Prologue
Tears fell from her cheeks. Her beautiful face was filled with despair and fear. Such beautiful face belonged to a girl who reached her late teen or early adulthood. The girl wore a white militaristic academic uniform with black edge and long pants. Her platinum blonde hair was tied to a horse tail that reached her waist.
Beside her, stand a woman that resembled her but with more maturity in her face. She wore a beautiful dress that emphasized her body line and breast. Her face indicated grief and sadness a mother could have. Her platinum blonde hair flowing gently that fit her sadness.
"How?!", the girl cried loud. "How could this happens?!"
An army sieged the castle where she was currently in. The castle was located in a mountain and would have inspires awe to the onlooker if only the situation wasn't this chaos.
The defending army consisted of many races, from humans, elves, dwarves, beastmen of various kind. The attacker army consisted of only humans.
The defending army was losing. She knew that. The kingdom she loves and adore will be destroyed in matter of hours. This was the last city that had not fall to the enemy hand. If she fails, then her people, her family, her mother and father, and herself will be…. she rather not thinks such things now.
"It's seems your defense crumbles, princess. My offer is still stand you know." said a tall man with deep and rich baritone voice.
The man excluded an aura of regality. He wore a jet black academic robe that seemed to suck all light around him. Expensive jewelries decorated him. His hand wore a set of plain metal gauntlet. In his face, rest a red mask that look like masks common in the continent far in southeast. Its expression looked like a combination of sad and anger.
The man sounded very calm, as if the battle in front of them was nonexistent.
Swallowing her own saliva, the mentioned princess nodded. It pained her heart to do this in order to win this war. But she rather live as a peasant in a prosperous land than live as a losing monarch who was fated to be a puppet whose string had been cut.
With that small gesture, the man understood what needs to be done. He asked the princess and her mother so stand away.
Then, magic circles with various size and position surrounded the man. In those circles, laid magical runes she didn't understand. Giant light beam shot to the sky with unlimited height. The beam shone so bright that the soldiers of both side ceased the fight for a while to look at the light source.
The princess ordered her men to retreat to the inner wall of the castle as the man in the robe ordered.
The ritual lasted for like an eternity to her. After a couple of minutes, the circle cracked like glass. The beam shone brighter. And then –
…
…
…
The maid stared intensely with her eyes. Her golden irises matched her long golden blonde hair. Her face was round and cute. She wore a dark blue maid uniform with white maid apron alongside a long skirt. Her clothes emphasize her curve and breast. Any man would have fallen for her. Her name was Sixth.
The one whom she stared at is the absolute ruler of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, her master. If one were to describe him, the Lord of Nazarick is death personified. Cladded in black academic robe that seemed to suck all light, the Lord of Nazarick grabbed another parchment.
"Haaaah…." Ainz Ooal Gown sighed. The light in his bleached white skull that replaces his eyes dimmed. This gesture is unfit to the supreme ruler of Nazarick. However, there was only Sixth and several Eight Edged Assassins, so Ainz doesn't mind it.
As if moved on instinct, the maid immediately asked, "What is wrong Ainz sama?" Her voice was melodious, matching her appearance.
"No, nothing is wrong."
"Very well. If you require my assistance, please don't hesitate my lord."
Ainz sighed again. Knowing the homunculus maid, he did it in his heart and mind, or else the maid will ask him again.
His table was filled with stacks of paper. These were the report from his subordinates. Ever since he conquered the western part of the continent, his workload increases significantly, again.
Dragonlords in the west were easily defeated. Some put in some fight while the others flee or submit. After learning wild magic of this world and experimenting with dragonlords, Ainz ordered the floor guardians to always wear a world item whenever they venture outside of Nazarick in addition of five level 85 mercenary NPCs. Some lower level NPCs like the Pleidaes were limited in confirmed safe area like E rantel or Carne village. This looks to be over cautious, but Ainz is not the type that lower his defense even in his homebase.
Wild magic cannot affect the wielder of world item and some world item cannot completely affect wild magic user or even outright affect them. This crucial information played vital role in his conquest in the east.
If any of his friend's creations were to be killed or mind controlled, Ainz cannot forgive himself for letting such things happen to them. He also considered the NPCs as his children, so his guilt as their parent is also present.
"Hmm, the conquest has little success. Request for more death knight and some higher undead. Our last army was annihilated by those dragonlords." Ainz mumbled to himself. The invasion progressed slower than expected. The dragonlords in the east were bolder than their counterpart here. They don't hesitate to fight a frontal war.
Of course, Ainz can annihilate them himself using his super tier spells. But Ainz preferred to fight as a nation first before gaining intel about players in the eastern part of the continent.
It also served to educate his NPCs to use more strategy than pure brute force.
After finishing his paperwork, his next schedule was regular meeting with the guardians. There were several issues need to be addressed. One of it was diplomatic visit to an elf kingdom in the southeast.
Ainz was interested in meeting another elf kingdom, especially after he learned about that dark elf kingdom. The last diplomatic visit to Kingdom of Evasha was unpleasant. Its king was arrogant and perverted, so Ainz gave him to Demiurge to be tortured after conquering great forest of Evasha.
In addition, this is a great opportunity for the twins to socialize with another dark elf of their age aside the ones from Evasha.
After dismissing Sixth, Ainz teleported in front of the door that led to the throne room using the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown.
The majestic set of door was over five meter in height and covered in intricate carvings. The left side was shaped into beautiful goddess, while the right side was made to resemble a cruel demon. Their design was so realistic that people who never see them would have thought the carving would attack them. The majestic door opened by themselves.
Ainz saw a very large room with ceiling so high that one must bend their head to be able to at least see the top. The room is large enough to accommodate hundreds to thousands of peoples, yet there were only the guardians in the room.
Taking his seat on the black, large throne that made of a single carved obsidian, the meeting begun.
