(no difference in T or M versions of this chapter)
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: All that glitters
In the office of Momonga... Jin, Demiurge, Albedo, and Momonga discuss the next stage of the plan.
"So by inviting workers here under false pretense, we can "rightfully" request compensation for when our territory is intruded upon," Demiurge told Momonga and Jin.
"We can officially be recognized as an organization? But won't that make us subservient to another country?" Albedo asked.
"No, we will instead announce our presence to the world as The Country of The Great Tomb of Nazarick!" Demiurge looked to his Lords for their approval.
"It's a good plan... we could use this as a way to test the defenses of The Great Tomb of Nazarick as well," Momonga noted.
"Albedo, I'll leave that up to you," Momomga said looking behind him. She smiled and bowed.
"Yes My Lord, I will begin these preparations immediately." She said and vanished.
"Then these workers... someone should keep an eye on them before they get here," Jin stated.
"I could do that as the Adventure Momon, it wouldn't be hard to go back and forth between their camp and Nazarick."
"Indeed, and how was your meeting with Fluder by the way, My Lord? I assume he fell in line?" Momonga chuckles.
"Yes, it was all too easy to sway him to our side, so from that aspect, he have our foot in the door for when we deal with The Baharuth Empire in earnest," Momonga said recalling when the court magician of The empire fell to his knees in tears upon just looking at the magical power of Momonga and Nabe.
"Good! Then we are all set for the "worker invasion". By the way, what groups will be coming?" Jin asked. Demiurge thought for a second.
"There is a large worker group called Heavy Masher, I hear they are weak individually but work well in a group. A well-known worker group of Dragon Tooth will also be here, they are one of the more renowned and respected of the groups. Tenmu is another small group but I hear the leader is an accomplished sword and martial arts user. Foresight will probably be the strongest of them all however as they are made up of five workers, they recently got a new member so I don't have any information on him but it shouldn't matter. Finally, there is one team that worries me..."
"Worries? What do you mean?" Momonga asked surprised.
"A recent team to request this job is called Fantasy Star and I know next to nothing about them other than it's three female ninjas. Something does not feel right about this team... I suggest extreme caution when dealing with this team," Demiurge said with a frown.
"Let me handle them... I will question..." Momonga began
"You're already going to be undercover as Momon... you should let me deal with this team. If they are a real threat as you say..." Jin spoke up.
"Killing women? That... wait you don't plan to kill them do you?" Suzuki asked looking at Jin.
"Like I said I'd 'deal' with them... if they are a normal worker group then I'll just let them meet whatever fate Albedo has in store for them... but if they are dangerous as Demiurge feels like they might be... I won't risk Nazarick's safety for my feelings. If they are threats, I will kill them." Jin said simply. His answer seemed to satisfy them.
"Very well... I will inform Albedo that the team of Fantasy Star will be dealt with personally by Lord Peroroncino," Demiurge confirmed that he understood.
"And, will Lord Momonga still be dealing with Foresight?" Demiurge asked. Momonga nodded.
"This could be a good test to see how I've grown as a Warrior... yes I would still like to fight them... as they will be my sparring opponents try to keep them healthy for me, also I will give them clean deaths as thanks for fighting me," Momonga told Demiurge who bowed.
"Do we have any other specific uses for the other two teams?" Jin asked.
"Thier bodies will make good experimentation material, how they meet their end is not really a concern of mine." Jin looked at Demiurge with a frown.
"Alright fine Demiurge... but don't make them suffer... only perform experiments that can be done with them unconscious... then kill them mercifully when you are finished," Jin ordered Demiurge, he bowed to show he understood.
"So then you are okay with all this Jin? I don't want..." Jin put his hand up to stop Momonga.
"From what I understand worker groups are basically paid mercenaries that will do any job, no matter how bad for gold... little more than bandits in some cases. No, if these kinds of people trespass in our home... I have no problem killing them." Jin stated, again Momonga seemed satisfied.
"Okay then... tomorrow it all begins! So if there is no more business I'd like to prepare." Momonga said. Demiurge gave a final bow and excused himself. After Demiurge had left Jin turned to Suzuki.
"So...what's this surprise you have planned for Aura and Mare?" Jin asked. Suzuki looked at Jin, each were in their original bodies.
"Well I'm glad you asked s you will play a huge part in it..." Momonga explained to Jin what he had in mind for them.
"Ha! Yeah, I could see them really loving that... but um, have you noticed Aura is kinda... in the dumps as up late?" Jin asked.
"Yes I have... it has to do with Mare getting married and um... also probably because I turned her proposition down."
"Eh? her proposition? What are you talking about?" Jina sked, Momonga shook his head.
"Well, um we got on a rather odd subject, and she ended up telling me she wanted to be my fourth wife." Suzuki admitted. Jin looked puzzled for a bit.
"Wait, she... like... really?" Momonga looked at Jin oddly... he was taking this news a little too well.
