AN: English is not my native language and this is my first fanfiction.
"I love cookies" → thoughts
"I love cookies" → speech
"I love cookies" → spell, Martial art
"I love cookies" → Message spell
I don't own Overlord
please review
Chapter 20
→ Near Re-Estice / Blue roses ←
Blue roses closed in on the capital of the Re-Estice kingdom with quite some vigor. They couldn't wait to regroup with the rest, especially some couldn't wait to see Litzelot again. The other reason was Princess Renner and their report. But sadly for the Princess, the report had to wait, since blue roses reached the capital in the early evening.
Finding the other group was quite easy for our group of adventurers, since they met Lore in the inn they usually used, indicating that the rest also used rooms there. This got confirmed when they asked Lore.
After blue roses settled in and took their dinner, they seated themselves to Lore, who relaxed with a pink bag on her lap.
"How well did it go with you?" Lakyus asked Lore.
"It went well. We are all alive, but Litzelot seems sure that he encountered someone higher up the command chain of eight fingers. Can't confirm though." Lore replied.
"By the way, where are the other three?" Gagaran asked.
"Zesshi is "kidnapping" Litzelot for dinner. Why, though, don't ask me. Litzelot is obviously with her. Opal is napping if she can." Lore reported suggestively.
"Why does Litzelot need to eat?" Evileye asked.
"Don't ask me. Zesshi had her plan and can easily handle me, therefore I am out of her way." Lore replied while blue roses deadpanned.
"They should also come back in a short time." Lore continued.
"Good. Then I can contact our client tomorrow. We could also use tomorrow to rest." Lakyus stated.
At that moment a certain pair, Zesshi and Litzelot, waltzed right in and saw the rest of the group. They decided to seat themselves to listen in.
"So we can report to her and receive our new orders?" Lore asked.
"Yes. But for today we will rest. I guess we will meet her tomorrow afternoon and evening." Lakyus stated. Everyone nodded and they proceeded to do their things
Lore went to Opal and told her about the next day. She then prepared herself for the night, while Opal simply continued to sleep.
Gagaran drank with a few higher-ranking adventurers, until she went to sleep drunk, to the annoyance of Tina and Tia. Tia and Tina had to wait a few hours, since their leader had gone to bed early. Lakyus slept early since she would need to meet the princes in the morning.
Zesshi tried to stay awake for most of the night, ubt had to admit her tiredness, once early morning stroke. Evileye and Litzelot spent the first part of the night with Zesshi in tow, since Zesshi was metaphorically glued to Litzelot. After Zesshi went to bed, to Evileyes butterflies happiness, they proceeded to talk and play games.
→ Nazarick / Albedo and Demiurge ←
Demiurge was sitting with Albedo in the now empty office of the Supreme Being that stayed with them, Ainz Ooal Gown. While Albedo usually did paperwork and tried to seduce Ainz, Demiurge had developed a plan, that according to him, was already planned by Ainz Ooal gown.
But sadly Demiurge had a big problem. He met Albedo to discuss the problem of him staying longer outside of Nazarick than a few hours at a time. Demiurge tried a lot of tricks, sadly he returned after twelve hours, without consent. This led to the problem that Demiurge could not use "Project Gehenna", a plan of his where he would need far more time outside of Nazarick, to its full potential.
"The problem would be that we,as demons, would automatically and forcefully disappear outside and reappear inside our great Nazarick" Demiurge explained.
"That is quite a problem. The stem of which is our being itself." Albedo replied. Demiurge thought.
"We are demons, irrelevant if we are succubus or archdevils. What are we?" Demiurge thought loud.
"Desires, emotions and drive given flesh." Albedo replied.
"That is correct. We as demons are used to punishing by distorting the pleasures, fears, desires and using them against our fow or victim. What about it?" Demiurge was not sure why that was important.
"Simple. The undead in this world take preference with dead bodys, not caring if it was a pig or cattle. Angels need a person with virtues as pure as possible, virtues being for example innocence, loyalty and selflessness." Albedo stated.
"Why does Ainz Ooal Gown not need something like a dead body then?" Demiurge asked.
"He is a Supreme Being, our knowledge is not comparable or usable with or on them. Even thinking like that is a bit heretical" Albedo admonished sternly.
"Ok, that explains our lord. But what about Sebas, Narberal and Solution?" Demiurge reiterated.
