Chapter 6

A week prior

Enri Bareare Mayor of Carne City stared at the document in her trembling hands. "What does this mean Nfirea?"

Nfirea who had read the parchment while looking over his wife's shoulder, to help her with any words she didn't know. "It looks like a document of incorporation naming you as the Mayor of the newly recognized city of Carne in the Sorcerer's Kingdom."

"But I'm just the village chief.", Protested Enri.

"Ha." Lupusregina Beta giggled from her prone position on the couch. The couch had been a wedding gift from Lord Gown, it was the most comfortable piece of furniture in the entire ... city. "Your village has over five thousand citizens which according to the bylaws of this country makes this a city. You should really throw a big party to celebrate. Give your citizens a chance to blow off a little steam."

"But most of that number are goblins.", Protested Enri.

In an instant Lupusregina transitioned from lounging on the couch to standing in front of Enrie's desk a stern expression on her usually care free face. Carne is part of the Sorcerer's kingdom and said King has declared equality for all the races under him. As one of his subjects you will of course be expected to abide by such rulings." Then smile back in place the maid turns and heads out the door waving her right hand as she leaves. "Let me know when the party is, I love a good feast."

After the maid was out the door Nfirea bent down to ask a still staring Enri, "Did you see her move?"

"No. It was like she moved from the couch to here without going through the middle part." Replied Enri in a hushed voice. Enri's eyes were still darting between the two places as if trying to see what she had missed earlier.

"Yeah that's what I saw to but I thought it might just have been my hair." Nfirea lifts one corner of his lengthy bangs to examine it.

Enri turns to look up at her husband with a bemused smile, "And how many times have I suggested you get your bangs cut? You have such beautiful blue eyes. You should show them off. If you want I could talk to the goblin barber for you. I'm sure I could get you a good ... deal" Enri feels the blood drain from her face. The world lurches around her and she stumbles back against her desk. She can hear Nfirea calling her name but the sound is tinny and far off dwarfed by the dawning horror in her mind. "Taxes."

"Huh? Why are you suddenly worried about taxes?" asked a puzzled Nfirea.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself and to put off sharing this terrible tiding. "If this new King considers the goblins citizens then he will expect to collect the head taxes on all of them. They don't have any money. So as their guardian, I'll be expected to pay for all of them." Oh gods how could this be happening. She had inadvertently ruined Nfirea as well as herself. Since they were joined her debt would pass to him. If he divorced her before the tax collectors came around maybe he could be saved. But the bitter burn of that poison rendered her unable to give voice to such a thing. "Uh, Nfi, aren't taxes higher in a city than a village?"

"Well, a bit plus there is the land tax." Nfirea replies in a tentative voice.

Nfirea runs out of the house he shares with Enri. "Grandmother!"

Jorgon hails the master's man. "Hey, What is all this commotion now pharmacist?"

"Its Enri, she fainted. We have to find my Grandmother she has more experience with this sort of thing." The boy gasped out.

Jorgon is about to shout out orders to find Mrs. Bareare when he is interrupted by the crack of thunder. Both his and the boy's gazes are drawn to the blue sky with a scattering of clouds. Except there seemed to be an expanding circle of blue that seemed to be eating the clouds. Jorgon shaking off the wonder of the mysterious sky gave the boy a slap on his shoulder to realign his brain. " We'll find your Gran and sender her on. You go look after the General."

Nodding Nfirea runs back the way he had come.

Lizzie Bareare was bustled into the village chief's office by two very insistent goblins. When she hadn't moved fast enough for them they had simply picked her up. They had been surprisingly genteel about it considering the stories she had heard about girls who were carried off by goblins back when she was a girl. However, she had kept what was important in mind and had kept the slapping and kicking to the bare minimum. Her granddaughter in law was in some sort of trouble.

If the Gods had wanted people to go bobbling about with their feet in the air they wouldn't have made fly such a high tier spell. Once her feat were again on the ground she cast [Medical Exam] on Enri who was laid out on the office's couch. Information flowed into Lizzie's brain. "Well she's not pregnant. Nfirea who else has treated her?"

"Huh, no one Gran."

