Overlord: The Exile
Disclaimer and Notes: Overlord is the creation and property of Kugane Maruyama and licensed by YenPress. Support the official releases!
Here's the next chapter for Artorias and friends and the Holy Roble Kingdom. I'm loving the art animation for the lizardman arc for Season II! We'll see how far Season II goes, though I don't expect it to get into the Men of the Kingdom Arc too far. We shall see . . . :P
Chapter 7: Meeting Preparations
It was early in the morning and Artorias was sitting down in her office when Evalyn entered with breakfast. The cooks had insisted on a hot meal for her and as she was served, Gareth and Lancelot, along with Mordred had joined her. The group sat around enjoying fried eggs, salted and peppered pan fried potatoes with sautéed onions, country ham, and a small green salad with tomatoes. Fruit juice accompanied the meal.
It was part of the ration stipulation that had gone into effect. Everyone, themselves included, were allowed one more elaborate meal a day and the rest for the day were given out by the priests and priestesses with the [Create Food and Drink] spell. It wasn't the [Magnificent Feast] spell mainly due to the need of volume over extravagance. Not to mention that the latter spell was moderately high tiered for the people casting it. Only a handful of their NPCs could. Fortunately due to their location, the general bland meals were easily seasoned with salt and now, hilariously enough for them . . . sea salt.
Mordred grumbled about the lack of coffee, but the rest of his friends jibed him for his sour attitude over the bitter drink. Evalyn had tilted her head in confusion, but assumed it was an inside joke for them and just smiled at their camaraderie. Cavall wagged his tail excitedly as the nymph placed his own breakfast in front of him. A large shank of free meat from the pig used for meals today.
"Oh quit being such a sourpuss Mordred. Coffee is something we can worry about later."
The man grumbled even as he rolled his eyes at Lancelot's jab. Excuse him for not being a morning person. Artorias sighed as she took a drink from her cup. Remembering Gareth's report last evening before they had turned in for the day, she marked the small calender on her desk.
Day 4 since our transporting to this New World . . .
"Gareth. You mentioned that your fliers spotted a group of armored and armed people riding into the city in the distance and that it appeared to have a banner?"
The blond nodded as she finished a piece of ham. Swallowing before she answered, the Lady Knight of the Round recalled what she and her pegasus squadron had seen.
"It seemed like some high nobility. Maybe even royalty considering the guardians riding around her. All of them were wearing some kind of platemail, but it was all white with hints of blue on the tabards. Of course, we're too far out to get a firm sense of power scale or magical enchantments. It was a step above the guardsmen we spy at their watchtowers though."
Mordred finished his plate and drink, letting Evalyn take them away before adding to the conversation.
"Perhaps these 'paladins' that the merfolk speak ill of?"
They all gave a mighty huff at the same time. It might have been comical if their faces weren't so serious. Lancelot spoke with grave tones.
"Paladins, essentially knights with religious fervor. Zealots? Fanatics? Christian crusades?"
"You mean the Knights Templar? Religious blinded rabble lead by the nose by power hungry men with ethnic prejudices so strong the modern world would have snuffed them out. Great, we're in a medieval world alright. Except the gods might actually get involved if things get too out of hand."
They all trembled slightly at that. The "gods" of YGGDRASIL were the World enemies and they'd faced down two. Not an easy time with all of them gathered, but with only a fourth of their number? Each knight shivered.
"Actually, that would mean that our relations may already be pretty low. Our leader is considered a demi-human after all."
Mordred spoke frankly and they all looked to Artorias, who swished her tail back and forth in concern. She was still getting used to it. It did not drape to the floor, but it was noticeable unless she wore her full cloak. Her horns replaced her ears and swept elegantly backward. The dark scales exotic against pale skin on her neck and down the center of her nose. If she went without shoes, her ankles and the tops of her feet were also covered in them. Her eyes glowed around the rims of her irises and her eyes held power that one could feel. There would be few ways to hide her nature when meetings were held.
"Never mind our leader, what about our people? We have quite a spread of races among them. Many are with families as well."
It was true. Avalon held a number of other races. Fey of many kinds. Elves and humans. Dog like archons and even a handful of dwarves. There was even three or four fiendish races who they had wrote in as redeemed, turning their alignments and granted them positive karma ratings. That had been Merlin's doing . . . the crazy pervert . . . Half Incubus race indeed . . .
"I sense an ideology clash in the near future. How do we want to handle damage control?" Lancelot asked.
Artorias picked up a report she had written down from a [Message] she had received.
"Well, Draconis sent me this late last night." Gareth smiled cheekily at her.
"A love letter?"
The Queen of Avalon blushed furiously before glaring at her friend. Evalyn blushed as well. The men in the room shook their heads.
"No Beaumains, an actual report." Artorias huffed in annoyance at getting wrapped up in Gareth's antics yet again. It was a bit of a tradition by this point as they'd tease each other about their love life. "That being said, he's already been in a few fights with what the people where he is at call 'beastmen'."
Before questions could be asked, she forged ahead.
"A village was being raided by hetermorphics with the intention of using the human populous as food. Man, woman, child, it doesn't matter to them. Maneaters. He's fairly sure that there are a few rare cases of them not eating humans exist, but that is extremely rare. The humans there are just weak, flat out. His estimates were anywhere between a rank one commoner to maybe a rank five expert. Tier VI magic reduced the beastmen he faced to smoked sacks of meat in a single cast."
