Ch.13 Confusion
Justina rides her bicorn into the city as she claps her hands and four shadows appear before her. Within moments, her personal vampire brides appear in bowing positions "Yes, Lady Justina?" they all say in unison.
The Crimson Empress looks at her personal servants with an expecting gaze "Have you all been doing as I asked?" To which the four nod and she smiles "Good, because I have a new assignment for you all."
Palace
Ainz has gathered everyone in Justina's throne room as he sits in his makeshift ice throne with a table in front of him. He has finger to his head "I see, well, continue your role, Pandora's Actor." But there is no voice on the other end as Ainz stops communications with Pandora's Actor. He places his finger to his head once more and makes another call "Cocytus, I have an additional need of you and Lupusregina, and that is to keep an eye out for Flamel since she is out there somewhere, but I wish for you both to continue your duties that I assigned you."
"Yes my lord, I will do all that you ask of me without fail. I swear it." Cocytus responds from his location.
The remaining guardians and maids are gathered before him all of them bowing, but Shalltear does glare at Albedo for a moment.
Seeing this, Ainz considers "I guess it shouldn't surprise me that there's still bad blood between those two. I'll have to settle this later." He looks at the table before him and looks directly at Shalltear "Shalltear, is there a map of the surrounding land?"
She looks upon her lord with a smile "Yes, my Lord. I will be honored to grab it for you." She says as she stands and walks towards the side of Ainz and taps the floor with her foot as a small hatch opens up and a stand emerges from the floor with various scrolls on it as Shalltear picks one out and hands it to Ainz immediately.
He places it on the table and he notes the landscape "I do remember parts of this map as I crossed here from Carne. But I'd like more intimate details on certain areas. I can't help but notice these marked locations." He points on the map as there are parts marked with red circles.
"I will inform you, father." Justina's voices echoes as she emerges from a teleportation spell with her personal vampire brides at her side. She points to the map and explains "These areas that I've marked on the map are locations where I've discovered one or more human camps from the Slain Theocracy and their attempts to either sabotage my resources or spy on me. More often, they attempt both."
He looks at her "If you've found them more than once, why not make an attempt to force them to cease activities of this nature?"
Just looks upon her father and looks unsure as she responds "Because, I thought they knew a way to bring you back to us, and I thought if I pressured them indirectly, they'd be forced to summon a supreme being, and hope it would be you." She then goes to the stand and pulls out another scroll and shows it to her father "There's a legend in their texts that suggests that they once summoned a god who was, in their words, horrifying and otherworldly, and supposedly, this being impregnated a woman who birthed powerful children. These children decimated the Elf Kingdom and took the head of the king."
He looks at the scroll and there is text on it with a picture of what appears to be a robed figure with a woman kneeling to him naked and then another picture depicting her with children. "Wait, is this connected with what happened three hundred years ago?" He asks her "Around what time did this legend come into being?"
Looking at the scroll she answers "Around the time I was born, actually. I had considered the possibility that you were the god at one point, but I know you wouldn't abandon Nazarick to bed with a random whore, and if that was the case, I would have burned their nation to the ground for insulting your glorious appearance." Hey eyes glow with hatred imagining the thought.
"Hmmm, I don't know what to make of that. Albedo and Shalltear were originally NPCs in Yggdrasil, and it sounds like they were somehow tampered with. But if that legend were true, I doubt that the same entity did the same to that woman. Especially if she was impregnated through biological means, especially because I'm an undead and my body is….(looks at hands) lacking in the bodily necessities. I should see if Flamel has any information before I make a move on that. But for now, finding her is top priority. He thinks to himself while his servants watch him. Rather, he looks at Justina and sees her trembling a bit. "Maybe Justina needs a little more leeway. I am inside her Empire and she has worked hard to build it. She needs to understand that I'm not here to take it all away, but I still need the others, the ones my friends made."
Nervous, Justina asks "Is there there something you need, father?"
Almost as if normal, he looks at his daughter "Actually, I was thinking that maybe YOU should give me an order." And then everyone in the room all puts on looks of shock.
