Memory of Chaos: Momonga

Memory of Chaos: Momonga was a character scenario released in Mass for the Dead, featuring the character Momonga.

Episode 1: Personnel Management
With the guild in an unprecedented crisis, Momonga was working together with Albedo towards rebuilding the Great Tomb of Nazarick. At the Round Table Room, Momonga spent his days working non-stop to divert valuable resources and to guide the NPCs. He receives a report from Albedo that the reconstruction effort is continuing on day and night, but it will still take some time left before Nazarick could even regain its former functions. At the same time, Momonga still grapples with the idea that the NPCs have gained awareness. So far, they have readily obeyed his orders to help him rebuild Nazarick.

The tasks that Momonga face are daunting but she refuses to rest. His mental note of resting, which to him is unnecessary since he became an undead, draws questions on whether the others under his leadership are getting proper rest. His concern goes to Albedo as she is the highest ranking Floor Guardian that has been paying a great deal of attention to Nazarick's security. Momonga wanting to avoid being a horrible superior, he thanks the Overseer Guardian for her efforts. In response to this, Albedo merely states that she is doing what she was solely created for, reasoning how the same goes for all those in Nazarick as well. While Momonga is appreciative of their dedication, he asks Albedo if she is getting adequate rest or experiencing any fatigue. Albedo is touched by his concern but assures the undead that she is perfectly fine both physically and mentally. The answer does not satisfied Momonga as he wonders if she is just saying what he wants to hear. He then draws the discussion on making sure that she takes appropriate breaks in the future. Albedo tells him that she will keep it in mind, but for now they should concentrate on the reconstruction efforts that are being done. She also adds that for her the greatest joy is devoting herself to Momonga and thus finds no need for any breaks. If she were to die from exhaustion serving him, she would take utter joy in that.

The comment is far from comforting to Momonga who sees it just a step for Nazarick to turn into a black-hearted company. Albedo's devotion and obsession towards him also draws some concern from Momonga, wondering what caused it. It takes him a moment to realize that previously before the shutdown of YGGDRASIL and transportation of the dungeon, he browsed through Albedo's data and reviewed her settings made by Tabula Smaragdina. There, he found that his gap moe obsessed comrade made her as a "slut". Since the game service was ending, Momonga had decided to have some fun and altered Albedo's setting so that it would rad that she was "in love with Momonga". Seeing how it has affected her mentally, Momonga finds himself that he is responsible for how she acted towards him. Momonga tries to tell her that he does not wish for her or any of his subordinates to overwork themselves to death. Hearing her master's wish, Albedo acquiesces to that she will develop a more efficient work system.

After she departs from the room, Momonga is not convinced that Albedo took his concern seriously enough on implementing a break system, making him doubt that the NPCs loyalty are absolute. Finding himself in an actual leadership situation, Momonga is at a loss on what to do. He needs to maintain the trust and admiration of the NPCs or the consequences might be dire. Needing to understand their intentions, Momonga wonders if he should ask Demiurge about this matter. But the demon is among those he wants to understand and thus decides not to approach him for aid.

Momonga realizing that he can't rely on his knowledge goes to gain more at a place he knows will have the answer. He then teleports to Ashurbanipal where he finds the protagonist who appears somewhat busy organizing the old books and new information using a PDCA system. The homunculus surprised by the abrupt visits of the master of Nazarick offers to be of service to him. Momonga then asks the protagonist's assistance in supplementing his knowledge on human behavior. The Deputy Diplomat Assistant knowing the contents of the library then provided Momonga with a necessary selection of literature on the topic. Upon reading the material, Momonga feels that he gained a firm grasp on behavior. One thing still remains, such as information on the intentions of each NPC. It would be impossible for him to ask them directly about what they would think about break as he is not sure they would answer him truthfully. An idea to use a proxy comes to mind and Momonga considers asking Sebas Tian or even the Pleiades, but is still unsure that they would be able to grasp what the true intentions of others are. Momonga finally settles on using the protagonist to ask them, given the fact that the fellow had already read the human behavior book making him the perfect candidate to do is survey. Plus with his diplomatic skills, he would be able to do a survey without drawing suspicion from others around him. After swearing the protagonist to secrecy on his plan, Momonga has the homunculus agree to gather the opinions of the various Floor Guardians and what they think of the idea of incorporating a break system. Since Albedo will be working on it, Momonga has the protagonist work with her to help organize the plan.

Back at the Round Table, Momonga called Albedo to address the work system that they discussed earlier from before. Albedo is aware and has a draft of the plan ready. To get the protagonist involved in the effort, Momonga tells Albedo that though she was quick to draft a plan, he fears that she may have rushed the work. Albedo seeing that she erred on her part, tries to apologize. Momonga makes it clear that it is not her fault, but to make sure that the work will be streamlined, inserts the homunculus as her adviser to help create a better draft than the current one, claiming that the diplomat's wisdom would be immeasurable in the task. Albedo having been convinced by Momonga to have the protagonist as an assistant then takes him along to her office.

