Chapter 2: Kingdom of Masks
Several years ago (After the War of the Kingdoms)
The Kingdom had just become subjugated by the Empire of Nazarick it was allowed to stay a vassal nation unlike the Empire since they conspired against the Sorcerous Kingdom at the time, After this was found out a decree was made that any Vassal State found of treason could be stripped of their semi-autonomy and made a part of Nazarick proper. The Golden Princess as Queen and the boy who now was a man Climb was made a noble by the King before he died was made King through marriage just as Ainz's and the Queens planned. Around this time a very peculiar fashion appeared within the nobility and stretched across its land. Nobles and people of stature all started to all wear masks the more ornate they more stature you had within the nobility of Kingdom State of Nazarick.
King Climb looking out the castle window and thought of the past and how he had gotten everything he wanted it was like a dream and nightmare at once. His mind went back to the last battle for the capital the fire Climb and Brain Ungluas fighting together at the Castle gate. Slaying undead one after another, "Don't die before me that's an order!" Brain yelled at the top of his lungs: this is the way he saw it …Brain thought of his death fighting foe after foe until he cannot fight anymore secretly he then thanked Emperor Ainz for not just destroying the city with the dark young, he could die like a warrior. He had no wife no children and no regrets.
That's what was about to happen but not how he thought.
Suddenly the undead barrage against the castle had stopped the whole city had been taken just the castle was left suddenly all the undead around the castle fell like puppets with their strings cut. I don't like this Brian and Climb both thought just as they both finished thinking that the barricade exploded and white smoke poured out. Climb and Brain both gripped their swords with anticipation of what monster was yet to come out from the plumes of smoke and dust.
Kink,klink, Kink,klink, Kink,klink, Kink,klink, the rhythmic sound of high heeled shoes slowly came from the smoke a sound Brian Ungluas was all too familiar with.
"Shalteer Bloodfallen I thought I would never have another chance to see you," Brain Said,
"Ah yes the man who gave me a manicure five nearly six years ago the night of the demon incident…I have to admit you are my type I think I might make you mine. She said he watched her long tongue that seemed to have a mind of its own lick her lips.
"Well things might be different this time" as he held the national treasure Razors Edge the sword that could cut through metal like butter even Emperor Gown said that it would kill him his trump card.
"Oh yes that little knife of yours… you think you will kill me with it do you?" Brian's eyes widened his only surprise his trump card was known it was like trying to win a card game when the other person knows your cards.
"You think I did not know you had that little toy? Who do you think my master is? He has held that very sword and knows more about it than you and knows more about you than yourself." Shalteer sneered.
Brain was baffled what was she talking about knowing him what would a great man like Emperor Ainz what to know about him? He always knew Ainz was a monster both in intellect and in power but was he really a God? Brian had a hard time accepting this because Gods are things of myth and legends not someone you met on the battlefield. Many scholars in his nation hypothesized that he has come from the same realm that all other previous Gods have descended. They stated that he came down from a realm called the world tree of which he transported his famous Underground Castle.
The stories of the Supreme Beings of which he was leader sounded incredible but a God this would be hard to accept can a God be killed? Ainz said so during the duel with Gazef but then again it could have been a lie especially the way Gazef was defeated just falling to his death the instant the bell rang. Did this Ainz truly hold the power over death and the ability to obtain all knowledge?
"Well we should make this quick, places to go, countries to rule, not that I am happy about the situation but I could make best of it." as Shallteer licked her lips at Brian.
"I will allow you to come at me with your secret move you know the one that made you scream for joy when you clip my poor little pinky nail." Shallteer said in an innocent voice that suited her quite well for her young appearance. "You know I have always had a thing for you I do not know why some sort of longing I supposed." She smirked.
"Should I feel flattered that one of the Sorcerous Kings monsters has a crush on me?" Brain laughed.
"Don't flatter yourself breeder I simply am saying that there is something different about you and I will find out what it is? Shallteer sneered.
The realization of it hit Brain and now was in a state of shock, Climb and Gazef the Warrior Captain were the only two people he told that story to how could she knew the name he called it?
But he still had a chance he was finally able to overcome Gazef and use the fifteen slash sword stroke twice the amount he used on Shallteer last time they fought her and the plan would be to cut her nails and then her head. He readied himself for this his whole life, this time he will finally surpasses Gazef using his martial arts skill. He readied his blade activated he saw in his mind the blade cutting through all of Shallteer and let lose his greatest sword technique.
Before he activate [speed step] [impregnable fortress] and finally [Fifteen Slash Strike]. He launched off his back foot and rocketed toward Shallteer at a speed the human eye could not see. His speed was exceptional he was so fast often in battle opponents would slash at his after image he would leave when he activate this martial arts skill.
