Overlord: The Undying Tyrant
Note: I don't own Overlord(オーバーロード) novels, manga, nor anime, Kugane Maruyama owns them.
I am not a native English speaker, I just use add-ons to do most of the work. I simply do this because I am bored, and improving my English writing is a good use of time too. I have never done this kinda thing before so yeah...cheers!
C1
1
The knights surrounded the man, their swords pointed forward. His blade gleamed and ready to strike down the man before him. The knight's commander felt a chill down his spine, the man in front of him had an uncanny aura around him but they outnumbered the lone man.
Green lights were shining within the tall man's dead fish-eyes. In his hand holds an intricate bardiche. It seems divine, yet emitting an unholy aura around its pitch-black blade. He wore a platinum-trimmed black coat over his navy blue-elegant doublet, together with a pair of dark leather gloves, and cavalry boots. The dark-grey turban covers his face and head, exposing only his uncanny eye.
The Commander raised his sword and struck the man, but his vision was...strange. He felt light, then the image of his own body came into his view. The remaining knights charged the lone man, hoping to avenge their commander. They shouted and scream as they charge, cursing the stranger and claiming that they shall have their revenge. Some in the front could hear the Stranger's low and coarse voice.
"[Lacerate]"
Half of the approaching knights were cut down by bluish-green light emitted from the bardiche of the lone man. The remainings know that they are outmatched, number meant nothing in front of this monster, the hunter becomes the hunted.
'Oi oi oi, aren't they too weak? they wore armour right?'
The knights started to flee, the comrades they trained and fought with for years were cut down like a farmer's scythe through tall grasses. Terror borrows into their heart, as they ran away from the monstrosity.
"[Binding Chain]"
The chain came out under the now fleeing knights, binding them to the earth beneath their feet. The knights plead for their life, begging for forgiveness and mercy. To Lucius, [Binding Chain] was a weak spell. It can't even hinder the movement of most higher-level players, let alone a dedicated tank. Lucius looks around, then approached the most decorated and well-armed man.
"Well, are you gonna say something pathetic? Go on, say something pathetic."
The trembling knight was unable to answer. The smell of ammonia filled the air, unwelcomed but tolerable.
"You are the highest-ranking officer, right? well, at least the living one…"
Lucius turned toward the first man who charged at him. The Second lieutenant nods, hoping that the man will demand ransom from his family. His family is rich, even for the lesser noble, the man in front of him should recognize his status.
"Aight, you will stay and answer my questions...The rest of you drop your weapons and leave. [Release]"
Lucius let the remaining knights go after they drop their weapons. Those weaklings pose no threat to him, but it indeed is carelessness at work. He then turns to the Second Lieutenant'
"Now, , we have a lot to talk about. Let's go to your camp and have a nice and civilized conversation eh?"
The Second Lieutenant's shock was shown on his face as he heard the stranger's mocking tone. He understands that he will be interrogated, he prayed that he won't be tortured. The man in front of him knows about their camp, and who knows what he wants.
'damn I've been isekaied haven't I, VMMORPG ain't this real and their reaction is way too human'
The man followed the trembling Second Lieutenant further into the woods.
'I just kill a bunch of people and don't even feel a thing, what on earth is this? I used to work in a PMC and all, but this ain't no normal occurrence! I am inside my avatar, a freaking wraith, so that's possible.'
"We are here...sir, I..I will do a..anything please spare my life!"
Said the second lieutenant with a trembling voice as they arrived at a clearing near a stream.
'I have to keep this up, I need information from this guy after all. Guess I'll use the character's name can't be too sure if outsiders are welcome, Lucius ain't a bad name..right?'
…
The Second Lieutenant answered every questions, it seems like the man asking the question has no interest in the conflict between nations. He asks some weird questions and some are just common knowledge.
...
"So you are attacking these frontier villages and sometimes adventurers get in the way. Where is the last village you attacked?"
