CHAPTER THIRTY- EIGHT: Final impressions
"So we are ready to begin our march on this floating city?" Ainz asked Demiurge as they went over the plans once more.
"Yes Lord Ainz! All the Guardians that you requested have gathered, also Rubedo has asked to join our assault team... should things go that route." Ainz nodded, there was nothing they could do to stop her, though she would, apparently take orders still, but her power would be a great asset, if she listened to him...
"That's fine, I believe she will listen to me, tell her to gather with the rest..."
"She already has..." Ainz scratched his head, which was worrisome. But fine he supposed. Ainz thought for a second, wondering how hos guildmates would be reacting to this huge event... something like this, in-game, would be a kind of raid dungeon with untold rewards at the end... he was getting major raid vibes from this. He looked around and even though his NPCs were with him... the feeling of loneliness he always had did not leave.
"Good, then let's get this show on the road. I will meet our assembled team in the [GATE] room," Ainz explained before teleporting there.
The team he had assembled was ready. Cocytus would be his... mount. Aura and Bella would provide the raw numbers with their fifty Magical beasts that they could transport using the rings Ainz took from Clementine's brother, making 100 in all. Shalltear would be on hand to protect Ainz personally and never leave his side. Mare would support Aura and Bella with his healing and AOE magic. Finally, as a last resort, Victim would be on hand in case they had to retreat or ran into something, completely unexpected.
"Good, then it sounds like..."
"SUZUKI SATORU!" A loud booming voice blasted in Ainzes head from the spell [MESSAGE]. The voice was loud but not in a way like it was yelling, but like how an ant would hear a human talking normally if it had ears.
"W...who... nobody should know that name..." Ainz said in fear and surprise.
"WE HAVE ALREADY MET ONCE BEFORE, AND YOU KILLED ME." The giant voice said again. Demiurge looked at Ainz with worry, he could tell something was wrong.
"Met? Are you a player?" Ainz asked in his head, that was the only way his old name could be known possibly.
"A PLAYER? NO, I AM NO PLAYER... HOWEVER, I OWE MY EXISTANCE TO ONE CALLED AS SUCH... THE FIRST TO EVER COME TO THIS LAND." The voice informed him. Ainz immediately knew who or rather what he was talking to.
"You are the World Slug?"
"I SUPPOSE THAT IS THE NAME YOU'VE GIVEN ME, YES." Ainz was shocked! He never thought this thing would be sentient... much less related to a player.
"So, that segment you sent up..."
"...WAS A WAY TO DISCOVER WHO YOU ARE. AS SOON AS I SAW YOU, I KNEW ALL ABOUT YOU SUZUKI SATORU," The World Slug explained.
"I see... then why are we talk now after so long?"
"IT TOOK ME SOMETIME TO MOVE CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE SURFACE TO CAST [MESSAGE]."
"I'm surprised you even know that spell..."
"I KNOW ALL SPELLS, FOR I AM THEIR REASON FOR BEING IN THIS LAND, TO BEGIN WITH," it said.
"What?"
"TIERED MAGIC" AND "MANA" IS NOT NATIVE TO THIS WORLD, THE FIRST PLAYER TO COME HERE WAS A MAGE BUT COULD NOT USE MAGIC... YET SHE HAD A WORLD ITEM THAT, IN THIS WORLD, WOULD GIVE HER A WAY TO USE MAGIC. SHE USED "ONE OF THE 20", AS YOU WOULD CALL IT, MADE ME AND MY ETERNAL TIES TO YGGDRASIL'S MAGIC" Ainz sat in shock.
"Then why me? Why just contact me if you've been here... this long?"
"BECAUSE NONE HAD THE ABILITY TO KILL ME UNTIL I MET YOU... [THE GOAL OF ALL LIFE IS DEATH] HAPPENS TO BE THE ONLY SPELL CAPABLE OF KILLING ME... SO I DECIDE TO SEE WHAT YOU'RE INTENTIONS ARE, NOW THAT YOU KNOW OF ME?" Ainz thought for a second.
"Well, if you 'know all about me' then you knew I intended to leave you alone, it wasn't until you sent... the smaller you up here that I had renewed interest in you... and if what you say is true, killing you would only serve to shoot myself in the foot as I too and a magic caster."
