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Slane Theocracy, Kami Miyako, Shrine of the God of Death
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This was a place of worship, where those who believed in the dubbed, 'God of Death' Surshana, one of the Six Great Gods that descended down onto the earth six hundred years ago.
There were small cathedrals, churches and other religious buildings that glorified or acknowledged each of the six gods everywhere in the Slane Theocracy, but other than the Six Great Cathedrals the Shrine of the God of Death was the one and only shrine that existed without any replicas.
Normally, there would be Theocracy visitors everywhere, walking, kneeling and praying. But today, it was devoid of those type of people.
In the shrine was a large hollow building, the entrance of the door extended vastly wide and tall almost as if there were no walls. Inside were marble pillars that led continuously to a statue, the statue of the God of Death.
The Shrine itself looked beautiful compared to the Great Cathedrals.
Raymond chose this place to be the diplomatic meeting with the Sorcerous Kingdom.
Instead of being crowded by hordes of people to the side were heavily armoured guards that stood straight with spears, the ones that stood in front of the Statue wore magical armour and looked well-trained.
After all, they were meeting an envoy from the Sorcerous Kingdom.
Raymond stood on the sides talking with the head of the guards there, there were also Arch Bishops that accompanied Raymond to the Shrine, the other Cardinals did not come. If the Sorcerous Kingdom were to attack then the Arch Bishops would act as a rear force for Raymond to make his escape.
Today was the day where the Sorcerous Kingdom's Envoy was supposed to arrive, choosing the shrine of the God of Death seemed fitting for Ainz Ooal Gown, but Raymond did not choose it out of respect.
Rather, it was out of ridicule.
In the Holy Kingdom, there were confirmed reports that the Sorcerous King Ainz Ooal Gown being worshipped as a God, a God of justice and death.
If this Undead King truly believed itself to be a god then having it face the real thing in the shrine of the true God of Death would stir some sort of reaction with its delegates, if they were believers of Ainz Ooal Gowns' faith.
If they were stupid enough to react then that would be free political power would be served on a golden platter for the Theocracy. And it would ruin the reputation of the Sorcerous Kingdom.
But from the actions from the servant of the Lizardmen village, the chances of those delegates reacting would be awfully low, but Raymond was not foolish enough to not set up psychological traps before having envoys from an enemy country arrive.
After speaking with the guards Raymond took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts,
What would be the objective of Sorcerous Envoys? Insert pressure on our nation? Find a justification for war? If it is to assert pressure... Yes, that must be it, the Undead King is an intelligent being, he must have known the situation our nation is in now and using that to his advantage.
Raymond looked up at a pillar, it was beautifully carved and made out of pure gold and iron befitting of a shrine like this, but instead of admiring the beauty, he looked at something else.
A few more minutes, and those disgusting beings will arrive...
With that known Raymond raised his voice,
"Arch Bishops! Theocrate guards! Get into position, remember the objective! Express high amounts of intimidation towards the delegates of the Sorcerous Kingdom!"
"Yes, Cardinal Raymond!" They shouted back as they ran to their designated spots.
The full-plated armoured guards towered almost two meters tall and there were many of them in this shrine. With that Raymond created a formation to have them make a semi-circle around the assumed delegates that would arrive.
Raymond had seen this formation done in action many times before and it succeeded in intimidating most delegates from the Empire and Draconic Kingdom giving them the higher advantage in negotiations, but the question was if the delegates of the Sorcerous Kingdom would be intimidated too.
Then a soldier marched in.
He looked at Raymond and nodded.
Raymond nodded back.
The Sorcerous Envoy has arrived.
"Join them," Raymond commanded, the guard ran towards one of the sides of the Shrine and stood like the rest of the soldiers.
Since the shrine door was so wide and tall when opened looking at the scenery outside was like sitting in the theatre with front row seats, you could see everything outside, even the roads that led to the Shrine.
There was a luxurious-looking carriage heading this way, the wood was jet-black and there was eye-straining obsidian golden metal outlining the carriage, on top raised the flag of the Sorcerous Kingdom, the carriage itself looked frightening due to its size.
But unexpectedly it was not accompanied by undead guards, not even death knights.
Raymond grit his teeth almost growling, the men who could see the carriage outside did too followed with trembling.
As seen, there weren't any undead marching with the carriage, instead, there were demons, demons marching next to the carriage. The sole enemy of the Theocracy.
