The Black Scripture moved through the forests near E-Rantel like the wind, leaving little trace in their wake. What few monsters they did encounter were crushed by the power of humanity's finest warriors equipped in the gear bestowed upon them by the Gods. It could not be argued that the twelve members of the group were a force to be reckoned with, and Quiesce believed they had the power to fight even a Dragon Lord, but they were all still on edge as they ran through the Kingdom.

"Stop." The captain called out. Immediately, they were all on alert. They could all sense the foreboding atmosphere that had settled, and without the Thousand Leagues Astrologer their reconnaissance was severely lacking. The group had settled into a loose formation around Lady Claire and the treasure she wore, as they prioritized the most important and weakest member of the group.

It was too quiet.

Suddenly the captain dashed forward. Demonstrating the raw power God-kin possessed, he moved faster than they could follow, swinging his divine spear towards a shadowed part of the underbrush.

*Crunch*!

The sickening sound of his spear meeting and destroying flesh and bone let the group know that their captain had eliminated a target. In the wake of his attack on their watcher, an unnatural silence settled over the small clearing they had stopped in. This only served to increase the tension in the atmosphere as the captain moved over to investigate what he had killed.

"!? Demons!" The captain's call ripped through the group as they all realized they were facing some of the most dangerous monsters out there, and ones they were wholly unprepared to fight.

The forest exploded into noise. Demonic howling, infernal screams, and monstrous roars erupted from all around them as they were suddenly beset upon by the monsters that had encircled them. Quiesce had barely enough time to summon one of his Basilisks, choosing to not take any chances when facing the creatures of hell, before a veritable tide of demons erupted from the undergrowth.

Hellhounds, Greater Hellhounds, Gazer Devils, even some Infernal Imps came charging at them in a constant stream of fire and death. It became immediately clear that the demons planned to overwhelm them with numbers as they swarmed like a tidal wave towards the group. Shouts of fury and blasts of magic intertwined with the cacophony of the ever-increasing demons.

Just because Quiesce was a Beast Master, it did not mean he had slacked off in training his body. With steady arms and a prayer on his tongue he dove into the fray as the clearing erupted into violence.

Quiesce fought like mad, doing his best to thin the numbers without exposing himself too much. A Greater Hellhound leapt at him, fiery maw wide open as it tried to rip his throat out. He blocked the beast's attack with contemptuous ease, its fierce bite harmlessly closing on his blade. However, before he could put down the beast several more dove towards him. Several Hellhounds went for his feet, hoping to drag him down while his blade was locked, and several Greater Hellhounds' infernal breath shot towards his exposed head.

This would have likely brought down most Adventurers, the sheer weight of numbers preventing them from retaliating. However, Quiesce was one of the Theocracy's strongest warriors, a member of the Black Scripture. To him, a hundred beasts of this caliber wouldn't be enough. Like lightning, his armored fist lashed out, slamming into the demon locked onto his blade. The strike dislodged the beast, and in a flash the Hellhounds aiming for his feet were bisected. The Greater Hellhounds staying at range didn't have time to recover from their comrade being flung at them before he set upon them, a few strikes from his blade ending the enemies of humanity.

He turned to face the next batch of monsters, only for his Basilisk to slam into them with savage glee as it made short work of the much weaker creatures. The Basilisk he summoned fought fiercely as it's tough scales and powerful jaws held the line, often taking out several demons with a single strike. But, he knew it wouldn't last and he needed to summon more of his beasts. He was known as the One-Man Army for his powerful beasts, but he hadn't had time to summon up most of his monsters and was at a distinct disadvantage.

Suddenly, the number of demons surging towards them started to decrease, and Quiesce refused to let the opportunity go to waste. It a moment the now ragged and tired basilisk, worn down by shear weight of numbers and targeted heavily due to its size, he had summoned was replaced with a fresh one, and several powerful monsters now surrounded him. A downside of his class was made apparent as he was unable to summon all of his creatures, the shear space they required to fight effectively starting to crowd the clearing they were in.

