Overlord: The Exiled
Notes and Disclaimers: The usual rabble. Kugane owns it and YenPress licenses the translated hard copies of the Light Novel. Much of the following chapters may or may not skim over a few sections of the whole Lizardman Arc with exceptions in certain moments of the storyline until it diverges far from the canon content in one way or another.
A fair number of people are at least SOMEWHAT aware of everything Ainz as Momon with Nabe and the rest of Nazarick has done in the New World up to this point. It is effectively THE FIRST SEASON of the Anime rendition and IS the first Three Volumes of the Light Novel at an approximate word count of 240k based on number of pages in a volume compared to the average number of words in a typical novel of fiction off of a retail bookshelf.
Granted, take that estimated number of words with some salt as it is a general guess, not counting illustration pages and Character Profile pages, along with author notes at the end of his volumes. Much less font size and type of font used in the publishing. The indentations for the paragraphs and dimensions of the hard cover books themselves also count toward affecting the accurate "word count".
I didn't even realize this until I did a comparison with my own word count including the latest chapter of the Exiled just out of curiosity as to how many "Novel Pages" I had written to this point. So there you have it folks. All this (All chapters up to this one) is essentially my version of Volume I, II, and III, via different perspectives during the time when the "set up" stages of this batch of YGGDRASIL players arrives in the New World.
While I will fully acknowledge that there have been and will be bumps in the road, I don't think that I'm doing abysmal. Nor am I writing the best thing since bacon cheese burgers and sushi. Mmmm . . . bacon . . . eh? Where was I? Sushi? Hellz yes!
Oops . . . back to the notes.
The Lizardman Arc starts AND ENDS in the Fourth Volume of the Light Novel alone. Which is something I found pretty jarring. Especially when there is an apparent rough estimated MONTH of time from his attaining Adamantite within a mere two WEEKS of arriving in the New World, to his actions concerning the Lizardmen north of Nazarick.
In order to better portray this arc and the changes I am incorporating into it. I have gone and re-read the whole Arc in the Light Novel from the physical hard back copy I own from YenPress and will have beside my laptop as I write this as hard reference material. Please keep this in mind for those of you who meld WEB Novel and LIGHT Novel.
I get that there are ideas in the Web Novel that are interesting and fun. Hells, Arche as a kinky slave to Shalltear and teaching Ainz ballroom dance? Oddly I was and still am rather ok with that. It was hells of a lot better than getting dismembered even after death and having her sisters sold into slavery and worked to death. Jesus!
So yes, there are elements from the Web Novel that I DO find fascinating and even wish were part of the Canon Light Novel, but that's just it, they aren't. I may call out certain things from the Web Novel when convenient, or when this is an utter lack of material from the Light Novel in certain regards, but by no means am I catering to it as canon. Kugane Maruyama even stated that it (the Web Novel) is like a readable rough draft.
I believe that I have been stating this case above previously. In fact I am quite certain I have at least twice. Yet I guess it needs repeating on occasion. Oh well.
It is during this approximate month of time that the events of all the previous and a portion of the following Draconis section of this fic take place.
SO. For the "canon" of The Exiled, the Lizardman Arc occurs SIMULTANEOUSLY with the events in the next part of the Draconis perspective.
Chapter 23: Expansion Begins
The lizard men of the Great Tove Forrest area north of the Great Tomb of Nazarick carried on about their days to the south of the Great Lake. Their home rested in the marshes that lined the southern border of the Azerlisia Mountains. The mountain range itself acted stoically as an insurmountable natural border between the Kingdom of Re-Estize and the Baharuth Empire.
Many decades ago, the lizard men ancestors that migrated here had attempted to settle farther to the north of the Great Lake, but war between their kind and the residents of the time had found them lacking and beaten back to the south in the marshlands. The toadmen who occupied the land farther north had been more advanced in technology and certain members of that race had the ability to tame the larger indigenous races that lived within the Great Lake's depths.
Ever since their utter defeat by the toadmen, relations between each other whenever they encountered one another was extraordinarily sour.
Zaryusu Shasha exited his home. The house standing up on its ten stilt legs, keeping the home aloft above the marsh waters. All lizard man homes were similar in nature in that regard. Slung over his back were three fat fish, each one over three feet in length. Young lizard men children ran about, generating splashing and splooshing noises as they chased each other. A group of them spotted the Traveler and watched him as he passed.
Except they were not watching him, per se, but the fish he carried. Zaryusu was pretty certain that they were drooling at the fattened morsels he carried. Not that he could blame them. Part of him just wanted to chomp down on them himself.
Acting as if he had not seen them, he chuckled a bit. It was his current destination that he was delivering his parcel of fish to. The home lying at the end of his first stop of the day lay crooked and sloped into the water. It had not stilts and was designed like this on purpose. As he approached, the smell of the fish he carried with him earned an affection seeking cry of happiness from within the building.
A single long serpent's head poked out from the window and flicked a tongue at him to confirm that it was truly Zaryusu. Rororo bobbed his head up and down confirming that its master was present. The "pet" coiled around him affectionately and Zaryusu gently patted him in return. The smooth scales were rather pleasant for him to touch. He tossed the fish into the hut with a splash . . . or more along the lines of a "splat" given the interior.
"Ha. I brought you a snack. A part of me wants to stay a play with you a bit, but I need to go check on the fish. Eat up and I'll be back later."
Zaryusu had raised Rororo from a tiny thing, so by now he felt like conversing with him was not a problem at this point. For his part, Rororo seemed to understand him and rubbed him affectionately a few more times before retreating back into the hut. The sounds of feeding could be heard as he walked away to go check on his fish farm.
The Fake Nazarick Cabin
-Six Days After Ainz's Warning to the Lizard Man Tribes-
Cocytus sat at the main strategy table they had set up. All around him were various Grotesques from the game that had been assigned to him as his generals. They varied wildly; from one with the appearance like a praying mantis, another like a spider, even one that was more giant brain than body. Yet despite all of there unique appearances, they all served Ainz Ooal Gown. All of them were Cocytus's minions as well.
The room itself was simple and only held a single ornament, the giant hanging mirror. Despite that the cabin was large, measuring an easy twenty-one yards on all sides and over sixteen feet tall. This room acted as their strategy room. Spread across the rough map of the area lie the various villages of the lizard men. Among the pieces on the table were the figures that represented each of the groups within the small army Cocytus had been ordered to make do with by Ainz.
