Last Remnants

by Artful Lounger

At the end of service, on the last day before the servers shut down, thirty seven members of the Guild Ainz Ooal Gown were retired. The other three paid one last visit to the Great Tomb of Nazarick before going their own way, leaving Momonga alone. But what if those three stuck around until the end?

10. Chapter 10

Last Remnants chapter ten, as promised.

So, I'd like to point out an inconsistency I've found. Regarding money in Overlord. In volume two, it's said that thirty two gold coins are enough for a family to live comfortably for three years. In volume seven, it's said that three gold coins are enough to feed an average family for a month. Needless to say, these values do not add up. And the value of coinage in the Kingdom and the Empire is supposed to be equivalent. With that said, given how much Brita made a fuss over almost two gold coins for the value of her spilled potion, I'm going to be cleaving more towards the prior value, where ten gold coins are enough for a year rather than thirty. If it takes thirty gold coins for an average family to survive for a year, two gold coins isn't that huge an amount of money, especially for an Adventurer; even if they are low rank. So it makes more sense, to me at least, for the gold coin to have the stronger buying power in the face of this discrepancy.

Now, I played the events of volume one pretty close to canon. That was partially due to necessity thanks to the identical point of origin for the story. Now that we've moved beyond the initial events, you're going to see how things change with a few more Supreme Beings thrown into the mix for Momonga to bounce ideas off of, to add other points of view into things, and to come up with ideas of their own. To say nothing of how the changed events of the previous few chapters change perspectives for Momonga and others.

This will be the start of where things go down a different road than canon. I hope you enjoy it.

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In the southeastern part of the Kingdom of Re-Estize stood the Fortress City of E-Rantel. It straddled the borders of the Baharuth Empire and the Slane Theocracy and was renowned for its three layers of walls. These concentric circles of stone and mortar divided the city into three districts.

The outermost district was usually used to host the armies of the Kingdom in times of war. As a result the area boasted numerous barracks, training fields, and other military facilities. While it also hosted the barracks used by the city guard, perhaps the most famous feature of this area was the massive graveyard that took up approximately one quarter of all the available space, the largest graveyard in either the Kingdom of the Empire.

The heavily guarded innermost district was the administrative heart of the city, featuring the manor of the city's Lord-Mayor, the tax collector's office, storehouses for military rations and government issued weapons, and the homes of the wealthy elite of the city.

It was in the middle district that the common people made their homes and livings, featuring numerous plazas, shops, guilds, inns, and everything else one would expect from a city.

Everything except what one young man was looking for.

Nothing created by man was perfect, everything had its ups and downs. In every city, no matter how picturesque and prosperous, there were places that people were happy to frequent, and places that mothers told their children to avoid. The Pauper's District that he had been exploring for the past half hour would be an excellent example of the latter.

This young man was plain by many standards. In his roughspun shirt and pants held up by a rope belt, he looked maybe a bit down on his luck but he wouldn't have stood out in a crowd. With his shaggy blond hair, blue eyes, and pale skin, he would have fit in anywhere in the Kingdom.

The only thing that felt off, if one were to stay in his presence long enough to notice it, was the distinct air of disdain he seemed to hold toward everything around him. He didn't have the presence of some down-on-his-luck bum that his clothes would portray.

This air of disdain might have made one suspect the youth of being a noble in disguise, slumming it among the commoners for a day. It was this idea, perhaps combined with dissatisfaction with the way the city was run, that resulted in this young man being cornered in this bad part of town by a trio of burly men.

One look at the three was enough to guess that these weren't people who led lives to be proud of. Their clothes were stained, their muscles clear to see, and scars on their faces and arms declared a history spent on the wrong side of at least one fight. More scars on their knuckles proved they weren't always on the receiving side of violence.

Their intended victim looked from one to the next as he was backed into a corner, a sneer forming on his lips as he spoke "Is there anything I can do to help you gentlemen?"

The three toughs smiled, revealing poor dental hygiene among other things as one swept greasy bangs away from his eyes. "Yeah, you can help us, sure. All you have to do is hand over any money you have, and scamper off to wherever the hell you came from and we won't have no trouble."

Normally when these men tried something like this their targets were cowering in fear. This one just looked up at the one who spoke, who towered at least a foot taller than him, and replied "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I've lost my wallet. If you want payment you're going to have to look elsewhere."

Another of the thugs slowly started cracking his knuckles. "Ah, I'm sorry to hear that. Really, I am. If we had the money, we'd go and enjoy ourselves at a tavern. But if we don't have the money to do that, we're going to have to find some… other means… of entertainment."

As the other two sniggered at the threat the one they were closing in on finally backed into a wall, stuck in the corner of two ramshackle houses.

"I see. And I take it you expect me to supply this other means to entertain yourselves?"

The third tough, a bit shorter than the other two, smiled wide at the question, letting his rancid breath sour the air around him. "That's right, I'm glad you understand."

The young man just shook his head and sighed as one of the three reached out to grab him. "You sure you want to do this? Last chance."

The thug's only response was a snarl as he snatched the collar of the youth's tunic and dragged him forward.

A scream echoed throughout the alley as their would-be-victim seized that same hand with inhuman strength, but it was quickly silenced as the thug was pulled in and knocked unconscious with a single punch to the jaw. The crack of breaking bone was unmistakable.

The other two thugs were shocked but quickly regained their wits as their friend flopped to the floor. They rushed forward with shouts of indignant rage.

Their target stepped in, reaching up to grab one of them by his neck and belt before bodily throwing him toward the nearest wall. A vicious 'crunch' resounded through the alley as he flopped to the ground and lay still.

Before the third man could react, the boy was already in front of him. A punch to the abdomen knocked the air from his lungs, and a second punch to the neck sent the man to the ground.

All was silent as the young man glanced at his would-be robbers and shook his head. They had no way of knowing what they were getting into, but that didn't change the fact that they should have realized something was wrong.

'I gave them every chance to leave me alone, but they kept coming. And once they actually tried to attack me I had no choice. It's not like I can run away.'

It didn't help that he was in a foul mood. He had spent all morning searching all over this rat's nest people here called a city and he didn't find anything remotely close to what he was looking for. It was a major disappointment, and the obvious squalor of some areas didn't help his opinion of the city much either.

'No charm, no culture, no literacy, hardly any paved roads even…. And then some idiots try to mug me. If things don't look up soon, I'm pretty sure I'm going to burn this place down because this is just plain inexcusable.'

He looked around at the three unconscious men. It didn't take long to see that the wounds they sustained were filled with a celestial, ethereal light.

That light burned the flesh it clung to, widening and deepening the wounds as they filled the alley with the reek of burning meat.

The neck and solar plexus of the third man, the neck and the shoulder of the second, and the wrist and jaw of the first; in all of these places a quiet fire burned. The punishment for daring to touch something greater than they could ever hope to be.

Before long the men would be corpses, and then the corpses would be completely gone, leaving no trace of what had happened.

'Those idiots really shouldn't have gotten in my way, but I can't exactly leave them like this. It would just be a waste.'

He had already gone easy on them; if he had hit them as hard as he wanted to they would have been ripped apart. So he willfully deactivated the skill that dealt continuous fire and holy damage to targets he struck and the holy flame ceased burning. One casting of 'Mass Cure Light Wounds' later and the men were back in the fullness of health, if still unconscious.

The young man took a quick glance around before pointing toward the corner he was trapped in a moment ago. "[Portal]"

A dark oval appeared in the stone just in time for the first thug to fly through it, swiftly followed by the other two. The young man poked his head through to give orders to what waited on the other side and then he let the magic fade. It would be a waste to kill them when they were worth so much more alive.

He swiftly left the alley and made his way back toward the main street. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the essence of the city around him. The stench of food scraps, mold, horse shit, and numerous other reeks made their presence known.

He held his breath for just a moment before letting it out, shaking his head. 'First things first, I need to cheer myself up. Those idiots helped, but it wasn't enough.'

The young man was thoroughly disappointed in this collection of hovels, even though he already lowered his expectations. Beating up a few worthless fools and securing a few new sacrifices wasn't enough to ease his wrath by itself. It burned like a low flame in the back of his mind, constantly interrupting his thoughts, constantly getting in the way.

He couldn't leave it as it was. He would never have any peace.

With that in mind he quickly got the attention of a random passerby. "Excuse me sir, but where can I find the nearest temple?"

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Elsewhere in the city, far from the ramshackle squalor of the Pauper's District, the people were much more vigorous and lively. The air in the Central Plaza was practically festive as vendors cried their wares as people went about their business. Older women haggled for meat and vegetables and spices while younger men purchased hot food to eat then and there.

The rowdy atmosphere was practically festive as the common people went about their lives.

But the energy quickly stilled as a trio of people emerged from a five storey building.

The first was a beautiful woman who looked to be in her early twenties. Her pale skin was like ivory in the sunlight, and her kind eyes were like obsidian. Her beautiful black hair was coiled into a bun at the back of her head, and between her hairstyle and the glasses she wore she gave off a stern yet kind atmosphere that would make any man swoon. She wore no armor, only a long-sleeved shirt and a pair of pants made of a gauzy white material and held up by a solid black belt. Gauntlets made of a silvery metal covered her hands and wrists, while greaves made of the same material protected her shins atop a pair of embroidered leather boots that encased her feet. She may have dressed like a boy, but everything she wore accentuated a curvaceous figure that any woman would envy. Wrapped tightly around her neck was a black choker embedded with opals that reminded one of the trappings of high aristocracy alongside a loop of simple string that held bore what looked like an inch of steel inscribed with mysterious runes.

She was gorgeous, but more than her physical beauty it was her elegance and poise that drew the eye of any that beheld her, she moved with a mesmerizing grace.

