Overlord: The Exiled
Author Notes and Disclaimer
Overlord is not mine. It is the property of Kugane Maruyama and is licensed by YenPress.
So, yes, I have seen the cover art and synopsis for Volume 14 . . .
I'm paranoid.
REALLY PARANOID.
I DO like the art for the covers and what is scattered about the Light Novels.
Yet with a title like that I wonder just how things with progress. Why do I say this? Due to the fact that our certain psycho princess Renner is pretty much already in Momonga's back pocket, so why? I can see it if Renner is the one manipulating her rivals and opponents into this situation against Momonga. Totally can see that and would actually probably enjoy that.
Yet the part of me that began this fic to begin with screams again to take this volume with a spoon of salt.
Now to set the record straight here. As much as I huffed and puffed as I read through Volume 13, I loved the interactions between CZ and Neia Baraja. I actually quit enjoy the world of Overlord, just not how the character of Ainz/Momonga himself is being handled. I won't go over that rant again. Lords knows I have run that rant into the dirt and then some.
Never mind that this volume is supposed to be 500 PLUS pages long? Ladies and Gentlemen, that is longer than Tolkien's The Hobbit. Longer than Fellowship of the Ring.
Maybe I'm being too paranoid . . . but after Volumes 11, 12, and 13 I'm . . . annoyed. We'll see whenever it releases following whoever is translating before YenPress gets to it.
On with the show!
Chapter 39: War of the Dragon Kingdom Pt. II
Draudillon stepped into what seemed to be a antechamber of sublime architecture. A grand set of double doors towered over her. They were easily more than sixty feet tall and fifty feet across. A pair of banners framed both sides with the standard of Draconis on the right. To the left she assumed that one to be the banner of Avalon.
From above, there was a grand mix of colors and shades of light from a spread of stained glass. The motif it spread upon the floor appeared to shift and turn as she glanced about. In a circular pattern on the floor was a soft, thick carpet of wine red with golden edging. Glancing back as Samael followed her out of the portal, she gasped.
A crystal . . . glowing softly in azure light floated gently in the air about three feet off the ground. The crystal itself was thirty feet tall, four feet in diameter, and had little golden rods at various places. Rotating slowly, it reflected all the colors from above, making a light show in the circular chamber connected to several doors, each and every single one of them different in design, yet none of them were any less grand than the other.
Only the double doors were greater in craftsmanship and size.
"By the gods . . ." Draudillon's dragon blood seemed to pulsate at the sensations she felt. The value of all that surrounded her made her numb with awe. The value of just this chamber, a central hub of sorts . . . was beyond anything her kingdom could dream of. If this level of grandiose craftsmanship was just for a room like this, then what else was there?
Looking to the floor, it was a dark, almost black blue with a golden latticework of runes and glyphs that slowly rotated clockwise around the circular chamber. A similar set of magical glyphs inside the outer ring rotated slowly counterclockwise.
"Queen Draudillon, I welcome you to my Liege Lord's stronghold. Our Lord simply calls it 'The Lair'. For the many different races that live here peacefully, they find it to be their sanctuary."
The Queen of the Dragon Kingdom absently nodded as Samael proceeded to a door and pushed it open. She frowned slightly as this door was not the set of giant double doors. Where was he leading her?
Stepping through with him, she was surprised and her breath leaving her. Open skies . . . the room led to open skies, with clouds below their feet with no ground in sight! As Samael stepping past the threshold Draudillon was shocked to see translucent platforms form under his feet. As far as she could see, there were small, floating patches of land scattered about with plenty of tree cover. Trees of all things! In the air! Birds of all sorts flew freely here. She was mesmerized by the exotic nature of some of them, with flowing tail feathers longer than their bodies and wings of bright magenta and greens!
She swallowed nervously, but stepped past the door as well to feel one of the magical footholds form under her feet, firm and solid.
"What is this Commander Samael?" She could not imagine the level of magic used to create a place like this. "Are we outside? Underground? All I see are skies and floating patches of land with brilliant vegetation."
"We must pass through this chamber and another beyond it to reach my Lord Draconis. Normally he would greet you himself, but . . . he is busy. I apologize for the round about manner of bringing you to him."
Something in the tense words made Draudillon worry, but she nodded. One way or another she would find out what was going on even without asking.
"What is this chamber since we are passing through?"