Not too many of their number were casters, but even they knew the magic scaling back in YGGDRASIL. If the general populous was that weak against these heteromorphs that died so easily against spells that didn't really see the light of day at a level 100 endgame player vs player conflict or even player vs environment dungeons . . . what did that mean for them?
"Does this mean we're like fantasy world T-500's?" Mordred wondered.
"Huh? T-whats?" Lancelot questioned his comrade.
"Eh? Oh, sorry, old movie reference. Basically we outclass the majority of everything out there by leagues I imagine."
The rest of the group frowned. This was shaping up to be a real mess.
"Alright then . . . if that is truly the case, how much strength do we display? I for one," Mordred raised his hand as he empathetically looked around the group, "do not want to be worshiped as a god. Awkward . . ."
Bobbing heads indicated their agreement with the sentiment. Things just got weird whenever that kind of thing went down. None of them were too thrilled with the prospect. Lancelot spoke up.
"Concerning that, what of the idea that others of YGGDRASIL may have been transported here other than us, and Draconis?"
Artorias winced slightly. He had a point. In fact, her husband's report had also contained a bit of information that she was rather concerned over. In face of the friendship and trust she had with those in the room, she decided it best to be upfront now rather than get caught in unneeded drama later.
"Lancelot is right, and it's true actually." When the others looked to her in confusion, she bit the bullet. "Draconis retrieved Esdeath from Ainz Ooal Gown after we all got sent to this world. The Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick and its denizens are all here, as is Momonga."
"Whaaaa . . . ?"
Artorias cringed at the faces directed toward her. Evalyn winced and excused herself for a bit. She would not speak of that knowledge to anyone, but she knew things were tense now. It was time to leave the room. This was obviously an internal issue . . .
Great Tomb of Nazarick
"AAACHOOOOOOOO!" One of the deadliest and harshest dungeon raid bases ever in the history of YGGDRASIL shook all over as every being inside sneezed as a single entity.
None of the maids or butlers were very happy with that as every picture frame or wall hanging piece went crooked.
Carne Village
Ainz Ooal Gown actually felt a shiver go up his spine as he spoke with the village chief to gain information about the world. It was like whenever Touch Me would merely stare at him, waiting for him to help someone. It was unnerving.
Someone's talking about me . . . could it be Draconis and his friends? Oh . . . OH . . . uh-oh . . . ! What was I asking the village elder again? Money changing? CRAP!
Rimun Port City Docks
Calca was accompanying Governor Delacroix to the docks and stood upon one of the watchtowers with a spyglass in hand. Looking out over the ocean waters that were relatively calm now, she could see the alabaster white walls that were spoken of late last night. Kelart was to her left, but at the insistence of the governor, Remedios was left down at the base of the tower. The woman had been incensed at the gesture, but Calca figured that she may as well concede this in order to appease Delacroix.
She didn't need another noble turning on her. Calca sighed to herself. Sure enough, the city beyond those pure white walls rose above them and the tower beyond that was gleaming in the sunlight. Kelart gasped and pointed in a direction above the city they spied on. Looking in the direction, the Treasure of Roble drew in a subtle breath.
Pegasi with barding and armored and armed riders flew through the skies above the city. There were eight total when she counted. Two groups of four with one slightly lower and in front of the second. They flew in an organized formation shaped like a wedge. It was true, they were too organized, too coordinated to be some random militia. This was a polished and trained military unit.
Glancing over the rest of the view before her, she saw water born fortifications being erected on the surface of the water itself! What kind of magic was being used here? She could not clearly make out individuals, but she was certain a few of them were coming out of the seas from below. So they were already working with the merfolk in the area.
"Well, that already tells me much about this new city."
"I'm sorry Your Grace, what do you see?" Delacroix raised a curious brow to her.
"This new city upon the waters has no qualms about working and even cooperating with demi humans. The merfolk let them create bastions on the surface of the waters. I cannot fully make them out even with the spyglass, but people are breeching the surface of the water and working with those silhouettes I can make out on the walls of those floating structures. Who else would it be but the merfolk."
Her logic was sound. He personally had nothing against the merfolk. Many of those in the city who did were either of the Paladin Order and negatively tempered by their time fighting demi-humans from Abelion Hills or fishermen who couldn't catch decent hauls due to wandering into their territorial waters. In either case, both parties were a bit a fault. It did not help that the previous governor of Rimun had been a retired Paladin. He had been governor for six years now and even now he struggled to fix relations between them.
Perhaps this will be the opportunity needed to make some real progress in that regard.
The real question was how objective was this city beyond the waters?
Walking back down from the top of the watch post, Calca thought about a few paths to take regarding communicating with this city in the distance. Kelart also began thinking of ways to open a dialogue with the white city. She had been curious about the place when the very first report arrived several days ago, but seeing it now was too good to be true. Even if they were more open to demi-humans, the idea of the possible magic beyond those walls enticed her like savory aromas to a starving man.
Glancing at each other, they both nodded. It was time to meet with the Adventurer's Guild with a new proposal.