They had all taken the brief lull to regroup, those with healing magic healing the few minor wounds they had received, their tanks eliminating the few demons that trickled in. However, it soon became apparent why the demons had let up as a fresh wave crashed into the clearing. Suddenly, they were no longer fighting Hellhounds and Gazer Devils, but far more powerful demons like Over Eatings and Burning Banes.

As the battle shifted towards smaller, more powerful groups of demons the entire clearing became impossibly chaotic. Each member was now struggling to stay alive, with many of them separated from the main group. Only a core knot of defenders were left to hold the line and protect Lady Claire. Quiesce was perhaps now one of the more fortunate ones. The numbers his beasts provided allowed him and those closest to him to breath more easily as they took the pressure off them. He could only spare a brief glance at the captain, their strongest fighter, as he tore through the demons like wheat to the scythe.

"WORTHLESS PIONS!" The demonic voice shook the battlefield as everyone, even the demons, turned to look at the monsters that had just entered the clearing. A trio of demons strode forward, their movements oozing confidence. And from where he was, Quiesce felt that their confidence was well earned. These were no mere demons. Whatever they were, they were a cut above the rest. Just from the pressure exuding off of them he could tell that the two smaller demons may be on par with their captain, and the one who had spoken was far, far stronger.

The monster towered above the demons surrounding it, easily reaching four meters high. It's four muscular arms ended it wicked looking claws, and its prehensile tail whipped around hooved feet. However, most discomforting was its face. It had an appearance like that of a small child, with many of its features blown out of proportion and heavily exaggerated, which only made its weeping pitch-black eyes and countless needle like teeth all the more terrifying.

However, Quiesce knew he couldn't be distracted by the monster that postured before them. It was clear that it was way beyond his abilities, and the captain would be its challenger. Instead, he focused on the two demons that flanked it, knowing he would need to help defeat them. The two appeared to be the same species, or at least related. They were surprisingly small for a demon of that power, but he knew better than to let that make him think they were weak. No, the stick-like figures may have not even reached two meters tall, but that did nothing to hide the oozing darkness that permeated the air around them. What few features he could distinguish were their insectile, three fingered claws and feet, and the three malevolent eyes on their shadowed faces. It took a great deal of effort for him to keep his eyes on them, as they seemed to slide off the demons and cast the monsters into impenetrable shadow.

"You humans are proving to be an annoyance, bumbling about like blind sheep. I look forward to feasting on your flesh." The two sides seemed to take the demon's speech as a sign, what few weaker demons remaining separating to go to their master's side.

Consummate professionals they were, the Black Scripture did not waste the opportunity that this demon's boasting had provided. They had regrouped, moving to face these new threats. The captain had taken point, keeping his divine spear pointed at the monsters. The rest of them reoriented to best protect Lady Claire. They had no doubt that her treasure would be needed to avoid devastating losses. Quiesce took stock of the rest of Black Scripture, not managing to stop a wince as he saw the serious injuries several of them had taken. Nor could he miss the fact that Divine Chain was on the ground by Lady Claire, having been pulled back after taking a serious blow. Thankfully, he appeared to still be breathing, but to be down a fighter on top of their wounds was a problem.

"To think, a bunch of mere humans could cause us such headaches at this critical juncture. Worms like you should be turned to ash for interfering with our revenge upon the Slayers. Although…Yes. Perhaps you could be of some use." They had all listened intently to the demon's speech, filing away its words for future dissection. If there were more demons of such power, then they needed all the information they could get. However, their thoughts of future threats were put on hold when they noticed the demon's gaze had fixed onto Lady Claire, a hungry expression consuming its features.

"YOUR POWER WILL WHAT I NEED TO BECOME THE STRONGEST! FETCH ME THEIR SOULS!" Thunderous roars rocked forth as the demons surged forth once again, their aim clear as they all raced for Lady Claire. They had sensed the power of the Treasure she wore, and their lust and greed for power drove them forward in a frothing rage.

Like lightning, the captain was there, battling the monster whose forces attacked them. Even for Quiesce, it was difficult to follow their fight as blows were traded in a blur. However, that left the rest of the demons to fall upon the Black Scripter. They once again found themselves under assault by the numerous demons.

