An: Hello, Hello~ Cirnosonic's here~ well... I wanted to upload this a long time ago, but life had punched me in the face...no I'm serious, some random dude in the bus just came up to me and punched me at my face four times for no reason other than being a dick. I think he was drugged out of his mind or something, and I was healing for a few days, but we live on a bitch of a planet called Earth lol. Anyways, I wanted to say I try proofreading my last chapters to make it more enjoyable and made a few modifications — some simple things like adding little more details or taking off worthless features, small changes and such. So, I hope some people would reread it and tell me any mistakes I did or if I need more proofreading the chapters. Thank you, Everyone ^_^
Edit 1: I added a little more about the crystal and Ainz's reason about it. It looks like I have forgotten about the metal in volume 11, T^T. Also did more proofreading with some small changes.^_^
Chapter 3: The land of the divine and crystallization of iron
-Three months ago-
Wealth beyond the kings of old. Cultures of all kinds of life mixing into one with respect for all its neighbors. Educations for even the youngest of children. And of course, prosperity. When anybody thinks of a physical location in this once forsaken world with all these traces, all minds lead to one place.
E-Rantel from The Sorcerer Kingdom: A utopia made real by the Sorcerer King.
In a little over a century since its founding, E-Rantel became the centers most metropolis in the known world for its' cultures, magic, and many more. If one truly wants to live their life to the fullest with a purpose to oneself; E-Rantel is the place to be.
Looking down its' streets, all can tell that all matter of life has something in their every stride: confidence. The merchants shout to beckons all to stop at their wares with zeal, to the adventurers in pubs talking loudly to their confederates about their explorations of the unknown, and to the mothers gossiping about their days while their children were tugging at their skirts to ask when will they leave.
That's just looking. Walking through it is a whole different story. At its gates, guards of all kinds being humans or demi-human were wearing armors made out of adamantite. Everyone, fearless, as they examine every carriages and character that are arriving into the city. All while being watched over by their home's protectors; the Death Knights. None with ill-intent will pass through those knights of the cruelty.
After taking the land's workshops, which is odd enough that people don't know the land's cultures, can now enter E-Rantel. Beyond the city's gates, one's first look is the roads that flow in the city like veins. White, firm and spotless come within the mind when looking at them. Runes covering the streets, its energy seem to keep grime and weathers off as if the divine commanded so. If you beg a rune zealot what each rune said, they would say: "Repeal" "Sturdiness" and "clean." Such a small and insignificant thing to add, but it's effective. The runes striving together raise the people morals as to show, with unity and peace; beauty can be preserved for ages to come.
Passing on to the city, the Death Knights continue to be the city's true champions. In the past, all would be frightened and drop from the sight of a Death Knight, but now; all felt the greatest of joys from these cruelty taken form. So much, that children of all kind be it, Humans, Lizardmen or Zerns, had sprung to make small gifts for their guardians. Bracelets and flower-crowns are the most popular gifts the Death Knight wear, and it has become the norm to see a Death Knight with its wicked face roaming around with cute flowers on its head or friendship bracelets on its wrists.
Blocks of this city are carefully placed with forest area between as to allow the people to relax. Children playing and couples on their dates were filled in the parks, continuously. Or the museums with histories of the past for all to learn about their home; Filled. And the schools of all kinds with students with thoughts of tomorrows.
However, the busiest place in this haven will always be the market plazas. A Bearman bargaining with a human merchant for a drop of price in honey, Quagoa and Dwarves that were distant foes are now lecturing about beers and ores to kids, and an Elven adventurer asking a Spidan seamstress if a mantle matches her equipment and if it was enchanted or not. These and many other, show the union of these once divided races under the banner of the Sorcerer Kingdom.
But the innermost center of this paradise was a castle with small pointy spires jutting out from its roof with large towers circling it. Dark, mystical, and Imposing; Those words traversed the mind when someone looks at it — the Great Castle of Narazick. Named after the ruler's real home; the art of architecture created its flawless looks. Its ruler had once stated its appearance was like "Milan Cathedral" and "Sagrada Família" was combine and given form. With 5 Thick towers that surround the main body, the castle functions as a home for its king first, the world's distinguish academies second, and lastly a last line of defense for any 'Slane Theocracy.' Each tower and castle are connected with large bridges to each one as to grants passes to all in its grand halls. Walking through its gardens on the bottom would notice statues of its ruler's advisers as if each one seems to welcome all to its towers and schools.
Tower of Mare Bello Fiore. Housing the world's prominent geniuses in architecture and agriculture through its schooling. It is a place that helps developed its designs to show its beauty to the world to see.
Tower of Aura Bello Fiore. The world's leading center in biology. Its halls seem to litters with creatures of all kind as to let it researchers study the matter known as life, in peace.
Tower of Demiurge. No one can call themselves a true expert in magic and literature if they have never studied in its halls.
Tower of Cocytus. Generals of great military strategies and capabilities breed in this mighty tower. It is training all its students to protect each edge of their king's domain from would-be invaders.
Tower of Shalltear. Refined and Elegance plague this tower. The philosophical study of beauty and taste would never leave its home of arts and cuisines.
And lastly, the main body. The center for all to awe at its beauty, The Domain of Albedo. The might of the castle reveals all its charm and powers. If each tower were to merge into a single point, The Domain of Albedo would come into mind.
