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

8. Chapter VII: Gold, Courage and War

Chapter VII: Gold, Courage and War

Suzuki Satoru was at a loss. That, admittedly, was quite a frequent thing given his lack of experience in the world of ruling massive magical tombs filled with apocalyptic armies and terrifying monsters. In this particular case, as he sat in the [Throne of Kings], accompanied by his Royal Guard and the Floor Guardians in the Throne Room, he was facing a puzzle of a different sort: an experiment.

Kneeling not far from the feet of the stairs leading to the throne, and surrounded by curious Floor Guardians, were three unique beings. There were a Lesser Vampire, a human and then a New World Goblin. In other words, under the race category of Yggrassil, Suzuki had a heteromorph, a humanoid and a demi-human respectively. They might have been too different to each other, but all three shared one thing: [In the Name of the King] had been used on them.

The puzzling part, though, was floating to a side, as a holographic screen. After all, Suzuki had expected for three glitched names in the NPC roster list. Instead, there were two… and the name of the Lesser Vampire (a former human known as Elion) was written as clearly and unglitched as Nigun Grid Luin or any other NPC of the tomb.

Suzuki glanced to a side. Nigun was also present, arms folded and arrogantly looking down at the test subjects. That guy surely needed to be brought down a peg or two…

A pity I made him into an angel instead of a doppelganger, mentally grumbled Suzuki.

A Vampire stood next to Nigun, proud and up straight, and arms folded behind him. His name was a new inclusion to the NPC roster: Londes Di Clamp. Much like the Lesser Vampire, he had received a few… changes… courtesy of Shalltear Bloodfallen.

"So… how's the experiment, Supreme One?" Aura asked. "Was it a success?"

"Do you want me to change the human as well, my Lord?" Shalltear said, licking her lips.

"That won't be necessary," said Suzuki, leaning back and thinking about the results. "Apparently, both human and goblin appear glitched, like it happened to Nigun before the Midas' Touch."

Midas' Touch was what Suzuki had decided to call the transformation process in which he modified an NPC in exchange of gold. He thought it was quite fitting.

"…and yet Elion here was inducted successfully. Isn't that right, Elion?" Suzuki said.

"Yes, Supreme One," the Lesser Vampire said with a hoarse voice (the poor lad had been sucked dry before the experiment, like any other Lesser Vampire) and in perfect Japanese.

"Does that mean that heteromorphs can be turned into full-fledge servants of the Tomb like Nigun without the Midas' Touch, Supreme One?" Sebas wondered.

"No," said Suzuki, shaking his head. "It is my belief that there is something else at play here."

"Well, my Lord, Londes was fully inducted after I turned him, so maybe Sebas is onto something," Shalltear said with a shrug.

"But he hasn't been fully inducted, at least not in the same manner as the others," pointed out Suzuki.

And that was true. Differently from Elion or Nigun, whilst his name was clear and unglitched, Londes knew neither Japanese nor any of the same information both new members of the Tomb had magically acquired.

"I think I know what is happening here," Suzuki said. "But I'd need more experiments…"

"What is your theory, my Lord?" Victim asked.

Suzuki stroke his chin, pondering how to explain his hypothesis, before he took a deep breath and gave it a try.

"I believe that the spell, [In the Name of the King] permanently inducts a being into the Tomb, much as if it was being created by one of my friends or me," said Suzuki. "The problem arises with the targets: I think that the [Throne of Kings] doesn't properly work against New World beings. It does take them over, but because they aren't the same beings as those of the Old World it fails to make them full members of the Tomb."

"I see," Demiurge purred with a smirk, adjusting his glasses. "And because of the changes induced by Shalltear on Elion prior to the induction, the [Throne of Kings] managed to recognize him as an Old World being…"

"…and that also explains why Londes wasn't given the full privileges of the induction," Albedo concluded. "He was turned into a Vampire after the [In the Name of the King] took place. His name became clear because the race change made it clear for the [Throne of Kings] to recognize…"

"…and at the same time the Midas' Touch, because it rewrites and remakes a target, permits the target to become an Old World being and full-fledged member of the Great Tomb," Pandora finished.

"Yes, I believe that's the gist of it," hummed Suzuki. "Although we'll need to carry out more tests before we know for certain."

"It would seem that we will require means to change targets beforehand then, Supreme One," Cocytus summarized.

"Yes, it wouldn't do to waste money each time we wish to properly increase our numbers, mein Schöpfer," said Pandora.

"I concur," agreed Suzuki. "Unfortunately, we are limited in such options. Race changing items are too precious and few, and most have specific requirements. No, it wouldn't do to waste those."

"Perhaps it doesn't need to be a race change, my Lord," Demiurge suggested. "Perhaps some enhancement or spell could suffice… maybe even a being under the effects of a potion or equipment could allow for a New World being to be recognized as an Old World one."

"That's worth considering," hummed Suzuki.

He paused and frowned.

Since when am I so quick to study on live subjects? Suzuki thought. I should feel guiltier…

But a glance on his new servants told him it was fine to feel nothing. The Lesser Vampire now had a far brighter future as a member of the Tomb of Nazarick, quite the privilege for a criminal who was killing innocent villagers not so long ago. The human was one of the new prisoners, a rapist if the information gathered was correct, and thus scum of the Earth (or the New World) and didn't really deserve to be part of the Tomb. The goblin… Suzuki wasn't sure what to think of the New World Goblin… other than how weird it looked in comparison to the New World counterpart.

New World Goblins (called Noblins by Aura and Mare) looked nothing like the Yggdrassil counterparts. For starters, Noblins weren't green-skinned, didn't have rows of perfect sharp teeth or golden-eyes. They were like miniature New World Ogres: hairy bald midgets with jutting sharp teeth resembling some sort of cross between human and ape.

It's no wonder the [Throne of Kings] doesn't fully recognize them, thought Suzuki. It is weird it has trouble recognizing New World Humans, though.

"Let us move on then. We shall focus on the next issue," sighed Suzuki.

The Guardians all perked up.

"Gold," said Suzuki, frowning at his servants. "We need to find the means to expand our Yggdrassil Gold."

"What about the Exchange Box, my Lord?" Mare inquired.

"Yes, Supreme One, can't you make gold coins with that?" Aura wondered.

"Technically, yes," nodded Suzuki. "I have already tested the Exchange Box and it does work as it should. However, we have run into a problem…"

Because, of course, I couldn't just have it easy, mentally grumbled Suzuki.

"The Exchange Box doesn't work with New World objects," Suzuki said.

All Guardians stared, dumbfounded, at their Supreme Master.

"How come?" Aura asked.

"Apparently, it isn't able to ascertain a value and some kind of error pops up," Suzuki explained. "Considering what we've learned today, I believe I know what the issue is…"

"The Exchange Box only recognizes Old World Items, doesn't it, my love?" Guessed Albedo.

"Exactly," said Suzuki. "However, just like the beings one can induct, I do believe that if some manner of change is applied to New World Item, they could then be thrown into the Shredder for Gold."

"Crafting skills!" Exclaimed Pandora's Actor. "Mein Schöpfer, perhaps if New World materials were used to create items through Crafting Skills, they could then be recognized by the Exchange Box!"

"That's worth testing out," said Suzuki. "Unfortunately, the number of Crafting Skills available are quite limited."

He glanced at Albedo and Shalltear, both of who puffed up their chests in pride.

"I intend to carry tests to see if that idea has any merit," Suzuki told Pandora's Actor. "Now, though, there is another way in which we could, in theory, obtain more gold… but I am hesitant to use such means."

"What would that be, my Lord?" Victim inquired.

Suzuki sighed. He really wasn't sure if it was a good idea to even mention it, given the NPCs zealousness. Sadly, with the way the gold in the treasury was depleting, there wasn't much room for hesitation. Suzuki could not allow that beautiful pile of gold drop any further.

"Just as I can use gold to modify NPCs, I can also obtain gold if I were to…" Suzuki trailed off, unsure how to proceed.

"I see," Demiurge hummed. "You mean you could obtain gold if you were to destroy an NPC through Administrative Privileges."

The NPCs all stared wide-eyed at the Archdevil. Suzuki, on his part, grimaced.

"That's correct, Demiurge," Suzuki solemnly said. "As Administrator, I could recycle a servant of the Tomb created by any member of the guild to obtain both gold and even data crystals. Unfortunately, it would never be 100% of the original value."

The NPCs all shuffled on their feet, and exchanged uncomfortable expressions. Clearly, no one was comfortable with the idea of being destroyed for the sake of gold.

"My Lord," victim said, bowing his oversized head. "If I can serve the Tomb, I will gladly give my life."

"Lord Momonga, if you see it fit, then I will gladly give my life for the sake of the Tomb's treasury!" Said Cocytus, standing proud.

Suzuki raised a hand before any of the NPCs got any funny ideas. By the looks of it, they all felt compelled to at least offer themselves.

"I will not be just recycling any of you," said Suzuki. "You are too valuable and regaining such servants as capable and powerful as you could very well be impossible."

"What about our minions, my Lord?" Shalltear wondered.

"Shalltear, our Lord told us that he can only apply this… recycling… ability on beings created by the Supreme Beings. Our minions are created by the Tomb itself," Demiurge remarked.

Yeah, why couldn't POP monsters be recycled and then respawn so I could make infinite gold? Mentally whined Suzuki.

Shalltear pouted and nodded.

"Then what do you intend to do, my love?" Albedo inquired. She glanced at the kneeling Lesser Vampire, human and New World Goblin. "Oh, I understand now…"

Suzuki forced a strained smile in place.

"That's correct," Suzuki slowly nodded. "Any being names in the roster could, in theory, be effect to my Administrative Privileges. Since these newly inducted NPCs are part of the roster…"

"…they could in theory by recycled," Demiurge hummed. He looked at the human and goblin. "Will they even provide sufficient gold?"

"I suspect not," sighed Suzuki. "Creatures of this world are too weak to be recycled into anything grand. However, we have yet to know if it is possible, particularly with the glitched names."

He leaned back, feeling unsure. Technically, if the Exchange Box couldn't offer gold back for New World Items, it was likely that the recycling feature of an Administrator wouldn't work on New World creatures either.

"What do you say, my Guardians? Should I test such a thing?" He tentatively (and fearfully) asked.

He wasn't sure why he bothered. He knew the answer.

"Of course, my Lord!" Aura happily said with Mare nodding next to her.

"Our lives are yours to do as you see fit, my Lord," said Sebas.

"No sacrifice is too great in your Supreme name," Cocytus said, releasing long streams of steam.

"To die for the tomb is the greatest sacrifice in this world," Victim said.

"Even if they are pathetic, they will have achieved more in their sacrifice than they could ever achieve in life," Albedo said with a smirk.

"It won't be a great loss, my Lord," Shalltear dismissively huffed.

"No price is too high to further your ambitions, my Lord," Demiurge said.

Pandora seemed at an impassive, and Suzuki could see the mental struggle in him. The doppelganger probably knew Suzuki wasn't comfortable with the idea of eradicating beings from existence, yet at the same time he probably shared the Guardians' views.

Great, just as I expected; I'm running a death cult over here, Suzuki mentally muttered. What did I expect, really? For them to advice against it?

However, the truth was that Suzuki had hoped for the Guardians to be apprehensive, to truly be wary of their Supreme Master from just using his Administrator powers on any NPC for the sake of coinage. Mostly, Suzuki himself didn't want to go through with his horrible idea and wanted someone to give him an excuse not to move forward.

But we need the gold, Suzuki thought. If something happened that would require me to expend a lot of it, such as the loss of the Guardians to a Player, I need to be sure I would have some mean of replenishing the gold… and that's leaving aside all the other uses for the Yggdrassil gold.

Suzuki wasn't sure which one was worse: the possibility he would never regain Yggdrassil gold to a point he would be unable to revive NPCs or the thought of having to erase beings from existence for some quick cash.

As an Overlord, my priority are my servants, Suzuki reminded himself and steeling his nerves.

"Very well, then," Suzuki said. He stood up and slowly walked down the steps of his throne.

The Royal Guard and Rubedo, always attentive, moved to stand close to Suzuki, just in case. Was it paranoia on their part? Definitively, but that's part of their job, after all.

I can't believe I'm going to do this, Suzuki thought.

His eyes focused on the human kneeling before him. Of the three brainwashed beings, Suzuki felt he disliked that one the most. The state of the captured women and what he had managed to learn from them made Suzuki feel little pity for the fate of that man.

He pointed the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown onto the man. He felt the Staff's eagerness as it radiated power. He waited one second, before he activated his Administrative Privileges.

The human and Staff glowed red and Suzuki closed his eyes.

Staff, help me with this, he pleaded.

The Staff responded with a wave of warmth and reassurance. Suzuki's hold on the weapon tightened and he felt his confidence increase. Without another second to wait, Suzuki focused on what he wanted to happen. There was a burst of light and then-

ZING

Suzuki blinked and looked at his feet. Instead of a human, he saw three Yggdrassil Gold coins and two data crystals. He stood there, unsure what had just happened.

One of the Royal Guard (a Shadowflayer) hovered over the coins and data crystals, before poking at them with its halberdier. Seeing as nothing happened, it bowed down and picked the items, before offering them to Suzuki.

