AN: Thank You for reading, Hope you enjoy
Disclaimer: I don't own Overlord, that all goes to Maruyama-sama
Standing inside a what is supposed to be a temporary gathering hall fashioned out of the nearby trees where five insectoids, one sat at the head of an oval table while the four others stood-by. Golems hauled cut logs in place as Elder Liches recently trained by the administration of the Sorcerer's Kingdom handled the placement of resources whilst confirming said placement was correct within their ledgers.
In front of Cocytus was the layout designated for the quagoa colony, he was slightly confused as lizardmen and quagoa live in completely different environments.
"Why did you not kill that insolent pest for his slight my lord?" A being that looked like an upright beetle asked.
Cocytus thought back on his first encounter with the quagoa known as Pe Riyuro-
Cocytus had just told the quagoa about the nearest human city after walking over the stream, and out of the blue Pe Riyuro said,
"Why keep us alive?"
This had gotten on the usually cool nerves of Cocytus, for he thought the Quagoa before him was questioning the intellect of his master. So out of instint Cocytus had responded sharply with,
" Because Ainz-Sama sees fit, to keep you in his vision."
A dejected expression crossed Pe-Riyuro's face and he stayed silently looking sideways. That only served to heat Cocytus up even more, the Lizardmen knew their place as soon as it was laid out for them. That was when it partially clicked for Cocytus, he had been looking at the situation from the wrong angle, through shows of force rather than circumstances, as the lizardmen weren't culled to a sixth of their number. It wasn't like Cocytus disagreed with his master's decree of blood, he just found the warrior spirit that had been extinguished from the quagoa race as a result to be slightly unpleasant.
"There will be construction of a centralized hall, for the allocation of goods as well as partial storage, to be constructed on the edge of the creek that meets the river basin up north to allow for potential maritime transports as well. Before then, get yourself together. Its unbefitting of my subordinate to be so spineless. I will come back in a week." Cocytus said as he walked away from the Quagoa Lord in the direction of where he needed to lay the above ground foundations and the central planning of the new colony.
Cocytus emerged from his memories as he looked at the insectoid who asked him and said,
There were a few reasons, but the most apparent was that he has yet to see through the shadow that covers Ainz-Sama's magnanimity."
That in itself would usually be enough to get any guardian to subject the being in question to horrendous procedures to prove that his previous state was indeed benevolent, but Cocytus thought a little differently. If Cocytus were to slay the king of the Quagoa, who would succeed him?
At least for the time being, Pe Riyuro was the most fit to carry on his duties as leader of the quagoa, being the strongest survivor, so that was out of the question. Cocytus could have forced the Quagoa to go to the Empire as soon as he stated them, except the being of ice decided he was to first recollect himself.
"Remember that time, I thought I had failed Ainz-Sama?" Cocytus asked this grave question, one which talked of failure to their master, all present tensed suddenly. Before its meaning sank into the minds of the anthropoid beings around Cocytus, he said,
"I suspect, the quagoa known as Pe Riyuro is undertaking a similar ordeal. He will, just need to understand that fate is inevitable; once Ainz-Sama had the Quagoa in his vision there was nothing they could do."
The icy insectoid said in his usual manner, billowing frozen mist at the end of his words.
Cocytus looked in the direction of the Quagoa's new mountain as the golems and undead around him laid out the construction for more efficient aerial transport.
A smile blossomed as a metallic tail waved rhythmically as the being gazed to the distance. His mask refracted beams of the midday sun at odd angles as the devil positioned himself while dusting off his flawless suit. He turned his crystalline eyes toward his newest subjects, or rather "assets" as he defined them within his labyrinthian mind. He knew that he didnt have even a particle of the foresight his master did, but he liked to think that he was intelligent in his own right as he was created with that regard in mind; to be one of the greatest minds of Nazarick.