Passing through it wonderment of rooms and its attendants, was a library. Stacks with shelves upon shelves over each other, so tall was this room that it could fit various of full-grown dragons and still have breathing space to move. The personal library of the ruler, it is a place of warmth and tranquility, yet something was inside. In the center of this strange incident was a couch, and a upon it was Darkness. So bleak and commanding was this darkness that one would think it devoid the light. The enigma of this void was an undead. No, calling it a simple undead would be saying Pluto is equivalent to the sun.
Eyes that could suck the life of all who see it that even its kin would fall senseless to their feet. With rings of absolute raw powers fit all its fleshless fingers, this undead bears a dark robe that diminishes the light and a red orb of unimaginable power under it ribcage.
This being was the Overlord of Death, the master of magic, the god of the people, and the world's one and only true ruler.
This was Ainz Ooal Gown.
Aniz had ruled his kingdom for over a century and many things changes after his ownership of E-Rantel. With his numerous programs and laws in place to support the people, his subjects started to realize that even if he was undead, that doesn't mean he hates the living. With the free healings that heal the injured to the worker's program that help people find works and homes; it became an enormous hit, that kingdoms from faraway land started to offer to become vassals to him without meeting him. The NPCs was in reverence of Aniz's "plan" of capturing the heart of others and applause for his virtues. All he ever wanted was to relax, not add more works into his already slipping plate, yet he sadly accepted those kingdoms when his citizens declared that it was the right decision to do. There were, of course, some "problems" when his country started to raise every so quickly, mainly the problem was called "The Slane Theocracy."
When Ainz offers peace treaties and trade agreements time and time again, The Slane Theocracy would return those back as shredded papers with letters stating he was an unwanted monster. Angry about the response, he has chosen to let it go. He didn't know The Slane Theocracy's full might or if they have a world item with them and besides; being angry about "children" whining about things was below him. That is until they started to attacks his subjects.
Carne Village was the first to be attacked by The Slane Theocracy. Dominic Ihre Partouche had led the Clearwater Scripture to infiltration the village and capture anyone to gain info about Ainz to defeat him. However, Dominic has forgotten one thing about the village during his lust of winning. Enri's goblins army and Lupusregina Beta. When Dominic and his forces were founds ever so quickly, a conflict had started, but with a complete victory; Lupusregina and the villagers seized the Clearwater Scripture. If one put a picture of the fight to the mind, it would be like an adult kicking a baby's sand castle. Just pitiful.
With Neuronist Painkil in changes seizing info as a special intelligence investigator, Ainz had learned a great deal about The Slane Theocracy's innermost operations and their World item [Downfall of Castle and Country]. Now having a reason, Ainz declared war on The Slane Theocracy. The Fools kept saying it was Dominic at fault, but Aniz didn't fall the ridiculous explanation, and even if it was that true; the world item was a bigger problem to him.
Before the war even commenced, many of his subjects volunteered themselves for his cause. A surprise to be sure but a welcome one, and when he heard about the citizens' confidence in him, he had vowed to win the war with a complete victory.
A complete victory was this "Holy" war against the fools.
A year after the conflict, Ainz had begun to rebuild his capital and cities, and his people were ecstatic about this declaration. Arranging the dwarfs and undeads to start improving the homes of his subjects first had raised a dilemma...his citizens had declined the construction. It wasn't because they hate him. No, not at all. In a matter-of-fact, they love him and wanted him to start making a castle, A True castle, for their monarch. As a salarymen turn overlord, Ainz was already satisfied with his small manor and rejected the plea; but the people plea louder and louder until reluctance, Ainz agreed on the building of his castle but only if two things transpired.
First, the castle must function as institutions, and second, both the castle and homes were being built at the same time.
Having remembered the past few decades, Ainz sat on a lounge in his castle's library. The castle was named after Nazarick, but its charm was nowhere near the original, but Ainz accepted it with joy in his nonexistent heart. Of course, he was delighted about his citizens' love for him. What kind of king wouldn't? Looking around this vast library, the form of the Great Library of Alexandria would appear inside the subconscious. Or the relic of it before it was burned down.
Looking to his right was ornate and extravagant stain glass windows that were as tall as 13 meters. Each window let the light in from the outside and upon them show events of Ainz's kingdom and sigils of his vassals' states. To the time he saved Carne village to the time of the Holy war was revealed to him. Ainz always seems to overlook the windows and spoke in praise when seeing upon them.
"Impresses…"
"It is, isn't lord Ainz."
As to home in at the person that had answered him, Ainz saw something beautiful. A budding woman of early twenties was sitting on the lounge's armrest. She dons a reddish dragon scale leather covered by a white and gold vest and below her to match was a set of white trousers. Looking at her hip was a whip of immense power, but those were not what had holds Ainz's red orbs. It was her long golden hair that flows to her back and her heterochromia eyes. Emerald as green as the forest and sapphire as deep as the sea was her eyes.
Aura Bello Fiore was this beauty's name. As Ainz looks at Aura as she swung her feet back and forth with her palms rested on the armrest, she hummed a happy tune.
"You've grown so much, Aura…"
"Huh?" An adorable response was given to Ainz by Aura.
Ainz still reminisces about the times when Aura when was just a tiny child and now look at her. A woman of 170cm that match Albedo's beauty now stands before him. An incident always occurs in Ainz's head when he looks at the now "developed" Aura and chuckles at the event.
Shalltear had collapsed when Aura had started to outmatched her "weak areas" to the point of her begging Ainz to creates "a woman's greatest weapons" for her. All while Aura laughs at Shalltear with a "ho~ho~ho~" as if she was a princess.
