Ya here? Good good.
Im keeping this crap to a minimum, cause I got nothing else to share to ya'll.
Enjoy reading then m8s...
Past: Somewhere in France. . .? (Part 3)
It was... quite an experience.
To tell the truth, it was a hell of a trip.
Encountering bounty hunters that were hunting him down because of the BoSA putting up a hit on him, finding danger on almost every f**king corner be it open or closed, blowing up them in return, and after that, he would relax on his tiny villa that was a good property of land that isn't touched by the industrial poison that destroyed most nature of the world.
Well, that was supposed to be the plan.
He wasn't sure what happened, but what he could remember was that he got knocked out by one of those spec-ops. Possibly bounty hunters, but once their client is gone, their contracts on him should have been gone too.
Unless this was revenge...
Yeah, most likely that.
Waking up from his cursed, dreamless sleep. He woke up with a sharp pain in his skull. All seems normal so far...
He groaned as he slowly got up, scanning his surroundings. He was in a fairly decent room. Only it was filled with piles of... well... "junk" would be an understatement. Literally everywhere he could see, boxes and stacks of papers were within his sight. Hell, he could see a stack of papers literally touching the fucking ceiling.
And that ceiling's height? It should be around fucking 20-feet high. If his eyes weren't playing tricks on him that is...
'Ugh... Whoever that paperwork's for... whoever is in here, this must be fucking hell...' He looked around with awe-inspired/dumbfounded eyes.
He checked himself, noticing his gear wasn't on him. His eyes scattered around to see his arsenal placed neatly on a table in front of him. Apparently, these bastards are either underestimating him, careless, or just that cunning.
He would have thought the former if it wasn't for the stacks of boxes and papers around in the room. A regular person would've been fooled into thinking that the place was nothing more than a storage room. Well, that is if he hadn't thought of any misleading situations like this before...
Like a bathtub filled with clear liquid poison that could be easily mistaken as water...
Or a paper that can track even the slightest movement if a weight was moved oddly...
Or a cooler that is literally filled with C4...
Hell, there could be tripwires around, but he doubted that such a thing would be placed around him. If they did, then they wouldn't need to painstakingly put that whole shit around him. After all, he was already vulnerable. They could just kill him and be done with it.
But no, they took him alive. For torture, or something else? Something unknown.
Most likely the latter.
Standing up, he immediately felt his left-side stinging with pain. Although that was the worst of it, he still felt pain in his everything. Looking down at himself, he was bandaged up well enough. He picked up his gear and checked for anything odd. Oh, he found something "odd" alright...
His trusty ol' pistol which was dyed red in blood from his former allies was cleaned. Hell, even his knife was cleaned and sharpen too. For the gun, no ammo sadly.
He clicked his tongue in annoyance at that, but there was another priority; he needed to know where the exit is. He noticed a white steel door that almost blended in with the stack of papers if it weren't for a light that was shining just below the doorframe.
Slowly, he limped his way to the door, and then opened it ever so slightly, taking a quick peek at whatever was in the room behind...
"Don't be shy..."
A female voice spoke out from an unseen corner of the room, startling him from the suddenness of it.
"... come on in."
"..."
He didn't bother asking how the hell did they notice him when the fucking door didn't make any sound at all from his opening it. He was walking on his "quiet toes" when he snuck towards the damn door, and even he couldn't hear his own footsteps!
Without asking any questions, he inwardly sighed. He gave no fucks anymore and tiredly opened the door. The room he entered was... cleaner than the one he woke up from. It's almost literally a hotel!
Looking around, he saw a world-class beauty sipping tea graciously. And in her other hand, she was holding a small book, reading. Aside from that, she was a total fucking knockout babe! Her frigging looks blew away all other women he'd met before. Not even his ex' compared! Her skin was a creamy-gray color, blending in with her looks perfectly...
"It's rude to stare you know.~ Teehee."
"Tsk!"
Zark realized how captivated he was when the woman was now looking at him with her rather beautiful purple eyes- GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!
He shook his head briefly yet vigorously, before bowing his head apologetically.
"Apologies! And I wasn't staring anywhere at your breasts. I was merely mesmerized by your beauty!"
"Hmmmm..." She hummed, almost satisfied with his statement. But he couldn't help but wonder if there was also a feeling of contempt from her. Well, he was tripping over himself looking at...
'Wait a minute... what the hell am I doing?!'
"Hold up. Who the hell are you?"
He unconsciously twitched to his bayonet on his hip. He then felt pain from his stomach, which made him remember he was injured. Getting into a fight right now was a bad idea...
"Oh, I'm just one of the people who saved your an ungrateful, and slightly handsome ass." She bluntly remarked with a mischievous grin. "But please... have a seat. Standing too much will open up your wounds, and it would be annoying to stitch them up again.~"
Reluctantly, he slowly limped his way to the seat at the table, opposite the woman's tableside.
"Hey, angel!" A male voice was heard from one of the doors within his sight.
"Is our 'guest' up and moving?"
"Yes, Gabe! That he is!"
"Okay! Hold on!"
Suddenly sounds of metal clanking and some falling bits nest down to the floor echoed. Zark couldn't help but wince at the loudness of the metal banging onto the floor. His ears were still banged up from getting his head smashed from a lamp back in BoSA...
His eyes then widened at the realization.
BoSA... Before he was captured, or rather acquired by these people... he remembered that the BoSA building was burning. Its foundations collapsed and turning into dust and debris.
The burning blood, the melted metal, the brass cases on the floor...
If he held any regrets on massacring the entire BoSA infrastructure... Well, best not to worry about the past right now.
Only the present and future held importance now.
The door opens, revealing a seemingly well-built, and surprisingly handsome man with emerald-green eyes, and long blond hair. Considering his appearance, Zark considered that he was maybe around 28 to 32 years old. He smiled with a friendly and energetic demeanor that at first blush made him seem happy go lucky.
But why does he also feel like he has the aura of battle-hardened veteran...? It was a fucking weird and contradicting mix...
"Hello, buddy. Nice to meet you." He said while smiling warmly. It almost made him feel at ease. Almost...
"Um... Hi." Zark replied in a casual deadpan.
His speaking manner and behavior hardly changed since his childhood. Speaking in an informal tone that would seem to sound like a smartass from the streets.
"I'd rather cut the small talk and get to the point. Who the hell are you?" Zark said firmly.
"Ah, sorry about that. The name's Gabriel. And you've already met my wife, Alisha. As to who we are after that... Well..." The man averted his eyes, almost looking like he was trying to find the right words to phrase his response.
"We're mercenaries." The woman "Alisha" said nonchalantly.
"Yep!" He snapped his fingers almost in realization. "Yeah, we're mercenaries."
'With that pause, I highly doubt you guys are simple mercenaries...' He inwardly deadpanned.
"Anyways, how are you feeling? We patched you up as much as we could, and we dug out some shards that got into your skin."
Zark tried to feel anything unusual with his body but found nothing but stinging pains that were constantly, but lightly making him flinch at times. "Meh. Just some random stings in my gut. I hope you didn't do anything 'strange' around there. Wait... did you?"
"Eh. We kinda' did. We just fixed you up, took out some glass, and stitched ya' up!" The man surprisingly said in a cheerful tone.
'Jeeeez... He kind of reminds of my old self.' He thought somberly.
"...What's next after this?" He asked firmly, mentally preparing himself for what comes next.
"Interrogation? Torture? Brainwash? Mindwipe? Can I at least have a fuck before I go?"
The two individuals just looked at him with widened eyes before bursting into laughter. The woman was giggling but seemed to almost break down laughing before regaining control. The man, on the other hand, didn't care and just let it loose...
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA~! Whew! Wow. Just... wow... You're full of surprises, Zark."
His relaxed postured suddenly tensed so much that it caused him pain, but he grit his teeth and powered on through it as the next obvious question came to mind.
"How the hell do you know my name?" He growled.
"How do you think? You were out of it for a full day you know. Plenty of time to get an ID." The man calling himself Gabriel casually answered as he took a seat next to his wife, Alisha.
