They remembered the days hunting down humans in their cities.
With their wings, and their superior leg strength, they could swoop down and snag a few humans, and then carry them back to the cages. It was still fine if anything was impaled by a talon, or otherwise died from the sudden impact-the elder liches needed something to do.
It became a game, of sorts, trying to see who could capture the most in one go. The leader remembered a particularly fiendish subordinate, who would clamp its jaws on any nearest human. It held the record, currently unbroken.
A shame it died during the battles against the dragons.
The dense forest presented a certain kind of challenge, if there were humans fleeing through there.
But that was fine. It was time to hunt.
Shrieking, the mass of gargoyles emerged from the top of the spire, and followed the leader in a spiraling sort of formation. The sight, along with their great shrieks rending the air, would present a terrifying combination to any nearby humans.
They began to use their sense to find the intruders.
Then, they spotted something off in the distance. It was a strangely colored thing flying through the sky towards them.
For a moment, the gargoyles hovered, confused. They had never seen something like that. Too small to be a dragon, and yet its humanoid shape couldn't possibly have been able to fly.
The leader loosed command, and the swarm dove as one' the first vanguard fearlessly leading a spiralling wave of death.
The strange thing, as if ignoring their fearsome shrieks, plunged right into their mass.
Clang, clang, clang!
Their attacks seemed to bounce off the thing's skin-every talon, claw and jaw felt like they were striking stone.
The thing zoomed right past them. It turned around, then made a waving motion with its hands.
The gargoyles pursued, converging on the impudent creature. They were proud creatures; and would never feel fear.
"[Arrest the Panty Thief]!" the thing said.
The leader saw the image of a thick set of bars before it felt the sudden pull of gravity; its body suddenly slamming into something hard and metallic on top of its head. It flapped its wings futilely, then found itself scrabbling for space together with its shrieking kin.
They seemed to be trapped inside something, packed tightly like bats crammed into a small cave. No matter how much they shoved, they could not escape.
They felt the rush of suddenly descending; then a loud crash, and then, silence.
The vampire knelt, pressing its palms to the floor. Faint vibrations emanated up its arm. Its eyes narrowed. It sounded like... an army? Or at least a troop of warriors.
It grinned. A host of warriors come to openly challenge the rule of its great Mistress. It would enjoy toying with them, then delivering them up as sacrifices.
It could definitely spy the cloud of dust in the distance. Such a loud clamor; they were making this too easy! Well, it was to be expected from inferior minds, who could not grasp even basic strategy.
Abandoning all pretense of peerless grace, the vampire bared its fangs and claws and charged, snarling, jumping from tree to tree.
Soon, it saw that the cloud of dust didn't belong to a troop of warriors trudging noisily through the forest, as it had assumed.
It was a tall, red-haired woman-riding on top of a moving mountain of earth.
The vampire blinked. The earth seemed to be moving along like a wave, pushing trees and stone aside as it advanced. It didn't look natural; likely a form of magic it had never seen before.
Still, the target was clear now. The woman didn't look that strong; rather she looked beautiful, a rarity in this world. The vampire would enjoy breaking her, before offering her as tribute to the Mistress.
The vampire went up to the top of a tree. It waited as the groaning cavalcade of dirt passed it by.
Then, when the woman could no longer possibly see it, the vampire launched itself in a silent, swift arc. At this range, and at this speed, there'd be no escape.
Then the woman looked over her shoulder.
"[Still: Hold]"
With that whisper, an invisible force clamped itself over the vampire, halting it right in midair. Surprised, it could only gape and struggle against the invisible bonds.
The woman turned around. The look in its eyes was that of someone coldly appraising a fly pinned to the board.
Don't look down on me, human-
The woman made a downward whipping gesture with its hand. The vampire felt the force drag it down, crushing it to the ground with merciless force.
Hacking up earth and dust, the vampire glared, baring its teeth.
"Not really what I expected," said the woman. Then it pointed, "May the echoing wails of the damned assail your dwindling dreams-[Pit of the Damned]."
The earth suddenly opened up beneath the vampire, and it fell into the depths of the gaping maw. As it felt the invisible force had disappeared, it scrambled for a grip on the sides of the pit, only to find skeletal hands gripping and clawing at its body. It looked around; the inside walls of this pit was filled with the grasping hands.
"Unhand me, you filthy-" it screamed. Yet she could not escape the hands, whose strength seemed greater than it. Its hair was askew, its dress scratched and torn-it was an insult of the highest order. The woman will pay!
