(No difference of T or M versions of this chapter)

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE: The ruler of life and death

Demiurge sat next to Draudillon Oriculus, his good friend and captive.

"So this is the big event you're keeping me around to witness?" She asked peering out over the mass of troops. Demiurge nodded. From where they were they could easily see the Re=Estize army and the Baharuth Fortress where Momonga currently was.

"Indeed. This will be something to remember till your dying day," Demiurge said looking not at all smug or arrogant. She blew some hair from her face. They were far off to the side of the battlefield under a cloak of invisibility. She turned to look at the ground behind them.

"Was this necessary?" She asked looking at the blanket layed out with a basket next to it. It was the very picture of a "picnic" where lovers would take the day to have lunch together. He motioned to the basket.

"I just thought you would like some refreshments as we wait for the show to begin," She looked at him and then knelt over the basket. Inside was her favorite wine and some other snacks as promised. She helped herself to the wine, simply drinking it straight from the bottle.

"By the way... I was always curious about one thing." Demiurge asked. She looked at him.

"About your power, why can you not sacrifice the souls of anything to fuel your Wild Magic? Why must you be considered their ruler?" He asked. It would have been convenient if she could have just burned the Beastmen away with her power and turned that magic onto Demiurge... not that she thought that could have worked anyway.

"As I said, my bloodline is weak and my magic flawed... such restrictions are part of that flaw." She said shrugging and taking a huge swig from the wine bottle. Demiurge thought for a second.

"Go on... what are the conditions for people to be under your influence of magic?" his tone was seriouse as if she was about to say something that would excite or disappoint him. She thought for a while.

"Well, as you know I have to be their ruler... so if anyone that recognizes me as their Queen, I can use. Or, if I am simply made an official Queen through marriage to a King. That qualifies as making anyone the king rules over my subjects and I could use them as well... but that's it." She looked at the line of Death Knights, as soon as those things got unleashed onto the battle it would be over she figured.

"You call the power to instantly annihilate an entire country of people a flaw?" Demiurge asked silently. She had never heard this tone of voice from him.

"My Dear friend Draudillon Oriculus... I'm afraid you have said exactly what I knew you would... Which means I do have a use for you." Demiurge said frowning.

"You seems put off by this?" he nodded at her question.

"I had planned to keep you for myself... um, as a way to test things about myself and such... but your ability to kill an entire populace of people instantly and painfully... is simply one I must put to use, as such... I cannot keep you to myself," She blinked. She was unsure which would be the worse outcome for her.

"What do you mean by that Demiurge? You're... acting strange," She said finishing the wine.

"With my ability to make most weaker beings do as I order them... and your particular talents..." Her eyes lit up when she pieced together what he was saying. Under the right circumstances, her ability could be used as a massive form of genocide of an enemy kingdom.

"So you're telling me... you plan to marry me off to a king to kill his people?" He smiled deviously.

"Well, that certainly is an option now, isn't it?"

"Is it the most efficient way to use me?" She knew all too well what drove Demiurge, while he was a sadist... he would never allow his personal influences to affect the efficiency of his work, it was one of the things that drew her to him.

"Don't tell me you plan to marry me off to The Elf King?" She said shaking her head in disgust. But he shook his head with a smile.

"No, I need the Elf people and their nation, and The Elf King is already under my hand... all I need to do is snap my fingers and the shadows will descend upon him... of course, I plan to toy with him a bit first... he will be a fun one to mess around with when I am bored. She almost felt something that resembled jealousy at that notion... she enjoyed being his favorite pass time... to think he would move on to another. He seemed to pick up on this and smiled at her slightly.

"Do not worry, you will be my favorite pet still," he said patting her on the head. Most people, especially royalty, may not like being referred to as a "pet"... but for some reason, it was rather comforting to her.