The numbers within his forces added as such: 2,200 zombies, 2.200 skeletons, 300 undead beasts, 150 skeletal archers, and 100 skeletal riders for a total of 4,950 – plus the commander and his guard.
Arrayed against them was the five tribe lizard man alliance.
This consisted of 103 warriors, 5 priests, 7 hunters, 124 males, and 105 females from the Green Claw tribe.
The Small Fang tribe fielded 65 warriors, 1 priest, 16 hunters, 111 males, and 94 females.
Next came the Razor Tail tribe with their contribution: 89 heavy warriors, 3 priests, 6 hunters, 99 males, and 81 females.
Not to be out done, the Dragon Tusk tribe rallied 125 warriors, 2 priests, 10 hunters, 98 males, and 32 females.
Finally came the Red Eye tribe with their 47 warriors, 15 priests, 6 hunters, 59 males, and 77 females.
Altogether they forged a force of 429 warriors, 26 priests, 45 hunters, 491 males, and 389 females. This brought their total alliance's fighting capacity to 1,380 including the tribe chieftains and Zaryusu.
The lizardmen were outnumbered by this force roughly 3 to 1.
Despite this numerical advantage, the scout reports of one lizard man that had gone forth from his village and garnered this alliance of splintered, once warring group of tribes had piqued his warrior's interest. To be honest, the whispers carried back by his scouts reported that he carried what seemed to be an item of some great significance to these tribes. A weapon with a name. Now that definitely piqued his curiosity.
As a warrior, named weapons had history, power, and prestige all wrapped into one. Some were even notorious rather than famous due to some kind of curse and malevolent history.
He huffed and a matching pair of icy clouds left his carapace. How he relished the opportunity and honor of fighting such a battle with another wielder of a named blade! However, this was not the time to be fantasizing about such things. He had been given a mission! This was his chance to prove his worth to Lord Ainz. Yet something about this situation made him uneasy. He just could not put a claw on what specifically was making feel this very odd way.
He knew quite well that he had the numerical advantage and there were also the advantages of not needing food, drink, or even air to fight. There was also the lack of fatigue that plagued normal mortal armies and need for true medical supplies. In spite of these advantages, the army he was given by Ainz himself was woefully weak. Against these lizard men would they truly come out victorious? Cocytus shook his head as he scolded himself mentally.
NO, SUCH THOUGHTS ARE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE SUPREME ONES. I WAS GIVEN THIS TASK TO BRING GLORY TO NAZARICK AND AINZ OOAL GOWN.
The restrictions and rules he had been given for this mission straight from the top was that:
A. Cocytus himself was not allowed to fight or reveal himself. This also carried over to his minions. He was also to make use of just the forces granted to him.
B. The Elder Lich that had been created by Ainz was only to be used if absolutely necessary.
C. The final big point of the three that stood out the most was that he was to think for himself and make his own decision whenever possible.
A spark went through him as he revisited the last major point that Ainz had given him. To use his own discretion. Did this mean that Ainz was giving him the permission to make a few of his own decisions so long as the result was acceptable? Was this a test of his ability as a warlord? He huffed more icy steam from his mandibles.
SUCH INSIGHT OF THE SUPREME ONE! A TEST OF MY ABILITIES AND TRUST AS A GUARDIAN OF NAZARICK. TRULY I AM BLESSED WITH SUCH A LORD!
He needed someone to help dispel his doubts and advise him all the same. He had never truly commanded in this level of capacity, but then again, he did know someone who had. But would that be permissible? Taking the final point into account all over again, he shook his heads of his doubts and took note of the days that Ainz's undead messenger had given those Lizard men of the Green Claw tribe.
Two days left out of the eight.
"THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TIME TO FINISH MY PREPARATIONS. I HAVE A [Message] I NEED TO MAKE. BRING ME A [Message] SCROLL."
One of his minions bowed deeply and hurried to comply with the order. They had not seen Cocytus this worked up and eager in some time. It would be an honor and a pleasure to see what he came up with. As the minion left the doors, he promptly came back in, only to be followed very shortly by a maid with a chingnon hairstyle. Her unblinking eyes seemed to scan the whole room at one time without the need for her to move her head around. Her legs were covered in talismans and her petite form belied the strength she possessed.
Despite the fact that Cocytus's minions nearly all were stronger than her both in stats and levels, they subverted to her. Power, or rather . . . authority in Nazarick was not truly by actual strength but by who had been created directly by the Supreme Beings. It was in this regard that Entoma was superior to the minions. Entoma Vasilissa Zeta stopped just short of the table and placed the parcel she was totting on the floor before greeting the Guardian of the Fifth Floor.
"Masssster Cocytus, I have brought youuuu scroooolls from Lord Ainz. They are for you tooo make use of in your mission."
Her voice was that of a cute girl and most would have fallen for it if they did not have previous knowledge of what gave her that voice. Putting aside that thought for now, Cocytus nodded as he greeting the member of the Pleiades in return.
"GREETINGS ENTOMA, I GRACIOUSLY ACCEPT THESE SCROLLS. LET US SEE THEM."
Entoma's head tilted to the side as she looked at the table.
"I would be happy to do soooo, but there are several. Could the table perhaps be cleared so I can put them there for youuuu?"
Cocytus could see her point and nodded firmly in agreement. Entoma clapped her hands together in response.
"Thank youu. Sooo chop chop! Let's cleaaar iiiit."
The minions immediately began cleaning off the table, being surprisingly mindful of the map and the pieces that had been placed all over it. [Lift Object] was being used to ensure that the map and its contents were not ruffled so they would not have to rearrange the whole thing when they placed the map back on the table later.
Confirming that an acceptable area of the table was cleared off, Entoma brought forth the contents of the satchel she hauled with her. Withdrawing several scrolls, she placed them each on the table and explained what each of them were. These were magic scrolls with spells written upon them. The parchment used was from the barfolk from Abelion Hills. Demiurge called them bi-pedal sheep, yet in reality they were a sentient race of demi-humans. Ainz had not yet understood the true source of the new parchments.
"Thissss one is a Teleportation Scroll. They were made from the skins harvesssted by Lord Demiuuuuurge."
Cocytus's mandibles clacked a bit in a form of sardonic smile.
"DEMIURGE HAS PULLED AHEAD OF ME AGAIN IT WOULD SEEM."
A dry laugh came from a few of his minions at the implied jab.
