Ch.12 The Guardian's Reunion
Author's Note- Sorry about the delay, but I've had to work more lately due to us losing people. I will try to keep my word from here on after this chapter.
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In a dark dreary room, two young people sit in simple chairs and they both wear similar outfits consisting of slim black and gold ornate armor with a cloth around their waists with one, a young woman with long hair that is one part black that fades into silver at the ends of her hair and two eyes with one silver and the other black as she fiddles with a small box. The other is a young man with short disheveled silver hair with black bangs and he also has two colored eyes with one of black and the other silver and he is holding a book and quickly flips through the pages as his fingers dance with the paper.
Out of nowhere "Well, it seems you two have had a productive day." A voice casually echoes through the room as the two just continue their little things. A figure appears as they warp into the room with magic as a hole in the space around the area appears holding a scythe and wearing a cloak with a hood covering their head. They casually walk behind the young woman.
"What news do you have to report, brother?" the young woman bluntly asks looking at the cloaked person.
He then removes his hood revealing his face as he has short straight hair that is black with silver tips and he also shares the two eye colors but he distinctively has two pointed ears, but the other two have their hair covering their ears. He happily pulls out his book and flips the pages humming all the while. He stops suddenly and excitedly exclaims "I discovered a new species of honey bee." He points to a drawing of bee that he drew with lines and notes about the parts.
The young woman looks at picture, but frowns at its sight "Why can't you have a more practical hobby. Mother raised us better than that." She shakes her head and continues fiddling with her box.
Disliking her comment "My hobby has given me new information, and helped us progress. I learned they're cultivating a new type of honey, but I can't say for what yet."
"Maybe their finding a way to sweeten their tea some more." The other young man casually responds as he continues with his own book."
Almost sarcastically, the young man with short hair points to a skull sitting on a shelf with a smile telling them "Hey, let's not start an argument with grandfather in the room, we'll upset him."
The young woman looks at the skull too and smiles saying "Oh of course. We worked so hard to bring him to mother. We shouldn't ruin our family over pettiness."
A door opens as a woman enter the room immediately saying "What's this about ruining our family?" She walks towards the other three looking at the scythe "My dear son, why did you steal mommy's scythe?"
He looks at the scythe and lightly holds it "You put it away while you bathed, so I borrowed it for my little mission, that's all."
This woman is none other than Zesshi Zestumei. Despite three hundred years passing, she has barely aged at all only being a tiny bit taller and she now has a scar on the left half of her neck that reaches part of her chin.
She casually takes back her scythe while asking her apparent son "Was it really necessary to take a weapon at all?" However, she puts her hand to her chin thinking "Or…what kind of mission was it?"
He goes back to his book "Not worth mentioning." He casually shrugs off the mission, but he does show her the picture with a smile "But I did get this interesting view, Mother."
Zesshi simply smiles "What an eccentric boy…." She then simply gazes at the skull remarking "I really wish you all would toss that thing."
The young woman continues with her box and she looks at Zesshi with a grin "What do we owe the pleasure, mother? Did you perhaps meet another Suttor? Someone who defeated you again?" Ignoring her words about the skull.
Looking disappointed as she puts her hand to her face "Unfortunately no. I haven't even gazed upon a proper man since your father." But then she blushes slightly and remembering "Oh your father was an unbelievable man, just remembering him stirs up many things in me."
The young woman then hands her mother something causally "You may use this if you'd like." The object that she hands her is something a bit phallic in shape, but this is all that's needed to know.
Before anything else, Zesshi looks at the other young man with wonder "And are you going back to the Crimson Empire? I thought you were there until a moment ago." He ignores her remaining silent. "Perhaps I should have asked for a talkative child instead of a powerful one." she remarks to his silence.
He throws her his book, which she catches with ease, and nonchalantly remarks "Mom, I'm going back to the Crimson Empire. I want to see I can fight someone good enough to beat you."
Border
While riding on Hamsuke, Albedo and her team arrive at the border of the Empires, a patch of land where the forest ends and is followed by a large plain area of grass and hills. Before anything else, Albedo looks at Initas and orders "Go back to Mercuria and continue your duties."
The commandant's face to turns to surprise "But, Great Mother Albedo, I wish to meet milady's father."
"No, you will return to the capital, conduct your duties, and maybe Lord Ainz will visit and you can bask in his greatness then. That's it, and you will not argue." She rebukes.