"Raise your head", said a rich baritone voice that belonged only to the supreme ruler of Nazarick.
All other beings in the room raised their head but kept themselves kneel.
The meeting was conducted with complete attention of the guardians. The Guardian Overseer started by reading the report about the expedition in the east. The Guardians then gave their periodic report of the situation.
After discussing about the expedition, Ainz continued with the plan to go to the dark elf kingdom.
"Aura."
"Yes, Ainz sama?" answered young dark elf. The said elf had heterochromatic eyes, the right is green and the left is blue. If one does not know, they would have thought the elf is a boy roughly around early teen in human age. But everyone in the room knew Aura's gender.
She wore red scale leather covered with white and gold vest embroidered with the sigil of Ainz Ooal Gown. Bellow it, she has a matching set of white trouser and gold plated shoes. Resting on her neck is an acorn necklace emitting golden light.
The Guardian of the Sixth Floor responded while staring at her master with a happy an innocence smile.
"I recall there is an elf kingdom in the southeast. How do you think if you, Mare, and I go for a diplomatic visit?" the deep baritone voice spoke in a suggestive, caring manner, like a father asking his child to go on a vacation.
"As your wish Ainz sama, I'll prepare my pets to accompany us. But…. why me and Mare? One of us must be enough to guard you. Not like I don't want to guard Ainz sama, but.."
"You dare to question Ainz sama's order ?!" snapped a woman's voice. Her beautiful innocent face twisted to an angry one. She wore a white dress with golden web – like jewelry on her chest. In contrast, her hair was shining jet black that reached down to her waist.
On her head, lies a pair of white horn, protruding from her temple. Lustrous pair of black wing on her waist gives of the impression of an angry beautiful demoness. Her golden irises and vertically slit pupil add on the impression.
An aura of authority surrounded her. She is the highest ranked person after the ruler of the tomb itself, The Guardian Overseer, Albedo.
Hearing the angry remark, Aura flinched and kneel even deeper. To question the order of the supreme beings is to question their authority. Nobody would want to defy the supreme beings moreover to betray them.
"Enough Albedo," Ainz said to calm Albedo down.
'Haaaaah… why does she always easily angered by trivial things. Anyway, if she was not stopped, this would take longer.'
Ainz has been used to this attitude since long ago. At first he was surprised and annoyed by Albedo's interruption. But after a while, he learned to silence her every time she snaps the guardians because of unimportant things.
"But Ainz sama …"
"Enough, let Aura continue her question, Albedo."
Hearing this, Albedo's face returned to her usual self. Her previously scary look was gone like it was never existed in the first place. She closed her eyes and bow to Ainz.
"My sincere apologies Ainz sama. Please punish this worthless servant."
"Umu, you are forgiven. Now let us return to the discussion."
The Guardian's attention returned to Ainz.
"Now Aura, please continue your question."
Aura, hearing the supreme one addressed her, flinched in panic. She raised her hand to deny her questioning of Lord Ainz's request.
"No, nothing Ainz sama."
"Are you sure, Aura? I believe you asked why you and Mare should accompany me," Ainz's questioning gaze fell to Aura.
Flinching a little, Aura nodded.
"It is as you said Ainz sama."
"Umu. Why Aura and Mare must accompany me to the dark elf kingdom? This question has a very simple answer."
Ainz's gaze fell upon the guardians.
"So that's how it is." Answered a man in red pinstripe british suit. His ears were sharp and too long to belong to a human. His skin was darkened from the sun. His facial feature looked to be oriental. His hair was neatly combed back. White glasses covered his eyes. With metal spiked tail, his feature screams a devil.
'Ehh….'
"Umu, as usual you manage to read my plan, Demiurge," a confident voice came out of Ainz's mouth.
"What are you speaking Ainz sama. There is no way I could read your unfathomable plan. Although I merely able to read a small part of it, I am confident to be able to answer Aura's question Ainz sama," replied Demiurge confidently.
"Then I will allow you to explain. Explain the reason why Aura and Mare must accompany me very carefully. Don't spare any detail for I fear that some might not understand," Ainz deep and regal baritone voice gives of the impression of a wise king who want his subject to understand him.
"Yes Ainz sama."
Demiurge stood. Facing the rest of the guardians, he begin explaining the plan very carefully.
"I believe no one is stupid enough not to realize Ainz sama's goal by now. Recently, our army in the east has been defeated by the dragonlords. Stupid as they are, their method may prove to hinder Ainz sama's plan. Because of this, Ainz sama planned to gain a foothold in the dark elf kingdom. This way, we can trap those filthy lizards in a pincer movement."
Demiurge's teacherly gaze fell upon the guardians as he stopped for a while to allow others to understand the plan.
"By bringing Aura and Mare, Ainz sama can convince the dark elves to open a relationship with the Sorcerous Kingdom. As our previous experience suggest, they will treat Aura and Mare as royalty. This will bring awe and respect Ainz sama deserves. After convincing those lower life form to be a vassal of the Sorcerous Kingdom, in which Ainz sama can easily done, we can proceed with the next step of the plan. In addition, Aura and Mare can act as shields for Ainz sama in case of emergency."
After he finished explaining, Demiurge returned to face Ainz. His face contained a joy like a dog wished to be rewarded. His metallic tail was wagging around happily. A large smile plastered his face.
"Umu, it is as Demiurge explained. You know how I will make them our vassal don't you, Demiurge?"
"It is as you said."
"Convincing them to be our vassal, correct?"
"Yes indeed."
"How will I do it, isn't it?"
"Correct," Demiurge replied confidently.
'How do I do it !?' Ainz's nonexistent brain racked itself furiously. 'I only want to go on a vacation. Wait, there is still a way.'
"Then I believe you has prepare for the next step of the plan."
"Yes, Ainz sama. Although I have prepared the next step, you have shown me how wrong I am. To think I know the full extends of the supreme one's plan. How foolish of me. Please, I beg your mercy," Demiurge returned to kneel and bow his head in shame.
