Chapter 9: Preparation and suspicions

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"

The deth fleet

The Black Death

"Say what now?" ask Forge suddenly to Listmen from her place on the edge of railing on crow nest. Earlier Listmen ask Forge to do some task for him in exchange for few favors to her and while this is all fine and dandy to Forge because you can't have too much favors, especially if you got Listmen favors, but there one thing on Listmen sentence that stop Forge from outright accept it.

Listmen only roll his eyes "I want you to go to this 'sorcerer kingdom' and gather Intel as much as you can get"

"Okay I'm down with it but what the catch? You don't just send literal admiral to simple scouting mission like this"

"Yes you right, but grand admiral is nearing this kingdom and she send me order to 'keep eye out' for any strong magical signature, and because of your strong natural magic resistance you the best to send. Beside I don't want to send Richard or Cole" at this Forge only could stare at him curiously

"Strong magical signature? We can send couple of corvette to scout thing ahead"

"Who do you think I want to be the commander of such group?"

"Commodore?"

Listmen just raise an eyebrow before he make hand gesture to deck bellow them.

"… Fair point"

Luther already send order to scout the sorcerer kingdom to confirm her theory that lord ainz is momonga, she know it on the base intellect and instinct that ainz is momonga, but she need confirmation and ,if the scout get detected, send massage to momonga that she here as well. Luther know this is risky move but then again she not become the second strongest player on Yggdrasil without taking any risk, high risk high reward is Luther thought when she sent the order.

"Fine, I accept it. So tell me Listmen which specific one I want to search up to?" ask Forge, she maybe hesitant to get this one for Listmen but the pros outweigh the cons on her mind I already imagine Lumia green face when she see me literally doing nothing

"The great tomb lord momonga of Nazarick great tomb"

…

…

…

"Come again?"

"Great tomb lord of Nazarick, momonga"

…

…

…

"ARE YOU SHITTING ME LISTMEN" Forge just scream at Listmen. Forge maybe an admiral, bur she only engage the tomb lords of Nazarick a couple of times but she know that they are powerful, extremely powerful. Adding the fact that during the war they are basically the power house of undead, monsters, and demons that fight both the servant and the fleets and still standings even to go as far to burn one of the fleets completely is not helping either "YOU WANT ME TO GO TO PLACE WHERE FUCKING NAZARICK MAY LAY SO I COULD SCOUT IT?! ARE YOU MAD"

"Calm down sister, it is just speculation from grand admiral part, it probably just very strong mage or group of mages on that place, no need to mad" Listmen casual dismiss at the thought calm Forge a little but she still sheathing with anger, no sane or mind able body on the deth fleet want to comfort one of them, even admirals must take precautions step to ensure that they themselves don't get obliterated, only the grand admiral and admirals board could match them on sear raw strength and magical.

"Are you saying, that the grand fucking admiral is sensing one of the fucking tomb lords there? In these area YOU want ME to search?!"

"No, she says she hears couple of rumors that may indicate that but nothing concrete so she send scout to see what is going on there"

"And that scout is me?"

"Yes"

Forge could only stare at Listmen bewildered, grand admiral sense is rarely wrong and if she does sense one of the tomb lord, there almost guarantee right and these is no mere tomb lord, this is momonga the great tomb lord, the one that oppose the servant of paradise and rival heavenly mother and grand admiral on raw power alone. And if grand admiral sense him, it most likely that he is there, and that scare forge to no end.

"You do realize that if the rumor true and grand admiral sense is proven correct we will have Nazarick on our doorstep, right?"

"Yes, that why we send scout. We need to gauge their strength and locate where their base are, and if is not true we still could get whatever or whoever cause this to our side"

"What will happen if they detect me snooping around there, we will have Nazarick legions marching straight to us!"

"If sister, a big fat if, you better make sure it stay if, I don't want to deal with them, not just yet. Beside you just too paranoid sister"

"THAT NOT WHAT I MEANT" scream Forge, she is scare. Going directly to Nazarick is akin to going directly to death for the living, and while Forge is already dead she rather not experience it again, the only one that died a second time and get resurrected again, is Richard and she have no desire to go full fanatical cultist like it.

