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

5. Chapter IV: Battle for Carne Village

Chapter IV: The Battle for Carne Village

Damn, she's cute, thought Suzuki.

Realizing he had been staring like a creep, he broke eye contact. He also realized he had still been holding the girl's hand (Oh God, it was the first time holding a girl's hand!) and immediately walked over to Albedo and Shalltear.

He wasn't sure what he was thinking, but Lord Momonga walked up straight, feeling like he did whenever he played the game. He was an Overlord, regal and imposing. True, he was human, but to his servants (and the cute girl he had rescued) he was a Supreme Being and he would not disappoint.

"Alright you two, you know what to do with the prisoners," Suzuki, no, Lord Momonga, commanded imperiously.

"Yes, Supreme One," the two females chorused.

A portal was opened by Shalltear and the prisoners were thrown in, screaming and struggling. Momonga stared at the air where the portal closed and wondered if he hadn't gone overboard with his instructions. Momonga was condemning those men to a fate worse than death.

He glanced at the two girls once again, and steeled himself.

That's what they deserve for trying to kill an innocent child and woman, he told himself. Besides, it is for the good of the Tomb.

And yet, Lord Momonga knew he was just trying to excuse his decisions. The guilt and shame remained in his gut. Regardless, the show had to go on.

He took a moment to stand at the head of the group, chest puffed up and, hopefully, looking imposing. Wondering if he was actually looking the part, he inconspicuously glanced back. To his surprise, the girl he had rescued, and her sister, were kneeling. They were also saying something that sounded like their thanks.

Momonga paused. What was he even supposed to say? It wasn't like they could understand him anyway. Instead, he offered a small smile and turned around with a dismissive wave of his hands as if to say: "it was nothing." Momonga's heart, though, drummed at the thought of that cute girl staring at him.

"Let's proceed," urged Momonga.

"What about those two, my love?" Albedo hissed through gritted teeth.

"Should I send them away too, my Lord?" growled Shalltear.

Momonga frowned at the two females, who were staring daggers at the two poor humans. Why did they sound so jealous? He looked down at his hand, the very same he had helped the girl up with. Ah, that's why.

I am a dolt, mentally sighed Momonga. First step out to rescue a pair of girls and I incur the wrath and jealousy of my servants on them… way to go, Momonga.

Sadly, he hadn't been able to stop himself. That girl was the first human interaction he had in months!

I'll have to make it up to them somehow, Momonga promised to himself. An Overlord should prioritize his own people, not his stupid fancies…

"No," Momonga said. "Let them be. We shall only capture the attacking humans, the Eastern knights. Am I clear?"

"Yes, my Lord!" Chorused the pair.

Rubedo didn't say or do anything other than wait for more orders.

"Albedo, Shalltear, go ahead and assist Sebas and the Pleiades. Hold back if you can and assist the villagers," said Suzuki. "We don't want to scare them with our strength, do we?"

"It shall be done, my Lord!" The two in question shouted.

Momonga opened his mouth to clarify more orders, but it was too late. One moment they were bowing, then they glanced at each other, and competitive sparks jumped from their eyes. The very next moment, Momonga was staring at the back of two eager females that needed to vent out their jealousy and frustrations.

"I want the Eastern Knights alive!" Shouted Momonga.

Momonga sweatdropped as the retreating females said nothing back. Why did he suddenly pity the Eastern Knights?

"Come, Rubedo," Momonga said.

"My Lord," called Rubedo.

Lord Momonga paused and looked at the metal angel, only to notice that the humans were tentatively walking towards them. The older one was holding her sister hand, and she looked unsure. He felt at a loss on what to do.

"Do you want me to subdue them, my Lord?" Rubedo asked, twirling her naginata.

"No, no," Momonga quickly said. He turned to the two girls and tried to shoo them. "No, you should stay put, you two. There is no telling what manner of dangers are out there."

Of course, the two humans had no idea what he was saying, and Momonga's gestures probably weren't that clear either.

Why couldn't I have been dragged to another world like any other isekai where the protagonist doesn't have to worry about new languages? Momonga bemoaned.

"Alright, let us try again," sighed Momonga. "You," he pointed at them. "Stay." He pointed at the ground. "I" he pointed at himself. "Go," he pointed at the village.

The older girl slowly nodded, showing she understood. She looked around, holding her sister closer to her. It suddenly occurred to Momonga that the girl was concerned about more of the Eastern Knights showing up. He mentally smacked himself for not thinking about that beforehand.

Momonga casually glanced at the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown. He felt like he was trading conspiratorial looks with the item.

Time to look impressive, alright? Momonga told the Staff.

The Staff, in response, hummed with power. It actually felt giddy to be of use.

"Alright, time to show off a bit," Momonga chuckled. "[Summon Moonlight Wolf]!"

Much like the first time, wisps of light shot off the top of the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, before coalescing into the shape of wolves. The two girls stared, slack-jawed, and Momonga felt like preening like an idiot.

I guess that's where Pandora's Actor gets his personality, mentally muttered Momonga.

"Alright you lot, five of you protect these two," Momonga ordered, even if all that was needed was a mental command. "The rest, with me."

Five wolves did as told and surrounded the girls. The two looked terrified at first, only to look in amusement as the wolves lazily sat or laid down around them. The little one actually started petting one of the Moonlight wolves. The older one, rather than busy herself with the animals, looked at Momonga and gave her a large thankful smile. It made Momonga's chest swell with strange feelings.

"Now, you stay here, alright?" Momonga softly said.

The girls appeared to understand this time and both nodded at him. Lord Momonga smiled before he turned around with a flair of his robes and as theatrically as possible.

"Let's go, Rubedo," Momonga told his bodyguard. "Let's check on the village!"

---

Londes Di Clamp had thought their mission would be simple. Oh, he had expected difficulties. He and his fellow knights were going to infiltrate the Re-Estize Kingdom and try to lure the most powerful human warrior in the entire Kingdom into a trap. There were many things that could wrong, especially when led by that moron of Belius.

Being crushed and beaten back by some random hot women had definitely not been in Londes expectations.

Things had started well enough, with a coordinated attack on two fronts. First, half the men approached from the front gate, the one that led to the fields and farmland, and were visible at a distance. Once the village had raised the alarm, Londes and the other half of the men attacked from the rear gate, the one that led to the forest (where they had hidden). The stupid infidels never saw the second attack coming, and were thus unable to stop the rear attack from breaching into the village. Once inside, Londes and his men took the still organizing defenders by surprise.

The villagers, the filthy savage heathens they were, had the gall to fight back. That hadn't been a surprise, the peasants of the Re-Estize Kingdom still followed the old ways, especially in the frontier villages. Burly, smelly and unkempt, not like the Six Gods had ordained of humans.

The fighting had admittedly been far more intense that Londes had hoped. However, there was little the heathens could do. The infidels, who had long kept to the ways of humanity before the grace of the Six Gods, didn't use Tier Magic and could only rely on Martial Arts that had been passed down through the generations or shared within the village. With such pathetic equipment as theirs, all the heathens could do was delay the inevitable.

Things progressed a little behind schedule, but eventually Londes and his men slowly started pushing the villagers to the villager center, leaving no men, women or child to escape. There would be no survivors, as their commander, Nigun Grid Luin, had ordered.

Then they had showed up. Those women came from nowhere and shifted the battle against him and his men. Those six females, clad in strange foreign clothes (some absolutely indecent), joined the fray and helped the villagers. It might have been Londes imagination, but the females actually resembled maids, although with uniforms of foreign design.

If that hadn't been bad enough, the females didn't come alone. They were apparently led by this man dressed in uniquely foreign formal attire. His demeanor was that of a servant, a steward even, standing upright and with the utmost elegance. And yet, he proceeded to literally slap the crap out Londes heavily armored men like they were nothing.

Emboldened by their unlikely allies, the villagers pushed back. Those foreign females, whoever they were, were strong. Above all, though, their strengths and abilities were unique and weird. One of them, the youngest by the looks of it, appeared to be a child and had some sort of nature magic that allowed her to summon insects to use as weapons. Another one, another child, had a strange loud ranged weapon. One of maid-warriors held no weapon, but rather fought with her legs and fists, much like the eldest of the lot, who had strange double-monocles, and fought with battle-gauntlets. Then there was the crazy redhead. Of all of them, she was having the most fun, a far cry from the bored-looking black-haired female who could cast lightning.

"What are we going to do, Londes?" Elion, a fellow soldier, asked.

Londes studied the situation and swore under his breath.

The last two dozens of his knights were now the ones surrounded and held back at the village center, right outside the village hall. The surrounding villagers murderously held their ground, pointing their spears, billhooks and any other weapon they could hold onto towards them. Between the villagers, standing like longtime allies, were the maid-warriors and the steward. The saying was true that the unlikeliest of friendships formed in the battlefield.

