27/05/2018

Thank you to PervySageChuckIII for betaing

The Cardinal of Sin
Chapter 1 Declaration of War Part 1

-cos-

Ainz sat at his desk. His bony fingers rubbed at his temple. It was meant to be easy and in theory it was. He wanted to build a Kingdom that offered citizenship to all. Such a kingdom would protect and serve those from Nazarick. That's all he really wanted, to see the NPCs his friends had created grow and thrive. To see them safe in this new world.

In practice, it was a headache, even for a being made of bones. The latest problem was integrating the former Holy Kingdom. Unlike the Empire, who had applied for vassalage, the former Holy Kingdom was his by right of conquest. And conquest had effectively wiped out the upper echelons of power. In some ways it was good. Competent people, human or otherwise, could be promoted without fear or favour of the existing establishment but it meant more work for him.

His problem today was in coming up with a new leadership for the Holy Kingdom. They served him. That went without question. But they were distant enough that he could not govern them effectively from E-Rantel. Not that he wanted to. Suzuki Satoru knew that much about running a company. A CEO set the policy. The workers made it happen. While the CEO was responsible for the governance of the company, they were not involved in the everyday nitty gritty. If he started to govern the former Holy Kingdom, he would get tied up in their issues.

That meant he needed to assign the Kingdom to an underling, but who? Cocytus was already occupied governing the Lizardmen. Albedo was needed here. Demiurge was known to the Holy Kingdom as Jaldabaoth, a demon he had defeated, but whom had been spirited away by his loyal underlings. In the confusion caused by that, the remaining nobles of the Holy Kingdom had been killed, leaving no clear line of authority.

Given his demonstrated strength, and despite the fact he was undead, the survivors had pledged their loyalty to him. He was not foolish enough to believe they had done so willingly. He was the strongest choice and they needed his protection.

Which is why he now needed to provide them with a leader. Ainz was loath to promote someone from the Holy Kingdom. He was sure they would be loyal for the moment, but they would need oversight. But who could do it?

Shalltear needed to remain here. He couldn't allow her to be seen openly until those who had brainwashed her had been dealt with, and they were remaining stubbornly hidden. Sebas had established another identity in the Re-Estize Kingdom and until they were firmly under control, Ainz couldn't risk that identity. That would happen soon, but not soon enough to change the outcome of this decision. He could hurry it along but that was not efficient.

Already, the Re-Estize Kingdom was beginning to feel his will. They were still independent, but soon their living conditions would deteriorate. Food would be the obvious short fall. When that came, they would willingly trade their independence for his protection, and the resources his small kingdom could offer. Ainz smiled, though his body face did not move. It was ironic that his resources now included those of the Empire, who had done much of the work to weaken the Re-Estize kingdom. He would reap the benefit, and their food would supplement his in feeding the Kingdom until they recovered.

And by the time they had, they would be fully integrated into his Sorcerous Kingdom.

That would leave E-Rantel bordered by two controlled nations. Only the Theocracy would then be in direct contact with his Kingdom. They were the likely candidates for having controlled Shalltear but he wanted proof before he acted. As he had explained to the guardians, it was wasteful to strike on theory, if it let the real culprit escape.

Ainz shifted his hand. Rubbing his bony finger tips against his temple had done nothing. He laid his hand on his desk and tapped. The sound was dry. The watching maid didn't even flinch at the noise. If anything she seemed slightly distressed that he was behaving as such. Immediately Ainz sat up, pulling back his hand so he could not continue to tap.

"I am just thinking," he assured Feciora. She seemed to relax, which allowed Ainz to breathe an internal sigh of relief. The maids were always with him. He did not need to worry them on top of their normal duties.

Glancing at Feciora gave him a new thought. Could he put one of the maids in charge of the Holy Kingdom?

