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Non-Canon: REMINDER! This page is considered as among one of the many pure game contents found exclusive in Mass for the Dead only. It includes the new standalone characters that had a first-time appearance in the game. Meanwhile, the old characters had a different role and fate than from the main storyline in the official books. For that reason, it has no connections to the canon story materials of Overlord Light Novel series. The content that you had read here are based on the Overlord mobile game. |
Happy Family Plan (幸せ家族計画) is a game event in Mass for the Dead that was released on October 31, 2025 to November 14, 2025.
Background[]
Population management will be necessary in the future to control foreign countries and groups.
As a preliminary step to developing this expertise, Albedo and others emphasize the need to understand the concept of “family.” However, the NPCs do not have a deep understanding of the concept of family outside of Nazarick.
To learn about various abstract notions of “family,” a learning opportunity through role-playing has been arranged— [1]
Incident[]
In a meeting between Momonga, Albedo and Demiurge in the Round Table Room, the Sorcerer King was given a thick stack of documents that Albedo had handed him with the title reading——"Happy Family Plan." Upon reading the title, Momonga inquires about it to Albedo. Albedo makes Momonga remember the project that they started previously, prompted by Renner's suggestion. Where Renner said she wanted to create a resort facility for the lizardmen who work on the isolated islands and archipelagos connected by the [Gate]s. Thanks to the long-standing assistance from Nazarick, the lizardmen have secured safety and food, and their population has flourished.
While it is desirable for a species under de facto control to increase its workforce—in order to balance raising children with working on isolated islands and archipelagoes, an increasing number of individuals are working in unreasonable ways, and there are concerns that work efficiency will decline. Momonga adds that Renner suggested that Nazarick create a resort where they could spend time with their families. And, Albedo expands that as the person who readily agreed to help had quickly realized, Renner's aim was not limited to just that, but also included maintaining good family relations and further promoting the reproduction of the lizardmen—a "family planning" initiative. This not only applies to the lizardmen themselves, but also serves the purpose of accumulating know-how in population management for external races that the Sorcerer Kingdom currently and will in the future bring under its effective control.
Demiurge states that in order to prepare for that "calamity," Nazarick, as the Sorcerer Kingdom, needs to take control of more countries and groups. On the surface, this may be called "diplomatic relations" or "friendship," but in reality, what is being done for the sake of leadership is "control" and "management." Population management in particular is a major issue. Given the nature of the "disaster," this hugely swollen population is a valuable fighting and labor force, even if individuals are vulnerable. However, there are concerns that a rapid and excessive increase could lead to governance problems.
Food shortages, land shortages, and deteriorating security are also factors mentioned by Albedo that increase management costs. That's true to Momonga as right now his kingdom wants as many forces as possible to use as shields, buy time, and gather enemy information, but as a result of the population explosion, there's a non-zero risk that a force that surpasses our own military strength will emerge. However, as embarrassing as it may sound, unlike Momonga, Albedo states she was unable to immediately realize Renner's intentions, which shows that she too do not fully understand the concept of "family."
There are exceptions, according to Demiurge, such as the Zern race of the Abelion Hills, but in general, he and Albedo believe that the key to population growth and decline lies with each races’ mating pairs — and the “families” formed by those pairs who bear offspring. Even from what Albedo have read in the books of Ashurbanipal, there is a huge variety in the structure of families. There are "nuclear families" consisting of just a married couple and their children, and there are also "extended families" where other relatives, such as the parents of the married couple, live together.
So if the goal is to increase the population, Demiurge thinks it would be more reasonable to go for the latter, where it is easier to rely on relatives for child-rearing, while if the goal is to decrease the population, it would be more reasonable to go for the former, where both spouses work. Foolishly, it seems that irrational situations such as continuing to choose the former even when population decline becomes an issue, and choosing the latter even when population growth becomes an issue, are quite common.
To Albedo, for races that are bound by traditional views of the family, forcing a rational way of life on them will only invite resistance. Of course, races that go against the will of the their master should be eradicated. Momonga forbids this. If the purge seems too unreasonable, other nations and races may feel more than just fear; they may even feel resentment and hostility towards the Sorcerer Kingdom. The Sorcerer King states that it would be irrational to increase the seeds of discord before there is a clear plan for dealing with the "disaster."
Demiurge agrees with his liege, on the other hand, he thinks that they need to limit the use of force to the extent possible to nip reactionary elements in the bud, and they need to respect the family values of other races as much as possible. HIs words of "nip it in the bud" drawn some concern from Momonga. But Albedo soon states that as expected, given her and Demiurge's current shallow understanding of family, they are unable to truly understand what aspects of family outsiders value, what aspects they resist changing, or what changes they would not be resistant to.
Momonga cannot argue with that and thinks it would be useful to deepen their understanding of this. He now understand the purpose of the "Happy Family Plan" proposal. Albedo fully agrees and as what is written in the outline in the document, she has a request for Momonga——which she then shouts as being to marry her. In reaction, Momonga clearly embarrassed, emotions flaring but they quickly dampen due to his undead racial status. He tries to tells Albedo to wait a minute as it seems like she's made a huge leap in her proposal plan.
Albedo apologizes for speaking out against Momonga... but, in order to maximize Nazarick's profits and to avert the current crisis, understanding "family" is an urgent matter. Momonga then becomes conflicted wanting to look after Nazarick's interests...take care of the crisis finding them certainly of utmost importance. Albedo immediately seizes on Momonga’s agreement, declaring that the best way to truly understand the concept of “family” is to become one. The Overseer Guardian shamelessly presses herself against the Overlord—until Shalltear suddenly darts between them, warning Albedo not to take advantage of the confusion to extract some bizarre promise. Albedo is taken aback by Shalltear’s abrupt intrusion.
Shalltear explains that she remembers this proposal from long ago—after all, Albedo was the one who first convened the idea. Aura, also present, wonders aloud if Albedo was simply giving an overly long explanation that Momonga obviously didn’t need, supposedly to help everyone else understand the “flow of events.” Mare, however, thanks Albedo earnestly, saying the explanation was easy to follow, and Cocytus nods in agreement.