"Yes sister, yes it is" Listmen reply calmly "beside you have no other choice other than go"

"And that is because?"

Listmen just pull out scroll from his suit and unroll it, Forge watch it unroll and read it content, she grow paler the more she read it. The scroll content magical contract that bind one being with it until the contract is fulfill or become null, the contract is sealed with Listmen and Forge name and signature with grand admiral as the enforcer in the middle. Apparently Listmen is already prepare it and sign it before hand, it depict her to complete the mission or sustain punishment directly from grand admiral, it also depict that Forge attain Listmen favors and grand admiral favor for one time.

It was risky (and dick) move on Listmen part to make sure Forge accept it, but she can't deny that the reward is temping, especially the grand admiral favor, and it was outrageously powerful and influential on the fleets.

"y-you just-"

"Yes forge"

"b-but"

"No sister, it completely 'legal' way to do it"

"H-how"

"Grand admiral made it priority to scout it, and I will complete it, through you"

"I-it's unfair" Forge finally cried out.

"See the reward sister, it completely balanced maybe even surpass it on my opinion"

Forge stammer some more before she just slum and sight heavily, maybe bargain with him is wrong move "at least the reward is nice" mumble Forge before summon a quill and sign it. While Listmen watch and smile. Both feel the bond on their being and the contract shine briefly before burst into flame and disappear.

"Gland making deal with you, madam"

"Fuck. You. Listmen, fuck you"

While Listmen and Forge in the crow castle, deep down on the dungeon part of the ship, one could see Marty and his lieutenants siren dragging some big sacks that wriggled to one of the cell. He open the cell door and throw it into the cell before closing it with a 'clink' sound and green flare of rune.

Two sacks wriggled before one of them burst open revealing young man in priest outfit, he seem dizzy for a moment before he snap back to reality. He quickly survey his surrounding before his blue eyes zero on Marty "who are you, and where am I" he demand in angry tone.

Marty only scoff at it "watch your tone landlubber, in here you have no power"

He look angry before light spell began form on his hand before it completely shatter, he look surprise "w-what, YOU what have you done to me!?"

"Nothing idiot, even if you manage to conjure some spell you cannot escape or survive, one way or another, you death"

Marty observe the priest, he have blue eyes and blue hair he look around 19 years old with one scar running vertically from the boy cheek to his chin. He and his companion capture by Mirai for Richard but the grand admiral order for them to held on the Black Death, saying something along the line of experiment and Intel gathering. Whatever her reason is, she now have two living human on aboard the fleet at her mercy.

"w-what, release me this instant monster" he demanded once more only to get Marty smash his fist to one of the bar, green rune flare before dimming again.

"Listen here boy the only reason you here and not in some torture chamber is because the grand admiral want something from you, so you better give it or I will rip you apart piece. By. Piece" he look scare but still stand in front of Marty, even if his leg is slightly shaking.

The other sack wriggled open and out young human girl, look like in similar age as her male companion. She wear white flowing robe of priestess outfit and green hairband with white lily decoration on it, she have blond hair and curiously golden eyes, not yellow or brown, gold color. That eyes is unnatural even to Marty and it temping him to just rip it apart and store it in a jar. But of course grand admiral order stand.

"Well look like your companion is up boy" Marty withdraw his fist and take few step back "I don't have time to deal with you two, so get comfy would you, cause both of you will going to die, one way or another" with that Marty turn back and walk away, one of the siren throw a bag toward them before following the rest of the group out.

(9Liiiiiiiineeeeee break0)

Sorcerer Kingdom

Nazarick great tomb

Ainz day is relatively interesting, ever since he establish sorcerer kingdom and his power base his days always interesting and never boring for once. Currently Ainz is in his office dealing with few document that need his attention and report from his agent in Bahamuth Empire, pretty much a normal day in life of plebs-turned-skeleton-overlord.

The door open and ainz lift his gave from his paper to see both Demiurge and Albedo enter his office, her usual smile is gone replace with serious frown, this get ainz attention usually she smile whenever she see him but not today. Demiurge demeanor is also different from his usual smile, more so he supposedly is in holy kingdom doing whatever he doing there (Ainz have no idea other than shady business)

"What is it Albedo, Demiurge" his deep voice demand command and attention toward other being, ainz dress on his usual outfit (you know the anime), Demiurge and Albedo stop just right before Ainz desk

"Lord Ainz forgive this interruption but we bring terrible news" Albedo voice devoid of her usual tone and that alone already made Ainz alert something wrong is going on.

