Authors note: I don't own overlord

Thank you for reading and I hope you all enjoy reading this story there will only by at most 4 more chapters however I don't know If I will end in chapter 29 or 30 depends on if I can justify making the full 30 chapters I planed. Either way, this will be the calm before the final battle which is going to be the hardest one to write. This isn't a whole lot on what Dragonlords can do in overlord which gives me a lot of fo guesswork to do on what would be realistic given the state of Wild magic in the story. Also just because I added one overlord chapter this chapter (You will know which one) doesn't mean I will be doing any more lime scenes (besides the only one I did) for this story. Sticking to fade to black for now maybe int he next story I do, also small-time.

Chapter 26 Life in The Moonlight Empire

-Two months later-

Rita panted even with all the new knowledge about her race. She didn't understand why she could not create others like her. Walking up to the last of the new test subjects for the promotion to beta packmates. Her synthetic skin drew back to show her real black and silver body. Touching her hand to the man's chest, steadying her breathing.

[Aspect of lycancat: automaton heart]

Rita's mind cleared for the fifth time today to a calm, emotionless state. Her voice cold and toneless as her arm and hand melted its way into the man's chest, glowing with power. Losing some of its mass forming into the Seventh real magic core, as she started to pull back her arm.

Gently removing her arm as the man withered on the ground like the others. Watching as pure Silvery metal replaced flesh. Quickly changing the human into real Automations like mistress Kathrin. Luckily none of the packmates died like last time Rita had to stay focused; until they calmed down no matter how hungry she was. Loss of focus would kill them until the transformation was completed.

They might look the same, but Rita could feel the magic core pulse in each of them. Even with her newly reached level 50 and mastery of Corrupted hybrid, Rita couldn't make Alpha pack mates. Nor could she feel any connection to any of the pack mate mental network Aside from lady Kathrin.

Knowing there was still so much she didn't understand about her race, Corrupted hybrid, and the only one of her kind.

Sinadra and Normick applauded. "Yes, I won our bet. I told you she could handle five."

Mistress quieted them with a glare. "Very nice, my lioness, that will be all for a while. Until we have finished testing. At most, only three more beta pack members will be needed to support the packmate network. Why don't you run off for now and get something to eat?"

She gave a proud smile before leaving the windowless rune lit room. With her friends following behind her as they traveled down the halls. Taking a side route to meet up with someone. Stopping at one door knocking, hearing a panic shout, giggles, and rustling of papers.

Finally, Arche opened the door. Her hair was a mess peeping inside Ureirika, and Kuuderika was holding in their giggles as they helped pick up the scattered piles of paper. Looking back, Rita could see the bags under Arche's eyes.

"Another late-night studying with Fluder?"

"Yeah, please tell me he wasn't part of the secret project." Arche gave her those puppy dog eyes again. Sighing at the caster, unable to turn her friend down.

"You know I am not supposed to say anything about that. I already messed up by letting that slip." Crossing her arms leaning on the doorway.

"Oh, come on, I helped you max out the lifeforce for the new class. Yawn…The empress has been pushing me hard with the last batch of training and tests."

Rita hushed Arche looking around the halls. Arche looked sheepish, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "Sorry forgot, still, please."

Rita let out a tired breath before remembering seeing the old long-bearded wizard as the first one. "Yeah, only because Lady Kathrin doesn't want to lose his well of magical knowledge."

Arche shoulders slumped at the news. Rita patted her friend's shoulders in understanding. The old wizard, even when he was still human, could be forgetful of his own limits. The first thing Fluder did after the change to Automation was run off to his tower. To study something, Rita was unsure if he was examining his new magic core? The magic Rita used to change him, or his own researching into magic lady Kathrin gave him was an unknown.

"How about I take all three of you to lunch. We might run into Kevlar on the way."

Rita's heart filled with joy at the way both Arche's sister's eyes lit up, begging her to take them. Her friend gave Rita an annoyed stare but relented. "Fine, let me freshen up first." Rita's senses stayed sharp. She watched the door close. Waiting reminding herself to keep vigilant at the memory of all that had been lost. Rita might have regained new friends, a home, and her noble title. Her past reminded her how quickly all that could be lost if she let her guard down. Tightly gripping her sword handle, snaping up at Arche's hand on her shoulder. She must have a serious look again by Arche's worried face.

"You ok?"

"Fine. Got lost in thought; come on, let's go."

Rita smiled with the warmest expression she could. Bardic words came back to her as a warning and reminder to enjoy the time she had with all her new friends. 'Doesn't mean I will allow this to be taken away by evil.'

Traveling the halls, Rita couldn't help but think with nothing to really do right now. The Slane Theocracy was quiet after the loss of the Black Scripture and wind flow Scripture. She would love to see their faces when they realize their misguided followers would not return from death. Unless they had 9th or 10th tier revival spells or items, according to lady Kathrin.

She had never heard of magic that could block Revival magic before but with how High tier it was. There was little wonder why even now she had only days ago learned her first two 7th tier spells. Bringing her total spell count to 19, most of which were heat and fire-based. This was nothing when compared to Kathrin. Who had knowledge of over 100 or even the emperor who Kathrin said knew over 300.

Even if she rarely saw him use any outside of the new corruption spell testing or in combat. "Hay Arche, how many spells do you know?"

"Big sister knows lots. Both Ureirika and I only know about ten."

"I don't know that many Fluder knows way more than me. I only got about 52 so far. Most of them I learned over the months because Fluder is a slave driver either to his own eccentrics or because of the empress's order. Why do you ask?"