*Squelch*

At that moment, they could only look in horror as the demons' cruel intelligence shown through. The wave of monsters had been but a momentary distraction as the two powerful shadowy demons had slipped through the front line. They had used the opening to strike at the Black Scripture where they could do the most damage, as there, impaled on the arms of the two demons, was Divine Chant's body. In an instant, their most powerful divine caster and healer was dead, a fountain of blood and gore spilling forth from the holes in her body.

Quiesce could only look in shock as the fight turned from one of parity, to them struggling to survive. The Shadow Lords flitted amongst their ranks, striking with near impunity at the besieged members of the Black Scripture. The weaker demons gleefully threw themselves forward in suicidal attacks for but the briefest opening for the Shadow Lords. None of them were safe, and only Myriad Barriers seemed to be able to hold off their strikes, his strong defense the only thing keeping Lady Claire safe. Even the captain was slowly being overwhelmed by the Demon God he fought, his wounds accumulating. And even though they killed many weaker demons, the wounds taken by the Black Scripture were breaking them piece by piece.

"USE IT!" The captain cried. They all had to trade their lives so that the power of Lady Claire's Treasure could be brought to bear. Quiesce had not been idle, throwing his monsters at the weaker demons to give his comrades a chance to strike back at the Shadow Lords.

There! He had a chance! One of the Shadow Lords had recognized him as a threat and closed in on him, trying to take him down in the hopes his beasts would disappear or go berserk. However, he'd anticipated this. Twisting into the demon's strike, he felt the white-hot pain of its claw digging into the flesh of his abdomen, just to the side of his organs. He his furry and glee at seeing the creature's eyes widen in realization of what he was planning pushed him through the pain, a monstrous smile crossing his face.

Like one of his beasts, he struck back with animalistic ferocity. With all his strength, Quiesce held tight to the limb burrowed into his flesh, his other arm driving his magical blade deep into the demon's guts. The shock and pain from having the tables turned on it so quickly stunned the Shadow Lord, its lower health pool meaning the wound was quite grievous. Before it could recover, Quiesce ripped his blade up, the sword tearing free of the monster's flesh near the shoulder. At the same time, his monsters, having felt his pain and orders, descended upon the demon in an apoplectic rage. His basilisk bit down on the demon's head, and his moonlit wolves had grabbed its feet like the Hellhounds had tried doing to him, and, with mighty roars, the demon was ripped apart.

At the same time, Quiesce heard the tell-tale roar of the magical dragon coming from Lady Clair, and watched gleefully as it descended onto the shocked Demon God. The monster, still trying to fend off the captain's attacks, screamed in horror and rage as it was enveloped in the Light of the Gods. With a triumphant roar, the remaining members of the Black Scripture finished off the remaining demons. They all watched as the surviving Shadow Lord leapt free of the fighting, clearly planning to fall back now that it was alone and covered in wounds. It raced towards the forest from where it came, only for a massive clawed arm to grab it from the air.

The Demon God, now bound by the power of the Gods' Treasure, simply drove its clawed hands into the belly of the struggling weaker demon, before its wide-open maw closed over the Shadow Lord's head with a resounding crunch. Now dead, the Shadow Lord was dropped to the ground like so much trash before its body disappeared in a flash of light.

As a sense of calm returned to the clearing, Quiesce took stock of their condition. Nobody was without wounds, even Lady Claire had a few minor injuries. And, from where he was, he could see that a demon had finished off Divine Chain, his form now painfully still. With one eye on their surroundings, they all dug into their packs for potion and scrolls, desperately healing their more grievous wounds. With Divine Chant dead, they had no other choice. None of them were strong enough raw healers or had enough mana to help the wounded. However, it wasn't enough for all of them, a few members, himself included, clearly having been struck hard by the demons during the fighting.

*Boom!* The sound of a loud explosion caused them all to snap into focus. There not too far from them, was a pillar of smoke and dust rising into the air. From where they were they could hear the fighting as *something* engaged the demons that had overrun the forest with devastating firepower.