If the first woman was light, the second was dark. Her skin was the color of caramel and her eyes were like amber. Her fiery red hair was held in a pair of braids that reached all the way down to her waist. A wide smile showed a cheer that would liven up any room she happened to walk into. She wore a black dress that reached all the way down to her ankles and sported a somewhat low neckline, showing the barest hint of cleavage as she filled out her dress. Not as busty as the other woman, but still enough to make any man happy. A long slit up the side of the dress showed a generous measure of luscious thigh above calf-high boots while a white leather belt encircled her waist and held a trio of wands made of pale blue crystal. Black silk gloves, a cap of white cloth, a golden necklace, and a pair of black metal bracelets completed her outfit. The thing that truly stood out however was the massive staff of silver and black she carried on a strap that went over her shoulder. The head of the weapon was wider than her shoulders and the girl hefted it along like it weighed nothing at all.

She smiled and waved with both hands as she passed by the people who watched her and her companions in awed silence. She didn't have the stern warmth of her companion, but it was clear that her cheer and joy would melt many hearts.

The gender of the third was unidentifiable under their voluminous clothing. A voluminous mantle of shimmering gray cloth went over a robe of the same soft gray material and the robe's hood was pulled forward to conceal the face in shadow. Iron gauntlets sheathed the figure's hands as it grasped a staff of black metal decorated with silvery runes topped with an emerald orb. A thick black leather belt secured around the figure's waist, and it was covered in loops that secured half a dozen scrolls and a pair of black wands. As the shapeless thing in gray walked forward the light cast away some of the hood's shadows, and a few people gasped as they recognized the green sheen of orichalcum. The green mask was shaped to give the impression of lips and nose, and a pair of oval holes for the eyes. The mask was otherwise decorated with a blazing sapphire in the middle of the forehead, and intricate patterns of gold and platinum surrounded the gem and trailed out above the mask's eyes. Anyone who knew anything about metals would recognize that the piece had to be worth a fortune. The gleam that suggested that it was magically enchanted only added to its value. That mask would be worthy equipment for an orichalcum, maybe even an Adamantite Adventurer.

The fact that they were Adventurers was obvious for a variety of reasons. Their strange appearance was a dead giveaway, as was the fact that they had just walked out of the Adventurer's Guild. But the most obvious sign of their profession was the metal plate strung around the necks of all three.

The truly bizarre thing, however, and the thing that had everyone who spotted it stunned, was the color of those plates.

For all their impressive equipment and clear confidence, all three plates were copper.

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The three made their way away from the Central Plaza and down several streets before passing through a road that wasn't full of people and the sounds of the multitudes faded into a distant static. Water gathered in wagon ruts left in the dirt path, turning the way into a slog of mud. It would be easy to trip, but all three were sure of foot and made their way through the narrow path without slowing down.

After a moment, the black haired beauty took a look around to make sure they were alone before gently cleared her throat "Pardon me Suzuki-sama-"

"No, you are not to address me as –sama. You got the name right, but you're still treating me too formally. Here I am Suzuki, a mage of great power. You are not Yuri Alpha, but Irri, and Lupusregina is Erin, Suzuki's adventuring companions. Addressing me as –sama is far too formal."

The eldest sister of the Pleiades was taken short for a moment before bowing her head. "I-I am sorry Momonga-sa, I mean, Suzuki-sama, I mean, -san, but how could I be so disrespectful to one of the Supreme Beings?!"

Momonga was taken aback both at Yuri's impassioned question and at the arm that he found slung over his shoulders.

Lupusregina leaned against him in a gesture of camaraderie as she gave her elder sister a sly grin. "Come oooon Yuri-nee~, you've got to learn to adapt! If Suzuki here wants us to treat him informally you have to be ready to do as he tells you su~."

Yuri looked up at her sister with an expression of utter shock, while Momonga was internally panicking.

He had never been this close to a girl before. Having one as voluptuous as Lupusregina Beta suddenly clinging to him threw his thoughts into severe disorder. He half expected someone to show up and declare him a pervert for doing such things. Even worse would be the question of what would happen if Tigris Euphrates saw this.

It took a moment before Yuri got over her shock and advanced on the giggling Lupusregina. "What do you think you are doing!? How could you treat Momonga-sama, I mean Suzuki-sama, with such disrespect!? Get down and apologize right now! Do you have no respect for the Supreme Beings!?"

The younger sister let go of the nearly stuttering Momonga and gracefully avoided Yuri's attempt to grab her. "Of course I respect them Yuri-nee, they are the Supreme Beings after all, how could I not? But you have your orders and I have mine. Tigris Euphrates-sama told me to accompany and obey Momonga-sama."

Yuri stopped short as Lupusregina continued "I respect the Supreme Beings as much as anyone else in Nazarick, but if Tigris Euphrates-sama tells me to disregard that respect, then I'll do it. My Creator told me to obey Momonga-sama, and Momonga-sama told us both to treat him like a companion, not a superior, while we're out playing Adventurer. So while there are people in Nazarick who might not like it, and I find it extremely weird, I'll do it. If anyone has any problems they can take it up with Momonga-sama and Tigris Euphrates-sama. And the same goes for you Yuri-nee." The younger sister's gaze grew cold. "If you want to give orders that contradict what I was told by Tigris Euphrates-sama, don't expect me to listen to 'em, okay~?"

Lupusregina's tone regained its excitable and cute quality there at the end, but the body of the message was deadly serious. Yuri sort of drooped as she considered the reality before her. 'If Tigris Euphrates-sama gave Lupusregina orders like that then there's nothing I can do to stop her.' Indeed, in the minds of anyone from Nazarick, trying to counteract the orders of any of the Supreme Beings was a great sin.

It was a bizarre situation, and Yuri didn't really know how to handle the conflicting instincts within her.

"Both of you quiet down! You're being too loud." Thankfully she didn't have to as Momonga recovered and took control of the situation. Both sisters let out a small gasp as they realized how loudly they had been speaking in their excitement.

Momonga just sighed as he looked at the two of them. 'Maybe it would have been better to bring Narberal after all….'

When he originally proposed the idea to take the place of Adventurers, he was hoping to do so with all of his friends. It might not have been quite the same, but going on Adventurers with some of his Guild members would have been a return to old times, he was really looking forward to it.

Unfortunately it seemed that none of them wanted to do it.

'Lucifer-san claimed he was too busy gathering information. Herohero-san said he was too busy making magic items and learning about Nazarick's management. And Tigris Euphrates-san said that he didn't want to waste time doing fetch quests for pocket change and that he'd rather explore the cities on his own.'

'And then Lucifer-san turned it right back around and said that it was a good idea to try and infiltrate the Kingdom from that angle and suggested taking some NPCs.'

Momonga wanted to make the name of Ainz Ooal Gown famous across the land in the hopes of attracting any other Guild members who might be in this world. So he figured becoming famous Adventurers and later crediting that fame to Ainz Ooal Gown would be a good way to help spread the word. It had nothing to do with trying to get away from his responsibilities in Nazarick at all! It really didn't! But when he floated the idea by them all three of them just got these weird looks on their faces and said that 'while that might work it's probably better to have only one of us go.'

He couldn't help but feel like he just got avoided.

But even though they didn't want to come they still helped him put together a strategy for getting famous. After deciding on going with NPCs, he originally wanted to go with just one companion, and he first thought to have Narberal Gamma fill that role. He couldn't give away just how powerful he was without risking attention from people he'd rather avoid, so it was a good idea to take someone else and move as a party, rather than a single all-powerful individual to avoid having people get suspicious. Narberal was a good choice, in his mind, because she could effortlessly fit in with human society thanks to her Doppelganger race.

Herohero-san convinced him to take someone else in about ten minutes. All the ooze did was bring Narberal in and ask her a few questions about humans before Momonga decided that taking her might not have been his best idea.

It was Lucifer-san who suggested discarding his initial idea to going as a warrior in favor of going as a spellcaster. They knew, thanks to the Sunlight Scripture, that Third Tier magic was considered very high end. Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Tier magic was considered to be in the realm of true geniuses and legend. Magic beyond that was nothing more than rumor and myth to most.

So, posing as a spellcaster who could use high magic was a surefire way to become famous quickly, the angel posed. Plus, in the event of a serious ambush, he wouldn't be stuck wearing equipment meant to help him fight like a warrior. While he could use magic to wear armor, if he was attacked by someone at level one hundred, having warrior items equipped would be a fatal disadvantage even if he wasn't actually wearing armor.

Tigris Euphrates had suggested taking along a more balanced party. If he was going to go as a mage, it was only natural to take someone more physically inclined, and a healer was a necessity for any kind of Adventuring party. Going with anything less was going to be suspicious as all hell.

Momonga agreed with that but was struggling to find someone to fill the role that could also fit in with humans.

The Efreeti made it easier by volunteering Lupusregina Beta. Momonga thought of her, but didn't want to suggest taking her. She was Tigris' NPC. So he had no right to give her orders without his friend's consent. That Tigris volunteered her himself made things a lot simpler. But that would still leave someone to cover himself and Lupusregina. They couldn't form a convincing party with a pair of spellcasters, however powerful they may be.

Herohero proposed using Yuri Alpha. Momonga didn't initially like the suggestion. She was Undead, and there were plenty of skills and abilities that could detect them. Sure, they could give her an item to protect her from being found that way, like what he himself used, but she was also a Dullahan. He knew that Yuri's choker was supposed to keep her head from falling off, but if something went wrong and Yuri lost her head, the whole scheme would go up in smoke.

It took a while for him to agree to use Yuri, but he eventually gave in. She was an excellent choice for infiltrating human society given her positive karma and nurturing disposition. He just hoped that it wouldn't blow up in his face.

There were a few objections from the NPCs themselves about the whole operation, especially Albedo. They didn't like that he, the Guildmaster, was going out with such light protection. Even worse, he was caught answering their questions alone while his friends were off doing other things and he couldn't just call them in to help. On top of that, he still felt guilty about going off on his own at that village and about what he did to Albedo, so he couldn't just order them to obey.

The NPC's were the creations of his closest friends, ordering them around made him feel guilty. He could only imagine how Tabula Smaragdina would feel if he found out about Momonga's alteration of Albedo's settings, or what Peroroncino would feel about what had been done to Shalltear. He had no idea how he would face either of them.