"Struggle all you like," said the woman, standing above near the mouth of the pit. "But unless you're Level 100, the angry damned shall keep you there until I say so."
"You will die! I will paint the walls with your blood!" Its cries echoed in the abyss.
Suddenly, a burly, scarred human and a handsome-looking human with a cape appeared next to the woman.
"That looks scary, Ulbert-san," said the scarred man.
"Yeah, I-hm? What's wrong, Peroroncino-san?"
"*slurp* Huh? What? Pah! Sorry, I was just-she looks really pretty."
"Drooling over a vampire... You know they're just gonna suck your blood," said the woman.
"Guhh... just the thought of it gives me shivers..."
"Uwaaah..."
The trio continued their banter thusly, completely ignoring the vampire struggling indignantly at the bottom of the pit.
She was here again.
This village which she once called home.
Now, it could not even be called something where humans live.
"Are you alright, Nemu-san?" her master said.
She turned around and bowed deeply to the God of Unlife. "Yes, milord. I humbly await your orders."
Sebas Tian, savior of humanity, and Touch Me, his Creator, stood to the side.
"By your leave, masters," said the butler.
"Good. Remember, if a stronger enemy should arrive, Sebas, you are to use all in your power to retreat, and then find and inform one of us," said Lord Momonga.
"Very well." The butler leaped and disappeared into the woods.
Beyond the small rise, she could sense the thousands of undead trapped in this place. Because of the Supreme Beings' blessings, she could no longer feel anything but pity for these noisy echoes of humanity. All except for one shade in particular, for whom she felt a burning determination.
"Nemu-chan, good luck," said Touch Me. "I'll be going on ahead, to clear the way."
"Ah, milord, you don't have to do that! I can clear the way myself. Milord Momonga, please command me."
The white warrior chuckled. He walked over, then patted Nemu on the head. "Allow this selfish man to show off, even for a little bit. I don't want my precious child to say I was useless and did nothing."
Nemu looked shocked. "How can I? To be rude like that to my Creators, would be a grievous sin...!"
"Haha... as Momonga said, it's fine to be enthusiastic, but please remember your limits." He nodded to Momonga. "Then, I'm going."
Momonga bowed. "Please, Touch Me-san." According to the [Message] reports, the others were already done with their parts in the plan. Now it was Touch Me's, Momonga's then Nemu's turn.
Like a whirling cyclone of silver, Touch Me blurred over the rise. Not a second later, there were already sounds of bones shattering and clattering.
"Nemu-san."
She straightened her posture. "Yes!"
Crimson flames stared into her. Though her master could not show any sort of emotion anymore, she could still guess that he was inspecting her. One could not help but feel mesmerized by his gaze, as if he were licking at her very soul.
"Remember what we planned," said Momonga.
"Yes!"
"... Then go, and free your sister."
She saluted. "Understood." A direct command that she would obey, no matter what. Nemu melted into the shadows, then followed after Touch Me.
She saw the white warrior had left nothing but dust and bone fragments in his wake. The undead were like moths attracted to his flame-hordes of rattling skeletons, gaunt wraiths and screaming ghosts pursued, only to be cleaved to pieces by his blade.
Nemu flickered from shadow to shadow. Were she a human still, she would've been very affected by the energies teeming in this place. The ground just felt wrong and... alive at the same time. She could not explain it, and indeed such matters were more in the purview of her masters, who were peerless in wisdom and intellect.
For now, she went to the same place where she remembered she'd seen her sister. Strangely, that memory was faint, like a half-remembered dream, but she ascribed it to the limitations of her old self, who was still shackled by fear and other mortal trappings.
Huh? Since when was I? Why was she referring to her old self as separate? She was still Nemu Emmot. Wasn't she?
Nemu felt strange, but the feeling passed. It didn't matter; Nemu still needed to free her sister.
"This feeling?"
Nemu paused, eyes narrowing. Thanks to Lord Momonga's blessing, she had a definite sense for the undead. It was as if she could differentiate each one at a simple glance.
Nemu walked past a mound of dead, and saw a figure garbed in unearthly light. Its clothes were torn and ragged, and there was a massive gash running down the back of its body.
She emerged from the shadows, purpose coursing through her like excitement. Her eyes never left the solitary figure, who seemed to still not notice her. Nemu wondered why she wasn't like the rest of the undead, who were getting slaughtered for their efforts not too far away.
