Chapter 6
Steel of Man
-The Great Tomb of Nazarick-
-Ninth Floor-
-Madara's Quarters-
-Training Room-
Madara analyzed his foes, three men, and two women, and fell into the Uchiha fist. Enhancing his stats with chakra, he waited for them to make the first move. "{Maximize Magic: Holy Judgement!}" one of the women called out. The circle in her hand was white and gold.
"{Maximize Magic: Demonic Chaos!}" one of the men called out. His magic had a black circle with a tint of red on it.
The rest took this as their cue and rushed into action: the other female taking his left, a man taking the right, and the last charging straight for him.
Madara's eyes spun and turned his iris red, three tomes circled it. "Let's dance!"
-Flashback-
Madara glared at the duo before him, his anger rising as they remained defiant of their fate. It was fruitless, their labor was without fruit. Without meaning. Yet they still defy their fate?
His eyes narrowed in anger.
-Flashback End-
Dodging the two polar opposite spells, he immediately blocked and redirected a strike aimed for his abdomen. Sensing the duo that was in his blind spot, he crotched and swept them. He then jumped back, making a hasty retreat.
"Good."
-Flashback-
As he was about to strike down Sasuke, the Uzumaki brat grabbed Madara's attention when he summoned a scroll and unfurled it. His curiosity turned into shock when he recognized the seal. After all, his friend's wife created it.
The inter-dimensional scroll! Madara thought to himself. "You brat!" he yelled.
After all, there was a reason why it was never used and sealed within Mito's deepest parts of her soul.
"Where did you get that!" he roared, agitated by the events.
"Your ass!" the brat replied with as much vigor as he slammed his hand down on the seal and activating it.
-Flashback End-
Using his power to accurately predict his opponent, he redirected the strike and flipped over the kick from behind. Using his momentum, he kicked away the person who attempted a kick. His eyes narrowed as he abandoned his attempt to dodge a strike for his midriff.
Flipping backward, he landed on his feet only to duck under the duo of spells from the supporters. Their teamwork is exceptional. He mused.
"That's enough for now," Madara said as he skidded to a halt. "Your teamwork is very impressive, if you were all using your weapons then I have no doubt nothing short of a level 80 opponent will be absolutely destroyed."
His opponents bowed politely. "Thank you, Madara-sama," they said in unison.
"Now, rest up you're all dismissed," Madara said.
Then his servant, Nia, entered the room with two maids at his side. "My lord, I'm here to tell you the steel refineries are ready and have been approved by your clones," he reported.
"That's good. Very well, tell the Grey Guards to mobilize and equip the steel armor I prepared beforehand," Madara replied. He walked past Nia, who followed a step behind.
"At once my lord," the servant replied, motioning one of the maids by his side. Bowing, the maid took off.
Madara clasped his hands together."Hm... Wood Style: Wood Clone Technique!" Wood sprouted up beside him which quickly formed into a clone of himself. "Go to Carne Village and start pulling the troops out and begin Project Uchida," he commanded while continuing on his path.
The clone just nodded before disappearing.
"Nia, tell the blacksmiths to take a break but prepare for Project Barrel."
"At once," Nia bowed before taking off.
The maid that followed Nia continued to follow Madara. "You shall be accompanying me..." He paused as he tried to remember her name. "Tanya," he finished.
"As you wish, my lord."
-Human Kingdom of Re-Estize-
-Re-Estize-
-Nazarick's Operations Base-
Sebas was... nervous. No, that wasn't it. He was honored to have the most powerful Supreme Being residing in the manor he so dutifully maintained. Extremely honored he had become a bit paranoid about the finer details of the house.
It was to the point that Solution broke from her persona of being the lady of the manor to her normal persona of being a Pelidias, a maid. She utilized her ninjutsu to also create clones to help clean.
"Sebas-sama, the bedrooms are cleaned," Solution stated.
"Very well, that should be everything, right?" Sebas mused, stroking his goatee subconsciously. "I do not know Madara-sama's preference due to my creator's limited information. However, if I were to guess, I would say Madara-sama has a similar taste to Cocytus-sama's creator, Warrior Takimikazuchi-sama."