The Overlord dumbly accept the golden coins and crystals, before he silently returned to his throne, and slumped down on his seat, mind reeling. He gave the items to Pandora, who immediately started studying them, going as far as using identifying magic.

"These Data Crystals have no useful data. It is like the glitched names, mein Schöpfer," declared Pandora. "The coins, on the other hand, look like

"Three measly coins?" Shalltear scoffed, only to hum with a surprised face. "That's more than I had expected."

A standard level 1 NPC required tons more than that for creation, Suzuki recalled. He gritted his teeth, furious. I kill a man and for what? That's really the worth of a human in this world?

He looked at his hand, calm and pale.

What's wrong with me? He wondered, raising a hand at his unmoving hand. He had half expected to over-react to his actions and yet…

He glanced at the Staff, washing him with reassurance and power.

Hopefully, I am not slowly descending into an actual Overlord, prayed Suzuki.

He looked at the Guardians, all happy and proud waiting for him to speak.

On second thought, with these guys, I am surprised my sanity has lasted this long, thought Suzuki.

He stared at Demiurge in particular. If anyone was going to desensitize him from death and violence, it sure was going to be that Archdevil. Unfortunately, staring for too long on that NPC was a mistake, who took it as some sign to speak up.

"If I may, my Lord, before we proceed, I was hoping to discuss my various projects with you," Demiurge said.

"Ah, yes, your projects," Suzuki said with an even-voice.

Deep down he was starting to panic. Apparently, he still enough humanity and sanity left for that.

"Indeed," Demiurge nodded. "I wished to know whether you'd like to proceed with the test phase."

Without even explaining anything? Suzuki wondered, only to mentally slap himself. Oh no, he thinks I am ten steps ahead of him and that he doesn't need to explain himself… God-damn it Ulbert!

"Demiurge, I've told you multiple times, I am not all-knowing and I am not aware of all of yours plans or their intricate details," sighed Suzuki.

"Ah, yes, I see," Demiurge said with a smirk and a conspiratorial tone, as if there was some big secret between Suzuki and the Archdevil. "I shall proceed to explain your – I mean, my plans, of course – to you…" he sent a meaningful glance to the curious-looking Guardians.

And just like that, he assumes I'm lying for the benefit of the other Guardians, groaned Suzuki. It wouldn't be the first time, and he was damn sure it wouldn't be the last.

"Just… just give us a brief summary," sighed Suzuki, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"If you say so, my Lord," purred Demiurge. He turned to the Guardians (because of course he assumed Suzuki was ahead of him and didn't really need an explanation). "As you are well aware, our Lord has informed us that there is a chance other Players are running amok in this world and, more likely than not, will favor and ally with human nations. Thus, our Lord seeks a peaceful relationship with the humans, if only to ensure a continual source of supplies. However, because our Lord would never fully trust humans, he knows we need special… measures… in case humans ally with Players against us."

"You mean weapons," Cocytus guessed.

"I have heard you have come up with quite a few means of achieving such measures," remarked Sebas with a critical raised eyebrow.

"Why yes, there are many ways of quickly getting rid of human populations, such as spreading with magically engineered plagues… I for one believe it would be most beneficial to form some disease that could eat at the flesh and mind of an individual, making the disease endure endless days of agony, like sparing the skin," said Demiurge with glee. "Of course, our Lord also believes that we should perhaps employ other means… such as Alchemy, exemplified by his interest in the human alchemist, Nfirea Bareare."

That's one way of over-thinking everything I've ever told you, mentally groaned Suzuki.

"Demiurge," sighed Suzuki.

"Yes, my Lord?" Demiurge perked up, eager to receive praise. He looked like a teacher's pet, waiting for a head pat.

Suzuki didn't want to bring down Demiurge nor his enthusiasm. It wasn't like the Archdevil could help himself, after all. It was Ulbert's fault for making Demiurge such a genocidal fiend. At the same time, Suzuki needed to make Demiurge understand slaughters were a big no-no. Suzuki really didn't mind Demiurge wasting time with various projects, but the size and amount of crazy stuff the Archdevil was coming up with was starting to worry Suzuki. Did Demiurge actually expect to one day deploy his many ideas?

Come on, Suzuki, you can do this just- just think of something to say, thought Suzuki. There must be a way to make Demiurge's great intellect serve towards something more constructive… wait, that's it!

With a smile and newfound confidence, Suzuki addressed the expectant Archdevil.

"You are my cleverest servant, Demiurge," slowly said Suzuki as he thought through what he was going to say next. "You can come up with incredible and elaborate plans, plans that I couldn't hope to even imagine."

"I am flattered, my Lord," Demiurge politely said with a bow.

"Thus, I am rather… ehm… displeased that you have spent so much time with something as simple as killing humans," Suzuki said.

Alright, you can do this, just- just don't make it sound like he needs to double down on the genocides, he told himself.

"Human lives can prove to be quite fragile and it could be truly simple to extinguish them if we really wanted. A potion gone awry, a disease from a distant region… killing masses of humans isn't a task worth your incredible intellect," said Suzuki. "So I rather you focused your efforts on things other than mass murder and genocides. For instance, Alchemy could be used for quite beneficial purposes, such as healing and enhancements. There are many novel ideas I am certain you can come up with that could benefit the Tomb of Nazarick at a grander scale than the mere death of pesky humans."

Suzuki mentally smirked with delight. He was sure there was no way for Demiurge to misinterpret him now.

"I see!" Demiurge exclaimed with a wide grin.

Oh no, thought Suzuki with mounting dread. Where did I screw up?

"How could I have been so blind? I now understand how simple-minded I have been!" Demiurge said.

He was getting excited, and Suzuki was really starting to fear for the fate of the nearby countries.

"What is it, Demiurge?" Shalltear wondered.

"Don't you see? I understand now, Lord Momonga!" Demiurge laughed. "What a fool I have been!"

He isn't going to stop with the genocides, is he? A despondent Suzuki thought.

"Why dispose of those pathetic lifeforms when they can be improved to better suit the needs of the Tomb?"

Huh? Was all Suzuki could think while staring at the Archdevil.

He wasn't sure he preferred that over committing genocides, but knowing Demiurge, it was heading that way.

"What do you mean?" Cocytus asked, eager to know more.

He wasn't the only one. All Guardians were leaning forward, eager to learn more about this alleged plan of Suzuki's. Even Suzuki was at the edge of his seat, fearful about whatever Demiurge was going to say next.

"It's clear, my colleagues. Instead of doing something as mundane as killing, I should have dedicated my efforts in spreading means to better use humans," Demiurge said, his tail swaying with delight.

"And how do you expect to do that?" A dismissive Albedo said. "We are already trying to have them serve as a buffer zone and source of supplies for us, aren't we?"

"Yes, but we have another avenue that we haven't considered! Or rather, that our Lord has expected us to come up with already, especially after today's experiemnt! I do apologize for my lack of vision, Lord Momonga," Demiurge said, bowing deeply to Suzuki. "I can only hope to ever grasp a tiny percent of your otherworldly intellect…"

Just spare me the wait and spill it, damn it, begged a horrified Suzuki.

"Please, do tell, Demiurge," Victim eagerly asked.

"It's now clear: I shouldn't have focused on just killing humans with extremely painful and prolonged means. No, we should have focused on agonizing means to create servants for the tomb," Demiurge said, smirking at them while adjusting his glasses. "I should have seen to methods to turn entire villages of humans into – perhaps - undead, servants that would be eternally loyal, wouldn't tire nor would require sustenance, just what the Tomb requires!"

Suzuki cried deep inside. Why couldn't he ever get Demiurge to stop derailing his words into some grand schemes of absolute destructions or conquest? And just great! Just when Suzuki thought Demiurge couldn't possibly go further than committing genocides, the Archdevil breaks all expectations and started planning the means of enslaving nations. Because of course he would!

"But why limit ourselves to undead? Perhaps we should refocus any alchemy and magic we learn to create superior servants!" Demiurge proclaimed. "Vampirism and Lycanthropy can easily be spread through plagues, and perhaps we could engineer means to obtain other heteromorphy races, like demons!"

"Or insectoids," Cocytus suggested.

"Or Elves!" Aura chirped in.

"Perhaps other species would be a fine addition to our Lord's realm," Sebas hummed, intrigued.

Don't encourage him! Thought Suzuki.

"Maybe we could honor the Supreme Beings by populating this new World with their races," Victim proposed.

That seemed to make all Guardians' eyes shine with joy.

Alright, this is getting out of hand, thought a desperate Suzuki.

"E-Enough!" Suzuki said.

The Guardians all bowed their heads at him. Meanwhile, the Overlord was still reeling.

Now what am I supposed to say? Suzuki said in a panic. What would my friends say?

Hey, it wouldn't be such a bad thing. Think about it! Entire cities of demons and kingdoms of heteromorphs, said Ulbert with glee.

Yeah, you could turn that Enri-girl into a super hot cat-girl, Peroronchino (ever the helpful friend) added.

You idiot! Cat-Girls are demi-humans, not heteromorphs! Peroronchino's sister shouted, making Suzuki's head hurt.

Unless it is some sort of were-cat, added an ever helpful Touch Me.

Maybe this new World needs Brain Eaters, Tabula suggested.

Look at the Brightside, Ulbert Junior isn't out to outright kill humanity. That's progress, isn't it? Warrior Takemizuchi laughed.

An eyebrow twitched on Suzuki's face as he decided to ignore the imaginary voices of his friends. He winced as he noticed the way the Guardians waited for him to speak.

I have to stop losing myself in my thoughts, he mentally sighed.

Grasping the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown and drawing comfort from its power, he managed to calm down. He would need all the confidence and courage to try and amend the situation he had inadvertently created.

"I commend your aspirations, Demiurge," Suzuki slowly said. "However, we currently should not be overly ambitious. We are lacking in supplies and gold, after all, and we still need to be careful before we do anything as large scale as affecting villages."

"Of course, my Lord," Demiurge purred.

"However, I do see some merit in finding means to change races," Suzuki decided. "Our guild counts with very few race-changing items and as we've just learned today, it would be quite convenient to find means to modify beings for the [Throne of Kings] to recognize, if needed."

I really wouldn't mind finding a cheaper replacement for the Midas' Touch, Suzuki conceded. That and granting immortality through some race-change could get me quite a handful of allies…

He thought about Enri, transforming her into some species that the NPCs would accept. He immediately shoved that thought down the darkest pits of his mind. No, he couldn't allow such ideas cross his mind.

"Ehmm… my Lord, you've mentioned them before but… we actually have race-changing items?" A surprised Aura asked.

"If I may be so bold to ask, why have you maintained your current form, my Lord?" Shalltear timidly asked.

"That's easy, Shalltear," scoffed Albedo. "If our Supreme Master were to change races now, he would be unable to regain his previous glorious form…" she turned to Momonga, smiling brightly. "Isn't that right, my love?"

"That's… part of the reason," said Momonga, taking a moment to figure out a proper response. "The race-changing items we possess, firstly, need certain requirements to function. Secondly, I have yet to test whether they work properly in the New World. While I'm inclined on them working as expected, there could be room to unexpected failure, such as the change becoming reversible, the new races being different than expected and so forth."

Suzuki studied the Guardians, all of who seemed pleased enough with the answer. His eyes stopped on a bowing Demiurge.

All things considered, this could be progress for the Archdevil. If I could make him focus on race-changing humans into more valuable heteromorphs for the Tomb, maybe I could spare many thousands of lives and sleep a lot easier at night. Heck, it might be impossible to achieve, so Demiurge could be stuck with that problem for a while and away from actually doing anything, what is always a plus, thought Suzuki. Man, sometimes I can be a genius.

"In any case, Demiurge," Suzuki said.

"Yes, my Lord?" The archdevil eagerly replied.

"Continue with your intelligence gathering efforts. Focus on what we've discovered from this- this… what was the name of the captured brigands again?" Suzuki wondered.

"They called themselves the Death Spreading Brigade, a pathetic name and unworthy for a being like yourself to remember," Demiurge purred.

Suzuki was by no means evil, but he sneered at the mention of that disgusting group of humans. Thieves, murderers and rapists, not to mention human traffickers. They were the scum of the New World and Suzuki felt nothing more than hatred, especially after he saw the state of the captured women and former playthings. It was with humans like those that Suzuki felt no qualms on being an Overlord of non-human monsters.

"Yes, learn everything you can, particularly their contacts with any nobles or other criminal organizations," Suzuki said.

"My Lord, regarding the criminal organizations, a name came up," said Demiurge.

"It did?" Asked Suzuki, leaning forward. "Why wasn't I informed beforehand?"

"I intended to discuss it with the plans to test my projects, but given my lackluster efforts to-"

"Demiurge," Suzuki interrupted the archdevil, who bowed down in shame. "No, Demiurge, stand tall and proud. You have not failed me. If anything, I have failed you."

"But my Lord-!" Protested Demiurge, aghast.

"If you failed to predict my ambitions and true desires, then the fault lies on me for failing to communicate them," said Suzuki. "It is true that it would have been preferable if you didn't try to constantly be ahead of my plans, but I won't deny I can only commend such enthusiasm and initiative. Try to be more constructive in the future, however. The path of destruction is but a few easy steps for beings such as us, yet the path of creation and prosperity is a miles long tedious road filled with errors and hardships…"

Damn, do I sound cool or what? Mentally chuckled Suzuki at his own ability to come up with false wisdom (or at least, what he believed were just bullshit quotes).