Albedo replies that it would be rude to pretend ignorance. She simply has no interest in anything—or anyone—other than Momonga. Even so, Shalltear retorts that such obsession is itself a problem. She points out that despite Albedo’s misleading phrasing, the materials do not indicate that Albedo and Momonga plan to get married. And if they are, Shalltear declares she will crush the idea entirely.
Albedo admits that marriage is her preferred option, but complains that Shalltear is too noisy. Which is why, she adds, she has a Plan B in case Shalltear objected. Momonga interrupts, telling them to stop joking around; he wants to hear more about this Plan B. Albedo insists that while her marriage request may sound like a joke, she was completely serious—and then laments (with obvious pleasure) that her master is still “so cold.”
Seeing Albedo spiraling into delusion and progress grinding to a halt, Shalltear appeals to Demiurge to present Plan B. He obliges, directing everyone to examine the documents before them. Albedo bristles but remains silent.
Demiurge explains that Plan B shares the core concept behind Albedo’s proposal: the idea that to understand “family,” they must experience it. However, rather than an actual marriage, they will enact a pseudo-family, with each Guardian taking on a specific role. This, he says, is known as role-playing.
The term sounds familiar to Momonga, though not as a game mechanic—in his personal experience, it more closely resembles corporate training exercises. He admits that while the idea resembles children’s “playing house,” it could be far more effective than a verbal explanation. Personally, he lacks a deep understanding of family, and he’s certain the NPCs have only fragments of the concept within their lore. A role-playing exercise would especially benefit Aura and Mare’s emotional development; after all, it could be problematic if they struggled to relate to others simply because they didn’t know what a normal family was like.
Demiurge adds that learning fundamental family dynamics, and improving their acting to portray them, will be invaluable for future undercover missions requiring false identities. With this in mind, he asks for Momonga’s judgment. Momonga approves, calling it a useful experiment and encouraging the Guardians to participate—so long as it doesn’t interfere with their regular duties.
Both Albedo and Demiurge thank their master, with Albedo chuckling smugly. This worries Momonga; her reaction seems to imply more than simple satisfaction. Curious, he asks why the plan is called the “Happy” Family Plan.
Demiurge is surprised by the question and praises Momonga for his insight, assuming his master has already deduced the reason. In truth, Momonga only asked because he didn’t know—but Demiurge clearly believes he does. When Aura asks what Demiurge means, Albedo answers: Momonga immediately grasped the hidden significance of the plan’s name, and then boldly asked about it to emphasize the importance she and Demiurge placed on it.
Demiurge continues, saying that this hidden element is crucial to the role-play and that it’s important for everyone in the Round Table Room to understand it deeply, rather than focusing only on the performance.
Mare admits that he assumed “happy” was simply because the theme was family; many stories feature happy family settings. Realizing there is deeper meaning, he marvels at Momonga’s brilliance. Momonga brushes it off and asks Demiurge to explain the reasoning behind the name to everyone.
Demiurge continues his explanation: this time, the role-playing exercise will be carried out in multiple teams. Each team is free to choose what kind of family they will portray, and who will lead it. However, one rule governs the entire project—the theme must be “Happy Family.” Whether the Sorcerer Kingdom increases or decreases the population under its control, the most effective way to reduce friction is to let the people experience happiness.
Shalltear raises a hand and asks whether the greatest happiness is not simply to be ruled by Momonga. Demiurge agrees in principle, but notes that if the outside world were wise enough to understand such obvious truth, their work would be simple. Unfortunately, most of the world possesses neither the intelligence nor the refinement to grasp this. Therefore, the Floor Guardians must provide a form of “happiness” that even such dull-witted creatures can perceive.
Aura considers this and suggests that instead of feeling joy at seeing Momonga’s face, many humans would likely just scream. Mare adds that for the Sorcerer Kingdom to govern effectively, they must create a happiness recognizable to ordinary people. Cocytus interprets this as portraying a family “in the manner of the outside world,” or as depicted in books, to better understand what happiness looks like to non-Nazarick beings.
Albedo confirms this interpretation. For that reason, she proposes making it a violation of the rules to portray “happiness” as total, meticulous control by the Sorcerer Kingdom—over food, clothing, shelter, work, reproduction, and entertainment.
Shalltear remarks that such total control is the ultimate happiness for fools. Still, the exercise requires assuming that outsiders cannot recognize this truth. Mare admits this will be difficult. Momonga, internally, cannot help but think that this version of “happiness” is not happiness at all—and is depressed by how close it mirrors reality. It occurs to him that this entire project could fail if the NPCs cannot grasp the concept of differing forms of happiness.
Demiurge bows slightly, apologizing for the trouble, but asks whether Momonga would review the overall plan and confirm there are no issues. Momonga assures him there are none. He then inquires whether the purpose of judging is to determine which team most effectively portrays the “Happy Family” theme.
Demiurge confirms this and expresses hope that turning the exercise into a competition will lead to superior results. He humbly requests that Momonga choose a prize for the winning team. Momonga agrees, delegating the specific rules and framework to Demiurge, and asks whether it is acceptable for him to simply observe the performances as the judge—remaining neutral so as not to influence the acting.
Albedo suggests that since Momonga will be evaluating each team’s expression of happiness, he might consider a more active role rather than mere observation. With this, the plan’s structure is finalized. After a period of preparation, Momonga is formally invited to participate in the “Happy Family Plan.”[2]
Some time after agreeing to carry out the plan, Momonga received an invitation from Shalltear to visit her assigned floor. On the way there, he reflected uneasily on his role. In order to declare the team that felt the happiest as the winner, he—acting as the judge—would have to participate directly in the performance as a member of their “family.” He had been told that he simply needed to improvise and go along with the story, but he couldn’t help worrying that the NPCs were expecting too much from his acting skills. He was used to playing the part of a dignified, overwhelming ruler… not a family man. Doubts clouded his thoughts.
At the appointed time, the Sorcerer King finally arrived at the designated room. Upon entering, he was greeted by two Vampire Brides, who welcomed their master home and informed him that “madam and the young ladies” were waiting for him. From this alone, Momonga deduced that the Vampire Brides were playing the role of servants, meaning the scenario for this performance was that of an affluent household—affluent enough to employ staff.
