Into the Pandemonium

by StarKnight2.0

Part 2 of "Somewhere Far Beyond." Things are beginning to heat up. Follow Gareth and Kane as they dodge enemies and assume new roles. Ainz follows the path of the Overlord while battling a mysterious rival who wants nothing more than to see Nazarick burn. Meanwhile, secrets are unearthed and ancient powers are awakened, threatening both the players and the New World.

4. Nights

(a/n: I hope you enjoy this chapter! Leave a review and all that. Big thanks to Lucius Walker for his help)

---

Ch.4: Nights

The Good Companions departed Arven at noon. Although Gareth and Kane had planned to depart much earlier, the city's authorities had tightened security and were questioning everyone coming in and out of the city. As they waited in a long line of wagons and travelers hoping to leave the city, Kane overheard some of the guards whispering and complaining. Apparently, one of the patrons of the House of Silk was a close and personal friend of the Mayor. As soon as the whole "dancing ordeal" was over, the man went crying to the leader of the city and demanded that he arrest the masked renegade who made him dance like a fool for a good portion of the evening. On top of that, the two brothers heard that a substantial reward was being offered for this "trouble maker." When it came to their turn, the four adventurers were asked a series of questions and asked to empty their bags.

They complied, and when the soldiers were satisfied, the adventurers were allowed through.

Gareth was glad that he put his mask in his Inventory and had not left it in his pack. It wasn't anything special, just an item he got for free on YGGDRASIL during a Christmas event. He just didn't want to be caught right away and thrown into jail, or worse.

With Arven behind them, the Good Companions were well on their way to Arwintar.

According to the map they bought on a previous trip, Baharuth's capital city was a few days journey from the fortress city. Along the way there were a few small villages and one large town before the capital. This would give them a chance to see the countryside, meet new people, and allow Gareth to practice pretending to be a bard.

One of the main objectives the brothers had set up for themselves is to visit the Bard's Guild, sign up for the contest and win big. There were a few minor side objectives for them to fulfill, which included additional resource collecting and taking on jobs. The brothers had sent off the money they had won in the dice game early that morning, so as to avoid any awkward questions. Although the money was still a substantial amount, neither Gareth nor Kane were ready to go home yet. They still had things to do, and they wanted to give Caroline and the others time to help Arras and the others time to adjust to life in the village.

As Arven gradually shrank into the distance behind them, Gareth thought of Maggie and felt a little guilty. They had promised that they'd be in town for at least a week, but had surprised her by saying that they were heading out that day.

They explained that they were heading to the Adventurer's Guild, and probably won't be back for a little while. When asked why, Kane made up an excuse, saying that there were apparently some big jobs that needed to be done right away. The red headed young woman was visibly disappointed, but she wished them luck and hoped that they'd come back when they finished their job.

Gareth promised her, and he meant it. It may take some time, but he truly did want to visit Maggie again. There were some things that he needed to take care of first. Aside from the contest in Arwintar, the biggest obstacle they needed to take care of was Eight Fingers. The criminal organization controlled Re-Estize and were growing powerful in Arven. It was likely that the heart of their criminal enterprise would be closer to the seat of power and commerce, the Imperial Capital. Arwintar dwarfed Arven and was the beating heart of Baharuth. It'd be easier to keep tabs on everything that goes on in the Empire. Plus, from what they heard, Arwintar's slave market was far bigger and way worse than Arven's.

Once they finished sightseeing and participating in the contest, Gareth had some ideas of how they can shake things up for Eight Fingers. What he did in the House of Silk was just the beginning. If they pull this off, then maybe they'll cause serious problems for the criminal organization.

Gareth smiled and took a deep breath of fresh afternoon air. The road stretched on for miles ahead, and the bard was cautiously optimistic of what was coming.

---

Gonzalo the Heretic hated his life. A bit of an exaggeration, but he was very unhappy at the moment. The former priest actually loved his life, at least until he was branded a heretic and banished from his homeland. Even then he felt angry with himself and with the world. What made him feel very unhappy was the fact that he was shackled to this blonde lunatic.

"Aw, why so grumpy?" Clementine cooed, a wide grin on her face. "I thought you liked spending time with me?"

"I don't, and I never have," the former priest grumbled. "Now move your finger away from my face before I kill you."

"Ooh, so touchy," the blonde murderer giggled as she continued to jab her finger into his cheek.

The two were currently in a closely guarded cell in the Institute of Research and Experimentation. As the blonde murder continued to taunt and poke the former priest's cheek, Gonzalo pondered how he ended up in this situation.

…

After the Cardinals of Light and Darkness had forced him to resurrect the former member of the Black Scripture, Gonzalo was locked up again. Fortunately and ironically, the Cardinals had him locked up in one of the numerous containment cells under the Lotus Scripture's headquarters.

It was a slight improvement from the cell he was in previously. He actually had a nicer bed and was allowed to shave. Gonzalo's amulet was taken from him and locked away again, which made the former priest feel an aching sense of loss and longing. However, after a few days, that feeling had faded away.

Days passed, but he didn't know how long. He tried questioning his guards and the Lotus Scripture's members who brought him his food. Nobody talked. However, as the days passed, Gonzalo could've sworn he heard shouting and screaming coming from outside his cell's door. It sounded like there was a battle outside, though the screams and shouts ended fairly abruptly.

One day, the door to his cell opened, and in stepped Chief Researcher Peddle. The cheerful brown haired woman who replaced him was accompanied with a pair of guards in brown robes. She asked him to accompany her and, with no real choice, complied.

The Chief Researcher and her guards led Gonzalo out of his cell and down a lengthy corridor, past other cells. He could hear the muffled moans, sobs, and screams of the poor souls who were used in the Scripture's experiments. The unnerving thing about them was that these were the lucky ones.

At the end of the corridor, Gonzalo saw that they were standing outside the maximum security wing of the isolation cells. They called it the "Intensive Care Ward", due to the more volatile and dangerous natures of some of their subjects. On the other side of the thick, magically reinforced door was another row of cells. The Chief Researcher and the others stopped at the one at the far end of the short corridor.

Gonzalo couldn't help but feel a little anxious. He rarely came down to this part of the Institute back in his day, and when he did, it was often unpleasant.

On the other side of the door was a single windowless cell, and within it was a familiar face. Clementine.

The blonde murderer was lying in a bed, chained up and surrounded by glowing magical runes that prevented escape.

"Peddle!" Clementine said, greeting them with a grin. "Come to see if I've croaked yet?"

"Not really," the Chief Researcher said, unfazed by the young woman's words. "From what I hear, you're actually making an excellent recovery. Blood flow is normal, balance and coordination is improving significantly. Why, even your reaction time is getting quicker with each test. I must say that your late night excursion may have helped with that."

"It did, actually. How's Mark's nose?"

"Better, though Roland and Kai still have a long and arduous path to recovery ahead of them. You really did a number on them."

Clementine shrugged. "It's what I do, though if I were at full strength, those poor bastards would be dead."

"Hm, yes," Chief Researcher Peddle said with a frown.

The blonde murderer's cat-like eyes landed on Gonzalo and her smile widened. "Who's this? Did you bring me a playmate because I'm bored as hell down here!"

"Not exactly." The brown haired woman turned to Gonzalo and told him to hold out his arm.

The former priest was hesitant, but complied. He stretched out his right arm. The Chief Researcher rolled up his sleeve and slapped a bronze wristband on his wrist. Gonzalo's eyes widened as he felt a sudden jolt of energy racing up his arm. He cried out in alarm when he felt the wristband grow warm briefly as the runes carved into the metal glowed orange, before cooling down.

The former priest tried to pull the wristband off, but it refused to budge. He noticed that the more he struggled to tear the wristband off, the more it tightened around his wrist and bit into his flesh. After a few moments of struggling to free himself, Gonzalo looked at the Chief Researcher in anger and confusion.

"What the hell is this? What did you do to me?!" the heretic demanded.

"I'm sorry," the brown haired woman said sincerely, "but Cardinal Dracrowa and Cardinal Lagier ordered that you be given this item. It is part of your assignment."

"Assignment? What assignment?"

The Chief Researcher hesitated for a moment and looked toward Clementine. Gonzalo looked at the blonde murderer for a moment. He spied a similar bronze wristband and he felt his blood run cold.

"No…" The former priest breathed. "They-they can't be serious!"

"Oh come on," Clementine giggled. "It's not all bad, old man. I don't bite...much."

"Why?!"

"It's part of your penance," Chief Researcher Peddle told Gonzalo. "They said that if you wish to redeem yourself and avoid suffering the ultimate penalty, you will wear this wristband and watch over Miss Clementine."

"Why?"