'Nooooo…. . Demiurge. What is the plan !?' Ainz wanted to say out loud. Instead, he continued as usual.
"You are forgiven. Now that everything has been discussed, I trust I can leave the Sorcerous kingdom in your capable hands Albedo," Ainz's gaze fell on Albedo.
"Yes Lord Ainz. As your future queen, I shall lead our kingdom while you are away," Albedo returned Ainz's gaze with her own. Her soft voice matched her innocence and beauty. Her cheeks turned red and her breath became heavier.
Albedo's declaration matched that of a faithful wife whose husband must work overseas, waiting faithfully until her husband return while keeping the house clean and safe.
"Wait a second – arinsu. Ainz sama deserves a better queen than a big mouthed gorilla – arinsu," cut an angry and young voice. Despite sounding angry, it still possessed a seductive feature.
The owner of the voice was a girl that hasn't reached adulthood. She wore a beautiful Victorian dress with black and red as the dominant color. Her dress left little skin exposed. In contrast to her dress, her skin was sickly pale white matching her silvery hair that was tied to a ribbon. Despite her short stature, she possessed a big breast.
She is the Guardian of the first three floors of Nazarick, Shalltear Bloodfallen.
"Hah, a mere lamprey cannot hope to be Ainz sama's bride. As the prime minister and the future queen, it is my duty to keep my groom's possession safe," Albedo retorted back. Smiling smugly while did it.
"Becoming a queen because of a job's requirement is nothing compared to becoming Ainz sama's queen because of true love – arinsune, you ugly big mouthed gorilla!"
A dark aura leaked out of Shalltear's body.
"Why you lamprey!" In respond, Albedo released a menacing aura of her own.
The hostility between the two ensued.
"Cease. Your. Hostility. You. Are. In. The. Presence. Of. Ainz sama."
A metallic voice rang. The inhuman voice sounded like two metal scratched together. As the voice finished speaking, the water in the air froze with a cracking sound as it made contact with the white vapor puffing out from the speaker's mouth.
Said speaker fulfill the word 'bizarre'.
Standing at two and a half meter, any human would be intimidated by the imposing figure. Despite kneeling, the speaker of the voice dwarfed almost everyone in the room.
The said figure resembles a bipedal insect made from combining a praying mantis and an ant. Its tail is twice as long as its body tall and covered in sharp spikes which resembled icicles. Powerful mandibles rest on where its jaw supposed to be. The mandibles could sever a man's arm in a single bite.
Surrounded by a frightening aura of cold, its exoskeleton is dull blue color and sparkled like diamond dust. Protrusions which looked like icebergs bulged up from its back and shoulder.
A platinum halberd was laid besides the kneeling figure.
He is the guardian of the fifth floor, The Ruler of Glaciers, Cocytus.
Hearing the warning, Albedo and Shalltear shuddered in shock, then lowered their heads simultaneously.
"My sincere apologies!" they said in unison.
Ainz magnanimously accepted their apologies with a nod. Then, he addressed Mare and Aura.
"Mare, I would like to have Pandora's Actor bring Avarice and Generosity with him. I hope that you wouldn't mind if you bring other world item with you."
A child that bore resemblance to Aura answered. The said child also had darkened skin and blonde hair. In contrast of Aura's eye, the child's eye was heterochromatic with green iris in the left eye and blue iris in the right. Blue scale leather clothes with white and golden vest that matched Aura was worn by the said child. Instead of a trouser, the child wore a miniskirt.
Anyone would have thought that the child is a sister of Aura. But everyone in Nazarick knew the child. He is Mare Bello Fiore, the twin brother of Aura Bella Fiora. Just like Cocytus, a weapon in the form of a wooden staff laid besides him. The staff looked like an old tree branch.
"Y.. Yes, Ainz sama's safety is first. I.. I shall use other item that Ainz sama gives me."
His voice was squeaky and feminime like a young girl. The way he spoke gives the impression of a weak, shy, and innocence girl that must be protected at all cost.
"Umu. Then," The Lord of Nazarick rose from his seat. His black robe waved around magnificently.
"We shall commence the plan. Let the world know the might of Ainz Ooal Gown." The deep baritone voice spoke with great might. It echoed through the large throne room.
"Ainz Ooal Gown sama, Banzai !"
The Guardians responed in unison as they kneeled.
With his great power, The Lord of Nazarick cast a spell. His body rotated fabulously and magnificently. The long dark robe gave the image of a powerful ruler of sorcery. Befitting the Sorcerer King of the Sorcerous Kingdom.
"Greater Teleportation!"
Flash of light enveloped Ainz's body. In an instant, The Lord of Nazarick vanished from the sight.
Within a flash of light, Lord Ainz Ooal Gown, the absolute ruler of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, has vanished.
The Guardians begun to rose from their positions.
Standing in front of them, The Guardian Overseer, Albedo, started her speech to other guardians.
"Ainz sama's plan is unfathomable. Us, his lowly servants, can only guess and execute it. We must not fail our duty. Aura and Mare, don't disappoint Ainz sama. Keep him safe, even if it cost you your life." Her speech was calm and collected, but carried a great authority.
"Yes!" the dark elves twin responded in unison.
"We mustn't fail Ainz sama."
"I.. I will do m.. my best."
"Good. About the plan to the dark elf kingdom…"
Chapter 1
A carriage ran through the road. The carriage was black with golden carvings on its wall. Decorations made of gold and other expensive material rested on the carriage. Luxurious pair of door was installed in the left and right of the carriage. The doors had golden edge surrounding the jet black color of the door. Windows in each of the door was made of a glass that prevent outsider from seeing the inside of the carriage.
Every part of the carriage speaks the word 'luxury'. The wheel's mechanic was designed to absorb the shock from the movement on the road. In addition of advanced springs, the wheel was also imbued with magic to make the journey smoother.