Londes spotted the village chief, and added another swear. Of all the people they had to fail killing, it was the Chieftain of Carne Village. As the strongest man in the village, the morale of the villagers wouldn't falter until he was defeated. Large, muscular and carrying a long grey beard with twin braids, the man held his bloodied billhook ready to cut their entrails and hang them to dry under the sun… and considering that these people held to the old ways, Londes feared that would be their fate.

Trembling behind him and the circle of brave fellow soldiers, Londes could hear the whimpers of Belius, their alleged captain. He was no doubt terrified, fully aware that the heathens glaring at them would not be merciful.

"Hold steadfast and message Nigun," whispered Londes to Elion. "Tell him we've failed to secure the village and…" he took a deep breath "…and that he should retreat in all haste."

Elion nodded, visibly terrified of his own fate. He stepped back, and allowed a fellow solder to move in front. Then Elion subtly removed a scroll from a small pouch.

Londes couldn't help but keep swearing under his breath. He didn't doubt that Nigun and the Sunlight Scripture could beat the crap out of the heathens and their new foreign allies, but he wasn't so sure how they could handle them AND Gazef Stronoff fighting together, much less with Stronoff's Warrior Troop aiding in the fight. No, this battle was lost and their fates sealed.

Alah Alaf have mercy on my soul, mentally prayed Londes.

"[Message]," Londes heard Elion said.

Londes took a deep breath and smirked. If he was going down, he would at least take one of those heathens with him.

"Well men, it was a pleasure fighting with you," said Londes. "Glory to the Six!"

"Glory to the Six!" Shouted Londes' fellow men, re-vitalized and ready to fight to the bitter end.

They were dead men already, even if the villagers and new allies were yet to attack, but that didn't mean they would give the enemy the pleasure of their despair.

"Oh Gods!" Swore Elion.

Londes, and the other soldiers snapped their heads at Elion. To their horror, the scroll meant to cast the [Message] spell wasn't burning in a bright blue flame. Instead, it was turning to ashes with a sickly red fire. That meant only one thing:

Someone between the villagers had cast a counter spell to block any outgoing [Message] spells.

Londes snapped his head at the gathered villagers. He gritted his teeth as he spotted a woman step from behind the village chief, giving them a sardonic grin. Wrinkled and with white-hair, she had all the appearance of a Wood Witch. Apparently, Londes' men had also failed to kill the most powerful caster and Diviner in the village. Clearly, more than one thing hadn't gone like planned. He was a bit confused by the fact her staff had been burned at the top, probably a sign her Anti-divination wards had been destroyed. Could it have been Nigun or members of another Scripture?

Belius started crying behind the men, earning glares from the knights. However, before anyone could comment, they noticed a commotion from the surrounding enemies. From the direction of the back gate, leading to the Forest of Tob, confused villagers parted aside. To Londes' growing horror, yet more strangers showed up.

"Kn-Knights?!" Elion exclaimed, horrified.

Clad in full armor and giving off the impression some of their gear was no doubt enchanted, the two individuals sauntered towards the knights. Shockingly enough, the two that showed up were women.

Why of all fates did we have to get beated by women?! Londes thought.

That's when he saw their eyes and their wings.

"They aren't human," realized Londes. "That's- that's a vampire! And the other one…" black wings, golden eyes… could she be demon-kin?

Now even the villagers seemed weary, glancing at the newcomers. The Black Knight and the Blood Knight ignored the commotion behind them and calmly walked over to them. The one clad in black raised her brandiche and said something Londes didn't understand.

There was an awkward moment of silence in which Londes and his men had absolutely no idea how to respond. That only appeared to irritate the demoness. She said something else and then-

Londes wasn't sure what happened next. One second he was readying himself, preparing to use martial arts if needed. The next, the Black and Blood knights were upon them. He tried to block, but one hit later and he had was rolling across the ground. When he looked up, he saw one of the villagers ready to skewer him with a pitchfork.

Londes closed his eyes, unable to do anything more, only to notice a blur of movement. To his shock, the formal foreigner (the steward) had almost materialized next to the villager and stopped him from gutting Londes. The villager looked confused but all it took was one stern glare and shake of his head from the handsome man for the villager to reluctantly step back. Londes thought he wouldn't be damned to a horrible death, until his savior turned his glare towards him. That's when he knew he had jumped off the pan and straight into the fire.

It happened all too quickly, but before Londes could get his bearings, he was being tied and sat in front of the village hall, next to his fellow soldiers. From what Londes had managed to gather, those two newcomers, the Black-clad demoness and the Crimson-clad vampire, had managed to disarm and pretty much subdue Londes' comrades, and quite brutally. To Londes' chagrin, Belius had survived.

The village chief sat by the stairs of the village hall, glaring at them. Next to him, the Wood Witch kept that creepy smile of hers. Londes gulped. He had heard rumors that Wood Witches had a habit of using human body parts in their anti-divination wards.

Not far from them, the foreign maid-warriors were all happily talking to each other, next to the man with the formal attire. They seemed to be amused by something. The two inhuman knights joined them soon enough. Differently from the maid-warriors, they sounded annoyed about something.

Londes mentally prayed to his gods. What fate awaited them? And on whose hands did their lives lie on?

---

Lord Momonga had to do a double take at the broken gates to the village. By the scorch marks and the way the gates had been blown out of their hinges, Momonga suspected either explosives or magic had been used to tear down the village's main defenses. The lack of any chemical smells in the air only led him to conclude that, indeed, magic had been used. A fireball had been employed, if Momonga had to guess, at least Tier Three or Four.

And yet the enemy haven't used any such spells or magic inside the village, only at the gates, Momonga noticed, glancing at the explosion-free village. From what we had gathered, they have only engaged with melee weapons and those strange skills of theirs…

He was still surprised by those weird monk-like skills the humans used. According to Demiurge, no New World Goblin, Troll or Ogre used such magic. In fact, the magic of the New World Goblins appeared to be limited to a handful of druidic or necromantic branches, and mid-tier at most.

What is the purpose of this attack? Momonga wondered.

Now that the situation had kind of calmed down and the villagers were probably safe, Momonga finally had some time to contemplate on the attack itself. Sadly, no matter how much he thought about it, Momonga couldn't come up with a clear answer. There was still too little he knew about the situation and both nations to be sure.

He hummed as he studied the interior of the village, past the gate. There were dead people lying on each side of the dirt roads, dead people and hounds. Momonga slowly approached one of the dead dogs.

This was the first time he ever got close to one of those animals. Back on Earth, most people opted cats for pets. Of all his friends, Ankoro Mocchi Mochi was the only one who had a dog, one that appeared to cause only trouble if her exaggerated tales were anything to go by. Truthfully, Momonga had never liked pets; he barely managed to keep plants alive, after all. However, one thing was clear, the village's hounds were no mere pets. They were large, grey and woolly, and all in all scary beasts.

Slowly, Momonga left the body of the hound, gave a sad sigh and approached the next corpse. This one was that of a woman, whose throat had been sliced open. Oddly enough, Momonga was surprised when he didn't get the urge to puke. If anything, he just stared, morbidly fascinated, before looking down after a while, shoulders slumped.

Any sense of glory and excitement he had had during his encounter with the cute village girl vanished, replaced with a whole lot of guilt.

I am such an idiot, thought Momonga. Why didn't I hurry? What made me gallivant in front of those girls? Why didn't I mobilize Nazarick faster?

His gut tightened in knots at the shame he felt.

I could have stopped this, he thought.

But it wasn't my responsibility, a weak voice in his head countered. I am only responsible for the Tomb of Nazarick, and its people.

Momonga gritted his teeth and glared at his feet.

All my life I have complained about the unfairness of the world I was born into… I resigned myself to live in it knowing I could change nothing from it, Momonga thought. I now am in an entire New World, with incredible unique powers…

…which you need to use responsibly and for the sake of the Great Tomb, the same pesky voice of before retorted.

Momonga looked at the dead woman once again.

That woman was probably the mother of someone, the daughter of someone else… she might have been a sister, a wife… and now she is but a corpse…

Suzuki felt utterly depressed as he was reminded of his own poor mother. The woman who loved him so much and yet died from being overworked. If he could remember him, perhaps Suzuki would have thought about his father, but all he ever had was his mother. Even then, Suzuki's memories of her were rather distant, and had long started to fade, much to his sadness…

Lord Momonga glanced at his Staff. The Staff, in turn, responded with a wave of power rushing into him. He closed his eyes and focused on the sensation, finding comfort and balance in the Staff's power. When he opened his void-like eyes, the fires within burned with intense determination.

