Ch. 17 Aftermath
The young man stands before the denizens of Nazarick, looking completely unfazed by their power. Ainz looks upon the young man, as he inspects him a bit.
"Hmm, his stats are far higher than the others. Probably around an event boss's, if I had to compare it. Probably could even take on a couple of the Battle Maids for a while, but definitely not enough for a guardian." His scan goes down as he looks at the new intruder "Tell me, what brings you here to the home of the Crimson Empress?" His voice ever intimidating, the intruder just remains still.
Stepping forward, Albedo frowns as her annoyance shows "Our Lord asked you a question, and you'd do well to answer it." She commandingly states.
He remains still, but his mouth slightly opens as he appears to be ready to speak, but Justina appears not long after, escorted by some of the maids, her wounds now mostly healed but has difficulty walking since she is being assisted by Solution.
"Wait, if he's this strong, then why not send him in? He still would have failed, but their chances would have drastically improved. Then again, he could be unrelated to this incident. Still, I can't let him do as he pleases here." Ainz thinks staring at the young man, and he commandingly states "Depending on your response, I may show leniency with your transgression, but that is a maybe."
Showing further agitation, Albedo raises her voice "I will not repeat myself a third time. Our lord is demanding answers, and you should be grateful we do not execute you at once for your rudeness to him."
"Fine, I do have something I need to confess in front of the empress. Since she's now here, I'll confess." He says as his apparent allies who are conscious all look worried. But then, what Ainz witnesses next, he wasn't expecting as tears begin forming in the young man's eyes as he falls to his hands and knees, beginning to bawl his eyes "I'm so sorry!" He shouts at the top of his lungs.
Ainz's jaw drops "What the?"
"I'm sorry….I just….I can't forgive what I did. I've done an unforgivable thing. I'm sorry!" He continues crying out loud.
Most of the guardians glare a bit, Shalltear commenting "What a noisy brat."
"What a shameful display." Says Solution.
Continuing his thoughts while looking at his servants "Big shock, they think it's a pathetic sight, and who could blame them. He's bawling his eyes like a little kid or something.
He continues this rather unorthodox moment for at least another moment or two and only ends once he suddenly stops, the tears immediately ceasing, and his voice quiet. He looks back up at the overlord and takes a breath "I feel a lot better now." He then throws down what appears to be a necklace, and it opens up revealing a tiny picture inside, of a woman holding a baby, their skin very pale and their eyes red with black sclera.
"Hmm, what is that?" Ainz simply asks.
He takes a breath, and his sounds guilt ridden "I came across a squad of crimson knights, and they attacked me, so I thoughtlessly destroyed them. I found that among the debris, and realized I had took someone's parent from them." He clenches his fist upon saying the last.
Staying seated, Ainz raises his hand forward, calmly stating "A guilty conscience brought you here? I hardly find it acceptable to intrude on us for a mere apology, especially when it seems meaningless to what is transpiring to for us at the moment."
Firmly, Albedo nods "Yes, Lord Ainz is the middle of punishing trespassers, so unless you have better offerings than a worthless apology, you should expect punishment for yourself."
On hearing Albedo's words, Justina looks at her with disdain "Hold your tongue, Albedo. Killing MY soldiers demands apologies a thousand times over. Don't diminish my army in such a way."
"Ah yes, that was a careless of me. I am sorry for not honoring your people in a more empathetic manner, Justina." Ainz adds looking at her.
But she immediately shakes her head, appearing frazzled "N..No, father, I don't hold you responsible. You've barely been back. Of course they don't mean much to you."
Going back by returning his gaze to the young man, Ainz demands "I'll offer you this. Prove your word to me, and I'll lend an ear for a moment more."
The young man bows "Of course, sir. I do have a request, but I'll cooperate if you'll lend me an ear."
Ainz looks towards the fallen intruders as they look nervously towards him, except the one Albedo defeated, and simply points his finger, saying coldly "Bring me that man's head right…."Before his sentence can finish, the young man swiftly moves his hand and a gush of blood erupts from Gin's neck as his head, with a look of terror, is held up in the young man's hand. "He didn't even hesitate. Is he truly not allied with them, or is it something else? He thinks seeing the swift action.
The young man hands brings the head to Ainz with the guardians watching his movements. He places it at the overlord's feet and bows "I will kill the younger woman if you'd like as well."