Instead of horses, the luxurious carriage was pulled by none other than monsters. Said monsters looked like the skeleton of horses. However, if horse skeleton is white, the skeleton horses pulling the carriage were yellowish in color. Green sickly aura emanated from what's supposed to be its rib cage.
If someone understand necromancy or studied all kinds of monster, they would know that the said horses were soul eater, a strong undead in the form of a horse. They were known to be the cause of the legend of the silent city.
To use such legendary undead in such a way spoke the power of the person inside the carriage.
As expected of a carriage pulled by legendary monsters, there was nobody in the driver seat, as such strong undead are intelligence enough to understand simple order.
On the roof of the carriage, proudly stood the flag of the Sorcerous kingdom, waving around by the wind.
The carriage's destination was the dark elf kingdom.
Such carriage could only be used by a king or someone of a very importance. Despite that, there were no escorts usually accompanying the expensive carriage. If not for the presence of the soul eaters, people would think that the person inside of the carriage was a fool or someone that very confident.
'Haahh… how long will it take?' Ainz sighed internally.
Covering his bare skull was Mask of Envy. It was a red mask that looked like Balinese barong mask. With slightly bulged eyes, the mask's expression looked like if someone is angry and sad at the same time.
The journey to the dark elf kingdom was rather smooth. There were attempted robbery by foolish bandits, but Aura's beast took care of them.
They used [Gate] to teleport from E rantel to the edge of the elf kingdom's border. From then, the journey must be done in carriage.
The border was mostly plains and forest. The road on the country side was made of dirt.
Due to dark elves isolationist policy, their visit was not welcomed with escort from the dark elf's side. In fact, Ainz does not expect any welcome of any sort.
The envoy they sent earlier received a negative respond from the dark elf. Despite that, they were still welcomed reluctantly.
The main reason why the dark elves kingdom agreed to open diplomatic relationship the Sorcerous kingdom was probably due to the influence the Sorcerous kingdom possessed.
Sat in the right and his left, was Aura and Mare. Their faces were happy like children who were brought to the park by their parent. In Aura's back, there was a giant red scroll while in Mare's hand, there was a wand. The wand was pure black with a black sphere on its tip. It was roughly forty five centimeters long.
To protect them against wild magic, Ainz had them carrying a world item each. Aura brought Depiction of Nature and Society as usual. Mare didn't wear Avarice and Generosity because it was worn by Pandora's Actor. Instead, he carried Ginnungagap which was usually with Albedo.
The reason why Ainz Had Pandora's Actor wears Avarice and Generosity instead of other world item was because he wanted Pandora's Actor to fill Avarice and Generosity with XPs for future use.
One reason why they weren't attacked by dragon lords was because Pandora's Actor pretended to be Ainz while leading the invasion in the dragon lord's territory. This allowed them to journey without much trouble.
Aura's leg moved around while mare fidgeting his fingers. Seeing them like this, Ainz couldn't help but smiling internally. They will meet others of their kind. He hoped that this will help them with their growth.
'When they're adult, I wonder what will happen.' The thought of the twin become adults and marry other dark elves filled Ainz with curiosity.
'Hmmm. I'll need to teach them about procreations and how babies were made. Better to think this later.' Not wanting to talk about it, Ainz decided to do something else.
"The weather today is cloudy isn't it? It's a shame we can't enjoy the scenery as good as possible." Ainz tried to initiate a conversation
"I.. If you wish it, w.. we can change the weather, Ainz sama," a soft and meek voice of Mare responded.
"No need. Changing the weather pattern may disrupt the natural balance around here."
"Y.. yes. Ainz sama." Mare answered with a nod.
'Haaah.. what should I do? True though, disrupting the balance of the nature is very bad.'
Ainz did not want this world end up just like his past world. So that's why he implemented a lot of environment – friendly policy in his kingdom. To carelessly changing the weather just to enjoy the scenery would be hypocritical of him.
Moreover, this land belongs to the elf kingdom. Ainz don't want to make bad first impression to the elves since he wanted the twins to get along with fellow dark elves.
It's not like the elves would find out who changes the weather, but messing up with the environment would surely destroy the beautiful nature in this place.
In addition of taking the twins to meet their fellow elves, Ainz also interested in this kingdom's resources. Natural resources like wood, herbs, minerals, etc. can be used to strengthen the Sorcerous Kingdom and to some extends, Nazarick itself.
If diplomatic relationship can be made, he will make sure to import natural resources from this country and export his kingdom's goods and product.
Awkward silence fell upon them. Seeing as his attempt to initiate a conversation failed, Ainz tried to talk about something else.
"So Aura, what do you think about this little trip? Are you enjoying it?"
Being addressed, Aura's happy face faced Ainz's Mask of Envy.
"Travelling with Ainz sama is always enjoyable. After all of those tiring works, a trip with Ainz sama is the best gift I can get." Aura answered honestly.
"Then what about you, Mare? Are you happy to meet other dark elves?" Shifting his gaze, Ainz asked Mare, who was enjoying the clouded scenery.
"I'm happy to travel with Ainz sama. B.. But if Ainz sama wants to meet other dark elf.. then.. then I don't mind at all." Mare answered rather enthusiastically.
"Hahahahaha…. Tch….. Mare, Aura, I am happy when you all happy." A heartily laugh came from Ainz but it immediately followed by the usual calm baritone voice.
The conversation continued for a while. Because the dark elves live deep inside of the forest, the road to their civilization was still long.
'I hope there won't be any attacks from the dragonlords or the dark elves…Wait, what's going on now!?'
Ainz thought was interrupted by a glowing green fire surrounding his body. The fire glowed brightly that it shone throughout the carriage's windows. Unlike normal fire, the green colored fire did not burn Ainz himself or the twins. In fact, it didn't produce any heat at all.
