Twenty minutes later, Raazuka stood in the village square, waiting for the cavalry to arrive. In the distance, he could just make out a party of about twenty, riding towards the village. He had changed back into his casual clothes, dispensing with the suit jacket and donning a leather trench-coat (there was really nothing special about this one, it was just durable), because really, if it came to it, he could just kill everyone. Over his face he still wore the Mask of Jealousy. On his left stood a spider-like monster the size of a human wearing ninja gear. From each of its eight legs grew a sharp blade. It was an eight-edged assassin, Nazarick's private force of spies, killers and infiltrators. The only reason the townspeople hadn't had a collective heart attack out of fear, was that the arachnoids could turn invisible.
The rest of the village had buried their dead, and were now cowering in the headman's house, with Albedo to watch over them. It was the biggest, and most secure for all of them (and if he did decide to kill them, it would be convenient to not have to chase them all down individually). He had taken the time to let them have a funeral, instead of just burning the corpses for the sake of practicality. Really, who would I be to deny the dead their rest. I'm not Takemi. Takemi Kashino, not Warrior Takemi, had been one of his friends who played as an undead vampire summoner. He'd particularly delighted in slaughtering entire NPC villages at a time and taking them for his undead army. That is, until he crossed Ainz Ooal Gown and they destroyed him (he had advised Takemi not to come afoul of the guild).
He leaned heavily on a cane made of a dark material, inlaid with runes of gold and intricate spirals and swirls. It was a magical item, the 'Cane of the Beast'. It also just happened to work excellently as a walking stick. He nodded along with the report of the assassin.
"— and then the scarred man— 'Commander Nigun'— gave an order to his men to begin something on account of 'the prey entering the cage'. The men stand at several positions surrounding the village, My Lord."
"Hmm, I see. Well done. When they run, make sure they don't get far."
With that, the assassin faded even from his view, and raced off to notify the others.
Honestly, I've done what I came here to do, so why am I still here? These were the kinds of thoughts going through Raazuka's head as he watched the men ride into the village in formation. He was currently keeping watch over them with a simple clairvoyance spell.
"Well that's strange. Their gear doesn't match—they've all got custom setups… Does that mean they're not part of a regular army?" Raazuka spoke quietly to himself as he contemplated the soldiers that were proceeding quietly through the village. The more he saw, the more it bothered him.
The knights who had come before with the empire's crest emblazoned on their chests all had matching heavy armour. But these cavalrymen, they were wearing armour, but everyone had arranged their equipment to their own liking. Some wore just leather armour for some parts, while others had taken off iron plates and wore exposed chain mail. Some wore helmets, some didn't. The one thing they had in common in that department was that their faces were visible. They also all wore the same make of sword, but their secondary weapons were all different types—bows, one-handed spears, maces, etc. Optimistically, they're a bunch of veterans. Realistically, they're just mercenaries.
Eventually the party rode into the square where he stood, eyeing him warily. One of the robust looking ones came forwards on his horse, his eyes still on Raazuka, standing in the bloody patch of dirt where he had slaughtered the knights. The man had the air of someone who made violence his profession, Raazuka noted, as he met the man's sharp, steady gaze from behind his mask. The man's mouth twitched slightly upward and he began to speak in a dignified manner, his deep voice carrying slightly through the quiet air.
"I am captain of the Royal Select of the Kingdom of Re-Estize, Gazef Stronoff. We've come on the king's orders to subdue the imperial knights terrorising this region."
He sensed a slight bit of movement from the headman's house at the knight's words. Apparently they could hear him. Good. He raised his cane and tapped it on the ground. There was a slight popping noise, and next to him where the assassin had just stood, now stood the village headman. He seems like someone who would know things.
"Headman. Who is this man." He spoke to the man still looking around in confusion as the captain slowly sheathed his sword, half drawn when the cane had been tapped.
"I-I don't know, my lord. If he says he is Gazef Stronoff, I do not doubt it."