On the way to the room, Albedo gets an urgent [Message] from Lupusregina Beta reporting that Shalltear Bloodfallen is requesting combat support from Albedo. It seems that the Crack on the 4th Floor of Nazarick produced a powerful Chaos Beast that is proving too difficult to defeat even for Shalltear alone. Seeing the urgency, Albedo asks the protagonist to wait in her office for the time being while she leaves to deal with the problem. However to continue his secret mission, the protagonist asks to accompany as he wants to observe the current situation of Nazarick, believing it will be vital for the new work plan they are drafting. His argument is enough to convince her and the two journey to the Underground Lake. There, they find the giant Chaos Beast that Shalltear is fighting off against. Locating Lupusregina, Albedo orders the maid to guard the protagonist while she aids Shalltear.

Together with Shalltear, after a fierce battle, Albedo helps bring the monster down. After which, she allows Shalltear to go and take care of the rest of the details, though Shalltear complains that such things should have never happen in the first place and wonders if Nazarick should create protocols for combat support in the future. Albedo states that she would pass on the idea to Demiurge before she and the protagonist depart. Once back on the 9th Floor, Albedo adds formulating a plan to combat Chaos Beasts on her list of to-dos. Feelings slighting exhausted by the workload, Albedo wonders aloud if she really does need a break. At this time, the protagonist adds himself into the conversation and draws out her thoughts on the break system that they are making. From Albedo she doesn't really get the idea of breaks, but since Momonga decreed it she suppose there must be a profound purpose. That being said, Albedo urges that the protagonist help her make their master Momonga's wish come true.

Later after leaving Albedo's side, the protagonist returns to Ashurbanipal where he reports to Momonga on his findings from Albedo. As Momonga feared, Albedo seriously assumes that holidays are unnecessary. This is a problem since Albedo is the Overseer Guardian and if she continues to work non-stop without resting, those below will not be able to take a satisfactory break, as it will look bad. He still needs to learn about the opinions of the other Guardians and assigns the protagonist another task to do next.

Episode 2: Individual Holiday 1
The protagonist is then sent to see Demiurge as Momonga wants to hear any objections he might have over the new vacation system Albedo is promoting. As a result, the protagonist heads over to the transfer gate leading to the 7th Floor. On the fiery hell floor, the protagonist seeks out the Floor Guardian who is supposedly conducting some sort of experiment. He finally runs into Demiurge who is curious as to why the protagonist was in his domain.

After being informed of how the diplomat wanted his feedback on the vacation system Albedo was implementing, Demiurge bluntly stated that he would voluntarily give the vacation days back. This shocks the homunculus, but listens as the demon explains that the beings in Nazarick were created to serve Nazarick, hence it is their utmost pleasure. To him, he finds himself most relaxed when he is working for the Great Tomb of Nazarick. When asked if he gets tired, Demiurge tells the homunculus that he doesn't as he eliminated as many elements as possible that interfere with his work. In order to maintain his efficiency, he plans to be very careful on self-management. To iterate, by nature Demiurge requires no sleep whatsoever and can easily recover from fatigue through the usage of magic. The topic of leisure time is brought up which Demiurge claims that it is a small price to pay to give up his hobbies, at least until Nazarick regains it's dignified appearance and those that dared rise against Momonga are purged.

Having heard what he needed, the protagonist thanks the demon for his feedback. And once again returns to the library and tells Momonga his report on Demiurge. With Demiurge, Momonga admits with his abilities the demon may continue working non-stop, but the same cannot be said with the rest of Nazarick. Demiurge's word of self-management tears him up as well as it was a favorite term in black-hearted companies in his old world, something which Momonga refuses to be allowed to exist here in Nazarick. Momonga then decides to send the protagonist to speak with Aura Bella Fiora and Mare Bello Fiore.

Episode 3: Individual Holiday 2
This time around, Momonga wants the protagonist to inquire to both Aura and Mare on this satisfaction of their current work or dissatisfaction and if they have any hobbies. The protagonist comes to the Amphitheater on the 6th Floor where he is greeted by the dark elf twins. Listening to his queries, Aura tells him that she does take moderate breaks, but with her ring, she does not require excessive time off, even sleep. The only times that she actually gets tire is when she works outside of Nazarick. The same of course is said by Mare as both the two agree that Nazarick is the best place to be. For hobbies, Aura likes to play with her pets and sleep outside, while Mare tends to spend some of his time off with his plants in the forest, sometimes reading books in the Ashurbanipal.

Their feedback is recorded by the protagonist who thanks them for the cooperation. The two elves were happy to hear that and hope that their opinions were proven useful to Nazarick. The protagonist then returns to the library where he relays Aura and Mare's responses, which to Momonga figures that their answers were almost as he expected it to be, noting that they are not in anyways dissatisfied with the status quo.

The next people the protagonist needs to interview are those responsible for the security of Nazarick. Both Shalltear and Cocytus have been tasked with the role to prepare for an enemy attack. Momonga figures that the mental burden would be immense for the two and no doubt rest would be required from them. He asks the protagonist to hear their opinions, in at last they will provide the last information he needs to not only create a healthy Nazarick, but building a functional system that will be indispensable for future operations.

