Makings of an Overlord

by The Emerald Commander

Suzuki Satoru has no idea how to rule the Great Tomb of Nazarick, especially now that he has been transported to an entire new world as a human (kind of). However, he is going to give his all, no matter how much Albedo keeps trying to sleep with him, how much Demiurge wants to commit genocides and how much he wishes to date that cute peasant girl in the village nearby. Slight!AU

11. Chapter X: Dead, Living and the Rest

Chapter X: The dead, the living and the rest

Part 1

Everything was going perfect. The recent raids on Eight Finger outposts, other criminal hideouts and illegal establishments in Re-Estize had given the Tomb of Nazarick all that it needed, and then some. In the short term, there would no longer be any concerns of running out of food, supplies or even human prisoners to expand their knowledge on the world. Better yet, Suzuki was finally learning magic.

Of course something had to go wrong, mentally muttered Suzuki as he walked across the fields outside Carne Village.

Behind him, a cloaked and masked Pandora and ever vigilant Rubedo followed closely. It was a dark cloudy night, with little light from the moon, yet that didn't bother the Overlord or his companions. Unseen, Suzuki knew that his Royal Guard and other NPCs had fanned out, keeping an eye for any threats to their master.

Up ahead, Suzuki came across the source of his annoyance and frustration: the Pleiades, standing in half a circle, and the prisoner in the middle, held by Solution Epsilon. The slime's smile, twistedly inhuman, gleeful and sadistic, was terrifying for Momonga, and ten times worse for the terrified prisoner. The Overlord didn't say anything as the Pleiades knelt, the prisoner forced to her knees in the process. Instead, he stared at the little girl at the center, the true source of consternation.

The first thing Suzuki realized was just how young Evil-Eye looked. It actually took him by surprise, even though he had suspected as much after hearing her voice and given her stature. If he had to guess, she had been turned into a vampire before or by the time she was twelve.

That's awful, thought Suzuki, to be stuck in the body of a child for decades or even centuries…

Perhaps it was Evil-Eye's child-like face or her vampirism, but his mind conjured an image of Shalltear. She too looked uncomfortably young for Suzuki, especially considering that thanks to her creator, she lusted after Suzuki.

Not that I have that much room to talk… I'm an adult with a crush on a teenager, Suzuki begrudgingly conceded.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and focused back on Evil-Eye.

"Greetings, Evil-Eye," said Suzuki. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your presence tonight?"

Evil-Eye didn't say anything, grimacing and averting her face. Suzuki shook his head.

"Before I forget," Suzuki hummed with a smirk. "A simple anti-divination magic, for some privacy."

He raised a hand and then casted a simple spell. Ripples spread across the air and a tingling sensation coursed across Suzuki's skin. It was one of the two spells he had learned from Old Yagga the Wood Witch. Admittedly, being her student had been quite an experience, especially given how most of her magical knowledge seemed more rooted in superstition than facts. That and she was a freaking nutter.

"Right, how about a ward to avoid teleportation magic?" Mused Momonga.

With a flick of his hand, he created a burst of bright blue light. That had been the second anti-divination spell he had learned from Old Yagga. It didn't actually block teleportation magic, but Evil-Eye didn't need to know that. By her look of distress, she had fallen for the ruse.

"With that done, let's get this over with, shall we?" said Suzuki. He folded his arms, the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown hovering next to him. "Why were you spying on Enri?"

"I wasn't spying on her," muttered Evil-Eye, avoiding his gaze.

"Then who? Her family?" Suzuki wondered.

"No," sighed Evil-Eye. She grimaced. "I… look, it was something stupid. This whole thing was stupid, alright?"

"Then let us hear it," Suzuki said. "Please, Evil-Eye, unless I am convinced you aren't trying to turn Enri into a vampire-"

"I wouldn't!" Heatedly spat Evil-Eye. "I would never turn anyone!"

"How am I supposed to believe that?" Suzuki asked. "Just tell me the truth, Evil-Eye."

Evil-Eye scowled, but one glance at the still smiling Solution reminded her how precarious her situation was.

"It was that stupid angel, alright?" Exclaimed Evil-Eye. "I wanted to check if he…"

"Yes?" Suzuki leaned forward, intrigued.

"If…" Evil-Eye said, only to sigh, ashamed. "If he wasn't actually someone I knew…"

"Do I know that someone?"

"Maybe?" Grunted Evil-Eye.

She released a long sigh of resignation.

"I thought the angel was… Nigun… Nigun Grid Luin," grumbled Evil-Eye.

"The former leader of the Sunlight Scripture?" Suzuki slowly said.

"Yeah, that arrogant prick," muttered the little vampire.

"So let me see if I get this straight: you thought an angel under my service and who currently serves as a translator for a peasant girl was the zealous human leader of the Sunlight Scripture of the Theocracy who despised demi-humans?" Suzuki wondered.

Evil-Eye winced and bowed her head. When put like that, her theory did appear to have little merit.

Once again, Suzuki felt at a loss. There was a long moment of silence and Suzuki turned towards Pandora.

"What do you think?"

"I believe she is telling the truth, mein schöpfer," said Pandora.

Suzuki nodded, stroking his chin. Pandora's Actor was both extremely intelligent (no matter how goofy he acted at times) and observant. Moreover, as a doppelganger and master negotiator, he had great skill when it came to spotting falsehoods and behaviors on people.

Pandora and Suzuki, unbeknownst to either, struck the same thinking pose, stroking their chins and humming contemplatively. Evil-Eye, even if she was currently fearful about her fate, couldn't help but stare at the two with a frown.

"However, we could always be thorough and send her to Neuronist. Maybe you could induct her, Supreme One! She is a vampire, so she shouldn't be glitched," suggested Pandora.

"No," immediately said Suzuki.

Neither option appealed to the overlord. This wasn't some rapist or crook that deserved Neuronist's attention and care. As for the Induction through the [Throne of Kings]…

"I don't think I could go through either option," admitted Suzuki.

"Whatever you decide, mein großer Schöpfer, it shall be done as you wish," reassured Pandora.

I should be prioritizing the Tomb, Suzuki told himself. But I can't exactly blame Evil-Eye for snooping around to verify Nigun's identity.

Truth of the matter was that Nigun had kept his previous personality, so someone had been bound to notice. Not that Suzuki or anyone else suspected that the bloody Blue Roses of all people would show up. Given their previous encounter had been when Nigun was in the process of going all Demiurge on a demi-human village, Suzuki could understand someone wanting to know if a genocidal religious maniac was still up and about, especially if he appeared to have been race-changed.

I knew I should have used another person as a translator for Enri, thought Suzuki.

Sadly, it was either Nigun, an angel, or Elion, a vampire, and between the two Suzuki wasn't so sure the Emmots would have appreciated the latter that much.

The question, though, remained: what was he supposed to do with Evil-Eye?

Suzuki contained the urge to sigh and pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration. He wasn't made to make such moral decisions. He felt guilty for not being more ruthless and take the opportunity. The Tomb depended on him to take such tough decisions, after all. Moreover, there were advantages to taking the little vampire, between magical knowledge he would love to acquire and who knows how many years of experience racked up by Evil-Eye.

Admittedly, the winning factor against Neuronist or induction was Evil-Eye's appearance. Suzuki's stomach churned at the idea of torturing and brainwashing someone who looked like a child, especially one that reminded him so much to Shalltear.

I am too tired for this crap, thought Suzuki.

In the end, Suzuki gestured at the Pleiades to release Evil-Eye. Solution let go of the little vampire and stepped back. Evil-Eye in turn quickly stood up and looked around, eager to make an escape.

"Evil-Eye, I will be sincere, I do not want to be your enemy. If anything I rather we forget what happened tonight and start over," said Suzuki.

He watched as Evil-Eye contemplated her options. She glanced around, then back at Solution, who had yet to undo that creepy smile of hers. Evil-Eye snapped her head back at Suzuki, frightened. The Overlord, on his part, was making an active effort not to look at Solution; gods was that face scary.

"I am curious," hummed Suzuki. "What is a little vampire like you doing with a pious woman like Sir Aindra?"

"That's none of your business," spat Evil-Eye.

She shrunk back, terrified, as Solution gave a step forward in warning, clearly not amused by Evil-Eye's tone.

"It isn't?" Suzuki raised an eyebrow. "I am allied to Sir Aindra and the Princess. Do you think they wouldn't like to know they have a vampire in their midst? You do understand the kind of trouble it would cause, wouldn't it?"

"Do you think I don't know that?" Growled Evil-Eye. "I didn't choose to be a vampire!"

"Then why are you fighting alongside Sir Aindra?" Wondered Suzuki. "If you are ever exposed she would smite you on the spot."

Seriously, that knight was too much of a holy woman. Her eagerness to work with Suzuki and the way she acted so friendly were clear signs she wanted to get close to him. Suzuki wasn't fooled by her pretty smile (and boy was it pretty) or the way she acted all flustered around him. He hadn't missed the instances in which Lakyus kept glancing at her sword, revealing her true feelings of frustration and anger, no doubt in her struggle to contain her urge to smite him right then and there.

Suzuki was quite thankful for his observational skills.

"Lakyus would never do that!" Evil-Eye heatedly shouted.

Suzuki raised a hand at the Pleiades, who looked ready to murder Evil-Eye. Rubedo wasn't much better, twirling her nagita while coldly staring daggers at the Evil-Eye. The little vampire stood there, looking with big wide red eyes as she realized that, maybe, it wasn't wise to rise her voice.

"No? She is a very pious woman and very devoted to her Princess," Suzuki challenged.

"Lakyus is not like that," huffed Evil-Eye, only to frown. "Alright, she is religious and crazy loyal to Renner – but she's not some crazy person who would start spouting verses or…" her frown deepened "…alright, maybe she would spew religious scripture and is a bit over the top with the holy warrior thingy but she's not the sort to kill a non-human on sight…" she paused and scowled "…fine, if she thought that non-human was a threat to the Princess she might attack it…"

Suzuki smirked at the little vampire, nodding sagely.

"That does not mean she would attack me on sight!" Angrily exclaimed Evil-Eye.

Poor Evil-Eye; she's in denial, thought Suzuki.

Truly, he pitied the little vampire. She probably was starved with the desire of company to the point of overlooking Sir Aindra's incorruptible and stalwart devotion to her cause. As far as Suzuki knew, Evil-Eye could have been decades old and lonely, separated from human society and craving human interaction, yet always apprehensive due to her race.

"You know, Evil-Eye, you don't have to force yourself to live amongst humans," said Suzuki. "I could offer a place in my domain, alongside my other vampires."

"And be a monster like them?" Snarled Evil-Eye, baring her teeth.

Apparently that was a touchy topic, realized Suzuki, as he raised his hand to stop furious looking Pleiades. Rubedo, on the other hand, he had to forcibly stop her by grabbing her before she could attack the little vampire. Surprisingly, Pandora remained calm and collected. Realizing yet again of the danger around her, Evil-Eye shrunk back, terrified (particularly of Solution).

"Sorry," an unrepentant muttered Evil-Eye. "I didn't mean to… to hiss at you…"

At the moment she looked embarrassed and ashamed.

"It is alright," Suzuki dismissively said. "It must have been an emotional night for you so far. By the way, have you met many vampires?"

"Met them?" Muttered Evil-Eye, glaring at her feet and hugging herself. "I had to kill many of them. They were all the same… mindless or driven by blood-lust…"

"They must have been low-tier vampires then," hummed Suzuki. "Bitelings or Lesser Vampires, no doubt."

"They weren't all weak," scoffed Evil-Eye. "I faced Vampire Brides too. Generally they were the ones who would started the nests… one time it was a Straga."

"Strzyga, or Striga," corrected Suzuki without second thought.

He was reminded of Tabula, back when he went on a long rant about the origin of those monsters.

"No, it was a Straga," stubbornly said Evil-Eye.

"Was she a hideous monster with two sets of teeth and which could cast Fourth Tier spells?" Asked Suzuki.

Evil-Eye scowled.

"Then it was a Striga," said Suzuki.

"I guess if anyone knows about vampires it is you," huffed Evil-Eye.

"Which brings me to the question… what manner of vampire are you?" Suzuki asked.

It was a question he had been dying to have answered. She covered herself, embarrassed by the way he scrutinized her.

She's above low-tier vampires yet below the higher tier ones like the Aristocrats, Suzuki reasoned. That's odd. She doesn't look like a Lesser Vampire, so she wasn't turned through [Blood Drain], or a Biteling, through [Cursed Bite]. At plain sight she does look like a Vampire Aristocrat, yet more human?

"You are not the average vampire, that's for sure," Suzuki commented. "It wasn't a vampire who turned you into one, was it?" He frowned, confused. "And it couldn't have been an item…"

…or else she would be more lore-accurate, mentally finished Suzuki.

Evil-Eye blinked, surprised.

"There are items that can turn humans into vampires?" She asked.

"And vampires into humans," said Suzuki with a nod. "In fact, I know of items that can change you into pretty much any race."

"Really?" Gasped Evil-Eye. "I-I never heard about such items."

"I am not surprised. They are quite rare," Suzuki said. Especially in the New World, he mentally added.

His mind went over the race-changing items that were at the Tomb. Truth to be told, his guild had managed to hoard quite a lot of them, but some were just useless. For example, [Chimeric Cells] turned the user into a random heteromorph race, while [Reincarnation Elixir] into just any race, again at random. What was the point of that? There were just too many races, each one with their own quirks and weaknesses in Yggdrassil to ever risk turning into a random one. Might as well just delete your character and make a new one.

Thankfully, other race-changing items were far more specific, like [Fallen Seeds], which turned an extremely negative karma player into a demon, and [Wing of Ascension], which turned an extremely positive karma player into an angel.

I wonder if the cosmetic ones actually change your race completely, pondered Suzuki. Now that's an interesting test to conduct…

During special events, like during New Season launches, Halloween or Christmas, it was not uncommon to get cosmetic items that only changed one's appearance instead of racial class. They were pointless items to have a short laugh with friends… and just the sort of thing a hoarder like Suzuki would have find some excuse to pile up.

However, the best race changing item was a World Item: [Seeds of the World Tree]. Suzuki wished the guild had it; it sure would have proven useful already.