"Ainz sama !" Aura and Mare shouted in unison.
"Teleportation!" Ainz casted a spell.
In an instant, he was outside of the carriage.
"Fly."
Ainz floated above the carriage.
"Ultimate Dispell Magic!"
The casted spell was a spell that can cancel or at the very least minimize the effect of a spell that was casted on the user. Among the anti magic spell that Ainz can use, it is the most potent being at tenth tier. It also cost a lot of mana even for a tenth tier spell.
'It didn't work?!'
Anti magic spells cannot work when the attack spell is stronger than it. Even if the fire is a tenth tier spell, Ultimate Dispell Magic should have work. But Ainz felt that the spell didn't, or rather the spell did not found any magic casted on him.
Either the fire is not a magic or it is not tier magic. But wild magic should have been blocked by his world item.
"Ainz sama !"
Aura and Mare busted out from the carriage door. Their faces showed concern and alert. Aura's magical beast immediately formed a formation around the carriage to protect Ainz from further attack.
"Aura, Mare! Retreat back to Nazarick! Tell Albedo and Demiurge to raise Nazarick security to maximum!"
With that order, the world around Ainz changed completely.
"Is the preparation completed?" asked a middle aged man.
The said man was of average height. His greying hair, trimmed curl in the sides of his cheeks, suggested that he is in his middle forty. His white mustache and beard gives the impression of a kind old man, but his expression is stern and neutral.
"Yes my lord. The ritual is ready to be conducted." Answered a kneeling figure.
The figure wore a simple pure white robe. His head was covered with a small white cap that resembled a Turkish fez. His pointy ears gave the impression of an elf.
Similarly to the man he addressed as lord, his hair was grey. The front of his head was bald, adding the impression of an old man. Long and grey, his hair was braided from the neck to the waist.
Wrinkles decorated his face. His wrinkles made him looked older than his lord.
"Good. I hope that this will save us all. Begin the Hero Summoning!"
"Understood."
A large lush red carpet was laid in the middle of the room. From a pair of a large door decorated with carvings, the carpet reached the other side of the room, that is, a flight of stairs about five steps high.
Pillars of stones stood proudly carrying the large ceiling above them. The said pillars were not decorated with anything.
In contrast of the pillars, the wall confining the room was white heavily decorated with carving that was painted to make it colorful.
In the other side of the door, there was a throne made of wood. Lush and fluffy red fabric filled the slip seat and the splat to make the person sitting on it comfortable.
Above the throne, there was a flag displaying a royal crest. The flag was made with expensive material based on the looks of it.
Inside the room, there were many people from different races, from human, elves, dwarf, beastmen, and many others. Most of them wore armor and carried a halberd with them. But some of them were dressed like a noble or royalty.
A green fire appeared in the front of the throne and below the flight of stairs. The fire faded and revealed a tall figure.
The figure wore a jet black academic robe that seemed to suck all light around him. Expensive jewelries decorated him. His hand wore a set of gauntlet. The gauntlet seemed to be made of a plain gray metal. It looked too plain compared to what the figure wore.
On his face, rest a red mask. Its expression looked like a combination of sad and anger.
"O Hero, it is good that you heeded my summons." A man standing in the top of the stairs said attempting to sound majestic.
He was dressed like a proper king. Luxurious garb and red cape thick enough to serves as a coat adorned him. On top of his head, rest a crown that suits a king.
His hair was grey that reached his neck. Trimmed curl in the sides of his cheeks, his hair suggested his age. A white mustache and beard decorated his face.
In his hand, there was a golden staff worthy of a royalty. The staff was as tall as its holder.
Standing in his back left was a beautiful woman. Her gentle looking face possessed a maturity that makes her looks young yet mature. Her platinum blonde hair was decorated with flower decorations. It barely reached her waist.
Her beautiful dress was violet in color emphasizing her large chest. Her curvy frame and beautiful visage could make men fall in love with her. With a motherly posture, she stood patiently besides her husband.
After the king's declaration, an awkward silence fell upon the room. The tall man in the black robe stared at the king and his wife. His red ominous mask and black robe made the guards standing in the sides of the room cautious.
"Wh – Why do you look at me like that? Are you upset that I have called you here?" the King said nervously to the man.
The masked man in robe continued to look at his surroundings. Then he spoke.
"My apology. I only confused with the situation I am currently in." A majestic rich baritone voice echoed throughout the throne room. Such voice could only belong to a true royalty.
"Could I perhaps ask you to explain the situation?" the tall man continued. His voice was calm and regal, the very opposite of the King.
"Y – You certainly are calm. It is most enviable…."
"My pardon?" The masked man in robe tilted his head in confusion.
"I – It is nothing!" the King said while flustered.
"Ahem."
A man cleared his throat. He wore a simple pure white robe. His head was covered with a small white cap. Short pointy ears protruded in the sides of his head implying his elven ancestry.
Long and grey, his hair was braided from the neck to the waist. With wrinkles in his face, he looked older than the King.
"Eek."
The King jumped a little. Such attitude is not proper for a king who represents his nation.
Seeing that little interaction, the Queen giggled, and the soldiers looked on with wry smiles. It seems the King is not someone that possessed an aura of command required of a nation's leader. Despite that, he was loved by his people.
The tall masked man in robe watched with curiosity. His gesture was neutral and calm.
"You refer to me as 'Hero'. Did perhaps there is a demon lord threatening the land or perhaps something else?" The majestic deep voice of the Hero implied that he is an educated nobleman. His question proved he is someone whose intellect is not to be underestimated.
"You certainly do catch on quickly. It is precisely as you say." The King, regaining his composure, answered.
'Eeeeeeeehhh…?! What?! What is happening?!'
Ainz's brain racked itself furiously. Previously he was in the elf kingdom's border, alongside Mare and Aura. Then a green fire enveloped him.