"All of them are found in the wild, to a certain degree. Solution is a slime. Narberal is a doppelganger. Both are purely physical beings. Sebas is a Dragonoid and can change in his original form, therefore the form we see is more a cover than his true body and his true body is a physical being." Albedo explained.
"So what would we need to get a chance to stay longer outside?" Demiurge asked.
"You would need a willing victim, who would surrender its bodey to you." Albedo stated.
"Why willingly?" Demiurge asked.
"We demons are made of desire and more. We need to be desired into their realm, so that we can appear into their realm." Albedo explained.
"How much "willingly" counts as willingly?" Demiurge asked grinning sadistically.
"Coercion, blackmail and such counts as willingly, as long as they perform the fitting ritual, you will find it in our library, ashurbanipal." Albedo replied.
"I will ask Solution to give me a suitable victim." Demiurg said.
After the problem was solved Demiurge immediately contacted Solution and gave her the necessary order.
"Why didn't I get the problem solved by myself?" Demiurge asked himself. He thought for a few hours, when he got it into his head.
"I should get the spiritual side and physical side of things more splitted. It is like Mana and the physical body. I should keep this in my mind" Demiurge scolded himself and the proceded with his usual routine.
→ Re-Estice / blue roses and companions ←
After Lakyus woke up, she immediately went to her breakfast and lunged at it. She sat in the restaurant part of the inn together with Evileye and Litzelot.
"Don't you ever need sleep?" Lakyus asked both of them.
"I am a dullahan, therefore undead. See?" Litzelot replied, taking his head and holding it a little bit over its neck.
"I have a ring of sustenance, which I use." Evileye lied.
"You have one of those?" Lakyus asked, astonished.
"Yeeeah. Why do you ask?" Evileye sweated.
"I could have used it to get to Princess Renner earlier" Lakyus deadpanned.
"Too late to ask. Eat up and move to our client." Evileye drove Lakyus onward.
"Yes mam. Just tell the rest that I will be back in a while" Lakyus replied and moved out.
A little while later Lakyus reached one of the orphanages that were built by Princess Renner. Lakyus knew that the Princess fancied visiting those orphanages. Lakyus also knew the routine in which Renner would visit them. This made it easier to speak with Renner, since Prince Barbo became some kind of problem.
"Ahh Lakyus, how are you doing my dear?" Lakyus heard the voice of Renner and turned. There she saw Renner and bowed.
"Your Highness. I thought that I should report to you in regards to the quest you bestowed upon my group and myself." Lakyus stated.
"We will meet this afternoon. There is a good restaurant, I believe it's called golden goose. There I can get a table in private and we can speak. Is all of your group in the capital? I would like to have all of them in my presence for further plans" Renner asked and Lakyus nodded.
"We all are in the capital and will meet you there." Lakyus stated.
Renner in the meantime had finished the inspection of the orphanage. Climb, who was only now recognised by Lakyus, opened the royal carriage from Renner.
"Do you need a ride?" Renner asked.
"If you drive near the typical inn, I would take it." Lakyus stated and received a nod. Afterwards Renner, Lakyus and Climb seated themselves in the carriage and the drive started
"What can I do for you Lakyus" Renner asked.
"Would it be possible to give Litzelot and his group something similar to the status of adventurer, without actually making them adventurers?" Lakyus asked.
"I could look into it. I will come back to you this afternoon. I would ask you to ask them about being adventures though." Renner replied.
"Yes, Renner. I only asked in advance, since Litzelots experience with the adventurers-guild was not extremely good." Lakyus stated. Giving Renner a List with information about the group around Litzelot.
"How far would you go, geographically speaking, to fight against the eight finger?" Renner asked.
"Depends on the terrain and less about which kingdom." Lakyus answered.
"That is good. I might need Litzelot abroad to get some things done. I have information, quite a lot by the way, through a proxy and I would need a strong being. And I think that Litzelot is much stronger than we think him to be." Renner stated.
"Yes he is extremely strong. I have to thank you, your highness. We will see you this afternoon at "Golden Goose" and speak there." Lakyus said while the carriage stopped. Lakyus then got out of the carriage and walked into the inn she and the rest resided in. Once inside she looked around and saw nearly all of the blue roses and the group around Litzelot, only evileye was missing.
"Mornin" a grumpy Opal said, while nearly falling asleep over her breakfast.
"What the heck is with her?" Lakyus thought.