The brown haired woman shrugged. "I'm not sure really. Aside from that, they've ordered me to have you assist me in getting Miss Clementine back to full health in a few days. By then, they will come and check on our progress. Beyond that…"

Gonzalo sighed and, after some contemplation on what the Cardinals may be planning, the former priest acquiesced. From then on, for the remainder of the week, Gonzalo worked alongside Chief Researcher Peddle in helping Clementine get back to full health. Fortunately, most of the hard stuff was already done. Healers from the Lotus Scripture aided the recovery process, and the Chief Researcher force fed Clementine a series of healing potions. The former member of the Black Scripture was stubborn. She made it clear that she didn't want to do what the Cardinals wanted and swore up and down that once she recovered, she was going to butcher everyone in the Institute of Research and Experimentation.

Fortunately, the Lotus Scripture had formidable security measures, and a squad of men from the Cardinal's Personal Guard arrived to keep the fugitive killer from escaping. She made a few more escape attempts, but was stopped each time by the Cardinal's handpicked knights, though not before a small list of injuries and casualties. The last attempt was perhaps the worst. Fortunately, the leader of the Cardinal's Guard intervened and stopped Clementine before she could escape. The leader was a fierce man with platinum blond hair named Siegfried, and was probably one of the only people in the capital, aside from the Cardinals and Clementine, who scared Gonzalo deeply.

During the last attempt, Gonzalo spied on the two as they fought in the gardens, close to the outer walls. Clementine, clad in a plain white gown and the skimpy blood stained armor she wore when she was brought in, was staring down Siegfried. The blonde murderer had gained a nasty cut on her face, her dress was torn, and her armor was damaged even further. Siegfried looked relatively unscathed, his silver armor shone dully in the light of the moon.

The former priest watched as they fought. Clementine was fast, but Siegfried's was able to match her. Additionally, the knight's armor afforded him more protection than his opponent. She was a golden streak as she zipped about, searching for an opening. She attacked, lunging with a dagger she stole from a guard she killed. Siegfried parried and punched her in the gut with a gauntleted fist. Clementine was sent tumbling across the grass. She was on all fours, crouching low like a feral cat. Gonzalo noticed that the blonde murderer was holding something. Siegfried noticed it as well and his hand went to his head. She managed to slice off a small clump of Siegfried's hair.

"Hmm, Lavender," Clementine purred after sniffing the hair in her hand. "Always thought you pampered lap dogs were just that, never thought there'd be someone as tough or sexy as you. So how about it, big guy? Think you could let little ol' me walk free. I promise to make it worth your while."

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen," Siegfried said, looking down on his opponent. "Clementine, the former Ninth Seat of the Black Scripture. I heard that you were one of the best, but look at you now. You're nothing more than a pitiful degenerate. You're brother was right to disown you."

In all his time with the blonde murderer, Gonzalo never saw her be bothered by anything. She'd always smile and try to get under everyone's skin. However, it seems that Siegfried had struck a nerve. Clementine's cheery and playful exterior grew angry and serious.

"What did you say?" she growled.

"Your brother was right to disown you. Who would want to be related to a worthless brat like you. Hell, your former comrades were right to strike your name from their records. Good riddance!"

Gonzalo watched the blonde murderer as the knight continued to taunt and mock her. Clementine's expression displayed growing rage and murderous intent.

"You never could hack it, could you? The burden of responsibility and duty, the expectations that our country had on you. You ran away at the first sign of trouble, and murdered an innocent girl and stole one of our most sacred treasures. Aside from a passing resemblance, I just don't see how you are related to the man they call 'the One Man Army'. I can see why your mother and father loved him more than you."

"Shut up!" Clementine snarled and launched herself at her opponent, streaking like an arrow fired from a crossbow.

By then, Gonzalo knew that the battle was over. Clementine attempted to strike a gap between sections of Sigfreid's armor, but the knight grabbed her wrist and directed her into a nearby tree. There was a loud thud and crack, and the blonde murderer went limp.

"Come out now, heretic," Siegfried said, not looking away from Clementine's bruised and motionless body. "Tend to her injuries and take her back to her cage."

Gonzalo rushed forward from his hiding place and healed her as best as he could. The rest of the guards arrived on the scene and dragged Clementine back inside. Ever since then, the blonde murderer has ceased her escape attempts. Which was good and bad for Gonzalo.

When Clementine stopped escaping, there were less deaths and injuries around the Institute. Unfortunately, that meant that she spent more time with him. She'd tease him and do whatever she could to get under his skin. She'd study him with those cat-like ruby eyes, as if trying to sniff out a vulnerability, and taunt him. Gonzalo didn't enjoy it, but was glad that she wasn't trying to kill him. But why didn't she try to kill him? Was it because they were both outcasts from the Theocracy? Was it because he was the only one who would talk to her and attempted to treat her like a human being? No. The reality was that was because Gonzalo was the only person in the Institute she couldn't hurt. During one of his early visits, the blonde murderer attempted to sneak up on him and strangle him to death. Fortunately, before she could wrap her hands around his throat, the runes on Clementine's wristband glowed orange, and she was sent flying across the cell. Needless to say, the blonde murderer wasn't pleased with this new information.

Later, Gonzalo brought this up with Chief Researcher Peddle, who seemed genuinely pleased and surprised by what he told her. She jotted down something in a small book she brought with her when she paid him a visit in his cell. When prompted, Peddle revealed a few interesting tidbits of information. The wristbands were recently discovered in a mysterious crypt far to the southeast of the Holy Capital, a few miles from the coast, near the Rhoynar Sea. The Archeological Division had been sent to investigate a strange discovery that a farmer and his family found a year ago, when they were digging a new well for their village. They found an ancient door sealed by magic, and, after some digging, the Archeological Division broke through and discovered a magnificent trove of artifacts and items within. It was the greatest discovery of the age.

From what Peddle was able to puzzle out of the wristbands, they were used as a means of containing and controlling a creature. One wristband was used on the intended target, and the second was used by a person hoping to control them. In theory, the band creates a bond between the two, preventing one from killing the other, and the one with the control band would be able to restrain and direct the one with the other band.

"What happens if one of us dies?" Gonzalo asked Peddle, as the two talked one evening about the wristbands.

Peddle shrugged. "I don't know. There are some theories but, to be safe, I'd recommend that you be careful and that you make sure Clementine lives."

The former priest swallowed and nodded.

…

Gonzalo snapped out of his thoughts as the door to the cell opened. Clementine stopped and looked toward the door. Standing in the doorway was Sigfreid. The platinum blond knight wore his silver armor and blue cloak. He regarded the two in the cell with disgust and stepped aside.

"So Siggy, come for round 2?" Clementine asked with a grin.

"Come," he said stiffly, gesturing to them to leave the cell. "Now. The Cardinals wish to see you."

"Ooh, do you hear that Gonzo? We get to go and see a collection of old farts and hear them babble on about shit nobody cares about."

Sigfreid scowled, causing Gonzalo to swallow hard.

"What she's trying to say is that we're already on our way," he said quickly, already on his feet and out the door. He gave the silent command for Clementine to follow, and she did, albeit reluctantly.

Siegfried and his knights escorted the two misfits out of the Institute's dungeon, passing through the identical labyrinthine corridors of the Institute until they reached a pair of doors. The platinum-blond knight knocked on the doors and opened them. Bright sunlight poured through the opening, causing Gonzalo and Clementine to blink furiously and shield their eyes. It's been a while since either of them had seen sunlight, and it took a little while for their eyes to adjust.

"Move," one of the knights growled, shoving Gonzalo and Clementine through the doorway.

Once Gonzalo's eyes adjusted to the light, he discovered that they were in a spacious chamber with tall windows that allowed the interior to be bathed in radiant sunlight. Across from Gonzalo, Cementine, and their escort, the former priest saw a long table. At that table sat all six Cardinals of the Slane Theocracy. The former priest's blood ran cold. The six most powerful clerics in the country all turned their attention toward the new arrivals, which made Gonzalo feel self-conscious.

He knew he should've shaved this morning.

"Thank you, Siegfried," Cardinal Lauransan said with a nod.

The platinum-blond knight nodded, and, along with the rest of the guards, withdrew from the chamber. The door closed behind them like the closing of a casket. The atmosphere of the chamber was icy as the six Cardinals studied the heretic and the blonde murderer. Gonzalo's hands fidgeted nervously, which forced him to ball them into fists to keep them steady. Clementine looked bored, though she avoided directly looking at the six eminent clerics. Every now and then, she tugged at the collar of the plain white dress she wore. The homicidal blonde had complained of the dress's size and how it made her look like "an old maid." Despite her numerous complaints and demands for her old clothing, Clementine was stuck in that plain dress.

The former priest worried that the blonde murderer was going to attack the Cardinals, seeing how there were no guards positioned in the room with them. Surprisingly, as the seconds ticked by, Clementine didn't seem in the least bit interested in attempting to kill the clerics before her. Gonzalo felt that the bronze wristband that was stuck to her wrist was part of the reason. The other reason being that the six Cardinals, despite being alone and unarmed, were far more dangerous than Siegfried and his men were.

After a lengthy silence, Cardinal Lauransan spoke.

"Clementine."

"That's my name."

"Do you know why you're here?"