Shalteer just simply stood their expressionless to her level 100 undead eyes it was very slow in fact she could not tell the difference in speed to her it looked as a normal attack in slow motion. When Brian got close enough he activate his sword strike [Fifteen Slash Strike] the slashes were so quick it was meant to look simultaneous as if fourteen other phantoms were their all striking at once with him but to Shallteer it look like a man swinging wildly at her 15 times. She took her pinky finger and blocked each strike. Smoke and a blast hit as Brian and Shalteer clashed sparked flew in the air.
To his disbelief Brain Unglass saw himself in the same position he was when he first met Shallteer he had not gotten better or maybe she improved her techniques all this time as well but this fight went back to when they first met how could a fifteen fold slash had been stopped by Shallteer's pinky nail. WHY? WHY? Brain said in disbelief.
How….? was the only word Brain could get out of his mouth before Shallteer grabbed him by the throat the motion was so quick and so violent he lost grip of sword his only lifeline. Shallteer spoke to him while looking at her nails, you see I decided to put some red nail polish on today isn't the color lovely it reminds me of my favorite thing. Oh, and the how well, this nail polish has a gift from my master metal flakes that are stronger than any metal found in this world and magic to hold it together well you wouldn't understand it's something only a person from Nazarick would understand.
"Stronger than any metal in the world?" He choked out while a six foot man was being held by his throat almost parallel with the ground by a five a young five foot looking girl with platinum hair.
Yes. Yes. It's all amazing but now it is time for the main course and I have saved my appetite for days for you", as she bit into Brian's neck her eyes opened as wide as they possibly could.
"This this blood is the blood of the blessed one and you my new plaything has it! Your blood is ecstasy, is this what it feels to have a man is this l.o.v.e? She questioned.
A twisted creature like Shallteer had no idea what love really was. She knew fear domination and getting what she desired that was love for her.
In one human out of millions over thousands of years there is a rare blood type that is the equivalent of a True vampire whose blood had not awakened. No one knew why but in vampire culture they craved these people and would treat them as cattle and it was so sought after that vampires would do anything they could to get it.
"I found one!" Shalteers blood lust almost enraptured her until she noticed that her second prey was running away. "We will leave this for later my love," as she put a unconscious Brian in the arms of two of her vampire brides and told them to take him to her new quarters.
Climb was running through the palace he had one thought in his head I must find the princess take her to the secrete exit and run away to a faraway land together. They knew they could not win against the power of Nazarick but Climb was made a noble he could finally have what he really wanted the golden princess who he wore his white amour for… Dammit! He thought why now everything was going so well. He had no idea everything had been planned.
Something started to bother Climb it was that all the Palace guards were dead slaughtered. If he had not seen the massacre at the Kattssee Plains it would have made the most seasoned solider break down, Climb thought, we had a defensive perimeter no one should have made it in yet little did he know that all of the carnage was due to the Princesses awakening. All the more reason he though to find the Princess, she who cared more for others than herself, Clime thought as he ran around the corner to her room he gasped the Princess was there sitting straight with Red eyes and two puncture wounds in her neck.
"What the matter Climb-kun come in and have a seat." Climb slowly approached her never taking his eyes of the monster behind her. Come on Climb sit right here, as the princess patted a pillow. Climb slowly sat down next to her not full realizing the situation he had a blank look on his face. You are so silly the Princess said to climb. No need to make such a face we will get everything we always wanted and live for as long as we desire.
What do you mean? Climb said.
Well I was informed by Miss Shallteer that Emperor Ainz Ooal Gown has had plans for us all this time he actually saved you and Brian from the massacre of Kattssee Plaines how nice of him." I always wondered how we survived and when he met Ainz that day it seemed like he already knew who we were." Climb said.
"Well now the Emperor will make us King and Queen of this land we will be married within a month isn't this wonderful?" Said the Princess
"Yes it is but you are now a vampire is she making you say these things." Climb retorted
"No Climb we must accept all gifts given to us and this is much better than death or a solider raping me and violating me in ways to terrible to think of" she said as she started to cry. "He will give the mercy to those who submit we must take this opportunity." Renner said wiping the tears of her eyes.
Climb held her hand as and the Princess started to smile again, "Climb I need you to give me your neck so we can share this together." The Princess said with a smile. Climb as he always has been and will be giving his body to Princess Renner if she told him to walk across hell barefooted he would do it and so he offered up his neck to become and a vampire.
The only thing he did not know is that Princess Renner had not be really bitten she had made those marks with makeup to fool Climb. The truth was that she had changed her race with a box given to her by Ainz for her collaboration in the takeover of her country and her reward was to be queen with her darling naïve Climb as King.
Months Later
Climb was looking out the window as it started to rain as he remembering that day they met Ainz and their fate. He looked to the princess and said, "drink or you will feel sick and become weak."