"I SEE... THAT WAS THE CONCLUSION I HAD HOPED TO HEAR FROM YOU. IF YOU LEAVE ME BE... I WILL NOT INTRUDE UPON THE SURFACE AGAIN." Ainz thought if this thing could be trusted, but decided to follow his nonexisting gut.
"Very well um, Mr. Wold Slug... I will leave you be, as I had planned to from the beginning," Ainz promised.
"VERY WELL... I WILL LEAVE YOU TO YOUR WORLD CONQUEST THEN OVERLORD SUZUKI SATORU," and the spell was ended. Ainz looked at Demiurge and rose his hand.
"It's okay Demiurge, I simply had a little chat with our friend deep below, the world slug,"
"What? What did it say?"
"Essentially, it told me it was made by use of "one of the 20" and he was created as a way to make "tiers magic and mana" exist in this world... but it largely just wants to be left alone... which I agreed to," He said. Demiurge thought about this for a while.
"I see, that is amazing to learn..." his eyes went wide.
"Well, yes, but it's knowledge doesn't really affect our plans... um, right?" Ainz asked dubiously at Demiurge was thinking.
"Well, other than the possibility of removing Tiered magic from this world... there isn't much use to it after all. The body we have been experimenting on hasn't yielded anything of value either..." Ainz then nodded.
"Good, now back to the floating city..." Ainz said. Demiurge nodded.
"They only await you to lead them to victory," Demiurge said smiling.
"Right, but we don't know if there is even anyone there to fight..."
"I believe those silver and gold dragons I told you about reside there, so there yet be others." Demiurge reminded his Lord. Ainz nodded.
"True, I was just hoping for the best-case scenario," Ainz said. Demiurge nodded. And with that Ainz joined the group in the [GATE] room and was sent to the Floating city that sat above a large lake. As soon as they crossed over Aura and Bella summon 50 pets each to provide their army. Aura rode on Hejinmal while Bella rode on Sum-Sum. Ainz rode Cocytus with Mare in his lap and Victim in Mare's lap. Finally, Shalltear and her [HOUSEHOLD] made up the rear guard.
The city was huge, much larger than he thought it would be. But he could only gaze upon it more a moment as several large objects came out of the city.
"We have incoming!" Aura said looking at the ten glowing objects approaching him. When they became closer they could be made out to be dragons, each of a different color but all looked to be the same kind of dragon.
Ainz motioned to not attack, if things could go peacefully then he wanted to go that route. The Dragons made aline some distance away.
"Why are you here Ainz Ooal Gown?" The Gold Dragon asked. He seemed to be their representative.
"For one, you and your sister, the silver dragon. Trespassed upon my territory first... even made yourselves a portal to here to there... one could consider that an act of war." Ainz said confidently. The dragons each shared a glance, then at the overwhelming power that was sitting at their front doorstep.
"Well, I've come here largely as a way to speak with the master of this floating city... he's taken an interest in me, so has earned mine in kind." Again all ten dragons shared worried glances.
"V...very well... Our Father Tsaindoruks Vaision will meet you shortly." He nodded to a white dragon that flew off back tot he city.
"Well, while we wait, why not tell me your names and story?" Ainz said, trying to sound friendly. The dragons, however, remained silent, just looking at him with concern. But it wasn't long till two objects came playing out of the city. One much larger than the other. And soon they saw it to be another Dragon Lord. Aura and Bella became agitated at his sight but Ainz assured them it would be okay. Dragon Lords did not prove to be that big a trouble for Nazarick after all, other than a rude wedding interruption.
"So at last we meet... Ainz Ooal Gown, The Sorcerer King, you may call me Tsaindoruks Vaision." the large Platinum Dragon Lord said as he landed before Ainzes army.
"Tsaindoruks Vaision? A Dragon Lord? So will you hate me because I'm a player as your brethren did?" Ainz asked smugly but Tsaindoruks Vaision shook his head.
"No, I do not hate Players... I hate what they do this world... how they shape it to fit their needs..."