"But you don't know for sure? Useless as all… ways." He had wanted to say 'Useless as all humans', but then he remembered who stood before him.
He swept his gaze across the men's armour again. They all wore a crest on their shoulders. It was different to the crest of the knights that had come before, but still. Suddenly his musings were interrupted by the captain's voice.
"It seems that you are the village headman. Would you please mind telling me just who this is next to you?"
The headman's mouth was half open to answer when Raazuka burst out quickly, "Unnecessary. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Captain Stronoff. I am Raazuka, the man who saved this village."
The captain slid off his horse, and landed with a clatter. He stood and solemnly bowed his head.
"Then you have my thanks."
A ripple went through the atmosphere. It must have been a shock in this world, where social standing was so black and white, to see the most likely privileged man who held the position of captain of the Royal Select making a show of respect to Raazuka, whose status was unknown. Just judging from his observations, it didn't even look like they had human rights. They had probably been buying and selling humans as slaves up until a few years ago. He hadn't seen any evidence of slavery thus far, nor its remnants, which would've been odd, as small villages like this were usually the first to fall to slavers. Therefore, there must've been a time difference of at least a few years between now, and when slavery ended.
And yet, despite the fact that they weren't even equals, Gazef had gotten off his horse and bowed. That spoke volumes about his character. Raazuka decided that the man must actually be who he said he was.
"No, I was doing it for the rewards, anyway. Don't worry about it."
"Oh! A reward? Then, you're an adventurer?"
"Something like that."
"Hmm, I see. You seem quite strong… I'm sorry to say I haven't heard your name before."
"I'm on a journey, just passing through, so my name may not have spread so much."
"On a journey, hm? I feel bad taking an able adventurer's time, but I'd like to hear the details about the nasty bunch who attacked this village."
"Of course. I'd be happy to tell you, Captain. I robbed most of them of their lives. I'd hazard to say they won't be making any trouble around here for a while. Did you need to hear more about that?"
"Robbed them of their lives… You killed them yourself, Sir Raazuka?"
"Yes. A creature summoned by me did this." He gestured to the blood soaked ground.
"I see. Right now I have but two questions. Firstly: Who is that?" He gestured to where Albedo stood in front of the headman's house, not far away.
"One of my companions. She travels with me."
"I see. Second thing: What's with the mask?"
"I have my own reasons for not wanting to be recognised."
"Could I get you to take it off for me?"
"I'm afraid not."
With that, Raazuka tapped his cane again, and from the ground grew a round table and a pair of comfortable chairs. On the table was a teapot and a pair of teacups. He sat down and motioned to the other chair as the men took their hands off their weapons slowly.
"Sit. Drink. We've much to discuss. I'm sure you wish to know at once who exactly those knights—"
Raazuka stopped mid sentence as a lone cavalryman rode into the square. His rough breathing foreshadowed the seriousness of the news he'd brought. He loudly announced an emergency. "Captain! Several figures spotted in the area! They're surrounding the village and approaching!"
Ten minutes later, Gazef was standing in the shadow of a house, confirming the reported figures for himself. He could see three. They were slowly walking toward the village, maintaining a fixed distance among one another. They were unarmed and weren't wearing heavy armour, but that didn't mean they would go down easily. Many casters eschewed heavy armour, preferring lighter materials. In other words, they were probably casters. What made that completely clear were the glowing, winged figures lined up next to them—angels.
Angels were monsters summoned from another world that many people—especially people from the Slane Theocracy—believed served the gods. It was unclear whether that was true or false, and the priests of the kingdom asserted that they were simply a type of summoned monster. That religious conflict was one reason the countries disliked each other, but Gazef didn't care who the monsters served. To Gazef, all that mattered was how strong they were. As far as he knew, compared to other monsters summoned with the same level of magic, angels and demons (which were said to be about equal themselves) were a tad stronger. In addition to having many special abilities, they could use some magic, so Gazef categorised them among the more troublesome enemies. Even so, although it depended on the type of angel, they weren't unbeatable.
