" It's been a couple months since Enri and Nemu were brought into the guild. It may just be the three of us but we should have an official guild name," Ainz thought as he entered his room. Things had been surprisingly normal since the Sunlight scripture's defeat. Enri had chosen to be a paladin and became friends with Lupusregina. Nemu has started her own unofficial training sessions with CZ, and it's been a week since Shalltear had last tried to kill Enri.
As he closed the door and got a proper look at his room, he noticed a ring on his dresser. It sat upon an envelope, so he went over and picked up the ring while opening the envelope. " It's from BukubukuChagama, was this the ring Peroronchino mentioned before they left?" The ring was a plain silver with intricate vine designs circling it. Though the main focus was the white colored circle with three holes made of black gems. To confirm his suspicions he read the note.
"To Momonga: I was supposed to give you this ring a few years ago, since you wanted to look around the human dominated realms. Though I suppose it's better late than never, even if you'll probably never see it." Ainz read, looking at the ring again with a figurative smile. He slipped the ring on and felt himself change, his skeletal form replaced with a human one. It only took a few seconds, though he couldn't help but feel like something was off.
"Maybe it's just having skin again, wait what happened to my voice!?" Ainz shouted, his voice sounding much more feminine than it should. He ran to the mirror and looked himself over. The first thing to grab his attention was his heterochromatic eyes, his left was yellow while his right was silver. His hair was black and smooth, reaching his upper back. His build was more feminine as well, thin shoulders and wide hips, though thankfully they weren't nearly as big as Mare's. He also noticed that he was still powerfully built, just more athletic rather than macho man.
" Am I even still a guy?" He thought, pulling his cloak so he could look down. After a couple seconds he raised his now tomato red face. " Yeah, definitely a guy."
After calming down he changed himself into his black armor, thankful it still fit him. "How the heck am I supposed to explain this to Enri, she's going to think I'm weird." He whined.
[Line Break]
E-Rantel, while as flawed as every other city in the kingdom, stands as the main trading hub for the three kingdoms surrounding it. If someone wanted to get their name out in the world, E-Rantel gave the best chance for that happening.
Three people can be seen walking the streets of the middle district, making their way to the adventurer's guild.
One was the tallest of the group, wearing full raven black adamantite armor. He wore a crimson cape that covered the large pauldrons, along with the two great swords on his back. His walk was refined and regal, as if he was a royalty. Though everything being covered in armor gave an air of mystery to the man.
The next was a girl with dark skin and red hair, she wore a strange cap and white robes. The robes had golden designs lining the cuffs and collar, along with silver armored plating on the shoulders and chest. The robes only reached down to the middle of her shins, showing off the armored boots she wore. The mace strapped to her hip completes her armored cleric look.
The last was leading the group, donning primarily platinum armor with adamantite pauldrons shaped like lion heads. Her lion themed helmet is more open, allowing her face to be seen, unlike her fully adamantite partner. Her left arm has a large shield attached to it, while her sword is sheathed on her back. She wears a blue cape lined with gold, and a necklace tucked within her armor depicting a cross.
"So Momon, you sure you aren't a bottom?" Lupusregina asked, causing Ainz, who is under the guise of Momon, to flinch.
He lets out a sigh, thankful the armor's magical properties still make him sound masculine. "Please stop asking that Lupu, I've already explained this was made by BukubukuChagama." He looked towards Enri, who is the only one keeping her name. She however doesn't look back.
"I've already told you I'm not getting involved, plus it doesn't matter who made it, you still haven't answered her question." Enri said with a shake of her head. "Now please keep quiet about that, I actually want to make a good first impression as adventurers."
They made it to the guild not long after, Ainz deciding to open the door first for dramatic effect. The guild went silent as they watched the three newcomers head to the counter. Enri couldn't help but be slightly intimidated by how strong they looked, as well as the tags they wore. " These guys look really tough, and their tags show just how long they've been doing this. Ainz and Lupu would do just fine with all these adventurers, why was I brought along?"
As the three get signed up as adventurers, he was relieved that Enri knew how to write. " Being illiterate is probably the best way to ruin your chances of teaming up with other adventures." He thought as the clerk returned with three copper plates, giving one to each of them. They left right after since Enri had someone they could go to for their first quest.
[Line Break]
Nfirea Bareare was a simple Alchemist, or at least that's what he likes to think. His grandma Lizzie Bareare is the talent that made their potion shop the best in E-Rantel. Though that doesn't stop her from praising him for his efforts.
One of the things he likes most about his job, aside from the fact that he likes everything about it, is the gathering trips he goes on. The best herbs are found in the Forest of Tob, and the best area is nearby Carne village.
It's something he's never told his grandmother, but he's had a crush on a girl there for a few years at this point. He's always been told that men were meant to be the stone pillar to support their wives and children, but whenever he's seen her work out or pick him up in her strong arms, he can't help the right feeling in his pants. "Enri…" he whispers to himself as he sweeps, so lost in his thoughts he doesn't notice the door open.
"Enfi!"
Nfirea turns his head, not even registering who spoke before finding himself in strong arms once again. Feeling awkward as that feeling returns again.