Adventurer's Guild
Alkaid of the Adventurer's Guild of Rimun sighed as she sat in her office overlooking the western oceans. That island with its brilliant azure tower and alabaster city was really tempting to investigate, but the fliers that had been seen overhead made it a no go. She had gained the position as the head of this branch of the Adventurer's Guild in the northern Roble Kingdom due in large part to the need for protectors on the western coasts of the kingdom. As much as she hated her current situation, it beat having to knock heads with some of the paladin types.
She was not a native citizen of Roble. In truth she hailed from the Southern provinces. Her skill with another weapon of note from the South that wasn't a katana was feared and viewed with quite a large amount of both skepticism and open loathing for its nature. She was used to it by this point.
A large chunk of what landed her in her current position was the fact that she was not native to the area and therefore not subject to certain prejudices that others might succumb to. While that was true, it was also difficult at times to get others respect and trust. Her old team had agreed to disperse for a time. She had found herself more less settling in here in Rimun.
"Maybe I need to get out for a bit . . . eh? What's the ruckus?"
A series of angry exchanges and a rather chilling atmosphere from the lobby and tavern area of the common room made her walk over to the overlooking railing from her office. When she got a glimpse of what was going on, eye eyebrows lifted in surprise.
Well now . . . seems this whole incident is worthy of royal attention eh? Is that White? What's that meathead gotten into . . . and with who?
Alkaid's eyes followed Remedios's glare to its target and she found herself overcome with the need to grab a strong drink. The man in banded mail armor and two handed battle axe was the leader of an orichalcum class team known as Sea Hunters. A group of rough necks that took water going jobs here in the city. They did there job's decently well, but to her . . .
"Eh, wazzat? I dares ya tah say that again you bob cut sow!" The man's voice was like nails on a chalkboard and so slurred even without alcohol that you almost needed an interpretor to get what he was saying.
Alkaid groaned. She did not need this neanderthal provoking the meathead paladin commander. Though the fight that resulted would be interesting, the repairs to the building and town would not. She did owe Delacroix that much. Walking over to one of the walls in her office, she reached for what she needed to stop their bickering.
"The Four take me . . ."
Remedios glared with clenched fists as she stood between Calca and Kelart. Behind them, Delacroix held his face in his hand in frustration. Granted, she was actually pretty vindicated in this instance due to the man's attitude and derisive comment that they had heard, but couldn't she just take the high road and not confront one of the stronger members of the guild before a crucial meeting?
Then again, insulting and practically molesting the Queen was something even he had struggled not to respond to.
"You pig! You . . . !"
Remedios didn't get any further in her rant when a spear landed blade tip into the floor between them. The blade sank deep into the floor and all the adventurers in the tavern, went deathly quiet. Eyes turned toward the overlooking railing to see a wild haired red head with far southern styled clothes in black and gold. Her neck and part of her collar bone was exposed, yet not enough to be something salacious. She was surprisingly petite, either that or the railing was tall. Her skin was sun kissed tan, but not too dark.
Amber eyes glared at the man with the axe and only him. Calca and the sisters stared curiously at this woman. Was she the guild leader? Someone important if not that? Remedios's instinct kicked and she realized that this woman was strong. Really strong. Why was someone like that here and not fighting the demi-humans?
"Brenden! Get your sea salt encrusted butt out of the Queen's way or so help me I will make you go back to sucking your mother's teat!"
The pressure in the room increased at the man, Brenden, cowed before nodded and stepping out of the way entirely and returning to his table. The rest of his team looked to Alkaid apologetically.
"You fellas cause another incident this week. WEEK! And you'll get no jobs in this area for a month! You hear me?!"
"YES MA'AM!" They all responded immediately. No one pissed off the Guild Leader Alkaid.
Delacroix sighed in relief. He was grateful that Alkaid was here today. Things could have gotten extremely out of hand. She kept the more unruly elements of the guild in line and was an excellent leader both on and off the field, though not by her own choice. He would have to send her an order of that far South beverage she loved so much: Sake.
"Queen Calca Bessarez. I welcome you to the Adventurer's Guild of Rimun. Please show Her Majesty up to my office."
The receptionist nodded and bowed to Alkaid in a manner that the queen and sisters had never seen before. The young brunette woman approached them from behind the counter and curtsied before motioning to a staircase behind the reception counter. They nodded and followed the woman up to the office of the guild leader.
The office had no door, instead it was only partitioned off with a curtain of very fine silk that had been dyed a velvety purple. The cost for such a thing made Kelart stumble as they approached. How influential was this woman who they were meeting? She didn't think that adventurer's made quite that much to be able to afford such a luxury only to use it as a door curtain!
The receptionist held the curtain aside as they walked through. Delacroix thanked her softly as he passed through, earning him a nod of thanks before she left back down the stairs.
Inside the office the décor was unlike anything they had seen. Certain wood moldings were lacquered in greens and reds. The floor went from polished hardwood to some kind of woven reeds! The woman standing to the side of her desk was standing on it barefoot! What looked to be sandals of some kind were set off to the side on the hardwood floor portion of her office. A pair of glass chimes clinked and jingled in the sea breeze from a very open bay window.
Decorations lined the wall, but didn't clutter it. Though the farmer's tool with a weight at the end of it, attached to a long chain was out of place. Had it been a gift of some kind? It was too elaborate and elegantly crafted to be a simple farmer's tool. It was mounted along with a angled spear that matched the one that she had thrown into the lobby. The mountings were deprived of their resident. A round hoplon shield and shortsword also hung on the wall.