'I was attacked and then…'
Ainz's emotion which was like a storm has calmed. He stared at the figure in front of him.
'A king? And the woman besides him must be the queen. Where am I? Was that green spell a teleportation spell? Did they summon me? Is this another world?' so many question rose in Ainz's nonexistent brain.
Ainz stared them for a while. This continued for a while, creating an awkward situation.
"Wh – Why do you look at me like that? Are you upset that I have called you here?" the 'king' in front of him asked nervously.
Ainz continued staring around him.
'The crest doesn't look like any kingdom I know. Human and elves and… beastmen ?'
There was no kingdom besides the Sorcerer Kingdom where beastmen and humanoids can coexist without the beastmen enslaving the humanoids or eat them as a food, except Argland Council state, but they were destroyed and conquered by his kingdom.
'Ah.'
Realizing that the 'king' asked a question, Ainz scrambled an answer in his head.
"My apology. I only confused with the situation I am currently in….. Could I perhaps ask you to explain the situation?"
'Yosh. I must find information first.'
"Y – You certainly are calm. It is most enviable…."
'Eh? What do you mean?' Ainz wanted to ask this question but he doesn't want to bring any shame to the Sorcerous kingdom. Instead he continued his kingly act.
"My pardon?"
Ainz tilted his head in confusion.
"I – It is nothing!"
"Ahem."
Ainz shift his gaze towards the source of the sound.
'An elf? No, a half elf half human.' Seeing the person's ears, Ainz realized that this person is not a full elf, but a partly.
"Eek." The 'king' jumped a little.
Seeing the king's action, the woman besides him giggled, and the soldiers gave him wry smiles.
Ainz watched this with curiosity. For a king, this man is rather nervous and meek. It made him wonder if Mare become a king in the Evasha, would he be like this.
'No no. I should teach him how to be a king.'
Remembering Mare, he reminded that he was in unknown situation. He was sad about being separated from Nazarick. What would the NPCs think? They must be worry because of the attack.
'No no, focus. I must find information first. Then find a way to return to Nazarick.'
"You refer to me as 'Hero'. Did perhaps there is a demon lord threatening the land or perhaps something else?"
If this is just another continent in the same world, then Ainz could easily use [Gate] to return to Nazarick. Then he would try to make a diplomatic relationship with this kingdom.
If this is another world, then Ainz must find a way to return home. If he needs to, he would take over this world to find a solution of his current predicament.
"You certainly do catch on quickly. It is precisely as you say." The King, regaining his composure, answered.
Ainz, remembered something important was missing, interrupt the King.
"Ah, we haven't introduced ourselves haven't we? What a rude of me. Then, let me introduce myself first. I am the Sorcerer King Ainz Ooal Gown, the king of the Sorcerous Kingdom." The deep regal voice introduced itself.
The introduction was regal and fitting to a monarch. This may bring jealousy to the meek King.
Instead, Ainz heard everyone around him whispering something. The King in front of him was shocked. His eyes almost jumped from its place.
Queen's expression was a lot calmer than her husband. She widened her eyes for a bit, but then quickly regained her calm composure.
Ainz realized that this could be an international incident. To kidnap a king from other nation could mean a declaration of war. Without a way to connect to his kingdom and Nazarick, Ainz was completely a king in name only.
'Dammit! I should have done it as Momon. Well, the milk has been spoiled.'
Hoping the situation won't become worse than already it is, Ainz asked the King in front of him.
"Now I believe it is your turn to introduce yourself." Ainz's deep baritone voice echoed throughout the throne room. Instead as a request, his voice sounded like a demand.
Shaking his head from his shock, the king in front of him regained his composure.
"Uuh.. Ahem. Yes. My name is Albert Elfrieden. The thirteenth King of the Kingdom of Elfrieden. I hope that this wouldn't be a problem to both our nation?" His voice was nervous. It is clear that he feared that this way causes an inter world war.
"I am not angry. However, kidnapping a monarch of other nation is not something that can be taken likely. As such I request to be returned to my world in addition of compensation."
It was not a request. It was an ultimatum. The regal voice spoke coldly without any care.
Ainz tried to use this opportunity to gain something from this nation. If he got summoned to another world again, might as well gain something.
King Albert sweat nervously. He looked like he was going to fall unconscious.
"Uh… Uhm. We can compensate you for this, but about returning to your world is.. uh.."
Understanding what King Albert wanted to say, Ainz simply replied.
"Umu. Very well. I hope you can prepare a good compensation when I return later. About my first request, I shall try to do it myself." After accepting his offer, Ainz casted a spell while magnificently waving his right hand.
"[Gate]"
It was infinitesimally thin, yet unfathomably deep blackness. It was an oval of obsidian that seemed to protrude from the air. The spell opened a black portal that connected the two worlds.
The sight of a black portal appeared from nowhere made all the people in the throne room shocked. The sounds of whisper can be heard again. It was alien to them. Such magic spoke the power of the sorcerer in front of them.
"Then King Albert, I bid you farewell."
The Sorcerer king stepped into the swirling thin of the dark. And then…
BOOM!
An explosion happened in the area the Sorcerer King was in. The guards immediately ran toward the king and the queen to shield them from possible harm. Other guards shielded themselves or the nobles near them.
The smoke covered the area in vicinity. An explosion as near as that would have killed the Sorcerer King.
After a while, the smoke dispersed and the tall figure of the Sorcerer King can be seen. His black robe was devoid of any shred. He looked like as if the explosion didn't happen at all. The only prove he was in the explosion was a hole in the carpet and the ground beneath him that was charred black.
"It seems that I would require your help in this matter after all." The Sorcerer King said sounding a little embarrassed.
"I – I see what we can do. For now, I hope you can enjoy yourself in Elfrieden." King Albert replied hoping that the Sorcerer King would not take this summoning as a declaration of war.