These ones wore gleaming breastplates and carried long swords of crimson flame. He'd never seen this type before, so he couldn't guess how strong they were.
Raazuka had come with him to take a look and asked, "Who the heck are these guys and what are they after? This village doesn't really seem that valuable…"
"So you don't know them…? If they're not after you, Sir Raazuka, then there's only one answer."
Their eyes met. "You've got some enemies, Captain."
"I suppose there's no helping it because of my position, but this is…a rather large problem. If they have this many casters summoning angels, they must be from the Slane Theocracy… And if they're engaged in this kind of mission, it must be one of the rumoured six scriptures, their special-ops units. Numbers, strength—they have the advantage." Gazef shrugged his shoulders, all but openly grumbling about what a pain it was. His attitude was relaxed, but inside he was quite anxious. And angry.
"They did a great job using the nobles to take away my gear. If that snake had been sniffing around the court, things would probably have gone even worse, so I suppose we should count ourselves lucky that this was all that happened. Still, I never thought the Slane Theocracy would be after me…"
He snorted. But they were really outnumbered. They weren't ready. They had no countermeasures to use. They were fresh out of everything. But there was one possibility…
"Are those flame archangels? They sure look like them, but…why would the same monster be here? Is it because the summoning magic is the same? If that's the case…"
Gazef Stronoff turned his head to the muttering man beside him, eyes lighting up in hope. "Mr Raazuka, if it's alright, we'd like to hire you."
There was no reply. Gazef just felt an intense stare coming from behind the mask. You've got some nerve, Captain. I shouldn't even be here, and you would ask me to save your hide? These thoughts were going through Raazuka's ahead as Gazef tried again.
"I can offer you any amount in compensation."
"Why should I?"
Gazef blinked, speechless. He hadn't been expecting that. He hadn't been expecting it at all. "W-well, as I said, you would be rewarded handsomely. In addition, I am the Captain of the Royal Select. My saviour would surely gain favour with the king… And, well, the strong save the weak, it's common sense."
"Hmm. I see. Your reasons are all solid, and I am in need of currency in any case. How much can you offer me?"
"Currently I'm carrying, twenty gold coins, thirty silver, and ten copper; but you will have to come visit me in the capital for proper compensation."
"I see. Well then, shall we? It's a good night for it, don't you think?"
Gazef grinned, reigning some of his good spirit. "Yes, of course, Mr Raazuka. You have my most sincere thanks."
Nigun Grid Luin stood frowning a hundred feet away from the new arrivals. His scar had been aching all day, but things had finally been looking up. His ever elusive prey, the Warrior Captain, Gazef Stronoff, had arrived to save the day. A little late, perhaps, but he was here nonetheless. It was a little sad, he supposed. Gazef had stumbled into an ambush, sold out by the shortsighted nobles of his kingdom, each eager for more power and influence. In the end, it was of no consequence. Their stupidity had been beneficial to the Slane Theocracy, so who was he to complain.
The job had been simple: burn down a few villages, and then ambush the Warrior Captain when he arrived. Really, everything had gone according to plan, up until just recently. With the interference of the inept nobles, Gazef had been weakened, with no National Treasures to speak of. But then, of course, there were factors he had not taken into account. These rogue variables that slaughtered all of his soldiers, and strained Nigun's already waning patience even more.
With his arms crossed, he tapped his robed bicep with a single finger as he swept his frosty blue eyes across the figures that were foolish enough to approach. There was Stronoff's band of idiots, following along like the dogs they were; Stronoff himself; and two silhouettes he couldn't identify. The aforementioned 'rogue variables'. Their presence annoyed him, but he was soothed by the warmth at his back, indicating that he was flanked by the Principality. That alone made him feel safe where he was. As the silhouettes came forward, he couldn't help but stare. Walking alongside Gazef were two people. One was a figure in full plate armour that held a kite shield and a bardiche, one in each hand. Both pieces of equipment looked like they must weigh tens of pounds each, yet the armoured figure held them both like they weighed nothing at all.