Was it that it was not a violent spirit? But no, Nemu remembered that terrifying sight before she'd fainted.
She took another step. The figure still didn't turn around.
Nemu swallowed. As a Champion of the highest caliber, she should not be feeling fear. So what was this?
Apprehension? Longing? Sadness?
Nemu then realized: no, this just was a quiet sort of satisfaction. Since she no longer needed to fear her sister, and also knew that she had been granted more than enough power to subdue her, this remaining hesitation could only be attributed to the stark realization that, following this, her quest would be over.
Even knowing this, she took another step. Then another.
"Nee-san."
The spirit turned. Pale lights flickered where its eyes should have been.
"It's good to see you again."
Its mouth opened, impossibly wide, into a hole bigger than its head. Fire blazed in its eyes as its shape morphed into something bigger, more hideous.
"I'm sorry, nee-san. For leaving you alone."
The ghost struck with ethereal claws and incorporeal sinew. Like a dead leaf on the wind, Nemu slipped aside, her eyes never looking away.
"But thanks to it, I could come back, and free you."
An otherworldly wail erupts from its mouth. Hatred, despair, sorrow, fear, loss: these were only a few of the things contained in that song.
Nemu smiled. She raised her arms up, invitingly, as if waiting for the other's embrace.
"I will always remember your name. From now, until my service is ended."
That's why-
The ghost lunged.
"Goodbye, my beloved, wonderful nee-san. Goodbye, Enri Emmot."
It was only for an instant. The edge eagerly cuts through ethereal flesh, like fire through a silk curtain.
A transparent, weathered hand caressed her cheek. The ghost has not changed; to others it was still transformed, ugly, full of malice and anger.
To Nemu, it was a precious, beautiful sight.
The ghost's mouth opened and closed, like a dying fish. The light in its eyes seemed like it wanted to say something through the cursed veil.
You're beautiful, someone said.
Nemu didn't know who said it: her, or by some strange miracle, her sister.
In the next instant, it was as if the ghost had never been. Her hands fall to the side, dagger gripped loosely.
"It is done," she said.
Not even a hint of wind graced her words. There was only:
"...Good work," said a voice behind her. She doesn't even have to look to know who it was.
"Thank you, milord, Momonga," Nemu said quietly.
Silence.
"... Are you... alright?"
"My duty to her is finished," she replied evenly.
"Surely you don't... You don't feel anything at all?" Lord Momonga's voice seemed shocked.
"No, there is-but... I certainly feel like I should cry. But I also know there is no need. I have fulfilled my duty. I know I should be feeling upset, yet I also know that I have not disappointed you with failure-so why should I feel that?" She looked at him, her Creator, her Master, as if he held the answer.
But her Master only whispered, "I'm sorry..."
She tilted her head, confused. "Why do you apologize milord? Are you alright?"
As she bustled over him, her Master threw out a hand to stop her. "... Nemu."
"Yes?"
Her Master hesitated. "Would you like to be free?"
"Free?" Her Master was certainly speaking strangely. "To be discharged from my duties? Have I done something inadequate, milord? Please tell me how, so I may correct myself!"
Her Master seemed to have sighed. "Do you not want to rest?"
"Rest? How can I rest, my lord? I have been given new purpose. To my last breath I shall fight for you, Lord Momonga. Forevermore, I am your loyal Champion."
A long groan issued from her Master's mouth. "... That's what I thought..."
With a broad sweep, the last wave of undead turned to dust. Their lingerings wails echoed for a while, then ceased.
Touch Me grunted. He lowered his sword.
"Is that all?" he muttered.
Not like he was expecting anything more. It was a foregone conclusion. He didn't know if it was because of a passive that somehow translated into this new world, or if it was something else, but he could tell that nothing in here proved a challenge.
"Being disappointed like this... am I a battle maniac?"
He hadn't even broken a sweat. There had been little technique in scything through those undead like chaff.
He laid his sword on his shoulder and looked around. Relative silence had fallen on the Crossroads. The only surreal thing about it were the mounds of corpses that yet remained.
"Hm?"
A rumbling coursed through the ground. Touch Me squinted, peering at the sudden cracks that appeared.
The ground erupted, like something had suddenly lurched up from within. Sensing no danger to himself, Touch Me took a few steps back, to enable his eyes to take in the new arrival.