"...But in all seriousness, what's next for me?" He said firmly. "Unless this is some kind of a test, just please go for the main course and don't give me appetizers of false hope."
"Ah, actually, we went there because we received a contract for someone in S.T.I, but apparently-"
"-apparently, I happened..." He cut him off, despite it seeming rude since from time-to-time it seemed logical to quickly go straight for the point instead of beating around the bush.
"Yeah, we'd like to know the reason behind that."
'Aaaand...The air now feels uncomfortable.'
"Eh...Call it revenge."
"Huh? 'Revenge'?" Gabriel said in confusion, even Alisha taken aback since she turned her gaze away from her book and to his eyes.
"They wronged me. A betrayal too great. So, I returned the favor, and make them taste how it feels, begging for one's pathetic life underneath your feet..." He coldly said as he shrugged. "...And besides, this is probably karma's way of messing with me."
"Wait, what?" Gabriel said, utterly confused about what he meant at the last part. "What do you mean by that?"
"Oh, it's... I kinda like to mess with people pretty much, just for fun. Heh." He sheepishly said as he rubbed the back of his neck.
""...""
"Yeah..."
"I want to say that you kinda deserve it, but without knowing your circumstances, I won't judge you too quickly on that." Gabriel said as he took out a cigarette from his shirt pocket and lit it. "Smoke?"
"Nah. Never done that." He flatly declined.
"Huh. Didn't see you as one who doesn't smoke."
"Why? Because I kill?"
The man shrugged. "Meh. It was a half-half guess, but I honestly didn't someone like you with a high-stress life doesn't smoke."
"Can we go back to the point man?" He said quite rudely, which didn't go unnoticed by the woman. "I have a feeling my time among the living is getting shorter with every moment I linger within your honeyed-words of comfort."
"Hahaha! Sorry, sorry. A person like you is quite on point. I rarely meet anyone that acts like that."
"Honey, we've known only a few who act like that." Alisha said, taking a sip from her tea, which he only now noticed was a deep-red color, almost like blood.
"Right..."
"Ahem..." Getting their attention. "Again, back to the topic please?"
"Oh yeah, that." Gabriel cleared his throat while Alisha simply rolled her eyes in annoyance. "To sum up the reason we rescued and healed you back up is that you kinda did us a favor."
"...Say what now?"
"Yes..." The man smiled. "...although our mission concerning your 'personal vendetta', aligned with yours, we simply wanted to have friendly relations with you."
'...Suspicious.'
"And pray tell, why the hell would you do that, or even care?"
"You want to watch your son grow up without worrying about something stabbing you in the back?"
Zark stiffened before he felt furious anger rising up within him.
"...You touch a finger on that boy, and I'll kill you, even if I'm in this condition." He venomously said. He would fight tooth and fucking nail to kill those who would mess with his family. His 'ex-wife' isn't really considered family anymore in his book, despite his son being raised with her, he would not waste his life on not witnessing his son growing up. Even without him within his presence. The man was quiet before releasing a small chuckle.
"Hehe. Calm down, we won't touch them. With the exception of certain people of course, but not yours."
"And how can I trust your word on it?"
"Well-"
"We'd like to make a contract with you..." Alisha said smoothly, injecting something resembling progress in this conversation.
Zark's eyes rose a bit at that bit.
"A contract?..." He echoed the words, ensuring that he didn't mishear. "...You know what that means-?"
"Yes, we know." Gabriel sighed. "And we trust that you're also the type to keep promises, and are good for it."
Zark could only stare at them in a bewildered state before drawing out a hearty laugh.
"Hah-hah-hah-hah! Whew! You know that this is not a good plan, right? To trust someone you don't even know yet."
"Usque ad victoriam, mortem semper prope est. Non sperant." Gabriel said nonchalantly, gaining Zark's undivided, and steely attention. "I've your full attention now, right?"
"Yeah. That you have... So what's this? Blackmail then?"
The man shrugged. "Just think of it as an advanced warning..."
"Yeah! One that highly involves deep, classified intel on the said person that's supposed to be buried down in the ground, decayed and not be retrieved at all… As ever."
"But with our sources and connections, we managed," Gabriel said mischievously as he leaned forward from his seat. "But we won't threaten you. We just wanted you to see that we're serious."
"Ugh, fine...Let's hear the terms." He gave in, knowing that likely can't decline whatever is to be stated in their terms.
"They're quite simple actually. Our first condition is that you would not join or work for any other organization other than ours. So technically, you're conscripted into our group..."
'Well, that's just freaking great.' He inwardly rolled his eyes.
"For our second condition, you'll work with us or any of the members of our organization. But you'll also still get paid well, so this won't be pro-bono work."
"Depending on the conditions, or is this gonna a fixed 'salary'?"
Alisha suddenly interjected.
"Highly depends on the situation. Our involvement usually requires some… unusual situations..." She added with a tone of mystery on the last part, giving Zark even more questions and suspicions to the two.
"...But yes, it's mostly a fixed payment. Or 'salary', as you so quaintly put it." She finished saying with a smirk.
"Yep, what she said." Gabriel smiled cheekily as he inclined his head, earning an annoyed look from Alisha.
"And lastly, information is given only to members of our organization. You don't talk about us to anyone. Not even to your friends or family- oh wait..."
Zark raised an irritated brow. "And you said that you know of me?" He put up a smug smile.
"Hehe..." Gabriel chuckled awkwardly at that. "Well, I was busy reading, but then you woke up all of a sudden moment."
"Wait, you still haven't finished reading his profile?" The woman said firmly, almost with a hint of scolding in her tone.
"He woke at the when I was halfway through." He sheepishly said.
'...Why do I have a feeling I'd get along with these two.'
He gave a small sigh while witnessing the couple arguing with each other. 'Oh well, at least I'm still alive. I don't want to leave this world without fulfilling what I need to do.'
E-Rantel, Present Day
It was a rather good day for the people of E-Rantel. Strolling around in the streets, selling and purchasing goods from various marketplaces, and more or less going about their business. From an outsider's perspective, it would seem rather overwhelming to see humans walking alongside undead creatures, as well as demi-humans. As time goes on, the citizens of the Sorcerer Kingdom were doing well adjusting to the changes that their ruler had brought.
Walking on the road right now was Tyrael, disguised as his master; Konrad. Fortunately, he wouldn't have to interact with the locals who often came to greet him, apologizing and/or thanking him and for Team Darkness staying, despite them wanting to explore the lands and were forced to stay to look after the people because of the Sorcerer King. Tyrael couldn't help but feel awe at the cunning execution of their plans in these moments.
He had heard rumors from around Nazarick's denizens, about his masters wanting to conquer the entire world. He would have immediately thought that to be an impossible act, but feeling the lord and master's power, he couldn't that they will, in fact, achieve that goal of world domination eventually.
Shaking from his train of thought on thinking how well-planned his masters/lords have thought into the future, he continued roaming around the streets filling in his master's alibi; Konrad.
It was an... unsettling experience at times, but he didn't dislike the feeling. In fact, it was quite a pleasant experience to see different races coexisting with each other. There were no major disturbances. He felt it was how the mortals should live and get along with each other.
In prosperity...
A bump upon his right arm then caused him to snap out of his train of thought, as he turned to the person that had bumped into him, feeling it was intentional.
"Ah! I'm sorry Konrad-dono!" A man wearing a ragged cloak on his head frantically bowed in forgiveness.
"It's alright." He raised a hand in reassurance.
"Oh, no, no! Please let me make it up to you."
'Hm... It would seem rude to deny his request. After all, this is all for Lord Alcatraz's cover...' But he also couldn't help but feel there is something off around here...
"...Very well."
"Thank you, Konrad-dono." The man bowed once again. "Please come with me."
With a hint of doubt in his mind, he followed the man through the plaza. Going through several turns on the roads, and finally into a decent-sized house. However. . .
'The lack of demi-humans... I suspect this is one of Slane Theocracy's Scripture that we have gotten a report about.' He smirked slightly, but luckily that was unseen due to the cloak shadowing his face.
"This way please, Konrad-dono." The man motioned in as he opened the door.