"…do you have any of them?"

Suzuki blinked, broken out of his thoughts. Evil-Eye stared at him, expectantly.

"Any of those items you mentioned," Evil-Eye clarified, only to clear her throat and try to act like she wasn't desperate to know. "A powerful lord like you probably has a few, right? Just out of curiosity…"

It was the worst attempt Suzuki had ever seen at fishing for information, to the point he just couldn't help but smile in amusement. He did ponder on his response, though.

She probably would rather be another race than a vampire. I can't really blame her; it must suck to be stuck in a child's body, unable to truly interact with her allies, always hiding her face and outliving everyone she knew, Suzuki realized. But should I reveal the treasures of the Tomb?

He could get Evil-Eye's loyalty and service, especially if he were to extend the offer of race-change to her alleged friends. He doubted someone as pious as Sir Aindra would accept such offer, but that didn't mean Evil-Eye wouldn't want it for her. Moreover, Suzuki already had blackmail material over Evil-Eye. He could use something of a carrot-and-stick approach to get Evil-Eye as a new underling.

The idea of getting the little vampire under his service was too appealing to pass, especially without using the [Throne of Kings] or torture. Evil-Eye could serve as a spy, a magical teacher for Suzuki and a source of information about the New World, depending on how long she actually lived. Better yet, as a vampire, she could fit well in the Tomb. More importantly, it did make him feel as an Overlord to sway goodie-two-shoes to his cause.

"Yes, Evil-Eye, I have more than a handful of said items," admitted Suzuki. "I suppose you wish to have one of them?"

Evil-Eye must have forgotten all about her current circumstances, particularly the scary slime maid behind her, because she actually looked quite eager and desperate.

"No," lied Evil-Eye. "I was just curious."

"Really now?" Mused Suzuki with a smirk. "And if I were to offer one of said items…?" Evil-Eye's big red eyes glimmered with greed "…or perhaps five?"

"I…" choked out Evil-Eye.

Suzuki could see the desire to learn more about the offer, to believe it was as good as it sounded. However, skepticism and disdain quickly crossed her face.

"And what should I do in turn? I will never betray my friends," hissed Evil-Eye, squinting at him.

"Your friends… but not the kingdom?" Asked Suzuki.

"I…" stuttered Evil-Eye, realizing her slip up.

"I understand. There's no reason for you to be loyal to the Kingdom. After all, even if it is the most progressive when it comes to demi-humans, it still is a human nation and one with a hatred for vampires," mused Suzuki. "No, I would never ask you to betray your friends. I actually respect your loyalty towards them, even if they may not entirely respect you in return due to your race."

Evil-Eye grimaced at that, head bowed.

"But we can change that, can't we?" Suzuki said. "They are already working with my vampires, are they not? In due time, who's to say their attitude won't change?"

A hopeful glimmer crossed Evil-Eye's gaze.

"Y-you aren't lying, are you? Do you really- really have things like race changing items?" Asked Evil-Eye, her voice dripping with emotion.

"Do you wish to check on Nigun?"

Her eyes promised to jump off their sockets.

"I- then – I was right?" She gasped. "He…"

Suzuki nodded and she grinned.

"I knew it! Ha! Suck it Gagaran!" Laughed Evil-Eye, waving a fist into the air.

Oh, she's so adorable, thought Suzuki.

"Yes, you were right all along," nodded Suzuki. "Nigun Grid Luin now serves me. I am a merciful lord, and quite reasonable. He offered his loyalty and all of his secrets, and as a show of goodwill, I made him an angel. Of course, I couldn't just forgive his past crimes, so now he serves in the same village he once sought to destroy, seeking redemption and penance."

It was bullshit, but Evil-Eye didn't need to know that. He walked over to Evil-Eye and placed a hand over her shoulder. She stared at him, eyes wide and disbelieving. He could see the desire in her gaze.

"I could extend the same offer to you," he said. "You would be most welcome in my domain. I can offer you a place to belong, where you won't have to hide your face in shame. It is also a place of power. You could reach previously impossible levels… and maybe we could even bring in your friends as well. You'd no longer have to see them wither and waste away under the throes of time..."

Da-Dum.

Suzuki frowned and pulled his hand. What was that he had felt? Evil-Eye, on the other hand, was utterly shocked and reaching over her chest. Suzuki shrugged, feeling it must have been his imagination. Evil-Eye, though, was unable to believe that her once dead heart had once drummed back to life.

"I… I can't betray Lakyus," Evil-Eye spluttered.

Huh, loyal to the end, thought a surprised Suzuki.

However, he could tell this was the last hurdle. Evil-Eye was already bought into serving Suzuki but her undying and misguided loyalty to that admittedly attractive holy warrior was holding her back.

"I won't ask you to. Protect your friends, Evil-Eye," he said, much to her surprise. "Believe it or not, I do care for your friends, and the Princess. They can be the key to peace between my servants and the Kingdom; perhaps together my servants will finally manage to be accepted by humans."

Not that he cared that much about that. He knew most his servants would always see humans as lesser, for the exception of one human.

Speaking of which, maybe I could get her to be with her sisters. It's been a while since she left her post, thought Suzuki as he wondered about that one human even Demiurge respected and considered an equal.

"Keep an ear on the human court. I don't trust them not to do something stupid out of hatred towards my people," Suzuki said.

Evil-Eye nodded. It was a reasonable thing to ask, all things considered.

"Sincerely, other than that, I wish to learn more from you. You may not know this, but I am trying to familiarize myself with spells of these lands and to re-learn low tier ones I may have grown rusty with disuse," Suzuki said. "I could use someone with your expertise to help me on that. I could even offer Narberal to try and teach some spells I am sure you could handle."

"That's it?" Evil-Eye asked.

"Well, I do hope to hear more about how you were turned, how you ended up serving a human princess and fighting alongside Sir Aindra, but I rather not push the issue," said Suzuki. "I rather first prove that I am indeed a lord of my word."

Evil-Eye looked down, thoughtful, and nervously tugged at her clothes. Seeing her up close and with her red cloak pulled behind her, Suzuki was able to make more details of her attire. She had a black short dress and what appeared to be chains attached to her arms… a very weird fashion choice.

"If I were to serve you, do you promise you'll never harm my friends?" Evil-Eye asked.

"I will give you my solemn word neither I nor any of my servants will harm them, nor will I make you betray them," said Suzuki. "If anything, I could give my word I will offer them any assistance if needed. However, if they were to harm my servants in any way, Evil-Eye, I will be forced to retaliate and deliver rightful retribution…"

Evil-Eye still struggled. Not that she could be blamed for her hesitation; this was a big decision.

"Think about it, Evil-Eye. My offer will stand until you wish to take it," Suzuki said, once again placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps tonight we could just… get over a few spells?"

"Ehm… a-alright," Evil-Eye nodded.

She appeared to squirm under his touch, keeping her face away from him. Perhaps she was too embarrassed of any interaction. Thus, Suzuki removed his hand and apologize for it.

"So," hummed Suzuki, pleased by the turn of events. "Shall we get started?"

As Evil-Eye tried to rein in her emotion and think what to do next, Suzuki smirked. He was certain he had already won the little vampire over.

All things considered, it hasn't been such a bad night, thought Suzuki.

---

A new day had arrived and Lakyus felt like Gagaran had smashed her war-pick against her head. Repeatedly. She felt her eyes water under the stinging light that pour into the great hall, the very same she had gone a bit carried away with the drinking. There were few people there, yet the few chittering murmurs resonated in her head, making it ache. And then there was the nausea. Truly, Lakyus didn't remember ever feeling so bad.

"Man, you should have seen yourself last night," guffawed Gagaran, seated to Lakyus' left.

"Not so loud," grumbled Lakyus, pressing her face against the table. "Did I do anything embarrassing?"

"Nothing lewd, Evil Boss," said Tina.

"Unfortunately, Evil Boss," added Tia.

Lakyus merely groaned.

"How did it happen?" She tried to remember what led to her state of inebriation. Sadly, her memories were fuzzy. "I remember drinking and…"

"You were in a good mood," said Tia.

"A really good mood," added Tina.

Well, there had been reason to celebrate. Still, how did she get carried away drinking? She glared at Gagaran, who in turn averted her eyes, a mischievous smirk in place. The large woman's gaze landed on their final companion.

"You alright there, Shorty?" Gagaran asked.

"Huh?"

Evil-Eye, who had been staring off to a side, snapped her head towards them. Apparently, someone had been lost in thought. Lakyus, even with a headache, sat up straight and concern washed over her.

"Man, what were you up to last night? You are really distracted today," Gagaran mused.

"Nothing," muttered Evil-Eye, looking away. "I'm fine."

"Oh, I get it," said a smirking Gagaran. "Well, well, well, would you look at that… our Shorty snagged a man for herself!"

"W-what? No!" Evil-Eye spluttered.

"Keep it down," groaned Lakyus.

Her friends, though, chose to ignore her.

"Come on, Shorty, give us the juicy details," pointed out Gagaran. "You were gone all night, so it must have been quite a ride."

Wait, she was gone all night? Thought Lakyus, perking up.

Evil-Eye did usually disappear from time to time to do gods-know-what, but something about this time made Lakyus frown. Perhaps because they weren't in a city, where she usually vanished, or maybe because Lakyus didn't feel comfortable with her friends running amok in the countryside.

"I – you – urgh! Shut up you She-Ogre!" Angrily exclaimed Evil-Eye.

"She looks flustered, doesn't she?" Commented Tia.

"Did it all go alright or do you require pointers for next time, Evil-Eye?" remarked Tina.

"You people are awful," hissed Evil-Eye.

"That's what friends are for, Shorty," guffawed Gagaran. "Isn't that right, fearless leader?"

Evil-Eye harrumphed and went back to staring off to a side. Gagaran took a long sip of tankard, her eyes never leaving their short comrade. Tia and Tina too stared at the petite spell-caster.

"I'm telling you, under that mask, she probably has a fond face," Gagaran murmured to Lakyus. She leaned closer to Lakyus, grinning. "Look, she's going to wistfully sigh now…"

And indeed, Evil-Eye released a long sigh before carrying on her silent vigil.

"She definitively had the night of her life," Gagaran said, this time loud enough for the petite spell-caster to hear. "She's probably missing him already."

"Will you shut up, muscle-brain?" Grunted Evil-Eye.

"Only if you give me the details, shorty," Gagaran chuckled.

Evil-Eye gave a haughty sniff and purposely gave her back towards Gagaran. The large woman just laughed.

"What are we going to do today, Evil Boss?" Asked Tia.

Lakyus pondered about it, before groaning due to a pounding headache.

"I guess we'll go back to E-Rantel and wait until the next target is given," said Lakyus.

"Back to the city? That's fine by me," Gagaran said. "I guess we'll make it by dusk? 'Cause there's this inn I really want us to go."

Just the thought of more drinking made Lakyus' head pound even harder.

"We'll make it by then, unless our fearless leader doesn't hold us back for a nap," remarked Tina.

Lakyus ignored the snickering from her friends, rolling her eyes yet smiling fondly at the interaction. She then looked over at Evil-Eye, who remained pensive. Although she doubted Gagaran's claim, Lakyus could tell there was something different about her friend. She had always been standoffish, reserved even, less so as of late. Now, though, Evil-Eye seemed completely cut off from the rest of them. Laykus couldn't help but worry for her friend.

In the end, Lakyus sighed and rubbed her aching head. Perhaps she was overthinking matters.

Maybe she really is gushing over someone, mused Lakyus with amusement. She mentally chuckled at that, imagining a love-struck Evil-Eye. No, not our Evil-Eye.

Over where she sat, unbeknownst to the Blue Roses, Evil-Eye was indeed pondering about a man but not in the way Gagaran believed.

…I can't believe he was able to cast [Crystal Lance] so quickly! That's ridiculous and unfair! Angrily thought the little vampire.

Someone had clearly forgotten the close call she had gotten with Lord Ainz's dangerous servants.

---

Princess Renner was at an utter loss. Sitting at the round table where she would have tea with her vassals, Renner stared down at the book before her. She was surrounded by towers of tomes, new and ancient, as well as scrolls and pieces of parchment. At the moment, though, the princess wasn't reading, but rather lost in thought.

Once upon a time, Renner had believed she understood the game of nations playing out in the world. Once, she believed she had reached the perfect course of action to achieve her goals. Now, though, everything was in disarray. Worse, it seemed all she had worked for had just collapsed into nothingness… even her own goals.

And all she could do was smile and feel a strange tingling feeling of awe at the culprit: Ainz Ooal Gown.

She didn't understand anything about him. For the first time in her life, her intellect failed her. And she was enjoying it. The challenge was consuming her unlike anything she had experienced, not just because of the oddity it proved and the necessity to overcome this obstacle, but because of the way the challenge appeared to be teasing her to dive deeper.

Ainz Ooal Gown wasn't a puzzle. To call him that would be like calling a mountain a mere rock. No, Ainz Ooal Gown was larger, grander, than a simple mystery. He wasn't a shadow hidden from the truth, he was an encompassing void of darkness. More importantly, he represented something Renner had hoped for.

For so long, Renner had resigned herself according to what she was given by life. She was a mere dainty little princess, a human at that, and her fate was tied to that of a human nation. Her desire may have been mundane, yet for all she had, it was enough. Her hopes and plans resided in destroying her pathetic homeland, unstable and hazardous for the likes of her and her aspirations, and move away into exile to somewhere where no one would bother her and her Climb ever again. Isolated and alone, she would have Climb all for herself, without pesky Chief Warriors, politicking half-brothers and corrupt Nobles to get in the way.

Then Ainz Ooal Gown had shown up and, just like that, entire new possibilities opened… if only she could understand him… not everything, just a tiny bit, something to grasp on…

A knock on the door drew her attention away from the open book before her. In an instant, her true smile was masked behind the face of the Golden Princess. The door opened and in walked her Climb, stern and firm.

"Princess, it's your brother, Prince Zanac," said Climb. "He wishes to speak with you…"

His eyes fell on the many books and scrolls on the table. Amazement and awe showed on his face, his expression turning to that look Renner needed of him. It was only in such moments she felt anything close to joy.

