Hostis Humani Generis

XXXVI: Copper-Bottomed

At the same place where a Nagini pirate, an Overlord necromancer and a Sidhe Bardess was discussing the future direction of their plans, other plans were being set in motion. Like some broken gear having set a great mechanism in motion, history itself began to tremble as beings of power far beyond the imaginations of this current world began to move. Events that happened in places far away would pull civilisations and entire species into inexorable conflict, clashing mundane and supernatural against each other.

Either way, events thus far must be turned away from Nazarick, towards the conjunction of time and space where events now unfold:

The Kingdom of Re-Estize and its capital, Re-Estize.

Boasting a total population of 9 million humans in the city register, 'old' would be the best way to describe its capital. A historic legacy, a dirty city with the guise of antiquity, a disgrace—various such meanings abounded. This could be easily understood with a simple stroll through town—aside from the few actual houses on either side, the apparent harshness of the surroundings meant that freshness or splendour was sorely lacking.

Depending on the individual describing it, the city of Re-Estize could be see as a land rich with history, or a dull city stewing in its own slow, marching demise. The many narrow roads left unpaved made the distinction of city and country doubtful. People did not walk in the middle of the path, which was reserved for carriages; instead, they squeezed through the sides in a disorderly manner.

The Kingdom's citizens were already used to such congestion. They walked like they were trying to slip through the cracks, skilfully avoiding others heading in the opposite direction.

This included avoiding the tall Warrior-Captain of the Kingdom striding through with his left arm trailed behind him. Built like a cliff-side, the crowd practically parted for him.

Beside the Warrior-Captain strode another man. His hair was cut haphazardly, like it had been done in the dark with a dagger by himself. His brown eyes glared straight ahead, and his lips were currently thinned in a grimaced. The stubble on his chin gave it the appearance of growing mould. Although his appearance was untidy, his movements were smooth and elegant, similar to that of a wild beast – albeit one also dragging his right arm behind him. This was the famed genius of the sword, Brain Unglaus.

Both these exemplary warriors of their generation were dragging the arms of a third figure behind them. "Next is the right," Gazef was saying. "That's the side where you don't have your swords, Sir Caliban."

"You don't even trust me with 'left' or 'right'?!" The man they were dragging exclaimed.

Both men exchanged looks with the shared suffering of two people who had spent weeks living with the same man who could get lost in a straight corridor. "Not at all."

Gazef glared his way through the front guard of Ro Lente Castle. "His Majesty summoned you for an audience, so you can't be late."

"And if an idiot like you gets lost again, another whorehouse's gonna go," Brain added as they entered Valencia Palace proper. "Cutting through a hill is ridiculous enough as it is! We actually have to compensate those people!"

"...ah." Caliban recalled the shady men who had sidled up to him and insinuated good kickbacks for a change in occupation. They threatened the deep cover of the Nazarick people. Caliban had nodded thoughtfully, and called over Corazón and the Nazarick maid slime to track them back to find their leaders.

The shady men never came back. Just because Caliban's karma was at +500 did not equate to a corresponding lack of intelligence.

Caliban pondered again of the human that the Nazarick butler had taken a shine towards. It was not his position to say anything—indeed, when the slime had appealed to him, his first reaction was to shrug and say nothing. Caliban's charity would not be fairly equated to the Admiralty's orders. In fact, Quartermaster Nagato would have tossed him into the Mahogany'sbrig just for thinking about it.

He was broken out of his reverie when Gazef finally said: "Your Majesty, I present Sir Caliban to you."

"We acknowledge your assistance, Warrior-Captain. Mr Unglaus. Sir Caliban, have you brought your answer?"

Since the Fleet's murder of messenger crows would have taken too long to bring the Fleet Admiral's words to Re-Estize, another method was needed. The Fleet Admiral had used『Sound of the Ocean』by clamshell to conference instead, enunciating her answer clearly.

"We are pirates, who sail under no flag but that of our enterprise," Caliban replied. "Should the hiring of our free company be the subject of Your Majesty's enquiry, then a price must be haggled."

By the King's right hand, Gazef cringed. "I told him not to be so blunt..."

"No, I think this is subtle for him," Brain whispered back to Gazef. "The blade, to him, is his instrument of speaking."

Gazef subsided. "This man… he is so powerful, but I am afraid for him too."

"Huh?" Brain hissed, careful to remain out of earshot of King Lanposa. "You've seen him, right? Those eyes belong only to someone who has killed before!"

"Not that meaning," Gazef grimaced. "More like… a double-edged sword is powerful. But, both its target and its wielder could be cut with it. His Majesty is hiring a man like this… in fact, his minder too..."