"We need to leave. Prepare the bodies, we're heading back to Kami Miyako." The captain said, his eyes not leaving the direction of the fighting. With all possible haste, the group set about doing what they could to preserve their fallen comrade's bodies and heal their most grievous wounds. All the while, none of them could stop stealing nervous glances at the powerful Demon God that was ensnared by Lady Claire. They had the utmost faith in their Gods' Treasure, but could not stop their instinctual unease for the monster.

The captain's call had been the right one. Not five minutes after they'd left the clearing, dead and wounded too injured to walk slung over their shoulders, did they hear a piercing shriek come from the clearing they had just been in. The cry of rage as whatever was looking for them noticed their absence was soon met by more demonic howls as the forest erupted into violence once more.

They didn't stop running until they couldn't see the forest any more, and even then, only stopped because many of their members had become too tired to keep running while also carrying their comrades. Stopping in a small gulley in the open plane, they tried to regroup after their flight from the forest. Gently putting down the ones who had been carried, those who were able went over to speak with their captain.

Quiesce couldn't stop his heart from clenching at the realization that only half of the normally twelve strong Black scripture were still standing.

"We'll rest here for the night. If we are being pursued, we need to be rested enough to fight back, or at least make an opening for Lady Claire to escape." The captain said. They all nodded in agreement at that, too exhausted to think about questioning him.

"Lady Claire. I'm sorry, but I must ask you to remain on guard. Until we are back within the Theocracy the enslaved Demon God is our best weapon." He said, turning to look at the withered old lady who had joined their meeting. Understanding the situation, she gave a fierce nod in determination as she silently vowed to make sure the remaining members made it back to the Theocracy safely.

"Fifth Seat, do you believe you are in a condition to perform your mission?" Quiesce thought about it as his captain looked at him intently. Having suffered such heavy losses, he wasn't sure it would be wise to weaken the Black Scripture any more by pulling away members, even if he went alone. It was clear the captain thought the same, as the normally devout man would have insisted he went and completed his orders under any other circumstances.

"…Yes." Quiesce, realizing that going back would likely mean he lost the opportunity to complete this mission for some time, decided to go. He knew that the Theocracy would be even more stretched now and they needed eyes on this 'Ainz', not to mention the sudden appearance of demons. Plus, this was his best chance to track down his errant sister and he wasn't willing to let it go to waste.

"…Will you be taking anyone?" The captain asked with a pained expression, clearly not wanting to have even more members separate from the group but also not wanting to out-right refuse him. Quiesce completely agreed with his feelings on the matter, but also knew he wouldn't be able to do such a mission alone. Making up his mind, he decided who would be best to take.

"I'll take Eleventh Seat. By morning we should have recovered enough to finish healing her, and any remaining injuries can be treated by the priests in E-Rantel." Quiesce pretended not to notice the relief in the captain's eyes at his pick. Only taking one other member, one who they might have to carry otherwise, was the best he could have hoped for.

The group split up after that, each member going to take watch or try and get some sleep. Quiesce, however, found it impossible to sleep. His mind was racing too fast and his nerves were on fire at the thought of both his mission and another attack. Instead, he chose to go amongst the wounded, sitting down beside a grimacing woman. He did his best to not look at the bloody stump that was her right leg, the end covered with one of the Gods' Treasures, Sweet Dreams, which was slowly regrowing the destroyed limb.

"Hey, Quie-chan. Are we going to E-Rantel?" The pained voice of girl beside him drifted up.

"Yeah. Just the two of us." He relied, his throat seizing up. He reached out and held onto her grasping hand, allowing her to hold onto him for some comfort.

"That's wonderful! We can pretend to be a couple!" The weakness in his friend's voice had Quiesce holding back tears, the normally bubbly girl barely holding together.

"Get some rest." Was all he managed to say, not trusting himself to say more. The girl's ragged breathing soon evened out a bit as she slept fitfully. Throughout the night, Quiesce simply sat there as a silent guard, his hand firmly grasping hers.