Still, this was a deliberate expedition, not a willful stroll like that village, so he stuck to his guns and insisted on going. But Albedo still argued against it, mostly about how she wouldn't be allowed to go with him. For a while, he thought that the two of them would be at an impasse until one of his friends showed up to help, but Demiurge turned out to be his savior instead. He whispered something into Albedo's ear, he had no idea what, and Albedo immediately changed her mind.

Momonga couldn't help but wonder what Demiurge said to her, and at the same time he wasn't sure he wanted to know.

There were a variety of reasons why he never even considered taking Albedo, her opinion about humans, her lack of ability to pass as human, but most of all was the fact that he could never relax with her around.

Albedo's settings were altered so that she would love him. He only did it as a joke but he still did it. And even after learning that her feelings were only the way they were because he forcefully changed them she didn't care. Momonga was reminded of this mistake every time he saw her, and every time she declared her love for him. It only made the guilt he felt worse.

'There are times when I truly envy Lucifer-san….'

Among all the forty members of Ainz Ooal Gown, not counting himself, he could solidly say that Lucifer fell into the category of Guild members he didn't like all that much. He had caused so many problems in the Guild that he couldn't help but see the man as a bit of a nuisance. But for all that Momonga didn't really like him, he could not deny that Lucifer was smarter than he was. Where Momonga struggled, Lucifer quickly found a solution.

But more than that was the ease that he took to this whole situation.

Momonga didn't have the slightest idea what he was doing. All he was doing was acting like what he thought an ideal boss would feel like, but he still had no clue as to how it would turn out. Where he struggled with trying to lead, Lucifer took to their new positions like a fish to water. Momonga found the burden of trying to live up to the NPC's expectations crushing. What if he made a mistake? What if he screwed up or said something wrong? To be able to get away from the burden of their expectations for him, to get away from their thoughts that he was perfect, was half the reason he wanted to do this Adventuring thing in the first place. Even if he would never admit that. From what he could see Herohero was in much the same boat. They were both salarymen, neither of them had anything remotely close to the power and respect they had now. Tigris was a little better, but he didn't find it all that easy either. And then Lucifer stepped into the role like he had always been there.

But for all his ability there were things about him that Momonga couldn't stand. Like how he disregarded the potential threats arrayed against them. Lucifer didn't seem to care about the possibility of other players attacking them at all. At the very least, he wasn't nearly as worried as Momonga was. To the skeleton, that was incredibly reckless.

Worst of all there was how he treated the NPCs. Momonga considered them the legacy of their friends in Ainz Ooal Gown, they were treasures left behind to be nurtured and protected, practically children. Momonga hesitated to give them commands, and he would be perfectly fine with getting rid of the master-servant relationship they shared. In the future, he definitely wanted to find out if they could learn, and grow with acquired knowledge. He wanted them to think for themselves.

Lucifer was the opposite. He didn't consider them treasures, he considered them tools. Expensive tools, maybe, worthy of careful maintenance and upkeep, but still expendable under the right circumstances. Momonga could see it, plain as day. Momonga wanted them to think for themselves, but the angel only wanted them to obey. Lucifer might not be as frivolous with their lives as he initially feared, but that didn't change the fact that he considered them servants and had no problem with giving them orders.

And to Momonga's consternation, the NPCs seemed perfectly fine with that.

Momonga didn't know what to do. Every time he saw the man flirting with Shalltear over the past few days he felt a burning envy, and guilt for feeling that envy, for wanting to be able to do things like that himself, in addition to guilt for letting the situation develop in the first place. And then after a few moments his undead body would suppress the emotions and he would stop worrying about it.

Then there were the other two. They weren't as blatant about it, but he was pretty sure that they didn't care as much as he did either. Herohero was right there with Lucifer for demanding that certain NPCs be monitored. After that though, Herohero seemed to be trying to limit his interactions with the NPCs except for Albedo, all the while focusing on regaining his own abilities and experimenting with his crafting skills. Before the transfer the slime hadn't played YGGDRASIL for two years so he had a lot of catching up to do. But even when he did work with the NPCs he always seemed unnecessarily cold, even brusque.

And then there was Tigris. He had said in the arena that 'it was better to be feared than loved' and then there was that whole thing with Aura. Tigris Euphrates could deal with NPCs well enough, he wasn't shy or anything, but when something didn't turn out right Tigris was always the first to crack the whip.

Momonga was increasingly certain that nobody truly shared his views regarding the NPCs as treasured relics of their companions.

Even worse was that Momonga couldn't fault them. He had made use of Albedo's settings change for his own gain, leaving her to manage Nazarick with Herohero while he explored this New World. He could only do that because he trusted Herohero to keep an eye on her, and because of the twin shackles of loyalty and love that bound Albedo to him. Herohero could only keep such careful track of her because of the bracelet he, Momonga, had used Albedo's love to convince her to wear.

He had used Albedo's feelings to manipulate her, and he hated himself for that. He had done something that Lucifer would have done. So he couldn't truly say anything against the three of them, because it would be hypocritical to do so.

It was complicated.

Momonga shook himself out of his reverie and away from the dark thoughts. His Undead body automatically suppressed any powerful emotions he felt, but he still experienced petty feelings like those as keenly as when he was human. Maybe, when he fully took on an Undead mindset, he would no longer have those feelings of guilt, envy, and self hatred.

He turned toward the two NPCs he was in charge of. "You two can't be so loud, especially if you use your real names. We can't let anybody find out about our real identities, you understand?"

Both NPCs immediately bowed and voiced their agreed while he continued. "Also, there's one other thing. We might give off a sort of… killing intent… that people here can detect if we fight in earnest. So, neither of you are to fight seriously without my permission, you are to keep to the limits that we discussed before. Understood?"

"Understood Suzuki-sa…n"

"You got it Suzuki."

He was a bit taken aback. 'Maybe it wasn't a good idea to use my real name.' Having two beautiful women bowing to him and referring to him by name was… intimidating. "Right, well, um, that's all. Let's get going, that inn should be around here somewhere."

Momonga led the two of them through the narrow, muddy street and took several turns before looking around as they emerged onto a paved road.

There were plenty of shops open for business in this densely populated commercial district. Customers filed in and out and people in work aprons carried loads of lumber and heavy crates.

The three of them quickly scanned the shop signs for what they were looking for. Neither Yuri nor Lupusregina could read the Kingdom's script and, truthfully, Momonga couldn't make any sense of it either. But he had a way around that.

Underneath his mask he was wearing a pair of glasses with lenses of blue crystal and golden frames. They automatically translated any language he saw into a language he could understand. He had something like this before, but he gave that item to Sebas to aid in the Butler's information gathering. Herohero had created this second pair once plans for this Adventurer gig were finalized, realizing that the written languages of this world were illegible to them. Which was something Momonga forgot about.

With gratitude in his heart, he quickly identified the inn they were looking for and waved for the sisters to follow him as he made his way toward a ramshackle three storey building made of wood.

He quickly attempted to scrape the mud off his shoes, but there was no need. No mud had adhered to them thanks to the magic imbued in them to keep him from leaving footprints. He just shrugged at the phenomenon and pushed open the western style saloon doors.

The building didn't have any open windows, so the inside was considerably dark. Most people would be disoriented for a while until they adjusted but Momonga had Darkvision so it didn't bother him at all as he took in the scene before him.

The area the door opened into was quite spacious. The first floor was mostly a dining area, with a bar at the far back. A door next to the bar presumably led into a kitchen. A spiral staircase in one corner led to the upper floors where the receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild told him that the rooms and dormitories would be found.

Scattered customers were seated around several small tables. Almost all of them were men, and an air of imminent violence hung thick over the room like an oppressive fog. Everyone's attention was squarely on Momonga, clearly sizing him up as he stepped inside and the Pleiades walked in to stand beside him. The only one who didn't pay any attention to him was one woman off in the corner, staring at a bottle that rested on the table before her.

Momonga couldn't help but wrinkle his non-existent brow at this stereotypical tavern scene.

He sort of expected this, but… there was no other way to put it, it was filthier than he thought it would be.

There were plenty of dirty places in YGGDRASIL, Nazarick had a few of them as well, but this was a different kind of filth. With the dirty floors, the moldy bits of who-knows-what in the corners, the stains on the walls… it lacked artistry.

The robed skeleton quickly found the tavern keeper over by the bar, a bald, burly man in a dirty apron with plenty of scars. He looked more like a bouncer than an innkeeper.

As Momonga and the sisters walked up to him, the innkeeper blatantly sized them up as he held a mop. "You want a room? For how long?" The man's voice was like a broken bell, it grated on the ears.

The disguised Player quietly responded that they only intended to stay for a single night.

"…Cheh, copper plates huh? For three, space in the common room is six coppers, food is oatmeal and vegetables. If you want meat, that's another copper. You might be getting some old bread instead of the oatmeal."

Momonga took a quick glance at his companions. Lupusregina was looking around the room with barely concealed boredom, Yuri was holding herself with perfect poise, but he could tell she was far from happy. But the important thing is that they didn't look like they were about to get violent over the innkeeper's lack of hospitality.

He turned back to said innkeeper. "If possible, we'd prefer a private room for three."

Momonga was pretty sure he heard the man snort.

He looked down his nose at the masked man before him as he started "In this town there are three inns that cater to Adventurers, and of the three mine's the worst of the lot. Do you know why the Guild sent you here?"

"I'm afraid I do not. Could you tell me why?"

The innkeeper's disdain turned to anger. "Is all that fancy crap you're in all for show!? Use your head! My place is the joint that copper and iron Adventurers hang out, this is the place to look for new party members to help balance our your team if you're strong and maybe a little lucky. If you can't form a strong, balanced team, you'll be nothing but lunch to the monsters out there. They sent you hear because this is the best place to make some connections. You get it!?"