Samael nodded, rather grateful that she did not press the issue. "This is the [Skylark Antechamber]. Lady Luserina is its Guardian and she is quite at home in the skies."
Off in the distance to their right was a patch of floating land far larger than the rest with a home built into the trees that seemed so natural that one could easily mistake it for just being the trees. The decorations and other rustic furniture gave away its true nature though.
As they proceeded through, there was an elegant set of doors seemingly levitating in the skies with no walls or ceilings to give away a stopping point. They opened at their approach, something that would not normally occur unless Luserina allowed it if she was actively defending her post in the event of a raid.
It proceeded to reveal to her a spiral staircase, devoid of a clear line of sight around its twisting depths. Samael proceeded down the stairs at a steady pace. His armor chanked and jangled with each step.
"This staircase is normally the next line of defense." He pointed upwards and Draudillon grit her teeth. Statues like suites of armor armed with lances, spears, swords, and even bows with fully filled out quivers to match lined both walls all the way around. As they descended, she began to lose count of how many steps they had taken, much less how many silent sentinels surrounded her. After some time, they reached the bottom. Here, the dragon blooded queen laid eyes upon a long hallway.
The floors were stone, elaborately designed carvings depicted a massive dragon's head. Yet beyond that, she could see a massive chamber beyond. Was the wall solid glass? The doors before them dissipated into nothing like a mist as they approached and reformed as they passed through. The new room was surprisingly small in comparison to the hall leading to it. At the opposite end lay a singular door.
"Your Majesty, before we enter unto the next chamber, I wish to give you this. You will need it to pass through unharmed."
Glancing at Samael curiously, she lifted a brow in interest as he held a finely crafted pendant on a silver chain to her in both his hands. The gemstone was jet black and despite the fine cuts to its shape, it reflected no light.
"A warding talisman of some sort?" Her question made the Shadow Dragon warrior nod with a smile.
"Indeed. This is a [Periapt of Proof Against Poison]." Those words told her all she needed to know about the next chamber and took the jewelry with a grateful nod. "Know that if you wear it after being poisoned, the affliction will still run its course. It does not work retroactively."
"Very good to know Commander, but a question if I may." When he nodded, she continued. "Poisons? I would think Lord Draconis more honorable than that. To make use of a poison chamber I mean."
Samael became surprisingly contrite, almost guilty even. This confused the Queen of the Dragon Kingdom. Eventually, he answered in grim tones laced with something she could not quite place. Was it regret? Shame?
"As we proceed through the next chamber, you shall come to understand. Remain close to me, wandering off will be the death of you. Normally we would bypass this next room, but this is the quickest path, and we have wards for you for at least the poison."
She nodded her acceptance and prepared to remain close to him as the door opened. As her eyes saw what laid beyond, Draudillon could not help but bring a hand to her mouth in horror.
A putrid, fetid, gulag lay beyond. She could feel the noxious aura from beyond the door. Here lay no solid ground, for it was devoured by the poisonous ichor. Barely any light pierced this place, and what little did seemed tainted. Yet, frightfully enough, it all felt familiar . . . as if related to someone she knew.
As she drew closer to Samael, she shrieked in surprise as he lifted her off the ground like a bride.
"Commander? What are you? Put me down!"
The Shadow Dragon resolutely refused. "You may hit me for this later all you wish Queen Draudillon, but it would not do to have you covered in the muck of the [Vitriolic Swamp]."
Samael walked into the chamber as the doors began to close. Glancing around, Draudillon could see the scars of a vicious battle. What few trees remained were shattered husks of what they had once been. The undergrowth almost glowed a virulent purple and sickly green. She could smell the venom here, and the blood . . . oh by the gods, the blood! Dragon's Blood! Tainted beyond all manner of purity, poisoned lifeforce unlike anything she'd sensed.
As if reading her mind, Samael spoke.
"The cursed dragon [Fafnir], originally a dwarven man whose father's greed would be their downfall. For he demanded ransom for the captivity of Odin and Hoenir as the All Father, Hoenir, and Loki traveled. Loki acquired the cursed gold of Andvari, another dwarf. The gold of Andarvi will bring about the unfailing death of those that possess it. Fafnir took the gold for himself after killing his father. In order to protect his cursed claim, he transformed himself into a dragon with a powerful curse and let loose his poisons upon the earth to safeguard it. So much was his corruption that even his blood is venomous and there are no cures for it, for it always changes and never ceases to evolve."
