Written by oblivon2991
proofreader: aGuestfromGreece45
Thank you for reading my fanfic and giving me a chance.
My mother language is not English, so please be patient about the grammatical issues.
I don't own the Overlord(オーバーロードŌbārōdo?) novel or anime series created by Kugane Maruyama.
I would like to thank the excellent job that the Skythewood translator team has done with the light novel translation.
Without their hard and persistent work, I surely couldn't write this story.
Please review it. I know I will make mistakes and I intend to correct them, as well as try to learn from them and improve myself.
Thank you!
Now let's continue our little story!
The long battle finally ended and the city gained the long needed breathing room after the suffocating undead presence. As the redeeming first rays of the sun reached the town, the remained undead started to scatter, roaming the ramshackled streets cluelessly.
Thanks to the soldiers, the battle for the Diamond District was a victory. All night along, the Knights did their duty relentlessly, you may say fearlessly. Even so, without Wade, the few remained Iron Manticores and the other private troops that participated in the battle would have lost. The damage left after the undead couldn't be described by mere words.
The town was devastated, its population reduced to almost nothing, with at least the eighty percent of the civilians and ninety percent of the stationed guard force having died or simply gone missing under the long night.
Through the alleys, eleven individuals galloped through the streets. Clothed in strange clothes and armour, the little group headed towards the only district where the living still resided in significant concentration.
Watching out left and right, the special unit systematically exterminated the remained undead that got in their way, and in the end, reaching the broken down barricade near the district.
A man with androgynous features stepped forward. First he said nothing, merely inspecting the battered soldiers, the craters left behind after the rough battle, and of course, the mountains and mountains of genuinely dead undead around them.
Giving an order by waving his hand, his companions jumped to work. The warriors searched for more threats, the divine magic casters started the purification ritual, and the dark robed mage started his magical scan over the area. The strange, blue-haired girl came to his help.
Strangely, now everything seemed fine, the previous blocking field nowhere can be detected.
With his second, the Captain of the Black Scripture stepped forward.
"May I ask? Who is the leader of the local defence?"
The resting soldier near the barricade wanted to get up to show the way when Geralt appeared from behind the nearby corner.
"It would be me. Captain Geralt Greynote. Freshly promoted after the late Captain Dreghnoch. At your service," he introduced himself, bowing his head in respect.
The androgynous man nodded, measuring from tip to toe the young guard captain.
"I see… Your men did a good job protecting the civilians and striking down this much undead. You should be proud of yourselves."
Geralt nodded, then bowed his head. "Thank you, good Sir. May I know who you are?"
"Special Unit. You need know nothing more."
The black-haired man showed his authorisation badge. Geralt immediately straightened and saluted, seeing the symbol that made the man before him his superior.
"Sir!"
"At ease..." the androgynous man raised his hand, signing; there was no need of formalities.
Geralt wiped away a drop of sweat from his nose. His eyes tired, the long night had wore him out.
"With all due respect sir, the merit largely belongs to two adventurers. Without them, we would have been wiped out by the first wave."
The red-eyed man nodded, on his face, a stoic expression remaining.
"May you lead me to them? I wish to thank them personally," he asked politely.
Geralt nodded. "Right away Sir! … but only one of them is present. The other went out to a 'nightly stroll' as she carved her words. We haven't seen her since she left."
"Show the way…" bowed his head his superior.
Geralt led the black haired man through the rubbish that remained after the battle. Despite their best effort, a few undead had managed to slip through the defence and wreak havoc.
Fortunately, the soldiers appointed to protect the key points of the district stopped them in time. Not without sacrifice of course.
Under their way, the guard captain explained the situation and spoke about the two adventurers who defended them and annihilated the undead.
Reaching towards a man who wore a tattered cloak and a strange white mask on his face, the masked man turned towards the approaching people.
"Wade-san… this man wishes to speak with you."
Wade nodded, turning back to his chatting partners. "Please forgive me for a moment."
The soldiers nodded, leaving them alone. Geralt also left, being it was official business and he had nothing to do with it.
"What do you wish to speak with me?" Wade asked serenely. His tone was completely calm, although suspicious what the man wanted from him.
"I heard you were the one who saved the city, is that true?" asked the Captain getting straight to business.
Looking around, Wade scratched his mask nervously.
"It was hardly saving; it's more like damage control after a certain point. Unfortunately, I couldn't be present in every place at once. Thus, I could not save enough people as I intended."
Bowing his head down, Wade painted a sharp picture. Of course, he could save much more people under the night, but Esdeath ordered him to use abilities and powers up to tier four, maximum five.
The Captain nodded. "I see… Still, you saved numerous people, thus I and the Slane Theocracy are very grateful to you. Please accept my heartfelt thanks."
Offering his hand Wade just watched it for a moment, then shook it firmly.
Feeling the strength behind his stern grip, even the captain raised his brow. Being he was a Godkin, it was not every day he felt such firm grasp and stance that the man before him radiated.
"No problem, I just did what everyone else would in my stead…" Wade hissed away the praise in a humble tone.
"Still, you did it, not others. I heard how the soldiers spoke about your achievements. It is hard to believe what they spoke about, but feeling your firm grasp, I I'm starting to believe it."
The captain showed a gentle smile, thinking he might have found a new comrade.
"It is really noth…" Wade wanted to get away as soon as he could.
Fortunately, at this exact moment, he received the mental command from his master that urged him to start his departure.
"May I invite you to the capital? I am sure the Cardinals of the Six and even his Majesty, Pontifex Maximus wishes to speak with the saviour of the city and thank them properly. Of course, if you are able to locate your companion, the invitation stands for her as well."
Wade hesitated, knowing not how to answer this simple request. He remained silent and pondered. Of course, the changeling had already received his order. The order he had to obey. Asking his master hastily, she confirmed the order once more.
"Come on, bro! Just accept it!" quoted simply the strange man standing at the side of the captain, his body covered by green clothes standing not far from the Captain of the Black Scripture.
The captain scoldingly shot a strict glare at his subordinate. Seeing the scary expression of his captain, the boyish playboy backed immediately.
Looking back at Wade, the captain bowed his head.
