Chapter 7. Carnage at the orphanage – and the end of worlds P2.
Sebas strode through the wooden and stone building, reaching the door where their object of interest resided. Glancing back at Albedo he could discern a faint scornful expression, the Iron Butler had no doubts in his mind, should Lord Ainz leave the matter in her hands, the whole place would burn to ensure that no information was leaked and that no threat may survive.
While he agreed that all threats must be dealt with accordingly, he also didn't want to hurt the innocent. And children —if anyone— fit that role perfectly. He wouldn't hesitate to strike down the innocent if it meant that Lord Ainz would be safe, however it was an entirely different story when the threat was not confirmed and was merely an unconfirmed assumption.
The Iron Butler's face hardened when he reached an unassuming wooden door and knocked. The owner of such a suggestion was no other than Lord Ainz himself, and if he viewed this item along with the girl a threat, he would have no place to hinder her execution. The Guardian Overseer would jump at the chance to deal out some punishment, and he could not hope to impede Lord Ainz.
He cleared his throat and spoke, and a voice akin to a loving grandfather —while still holding the integrity of a butler— left his lips. "Miss Evelyn?"
(…)
The little room was occupied by a group of three, and Ainz was feeling increasingly awkward. The young child was afraid, and rightfully so, he didn't bother putting up an illusion, nor did Albedo manage to hide her animosity very well. She had already threatened to cut off her head for not answering a question posed by the Supreme One, and how could Ainz react to that?
He told her to stand down, and ultimately, he suggested they move outside to ease some of the tension built up in the air. And that's how they got here, to the garden around the orphanage.
"Do not be afraid. I won't hurt you." Ainz said, trying to sooth the child, meanwhile Sebas held a warm smile, and if anything, that worked better than anything the Overlord could say.
"Alright." Ainz relented, "then how about this?" He asked, putting a skeletal finger on his elongated bone chin. "Albedo and I will leave, and you will speak with Sebas. Is that okay?" The little girl —who didn't even reach up to the waist of the towering undead— nodded her head, and the arrangements had been made.
She was left alone with the kind elderly man, and they sat on a bench.
"Don't be alarmed. He may look scary. But I assure you Lord Ainz is just. He would never hurt anyone needlessly." The words of the butler were hard to believe for the little girl, however Evelyn figured it was best to agree. The monsters were still watching her; however, they moved a little further away.
The big scary skeleton, and the mad lady with dark wings on her waist—who tried to behead her with an axe! They were scary alright, however contrary to her expectations Ainz Ooal Gown wasn't unreasonable. If anything, he was more human than that winged demon!
"O-okay." She whispered, hugging her legs close to her chest, she didn't meet the gaze of the butler.
"I'll ask you a few questions. Do not feel pressured. If you cannot answer them, just say so." The butler began, and she nodded again.
"First question; do you know of Yggdrasil?" The butler asked. Although Lord Ainz was not physically next to the Iron Butler, they were still very much in contact through the {Message} spell. And Ainz was very interested in the topic. Sebas obliged.
"N-no." She answered. And the butler nodded in understanding. To start with, there was not much chance that she would know about Yggdrasil, and therefore the theory which suggested she is a player was thrown out the window. There was a chance she lied, but it was miniscule, and sooner or later they would arrive to the truth. If need be, Lord Ainz may use memory magic, which unveils all lies and falsehoods. But that is a last resort, his lord said, after all, it can have severe side effects.
"Second question; where did you get that book?" Sebas asked, and the girl instinctively gripped tighter the tome. They did not take it from her; however, she has begun to piece together the whole picture. They were not here for her; they were here for her book.
She would not give it to them. It was hers! Given to her, as a present!
They did not take it from her, at least not yet. But if they tried, what could she possibly do?
She despaired, and her complexion paled. She whispered, not daring to look away, staring at the book, fearing that the moment she took her eyes off the priced possession it would disappear forever.
"It was a-a present."
"I see. Final question; Are you a thr-"
Explosions shook the area, and the butler left behind after images as he rushed forth and destroyed several flying rock- and wood pieces that threatened to smash and crush the running children in the garden. Ainz appeared next to the girl, and Albedo was swift to follow. They didn't know what was going on, but they were prepared for every eventuality. Ainz didn't expect to see something today that would break the game balance of Yggdrasil, but as they say, never say never.
(…)
Dark shadows intermingled and fought above the garden meanwhile the children were running to safety beneath. Dozens of unknown enemies were occupied—battling the stealth forces of Ainz Ooal Gown stationed at the perimeter. Hanzos, level 80 humanoid ninja-type monsters with the ability to travel and conceal themselves in the shadows, and Eight Edged Assassins, level 49 monsters, adept at concealment and infiltration were also thrown into disarray.
Ainz spectated the battle unfold, and against all expectations watched as his forces were slowly overwhelmed. He had stationed 20 Eight Edged Assassins and 8 Hanzos here, however the dark spirits were strong enough to overwhelmed and decimate his forces.
He cast [Appraisal] in quick succession and was shocked to find out the levels of these monsters. Wraiths in Yggdrasil were low tier summons, their levels somewhere in the 30s, however these dark spirits were different. Elder Wraiths were in the level 60s range, and Wraith Lords which also appeared above the garden were in the level 85-95 range.
