AUTHOR'S NOTE: How will Icarus interact with the Floor Guardians? How will the Floor Guardians react to Icarus? What's happening on the surface of the New World? This will be the last chapter of the two-part prologue.
CHAPTER 2
Nazarick...
As he was alone in the Throne Room, he decided that he needed to test his magic. His survival depended on his capabilities, and he currently had no idea about them. He first decided to test his items first. Icarus had nine rings on his fingers, with only his right middle finger bare, perfect for flipping people off. Usually, you were only allowed two rings, one on each hand. However, Icarus was a heavy player of YGGDRASIL, so he spent a lot of money on cash items that allowed him to equip one ring for each finger. One of the ring had an emblem on it which was identical to the symbol on the heavy red banner behind the throne. That ring was the Ring of Ainz Ooal member of Ainz Ooal Gown had this ring, as it proved your identity and was very useful.
The Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown have the user unlimited teleportation between the named rooms within Nazarick, and would even allow teleportation from outside the Tomb. It was essential as Nazarick was enchanted to prevent teleportation into it or from within. (Except for a few areas)The only restricted areas were the Throne Room and the guild members' personal rooms. This ring was also necessary in order to gain entry to the Treasury, where the best gear and World Class Items were stored.
He decided that he would try using the ring's power. He was not sure if the ring would activate, but he had to test it out. He decided to teleport to the Colosseum on the Sixth Floor, as he also needed to test his magic, among other things.
The rings power was unleashed as it read his intent and his view went dark.
Immediately after, his view returned, and his surroundings had changed into a dark dimly-lit tunnel. At the end, was a giant portcullis. Muttering to himself, he was glad that at least his items worked. He walked down towards the exit, the hard stone around him echoing his steps. As he near still he smelled something as he drew near the portcullis. It was a strong ancient scent, the scent of battle and blood, of conflict and conquest. As he neared, the portcullis raised itself into the ceiling at the right time to let him pass through unhindered. As he stepped onto the arena, he saw a massive field with no grass that surrounded by rows audience seats.
There were [Continual Light] spells everywhere, allowing for viewing that was as clear as the sky at any and all times.
Icarus walked into the center of the arena, and looked up. What greeted him was a massive obsidian black night expanse. It was beautiful and peaceful. But this place was the Sixth Floor of Nazarick, so the sky here was not natural, meaning that it could be controlled and changed at will. Icarus could have changed the sky even if it was the real sky, but that wasn't the point. Just as he relaxed himself, he heard a shout, and a figure leaped out the VIP box as if shot from a cannon. The figure fell several stories, and twisted in the air, showing off its athleticism and body control, and finally landed perfectly with only a slight bend of the knees.
It stuck its left arm out and made a V-sign with its finger while giving a big smile that showed off its perfect teeth. .
A prepubescent child had descended. She had beautiful androgynous features, golden hair that grazed her shoulders, and her heterochromatic eyes, one blue, one red, that were filled with excitement. Her long ears and skin that was the color of caramel showed that she was a Dark Elf. Her outfit was stylish, red and white with a slight additions of gold. a gold acorn-shaped pendant hang from the necklace she was wearing. A whip coiled across her waist and right shoulder, and she had a longbow on her back. Aura Bella Fiora, the Six Floor's Floor Guardian, she was a skirmisher who summoned and tamed beasts.
Aura came closer and rapidly closed the distance between them before screeching to a halt.
Her shoes threw up clouds of dust as she stopped herself before Icarus.
"Welcome, Lord Icarus!"
Aura was filled with the same respect that all the other NPCs had so far showed him, which made him glad, he didn't want any enemies right now, especially not this cute child.
"Thank you Aura. I'll be taking up some of your time then."
"What're you saying, You are the ruler of Nazarick and everyone within it! you can take all of my time that you want!"
"I see… speaking of which, where's Mare…"
There was movement in the VIP box, and a timid reply came from the VIP box.
"...I-I'm s-scared..."
"The Supreme Being Lord Icarus has come and you as a Floor Guardian aren't even here to greet him! If you're not here in ten seconds I'm going to beat you up!"
"Umm… I-I'll take the stairs…"
"Get over here now!"