Momonga weathered the shouting with good grace. Before the transfer, if someone started yelling at him like that he'd probably have cowered in fear. He could probably take it now because of the battle he experienced at Carne Village, and the information that they had gathered. From what they'd found, he should be extremely strong by this world's standards. As a result, he had nothing to fear from this innkeeper even if was pretty burly. Because of that knowledge of their strength, he kept calm and felt no fear.

The scarred man raised an eyebrow at Momonga's lack of reaction. "So you have some guts after all, fancy that. If you want to stay in a room, that's fine, but you won't find more party members that way. You've got three so far, but three is too few for a proper party. If you stay in the common room, you'll probably find someone to help balance your team out advertising themselves. So, knowing all that, do you still intend to stay in a private room?"

Momonga didn't need to even consider it. "Yes, a private room for three please. And we'll pass on the food."

The innkeeper just shook his head. "Yet another who doesn't understand the kindness of others. Sadly, you're out of luck. I don't have any rooms bigger than a double. If you want room for three you'll have to pay for two rooms, or two of you will have to share a bunk. For just a double room it'll be seven coppers, for a double and a single it'll be twelve."

That was a real snag. As much as Momonga wanted to portray himself as capable and successful, it didn't change the fact that he didn't have much money. Or rather, he didn't have much of this world's money. He didn't really have what he needed to rent two rooms, nor did he want to rent just the one room and appear cheap.

Ultimately, there really wasn't much of a choice. He didn't have the money. He might risk appearing cheap for now, but if he had his way the deeds he would accomplish would make people forget he was down on his luck once.

He dropped a single silver coin on the table before him that was quickly swept into the innkeeper's pocket. "We'll take just the double room. Sorry you two, but you'll have to share a bunk tonight."

"No problem~"

"It can't be helped."

The innkeeper put three coppers and a small key onto the counter. "Here's your change. It's on the third floor, first room on your right. I'd suggest you keep the door locked and don't go messing around with locked doors. If you lose the key, you're paying for the replacement."

Momonga thanked the man and swept up the coins and the key before asking a question. "I was told at the Guild that you can put together some kit for us? We've unfortunately lost some of our things."

The scarred man just shrugged. "Sure, I'll have it ready by dinner, three sets, just be ready to pay."

"Not a problem."

Without another word Momonga led his companions toward the stairs. And almost immediately ran into a problem.

As they walked they were still bathed in the appraising gazes of everyone in the room. Before they got ten feet from the bar a man put his leg in Momonga's path, blocking the way.

Momonga stopped and looked at the man, who looked back with an annoying grin shared by everyone at his table.

Nobody else said anything, either the customers or the innkeeper. Most looked uninterested, while a few watched intently, but it was obvious that everyone was paying close attention.

'Oh for goodness' sake.' Still, it wasn't like he didn't see something like this coming.

After a moment, Momonga gently kicked the leg in his path.

"Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing! That hurt!" The man boiled up from his chair in a rage, muscles bulging, shoving his face into Momonga's mask as he shouted. His iron plate dangled around his neck as he clenched a gauntleted fist.

The other Adventurer was about as tall as Momonga, so he was looking the thug right in the eye before sighing. There really was no point to this, but it had to be done. "So sorry, I didn't see your leg because of my mask, or maybe because it was so small I didn't notice. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

The man's face just flushed red as he realized the taunt. "You bastard!"

A gentle cough cut through dangerous atmosphere and then a delicate voice made itself heard.

"Excuse me."

Momonga took a step back as Yuri stepped forward.

The adventurer leered at the beauty before him. "My my, what's this, you have a woman to fight for you? What a brave man. So, how can I help you little lady? You want to make up for your friend's idiocy with a night of companionship? I'm game! Hahaha!"

The eldest sister of the Pleiades gave the idiot a small, sweet smile, and for a moment one would think she didn't understand the situation she was in.

Then her open hand made contact with the adventurer's jaw and he dropped like a puppet with its strings cut onto the table his friends were sitting at, splashing his them all with their own drinks.

As the man's party got to their feet with bellows of anger, Momonga had had enough. A quick wave of his hand was all that was needed.

[Silent Magic- Sleep]

And just like that the other three Adventurers slumped to the ground to join their friend in slumber.

Silence rang out throughout the tavern, but it only lasted a moment before a cheerful laughter chased it away.

Lupusregina openly laughed at the four fallen men. "Hey, mister Innkeeper~, I think these guys had a bit too much to drink you know~? Maybe someone should help them to their bunks?" She broke off into barely concealed giggles afterward.

The Innkeeper was unmoved. He just shrugged. "Sure. Just to be clear though, those guys are just asleep right?" He directed that question at Momonga.

When Momonga nodded, the Innkeeper just picked up his mop and bucket. "Okay, then we don't have any problems. Enjoy your stay."

With another nod the trio made their way to the stairs without any further interruptions, Lupusregina's laughter echoing in their wake.

XXXXXXXXX

As the creaking footsteps of the newcomers faded, the dining room emerged into chatter as a few Adventurers went to check on the fallen.

"Did you even see her touch him!?"

"I didn't even see a blur! One second he was standing, then he was crashing into the table!"

"I blinked and missed it."

"Haha! Old Vargo went down from getting slapped by a girl!"

"To go with just two spellcasters and a Monk though, that woman with the black hair would have to be very strong."

"What about that spell though? That was 'Silent Magic' right? Only person I've ever seen do that had a platinum plate."

"How about that girl in black? What was with that huge thing on her back? Do you think it's hollow?"

"Another group that's going to leap past us in an instant. Dammit!"

That kind of banter was all that could be heard as the unconscious Adventurers were carried upstairs to their bunks. The reaction was one of mixed awe, desire, and fear.

Everyone here was both comrade and competitor, it was only natural to want to know how strong the newcomers were. Even so, just by looking at their equipment they knew that the three who just walked in weren't ordinary people.

The whole confrontation was hardly new, the same thing happened here practically every day. There wasn't a single person in the building who had never been on the receiving end of such a 'baptism'. Even so, nobody here had ever seen the challenge so quickly and easily brushed aside.

Those three would be very powerful, either as enemies or as allies. Of that there could be no doubt.

"So, how are we going to work with those three?"

"Man, flirting with those beauties is probably out of the question."

"If only we could get them into our party…."

"I think you're mistaken sir, they belong in our party."

"I wonder what that guy looks like behind that mask?"

"Having two gorgeous babes like that all to himself? Life isn't fair man."

"I'll listen at their wall tonight. Leave the information gathering to a big-eared thief like me!"

As the chatter continued, the Innkeeper just picked up his mop and bucket and started cleaning up the mess. This whole scene wasn't new to anybody, least of all him, however impressive the newbies might appear to be.

And in the midst of this one young woman only had eyes for the small bottle of blue liquid in front of her, ignorant of all else. She took one glance at the stairs leading up the second floor, letting out a quiet sigh at the usual hazing. It got boring after the first couple of times. But when she turned her gaze back to her own table she couldn't believe the sight that waited for her. A scream ripped itself out of her.

"AAAAAH! Where did it go!?"

The potion she had scrimped and saved money for so long to purchase was nowhere to be found.

And within minutes she was hardly alone in her anger and despair.

XXXXXXXXX

Momonga closed the door behind them with a solid thud and locked it before turning to survey the room they had been given.

It wasn't much.

Two crudely made beds with lumpy mattresses, each one with a chest at the foot. A single window let in sunshine and fresh air.

He made his way over to the window and closed the blinds, wreathing the room in darkness as he quieted the discontent and disappointment in his heart. He wasn't expecting Nazarick level furnishings or cleanliness by any means, not in a godforsaken place like this, but he still didn't like these accommodations at all.

'The sooner we can manage something better, the happier I will be.'

Behind him, Yuri Alpha seemed about as enamored with the room as he was. She scowled at the dirtiness around her with an almost regal disdain before turning to him and adjusting her glasses. "The fact that they assigned you such quarters is completely unacceptable Suzuki-sama. Please, give the order and we will begin cleaning things up immediately."

The Overlord just shook his head and sat down on one of the beds. "There's no need to bother Irri, I don't expect to stay here long in any case. By tomorrow we'll be taking on our first requests."

"So we get to just chill out? Cool!" Lupusregina leaned her massive crosier against the wall before falling back onto the other mattress, stretching out her limbs and luxuriating in the opportunity to relax.

Or at least, she did for a moment or two before coming to a sudden stop, her smile becoming a small frown.

"Is something wrong, Erin?"

The dark skinned maid was silent for several seconds before finally replying. "…This bed really isn't that comfortable."

Momonga just sighed as Yuri visibly restrained herself from chastising her sister for her disrespect. The older sister's rigid posture and frigid glare spoke volumes about how much she wanted to say and how much she was holding back. If Lupusregina had not received specific orders from her own Creator, there was no doubt she would be receiving a lecture to end all lectures.

"Enough. Both of you sit down, we need to talk about our objectives here in this city."

Lupusregina quickly sat up and made room for Yuri to sit beside her, which the Dullahan did with exquisite poise. They both looked over to Momonga with eager anticipation. "Suzuki-sama, we await your orders. Please bestow your wisdom and guidance upon us."

"You have to learn how to drop the honorifics Yuri-nee~"

Yuri looked over at her sister, affronted "You need to learn to-"

"Enough"

Both sisters looked over to Momonga. "Enough, Irri, you need to learn how to address me more casually while we're doing our job here. Erin, you need to use the names we agreed upon while we're in this city. First thing, are we safe to discuss things in this room?"

Lupusregina closed her eyes and tilted her head back, apparently to focus on her hearing. Yuri looked over to the door, squinting her eyes for several moments.

After a short time, both answered that they couldn't detect anybody listening in.

"Good, then I shall explain our objectives here."

"Yes!" Yuri answered with crisp attention, bowing in her seat.