"Oh! It's beginning!" Demiurge said as he looked out and saw the Re-Estize Army taking it's lines. Draudillon Oriculus stood next to him dropping the empty bottle. Demiurge felt her take his hand and looked at her from the side of her eyes. She was still in her eight-year-old form so must have looked like his daughter holding his hand. He wasn't sure how to react to this so just ignored it, yet he did close his hand around hers slightly. She smiled.

The Empires troops were already lined up and the stare off began...

Typically the two sides would begin like this. Then The Empire would lead it's nights on a charge, a few minor skirmishes would break out, but neither side would be too bloodthirsty to leave opening up to their own guard. The fight would go on till the sides became a little tired, then The Empire would go back. This might happen once or twice till both sides called it a day and preparations for a day or two of this would go on, rarely fatalities were reported.

However, Gazef Stronoff could tell this was different. Even as the haughty nobles fantasied about "beating the Empire here and then pushing forward with an invasion" he knew all too well they had no chance of winning. From across the battlefield, he could make out well over 100 Death Knights. That force alone would be enough to eventually kill the entire army he stood behind.

Then there were the Soul Eaters. Just one for hose would destroy this whole army in a matter of a couple of hours... and again there were far more than needed... but these were not the things that truly worried him. The Dark Elf necromancer who had yet to show himself. It had been reported he killed an entire Demihuman army, larger than what he now stood against, with a single spell.

"If he's looking to make a point to the Kingdom..." Gazef Stronoff muttered darkly. A knight in silver armor walked up behind him. It was Princess Renner's personal guard, a commoner like himself, that the Princess elevated to his current status, he was Climb. Gazef Stronoff rather liked Climb, not because he was powerful, in fact, he was very unremarkable as far as Gazef Stronoff was really concerned. yet he had a determination and burning will that training would never bestow.

"You look very worried, Sir Gazef Stronoff," Climb remarked as he walked up behind him. A slightly worn out sword fighter stood behind Climb. It was Brain Unglas, who Gazef Stronoff had ran across in the streets of the capital not long ago when the capital was encased in that weird prison with the pink sky. Brain had found some small measure of meaning but still was nothing like the man he had faced off against years ago in the tournament.

"Am I letting it show that badly? Sorry..." Gazef Stronoff said smiling and shaking his head... yet his eyes did not leave the Derk Elf across the field. Brain clicked his tongue.

"Is that him then? The necromancer that makes obedient monsters?" Brain thought of the little girl that had rendered him useless... then again at the fantasy world where he had "killed her" only to find out it was a dream. yet that dream had given him a real move. It had no confidence behind it yet, but if he could... someday...

"Is... he really that powerful? I heard in the Holy Kingdom he killed over 200,000 with the help of many other casters but..." Climb said in ignorance. Like many others, he believed Momonga had killed the Demihuman army in the Holy Kingdom with the help of many other hidden casters.

"No... I am sure he killed that many by himself," Gazef Stronoff corrected the young man. Climb looked up at him shocked. Brain just scowled silently.

"But... if that's true then..." Climb stammered in true realization of what they were up against.

"Yes... I believe this Dark Elf know as Momonga is a Godkin, which means his powers can rival Dragon Lords..." Climb then became more than a little worried as those words sank in. Brain scoffed.

"Then... do you think he'd kill all these men? I mean..." Climb asked. Gazef Stronoff frowned.

"The man I met in Carne village was kind and helped people... also he had another with him that I suspect was just as strong." Climb shook his head in disbelief and amazement.

"Then... do we really have no chance of winning?" Gazef Stronoff clicked his tongue but Brain spoke up before he could answer Climbs question.

"That's right Climb. Humans like us cannot hope to stand up against the true monsters out there, it's all very hopeless," Brain said in sullen remembrance of his ordeal with Shalltear Bloodfllen. When she had defeated him with little more than a pinky finger. Unfortunately, Gazef Stronoff seemed to agree with the defeated man.