"T...to the north of our camp, sir"
"Continuing from the village to the north is E-rantel city, am I correct?"
Lucius pointed at the map with an unknown language, but Lucius can read it. Perhaps, it is translation passive skill [Language Comprehension] he wasted his passive points on.
'This come in handy eh? Boss-man gave me a lot of crap for this. Well, he was right, but I was too lazy to go through the grind again.'
"Y..yes sir"
"Good, I am done with you"
The Second lieutenant breathed a sigh of relief, a faint glint of hope was in his eyes…
"But here's a thing, knowing too much is a problem. I don't want my information to spread more than necessary."
"Y..you promised! I swear, I will not say a word. A..and I answered all of…"
The man opens his mask, revealing his hidden face. The face was above average, a solid 7/10 perhaps, but the crack near the eyes and neck reveals unholy energy within.
"Hiiiii…M..m..monster!"
Lucius frowns his modeled eyebrows.
'of course, my appearance is uncommon too, great!'
"Sorry chief, I ain't that trusting. Besides, I didn't say a single word about letting you live"
"[Lacerate]"
The Second Lieutenant's head separate clean from his shoulder, his body fell to the ground like the puppet whose string was cut.
'Plundering the plunderer is not wrong right?...but they got it from the villages… Well, founder keepers...let's not think about this eh?'
Lucius went around the camp collecting coins and some provisions, he left some valuables to look not too inconspicuous of course. Despise his non-existence hunger, Lucius tries to eat the dried meat, he can't taste a thing but at least he can smell the scent. The food restores some mana but it's minuscule, it appears that his ethereal body can turn organic matters into energy.
'Great, I can't even enjoy the foods, at least I won't feel hunger.'
Judging from the reaction of the now-dead Second Lieutenant, his appearance will be a problem. In Yggdrasil wraith wasn't common, immunity to most physical damages was nice but the downside of low magic resistance can be detrimental. Leveling was also a pain, race changes require more resources than most races, and wraiths were considered very weak until level 60.
'I'll need some disguise, my appearance ain't normal here. Lower tier items will do, maybe some foreign-looking stuff would work.' The Wraith took out something that looked exotic, at least for him. He took out; a sturdy dark blue caftan, a bascinet with intricate owl-like mask and face covering, bandage vambraces, a polished plated-mail hauberk, a pair of leather gloves, and boots, and his old trusty glaive that brought him through level 40. Now he appears like a warrior far from home with bandage-wrapped arms.
'alright, I should check up on the village, there might be someone left alive...somehow'
Lucius walks through the woods, the narrow dirt road should lead to the ruined village. The road wasn't well kept, there are numerous obstacles along the road and some fallen trees even.
'Can't believe I have a chance to walk in an environment this good, I don't even need a mask for this. Blueplanet-san would sell his soul for this scenery'
The length wasn't long but Lucius takes his time, enjoying the luxury that is unpolluted nature. There might be someone in the village, but Lucius simply can't pass on the environment that only the rich can afford to experience. The internet has descriptions, videos, and pictures of the past, he saw some that look like this but he never experiences this type of scenery.
"[Create Mid-Tier Undead: Wraith Ranger]"
The unholy energy within him pours out. The sensation of mana leaving his body felt like something was missing, drained from his body. It forms into a humanoid archer composed of unholy energy bound with blacken flesh, Lucius felt a link between him and the summoned ranger. Usually summoned monsters have limited duration, but Lucius' class {Undying Tyrant} allows him to permanently have two Mid-Tier summons and one [Undying Lieutenant].
'Damnnn, this feels weird. This is completely different from Yggdrasil, guess this really is a new world'
This level 40 undead was a great damage dealer but she lacks in survivability. She has rather good perception and speed, for reconnaissance, she is adequate. The wraith ranger is armed with a crossbow and an arming sword, she wore a simple gambeson under her light armor, covered with a short-hooded cloak. The summoned wraith has an appearance similar to the elves, but the details were lost due to the nature of wraiths. She kneels before her summoner awaiting orders.