Draudillon shuddered at the brief tale and glanced about suddenly rather paranoid. Samael smirked as she spoke.
"Such a wicked thing is here?"
Feeling oddly mischievous, Samael nodded. "Indeed, though my liege along with his wife and trusted comrades defeated the dragon, they could do little to purge the taint. Through my lord had other plans for the dragon."
Draudillon could scarcely believe this tale.
"Then, is Fafnir watching us?"
"Oh, indeed he is watching you Your Majesty. And he finds you quite intriguing. Though he will do nothing to harm you so long as you remain as you have been. A caring queen for her people."
He spoke quietly, feeling uncharacteristically devilish, he leaned his face down to her ear as he spoke, making her turn to him sharply in disbelief.
"Commander?! What has gotten into you? Set me down this instant!"
Leaning his face away, he shook his head again quietly. "I am afraid not Queen Draudillon. The muck is not only poisonous, but acidic." He shifted her body to have her perch on his left shoulder, his arm wrapped around her legs to keep her balanced. He brought out an ingot of jet black metal and she raised a brow in curiosity, her indignation forgotten as he gestured with the precious metal.
"Adamantite?" He nodded silently as his only response before letting it fall from his hand into the muck he stood in. The bar instantly began to sizzle and pop before rapidly melting into liquid, then boiling into nothing but vapor. The dragon blooded queen paled. "Adamantite . . . melted that quickly? Commander what about you?"
"Fear not Your Majesty, I am immune to all forms of acid and poisons."
They finally arrived at a thorny patchwork that shuffled away and open at their approach. Setting her down on the threshold beyond the murky acidic poison swamp, Samael stepped forward after cleansing his greaves with a cloth that somehow did not melt, though it did become tainted with purple and green sludge.
"Beyond this hall lays the resting hall of my lord Draconis. Rest assured, this is not his bedchamber, nor his treasury. Think of it as more of a guests lounge."
With some measure of trepidation, Draudillon nodded and opened the door to hear Draconis's voice from within.
"You're certain of this Todd? These, Hunters of the Bloodmoon are like us?"
"Yes my lord. They made short work of our frontline troops, though whether or not they are a higher set of warriors like our Sanctum Guard or Drakenguard I am not certain. Though I dare say possibly like the Guardians such as myself and my peers."
As they entered, they approached, she could see Draconis in a far more relaxed state of dress, though it was still very refined. Yet something felt . . . off. His presence and aura felt weakened to her dragon senses. He took notice and stood from his seat before bowing to her.
"Queen Draudillon, welcome. I apologize for the odd summoning, but as you can see." He gestured to the table with maps and pieces scattered about. "I am occupied with a great many things."
Taking in the sight of the map and all its pieces, she could clearly see that he was indeed taking into account a great many different situations. Though the meaning behind several pieces was a mystery to her.
Upon the table were generic beastmen figures on the eastern borders of her kingdom. Among them were a blackened figure that stood out among the rest. She could only presume that this represented the rumored War General that had appeared and defeated a squad of Draconis's troops with ease. Though how he already knew of them when he was not present was surprising.
A white a gold dragon piece was placed upon the mountains to the northwest of the capital of her kingdom and she assumed that this piece represented Draconis and his stronghold, though she was rather confused as to why it was white and gold. His hair was a blazing red. A rarity.
Then she recalled that he was a holy knight and shook her head at the obvious representation. Several other prominent figures were also placed about the map. A dark purple dragon lay off of the map entirely. A small collection of crosses sat beside the white and gold dragon figure. A large cross lay at the sight of the Slane Theocracy.
Wait! Does that mean that he has members of the Slane Theocracy here in his stronghold? What is going on here?
"She has noticed my liege." Todd's voice met her ears and Draconis smiled.
"The sharpness of her eyes and their focus tells me such Todd. Your instincts serve you well Draudillon. However, do not jump to conclusions. Members of the Slane Theocracy are here, but they were not sent officially. I will have to speak to Chronos about meddling with affairs beyond our place."
Draconis's words became stern and his face contorted into a displeased frown. "What is done cannot be changed, but this makes things delicate. No doubt the Theocracy is aware of the missing members and is planning their response. I'd rather not fight multiple fronts."