"L-lord Ainz…I feel embarrassed if you keep looking at me like that..." Aura plea to her master while twirling the tips of her hair.
"Ehh?…A-Ah you're right. Forgive me, Aura."
"Ah~ Of course, Lord Ainz!~" A smile as bright as the sunshine was revealed to Ainz as Aura did her "double peace signs" toward him.
Ainz chuckled and went to pat Aura's head, and in returns, she nestles back into his hand like a puppy. Now, most would say that a ruler petting a young lady was seen as "ill-intended," but his people already know Ainz's character already. What is wrong with a parent petting their children? Ainz heard footsteps coming closer to them and stop petting Aura. Sadness with the loss of her master's hand, Aura stood on her feet. Two of the homunculus maids, Decrement and Fifth, appear before him with a cart of snacks and tea.
"Lord Aniz. Sir Caryus and Lady Tama are here to meet you." Decrement bow to her liege while Fifth set up the table in front of him.
"Umu…Bring them here." Ainz command as he stood up with grace. "Thank you for your works, Decrement and Fifth." Ainz bows his head to the creations of his friends.
"L-Lord Aniz! You don't have to thanks us!" Fifth started to wave her hands in front of her to reject the generosity.
"F-fifth's right, Lord Aniz!" Decrement soon follows Fifth's movements.
Ainz raised his hand to soothe his maids and spoke with authority. "A master that doesn't know gratitude for their servants is a master that doesn't have the right to rule. Even if I don't say it often, please understand that I love my citizens and appreciate all your works."
Rosy-red cheeks appear on the maids' faces and bows once more to their master. Seeing the maids leaving, Ainz had done a mental sigh. He doesn't hate the NPCs' and his people admiration for him but even a simple "Thanks" become a huge chore to do. But he needs to say it anyways. Not only for his servants but to himself as well. To his once human's side, Suzuki Satoru. Ainz heard the sound of something dragging on the floor like a heavy blanket and as he turns, found two beings were already kneeling on that said floor already.
'Come on, …already?...'
With a simple "raise" from his sovereign voice, the two beings stood as to match their master; A white-scale lizardman with a strange sword on his side and a human girl with orange and black hair carrying a box.
"Greetings, Lord Ainz. I have returned." The lizard spoke with pride in his voice.
"Greetings, Lord Ainz." The girl matches the lizard next to her.
Caryus and Tama from the adventure team "Sharp Tooth" greeted their master and god. "It's good to see you safe, Caryus, and Tama. Please have a seat and enjoys some snacks while you tell me what you had found in your exploits" Aniz gesture to another lounge across the table to them. He had hoped it wouldn't take too long for them to relax-
"Thank you, Lord Ainz, but we shouldn't."
'Come on, Caryus...I know you when you were an egg...'
"I agree with my boss, Lord Aniz. We can't bother you with our troubles."
'You already are by saying no...'
Aniz cough into his fist, a gesture that was unless for the undead but its resonance with the adventurers' hearts and smiles at their lord's humble act.
'Here go nothing...' "You may say that you're bothering me, but I will tell you this, you are not. You are my adventurers. You travel to explore the unknown for me and my kingdom. So taking the time to listen to you is of great importance to me. Besides, I heard you just got back earlier today, Right? Although you two should have rested with the rest of your team, you came to me first. So, of course, I want to offer you guys to heals from your fatigues." Ainz has done a small clap and repeated a waving gesture back to the lounge in front of him. With a nod and thanks, Caryus and Tama began to sit down.
"Caryus." Ainz spoke like a family member at the Lizardman.
"Y-yes, Lord Ainz?"
"You don't have to be so formal when it just us only. I had known you since you were a hatchling."
"Y-yes! Thank you, Lord Ainz!" Caryus, while rubbing the back of his head, replied cheerfully to Ainz as both began to sit down all; a small giggles escape out Tama at the act. Leaving the box onto the table, Tama started to seize a slice of cake and wolf it with glee.
'What with the box?' Ainz wonder as he looks at the strange box. It seems to have a crystal orb in the center, but he knew he would get the answer soon enough. As to break the silence, Caryus was the first to say anything.
"Big sis Aura."
"Mhhh~ What's wrong, Caryus?" Aura replied with a question.
"Are you Lord Ainz's adviser for the day? What about Lady Albedo?"
"Ah!~ Yes, I wanted to help out a little bit since I am finished with my duties today!~" Aura gleefully answers back to Caryus but slowly turn her head as if it had cast a shadow over her face. "And as for Albedo…" As to stuttered over her words, Caryus soon realize what had happened to the Self-proclaimed legal wife.
"C-code 5719?..."
"A Code 5719..." Aura and Caryus laugh defeated while Tama eats her cake with gung-ho. Ainz was surprised to learn that his citizens started to have code names for events around the castle for easy uses. Such as code 211 mean "Lord Ainz want to see you right now!" or Code 5719…"Prime Mister Albedo pounced on Lord Ainz…again…"
A soft clap and chuckles came from Ainz to collect the attention of all present. "Well, tell me of your findings, Caryus."
"And that concludes our findings, Lord Ainz."
"Umu." Ainz nod in approval toward Caryus and Tama. With their discovering of various ore mines in isolated regions to the finding of prehistoric remains of dragons in bedrocks, Ainz smile in his heart. To Ainz, Knowledge is power, and power is meant to be under controlled, his controls. So having his adventurers discover the world for him is a great benefit; even though he wishes he was the one going on adventures, but a king must be a leader first after all. Having remembered about the box in the table, he motioned them about it.