"Scout the surrounding, report anything that's abnormal. Engagement is prohibited, run if you were detected. Oh and meet me at the razed village north of here."
"Yes, milord!"
The wraith ranger stands up and bows then depart for her mission.
'Holy crap, this is surreal. I should find a way back, I have...wait what did I have? crap I don't have anything...except for my woobie!'
Lucius felt his emotion got cut off, together with green light surround him.
'Emotion suppressor? this is not good, what do I do now. I can't even have an emotional breakdown! fuuuuuuuuu...'
Greenlight covers his body again, along with the emotional suppression effect.
'...'
'Whatever, I need to speed up my pace. I felt like crap now'
2
The remains of the village came in view, almost house was burned down. The only house that remains somewhat intact seems to have stone walls and wooden shingles. Thatch burns down easily after all.
'Damn, those knights raze em' good.'
The wraith ranger was there, kneeling, waiting for him.
"[Detect Life]"
Lucius felt the location that has some life force, some are very dim.
"Hmm, five remains huh. Wraith ranger, clean up the inside of that house, I will put the injured in there."
He dug up the survivors from under the ruin and debris. The survivors compose of a middle-aged man, a teenage woman, two boys, and a girl.
'They are unconscious and in need of immediate care, the teenage girl seems to have it worst. The teenage girl's leg has an open fracture along with other minor wounds. I need to stop the bleeding and make some improvised splint, it won't be great but it will do.'
Lucius lays them in a room that still has strong enough support. The room was cleared of all furniture, still, it barely has enough space for these fives. Lucius applies the bandage, putting even pressure on the open fracture and stop the bleeding. He then ties the leg between two sticks, preventing her leg from moving too much.
"[Widen Magic: Field Dressing]"
The wound stopped bleeding and slowly heal, the effect is base on health percentage. [Field Dressing] will remove most of the low-level debuffs and apply some regeneration effect, it took some time and not efficient. It was considered garbage compared to other healing skills, but Lucius gains this skill as a by-product and it was an area-of-effect spell. Lucius wraps the wound with a clean cloth and bandages, then orders the wraith ranger to clean them up with a damp cloth.
After taking care of the wounded, the wraith reports her findings.
There was the previously encountered camp, and there's nothing more. The terrain consists of thickly wooded areas to the south and plains to the north.
"Wraith Ranger you stand guard for the night, I will do the day."
"But my lord, I am a wraith, I will never tire, I.."
Lucius cut the conversation. He wants to sleep. Having his subordinate work all day and night while the boss rest is the thing he experienced, and he doesn't want others to.
"Rest is important, your mind needs to rest. Even I have to rest regularly."
"But…"
"Think of it as being fresh to serve me with full concentration, strained mind will lead to clouded judgment. If something happens, I will call you"
"Yes, milord!"
'This girl is quite zealous, isn't she. I am grateful for her loyalty but damn.'
The bodies will start to rot soon, and the smell of burned flesh is unpleasant at best. Lucius and Wraith Ranger clean up the corpse littered the village. He doesn't know the custom of dealing with dead bodies, so he laid them together near the shed not too far away, cover their face with some cloth.
"Everything is done...so, see you in the morning."
...the next morning...
'This is the best sleep in my damn life, not having a spinal cord is a blessing!'
"You have done well, now go and rest."
"Yes, milord!"
The sunrise turning the purple sky blue. Lucius took out an observation ward, a small staff with crystal eye on top. It has quite a large observation area, Lucius placing it on the top of the observation tower to secure the parameter. The screen appears as he places the ward, fortunately, the control was the same as Yggdrasil.
Lucius grabbed the pot from one of the burn-down houses and collect water from a nearby stream, he, of course, have a jug of endless water but the feeling was not the same. He then boils the grains he got from the knight's camp, the survivors need their meal after the things that they had faced. He prepared a simple wheat porridge, some dried meats, and dried berries for the unconscious bunch.
