A/N sorry TheMist33, I meant to answer that at the end of the last chapter. Yes there will be romance, no there will not be lemons. Just saying that I don't think that I could write an interesting lemon.

Anyway, back to the story.

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Ainz and Vaughn met Narberal, Gabriel, and Rivas at the entrance to the first floor where they had decided to don their disguises before setting out. Vaughn watched as Narberal used a quick change crystal to switch from her combat maid dress to a rather plain set of clothes that consisted of a white shirt with brown pants and cloak. He turned at Ainz calling [Create Greater Item] to see that he was not as subtle as Narberal, wearing monolithic black armor trimmed with gold and wearing a red cape to finish the ensemble. To the surprise of Vaughn, Ainz had two greatswords strapped to his back as well.

"What happened to trying not to draw atten...tion?" Vaughn slowed his questioning jab at Ainz as he turned and looked to the east. "That's odd, one of my sealed spells just activated."

"What spell?" Ainz asked, looking at his friend in concern.

"It was one of my [Delayed Summon Greater Shadow Demon] spells that I cast on those four Theocracy assholes we let go yesterday, but given the direction and distance it's in the heart of the Baharuth Empire, not the Slane Theocracy. Give me a moment to see what's going on over there. [Slave Sight]." Vaughn said, casting a spell that allowed him to share the senses of one of his summons.

-Arwinter, Baharuth Empire-

Vaughn could see what appeared to be the inside of a prison cell, there was a simple wooden plank against one wall that acted as a bed, a sturdy wooden door with a sliding metal window on the opposite wall, and a chair that was tipped over on the ground not far from the GSD that he was looking through. It took him a moment to realize that around him were simple clothes and above him was the sheets from the bed tied into a noose. 'Ah, so that's why it released the seal.'

Just after Vaughn finished that thought he heard the sounds of armored feet approaching the cell door. He quickly ordered his creation to move to the wall that would be to the left of anyone who would attempt to enter the cell. Another moment passed before there was a shout from the other side of the door. "We're coming in, sit on the bed with your hands behind your head. If you don't we'll just run you through on charges of impersonating an Imperial Knight." After 5 seconds without a response there was more pounding on the door. "Did you hear me filth!?" Still no response, after another moment Vaughn heard a different voice speaking to someone else on the other side of the door so low that he was unable to make out the words.

A second later the metal slat in the door opened so that the man on the other side of the door could look in, only to find a very odd scene. "What the hell?" He asked himself in a near whisper. "Master Fluder, step back for a moment, we have to check the room. Something strange is going on." The man said as Vaughn heard the sound of swords being drawn. Shortly afterwards the door swung open to allow two knights to enter the room and look around.

"What the hell?" The second voice Vaughn had heard asked.

"It looks like he killed himself, but where's the body? That is the change of clothes that we gave him, right?"

"Yeah, they are. Well if this is some form of magical trickery, it's a good thing that Master Fluder is here." The second man said, gesturing for a third man to enter.

The third man, who Vaughn assumed to be this Master Fluder, was a man that looked to be in his late 70's or early 80's. Vaughn held his proverbial breath as the man's eyes seemed to settle on the patch of shadows that he was being observed from, only for him to look away a moment later. "Yes this is indeed strange, even if he were invisible through magical means, my eyes would be able to see him. However, as I can't, it would seem like he isn't in here. That being said I doubt that he is just running around the building stark naked, therefore it's my belief that he died and then something happened to his body, and only his body." The man said, stroking his long white beard. "Please place all of the clothing, to include those sheets, into a sealed box and have it sent to the magical academy for an investigation."

After receiving a nod from the two knights Fluder Paradyne turned to leave and looked at the same patch of shadows he had when he had entered, but it felt different than before, it didn't feel as though there were a gaze peering through it. He sighed and left the cell as unseen by anyone, his shadow flickered slightly.

He traveled back towards the study of Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix. It took him a while to get there, as he was certainly not a young man any longer.