The thought of him raging war with not only the beastmen but the Slane Theocracy made her pale. Surely he would not do such a thing?
"Draudillon, I will not force conflict upon them, but a nation lead by religious zealots is a dangerous gambit. Especially when the leadership doesn't believe half of what they preach."
His words made her gasp. What was he speaking about? Had his people learned of something so insidious about the Theocracy from the members they had here? What had Lord Chronos done that had Draconis so off put?
"Lord Draconis, I am afraid you speak in riddles to me. Please speak plainly."
The crimson haired dragon knight was overcome with an expression of pure surprise and momentary confusion before sighing at his own actions.
"My apologies Draudillon. I am so wrapped up in all this chaos that I forget that you do not have my perspective. To put it simply. My Guardian; Chronos Timetable went about looking into the surrounding areas, trying to learn more about this new place we find ourselves. In doing so, he learned about the Slane Theocracy and delved deeper out of curiosity. One of their own scriers managed to backtrack his search to our base. Though part of me believes he allowed it on purpose."
Draconis growled the last sentence in apparent annoyance. Draudillon connected the points swiftly.
"Ah, and they likely sent a search party in response. I take it your forces captured them?"
Gesturing to a chair before the table, Draconis took his seat after she made herself comfortable.
"Indeed. However, Chronos has been treating with them all the while. Something I only learned of a few hours ago. Yet they have been here for a few days now."
She could see where this was becoming dangerously complicated.
"You foresee them sending a rescue party. Yet if you let those under your watch go, they will be even more suspicious." she spoke firmly.
Draconis nodded as he leaned forward. Resting his elbows on the table, he intertwined his fingers and stared at the map as he spoke, his voice deeply analytical.
"Precisely. Your Majesty, what can you tell me about the mindset of the Cardinals? For a nation so vehement about human supremacy, Chronos has found their leadership lacks that mindset. Were you aware of this?"
In truth, she had never really given that much thought to the Slane Theocracy's inner networks or leadership. Her main concern being the survival of her people. It was not like she did not listen to the reports given by those messengers she had received, but her priority of them was honestly not high.
"Not so far as that, but rumor has it that they but recently lost another branch of their military might. I have not confirmed this due to our own issues taking priority. Having these members here in captivity so soon utterly losing another branch? I can only imagine what they may do."
Draconis sighed in resignation and grit his teeth. To his side, Todd winced even as Samael shook his head.
"Damn. Very well then. Moving on from that matter for a time, Concerning these beastmen what we have recently encountered," there Draconis paused with a terse glare at the offending pieces on the table's map. "I have concerns that even with my people training and teaching you and yours, my stronger forces may have to take to the field of battle."
Draudillon paled a bit and frowned in concern. His stronger forces?
"For my frontline soldiers to be so one sidedly killed in a skirmish tells me much in terms of our shared foe's real forces. Whoever is leading these beastmen is sending his trash at you. Not his real army. They fought too well, too polished, and even unleashed magic that you yourself have told me that only mythology should wield."
Draconis stared heavily at the map upon the table and the pieces placed to and fro upon it. His eyes seemed to try to stare through the table and beyond the pieces into time itself it they could. With a huff, he closed his eyes and swallowed to prevent his mouth from drying out.
"Draudillon. How long ago did these beastmen begin their invasion . . . no, when were they even first sighted? Anything could give us insight into just what it is we're fighting."
Draudillon frowned. Thinking back to the very first whispers of the beastmen was harder than first said. Reflected a moment, she gave the question serious thought.
"Twenty or so? Not nearly enough to count for a full life of a human."
Beastmen Kingdoms
Capital
How many years? How many had it been? 200? 250? Regardless . . . it had been twenty years since he had lead his beastmen to this land. From across that goddamned sea to the east in search of new food for his minions. Though that had been more from the others in his group ousting him for his "extreme" nature. Whatever. Yet when he'd gotten here, he'd found that Silent City, laid to waste by Soul Eaters . . . just three of them! What pathetic weaklings!
He'd taken the several treasures from their home and embarked to this land and seized it with pathetically minimal effort. Heh heh . . . yet the Dragon Kingdom, now THAT had potential. Yet he'd not seen a single report of dragons showing up until just recently. Guess sticking around really paid off. If human flesh tasted so good, then what did dragon flesh taste like?
