Chapter Two: First Conquest, Part Six
Quick steps made their way to the teleport gate on the ninth floor. With Shalltear gone, Momo was training with Lupusregina today. He found her company to be quite enjoyable plus she had promised to take him to where she worked on the condition that Uncle Cocytus observe the training.
It was a weird suggestion, one he was not very keen on having imposed upon him, but he acquiesced.
He wore a black and white short-sleeve T-shirt with horizontal stripes and black shorts, mid-length black socks and navy-blue shoes. He had deliberately chosen light clothing to improve his dexterity; he was not permitted to wear armour until he had improved his skills, or better yet, in his case, acquired skills in his chosen Job Class.
Momo ran to the centre of the amphitheatre where Lupusregina was waiting for him.
"Shalltear-sama tells me Momo-sama can cast some first-tier spells?"
Momo nodded.
"That should be good enough. Please pick a weapon."
Lupusregina pointed to the platform where six various types of weapons were laid out.
"What are these?"
It was not that Momo did not recognise all of the weapons, just a few; though he just happened to be well aware that anyone would still take the time to explain every single one if he so desired.
"Here we have a sword, a scimitar, halberd, mace, scythe and a war hammer."
...
No explanation of their uses?!
"I can only choose one?"
"For now, yes."
By process of elimination, the mace had to go. From his studies, Momo knew that there was more than one type of mace but the one in front of him was a chain mace (flail), the type that simply looked like it would hurt him more than his opponent as it had one metal ball with spikes attached to the end of the chain.
The sword was generic and the scimitar just looked like a glorified sword to him. Between the halberd, scythe and war hammer, however, the choice became harder.
"What would you recommend, Lupus?"
"The mace, imagine how many bugs you could crush slowly with it-ssu."
It was useless asking her.
"If crushing is the objective, then I'll take the war hammer."
"Okay-ssu! Imbue the weapon with any spell then attack me."
"Any spell?"
"Yes."
Momo did not exactly know how to do that but he had a vague understanding. All he had to do was transfer the magic to the weapon. He chose a damaging first-tier spell. His repertoire was limited to this tier and only three spells so it was not as if he was playing it safe nor was he spoiled for choice.
"[Bane]"
Momo ran forward while holding the weapon.
Bane was a first-tier AoE debuff that could affect a maximum of three people within its 10-metre radius.
His movements and reaction time were slow. He understood this and knew the reason why. He had not trained in physical combat and was only good with mid to long-range attacks.
Shalltear was not to blame, however, as he had insisted on not learning that technique and it now backfired on him.
"STOP!" Cocytus called from where he stood.
"Is. Young. Master. Unaware. Of. The. Proper. Stance. And. Techniques. Used. In. Close. Combat?"
Momo sheepishly looked at Cocytus.
"I've only learned long-ranged attacks, so yes."
"That. Will. Not. Do. Lupusregina. Dismissed. Young. Master. Must. First. Learn. The. Way. And. Technique. Of. The. Warrior."
Lupusregina bowed and left. Momo could vaguely sense that Cocytus was disappointed but also pleased. It was a strange predicament for Momo to be in as well.
The worst outcome had become reality.
"First. Young. Master. Must. Put. His. Dominant. Leg. In. Front. Of. The. Other. Balance. The. Weight. Between. Them. But. Keep. It. Slightly. On. The. Front. Leg."
"I don't have a dominant leg. I was told the word is ambidextrous."
A blast of cold air hit Momo in the face.
"Please. Choose. The. One. Young. Master. Is. Most. Comfortable. With."
Since Cocytus had his right leg out when demonstrating Momo did the same. Now holding his weapon firmly, comfortably and most importantly correctly Momo started doing practice swings.
After thirty minutes on each leg and arm then changing the dominant arm when holding the weapon, Yuri walked up with a tray of refreshments. Despite Cocytus' cool disposition Momo had worked up a sweat and needed the break.
"I heard mother left on a business a while back, where did she go?" Momo asked between sips.
"The Dragon Province. Albedo-sama is seeing to the finalisation of the new stadium."
"What is it for?"
"The Sorcerous Kingdom will be hosting the Connelier in a few months. Since it is our first Connelier, Albedo-sama wants to ensure it is perfect."
"What is this 'Connelier'?"