Momonga just stared at her for several moments. "Please stop that. Now, we are here to become Adventurers, and gather fame to the point where everyone knows of us. Once we have become well known, there is no doubt that we will be approached by people in power, and we will be in a position to gather sensitive intelligence on a large number of topics. In addition to that, our work will no doubt allow us to learn numerous secrets. First and foremost among the topics we are looking to pursue is information on other Adventurers, the strongest people in this world. In this Kingdom, we know of two groups of Adventurers who have reached the highest rank, and four more elsewhere. Lucifer's captive has given extensive information on one, but we still need to learn more about the group known as 'Red Drop' here in the Kingdom. We also need to confirm the information we have on the other group, 'Blue Rose'. We may end up fighting one or both of them at some point, and it would not do to be careless. Understood?"

He received two replies in the affirmative, so he continued on. "If possible we should also seek information on the other Adamantite groups we know of, but given our location we'll focus on Red Drop for now. To achieve that end, our first goal is to become famous Adventurers here in this city. This is the goal that all of our current efforts must guide us to. But there are a few problems facing us at this moment." He took a pouch from his belt and upended it over his open palm, catching the small number of silver and copper coins that came spilling out. "We have no money."

"O-ho! Money troubles is it!?"

Both of the maids immediately jumped up and took fighting stances at the sudden voice, while Momonga made a choking noise and practically leapt off the bed at the sudden exclamation coming from right next to him.

All three goggled at the intruder sitting on the bed right next to where Momonga was only a minute ago. And then, the three relaxed as they took in the familiar burly red form whose head almost scraped the ceiling.

Yuri immediately stood up to bow low, and Lupusregina knelt down on the floor in absolute reverence.

"Greetings Tigris Euphrates-sama."

"Greetings oh great Creator."

The red giant lazily waved a hand at the two of them. "Hey there. So Momonga-san, how're you liking this place? Isn't it great?!"

The masked skeleton finally got over the shock of having a ten foot tall giant appear on his bed in time to respond. "Tigris Euphrates-san… how did you get in here? And keep your voice down, we can't let anyone hear you." He quickly looked around. "Yuri, Lupusregina, is there anybody nearby?"

Tigris glanced over at the two of them as they respectfully announced that they were alone, before turning back to Momonga with a big smile. "Relax, we're fine. As for how I got in here, I just followed you in when you opened the door of course. I've been following you three since you left the Adventurer's Guild. Didn't you see me? I was right behind the Innkeeper when you were having your talk. Then, after you got hazed, I took a quick jaunt around the room before joining you up here."

"B, but how? I can see through invisibility, and I didn't see…."

The Efreeti's smile got wider. "Oh, I wasn't invisible. I was just hiding. I am a Rogue you know, you can't expect to find me unless you really try."

That brought Momonga up short. "Wait, so you weren't using invisibility, or silence, or anything, you just went around using stealth and nobody saw you?"

"That's right."

Momonga tried to contemplate how a street full of people, and a room full of Adventurers, could possibly miss a ten foot tall red man wearing all the bright colors Tigris was sporting, and finally decided to not bother. It wasn't worth the headache.

"Anyway, you were saying that we're broke?"

The sudden question broke Momonga out of his funk. "Ah, no, well not exactly. We have loads of YGGDRASIL money sure, but we can't use those coins here without practically announcing that we're from YGGDRASIL. So, for the moment, ah, we don't really have any money. This world's money, I mean."

Tigris' grin got wider as he groped through the air in front of him and pulled a bag out of nowhere. "You sure about that?"

He laid the bag on the floor in front of him, between himself and the kneeling maids. It was big enough that two or three people could easily fit inside, and solid black except for the big white letters on the side that read 'SWAG'.

The thief fished a few pouches out of one pocket, and a few small bottles of blue liquid from another before opening the mouth of the sack, depositing the items as he rummaged around for a moment before pulling out a wooden box about five feet long and two feet wide. He laid it on the bed beside him with one hand, revealing a trio of iron locks built into the wood.

"Well have no fear because Tigris-claus is here! I come bearing gifts!" He flipped open the lid of the box, revealing more than a dozen bulging sacks inside. Momonga immediately spotted the glint of gold and silver at the mouth of the sacks.

As the maids let out breaths of surprise and awe, Momonga felt nothing but trepidation.

"Tigris-san… you didn't rob a bank, did you?"

The giant let out a scoff. "Please, I don't think these people even have banks. The Merchant's Guild handles it whenever a business needs to borrow or store money. The nobles borrow from other nobles, and if the common man wants a loan, he's out in the cold. No, I got all of this from the tax collector's place. I gotta tell ya Momonga-san, these guys don't have a clue what they're doing. They practically begged for this to be taken."

He reached into one sack and took out a massive handful of golden coins. "Anyway, this place is a big trading town on the border between three nations. Between tolls for the roads, tolls for the gates, and tolls and taxes on everything else, this place turns out a lot of cash. Even then, it must be around collection time or something for us to get this much. Here, take it." He grabbed Momonga's gauntleted hands and forced the gold into them, a few loose coins rattling as they fell to the floor.

A bit of fiddling later and the giant handed a small pouch to each of the maids. "Here, this is for you two. Buy yourselves something nice."

Yuri looked taken aback. "A-are you sure Tigris Euphrates-sama? I don't think we've done anything that deserves such a gift from a Supreme Being, much less the fruit of your own labors."

While Yuri was stuttering her excuses, Lupusregina just took the bag with something akin to reverence. "I have already received the greatest possible gift by virtue of my being alive and in your presence, but if my Creator has seen fit to bestow further gifts upon me, it is not my place to judge. Thank you Tigris Euphrates-sama from the bottom of my heart."

Tigris raised an eyebrow at the flowery praise. "Hey, Lupu, you can knock off the flowery speech, okay?"

The Werewolf looked up with a big smile. "You got it Tigris Euphrates-sama." She glanced at her sister. "Hurry up and take the money Yuri-nee, you're being rude by refusing."

Yuri looked at her sister in shock and horror and then bowed low as she took the pouch. "My deepest thanks for your generosity Tigris Euphrates-sama. Please forgive me for my rudeness."

The Supreme Being just waved her off. "It's just twenty gold each, don't worry about it."

Momonga looked up from the pile of gold in his hands. "Are you sure this is okay Tigris-san? We don't know how good they are at crime investigation. We can't risk them finding out about Nazarick by hunting you down."

The giant let out a brief chuckle. "Yeah, sure, if they're as good at finding things as they are at keeping them safe I'll have to sleep with one eye open. Even with a handicap those jokers didn't have a clue I was there until after I was long gone."

The skeleton tilted his head. "Handicap?"

Tigris put on a big smile. "I'm wearing freaking tap-shoes man." He tapped his heel against the floor, making a distinctive tap, tap, tap.

Now that Momonga looked, Tigris wasn't wearing his usual footwear, but black and white shoes that looked like something out of an antique shop.

Momonga just shook his head. "Honestly, you guys are taking this way too lightly. We can't let our guards down or we'll end up getting ambushed."

"Hey, hey, I was careful. I've been staking this place out for two days, and nobody, not one person, ever noticed me or what I did. Not one! I've waltzed through the most heavily guarded places, painting the town red, and nobody notices anything until way later! I haven't seen anybody with a level higher than the low twenties, no matter where I looked. These guys are easy marks, relax."

Still, the skeleton was unconvinced. "Just be careful Tigris-san. Anyway, where's Lucifer-san? Isn't he supposed to be out here too?"

Tigris let out a low laugh. "Yeah, he was here earlier. He went back to Nazarick a while ago; he said he can't stand this place."

Momonga made his way over to the other bunk and sat down, still holding the numerous gold coins in his cupped hands. "Why'd he say that? What happened?"

The thief leaned back against the wall. "He couldn't find a theatre."

If Momonga could raise an eyebrow, he would have. "What?"

Tigris started laughing again. "No theatre, no public libraries, no museums, no art galleries, nothing relating to the entertainment industry at all except for taverns and brothels. You should have seen him, he couldn't believe it. He was so pissed he went and chucked a bunch of rocks through all the temple's stained glass windows."

"He did what!?"

The genie shrugged. "He went invisible and vandalized the temple. If you hear about it later pretend you don't know anything. Anyway, that calmed him down long enough to go find some smugglers. Don't ask me where he found them or how, he just found them. Anyway, he brought the smugglers back to Nazarick to answer some questions and swore that the next time he came to this town he'd burn it to the ground. He called it a 'rat's nest of a town that this bunch of illiterate barbarians thoroughly deserve' and stormed off. I told him that this place supposedly has a good restaurant, to try and get him to change his mind and he said he'd give it a try. So we'll see how that goes. I just hope that it's up to his standards or he really might try to burn this city down."

Momonga could hardly believe what he was hearing. "Do you really think he'd try to destroy the city just because it doesn't have a theatre?"

Tigris nodded without hesitation. "Not for a lack of a theatre, no, but for a lack of what he perceives as culture? Probably. For a lack of high art, a lack of refinement, a lack of beauty, yeah I think he might do it. He might wait until there's nothing left here to benefit us but he'd probably do it, that guy's crazy man."

The skeleton silently cursed Lucifer's troublemaking before looking up toward his friend. "What about this restaurant? Do you think it'll help?"

All he got in response was a snort. "Not a chance in hell, not unless he lowers his standards. If he does… maybe? It'll probably have things he's never tried before, so that'll probably help. I wouldn't put money on it though."

While Momonga silently stewed over the possibility of a guild member going on a personal crusade, Tigris looked over toward the two maids. "How about you two? You have anything to add?"

The two maids had remained silent this entire time while the masters were speaking. Now that they had been ordered to give their opinions, Yuri Alpha chimed in "I am sure that whatever decision that the Supreme Beings reach regarding this city shall be the correct one Tigris Euphrates-sama. If Lucifer-sama believes that this place deserves to be destroyed, then I am in no position to say whether he is right or wrong. If ordered to destroy this place, I shall obey and carry out the order with all my strength!"

"Uh…huh, and you Lupu?"

The brown skinned maid bowed her head lower. "I am of a similar opinion to my older sister, honored Creator. Whatever decision the Supreme Beings make shall no doubt be the correct one. If the humans of this city seek to deny the decision to destroy them then we, your loyal servants, shall remind them of the errors of their ways and ensure that they receive their due punishment for daring to defy you before they are sent to their deaths."