Suzuki Satoru almost laughed. No. The answer was that simple. He couldn't even leave the task to one of the Pleiades Maids. Narberal Gamma, who could pass as human would not even do. They all held too much contempt for Humans to be able to rule them effectively. The Homunculus maids could not do it either. They were too subservient, plus it would make them unhappy to be away from Nazarick. He hadn't missed the way some of them looked around apprehensively when he was in E-Rantel. He would have to work on that.

Maybe Tsuareninya could teach them? Ainz shook his head. Maybe not. She had more experience in this new world but not the right kind of experience. Neia would be better. The name let him consider. Could she be used to rule the Holy Kingdom… No. As a Squire she simply lacked the proper training. He could compensate for power but she would not know what decisions needed to be made.

Internally Ainz grimaced. Neia was much like himself in that manner. Neia would be best set to serve the new ruler. "Maybe Mare or Aura," he murmured.

Feciora sat upright at the noise but did nothing further. He had not yet commanded.

Ainz thought further. The two Dark Elves were both young, still children by the norms of their species but they were more than old enough in Human terms. They both commanded underlings and… How would they go about ruling a Kingdom? He didn't know.

Except, they would be loyal to him and Nazarick. And they would help break the Holy Kingdom's prejudices against non-humans. Yet at the same time, being elves, they were, physically at least, close to Human and thus would make the transition easier. It was a pity he didn't have someone like Momon for the Holy Kingdom to rally around.

Wait, could Pandora's Actor be the new ruler? No… He was needed to continue the fiction of Momon. There were too many positions he needed filled, and he had too few skilled subordinates.

No. That wasn't it, Ainz corrected his thoughts. The citizens of Nazarick were skilled. They were designed to protect Nazarick. They were not designed to rule others. They were very skilled in their fields and it was he who was asking them to go beyond their programming. That wasn't an easy task and he had to support them. He had to choose carefully and make sure they knew what to do, and knew they could ask for help.

That meant his choice was easy. Mare and Aura would guide the Holy Kingdom. He would make it clear to them that they could ask Albedo, Demiurge or even himself for advice and assistance should they need it. Yes, that would get around any issues nicely. The two elves would learn, and he could learn, while allowing Albedo and Demiurge, who both understood the wider plan far better than he, to guide them all.

And it would protect his dignity as the ruler of Nazarick. Ainz nodded to himself. That was the best plan. He cast his eyes over the work waiting for him. Going to the Holy Kingdom had not lessened it. Quite the contrary. The papers appeared to have spawned. Still, this decision could not be put off. After he had set that in motion, he could deal with the backed up paperwork.

Ainz rose. Feciora immediately jumped to her feet. "We are returning to Nazarick," he announced. Feciora nodded, opening the door for him. While he could have teleported from his office, he had established several areas for this. And if he wanted the others to use them, he had to set the standard.

-cos-

Ainz frowned as he entered the Amphitheatre of Nazarick's sixth floor. Feciora trailed behind him. Albedo was standing before Mare. The Dark Elf was twisting uncomfortably.

"Albedo?" Ainz questioned lightly.

The two floor guardians started before they both turned to him and knelt. He waved away their obeisance. "What is wrong?" he asked. Albedo was meant to be overseeing Re-Estize Kingdom. That she was here meant something was wrong. He felt a slight stir of concern.

"Ano…" Mare started. His usual shyness seemed even more pronounced.

"What is it Mare?" Ainz asked gently.

The Dark Elf looked up. Ainz felt the stir of concern heighten at the way Mare's eyes were strained. "It's… Aura, Lord Ainz."

"What about Aura?" Ainz coaxed.

"Aura has not returned from delivering orders to the Empire," Albedo answered for Mare.

"She is not delayed?" Ainz asked.

"No, Lord Ainz. I have already confirmed with Demiurge that he did not ask Aura to detour," Albedo confirmed.

Mare looked back down. He tried to look smaller.

Ainz nodded slowly. Having Demiurge ask Aura to go somewhere was not out of the question. The devil had many responsibilities. He was currently scouting which country would be best for conquest next. He may need assistance in that.