After 15 minutes Fluder entered the room to find the personal counsel of his emperor standing around as the man himself sat on a cushioned chair enjoying some grapes. "Welcome back Old Man, was everything alright? It's not everyday that one of my knights interrupts one of our meetings to ask for your assistance with a matter." The blonde man said, giving Fluder a fond smile.

"Forgive my sudden call, your Imperial Majesty. As I was told on my way down to the dungeons, one of the Griffin Riding patrols found a lone man, wearing the armor of the imperial knights, just east of the Katze plains. After picking him up, he was hysterical, raving about 'the brothers' and 'that blasted undead'. It wasn't until after they brought him back here for healing that it was discovered that the man was actually from the Slane Theocracy, and had been sent to Re-Estize to assist in the elimination of the Royal Head Warrior, Gazef Stronoff." At this final revelation everyone in the room, but especially the knights, were outraged.

"Those Theocracy dogs have some balls, attempting to pin the death of Gazef Stronoff on us."

"I thought that they were the 'protectors of humanity', but in reality they're just a bunch of two timing assholes!"

"Dammit all!"

After letting most of the occupants of the room get their anger out, Jircniv held up his hand and everyone immediately fell silent. "While this news is indeed repugnant, it still doesn't explain why you were pulled away, old man."

"As perceptive as ever, Jir." The man grimaced slightly at the nickname. "You are, of course, correct. They summoned me specifically because of the man's description of his 'blasted undead'. It just so happens that one of my direct students helps with magical interrogations on his own volition and was present at this mans. After he heard the description of the creature, he realized that it was the legendary undead of which we have under the magic academy. The Death Knight." At this there were gasps and worried expressions all around the room as everyone wondered if one of these creatures had escaped the Katze Plains and was running amok in the kingdom. Before it could get out of hand Fluder continued. "The most interesting part about the report, was that the Death Knight seemed to obey the orders of one of the two brothers that he was talking about, a man by the name Ainz Ooal Gown." After that revelation only the magically inclined people understood the significance of that accomplishment. "As such my student naturally called for me to continue with the interrogation. However that wasn't meant to be. The man apparently killed himself shortly before I arrived."

Jircniv noticed the wording that his mentor used. "What do you mean 'apparently'?"

Fluder gave the man a nod and a smile before answering him. "I mean that there was no body in the cell that he had been confined in, there was however a noose, a knocked over chair, and the clothes that the man was wearing the last time he was seen."

After the shock of this dissipated Jircniv ordered Fluder to investigate the incident and bring him the findings. After receiving confirmation from the man, Jircniv decided to carry on with the meeting as previously planned.

What nobody in the room noticed was three shadows detaching from Fluder's and traveling into the shadows of Jircniv, his personal assistant, and one of the four head knights. After Vaughn had finished giving his orders to this new creation, he returned to his own senses only to find himself being stared at by 4 pairs of eyes.

-Entrance of the Great Tomb of Nazarick-

Vaughn instinctively leaned back from the intense stares he was receiving. "What? Is there something caught in my shadows?" He said rubbing his face.

"No, we were just wondering what was going on." Ainz said.

Vaughn turned to his armored friend. "Well, one of the knights we sent back ended up in the capital city of the empire, blabbed about everything, and then killed himself. I attached the GSD to the man who seems to be the imperial court magician, or some similar position, after that I had it attach its own spawn to several important people and told it to continue doing so whenever it had the opportunity." Vaughn's eyes glowed bright green for a moment as he spoke. "By the way, this court magician seems to be a fan of yours. He and any other magically inclined person were rather taken by the fact that you had the ability to control a Death Knight, I wonder how they'd react if they knew that you created it. Ha I really want to see it now."

After Vaughn had finished explaining everything, Ainz nodded his head. "Well, at least we have eyes and ears in Baharuth a bit ahead of schedule. Anyway, we really should get going, if you wouldn't mind." He said gesturing with his left hand while still looking at his friend.