"Rubedo, contact Pandora's Actor," Momonga commanded. "Tell him to bring the [Tolling Bells of Fate] to Albedo at the village center."

"As you command, my Lord," mechanically said Rubedo.

Momonga took a deep breath and looked at the heavens, thinking of his guildmates and friends.

I know you won't like me using such items so carelessly, my friends, but today, I've decided to be one massive selfish asshole and do as I please this one time, he thought.

"It has been done, my Lord," Rubedo said with a bow.

"Good," Momonga replied with a nod. "Then let's go to the village center. Albedo and the others are probably wondering where I am, no doubt."

From his inventory he pulled out the same necklace he had used to fly with Pandora. Rubedo, in turn, stretched her wings. Together, they flew upwards, and towards the village center. Down below, Momonga took in the devastation caused by the attack. There were dead horses and villagers spread within the village walls, and there were a handful of houses that had been lit aflame. Even if the attack had been swift, the damage had been extensive.

When Momonga spotted the village center, he felt a small amount of satisfaction at the large group of captured Eastern knights. He took a moment to regain his bearings and slowly descended, trying to keep up the look of a mighty Overlord descending to the mortal realm. A smirk crossed his face as he heard gasps of the villagers and he noticed their looks of amazement.

"My Lord!" Albedo and the other NPCs greeted, going to their knees.

"Rise and stand proud, my servants," said Momonga, glancing at the captured Easter Knights.

He felt no shame in seeing their horrified faces when they noticed his void-like eyes. Let them fret and worry, for their fates had been sealed. The villagers, sadly, seemed equally wary of Momonga. The leader, one of the most muscular men Momonga had ever seen, frowned in concern and clenched his weapon (and odd mix between a hook and a spear).

"You've done well," Momonga told his servant, ignoring the humans. "How difficult were these Knights?"

"Oh, they were super easy, Supreme One, barely an inconvenience!" Said an excited Lupusregina. She had a most adorable look of joy.

"We were all shoosh – and blam – and then it was all over!" Entoma chirped in.

Much like a child, she seemed unable to contain her own excitement, jumping up and down. Her sisters all chuckled before Yuri Alpha placed a hand over Entoma's shoulder. That was all it took for the youngest of the Pleiades to calm down. Momonga, on his part, approached the shorter battle-maid, amused by her antics.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" Momonga asked.

"Yes, it was real fun, my Lord!" Said Entoma with that child-like voice of hers.

"We are thankful we – the Pleiades sister - have finally been tested together in battle, my Lord," said Yuri Alpha, with a small smile and a blush.

The other Pleiades all held proud smiles.

Right, this is the first time the Pleiades and Sebas have ever fought together, realized Momonga. No player or enemy NPC had ever made it past the Eighth Floor of Nazarick, after all.

Looking at them, Momonga couldn't help but feel like he was seeing a group of children finally allowed to leave home to play. It was a stupid notion, particularly when he reminded himself just how powerful and dangerous they all were. Still, Momonga wondered how emotionally scarred they were due to the abandonment of their creators. Did they all find solace in their service to him or did they despair each day knowing their beloved creator might never return?

Momonga remembered his conversation with Shalltear earlier that morning, when she had interrupted his talk with Albedo. She had been oddly bold for an NPC, going as far as walking a thin line close to forgoing his command, all in order to spend more time with him and to get Momonga to be proud of her work.

For all their strength and stats, deep down, they are immature and emotionally affected by their new sudden living states, Momonga summarized. The joys of being an Overlord: to be one big father figure for apocalyptic armies…

Still, Momonga promised himself he would care for them, and help them grow. Now that they were alive, he would assist them mature to match their bodies. It was time to show how much he appreciated their service. A good Overlord, after all, had to reciprocate to the loyalty and service his servants.

"I am glad to hear that, Entoma," Momonga said.

Before he could even think about it, he raised a hand and patted the child-like creature. It was as he gave her a couple of pats he realized what he had done and froze. Only then did it dawn on him he had just patted a monster with a near insatiable hunger, who enjoyed the flesh of humans and was voracious to a creepy degree. Momonga looked at Entoma, whose mask made her look like she truly enjoying the touch, and cute. The rest of the NPCs, on the other hand, stared longingly… except Albedo and Shalltear. Those two had more intense desires etched in their eyes.

Momonga silently cursed Genjiro for making Entoma so deceptively cute.

Shit, I did it again! Swore Momonga. I need to think before I act, damn it!

"Oh, can I get a pat too?" Pleaded Lupusregina Beta.

"Lupusregina Beta, do not pester the Supreme One with such childish requests!" Admonised Yuri Alpha.

"Awww," pouted the red-haired battle-maid.

"I…" Momonga choked out.

Something about the redhead's pleading face reminded Momonga of a puppy, and a very adorable love-hungering one at that. Momonga hated being such a pushover, but he couldn't help but feel the urge to follow through her request.

Damn it! I need to be really mindful of what I do! Momonga mentally swore.

The aspiring overlord shook his head and steeled his nerves. No, he had taken a course of action and he would be damned if he didn't stick to it! Thus, mustering the courage he proceeded to pat Lupusregina's head.

"I don't mind," Momonga managed to say. "But let us not make it a habit, alright?"

"Yay!" The redhead exclaimed.

And just like that, the young woman looked like a dog being petted by her master. He was, technically, doing pretty much that. It took him longer than it should to remember she was a werewolf. Oddly enough, Momonga didn't seem to mind. That face Lupusregina was pulling was absolutely adorable, especially when Momonga's pats turned into scratches. She sure liked those, to the point she started humming.

"Now, enough frivolities," Momonga said with his overlord voice.

He almost blushed with embarrassment when he realized he had forgotten about all of the humans present, staring at the interactions with wide confused eyes. Even the Eastern Knights seemed to have forgotten they were prisoners of war just to stare dumbfounded at them. Momonga decided to ignore the humans a bit more, only to find that his servants all seemed eagerly waiting their own rewards. Momonga felt absolutely ashamed the look Albedo in particular was giving him.

I'll have to give Albedo ten dates after that… and maybe hand-holding rights? Yeah, that isn't too far, right? And it will keep her happy… oh god, I sure hope so. And Shalltear… god-damn you Peroronchino! Why did you have to make her want me too? And what about the rest? I have to think about giving them some kind of reward too or I'll look like I'm giving them preferential treatment! Maybe something to remind them of their creators? Momonga pondered.

In the end, Momonga decided to do what he always did in such a situation: set aside the issue for the time being.

A question for another time and a problem for Future Suzu- I mean, Future Momonga.

"W-worry not, my faithful servants, your actions today shall all be rewarded correspondingly," Momonga said.

That seemed to calm (and excite) the NPCs.

"But my Lord, we merely followed your instructions, as it is our purpose," Yuri Alpha said.

"Regardless, I believe rewards are long overdue. An overlord, after all, should always reward good results," Momonga replied. "In any case, Sebas, did any Eastern Knights manage to escape?"

"I am afraid so, my Lord. I estimate no less than twenty, those mounted and who appeared to be patrolling the outer walls in pursuit of retreating villagers, Supreme One," Sebas reported.

"Then Cocytus and Victim won't have much of an issue capturing them all," said Momonga.

He turned to the humans, who had all gathered together in front of the large village hall. The humans, Momonga noticed, kept a wary distance, shooting furtive glances to the Pleaides and Sebas, while frowning towards him. They seem particularly wary of Shalltear, though.

Momonga studied the peasants. They were admittedly different to what he envisioned average farmers to be like. They looked a lot tougher. In fact, considering what they witnessed and lived, they seemed to be handling themselves surprisingly well.

"Albedo," Momonga called.

"Yes, my love?" Albedo replied.

"What are the estimated casualties?" Momonga asked.

"Near complete obliteration of the attacking force, roughly more than one hundred Eastern knights. Half the villagers had been killed," Albedo replied.

Momonga felt like a moron once again regarding his failure. He should have acted sooner. His hesitation had cost him innocent lives.

Rubedo, and the NPCs, all tensed and looked to a side. When Momonga turned in that direction, he saw who appeared to be the Chieftain approach. Still a good distance away from Momonga, the elder villager stiffly bowed down and said something in the human tongue. Although it was impossible to tell what he was saying exactly, Momonga could easily understand when he was being thanked for something. He did notice, however, that the man was still clenching his weapon and looking tense.

Wise, thought Lord Momonga. He doesn't know what I want or if I am any better than their current attackers.

Lord Momonga gave his friendliest smile and a simple bow as if to indicate he didn't have any ill intentions. The elder didn't look convinced. Neither did the other warriors, and especially not the weird-looking hag that squinted at Momonga. She was the depiction of witches of old, in Momonga's mind.