"I don't think we have a chance at surviving Climb... I suspect by the days end we will all be dead... if that is indeed Sir Mononga's wish," Climbs expression turned to panic as he moved to go toward the royal tent.

"We have to tell His majesty..." Climb suddenly yelled out as he could not believe what Gazef Stronoff had just said so causally.

"He knows... I've explained to him in great detail what we are up against, but he simply can't comprehend that kind of power... or chooses not too." Gazef Stronoff said shaking his head in frustration. Brain laughed underneath his breath.

"Then... what can we do?" Climb asked each of them.

"I have met this Dark Elf Momonga, though at the time he was wearing a weird mask...however, he struck me as honorable. Maybe if I can talk to him one on one..." Gazef muttered to himself, yet knew that would never come to pass.

"Then we are at his mercy?" Climb muttered in disbelief. Gazef Stronoff smiled as he thought about those words.

"Not just us Climb... if nobody rises up to stop him... this whole world will be at his mercy... I heard The Holy Kingdom is already vocally supporting his claim to E-Rantel... they will be his allies when this is all said and done." Gazef Stronoff told Climb who pondered on that.

"Then with the Slane Theocracy gone..."

"We are the only Nation of man not under his influence, and that will change the second this war begins." Gazef solemnly said.

"There's always the hope that The Elf King and Momonga have it out and they kill each other," Brain said in a mocking tone. The movements of the Elf King and his army made it clear he would be beating down the gates, in a very literal manner, of the Holy Kingdom soon. The time of man was at en end it would seem.

"But what about the Demihuman nations friendly to humans? The Argland Council state or Karnassus City-State Alliance?" But Gazef Stronoff shook his head at Climbs naivety.

"Argland had stated they will stand with us in case of invasion, but the Platinum Dragon Lord is gone... as is the Draconic Kingdom, consumed by The Beastman tribes. Their support is only vocal as they are a peaceful Demihuman nation... they would not be able to raise any real resistance, Calzanas will do whatever it thinks will benefit them... they will join the Sorcerer King... they would not choose death over submission." Gazef Stronoff told the worried squire.

"But..." Climb was about to say when there was movement. The host of Death Knights parted and between them walked three figures. The man to the left was One of "The Four" Nimble Arc Dale Anoch, personal guard to Emperor Jircniv. To the other side was a Dark Elf child with a large red object strapped to it's back. And in the center walked Momomga.

"This... is bad," Climb muttered as he took some steps back. Climb, Brain and Gazef Stronoff stood at the rear of the army with the King's forces and the high ranking nobles. But the surge of fear and panic could be felt even hereupon just seeing Momonga walk out to the front.

"Sir Gazef..." Climb remarked as fear welled up in the pit of his stomach. Gazef Stronoff just stood in silence. Brain began to tremble and instinctively took several steps back.

Nfirea stood among the other troops. He was too short to really make out what was happening on the other side and his helmet they issued him was too big, it would constantly slip over his eyes forcing him to push it back up. So to was his armor, it hung loosely around his chest and did not seem like it would really help.

Yet he knew he would be okay, thanks to Enri... when the troops came to collect men for the war she gave him her ring. While lovers exchanging rings was commonplace, this ring was given to her by one of the saviors of Carne village.

"Use this ring to turn invisible and run away when you get the chance!" Enri had ordered him. He looked at the ring with affection. But a sense of worry and a commotion broke his concentration as soldiers began to become restless.

"What's going on?" Nfirea asked the soldier next to him who was much taller than he was. the man was about to answer him when suddenly Nfirea's world turned black. he looked around but there was nothing, nothing but a sprawling blackness that went of for as long as he could see.

"What? Where am I? HELLO?" he called out but there was nothing, not even an echo.

Aura rolled up her scroll with a smile.

"Did you get him Aura?" Momonga asked. She looked up at him pointing to her world item, Depiction of Nature and Society.