Rita did her best to hide her own disappointment at her own averageness. Maybe that was a little harsh, but after seeing all the emperor and empress could do. In the time she got to know them, it still felt like there was a vast power gap. Remembering the overwhelming evil powers that kept showing up making her question what good she could do defending the emperor? Combining her aspects of lycancat, martial arts, and spells would it be enough?

Rita could have lied, but Arche was one of the few people she could be honest with. "Now, I feel a little disappointed in myself for only having two 7th tier spells."

Stopping when Rita noticed Arche had stopped staring at her. Right, she would probably say what lady Kathrin said. 'Those are the common Starting range of spells for real PVP. Between only having three or fewer spells in each rank and Your limited list of spells. A skilled enemy player will quickly figure out your range of skills and leave you unable to catch them off guard.'

Before Arche could comment or the complete awe-filled eyes of the twins could speak in the wondrous praise only children could. Kevlar and his group turned the corner loudly talking.

"Oh, Hay Kuude and Irika. Rita, you going to get something to eat too? If so, you can share more of your awesome stories with us."

Rita refocused her mind, something which she had mastered. Being able to quickly change her Thought process was the key to using her combat style. It also helps her stay alert at all times, even in the peaceful times they had now. All six young children cheered as she and Arche followed them. Enjoying seeing the energy of the children who help get her mind off the negative thoughts.

Coming to the richly decorated dining room of the palace. Light shining into the room through the tall windows. The room only had a few guards and servants eating. The place was mostly quiet save for the clattering of silverware or the odd conversation. She and Arche had gotten used to this. The pack mate mental network allowed for quick and precise talks that only they could hear.

Everyone in the palace had been turned into a packmate. Save for the handful that had a reason not to be. This was lady Kathrin's security network, which made the palace a safe haven for the supreme being whenever he came by. No one that didn't have Kathrin's permission was even allowed to meet them physically. The greater doppelgangers, which posed as emperor, empress, and royal guards as they talked to the visitors and handled the requests and issues of the common people. If the request needed it, then the rare visitor would meet her mistress.

Getting in line, they each got special meals. Lady Kathrin allowed each person in the palace their own personal food and favored meal list for each day. Allowing the cooks to premade the food before they got there though it couldn't be changed on the same day. It saved time, and all they had to do was pick up the food when they got hungry.

Rita took the tray with delicious Pasta, rice, and fish taking a seat near Arche while the kids were enjoying themselves. "So, you finally reached 7th tier, huh, which spells."

Rita halted mid-bite looking over Arche moving the food around more subdued than usual. "[Napalm] and [Primal hell armor]. I assume you know them."

To her surprise, Arche answered no. Seeing the magic as She teleported a large book to her. looking through it. "Napalm makes sense for your affinity for Fire magic, but I can't find Primal hell armor."

Rita pulled out her own book; it wasn't as big as Arche's and could fit in her hand. Covered in glowing runes as the words glowed with power as she opened the book. Showing the two pages, one described the spell, and the other was a picture of wicked-looking evil armor that would bring fear to any who saw the burning snarling armor.

"I can create it or transform the armor I have on. Mistress said it will help protect me against good and light magic. It might look evil, but it has helped…"

Arche was staring at the pages in shock, absorbing every detail. Taking out another book and writing in the pages. Rita was at a loss to how to react to her friend. Glancing at Sinadra and Normick, who both shrugged. They might be a little use to seeing her use that spell in their regular training.

"Sorry, Fluder drove the habit of memorizing or writing down notes about new spells as soon as possible."

"I thought you knew this one?"

"Rita, are you kidding me? I don't know a single spell above the 4th tier. Sure, I know a lot more about magic then I did while adventuring. I am still having a hard time learning the 5th tier. I don't know how you learn them so fast."

"Uh, the emperor's sister helped me out."

Rita could swear Arche was becoming more like Fluder by the same obsessed look in those gray eyes. Kathrin wouldn't allow her to say much about Jester even though they weirdly added her to the new temples dedicated to the emperor. It was very odd, but she wouldn't argue with it. Mistress said it was a minor request from the supreme being.

Rita Relented; it probably wouldn't hurt to say. Arche spent most of her time in the palace or at Fluders tower. "Jester is a demigoddess that is the emperor's sister. But you would have to ask the emperor himself."

"You mean like the minor god in the temples of the undead gods? She is the emperor's sister. I never heard of her before a month ago, and even in the book didn't say they were related."

They already finished the book that fast! "Yes, but don't tell anyone. It is weird enough that lady Kathrin suddenly wanted to replace the old faith of the Four gods with the four new gods."

Arche chuckled with myth. "Not really, I still get out more than you do. To supervise my sister when they hang out with Kevlar and his friends. After everything, the sorcerer-king, the emperor, and the empress have done. It is hard for people not to start seeing them as gods and goddesses. Even if Jester is the less well-known one."

Rita turned to Sinadra and Normick for help. This was a little weird. Considering that to the supreme beings, gods were playthings, it seemed almost insulting to call them that. Evil deities, Dragonlords, and even the demigod like Jester allied with them, feared them like the wicked Carnival or died.

Sinadra spoke up first. "Uh, she does have a point, lady Rita. The emperor god of war and Justice has destroyed the convent of crows, fought back the Demon Emperor, saved the dragon kingdom from the savage beast-men, fought off the dragon lord, and would risk his life and war for a single person threatened under his protection. Something that no ruler has ever done before having such care given to the commoners aside from the golden princes."

Normick spoke up next. "The empress goddess of silver beauty has maintained prosperity and peace. Putting down the four gods' faith rebellion, beaten the Slane theocracy's treachery, and most of all, always looking as pretty and regal as ever."

