Sorry for taking so long! I was working!
(I will edit this chapter in a few hours!)
Chapter 36
The snow looks incredible, and the maid making snow angels seem to enjoy her time. More than anyone there, by far. Yuri Alpha looks at CZ with a smile. She is happy. Yuri thought.
They took their time playing around in the snow while waiting for orders. Watching Cz's angry face as Solution destroyed her snowman. And how Entoma is eating the snow, even though she told her to stop. Yuri sigh happily, she only wishes that all of her sisters were here right now.
Aureole is taking care of helping Albedo overseeing things. Especially all of her sisters. Yuri knows how much her little sister would love to see the snow. Perhaps if I ask our lady, she will allow her to be outside for a bit. Yuri thought.
Lupusregina and Narberal are with her lady, and the mission beforehand is about to become an important one.
Demiurge arrived, and next to him the evil lords are standing there. For the rest, is very rare to see them together. Normally, they are guarding the Underground Volcano and the door of the 8th floor. Or on strange occasions in which Galadriel walks around outside the tomb inspecting things out. They serve as her bodyguards too.
It made them speculate why they are here. Of all places.
"Now please everyone group up, we need to review the plan one more time. Our lady is approaching and failure is not an option. Everyone knows how important this mission is, and how vital it is," Demiurge said with a chilly voice. The Pleiades, Mare, Aura, Shalltear, and Cocytus quickly approached him. Getting ready to move out.
"When our lady arrives, we are going to focus on bringing the hostiles threats to our choke point. They must get inside the tomb so they can witness our lady's glory. But saying that, there are a few of them who are non-hostile to our lady. And that we can use later," Demiurge said.
"Useful? How can they be useful?" Shalltear asked.
"Non-hostile?" Mare said with a confused tone.
"This girl… This human is called the Divine Chant. She is part of a group that worships our lady and has a big following in some part of the Holy Roble Kingdom and Theocracy. Redeem quality for sure, so she will be useful for us," Demiurge said while showing the image of a blonde woman with a devoted face.
"Mm, at least they worship our lady," Solution said with nasty smirk.
"Well, I guess some humans can be smart," Aura said with an annoyed tone.
"Mhmp, they should be grateful to serve our lady," Shalltear huffed.
"Regardless, besides her. The rest of the Black Scripture are expendables. We care too little about who or what can they do. For what we know, they are supposed to be the strongest that humanity can offer, and this girl, Zesshi Zetsumei, is the strongest one of them all," Demiurge said.
Everyone saw the image, the small girl with black and white hair. Strange eye color, and an arrogant smirk. For them, the guardians. She didn't look strong, just another lesser being.
"She doesn't look strong," Mare said.
"She looks as flat-chested as Shalltear," Aura said with a grin.
"What did you say about my breast?!" Shalltear yelled.
"Enough. We do not have time to waste, remember how important this is," Demiurge said, and both of them immediately stop.
"While a fight between both parties is possible, it's not the point of this mission," Demiurge said.
"Now, about the Dragonlord. We do not know how powerful he is, that's why Cocytus and Shalltear will be on standby. We do not know if he possesses a World Item, that's why you both need to be careful around him," Demiurge said.
Shalltear and Cocytus nodded.
"Good, since both of you have a World Item each, remember how important to keep them safe," Demiurge said.
"Our lady is going to fight a powerful demon, to allow the rest of the party to move inside the tomb. This is a smokescreen for our lady to prepare herself. Lupusregina and Narberal will be careful around the dragon lord, and the rest of the Blue Roses. We will push the Black Scripture around, we do not need them to interfere with our lady's plan… But they will be the audience," Demiurge said with a sadistic smile.
"Mare, Aura, both of you will make things harder for them. Don't kill Divine Chant, but you can harm the rest, we need them to spread the word. But you can kill a few of them if they ended up being too annoying," Demiurge said with a smirk.
"We will hurt them badly! But… What do we do with the girl hiding behind them?" Aura asked, looking far away from where the storm is raging. The dark elf could easily see the Black Scripture, and behind them, a tiny figure struggling in the storm.