"Aside from being bored to death, no I don't."

"You're here to answer for your crimes," Cardinal Dracrowa growled.

"What crimes?" Clementine asked coyly, tilting her head.

"Where do we begin?" Cardinal Lagier chimed in. "How about treason against the Theocracy for starters."

"Treason?"

"Yes, for betraying your oath to follow orders and defend your country!"

"You abandoned your post and your comrades," Cardinal Santini added. "You also murdered the Miko Princess of Earth and stole the Crown of Wisdom."

"It's not like she was needing it," Clementine rolled her eyes. "Besides, I was doing both you and her a favor. She was babbling and soiling herself. You could say that I saved her."

"And you," Cardinal Lauransan said, directing his gaze toward Gonzalo. "You are here to answer for the grievous crimes of heresy and dabbling with forbidden knowledge."

"W-We've already been over this," the former priest stammered. "Remember? My name stricken from the records and lifelong banishment?"

"Yes, but circumstances have changed," Cardinal Dracrowa said, lacing his fingers together. "The world has grown more dangerous and the enemies of man more numerous. In the past we've exercised restraint and showed you compassion. Now, especially after hearing reports of your deeds these past few years and further study of your amulet, our stance has changed."

Gonzalo felt his gut twist into knots. This wasn't good. Punishment for crimes were harsh in the Theocracy, especially when compared to their neighboring nations. For some reason, the authorities of the Theocracy were awfully creative, and had a sadistic willingness to inflict those creative punishments. While other countries reserved execution for the types of crimes he and Clementine are guilty of, in the Slane Theocracy, death is seen as a mercy. Death was quick and painless, an escape from justice. For the most serious offenses, the guilty endure a series of trials and ordeals that make them long for death. Unfortunately for the condemned, those ordeals typically lasted a very, very long time. All thanks to the unparalleled quality of healing magic and potions available in this country.

Judging from the expressions on each of the Cardinals' faces, ranging from solemnity to contempt, Gonzalo felt his heart sink. They were going to inflict those punishments on him. But why? Something about this didn't add up. Feeling like the eminent clerics were ready to deliver their final judgement, Gonzalo spoke up.

"Is-Is that why we're not in an actual court or-or that the Pontifex Maximus isn't present?"

There was a momentary silence. Cardinal Dracrowa scowled. "What?"

"I-In every trial dealing with high crimes, s-such as treason and-and heresy, the law clearly states that said trials should always be held in the presence of the Pontifex Maximus and-and the public. It-It is based off of the teachings of the Six Great Gods, after all. Fairness, compassion, wisdom. Isn't that right, Cardinal Lagier?"

The Cardinal of Darkness adjusted his glasses. "You are correct, for the most part. Yes, trials relating to high crimes must be held in a public court and with the Pontifex Maximus present, him being the final arbiter in those cases. However, as my colleague has stated, times have changed. In the name of expediency, the law has been amended."

"Meaning?" Clementine yawned.

"Meaning, that according to His Holiness's most recent decree, the publicity of a trial and the need for the arbitration of the Pontifex lies solely in the hands of the Ministry of Justice and it's head: me."

"Eh?"

"It means that we're screwed," Gonzalo said with a sigh.

"I wouldn't say that, exactly," Cardinal Guelfi piped up.

The murderer and the heretic looked at the shriveled old man in the blue robes.

"Against our better judgement," Cardinal Partouche sighed. "We have something else in mind for the both of you."

Clementine cocked an eyebrow, and Gonzalo felt his heart skip a beat.

"You are both guilty of high crimes and violated our most sacred laws," Cardinal Lauransan said, his expression was glacial. "However, in light of some unique circumstances, we have decided to offer you a chance to atone."

"Atone?" Gonzalo echoed in disbelief.

"Yes, unless you'd prefer that we deliver the proper punishment for your crimes," Cardinal Partouche said, sounding like he was eager to inflict awful punishment upon the heretic and the murderer.

"N-no! No, atoning sounds good."

"Why the change?" Clementine asked, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "I seem to recall you geezers always jonesing to punish and burn heretics and criminals. Something must've really gotten you scared if you're willing to let us live."

Gonzalo gave the murderer an odd look, but he slowly began to see what she meant.

"We only seek to do the will of the gods," Cardinal Santini said stiffly, "and it is their will that you two still draw breath."

"Ooh, really?" Clementine grinned. "Wow, the gods must be very desperate or they have a twisted sense of humor to bring me back to life."

"Perhaps," Cardinal Dracrowa said, the corners of his mouth twitched. "After all, what we intend for you two may result in death or a fate far worse in death."

Gonzalo swallowed hard. "So, w-what would you have us do to atone...your eminences?"

Cardinal Dracrowa cleared his throat, before he began explaining their task.

"A new being has...wormed his way into our kingdom," he said with a scowl. "Like a plague, he has crept into our lives, and has begun sowing chaos and discord. If left unchecked, he shall become our undoing!"

"Ooh, sounds like my kind of guy," Clementine grinned.

"Who, or what, is this being?" Gonzalo asked, sounding intrigued and afraid.

"A wizard from some unknown land," Cardinal Lauransan answered. "The new Captain of the Sunlight Scripture and various soldiers from the Abelion frontier were the first to encounter him. The man claims to be a friend of the Theocracy, but his words are nothing more than poison."

"We don't know his true intentions," Cardinal Lagier continued with a frown. "What we do know is that he's up to no good. He hasn't made it a secret that he knows what he's doing, and he intends to disrupt the order the gods have set for us. He's already used his influence to begin turning the people against their leaders, and if left unchecked, he'll start seizing more power."

"So you want me to slit his throat, is that it?" Clementine concluded, looking all too pleased with herself. "My, how devious! For the holiest representatives of the gods, I must say that this is quite devilish."

"True," Cardinal Guelfi sighed. "What we're discussing goes against every value we cherish, and we are behaving like traitors, but if you've seen this man and his works with your own eyes, you would feel the same as we do."

Gonzalo frowned. "What do you mean?"

Silence hung in the air for a moment before the Cardinal of Water elaborated.

"The man...it's as if he knows everything we do, everything we think about. His power is unnatural. Reports from our informers grow more and more troubling."

Cardinal Dracrowa's hand balled into a fist. "He makes a mockery of us. He whispers honeyed words to the masses in exchange for their blind loyalty."

"The spells he uses...it's unlike anything any of us have ever seen," Cardinal Lauransan finished in a solemn tone.

Gonzalo felt a chill rush up his spine. If this wizard frightened the Cardinals this much, then he must be a very powerful and dangerous being. The former priest glanced at Clementine. Although she still wore a gleeful smile, Gonzalo noticed that there was a hint of interest in her expression.

After a few moments, Clementine put her hands on her hips.

"Well, don't worry your silly pious heads. Ol' Clementine can get the job done. Just say when and where and I'll have his head on your desk. If..." She held up a finger. "You release me from this damn bracelet and let me on my way. I've got a bone to pick with a certain Adventurer in Re-Estize."

"If you succeed," Cardinal Dracrowa said with a glare.

"S-Shouldn't this be a job for the Black Scripture, or-or the Windflower Scripture?" Gonzalo asked. "Wouldn't they be more up to the task?"

"If they were, then we wouldn't be talking to you, would we?" Cardinal Partouche sniffed.

"Oh…"

"We had considered the possibility of using either of those Scriptures," Cardinal Guelfi said, folding his arms. "However, the wizard known as Oz has embedded himself in the public's consciousness very deeply. The man is a celebrity everywhere he goes, he's mobbed by a crowd of admirers. Even observing him without being discovered has proven to be a challenge. He has powerful guardians, and has developed relationships with the upper echelons of society here in the capital."

"Which was why we've thought of you," Cardinal Santini chimed in. "A banished heretic with forbidden knowledge and a powerful artifact and a renegade assassin. You both have a...unique perspective that may allow you to penetrate Oz's defenses and deal with him."

"Killing's what I do best," Clementine said. "If you've seen my old armor, you'd know that I've killed my fair share of Adventurers. I've killed in all kinds of ways: fast, slow, public, private, loud, soft. You name it. Give me a weapon and show me the target, and he'll be deader than a doornail."

Cardinal Dracrowa smiled. "Excellent. Let us hope that your skills match your arrogance."

"I-It's going to take some time," Gonzalo pointed out. "We've never seen this man before and we're going to need to know as much as we can if we're going to assassinate him. Plus, if he's as popular as you say he is, we may need some help."

"And you shall get it," Cardinal Lauransan said with a nod. "We shall supply you with whatever you may need to get the job done. Items, information, reinforcements, you need only ask. We'll even allow you to use your amulet, Gonzalo."

"I just love planning a murder," Clementine giggled, sounding very excited.

Gonzalo bowed his head to the six Cardinals. "Thank you, your eminences. We will do our best."

"Please see that you do," Cardinal Lagier said. "For the fate of the Theocracy, nay, the world, may be in the balance."