Why do I have the feeling this village isn't like that of your typical isekai? Grumbled Momonga. Because of course it couldn't be that simple… it had to be different and probably a lot harder to understand.

It was in that moment that a void-portal opened and the villagers all raised their weapons, pale and fearful. The NPCs responded in kind. Suddenly, both sides were ready to engage the other. Momonga, on his part, groaned and ordered the NPCs to lower their weapons. The villagers didn't follow suit.

Instead of his goofy creation, Momonga saw a nightmare personified walk out. Covered in long raven-black robes, and with a hood blocking most of his face, he held a bandolier in his skeletal hands that looked made of leather and consisted in seven connected pouches, each pouch being larger from left to right. Hanging on his back was a scary scythe made of silver metal and carrying a black aura. Momonga stared at the figure, scratching his head.

"Pandora, is that you?" Asked a baffled Momonga.

"Ja! I mean, yes, my Lord," the NPC responded, trying to keep a deep scary voice.

Momonga had to lean forward to get a glimpse of Pandora's Actors hooded face. He sighed, exasperated.

"Why are you in my Avatar form, Pandora, and what's with the get up?"

"For drama, mein Schöpfer!" Exclaimed Pandora in his usual voice and flailing an arm, only to quickly try to act serious. "I apologize, my Lord, but I thought you wanted me to give quite a show, especially if you are going to use the [Tolling Bells of Fate]."

He wasn't wrong. Momonga just didn't consider Pandora's Actor would try to make it look like the Grim Reaper himself was delivering the bandolier. Then again, he kind of understood the poetic imagery of it all, considering the item in Pandora's hands. Momonga glanced at the villagers. They all stared with wide terrified eyes.

Huh, maybe Pandora's Actor is onto something, thought the overlord. He wasn't going to deny he did love his own theatrics at time, or staying in character.

"You know me a lot better than I thought," mused Lord Momonga. "Alright, let's play this right."

"Yes, my Lord," said the skeleton.

He knelt before Lord Momonga and held the bandolier to his master. Momonga took the item and put it on. He tentatively touched the [Tolling Bells of Fate], and felt its power. Hesitation echoed across his body. Was it right to use it?

Now is not the time to hesitate, Momonga thought.

"M-My Lord, is that what I think it is?" Asked Albedo. "You don't intend to use such great item with such worthless lifeforms, do you?"

"Why, Albedo, I actually do," said Momonga with a smirk. "This is a perfect opportunity to test a couple of things, after all."

"But, my Lord!" Protested Albedo.

Momonga sighed and shook his head. Albedo immediately bowed her head in submission.

"I've made my decision," Momonga said, mostly to himself.

He looked at the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown.

I'm going to need your help for this, alright? Momonga mentally told the Staff. The item, in turn, emanated power as in response.

"Alright, let us do this," Momonga said. "If any the villagers try to intervene, stop them but don't kill them. Alright?"

"Yes, my Lord!" Chorused the NPCs.

"Let's hope this works," sighed Momonga.

He proceeded to open each pouch and draw out a bell. After he tolled the bell, he released it, and allowed it to remain floating, a sign a spell sequence had been engaged. Each time a bell was tolled, the sound grew stronger, and a white light started to glow from each of them, growing stronger each time.

It was a good thing Momonga recalled the correct order, or else the spell of the item wouldn't be able to be cast or worse. As with most World items, the Shitty Devs had decided to complicate things and add weird mechanics to their usage. In the case of the [Tolling Bells of Fate], it had seven different functional spells, each activated based on the sequence. Only one spell was beneficial, while the other six were plain awful, like an area instant-death for everyone including the caster.

Of course the Shitty Devs underestimated Tabula's obscure knowledge and Punitto Moe's strategizing, so Ainz Ooal Gown were perhaps the first wielders of the World Item to unlock the correct spell. It did help they managed a way to create alternative accounts through illegal IP-switching of their full dive-system to give the World Item a thorough testing beforehand.

Finally, with seven bells tolled, Momonga raised one hand to the sky and clenched the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown.

Now, help me cast the spell over the dead villagers! I need the spell to reach as far as possible, Momonga told the Staff.

It thankfully seemed to understand and responded with a wave of power.

"[Tolling Bells of Fate]!" Shouted Momonga.

In that moment, he felt the bells reverberate across his entire being: the power of the World-Class Item. He found it exhilarating. Then, as if responding to the power coursing through his veins, Momonga felt the Staff echo back with warmth of its own. Momonga gasped, feeling a rush of unimaginable power. Momonga knew right then and there, that what he was about to do was going to work.

This is the power of a World Item in real life?! Momonga thought.

It suddenly struck Momonga how the [Throne of Kings] had never had such activation. In fact, now that he thought about it, it never showed any similar activation, not even like other World Items. It was a stray thought, one borne from the ecstasy of power, yet it rooted itself in Momonga's head.

Could it be that we – Ainz Ooal Gown - never unlocked the [Throne of Kings]'s true power? Momonga wondered, mystified.

He shook his head and focused on the task at hand.

Now is not the time for that! Focus on not screwing up, Momonga! He mentally shouted.

"[To whom do the bells toll?]!" Casted Momonga.

There was one final GONG and, suddenly, the bells exploded in a light that swept outwards in every direction. The villagers gasped and cried at the brightness, while the NPCs didn't react at all. When the wave of light faded away, Momonga remained in position, his heart beating.

Did it work? Lord Momonga thought, trying not to show his fears.

Seconds passed, and the villagers stared at him, growing warier by the second. The tension was growing, and the NPCs seemed to be growing impatient with the humans daring to threaten their lord. Just when Momonga feared that the World Item had failed, someone released a loud cry in the crowd of villagers.

Everyone snapped their heads to see a crying woman rush to a man that was walking towards the group. The man in question had a large cut on his bloodied clothes, but no injuries. Above all, he looked absolutely confused and baffled, even in the arms of the woman. The villagers stared, slack-jawed.

Does that mean it worked? Momonga hoped.

Another person approached from the road, looking around in confusion, it was a teenager and he was quizzically holding his throat. Then a woman and a child walked to the village center, only to run to one of the gathered warriors. The warrior in question dropped his weapons and hugged the woman and child.

Momonga grinned and felt a wave of relief wash over him.

One by one, once dead villagers walked from wherever they had died, all sharing the same mystified and confused look on their faces, towards the village center, where they would greet the ones who had survived. Momonga smiled as families were reunited, husbands embraced wives, mothers and fathers held onto their children. By that point, every villager had dropped their weapons and forgotten all about Momonga. Some even set out to look for their own families, probably in hopes of finding them alive.

Then there was a scream, one that pulled Momonga and the NPCs in high alert.

Momonga thought something bad had happened, before someone jumped on one of the men who had just wandered in, next to an equally confused woman, both baring cut bloodied clothes. No, not just one person: two girls to be exact. Lord Momonga, and the villagers, relaxed and even chuckled as father and mother were reunited and pulled into a group hug by sobbing daughters.

It was the cute peasant girl Momonga had first met, next to her little sister.

Momonga stared at the reunited family. He glanced at the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, feeling the staff's amusement. Was it actually teasing Momonga?

You know, at times I think you are a bit too cheeky. Now, shush you! Don't ruin the moment, Momonga told the Staff.

A strange feeling swelled in Momonga's chest. His heart felt ready to burst at the sight of a now tearful father strongly embracing his daughters. The man cried quite louder than even the woman with reddish brown hair next to him. With the entire family reunited from the ordeal, Momonga turned his attention to the rest of the villagers.

Looking around the village center, a similar sight played around as families reunited and found joy in each other's arms. This was such a surreal sight for Momonga, who had never seen so many happy families under a clear sun and fresh unpolluted air…

He looked up, smiling at the heavens. He knew his friends would have been proud of him. Except Punitto Moe. That guy who have admonished Momonga most severely for his lack of discretion. The thought actually made Momonga chuckle sheepishly.

It was as Momonga chuckled that the cute peasant girl he had rescued remembered his presence and pushed herself from her father's embrace. Momonga noticed someone approach when Sebas and Yuri Alpha stepped in front of him. When he turned towards the girl, she was on her two knees, bowing. And crying. Tears were wetting the ground.

She was trying to say something, but it came broken and undecipherable, even in her foreign tongue. Clearly, the blonde girl was overwhelmed with emotions. The other villagers, however, listened and appeared to understand what she said.

Lord Momonga wasn't sure when it happened, but just like that the entire village was on their knees, thanking him. Momonga found it rather embarrassing, to the point he blushed and avoid looking straight at the villagers. For the first time in a long while, Momonga was content, proud even.