"Eek!"
Mare gathered his courage and jumped out of the VIP box. As Mare ran closer, Icarus assumed that they were twins, as they were almost identical, the only visible differences were the hair and clothes. Mare wore a blue dragon scales vest and a small jungle green cape. His clothes had the same amount of white as Aura, but a short section of tanned flesh peeked out below his skirt. It was short due to the majority of his legs being covered by white silk stockings. He had an identical necklace and pendant like Aura, but his was silver to her gold. Mare was much more lightly equipped, with a pair of thin white gloves on his fragile little hands, and a gnarled black staff being his only gear. He and his twin sister Aura, guarded the Sixth Floor of Nazarick.
As Mare arrived, Aura started scolding her for being late and insulting the Supreme Being. They were bickering like actual siblings. Bukubukuchagama was the one had designed these two Dark Elf siblings to squabble at times.
If only she could see her creations come to life...
Death was common in YGGDRASIL, he needed to collect information and figure out whether resurrection or revival is a possibility, that piece pf information was crucial to any and all future plans. In a video game, you could raid a boss and have half your party die, wait for them to respawn, and share the loot. Icarus decided to do more research on this at a later time
Icarus walked up to the two of them and they both stopped and looked at him.
"Aura, I understand how you feel, but Mare is your brother, and I have no doubt that he is loyal Nazarick. There is no need for you to scold him."
"Y-Yes, Lord Icarus!"
Icarus walked up to between the two of them and helped Mare, who was panting.
As he watched the two of them bow, he noticed the look in there shining eyes.
The incident from the Throne Room with Albedo was still nagging at him, so Icarus decided to conduct an experiment
"Can you please come closer, I'm going to try something"
"Yes, Lord Icarus"
He suddenly released his Extreme Good energy (500 karma), causing them to hurriedly back away in shock.
"Sorry, I had to test something."
"N-No problem! It wasn't like we took damage...w-we were just taken by surprise!"
He now confirmed that friendly fire was on, and that passive skills that only attacked enemies now affected everyone indiscriminately.
"Now I just need to test my equipment and magic."
"Aura, Mare, fetch me some targets, sturdy ones." Icarus commanded
As the twins ran off to obey his order, he reviewed his spells, which came to him naturally. He was a special existence, as most heteromorphic players were magic-based as their racial classes gave magic boosts. However his Eternal Neutrality class was quite a unique one. He had three apex races bound as one, so even though he was particularly magic focused, he had close to 500 magic spells, whereas the limit was 300. His base was a True Blood Vampire, and he was the Undead King, a job he received as the first undead player to reach Level 100, making him the ruler of all undead. The Neutrality came from the fact that he almost always maintained a perfect neutral karma(0 karma), so he developers decided to reward him with both demonic and holy advantages by giving him the racial class of a demon and archangel. He developed three different combat style, as a vampire, he was purely using spells, while the archangel used both magic and equipment. The demon was rarely used but powerful, as he had few attack spells, but the demon was a tanker berserker, which gave him a plethora of buff and defense spells. He was allowed to summon 12 High Tier Summons, 36 Mid Tier Summons, and 60 Low Tier Summons, as long as they were either undead, demonic, or holy.
The twins came back with a Level 87 Primal Fire Elemental for him to spar with. To say he wasn't nervous would be a lie. Friendly fire was enabled so he needed to know the abilities and stats of a spell, which he currently had no idea. AS he pondered this, he was not sure how, but he had a faint idea of how to use spells and equipment.
It was a power within him. Just like how he had deactivated his negative touch, Icarus focused within himself and thought about his armor, and they showed up, likewise with his spells. Icarus smiled as he chose a spell and was fully aware of important information like the spell's radius, recast delay, MP cost, and so on. Knowing this information, he felt that the magic was part of him. He know confirmed that he could do everything he could in YGGDRASIL, with a few changes.
The roar of the Primal Fire Elemental brought him back to reality.
Icarus was not in the mood and quickly slaughtered the Elemental with powerful water spells such as [Tsunami].
He decided to test the spell [Message] to try and communicate with any others.
The first party he tried to contact was a GM. He got nothing.
