Hello again.

I just realized that this story is nearing its first anniversary. Time sure flies, huh?

Nevertheless, here's the next chapter. See you again in the afterword.


[X][X][X]


Lower Fire Month (9th Month), 1st Day, 14:18

The drizzle which had been falling over Re-Estize capital had just turned into a quite heavy rain. The noise of water drops blanketed the city, and most people either ran for cover or covered themselves with cloth sheet they had with them.

The Swords of Darkness team did not have to worry about the rain, because right now they were all seated within the guest room of a luxurious mansion. They had never been in such high class residence, so they had no idea how to behave. Therefore, they only sat tight and kept themselves silent for now, especially that they had not had any chance to properly introduce themselves thanks to the sudden rain prompting the old gentleman to quickly lead them to this extravagant house.

Tsuare was also seated there, across the group. She was also silent, being confused about what to say. The emotion of seeing her sister again was overwhelming, and she wanted to say a lot of things. But no words could come out from her mouth.

"Make yourselves at home while I get your drinks"

"Ah... Let me..."

Tsuare, out of reflex, offered to get the drinks in Sebas' stead. However, Sebas stopped her with a hand signal.

"Our guests want to talk to you, so I will be the one getting the drinks"

"Oh... Alright..."

Sebas then left the room into the hallway of the mansion. After he closed the door, Solution stood in front of him with the usual straight face and still donning the house lady outfit.

"What is the reason this time, for bringing more humans into this place?"

Solution once again asked a question with a cold tone, the same as the time Sebas had brought Tsuare into the mansion. Sebas answered the question with a straight, stern face.

"Ainz-sama ordered me to take Tsuare on a walk and report to him if something happens. Those people, they are part of that something, and therefore I believe they are of some importance to Ainz-sama"

"I see"

Solution closed her eyes and bowed, silently apologizing for her doubt.

"I will report this to Ainz-sama while I get their drinks. Just in case, listen to their conversation in the meantime and tell me later if they say anything of significance"

"Understood, Sebas-sama"

Solution then melded into the shadows and disappeared from sight. Sebas continued walking as he raised his hand towards his ear.

[Message]

"Ainz-sama"

"Oh, Sebas. What is it?"

"As you have commanded, something has happened when I took Tsuare for a walk"

"This fast? Anyway, tell me about it"

Sebas then briefly explained the events which had unfolded, from the moment someone suddenly shouting at Tsuare to Sebas initiatively inviting the person's group to the mansion because of the rainfall.

"Sebas"

"Yes, Ainz-sama"

"Well done"

Sebas couldn't help being surprised by the praise.

"I-I'm unworthy of such praise, after my foolish mistake"

"What you did back then and today are different things, Sebas. Nevertheless, here's what you should do next. Treat them as respected guests, and if any of them asks a question answer truthfully while keeping your masquerade up. Also~"

Ainz then gave Sebas a few more explanations about what he should do. At the end of it, Sebas nodded.

"Understood"

"Once they go home, report to me again. I expect great result from you, Sebas"

"I shall strive to meet your expectations, Ainz-sama"

"Good"

The Message spell was then ended, and Sebas stood still with a tray of teacups and a teapot ready for serving right in front of him. He had been preparing them while conversing with Ainz, and now he began bringing the tray to the guest room.

As he was getting close to the door of the guest room, Solution emerged from the shadows.

"None of them had said anything significant so far"

"I see. I will take it from here then"

"Understood"

Sebas then entered the guest room and served the cups of tea to each person, including Tsuare. None of them said anything, and they looked anxious. After finishing the servings, Sebas sat down next to Tsuare and began speaking.

"We were about to have an introduction back then, but the rain intruded. So let us have a proper introduction this time. My name is Sebas Tian. I am the head butler of this house"

"Please pardon us for the sudden intrusion. We are Swords of Darkness adventurer team. My name is Peter Mauk, the leader of the team"

"I am Lukrut Volve, the ranger of the team"

"I am Dyne Woodwonder, a druid"

The three people who had just introduced themselves had done it while trying hard to sound calm, but Sebas could easily sense the anxiety within their mind, especially the last one who had been silent all this time besides the shouting back then.