The former priest swallowed, and felt a great weight rest on his shoulders. In all his years, Gonzalo never thought that the Cardinals would be asking him for help. But, like they said, times have changed. Not too long ago, he was living with a band of vicious outlaws and killers. Then their hideout was attacked by vampires of unparalleled strength. Now, he was back in the Theocracy, and was tasked to assassinate a wizard for the sake of the world. Maybe this was a good thing. Maybe if they succeed, he'll be redeemed and allowed back into the Theocracy.

Despite the very generous offer the Cardinals presented them, Gonzalo had a strong sinking suspicion. He felt that regardless whether there be success or failure, the only ones who will truly benefit in the end will be the Cardinals.

"So…" Clementine said, rubbing her hands, "when do we start?"

---

The sky above the capital city of Re-Estize was dense with rainclouds, and the land beneath was being soaked by a torrential downpour. Despite the kingdom's pride and belief in its superiority over it's neighbors, one look at the state of the capital would say otherwise. The proud ancient capital was a dilapidated mess, displaying the kingdom's financial woes. Only in the upper-class and wealthy areas were the streets paved. The streets were lined with trees and flowers, lush gardens, and parks that were tended to. Meanwhile, only a short distance down the road and across the river that divided the city, the poorer districts were in a pitiful state. The streets were unpaved, thus becoming a muddy swamp or dirty streams in weather such as this.

Despite the obvious disparity of wealth and living conditions, nobody cared. Such was the way of the world. Very few were brave enough or had the means to make a difference. Most of the nobility were corrupt, and those with money were just as greedy and dirty as their supposed betters. Everyone else was mostly concerned with keeping their heads down and carving out a living. Those who stirred up trouble usually ended up in the dungeons, or worse, in the gutters.

It pained Gazef Stronoff to see what was supposed to be the capital in such a state. The royal city of Re-Estize, the shining beacon of the kingdom that was to be an exemplar of the nation's power, prestige, and health. To see it in such a sorry state was like a cruel joke. As Chief Warrior of the kingdom and bodyguard to the king, Gazef could trace the rot to its roots: the kingdom's leaders. King Ramposa III was a good man, and only a few others in power could be considered true men of honor.

Beyond the king and these honorable few, the supposed leaders of the kingdom were nothing more than a pack of conniving and greedy snakes. They constantly schemed to gather more power and bickered over the most trivial things. Their antics have led to numerous tragedies and awful decisions, such as allowing Eight Fingers to grow so strong and allowing Baharuth to grow more prosperous and powerful. Although he swore to protect the kingdom, Gazef was powerless to stop them. On the field of battle, he was confident of his chances, but in the royal court, he was hopeless. If the nobles were as formidable and clever on the battlefield as they were in the palace, Gazef would have no shortage of worthy rivals.

Once his duties had concluded for the day, the king having retired and his safety in the hands of a squad of men Gazef trusted implicitly, the Chief Warrior decided to head home. Even though he spent most of the day on his feet, trailing his monarch and listening in on tedious meetings, Gazef felt drained.

He threw on a worn, old cloak and stepped out into the pouring rain. Gazef left Ro-Lente Castle and made his way through the Upper District. The streets were sparsely populated with carriages racing up and down the road, conveying passengers to their destination, and a few unlucky souls forced to travel on foot.

As the Chief Warrior pushed on against the rain, he noticed that his usual route was blocked by an overturned wagon. He took a turn and went down a new path. Weaving his way down a series of streets and alleys, Gazef caught a familiar sight in the corner of his eye. Glowing like a lone ember of a dying fire in the dead of night, the Chief Warrior spied a modest tavern wedged between two large buildings. Above it's door was a creaky old sign that looked in need of repainting that read, "The Mace and Dagger."

Feeling a little peckish and a little nostalgic, Gazef decided to make a little detour.

Pushing open the door, Gazef was greeted by a gust of warm air and the smell of tobacco smoke and roasted meat. He stepped inside and closed the door against the cold wind and rain. Looking around, old memories danced across the Chief Warrior's eyes.

The inside of the inn was spacious, despite the humble exterior. Across the way was a large fireplace that housed a roaring fire. Scattered about were empty tables, save for the one in the corner where a figure in a tattered brown cloak sat. To his left was the bar, which was being tended to by a large, grey-haired man who was wiping a mug clean with a rag.

"It's been a while, but don't think I've forgotten your face" the man said, looking up from the mug in his hand. He smiled. "How've you been Gazef?"

"Been better, Peter" the Chief Warrior said, returning the smile. "How are you? Good to see the old place still standing."

"Aye. We've had a few close calls, but we manage. Come, sit and have a drink like old times. Or are you too good to drink our ale?"

"No, I actually prefer the drinks here. The stuff up in the castle is too sweet for my tastes."

"Is that right?"

Peter filled up a mug and set it on the counter as Gazef took a seat in the stool at the end. He took a sip of the warm and foamy drink. Pretty soon he downed the whole thing in one sitting. Sighing with satisfaction, Gazef held out the mug.

"Another."

"Rough day?"

"Not really. Just more of the same."

"Is that good or bad?"

Gazef smiled. "Bit of both. Nothing but meetings filled with complaints."

"Sounds like a normal day here. Bunch of retired soldiers complaining about old war wounds and their wives, and the occasional Adventurer whining about the usual."

Gazef chuckled a little. The Mace and Dagger was one of several places in the capital where Adventurers and citizens would mingle. Before he became Chief Warrior, Gazef would stop by for a drink and hear stories from the old timers of glorious old battles from seasoned Adventurers in far off places. It was here that he first ran into Rigrit, one of the Thirteen Heroes and leader of Blue Rose. The Chief Warrior blushed at the memory. He was a younger man and was awestruck by the legendary Adventurer, who was at the bar cracking jokes with Peter and the rest of the old timers who hung around frequented the tavern. Peter introduced her, and after he regained his wits, Gazef introduced himself. It was an awkward first meeting, but after some stammering and awkward pauses, the two hit it off.

Being a legendary hero, he expected her to be formal and aloof, but she was the exact opposite. She was laid back and forthcoming. She shared stories about her adventures with the rest of the Thirteen Heroes, even though she shared those stories with the other tavern patrons countless times. She even gave him a few pointers related to swordplay and combat, which really came in handy later on.

Gazef turned his head and looked around the tavern. The last time he visited the tavern was before the beginning of the Royal Tournament, where he eventually won the honor of becoming the king's most trusted bodyguard. Ever since he won, Gazef had been busy, guarding both king and country from numerous threats. Although it looked smaller and older than he remembered, the Mace and Dagger was exactly how he left it. The walls were covered in dull old weapons, helms, and shields, collected from numerous old warriors who passed through and were memorialized by the tavern's regulars. He spied a broken shield which Rigrit had gifted to the tavern. She claimed that it belonged to the leader of the Thirteen Heroes, known as the Golden Knight.

"It's all that I have of him," she said with a wistful smile. "He was a brave man, honorable. You would've liked him, Gazef."

When asked about what happened to the Golden Knight and of the final battle the Thirteen Heroes fought in, Rigrit would often quickly change the subject. Although she was open to telling stories, that was one story that she went out of her way to avoid telling.

"Good to see that nothing's changed," the Chief Warrior said with a smile.

"Good to see that you still remember us little folks," Peter grinned.

"Forget? Never! I'd never forget you or this old dump. Without this place, I reckon that my life would've been very different."

"How different?"

"I don't know, probably still working as a mercenary someplace. I met Master Laufen here."

"Oh yeah, I remember that."

Gazef blinked, remembering the man who taught him everything he knew about swordsmanship. He then realized how long it's been since he last saw the grizzled old warrior.

"How is he?" Gazef asked. "I haven't seen him in a while. Being Chief Warrior has kept me very busy."

Peter shrugged. "He was in here a week ago. He seemed a little frustrated with the students he's currently training."

"Sounds like him."

"He misses you, you know?"

"Really?"

The tavern keeper nodded. "He might not seem like it, but he cares about you. The way he talks about you, it's like he's talking about his own flesh and blood." Peter then put on a comical scowl and a gruff voice. "'Why hasn't he come to see me?' What? Is he too good to be seen with me?' 'I was an Adamantite-ranked Adventurer too, you know!'"

Gazef snorted. "He doesn't sound like that."

"He most certainly does."

The Chief Warrior shook his head. Vesture Kloff Di Laufen was many things, but sentimental wasn't what Gazef thought of him as. However, the seasoned warrior was glad to hear that his teacher still thought highly of him.

The front door opened, and a gust of cool air swept through the tavern. Peter and Gazef looked, and saw a tall, lithe figure in a long black cloak enter. Closing the door behind them, the figure pulled back its hood, revealing a handsome man with long black hair and piercing silver eyes. The man's eyes roved around, taking in the interior of the tavern and landed on Gazef. The Chief Warrior felt a shiver. Although the man didn't look like it, Gazef could tell that this man was not one to be trifled with. His eyes were hard and his expression was an emotionless, pale mask. Although he looked slender and delicate, Gazef knew that looks were deceiving.

