
.
The Great Tomb of Nazarick, 10th Floor, Throne Room.
'I opened my eyes for the first time in this room.' The sole purpose she came about was to manage this place in the absence of the Supreme beings.
'Since then I have faithfully carried out orders given to me,' She didn't have any other purpose or reason, and she couldn't disobey her creator.
'I never had any thoughts of doing so either.' She had spent years following them.
Did she have some sort of feelings for the ones who created her? Yes, and not her alone, every single being that they created in this place revered them as gods.
Because to them, they were godlike existences. Everyone stayed ready to die at their words and defend this place. That is why they didn't utter a word when they left one by one.
"Bow Down." His voice rang in the vast throne room.
'But, we still have one Supreme Being with us.' She bowed and the Pleiades maids below followed her lead.
The last Supreme Being that stayed in The Great Tomb of Nazarick was before her. He stayed with them the longest, but this was the last she heard his voice.
Hours passed by but they did not raise their heads. These long hours turned into days which stretched into months. However, neither she nor the maids at the foot of the stairs moved an inch. They waited for the command of their creator but it never came. It wasn't until the butler spoke up after what seemed like years.
"Lady Albedo, the throne…" But even his words trailed off.
With the Supreme Beings all gone, the one with the highest authority in the Tomb was her. And she had to fulfill her duties.
"I understand… Sebas, gather all available Floor Guardians. The Pleiades will guard the throne room like usual." Albedo got up to her feet the usual smile hung on her lips.
"As you say Lady Albedo!" They left in unison following Sebas and returned to their positions.
Sebas went through the floors with Albedo's message, and soon the available Floor guardians arrived.
"So it happened…" The pale young girl said melancholically.
Shalltear Bloodfallen, she guarded the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floor of the Tomb. Red eyes filled with sadness gazed upon the empty throne.
"Well, it isn't like we didn't foresee this." That was when the tall demon spoke up.
He pushed his glasses up and stared at Albedo. As the second-in-command of the Floor Guardians, Demiurge answered to her directly. And the two once had an in-depth discussion about this very scenario in the past.
"Did you two hide something from us?" Cocytus asked. He towered over the others with a body that was a fusion of a mantis and an ant. And he didn't seem pleased with this situation either.
"We didn't hide anything, as there was nothing to hide. Every one of us had heard what the Supreme Beings said before they left. Some of them even left with a word." Albedo said.
"They need not leave us with words. As their servants, we need to do nothing but await their return." Cold air blew out of Cocytus's maw.
Right now, it appeared as if Albedo was questioning the Supreme Beings. And that was not acceptable. They would return and they have to do their duty in the meantime. Even if they got abandoned, what of it?
'That shouldn't change anything.' But two people in this vast room had different thoughts.
"Yes, that is what we initially thought as well." Albedo's words puzzled Shalltear and Cocytus.
"After careful examination and revisiting the conversations we happened to overhear between the Supreme Beings. There have been three topics that we remember at large." Demiurge said pushing his glasses up.
"So you were hiding things! And how dare you eavesdrop on the Supreme Beings?!" Shalltear's eyes narrowed on Albedo but her smile did not change.
"We can handle this small scrap later, there are more pressing matters." One of her words caused Shalltear's anger to bubble up.
"As they said it was by coincidence." Thankfully, Cocytus stepped up. He chose to believe that his fellow floor guardians wouldn't stoop so low to eavesdrop, "Please continue."
"Game, Children, and Tests."