Ainz and Lupusregina stand in the doorway, watching the boy's face slowly grow redder and redder. The disguised maid simply points at Nfirea as she leans towards Ainz. "He's definitely a bottom."
"Lupu quit it with that!" Ainz scolds in a not so quiet whisper, Lupusregina just laughs as Enri finally lets Nfirea down. She turns to face the two while gesturing to the embarrassed alchemist.
"So this is the friend I was talking about, his name's Nfirea."
He gives an awkward bow, holding the broom as if he's hiding something. "H-hello, it's nice to meet you. I-if you're looking for potions, my grandmother would be better to help you there. Let me go get her." He tries to leave upstairs, but unfortunately is stopped.
"No need to get anything, I could've sworn I taught you better manners." A woman of short stature is seen by the stairway on the second floor before walking down, the numerous wrinkles and slight droop of her face showing the many years under her belt. Nfirea apologizes as she walks up beside him and faces the two, who both finally fully enter the shop. "I'm familiar with Enri from what my grandson tells me, but you two are certainly new, have any names?" Lizzie asks, Nfirea's blush reignited.
Ainz and Lupusregina bow before the former replies. "I am Momon, and the one beside me is Lupu. We are Enri's adventuring partners."
Nfirea just looks at Enri again in shock, now noticing the copper plate on her chest, along with the armor. "You're an adventurer!?" He exclaims, Enri just giggling before replying with a yes. He seems to just get redder at that, politely excusing himself before running to the house section of the shop.
Lizzie just stares at where Nfirea ran off to before just shrugging and turning her attention back to the three. "So what can I help you with? If you're going on a quest a few health potions will go a long way."
Enri gives a slight shake of her head. "We have plenty of potions, we mainly came here to offer our help with herb gathering. I heard the team Enfi usually goes with had moved to E-Pespel." She says, though Lizzie looks towards their plates.
"I appreciate the offer, but your fancy armor doesn't give me much comfort to send my grandson off with copper plates." Lizzie replies, though Nfirea runs back out before she can send the group away.
"Wait! There's another team that's caught my interest, a group of silver plates named The Swords of Darkness. I can hire both teams." He rushes out, Lizzie just looking at him like he grew a second head before letting out a sigh.
"Alright, go hang out with your little girlfriend or whatever. You better bring back more herbs to offset the cost, or I'll have you cleaning out the herbal waste bin with your bare hands!" She shakes her fist at Nfirea as she scolds him, but he looks happy, if not a little embarrassed.
The five converse a bit about the details of the mission, Ainz noticing that Enri hadn't brought up Carne village. He decides not to say anything yet, Lupusregina having the same thought. As they finally get everything figured out, and easier to explain to the swords of darkness, the three adventurers leave.
[Line Break]
Paying for and getting their room was rather simple, dealing with other adventurers however, is not. An iron plate adventurer had stuck his foot out in Ainz's path, it was promptly ignored and lightly bumped to the side.
The adventurer shot up with an obviously fake shout of pain, turning the taller dark clad knight. "Hey what's the big idea, breaking my foot can leave me without work for months." He said, poking the armored chest.
"If that could break your foot you'd be doing everyone a favor." Ainz replied, the adventurer scowled, but began to smirk as he looked at the two women.
"You know, if you give me those two girls for the night, I think that'll heal my foot up just fine." The adventurer grinned, though it immediately faltered as Ainz picked him up by the collar of his shirt. The man was then thrown across the room.
Lupusregina turned to the somehow still conscious adventurer before speaking in a cheery tone. "Trust me when I say this was the better option, I wouldn't have left any bones unbroken." The other patrons shivered at the implications. As the three headed upstairs, a red haired girl holding a potion protectively couldn't help but be curious about them.
[Line Break]
After a nearly obsessive amount of anti-divination spells, Ainz finally relaxes. "That was more stressful than it should've been." He sighed, his voice sounding feminine again. "I'm tired."
Lupusregina just looks at Ainz for a second, a predatory smile stretching across her face. She immediately pounces on him, getting the chest plate pulled off as well after a minute of struggling. Enri just ignores the two, she had already gotten her curiosities about it out back in Nazarick.
"What the heck are you doing!?" Ainz yells with a blush, covering his exposed chest. Lupusregina just places her hand on his abdomen, her fingers sink in just a little. He shivers as her smile somehow gets bigger.
"You're soft Lord Ainz, su~" She teases, lifting her robes up. Everyone else is thankful with the shorts she's wearing, but Ainz blushes as he looks at her much more toned body. "Enri and I have six packs and toned thighs, you're just a soft boy aren't you? Su~" She laughs at how Embarrassed Ainz gets, dropping her robes to look more decent.
"I-I'm getting my own room, I didn't become an undead overlord to get teased like some shota in an h-game!" He says in embarrassment, donning his armor again and leaving as Lupusregina laughs. Enri doesn't turn around, embarrassed about how hot that sounded.
" Maybe I can do that with Enfi?" She thinks, her face growing more red.
Ainz returns a couple minutes later, turns out there weren't any more rooms available. He sits back down, keeping his armor on as he clears his throat. "We should get down to business, we have a quest tomorrow, and a new team to meet." He turns to Enri, who had calmed down. "You know anything about the swords of darkness?"