Arising from the ground was a stinking, heaving giant, near four stories in height, its fists each as large as cars.
Touch Me couldn't possibly know, but this was the Guardian born from the land. A massive undead creature spawned from the agglutination of hard, packed earth and a hundred corpses, each shaped and stitched together by unholy artifice. Called only when the resident undead were wiped out, this super-zombie was made to destroy strong interlopers.
It was also a completely natural occurrence. Like a tornado formed from a specific confluence of hot and cold, this giant was formed from the ravages of negative energy and the grudges of the dead. The forces who made this into the Crossroads could not have created something this weak; but because of its unique nature, it was allowed to exist there on their sufferance.
"Ah, I remember. You must be the legendary warrior Sebas mentioned," said Touch Me. He sized up the enemy-literally, his eyes running all across its gigantic frame-then shook his head.
Weak. Still much weak.
As a warrior-type Player, he could not guess what enchantments were used on the guardian. But he could sense that it was built to withstand fire and holy attacks. And he could sense, however faint, the presence of a strong warrior spirit hidden inside all the filth.
"Or maybe I'm just seeing things," the warrior said, self-derisively. "Getting to be as delusional as that Ulbert... ah, what a pain..."
The giant could make no sounds, but its raised arm was unmistakable.
"Hup!"
Just to test if he was right, Touch Me met the attack with just his fist. It felt strange, seeing something as large as a boulder falling down being stopped, with no pain at all, by his palm. It really drilled into him the ludicrousness of the situation in which the six had been involved.
"... If there is someone inside there, please reveal yourself. Or if not, at least find rest after I finish this." Placing the fist aside, he set up his sword, then stepped forward and did a nice, long, horizontal cut.
The giant was immediately bisected crosswise. A whooshing sound, like air escaping a small hole, came out from the wound. Faced by such overwhelming power, the unholy bonds came undone, the body parts coming apart like rice dipped in soup.
Touch Me watched it all with a critical eye. Though outwardly defeated, Touch Me could sense that the presence from before was still there.
And somehow, he could sense that it wanted to talk.
He watched as an apparition phased into being. It was a man clad in plate armor, thick-boded, stern of face and manner. In life, it would have made for an imposing figure. Unlike the other ghosts, this one didn't move to attack.
"Are you the legendary warrior?" asked Touch Me.
There is nothing legendary about me, came a voice, disembodied. The ghost's eyes were weary. I am a failure to the people, and my King. I died a foolish death, and have been trapped here ever since. So I thank you, great warrior, for freeing me.
"Oi, don't call me anything like legendary," said Touch Me. "I'm just a simple man, trapped in the currents of life."
Take care to not drown, said the warrior. May I ask one thing, before I disappear?
"Hm? If it is in my power..."
Fight me.
"By yourself? Why?"
With this, I may affirm my existence: that I would engrave on you this memory, so I will not be forgotten. Let my dishonored self be a lesson against the pride of the warrior too stiff to see the crooked road before him.
Steel edge keened against steel gauntlets. For the first time since they'd arrived, Touch Me withdrew his alabaster shield. "For your conviction, sir, I shall fight you with my all."
I thank you. Words cannot express how grateful I am.
"Think nothing of it. This is just a small part of a man's romance, after all."
The ghost drew a pale greatsword. It drew into a stance unknown to Touch Me, who was more familiar with Japanese sword-styles. Nonetheless, the World Champion also prepared, throwing his shield up and preparing his own counter-stance.
There was no signal; just a contraction of ghostly and insectile muscle. The eyes on the shade flashed-
[Sixfold Slash of Light]!
One attack, six slashes. An impossible action. It was a technique worthy of being called ultimate. For humans, it was a technique only born from hard work, or supreme talent.
Touch Me marveled at the sight-having seen it in slow motion through his warrior sense. The human in him could never have accomplished such a feat. He was sure none of the swordsmen in ancient Japan would have been able to accomplish it.
And yet-
Each slash struck against his shield. Even if it came from a solid blade, it needed the right enchantment to be able to damage it. The ghost's blade would have passed through, but this shield belonged to one who was proclaimed World Champion: it would stop everything from a specter's dagger to a Behemoth's fist.
Touch Me put his sword in a stabbing stance, then proclaimed, "[Divine Sword Thrust]!"
Despite its name, it was just that, a quick thrust, with a sword, more effective after blocking. It was "Divine" because it could pierce through Divine-level equipment, not that it belonged to a god like Momonga. In terms of martial elegance, it was a mere commoner compared to the enemy's technique.