The second figure was markedly stranger. A man — this one was undeniably male — dressed rather strangely. He had a mask that covered his entire face, secured by some sort of magic, as he could see no straps or hooks of any sort. He wore dress shoes, like those a noble might wear, and simple black pants. The pants clung to the man's legs, and were made of some kind of fabric that he couldn't identify. On his upper half, the man wore a dress shirt and a bowtie, over which he wore a vest and some kind of coat. In his leather gloved hands he held an elaborate cane. This man, (probably a noble judging by his dress) was powerful. It was obvious in the way he carried himself. Just looking at him sent a small shiver down Nigun's back.
The Captain of the Sunlight Scripture sneered at the crowd before him.
"Gazef Stronoff. What a pleasure to finally meet a legend." His tone was mocking, dripping with sarcasm.
"Heh. To whom do I owe the pleasure?"
"Unimportant. Who are your companions, if I may ask, my friend?" The last part was, again, steeped in sarcasm. The smugness of this insect was starting to get under Raazuka's skin.
Gazef opened his mouth to answer, but Raazuka waved a dismissive hand, before answering for himself.
"I am Raazuka." Nigun snorted at the Supreme Being's introduction.
"Never heard of you." Albedo tightened her grip on her weapon at the man's disrespect. Raazuka put a hand on her shoulder. He was getting a slight bit annoyed. He turned, and spoke to Gazef.
"Now that you have confirmed the threat, you are free to retreat."
"Mr Raazuka, it would be dishonourable of us to let you fight alone."
"I can't guarantee you will live. That big angel there is a Principality. I can't fight it while keeping you safe."
"I… I see. Take care, Mr Raazuka."
Raazuka, not being one to waste time, simply nodded and raised his arms. "[Mass Teleport]" At once, the Guard Captain and his men disappeared, reappearing where he had sent them.
"You realise that the good Captain has sent you to your death." Nigun was troubled. Who were these people that Gazef trusted to fight for him? It was almost unnerving.
"Or perhaps, good sir, he has sent me to yours." Raazuka's tone had fallen flat. What followed was, to Nigun, baffling. Raazuka raised his left hand, pointing directly at him and his soldiers. "[Dark Hierophant]." In an instant, a wave of black, reeking of unholy magic swept over all of them. Nigun flinched, expecting pain, but he felt nothing. He scoffed, and faced Raazuka.
"It seems that your little… stunt… failed." He faltered as he noticed just what Raazuka's spell had done: all of the angels he and his scripture had summoned, even the Principality, had simply disintegrated.
Out of the few dark magic spells that Raazuka had mastered, this was one of his favourites. It had two vey useful effects. Firstly it dealt critical damage to any holy creature or player, and secondly, it blocked all holy abilities in the cast radius for ten minutes. The latter came in useful now as Nigun gave a frantic order to resummon the angels. Needless to say, it failed. Raazuka capitalised on the opportunity to crush their spirits even further.
"Your spells have failed, your heavens have crumbled, your gods have abandoned you, Commander."
The Commander wasn't even trying to hide his shudder now. Raazuka's smile was terrifying beneath the mask as he took a single step forward. Then another. And another, until he was slowly crossing the hundred feet between them at a leisurely stroll, Albedo following behind.
Raazuka turned his head, and said, loud enough so the pitiful troglodytes could hear, "Albedo, kill eight out of every tenth man. Leave the important looking ones alive." They would be critically weakened, Raazuka thought as Albedo began the massacre, without their angels. A theocracy was a government ruled by religion, so this scripture must be a religious order. Therefore it stood to reason that they relied on their god(s) to provide. As Nigun's men died around him, Raazuka mused, the expression on his face got ever funnier. Of course, the eight-edged assassins would take care of any runners.
