Title: "The Nazarick Grand Prix."
Disclaimer: Overlord is owned, written and created by Kugane Maruyama.
I do not own Overlord and this literature is only and purely, a fan fiction take on Overlord.
Chapter 22: Costs of actions.
The sound of Cardinal Dominic's broken jaw was heard by nearly everyone in the room. Cardinal Berenice was shock at what her friend and colleague just did, even stranger for her was the angry face cardinal Raymond wore. After knocking Dominic out cold, Raymond moved towards Cardinal Ginedine and Yvon. Then quickly slapped the two cardinals with lightning speed, he slapped Ginedine with his palm and that same hand came back to slap Yvon with the back of that same hand. The two elderly Cardinals were upset at Raymond for hitting them, and designated guards almost moved on to restrain Cardinal Raymond, but the Black Scripture went to their weapons; making the guards stop to think on their next move very carefully.
"How dare you Raymond? We welcome you back with open arms as friends and colleague but you hit us, tell us why?" Cardinal Ginedine shouted, with anger and confusion being apparent in his tone.
"Raymond! Just what the heck is going on here?" Cardinal Berenice asked her fellow cardinal, obviously having no clue as to the why Raymond is acting this way.
"That's enough! Everyone stand down, and you Cardinal Raymond will calm down and explain yourself." Cardinal Maximilian shouted, trying to restore order in the meeting room.
With Maximilian trying to set a semblance of decency and order in the place, Cardinal Raymond managed to reign in his repressed fury and calmed down somehow. After a few moments, Raymond regained his composure. Then, he looked at Maximilian and Berenice and said.
"I'm sorry everyone, I've let my emotions get the best of me. But assure you I have good reasons to be upset, especially when those reasons include the very, VERY close chance that we would all have been killed by the Sorcerer King and the rest of his followers for something our delegation team did not really do. Well, most of us anyway. Normally, I'd apologize for doing what I did. But you all know me well enough to know that I wouldn't do such a thing unless I think I really have to." Raymond replied.
At this point, two of the guards were lifting Cardinal Dominic to put him on his seat; as he was waking up groggily. As his consciousness and thoughts slowly came back to him, he felt pain from his jaw and was touching for a moment. Shortly after that, he casted a healing spell on himself. The other two cardinals healed themselves as well, shortly after the cardinals have composed themselves again. It was then that Raymond began his report, as he made his report. More and more of his audience were wearing concerned faces on them, the news of the humans living happily and coexisting well with their non human neighbours was just too much for them to believe.
The report continued peacefully, the information about the new advancements many facets of everyday living got many of them interested. However, after Raymond or anyone from the delegates explain about an invention; Cardinal Dominic or Ginedine or Yvon would make negative counter remarks about it. Then Raymond told them about their experience of the concert and to prove it, he had the player, speakers and the large monitor then inserted the copy of the concert that he personally bought before leaving.
As the items were being set-up, Raymond explained what the items do and how to operate them. Cardinals Maximilian and Berenice could hardly believe their ears as they heard the usefulness and the practicality of such inventions, the fact that it was now available to the public in the Sorcerer Kingdom made them realize just how far behind they were in terms of such innovations. The military officers quickly realized the numerous applications of the new vehicles that they just saw on the screen. The screen itself intrigued the other scholars in the room, its size and the fact that it can show what the camera has seen or heard is fascinating indeed for the applications for further studies, espionage, records keeping, etc. even Cardinal Yvon sees the benefits of using a camera to preserve records or to capture certain moments in time for posterity and so on.
Cardinal Ginedine was personally fascinated with the concept behind the discs, for its capacity to store large amounts of information that Raymond used for the presentations. The fact that not only written information, but actual moments along with sounds; could be stored and replicated is indeed very revolutionary. After moments of pondering about the devices, services and other things that makes the new nation different than the rest of its neighbours. They were left with the truth, that if it wasn't only for the fact that it was all from the undead king; they would have loved to make trading connections with the new nation. T he council had a hard time believing Raymond's story about the competitions the Black Scripture members participated and practically lost in, for they were considered to be the best of the best as far as humanity could offer. The fact that Momon effortlessly defeated the one they referred to as "The Strongest Man", was a shock on itself. The report about the knowledge advancements, especially about the manufacturing facilities got them worried. For they knew that knowledge is a power on its own, and the fact that even the common man in the Sorcerer Kingdom is able to read and write just about as good as any scholar therefore; increasing their chances to learn more and allowing them to reach their full potential is indeed cause for concern on their part.
