Chapter 6:
Written by Y.H
Disclaimer: I do not own overlord or any related element you may or may not see. Those belong to their respective owner
Thought
[Spell]
"Speak"
There have been rumor coming from the southern section of the kingdom. Merchant of dubious nature, unknown noble of wealth, unnatural storm over the mountain range and powerful adventures suddenly appear from seemingly thin air, this rumor have coming from the southern section of the holy kingdom. If one to look carefully they will notice that most of this rumor originating from the southern mountain, more precisely near the city of Herkat.
This rumor is no concern to most outsider, but there one outsider that intrigue by this rumor.
In the northern border of holy kingdom, near the wall that separate the kingdom from the wilderness-control area there lay a seemingly plain tent. The tent itself was standard nomad tent with white color and red entrance door. No, what interesting is the being that reside within the tent, the being is a dark skin 1.8m tall demon with nicely combed black hair. Behind the round glasses are eyes so squinted that they are not normally visible. Wearing a British suit with a tie, he is dressed like a gentleman. Behind his back is a silver tail, covered with metal plates and six long spikes at the end. This is demiurge the 7th Floor Guardian of nazarick great tomb and loyal servant of Supreme Being lord ainz ool gown.
He just receive his daily report from his agent on the holy kingdom, and quite to say he intrigue with this rumor he found out. "Now, what could make such outlandish rumor" he say with intrigue, human are predictable creature worth only in dirt and as specimen for his experiment, human create rumor base on grain of truth, now what kind of truth is it.
His smile turn sinister as he recalled his latest experiment, hearing them scream is truly a music to his ears. Rumor is usually baseless or extravagant but there always a grain of truth in there, no matter how small or insurgences they are. But this rumors is something more.
First thing demiurge notice are the origin of this rumors, they all come from deep south of the kingdom past the mountain range. Second is that gap between rumors is small, too small to be accidental, words travel fast especially among humans. Third is that how similar this rumor to their own rumor they spread. All of this combine and the fact that his agent on the capital is reporting sensing powerful aura before vanishing completely led him to believe there is something on holy kingdom, something powerful if it can sending his agent to write it on its report that there human powerful enough to alert his sense.
Demiurge scowl at the thought of powerful on humans, their so called ultimate spell is only tier 3, 4 if they experience enough. But this is different from them, this is powerful, far more powerful than any human could achieve and the presence feel could challenge the floor guardians on it scale is the report say. He skeptic about that, there is no one powerful enough in this world so far that could challenge any floor guardians.
This tidbit is the one that cause his current predicament, either there is something out there that they not encounter that could posse such power or someone from their own world. The last cause his scowl to deepen if there other 'player' like lord ainz in this world it's easy to decipher that they are the cause of Shalltear mind control but there still too many blanks for conclusion yet.
"Even though they are 'player' is no major issue, there will be nothing stopping lord ainz from his goal" he smile remembering his lord show of power on those human army back there. But there are nagging feeling on his mind that this presence is not like he ever deal with.
Oh how right he is on that regard.
(9Liiiiiiiineeeeee break0)
The capital
In the rich district of the kingdom capital, where the seat of holy kingdom lay there a mansion on it outer rim. The mansion is color pale red with gold paint here and there, the mansion itself shape like 2 story building with blocky design and sharp corner almost like trying to be scary and fail. Inside it is like any other fancy mansion with red carpet, big windows and fancy curtain, in the district where the inhabitant try to make there home as fancy and lavish as possible the mansion is look like a bit plain compare to rest. But that is what they want to be, plain enough to be passable and boring but not too much to stick like sore middle finger on the lavish environment.
Lumia currently sorting report from her agents on the capital, she have agents spread on all layer of society and district. From lowly beggar to noble she have it, most she only bribes with money to relay information to her but to more stubborn people she use more force and sometime spell or two to 'convince' them. And to those who betray or refuse her… well they learn how sharp five R-recruit knife blade are.
They don't even know when they strike, it was satisfying feeling on job well done, not that she personally do it she must keep appearance as noble lady, even in her base to avoid suspicion. She already cast ward and spell from her scroll to secure her base but that not stop her from feeling particularly fishy on certain time. She know that there strong diviner on the service of the throne and she only cast low tier spell to avoid suspicious and she know that strong enough diviner could break it, so she better safe than sorry.
