Chapter 2:
Pack Animals
Ainz closed his eyes for a brief moment before standing from his throne. He looked down his great hallway and began walking towards his room. The banners hanging above the hall sat, pristine, each one displayed an air of personality that gave Ainz a bittersweet feeling as he gave each one a passing gaze. Every banner displayed a custom symbol created by his guildmates, and looking at each symbol, Ainz could remember each member.
Lost in thought, Ainz could not hear the sounds of Albedo and Demiurge approaching, as they began walking close beside him. Glancing sideways, Ainz could see Demiurge's tail waving in the air slightly frantically while Albedo held the same rigid smile she always had.
As Ainz stopped to speak with Demiurge, Albedo continued walking.
"Demiurge, what do you have to report about the Roble Holy Kingdom."
Demiurge nodded for a moment before continuing to speak. "Yes, I was able to have Caspond's doppelganger pull the appropriate strings and allow for the transfer of Ms. Baraja."
"Were there any consequences to this action?"
"The nobles from the south have stated their grievances against a paladin, especially one as popular as Ms. Baraja being used in another country. The nobles in the north have been quite apprehensive towards the idea yet, with such popular support for Ms. Baraja from the peasants, and the backing of their monarch, the nobles in the north have agreed to our demands."
Ainz could see Demiurge smiling now, as he pushed his glasses up against his face.
"I also believe that this action will lead to increased tension among the nobles from the north and south. In another year, I believe the two sides will split from one another, allowing the glory of Nazarick to swallow them whole."
"Good, Demiurge you have exceeded my expectations."
Bowing slightly Demiurge began speaking triumphantly, "I am not worthy of such a supreme beings praise."
"Thank you, now please excuse me while I retire to my quarters."
As Demiurge began to walk away Ainz rubbed his chin in thought. Sighing Ainz teleported to his room before sitting on his bed. Placing his hands over his face.
I can't tell the guardians why I moved Neia, the rest of the guardians would never understand. The bond that I shared with my friends can never be replaced. Perhaps this quest will allow CZ that same feeling.
Standing up Ainz moved to the corner of his room where a mirror of remote viewing hung attached to the wall where it was recently installed by one of the maids at Ainzs' request. The mirror hung a few feet from the floor and was a meter in length with a gold lining around the edge of the mirror that was engraved with several runes. The mirror itself was spotless and when looked into almost looked similar to a motionless pool of clear water.
Raising a hand to the mirror Ainz spoke quietly. "Now, let's see what those two are up to."
A second passed before the mirror rippled, showing an aerial view of Neia and Shizu. Neia could be seen sitting sunk in the snow partially as CZ griped her tightly from behind, burying her head into the fur of Neia's cloak. Looking closer he could see Neia pushing against CZs' arms as she frantically tried explaining the importance of her mission and why CZ needed to let her go. In contrast to her, CZ could be seen unmoving, only for the slight movement of her head or arms to better grip onto Neia.
Ainz placed his hand on his forehead and shook his head slightly as he looked down on the two.
At least they're getting along.
Ainz sat down on his bed, he placed his head in his hands and sighed, closing his eyes.
After nearly fifteen minutes of tugging on the arms around her, Shizu finally let go of Neia and stood in the snow. She stood about the same height as Neia, only shorter by a few inches and wore a maid outfit with several camouflage additions added onto it, the most prominent being the scarf that wrapped tightly around her neck. Her orange hair flowed to her waist and seemed to glow as the sunlight hit it.
Brushing snow from her cloak, Neia stood beside Shizu and looked her up and down. She didn't know what it was but she felt comfortable with Shizu after sharing their previous adventure together. Their love for Ainz further strengthened the bond between the two. Neia often found comfort in the emotionless emerald green eye of Shizu. It felt good to know that she wasn't the only one people would stare at. Shizu could capture the attention of the room by simply standing there.
Sighing, Neia ran her fingers through her hair, brushing the tangled mess to the side. As she spoke, Neia grabbed her visor in one hand and slid it off of her face, placing it in a small leather bag on her waist. "It's uh, nice to see you again Shizu-senpai."
Standing rigidly in the snow Shizu nodded slightly before replying in an almost monotone voice,
"Yes, it is good to see you as well."
"I suppose we should start moving."