However, Justina begins to sniff the air a bit and her face gets a slight blush as she waves her hand "No, I don't think I'd like that."
Quickly, Ainz looks upon Justina's continence and sees a lustful look in her eyes "Uh, are you sure about that, Justina? I don't think that it would be..."
But she swiftly interrupts "Oh, but, father, I find this type the most attractive. After all *licks lips" what's the point in conquest when there is no challenge."
"Oh man, I really wish I didn't just see and hear that." He thinks to himself as he sees this very provocative side of Justina. Then, he notices the intruder is seemingly moving a bit despite her visible injuries. She seemingly reaches for something attached to her body as she pulls out a bladed object and swiftly stabs it into her throat.
Suddenly, Justina's eyes glow red as she declares "I'm not letting anyone who attacks me die without my permission." As soon as she says this, a vampire appears from a portal wearing a nurses outfit, and she immediately pulls out the blade, forces opens a bottle containing a red liquid on the wound immediately, and it closes the wound instantly, and then the intruders legs heal. Snapping her fingers, Justina looks happily at the downed foe, proclaiming "Now, I wouldn't reject what is going to come to your future. After all, not many have the privilege of…"
Immediately Ainz goes back to his previous affair as he clears his voice "Well, I'll leave her to that…."
But her overhears the vampire ask "Lady Justina, what shall I do with your new quarry?
"Remove her sullied clothes, and puts her in a braided…."
"Alright, I'll let her does as she wishes…But I can't help feel that Perorocino himself would be proud." He says and thinks while trying to ignore her clear passion for her own words as a set of maids appear and drag the newly healed intruder towards the back of the throne.
Turning his full attention to the young man, Ainz states "I'll lend you an ear as promised. But I will only permit you to speak your reasoning for being here. I will accept no other words." His voice never shaken in its conviction as the young man barely bats an eye.
"I came to make an offer. I want you to spare this woman before us. In exchange, I'll tell you exactly what's going on in this country." He offers, following the overlord's words.
"Wait, he's offering an answer to what's going on? That can't be right. If he knows the answer to that, then he must be in deep with whoever's done this. Better test this a bit." He thinks to himself. But his voice never changes "Do you mean to say you have knowledge of what's happened in this country? What are you referring to exactly?
The guardians remain silent, but they keep their focus on all the intruders, their eyes and ears paying the closes attention. But the young doesn't flinch for a moment as he simply states "The decline of medicine, the shortage of food, and the rampant diseases are what I'm talking about. Will this be a satisfactory offering for this one woman's life?"
Hearing these words, Ainz contemplates in his mind "He knows exactly what we're looking for. But I can't just take face value for that. He's asking for so little, and that makes me more suspicious. Still, I'd better resolve this quickly for Justina so I can get back and get things moving." After thinking, Ainz looks at Justina, who is still in her mind. "I hate to do this, but It'll be a necessary lesson in the long run" One more thought, he then makes his answer "I will accept the offer on the condition that she remain here until I verify this information of yours is correct."
Scowling a bit, the young man pleads "Please, sir, I just want to get her home immediately. I'll take her place as your prisoner. You can torture me, use me, or have me, and I'll still tell you exactly what you want."
But Albedo interjects "My lord has made his terms clear, lowlife. Do not think that he is inclined to accept any terms of yours."
"Thank you, Albedo, but I think his terms are acceptable to me for now." Ainz says looking at the overseer to which she simply bows. He then holds out his hand and declares "Very well, you will be my prisoner until your end of the deal can be verified by my servants, and no sooner. However, your health will be determined by the Crimson Empress' mood, and no others."
Turning her head at the words, Justina nervously replies "Father, I…." Her words unable to form in her throat as she stumbles in her sounds.
"Justina, I act in the benefit of Nazarick, and no other. The sooner I resolve this issue, the sooner I can resume my plans. But do not mistake this for malice. Think of it a quick solution. I will verify if this man is telling the truth, but the rest will be up to you." He stands up and approach the young man as uses a spell to incapacitate him for the moment. He then pulls out a potion and uses it on the older female intruder, who begins to stand.
Barely breathing, she mutters "Why not…kill…me?"