Shalltear soon appeared, dressed in an extravagant red wedding gown, and warmly welcomed Momonga back as “her dear.” Though he had expected something along these lines, he still responded a little awkwardly. It was clear that Shalltear had taken on the role of the wife, making him the husband. As for the “young ladies,” he saw Yuri in a yukata, Solution in a dress, and another figure in formal clothing.
Yuri and Solution greeted him with a cheerful “Welcome home, Dad,” then gently urged Aura—who was hiding behind them—to come greet her “father.” Pressured by her “big sisters,” Aura stepped forward shyly and addressed him as “Daddy.” Momonga quickly grasped that the three were playing the roles of his and Shalltear’s daughters. From Aura’s timid behavior, she seemed embarrassed about the whole affair, and even Yuri’s acting was slightly stiff. Solution, however, handled the role more smoothly, likely due to her experience maintaining a disguise in E-Rantel.
With Momonga “home,” Shalltear—playing the dutiful wife—suggested they all have dinner together. Homunculus maids Foire and Fith appeared, announcing that the meal was ready, and guided the family to the dining room. The five of them took their seats at the table, directed by the maids who, like the Vampire Brides, were clearly acting as household servants.
Partway through the meal, Solution leaned toward him and said she had something to report: Aura had gotten muddy again playing with the boys at school. Aura protested that it was fine—it was simply more fun to move her body freely. Yuri gently reminded her that while being energetic was good, it would be terrible if she got hurt. She then looked to Momonga. “Dad, could you please say something to our youngest?” Momonga was certainly worried about Aura’s safety, but… he found himself asking whether the boys she played with were stronger than she was. Aura shook her head confidently. She was faster, she said, and even if they collided, she’d be the one sent flying anyway.
Momonga chuckled, relieved. He had been a little concerned that Aura might injure someone else, but if she was careful, there shouldn’t be a problem. Forcing her to suppress her natural energy wouldn’t be healthy either. Aura brightened immediately at her “father’s” approval.
Shalltear agreed with Aura’s father, saying that if Aura suffered only a minor injury, she could heal it with magic. Momonga privately thought that it was convenient they lived in a world where magic existed, then wondered aloud whether Shalltear could even use healing magic. He remembered she could cast [Regenerate], but considered the possibility that this was simply part of the scenario.
Solution, however, complained that the two “parents” were far too lenient with Aura. As daughters “born” from such a great father and mother, she said, more should be expected of them. Yuri scolded her, reminding Solution that it was mealtime and telling Momonga and Shalltear—her “Dad and Mom”—that Solution was simply jealous of Aura. Something that was supposed to be a secret between her and Solution.
Aura reassured her “big sister” that it was fine; their parents took good care of all of them. Yuri agreed without needing Aura to say so. Even Shalltear, playing the role of mother, commented that it was only natural for sisters to worry about their youngest sibling. Therefore, she said, the two eldest would keep an eye on Aura so that “Mom and Dad” could go to work without concern.
Momonga nodded, adding that since they were all his and Shalltear’s children, they didn’t need to hold back when they wanted to be spoiled. Solution protested that she didn’t want to be treated like a child—then noticed Foire and Fith quietly laughing. She demanded to know what they found so amusing. Meanwhile, Momonga continued playing his part. Though embarrassed, he found the experience surprisingly pleasant. A family… with Shalltear as the wife and Aura and the others as the children. He thought that if Peroroncino or the other guild members saw this, they might scold him. He silently apologized to his absent comrades but decided this role-play was a necessary step in Aura’s emotional development. Then Shalltear, still in character, turned to her “husband” and remarked on the beauty of the moon. Why not take a family walk after dinner, she suggested—some “recreation.” Momonga agreed; it sounded appropriate for family time. Aura seconded the idea.
But Yuri asked cautiously, “What kind of recreation?” Shalltear proudly announced that they would go out on a moonlit night for a fun family outing of hunting humans. Momonga froze. Solution, still acting enthusiastically, said it sounded wonderful—she could use the chance to vent the frustration she’d felt earlier. Aura hesitated, saying there must be other kinds of fun activities. Yuri agreed. Their “mother” stared at them in disbelief. This was proper hunting practice, she insisted, and they shouldn’t be lazy.
Listening to this, Momonga realized the scenario wasn’t meant to stop at dinner. The food had been simple—just soup and drinks with no real ingredients. Apparently, the team hadn’t put effort into cooking because they had been following Shalltear’s idea of a “family experience.” In this vampire-themed household, that made perfect sense. Shalltear added that proper hunting was essential; otherwise her daughters wouldn’t grow into proper vampires, let alone rulers worthy of their father.
Hearing that, Momonga understood the full premise: the family was a vampire family. So when Shalltear mentioned using magic to heal, she had meant negative energy healing. Aura and Yuri accepted this explanation, while Solution eagerly anticipated the hunt. Momonga found himself wondering: if Shalltear and he actually had a child, would it be born a vampire? Or some other kind of undead? Shalltear then declared that the family had finished eating and that it was time for them to work together.
After enjoying a family-only hunt for humans, actually doppelgängers, on the surface, hu the group returned to the room, where they ended the scenario and received feedback from Momonga. He praised Shalltear and Solution—already experienced in adopting false identities—for their excellent performances. Aura and Yuri, though awkward at first, grew more natural as the role-play continued. Even the general maids and Vampire Brides impressed him; their acting closely resembled their everyday duties. The team accepted the praise with smiles and gratitude.
Since this was the first team he had evaluated, Momonga couldn’t compare it to others yet, but he thought the scenario fit the theme of “a happy family” well. The setting had been elaborate. Shalltear felt honored by the compliment. She explained that she had based the scenario on an idea her creator Peroroncino once mentioned, supplementing it with knowledge she had gathered from the library.
Momonga privately wondered what kind of game scenario Peroroncino had described, but decided not to inquire further for his friend’s sake. Instead, he asked Aura how she had felt. Aura admitted it was a little embarrassing to call Momonga and Shalltear “Mom and Dad” and Yuri and Solution “Big Sisters,” but… it was also fun. She had Mare as her real twin brother, of course, but this was a different kind of experience. Feeling like a family had been nice.