3
The survivors wake up inside a room, they recognize it's their chief's house. They then remember what had happened, The middle-aged man calms everyone down. Lucius enters the remains of the house after they managed to somewhat calm themselves.
"Hey, you. Finally awake. You lots were attacked by those knights, right? I walked into their ambush, dealt with'em already...so don't be afraid."
The survivors were stunned by the sudden appearance of a foreign man, the oldest among them speak in a grim tone.
"Those bastards! They..they…"
"My condolence. You lot need to eat, come outside, I made some meal for you all. Sorrow is easier to bear on a full stomach"
They come out and sit around the small campfire Lucius made, the middle-aged man helps to move the girl with a broken leg. They are eating their first mead after the attack. The man introduces himself and his fellow villagers.
"Sir, my name is Jaras, I owned the alehouse... These two are my sons Jacub and Josef. This is Claris the carpenter's daughter. And that little girl is the Miller's daughter, Anya"
The others just nodded as Jaras introduce them.
'Crap what should I do now? Lucius ain't no good. Aight, it ain't that creative but it will do!'
"My name is Harrad...Harrad Faquaar, I was from the far south. By the way, I move the bodies to that shed over there. I don't know your customs, so I refrain from burning them."
"Thank you, kind sir,..we will give them a proper burial later. I thank you again, without you we would all be dead. Please understand that we don't have anything to pay you!"
Nothing is free, even in this fantasy-like world, free favour is more terrifying even. It would've been suspicious too if I don't demand anything in return. I still lack some knowledge of the surrounding, that knight isn't from here too.
"That won't be a problem, everything can turn into a commodity. You see, I am far from my home. I have very limited knowledge of this land."
Jaras' complexion became better. His saviour spared them of their future debt, one that he doesn't think that they can pay. This Harrad guy seems to be very strong, his equipment seems to be expensive, even to his own's untrained eyes. The cost of hiring such a person must be extremely high.
"I understand that you don't want to be seen as cheap, the information that I can provide is not valuable. Obtaining your service certainly demands a great sum of money. However, as you see, we won't be able to. If you want anything in the future, I will provide you as much as I could!"
Jaras's expression seems honest and determined. A reliable person is needed, especially in this situation.
The conversation was about to start, but it was cut short by the incoming force. The observation ward detects an incoming group, they rode on horses and have un-uniform armours, they have approximately 50 in number. Their appearance looks like battle-hardened warriors who have their preference. Or to put it less politely, a band of mercenaries.
'Their equipment wasn't the same as the knights before, better safe than sorry.'
"All of you, go inside and hide! Someone's coming!"
"Is it the knights that attacked our village!"
"No, but I can't be sure. I will talk to them, Jaras can you come with me?"
"Of course!"
The surviving villagers went into the house, Jaras and his sons carried the injured Claris. There was no door left, but they hid as well as they could. Jaras then come out, standing next to Lucius. The wraith ranger was notified by her master via message and was on stand-by at the top of the observation post.
The armed men on horseback approach what remains of a village, the leader noticed the men standing. A man comes forth, he looks like someone who made his living through violence, similar to Lucius in his previous life. Despite his rough looks, he has some aura of a leader.
"I am the Warrior-Captain of the Re-Estize Kingdom, Gazef Stronoff. By order of the King, I shall visit each of the frontier villages to deal with the knights from enemy countries who have been making trouble here."
His voice was loud and powerful, the sound echo through the razed village.
"Jaras, you should know him right?"
"Folks says that he won the tournament, now he leads the elite force directly under the King. The emblem of their armours is the Kingdom's for sure!"
Anger started to boil within Jaras's heart. The Kingdom can't defend their village, the taxes and young men they send were for nothing!
"Calm down, Jaras. The fault lies with the patrol guards and those damned knights, not the troops before you"
Gazef immediately dismounted, his face grew grim.
