In the Royal Temple of the Church of Nazarick a young 16 year old girl name Leala was sweeping the dirt off of the floor.
"Black Black, Black" is the color of the temple, the robes of the priest, and the tattoos we put on our bodies. She said to herself.
Leala was the second born daughter of a lowly born noble family, she did not mind her fate her older sister was married off to some disgusting noble and her brother would have to do the same and face the pressures of the family. She was promised to the Church as it was seen as a move that could possibly raise her family if she excelled and caught the eye of some High church official. As she swept she watched people bring in their sacrifices and money offering to the temple and either slaughtered the livestock that was served at the restaurant adjacent to the Temple. Every name was recorded and she had heard and seen that many time they prayers for rain or children or other things were answered within days of the sacrifices. Whether it was the Emperor or the Holy tree doing it really did not matter the prayers were answered and that was way better than praying to the old gods which never answered prayer. This was why the Temple of Nazarick was so popular with the population it was also the National Temple of Nazarick located at the Capital all the other temples simply disappeared or converted.
Another factor that made the Temple of Nazarick very popular is that if a child died then citizens of Nazarick could bring them to them Temple and they would be revive without any compensation required, it usually cost more than a common person could save but the Temple of Nazarick did this service for free. Adults would cost around a year's wage and if the person could not pay up front they could work it off until they were debt free. Emperor Ainz said that even though he was the God of Death he said the Tree was the maker of all life and the will of the tree was to bring life to all who worshiped it, she had finished her sweeping and finished her chores. She like to go out the outer court and eat her dinner and watch the sun go down but someone her age was already taking her spot on the bench.
She took one looked at his uniform and saw it was black but it was unlike the priest robe and ephod it was a military uniform with insignias she has not seen before in Nazarick, this interested her and bit and approach the young boy from behind as to not alert him.
"You may sit if you want…I often see you here and since I was around I wanted to see what was worth watching day after day"
Leala was shocked, she did not know what to say, "Do you work here because I do not believe I have seen you here?"
"No I live there", pointed at the castle "I see you from their every day and wanted to experience what you do but I do still do not understand."
Leada still inching her way to the mysterious figure said "The Castle is miles away and there is no way you can see that far is this a joke?
"If you saw the truth" the mysterious figure said, "would you still treat me the same. I bet you would fear me drop to your knees beg me more blessing and then try to use me for your own purpose."
Leala now only five feet away from the boy and was angry. "Now you listen spoiled noble boy I have met your type but guess what I am a Nazarick Priestess in training, not allowed to be touched by men and stay pure for the living Gods; Ainz, Albedo and Momonga Ooal Gown! So do not think you can give me anything!"
Hahahahaha! With a giggle still in his voice, "My whole life I have never been talked to like that let's see what happens to that fire of yours!"
The boy stood up took his uniform jacket off much to the shock of Leala two black wings flapped and spread, "Ahh it is so nice to get those out!
Then he turned around and as it was dawn his irises glowed red even brighter, Leala's jaw dropped without a doubt the God of Magic Momoga Albedo Ooal Gown was standing before him.
"Leala was shock and immediate dropped to one knee and said, "I am sorry my lord I did not know your highness graced our temple today we were not given warning."
"Um yes I guess I didn't because I did not feel like it, so what happened to that fire that you had has it changed now that you are face to face with the very deity that you work in a Temple for."
Leala turned bright red she has never been so embarrassed in her life,
" I will tell you what Leala I leave for the Imperial Fealty tour I am sure you have heard of it?"
"Yes my lord everyone is talking about the event"
"Well I leave in a couple of days and at the end of the tour I will be crowned King of my own Domain as the God of Magic so we will never see each other after that time."
"My lord God I apologize but I do not understand?" Leala asked.
"I will make you a deal my whole life I have been worshiped and taught how to be a God and before I leave I want to know what it is like to be sixteen so every evening after you duties you shall show me what it's like to be mortal!"
"But my Lord I cannot-"
"Stop right there I saw you from the balcony of my room I am a deity, when I see into your eyes I can see who you are I can see through everyone! I can also see the future of that person lifeline and I know you are capable of what I am going to ask."
"What is that?" Leala said
"Starting tomorrow you will treat me like a normal person and we will become friends."
"But my lord, how could you the deity that I am supposed to a priestess treat you like a commoner?"
