Title: "The Nazarick Grand Prix."
Disclaimer: Overlord is owned, written and created by Kugane Maruyama.
I do not own Overlord and this literature is only and purely, a fan fiction take on Overlord.
Chapter 27: Closer to glory.
Adventurer's camp, somewhere deep within the Beastman Nation. Team Darkness and the other adventurer teams enjoy their break after doing their shift in scouting and securing the entirety of the hills around them, and that of the nearby forest below the hills. They set up their respective camps from the highest hills, down to the mid level ones. Doing so allowed the adventurers to be able to observe and cover more ground, as well as getting confirmation on certain informations due to the difference of vantage points.
Being the humble hero that they are (Acting anyway), Team Darkness chose to camp on the lowest and most dangerous area among the stony hills. Their position, being the first to be potentially attacked by the enemy if ever any of their opponents possess the capabilities to get past their traps and other security measures.
Team Rainbow was doing maintenance works on their weapons, as the others did the same thing. The other teams keep themselves alert, as they take their security duties very seriously.
Another Adamantite ranked Adventurer Team known as 'Sky Wolf', who was lead by an E-Rantel local; Bellote Lobos. He was present in the meeting where he and a few fellow high ranking Adventurers were called in to a security meeting to discuss on how to handle the 'Honyopenyoko' situation. Having that certain memory run in his mind, while he was looking at Team Rainbow led by his friend Moknak, and then turning around to look at the base of the hill his team was camped on. There, he saw Team Darkness, Momon and Nabe were currently helping to put on Hamsuke's armor.
He looked at his own team and chuckled as he remembered how he and his team mates were trying hard to convince their fellow adventurers to leave E-Rantel and move to the Capital, or to the Argland Republic. But Moknak was adamant on his decision to stay behind, as he reasoned that to abandon the Dark Hero Momon is to waste his noble sacrifice of surrendering his own freedom in exchange for the safety of the locals.
As Bellote thought back on how selfish he was at the time. Sky Wolf's thief-skilled member noticed their leader chuckle to himself.
"You okay, Boss?" the thief asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just remembered something, that's all." Bellote replied, looking out to the forest around them with a hint of shame in his eyes.
"Let me guess, you're still broken up inside about the time we left E-Rantel and you feel like you've betrayed our friends and fellow adventurers? C'mon man, that's all in the past now. Sure, we left them all behind. But, can they blame us? After what happened at the Katze Plains? We've all grown man, we make mistakes but we also learn from them. So, just take it easy, ok." The thief said, trying to console his old friend.
"I know, ok? It's just that for me, that guilt is still here." Bellote replied.
"Isn't that one of the reasons, why we volunteered to be here?" The thief followed up.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Bellote replied.
After their short conversation, Team Sky Wolf refocused on their watch duty. While, some of their members went on to hunt and gather anything they can use for food. Even though their conversation ended, Bellote still felt the guilt for leaving his fellow adventurers back then. And now gaining the results from the new training methods and other benefits that resulted mostly from the Sorcerer King and Ainzach's efforts.
'I swear I'm gonna make up for not being there, when my people needed me the most. I won't be a failure of a friend anymore.' Bellote said to himself.
Not far from him, their team's thief was crouching behind a large rock so that he wouldn't be noticed if there are any enemy scouts nearby. It was then that near him, their team arcane magic caster spoke with the thief.
"He's still feeling guilty for fleeing E-Rantel?" the magic caster asked, and the thief just nodded.
"Geez, we're all on the same boat you know? This mission will be the best chance for us to prove our worth and our ranks." The magic caster added.
By early afternoon (about 3pm), the rest of their comrades returned bringing their catch and various herbs, fruits and vegetable that they've gathered and already documented. Documenting the location of herbs, fruits, vegetables, or any kind of plant or animal life is one of the new duties of all Adventurers that are given an exploration license. That, along with them reporting important information such as the discovered areas, climate, topography, culture, customs, battle capabilities, etc. and many other important information about the newly discovered or re-discovered location.
By nightfall, all of the first batch of adventurers gathered around, cooked and enjoyed their dinner. After eating their fill for the night, Momon went inside his tent or rather; his truck and cast a [Message] spell to gave his daily report to Ainz. Outside the truck, Nabe just sat on top of the truck's roof, where she emotionlessly kept a vigilant surveillance of their surroundings. Meanwhile, Hamsuke was still eating the food that the other teams gave to Momon and Nabe.