Standing up, Albedo immediately vocalizes "Lord Ainz, forgive me for saying, but that idea is asinine. HER give YOU an order? The very thought is beyond our comprehension." She states this as everyone's gazes seem to affirm her thoughts, but none of the others say a thing.
Bodly, he looks at his servants "The idea shouldn't be vexing in the slightest. After all, both Justina and Flamel were groomed to serve as my heirs. As such, they should be giving the orders to all of those in her service as well as those within Nazarick." He looks back at her "Now, if you wish to do so, I will follow any order you give."
Justina trembles and backs up a bit and looks at the servants nervously and her mother looks especially nervous. Barely turning her head to her father, he looks at her expectantly. She swallows some spit and barely lifts her finger "Okay….Fa…Father, I…I uh…I want you to…." She puts her hand down and gets on her knees trembling "I just can't do it…I'm not worthy of ordering a supreme being, let alone my father."
"Man, I thought she'd at least order me to get her some water. But maybe it was a bit too sudden. Given the view the others have of me, she was probably raised to think of me as a god rather than her dad." He thinks to himself for a moment, but then says "Very well, it may be too much for you to handle, so I'll rescind that offer." as he goes back to looking at the map.
Dilligently, Albedo steps up and walks to stand beside her Lord as Justina glares at her "Don't get too close to father, harpy." She threatens the succubus by holding her weapon towards.
"Justina, that is uncalled for." He tells her as she looks down at him once more and nods as she lowers her weapon and Albedo takes her position at his side.
She smiles at him with a blush, but then it turns to a frown. Understanding her feelings, Ainz stands before his most loyal guardian "Do not worry, Albedo. I promise to find her, and we'll discuss her actions then and no sooner."
She nods "Of course, Lord Ainz. I just wished that I thought about her feelings sooner. She's always been a rebellious child. But I incorrectly assumed it was her way of asserting her authority." She produces the plush of herself that her daughter made and looks at it, concerned "Rather, I should have known that she'd be afraid of meeting you. On more than once occasion, I had to discipline her over the use of your name."
Suddenly, he looks at her "And what form of discipline was this?"
"I slapped her for her insolence against you." She answers as her lord falls silent for a moment.
His eyes glowing, Ainz raises his voice "You raised your hand against your own child!? What possessed you to commit such an act?"
Suddenly, everyone's eyes turn to Albedo with Yuri looking shocked "You struck Lady Flamel?"
In spite of her loyalty, Narberal Gamma even adds "Lady Albedo, you've always been the most wonderful mother and absolutely loyal to her. Why would you do such a thing?"
Now the focus of scorn, Albedo says "She spoke ill of you, Lord Ainz. I was merely showing her that kind of language wouldn't be tolerated. When she said those things, I simply couldn't hold back my anger, but I never made her feel like she was unloved."
He looks enraged as his eyes glow a little bit "Albedo, striking your own child, nay, striking my child is an unacceptable act. I simply cannot believe you would do such a thing." He begins walking away from the room and mentioning "I will go and find her myself, and YOU will apologize to her, Albedo. For every single time and even more for even raising your hand." His body glows green for a moment and he relaxes a little.
Albedo falls to her knees begging "No, please to be cross with me, Lord Ainz. My heart can't bear the thought of you being angry at me."
He continues walking "We will discuss this further later, but I must find Flamel at once, and I know where to at least start."
The maids stand at his departure with Narberal bowing "Please, at least allow me to accompany you, Lord Ainz."
But he simply replies "No, I will venture alone, and that is an order."
He walks down further and Justina watches as her father walk alone down the hall and intends to find her missing sister without anyone with him, but she points at him and shouts "Father, I….I" Catching his attention, he turns towards her "I, Order you…I order you to take some of my knights with you!" her words echoing as everyone eyes all go to her as she trembles but she doesn't let up "I won't allow you to leave without at least a guard, so I'm ordering you to bring the knights you wanted command of."
He turns around, walks towards his daughter, and everyone remains silent. If Justina had a heartbeat, it'd be audible to all in the room. She swallows some spit as her father approaches with his imposing figure and powerful presence.
