Disclaimer: I don't own Overlord or Dungeons & Dragons

The Greater Apotheosis of Ainz Ooal Gown

Book : Realmfall

Chapter 5: Meeting the locals

Beta:


Ainz was relaxing on the throne provided on the Bone Father as it prepared to sail back towards Felmid and was savoring his victory over Atropus when a chiming sound in his mind informed him of an incoming Message from Sebas.

What could Sebas possibly want at this time? The Overlord pondered as he stretched out his newly expanded sense of Felmid to attempt to discover what had prompted the Iron Butler to call him. Immediately he sensed a large, unfamiliar concentration of power hovering just outside Nazarick surrounded by a large contingent of Felmid's many defenders and led by the Dragonoid butler himself. Such power. I wonder who it could be…

Sebas. Ainz greeted his subordinate as he accepted the Message. Is this about the entity that has arrived in front of Nazarick.

Indeed it is, my Lord. The Iron Butler said, barely hiding his surprise at Ainz's knowledge of the situation. Lord Asmodeus, the God of Indulgence and Supreme Master of the Nine Hells, wishes an audience.

The Lord of Devils wishes to see me? I wonder what he wants. Ainz thought to himself privately.

Show the Archfiend to the Throne Room and tell him that I'll be with him shortly. Ainz told Sebas, before quickly adding. And make sure that Albedo is there equipped with Ginnungagap.

The World Item was primarily an Area of Effect weapon and wasn't exactly suited to fighting a single target like Asmodeus but if a fight broke out then nothing less than a World Item was likely to even faze the Greater Deity. He doubted there would be a need though, if the Lord of Nessus had come seeking conflict he'd have brought an army and not seeking an audience.

That does not preclude him trying to swindle me in some way.

In fact that the devil would attempt as such was almost a certainty.

Your will be done, my Lord. Sebas replied, unaware of his master's thoughts, and disconnected.

"Deathwing," Ainz called out the moment the Message spell faded. "I must return to Nazarick immediately. However before I depart I would like an update on the status of the fleet. Have all the ships regrouped?"

"Most, my Lord." The dragon in human guise reported. "We are still trying to account for a number of the missing ships that we lost track off in the confusion of battle, however based on the debris fields in the area we are fairly certain that they were destroyed."

Ainz had an odd feeling at that. He was certain Deathwing was being truthful yet incorrect. He however had no reason beyond this nebulous feeling to believe such, so shook it off.

"Very good," he told the Dragon lord. "And how many of our ships survived the battle?"

"Of our warships twenty two survived the battle, though most have suffered substantial damage. The idea to use the converted civilian craft as shields was inspired my lord."

Ainz waved the praise away. He was merely imitating the tactic from something he vaguely remembered from a somewhere. It was probably a history lesson but it could just as easily have been a game or movie. Either way, he did not feel it merited any praise.

"It does mean that we lost most of the civilian ships." Deathwing continued. "There are only fifty eight serviceable vessels left."

"Those are acceptable losses." Ainz informed him with a regal nod. "Return to Felmid at your own time. I will go ahead."

"Yes, my Lord." The Dragon offered a salute that was quickly imitated by the rest of his bridge crew.

Giving them all another nod in recognition, he cast the Gate spell and conjured an ovoid portal of pitch black darkness. Walking through it, he stepped out into the Throne Room of Nazarick and noted that Asmodeus had not yet arrived.

"Albedo, have you been informed of our guest?" Ainz asked the Guardian Overseer who already stood ready and waiting at her assigned station.

"Yes, my Lord." The succubus said waving Ginnungagap meaningfully.

"Good," Ainz said as he settled onto the Throne of Kings. "But we shall resort to violence only as a last resort. I would like to avoid conflict with the locals of this world as much and as long as is possible. Is that clear, Albedo?"

"Crystal, my beloved Lord. Your wish is my command."

Ainz nodded and rested his hands on the arms of the Throne in a pose that he knew from practicing with Pandora's Actor exuded a regal bearing. Or at least so his Doppelgänger creation claimed.

