Author's notes:

So um... A glaring problem with the last chapter has been fixed.

There's an important message at the end of this chapter; please check it out. Also, the drop in quality in this particular chapter will be explained down below.


In a well-lit palace hallway of Kami Miyako, marched the cardinal of earth, with each step reverberating the sound of his furious feet crashing against the floor. He was meekly followed by a girl who dressed in rather modern clothes, perhaps could be described as a high school uniform. However, her movements seem almost automated, as if her mind was stuck in a maelstrom of confusion.

Even though the time was midnight, there were elite guards placed strategically to ward off possible invaders or respond to an emergency. None of them had ever seen the ever composed Cardinal in this state. But Raymond couldn't care less; he had something else pressing that must be answered.

From the comfort of his home, he watched the Black Scripture at work, slaying Imix, the demon spawn of Citrinitas. He saw the group navigate into the mysterious tomb, successfully sealing whatever the Blue Roses were fighting.

Just when the time came for the curtain call, a new act abruptly started, something so absurd that would shake the foundation of the Theocracy to its core if made public knowledge.

The astrologer looked at him with confusion, "what should we do?" she asked. But whatever the cardinal of earth told her to seem not to seep even a bit into her mind.

Then, something went off in his brain, like a lamp just lit to reveal the shrouded mystery around it. As a cardinal, he was well informed about the centennial cycle—the fact that a powerful being appeared every 100 years—. The Six Great Gods, the Eight Greed Kings and The Evil Tree; just to name a few.

While he and the other cardinals categorically believed Ainz Ooal Gown to be an entity brought by this cycle, they could not come to an agreement about Re Estize's enigmatic court sorceress. And with the Pontifex Maximus disallowing all kinds of pursuing on this matter, the cardinals could not affirm nor deny... Save for Raymond.

One day, he was approached by Enhela with a most interesting 'request'. To capture Citrinitas and her 'book' and carry her here. He, of course, argued that the head would never allow this, but the assistant ensured that this mission would have the head's 'blessing'. But even so, he tried everything to delay it until recently.

"Your eminence? Thousand Leagues Astrologer?" A guard in ceremonial garbs stood before the two, blocking their path.

"My sincerest apologies, but I can not allow your entry. Per his holiness's order."

Before the Cardinal could speak, the girl behind him stepped up with a crazed look and tone.

"I've brought with me, the most startling revelation! Our God, Surshana had spoken! I heard it clearly! He has returned to give us directions on impending threat!"

The guard's eyes widened and he too, would share the same crazed look. "Truly?! T-Then..." With increasingly heavy breathing, he looked around before running towards the area he was assigned to protect, possibly to inform his peers.


[Day 41 after OC's arrival]

Even with a message from their 'god', the Black Scripture was still insistent about bringing Citrinitas back. Strangely, They allowed Darkness to accompany their return without much trouble. Could it be because Momon was supposedly chosen by their 'god'? Regardless, they did not banter nor showed any signs of jealousy perhaps due to their paramount faith.

Citrinitas was expecting her beloved 'friend' to follow, but it seems she chose to stay with her adventurer party after having just lost its leader. And someone has to report the findings back to the guild.

She hoped to see what kind of city Kami Miyako is; and whether it would be comparable to the Baharuth Empire's capital. But alas, she would not have a chance.

About halfway through their journey, the group decided to take a break at a seemingly random crossroad.

Feeling the grip on her body began to loosen, the NPC braced for an impact. Being carried like luggage for five hours straight whilst pretending to be knocked out the whole time is rather tiring.

Receiving a 'go' signal from Pandora's Actor, who was posing as Momon, the NPC initiate the motion of their plans. Slowly, she opened her eyes, groaning in pain loud enough for nearby people to hear.

Immediately, she could feel a general sense of hostility as the sound of people unsheathing their edges rang through her ears. Considering her choices for a moment, she said.

"Um... Who are you...?"

Looking at each other and slightly nodding, the Black Scripture lowered their weapons, although some still hold on to them.

"I trust that you completely regained your senses?" said a well-dressed man, making a gesture of respect. "Pardon my rudeness, esteemed court sorceress of Re-Estize Kingdom, Citrinitas-sama. I am Quaiesse Hazia Quintia of the Black Scripture, or perhaps you've heard of me under the name of 'One Man Army'?"