"Her state now is normal. We were nearly marching without any rest here. Opal just needs today's rest and our sleepyhead will then be fine." Lore whispered to Lakyus, answering the question that was written all over Lakyus face. Meanwhile Opal fell asleep and her face landed in her breakfast. Lakyus nodded to Gagaran, who took Opal, cleaned her face and then brought Opal to her room.
"Lore, you told her after I told you our information. Where is Evileye?" Lakyus asked.
"I gave her a mask to check out. She then went up giggling like a small child." Litzelot grinned while Lakyus just shook her head.
"I will tell her later. We will meet our client this afternoon. Therefore we will stay at this inn till then. I also would like to talk with the group around Litzelot." Lakyus said. Blue roses simply nodded and leff.
"What would you like to ask?" Zesshi asked.
"I want to ask if your group doesn't want to register as adventurers, since it can come in handy. I already heard that our operations will not stay within the Kingdom of Re-Estice. I also want to reiterate that the adventurers-guild is not political and its members can't get conscripted without great trouble from the guild." Lakyus stated the battles of Katze-PLains in her mind. These battles occur nearly every year and amount to many casualties. Usually the nobles conscript large numbers of peasants, but the thought that they could conscript Litzelot and his lot seemed like a growing possibility.
"I don't like the guild." Litzelot stated, while Lakyus sights.
"Then it's good that I asked our client. Can you hear her out today afternoon?" Lakyus asked and Litzelot nodded.
"I will stay together with my darling" Zesshi hissed, while Lakyus got red cheeks and Lore simply looked deadpanned.
"It is not my decision. I will simply follow our local couple." Lore stated. Zesshi then grew red cheeks and a smile which had similarities with a dog looking at its owner. Litzelot meanwhile had to hold his head, since the shock nearly let him lose it and that would be bad in an inn with many people around.
"Bullseye" Lakyus snickered, while Lore also started to grinn.
"Ok then. I will collect you when we move out towards our meeting. Get good clothing, since it will be an expensive restaurant and we don't want to be seen as ruffians." Lakyus stated.
→ Re-Estice Palace / Renner and Ramposa III ←
After meeting with Lakyus and looking at other orphanages, Renner got back to the palace. She had much to do after all. The fight against eight fingers wass getting forwards. The people of the kingdom saw her more favorably every day. They even called her "the golden princess". Renner grinned when she thought about it. If they knew that the only reason for her good treatment of them was that she wanted her puppy, or Climb as she had to call him.
Aside from the fight against the criminal underworld, which was her priority at the moment, she also knew that she needed her tools for her goals. Right now she got the loyalty from blue roses. She also had a foot in the door for Gazef Stronoff. She didn't need to think about Climb, since he was her loyal puppy.
"Only the new group that is forming will need a firmer leash. If I have Litzelot and his group, I could potentially move against all that could be thrown at me." Renner grinned inside, keeping her mask up, Climb was still around.
After they reached the palace, to Renners dislike, Climb stated that he needed to visit someone and that he would be back in no time.
Renner then proceeded to move towards her fathers study. Once there she was able to hear how her older brother had a temper tantrum.
"We will need to conscript adventurers this year, father. With their daily routine, they don't need training and we can send them off to war." Barbo said.
"Why is this oaf here?" Renner thought, nearly destroying her perfect mask.
"If we do that the adventurers-guild will stand against us. They will be against war and restrict their members from going too political." Ramposa was heard.
"That's all? They are still part of the kingdom. Therefore they answer to US!" Barbo was shouting.
"Do you have any clue how dangerous your idea is towards us?" Ramposa asked.
"Renner has an adamantite group behind her. What would the other adventures do other than suck it up?" Barbo asked rhetorically.
"While she has made friends with one group, there are many more. It is more likely that they would not step between us and the guild." Ramposa answered
"Then let's collect the other group, that is accompanying the adventurer party from Renner. I had them looked up. They aren't adventurers. We can conscript them into our service. That way they are finally useful." Barbo said, a smirk audible.
"Do you have any clues how difficult that would be? You are insane. They would be highly expensive for our treasury, if they did not simply move to another country." Ramposa was getting angry. Renner meanwhile grinned.
"Thank you Lakyus. I can't wait to destroy Barbos' hope for that hehe." Renner grinned inside her mind.
"Why do these scoundrels need pay? They should thank us for serving us." Barbo shouted. Renner heard steps approaching the door and was lucky enough to jump out of its way.