"Then shall I go to Nazarick to ask the chiefs for such foods?" Solution inquired.
"That would be for the best," Sebas replied.
The slime Pelidias motioned for a clone she made to come to her. "Go to Nazarick and request as many traditional meals as they can produce regularly." The clone nodded before merging in the shadows.
"I shall continue with the mission," Sebas stated.
-Human Kingdom of Re-Estize-
-Re-Estize-
-Mage's Guild Hall-
The magician guildhall was quiet but there were people. They spoke in hushed voices as if it were disrespectful to speak out loud.
There was chatter, of course, this wasn't a private area nor did a murder take place. But they were inaudible, borderline mute.
The occasional opening of the door would illuminate the are briefly with sunlight as there were no windows, only magical lights, powered by the {Continuous Light} spell, illuminated the building. Giving the lobby of the Mages Guildhall a dimmed lighting.
The lighting didn't impede the accountants' jobs, as they were most accustomed to the lighting.
So with the combination of the silent lobby and warm lighting, the accountants could hear the opening of the door and the clicking of fine made heels.
The footsteps stopped and an old gruff voice, yet wise and attractive to most, spoke. "Hello."
The accountant that he stopped before was a young man with a bob cut of sorts. "Welcome to the Mage Guild, Sir Sebas."
"I will have the usual," Sebas stated.
In response, the accountant nodded and brought out a large book, as if he knew what to bring.
When Sebas opened the book, he couldn't read any bit. To solve this problem, he took out a pair of expensive-looking reading glasses and equipped them. Magically, pun intended, he was able to read the writings of the book.
"Hm... Tell me about the spell {Floating Board}" Sebas requested.
"Yes, sir."
-Human Kingdom of Re-Estize-
-Re-Estize's South Gate-
Madara yawned, the line to the capital was... Long, very long. It was as if hundreds of villages' worth of people came here in hopes of a better life.
As far as his information goes, a better life for a farmer in the capital was low. Lower if you were a farm girl.
It disgusted him, this was one of the many reasons he initiated project Tsuki No Nomi in the first place. Corruption, slavery, sin, and amongst other things were things that will exist no matter the world if any species remotely similar to mankind existed.
He pushed the thoughts of his failed plan to the back of his mind. As it turns out, the Infinite Tsukuyomi can only work in the Elemental Nations. The moon there was unique, to say the least.
"Madara-sama, the guards have decided to let us through," his driver, one of his Black Army Calvary unit, stated. Bribery was something common amongst humans it seems.
-Human Kingdom of Re-Estize-
-Re-Estize-
-An Alleyway-
Walking down the alleyway, Sebas continued to walk, his posture didn't falter the slightest since he left the mansion where he occupied with Solution. Even after walking down the deserted paths for a few minutes when no one was around, his posture was as straight as a sword.
He had walked unhindered for about ten minutes, yet he hasn't seen a single soul since he passed the beggers at the entrance of the alley. It was strange, most people by now would be heading home at this time, maybe this path was deserted for a reason?
This must be where the darker aspects of the Kingdom run freely, unhindered by the lack of patrols and common populace. Sebas mused. Stroking his goatee, he continued on his path, memorizing every single turn and curve of the path.
A door opened and a human-sized sack was thrown out. Sebas' eyes took the sight with interest but quickly discarded it as he ignored the sack.
Then when he was right in front of the sack's entrance, a foreign weight latched onto the cuffs of his fine trousers. Truly, the darker aspects of the Kingdom. Sebas thought grimly.
-Human Kingdom of Re-Estize-
-Re-Estize-
-An Unimportant Noble's House-
"So you want to set shop in the capital?" the noble inquired, his eyes inspecting the seemingly flawless quality steel bar in his hands.
"Ah yes. You see, my steel is even better quality than even that of the empire's," Madara declared. "I dare say that I can produce more than what a steel refinery town could make in a week within a day."