Lucius stopped Jaras from bursting out. Making him come to his sense.
"You must be the survivor of the village, I apologize that I can't save your village!"
Gazef glared toward the wraith ranger, then turn toward Lucius.
"I am pleased to meet you sir warrior-captain. My name is Harrad Faquaar, a traveler from the south. I was ambushed by some knight on the road, south of here. I dealt with them, but some managed to flee. Then I came across this village and help these folks"
"Did you strike them down, Faquaar dono?"
"Yes, I killed seven of them."
Lucius gives a message to the wraith ranger, calling her down to introduce her to the captain. The wraith ranger gives the Warrior-Captain a slight bow.
"Forgive me for my rudeness, this is my familiar. She is on the lookout duty"
Gazef nodded in acknowledgment. The man in front of him gives off an uncanny feeling, but he saves the life of the Kingdom's citizens. He gives Lucius a slight bow.
"Thank you for saving the survivors"
"Give it no thought, Warrior-Captain, they paid for my service as well. Think of it as I am an...adventurer"
"I understand, could you please tell me about the knights who attack you?"
"It would be my pleasure, but the lass inside needs a healer, her leg's broken. I have done some first aid and made some make-shift splint but her leg ain't looking good."
The Warrior-Captain calls for the medic, they gave her some kind of blue potion and take care of her.
"Aight, back to the topic. The knight ambushed me on the road south of here, I killed half of em', the rest flee. So I track down one of the knights and found their camp, six tents if I remember it correctly. It was mostly empty but I suggest you send some men to check it out. The camp located southwest of here, in the clearing near the stream in the woods."
Gazef murmured in approval, Harrad dono seems to have some scouting experience. His appearance is still suspicious though.
"May I ask you to reveal your face? I apologize but as a Warrior-Captain, I should have some knowledge about an individual like yourself."
"That cannot be done, Warrior-Captain. My religion prohibited me from revealing my complete face to someone outside of my family. I could remove my lower face covering though."
Lucius opens the cloth that covers his lower face, revealing his dark skin and a large scar running down his mouth. The cloth underneath the mask covers the crack that shows the unholy energy inside of him. Lucius hopes that his religious facade will protect him from further questioning.
"Thank you for your understanding, Faquaar dono. I will send my men to check out the camp, there might be more of them. Where would you go next, if I may ask?."
'E-rantel is the nearest city from here, and do I need a passport?... This Gazef guy should be pretty high rank. Maybe he might give me the permission letter to enter the city…'
"I planned to accompany these folks to E-rantel, I can't just leave them here. By the way, does the city requires a passage letter?"
"I will write to them that you accompany the injured from this village, the guards should let you in."
"Thank you, Warrior-captain. I believe that we should depart as soon as possible, we should be there by dusk. By the way, Warrior-Captain dono, can I borrow one of the stretchers? carrying that lass on my back might open the wound."
Traveling to that city on foot might take a couple of hours, talking to Jaras-san on the way seems nicer than walking in silence.
"I can send my men to do that, Faquaar dono. You have already done so much."
"You don't need to Warrior-Captain. You will need as many men as possible for your task, the territory is vast after all."
'Besides I don't want those soldiers to poke their nose in.'
"I need to get back to my mission, there might be another attack nearby. I hope to see you again, Faquaar dono."
Lucius just nodded in return. Gazef sends a signal to his men, mount up and ride off.
"Jaras-san, we should go now, travelling at night can be quite dangerous."
Lucius and the survivors left the village, Jaras, and Lucius carries Claris on the stretcher. On the way, Lucius musters all of the human interaction skills he processed to make it not awkward. He usually stays silent during his work, he was closed to a few fellow degenerates. Jaras was a more valuable asset to Lucius than he first thought, he even carries the conversation, owning an alehouse requires skill that people like Jaras have. Keeping them talking also diverts their mind from the raid on their village, tears have their time but now they need to focus on living.