"Watch out you oaf. If you had hit me with that door, Climb might not like my appearance" Renner thought angrily. Her oaf of a brother didn't realize that she was there and stormed off.
"How can someone be so full of themselves?" Renner thought and showed her tongue, only inwardly since it would be bad etiquette.
"Good evening father" Renner said, once Barbo was gone.
"Ah Renner. How can I help you, my daughter?" Ramposa thought.
"I want to ask if I can give a few people a status that is similar to adventurer, without them being inside the guild?" Renner asked. This stunned Ramposa.
"What aspect of adventurers would be needed?" Ramposa asked.
"I will need their services, therefore I cant have them conscripted for the next battle of katze plains." Renner said.
"Why don't you take them in as your retinue? Some nobles do that with former adventures. I even did that with Gazef. If they are your retinue they are similar to bodyguards, and therefore cant be conscripted. How many are we talking about?" Ramposa asked.
"It is not a great amount. I ask for four people. The group might increase, but not now. I just want them safe from the annual war and my brother" Renner stated.
"Do you have a name? I will then write the official document right now, since I have a feeling that I know at least one of them" Ramposa grinned. Renner grinned back.
"Do you need anything else beside their names?" Renner asked while Ramposa shook his head.
"Then only the names. The first one is Sir Litzelot, The second is Zesshi Zetsumei, the third is Opal Longeye and the final is Lore Argon. I have them on this paper" Renner stated, handing her father the List she got from Renner. Ramposa looked over them and got the documents finished.
"How is your project going?" Ramposa asked.
"I am working on a list of treasonous nobles. But otherwise eight fingers will soon get a problem of the monetary sort. I also expect infighting. We will therefore see them splintering and can take them out of our country once and for all. Ahh, I remember. Sadly eight fingers is also abroad. But I will have that sorted soon. I plan to use the group around Litzelot to destroy eight fingers holding that they have in the empire. Luckily it is only a storage building. Once it's gone they are restricted to our kingdom." Renner reported.
"That's quite the progress. Are you sure you're not getting into danger?" Ramposa asked.
"You know me better than that father. Why does everyone treat me like a doll" Renner fumed.
"I will be fine. I trust blue roses and my new retinue" Renner stated while Ramposa sighed in relief.
"Please rest assured. Eight fingers will be destroyed soon. Afterwards we only have the normal problem of your usual criminals." Renner tried to reassure her father.
"And once I have done that I will have my tools safely in my palms. I will have my puppy at my leash and leave this hellscape of a kingdom" Renner grinned inwardly.
"I will go then father. I have to meet my friends. If it is not a problem. I will use my money to give my friends a small feast at the "golden goose"." Renner stated. Taking the documents for her future retinue.
"Sounds good, but please take Gazef and Climb with you." Ramposa ordered.
"As you wish. I will have Climb bring Gazef the message. Thank you father and good evening." Renner said and then went to her room.
Once Climb had come back she had sent him towards Gazef to collect them. Afterwards they talked about their progress in regards to their target. Gazef was quite ecstatic to hear that it seems to go forward. It made him even more ecstatic to have the ability to talk to their comrades.
It was getting closer, when she decided that it was time to meet blue roses and her future retinue. Once they reached the "golden goose" Renner sent Climb to collect blue roses and Litzelots group.
→ Re-Estice / blue roses and others ←
Everyone waited at the restaurant part of the inn once they had eaten lunch. There was little shock when Climb stormed the inn and asked for them. They simply waived and then moved out. It was a short walk and everyone was smelling the food halfway there.
"At least the restaurant smells good" Lakyus thought.
Once there the group was led where Renner was sitting with Gazef. It was a private booth. It was seperated by heavy curtains and therefore the user would be able to block interested people from listening and looking at the user.
After a short time of meaningless etiquette, blue roses and the group around Litzelot sat down. After a short while a waitress took their orders and brought them their drinks.
"So we have now a short span of time. Did anything out of the ordinary happen?" Renner asked.
"Do the names Davernoch and Zero ring a bell?" Litzelot asked.
"The documents listed them quite a few times. Zero seems to be the leader of eight fingers security. Davernoch was only part of the same branch. Why?" Renner asked.
"So we had hit the jackpot. I faced both of them. They are now multiple floors under" Litzelot stated.