"Oh? That's a rather bold statement; surely you jest? I can say this steel is indeed of fine quality, and better than what those bastards of the empire could produce but say that you could produce more than what a whole town could make? Unless you have a city, I can't possibly see how you could manage that," the noble dismissed.
"Ah... How about this?" he motioned one of his guards to come. "I'll provide a steel ingot every day to you, free of charge."
"An ingot?" I would've understood something much less... But an ingot? The noble thought.
"Yes, a gift if you will, of course until a year has passed, I'll provide daily. Here, as a token of our new partnership, I'll provide you with some enchanted armor, made out of the steel I produce." He picked the ornate steel armor from his guard's hands. "The only enchantments on these are simple magical protection can only protect you fully from 1st tier spells."
The noble's eyes widened in surprise. "You have enchanted armor? A-And the craftsmanship... It looks more suited to the king!"
"I found it in my travels. So..." Madara smirked. "Do we have a deal? 10,000 gold for the property?"
"Y-Yes," the man stammered out.
"Good."
-Human Kingdom of Re-Estize-
-Re-Estize-
-Nazarick's Operations Base-
"To stutter and drool over level 10 armor, truly this world is pathetic," Madara scoffed. Although back in the Shinobi World, absolute low-leveled Jutsu protection would've been a miracle of the Sage of Six Paths.
"You shouldn't judge too quickly, my lord," one of his guards, an angel, said silently.
"Ah. Indeed, underestimating might be my undoing," Madara replied with a smirk. "Though, I've only been defeated once."
The guards said no more as they fell silent while they escorted their master.
Reaching the designated "Operations Base," Madara saw Sebas bowing in a perfect 90-degree angle and Solution dressed in clothing that was made of pricey clothes but not too expensive to be identified as a rich noble, more to the budget of a Baron or a wealthy merchant. She bowed at a 20-degree angle, enough to show her respect but not too low to easily show her devotion.
They were supposed to be playing the role of husband and wife after all. It would be too suspicious if the wife bowed too low towards her husband, indicating that she was a fake wife or she was under mind control or she had an absolute devotion to the husband. While men and women aren't equal in this era, most wives are usually treated appropriately by their husbands.
"Madara-sama," Sebas said.
"Welcome..." Solution hesitated, a faint tinge on her cheeks was seen briefly. "Beloved..."
(P.S She's not in the harem, I'm only including Shalltear and Zesshi)
As they entered, Sebas took the lead, seeing as he was the butler.
"Sebas. How is the mission Momonga assigned you to go?" Madara inquired.
"Ah. The mission Ainz-sama assigned to us is going smoothly, Madara-sama. We've become regulars and have been purchasing spells that might pique your interests."
"Good. You have to be one of the more tolerant ones of Nazarick, did Touch Me make you like this? Don't answer, it's a rhetorical question."
Sebas nodded and they continued through the mansion in relative silence.
"Here's your room, Madara-sama," Sebas stated, sending a glance to the maid accompanying Madara, he added, "the servant quarters are at that room." He pointed to the door two doors to the right of Madara's quartets.
Madara smirked. "Good, if there's anything that you will need to complete your mission don't hesitate to ask."
At that, Sebas looked conflicted for a moment before nodding to himself and asking, "Madara-sama, I'm... Harboring a human, native to this kingdom, in this mansion. May I inquire that if it's alright to let her stay?"
Madara's amused eyes turned into a cold calculating look a flash. "Tell me the circumstances that required you to bring a human native to this world into our base of operations?" he inquired his guards shifting in a combat-ready stance, ready to defend their master if Sebas has betrayed them.
"I found her... Broken, covered in bruises, and bare, only a sack bag covered her modesty. I do not know what became of me, but if you wish, I'll personally get rid of her," Sebas explained, his posture straight as a well-maintained blade. His voice was firm, showing his great loyalty.
Madara spared a glance at Solution. "Did you know about this?" he asked.
"I did, as I was the one who healed her wounds using the scroll Ainz-sama bestowed to us. Sebas had ordered me to not tell you until your arrival so he may tell you personally," Solution explained. Her face on a neutral façade.