It was after the awkward moments of silence, that Raymond dropped the bomb on the group. He looked daggers at Dominic and the other two cardinals. Then he informed everyone of the actions done by Aklamar and the rest of his group, their actions not only put the lives of the delegation team in immediate danger. But worse, they gave the Sorcerer King a legitimate excuse to wage war on them. And to top it off, since the crime was done during the Pioneer's Holiday and they were all welcomed as honoured guests and as such, were treated respectively and allotted many luxuries. It also was somehow turned into an advantage by the undead, making the other nations think badly of the Slane Theocracy as nothing more than zealot thieves and opportunists. As a result of what happened, the other nations made similar official declarations that none of their nations would trade with anyone from the Slane Theocracy or anyone connected with their nation, until the matter between them and the Sorcerer Kingdom was settled in its finality.
Another set of bad news, was that the Sorcerer King already told Raymond of his demands to settle things peacefully. The options were that they set all of the elves and other races that they have enslaved to be free, and that have to be in good health and unharmed. It was that or the second option which was, that they send the heads of the ones that ordered the culprits to do what they did. Which means; cutting the heads of Cardinal Dominic, Ginedine, and Yvon and bring them to the Sorcerer King to avoid an all out war.
The three cardinals felt the room temperature dropped down to freezing levels, when they heard about their plans have failed miserably. The deaths of the whole Wind Flower Scripture were a huge loss for the nation, and they understood that they will be the one blamed for making such an order. The fact that the order was given in secret without the rest of the council being informed, especially with the fact that they clearly bypassed serious protocols and went behind the backs of their fellow cardinals and even the Pontifex himself. They knew they couldn't deny the fact that they bent the rules to issue a mission order without the approval of the other officials, it would have been fine had they have succeeded. But the reality is that they have failed, and not just failed but failed miserably; thus putting the nation in a very dangerous situation. The other nation's offer for vassalization just added to their worries and fears, even worse was the nightmare of the very likely possibility that the Argland Republic might join forces with the Sorcerer Kingdom should they engage in war.
"That's ridiculous! Setting the elves free? He's lost his damn mind." Cardinal Dominic shouted his very vehement protest to the Sorcerer King's demand for compensation to settle international matters. His reaction got the others to look at him with annoyance, while some with respect and maybe even admiration for some reason.
"I truly doubt that the Dragon Lords, even though they loathe us, would actually consider joining forces with the undead. Especially if he is actually a PLAYER, we all know that if there's anything they'd hate more than us. It's a PLAYER. And as for me being beheaded for such a mission that we ordered, because we knew you wouldn't do it Raymond. For a long time now, we have observed you to be weak on your faith to the gods. You've actually been responsible for sparing several goblins on the borders, just being content on relocating them elsewhere? That's insane! Are you sure you're still even worthy to be called a Cardinal?" Dominic quickly followed-up his comment earlier.
Dominic's last statement got to Raymond quickly, but Raymond was still trying his best to keep his cool up as much as possible since he's already hit the man before. Though the unconscious act of him balling up his hand to a claw, slightly shaking with rage would probably mean he's ready to hit harder this time. To his surprise however, it was the usually quiet and motherly Cardinal Berenice that voiced out her opinion this time.
"Be quiet Dominic! How dare you speak of doubting Raymond's loyalty to the gods, when it was clear to us right now that you, along with Cardinals Ginedine and Yvon are the ones to blame for getting us all in this predicament. I recall from the last meeting, that WE have ALL agreed that we will not do anything to provoke the undead magic caster to turning his attention on us until we are able to learn more about him and his followers. But what did you do? You went behind our backs to issue a foolish mission that was doomed to fail from the start. Have you gone completely senile? It seems that you've forgotten that the main reason we don't send out spies to spy on him was because every attempt ended in failure and in the process; causing us to suffer major losses. Not once, but twice did we lose a captain of the Wind Flower Scripture in less than a decade, due to your actions. Finding the right individuals and training them to be up to standard will take us a long time, and now we've lost both as well. I'll be honest, had your little secret mission became successful. I'd be grateful for it, but fact is you failed. Therefore; you have no right to criticize Cardinal Raymond for doing what he could to de-escalate the matter. Now, about the undead magic caster's demands. I recommend we reconvene in two days to vote on it. And until then, the three cardinals in question will be under house arrest and watched by the Black Scriptures. Does everyone agree with my proposal?" Cardinal Berenice said as she tried to set things to cool down, before everything led to violence in the sacred room.