Demiurge stowed those thoughts away to mull over again at another time, he was glad to finally show his true worth to the final Supreme Being and such thoughts filled him with pleasure, but now was the time for action, not reflection on his beloved master. With his confliction stifled, the Arch-Devil studied the state of the environment he found himself in.
The crater which had been caused by his [Meteor Fall] now served as the "disposal bin" for any inconveniences, like the bodies of the creatures who tried to run, as well as any who tried to fight. The smell of death and decay had started to coagulate with the smell of burned flesh that seemed to weigh down on the general atmosphere.
Demiurge had been watching as more races of demi-humans slowly were added to the growing crowd before him by way of his Evil Lords and summons, who he had sent in the surrounding area to complete the first step of his plan to "unite" the demi-humans of the Abelion hills. So far there were Armat, Bafolk, Snakemen and a handful of others that he didn't care take note of at the moment.
The sinister Devil addressed his new tools,
"Stand Up. The strongest of this group step forward."
Demiurge's [Command Mantra] coursed over the surrounding demi-humans, who were previously prostrating their faces into the ground against their will, now were forced to stand in the same manner.
Other than the sound of shuffling the demi-humans stood up as silent as they could, beings that had non-humanoid forms who had no legs simply up-righted themselves. Around five "stronger" beings stepped forward out of the lined up mass up Demi-humans. However, one large, probably old, Armat grunted as he lifted his tired body.
Demiurge turned to the elder armat,
"Stop breathing." The incarnation of evil commanded.
To which the armat had no option but for his lungs to stop breathing, he clawed at his throat and chest, rupturing his skin and tearing out his fur, trying to find any way to stop the asphyxiation of himself. Alas, it was impossible, the Armat would've had a better chance surviving the abyssal depths of the ocean than escaping Demiurge's command.
The devil then ordered a nearby bafolk to dump the body into the disposal, which the Bafolk did so before Demiurge even finished his order. This willfulness to carry out his orders pleased him, but at the same time he couldn't have anyone assume his orders, or else they would start to get the idea to act preemptively, and that could lead to unforeseen problems.
Demiurge pointed his finger at the Balfolk's back who was tossing the now deceased nameless armat into the crater, Demiurge cast [Hell Flame] at the Bafolk.
A small black flame that seemed to burn light itself, no larger than a match's fire, launched itself at the Bafolk lazily, as if blown by a weak wind. Upon making contact the fire expanded, quickly incinerating the now screaming bafolk, his body broke apart into dust as his corpse rolled down the crater.
After which it was silent yet again. Such menace, such power, such destruction had never been witnessed by any of the beings native to the Abelion Hills and the seemingly arbitrary Devil before them knew no common sense, only acting upon his apparent random whims.
" Follow my orders. Don't assume them. Do this and I wont feel the need to destroy you." Demiurge announced for all to hear.
The Arch-Devil turned away from the shocked and silent demi-humans and noticed one of the Circlet Demons had come back, dragging what seemed to be just a large monkey with a mane to Demiurge's objective vision, but he knew from his espionage around the Abelion hills through his 'Happy Farms' that this ' rather large monkey' was in fact a stone eater, a lord type to that matter.
Demiurge knew that the only demi-humans who knew of anything outside their tribe tended to be the lords of said tribe, so the devil knew he would at least get some valuable information from the ape being dragged.
"Bring it to the tent. " Demiurge said to the Circlet
"Right away, lord Jaldabaoth." the twisted tree in the shape of a humanoid said as it walked to the 'tent' followed by the arch-Devil himself.
A majestic robe, dark enough to appear like a tear in reality coursed along the bones which wore it. Repeating movements long mastered, but still practiced. Ainz Ooal Gown, or more aptly the human soul, Suzuki Satoru echoed firmly within the skull of the Overlord, cringing at his gestures.
The dots of blaze that served as the eyes of Ainz Ooal Gown frequented a certain corner of his mirror as he rehearsed his movements. He was keeping an eye out for any discrepancies, such as Albedo randomly appearing which would inevitably lead to her managing to subdue him while he was alone practicing. Such a fear hasnt been realized, but Ainz knew that whenever he was alone it was certainly a possibility.