Well it appears time to put it to the test. Ainz thought as the doors to the Throne Room opened.


Albedo stood watchful as the tall, slim red-skinned humanoid with horns on the head and glowing red eyes sauntered into the room behind Sebas Tian. The Archfiend's clothes, a set of crimson robes with black trimmings was opulent enough to rival even the most exquisite equipment of the Supreme Ones and in his hands he wielded a big solid ruby that was formed into the shape of a rod. The petty devil god's ostentatiousness was off putting enough but the aura of deceit and malice he radiated just set her further on edge.

If he tries anything untoward, I'll be ready to show him a taste of what true power means. Albedo thought tightening her grip on Ginnungagap.

"My Lord, Lord Asmodeus, the God of Indulgence and Supreme Master of the Nine Hells." Sebas formally introduced the Archfiend to their god with a formal bow.

The head butler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick was about to introduce their lord, when Lord Ainz raised his right hand.

"I can introduce myself Sebas." Their benevolent master said in a soft but firm voice, causing the Dragonoid to bow low and take a step aside to assume his place to the side of the room where he took up a watchful vigil over this meeting between gods.

"Greetings, Asomodeus. I am Ainz Ooal Gown, Ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick and the planet Felmid."

"Well met, new Primordial of Undeath." The horned Devil said with a nod of his head.

"You know about that already? News does travel fast in this world it seems." Lord Ainz said, the red orbs that passed for his eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Oh, we knew about you the moment you materialized into Realmspace." Asmodeus said with a disturbingly sincere grin. "We were simply told not to interfere with you by Lord Ao until he allowed it."

"And that embargo has been lifted."

"Indeed." The red-skinned god said with a nod. "In fact, I have it on good authority that he is organizing a delegation of gods to come and meet with you shortly."

"And you chose to come ahead?"

"'The early bird catches the worm'." Asmodeus said with a broad smile that revealed a mouth full of razor sharp teeth. "I believe that's a phrase from your birthworld, is it not Ainz Ooal Gown?"

He dares taunt the man I love!? Albedo thought as she moved to raise Ginnungagap to attack, even as Sebas fists tensed in preparation for the same.

Lord Ainz's chuckle however stalled them in their tracks.

"So you know of Earth?" Lord Ainz said, sounding pleased. "Why am I not surprised?"

As expected of my beloved. His magnanimity allows him to remain cordial even after such an insult.

"I've had dealings with iterations of that Realm on occasion. Though, I must admit I doubt I ever had the pleasure of doing so with your own."

"Unsurprising. Creation is vast, is it not?"

"Indeed," Asmodeus conceded with an amused chuckle of his own.

"Now, tell me Archfiend." Lord Ainz said, his humor gone and replaced with seriousness that befit his station. "What brings you to my court? Even causing you to exploit a loophole in the Overgod's orders to come ahead of your peers?"

"I wish to form a non-aggression and information sharing agreement with you."

"And by being the first mover in this regard to use that advantage to ingratiate yourself with me."

"But of course," the Devil admitted without a hint of shame.

How dare he attempt to manipulate us like this!?

"You truly do live up to your reputation."

"You honor me." The Archfiend said with an overly exaggerated bow of gratitude.

"Tell me, Lord of Lies, why seek an alliance with me?"

"Atropus." The god of indulgence said bluntly.

"Impressed by my show of power?"

"Considering you killed one of the greatest of the Primordials singlehandedly and without significant difficulty, did you think we would be anything but impressed?"

"I suppose not." Lord Ainz allowed with a shrug, feigning ignorance. "Now about your proposed deal. I will consider it if you tell me which of your fellow gods are coming so that I might prepare for their arrival. Offer me their names and we can work out an agreement."

"I'm afraid I do not make such unfair bargains. I'll need my deal in place before I offer you anymore information." Asmodeus said with a shake of his head that had Albedo and Sebas both tensing in annoyance.

How dare he refuse Lord Ainz!

"So the notification of the godly delegation's arrival was my freebie then?"

"Exactly."