As one of the Guardians of Nazarick and a peer of Demiurge, he was glad and happy for the success of his compatriot in his venture forth to begin the steps necessary to bring Ainz Ooal Gown's name to all the corners of the world. Demiurge had succeeded in his mission thus far and proven his worth to Nazarick. As the brains of the Guardians, this was to be expected of him. Cocytus could not fully quell the tinge of jealousy he felt though. He was a Guardian in the truest sense of the word. A warrior first and foremost, who's sword acting in the name of his lord . . . leader of all the Supreme Ones, Ainz Ooal Gown.
He struggled to fully grasp just how he could also prove his own worth to Ainz-sama until this mission came to him. However, the massive power difference between these tribal lizard men and Nazarick was a joke. This so called "war" was little more than a slaughter, as some of them had put it, a "Harvest Festival" to gather corpses for Lord Ainz to experiment on with creating undead from something other than humans.
This knowledge, coupled with the restrictions he had been placed under, made him unusually nervous. He could not fail the Supreme One. Yet the skeletons and undead he had been provided had no individual intelligence and ability to act on an independent basis. Grunting a bit, he set aside a group of the scrolls before looking to the Peliades Maid.
"I MUST ASK YOU TO GIVE THANKS TO LORD AINZ."
Entoma sluggishly nodded her head in response. Curious as to her lack of verbal response and movement afterward, he asked a question of her.
"ARE YOU NOT RETURNING?"
"Nooo. I was toooold to watch how the battle goooes."
SO SHE'S BEEN SENT AS AN OBSERVER. Cocytus knew that he was being watched now by not just Ainz, but probably the other Guardians as well. Such a level of pressure he had never felt before. Was this anxiety? WAIT, I WAS TOLD TO USE MY OWN DECISIONS. I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY. PERHAPS LORD AINZ WOULD SCOLD ME LATER, BUT IF IT IS FROM HIM . . .
Cocytus plucked a [Message] scroll from the pile and used it.
"DRACONIS-SAMA."
The voice on the other side held a tone of surprise. Cocytus did not think such a thing possible, but it was obvious from the inflection. To think that he would surprise a being that the Supreme One thought an equal and friend was small victory he would relish.
"Is this Cocytus? Well now, this is a surprise. Give me a moment."
Cocytus waited until Draconis spoke again. The rest of his minions stared at him in shock. Entoma, for what it was worth, merely watched him in silence. The face mask bug maintaining its glassy, empty look. A bit of time went by before Draconis spoke again. When he did, it sounded like he had just sat down in some private room. The thought of him retreating to a private chamber to just focus on this [Message] both honored and humbled the Fifth Floor Guardian.
"Alright. I apologize for the wait. What is it you needed?"
"PLEASE DO NOT APOLOGIZE. IT IS MY FAULT FOR INTERRUPTING WHATEVER IT WAS YOU WERE UNDERTAKING. YOU ARE A FRIEND OF LORD AINZ."
"A friend I may be Cocytus, but you felt the need to contact me in such a way with little warning so it must be something of importance. Such a thing is rude to keep waiting if one can help it."
"I SEE. I AM CURRENTLY UNDERTAKING A MISSION DIRECTLY FROM LORD AINZ. HOWEVER, I WAS ORDERED TO PERFORM THIS TASK UNDER CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS. ONE OF THEM WAS TO ACT AS OFTEN AS I CAN UNDER MY OWN DISCRETION. AS SUCH I FELT THE NEED TO BESEECH YOU OF THAT FAVOR THAT YOU GRACIOUSLY ALLOWED ME TO REQUEST OF YOU."
At this bit of information, his minions let out a mix of "oh" and "ah". To be granted the request of a favor of the powerful was a great honor regardless of who and where. But what would he request? The might of Nazarick was enough to conquer any from this pathetic region of marshland.
"I do recall telling you such a thing. So what is it you need?"
Cocytus took the next few moments explaining his objective to Draconis. After going over the details of his objective, there was a protracted silence. This utter lack of response made them all tense.
"Cocytus . . . where are you precisely?"
The question made a few of Cocytus's minions swallow. The curious tone held a kind of dark undercurrent that hinted at potential violence. There was definitely an odd dissatisfaction . . . no . . . disapproval was more precise a term. Did Draconis find something about Ainz's mission for him unacceptable? Was it the other way around – with the mission being unsuitable for Cocytus? No one could really tell.
"I AM NOT ALLOWED TO REVEAL THAT INFORMATION DRACONIS-SAMA."
Even though Draconis Brightblade was by no means a Supreme One of Nazarick as a native, the fact that – like Supreme One Yamaiko's "little sister" - he had visited on frequent occasions implied that he was at least accepted by the majority of Ainz Ooal Gown to be a person of equivalent power and a friend . . . for the most part. Cocytus remembered the few times that Lady Yamaiko had brought her "younger sister" to the Fifth Floor. The "sister" was an Elf Maiden. How she considered her a "little sister" was beyond him. Perhaps it was like that of a brother-in-arms relationship? An Oath Sister perhaps? Now was not the time to dwell upon such things though.
"Fair enough Cocytus, but I cannot well send help when I know not your location."
HE'S SENDING SOMETHING OR SOMEONE TO ASSIST ME?
"WHAT IS IT YOU MEAN TO SEND ME THAT WOULD HELP ME?"
"Not what Cocytus. 'Who' would be more accurate." There was a brief pause again before a chuckle met their ears. "Ah, found you. Thank you Chronos."
The group tensed. How had Draconis found their location when Cocytus had done nothing to give their location away. Yet before any of them could say anything the temperature in the cabin dropped to dangerously cold levels. Frost began to form upon the wood and floor. Icicles formed from the ceiling. Cocytus felt nothing, but all his minions did as they were not primarily ice resistant as he was. A squall of snow like a white out blizzard formed before them as a long, shapely leg stepped out from the unnatural weather phenomena. Heeled boots clacked on the wooden floor as long, voluminous teal hair blew about. Ice blue eyes with a hard light met his multi-faceted compound eyes.
"ESDEATH."
The yuki-onna huntress smiled and bowed with a small flourish of her hands. The temperature warmed again, though some of the ice did not immediately begin to melt.
"Yes, I believe she wished to return the debt owed to you for watching over her for those years. She will act as a kind of Aide-De-Camp and provide you with both battle and logistical support. My work at the moment has her with idle time on her hands."
Baffled by this development, Cocytus found himself speaking before realizing it was out loud.
"HOW DID YOU FIND THIS PLACE? I DID NOT GIVE YOU THE DETAILS."
"I have my methods as does Ainz. Do not be so surprised Cocytus."