Sylvan looked to Cardinal Berenice then, bowed to her with a grateful nod for her actions in keeping Raymond from going violent. Sylvan knew had Raymond lost his temper for real, he might once again retrieve the eyes of "Unforgiving one". A moniker bestowed upon the middle-aged cardinal, due to his thorough nature when accomplishing his mission during his active Scripture days. Only Sylvan, Zesshi, the sixth seat, and Lady Kaire, were the few ones to have witnessed Raymond's savagery in battle as an active third seat of the Black Scriptures back in the old days. He doesn't want to see his mentor be in despair once again, by reverting back to that berserker persona that had accidentally caused Raymond to suffer a great personal tragedy.
After leaving the meeting room, Raymond went back to his home directly and before lying down in his bed. He put the music player on top of his bedside table, connected it to the speakers then inserted one of the music discs that he bought on his last day in E-Rantel. He remembered the scene from earlier, where he almost pulled out his hidden blade and moved to cut off Dominic's head in one stroke. In his old age, he can clearly feel the trembling of his hands from such a rush. So unlike during his youth where his hands would be as steady and precise as a professional artist painting the picture's finest details down to a strand of hair. The sensation took him back to a distant past, where during one of his missions. He faced his biggest personal loss. At this point, the music player was playing a melancholic tune.
["Can't cry hard enough" by Williams Brothers.]
Cardinal Raymond's Flashback scene.
Many years ago when Raymond was still in his late twenties, and was still considered the new guy within the group; way long before he became a priest and eventually; one of the top cardinals. The Black Scriptures were given a mission to find and exterminate the members of a secret organization, that were suspected to be behind the recent incidents where a lot of slave traders were killed and the elf slaves were set free. The continuous occurrences of such incidents, made the public worried and at the time. And since most of the other Scriptures were having their hands full with their own missions, the cardinals at the time thought it best to send the Black Scriptures to root out the trouble makers.
Although the mission was not their forte, they were still expected to bring forth favourable results. During one of the few days he could take some rest, while his other team mates do most of the investigation part of the mission. He would mostly spend time with his long time lover Lerina Kerbentley, a cook and owner of his favorite restaurant in Kami Miyako. They've been together for over two years now, and since they both agreed to keep their relationship secret. No one knew that they were a couple, the loyal patrons of the small restaurant just thought of Raymond as another loyal customer. In truth, he actually was, a she truly liked the food and drinks served in Lerina's establishment. But all that time she knew him only as a high ranking scholar of the country. Being a scholar on Raymond's part was partly true, as it was his actual daytime job and cover. He was surprised that she prepared him his favorite meal on their date after the restaurant was closed for the night, naturally; he enjoyed the meal together with her company. As he was drinking a glass of his favorite local wine, she told of her surprise news.
"I'm pregnant. We're going to have a baby!" Lerina told Raymond with a cheerful voice. Hearing her broke out the news to him, so suddenly and catching off guard; Raymond was shocked to say the least. After that, he stood and moved close to her to hug her tightly. Then he caressed her belly where his unborn child was growing. Raymond opened the window and shouted "I'm gonna be a father!" out of pure joy. They were both so happy that Raymond even jokingly said "I just want to make sure our child won't be lonely growing up, so we'd better start assembling the next one" to which Lerina just laughed. Later that evening, they made passionate love again.
"What's wrong?" Lerina asked.
"What do you mean?" Raymond replied.
"It seems you're not into it, that's all." Lerina answered.
"C'mon now, give a break will you. If go attack in full, and a few months later I find our child was disfigured because I'm horny right now. I don't think I could live with myself." Raymond answered in not so sure tone.
"Oh silly, it'll take some time before the baby takes shape. So why don't you put all that scholarly focus on me and help me prepare for the second child already?" Lerina said in a naughty voice.
"Yes Ma'am!" Raymond happily replied, as he went in for her under the sheets.
After a month, Raymond bid Lerina goodbye telling her he had to go with his fellow scholars in an academic tour. Which was a lie of course, as he was actually about to join the rest of the scriptures. Upon the team's members being completed, the sixth seat then, and still is the sixth seat now. He briefed them on the result of their investigation; they have traced some members of the secret group held their meetings in several places, mostly in well populated places like hotels, markets and brothels etc. And with that, they moved in small groups to increase their chances of success.
As they made their moves secretly, he noticed a teenager servant had been watching him carefully. He led the suspicious elf into a less populated street in the market place then, made a swift turn and then from the rooftops; he began to follow the young teenager. The young lad tried to look for Raymond but couldn't find him, so he decided to go back to their hideout to report back to his master. Raymond followed the boy to the outskirts of the city, and into a small village just near the woods. At the edge of the village, practically within the vicinity of the forest next to the village; he found that the young servant entered an old looking brewery. He used a few stealth spells on himself then, followed his target till he entered one of the many rooms within the facility.