The only time Nabe was actually alerted by anything, was when Hamsuke burped after her belly was full and also because she just chugged a small keg of soda drink. But Nabe paid it no mind, as she was already used to Hamsuke's quirks and nature. This was also because of Ainz' direct order, saying that all of Nazarick's residence is not to harm Hamsuke on the account that she is their master's pet.
Since the night was so boring at the time, some of the adventurers began to get their musical instruments and played some of their favorite songs. With their sentries and those on guard duties' shift watching over them, they were confident that they can afford a little entertainment. This however, does not mean that they are slacking. In fact, it was the opposite.
Since the ones in their batch were those ranked starting from Mythril, up to Adamantite, they don't really have to be very worried unnecessarily. Another reason was that, by singing songs, they could make it appear as if they've let down their guard, this is; in case there are enemy units nearby that somehow got past their traps. These opponents are very much less likely to get past the hidden undead units as well as the stealthy adventurers hiding somewhere within their perimeters.
At the moment, the adventurers were singing songs like: "To be with you, Oh Carol, Dance with me". And other light hearted songs that made them all feel like one big crowd in an outdoors Pub. It was then near the end of the last song, that one of their observers alerted the others that something was coming towards the camp.
The group all got their seriousness back in quickly, and swiftly moved into their designated positions. They sent out rangers and thief member units from different teams to check out the approaching presence. Upon taking several safety measures, the stealth units carefully peaked from the thick of leaves high up on the trees. Eventually, it turned out, that the ones approaching them were the new batch of adventurers that was supposed to arrive within the week.
After one of the hidden Orichalcum ranked ranger tried to communicate with the approaching group through their radio units, and the group replied with the proper code. Did only the sentries stand down and lowered their bows and crossbows which were already aimed at the new arrivals. Such measures were taken in the name of security, had the one who responded to the communicating ranger failed to provide the proper response and code; they new guys would have ended as pincushions that night.
With their identities proven and the whole thing settled, the new ones were welcomed and lead to where the others have set up camp. The lower ranked teams were pumped-up and excited to be in the same mission as the higher ranked ones, they all looked at the famous Adventurers within the camp and shook hands with those that welcomed them.
But the ones that truly had them all star-struck; was the ones who reigned at the top. The only ones that they know of to have survived and totally cleared the last and practically, impossible training level within the training dungeon. Their National Hero; Momon, Nabe, and the Magical Beast formerly known as the "Wise King of the Forest" Hamsuke of Team Darkness.
Among the recently promoted adventurers, the team "Punks Anonymous" are the ones that are arguably, the biggest fan boys of Team Darkness. Not to mention they are also proud collectors of any Team Darkness merchandises, especially those that features Nabe. To paint a more recognizable picture for you, my dear readers. They are basically like a team all composed of Lukrut Volve clones due to their shared 'anything Nabe fetish'.
"Wow! I still can't believe we're actually here now. In the same camp as the famous Adventurers of E-Rantel. Look over there, they're team Rainbow, and over there are the members of Team Sky Wolf. Oh! Look guys, there they are. The ones dubbed by other Adventurers as the Adamantite of the Adamantite ranked teams, its Team Darkness!" The leader of Punks Anonymous said in a low voice to his team mates. And upon seeing Nabe in person, they just gulped, stood straight and kept quiet.
"C'mon man, just shut up will ya. The others might hear what you're saying, and stop it with that heavy breathing while looking at Ms. Nabe's back. They might think we're perverts." Says their team Assassin.
"He's right, you know? I mean, we all get you man. But don't be like that here, we might get into trouble." The team's magic caster added.
Then Nabe stood up from her position and talked to Momon while Hamsuke listened to them talk. Then Momon called out to the other adventurers, when a blaring sound was suddenly heard from about one hundred meter.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves. It's time to work for a living, gentlemen." Momon said in his noble voice. And with that, the senior Adventurers, followed by the lower ranks moved to investigate the area where their perimeter alarms were triggered.
The senior adventurers took in one or two teams from the new comers, giving them specific instructions to be their temporary default duties. One of the younger adventurers noticed that Team Darkness did not take a lower ranked adventurer team under their wing.
"Uhm, excuse me sir Moknak. But I think we forgot to assign a team under Team Darkness' guidance for this mission." One of the Platinum ranked magic caster, asked.