"Momonga walked up to her and said, "You will and plus I think this will help, he turned into a regular looking human, no horns, normal eyes and no wings, "You see this will help! Tomorrow your duty to Nazarick will be to treat me as a normal 16 year old I have to go if I am gone for too long I will be noticed."
Momonga transformed back into his regular form and flew off toward the castle in the blink of an eye. Leala was standing their unsure if what she had just seen was real, "Ok he said I must treat him like any other person my age so that is what I must do."
As she was wandering around the garden a small demon messenger flew up to Leala and said, "Message for Leala!" In a world before Nazarick a human would be terrified at the site of a lower level winged demon but in Nazarick they were used as messengers, "That is me thank you" She grabbed the note and the demon flew off she opened the scroll that was sealed with wax it said, "TELL NONE WHAT HAPPEN YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!" Then the scroll burned up in a green flame that putting off no heat. She recognized it as magic fire that burned only what it was it was cast to, messages that were sensitive in nature that were sent to the Temple were burned after the Head Priests read them.
Leala walked to the head priest's office with her hand still holding the ashes of the paper she was once holding, as she made her way through the main hall she saw the statues of Emperor Ainz First, then Empress Albedo, behind her was the newly carved Prince Momanga statue the Aura and Mare Gown the Royal Family. Then there were the Demi-Gods: Demiurge the Demon King, Sebas the Iron Dragon, Dracus Gown his son, Shallter and Brain Boodfallen Gown, Cocytus The Glacier God, and then a statue of all of the other beings that came from the Gods Realm in service of Ainz Ooal Gown hundreds of names were all etched into the black obelisk, she was required to know every one of the Supreme Beings that came from Nararick all the maids, the Lords of evil, every one of them she knew them by heart and even knew a short back story about each one.
Once every week a maid of Nazarick with a new name would show up and clean to Nazarick standards which was absolutely spotless. Some of the maids would treat the temple that consisted of mainly humans and some Elves with complete contempt calling the Priestess names as worm or maggot, They would say things about how the only reason we were allowed to live was because the Emperor was a king of endless wisdom as well as compassion.
Other Maids which were in the majority liked humans and liked to speak with the humans and learn about their culture, one such maid called sixth she was put in charge of the Temple as Rector and all the priests and workers rejoiced when this announcement was made. She was made the Temple Rector permanently, Leala was walking she realized she was in front of the Rector's door as she gazed up above the door was one of the most holiest scriptures of the Tomes of Nazarick, "No greater love than this than he who lays down his life for a friend", as be read she knocked three times as tradition dictated.
"Come in"
Leala straighten her priestly robe and open the door and stood in front of the rest that the Nazarick Maid Sixth who stood above all beings except for the Royal Family and the Demigods.
"Leala Priestess Acolyte has finished her duties for the day my High Priest of Nazarick"
Sixth smiled at Leala crossed her hands and leaned forward on her desk, "How was your day? Uneventful did we have any one of interest come?
Leala turned pale white and did not what to do should she lie or tell the truth, it seemed as she already knew how could she not she was a from Nazarick, she made up her mind."
"Yes we did when I finished my duties I went to the bench were-"
"You met the God of Magic correct" Sixth cut her off.
Leala looked down and at the ground and grabbed her robe and turned red. "My Lady I should have informed you at once I apologize."
Sixth smiled and tilted her head and then looked down at a piece of paper, "I was informed by the prince that he was here and that you would tell your superior who is me. My Dear Leala you do not know the danger you are in is something you cannot imagine, so with that in mind DO WHATEVER THE PRINCE TELLS YOU! Why do you think he gave me this note?! To save your little ass that is why, so do what he says I will do the best I can to keep this a secret but if I am questioned by the White Empress then there is nothing I can do for you."
"Why would the Empress?
"I am going to stop you there just do not worry about anything but what the prince tells you he can see the future through the eyes and the lives of those he chooses, so do what he wants and the way he wants. Leala I like you I am fond of humans they have such a different view of life that I find fascinating and it pleases me the God of Magic has taken the same view so with that in mind do what he says no matter what can you promise me that?
"Yes My lady!"
"Good because if you do not it will not end well I assure you, so now go to your chambers and think of the ways you can fulfil the princes duties also from for the next two days have put you on light duty so you will only work a few hours in the morning your new schedule has been posted. This is so you will not be tired when you meet the prince at dusk."
