Hi, everyone! Today is the first anniversary of this story! Back then, this all started when I randomly thought of inserting my old PSO2 character into Overlord verse. Before I knew it I'm already quite into it, and here we are above 30 chapters in and covering six volumes already.

I don't have anything to say other than "Thank you!" to anyone who has been bearing with me. I have never expected to reach over 100 favorites and followers, and I'm genuinely delighted for that.

Also, thank you for those who gave comments and suggestions, either openly in reviews or through private message. Without those, the story would probably have become less interesting for me. (Seriously, Lily and Liz wouldn't be here without you. You know who you are)

Like I said before, I didn't prepare anything special for the anniversary day. I did update my gallery, though. Check it out if you like. Links are in my profile.

In any case, here's an intermission chapter with updated character sheets at the end. See you again soon.


[X][X][X]


Somewhere in The Universe, Unspecified Time

Outer space is vast. No arguing about that matter.

If you were floating in space and look around, you would see an overwhelming amount of twinkling stars in every direction. Pick any one star and try going there. Without any means of traveling faster than light, it would likely take much longer than a human's lifespan to get there. That is how vast universe is.

And yet, in one part of the universe, there was a ruin of a colossal spaceship. The length of which was approximately 70 kilometers. A number of much smaller ships flew around the ruin, scanning it for things that could be salvaged, and hopefully survivors as well.

This ruined spaceship had used to be Ur, ship number 002 of the numerous ships within ARKS Fleet. It had met its demise thanks to a Dark Falz attack, which was a rather common occurrence within the life of ARKS Fleet.

The combined effort of ARKS as a whole had managed to defeat the Dark Falz, causing it to retreat. However, Dark Falz can never be truly killed. Eventually, they would return and wreak havoc again. Ur was not the first casualty, and would not be the last.

Among the smaller ships, there was one quite larger than the rest. This one was about 150 meters wide, 100 meters long, and 15 meters tall with the shape similar to a half-circle with a vertical pair of twin thrusters at each side. From the center to the back-center part of the ship was a large room containing seats for tens of people, and the back-end part of the room contained a circular pedestal filled with glowing water and soil. A large, lush, seven meters tall tree stood on this pedestal. Its trunk, branches, and leaves were all green, and the tree as a whole was sparkling with light particles.

Nearby this pedestal, there was a man walking in circles anxiously. His black hair was straight and reached his neck, with a long ponytail reaching his waist behind. The right part of his face was covered by a rather sinister-looking white half-mask with red lines and eye. He wore a rather large headphone, the color of which was black with white edges, contrasting his overall dark color theme. His mostly black outfit was, to describe it shortly, disheveled. As a whole, it fully covered his body from neck to toe, making his face the only body part with exposed skin. But it had torn edges all over, with a cape that only covered the left part of the body. Overall, this man looked like a ragged desert wanderer.

"Mushi. Worrying won't make it any better. Sit down and keep calm"

Another man with spiky medium-length hair and wearing a tidy black long coat was sitting on one of the seats.

"Easier said than done, Kusa"

The two men were part of IGNITE team, Kusaiki and Yukasa Seika. The latter being a hero of ARKS, who had played a crucial role in a past battle against Dark Falz Loser, ultimately thwarting their quest for omniscience. Right now Yukasa, usually nicknamed as 'Mushi' by his fellow team members, was worried sick because his brother, Ryu Seika, had gone missing ever since a recent Dark Falz attack which had destroyed Ur.

The ship they were in was a spaceship given to registered ARKS teams without exception. IGNITE was one of the many registered ARKS teams, so naturally they got one. The members have been using this spaceship as refuge after the destruction of Ur.

Soon, a man appeared from the teleporter at the front end of the room. Like Kusaiki, he had spiky medium length hair, but he wore a pair of demon horns as a head accessory. This man was Mikuo Matsui Ushio, usually called Mat by others. He was the leader of IGNITE. He walked a bit from the teleporter, and then with a disappointed expression he shrugged and shook his head.

"Nope, still no sign of him"

What Mat had said didn't make Yukasa felt any better. But then another person appeared from the teleporter. This time, rather than a person, he was an android. To be exact, a CAST. The definition of CAST was an ARKS operative who had undergone a body modification for various reasons. Normally, a CAST was a cyborg; part mechanical, part biological. However, this cape-wearing, jet-black with green lines CAST was a fully artificial android.

"You better have a good news, Yamino"

Yukasa spoke with a rather hopeful tone. The android was Yamino Seika, the guardian of Seika siblings. Though to be exact, his devotion was mainly focused on the sole sister of the siblings; Hikaru Seika, who right now was sitting at one corner without saying anything.

"I dunno if this is a good news but..."

Despite being an artificial android, Yamino spoke fluently like how a human naturally spoke, though he had been complaining for ages about his voice sounding like a female even though he had been made male.