"Follow me, Ainz-sama has given me the directions needed." Without a moment's hesitation, Shizu began trudging through the snow, towards a large mountain range in the distance.
Neia began moving through the snow, following closely behind Shizu.
After about an hour Neia realized that CZ must be freezing. The cloak given to her by Ainz had staved off the cold and instead replaced it with a pleasant warmth. Yet, CZ was walking in a maids outfit. After this thought, Neia broke the silence that had settled around them.
"Shizu-sempai, aren't you cold?"
"No."
"Really? That maid outfit doesn't seem like it protects from the cold very much.
"Hm… I am fine."
Shizu continued moving through the snow effortlessly as Neia trailed behind, walking in the path of cleared snow. Continuing through the snow Neia found herself in deep thought once again.
How isn't she cold? Perhaps His Majesty granted her an item similar to mine. No, she doesn't look any different. Maybe demon maids are immune to cold.
The sun lowered itself slowly, causing the sky to darken as a light snow began to fall from the sky. Neia stared at her feet as she walked concentrating on the mission at hand, thinking of what she would say when meeting the demi-human village.
As she walked, Neia bumped into CZ who had suddenly stopped in her track, causing her to stumble backward slightly and give off a slight sound of surprise. CZ looked at Neia blankly before reaching her hand into a void, pulling out a small metal lantern that appeared slightly rusted on its edges.
"Here, this is for you."
After regaining her composure Neia grabbed the lantern in her hands, looking it over.
The lantern was made of a dark metal that's rusted along the edges and top. In the center of the lantern was a web of metal that held a rock in the middle.
"What is this?"
"It's a lantern, to help you see at night. Press the top of it."
Looking over the lantern Neia saw a small button on the top that she did not see before. As she pressed the button the lantern sprung to life, projecting a bright, golden light all around her.
CZ gave Neia a curt nod. "Good."
Smiling, Neia inspected the lantern once more before securing it tightly to the belt around her waist. "Thank you Shizu-Senpai."
As the two walked through the snow, the sun disappeared fully behind the mountain range, causing the sky to turn a pitch black. The snow glistened dimly as the moonlight struck the ground, and the wind wiped the snow that had begun to fall more rapidly from the sky, swarming the two as they trudged through the snow.
Neia reached into the bag on her waist and pulled out the visor with, putting them on. The snowfall had caused her to only be able to see a few feet in front of her and the wind swirled ferociously around her, causing her ears to ring.
Within the duration of the storm, Neia had lost sight of CZ and cupped her hands around her mouth, shouting into the storm. "Shizu-senpai! Where are you?"
Neia stood there for a moment, hearing nothing. She held her arm in front of her face as she scanned the ground, looking for any footprints made by CZ though, the rapid fall of snow had covered her tracks. Cupping her hands around her mouth, Neia shouted into the dark once again. "Shizu!"
Neia slowly pushed forward, holding her arm up. Minutes passed as she walked in the direction she thought CZ walked to. Eventually, she heard the sound of footsteps in the snow close to her. Turning in that direction, Neia began to investigate the sound. As she walked towards the sound the footsteps stopped and she heard a low growl coming from just beyond her sight.
Not a moment later, a large wolf stalked forwards into the light of Neia's lantern. The wolf was bigger than an average wolf by a few feet and its fangs protruded from its mouth as it growled. The pelt was a pitch black that slowly transitioned into white fur as it reached the creature's stomach. The wolf began circling Neia, snarling as it did so.
Neia unsheathed her sword and began circling with the wolf, keeping it distant. She kept the tip of her sword ready to strike if the wolf struck.
As she circled with the wolf, Neia heard growling from behind her as another wolf stepped forward, stalking behind her. Just as quickly as Neia spotted the wolf, it lunged at her with a vicious snarl. Using its weight to push Neia to the ground, causing her to give a fearful scream.
Using her sword, Neia instinctually swung at the side of the wolves neck before slamming onto the ground, catching it just above the shoulder. As the wolf attempted to snap at her, Neia raised her arm to block the bite, causing the wolf to latch onto her forearm sinking its fangs deep into her flesh.