Rita shot them both a look grumpily eating they did not understand. She really wished she could connect to the packmate network at the moment. "Ok, what about the Sorcerer kingdom and Jester then?"

Arche saw that something was upsetting Rita but didn't seem to get it. "The god of life and death fought off the demon emperor. Aside from E-rental, which somehow wasn't attacked by the Demon Emperor. There is more if you asked someone from the sorcerer kingdom, but his deeds are less well known here then Jester, the emperor, and empress."

"What about Jester?"

All three looked at each other before Arche answered. "Not really sure on that one? Seems particularly popular among the undead or monster races."

Rita relented once lady Kathrin messaged her that the supreme being didn't mind. Also informing them that she would have the rest of the day off. It still felt weird. "Alright, So the empress said we have the rest of the day off. Testing with the new project will take longer than expected."

The children cheered at the news as Arche decided to take Rita exploring the capital before they visited the new temple of the four gods.

-Clemvet-

She kept her hood up following the three slaves to her [submission chains] a little tricky to control more than one at a time. Grinning at the challenge, not that her old home was much of a challenge. This mission her only master had given her was so wonderful. Fingering the four golden spider silk-like crowns with many small gems on them.

Grinning evilly in the shadow of her hood to think her master would ask her to steal one of the rarest and most protected treasures of the Slane Theocracy. Even finding the tunnels they traveled to the hidden temple was fun. Passing a few guards, this one was much more heavily guarded, probably because of her quick work.

Two old men were arguing. One looked about 30 in thick armor with symbols of the water god. The other was a fierce-looking priest around 40, the foremost defender of the last Miko priestess of darkness.

"We should start now before the monster finds its way here as well! Or did you forget that the new black Scripture failed to even realize something was wrong before the whole hidden temple was slaughtered."

"No, we should wait for the extra guards. Ah, finally, you arrived! You see, Raymond and Maximilian have not failed us. You should have more faith; my friend, the Six gods, will lead us to victory against these false undead idols."

"I have faith, but we will not know what Killed the black Scripture until we revived them. It is bad enough that most of the ones we tried died minutes after being brought back. These three may be our only hope to learn what evil spell the vampire lord used. Let alone what really happened at the capital of the dragon kingdom."

The knight frowned at the priest. "Thousand Leagues should have never been sent on this I can agree. If they can kill the mysterious monster and get back the Crowns of Wisdom, we can at least spy on the empire. This is merely a test of the Six gods."

The priest's eyes passed over her, and the mind dominated slaves. With suspicion but did nothing to act on it. Clemvet had to restrain her laughter at the fools giggling as She led the toys to take their places around the room.

"S-sorry for being late, we ran into a vampire that tried to ambush us."

Clemvet loved watching the two humans argue. She could kill them all now. Then she wouldn't be able to complete her mission to meet and kill the last of the three members of the black Scripture. Scoffing at the new ones, they weren't even worth killing the greenhorns.

"~No need to worry, Sir, we will defend you while you work.~"

Finally, the priests and priestesses gathered around the Miko priestess, mindlessly waiting. Then they began To Clemvet's joy holding herself back, creating magic enchanted stilettos. Her cursed chains are eager to claim her prize. Watching as The Thousand Leagues Astrologer, Cedran, and Beaumarchais came back to life, and weaker due to the lower tier magic used. Clemvet laughed, throwing [Creeping darkness talismans] all over the room.

Clemvet's three toys compelled by [submission Chains] attacked anyone in the room besides herself. Killing everyone in the room as the assassin herself cut loose. It was laughably easy in seconds two of her [raider chains] steales the last crown of Wisdom. Then turned to the last objective, the three surviving members of the black Scripture.

Clemvet lowered her hood. "Hello, you missed your friends' deaths, but don't worry, master wanted me to help you join them."

"Didn't you learn anything after stealing one Crown of wisdom." The red-headed defender shouted.

Clemvet beamed darkly with joy patting the five crowns of Wisdom on her belt. "Oh, these. Feel free to try taking them. Don't blame me if you lose a hand.~We got plenty of time together before my feast. Not that any of you will be leaving here with your blood. Or arms Entoma needs a gift after all for helping me. ~"

She crouched low, taking in her three targets, the redhead taking the defensive front. Beaumarchais readying his weak chains, and a thousand leagues cowering in the back with her magic monster bag. Clemvet's only problem was the time limit before the guards realized something was wrong in the sealed room.

'Maybe I should pay a visit to the last Scriptures before I go. Master will be sure to reward me, even more, ruining the military might of this rotten country.' Clemvet licked her lips before charging her prey stood little chance.

-Temple of the new four gods-

Rita greeted the vampire priest as their group entered the temple. It was a little surprising to see so many here. When it first got finished, few people were there for the grand opening. Now many people came and went through the high vaulted halls of the entrance.

The pale blue-haired vampire priest bowed. "It is a pleasure to meet the champion of the emperor god. What Can I do for you, lady Rita and your friends?"

Rita didn't know if she would ever be fully used to being considered a noble lady again. Lightly smiling at the kind vampire priest. "I wanted to get a copy of the new book. I also wanted to ask about why…Jester was added to the fourth spot."

The vampire priest gains an energetic flair; she didn't think possible for an undead. Achieving a smile that almost split his face in half, leading them inside the temple filled with paints and sculptures of all four new gods.

"With pleasure, our guiding light, our goddess Jester personally had us create a book, especially for you. It should answer any questions you have."

Arche shared a look with Rita before asking. "I thought you would be answering questions."

The vampire priests smile back, but his eyes held Rita's attention with a gleam. That told her this vampire priest would not talk till they were alone. Rita couldn't see any hostility from him or hidden magic weapons.