There was no sensation of piercing flesh. But there was the feeling of something ending. Touch Me withdrew his sword; backed up a step.
The ghost stood in front of him. It held no blade. It didn't appear injured; but there was a certain finality in its eyes.
"A praiseworthy technique," said Touch Me. "You truly are a legendary warrior."
Haha, don't joke with this one. The legendary one should be you, no? Even if I were alive, even if I were garbed in the treasures of my Lord, I still would not have been able to scratch you.
"Perhaps." Then, doing what he thought would be appropriate, remembering certain movies, Touch Me slapped his forearm over his chest. "A good fight; I am honored. I am Touch Me."
The ghost mirrored his action. Gazef Stronoff, said the disembodied voice. Save this world, milord. Save humanity.
Then, it was as if the warrior had never been there.
They all gathered before the great cage that had made a small crater in the forest. Bukubukuchagama stood near it, well out of reach of the gargoyles trying to get at her through the iron bars.
"Nemu-chan," said Chagama-san. She looked from the girl to Momonga. "Is it... done?"
Momonga made a sidelong glance at the girl, then nodded silently. The expression on the champion's face was still as placid as ever.
Still, Chagama-san drew the girl into a tight embrace. "If you want to cry, you can borrow nee-san's shoulders anytime."
"U-understood... Thank you, milord Bukubukuchagama."
A certain screaming, different from the way the gargoyles were shrieking, reached their ears. Ulbert stepped into view; dragging an unknown woman by a thick chain. Herohero brought up the rear.
The woman was beautiful, skin so white it could be mistaken for a corpse's.
She was also nearly naked.
Chagama-san made a sound of disgust. "You men couldn't even make up something to cover her?"
Herohero held up a hand when she was about to use a decorative item to cover the vampire, saying, "It's no use. She's just gonna tear it to shreds."
"Why not tie her up?"
Herohero's eyes widened. "Eh? But it's-" he said.
"Kinky," Ulbert said flatly. "Well, if you insist." A cantrip later, there were tight manacles binding the vampire's arms behind it. Chagama-san covered the vampire's half-naked body.
"Huh. Why didn't I think of that," said Herohero. "Am I... am I getting stupid or something...?"
"Human fools!" the vampire spat. "A storm of night shall descend upon your heads! Despair and agony shall be your only fare, when the Night Queen takes her share! Tremble-" Her voice disappeared; though her mouth continued to move. She'd been silently silenced by Chagama-san.
"Intense, huh?" Ulbert remarked.
"Where's my brother?" asked Chagama-san. Indeed, Peroroncino wasn't present; and he was supposed to be with the other two.
"Ehhh... he excused himself, saying he had something urgent to address." Ulbert looked down at the chained vampire. "Something about 'Princess Lea'... or was it 'Lia'?"
"By the way, where's your familiar, Chagama-san?" asked Momonga.
"Our [Merge] ended," said Chagama-san. "And without me inside he's just a useless hanger-on. So I sent him away."
"Sorry for being late," said Touch Me, arriving. He took a quick look at each of the ones here; his gaze lingered for longer on the gargoyles and the vampire. "Sebas?"
"I already called him over," said Momonga. As if he was literally summoned by his word, the butler also arrived.
"I have no excuses for being late."
"You aren't," said Momonga. "Which just leaves-"
A flurry of feathers came. Peroroncino crashed down, his breath wheezing. "S-sorry I'm-"
"Really?" said Chagama-san. "Really?"
"I-I have no excuse. It was good," said Peroroncino, in-between rapid breaths. When his eyes fell on the vampire with the cloth covering her, his breath hitched up. He shook his head. "No, I'm good, I mean. I... am good. I'm great. What were we talking about?"
"Everyone, the 'raid' seems to be a success," Momonga said, trying to head off Mt. Bukubukuchagama's eruption. He laid a hand on Nemu's shoulder. "Nemu's done with her part." Each of the Supreme Beings stared at her with a mixture of respect and commiseration.
"I thank the Supreme Beings for the blessings you have bestowed upon this one," said Nemu, bowing.
"I encountered a legendary warrior," Touch Me said next. "You said you knew of him, right Sebas?"
"Only by what I heard," said the butler reluctantly. "Tell me, was his name Climb?"
"No, it seemed to be Gazef Stronoff. Who's this Climb person?"