"What?"

"As you already know, all civilians and operatives in Ur, dead or alive, have been counted. The only one still missing is Ryu. Doesn't it already sound unusual?"

"Of course. ARKS has the technology to search for people quickly without missing. A powerless civilian can be found within a short time, let alone a photon-capable operative"

"Right, now here's the interesting part. Teeheehee"

Yukasa sighed with a facepalm, seeing that Yamino still found time to do that signature lame laugh in a time like this.

"I hacked the logs of Ur Lobby Area computers which thankfully were still pretty much intact, and I found that right about the time of the Dark Falz attack, a Gate Ship was launched without proper authorization. The Gate Ship itself is still missing until now"

Hearing Yamino's words made Yukasa's expression change. A small light of hope was kindled within his mind.

"...Are you telling me that..."

"I still can't say for sure, but we can bet on the off chance that Ryu-jiji was the one using that Gate Ship, can't we?"

"Definitely"

Some cheers could be heard from other people within the ship from the moment they heard those words. As a whole, IGNITE was already like one big happy family, so hearing the hopeful news was very delightful for everyone.

"Thank you, Yamino. I will try to ask Xiao if he can help pinpointing the location of that Gate Ship"

"Teeheehee, no problem"

The conversation didn't continue because suddenly four people teleported in. All four of them were women, and they were all IGNITE members. Everyone in the team knew three of them as Snow Trio, consisting of Katalynn Axilis, usually called Snow, Courina Subaru, usually called Su, and Sakurazaki, usually called Saku. The fourth one was Kurohime Zebra, usually called Zeb by others.

Snow walked a bit from the teleporter with straight, serious face. She then began speaking.

"We got news from higher ups. A new planet is now targeted by Darkers. However, they still need time to calibrate the warp drive, unless you want to risk your Gate Ship blown to pieces warping there"

Yukasa approached Snow and asked a question.

"Snow, can you give me the coordinates of that planet?"

"Sure"

Both Snow and Yukasa activated their photon interface. Soon, Yukasa seemed to be thinking over the data he had just received.

"Hmm... Yamino, is there any logs on the Gate Ship's last known location?"

"Yes. Here, I'm sending it to you"

Yukasa then pondered over both data. His face seemed serious.

"What's the matter?"

"Maybe this is just coincidence but... If I cross reference the location of this Ur ruins and the last known position of the Gate Ship, the resulting line points straight towards that planet"

"Do you mean that whoever was in that Gate Ship, might be Ryu-jiji to boot, is now all alone against Darkers on that planet?"

"It's a possibility. Snow, did they tell you how long it will take to calibrate?"

"Weeks, maybe even months. The disturbance towards the coordinate is abnormal"

"I guess we have no choice. I believe none of us want to risk additional casualties"

Yukasa let out a little sigh. Yamino agreed with him.

"Yeah, Ryu-jiji won't be happy if we risk it and he finds out. Let's hope for the best, I guess. We all know that Ryu-jiji is one of our best Force, right? He won't go down easily"

Everyone nodded in agreement. But soon, Yamino looked around.

"By the way... where's Hikaru? I thought she already came back here before me"

"What? I could have sworn she was here just a minute ago"


[X][X][X]


Singing Apple Pavilion, Arwintar, Unspecified Time

The inn named Singing Apple Pavilion was widely accepted among Workers in Arwintar as their home base. There were various reasons for that, either beneficial or simply going with unwritten tradition.

Inside one of the rooms, there was a girl sitting on one of the two beds. She looked a little down, seemingly not knowing what she should do. Foresight, a team of four Workers, had provided her and her companion this decently comfortable room. In exchange, Sheep, her companion, had to work for Foresight.

Both Sheep and all members of Foresight knew this girl as Rose, a poor, helpless girl who had been tortured by adventurers and now was psychologically broken from the traumatic experience.

At least that was what they believed.

"Rose... Can you hear me down there?"

"..."

"Rose...?"

"Yeah, I can hear you"

"Do you really want to keep doing this...?"

In truth, the one currently in control of the body was Meru. Her clothes was still the one worn by Rose because they had found a way to switch without their clothes switching along. Meru had been in control since not long after the traumatic day, and Rose had never switched with her again ever since.

"Yeah"

"But... isn't this... lying?"

"No! I'm not lying to her! I'm really scared of this planet now!"

"Rose..."

"Look! At any second, someone can just snap their finger and you're paralyzed, bound, or in pain. Or all at once. Who's to say that there's no worse effect like death!?"

Meru didn't reply to Rose, because she felt Rose had a point. Moreover, despite the more aggressive personality, Rose actually was more afraid of death than Meru, who would sacrifice her own life willingly for greater good if need be.

"But why should I play helpless like this?"