Swallowing some spit, Initas bows "Yes, Great Mother Albedo. Forgive my impertinence." She then runs away back towards the capital. After this Albedo reaches under her outfit and pulls out a talisman and holds it up to the air and a red barrier appears in front of her.
Annoyed, she bites her lip slightly "I should have known that bloodsucker wouldn't like me crossing the border unannounced." She turns her vision towards Entoma and Solution and holds out her hand ordering "I need either one of your borders passes."
Solution swiftly reaches into her body as her hand goes inside her chest and she pulls out a medallion with Justina's insignia on it. She tosses to Albedo questioning "I don't see why we couldn't have used Gate to get here or even to the gates, it would have saved more time."
Narberal Gamma plainly responds to her sister's inquiry "Of course, you weren't there when Lady Flamel ordered that no one use teleportation magic within the borders of the Philosopher's Empire."
"Why would she order that?" Entoma asks curiously.
Narberal looks at her sister explaining "Teleportation magic can be used by us to spy on the other sister. If I recall, Justina did order Lupusregina and even you to spy on Lady Flamel a few times."
Scoffing at the thought, Solution puts her hand to her face, annoyed" That is a foolish order and it greatly inconveniences us. I hardly find it wise to punish us for following our orders."
Solution's words are heard by her sisters, and Yuri rebukes "It is not our place to refute the overlord's orders, Solution."
"And what if Lord Ainz were to order the abolishing of that law?" Solution argues to her elder sister's claim.
However, Albedo turns to the maid with a stern look on her face "That is enough. Flamel's orders are absolute. We serve and obey, that is the deceleration we made, no matter how impractical her orders are." Albedo takes the talisman from Solution and holds it up to the barrier as the red insignia glows on the medallion while a hole opens up on the surface of the barrier.
Solution simply grimaces and nods but her Yuri notices "She must be very anxious to see Lord Ainz again. It's no wonder she's so critical right now." She thinks to herself trying to be as diligent as possible.
The group crosses through the hole in the barrier and make their way through the border. Once they cross the boundries of the border, Albedo looks until they are completely passed the barrier.
Albedo's eyes glow a bit "Stop!" she orders as everyone completely stops moving all together. She then turns with Hamsuke following her lead as Albedo's heart races "That's far enough. We've exited the border and will continue with teleportation magic to Garudas and finally….(blushes)….finally….." He breathing turning heavy, Abedo's heartbeat is almost audible to her allies and she even drools a bit "We'll finally be with Lord Ainz once more." And she smiles with lust in her eyes just like before.
However, Yuri reminds Albedo "Don't forget, Justina has a barrier around Garudas to keep trespassers from teleporting directly into the city."
While Solution simply remarks "A much more practical idea, if you ask me." And Yuri alongside Narberal gaze at Solution and she decides to shut her mouth with a simple scowl on her face.
Inside her canopy, Flamel sits awake wearing her pajama dress and sits in a fetal position and her heart races as well while she cries "I'm almost out of time. I have to think quickly…" she weakly says under breath.
Crimson Empire- Garudas
Justina rides atop her Bicorn wearing her armor through the streets of her city and looks at her people without so much as a word as the sunlight shines on her without her even flinching as her armor shimmers under the light. The city has many buildings of stone and rock with many blacksmiths working daily as Justina looks at an opened hut and sees a blacksmith outfitting a knight, who nods to his empress. There are very few large buildings aside from the palace and the gates surrounding the city but there is a fountain which is producing clean water that many humans are gathered around to get drinking water and to cook with. Justina looks at the people who in turn look at her with awe.
"The Empress is showing herself!"
"Lady Justina, please let me look at you!"
"Please, keep ruling us!"
She listens to her people and smiles slightly at them while waving "I trust you'll all be in attendance tomorrow." Her voice calm and gentle, her people just raise their arms and shout their loyalty to her. However, her eyes glow red for a moment and she gets a vision.
Outside the capital's gate, Albedo and her squad appear from a spell that transports them right at the gates of Garudas. The stop for a moment and Justina sees Albedo's lips moving and reads them "We're so close Lord Ainz. I can feel his presence…it's so radiant" She looks up and sees Justina's surveillance system, a bat perched on the gates covered in slim armor.
Justina growls at seeing Albedo "That rancid succubus has the gall to trespass in my empire….(grits her teeth) I won't stand for that." She then jumps off of her bicorn, holds her hand up, and casts "Vampire Shadow" as her body dissipates by turning into a swarm of bats and they fly away.