It took Vaughn a second to realize what it was that he was being asked to do. "Oh! Right! You can't cast while in that armor. [Gate]." He cast, setting the destination in a secluded patch of trees maybe a half hour leisurely stroll from E-Rantel. "Have fun you two! Don't do anything I would do." He waved as Ainz and Narberal walked through the portal.

After they were gone he turned to his own companions. "Now, it's our turn to seem less conspicuous." He said reaching into his inventory and pulling out three identical rings. They were all divine class items, they were known as "The Ring of the Doppelgänger", Vaughn had already had one and had collected the other two during his final raid. "These are rings that will allow us to blend in with humans, while they shouldn't drastically change what we look like, they will normalize us. For example…" He trailed off as he slipped it on the middle finger of his left hand and while his clothes, body type, and height stayed the same, his face and neck changed drastically. He had a very chiseled jaw that smoothly ran up to his cheekbones with unblemished and hairless skin. His lips while still very masculine were also full and one corner quirked up in a smirk. His eyes were perfectly symmetrical and the irises were brown flecked with the same yellow that his eyes normally glowed. His brown hair, while shorn down on the sides, was pulled up in a light ponytail on the crown of his head, and in the stubble of his hair on the right side of his head was an x shaped scar like growth of flesh. In all he was not an unattractive man.

Pulling out a mirror, he chuckled lightly. "Okay, maybe I was the wrong one to demonstrate, but to be fair I am also the one whose features are farthest from human. Hey are you two alright?" He asked as he looked up at his companions to find them both blushing profusely and looking away from him.

'Oh in the name of the Supreme Beings, there's no way that I could find a human face attractive! It's impossible!' Rivas thought to herself, trying to not think about the one who helped her in such a light. She simply nodded at the question from Vaughn.

'My master is so handsome! Can I still fall from grace if I am laying with my creator? Why am I thinking like that?' Gabriel, whose face went a shade darker red than it was before, internally quizzed herself. At Vaughn's question she nearly jumped out of her shin. "Y-yes! I-I am totally f-fine! D-don't worry a-about me!"

Vaughn, taken aback, could guess Rivas' feelings wondered if there was something similar going on with Gabriel, since neither of them were able to make eye contact with him. "Ooookay then. If there's no problems, take these." He said offering the two rings to them.

After putting them on neither of them changed much. Gabriel simply no longer had her wings, but otherwise remained the same. Rivas, on the other hand, had her skin color more so that she wasn't so pale, her red eye turned blue, and both eyes stopped glowing. The most telling thing that Vaughn noticed was where they both put their rings, as they both placed them on their left ring fingers, Gabriel faster than Rivas who seemed to have an internal debate over which finger it should go on.

"Now, you should keep in mind not to get separated from these rings, as they produce tactile illusions so that my shadow wisps, and your wings," he said briefly gesturing to Gabriel. "aren't able to be felt through a normal illusion. Any questions?"

Rivas raised her hand as she spoke. "Yes, will we be using our names, or false names?"

"Great question. We will be using false names, and on that note neither of you are to address me in any formal capacity such as master, lord, supreme one, etcetera. My alternate name is Levi, and if anyone asks I am a special kind of caster from our country called a magus. Do you have a name in mind, either of you?"

Rivas nodded. "I'll be Erin."

Nodding Vaughn looked at Gabriel who was blushing brightly again as she shook her head in the negative. "That's fine, how about we go with Paige?" After a shy nod, Vaughn looked at their clothes. While his normal gear could pass as timeworn, it'd probably be better to change as it wouldn't be too difficult to connect Levi to Vaughn if they wore the same clothes in the exact same way. He excused himself for a moment and found a secluded alcove on the first floor where he quickly changed into a much older equipment set that he had pulled together after a month or two in the guild. It consisted of a robe that was slightly more padded than normal with leather accents on his right shoulder and leather bracers. He lost the hat and moved the Tome of Wisdom to his right hip rather than his left.