"Very well," Lord Ainz said with a roll of his eyes. "I hope you don't mind negotiating the finer details with my subordinates?"

"Not when they were created specifically for such a purpose."

"Indeed. Delegation is important. Dealing with the minutiae can be tiring even for gods."

I-Is that one of the reasons why the Supreme Ones created us? To help them carry out tasks they found too onerous? Oh! To be of service to them in this way, to lift their burdens so! It is glorious!

Asmodeus gave a commiserating nod.

"Albedo!"

"Yes, my lord?"

"You will handle negotiations with Asmodeus or his proxies about our proposed alliance."

"I'll be handling this deal myself. I do not trust others to not mess this up." The Archfiend said with a smirk.

Is he insinuating that Lord Ainz would not be able to manage to craft a good deal? Or that I wouldn't? Or both?

Despite Albedo's impressive intellect she couldn't be sure of the exact nature of the barb the Archfiend was hiding in his words. She was sure there was one, but she simply could not place exactly what.

Her Lord in his infinite wisdom seemed more than able to do so however and his eyes narrowed in anger at the Archfiend's words but in a show of his incredible restraint, he said nothing.

The Devil seemed disappointed at being unable to get a rise from her god and instead turned to face Albedo herself.

"I look forward to working with you, Lady Albedo." The Devil lord said with a gracious bow.

"The pleasure is mine, Lord Asmodeus." Albedo said as she offered him a curtsy in turn, her mind already awhirl with what she needed to do to secure the best deal possible for her beloved.

I will not fail you, my love. I will draft the best deal ever! That'll show this fool not to mock the love of my life.


"You didn't need to join me." Ainz told Asmodeus as they walked side by side up the steps of the central mausoleum of Nazarick's surface level en route to the conference table that had been set up for the meeting for the newly arrived godly delegation.

"No, but as my soon-to-be ally it behooves me to offer you what help I can in your negotiations with the other gods." The Prince of Evil said with a worried frown. "It would not do for my ally to be taken advantage of."

"We are not formally allies yet."

"It is only a matter of time." The Archfiend said with a shrug. "My other avatar and your able servant are merely going over the irrelevant finer details at this point. They'll be done shortly."

Ainz took a moment to extend his senses into the conference room set up in one of the smaller rooms in Ashurbanipal for the negotiations and confirmed the Devil's words.

Yes, it indeed seems like they are almost done. Though, his generosity in offering his help with the other gods is probably motivated less by that than an attempt to further ingratiate himself with me. Sadly, it's working.

"My Lord," Demiurge greeted as with a bow before quickly falling into step with Ainz as she strode past. "Our guests are anxious."

Good. With Demiurge, one of the greatest mind in Nazarick here, perhaps I can hope to match wits with these gods after all.

"Did Enri and her troops scare them perhaps?" Ainz joked.

Asmodeus chuckled.

"More likely they are feeling uneasy being subjected to your power. You do know being in your presence forces us to truly inhabit our avatars correct? We cannot remotely control them or devote only a fraction of our will to them as per normal. Your aura forces us to fully be present in our limited avatars. It is a most uncomfortable experience."

I hadn't known that. All the records I discovered of a battle between divine beings indicated such a conflict should have devastating consequences on spacetime, yet my battle with Atropus did not. If my aura does as Asmodeus says and forces the divinities to observe some kind of limited state then it would explain much about that fight.

"You showed no sign of such discomfort." Ainz countered, hoping the Archfiend did not catch his shock at the revelation. At the way the Lord of Nessus smirked, he knew he'd failed.

I just can't hide anything from him can I?

"Devil! What are you doing here!?" A heavily armored Dwarf among the godly delegation spat as Ainz, Asmodeus and Demiurge neared the round table where the nine gods were already seated.

"Simply offering my assistance to my new ally is all, Moradin." Asmodeus said with a grin reveling in the muttering and whispered curses from his fellow gods his mention of their alliance caused even as he took his seat in the chair to the left of Ainz's own that had been pulled out for him by one of Nazarick's homunculus maids Ainz had ordered to attend to the guests at the meeting. "By the way, Ainz, that is Moradin-"

"All-Father and chief deity of the Morndinsamman, the Dwarven pantheon." Ainz said, recalling the name from the research he'd read on the various gods of this realm.