"There is more?" he asked. It was one of the things he had learned as Suzuki Satoru but the new world had truly honed his ability. If he asked specific questions he often missed information. It was better to be vague and let the respondent pick out the important details. This applied to the citizens of Nazarick as well.

Albedo glanced to Mare and Ainz turned his attention to the Dark Elf. "Lord, Lord Ainz," Mare stuttered. He wanted to make it easier for Mare but Ainz sensed this was one time when he couldn't. "I've…" The Dark Elf took a deep breath. "I've tracked the dragon," Mare finished in a rush.

"The dragon?" Ainz asked. He knew Mare had two dragons as familiars. They were both level 90 and had been gained from one of the cash gambling machines in Yggdrasil.

"I've track, tracked it," Mare made himself even smaller.

"Where is it?" Ainz asked. He tried to keep his voice gentle but by the shiver that passed through Mare some of his worry must have been obvious.

"The… the…" Mare continued shivering. "The Katze Plains." The Dark Elf's breath was laboured. "It hasn't moved." That last came out as a whisper but Ainz could hear the almost plaintive cry within the elf's voice.

Ainz felt a further stab of worry. "Albedo, collect a team, immediately," he commanded. "Meet us at the surface."

The succubus nodded and hurried off. She sensed it was better not to question this.

Ainz held out his hand to Mare. "Rise," he commanded. "I am not upset with you," he assured the Dark Elf.

Mare pulled himself upwards and with a shaking hand took Ainz's skeletal hand. "Feciora, I will need you to remain in Nazarick," he commanded.

"Yes, my Lord." This was most likely going to be combat and she was not a combat maid. It was not disloyal to be dismissed in such circumstances.

With a flash of light, Ainz teleported to the surface of Nazarick, taking Mare with him. He looked at the forest the Dark Elf had made. "You do good work," he said, gesturing slightly.

Mare blushed but the colour quickly drained away.

"What is it?" Ainz asked, concerned. For the moment, they were alone. A part of him was revelling in the relative lack of eyes upon him.

"I… I can't sense the dragon," Mare admitted.

For a moment Ainz didn't understand. Then he remembered that the dragons were Mare's familiars. There was no way the Dark Elf should not be able to sense the dragon. He looked sharply at him. Mare trembled but remained firm.

"We will be there soon," Ainz assured him.

There was a noise from behind. Mare turned quickly. Ainz was slower. This was Nazarick, he was safe here and his magic had not detected anything. From the shadows, several Death Knights marched. They were accompanied by Pale Riders. Albedo, in full armour walked at the head. Ainz nodded, approving the selections Albedo had made but he wanted one more.

"Eternal Death," he said, summoning the undead. He spent some time every day making undead, though now he was focusing on creating high tier undead. Being his creations, they were completely loyal to him. One of the Eternal Deaths he had made appeared. A wave of cold passed through those still living before it controlled it's abilities.

"We are ready, my Lord," Albedo said.

"Where is it, Mare?" Ainz asked. "Direct the gate," he added, extending his power such that the Dark Elf could direct the Gate spell. He felt Mare's power mesh with his briefly and with a flare of dark light, the Gate opened.

Ainz stood to the side as several Death Knight's rushed through. This was standard procedure from Yggdrasil, when going to an unknown situation. Let the lower summons go through first. He didn't feel apprehensive about that. Several Pale Riders went through next. Ainz recognised that they had activated their abilities to be immaterial.

He maintained a link to all his summons. The actual link was generally weak, especially since he had now summoned so many but when he concentrated, Ainz could distinguish information from the individuals. Especially when he had been in close proximity to them or they were trying to tell him something. Thus he sensed that the coast was clear.

He nodded to the others. Albedo strode forth and Ainz followed in her wake, Mare trailing behind him now as Feciora had done. He didn't even notice. There were more important things to worry about.

-cos-

He smelled it before he saw it. The scent of rotting flesh was strong. A Death Knight was waiting beside the gate.

"My Lord, there is nothing here," it reported.