"I see," Demiurge said with a grave tone. "Your wisdom is wasted on a lowly servant such as me…"

"Going back to the topic at hand, you mentioned a name?" Suzuki asked.

"Yes, one recently extracted from the prisoners," Demiurge said with a smirk.

Suzuki could guess that the prisoners were going through hell if Demiurge looked so happy about it.

"Eight Fingers, my Lord," Demiurge reported. "Apparently, they are some kind of organization that has a lot of influence. It is to them this… Brigade… hoped to sell the females and robbed wares to."

"Eight Fingers, you say?" repeated Suzuki, stroking his chin.

"If the prisoners are to be believed, they control the Kingdom from the shadows," Demiurge said.

"This is starting to get bothersome," muttered Suzuki. "The more I learn about the Kingdom, the more I am inclined to seek out trade relationships with the Empire instead."

"We could try hunting in the Empire, Supreme One," Shalltear offered with a giggle. "I am sure we could find more than enough humans to gather information."

"No, not yet," Suzuki said. "The Empire has proven to have a far more efficient military and better patrols, not to mention far more spell-casters. I will not give them reason to be on the alert, not before we can properly introduce ourselves to them."

"How about a formal greeting, my Lord?" Sebas suggested.

"What do you have in mind, Sebas?" Suzuki asked, intrigued.

"We now count with a servant that knows their language and whose appearance and species will hopefully not rise suspicions," Sebas gestured at Nigun. "We could deliver a message to the Emperor, or a minor lord perhaps, to open talks."

Suzuki stroke his chin. Now that sounded like a nice way to start a relationship with a nation, especially one who had yet to prove to be troublesome.

"Well, I suppose we can consider such course of action if my talks with the Chieftains tomorrow and with the King's representative later on all fall apart," said Suzuki. "I am sure this Emperor won't do anything stupid against us in the meantime…"

"Do you fear this Emperor will do anything foolish, my love?" Albedo asked with a frown. "Perhaps we should launch a preemptive strike."

"That won't be necessary. From what I've learned about this Emperor, all of which comes from biased sources, he appears to be a capable leader, and quite cunning," Suzuki said. "I am certain such a person will not do anything foolish enough to incur my wrath."

In hindsight, Suzuki should have expected the Emperor to do something.

"Now, before we move on with the rest of the experiment," Suzuki said, looking at Pandora. "There is something I wished to discuss…"

---

There are a few ways to describe E-Rantel. As a fortress city, one of frontier settlements that faced the much hated Baharuth Empire, it was expected to be both imposing and filled with military men. At the same time, it also served as a hub of commerce, so it wasn't surprising there were many wagons from many places, as well as a colorful variety of people, entering and leaving the city and flocking the cobbled streets.

Hence, the citizens had seen all sorts of people from various nations as well as their fair share of unique-looking warriors. Well, except a strange black armored warrior, clad in some expensive plate-armor and a large red cape. Odder still were the massive black swords on his back. All in all, his entire massive form screamed "mighty warrior", unlike his companion, a simple looking blond blue-eyed man, with a mask and covered by a grey hood and cape.

Other than strange, they were definitely suspicious looking, so no one was surprised by the way guards and retainers all kept squinting at them and following their every move. However, they weren't causing any trouble, and apparently they were mere foreigners exploring the city (or at least that's what they told the guards at the gate who held them for questioning for a good one hour). Their accents checked out, sounding like that of men of the Slane Theocracy or even further south, and they did appear to be curious about many harmless things regarding the Kingdom.

In any case, the odd pair kept browsing different shops, without a care about the many eyes following them. It was definitely strange the way they visited blacksmiths, magicians, alchemists and even masons, almost as if they were cataloging a wide range of craftsmen in the city.

Eventually, as the sun started its descent, they entered yet another shop (an alchemy one this time). By that point, most guards just kept them in the corner of their eyes.

The leading Black Knight's every step made the wooden floor of the shop creak, all while it casted a large shadow on the counter. The companion stared forward, uninterested by the rows of potions and phials. The black knight, on the other hand, kept checking the inventory with keen interest, even leaning awfully close with a hungry demeanor.

"May I help you?" the shop-keeper said.

She gave them an onceover and a greedy glint caught in her eyes. These customers, she had decided, looked like they had gold.

"Indeed, ma'am," said the black knight, with a deep baritone voice. He sounded imposing, especially when standing up straight. "Is this the Bareares' shop?"

"Yes, I am Lizzie. May I ask who you are? You don't look from around here," hummed the old woman.

"Why, of course…" the black knight softly said with a bow. He dramatically pushed his cape aside and puffed his chest, only to raise a clenched fist with theatrical vehemence. "It is I, the warrior from a distant land that has come to cleanse all evils from this world…!"

He turned around, posing for the old Lizzie Bareare.

"…my name is Momon, the Black Knight Errant!"

The black knight Momon remained stuck mid-pose, as if waiting for an applause or a gasp. Lizzie, though, just stared at the weirdo.

Somewhere, near Carne Village, a certain Overlord was cringing for some unknown reason.

Lizzie looked at the Black Knight's companion, hopeful he would be far saner.

"Nabe," bluntly and stoically said the man behind the black knight.

"She- I mean, he – means to say he is my companion and squire, Nabe," huffed Momon, only to offhandedly add "also in a quest to save this land from evils."

Nabe just nodded, without a hint of emotion. He clearly didn't look much of an enthusiast in his quest.

"Ah-ha," slowly nodded Lizzie Bareare. "How may help you… eh…?"

"It is I, Momon the Black Knight Errant!" Repeated the weird Black Knight, once again posing dramatically.

Again, a certain Overlord felt absolute embarrassment for some unknown reason, pangs of shame striking at his pride.

"And Nabe," repeated the emotionless squire.

"Right, Momon and Nabe," grunted Lizzie. She quickly was back to being all smiles. "How may I help such adventurous warriors such as you? Perhaps some special potions? I may have quite a few you could be interested in given your… eh… quest."

A devious grin stretched across Lizzie's face as she greedily wrung her hands. It was clear the old lady thought she might have find quite the targets to swindle out of their money.

"Yes, knights like you need all sorts of potions, don't you? How about healing potions? I have the best in the Kingdom," boasted Lizzie.

"Why, by all means, madam," said Momon, regaining a stoic and professional demeanor. "Show me what you've got. Bring me your finest concoctions!"

Lizzie brought all sorts of potions for the weird knight to look at. He studied each of them, humming, before showing them to Nabe. The squire, though, didn't appear to care much. In fact, he picked what was worth a lot of gold with a barely repressed sneer before shoving it back to Momon.

Before long, though, Momon was addressing Lizzie.

"I am curious, madam," said Momon. "But have you ever heard about… red healing potions?"

"You mean…" Lizzie tentatively said.

"A potion that has the shade and color of blood," Momon clarified.

"Of course I heard of them!" scoffed Lizzie. "They are the stuff of legends! It is said that some of the Thirteen Heroes had them, capable of bringing back to full health any man from the brink of death."

"You wouldn't happen to know anyone capable of making those?" Momon wondered. He quickly raised a hand and added, "I am merely curious."

Lizzie hummed.

"You'll have better luck asking a noble. The few red potions that might exist, if there are any that is, probably are safe in some vault as some sort of family treasure," grunted Lizzie. "As for making them… huh, good luck with that. It is the dream of all potion-maker to achieve such a thing… but that's impossible."

"So you would be interested in making some of those?" Momon asked, tilting his head.

"Of course I would! Alchemy and potion making has been my life! It is my passion!" Lizzie retorted. "Now are you going to buy or-"

"And if I told you that I know a lord who has red healing potions and would pay for any alchemist to recreate them in his realm?" Asked Momon.

Lizzie squinted at the knight.

"I'd say you are bullshitting me," spat the old lady.

She gave Momon another onceover.

"Or you're another fiend from the theocracy…" she added under her breath.

"Just humor me, madam," said Momon, voice grave and solemn.

Lizzie considered humoring the weird man before she sighed and rolled her eyes. What was the harm, after all?

"I would love to see some proof first, the quality of his employment and then, only then, offer my services," Lizzie said with a smirk. "I would obviously ask for some advance payment."

"That's to be expected, I suppose," Momon hummed.

"So what's this? Are you trying to recruit me to be in your service or that of your Lord?" Lizzie asked. "Sorry, lad, but you aren't the first to try and get me to be their personal alchemist. The reason I'm the best is because I don't let any fool get between me and my potions."

"Actually, I was merely curious," Momon stated. "I do find it fascinating how alchemists in this city react to the question. It says a lot about them; a lot more than you would imagine. That being said, I am chasing after anyone willing to sell or even make me such potions. In fact, I am willing to pay for any knowledge on anyone who might have such potions in their person."

"Ha, I guess it's fair," Lizzie conceded. "I'd pay a lot of gold for one such potion myself, but forget it, Sir. It is a dream, nothing more. I doubt there is any such potion to begin with."

Momon just hummed before looking down at the potions.

"By the way, madam, I wished to know how much you would give me for these," Momon said.

He reached beneath his cape only to bring out a whole bunch of potions. Lizzie's eyes bulged out in shock. She was sure there hadn't been any potion pouches there. Where had Momon pulled them out from? A hidden portal? Then she looked at the potions, and her eyes almost popped out.

"Wh-where did you find these?!" Gasped Lizzie.

"A bunch of fools that crossed Mein Schöpfer's – I mean, my - path had them," said Momon.

"These… these are high grade potions," muttered Lizzie.

She leaned forward, squinting at them, before she reached a hand towards them.

"May I appraise them with magic, Sir?" Asked Lizzie.

"By all means," said Momon. "Do tell me what their purpose is…"

Lizzie proceeded to cast a spell on the phials before he addressed the black knight.

"I won't ask where you got those, but I believe you should not be showing them around," warily said Lizzie. "They look like high-grade potions… the sort only made in the Slane Theocracy for their magicians…"

How did this guy manage to slip them through the main gate without causing a ruckus? Lizzie thought.

Lizzie had to reconsider what she thought about the Black Knight Errant. She glared at the potions, old feelings of bitterness surfacing.

"Is there a problem? By the way, how did you figure out they came from people from the Theocracy?" Momon asked.

"Bah, you asked me before what I would do if someone offered red potions, and the truth is that I've already been asked that very same question," spat Lizzie. "Some fool from the Slane Theocracy tried to convince me to move over to their little nation of zealots… they promised all sorts of special equipment, the sort that I could never hope to get or use in the Kingdom…"

"And you weren't moved one bit?" Asked Momon, intrigued.

"Of course I was! I've heard all about their grand Universities and Academies and all that blasted crap! I would love to just get a glimpse to their advance potion-making methods, the sort that allow them to boast potions far superior to anything I could ever hope to make with the shit I have," growled Lizzie. "But in the end, I would never abandon my people. I might be of Baharith descent, but I have Re'Esterith blood coursing through my veins too and I would marry a Jotun or a Leshy before I even consider defecting to the Empire or the Theocracy."

"A true patriot then," Momon commented with a courteous bow. "I can respect that."

"I will admit that there's also the matter of my grandson. That fool really fancies a villager out in the countryside," muttered Lizzie. "It would break him to move to a new country…"

"I suspect the Theocracy were also after your grandson, or rather his Talent," Momon added.

Lizzie snorted, glaring at Momon.

"So you came for him too, huh?" Lizzie spat. "You are another Slanith beast, aren't you?"

"Quite the contrary, I am currently at odds with them, if you know what I mean…" Momon said, gesturing at the potions, who Lizzie suspected had been acquired rather forcibly.

Lizzie nodded. The thought of butchered Slane beasts actually made her smirk.

"By the way, shall we discuss business or not?" Momon said. "I am interested in selling these potions, after all."

And discuss business they did. To Lizzie's chagrin, Momon was no fool. In fact, the bastard proved to be quite an avid merchant, to the point of running circles around her. Clearly, his act of a fool was meant to have other underestimate him, an act Lizzie felt foolish for falling for. In the end, Lizzie found herself losing much more money that she had hoped for, and she made a mental promise to never underestimate Momon the Black Knight Errant.

Throughout their discussions, Nabe the Squire just stared dead ahead, yawning every now and then. He looked like he couldn't wait to leave that place. That sneer he was holding back was starting to show.

"By the way, madam, I've noticed you are all alone here," Momon hummed, looking around. "Isn't your grandson or any other helper around?"

"Not really," scoffed Lizzie. "The idiot is off to find her girl… what a fool."

"Das kann nicht sein!" Exclaimed the Black Knight Errant, slapping a hand on the counter.

"Huh?" A confused Lizzie wondered.

"I'm sorry, madam," said Momon, clearing his throat. "I was merely taken aback. I was truly hoping to meet your famous grandson."

"Are you sure you aren't here to try and recruit me and my grandson?" growled Lizzie, squinting at Momon.

"Who knows? Maybe I am," mused Momon. "I am curious, though. Where is your grandson at present?"