Yet despite his power, despite his strength, those around him considered him less than a two bit axeman.
"You're all stats and no skills."
"The Boss only brought you on 'cause he felt like it, don't get so full of it."
"Ugh, you're such a pig, get the fuck away from us. Damn it all, if it wasn't for that, you'd never be a part of our group."
Power was everything though. All you needed was power. It meant everything, so why did they treat him as trash? He would show them! He conquered everything here! He was supreme! After he managed to bring in dragon parts and pieces there would be no way that they could not acknowledge him. He'd show them . . . then they'd beg his forgiveness.
"They shall see. I AM THE GREATEST! I AM THE ONE THEY NEEDED TO ASCEND! ME! AaaahaaahaHHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA!
The Supreme Magnificence cackled in a crazed haze as the Beastmen Clan Leaders watched from a distance with great unease. The great maned blood hungry man had the report of the elf woman with dragons appearing drop to his feet. The boy who he had spared after the kid had slaughtered everyone in the arena stared at the letter in confusion but just sat patiently waiting for the next lesson from the Magnificence.
He sent the scrap of the coat of arms belonging to The Lair back to the people he had been exiled from . . . he would show them. He would show them all . . .
Draconis's Meeting Chambers
The air in the room was suffocating. Draconis stared at the map with an expression that smoldered darkly. From her place at the table, Draudillon could only see his eyes staring at the deployment of his forces from behind his intertwined fingers. The rest of his inner circle that were in attendance were also deathly quiet.
Todd had a contemplative look while Samael grit his teeth so hard she could hear them grinding.
Less than twenty years had driven the human population in the east so far that there were only a handful left? In old world terms like this one . . . even with magic involved . . . human kind so far as that nation was concerned was all but extinct. The fact that the Dragon Kingdom was nearly to that breaking point within less than ten; given the lack of technology and economic progress was outrageous.
With the advent of these Hunters of the Bloodmoon, Draconis had a new suspicion. "Chronos. To me immediately."
The Seraphim Empyrean appeared with a instant warp via The Lair's magics. "You called my Liege?"
"You and Todd both bring me the tome of Guild Wars. I want to check something."
The two men glanced at each other in concern before nodding and warping out of the room to the [Cavern of Knowledge] deeper within their home. The Guild War records were filled with important information from past conflicts regardless of whether or not Draconis had participated in any of them. Knowing potential enemies and allies had been very important to him during his time as a Solo Player.
Chronos and Todd's worries were that with that tome being asked for, their worries may be confirmed. Whoever was in charge may be someone like their Liege, or worse, stronger.
As they left to carry out the task given to them, Draudillon glanced at Samael, who still silently fumed. The Guardian Commander attracted his liege's attention.
"Samael, cease your fuming. Draudillon and I can feel your emotions all over the room." Draconis's voice was less angry and more annoyed.
"I am sorry Lord Draconis." Samael looked at the floor in shame at his own lack of control.
"I understand your frustration and anger Samael, I am furious at a great many things right now as well. Yet if we let ourselves only be swayed by our emotions at every turn we are little more than beasts with reason. Even I am having to restrain myself at the moment. Please remember our guest in Her Majesty as well."
Samael actually turned a tinge of red in the face as he turned and bowed to her in apology. "I am sorry Your Majesty. I should be more composed as the Commander of my Lord's Guardians."
"Apology accepted Commander Samael." Neither she nor Samael noticed the look of confusion, followed by intrigue at the eyes the two gave each other as they interacted from Draconis. The red haired Holy Knight tilted his head even as he squinted at them.
Hold on . . . are they . . . ? No . . . I must be seeing things. Then Draconis caught wind of a scent . . . or a pair of scents. Wrinkling his nose and blinking as his -now- dragon sense of smell hit him full force, he fought the strong urge to smack himself in the forehead with his hand.
Standing from his seat, he closed his eyes and mentally forced himself to remain calm.
"Excuse me for a moment. I have something else I must check on. Samael, please escort Queen Oriculus back to her capital." Both of them jumped slightly realizing he was still present.
"Of course my Lord." Was his hasty reply. Though his words and manner was still professional, they could all hear the slight crack in his tone at being caught.
Draconis allowed himself a smirk of all things in their direction. "Very good. Please let Luserina know I wish to speak with her about her next assignment."