If only her Climb wasn't slipping away from her grasp every day that passed…

"Wow, I can't believe just how much you can read, my lady," Climb said.

"Oh, it really isn't that much, Climb," Renner said. She gave a firm cute pout at the contents of the table. "Not if it means unveiling the root of this evil Ainz Ooal Gown."

Like Renner had expected, Climb's face scrunched into a fearsome determined look.

"I am sure that if anyone can come up with the means to defeat such a fiend, it is you, my lady," he said.

"I will do my best for you, my brave noble knight," Renner cutely said with a faint giggle.

She enjoyed the way Climb stared at her, mesmerized. A part of her, however, pondered if she wasn't fooling herself; if she wasn't setting herself up for disappointment. She was forcing herself to be something she was not for the sake of a simple puppy, one that should be easy to replace with something better… and who might even appreciate her true self, maybe even bring more excitement to her mundane pathetic life.

"Am I to stand here all day long?" A grumpy voice came from the door.

"I apologize for distracting you, my lady," Climb said, going back to looking stern and all serious. "Shall I allow his highness through?"

"Oh, do let my dear brother in," said Renner.

Her bodyguard obliged with visible reluctance. Soon after, Zanac walked in, hands behind him, and carrying a look of utter annoyance. He glared at Climb before his gaze shifted towards Renner and he grimaced. If Renner had cared, she might have found the way Zanac was slowly managing to muster a glare in her presence quite amusing… but truth of the matter was she couldn't care less.

"Sister," Zanac grunted.

"Brother," Renner said.

Zanac turned towards Climb, who hadn't left and was scowling towards Zanac.

"Please, allow us to speak in private, Climb, if it isn't too much asking of course," Renner warmly said.

"Of- of course not, my lady!" Spluttered the boy. He bowed deeply towards her, before giving another glare towards Zanac. "By your leave…"

And thus, he marched out, leaving the two siblings to their own devices. No sooner had he left, Zanac's grimace turned into a full blown scowl.

"I do not care about your playthings, sister, but what in the world did you ever see in that one?" Zanac grumbled.

Truth to be told, Renner had never really pondered on her obsession before. All she had cared was the way Climb made her feel. Then again, in her mundane human pathetic life, was there really any reason to bother with anything else? It was a sensation that satisfied her and that she wanted for all eternity.

"You find him lacking?" Renner replied.

"Lacking?" Zanac huffed. He glanced at the door. "That's one word for it."

"I suppose you wish to discuss something with me?" Renner quickly said. "We are doing that a lot, aren't we? Discussing important matters, that is. Oh my, if I didn't know any better I would say you are starting to like me."

Zanac shivered in disgust. Renner, on her part, felt nothing at his reaction; it was just as she had expected.

"Let us not get ahead of ourselves," grumbled Zanac. "And yes, dear sister, there was much I wished to discuss."

"Do tell, dear brother," said Renner.

"It's the Slane Theocracy," stated Zanac.

Renner hummed, the only evidence that she was quite interested already.

"They have written to father with hopes of organizing a meeting, apparently with the intention of discussing important matters," Zanac said. "They didn't say what precisely, but we can both safely assume it has something to do with a certain powerful entity."

"Oh dear, I didn't hear about that," said Renner, quite surprised she had allowed herself to miss such vital information.

"You have been quite busy as of late," Zanac remarked, eyeing her many books and scrolls.

"How did father react?" Renner wondered, ignoring Zanac's previous statement.

"As you'd expect. He's still furious at the Theocracy for their attempt on the Chief Warrior and our people, but he will agree to a meeting on E-Rantel, if only to hear them out," Zanac said.

"You sound rather pleased," Renner pointed out.

"Why, of course I am," said Zanac. "I managed to convince father to include me in the delegation…" a smirk stretched on his face "…and Lord Ainz."

"Oh dear," Renner said. Deep down, she had to concede Zanac had played it quite well. "Why did you so such a thing?"

"Father doesn't fully trust Lord Ainz… and perhaps for good reason. Never in our history has humanity ever fared well with vampires and demons, much less a powerful entity who commanded both and many other monsters," Zanac hummed. "However, the Theocracy is a shared enemy, and if we can remind Father of the Theocracy's plans for our kingdom, he might start to open up to the idea of including Lord Ainz into our fold."

"You mean to get one of your strongest supporters into a position of power within the Kingdom," remarked Renner.

"That too," mused Zanac. He leaned back, quite smug and content. "Father might be fearful of Lord Ainz's true intentions, but he does want him as part of the Kingdom."

"He does?" Renner asked. Now that was news for her.

"It is nothing certain," grumbled Zanac. "You know how Father is when it comes to big decisions, particularly one that will displease most if not all the lords."

That meant Ramposa would sit on the idea and mull over it until a more fortuitous time, if ever.

"Regardless, with the Annual War approaching, Father understands he could spare the death of thousands of our people, and even a complete mobilization like previous years, with the aid of Lord Ainz. More importantly, he hopes Lord Ainz can prove to be a strong deterrent against future Annual Wars," mused Zanac.

Renner, though, knew why King Ramposa was apprehensive of Lord Ainz, and it had more to do with the moniker "Charming Evil". Ramposa no doubt feared the evil deity would swoop in and try to take his precious dainty daughter away from him to gods-know-where.

"A wise view of things," Renner admitted. "Do you know what he plans for our friendly Evil Deity?"

"Not truly," Zanac grumbled. "I am sure he has considered offering a lordship to Lord Ainz, but he can't truly deliver before the Annual Wars. The nobles will be too bothersome unless they fully understand Lord Ainz's potential. For the time being, Father mostly wishes to see if Lord Ainz can be trusted."

"He still doesn't believe Eight Fingers runs as deep as it does?" Renner mused.

"If he did, he would have despaired a long time ago," said Zanac. "Speaking of which…" he frowned. "It would appear we have evidence that our dear brother has some sort of relationship with Eight Fingers."

"We both knew that," Renner pointed out.

"But we never had any tangible evidence, did we?" Zanac remarked. "Lord Ainz has captured Iron Fists in illegal brothels and slave markets. From what Lord Ainz managed to extract from them, it would appear our brother has something planned on E-Rantel."

He snorted and shared a roll of eyes with Renner.

"Something stupid, no doubt," snorted Zanac. "Still, it appears our dear brother has hired Eight Fingers to blackmail and assassinate supporters of our dear brother-in-law. Lord Ainz is still gathering information, but it would appear Eight Fingers had a lot of blackmail material on many lords."

"A pity it has all fallen in your hands now," mused Renner.

"Lord Ainz's hands," clarified Zannac. "But yes, so far Lord Ainz has been quite forthcoming with the information." A devious smirk crossed his chubby face. "I, of course, would never steep so low as to use blackmail on our nobles."

"Oh no, that would be too underhanded of a prince," said Renner with a hint of amusement.

"Yes, quite right," snickered Zanac, only to compose himself. "So yes, it would be wise to ensure Lord Ainz's loyalty… before the Annual Wars."

"And how do you wish to go about that?" Renner had to ask.

"I am not sure," hummed Zanac. "I hope an opportunity arises during this meeting with the Theocracy. Perhaps Father will see reason then."

"One can hope," said Renner. "Speaking of foreign powers, have you heard about the situation in the Draconic Kingom?"

"I have," Zanac said with a grimace. "I would have never thought the Draconic Kingdom could lose ground to beast-men. Generations of kings making a sport out of their slaughter and now they have lost a city to the savages..."

"It is sad, but that was to be expected," slowly said Renner. "After all, they did lose in quick and surprising succession quite a few powerful individuals, including relatives to the Queen… and then there were the odd complications in the supplies of the soldiers… and let us not forget how quickly and strange were the defeats of the Dragon Army…"

Zanac squinted at her.

"What are you suggesting?" He cautiously asked.

"Oh, it is just an observation," said Renner. "It is suspicious how the Queen has lost so many relatives and military strength in quick succession, and how courteous and kind the Theocracy has been to offer enough aid to slow down the advance of the Beast-Men."

"You think the Theocracy purposely sabotaged the Draconic Kingdom?" Zanac asked. "Why would they do that?"

"Perhaps," said Renner, much to Zanac's irritation. "I am actually quite aware the Queen is very interested in meeting Lord Ainz."

"And how do you know what Queen Oriculus thinks?" Asked Zanac, suspicious.

"Her letter should be over that pile," Renner casually gestured over the many pieces of parchment on the table.

Zanac found it at once, much like Renner had expected. She had left it at the top on purpose, after all. Sadly, Zanac had shown up earlier than she had planned, but that didn't matter.

"Since when did you keep correspondence with her?" Asked Zanac. Although his tone was calm, Renner could hear the shock in his words.

"I have exchanged letters with many foreign officials for many years, dear brother," said Renner. "Haven't you tried to establish friendly contacts on our neighboring nations? It really isn't so difficult to write to foreigners, dear brother, especially not when you are part of the Royal family."

Zanac didn't need to know that Renner had to do a lot of manipulation to get King Ramposa to agree. Sending official courtiers was no small business, but for her adorable precious daughter, and with the right words, the King did as needed.

Her brother put Queen Oriculus' letter down and picked another one. His eyes promised to pop out of his sockets.

"Queen Bessarez too?" Zanac exclaimed.

"Ah yes, Calca and I have exchanged quite a few pleasant letters," nodded Renner.

Zanac opened his mouth to ask something, only to shut his mouth. Not that he needed to utter words.

Renner understood his shock. The Re-Estize kingdom had never truly bothered to maintain any dialogue with the Holy or Draconic Kingdoms. The former was too attached to the ways of the Gods and considered the people of Re-Estize Kingdom little better than savages, still holding to the Old Ways. The latter, on the other hand, was just too far and with the Empire stuck in the middle for any Re-Estize noble to care. It didn't help that the Draconic Kingdom had been trying to keep a good relationship with the Empire.

"Queen Calca is actually quite agreeable, dear brother, and far more open-minded than previous monarchs. In fact, she was quite thankful to have a loong distance acquaintance who looks up to her and her brave efforts as the first Holy Queen and unlikely Princess-turned-Queen," said Renner.

She gave her practiced cute look, the same King Ramposa and her Climb gushed over.

"There is a lot of things we agree on, you know, and Lakyus loves to imagine I could be the next Queen Calca in the region," mockingly said Renner.

Zanac gave her a look of disgust as Renner's Golden Princess disguise.

"As for Queen Draudillon… well… she is rather desperate to learn more about the one responsible for taking down the Sunlight Scripture."

Zanac read Queen Oriculus' letter.

"She doesn't strike me as desperate," he commented. "Although I can understand why she would attempt to ask you about Ainz Ooal Gown."

He went over the other letters, eyebrows furrowing in confusion and shock. Renner ignored him and instead went back to her book, going over the pages.

"Do you have the Emperor's letter hidden somewhere or are you still waiting for a reply?" Mockingly grunted Zanac. "You probably have correspondence from every nation right here… next thing I know is that you have a letter from the Abelion tribes."

"You jest, dear brother! I would never bother writing to such a vile man as the emperor or the demi-humans of the Abelion Hills," said Renner.

"Right," deadpanned Zanac.

He frowned at the book Renner was reading.

"Is that…?" Zanac asked with a frown. His eyes widened in recognition.

"Yes, dear brother, the Book of Nightmares," said Renner.

"How did you get Father to allow you to read it?" Zanac whispered, dumbfounded. "I doubt even Barbro has been allowed to hold it." He then scoffed. "Not that he would bother with a book…"

"It was quite simple, dear brother," Renner replied. "Father thought it would be prudent to entrust someone to go through this national treasure for any mentions on Ainz Ooal Gown or any of his servants."

Zanac stared at the book with trepidation.

"…and? Is Lord Ainz mentioned in it?" Zanac tentatively asked, pale and fearful for the answer.

"I am afraid not," said Renner. "Other than knowledge of allegedly world-ending creatures that even the Great Gods feared, Lord Ainz is not mentioned here." She gestured at the other books around her. "There isn't any mention of Lord Ainz in any book, historical or fictional."

There was a long moment of silence. Renner eventually looked up from the book and met Zanac's gaze.

"I presume you'd like to give it a read?" Renner asked.

"Oh no, why would I want to read the only copy in the entire Kingdom of a book allegedly written down by the Theocracy's God of Death, Surshana, himself?" sarcastically said Zanac. "Yes, sister, I would much like to see what is in those pages."

"I'll spare you a long boring read and inform you there is only death and destruction in here," mused Renner. "If Surshana was truly a god, then these creatures were on a level above him… I wonder what manner of world could have been capable of ever possessing such terrifying beings. It makes it sound as if there were dozens of these creatures, just sitting still and waiting to be found."

"I am more concerned by the fact that an alleged God thought it necessary to warn us about them," grunted Zanac.

"Oh dear brother, fear not! There are many other monsters you have to contend with that aren't in this book and look far more human," she said with a pointed look.

Brother and Sister looked at each other, before Zanac grimaced and looked away.

"Yes, you are quite right about that," grumbled Zanac. He sighed, shaking his head. "Now then, why don't we discuss about this meeting with the Theocracy?"

Hence, they spent their time going over how they could make use of the opportunity, all while refreshing what they knew about the Theocracy in the process. The Empire also came into discussion, to a much lesser degree. Truly, Zanac was no fool and already had many good ideas. The issue, as always, was getting King Ramposa to listen, which would require of Renner and her manipulations. That and Zanac seemed quite appreciative of Renner's intellect, if not a bit intimidated.

After a while, Zanac decided he had endured enough of her presence for one day. With a satisfied smile, he stood up and marched to the door.

"I suppose I should leave you to your research then."

"Have a nice day, dear brother," Renner said. "Should I leave the Book in your room?"

"Don't bother," Zanac said, hand on the doorknob. "Like you said, I think I have my fair share of monsters to deal with."

And with that, Zanac left Renner to her thoughts. The Princess didn't care what he had said or meant anyway. She, instead, focused on what was truly important: Ainz Ooal Gown. She had to know more about him, even if it was a miniscule part of the being.

Her research, though, would have to wait, for another interruption presented itself.