As all good things, nothing lasted forever.

"Ah, what clever scheme, my Lord," Albedo said with a smirk.

Scheme? Wondered Momonga, turning to the demoness.

He had failed to notice that the Floor Guardians and Pleiades were standing behind him, waiting for further instructions.

"I still don't understand what the point of all of this is," huffed Shalltear, who glared at the sun.

"Perhaps you merely need to pay attention," Albedo said.

Momonga could almost hear the smirk on her face.

"Our Supreme Ruler has ensured an initial foothold on this world outside the Tomb, and, most importantly, a population of humans for future use. We will no doubt be able to approach these humans to learn more about them," Albedo explained. "Not to mention we have acquired prisoners for experimentation and studying all while gaining a favorable reputation with another human faction."

That sounded way to Demiurge-y for my liking, cringed Momonga.

He had to remind himself that while Demiurge was definitely the most terrifying demon in regards to atrocities committed, Albedo and many other NPCs weren't that far behind. Albedo was more than just a pretty face, after all.

The other NPCs all stood amazed at the explanation. Momonga on his part sweatdropped. If only he had put that much thought into rescuing innocent villagers. Albedo did have a few good points, however.

"Quite right, Albedo," said Momonga, clearing his throat.

The Overseer preened at that.

"Alright, enough standing around," Momonga called. "Pandora's Actor, Pleiades, take the Eastern knights, dead or alive, to Nazarick."

"Mein Schöpfer, may I make a suggestion?" Pandora's Actor asked.

"Of course," Momonga said.

"Since we are giving quite a show already, why not add to your image as the almighty Supreme Being?" The doppelganger offered.

"Oh?" Momonga raised an eyebrow. He was quite in the mood to pull quite a show for the villagers. "What do you have in mind?"

"Oh, you know, mein Schöpfer, how about demons dragging these prisoners through portals? The imagery would be quite something!" An excited Pandora's Actor said.

Momonga's first instinct was to cringe at Pandora's Actors goofiness. However, he quickly found himself grinning instead. Oh, Pandora's Actor sure had gotten Momonga's flair for theatrics, that's for sure.

"Not a bad suggestion," chuckled Momonga. "Albedo, contact Demiurge. Tell him I want his Doom Legionnaires to take the prisoners."

"My Lord, won't that terrify the villagers?" Sebas wondered.

Momonga glanced at the still prostrating humans. He had the strong impression they already believed him to be some sort of god.

"Perhaps, but they have already witnessed the lengths of my kindness and mercy. I think it wouldn't be so bad to give them a display of my retribution either," Momonga said.

At least, I hope I don't go overboard, mentally prayed Momonga. Still, it wouldn't be bad if the villagers were both part amazed and terrified of me… I can't be too approachable for the people outside Nazarick... last thing I want is a bunch of humans seeking me out…

"Quite right, my love," purred Albedo.

"That's our Supreme Master," cooed a blushing Shalltear.

And thus, a small show was played out. Truth to be told, Demiurge was quite the actor. He appeared ahead of a group of demons, all of which shocked the villagers. Demiurge first went to Momonga and, much like Pandora's Actor, knelt, making it obvious to the villagers who this one demon served. Then, he made it a point to have his Doom Leggionaires, in all of their terrifying glory, slowly drag the shouting and crying Eastern Knights across the gate-portal Demiurge had come from.

"Before you do anything, I want the prisoners betted, Demiurge. If they remain somewhat brave enough in your presence or that of your demons, give them to Cocytus to test their strength in combat in the Sixth Floor arena. Otherwise, I want them interrogated," commanded Momonga.

"It shall be done, my Lord," Demiurge purred. "These lower lifeforms will have the honor of benefitting the great Tomb of Nazarick in this day."

Momonga winced at that, getting flashes of previously committed war crimes.

"Oh, and don't get too carried away, alright?" Momonga shyly pleaded.

"Of course, Supreme One!" Gleefully exclaimed Demiurge. "I will make sure to extend their suffering before they expire!"

That's- that's not what I meant, bemoaned Momonga.

By the happy sway of his tail, Momonga felt the Archdevil was excited to get started.

When he looked at the villagers, Momonga was definitively baffled by the variety of responses to seeing the demons. There were those terrified and close to fainting, those who stood rooted in place, staring with morbid fascination, and then those who seemed pleased by the fate of their attackers. The village chief and the hag, he noticed, were in the latter category.

With the Eastern Knights taken and the dead resurrected, Momonga pondered what to do next. His eyes went towards the apparent village chief. He was currently engaged with what appeared to be his own family. Just as he thought of approaching the man, a certain girl stepped in front of him.

It was the cute peasant girl again.

Momonga glanced at the intimidating NPCs close behind him, a certain female pair of which were ready to cut the girl into pieces. And yet, the peasant girl remained unfazed and actually smiled at him.

So... she's cute and brave, thought Momonga, impressed.

She said something, but Momonga could only smile and awkwardly scratch his head. The girl gave a sheepish smile of her own, before she pointed at herself.

"Enri," the girl said. "Enri Emmot."

Oh, she wants to know my name! Momonga realized with wide eyes. Another part of his mind, though, was going overdrive: a cute human girl is actually talking to me!

He pushed his emotions down and puffed up his chest. He pointed at himself and was about to say his name, when he paused. Was it right to use the name of Momonga? It sounded weird and, truth to be told, a bit silly. It was like going by the name Touch Me or Bukubukuchagama. Not bad for a username in some massive MMORPG, but not exactly a name Momonga would give anyone. Names like Tabula Smaragdina and Ulbert Alain Odle had a far better ring than Momonga.

A better name crossed his mind, a name that made him grin.

"Ainz Ooal Gown," said Momonga.

The girl blinked, only to scrunch her face.

"Ans… Uhl… Gone?" The girl repeated.

Immediately, Sebas and the NPCs bristled at the bastardization of the name. Yuri Alpha actually looked like she was about to have a stroke while the others were more akin to predators ready to pounce on a tiny mouse. Momonga, though, just laughed. It was a good first attempt, all things considered. He raised a hand to placate the NPCs and repeated his new name.

"Ainz," said Momonga, loud and clear. "Ooal – Gown."

Enri smiled and tried again.

"Ainz Ooal Gown," she said.

Momonga nodded and the girl beamed. Before they could try anything else, Enri's little sister rushed towards Momonga. He raised a hand to his NPCs, knowing they would have never allowed a human to touch him. The girl, thankfully, was held back by an embarrassed Enri. That didn't dissuade the excited child.

"Nemu!" She exclaimed, pointing at herself.

She said something else, but Momonga could make out the name "Nemu" over and over again. If Momonga had to guess, she was probably saying something in the lines of "my name is Nemu!" or "say my name now: Nemu!"

"Nemu Emmot?" Momonga said with a raised eyebrow.

The child squealed in delight, making Momonga and Enri chuckle. And thus started Momonga's stay at what he later learned was the village of Carne.

---

Although he had already gotten a strong impression about her, Lord Momonga quickly decided Enri Emmot was, by far, one of the bravest humans he had met. That or she was a bit oblivious to people's feelings, particularly a rather jealous pair of Guardians. It was only Enri Emmot, after all, who had the courage to give Lord Momonga a tour and actually try to engage with him in a conversation. It wasn't as if the village chief and the old hag hadn't tried, but those two were clearly still a tad apprehensive of Momonga and his entourage.

While most of the villagers went to their homes and started their repairs, Enri, Nemu, their parents and the village chief, accompanied by a couple of warriors, guided Momonga and his group around the village. From the looks of it, Enri and Nemu both wanted to remain close to Momonga and their parents were having a hard time convincing them to do otherwise. Momonga, on his part, didn't mind being taught the human tongue by the enthusiastic cute girl.

Much to the annoyance of the NPCs, Momonga was told the names of a handful of villagers as well as the words of various things, from those meaning "cottage" and "village", to "king" and "knight". Momonga was surprised he could remember so well everything he was taught, although one glance to his rings told him the reason behind it. Much like when reading complicated texts, it sure helped having a crazy amount of extra Intelligence and Wisdom that probably translated in a high cognitive ability.

God, he loved his gear.

By late afternoon and early evening, Momonga was proud to have mastered quite a good lot of words, enough at least to begin talking with other human villagers aside from Enri and an excitable Nemu. It was kind of hilarious how those two girls seemed so attached to him when every villager purposely gave him a wide berth and warily eyed him.