"Let me ask you something Suzuki... have you noticed the NPC will take after their creator's personalities... like by a lot?" Jin asked a rhetorical question as this was well known between the two already. As such he didn't wait for an answer.
"So going forward with that in mind... there is probably something I should tell you, Suzuki..." Jin sighed, whatever he was about to say clearly bothered him.
"Hitomi... my sister, um... well she loved you, Suzuki..." Now Jin waited to see how Suzuki would react.
"Wh... what? What do you mean exactly?"
"I mean it as I said it... back on earth, the old world... Hitomi loved you but never said anything." Jin admitted this secret he'd been sitting on for years.
"WH... I didn't... but... why didn't she say anything? Why didn't you?" Momonga's emotions were quickly returned to a normal state.
"Isn't it obvious? She promised she'd break into my house and destroy all my hentai if I ever told you... as to why she never told you herself... not sure, maybe she was waiting for the right time that never came. I know your mother passing made her stay silent about it... ironically, I told her that's when you could have used this knowledge the most... but she didn't listen to me... she really does... um did." Jin mood plummetted, it always did when the subject of Hitmoi came up.
Jin cleared his throat a few times before continuing, his voice was slightly shaky like he was trying to hold back tears.
"Um, anyway... I think that attraction for you... probably was instilled in Aura." Jin nodded a few times. Suzuki had just assumed she loved him because, honestly, all the NPCs did... but their devotion was code, something they had no choice in the matter in. However Aura's 'love' then, was probably more than that... but would still be on top of that fact as well. Momonga thought.
"Wait... Jin, just what are you saying? You're not saying I should... marry Aura, right?" Jin shrugged.
"I'm not about to tell you what to do with your love life... god knows I'm the last person who should be suggesting anything about that stuff... having said that however, I don't think it's a feeling that's going to go away in her... especially is it's on the same level as Hitomi's... you might want to reconsider that topic with her... is all I'm saying."
"She's a child!" Jin laughed.
"She loves you, not lusts after you... if you want my advice then... talk to her about this more... with what I told you in mind this time... don't dismiss it as an "innocent child's love" or the default love we get from NPCs." Jin finished. Suzuki was thankful again for his Overlord body as it let him think clearly at times like this when normally he'd be flustered and embarrassed to be even having this conversation.
"That's fair... I will talk to Aura when we have time, thanks for telling me this Jin."
"Yeah... And I know what your thinking Suzuki... and I don't think it will work," Jin said knowing indeed what he was possibly planning to do.
"If you just "marry" her and never um... consummate it... Thanks to you she knows exactly what is supposed to happen when you guys marry," Jin said laughing. Momonga facepalmed himself.
"That... I honestly don't see myself being able to do anything like that with her Jin... this is... very weird." Momonga said as Jin shrugged.
"Well I'll leave you to think it over," he said laughing and walking out of the room with a wave. Momonga leaned back thinking about Hitomi and Aura.
"I... I really liked you too, Hitmoi..." he groaned at the missed opportunity in life... if they had been dating... would she be here with them now? Would Jin have his sister? For some reason, Suzuki felt he was to blame for her not being here now, even though that was not the truth.
He tapped his finger on his desk trying to figure out what to do... if Aura was legit in love with him.. and not like Albedo who he had tainted... this was something real, a leftover vestige of Hitomi's unprofessed love. But when he thought of Aura he only saw her as a kind of daughter... if she were older, then obviously there would be less of a problem... how long would she have to wait then?... as a Dark Elf, well over a few decades at least.
"That's a long time to wait..." He put his head on his desk and moaned out loudly in regret.
Why am I in this situation? He thought as he kept his head on the desk.
Anyway, Momonga decided he'd get ready and go to the Baharuth Empire, time was close and he would be playing escort to the doomed workers.
Evileye inspected her outfit. It was just a black suit typical for a ninja to be wearing with a mask and hood, she matched Tina and Tia perfectly as they were wearing the same outfits. They were standing outside of the noble mansion who was funding the operation. She saw the groups standing in a presentable matter, and unfortunately, one man was going around talking to the groups... her unknown group would soon come under question. And she was right. The blonde hairs man with a red patch in it and leather armor was the friendly one.
"So, I recognize all the other groups around here but not your team... uh, you are you exactly? I'm Hekkeran from Foresight," he said bowing politely. Tina and Tia looked at Evileye, she was to do any talking for the group as this was her show.
"We are a new team but individually we are very strong, I am Alis, that is Rika and Nei... you may call us Team Fantasy Star," Evileye said shaking his hand. He blinked.
"Wow, your hands are cold." She withdrew her hand quickly and glared at him.
"S...sorry that was rude, um well nice to meet you three, uh good luck," he left as he could tell Evileye was not the talkative one. He went back to talk with the group leaders. Evileye saw the man named Erya Uzuruth, the one with the three slaves and she scowled, she noticed another woman, a half elf was also scowling at the same man. Clearly, this Erya was not well liked even among the workers.