With confidence, Tyrael-in-disguise went inside. The furniture inside almost seemed untouched, barely any changes but there were functions around the house. He sees several men, at least a dozen. All of which are in robes. He couldn't sense any hostile intent from the men around him, so it would make sense that they are here to talk to him... The faces he sees are all fake, he could notice even the slightest texture from afar.
The face of each individual seemed too abnormally normal than what he used to see. Plus, he has also experienced some of the Slane Theocracy's culture and beliefs during his brief moments of being summoned from that damned [Sealing Crystal].
'Windflower Scripture...' He thought briefly before noticing a man approaching up to him.
"Konrad-dono, it is an outstanding pleasure to meet you." His words were genuine pleasantry. No hidden lies beneath those words, only... goodness.
It seems this meeting night be a "wonderful" encounter.
"You have me lost, sir...?"
"Ah, my apologies. I am Ryle Aea Fulton, captain of one of the Scriptures of the Theocracy." He bowed his head in respect.
"You may already know my name, but it is better to have proper introductions; I am Konrad Cruze."
He bowed gently. He could hear faint gasps around the room. It seems that his actions had left them astounded.
"Forgive me, but might I ask why have you decided to meet me up until now?"
"Of course, please forgive our abrupt notice for having you meet us in such an unpleasant place as this, and we sincerely thank you for accepting our invitation. But there are some certain... claims we wish to confirm."
'This human... He speaks such careful words.' He smirked dangerously, though it couldn't be seen.
"What do you wish to know?"
Said human seemed to close his eyes before speaking out in such a relaxed yet guarded tone.
"We have heard rumors about you, and your leader Momon of Team Darkness, that you hailed from a faraway kingdom from the south?"
"..."
The room immediately went dead quiet to hear his response.
Sounds of faint shifting of a dark-armored person caused the people within the room to become nervous. Had the captain offended one of the members of the rumored Team Darkness?
"F-Forgive me-!"
Konrad quickly raised a hand, stopping the man from finishing.
"It is alright if you are pondering whether you have offended me or not. It would be the latter."
That made the captain sigh in relief, but within Tyrael's mind, he was in awe and amazement on how his lord and master had prepared such a plan for this encounter.
'It is almost like... We are dancing to his script...'
"The rumors would be true, we did come from a faraway kingdom in the south." He answered, almost tuning in from a script. "But I wish to ask, where have you heard of this... rumor?"
"From a trusted source, Konrad-dono."
'Guarded indeed. . .' He mused.
"...That does not seem to be a satisfactory answer to my ears."
The man chuckled gently. "No, it does not I'm afraid. It would ruin protocol on keeping guarded information."
The armored man nodded. "Information is power. I understand, but what makes you curious about the kingdom we hailed? If such sources you've acquired, you wouldn't ask about a forsaken kingdom now inhabited by dangerous creatures roaming around its lands."
The look on the man's expression on his face turned serious. "Have you heard rumors of the 'Black Angel'?"
"..."
The sudden quietness of Konrad made the scripture nervous. Waiting for his response, the armored man raised a hand and clenched his fist. From the perspective of those around the room, they understood it as anger, frustration, anguish. For Konrad-(Tyrael) it was holding in his rage against killing the scriptures around this house, cleansing their hypocritical souls from this place. . .
"Tell me... Have any of you felt the feeling of uselessness? The feeling of... being fully underestimated...?"
They glanced around at each other nervously, confused and bewildered by the question from the adamantite-ranked adventurer of Team Darkness.
"What you seek of this 'Black Angel', is a guardian angel that seeks justice and retribution to those who had wronged innocent lives, and punishes the wicked for it."
"U-Um... How does one such as you know that?" The captain risked pressing onward.
"Because I, no, we have encountered your Black Angel." He glared. His words made the scriptures dumbfounded by this revelation. "And if you think you can handle such an entity, I suggest you pray to whatever being you believe and hope that his wrath would not decimate your kingdom."
Several men and women unconsciously gulped from the pressure alone by Konrad's emitting aura. Tyrael had slipped out a bit of {Aura of the Fallen}.
"Ah..." He said before controlling back the aura. Making them breathe easy, but they are still uneasy from the Adventurer's reaction.
"...Apologies for my... outburst. But seeing this, do note that you have made a grave mistake on provoking the Black Angel. I shall be leaving now."
Moving towards the door, the Scripture members did not make any moves to either retort or stop the man's action. They knew what he was capable of, and what he can do. Even with their skills, they felt that they cannot even harm him. Not when how immense his killing intent was when he accidentally unleashed it.
"Do not worry, I will not tell them about you being here." He said gently. "But if you do something that would cause trouble around and shall death happen? Then neither my words or Commander would be able to stop Ainz Ooal Gown from expediating your departure towards the next life."
And with that, he left. Though his last words were able to cut deep enough to the Scripture members' minds that they will not forget what had transpired on this day.
"Sir... what do we do now?" One of the Scriptures asked their captain with a tone full of concern, worried that one of the members of Darkness would report on them.
The captain looked down for a moment, before turning to one of his comrades, who looked tall enough to rival Momon.
"Your opinion?"
"...We can still continue the operation. However, Konrad Cruze-dono speaks the truth. I suggest we restrain ourselves to a minimum that would not cause any kind of major attention."
Some members would sigh in relief, but others wouldn't. They would be able to continue the operation, but only just in intelligence gathering. Which meant that they couldn't incite any kind of rebellion within the Sorcerer Kingdom, now that they have caught the attention of one of the Team Darkness members.
Konrad Cruze...
Rumors were that he was a soldier of a military organization called the "Night Lords", with Momon being its commander. They hadn't confirmed the rest, but now they were sure that the rumors of the members of Darkness being once soldiers of a now-fallen kingdom had some validity.
Konrad's weapon also proved to be an unknown. A strangely unique staff design that fires "thunder-fire" from its opened, hollow end. They could only gather that much since the likes of such a weapon has never been seen around these parts. Logically, it was considered to be from the fallen kingdom that Team Darkness once lived in before.
However, did they leave before they started a hunt on the late vampire Honyopenyoko and its still-at-large cohort? (But seriously, really Ainz? Such weird ass, wordy name) Or did they leave because the said vampire was one of the creatures that destroyed their kingdom? Or was it one of the creatures that led the monsters in destroying such kingdom?
So many questions, and little to no answers.
"We will continue the operation." The captain spoke firmly, leaving no arguments left on the table. "However, as Roland said, we'll only be gathering intelligence. That means no sabotaging, no infiltrating, no inciting, nothing." He emphasized on the last word.
"Understood!?"
"Yes, captain!" They all acknowledged.
. . .
Once Tyrael left the street the building was located in and returned back to the main road, he chuckled at the situation that the Scripture members were placed in. They truly underestimated the eyes and ears that Lord Ainz and Alcatraz had placed within the Sorcerer Kingdom. Alcatraz-sama had a sneaking suspicion that the Slane Theocracy would send people to scout and gather information on E-Rantel. And today, all went perfectly in sync with that script. It's as if the script Alcatraz-sama had made could predict the future!
Unless...
'Had master given me such a valuable item, because it would allow one to look into the future and what can happen!?'
His earnest respect towards his master and lord grew even more from this.
Ohhh... Such a misunderstanding.
'Master had given me the Script because he had entrusted the act to go on perfectly? How farsighted are the Supreme Beings!?' He shook the thought away. 'No, it is not my position to question the Supreme Beings... But they truly are wise and supreme...'
But if Alcatraz were nearby, he'd likely say...
'Pfffft! Hardly! We just make that shit up as we go!'
Alcatraz was back in E-Rantel from his visit to Carne Village. It was a decent change for the people greeting him like some 'normal' person after all the high praises and literal worship from denizens of Nazarick.
Not that he minds it, but there is a line of tolerating it to a certain degree. It was the feeling to run away from the idea of him being worshipped as a god.
Before he left the village, he gave several tips to train the brat and magical items that shall be given to him at a later date when he is strong enough and responsible enough to handle it. Of course, nothing too literally expensive in YGGDRASIL terms, only items that would be considered by most as 'useless'.