She kneeled down and encouraged Kevlar to go keep the children together and explore the main temple of the four gods. While Arche went off with her two underlings leaving Rita to follow the priest to a private room.

The room itself had three other undead in the room, all of the priests and priestess of the temple. Which confused her a little undead should be weak to divine magic like she was. So far, she had only seen undead acting as priests healing those who need healing regardless of undead or living.

"I see you are confused, lady Rita. Is it my nature or that undead make up the majority of healers and faithful of the temple of the undead gods?"

The vampire opened a small box with a little black book with her name on it. It looked too small to hold all the information she was after. The vampire held it out to her, allowing her to take it. "Both, I guess. I know many undead and creatures that where considered monsters have flocked to the empire of night and Sorcerer kingdom. Yet I still don't understand why undead would choose this line of work."

The vampire laughed at her conflicted eyes. "You sound just like Arche's friend Roberdyck. When he first came here with questions. I am sure you will leave just as enlightened as he was."

"You must understand in some way even if you don't know it. You are one of the goddesses chosen creations made by her and her big brother."

Rita's eyes widened in shock, the only ones who should know that where at Nazarick. Her hand shooting to her sword, she needs to know how he learned that. The vampire stayed calm, his hands together in front of him the kind smile never changing.

"Enough Brother Magnus, you are scaring her. Sorry about him, he forgets our jobs are to keep our goddess secrets and move her mysterious goals forward."

Then a third holy undead came forward nest to the pale, raven-haired sister with a collar around her neck. The third was only bones in robes with glowing orange eyes. "We will answer what we can, but you know how our goddess is like. She only reveals information as needed."

"What are those goals, and how long have you been following jester?"

The vampire lost some of his cheer. "You already know her goals. Where you not there when they talked about it. While we have been left to guess with the Tasks, we are given."

Rita was there, but she had no idea what YGGDRASIL was besides a collection of 9 leaf's on a tree. They were also Nine worlds that Kyuketsuki was from. She didn't know how any of that worked or what would be needed to recreate it. Frowning, this didn't tell her anything she didn't already know, and worse, they didn't seem to know either.

"Ok, how long have you been serving Jester?"

The lich answered next. "Since we were called by the goddesses champion's wave of darkness. It had brought many who had their doubts about the empire and Sorcerer king out. It had helped guide and lead the lost and scattered those who have long been hunted or hiding."

Rita remembered the wave. She wondered what the tide of darkness really was. Kathrin would want to know about this if they had dangerous goals. "For what reason?"

The Dullahan she realized smiled at Rita. "To finally live in peace any task the goddess gives. It is for both her brother and her own goals to create a city, no a nation where undead and other monsters no longer need fear or hide. Under the undead gods, we shall finally have the chance to have a family and live in peace like before my death. Is that not what you want as well?"

Rita couldn't believe she doubted such an honest person. She had rarely seen such honesty even in living people. Taking her hand away from her sword. "Yes, I seek to purge the world of those like Eight fingers, the demon emperor, and dragon lords. Who makes those seeking only to live in peace suffer for their own amusement."

The lich carefully took Rita's hand in her skeletal hands. "Would you like to pray with us before we talk more?"

-Kyuketsuki-

As he pushed open the door to the tavern, he was greeted to the suspicious stares of the crowded shady pub. Keeping his hood up with Shalltear close to his side in her own hood. The customers Whispered all around them. Few people came up to Re-Ulovale this close to the Argland Council State border.

Grimacing at the work of the past two months, he had gotten lucky finding so many players just hiding in the sorcerer kingdom. Twenty players, half of which were below the mid-level danger of 50. Ten of the humanoid players found where around level twenty, so Kyuketsuki had shadow demons watching them. Sadly not all of them were put on the watch list ten. Which were near or at level 50 rejected his offer and became a possible enemy the dragon lord could recruit against him. Forcing him to kill them quietly so they couldn't become a danger in the future.

Taking a few steps in, he faked a stumble as Shalltear caught him. Making many ignore them while Jester alerted him to a five-player party, they were around level 40 too high to be left alone. He had Shalltear help him over to the table. All still young by his standards, the oldest couldn't be more than 39.

Once they were close enough, she saw all of them had drinks. [silent: time stop] standing upright at everything frozen around them. Kyuketsuki didn't want to kill them, not because he cared but his only disdain for unneeded blood and death. They could be random travelers. If not for the brightness dragon lord headed here, he might believe that.

'I can't take the chance they could be here for the dragon lord.' Taking out five potions of [Harmonizing condition: indoctrination] This would be temporary total loyalty. Still, as long as they killed each other, it was a super tier potion well worth using. Emptying each mug and filling it with the brew followed by a [Delayed: false odor] [delayed: false taste].

Shalltear smirked, staying in place while he got back to his position before freezing time. "Remember to get them to drink first. Before moving to plan B if that fails."

As time restarted, someone yelled about being wet on the far side of the bar. "Hello, good travelers. How can we help you?"

Watching three take a sip, unnoticed by the two focused on them, who mindlessly started to guzzle the drink.

"We…just came up from the Roble kingdom, escaping…the demon emperor with our lives. Only to find undead roaming the road. Perhaps you could tell us what's going on."

The second woman sipped her drink, clenching her fist as she began to be affected by his brew. She spoke up in an angry whisper. "The undead king is what happened almost as bad as the demon emperor."

The fiery redhead hushed her harshly, whispering back. "Quiet, you know we need to stay low a little longer. They could be spies."

Kyuketsuki wanted to smirk as he faked a fall on the "injured leg." Falling in a way that spilled some of the drink but got the fiery red head man to down some of the potion. With all of them at least partly under the influence, he could get on to phase two. As long as he made it look believable.