"Do not save that man under any circumstances if he is in danger later..." Evileye ordered the twins. They nodded. He was boasting about his swordsmanship, claiming to be better than the hero of the Re-Estize army, Gazef Stronoff. She was sure any member from Ainz Ooal Gown would be able to easily beat him. She herself would like to try it, but that was not the mission here... she just needed together information on this place.
"AAH!" One of the elf slaves that followed Erya around suddenly cried out in pain, she was on the ground clutching her ear.
"Wins, you shitty elf, what did I say about letting your damn ears show?" He scolded her roughly as she begged for his forgiveness. Evileye scowled and would remember this. But the mood was broken by a butler making an announcement.
"Everyone, thank you very much for accepting my Count's request. Please come this way." And he led them to the wagons that the five teams would be taking. Not only were the carts huge and well packed, but they were also even carried by incredible magical beasts that cost... far too much.
"Please take it easy in these carriages as we travel. We have even hired high ranking Adventure party Ainz Ooal Gown to provide protection for the transport and guard the campgrounds, Mister Momon? And these are his teammates, Lupu as well and their beautiful caster, Nabe!" The Butler said as a black armored warrior with giant swords on his back walked up beside the butler. Evileye couldn't believe it! It was Sir Momon! And the two girls were also there! She wanted to run up and greet them, especially Momon, as she had a lot to ask him about and he had saved her in the battle in Re-Estize with Airxeen. But that would blow her cover... Still, she was glad to see them alive and well. Her non-beating heart skipped when she looked at him.
"Looks like this Count has gone all out if he hired this team! But it was still strange if there had been a request for an adamntite level team as protection... shouldn't The Blue Roses get wind of it? Meaning they were asked for specifically by the Count. making an already expensive team twice as expensive... odd. Her eye could not leave the Monk and Warrior leaders of Ainz Ooal Gown.
"They are amazing!" She accidentally said out loud. But only her friends heard her.
"I would like to just ask one thing. Why is it you head to these dangerous ruins? The potential for danger is exceedingly high, knowing this, why did you workers take this job?" Momon asked.
"Gold of course!" one of the worker leaders yelled out laughing.
"I see, so you've all been offered enough money to risk your lives."
"Well, yes." Hekkeran said laughing, the group chuckled. Ninya knew they knew Jin, she wanted to run up and ask them about her sister but figured there would be a chance for that as they were going on the road together. She wrapped her scarf around her face to help conceal her gender, Hekkeran had figured out she was a girl by her cute looks, so she made a point to cover her face around new people.
But as they traveled Momon proved hard to locate. Ninya poked her head out the moving wagon looking up and down. She saw a man from another adventure group, but only a gold tag hung from his neck.
"Hello, um have you seen Sir Momon at all?" She asked the man. He nodded at her.
"Yeah, Ainz Ooal Gown is taking point and traveling some ways ahead of us to clear out anythign that we might come across. If you want to speak to them wait till camp." The man told her she nodded and sat down.
"So what is it you want to talk to them about?" Arche asked.
"Well the info I got about my sister has to do with them, I thought maybe Momon or Lupu could tell me about her is all,"
"Oh, well you said she was safe and happy right?" Ninya nodded at Arche.
"Yeah, I was just curious is all..." Hekkeran then spoke up.
"I can appreciate you're concerned about your sister, but we have a big job... I'd appreciate if you kept your head in the game Ninya." Hekkeran asked with a stern tone, and he was right, after all, there would be plenty of time to talk after this job was done... she'd remain professional on this, her last job.
"Okay sorry Hekkeran, you're right... I'll wait till the jobs over to approach Momon," he nodded that he was satisfied.
"okay good, I'll have Arche check out these ruins, she's very well versed in things like this thanks to her time spent at the Magical Acadamy." Ninya nodded. But when they got there she was unable to figure out any kind of make.
"No, I have never seen anything like this..." Arche admitted looking at it through a long distance viewer.
"Good, that means there is a high chance we're find something intersting," Hekkeran said smiling.
"No mistake about that... we'll make a killing!" Imina said smiling.
"But who knows what kind of dangers lurk in it... monsters or traps, any number of things could get you in a place like that." Roberdyke reminded everyone.
"True... but I'm excited... all out dreams may be realized soon," Arche said looking at the ominous tomb. Ninya just clenched her staff and hoped they would all be okay.
"I wonder who could even be buried in a place liek this..." Ninya muttered.
"Who knows, probably more of a "what" than "who" if you ask me." Imina chuckled.
"Either way, it's always exciting to explore the unknown, don't you agree?" Hekkeran said as he stood with his party shoulder to shoulder.
"It sure would make me happy if there as much gold in there that people think there might be." Arche had a twinkle in her eye when she said that, she needed the gold more than anyone here, now that Ninya's situation luckily resolved itself.
"Of course... this will be our best and probably last job yet..." Hekkeran said with a smile on his face as the sun went down behind the tomb that they would be breaking into soon...
And so as darkness set in, each team would infiltrate the ruins and each would meet their fates.