"Yup, he's safe in my scroll, let them have it Lord Momonga!" Aura said smiling and standing back to watch her lord and love go to work. he nodded in satisfaction.

"Very good Aura, you may let him out," and on that command, Nfirea was let out of Aura's world item and was standing next to them. He looked around in shock but then saw Momonga and relaxed.

"Sorry Nfirea, but I had to get you out of there before I begin..." Momonga said. Nfirea took a few seconds but only nodded. He wasn't sure what was going on or how he ended up on the other side of the battlefield, but he was glad he was no longer standing against Momonga.

"Next part?" Nfirea muttered silently but just watched in silent amazement at was about to come next.

"Good job Aura... You all have performed so well, I'm very proud of everyone..." Momonga said as he began his spell... Yet he did not cast a super tier spell. he did even cast a 10th tier spell. Instead, he cast a very familiar spell.

"[GATE]!" Momonga cast the simple transportation spell but at a much higher consumption of power and Shalltear was also lending help with the spell. An absolutely massive black portal opened up that was easily visible to Gazaff and Climb. And what emerged shocked every human that witnessed it. A huge figure, easily over 30 meters stepped forth. It was made of rock with huge rivers of molten lava flowing between the cracks in it's massive stone armored body. It's huge form cast a shadow that covered almost the front half of the Re-Esztize army.

"Now go Gargantua... Kill everyone but the ones I ordered to be kept safe." Momonga didn't really need to say any of this as Gargantua had no real intelligence to speak of, it would just follow simple mental commands. But he needed the rest of The Baharuth Empires members to see that this "thing" was following his orders.

However, at the sudden appearance of this massive hulking thing that blocked the sun, even the Empired soldiers were showing signs of fear and panic. For the time they were holding it together. Nimble just stood looking up dumbfounded, nobody had words to explain what they were looking at.

The massive golem broke the earth just standing, but then as it raised one of it's massive legs the redistributed weigh from his planted leg sent huge fissures and cracks running all along the ground. A large section of Kight's had to move out of the way at one of the longer fissures that came dangerously close to their position.

The Re-Eszist army was already in a full-blown panic. Soldiers threw down their weapons and tried to run in the opposite direction. But it was like ants trying to run away froma grown man. Gargantua's leg moved over the gap between the two armies in half a stride. The running soldiers cried all could be heard from the end of both sides of the Katze Plain. But the sound would be replaced with a loud crash. A sound to terrible that the Baharuth Knights had to cover their ears best they could with their hands as the giant beast finished taking it's first step.

The massive foot did not come down with a stomping force, from it's perspective Gargantua simply took a light step. The massive mountain-like foot crushed thousands of soldiers instantly. But the force from this "light step" Shock out a wave of debris and dirt like a wave one would see in the ocean (at least how Blue Planet would explain it) The wave of rubble and dirt rolled forth covering thousands more, giving them an instant burial. She displaced air from the step continued on past the wave of dirt, blowing more soldiers through the air and knocking even more to the ground.

With a single step Garganrua killed over 70,000 troops and displaced the ranks of the army. As the chaos erupted in front of them Momonga could hear the rattling and shaking from the knights clad in armor around him. Nimble was staring wide-eyed and jaw open. He just simply shook his head back and forth trying to comprehend what he was seeing. Momonga smiled and looked at Aura was smiled brightly at him. Nfirea had collapsed and was starring out in shock like Nimble was.

Gargantua then slid his foot along the ground to his left side, wiping out another 89,000 troops as his giant foot ground their bodies into nothingness. Another huge wave of dirt rolled out from the force of this simple movement and spilled over the army. Thousands were crushed and buried by the kicked up earth. Momonga rose his hand to make Gargantua stop. The golem had decimated the entire army in only two simple motions. The area at the rear where the king was the only section not completely destroyed.