"I... I am Ni-"

Her speech was cut short, and then she took a deep breath.

"My name is... Viviana Veyron"

Tsuare couldn't help sobbing and leaking tears as she heard the name. Sebas looked at her and asked a question.

"Tsuare. Is she your family?"

"Y-Yes... She is... My sister.."

Sebas smiled warmly as Tsuare said that.

"You don't need to hold yourself, Tsuare. I know what you want to do, now that your family is right in front of you. Go ahead"

With Sebas' words, Tsuare began sobbing more, but she still didn't leave her seat. Seeing this, Sebas stood up, gently took Tsuare's hand, and encouraged her to stand up. It took a few more seconds until Sebas managed to have Tsuare stand up. Then, with a little, gentle push, Sebas encouraged her to approach her sister. Also, with a signalling gesture, he did the same to Viviana.

Viviana, with a blank expression of disbelief, slowly stood up from her seat and approached Tsuare. As she got closer, tears once again began leaking from her eyes. Within seconds, Viviana hugged Tsuare and both of them cried, letting all the emotions to break out. They cried tears of happiness, having met a long lost family member.

"Tsu-neesan! I thought... I thought I would never see you again!"

"Me too, Vivi-chan!"

"I'm sorry that it took me so long to find you!"

"It's all right, Vivi-chan"

The three guys couldn't hide their smile and a leak of tears coming down from their eyes. They were happy for their partner's reunion with her sister. Sebas himself felt pretty much nothing since he believed this was all part of Ainz's plan, and his duty was to observe how the events would unfold after this.

Several minutes later, everyone were already back on their seats. Though this time the adventurers and Tsuare looked brighter than before. Their anxiety were mostly gone, and now they were delighted.

Sebas, still with straight yet gentle face expression, began speaking.

"Now, I believe all of us have questions in our mind. Since it is still raining outside, let us begin answering those questions for now. Feel free to ask"

"Sebas-dono, may I know... how did my sister end up here?"

Tsuare twitched a little hearing Viviana's question. It seemed the question had stirred her traumatic memories. Sebas looked at Tsuare, as if he was asking if it was alright to tell them. Tsuare nodded and closed her eyes in acceptance.

Sebas then began telling the full story of how he had happened to find Tsuare, who had been in a miserable condition back then, and how he had brought her to this mansion. He also spoke about the scroll which had been spent to heal her, and her working as a maid coming from her own free will. However, he didn't mention anything about the blackmail addressed to him.

Understandably, the adventurers looked more and more upset as the story was told, and Viviana was the one reacting the hardest, suddenly standing up from her seat. Her face was filled to the brim with rage.

"Un-Unforgivable! Where is that place!? I'm gonna..."

"Ninya!"

Lukrut reflexively called Viviana out, and that made Tsuare confused.

"Huh? Ninya?"

Peter then offered to explain.

"Ah, allow me to explain. Your sister, she has been using an alias in her name's stead to keep reminding her of her mission, which is to find you. That's why the alias is part of your name"

"Ah... I see"

Sebas then began speaking again.

"Viviana, while I understand the emotion filling your heart now, keep in mind that the place is affiliated with Eight Fingers. Going there will only make things worse"

"Sebas-dono is right, Ni-... I mean.. Viviana. Your sister is now safe and sound, and that is the most important matter"

Lukrut's speech got cut short for a moment back there. It seemed he was still confused whether to call Viviana with her real name or her alias. Viviana calmed down slightly and sat down again, taking a deep breath. Peter then asked a question.

"Sebas-dono. Now that Tsuare has found her family, what is going to happen? I mean, is she going to live with Viviana from now on?"

There was a silence for a few seconds, and somehow the atmosphere of the room became a little tense compared to just a few seconds before. Sebas then began speaking as everyone else started to feel anxious again.

"Now, I'm afraid that not everything is good news..."

Some gulped hearing what Sebas had just said. A feeling of worry began creeping up their hearts.

"My actions were not with permission from my lord, and the scroll spent on her was my lord's property"

Viviana, knowing where this would be going, suddenly cut off Sebas' speech.