Blood began to flow from her wound as Neia let out a guttural scream of pain. Moments later a blue shot streaked across the night sky, illuminating the ground as it flew. The magical bullet embedded itself into the wolf's skull, causing it to fall limply to the ground. Blood bushing from it's wound, staining the snow a crimson red.
The second wolf lunged at Neia as she began to get up from the ground before a second shot rang out from the dark, catching the second wolf in the neck. Flopping onto the ground the wolf gave a yip.
Breathing heavily, Neia stood from the ground, clutching her sword in one hand and holding her injured arm close to her chest.
As she gazed out into the darkness, Neia could see the light from her lantern reflecting in several eyes that stared back at her menacingly from the dark. Brandishing her sword, Neia stepped forward towards the wolves.
Three wolves sprang from the dark each one darting towards Neia. The wolf in the middle sprang into the air, leaping at Neia as the other two circled around her, attempting to flank her.
Rushing forward, Neia could her two more shots go off in quick succession as the two wolves to her side fell to the ground. Gripping her sword tightly in her hand, she used her injured arm to attempt to block the wolves snapping jaws as it landed on her, pushing her to the ground once more. Snapping its jaw and clawing at Neia's chest, the wolf began attacking.
With her injured arm pushing against the wolf's neck, she stuck her sword into the wolve's chest, piercing its heart with her blade. The wolf toppled over onto Neia as it gave off a yelp.
Laying on the ground, Neia began to breathe heavily as snow pounded down onto her. Pushing the wolf off of her, Neia stood up and gripped her sword tightly, frantically looking around her. Hearing footsteps behind her, Neia swung her sword as she turns around.
As the sword swung through the air it was stopped in its tracks. Turning around Neia could see CZ gingerly holding the tip of the blade in her hand. Neia stared at the near perfect features on CZ's face before settling on her eye. She stood there, staring for a moment before she dropped her sword and lunged at Neia, hugging her tightly.
CZ stood there rigid but wrapped her arms tightly around Neia, hugging her back. After a few minutes, the two of them let go of one another
"Thank you Shizu-senpai you, well, you saved my life."
Shizu shook her head sideways, "...It was nothing."
Neia looked CZ, managing to pick up the warmth that was just beyond the emotionless look that CZ displayed. Smiling, Neia decided to leave it at that.
After bending down to pick up her sword and sheath it, Neia spoke up. "We should find somewhere to sleep."
CZ nodded, grabbing hold of Neia's arm and dragging her into the distance. Minutes passed as the two walked through the falling snow before CZ led them to a tree with a large trunk. Bending down, CZ cleared the snow from the base of the trunk and sat down. Patting on the ground beside her, she motioned for Neia to join her.
Neia walked beside CZ and sat down next to her, grunting she does. Holding her injured arm close to her chest, Neia grabbed onto the necklace that Ainz had given her and wrapped her other hand around it.
Instantly a slight glow lit the inside of her hand as it gave off a slight warmth. Immediately, the wounds that Neia had sustained from the battle with the wolves healed as Neia gave a relieved sigh. The only evidence of the fight remaining was the torn sleeve and cloth on her chest. Leaning back against the tree, Neia closed her eyes and drifted to sleep, exhausted.
The two sat together, their backs against a tree, using it to block the falling snow. The lantern around Neia's waist slowly faded as the darkness enveloped the two. Neia leaned up against CZ, resting her head on CZ's shoulder while CZ sat awake, staring out watchfully over the surrounding area with her arm wrapped tightly around Neia's shoulder, pulling her closer.
Ainz sat back in his throne, sighing.
Albedo, standing beside the throne began to speak. "Ainz-sama what troubles you?"
Shaking his head sideways, Ainz replied in a near monotone voice. "Nothing, I'm just wondering how the mission with CZ Delta is going."
"The mirror of remote viewing may be used to see how well the two are doing."
"No, no. I trust CZ is doing well."
Ainz could here Albedo shifting for a moment. "That girl you chose to accompany her on the mission has peaked my interest."
Glancing to Albedo, Ainz rubbed his chin. "Is that so?"
"Quite, I have spoken with Demiurge about the matter and he finds her most interesting as well. To think Ainz-sama was able to convince a lowly human to worship you. We would like to speak to her if you permit it. "
Ainz scratched his chin for a moment before nodding, "Yes, perhaps when their mission is over."