"So sorry, my leg, you see, is badly hurt, and if not for my dear wife, I probably would have died. I kept telling her to leave me behind, but she was stubborn as a mule."

Shalltear played her part, helping him stand again. "Of course, I could never leave you, darling."

"No, it's ok. We know how hard it is these days." The red-haired warrior drank more of his drink to show it was fine.

Most of then dropped their guard as one offered to heal his leg. Offering him a seat, which he took, but. "Save your healing for those who need it. I am only one old man. Now, please tell me why such kind and strong strangers are doing out here."

One at the back answered, entirely unable to fight the super tier elixir. The combined lack of passive poison detection, time stop counters, and high-level mental defense items doomed them. Which would make this go better than the last encounter. Kyuketsuki wouldn't even need to pull out his Therus marrow mask.

"Well, after surviving waves of the demon emperor. We saw the undead walk-in commanded by someone going by Ainz Ooal Gown took power, like the name of the evil guild. Emperors rumored to be worse with a vampire lord. Anyway, we got contacted by some guy saying-

"Lestra, stop, they don't need to know that. They might not even be headed the same way."

Messaging the fourth one with green and yellow hair to force the redhead to finish his drink. Three were entirely under the effects the brunette woman was now guzzling down the last of her drink.

Shalltear waved away the waitress, telling them they were ok. With the last of them done choking down the potion, the act was only for the onlookers now. "Please, my old ears need to hear all of this story, youngin."

"The messenger said some man would pay us enough to get to the safety of the Argland Council State. If we could rescue the great-granddaughter of the Brightness Dragon Lord. Some lady named Draudillon Oriculus."

The closest brunette woman slammed her drink down. "Can't wait for the guy to show up and get us out of this undead infected town full of cowards!"

All the customers glanced at them before looking away. Smart move by the dragon lord sadly, he found this little plan. This was mostly why a dragon lord was headed here. He could respect this, but neither could he let this chance go.

Smirking under his hood. Having all of them whisper before commanding them to follow Shalltear and do as she says. "Thank you for the table, please be gentle with my wife and thank-k you for allowing me to travel with you lot." Faking a fearful, desperate, and defeated voice.

Many began to whisper as Shalltear brought them out to the back alley. Where they would be killed and added to the pile of dead mid-level players for Ainz and himself to use in creating undead.

Ordering one drink to make the act work while Kettor waited for Shalltear to return. The only thing he could think of was that they would become his enemies anyway. It was still odd to consider some of the new players didn't know the name Ainz Ooal Gown. Some older ones did either fearing the name or avoiding it. Had they been less hostile, he might have put them on the watch list or offered them his deal.

Their body language told him all he needs to know. It wasn't too long before Shalltear came back with the fake limp. Some of the cloak torn. His mistake before had been not having a real back story for the mask he realized. Combined with his lack of knowledge, made the act obvious.

Now after a few tries, he had a pretty good back story. The Roble Holy Kingdom had no way to confirm or deny his word. None would question travelers on it or want to go there for fear of the demon emperor. Plus, the lost old couple guise was strangely working for him.

Plus, few onlookers would question the honor of travelers doing horrible acts. The good deeds could work too, but it was a bit more showing and only for those he didn't plan to kill.

"My lord, how long are we going to be waiting."

Kyuketsuki sighed at Jester's answer in the message spell. "A few hours Shalltear the dragon is having coitus, Jester stop describing it. I don't need to hear details about how dragons have sex!"

Shalltear had an envious glare at the table, knowing that only being a few feet apart, the act required staying proper.

{I pay that I can defend all those close to me.}

{Rita why are you messaging me.}

{Wait, my emperor, prayers are really [message] spells? So, what is a message spell between gods count as.}

{What no why would you think that.}

{Well, I started praying and got connected to you like a message spell. Why did you never tell me supreme one or was this another test by lady Kathrin?}

{What no Rita prayers are not [message] spells. Besides, we have been over this; supreme beings are far above gods. I have hunted and slain hundreds of them.}

{Oh, I get it, so your naturally divine because you have taken the power of hundreds of those that abuse their power on weak mortals. That is so dreamy I only hope I can reach that same power level one day.}

Kyuketsuki slumped his head on the table. Rita had finally been infected with the crazy logic all of Nazarick had. He tried for the next few hours and only succeeded at securing Rita's idea about [message] spells and praying.

-Three hours later-

Kyuketsuki didn't know what annoyed him more waiting. Having Shalltear start to tease him with dirty whispers or Rita confusing praying with the [message] spell and his divinity. He tried to correct her, but somehow Jester had had a statue with a message spell to activated upon praying. Making it impossible, He would admit it was a good prank if it didn't give him a headache.

His plan was to use the ploy of both Ainz and him being gods to build up more trust to their people, mostly Kathrin's idea. Supported by Jester testing and growing her power, it seemed like a good idea. Only now he would have to deal with Rita really thinking him a god or some divine being.

He didn't have time to think about the unexpected results of the plan as a man in a fancy suit walked in. He could see the aura of the Dragonlord soul. Something he was glad Jester taught him to do.

Kettor waved him over with [triple: mimic archetype], creating three near-perfect replicas of three of the Five dead players. As a way to test the dragon and confuse onlookers. The man in the suit narrowed his eyes before walking up to the table. "Hello old friend, I believe you had a deal for us."

The blonde man narrowed his eyes, taking the seat. "I was expecting other people, not monsters. Perhaps you would like to wait a little longer for the others to arrive."