"You are surprisingly well informed." A god with a Human bard of an avatar said with a frown from where he sat at the very center of the godly delegation.

"And you are?" Ainz asked, even though he had a fairly good idea.

"That my friend is Oghma, the neutral greater power of bards, inspiration, invention, and knowledge."

"Thank you, Asmodeus." Ainz said offering the Devil a grateful nod, earning him frowns from many of the gods seated at the opposite side of the table. "Might you be so kind as to introduce the rest of your peers to me?"

"It would be my pleasure, my friend." Asmodeus said with a grin that showed he very much enjoyed the little game the two of them were playing to unsettle the other gods.

"That broad-shouldered, bearded man with one good eye in half-plate armor over there on the far left is Talos. He's the chaotic evil greater deity of storms and destruction."

The portfolios suited the god, if the spell of ozone and aura of violence that permeated from him were any indication. At his introduction, the Storm Lord offered Ainz a surprisingly polite nod that the Overlord returned.

"Next to him," Asmodeus continued after that brief exchange. "Is our fellow lawful evil greater deity Bane."

Bane was a dark and rather shadowy humanoid whose indistinct outline suggested he was wearing some dark armor wielding a jeweled gauntlet. Seeing he had Ainz's attention, the Black Lord offered a greeting.

"Well met, Ainz Ooal Gown."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Bane."

"Let's just move on with this shall we?" The dark haired warrior woman seated next to Bane said with a sneer. "I'm Shar, the Mistress of the Night. Now let's hurry up. I want off this wretched place as quickly as possible."

Ainz glared at her for a moment even as the many, many minions of his that surrounded the meeting table eyed her with anger. His power pressed down on hers in his anger and he felt it flinch away as if burned even as her avatar shrunk in on itself with a look of fear. This surprised the other gods, except Asmodeus who just smirked in satisfaction for some reason, but Shar shook off their looks and quickly hid her unease behind a mask of indifference.

"Since Shar has introduced herself, I shall move on to the man to the right of her." Asmodeus said, cutting into the tension that had surrounded the gods after Shar's reaction. "That's Tempus, the Lord of Battles and God of War."

Ainz nodded politely towards the heavily armored and obscenely over muscled brute, who returned a cautious one in return.

"Next to him is Oghma who you already know." Asmodeus said, dismissing the Lord of Bards quickly earning a frown from the neutral god in the process and moving onto the next god. "This gruff looking human warrior that radiates death is Kelemvor, Judge of the Damned, God of Death and the Dead."

The death god looked at Ainz with contempt and did not return the nod he was offered. The Overlord was not surprised. From his research, he knew that this god held deep respect for life and death, thus holding undead like him in the uttermost contempt.

"To Kelemvor's right is Lathander, the Morninglord, deity of creativity, dawn, renewal, birth, athletics, spring, self-perfection, vitality and youth." Asmodeus said gesturing to a blonde in clothes that reminded Ainz of a medieval noble, who sneered with disgust at the Overlord even as he offered him a nod like he had the other gods.

"Since you also already know Moradin, lastly we have Corellon Larethian." The Archfiend said pointing to the last member of the godly delegation, a god in the guise of a male Elf with bronze-colored skin and eyes and hair of a brilliant golden color.

"Now that we are all introduced," Oghma said, ignoring the cries of 'Finally' said by more than one of his fellows. "Let us begin these negotiations shall we?"

Before replying, Ainz shot Demiurge a look and his loyal Floor Guardian gestured to the notes he was taking. Satisfied that everything was in order, Ainz turned to the godly delegations.

"I would be happy to. However, first and foremost, I would like to know just what exactly we are negotiating."