"I will pay for it! I'm willing to give all I have!"

Sebas, without changing his straight face expression, replied to Viviana's plea.

"The problem is not that simple. The spell within the scroll was a sixth tier spell, and while I'm not fond of judging, I believe it is unlikely that you have enough money to pay for the scroll's worth"

Viviana's face turned pale hearing Sebas' reply, and the same applied to the other adventurers. Sebas had learned a lot of things about the standard of magic within the kingdom, so he already could predict that such scroll would worth an obscene amount of money, far beyond the adventurers' reach.

"As of right now, my lord has not decided yet about my punishment for using his property without permission, and how its worth should be paid back by me, or by Tsuare"

Viviana dropped down on her knees and went into prostrate position towards Sebas.

"Please let me meet your lord! I'm willing to do anything to pay for saving my sister's life! I will offer a lifetime of servitude!"

Sebas, still not changing his expression, replied.

"Are you aware of the weight of your words? A lifetime of servitude is not something you can offer on a whim. Are you fully aware that you are giving up your freedom for the rest of your life with that offer?"

Viviana then replied without changing her position.

"My sister is the only family I have left. You have saved her life and brought her back to health, and I am very grateful for that. I am willing to pay any price for what you have done for her, and for me. So please, let me plead to your lord!"

There was a silence for a few seconds.

"My lord is unfortunately not here today. I will relay your words to him once he comes back, and you should come here again in two days. In the meantime, you may want to calm down and reconsider about your offer. One's freedom is not something to be taken lightly"

Viviana got up from prostrate position into kneeling position. Her face showed worry, confusion, and sadness. She was silent after hearing Sebas' words. Sebas, noticing that, gave out a warm, gentle smile.

"Do not worry. I am commanded by my lord to ensure Tsuare's well-being. Your sister will be fine when you come back here again"

Viviana's face showed a sign of relief hearing those words.


[X][X][X]


Lower Fire Month (9th Month), 1st Day, 17:47

The office room of Ainz within the Tomb of Nazarick was quiet. Ainz himself was alone, sitting on his luxurious seat. In front of him was an empty desk devoid of report papers which usually filled the surface of the desk like a mountain. He had nothing to do at the moment, which felt somewhat relaxing but also lonely.

BEEP! BEEP!

The minor lonely feeling ended abruptly with the sound of Message notification. Ainz raised his hand to his ear and waited for the caller to speak.

"Ainz-sama"

"Oh, Sebas. How did it go?"

Sebas then began telling about the events which had just happened in the mansion. Ainz listened intently, nodding every once in a while.

"They have gone home for now, and they will be back in two days in the morning"

"Good. Continue your task while you wait for them to come back. You will be informed by then"

"Understood, Ainz-sama"

The Message spell ended, and Ainz leaned to his seat giving out a sigh.

I have never expected them to show up this soon.

While indeed Ainz had ordered Sebas to take Tsuare out hoping that eventually the Swords of Darkness team would find her, he had been expecting it to be a long term plan which would take weeks or even months until it happened.

I can't just bring Momon from E-Rantel to Re-Estize this quickly. Then again, their use on that regard is already gone.

Ainz was fully aware that the Swords of Darkness was no longer useful for raising Momon's fame since Momon was already well known throughout the kingdom by now. The reason for going this far for them this time was something else.

He was interested in Ninya, or perhaps Viviana from now on. The one Talent she had, which had the effect of halving the time needed for learning a new spell, piqued his interest. She would be an interesting subject for research on how the locals of this world learn new spells, and what kind of limitations apply for them. Learning more about how this world works would be beneficial in the long run, and her Talent would save a lot of time.

Another, yet minor, reason was that Ainz considered them as one of his first friends in this new unknown world, and that bond, while weak, still remained. He wouldn't mind helping them out a little to achieve happiness if it was not too much of a bother for him.

Friends...

Ainz let out a heavy sigh, reminiscing his time when the guild was still on its prime and his old friends were still around. However, the muse didn't last long since something suddenly came up in his mind.