Ainz nodded but Mare cried out, rushing out from the gate to see his beloved dragon. Its corpse is what smelt. He felt a stir of anger in his breast. Not enough to trigger his limiter but it could quickly build. That dragon represented quite a bit of cash, and it was dead!

Except, what had brought it down?

"Mare! Information," Aniz ordered.

Mare was not a ranger like his sister but he possessed enough spells to be able to read the situation. And it would do good to take his mind off the obvious implications. Aura was not here. There were signs of a struggle. There was blood and trampled grass. Not just from the Death Knights. And even without having any super sensory abilities, Ainz could see the mangled wreck of the dragon's throat. He didn't know what had made those wounds but he knew enough to know they were fatal.

The gruesomeness of the situation didn't disturb him the way it would have if he was truly Suzuki Satoru. He had seen enough bodies and death since coming to the new world. What was disturbing him was that this was a citizen of Nazarick. It was not a floor guardian, or an area guardian. Nor was it one of the NPCs created by his friends. It was an Yggdrasil Monster that came from one of the gambling cash machines but it was still a member of Nazarick. A level 90 member and it was dead.

Something truly powerful had to have taken it out. Especially if Aura was not here. The dragon was not her familiar but she was a beast tamer. She would have worked effectively with it to fight.

Mare waved his staff. The tip glowed. Ainz waited. The dragon's body glowed and spectral images appeared. They were hard to see in the bright sunlight that marked the day's weather but the entire party saw them. Ainz felt his eyes dart through the figures until he saw the one he wanted. Aura.

The Dark Elf was staggering. The dragon beside her was frozen. Its eyes were furious but it wasn't moving. One wing was crumpled beneath its body. In the dual vision offered by the spell, Ainz could see that the wing was still crumpled.

Surrounding them both were humans. Ainz didn't recognise them but he did recognise the sigils on their tabards. The Slane Theocracy.

He looked around further, attempting to ignore the way Aura was continuing to reel. It was painful to see the young elf like that. There was a large group of Humans. They were spaced around the dragon, all keeping a safe distance. Several of the more brawny ones were coming forward but one particularly large man was staying in the background. He held an oddly shaped spear. Ainz recognised it.

"[Frysta Javelin]," he murmured. That explained the dragon. It didn't make him any happier but it explained it. The javelin had been used to freeze the dragon in flight, bringing it down. The men attacking now had killed it while it was weakened. Their axes were cutting deep into the dragon's throat. From the blood on the grass, it had bled out while being unable to move.

"My Lord?" Albedo asked.

"The [Frysta Javelin] is from Yggdrasil," Ainz explained. "It is capable of casting a temporary freeze on any animal." It was used to subdue non-humanoid summons. "But it is only effective on one creature at a time, and has a limited cast per day." Plus the item was easily destroyed. It was one of the cash items of the game.

Was there another player behind the Slane Theocracy? He had made his name known. Ainz Ooal Gown would be a name any player should recognise but maybe they couldn't contact him? Or maybe they were his enemy. Was that Player from one of the Human Only guilds? Surely they would recognise by now that such distinctions were fake…

Mentally Ainz shook his head, refocusing his attention on Aura. Mare looked stressed but he could not relieve the other elf yet.

Aura was still distressed. The fall had probably knocked her out. There were several humans approaching her now, though others were arrayed carefully. Ainz could see the flash of magic as they cast spells. Nothing would hurt Aura. While she was not capable of attacking with magic, her defence was formidable.

"Those filthy animals," Albedo snarled.

Usually he would have encouraged Albedo to a more reasonable attitude. At the moment, watching Aura be attacked, Ainz felt no need to censure the Guardian's Overseer.

He didn't recognise the humans but he could see that the gear they carried was of reasonable quality. That lent credence to the thought that a Player or more likely Players were behind the Slane Theocracy.

Ainz hissed when he saw it. Aura had driven her attackers back. He could see her whip tracing amongst the attackers. There was blood on the grass that corresponded to her efforts but one of them was getting close. The woman was quick. She did not appear to be attacking. She wasn't attacking. He recognised what she was carrying though.