"Thank you Head Priestess!" Leala smiled.
"Now go and keep this to yourself" Sixth smiled and looked down at her mountain of work on her desk. This was the cue for Leala to leave, and so she turned around and then went to her quarters.
As she was brushing her hair in the her mirror of her room she squealed with joy and ran and screamed into her pillow, "I am going to hang out with the Prince of Nazarick! Just me and him!" It was a girls dream come true, she was living in a dream.
The next morning came and she went to she went to the bath with a smile on her face she saw all the other girls her age that all gathered in the same place since induction she was of lower noble birth so she only had a few friends and one was the all the girls wanted to be a daughter of the Tribune Jincniv Tria and a claimed one at that she carried the holy name of Sapato the name that made everyone jealous of her except Leala. Most of the sons and daughters were not claimed due to their shameful nature they carried the old name of Nix but for some reason Jincnic claimed her when she was young and had her put into the church. The rumor was she was to be head priestess of the Temple of Nazarick when she came of age.
This did not make her vary popular among the other proper nobles who all wanted her spot and saw her nothing more than a love child of an adulterous affair but such arrangements were not unique in the family of Sapato. The Emperor decreed that all family members of Gown and Sapato must have children one girl and one boy and the tribune was no exception. Rumors were that he did not want to marry and was going to claim one of his sons as well but time would only tell.
Leala walked up to Tria and slipped into the bath,
"I have something I need to tell you but not here"
"OK but what is with the secrecy is it a boy do not tell me you met a young dashing prince and you are running away together for true love I know It's a member of my family isn't is a Sapato I have heard that love story so many times before do not tell me some boy gave you that line!"
"No but you are not too far off but I have said too much!" Leala blurted.
"Does this happen to have anything with the mysteriously long conversation you had with Priestess Six and I also heard you got a letter as well?" Tria said
"How did you hear all of that?" Leala said with an astonished look on her face.
"Yes you do know that you live in a rumor mill and I am at the center young lady" Tria said with a sly look on her face.
They both got out of the bath got in line to style their hair in the way that Priestess Acolytes were approved to which was in a many in many small braids that they adorned with shells and small trinkets of Nazarick. Then they went to their rooms to put on their Holy Priestess Garments in was essentially a white under robe with a black robe with the crest of Ainz Ooal Gown or Nazarick embroidered on the chest. It was much simpler than the priestess robes which were beautiful which looked like a beautiful dress of satin and sheen.
Then the work day began Leala looked to the board and the Rector had held her word and her work was cut in half of her normal duties, when Tria came up to the board and saw what Leala saw she grabbed her by the arm and let her out to the outer courtyard where no one could hear.
"OK now I am interested work cut in half that does not happen for anyone even me so spit it out what is going on?
"I will tell you but you must not tell a soul or else I could get in trouble" Leala told tia.
"Ok just tell me we have been friends for years now I think you can trust me!"
"Right it all started yesterday when I was finishing my duties I was going to take my lunch and watch the sun set on the palace as I always have done since I came here a few years ago."
Tria looked at Leala and said, "and!"
"and I saw a person our age sitting in my spot in a military uniform I have never seen before. Well he came off as some rich noble whom I can stand because I asked him who is was and he said that I would be begging for favors once I knew him."
"The nerve of those guys you know how many nobles try to marry me when they find out my last name and act like I am doing them a favor!" Tria agreed.
"Well he stood up and he had wings! Big black wings and when he turned around it was The God of Magic himself the crowned prince of the world Momonga Gown. He told me he saw me their everyday and wanted to see what I saw and I was to entertain him the a few hours in the evening each day for over a few days until he leaves town!"
"You have to be kidding!" Tria said looking at the palace that was a few miles away. "You know Leala we are not to marry but be here as the consort for any Supreme Being maybe he likes you!"
Leala held her head down, "You know that cannot be no women can you know with a God and live to carry a child."
"I am not saying you will marry him but you could be his concubine he has not taken a harem and he is half demon so many say he will have many wives! Not like his father who does not even look at other women other that the old ice queen herself! Tria said.
"Tria you are a Sapato if your father could hear you know" She scolded!
"My Father if that's what you want to call him told me that himself, rumor has it that she kills maids just for looking at Emperor to long!" Tria quipped.