Renner was perusing the last pages of the Book of Nightmares, when she heard the sound of parchment scraping against each other. For a moment, she thought one of the letters had slid off its pile. However, when she looked up, she discovered someone had picked a letter… or rather something.

"Queen Calca Bessarez…" purred a silky voice "…from the so called 'Holy' Kingdom?"

Renner was neither shocker nor afraid. Instead, she assessed the situation and maintained a level head.

In front of her, seated calmly in foreign formal attire, was a humanoid being. He looked quite poised and his movements were practiced. With long pointed ears, black hair in a strange hairstyle and double-monocles, he was an odd sight to behold. Renner, differently from what she would claim, was well versed in monsters and creatures, enough at least to make a good guess that she was actually dealing with a demon.

The shape of his eyes and the foreign attire, which her retainers had already described before, quickly told Renner just who this creature probably served. Her heard gave a jolt of excitement at the thought. Finally, answers were coming to her.

"Yes, the first Holy Queen, actually," Renner said without missing a beat. "Before her there have only been Kings. By the way, I apologize my rudeness, but I do not believe we have introduced ourselves, have we?"

"Oh dear, how disrespectful on my part," purred the demon. "I am Demiurge, your highness, loyal servant of the Supreme One, or as you might know him, Ainz Ooal Gown. Please, there is no need for you to introduce yourself, I have heard all about the Golden Princess."

Renner didn't react to the emphasis on 'all', only gave a practiced girly giggle as if reacting to his flattery. It amused him, a knowing glint in his eyes. The thought of the demon knowing her true hidden self both left her thinking and excited. She kept her mask and pressed on, eager to know whether she would be able to ascertain anything about the great Ainz Ooal Gown.

"Regarding this so called 'holy' Queen, do tell me more," mused Demiurge. "Unless, of course, you are currently too busy."

"Of course not, my lord," said Renner with a happy smile.

She unceremoniously pushed the Book of Nightmares aside. Demiurge would have her undivided attention.

"Where shall I being?" Renner said.

Perhaps, at long last, she would finally get some answers to abate the fires that fueled her desperate search. She knew it was unlikely, but Renner wasn't about to give up. She would chase this puzzle down to its core, no matter the cost.

---

Part 2

The Tomb of Nazarick was ready for its guests. As Suzuki awaited on his throne, he thought about the little vampire that had pushed him into a new branch of magic: elemental magic. Truly, he couldn't believe his luck when he found out Evil-Eye actually was an elementalist. He smirked, remembering his mastery of spell-casting.

At this rate, I will surpass the so-called Realm of Heroes in no time, mused Suzuki.

The thought excited him. The idea of gathering more spells, expanding his power, ignited the hoarder and adventurer in him. It was a pity that he needed teachers to guide him and his mana manipulation. Then again, even if his learning range was, for the time being, limited to what he could be taught, he seemed to be able to pick up spell casting quickly enough.

One thing Suzuki had discovered was that mana manipulation required quite a bit of guidance, at least in his case. Mana needed to be molded and shaped based on specific sensations. It was like using an arm for the first time to move around the weird warmth within (which happened to be his magic). He was certain that's how New Worlders saw magic. Suzuki suspected the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown and his high level equipment were the source of his incredible learning curve, and thus feared that the higher the tier, the harder it would be to learn.

What he didn't know was that there was another factor that made him such a quick learner: a certain thing stuck in his gut, unbeknownst to him.

He looked around the Throne room, his eyes going over the corridor of maids and servants, including the Butler Assistant and Head Maid. Sebas marched across the rows of his underlings, giving them one final inspection before moving at the feet of the Throne to stand next to Aura and Mare. Suzuki gave a nod at the Head Butler before he looked at a side.

The Pleiades were gathered there, all seven of them. Suzuki had to bite down a finger as not to laugh at the seventh sister. The poor little girl, clad in a red hakama and white haori, was currently smothered under the embrace of a very happy Lupusregina. It was a pity Suzuki couldn't have the seventh sister leave the Eighth Floor more often; she was needed in the constant struggle against the rogue Dark Ones.

Because of the Dark Ones' ability to meld between shadows, short-range teleportation and invisibility, there were few NPCs capable of holding them in the Eighth Floor. They were by no means too difficult to defeat; they were just too sneaky, being meant for quick ambushes on unsuspecting Players.

Still, that night, Suzuki would make an exception. He took a deep breath and distracted himself from the ongoing spectacle of Entoma and CZ2128 forcibly prying Lupusregina from their sibling by taking a moment to study the banners hanging above on each side of the Throne Room.

He felt a strange sense of déjà vu, sitting there. He remembered his last moments in Yggdrassil, how he had bid farewell to the Tomb, only to be shocked by what followed.

Man, a lot of things happened since then. I am currently ruling over an entire domain, slowly but steadily growing up to my rightful place as Overlord, both in power and in competence, He mused with a smile.

It was odd to think that he no longer felt like the same Suzuki Satoru of before. He had changed physically, but his time ruling and managing the Tomb, had slowly changed him mentally. He had grown accustomed to his role… even if he did feel like it would be time before he was the Lord Momonga his servants all deserved.

I could do with some battle experience, thought Suzuki. The rogue NPCs are too strong for me, and none of my servants would even dream of daring to spar with me… what manner of Overlord would I be if I froze up in combat?

Truth of the matter was that ever since Suzuki had mastered his first spell in the New World, [Magic Arrow], he had been eager to test himself out there. Was it risky? Obviously. Still, he believed he needed it, if only to grow on the proper role of mighty Overlord.

It is not like I am seeking a dragon or something, thought Suzuki. A few random skeletons or goblins would do.

His thoughts were interrupted by the grand door of the Throne Room opening. He straightened up on his seat and smiled.

First came Albedo, who smiled brightly at Suzuki. The succubus marched forward, and soon came in the guests of honor: a slack-jawed Enri and a beaming Nemu. Jugem closely stuck to Enri, looking around with a forced bored look and awe shining through his eyes. Behind them was Shalltear, smirking, who gave him, even from afar a coy smile that Suzuki responded with a chuckle. Together, the group walked over to the Thorne, in between the rows of maids. Given the size of the throne room, there was still a way to go, enough for Suzuki to study the young human woman.

No, not a woman… she's still a girl, Suzuki despondently reminded himself.

He smiled, heart-aching, as he looked at young Enri. He knew that no matter his feelings on the matter, Enri was too young for him.

She has a lot of growing up to do, both mentally and physically, thought Suzuki. Maybe I could set her up with Nfirea? That way I could stop thinking about her.

He did feel a tad guilty for the alchemist. He had pretty much ruined all chances the young boy ever had of being with his crush… and boy had it been painful to watch poor Nfirea pinning after Enri.

I will have to get Nfirea a new haircut. I wouldn't wish that thing even on my worst enemies, thought Suzuki with a solemn nod.

His eyes fell on Albedo and Shalltear and his smile widened. The two females in turn brightened under his gaze.

I think I have my plate full as it is with just two around, he mentally chuckled. He could not imagine more women in his life.

Before he could stand up and greet them with a bellowing welcome as he had intended, Nemu released an excited scream and started running. Suzuki and everyone else could only stare as the little girl went around the pillars. Enri stood there, horrified, as her little sister went wild in the Throne Room of the Tomb of Nazarick.

Nemu seemed ready to jump head straight towards Suzuki, when she froze halfway there, right in front of the gobsmacked Pleiades.

"Who are you?" Nemu asked at the battle-maids, or more particularly, the seventh sister.

Suzuki laughed and stood up, descending from his throne, Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown in hand.

"Greetings, Nemu," he said. "Greetings to you too, Enri. I am glad you could make it."

"I am so sorry, my Lord!" Enri said. She went to Nemu and pulled her away from the Pleaides. "I should have known she would do this…"

"It's fine," chuckled Suzuki as he walked over to Enri. "Regarding your question, Nemu…"

He went over to stand next to the young girl dressed like a Shinto priest.

"Allow me to introduce one of my greatest battle commanders…"

He placed a hand on said individual's shoulder.

"Aureole Omega."

"A pleasure to meet you," came the gentle and calm voice from the young girl.

Her twin brown pig-tails, tied in red ribbons, dangled in front of her as she bowed at Enri and Nemu. Her bright pink eyes then meet the Emmot's shocked gazes.

"It- it's a pleasure, Lady Aureole," said Enri.

The younger Emmot sister, though, had already moved onto other things.

"This place is amazing!" Nemu said. "Are you the king of this place? Did you build it? Where are we exactly?"

"Aren't you full of questions, young one?" Mused Suzuki.

He ruffled her hair, much to the child's annoyance.

"As for your questions: yes, this is my domain, sorry but its location is a secret and, yes, I helped build it... me and my friends," he said.

As always, thinking about his friends made him rather melancholic. Albedo, though, would have none of that. She walked over to his side and, in a bold move, wrapped herself around one arm and planted a chaste kiss on his cheek. Suzuki blinked at the succubus, who gave him in turn an innocent smile. His attention was quickly drawn by a pull on his other arm, where Shalltear had latched herself onto, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Let us try not to dwell on the past too much, my love," Albedo softly said.

"There are better things to focus on, aren't there?" Giggled Shalltear.

"Yes, you're right," said a flustered Suzuki. He cleared his throat and smiled at Enri. "Are you ready to see a bit of my home?"

"Yes, my lord," Enri said, her cheeks pink.

"First, let me introduce some of my servants," mused Suzuki.

Suzuki didn't miss the way Enri looked around. She had probably noticed Rubedo and Pandora's absence.

"You already know Sebas." The dragonoid gave a respectful nod. "And who could forget Aura and Mare?" The elves gave a polite bow. "Then there are my Head Maid Pestonya and Butler Assistant Eclair Ecleir Eicler."

The dog-headed woman gave a short bow. The penguin-man, on the other hand, shocked Suzuki by actually speaking the human tongue.

"It is an exquisite honor to meet you, Miss Emmot," said the penguin-man. He gave the best equivalent of a smirk on his avian face. "I shall let you know, I intend to one day take the Throne and I would be more than happy to recruit you or any of your fellow lesser beings to my just cause."

Differently to what one would expect, the NPCs all reacted rather mildly. Most of them might not have understood what he had just said, but everyone was well aware what Éclair would say when he opened his beak. The maids all looked away, embarrassed, the Pleaides didn't react (except CZ2128, who zeroed on the Assistant Butler) while Albedo and Shalltear rolled their eyes. Aura and Mare exchanged shrugs.

"Éclair," warned Sebas and Pestonya in unison, shaking their heads in disappointment.

Suzuki, on his part, was a bit confused. When and how had Éclair learned the human language? He quickly remembered something. Both Pestonya and Éclair had volunteered to assist the female humans captured by Shalltear from that mercenary group with the weird name. Could it be that Éclair had learned the language from them?

It was actually Enri who reacted the worst, followed closely by Nemu.

"But- but that's treason!" Gasped Enri.

"You can't do that to the Supreme One!" Exclaimed Nemu.

Someone has spent too much time around Nigun, thought Suzuki as he raised an eyebrow at the little girl.

"Ah, but you see, it is for the good of the Supreme One!" Boasted Éclair. "My creator, in all of her foresight, created me to take over and help our Lord have some time away from ruling, especially now that we are building a grand harem for him! Our Supreme Ruler will need all the free time he can to make as many heirs as possible, and I, his most ardent rival and follower, will make sure the Tomb runs smoothly –and above all, remains immaculate - in his absence!"

Suzuki blinked at the penguin, unable to believe what the little being had just spewed. In the end, Suzuki decided to do what he did best in such situations: leave it for Future Suzuki.

He took a deep breath, shook his head and patted the penguin man. The little creature smirked, delighted at the attention and looking as if he had come with a great plan.

"Right, right, keep at it," said Suzuki with a roll of his eyes.

A harem… like Eclair could ever manage to make me one, thought Suzuki with amusement.

He turned to a red-faced Enri, who was being teased by Nemu.

"Come, we are not done with the introductions," Suzuki said.

The two humans followed as Suzuki then introduced each of the homunculi maids. Sincerely, Suzuki hadn't wanted to drag them over for a simple visit by Enri and Nemu, but Sebas and Albedo had insisted. In their opinion, the meeting had to be some kind of great formal event… something Suzuki could not comprehend.

Much to Suzuki's surprise, the maids weren't just happy to meet Enri, they seemed rather eager. A handful even tried to be overly friendly, even if their attempts failed given the language barrier between them. Suzuki would have scratched his head in confusion at the behavior of his servants, were it not that his arms were held by Shalltear and Albedo.

What Suzuki did not know was that in the eyes of the NPCs, the maids were meeting one of the Supreme One's brides.

"Then let us proceed," said Suzuki. "As you can imagine, this is the Throne Room, where I hold audiences every now and then."

"You have quite a residence, my Lord," Enri said with a smile.

"What did I tell you, Enri? Call me Ainz, please," said Suzuki.

Enri blushed and nodded. He knew she wasn't going to call him Ainz, though. Tentatively, Enri studied the Throne Room as they walked around the place, closely followed by the Pleiades. It was then that her eyes spotted the banners.

"Are those the sigils of your retainers?" Enri asked.

"Those? No," said Suzuki. "They are the emblems of my friends, my old comrades."

Enri blinked at the banners, probably taken aback by the number of them. Each one had a unique drawing. Truly, Suzuki still couldn't believe the amount of effort his friends had put in the throne room. They had really gone out of their way to try and capture the feeling of a grand place…

A grand place they abandoned, came the unbidden thought he desperately squashed.

"Do you have one?" Asked Nemu.

"Yes," Suzuki nodded. "Or rather, I currently have two…"

"I suppose they are the ones hanging behind the Throne," guessed Enri.

Looking behind him, Suzuki took a moment to study the large banners that had been hung on each side of the [Throne of Kings]. He wasn't sure what had driven Albedo to do it, but he really didn't mind the change. One banner had the emblem of Ainz Ooal Gown, the guild, and the other had Momonga's emblem.

"Yes, those two," he said. "Now then, let us see more of my realm, shall we?"