After he was sure that he had everything put together well, he was turning around when he saw platinum blonde hair, red eyes and a pale face watching him from the corner of the alcove. "Did you need something Shalltear?" He asked, looking at her.

She blushed as she stepped forward. "M-my Lord. Thank you for the meal." And that was all she said before walking away.

'What?' Vaughn thought as he watched her turn a corner at the end of the hall. As he turned to leave himself his foot landed in a puddle. Without thinking he looked down at the sizable pool of fluids….. that just so happened to be in the exact same spot that Shalltear was standing. 'Nope, it's definitely a coincidence. Definitely. There's a leak in the roof somewhere.' He tried to convince himself as he returned outside.

Once outside he looked at his team and decided that they should probably change as well. "Rivas, you have alternate equipment that would make it more difficult to identify you, correct?" After a nod of confirmation he continued. "Then please take Gabriel with you and equip her in something that would be nondescript, and yourself as well."

After the two left Vaughn slowly began thinking of the best way to get across to the distant kingdom. He had just stumbled across the potential way when the two women that were to accompany him returned. He turned to look at Rivas first as she was doing an admirable job of playing the edgy rogue with black clothes covering most of her skin, a dark gray hood, a bandanna or something else that would cover her face. Next he looked at Gabriel and appreciated the look that Rivas had gone for. She had pulled her hair up into a high bun on the crown of her head and was wearing a ribbon to keep it together that dangled down to her collar with gold and silver accents. Her dress was still white, but it accentuated all of her curves and was far more comfortable looking and combat appropriate than the robe she normally wore. In her hand was a glowing golden staff that he furrowed his brow at, as he knew for a fact that he had never given Rivas a staff, let alone one brimming with holy energy.

"Where'd you get the staff?" He asked, glancing at Rivas.

However it was Gabriel who answered. "Shalltear said that it was an item that Lord Peroroncino had given to her. Even after he realized that she wouldn't be able to use it, he just left it to her because he had nothing better to do with it. She said that since I had to make myself useful to you, I should be the healer, then she lent me the staff under the condition that I return it whenever I'm within the Tomb." The angel said with a smile.

"Nice." Vaughn said with a thumbs up. "Well now that we are ready to go, let's go. Just before you guys got back I scryed around the capital city to find a good place to arrive. So are you guys ready?" Two resolute nods later Vaughn turned and held out a hand. "[Gate]."

-Outskirts of Okarthel, Draconic Kingdom -

Out of the portal the three walked into a ditch 15 minutes from the main gate of Okarthel. Before going any further Vaughn turned to the other two. "Okay base rules: 1. We are going to keep our abilities at those of a level 30 or so, as such Gabriel and I can't cast anything above tier 4, but try to keep it at tier 3. 2. From here on we go by the names of our disguise. Any questions?"

The women shook their heads and the three of them started walking down the road. 10 minutes later the city came into view and the three picked up the pace just a little bit so that they could ensure that they were able to get inside the city and to the adventurers guild before sunset. As they came to the gate they were confronted by several city guards. "What's your business in Okarthel?" A man with an ornate shoulder pauldron asked.

"We are travelers from afar," Vaughn began. "we had heard of the beauty of the Capital city Okarthel, and of the plight of the kingdom as a whole. As such we came here to attempt to ply our trade and help those who are in need of it."

The man appeared to be taken aback for a moment before gripping the bridge of his nose and shaking his head. "Hell, it's another one of those bards that are handy with their words, the ladies, and not much else. Just get in quick, I don't want to listen to your rambling any longer than I have to."

Vaughn, now the one caught off guard, nodded. "Sorry, but could I enquire as to the directions to the adventurers guild building?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the captain simply pointed down the road saying. "Go down this road until you find the plaza on the left. You can't miss it."

Giving his thanks Vaughn guided his two lovely companions in the direction that the captain had given, trying to get them away from the hungry stares of the other guards. They found the guild hall and quickly registered and received their plates, as well as directions to a cheap inn in town. As the three were making their way however they heard a disturbance coming from down an alleyway. Vaughn was preparing to continue on his way when whatever substituted for blood in his veins ran cold as they heard the scream of a little girl.