Wait, what is Ryu to me? He was the very first stranger I met in this world, and I still converse with him quite regularly. Does he qualify as a friend? Come to think of it, he's not from this planet, so that makes him an alien in a sense. Heh, friends with an alien...

Ainz let out a small laugh, but then something else came up.

Hold on, I am not from this world too. Doesn't that make me an alien as well? Ah, not really I guess. The way this world works is very similar to YGGDRASIL, so I'm not that 'alien' to this world. Ryu on the other hand, he's literally an alien from space. A very human alien.

Ainz once again laughed a little. He became a bit intrigued by the concept of being friends with an alien, and he wanted to try exploring it on a deeper level.


[X][X][X]


Lower Fire Month (9th Month), 3rd Day, 10:40

"The fuck you're doin', boy!?"

A group of drunk hooligans looked angrily at the rather young man who had just interfered with them. Near their feet there was a boy who had been reduced into a bruised and beaten up mess. He was still alive and breathing, but anyone would think that he was knocking at death's door.

"While I'm now off-duty, I am still a soldier of this nation, and I find your actions of violence unlawful and punishable"

This young man was Climb. He was about to return to the palace after delivering a message when he came across this commotion.

"Soldier? Heh! That's just a bluff! Get him, boys!"

The hooligans who had been surrounding Climb charged at him, intending to pile up on him and beat him into submission. However, Climb was already prepared for this.

[Evasion]

Climb swiftly moved through an opening, putting himself into a safe position. While doing that, he did a light kick to one thug's leg, causing that thug to trip and fall. Climb then unsheathed his sword and assumed a battle stance.

Seeing what had just happened, and also the view of a real sharp weapon brandished in front of their eyes, the hooligans seemed to sober up a little.

"Tch, you will regret this, boy!"

All the hooligans then fled the scene. Climb knew that he couldn't arrest them all, so he just let them get away. He then quickly went to the poor beaten up boy and administered his healing potion on the boy.

After assigning a guard to take the poor boy to the temple, Climb walked away from the scene intending to return to the palace. However, a few minutes later someone called him out from the back.

"Hey, can I bother you for a second?"

Climb turned around to the guy and got a good look at him. The guy was quite tall with a good build, and he had a sword just like Climb, though the sword seemed to be of a different model, judging from the sheath being curved. For a second, Climb was worried that the hooligans had hired a strong thug to get revenge, but he concluded that the timing was too fast to be the case, and this man would have struck from behind without calling.

"Do you need help with something, sir?"

"I saw what you did back there. You seem to be more skilled than any guards around here"

"Thank you, sir. But I still have a long way to go"

"Indeed you do. I can beat you to a pulp in a second"

The man's face remained unchanged as he said that. Climb put himself on alert the moment he heard it.

"Relax, I'm not going to do anything to you. Not right here at least"

"So, what do you want with me, sir?"

"Unglaus"

"What?"

"Brain Unglaus. That is my name"

"Oh, I'm Climb... Wait a second. Are you THE Brain Unglaus who fought toe to toe with Gazef Stronoff?"

"Oh, I didn't really expect myself to be that well known"

"I only heard about the battle. He told me that you definitely were among the best of the kingdom's swordsmen"

"Heh, I don't think I'm worthy of that at all, but the praise made me a little happy regardless"

Brain smiled a little, although his face expression seemed to be empty, as if he was dead inside.

"Do you want to spar with me?"

"Eh?"

Climb couldn't believe what he had just heard. It was just this morning that Gazef Stronoff, whom he highly admired, had sparred with him. Now someone else of the same caliber offered him the same thing.

"I-I would love to accept the offer, but not right here"

"Yeah, of course not in public streets like this"


[X][X][X]


Lower Fire Month (9th Month), 3rd Day, 13:39

"HA!"

SMACK!

THUD!

Climb were thrown back a few meters and he hit the ground rolling. He was bruised quite badly all over his body, the area around both his eyes was black and blue from Brain's attacks. The two of them had been fighting on an empty patch of land within the city. The land's shape was a rather perfect square of 15x15 meters and it was located away from the main road, so almost nobody passed by.