{Message.} He invoked, as a green light briefly enveloped the Overlord.
{Shalltear. Open a gate at my location and send reinforcements.}
{L-lord A-ainz? Yes-s, right away!} Hearing her voice, and knowing back up is on the way, Ainz gave orders to Albedo and Sebas. Sebas had already begun rescuing the children, while Albedo stood like an impenetrable barrier between him, and the carnage above. The few dark spirits unfortunate enough to come his way were swiftly batted away, and mercilessly crushed underfoot as if they were corporal. Albedo knew no mercy when it came to those who would dare raise their hands against her beloved and Lord. Meanwhile Ainz's crimson orbs darted around, searching for the summoner.
A dark void rapidly expanded behind Ainz and rows of undead began crossing through led by a towering giant of frost wielding four blades—Cocytus, proud warrior, and Guardian of the 5th floor.
The weakening forces of Ainz were reinforced, as dozens of skeleton mages began artillery fire from the ground, and Cocytus along with Sebas returned to Overlord's side.
"Lord Ainz, just give the word, and I'll destroy these worms!" Albedo said, fondling a World Class Item in the meantime, only made her more frightening in Ainz's view. "Daring to attack your domain begets suffering and death!" The Guardian Overseer declared, and Cocytus let out an icy breath in agreement.
"No. Stay here. We don't know if there are more and stronger enemies in the shadows, waiting for us to reveal our strength." Ainz said and gave orders. "Sebas go and watch over the children, they may be out of harm's way now, but this fight may escalate."
"Cocytus, lead our forces, the elder liches are good commanders, but they need a leader."
"And Albedo-" Ainz hesitated, the deeply blushing face coupled with the suggestive look in her eyes threw Ainz off-track as his emotional suppressor drenched him in green light. "-umu. Albedo, you guard the rear and make sure no-one escapes."
"-but-but, Lord Ainz! Who would protect you?! I will be your shield!"
"Albedo. This is an order." Ainz's aura suddenly flared, as his Despair aura activated on its own, and Albedo was reminded once again the supreme power her beloved wielded. She relented, but has not given up, one day, her lord will concede, and he would be hers!
(…)
Evelyn watched the battle unfold. She was pale and shivering, her fingers white as they gripped the heavy book, and her eyes widened every now and then as displays of magical might that begets the imagination followed one another incessantly. Explosions of fire and ice, lightning, and thunder. The fury of a god, she had no better words to describe the carnage unfold when Ainz personally took onto the battlefield. The dark spirits in the skies shrieked in agony as they were unmade.
The battle lasted minutes, but it seemed like hours, and to the little girl an eternity. While the butler of the Sorcerer King was strong, and each hit he delivered was followed by the air pressure rising and falling, trees were uprooted in the way of his fist—it was nothing, nothing compared to the power displayed by the Overlord who took to the dark skies and split it apart.
The butler rushed forward engaging two Wrath Lords who strayed from the fighting, meanwhile she felt a sudden chill.
Behind her the children abruptly stilled, and crawled away, as a shadow materialized ready to take away all their hopes and dreams. The children, whose names she didn't even know were sucked dry, and apathetically tumbled back onto the ground. When the dark spirit turned, and it was her turn to be consumed, she couldn't utter a word. Her throat was dry, and she could only stare at the butler's back, who was gradually overwhelming the duo of dark shadows. He could not help her. He would not return in time. She was all alone. She would die here. She would never get a chance to grow old. She would die. She stared unblinkingly as the realization dawned on her. This would be the end.
There were a few children behind her in the line, and Ronald was among them. He stared, unable to do anything as Evelyn was lifted into the air, and the shadow moved to devour her dreams. He could not take his eyes off her, he could not bear to look at her, and yet, he could not turn away.
He stared mutely as a darkness deeper than any shadow rose around Evelyn, like a protective barrier it got between her and the dark spirit. The next moment the shadow shrieked and twisted, trying desperately to get away—to flee. It could not. It was wrestled into submission and devoured within a moment's notice, and afterwards the darkness engulfing the little girl vanished without a trace.
The sentient darkness retreated, informing its master of the shadow's insubordination.
Wraiths were never meant to be trusted, only controlled, and the Pallid Man—incomparably powerful he may be, when bound; his control over reality was fleeting and weak. He could only trust that the fear he inspired in the hearts of those wretched souls would be enough to stay their hands, but it would seem they were foolish enough to defy him. A demonstration was in order.
The sentient darkness submerged into the depts, and soon found its master. The prison realm was shaky, cracks spread throughout the vast expanse and the atmosphere was stifling. A suffocating presence rose in the center when the Pallid Man heard of this betrayal. And the sentient dark shuddered as it left, going back to the girl, it was instructed to protect. The Wraith responsible for this breach of trust was reconstructed and destroyed again and again. A thousand death wasn't enough to atone for its mistake. And the Pallid Man was not one who forgives nor one who forgets.
A/N: Let me know what you think! Review!
Side note: To reference this;" would break the game balance of Yggdrasil," I am unaware if there were higher level wraiths or not, to my best knowledge they were only ever low tier monsters, therefore wraiths above lvl 30 would definitely be unexpected for Ainz. (Just to clear up some things.)
Exams throughout the next 3 weeks, so next update may take a while (2-3weeks).
University isn't all fun-
Take care, Eternity 999.