The Efreeti raised an eyebrow at the response. "Again with the formal talk. Honestly, you weren't like this before…."

Tigris sent a suspicious glance toward Momonga before looking down at the bowing maid. "Lupusregina, be honest with me. Did Momonga do anything to you? Give you strange orders? Make you do anything weird?"

Momonga's non-existent heart leapt into his throat at the sudden accusation. 'Wait, what?! I didn't do anything!'

Then, to Momonga's horror, Lupusregina silently looked off to one side, refusing to meet her Creator's eyes. Her shoulders shook, once, before she spoke, quietly, hesitantly "W-well, Tigris Euphrates-sama… Momonga-sama, he… he…." She let out a quiet sob.

While the skeleton's jaw dropped at the sudden response, the red giant turned to face him. Momonga almost quailed at the fury he could see in Tigris' yellow eyes as black smoke started curling away from the giant's flesh. Yuri's eyes went wide at the sudden display and she slowly backed away as Tigris spoke.

"Momonga…"

The skeleton worked his jaw but couldn't say anything, his thoughts scrambled at the murderous fury directed at him.

"What the hell did you do to Lupusregina!?" The voice was quiet enough not to be overheard, but the wrath contained in that quiet voice would have made Satoru Suzuki soil himself if it were ever directed at him.

"W-wait, wait, Tigris-san! I didn't do anything! I swear!" He jerked his hands up as hundreds of gold coins fell to the ground and scattered in every direction. His mask slipped off and dispelled his illusion of a face in his panic "It's a misunderstanding! I promise! I didn't do anything!"

Momonga was so flustered and so busy trying to defend himself from the strange accusations he didn't know what else to do. He had no idea what he did to Lupusregina. He quickly went over every minute that they had been together, trying to remember if he gave any order that would get such a response. He felt sick to his stomach with fear and worry and guilt that he might have don't something to hurt her without noticing it.

He was so frantic it took him several seconds to notice the sly glance Tigris sent toward the shuddering maid, and to see that same glance returned.

It was only when Tigris stopped smoking and started smiling a sly, smug grin that he finally realized what was going on. And it was only reinforced when Lupusregina started smiling too.

Seeing the two of them there, side by side, their expressions were so identical it was eerie.

Momonga was still trying to get his thoughts in order, his jaw was working, but no sound emerged.

Tigris held out one hand to the maid, palm up. When Lupusregina enthusiastically slapped his palm, he knew for certain that he had been had. And then his passive skill kicked in as Master and Servant alike started laughing.

"D-did you see his face? He looked like a landed fish!"

"I-I can't breathe su~!"

"Didn't I tell you it would work?"

"I w-was foolish, hahahahaha, truly foolish to doubt my Creator! Even Momonga-sama cannot resist you~!"

Yuri Alpha studiously ignored her sister as she fell to the ground clutching her sides. Instead, the Dullahan just quietly knelt by Momonga's feet to start picking up the numerous coins that her master had dropped in his near panic, her face an iron mask.

Momonga himself was still trying to get his head around how he had just been pranked.

Tigris' laughter finally died down as he stood up, magically shrinking to avoid putting his head through the ceiling and making the bed give a baleful creak. "Ahh, you really need to lighten up man. Learn to take a joke. With that said, fun's over, I've got to get going. Have fun with the Adventurer gig, let me know if you find anything worth our notice. I'll do the same on my end." He closed the coin box and returned it to the bag, and then the bag went back into Tigris' inventory.

"Let's see, anything else, anything else, umm, Aura is solidifying her rule in the forest. There were no problems there last I heard, all three monsters have fallen in line, along with their subordinates, and Mare's using his magic to build her a palace in the trees. The sentries hidden around that village haven't reported anything yet. Demiurge is moving to scout the city of E-Pespel before starting his job, and Sebas and Solution should arrive in the capital today. Shalltear and Cocytus are defending Nazarick itself. No real news from any of them. I… think that's it for now."

He walked over the prone and giggling Lupusregina and put a hand on the door before turning his head to face the three of them. "Any other last second questions before I go? Last chance."

Momonga just shook his head, a wry smile forming on his face. Or at least it would if he still had skin. "I have one question. You said Lucifer-san hates this place. What do you think of it? Do you hate it too?"

The genie looked up at the ceiling for a moment, a contemplative look on his face. "Well, I can't say I love it. It's too primitive and too dirty for that. But I can't say I really hate it either. For all that the people are stupid, ill educated, and pathetically frail, they have one redeeming feature."

"And what's that?"

The grin returned to the giant's face. "There are So. Many. Blonde girls. And they're all smoking hot! Any other questions?"

Momonga felt his mind go blank at the sudden and shameless admission. 'Huh… was Tigris-san always this way?' It seemed more along the lines of what he would hear from his friend Peroroncino.

The skeleton started to be washed away in memories as he readjusted his mask and leaned back against the wall behind him. "That's all. Just promise you'll be careful Tigris-san. If there are any Players out there, they're bound to want to help humanity out. If they find out what you're doing…."

Tigris' smile turned into something bestial. "If they have a problem with what I do, then they can try and stop me. They'll fail like everyone else before them. Alright, I'm outta here. Bye you three."

Lupusregina waved from where she was on the floor. "Bye Creator!"

Yuri Alpha bowed from where she was knelt on the floor. "Farewell Tigris Euphrates-sama, and safe travels."

Momonga just gave the giant a wave as he stepped out into the hallway and closed the door behind him.

Once Tigris was gone, the skeleton sighed and lay back on the bed. He didn't need rest, but there were times when the remnants of the human in him, the spirit of Suzuki Satoru exclaimed that he was exhausted and demanded a reprieve. After the shock he just experienced, he felt that now was one of those times.

From his reclining position he pulled a pair of leather bags from his item box and handed them down to Yuri as she resumed collecting the fallen coins. "Here, put about half of the money in each bag."

As the Dullahan dutifully took the containers and continued her task, the cleric of the group finally got to her feet and stretched. "Hey, Suzuki, I'm going to go have a look around this place, do you mind?"

Momonga sat up from where he was laid at the question. It was enough of a break, and the bed wasn't all that comfortable anyway. "No, you can't go. Not until we know for sure that it's safe out there. Tigris Euphrates-san may take it lightly, but that doesn't change the fact that this place is still enemy territory. We can't afford to relax. I'm going to go have a quick look around, there are a few places that were mentioned in earlier reports that I want to have a look at. You two stay here and ward off any intruders. I don't think that there are any vulnerabilities in our defenses here, but stay alert just in case."

The two maids answered in the affirmative as he made his way to the door.

As he left the room and made his way down the stairs, he couldn't help but think of the situation they were all in.

Sure, it wasn't perfect. This strange set of circumstances wasn't like anything they had encountered before, and the stakes were higher than ever. But they were a Guild, they were still Ainz Ooal Gown. He had no doubt that they would overcome any trial that came before them, just as they had before.

'It may not have been exactly as I wanted, but no matter what happens it's better than doing this all on my own.'

XXXXXXXXX

As the Supreme Beings left them alone, the pair of maids relaxed.

Or rather, Yuri Alpha relaxed. Her sister was already as relaxed as she could be.

Yuri had no idea what just happened.

She was fairly sure that it was improper, whatever it was, but as it was the action of a Supreme Being she had no right to say anything about it, or even to try to judge whether it was right or wrong.

But she was certain that it was improper for Lupusregina to try to deceive a Supreme Being, especially Momonga-sama himself, the way that she did. But if she did it at the bidding of Tigris Euphrates-sama, a Supreme Being and the Werewolf's own creator, then Yuri couldn't say anything about it. If Yamaiko-sama had told her to, Yuri was certain that she would have done the same thing.

'Still' she thought to herself as she watched her younger sister close her eyes and stretch out on the bunk. 'I don't think I'd have taken such obvious relish in the act.'

Yuri just focused on completing the task assigned to her and continued to collect the dropped coins. Her sister could be trusted to ensure nobody snuck up on them. As a Werewolf she would no doubt hear anyone who tried to sneak up on them.

But no matter how hard she focused, it couldn't exorcise the unease in her heart at the disrespect her sister had shown. But even if it made her uneasy, it was ordered by another Supreme Being, so she had no choice but to accept it.

Stuck in her quandary, the Dullahan reasserted her focus on the task at hand.

'Haaah, why are all my little sisters like this?'

And while Yuri fought her inner torment Lupusregina just relaxed on the bed as best she could, reveling in the newly created memories and ignorant of her older sister's turmoil.

XXXXXXXXX

The next morning, the trio returned to the Adventurer's Guild once more.

The front door opened into a large lobby area across from a counter where a trio of young women greeted the Adventurers around them with bright smiles. All around the room were warriors in full plate armor wielding numerous weapons, wiry and agile fighters sporting bows, people draped in priestly garb and sporting numerous holy symbols, and arcane spellcasters wielding staves and wands.

To Momonga's left was a set of double doors, and to his right was a notice board that covered half the wall and was covered in numerous parchments.

Thankful for his friend's foresight and assistance, he made his way through the crowd around the board to have a look at the jobs himself.

All the while he could feel numerous eyes sizing him up, and the copper plate around his neck all but burned. It was no different than the inn yesterday. But while they were sizing him up, he evaluated the men and women around him in turn.

There was a wide variety of job classes evident, and practically everyone in the room was wearing a plate of silver or gold around their necks. He couldn't help but feel a bit out of place, but he forged on undeterred. They had come here for a reason.

When he finally stood before the board, he once again gave silent thanks to Herohero for his foresight. Without him, Momonga was certain he would have forgotten that he was unable to read this country's language, even if he could speak it thanks to some strange phenomenon. He quickly browsed the papers before him.