"Welcome to the Mace and Dagger," Peter greeted the newcomer cheerfully.

"Thank you," the man said, his voice soft and velvety. "I'll have some ale please."

"Coming right up."

The raven-haired man approached the bar and gestured to the vacant stool beside Gazef. "Mind if I sit here?"

"Sure."

The man slid into the seat and let out a small sigh.

"Long day?" Gazef asked.

"You could say that," the man said, smoothing back his hair. "We've been traveling all day and just arrived in the city."

"We?"

"My...companions and I. We traveled here from our lands, though we made a slight detour to E-Rantel. We've heard about that vampire and one of our party wanted to see for himself, despite my warnings."

"I know the feeling," Gazef said with a small smile. "I'm sure it was a relief to hear about the vampire's demise."

"Indeed, though my friend was sorely disappointed. He has a fascination for such loathsome creatures. Our lord has entrusted our group's safety to me, and no matter what happens, I will fulfill that order."

Peter brought the man his drink and the man took a sip. He thanked the tavern keeper and set some coins on the counter.

Gazef studied the raven-haired man closely. At a glance, one would think that the man was a noble, but he wasn't a noble that the Chief Warrior was familiar with. He saw the hilt of a sword poking out from underneath the man's wet cloak. Judging from the calluses on his hands and the piercing gaze, Gazef concluded that this man was a warrior. He mentioned a lord, so maybe he was a mercenary or a warrior in a noble's employ. If he was employed by a noble and that they were in the capital, then this may turn some heads in court. The ruling class of Re-Estize were a scheming bunch, and were always looking for new allies and pawns to use in their convoluted games.

"Sounds like an interesting person, your friend," Peter said with a raised eyebrow. "I've heard stories of vampires. Never seen one myself, though I'm not very eager to see one."

"I'm not worried about vampires," the silver-eyed man said. "I've slain more than a few in my time. I was more worried about wasting time and not fulfilling our lord's commands."

"Vampires…" a voice grumbled.

Peter, Gazef, and the silver-eyed man turned their heads. Sitting at the table in the corner of the tavern was a lone figure dressed in a tattered brown cloak. The figure was slouched over, resting his head on the table. The figure lifted his head, and Gazef was surprised to see that the figure was Brain Unglaus.

The two had fought against each other in the championship round of the Royal Tournament. Brain was an exceptional swordsman and came close to defeating him. It's been a long time since they last saw each other, and Gazef was surprised to see how different Brain looked.

Brain's hair was a long, tangled mess. His face was covered in a stubble. His eyes were puffy and bloodshot, with bags underneath them. The swordsman looked as though he's been through some very rough times.

"Vampires," Brain croaked, "W-W-What do you know of vampires?"

"Much," the silver-eyed man answered bluntly.

"Bullshit...you don't know anything."

The silver-eyed man raised an eyebrow, and Brain stood. The disheveled swordsman wobbled a little and had to use his katana to steady himself. Brain staggered toward Gazef and the silver-eyed man. As he got closer, Gazef nearly gagged at the overwhelming stench that came from his rival.

"T-The vampires you fought were nothing compared to a True Vampire," Brain said, arriving at the bar. The three men could smell the ale on the swordsman's breath. "She-She tore through my comrades like they were nothing. They were nothing. We are all nothing to them."

"Brain?" Gazef said. "What happened to you?"

"G-Gazef?" the swordsman belched. He had a searching look on his face. After a moment, Brain's face lit up. "Gazef! Good to see you. What are you doing here?"

"The man's a drunk," the silver-eyed man said with a scowl.

Brain rounded towards the man in black. "You-You think you're something? You-You think you're strong? Pfft! We're all nothing! I have seen true strength, and let me tell you, you would be a light snack for this vampire, pretty boy."

"Okay, I think you've had enough for tonight," Peter said gently. "You should go now."

"No! Not yet! Let me-let me say what I have to say."

"Say what?" Gazef asked.

Brain turned to Gazef. He struggled for a moment to speak. Tears welled up in his tired, puffy eyes.

"I-I'm sorry," he said at last. "I'm sorry for everything. I-I've done a lot of bad...evil things. I-I should've stopped them, but I didn't. Now...Now that girl is dead, along with that very nice bard…"

"Woah there, slow down, Brain. What happened to you?" Gazef gently held his shoulders, and the swordsman eventually calmed down.

"I-I was working with some bandits a few days ago," Brain admitted, his shoulders sagging in shame. "We-We ended up capturing a bard as a hostage. He was a good man - probably just as heroic as you are. Then…"

Brain's words trailed off as the alcohol was beginning to wear off, memories of that night finally returning. His body shook as he remembered the vampire. She was so little. So doll-like. And yet-

His entire body was trembling like an earthquake, his teeth chattering as he began to remember her strength. How effortlessly she swatted aside years of hard work and training with just a fingernail. How her red, slitted eyes pierced into his crumbling soul as he realized just how weak and pathetic he was. How her cruel laugh rattled him to his bones, even from his nightmares.

"-rain? Brain?! Stay with me!"

The blue-haired man blinked, and he realized that he had fallen onto his knees, his breathing frantic. He panted as he realized just how low on air he was, his mouth drooling from how his jaw refused to completely close.

"Brain?! Can you hear me?"

"I-*wheeze*-can hear you," Brain murmured, his legs still shaking as Gazef and the silver-eyed man helped him onto a stool. The bartender was already there, handing him a cup of water, to which the disgraced swordsman gratefully accepted.

"You can stop if you want to," Gazef said softly. "No need to hurt yourself if you're not ready."

"No...I'm fine," Brain murmured, before ordering some more booze. He took a shot, before slamming the empty cup down onto the countertop.

"...She's a monster amongst monsters," Brain continued. "She looked so small, looked more like a doll. And yet...she effortlessly tore apart my men, my pride, years of hard work...and my soul."

"Can you describe this vampire to me?" the silver-eyed man asked. "Perhaps I've encountered her before."

"She looked young…pretty...very dangerous. Had pale skin, red, slitted eyes. Had long, silver hair too."

"What is her name?"

"Shall...Shalltear Bloodfallen…"

Silence filled the tavern as Brain struggled to keep his wits together again. Gazef was still reeling at the sight of his rival being so broken up. When they last met, Brain held his head high and oozed confidence. Now, the swordsman's hands trembled as his eyes were filled with the memory of this undead nightmare.

The silver-eyed man frowned. "I see. It's a good thing that you escaped."

"You know this Shallty thing?" Gazef asked, looking to the mysterious stranger.

The man nodded grimly. "Yes, though only by reputation. She truly is a monster, though there are worse monsters out there."

"T-There are?" Brain said, looking at the stranger in horror.

"I'm afraid so. Shalltear Bloodfallen serves a dark and malevolent force, whose power and cruelty far exceeds her own. She is but one of a number of powerful monsters who serve this wicked being."

"Who or what is this being?" Peter asked, sounding a little nervous.

"I cannot say, for he has eyes and ears everywhere. All I can say for certain is that Shalltear is neither the first nor the last to show their face in this kingdom, or any kingdom for that matter."

"What do you mean?" Gazef asked.

"If you haven't heard of it already, then the news has not reached Re-Estize yet. In the Slane Theocracy, a powerful Slime attacked and attempted to murder my lord. The creature took the form of a murdered man and infiltrated a public gathering. My lord managed to stop it but not before it murdered a bishop and a prominent merchant."

Gazef's eyes widened in shock. "I've never heard of this!"

"You will, soon enough."

"This Slime creature, it served the same master as this Shalltear?"

The silver eyed man nodded slowly. "It took some time, but my master managed to force the creature to reveal the identity of it's master. They are one and the same."

"Oh gods," Peter breathed in shock.

"It's hopeless!" Brain whined. "It's all hopeless!"

"Brain…" Gazef began but Brain was in hysterics.

"No matter what we do, no matter how strong we are, we're going to die! We're all going to die!"

As Brain began muttering frantically, the silver eyed man placed a hand on the disheveled swordsman's shoulder.

"It's true that monsters are very powerful," the man said gently, "but it doesn't mean that you should give up."

"It-It doesn't?"

"No. If you think about it, humanity in this world would've died out a long time ago if monsters were invincible. All things have weaknesses, and mankind has one thing that monsters don't."

"What?"

"Perseverance. Humans can evolve, adapt, and overcome whatever this world throws at them. It may take time, but humans can win. That is what my lord believes. Which is why he sent my companions and I here. We have been sent out to seek allies, gather information and prepare the world for the coming battle."

"Battle?" Gazef asked.

"You can feel it, can you?" the silver eyed man asked, looking at the Chief Warrior. "This...change in the air. Not many can feel it, but it's there. Something is coming, something big. A great evil is lurking about and will soon make its move against mankind. Shalltear is only the beginning, and whether you know it or not, you will need my lord's help."