HE MAKES A STRONG POINT. IF HE HAS MAGICAL ITEMS AS LORD AINZ, IT WOULD NOT BE HARD TO FIND US WHEN WE ARE NOT HIDING WITH MAGIC.
Their current location was not warded with magic to avoid detection, so it was hardly a surprise when they really began to think about it.
"Please keep in mind Cocytus, that I have given her permission to defend herself and act at her own discretion so long as it does not result in utterly souring our relations with Ainz Ooal Gown. The same goes for any action that may sour your relation with The Lair."
Even seated as he was, Cocytus was taller than Esdeath. The snow huntress stood at a height of 170 cm, or around 5 feet 7 inches. Whereas Cocytus stood a massive 2.5 meters, or 8.2 feet tall. Yet despite this massive difference, the minions in the room and Entoma could tell that she was every bit his equal. A confident smirk and crossed her lips as she looked at him via one eye. She closed her right eye as she looked up toward him in an assured pose.
"I must admit, that I did not think that this would happen quite so soon Cocytus. Please allow me to return the favor for watching over my slumber."
As the two ice wielders gathered across the table, Entoma retreated a bit and took a scroll from the sleeve of her risque high necked maid uniform.
Great Tomb of Nazarick
-Ainz's Office-
Albedo shuffled about with scrolls and other assorted pieces of paper work. Part of her still could not quite get over the recent events surrounding them. Shalltear's battle with Ainz himself and then Draconis's visit at the behest of Ainz himself. She had tried but failed to shake that terrifying feeling of being crushed by both Ainz and Draconis's auras. How did that exile exude a power level on par with the very leader of the Supreme Ones?
More than that, Ainz seemed to have little issue discussing things with the exile. Had he not fought against them in the past? How did Ainz-sama forgive such a transgression? It was rumored that Draconis had once been among the original founding members before they had created the Great Tomb of Nazarick, before they had even created them, the Guardians!
Yet at some point before Nazarick had even been a passing thought to them, there had been a falling out with them. Draconis had abandoned them! The first to leave even before they formed Ainz Ooal Gown! Such betrayal! She just did not get it. Especially how a surprising number of the Supreme Ones had been welcoming, glad even! To have him visit every so often. Why? Did not his first abandonment exclude him from their inner workings?
"I just don't understand! Why does our magnificent Lord Ainz tolerate such a person?"
After the Exiled's visit, Ainz had taken an interest in learning about each of the denizens of Nazarick in depth and had requested as much knowledge be brought to him as possible to his study. Their Lord had locked himself up in this room and read exhaustedly, though he was an undead, so it really had not bothered him that much. As the Commander of the Guardians and his lover (Self Proclaimed), she had made sure to check on their Lord and convince him to take breaks. He had taken her advice, which overjoyed her, but she also had noticed a thin veil of caution around her for reasons she failed to comprehend.
Had she truly displeased him so much when she had questioned Draconis's tardiness to his summons? He was not a Supreme One, merely and hanger-on as far as she was concerned.
Sighing heavily as such depressing thoughts threatened to dampen her mood again, she mentally cursed when a peculiar tome fell off the stack she was cleaning around. Kneeling down to pick it up, she noticed that the book had opened to a page that did not contain writing, but what appeared to be a unbelievably detailed painting of what looked like Ainz-sama and a collection of individuals that she recognized a small number of the Supreme Ones. Only nine of them were present and one of them was Draconis to the left of Lord Touch Me, their arms over each others shoulders with swords raised in some kind of victory pose. Ainz-sama was not wearing his God Level items and was hanging off of Warrior Takemikazuchi's outstretched arm that rested upon a huge katana that seemed more like a slab of steel than an actual refined blade that he was known by Nazarick for wielding.
Lord Nishikienrai, the half-golem ninja dangled behind Draconis and Touch Me, giving them both some kind of hand gesture behind their heads. Wish III was also present. Sitting upon the ground was a fiddler crab like figure with what looked like goggles and a giant wrench. She recognized that one as Amanomahitotsu, the Gourmet Blacksmith of Nazarick. Lords Flatfoot and Ancient One were also present.
"What is this?"
There was light scribble down at the near bottom of the lifelike painting within the tome. Was this a magical tome that could render an image? Despite the obvious nature of peeping on the private life of who ever owned this book, her curiosity got the best of her and she read the script out loud to herself.
"Nine's Own Goal. We the merry band of fools who struck out countless times against the normal and pursued insane personal goals. Thus was the reason for our name, our clan. Here we stand before our very first World Item: Atlas."
Looking closer at the picture, she could see what appeared to be some kind of planetary globe, yet it did not appear like any world globe she had laid eyes upon. It looked more like a tree. A tree with nine different branches and nine different spheres upon the ends of each branch. They held smaller satellites around each of them, yet were all connected by this one, central tree.
Little did she realize that this was a representation for YGGDRASIL itself, with each of the servers representing a separate "World". Atlas allowed the owners to see various bits of information about the areas they had previously explored, so going back for missed bits of treasure was made possible.
"I don't remember this World Item being in the Treasury of Nazarick . . ."
She stared at the image. They all looked like they were rejoicing. Yet she had never seen Lord Ainz act in such a way. This was obviously something that had been taken long before Ainz Ooal Gown's founding. Could this be the reason why Lord Ainz still valued Draconis? Flipping the page, she turned to another image.
This one startled her. Another image, but unlike the rejoicing one before it there stood Touch Me facing an obviously furious Draconis. A broken case at the center of the room saw Ainz-sama beside it with a hand on his skull. Most of the others were nowhere to be seen, but a few new figures were. Bukubukuchagama-sama and her own creator Tabula Smaragdina.
"Tabula-sama?"
"Well, tragedy struck us today. Despite increasing our number with Bukubukuchagama and Tabula-san, another group broke into our home via a planted member and ran off with Atlas. Draconis wanted to pursue, given the nature of the World Item I could not blame him. But Touch Me-san is adamant about not going after the guy. Draconis insists on it, and I oddly agree with him, but Touch Me just won't budge." -Nishikienrai
She did not see Lord Ainz with his God Items in this picture, yet their gear was indeed better looking, though Touch Me was still in his World Champion armor. Did this mean that Touch Me was truly that much stronger than all the other Supreme Ones for a time? Was this The Ninja Nishikienrai's journal?
Albedo was shocked. Was this what sparked the beginning of Draconis's exile? That he was adamant about pursuing someone who had wronged them? Someone who obviously had been accepted into their number but betrayed them and stolen a World Item they no longer possessed? Growing ever more confused, Albedo shut the book but did not place it back on the stack with the others. Placing it on a shelf that she knew she would remember, the succubus made a mental promise to herself to pursue this information more keenly when she had time.