"And am I doing this? I am bringing fresh water to the inland with my reservoir project... I have not conquered a nation through brute strength, even though that would be easy enough to do... I've taken political steps to ensure I have a peaceful untied Kingdom..." Ainz said. Tsaindoruks Vaision thought for a second.
"It's true, when you first appeared I was worried you would devastate this land so I took steps... albeit failed ones, to counter your rise of power... yet I agree, so far you have no acted liek the Players of legend... I would probably even align myself with you of I really trusted your intent... speaking of which, why are you here?"
"Well, I heard about the floating city, and your dragon in my village so I became curious... All this, is just precaution," He said motioning to his army that stood at the ready.
"I see, so you don't know what lies within this city then?" Tsaindoruks Vaision asked. Ainz shook his head.
"I think there may be a locked door you cannot open, but other than that... no," Tsaindoruks Vaision's eyes grew wide.
"So you know about "The Door" but not what's on the other side?" Tsaindoruks Vaision asked. Ainz shook his head.
"I see... then maybe we have a lot to talk about... I was told there is one among your nation that may be able to open the door... as it's key system is... imposing." Ainz smiled inwardly, this was a productive dialogue!
"Agreed! We will meet as Rulers of nations for a civil discussion," Tsaindoruks Vaision nodded.
"It almost seems too good to be true that you are acting on behalf of the living and this world... yet as you said, I should not ignore your actions... very well, we will have this meeting between leaders." Tsaindoruks Vaision looked at the other multi-colored Dragons.
"Prepare to receive The Sorcerer King... this is not an invasion, just a... king and his royal procession," Tsaindoruks Vaision said. The other dragons looked worried but flew off toward the city as asked. Ainz jumped off Cocytus who let out a faint sad sound. Tsaindoruks Vaision bent down so that Ainz may ride him to the city. Before long Ainz found himself alone with the Dragon Lord.
"Well, I've had quite a bit of a history with you Dragon Lords." Ainz said nodding. The two of them were in a large room with not much in ot other than a place for The Dragon Lord to sit. Tsaindoruks Vaision squinted.
"Indeed... I know about Brightness and Elder Coffin... least I know they were last seen clashing with you,"
"Indeed, I've taken them both captive and we've found a good use for them," Ainz said Tsaindoruks Vaision seemed disturbed by that phrase. But Ainz rose his hand.
"It was only because they attacked me, and killing them seemed a waste," Tsaindoruks Vaision seemed satisfied.
"I also met Deep Dark Dragon Lord," Ainz told Tsaindoruks Vaision. The Platinum Dragon Lord's eyes grew wide with interest.
"And did you find a use for him as well?"
"Oh sure, that of a friend. he helped a friend of mine, so I repaid his kindness and found him a place where he wound be bothered.
"I see, so you don't group all us Dzragon lords together then?"
"Why would I? Do I act like your typical Undead?" The Dragon Lord shook his head.
"No, you act like a living person in the body of an undead..."
"Ha!... that would be... well anyway... where do our two nations stand?" Tsaindoruks Vaision tapped his claw thinking.
"I am also aware that you helped Draudillon Oriculus this The Beastmen... I heard her country is on the mend and doing well thanks to your interference... and you never even asked her for anythign as a reward." Ainz shrugged.
"There was persoanl gain for me to invade the lands, plus they invaded a vassal state of mine... I saw no reason to tax her for help I would have given anyway."
"I see, so you are also not greedy..." The Dragon Lord sighed loudly.
"I hope Queen Draudillon Oriculus will ask to join me someday. If not, I'm sure our nations will get along."
"Well, we are on the Argland Council State board together... I... may be able to talk to opening diplomatic talks. However, many still fear you." Ainz nodded in understanding.
"that is why I am hoping my actions can speak for my intentions... even taxation is down 80% since I took over." Ainz informed the Dragon Lord.
"Yes, I had heard this as well, your E-Rantel seems to be improving by the day..."
"So it's settled then? We can officially be allies?" The Dragon Lord nodded.
"So long as you continue this path... I see no reason to be enemies." Ainz nodded in agreement.
"Well... so show me this door you speak of..."
Back in The Holy Kingdom... Ridda sits in her room provided to her with her adopted elf sisters Learcue and Ekisa.