Gazef gazed into the man's silvery orbs. Although he wasn't sure what he was talking about, the Chief Warrior did in fact feel that something big was going on. At first he believed that it had something to do with Baharuth or the nobles scheming against him and the king. Now, however, Gazef wasn't sure anymore. What the silver-eyed man said felt right. From what he heard, the vampire that slaughtered those bandits apparently was defeated by a Mithril ranked Adventurer using a Sealing Crystal containing Seventh-Tier magic. It seemed unlikely that a monster that dangerous was just a fluke. After all, there was Evileye and the Vampire Lords of old. If monsters of that caliber were stalking the land once more, then mankind will be facing hard times very soon.

"Take courage, my friend," the silver-eyed man said, looking at Brain. He clapped a hand on the disheveled swordsman's back. "You are not alone in this fight. My lord and our allies are working tirelessly to ready humanity against this rising evil."

Although Brain seemed to have calmed down a little, fear and pessimism was written plainly on his face.

"You're a fool," Brain muttered. "Nothing can stand against monsters like that."

"Perhaps, but we're certainly not going to make it easy for those beasts. Better to die on our feet than to lie on our backs and wait for the end to come, covered in our own piss and vomit."

Brain growled a curse and fumbled for his katana. The silver-eyed man flicked the disheveled swordsman on the nose, which caused him to stumble backward and fall to the floor. Gazef helped Brain up off the floor.

The silver-eyed man watched them, a slight smile on his face. "Hmm, seems that you still have some fight in you. That's good, albeit misguided."

"Whatever," Brain muttered, leaning against the bar for support. He looked at Peter. "Give me some ale!"

"No! Beat it before I throw you out!"

"I got nowhere to go."

"Come on," Gazef urged, placing his hands on Brain's shoulders. "You can stay at my place until you can recover."

Brain mumbled a complaint, but didn't resist. The Chief Warrior of Re-Estize guided his rival toward the door. Although it was only a few feet away, Brain stumbled and nearly fell several times.

"Need a hand?" the silver-eyed man asked.

"If that's okay with you," Gazef said, a little embarrassed.

"It's no problem. In fact, it's practically my job to help people."

The two men draped Brain's arms on their shoulders and they carried him out of the tavern. The rain had slowed to a drizzle, but it showed no sign of stopping. Gazef and the silver-eyed man carefully navigated their way through the city, avoiding puddles along the way, heading toward the Chief Warrior's home. The house was modest in comparison to the houses in the Upper District, but it was far better than most homes in the Lower District.

Gazef opened the door, allowing the silver-eyed man to help Bain inside. The Chief Warrior led the man upstairs and into the spare room he set aside for guests. The silver-eyed man sat Brain down onto the bed and the disheveled swordsman laid down. He curled up in a ball, murmuring incoherently and belching. In a matter of seconds, Brain was fast asleep. Gazef pulled the covers over his slumbering rival and, accompanying the silver eyed man, left the room.

Downstairs, Gazef offered to boil some tea for the silver eyed stranger. He politely declined.

"I have to rejoin my companions, I've been away long enough. They'll be growing worried about me, and I fear that they may get into trouble."

"I understand," the Chief Warrior said, slightly disappointed.

The silver-eyed man noted Gazef's disappointment and asked him about it.

"It's just...what you said. About this Shalltear creature and her master. If there are threats like that to the kingdom, then I must know more about it. The king must know about this as well."

"And you will," the stranger assured him. "In time, all of humanity shall know of this threat. However, we must act carefully. As I said before, our enemy is powerful, and has spies everywhere. One false move or one loose tongue, and all our efforts are all for not. Besides, do you think people will truly believe in the existence of a terrible evil that is controlling and coordinating monsters of unparalleled power in an organized effort to destroy all mankind?"

"No, I suppose not," Gazef said, scratching his chin. "At least not without proof."

"Indeed. I know this is a lot to ask of you, but could you keep this a secret, at least until we've gathered sufficient proof of the enemies existence? We need time. I promise you that all things will be revealed in time."

Gazef pondered the silver-eyed man's words for a moment. If what he was saying was true, then it'd be prudent to keep this information secret. However, as Chief Warrior, it's his job to protect the king and his country. He would be duty bound to report this to the king so that he could plan a proper defense of the kingdom. Then again, if this evil force was as powerful as the silver-eyed man claims, then it'd be foolish to act without any careful consideration.

"Very well," Gazef sighed. "But as soon as you get your proof, you will come to me. I'll see to it that you will get an audience with the king."

"Of course," the silver-eyed stranger said with a nod. "And if you are in need of our help, my companions and I are staying in the Upper District, over on Jasmine Street."

The Chief Warrior nodded. As the silver-eyed man turned to leave, Gazef called after him.

"Wait!"

"Hm?"

"Can I at least know your name?"

The man smiled. "Oh, right. I forgot about introductions. My name is Nicholas, but my friends call me Nick."

"I'm Gazef Stronoff," the Chief Warrior said. "I'm the Chief Warrior of Re-Estize."

"It's nice to meet you, Gazef. I'm sure that we'll meet again."

Nick bowed his head to Gazef and left. He didn't know why, but the Chief Warrior knew that he was going to be seeing more of Nick in the future.

…

The man known as Nick left the house of Gazef Stronoff and made his way deeper into the Upper District. Although he was new to the royal capital, Nick knew exactly where he was going. The silver-eyed man pulled on his hood and kept his head low. He wasn't lying when he said that the enemy had eyes and ears everywhere. Nick was told much about Ainz Ooal Gown and his minions, but despite the information gleaned from the captured Slime and from Shalltear, there was much that they still didn't know. Oz had strongly urged caution, and that was what Nick shall do.

The silver-eyed man maintained a distance between himself and the buildings and people around him. He wasn't sure who or what could be an agent of his master's enemy but he couldn't take any chances. Nick had to be prepared for anything. He was deep in enemy territory now.

As Nick turned onto a new street, the rain started to pour in thick sheets once more. Eyeing the houses, the silver eyed man saw that he was drawing close to his destination. Fortunately, the day had grown later and darker as the rainfall worsened. Visibility was lowered enough to where the item Lord Oz gave him will be able to work to its fullest effect.

Before he reached the end of his target street, Nick stroked the sapphire ring on his finger. He felt the hair on his arms rise as the magic of the ring took effect. He looked at his hands, and discovered that he could see right through them. He smiled and silently thanked Lord Oz for the marvelous gift he imparted onto his loyal servant.

Nick proceeded up the street. The houses on this street were large, luxurious mansions that all belonged to wealthy merchants and powerful members of the royal court. All of these homes were certainly larger and prettier than the home that Nick and the rest of his party had purchased, but theirs drew less attention. The party sent by Lord Oz had spent the day carefully embedding themselves among the poorer members of society here in the capital. This solidified their cover, and gave them extra eyes and ears in the city. In fact, that was how they were able to locate the house that Ainz's agents were located at.

Lord Oz knew that Ainz's agents posed as an upper class duo, but beyond that, a lot of the information was vague and fuzzy. When spending time with some of their neighbors, Nick's companion Cavender encountered a woman who acted as a cleaner in one of the households in the Upper District. She and the other servants noticed a beautiful young woman and her butler move into a house that had been vacant for some time. The cleaning woman noted how odd it was that a woman like that would only have one servant, and that strange sounds could be heard coming from the house at night. Based on the information that they were given, it was likely that this could be the home of Ainz's spies.

Nick's silver eyes flicked over to the house in question. He stood in the shadow of a big tree which towered over the wall of another property. Directly across the street stood a large mansion that equaled the high quality and opulence of the houses in the rest of the Upper District. The windows glowed with orange light, indicating that someone was home. Most of the windows offered no view of the interior, all of them blocked by thick curtains. However, there was one window on the second floor that had it's curtains drawn open.

Fishing around in his pockets, Nick withdrew a small, bronze spyglass and used it to peer inside. The silver-eyed man could see a grey haired and refined looking man with a beard sitting at a desk. He appeared to be writing something. A beautiful young woman appeared, carrying a steaming tea cup on a tray. The woman was blonde, had blue eyes, and was clad in a rather short and skimpy variation of a maid's uniform.

Nick watched them intently as the man stopped writing, setting aside his quill, and accepted the cup. The two looked out the window, and Nick thought for a moment that they knew he was there but remembered that it was impossible. The ring made him invisible and intangible, albeit temporarily. Fortunately, it seemed that their attention was drawn to the sudden flash of lightning and crash of thunder that had just occurred.

["Nicholas, report in."] a stern voice spoke in his mind. He immediately knew that it belonged to one of his master's closest confidants, the Guardian of the Western Tower, Ellie.

["I'm here."] Nick replied. ["I have my eye on the house mentioned in Cavender's report."]

["And?"]

["And it would seem that they fit the description Lord Oz has given us. What shall we do?"]

["For now, nothing. Observe their movements and report back. Do not engage unless instructed to."]

["Understood."] the silver eyed man nodded.