"Well unless you've learned some new spell someone else has been here and whoever it was used so much power that it is still sparking inside her. It seemed similar to my medical appraisal spell but of a higher tier." The Bareares exchanged a look, If people were throwing around ridiculously powerful spells it probably had to do with that Magic caster that the villagers were so fond of. Lizzie had never heard of a noble who uses maids the way this Ainz Ooal Gown does.

Nfirea hated it but he knew the question had to be asked. "Did someone do this to Enri, Gran?"

"Ho dod what to me?", asked a groggy Enri.

Patting her hand and trying for a soothing tone Nfirea explains, "You collapsed. I think it may have been stress related but Grandmother is checking to make sure it wasn't actually an attack."

Lizzie's face screwed up in concentration as she examined her daughter in law. The residue of the over powered diagnostic spell had finally faded and she was able to sift the girl's aura for damage from malicious magic. Not that she was likely to see much if a spell caster like Princess Nabe was responsible. "Looks more like it was stress related."

"Stress?" inquired a wide eyed Lupusregina, her head popping up behind the shoulder of the previous village chief.

"Miss Beta, when did you return?" asked Nfirea in a friendly tone. He was aware of the bargain his grandmother had struck with the Raven Black adventurer. However, he saw it more in the light of the adventurer doing him a great favour. Not only had Momon made him neighbours with the girl he was in love with he had also provided incredible tools with which to research potions. So now that his grandmother had allayed his fears he was more than willing to be sociable with the chosen representative of his benefactor.

"Well I was just leaving when I heard all the commotion. Then I just followed the crowd. So what is going on?" Responded the red haired maid.

Nfirea explained events for both Enri and Lupusregina Beta. After hearing him out Lupusregina spoke, "Well that settles it. Time for a feast."

Enri objected, "But."

Faster than a striking cobra the maids fingers snapped out and grasped the tip of Enri's tongue and held it. "No buts unless you want me to swat yours. Ainz Ooal Gown decided to save your life you will not waste his generosity by destroying your health. So have we reached an understanding?"

"Uaaauh ahlgoo." Noises came from the new Mayor of Carne City.

The village women were busy cooking for the feast while the men folk were engaged in light construction or being used as pack animals or simply making a dam nuisance of themselves, depending on their temperament. However, the goblins that were magically prevented from being able to cook far out stripped the amount of errands there were to run.

Enri looked up startled at the sound of the bang. Her gaze first found Lupusregina Beta, who had been filling wooden flagons. She seemed to have filled an unbelievable number from a cask Sir Gown had gifted them for their celebration. There appeared to be a look of fury on Enri's friend's face. Were Lupusregina's teeth always that pointy? I never noticed before. Tracing the other woman's unfriendly gaze she spied Kiato, a ten year old boy, he was holding up his shoe in triumph. Flicking her gaze back to the beer station Enri failed to find the maid. Her feet had her moving before her brain knew what was happening. A little long ignored voice was calling out a wordless warning. But just like every other time Enri shoved it back down into the dark waters of her subconscious. Lupusregina wasn't a danger, she saved Nfirea's life when that troll was about to smash him flat. Plus she works for that kind and generous spell caster. How could anyone who works for Sir Gown be dangerous?

Lupusregina Beta stopped before the boy and eyed him and his upraised shoe for a moment before addressing the child. "What have you got there?"

Kiato seeming surprised but pleased to have aquired more attention for his actions proudly proclaimed, "I killed a spider! It was in the doorway and might have gotten in someone's hair."

"I see. I see." Said the smiling adult woman. Putting a finger to her cheek she applied just enough pressure to dimple the skin slightly. "You know I think I'd like to tell you a story about a friend of mine."

Enri finally reached the two and was at a loss since there didn't appear to have been any justification for her to have rushed over. But Kiato seeing a new opportunity to spread the news of his great deeds and courage filled the lull. "I killed a spider chief." declared the grinning child.

By reflex Enri was about to praise the child when her surprise stilled her tongue as she watched the boy rise into the air. It took Enri several moments to realize that the maid had hooked the back of Kiato's tunic with a single finger and was picking him up without apparent effort.

"Story time." ,the maid declared as she casually walked out of the building with the boy dangling from a single finger.

Enri thought she had raced after the departing maid but despite this somehow the maid was already leaning back against a shade tree with several children sitting on the grass surrounding her. As she neared words of tradition and great childhood import reached her ears.