"Hm... he said the exact same phrase earlier too... Recycling scripts I see?" she thought to herself.

Trying to act flustered, she replied. "Oh um... Of course, Quintia-sama. Your reputation preceded you..." Glancing to gauge the reactions of others, only to be met with indifference; she continued. "Why am I here...? I don't suppose this is some form of kidnapping?"

"So you don't recall a thing?" said Quinta, pasting some form of bewilderment on his face. "What is the last thing you recall?"

Citrinitas looked upwards as if trying to retrace her memories. "...I was assigned to investigate some ruins... I remembered arriving there... but everything else after that is foggy, to say the least."

"You have been hexed with a most troublesome curse." a man in dark robes suddenly interjected with his coarse voice. "You were forced to fight us under the banner of the unknown being entombed within the depths of the tomb. Quickly we were to the rescue, so you are free of it... for now."

Nodding in agreement, the one-man army added. "Yes, we have temporarily cured you of this mind-controlling curse. But full treatment requires... special device stationed in our capital."

"Curses...? Interesting story they came up with... I almost wanted to see this 'device' of theirs."

After which, the one-man army began to recount the story, (with some omitted details and half-truths in the mix of course). Citrinitas pretended to be convinced that going to Kami Miyako would be the only solution to 'cure' her. Seemingly satisfied, the group allowed her to wash her face at a nearby river.

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Looking at her reflection on the water made Citrinitas wondered-

It's not often that she looked at her own face. Frankly, she might forget her own purple eyes' colour if not for this. Still, that moment was not the time for her to think about such mundane things.

With the tip of her finger reached the water's surface; The NPC was instantly transported to one of the guest rooms on the 9th floor of Nazarick. She had swapped places with Pandora's Actor, who assumed her appearance.

(Please overlook the fact that this might not be possible)

"Hold on..." a voice immediately reached her ears. It seems in the room she translocated into stood Shalltear and Mare. The person who was speaking would be the vampire. "If that's Pandora's Actor, then who is in Momon's armour?"

"Dumbass, it's obviously Ainz-sama himself." sharply replied the dark elf.

"YOU!"

At first, it was planned to send an expendable doppelganger in Citrinitas's place whilst Pandora's Actor posed as Momon. However, Ainz changed things up last minute after having been informed of a possible brainwashing world item belonging to the Theocracy... Whilst Citrinitas could not see merit in doing this and even considered it a hindrance to the 'conversion' plan, yet she cared not to voice her opinion. Not after Demiurge affirmed Ainz's decision.

Still, the scene before her was rather disappointing. Perhaps her 'talk' with Shalltear only kept her docile for so long... Still, why should she intervene? Now with Ainz gone and permission to wander around granted, she would do something she had wanted to do ever since her 'return'.


"Thank you for guiding me, Cocytus-sama~" said Citrinitas, with her tone indicating some form of tease at the icy warrior's mannerism.

"There. Is. No. Need. To. Refer. Me. In. Such. Way. My. Predecessor." replied the guardian of the fifth floor. Apparently, not only is he a floor guardian, but he also took charge of managing some sort of lizardmen sanctuary. Citrinitas was rather curious about what they looked like.

"Then- call me by my name too~"

The two were walking on the icy plains of the fifth floor, admiring the views of various zones and their guarding creatures. She discussed several topics with Cocytus, but unfortunately, all led to dead ends. Eventually, they reached the so-called Frozen Prison.

It was a structure built from what resembled ice with an appearance resembling a Disney Castle rather than a max security prison it's supposed to be. Still, appearances can be deceiving, after all.

"But I do wonder..." She paused. Draining the momentarily joyous atmosphere out of existence as if she's a black hole. "...Would my oldest sister act like Albedo? I'm still not sure why she ran away from me..."

"That. Would. Not. Be. A. Problem." immediately assured the floor guardian. "Although. I. Am. Not. Certain. Why. The. Guardian. Overseer. Acted. In. Such. Way. We. Had. Informed. Nigredo. Of. Your. Existence. And. She. Was. Looking. Forward. To. Meet. You."

"Eh really? I suppose I should ready myself too~"

With a happy smile and tone, the third creation pulled out a doll of a baby from her [Infinite Backpack]. Still, to call it a mere 'baby doll' might be insulting to how 'cute' it is.