"It is an event that was started some decades ago in the City-States Alliance to ease the discord that different races had with each other. Ainz-sama was wise enough to have the first one that we are hosting be held in the Dragon Province for obvious reasons."
"Why not host our own games?"
"Albedo-sama and Demiurge-sama were tasked with coming up with ideas for our games, but they were supposed to be friendly and inclusive of all races. Only one game has been approved for the Nazalypics, which, once enough events are chosen, will happen once every four years."
"I see. So, how does one enter this Connelier?"
"Momo-sama, ten of our nation's strongest are going to participate. I doubt Ainz-sama would put Momo-sama in harm's way against such individuals."
"So only the guardians get to fight?" Momo asked pouting.
"Of. Course. Not. The. Individuals. Of. This. World. Are. Far. To. Weak. In. Strength. To. Fight. Us. But. Some. Do. Posses. A. Strong. Will."
"Then who is participating?"
"Most likely adventurers."
"If Nii-sama and Nabe can join, why can't I?" Momo nearly screamed.
"I never said Momo-sama could not. I simply highly doubt Ainz-sama will allow it."
"YADA-YO! I WANT TO ENTER!"
"Momo-sama, please calm down."
Momo had learnt to reign in his power but still was not perfect at it, thus he had become quick to listen if he was told to calm down.
"I. Believe. That. That. Is. Enough. Rest. It. Is. Time. To. Spar." Cocytus said walking to the middle of the amphitheatre once again.
The next three hours were spent putting his drills into practice. His stance and movement had to improve to avoid getting hit. The blows were not deadly but they were painful. The noticeable difference, however, to Momo was Uncle Cocytus' behaviour. Unlike how he was towards him every other day insisting on being called 'uncle' and doting on him to annoyance, Uncle Cocytus in training was practically unfeeling.
Each blow that hit him was followed by a critique such as 'too slow' or 'a true warrior is never truly knocked down' – it was refreshing yet quite scary. The days that followed were the same for the rest of the week. Cocytus did not hide the fact that he did not believe that he was ready to enter any actual combat of any sort for the foreseeable future.
That, however, did not mean he could not spar against other people. Every time his movements against Lupusregina became more refined and precise.
At the end of the week, he finally won against Lupusregina. He knew that she had been holding back and that when they returned, she would up the ante.
"I've been meaning to ask this for a while now... why doesn't Momo-sama use his wings in combat?"
"My wings?" he asked flapping his soft ebony wings to emphasise the confusion.
"Yes. One must use every aspect of one's body to their advantage-ssu."
"I guess I've never thought about it."
"Shalltear-sama or Albedo-sama should be perfect for teaching that then."
"But Shalltear has yet to return from her mission with Demiurge. Mother is never really here either. I guess it will have to wait until I get time to teach myself how to fly."
"...Momo-chan-sama doesn't know how to fly?!"
"Ssh! It's a secret, okay?"
"Understood-ssu!" she did a slightly exaggerated salute.
To be honest, Momo had asked the Head Librarian to cast a [Fly] spell on him, but after a mishap, he had been afraid of heights ever since. To add insult to injury he was not exactly sure how to use his wings to fly. He had collided with too many walls while practising in his room – which he still thought was too big for him – and had been meaning to ask his mother to teach him but she was nowhere to be found.
The books in the library simply told him that it was an innate ability of his race, and the books on flying did not go into any details. The only person who had such details would probably be Demiurge.
"Lupus? Where is Demiurge right now?"
"I'm afraid that I do not know." She said as they reached the first floor.
"I'm sorry Lupus, but I will see where you work another day. I must find some flying Demi-humans in E-Rantel that I can talk to."
"Well, Momo-sama is not wrong, but I cannot allow Momo-sama to go unescorted."
"Okay, then let's go. Might as well add a few Death Knights when we get there too."
Lupusregina only shook her head in slight amusement.
The two flew to E-Rantel with Lupus carrying Momo instead of casting the spell on him. The two entered the city without any trouble and it was only once he was placed down gently that he opened his eyes.
Down the relatively busy morning streets of E-Rantel, a child wearing white flat shoes, white thigh highs and a navy-blue knee-length long-sleeved sailor dress with light blue trimmings, a big red ribbon complete with a light blue hat walked down the street followed by a red-haired maid carrying an imposing black and silver sceptre without so much as a third glance. Those that looked twice were only in awe of the beauty that these two beings possessed.