"Once upon a time there was a great and wonderful King. However, others were jealous of the king's treasures and they would, like rats, attempt to sneak into the great King's castle. Now every once in a while a great power in the land called The Devs would declare some form of celebration event. Sometimes these events even came with decorations, whether the people who lived there wanted the decorations or not.

One such event was called Halloween. Halloween was especially annoying because it had an unusual effect on the neighbouring kingdoms. For some indefinable reason the Halloween event gave outsiders the notion that it would be a good idea to infiltrate the King's castle as some sort of scouting mission. And that this intrusion would even be permitted. I know baffling but that is how things went."

"One such night three intruders slipped into the Great Castle of Morwick. Most of the Kingdom's knights were out, doubtless in the pursuit of noble goals beyond the ken of less noble beings like ourselves. However, the King was in residence watching over the kingdom. The Great King, in his wisdom, had put the castle on high alert.

Thus all the guards were watchful and this included one of the eight edged assassins. Summoned to serve the Great King. This clever spider had found a darkened corner to squeeze into above one of these garish decorations. Said item consisted of a wooden wash basin filled with water and floating fruit. So eight edged assassin 13 laid in wait its ambush predator nature running deep inside its instruction set.

The players

Three players walked forward into the Tomb. "I not sure this is a good idea Gold_Robin." Whispered Monkey_king_12.

Gold_Robin emojied frustration. "You really think a guild made up of monster freaks is going to stay in on Halloween? Dude I'm telling you this place is deserted. All we got to look out for are some NPCs and maybe some traps. You know all low level stuff."

Kikyo, a priestess and the group healer, turned to the Ranger named Monkey_king_12., "I don't know why you're acting so scared, this is just a game. Even if you die you'll just respawn."

Monkey_king_12 flashed the WTF emogi, "Do you not know where we are? The guild that makes their base here is merciless. They don't just kill you once. If you have offended them they'll track you down and keep sending you to respawn until you either quit the game or are reduced back to level 1."

"Well it doesn't matter since they aren't here.", Asserted Gold_Robin. "Just look at this place a few screen caps and we'll be legends when we get back to the Fox & Squirrel.

Spotting something up ahead Kikyo sprints ahead of the group. "It's a bobbing for apples station. Core, I haven't done this since I was a kid. Let's have a go what do you say?" Smile emogi.

Gold _Robin shrugs, "Sure we are here to have fun after all."

Monkey_king_12 wasn't really in the mood but since Three players walked forward into the Tomb. "I not sure this is a good idea Gold_Robin." Whispered Monkey_king_12.

Gold_Robin emojied frustration. "You really think a guild made up of monster freaks is going to stay in on Halloween? Dude I'm telling you this place is deserted. All we got to look out for are some NPCs and maybe some traps. You know all low level stuff."

Kikyo, a priestess and the group healer, turned to the Ranger named Monkey_king_12., "I don't know why you're acting so scared, this is just a game. Even if you die you'll just respawn."

Monkey_king_12 flashed the WTF emogi, "Do you not know where we are? The guild that makes their base here is merciless. They don't just kill you once. If you have offended them they'll track you down and keep sending you to respawn until you either quit the game or are reduced back to level 1."

"Well it doesn't matter since they aren't here.", Asserted Gold_Robin. "Just look at this place a few screen caps and we'll be legends when we get back to the Fox & Squirrel.

Spotting something up ahead Kikyo sprints away from the group. "It's a bobbing for apples station." Declares the girl. "Core, I haven't done this since I was a kid. Let's have a go what do you say?" Smile emogi.

Gold _Robin shrugs, "Sure we are here to have fun after all."

Monkey_king_12 wasn't really in the mood but since Kikyo was doing it he would be out voted as she led Gold_Robin around by his complimentary leash. So he knelt down by the bath tub sized bucket and held his hands behind him. It isn't even like we can taste the apples.

Then with its prey gathered below, the brave eight edged assassin picked its moment and leapt down from the shadowed ceiling on to the kneeling invaders and decapitated all three in one swift rotation. The three severed heads plunge into the water to join the apples in their dance. Warrior Takemikazuchi having arrived on the scene in time to witness 13's heroic feat in the defence of the realm awarded 13 not only the experience of 3 mid level player kills but also declared that 13 would hence forth be named Bob in recognition of the deed.