So did Albedo. "Animals!" She growled.

The [Constraint of Umbra] had been something the Shitty Dev's had created about midway into Yggdrasil. As the time had gone on it had become both more difficult and easier for new players to level up when there were so many older, more experienced players around. The Shitty Dev's had made the shackles as a way for lower level players to tackle harder quests and thus level up more quickly. They blocked about seventy-five percent of the difference in power between you and your target's ability, though if someone of his level had used them, they would have done nothing.

The older players had not liked them and had retaliated by ensuring they had possession of the item. A few still went to lower level players, those who could keep their mouth shut about having them. Still, that meant it was most likely that the Player or Players in the Slane Theocracy were high level. He knew that from their supposed possession of [The Downfall of Castle and Country] but this was further confirmation.

Ainz felt his anger rise. Still the limiter didn't kick in. He'd think about what that meant later. Mare cried out when the woman got close enough to Aura. She slipped what she was carrying on to Aura's wrist. The fight was quickly over after that.

The damage Aura must have taken from the fall, combined with the effects of the [Constraint of Umbra] allowed the humans to capture her. Mare's spell faded. It had shown them enough. The Dark Elf fell to his knees. Ainz understood but he could not have mercy, not yet.

"Mare," he snapped. There was anger in his voice. The Elf reacted, as did his summons. They shuffled. Mare looked up at him, startled by the steel lacing his tone. "How long ago did this happen?" Ainz ignored Albedo's muttering. He agreed with her. The Slane Theocracy would pay for this.

"At least three days," Mare managed to say. His voice quavered but he managed not to stutter.

Ainz took a deep breath, though he didn't need to. Three days meant that the attackers were long gone. By now, they would be back in the Theocracy. This was obviously a planned attack. They would waste no time in transport. He wouldn't.

Which meant this attack happened while he was on his way back from the Holy Kingdom. Rage threatened to envelop him. He felt himself tremble. He felt sick.

Then the emotion dissipated. His limiter washed the emotion from him. Ainz didn't notice but those gathered did. They breathed a little easier once he was forcibly calmed. The wash of his aura had been powerful, and the rage potent. It was not directed to them. All of them were unsure what might happen if it was directed at them but it was a reminder that their Master was a Supreme Being.

Aura was gone. If they kept the [Constraint of Umbra] upon her then she would not be able to escape. That was not her failing but already Ainz knew that she would think it was. He dismissed that problem. It could be dealt with later. For now he had to get Aura back.

That meant he had to find her within whatever location they had taken her. Once Aura was back in Nazarick, other, more aggressive solutions for the Slane Theocracy could be applied. He was attempting to be the reasonable foil to the violence offered by Demiurge or Albedo but if this was the outcome…

Well, there had only ever been one solution when someone kidnapped one of your Guild. Ainz Ooal Gown had proven that in Yggdrasil, that one time. He would do Punitto Moe proud.

"Mare, we will get Aura back," Ainz promised the Dark Elf. "And those responsible will know that death is a mercy they do not deserve," he added, attempting to sooth Albedo's ire and his own. He supposed he should be thankful that Aura's World Item [Picture of Nature and Nation] was in Nazarick. She was meant to be in safe territory. That was an oversight which would be corrected immediately.

"Eternal Death," he issued the command. The thief type undead appeared before him. "Track them," he ordered, not needing to explain further. He needed to know where they had gone. "Take several Pale Riders with you, though they are to hang back unseen. When you find information, report through them."

The Eternal Death was silent but Ainz knew it had understood and several Pale Riders broke off from the group as the undead began circling the dragon's corpse, before heading off over the grass. He watched for a few moments before turning his attention back to the gathered party.

"Albedo, Nazarick is on alert," he said. She nodded. She knew what that meant. So did Mare. The Dark Elf trembled. Albedo didn't move. She wouldn't budge until he made to return to Nazarick, and only then would she follow his commands. Her first duty was to ensure his safety.