Instead of normal skin colour, the doll's shade is rather pinkish, like that of an intestine. Its skin filled with veins so realistic that one could've seen it pulsating. With a pair of wings, one might mistake it for a cupid based on its shadows and size.

In place of two eyes, hallow holes stood in place. Occasionally flashing glint of crimson and purple. It bore an expressionless expression which Citrinitas adores.

"Isn't she cute?" she said as she slowly caressed the doll as if it were a small animal.

"...I. Suppose. So."

Pouting at the reply, the NPC said. "You don't sound articulate... Maybe it's differences in taste...? Anyways... I need to go to the deepest area of this place correct?"

"Yes. The. Neurologist. Will. Guide. You. From. Here." replied the floor guardian.

The two would bid farewell before parting ways...

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"How unfortunate..."

The insides of the prison are polar opposite to the outer appearances, yet it was only expected. The walls are somehow made from stone-like material, with unremovable translucent substances stained on them like a bad paint job. The first floor was illuminated by chandeliers made from skeletons of various races and other decorations were equally as menacing.

Various glowing eyes seep through beyond the strategically placed cracks, perhaps creatures ready to strike an unexpecting foe. But with vigilance, she would not provoke such an attack.

"Still, it's beautiful in its own way... Ah, how long had it been since I said that...? When did I stop obsessing about it again...?"

Suddenly, a sound of something similar to when one touched wet squishy things approached her at the same decibel as footsteps. Accompanying it from the same source would be the sound of leather screeching, perhaps from their outfits?

"Hmph, at least you're not as ugly as I thought." belligerently said the Neuronist Painkill. Citrinitas had been informed of the nature of this being.

Because of her unique aesthetic sense, it causes her to believe she's the most beautiful female in the tomb or something like that according to Shalltear. It would occasionally even provoke her sister, Albedo just to prove her point... or at least that's what Citrinitas heard.

The neuronist's face looked like a cursed union between a blobfish and a squid. Her body had humanoid features save for extreme obesity and lengthy fingers. She had makeup applied and nails polished.

"I heard she's ugly... but.. this is rather cute... Still... this bitch ought to learn her place for picking fights with sis Albedo!... But how do I approach this...? Provoking her reactions to positive stimuli first may be a good start."

"Painkill-san...? C-Can I call you that right~?" called out Citrinitas in her signature cutesy tone. According to Shalltear's guide to Nazarick, the Neuronist prefers to act as the big-sis archetype.

Painkill did not reply immediately, though her facial expression showed a mix of confusion and a hint of contentedness. "What's your name again? Citrinito or something?"

"Ehe~ Onee-san is close enough~ It's Citrinitas~"

"O-Onee-san...?" the eldritch dominatrix replied flusteredly. "I see... Now that I look again, you are rather cute." As she said that, she moved closer to pet Citrinitas on the head. Which was done easily considering their relative height.

"Urgh... Slimy filths. I need to wash my hair ten times after this."

"Hehe~ Onee-san's touch is so soft~ I wonder why you are posted in this desolated place when you are so caring~"

"Oh my you flatterer!" said Painkill before a shade of pink began to form on her 'cheeks'. "I can't believe you are that ugly pumpkin's little sister when you are this adorable."

"Ugly...pumpkin? is that what she calls Albedo?" Hiding her anger behind her... professionalism. She continued in the same bubbly tone."I try to be~"

"Since you are such a good girl, would you tour big sis's place before seeing Nigredo?

"For a torturer, her emotions are easy to read... as easy as that girl..." A flashback of that day played once again in her mind... And the guilt of what she did to cope with the sadness that she would not admit.

"Urgh... I'm not getting sentimental over this again!"

With her mind distracted, she mindlessly replied- "S-Sure~"

And with that, the two descended the stairs, with the interrogation room as their destination.


[Scene redacted to comply with international censorship law]


After wrapping up the... enlightening tour, Citrinitas would descend the stairs onto the lower floor... Painkill had given her directions, yet refused to accompany. And so, the two parted ways.

Eventually, Citrinitas found herself in a very dark hallway, so long that even with her night vision, she could not see the end of the hall.

With a doll in hand, she began walking.

As her footstep echoed back and forth like some kind of instrument, she noticed the lack of care on the walls. How can her beloved sister be kept in a place like this?