"That does remind me. Caryus, what is with that box you have there?"
"Huh? OH! Yes, Lord Ainz, this is a new magic item that I bought from a faraway region of the world." Caryus gleefully showed his teeth to Ainz. The gesture would make people think he has ill-intent toward his lord, but to all that knew him, knew better. It was just his smile. Caryus told Tama to get ready, and both stood up with the magic item. Caryus bows his head to Ainz as if a child asking his mother for something.
"If you can humor me, Lord Ainz. May I use this magic item with you".
"Caryus-"
"Caryus…That could be dangerous…"
Before Ainz could answer his servant's request, Aura with a pout had said her matter about the request. With a shaking of his head side to side, Caryus continue to ease his masters.
"I wholeheartedly understand your worries, Bis Sis, but I had tested the item already for any mishaps, and it is safe. It's just that…" Caryus tilted his head to the side as to try to collect his mind. "This item is better to show than to explain. I was scared about it at first too, but I also wanted to use this with you too, Big Sis Aura~".
"But-"
"Arua"
An authoritative voice echoes behind the elf as she shot up straight from it. Ainz understands her worries. If someone wanted to use an unknown item at him, he would refuse it without a second of a doubt. However, he knew Caryus is a valuable subject to his cause, and he didn't want to lose his adventurers because of him not trusting in them.
"Caryus"
"Y-yes!" Caryus shot up like Aura did a moment ago.
'why is everybody jumping today…' "Relax my boy. I just wanted to say was to forgive Aura's concerns about the item. It is an unknown item to us, so we can't help about being scared of the unknown". A small bow of his head appeared on Ainz as he spoke those words.
"L-L-Lord Ainz?! You don't have to bow to me! I perfectly understand Big Sis's concerns! You don't need my forgiven since there is nothing to pardon about, Milord!" Caryus' wild panics annoy Ainz a bit. He rose his hand to lull the "hot-blooded" lizard and began to speak to Caryus as a grandfather would to his grandkids.
"Now, Caryus" Caryus nodded softly to Ainz. "You had said that you wanted to use this on Aura and me, right?"
"Y-yes, Lord Ainz. I also wanted to join in the showing as well".
"Umu. Is there something we need to do? Is standing ok? Or sitting better?" A tone of jolliness echoes in Ainz's voice as he questions Caryus. Caryus began to gesture Tama to get ready the item and return to his master.
"Both are ok, but I suggest that standing is better, Lord Ainz. It makes it easier to show." Caryus gesture an empty spot in front of Tama as she was checking for problems. Aniz and Aura followed Caryus to the place and began to huddle together. If someone glances at the lizard's back, a tail would be waving sides to sides. Like a dog acting happy about being told 'Who's a good boy.' Caryus started to speaks.
"And now for the best part!~ Posing!~"
"P-posing?"
"Yay!~Double peace time!~" Aura began to show her greatest weapons, [Double peace signs] and Caryus soon follows; Ainz was left baffled by the ordeal. Awkwardly, Ainz forms his hand into a peace sign hovering lowly in front of his chest. During his helpless state, he looks up to see Tama pointing the box at them. With a cheerful and jealous voice, Tama then asked the group of peace signs.
"Are you ready?~" Tama questions the group while she was setting up.
"I'm ready to go, Tama!~"
"Yep!~"
"U-umu…"
W-wait… don't tell me…
With a small push of a button on top of the box, the crystal in the center started to glow faintly. Little magic circles appear and dissolved instantly after a burst of light came out of it and a moment later was a small paper under the crystal. Grabbing it and fanning it in the air, Tama told everyone that it's ready and hold it up. An image of their poses appears on it with a glossy layer on top.
"TADA!~ how do you like it, Guys!~I think I capture you well~".
Eh…
"WOW!~ So cool!~".
Ehhh…
"Right!~Right!~ I said the said thing, Big Sis!~"
EHHHHH!?
Ainz emotions were suppressed as he heard the three speak about the image. "A-a camera…" Ainz knows it wasn't uncommon to find everyday items from his world being recreated here through magic, but it still surprises him no less. The Minotaur Sage bantering of their homeworld items was mostly the cause of those creations, so he talks to Caryus.
"It looks like a camera to me. Interesting..."
"A camera, Lord Ainz?" Caryus asks about the thing called "a camera."
"It's an item from one of the worlds I visited."
"R-Really!?" Ainz's citizens already know about his "travels of different worlds," so it is always great to see his people reactions of his tales. And Caryus always have one of the biggest.
"Yes, but of course this item works differently than the one I know. This one seems to uses a magic core as a power source while the other uses fuel containers called [batteries] or charged it with [electricity]." Caryus have a gasp moment as Ainz explains to him about the creations from other worlds.
"So Caryus, What is this item name?"
"A-ah! It's called [Families' memories], Lord Ainz!"
F-Families's memories? Whoever recreated it must love them to the T. "I see it. What are the item's limits?"
"Sadly my lord, it is two images per day…"
Ouch….that's almost worthless…
"But I do know that it was eight images per day before" Caryus added the info as to show face to his master.
'WHOA?! A huge decrease?!' Ainz wonders about the item's new limit and clears his skinless throat. "E-Eight images per day? That is promising, but what had happened? Why this is the new limit?"
