It's been four days since her return. Today, she will make her first speech in the capital again.
Wearing the white dress His Majesty had given her, she stepped out onto her podium.
The plaza and surrounding streets were absolutely full. There were tens of thousands here.
As soon as she was seen, a wave of cheers erupted, louder and more excited and normal.
She let them continue for quite some time before she raised her hands and lowered them repeatedly, silencing the crowd.
"I am happy to be back! Thank you all so much for the warm welcome!"
More cheers.
"Today, I wish to talk to you about my journey to the rest of the country, where I did my best to spread word of His Majesty Ainz Ooal Gown's glory!"
This time, the crowd was mostly silent. She wasn't sure why, but continued without hesitation.
...
As she was describing all the villages and cities which also worshipped His Majesty, there was happiness in the crowd, but it was undercut with something else.
An anticipation?
She spoke about all the churches and statues every settlement had, and how she was proud of her fellow appointed speakers.
And then, it was time to speak about the end of her journey.
She was anxious about this.
"And that brings us to the end of my journey. As I'm sure most of you already know, things did not go exactly as planned."
She sensed a tension in the crowd, strong looks indicating strong emotions.
"Yes, my visit to the city of Barkald was cut short. It is as you might have heard. I was forced to leave the city due to concerns about my personal safety."
The emotion in the crowd intensified.
"The people there made for a very difficult audience. I was not able to make them see the light of His Majesty Ainz Ooal Gown... And so I was chased away. I am sorry. I have failed."
With those words, she bowed.
The crowd erupted into anger.
"Those bastards!"
"How dare they threaten Lady Baraja!"
"They attacked His Majesty's servant!"
"We should have their heads for this!"
"How dare they disrespect Her Holiness!"
Neia raised her head and blinked rapidly.
"W-wait, everyone! Please control your anger! We cannot hope to establish good relations if the hostilities continue!"
Something she had never seen before had happened. Her own crowd here in the capital, which loved her and His Majesty, seemed to almost ignore her words.
"They turned away Lady Baraja's message! They do not deserve forgiveness!"
"Those bastards! We should march on them!"
"Those blind fools!"
"Heretics!"
She spoke again in a pleading tone.
"Please! Stop this! They are our countrymen! Your fellow people!"
No one dared speak while she did, but none of those words seemed to reach them, and so the shouts continued immediately after she finished speaking.
She panicked.
She needed to consult His Majesty as soon as possible.
… … …
The day after her first speech in the capital since her departure, there was already another meeting planned. Right after breakfast, all her informants and advisors were to gather again. She felt like this was an emergency.
As she unlocked the chest which would contain her breakfast, she saw the note which must have been a response to her own note which she sent the night before.
"We will speak about it the next time we meet. It will only be in a few days, so please do not panic. I do not believe the situation is as bad as it might seem at first glance. By the way, enjoy the food, Neia."
Not as bad as it seemed?
Hopefully His Majesty was right.
She put the note back and prepared to eat the plate of donuts.
...
The mood in the room was sour.
No one seemed happy to be here.
Looking at everyone's faces, she could guess what news she was going to receive.
"Please, present what you know."
The men looked at each other, and it took a bit for one of them to finally stand and speak.
"Lady Baraja, there seem to be several new, independent speakers now. Since the official attitude of our church is to make peace with the south, those who disagree are making their own speeches, and they are full of hostility. One of our people managed to record parts of one of these speeches from memory, it was one that was made this morning. We're not sure who exactly made this speech."
"Ah, may I see it?"
"Of course!"
The piece of paper exchanged hands, getting closer to her.
When it reached her, she started reading;
"Did you all see Lady Baraja's kindness?! Her own life was threatened by those pigs, and yet she still wishes to deal with them as if they were people! As expected of Her Holiness! As expected of His Majesty's representative! But those filthy, disgusting men wish to abuse her kindness! She is far too kind! They do not deserve our forgiveness! They violated her with violence because she tried to make them see what should be obvious to all!"
The people going against her like this made her feel unhappy.
It was her failure to convince those people which started all of this, after all.
Perhaps she had to be even more apologetic in her next speech.
… … …
The Sorcerer King teleported into her room, and she was kneeling in front him.
"Hello Neia. Please rise."
She obeyed.
"Now, I did want you to meet a few certain people, but you had some concerns about the situation here?"
"Yes, Your Majesty! Like my note said, it seems the hostilities are escalating, and I must admit I am at a loss. I do not know how to proceed."
The shame in her tone was obvious.
"I see. Neia, I am afraid there is little that can be done at this point."
She felt a combination of surprise, disappointment and unease.