After observing the place and the activities going on inside it, Raymond figured that this group was mainly helping to set the elves free. Personally, he couldn't understand as to why such a group would even go through such extensive lengths just to help a few elves be free. Although, he personally doesn't have any deep rooted hatred for the elves or most non humans in most cases. He doesn't really see them as an equal living being, most likely due to his religious upbringing. He used a message scroll and contacted his team members to come to his location, and when they arrived; they charged in the facility to apprehend the members of that organization. He went after the man the young servant was speaking to earlier, while the others fought of the guards and captured the elves in their immediate vicinity.
After cornering the elderly man the servant was speaking to, he asked the man to surrender in exchange for the promise of sparing his life. But the man just ran away to warn someone who just sat on a carriage's driver's seat and drove the carriage. He immediately moved to attack the old man, but was careful not to kill him, just restrain him for the other members to collect him later. He went after the carriage by cutting off the ropes on a carriage horse therefore; setting it free for him to ride it to give chase.
With his mount free from the weight of the carriage, he was slowly able to catch up to the running carriage that headed into the forest. When the carriage stopped, he dismounted and searched for them on foot. And when he found them, he saw the small group of mostly elves accompanied by the young servant he saw earlier and another individual cloaked and hooded; being the driver of the carriage. He ordered them to halt where they are but they ignored him, and so he moved in to attack them. The majority of the group, that turned out to be Elven slaves, ran directly inside a cave which seemed to be there destination in the first place. The young servant pulled out a long knife from behind him and stood in his way to stall for time, as the others escape. Being a scripture and a third seat to booth, he easily and quickly defeated the young servant within seconds. The hooded one who was the driver of the carriage, returned only to find him just about to deal the finishing blow to the young man.
"STOP! Please stop! Don't kill him, he's my younger brother please have mercy." Shouted the hooded figure whom; he guesses to be female by the sound of her voice.
"With all of the Slave traders your little group has killed, you asked me to show you mercy? You're out luck heretic." Raymond replied coldly.
"I beg of you please stop, we'll surrender if that's what it takes." The hooded one begged.
"I've already captured one of your masters, the old man will be enough to bring back as a prisoner. So there's no need to spare you two." Raymond replied. Then, he unsheathed his sword and went to attack the two; with the male being his first target.
The young man let go of his sister's hand to let her run off, and give her a chance to escape capture. Especially with her current condition, he can't let her be sent to jail or worse. The young man anticipated Raymond's attack and adjusted his blade to try to parry the strike, but he was surprised to be off balanced and pushed to the side suddenly even before clashing with his opponent. Meanwhile, Raymond coincidentally adjusted his sword's position from a thrusting attack. He changed it into a slashing one, and then dealt the slash with full force.
Everything was a blur and it all happened so quickly. It was then that her voice became clear to him, and as fate cruelly played him like a toy; her hood and her face's cover was moved off from her face. Allowing him to recognize whom he really slashed with his sword, the young man who was his intended target; was pushed to the side by the woman placing herself in Raymond's line of attack. The young lad was stunned to see his elder sister's mid section coursed through by the sword, he found it strange to see that the man who was going to kill them had a shocked and remorseful look on his face.
"Oh gods no! Lerina, please speak to me." Raymond whispered to his latest victim. That was when he carefully tried to remove the sword from her abdomen, then he immediately casted several healing spells until his mana ran out. He even used up all of the healing scrolls in his satchel to try and keep her alive, but all of the healing spells he could cast even those from the scrolls were of lower to medium level healing spells. Even the healing potions he had, he gave them to her to try and prolong her life.
"Raymond? Is that you? Why?" Lerina asked in her usual gentle tone, confused as to why he attacked her.
"I'm so sorry Lerina. I didn't know it was you. If I'd have only known I'd never… I'm not just a scholar; I'm actually one of the Scriptures. Forgive me; forgive me…so sorry…" Raymond tried to explain and asked for her forgiveness, after that; all he could do was cry and despair.
"It doesn't matter dear. You see my family rooted from Elven slaves… and we have Elven ancestry, so we secretly try to help the elves be free as we owe it to our ancestors. Stop crying… my… love. I'm so sorry too, but it seems we can't have that family now. Our dreams of raising a healthy family will now just be that… a… dream… But it was nice to dream that dream with you… Raymond." Lerina said to him as pain wrack through her body.
"By the gods NO! No, no, no, no, I'll take you to the nearest temple right now. There they can heal you, restore you. Stay with me. You there! Come help me bring her to the nearest church, we can still save her." Raymond said in between sobs, as he tried to pick her up in an attempt to carry her to the nearest church.