To which he states "You have been spared by a generous young man. But understand this, you have seen and know too much. I will permit you to live, but you are forbidden from speaking of my existence until I say otherwise. Do not underestimate our magic, and never cross into this land again, or I promise you'll meet an unsightly end." He then opens a gate, and says "This will lead outside of the Crimson Empire, now leave at once."
With a fierce look, the woman stumbles into the gate, which closes immediately. Then maids clean up the mess and bodies nearby, and then the rest, and others begin repairs on the building.
Looking around, Ainz wonders "I guess Flamel really didn't show up. Is she that intimidated by me?"
Outside the Palace
Nikola and Evileye emerge from a hidden door and are covered in blood. Sneaking around, Evileye says "I'm glad we got out of there without being noticed."
Sighing, Nikola replies "Yeah, but I hope we helped enough."
Taking her mask off, Evileye states "Look, Nikola, we did what we could. But saying that I helped that animal….it's almost enough to make me puke."
Looking towards the top tower, Flamel thinks "Father….I'm sorry, but I know you'll resolve this without me."
The two then run off towards the exit of the city, trying not to get noticed.
Throne room
Ainz stands before Justina, who hugs him "Father, I can't thank you enough for this." Her voice sincere and her expression of absolute joy, and her body still covered in a couple of bandages.
Shalltear stands before them with a prideful expression on her face, looking mockingly at Albedo, who simply glares back at her. Seeing this display, Ainzs lowers his head slightly. But he quickly raises it while stating "Albedo, Shalltear, I must have a word with the two of you."
Concerned, Justina asks "Father, are you cross with mother?"
"No, but words must be said to them. Why don't you confirm the situation with your people while I deal with my own matters." He suggests as Justina walks towards Lakyus, who bows in her presence and walks away with her as they exit the throne room.
As for the others, Ainz announces "That goes for all of you. This is a private matter. I'll leave the job dividing amongst yourselves for the moment. You should all know who's capable of doing what, but there is plenty of matters to conclude. You are all dismissed." Without hesitation, the guardians and maids bow as they all exit the throne room, leaving Ainz alone with Albedo and Shalltear.
Moments later, Ainz looks upon the two mothers and sits down as they both diligently stand before him, waiting for his words. "Firstly, I would like to extend my gratitude once more for raising my children despite my absence."
"Think nothing of it, Lord Ainz. Raising Justina was an unimaginable privilege." Shalltear remarks.
"Flamel kept your memory ever alive in my heart, my Lord." Says Albedo.
But Ainz takes a moment and states "But, tomorrow, after the ceremony, I will be declaring war on the Philosopher and Crimson Empires."
The words he says causes both to immediately gasp with Shalltear asking "My lord, you're not serious are you?" her voice growing weak."
But his voice remains "No, I would not joke about that. I plan to gauge to results of their labors, but I wanted you both to know my plan before I told the others."
Looking nervous, Albedo asks "And what of us?"
"I hate to do this to them, but they should know" He thinks, but then his voice answers "All of the guardians and the maids are to return to the great tomb under my rule, but the two of you will be different."
But Albedo states "My lord, if you are cross with us, please punish us, but please don't harm your children."
He looks towards the two with glowing eyes "This is not negotiable. But the two of you will be different in this regard. I plan to give you both free reigns to do as you please under two conditions." The two nod, but look a bit nervous as Ainz states "The first being, of course, neither of you are allowed to give information of the impending battle, or any strategies; I shouldn't have to explain why. The second being, neither of you are allowed to engage in any form ofcombat. I won't force you to fight me, and I absolutely will not force you to fight your children. It would be a cruelty that I refuse to commit." The two show visible unease as he speaks, but they stay silent.
Outside in the halls, Justina walks as she turns to Lakyus "Go and check on the children. I am sure that their health is fine since mother was with them, but they may need more cheering up." She orders as Lakyus simply bows and changes directions. As she does, Justina looks towards a display case, and inside is a simple outfit resembling fighter attire with a red scar and a jaw mask. She looks at this and smiles, saying "I always feel nostalgic seeing this." She says this as Narberal Gamma walks by.
"Oh, isn't this from when you and Lupusregina when gallivanting around the empire?" She asks curiously but retaining her usual expression.
Justina simply smiles, answering "Oh yes, and it always reminds me of one thing….That human men are truly worthless to me."