She thinks on it for a second before nodding. "Yeah, they're one of the more well known adventurer teams. They have the goal of collecting the four swords of darkness one of the thirteen heroes used." She begins. "The goal is kind of impossible though, as Lakyus of Blue Roses has one of the swords."
Ainz nods, "you have anything on the hero who used the swords? The use of multiple dark swords sounds like something from Yggdrasil."
"Nothing on them as one of the thirteen, but it's clear they're a player, The swords are exclusive to the Black Knight class." Enri replies.
The three just sit in thought before Lupusregina speaks up. "Either of you feel anything weird coming from the graveyard?"
Ainz immediately perks up. "I did, it wasn't anything strong so I felt no need to bring it up, but thinking about it now, that could end up being a threat to the city."
"Should we deal with it now then?" Enri asked.
Ainz just shook his head. "Not yet, running in and dealing with a threat no one knew existed would just make people suspicious of us." He brought his hand up to his helmet like he was stroking his chin. "We'll wait and see what happens with it, if it gets too dangerous we'll interfere before anything can come of it, otherwise we let them make the first move."
Enri and Lupusregina nodded in agreement, the three shifting to more casual topics to pass the time. The two living occupants eventually fall asleep, Ainz removes the doppelganger ring and starts planning. Summoning shadow demons and eight edged assassins to watch over the graveyard, the ones not sent were given instructions to protect Nfirea and Lizzie. Enri was obviously in love with him, and Ainz would be lying if he said the boy and his grandma weren't interesting.
[Line Break]
While every city has its share of danger, nighttime in E-Rantel was far more dangerous. Its close proximity to the Katz plains along with its massive graveyard constantly produced undead, which in turn create more negative energy. The increasing amounts of negative energy created more undead along with more dangerous types. Because of how fast it can spiral out of control, adventurers are constantly sent in to cull their numbers. Though there are much more violent individuals that roam the streets.
Clementine was out on a casual stroll, acting as if she wasn't just running from one of the Slane Theocracy's scriptures. A smile on her face, and the blood of some poor man on her black cloak. She easily sneaks past the guards that patrol the graveyard, throwing a pebble at one of their helmets before running off.
She leaps onto branches and tombstones alike, moving too fast for the undead to notice her. She makes it to a large tomb, the undead have cleared out at that point so entry is easy. Heading down the stairs to the catacombs below, it's more obvious that there's been more recent activity here.
At the bottom of the stairs is a doorway to a large room, within resides an old man with some undead skeletons. The man looks sickly pale, almost looking undead. He wears red robes that cover his whole body, and holds a wooden staff that helps him stand along with casting magic.
As Clementine enters the room she allows the cloak to fall back, revealing her athletic figure and scantily clad armor. The armor is mostly copper, made up entirely of adventurer plates. Strapped on her lower back are a few stiletto daggers, each slightly glowing with magical enchants. Clementine herself has blonde chin length hair and red eyes, she also seems to always have a cheshire-like smile.
With the man not noticing her, she begins to speak. "Hello Khajiit, did you miss me?" Her voice is melodic, but carrying a sharp edge as if impatient. The man immediately turns around after, conjuring up a wall of bones as Clementine had launched herself at him with stilettos in hand.
The wall lowers as she backs off, the man letting out a sigh. "I'd be lying if I said I did, what are you doing here? Last I checked you were supposed to be with the black scripture." Kajiit asked, shooing away the two skeletons.
"They do nothing but sit around, I like my fair share of naps, but they're so boring." Clementine lets out a mock whine, her smile never leaving her face. "I got you a little present though, so better keep me entertained." She pulls out a silver tiara with a large black gem at its crest, twirling it a bit before tossing it to the necromancer.
As he catches it, Kajiit only scoffs at the item. "The Crown of the Wise Queen, and just what are we supposed to do with this? It requires years of training to wear, and only women can use it. How'd you even come across this?"
Clementine leans against a wall as she stretches a bit. "As I left the snooze scripture, I came across one of the Miko princesses and took it. Poor girl seemed to really like it from the sounds of her screams, but a bit of playtime was all she needed to quiet down." She spoke as she began to use one of her stilettos to clean her nails. "Plus we have the perfect candidate, the chem boy with the talent. Turns out he can use any magic item, no matter the requirements. Place it on his head, use your little zombie spell, and boom! You get to be a rotting corpse, and I get to kill as many people as I want."
Kajiit only stared at Clementine as she laughed. He knew he was crazy with all the necromancy stuff he does, but she's on another level of insane. He just shook his head, she was useful, that's all that matters.
"Whatever, just find out where the boy is, me and my followers will do the rest." He said, Clementine rolled her eyes, but nodded.
She knew where he was already, but any excuse to visit her old 'friends' was always a good one. Though she couldn't help but feel as if she was making a horrible mistake. After a couple seconds she simply shrugged, what could possibly go wrong?
/Authors Notes/
First chapter of the E-Rantel arc, and my longest to date. Hopefully I'll be able to write even longer chapters, but who knows. Anyway, peace out people