Caliban's voice rang clearly in the air. "My apologies. We will not accept this price. Admiral ordered it."

"I see...『Kanashibari』."1

Caliban drew a sword immediately. After the first few times, the guards had pretty much given up on having him give up his swords already. Only the fact that Gazef would physically throw himself in the way of any potential assassin still allowed Caliban the possession of all three katanas on his belt. It was pointless, though; the targets of the spell slumped over, unconscious and paralysed.

"This is-"

"A Yōkai paralysis skill. Especially used by the Uka-no-Mitama, as you know, Caliban." Lanposa rested in his throne. The cruel smirk that played about his lips stood at odds with the mild-mannered elder that had spoken to him- no, it was the same-

"That is『Lady Aoi』."2 Caliban assessed. "A spell that uses a summoned Yōkai to possess an enemy… or take over their minds with your own. The only one who could use that..."

"Precisely," the King's voice gloated as a short-haired girl in a fox-mask appeared next to the throne. "If I'm right, you should know of only one person who has my skills, Caliban. After all, you are a Yōkai. One that I created, at that. Or...these years spent wandering this continent has exposed you to more knowledge?"

His left hand slowly rose up, palm facing inwards as Caliban gave a salute towards the figure on the throne. "Fomori Fleet Third Division Commander Caliban… gives his greetings to Admiral Nurarihyon. The Fleet has only pulled bare months into port. A- Admiral Sycorax would have been happy to receive news from you, of all people."

"Months? Well…she is always late, but the sight when she finally appears is unforgettable. I guess I can forgive her for that, especially…Say. If I were to fight for the seat of Fleet Admiral, who would you support?"

Caliban swallowed, even if the figure before him was physically human. The gold eyes and silver hair wrapped in war-gear loomed in his mind's eye. "I am sorry. The Fleet Admiral has only ever been one person. Even if it is you who proposes change… I am the Fleet Admiral's sword, Admiral Nurarihyon."3

The smirk deepened, twisting the possessed King's face even further. "That's perfect. To prevent that, Caliban, you will take on the job."

"The Fleet Admiral-" Caliban began.

"As a group, the Fomori won't act. Sycorax-san already told you that. You alone, though, will be enough." The King chuckled, vibrating with the controller's intent sent into his body. "The fastest way to summon her was always to create some trouble and wait. So, what could be more troublesome than the massacre of an entire royal family~?"

"...in the original request, it was everyone except Princess Renner."

"Well, it's weird if only the Golden Princess survives," the voice reasoned. "I trust you can handle most of the details, but the moment that woman hears that you did this, she'll definitely rush over."

"...I was originally sent here to meet the people from Nazarick. The Fleet Admiral will have to know."

"Nazarick-" there was a pause. "Do tell, Caliban."

The Yōkai swordsman contemplated. "Sycorax-sama could inform you better, Nurarihyon-sama."

"You scurvy son of a biscuit eater!" The shell which had held『Sound of the Ocean』active broke as Sycorax smashed it against the marble top of a table in the Queen of the Night's grand cabin. "...I need another horagai."

Standing at attention at the head of the longest and finest of the galley's tables, a bespectacled maid shifted slightly, ill at ease in foreign surroundings. A wide blue ribbon-choker and her hair, twisted into a low-cropped bun at the back of her neck, hid the severing of her neck which marked her Dullahan race. Her dress held armour, but emphasised mobility rather than defence.

A conical shell thudded onto the table, and Sycorax cast the spell again. "So, I'm coming to kick your ass."

"Huh? I didn't hear from you in two years and this is the first reaction I get from you, Psycho?"

"I don't want to hear that from the guy who's possessing another guy!" Sycorax snapped back. "So, can you get in touch with Yamaiko-san?"

"M- My creator is there?!" Yuri Alpha leapt in.

"W- Who's that?!"

"I'll tell you later," Sycorax sighed. "Anyway, we're already setting sail, don't do anything rash."

"...do you think you can tell me what to do?"

"You've never listened, why start now?! Leave Caliban out of this- Oi!" Sycorax groaned as the sound cut off. "That-!"

"Lady Sycorax, is Lady Yamaiko… there?" Yuri Alpha slowly spoke.

"Akemi-san too, if Tai-chan was right," Sycorax gave a sharp nod, sighing. Her shoulders loosened. "Well… where's Momonga? After we used『Gate』he should still be aboard."

"Ah, Tit- I mean, Lady Titania took him to… get changed?"