As she placed the book away, Ainz entered the room.
"Lord Ainz! Please, how can I serve you?" Ainz took a seat at the desk and took hold of another book, opening it in front of him before answering her.
"Albedo, I have been reading up on many of the finer details of Nazarick on the our people within its protective walls. Including all of you as its protectors."
The seriousness in his voice kept her from going into a frenzy, her professionalism as the leader of the Guardians taking precedent. Though she was still rather overjoyed that he felt them worthy of such study.
"Before we were transported to this New World, I tampered with your essence, changed a part of you without your creator's permission."
She nodded sincerely, Ainz glanced at her and saw no malice or anger at him for the admission. Bracing himself, he turned to fully face her in his chair.
"I wrote in that you loved me. The affection that you feel for me is manufactured." He braced for an emotional explosion. Yet despite his nervousness, the history of hers that he had read through along with the push he had received from Draconis made him feel more at ease. Regardless of how this was about to turn out, he felt that he would have a more clear conscious. "That tampering was not called for and inappropriate even for me."
Albedo was a bit surprised and even worried that Ainz-sama would confess something like this.
"What part of it did you change to my affections for you Lord Ainz?"
Ainz stiffened.
Do I tell her? Just blurt out 'you were a bitch'? Argh! Not good!
Albedo frowned slightly, she could tell from her lord's hesitance that it probably was not something good. But if that was the case, did that really make changing a part of her personality to loving Ainz that bad? Smiling softly, she spoke with a reassuring nature.
"My Lord Ainz, please tell me."
"Are you sure Albedo? It may offend you."
"I promise on my place as Commander of the Guardians of Nazarick that I shall temper my reaction as best I can."
Ainz nodded with resolve.
"It stated that you were extremely hard to get along with and always made things harder for those around you and acted too snobbish."
Albedo leaned back a bit and stared at their Supreme One with half lidded eyes. Her golden yellow orbs nearly burned a pair of laser holes into Ainz's own empty sockets. Her voice was completely deadpan.
"You mean to say I was a bitch?"
"Uh . . . umu . . . you are right. I rather had not put it in such a way."
The beautiful Guardian turned and took a subtle glance toward the journal of Nishikienrai. Did her creator really make her with such a negative trait? Yet Lord Ainz had changed that in her. Was that really such a bad thing to have it turned into?
"I see. My Lord, please do not concern yourself on my behalf. You saw fit to change that part of me for whatever reason. You need not worry."
Ainz nodded and turned back to the desk. A buzzing feeling took hold and he recognized a [Message].
"Yes?"
"Lord Ainzzz. This is Entoma."
"Oh? Yes Entoma. Go ahead. How is Cocytus doing in the war against the lizard men to the north?"
Albedo looked to him with some interest.
"Cocytus has not yet engaaaaged the Lizard men in coooombat with the forcesssss you gave him.
Curious and surprised, Ainz sat straighter in his seat. The tiny crimson flames in his empty eye sockets glowed brighter. He thought for certain that Cocytus would have engaged them by now. What was going on?
"Really now? Is he preparing some kind of plan with the forces I gave him?"
There was a poignant pause before the Pleiades Maid answered him and her voice was filled with uncertainty.
"He issss. In a waaay, but he hassss asssked for help."
"Truly? From who? I did tell him to act on his own as much as possible, so I am willing to forgive him for asking for assistance to a degree."
This time the pause was even longer and Ainz began to grow concerned.
"Entoma?"
"Forgive me Lord Ainzzz. But he has asked for a favor from the Exiled One. Draconisssss."
"Oh?" Ainz did recall that when Draconis had retrieved Esdeath, that he had granted the Floor Guardian a favor to ask of later. He had not thought too much on the matter, but it seemed like Cocytus had indeed taken matters into his own hands and gotten in contact with him. "Well, well now. Is he there now? Perhaps I should make a visit?"
"No Lord Ainzzz, he sent that snow woman. Esssdeaaathhhh."
Entoma fairly spat the name. Ainz was not wholly surprised by Entoma's dislike of the Yuki-Onna woman Draconis had left in Nazarick for a time. Esdeath was a NPC that had been the debate of many among their own number for some time. As a huntress, she relished the feeling of the hunt regardless of who or what the prey she was after was. She did not always kill it, at times, merely taunt or play with the target of her fascination when not truly meaning to harm. But if she pursued you as an object to kill, she was relentless and powerful.
"Interesting. Thank you for informing me Entoma. I will be watching to see how Cocytus makes use of the assistance he has gained. Please continue to observe things as they develop."
"As you command Lord Ainzz-samaaa."
Albedo had gotten the main points of the conversation and frowned in concern. Even if Ainz-sama had ordered Cocytus to act on his own as much as possible, asking for help from an outsider? Never mind the tentative friendship he held with Nazarick in the past, he was still an Exile.
"Ainz-sama. Forgive me for speaking out of place, but you are not going to punish Cocytus for asking help of an outsider? That would make Nazarick seem weak!"
Ainz kept in mind the background that Tabula had written into Albedo's character and existence. She was proud and independent to a large degree. Cunning and fastidious when she wanted to be and a master in keeping administrations together. She loathed humans and would never, ever fully acknowledge any of them as an equal. Bu there in lay his method of appeasing and calming her passionate indignation.
"An outsider he may be Albedo, but Draconis was once a part of the inner circle before events drove a wedge between him and Touch Me. Allow me to enlighten you so that you may better serve Nazarick."
He turned to her and his eyes blazed, the sight took her off guard and she bowed low even as she took a knee in submission.
"My Lord Ainz!"
"Before the foundation of our illustrious Nazarick, the founding nine of us were not Ainz Ooal Gown, but Nine's Own Goal. We had not found the other thirty-three yet. Mankind hounded us, for none of us were human, Draconis was particularly hunted as he was a rare existence, a Dragon that could take human guise."
A dragon?! Albedo's eyes widened, she had thought his name a mere tribute to the powerful creatures that even the Supreme Ones took care with when fighting. It certainly explained why his aura was as fierce and powerful as Lord Ainz!