"What is the news Albedo" he say, putting down the document he read and focusing his sight to both of them.

"We found certain possible lead for our enemy" this got Ainz attention, the only thing that come to his mind regarding 'enemy' is the culprit that cause mind control on shalltear using [Downfall of Castle and Country] and he already inching to do something about that.

"Well then, prey tell me who or what is it?"

"We believe it's the fleets my lord"

…

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…

"Come again" his voice is low and even deeper than his usual one. He founded his kingdom and disguise himself to search for his guild mates and any other player that may get to this world alongside with him by spreading his name all across the world. He prepare to wait for years, maybe centuries, but dint expect to get result this fast.

But there something amiss in his head, he feel happy and joy but with undertone of rage and hatred. And that confuse him

"Our nemesis my lord, the deth fleet"

As soon as that word left Albedo mouth ainz feel his rage overcome his emotion dampener, this result with terrifying aura released and force both Albedo and Demiurge to their knee, trembling as such is the power of the Supreme Being. The aura manifest by black aura that pressure everything on their range.

Inside Ainz mind, he desperately trying to contain the sudden massive amount of rage coming from nowhere. He wonder why his emotion dampener didn't active but he have his suspicion, but for present he just desperately trying to control his emotion. It wonder that he dint start screaming out of rage and hatred already.

The pressure maintain for couple of minute "both of you, dismiss" his voice is barely contain anger and it genuinely scare them. They know the horror of the war, they participate in it but facing the fleet or facing a furious ainz, they will gladly take the fleet.

"m-my lord-"

"Are you deaf?"

"y-yes" with that both of them teleport out of the room as they don't believe their leg could support them.

Now alone with his mind, ainz manage to calm himself enough that the dampener begin to take effect but it already cause damage. It was the first time ainz feel emotion since he came to this new world so long without anger could be detrimental apparently he already know that the NPCs only know the lore and treat it like that was reality, they even fill up some holes on the lore (not that there many).

So this reaction is definitely not what he expected when he hear his old friend name, or the fact that his old friend is here am I really change munch more than what I originally think he look at his bone fingers then toward the massive [Dark Aura] that still linger on his office room I guess I just didn't count the more emotional level.

Ainz shake his head, no need to confuse him about the state of his being. Now that I know that she is here, how do I call her? Because according to the lore we basically mortal-immortal enemy while ainz began to formulate plan to possibly establish connection toward his friend down south he suddenly remember what Albedo and Demiurge reaction toward her name if they all only have the lore as base foundation, isn't that mean they actually believe she control shalltear!?

…

…

…

They did at this point is the point where Ainz is thankful toward his emotional dampener, and toward the fact that he is undead overlord that power by magic

But, I dint know if she have Downfall of Castle and Country, those info is among the few we dint share *sigh* now I really regretting not asking her now while Ainz have full trust that his friend is not the culprit, but he can't help but feeling suspicious toward her maybe the lore affect me more than I thought.

Also he fined it quite unfair that she have what essentially flying, moving cities. Then again from what he hear those 'fleet' is actually amalgamation of multiple dungeon's combine to one, and considering the size of the fleet and how many they are, you need some serious dedication to make the Deth Fleets what they are today, and sometimes their dedication is comparable or even surpass that of his guild mates, and that is saying something of itself.

Beside there so many more factor to calculate, vector to be taken and aspect to be see. There just too many unknown variable that even he can't help but approach with caution are she alongside with me or she arrive in the past, if so then how long are she in this world, and are she connected toward this 'six god' from the theocracy, are she even herself right now? So many unknown. While Ainz trust Luther she is not the culprit, he can't help but feel that something going to happen

Something big.

(9Liiiiiiiineeeeee break0)

"He want what?"