Episode 4: Individual Holiday 3
At the Snowball Earth, Cocytus's halberd is heard to be slashing against the air as part of his training. When he gets a surprise visit from the protagonist, the 5th Floor Guardian finishes his routine before halting to listen to the homunculus. The homunculus asks if Cocytus does this as part of his training, which Cocytus confirms as he has been doing mock battles to slowly recover his lost power. He is asked the question on whether he gets tired, which Cocytus states he does as well as Shalltear who sometimes train with him. Rather than allow himself to take a break, the warrior responds that he would resume training as it is his duty to stay strong. Even if he were given a holiday break, he would not quite forget to do his physical routine and continue training as it is his hobby.

The protagonist having heard enough thanks the insect before moving unto the next person in his survey: Shalltear. He finds on her the floors she manages and asks the vampire what she thinks about the new vacation system that is being drafted. Shalltear thinking of what she could have done for herself on her day off glances at her nearby Vampire Bride. This draws confusion from the protagonist, but Shalltear answers that there is nothing else she would want to do as even now, in between work she is not dissatisfied with the current situation. Shalltear declares that no matter what kind of work she is ordered to do, if she can help her master Momonga, she will not be dissatisfied. As a matter of fact, she would like to see more opportunities along the way to see Momonga's face. But when she thinks about it, Shalltear has a desire to keep herself as clean as possible to take a bath. Of course, in the current situation where even the identity of the unknown people who attacked Nazarick yet to be identified..... It's a request that can be ignored. With that taken care of, the protagonist thanks Shalltear before returning back to his master.

Episode 5: Momonga's Conclusion
At the Round Table, Momonga praises the protagonist for his hard work, who is overwhelmed by the praise. Going over his subordinate's survey, Momonga confirms that the Floor Guardians do not feel forced in their work initiative and some do seem to take a little break to some extent. So far, it seems that the Guardians feel physically and mentally fulfilled, but asks himself if that is okay to interpret it like that?

Then he reminds himself that Nazarick is now in a crisis.....given the characters of the Floor Guardians, and their insistence in continuing to work, Momonga still has a responsibility to protect Nazarick as well as the children left by the Supreme Forty-One Beings. Resolved, Momonga calls the protagonist to him as he has one last job that needs to be done.

Later, Momonga now present with Albedo in the Round Table, who reacts in surprise by a document he has give her. Momonga explains to her that the plan was created by him with the aid of the protagonist to help Albedo build a new work system. Looking over it, Albedo complies and tells her master that she will implement its contents as he planned it to be.

A few days later, all the Floor Guardians have gathered in the Round Table. Once the regular reports from each guardian have conclude, Momonga and Albedo move to the next proceedings. The Floor Guardians are handed documents with outlines about the new work system that Albedo claims will allow them to work more efficiently than ever before unlike with last time. The idea catches the curiosity of the NPCs, and they are eager to hear more about the vacation management system that is being implemented. Albedo goes on to say that it is a system created to manage the status of vacation acquisition and that there are plans to create a trial basis. The system is not just about managing each of their physical conditions but for the efficient operation of Nazarick as well.

In the future, as the reconstruction progresses in Nazarick, Albedo expects that their missions will diversify. If each of them act separately, the cooperation may be disturbed and efficiency may decrease. There is a great possibility that the load will be distributed to specific people. To distribute the load, Albedo decided that she should manage their vacation acquisition status through this. The other see it as a rational decision, though a few are hesitant. Albedo tells them that taking a vacation is necessary to be more efficient. Based on what she had learned thus far from Momonga, the progress of the work will be higher if one obliges to take a vacation. She even did an experiment on herself and found that working without sleep and when taking a moderate break——she found that the latter was more efficient. The others come around to accept the vacation system is to improve efficiency. Albedo seeing that there are no objection decides to implement the plan immediately much to the satisfaction of Momonga.

Later on, Momonga meets privately with the protagonist who he thanks for his cooperation in helping to build the new vacation system as it would not have been possible without the feedback he provided. The protagonist humbly states that he was glad that the policy was able to proceed without delay. Momonga admits to the homunculus that he helped to fulfill his mission as a ruler—that is to protect Nazarick, which was built by his former friends. And feels that Nazarick must be a comfortable place for all NPCs—including the protagonist.

Momonga is appreciative towards the homunculus's loyalty but reminds him not to overdo it. Momonga has yet to hear the true intention of the protagonist and hence asks the latter whether he truly still just wants to serve him and nothing else. The answer is given in the affirmative much to Momonga's surprise. Still uncertain, Momonga does not doubt the words of one who has done their best for him, and accepts the protagonist's words. Momonga then looks on to the future renewed in determination for the development of Nazarick.

Trivia

 * This character scenario was released alongside the Memory of Chaos: Sebas Tian, Memory of Chaos: Pandora's Actor, Memory of Chaos: Aura Bella Fiora, Memory of Chaos: Mare Bello Fiore, Memory of Chaos: Cocytus, Memory of Chaos: Shalltear Bloodfallen, Memory of Chaos: Demiurge, and Memory of Chaos: Albedo.