Out into the corridors they went, and around the Ninth Floor. Enri and Nemu were both overwhelmed by the luxurious surroundings, gaping at everything. Enri shrunk on herself, as if terrified she could besmirch or break anything, and she kept a hand on Nemu, probably to make sure the little girl didn't do anything crazy.

On they went, at a calm pace. If anyone enjoyed the walk, they were Albedo and Shalltear, both relishing on being attached to their Lord. Suzuki, on his part, didn't mind that much. He told himself he had to get used to it at some point, and he was not going to deny he kind of enjoyed it, especially with Albedo resting her head against his shoulder. Suzuki had longed for such interaction with a woman, although it felt far more surreal than magic.

They stopped as they came across a huge statue. Suzuki smirked at it, while Nemu and Enri watched, terrified by its fearsome visage.

"What is that?" Asked Nemu.

"That is a Tomb Emperor," said Suzuki. "One of the most powerful undead my friends and I have ever encountered…"

Under the shadow of the creature, they all studied the powerful being it depicted. With one large skull for a head and a twisted crown on top, it had three smaller skulls right beneath the main one, all four pairs of empty eye sockets glaring down on the onlookers. Four bone arms were spread wide, each holding a different weapon: a royal scepter, a war-scythe, a sword and a spear.

Suzuki's eyes scanned its royal robes, with armor pieces placed on top, such as on the shoulders, the chest and legs. With a regal cape bellowing behind it, the creature was frozen in a roaring pose, as if about to charge at him.

He recalled the epic battle in which Suzuki and his friends had brought down that skeletal behemoth. It had been a close one; so desperate and so exhilarating that all of his guild mates had agreed to make a statue to remember that fight. For all of its flaws, Yggdrassil delivered most spectacularly in its sense of adventure. Diving into an unknown dungeon, hurrying to finish the dungeon yet cautiously progressing, and fighting the final enemy… those were the peak of Suzuki's days with his friends.

"No, this statue is the depiction of THE Tomb Emperor, a testament of what my friends and I overcame together," he said with a fond smile and wrapping his arms around Albedo and Shalltear and held them close. "But let us move on, shall we? There's much yet to see and do."

And with the memories of past glories behind, Suzuki led Enri and Nemu away deeper into his home.

I wonder how Pandora is doing, Suzuki thought. Hopefully he's not doing anything embarrassing with my appearance…

---

…my creator probably wouldn't appreciate what I am doing with his appearance, thought a very ashamed Pandora.

After all, he wasn't sure his beloved creator Momonga would want him to flirt around with a small troop of relatively attractive human noblewomen.

The allegedly luxurious halls of Lord Rettenmeier's manor paled in comparison to the glorious halls the Tomb. However, for a gala organized by the Mayor himself with Momonga as main guest, it was more than enough. Across the hall's large span, noblemen and noblewomen of the kingdom chatted while music played in the background. They were all dressed in fine clothes and held themselves with the utmost dignity and propriety, glasses of wine or cider in their hands. Mingling amidst them were people of note, such as well-known merchants and even poets.

"Now ladies, if you won't mind, I do believe I am supposed to speak with less beautiful individuals," Pandora said with a winning smile that sent the herd of females around him into a fit of giggles.

They would have protested, but Pandora merely winked and swiftly made his escape, straight to his target. Behind him, Rubedo's cold presence made the females to scurry away and find mates elsewhere.

Of all the people gathered, there was one individual Pandora had kept his eyes on: Theo Rahkeshir, head mage of E-Rantel. He was a thin neurotic man, dressed in dark blue robes with golden trimming. Thankfully, he was far from the nobles and in a corner, separate from every other guest, just as Pandora wanted. Sadly, the head mage wasn't alone.

"Mister Rahkeshir, Sir Ainzach," politely greeted Pandora.

"Lord Ainz," the two men replied with nods.

"I see you have finally eluded your pursuers," mused Sir Ainzach with a smirk.

Mighty and majestic, the knight exuded an air of strength and confidence, even if at the moment he looked frustrated. With a well-trimmed handlebar moustache and clad in mithril plate armor, he looked like the ideal knight.

"Yes, quite a gruesome task but necessary," Pandora joked, earning chuckles from the two human males. "What about you, Sir? Don't you enjoy these events?"

"No, I don't," admitted Sir Ainzach, sending a glare at the hall. "They strike me as wasteful, and I can't say I enjoy the company of most people here…"

"Anyone I should know about?" Pandora said, turning towards the people gathered.

From the corner of his eyes, he didn't fail to notice how Theo looked like he was salivating over the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown (or rather Pandora's imitation). Pandora would allow him to enjoy the view a bit more before he addressed what he wanted to talk about.

"See the rough brute over there?" Said Sir Ainzach.

He gestured with his head towards a burly nobleman with a creepy smile who was towering over a jittery noblewoman.

"That man is part of the Iron Fists, Crown-Prince Barbro's retainers. They are nearly as bad as the Prince himself…"

"You've met the Crown-Prince?" Wondered the doppelganger, genuinely curious.

"Yes, I had the misfortune," nodded Ainzach. "He always joins the King here during the Annual Wars. Every time is the same: he demands to participate, the king denies him and then he throws a tantrum."

He squinted at the Iron Fist again.

"I don't like them, those Iron Fists," admitted Ainzach. "They are nothing more than trouble... green-boys with overinflated egos. They wouldn't be half as annoying if they weren't pampered noble heirs with too much time to spare. Most people don't have the luxuries those boys have… gold, tutors, education… and what do they do? They throw it all away to become the Crown-Prince's henchmen."

"You look troubled by his presence here," Pandora noticed.

"They are up to something. Prince Barbro has been vying for E-Rantel for a long time, no doubt to stir trouble with the Empire," snorted Ainzach. "Knowing them, they are at the brink of doing something stupid…"

Pandora decided it was time to finally address Rahkeshir. He turned to the mage, who quickly stood up straight and hid the hungry look on his face.

"Mister Rahkeshir, you are a knowledgeable man in regards to enchanted objects, aren't you?" Pandora wondered.

"Y-yes, I am," said the mage, eyes glancing at Pandora's staff.

"I have been hearing whispers of something called Rune-"

Whatever he was going to say died down when Ainzach straightened up and immediately reached to an ear. He had received a [Message] spell. Theo had noticed as well.

By the way Ainzach's eyes widened, he wasn't receiving good news.

"What? Past the South Gate?" Ainzach asked in disbelief and fury. He listened a bit more, before he frowned. "Very well. Call the retreat and close of the south district. I'll be there momentarily."

When he finished the long-range conversation, Ainzach's entire demeanor had shifted. He now looked like a warrior with a purpose. Before Theo could ask, Ainzach spoke:

"An army of undead has poured out of the cemetery."

---

Dinner with Enri and Nemu was quite enjoyable. They were all at Suzuki's office, at a table that had replaced the coffee table and sofas. With Albedo and Shalltear on each side, the elf twins further down and finally the guests, Suzuki could say he was having fun. It was a pity Sebas and the Pleiades present insisted on playing their roles to a Tee, but that couldn't be helped.

There they were, enjoying pizza (the face on Enri and Nemu at the discovery of such meal had been priceless) and talking about this or that tale about the Thirteen Heroes. Suddenly, Sebas perked up as he received a [Message], and then he went to inform Suzuki. Ever the respectful and formal servant, he whispered what he had been informed if only not to briskly interrupt the meal.

"My Lord, Pandora's Actor has informed me E-Rantel is under attack from undead," Sebas reported.

Suzuki's eyes widened and he almost chocked on a piece of salami. Sebas worriedly stared until Suzuki's coughing fit had ended, a look of horror etched on his face.

"Undead?" He hoarsely said, eyes watering from all the coughing.

"Yes, apparently an army of skeletons and zombies," said Sebas. "Pandora's Actor reports that it originated in the communal cemetery and has broken out. At the moment, they are overwhelming E-Rantel's garrison and pushing towards the gates into the middle districts of the city."

"Broken out? Originated?" Repeated a baffled Suzuki.

A wave of frustration and desperation promised to overwhelm him. He reached towards the floating Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, only to pause. He quickly wiped his hands with a napkin and then summoned the item. He felt a wave of gratitude from the Staff as he went over his desk.

"Is something the matter, my love?" Albedo asked.

"Problems, as per usual," grunted Suzuki.

Why can't I have one freaking fun meal without something ruining it? He angrily thought.

However, his mood sobered as the severity of the situation in his hands. An entire city was being razed, and by undead. With a flick of his hand, the [Mirror of Remote Viewing] was activated. Suzuki sat down and turned to the people staring at him.

Once upon a time, Suzuki might have started to panic. By this point, though, Suzuki discovered he didn't even need to think. He already knew what he had to say.

"Sebas, inform Cocytus and Demiurge. I want Myrmidons ready to deploy if needed and all valuable locations outside the tomb under watch. Contact Victim. I want as many Shadow Flayers as he can spare. Shalltear, prepare your vampires for a large hunt," commanded Suzuki. "Narberal, tell Pandora to see if he can somehow get E-Rantel's anti-divination wards down – oh, and to stay put and out of trouble."

He turned to worried-looking Emmots.

"I apologize, Enri, Nemu, but something important has come up," he said eventually. "Something urgent. We will have to cut the dinner short. Yuri will guide you to your room."

"Ehm… is it- something I can help in some way?" Enri tentatively asked.

Suzuki really didn't want Enri anywhere what could be a massacre, especially not in the same room as Demiurge. However, someone else thought otherwise.

"My Lord," Albedo said in the New World language. "Perhaps she should stay. This could be a learning experience for her."

"She's too young," said Suzuki in Japanese, unwilling to allow Enri to be dragged into the conversation.

"She's already lived through bloodshed, my love," Albedo said, once again in New World language. "And if she is to become a true warchief, she needs to learn as soon as possible."

Albedo's use of Enri's language got the desired effect. Enri rose to her feet, and Suzuki sighed, already defeated. He knew that face of hers; it was the one which Enri could manage to chastise a bloodthirsty ogre and make the monster feel guilty.

"My lord, if this involves war, then please, allow me to be present. I wish to learn and grow into my role as general, especially if I intend to one day be of use to you," Enri stated with that commanding tone of hers.

Suzuki pinched the bridge of his nose, frustrated.

"Very well," he said.

He was already regretting the decision.

Nemu protested, but there was little she could do in Yuri's grasp. The battle maid gently managed to pick her up and left. In the meantime, homunculi maids hurried to clear the table. The Pleiades and Sebas stood at a side, next to Albedo and Shalltear. Enri nervously stood behind them, with a bored-looking Jugem.

"What exactly is happening, my love?" asked Albedo.

"From the sounds of it, E-Rantel has a rogue army of the dead," said Suzuki.

Leaning back on his sit and taking a deep breath, Suzuki worked on the Mirror. While the device was active, its surface was milky white, no doubt the result of anti-divination spells. He was tempted on summoning Nigredo to bring those down, when the image finally cleared and he saw something.

Suzuki squinted at the sight of E-Rantel from above. From a simple look, it didn't appear that anything was happening. All three concentric rings of the city were all equally lit and there didn't appear to be much sign of movement anywhere. That was until he zeroed into one of the main streets. What he saw made him grimace and Enri gasped.

All across the streets of the southern parts of E-Rantel's outer circle was a massive army of skeletons and zombies. Suzuki guided the image across the streets, watching at the many corpses of guardsmen. There were signs of struggle, but it was clear the undead had caught most by surprise. Barracks were devoid of life, and one by one, the dead rose to join their new comrades in the march of death, towards the Western Gate of the middle ring.

As he guided the view of the Mirror, Suzuki frowned at what he saw. Strangely enough, the further back he went in the army of the dead, the stronger the undead. True, most were extremely low level ones. However, whereas the frontline skeletons carried broken and rusted weapons, as well as ragged clothes, the ones closer to the back had bucklers, chest-pieces and swords. Zombies gave way to ghouls and lesser ghasts. New and unique types of undead also appeared, some of which Suzuki couldn't recognize.

What a strange phenomenon, thought the Overlord.

As Pandora had reported, the undead had broken out of the communal cemetery. The gates to the cemetery, he noticed, hadn't been broken. In fact, he paused the Mirror's image to realize they looked like they had been opened.

He zoomed in, over the top of the gate walls on each side. While there were no corpses, there was a lot of blood on either side, and fallen weapons. If Suzuki had to guess, it looked like the guardsmen posted at those gates had been dealt with swiftly and someone had opened the gates.

This means there was someone who orchestrated this, thought Suzuki. A high-tier undead, perhaps? This army of the dead could have been created with [Undeath Army], but that's seventh-tier and it could never create this many undead, especially with increasingly stronger undead…

Suzuki guided the view deeper into the cemetery until finally he found the source: a mausoleum. Undead poured out of it in endless waves, by that point skeleton arches and mages have joined their warrior counterparts and Suzuki could make wraiths in the mix.

I wish I could see what's going on under there, thought Suzuki, but from the looks of it, someone must be spamming some spell or ritual… maybe some New World variant from [Undeath Army]?

"There must be thousands," remarked Albedo.

Suzuki glanced around only to notice Albedo, Shalltear, Sebas and Enri were standing behind him. He merely hummed and leaned against a fist as he pondered on the situation.

"They are all weak undead, though," Shalltear said with a mocking yawn. "I bet even the humans could deal with this."

"How curious," was all Sebas said, stroking his beard.

"My L- ehm – Ainz, could- could you check the rest of the city?" A pale and shaky Enri pleaded.

Suzuki did as she requested. He swiped his hand and the image changed to the middle ring of the city. That one was where the residential areas were located, as well as other buildings such as guilds and workshops. The streets were, thankfully, devoid of undead. Instead, civilians were apparently evacuating, guided by warriors and guardsmen.

Enri sighed with relief and a smile. Suzuki could easily have guessed that she had been worried about the Bareares.

The overlord looked at the streets and moved the image in search for the gates. He quickly found one, which had been closed to stem the tide of the dead. There, hundreds of knights and huscarls were setting up makeshift barricades, all while on the walls archers and mages rained destruction on the undead below, who didn't look like they could destroy the gate any day soon or climb the walls. So far, it seemed the humans had the situation under control and would come on top.