A mere sight of a demon would result in immediate clashing between the two forces anyway in or out of the Theocracy, children were taught that demons were the scum of the earth, some priests even set off to purify demons, to see demons walking in the Capital of the Theocracy, near the holy sanctuary of the Theocracy was blasphemy to the highest degree.
The meeting hasn't started yet but there has already has been a mild dilemma Raymond would have to deal with.
"Tch..." The Arch Bishops clicked their tongues in disgust.
It was the question of whether or not Raymond allowed the demons to enter the shrine itself. If they allowed them to enter then wild rumours would swarm the Slane Theocracy ruining the reputation of the Cardinals.
But if they demanded the demons to leave then the Sorcerous Kingdom would most definitely use this as part of an excuse for something bad, a word is tougher than steel. It would also lower the reputation of the Slane Theocracy itself.
Dammit... Damn you Ainz Ooal Gown!
The Sorcerous Kingdom played its card before discussions began.
Before Raymond could think, the carriage stopped, the door slowly opened to reveal a frogman wearing a southern tuxedo.
The frogman elegantly and almost mockingly marched towards the shrine with a slick wave towards one of the guards standing outside of the shrine.
Besides him were two maids.
One of them had red braided hair and darkened skin while the other wore a revealing maid outfit and had lavishing blonde hair. Both of them were beauties, top-class in fact, the men outside the shrine closed their gaze towards the frogman and shifted it towards the two beauties.
Raymond was still inside right in front of the statue of the shrine of the great god, he could see all this.
A stupid-looking frogman? Two maids? Is this some sort of feeble joke?
He got the feeling that Ainz Ooal Gown wasn't taking this seriously.
The orange-suited frogman kept his hands behind his back as he regally walked towards the shrine, despite its looks it behaved well-mannered and civilised.
The guards' glares turned into infuriated anger as they saw the demons who walked into the shrine with leering grins as if they owned the place, there were various types of demons that walked behind the maids ranging from imps to succubi, it did not look as if they were there as guards.
But before the Frogman and demons could enter the shrine there was a loud commanding voice.
"Demonic scum, don't you dare enter the shrine of the great god!" It was one of the full-plated guards, he pointed his spear towards one of the succubi who then fearfully hid behind a larger demon.
The spear turned towards the larger demon nearly hitting the throat.
The maids in front deviously smiled as if they waited for something.
"Oh my, I cannot imagine why this country would employ such feral behaved men. Did your gods teach you such undomesticated behaviour?"
It was the orange-suited frogman who spoke in a sneerfully taunting tone.
The frogman then walked towards the guard and lifted a finger placing it on the tip of the blade.
"Would you consider lowering your blade?" The frogman asked.
The guard looked at the frogman, his eyes glinted in anger as he grit his teeth.
"You stupid frogman how dare you speak about our gods in such a way!" The guard shouted as he stepped back to take a fighting stance.
But before the guard could stab the frogman he hears a gravelly loud voice from behind.
"You fool! Step back from the Sorcerous delegates!"
"B-But."
"Step. Back."
Raymond shouted at the guard who then proceeded to click his tongue.
The frogman and the Sorcerous party looked at Raymond, Raymond glared back.
"My deepest apologies for my foolish subordinate actions, please, accept my apologies." Raymond half-heartedly apologised, his tone did not match his apologetic words.
The Frogman lifted his hand,
"Oh, Cardinal, you are not at fault, it is my condolences that you have such untrained guards." The frogman replied in a taunting tone.
"Then please, come in." Raymond invited, he was still standing in front of the statue a few meters away from the frogman and the Sorcerous party.
"Hm? Is it fine for demons to enter such a place like this?" The frogman tauntingly stated.
That question could be pulled over in two ways. One way would be, 'Are you sure you should allow demons to enter such a holy place?' or the other more subtle aggressive alternative would be, 'Why should we enter such a disgusting place?'.
It was clear the frogman was leering towards the alternative.
Raymond silently clicked his tongue in anger, underneath his heart was a burning sensation to murder this frogman. He understood that attempt at mocking, but he couldn't react.
"It is fine, today is an exception."
Raymond was mildly surprised he was able to say that with a calm tone.
"Oho? What an outstanding gift. Accept my deepest appreciations."
With those words exchanged footsteps echoed around the shrine as the distinct boots of the frogman laid into the shrine.