"Now then. Could you please tell me about this world? As I remembered, this land was threatened by a demon lord or something else." The Sorcerer King continued like the dangerous explosion that happened earlier never happen at all.
"Y – Yes." King Albert responded.
He then begun a lengthy explanation of history. First, he spoke about this world.
This world was made up of the supercontinent Landia and a number of islands of varying sizes. There are other continents, but not much is known about them besides some trading cities.
In Landia, there were many countries, large and small. Many races populated this world. Some were races Ainz familiar with, some other is something Ainz never encountered. Some countries have the races coexist peacefully, while others favor a certain race, some even forbade entrance of other races but no country would hunt other races to extinction like Slaine Theocracy or beastmen kingdom. These countries took many forms and they struggled for supremacy.
However, ever since the Demon Lord's Domain appeared, all of these countries have taken a cooperation to defeat the Demon Lord's Domain, at least on the surface Ainz thought.
The king continued with the Demon Lord's Domain.
Around ten years ago, in the northernmost reaches of the continent, a dimension referred as "Demon World" appeared. From there, many monsters of various size and shape poured out. The appearance of these monsters put the northern countries in chaos and insecurity.
Those countries made an alliance and a punitive force to send into this Demon World. However, this punitive force was utterly annihilated.
In the Demon World, there were monsters which have little to no intelligence. They are the most numerous among the demon army. These monsters are simply referred as "monster".
There were also the "Demons", who were intelligence and powerful fighter. The Demons were the one that responsible for the destruction of the allied force. Not much known about them. Not even their appearance or how do they fight as there weren't many survivors from the allied army.
Some people theorized the existence of a king who commands the demons. This theory is not confirmed due to the lack of knowledge about the demon's society.
After the destruction of the allied forces, the northern countries had lost their main fighting forces. They no longer had the power to defend themselves from the attack of the monsters.
The demonic force, which held territory equivalent of a small country, laid waste to the northern countries. They continued to advance and conquered until they held control a third of the continent. The northern part of the continent was now known as "The Demon Lord's Domain."
At the moment, their advance has been stopped. But this is mostly because the frontline has become so wide that spread the demons and monsters thinner. This allowed individual country to hold against them. Despite that, the rest of the countries didn't have a way to turn things around. It has been a stalemate since then.
After a long explanation about the Demon Lord's Domain, He talked about this country.
As previously introduced, this kingdom is known as Kingdom of Elfrieden, a medium – sized kingdom in the southeast of the continent. As a monarchy, it was founded by many different races working together.
This fact greatly improved Ainz's opinion about this nation. To see a nation where all races coexist peacefully is something rare in Ainz's previous world.
Kingdom of Elfrieden did not border the Demon Lord's Domain. Because of that, there were few monster attacks. However, the country was weak to begin with. Because of food famine, food shortages were wide across the kingdom to neighboring nations. This problem was exacerbated by the problem of refugees dispossessed by the expansion of the Demon Lord's Domain drifting here. The economy then became dilapidated. The national treasury was in no good shape because of it.
Not only in domestic affairs, international relationships seemed to be restrained as well. Elfrieden was having a tense relation with the Gran Chaos Empire, the largest country on the continent, excluding the Demon Lord's Domain.
After their defeat to the Demon army, the Empire requested war subsidies from other countries which don't bordering the Demon's Domain. Being the strongest country, these 'requests' was closer to an ultimatum.
Due to the current financial situation, the Kingdom was unable to pay the subsidies.
After that, King Albert talked about the hero summoning ritual. This interest Ainz greatly. Not only because this ritual was the one that summoned him, but because it may benefit him to learn about it.
The Kingdom of Elfrieden possessed the secret ritual to summon a hero from another world.
Apparently, the Empire has given a solution in the matter of the payment. If Elfrieden cannot pay with money, supplies, or materials, then they would have to use the hero summoning ritual and send the hero to the Empire.
It is obvious to Ainz that the Gran Chaos Empire want to use the hero's power to defeat the demon army, or even the secret summoning ritual so that they can summon heroes on their own without relying to Elfrieden.
"So in the end, you summoned me." Ainz close the explanation with a conclusion.
"It is as you said." King Albert answered simply.
"I wonder. What do you plan to do?" Ainz's questioning gaze fell upon the Elfriedenian King. His face covered by the mask made him looked mysterious.
"A – About what?" King Albert's nervous demeanor returned.
"Will you give me to the Empire? Seeing as your country is hopeless to pay, this is your most obvious choice." Ainz logical question made the Elfrieden King troubled.
In one hand, Ainz is a hero needed to be sent away to the Empire. In the other hand, he is a king of a nation.
"That is… What should I do? It is a real pickle." King Albert seemed troubled.
"If I may interject, allow me to explain," an old voice said. The owner of the voice was the old half elf in the white from earlier.
Ainz turned to face him.
"Very well. Please explain." His deep voice spoke. Instead of King Albert, it was Ainz that gave him permission. While this is not appropriate, Ainz is still a king and he proved to be a capable and powerful, so no body protested.
"At present, there is a clear difference in power between our country and the Empire. We simply are not in a position to say no when the Empire asks for something. While we stuck in that situation, Your Majesty the Sorcerer King is the sole lucky card in our side. Even in that regard, Your Majesty is still a king and cannot be a cheap bargaining card that we can use. Even if we send Your Majesty to the Empire, we would be left without anything left to use when negotiating with the empire. If we can survive this time by doing what they say, what will we do the next time something comes up? Next time, we might only have succeeded in giving up our only card." He explained in detail.
The Sorcerer King then went silent. This silent solitude continued for a while.
'Hmmm.. what he says is correct. One must not use their trump card early.' Ainz thought remembering his old friend Punitto Moe.
'Then they would have no choice but to pay with money. If this happens then they surely can't help me to return home. I can't take that chance.'
If the Elfrieden who controlled a summoning ritual were to be destroyed in the war with the Gran Chaos Empire, then Ainz would have to seek other methods to go home.