Putting the concerns aside, he is now back to his death; paperwork. Ever since he had taken a 'short' break from visiting, the stack of papers on which he was almost finished with (literally with just a few dozen left), it was replenished back to its almost original height.
He swears that the NPCs literally don't want him to go...
While that thought is funny and amusing, it was also scary.
Right now, he is currently checking on the policies that would either be implemented into the kingdom or reform it into a better one... Or simply let Ainz handle this sht when he comes back.
Speaking of which...
No, he can't call them. If he calls on them now, they would lose focus as he thought before. Unless circumstances are dire, then he can make an exception. Or that they will call him instead.
Honestly, it felt like weeks ever since he went to their location in the appearance of a Yogg in their midst, even when it was just some hours ago. Such creature is not to be underestimated on under any, any circumstances; lest you want to die foolishly.
A 'beep' sounded off in his head. A {Message}.
[My Lord, forgive me for the sudden-]
[No need for that, Tyrael. With you suddenly messaging me, I deem that you have to share something of noteworthy?] Either Alcatraz was glad for the sudden call from Tyrael or that G-Man above somewhere decided to entertain him.
[Yes, it is regarding of the Windflower Scripture located within our kingdom]
That piqued his interest now. He lowered his pen and leaned back on his chair. [Oh? And what about them?]
[They have made contact with the 'Konrad' persona, inviting me to a meeting]
That raised a brow from Alcatraz. They really invited his alias to a meeting? He was pretty sure that the Slane Theocracy is not that desperate to gather information about the Sorcerer Kingdom unless they are fanatic in their beliefs as he thinks they were.
[Continue...]
[They ask of the 'Black Angel']
'Ahhh, that... I think I have forgotten my promise on visiting them for real...' [Oh~? Kindly elaborate]
Tyrael then explained to him the meeting and the talks between him and the Windflower Scripture Captain.
'So they are still scared of the persona I put up months ago huh? Well, I did receive reports on them preparing, but couldn't seem to point it...' He smirked. 'Not that it matters, afraid they are, that will make them foolish in their movements.'
[Thank you for the information Tyrael]
[I live to serve, my Lord]
He could see the Fallen Angel bowing down in reply. He cringes at the thought of him bowing down.
Disconnecting from the {Message}, he couldn't help but smirk at the good news that he was informed of. SO many plans he could think of right now for the Slane Theocracy. He wanted to satiate their fears, their horrors, their despair at the thought of winning a false victory.
He shook his head, diminishing the thought. 'Crap, was that the negative karma? Damn, influencing my head on that but... it doesn't seem like a bad idea to deliver fear upon them.'
. . .
Ainz and Co...
"...Things should be alright for now." Ainz undoubtedly whispered out loud.
There was a time limit on Death Knights that were not made with corpses. Even so, if the estimates of Quagoa combat power from their captives were accurate, they should be able to defeat a sizable portion of the attackers even without knowing their opponents' numbers. If the enemy was not incompetent, they would surely pull back to regroup after taking sufficient losses.
"Kinda overdid that sending two Death Knights." He turned to the Lord Bonehead.
"I doubt that this is too much," Ainz replied back. "We don't know how strong the Quagoa are, and summoning two would be logical rather than summoning 5. And besides, they won't last long since they were made by summoning."
"True..."
Considering the possibility of a Player around, that is low. But an inhabitant in this world that can defeat a Death Knight? Around a good chance, but expectedly low.
They then noticed a familiar bearded face approaching them.
"Then, Your Majesty. I shall be returning home for a bit." Gondo said, bowing his head slightly.
"Ahh. Then, will you help me settle things on your end?"
"Of course. I will arrange for it and send it out. It's alright if the time or whatever isn't adjusted, right? I can count on your spells if something happens, right?"
Ainz extended a fist and bumped it against Gondo's. They had talked about many things before coming here, and it would seem it had been effective.
It was seemingly refreshing to see someone conversing with him in a 'normal' way if he would call it that. Seeing the formalities, it would still not be considered as 'normal'.
As Gondo lightly tapped his magic rucksack and walked away, Ainz couldn't help but speak to the commander-in-chief nearby.
"Then, what should we do now? Should we wait a while before opening the gate and inspecting the results of the battle?"
The group had managed to convince or tell off the fortress' inhabitants that they are a delegation from the Sorcerer Kingdom wishing to open trade relations and warn the dwarves of a massive Quagoa invasion. Fortunately, the Commander of the fortress allows them entry. He also accepted their offer of military assistance to repulse the Quagoa.
And with that, Ainz had summoned two Death Knights just in time to counter-attack the Quoga crossing the bridge. And with that, rest is history.
The commander-in-chief must have anticipated Ainz's question. He replied instantly, as though he had already prepared the answer beforehand.
"It is deeply disrespectful to have the sovereign of a nation waiting here. I feel we should proceed to the Council Chamber and present your suggestion to everyone."
"Why not take a look at the aftermath?"
"I think Your Majesty's introduction is more important. I sent a message to the Council while the Quagoa were attacking. They are probably still fumbling for some way to deal with the situation now. I feel that we should present them with new information before they panic and give bad orders."
"My Lord," Khorne spoke up before Ainz could reply. "Allow me to stay, I shall confirm the results of the battle and relay you back afterward."
[You go do diplomatic stuff, I'll check up the end. Might take a quick peek and back to you] Khorne implemented a quick {Message} to Ainz before disconnecting.
"...Very well," He nodded at Khorne before turning to the dwarf commander. "In that case, I have no objections. Please, lead on."
"Understood. However, Your Majesty's magical beasts will surely terrify the common folk. It shames me to ask, but could you have them stand by here? We will take care of them to the best of our ability if you inform us of the key points…"
Ainz looked towards Aura, who nodded.
"I see. Then they shall wait here."
Ainz indicated to a corner of the garrison with a bony finger, and the commander nodded in agreement.
"Also, there is no need to care for them. We will take care of that. I will have four of my followers accompany me," Ainz selected Shalltear, Aura, Khorne, and Zenberu. He ordered the others to wait here. "but one shall stay here in the meantime to check on something if that is alright with you?"
The commander-in-chief looked somewhat relieved at that answer.
"Then, shall we go?"
"Ah, please do."
Ainz and company walked proudly through the Dwarven city, led by the commander-in-chief. An almost painful amount of curious stares focused on him, while Dwarven mothers who saw Ainz hid their children indoors. That made him somewhat disappointed.
Of course, he could have been less obvious if he wished.
If he had put on a mask, much fewer people would have stared at him. That said, there was a reason why he did not choose to cover his face.
It was because he wanted to announce his arrival in the city of the Dwarves. It was not very likely that there would be a player in the Dwarven nations if it had to seek external help against an invasion like this. However, there might be low-level players here or items they had left behind.
In order to avoid being attacked by such items, he would have to manufacture proof of his visit in an aboveboard manner. In this way, they would not be able to settle things clandestinely.
In addition, while he had not yet decided what sort of ambassadorial party he would send, it was quite likely that he might end up using undead beings for that purpose. Therefore, he wanted to let them get used to it.
"Still, nobody seems worried, despite the extent of the Quagoa invasion."
Ainz asked the commander-in-chief that question after seeing two red-faced Dwarves stagger out of a tavern, arms around each other's shoulders. The unmistakable scent of alcohol surrounded them.
"That is because the people do not know the Quagoa have attacked."
"And… why is that?"
"The Quagoa advanced too quickly, so the information did not spread. Depending on the Council's decision, it ought to start spreading within an hour."
"Hm. Well, I did order my subordinates to retake the bridge, so once they do so, the city will be safe for the time being, no? This is quite an important factor for when we begin trade with this country."
"That is hard to say. Given the size of the enemy force, we don't know when the opposition will begin their advance in earnest. Once we take the bridge back, we'll need to solidify our defenses, investigate their flanking route, and plan a strategy against them."
Ainz smiled evilly within his heart.
It looked like there would be many chances to sell this country favors in the future. That being the case, it might be best not to change his Death Knights' orders to retake the bridge.