"*sigh* can they done anything right? God they done terrible, what are they? Deckhands" she mutter as she caught on particular report, and not in good way. "well least they have enough decency to not get caught" she order few nobles to be 'observe' for her, not many know what for and dint care enough so they just accept it, but damn they ineffective.
"It seem our expectation are right crux" she said to maid beside her. Crux are wearing black and white maid outfit, she just like herself, just accept it and wear it. Lumia swear she sometime hear crux curses her, literally considering her equipment. Crux currently appear to have fair white skin and black hair and brown eyes, she cast high level illusion to herself to hidden her dead color from other human.
And because Lumia cover are of noble crux have no choice but become maid to her, suffice to say she have very blunt, strong words to Lumia when they are alone. "yes milady, they seem to surprise us" her voice is still emotionless but there an edge that told Lumia she do not happy, emotionless or not crux is still deth fleets seventh admiral.
And they have pride, to be reduce to servant of another being other than their creator (god, in case of Richard) is beyond humiliation and dishonor. They better take their own unlife rather than bow to another being. But consider the situation crux and Lumia is in she let it slide, for now.
"Hmm how about your day, anything good" earlier that day crux is send to market for 'restocking' their food supply, she have supply coming from various shop and merchant but she usually ask crux to go to market and buy the supply. Beside she could gather report and Intel collected by their recruited agents, and buy some trinket if she want it.
"There nothing worth mentioning milady"
"If so then please dear make me some tea" crux bow to her before walk out to make tea. It still surreal to Lumia that she have crux as her 'servant' even though on seniority ladder crux is the third oldest sibling after Ricardo and Richard. Lumia know as soon as they securely alone crux will have word with her.
Lumia groan at the thought, she have been very stress out ever since she hear that the grand admiral is gone bonkers after first fleet teleporting and experiment incident. She do not know most of the details because of her distance but from what she hear the grand admiral apparently began to scheme on her own and, if this little information she have correct, is planning to 'drop the beat' according to few info she have.
Nevertheless she still continue her duty to the grand admiral, even if they serve a mad man it still better than left behind without purpose or goal. Even if the grand admiral fall, the fleets will follow her to hell and beyond because in the end grand admiral wish are their law.
She sign as she put the paper down 'I feel really old with this kind of shit' even if her mission is going without hitch she still could not shake the feeling in her gut that something big will happen, and if lesson ever told her anything is to trust your feeling/gut/heart/instinct/self no matter how absurd it is, it save her countless time and beside if you cannot trust yourself then who or what will you trust. Even though the fleets have doctrines that specialize on mind war and psychological warfare.
Lumia, with heavy heart, grab another report and seeing something that could potentially interest the fleets, even her. "New kingdom up north, powerful mage rumor say he is undead and heteromorphic policy eh? Now this is interesting" Lumia say as she read further on the report, her lazy mind is already spinning new way to obtain this interesting tidbit of rumor.
If there is one redeeming factor about Lumia on Listmen eyes is her tenacious and sheer effort she could muster if given proper motivation
And this little bit of rumor has cause her to be quite curious, and that is enough motivation to move her.
(9Liiiiiiiineeeeee break0)
Herkat market
Iliana day has been upturn ever since she got hired by Mirai, she have been so happy even when she got to her sister she just cry herself to sleep. The morning after that she been on constant up beat, like there spring on her feet when walking (not that Iliana know anything about spring) to open market and searching for Mirai stall.
Her live have been on constant downturn ever since her parent die during bandit attack when she was little. She and her sister inherit their parent belonging and home and couple of years they doing fine but fate seem have other idea. Iliana frown a little when she remember those city official demanding her home away from her and little sister.
After that turmoil she have been living on cheap inn at the city for about whole month before force to out because she can't pay anymore. Ever since she lost her home she have been searching job all around the city with no avail, the only job she got is either to work as maid on some noble house or sell her body on brothel. She not that desperate at the time but time slowly erode her resolve. She considering asking some noble to be hired as maid when she got wind of new shop opening and searching for new employee.