"Bodies, ma'am"

"Yes I know it Crux but, why though?" ask Lumia, she currently resting on some cushion chair on lounge in her 'rented' mansion. She just get back from social gathering on one of the noble house that got interested on Mirai and Lumia deal on the new trade route network that is currently under construct, saying along the line of 'big money' and 'encourage people to spread' Lumia dint care thought so she just handle the talking while the writing is being handle by Crux.

"Richard say he can't uses the new prisoner due to grand admiral order so he ask us to provide him with bodies he need, dead or alive"

"Yes, but what is his criteria again? Because I must misheard it surely"

"No ma'am, he really said it"

"What, you mean him serious about the fact that he want someone with golden eyes!?"

"Yes"

Lumia dint hate Richard as much as her sister Mirai does but he do still irked her, heck everybody irked by Richard at some point. "Please tell me you meet someone with it because I'm not going to put up some poster or bounty on it"

"Sorry ma'am"

"Ahh what does he want with it anyway, aside from look pretty and all"

"Apparently grand admiral 'confiscated' a human with golden eyes from him and Richard got curious why"

"Well at least he offer me some payment" mutter Lumia before sigh heavily "Crux, please put some add/bounty on both the public and underground about 'my request' for this… specific criteria"

"Of course my lady" with that Crux walk out the room. Even after spending time with her sister she can't get out idea of her sister secretly plotting to humiliate her on some form out of her head, then again she pretty sure the meal she serve every day is poisoned in one way or another.

But Lumia dint care, is not like she could anything against her and she too will probably do the exact same thing to vent her frustration on. Also because Crux fleet have vast collection of assassins' type monster and undead, so even though Crux can't do anything personally she still have mean to make Lumia day a living hell.

"Better shoulder it that get smash by it" mutter her while she downing entire bottle of wine straight from the bottle. And then eat some seaweed crumpet Crux made that she believe have puffer fish poison on them, but like the whole request from Richard she hardly care.

She then notice some shadow moving on edge of her peripheral vision and that her vision seem darken "any news" she whisper to no one on the room, but the shadow seem thicken, contorted, then disappear back to the dark, but not before leaving a smiling Lumia behind.

"Well, this change everything"

(9Liiiiiiiineeeeee break0)

Somewhere near Re-Eztize capital

"You know you could be real bicth if you what"

"Zzzzzzz"

"*sigh* good night" mumble Lisa before she drift to sleep on her own sleep.

Couple of hours later

On the middle of the night, one could see Luther figure make her way to secluded clearing near her camp with 5 crates stack on her arm "this should be enough" mumble Luther while she set down the crates and take one of her scroll from her belt and activate it. The scroll burn with green fire before the fire consume both the scroll and the crates, leaving nothing behind as the spell transport them to the fleets.

The scroll is invention from Richard on transport spell that is usually use on the 8th fleets to move both crew and cargo, he make it more portable and direct as her request but it do require a lot of energy and need some anchor on the destination. Not that it matter to her, she could just teleport them all directly to her flagship, she use it just because it more convenient.

Lately Luther is begin to realize that the fleets have their own agenda, of course she know it, she write them to be like that but their agenda is increasingly began to take shape and direction that she completely disagreed with. Like Richard 'mind bomb' and Forge 'alchemic ultimate' is few she actually approve from tens even hundreds other.

Listmen currently keeping close eyes to all other admiral and reporting everything he hear or know, Luther have no doubt he have his own agenda but just like everything else her guild writes, they all loyal to oblivion and will do everything to better the fleets, her and themselves. All of the agenda she know have few core principal and pattern that she notice, every single one of them is beneficial to the fleets and herself, no matter how cynical, pragmatic or even downright malevolent and cruel they are, In the end they all for Grand Admiral Luther, the Master of the Seas and Fleets.

In was tiresome for her, she could just shut them all down and prevent any more agenda but she can't, her lore dictate that she is power hungry ancient first vampire that love her power and fleets, so she must either surpass her urge or satisfied them enough to relive her mental state, luckily she have the solution, ambitions.

In the lore she write that she have ambition: to go to Heavenly Paradise to sack it dry, absorb or corrupt the power of Throne of Mother belong to Luna, steal the Tomes of Nazarick from Ainz, break the Staff of Ainz Ool Gown, have unlimited wealth and rules the seas. She already have two ambition fulfill, but if she want to completely rid herself of power hungry urges she must completed 3 of her own set ambition. That is the lore she write herself into.