Said Bardess swept in, leaving the echoes of great cheers behind her. "They're all so friendly! Psycho-chan, look at him!"

Sycorax looked at him.

"It's…good?" Momonga held up his hands. The Breton shirt left his collarbones exposed, and with it Titania had somehow dredged up streaked breeches and a thick red woollen sash to hold it up. A tricorn hat perched above a black bandanna wrapped around his skull, and from its three corners hung charms in the shape of shrunken heads. Wands and two daggers hung from the sash. Rings clacked from his fingers as he shifted, almost… almost fidgeting.

Yuri Alpha turned her head aside. "L- Lord Ainz! To be wearing such-"

"Wow, you look like a ghost pirate," Sycorax exclaimed, barrelling over Yuri to get to Momonga and swing around his shoulders. From one hand, she released an orb-like camera – a cash item. It made a snap, and then Sycorax snapped her fingers to conjure a framed picture. "See? You look cool! Just like a pirate! Without the seaweed and the barnacles, but you get what I mean!"

"I do?" Momonga contemplated the picture. "I do! But I don't get why I need to change-"

"If you're aboard, you don't have the luxury of wearing long clothes," Sycorax explained, contemplating Yuri Alpha. "Speaking of which..."

"Ah? I- I-" Yuri clutched at the skirt of her dress. Each maid uniform was a creation of the Supreme Beings, to wear other clothes- it did not bear thinking about. "I'm sorry, Lord Ainz! To have neglected to pack extra clothes is a shame upon Nazarick-!"

"It can't be helped. We came here to find Yamaiko-san, not to play," the Elder Lich declared, reaching a hand out to Sycorax. "Sycorax-san..."

"Clothes..." Sycorax reached into her Item Box, drawing out a set of clothings. "Top-class: Marinière for the top, Plein-Vite for shoes, Papillon Noir for the leggings. Anything else required?"

"No..." Yuri bowed her head to receive the clothes. "You have been very kind."

"Well, the ship is sailing… how about the grand tour?" Sycorax exclaimed. "The sea… the fleet, the-"

A hand on her shoulder prevented her from speaking further. "Fleet Admiral, we need you to compile the maps."

"Psycho-chan, you need to catch up on your work," Titania sang as she dragged Momonga behind her. "So, we'll see you at dinner~"

"Ah, Tai-chan…!"

The lament carried on with the tolling of seven chimes across the poop deck of the Queen. With their talons in the rigging and the spars, ravens croaked. Creaking and clacking of the crew at busy-work made an accompaniment. Momonga sucked in a long breath as he contemplated the sight of the sun, just breaking over the horizon to bathe the delicate ship of ice on the surface of the sea's waves.

Titania opened her mouth, and began to recite:

Awaken from dreaming
to the crying bird,
and see the coming sunlight
turn the east sky-blue;
Shrouded within mist
is a fleet of ships
on the open sea.4

"This..." Momonga took a breath, sensing the sea air and the slight breeze carrying the ship across the mist at dawn. The poem echoed in his heart, and though his emotions were suppressed almost instantly, the joy in his heart burned at both the promise of exploring new lands, and the knowledge of an old friend at the journey's end. The pangrammatic poem, unoriginal it was, encompassed every sentiment he had felt without repeating any of the forty-seven classic hiragana characters. "...the ship… the fleet… is composed of ice? How?"

"You have good information," Titania confirmed. "Yes, Canon-chan and all our crafters worked really hard on it. The basic theory of freezing water into a shape was exploited along with the properties of ice mixed with sawdust—the material pykrete, according to Rear Admiral-kun."5

"Fascinating." Momonga looked around. "And… where is the legendary treasure-"

Titania's smile increased in force, while not actually physically changing. "Momonga-san. You're not thinking of asking a group of pirates the location of their treasure, right~?"

"O- Of course not." Momonga looked around. "It's just curiosity. The fleet of Hostis Humani Generis is famous. I see that it is equally sustainable and beautiful. The magic used to make it is wonderful my heart… just beats."

"Though you don't have a heart," Titania chirped. "Skull joke~"

She smiled. Momonga stared. Behind them, Yuri Alpha coughed.

"Erm…" Momonga shrugged. "Is that… One Piece too?"

"Yep!" Titania smiled. "You'll see a Skeleton Bard with an afro around-"

"Afro?!"

"-that's the Fleet's Grand Conductor, wait, Squelette should be with the Seventh Division."

"Ah..." Momonga contemplated. "I only know the Iroha Uta."

"There's nothing wrong with the Iroha Uta," Titania contemplated. "Nurarihyon was the one who recited the Tori Naku Uta too. Do you want to try?"