'GOBLIN TRIBE SUBJUGATION'

A tribe of goblins several dozen strong has been harassing the village of Triet a day and a half northwest of E-Rantel. The tribe has been scouted and is confirmed to be approximately sixty to seventy goblins strong, with a small number of wolf riders and ogres. No spellcasters were spotted during the scouting, but for a tribe this size it should be assumed that there is at least one Goblin Shaman. The strength of the tribe's Chieftain is unknown, but judging by the size of the tribe he shouldn't exceed difficulty level 45. This would put the difficulty at GOLD rank, but when one considers the mobility and keen senses of the wolves, the presence of ogres, and the possibility of magical interference as well as the number of ordinary goblins, it becomes necessary to increase the strength of the response accordingly.

DIFFICULTY: PLATINUM (MULTIPLE GOLD PARTIES WORKING TOGETHER MAY BE CONSIDERED)

REWARD: 120 GOLD COINS

'Hmm, rewarding, but not exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for.' He looked at the next paper.

'WANTED: MANTICORE WINGS'

Local Armorsmith Conda Saine is seeking new material to experiment with for better leather armor. We are seeking the wings from two fully grown Manticores from within the Great Forest of Tob. Anyone seeking to undertake this quest should be aware that Manticores are difficulty level 50. They are capable of flight, can fire armor piercing spikes from their tails to a distance of sixty meters, and are intelligent enough to know when they are being hunted. There have been examples of Manticores setting up ambushes before. Party members with forest based classes such as Druids and Rangers are recommended.

DIFFICULTY: GOLD

REWARD: 40 GOLD COINS AND PROMISES OF DISCOUNT FOR CONDA'S MERCHANDISE

'It's not bad, but I don't really want to start off with a fetch quest. Next.'

'KATZE PLAINS UNDEAD EXTERMINATION'

As we all know, the Undead are an abomination and must be destroyed for the sake of all living things. The Katze Plains, being the Undead spawning ground that they are, must be regularly patrolled and the Undead regularly culled to prevent stronger Undead from rising. Applicants are to spend one week patrolling the Plains, and must return with evidence of no fewer than one hundred destroyed Undead. If stronger Undead are encountered, prioritize escape to ensure that this information can properly be spread. Ask Guild Receptionist for most recent information on Undead spotted on the Plains.

DIFFICULTY: SILVER

REWARD: 15 GOLD COINS (Potentially more depending on number and type of Undead slain)

Momonga looked over the board and saw that there were several papers showing that same request. It was probably because they expected and welcomed several parties doing the same job. 'That must be the equivalent of a reoccurring quest then.'

'FIND THE PHANTOM THIEF'

For several days an unknown individual has been ransacking honest businesses, homes, and governmental offices. Crimes include but are not limited to: The theft of potions from several local herbalists, the theft of weaponry and armor from local artisans, the theft of documents and stored coin from the Merchant's Guild, the theft of military rations from the City Storehouses, the theft of imported goods from trading caravans resting in the city, numerous incidents of pick-pocketing, and the theft of tax money justly collected from the people of E-Rantel and those seeking to enter our fair city or use the Kingdom's roads. Local guards and investigators have found nothing, suggesting the possibility of this thief being something inhuman. Regardless of species, this criminal must be brought to justice! Parties sporting individuals with access to Divination magic and/or exceptional thieves are a must. Reward may be augmented if stolen goods are found and returned.

DIFFICULTY: GOLD

REWARD: 100 GOLD COINS AND POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Momonga stared at that poster for several seconds before he recovered from his shock.

He quickly glanced over the board. Sure enough, there were plenty of parchments bearing the same request. Whoever put forward that job, probably the local government, didn't want just one group of Adventurers. They wanted a bunch of them. And as he watched in horror, several different papers were snatched from the board and carried over to the counter, their holders filled with evident determination and purpose.

'Why do they look so eager? Hmm, I guess the reward is considered lucrative for its difficulty.'

He tried not to flinch as he saw another poster for that job taken by a man with a platinum plate. 'Tigris-san, I hope you know what you're doing.'

The masked skeleton tried to think quickly about what to do. Should he take the job to try and sabotage it? But there was no way to tell how many teams there would be, and trying to ruin a request wasn't the best way to start his Adventuring career….

After several moments, he decided to just warn his friend when he had a spare moment. Other than that, he would trust that the Efreeti could handle himself. He was a level one hundred thief with a magic item to scramble magical surveillance. Odds were excellent that they'd never find him.

He hoped.

Upon deciding to put that aside he continued his search for appropriate work.

'FIND THE TEMPLE VANDAL'

…

'God dammit Lucifer-san.' Next.

'E-RANTEL GRAVEYARD PATROL'

Given the size of the local cemetery and the influx of new cadavers given recent conflict with the Baharuth Empire, the graveyard of E-Rantel is an Undead hot spot. Regular patrols are needed to exterminate the weak undead and prevent the rise of more powerful creatures. Most likely monsters to be encountered will be Skeletons and Zombies. Applicants are advised to bring multiple weapon types, and parties with a Divine Spellcaster capable of using 'Turn Undead' will have an advantage. Remains of at least twenty different slain Undead will be required to receive payment.

DIFFICULTY: COPPER

REWARD: 8 SILVER COINS

Momonga looked at that for several moments, especially the reward.

'I don't think so.'

'E-RANTEL SEWER PATROL'

'Not just no. Hell no.'

He spent several more minutes scanning the board before finally spotting something interesting.

'FOREST DRAKE SUBJUGATION'

Local herds have been devastated by a dangerous beast. The sheep, cows, and horses of the villages of Ede, Osso, and Quain have been savaged by this dangerous monster. The Guild has spent several weeks investigating the cause and have determined the culprit to be a Forest Drake. As a lesser cousin of the Green Dragon, the creature is highly dangerous. Estimated difficulty level is 75. Forest Drakes are capable of flight, and of swimming. They are immune to sleep spells, acid damage, and paralysis effects. They can breathe underwater for an indefinite period of time and are capable of using their breath weapon underwater to attack targets on land. The breath weapon of a Forest Drake is a ball of acid that explodes into a caustic mist on impact with any solid surface. Forest Drakes have been known to use the thick cloud produced by this ability to hide themselves, conceal their movements, and attack weaker targets. Three times a day, a Forest Drake can use a special ability to enhance its physical capabilities for two minutes, beware of sudden bursts of speed and increased strength. This Forest Drake is believed to make its nest near a pond in the forest south of E-Rantel. Applicants are advised to have methods to attack an underwater target or to coerce it to surface, a way to deal damage if the creature takes to the air, and a way to deal with acid damage and impaired vision.

DIFFICULTY: MYTHRIL

REWARD: 180 GOLD COINS

If Momonga could smile with his skeletal face, he would be smiling now. The illusion of a face he wore under his mask was definitely wearing an expression of joy as he read the particulars of this request. This was exactly what he was looking for: a dangerous request against a single, powerful monster.

He took a deep breath, even though he didn't breathe, to steady his nerves as he took the paper from the board. What he was about to do clashed with everything he knew as a salaryman, and it clashed with his understanding of what was socially acceptable. But to get the results he wanted he had to quash that feeling of shame and forge onward. With a heavy heart he gathered his resolve and then took the parchment over towards the counter.

"I would like to take this job."

The girl's face betrayed her confusion as she looked over the parchment and took a glance at the plate around his neck. Then she gave a bitter smile and responded "I'm sorry sir, but this job is only for mythril plate Adventurers."

"I know. That's why I took it."

Momonga's calm, unwavering tone made the girl doubt herself for a moment, but she immediately fell back on an obviously rehearsed line.

"I'm sorry but-"

"I would like to take this job."

"Even if you ask that, I'm afraid that the rules clearly state-"

"Those rules are pointless. I'm fed up with having to prove myself with easy, pathetic jobs for a few pieces of copper before my rank-up examinations."

The Guild receptionist finally regained her resolve. "If you take a job like this and fail, many people will lose their lives." Her firm tone seemed to encompass the silent opinion of those who worked hard to abide by the rules and qualify normally.

Momonga's responding snort immediately drew the hostile glares of the receptionist and every Adventurer in the room. He wasn't surprised, he was the newcomer casually disdaining the regulations that they all took to heart and let rule their lives.

As an Undead being, Momonga felt nothing about this. But the remnants of Suzuki Satoru and his salaryman sensibilities were screaming out in worry and demanding that he apologize to everyone.

Suzuki Satoru hated people who dismissed the ideas of others without giving solutions of their own, and more than that he hated shitty customers that didn't know anything. Right now, he fell squarely in the latter category and it was everything Momonga could do not to take back everything he said and bow before authority.

But he could not back down. It was his idea to become an Adventurer, and his friends had given him all the advice he needed to succeed at forging the reputation of a hero. Dealing with this situation should be easy. It was time for some shock and awe.

"The woman in black behind me is my companion Erin. She is a cleric of great power, capable of using Sixth Tier magic."

The receptionist's mouth dropped open in naked shock as she turned to look at Lupusregina, and a shudder of collective gasps seemed to ripple throughout the room. Momonga wasn't surprised at the reaction at all. According to what Lucifer-san had learned from Nigun, the Third Tier was the highest that most spellcasters could reach in this world, and those capable of casting those spells were few and far between. People capable of using stronger magic were beyond merely rare, using magic of the Fourth and Fifth Tiers was the stuff of legend for most people. And, to the best of Nigun's considerable knowledge, only one man in the world had ever managed to reach the Sixth Tier.

For these people, having someone capable of that kind of magic in front of their eyes was an unbelievable event.

Of course, Momonga was prepared for what came next as the girl at the counter recovered herself. Her stern look returned.

"There's no point in trying to tell lies like that. It will only get good people killed for no good reason, you should be ashamed of yourself."

It was only natural that they wouldn't believe that kind of claim at first, but he had no intention of just giving up.

"I'm not lying about her prowess, nor would I lie about my own. I myself am an arcane spellcaster capable of casting Sixth Tier spells. My third companion, Irri, is a warrior of similar strength."

He watched for a moment as the girls' doubt turned to anger, but he cut her off before she could start shouting.