Mirai shop for goods is odd on her opinion at the time but what can she chose from? Lowly paid maid, prostitute, or try this. When she enter she see a young woman restocking some wares on the racks, she introduce herself as Mirai, owner of the shop and it apparent courier network from what she heard from other shop owner.
She nervous around her, especially when she start asking her about herself, she try to be comfortable around her and Mirai do say that this is just simple interview but she can't shake the feeling that around Mirai she don't know why but she try to forget about that. After completely bubbling herself on the market the morning after, she find the stall and the man she supposed to find she quickly settle to her routine.
She quickly fall into routine of her new job, smile, answer question, sell wares, rinse and repeat until afternoon. The stall man, as she call him, is unnerve her a bit. He never speak to her and only grunt to her question, she honestly wonder why but she never got the changes as he usually go after she arrive to… where ever he go.
It has been couple of days since she is hired by Mirai and so far doing great. There is couple of hiccup when there a peculiar ruffian on her stall and stall man initial distrust of her, even though his distrust is already lessen due to Mirai letter and badge she wear he still dint trust her.
It has been midway to her working hours and the stock is already depleting 'wow she really is popular' Iliana know that Mirai is popular around the city due to her prices and shop but she never thought that it could deplete stall stock midway through her work. "Well look like we close early today" Iliana attitude has been improving ever since she got hired, but the scar of bad people is still there. As Iliana preparing to close the stall
"Good day we have here right"
"Ahh" Iliana look behind her to see Mirai standing there with carriage behind her, her ever present smile still there with eyes that Iliana swear was glimmering with something.
"Hope am not disturb you or anything, right?"
"Hah, no sir I just close the stall early because we out of stock"
"Well that can't be happen right, employee just out of work because out of stock is not in right my book, now how about you take my post on my shop while I going to adventure guild for today hmm? I even give you a little bonus for this you know"
Iliana nervous is back with full force at this news "m-m-me? On your shop? I can't sir, it too mu-"Mirai close Iliana mouth with a single finger while rubbing her temple with the other hand.
"Lily, I trust you to manage my stall now I want you to manage my store, really is no different than managing stall" Mirai shrug as if like that no important.
"B-but sir I don't think I can do that" Mirai just dismiss her distress with a wave of hand
"Nonsense, I trust you with this, so I can trust you with my shop"
"B-but"
"Relax, I just ask you to man it for today, and I trust you more than my henchman, but that beside the point" she says as she point to her shop direction "I need you to manage her, so chop-chop"
Iliana could only struggle meekly as she is push toward Mirai shop direction. She gulp before walking toward Mirai shop, she see behind her to see Mirai wave her hand to her with her ever present smile, Iliana could only smile nervously while walk. After some way she could only sigh at it.
Mirai behavior is not bad but it could drive people up to wall if they not used to. Almost every day she come to see her and it either good or bad she dint know, but she look like never actually bother by it. Iliana never know the reason but she welcome it, Mirai is… pleasant company if you can count it.
While Iliana walking toward the shop Mirai is already walking ahead. Her smile never leave her face as she walking toward merchant guild too easy, too easy ha, now let see who take the bait her smile become vicious at the thought these human really is stupid, but then again they do provide mean to mass summon undead. Ever since she have report that grand admiral gone bonkers she just laugh at that, grand admiral never gone bonkers she just have plan in mind.
Plan that, according to her experience, is very good in her opinion. Not that it matters, grand admiral wish are their law.
(9Liiiiiiiineeeeee break0)
Deth fleets main flagship
This is terrible idea, so terrible that it may be good plan that is Luther train of thought for the past 10 minutes. After she got idea of vacation she try to form plan on it but the thought is crash almost instantly when Richard teleport in, again, and began to blabber about holy order and divine plan. Luckily Ricardo is nearby so he just kick Richard again after her order to do it.
Apparently her laugh is echoing through the flagship Luther know that she laugh at the idea but she never consider that it will be heard through the flagship, or how it was intercept as she going mad(even though she feel like it) and prompt the entire fleets to be bustling with unbridled emotion, from joy to sorrow.