"Mm, she is harmless. She is part of the audience, nothing more. Showed a bit of power, made them realize how powerless they are," Demiurge said.
"Okay!" Both Mare and Aura replied.
Shalltear huffed, as she will do nothing than just stand there and watch. She wanted to serve her lady. But hopefully, the dragon lord will try to do something stupid. Cocytus is much the same, he is craving for a fight. To battle a strong being and show his lady what can he do.
"Hopefully. I. Can. Fight." Cocytus said.
"You are not the only one, Cocytus," Shalltear said grumpily.
"I believe we are going to see some kind of fight. But nothing terrible, still. Our lady worries about our safety, that's why Sebas and Rubedo are going to be our backup if we face a big enemy," Demiurge said, and everyone muttered.
"Big enemy? What big enemy?" Mare asked with a nervous tone. He didn't like the attention.
"Maybe some Dragonlords will come to assist them, we don't know. But we are covering every possibility," Demiurge said with a gentle smile at the young dark elf.
"That's why I brought the evil lords," Demiurge said.
"We are the guardians of the Great Tomb of Nazarick! There is no enemy we can't defeat!" Shalltear said, and Aura nodded.
For them, the thought of something capable of defeating them is beyond impossible. They simple cannot fathom that idea, the Supreme Beings created them to fight. There is nothing that can change that belief in their minds. But Demiurge knows the truth.
Even he believed that at some time ago, but after having the privilege of talking with his lady a few days ago. And hearing stories about old guild wars. He realizes that at some point, the supreme beings faced strong opponents. Demiurge remembers how worried their lady was about a particular enemy.
Something about the possibility of a World Enemy in this world. Demiurge didn't know what it was, but after reading some records that Pandora's Actor brought him when he asked if he knew anything about World Enemies. And after reading what the supreme beings had to face, he grew worried too.
His lady took the time to write about this incident, and how they face it. For what he understands, back in Yggdrasil. World Enemies were the top monster. Something beyond a normal Player.
The records said that back in their prime. They try to take on the Ten Archangels of the Sephira but failed big time. Demiurge didn't like to think about his lady, or creator failing or being defeated. It is something almost inconceivable to think of. But he was glad to read that they defeated them.
We defeated them! We won against the Archangels of the Sephira! We are the first guild to do it! And it only took nine tries, six months of preparation, hundreds of cash items, and nine hours of fighting. But we did it! Suck on that you shitty devs! It's not our fault that the Devour Of the Nine Worlds was so easy to defeat because of an animation bug that allows us to freeze him every third attack! Fix your game! Dab! Dab! Dab!
Demiurge smiled, remembering the words of his lady. She was so happy and excited. She seems to be younger at the time of this battle, Demiurge wanted to read more of those records. But Pandora's Actor did not allow him to read them. Something about their lady's privacy. And how personal those things are to her.
Demiurge asked him if they defeated the other World Enemies, and he said no. Pandora's Actor told him it was the last time that the 41 supreme beings were together.
He wanted to know more, but Demiurge knew it will be impossible to read the records. Pandora's Actor told him as much. Those records are in the treasury, and only his lady and he can access them. Demiurge understood that. Still, he is curious to know more about his lady's thoughts. To learn more about what happened, and why the supreme ones left.
Demiurge remembers the sudden hostility from Pandora's Actor. The memories of my creator are out of everyone's reach, lord Demiurge. I brought this one, because of how important it is for the safety of Nazarick. But even I don't read them, my lady has entrusted them to me. And I will keep them safe from anyone. Even the guardians. Demiurge sigh.
That's something he can't disagree with. If his lady has ordered him to keep safe, there is nothing he can do about it. But returning to the present, he looks at his peers.
"That's no true," Demiurge said, and everyone gasps.
"In the past, the supreme beings fought stronger opponents than them, and they failed to defeat them," when he said those words. The rest stared at him in disbelief. They were ready to jump out to question him about this, heresy. But he stopped them.