"I heard the creator's friend…broke it…I also heard it almost broke his inner peace…"
Understanding what had happened, Ainz looks up and remembered events of his friends doing something of the like to him and Amanomahitotsu. Well, mostly Luci*Fer was at fault. 'I feel you, random dude…I feel you…'
Caryus started to look through his lesser [Infinite backpack] to grabs something for Aniz. "I heard the crystal before the replacement was extremely rare crystal and I ask the creator if I can buy a small shard of the crystal to show you, Lord Aniz. He seems...reclusive about selling it and said something about his master but agree to it. It should be right-AH! Here it is!" He fished the shard out and handed it to Ainz. "I also heard that he have a few large boulders of the same crystal but didn't want to use much of it. He said it didn't truly belong to him. Weird but the man is a kind man no less."
"Umu…" Ainz peers upon the crystal between his thumb and index finger. It was small. So small, that it looks like a pencil that had been sharpened near to the easer. "How much did he ask for it, Caryus?"
"Well, we did agree about 500 gold coins-"
Whoa?! Why so much!?
"but he said he could sell it for 50 gold coins-"
Whoa?! Why so little?!
"And a large collection of grimoires, Lord Ainz."
Ahh…that seem fair…I guess… "Did he said why he needed the grimoires?"
"Forgive me, but I didn't ask." Caryus bow to Ainz as to apologize to him. "He did accept the payment of 50 gold coins first and would wait on the grimoires later, Lord Ainz."
"Huh? Why would he do that? The chances of me not agreeing are too high a risk for him to take." Ainz question this random man if he has a brain inside his head. The man doesn't know about Ainz or his vices.
"It seems he vows it under his master's name that it is a rare crystal and I vow it under your name to return the due paid, Lord Ainz." Caryus bow to Ainz again.
'Is the random dude a servant as well?' Ainz wasn't pleased that Caryus promise the unknown creator the grimoires, but he did it under his name so it there is no backing out now. "Umu, sound like an honest man…ok. I accept his request of grimoires and gold if it's a rare crystal and if it isn't, I'll return it and give him an equal of the crystal's value for the trouble."
"Thank you, Lord Ainz." Caryus bow again to Ainz with two hands on his knees.
Ainz looks at the strange crystal…It felt familiar to him for some reason… Ainz commanded his magic to form a spell on the crystal. [Appraisal Item]
…No respond…
"Lord Ainz, what is the crystal-"
Ainz was confused about the response and did it again with a higher tier of the spell while cutting off Caryus question.
[Greater Appraisal Item]!
…No respond again….
"Lord Ainz?..." Aura started to appeal to her overlord, Scared that something upset her god's head and she was right.
Ainz was…beyond worried. He looks at the crystal again, and a wave of memories came back to his skull like a Dam bursting out. He had seen this crystal before…He knows this crystal…He slowly stood up once more as to recollect himself.
N-no way, it can't be-
[All Appraisal Magic Item]!
A respond finally answer to Aniz's spell... as he learns about the crystal, a shock of emotions overcame him.
"…"
"Lord Ainz…." Caryus became scared that this crystal cause this crisis upon his Lord. He kept asking Ainz about his state of mind until…Ainz spoke again…
"I-its Azure steel…"
A hushed tone left Ainz's mouth as softly as a troubled kid. Suppression after suppression, Ainz's emotions continue to build up to the point that Aura, Caryus, and Tama was scared beyond beliefs. It had never gone down.
"L-Lord Ainz?! Are you ok?!" Caryus plea for his master's safety and was replied when Aniz turns to him as a madman.
"Caryus! Do you know what this is?!"
"N-no, Milord!" Scared shitless, Caryus tried to answer back for only to have Ainz cut him off with a passion of his divine tone.
"It's [Azure Steel]! Better known as one of the seven Prismatic Ore!"
"A Prismatic Ore, Lord Aniz?!" Aura screams her surprise. After all, A Prismatic Ore is a rare find even in YGGDRASIL. So finding one here in the new world is too much of a shock for Ainz.
"A-an ore?! We thought it was a crystal! How can that be, Lord Ainz?!" Tama finally spoke. She wasn't the talking type, so she always acts as a support for Caryus while he spoke for them. Tama's jeering even surprises Caryus to the point of flinching.
The sudden wave of passion had finally left out of Ainz. Embarrassed about his fit, he began to fix his robe, and with a clear cough, he returns to normal. "Forgive me…I was surprised about…the ore." Small nodding of the three was answered back to Ainz as he looks at them. "Anyway, I will ask you this from you two. Do you know what this crystal-What this Ore is?" The members of Sharp Tooth shook their heads as to reject the knowledge of the thing.
"This ore is called [Azure Steel]. A type of ore that belongs to one of the seven Prismatic Ore." Remembering the backstory behind this specific ore, Ainz retold its lore to the people in front of him. "Legends said it was made during the most peaceful of winds and the most painful of whirlwinds. The steel, seeing the wind's prowess, began to have the desire of becoming the winds and evolved its form. Once a dull gray iron covered by dirt and filth became a crystal clear steel by letting the winds slowly clean its body as to welcome it embraces."
All gasps at the story. An Ore wanting to become the wind? Impossible but that same ore, a shard of it, was in front of them; as to mock the group's irrational beliefs. Ainz started to adds more to the lore that the shitty devs created.
"Caryus"
"Y-yes, Lord Ainz!?"