There was a glass of what appeared to be wine but was actually blood. Princess Renner acted like she did not want to drink it fake tears started to fall down her face. The truth was she had been drink blood for months. Climb plopped down beside her , "look it is going to take some time we drink blood instead of eating food and look the blood tastes better than anything we could eat; its ok I love you." With a shaky hand and tears running down her face she quickly drank down her first supposed feeding of blood acting her part as a victim.
"On another note Brian and Shalteer… sorry the Baroness and Baron seem to be madly in love together I never would of thought that Brain would fall of the arch-nemesis but that is Brain for you he is really happy." Climb said
"Is he?" Renner retorted. What do you mean my princess? Climb asked.
"Is he really happy or is he being controlled?" The Princess asked.
"No I think he started out hating her but then now actually loves her now I will tell you a secret when she is controlling people their eye color changes and they speak differently." Climb stated as a matter of fact.
"Also we go out to the Golden Lion and he has told me and as the say the truth is in the wine." He said smiling.
"Are you happy my love you need to get yourself together today Emperor Ainz is coming and giving our specific directions to us for guidance for the Kingdom and then the coronation of Queen Renner and King Climb along with Baroness and Baron Shallteer Bloodfallen Gown …just think Brain is going to be related to the Emperor!" Climb said jokingly.
"I suppose so but I would like to go outside more I feel coped up." Said the Princess in a sad voice.
"You know that a vampire not being able to go in the light and dying is a lie". Climb said with a smile.
"IT'S NOT THAT IT'S MY EYES MY BLOOD RED FREAK EYES EVERYONE WILL KNOW WHAT WE ARE!" She Shouted. She played the part perfectly.
"Well then that is a problem that we will need have to fix", a mysterious but familiar voice behind them as they both looked it was Emperor Ainz himself.
Climb and Princess Renner immediately put there knee's to the ground and bowed his head as he had been taught by the Nazarick maids. It was hard to look up as they could see the maelstrom of black vapor flowing from a cloak that looks like it was sewn out of darkness.
"Its fine I just arrived and happened to be walking by to see the Baroness Gown my daughter but I heard yelling so I came in to investigate." Ainz said with sternness in his voice.
Emperor Ainz was surrounded by his regular consort a small dark elf Mare and Yuri and whole group of "new nobles" of the land and other people in positions of power. "
You may leave us and shut the door behind you Mare you may stay, Ainz snapped as everyone replied, "Yes sire."
"You may stand and please sit", Ainz said as he motioned with his hand for them to sit on the couch behind them as they followed climb noticed how every movement was so refined and regal he was the kind of King he wanted to be. Princess Renner did not know this but he secretly looked up to Ainz as a father figure ever since he found out about his kingship and his regular visits to the capital for personal training the Emperor himself. Ainz also took a special liking to the boy as he killed his mentor and father figure who he considered a friend. So Climb was allowed special treatment.
He wondered what Gazef would think if he knew he was serving the man that killed him. Ainz personally said he did not want to kill him and he planned to have him at his side as king but he was just too simple minded to accept it. Climb believed him because in the duel there was no malice against him and he will never forget what the Emperor said when he lowered Gazef's body to the ground, "Farwell Gazef I never hated you." In a weird way I think Gazef was the closest he had to a friend outside of the Empire of Nazarick. Climb thought.
"I believe you have not meet Mare, Mare Bello Fiore Gown meet soon to be King and Queen Lanposa Sapato VI of the Kingdom state of Nazarick."
"N-nice to meet you" Mare, Climb, and Princess Renner all replied at the same time.
"The reason I decided to talk to you before of my beloved family is that your concern about your current state of affairs has reached my ears and I want the new Queen of my land to be happy. As you know all important people of Nazarick wear a metal that monitors what you say and if you say anything negative about Nazarick then it will be reported immediately.
Thinking of your problem with going outside I have had these made," he held out his hand and two beautifully crafted ivory half masks appeared floating in his hand. One was very feminine with gold paint and flowers and stopped just above the mouth covering just the forehead, cheeks bones and nose, while the other was very masculine with less detail with a sterner look to it as if it demanded respect. The interesting part about the masks was that the portion of the eye was not see through.
"These masks are the same as I wear and I know what you are thinking but you can see perfectly through the eyes think of it as a two way mirror" Ainz said with a motion with his left hand to take them from his right hand that produced the masks. Both Princess Renner and Climb took the masks from his hand and tried them on. The masks were magical because when they made contact with their skin they formed perfectly to their face and did not need to be held on. "It feels as if it is a part of my skin," Climb said, "They are very comfortable" Princess Renner commented.