Icarus tried [Message] again. This time, he tried the members of Ainz Ooal Gown. As expected, he received no response.
He felt as if a piece of him was reaching out, grabbing for someone's hand, but there was not a single other hand in the new place.
In the end, Icarus decided to contact Sebas.
"Yes, Lord Icarus?"
A voice of deep respect spoke in a firm tone within his mind, but Icarus was lost in thought.
" I guess I truly am all alone here."
Sebas was nervous as his liege did not respond.
"…Is something wrong?"
"Ah, f-forgive me. I spaced out for a second, h-how are the surroundings like?"
"We are surrounded by flat grasslands, with no intelligent life in sight."
"...Aren't we're supposed to be surrounded by a swamp?"
"Yes. But there are only plains around us."
" What about structures?"
"Nothing. Aside from Nazarick, there are no other man-made structures in sight."
"Is that so…"
In about twenty minutes, he would be meeting the other Guardians.
"Return in twenty minutes. When you arrive, head to the Colosseum. All the Guardians will there, so when you arrive, I hope you will tell them about what you saw.
"Understood."
"Gather as much information as possible before returning."
Sebas promptly acknowledged, and Icarus ended the [Message].
"Hmm, am I the first one here?"
Shalltear, the Guardian of the First, Second, and Third Floors of Nazarick.
She wore a dark ball gown with a voluminous puffed up skirt, if he had to describe her in three words, he would say Victorian style doll. Together, they covered up most of her skin. Her pale skin and looks really made her seem like a doll. Her long silver hair was tied in a ponytail while her blood red pupils had a look of delight. She looked to be at the age when you started high school, or younger, and her childish innocent appearance made her look like the definition of cute. However, her breasts was definitely far bigger then what you would expect a fourteen year old to have.
"Weren't you told not to use [Gate] within Nazarick? You should've just walked here Shalltear."
The voice carried a hint of irritation and came from beside Icarus. Mare slowly edged himself away from his sister as his sister changed her personality in a flash.
Shalltear promptly ignored Aura, who was scowling at her. Instead, she swiftly approached Icarus.
She had some sort of perfume on, and it made him feel strange.
"Ugh..something stinks. Shalltear, are you rotting now because you're an undead?", Aura spat.
Ignoring Aura's jab, Shalltear turned her attention to Icarus and her slender hands on the sides of Icarus' head, as if hugging it.
"Ah...my lovely master…"
Her deep red lips parted, revealing a moist, slick tongue. Shalltear licked her lips and her breath wafted out from her mouth.
Although she was designed to be seductive, she was way too young, not to mention short. Icarus thought about the her designer Peroroncino and his personality. Now that he thought about it, he remembered that Shalltear was designed to have just about any and every kink and fetish that there was. There was one other fact about her that he knew he was told, but he couldn't remember.
"Jesus Christ, why did he have to make her a loli?"
"…That's enough."
Shalltear finally reacted to Aura. In a mocking tone, she asked Aura, "Oh? Sorry I didn't notice you because you're so short.".
Aura's left eye was twitching uncontrollably in anger, and then she calmed down and opened her mouth.
"Shut up, miss fake tits."
"That's it! I remember! Peroronchino told me that she actually had a flat chest."
"…W-What the hell are you talking about!?"
"Exposed." thought Icarus as he tried to hide his grin.
Now that Shalltear had been exposed, Aura kept going.
"It's obvious, how many pads did you stuff on your flat chest there?"
"Uwah!"
Shalltear waved her hands in panic.
"You probably can't even run with so much, am I right?"
"S-Shut up!"
"I was right! Hahaha! Is that why you used a [Gate]?!"
"Shut up you midget child! Its not like you have anything!"
Shalltear stumbled back, reflexively covering up her chest
"I'm only seventy six years old, practically a child. You on the other hand, are undead and will never grow.'
The scene seemed familiar to Icarus. Peroroncino and Bukubukuchagama were younger brother and elder sister, they were the ones who created Shalltear and the twins. They would often times argue just like their creations were right now.
"What. A. Ruckus."