Ainz opens his mouth and closes them as quick. He wanted to tell Caryus about the [Azure Steel] being way stronger than adamantite, if not at least stronger than that ore he gave to the Dwarven Forgemaster over a century ago. It wasn't that Aniz doesn't trust Caryus and his team, but the information about the metal needs to be on the down low. He doesn't want people to start pointless wars for the ores that nobody can't forge with a special flame or levels. He spoke to Caryus with a little change about the ore's abilities.
"This steel is as hard as adamantite, but it's lighter than a pillow. No matter how much you use the steel or how big you make it. It will always be the same weight. Lighter than a pillow. Now I want for you to imagine this. A great sword with twice your size made out of [Azure Steel] and you swung it around like a kid swinging a stick around. Armors that covers every inch of your body and you ran with it as if you have a piece of bread in your mouth. All of it as tough as Adamantite."
Ainz's words reached Caryus's ears(?), and he swallows at the very premises of the images. As an adventurer, adamantite armors and weapons were always a must on adventures and having such equipment as light like that, would bring wonders to all and greater safety to his team and others. Caryus turned his scaly head to his co-leader and saw small changes on her mouth. S-she's afraid... A thought fills his thought, and in an instant, a voice of absolute spoke once more as to draws the two to it.
"You realize it, didn't you?" Distressed nods replied at Ainz. "Now I will tell you this too…This is the weakest of the seven Prismatic Ore family-" Ainz was about to finish his statement until the human, Tama, started to rise violently. An unexpected tone was tossed toward Ainz, almost as she has forgotten who he was.
"WHAT!?" Tama's excitement got the better of her as she stood up after the declaration as if to reject the world. Sitting next to her, Caryus covered his mouth, almost vomiting as he heard this ore was the "weakest" of the bunch. After all, what is stronger than adamantite?
Ainz waves his bony hand at Tama to calm her down. She didn't. "A surprise to be sure, but it is the truth. Scarletite, Celestial Uranium, and Star Silver are some of the stronger types. Some are many, many times stronger that Adamantine but-" A loud thud sound was heard and all turn to attain the creator of it. Tama was knock out cold onto her seat like a puppet that got her strings cut. "I-is she going to be fine, Caryus?" Ainz asks about the health of one of his adventurer.
Caryus, shaken, didn't realize what happened until he heard Ainz's voice. As if trying to attain his composure, he swung his head side to side. He must not be a fool in front of his lord.
Embarrassed at his Co-leader, Caryus went to checks her pulse to verify if she was among them. "She's g-going to be ok, Lord Ainz…" Caryus truly felt small…like an ant against the sun, and here he was, thinking he was a great adventurer and his master telling him a bigger adventure of the worlds he had visited before. What was he thinking? He must become better for his lord.
Ainz reaches for the air as if grabbing something and slowly, his hand began to disappear. "[Azure Steel] may be the weakest for weapons and armors, but it is the strongest for something else."
A Hard swallow was heard from Caryus and like a child, asked his master. "W-what would that be…"
"It's the strongest as a catalyst for magic and magic items. Ah-Here those are." Ainz's hand return to the material world as it was the same as breathing and pulled out two items. A glass pendant with strange arrows inside and a white whistle shaped like a rabbit as if it has been sculpted out of marble by an artisan. "These two are the magic items [Compass of the abyss] and [Life's rejections]. Both made with [Azure Steel] as the main component" As to show the items to Caryus, Ainz gesture toward them and lo and behold. Smalls, perfect orbs of Azure Steel were at the center of them. It only adds to its beauty. So beautiful was it that Caryus was gazing at it with lust. With a cough to continue to speak, Ainz had made Caryus return back to himself.
"Both of these items are of the relic ranks." Aniz raises the glass pendant and signals his head to it. "[Levitation]." The item began to wobble on Ainz's hand. One would think he was moving it as a joke, but a closer look can tell he wasn't. As if the item was commanded, it began to rise above him. It felt like it had defied gravity for its master's will. A tone of sheer might left out of Ainz's mouth for the magic item hear. "[Compass of the Abyss], Find [Pestonya Shortcake Wanko]" As if ordered by Ainz, the arrows in the pendant started to move passionately in circles and all of a sudden, it stops. All the arrows slowly centered itself to an open window near them…
"Caryus. Follow it." Looking at the item timidly, Caryus stood up and followed the compass on his master's command. Every footstep he took, his fear grew and grew till finally, he was at the window. Piercing outside, He saw Pestonya talking to the castle maids and telling them their duties for the day.
"…" Caryus turns his head to the compass, and the arrows continue to point at the head maid; however, it was slightly moving…as if to match Pestonya's movement.
"It can find whatever you had 'lost.'" Hearing his master's voice, Caryus look over his shoulders to see him. Aghast was evidence on his face. "Be it an item, person, or location, it will find it, but only if you know about it. So it can't find an exit if you don't know about it beforehand nor can it tell you what is blocking your way toward it."
"L-lord Ainz-"
"It's mostly used to find lost friends when separated by events such as traps. It can find three things at the same time with each arrows glowing slightly brighter to tell which it was closer to. It is an unlimited use item…"
Ainz looked at Caryus with his red orbs and saw Caryus move his jaws as to wants to asks something. Ainz always knew what he was going to ask since it the most common things when using it. He had the answer before the words left Caryus' mouth. "Yes. It can also locate corpses…"
"…." Caryus was beyond scares. A magic item like the compass can be a tremendous help in many adventures. After all, getting separated from your group is not ideal, especially for magic casters. And if one of them didn't make it, the item can help find their corpse to bring back for resurrections. Caryus was about to add more into the discussion until he saw Ainz raise the other Azure Steel item. Caryus became quiet as to see what this tool produces. Something dangerous or something lifesaving…His questions are about to be answered.