She remains firm and he approaches until he is mere inches away from her as he looks at her "Did I just hear you give me an order?" he asks with his voice sounding imposing and stern, but she merely nods, and he nods at her "Justina, I am very proud of you. That's more like an overlord to give orders, but it seems you still lack a fundamental understanding of what an order is. But this is still good for you. Very well, I will obey this order and bring a group of knights with me." His words puts the others at ease as Aura sighs with relief.
But after regaining composure, Justina looks at the guardians and adds "But, I'd also prefer it you'd bring Sebas and Aura with you, father. I still want to find out what's going on with my resources."
He nods "Very well, but I must prioritize finding Flamel." He looks at Albedo with slight disgust "But I will also take some of the battle maids with me in that case. I'll need to cover further grounds."
All the maids nod and he points towards Narberal and CZ and gestures to them to come to his side as he leaves with no other words as Justina falls onto her throne with a huge sigh of relief as her father leaves with his chosen guardians and maids as Albedo looks upset at his words.
But as they exit, Ainz reveals in his thoughts "I was already going to take them with me, but I think that this was just a time when a dad needs to give that little push to his kid. It worked out in the end, I'd say."
Justina sits in her throne and gestures to everyone "I need some time alone, so I want everyone to leave my throne room and help with father's ceremony tomorrow."
The others bow and leave without any argument, except Albedo, who bites her lip a bit and walks out of the room.
Shalltear also stays in the room with a look of concern "Is all well, Justina?"
The Vampire Empress sighs with exhaustion "That may have been the most daunting thing I have ever done in my entire life."
Smiling Shalltear bows "Well, it hasn't even been a full day, and Lord Ainz has already made a better ruler of her, but what should I expect from a supreme being." She leaves as her daughter sits while she gathers her mind.
?
Lupusregina jauntily walks down a meadow path with Cocytus following behind and they are both holding weapons. The werewolf maid simply has a bright skip in her step today as she happily walks.
"Lord Ainz is back…Lord Ainz is back, and it's the best day ever." She joyfully proclaims.
Cocytus continues to walk normally, but he does seem to have pep in his step "I couldn't agree more. I knew that our patience would be rewarded some day, and it's finally that day."
Lupusregina turns her head in all direction and looks a bit pouty "And it has to be the ONE day that Lady Flamel plays hooky on her mom. Jeez, I thought she was done with that phase."
"Hey, any order from Lord Ainz is among the greatest blessing we could hope for. No matter the circumstances, his words are like the grandest of instruments to our ears." The massive warrior rebukes.
While they walk, Lupusregins feels her foot nearly go through a hole and she stops dead in her tracks. She looks down to the ground and sees a massive hole in the ground, but it blended in so well with the region that she didn't notice.
She looks down below and sees a bunch of dead soldiers wearing red armor, and she looks a bit unnerved "Jeez, somebody did a number on these guys." She looks around and sees one soldier moving and she jumps down with her Crosier and she runs up to the fallen soldier with a smile "Hey, don't worry, I'll heal you up." She says as approaches him and uses her healing magic to help him out.
He struggles to get up, but he sees who helped him and he kneels in respect rather than tire "Lady Lupusregina, you saved me?" he asks with surprise.
She simply slings her weapon over her shoulder and nods "Don't sweat it, healing is my game. Now what happened here?"
Cocytus looks around and assesses "A powerful warrior must have been here, judging by the battle scars, and that these men are recently dead."
Below, the soldier explains while sweats runs down his face "We were on our way from aiding the mines after the attack, and then we encountered this young man with silver hair and black bangs and he…..he was unbelievable. I've only seen that kind of power from Lady Justina. He obliterated us with one attack, and he left without even a second thought. He also said…." Suddenly, he face turns to absolute terror "He said he was going after Lady Justina."
Upon hearing this, Lupusregina looks a bit annoyed "Well that's going to be a pain." She looks up towards Cocytus "Did you hear that, Lord Cocytus?"
Cocytus nods "Yes, but I doubt it'll be any trouble at all."
The soldier looks nervous and he stands up and declares "I need to get back and warn the empress." And he runs away without any interference from either of the two.
?