The demons who followed in sneeringly smirked and purposely created loud footsteps as they stared at the guards.
The guards who were getting silently mocked loudly gripped their spears as they trembled in furious anger. One almost broke formation to charge at a certain demon.
Raymond looked at the guards and sympathised.
I'm sorry, please, hold it in.
He then glared at the frogman who stopped walking to look at the statue.
Noticing the glaring anger the frogman grinned and took the initiative.
"My my, such an honour, this one's name is Demiurge. If it is a privilege might I inquire into your noble name?"
The frogman deeply bowed derisively with one hand on its stomach and the other on its back before it spoke,
"I, Cardinal of Earth, Raymond Zarg Lauransan, welcome yous, envoys from the hailed Sorcerous Kingdon to the Slane Theocracy."
It was clear that the bow the frogman gave was just mocking Raymond. Raymond had a feeling that this meeting was not going to be a good one, but this confirmed his suspicions. Each word this 'Demiurge' gave out was designed to anger the guards and Raymond.
The Arch-Bishops, who stood behind Raymond, angrily glared at the group of demons who were silently teasing the guards. They were tempted to cast purification spells. But they held it in, gritting their teeth.
This will be a war of words.
Raymond gulped before he spoke,
"Then, as respect for one of our great gods, we demand you and those maidens of yours to prostrate yourselves in front of the god of deaths' statue."
The maids showed a bewildered expression and frowned.
After looking at the frogman the maids bowed.
But the frogman did not move.
"Is there something wrong? Demiurge-dono?"
"It is most unfortunate but it seems as if I cannot kneel down, rather, if the god truly existed I would gladly lay down my knees in prostration."
The guards glared at Demiurge, who was smiling back at Raymond.
"Demiurge-dono, I understand your frustrations but we urge you to do it immediately,"
"Is that so? Then please forgive me,"
Demiurge then deeply bowed, it was an exaggeration on how he bowed.
Of course, both his words and actions were empty.
With the greetings over with Demiurge spoke,
"Then first, allow me to express my deepest condolences for your huge loss during that demihuman invasion, I feel deeply for your citizens, Cardinal Raymond."
The Frogman grinned.
He's mocking us... Dammit...
"Thank you very much for your condolences..."
Raymond's usual calm behaviour was slowly breaking down. The frogman acted more like a demon than a demi-human.
"In the name of the true god, Supreme Being, Sorcerer King, Ainz Ooal Gown, I once again, thank you for allowing us demons to enter such a place."
"Disperse with the pleasantries you demonic scum! Tell us what your undead king ordered you to say and leave immediately!"
Raymond shouted, he finally popped.
Anger overflowed Raymond for the first time as he hatefully glared at the smirking frogman.
"Oh my, it is so, but I did not foresee that a Cardinal would be such a beast mannered man such as your guards earlier, would you be as so mature enough as to relax your tongue? Your excellency."
Raymond growled at the frogman, it held the bottom of its mouth almost as if it was about to burst out laughing. The guards on the side looked tempted to attack any moment.
"Introduce the topic, Demiurge-dono."
It would be my pleasure, Cardinal Raymond,"
Demiurge took a deep breath and spoke,
"As publicly announced, the Supreme Being Ainz Ooal Gown coveted the city of E-Rantel into his rightfully claimed territory, while you all sat glancing at your toes, but before the reclamation of Ainz-sama's rightfully owned territory there was an incident that revolved around your country."
Demiurge smiled as he saw the bewildered reactions of the Archbishops and continued speaking,
"While Ainz-sama was taking a peaceful walk he saw the unjust evil, heretical actions some soldiers were committing on innocent lives of a village near E-Rantel, Ainz-sama, being the rightful ruler Ainz-sama is, saved those villagers, but that is not where the problem lies dear Cardinal."
Raymond tensed up after hearing, 'Rightful ruler' and other phrases unbefitting of an undead.
The tone of the frogman sounded as if he was accusing the Slane Theocracy of something.
"Oh? Can you prove that those soldiers were from us, Demiurge-dono?"
"Now now, dear Cardinal, I did not say that was where the problem lied, but seeing as though you mentioned such a thing, was it truly you who ordered the attack, Raymond?"
A small trap huh?
"Oh no, Demiurge-dono, it was just from the tone of your voice it sounded as if you were accusing our nation of such an act. We would never attack without reason."
The frogman smiled deviously, almost laughing.