There was no armor in the room at all, though a very elaborate robe was painstakingly displayed on its vertical mounting. Contrasting her black and gold outfit, it held bright and vibrant colors and cloud like patterns. It was a thing of beauty . . . surely she didn't wear it?
Her desk was simple and held a pyramid stack of scrolls. However, there was no ink well or quill to go with them, instead a brush of some manner and a tray with the ink held within its rim. The differences in mannerism and décor were enough to give everyone entering but Delacroix himself pause.
The man stopped short of the reeded floor and bowed in the same manner as the receptionist did to this woman.
"Guild Master Alkaid, I apologize for the sudden and loud intrusion." She returned the bow, but equal in depth. Neither of them rose from it. It was jarring. What kind of greeting ritual was this?
"Governor Delacroix. A pleasure to receive you and the Queen of all people today. You need not apologize for the incident, it was Brenden's fault and he shall be penalized on his next job for it."
They both rose at the same time even though no eye contact had been made. It was eerie. Alkaid turned to Calca bowed in a manner more like their kingdom's nobility, with the elegance to back it up. Calca found it hard to to bow back with the charisma this woman exuded. Her personality had shifted a full about face! Who was she getting ready to deal with? Were all adventurer's this way?
"Queen Bessarez I apologize for Brenden of Sea Hunters. As an Orichalcum Class team leader he should know better, but his group has always been more brawn than brain."
She gave Remedios half a glare. "Though rising to his provocations does no one any good."
Her half lidded glare then turned to Kelart. "And the order of paladins and the church has not been too kind to adventurer reputations either. Mayhap we brush this aside in favor of the greater picture here?"
Her gaze traveled out the window to the crystal tower in the distance.
Calca nodded and motioned to keep silent. It was obvious to her that this was a test. She had seen things like this too much from the nobility and the other members of the Royal Family. Only her younger brother had her trust out of the members of the royalty. This woman truly was formidable. She lead adventurer teams and was obviously no stranger to the political games. Who was this woman?
Tests like this were to see whether or not you were worth even bothering with. Even though she had apologized for Brenden's confrontation, Remedios hadn't helped matters either. Against high tier political opponents, she was regretting not having taken a more personal investment in having someone close by who wasn't either sister to advise and attend meetings like this with her.
On the other hand, she had rather ostracized herself from such meetings and machinations in favor of being the morale for the people. Kelart and Remedios had been attending those meetings and informing her . . . rather well in truth, but she herself rarely attended. This woman was at a steep advantage now.
At least Governor Delacroix is here.
"Guild Master Alkaid. It is a pleasure to meet you. I believe that keeping the bigger picture - as you say - in sight is of great import."
"Hm . . . indeed it is Your Majesty." Alkaid picked up a piece of parchment from her desk and walked toward her. She held it out for her to take and wore a thoughtful frown. "This is the latest report that I have from one of the teams here in Rimun."
Accepting the report, Calca began to read through it as Alkaid spoke on.
"It outlines the basics of what happens when someone approaches. Such discipline and order in their soldiers speaks of rigorous training and a certain level of respect of their superiors for them to maintain their orders."
The parchment did indeed outline what happened when someone came too close. A voice would be heard in your heads to turn back and failure to do so would be met with being forced to turn back. Reading onward, her thoughts of military force being used to make them turn away were shot down when it went on. A spell of some kind . . . at least that was what the magic casters assumed it was . . . would cloud your perceptions and you would find yourself back at Rimun just shy of the ports so you did not crash your vessel. So far no one had pierced this fog in one's perceptions to get beyond a certain point.
"So no one has gone beyond the point where this haze overcomes them?"
"Not to my knowledge."
Calca handed the report to Kelart, who read over it swiftly. Remedios read over her sister's shoulder.
"Perhaps this is presumptuous of me, but could it be that this is an illusion?"
Calca was met by Alkaid shaking her head negatively.
"Not likely Your Majesty. I have seen magic casters and worked with many as well. The magical power needed to perform such a grand illusion is beyond anyone in the kingdom or without. I doubt even Fluder Paradyne could perform such a feat."
Kelart finished reading the report and nodded in agreement with Alkaid.
"I agree with her Calca. I do not believe this to be an illusion. But a voice in their head that never was the same person? Telepathy? And from their soldiers! It's unheard of! It eliminates the need for a runner in favor for instant messages and no delays in information sending!"
Remedios grit her teeth at that information. Such a thing was surely a fearsome weapon in the hands of fighting men and women. Runners took time and if killed, lost the message completely. She understood that quite well. Her sister had made a frightening point. Surely they all could not do such a thing?
"What is it you wish to do Queen Bessarez?"
The question was a bit sudden, though not wholly unexpected. Alkaid stood before them with expectant look despite being shorter than all of them. She was only barely at five feet tall and the woman was barefoot.
"I would like to enlist the aide of the Adventurer's Guild here in Rimun in making contact with this city that stands beneath the crystal tower."
Alkaid sighed and began walking toward the window that granted her a direct view of the island and tower beyond. "I thought that might be the case. Even though I am the Guild Leader for Rimun, I cannot act in that capacity."