"There is not much that you or your people can do at this point. There is no secret miracle which will allow you to win over everyone's hearts. All you need to do is continue working hard, as you have been doing. I am sorry I cannot help you now. Just know that I approve of your work, and am deeply thankful I have you."
"I see. Thank you, Your Majesty."
There was a rather long pause.
"If that's all, should we depart, Neia? Are you ready?"
She didn't exactly know where she was headed. She was simply told it was the Sorcerer King's true hideout, a secret place. She also did not know what kinds of people she would be meeting.
"Uhm, I believe so, Your Majesty."
...
She was in a hallway. A spotless hallway coloured dark purple, obsidian black, and white, while being decorated with gold.
Approaching them was another beautiful maid and Shizu.
When they got close, Shizu outstretched her arms and spoke.
"... Hello, Neia."
Neia stepped forward and embraced her friend.
"Hello, Shizu."
They were supposed to see each other again soon, so this was unexpected.
No, rather she had no expectations at all, so everything was unexpected right now.
The Sorcerer King spoke as they hugged each other, and his tone seemed happier than usual.
"Cixous. Lead us to the throne room."
...
A pair of giant, ornately decorated doors stood in front of them. One side depicted a beautiful angel the other depicted an evil-looking demon. The doors opened with ease, revealing an even grander sight.
This room, which could easily house hundreds, was truly awe-inspiring, and perhaps the greatest sight she's ever seen.
The chandeliers were made of beautifully cut gems of all colours, illuminating the room with a colour palette similar to the hallways. There were massive pillars decorated with gold for much of their length, and they stretched high into the great ceiling.
At the other end of the room, there was a beautiful throne.
It took them some time to reach it, and several mismatched beings knelt in front of it.
There was Prime Minister Albedo, a large insect-looking monster with a white-ish blue exoskeleton which seemed to exhale cold air, a strange toad-like monster, two dark elf children - a boy and a girl, and a young-looking girl with pale skin and a fancy dress.
When they reached the point the others were kneeling, His Majesty spoke.
"You two can stand here."
With those words, he ascended the steps and sat upon the throne.
"Rise, Guardians."
The beings next to her did as he said, and Neia wondered. "Guardians? Are these beings tasked with defending His Majesty? If they're here and Shizu is as well, does that mean they're all about as powerful as her? But I wonder why the other maids are absent now."
"First of all, I apologize for calling you here and making you wait like this."
Every one of the Guardians made expressions of disapproval. Prime Minister Albedo was the first to speak.
"Please do not apologize, Lord Ainz! It is only natural we come whenever you wish for us to, and wait for however long we must!"
"I see. Thank you, Albedo."
She looked like she wanted to speak out against being thanked as well, but His Majesty continued.
"Today, I want you to introduce you to someone. Miss Baraja, can you come join me at my side?"
She did, although she was very nervous doing so. She was not all prepared for it to be like this. It felt wrong to stand at his side while someone like the Prime Minister stood below the steps to the throne.
"Some of you may already know, but this is Neia Baraja. She is Shizu's friend, and someone very capable. Her help from within the Holy Kingdom has been immense, and for that, I am very grateful to her."
Being spoken about like this to strangers made her blush. Still, she noticed some strange, hard to notice reactions to those words from among the Guardians, though she didn't know what they meant.
"There's Enri Emmot, the Bareare family, Tuare, Fluder Paradyne, Renner... and then there's Neia. I assume you notice the pattern? You need not even answer. Surely it is obvious to all."
Some of the Guardians nodded, while others simply looked with a sort of understanding expression.
"Everyone has the potential to become a valuable and loyal ally. We have been taught this lesson time and time again. All of you should remember. It is an important thing to keep in mind."
Neia didn't know who those other people were. Were they other commoners who did great things? Maybe people who lacked power as warriors and were still very capable in other ways? Either way, it was a bit strange being compared to people she knew nothing about.
There was a slight pause, presumably for the Guardians to absorb his words.
"Now then, all of you may return to your duties. Aura, Mare. Wait for me outside the throne room."
...
Now, it was just her, Shizu and His Majesty. He came over to Shizu, and Neia followed.
He looked at Neia as he spoke.
"Now then, I am sorry to cut this short, but I am quite busy. Well, I will transport you back now. Please do say your goodbyes to Shizu."
...
Back in her room, Neia looked to the Sorcerer King, who had just taken her there.
"Neia, sorry about that. I had my own selfish reasons for introducing you to my subordinates."
Neia wanted to protest his apology, but he continued.
"I will make it up to you later. Perhaps our next date could be twice as long? Or perhaps I could show you the spa?"