Momonga agreed. It had been refreshing for him too, and not a bad activity at all. Immediately, Shalltear knelt before him and loudly declared that if he enjoyed it so much, they should make a real family. Yuri quickly warned her that Albedo must never find out. Shalltear told her not to interfere, then sharply questioned why Yuri had worn a yukata when she had instructed her to wear a more ladylike outfit. Yuri calmly explained that the discussion should have happened beforehand and that she simply wanted to avoid Lady Shalltear’s leering gaze. She justified her choice by referencing a book she had read that depicted a young lady dressed similarly.
Shalltear reluctantly admitted this was true; the yukata style had been praised in Peroroncino’s writings. Even so, she insisted Yuri should take a cue from Solution and dress a little more boldly. Solution reminded both of them that their master was present and they should behave. Momonga chuckled. For the first team he had evaluated, the quality of their performance had been very high. Next, he planned to observe Cocytus’s team the following day. As for Cocytus’s idea of a “happy family,” he still couldn’t imagine it. Thus ended the first family’s performance—without incident, and with unexpected warmth.[3]
A few days after Shalltear’s team completed their audition, Momonga visited the Frozen Prison on the 5th Floor. Slipping back into his role-playing mindset, he opened the door and called out that he was home. Inside, he found Cocytus, Neuronist, Narberal, and Sebas gathered together. The unusual combination of characters left him unsure of the cast dynamics—and even less certain how this “happy family” scenario was supposed to play out.
Neuronist immediately clung to him, welcoming him home and complimenting his appearance. From her words and behavior, Momonga deduced she was playing the wife. In some ways, he felt she fit the role better than Narberal. Momonga replied politely, telling her she looked lovely as well, which pleased her greatly. Yet he couldn’t help noticing a tense exchange occurring between Narberal and Cocytus. Cocytus stood with his arms crossed, dignified and stern, while Narberal seemed unusually dejected. He rarely saw either of them acting this way.
Neuronist confirmed his observation, then asked whether her “husband” might speak to Cocytus—whom she referred to as her “father.” Momonga approached the towering insectoid warrior. Cocytus turned his attention to Narberal and, fully in character, addressed her as the “young master,” or “Nabe,” his “grandson.” He insisted that he—strict as he appeared—was by no means acting out of hatred for his “grandchild.”
When Cocytus noticed Momonga, he greeted him formally as “Mr.” It became clear to Momonga: Cocytus was playing Narberal’s grandfather. And since Neuronist called Cocytus “Dad,” and Cocytus addressed him so respectfully, Momonga realized that Cocytus was meant to be his father-in-law.
Neuronist then asked her “Dad” whether he wouldn’t be angry that Nabe, the “crystallization of her and Momonga’s adorable love,” had been skipping her training too often. Momonga began to lightly scold Nabe—only for Cocytus to interrupt with an apology. If Cocytus neglected training her as he had promised, he said, he would have no excuse before Mr. Momonga, who, despite his busy schedule, had been stepping in to guide his “grandson” in his place.
Neuronist agreed cautiously. From the flow of the scenario, Momonga could now see the family structure: a grandfather living with them, acting as a combat instructor for the successor in the busy father’s stead. He didn’t really understand the chosen era or the logic of heirs and succession, but… it was a touching idea. Letting a trusted relative help raise a child while the father worked—he vaguely remembered hearing about such challenges. He still didn’t understand why Cocytus’s team was injecting conflict into a theme labeled “happy family,” but since he had requested their guidance, it would be wrong to contradict his father-in-law within the narrative.
So Momonga asked whether the training was truly that difficult. If it wasn’t, then Nabe should fulfill her commitments. In other words, he sided with Cocytus. Cocytus was delighted to hear this. Neuronist, seeing her “husband” agree with “Father,” added that the training wasn’t excessive—but Nabe was still only five years old.
Momonga froze internally. Five? The storyline was making some very bold assumptions. Cocytus conceded that such harsh training was indeed difficult for someone her age. But Nabe, he insisted, was the child of Momonga. One day, when she became—or was even merely named—his successor, people would inevitably compare her to him. Yet it was exceedingly rare for a child to inherit the full talents of a great parent. The greater the parent, the harsher the comparisons. And surpassing such a parent was even more difficult. Impossible? No. But it required tremendous resolve.
Neuronist agreed, lamenting that her husband was too exceptional for anyone to easily catch up to. Nabe might struggle to meet the expectations set around Cocytus. That was why he was training her so strictly. Because Momonga was a great magic caster—not a warrior—Cocytus had been raising Nabe as a warrior from infancy. If the heir learned to use warrior-transformation magic like Momonga, she might even surpass him. Even if she couldn’t match him as a magic caster, she would surpass him as a warrior and support him.
And since Momonga was undead, with no natural lifespan, he could remain a ruler indefinitely. Even if Nabe inherited his nature as his child, she would live long and supplement whatever weaknesses her parent possessed. Now that Cocytus has mentioned it, Neuronist reluctantly concedes that perhaps it is important to train as a warrior. Cocytus then turns to his “son-in-law,” Momonga, and asks whether this isn’t precisely why Momonga entrusted Nabe—his “daughter”—to a warrior like him in the first place.
Momonga, staying in character, agrees. Privately, however, he reflects that Cocytus’s team seems to have put an impressive amount of detail into this whole “happy family” role-playing scenario. It’s almost as though Cocytus has long been contemplating exactly what kind of training and abilities would be required of a potential successor to the ruler of the undead. Cocytus then continues, explaining that a warrior must cultivate proper technique and mindset, and above all a strong body—so it is best to begin full-scale training as early as possible. Of course, if the heir were to start disliking the training, then Nabe should reconsider.
Nabe reassures her “grandfather” that she is fine, and apologizes for having complained. She never imagined her “grandfather” thought so deeply about her future. From now on, she promises to take her training more seriously. Cocytus is overjoyed that his “grandchild” understands him. As for Momonga, he finds young Nabe rather obedient for a five-year-old; he assumes the intention was to start with a conflict, then have them reconcile, strengthening the impression of familial warmth and happiness.