Madara pondered for a moment. "Is she healed?" Sebas nodded in affirmation. "Very well, bring her to me."
-The Human Kingdom of Re-Estize-
-Re-Estize-
-The Royal Castle-
Climb was a soldier. Nothing more nothing less. An average soldier that had no potential but was given a rank that many would envy.
The protector of Re-Estize's crown jewel, Princess Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself, the "Golden Princess" of the kingdom.
He wasn't like one of those skilled knights that become heroes to defend the princess from stories. No, he's just a simple boy that was only above-average at best, not even in competition with someone like Gazeff Stronoff or some of the skilled knights from the Knight Order.
Or people with lots of potential in general.
So, he tried to make up with pure hard work. Training twice as hard as any normal knight, swinging his blade three times as much as a normal soldier, and working twice as hard to protect the princess.
Yeah, it was to the point the princess was worried for him.
He pushed that to the deepest part of his mind. He couldn't show weakness, especially when Princess Renner was nearby. For he was a burden.
He stood before Princess Renner's doors, he was about to knock but he couldn't help but hear the conversation. The room wasn't exactly soundproof as he could hear their conversation just from the doors.
"-the recent news of a man claiming he could make better steel than the Empire and faster than a refinery town?" he could hear Princess Renner speak softly, it was nearly inaudible but luckily he could just make it out.
"No... I haven't heard of such news. How recent was this?" he could hear a more mature voice - not that Princess Renner is mature - reply. It was a voice Climb recognized as the adamantite-class adventurer, Lakyus.
"Oh, it was today, one of the nobles that supported my father reported this to him when I was in the company of father. I believe it was Earl Grey Judge. The man bought a store from him, although the amount the man paid is debatable."
"That Grey Judge? That's rather surprising, that old man never gives up land to anyone unless someone were to pay him heaps of gold."
"I suspect the man who bought the property might be a spy of the Empire, although I do not hold anything against the Empire... My duty as princess and protector of the innocents forced me to take suspicions. As such, I sent a spy to monitor the manor where the man is staying," Renner explained, her voice ashamed as she has never done anything like spying on a person before.
Climb decided that this moment of silence was a good time to announce his presence. Raising his hand, he knocked on the door. Knock. Knock.
"Ah. Who's there!?" Renner asked, her voice only loud enough for people to hear her voice clearly on the other side.
"It's me, Climb," Climb stated.
"Come in, Climb." Climb could tell that the princess was beaming for some reason, probably just to hide the stress and show her "Golden Princess" side rather than the "Tired Princess."
Entering, he bowed in a perfect 90 degrees. "You have requested for me, princess?" Climb inquired, his eyes glancing to the sole two occupants of the room. Confirming his suspicion of Lakyus being in the room, his gaze returned to Princess Renner.
Words could not describe the beauty before him, words like "beautiful innocence" or "shining beautiful" would come close but to him, no words could describe her.
Lakyus was, in his opinion, less like Reiner, who held an otherworldly beauty, and more of a strong but beautiful look to her. A mature look, if you will.
"Yes, I did Climb. Please take a seat," Princess Renner said, motioning for him to sit at the table where she and Lakyus were drinking tea at.
Before he did what he was as told, his still-developing six sense tingled, barely noticeable, but very much still there. Spinning on the foot of his heel, he glared at the general spot he sensed the intruder was at.
"Reveal yourself!" he yelled, he grabbed his sword's hilt in preparation to strike down the assassin.
"My my Tina, you got caught," Lakyus said in mock disbelief.
Climb blinked at the tone and familiarity of Lakyus to the intruder. His stance relaxed a bit but until the assassin revealed herself - assuming she's female - and if she was deemed not a threat he will not yield.
Walking out of the shadows of the corner he was facing, he was met with a ninja, a high-ranked assassin. He did not doubt if she wanted to, she could kill him without him even noticing.
"I wasn't using my skills," Tina deadpanned. The assassin then proceeded to sit at the table.
"If I remember correctly, you guys haven't formally met each other," Lakyus mused. "Well, Climb, this is my teammate, Tina. Tina, this I'd Renner's bodyguard, Climb."