"Please do not apologize! There is no need for any of that! I was happy to serve Your Majesty!"
"Spa it is, then. Also, a hug."
She did not refuse the hug.
"Hm. I do not want to make those twins wait too long."
"Uhm, would it be appropriate for them to send my regards? I was also surprised there were so many young people serving under you, Your Majesty. There was also that pale girl... I mean, what sort of work could they do?"
His tone was now somewhat amused.
"That one doesn't really look her age. She's a vampire, you see. But the twins, they really are children, and are simply capable for their age. Do not tell anyone, but I am currently visiting the elven forest with them, to hopefully let them make some friends."
"Ah, I see!"
Somehow, His Majesty was still full of surprises. He's taking children to go find some friends?
What a fatherly thing for him to do. It made her respect and love him in yet another new way she didn't think was possible.
If he was so much like a father, could they raise children together one day?
"But I must really be going now. Goodbye, Neia."
"Stay safe, Your Majesty!"
...
He wasn't sure why he indulged the girl's questions. Normally he'd politely refuse, because he didn't want to make the twins wait. But just then, he felt happy to
answer.
"I suppose it's because I feel the positive connections between Nazarick and this world growing. Or something like that."
Maybe it was the enthusiasm with which she wanted to know more about Nazarick, his pride and joy?
It was probably a combination of several things.
… … …
On the 7th Floor of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, in Demiurge's office, the Guardians have gathered. The only ones absent were Aura and Mare, since they were now accompanying Ainz.
They were all standing in a circle, trying to find the true meaning in their master's words.
Demiurge looked around.
Shalltear looked somewhat hopeless when trying to think.
Cocytus did not really have an expression to read.
And Albedo, of course, looked to be in deep thought.
He broke the silence.
"So, what do you all think?"
"Well, maybe there isn't really that much to it?" Shalltear spoke with a sort of unease.
Cocytus exhaled a large cloud of cold air, but did not say anything.
Demiurge was not particularly concerned with those two anyway, so he looked to Albedo.
She was apparently eyeing him already.
"Albedo?"
She closed her eyes and spoke slower than usual.
"Of course, none could ever truly hope to grasp the full extent of Lord Ainz's intentions behind any given action, but... In my best estimation, perhaps it really is not that complicated, like Shalltear says. He is telling us that Nazarick may have something to gain by interacting with even the lowest of lifeforms. That there are outliers in terms of usefulness, who are not to be discarded."
Cocytus and Shalltear nodded.
Demiurge nodded and adjusted his glasses with a smile before speaking himself.
"Is that all?"
He felt the others, and especially Albedo, sort of wince as he implied there was even more to it, something they had all missed.
What he would say was going to be informed in large part by information the others did not possess, so he did feel a bit sorry for them.
He continued, and this time his tone was almost like he was trying to console a crying child.
"It seems all of you are unaware of the specific significance of that woman."
They leaned closer, a clear sign that he was correct.
"In that case, let me tell you who she is... She is probably one of the greatest tools we have found so far in this world."
And now, their expressions were more surprised or perhaps shocked.
"I could talk about how beautifully her mind was shaped thoroughly by Lord Ainz to make her as useful as possible, but that is probably unimportant right now. The important part is her work in the Holy Kingdom. You might've heard she is now the High Priestess of that country."
Albedo nodded, and she was the only one.
"But do you know why that is so significant?"
Albedo looked like she was about to nod, but then hesitated. The other two did nothing.
"She preaches a faith which worships Lord Ainz as an agent, a manifestation of justice itself. That he is a glorious and wise hero, and the king of kings. I believe Lord Ainz is planning to use her to eventually spread this religion to the entire world."
He adjusted his glasses again, while everyone else was in awe.
"Indeed, Lord Ainz had spoken to me in private regarding her long-term loyalty and zeal."
Albedo winced at this, but only a little bit. She was probably jealous of Demiurge.
"As far as I can see, he is going through great effort to make her a true zealot, and ensure she would never act out of line. It seems he is going out of his way to do many things to impress her. He has deemed her to be of incredibly high importance. That is why she was brought here. She is likely the most important person we have found so far in this world, and he wishes to keep her around indefinitely to ensure this religion stays dominant, with her being its leading figure."
All the others seemed to be in thought for a moment before turning their gazes back to him.
It seems they agreed with his assessment.
Shalltear brought something up, however.
"What about her being CZ's friend?"
Demiurge's smile turned bitter.
"Yes... I understand they spent a lot of time together during our operations in the Holy Kingdom. Perhaps we shall have to ask her what he might have meant by such a strange statement..."