The setting is surprisingly well-constructed, and the overall quality is quite high. Momonga glances at Sebas, wondering what role Nazarick’s butler is performing in this drama. Continuing the “happy family” act, Cocytus suggests that since Momonga is present, he and Nabe should go outside to complete today’s training. Nabe complies, bidding her “father” goodbye. Neuronist, in the role of her “mother,” agrees—if Nabe is feeling up to it, she won’t interfere, but she does ask her to be careful. Finally, Sebas speaks up, offering to lend a hand to his “grandchild”… apparently taking the role of the grandmother, much to Momonga’s shock.
After going outside to train and “deepen their family bonds,” the group eventually returns to their room to hear Momonga’s evaluation. He admits that Cocytus’s team created a very well-thought-out scenario. There is always the possibility that a successor might not surpass their predecessor, so preparing alternate talents makes sense. The detailed setup also made the grandfather’s affection for his grandchild feel convincing. Cocytus’s acting, too, gave the impression of a supportive father-in-law who would make child-rearing easier.
Cocytus is delighted to receive praise for both his acting and the storyline. And, considering the theme of a “happy family,” Momonga remarks that although it might seem odd to begin with an argument between grandparent and grandchild, their reconciliation realistically portrayed how a family can resolve conflict and grow closer. Overall, the Sorcerer King deems it an excellent production. All acting was acceptable—though Nabe playing the grandchild and Sebas as the grandmother were certainly unexpected choices.
Neuronist then asks whether Momonga wasn’t surprised that she played the role of his wife. Momonga hesitates, then replies that one could interpret it that way. This fills Nazarick’s torturer with smug satisfaction; clearly she has not lost to that little girl Shalltear, nor to that “ugly one,” Albedo, when it comes to Momonga’s affections.
Sebas apologizes for his poor acting, explaining that the nature of the role made it difficult for him to perform convincingly. Narberal likewise apologizes, insisting that the script and direction were products of Cocytus’s passion—and thus requesting that Momonga offer Cocytus further praise. In fact, Cocytus had thought so deeply about teaching policy that, should Momonga ever have a real heir, Cocytus could begin instructing them almost immediately. This sincerity moves Cocytus deeply.
Momonga then states that if he does ever have an heir, it might indeed be wise to ask Cocytus to serve as their battle instructor. Cocytus trembles with excitement, overwhelmed by the honor. Concluding the session, Momonga thanks everyone for their hard work. After their cheerful response, he reflects to himself that next up—after a few days—will be Demiurge’s team. And knowing Demiurge, the Sorcerer King suspects they will produce a flawlessly constructed “perfect family” to suit the theme.[4]
A few days later, Momonga was invited to the 7th Floor. The team being evaluated that day was Demiurge’s. When Momonga arrived, he immediately noticed that Mare was dressed in his idol outfit, while Demiurge wore one of his alternate business suits. Also present were the Evil Lords Wrath, Greed, and Envy.
Judging from the lineup, Momonga had absolutely no idea what roles they were supposed to be playing in this so-called “happy family” scenario. Since Mare was wearing a girl’s outfit, Momonga assumed he must be cast as the wife—but considering the roster, perhaps Evil Lord Envy would have been more fitting.
Demiurge began the scene by welcoming Momonga. As Momonga skimmed the scenario notes, his eyes widened in disbelief. Demiurge was playing his wife? As the “wife,” Demiurge informed Momonga, his “husband,” that dinner was ready—though he asked him to wait a moment, as he still had “classes” to finish for the day.
Puzzled, Momonga asked what he meant by “classes.” Demiurge then instructed Mare to issue the day’s orders. Mare obeyed his “mother” and ordered Wrath to clean up. Wrath pouted childishly, complaining that Mare’s words were a request, not a command—nothing like the authoritarian tone expected from the head of a family. Mare nervously corrected himself and repeated the order.
Demiurge stepped in with a much sterner tone, telling Wrath there was no need to answer—just obey. He ordered him to start immediately, then instructed Mare to use the microphone and deliver commands as loudly and forcefully as possible. Mare followed Demiurge’s instructions, and Wrath finally lumbered off to fulfill his task. Mare then called for Evil Lord Greed.
Watching all this unfold, Momonga grew increasingly confused. He turned to his “wife”, Demiurge on what exactly is going on? Demiurge smiled and explained to his “dear” that although it might be a bit early, he believed it was time to begin teaching their “son,” Mare, the arts of kingship. Specifically, they were attempting to instill what Momonga might call the arts of an evil ruler—skills befitting the successor to their distinguished family’s Boss.
Momonga asked what, exactly, the “arts of an evil ruler” entailed. Demiurge elaborated: as the head of a household like his, Momonga would have many wives and children—meaning many potential rivals for succession. Mare needed to be one step ahead from a young age.
A succession struggle could easily spark internal discord, Demiurge said. But if one child establishes overwhelming dominance early on, the conflict becomes much easier to control.
Momonga sort of understood the logic, but… something about all of it felt fundamentally off. And the “family” they were describing now seemed completely different from the wholesome family scenario they were supposedly acting out at the start.
Mare called out to Abyss Demon, informing it that they were running late in securing people for the experiments. At Demiurge’s subtle emphasis on the word late, Mare hesitated, then added that a punishment would be necessary. With another encouraging prompt from Demiurge, who was still role-playing as the “mother,” Mare solemnly read out the punishment.
Faced with discipline, Abyss Demon frantically apologized, begging to be punished, and dropped to its knees. Demiurge declared that the Abyss Demon and the Evil Lords all shared responsibility for the failure and must make amends. Mare dutifully parroted his words.
The Evil Lords—Wrath, Greed, and Envy—prostrated themselves before Mare, the “heir” to Momonga. Watching the scene unfold, Momonga reflected that no matter how he looked at it, this was hardly the image of a “happy family.” Still, since this was Demiurge’s scenario, he trusted there was a reason behind it. Yet when Mare ordered the demons to prepare themselves, Momonga admitted privately that this was not the kind of family experience he had wanted Mare to have.
Beyond issuing punishments and commands, Mare also enacted hellish scenes—interrogating thugs who defied the “family” by casting them into lava.
When the role-playing session finally ended, Momonga turned to Demiurge, who had organized the scenario. He remarked that the concept seemed quite different from the typical idea of a “family” and asked Demiurge to explain his intentions.