While she walk back toward the camp Luther think about it, she dint know she should be happy or not on her own lore. She practically write that so she have motif to go toe-to-toe with Luna and Ainz on the war but now she feeling more and more dread because of it am I really going to break to my friend house and defile their sacred relic? Of course I will, I write it myself she scoff herself for thinking it. She really wish she could just go back and tell herself not to write it, but beggar can't be chooser so she have to endure it.

Besides, she dint want to make the war in heaven and hell real, there is no way she going to attack Ainz, but her admirals have ideas, ideas that she dint like at all.

Plus there is still change that Ainz is the one who attack her, there is many, many variable and factor after all "damm fucking blimey bloody crap fuck" mumble Luther as she step to her camp and began to reignite the fire. She just sit on the edge of fire camp seeing the fire, she notice that Lisa apparently have nightmare if all the hassle is any indication.

She file it on under 'Lisa secret life' she know that Lisa is not just traveler like she say she have secret just like everybody else, the catch is Luther know that her secret is dark, like darkness dark. She notice a dark presence every time Lisa have a nightmare, the presence is weak and easily repel by her power, but she have her suspicious about who or what is the origin of the power. But just like that, she dint care about it, the power is weak and she doubt that even if the presence got whatever it want she probably can slap it to oblivion base on the native human power, that say very weak.

There also the fact that she basically want to drink some blood lately and the nearest source of blood is Lisa. Not to mention her blood is the highest quality for some bloody reason.

Aside from that she practically full filing her greatest dream, getting an undisturbed vacation and by the eight sea it worth every second of it thought Luther as she watch her companion writhe on her nightmares, it was strangely pleasant experience for her.

(9Liiiiiiiineeeeee break0)

Back to the deth fleets

"Where is it" mumble Forge as she shift through a large pile of documents on her desk. She searching for any specific information about the Great Tomb Lord, any Intel may be benefit her on the long run, a run where she will definitely met with the FUCKING MOMONGA.

The information about him and strength is easy to find due to him being one of two being that actually stand a change go head first with Luther, but Intel about his weakness is sparse, other than his weak element is fire nothing much.

"there must be something among this pile" Forge will go on when the sun set on the next day to avoid detection, that mean she doesn't have much time to research before she send toward the tomb. "I swear on Luther name we will invent more easy administration system and filing because this is a waste" Forge grab one of the document folder before flip it open and shout in joy, she find the folder she search under the unnamed folder among the pile.

"Now let see fire, holy, light not much use, where the rest, charms and enchantments? Useful, come on there must be one" mumble Forge while flipping page after page on her search. She rudely interrupt by [massage] from Listmen, she groan before folded the folder under her coat and began to make her way toward the teleportium, she doesn't even bother to answer Listmen she already know where he is anyway.

After making her way toward Listmen office on Black Death from her flagship, she just open the door. Inside Listmen already waiting with three boxes on his desk, she just raise an eyebrow at this display "for you, on basis so you won't harass the library ships again" he point toward the boxes on his desk "Intel about great tomb lord that I manage to gather excluding the one that store on admiral boards and grand admiral private library ship"

"Why? You not the one to give charity, not that I'm not grateful for it" forge open one of the boxes and see the stack of paper inside, closing it she mutter few word before the boxes start glowing and turn to light motes.

"I owe you once, for this we even"

"Thanks" mutter Forge before she walk toward the door.

"Oh by the way sister, I just got green light from grand admiral to allow your little 'project' to continue" at that she freeze before snapping her head toward him. She know Listmen have eyes and ear everywhere but she didn't expect him to be approving her project, even less of the grand admiral.

But as they say, don't look gift from the horse mouth.

She just shook her head walk away, she have a lot of reading to do.

Continue

AN: sorry for long update, got school and family stuff here, as my free time usually get suck to new game I just download so sorry for that, nevertheless this is 9 chapter, sorry if this is a bit shabby but I got work on this late night on weekends due to my activity.

Once again sorry, and sorry if the character is a bit OOC (please don't burn me)

Anyway so please review, send critic, spam will be ignore and i hope you enjoy it.