"Seems everything is going rather well for the defenders of E-Rantel," Suzuki told Enri.

"Thank the gods for that," said the goblin general.

The two shared smiles before Suzuki turned his attention to the gathered warriors. He searched between them, but couldn't find Ninya or his friends. However, he did spot a group of familiar faces.

"The Knights of the Blue Rose," mused Albedo with a smirk. "I didn't know they would be back to E-Rantel."

"That's good," nodded Suzuki.

"Awwww, our dinner was ruined for this?" pouted Shalltear.

"Now Shalltear, this could be a good opportunity to ingratiate ourselves further with the Kingdom," Suzuki calmly said. "Moreover, unless we do act, I wouldn't be surprised if I got blamed for this."

He looked at Enri, who frowned as she tried to understand what was being said. Sadly, she didn't have Suzuki's over-abundant gear to help her learn a language as fast as he had.

"I do wonder… why would anyone do this?" Pondered Suzuki aloud.

"It could be the Empire, my love," suggested Albedo. "It would be easier to take the city from mindless undead than it would from warriors and knights."

"Or it could be the Theocracy," remarked Shalltear with a smirk. "They have already tried to increase tensions between the countries while weakening the Kingdom."

"Huh, well reasoned Shalltear," said Suzuki.

Shalltear puffed up and smiled with smugness at the praise.

"Perhaps Players are behind this?" Sebas proposed. "They could be trying to see how you react, my lord."

"Or this could be something completely unrelated to anything we know," added Albedo. "One of the Great Nobles could be trying to sabotage the King's lands, for example."

"True, true," nodded Suzuki. "However, I believe we will practice as much caution as we can. In order to do that we shall assume Players are behind this. Thus, we shall-"

"Ainz!" Gasped Enri. "W-what are those things?"

Everyone snapped their heads at the mirror. There, behind the gathered ranks of knights and warrior, a pair of hulking monsters appeared from side streets and, without warning, charged at the unsuspecting defenders. Suzuki's eyes widened.

"Death Knights," gasped the Overlord in disbelief.

Suddenly, the fate of E-Rantel was up in the air.

---

Life as a knight had not been as glamorous as Peter Mauk had thought. True, his father had warned him beforehand about it, but as the third son of a landed knight, Peter dreamed of making a grand name for himself and had hoped for more. Then again, he had always been quite the dreamer, especially given his fascination for the Black Knight.

The famous Black Knight, much like other members of the Thirteen Heroes, had come out of nowhere and joined the motley group of incredibly powerful warriors. Some speculated that he had been sent down by the Gods themselves to fight off the Evil Deities. In any case, his exploits resounded across the lands as much as those of the Thirteen Heroes, capturing the imagination and love of aspiring knights and warriors for generations ever after.

Peter sighed and shook his head, before focusing on the task at hand. He glanced at his friends and comrades, who watched over the column civilians as they were led into the city's inner circle. The massive gate loomed over them, like a dark shadow jutting into the night. His eyes studied his friends, all who looked tense. Ninya in particular fidgeted, a hand grasping his necklace, Lord Ainz's gift to her.

He startled the little boy when he placed a reassuring hand on him, but he quickly smiled back. It was at times like those that Peter found the little boy a tad too feminine.

"Don't worry, Ninya," Peter said with a knowing smile. "We have everything under control. You don't need to call in that favor to Lord Ainz."

"But we could spare a lot of suffering and death if I did, right?" Ninya replied.

Dayne, standing on the other side of the little boy and with his mace resting on his shoulder, chuckled at that.

"Suffering and death are the ways of life, Ninya," Dayne sagely said. "We can't always rely on magnanimous lords to save us. Don't worry; us warriors can handle this situation…"

Ninya looked down, not convinced by the words of his friends. It was at times like those that Peter was reminded that Ninya, for all that he claimed, was not a follower of the Old Ways like Dayne. The little boy had been disillusioned by corrupt knights, and yet he couldn't undo his upbringing. Peter could still remember when little Ninya had barged on them back when the Swords of Darkness were but a trio and half-pleaded, half-demanded, to join in.

Peter chuckled at the memory before he looked sideways. The streets further out the gate were deadly quiet. Everyone had acted in an orderly and organized fashioned and, without breaking into a sweat, Peter was sure no civilian would die that night.

The young knight looked at Dayne, who grew distracted by a small civilian child tripping over. He was about to move over and help when the child's mother picked up the boy and carried on. Dayne smiled at that, before giving a sigh of relief.

Peter wondered if Dayne missed the wilderness. The big man had been a wandering druid, after all, going from here to there, trying to learn as much as he could from nature, all while helping around or healing to get enough coin to continue his journeys. It had been quite a strange day when Peter and Lukrut had met the druid at a mead hall. Peter would never forget Dayne's words the day he officially joined them.

You are quite an interesting young fellow, master Peter, the druid had said with a fatherly smile. I think I will hang around and help you out.

Dayne turned to Lukrut, who was standing further away and keeping watch into the dark-ridden living district.

"Oy, Lukrut, what do your elf eyes see?" Dayne joked, trying to bring some levity to the group.

Lukrut didn't turn around. He only made a rude gesture back at the druid. Peter and Ninya snickered at that.

"That joke is getting really old," muttered the ranger.

"Not like you any time soon," Ninya teased.

Lukrut glared at his friends.

"Har-har-har," said the ranger, walking over to them with a smug grin. "You are just jealous of my amazing good looks and the way Narberal looks at me."

Dayne and Ninya traded amused looks at that but didn't comment.

"I wouldn't wish anyone to be looked on as Narberal does you," Peter chuckled.

"Oh, you don't understand," said Lukrut. "She loves me but can't admit it."

"In your dreams, Lukrut," chortled Danye.

"You guys don't know anything about the ladies," Lukrut said. "Not like I, the great sage of love."

Peter, though, knew Lukrut had never had any luck with women. Since they were children Lukrut had failed with the fairer sex, always too bold and obnoxious. As the son of a huntsman, Lukrut would always boast about his so-called adventures in the woods with his father in an attempt to impress girls, always to be rebutted due to the exaggerated nature of his stories. At times Peter suspected Lukrut had meant it when he had joked that the reason he had decided to become a knight alongside Peter was to get women.

Some things never change, mused Peter.

He looked up in the air and took a sniff of the air. He grimaced. The smell of death pervaded the winds.

"Hold it."

Everyone looked at Lukrut, who appeared to be listening at something. He snapped his head back to the empty street, and squinted into the darkness.

"Guys… something big is coming our way," he somberly said.

Just as he finished saying that, one of the guardsmen atop the walls started shouting.

"Close the gates! Close the gates!"

The civilians, the last few dozen remaining, panicked and tried to push in, only for the portcullis to drop down. Everyone stepped back, unwilling to be skewed by the iron grating. The civilians all shouted and screamed, children crying, all while the wooden gates at the other side of the portcullis were pushed closed. Peter and his comrades, though, were too distracted by something else.

From the darkness itself and around a corner, a hulking creature stomped out into the middle of the street. Peter's heart clenched in fear at what he saw. He looked at the desperate civilians before glancing at the monster ahead. Glowing red malicious eyes met his, and he swallowed a huge lump of saliva.

Tall, dangerous and dark, it carried a tower shield and a horned helmet. Other than the glowing red eyes, it was hard to tell what manner of creature it was. Peter could safely assume it was undead, or perhaps demonic. That didn't matter. Peter knew he had to act.

"Everyone, disperse! Run!" Peter shouted.

He moved to stand between the monster and the civilians. He felt his hand shake and his throat constrict. Next to him, a fellow warrior, bare-chested and carrying a huge double-axe, took a stance. Peter and his fellow warrior looked at each other and nodded. They knew what had to be done… and what would follow.

Somehow, the company of another warrior reassured Peter. From the corner of his eyes he noticed Dayne, Ninya and Lukrut joining him, as well as his fellow warrior's companions. There was a warlock in the mix, a snarling summoned imp on her shoulder, and some sort of assassin, brandishing daggers and face covered. All in all, they must have been an odd group from afar.

Peter wished he could have told his friends to leave, but there was no time. The monster charged, roaring into the night. The people behind the warriors made a run for it to all sides, leaving the Peter and company to delay the creature as much as they could.

There was no time to think, to reminisce or to ponder.

The monster, the massive thing it was, reached them in no time, sword already cutting down. The undaunted warriors of the Re-Estize gave one final battle cry, before they greeted death in their last stand.

---

The dark blade missed by an inch and Lakyus flew backwards, spinning high into the air. She recovered quickly and, with a furious snarl, jerked a hand forward. The floating swords behind her shot down to the Death Knight below. The huge undead blocked with its tower shield, only for Gagaran to come from behind and swipe her war-pick at its head.

The undead blocked Gagaran's blow with its weapon, while the floating swords clattered against its shield. The Death Knight roared and tried to shield-bash Gagaran, but much like Lakyus had done, she flew backwards. Lakyus came in from behind and slashed at the undead. This time, her attack connected and the Death Knight growled, stabbing at her.

Lakyus dodged and flew back. Panting, she surveyed the ongoing battle while trying to catch her breath.

Things were going badly. The two Death Knights had taken the guardsmen, knights and huscarls by surprise. They had cut down through the defenses before anyone could react, not that anyone could do much. The Knights of the Blue Rose managed to distract the two monsters, but the damage was done. Before the already panicking defenders could act, Death Squires rose up and took advantage of the chaos.

Lakyus looked at the second Death Knight. Evil-Eye and the twins were distracting that one and, by the looks of it, having a much better luck than Lakyus and Gagaran. All around them, humans fought the reanimated corpses of their comrades. At least they hadn't just dropped their weapons and run like most.

Kilineiram flared with power in her grasp, conveying its frustration at not being fully used against their foes. Lakyus took a deep breath and ignored the sword, even if deep down she wished to tap into its power.

Why shouldn't she? She pondered for the umpteenth time. People were dying and there she was, whining about allowing a demonic sword have its way. It wasn't like she would have nowhere to go if the sword actually corrupted her, after all. Perhaps it would be for the best if she did allow Kilineiram to take hold of her…

Lakyus' thought were broken by a flying Death Squire. Her eyes widened and she dodged, only for the undead to reach the battlements of the gates behind her. It took the archers and mage there by surprise. Lakyus looked at the Death Knight, the very same which had thrown that Death Squire. Even in its disgusting undead visage, Lakyus could make the taunting smirk of pleasure stretching on its face.

Lakyus gritted her teeth and angled to attack the Death Knight.

Suddenly, a huge black blade swiped down and slashed the Death Knight's back. Lakyus hovered there, confused, as a tall black-clad knight proceeded to deliver a second strike and smite the Death Knight back into the darkness from whence it came.

"Have no fear, for I – Sir Momon - am here!" Shouted the tall dark knight.

Lakyus and Gagaran, who went to join her up in the air next to her, could only exchange baffled looks as the dark knight leaped towards the other Death Knight. This one managed to block one of Momon's massive swords, but could do nothing against the second one. Just like the first tall undead, Momon destroyed the Death Knight with incredible ease.

The knights of the Blue Rose flew down to join the newcomer, who unceremoniously and expertly cut down Death Squires. With his sudden intervention, the battle had shifted and, suddenly, the human defenders were overwhelming the remaining undead.

In a matter of seconds, only the living remained.

"Thank you, Sir," Lakyus said. "Your timely intervention has saved the day."

Although that was not quite right. She looked around, only to see how there were dozens of corpses littered everywhere. There weren't many warriors or knights left, perhaps two dozen. Most guardsmen had retreated as soon as the Death Knight's slaughter had begun and were gods-know-where.

"The battle is not over, Sir Aindra," Momon said, sheathing his swords and folding his arms.

He looked quite badass, at least in Lakyus' humble opinion.

"What were those things?" Gagaran asked, walking around the corpses and smashing any that looked undead enough. "I have never seen undead warriors that big or strong."

"Death Knights," Evil-Eye said.

"How come you know about every single freak of nature out there, shorty?" Laughed Gagaran. "You know what, I don't want to know."

"They were not spontaneously spawned," Tina commented, glaring at the spot where one of the Death Knights had been defeated.

"And they appeared when all defenders had gathered here," added Tia.

"Well, that army out there didn't just show up from nowhere, y'know?" Gagaran commented, pointing a thumbs up at the gate.

As if summoned by her thumb, there was a loud crash and the gate suddenly quivered. The Knights of the Blue Rose and other warriors all lined up, horrified as something rammed against the gate. The wooden entrance gave in ever so slightly but held.

"Oh crap, don't tell me there's more of them out there," Gagaran said.

"Looks like it," Evil-Eye sighed.

"I told you not to tell me, damn it," Gagaran muttered.

"Cut the chatter," Lakyus interrupted, stepping in front of them and rising Kilineiram. "Whatever comes through there, we will hold as long as we can."

"Shouldn't we retreat?" Asked Tia.

There was another massive crash and the gate was pushed back inches before it returned as it was. Were the undead using a battering ram? Before anyone could wonder whether it wouldn't be better to fall back and regroup back at the rear gates, a sword sliced through the wooden gate. Another followed. Then nothing.

Lakyus and the other defenders stared, holding their breaths. Momon drew his weapons and took a stance.

CRASH

The Gate was burst open and in poured the army of the dead. The clattering of bones on gravel was drowned by the roaring of a huge undead. As tall and deadly as a Death Knight, the giant undead racing towards Lakyus carried two swords and a murderous glee on its evil face. Behind him came a wave of skeletons.

"Move out of the way!" Someone shouted.

Lakyus blinked. Before she could react, Gagaran had grabbed her and picked her up. In one instant, they were in the air, using their enchanted cloaks. Down below, knights and huscarls hurried to each side. The only one who didn't react was Momon, who locked blades with the Death Warrior.

The undead army rushed forward, only to be run over by a stampede of heavily armored horses, black-clad goblin wolf-riders, humongous moonlight wolves and insectoid warriors, led by none other than Lord Cocytus himself. Behind them, giving one thunderous battle cry, came the goblin infantry, accompanied by Re-Estize guardsmen and knights. Together, cavalry and infantry slammed into the undead army, smashing it do pieces.

