Disclaimer: I Own Nothing

Volume 1: The Pecking Order

Chapter 6

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A.N. (Haven't updated in a while, sorry stuff was going on, but I managed to crank this hunk of junk on out so woo. Hope you enjoy.)

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Ainz was seated at his desk in his tent, drumming his skeletal fingers against the wood as he mused internally.

"I'm free! No work, no nothing! Hahahaha!...Uwahhh, what do I do with this time though? Back on Earth I used all my free time to play YGGDRASIL, but I can't do that now for obvious reasons...So what now? Maybe another walk? Enjoy nature's beauty? No, I already took one today, so I shouldn't. I don't want my sense of wonder to be dulled because I see it all the time...So then what do I do!?"

Ainz was facing this dilemma due to a success on his part. He had recently completed his goal of appointing Vijar as his 'Head Supervisor', and had found two 'Branch Chiefs' to lead the Stone Eater and Zoastia tribes. He had done this so he wouldn't have to deal with all of the work that it took to head the two tribes, and so that he wouldn't be able to be held accountable for any mistakes. It wasn't a good thing to do necessarily, but Ainz knew that as a boss he couldn't be seen as incompetent in front of his 'employees', or subordinates.

However, Ainz had succeeded a little too well, as now he had too much free time then he knew what to deal with.

"I might, just might be thankful if I actually had something to do. Maybe just a small tiny job that would require someone with my salaryman sk-"

Ainz's thoughts were interrupted by a Zoastia messenger barging into his tent. He was panting profusely, and his rough brown fur was matted with sweat.

"My lord! What looks to be a tribal coalition has arrived outside of the village. They are lead by Hectowaizes ah Ragara of the Orthrous himself! Lord Vijar asks for your guidance. What are your orders my lord?"

"I just had to say it. Why me! Why!"

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Khajiit was admiring his new form in the mirror before him.

Last night had been an astounding success for the necromancer, as he had finally evolved into a legendary undead, an [Elder Lich].

The night started well and only got better, for him at least. For the citizens of E-Rantel, however, things became much, much worse. His army of the undead had crashed through the graveyard, killing all the guards in sight, and then proceeded to kill as many of the civilians as possible. They were pushed back by the adventurers, however, Khajiit saw to the end of that, and what fun that was!

He had summoned a [Skeletal Dragon] and had it engage the adventurers. Surprisingly enough, they had managed to kill it, which Khajiit begrudgingly found to be somewhat respectable. But, after he summoned his second dragon, they all fell, and left the city open for him to finish the ritual. And Khajiit wasn't one to leave a gift horse in the mouth, so he made good use of the gift the adventurers gave him, and proceeded to slaughter the rest of the citizens of E-Rantel.

Even his psychotic colleague, Clementine, had fun torturing any who she wanted to. She was, however, a bit miffed that Khajiit didn't let her kill the adventurers. In her own words: "You're such a downer Khajiit-chan~...why didn't you save any of the adventurers for little ole me~? Well it doesn't matter that much, at least you were able to fulfill your side of the bargain. But still...you really hurt my feelings you know? You're such a meanie Khajiit-chan~!"

In the end though, it was a win win for everyone involved. Except of course for the people of E-Rantel, but they were just stepping stones for his ascension, so their opinions really don't matter at all.

Khajiit knew, however, that he needed to leave soon.

This whole situation he brewed up here in E-Rantel would no doubt draw the eyes of the surrounding nations, and there existed the threat of the Slane Theocracy's black scripture being sent in to investigate the situation. Suffice it to say, Khajiit was ready to high tail it on out of here. Plus, the situation he brewed up should provide an excellent distraction for him to make his escape.

And so, Khajiit began to pack what little belongings he had and needed, and prepared to set out toward the nearest of Zuranon's cells.

He did all of this with haste. After all, he was now immortal in the conventional sense, but could still be killed in combat, and Khajiit wasn't going to lose his life so soon after removing the human condition from his future plans.

Plus, Khajiit couldn't die, not until he brought back the only one who mattered in this world.

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Hectowaizes was nervous, very much so. Although, it did feel good to have his theory that Vijar was not the 'top dog' around here be proven true. Why else would he send a messenger to beckon forth this 'Lord Ainz'?

Surely this Lord must be the master of Vijar and the orchestrater of the recent unification of the Stone Eaters and the Zoastia tribes, and presumably the slayer of famed 'White Elder'.

If that was the case, then Hectowaizes would need to be very careful about how he spoke to this lord. After all, he could presumably be the only one who could save his tribe.

"I wonder what this Lord truly is like. Could he be benevolent or cruel? A brute or a master puppeteer? I suppose that I'll have to wait and see."