"It is your choice. However, it would be most beneficial for all of us if we could welcome you now as a hero, than later needed to be pursued and dragging you back. You know, my employers are very stubborn when they want something..." on his face a gentle smile was etched, a smile that was more amused than threatening.
Wade bowed his head in an apologizing manner. "I am sorry, but the time is not right. Right now, I have an important mission that I must fulfil before I can concentrate on anything else. Maybe next time. Ok? May we meet again."
The Captain realised what the man, named Wade, wanted to do, but it was too late.
Slipping his hand from the Captain's firm grasp, Wade was like a ghost. The first seat of the scripture grabbed, but he was not fast enough. A small item scattered on the ground exploded, releasing a thick fog.
Charging through the smoke pellet, the red-eyed man completely lost his target. Clicking his tongue, he ordered his men.
"Search for him…"
The clothed green man just nodded with a serious face; his previous jolly expression had vanished utterly. Leaving, he started to search for the missing adventurer. The owner of the first seat just sighed, staring the remains of the strange smoke bomb.
When he thought this mission would go smoothly. Who doesn't want to go to the capital to get rewarded anyway? He just didn't understand.
Pondering on this, he looked down, just to hear a familiar, elderly voice call for him.
"Yo! My Cap'n! It is good to see you once again," a joyful, elderly voice greeted him.
The red-eyed man looked up, turning his head towards the golden clad man.
"Lionne-kun? You're here?"
Lionne nodded with a smirk. "Aye. I am here, but not for my own good."
The old knight joked and firmly shook hands with his former comrade. He was part of the scripture even before the red-eyed man became its captain. For a long time worrying the veteran member would accept him as a leader. In the end, they became good friends.
"Lord Maximilian and his family?" asked the Captain of the Black Scripture, sterling his tone and changing topic immediately. They were here to make sure everything was alright with the family.
After the connection had been cut, the Cardinals started to worry about the disappearance of the noble line, thus, ordered the Scripture to react.
Turning his head away, a sour expression settled on Lionne's face. "I am ashamed, but with the exception of Lady Greta… they are dead…"
The Captain nodded, accepting the fact that his friend stated.
"I am so sorry…" clenching his fist and teeth; the elderly knight started to tremble, remembering his failure as a knight who swore to protect the family.
"I failed my task, my knightly honour stained… I-I…" kneeling before his former captain he lowered his head.
"I betrayed the trust the Cardinals entrusted me with. I betrayed my purpose; I failed my task… please… execute me."
Lionne was ashamed, if not that strange person called herself 'the professional' both he and the denizens of the city would have been dead.
Sighing, the captain placed his hand on his shoulder, then descended to his level.
"It is not your fault, my friend, no one would have bewn able to do anything more alone. Even I… would be powerless alone. Don't forget; humanity's strength lies in its will and ability to work together for a greater purpose. Alone, we are nothing, but together, no one can stop us."
Lionne looked up and nodded. Releasing a weak sigh, he had to give this to the captain.
Damn his friend! He knew the new captain since he became the leader of the scripture. A few years before Lionne retired to be the bodyguard of the dun Fraulin family, giving the eight-seat to a new member.
"The dun Fraulin family is not dead, not yet. Lady Greta still needs your protection. You promised. Remember?"
Lionne nodded and stood up, straightening his back. "Yes…"
"By the way... how is Lady Greta? Is she... is she alright?" asked the captain worriedly, showing concern towards the girl. It would be bad if a possible partner who carried the legacy of the six would die. It was tragical enough the family died. The complete extinction of the line would most likely be a catastrophic event for the Theocracy
"She is fine... she's just..." Leaving a momentary pause, Lionne pondered how to continue. "She's just traumatised a little bit. She has been awake for a while now, desperately searching for her strangely masked saviour. According to her, her savior was clothed strangely. His head was covered by some strange fedora, clothed black. But after giving out her heart's content, she fell asleep. I was not even surprised, after losing her family, she must be mortified."
Rubbing his head with an exhausted motion, the Yellow Flash grunted. "She is like a child once again... that brat starts to get on my nerves. She mumbles about her saviour in her dreams."
Bowing his head, showing the genuine smile, the captain was happy. "I see... then everything will be alright with her..."
One moment to the other, the black-clad man squinted his eyes suddenly; a suspicious expression moved on his face. "But what saviour is she speaking about?"
Lionne just wanted to start his monologue, when a feminine voice interrupted him.
"Lionne-kun? Are you here?" A young woman wearing stylized light green nun clothes with open skirt approached them.
Lionne showed a gentle smile recognising his tender, former comrade. "It is good to see you there… Divine Chant…"
Being the Black Scripture was a secret unit, the members used codenames and illusionary masks to cover their real identity.
The young woman smiled, then her eyes widened realising something was amiss from the appearance of her past friend. "Yo-Your eyes! How…?"
Lionne smiled and looked down, showing a relieved smile. "A miracle happened, the person who saved me healed the cursed wound completely. All my previous injuries, my cursed eye, they have all been healed. The hex has disappeared completely. I am free from it."
"Who was the person who healed you?" inquired the captain further, squinting his eyes slightly.
Lionne turned his face down for a moment, showing a smile.
"I don't know the appearance of the person… she was completely covered by a thick, brown cloak and a strange mask that resembled of a wolf in the dark, wearing and using a thick sword three grown men could hardly raise. Cutting through the undead like a guardian angel, no one could stop her. Defeating two skeletal dragons with a single strike, avenging my failure, beheading every necromancer in her way."
"I see…" nodded the captain slowly, considering the possibility of a new Godkin's appearance, even feeling the presence of a being like the Greed Kings or the six. People who rivalled the might of the six were indeed a horrific vision. Stumbling in the dark, uncertain about their intentions was a horrible feeling.
It was time, the hundred years period when godly individuals walked on the earth was ever closing. The Astrologer had predicted it. But she was unable to distinguish the nature of the coming deity. The future was still foggy.
"Do you think she was a Godkin?" asked the agent named Divine Chant. Her tone was filled with concern mixed with her hopes.
"I am sure of it…" nodded Lionne confidently, then turned to his former captain.
"She reminded me of you during the fight…"
Lionne remembered when he was still an operative, the good old days when he was able to fight on the side of the two former captains he had served with together.