Ainz has finally left the capital's gates with Narberal Gamma, CZ2128 Delta, Aura, and Sebas along with a small squad of ten knights that all wear crimson armor as they march behind their Empress' father. Ainz enters a carriage with his personal guards as a knight sits atop the drivers position as a pair of powerful black horses appear and he readies the reins.
Sitting in a carriage once more, Ainz looks at his confined area with ease when looking at the servants of the Great Tomb "I must say that it feels good be in the presence of you all again, it brings me happiness."
The four servants all bow at his words with smiles on their faces.
Aura simply can't sit still as she kicks her feet "Oh man, I can't believe it. The first day back, and Lord Ainz is spending it with us!"
Diligently, Narberal looks at Aura "Lady Aura, please control yourself in Lord Ainz's presence."
"It is alright, Narberal. Aura's enthusiasm is most welcome. Honestly, I would it stranger if she weren't excited right now." He tells her.
Getting back to a previous moment, Narberal then puts on a concerned face "In all seriousness, Lord Ainz. Lady Albedo has always been a model mother. I promise I've never once seen your daughter cry when she was with her mother. So please don't be too cross with her." She then lowers her head with a look of guilt on her face "Please, pardon my outcry, my Lord."
He doesn't look Narberal's way, but rather he thinks "I don't like the idea of Albedo slapping her child. But it's honestly my fault anyway. When I made her fall in love with me, I should have guessed that certainly wasn't going to change with me being gone. I guess Albedo must have become more sensitive about me or being reminded." Now he looks at her "Do not worry, I am only upset with her in a light sense. I do expect her to apologize, but I will forgive her upon the moment happening." Narberal bows to her lord with a look of relief forming on her face. He further explains "Do not concern yourselves with my emotions. I am happy with all of your contributions in my absence. My only real concern is Nazarick's expansion. I've noticed that Flamel and Justina haven't been doing very much in that regard, and it's going to have be enforced after we've settled all these matters. I will have to also show my daughters why Nazarick should be their priority, not their own ventures."
Their lord's words are always great to them, and the servant's of Nazarick simply bow to their lord and his will.
?
Flamel is wandering aimlessly in her black bodysuit with the purple fauld as she sits under a tree with a sword in her hand, her Nikola sword and she fiddles with it while thinking "They're going to leave me. Justina is just going to follow them like a leech, but I can't deal with that." She grips her hands into fists, stands up, and punches the tree while her eyes roll in annoyance "And I absolutely hate it when arrogant people think they can sneak up on me!" she shouts and turns around.
Suddenly, a pair of young women with black hair appear from nowhere and they wear simple robes with no real designs on them and they have fair skin.
Flamel looks at them, and asks "So, which scripture do you two come from? I've seen those robes."
The two young ladies have blank expressions and charge at Flamel without any regard for anything. Flamel simply grabs her sword as the two charge at her, and she swiftly cuts them down as she slices them both in half without a moment's hesitation, nor any resistance as the two are bifurcated and their blood spills all over the area.
Flamel simply puts her sword away and then looks back at the tree, which is now covered in blood, and she notices something odd about it "That blood looks peculiar." She then takes a closer look and puts some in her fingers and smells it "It looks and smells normal, but…" she fiddles with it some more and it gains a silvery coloring for a brief moment, she looks at the corpses, and then thinks about other things "Wait, if I remember right, Keeno and I…" Her face turns shocked and she grips her hand "I've got to warn Justina and Shalltear." She then tries casting Gate as a portal opens, but it disappears "Damn it, I forgot Justina had that barrier around her city up. I've got to get back fast." She then begins running back where she came and then she remembers "I can just call her with magic." She begins to put her finger to her ear, but stops for a moment and starts breathing heavily and stops in her tracks as she falls to her knees "But if I call her now, who knows who else I'll hear."
Suddenly, she hears voices in her head belonging to all the guardians of Nazarick.
She's not fit to rule anything
We will not pledge any loyalty to a runaway
Ainz is who we really serve
You're just an imitation overlord
We've no need to be around you anymore
These thoughts are heard in echoes in her head as curls up into a fetal position and stops moving all together. Her paralyzing fears overwhelm her as the voices refuse to stop and the noises of the world mute as Flamel fails to think straight despite her desire to warn her sister of a potential danger.