Hectowaizes' internal thoughts came to brief stop as the gate of the wall began to open.

What came through the gate would take his breath away in both parts fear and awe.

For Death himself, clad in a midnight robe that sucked in all the light around him, and adorned with majestically crafted rings on his fingers, walked through the gate, his red flames in the place of eyes boring into Hectowaizes.

Hectowaizes still could not breathe as the face of Death gazed upon him. Death's visage was one of pure white bone, with no trace of flesh, and gave off an almost divine feeling that clashed heavily with the nature of its being. That is, an undead.

"A-an undead? How? Why does it stand here, not attempting to kill us all?! The undead do hate the living after all...But, if it is intelligent enough to not fall back unto its base instincts, then perhaps I do indeed have a chance to save my tribe."

While Hectowaizes gathered his thoughts and resolve, the other tribal leaders of the demihumans that he brought were still quaking before the creature, no, the monster before them. Even their slight trembles stopped, however, when the monster spoke.

"Listen well, my name is Ainz Ooal Gown, and I am the CE...the master of this village. Now, who are you and Why have you come, and in such numbers? I have been told that demihuman tribes do not usually work together, but perhaps my informant was incorrect."

The monster's voice was a deep, commanding baritone that oozed confidence and authority. If such a voice had belonged to the face of a demihuman, they would have no shortage of willing mates. However, Hectowaizeswas not focused on that at the moment, rather, he was already formulating his response to this Lord Ainz's query.

"I should try for a respectful tone to begin." "Lord Ainz, my name is Hectowaizes Ah Ragara, and I am the least of the Othrous tribe, and with me are the tribal leaders of the Snakemen, the Centaurs, and the Horuner. Lord Ainz, we have come to you to beseech you for your aid, for we face an opponent that threatens all of us." "Masterfully done, if I don't say so myself."

"It is good to make your acquaintance Lord Hectowaizes Ah Ragara of the Othrous, and you all as well Lords of the Snakemen, Centaur, and Horuner tribes. I have heard your plea for aid, but I have no way if what you say is true or not. While certainly hope that you are not deceiving me, respectfully, I do not know you, and therefore do not trust you Lord Hectowaizes."

"Well said, truly I must give credit where credit is due. I have been backed into a corner here. Obviously, someone of his power must already know about the Ashen King and his rampage across the central section of the Abelion Hills, so, it's quite obvious that he is trying to milk us for everything we have to pay for his assistance. A mindless brute this Lord Ainz is not. Truly devious indeed. Normally, I wouldn't trade with another with such unfavorable terms but this is about the survival of my tribe. Their survival is all that matters."

Gathering his resolve once more, Hectowaizes beganto speak again.

"I see Lord Ainz, indeed you do not know me and therefore cannot trust me. So, I promiseto you, for your assistance, everything. The fealty of my tribe and the other three that have traveled with us. I also give mylife to you, for you to use as you see fit. I beg of you, help us against the threat of the Ashen King."

Hectowaizes kneeled with his head bowed and spoke all of this with an expression of desperation on his face while in reality, under the surface, he was practically cheering. "That should do it. My work is done, my tribe will find its salvation with this new Lord."

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"...huh?"

Ainz was dumbfounded.

"I just told him that I don't trust him and therefore wouldn't help him because he could be lying to me. But...he just goes ahead and says that he and his tribe will serve me...Did he not listen to a word I said! Arghhh...Although, that last offer did seem fairly genuine, maybe I could give this ago, however, I'll have to keep a constant watch on him and his tribe along with these other three. After all, while there is a change of him being honest, there is also a chance that he's trying to get me to lower my guard before he strikes. Vijar did say that this Hectowaizes is supposed to be a good general and tactician, so it's not totally impossible...But if he is telling the truth, there's a lot that I can gain from this, at the very least it's more voices to spread the name of Ainz Ooal Gown across the land...I'll accept this offer, but I will be keeping a close eye on this Hectowaizes."

After coming to a conclusioninternally, Ainz began to voice his thoughts.

"...Raise your headHectowaizes Ah Ragara of the Othrous. I accept your offer promise to aid you with this issue and in return you will serve me. Now, come, we must talk about what is to come." He then addressed the three tribes in front of him, "You all may set up camp outside of the walls but be prepared to move inside of them at a moments notice."

At that, the members of the three tribes visibly sagged in relief, while Hectowaizes merely stood and bowed his head slightly once more. Noticeablethough, the three other tribal leaders that came with Hectowaizesdidn't look too happy with how the situation turned out, but they didn't voice any objections.

"...Uwahhh. The work...I can see it pilling upon my desk already... Uwahhh."