"It's useless. Give it up"

Brain exclaimed that, still with his straight yet empty face expression. Climb was still lying face down on the ground.

What am I doing? Beating up a kid. This is so... not me.

Brain was confused inside his mind. He couldn't understand his own actions of beating Climb up this badly. There was no benefit at all from doing this, but he still did it anyway.

Why am I doing this? Could it be that...?

He had seen the futility of his efforts to get stronger. That monster, Shalltear Bloodfallen. No amount of training would ever give him any hope to make a single scratch on that thing. Right now, he wondered if he was trying to put himself in that monster's position, while putting Climb into his position.

Am I trying to make this kid suffer like I do? Am I really that petty?

While Brain was pondering on his own questionable action, he suddenly heard a voice.

"Not... yet..."

Brain was surprised. Climb slowly stood up on two legs again, with his sword readied in battle stance. There was no mistake that Climb was very badly beaten up and his condition was not much better than the poor boy back then. But his eyes, though black and blue, radiated an aura of determination.

"W-Why!? Why are you still standing!? It is useless! You have no hope of beating me!"

"I know..."

"Then why are you still fighting!?"

Brain was very confused. If he was in Climb's position, he would have succumbed, just like what had happened to himself on the face of that monster. He had run away like a pathetic coward, and that cowardice had somehow kept him alive.

Is this kid an idiot, or... am I the weak one? Is is my lack of resolve all along?

"Because..."

Climb said one word and then he paused for a few seconds.

"...I'm a man"

A flame of rage built up inside Brain's mind. Climb's answer was an indirect insult for him, because that was the same as telling Brain that he was not a man. He knew that Climb was not aware of that, but the flame still built up anyway.

"Then you can die as a man"

Brain concentrated his might, radiating a sinister aura full of killing intent. He then went into battle stance, ready to draw his katana out from its sheath. So far, he had been only smacking Climb with the scabbard because he knew he would seriously injure Climb otherwise. But now he fully intended to unsheathe it and slash Climb with it.

While this was happening, Brain took another good look at Climb's face. What he saw was the face of a guy who still stood strong despite the visible fear on his beaten up face.

Why are you looking at me with that face?

Brain activated one Martial Art of his.

[Instantaneous Flash]

Run, run away like a coward!

Brain's perception was greatly enhanced, everything became a slow motion for him at this point.

Why are you not running away!?

Brain moved with extreme speed towards Climb, putting him within range of his katana.

Why are you still standing there!?

Brain began drawing his katana for a quick, yet lethal slash.

Are you not cherishing your life!?

In Brain's eyes, Climb still stood strong. He could see that Climb was trying his best to evade, but it would be useless. Brain had anticipated any evasion movements Climb would make. His strike would be precise, slashing through Climb's neck and separate his head from his body.

Just drop dead then!

WHOOSH!

Brain's slash went over Climb's head, missing by just one or two centimeters. Any closer than that would have given Climb a quick shave on the head. The slash had not been evaded by Climb. Instead, Brain had missed on purpose.

Climb fell down on his knees, beads of sweat ran down his face, and he was out of breath. Brain let out a sigh and quickly sheathed his katana.

"It's my loss"

"W-What...?"

"Before we talk any further, do you have healing potions for your face? I will pay for its worth later"

"Oh, yeah..."

Later, the two of them sat on the ground leaning to the wall of a building at the side of the empty land. Climb had splashed a healing potion on his face, so now his face was already back to pristine condition.

"Climb... How did you do that?"

"What...?"

"How could you stand strong facing my killing intent? I have faced many enemies, and most of them lost their will to fight the moment I let that out. The few that didn't were either stupid, or genuinely strong enough to fight me"

Brain paused for a second, and then he continued.

"When it comes to battle prowess, you are not much better than most of my enemies, and I feel you are not the same as those idiots who would run face first into their death. So how? I can't accept a short answer of you being a man!"

Am I really the weak one all along?

"I-I don't really know. Back then, I really thought that I would die. Your killing intent, it was real and overwhelming. I have no idea how I could withstand that, but..."

"But what?"