Delacroix wore an informed frown and nodded slightly. He did not voice this concern to Calca and the sisters due to a few factors.
Firstly: The rules of the Adventurer's Guild made a lot of sense as a form of third party armed force. The Guild would not take part in political issues due to their inter-human natures in general. The Guild existed to protect people from external threats. Internal affairs in politics was not their place. It made interacting with Adventurer's from other nations impossible if you were swayed by the political sphere.
Secondly: The Holy Roble Kingdom's paladin order and military was actually stronger than the Guilds in the kingdom overall. This fact for their kingdom served to reinforce the unofficial rule of staying out of political gambits.
Finally: Due to the second reason, the tensions between Adventurers and Paladins was at a bit of a low point to put it lightly. Those teams that were strong – which were few in number throughout the kingdom – did not hold themselves to the same oath of fealty and thus, had more freedoms. They also generally made more income due to their dangerous occupations. It also meant that a surprising number of them had more experience fighting non-humans and monsters than the average paladin.
This created a large swing of prejudices between the two factions. Most paladins and soldiers looked down on adventurers as sell swords, though that was far from true. Many adventurers viewed paladins of the order as incompetent, greenhorns with fancy duds and shiny swords that never got used just sitting on a huge wall most of their lives . . . which was . . . quite true. Paladins and other soldiers waited for the trouble to come to them, and hope to fend them off. Adventurers actively sought it out with their jobs and quests and more often than not, did not just fend them off, but were victorious.
Due to the lack of paladin presence in Rimun due to their location far, far away from the Great Wall, the Adventurer's Guild and its patrons viewed them in a much better light than the rest of their nation did. Here, at the port city, it felt more like a better reinforced city that one could find in Re-Estize in terms of the Adventurer's Guild and its inhabitants. His wife and Delacroix himself were extremely grateful for the protection and services they had done for the city's people. He was not one snub those that helped their fellows and not one to look down on hard work; especially if you risked your neck doing so.
Delacroix dared gamble that Alkaid had seen more combat and dangerous scenarios and lived to learn from it all than Remedios, Kelart, or Calca combined would ever subject themselves to in their whole lives. That and the fact that Alkaid was only 26, barely older than Calca Bessarez herself.
If Calca and the others knew Alkaid's moniker, they would have approached this differently. However he seriously doubted that any of them knew her trade name.
Alkaid was the only Adamantite Ranked adventurer in Roble's whole kingdom. A soloist who occasionally worked with other teams as added insurance for their small population's survival. Due to her signature weapon of the South and her fearsome fighting style that no one could replicate, she had earned her title.
Demon Empress: Alkaid.
Kelart nodded as she understood Alkaid's refusal. She knew the poor relation that the order had with the adventurers of the kingdom and vice versa. Though she did not hold against them personally, she was thinking of ways that the red haired woman before her could take advantage of any mistakes and missed opportunities Calca would make in interacting with whoever the people of this new city were. Alkaid was being very shrewd. She could respect that aspect.
Remedios fumed at her.
"And why not? Don't tell me you're afraid of arranging a meeting?"
Alkaid didn't back down from the taunt, nor did she rise to meet it. The woman merely walked to the window and brought out a long pipe and lit the herbs and leaf inside before inhaling. Holding it for a moment, she slowly breathed it out. Tipping it over and knocking it on the railing, a bit of the ash fell from the opening at the end.
"We are done here. Delacroix, I will speak with you latter on another matter. See to the Queen's endeavors. I cannot and will not move, nor will I interfere in her interactions with this new city before us. I wish you good fortune. May the Four guide you."
She waved to dismiss them and not once did she turn back to look at them. Delacroix assumed this would happen. He knew that as the Guild Leader, she had to think more objectively, and with the unofficial rule about politics and internal affairs of mankind, her hands were more tied than one would be led to believe.
"I see. Thank you for your time today Guild Master Alkaid. Let us be off. This door is shut to us."
Calca Bessarez spoke softly, a slight hitch in her voice betrayed her disappointment in the result of this meeting. Delacroix bowed to Alkaid and turned to escort them out of the office. As Kelart and Calca stepped through the door Delacroix turned to tell Remedios to come along when the bob haired woman stepped toward Alkaid.
"You will regret this later."
Alkaid didn't grace her with an answer, but puffed deeply on her pipe as she stared out at the island in the distance.
"Remedios. Hurry up, you are keeping the Queen waiting!" Delacroix spoke sharply. The commander of the paladin order cursed mildly and turned to go. As she passed through, he shook his head in annoyed disappointment before bowing to Alkaid. She nodded to him quietly and shooed him away with a sympathetic grin. He sighed in relief. At least his own relations with the guild were safe. He just needed to keep his wits and patience.
As they left, Alkaid huffed and looked back out at the crystal tower in the distance. She recalled tales that she had been told by her mother, and her mother's mother, and so on for several generations before her.
"Our progenitor, the honorable and mighty Shin Yoshitsune Kai-sama once traveled to an alabaster city with a crystalline tower that reached to the heavens. There he met and exchanged words with the twelve strongest warriors there. They were lead by a Queen of Knights and through word and deed was an friendship and alliance crafted. Our great ancestor and his fellow warriors and magi were allies with the people of the crystal tower. On his deathbed, he bade us pass down this tale and send out travelers into the world that we may find our ancient allies should they appear and offer to renew our alliance. Always remember this little one. They are steadfast allies."