"Ah, no, I was just trying to confirm if this Climb had already died. He was said to be a legendary hero, but he disappeared years ago."
"Next, we have these fellows," said Chagama-san, pointing to the gargoyles trapped in her [Forcecage].
"Sebas?" asked Momonga. It had been arranged for the butler to help identify any Nazarick "delinquents", to aid the Supreme Beings who had forgotten much of their charge. The stronger existences were easy to recall, but things like specific POPs and other minions were harder. Things like vampires could have been spawned here, and not in Nazarick. Momonga and the others agreed to blame their ignorance on their long absence-Ulbert decided on a nice, fat millennium.
"Yes, milord," said Sebas. He stepped close to the cage.
The gargoyles hissed at him, extending claws and talons in an attempt to strike the butler. After staring at the mass for a moment, he turned and bowed to Momonga. "Yes, these are from Nazarick, milord."
"Haah..." Momonga could only sigh. He sensed the others exchanging looks and looking grim.
There was still an ongoing disagreement on what to do with the "delinquents". A swift death, for the sake of justice? Or spare their lives, in exchange for eternal imprisonment? Were these normal monsters, not linked to Nazarick, they would have been slain without question.
Momonga was decidedly ambivalent on the issue, and only leaned towards sparing them because they were the creations of his former comrades: he firmly believed that only the creators should decide on the fate of their created. Which then left the matter of the POPs, who were manufactured by Nazarick herself. And that was another round of debate that gave Momonga's nonexistent brain a headache.
"Before we decide," Ulbert said, helpfully, "What about this one?"
"...The failure," said the vampire venomously, as Sebas approached. She struggled in her restraints. "I do not know what pact you have made with these humans, but know that the Mistress shall no longer tolerate your presence after this."
"You dispelled the sound dampener?" Chagama-san asked Ulbert.
"A pitiful wretch like you should not speak so of those whom you should call 'Master'," Sebas told the vampire. "And indeed, it is only milord Momonga's edict that prevents me from obliterating your existence altogether with these fists. Don't you recognize them, vampire? Are you still blind?"
"Blind? I see truly, Sebas Tian. I see a pathetic wreck of a Guardian playing the role of savior. And I see a group of blood packs and meat bags; strong, yes, but ultimately pale in comparison to the glorous might of the Mistress. Especially you girl," the vampire leered at Chagama-san. "Your magic seems strong, for one so young. I assure you, the masters shall enjoy playing with every part of your body. And you, foolish woman. You too-"
Smack! Ulbert had hit the vampire atop the head. "Don't call me woman, bitch." The vampire screamed when Ulbert laid his hand on its crown and started to squeeze.
"Oi, oi. Stop that. No touching until we know," Touch Me admonished. "Then, Sebas?"
"Mm. Yes, this is a minion from Nazarick, milords. Please forgive their unsightly behavior," said the butler.
"You have nothing to apologize for, Sebas," said Herohero.
With Sebas' confirmation, the stage seemed to be set for judgment. However, something nagged at Momonga's mind.
"Wait a moment," he said, walking forward to stand before the vampire. "Did I hear you correctly? Did you just refer to us as humans?"
"What else can you be, human?" Momonga looked with confusion at his friends.
"So... you don't see a skeleton? You don't see a slime?"
"I see a magic caster, young in appearance and therefore useless, I see a strange masked man who should be dying of the cold, I see a nobleman who will certainly enjoy a round in the Great Choir, I see-"
"Enough," said Momonga, throwing his hand out.
"You may not command-"
"When he says enough, enough, fool," said Ulbert, once again squeezing her head.
Momonga scratched his head. "What's going on? Are they seeing us in the Disguise?"
"Well, it hasn't worn out yet," Peroroncino pointed out. They had noticed this in the forest before they'd met the pig-men. Although their perceptions of their selves remained constant-like Momonga looking down and only seeing bone-to the others, they still appeared like their Disguise. And it had been well over an hour. It had not been much of an issue, at the time-
Momonga whirled. "Sebas. How do you see us?"
"I see you in your greatest majesty, milords."
"Am I a skeleton?"
Sebas hesitated. "...While 'skeleton' would be apt, I feel-"
"No, that's fine," said Momonga. "And did we always appear as such?" The look on Sebas' face said it all. "Seriously? Were we also human-looking to you?"
The butler glanced at Touch Me. "Yes. Initially. And it changed when I was defeated soundly by milord Touch Me."