His Captain pondered for a moment. "First that man named Wade, then the one who saved Lady Greta, then this third one… we need to find them…"
"We will certainly look out for her, such individual's place lies in the Theocracy," he said using his always calm tone.
"Captain! We scoured the cemetery and secured the catacombs. With one exception, the holy artefacts are safe," reported Beaumarchais, also called Divine Chain. The owner of the ninth seat of the Black Scripture.
"Good work," he nodded pondering. "Which artefact is missing?"
"The Dagger of Lord Surshana," replied Beaumarchais gravely.
Momentarily, the red-eyed man's eyes opened wide, then shrunk back their original size. Although the dagger was a strong artefact, the Cardinals did not consider the sacred knife as one of the great treasures of the Theocracy. It was still a significant loss losing it, but at least the necromancers did not find the one Great Treasure hidden in the city.
Breathing heavily, the captain regained his calm and continued.
"Collect the remained artifacts; the Windflower Scripture will do the rest. They will find the lost artifact and recover it with time," ordered the red-eyed man, then turned back to Lionne.
"Lionne, prepare Lady Greta. We will leave the city at noon. We have an urgent mission after this assignment we need to take care of."
"What about the city? Lady Greta is still recuperating, she can't travel in such state of health," warned him Lionne gravely. "Didn't the Cardinals sent further reinforcements in the city?"
"Reinforcements are underway. They will be here the next morning. The city is not our priority," stated in a cold tone the captain.
Lionne sighed. Nodding his head, he accepted the judgment of the red-eyed man, knowing he couldn't do anything to change his mind, neither he had the power to do it. Thus, reluctantly accepted the order.
"You are as focused as ever, Cap'n…"
Scene Change: Slane Theocracy Capital: Hall of the Six:
"Is it so? It was the doing of that foul necromancer cult?"
Raised his brow the keen-eyed man. The youngest one amongst the six cardinals, Raymond Zarg Lauransan as he called. The Cardinal of Earth.
The Captain just nodded as an answer.
"Yes… we completed our investigation before we left, but we found nothing crucial. The operatives of the cult, with a few traumatized exceptions, were annihilated. As the protocol dictates, we captured the remained ones. Their questioning is ongoing."
"What about that masked man? The one you called Wade," asked the cardinal of Earth once more.
"The masked man who called himself Wade and was praised by the local forces due to his heroic deeds completely disappeared. We found nothing about him, neither the adventurer that according to the description wore a huge sword, neither the third masked one who according to Lady Greta saved her life."
"Didn't the mayor know anything about the group they came with?" asked the Cardinal of Light called Yvon Jasna Dracrowa. Combining his skinny frame and narrow eyes his glare was really sinister looking.
The black-haired man shook his head. "No, your Excellency… the mayor only knew the name of the trader who hired the two adventurers. He was called O'Boyle. I spoke with him, personally."
The six cardinals looked at each other with an inquired expression, then back to the Captain of their most elite unit.
"After speaking with him, he revealed that he had met the two adventurers amongst the woods when they saved his life from the undead. After speaking with them, he suspected they were simple adventurers passing through in the Theocracy. Thus he offered them a contract that stated: They'd escort him back under his journey. In exchange, he would give them a generous sum. That's all; being most of the mercenary he hired died, it was a sensible solution."
"That's it?" asked Raymond with a slightly disturbed voice, glaring at the Godkin before his gaze
The captain nodded. "Yes, your Excellency… we found no trace of the mentioned adventurers. And following the man named O'Boyle was not an option in our current situation. Neither he knew their location; he suspected they abandoned the contract and fled from the city, first the woman, then the man named Wade, right after I offered him an invitation to the capital. We have no information about the other masked man outside of the clue Lady Greta provided us."
The cardinal of water shrugged hearing the lack of confidence in the captain's report. "Captain… is there something you are not telling us?"
The kneeling man just sighed. He should have known. He couldn't lie. It couldn't be helped. He was just like that.
"Yes, your excellency, as I stated before, the man named Wade slipped out of my grasp… we lost him. I wanted to stop him, but he disappeared like the morning fog."
"Are you implying he is a Godkin, Captain? No one has ever managed to get out of your grasp before. How is this possible?" asked the Cardinal of fire in a cold tone.
"Yes… there is a high chance both of them are godkins."
"Which ones?" asked the Cardinal of water with an uneasy expression.
"The man named Wade, and the woman who Sir Lionne just called by the nickname, 'the professional.' Unfortunately, we found no trace of her when we arrived. Neither the other masked man who saved Lady Greta as I stated before. Assuming she used magic to disguise her voice, wearing a thick cloak, the person who saved Lady Greta and helped Sir Lionne eliminate the undead threat in the cemetery maybe are the same person. I am not sure; he/she may be just an operative from another country passing by."
"What about their appearance? Do that trader described it to you?" asked back the Cardinal of Fire.
"No… he stated vehemently. The two adventurers never removed their masks in public. Under their three days long travel together they never revealed their appearance, not even when he invited them to dinner. Even then, it might be possible they wore an illusionary face like us."
"You spoke about Sir Lionne's cursed eye having been healed… how is it possible? The best healers of the Theocracy were unable to heal it for decades," asked Dominic Ihre Partouche, the Cardinal of wind. His expression was strict and questionable, glaring at the poor Captain.
"Yes, your Excellency. According to Sir Lionne, after the undead and the necromancers raided Lady Greta and her family, thanks to a betrayal, they managed to defeat the Yellow Flash. Barely any life remained in his body when the adventurer he just called, 'The Professional', appeared out of nowhere, healed him with some kind of powerful divine magic, then with her help, the two of them defeated every single necromancer, undead, and although he did not witness the act, he assured me, the Executive plotted the undead outbreak is no more. The carcass of the necromancer laid on the ground when he regained his consciousness. Although, the most likely Godkin had disappeared."
All six Cardinals gasped, looking at each other.
"So you say, the two of them marched in the middle of an undead-infested cemetery, annihilated every undead, necromancer and even the executive? Just the two of them?" the chubby-faced Cardinal of Fire asked excited, in her tone the glimpse of disbelief reverberated.