The Knight Most Heavenly left out another door to the room, but as he did so, Samael half gawked at the mischievous smirk that crossed Draconis's features. It was only something they normally witnessed if his wife and mate Artorias Pendragon was with him. "I hope that you treat her as the lady she is Samael. You both are not hiding your attraction very well to my nose. Behave yourself."
The [Message] made Samael turn a dark shade of red as he sputtered out loud. His mental return [Message] a jumbled mess of stuttering at being caught.
"My Lord . . . it . . . I-is not like . . .!"
Draconis actually chuckled as the door shut. A great deal of sarcasm laden with his mental words. "Of course it isn't Samael. Just be a gentleman and treat her well. Respect her wishes and I will not see a problem with it."
Samael's jaw hung open like a loose gate door and Draudillon began to catch on as she noticed his blush. As embarrassed as she herself was becoming at being caught as well, she felt less so as she noticed Samael's expression. Her awakening dragon senses telling her that he was just as embarrassed if not more so at his liege catching them staring at each other.
'Oh dear . . . It seems like despite his serious nature, Lord Draconis indeed has a well hidden streak of mischief. Perhaps that is something he only shows to those he trusts implicitly?'
Draudillon's cheeks dusted the slightest shade of pink, but she composed herself enough to smile gently at the man she oddly was finding herself attracted to. Using a single index finger to push his jaw closed with an audible clack, she found herself shaking with silent laughter. Who knew Lord Samael could look so adorable when flustered?
"Commander Samael. I do believe your liege left you with the assignment of escorting me home?"
The Shadow dragon glanced down at the shorter dragon blooded queen in quiet defeat. Sighing heavily as he saw an eerily similar mischief in her eyes that his liege had, he resigned himself to the teasing. Especially since he found that he really did not terribly mind it so long as it was from her. How odd.
"Yes Your Majesty. And I apologize for the awkwardness."
As they left the chamber, she frowned as she thought about what just happened. "It is fine Commander, but tell me . . . Does Lord Draconis always hide his mischief?"
Samael found himself chuckling at her question. "No Your Majesty. He only really gets that way when his wife is around. Though they are separated currently. Or when his peers among the Knights of Avalon are around. Despite our Lord's serious demeanor, he can have his moments of levity . . . though I wish it was not at my expense . . ."
Draudillon found that she could only laugh . . . and it was a feeling she found that she had missed for a long time.
Dragon Kingdom
Training Grounds
Leinas swallowed, her stomach feeling like it had dropped to her toes. The sheer scale of the forces being deployed, their formations and rotation of duties boggled her mind. The Scarlet Swordsman had not been jesting when he scorned the "Annual War" held by the Bloody Emperor. This was a full scale military campaign the likes she had never imagined.
The ground they were covering was incredible in such a short time. The revelation that the officers of his forces were significantly stronger than the standard troop was staggering. That there were even stronger men and women filling the roles of his Commanders and that even they were subordinate to the new Martial Lord's apparent inner circle . . . it made no sense to her.
With so much power at his disposal . . . she shuddered to think that he swore his life and allegiance to a woman hailed as the Queen of Knights and that he had peers who also answered to such a woman. Leinas Rockbruise had stopped her mind from continuing down that path . . . only madness lie that direction.
Yet in spite of all this overwhelming force, one thing was being made abundantly clear, he was not able to be everywhere at once. Even with such a huge force, the land was just too vast to cover every angle. It was a weakness that she made keen notes of in her mind, though she had little doubt after being transported here nearly effortlessly by those twin siblings that to blindly believe that information alone would see a triumph against such a man was utter foolishness.
Focusing on Baron Whitepeak, he had casting rather concerned glances at a particular spot on the map. Curious, she spoke plainly.
"Baron, you have been casting looks at that location to the north east of the capital. Is something the matter?"
The man caught himself and coughed uncomfortably. "I am sorry Lady Rockbruise. To be honest with you, there is something troubling me. It troubles me day in and day out. That area is my home. We have been blessed by a good friendship with the Wyvern Rider Territories and their fighters are potent allies. Still, there is no telling what may be happening there at this very moment."
After witnessing all the run down areas of the capital city of the Dragon Kingdom on the way into the walls, Leinas could understand the man's worries, yet part of her was curious.
"Tell me Baron. How do you view your people?"