Outside the gates, Albedo and her team approach to open them as a swarm of bats flocks in front of them acting as a wall.
"Filthy winged vermin!" Albedo shouts as she produces her weapon and readies to destroy the bats in front of her while the others simply stay at bay.
"That's far enough, Albedo!" Justina's voice echoes as a flock of bats gather and her silhouette appears within the swarm and her body completely appears as she looks menacingly at the guardian. Justina pulls out her own weapon and points it at Albedo "I'm not letting you take a single step forward. Now turn around, and go back before I lost even more of my patience."
Albedo puts down her weapon but sternly looks at the other daughter of her beloved with eagerness "I will not. We have come here so that we may gaze upon Lord Ainz's greatness once more."
Laughing a little, Justina smiles condescendingly "Oh, I should have guessed you'd be impatient in wishing to see him again. Unfortunately for you, he's gone for the moment."
"Liar!" Albedo shouts back "I can feel his presence among the filth in your feeble city, Blood Sucker"
Knowing that Albedo is anxious and losing her composure, Yuri steps in and politely requests "Lady Justina, we simply couldn't contain our anticipation. Please, just allow us to see him and we'll go peacefully."
Albedo looks at Yuri and takes a deep breath while looking back at Justina "I do not like the idea of a limited view, but I am willing to compromise if it means I at least gaze up Lord Ainz, even for the briefest of times would ease my heart immensely. So I swear that we'll leave if we are granted this much."
While putting her finger to chin and thinking, Justina looks at the maids, who appear to be a bit anxious even with stoic expressions, and then she looks at the canopy "Am I to assume my cow of a sister is hiding in that construct?" she asks.
Albedo glows with a dark purple aura and an angered look forms on her face "Do not refer to her as a cow, parasite! Lord Ainz only came here because you got to him first." She then points to the curtain stating "Flamel is waiting to see her father, and has been preparing to make herself known to him, as have I."
Justina's eyes glow crimson as she declares "I do not like your attitude, old hag! I will have you know that father chose to come here of his own will. Also, I think it's hardly appropriate to defile father's presence looking like you have just got out of bed. I took a nap, then I bathed, brushed my teeth, sharpened my fangs, got my clothes cleaned, got my makeup on, styled my hair, and even ate some specialty herbs to ensure my breath would be pleasant to him."
Albedo smirks at this "But did you also apply perfume to yourself?"
Suddenly, Justina's eyes go blank and she turns around while twiddling her fingers "Um….No….I sorta…forgot….." she says quietly to herself.
While having her hand proudly to her chest "I on the other hand, have applied a goodly amount of the very same perfume that I so happily used to rub into his sheets and remind him of Nazarick as well as my loyalty."
Inside Garudas
Ainz is with Sebas and Aura as they prepare to depart for the farming areas. Then, he sees a swarm of bats around the gates of the city "Why are there bats circling one area?" he questions.
Aura looks down and disappointed "Oh man, I really wish she wouldn't bring those guys in broad daylight. They're still getting used to it."
Curious about her query, he asks "Aura, are those bats Justina's?"
She nods "Yeah, she's been making bats and vampires that can withstand sunlight, but we're still testing them."
He begins walking "Very well, I will go see this myself. Stay here and we'll depart once I return." Aura and Sebas nod and simply stay put.
Outside
Cringing a bit as their arguing continues, the Crimson Empress growls a bit but a commanding presence is felt and a familiar voice "Why all the bats, Justina?"
Without a second breath, Albedo and the other maids gasp in awe at the sound of the voice, the voice of the greatest Supreme Being. Moments later, he appears to them walking through the swarm of bats.
Shocked, Justina looks upon her father "I thought you had already left." She wonders upon seeing him approach.
He walks as if nothing is there and stands next to her "I was almost on my way, but then I saw this swarm of bats and it aroused my curiosity."
He turns his head to look at towards the group, but his gaze is only met with a glow of yellow and a vision of black as he is knocked on his back and he sees the sky in a matter of seconds.
Just as he should expect, he looks shockingly at Albedo's face as she has a complete gaze of lust with tears and a smile on her face "Lord Ainz! It is true! I never doubted it, but I had to see you with my own eyes! You truly have returned!" She grabs at his robes "We should celebrate with a joyous melding of our forms…"
Of course, Ainz frantically orders "Uh,Stop, Albedo….Get off of me!" She tries tearing off his clothes "Let go of me!"