"—What?!"
Ainz's voice set the commander-in-chief's shoulders trembling.
"Aiiiee!" The dwarf trembled and let out a small cry of despair and horror. "What, what is it, Your Majesty?!"
"No, it's nothing. Something on my end. There's no need to worry. There's no need to ask further," Ainz emphasized those words in iron tones to shut down the other man's questions.
This reaction — which was quite unlike Ainz — was because he had lost his composure.
There was no response from the two Death Knights he had made, which should have been in the vicinity of Feoh Gēr.
There was only one conclusion he could draw from this shocking conclusion.
—The Death Knights had been defeated.
[Khorne, I sensed that my connection on my Death Knights is lost. What are they defeated by?]
[They got destroyed? Surprising, going to check now would take a moment]
[Be careful]
He heard a scoff almost saying "Don't doubt me" in the {Message} before it disconnected.
Back to thinking, he began planning what to do against the ones who managed to defeat his Death Knights. Death Knights were fairly weak to Ainz. However, by the standards of this world, they were formidable opponents even for the most powerful members of a nation. Anyone who could defeat two fearsome knights like that must be very powerful.
In addition, their responses had vanished at almost the same time.
'Had they been simultaneously destroyed as part of a carefully laid plan? Did someone finish them off with an area-effect spell? Is there a powerful individual simply obliterated them in one stroke?'
Whatever the answer was, he would have to wait for Khorne's confirmation. He was about to go and help Khorne on fighting off an unknown individual before a {Message} beeped into his head.
[I got confirmation, nothing to worry about Ainz]
[What? What happened?] Despite even what his friend said that he couldn't help but get anxious for the answer.
[The Quagoa may have cut the bridge, in turn, the DKs fell down into the ravine. That's the only answer since I see the two poles from the other side of the ravine gone, almost like it was destroyed quickly in panic]
Ainz couldn't help but release a sigh of relief, of course, he didn't make that obvious.
He would actually panic if it were an unknown player. Because if they were somehow involved or related to the Dwarves, they may or may not stand a chance against them depending.
Right now, he is questioning himself whether to continue on the mission to gain favor and turn the Dwarf's allegiance to his or annihilate them completely.
And so, he picked the former. Despite preferring the latter, it was out of respect for his friend. And knowing that there are dangers out of this world, he may as well gather any help they could get in case of a 'Yogg' attack or any out-of-this-world attacks.
'That or the '10,000-year plan' seemed to be turning in place.' He mentally joked at that misunderstood joke that the Guardians may have seen it as an actual real fucking plan.
Oh, the humanity~
"Your Majesty, the Council Chamber is in sight."
As he turned to look in the direction where the commander-in-chief was pointing, a large building — certainly big for a Dwarf, but sizable even by Ainz's standards — came into view.
The commander spoke briefly with the guards at the door, and they let Ainz and the others pass without inspection.
The reason why they waived the inspection for Ainz and company while still staring unabashedly at the undead Ainz was sure that the commander had exercised his authority.
"Then, Your Majesty, I shall make a full report to the Council. May I trouble you to wait here for a while?"
There was no reason to object. More to the point, it might be troublesome if he did not explain Ainz's contribution to this nation.
"Where shall we wait, then?"
The commander-in-chief glanced at one of the Dwarf guards, and the man stepped forward.
"The, the waiting room is that way. Permit me to escort you there."
"Really now. I'll leave that to you, then."
The Dwarf — who trembled in both body and voice — brought them to a somewhat cramped room. Then again, it would probably not have been cramped for a Dwarf. It was just the right size for Aura and Shalltear. However, they had Zenberu there, who was large of stature. Just waiting in the room felt very claustrophobic for him.
Given that the soldier had taken a look at Zenberu before bringing him here, this must have been the largest and the most luxurious VIP room in this building. Sure enough, the ornaments around them were all exquisitely crafted and looked as though they might actually move.
Ainz had once made Avatara of his past companions, and he deeply appreciated the difficulty of making such intricate statuary. It was possible for something to look beautiful in profile but ugly when viewed head-on.
Ainz picked up a statuette — a Dwarf riding on the back of a lizard.
'It's plainly obvious that the Dwarves have outstanding craftsmanship. Mm, I'd like to have such skills… I wonder if I could remake the Avataras? If I could, would I be able to make something better after practicing? — alright.'
Ainz decided to address Zenberu, who seemed distinctly out of place here.
"Zenberu, continue with us for a bit longer."
"Ah, Your Majesty, I'd like to stay here instead, if it pleases you. Frankly speaking, it gives me a headache to talk with those great people."
A strange turn of phrase. It was different from how he had been during the trip here. Perhaps he had changed the way he spoke because he had come to the Dwarven Kingdom.
"...You are the overseer of a tribe, am I correct?"
"Shalltear-sama, one can be good or bad at various things. Also, I would feel bad if I inconvenienced His Majesty."
Ainz understood Zenberu's meaning, but he shook his head nonetheless.
"No, I will take you along. If something happens, I won't be able to protect you if you're too far away. I don't think there'll actually be any danger, but carelessness is for fools. For all we know, we might be within the palm of the enemy. Remember that at all times."
"Yes! I have seared it into my heart!"
Even though Ainz did not feel that the Dwarves would harm someone who had saved their country, he repeated for safety's sake.
What's this? Shalltear's responding pretty well today. Did something happen?
"Ah, then, Your Majesty… What should I do?"
"Hm? Frankly speaking, just listen to us, Zenberu. No matter what happens, do not take part in any fighting."
Zenberu nodded as Ainz indicated his understanding.
Just as he was about to speak, Khorne suddenly entered the room. And behind him was a Dwarven soldier. Probably escorting him back to the main group.
"Jeez, this room is dang tight." He said, bending his knees just a little bit slightly to avoid his helmet scraping off the ceiling. Just like Ainz and the Lizardman, they could almost take all the space in the room.
"Khorne-san, I take it you sure you checked?"
"Hmmm? Oh yes, of course, I did. It would be quite stupid of me if I weren't doing that. I'm not that careless when we're in this kind of situation; deep, unknown territory for all we know." Khorne said politely but in a lazy tone.
Both Shalltear and Aura wanted to reprimand his usage on the tone he used to speak to Ainz, but withholding that in as they remembered that Khorne is now one of the members of the Guild 'Ainz Ooal Gown', and a friend to one of their Supreme Beings; Alcatraz.
Zenberu however, is slightly scared shitless to how he speaks with effortless ease to the literal god of death in their midst.
[I checked everything within the radius of 5 miles, nothing but underground creatures which I managed to take note of]
[*Sigh* Khorne-san, you really need to be careful. I can't also risk you throwing yourself to unknown dangers to who knows what! Alcatraz-san would be worried]
Khorne scoffed mentally. [The man won't be worried about me, and I won't be worried about myself unless the circumstances are exceptionally different. But... The sentiment is appreciated, I'll try to minimize my actions of your wariness my lord]
The red berserker quickly disconnected from the {Message} almost just in time before Ainz silently groaned from the annoying formalities that he gives to him.
"Now," He leaned his head back. "Aura, Shalltear, can you inspect my clothes and see if they are messed up?"
A Dwarven soldier was then sent to show them the way had arrived just after the two of them finished inspecting their attire.
. . .
The introduction was... almost expected, albeit boring.
To the players' opinion, it felt like meeting up with old century Judges due to how the positions of their chairs were in the meeting room.
There are 8 council members in the room, originally there had been eight positions but one was gone due to lack of requirements met, so the position is now hallow.
Hell, there is a position called "Brewmaster" because there needed to be a leader for drunken favorite past-time moments.
'I can't tell them apart!' Both respective players thought almost unanimously. Literally the dwarf's faces are identical, probably due to the beard covering their faces.
The diplomacy went somewhat rocky, but it was stable. The Dwarves are obviously wary about the undead ruler within their midst. When mentioning alcohol in trying to initiate trade connections between the two kingdoms, the Dwarves paid attention. They are children liking to whatever attention they like the most.