---

Nfirea Bareare disliked the countryside. He didn't mind the villages and their people, though. He just disliked leaving the comforts of his workshop and the frustrating long journeys, especially the taxing efforts it meant to reach a frontier village like Carne Village. This time, though, Nfirea wasn't going to deny he felt far more uncomfortable than usual, and it was mostly due to his grandmother's absence. This was, after all, the first time he set off on his own to Carne Village.

Am I acting too desperate? Nfirea pondered for the umpteenth time, ignoring the clattering of his wagon as it trundled across the dirt road. I could be worrying over nothing…

He clenched the reins of the one horse pushing the wagon, ignoring his surroundings. All around him there was only farmland, with one field after another. It was quite a picturesque environment, particularly under such wonderful day.

No, I have confirmed that Carne Village was attacked, so I must go and check on Enri, he reminded himself, also for the umpteenth time.

"Still having doubts, Mister Bareare?"

Nfirea looked to a side, straight to Sir Peter Mauk's blue eyes. His face's smooth features were stretched in a smile of amusement. Seeing the blond young man ride his large black Percheron horse (although it was technically Mayor Rettenmaier's and by the extension the King's horse), Nfirea could only feel envy towards the knight. The alchemist wished he knew how to ride or fight like the knight.

"A few," Nfirea admitted with a polite smile, squashing down his sense of inadequacy.

"You need to be more confident about this, Nfirea! Girls love confidence in their men," said another voice to Nfirea's right.

"Lukrut," sighed an exasperated Peter.

"What? It is the truth," Sir Lukrut Volve said atop his own Percheron.

Blonde hair and brown eyes, Lukrut's sharp features accentuated the smirk on his face. Differently from Peter who opted for a gambeson atop a chainmail, Lukrut preferred to wear a leather jerkin.

"Trust me, Nfirea, to get a girl you have to show no fear," Lukrut insisted.

"Don't listen to him," huffed none other than Brita, riding on the cart behind Nfirea. Even that late in the day, she was still suffering from a massive hungover. "If Lukrut knew what girls wanted he would have gotten one ages ago."

"That goes to show what you know about me, my beautiful Brita," said a smug Lukrut. "I've already gotten a maiden's heart!"

"And is the maiden aware of it or are you yet to even make an advance?" Teased Brita.

Lukrut was about to say something only to be interrupted by another voice behind the group.

"He's still working on it," a deep yet merry voice said.

"Dayne!" Lukrut said. "Who's side are you on?"

Dayne Woodwonder was a bulky man with a huge groomed beard and blond hair. Calm and peaceful, he carried a mace on his hip and the smell of herbs around him. Differently from Peter or Lukrut, he strode atop a brown Destrier.

"Alright, I'm curious now," Brita said. "Who's the unfortunate girl?"

Lukrut released a squawk of indignation, much to the amusement of his comrades.

"She's a new bar maid at the Sinking Tower," a squeaky voice said.

Nfirea glanced at the last member of the Swords of Darkness. Small, slim and brown-haired, the little boy was a strange oddity in a group of warriors. Of course, it only meant one obvious thing: he was a spell-caster, and probably a prodigious one to be allowed to march out to battle at such a young age. Given his size, he rode atop rather small breed of horse, and even then Nfirea felt he should have been given a pony instead.

"Ninya!" Whined Lukrut.

The group all laughed, including Nfirea. He wasn't going to lie, he might have disliked the countryside and travelling, but this particular escort of his was making it quite enjoyable.

"Oof, tough luck, Lukrut. The girl's taken," said Brita.

"What? By who?!" Lukrut gasped in horror.

"By Igvarge, of the Knights of Kralgra."

"What? No way! That asshole? What did that sweet beautiful girl see in that- that-" Lukrut angrily protested.

"Lukrut, it isn't right to insult a fellow knight, especially one with our same liege lord," Peter said, although he had a smile of amusement.

"Hey, Ninya, Dayne, you're huscarls, describe that piece of shit to Peter for me," Lukrut pleaded.

Dayne and Ninya traded amused smiles before stroking their chins with mocking looks of contemplation.

"I don't know, Lukrut, he isn't that bad looking," said Ninya.

"And he's quite the awe-inspiring character," Dayne added.

"Oh come on!" Protested Lukrut.

The group all laughed at that.

"Please, Lukrut, Igvarge might be a real piece of work, but he is strong, he has a lot of coin and he is a high standing Knight. He even commands quite a little band of warriors himself," said Brita.

"But that bastard gets all the women in town!" Lukrut shouted.

"No, only those you fancy," Dayne pointed out.

"You know what I mean! How many wives does that asshole have already? Four?" Lukrut asked.

"Two, but that doesn't stop him from getting himself any girl that catches his fancy, like your girl back at the Sinking Tower," Brita muttered with a roll of her eyes.

"It's not fair," grumbled Lukrut.

"It can't be helped, my friend," Dayne sagely said. "Women lean towards men with power and resources, and Igvarge, for all his faults, has plenty of both."

Nfirea's shoulders slumped at that. Dayne Woodwonder wasn't entirely wrong. True, things had changed with the arrival of Four Great Gods, who had sought to bring a new societal order where more was expected of women than to be child bearers. However, the subsequent collapse under the hands of the Eight Greed Kings and Evil Deities had reverted much of human society back to the old ways… even if, technically, no village, no matter how remote, ever reverted back to how humanity truly was back before the Arrival.

What do I have to offer? Thought a despondent Nfirea. Who am I to stop Enri from falling for someone stronger than me?

He shook his head and scrunched his face in determination.

No! I can't give up! Nfirea thought.

"Oh man, at this rate I'll need to start looking for village women!" protested Lukrut.

"Just as long as you stay clear of Mister Bareare's girl, I suppose you might as well," Brita said, making Nfirea blushed.

"Hey, that's a good idea!" Lukrut said. "Go on, Nfirea, tell me, are there any available girls at this Carne Village? Come on! Let this desperate knight know!"

"Before that I want to hear more about the girl that got Mister Bareare's heart!" Said Brita, leaning over to Nfirea and wrapping an arm around the poor alchemist.

Poor Nfirea could feel part of Brita's chest pressed against his back, making his face burn even brighter. Was she still drunk or something? Nfirea could swear he could make the smell of mead on her breath.

"What was her name again?" Brita insisted.

"Hands off, Brita," Peter good-naturedly said.

"Don't tell me you aren't curious about this girl," said Brita. "Go on, Bareare, spill it! I can't believe a scrawny freeman like you fell for a peasant in the middle of nowhere."

"You've always been such a romantic, Brita," teased Lukrut.

"Up yours, elf!" Angrily shouted Brita.

"Awww, so you do love me," Lukrut shot back with a smirk.

"You know, Lukrut, you do look like an elf at times," joked Dayne.

"Maybe that's why most women ignore you," added Ninya.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Lukrut smugly said. "Everyone knows how stylized and beautiful elves are."

While Lukrut preened, Ninya acted like he was retching, much to Dayne's and Peter's amusement.

"Oy, don't think we've forgotten about you, Bareare!" Brita said, going back to wrapping an arm around Nfirea. "Tell us! Give us a name! Was it Enfi?"

"Enri," Nfirea immediately said, before he could hold his tongue.

"Ooh, Enri," Brita teased. "So what's the tale here? Childhood crush?"

"Brita," Peter sighed, shaking his head. "Remind me why you are here with us…"

"Because you lot need an actual warrior, someone with some of these," Brita said, pointing at her flexing muscular arm, the one that wasn't currently tightly wrapped around Nfirea.

"More like she could use some silver after sinking herself in mead," Lukrut snickered.

"Yeah, alright, I could do with some coin," muttered Brita. "But hey, I managed to avoid an encounter with Brain Unglaus! That's got to be worthy of a celebration!"

"As if someone like Brain Unglaus could actually end up working for brigands," mused Ninya.

"What? It's true! Or at least, that's what we were told," Brita remarked.

"Just like you were told there were brigands to fight," hummed a skeptical Dayne.

"Hey, I am not sad I got to spend another night drinking instead of staining the land with blood," Brita huffed.

Nfirea frowned. He remembered Brita mentioning that her mission had been a bust and thus offered to join his escort, but back then she had decided to throw herself in his cart and snore most of the day off while recovering from a serious hangover. Truth to be told, the only reason she had been allowed to join in was because she was too drunk to be left alone to her own devices. Peter, ever the gallant knight, had been worried that something could have happened.

"Why do you drink that much, Brita?" Ninya asked with genuine concern. "It can't be any good to drink like that…"

"Why the hell not?" Huffed Brita. "It's not like there's anything else I can do."

"Have you considered find yourself a man?" Asked Dayne.

"Me? A man? Pffft," Brita scoffed. "I'm a Huscarl, Dayne, and I'll die as one, just like my father before me, and his father before him…"

Nfirea got the distinct impression that Brita was trying to drown personal issues under gallons of mead and beer each time she went into a mead hall.

"What about you, Dayne? Why aren't you looking for a girl?" Brita asked back.

"Oh, I have considered it," said the man with a calm and joyful smile. "Maybe in a decade I'll settle down back in my home village and raise a family. I wouldn't mind having a couple of children to teach the ways of the nature. In the meantime, I've sworn myself to Peter and his impossible quest."

"Come now, it isn't such an impossible quest," mused Peter.

"Keep telling yourself that," teased Lukrut.

"You really look like a family man to me, Dayne," Ninya fondly said. "I'm sure you'll be a great father."

"Thanks, Ninya," replied Dayne with a hearty laugh. "To tell the truth, I believe you'll grow to be quite a man yourself and find a wife."

"M-me? A wife? N-no, that's- that's not going to happen," spluttered Ninya.

"Oh, we have a shy one over here," purred a mischievous Brita. "If you need a confidence boost in that area, I can help with that… if you know what I mean."

That made Ninya's face explode with a blush.

"I- I – you – no, no, that- that can't happen," spluttered Ninya.

"Come on, why not? Don't you find me pretty?" Brita purred seductively.

Nfirea might have pitied Ninya, but at the moment he was truly thankful Brita's attention was off him. Brita burst out laughing a bit too loudly, slapping a hand on the cart.

"I'm joking, Ninya. You look way too young and girly for me anyway," snickered Brita.

"And what about me, then?" Joked Lukrut.

"Sorry, Lukrut, but I don't sleep with demi-humans like elves," Brita retorted.

"Oh, be still my wounded heart," dramatically responded Lukrut, grasping at his chest over his heart.

The group all laughed at that, including Nfirea. Admittedly, it was in moments like that when Nfirea felt that, even if he had been a tad too desperate to rush to Carne Village, thus far it hadn't been such a bad experience. Truth to be told, Nfirea almost felt like he was with a group of friends, something he had never truly experienced.

The Swords of Darkness, Nfirea had long decided, was the oddest group of knights he had ever met or heard of. To start with, they weren't even all knights, and that alone made it strange. Warriors and Knights didn't really see eye-to-eye on most issues, mostly on their oaths. Yet the Swords of Darkness were the exceptional exception.

"By the way, Mister Bareare, what is Carne Village like?" Asked Ninya.

"Its one of the villages from the Northern Tribes, if I am not mistaken," Dayne interceded with a hum. "So I assume they are the sort to take the Old Ways seriously…"

"Seriously? And you have a girl over there, a girl that looks like Brita?" Lukrut asked, wide-eyed.

"Oy, what's that supposed to mean?" An angry Brita asked.

"Please, Brita, you're fun and all but you are… ehm…"

"Yes?" Growled Brita, through gritted teeth.

"Eh… a Huscarl," said Lukrut, sweating and panicky. "Right, yes, a huscarl! You wouldn't go for someone like Nfirea, right?"

Brita glared at Lukrut before giving Nfirea an onceover. She shrugged.

"I guess you're right. No offence, Nfirea, but you are definitely not what I'd expect a girl who holds to the Old Ways be after," said Brita.

I know, morosely thought Nifrea.

"Enri is… different," Nfirea mumbled. "She's… she's really kind and gentle, and very brave. She does hold to the Old Ways but… even so, she doesn't believe strength and survival are everything."

She respects my knowledge in herbs and believes cunning and smarts have their place in a tribe, Nfirea recalled.

"You love her deeply," Dayne commented.

"Yep, he has it really bad," teased Lukrut.

Peter didn't say anything, bit his lip with clear desire to tease Nfirea.

"That's really sweet," said Ninya.

"Awwww, that's adorable," cooed Brita.

Nfirea might have been imagining things, but he could have sworn the redhead looked jealous, and wistful. Nfirea, of course, felt like his face was aflame.

"Ah, young love," Dayne said. "Is she the true reason to your visit to Carne Village, then?"

"A bit," admitted Nfirea. "I am still going for herbs and- and to visit."

"He didn't tell you?" Brita said, looking at Peter. "This young man wants to make sure Ainz Ooal Gown hasn't taken his girl."

"Ans Owl Who?" Lukrut asked, confused.

Dayne and Peter looked equally mystified.

"Guys, don't you remember the rumors we heard?" Ninya asked.

"Eh…" The three men replied in unison, exchanging looks.

"Ninya, we hear a lot of weird stuff," diplomatically commented Peter. "Like the rumors of Baharuth knights spotted within our borders."