"Then we should focus on the rest of that department. Once their security branch is gone we can destroy their income more easily. Though I wanted to dry them out before destroying their syndicate." Renner sighed.
Blue roses meanwhile sighed and just shrugged with their shoulders.
"Nothing different at our front. We got in and had our part." Lakyus reported.
" Before we continue. Sir Litzelot, did your group decide to join the adventurers-guild?" Renner asked. Litzelot and his group shook their heads. Renner proceeded to take out envelopes and placed them on the table.
"Sadly I have to take drastic steps. I heard that my older brother wanted to conscript you, as insane as he is. I have a counter for that. If you don't mind. Inside those envelopes we have documents. If you don't have a problem with it, I can take you in a retinue. You will be seen as bodyguards and are therefore out of conscription. I know that is not the best solution. Therefore I will of course pay you and help you." Renner said, looking slightly sad.
"So I have the choice between becoming a levied soldier, joining the adventurers-guild or becoming part of your retinue?" Litzelot asked.
"Sadly yes. If you become my retinue however, you are more or less free. I will only ask for your support in certain situations and not the wars the nobles do for their ugly hobbies" Renner stated.
"What do you mean with "certain situations"" Litzelot asked.
"I will only ask for your help if I know that no other help would be able to help me in those situations. You would also show presence from time to time, but that would be far and between." Renner seemed deep in thoughts.
"With that you would have more freedom than most commoners. Not even nobles would be able to order you around, since you could potentially be on orders of the princess. It is the best you can do without joining the adventurers-guild"Lakyus supported Renner.
"How often would I need to "show presence"?" Litzelot asked.
"I would ask you to show presence at the first weekend of a month, if you are not on a mission. If you are on a mission in that timeframe I give a letter to you, sadly I need those to show that you are in my services at my court." Renner stated while looking sad.
"What would that pay?" Litzelot asked.
"Since you would mostly be part of my retinue in name only, I would pay you for the time you show presence and we can talk about payment for each mission. If we want to make it more than in name only we can talk about payment again." Renner said.
Litzelot looked at his group. Zesshi nodded while Lore shrugged. Opal meanwhile rubbed her eyes.
"I agree then." Litzelot said and all of them took their envelopes and looked at the document inside. Afterwards they placed them on their person and safe for hazards.
"So we have that cleared. I thank you, Sir Litzelot and his group, for your trust in me and your support." Renner smiled like sunshine.
The meals arrived and the group began to eat. Evileye somehow ate through her mask while Litzelot took his head inside his hand and removed his helmet. Gazef, Climb and Renner looked shocked.
"What is it?" Litzelot asked.
"What are you?" Gazef asked. He seemed relaxed.
"He is a dullahan. Those are among the few undead with a conscience. Therefore his hatred for the living is only there when he has reason to hate a human." Lakyus stated while Gazef and Climb relaxed.
"It is scary how easy it is to trick yourself into believing something," Renner stated.
"What do you mean?" Gazef asked.
"I knew that he was an undead, but I was still shocked." Renner said.
"I see what you mean," Gazef said.
"He had to do that," Lakyus grinned after catching Litzelots grinn.
The rest of the meal went on without another surprise and most of the occupants, Evileye and Litzelot are the exception, even ordering more afterwards.
"What will be the next step?" Litzelot asked.
"I want blue roses to stay around. Litzelot and his group, we need to find a name for it, will go to the empire. There is a city called Valwintar. In there you will meet with the local lord. I had help arranging some agreement under the table. He will help you by destroying eight fingers' exit plans." Renner said, giving Litzelot an envelope.
"It is a letter with your quest."Renner said.
"We should leave then, since it is approximately one and a half weeks there. My groups could probably cut it down. But still." Litzelot said.
"Sounds good. When you come back, come to the castle please." Renner said and Litzelot nodded.
"Litzelot, there was someone who wanted to meet you. I will lead you to him if it isn't a problem?" Climb spoke and looked pleading at Renner, who nodded. Litzelot nodded, then he and his group exchanged pleasantries and went their way with Climb.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to send your personal retinue to the baharut empire?" Lakyus asked.
"While I dont like it, it is arranged through proxy and therefore not really a problem." Renner said.
The rest of the meal went without another thing and afterwards the ways once again splitted.
AN: puh. This was a long chapter to write. I had to rewrite it a few times, but I think its working. please review if you like. And till next time.