Justina, seeing this, immediately grabs Albedo by the back of her clothes "Get off of father, hussie!" She tries to tear Albedo off of her father, but it is like trying to pull a tooth, hard and painful as Albedo won't let go and uses her power to push Justina back a bit. Justina looks at the battle maids "Get over here and help me pull her off, that's an order!"
But the maids don't obey, Yuri reminding her "We serve Lady Flamel. I'm sorry, Lady Justina."
Putting a frown on, Justina clenches her fist, but Ainz shouts "Do as she says! Albedo is being really aggressive right now!"
Without a moment's hesitation, the battle maids leave their positions and run over to get out Albedo off of their lord. Inside her canopy, Flamel sees the maids going to help her father with her mother's aggressive advances. She looks behind and sees an empty landscape starts breathing heavily "I can't do this…not right now." She sees that no one is looking her direction and makes a decision.
Moments later, Ainz is back on his feet while taking a moment to calm down as Albedo is being held by Solution and Yuri. She is breathing heavily and is taking her own moments to calm down as well.
Finally, after the scene calmed down, Ainz regains composure and his servants bow to him to hear his decree "I am sorry that the first thing you saw of me was that…unorthodox sight."
Albedo immediately puts on a look of worry and her eyes filled with tears "Forgive me, Lord Ainz! I simply could not control myself. I was so overcome with your presence that I lost all other thoughts." She desperately apologizes for her actions.
However, Ainz simply extends his arm "Albedo, come here, but please be calm."
Heart beats fast still as she approaches her lord and she gently reaches for his hand and he lightly holds her hand much to her delight, but his tone becomes somber "Albedo, I am truly sorry for the sorrow you've felt due to my absence. Further, I must also extend my gratitude for raising and nurturing our daughter."
Her face turning euphoric, Albedo immediately says "Not at all, Lord Ainz. Even when left us, you were kind enough to leave us not one, but two daughters to remember you by. Even it wasn't you, it was more than enough to give me hope, it gave me a reason to keep going. Do not apologize, I have you again, and I also have our daughter. I couldn't ask for a more perfect world now."
Ainz nods "But I still feel I owe you an apology for imposing such a responsibility on you without my presence."
Narberal immediately stands to inform her lord "She was not alone. We all contributed and brought up Flamel and Justina."
Justina even chimes in as she steps closer to her father and looks serious explaining "Yes, father. The battle maids and all the floor guardians protected and nurtured me and my sister. Because I know they care about us, I don't blame them for…(rubs her side)….this. Because I know they wouldn't have allowed it to happen."
Yuri, Narberal, and Solution all look visibly upset at seeing Justina rub the area where her scar is.
Ainz then asks "I understand that you were all anxious to gaze upon me again, but I wonder. How are preparations going for the summit?"
Confused, Albedo look at her lord "Summit? I don't understand, Lord Ainz. Did you request a summit?" she asks.
"Did Flamel not inform you that I requested a summit in a couple of days? I wish to inform all of the denizens of Nazarick of my return." He responds back.
These words make everyone that can express themselves look a bit surprised as Albedo approaches the canopy with a concerned look "Flamel, did you happen to…"She flips open the curtain and is surprised when she sees it empty. She jumps into the canopy in a shock "Flamel!" she calls out as she looks all over the sheets and finds nothing but her pajamas. She holds the outfit and panics "She's gone…" She retreats outside and shouts "Flamel's gone!" as everyone gasps with surprise.
Ainz personally walks up and checks the canopy and looks around wondering "Did she use teleporting magic? No, I would have seen that." He then finds the plushie of himself hidden under a pillow "Figures, Albedo probably made this for her." But then he finds the one of Albedo and sees that it is crudely made compared to the one of him "I guess Flamel made this one….Wait, why this one out, and the one of me wasn't? She must have been awake when she left….unless…" He looks at the opposite side and sees that curtain is slightly moving. He then gets an idea "Hmm, I guess I'm dealing with a parents conundrum, a runaway." He says to himself. He leaves the canopy and looks at his still present daughter "Justina, may I have the use of your armies for a moment?" he requests as she nods without hesitation. He simply says "If she's run away, then I'll simply have to find her by any means necessary, such as a parent should."