"Do you take us as fools, Ainz Ooal Gown?" Kelemvor demanded, slamming a fist onto the table. His sentiments were echoed by many of his compatriots if their angry mutterings were any indication. But curiously some of them did not. Shar he could understand, the goddess was still folded into herself and eyeing him warily. Interestingly though, Bane was not one of them.

"You didn't tell him did you, you snake?" Moradin barked, pointing an accusing finger at Asmodeus.

The Archfiend just smirked and leaned back in his chair.

"He did actually," Ainz lied, noting out of the corner of his eye how this caused the Lord of Nessus' smirk to grow even wider. "But since you were the ones tasked to negotiate with me on the orders of Lord Ao, it is only right that you present your case."

"Silence!" Oghma demanded, his voice booming over those of the other gods. "He is right."

"Oghma is correct," Bane said, shooting dark looks at the other gods before he turned to address Ainz. "We are here to negotiate the terms by which you choose to submit to the binding rules as imposed on all divinities by the Tablets of Fate."

"And as I told Asmodeus when he told me of your purpose, why should I bind myself so? Limiting my power to mere portfolios? Why in all Creation would I want to do that."

"Refusal will make you an enemy of all gods," Talos said warningly. "Not even you can stand up to such."

"Not all gods," Asmodeus said with a grin.

Bane likewise nodded.

"You two would disobey the orders of Lord Ao!?" Moradin demanded, standing and slamming a fist into the table so hard that it shattered. "Are you insane?"

"Since when did Lord Ao decree that Ainz Ooal Gown must abide by the Tablets of Fate?" Tempus asked with a snort. "All he said was that we work out a way to minimize conflict with him. It was you lot that added that bit about the Tablets on your own."

"And how else can we ensure we 'minimize conflict' but through the Tablets, Foehammer?" Lathander shot back.

"There is no way to avoid conflict with the undead," Kelemvor cut in.

"I must agree with the Lord of the Dead." Corellon said, eyeing Ainz with a murderous glare.

Ignoring the chief of the elven Seldarine pantheon, Ainz leaned in to Asmodeus.

"Are they always like this? So quarrelsome?" Ainz whispered to the Archfiend.

"Indeed." The Devil replied, radiating amusement. "Quite unbecoming is it not."

Watching as Oghma desperately tried to regain order within his delegation even as tempers flared and things seemed on the verge of coming to blows, Ainz could only nod in agreement.

These were gods? They're behaving like children.

"Enough!" A 12 feet tall, ageless being, with a visage that lacked any remarkable features shouted in a preternatural booming voice as it materialized directly behind the delegations of gods. It had a white beard and hair, and wore a black robe dotted by millions of stars and moons, arranged in a not-quite-perceptible pattern but which had a beautiful and harmonious feel.

"L-Lord Ao!?" Oghma said sounding shocked.

"You have failed me, Oghma." Realmspace's Overgod said looking down at the Lord of Bards with disappointment. "I tasked you with leading this delegation to avoid having to intervene myself and you have failed."

"My apologies, my Lord." The Lord of Knowledge said, in a tone that was a hair's breadth from grovelling.

Ainz didn't blame him. The power that wafted off this Lord Ao was phenomenal.

So this is a Overgod. He feels almost as powerful as Nameless.

"Silence, Oghma, all of you!" Lord Ao barked glare at all nine of the gods he'd sent to speak on his behalf. "I will handle matters from here."

Ignoring the gods' simpering apologies, the The One Who is Hidden turned his attention to Ainz. If he had not already experienced the power of Nameless, having Ao's scrutiny focused on him would have unsettled the Overlord immensely but he had and as a result the Overgod's power while still overwhelming was manageable.

"Primordial Ainz Ooal Gown, by my decree no restrictions will be placed on your ability to act by anyone. Furthermore, you will be given Laerakond as your area of operation on Toril. Is that acceptable to you?"

"It is Lord Ao." Ainz said, offering the Overgod a grateful bow. "You have my thanks for your generosity."

"Than so mote it be. Anyone who challenges my ruling will face my wrath."

"My lord, a question." Asmodeus asked, in a surprisingly polite tone.