With what he had managed to learn, Momonga tried to ask what the purpose of the attack could have been. It took almost five minutes for the people of Carne to understand, but when they did, it took even longer to understand the answer. From what he understood from the chief, their best guess was that the "Baharuth" (whatever that was) wanted to kill them. Enri and her family seemed skeptical of that, but Momonga didn't understand why, no matter how much they did gestures and repeated whatever words Momonga had managed to learn.

At times Momonga felt like he was playing a game of charades with the villagers. It was funnier to hear the NPCs guesses. Still, Momonga didn't remember having that much fun and being so relaxed in the last weeks. It was nice to take a nice stroll outside the tomb, next to a cute girl… if only he could have a far smaller escort that didn't include the village chief and his warriors.

"My Lord," Albedo abruptly interrupted, holding a pair of fingers to the side of her head. "Cocytus reports riders approaching the village."

Momonga frowned. "Enemy reinforcements?"

"No…" Albedo said, taking a moment to concentrate on whatever they were telling her from the other end. "They carry a red and black banner with some kind white rune at the center. By their description, their armor looks different from the Eastern Knights."

Momonga was confused by that, only to realize what that meant. That must be the response of the locals against the invaders. At least, he hoped that was the case. He turned to the village Chief and Enri.

"Horses. Swords. Men," Momonga said in the foreign tongue, pointing at the distance.

The village chief was confused a mere second before he looked grim and concerned. He then got right into action, shouting to the others. The village broke into chaos as everyone hurried from here to there. The men, and even the women, picked their weapons. Momonga didn't like their odds if these newcomers were enemies: the village had lost its protective gate and the people were no doubt tired and anxious from their experience.

The chief must have shared Momonga's thoughts for he guided him and his escort to the village gate. The warriors manned the walls, bows and spears in their hands. Enri, much to her parents chagrin, decided to stick with Momonga (seriously, that girl had balls to stare down both the beefed up chieftain, the crooked witch-looking woman AND her parents, combined). Lord Momonga wished he had her guts when dealing with the Tomb of Nazarick.

In any case, Momonga decided to stand next to the village chief at the gate, with Enri in between. Poor Nemu, differently from Enri, wasn't large enough not to be dragged away by her parents.

"Should I summon Cocytus, My lord?" Albedo wondered.

"No," Momonga decided. "I don't think these humans are enemies…"

Not that he would need Cocytus or any additional forces. He strongly believed the ones he had were more than enough and, if push came to shove, Momonga still had quite a few tricks under his sleeves… tricks he was quite eager to test himself.

As the incoming riders approached, his suspicions were proven correct when one of the villagers shouted something and all the warriors relaxed, the chief included. A bit. By the sounds of it, they had spotted the banner, and it was thus a friendly force. Or a deceitful move.

In any case, Momonga was proudly standing with his escort while the riders approached. He asked Albedo, Shalltear and an extremely reluctant Rubedo to hide with most of the Pleiades, something they protested vehemently. It wasn't such a good idea to be so far away from those two, but Momonga knew Yuri Alpha and Sebas Tian, the two most human looking and collected of the NPCs, could get him away to safety if needed. He didn't want to encourage the incoming riders to attack them because there were monsters in their midst after all, especially after one of said monsters was apparently recognizable.

Momonga still wasn't sure how it came to be that the Eastern Knights and villagers could recognize Shalltear as a vampire, or at least that's what she claimed. More confusing, however, was how they actually used the term "Vampire", as in the English word itself, rather than an alternative. The fact Enri and other villagers didn't know about "succubus" when they asked about Albedo only added to the confusion.

Could the villagers have met a Vampire player? Or were there autochthonous vampires, like a New World equivalent? Like most things, Momonga could only guess.

These riders, he noticed, were different from the knights of Baharuth. They wore chainmail and hauberk beneath simple metal plates strapped to their chests. Their helmets looked of Normand design and they all carried spears and large round shields. Swords, maces, axes, bows and who-knows-what else were attached to the saddles of their horses or on their backs if not their hips. All in all they were an intimidating bunch, men with wide-shoulders, grim faces and scars on their skin.

The leader of the newcomers bid his men to slow down at a good distance, probably noticing the villagers on the walls. He then led his men at a simple trot towards the gate, rising a hand in greetings.

The leader seemed confused about Momonga's presence (not to mention Enri's), but by the way he frowned at the broken gate and the weary villagers he was clearly more concerned about what had happened. When he spoke, his voice was strong and commanding. It made Momonga stand up straight by mere instinct.

Whatever was said between the Rider and the village Chief, it made the rider concerned about the village and looked at Momonga with an appreciative (yet apprehensive) smile. The leader got off his horse and instructed the rest of his men to stay put. He then approached the village Chief and Momonga. He said something, and the village chief gasped. Momonga raised an eyebrow, confused. The chief, thankfully, quickly clarified.

"He is Gazef Stronoff, Chief Warrior of the King," said the Chief (or at least that's what Momonga understood).

So this guy is important, he thought.

He gestured at himself and said "Ainz Ooal Gown."

Before he could think better of it, Momonga extended his hand. Stronoff glanced at the hand, before staring straight into Momonga's eyes. The man had clearly a strong discipline, for he didn't flinch or look away. He did, however, show a bit of hesitation and Momonga could finally make out the tenseness in his body, as if preparing to go for his sword in a moment's notice.

Next to Momonga, Enri said something that made Stronoff wince before smiling with some embarrassment. Then, he heartily accepted Momonga's hand and clasped it with a friendly squeeze. He clearly knew how to act as if Momonga's eyes didn't really bother him, even if it was clear Stronoff was apprehensive of Momonga.

Gazef Stronoff and his men were led into the village by the chief, straight to the village hall. There, Gazef and his men were offered water and some food. The soldiers dismounted their horses and the villagers quickly took care of the beasts. By the looks of it, the soldiers of Stronoff had rushed to the village at a breakneck pace, no doubt to try and assist. It spoke well of that man but it only added to Momonga's confusion regarding the attack.

How could they have made it so quickly? Had they spotted the Eastern Knights? Had they been chasing them? Had other villages been attacked? The fact Gazef Stronoff had apparently a high position in the Western nation only added to the questions.

Speaking of which, what did the Chief Warrior even mean? Was he strongest human in that kingdom? Or was it just a political position? Did the king send his best men to outskirt villages? Maybe Gazef was investigating the attack as much has trying to repel it.

Another thing that intrigued Momonga was the lack of hostility from Gazef. He would have expected such a man to remain suspicious of someone who commanded demons and brought people back to life. His curiosity was sated when he glanced at Enri while no one was looking. She subtly gestured to where Albedo, Shalltear and the rest of the Pleiades hid and then winked and pressed her fingers against her lips with a mischievous (and definitely cute) smile.

"It would appear the villagers are willing to lie for you, my lord," Sebas noticed.

"Our lord did graciously save their lives," Yuri stoically stated. "Perhaps there is hope for them yet."

There was a sudden ping in his head. Surprised, Momonga reached to his right ear and activated the Message Spell.

"My Lord," Albedo said. "There are enemies surrounding the village, and they aren't Eastern nor Western warriors. They have angels accompanying them… Archangel flames to be exact"

"Archangel flames?" Momonga gasped. "Are you certain?"

Albedo gave the description given to her, proving that the angels spotted weren't just some New World equivalent, but copies of Yggrassil creatures. Could that mean that the enemy were players?

"My Lord?" Sebas and Yuri Alpha asked, concerned.

Gazef and the village Chief stopped talking, turning their attention to Momonga.

"Enemies," Momonga sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He turned to the nearby humans. "Baharuth." He pointed outside.

That got Gazef and the chief in full alert. True, Momonga wasn't sure if these were from the Baharuth (whatever that was) but it at least got the desired effect. Gazef called his men, and the Chieftain, once again, shouted for the warriors.

As it so happened, the enemy was soon spotted and thus Momonga didn't have to explain himself. To his surprise, as he stood on the wooden walls next to Gazef, staring out to the enemies, he learned these were definitely a new type of enemy. They were clad in fine black robes, with pieces of plate over their chest, shoulders and legs. They also carried as weapons intricate spears, no doubt enchanted and magical.

All in all, the new enemies weren't Players. They did give off an air of Elite Unit though, if Momonga had ever seen one. It was the floating entities next to them that baffled Momomga, however. They were truly angels, and just like those summoned in Yggrassil.

"No Baharuth," Gazef said to Momonga. He pointed at the enemies. "Slane."

Great, I made more than one enemy today, mentally muttered Momonga.

"Fight?" Gazef asked with a frown. "You, me, fight Slane?"

Momonga thought about it. Should he intervene? He really didn't want to. He had actually realized he had gotten carried away with his previous intervention. Reviving the villagers might not have been the wisest choices. Word of miracles would draw unwanted attention. However, Momonga understood the villagers might keep quiet, and perhaps few would believe peasants talk about impossible magic. A servant of the King, on the other hand, had a lot more credibility and influence.