"If she knows we're not helpless, she will just tell us to be strong and leave"

In truth, despite being quite traumatized, Rose had not become broken at all. She simply had just realized the true danger of this planet. Her fear was amplified by the fact that she was cut off from ARKS Fleet, which meant everything would have much bigger consequences on her than normal. She had begged Meru to play the role of helpless, broken girl to prevent Sheep from leaving her, and indeed Meru was quite good at playing the role.

"But Rose... Don't you remember that Sheep is all the way here away from her home, wherever it is, to look for someone?"

"..."

"That someone might be important to her, but she put that aside for our sake. Don't you think that tying her up with us like this is wrong?"

"But..."

"Rose, I love you like my own twin sister, but I can't go troubling other people this far. Especially someone as kind as Sheep"

Before Rose could reply to Meru, someone entered the room. There was no knocking because that was Sheep, who shared the room together. She still looked the same as before, except that her horns were invisible and both her eyes were the same black color. Thanks to the illusion magic casted on her, she looked like a normal human now.

"How are you, Rose?"

"I... I'm fine..."

Sheep smiled a little and approached Meru. She then sat on the same bed, right next to Meru.

"Is there something you need, Rose?"

"I..."

"Rose, I want you to come clean. But I won't force you. Tell me, what do you want me to do?"

"Meru, switch... I will do it myself"

"Alright"

Rose twitched a little as the switch happened. Sheep was a little startled seeing the sudden twitch.

"Are you alright, Rose? You just... twitched"

Rose then stood up from the bed, positioned herself right in front of Sheep facing her, and stood still. Her face showed worry and regret.

"Rose?"

Rose then dropped into prostration.

"I'm really sorry, Sheep"

Sheep was surprised seeing the sudden action.

"What's the matter, Rose? Why the sudden-"

"I have been lying to you"

"What...?"

Rose then, while staying in her prostrated position, confessed the fact that she had not become broken from the traumatic experience, and also the fact that she actually could fight well. Sheep listened while still sitting on the bed, her face remained straight.

"I merely didn't want you to leave me, so I feigned being broken. I'm sorry, Sheep. I really am"

There was a silence for several seconds. Sheep then sighed.

"And I thought I had someone in the same boat"

Rose raised her head, she was confused about what Sheep had just said. Sheep's face showed disappointment, and Rose began to worry seeing that.

"S-Sheep... What do you mean by that?"

"Isn't that obvious already?"

"Rose... I think she meant that she is a broken person for real"

"What? She doesn't look like it!"

"Remember what she said, Rose. Things may not be what they seem"

"Sheep... You mean... You are broken... for real?"

Another few seconds of silence without anyone moving, and then Sheep sighed again.

"I used to be human, just like you"

Rose couldn't hide her surprise, but she didn't say anything.

"Well, until that bastard Luther did this"

"Who...?"

"Doesn't matter. He's dead"

"Oh..."

"But what is already broken can never be repaired"

Sheep looked at her own hands, then she covered her left eye with one hand. Shortly after, she raised her hand and touched her invisible horns. And then she sighed again.

"Sheep... I'm sorry for you"

"I don't need your sympathy"

"How can I make up for what I have done to you?"

"Come closer, Rose"

Hearing Sheep's words, Rose slowly stood up and walked to her. She felt the weight of the guilt inside, and she was worried about what would happen next. She would accept a scolding, or even a hard slap in the face. Anything but being left alone.

Once Rose was literally right in front of Sheep, she stood up and looked directly at Rose's face. Feeling guilty, Rose couldn't bring herself to look at Sheep in the eyes, and therefore she hung her head, looking down.

Click!

Rose felt a light pain on her forehead. Being a little surprised, she raised her head. That was the moment she realized that Sheep had just given her a forehead flick. She also saw that Sheep was smiling again.

"You silly. I won't leave you all alone. I said so, didn't I?"

"But... aren't you looking for someone? I thought... I thought you would leave once I got over it"

"Are you?"

"What?"

"Are you getting over it already?"

Rose was speechless over Sheep's question. There was a silence for a few seconds.

"I... I don't know..."

"Then you're still not over it"

Sheep then gently hugged Rose again.

"Don't worry Rose. I won't leave you until I'm sure you will be fine without me. My search can wait"

Rose couldn't help feeling touched by Sheep's kindness. She now really regretted having lied to her.

"Thank you, Sheep. Really"

"Heh, moreover..."

"What?"

"If my shepperd sees me here, he's gonna kill me"

"Huh?"

"Just kidding"

"Oh come on, Sheep"

"Teeheehee"

Sheep laughed a little as they released their hug. Rose couldn't believe how Sheep still found time to joke around in what should have been a touching moment in any story. Though Rose must admit that it had helped to cheer her up.