Why is it smirking..? Wait, no! I messed up! Dammit!
Without knowing, Raymond fell into the more subtle yet decisive trap Demiurge had laid.
Raymond realised this.
Dammit! I blabbered too much!
"Oh? Is that so? Never attack without reason as so you say? Then allow me to introduce the main problem at hand."
"Wait n-"
Demiurge interrupted the Cardinal.
"While my master was peacefully walking back to his domain he saw what could be the Sunlight Scripture of the Slane Theocracy, they saw Ainz-sama and attacked without reason. Remember Raymond-dono, they had just met, there should have been no reason why your men would attack Ainz-sama. And you stated that you would not attack without reason? My my, I did not think Cardinals were compared to the scheming devils they despised."
Raymond grit his teeth.
Me? Scheming devil? How dare you?!
The guards around Demiurge violently trembled in anger.
But Raymond grabbed enough composure.
"Oh? But your master is an undead? Correct? If your master was an undead then that would be the reason why Nigun attacked him!"
Raymond shouted as he pointed towards Demiurge.
"Cardinal, O Cardinal, you make a sore mistake indeed, during that time my master was wearing a mask that concealed his undead figure, to the naked eye he would have looked like a typical adventurer, your excellency."
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"That is so but Nigun is a high levelled magic-caster, with a third-tier spell he could easily sense your master's undead presence, your master is a high levelled undead correct? Then his aura would have been clear as day for Nigun. That is why he attacked."
"I recall my master holding a sixth-tier item that cuts off an undead aura. Such a statement is futile."
Raymond clenched his fists and made an unsightly facial expression. He was at a loss for words.
Dammit! Dammit! What do I say... What do I say?! Dammit!
"Such an action can be deemed for war, do you understand what this means, Cardinal Raymond?"
Raymond, who's thinking was cut off by Demiurge nodded.
"But Ainz-sama is a merciful God,"
Raymond wanted to retort at the 'Merciful god' part, but he would be ripped to shreds by words if he were to say that.
The power was shifting towards the diabolical frogman.
He held the advantage now.
"Ainz-sama states that you will be forgiven for attacking an absolute monarch that is Ainz-sama if you agree to our terms."
Seeing no way out Raymond replied.
"And what are those terms?"
"Well, as you should have heard a few weeks ago, the Elven Kingdom has created both a political and Military-economic alliance with the Sorcerous Kingdom."
He's not going to ask for that... No...
"It is just as you are thinking Raymond..." The Frogman adjusted his glasses as a huge grin etched on its face.
"If you release the Elven slaves then Ainz-sama would forgive your transactions towards him, the benevolent Ainz-sama would even go as far as to return the bodies of your men. Oh such an act of kindness, I believe that is what your 'god of light' would have wanted... correct?"
Release the Elven slaves?! Are you serious?! No... the economic consequences of that were too grim, the worst-case scenario is that the entire country falls! Dammit! That's it, we must...
"To end war and allow the wings of freedom for many decades of oppression, a noble act cannot be done by a normal person... Kufufu."
That last line. Demiurge was on the verge of inhumane laughter.
"We humbly decline..."
"Excuse me? Cardinal Raymond, you understand the consequen-"
The guards, who were shaking in anger the entire time, finally let loose.
"Attack! Kill them all! Don't leave any prisoners!"
The leader of the squadron in the shrine shouted.
With that the frogman, who was holding back its true emotions finally let out an evil laugh.
"Kufufu! How dare you decline such a noble request and yet attack, do you lack the induction to reason? With this war is incited! Kufufu!"
"Shut up frogman! I'll kill you now!"
"It was a pleasure speaking with you, Cardinal Raymond. [Fireball]"
A fireball appeared and headed towards the statue.
Demiurge and the maids teleported out, the demons who could use [Teleport] did too.
With his face pointed to the ground. Raymond struggled to keep his emotions bottled in.
That damned Undead. That damned undead. I'll make you pay.
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Draconic Kingdom, Gates of Warzuth, Beastmen Headquarters
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"My king! My king! There's been a breach!"
A slightly slimmer beastman shouted as he ran towards the Beastman King.
The Beastman King was sitting on a throne carved from skulls and bones composed mainly of humans and other animals.
Besides the Beastman King were two other beastmen, probably his personal guards, they wore plated armour despite being beastmen with thick fur, that sense of fashion only enhanced the possiblity of them being his personal guards.