And now the problem is the trade routes, apparently the deep under the mountains are dangerous due to the paths are steep and moving in groups would get monsters' attention.
And so, Ainz had proposed to have his undead to transport the goods to the Dwarf kingdom, it was expectedly met with doubts and skepticism. But with an extra sauce, having undead as labor; the logic was sound.
There were some other suggestions from the Dwarves on using the part as a military force but was met with opposing views from his comrade's perspective. But managing to go smoothly through by using the Merchant Guildmaster's reasoning on having the undead labor forced used for mining is to lower the price of ores if taken the minerals in large quantities.
After talking shop, Ainz immediately went serious.
"Shall we discuss the matter of the Quagoa?"
Tension immediately filled the air.
"The response to the Quagoa invasion was merely a personal decision. Is that correct, commander-in-chief?"
"Indeed."
"However, what would have happened if I was not around?"
"If Your Majesty had not been around, we would have had to rely on a single gate to block the enemy advance. Once the gate was breached, we would have needed to mobilize the citizens to engage in a decisive battle within the city in order to buy time for the children to flee. I imagine that would have been the case."
That gave the Dwarves bitter expressions on their faces.
Comparing between the Dwarves and the Quagoa; the former was no doubt being taken out for a long time. Since possibly several of their cities, like the one they had walked through and met Gondo, they must be on their last stronghold against the tide of monsters.
And one, specifically the Forgemaster; is doubting and untrusting towards the Sorcerer King.
But when the Dwarves asked what kind of payment that Ainz want, he surprised them...
"I want to recruit the runesmiths of this country to my nation."
The Dwarves blinked as one.
"What? Is that so hard to understand?"
The Forgemaster frowned more deeply than the others.
Ainz then explained. "...It is because runic arms and armor are very rare in the nations surrounding the Sorcerous Kingdom. I find them to be very valuable articles. In other words, they are very valuable. Therefore, I thought of recruiting runesmiths and having them produce rune-crafted wargear in my nation."
"Will you take them as slaves?"
Ainz sighed with exaggerated loudness at the Forgemaster. As much as Khorne wanted to speak out loud, he felt like this is between direct contact between kingdoms, not individuals. Plus, for him to interject into the conversation is highly inappropriate and unnecessary.
"I will do nothing of the sort. Did you not hear me speak? I said I wanted to open international ties and begin trade, did I not? Do you actually think I would take the people of such a partner nation as slaves? ...Frankly speaking, I'm a little disappointed. All I had in mind was recruiting runesmiths and having them make runic equipment in my country."
"In that case, what if we gave you top priority on the sales of rune-crafted gear?"
"...No. It would not be worth the investment. If you wish to use my strength, then you must let the runesmiths work in the Sorcerous Kingdom and allow us to form a monopoly on the sale of their products. That is what my nation wants and it is the price of taking back your former capital. When can you give me an answer?"
The Dwarves looked at each other.
"I see. Perhaps tomorrow—"
"That might be a little troublesome," interjected the commander-in-chief. "Don't forget this city is still in danger of being attacked by the Quagoa. Even if His Majesty accepts the task of defeating the Quagoa, it will take time for him to gather his troops. With that point in mind, we cannot wait until tomorrow. We should give him an answer right away."
'Oh, if only if you know...'
"It is not my place to speak here. However, if you are truly in such dire straits, then having me fulfill my earlier promises will also be quite troublesome. If the situation becomes very bad, then I will have to add several more conditions. After all, one must expect to pay more for last-minute work."
"Mm. The commander-in-chief is right, and Your Majesty's words are also very sensible. Then, Your Majesty, while we apologize for the imposition, can you wait for us in the room from just now? We would like to reach a conclusion as quickly as possible."
"I have no objections to that. I shall wait there, then."
With that, Ainz rose and left the room in the company of his subordinates.
"You think they'll accept it?" Ainz turned Khorne, walking slightly behind him.
Khorne mentally sighed. Even if Ainz was now surprisingly intelligent, he is somewhat naive when it comes to personality perception. True to him, since that shit is for Alcatraz and Orm since they know better when it comes 'looking' at people.
"Most likely, as what the living would obviously do; they will at first doubt and negatively see and refuse your idea. But since the situation is... almost with us, they have no choice but to accept it. This might be their only opportunity to win against the Quagoa... For them of course."
. . .
After some time they were invited back into the room again. After entering they saw a single disgruntled Dwarf while the others were brimming with positivity. The commander-in-chief also seemed quite at ease.
In other words, everything had developed as he had hoped for.
[Looks like your proposal worked... somehow]
Ainz smiled as he mentally chuckled on the inside.
"Please accept our sincere apologies for making you come and go constantly. After our discussions, we have decided to proceed as Your Majesty wishes. To begin with, we will throw ourselves upon Your Majesty's compassion with regards to the matter of stationing of the forces. After that, we shall open diplomatic relations and begin trade with Your Majesty's nation. That said, the nature of the trade goods and the methods of the transaction will require further negotiation to work out the minute details."
"Naturally. In any event, I shall promptly furnish you with the fighting strength needed to retake the fortress and hinder any further Quagoa invasion. I shall send a representative over to handle the finer points of international relationships in a few days, whereupon you may discuss the matter at length."
Ainz breathed a sigh of relief.
Tasks like this, he'd handled it to Albedo. But fortunately, they had not insisted on hashing things out here.
"Then, there is the matter of Your Majesty's price for the recovery of the Royal Capital; the dispatch of our runesmiths to the Sorcerous Kingdom. We shall pledge that to you. However, we would like to send a group of inspectors to the Sorcerous Kingdom to see how our brethren are being treated and to ensure their welfare. May we have your permission to do so?"
"Of course. The Sorcerous Kingdom will accept interviews from these inspectors."
The Dwarves looked much more relieved now.
Did they intend to conduct a workplace inspection? Rather, it seemed more likely that they wanted to see if the Sorcerous Kingdom was adhering to its side of the labor agreement between the two nations.
'That or they just wanted to check up on their kin in case they are being mistreated as such.' Khorne sent a lazy eye towards Ainz's back. But it was understandable. Back at their world, or rather the First World, labor contracts were never honored. Never.
Plus, getting a good job that you could enjoy is rarer than getting someplace to sleep.
Actually, getting what is normally needed is incredibly hard that its almost impossible to sleep with a stomach satisfied for the night.
'Fuck, remembering those horrible times... Shit.' Khorne grunted quietly.
"I see. Then, I shall hasten to prepare," Ainz nodded. Then, he thought of something. "Oh yes, I have a request. I don't know if you'll mind."
"What, what sort of request is that, Your Majesty?"
The Dwarves asked that question nervously. Ainz was confused by their fearful attitude. He had not said anything which should have frightened them. Still worried about whether he had done something strange, he asked:
"I intend to present a gift to a certain Lizardman, and I wish to draw upon the exceptional workmanship of the Dwarves to present him with a suitable set of armor."
There was a sharp intake of breath from behind him. The half-human simply raised an amused brow at this scene.
"That's right, Zenberu," Ainz turned to look behind him, to the Lizardman who was holding his breath. "It is for Zaryusu. Call it a present to celebrate the birth of his child."
'Ah, he had a child now? Didn't know that.' That idea didn't seem to be wholly bad, but what makes him wonder is why from a dwarf to make armor for Zaryusu?
Ainz had spoken of this because he intended to preserve Zaryusu's life. He would surely father many rare Lizardmen in the future. Thus, presenting him with such excellent armor only made sense.
'Make sense that a dwarf has a high stat point on smithing, what else are you planning Ainz...?'
Ainz then talked to them; specifically the Forgemaster and the High Priest, the latter included due to the armor for Zaryusu would be magically enchanted. While he could just ask Alcatraz to magically enchant the armor for the Lizardman, but he doubts that he has the time for that. Besides, he also wanted to see how they can make runes and the quality of Dwarven-smiting.
But that was simply just a thought. The real answer was that Ainz is that he cannot ask his comrade for this. Not now.
Now after what knowledge leads more questions about his comrade. The mind keeps on coming back to Khorne's statement:
"One of these days, he might go rogue against us... Better be ready for that."