Why and how did it change, Momonga wanted to ask, but he turned to Nemu first. "Nemu-san, how did you first see us?"
"I saw you in your glorious selves, milord," said Nemu.
"When you first saw us?"
"Yes. When I first saw milord Touch Me, he was already the gallant warrior."
Momonga was struck speechless. No, it was more like his mind, in its ceaseless spinning and groaning, had silenced his mouth handily.
It was the vampire's shout that brought him back. "You fools! How dare you profane the Supreme Beings with your filthy mouths! Their most august names are only fit to be recited by we, who are chosen! Cattle like you-"
Ulbert gripped her neck this time. "This is your last chance, 'cattle'."
"Ulbert," Touch Me said warningly.
"What? She's getting pretty annoying, right?"
"She wouldn't be if you hadn't dispelled my spell," said Chagama-san.
"Look, I'm sorry I did that. But still, what does the [Loki's Tongue] have to do with our judgment?"
Momonga sighed. "You're right. We can leave that aside for now. So, let's start the vote."
After a few more minutes of discussion, it was decided, five to one, to have Sebas handle their imprisonment. It would have been easier if they acknowledged them as the Supreme Beings, but they didn't know how. All the while, the butler glared disapprovingly at his would-be charges. Nemu even offered to end them herself, to have them stop their "impudent attitude" to the gods.
"Then, next is-" The mountains of corpses still here. Through Touch Me and Momonga's efforts, all the undead were gone, but they guessed that it might only be a matter of time before more spawned. There was also the problem of the so-called "negative energies" Sebas mentioned; but because none of them had any idea what that meant (outside from what they knew of it from game mechanics), they collectively decided to keep their mouths shut and focus on the corpses.
"Realistically, they'd be burning for a long time," said Touch Me.
"And they'd stink," said Herohero.
"Which would be bad for us with noses," said Peroroncino. "Raise your hand, people who still need to smell." He raised his hand; he was alone. "Aw, c'mon Ulbert. I know you'd hate it too."
Ignoring that, Ulbert said. "Why don't we use a super-tier magic?"
"Would that work?" asked Momonga. "Fire is fire, isn't it?"
Ulbert grinned. "It's hellfire. Plus, the explosion might just incinerate them from the start."
"Ah. Basically you're going to show off," said Touch Me.
"Hey, lay off."
"Lay... off...?" Herohero whispered.
"It's also a way for us to see how super-tier magic works in this world," said Ulbert. "Win-win, eh?"
Everyone agreed, only after they examined the type of spell that would be used; and after using several precautionary barriers around the target area to prevent the fire from spreading catastrophically to the forest-like [Heighten: Mythic Wall of Suppression], consecutive [Earth Bulwarks], [Elemental Barrier]. Needless to say, a lot of Momonga and Chagama-san's mana had been used.
Additionally, since there might be intermittent flashes of explosions, a wall was erected to protect them.
"Ready?" said Ulbert. His smile would be enthralling, if it belonged to an actual woman. In examining the real emotions under it, Momonga saw a kid about to embark on a wild ride.
"Ready. Please be careful Ulbert-san." Momonga was a little nervous; a wall would not be enough to stop a nuke, if it ended up that way.
"It's just a spell. Well then, here we go." Ulbert went forward, jumped up to the top of the wall. Large, glowing circles appeared above and below him just as he began casting the massive spell.
After a whole minute had passed, Ulbert said, "Hear me, hear me. With this flute, I shall play the song of my people-come to me now, aid me, and I shall give you delight and ecstasy in incalculable degrees." Then he shouted. "May thy song reach us, in this old, forgotten place: [Azathoth]!"
Not a moment later, there came a flash of light that seemed to illuminate the whole world, then a great wave of heat exploded outward. Momonga and the others were able to endure it, but there was a great clamor from the gargoyles' cage, and the vampire suddenly screamed. Even Nemu and Sebas cried out in pain. A second later, there came the sound like a thousand thundercrashes. It shook every bone in Momonga's body, but didn't actually hurt.
When the overwhelming light faded, Momonga looked at Nemu and was shocked by what he saw. Her eyes had disappeared, blood flowing freely down from empty eyesockets. Fires raged inside them, and it was as if they were blazing out from her brain.
"[Restore Minion]!" Momonga said hastily. After a brief light, Nemu's eyes were restored.