"What do you mean? Are there any humans foolish enough to attack this base? What are their numbers?"
The beastman was breathing heavily, there was a cut wound on his shoulder, if someone was able to make a deep flesh wound on a beastman, then they must be strong.
"There are only two people!"
Greatly surprised by his subordinate's words the king stood up roaring,
"Are you an idiot? It must have been some sort of illusion magic! Run back now and attack them! Bring along with you the fourth elite division, they'll deal with the small force of Theocracy soldiers."
"Yes, sir!"
The beastman shouted as he ran back.
"What foolishness, and here I thought humans had a nick for being intelligent."
But as the beastman ran out there could be heard a woman shouting.
"[Chain Dragon Lightning]!"
A burst of lightning went through every single beastmen near the Beastman King. He was the only one who didn't get hit by it.
"You human! How dare you attack my subordinates,"
The Beastman king said as he grabbed onto his half blue half red bladed magical sword.
There was a woman, a beauty, but of course, being a beastman he could not tell the difference between women beauty just as humans can't make out the sex appeal beastmen had.
She was wearing a maid costume and had fairly trimmed hair.
Behind her was a warrior, a man in jet-black plated armour, he was just as big as the Beastman King.
A strong magic caster only teams up with strong warriors. Knowing this the Beastman King taunted.
"You there! Human in black plated armour. If you are a man then fight me yourself in a duel! I'll promise you that no one will interfere."
"Oho? A noble request from the leader of one hundred thousand murderers and rapists. You do not fool my eyes beast. I know there are beastmen in that tent ready to ambush me once the duel begins."
"Tch."
"Raise your sword, large human, let us fight."
Ainz looked at Pandora's Actor, who was disguised as Narberal and nodded.
He nodded back.
With that Pandora's Actor pulled out a small knife and walked towards the Beastman King.
"Oh really? Sending a woman out to test the grounds? You are a cowardly man indeed!" The Beastman mocked.
"Silence, hairy furball."
"Oho? Come at me then, I'll add you to my collection of women!"
"Tch."
The Beastman King swung at Pandora's Actor, he grabbed the edge of the magical blade and stabbed the Beastman King in the stomach.
Coughing out blood the Beastman King shouts,
"Garrghh! [Create Fire]!"
Huge amounts of blames burst out from the sword engulfing Pandora's Actor into it.
"It was a shame that you had to die but it couldn't be helpe- Wait how are you alive?!"
Completely unscathed by the flames Pandora's Actor jumps and with a swing of the blade.
The Beatman King's head rolls onto the ground.
Only to be stopped by Ainz's foot.
"You did well."
Ainz says as he picks up the head.
"Thank you very much Ainz-sama."
"Then, we are done, let's go back."
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Ainz looked at the Beastman King, who was taunting him.
He then glanced at Pandora's Actor.
He nodded.
Pandora's Actor in the form of Narberal nodded back.
"Do it."
"Jawohl!"
Jawohl?
With that Narberal's body began to distort, the blobs of flesh discoloured as it absorbed himself back in the body.
This continued until Pandora's Actor returned to his original form.
"Pandora's Actor. What are you doing?"
"As you commanded, Aiiiiinz-sama!"
...What was it I commanded?
"Is that so? Then you may continue."
The beastman king looked at Pandora's Actor.
"Hmph, illusion magic, you can't fool my eyes. Now then, fight me."
Pandora's Actor turned his egghead back towards Ainz.
...What do you want?
"Ainz-sama, should I do it?"
Should you?
Ainz slowly nodded.
With that Pandora's Actor straightened his back, clapped his feet and put his hands on his thighs.
I have a bad feeling about this.
"Oh? What are you going to do? Mr yellow-san." The Beastman king shouted.
Yellow-san?
Pandora's Actor cleared his throat.
I think I should stop him.
Ainz sensed something bad
I really should stop him. I feel like something I really like gouging out from my darkest memories.
Then suddenly, Pandora's Actor went into a cool pose and shouted.
"Into the motherland the German Army march!"
...German army?
"Panzers side by side as they storm the german charge!"
...Panzers? ...No, Pandora's Actor!
"...Such a fearsome warcry,"
The Beastman dropped his magical sword and fell onto his knees.
"I admit defeat... Yellow-san, I do not know what you just did... but I surrender."
...That actually worked?
(I wrote this short comedic strip out of boredom, please don't take it seriously)
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Review please?