"NO! Ridda you have to come!" Ekisa pleaded. Ridda frowned.
"I told you I don't..." Ridda tried to explain but Learcue cut her off.
"No, you're just being a coward because you're too scared to talk to Nero!" Leasrcue accused her sister.
"Learcue! That's not fair I..."
"Ridda! Nero misses you... misses us all! We need to go see him... as a family!" Ekisa said hugging her sister.
"Ugh, I'm too busy trying to..."
"Nope! Not listening to that! You're coming as well Ridda, and that's that!" Learcue said defiantly
"Yeah! that's that!" Ekisa tagged on. Ridda looked back and forth at her sister's stern faces. Ridda sighed and looked over her shoulder at Neia who was smirking at her with a smug expression. Ridda jokingly stuck her tongue out at Neia, who giggled. She finally just let out anothe sigh and shook her head.
"Alright... I will go with you, we will go to see Nero together..." Ridda admitted looking ashamed to admit defeat. Learcue and Ekisa looked and each other and hugged her tightly, almost knocking Ridda over. She hated to admit it, but she wanted to see him... once she could look past her anger.
"I... just don't expect me to say much..." Learcue smirked at Ekisa. This was Ridda's usual mode after losing an argument.
"Then, should I have travel arranged for all three or you then?" Neia asked smiling at the girls. The elf girls looked at Ridda who rolled her eyes and nodded. Neia left to contact the caster that Ainz had around to cast [GATE] for Neia should she need it. Soon a weird bird looking creature walked in.
"Hello Sherbert, these three need to go to E-Rantel." Neia told the small black and white bird. Sherbert nodded at Neia.
"No prob!" He waved his hands and cast [GATE]. Learcue and Ekisa both looked at Ridda. They each took one of her hands and lead her through the portal. In a blink, the tree of them were standing in the streets of E-Rantel.
"Okay, Nero said he'd be waiting for us at... a bar... called the Copper ore." Learcue looked around.
"I know where it's at..." Rida said calmly as she led the way for her sisters. They found it with no trouble and walked in. Ridda scanned the bar and soon her eyes fell upon him... Nero. His eyes lit up and he ran over to greet them.
"NERO!" Ekisa and Learcue cried out. They ran to his arms and grabbed him both already in tears.
"Ekisa! Learcue... Ridda..." Nero said looking up at her. She was standing some ways away from them with her arms crossed. They all looked at her. She was trying to act tuff but her quivering lip showed how she really felt.
"It's nice to see all of you!" Nero said hugging the elf girls again. tears were streaming down their eyes. Then he stood up to address Ridda.
"Ridda... um, how are you doing?" Just one look at her and he could tell she had been through a lot.
"Well... I've almost been killed a few times... kidnapped... and I'm a vampire now because I got sick and was dying... this was the only way to save me." she blurted out her story like it didn't matter. Nero frowned.
"Ridda... I'm sorry, for Alis and..." but as he was trying to find the words to console her he was struck by an object in his chest, it moved to fast for him to see. but he suddenly realized Ridda was in his arms and had her face buried in his chest.
"Daddyyyyyyyy!" she cried out as her wall of emotions she put up crumbled. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly, crying his eyes out as well. The reunion of her family made Ridda feel better... and made her
"I missed you girls so much... I'm so glad..." he tried to say between his breaths as Ridda's hug was starting to really hurt, but he didn't stay anything, he just held her slender body in his arms, hoping he'd never lose his girls again. Learcue looked at Ekisa and wiped her tears dry... they were so happy to see Ridda's true emotions finally come out.
When the four of them had finally stopped crying and hugging they sat at a table. Learcure and Ekisa, told their tale first as it was mostly just traveling and living with their granny. Ridda's tale took some time, and four flasks fo wine to tell. Nero just listened in amazement as she told him about her fight with the Beastmen, her training under Nabe and Shalltear and the rest of her story of why she was a vampire and how she had been going about coping with everything.
"Did... you really kill al those Demihumans?" Learcue asked as she drank more wine. Ridda nodded.
"Killing... no longer feels wrong to me... not since I've become like this... so I did. And I plan and killing many more if it serves my purpose of getting stronger." Ridda explained.