The once demoralized and worn out huscarls and knights of the gate all cheered and joined their comrades, charging after their reinforcements and back into the fray. Momon, who had dealt with the Death Warrior alone, followed right behind them, taking one powerful leap and over the charging army of the living.

With the battle pushed past the gates, Lakyus and the Knights of the Blue Roses lowered to address Sir Ainzach, who stood behind and barked orders.

"Sir Ainzach!" Gasped Lakyus.

"Sir Aindra!" Replied the grand knight.

Ainzach looked quite worse for wear, with a bandage wrapped around his head and a nasty gash on his cheek.

"We apologize for the delay, Sir Aindra!" Ainzach exclaimed. "Unfortunately, there were undead deeper in the city we had to deal with first!"

Lakyus nodded. After the initial attack of those large undead, she had suspected the situation could have been precarious further into E-Rantel. She wished to ask for more details, only for a new voice to interrupt them.

"Let us not tarry here."

Atop his majestic Hamsuke and lit by the orange light of flames, her eyes landed on a pair of burning flames. It was Lord Ainz OOal Gown and, at the moment, he looked like the god of vengeance incarnate, his face firm and righteous. Lakyus' heart drummed against her chest at the sight… only to shake her head and curse under her breath.

I shall not gush like some little girl, no matter how much you try, Lakyus told Kilineiram.

The poor sword only replied with the best equivalent of a sigh of resignation.

Lakyus looked at Lord Ainz. Lady Rubedo and Lady Albedo flew on each side, weapons drawn and ready to strike down anyone who dared gate near their master.

"Lord Ainz," Lakyus choked out.

"Come, Sir Aindra," said Ainz, giving her a smile. He rode past her, aiming his golden staff towards the gates. "We have a city to re-take!"

Lakyus grinned, hope swelling in her gut, and snapped her head ahead. The overwhelming combined force of cavalry and infantry had managed to push forward the once unstoppable tide of death. She turned to her friends, who all had the same eager smiles as Lakyus.

"You heard Lord Ainz. Let's go!" Lakyus commanded, pointed Kilineiram towards the gate and the man she knew had just saved E-Rantel.

Lakyus had to admit, Lord Ainz Ooal Gown had never looked any lordlier than that night.

---

Suzuki had never felt as embarrassed as he had that night. He was sure he was currently the laughing stock of E-Rantel, riding atop the damned overgrown hamster. Sadly, Albedo and every other NPC had insisted on him having his own steed for the fight ahead… he wasn't sure how such steed ended up being Hamsuke of all things.

Enough whining! Thought Suzuki. You are Lord Momonga of the Tomb of Nazarick! Act like it!

He looked up, and saw Undead Vultures swarming up above, every now and then sweeping downwards to attack the humans below.

"[Magic Arrow]!" He casted, the Staff trained at the flying undead.

From the top of his weapon, a magic circle formed and a barrage of bright and thin bolts of raw magic shot up, piercing the undead birds.

He pointed the staff at the humans and goblins around him.

"[Reinforce Armor]! [Protection of Negative Energy]! [Lesser Strength]!"

A yellow glow covered the dozens of warriors around him, followed by light blue and then red lights. All warriors turned towards him and gave a cheer in response, raising their arms in salute. He smirked and responded the gesture in kind.

Suzuki looked ahead. They had already pushed into the Southern district of the city and were headed straight to the Western parts, to the cemetery. On each side, Suzuki could see the buildings that had once held the local garrison and barracks. There were obvious warehouses that probably had served as armories and perhaps held supplies in case of a siege. Littered across the ground were the remnants of undead, be it pieces of bone or just now unmoving zombies.

The charge considerably slowed down as the riders and infantry clashed with skeleton riders and skeletal mages, alongside hulking masses of rotting flesh and skeletons. Up ahead, a massive creature of skeletons rose up, suddenly towering over the incoming force.

Some sort of skeletal golem? Thought Suzuki.

He grinned. He had been looking forward to try some magic and now there was one right on his sights.

"[Crystal Lance]!" Suzuki casted.

It might as well have been a Crystal iceberg for it was a massive chunk of crystal, the size of a small obelisk, that pierced through the towering skeleton golem. To its credit, the massive creature remained standing, albeit barely. A tick mark formed on Suzuki's head.

"[Crystal Lance]!" He tried again.

This time, he actually managed to make actual crystal spears as Evil-Eye could do. From over his shoulder, five blue magic circles formed and thick ballista-bolts of clear crystal shot off at the Skeletal Golem. The creature groaned as it fell backwards, before crumbling to pieces.

Suzuki smirked and blew the tip of the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, much like one would a smoking gun.

Everyone cheered at the creature's defeat, and redoubled their push, smashing through rotting flesh and bone.

"Not bad," said a happy voice. "Finally getting a hang on [Crystal Lance], my Lord?"

Suzuki smirked at Evil-Eye, who floated next to him with her arms folded.

"I'll have you know, I had an excellent teacher," He retorted.

"Ha, I bet she's the best teacher you had," smugly retorted Evil-Eye.

"We are almost at the cemetery," Lakyus said, flying on Suzuki's other side. She had a grim face. "There will be very powerful undead ahead."

"Probably," said Suzuki. At least, if the odd phenomena he had noticed back at the mirror didn't change at least.

The knights of the Blue Rose flew forward, leaving Suzuki to ride with the flying Albedo and Rubedo. He looked around, quickly spotting the flicker of shadows as Shadow Flayers swept past. He even got a glimpse of three glowing orbs glancing at him a couple of times.

Hopefully I didn't take too many of the Shadow Flayers, grimly thought Suzuki.

With Aureole Omega and Victim, alongside the elf twins, keeping an eye on the Tomb, and so many Shadow Flayers sneaking around, Suzuki hoped none of the rogue NPCs of the Eighth Floor saw their chance to sneak out. The last thing he needed was some crazy strong NPC rampaging through the lands.

Suzuki looked upwards and reached to his right ear.

"[Message]," he casted.

It connected immediately.

"Yes, Supreme One?" Demiurge's voice echoed in the Overlord's head.

"Anything to report?"

"Nothing on this end, my Lord. We have seen no signs of anyone flying around and from out vantage point, we have spotted no one casting spells outside the city," said the archdevil.

"Very well, Demiurge. Keep up the good work," hummed Suzuki.

"I live to serve, my Lord," purred Demiurge.

The message spell disconnected and Suzuki immediately contacted someone else.

"My Lord!" Came in Shalltear's voice. "Happy you called!"

Suzuki looked to a side, to the outer walls of the city. Out there, around the city, Shalltear and her vampires were quickly sweeping through the land, searching for any Players or suspicious human.

"Did you catch anyone?" He asked.

"I am afraid not, my Lord," Shalltear said. Suzuki could imagine the pout on her face.

"Alright, keep at it," Suzuki hummed.

"Your command are my wishes, beloved master," sultrily purred Shalltear.

"See you later, Shalltear," chuckled Suzuki, shaking his head.

The [Message] was cut and, just as quickly as before, Suzuki was reaching out to yet another servant. This time, Suzuki turned to the city's inner walls. Deep inside, more servants were helping the people inside.

"My Lord," Sebas replied as the spell connected.

"How is the situation in there?" Suzuki asked.

"We have cleared the city of any undead and Nigredo has reported no attempts at breaching her anti-divination spells. The civilians are safe and all wounded are being tended to," Sebas said. "However, my lord, we were unable to locate Mister and Miss Bareare."

"What about Ninya and his friends?" Suzuki asked.

"My Lord, Nigredo was able to locate them with [Locate Object]. However…" he trailed off, sounding ashamed. "By the time we arrived, they had been turned into zombies by a Death Knight. I apologize sincerely for our failure and-"

"It's alright, Sebas," he softly said.

Suzuki's heard dropped as he heard the news. Guilt swelled in his gut. Once again, he had taken too long to save lives.

"Shall we take them to the Tomb, my Lord?" Sebas inquired. "We haven't destroyed the zombies."

Suzuki thought about it, before he sighed. He couldn't make up his mind just yet, not with the conflict yet to be resolved.

"Take them to the Tomb. I'll decide what to do afterwards," he decided.

"As you command, it shall be done," Sebas stated.

With that communication over, Suzuki looked straight ahead, to the gate of the cemetery that could already be spotted. It was time for the last group to use the [Message] spell on.

"My Lord," came in the voice of Yuri Alpha.

"Report," said Suzuki.

"We have found the culprits, Supreme One," said Yuri Alpha. "However…"

Suzuki frowned as Yuri Alpha explained what she and the rest of the Vanguard Team had found. Accompanied by Death Champions and other undead, as well as Solution Epsilon and CZ2128, Yuri Alpha had been sent ahead of everyone else to deal with the source of the undead army. Their mission had been to infiltrate the mausoleum, and capture the perpetrators. Sadly, if what Yuri Alpha reported was true, it seemed things were not as they seemed.

"That's… not what I expected," said Suzuki.

"What do you wish us to do, my Lord?" Yuri asked.

"Find some means to keep them locked up or chained down," Suzuki said. "I will be there shortly."

Once he was no longer connected to Suzuki, he sighed yet again. That night sure was proving to be quite a joyride. He turned to Albedo, who kept a wary look around.

"No players appear to have been involved," said Suzuki, both relieved and disappointed. "Instead, it seemed it was some sort of cult."

"A cult, my love?" Albedo inquired.

"Yes," said Suzuki. "Red robes, magic-casters by the looks of it… they were behind this."

The combined human, goblin and Myrmidon forces halted their charge at the gates of the cemetery. They stepped aside and allowed for Suzuki to reach the front. There, warriors all stared at the empty cemetery with apprehension and eagerness. There, Sir Ainzach and the knights of the Blue Rose convened, unsure how to proceed.

"The undead have stopped spawning," commented a disbelieving AInzach atop his mighty horse.

"How is that possible?" Asked Lakyus in confusion.

"I sent some of my servants up ahead and they stopped the ones responsible," said Suzuki.

The knights stared at him with wide-eyes.

"That's much appreciate, my Lord, and very risky," Sir Ainzach said. He glanced at Cocytus, who stood guard right at the gate. "Although seeing the strength of your servants, I don't doubt they came on top regardless the foe."

"Was that wise, my Lord?" Momon the Black Knight Errant said.

"We had to stop the tide of the dead," said Suzuki, fighting off a snicker.

"Indeed, my lord," harrumphed an aloof Momon.

"There's something wrong here," said Evil-Eye.

"What is it, Shorty?" Mused Gagaran.

"The negative energy… it's gone," Evil-Eye.

"That's impossible," commented Lakyus with a frown. "The cemetery should be saturated with it."

Suzuki looked at the two knights, baffled. What did they mean there should be Negative Energy in the air? He knew it was a type of magic element of sorts, one that revitalized the dead and harmed the living.

There was a loud roar and everyone stared ahead, tense and ready for a fight. Something big stomped out towards them. Suzuki squinted at the misty covered tombstones ahead, until he managed to make a silhouette. His eyes widened well before everyone else.

"A skeletal dragon!" Exclaimed Evil-Eye.

"Just what we needed," Lakyus sighed, clenching her weapon.

"Oh yeah, some more fun!" Gagaran laughed, twirling her war-pick.

Indeed, lumbering towards them was a huge dragon made entirely of bone. Its many glowing red eyes zeroed on them with malice and hatred before it roared at them again and picked up the pace. Cocytus readied himself. Albedo and Rubedo leaned forward, ready to charge at the offending undead.

"We've got this," Suzuki told his allies and urged Hamsuke forward.

Now then, how can we deal with that thing? He pondered.

A Skeletal Dragon might have been an intimidating sight, but it was not quite as powerful as one might have first thought, particularly this breed. It was not an actual dragon after all, but rather an amalgamation of human skeletons made to look into one. Actual Undead Dragons tended to be, by far, stronger.

[Dominion Authority] and an Elemental would be overkill, thought Suzuki. I am not going to waste the [Sealing Crystal] on this…

He glanced at the metal angel hovering next to him.

"Rubedo," Suzuki said.

The metallic angel looked at him.

"Finish it."

Rubedo nodded and shot off towards the Skeletal dragon. Lakyus and every other human watched, quietly and expectant, as the two beings clashed. The undead monster reared a claw, and Rubedo paused.

It happened way too fast for the ordinary eye. To everyone watching, it was as if Rubedo vanished only to multiply. The metallic angel started appearing all around the skeletal dragon, frozen in different poses, all while the undead looked at them each, confused.

Then, Rubedo reappeared, standing with her back towards the creature and all of her afterimages disappeared. She calmly walked back towards Suzuki, her naginata spinning in her hand. No sooner had she tapped the shaft of her weapon on the ground, the Skeletal Dragon stiffened, its glowing red eyes dimmed into blackness and it dropped forward. The undead collapsed in a thousand pieces, the result of that many cut by Rubedo's naginata.

That looked freaking awesome, mused Suzuki.

He glanced at Lakyus and the others. They were staring, mouths agape. Apparently, they thought the same.

"Shall we proceed?" Suzuki asked his allies with a smirk.

The speechless humans and goblins only nodded.

The march into the cemetery was quite a grim affair, and rather boring compared to the night's previous excitement. There were no undead up ahead. The mist that had once covered the place had lifted, and Suzuki could only see trampled dying grass, leafless trees and broken tombstones. The stench of death had cleared somehow, and he could only make the smell of dirt and humid earth.

"Evil-Eye," Suzuki called.

"Yes, Lord Ainz?" The little vampire said, flying over to hover next to Albedo.

"You mentioned there should be Negative Energy permeating the area?" Suzuki inquired.

"That's right," Evil-Eye said. She looked around before addressing the Overlord. "I don't get how it all went away."

"Could it have been used to summon a powerful undead?" Suzuki wondered.

"It's possible," conceded Evil-Eye. "But some of it should have remained. It's almost as if the air was sucked dry…"

Suzuki hummed. He had absolutely no idea what to say. For starters, he barely understood the Negative Energy contamination being alluded to. Back in Yggdrassil, spells and magic didn't leave some sort of energy footprint. There could be environmental effects and auras, but not remnant energy of some spell.