"It's just like the tales Okasan and Obasan told. I thought them fancy bedtime stories." She sighed and looked to the heavens. Her mother and grandmother were long gone. "I owe you both and our ancestors an apology."
This was one piece of her background she kept hidden. No one up here in the North of the continent needed to know that she was a godkin. Yet here she was, seeing before her own eyes the very sight their founder had so many centuries ago. She, Alkaid Ushiwakamaru Kai would be the one to reforge that old alliance and friendship to the descendants of her ancestor's friends. It would be an honor like no other to her family.
Walked to her desk, she sat and took the best quality parchment out to write home to her sister and brother about her find. It would take weeks to get there, but if she didn't send it tomorrow at the latest, she knew that she would lose sleep over it. Dipping her brush into the fresh ink tray, she began her calligraphy. Her voice was a whisper as she talked herself through her writing to reinforce and focus her mind on the task.
"Dearest Sister and honored Brother. It has appeared before me! The Crystal Tower and Alabaster City of our great ancestor . . ."
Castle Pendragon
Artorias and Lancelot walked through the halls of the castle toward the Royal Armory. Only Gareth and Mordred had re-donned their armor over the past few days, so they had to go and sort through their equipment as well. As they approached, the hall lined with guards saluted at attention before resuming their more relaxed, yet still alert postures.
"Thank you for your continued service. Be sure to rest well when your shift ends." Her words were met with grateful smiles and hearty acknowledgements. To be thanked by the Queen herself! An honor indeed!
They passed through the doors and were flooded with the fruits of their labors. Mountains of gold, silver, platinum, and gemstones galore were situated in chests bursting at the seams. Racks of armors segregated by gender and then character before further separated into Tiers. Mounts with weapons of all kinds: swords, great swords, daggers, short swords, spears of all variants, halberds, shields of every type, bows and arrows of magical craftsmanship, crossbows, staves, even ones from the orient. Katana, naginata, yari, tetsubo, makikanshisha, hachimaki, the list went on and on. Even futuristic weapons from the Fall of Valkyria patch were here.
Other magical artifacts and treasures existed in this massive, multi-chambered armory. A giant slumbering form cracked an eye to look at them. The orb was massive, 7 feet in diameter as it gazed at them unblinking. Beautiful honey amber with vertical pupils rimmed in bright crimson encased a second iris and pupil when you looked closely enough.
A heavy sighed met their ears as a colossal body rose from the center of the chamber as it uncoiled from its resting place. Standing fully, a magnificent and beautiful dragon looked down at them. Wings unfurled and stretched to their maximum length, 125 meters from wingtip to wingtip. It's wings folded back in as it took a seat before them like a feline would. It's tail curled around its feet and twitched at its very tip.
"Greetings Queen Artorias." A luxurious feminine voice reverberated through the chambers. "Last you and Lancelot were here, it was to 'call a closure to the tale' as you had put it."
Both Queen and Knight were taken back. She remembered their words from the day of the server close? Well, she was gifted to them by the devs back then as congratulations for completing the ludicrous Dragonsong War series of quests with Draconis over a year ago. Seemed like something they would do: grant her a background with massive awareness and power.
Still! Did they really like our Role Play during combat and Draconis's sacrifice that time to save us that much? I mean, if she wanted to, she could destroy us all pretty much on a whim.
This magnificent dragon before them was one of the First Brood. Ratotosker. A daughter of Midgardsomer, the First Sire of Dragons. She was the a Grand Raid Boss classification of monster, requiring two Legions – 36 Man Parties – to defeat with fierce fighting and massive losses. She was level 100, game breaking and OP as hell. They had no control over her and her friendship was written into their guild by the devs themselves. It was like a ticking time bomb they never asked for.
Draconis had flipped his lid when he had found out after he resurrected after the battle and returned to Avalon later on. Apparently, his new rare, and secret class even to them allowed him to find favor in the First Sire's children somehow. She didn't know and didn't ask. But they all had agreed on one thing . . . trolling ass devs . . .
No one in Avalon outside of the Knights of the Round, Artorias, and Draconis knew of her making a new home in their Armory/Treasure Chambers. Ratotosker was reclusive, but genial. Taking that to mean weak would be your death in dragonbreath.
"Indeed, we did state such a thing, however, the situation has changed drastically. We have been transported to a new world."
Even the daughter of Midgardsomer frowned as she sniffed the air and flicked a forked tongue out to taste it. There were magical vents that circulated air from the outside. The dragon's head tilted to the side in curiosity.
"Salty . . . relatively dry . . . an ocean? Avalon was not close to such a body of water in YGGDRASIL. Hmm . . . intriguing. I understand your need to reacquire your things. Should you need me, I am here. What of your partner Queen Artorias?"
"Draconis is here as well, but in another part of the continent that sit just off the coast of. A place he called, the Dragon Kingdom. Though from the sounds of it, it is not strong and struggling greatly."
The dragon slowly laid back down, but kept her keen eyes on the two before her. She recognized Draconis for his efforts and sacrifice during and at the end of the Dragonsong War. It was much to the efforts of this guild and their friend that had become enemies of YGGDRASIL's human player base by fighting on the dragons' side of the war and had ended the war and settle peace with the King and Archbishop of the Theocracy that declared a false war upon their kind.
