Deep in a forest where the sun hasn't shined in ages lays an arena with a dark elf dressed in a skirt inside. Don't let that fool you however, that is a boy. He sits on one of the many steps and kicks his legs back and fourth with a book in his hands. He turns the page and scans the words quickly before closing it, setting it in the stack beside him.
"Another one finished," he said. "Mare!" screams a dark elf child from in the arena. It was his sister, Aura, and next to her were two beast fighting. They were done with their search through their floor and spent the rest of their day doing their hobbies. Training beast and silently reading, total opposites.
Mare clutches his staff and drops down to the arena floor, running over to Aura, "Yes sis?"
"Did you hear? The timer finally went down to 12!" She said happily. Mare even grew a smile and warmth filled the two children's heart. They were one step closer to, hopefully, their master. They couldn't wait to receive their first orders. Perhaps he would even praise them for keeping Nazarick safe and clean. Mare grabbed Aura's hand, "come on we have to see for ourselves."
She lead him through the floors all the way to the throne room, where they found the other guardians all standing around. They looked at the timer with cheerful smiles plastered on their faces. "So. How. Long. Has. It. Been. Demiurge.?" Cocytus said.
"Its hard to tell, the 6th floor has only been in night mode but I made a subordinate of mine count. She has counted around 31536000 seconds, so it has been a year."
"Is there perhaps a hidden meaning to it being a year?" It was Shalltear who perked up with a question of her own.
"There are countless theorize I can make up however we have no proof for any of them. Its better for us to stay cautious and continue to watch the timer and the black box blocking the entrance." Everyone nodded in understanding and went off to their separate duties, leaving Demiurge and Albedo alone.
"I suppose you have found a ring of Ainz Ooal Gown yet?"
Albedo shook her head, "Sadly no, they aren't just laying around. I have actually got a financial report from Pandora's Actor however. He even asked a question on why the coins for upkeep for Nazarick hasn't been taken, you do know what that means right?"
"Yes, If he can send us reports out perhaps there is a way in through, the way he sends them. Perhaps he even has a ring of Ainz Ooal Gown himself. It does bring up another question, does he have no way of knowing whats happening up here?"
"The reports does say he is clueless so that is the most possible answer. The treasury is not connected to the rest of the tomb, the only way in is through teleportation with a ring. We shouldn't rule out another way in however. We could check up with Aureole Omega to see if she has spotted Pandora's Actor. It would be a good way to see if he has a ring or not."
"He probably does, there have been 100 of the rings made. I once overheard some of the supreme beings talk about keeping some in the treasury just in case" They then headed off to the 8th floor without another word.
They sometimes didn't need to waste time exchanging other words. They were smart enough to know they each knew the situation and what to do. The demons understood that confirming and sharing information was important for each other most of the times however. Miscommunication is one thing they would never have to be the downfall of Nazarick.
They had reached the eighth floor and came to an area where pink petals fell from trees and in the center lays a shrine. A maiden with a blindfold and in a kimono stepped out and bowed her head. "What brings you here Lord Demiurge and Lady Albedo?" She said in a soft tender voice, almost like a mothers.
"We were wondering if you had spotted Pandora's Actor moving around the tomb recently?" Since Albedo was the superior to Demiurge it was her who spoke.
She shook her head, "No, I have never seen him before. He never leaves the treasury, I have heard about him however. Heard he was very eccentric!"
"Does he have a ring of Ainz Ooal Gown perhaps?"
She thought about it for a second and even put her finger to her chin and tilted her head in a cute way. "I am not entirely sure but I believe so. I am sure the treasury would at least have one spare in there. That is probably why I can't see him move through the tomb, if he is using it."
"thank you for your time Aureole, you may go back to your duties."
"Oh of course! Stop by anytime, I could use the company!"
While they are walking Albedo perked up with a plan she formed in her mind. Of course Demiurge had thought of the same however. "That about confirms what we expected, he makes monthly financial reports and sends them to the office I believe on the second day each month. I am not sure of the time but just to be sure he sends them to Momonga's office. We should have one of the Pleiades maids intercept him and then we can hopefully question him."
"I'll have Narberal stationed in the office since she can use the message spell. I have to ask how come it took you so long for you to find the reports?"