["And get back to the house as soon as you can, Cavender is worried that Hyde's temper might flare up again."]

["Of course. I still don't see the reason for us to have that brute accompany us."]

["He may be a brute, but he's useful in a fight and stirring up trouble"]

Nick nodded. ["How is Lord Oz?"]

["Well, he's still spending more time with the humans than here. I know it's part of his glorious plan, but I still don't like it."]

["Trust in the plan, Mistress. Lord Oz knows what he's doing."]

["I hope so. I don't trust those quivering old milkmaids these humans call leaders. They're plotting something, I can smell it. I'd burn them all if I had my way, but Lord Oz has forbidden it."]

["Be glad that you're tasked with dealing with those beastmen at the border. Traveling and spy work is not in my skill set."]

The witch snorted. ["Yes, though you are among the few in Lord Oz's service who could pass as a human. All the others would eat a human as soon as they look at one, if left unchecked."]

Nick grimaced. Lord Oz had all manner of creatures in his service. Most of them were frightful looking things while some appeared to be sweet, pleasant, even human. They were all made in the image of legendary creatures and figures from ancient stories from Lord Oz's world. The emerald wizard was fond of stories, and he and his associates created them in honor of their most cherished fables. Nick was created to be a charming, princely figure who represented high values like honor and valor. Even though he wasn't human, his appearance and refined mannerisms made him the perfect agent to move among humans. Mistress Ellie looked very human as well, though her temper was unpredictable and her view on humans was apathetic at best. When she got angry, Mistress Ellie's true self came out and was known to frighten even her own subordinates.

After Ellie disconnected from Nick's mind, the silver-eyed agent peered through the spyglass once more to observe his targets once more. The man and the woman appeared to be talking about something for a few moments before the woman left. The grey haired man returned to his writings and spent the next few minutes writing. Remembering the time limit on his ring, Nick decided that he's seen all that he needed to for today. He tucked the spyglass away and walked on. By the time he turned the corner at the end of the street, the effects of the ring ended. Nick became solid and visible once more.

So far, everything was according to plan. Now that they know where their enemy lives, Nick and the rest of his party will have to move on to the next phase. They were given a list of names that was procured from the home of Roderich Yeardley. Apparently, the late corrupt merchant had associates in Re-Estize. Lord Oz wanted Nick to pay them a visit and see if they had any information regarding Re-Estize and anything related to some crypts that Eight Fingers had stumbled upon. The silver-eyed agent didn't know what these crypts were but Lord Oz appeared to be very interested in them.

Nick held his head high and puffed out his chest. He will not fail his master. To do so was unthinkable. Every fiber of his being urged him to succeed and do his best. It was his character, after all. The dashing, princely hero never fails. To fail, well, it'd certainly be unpleasant. After all, he saw first hand what happened to those who failed their master. The only thing worse than failing him was to defy him, even a little bit. Nick shivered at the memory of the one servant of Lord Oz who dared to openly criticise him. Their agonized screams echoed through his mind.

Most were already loyal to the emerald wizard, but Nick knew that there were a few who were rebellious by nature. If there was something they didn't like, they'll speak their mind. It was partially due to their level of Karma and partly due to the characters they were based on. However, that single brutal display of his wrath was enough to stamp out any idea of stepping out of line. Those lone rebels could try to fight back, but all knew that resistance would be futile. Lord Oz was clever, and had all sorts of tricks up his sleeve. After all, he was clever enough to engineer the downfall of a fellow Maker. If he could bring down a being that equaled him in power, what hope did the rest of them have.

Nick shook his head, forcing himself to focus on the task ahead of him.

There was so much to do.

---

Sonya could smell the carnage long before she laid eyes on the town. The vampire noble pulled aside the curtain that covered the window of her carriage. Outside was pitch black. The sky was covered in clouds, blotting out the moon and stars. Ahead of her carriage, growing on the horizon, was an island of orange light. From this distance, she could smell ashes and charred flesh. As they got close, Sonya saw the burning remains of the town once known as Cardend.

The prosperous farming town was larger than most towns in this region of Bahruth but it was still considered small. The town had large stone buildings, high stone walls to protect it from the hobgoblins and other unsavory creatures that dwelt in the mountains to the south. Little good it did for the garrison and the townsfolk. The carriage passed the corpse littered fields, where crops were torn down and burned. Sonya eyed the Ghouls and minor vampires stalking the fields, feasting upon the dead like hungry dogs and largely ignoring her presence.

The front gates were splinters now, allowing Sonya and her party to enter unchallenged.

All around her, buildings were blazing or crumbling from the battle that had taken place earlier. Sonya caught glimpses of glowing red eyes, watching her pass by. Monstrous silhouettes darted through the streets, briefly being illuminated by the fires that burned all across the town. Muffled screams could be heard in the distance, indicating that there were still humans nearby.

The countess was surprised. Manfred seems to have developed some discipline during his long absence. In the past, he'd have devoured or slaughtered every human in his path.

Before long, the carriage came to a halt before a large box-like building of stone. Judging from the armored undead that stood guard by the entrance, Sonya knew that this building was the town's administrative and military center. That was one thing that she liked about Baharuth. Everything was blunt and more direct. The Karnassus City-State Alliance was scattered and mired in politics, rarely unified unless they were besieged by a common foe.

Since this was the center of the city, it was highly likely that the leader of this undead horde would be there.

One of the burly Zombies who acted as her guards opened the door of her carriage and helped her climb out of it. As soon as she set foot on the cobblestone ground, a tall, lanky vampire with straw colored hair emerged from the building. The vampire had a thin, feral looking face. He was dressed in a long black coat and carried a curved sword.

The vampire looked at her with narrow eyes.

Sonya approached the vampire.

"Greetings!" she said with a toothy smile. "What a marvelous evening we're having! Is Manfred available?"

"Who wants to know?" the lanky vampire hissed.

"Sonya Tyndall, and you are?"

"None of your business. Piss off!"

The countess was still smiling, though the warmth in it had evaporated in an instant.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Manfred doesn't want to see anybody right now."

"Really? Not even little old me?"

The lanky vampire looked her up and down. "Who the hell are you supposed to be?"

"My goodness! How much we forget over the years. I'll give you a hint."

Before the thin vampire could react, Sonya was on him. She grabbed the man by the throat and shoved him to the ground. The countess bared her fangs and her eyes burned blood red. Her raven hair wriggled like the angry tendrils of a squid.

The vampire struggled to free himself from her grip, but Sonya squeezed, causing the nameless vampire to gasp and writhe in pain. He struggled for air and clawed at Sonya's face. The countess grabbed one of his hands by the wrist and broke it. There was a loud snap, and the vampire let out a strangled scream. For a moment, Sonya was tempted to let her instincts take over. She wanted to sink her teeth into the throat of this impertinent fool who was rude to her. However, the countess resisted the temptation and remained focused.

"What's going on here?" demanded a familiar voice.

Sonya looked up and saw her former love, the one who destroyed this town.

Manfred Morgenstern stood in the doorway, draped in a heavy fur cloak. Beneath the furs were fine clothing of black, scarlet and gold. The Vampire Lord had long raven locks that reached down his shoulders. His eyes glowed faintly like two dying fires. He was flanked by two other familiar vampires, a tall and lithe man in grey and a hulking muscle bound monstrosity wearing only a pair of trousers.

The Vampire Lord's eyes landed on Sonya and widened.

"Sonya?" he said softly.

"My love," Sonya said, releasing the rude vampire on the ground. He coughed and gasped loudly for air.

Manfred laughed and he rushed over to her. The Vampire Lord took his former love into his arms and lifted her into the air. Sonya laughed as well. He pulled her close and embraced her. Manfred smelled of blood, earth, and the sea, which was a strangely pleasing combination to the countess.

"It's been so long," Sonya whispered in Manfred's ear.

"Too long," the Vampire Lord replied.

When they broke off the embrace, Manfred turned to his subordinates and dismissed them with a wave. He looped his arm around Sonya's and led her into the box-like building.

Inside, the building was a spacious hall. The ceiling was high, and there was a balcony where those on the second floor could look down on those on the ground floor. A chandelier illuminated the interior, casting a light on the carnage that had taken place before Sonya's arrival.

The floors were covered in blood splatters, and the walls were marred by cracks and scorch marks. Here and there Sonya spied torn robes that belonged to mages and crumpled pieces of armor. In one corner of the hall was a pile of bloody and broken bodies. In the center of the hall was a line of spikes with severed heads on them. The heads varied in age and gender, but were all likely to have belonged to the leaders and defenders of the town who refused to bow to Manfred.

Manfred led Sonya to a pair of chairs in front of the line of severed heads and the two sat down.

"How have you been?" Manfred asked, genuinely interested "You look as beautiful as you did on the battlefield when we fought the Thirteen Heroes."

"As you can see, I've been doing well for myself," Sonya said with a playful smile. "After the battle was lost, I fled. I hid amongst the humans in the City-State Alliance and have built a lovely little life for myself."