"Hush… it's no use, I can feel my life fading away. All I can hope for now, is that you learn from this. Don't let my death, our death be in vain… We are all equal in this life. My dear." Lerina said gently. As she exhaled her last breathe, free from the pain of her wounds. She closed her eyes for the last time, and went into eternal rest within death's embrace. All the while, Raymond could only hug her bloodied corpse tightly close to him. Wailing out his voice in the middle of the silent woods, no other sound could be heard except from his scream of despair, sorrow, and regret. He looked down and saw his sword covered with her blood. And all he could think of; was the thought of killing himself to join her and their unborn child in the afterlife. The only thing that kept him from doing so, were Lerina's last words to him.
Lerina's younger brother looked at Raymond filled with sadness and rage for the death of his sister, only those emotions filled his heart and mind and now the only word in his mind was "KILL". And with that, he picked up his weapon and proceeded to walk towards Raymond who was still crying at the loss of his soon to be wife and their unborn child. Raymond knew he was there, and that the young lad would kill him for sure. But he couldn't care anymore at that point.
The young man was about to strike down Raymond, but stopped himself due to the newly arrived first seat; which was also Sylvan's father, and Zesshi; who only joined them because she was so bored at the time. The two of them were puzzled to see the young man about to kill Raymond, while Raymond was just crying and sobbing; holding the dead body of a woman. The first seat was about to go after the young man, but Raymond pleaded for them not to. After a while, he explained the situation to the two. And even offered to turn himself in if they promise to bury her properly in a secret location.
Understanding the situation and considering the cruel fate that befell the third seat, the first seat said it was not necessary. Though they will still have to arrest the old man that Raymond bound earlier. Zesshi promise to keep what happened a secret, then she walked away to get the old man and bring him with the others. The first seat helped Raymond to bury Lerina's corpse deeper into the forest, and after marking her grave with some branches; the first seat used a scroll to cast a spell that the priests use to keep the dead from rising as an undead. To make sure they won't get into any trouble, Raymond and the first seat made a fake cave using their weapons and some magic. Another gesture Raymond was grateful for.
After some years, Raymond was able to make a name for himself. And he also managed to earn enough money to buy a large piece of land. Together with the first seat's help, he was able to buy the land where he buried Lerina and his unborn child. There, he would regularly cast a holy cleansing spell over her now proper grave; which is also located inside the part of the forest that he converted into a beautiful garden. Coincidentally, this is now where he would go to gather his thoughts whenever his problems and stresses are too much for him. And as the memories faded from his mind, his eyes let out the tears just as they've always done ever since that day.
Back to the present time, inside Cardinal Raymond's bedroom.
Raymond was shocked to see someone hold a long sword just millimetres from his neck after he opened his eyes.
"What? Who are you and what do you want?" Raymond asked the stranger in his surprise.
"Keep still, I'm not here to kill you. But I am here to pass his majesty's question about the Slane Theocracy's answer to his condition. Will this nation set the elves free? Or will there be war?" the masked stranger asked the cardinal.
"With regards to that, I'm sorry but the council still haven't reached a decision yet. But we are to hold another meeting tomorrow, to make that decision whatever they choose it would be beyond my control however." Raymond answered.
"Very well, I will report that to his majesty Ainz Ooal Gown. Now then, I will ask you another question. Which option would you choose then? Cardinal Raymond, the Unforgiving One… Hmm?" The masked agent asked again. Upon hearing his old moniker, Raymond's eye went wide.
"Wait, how did you know about that moniker? Only Scripture members or the higher ups should have knowledge about that, please tell me." Raymond asked.
"I asked you a question first old man, answer mine. And then I'll answer yours, a fair trade don't you think?" Says the stranger.
"If you must really know, then my answer is I choose both. The Elven slaves need to be set free, and I just want to personally get rid of those three idiots. Believe me or not, it's up to you. But I'm just giving you an honest answer, as far as I'm concerned." Raymond answered.
The man, still holding his sword on top of Raymond's throat. Chuckled lightly, then he reached behind his belt to get another blade. And as soon as Raymond saw the blade, he knew who the man truly was.
"It can't be. Lerina's younger brother? Is it really you? But… how did you get here?" Raymond's mind was puzzled, and he had so many questions he wanted to ask. But he didn't since he figured that he'd be probably dead by the end of the day. Though he wouldn't mind, since he thought it would be a fitting end for him if it was Lerina's younger brother.
"Ah questions, questions, you hypocrite old farts just kept asking questions but never really do anything to learn the answers for your selves. I swear if the Sorcerer King had only revealed himself even just a decade earlier? We would have met just like this a decade earlier. You zealots are moving backwards, instead of moving forward like the Sorcerer King does. And to think that my life would be a lot, LOT better under the rule of an undead? I'd say the world would be better off with this garbage of a country erased from existence." The masked stranger commented as he mocked the Slane Theocracy's stagnation as a civilization. All that time, Raymond was actually mostly agreeing with him.