"Well I was looking around for a ring myself and I eventually went into Momonga's office yesterday. Curiosity got to me and I decided to read the papers scattered on the desk and that's when I found it."
"Be careful, curiosity killed the cat. Anyways has your sister, Nigredo manage to see what's outside Nazarick?"
"Sadly no, she has been at it for a while too. All she says there is, is darkness, no abnormalities about it either just pure black."
"That is rather disappointing, seems like our only lead is Pandora' Actor so far. Lets hope we can get a little bit of information out of him. I have heard he is as smart as us, I'm sure he would notice something different in the treasury."
Albedo nodded her head, "Indeed."
Back in the New World… 1 year and 10 months after Satoru's rebirth…
Ulpa groggily opens his eyes and leans up in his makeshift bed. He rubs the sleepiness out of his eyes and hops off the bed. "See ya Mr. Teddy," he waves to the bear as he leaves the room. Upon stepping out he finds his mother has made eggs for breakfast.
He went over and sat down from across his dad, "Good morning father!"
"Good morning little Ulpa," he says as he looks down at his notes, taking a sip of some elixer. 'He probably is trying to make a tasty beverage and is testing it. I wonder what would happen if I show him how to make coffee?' He stopped and look down at plate of eggs that was set in front of him.
"Thank you mother and good morning."
"Such manners! Your almost 2 and it feels like you are another adult around here really."
"Well what can I say you both taught me well." A smile grew on both of their faces. A sense of pride swelled in both of their hearts for the kind boy they raised. He picked up his fork and began to dig into his breakfast. "Is it true that you were once an adventurer mother?"
"Yes, I was a gold ranked adventurer before I met your father. I was the teams healer and we went on countless adventures. I even found a really nice staff in a ruin, I still have it if you would like to see it?"
"Yes please!" Satoru said standing up with excitement. "Eat your dinner first and then your mother can show you, it will get cold if you wait," came the calm voice of his father. "Yes father," he said and sat back down to finish the rest.
"Oh cut him some slack, he is a good kid, I'm sure some cold eggs wouldn't hurt either." She leaned in to whisper into his ear, "Did you see the look on his face as well? He was very excited." His father nodded and whispered back, "Alright just be careful, I don't want him getting hurt."
"Your talking to a former gold rank adventurer, I know how to fight my way out of a dungeon. I know how to make sure my child won't get hurt around a magical staff." She said that last bit much more louder and stood at attention proudly. His father just sighed, "Its not bad to be cautious. For a former adventurer you should know this better than anyone else."
While they were talking Satoru scarfed down his food and drunk some of his water. He slammed the cup down to get their attention, "Finished!" His mother quickly came up and grabbed his hand. "We better hurry before your father doesn't allow me too." They then ran off into her and her husbands room.
She crouched down and grabbed the end of a nicely carved wooden box under the bed and pulled it out. "I was thinking of selling it since I'm a cleric and it cost a fortune but I got it on my last adventure. I kept it around for memories as the greatest item I ever found, this is something you would see adamantite adventurers using."
She pushed the box open like a chest and inside the long wooden box was a staff of ivory black. On the top was an orb of emerald green that looks like was being consumed by the pure darkness of the staff. The orb at the top shined in the sunlight and gleamed a green glow that would catch any eye.
Satoru instinctively moved a hand to touch the staff before being quickly swatted away by his mother. "You can touch it when I feel like your ready. Actually Alexis told me you were practicing magic behind their barn. I'll give it to you when I feel like your ready."
Satoru's eyes glowed brightly in that second, "Really?"
She nodded her head, "Of course, you have been such a blessing to me and your father. If you do decide to become a magic caster I want you to only have the best."
"I'm sure there was a magic caster in your party that would have love to have this though." His mothers face grew dark and a hint of sadness showed on her face. "Sadly no, the day we went into that ruin me and the warrior of our group were the only ones who made it out. We agreed we both didn't want this line of work anymore."
Tears begin to fall out of her eyes and hit the magical staff below before she quickly closed the box. She wiped her eyes and tried to show a slight smile for her son.