Demiurge confirmed Momonga’s impression. As Momonga had said, the setting differed significantly from the family image held by outsiders—an understatement, in Momonga’s view. Demiurge explained that the scenario was based on words spoken by his creator, Ulbert, as well as material from a book he had read in the library. Furthermore, Ulbert had once asked Momonga to review these ideas, so Demiurge chose to refine them in a way that allowed for potential application beyond the role-play itself.
This, he concluded, was the result of his team’s pursuit of a more ideal and happier image of a family. Momonga recalled that Ulbert had been deeply obsessed with “evil,” so it stood to reason that he might also have held a very particular view of what constituted a “family.” That likely explained Demiurge’s unusual interpretation.
Demiurge continued, explaining that omnipotence brought its own burdens. In his view, the greatest “anxiety about the future” was the incompetence of one’s successor and the discord that would follow. True happiness for Momonga, therefore, lay in eliminating such anxieties. Based on that assumption, Demiurge had sought to create a family image that ensured stability and continuity.
Momonga realized that Cocytus had been thinking along similar lines. If something were to happen to him, his “family” would remain strong. A family capable of such foresight was, objectively speaking, a happy one. And yet—the problem was that Momonga himself felt uneasy. He doubted his own ability to fully grasp such deep intentions, and despite understanding the logic, he felt far from happy.
Even so, he acknowledged that the scenario was unmistakably Demiurge’s work. A “family that doesn’t have to worry about the future” was a concept that could, in theory, be applied to guiding others toward happiness.
Demiurge received this praise with visible reverence. Momonga then addressed Mare, the Evil Lords, and Abyss Demon, commending their performances for embodying Demiurge’s intent so well.
They all expressed their gratitude. Mare admitted that the role-playing was something he still wasn’t used to, but when he thought of it as a way to become more like his great father—no, like Momonga—he had been able to give it his best. Momonga laughed, touched by the sentiment, and praised Mare for doing a fine job.
As an aside, Demiurge explained that he had originally intended for Evil Lord Envy to play the role of the wife, but she had declined, claiming it would be too intimidating. As a result, Demiurge had taken on the role himself and apologized for any shortcomings in his acting.
Momonga reassured him that he hadn’t noticed anything particularly wrong. Privately, Envy admitted that she had refused because she didn’t want Albedo or Shalltear to learn that someone like her had portrayed the wife of the Supreme Being.
Momonga found himself unsure how to evaluate the whole thing. Between Ulbert’s supposed words, the theme of “family,” and a version of happiness that didn’t quite resonate with him, it was difficult to give the scenario high marks. Still, seeing the satisfied expressions on Mare and Demiurge’s faces, he concluded that it had likely been a meaningful experience for them.
He thanked them for their hard work and informed them that one team remained. They would have to wait until all performances were judged to learn the final result. Demiurge bowed in obedience.
Even so, Momonga felt troubled. The final team was Albedo’s—and that, honestly, filled him with concern. With an uneasy sense of impending danger, Momonga brought the day’s judging to a close.[5]
A few days later, Momonga received a request from Albedo and arrived at a room on the Ninth Floor at the appointed time. He opened the door leading to the Pleiades’ quarters and, stepping inside, assumed his role as the head of the family, announcing that he was home.
Albedo soon appeared, dressed in a nightgown. She greeted Momonga warmly and asked whether he would like to eat first or take a bath. When mentioning the bath, she seductively suggested joining him. Though briefly thrown into emotional turmoil, Momonga chose to eat instead. Albedo teased him for remaining so composed, then casually added that she had only been joking about the bath.
To himself, Momonga reflected that he had expected Albedo to flirt during this role-playing exercise, though her approach this time was provocative in a slightly different way than usual. Still, he was relieved it wasn’t the infamous “naked apron” scenario he had been dreading.
Albedo declared that dinner would be served, adding that the “children” were eagerly awaiting their “father’s” return. Playing along, Momonga replied that he should show himself to them at once. Internally, he noted that he hadn’t been told in advance who else would be present besides the representatives of each team. Since this was the final team, he assumed the child roles would be filled by the remaining Pleiades maids who had yet to appear.
With that in mind, Albedo led him to the back of the room—where Pandora's Actor stood waiting, greeting his “father” enthusiastically. Momonga was shocked internally, having not expected his own NPC creation to be participating in the role-play. Pandora’s Actor announced that he had been looking forward to this moment. He said he hoped to hear more that evening about the magic items Momonga had handled in his work and, in exchange, promised to provide a detailed account of the events that had occurred at “school” that day.
Still feeling embarrassed, Momonga reasoned that they were likely treating this as a parent-child gathering where work and school were discussed. Even so, something about it felt subtly off—the exchange sounded more like a business report meeting than a happy family dinner.
He couldn’t fault Pandora’s Actor, however. After all, it was only role-play, and Pandora’s Actor was like a son to him. Still, Momonga found it ironic that Pandora’s Actor was now role-playing as his own son within this scenario. Lupusregina, also acting as one of his children, cheerfully welcomed her “father,” followed by Entoma, who thanked Momonga for his hard work.
Momonga soon realized that Pandora’s Actor was not the only one playing a child. CZ and the protagonist were also present, acting as his “children.” The protagonist asked whether his “father” had changed his clothes. More children in the scenario appeared as well, including Doppel-Slimeko, Lumière, and Cixous.
Momonga was taken aback to discover that many of the female denizens of Nazarick were role-playing as his children as part of an exercise devised by Albedo’s team.
Éclair Eklair Eklair, the penguin birdman, was also participating—role-playing as a member of the household. He politely welcomed Momonga home before apologizing for raising a concern so soon after his return. Éclair explained that allowing a baby to get too close to a pet could be dangerous for the child, or conversely, could result in unintentional pet abuse.
The “baby” in question was, of course, CZ, who had enthusiastically taken on the role of Momonga’s daughter. She was currently hugging the diminutive penguin with such strength that Éclair was perilously close to being crushed. This prompted Momonga to wonder if Éclair himself was supposed to be playing the role of a pet. Even more confusing was why CZ, of all people, was acting as a baby. Still fully committed to her role as the wife, Albedo asked Momonga if something was troubling him. Choosing to go along with the scenario, Momonga replied that he had merely been thinking about how lively the room felt. A lively home, after all, was not a bad thing.