"Nope, every team has been accounted for. See here lad, the thing is, WE all want to be under their tutelage and guidance. Back in the training dungeon, they teach us really good tactics and moves. That mostly goes for Momon-dono, but in actual missions, you stay clear out of their way you hear me? There's a reason why he's at the top, and we'll just slow them down anyway.
Just keep alert and follow our lead guys. If we're lucky; we might finish our fights early and get to see how they fight. In fact, it's one of our motivations you know? Just don't lose your head in the fighting, otherwise; you'd probably lose your life. Now, get ready!" Moknak answered the young man's query. That, in turn, made the new comers more lively.
Flashback scene.
Two weeks, since the allied forces arrived in the Draconic Kingdom. More adventurer teams were now deployed into the Draconic Kingdom, this new batch of Adventurers however; are of Gold ranking up to the Platinum ranked teams. Included in this batch, are the members of the Platinum ranked adventurer team named "Squires of the Dark", "Pack of Brothers", "Stone Victory" and "Punks Anonymous" to name a few. Teams like "Punks Anonymous" have been to the Draconic Kingdom before; it was when they were among the few adventurer teams ordered to accompany the Draconic Kingdom's delegation team and to deliver the Sorcerer King's gift for the queen which was a pink car, among other things.
The newly arrived adventurers are now in the Capital's square, where they register themselves and do the instructions given by the Guild Warden. Part of their duties include them serving as guards to keep watch of the special items brought in to help heal wounds, especially, the new weapons and other supplies that are meant to be delivered to their senior adventurer teams.
After nearly a week of the basic guard duties, the new batch of adventurers, are now scheduled to make the actual delivery of the new supplies. They all rode on top of the huge semi-trailer trucks that carried the supplies. As they rode on in a long line, the young adventurers took in the vista around them. At the same that they enjoyed the view, they also observed the land before them while some kept their vigilance high for any possible unsavoury situation. Regardless of whatever it was that's going on in their minds at that moment, there experience as participants of such a glorious campaign would be forever etched in their minds.
After a few days of short rests and long travels, the young adventurers arrived at the same military outpost that Momon and the others have stayed a few weeks ago. Upon arrival, the new batch of Adventurers met and exchanged greetings with the locals. Most specially, with the high ranked officers and the civilian volunteers that does most of the basic chores and assistance works. These volunteers' duties ranged from cooking, cleaning, up to helping take care of the injured or the ones that died.
The adventurers saw the large numbers of the survivors that were rescued by their predecessors, but, instead of seeing people quietly resting on their beds to recover their health. What they saw were people that were screaming out of fear, clearly showing the toll their horrible experiences have taken in their minds. Many men screamed in fear, as if the beastmen were still lurking around their cages. Some women were weeping tears, as they cradle a pillow like a baby. Others were just silently looking all around them as they whimper and held themselves in a fetal position.
Despair, tragic, pitiful, heart breaking, such are just a few words that could be used to quickly describe the majority of the survivors' cases. They clearly needed a lot of help, beginning with their physical wounds and scars that could be dealt with by magical and alchemical means. Their psychological and emotional scars however, are a totally different matter.
One of the younger adventurers couldn't help but see how his own father was, after returning from the Katze Plains. His father's total behaviour and expression; was that of one who saw what despair looked like. The man couldn't sleep, eat, or even speak normally, instead; he just uttered gibberish that no one understood. With their father no longer able to work, he focused his attention into getting more work as a mercenary along with his team mates. Upon gaining news of their father's condition gradually getting well, to the point that he can talk normally with other people again. It was only after nearly years that he and his team returned to E-Rantel, after hearing of the new health facilities that seemed to work wonders on people.
He weight in between the positive and negative news regarding the Sorcerer Kingdom. Eventually, they thought of returning as adventurers after witnessing the Sorcerer King defeat the Empire's Martial Lord live in the arena. Hearing what the undead offered, and what Ainzach explained to them upon the pre-registration seminar, it was too good to pass up.
Returning to the present, his best friend called out to him. Then, after snapping from his own flash back, he moved quickly to help the others with their duties. Knowing from his own family's experience, he told the highest local officer about his own father's predicament about his innate panic at the sight of goats, weapons and armors or anything that would remind him of the infamous massacre. Heeding his input, the captain ordered all of the men to make sure that they wore no armors or bring with them any weapons when they are assigned to the survivor's ward.