Suzuki Satoru was not the type to break out into poetry. Yet, aboard a ship of ice at sunrise, contemplating the journey ahead and with the air of romance lingering about, he could not help himself. The poem came about in fits and starts:

Even the blossoming flowers
Will eventually scatter
Who in our world
Is unchanging?
The deep mountains of karma—
We cross them today
And we shall not have superficial dreams
Nor be deluded.6

Clapping resounded. "That is a great poem, Lord Ainz!" Yuri praised, right into the staring faces of the two Vice-Admirals who had done double-takes at the applause. "It is worthy of the Supreme Beings who had created us! Truly, our master is a man of many arts!"

Momonga froze. "...sorry..." he mumbled.

"...they do this all the time?" Titania whispered back.

"Yes..."

"I feel sorry for you."

"Don't…!"

Having built up a rapport, music played with the passage of the Queen of the Night. The majestic barque held steady on its course. Cries of a nautical nature resounded – 'two points' 'get aloft' 'so much baggy-winkle'. Skeletons tapped their feet as they hauled lines. Fishmen hummed tunes in polyphony – right before they smacked one who had started whistling with a shout of 'belay that noise!'. Momonga observed this all with much amusement onboard the flagship of the Fomori Fleet, currently on its way towards the Agrand continent.

"What's wrong with whistling?" Momonga asked when the tour of the quarterdeck was complete, and he went under the deck.

"In nautical superstition, whistling challenges the wind, and calls up squalls," Titania chirped, giving a lazy salute as the gunners below-deck stopped what they were doing to salute all three visitors. "Well-"

"Vice-Admiral Titania! Welcome back!" The gunners of the Queen's crew crowed as one.

"Glad to be back- have you all met Momonga? He's also part of the Admiralty."

"We can tell! His aura commands awe!"

"Well, I have to keep giving Momonga the grand tour, so continue about your duties, men!"

"They're so casual…!" Yuri moaned.

"Yeah," Momonga slowly nodded as the gunners – Mephits and Fishmen alike – simply gave him a look of acknowledgement and a salute before moving on about their business. The Fomori were much less uptight in comparison to Nazarick's overly stilted and formal salutes. They smiled and they laughed and they thumped each other over the silliest reasons.

Under the corner, Titania gave a cry as she leapt on a group of imps chattering around a card game. "I saw that! Gambling on duty's forbidden in the Articles!" The Dragonkin dealer started a grunt of complaint, augmented with the protests of his fellow card-mates as they excused themselves from duty, it was their break, honest. Would the Vice-Admirals care to join in?

"Wanna play?" Titania smirked at Momonga.

"Er- I-"

"Come on!"

"Is a member of society supposed to advocate gambling?!"

Critiquez, s'il vous plaît!

1 Kanashibari (金縛り) is the Japanese term for sleep paralysis, a phenomenon when REM sleep overlaps with waking consciousness. Stories about Kanashibari go back all the way to ancient times, and it was attributed to a supernatural force enacted upon the body. The most common form of Kanashibari comes from possession.

2 Aoi no Ue (葵上, Lady Aoi) is a Muromachi period Japanese Noh play based on the character Lady Aoi from the Heian period novel Tale of Genji. In the backstory, Prince Genji, who was married to his wife Lady Aoi at a young age, has taken a mistress, Lady Rokujo. Following an episode in which she is humiliated in public by Lady Aoi, Rokujo is enraged to discover that Aoi is pregnant. Genji begins ignoring Rokujo, and in her jealousy her living spirit leaves her body and possesses Lady Aoi, resulting in Aoi's death.

3 The use of the word 'Admiral' here refers to Taishō (大将), a rank below Sycorax's rank of Fleet Admiral/Grand Admiral (元帥Gensui, also called 海軍大将 Kaigun Taishō).

4 This is the Japanese pangram, Tori Naku Uta. The Japanese Romaji is: Torinakukowesu/ yumesamase/ miyoakewataru/ hinkashiwo/ sorairohaete/ okitsuheni/ hofunemurewinu/ moyanōchi.

5 In this case, Rear Admiral (リアミルラル) is the guy's online handle.

6 This is the most famous Japanese pangrammatic poem, the Iroha. Subsequently, all pangrammatic poems are referred to as 'iroha-uta' in Japanese for this reason. The modern Romaji goes like this: Iro wa nioedo/ Chirinuru o/ Wa ga yo tare zo/ Tsune naramu?/ Ui no okuyama/ Kyō koete/ Asaki yume miji/ Ei mo sezu.