The strange, monotonous voice finally silenced the two. As he turned to look at the voice's origin, he saw a bipedal insect with a chilly aura. At two and a half meters tall, It looked like the child of an ant and a praying mantis. It grasped an assortment of weapons in its several hands. Its exoskeleton was a dull blue and sparkled like diamonds.
He was the Guardian of the Fifth Floor, Cocytus.
"You. Stand. Before. A. Supreme. Being. Calm. Yourself."
Icarus was also tired of their bickering.
"…Shalltear, Aura. Playtime is over."
"I'm very sorry!" they said together."
"Demiurge. And. Albedo. Have. Arrived."
Icarus turned towards the entrance of the Colosseum that Cocytus was looking at, where he saw two figures enter. It was Albedo and Demiurge following half a step behind her. Demiurge was nearly six feet, and his skin was tanned. His facial features looked Oriental, while his black hair was neatly combed back, like a businessman. He was dressed in a suit, with a matching tie. He gave the impression of being a professional intellectual.
However, his appearance did little to hide the evil aura around him. A silvery metal tail extended behind him, tipped by sharp spikes.
He was the Guardian of the Seventh Floor of Nazarick. He was an Arch-Devil who was designed to be the smartest NPC, as he was the defense commander.
"It seems everyone is here."
"Then, everyone, let us pledge our eternal loyalty to the Supreme One."
All the Guardians nodded as one, and before Icarus could interrupt, they had lined up with Albedo at their head.
The Guardians, one by one, announced their names, their respective floors, swore loyalty, and knelt on one knee. Icarus could not understand what was happening, so in his confusion, he accidentally released his energy. A powerful aura roiled out over the surroundings, an aura of salvation and damnation, victory and defeat, it was all encompassing and eternal. The Guardians shivered in fear, as peak existences, their instincts screamed at them to run away and hide. It told them that if they angered him, all they could do was beg for mercy and pray fora quick death.
Icarus had no time to cancel the skill so he played it off as if it was intentional.
"Raise your heads."
As one, the Floor Guardians raised their heads with such coordination that Icarus wondered if they had practiced.
"...I thank you all for coming here."
"There is no need for gratitude. We are all your loyal subordinates. We merely followed your commands as we should."
As noone else replied, it was assumed that Albedo's statement was the same for everyone. Icarus looked at the Guardians, worried. He was their leader, and any orders he gave would affect his relationship with them. He could not help but stand in nervous silence.
Mistaking his silence for disappointment, Albedo hurriedly continued.
"Lord Icarus, just give the order, and we will do anything you ask, no matter how hereby swear that we will never allow our creators to be disgraced by our actions."
"This we swear!"
The Floor Guardians chimed in after Albedo's speech. Their voices were filled with loyalty and determination.
"Thank you, truly I thank all of you. I believe Sebas will be back soon to give a report on this situation."
"There is no need. Sebas is currently reconnoitering the surface."
"Lord Icarus, forgive my lateness."
"It's fine. Now, your report ."
Sebas raised his head and looked around at the Guardians.
"Yes. To begin with, the terrain surrounding us for a kilometer in each direction is a plain. There are no man-made structures, and the only life I spotted were some small animals."
"Excellent. Demiurge, Albedo, the two of you will be tasked with making a more efficient administrative system for Nazarick."
"Understood."
"Aura and Mare can you hide Nazarick?"
Mare timidly spoke.
"Umm...u-using magic might be difficult. If we had to hide everything...w-we could cover the walls in m-mud, and then add plants as camouflage."
"You dare soil the glorious walls of Nazarick?!"
Albedo was fuming in rage.
Mare's figure shrunk, and a quick look around showed that the other Guardians all shared Albedo's opinion.
"Albedo...I'm talking to Mare."
"Ah, my deepest apologies, Lord Icarus!"
"Can you conceal the walls by heaping dirt onto them?"
"Y-Yes I can, but I would n-need to build s-several…"
"Indeed...a lone hill would be strange"
"Very well. Aura, Mare, Use whatever supplies or resources you need, after you finish the ground and walls, cast illusions for any aerial views.
"U-Understood."
"..You are dismissed for today. Take a break, and don't push yourselves too hard."
The Guardians nodded to show that they understood.
"I have one last question for you Guardians. Shalltear, what am I to you?"