This is no longer a game, thought Suzuki. Magic probably has more far-reaching consequences to its surroundings than I should assume…

He thought about what experiments could be conducted to understand better that phenomena. Perhaps he should seek out a powerful necromancer to induct into the Tomb.

Finally, the joint army made it to the Mausoleum, the epicenter of the catastrophe. Suzuki looked around. So far, none of the NPCs had contacted him, meaning they probably had not found or met anyone noteworthy. Regardless, he contacted them again, only to get the same responses as before.

No Players or powerful New Worlders had been found.

Suzuki scratched his head, dumbfounded. Someone must have summoned those Death Knights and strategically placed them in the city's living districts. The coordination he had witnessed to take the city defenders by surprise suggested a guiding hand to the events, and yet, it seemed it had been some other unknown force all along.

He sighed and looked up the stairs of the Mausoleum. There, Yuri Alpha, CZ2128 Delta and Solution Epsilon waited. They knelt down as Suzuki hopped off Hamsuke. All other undead that had accompanied the three sisters were long gone. Suzuki noticed the flicker of shadows, unnoticeable to the human eye and managed to spot a handful of Shadow Flayers keeping a good eye for anyone daring to approach their master.

Suzuki and his bodyguards walked up the steps to Yuri Alpha, while Cocytus stayed behind with his Myrmidons. The Blue Roses and Ainzach followed quick behind, a nervous looking Theo Rahkeshir hurrying after them. Suzuki wasn't sure where the head mage had come from, but he assumed he might have been near Sir Ainzach all along.

Without trading a single word, the group found the entrance to a hidden lair and climbed down the steps within the crypt. At the bottom, they were greeted by a large cavernous chamber with a glowing magical ritual circle at the center, surrounded by tall pillars. Differently from outside, the place reeked of rotting flesh.

"My Lord, the prisoners are over here," Yuri Alpha said, taking the lead.

She guided her master to a side chamber. In there, there appeared to be some sort of holding cells all across a long narrow passageway. Much like the main chamber behind, the walls looked as if they had been dug out from hard stone, giving the feel of a weirdly symmetrical cavern. Illuminated by magic lamps along the way, they stopped at the first cell, a simple small space in the rocky walls that had been divided from the main corridor by bars.

There, zombies groaned and reached towards them, craving the flesh of the living.

"These are the culprits, apparently," sighed Suzuki, gesturing at the moaning undead.

"Zombies?" Asked Lakyus in confusion. "Did your servants-?"

"No," interrupted Suzuki, shaking his head. "They were found like this."

There was a long moment in which no one spoke. There was no silence, though, not with the zombies growing louder in frustration at their inability to reach the living. Suzuki and the others studied the captured undead.

They were all clad in blood red robes and sported rings and necklaces that appeared to be enchanted. Differently from the rest, a bald zombie had a necklace made of interlaced golden rings with three small white skulls. That probably had been the leader. He wasn't the only outlier.

"Who's that?" Gagaran asked, pointing at one of the zombies.

"I have no idea, but she looks like some kind of warrior," commented Lakyus, a blush reaching her face. "An agile fighter, if her equipment is anything to go by…"

Indeed, the scantily clad blond zombie did give off the impression she used to be a fast fighter, some sort of rogue or assassin. The stiletto knives on her belt added to that idea. Not so much the morning star attached to her back, though.

"Unfortunately, these weren't the only ones found," sighed Suzuki. "Yuri?"

"Yes, my Lord," the dullahan replied.

She guided the rest to the next cell down the corridor. Like before, zombies immediately pressed themselves against the bars and tried to reach towards the living. In this case, there were only two of them. Those two, differently from the previous ones, were recognized right away.

"Hold on, those are…" gasped Ainzach.

"Yes," Suzuki nodded with a grimace. "The Bareares…"

Groaning alongside their fellow undead, the zombies of Nfirea and Lizzie Bareare kept trying to grab Suzuki, in vain.

---

"The Mayor of E-Rantel is dead," reported Vermillion to his Emperor.

Far away, in the heart of the Baharuth Empire, dawn had long arrived and the Emperor's realm basked under the sunlight.

Emperor Jircniv stood on his balcony, enjoying the fighting drills taking place down below in the large open courtyard. He smirked at them, certain that there would be few countries who could match what he saw.

"What a pity," sighed Jircniv, turning to his trusted secretary. "Was it the undead?"

"It hasn't been confirmed. Right now, the Head Knight and Head Mage of E-Rantel are trying to restore order and are keeping what happened to Lord Rettenmeier a secret," reported Vermillion. "We suspect, however, it was assassination."

"Someone made use of the chaos to take out the fat nobleman, huh?" guessed Jircniv with a smile.

It was nice when the brutes of the Re-Estize Kingdom took each other out for him.

"We must strike while the iron is hot, my friend," Jircniv said, his eyes on the soldiers below. "How are my plans proceeding?"

"The mercenaries should be ready to depart in a couple of days, your majesty."

Jircniv didn't turn around to look at his secretary. Instead, he kept his focus on his soldiers.

"We have yet to receive the complete confirmation of all involved mercenary companies, but we estimate we will be counting with over a hundred of them," Vermillion carried on explaining.

"Excellent. The more there are, the more information and perhaps items we will get from that mysterious Tomb," Jircniv said, his smirk stretching on his face. "You always prove to be an efficient man, Vermillion."

"You honor me, your majesty," said the secretary behind him.

"What about the delegation?" Jircniv asked, finally turning around.

"We have everyone involved at the ready. The sole exception is the Furt girl. She should be arriving shortly, just as you commanded, your majesty. Leinas and – ehm – Baziwood shall depart as soon as you give your confirmation," Vermillion said.

Jircniv gave a false friendly smile towards his secretary.

"Speak your mind, Vermillion. Your opinion is always welcomed," Jircniv said.

The secretary squirmed in place, unsure whether it was wise. In the end, he proved to be brave enough to voice his concerns.

"I am curious about your choice in the delegation, your majesty. Do you think Baziwood will add to the group?"

"To any civilized country, I would rather send Nazami or Nimble, true. To those savages of the Kingdom? I believe Baziwood might even be welcomed," chuckled Jircniv. "Come now, tell me what truly bothers you."

Vermillion, to his credit, remained poised and collected as he pressed on.

"As you say, your majesty. In regards to the others in the delegation… do you think it is wise to send a former noblewoman? Lord Ainz will take it as an insult no doubt," said Vermillion. "There are many other nobles that could be used for this, my lord."

"I understand your concern. Unfortunately, it is hard to tell the true status of Ainz Ooal Gown within the kingdom. He has been given no official titles, yet he is held in high regards," explained Jircniv. "If I am not mistaken, I don't believe he has even professed loyalty to the King or Kingdom."

Jircniv gave a calm shrug at his secretary before he walked into his chambers. Inside, Nazami and Nimble straightened up and saluted. Jircniv gave them a lazy wave of his hands and the pair relaxed. He plopped down on his long comfortable chaise lounge sofa.

"You aren't worried she might insult the Theocracy or the King, Vermillion?" Asked the Emperor with a smirk.

"I doubt the Slanith representatives will care, your majesty," said Vermillion, before a scowl formed on his face. "As for the savage king… I don't believe she will notice much of a difference."

"Precisely," mused Jircniv. "However, I doubt the delegation will come off as an insult, not with two of my personal knights and you, my trusted advisor and secretary, involved. No, Vermillion, this Ainz Ooal Gown, I assume, is not someone who cares that much in titles as he does in abilities."

That was something Jircniv respected about Lord Ainz. The powerful mage clearly cared little about titles and blood-rights, if his proclivity to using noblemen and commoners alike were anything to go by.

"Are there other reasons you didn't allow for Lord Fluder to send one of his own apprentices?" Vermillion wondered.

"No," lied Jircniv.

The truth was, he didn't want any of Fluder's fanatics involved. In fact, Jircniv dreaded the day Lord Ainz Ooal Gown and Fluder Paradyne met. The old man had long shown himself loyal to the Empire, and yet, Jircniv feared what could happen if that man, obsessed with magic, met the being said to perform levels of magic only seen from the gods. No, Fluder would be too tempted to do something stupid… like having his fanatics, especially the female ones, throw themselves at Ainz Ooal Gown in exchange of magic spells. Jircniv wouldn't put it past the old man; if anything, said apprentices probably would do so on their own accord.

Vermillion clearly didn't believe him, but as a good secretary, he merely bowed in understanding.

"What do you think, Vermillion? Can we sway this rising evil to our side?" Jircniv asked.

"Unfortunately, sire, this individual remains rather elusive. However, I am hopeful I will be able to determine what he desires and win him over," replied Vermillion. "The Empire has much more to offer than the Re-Estize Kingdom, after all."

Then again, Jircniv had already been informed of some of Lord Ainz Ooal Gown's tastes. From what he had heard, the powerful mage had a liking for fighter women, be it mages or warriors. He was rumored to have claimed one of the savage women from the Northern Tribes, for instance. It was one of the reasons Jircniv had decided on an expendable mercenary to serve as member of the delegation that would be going to E-Rantel on an official meeting. Well, there would be two female mercenaries; Furt's half-elf friend was an added bonus.

If Lord Ainz wished to make that blasted mercenary his, then it was a matter of reminding Furt who was watching over her cute little sisters. That was the part Jircniv loved the most; there was nothing like foolish blood bonds to keep a person in check. From what he had heard about her, Jircniv sorely doubted Furt could tempt Lord Ainz, but it was worth a try. Leinas could make a good replacement, if necessary.

With any luck, Buziwood would win the savages of the Re-Estize kingdom being himself. As much as Jircniv liked the knight, he knew Buziwood would fit in the huscarls and knights of the horrid excuse of a kingdom.

"Very well, your majesty," Vermillion said with a bow. "I trust your wisdom and will not disappoint you."

"I am sure you won't," Jircniv said with a friendly smile.

Hopefully, in a week's time, he would have acquired a new invaluable servant, or perhaps, if the worst came to happen, a terrible foe.

It doesn't matter, he confidently thought. The Empire will rise, no matter who this Ainz Ooal Gown thinks he is.

"By the way, your majesty, there are a couple of things I wished to discuss with you, before the delegation to E-Rantel can be sent out," Vermillion said, checking his notes.

"It sounds important," leisurely remarked the Emperor.

"I have yet to substantiate the information, your majesty, so I apologize if they come off as mere rumors," Vermillion said with a bow.

Jircniv only hummed and gestured at his secretary to get on with it.

"It would appear the Holy Roble and the Draconic Kingdoms are sending delegates to the Re-Estize kingdom," said Vermillion.

Jircniv's eyes widened and he sat up, tense and disbelieving.

"I apologize, but like I said, I have yet to confirm that information," said the secretary. "Our spies haven't been able to tell if any official delegations have been sent already, but they have learned there were intentions to participate in the upcoming gathering between the Theocracy and the Re-Estize Kingdom."

Jircniv, though, was only half listening, already frantic and trying to figure out what was going on.

"Do we know why they would do such a thing?" Jircniv asked, stern yet managing to give a confident smile to Vermillion.

"Our sources from within the Re-Estize Kingdom believe the Third Princess may be involved," said Vermillion. "We do not know how she may have convinced the monarchs of foreign countries to participate in this meeting."

Jircniv wasn't sure about the how, but he was damn sure that girl, the third princess, was behind it. He had long suspected she was not what she appeared to be; although part of his suspicions did come from his inclination to disbelieve any good or functional nobility.

A sudden thought occurred to him, one that made him chuckle.

"Your majesty, is something amusing?" Vermillion inquired.

"Why yes, there is," mused Jircniv with a strained smile. "I have just realized but this could prove to be a far grander meeting than I had hoped."

"I do not understand," stated the secretary.

Jircniv glared at the balcony, eager to go back to finding some comfort on his troops training out there.

"Don't you see, Vermillion? This is the first time in hundreds of years where representatives of all the great human nations will meet."

Jircniv looked up at the ceiling, a wave of frustration washing over him.

History is being made, he thought, and at the center of it all is him… Ainz Ooal Gown…

Unbeknownst to the Emperor, something was slowly plodding towards his beloved capital.

It had sneaked out of the Forest of Tob and it kept hiding at the slightest of sounds. One would not suspect it needed to be so skittish, not with its power. However, the creature had just escaped confinement and it was well aware of more powerful beings, the very same that worked to keep it and its brethren locked away.

It was a Dark One, one who had managed to escape the Great Tomb of Nazarick, and it was on a collision course with the Empire.

---

Author Notes:

And there we go, another long, long chapter... jesus christ, with the number of characters involved it is freaking easy to rack up those words!

IMPORTANT QUESTION: What species would you prefer Nfirea got turned into? Human? Slime? Plague Lord (were-rat/skaven)? Please, you have the chance now, for I am a kind and reasonable writer.

I am sorry if Evil-Eye came off as too OOC. Seriously, that initial part was re-written a dozen times, always feeling like I was not getting Evil-Eye right. In the end, this was it. The show must go on.

So... what do you guys think? Aye? Nay? Good chapter? Got bored? More action? More Renner?

By the way, you didn't really think I included rogue NPCs for nothing, now did you? It was all part of the plan... yes, the great plan... from that one time... you know, in that place... don't worry, I'll have Demiurge explain it to you all my great plan.

These last days, I have been re-reading volumes 12 and 13 for the grand introduction of Queen Calca and Remedios and - boy, oh boy - do I love the way Ainz, Neia and Remedios keep out-dumbing each other. The winners of that competition are, without a doubt, the people of the Holy Kingdom; those guys are sheep.

Anything you wish to see about the Holy Kingdom? Pabel Baraja giving Suzuki the stink eye? Neia "His majesty" Baraja as part of harem or best surrogate daughter? I was actually considering making Neia Remedios' daughter... HOLD ON! Don't kill me please! I was joking... maybe...

I am open to any and all suggestions and opinions.

Thank you for your reviews and who had the stomach to read through the story up to this stomach. You are the fuel that keep this story going, so from the bottom of my deep dark and rotten heart, thank you.

Next Chapter: the Emperor's Gambit, where we meet Arche and her plucky band of tomb-robbers, Baziwood educates Suzuki on something other than magic, and much, much more.