It seemed that even the Archfiend knew to be respectful of the Overgod.

"I know what you wish to know, Asmodeus. Your new ally is neither God nor Primordial. He is something else."

This caused the godly delegation to stare at Lord Ao and Ainz in shock, even as the Overlord himself just let out a mental sigh.

Why am I not surprised. I doubt Nameless would drop me in this world so I could just become a cog in its machine, even if it meant becoming a god.

"T-Then what is he, Lord Ao?" A terrified sounding Shar asked, hugging herself tightly.

"You have tasted a sampling of his power, do you not have an idea Shar?"

The Lady of Loss just shivered and shook her head, refusing to say a word. A response that earned shocked looks from her fellow gods. Well, most of them. Asmodeus just smirked like the cat which had caught the canary.

"Since Shar is unwilling to share than I shall elaborate." Lord Ao said, shaking his head in disappointment at the goddess. "What Ainz Ooal Gown is something beyond your limited reckoning, or more accurately what he can become is such, but for now he already surpasses all of you. In some ways at least."

"Yet, my Lord, you addressed Ainz as a Primordial earlier." Asmodeus pressed.

"Because that is the closest thing to what Ainz Ooal Gown is at the moment, even if it fails to truly capture his nature. If you must, see him as such among yourselves."

"I see, my Lord. Thank you for explaining." Asmodeus said with a grateful bow.

Lord Ao just nodded and with a sweep of his hand Ainz found himself alone with the Overgod in a familiar void.

"It is not the same void as Nameless uses," Lord Ao said now speaking with a more normal tone. "All empty Realms are simply similar."

"I see," Ainz said warily as he came to the realization that Lord Ao was likely the same class of being as the ROB that had dropped him into this world to begin with.

Said Overgod meanwhile was taking the time to stare at Ainz with such intensity that it seemed like he was looking into his very soul. Which he very likely was.

"Yes, I was." Lord Ao said as he finished. "And after doing so I can only say that I am uncertain if Nameless made the right choice in making you the new seed."

"Seed? What do you mean by that?"

Lord Ao shot him a warning look.

"I am not Nameless, infant." The Overgod told him warningly. "I will not tolerate disrespect from you. Nor will I help you again like I did today. From this day forth, you're on your own."

"I understand."

"No, you don't." Lord Ao told him bluntly. "But you will eventually. At least I hope so."

"I will try?" Ainz offered uncertainly.

"You will or you will die." Lord Ao said with a shrug. "The path Nameless has set for you offers no alternatives. So prove my doubts unfounded and survive. Or not. Either works for me."

"Wait! What do you me-"

Ignoring him, Lord Ao disappeared depositing him back at the conference table now devoid of the godly delegation.

"So what did Lord Ao have to say in his private audience with you?" Asmodeus asked curiously.

Ainz frowned and shook his head.

"Things for my ears only." Ainz told him. "Things I will need to figure out."

The Archfiend pouted, honestly pouted, but let the matter drop.

Ainz was grateful. He was too frazzled by Lord Ao's cryptic statements to play Asmodeus' games.

What does he and Nameless want with me?


Despite mulling over the matter for hours, Ainz came up with nothing and with other matters to attend to was forced to shelve the thought for later. Instead some time after the departure of the godly delegation, he was seated on the Throne of Kings once more as he read over the treaty Albedo had drafted with Asmodeus.

It took all his skills and experience gained from his time as a salaryman just to understand the legalese they had used to word the document, but he managed.

It looks satisfactory. Ainz thought, honestly surprised that they'd managed something as fair with the Lord of Lies of all people. No offense to Albedo and her intelligence but Asmodues was an ancient being infamous for his cunning and skill at deceit. If he wanted to, he was sure that he could easily sneak in something to his benefit. Yet, that did not seem to be the case. That wasn't saying much, Ainz's own limited intellect was vastly outstripped by them both, and he could easily have missed something but his gut told him he had not.

"You have done well, Albedo." Ainz told the Succubus

"Thank you, my lord." The Guardian Overseer said, blushing terribly and squirmed on the spot in joy at being praised.