"I understand that you doubt my claims, but did you believe that Fluder Paradyne would be the only man ever to reach that pinnacle? If you doubt what I say, neither of us would have trouble demonstrating our abilities. All we'd need is some clear space and we'd be happy to demonstrate our mastery of magic. Do you still doubt my claim?"

The receptionist began to falter, and he felt the eyes of everyone in the room roaming over him and his equipment, dubious of his words.

Adventurers would wear equipment that matched their abilities. What Momonga was wearing was nowhere near as good as his normal Divine gear, and the Pleiades with him were also dressed down, Yuri more than Lupusregina, but their gear wasn't insignificant. Between his distinctive equipment, the beauty of his companions, and their willingness to demonstrate their strength, it made his claim much more persuasive.

Everyone started looking at the three of them with different eyes.

Momonga continued on "I'm tired to taking on pointless repetitive work, I want to take on a higher ranked job. If strength is the issue, then we have plenty of it, so could you please let us take it?"

The hostility that surrounded the three of them was starting to fade, gradually being replaced by a sense of awe. He heard all kinds of mutterings in those moments, things like 'Is he for real?', 'Sixth Tier…', and 'If he's that strong then I can't blame him', and similar comments.

The receptionist was clearly torn. She was biting her bottom lip as she glanced at Momonga and his companions in turn. And all the while the other two receptionists were staring at her, saying nothing and letting her handle the problem herself.

Finally, she broke and bowed low.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot make that kind of decision. Please wait here while I get the Guild master."

Momonga smiled in his heart as he saw the girl scurry towards the doors leading further in and vanished. It seemed things were going just as they had planned.

That was when a voice sounded behind him.

"Hey, if you're looking for something more challenging than the copper requests, why not try helping us with our job?"

"What?" Momonga turned to look at the person who spoke. It was a group of four, with silver plates dangling around their necks.

One of the four, who was dressed like a warrior, spoke up. "I'll be honest with you, there's no way that they'll let you take a request like that. The receptionist might have to kick the question up the line, but the answer will still be the same in the end. They can't afford to bend the rules for anybody; it'll just draw repercussions from the Guilds in other cities. So why don't you work together on a job with us?"

The masked skeleton quickly ran through the possibilities in his head. 'From what Lucifer-san told me, the Guild is bound to bend the rules for me after a demonstration of power. Could that be wrong?'

His guildmates' words came to mind immediately. 'Listen Momonga, if you want to make a splash then you have to go all the way. Don't downplay yourself more than you absolutely have to, pointless humility will only get people to take advantage of you. Was Beowulf unnecessarily humble, or Alexander, or Achilles, or Odysseus, or Heracles, or Cu Chulainn, or Manawydan Fab Llyr? The answer is no. A certain level of arrogance is expected from a hero, it's a necessary character trait. You never heard the tale of how Heracles got treated like a doormat did you? Sure, he had moments where he bowed his head, but even then the people he was bowing to were terrified of him.'

Lucifer continued on to say 'Talent is extremely important around here, talent and power. A Third Tier spellcaster is a rare and precious treasure, someone like that is sure to turn heads. Anything beyond that is practically a living fable, Fourth and Fifth Tier magic is what you hear about legendary heroes using, not something that regular people, or even most Adventurers, ever get to deal with. Not unless it's being used by an enemy, like a Lich or something. And Sixth Tier magic is all but unheard of, there's only one guy in the world who's supposed to be able to use it in human territory. If you go in and prove to be his equal, and if Lupusregina shows similar prowess with divine magic, they will bend. Over. Backwards. For you. They might play coy and reluctant, don't let it fool you. They'll be suspicious at first, hesitant to believe, that's fine. But once you show them something that's clearly Sixth Tier magic they'll have to be the world's biggest idiots to let you out of their grasp. They'll want you to stay badly enough that they'll give favors they'd never consider otherwise. Take advantage of that and get everything you can.'

It… sounded convincing. At least Momonga thought so. He originally figured that a hero should be humble to a fault, but maybe he was wrong? When someone threw citation after citation at him to prove their point, and all he had to go on was his own gut feelings, it made his own words feel hollow and ill-conceived.

It felt like times when he was working in the office and attended presentations for new products, and how the presenter had answers to every question asked of him with barely a moment of thought. It made his doubts about what he was being told fade.

'I just wish that I knew what he was talking about with those various heroes.' The name Heracles sort of rang a bell, but he never heard of any of the others Lucifer rattled off, and he knew nothing about their legends or what they did. But neither Herohero or Tigris Euphrates said anything to contradict him, so Momonga just took the information given as fact without looking any further into it.

So, if Lucifer-san was right, then the Guild would certainly bend the rules if he pushed. After he proved that he was telling the truth of course. They wouldn't want to let a rare talent go somewhere else. It would be like letting an incredibly talented employee get head hunted by another company. He could understand that.

'But, maybe the Guild master is a prideful idiot that would let someone like that go just to stand on principle? It's impossible to tell before I meet him. But, if that IS the case, it's better to leave some options open. Plus, if I do work with them, it would let me build relationships and ask questions during the job.'

With that in mind, he made his decision and slowly nodded.

"More challenging work is exactly what I'm looking for. I hope you don't mind if I ask to hear the details before I make a decision?"

After hearing his response, the young warrior called one of the other receptionists and had them led into a private room.

XXXXXXXXX

I think I'm going to call it here.

Originally this chapter was supposed to be bigger, but it was starting to get to an uncomfortable length so I'm going to be splitting this into two. Hope that nobody minds, but I think that over seventeen thousand words is more than long enough for a decent chapter.

I'm kind of looking forward to this next bit. This chapter, and I suppose the next chapter, will be the last parts where I'm constrained by canon to any degree. Even now you can see that things won't be going how they did in canon in a variety of different ways, and after the next chapter it will be all original content. The joy of freedom. I can only hope that you all enjoy the direction that the story will head from here on out.

For those who are wondering, yes Lupusregina IS using some of her actual Pleiades equipment. Not all of it, but some, compared to Yuri who is definitely using equipment less potent than normal. Momonga didn't feel right telling Lupusregina to use the weaker stuff, and was allowed to pick her own equipment as long as it was weaker than what she normally used. And as a result she kept some things from her normal load-out. Yuri was issued equipment Momonga thought was appropriate for what she would be doing. But even if it is a step down, what Yuri and Lupusregina are using here is equipment that wouldn't be out of place for a level fifty Player. As compared to Narberal in canon who had no special equipment at all. Momonga's guildmates convinced him to actually try to make the group thing work, as opposed to canon where Narberal is all but an accessory and Momonga does his best to hog the limelight to himself and live a hero fantasy.

Now then, for this chapter's trivia topic

ADVENTURERS

When one thinks of Adventurers, one most likely thinks of wandering heroes who accept numerous quests, explore mysterious locations, and fight dangerous monsters. When it comes to the Adventurers of the New World, this description would be two thirds correct.

Adventurers receive their jobs from the Adventurers' Guild, whose job it is to receive requests, investigate them to determine difficulty, and ensure that as few deaths happen as possible. They are also responsible for ensuring that the Adventurers get paid their proper due.

While they take on numerous kinds of work, such as gathering rare materials and guarding important people, and they DO occasionally explore unexplored locations to spread the influence of humanity, they are mostly known for being anti-monster mercenaries. Fighting monsters requires a variety of different means of attack and defense, and it's a job that most soldiers cannot hope to replicate, so to deal with non-human threats the people of the New World turn to the Adventurers to deal with the problem. However, in order to stay neutral from national and international politics, Adventurers tend to stay out of human-on-human confrontations. Exceptions may be made for criminals, but depending on the strength of the criminal group in question the Adventurer's Guild may decide to stay out of it.

Of course, by that same token, in nations where the military CAN handle the threat of monsters, the prestige of the Adventuring profession dwindles. There are no Adventurers in the Slane Theocracy, and in the Baharuth Empire the Adventurers are losing status.

Those in power dislike armed groups that do not bow to that power, so while they are generally among the strongest people in the world, and the higher ranked Adventurers have great fame, an Adventurer doesn't have much of the way of real power over the nation that they live in.

All Adventurers are immediately identifiable by a metal plate that they wear around their necks. These plates are provided by the Adventurer's Guild, and the type of metal that the plate is made of indicates the Adventurer's power and status. From weakest to strongest, the ranks are as follows: Copper, Iron, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Mythril, Orichalcum, and Adamantite.

An Adventurer can increase his or her rank by two methods. The first is to pass examinations and tests to increase their rank after a certain amount of time and completed requests, and the second is to accomplish great deeds that would be considered worthy of an increase in rank.

Adventurers demand very high prices for their work and the strongest ones are considered heroes and showered with fame, but it is a very dangerous profession. Numerous Adventurers die before they become truly strong, so many with the talent to become Adventurers choose some other path in life.

In the Re-Estize Kingdom, there are approximately three thousand Adventurers, only six hundred of which are ranked Platinum or higher

Now, next up is today's character sheet. A character that's obviously going to have a bit more presence here than she does in canon.

YURI ALPHA

Big sister of the Battle Maids

Alignment- 150- Good

Job- Battle Maid Sub-Leader

Residence- Great Tomb of Nazarick, Ninth Floor, Maid's Room

Racial Level- 11

Zombie Lv.10

Dullahan Lv.1

Job Level- 40

Striker Lv.10

Single Blow Lv.5

Cook Lv.1

Others

HP: 55

MP: 12

Phys. Atk: 57

Phys. Def: 36

Agility: 51

Mag. Atk: 0

Mag. Def: 35

Resistance: 37

Special Ability: 36

Total: 319

One of the few NPCs of Nazarick that has a positive Alignment, she was created by Yamaiko to be the big sister of the Battle Maids Pleiades. Yuri is specialized in close combat, designed to close in and beat the enemy down. Very caring towards others, but at the end of the day she's still an NPC of Nazarick and will not hesitate to carry out the orders of the Supreme Beings.

I think that just about does it. I hope everybody enjoyed the chapter and I'll see you again with chapter eleven.