A cascade of uncomfortable feelings suddenly clouded her mind... Was she scared? If so for what...? Looking at her hands, she found them trembling for the first time, not because of the scenery but because of the sheer fear of Nigredo not being receptive to her. It seems Cocytus's account did little to quell that concern...

Shaking her head violently, she reorganised her mind, trying to search for why she's hesitating now of all time?

Not being able to form a conclusion, she decided to walk forward whilst making her head as empty as possible.

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Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, She reached the 'end' of the hall.

There was a large fresco there, painted on a wall which contained a hidden door. Due to the art being worn by the passage of time, Citrinitas could not instantly recognise what it depicts. However, upon closer inspection, it looked like a once beautiful picture of a mother gently cradling her child.

Reaching for the door, she pushed it open with almost no resistance. And the sound of crying babies was immediately heard by her ears... yet the origin of the sound couldn't be less apparent, as there wasn't a single visible baby inside the room.

Citrinitas stepped in, observing her big sis's living conditions. The room was bare of any pieces of furniture, save for a cradle being rocked by a woman in black mourning clothes. Whilst the face of that figure could not be seen due to her lengthy hair, Citrinitas was certain who it was.

"She certainly looked different than I remembered... Just like Albedo... But, now is not the time to be pondering about my memory discrepancy."

Forcing herself to be cheerful, the NPC called out. "Nigredo onee-chan~ I'm here~"

But there was no reply. Instead, Nigredo's movements froze. Then, she reached her hands into the cradle. Seeing this, Citrinitas walked closer and saw a baby doll instead of an actual baby in the cradle.

"It's wrong, it's wrong, it's wrong!, it's wrong!, IT'S WRONG! IT'S WRONG!"

Nigredo shook the doll forcefully before throwing it to the wall with all her strength. The doll shattered into pieces when upon impact, which speaks for the sheer force behind the throw.

"MY BABY... MY BABY... MY BABY. MY BABY!"

A sound of grinding teeth accompanied her sudden and abrupt anger, and with that, the crying intensified. Finally, the source of the sound would be apparent. Lumps of flesh which resembled translucent babies simultaneously emerged and roamed the furniture-less floor. Carrion Babies were their names.

The eldest sister then materialised a comically oversized pair of scissors and gripped them tightly, even with her long, unkempt hair. Citrinitas could feel a gaze directed at her.

She wanted to call out with another cheerful reply. But ended up not being to form words. The trembling she willed to stop now returned and spread throughout her body.

"YOU... YOU!... YOU TOOK... Took?... TOOK!. YOU TOOK MY BABY!" said Nigredo as she quickly closed the distance in but a few steps.

"I-I have your child right here!"

The blood lust in the air along with Nigredo's motion, froze instantly as if someone hit a 'pause' button on the scene. She would take the doll and gently place it back on her cradle before turning to Citrinitas.

"My long-lost lovely sister... is that truly you?"

Hearing her sister's words, the NPC's fear gradually disappeared... Unlike Albedo, it seems Nigredo truly wished to chat.

"I-Is it true that you can't remember anything about me...?" asked Citrinitas as she walked closer, using her hand to brush away the long hair which covered her sister's face. "Is it true that our time serving the players of Nine's Own Goal has vanished from your mind?"

Nigredo looked away briefly. "It is true... Everything had been erased from my mind... But the fact that you are my dear sister and Tabula Smaragdina-sama's third creation will never change... We can reforge the bond we've lost together..."

"Reforging bonds...?" muttered Citrinitas quietly. She had known of this fact for a long time, but having it confirmed by her sister is that much more painful. Tears-like substances began to form in her eyes, and she embraced Nigredo, hoping to escape from the feeling.

The big sister would gently wrap her arms around, returning the hug with a warm, motherly aura.

"Please... promise me that you will never forget me again... Please..." said the NPC, as drops of tears intensified to much, much more. Her tone, so confident a few minutes ago, was nowhere to be seen. The image of a twisted creature with a twisted desire for a fuzzy definition of the word 'beauty'. In its place, replaced with that of a lost child finally reunited with her kin.

"I... promise. Now now, don't cry dear sister, we have much to catch up..."

Allowing for a few minutes of comforting words, Citrinitas finally stopped crying albeit not completely, Yet still refuse to leave her sister's arms. "What happened to you after I'm gone...? How come you are confined in this place?"

"Well... I wouldn't say I'm confined here. But simply unpermitted to leave. But you don't have to worry, after all, this place is created exclusively for me by Tabula Smaragdina-sama.