So that is why you shouldn't kill spiders who are guarding your home from other insect intruders.

The children stared at the smiling woman who had told them such an odd story. The older children recognized that their parents were always respectful around the oddly dressed woman and so thanked her for the story before returning to their game of rag rock. ( Like ball but more painful. )

The present: Ainz Ooal Gown's Perspective:

So soft. How was it that the body of a level one hundred warrior could feel this soft pressed against his own? Albedo had her lips pressed to his teeth. He wasn't exactly sure what the Succubus was getting out of the experience but she seemed to be enjoying herself. A pleasant and familiar sent pricks along Ainz's memory. Her scent it is similar to the perfume the maids apply to the bed sheets. Does all the perfume in Nazarick smell the same? Well there was no sense of smell in Yggdrisil so maybe whatever force had brought him and all of Nazarick to this new world had not differentiated between perfume bottles. As Albedo laid kisses along his jaw Aniz made a mental note to get some perfume recommendations from Jircniv.

Hmm, will doing this mean Albedo becomes my girlfriend or even my wife? What will this do to our working relationship? All valid questions but not what is really weighing on my mind. What if she figures out what is really happening vs what I'm telling all of them is happening? Well better get on with the plan before she gets bored and has time to think. Ainz reaches into his inventory and pulls out a light brown cloth cylinder and tosses it several meters away. With the hiss pop of a soda can opening a pavilion tent appears. Then moving quickly Ainz picks up Albedo and caries her cradled in his arms over the threshold and into the tent.

was doing it he would be out voted as she led Gold_Robin around by his complimentary leash. So he knelt down by the bath tub sized bucket and held his hands behind him. It isn't even like we can taste the apples.

Then with its prey gathered below the brave eight edged assassin picked its moment and leapt from the shadowed ceiling down on the kneeling invaders and decapitated all three in one swift rotation. The three severed heads plunge into the water to join in the apples in their dance. Warrior Takemikazuchi having arrived on the scene in time to witness 13's heroic feat in the defence of the realm awarded 13 not only the experience of 3 mid level player kills but also declared that 13 would hence forth be named Bob in recognition of the deed.

So that is why you shouldn't kill spiders who are guarding your home from other insect intruders.

The children stared at the smiling woman who had told them such an odd story. The older children recognized that their parents were always respectful around the oddly dressed woman and so thanked her for the story before returning to their game of rag rock. ( Like ball but more painful. )

The present: Ainz Ooal Gown's Perspective:

So soft. How was it that the body of a level one hundred warrior could feel this soft pressed against his own? Albedo had her lips pressed to his teeth. He wasn't exactly sure what the Succubus was getting out of the experience but she seemed to be enjoying herself. A pleasant and familiar sent pricks along Ainz's memory. Her scent it is similar to the perfume the maids apply to the bed sheets. Does all the perfume in Nazarick smell the same? Well there was no sense of smell in Yggdrisil so maybe whatever force had brought him and all of Nazarick to this new world had not differentiated between perfume bottles. As Albedo laid kisses along his jaw Aniz made a mental note to get some perfume recommendations from Jircniv.

Hmm, will doing this mean Albedo becomes my girlfriend or even my wife? What will this do to our working relationship? All valid questions but not what is really weighing on my mind. What if she figures out what is really happening vs what I'm telling all of them is happening? Well better get on with the plan before she gets bored and has time to think. Ainz reaches into his inventory and pulls out a light brown cloth cylinder and tosses it several meters away. With the hiss pop of a soda can opening a pavilion tent appears. Then moving quickly Ainz picks up Albedo and caries her cradled in his arms over the threshold and into the tent.

Please review

Please read: I originally rated this story as teen, however, it occurs to me that this is a fairly significant range. This issue may be further exacerbated by local culture leading parents to deny children proper sex education classes. And then there was my schooling experience. History and English class where every movie had at least one nude scene.

I think I got on a bit of a tangent there. The point is a big range. So if you are still at the stage where when a mommy and a daddy love each other very much they exchange a special hug, then maybe give the next chapter a miss.