She's just as the rumors say. A woman who could only be rivaled by her sister in the stealth and proficiency in the art of ninjutsu. Of course, judging by the gear she wore. A reason why he couldn't see her was the pitch-black clothing that covered her from head to toe.
Five people made up Blue Rose: the leader and faith caster, Lakyus; the main frontline warrior, Gagaran; the arcane caster, Evileye; and the two master assassins, Tia and Tina.
Climb, sheathed his sword fully, all tension leaving his body then he bowed towards the female assassin. "Please excuse me for my previous behavior. How do you do? My name is Climb."
Tina sent a glance at Climb before waving off his apology, "Huh? No big deal." She then fell silent, she wasn't much of a talker.
A single sweatdrop comically fell from Climb's forehead. Truly an adamantite-class adventurer, brushing off a threat from a person like me.
Finally taking his seat at Renner's side, Climb shifted uncomfortably in his armor. The blond soldier finally lets go of his stiffness from stress and quietly listened to them.
As everyone who recently took a seat got themselves comfortable, Renner opened her mouth to speak, however, Tina's posture straightened visibly, her eyes darting from wall to wall. A sense of alert was plastered on her face, sensing this Lakyus' eyes narrowed.
"Tina, is there anything wrong?" the sword-wielding, faith caster asked, muscles tensing in preparation.
"Someone is watching us," the assassin replied her voice much more alert in contrast to her previous monotone. She suddenly jumped out from her seat and shot towards the shadows of the room. Dagger in hand, she stabbed the corner and an audible clang was heard.
Climb shot up, taking a defensive stance in front of Renner, while Lakyus grabbed the ceremonial sword that was showcased in the room. Tina jumped back from the fellow assassin and fell back with her allies.
"Who are you?" Tina asked dangerously, her eyes narrowing.
Lakyus took up the questioning in Tina's steed as the figure didn't respond. "Are you affiliated with the Eight Fingers?"
"No." The reply was swift and simple, they could barely hear the reply even with all the silence in the room. "Looks like I've been caught." Shit. I messed up big time. It's a good thing I set up the bugs already.
Climb's eyes narrowed in suspicion as he studied the figure's weapon, a katana. A simple one, but a katana none the less.
Lakyus also identified the weapon as well. A sword meant for slicing made exclusively in a country in the east. Why would an assassin carry a sword?
The figure then stepped out from the shadows, revealing a man with a purple gi with a white sash around his waist, a white mask with weird markings covered his identity. Behind the mask, two burning red eyes narrowed. A ninja... At the very least she would be level 60 then if going by the YGGDRASIL scale. A weak opponent to me but a strong one going by this world's standards. If she is truly level 60 then she would be on a higher level than Gazeff Stronoff, the "strongest in the kingdom."
His eyes glanced at the princess, her bodyguard, and the noble adventurer. Princess and her bodyguard are lower than level 20. The noble, however, is a faith caster if my information is correct, she also wields a sword from one of the "heroes."
He was a shadow clone, a simple clone invented for infiltration and reconnaissance. Once he dispels, his memories would go to the original. As such, he would try to gauge their level by fighting them, his life was of no concern anyway.
Armed with only the sword in his hand, Madara shot forward. Opening with a wide slash, he was disappointed when they reacted slowly.
It was as if they were slugs. He was most disappointed in the ninja. Still, she moved her dagger to parry.
Canceling his attack, he jumped over the assassin and aimed an attack on the faith caster, his speed only just above her team's assassin. His expectations were met as she parried the strike and tried to press her advantage against him. She's used to fighting faster opponents. He observed.
Next, he moved on to the bodyguard. Hm... He skipped over the boy and aimed a strike at the princess. His speed at genin's speed. The boy reached to meet his sword, desperation in his eyes.
The clone felt a flash of pain from his abdomen as he disappeared in a flash of smoke. Tch. They're so weak. The ninja didn't even come halfway to my expectations.
He saw a use for them in the future, as such he avoided killing them. Hopefully, I would understand.
Tina's eyes widened. A ninja?!