Before Vaughn could get a word out Rivas had already taken off in a dead sprint down the alley with Gabriel right behind her. 'The hell happened to rule 1!?' He screamed internally as he followed after them. After making two turns he saw what he was dreading.

There he saw Rivas and Gabriel looking down the alley at a group of men the leader seemed to have the small child in question slung over his left shoulder and Vaughn could see a little ways further down the road a man hugging his wife as she cried and was leading her inside of a nearby house. The men all seemed to be wearing a pendant of some kind that looked like a tear made of crystal, and they were all smirking.

"What are you doing?" Rivas asked, while her voice was not raised it carried well, and the men stopped to look at her.

"It's none of your business, copper plates, go home." The leader said, causing his men to snicker.

"I don't care if you say it's not our business, I refuse to stand by and watch a child get carried away like a bag of potatoes." Gabriel chimed in, her face a mask of cold fury.

The leader looked from Rivas, to Gabriel, before landing his eyes on Vaughn. "Hey guy, I recommend putting your bitches on their leashes before they turn into a dead bitch in the street." All humor was now vacant from his voice.

Vaughn stiffened before he took several steps forward, standing now between his two companions and the group ahead of them. Then and only then did he speak. "You know, I was planning on just walking away," he started, seeing the men before him smile with an 'of course, as it should be' look before Vaughn continued. "But now that you've insulted these two, I'll kick your asses before they can even get to you." [Silent Magic: Shadow Gate].

The little girl fell into her own shadow on the man's shoulder and appeared in Vaughn's own shadow behind him. He looked over his shoulder at Gabriel and Rivas. "Protect her, but don't interfere. They're mine." He turned back so fast that he missed the two of them blushing as they realized that he was angry because of something that was said against them.

As he looked forward Vaughn saw the leader pulling a sword out of his sheath and, confusion clear on his face, leapt towards Vaughn. However Vaughn quickly conjured his own blade from his shadow to parry the sword rather easily. After blocking two more strikes he used this opportunity to redirect the swing and force the man off balance just enough for Vaughn to bring his knee up and into the man's gut with enough force to cause him to lose his dinner, before following up with bringing his heel down on the foot of the man with just enough force to shatter the bones but leaving the appendage intact. Now screaming in pain Vaughn decided that he didn't want this man here with them anymore, so he jumped up and delivered a flying roundhouse kick, forcing the unknown man back into his men who were several yards away and preparing to help their leader. Vaughn landed very gracefully before turning to look back at the little girl that they had just saved. "My friends and I are going to take you with us for a little bit so that we can make sure that you weren't hurt, okay?" He said as he took a knee in front of her.

The little girl looked at Vaughn with her big blue eyes and blue hair draped around her face. "Mama says that I shouldn't go with strangers. I don't know you, so you're strangers."

Vaughn chuckled lightly as he held out his hand for a shake. "You know, you're absolutely right. I'm so silly, my name is Levi, these are my friends Erin and Paige. What's your name?"

"Myu." The little girl said, fearlessly shaking his hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Myu." Vaughn said with a smile. "Let's go ahead and make sure that you aren't hurt, are you okay with that now?" After getting a nod from her, Vaughn stood and attempted to take his hand back only to find it clenched tightly in the hand of a small child, and decided to just let things continue on as they were and he carried on walking as there was a shout from behind him.

"You don't know who I am, do you? You have no fucking clue what can of worms you opened when you raised your blade against Cerabrate and Crystal Tear!"

And Vaughn didn't care.

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A/N wow that's a hefty chapter, I hope you guys enjoyed this latest of chapters and my attempt at a slightly darker moment in the world. Speaking of which, those of you who recognize the little girl, I see that you are a man of culture as well. As always thank all of you for your support and if you have any questions or ideas let me know, because I know for a fact that I make mistakes.

Until next chapter.

Read, Follow, Review.