"We went in thinking we were prepared for anything but we quickly got overran by the undead. Necromancers were in that lair doing the 6 knows what. We didn't even beat them we had to retreat in failure and they had to send better adventurers to finish the job. We did manage to steal the staff on the way out but honestly, I should have saved my friends before it."
She placed a hand on her sons shoulder and looked him dead in the eyes. "Let this be a lesson for you, the world out there is cruel. It will sometimes beat you down but never stop, I wasn't strong enough to continue but you. If you do decide to be a magic caster, never give up, keep your friends close, true friends because they will watch your back in the roughest of times."
She let go of the steel like grip on Satoru and stood up. "Sorry it seems like this got a little emotional, a lot more than I was expecting." She pushed the box back under the bed with her foot and picked up her son. "Mom! I'm almost 2, put me down!"
She laughed and kissed his forehead before setting him down. "I heard Alexis learned a new spell today. Since your so interested in magic why not go check it out."
"Really? I wonder what she learned, I'll see you later!" He waved to his mother and ran out of the room. "Bye father!" He said as he ran past him still hunched over a stack of papers with ingredients listed. "Be safe!" He yelled back.
'That staff is nothing compared to the staff of Ainz Ooal Gown. It still is however a really powerful item by this worlds standards and it is a gift from mother. I must promise myself to use it well. I'll try and become a great magic caster mom don't you worry!'
He ran down the road until he reached Alexis' house. He looked around and saw her in the open fields outside the village with magic circles on her wrist. He ran up and stayed a little back curious on what she was going to cast.
"Acid arrow!"
She said and a green liquid in the shape of an arrow shot out of her palm. It hit the ground quickly dissolving the grass and some dirt where it landed. She looked back to see Satoru standing there. "What do you think? My first 2nd tier spell." She gave a thumbs up to the almost star struck Satoru.
"That is sweet, I'm sure master Flunder will take you in now." She picked up the bucket beside her and begin to drink the water. "Yeah I hope so, it took a lot of time and energy to reach such a level. How about you? I heard you finally got a few spells under your belt. I'm surprised no one has learned spells so quickly before."
"Yeah I just know 4 as of right now." That was a lie, he knew 9 and was close to getting his first 2nd tier spell. 'its always easy to level up at first but there is only so much experience animals give, I notice its taking longer each day.'
"I thought I had a special talent that let me learn spells faster but you blow mine out of the park. 4 spells at almost age 2, its unheard of." She went up and patted his head. "How long does it usually take to learn spells?"
"Without a talent it takes 8 years average for a person to move up a tier."
'Wow! This world is kind of weak.'
"I'm 14 and I learn spells at half the average person, its my talent!" She said it ever so proudly like she always does. "However you learn spells at not even a quarter of the speed. I'm not even sure."
"I surprised you huh?"
"Definitely, you truly are something else, little Ulpa."
"Alexis!" Came the call of a rough raspy voice. "Oh! I got to go, I'll talk to you later!" She said as she ran in the direction of her house. "Coming Pa!"
Satoru was left in the field and once he made sure Alexis was out of sight he quickly sneaked into the forest. He has been doing this almost every week. He would go in and used his increased smell to track down trapped or harmless animals for xp.
He followed the trail of a coyote that had a hint of blood in it that set his instincts on full alert. He eventually came across a coyote in a bear trap. He raised his hand and cast 'magic arrow' to finish it off.
'The hunters always move the traps when they think someone is tampering with their kills, they always move them. Luckily since I only really just finish the animals some aren't to mad. They did set up traps to catch me but luckily I always avoided them.'
He checked his xp bar to see it barely wen up. "This is becoming more of a grind!" He yelled out in frustration. 'I'm gonna need to hunt bigger now or I'll barely get anywhere before the competition for the school.'
He sighed and just continued the trail and killing off the trapped animals and returned home just for dinner. He sat there in bed one day and thought of more ways to gain xp quickly. Then he realized it, 'there is a goblin den in the forest nearby!' He promised himself tomorrow he would check that out.
Hello everyone! Your favorite jester here! I'm just here to quickly tell you that the parts in Nazarick and in the new world are not happening side by side. They happen at different points in time. That's really all for author notes today. Thanks for those who continued to read despite werewolf Suzuki. Anyways jester out!