It had been unfortunate that her brother Nidhogg had to be killed in his madness and ruthless killing by an alliance of Avalon, Draconis, and several others, but she did not hold it against them. Bahamut, her eldest brother had tested him and he had passed! Of all things to behold at the time, that had been a crowning accomplishment. Due to the bonds they had shared and the resolution of the war, she had felt compelled to lend them permanent aide and friendship. It also helped that both the Queen and Draconis held dragon blood in their veins.
"I have little doubt that your partner will do his utmost to help them. Especially if any of dragon blood is present and in need. What of your situation Queen Artorias?"
Lancelot and Artorias looked at each other and shrugged. Better to let her know now than have her suddenly just appear and scare the souls out of whoever saw her. Lancelot stared off and Artorias interjected on other points as they took some time enlightening the daughter of the First Sire about the situation they all were wrapped up in.
Castle Pendragon Courtyard
Mordred and Gareth were sharing lunch together while catching a breather from their work for the day. One of the maids of the castle insisted on waiting on them and after much pestering on her part, she was allowed to attend them. After a bland breakfast of oatmeal with a hint of herbs and edible seaweed provided from the merfolk, lunch was seared fish and breads with something odd akin to an ocean carrot from this world. It was interesting and tasted like a pickled radish.
Mulled wine went with the meal and the two knights pondered about the situation and the future.
"So what do you think will happen? Talks and agreements, or talks, disagreements and war?"
"Gods I hope not war. Better is the sword never used than one that continuously spills blood."
Mordred hummed his agreement with Gareth. Though he wasn't quite so optimistic. He was no diplomat, but even he could see that this would not be a lightly treated meeting . . . whenever it happened in any case. He was waiting for the pin to drop.
Gareth took another mouthful of sea carrot and fish before answering after a bit of chewing and swallowing.
"You know Mordred, we should all probably spar again soon to make sure we haven't gotten rusty. Nasty thing, learning all of your abilities fresh."
She was right. Despite some solo training here and there done by all of them, none of them had sparred with each other to get a gauge of pain, healing, HP levels, and such since their transferral to this world. It was important to do just in case they ran into other players who could actually harm them.
"Point taken Gareth. Tomorrow morning, you and me?"
"Gladly."
The two shook on it. The maid took mental note of this agreement between Knights of the Round and couldn't wait to spread the news. It was so rare to see them duel each other! It would be a rare spectacle to witness.
Castle Pendragon Armory
"Hmm . . . I see. This is indeed quite the conundrum." Ratotosker nodded her massive head up and down as she acknowledged the situation for what it was. "I understand your concerns and will keep myself here unless I deem it necessary to venture forth. Be wary, but bold Queen Artorias."
Artorias bowed in thanks and gratitude, as did Lancelot. They were truly fortunate that the dragon understood their situation and had a mind for discretion over grandiose displays. OF course, that didn't mean that if it remotely warranted it, she wouldn't put on a grand show. She was a dragon in the end.
They had both decided to go with their second strongest sets of equipment. All Legendary Tier with smatterings of God Tier. Mainly their weapons were of God Tier. Given the report that Draconis had sent them, they had a feeling that their strongest sets were massive overkill here.
Lancelot wore full plate armor with a half shoulder cape of black and silver. The armor itself was deep violet and silver resembling dragon scales and burnished obsidian. Lancelot used no shield, but a finely ornate yet functional hand-half sword of silver and dull gray. A cold iron weapon that could affect fey if needed. Unsheathed, it held the ice element and smoked like dry ice.
Artorias wore a combination of plate armor and chainmail of elegant design with a long coat underneath the plate and over the chailmain and clothing underneath. The tails draped down to her mid calf. Blues, golds, and rubies highlighted the fringes of the coat tails and the armor sections were a gleaming silver. She sat her sword in its sheath beside its more powerful sibling. Caliburn and Excalibur, the Legendary and God Tier weapons respectively. The Guild Weapon was something else entirely, and something that was so well hidden, even they sometimes forgot it was with them.
Bidding the dragon a good day, they left the armory. They would be ready to face the impending meetings that were sure to happen with this new group that their scouts had spotted entering the port city one the coast.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum."
Artorias muttered quietly as they walked down the halls again. Lancelot nodded in silent agreement. They would begin with talks but ready for war. They would not draw first blood, let the enemy do that and regret doing so later. They hoped it would not come to that. Yet they were not foolish enough to pin all their hopes on just that notion. The war they had fought once already and the PK'ers of the game had taught them that quite clearly.
Preparations were more or less complete or close to it. Now it was a matter of how and who to open talks with.
If you want peace, prepare for war.
Character Profile 8
Alkaid Ushiwakamaru Kai
Position: Guild Leader of Rimun Branch of Holy Roble Kingdom, Demon Empress Alkaid
Race: Human . . . ?
Residence: Far Southern nation [Homeland], Rimun of the Holy Roble Kingdom
Racial Levels: ?
Class Levels: Rogue = ?; Ninja = ?; Shadow = ?; etc.