"But how did you get in here? Are you here to take revenge for your sister? If so, just do it then. In truth, if it's you that's going to kill me? I'd take my death gladly." Raymond said in a defeated tone.
"Whoa, take it easy old man. As for how I got here? Well… you did build this place to hide my sister's grave which wasn't that far from the cave the elves used to escape this hell hole you call a country. After your friends arrived back then, I ran and eventually hid in the woods. I followed you to where you buried her, and after you left that place; I moved in to remove their corpse that day. Oh don't look at me like that, as if I would let a murderer like you keep her body nearby. You don't deserve her, you never did, never will." The stranger said in his cocky mocking tone.
"Wait, then that means all this time. All I've worked hard for to build this place, the garden, all the things I did to honor her. And she wasn't there?" Raymond asked bewildered.
"Yes, all those hardwork. And she wasn't even there, aint that a doozy now? Oh don't worry by the way, I won't kill you. After all the higher ups just ordered me to pass on that message, so just relax. (The masked stranger tapped Raymond's forehead a few times, much to the cardinal's annoyance) There, there now. You see, ever since then. I've devoted myself to training and becoming stronger and better. All just to kill you and your goody buddies, but I've realized that I'm not going to be able to do it; at least not alone. So I strived to stay alive, I've worked with the kindest souls all the way down with the sickest fucks that'll make you hurl. I've been keeping tabs on you since then, and when I found out that you reached the top and became a cardinal; I cursed your six gods and abandon any form of faith and connection with them. I knew it would be foolish to go after you from that point. I was about to let go of all that hate, and tried to actually restart my life from scratch." Says the masked man.
"I have no reason to doubt you. But, if you were willing to start a new life. Why are you here now doing this? It makes no sense." Says Raymond.
"Oh, poor you now aint you? Pity those of little faith! Isn't that how you zealots start some of your sermons? No? Oh well, don't give a fuck anyway. Now where was I again? Oh, yeah. You see at the time, I was lucky enough to be in a Worker's team back when the massacre at the Katze Plains happened. Even I couldn't believe such a thing was possible, but when I saw the poor souls who somehow survived that tragic ordeal. Their messed up state convinced me that it's true, and I could feel that would change my life somehow.
So I quickly left my team and moved to E-Rantel, I never cared for the rumors. When I got there, all I saw was death in many forms at just about every corner. I was scared that I wanted to get out of their quickly, but I steered myself and looked for work. After a few days I started to see lots of dwarves, elves, beastmen and other non-humans that I never knew about; walking around the streets trying to set their new lives just like me.
I gathered my courage and asked some of the non humans, lucky me; one of the elves our little group saved back then, recognized me. She was very thankful for what we did for her and the others, as we chatted, she told me that just after a year freedom. They were caught by Theocracy slave hunters, and were brought back into the market as slaves all over again. But here's the good part, the last asshole that bought them, bought them specifically for their magical skills. And they were among the unlucky bastards, among those guys that went into the Sorcerer King's home uninvited. I trust that you know what happened next? (Raymond nodded) They were very lucky that his majesty spared them, because he understood that they were slaves; and only forced to be there against their will. It turned out they hit the jackpot, because they are now among his majesty's liaisons for the Elven community in the Sorcerer Kingdom.
And when they told me of his majesty's vision for this world, I knew right there and then. He was that leader this world sorely needs. And when he reformed the Adventurer's Guild, I took my chances and joined them. The new training programs, and the new arms and amours definitely helped a lot. It turned me from a weakling of a human, into a competent and capable member of the kingdom's intelligence agents. All of my efforts were not in vain, because Lord Demiurge noticed my faith and hard work for my god's vision. After going through what they call a 'Sai-ko-lo-gi-kal' (Psychological) analysis they figured something was kept inside me, they're just that smart. And so I told them all about my sister, our family, the organization, and what you did to her. That's why they chose me to bring you their message. Oh, I almost forgot. Part of that message is this: 'The Slane Theocracy has one week to give their answer, make the smart choice.' That's that, so bye for now." The masked stranger said as he took a small device from his pocket, he pushed a small button on the cylindrical device. And small chains sprouted from the device, and wrapped the cardinal all over his bed. And then, the masked individual walked towards the window when Raymond called to him.
"Wait! Please wait. You said you took her body somewhere else; please tell me where her body is. So that I may pay my respects to them, I'm begging you please." Raymond pleaded in tears while chained to his bed.