"Nee~ Oujo-chan! Here, have this. It will go so well with your outfit." A woman came running out of her store with a small white parasol.
"Sorry, I can't accept it. I didn't bring any money with me today."
That was Momo's go-to phrase when he did not want something. He never carried money on him because if he ever did want something whoever he was being escorted by would buy it for him.
"It's quite all right. You can have it for free."
Or that would happen. He had quite a few things he had gotten for free, but it was mostly when he wore girls' clothing. When he had been confused for a girl the first time, he asked his father and he found out the reason. Mare had said it also happened to him a few times so it was not odd.
His name was pretty well known in E-Rantel as The Prince, but apparently, nobody knew his face. He would be treated tentatively and most would try to keep a safe distance yet be respectful and not try to anger him in any way, however, that immediately disappeared when he dressed this way.
He wondered if his face changed or something? For him to immediately be treated as a rich merchant's daughter instead of the sovereigns' child.
He opened the parasol the way Shalltear tended to do and spun around.
"Well, aren't you the most adorable thing! Have a nice day." The woman waved them goodbye as she walked back into her shop.
"I must look ghostly pale if she wants me to cover my skin."
"Momo-sama's skin is perfect! I'll kill ... I'll see that she faces the proper authorities for this slight."
"No, it's fine. I came here for flying lessons. Besides, it does look cute, right?"
The artistic design on the outside was comprised of dark lines and patterns. It took time to make this and it showed. The quality of most goods he received tended to always be a bit higher than most of what the shopkeepers displayed and usually had a signature touch to them. It was a great marketing strategy.
They made it to the Demi-human District and it was also just as busy if not busier than the Human side. All he had to do was find a flying Demi-human and ask them.
"Oh! Momo-chan-sama, why don't we get the Dragons to help!" Lupus said suddenly.
"You just want to ride a Dragon, don't you?"
"No-ssu~."
"Okay, let's go. Since they can fly, it won't hurt to ask."
Momo started walking where Lupus led.
"Race you to it!" Momo shouted as he ran past her. He also was surprisingly excited about riding a Dragon.
As Lupus took the lead Momo spotted what looked like an entrance to an underground passage. He took the right and followed it underground and was surprised to find a vast underground city. It was relatively dark; well, no it was very dark. There were occasional dim lights that seemed to serve more as markers than a light source every few hundred metres, but Momo possessed perfect dark vision and could see as if it was daytime.
He made his way past many different races. Some he had never heard of – never mind seen. In the distance, he spotted a familiar figure. A lithe, tall figure in a red striped suit.
Demiurge.
He started running to him.
"Momo-sama. Don't scare me like that-ssu!" Lupus appeared next to him.
"Momo-sama. Lupusregina. What brings you here?" Demiurge asked with a smile.
Momo had no interest in watching his father and that man spar, it was a pointless endeavour considering everyone already knew that his father would win.
What he was interested in were the Giant Beasts said to lurk in these woods. He wanted to slay one and prove that he was ready to enter the Connelier.
His father would never believe that he was ready to go out into the world alone. He had planned his getaway since entering this forest, knowing that his father would not approve. He would probably be upset when he realised that he had snuck away, but Momo was determined to make him forget about that when he returned with the corpse of a powerful Magical Beast.
He had to prove he could survive on his own.
The boy walked through the trees in search of something, anything that would lead him to his goal. He blindly followed a trail not paying attention to where he was going.
He was soon hit with a feeling of dread before he looked up to see two strange wolves staring at him with hungry eyes. He stopped dead in his tracks and heard what sounded like rustling mixed with light metallic clanking coming from behind him. He did not want to turn around.
He took off running in a slightly more open direction to his left. He ran for five minutes before he heard something snap before realising that his legs had stopped moving forward and he was being dragged backwards.
Momo panicked. The wolves had caught up to him. He tried to scream for help but all that came out of his mouth were soft whimpers. He had made a promise to his father and to prove himself he had to keep it.
He now felt a sharp pain in his right wind, the thing had broken it trying to pin him down. One was still tearing into his left wing despite it bleeding profusely – or was it because it was bleeding profusely that it did not stop?
Last resort was the first thing taken away from me, huh?