The red-eyed man bowed his head. "Yes, however, according to Sir Lionne. He took very little part at ending the undead outbreak. This… so-called 'Professional' made the brunt of the work. Defeating two skeletal dragons with a single strike, then annihilating every undead and necromancer in her immediate vicinity with her huge sword. According to Sir Lionne, it would take a considerable effort on his part to even swing the sword once. As he described the weapon: 'an oversized heap of iron'."
Raymond snickered for a moment. Hearing out the funky description his old friend and subordinate gave the weapon, the Cardinal of Darkness looked in his direction with a scolding glare.
"In the end… she destroyed the Zuranon Executive that controlled this foul plot. Thus ending the undead infestation," continued the captain.
Maximilian, the cardinal of darkness pushed up his round glasses on his nose. On his face a concerned expression.
"This is just worrisome, Captain. We need to find them and the lost artefact as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we can't spare resources for their search," explained the elder man with a concerned face.
"Your Excellency? Isn't the Windflower Scripture able to track them down along with the artefact? Hasn't the Sunlight Scripture finished with its task and returned?"
The Cardinal of Darkness released a tired sigh. "Unfortunately, we lost contact with the Sunlight Scripture yesterday, as well we needed the assistance of the Windflower Scripture for a more…" Clicking his tongue unpleasantly, the man revealed the truth. "Urgent mission."
"May I inquire about the nature of this… 'urgent mission' your Excellency?" begged the captain, still bowing his head down.
The Captain did not care what happened with that fool Nigun. He hated that man and his arrogance. The only reason for his concern was the treasure the Cardinals entrusted the Sunlight Scripture. Losing one of the artefacts would be a grave loss for the country. As much as the loss of the sacred dagger of the Death God.
"Clementine, who you left to guard the well-being of the Shaman Princess until the upcoming ceremony… betrayed us…"
"What!?" the red-eyed man jabbed his head up. Staring directly at the six Cardinals with disbelief.
Scene Change: Nazarick: Royal Suites: Momonga's office:
Behind his sturdy desk, Momonga sat. Pondering how to proceed, countless gears grinded his strained mind.
Two days had passed since the defeat of the special unit named Sunlight Scripture, and it had been since a few hours the report about the interrogation of their leader, the man called Nigun Grid Luin, had arrived.
Unfortunately, Neuronist did not manage to extract anything relevant from the man. He was just too fragile for her methods of torture. Thus, after asking him around two questions, Demiurge who overwatched the questioning stopped her. They couldn't risk the loss of a precious information source.
Neither had he managed to learn anything essential or crucial from the other survivors. Thus, he decided to imprison the remained few and the mumbling Nigun in the Frozen Prison of the Fifth Level.
Stockpile the dead bodies and proceed with the information they gained. The corpses would be useful later for experimental purposes.
With his new name… Ainz Ooal Gown, he gained new responsibilities as well.
He had to bear his friends' legacies. Until at least one of them turned up, he would be the one who would carry this great name, and with it, take the all the responsibility to spread the name of his guild. Hoping, his comrades might hear his call, and return back home.
In two days he would leave Nazario and venture out to gather information.
Not as he did not trust the proficient work of Albedo, Demiurge and the other vassals of Nazarick.
No, he trusted them, after all, they were the creations of his adored friends, their precious children.
Actually, there were two reasons why he wanted to go personally:
First. He tried to move out a little bit and explore his surroundings. Adventure a tiny bit. Spending six days amidst the walls of Nazarick was a dualistic experience, with both good and bad qualities.
Secondly. By going outside, he could gain experience; he could gather information first hand and assess the situation more precisely. More accurately than entrusting the task to his subordinates and like a taskmaster ordering them around behind his desk.
Relying on only the decision and words of your subordinates was a risky gamble. Building on the taskmaster mentality often led to the downfall or the spreading of inaccurate, false information amidst the ranks of an organisation.
Inaccurate information with each passing medium distorted and eroded. Thus, in the end, the managers received completely misleading knowledge, gaining the image of a curved mirror that showed the real situation differently.
Back on Earth, when he was a simple salaryman, the top management did similar things regularly.
Sending a manager in disguise to work amidst the simple workers and question them subtly, observe the situation. It was indeed a great tactic to know your employees' needs and assess what needed to fix without a medium.
A medium that often gave misleading reports. Usually not intentionally, but out of the fault of the communication channel. Or even the information became irrelevant, eroded by the time it reached the responsible manager.
It happened back then, and Momonga did not want to commit the same mistake many managers did back on Earth.
But even before he could start his adventure, he needed to solve one more urgent problem. The problem he had delayed for too long. The issue of the two NPCs that did not belong to Nazarick.
Questioning Albedo about Esdeath's creation, he finally managed to find him.
He was an area guardian on the Eight Floor. More precisely, he was the area guardian of the place called Quantum Labyrinth.
Ainz couldn't even imagine how many desperate players died under the siege in that place. The logs proved the deadly nature of the last real line of defence of the fortress.
According to the logs, more than one hundred players immediately logged out after their death.
Ainz helped design that place, and it was the place of total trolling. He and his comrades made sure of that.
If he would be one of the attacking players, he would rather search a new way around it or simply turn back. But being it was a one-way street, there was no way around it. Thus, the place swallowed many players before they could get past the first obstacle.
Pondering, he heard a knocking sound on his door.
"Come in…" waving his hand he invited inside the new arrivals.
The door opened and the head butler, Sebas, stepped in the door.
"Ainz-sama. Schrödinger-sama is here as you requested."
Ainz nodded. "Let him in."
Sebas bowed once again and stepped aside. From the small gap, a head peeked out, showing a curious gaze of a teenager.
Blinking a few times with his pinkish coloured eyes, the boy looked around with a curious glee, then let himself in. Making two exaggeratedly long steps, he stepped near Sebas.
"Guten Tag, Mine Kommandant-sama! It iz nice to meet you finally," he addressed Ainz in a casual, playful tone as he raised his hand and saluted. His tone implied a heavy German accent.
Ainz looked through the boy.
According to his appearance, he took the form of a young boy; he couldn't be older than fourteen years old, with cat ears adorning his head and an unsettling perpetual smirk adorning his face.
The boy was dressed in a Neo-Nazi Youth uniform which consisted of black shorts, a yellow dress shirt, black knee high socks and a black tie. He also wore white gloves and black dress shoes.