"Huh? You Theocracy zealots really got some dumb nerves. Were you even listening to all that I've said? Damn. From all that rant, that's the only thing you heard? Fucking idiots." The stranger retorted, then left through the opened window. By the time Raymond was able to free himself; he called for his servants and asked about the masked agent. The servants answered, that there was no one else in the house but him and them. After that, the exhausted cardinal went back to his room, locked it and cried tears of pain and sadness.
The next morning, Cardinal Raymond went back to the council's meeting place. But before he did, he summoned the Black Scripture members and the rest of the delegates. They met in one of his rest houses, and once in there; he told them of what happened in his own home. They now understood that they really have to go through with the contingency plan that they agreed upon before leaving E-Rantel. After the other Black Scripture members left for the meeting, he talked to the sixth seat and Sylvan's father, and told them about Lerina's brother. The former first seat looked worried, he knew about the threat of the Sorcerer Kingdom's new training program's effectiveness. He understood that if that training could turn an ordinary person into such an expert infiltrator, spy, assassin, warrior, magic caster and who knows what else. And if the Theocracy goes to war against a nation with such resources and raw power, he knew they'd be doomed.
"You go on ahead old friend, I'll get some of my stuff and make my preparations. If this thing turns south, you'll need all the help you can get. If worse comes to worse, and I really hope it doesn't; then I might need to collect some payments from those that owe me favors." Says Sylvan's father.
With a heavy heart, but strong determination. Raymond got inside his personal carriage and rode to the meeting. In the carriages where the scripture members rode in, there was an air of depression all around them. They don't want to kill their fellow citizens, but they couldn't afford to go to war with the Sorcerer Kingdom either. And so they were just looking down at the floor, and moped inside the carriage.
"Ahh, I really missed that cushioned seat from that Limousine." Says the second, while riding inside one of the carriages together with the other members of the Black Scripture.
"Hey, what's a 'Li-mo-zeen' (Limousine)?" a female voice asked the second seat while he was depressed and looking down on the floor.
"Huh? Weren't you there as well? C'mon now, we all loved those new vehicles from E-Rantel right? Those comfy seats that you can sleep onto, that speed that beats this slow ride. Ahh… and those burgers Hmm. I'd pay good money to eat one right now." The second seat ranted on, lost in his own little fantasy.
"What's that now? Burger? Where can I buy one?" the female voice asked.
"Huh? Keep it down you two." Says the fifth seat.
"Hey! I come out to see you guys after a long time. Then I asked you a question and then you guys just ignore me? Hey, answer my question pipsqueak!" The female asked in frustration. The second seat looked at the source of the voice, to see why that person kept asking questions.
"Huh... Oh Shit! Zesshi?! What are you doing here? Wait when did you get in here?" The second seat asked in his panic, since Zesshi's involvement could lead to a disaster if she happens to join the other side. And with that, the rest of the group inside that carriage snapped out of their depression. They were now worried that Zesshi left her post again most likely due to her being so bored. And with that, the second seat was force to tell Zesshi about their experience from attending the Pioneer's Holiday. Luckily, he was able to omit the parts about Momon and the Sorcerer King, or anything that can trigger her bloodlust and battle maniac psyche. He only told her about the new inventions and the foods and drinks.
After arriving at the meeting place, Zesshi was the first one to exit the carriage. Upon seeing Zesshi with the second seat, and the rest of that group looking defeated and scuffled. Raymond's face just aged and soured in sheer stress and annoyance of the potential disaster ahead, the obviously stressed cardinal just hit his palm to his forehead and wiped it down on his face. After that, he looked daggers at the second seat. The young man just looked back at him silently mouthing the words "What can I do?" And so Raymond decided to let the others move on ahead, while he talked with Zesshi in private inside one of the Carriage.
"Come on Raymond. You're keeping secrets from me now?! Do I have to remind you of how many times I saved your butt? So you guys had an all-paid vacation in the Sorcerer Kingdom for some kind of event, and YOU didn't even tell me about it. Next thing I knew, that short second seat was day dreaming about this 'Li-mo-zeen' (Limousine), hamburgers, iced tea? Sounds nice actually. Then, they tell me that you guys flew across the sky inside some large vehicle that flies! Did it ever occur in your mind that I would have loved to see something like that? You know, that all they let me do is guard that room right? I know it's important and all that, but after hundreds of years; I'm bored." Zesshi said to Raymond.
"I'm sorry for keeping it from you. But I have my reasons for that, and be honest with me. Are you sure you're just bored, or are you thinking of going there to look for someone that can beat you and do… that?" Raymond asked Zesshi as he looked at her with all knowing and suspicious eyes.