She gasped. "Thank you for your kindness, milord. I do not say this enough, but I owe-"
"Later, Nemu-san," he said. He turned to Sebas, who surprisingly had the same condition. Chagama-san was there to heal his eyes.
There was no sign of the cage, nor the gargoyles, nor even the vampire. All that was left were unpleasant-looking black splotches on the ground. Momonga looked around, and saw trees knocked down as if a great wind had passed through.
Someone was poking him. He turned. "Yes? Herohero-san?"
The yakuza pointed, a dazed sort of expression on his face. Momonga raised his eyebrow and looked. Then he felt like he'd been punched in the brain.
An atomic mushroom cloud. And it was close. So close it was like a mushroom had suddenly grown to cover them in its shade. Since it was night-time, its glowing, looming mass was even scarier. Momonga suddenly felt small and insignificant; standing there and staring up at the sight. He supposed his own expression now mirrored Herohero-san's.
"How... how..."
His reverie was broken by Ulbert's sudden laughter. "Goddamn, you're overpowered, Momonga-san. Would you look at that? That [Mythic Wall of Suppression] of yours completely blocked the explosion!"
"Hey, Ulbert," said Touch Me, his voice trembling. "What the hell was that?"
"That was the super-tier spell. Remember? You've seen me use it before. It nuked the shit out of that raid."
"Just a spell?" Touch Me marched forward, seized the other man by his coat. "Just a spell? That's a goddamn... actual... literal nuke!"
"Alright, alright! I didn't know okay? Honest. I thought it'd just ignite the whole place. I didn't expect it to go full-on atomic."
Touch Me let him go, rendered speechless. Momonga's only thought was that he was glad he'd used the precautionary spells.
Ulbert continued, "And hey, look. That spell took care of the corpses."
The Supreme Beings stared at the devastation that had been the Crossroads. For starters, there was now only a smoking crater. Peeking over its edge, they saw a great burning fire deep in the hole. It was like staring into the mouth of a volcano-or a pit leading to hell.
There was no sign of any corpse.
"Uhhh... shame about the prisoners, though. Again, that was my bad. I promise I won't do it again," said Ulbert.
"Yeah..." Peroroncino chuckled hysterically. "You better not. At least, not without protection." They all glanced at Momonga's anti-magic enchantment, which had somehow survived such massive destructive force, where Chagama-san's barriers had not. Though it somehow could not block the shock wave of wind, which was perhaps due to its non-magical nature; all the flames produced by Ulbert's spell that would have made a grand conflagration in the forest just fizzled harmlessly when it reached the barrier.
Everyone, including Momonga, felt like they had dodged a hail of bullets. Without Momonga's precaution, the effects of Ulbert's spell would surely have been greater.
"...As expected of Momonga-san," said Ulbert. "Truly the mark of a god."
"Eh?"
"Your foresight may have saved us all," said Chagama-san.
"Ehhh?"
"I am proud to serve such a wise and powerful god," said Nemu.
Way to focus on the wrong things here, guys! Momonga thought, waving off the others' praise. In the first place, why the hell does Ulbert have such destructive magic? Is this the power of a World Disaster? We should have examined it in better detail-
After some discussion, they decided that the obliterated prisoners, despite being of Nazarick, were a relative non-issue. Any use they could have had could be reasonably gotten from Sebas, who had been here twenty years.
It also put an end to the debate, for now, thought Momonga. In a way, he could thank Ulbert for the super-tier spell.
Momonga sighed, and turned away from the dwindling mushroom cloud towards the east.
Morning was still far off, but he felt that this eventful night had come to a definite end.
"Let's head back to Nazarick, everyone," he announced. Everyone looked at him. "Let's see if we can't crack it open; get past the third floor. And if not, then tomorrow let's try and 'raid' some more places. Though, without the surprise nuke, eh, Ulbert-san?"
To the Guild:
Attached are a list of Bukubukuchagama's customized spells, along with their normal Yggdrasil names. Please memorize them thoroughly, so you can react accordingly whenever you are together with her in a battle. This is a special request from Momonga-san, who expects everyone to be able to work together, no matter what. Remember, knowledge is only half the battle.
Sincerely,
Punitto Moe
Shurpuff says: And with that, this first arc is coming to a close. Coming next is the epilogue, which will also function as an intermission of sorts. Once again, I am thankful for all the feedback, and as always, I appreciate more.
Thanks for reading!
One more to come.