"We can talk about it later, but for now focus on the matter at hand," Demiurge said, and everyone nodded, still in shock.
"Our lady is here," Cz said with her monotone tone pointing at the group walking from the storm and entering the snow side.
"Good, just in time," Demiurge said with a cheerful smile.
"Everyone get ready, we need to make sure everything is prepare! Remember how you should act!" Demiurge said with an excited tone.
"Ah, Demiurge shou-should I use it now?!" Mare asked nervously.
Demiurge turns to where his lady is, and with a huge grin he nodded to the cute dark elf.
"[Elemental Blood storm]" Mare said and pointing his staff at the sky. A light vanished into the heavens, in red and darkness. Like a looming nightmare around the world. For many, this could be a sign of the end of the world, but for the inhabitants of the great tomb of Nazarick. This is a magnificent sight.
"Wonderful! Brillant Mare!" Demiurge said.
"Thank you!" Mare said with a blushing smile.
"Now, let's move out!"
On the ground, while everyone is watching the red sky. Galadriel is staring at the ground, looking at the snow. She suddenly felt melancholy. Something deep inside of her wanted to burst. She felt tears coming from her eyes and quickly avoid looking at the rest.
Galadriel recalled a memory, an old memory of her when she was around seven or eight years old. She was crying because she felt from one swing; the park was really not the best. But there was no other better place for a kid to be. Galadriel, no Suzuki Satoru's mother came running to her.
Oh, sweetheart is okay! Mother is here, don't worry! The voice of her mother is something she will never forget. It was so kind and soft. Her mother took her into her arms, whispering gently words. Like any mother would do to their children.
Mommy, I don't want to go home; I want to stay here! The snow is so pretty!
We have to go home, your dad will arrive home soon. Don't you want to see him?
I don't want to see him! He is mean to you!
Dad is not mean to me, sweetheart. He is just… stress out from work, that's all!
I don't like him!
Suzu, don't talk like that about your father!
Suzu, please just remember that I am here with you, okay? I will always protect you.
Galadriel suppresses memories of her father came flowing to her mind. Now that she is older, she can see how much of an asshole he was. She didn't know why her mother married him. He was always a loser, someone who didn't care for anyone but himself.
Perhaps he got her mother pregnant, and they forced her to marry him. Galadriel never met her extended family. So she can only speculate.
Galadriel remembers the hollow face of her mother, every time the three of them were together. Dinner time was awful, more than she remembers at that age. Her mother gave everything to her, so she could have a good life. But with no more education than just high school under her belt. Her mother struggle a lot.
Every day, she got up at 5am to work. Every day she did miracles with the food. Every day she will smiled at her. Every day, she hid the bruisers of her skin. For Galadriel, her mother was a true supreme being.
And what was her reward? Death. The mental image of her mother passed out on the floor with debt bills in her hand. Broke Galadriel mind. The look of her mother face, how skinny she looked. How sick, and weak. And the screams of her father on the back of her mind. She didn't want to think of that. She is not ready for it. Galadriel was nine when her mother died.
None came to her funeral, no family, not even her father. Galadriel didn't even know where they buried her mother. The most gentle, and wonderful person in her life died alone.
"She didn't deserve that… My… Mom did not deserve that life!" Galadriel thought with angry tears.
Galadriel realizes this is not the moment to think about this. She needs to focus on what is at hand. Galadriel doesn't want to think of her father or she will snap. Galadriel will kill the first thing she looks at. And that is not a good thing.
"My lady?" Lupusregina whispered, she didn't like how her lady stood still for a few minutes. Ignoring everyone. Both Narberal and Lupusregina said nothing about it. Whatever is going on, in their lady's mind, is something they will leave alone. But the rest of the group stare at her, and the Dragonlord looks intrigued. Watching her with keen eyes.
"Is nothing. Nothing to worry about. Just lost in thoughts," Galadriel said.
"We don't have time to lose, lest move," Pandora's Actor said nothing about her lady state of mind. But he is worry, very worry.