Gazef Stronoff was the only one still holding his ground. He never left his position from outside of the King's tent, even as the generals and nobles screamed to run for their lives. The king, however, was not retreating. He only stood and looked at the giant golem that was not there just seconds ago. Even Climb had lost his nerve and had fallen to his knees. the lad had vomited as he saw his fellow countrymen getting wiped out like they were nothing.

"That... that was... amazing..." Nimble managed to get out. Momonga looked at him with a frown.

"Amazing you say?" he asked curiously. Nimble seemed to be stricken with fear.

"There is no reason to be on edge Master Nimble, it's just that... I haven't done anything yet... you know? I still have a spell to cast..." Momonga said chuckling. Another black portal opened up and the golem that had crushed the Re-Estize army like so many ants was gone just as fast as it had appeared. What lay before Momonga, Nimble and aura was carnage. Huge grooves in the earth were stained red with the pulverized bodies of the former enemy army. Cracks split the earth in such huge fissures that entire sections of the enemy army had simply fallen into them and never seen again as they tried to split off to the side. Huge clouds of fust still covered the entire battlefield giving it a light covering of shade that was hard to breathe under.

To every surviving member of the Re0Estize army and the Baharuth Empire Kinghts, the message was clear. The Dark Elf Necromancer Momonga controls things far beyond the scope of normal man...

Then a large casting bubble appeared around Momonga as he was ready to showcase his own personal power to the remaining humans that could only sit and watch like children staring up at a grand magic show in the streets of a city. There was no reason to hasten this spell along so Momonga simply let the cast time finish then rose his hands above his head.

"[CREATION]!" Momonga cast the super tier spell that would allow the user to create any kind of terrain they wanted. The area of effect was massive in this world, so this terrain should be a subtitle change...

The entire area before them opened up in a massive gorge. A pit in the earth opened up and formed a hole so massively deep and large one could not see the bottom. then magic runes formed around Momonga and vanished as he finished the spells instruction. The large pit was suddenly filled in with fresh water as Momonga choose "freshwater lake" as his new terrain. Even along the edges of the lake marge and beautiful trees and grass fields formed around the lake.

A huge section of the Katze Plain, a place known for undead and death, suddenly became a place of life. The kights looked around them as trees, bushes and grass sprang up in this dead wasteland. many bent down to pluck the grass to make sure it was real while others just still stood in fear, wondering how the giant golem, had come and gone so fast.

Momonga then flew slowly above his allied army and turned to face them. He clutched his hands that were equipped with Avarice and Generosity so he could absorb all the experience points from the slain soldiers. They added to his godlike look.

"You see... I am not only the master of Death, but also life... there is no realm in this universe that I cannot influence. I command death and life at a whim... applaud!" Momonga announced smugly. Nimble looked at Momongastill in shock.

"Applaud my supreme power!" Momonga commanded again, now rising up his gauntleted hands, palms open. Aura smiled up in love at Momonga and clapped in a dignified manner fit for a King. the Knights, who too, were still, largely in shock simply stared at the Dark Elf. One man among them understood what he was witnessing and began to clap. He was weeping underneath his helmet and did not try to hide that fact. Like an infection, his applause sparked the fire that traveled through the ranks fo these men. Soon all were on their feet applauding loudly and even cheering.

"Very good! Know that so long as our great nations remain allies, everyone here is under my nation's protection and will never know fear from an enemy force ever again!" Momonga announced over the roar of applause and maddening cries. Over a half of the knights present there resigned the next day, and half those that resigned went to seek their life under the banner of The Dark Elf, Momonga The Sorcerer King.

Momonga nodded in satisfaction but then looked out across the newly made lake at the encampment that housed the King of The Re-Estize Kingdom.

"Now my dear Nimble... I will go speak to the rest of the enemy army," he stated simply. Nimble looked like he might become sick at those words.

"You intend to kill every last one of them? This never was even a battle... there is no reason! Are you really just a monster?" Nimble said, his brain yet to recover so his words were much less reserved than normal. But Momonga took no offense to these words.

