Chapter Text
Climb’s mind was rapidly deteriorating. Becoming an Imp made him feel sick, just as sick as coming back to life made him. He couldn’t stand being in Renner’s room any longer. Whenever Renner came home from her work, her tiny wings just became another reminder of his failure. His own wings and his new clothes, never letting him forget. No matter how much time they spent together, no matter how much “fun” they had, by the end of the day he felt ill.
He had to leave or he’d go stir-crazy. Gathering his courage, he opened the door out of her room. The hallway was grand with patterns on the walls with intricate details, similar to his mistresses' new room. He barely cared, wanting to see what was beyond the box he was put in.
He put on his best poker face and walked along the hallway. Immediately two maids exited a room in front of him, gossiping about something. It surprised him that they were human just like him. His forehead began to sweat as they were passing him by. His shitty stoneface seemingly worked when they walked behind him out of sight.
He continued to wander in the halls of his new home. The more doors he passed, the more they begged him to open them. Convincing himself to become acquainted with his new home, he caved to his curiosity.
It took him a while to realize it was a sliding door. Desks of wood with metal frames occupied the room, with the floor texture being unrecognizable to him. To him it looked like a classroom from a more advanced world.
He slid the door shut, forming a better mental picture of where he was: human maids, Renner’s room, and a classroom seemingly made for humans. Was he in an enclosure made for humans?
“Good evening, woof,” a dog in a maid’s uniform said, startling him from behind.
“You must be Renner's partner, are you lost?”
“I– Renner asked me to get out and explore… my new home.”
“Oh, woof. May I show you around?” At his nod, she continued. “Well it seems you’ve already seen Lady Yamaiko’s classroom.”
“Yes, It’s quite fine!”
Pestonya showed Climb a myriad of rooms, some with purposes he never heard of.
Spa-room, Ninja Room, Beauty Parlor, the list went on. He was able to spot a few monsters that felt out of place in a residence filled with luxury. The green haired mask clown gave him a wave passing the beauty parlor. Pestonya went on about the lords of Nazarick: Luci★Fer, Bellriver, and Blue Planet.
From her stories, she revered them like gods rather than people.
Pestonya was showing him the Court House entrance as someone tapped his shoulder.
“Young Climb.” It was a soothing voice he really needed to hear.
“Sebas!”
“I was wondering where you were. I heard of your mistress's new position here in Nazarick.”
Too stunned to speak, Climb was left thinking about his previous notions of the butler. Sebas began to address Pestonya.
“May I take him off your hands?”
“No problem, woof,” Pestonya said with a nod.
Sebas gave Climb ‘the look’ as he took Climb back toward Renner's room. He stopped at an inconspicuous door that Climb must have overlooked.
The door led to a small cocktail bar. Its mushroom headed bartender didn’t acknowledge him, only greeting Sebas.
“You’re a rare sight, and you brought a friend.” He was cleaning a cup while walking. Climb wondered why there were 2 filled cups when the bartender had no patrons.
“Special occasion,” Sebas responded. He sat down, leaving one seat on his left, so Climb took his left.
“Do you drink?” Sebas asked him.
“No, Brain offered to take me after Gazef passed. We never really had the time. Cause … of everything.”
Sebas gave him a sorrowful look. Climb didn’t know if it was sympathy or pity.
Looking back, he didn’t really enjoy the idea of drinking. Whether it was the illegal brothels that smelled of ale, the alleyways drenched in the same scent, or even the fine wine of the nobles. He always associated it with nefarious intent.
Sebas motioned with his hand to gain the bartender's attention.
“May this young man have some mead?”
“Sweet or dry?” The bartender was already scanning the rack for it.
“Sweet.”
He poured it right in front of Climb.
Sebas spoke to Climb in a sincere voice. “You probably won't enjoy it, at least try it. Mead is less alcoholic than most drinks.”
Climb took a small sip. It was alright, nothing too strong. Scanning the bar more, it felt more cramped than the rest of the rooms he had been to. It made sense for a hole in a wall.
The door clicked open. Two new patrons walked inside. One being the icey creature that accompanied Ainz in Re-Estizes throne room, and the second person was unmistakable. Climb recognized the description: red suit, widow's peak and a metallic tail. Jaldabaoth.
The creature sat on the opposite side of the counter, as the devil stopped in his tracks and stood behind them.
Sebas waved hello to the creature. It waved back warmly.
The devil looked at Sebas before his sights moved onto Climb. He put his finger up to the creature, leaning on the counter next to the boy.
“And how is your stay here in Nazarick so far, dog?” The devil said. Jaldabaoth’s voice was about what he expected.
“It’s very detailed and… extravagant.” Climb said, pulling words out of his mistress's mouth.
“And how are you and your mistress?” Jaldabaoth inquired. Even Climb could feel Sebas’s stare at the devil without facing him.
Unsure if the devil meant their relationship or well being, Climb answered. “Renner is fine, she has no complaints.”
“Demiurge,” said Sebas. A warning to a colleague.
Demiurge grinned and ignored him. “Do you know why you’re here?” He asked while leaning in closer to Climb.
“Demiurge!” snapped Sebas, shocking Climb.
“Then you tell him about his mistress.” Demiurge said as he stood up.
Sebas took a step back from the counter. With a hesitant look on his face. “Cocytus,” Calling out his name in hopes he’ll de-escalate the conversation.
“DON’T LIE TO THE BOY ANY LONGER.” Cocytus said, taking a sip from his freshly made drink.
Climb spoke up for the butler. “I know, she made a deal to work for you to save me.”
Demiurge smiled and calmly replied. “Poor dog, deceived everyday. Let me educate you.” He paused to look back at Sebas before he continued.
“She made that deal a year ago: Before we were a nation, before our existence became known. We already knew about her true self before Jaldabaoth made his grand entrance during the demonic disturbance. She sold out that mess of a kingdom for her position and to keep you as her pet. Sebas was even the one who brought her to my attention.”
Climb paused, he had to be lying. Princess Renner cared for the common man. She outlawed slavery, gave food to orphaned children.
The bartender spoke his mind. “Care to continue outside the bar?”
“We were just leaving.” Sebas said while ushered Climb out the bar.
The awkward silence struck the boy and the butler.
Sebas opened and closed his mouth multiple times before speaking with a false smile. “I should send you back to your room.”
“How can you work for the Sorcerer king?” Climb Interrupted him. “He killed so many, the arch-devil works for him.”
“The same reason why you have those wings on your back.” The warmth in Sebas’s voice was gone. “You’re loyal to that princess, you died for her! You came back to the mortal realm for her. I'm loyal to Lord Ainz. Your loyalty led you here! It made you a demon! Don’t be surprised with me when you do the same.”
Climb was speechless to his anger.
Sebas, barely controlling himself, decided to end his rant. Climb was close enough to Renner’s hold to walk by himself.