As they approached the hill, blood drained from the skies. Like a bizarrage waterfall.
"What is this?!" Lakyus yelled.
"Blood? This is blood? It can't be," Gagaran said.
"[Elemental Blood Storm] This spell by itself does nothing. It's only when you use, [Elemental Blood Wind] and [Elemental Blood Thunder] That becomes a huge AOE damage spell. A good spell, Tier nine if I remember correctly. Mare is really doing a lot of work today, I will reward him later," Galadriel thought, feeling better now.
She needs to sort her feelings later, her mental state is something Galadriel has been ignoring for a long time. But she didn't know where to start.
"I need to think of this later, not right now," Galadriel thought.
"We can wait any longer!" The Witch Queen said.
They moved, and the more they walk, the bigger the hill looked. The red tears from the sky changed the snow, and before long. Everything around them is red. The dragon lord is not liking this at all. Never in his long life, he has seen something like this. Something so wrong.
A horrifying scenario, where the world is ending. And perhaps it is. He didn't know.
Rigrit glared at him, almost in a panic. The old lady has never looked like this. She is afraid. And for what the dragon lord can see, she is not the only one. The dragon lord suddenly stared at the other adamantite team. And there is not a single shred of fear or doubt.
They don't look afraid of this. They are strong or stupid. The dragon lord thought.
"Look at that!" Lakyus yelled, pointing ahead of them. An enormous wall between the trees, hiding a giant door. That looks destroyed.
"Shit! Jaldabaoth entered the tomb! Hurry before we are too late!" The Witch Queen exclaimed dramatically. The moment they wanted to get inside, between them. A giant monster appeared.
Blocking the entrances of the tomb, a demon glared at them.
"What is that?!" Lakyus yelled.
"That's a demon!" The dragon lord exclaimed.
"Pathetic humans! Behold my power!" He roars and from the sky, a huge fireball came crushing.
They avoided the attack as much as they could. But the destruction and the blast are enough to push them away. The dragon lord cursed. Where did this demon come from?! This looks like one of those evil lords from two hundred years ago! The dragon lord thought.
Then, from far behind, they could see another fight. Something on the other side of the hill.
"We aren't the only one fighting!" Gagaran said, preparing herself to attack. The Blue Roses stared at the giant demon. They have never seen such a beast before. Only Evileye and she immediately knew that this is a big problem. Thankfully, they aren't alone.
"We need to move from here, we can't lose time!" The Witch Queen said.
"Well, I don't believe he is going to let us pass forward!" Gagaran said as the group evaded an attack one more time.
The dragon lord moved and attack. His armor and weapons flew around him. And without wasting more time. His attack came, destroying everything around. An efficient attack, but Galadriel notices it is not a powerful one. The demon can shake it off but is clear that it took it by surprise.
"Strong… But not that strong," said the demon.
"You are just another of many I will kill, demon. Just as before," the dragon lord said.
Galadriel will not allow it to happen. She will kill the worm before letting him hurt anyone from Nazarick. Besides, she needs to separate from them and knowing Demiurge, this is the opportunity to do it.
"[Warrior Lesser Strength]" Galadriel whispered.
"[Arcane Fade Walk]"
Everyone saw how she disappeared one moment, and the next one. She cut the demon, pushing him away to the other side. Letting the door unprotected. Everyone stared at her with shock.
They didn't know that the demon is acting. And Galadriel is feeling horrible for pushing him and cutting him like that.
"Leave him to me!" Galadriel said.
"But lady Elian, that's a demon! A powerful demon! You can't take him alone, we need to do it together!" Evileye yelled.
"We do not have time to argue! Leave him to me!" Galadriel replied dramatically.
The earth quivers, another earthquake. And the sky got darker.
"She is right, we can't lose time here! Let's go!" The Witch Queen said.
"Miss Elian, don't worry, I will stop Jaldabaoth! I will save us from this nightmare, and lock this place away," the dragon lord said, and Galadriel looked at him with intrigue. As the demon grumbled something behind the rubble and smoke. The Dragonlord took this opportunity to tell the dark hero about his plan.