"But Ainz Ooal Gown is different!" Ninya said. "He's said to be a very powerful spell-caster, so powerful, he could summon Elementals!"

"Ele-what now?" Lukrut, ever the knowledgeable one, asked. "Elementals?"

"Creatures of the divine elements called forth to serve its summoner," Ninya said, with wide eyes of excitement. "They are creatures of legends, said to have been plentiful during the time of the Thirteen heroes!"

"I think I remember something about that…" Peter conceded, stroking his chin. "He isn't the alleged mage who assisted the Chief Warrior some time back, right?"

"That's the one!" Ninya excitedly said. She turned to Nfirea, stars in her eyes. "He's there, in Carne Village?!"

"Wow, easy boy, don't get so excited!" laughed Brita.

"Excuse our adorable companion," chuckled Lukrut. "But Ninya here gets really excited when it comes to magic."

"He is renowned for his desire to improve in the magical arts," Dayne added.

"Truly?" Nfirea asked, looking at the now embarrassed freckled boy.

"Do you want to know how he became a spell-caster?" Peter said.

"Peter, please, don't retell that story!" Whined Ninya, burying her face behind her palms.

"But it is a good story!" Lukrut snickered. "Ninya the Brave, that's what we call her."

Ninya groaned, growing even more embarrassed.

"Ha, even I know the story," giggled Brita.

Nfirea looked at the members of the Swords of Darkness, eager to hear more.

"You see, little Ninya here is a commoner and had nowhere to go," retold Lukrut. "He was from a distant village near the capital until some asshole knights ruined his family."

"No surprise there," grunted Dayne.

"Come on, we aren't all like that," Peter said.

"Yeah, you make it sound like Warriors haven't taken their own liberties in the name of their own lords," countered Lukrut.

"Fair enough," sighed Dayne.

"In any case, Ninya here, having lost everything, found herself at the capital. A priest discovered he had magical potential and offered to take him in to become a priest," said Peter.

"Thing was, Ninya also discovered he has a talent," added Lukrut.

"He does?" Nfirea stared, wide-eyed at the boy, who slumped his face and kept his face hidden.

"Yep, and it is basically raw magical aptitude," Peter said with a proud smile. "It allows him to learn spells nearly twice as fast than any other… although it is a really subjective Talent."

"Going back to the story… The priest, being a real asshole, didn't really tell Ninya about the Talent he identified. Our Ninya, though, was no idiot. He knew that a priest just didn't offer any commoner with magical aptitude a place in a church, not like him at least," retold Lukrut. "So, one night, our cute little Ninya sneaked out and overheard the priest trying to convince the archbishop to fund Ninya's education. Because of his Talent, the archbishop was willing to oversee much of Ninya's background and even agreed to fund a proper education."

"But Ninya wouldn't have any of that," Dayne said, smiling.

"You refused a path into priesthood?" Nfirea asked in disbelief.

Priest were to Bishops and Archbishops what Vassals were to Nobles, after all. The difference being that Bishops and Archbishops, while they controlled lands and soldiers of their own, remained generally concerned about their own affairs instead those of the kingdom. They couldn't be called to war by the King, for example. That and priests had near lordly education, learning to read, write and even math.

"I… I didn't want to be a priest," Ninya shyly said. "I want to be a spell-caster because… because of reasons…"

The Swords of Darkness traded grim nods, as if affirming something between them. Nfirea got the feeling that their main quest and oath for that band of warriors didn't truly circle around its name. Nfirea wondered if, perhaps, Ninya didn't want vengeance against the knights who ruined her family. While some priests did learn how to fight, they generally dedicated to the healing arts so they could sell their abilities to those who could afford them.

"Ninya didn't want to be priest, but she didn't want to serve any of the nobles at the capital either," said Peter.

"Smart lad," Dayne commented.

"So he decided he would trek all the way to the one Lord he had heard the best things about, the one with many noble knights and warriors of his own due to his proximity to the Baharuth Empire," Peter said, chest puffed up with pride.

"Mayor Panasolei Gruze Day Rettenmaier," said Lukrut. "Also known as the Mayor of E-Rantel."

"With nothing but his clothes, little Ninya trekked around the country, stopping from village to village for shelter and food, alone, from Re-Estize to E-Rantel," Dayne recounted.

"He came all the way from Re-Estize… on foot and alone?" Gasped Nfirea.

"Yep, and even demanded to see the Mayor," chuckled Dayne. "I wasn't there, but it must have been quite a sight… the Mayor's court, surrounded by knights and huscarls, with little Ninya at the center."

"Our liege, Rettenmaier, always had a soft spot for commoners, so he decided to indulge the little pauper who wished to see him. It might have been a fancy of the moment, or maybe he was just intrigued about the child that so desperately wanted to see him. It doesn't matter. In the end, he allowed Ninya into court and listened to his petition," said Lukrut retold.

"Rettenmaier is a good lord," Peter said. "He always allows petitions from commoners. It is one of the reasons the King made him mayor, and has held the position for so long."

"So what happened?" Nfirea asked.

"Lord Rettenmaier first asked about Ninya's story, where he came from and what he wanted. Imagine the look of surprise on the Lord's face when Ninya told him how he had rejected a place in priesthood and went all the way from Re-Estize to serve under him in exchange of magical training. Needless to say, the Lord was impressed, even if some doubted Ninya's story. So, of course, Lord Rettenmaier took Ninya in as one of his vassals, and has been learning with the rest of Rettenmaier's mages ever since," retold Peter.

"I do appreciate Lord Rettenmaier's graciousness… but the magical knowledge of our Lord has is quite limited," sighed Ninya. "With each Lord having only a few tomes of magic for their spell-casters to learn from, and the reluctance to combine all of our magical knowledge, the Kingdom is quite lacking when it comes to magic-users."

"Information is power," Dayne sagely said. "No Lord would allow his magical vassals to share their spells, not when they could be used against them or their servants."

"And so the Kingdom has weak and underprepared magic-casters in comparison to the Slane Theocracy with their magical Institutes and Universities," sighed a disappointed Ninya. "Even the Empire understands the need to form magical training places, like their famous Academy."

Ninya obliviously looked up with a wistful smile. However, for the rest it was different. There was a grim moment of silence in which they purposely avoided talking any further about the Kingdom. It would spoil their good mood, after all.

"So you wish to meet this Ainz Ooal Gown?" Nfirea asked Ninya.

The little boy ducked his head.

"M-maybe," mumbled Ninya.

"Don't be shy, Ninya. There is no shame is wanting to grow stronger," Dayne said. "I am sure Lord Rettenmaier will understand if you are taken in as an apprentice to such alleged magical caster… if the rumors are true."

"I hope they are," weakly mumbled Ninya. "I need to grow stronger…"

Nfirea felt utterly miserable upon hearing about Ninya's tale. There he was, a young boy, younger than Nfirea himself, who had stayed resolute to his goal on becoming a powerful spell-caster, either for vengeance or another reason. On the other hand, Nfirea still wavered in his decision to check on the girl he deeply loved and hoped to marry.

His grip on the reins tightened and he nodded to himself. He was going to check on Enri and, maybe, finally ask the one question he had been meaning to ask for some time…

"So about this Enri…" Brita said with a mischievous smile, clearly insistent on learning more about the peasant girl. "How does she look like? Is she like me?"

And just like that, Nfirea's resolution vanished and he was a spluttering mess. Hopefully, by the time they made it to Carne Village, Nfirea would regain some of his determination.

---

Slimes were terrifying things. For one Aura Bella Fiore, however, no matter what others thought, the one currently standing (or was it wobblings?) in front of her was the most beautiful creature in existence. She was, after all, Lady Bukubukuchagama. Pink, slimy and with a texture that could be described as viscous, the slime monster wobbled up and down in excitement.

"Oh, you look so cute!" Squealed the Supreme Being in her high pitched voice. "So adorable, both of you!"

Aura just grinned while her brother blushed, averting his gaze. Both of them stood side by side, dressed in kimonos. Around the bedroom of the elven twins, inside the Gigantic Tree of the Tomb's Sixth Floor, there was a mess of dresses and clothes spread around, evidence of Lady Bukubukuchagama's favorite pastime.

"Now, what dress can we try now?" Wondered the slime, looking into a nearby wardrobe.

There was a beeping noise and the slime perked up.

"Oh, is it time already?" Her voice had become deeper, as if the previous one had been fake. "Oh well, guess I should head back…"

Aura blinked. She tried to open her mouth, but found she couldn't. In fact, she realized it was stuck as a grin.

"…alright my two adorable little elves, mamma has to go!" Squealed the slime, back to her previous voice.

Aura tried to beg her to stay, but again her body wasn't reacting. She wanted to rush at the slime, plead for more time… yet she was unable to do anything other than stay standing – all with that damned grin stuck in place.

"See you!" giggled the slime. "Until next time!"

Those words made Aura's entire being shake in desperation. Something in her told her there wouldn't be a next time, that if she didn't stop the Slime, Aura would never see her again.

A slimy protrusion extended from the Slime and wobbled side to side, much like a grotesque tentacle waving at the elves. Bukubukuchagama slid away, her back turned towards the twins.

Aura stared at the back. She couldn't do anything else. Even if she was internally screaming at the slime to stay, to return to them, all she could do was much the same: stand still and smile. Aura felt like crying, but even that had been denied to her.

The slime reached the door, straight into a wall of light. Aura wanted to do something, anything, but she couldn't. She just stared at the slime, her creator, as she reached the threshold and dived into the light, and then-

Aura's eyes snapped open.

Slowly, Aura sat up, a bit disoriented, and blinked a couple of times. It took her longer than it should to understand that she was back in her room. She glanced at her brother, sleeping soundly as a tight ball on the bed on the other side of the room. Aura smiled at him before shaking her head and studying her surroundings.

There were two wardrobes, each at the feet of each bed, and one shared bedside table. Other than that, there were only a handful of decorations. With nothing else to distract her, Aura sighed and thought back to what had just happened.

Another nightmare, Aura realized.

She angrily scratched her head with both hands, only to grimace.

That's one thing I'll never like about the Transfer, grumbled Aura. But hey, enough whining!

She quickly jumped off bed, and stretched a bit, before moving to her wardrobe. There was no point in trying to sleep; she knew sleep would elude her. Instead, Aura decided to do what she always did whenever she was troubled by any nightmares: go out and spend some energy.

Aura was about to reach for her usual attire, when she spotted a familiar dress. It was the same as in the dream. Curious, Aura grabbed the dress, before turning to the mirror on the inside of the wardrobe's door. She couldn't explain it, but Aura had the desire to try it on. Maybe it was a sense of nostalgia after her nightmare.

I wish Lady Bukubukuchagama was here to dress us up like she used to, mentally sighed Aura.

On the outside, though, she kept smiling. She wasn't her brother, after all. She didn't like showing how she truly felt.

Aura tentatively reached for other clothes: a kimono, a couple of pop-star attires (Aura had no idea what a Pop Star was, but it apparently implied a lot of bright colors), some costumes and more dresses. She didn't try them on, but rather pulled the clothes against her body, lining it up towards the mirror so as to make it easier to imagine what she would look like if she tried the clothes.

What would Lord Momonga think of these? Aura wondered.

She sighed, a lopsided smile on her face, and shook her head. Like she would ever ask Lord Momonga's opinion on her attire. He had more pressing matters to deal with…

…And he could prefer something different than Lady Bukubukuchagama, Aura pointed out.

She pouted at her reflection. It wasn't that she would have minded changing clothes; Aura liked dressing up, actually. It was the thought of changing the looks that her creator had last given her that bothered her. There was something about using new clothes that brought a pang of shame. Perhaps it was the idea that she would be betraying her creator's views and desires, or perhaps it was an admission that she was moving on, finally accepting that her creator wasn't coming back…

"I won't lose hope," Aura told herself, nodding confidently at her reflection. She grinned at herself. "I know Lady Bukubukuchagama is out there. I just know it."

"Aura…?"

Aura turned around, only to find a yawning brother, sitting on his bed. Clutched to his chest was a Momonga plushy, a gift from Lady Albedo. Aura wasn't going to admit it, but she wished she had of her own. Sadly, she would never openly tell Lady Albedo she too was having nightmares and needed something to comfort her. Aura was the big sister, after all. She could handle nightmares… she knew she could… or at least, she sure hoped so.

"Another nightmare?" Mare shyly asked.

"Yeah, but it is no big deal," lied Aura with a grin.

"What are you doing?" Mare wondered, quickly changing the subject.

He got out of bed, not before yawning once again.

"Just remembering," said Aura with a shrug.

She started putting away her clothes. Mare walked to her side and picked one of the costumes, giving it a look. Aura studied her brother. He looked unsure, and sad.

"I miss her," he said.

"Yeah, us both," Aura chuckled, nudging him.

Mare smiled meekly.

"You up for a patrol? I don't think I can sleep anymore," Aura said.

Mare nodded, his smile widening. Aura grinned back at him. It really wasn't like she needed to ask. She knew Mare would follow her anywhere she wanted.

Before long the two elven twins were jumping out of the Gigantic Tree. They were greeted by Aura's many pets, all of which woke up and went to greet their master. Aura had to spend a good lot of minutes trying to urge them to sleep, before riding away on Fenrir's back. The giant black wolf with bright crimson eyes was more than happy to serve as a steed for the elf twins.