' Overlord Form 321, Negative Feedback No.3. ' The mighty ruler of Nazarick thought, as he puffed his chest proudly, his chin upright, as if he was looking down on someone. His left arm bent around his back and his right bent at a 45 degree angle and his index finger raised from his closed fist as if to offer a lecture. He rated his form 8/10 on the intimidation scale, but 11/10 in the cringe department. Overall Ainz was pleased with himself.
He sat on his bed, and fell to his back wondering just what type of plan Demiurge concocted, all Ainz knew was that someone from a different kingdom should seek an audience with him at some point in time, but that was all his empty skull could grasp of Demiurges flowery language, filled with his specific prose was in and of itself a riddle to the Overlord, potentially even more so than the paperwork he so desperately tries to avoid.
Ainz Ooal Gown lamented his ineptitude, but he knew he couldn't languish forever. That was not the way of the mighty magic caster, although he felt his expectations seemingly expanded exponentially whether he planned on it or not. As he tried to compartmentalize his responsibilities, his mind glanced at Carne Village, consequently resurfacing his 'apprentice' Nfirea's potion progress.
Ainz was certain that if the boy kept up his work Nazarick was to gain benefits that were previously unknown. At the same time, the Overlord wasn't sure if this was just his collector's spirit acting up, as Nfirea had an unbelievable talent, one that opened Ainz's eyes to the possibilities of this New World. Both to his inclinations and the fear of an unknown enemy lurking, with a power that Ainz couldn't imagine.
He knew that World Items existed, so he just had to keep an open mind. Ainz shook his head, there wasn't any use getting himself worked up just to boil over when the next inconsequential thing happened. Ainz equipped his replica 'Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown' that had been hovering beside his bed, in the tomb, there wasn't any reason not to wield the staff, but as he was in E-Rantel, such a choice to bring the Guild Weapon from its haven was ludicrous.
'Maybe Demiurge should take over the Quagoa experiments, he was far more clinical than I could ever hope to be after all.' The random thought passed briefly through the Overlords skull as Ainz made his way out of his chambers, the rhythm of the staff echoed through the silent palace.
Pe Riyuro was confused as he stood in front of a wall. He wasn't sure what to think of his current situation. Other than what he was told to do, but even then, how would a quagoa such as him know how to conduct trade in a human city? These were the questions that he really should've asked Cocytus, but he only had his own self to thank for his predicament.
"HALT, I said, Halt!" a voice shouted at him from above, waving a spear as if to threaten Pe Riyuro.
"I heard, human! Why do you keep telling me to stop?" The Quagoa Lord finally barked back as the human standing "guard" on the wall kept shouting nonstop, not actually bothering to risk his life in a fight, he simply had been yelling "HALT" for the past five minutes.
"What do you mean?! This is a human city, we aren't food!" The male human yelled almost hysterically. He had obviously never met a quagoa before, as quagoa prefered the taste of dwarves to humans if anything.
"I'm Pe Riyuro, here on behalf of Lord Cocytus, hailing from the Quagoa Colony within the Northern Azerlisia Mountains." Pe Riyuro shouted back once more, epecting to hear halt on repeat but the guard suddenly went quiet, and the wall which Pe Riyuro was standing in front of opened. The Quagoa took his opportunity and walked through what he now realized was a gate.
"W-Welcome to Straeland, we apologize for the inconvenience, L-Lord Pe Riyuro. " A different guard than the previous one stated.
The quagoa Lord made his way into his first human city, he noticed many curious gazes, as well as eyes of malice. After getting lost and he found a building called an "Adventurer's Guild" by the surrounding crowds, he saw many people entering it, so he thought it would be a good idea to check it out as well. As Pe Riyuro crossed the threshold of the building, he wasn't sure if he could, but he knew that when or if he was to meet the 'land of Deray', he would ask for a refund.