"I have an item that will lock this place, hiding it away forever," the dragon lord whispered.
"What kind of item?" Galadriel asked.
"A World Item, something beyond mortals of this world, leave it to me. I will save you," the dragon lord said one more time before leaving her behind.
"This lizard is so annoying! But at least the fool told me he posses a world item, I need to report this and tell everyone to be careful," Galadriel thought.
Galadriel and the demon attacked each other for a few minutes. Making a scene and using many spells just to look cool. Once they were far away. The evil lord of Wrath kneeled before her.
"My lady," the evil lord of Wrath said.
"Wrath, I apologize if I hurt you in our fight," Galadriel said.
"Please my lady, I am but a humble servant of the empress of all of us. If you desire it, I will gladly die for you," Wrath said.
Galadriel sigh, remembering the lore and all of it. The demons are loyal to her to default.
"I thank you, but I will not ask you for that," Galadriel said.
"You are too kind," Wrath said.
"{Albedo are you there?}" Galadriel said, using message.
"{Yes, my lady. We are ready for you.}" Albedo said.
"{Right, I want you to tell everyone that the Dragonlord has a World Item immediately. I do not know what item is, but I want everyone in the highest alert, and so Nazarick too.}" Galadriel said.
"{Understood my lady.}"
"Wrath, I will leave you now. My Doppelgänger will come soon, Demiurge must have told you what you have to do, right?" Galadriel said.
"Yes, my lady," Wrath responded.
"Good, be careful," Galadriel said, leaving Wrath behind.
She appeared below the fake tomb. And Galadriel could hear fighting above her. Galadriel sigh and walk off as she could see Albedo waiting for her. Holding two items with her.
"Albedo, how are things?" Galadriel asked while removing her armor. She will use her World Championship one since is the most powerful outfit she has. Taking the two items, she felt a rush of power in her body.
"Everything is going according to plans, Mare and Aura were able push the Black Scripture to the tomb easily, and now there is inner fighting of sorts going on," Albedo said with a smile.
"No problem with our guests?" Galadriel asked while hearing the battle above her.
"None, the girl named Zesshi Zetsumei is strong. But she is not at the level of the guardians. Mare has knocked some sense into her. Still, the Black Scripture is using all their power to fight Mare and Aura. And The Blue Roses and Lupusregina and Narberal are fighting the rest of the Pleiades and Demiurge. We will intervene if someone who tries to use a World Item," Albedo said with fire in her eyes.
"So is an all against all type of battle," Galadriel said with a small smile.
"I want Cocytus, Shalltear, and Rubedo ready to jump at the Dragonlord if he dares to use that item on anyone," Galadriel said with a nasty face.
"We will destroy him if he dares to use it on you," Albedo said, as her golden eyes glittered in fury.
"Mm, I know you will," Galadriel said. She looked at her items and notices how ridiculous and overpower she will be in a few moments.
"[Bor Soul and Legacy] and [The Master of All Magik]" Galadriel said.
"If only I had these two items back in the day…" Galadriel whispered.
"I wasted so much money on this. And for what? They never came, I wanted to give this to Ulbert and Warrior Takemikazuchi. They would have destroyed some shit up!" Galadriel thought with a sad smile.
"I wasted so much for them," Galadriel said, forgetting that Albedo can hear her.
"My lady?" Albedo asked concern. Galadriel only nodded at her, and softly she kisses Albedo cheek. A slight gesture of love.
"I am fine, everything is alright," Galadriel said, and although Albedo is over the moon by the sudden kiss. She could see the sadness in her lady's eyes.
"Well, I need to get ready," Galadriel said.
"I need to buff myself and take some cash items. Uwah, I hope to not screw it up," Galadriel thought.
As Galadriel is getting ready, above her a battle is taking place. And a certain Dragonlord will soon find the level of power this world has woken up. The curtain will open, and in front of everyone. An empress will emerge.