"This is the magic item [Life's rejections]...I'm not going to show how it works. It might kill you and Tama with its effect in the backlash." A deserted gulping sound echoed in the library. "[Life's rejections]'s power is to summon an area of effect debuffs calls [Insanity]. The effect would also include its users if they are not prepared to counter-act it.
"[Insanity]?"
"An 8th tier spell, and it can be used by anyone with a limit of four per day." Caryus felt like a fish right now. He has been doing nothing but gulping at the involvement of [Azure steel]. But for Ainz, it meant nothing. The item was useless for him since he has an ability that involves [insanity] called [Despair Aura IV] and most high-tier players already have counter-plan against the item since it is easier to counter a magic item than an ability. So it mostly uses on mob enemies as crowds control or hazing of new players. But Caryus didn't need to know that.
"Now you see, Caryus. We need more info about the person you got this from. You did say he has a few large boulders of [Azure Steel], right?" Caryus nod. "Then, his master might know more about it." Caryus nodded again to Ainz's word, but a small fear crawls up on Caryus.
"L-lord Ainz…"
"Yes, Caryus?" Ainz wonders what Caryus about to ask and incline his head toward him.
"I…I….Forgive me, Lord Ainz, but I hope you aren't telling me to steal them from him…" Scare, Caryus plea against Ainz about the Azure steel. "T-the man has been kind to us in our time at his village…"
'W-what? Of course not!' "Caryus... I'm not a king who take things by force. I wanted to see if the man is willing to sell me the boulders or if his master is willing to sell rights to me about the mines." Ainz looked up to see Caryus and noticed a small smile on his scaly face. Thinking he must be a bad boss if his servants thought he would do such an act, Ainz felt he must be lacking heart and had promised himself to become a better king but a voice cut through his thought.
"Mines? There could be mines there, Lord Ainz?" Ainz had forgotten about Aura because of the ore occurrence and pretended that he knew she was there. With an Ahem, he turns to face her.
"U-Umu...That is something that I don't know yet, but it's better to be safe than sorry about this." Ainz cupped his chin with his hand as if wanting to mask his act.
"What do you mean, Lord Ainz." Caryus sigh with relief about not being forced to steal the man of his treasures.
"Well for a starter. Prismatic Ores are hard to come by, even in the worlds I been, but it was still mineable. However, it hasn't been found in this world? Why is that? And why is this doing here then when it shouldn't be? There could be reasons for this." Ainz raises a bony finger at the two. "One, I can't refuse the likelihood of someone from that world had brought it over here, and the man and his master just got it somehow but… that seems less likely to happen since those people are…greedy…" Ainz raises another finger to match his point. "Or second, There is a mine hidden in this world filled with [Azure Steel]…And maybe…Other Prismatic Ores mines are hidden in the world as well." Ainz licks his imaginary lips at the thoughts of Prismatic Ore mines in this world. Even his right foot is bouncing at the concept of it being true. Ainz then produced a pen and paper and started to write something.
"Caryus."
"Yes, Lord Ainz!" Caryus thought of all the miracles of Prismatic Ores can do for his homeland and answer Ainz with gung-ho.
"The offer of grimoires and golds will still be offered to the man and some land as well. If he wants, a spot in the Tower of Demiurge as a student in magic studies too. The man seems to have some skills in making magic items, so having him trained is a huge advantage for him and the kingdom." Finalizing the paper with his name and stamp, Ainz then handed the decree to Caryus. "I want you to rest for two days in the castle and then prepare to leave for him. If he accepts the offer of land and needs some time to get ready to leave or needs something else before leaving, come back and tell me so we can prepare them for him when we pick him up. And if he doesn't want to associate with us, don't force him. I would like for him to trust us after all."
Gingerly, Caryus grabs his end of the decree and bow to Ainz once more. A wave of delight had passed inside Caryus. After all, he talks to the man many times before and believes he would agree about it. So, he was more happy about the man than himself. While moving his head up, Caryus proceed to speak to Ainz with a smile.
"Yes, Lord Aniz-Wah?!" While mid-sentence, something was tossed at Caryus. The poor lizard almost drops it. "Huh…T-this is…" Caryus was worried, after all, [Compass of the Abyss] was on his hands. It almost felt like the item was moving on his hands.
"Lord Aniz-" A bewildered Caryus begged Ainz about the item in his hands until Ainz spoke with nobility.
"Umu. A reward for your services, Caryus. Keep it. The item would be happier with an adventurer than an old ruler, after all." A regal bow was gestured toward Caryus. "If you don't want the item, I have other-"
"N-no!" Caryus screech out the words with hesitation. "I mean, it is not required of you, Lord Ainz…This…is enough for me." Caryus finished his lines and started to cuddle the pendant in his hand like an infant. "Th-thank you, Milord" Caryus softly smile at the compass.
Ainz saw Caryus, with the newly acquire pendant hanging around his neck, bowed toward him with a loyalty that rival the NPCs. Nodding at the dedication, Ainz wishes him good luck on his quest while Caryus carries Tama on his back and left. The sound of heavy feet started loud and slowly with every step heard, became distant until finally, only silence was left behind.