"Touch Me saved many of us in the past as we came slowly unto our powers. However, one candidate for our cabal betrayed our trust and stole the World Item: Atlas from under our noses. Draconis, always burning with a sense of justice like Touch Me – demanded that we go after the thief and take back what we had earned. However Touch Me forbade it and afterwards, the attack upon us became fiercer from the humans. Our numbers increased with several of the remaining thirty-two. Bukubukuchagama and your own master, Tabula joined us. When Ulbert joined us and insisted that we get revenge upon those hunting us, Draconis began to have a change of heart towards humans. Instead of hating them blindly, he began to pity them. After one particular human hunt, a few of our comrades took our revenge too far in Draconis's eyes and at the time, Touch Me was our leader. Not me."
"Lord Touch Me lead Ainz Ooal Gown?!"
"No Albedo. We had not even given thought to the name of Ainz Ooal Gown at that time. We were still Nine's Own Goal. A cabal of non humans and monsters who rallied together against humans that hunted us. Those that crossed us faced our wrath. Touch Me turned a blind eye to some of our more extreme revenge hunts. That rankled Draconis and at the next council gathering, he voiced his displeasure. Of course, a many of us disagreed with him. Ulbert among them. However an equally fair share of us found ourselves understanding why Draconis felt such a way."
Albedo frowned as she thought on these astonishing revelations her lord spoke of. Such private knowledge to be shared with her was exhilarating . . . or rather . . . should have been, but this news only served to make her think on things. She remembered quite clearly her own master Tabula-sama talking to himself at times. Occasionally Draconis's name would come up.
"Ooh, Draconis would understand this mythology's nuances . . . too bad he and Touch Me-san had that falling out before we founded Ainz Ooal Gown. At least he visits once in a while."
"Is this disagreement the reason for his Exile? Touch Me-sama did not stand for his audacity?"
"Quite the opposite actually Albedo. Both men realized that they were both at fault. Draconis spoke to Touch Me in private one day and then before all of us, bowed out of the cabal. He did not wish to become a crack in our foundations and bring us to ruin. Yet this departure made Touch Me realize that he perhaps was not suited to lead any longer. He dissolved Nine's Own Goal and we recreated our cabal from the ground up. Ainz Ooal Gown. But Touch Me would not take up the mantle of leadership again. Instead, the leader was put to a vote."
"You Lord Ainz! I never realized! Am I to understand that in part of Draconis not being exiled, but exiling himself, that prompted Ainz Ooal Gown's founding with you as leader?"
He chuckled darkly. It was meant as self depreciation, but Albedo took it as a sign of acknowledgment.
"It is. Do you see now?"
Albedo bowed low to the floor. To think that Draconis, without even realizing it, had had a hand in the creation of the glorious Ainz Ooal Gown with the master of the Supreme One's Ainz-sama as leader! Ainz's appreciation and friendship with The Exiled now made complete sense to her. Yet something disagreed with her still.
"I do my Lord, but what of the times he has clashed violently against you all?"
"Oh? Those fights? I did mention his sense of justice yes?" She nodded and he lifted a skeletal hand. "There were times when we went on hunts in revenge against humankind for the wrongs they would inflict upon us, but even we of evil intent even when justified can take things too far. His armed interventions against us were to serve as a reminder to us that we too have an obligation to ensure that we do not give the humans due reason to hunt us in return. Not all humans are weak, and not all humans hate non-humans like us. Some are even greater monsters than we are. Draconis always did believe that with all his being. After all, he took an awakened dragon blooded human as his mate."
Albedo recoiled in surprise and shock.
"What?!"
She had never heard of any of them taking a mate or a wife or husband.
"Umu! She rules with twelve mighty human warriors. One of which is every bit an equal to Touch Me. This is one reason I tell you to not underestimate humans here in this New World."
"Lord Ainz, if he told them of our inner workings . . .!"
Ainz held up a thin, boney hand to silence her sudden hysteria.
"Peace! Peace Albedo. They know little about Ainz Ooal Gown other than who we are, and those who were close friends to Draconis. Not once have they assaulted the Great Tomb of Nazarick. Not once have we attempted to assault their own home. We have clashed however, now that I think about it. A single time in the past over rare prismatic ores. The exchanges were marvelous, powerful things! Such power from humans was an incredible sight to behold, and terrifying. I am glad that those of us who struggled against them came to an understanding and ceased fighting."
Dammit, the inner core members of Avalon were all hardcore PvP'ers and anti-PK'ers. PKK'ers! Damn they were strong as shit! That Lancelot guy killed Ulbert before he knew what was going on. He had that insane set of Mp draining sword skills! That was cheating like hells! Stupid devs.
At least after they depleted the ore mine they never went back to it and let us farm it for a while . . . so that's why Draconis suddenly got a whole lot of that Celestial Uranium while playing solo . . . his wife . . . damn! A benefit of being married to a woman who played I guess.
Though now that I really think about those events at that time, he never once showed up to help them against us and never once showed up to help us against them. I guess he really did stay neutral. We knew nothing about their powers and they only knew who we were character wise. Nothing about our powers or play styles.
We never really participated in the guild war stuff in the game, but we heard the rumors. Avalon was a top tier Guild in those events. Even if they were not top ten in the Guild Rankings overall, their Guild War Ranking was number three. I don't even want to think of the teamwork and builds they had for their characters to keep that kind of rank. Damn, what was their guild base's costs?! I don't even want to know . . .
While Ainz was thinking about that, Albedo stared at the floor in shock. Was this why Lord Ainz spoke of never underestimating the humans? Was Draconis actually still helping them by cavorting with humans that were so powerful as to be on equal footing with the Supreme Ones? Was he hunting them? Perhaps convincing them to leave Nazarick alone? This changed her paranoid, negative view of Draconis to something more skewed and at least a bit more respectable. Especially since his actions inadvertently place Lord Ainz by vote of the other Supreme Beings as their leader. However did that mean that Ainz was not the strongest?
"Lord Ainz . . . forgive me for such a audacious question but does what you have just told mean that you were not the most powerful of the Supreme Beings?"
Ack! Crap, how did she just jump to that logic? Well I did say they voted me and that Touch-san did lead us before we actually became a guild.
Ainz nodded, his bare skull's eye sockets brightened. Somehow, being able to talk about these things made him happy. He didn't feel so alone anymore. Was this was Draconis meant by being open? He felt like a teacher as they talked and it was oddly soothing on his nerves.
"Power is a fickle thing Albedo. Nishikienrai could perform amazing feats of stealth and assassination. Felling foes in single hits that were unaware. Warrior Takemikazuchi was our strongest physical fighter among all of the members of Ainz Ooal Gown. Touch Me was one of the world's nine World Champions. An absolute powerhouse all around. Lady Bukubukuchagama was our best bastion of defensive fighting and an excellent strategist. What I am getting at Albedo, is that all of us outclassed each other in some way. I was the best in administration and keeping everyone from tearing each other's throats out. We did not always get along at times, but we were family. Sometimes we fight. It is just how it is sometimes."