-The Human Kingdom of Re-Estize-
-Re-Estize-
-Nazarick's "Special Operations Base"-
Madara blinked at the information he was given by his clone before sighing. Even ninjas are lower than level 30. As a ninja whose level is 100 (he thinks), it was incredibly disheartening that even ninjas' requirements were lower. At this rate, I might challenge the whole of Nazarick for some excitement. He thought grimly.
"Is there something wrong, my lord?" one of his guards asked in sincere worry.
"No."
Now, he waited for Sebas to bring the girl that he was harboring to him. If he truly is a traitor, then I'll deal with him Uchiha style. As in gorging his eyes out before burning his corpse then burying his body in the deep pits of Hell.
He was not, by no means, a sadist but traitors are needed to be used as examples to all potential traitors.
As he thought on the different and less horrifying way of dealing with Sebas, a feeling welled up in his heart. Before he could identify it, however, the old butler entered with the girl in tow.
Hm... Little more than average features... Hands smooth... Skin creamy... She looks like a healthy young woman. Madara observed, his gaze studying the woman who caused this mess in less than a second.
"May I inquire your name, little miss?" he asked, his gaze now studying her soul from her eyes.
The girl fumbled with her clothes, which he observed were a little bit too big, probably Solution's. Her eyes wavered, giving him the impression of a confused and afraid child. Yet, she answered in a stuttering mess but it was still an answer, "T-T-Tuaren-n-ninya Ve-Veyron."
"How were you enslaved?" She has the same family name as that girl that was accompanying Obito in his persona.
"I-I-I wa-as... T-Take-en," she tried to look at Sebas for help but all the butler did be look at her with as much comfort as he could muster for a brief second before looking away.
"By your regional noble?" Madara inquired his gaze briefly on Sebas before returning to the girl. Same background as that girl's sister. I need to confirm this in the future.
"Y-Yes," she admitted, her gaze downcast and tears falling unhindered from her eyes.
"Hmph. I knew I should've set up shop in the empire," he muttered, his voice low enough to be a murmur but loud and clear enough to be heard by Tuareninya. "Slavery is rotten, luckily the "golden princess" is abolishing it."
His gaze then turned to Sebas. "You've betrayed Ainz's and my trust, Sebas." Better keep this professional. "To regain that trust, kill the girl you saved with your fist."
Tsuareninya's and Sebas's eyes widened. "As you wish, Madara-sama," the butler stated his voice devoid of any emotion. Taking a striking stance, he aimed his palm at Tsuareninya's head.
In a blink of an eye, his palm was mere inches away from the blonde's face. A wooden branch blocked the man's strike but it caved in and nearly broke off it wasn't for Madara reinforcing it further.
"I suppose you have a sibling by the name Ninya Veyron?" Madara inquired his eyes on Tsuareninya.
Sebas and Tsuareninya blinked from surprise before the woman simply nodded hesitantly. "Y-Yes."
"Well you can be rest assured that she is safe, she was an adventurer who escorted me to my destination," the Uchiha stated. His gaze then went to Sebas. "You resemble Touch Me very much, Sebas. Strong-headed, selfless, and most importantly, loyal. You, Sebas, should follow his teachings more as he had more morals than me and Momonga. Remember, Sebas, if you ever double-cross me or Momomga ever again, you shall die by my hand."
Touch Me very much resembled Hashirama in lots of ways, even in ways his version of his rival didn't.
"You a-" Knock knock. "Hm... Sebas answer the door and greet your guests in."
Sebas stiffened before bowing. "As you wish, Madara-sama."
Chapter 8 End
"Good and evil are irrelevant, they are mere concepts formed by humans' perception. The villain might be the hero as he wanted to create a perfect world where suffering is all but extinguished and the hero might be the villain because he's standing in his way. The world runs on perception, good is evil and evil is good. A dream is a nightmare yet a nightmare might be a sweet dream." - SaveTheWeak 2018, his reason for liking villains.
This chapter has been delayed due to the writer's laziness. There's also a poll on my profile page to decide what to do with Papa Bones, Momonga.