"I'm so sorry. I-I shouldn't have run, at least without you. But that was a losing battle, and those fools at the Court were blinded by their arrogance. I had to leave."

"It's quite alright. I saw that the battle was lost as well. I ran when that little bitch killed Gideon. Without him...it was a senseless slaughter."

The two fell silent for a moment, remembering their old comrades. Although they were both at odds with the leaders of their kind, Sonya and Manfred both had respect for the ancient Vampire Lords. They wielded power and invoked fear that brought nations to their knees. It still beggared belief that they fell at the hands of a pint sized girl who had been turned into a vampire like them.

After a lengthy silence, Sonya looked up at Manfred. "I knew that you wouldn't have left without a reason. What happened? I thought you died at sea. I mean...there were rumors from shipwrecked merchants, but nothing substantial."

"Fortune was good to me and my men," Manfred said with a grim smile. "We made a new home in the Winter Isles, far beyond the reach of Landfall and her friends. It was cold and difficult, but we survived."

Sonya nodded slowly. The Winter Isles were a group of islands far to the northeast of these lands. They were remote and had nothing in the way of civilization, except old temporary settlements that were built and used by explorers, merchants, pirates, and other humans who traveled the seas. Aside from its remoteness, there was very little reason for anyone to go to those godsforsaken islands.

"I can see that," Sonya said, looking around the bloodstained, corpse strewn hall.

"We've lost a few good men over the years, but at the same time, we gained something that made up for those losses."

"What?"

"Power."

"Power?"

"Yes, power…" Manfred brushed aside his heavy fur cloak and unbuttoned his inky black coat, exposing a glossy black breastplate. Sonya's eyebrows rose. The breastplate was made of an obsidian material that gleamed faintly in the light of the chandelier. The Vampire Lord held up a hand, showing a ring made of matching black material. Manfred's hand became enveloped in dark violet energy.

"Before the battle, I had discovered a map," the Vampire Lord told her, his eyes focused on the violet energy that writhed around his hand. "The map was created by the Queen of Darkness, which led to a series of crypts that hold various powerful items that once belonged to her. One of those locations led us to the Winter Isles."

Sonya nodded, slowly understanding what Manfred was getting at. The Queen of Darkness was a very powerful and fearsome demon who had a dark reputation, even amongst the Vampire Lords. Apparently, before her downfall, there were legends that the demon had buried all sorts of powerful items in secret locations all over the empire she ruled alongside her comrades. Manfred, being an admirer of the Queen of Darkness, believed the legend. He searched for those hidden items, but was largely unsuccessful. Until now.

"This ring, this breastplate, they're unlike anything I've ever seen before," Manfred said in a soft voice. "They saved me from Harlon and his men when they tried to revolt. The breastplate protected me and the ring gave me so much power. I killed them all single handedly."

Sonya raised an eyebrow. Harlon was another Vampire Lord who fled from the battlefield. He was dangerous in his own right. Manfred had clashed with him in the past and could barely defeat him. If these items allowed him to kill Harlon and a significant portion of his supporters, then they must have some serious power within them.

"I see," the countess said, nodding slowly. "And I suppose that's why you've returned after all these years?"

"Partially," Manfred said with a smile. The energy around his hand vanished, and the Vampire Lord looked at Sonya. He leaned forward and placed his hand on hers "I've come back to kill that little traitor, Landfall, and lead our people into a new glorious age."

Sonya frowned. "What do you mean?"

"First, I intend to make an example of Landfall. If it weren't for her, we wouldn't have lost so many of our brothers and sisters and forced us into hiding. Then again, I would not have discovered these items if not for her. So, I mean to repay her by taking her head. Next, I intend to recover the rest of the Queen's items. I have my finest spies hunting for them as we speak. According to their latest reports, Enoch has the freshest lead. Very soon, I will have perhaps the most powerful item of them all: her sword."

"Dawnbreaker?" Sonya gasped.

Manfred nodded.

Dawnbreaker was the one of the most infamous swords in the history of the world. The Queen of Darkness used it to carve a bloody path of destruction across the continent, slaying numerous Dragon Lords and other mighty beings of old. Legends say that the blade went missing as the Dragon Lords and their allies sacked the city of Eryuentiu. Some say that only the darkest of souls can wield it's awesome power.

"With the Queen's sword in hand, I intend to cut down all these pitiful human nations and rule a kingdom of death. Together, we can rule as king and queen."

Sonya saw Manfred's eyes gleam with vigor and earnestness. While she loved the sound of the plan, she could not bring herself to agree with it. Manfred's dream of an undead empire conflicted with her own designs and that of Zurrernorn. Of course Zurrernorn's goal of death and necromancy would fit snugly in Manfred's vision, however, the Vampire Lord would not suffer their existence for very long. The leaders of Zurrernorn envision themselves as the future rulers of a kingdom of undead. While Sonya could care less about those petty necromancers, she knew that the potential conflict would be bad for her. The cosy and luxurious life she had built for herself after all these years would be torn apart. With Zurrernorn she could have a steady supply of humans to feed on and use them to influence the human nations to her liking.

Manfred's vision was attractive at a glance. However, at the end of his path of conquest, Sonya saw that the results would bring about a world of mindless zombies and sycophantic vampires, who'd praise them to their faces and scheme behind their backs. It'd be very boring and empty. Where was the fun? Where were the schemes and the fear? Sure, they'd have that with their little vampire court, but it just won't be the same. Besides, there was something about Manfred that kept Sonya from agreeing outright.

She looked at her former love, and saw him inspecting the ring on his finger as if he were looking at an unfamiliar hand. The ferocious vampire general's lips moved mutely, as if he were speaking. His eyes seemed out of focus. Sonya's frown deepened. She had seen cursed items before and how they corrupt a soul. Even though vampires were impervious to being mind controlled, that didn't mean they could be influenced by other means. Cursed items usually possessed personalities of their own and had ways of appealing to the holder, tempting them and making all sorts of attractive promises. It seemed likely that items belonging to one of the most dangerous beings in the history of the world would be cursed as well. Legends say that she guarded her riches and power fiercely, even against her comrades. Reasonable to assume that for one to attain her power, one would have to endure some dangers.

After a lengthy, uncomfortable silence, Manfred tore his gaze away from the ring on his hand and returned it to Sonya.

"So? What do you think?" he asked.

Not wanting to test him, fearing that he may be unstable, Sonya smiled.

"Sounds fun. I'll help you find and destroy Landfall."

"Excellent!"

"First things first, there are some things you should know. Much has changed since you left. Landfall is called Evileye now. She's an Adventurer."

Manfred snorted. "Of course. The little princess pretending to be a hero, trying to hide what she had done. Ironic, she betrayed her family, and then she betrayed us. It doesn't matter though. She wants to suffer for her choices? I'm more than happy to oblige."

Sonya grinned. That was something she'd like to see, very much.

Manfred clapped his hands, and a pair of female vampires dressed in white, silky dresses appeared behind him.

"Fetch us some refreshments," the Vampire Lord ordered with a grin. "Tonight, we shall celebrate the beginnings of a glorious new age."

The vampiric brides bowed and withdrew. When they were gone, the two ancient vampires discussed what was to come. Manfred had carved a path of blood from the northern coast and had already taken four villages and two large towns. The governor had tried to halt their advance, but had suffered significant casualties. High ranking Adventurers arrived to help, but were only able to aid the governor evacuate the towns and villages to the capital of the province in Pemberton. There were some areas that refused to obey the governor's warnings or were too slow to react, which are currently besieged by Manfred's lieutenants. Once those areas have been dealt with, the undead horde will converge on Pemberton.

"The plan is twofold," Manfred explained. "First, we're building up our forces and our empire. The more towns we take, the more undead we create. Second, we're going to lure Evileye to us. If she is truly an Adventurer, then she truly hasn't changed much in all these years. Hearing of my return and all these dead humans will bring her to us."

Sonya nodded and noticed the vampire brides arrive, dragging a pair of struggling men in drab clothes. From the looks of them, these men were probably laborers or farmers. It didn't matter now. The vampire women shoved the men to the ground, placing them before Sonya and Manfred. The men tried to scramble away, but their path of escape was blocked by the vampire brides.

"Shh!" Manfred said, circling the man and kneeling to meet his gaze. The Vampire Lord grabbed the sides of the man's head and gazed deeply into his frightened eyes. The man's body grew limp, and his struggling ended.

Sonya stepped in front of the other man. She knelt and ran a finger down the man's cheek. The man shivered, sweat dripped down his tanned face.

"To the future!" Manfred declared as he sank his teeth into the throat of his victim.

"To the future" Sonya murmured and bit into her victim. The blood was warm and delicious though it did little to settle the countess's worry for what lay ahead.

---

(a/n: a little light on our main heroes but don't worry, they'll be back in the next chapter. Thank you for all your reviews, faves and likes! Until next time, stay healthy and safe. See ya.)

(References)

(chapter title): song by Frank Ocean