Currently she in the throne room alone while thinking about how to proceed on this situation, she still want her vacation and by the goodness gracious she will have it. Luther already send Richard and Ricardo back to their respective fleets after another 20 whip for teleporting without consent to her bedroom none the less, and now alone with only Eternal Deth as her companion(she never acknowledge the guard) in her thinking corner, she plan.
This is horrible, they expect me, ME to carry out some sort of doomsday plan, yeah fat change at that her thought is buzzing with activity while her body just caress the blade of her weapon but damm the world if it must be, I will have my vacation a desperate thought born of unending paperwork filling her mind.
But then again I do create myself to be some sort of pirate evil with booty obsession she chuckle at the thought my childhood dream become my nightmare, how the table has turned. She smile on some good memories on her mess of a head this vacation should help me retain my sanity, if I can get it
"The world stay the same yet vastly different, heh the irony of it" after some more memories induce emotion she finally get grip on her mind again, she have no doubt that she is going insane due to conflicted personality in her head but right now she doesn't care she will have her sweet haven.
"Maybe this is what they say about pirate life, you take everything you want and just don't give a shit around you, meh" she could easily order that she want vacation but there is still part of her that persistent about doing it under some sort of mission for the fleets betterment, she suspect this part of her is part of lore make real personality. in her character lore she write that Luther is obsessed with bolstering the fleets to greater height, this obsession is only surpass by her lust for more loot and bigger booty at least that what she write.
Because of this she can't bring herself to just go and be off, to remedy this situation she try to devise a plan that could allow her freedom from work but still benefiting the fleet (even though her vacation is definitely a benefit to the fleets in her opinion), the key word try
Whenever she have plan forming up it always shot down by her own, either it was too tedious or too dangerous to work. It leave her in a rather difficult predicament as she seam can't form a single working plan, it frustrate her to no end but with the predicament she in it can hardly blame.
Most of fleets' forces is concentrating near the l0th fleet with few flotillas scatter around on the perimeter, high command stretch thin with 3 admirals on long term mission and the rest is either unreliable or can't move… note to self: make sure the other admirals is pulling their weight her situation is not bad but not good either, with limited information and fleets movement range it will be difficult to blend in with the local populace.
Then again I can't even read their writing, it only take common sense to figure out that… why I have feeling that common sense is the last thing on everybody mind Luther shock her head, no reason to overclock her mind again. Still with this dilemma it present her an opportunity, ever since she test her power on some deckhands when she first arrive she never have change to test it again, but with this she could flex her power muscle as much she want.
But first plan she know that northern part of holy kingdom is bordering wilderness and Re-Eztize Kingdom with something call Slane theocracy on the east past the wilderness, she know absolutely nothing about Re-Eztize kingdom and Slane theocracy and what beyond it past the rumor from passing merchant and then there this new kingdom called sorcerer kingdom.
Rumor say they are new kingdom with terrifying power that decimate an entire army of Re-Eztize kingdom and some other empire east of Re-Eztize, she have no business with the crown of this kingdoms but that doesn't mean she dint interested by this kingdom. Add the fact that there even a kingdom further north and some petty kingdoms of demi human she know that she need Intel, fast.
And this is where I come if you want it done correctly do it yourself, and as that age old saying goes she will do it herself. Luther smile at the thought of finally have decent plan to her, technically not, vacation. Her smile turn vicious with more and more detail that gone to her plan, especially the thought of riches those crown hold under them. What secret knowledge and forbidden spell chain with other gold to those crown of them and how it will look to her fleets if added.
Yes, yes this will be going very well-
…
…
…
Fucking motherfucker scurvy DAMMIT WHY I ALWAYS COME TO THIS AHHHHHHHHH
While Luther having mental breakdown inside her mind, outside she just sitting calmly on her throne smiling ominously while caressing her halberd blade. If one see Luther one would assume that she is planning something evil, they can't be more far from truth.
Far from the fleets, far from holy kingdom, a certain skeleton overlord look south
Continue
AN: demiurge is fun to write but hard, I seem can't get the character right so sorry if he is little OOC.