Albedo readily agreed, declaring that such liveliness was proof of the love between a married couple—between him and her. Observing how closely Albedo was leaning toward Momonga, Lupusregina, who was role-playing as one of their daughters, thought that Albedo was portraying her role a bit too enthusiastically, especially in front of her “children.”
Still, Albedo decided that the family setup was far from complete. In her opinion, they needed at least ten more people. Nearby, Entoma—also role-playing as a child—silently wondered how Albedo kept finding reasons to add more children to the family. Cixous, acting as one of Momonga’s daughters, warmly offers her “father” help, telling him that he can rely on his “children” whenever he wishes. Lumière, another of his “daughters,” eagerly adds that he should feel free to ask them for anything at all.
Doppel-Slimeko plays along with the roleplay, though she admits she feels unworthy of acting as one of Momonga’s daughters. Albedo, still fully immersed in her role as Momonga’s wife and the mother of his children, instructs her “daughters” to go change clothes so they can all sit down together for a meal. Momonga nervously plays along, saying there is no need to change and that they should simply eat.
However, when his “daughters” all agree so readily—just as Momonga had expected, or perhaps even more than he had imagined—the image before him becomes something dangerously close to Albedo’s ideal family. The sight leaves him unsettled for a while.
Pandora’s Actor then engages his “father” in a discussion about a hypothetical magic item mentioned the other day. Meanwhile, Albedo, still playing the devoted wife, asks Momonga how the food tastes. She explains that she did not use any special ingredients, but that the recipe came from the head chef of the cooking class.
Cixous tells her “mother” that it is delicious. Lumière adds that if their “mother” would allow it, she and her sisters would love for Albedo to teach them someday. Albedo is pleased and is just about to reveal the secret ingredient—the key to the dish—when Lupusregina suddenly asks where their sister Entoma is. Entoma replies that she is taking care of her little sister, CZ, who is still role-playing as a baby. Lupusregina remarks that CZ seems to have many complaints.
Entoma gently reminds CZ that she should not talk, as she is a “baby” and must act like the youngest sister. She adds affectionately that even if it were not an act, she would still be her little sister. CZ ignores the comments and continues to stay in character. Eclair, still crushed in her arms, attempts to voice concern about his structural integrity through a few wheezing breaths. Doppel-Slimeko, playing another of Momonga and Albedo’s children, confides her unease to her partner, the homunculus. She explains once again that playing the role of the Supreme Being’s child feels audacious. The homunculus understands her feelings but encourages her to continue for the sake of Nazarick and to see the role through to the end.
Momonga finds the roleplay remarkably lively. Strangely enough, it also feels comfortable. There are no dramatic twists in Albedo’s team’s presentation—just the premise that he and Albedo have many children. The impression is that of a simple, cheerful, and loving family. The other teams performed well, but in Momonga’s mind, Albedo’s team is the undisputed winner.
Still, something bothers him. Resuming the roleplay, Momonga addresses his “wife.” Albedo immediately rushes over, asking if something is wrong. Momonga says that something caught his attention. Even without servants or grandparents, Albedo somehow ended up raising this many children. During the day, he is always working and unable to help much as a husband. He hesitantly asks if everything is truly all right—handling childcare and housework alone seems like a heavy burden.
Albedo laughs warmly and thanks him for his concern. She assures him there is no need to worry. She does not know about other women, but for her, there are no problems at all. For the sake of her beloved husband, Momonga, and their children—the fruits of their love—she can work as much as necessary. Infinitely. Momonga freezes. The moment he hears those words, a certain face flashes through his mind. After a long pause, he finally speaks, declaring that Albedo’s team—along with Lumière, Cixous, CZ, Entoma, and Lupusregina—is disqualified.
Having finished judging the Albedo team, Momonga retreats to his office, where he is left alone with his self-loathing. Regret quickly follows his harsh declaration. He realizes that he lost control because Albedo’s words reminded him of Suzuki Satoru’s mother—his own mother—who died from overwork.
To Albedo and the others, who have no knowledge of this, the disqualification is utterly unreasonable. There had been no clear criteria separating success from failure. Momonga acknowledges that the incident was entirely his fault. Still, he worries that Albedo and the others will blame themselves. He decides he must apologize quickly, or he will look utterly disgraceful as a ruler.
A knock sounds at the door. Momonga’s attending maid, Fith, answers it and then approaches him to report that Albedo has arrived. Momonga instructs her to let Albedo in. He realizes she has already anticipated his feelings and come to see him. Albedo enters in her usual attire and politely asks to be excused as she approaches. Momonga says he is glad she came and begins to address what happened earlier—but Albedo suddenly kneels and apologizes.
Momonga hurriedly tells her to stop. He insists that he is the one who should apologize, admitting that his behavior earlier was unreasonable. He struggles to find the right words, explaining that he was not offended, exactly. Albedo responds that she understands it was not simply a matter of displeasing him. She believes she is at fault for provoking his reaction and senses that the reason is far deeper.
Momonga is taken aback. Albedo explains that when Momonga declared the disqualification, she could hear it clearly—even she could tell that his voice held not anger or disappointment, but deep sorrow. She realized it began when she said she could “work forever.”
Though it was only a performance, Momonga has always emphasized the importance of rest—both physical and mental. Her remark was thoughtless, even within roleplay. She thanks him for reminding her. That gratitude leaves Momonga confused. Albedo continues, saying that hearing Momonga’s sadness allowed her to once again realize just how much compassion he shows her every day. She adds that while serving Momonga is the greatest joy for the denizens of Nazarick, they do not take his words lightly. They ensure they get sufficient rest. She deeply regrets her careless remark and assures him that no system exists that would cause such worry.
Momonga nods, saying that as long as she rests properly, there is no problem. He apologizes once more for overreacting and officially retracts the word “disqualified.” However, he firmly asks her not to push herself too hard. Albedo rises and smiles, thanking her liege for his kindness.
Inwardly, Momonga reflects that while his reaction may have been excessive, Albedo’s words reassure him. He announces that they will return to the Throne Room and resume judging the teams for the “Happy Family Plan.” Albedo agrees, saying that everyone will surely be pleased. Taking into account their reflections, she adds that they can face the challenge of raising energetic children together as a couple. She emphasizes that nighttime—putting the children to sleep and finding time for just the two of them—is especially important for the future of their family and must be taken seriously.