It was a danger being this close to the border. Kettor wasn't sure how dangerous multiple dragon lords would be at once. Luckily, he had a trump card for this prepared to lure the dragon lord into the non-wild magic zone. Which would make the dragon lord practically helpless in a fight.

"We could. But if in 30 minutes, we aren't back in my empire, your great-granddaughter will die. I will be leaving at that time, as well."

The Brightness dragon lord hissed under his breath as Shalltear hushed him. He had more to risk if the death knights found him, which would aid the emperor in the fight.

"You are just like Tsaindorukusu said. Proving players can't be trusted. What's to stop me from fighting you right now."

Kyuketsuki smirked under his hood. "And you are just like every other dragon so prideful. Has it occurred to you that She would be dead before you got there even if you killed me? Even if you did get there, your powers would be useless. That's why every dragon lord hasn't rushed my palace all at once, even after two months."

The blonde humanoid settles back in his seat, unable to fight the truth. They both valued families too much to risk losing them. "What do you want to spare her."

Kyuketsuki might actually feel bad if he knew the dragon wouldn't do the same to him. "Your dragon lord soul and all the information you know about the other dragon lords."

"You expect me to die and betray my kin. Dragons are already a dying breed thanks to destroyers like you. Or worse, slaves used like cattle to carry your goods. Once I am dead, what's to stop you from killing her?"

At this, Kyuketsuki gave a fanged smile of respect. This dragon was smart. He almost reminded him of Peroroncino based on what Jester told him by not shutting up about the perverted dragon. Which actually made him halt for a second. He knew his friend wasn't coming back. No matter how much he missed him feeling the familiar desire to learn. He could almost see the phantom of his lost friend.

Fighting with it, no, he wouldn't resort to that. It would just be a false mirror. 'Is it because it would betray someone who left you or your own fear of this class.' Kettor mulled over everything he knew. Could he really count on the dragon's trust? It could rejoin the other dragon lords against him later. The idea in his head was horrible on so many levels, but Jester had a point there was too good a chance he would end up killing this dragon later. The only way to ovoid that was altering it into something else entirely. What caused him to hesitate the most was the fear the deeper he got into understanding the world-class, the greater Jester could control him. She had already proven that by tricking him into being blood-related to her

'Don't fear me; I only did that to prove your trust. I would never do anything to hurt my onii-chan. Trust me, please, I promise not to do something like that again.'

He should know better than to trust her only his resolve could not hold hearing the gentle wavering voice of his little sister. What remained of his heart washed the resolve he had away.

"Well, are you just going to sit there or give me a reason not to stall you longer?"

Kyuketsuki put up an illusion for onlookers of a gray-haired scarred old man, as he lowered his hood. The dragon either saw through it or had an item to allow him to. "There are three things I value above all else dragon: my word, my family, and living better than my past-self. This process won't end you; I will not harm either you or your granddaughter so long as you side with Nazarick and me. Finally, if you agree to my terms, I will ensure you both live long and happy lives till you die of old age."

The disguised dragon lord leaned close. "What proof do I have she is even still alive. Let alone that I should believe a destroyer of worlds like you."

Kyuketsuki reached into his inventory under the table, pulling out a hand mirror. Sliding it over to the blonde humanoid dragon. "This is a unique mirror Think of someone you hold close to you to see them so long as you are on the same plane as them. It can last one hour every day and can only be used twice a day, recharging off your mana to use it."

The dragon lord eyes him before using the mirror, seeing Draudillon, he guessed. He was silent, but listening now, Kettor was glad he could avoid the blood bath. The people of this town would suffer the most if a fight broke out.

The dragon lord was very uncomfortable agreeing; his eyes reflected the battle in his mind, between the survival of his kind and his great-granddaughter. Finally, his family won out as he let out a long deep, ragged breath. "You act like a devil for an undead."

Kyuketsuki smirked at him as if to confirm the accusation. "For those I hold dear, I will become your devil if it means I keep them safe and away from war."

-Palace courtyard-

Kathrin had the royal guards waiting as the dragon lord came through his illusion magic failed, showing his true dragon form. Followed by Shalltear and Kyuketsuki coming through as the [gate] closed.

Kyuketsuki turned to the dragon pulling out the tiny world gem shard smaller than most. Which had been created still, it shined with the telltale sign of the void colors. Which only Kyuketsuki could make out. The dragons face soured at the small gem shard.

"I found a way to remove the essence of a dragon lord soul. This is Draudillon's shard smaller than most, but she only had a little dragon blood in her. As you saw, she is still alive, as will you be."

The brightness dragon lord scowled, staring down Kyuketsuki with suspicion. "So, what would you like to know first? I assume since you haven't removed my soul, you want me to talk first."

Kyuketsuki hummed in thought as if thinking about it; he knew once he did what he was planning. All the information not gotten would be lost, and he didn't know how much time he could give Carnival. Even with the 25 players either under watch or dead. How many had he missed in the sorcerer kingdom? How many might be in the empire already?

"How many dragon lords are there besides yourself."

The Brightness dragon lord sat there a few minutes, probably contemplating lying to him, before gaining a glint in his eyes. Kyuketsuki couldn't be sure what it was. "Eleven that I know of, and one is actually flying near here. The heavenly dragon lord, would you like to go fight him."

Kyuketsuki narrowed his eyes at the dragon, realizing what may have brought down the flying city of Alvanle city. In fact, the gashes on the sides of the city walls were reported to look a lot like some kind of giant claw or tail cuts. If that was true, how large could some of these dragon lords get if that thing hit the ground after he killed it then it could devastate his empire. He would need to be careful.

"Nice try, but I see what you are trying to do."

"Next question, where are all the dragon lords located and names, please."