Onwards they rode, through the usual routes. They avoided the untamed areas, were wild beasts still dared to challenge Aura and Mare if they ever got too close. Aura had long desired to put down the traitors, but Lord Momonga insisted that those wild beasts could serve as a functioning ecosystem for the Sixth Floor, thus allowing for emergency food in case it was ever needed. At the same time, Aura had to admit it wouldn't be fun if she got rid of all of them. The eventual wild beast leaving its area of containment was always a bit of entertainment, especially in such nights when she was restless and needed to spend pent-up energy.

Around the Sixth Floor they went, until they came across the grand coliseum. The grand structure tended to be used often those days, particularly by Cocytus. At the moment, though, it sounded as if no one was inside. Curious, Aura had Fenrir give them a ride inside.

There was, indeed, no individual making use of the central arena. However, there was a lone figure in the stands. Hadn't Aura been a Dark Elf, she was certain she would have missed him. Thankfully, her keen eyes were more than capable of seeing through the darkness as clear as day and spotting things at long distances.

"Lord Momonga!" Aura exclaimed, happy to see the Supreme Being.

"Aura, Mare," Lord Momonga said with a tired smile.

The elf twins jumped off the large wolf's back and trotted over to the man. Rubedo, who stood a couple of bleachers up, stared at them, as if annoyed by them.

"Are you alright, Lord Momonga?" Mare asked, concerned.

"Yeah, you look tired, Supreme One," Aura said.

Lord Momonga chuckled at that, giving them a smile.

"Seems that I can't get any rest these days," said Lord Momonga. He looked up at the ceiling of the Sixth Floor. "There's so much to do…"

"Is there anything we can do for you, Lord Momonga?" Aura wondered.

"No, unless you know what to do with the females Shalltear captured last night," sighed Momonga.

"Eh…" Aura traded looks with Mare before saying the first thing that came to her mind. "You could always give them to Demiurge, my Lord."

"I rather not," grunted Lord Momonga.

Aura scrunched her face in concentration, trying to figure out what her Lord and master planned. Sadly, when it came to schemes and Lord Momonga, she preferred to have Demiurge do the thinking.

"Lord Momonga is there a reason you care about those humans? They are a nuisance, aren't they? They need food and attention… they might be more useful in some other way. You have never cared that much what was done about the other prisoners," Aura asked.

She mentally reminded herself that Lord Momonga had actually passed a few stipulations when handling humans, mostly to Demiurge.

"That's because these women are… well… victims in all of this," said Momonga. "I should have known the day would come I would pass judgement on innocent humans, but never did I expect it to be so early."

Aura and Mare traded unsure expressions. They hated knowing their Lord was troubled by something, but they just were helpless to do anything. They barely understood the will of the Supreme One, much less know how to deal with a situation.

"You are way too kind, my Lord," said Mare.

"Thanks, Mare," Lord Momonga softly said, smiling at the young male elf.

Mare blushed and ducked his head. Aura grinned at her brother's embarrassment.

"He's not wrong, Lord Momonga. You always show so much kindness to humans…" Aura trailed off, as she suddenly wondered something. "My Lord, if you wouldn't mind me asking…"

"Go ahead, Aura," Lord Momonga said.

"Why do you care about humans so much? I get that you want to keep the peace and avoid any conflicts with Players, and that we might need humans outside the Tomb… but why are you so merciful to them? Even the ones we've captured you show them a lot more kindness than they deserve," Aura said.

"I…" Lord Momonga trailed off, unsure. He scrunched his face, thoughtful, before looking up at the skies. A smile then slowly crawled across his face. "To tell you the truth, Aura – and Mare – I sympathize with them."

"Because of your current form, Supreme One?" Mare wondered.

"In part," conceded Lord Momonga. "Another part is because… well… I used to be such ordinary human, not so different like them."

"What? No way!" Aura gasped. Mare too was absolutely dumbfounded.

Lord Momonga chuckled, averting his face.

"It's true. You don't think I was born as the Lord Momonga you knew, do you?" He said.

"Oh, right," Aura said. "I guess that makes sense…"

"S-so you were human before you lost your flesh?" Mare asked, intrigued.

Lord Momonga opened his mouth to reply, only to pause and look down at the ground around him.

"Say, why don't you sit?" He asked, patting on the ground on each side.

Aura and Mare didn't need to be told twice. They each jumped at the opportunity to sit next to their Lord. In fact, they took the chance to sit as close as possible. Of course, they would never be so bold to purposely touch Lord Momonga…

"Now, about the humans I have never truly hated nor loved them," Lord Momonga said with such deep sincerity that Aura couldn't help but stare in awe.

It wasn't every day their supreme master opened up like that, after all, especially not to talk about his views and opinions. It was more frequent for him to discuss the other Supreme Beings.

"I… may I share a secret with you?" He said, not without a conspiratorial smile in place.

"Yes!" Aura and Mare exclaimed, near desperate.

"Don't tell anyone else, alright? You too, Rubedo, don't share this with anyone, alright?" Lord Momonga said, glancing at his bodyguard.

"Are you alright Rubedo?" Mare asked.

The metal angel seemed to be standing stiffer than usual, and that was saying something for a metallic being.

"I am fine, Mare," said the bodyguard.

"Do you… want to join us?" Mare wondered.

"Join us?" Asked a confused Lord Momonga, glancing between the dark elf and Rubedo.

"I…" Rubedo said. Although she was incapable of communicating emotions, her entire demeanor suggested doubt.

"If you want you can sit with us," Lord Momonga said.

Rubedo didn't jump at the opportunity right away. She hesitated, clearly eager yet held back by something. Tentatively, she gave a step down towards her master and, after another step, she gained enough confidence to walk over to the group and sit next to Lord Momonga.

"Wow, are you nervous Rubedo? How come?" Mused Aura.

"I am not," said Rubedo, clearly fretting with nerves. "I am unable to feel emotions…"

Lord Momonga raised an eyebrow at her.

"So you would not want a head pat if I offered?" He said, raising a hand and placing it over the mechanical angel's head.

Rubedo didn't immediately say anything. She instead stared at the hand rather longingly.

"If that's what my master wishes…" trailed off Rubedo.

"I guess it can't be helped then," chuckled Lord Momonga. "How interesting…"

He proceeded to pat the robotic bodyguard, who in turn leaned towards the hand. Unable to make any expressions with the metal-mask face of hers, she still seemed delighted by the contact. However, Lord Momonga stopped head-patting Rubedo (whose shoulders slumped down) and returned to the conversation at hand.

"Alright, back to the topic of humans…" Lord Momonga said, clearing his throat. "I do wish to help them because I do admire some qualities of the human spirit."

"You do?" Gasped Aura and Mare. Even Rubedo snapped her head at Lord Momonga in shock.

"Yes," solemnly said Lord Momonga with a regal nod. "For example, the villagers of Carne Village are, to their core, survivors, and I admire that tenacity in them. They live next to a dangerous forest, crawling with monsters that try to snatch them, either to eat them or worse, all while trying to survive the hardships of a feudal system… and even then, they push on, unwilling to drop their arms and give up, going as far as to smile despite their situation. Are they weak? Compared to you, absolutely… and yet, they brave on, no matter how much the world tries to stomp on them."

Aura wasn't sure she understood. In her eyes, humans were kind of pathetic. The fact they tried so hard to keep living when it was a futile effort, especially without a real purpose given by a creator (like in her case), made them look rather stupid in her eyes. However, if Lord Momonga admired that quality of hers, who was she to believe otherwise?

"Courage, Aura and Mare, can only be achieved in the face of fear," Momonga said. "You two have little to fear because you are strong, so you probably do not understand what it is to stare a looming threat straight to the eye and, even with the knowledge of inevitable failure, push forward."

"So the virtue you value the most is courage?" Mare tentatively asked.

Between the guardians, they were all rather at odds when it came to what Momonga respected the most. To Demiurge, Lord Momonga valued cunning and intelligence more than anything else, while Cocytus believed Lord Momonga respected honor and power above all. Albedo was more leaning towards love, much like Shalltear, while Sebas strongly believed Lord Momonga valued justice. Victim was of the opinion that Lord Momonga thought of self-sacrifice as the highest virtue and the twins… well, the twins thought Lord Momonga was a Supreme Being that valued kindness the most.

Hence, Aura and Mare were quietly making sure to remember what Lord Momonga was about to say. Perhaps they could gleam on what Lord Momonga expected of them in their ascension and maybe aid them find their flaws.

"Hmmmm," hummed Lord Momonga. "I do value courage but if I had to pick a virtue I think it would be…"

"Yes?" Aura and Mare impatiently asked, dying to know what their beloved master respected the most.

"Well, I think I pick friendship," Momonga said with a smile.

Aura and Mare stared at Lord Momonga, blinking, before they frowned and looked at each other. Friendship? Not kindness, love, justice… just friendship?

"I know, I know, a bit corny," a sheepish Momonga chuckled. "But I think that's the honest truth. I haven't really thought about it though…"

"What do you mean by friendship? Is it even a virtue?" asked a confused Aura.

"Well, yes, and I believe it is through friendship we attain all other virtues," said Momonga. "You become brave and strong to protect those you care about, even became your own brand of ambitious. I doubt any self-sacrifice and honor, for example, can come without true friendship, and it is with friendship you could achieve other virtues, I guess, like- like…"

"Kindness?" Aura wondered.

"Love?" Mare added.

Lord Momonga rubbed his face, ashamed. Aura tilted her head, confused. Why did he look like that? He was making a lot of sense, to her at least.

"I guess… but please, don't go taking my words to heart. I am ranting on without much thought," sighed Momonga. He snorted, smiling with amusement. "I guess it's the sleep-deprivation talking."

Aura and Mare, though, didn't quite believe their supreme master would ever such spew drivel. In their eyes, he was speaking wisdom that should be heeded.

Lord Momonga sighed and looked up at the ceiling of the Sixth Floor. His face turned into that strange mixture of fondness, nostalgia and sadness. Aura dislike seeing her Supreme master look like that. She preferred him when he smiled and offered wisdom. Worse, Aura knew what troubled him. It was much the same as it troubled all Guardians and other NPCs.

"You miss the Supreme Beings a lot, don't you my Lord?" A sad Mare remarked. His ears dropped and he looked down. "I miss Lady Bukubukuchagama…"

Lord Momonga wrapped a comforting arm around Mare, pulling him to his chest into a half-hug. Mare's face was bright red with embarrassment, but a smile of joy threatened to split his face in two. Aura pouted, jealous of her little brother. However, before she could say anything, Lord Momonga wrapped an arm around her too, and before long she too was grinning and blushing, her body feeling the comfortable warmth of Lord Momonga.

Shalltear and Albedo are going to be so jealous, Aura thought with no small amount of amusement.

"Yes, Mare, I deeply miss all of my friends, including your creator," he softly said, his smile unfaltering. "But I am thankful that even in their absence, they left me the best beings I could have asked for…"

Aura felt an odd woozy tingling in her gut, a sensation that was both unpleasant and desirable. It was the feeling she had longed for, the very same she had wanted but from someone else… it didn't matter, Aura was beyond ecstatic.

"D-do you mean it, Lord Momonga?" Mare timidly asked with wide eyes.

"Of course he means it, Mare!" Aura berated her brother. "What kind of question is that?"

Lord Momonga laughed, holding tighter onto them. The twins, in turn, shared a smile, happy to know they had made their Supreme Master laugh.

"Now, children, it is getting late," said Lord Momonga with a yawn. "And you should be off to bed…"

"So should you, Supreme One," Aura cheekily responded.

"I am the Overlord and Supreme Ruler here, young lady," mockingly huffed the Supreme Being, ruffling Aura's hair.

Aura laughed at that. Her heart was going to burst of joy at the interaction.

"Off you go, you two," said Lord Momonga. "It's already quite late."

"But my Lord…" shyly mumbled Mare.

"Please, couldn't we stay like this a bit longer?" Aura begged.

Lord Momonga looked at them. The elven twins, in turn, looked at him with big round pleading eyes. A face of struggle crossed Lord Momonga's face until he sighed, relenting.

"Fine," sighed the Supreme Being. A smile stretched on his face. "Just a bit longer."

"Yay!" Aura cheerfully exclaimed, holding tighter onto Lord Momonga.

Mare just smiled, closing his eyes and enjoying the feeling of being hugged by (and hugging back) their Lord.

"Just for a little while, alright? You two should be asleep," Lord Momonga said.

"M-My Lord I-I don't want to- to impose b-but…" Mare stammered, terrified.

"Have no worries, Mare, I won't get angry no matter what you say," Lord Momonga reassuringly said.

"Could… could you tell us a story?" Shyly mumbled a blushing Mare, looking down, face buried in Momonga's robes.

"Story?" Lord Momonga asked, dumbfounded.

"Yes! Please! Tell us a story, Supreme One!" Aura begged with a grin.

"Eh… I'm… not much of a story teller," grumbled the Supreme Being.

"What about Lady Bukubukuchagama, my Lord?" Aura wondered.

"Oh," said Lord Momonga, surprised. "Right, you probably don't know that much about her…" He gave them a gentle smile "…is there anything you'd like to know?"