"I-If you say so... Then let's talk about other things~" With having released her emotions, Citrinitas felt rather cheerful and refreshed. "So how have you been?"

"You mean after you're gone...? In all honesty, I don't remember much of my time before being stationed here. But I do remember supreme beings come to request my services."

"It seems my big sis too calls them 'Supreme beings' Why then did I not feel more attachment nor loyalty other than just being friends of my employer?"

"Your... services?"

Releasing the grip, Nigredo observe her sister's face and chuckled a bit. "I meant my divination spells."

"Eh? You can do that? Onee-san is amazing!" Nigredo in her memory, was quite different. Her behaviour pattern matched perfectly, but the 'Nigredo' of the old clan doesn't have any special abilities.

"You don't remember...? Could it be that the memory loss affects you too...?"

"...Perhaps" not wanting to discuss existential topics, she quickly changed topics. "changed topics. "Um... I have been wondering... The floor guardian said that you are looking forward to meeting me~ At first, I thought someone told you of my existence, but I felt like you knew more about my character... Could it be our sisterly bond?!"

While that statement was inherently intended to be a joke, a part of her truly wished for Nigredo to at least remember something.

"Well, that wouldn't be wrong... I have been watching you for a very long time..."

Suddenly, numerous crystal monitors materialised and filled the formerly empty room, each depicting Citrinitas as a still picture in various scenes.

"Do you remember this one?" Said Nigredo as she pointed toward one of the monitors. And sure enough, on it was Citrinitas hiding behind a bush.

"Um...Isn't that when Shalltear-chan was brainwashed...? I remember scouting around for 'mysterious vampire...'" replied Citrinitas, finally having an answer to the weird feeling that someone was watching her back then.

"You are correct, my lovely little sister; At that time, we have yet to confirm your identity. It's merely a coincidence that I managed to capture your 'picture' at that time.

"Coincidence...? I was there for merely ten seconds... Could such perfect timing really be...? No, that friendly demon Demiurge did tell me that Ainz-sama possessed the ability to foresee developments up to ten thousand years... Could that not be fanatical rambling after all?!"

Before Citrinitas could enter the state of full conspiracy theory, her big sister continued.

"Sometime after that, I've been informed of the possibility of you being one of us. So I've been observing you since then... Although not all the time."

Dragging herself back to reality, Citrinitas replied. "Because of your hysteria, right...? But then, wouldn't that mean someone would need to come and give you dolls often?"

"Hm? Albedo didn't tell you...? She comes here regularly and is the one to suggest this in the first place."

"Albedo did that...?" Asked the NPC as she looked down to the floor. "She had been avoiding me since I came back here... I even thought she might hate me..."

"No! That couldn't be!" Nigredo sharply interjected. "As far as I can see, she truly cares and looks forward to reuniting with you! I'm sure that she was simply too overjoyed. Give her time and she will approach you for certain!"

"That couldn't be it... otherwise, I wouldn't detect a feeling of guilt from her... Could it be that I just misread big sis Albedo...? Still, there's no reason to contradict big sis Nigredo on this."

"I see... Onee-san is right. I shall wait until she's ready."

"On the topic of our family. Have you visited that Spinel yet?"

"Spinel...? You mean... Rubedo...? I don't have permission to enter the eighth floor, so not yet."

"Good... You should stay away from that lifeless abomination."

Taken back by the sudden shift in tone, the NPC decided to probe for more information. "Um...What caused you to dislike her that much? Frankly, she's the only one I could not recall anything other than her name... I don't even know if she exists before I get transported here or not..."

Upon hearing that, Nigredo's eyes widened. Because she didn't have eyelids, it looked as if they would come out of her sockets. Mumbling something about 'I knew it.'

"Oh, sister is making such a cute face~"

"My lovely little sister... I'm afraid I have to cut this reunion short. Please come again at a later time."

"You... aren't mad because of what I asked, right?"

"Of course not... I simply had an epiphany that must be discussed with Albedo."


Author's Notes:

I honestly don't feel like writing this anymore for various reasons, not just because I want to write Definitive Divergence. But that's for me to know and me alone.

As such, this chapter will be the final chapter before the plot resolution chapters. I do regret that many set-ups would end up unused.

Regardless, thank you all for reading and your patience.