If they thought that he was simply going to give up and accept his death they were wrong, he had so much to do. He had to prove his father wrong, learn how to fly properly, but most importantly he had to apologise... to quite a few people.
A small smile crept onto his face and he soon began laughing hysterically. He laughed even harder when the wolf bit deeper into him and soon he was laughing so loudly it stopped sounding like laughter and more like he was screaming. Shrill, bone-chilling shrieks.
A small breeze passed through the thicket and his hair tickled him enough to draw another small giggle. Momo was lost in his insane bout of giggles that he did not realise that the wolves had stopped attempting to kill him or eat him alive.
Momo was confused.
When did they leave? Why? Did I imagine everything?
That was not further from the truth. His wings throbbed painfully, but he had to ignore the pain to process everything. It would allow him to make better decisions.
He walked in the direction the wolves had come from.
Wait a minute... which direction did they come from?
Upon closer inspection, Momo realised he had made a mistake. He had chosen the wrong direction to run in. The clearing here was far too big, the surrounding area was devoid of all life. It appeared as if someone had taken away everything and left the entire area bare. He must have missed it earlier because he was too focused on running for his life.
Looking around him, Momo found that there was nothing else around him except a few fallen trees in the vicinity. He could not believe what he was seeing; the whole thing was an elaborate trap!
What he needed to do and what he wanted to do most were now the same thing; all he had to do now was find his Papa as he would immediately know what was going on. He had no other option, with one final glance at the clearing, he decided that it was time to get out of Lodos.
As he walked forward, he felt his heart sink when he saw something lying on the ground. It looked like a small animal but there was not any sign of the predator that had attacked it, as a matter of fact, upon closer inspection there was not any sign of physical harm done to the bird.
It was not a bird he had seen before. It may have been carnivorous so feeling sorry for it would do nobody any favours. Who knew what else would come for him if birds started attacking him?
Shrugging his shoulders only to soon regret it, he carried on walking further away from that trap. He was not entirely sure what he was or was not looking for at this stage, all he knew was that it was going to take a while.
He felt a presence some distance behind him before he came across a large pond. It had clear water and was large enough for him to fit inside. Momo was not stupid, however, and knew that the entire reason he still had limbs was that he was wearing a powerful magic item, and it would also protect him from whoever was tailing him.
He lay back sinking his wings and head into the water. It was cold. Unbearably so. It only made the pain in his wings more pronounced.
He stood up to lean against a tree, suddenly the stranger's aura disappeared. He leaned against a tree trunk taking in the sounds of insects squirming in the dirt, leaves rustling throughout the forest and something whispering beneath his fingers.
He could hardly stay conscious but managed to stay awake long enough to notice a flash of silver.
Why was he struggling to stay awake?
He hoped he had imagined the whole ordeal but was not willing to try and find that out. He lifted himself slowly and quietly to avoid being spotted and started running.
Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, after halting some distance away, he collapsed.
The sound of a crackling fire brought him back to reality, his arm ached, but he supposed that he had just imagined it. Looking away from the fire he looked up to see a man stirring something in a pot. The pain in his arm was due to the discomfort of sleeping on his side.
If this man had saved him, he must have seen the true damage to his wings.
Momo watched the man stir something else and decided to take the time to study his features. His hair fell below his ears framing his exquisitely chiselled face well. There were no signs of stubble on his skin which was green and he wore dark clothing.
Momo suddenly thought about his father, tears forming in his eyes, but these were tears of joy, resolution and regret instead of sadness and fear. For the first time in his life, he was glad his father did not let him wander far from home.
He also thought of Lupusregina and Uncle Cocytus. Just last week they were training together, yes, they did not believe in his strength but a small part of him did not blame them anymore.
Why am I remembering this now? How did this happen?
He knew he was simply trying to shift the blame off of himself, he knew exactly how he got here.
Momo felt someone stare at him again and quickly glanced around himself to find the source. When he turned back the light of the fire had changed, somehow burning darker with an unrecognisable scent stinging his nose. It was not food.
The sound of metal clanking filled his ears before spreading throughout his body. This was the sound of dread, the forewarning of a terrible outcome.
The tall man threw a weapon at Momo that landed at his side with the thump of a discarded piece of garbage.
"That Greater Barghest... certainly has a vested interest in you, boy!"