Ignoring her antics, Ainz turned to Asmodeus.

"When would you like to hold the signing ceremony?"

"No need for such formalities." The Archfiend said with a dismissive of his hand. "Let's just do it now."

Ainz's eyes glowed with suspicion but he had no counter to it. He was under no illusions that more than one god had been deeply offended by the outcome of the godly visit and would likely attack him soon. He hadn't needed Demiurge's ongoing detailed breakdown of potential enemies based on the reactions at the meeting to know that. Or that he needed allies and fast.

"Very well. Sebas!"

"Yes, my lord?" The waiting butler asked as he stepped forward to kneel before him.

"Have a table brought there at once. And summon the Guardians except Gargantua and the Lords of Felmid. I want them here to see the signing."

"Yes, my lord." The Dragonoid said as he politely but quickly got to his feet and rushed out of the Throne Room to carry out his order.

"Your subjects are very loyal."

"It was written into them at their creation." Ainz told the Archfiend honestly.

Asmodeus simply nodded and they waited in silence as a pair of tables was brought into the Throne Room. In short order, he and Ainz were signing the treaty. They both signed a copy before exchanging it and repeating the process. Once both copies bore the signatures of both parties, the parchments both glowed and vanished.

"And so this compact is sealed." Asmodeus said as he stood from the seat he'd taken for the signing and offered Ainz a hand.

"Let it last forever more." Ainz added, as he accepted the extended hand.

As the two leaders shook hands, Ainz's gathered inner circle applauded politely.

"Now then," Asmodeus said as they released each other's hands. "As agreed upon in the treaty, I will now demonstrate what'll happen should it be breached."

"Go ahead," Ainz nodded, using his powers to temporarily lower the defenses of the Throne Room. He sensed Aureole Omega up in the Cherry Blossom Sanctuary on the 8th Floor panic a little as the wards which she managed lowered, but she thankfully quickly realized it was his doing and relaxed.

I should apologize for alarming her later.

Even as he made a mental note to do so, Asmodeus summoned one of his subordinate Archfiends. It was a tall humanoid with dark hair, tiny black horns, and one cloven hoof. He was dressed in resplendent clothing and carried a rod of great power.

"Dispater," Asmodeus addressed his subordinate.

"Yes, my Lord?" The lesser Archfiend said, offering the Supreme Master of the Nine Hells a low bow.

"I wish for you to approach my friend Ainz Ooal Gown over there," the red-skinned Archfiend said gesturing towards Ainz where he sat on the Throne of Kings. "And negotiate a deal, any deal, for your own betterment."

The lesser Devil lord looked skeptical but obediently nodded and moved over.

"Lord Ainz," Dispater said in a slimy voice of a desperate salesman. "Could I interest you in a deal? For a legion of Merregon, perhaps? Or an army of Narzugon? Oh! For a limited time I can offer you both and even add in a pit fiend general as well. How about it?"

"That last offer sounds most appealing," Ainz said, playing along. "What is your price?"

"Oh, nothing big. Just a few hundred thousand so-"

"Enough," Asmodues said, cutting his subordinate off causing said Archfiend to immediately obey and take a step back from Ainz. "Thank you, Dispater, for assisting with the demonstration.

"I live to serve," the confused looking Lord of Dis said with a bow.

"Now then, Ainz I believe you are in violation of our treaty. Its fine print clearly states that dealings between our respective organizations must go through me or with my express approval. And while Dispater was acting on my orders, he did not have my approval to take as my intermediary. As per the terms of the treaty, you must relinquish now what you classify as a Divine class item to me."

"Very well. Pandora's Actor!"

"I have it, mein Vater." The Doppelgänger said as he came forward with a carefully selected Divine class items from the Nazarick Treasury. It was a gauntlet that had a passing resemblance to the jeweled gauntlet Bane had worn on his visit to Felmid, but even more ornate. It was a decently powerful item but was not overly so and was no great loss to Nazarick. It was thus a suitable gift for the sealing of the treaty which was what it really was.