Whitepeak gave her a confused look at her question. "They are my fellow countrymen and women and I am but a steward of that province by the grace of Queen Draudillon. By taking care of them do they raise our nation higher. So in times like these I must defend them, for they are our lifeblood."
The sincerity in his voice and conviction in his eyes made her feel a pang of regret in asking him such a thing. Part of her had to admit wishing to find something, anything petty to poke him with, yet in his eyes she saw something that she had once . . . before the curse. She grit her teeth and clenched a fist behind her back.
Petty as it was to look down on the baron for his outlook, she did. Part of her hated it more due to the simple fact that . . . she had been like him at one point, that time before this damned curse showed her the real natures of those around her. Only caring about her once pretty face. Not her skill or efforts to protect her people.
Across the table displaying the map, Cerabrate could sense something off about the Imperial Knight on loan from the Baharuth Empire, but remained silent. Until such a time that his honor and dignity were earned from those around him again, he was in little position to berate someone for harboring any ill feelings unless it directly endangered people.
Still, he could only ponder as to why she had such contempt and scorn in her eyes.
Setting that aside for the moment, he instead turned his attention to the map. Where were they all? The retreat had been sudden . . . perhaps . . . too sudden. Too organized, too swift.
What the hells was going on? Cerabrate shook his head of such idle pondering and refocused on the maps before them.
Meanwhile . . .
Unknown Location
"Hey, did you see what that damn muscle head sent us?"
A man with a fur lined collared jacket with many pockets sneered in disdain. The woman who walked up beside him took a single glance and scoffed. The other two men scowled, unamused with the object upon the item transfer device.
"That idiot. This is not the symbol of a Dragon Lord or this New World . . ." The woman growled out, flexing her her claws. She used one to pick at a fang that protruded from her lips. "This is that man's guild symbol. The Dragon Knight of Avalon. To think he got Transferred."
The man sitting closest to the symbol grunted in agreement. Picking up the tattered cloth, he sighed in disappointment.
"Let the fool dig his own grave. If he has shown up, then we've other things to prepare for. Like whoever else may have now arrived. If the Dragon Knight of Avalon finds and kills him . . . it will be an ironic justice. We make use of humans, we don't eat them. It is why we ousted him. I have my man in place to retrieve the stolen relic when it will be the right time. I only let the fool into our fold to get the relic. We can retrieve it whenever we so please."
The trio around him nodded. The man in the fur lined jacket shrugged in apathy.
"Oh well. Ta-ta fool. Looks like the Dragon will finally catch his old prey . . . kinda wanted to watch that fight go down, but hey, ocean between us. Tough luck on my end."
The last of the trio shook his head ruefully. "Be careful my friend. The man was a colleague of Touch Me, number 3 in YGGDRASIL, and friends with many powerful players back then."
"You mean Ainz Ooal Gown? That has been guild? Feh, Touch Me quit and the game went to shit. Now if Touch Me was here . . . WELL then!" The man sitting upon his chair huffed and stood from his position and slammed his fists together. The trio halted their discussion.
"Enough Jonathan Apollo Enfield. Those days are long behind us. You may have been Rank 6 in YGGDRASIL, but Momonga of Ainz Ooal Gown and others like Draconis Brightblade or Lancelot du Lac of Avalon were oddities to the traditional Ranking System. With the Transfer's changes, who knows what all of them would Rank now? Or do you not remember that we tried to recruit the man back then?"
The fur jacket wearing Jonathan Enfield clicked his tongue in annoyance at being called his old human name. "Oy now Boss, I cast off that old name long ago, I'm Warspite: He Who Spites War, and the record holder for longest landed shot against moving targets. As is my namesake now."
The woman groaned at the bravado, though he could completely back up his words. Ranked 6th in all of YGGDRASIL in its prime, he never relinquished his rank, but he'd never managed to break higher in the positions. Ranking was fickle that way. Draconis Brightblade had not been even in the top 200, but the Rankings were obtained by participating in the many Official PvP Matches hosted by the shitty devs and other mainline promotional events. Yet those that made the top 20 were all monsters regardless of whether or not they were PvP or PvE players.
Of course, nine of those Top 20 Players were the Nine World Champions.
Warspite was a rare, [Grassy Knoll Marksman] class that could shoot any ranged weapon with fatal results.