All of a sudden, tens of angels popped into view. Ten minutes were up. "Albedo, get back!" Despite her tanking abilities, one couldn't be resistant to everything, and she was a demon, which meant that she was especially susceptible to holy magic. It seemed he was going to have to act. As Albedo stepped back, with only minor grumbling, he raised his hands and started casting. He was halfway through the spell, when suddenly a pair of angels flew forward and stabbed him with swords of light.
Nigun sighed in relief. It was over. Already, so many of his men had died, but it was— wait, why hasn't Albedo moved to protect her master? And why hasn't Raazuka's corpse fallen yet?
He screamed at the men he had left. "Why aren't you ordering the angels back?"
"W-we are, sir, but they're not moving."
Upon closer inspection, Nigun realised that his subordinate was right. The angels were flapping their wings as hard as possible, but they weren't moving.
A voice rang through the air, like a ringing bell. "They never learn. Bring them to me." Then the angels simply… stopped. There was no light, no noise, the angels just ceased to be. The two swords went with the angels, but right now, Nigun had bigger issues. Albedo was going around, 'collecting' his soldiers, and forcing them to kneel in front of Raazuka. He was next, saw the black-armoured figure speeding towards him, and realised there was only one thing he could do. "Everyone, attack, now!" He needed time, time that the angels could get him.
As Albedo halted in her tracks, fending off his divine emissaries, he reached into his inside pocket and took out the secret treasure of the Slane Theocracy. Two hundred years ago, when an evil spirit had been terrorising the continent, a single angel was said to have destroyed it. Sealed in this crystal was magic to summon that most powerful angel. It had the capacity to take out an entire city with ease. Nigun had no idea what it cost or how much effort was needed to summon this angel, but if he could kill this unfathomable foe then it would be worth it. More than anything, they'd all be doomed if he didn't use the crystal and then Ainz stole it. Those were the excuses he used in his head. In reality, he was just scared to become a lump of meat like the many beings he'd slain.
"I'm going to summon the highest-level angel. Buy me time!" His men perked up and charged at Raazuka. They died with a single sweep of Raazuka's hand. Just like that, no sound, no warning. They just collapsed, their heads missing from their bodies. And yet, all Raazuka did was stand there. He seemed to almost want to see the best that Nigun had to offer. He raised his hand to his head in the Message posture, recalling Albedo to his side as Nigun crushed the crystal, causing a magical mist to swirl and coalesce.
"Ha ha! Witness the great treasure of the Slane Theocracy. You were worthy enough of this treasure, feel honoured as you die. Dominion Authority, use Holy Smite." Nigun burst out maniacally. Nothing could survive a seventh tier spell. This caster would surely die. As the spell was cast and a column of light enveloped the caster, Nigun turned away, the light too bright for him to look at directly. After the spell ended, All that Nigun saw was a smoking circle of blackened grass. He laughed a relieved laugh as he realised that it was over. Finally.
"That was honestly sort of an anticlimax." Nigun whirled around at the voice that came from behind him. Raazuka stood, unharmed, behind him. Raazuka began walking towards the funny little insect, having already teleported Albedo away. She probably could have withstood it, but hey, better safe than sorry.
The blithering idiot of a commander fell backwards into the dirt as Raazuka stretched out his hand and extended his [Aura of Heresy], a passive effect that damaged creatures of a more holy inclination when they were within a certain distance from him. Truly useful, he realised, as the Dominion Authority collapsed to the ground and died. Then he took the scarred scared man by the hair and took him to the third floor of the Tomb. He tossed him to Shalltear. "Take him to Neuronist Painkill." Then he took a Gate back to the village, appearing in the headman's house.
He stepped outside and raised his hands. "The battle is done, the soldiers are dead. You are free to go, Gazef Stronoff." And so it was over, The Battle of Carne Village.