"Make no mistake... I simply do wish only to speak to them. My point was made, no I am not a monster." he answered then flew up and looked down. he saw a stoic man standing at the edge of the lake with his arms crossed. His stance spoke volumes. If you wish to speak to anyone, it will be me, It seemed to say.

Momonga recognized the person, it was Gazef Stronoff. The man he had almost accident killed in Carne village when he fought The Death Knight he had made. Behind him stood his men and probably the most loyal royal guard. Then there was the one he was meant to keep alive and another next to him. No more than thirty men at best. they seemed ready to play decoy so that the King could fall back.

Climb was red with embarrassment and Brain was smirking a bit. Even Gazef Stronoff who was waiting for Momonga seemed to be in on whatever had just happened in the tent of the king. Momonga hovered above them.

"Sir Momonga... it's been a while." Gazef Stronoff said in a respectful but stern manner.

"You look well Master Stronoff!" Momonga greeted him back. Only Gazef Stronoff, Climb and the smirking swordsman stood up. the rest of the men present fell back to make a human wall around the king's tent.

"I must apologize Sir Momonga, I did not know you were a Dark Elf when we first met, but you seem to be doing well as well..." Momonga laughed and floated to the ground and stood before Gazef Stronoff.

"It really has been a long time hasn't it?" Momonga asked, remembering the first week he and the rest of Nazarick came to this world.

"Yes, Master Momonga... it's a shame we always meet under... unfortunate circumstances." Gazef Stronoff said smiling. Brian and Climb stayed silent.

"But... why are you here now? The battle is won... we can offer you no resistance." Gazef Stronoff said as he scowled at the Dark Elf.

"Well, I will get right to the point then... become my subordinate!" Momonga said opening his hand in a friendly manner. The three men who heard this all gasped slightly, no one had expected the, soon to be recognized, Sorcerer King to make such a request.

"Do this and I will spar what remains of your men, as well as the king. Everyone will be allowed to return safely. Climb and Brain both looked at Gazef Stronoff in wonder of what he will say.

"I refuse! I am sorry, but I am the sword of the king... nothing you can say or do could ever hope to change that master Momonga, I am sorry, however... I have a request." Gazef Stronoff said pointing his bright blue sword at Momonga.

"Hmm? What is it?" Momonga asked curiously. Gazef paused for a second. He looked at Momonga with pure intent.

"I am the head warrior of The Re-Estize Kingdom Gazef Stronoff, Master Momonga... I request a duel!" Gazef Stronoff proclaimed pointing his sword even closer to Momonga. Momonga did not show very much of a response, simply shaking his head.

"Are you seriouse? I am sorry, Sir Stronoff, but you are simply too weak to have any chance of killing me... not 1% of 1% a chance you understand? So sorry, I will decline, there is no challenge, fun or gain in it for me... you have no leverage. Honestly, I thought you were smarter than this Sir Stronoff." Momonga said shaking his head and waving his hand in a dismissive fashion.

"Why would you even ask such a thing? You know how easily I could crush you, right?" Momonga said with a smug smile. Gazef Stronoff smiled confidently back at the Dark Elf before him.

"Isn't it simple? The enemy King is right here before my blade... I could strike a devastating blow to our enemy by beating you, whatever small a chance, I must take it in the name of my Kingdom." He said smiling. Momonga rolled his eyes.

"I simply came here to let you jump off this sinking ship you call a Kingdom... but if you want to go down with your captain's ship... nothing to be done about it," Momonga said shrugging.

"You and your men, as well as your king, are free to go, I've shown what I needed to show and killing you lot serves me no purpose..." Momonga looked briefly at Climb before teleporting away back to his camp. Gazef Stronoff simply stood in amazement. But then grit his teeth. he looked at his sword and made an oath...

"I will kill The Sorcerer King Momonga with this blade..." He saw his own angry reflection in the blade, but it was a face he did not recognize.