But Momonga couldn't just do nothing. He had saved the village already. He couldn't abandon them. Moreover, the dice was already cast.

Perhaps I could use this opportunity, Momonga thought. Perhaps I could get my hands on more prisoners? I mean, I must know how people from the New World learned to summon the same creatures from an MMORPG from another world… could they have been taught by someone like me?

Momonga sighed. What would have his friends done? Peroroncino, Touch Me, Great Warrior Takemikazuchi and others would have wanted to fight, consequences be damned. Hell, even Ulbert would have liked to mess up with these enemies if only for the hell of it. Others, like Punitto Moe, Ancient One and Tabula would have demanded caution… but even they would have wanted something done.

An idea came to Momonga's mind. If he didn't want for this Warrior Chief to see his magical might, then there was a way to fix this… hopefully.

"Fight," Momonga said with a nod.

Gazef smiled, before Momonga kept speaking.

"Me fight. You, stay," Momonga said, pointing at Gazef and then at the ground.

Gazef frowned, before shaking his head. Whatever he said, it went right past Momonga's understanding. From the tone alone, though, Momonga understood he wouldn't stay put. Momonga shook his head.

"You Carne," Momonga pointed at the village. "Me Slane."

Gazef frowned, glancing at the village, before looking at the enemies outside.

"Carne Village, forest," Momonga said. "Me, fight."

Gazef shook his head, stepping forward with an air of authority.

"No," said Gazef.

So he is the stubborn dutiful sort, huh? Momonga mentally groaned.

Thankfully, Momonga wasn't alone. Sebas and Yuri stepped between Momonga and Gazef, and stared the man down with icy contempt. To his credit, Gazef remained in place, even if he was a bit intimidated by the butler and head maid.

"I do not think you appear to understand, brute," Yuri huffed. "Our Lord has decided to take this puny foes of yours for himself."

"Do not get in our Lord's way, human," added Sebas. "Be thankful his mercy and kindness knows no bounds."

Both servants looked ready to beat Gazef to a pulp for daring to defy their master. Momonga was actually relieved for their intervention. He hurriedly grabbed Yuri and Sebas by the shoulder and pushed them behind him. He sent an apologetic smile to Gazef.

"Me fight," Momonga said. "Village, forest. You, village."

He wasn't sure how much Gazef could understand him but by the air of resignation, he got the gist of his words. His mood changed to a stern grimace. He said something, before he gave a salute to Momonga.

When Momonga, Gazef and the two NPCs walked down the wall, the village chief and other men approached them, waiting for orders. Gazef drew their plan on the dirt. Thankfully, it appeared that he understood what Momonga had meant. The villagers and Gazef's soldiers stared at Momonga in disbelief, something that made him blush. He just waved dismissively at them.

With a battle plan made, they all set off their different ways. Momonga stepped outside the village, accompanied by the ever faithful Sebas Tian and Yuri Alpha. They left a flurry of active soldiers, warriors and villagers organizing their evacuation. Or at least, that was what Momonga believed…

"Are you sure this is a good idea, my Lord?" Sebas wondered. "You have once mentioned we should practice caution in this world given how little we know about it."

"Sebas Tian is correct, Supreme One," Yuri said. "Perhaps we should summon Floor Guardians to assist."

"I understand your worries but we must capture these humans at all costs," Momonga said. "I want to know more about them and their ability to summon Archangel Flames. If I allow Stronoff to act, we would be wasting potential prisoners. He probably would execute some, take others with himself for questioning… not to mention it will complicate getting our hands on their gear."

"Still, my Lord, we would appreciate if you didn't personally such an operation" Sebas hummed, concerned. "We are at your disposal, after all."

Momonga chuckled and patted Sebas on the shoulder, must to his surprise.

"Sometimes, you need to take a few risks. As Warrior Takemizuchi would say, when in doubt…" Momonga took a deep breath "…Leeroy Jenkins."

Sebas and Yuri traded confused faces.

"Leeroy…" Sebas slowly repeated.

"…Jenkins?" Finished Yuri.

"Words to live by," mused Momonga.

There was something hilarious about hearing powerful NPCs try to make sense of gamer jokes.

"In any case, inform Demiurge and Victim that I want them to mobilize the Shadow Flayers behind the enemy. I want them to move and capture them after I give the signal."

"What shall the signal be, my Lord?" Yuri asked.

Momonga smirked, looking at the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown.

I don't think I have tested the Staff's full power yet and this is as good a chance as I can get, thought Momonga. He mentally chuckled. Leeroy Jenkins in deed.

"Tell him, it shall be when he witnesses the full power of a Supreme Being," chuckled Momonga.

"Understood, Supreme One," said Yuri.

"Oh, and have Shalltear bring the others to me," Momonga decided.

The enemies, Momonga noticed, had gathered not far from the village. In fact, when they spotted Momonga, they appeared to gather together. Their leader was a blond man with strangely bright blue eyes. In fact, his eyes were glowing and looked like some sort of opposite to Momonga's own glowing eyes. Behind him floated an angel larger than the ones of the other men and one Momonga recognized: Principality of Observation, another Yggrassil summon.

Upon seeing Momonga, the leader stepped forward and started shouting. It sounded condescending in Momonga's ears. The Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown hummed with power, filling with Momonga with a strange confidence, one that made Momonga lower his guard.

"What do you think he's saying?" Momonga asked.

"Something foolish, perhaps?" Sebas suggested.

"No doubt he claims he is superior and in control," Yuri Alpha rolled her eyes.

A void-like portal appeared behind Momonga, and out strolled the rest of the Pleiades and NPCs. Rubedo rushed to stand behind Momonga, ever the dutiful bodyguard, while Albedo took Sebas place on Momonga's right. The Pleiades lined up behind them, all with confident and happy smiles at the reunion.

In front of them, the glowing-eyed leader of the attackers stared with a gaping mouth and a look of absolute horror.

"My Lord," chorused the newcomers.

"I have returned, my Love!" Said Albedo.

"Good," chuckled Momonga. "You came just in time. We were trying to guess whatever that man was trying to say."

Albedo tilted her head. "Why would his words matter? They are but hot breath to the wind, after all, especially from an unworthy bug like him."

"I have to admit, Lady Overseer, I can find some amusement from their puny struggles," Yuri said.

As the group focused on the enemy leader, they noticed that his shouting had turned choleric and desperate. His face was red and he looked insulted; it sounded like some false bravado born from denial. Momonga and the NPCs were actually amused by the way he kept yelling, probably demanding a response.

"My Lord, Demiurge is in position," Naberal reported, two fingers pressed against an ear.

Momonga smirked and raised his staff. Of the seven gemstones atop its shaft, the red, green, blue and yellow ones sparkled to life.

"What do you think? Are the villagers and that Stronoff and his men far enough?" Asked Momonga.

"The villagers were leaving by the time we came here, and there were no signs of the warriors," Albedo replied.

Then it is show time, mused Momonga.

"Alright everyone, it is time for I, Lord Momonga, to give you a display of the true power of Ainz Ooal Gown!" Momonga laughed.

Albedo and the NPCs, even Sebas, stared in awe, eyes wide and eagerly awaiting.

What Momonga wasn't aware was that Gazef Stronoff had stubbornly refused to let Momonga fight alone. He had actually prepared his men to ride out and aid Momonga in battle. The villagers, just as stubborn, refused to abandon their village, much less the god-like entity who had so timely rescued them from a cruel fate, and thus they too had decided to stay hidden by the walls.

Hence, in an attempt to get everyone not to see his powers, it so happened quite an audience gathered right at the village walls. It was quite a lot of eyes who stared in awe as, all of a sudden, four massive elementals were summoned.

Fire, Earth, Wind and Water, the elementals roared, towering over the enemies of Momonga. They were massive, and definitely far from weak. They also happened to be beings that the humans had never witnessed before and thus they all reacted differently from each other.

To the enemies – members of what Momonga would later learn was the Sunlight Scripture of the Slane Theocracy – it was as if the wrath of the Gods had fallen onto them.

To Gazef Stronoff, and to the villagers, it looked and felt as if the Four Great Gods had sent their prophet to bring their righteous wrath to the world and smite evil in their name.

To Enri Emmot, who had decided to catch a glimpse of what happened outside the walls out of concern for Momonga, it was the most beautiful and terrifying thing she had ever witnessed, and definitely not something she would forget any time soon.

And finally, to the Thousand League Astrologer and Seventh Seat of the Black Scripture, who so happened to be watching from afar, the whole event was something she would struggle to report to her superiors… especially in regards to the fate of Nigun Grid Luin after he was attacked by nightmarish monstrosities from behind.