"Beauty personified, every aspect and action of yours is without flaw. Nothing can compare and everything pales in comparison to you."
"Cocytus?"
"The. Strongest. Of. The. Supreme. Beings. And. The. One. Who. Deserves. To. Rule. Over. Nazarick."
"Aura?"
"A merciful leader."
"Mare?"
"A very n-nice person."
"Demiurge?"
"An efficient brilliant leader whose wisdom is deep as the ocean.'"
"Sebas?"
"The only one who did not abandon us and stayed by our side until the very end."
"Albedo?"
"The man who rules over the Supreme Beings, our beloved master, and the man I love."
"…I see. I have heard your opinions. Thank you for your time, and carry your duties out to the best of your abilities."
As the meeting ended, Icarus teleported away.
His view changed from the Colosseum to a chamber within Nazarick.
"Whats with those glorious views of me?"
He felt embarrassed as he could tell that their words were sincere. He wondered if he was worthy of any of those compliments, and vowed to live up to their views of him.
Meanwhile, the Guardians relaxed as the overwhelming pressure crushing their bodies suddenly vanished. Someone sighed, and the tense atmosphere was gone now.
Albedo, as the Overseer, was first to get up. Her white dress was stained where she had touched the ground, but she paid no attention to that. After Albedo rose, the others followed, though nobody spoke.
"T-That was s-scary... "
"I thought I would be blown out like a candle in the wind."
"As expected of Lord Icarus, he truly is the leader of all the Supreme Beings…"
"I. Did. Not. Expect. Him. To. Be. So. Overwhelmingly Powerful."
" He must have unleashed that to prove to us his qualifications to rule."
"Indeed. He has responded to our pledges by showing his power."
"How amazing, what a wonderful ruler, as expected, his every action is deep and unfathomable..."
Every created entity in Nazarick wanted only to serve their creators in some way. That was their greatest joy in life, as they were created to aid the Supreme Beings. Then, Sebas announced from the side:
"Then, I shall take my leave. A good butler never leaves his lord's side."
"I understand. Then, Sebas, report to me if Lord Icarus summons me, i must know immediately! But if he desires my body, you must inform him that I might take a while to properly prepare myself into peak condition. Of course, I could just go immediately, that is fine as well!"
"... I understand, Albedo. Forgive my abrupt departure, but I must take my leave.
Shalltear was still on the floor, which confused everyone, as she wasn't weak enough to have died for their lord's aura..
"What. Is. The. Issue. Shalltear?"
She lifted her hea, a dazed look on her face.
"Ah, I just received so much energy, it was so overbearing and strong... I got a bit too excited… I think I need to change my underwear now …"
Silence.
Albedo was fuming.
" How dare that undead slut say that?!"
"You bitch."
Sensing Albedo's hostility, Shalltear's lips curled.
"What? Lord Icarus blessed us with his energy! Any girl who doesn't get wet from that must have several screws loose! You big mouthed gorilla!"
"You lamprey!"
"I was created by one of the Supreme Beings, do you have a problem with my form?!"
"So was I!"
Suddenly, Albedo unfurled her wings, causing Shalltear to start releasing her aura.
"Huh, looks like I'm out of here. Aura, go help your fellow women. I'll see you later, if you survive, all right?"
"Hey, wait, Demiurge! Don't leave me alone!"
Demiurge simply waved farewell as he walked away from the pair.
"Really, do they have to argue?"
"I'm quite interested in the result."
"What. Do. You. Mean?"
"Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to pledge loyalty to Lord Icarus's heir?"
"Hmm. That. Would. Be. Nice... No. That. Would. Be. WONDERFUL. Uncle. I. Become. An. Uncle…"
"Ah yes, Mare, I've been meaning to ask you this. Why are you dressed up like a girl?"
"T-This was Lord Bukubukuchagama's decision. She said this was a 'trap', so it shouldn't have anything to do with my gender."
"Oh,I see, I wasn't aware of that."
XXX
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The prologue is now complete, I probably could have had a lot more conversations and interaction, but I'm impatient and i want to have Icarus go to Carne as soon as possible. If you have any questions just PM or leave a review. 7/16/20
- ASAI