Glancing back at the coat of arms on the table, she sighed. Warspite wrapped an arm around her and grinned from ear to ear. "Oy! I heard that, you had a thing for him didn't you lass?! Too bad he married that Queen of Knights of Avalon. Rumor has it that they were married IRL as well. Too bad~~~ WOAH!"
Dust jumped away as she swiped at his face with her claws to little effect. "S-so what if I did?! I admit it, I found him pretty nice! I'm no home wrecker though . . . dammit all!"
"I'm just yanking your tail Lupine Howl. Still, you were the one to invite him to our guild and you're the one he said no to."
I apologize. I've had enough of guilds and their politics. My thanks for the invite, but I decline.
He had been blunt and to the point, but not terribly rude despite his words. Lupine Howl had realized that their invitation had been at a horrible moment, given the time period. She would find out later than he had just left the clan: Nine's Own Goal, at the time they had not yet encountered and recruited the musclehead he had been hunting. Gods, the irony in that.
They had wanted him due to his Dragon Race. A bonus to any guild if they were smart.
Then Avalon gained him as an ally. Though it had been odd to see the man found his own, one man guild and plant it literally next door to Avalon. Until word got around that Avalon's leader Artorias Pendragon had in-game married him. THAT got around quick. Marriages online in the game were rather rare given the mandatory sharing of information between the two players.
Too suspect for many players out there. Yet the two had made it work in their favor. Then word had gotten around that the Queen of Avalon and her Dragon Knight were literally in the sack with each other outside the game via a rather dubious, yet popular source and when they had done nothing to shoot down the rumors? Avalon had been declared war on in the Guild Wars repeatedly shortly after that . . . much to their attackers unfortunate attempts.
Personally? She was jealous. Eventually she had gotten over it for the most part.
If he had been transferred though . . . was Avalon as well? Were they together?
She shook her head to clear her mind of such thoughts. Now was not the time to be thinking such things. If the idiot they had banished after the Transfer wanted to go after the Dragon Knight and get himself killed due to his incompetence, that was his business.
"You fool . . . I hope he finds out who you are and gives you everything you've sown."
So that's it for this chapter. I know it's rather short for the wait you all had to go through, but adding anything from the rest I have written would have left it at another cliffhanger ending . . . something I know I do too much of.
I hope the New Year so far as been good to you all. It's been pretty hectic for me.
Anyways. Onto the Review Responses.
Generation Zero: I'm glad you enjoyed the Christmas Special. Yeah, though things sucked for them back on Earth. Some things won't change . . . at least I would hope not.
Draconis's changes due to The First Sire's meddling won't be changing any time soon.
Varcisis: It was indeed meant to be a bit melancholy. A quiet moment for all of them, as it would be better than many of their lives outside the game given the canon state of Earth. An escape from their harsh realities.
And yes, Draconis will be in a tug-of-war with his empowered dragon emotions.
Dimension Distorter: Very happy that you enjoyed it. Seeing it "through NPC eyes" is something that I would like to continue through any more Flashback Type scenes I do in The Exiled. Especially with the tidbit of Shallter talking with Sebas and Solution concerning Bukubukuchagama's job as a voice actress being misinterpreted as a woman who give life literally in their eyes.
Draconis's as a Dragon Race Player, had all the powers but fought off all the normal urges via willpower alone. His mind was also more human. The First Sire has warped that so that while he is now better suited for such a long natural lifespan, his dragon nature will be more prominent in the story, something even his strong willpower and self discipline will struggle with.
Sonic: Thank you. I'm glad you stopped in for the chapter! Hope you continue to read and enjoy the fic.
Zandaino-Nova-Ari: I hope you also had a merry Christmas and New Year. Here's to another year of writing!
Yeah, from everything we have in the material, the Eight Greed Kings strike many as their name suggests. Greedy, and power hungry to the point of no control. Especially since they self destructed apparently over the only female player in their group . . . Sheesh.
Wacko12: You will have to keep reading to find out. They will, eventually. A lot is on both of their plates at the moment.
UndeadLord22: Yes, I'm tightrope walking a bit with all this build up and oncoming conflict. Setting the stage has been more writing than I thought it would be initially, but I'm getting through it. Thanks for dropping by!
Rider126: Made a mess of things . . . that's what The First Sire did. Though not without his reasons.
Cmnd Yammark Kasrkinstromtrooper: Thank you for the review. I hope to keep going throughout the year!