The only adamantite adventurer in the Holy Roble Kingdom due to the prevalent presence of the paladin order and conscription of the citizens be they man or woman. She hails from the Far South and has an older brother and younger sister. Her big secret is that she is a Godkin, descended from Shin Yoshitsune Kai, an old ally of Avalon. She believed the tales of Avalon and its Knights and their Queen to be just a folktale, but now believes otherwise. Very honorable, but no-nonsense, she is a fierce fighter yet her upbringing gives her enough presence of mind to be conscious of the bigger picture, yet flexible in the day to day. She leads the Adventurer's Guild of Rimun albeit reluctantly. Is keenly aware of the existence of Zesshi Zetsumei and can match her in fighting ability, though no one knows that yet . . . She is not well known as the kingdom downplays adventurers quite hard. If she was to make herself more known, she could easily beat Gazef and Gagaran. Her siblings are stronger than her in outright combat, but she beats them in other areas.
Review Responses
Goodness, a lot of you this time around XD. Not that I mind. It's what keeps me going!
RyuujiVantek: Neia will make her appearance at some point in the future though it may be a bit far off. Patience please? I personally like Neia's character a lot. No promises on changing vol. 12's canon in regards to Demiurge. Though things will be different to a degree, just not the way you may expect it. I'm glad you love Artorias and her friends perspectives. Draconis kinda has it alone for a while so when they meet up again, get ready for it!
UndeadLord22: Heh heh . . .
MadDan90: Yeah . . . you and A LOT of others tended to predict either the Slane Theocracy or Baharuth Empire. They are pretty much the most fleshed out locations in the New World officially, but Roble just seemed appropriate . . . that and not very fleshed out by comparison. Just from Vol. 12, I could not help but cringe at the ineptitude displayed. Even if Maruyama is playing off of DnD and other TRPGs, I've played effective AND smart paladins and this just shames the class to death via embarrassment. :(
PervySageChuck: I know right?
Solarblaster: Sounds like someone plays DnD as well . . . yeaaaah . . . the Lawful Stupid Paladin trope. Sad thing is, there are WAY too many people like this in our own world. Thing is, from the Light Novels, it is clearly stated that she truly is stupid. A meathead who took to studying, and gave up because it was too hard . . . I mean, really?
She focused on nothing but training and fighting. Uses her sister as a scapegoat when they "don't have enough information" and goes on pure emotion, which is stupid in the extreme. There has to be a balance for people of both emotions AND logic. She is the example of pompous arrogance combined with self righteous delusions and fairy tale embodiment in a world that couldn't give a crap.
It only gets barely portrayed in full in Vol. 12, but the theories that its a doppleganger in her place is rather out there in my opinion. I can see why the Bloody Emperor of Baharuth sees them as incompetent and hates them. I personally don't blame the guy at all.
AKXIV: Perhaps . . . she'll definitely get her comeuppance, but not quite yet. Let it stew a bit. Good stew simmers for a long time . . . :D
Ilireanwri: I am glad you are enjoying the story thus far! Chronos will have his opinions come up when the Slane Theocracy rears its head eventually. My issue with Momonga is that he HAS ABSOLUTE BLIND LOYALTY. He could tell them to kill themselves and they WOULD. If he told them to stop it and never gave a reason for it THEY WOULD.
He's so concerned about his image that it turns him into a passive coward and so he just lets them do as they please, well, for the most part. As a result, it makes problems for him down the road that he can't fix without completely countermanding everything done to that point.
True, his new nature as an undead is warping him to a degree, but it is still him in the body of Momonga at the end of the day. Draconis came about due in part to the lack of a solid counterbalance to him, a voice of reason with the power to back it up. I mean come on, the books are good, but 12 Volumes and not a SINGLE person to give him a challenge to make him think twice in a real serious manner?
The Frost Dragon was a JOKE. In a game and ruling where Instant Death spells generally SUCK, he's got the most insane RNG LCK. What happens when it doesn't?
XXX1994: He might . . . he might not . . .
V for Valentine: Thank you for reading and reviewing! I hope you continue to enjoy the story!
Omegadramon2: You ask good questions! Oh and thank you very much for the compliment! To answer your questions.
Draconis hasn't needed to use his racial traits too much, so they haven't been mentioned or called out specifically. Right now he's operating mainly on straight equipment and stats. He figured out from the beastmen attacking Tildeus that his racial skills and traits would be overkill when class passives and the like render him invincible to low level stuff, which is what a majority of the New World so far is.
He doesn't feel predatory to humans because he's modeled after a True Metallic Dragons from Dungeons and Dragons, which are inherently good aligned and see no need to eat humans. His true form however, is none of the dragons in DnD, so when he does dragon out, there will be a full description. In fact they are more likely to help good ones and punish evil ones or even guide and redeem them if its worth the effort. To be fair, lesser dragons may have predatory instincts to attack and consume humans, but that isn't him. He is Ascended on top of that, so eating other sentients is rather disgusting to him.
Trust me, when he starts using them in full, they'll get called out and explained. As for Shalltear, well, he's got his hands full right now. We'll see. In canon, it was Day 7 after their transfer to the New World when she came under the effects of Downfall of Castle and Country. So he would not know yet. Heck, Ainz was informed by Albedo what happened to Shalltear until more than a whole day after she was affected!
Thanks for the reviews everyone! Enjoyed this chapter? Review and I'll see you guys again in the next installment!