The brightness dragon lord hesitated. He knew giving away that information would allow Jester to find them. Before sighing at Kathrin's growl. Listing off the Diamond, Platinum, Heavenly, Sea, Forest, Storm, Steel, Fairy, Infernal, Winter, and Whip dragon lords, "Nine have gathered at the greed kings castle. I doubt you know where that is. Two are too large to meet them there, so they are roaming around."

Kyuketsuki had to keep himself from showing that He, in fact, did know thanks to Jester and Nigredo divining magic, they had seen the castle. The trouble was the emperor didn't know what kind of traps or pop monster and other creatures would be defending it. If they had another one of the twenty W.C.I., it could be his downfall. He needed a way to draw them out to gain an edge.

They wouldn't come anywhere near his empire or Nazarick with the non-wild magic zone in place over them. What Kettor needs is an area that they would think would give them an advantage but could be used against them. It also had to be an area that he didn't mind getting destroyed in the fight.

Jester shimmered into view, removing her mask Kyuketsuki knew right away this was her avatar. The real Jester was helping keep an eye on everyone. Having to keep her main focuses on Ainz, Simmira, and Clemvet, not that he was too worried about the last one. Clem-chan was probably having a blast teaching the Slane Theocracy a lesson for all the past attacks.

"I am not surprised your working with this scum. Carnival honestly had no idea of how dangerous you really were back then. Had I known, I would have killed you there and then."

Jester scowled at the dragon bringing her hand down, which forced the dragon to the ground by some unseen force. "I remember, I also remember how I asked you for help, and you rejected me."

The brightness dragon lord smirked with a laugh. "I don't do loli spider women, walking corpses with a flat ass, or bloodsuckers that can't suck."

Jester's face turned a shade of red. While Kathrin raised an eyebrow at this. Kyuketsuki himself felt a rising boil inside at this ungrateful dragon lord. He would lose information, but he felt a newfound rage at the sight of the dragon lord, which could only be quelled by a punishment.

"Oh, my champion, I like that idea, don't worry, I can gather the information we need. Please, onii-chan, let's do this!"

The dragon lord gained a panicked look glancing between the pure evil looks. "Hey! Hey, now we have a deal, and I only touched her a little bit. She agreed to it. That's part of the reason I spared her. You liked it. I remember you screaming that out!"

The perverted words only increased his rage, followed by Jester smirking at the dragon with a sad look right at her big brother. "It was nice…up until I woke up to find it was a one-night stand. With my partner gone in the morning."

Kyuketsuki snapped his fingers as Kathrin stepped forward. [lighting storm chains] reaching out chains of crackling light tightly trapped all the dragon lords' limbs and wings. The royal guard encircled the dragon magic enchanted spears out behind a wall of shields. The air guard circled above with the newly installed siege weapons looked with huge bolts at the ready.

"You know I had reservations about this till I found out you left my sister heartbroken. Peroroncino would have at least stayed the whole night. I won't kill you; this will be much worse."

Approaching the dragon as Kyuketsuki focused his mind envisioning Peroroncino seeing his friend. Every moment together, all the good and bad times, everything that was part of Peroroncino. The world darkened around him as the courtyard lost its color covering everything in shifting shades of darkness.

Seeing a ghost of his friend materialize not a copy or some double but the real one. As if it had been transported here with him, reaching out a hand hesitating this action would take something from him. He could feel it, but then Momonga wouldn't be the only one here with him. He could talk with his friend again. It would be like they never left.

Taking a deep breath, and a whisper escaped his undead lips. "[Muketsu eternal curse: source distortion] [Muketsu blood blessing] [Blight rebirth]"

The world rippled around him in slow motion as his hand reached into the colorless rainbow colors of the void into the ghost of his friend. As he did so, he felt his knowledge of spells lessen, checking the mental list watching the number drop till 90 spells where missing. The world pulsed as his hand grasped something in the numbed coldness of the void.

It felt like thousands of eyes were watching him the whole time, slowly and carefully pulling out his arm with a sickly glowing data crystal. Hearing the forgotten whispers of the void walking towards the dragon. With each step, he got closer to some invisible line halting only a foot in front of the dragon.

Glancing back at Muketsu, the darkness was edging closer, yet it had not moved in this colorless view. 'Don't hesitate, this is what you and her desire, what you crave. The toll has been taken, and the pact is accepted.'

This wasn't Jester, nor was it himself. It was something else the source of Jester's power. "Who are you?"

The invisible eyes all around him blinked, and he found himself blinking as well. "We are The Unnamed Darkness, which stares back from the abyss—the endless void which sees all and grants your unspeakable wish. Child of Cainabel, all you would have to do is ask, and it would be so."

Kyuketsuki got the feeling Tabula would love talking to this what would he even call it. Some cosmic horror, some outer god, or something else entirely. This only raises his question of what were its limits? If he could fight and kill it, would he be able to use its powers freely? Even if he couldn't kill it, the fight it would offer would be monumental. It got his blood pumping faster.

"Curious child of Cainabel We will not tolerate such hesitation much longer. Use the gift, or give it back, and we shall return what you have sacrificed."

Kyuketsuki refocused on the dragon lord seeing tendrils reaching only he could see. Moving quickly, he pushed the shining data crystal into the dragon's head. There was a blinding flash of void colors, and color rushes back into his vision. Kettor was pushed back off his feet by the unseen pulse of darkness.

The dragon lord let out a shrill cry that didn't fit with a dragon but more like a bird. As scales melted off into black sludge, the wings went limp as it struggled to get free. Even hearing a few bones snapped in the wild rush to get loose. Unable to get free as its body melted away into nothingness.