"All right, all right. You got me, yes why would I not? I've heard that there's a new Adamantite ranked Adventurer in E-Rantel that was able to defeat a powerful demon that caused a lot of problem over there. So I'm wondering now, if I go over there and ask him to fight me and… say he manage to somehow defeat me. Wouldn't that be wonderful?" Zesshi said, reverting to her fantasy; getting lost in it.
"Oh Gods… I've already got lots of problems to deal with. Please don't to it. I tell you this, for now; I need you to go back to guards the treasury. Something tells me, there might be chance you'd actually need to protect that place today and in the following days this month. After today's meeting, I will visit you in the treasury and I will tell what's really going on in the continent right now. I'm sure you're gonna be excited in the potential future of the coming new age. I'll make sure that it would be worth your time. I'm sorry, but I really have to go now. See you later." Raymond said as he left the carriage, and Zesshi followed him but she head for the treasury.
After a short walk from the stairways, down a narrow hallway, then walked down a hidden set of stairs and into another hallway and finally; he stood in front of a door made to blend in with the wall. He opened the door and there, he saw that the other cardinals and the rest of the council were already seated. He started the meeting immediately and then, he explained that a messenger has been sent to him from the Sorcerer Kingdom; telling them that they only have a week from now to give their nation's official answer. Although the next part was never said in the message, he said that if there is no official reply after the one week deadline. The Sorcerer King will consider it as a declaration of war and will unleash all hell on the theocracy.
Cardinal Dominic, despite being one of the accused party; vehemently proclaimed that they should not let the Sorcerer King act like he has won already and tried to convince the others into waging war to "Purge the world of such unholy filth". But Raymond's reports made perfect sense to the majority; that even the Pontifex; technically acting as mediator and the last one to express his decisions or opinions have made a clear decision to agree with the option that would set all of the elves free from slavery. Ultimately, the majority of the votes were in favor of setting the elves free.
Cardinals Dominic and Yvon, along with some of the very rich nobles; expressed their hate for how the vote went to such a decision. Some even demanded a recounting of the votes, and went further by ordering their personal bodyguards and the assigned guards in the room to arrest those who voted with Raymond. Answering the commands of the demanding and loud Cardinals, the soldiers and private guards rushed inside the room to try and apprehend Cardinal Raymond and company. But the soldiers stood still in their places, when Sylvan and the rest of the Black Scriptures stepped forward; a single gesture meaning the immediate deaths of the others on Dominic's side of the room.
"What are you doing?! As a cardinal for the faith of the God of the Wind Temple, I hereby invoke my authority to command you; members of the Black Scripture to arrest Cardinal Raymond and the others that voted with him!" Cardinal Dominic shouted with his saliva sputtering out his entitled mouth.
"With all due respect your holiness Cardinal Dominic Ihre Partouche, but we cannot do that. For we are the Black Scripture, and we are under the direct command of his holiness Cardinal Raymond Zarg Lauransan. I would like to remind you, that the main purpose of our team is to keep the Theocracy safe and preserve its people and protect its existence. And since it was made clear that the abuse of authority and breach of protocols and rules, done by yourself along with Cardinals Ginedine Delan Guelfi and Yvon Jasna Dracrowa have led to many loss of life including the entire Wind Flower Scripture. As far we are concerned, the biggest threat to this country are the three of you and those cooperated to enable that foolish mission." Sylvan answered professionally and respectfully.
Among the three, Dominic was the one that felt the worst of the humiliation just now. He was still fuming with such rage at the majority's decision, but he didn't want to die immediately either. And so with that, he and the others reluctantly conceded.
Shortly after that, they discussed as to how to break the news to the public. Everyone knew that the consequences of such a rapid implementation, would have numerous and mostly adverse effects on many facets of their civilization. And so they went on and on talking about the measures they will have to take regarding the matters on announcing their decision, enforcing it, and appeasing the affected owners. Not an easy task indeed, but considering the alternative of an all out slaughter of their people by the Sorcerer Kingdom's armies of humans and non humans and various undead creatures. And who knows what new horrors the Sorcerer King will unleash on their lands, the choice was easy.
It was already night time when the meeting was adjourned for that day; the council ultimately agreed that they all needed some rest. And so they all went home, but Raymond ordered his servants to bring the 'movie package' to the treasury and some other items, foods and drinks so that Zesshi may at least entertain herself somehow. Raymond made sure not to include the discs that contains information about the Sorcerer Kingdom's military power, to keep her from making a mess of things. He did however, made sure to include the copy of the concert; along with the other movie discs.
Sorry for the delay, the next chapter will focus on the other nations. And maybe a few mishaps in Nazarick. Thanks.