"Ridda..." Learcue whined but Ridda ignored it. Nero could tell Ridda was emotional, as should be expected.
"Listen Ridda..." Nero said stopping, showing he had something important to tell her. Ridda looked up at him with a puzzled look.
"It's about... The woman who killed Alis..." Nero said. But Ridda shook her head.
"Like I said, she probably..."
"I've met her..." Nero said. All three girls stopped what they were doing and looked at him shocked.
"Say again?" Ridda asked now turning angry.
"The paladin woman who killed Alis... I met her in the dungeons of The Slane Theocracy... whats more... we've been traveling together..." Ridda's stood up and slammed her hands on the table.
"How could you?" But Nero rose his hand calmly, he knew how Ridda would get over emotional and was prepared for this.
"Because... she was controlled by someone named Jaldabaoth... he..."
"Wait... who?" Ridda could not believe her ears.
"Um, yes... The demon that attacked The Holy Kingdom... apparently..."
"You said that woman came here with you... is she still here?" Ridda growled as anger flared in her eyes. Ekisa and Learcue huddled away from her.
"That's something I wanted to talk with you about... yes, she is here and her name id Remedios... she has been through a lot and..."
"Where is she?" Ridda asked loudly. Nero frowned and put his hand on her shoulder to make her sit down. She sat but was still furious.
"I don't want you blaming her Ridda... she was under control..."
"Yeah, I know all this. I met the demon who made her do it..." Nero looked at her shocked as did her sisters.
"He told her to "kill everyone you meet" this included us and Alis..."
"So... wait... are you..."
"Allied with this demon? Yes. And to be frank I trust him." Ridda said calming down as she remembered her ordeal with Demiurge and how he'd killed her.
"Ridda... I know you've been through..."
"This demon saved my life... I'm only here talking to you because of him," Ridda said nodding. Ridda could tell Nero was thinking about something... probably how he could meet Demiurge. She stood up shaking her head.
"Daddy... I am glad you are alive... but I've grown after you died... and I'm not your little girl anymore..." Nero nodded grimly.
"Yeah... I can see that..." Her undead form did not fill him with love... in truth, he was trying to ignore that she was an abomination. Because she was his Ridda... and he loved her, even if he hated what she had become. The phrase "I'm not your little girl anymore" however tore his heart out... in his heart Ridda, Learcue and Eliska would always be his "little girls"... even if they never saw it like that.
There was a long uncomfortable silence till Ridda got up.
"I don't need to meet her...I can appreciate what you're doing Daddy... but I have things I need to take care of..." Ridda turned to leave, but she walked right into a person that was standing behind her. Ridda looked up at the glaring eyes of the woman who staring hate at her.
"A fucking undead? You're daughter...is a vampire Nero!" Remedios snarled looking down at Ridda. Nero immediately saw the powder keg that was about to explode. Ridda's eyes flared as she produced a blade in her hands. Learcue grabbed Ridda in a tackle, taking her to the ground.
"Ridda! Please stop!" Learcue pleaded as she saw the anger taking Ridda.
Learcue was holding Ridda when there came a jerking motion. Learcue looked up to see Remediouse holding a dagger. It was jammed into the back of Ridda.
"Wha..." Ridda began to ask as Remedios called a holy smite into the blade and into the undead body of Ridda. Ridda's body was blasted by Holy Energy that ran it's way to her core.
"Daddy...?" Ridda asked looking at Nero. She had fear and pain in her face. Then Ridda fell to the ground... dead.
The people in the bar suddenly backed away as the body of Ridda hit the floor. Nero ran to his daughter and scooped her up screaming her name.
"Ridda! No... oh god... Ridda!" Nero cried as he shook her body.
"Wake up... oh my god... Ridda..." Nero cried as he held her lifeless body in his arms, no matter what he did she would not respond.
"My girl... my little girl..." Nero wailed as he rocked back and forth shaking Ridda's body, hoping she would wake up. Learcue and Ekisa were at his side, they began to cry as they realized what had happened. During this time Remedios simply dropped her dagger and ran into he crowd, escaping in the confusion.