Albedo nodded, but struggled to fully comprehend his words.
"Forgive me Ainz-sama, but I am struggling to find the meaning of your words of wisdom. I am unworthy of such intimate knowledge!"
Ainz placed a hand on her bare shoulder and she trembled in both surprise and delight. His eye flames smoldered as they looked at each other.
"Your position as the Commander of the Guardians requires you to understand things that even Demiurge may not. Know this Albedo, and heed this well. I was chosen by my peers to lead for my power, yes, but not necessarily the power you may think. Mine was the power to unify the fools and misfits of our home. Draconis left of his own choice, but it was too ensure that his views did not shatter our own. It was his personal selfish Own Goal of Nine's Own Goal before Ainz Ooal Gown. He knew it was selfish and yet he still thought of us after he left. Think on that."
He released her and went back to the paperwork on his desk.
"Now. I have much work to get back to. I would like to watch Cocytus and Esdeath's plan for these lizardmen. Let us look forward to it."
Albedo bowed and returned to her secretarial work, but her mind began to wander. These revelations made her realize just how naive they were to the history of their home, the lives of their creators and how they interacted. Something told her that journal she had found would answer more of her questions. She would have to read it more in depth at a later time.
Still though . . . Ainz-sama touched me! Eeeeiiiii!
Cocytus's Strategy Room
The pieces upon the map had been moved around a bit to allow them a better view of the very rough topography. Esdeath cringed at the lack of details. The maps that Avalon and The Lair made use of for the New World were just as rough until Draconis had ordered an aerial and ground based cartographer to remap the areas they were in to their standard.
Here, she did not have that luxury and the time window was questionable at best. Cocytus had not been given a time frame, but he did not wish to keep Ainz waiting overly long. The idea of keeping your liege waiting for a long period of time was jarring. Both of them could agree that such a thing placed a bad taste in their mouths.
She pointed at a location they had marked with hut-like structures with an index finger.
"So this village to the south belongs to a group called the Green Claws?"
"THAT IS CORRECT. THAT ONE SENT A SINGLE MEMBER OUT AND IT RETURNED WITH AN ALLIANCE OF ALL THE REMAINING TRIBES. TRULY IMPRESSIVE FOR THE TIME IT DID IT IN."
Esdeath could agree with him about that. Still, when she looked at the numbers, their alliance were vastly outnumbered compared to the force Ainz had given Cocytus. However, she did not know a key piece of information.
"Cocytus? What kind of undead did he give you? How are they armed?"
The Ice Guardian huffed, another gout of frosty steam clouded a portion of the room for a moment as he answered. To her, he felt frustrated and nervous. She could feel some sympathy for him. Draconis had give her a hint as to what he thought Ainz was doing with Cocytus, but the Guardian of Nazarick's Fifth Floor was a warrior, not a commander. He was better suited to the frontlines and not the rear echelon of command.
Ainz Ooal Gown is likely testing Cocytus's ability to act on his own if needed and cut off from them. But such a thing is not easy on the mind for those not suited to such a task. Especially ones that view their leadership as infallible. Oh my Lord, you are a wise one indeed.
Esdeath understood Cocytus well from the one sided conversation he would make with her while she was still imprisoned.
"BASIC UNDEAD AND SKELETONS LEAD BY AN ELDER LICH. THEY ONLY BEAR RUSTED WEAPONS AND BASIC BOWS AND ARROWS."
Esdeath frowned. Basic skeleton warriors and cavaliers with not a single even masterwork weapon? She winced and immediately understood his hesitance. Even in this weak world they found themselves in, the force he had would probably be devastated in singular combat against these lizard men. Humans would die unless a hero was among them against such numbers, but these were not humans. Thinking about it for a moment, this made less sense now.
"Cocytus. They are demi-humans like you and others in Nazarick. They are not humans, nor have they offended Nazarick. Why destroy them?"
Cocytus was about to answer, when her words really took root. As a warrior, the answer was simple, because his lord told him so.
"IT IS NOT MY PLACE TO QUESTION. ONLY DO."
"Yet he has restricted you to a force and conditions that very well may see your defeat. He told you to act on your own as much as possible. You called my liege and asked him for help. I was sent to be that help to you. Perhaps this is less to destroy them and more to test you. That is what my liege thought when he sent me to you Cocytus. To see what you would do if cut off from Nazarick?"
The very thought of being cut off from the Great Tomb of Nazarick honestly scared Cocytus more than defeat. Esdeath merely stared at him with questioning, cold, ice blue eyes. The huntress was looking at him with a glint in her eyes that told him that she knew that she had gotten into his mind. A true huntress indeed, he felt like her prey at the moment.
"ASSUMING WHAT YOU SAY IS TRUE. I CANNOT GO BACK TO AINZ TO ASK FOR MORE THAN WHAT HE HAS ALREADY BEEN GENEROUS ENOUGH TO GIVE ME."
"Did he tell you that?"
"WHAT?"
The minions and Entoma alike rather gaped at her question. Was she questioning the Surpeme One's words?
"I asked if those were his words exactly. He told you act on your own. If it reinforces your odds of winning by recognizing that this fight would not be won with what you have, or would be cutting it too close for comfort, then why fight when it is not a life or death situation for Nazarick?"
"BY DOING THIS WITH WHAT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN, THEN I WILL BRING GREATER GLORY TO AINZ-SAMA."
"Good."
Esdeath's firm response to Cocytus's words confused them. Had she not just tried to question Lord Ainz's orders? Cocytus could see that her eyes had lost a bit of their predatory nature, though it was still there, it was not as vicious or challenging. There was a glint that seemed like . . . contentment?
"WHAT ARE YOU SCHEMING ESDEATH?"
"Nothing. You finally firmed up your resolve and spoke with confidence. Now the real question is the 'how' you will go about it. You took your first independent step with contacting my master and my arrival. Now you merely need to make use of me to reach your end goal. You wanted advise? You are getting it, even if I need to play hard ball with that head of yours."
Cocytus fidgeted in his chair. The ice maiden huntress was right, that was the first truly confident step he had made since the beginning of this mission. Had his resolve really dwindled and faltered so much under the pressure of trying to remain so single mindedly focused on just the words of the orders he had received? Demiurge would have read between the lines and carried out his mission with gusto. Even Mare when they had first arrived in this New World had done an incredible service to Ainz with the suggestion of hiding the Great Tomb of Nazarick with earth. Instead, when his own turn had come up, he had stagnated. Part of him felt ashamed at the act, but in acting on his own accord and asking for help, he had covered his weakness and taken measures to improve upon what he had been ordered to do.