A cattail was swinging behind his back. He kinda reminded Momonga of an anime character, still, that perpetual smirk made him feel uneasy.
His light, dirty blonde hair was contrasting with his pinkish eyes.
"You'll address Ainz-sama properly, area guardian of the eight floor… Schrödinger," with a stern glare, Albedo scolded the young officer.
"Oi! But… I just did so! Alte Hexe Oma Wächter Aufseher-sama!" quipped the cat-eared boy, using a casual tone.
Oh, if just Albedo knew what 'Alte Hexe Oma' meant in German. She would have been so furious.
Albedo nodded. She did not know what the 'Alte Hexe Oma Wächter Aufseher' meant, but being used with the sama honorific; she thought she understood what the area guardian implied and she was satisfied with the correction and the apology.
"That's enough!" Ainz raised his voice, the turned back to Schrödinger.
"Schrödinger… do you know why I called you here?"
The boy shook his head, showing an innocent expression. "No, mine Führer… I have no idea."
Backing slightly, Ainz was surprised. Why did he call him Führer? It was weird! Searching the reason, the undead lord realised its superfluity and proceeded with a shrug. "You know your creator, right?"
The boy nodded. "Yes, of cuse, of cuse I know her! Such a silly question, vhy do you ask my Führer?"
"Her? Does he think he is a girl?" pondered Momonga in himself surprised.
Imagining even the absurd possibility of he bexoming she, he found it ridiculous, thus proceeded. However, it made him smile for a moment, imagining his reaction when he would first awake under such circumstances. Truly priceless. He only hoped if he was here, it was not the case. But still, imagining the reaction of a prankster like him getting pranked was just too amusing to let it go.
Looking back at Schrödinger, he proceeded.
"You know about your master's two other creations, right?"
"Yep, my dear Schwester und Bruder… always sitting in their boring room. Vating for the Obersturmbannführer to return. They are pretty boring if you ask mich," he explained playfully, rolling his eyes.
Because of his heavy German accent, Momonga was barely able to understand him, but was still able to filter what he implied.
Albedo stepped forward. "As I stated previously, area guardian Schrödinger, you'll give Ainz-sama the proper respect as intended or you will be placed in custody," shooting a glare and letting her killing intent flow, she wanted to force him back.
But Schrödinger just picked his ear, tilted his head and continued to smile to the Guardian Overseer like he did nothing wrong, pissing her even more.
If you asked Ainz, it was his intention. Knowing his past friend's personality, the boy was just like his creator, a person who loved pulling pranks on others and pissing them off occasionally. It was not surprising he made Schrödinger like that.
"Albedo, I said, it is fine… there's no need for these formalities right now." Momonga slightly turned to the Guardian Overseer, then back to the boy.
Albedo bowed deeply, showing a regretful, sad expression.
"I am sorry Ainz-sama." From her eyes, she saw Scrödinger's sinister smile pull even wider, mocking her.
The smile that mocked her with its mere existence, if not for Ainz's presence in the room, she would have already introduced him to how to treat his superiors.
"I see…" Ainz nodded understanding, then proceeded. "About your relatives. What do you think? They are a threat or not?"
"Ich thinks not… Do you wish for me to investigate them?" asked Schrödinger, still using his playful tone, angling his body slightly to his left side.
Ainz nodded. "Yes, but wait for my command. I'll prepare the adequate guardians who can stop them if it's necessary. If it's okay with you…"
"Of couse! Of couse! Your vish is my command, mine Führer!" he bowed deeply.
Ainz groaned deep inside, just why was he calling him Führer? It was just weird.
"One last question before you leave."
Schrödinger bowed his head a few times, showing an inquired expression, leaning forward.
"Are you willing to attack your own relatives if it comes to it? Where your loyalty lies? Are you willing to raise a hand against your master if it's necessary?"
Every eye watched the area guardian, one wrong word, one wrong move, one single command from Ainz, be it verbal or motional and every vassal would jump at the chance to eliminate the area guardian.
Still, he seemed careless, like a person who did not even care about his own fate. Life or death, it did not matter to him at all.
Schrödinger titled his head, pondering for a few moments, then his sly smile returned.
"Of course, of course, for you, mein Führer, anything. But if accidentally mein Obersturmbannführer vuld return, she is the one I vuld take commands. If she vuld return, she vuld command mich selber. But you are strong enough to stop this humble sevant… aren't you? Mein Führer?"
Schrödinger asked teasingly, squinting his eyes slightly as he assessed Ainz.
Albedo gritted her teeth, barely able to contain her boiling rage. Her perfect mask almost broke under the unimaginable pressure.
She wanted to tear, she wanted to destroy, she wanted to demolish this traitor!
Ainz nodded, then waved him away. "Very well, please accompany Sebas until the required staff arrives."
Schrödinger nodded, then bowed deeply, slightly glancing towards Albedo and shooting her a mocking glee one last time. "Very well, mein Führer…" with that he left the room. Sebas followed him.
Scene Chance: No man's land between the Slane Theocracy and the Kingdom of Re-Estize:
In the middle of the no man's land that separated the Slane Theocracy and the Kingdom of Re-Estize, there was a small green forest that was thriving with life, expect for one exact small patch in the middle of it.
This one exact place looked deserted and withered, with no natural life present. No living being remained in its immediate vicinity; even the birds tried to avoid it.
In the middle of the dead area, a humongous tree stood proud, most likely hundreds and hundreds of years old, maybe even a thousand, adorned with dry, blackened leaves and trunk.
According to the legends, in the old times, those lucky few the tree gifted with its fruit gained good fortune and a prosperous, long life.
Still, now, both the humongous tree as well the area seemed abandoned, decaying, blacked, like some kind of illness had attacked it long ago.
Magic casters of all kind; divine, druidic shamanistic, alchemists, many different people from around the world came here once, trying to resurrect the dying tree, trying to revive it and gain its fruit once more.
All without success. Everyone who came here departed richer with a bad experience.
Everyone failed, even heroic individuals left the place with the sour face of failure. It was said, everyone who passed through that place was cursed with bad luck, cursed until the end of their shortened life.
According to the superstition and the legends of the locals, the place became the source of bad luck after the overusage of the life-force in the area. Straining the good nature of the spirit that inhabited the tree, twisting and pushing it to desperation with each request.