"Perhaps, it was the thought of my liege which sustained me"

"Your liege?"

"Yes. I thought of the person whom I serve, and it drove me to give my all"

Only that? How could he manage to stand strong with only that? Is there something more to that? Something I still fail to comprehend?

"I'm sorry that I can't provide better answers"

"Ah, it's fine. I only need some time to think this over"

"I'm going to return to the palace then"

"Give my regards to Stronoff if you meet him"

"I will. Thank you for the valuable lesson"

Climb stood up and bowed to Brain.

"It's the other way around, dude. I only beat you up, while you taught me a lesson"

"W-Wha...?"

Climb staggered hearing Brain's words. Brain stood up as well, and then he gave Climb a quite hard pat on the back.

"You're kind, and you're strong in something beyond physical strength. Walk with your head held high"

Climb and Brain separated ways. Brain, having no idea what to do for the rest of the day, walked aimlessly through the streets. But now his mind had somewhat reinvigorated from his encounter with Climb, and while his psychological trauma was still there, he had realized that there might be a light of hope for getting over it.


[X][X][X]


Lower Fire Month (9th Month), 3rd Day, 08:15

"Ainz-sama. May I request something?"

"What is it, Demiurge?"

Ainz was in his office in Nazarick, reading through reports along with Albedo assisting him. Though this time Demiurge was also there, seemingly interested in the recent reports, especially the ones coming from Sebas' masquerade mission.

"I believe you are planning to go to Sebas' place today, Ainz-sama?"

"Yes. Is something the matter?"

"The reports from Sebas piqued my interest, and I want to visit a particular place in the capital to check on that. So, if I may..."

"You want to hitch a ride on my Gate?"

"While that would be beneficial for my mana reserve, I can't ever imagine myself taking advantage of your benevolence"

"So what was the reason for asking if I plan to go there?"

"I merely want to make sure to time my visit so it won't interfere with the greater plan you have in mind"

"There's no such thing as greater plan in the current situation. In any case, I trust that it is for the benefit of Nazarick, isn't it? You have my permission, Demiurge"

"Thank you very much"

"Well, it is time already anyway. Come along, Demiurge"

"I humbly thank you for your generosity"

Ainz stood up from his desk, donned the mask and gauntlets he usually wore to conceal his undead nature, and casted the transportation spell.

[Gate]

"Take care of Nazarick while I'm away"

Ainz gave the command to Albedo as he walked to the dark portal.

"As you wish, Ainz-sama"

Both Ainz and Demiurge walked into the dark portal and disappeared from sight. Albedo couldn't help wondering why lately her supreme lord put so much effort on coexisting with inferior humans, but she decided to not question it further, because he must have thought of it thoroughly in a much bigger picture, far bigger than she could ever hope to imagine and comprehend.

"Ainz Ooal Gown..."

Albedo let out a heavy sigh.

"I can't... Ahh, I would love to hear that wonderful name again someday..."


[X][X][X]


Afterword:

So yeah, Climb still gets 'trained', but since the one training him is Brain instead of Sebas, the 'training' didn't have as much impact. In addition, Brain still needs some more time until he would figure out the secrets of Climb's strength since Sebas was not there to give him words of wisdom. All the major changes to the chain of events were merely caused by Swords of Darkness surviving Clementine's onslaught. It's butterfly effect in action.


Q And A:


Q: SoHunar needs to be killed as soon as possible before he can grow stronger?

A: Ideally, yes. However, Dark Falz can never be truly killed. They can only be weakened by making them suffer major defeats. They can also be sealed, but the price for doing that is very high and the seal is not really reliable.


Q: If we're going to guess here, what level is Ainz now with the Photon Disks he now learned? (Power Levels)

A: I'd say he's still the same level 100 Overlord. The photon techs in his possession were equivalent to Tier 9 Arcane Spell but with low cost. If we talk in game terms, the new spells he learned didn't improve his maximum damage, but they improved his long-term DpS thanks to their low cost. Learning a bunch of new Tier 9 spells didn't make him stronger directly, but it gave him more combat options which he could use to his advantage.


See you later.