"How did you two meet, Supreme One?" Mare asked.

"Yeah! I've always wondered how you came across Lady Bukubukuchagama! Did you meet in the Great IRL or was it in the Old World?" Aura wondered.

"Oh, I-I've never met any of my friends IRL," admitted Lord Momonga. "I only interacted with them in Yggdrassil, the Old World."

He leaned back, the two elf twins latched onto their supreme Master and staring eagerly at him.

"Alright, I'll tell you how I met your creator… but just one story, alright?" Lord Momonga. "One story and then it's back to bed, am I understood?"

"Yes, Supreme One!" The two elves happily said.

Lord Momonga smiled at them, a look of fondness and nostalgia crossing his face before he retold the day he met Lady Bukubukuchagama. The two elves listened with rapt attention, and enjoyed a rare moment with the Supreme One.

Hearing their Lord just indulging them, being able to hold onto him, Aura knew she would give everything in the world to be like that more often (well, except for Mare, of course; she would never give him up). In that moment, Aura didn't have to worry about her nightmares, about the fate of her creator, about her expected growth and ascension… she was just content. She also realized something else…

Lady Albedo is right, Aura thought. Lady Bukubukuchagama might be gone… but Lord Momonga is still here, with us.

She decided right then and there that she would one day ask Lord Momonga to visit them in their little tree-house. Perhaps, Aura would be able to get Lord Momonga to tell her and her brother more about their creator and, just maybe, play around like Lady Bukubukuchagama used to. Aura would love to have Lord Momonga's opinion about her many dresses, maybe even help her pick an alternative Cosmetic Skin to use.

As it so happened, poor Lord Momonga's one story became two stories, and then three. By the end of the fifth tale about Bukubukuchagama, though, all three of them were fast asleep, with only Rubedo to watch over them.

It would be a couple of hours later when a worried Albedo, carrying urgent news from Carne Village, would show up, alongside Demiurge, Sebas and Cocytus, to find what the Lady Overseer would call the most adorable sight in existence: Lord Momonga peacefully sleeping, head resting on Rubedo's lap, all while two elven children were cuddled against him, sleeping with angelic peaceful smiles on their faces.

Of course, Lady Albedo would be extremely jealous, but her jealousy would be overtaken by lust and the desire to have children with Lord Momonga. Were it not the fact Lord Momonga was asleep, and Rubedo was warning her against waking their lord with a steely glare (and perhaps the strong grips of Sebas and Cocytus to rein in the lustful succubus), she would have jumped him right then and there, no matter if Aura and Mare ended up watching what she intended to do to the poor Supreme Being.

Demiurge, on the other hand, would find the entire scene curious. In fact, he would find himself intrigued and, dare he say, interested, particularly the interaction between Lord Momonga and the elven twins…

---

Enri Emmot gasped, eyes wide open, only to realize she had woken up from a nightmare. Disoriented, she looked around, only to discover she wasn't alone in bed. Even if her face was covered in perspiration, and her heart racing, Enri was unable to stop a smile from stretching as she noticed Nemu slumbering on her.

Enri stared at her little sister, gently caressing her reddish brown hair. At the same time, she tried to remember the nightmare. She couldn't recall exact details, and, sadly, most of it was confusing or didn't make sense. In the end, she decided to shake her head and dismiss her nightmare as just that, a nightmare.

Unfortunately, she was left restless, to the point she couldn't lay back and try to catch her sleep. She looked at Nemu, before she reluctantly moved to a side and gently slid the little girl onto the straw mattress. Only then did Enri slowly try to get out of bed.

When she walked out of her room, Enri came across their little kitchen. On one of the chairs at the family round table, was none other than her mother, sleeping with her mouth wide agape. She looked like she had been there for some time now, wrapped on a bedsheet, and a look of concern etched on her unconscious face.

Enri approached her mother and wrapped her better with the bedsheet. The touch inevitably seemed to be enough to startle the woman awake, who proceeded to tiredly look at Enri through squinted eyes.

"Enri?" She asked, only to sigh. "Sorry, dear, I just…"

"It's fine," Enri said. "You should be in bed…"

"Your father…" she started saying, only to trail off.

"I'll go to him," Enri said.

Her mother might have protested, but she was clearly exhausted. Thus, she allowed Enri to help her up and guide her to her own bed, where she laid down with a groan. Enri tucked her mother in, who fell fast asleep soon after her head had lain on the hard pillow. After a kiss on her mother's cheek, Enri left the house, a bronze rusted lantern on one hand and a filled waterskin on the other.

She paused by the dog house, where their hound (or Cú) slept. Enri gave it a small smile, before putting down the lantern and offering a quick prayer to the Gods. With any luck, her beloved hound, who had served her family so loyally, had found a better fate. Enri wished she had managed to introduce her Cú to Lord Ainz. She was certain that big wooly beast of the Emmots would have loved to play and slobber all over Lord Ainz.

Enri giggled at the mental image, before shaking her head, picking the lantern and proceeding with her quest.

As it so happened, it was not hard to find her father. In fact, the sound of metal striking wood could be heard from a safe distance. The muscular man was near the safe houses for the village's herds, striking a wooden post. There was only dirt all around the three training posts used to teach fighting, as well as the signs of many generations of intense training.

Enri didn't say anything as she approached her father. She instead watched as her father, sweaty, breathing hard and at the brink of collapse, stared at the wooden dummy. Enri could see dozens of slashes and marks on the wood, and she knew it would last thousands more. Re-Estize Ironwood was that tough, and reason why it was used for such purpose in the first place.

Her father growled and his entire body glowed with a red light, before he shoot forward and buried his axe on the post. He tried to remove the axe, only to release a cry of exasperation and release the handle of the lodged weapon. Enri decided that was the moment to approach him.

"Father," she called.

"E-Enri," wheezed the man.

Enri smiled at him, raising the waterskin for him to grab. He was definitively tired, for he stared at it for a few seconds, before smiling and accepting the waterskin. While her father went to sit on a nearby fence, Enri went to the wooden post and stared at the axe. She bit her lips and, tentatively reached for it. It took her one strong pull to get the weapon dislodged, something that made Enri's shoulders slump, particularly noticing the bulging musculature of her arms.

"I never understood why you feel so ashamed of your strength," her father said.

Enri gave her father a sad smile as she went to sit next to him on the fence. The lantern was left at their feet and the axe returned to her father, who proceeded to study it for any damage on the blade before putting it down next to him.

"It feels wrong," Enri said.

"So you've said," grunted his father. "To me it means you are a capable young woman, one that has helped a lot around the village. You wouldn't have gotten arms like those otherwise."

Did I need to be reminded that I have the arms of men? Mentally muttered Enri with a pout.

"The problem is that you think too much like a freewoman, Enri," sighed her father, rubbing his wet face with the back of his arm. "Noblewomen and freewomen have the luxury of being all dainty and weak…"

Enri scowled.

"You sound as if you wouldn't want me to be one of them," she said.

And it was the truth. For all of his views on the city and its people, Enri wasn't stupid enough not to realize the reason whyt her father had long fostered her friendship with the Bareares. He at least had the decency of looking ashamed and chastised.

"I won't lie… I don't mind the idea of seeing you live an easy life inside a city, only worrying about your children instead of monsters and brigands and looters and… and…" her father trailed off, faltering.

He glared at the ground, looking defeated. Enri moved to sit closer to him and held his hands, giving him all the reassurance he needed.

"I failed you,"·he lamented. "I failed you, your mother… Gods, Nemu…"

"There's nothing that could have been done, father," said Enri with a smile. "You have trained in the family Martial Arts since you were six winters old, father, and every other warrior in this village has also trained quite a lot…"

"…and in the end it was for nothing," whispered her father, sounding utterly resigned. "What would have happened hadn't Lord Ainz Ooal Gown intervened? What would have happened to you and Nemu?"

Enri bit her lips. As much as it pained her to admit it, she knew that there was a debt to Ainz Ooal Gown no one could ever repaid. Thinking back to her poor exhausted mother, Enri knew she would never be able to offer anything capable of repaying the Lord's kindness.

"We- we would have survived and endured," she said.

Her father didn't say anything. He instead looked down for a while, before staring up to the stars.

"I don't know if your mother has told you, but I can't find any rest in sleep," he confessed.

"I- I know," Enri said.

Her father snapped his head at her, horrified that he hadn't been able to keep that away from her. Enri averted her eyes, feeling guilty for having learned such private thing about her father.

"Each time you try to sleep, you are reminded of your death, aren't you?" She said.

Enri didn't need to hear her father's horrified gasps late at night, during her own restless nights, to know what troubled the man. She could imagine it herself all too well.

"Yes," warily said her father. "Each time I close my eyes, all I can think about is the- the pitch blackness that followed… the helplessness of it all…"

He held onto Enri's hands with a level of desperation, hanging onto her for every tiny bit of comfort she could offer.

"I died… and I saw nothing, Enri," her father somberly said. "No- no great afterlife or Gods or divine beings or… nothing."

"Old Yagga believes it is because you aren't allowed to remember such things," Enri commented, even if deep down she didn't believe such things.

Her father, by the derisive scoff he gave, didn't appear to believe the Wood Witch either.

"Enri…"

The girl grimaced. She knew that tone. It was one her father used when he wanted to discuss something important, or terrible. It was the same tone he had used when he had gone off to fight the Baharuth Empire during the Annual Wars. Enri, though, took a deep breath and faced her father head on, staring straight into his sad eyes.

"What do you want for the future?" He softly asked.

He no longer held onto her hands, but caressed them gently instead.

"Not much," Enri admitted. "I want… I want to marry a good man, have a family, work the land… carry on with the life of our ancestors…"

A sad smile stretched across her face.

"You are very fortunate, Enri," he said. "You have other options available."

Enri nodded.

"I know," she said.

"There's Nfirea," he said.

Enri scowled and opened her mouth to clarify how, no, Nfirea was just a friend, but her father pressed on.

"And Lord Ainz," he said.

"No," Enri said, shaking her head. "Lord Ainz would- wouldn't take me…"

Her father slowly and gently reached to her neck, and pulled up the tiny horn.

"I have the strong feeling he does want you a lot more than you think," he humorously said.

"That's not true," Enri said, snatching the tiny horn from her father. She studied it. "He gave it to me to protect the village. Nothing more."

Her father sighed, shaking her head.

"You aren't ugly, Enri. On the contrary, you are everything any man would want," her father said. "I don't say it because I am your father," he proudly boasted "but a man like Lord Ainz is well aware you are quite a catch."

"Father," huffed Enri, playfully punching the man.

"Ouch, my poor arm," mockingly said her father with an exaggerated whine.

"Stop that," Enri giggled, giving the man another punch.

The two shared a laugh. It lasted for a few seconds, before the mirth died down and they merely ended up staring up at the stars.

"It is not going to happen, father," Enri decided. "And even if it did, it would be to be his concubine."

"Enri," sighed an exasperated father. "You might be smart, and brave, and definitively pretty, but sometimes you can be as stubborn as your old man. Guess it runs in the family."

He rubbed his tired face.

"Look, that man – or whatever thing he is – clearly wants you, and from I've seen so far, he doesn't strike me as the sort to just use people. His servants are very devoted to him. Such love and zealousness is born from someone who takes good care of his people," said her father.

"And what? You think he would take a commoner for a wife?" wondered Enri.

"Yes," affirmed his father. "And I believe he is willing to give you with more than just his attention."

Enri opened her mouth to retort, only for her father to raise a hand, stopping her.

"Just consider it, Enri," he said. "You have my full blessing if you want to run off with him to Gods-know-where."

Enri's mouth went slack.

"Y-you- you want me to leave?"

"I want you to be happy," her father sternly said. "I want you to live somewhere safe and- and if Lord Ainz allows it, I wouldn't mind if he took Nemu too… give her a good education, maybe even teach her magics…"

Enri couldn't believe what her father was saying.

"Is- is it because you think you failed us? Father, I love this village, and I-"

"Enri," cut in her father. "There is nothing that pains me more than the idea that you will just be stuck here, being just another soul fighting the endless wars of our ancestors. I don't want you to survive every day, and- and…"

Enri frowned only for everything to suddenly clink in her mind.

"This… this isn't about the village," realized Enri. "It's about the Kingdom."

Her father sighed, covering his face behind his palms.

"Enri…"

"Father, what are you planning to do?" Enri asked. "What does the Village Chief want?"

Her father grimaced, and averted his eyes.

"Father…" Enri said.

Slowly, her father looked at her, face covered in shame.

"Enri, you know that we can't go on like this," her father said. "That attack on our village… that was our tipping point… we have long paid our dues… and for what? To end up slaughtered anyway?"

Enri's heart was gripped with fear. No, her father couldn't possibly mean…

"The King has failed us for too long. If we continue like this, our people is going to fade out," Enri's father grunted. "The Old Ways are no longer the ways of the land… and with each passing generation the power of the Northern Tribes diminishes. Even the old allies of humanity, like the dwarves, the elves, the Jotuns and the Leshy are dying out in the Kingdom…"

"Y-you can't…" Enri said with a quivering voice.