That left the dragon. It was not a POP summon. It would not automatically respawn. It was one of the cash summons. It was irreplaceable. He could not resurrect as he could an NPC. "Mare," he tried to be kind.

"I-I know," the Dark Elf said, anticipating what he was to say.

No! He was not going to let the Slane Theocracy have even a tiny victory.

Ainz glared at the corpse. He had not yet made undead today so he still had all his summoning ability. He could only create four upper-tier undead each day, but if he combined the summoning into two uses, he could create two level 90 undead. Thus far, they had yet to find sufficiently strong bodies for those summons to last indefinitely, like the Death Knights, but the dragon was level 90. Its corpse was stronger than a human or demihuman.

It was a risk but it was better than nothing.

"Have we gathered everything here?" He asked.

Albedo nodded, as did the remaining Pale Riders. Mare looked uncertain and flinched when he directed his gaze towards the Dark Elf. "Mare?"

"Ev… everything has b-b-been gathered," the young elf replied.

"Good, then after one more duty, we shall return to Nazarick," Ainz said. He raised one hand, sweeping back the hood of his robe. He didn't do it often. There was a dark halo like glow behind him that the robe helped hide. It wasn't that he was ashamed of it, it was more it highlighted the differences in species. If anyone was watching he wanted them to see it though. He suspected the Theocracy would be watching and after the last time, they probably knew the limit of his protection.

"I am sorry Mare, I cannot raise this dragon," he said. The elf already knew it. "But I will not let the Theocracy win," he added.

That caused Mare to tilt his head at him, quizzically. Ainz raised one ringed hand, pointing it at the dragon. "Raise upper-tier undead," he intoned, activating his ability. He pushed all four of his daily uses into the command.

For a moment he thought nothing had happened. Then black mist rose to cover the dragon. Mare gasped. He knew what was happening but had never felt his Master's magic at this strength. This was why Lord Ainz was a Supreme Being.

Even the other undead felt the power of the command. Quickly the dragon's body was covered in the black mist. Those watching could only see the outline. Ainz felt more happening within the mist. It seeped into every part of the dragon, pushing through dead scales and muscles easily. It went into the ligaments and tendons, soaked into the bones of the dragon, filling them with negative energy. He knew what he was trying to create. He let the magic flow freely from him. Usually it was a skill to create upper-tier undead. This was something more.

From within the mist, something moved. No one gasped. They knew this was his power. The dragon's body rose until it was standing once again on its four legs. The mist took on the shape of the dragon as its wings extended.

Finally a roar sounded and the mist vanished. Ainz looked up at his creation. Like all the undead he created he could feel it. The chains of command laid heavily upon it and were his to use. The dragon was changed. It looked almost like a Skeletal dragon and anyone unversed with such things would think it was. Those who were even slightly sensitive, anyone with life in their bones looking upon it would know it wasn't. It far outclassed a mere Skeletal dragon. A heavy aura hung around it. Wisps of it seems to rise from the dragon's bones making it seem as if it was steaming.

Ainz knew it wasn't. That was negative energy. It was potentially lethal to anything living it touched, and already the grass was dying around the newest undead. He smiled, looking up at it, especially as the dragon's red eyes looked down at him. It shifted, moving to bow. This sign of its obedience was pleasing.

"Mare is your Master," Ainz instructed his newest creation. "You are to treat his orders as if they were my own." Ainz was not concerned at the negative energy coming from the dragon. All of Nazarick's citizens possessed protection against Negative Energy. They had to. He wasn't the only undead in the Guild. It was the same as him keeping those items that only worked on the living.

The undead dragon nodded. If the instruction confused it, it did not display it.

"Now, let us return to Nazarick," Ainz ordered, gesturing slightly to open the portal wider. He strode forth first. He understood that even now, his underlings would want him to return to safety first.

Even so, there was a lot of work to be done.

-cos-

Review please?