'The Gran Chaos Empire doesn't sound like a peaceful nation either. Then the only choice is to help Elfrieden overcome this payment.'
Ainz would not use the gold of the Sorcerous Kingdom since it is not worth to spend his money on some country. Yggdrasil coin is not an option either. Then the only way to help this country is by using his knowledge as a king to lead them from bankruptcy.
'Haaahhh… then in the end, it's work again.' Ainz sighed in his nonexistent heart.
After a small silence thinking to himself, the Sorcerer King spoke.
"I have a proposal." His deep voice sounded suggestive and wise.
"What is it? Please speak freely." King Albert's attention focused on the Sorcerer King.
"First of all, can we speak in private somewhere else? This discussion requires a private conversation between you, the prime minister of this country, and I," requested the Sorcerer King.
"Hm. What do you think, Marx?" King Albert addressed the old half elf that spoke earlier.
"That would be fine," answered the old man that was revealed to be the prime minister.
"Also, please gather all the reports you can on this country. Most importantly about the balance of payment reports, as well as materials on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, economy, trade and industry, land and infrastructure, and transport. Perhaps we may be able to scrounge up the money required for the payment. And in addition, I would like all information about heroes, but that is for later." The Sorcerer King issued his request.
"Very well. I shall have them gathered at once," said King Albert.
"Yosh –"
The young man rose from his bed in the barrack. The light that passed from the windows shone upon his face. Young but stern, his face looked average. His brown eyes opened and looked around. His comrades in the barrack have also awoken. It's time to start his usual boring day.
Washing his face, the young man stared at the water. The light was not too bright, but he can at least see his short black hair wet from the water.
After dressing up his armor, he went to his post. Walking around the yard, he spotted some knights and soldiers training with bows or spears. As a royal guard, those knights have to keep themselves in shape to guard the King from harm.
He kept walking along the large corridor. The white walls were decorated with paintings of the previous monarchs. Some tables with flower pots were also standing in the side of the room. This corridor leads to the King's office. The guards always stand outside the office. This is to gives the owner of the office more privacy.
His majesty was a shy person after all. Many people like him for his nice attitude, but many nobles think low of him. The young soldier doesn't like those nobles very much. Those greedy rats were the cause of the Kingdom's current problem.
Greeting the guards, he stood in the side of the door. Those guards of the nightshift were tough guys. To be able to keep up guarding all night is not something easy. But he knew that they must be sleeping all night while standing.
Come to think of it. No body left this room since yesterday, only some maid bringing food and drinks.
He has heard of the news of the hero summoning. It seems the ritual was a success. The young soldier also heard the rumor of the ritual summoning not just a hero, but a king of foreign nation. This news was quickly spread like a wild fire.
Summoning a foreign monarch could be considered an act of war. This could make a bad impression of the Kingdom of Elfrieden in the international face. Though this could potentially lead to war between the two kingdoms, he knew that the other kingdom cannot send an army to this world, unless if the other kingdom can use a ritual to connect the two worlds.
Thinking alone, his partner has finally come to take his guard duty alongside him. Slacking off with works can lead to punishment or even reassignment.
Greeting the young soldier, his partner stood in the left side of the door. The young soldier scolded him a little. Too much noise can disturb His Majesty after all.
Currently, His Majesty was still having a discussion with the foreign King. This discussion was still going on since yesterday. He hoped that His Majesty is fine despite going on full night.
After waiting awhile, the luxurious pair of door that lead to the King's office was opened. From the room, strode His Majesty with the prime minister.
The young soldier was shocked. Not because the middle aged king walked out healthily, but because His Majesty's face was bright and cheerful like a man who had found his decision. It's contrasted the usual nervous face everyone was used to.
Behind the King and prime minister Marx, strode a tall man in black robe. His robe was luxurious, befitting a royalty. It looked like it sucked the light the moment he walked pass the door. The robe was decorated with expensive jewelries that matched the luxurious robe.
His face was covered with a red mask commonly found in the continent in the southeast. Its expression is a combination of anger and sad.
On his hands was a pair of gauntlet. From what he wore, the gauntlet seemed too plain compared to the jewelries on him.
The man dwarfed over him and his partner. His regal bearing looked like a natural born king. Even His Majesty was not this regal. Instantly he knew that this tall man was the summoned hero.
The foreign king's aura made him and his partner shuddered. Only the most prominent knight in the royal army emits such an aura, an aura of warrior. This foreign king was strong. He realized it. If he wanted to, he can kill the young soldier and his partner.
The unlikely trio made their way to the throne room followed by the two guards.
"My people, I ask you to heed my words closely," King Albert sounded like a different person. His words were calm and full of authority.
Ainz was standing in the throne room along with other important figures like Prime Minister Marx. After spending the whole night asking about everything he needed to know about Elfrieden, Ainz felt exhausted, not physically, but emotionally.
He wondered how King Albert could do that without looking tired. The man looked energized, as if he woke up in the morning and went to do something he waited so long.
Yesterday was spent with a discussion about what Ainz asked for. From the balance of payment reports, as well as materials on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, economy, trade and industry, land and infrastructure, and transport, to the Hero Summoning ritual.
"I, the thirteenth king of Elfrieden, Albert Elfrieden, hereby abdicate my throne to the summoned hero, His Majesty Lord Ainz Ooal Gown! Further, I hereby announce the engagement of my daughter, Liscia Elfrieden, to Lord Gown."
The room fell silent. Everyone had been struck mute. The only one present remained calm was, perhaps the queen and of course, the Sorcerer King.
'Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhh!'
Good day, Dear readers.
This is my first story, so I expect many mistakes on my part. Please, do criticize me if there are something wrong. Critics and advises are welcome. English is not my mother tongue.
I hope you enjoy my story. I will try to update as best as I can. But I cannot promise regular update.
Thank you.