[X][X][X]


Afterword:

I decided to put an intermission before getting into the next chapter, because writing a fight scene is more difficult and I need some more time to complete it. It's already more than halfway in the works, so it shouldn't take too long.

Did you notice the 'real' counterparts of the supporting characters back in "Bloodied Village" chapter?

In any case, see you again later.


Updated Character Sheets


Name: Ryu Seika

Height: 173 cm

Appearance: See cover image or gallery

Class: Force level 70

Sub Class: Techer level 70

Skill Build: Thunder Element and Dark Element focused

Main Weapons: Weddle Park Rod, Gal Wind Talis

Reserve Weapons: Rod of Caduceus, Wand of Elysion, Dahgash Talis, Metal Ignis Talis, Heretic Saw Talis, Motav Prophecy Talis, Seimei Kikami Talis

Special Perks:

*. Photon Inventory. Works the same way as Ainz's inventory system.

*. Photon Armor. A defensive invisible energy shield, giving protection to the whole body.

*. Photon Clothing. Enables instant change of clothes.

*. Photon Blast - Julius Nifta. Creates an energy sphere which pulls everything within one kilometer radius into it and disintegrates those touching the sphere.

*. Ring of Minor Protection. Guards against all low level ailments.

*. Ring of Nullification. Guards against harmful spells up to tier two. Has three charges which replenishes each day.

*. Flight Necklace: Enables the use of [Fly] spell


Name: Lily Vangraf

Height: 148 cm

Appearance: See gallery (Link at author's profile)

Class: Loyal Dog (Level 5), The Creature Within (Level 27)

Equipment:

Winged Helmet of Vedrfolnir. Enchanted, increases maximum HP, passively regenerates HP.

Breastplate of Vedrfolnir (With cape). Enchanted, reduces stab damage, reduces fire damage.

Gauntlets of Vedrfolnir. Enchanted, increased resistance to poison, increased resistance to paralysis.

Greaves of Vedrfolnir. Enchanted, 10% chance to survive with 1 HP upon taking fatal damage.

Twin Swords of Vedrfolnir. Enchanted, adds arcane damage, enabling it to deal damage to ethereal beings.

Simple Red Shirt

Simple Black Shorts

Simple Black Socks

Ring of Nullification. Guards against harmful spells up to tier two. Has three charges which replenishes each day

Flight Necklace: Enables the use of [Fly] spell

Special Perks:

*. Vedrfolnir's Flight (5 pieces): Substantial increase of agility and stamina

*. The Creature Within: Increase of all stats according to level

*. Photon Arts: Various foreign attack moves, bestowed by Ryu


Name: Alice Vegelshaft (Liz)

Height: 154 cm

Appearance: See Gallery (Link at author's profile)

Level: 22

Talent:

Hierophant of Language: Able to instantly learn new language if certain conditions are met. Also can instantly bestow knowledge of already known language to other people at great mana cost.

Job Levels:

Wizard: Level 6

Sorcerer: Level 4

Elementalist (Fire): Level 5

Scholar: Level 7

Equipment:

Ordinary Headband

Noble Wizard's Robe

Simple Short Dress

Leather Trousers

Leather Boots

Staff of Lesser Mana Regeneration

Flight Necklace: Enables the use of [Fly] spell

Special Perks:

Photon Techs: Various foreign spells, bestowed by Ryu.


Name: Mel Rose (Meru and Rose)

Height: 144 cm

Appearance: See Gallery (Link at author's profile)

Class: Force level 75 (Meru), Braver level 75 (Rose)

Sub Class: Techer level 75 (Meru), Fighter level 75 (Rose)

Skill Build (Meru): Fire, Dark, and Light element focused.

Skill Build (Rose): Full offensive glass cannon

Main Weapons (Meru): Nox Lipher Rod, Nox Krieg Talis

Main Weapons (Rose): Nox Sagephus Katana

Reserve Weapons: Koushousen Talis (Meru)

Special Perks:

*. Photon Inventory. Works the same way as Ainz's inventory system.

*. Photon Armor. A defensive invisible energy shield, giving protection to the whole body.

*. Photon Clothing. Enables instant change of clothes.

*. Photon Blast - Ketos Proi. Gradually heals and significantly regenerates mana while it is active.


Name: Sheep (Real name: ?)

Height: 155 cm

Appearance: See Gallery (Link at author's profile)

Race: Demon(?)

Level: ? (At least higher than 50)

Class Level:

? level ?

? level ?

Equipment:

Unknown Demonic Bow

?

White Fluffy Hat

Unknown Outfit (?)

Special Perks:

Conceal Object: Illusion magic casted on her horns to make them invisible

Alter Object Color: Illusion magic casted on her left eye to make it identical in colors to her other eye

? Storage (?): Able to store her demonic bow in some kind of spatial magic