Nevertheless the assembled Nazarick and Felmid leadership milled in consternation at handing over one of the Supreme Beings' treasures.

"Silence!" Ainz barked, slamming the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown into the ground with an audible bang and causing his aura to flare briefly. This silenced his subordinates immediately and Dispater to flinch, much to Asmodeus' amusement.

"My subjects, are you dissatisfied that I would give our new ally a gift to mark the sealing of our alliance?" Ainz asked, his eyes narrowed. "Would you prefer that I show myself to be a honorless scoundrel who does not show respect for the other party in my dealings?"

"No, my Lord." Abledo said, bowing so low her head almost touched the floor. She was not the only one. At this reprimand, all his subjects, save Pandora's Actor who had known his intent all along and had not acted out, imitated her. She like his creation had held her tongue as well but unfortunately as the Guardian Overseer had to take responsibility for her subordinates' foolishness. "We apologize. We should not have doubted you."

"And if it assuages any hurt feelings on your part, I will personally ensure that the legion that Dispater promised will be delivered as my gift. Isn't that right, Dispater?"

"It shall be done, my lord." The lesser Archfiend said sycophantically in reply to his master's command.

"Thank you Asmodeus," Ainz said politely before returning his attention to his subjects. "You are forgiven my children. But remember that feeling of anger you felt when you didn't know better. For it will be what you will feel should you or any other under my rule or will come under my dominion in the future fails to abide by this treaty. So learn not to breach it and teach the same to your subordinates."

"You are wise indeed my Lord." Albedo said gushingly. "To use a single act for so many purposes. Truly your wisdom is immense."

"He's not bad. For a newbie." Asmodeus chimed in.

"We all have to start somewhere," Ainz chuckled before his subordinates could take offense.

They are certainly overprotective of me and my honor. Something for me to be wary of in the future.

"Indeed. Though a question Asmodeus before you depart."

"Oh? Ask away."

"You have my thanks, of course, but I would like to know why you have been so helpful to me?"

"I assure you that I'm acting solely on my own self-interest."

"Being helpful and acting on one's self-interest is not necessarily mutually exclusive." Ainz told him.

"Good of you to realize that." Asmodeus said with a chuckle. "You are indeed off to a good start."

"Thanks in no small part to your assistance."

"It was not I who killed Atropus. No, you were doing splendidly before I came long. I just helped a little here and there."

At that the Prince of Evil began gathering his power for a teleport, his subordinate Dispater quickly doing the same, and Ainz obligingly lowered the Throne Room's protections once more.

"Before I go," the Lord of Nessus said suddenly. "I should probably tell you that while there is nothing concrete yet, I'm sure that the other dark forces of this Realm are plotting against you."

"Only the dark forces?"

"The forces of good will not act first. Not unless you start slaughtering innocents." Asmodeus told him with a shrug. "It is our fellow evils from which you must fear attack."

"I expected as much," Ainz said with a sigh.

"Perceptive. Good. It will serve you well." The Lord of Devils said as she began to disappear from view. "Till we meet again, Ainz Ooal Gown. Do not die."

I don't intend to.


Done!

Like the increased D&D elements in this chapter. Yeah? I hope so.

Anyways, as I write this story I must admit that I increasingly fear that I might make things OOC, especially the D&D side of it. As such, I'll just preemptively say it here: everything in this story is a result of a homebrew/headcanon version of both Overlord and D&D. Thus any deviation from canon comes from this.

Moving on…

So Ainz is starting to get involved in the complicated divine politics of Realmspace, making friends and enemies all over the place. To that end, was Asmodeus' stretching out of an arm of friendship to the new 'Primordial' a surprise? It shouldn't be. Ainz is an up and rising star and more importantly the Prince of Evil has a fair idea of what Ainz really is. He thus wants in with him as quickly as possible. This is also why he's mostly dealing with our favorite Overlord in good faith. Most of the divinities sadly don't get it and will suffer the consequences for it. What do I mean? Well, keep reading to find out.

Till next time, hajas!