I AM TRULY INDEBTED TO DRACONIS-SAMA THROUGH ESDEATH. HE TRULY HAS INCREDIBLE SERVANTS. I WILL LEARN ALL I CAN IN ORDER TO BETTER MY SERVICE TO LORD AINZ!
"VERY WELL. I SEE THAT NOW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. LET US BEGIN THE PLANNING TO EMERGE VICTORIOUS."
Esdeath smiled and nodded as she began truly planning out what Cocytus would do with the forces he was given against this alliance of the lizard man tribes. Pieces on the table were moved about and theories began passing between the two about the possible powers the lizard men could likely call forth. Every now and then a minion of Cocytus's would ask a question or point something out, and theories would change.
To the side, Entoma watched with both apprehension and a growing suspicion concerning the frosty huntress.
Okay! First chapter of the Lizard Man Arc of The Exiled is done!
No Character Profile this chapter b/c I didn't really feel like one was appropriate for the moment.
Reader Review Responses.
Rmarcano321: Rexcalibur is a wind element spell tome from the Fire Emblem series. It does not appear in every installment however.
Awayuki: After the Lizard Man Arc, we will be returning to Draconis's side of things.
Loki98065: Thanks for enjoying that fight. I hope you continue to drop a line every now and then!
Guest: OC bias is something that I do not believe any writer is immune to even in original works of writing. It is their, or in this case, my own creation. Of course we'd like them to shine.
Draconis is not the strongest in Ainz Ooal Gown, he isn't even an official member. Where do people miss what I've written? He visits as a guest.
As for the chapters leading up to the Leviathan fight and the fight itself. I believe you may have missed the point. There are things out there that can threaten even Ainz. Kugane just hasn't introduced them yet. Kugane, in his own chuunibyou admits to loving OP stories and basically rofl stomping.
It's hard to be OP when something can give you a run for your money.
Ainz probably can't kill Raid Bosses "with precision" as you put it.
Never mind that he does not carry the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown with him wherever he goes. It is the Guild Item and as such he isn't SO stupid as to risk it away from Nazarick. If it gets destroyed or stolen who knows what that would do the Nazarick. Since that would mean the destruction of the Guild. Would all of Nazarick be destroyed along with it? Would they all disappear? No one knows and Kugane has given no clues as to such a possibility in the New World.
Especially since PDL is guarding the Eight Greed King's Guild Item.
Raid Bosses in many games IRL and even in fiction are generally Immune to that little thing known as Instant Death Effects.
Guess who specialized in that?
That's right folks. Ainz/Momonga. Ainz's play style is a support role, a backliner and wildcard. His build is not optimized for PvP, but his planning when he's informed can make up for it. Even then though a player who knows their shit like Touch Me will win more often that lose against Ainz. I am pretty damn sure that the game of YGGDRASIL had items that could cancel Death Effects. Which would cripple Ainz by a staggering amount.
Tabula was stronger than Ainz in sheer firepower, Ainz was flexible. Ulbert was the strongest caster, Bukubukuchagama was the best at handling aggro and tanking.
There were other members of Ainz Ooal Gown who probably were SO much better than Ainz as a player, Ainz just has utterly bonkers LUCK and also, plot armor. Let's face it, he does. Even worse than Naruto.
Ainz's plot armor IS well executed though in that the man is in a world where the majority of what he has encountered THUS FAR, has been less than a third his level.
In MMORPG's a five level differential can mean life or death in areas of the game. A 70 to 80 level difference? No contest.
The fight with Leviathan was to introduce a new power factor I believed the New World needed. One that can and could easily crush their own world's inhabitants and its invaders (YGGDRASIL players). With effort or without dependent on their levels. This also shows that I'm not afraid to beat the tar out of my Original Characters from time to time. Another sample of that is my Code Geass fic.
Regardless. If you don't like it, fair enough. I hope you find a fic you do enjoy.
UndeadLord22: Did I? Did I not? You'll find out. Yeah, a few chapters. I mean c'mon, the Lizard Man Arc is a whole book. Just for it to end with Cocytus going, "One strike, One strike! One strike!" ONE PAAAAAAWWWWWNCHHHHHHHH! To every single lizardman except for two of them, which was arm off then in two pieces. And then Zaryusu DECAPITATION. FATALITY. FLAWLESS VICTORY. PERFECT.
Zandaino-Nova-Ari: Thank you for enjoying the Leviathan fight. It'll make another appearance later on. As will his other Primordial Peerage.
NecroSerpent101: I agree with that sentiment. There's Sebas (Obviously). Cocytus is neutral. Aura and Mare are just young and free. But out of them all I think Shalltear has the absolute, hands down, best character development of all the NPCs of Nazarick throughout the whole damn Light Novel series. My favorite NPC of Nazarick hands down.
MadDan90: Lolz. -1.5 points for cliffy? Fair enough given the timing and nature of that one.
Dimension Distorter: Well, in comparison to your question as to why such a powerful creature like Leviathan being close to a "beginning town".
COUGH! Saga Frontier 2! COUGH.
I bought the game b/c players said it was very open for an RPG. I was intrigued and started playing. Fifteen minutes into the game and only one save done, I went into the starting city aqueducts. Entered into a hallway within and encountered the END GAME OPTIONAL BOSS. Can't run, died HARD. Max HP of melee fighter? 14. Got it for 980 damage. DEAD. No warnings about "You get a bad feeling about this. Go Back?".
R.E.W.4: Sorry about that. Yes, part of it was Final Fantasy, but XIV not XV, though I did love the music in XV. The story? Eh, there has been FAR better.
I'm not really sweating that review when the person has 0 fics of his own.
PoseidonisPlayz: Glad you are enjoying The Exiled. I look forward to seeing you drop in again in the future.
PervySageChuck: Been awhile. Good to see you drop in again. I am glad to see you enjoyed the fight. I do admit, I did kind of unleash my evil writer side at the end of this one.
Solarblaster: Oh, you'll see.
Deathstrokenorris: If that's what you think. Have a GREAT DAY :D
TheCrazyAnimeFan01: I appreciate the support! Yeah, the New World needed something other than World Items to keep them on their toes.
RyuujiVantek: You'll find out soon enough. XD