Aura is not the type to questions anything about her master's decree, but as she started to help Albedo with her duties, she had learned that her master loves it when people ask questions about his orders, as if the spirit of the supreme being, Yamaiko, was teaching through him. Seeing as this might be a perfect time to ask, she pleaded to her overlord who continues facing forward.
"Forgive me for asking, Lord Ainz, but why do we need to have this man's trust?"
"Because there is a third reason, Aura." Without looking at her, Ainz said with a somber tone.
Aura wonders what this third reason he was talking about until she remembered. The reason why the Prismatic Ores is here. "About the Prismatic ores? But the reasons you give to Caryus already make-" A pressure was leaking out of Ainz, and Aura shut her mouth.
"The third reason why the Prismatic Ores is here…" Without moving an inch of his body, Ainz turns to look at Aura with one eye. It had felt like he had cast a shadow over the room with his mere pressure alone. He continues. "The man and his master could be from YGGDRASIL like us."
Wide eyes appear on Aura as she heard her master's third reason. She tries to open her mouth, but Ainz spoke over her as to command silence.
"It seems strange to me…A somewhat skill inventor that somewhat know how to use Azure Steel. In a faraway and unknown land with a "Master." And he knew that this "crystal" was beyond rare and asked for 500 gold coins first…Now tell me, Aura. What was the first thing we did after coming to this world?" Aura rubbed her nose and thought about Ainz's question til finally, …it had hit her.
"…Carne Village…"
A nod of approval was tossed at Aura. Of course, it was Carne Village. It was the first thing Ainz did after he left the tomb to the new world, but why the man's village? As if her overlord knew what she was thinking, Ainz continues with the thought.
"Umu. You realize it, didn't you? The village was the first thing I did to gather info, and here he is, gaining the trust of his village. I'm not saying he's a "player," but the "master" is unmistakably one. The man might be an "NPC" or a creation of some kind to gain knowledge, and if Caryus try to force the man into our services, he might kill him." Ainz began to rub his chin and ponder his thought until it was interrupted by Aura.
"Why would the man kill Caryus? He said the man is kind." She plea to her master as to question the reason of the man wanting to kill Caryus.
"Think of this as if the man was you. A random king wants to force you into his services. Turning you into a slave against your master's wishes." Aura opens and closes her mouth, repeatedly, of the mere thought of becoming a slave against Ainz. "Are you strong? Can you kill Caryus by yourself with ease?" Aura nod to Ainz's questions. "Then it would make sense that the man can as well. After killing Caryus, he would tell his master about the event and starts a rampage throughout the land, killing all before they can be terminated. Maybe the master has a "guild" like Nazarick and might send more to destroy the world. Do you understand? A force like Nazarick in the world is a huge problem already." Ainz laid back on his seat and thought more about such an event "And a bigger problem if it against us…" and thinking which guild could match his...
Aura saw Ainz sigh with irritation about this "guild." With a skipped-beat of her heart, she spoke to ease Ainz's worries. "Then isn't it better to find the master and capture him?"
Ainz possesses no flesh to show his emotions, but it was plain that he was disappointed about Aura's question. "Aura…what would anyone do if someone captures me?" As to answer Ainz's question, she opens her mouth, but Ainz swatted the space between them to hush her.
"Fight back? Of course, you would! Then? What about the master's servants? Wouldn't they fight back as well? Do you know their strength? Their defenses? How much do they know? Are they smart enough to use it correctly?" Ainz asks questions after question to Aura, all while she flinches at them. Every question felt like a bucket of water was thrown at her face, making her realize how stupid her question was. "...Forgive me, Aura. I was heated...Either way, we can tell what he is in the way he answers to my offer."
Shocks looks were glued on Aura's face. Her master had already made a plan to counter-acts against the master without even meeting them. With her eyes widen and ears red, she implored Ainz as to obtain an apple from his tree of wisdom. "How you did it, Lord Ainz?!~."
"Simple. If the man accepts the offer of land and he's willing to move here, then he is of the first reason. If the man accepts the offer while also willing to sell rights to the mines, then the confirmation of the second reason is true, and he became an uninvolved party with YGGDRASIL. If the man's against the offer but willing to sell rights, then he either loves the village so much or the master is caution but peaceful. And lastly" Aura gulps. "If he disagrees with the offer while Caryus returns and he don't want to sell rights, then he would become caution, but he and the master would soon let it slide."
Aura didn't understand about the last one. She had thought it over for a good minute while rubbing her scalp until she gave up and asked Ainz about it.
"Lord Ainz, why would they let it slide on the last one? And why Caryus is involved?" It was a weird thing for Ainz to add Caryus in, but she wanted to find out more so she can learn more to serve her master better. A nod of approval was shown toward Aura, and her master spoke with supreme authority in his voice.
"They don't know that we are from YGGDRASIL or not. They should only know about my kingdom and my reputation. With Caryus' return, it would mean that they think I just some faraway king that is fair and kind and would forget about me but if Caryus don't return in a few days after the magic seal on the decree that I put in secret, break. Then I know about them and their last location…"
Small gasps were heard beside Ainz while he looked up in the library's ceiling and recollected himself. Ainz despises using his subjects as bait, but with this, it was a needed act. It irked the hoarder inside him, but he vows to compensate Caryus and his team with more items from his collection for this quest. They earn them after all these troubles. His voice echoes inside his skull as loud as if he was speaking.
"Random dude…I hope you just a random dude…"