"We are tired of corrupt noblemen sending their knights and vassals to harass us without issue. It doesn't happen often here, but I know the situation is a lot worse deeper into the kingdom," growled her father. "They have put us down for too long…"

"But you can't win! You can't rebel!" Enri said. "The vassals alone are too powerful."

Her father remained silent and Enri, once again, found herself understanding everything with such clarity it was terrifying.

"Oh, by the Four, you mean to pledge allegiance to Lord Ainz Ooal Gown…"

Her father scowled and raised his hands.

"Of- of course not," mumbled her father, trying to sound diplomatic. "We first want to see what plans he has and-"

"You aren't going to drag him into our problems!" Enri said, standing to her feet with intense fury. "He saved our village and you want him to help us even further? Against the King? You can't ask that of Lord Ainz!"

"No, Enri, you have it wrong," her father said.

"If that's the case, tell me right in the eyes you don't want to have Lord Ainz summon the wrath of the Four Gods on the capital," Enri said.

Her father, of course, averted his eyes and kept his head bowed.

"Look," he slowly tried again. "The Chief has been talking with Lord Ainz and… he is very reasonable when it comes to taxation."

Enri scowled. How dare the villagers drag poor Lord Ainz into their problems? Hadn't he done enough for them already?

"Enri, he is willing to accept a quarter of our produce at most!" Her father said.

Enri blinked, and stared at him in disbelief.

"One… one quarter?" Enri said only to furiously glare at her father, who flinched under her scathing gaze. "That's unreasonable! If you want him to help you should at least offer half! It is still much better than what the noblemen take from the commoners."

Even though, admittedly, Carne Village had it better than other places.

"The chief tried to offer a third, but Lord Ainz insisted against it. I don't know, Enri, he doesn't appear to want to take that much from us," said a disbelief father. "And we don't want him to lead us in rebellion. We actually would prefer if… well…"

Enri folded her arms and glared down at her father. He twiddled his thumbs, fully chastised.

"…we wouldn't mind if Lord Ainz is given a Lordship in the Kingdom," he said.

Enri blinked, startled, only to hum. That… didn't sound so bad. In fact, it sounded rather fair all things considered. Lord Ainz did want to get his hands on food and supplies for his people, so he wouldn't be against having the means to acquiring villages to offer just that.

"And how many Chieftains are going to support Lord Ainz? How many people are we talking about here?" Enri asked.

Her father averted his eyes.

"Father…" Enri slowly said, dreading the answer.

He finally said a number, and Enri's jaw went slack.

"…and it isn't just Chieftains. Village chiefs are also interested and are gathering to meet Lord Ainz," mumbled Enri's father.

Enri's mind reeled, unable to believe what she had just heard. Was the Kingdom in such a bad state? Had the Lords been so negligent and corrupt? How? How did it came to such a point?

She opened her mouth to speak, only to pause as she heard something. A sound, familiar and ominous, cut through the night air, a sound that that filled them with fear: the warning bells. By the frantic tempo, it could only mean one thing.

"Another attack?" Enri thought.

"It can't be," exclaimed her father, unsure and afraid.

The two didn't think about it. Her father grabbed his axe and, together, rushed to the gate, fear gnawing on their hearts. The bells kept tolling, and the clatter of warriors responded. All around, the windows of huts and cottages lit up and warriors rushed out, weapons in hand. Women, children and elders followed soon after, headed towards the main hall.

It didn't take long for the two Emmots to make to the main gates, where a large contingent of people were armed and ready, torches lighting the top of the walls.

Enri and her father halted as they heard a loud voice coming from the other side of the gates, where they spotted the tall and wide silhouette of the village chief.

"Man-beasts!" roared a monster at the other side of the gates. "I've come in the name of the almighty and powerful Guu, the Giant of the East, and Ryraryus Spenia Ai Indarun, the Demon Snake of the West!"

There was a loud accompanying cheer, one that made Enri's heart plummet. It sounded as a small army of goblins, trolls and ogres were on the other side of the gate.

"Speak your piece, troll, and be gone!" The Village Chief shouted back. "I have enough troll skulls adorning my hall to add yet more!"

The human warriors responded with cries and smacking of weapons into an intimidating united roar. Enri had to admit, it sounded quite scary.

"The rulers of the Forest demand that you puny man-beasts surrender and serve our army against the Great Shadow!" The same guttural and deep voice from before shouted. "You should be honored you man-beasts have been granted such honor!"

That's a very well-spoken troll, Enri realized.

That could only mean said creature was on a higher power level than most the village had ever faced, the sort of monster that had lived far longer than most and probably had only dwelled within the depths of the Forest of Tob. But what was such a creature doing at their gates? What manner of thing could have driven it out from its haven?

Hold on, shouldn't they have been afraid to cross the Wise King of the Forest in such numbers? Enri realized with mounting horror. That could only mean the Wise King was either dead… or part of this grand alliance of monsters.

"Great Shadow? What the heck are you talking about, beast?"

"The enemy of us all! The Great Shadow fell on the Great Forest and brought death!"

"You must be desperate to come to us!" Taunted the Village Chief.

"You wouldn't be so confident if the Great Shadow had taken your people, man-beast! It has taken entire clans already: the Black Pincers, the Grim Skulls, the Red Spiders… they are all gone!"

The Village Chief would have answered with an insult, but Enri knew this was unlike anything the village had faced before. It was rare whenever an actual troll showed up for trade, much less any kind of alliance. It was even rarer to imagine a thing that was wiping the denizens of the forest with such ease. Of course, it seemed that the alliance was more in the line of conquering the village and force humans to be servants and join the growing forces… what was almost unheard of since the arrival of the Four Great Prophets.

"Enri," the girl was startled by her father. "Go to the Hall with your mother and sister. Keep them safe."

Enri looked at her father, who had a fearful look on his eyes. An image flashed across Enri's face, accompanied by a horrible sense of déjà vu. She started shaking.

"Go, Enri! We will deal with this!" He said.

Enri nodded and started running away towards the village center. Men and a few women went past her, towards the walls. Enri wasn't paying attention though. Her eyes were wide, recalling how the same had happened before, how the warriors had all gone rushing to the forward gate… all before the rear gate exploded.

Even though no fighting had started, tears prickled on Enri's heart as the sounds of screams, metal cutting flesh and neighing horses inundated her mind.

Nemu! Mother! Enri thought, horrified.

Images of her bloodied mother, found in a pool of blood, jumped to the forefront of her mind.

She reached to her neck, grabbing onto the tiny hanging horn. It did the trick, allowing for her to avoid a panic attack. Soon after, she came to a stop, dead on her feet.

The horn! Enri realized, feeling like an idiot. I-I could help with this!

She looked at the gate, heart racing, and hands shaking.

Lord Ainz promised help would arrive if I used this… I never understood what sort of help, though, Enri thought.

But maybe it was preferable if she just run. Wouldn't that be better than keep relaying on the kindness of a powerful entity? Shouldn't their village manage on their own? Hadn't she just chastised her father for dragging poor Lord Ainz to the Kingdom's politics?

Memories of her running away, all while the sounds of people dying and destruction surrounded her, promised to make Enri drop to her knees and cry. It was too much. She wasn't some kind of warrior! She was just a peasant girl!

Enough, Enri, she told herself.

She gritted her teeth and glared at her clenched fist, which held the tiny horn. If there was the slightest chance it could help, then there was no debating what she could do. This time, Enri wasn't going to run away in fear.

Enri broke into a sprint towards the gates, where the fighting had yet to begin. By the sounds of it, the leading Troll was still shouting things to the Village chief. If Enri had to make a guess, she assumed the Village Chief was stalling for time, allowing for the men to prepare and organize.

In other words, there was still room to act before lives were lost.

She hesitated. Was it right to use the horn like that? She clasped it, hands shaking. For all she knew, Lord Ainz would expect something in return. And even if he didn't ask, Enri didn't feel it was right to keep abusing Lord Ainz kindness. She would have to make it up to him, especially if the tiny horn did as she suspected and saved the village.

I may be even in more debt to Lord Ainz, but to save this village… for my family… for Nemu… I am willing to do anything, Enri decided with confidence. And this time, I will not let Lord Ainz go unrewarded…

She placed the tiny horn against her lips and, taking a deep breath, blew the item. She did not expect for such a small thing to produce such a loud bellow, much less what happened afterwards.

The horn just burst into pieces of light. Enri covered her eyes, momentarily started, as the tiny fragments of sparkling light swept over her, as if pushed by a breeze. When she opened her eyes, she was shocked to discover that her entire dress had been changed.

Enri stared at herself, horrified by her new attire. Instead of a dress, she had some sort of evil-looking attire. On her head, she had some sort of tiara adorned with thirteen spikes and two bat wing-like extensions clasped against her cheeks. On each shoulder, she carried spiked pauldrons, shaped like human skulls, over some kind of armored corset that fully exposed her arms… which in turn had black arm-guards with yet more spikes. The most shocking part was her belt of yet more skulls. She touched the back of her head, only to realize her once braided her was loose.

"Wh-what's this?!" Enri gasped.

What Enri didn't know was that she had just unlocked a rare Cosmetic Skin (called the Goblin General Skin), a gift from the Developers of Yggdrassil to any player lucky enough to unlock the [Goblin War Call] ability of the [Horn of the Goblin General].

Enri froze as she heard a sound that chilled her blood.

HAROOM.

It was a horn, and it sounded much like hers had. It was answered by even more horns from all directions. Just when Enri thought she was hearing things and the world couldn't get any crazier… the sound of footsteps followed. Well, more like the coordinated stumping of thousands of marching feet. Then came the sounds of drums and cries of sergeants and the bellowing response of dozens of troops… and not soon after, Enri could swear her feet trembled at the mere size of the approaching army.

Out from the darkness itself, Enri stared – mouth wide agape – as some kind of goblin army marched forth. But they weren't the goblins she had seen. No, these ones were green-skinned, and had golden reptilian golden eyes. That and they looked far more muscular, with only a couple of jutting sharp teeth protruding from their lower lips.

They didn't stop marching in front of her. They actually marched onwards, in formation, as if aware of the danger at the gates. Entire squadrons of black-clad spearmen and cackling archers must have passed her before she saw the goblins riding wolves. They held ferocious and excited smirks, as if they couldn't wait for bloodshed. Enri stared, gobsmacked, as she soon realized they were saluting at her as they passed her.

Enri was shaking, unable to understand what she was witnessing. What manner of thing had she summoned? Was this the aid Lord Ainz Ooal Gown had promised? An entire freaking army?!

He had this entire army prepared for me? Enri thought in disbelief. Why? Why would Ainz Ooal Gown give me such- such a thing?!

Her father's words resonated in her head and it suddenly occurred to her that, perhaps, Ainz Ooal Gown actually cared for her a lot more than she had assumed.

Oh by the Four, could he wanted me to be his wife all along? She thought in horror, and I have been throwing off his advances?!

Thankfully, before she started to hyperventilate, a goblin, dressed in full-black armor and a few skulls of his own, hurried to kneel before her.

"Oh, my grand General! We have mustered the troops and rallied at your call!" The lead goblin said. "I am Jugem Bonecrusher, second-in-command of this Warband, and from here on out your most loyal servant and advisor!"

He stomped his chest and bowed down, exposing his neck to Enri.

"We are at your command, Warchief," said the head goblin.

There was only one problem.

"I – ehm – mister Goblin, I-I don't understand what you said," Enri spluttered.

After all, the goblin so happened to be speaking Japanese.

---

Author Notes: Ha! Another chapter... Gods, release me from this writing spree...

I'm sad to announce I will try to go into abstinence and pause on my crazy writing for a couple of weeks (it is not a permanent Hiatus!). The rate I've been pushing these chapters out is nuts! And I must continue with my other fanfic before I even consider writing more for this fic... that and I should focus on work too... urgh.

That being said, what's your opinion? Liking things so far? Likes, dislikes... keep your opinions coming! I thank you for your reviews. Some of you have really gone far beyond I could have hoped and gave me a lot to think about and consider.

In that regard, is there anything you wish to see worldbuilding-wise? Any changes on the Empire? The Slane Theocracy? The draconic kingdom and the Holy Kingdom will have a slight redo... although at this point "slight" has lost all meaning coming from me, huh?

So yeah, Pandora's Actor is now Momon; couldn't really be Suzuki this time, right? Then again, it's a waste we don't see more of Pandora, especially someone so exciteable next to Naberal of all people.

What do you think of Warchief Enri? Really, part of this fic came from the notion that is was weird just how... lawful... the goblins summoned were, and part of me wondered what would have happened had Enri's goblins been a bit more... y'know... like those of most fantasy stories? That and I really thought that Enri's sudden army and Suzuki's sudden overlord position were rather similar, and something they could have bonded over.

I apologize if I got Nfirea and Ninya mixed at some point, or dropped a "she" instead of a "he" for Ninya. It's bad enough I seemingly get those pronouns wrong quite frequently without those two names just confusing the heck out of me.

And now, the grand (and corny) finale to this already long Author Note:

Thanks for everyone who got this far! I have just realized how the word count has stacked up so... really, thank you. I have a strong feeling your reviews and positive feedback is what's keeping me latched to this story and driven me to write like crazy... so thanks, all of you.

Cheers and till next chapter,

The Emerald Commander