---

Lord Momonga should have felt triumphant. His first meeting with humans had been, all things considered, rather positive. He had started favorable relations with a kingdom, including an important member (whatever the Chief Warrior actually was within it, Momonga could only guess). And yet, Momonga felt like a fool, filled with regrets.

I should have held back! I shouldn't have gotten so carried away, mentally cried Momonga.

But sadly, the damage was done. When Momonga returned to the village, heading to the forest, he was shocked to discover quite a lot of people had seen him summon the elementals. Only then did Momonga begin to understand the potential ramifications of his actions.

In any case, one thing led to another, and there he sat, the honor of guest in a large throne-like chair, in the village center and facing a massive bonfire. All around, villagers and Stronoff's warriors enjoyed mead, food and music. There were a handful of villagers playing simple makeshift instruments, and a large feast was in full swing.

Momonga tried to distract himself with Gazef Stronoff and the village Chief, who sat on either side. Albedo and Shalltear, still clad in armor, stood behind him, over each shoulder, while Sebas stood a few steps back. The Pleiades and a reluctant Rubedo had left for the Tomb, leaving their poor master to handle the feast thrown in his honor.

He wasn't sure what was going on between the two, but Momonga could feel a certain level of tension between Stronoff and the Chief, which resembled to the way Stronoff warrirors glared at Shalltear. From what little he had learned about the language, the Chief was less than pleased with Stronoff's delayed response to the Knights of Baharuth. Momonga caught a few mentions of the king, said with certain amount of disdain, and Momonga got the distinct feeling there was more at play than the recent attack. Stronoff, in turn, seemed to try to be apologetic, while at the same time remain resolute.

Caught in the middle, Momonga felt like he was witnessing a tennis match between the two extremely muscular men. Seeing them up-close, with those thick arms, Momonga felt extremely self-conscious about his own pathetic musculature. He still possessed the physique of a salary man, albeit somewhat altered. It was hard to tell how much given how little attention Momonga had paid on his body back on Earth. In any case, he was definitely no beefcake like Stronoff and the village chief.

I really need to fix that, thought Momonga.

He glanced at Albedo and Shalltear, who looked rather irritable at the two squabbling humans on each side of Momonga.

There they are, two attractive females who have been programmed to love a pathetic salary man-turned-Overlord, mentally sighed Momonga. They deserve a lot better…

He made a promise to change that. If Albedo was destined to be in love with Momonga for all eternity, then he could as well make himself worthy of her love. Besides, an Overlord couldn't look like some random Japanese guy.

Being an Overlord requires a certain level of presentation, mused Momonga.

Something abruptly changed between the Chief and Stronoff. Gazef seemed to have lost his patience, and raised his voice. The Chief responded, pointing an accusing finger. They talked so fast, that the few words Momonga was sure he might have understood, were lost in a sea of what sounded like gibberish.

Albedo and Shalltear tensed, ready to put down both humans if things escalated any further. Sebas stepped forward, just as prepared to intervene as the two females. The ongoing celebration stopped in that instant, and the tension spread between villagers and Gazef's warriors.

Just my luck! Of course there were political issues in the kingdom, issues I had to just head-dive into without a care in the world, mentally groaned Momonga. Why couldn't it just be a simple rescue mission?

He wondered what could have set off the two of them. Could there be economic issues? Perhaps the villagers were mad at the King for not being able to protect them? Momonga could only guess.

A female voice interrupted Gazef and the Village Chief.

Momonga blinked and stared, just as dumbfounded as the two beefcakes on each side, at none other than Enri Emmot. She was right in front of them, hands on her hips, and looking like an angry mother. Thankfully, her attention was on Gazef and the village chief.

Enri proceeded to say something at the two humans. Whatever it was, it made the village chief sit back and fold his arms petulantly, while Gazef sheepishly smiled and averted his eyes. It took him some time for Momonga to realize Enri was actually admonishing the two men for being so hostile to each other in Momonga's presence.

"She's a bold one," Shalltear commented, amused. "I bet she would be fun to toy with…"

Momonga did not like the vampire's tone.

"It isn't boldness if it is born out of stupidity," harrumphed Albedo. "That girl is merely a foolish upstart."

Momonga sighed as he remembered he had to make it up to the two of them.

Once Enri was done admonishing the village chief and Gazef Stronoff, she realized she had just berated two of the strongest men in the area, all in presence of Momonga. Her face burned a crimson shade and she made a hasty retreat. Her actions, though, did the trick. The villagers and Gazef's stronoff shared a laugh, and both Gazef and the Chief looked at each other with wide amused smile. A momentary truce had been decided on.

Shalltear is right; that Enri sure is bold one, thought Momonga, looking up at the night sky. And quite eye-catching…

The music returned and the feast carried on. Momonga watched as men and women started dancing all around, all while they feasted and drunk. Momonga didn't mind their boisterous behavior; they were all celebrating they had survived another day in that world of theirs, with monsters in all directions.

It was as Momonga noticed Albedo wistfully sighing that he mentally groaned as he remembered something: they had been supposed to finish their damn conversation. Moreover, he had promised a private dinner. And yet there he was, sitting like an idiot.

I have to make it up to her… but how? He wondered.

He looked at the dancers.

Oh no, I am not going – nope! No, absolutely no, Momonga thought.

And yet, it took another glance to Albedo for Momonga's reluctance to falter. In all truth, Momonga felt he had been way too unfair to Albedo, particularly in regards to Enri. While she was cute… and human… and surprisingly courageous… she was still just a human. She wasn't part of the people he owed a duty towards. Albedo, on the other hand, had been messed up by Momonga's selfishness and last-minute dorkiness.

It was with such somber thoughts that Momonga found the strength to do what he knew was the right choice.

"Albedo," he started, clearing his throat. "Ehm… d-do you… ehm…"

"Yes, my Love?" Albedo tentatively asked.

Come on, you coward! You owe it to her! Momonga told himself.

"Do you- do you want to-to dance with me?" Momonga choked.

Albedo blinked.

"Pardon, Supreme One?" She asked, tilting her head. "Did you say…?"

"Dance," was all Momonga managed to squawk.

Albedo just stared blankly at Momonga. He was starting to worry he had said something wrong when, all of a sudden, she leaped into action.

One moment Albedo was fully clad in her black armor, the next she had her Cosmetic Skin on. In her white dress, and both her black wings and face fully exposed, she became little more than a blur. She lunged at Momonga in one swift movement and pulled him to his feet. Momonga stood rigid, all while a grinning Albedo had a hand on his waist and another over his shoulder.

Seeing Albedo out of her armor, every single human stared. Jaws dropped, tankards were forgotten. Even women stared in awe at Albedo's beauty. Momonga, though, felt ready to faint.

"I would love to dance with you, my love," Albedo said.

Much to Momonga's surprise, there was no lust or hunger on her expression. Instead, she looked… well… happy. She actually had quite a tender smile, one Momonga could not deny made her look even more beautiful – and way less intimidating that the lustful succubus that kept trying to seduce him. Momonga actually relaxed a bit as the two stared at each other, enthralled in each other's eyes.

"It's not fair," huffed Shalltear, breaking Momonga out of his stupor.

"I'll- I'll dance with you afterwards," squeaked Momonga. "B-but because of today's interruption, Albedo gets a few dances beforehand."

Shalltear deflated but accepted her punishment. She remained rather animated, however, as if she couldn't wait for her turn to dance with Momonga. The Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, on the other hand…

Don't you dare tease me, you damn cheeky weapon, Momonga mentally growled as the Staff hovered a few feet away.

Whatever else Momonga was going to tell the Staff, it died down when Albedo started their impromptu dance. Everyone else just watched the pair move around the bonfire in a simple waltz.

He might have gotten carried away that day, and he might have acted like a fool. However, in the end, Momonga felt he had done quite a lot of good and he felt a bit proud. He glanced around, and felt more than glad he had revived all that people.

If only he knew what his actions would cause...

---

Author Notes:

I hope you liked the chapter, folks! Might be delayed with future updates. I have to finish another fic, after all.

In any case, what do you think? Anything you'd like to see? What do you think about the changes in canon?

Next chapter: we meet everyone's favorite Emperor and see his mental gymnastics that will most definately come right back to bite him on the arse, Blue Rose are introduced alongside Renner to be delivered as harem-fodder and we all learn how Demiurge concluded that Lord Momonga's master plan includes homework, self-help books and a harem of humans (because, as we all know, our favorite archdevil can't go without a big "Sasuga, Ainz-sama!" every now and then).

Until next time,

The Emerald Commander