The spirit that guarded and blessed the area most likely couldn't bear the strain and the weight of the constant requests anymore, falling into a desperate slumber. Thus, her sorrow cursed the very ground. The grief of the creature withered nature itself around the tree.
Fewer people knew about it, but there was a second version of the legend. It was the more popular one amongst the well-read folks.
According to the second version:
One day, a dark, evil mage arrived here, requesting a single fruit from the tree, demanding, threatening the spirit that resided in the area to share her power.
The goddess that ruled over the woods, of course, refused the request. Sensing the vile nature of the magic caster, she could not possibly bring herself to give that man prosperity and luck.
Despite all his threats, power and effort, the spirit of the tree refused to bow to his will, resisted the dark magic caster with all her effort, urging her children to fight against the dark forces the man haf brought with himself.
In the end, the dark mage failed, with his army scattered. The man, of course, did not relent, seeing his dark army fail, he left a curse as a goodbye gift. A memento to everyone who came here seeking the aid of the nature goddess, cursing the area with a malicious hex.
After his departure, thanks to the foul magic the magic caster practiced, the goddess fell into a deep slumber. Her children scattered clueless, all around the world. The whole area transformed, got twisted, corrupted. Without the nurturing presence of the spirit, the dark presence started to gain more and more foothold, dooming every living being that approached the area, reversing the effect of the blessing.
If the dark magic caster couldn't claim the power of the spirit, no one would receive the blessing of the goddess. The previously worshipped nature goddess was now slumbering, waiting for the right person to break her curse. Break her curse and give her freedom back.
The curse came into effect slowly, but steadily. Under the years, weakening her presence, pushing the goddess into a deep sleep. Making her beloved children forget her existence and wander away. Scatter in the four directions of the compass.
Luck turned into misfortune as time passed, prosperity turned into ruin, instead of the long life, the fruit of the tree shortened the consumer's life.
And after that, the tree no longer bore fruits, neither flowers. The descendants of the nature goddess disappeared, forgetting their mother's existence maybe forever.
The area remained blank, black, only its black leaves and the surrounding area made the people remember the dreadful curse that settled upon this patch of ground.
Of course, all of this was just hearsay. In truth, no one knew what really had happened. Everyone just guessed the origin of the curse.
Around the humongous tree, in a few stores distance, every wood seemed sick, ill, decayed. Thus, everyone avoided this place; even the local beasts tried to get as far as they could. Being it was the no man's land between the two nations, the patrols of the two countries rarely passed through here.
Outside of a few people trying to cure the lands from time to time, the area was deserted.
Dark whispers stained the air; no sane person dared to get close to the tree since several hundred years.
Still, now, one lone person sat on the decaying branch of the great tree. Clothed thickly in a whole body covering tattered, brown cloak, spitting in the eye of the curse. Resisting, refusing to acknowledge it.
The figure stared into the distance as the new rays of the sun stung through the clouds. But even the sun did not dare approach the cursed ground. No, above the great tree, only gloomy clouds flowed, coloured almost pitch black. Making the area feel gloomy and just simply unnatural.
Pondering on something, she hummed a melodic lullaby.
The person who sat on the branch wore a strange mask; still, from her intense glare, it was apparently visible she was thinking hard.
It had been almost half a day since she sat on the branch and hummed, waiting for her companions to arrive.
"Oi! Raidyn-san? What are you doing here?" stepped closer to the tree a fully armoured man.
Raidyn merely glanced down at him, still pondering behind her mask.
"Don't you know this tree is the source of bad luck? According to the history of the surrounding nations, everyone who came close to it eventually suffered some kind of natural disaster from mother nature."
Raidyn huffed as she looked down to the man. "I should say the same to you… Tyron-kun… don't you fear Mother Nature's wrath…?" she joked, turning the man's word against him.
"Nah…" he waved away Raidyn's concern uninterested.
"I am not that superstitious. Not like a few of my clients and subordinates…" glancing back he saw O'Boyle with his only remaining carriage and behind him, the remaining Iron Manticores trembling, standing just before the border where the dead ground started.
"Ca-Captain? What are you doing!?" they shouted in a terrified tone, worrying about their leader's well-being, fearing he might carry the curse with himself and infect them.
"What are you doing idiots!? You will bring ruin for all of us!" shouted O'Boyle from afar, far avoiding the dead area.
Looking back, Tyron just smirked amusedly. "Hah… superstitions..." he mocked them gleefully.
Raidyn jumped down and landed softly on his side. "What are they speaking about…?"
"Nothing important, just according to a local superstition; whoever enters this area will get cursed with bad luck for the rest of their life, that's all," he stated calmly, like it was not even concerning.
The woman nodded twice, then looked back at the tree.
"Hmm… I feel nothing strange… maybe it is really just a notion."
"Aside from that… Luck doesn't exist, just probability and the chance that probability happens. Mathematically completely describable…" she thought.
Tyron smirked, then his expression turned stern. "By the way… where is Wade-kun? We didn't see him since he jilted those meddlesome agents."
"Agents?" Raidyn raised her brow.
"Interesting, what kind of agents?" she inquired, discarding completely the first question.
"Ah… nothing important, just some kind of special agents of Theocracy, they asked us a few questions then let us go without harm, that's all…" with a simple hand motion, Tyron waved her concern away.
"Fortunately, O'Boyle-dono's sharp, silver tongue managed to get us out of trouble in record time. Don't worry; we told them nothing important about the two of you," Tyron assured her calmly.
"That's very nice of you… Thank you Tyron-san… we appreciate your kindness…"
"What are you still doing there?! Get your assess here in an instant!" boiled at them O'Boyle from a distance. The adventurer and the mercenary just watched as the strange stocky trader pulled his hair nervously.
...
The mercenary leader sighed and shook his head seeing the childishness of the situation, remembering, he needed to bear such people day after day. People who threw salt behind their backs after they accidentally crossed under a ladder.
"We better go, or our employer will blow up…" joked the armour-clad man. Raidyn just chuckled obliging. It would be amusing to watch if it indeed happened or not, but she owed these people. She would keep her promise. She was not a big liar, not even back on Earth.
But she had a few creeds back then, creeds she intended to keep even in her current life. Amongst them:
"Trust is earned, respect is given, and loyalty is demonstrated. Betrayal of any one of those is to lose all three."