As it did, he started to see feathers the dragon snout slimmed down into a bird-like beak, its body shrinking in size, losing mass. Becoming more humanoid but keeping a bird's wings with bird talons for hands and feet with feathery arms and legs. Shalltear gasped, watching in shock as this wretched dragon lord was turned in to her creator.

Even this person's energy grew to match his old friends, but this wasn't done. Peroroncino started to cough, spitting out a small void gem that Kyuketsuki picked up. The remains of the dragon lords power. Drinking a mana potion and fusing the two world gem shards into one with [tainted fusion].

Stepping back as he saw his Old friend get to his knees before standing up. Fearing this might be a mistake watching him take in the strange surroundings. Would he hate him for selfishly pulling him here? Would he be angry?

"Hey Kyuketsuki, where are we. I was in the middle of work thinking of how to score a trap for this new H-game, which just came out. Then I found myself here. Why do I have my YGGDRASIL avatar body? This is different. Wow, I can feel my wings, and I have all my senses. Is this another dream?"

Shalltear rushed up and hugged her creator with happy tears in her eyes. "Lord Peroroncino! Lord Kyuketsuki somehow brought you back."

Kettor was happy only he had so much to explain, and his friend would need his weapons and gear back to help. With the two of them, they were sure to win with the plan he had in mind. It wouldn't matter what players Carnival could gather if he could kill all the remaining dragon lords at once in a two-part trap.

"Before I tell you, we should get your clothes. Shalltear you do realize you're touching him naked, right?"

Shalltear didn't seem to mind as Peroroncino gave a rather lewd hug. "Kyuketsuki, have you changed my cute little Shalltear while I was away. I remember her having fewer curves and a slightly smaller bust."

Kyuketsuki gave a proud smirk at his friend. "Oh, I have no idea how that happened, but I did conquer Shalltear's cute little heart, among other things."

"Oh, I need to see this. You could be lying like with T.I.T.S. tricking me into revealing the trick to get them. Where is Bukubukuchagama?"

Kyuketsuki was torn between telling him the truth and trying to pull the others here. Pulling Peroroncino here already dropped his spell list by 90 of them, he would have to check to find out which ones were lost.

-Rita-

She was reading through the small book. Which somehow had enough pages worth of information of a book ten times its size. Covering hundreds of years of knowledge hidden as the guise of a holy book of the four undead gods. Jester was a master of deception. Even this small plain-looking book with her name held even the past accounts of the emperor's memories in the original world earth. Even more is magically hidden inside notes, which required her magic sight to see. The talk with the vampire priest, Dullahan priestess, and lich priestess had shown her the positives to the supreme being's plan. Also, she now had to question since message spells were prayers to him and Kathrin. What did that make message spells between Ainz and Kyuketsuki?

Hearing the doors open as the many people came out of the service for today. Closing the book, thankful for the magic, which made the book unopenable in groups of enormous people or while being watched by a person or far-seeing magic. Spotting Arche and the others coming out.

Arche's eyes spotted her new neckless of a skull on a cross with small bats circling it. The symbol of the new four gods. "I see you started following the religion." Her friend pouted at her, which was a little odd given the earlier conversation, which led them here.

Watching the others, each had a similar neckless. "I have believed in supreme beings long before coming here. Don't you believe in them."

Arche let out a long breath. "I will admit the emperor and empress are powerful. Becoming gods after not even a full year of ruling the empire seems a bit much. Even more shocking is just how many people now follow it. Even Roberdyck started pursuing them days after joining a group of roaming priests and priestess of the undead four gods. As if the old four gods never existed. Doesn't that sound strange to you?"

Rita knew far more than her friend, information she couldn't share for her safety. "What is Hekkeran's and Imina's stance on it."

Arche glared at Rita, making her remember that Hekkeran was the last person in the beta packmate project. Imina was the second to be changed. 'That's my bad she can't ask them, nor has she seen than in the last week.' "Sorry, I can ask them later."

"I would rather not know I am grateful to Kyuketsuki, but he is just an emperor to me, not some god. Even if my friends changed their mind for some reason. I am more concerned with taking care of my sisters."

Rita frowned; she could tell them that part of the reason was a blessing and helped further the supreme beings' understanding of magic. This wouldn't change her friend's mind, which meant she would only have a mortal lifespan. While Rita had no idea how long she would live or if she could still die of old age. Which as the book, the vampire priest gave her an understanding of why the supreme being made her immortal (immune to old age and sickness).

Vowing that she would look after the Eeb Rile Furt line. It was the least she could do for her friend. Putting the dark thoughts away for now. "So, kids want to get something to eat and hear more of my stories."

The children cheered while seeing Sinadra and Normick sneak off for personal time together. Leaving Rita to show the children the right way, she wouldn't allow them to be swept up by evil groups like eight fingers.

"How are you so hungry all the time? It has only been a few hours after lunch."

Rita rubbed the back of her head. She couldn't say that her magic core was still only a little above half empty. "Training and shapeshifting take up a lot of energy."

Arche huffed before pouting again. "You're overworking yourself again, aren't you? You know it's not healthy. You can sometimes relax, Rita."

Rita was thankful she took the lie. She wasn't sure if she would ever accept the truth. This is what it took to fight evil, even if it cost her humanity. "You know I can't do that. If I am not on guard at all times, I could fail to protect the people of the empire like an elite knight should. Now come on, I don't want to waste an off day with my friend fighting."

Arche grumbled but accepted as Rita put an arm around her shoulder. Before, an invisible wave of energy passed through her. Kathrin informed Rita shortly after not taking too long to get back to the palace for some critical celebration.

-End of Chapter-