"Yes they will be and you will be expected to wear these all day only taking them off before bed. I know it's somewhat of a burden but things could be much worse. You will not be the only person to wear these all nobility and Heads of state will wear them even Shalteer and Brain. The purpose of these masks are two fold to monitor all in the nation and hide the red eyes so no one will know you are a vampire. Yours are customized but the lower the position the more generic they become. Of course modifying them by painting them differently is acceptable but that is the only exception all other alterations are prohibited, also they are magic items and will no break, any questions?"
After the whirlwind of direction and shock of having to wear the masks all the time Climb did have one question, "Yes, lord I have one why are all the head of states and nobility need to wear them as well? He asked the question but almost did not want to hear the answer because it was as he thought it was."
"Fair question as a vassal King of mine you will need to know these things, as of last night all nobles and heads and of state their families are now undead vampires as you are. All agreed to it consensually and are pleased by the outcome of an extended life span but they have been warned murder is still a punishable crime and an ample supply of blood will have to be maintained. This will be one of your task also you must condemn to death any noble that begins to hunt humans immediately I suggest you put together the best men you have for a unit to take care of these issues keeping them discrete. If those that lose their minds to blood lust allow to go unpunished this kingdom will fall in months do you understand?
"Yes Lord, if I may make a suggestion Baron Brain Unglas would be the best man for the job he is the best warrior we have and no one in the kingdom can match his strength.
"I believe that is a good use of my future son in law time as it will be Shallteer learning how to rule while he will not have much to do. By the way will you be coming to the wedding tomorrow?"
Yes my lord if I could ask a question is master Sebas going to be at the event?" Climb asked, he was shocked to find out that Sebas was Emperor Ainz's personal butler when he saw him at the capital standing next to the throne. For Climb this dissolved the last bit of doubt he has that he would serve Nazarick. In his mind Sebas would be the only man who could beat Ainz and yet he is his personal butler he thought. Well if Sebas serves Lord Ainz should be better man than I ever thought.
"Yes he will, and I am sure he will be glad to see you from what I have heard also all the top Authorities of the Empire of Nazarick will be their proper reinforcements and defenses' have been made for the time so we can enjoy the occasion." Ainz Replied.
Furthermore I want to now discuss the relationship you will have between the King and Queen and the new Baroness Bloodfallen. You are technically in charge of the Kingdom Princess Renner but your job is to rule and show the Baroness how to rule a human nation and interact with them. Remember this precious daughter is in charge I know she will be hard to get along with and she despises humans but you are patient and kind enough to help her to learn how to lead if you are not successful you will be destroyed.
This also brings me to my next point as you know all the people of the Underground City of Nazarick who came from the Gods realm are officially my children. As you have probably noticed all who will rule the different Vassal States hold the name Gown except for you two, the Allied states and the Dragonic Kingdom and Jincriv.
I find this unacceptable as a God I think of all my children that is why I am officially creating a second house or family that will be related to the Gown house but their job will be that of support. That is why when you are married you Momom, Jincriv, and any other top leaders will be made members of the house of Sapato. You shall be distant relatives of the house of Gown. Listen closely after the initial induction of those in the house of Sapato no one else will be allowed to join unless special circumstances. Marriage is only allowed to the house of Gown to Gown and Sapato to Sapato. Consider it a great honor! Ainz said.
Climb and Princess Renner bowed their heads and respectfully said in unison, "Yes Lord as your wills."
Ainz clapped his hands and suddenly the mood in the room changed to a lighter feeling, "I'm off to see the bride to be I suggest you both go for your first walk everyone is already wearing masks so you won't look out of place at all. I will leave you with one last thing those who are allowed to rule that are not from Nazarick will be from the House of Sapato, this will be the highest station than can be met for those not of the name Gown. I decree that all people who live in the houses to have a two children one male and one female. If your children do not marry from the same house they shall be give up their royal name and is considered treason against me. The House of Gown and House of Sapato must continue but stay the same size. Under some circumstances the House of Sapato and Gown can marry but must be preapproved by me and must have must produce a clear advantage to Nazarick, love is not a valid reason. Interbreeding of the Houses is not an issue, we can insure healthy children through magic. The bloodline must stay pure! Come let's be off Mare." Ainz said
"Y-yes Emperor Ainz." Mare said.
After Emperor Ainz left the room they both looked at each other with their masks on and laughed. "Well I guess it is a solution," Climb jokingly said. "Yes that is true but your mask my love makes you look... how I should say meaner," they both laughed together.
The put on their masks and went on a lovely walk around the palace grounds and everyone they saw had masks on and would divert their eyes when they saw one another.
"I guess it will take some time to get used to it Princes Renner said." Everyone did but is still did not stop the strange rumors about the ruling class of the Kingdom, the lavish blood parties to the new problems of abductions, from then on it was unofficially known as the Kingdom of Masks.