Yes, she remembered the old quote and she urged herself to live accordingly. Even back, when she was her former self, she believed in karma and pushed herself to have more positive than less. Deceiving these people with more lies than necessary would go against her promise.
Turning towards her impatient employer, then back to the tree, she watched it one last time, enjoying the strange sight for a moment.
"But first…" Tyron headed towards the tree, determination brimming in his eyes. Removing his gauntlet, the mercenary unsheathed his dagger, cutting his hand and pouring some blood on the sturdy roots.
Raidyn looked him intrigued; it must have been some kind of local custom.
"I thought you are not superstitious… Tyron-kun…" she asked carefully, not to accidentally hurt a taboo.
The man smiled and bowed his head. "I am not… but I've met dryads before, the children of the forest as they call themselves. Most of them are peaceful, hiding even from the mere gaze of the people. But there are a few of them, a handful who are actually vengeful, seeking to eliminate everyone who is trespassing their territory without paying the toll, giving their respect…"
Thinking back at it, according to the lore of YGGDRASIL, dryads were like that.
Even in the game, it was hard to find the higher levelled ones without proper items or job classes. Most of them fled if it came to battle, but there also existed ones who violently attacked the players who trespassed their territory.
Pouring some blood near the tree, the ground devoured it in an instant. Like it thirsted for blood. Like something needed that blood.
Esdeath watched it with fascination, and she wondered how her blood would affect the ground. It was an experiment worth to conduct. If she failed, at most she would modify the memories of Tyron and the onlookers.
She tested it under her stay in that inn, one of the maids opened the door without knocking and saw a glimpse of her face. Thus, she modified her memory with the skill [Mind Hacking].
Even modifying a few seconds worth of memory cost a great deal of concentration and made her head ache. Thus, she'd rather not do it again. But now, she could make an exception.
Stepping beside Tyron, removing her metallic gloves, she took out a simple looking dagger under her disguise.
Tyron raised his brow but said nothing. He simply turned away and walked farther.
Paying the toll was a solitary thing, no one should watch others doing it.
Raidyn cut her hand and flinched slightly. It was painful as expected.
Clenching her fist, her blood dripped to the ground. To her surprise, it was not coloured crimson red as most of the mammals back on Earth.
No… it was glowing golden, outlined with a black haze that reached to devour the light around itself, like a devouring void reaching towards its surroundings.
The earth accepted the toll and devoured it as expected. Not without a momentary struggle of course.
Esdeath sighed, then stood up. Equipping her gloves once again, she felt her injured hand starting to heal immediately, the hole on her underarmour fixing itself, closing the wound under record time.
Walking to Tyron, under her way she felt something entering in her AIM field from above. Stepping aside, she caught the thing that almost hit her, doing it with a lazy motion.
Inspecting the fallen thing, it was a fruit, strange in colouration and form.
The fruit looked healthy enough, appropriate for consumption. How and where it came from; she had no idea, she had never seen such weird looking fruit before. Neither she had spotted similar things hanging from the timber before, and she sat on its branch for almost a half day.
Of course, spotting the strange happenings, Tyron's eyes widened.
"Oooh! The dryad that resides in the tree is grateful for your contribution, Raydin-san! You are really lucky! It is almost unheard of the tree spirit gifting someone so prosperously after only one offering."
Looking at the strange fruit, then the three behind her she huffed. She felt odd, like something was watching her in her immediate vicinity.
Her sensory abilities showed nothing, only her newfound sixth sense and instincts screamed at her to investigate the area.
It was just a feeling, nothing more. Not pleasant, but neither unpleasant. It was just there, like a strange itch in the back of her neck.
Shrugging the thought away, she put the fruit in the bag hanging on her side. Later she would inspect it.
"By the way… where is Wade-san?" asked Tyron once again.
"Umu…. I am sure Wade will catch up later…" she stated calmly.
"~I am here Raidyn-san!~" his ringing voice startled Raidyn, catching her off guard momentarily.
Out of fright, she released a girlish yelp. It was embarrassing hearing her own voice in such high pitched tone.
After all, she couldn't even get accustomed with her new, normal voice; this whole thing was new to her.
Turning around, like a flash, she chopped her companion's head with the edge of her palm.
"You idiot! I warned you multiple times not to do this!" she stomped on the ground, knocking his servant out immediately.
Wade's body twitched and limped on the ground like a dead animal.
"How scary…" the half-dead changeling shuttered before his vision went blank, suffering from his master's heavy chop.
Tyron chuckled as Raidyn stomped away from them, heading towards the impatient O'Boyle.
"It seems you are still a normal person. Under that heroic persona, you are like everyone else. Ah… Lady Raidyn…" he murmured dreamily, looking wondering in the direction of the beautiful heroine. Wondering if the two of them would ever have the chance to get know each other better.
Grabbing the still twitching Wade, Tyron dropped him under his armpit and carried him. Smiling, the mercenary left the withered area alone.
Unknown to them, but steadily, a few green leaves and a strange flower started to appear on the tree.
Leaving the no man's land, the new chapter of Esdeath's adventure had just begun.
The winds blew, bawl in the direction of their new destination, the direction of the Fortress City of E-Rantel.
What awaits them… Only the author knows…
-I-(-;-) -I- Omake -I-(-;-) -I-
Being the head butler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick comes with great responsibility.
Let's follow now the usual day of the head butler, Sebas Tian.
Sebas, if you would be so kind… please.
The Iron Butler bowed graciously, on his face the usual stern expression. "As you wish…"
Turning around, Sebas headed in the room that served as the gathering ground of the maids.
"Every morning the maids gather here after a good meal in the canteen, speaking and discussing the tasks of the day…" he stated. Behind him, the maids were discussing, chatting with each other, gossiping the news of past and present.
What kind of tasks if you allow me to ask.
"Usually simple cleaning duty, providing services to the denizens of Nazarick, mostly for the Supreme Beings."
Services?
"Services…" he confirmed, however, in his mind several dirty thoughts ran through.
Damn Demiurge! He has already influenced his impeccable self negatively.
I see… But what are they doing day after day? There is only one Supreme Being remaining.