Momonga agrees, saying they must cooperate. Though privately, when it comes to the “nighttime” matter, he wonders how he will avoid Albedo. Still, he decides that rather than letting her shoulder everything alone, it would be better to go along with the act and cooperate.[6]
Aftermath[]
After the review of all teams concluded, the Floor Guardians gathered in the Round Table Room to discuss the results. Momonga, seated at the head, once again thanked everyone, acknowledging the effort they had all invested in the role-playing exercise. Regarding the final judgment, Momonga admitted that it had been genuinely difficult to decide. He explained that Shalltear’s team provided a valuable model for understanding the family values of nobles and wealthy households, particularly those outside Nazarick. Shalltear expressed her gratitude for the assessment. Cocytus’s team, Momonga continued, demonstrated the advantages of multi-generational families, especially the role grandparents could play in raising children. Their approach also offered an interesting perspective on successor training. Cocytus thanked Momonga for his evaluation. Demiurge’s team, featuring a family with multiple successors, proved useful when considering royal households or large family-run enterprises. It even offered insights applicable to Nazarick’s future. Demiurge and Mare both bowed in thanks. With all that said, Momonga concluded that if he were forced to choose a winner, it would be Albedo’s team.
The announcement surprised Albedo. Momonga explained that while each team portrayed a unique form of happiness, Albedo’s scenario depicted a large, lively, and cheerful family that supported one another. Though simple, the warmth of their portrayal stood out. Privately, it reminded Momonga of his former comrades—Peroroncino, Bukubukuchagama, Ulbert Alain Odle, Herohero, Touch Me, Nishikienrai, Yamaiko, and Luci★Fer. The memory of those days stirred something familiar within him. It was a form of happiness that felt easy to understand.
Albedo thanked him sincerely. Shalltear admitted her frustration but conceded that she had overlooked the impact of having eight children in Albedo’s scenario. In a role-play where such a family existed, it was only natural that happiness would overflow. Aura added that, based on what she had read, she had assumed three or four children would be the limit. Cocytus remarked that even mentoring a single grandchild was a blessing. Demiurge reflected that when happiness was measured as a sensory experience, he may have overcomplicated matters. Mare shyly added that striving to become Momonga during the role-play had made him very happy.
Momonga laughed, agreeing. He clarified that none of the teams had done poorly—Albedo’s group had simply won by a narrow margin. Observing the different family structures had reminded him of something important. When Albedo asked if that realization was genuine, Momonga confirmed it. People of different backgrounds and personalities who cared for and supported one another formed a family. Nazarick itself was bound together by those same strong ties. The Guardians reacted with awe. Demiurge proudly declared it an honor to hear such words. Aura agreed, saying that playing the role of a family had reaffirmed that Nazarick truly was one. Momonga replied that if even the future generation felt that way, then this exercise had achieved its greatest success. He thanked them all and encouraged them to continue supporting one another as family. With everyone in agreement, Momonga moved on to the rewards for Albedo’s team. The Happy Family Plan had been a success, reinforcing that each participant’s way of being mattered when considering families beyond Nazarick.
After distributing the rewards, Momonga took a bath and retired to his room, which in practice meant reading until morning. He reflected that the reward he had chosen was a full day of rest, free from work duties. He had expected some dissatisfaction, but the NPCs seemed genuinely pleased. The acting maid on duty, Foire, agreed. For them, working for Momonga was their greatest joy. The exercise had reminded her how deeply he cared for Nazarick’s inhabitants and how important rest truly was. She resolved to make proper use of it, noting that Cixous and Lumière were excited as well.
Momonga was glad to hear this, though he found it amusing that even during a break she spoke of doing her best. Still, any positive change was progress. He told Foire he would retire—meaning he would read in his room as usual—and allowed her to return to her quarters to rest. Though aware that the Ring of Sustenance made true rest unnecessary, Momonga accepted that change would take time. As they approached his chamber, he suddenly stopped and asked whether any visitors were scheduled. Foire apologized, unsure, but believed none were planned. Momonga reminded her that apologies should follow confirmation of an error. He then noticed the unexpected visitor already present in his room. Apologizing for the confusion, he asked Albedo why she was kneeling formally on his bed, dressed in a nightgown. Albedo apologized as well, explaining that she had not informed Foire and that the fault lay with her. Momonga was troubled. Visiting without notice was highly improper, especially for someone of Albedo’s standing. He asked her intentions.
Albedo replied that she was merely enjoying her free time, unrelated to work. Momonga recalled granting everyone freedom during their rest period but realized he had failed to anticipate how broadly that might be interpreted. Albedo laughed softly, calling him sinful. She explained that after their close role-play as husband and wife, followed by such freedom, she could no longer restrain herself. Her excitement mounted as she declared that this outcome was inevitable.
Momonga froze as two Eight-Edge Assassins dropped from the ceiling to shield him. They warned Albedo that she was disturbing their master. Unfazed, Albedo ordered them to stand down, arguing that Momonga’s directive to rest freely justified her actions and that interference would defy his will. The assassins hesitated, unsure how to proceed. Momonga recognized the faulty logic but had no time to correct it. Seizing the moment, Albedo lunged toward him, throwing him on the bed, determined to make the role-play a reality and make a family.
Momonga desperately attempted to calm her while struggling to maintain control of the situation as she tried to tear away his clothes. Foire stood frozen, unsure how to react. With no other option, Momonga cast a Message spell to Shalltear, authorizing her to use the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown to teleport immediately. The message was sent just in time. It took the entire night to restore order. By morning, Momonga was once again reminded of how dangerous it could be to grant Nazarick’s NPCs unrestricted freedom—even when their intentions were anything but malicious.[7]
References[]
- ↑ Hapy Family Plan Prologue
- ↑ Happy Family Plan Episode 1: Population Management
- ↑ Happy Family Plan Episode 2: Shalltear Team
- ↑ Happy Family Plan Episode 3: Cocytus Team
- ↑ Happy Family Plan Episode 4: Demiurge Team
- ↑ Happy Family Plan Episode 5: Albedo Team
- ↑ Happy Family Plan Episode 6: What Is Family