He mentally shook that thought aside. Now is not the time to think about that, he has to focus otherwise the Dwarves would not take in relationship peacefully, as he had promised Alcatraz.
As he began to give out details for what equipment the Forgemaster would make, and also giving out a "serviceable metal" which is a level 45 material. Not necessarily a loss, but it should be in fact stronger than most metal around the NW.
He also showed an enchanted shortsword as an example should the Forgemaster make, giving him to it probably as a helping guide for him to make, and having Zenberu to give out the measurements for Zaryusu.
After talking a bit more and politely considering the commander-in-chief's proposal for resting in a room, obviously secured since they wouldn't want an undead walking around the streets do they?
Rude to his servant's ears, but for Khorne, it was completely understandable. Ainz accepted.
They went to the gathering of the runesmiths, on which Gondo had gathered the bunch of them. And... it was typically what the dwarves are.
They shouted and panic at the sight of Ainz, but when Shalltear lifted up a bottle of alcohol for all to see, their eyes went towards the bottle, calming them down. It was almost like children looking at something interesting.
Getting these dwarves into their ropes was easy, nothing too hard. Just simply remind them of something they thought is nothing, into something uplifting. Reviving their embers of passion, bursting into like flames of motivation.
After having gotten their interest and the interview being done, Ainz had requested Gondo to accompany them into the former Royal Capital of the Dwarven Kingdom.
E-Rantel
'I hope those bastards are enjoying their expedition.' Alcatraz thought grumpily.
Alcatraz was still stuck on the desk doing paperwork. Even when he doesn't really need to handle this since Albedo or Demiurge could just do this, giving them extra work would mean that they would be stuck doing less-prioritized progression.
And freeloading around his room back on the 9th floor wouldn't do shit to entertain him anyways. He had made about 50 Servo Skulls, 30 are which deployed and active for duty; 12 which are still needing to be finished; and the eight left would be done as experimental types on which he would make various types of Servo Skulls.
May it be for a literal skull-head flying bomb (Suicide), something that would deflect any type of projectile that would be thrown at him (Shield or Deflector), a buffing companion in a way (Buff Support). Many things he would think about it.
Also, he is getting in those Skeleton mobs to have ranged weaponry. 'Commandos' as he would call them.
It was quite a back while, but he found out that Skeleton mobs at a certain level can effectively use guns. Of course, he would put them as one-shot rifles or muskets. Otherwise, if he had implemented modern-type weaponry the NW is certain to be of doomed to be dominated by fear and oppression.
Also, the people of the New World are not ready for any advanced technology.
Like what a certain couple had told him in history.
'Speaking of those two, wonder how they are doing...' He hummed as he stopped checking the reports. 'They were online... Would they be in the same world?'
'Unfortunately speaking, no. But fortunately speaking, yes.'
He slightly jumped in surprise before narrowing his eyes in annoyance to the very familiar, cheerful-sounding cosmic deity bastard's voice. 'Motherf-'
"Op op op, language!' The cosmic deity said playfully. 'And I advise you to consult your audience before you make any sudden gestures~!'
"Alcatraz-sama, is there something wrong?"
He immediately looked to the side, seeing the maid in attendance now looking at him in worry.
"I-I'm fine... Mind if you all leave me alone for a bit? I wish to think alone." He said. "And this is not about any of you. None of you done any wrong from me, got it? Now, you all are dismissed. I'll call you back once again later."
After that, they left. The Eight Edge Assassins crawling from the ceiling, and the maid who went out last from Alcatraz's office slowly and gently closed the door.
The undead let out a sigh before giving out an annoyed huff.
'Arghh! Do you sonofabtch even know how to give privacy!?'
'Oh, I do know. But unfortunately, I wanted to speak something about your dragon friend's situation.'
His attitude went 360 on this. 'Did something bad happened?' His mental voice hinted a bit of concern.
'In your terms, it would be so. Your dragon friend had gone through a [World Gate], something that you are familiar with?'
Alcatraz nodded. Those things can transport you throughout the YGGDRASIL Nine Worlds so quickly and without any cost. It can never be interrupted nor disrupted.
However, the catch was that it can only be used through certain item given; the [Gate Key].
Hell, there was one time that Alisha had theorized that there is a hidden realm in YGGDRASIL that no one can go to without using a [World Gate]. However, that project investigation wasn't entirely confirmed, but there were shared talks between very few people who give out ideas within the trusted inner circle to those who knew about it.
It was almost lucky that he managed to acquire such information despite it being just a theory. But even information that seemed like a sideline, it was useful.
Even guesses can make up the most right answers, depending on the situation or circumstances.
'What about?'
'He has gone into the parallel world of the New World.'
Alcatraz suddenly went stiff. Silent and surprised by the revelation.
Such a thing was possible? Going through a world that is parallel, or by all hells, another world of the New World?
'The New World he went was hundred of years ahead of from your world's time. He has encountered a danger that your kind seemed to be very knowledgable about.'
'A World Enemy?' He really hoped it was not-
'A powerful one apparently.' Damn it! He hated that he guessed that right, even when that damn god cocked him off before he finished his thought! 'I know what you are thinking, but it's alright. Even if you wanted to help, I cannot let you.'
'Why the fuck not!?' He glared angrily at the air around him. 'Gabriel, even if he got secrets, is my friend!'
'I don't want you to go there because you can't do anything against the World Eater!' Gman said coldly. 'From what I could tell in the past, your friend Gabriel is much more skilled and stronger than you are. If you are to go and help him, you would just become a burden to him.'
"Tsk!" He looked away. He is angry, but he knew that Gman was right. He would simply just become a fucking cargo load for him to carry. And that part against the World Eater, it would no doubt be Navagraha. That fucking dragon is such an impossible broken fucking enemy to deal against if fought alone.
Even if it were Gabriel and him, they will still lose.
So he literally can't do anything but hope for him to live and not die.
'Don't worry,' Said the voice of the fcking cosmic deity in his head, as if he sensed his worries. 'He won't die. I don't sense anything about him dying, although there would be a surprise that he would bring someone back from that world.'
'Who? Is it someone I know?'
'Maybe? Maybe not? Who knows?' Gman said playfully.
He felt a vein pulsing on his head. "Oh go fuck yourself in whatever you are in your cheerful fucking bastard! Can't you just tell me who is it!?" He shouted in anger, making him forget that his voice was loud enough that those outside the room may have heard his voice.
'You know I cant Alcatraz. It would ruin the surprise~!'
The undead player gritted his teeth in both anger and frustration. He really wanted to shout all his vent towards this selfish fucking cosmic being, but he knows he is just doing this to get a nerve on him.
With the racial emotion passive slowly going in, he felt calm but still frustrated and angry.
Plus he can't do anything with said being. He can complain and the damn sht would listen to him.
'That or this is just a karma of you being an asshole like this before~!' Gman said lastly, disconnecting from the mental conversation.
And almost instantly, the maid and the Eight Edge Assassins that were assigned to guard him and monitor for any intruders, came bursted (how the fuck is this not a word? Someone explain me on this one) into the room almost in a hurry.
"...That sonofabtch-"
Carne Village. . .
In the fortress village, the day went as usual. Nothing major to report other than additional construction work for extra building for possible housing. Orges carrying heavy cargoes to the warehouses, Goblins on the walls watching and spotting anything around the perimeter and beyond. Farmers tending to the crops.
It just went as usual.
"RAAAAA!"
Ok, just a bit slight usual...
"Hmmm, I feel like there has been little improvement after a week I've given you," Estel said calmly, watching the young enthusiastic teen kick the living shit out of that log. "Distracted I see."
"BECAUSE I LOST!" Zete shouted out in frustration. "I HAD THAT BASTARD IN MY HANDS, I WAS TOO CLOSE TO BEAT HIM!"
Estel sighed as he heard another smashing sound to another iron-plated log.
He gave Zete this kind of training routine months ago by beat the living fuck out of the log, basically destroy it, with his bare hands.
Estel felt bad on the teen's sorrowful defeat, he decided to bullshit his way by saying that this was one of the training routine methods that Watcher (Alcatraz) had used to get stronger before in the past. Miraculously, he took the bait.