"Nazarick is a big place, there is plenty to do, from dusting Ainz-sama's room to cleaning the beetle faeces from Kyouhukou's room, the Black Capsule. Occasionally cleaning up after Shalltear-sama's," Sebas coughed nervously.
"adventures..." Finishing his sentence, he continued.
"Although the homunculus maids of this level never move farther than the boundaries of the ninth and the tenth floor, there is plenty to do. The cleaning of the remained eight floors remains for the other servants and the Pleiades."
"Uggghhh… I am appointed to clean Ainz-sama's room and to be his personal maid for the day! I am so lucky!" squealed one of the homunculus maids, called Cixous.
"You are so lucky, Cixous-chan! I have been waiting my turn for ages! That's not fair!"
Many disapproving, jealous squeals and pouts reverberated in the background as the maids chattered between each other.
Sebas just slightly glanced at them, shaking his head disapprovingly, then turned back at the questioner.
And what is your daily task?
"After coordinating the maids, I proceed to serve Ainz-sama's needs. Usually, simple butler work, serving his needs, guarding him. In my spare time inspecting the work of maids, overseeing that the quality of their work indeed reaches the appropriate level that fits the custom of Nazarick."
It must be boring, seeing the enthusiasm of the maids they must do a pristine work.
Sebas nodded, an almost unrecognisable small smile visible on his face. "Indeed, from time to time, their work is… just too pristine…."
Flashback:
After a long day of work, Ainz only wanted to lay down on his bed, ease his strained mind. Opening his door, a blinding light reached his ocular.
Even his undead vision needed a few seconds to adapt to the sudden shining reflecting back from the shiny wooden parts of the interior and the floor. Raising his hand, he covered his face.
"What the!" he spat disturbed.
Removing his skeletal hand from his vision after a few seconds, the scene was revealed before him.
The floor and the wooden parts of the interior were polished so thoroughly the whole room shined in a blinding light. Even when the only light source was the faintly dimming chandelier above Ainz's bed, it was blinding.
"What the heck! What the hell happened to my room?!" he backed out from his surprise.
Because the light focused on one exact place, his bedsheet caught on fire.
"Ahhhh! Fire! Fire!" Equipping his pitcher of endless water, his bed got drenched.
Flashback end
Right…
Sebas nodded sternly. "But there are times when I receive a special assignment."
From Lord Ainz?
Sebas shook his head. "Not really. Ainz-sama has not given me special tasks since my humble self-maintain bodyguard duty around him. The only task I did was to guard his wellbeing and scouted the outside vicinity. But I used to receive a special task from Lady Albedo as well from Lady Shalltear. The two of them used to entrust me with a stranger and stranger request after each time."
Can you tell me about these strange assignments? Only if it's allowed of course.
Sebas nodded and started to speak.
Flashback:
Looking around suspiciously, Sebas entered Momonga's room. Seeing no one in the scene, the Iron Butler took out two suspicious looking cloths, one white and one crimson red. Seeing no one was around, he started to brush Momonga's bed. His two pillows to be exact.
One of the pads was rubbed with the white cloth; the other was rubbed with the crimson-coloured towel, and in the end, arranging the bed, making it neat once again, rubbing the seductive scent of two women into the bed sheet of the ruler of the tomb.
Finishing his task, Sebas put away the two simple looking cloths and then left the room, making sure no one had recognised his presence.
Naturally, later Momonga arrived. Laying down on his bed, the Overlord felt two kinds of scents mixing up in the air. They were quite familiar. Not that bad kind of familiar, but a good variety of familiarity.
He had felt this fragrance before. Leaning closer to his left pillow, he felt Albedo's fragrance. Leaning closer to his right pad, he sniffed Shalltear's scent.
He did not know how it was possible, the two of them had never entered his room before. No, shaking his head he rejected the idea.
It must have been his imagination that played fool with him. He really needed to relax a little bit. Despite his undead nature, he had started to imagine things. Sighing deeply, the Overlord continued to stare the cellar of his room, enjoying the fragrance of the two women.
Meanwhile in their respective rooms, the two women squealed. Hiding under their bed sheets, faint screams reverberated amidst the walls of the tomb, recognising their master had identified the new presence in his room.
Flashback end.
Right… that was awkward…
Sebas bowed his head in agreement. Slightly sweating, on his always steady face uneasiness flashed through for a moment.
Hearing a crashing sound in the background, Sebas turned to its direction, seeing a kid-like person causing the said ruckus.
"If you excuse me for a moment… There is a sudden problem I need to take care…" Flashing away, he left his interviewer alone.
Well… this was unexpected.
"What a delicious little toy I've found here…" chuckled a sultry female voice behind the interviewer. He turned around and saw a blonde woman in a maid uniform. In her eyes a seductive, hungry light.
Well... hi... He said nervously, just to be interrupted by the beautiful blonde maiden.
"I wonder how you taste…" the woman got closer under a moment, then hugged the interviewer in a passionate hug.
Meanwhile, her body started to take more water like form.
Get away from me! Ahhh! (Gurgling sounds and screams)
The predator slime found her meal for the day, swallowing the guest whole. It was her hobby to listen to the cries of her victims.
A moment later Sebas returned, looking left and right searching for the guest.
Looking in the direction of the bloated Solution, he asked.
"Solution, did you see our guest? He just stood there a moment ago."
"I did not see him Sebas-sama... he must have wandered away..."
Looking at Solution, Sebas suspiciously watched her. "Didn't you ate him? You look strangely bloated."
Shaking her head, she offered her best chubby, innocent face. "No, Sebas-sama. I just ate an hour ago and I'm still dissolving my meal. Do you wish fir me to look for him?"
Sebas pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Yes, please do that, I have tasks to attend..."
Solution nodded. "If you'll excuse me... I'll return to my work."
Sebas bowed his head approvingly. "Do that..."
The head butler left, and Solution retreated in a dark, dampened corner, enjoying the screams of the slowly dissolving man in her body.
Gruuuuu
A/N:
Well, that's for the end of ARC I. I hope you enjoyed it.
The start of ARC II may take a while. Please be patient. :)
Until then. Stay safe! :)
Alte Hexe Oma Wächter Aufseher= Old witch Granny Guardian Overseer
Obersturmbannführer= senior assault unit leader
Updated: 2018.03.22