'Either he was dumb, or just too eager to get stronger... Maybe the latter.'
With a couple of healing spells done here and there, it took Zete more than a month to break logs with his bare hands, feet, limbs or whatever. No |Martial Arts|, only pure strength and power. It also seemed logical as he thought more on it later on, because doing this kind of training, Zete would be able to use his |Martial Arts| with less effort and difficulty compared from before. True that he seemed to have a passion for fighting, or more like 'killing', but if he isn't controlled, then he would be raised into something much more wild, difficult to control...
He would compare Zete's level as... a 20+ at best. But in NW terms, he would be ranked as Platinum, Mythril at best.
Estel took note of Zete's fighting style that has both speed and destruction behind his movements. He did teach him a couple of martial art techniques and fighting styles that he knows of, but what resulted was... Unordothox.
His movement was wild. Wild like a beast in a hunt to its prey. At best, he could compare him like a warrior trained by a hunter in the wilds.
Zete being like one of the Barbarians would be a perfect comparison but... He moves like an assassin.
'Would he be classified as one of the mixed-builds?'
A barbarian and assassin job class... No matter how stupid it sounds like, but its dangerous for one to encounter such an opponent with a build to fight in close quarters combat.
'Though it would also make him as a glass-cannon for magic...' He deduced as he just saw Zete threw a wild punch, piercing through the log like it was nothing. Though the redness on his knuckles speaks otherwise.
Zete now has moderately pain tolerance, being beaten up by his noble mentor and training his body to the extreme that it would be difficult to put a scratch on his body. Without |Martial Art| being used!
To be dependent on one thing is another means to fail in adapting.
"Control your anger, Zete-et. It would not help if you lose yourself to madness in a battle."
"Would it not be good to use in last resort? Zete glanced to the nobleman, still pissed on being defeated by his 'master'. Now he was thinking about it-
"And why the hell is 'master' not here to train me!? Isn't he supposed to help me train to get stronger?"
Before Estel could reply to him, a sweet sounding voice of a female quickly spoke up.
"Maybe it's because you are too weak to grab his attention ~su!"
Estel took a momentary glance to the red-haired maid who was sitting on a barrel nearby swaying her legs like an excited girl ready for a trip, before turning back to the increasingly frustrated teen. "Probably one of the reasons, but from what I know, he doesn't seem that way. Not at least."
Zete paused. "What do you mean by that?"
"According to him, before you interrupt the talk that he and I from before, he was busy with a job that requires his utmost attention and presence to guard a significantly important person of status and power."
What he said was technically the truth. He did not relay any deep detail, only the summary. Doing this, it did not seem to give any important information.
"I know that he is a bodyguard, but would it be a noble he is guarding?" He spatted the word 'noble' out like venom before realizing his mistake. "Not like you of course, sorry sir." He quickly bowed in forgiveness.
Estel chuckled. Knowing the boy's perspective against the nobles in Re-Estize, he had lived through a harsh setting that the nobles had made in the kingdom. And it was them being the source of all evil things wicked.
"It's alright, I understand what you mean by that." He said calmly. "But the one he would be guarding would be around an ambassador of a recently known country."
Zete's eyes went wide open at that statement. He could wonder why he was guarding someone important like an ambassador. Was he from another country?
"From the Baharuth Empire?" He tilted his head as he asked the question innocently. He knew next to nothing on outside knowledge as he just hears it from eavesdropping nearby conversations or overheard them when he steals food in the markets back in Re-Estize. He only knew what is going on inside the city, and nothing more other than trying to survive.
The nobleman was amused by the scenery of a teen being a battle-addict into a normal teen curious for knowledge.
"No, that would be wrong. It would be a country called 'The Sorcerer Kingdom'."
"Never heard of it."
Lupu was about to scold the boy for not knowing, but Estel laughed it over.
"A normal reaction to someone who knows none of it. Understandably, do you wish to know about the Sorcerer Kingdom?"
Zete paused. Estel could literally see gears and cogs in his head working their processors. After taking almost a minute to process, he decided:
"I wanna know more!"
Yup, he turned back into an innocent child again. The nobleman could swear that there is a mental illness if this kid was able to switch so quickly.
He began to speak about the basic information around the Sorcerer Kingdom. Only the basics he knows, not the complex system of it. Since it was literally just recent and he heard from Alcatraz that there are changes going on in the recently conquered fortress city.
There were no merchants that come and go into Carne Village, apparently afraid of the obvious in sight. Goblins, Orges, Skeletons, and few other various heteromorphs.
Estel began to tell him news about a powerful Undead being ruling the city in peace. Compared to before, he explained that even seemed evil; he didn't do any malicious intent to the citizens of the city. And a powerful adamantite adventurer given up his roaming life to protect the city and enforce it under the undead ruler.
"Whoah, this Momon guy sounds really cool!"
Zete and Estel were sitting on the ground with the boy's legs crossed and looking like a kid listening to a fairy tale, while the nobleman sat like a monk lecturing his disciple. Estel has the boy to listen to the story and rumors on Momon's achievements. Making the boy have the burning passion to become like Momon, and not his 'master'.
"He is like the personification of justice!" He says as his eyes sparkle in interest.
'No matter how he manages with killing intent and abusive childhood as monsieur says, he really is just a kid.' "If you say so, mon loulou. " He chuckled.
(Im using google translate for french words, so mind me)
"? What is 'mon lulu?'" Zete said as he tilted his head sideways in a very childish manner.
"You'll know when you get older, mon loulou." He continued teasing the boy in an amusing manner before telling him to take a break. Which he did and went to somewhere else in the village for his free time before coming back for more training. Probably chat with Arche the refugee magic caster who was helping time to time with Nifrea's alchemy.
He knows not on potion-making since it wasn't in his interest nor was he knowledgeable in that field.
"You don't mind me tell him about the Sorcerer Kingdom right?" He said without turning back to the maid.
"Hmmmm, I'm not so sure," Lupus put a finger under her chin in thought. "Although, it seems fine since everyone knows about it su~!"
"...What do you think of the boy, ma maistresse de loup, Lupus-san?" Estel didn't have a hard time to adopt the Japanese formalities, although it feels weird. Speaking French and Japanese tongue along with the common. Though this New World has some strange phenomenon to translate any language, literally speaking one's own language with intent doesn't seem to work.
A loophole.
"Whats 'ma mastress the loop'?" She titled her head sideways in a cute manner.
"Ma loup, Lupus-san." He corrected. Not even cringing to the butchered pronunciation that she managed to say. "In another language, it means 'my wolf mistress'. And no, I don't literally mean that you are mine. I call you that because you are a werewolf in a way, are you not?" He quickly explained, avoiding an unnecessary clash because the denizen of Nazarick misunderstood his intentions.
"Huh." No doubt pondering on that one. "And for your other question, Estel-sama... I see it as a waste of time."
There was also another thing that the NPCs of Nazarick put up. They speak with honorifics whenever they are with the allied Players (Khorne and Silverin). Despite them being outsiders of Nazarick, which were now taken in as supposedly be one of them, they are beings on the same level as their last masters deserving the same respect as to one would give theirs to the Floor Guardians.
He felt uncomfortable hearing those honorific words to him, but it was tolerable. But he would still guess that it would be something that he will regret in the future.
"Is it because he is weak?"
"Yes." She quickly said. Confidence and pride within her words, but also pure certainty of her words.
"...I may not have created a living being, but I know is that there is a difference between you and them."
"That we are stronger than the weaklings su~?"
"Not how I would say it, but it's definitely one of the obvious reasons, yes, but they are created differently than you. I may not speak for all these mortals, but they are made by time. And through time they might become strong." He turned to her. "You may not heed my words, but I'm sure if you ask either monsieur Alcatraz or sir Ainz, they might answer it."
And holy fk.
I have to stop right here mah dudes.
Cya on the next chap~!
XAXAXXA
And again, if there are any mistakes, PM or notify me through ABD's (writer of the God's Rising story) discord. You'll find me there.