"Now way that cannot be true you lie" Leala retorted. "Anyways we better get to work before any of the Priestesses see us not working and have us do their work as well as punishment!" They both nodded and agreed to meet before the encounter was meant to be around five o'clock. The plan was that Tia would wait an hour and then come to meet the prince who would be incognito with his image magic on,
So Leala went about her work for the day with her head in the clouds. She was daydreaming about her and the prince flying together and her the usual adolescent teenager garbage that she would be embarrassed if the prince knew any of it, when suddenly she felt a breeze behind her she turned around when she was shocked to see Momonga The Prince of Magic. He smiled and then snapped his fingers and his horns, red eyes and wings all disappeared. His hair was still a bright white but his clothes matched those of a priest of Nazarick.
"How do I look you think I will pass as a priest" Momonga asked.
"She looked up and down" as to size him up and said. "Yes I t-think you will pass you look older" Leala spat out.
"Okay okay so where is this family member you told me about even though you should not have you know the one you have a plan to meet me with Tria Sapato daughter of notorious ladies' man and friend of my father Jincniv because of some old story of trying to kill each other."
"Wha… what are you talking about" Leala nervously tried to lie
"How many times do I have to tell you one look in your eyes and I can see everything you have done, will do and well if I really want to pry think about doing"
"You can read my mind like what I am thinking! Leala exclaimed
"Well I am not that rude that takes some effort but, yes, I can but I cannot help see your whole history of your life remember divine sight? Well almost everyone I cannot see my father and mothers and believe you me I am happy about that who would want to see all their parents secrets, I will tell you who no one that is who. Momaga said.
"Wow that is amazing tell me about my future wait I don't want to know that would spoil it." Leala responded.
"That is a normal reaction but I won't tell people their future as I have found it will change if I do and not for the better it's as my father told me that everyone's life has purpose and direction from the Holy Tree and to change that would be to change it perfect will so instead I am supposed to guard the event of people's lives." Momonga explained as they walked down a path leading to the front gate.
"That makes total sense you know the head priest would give anything to hear your insight they argue this type of thing every afternoon in the temple." Leala said.
"I bet but if I explained everything to them in detail they still would believe there is more because that how mortals are as you see the world with infinite possibilities and answers but for immortal such as my father he has an answer for everything it's amazing but it also a terrible thing to bear." Momonga said shaking his head.
"Wow that must be something so can you tell me how old is your father or do you even know?" Leala asked.
"Old actually older than our concept of time he once ruled the world and then went to slumber to find everything changed, he even told me a story of how humans progressed and built building that touched the heavens but it all was destroyed and everything started over again." Momonga said.
"Wow that's amazing I cannot imagine a world like that!" Leala exclaimed
"Neither could anyone else I think my dad destroyed it and went back to sleep to start the world anew to be honest he does not like change very much." Momonga speculated.
"Well if he did it must have been a wicked world, just look how much better the world is in twenty years of your father's reign before I was borne life was a living hell I heard and if your father was absent we would not have world peace or prosperity. But one thing does make sense everything thing he does works so well like it has already been done so what you say makes sense." Leala said.
"That is a very good point Leala you are very smart, with all I know and I never once thought of that, it makes me wonder how many worlds or how many times he has shaped this world into what he wanted. Anyway here we are at the front gate so let's do this," Momonga snapped his fingers and Lealas gown changed to a pretty powder blue dress and Momonga's gown changed to a brown pinstriped western suit that was in fashion in Nazarick.
"Shall we go to dinner?" Momonga said as he held out his arm.
"Yes we shall!" Leala said as she took the Prince's arm to hear her dreams dashed with a sound of a young lady yelling, "wait!" Momonga and Leala both turned their heads to see Tria Sapato running at full speed at them with her hand waving in the air.
"Yesh so much for not making a scene" Momonga said as he grasped his face. Tria ran up to the pair panting already in a nice dress, "You could have waited a little bit you know how hard it was for me to change and sneak out!" She said sternly. Momonga took her hand and kissed it and said, "Tria Sapato it is nice to meet you I have known you father since birth he is a very interesting man!" He said with a bow.
Tria blushed and said, "That makes one of use I have only met him once and that was to take me here before that I had no idea who he was." Momonga smiled, "You are definitely your father's daughter, knowing whom I am and you act as though I am any regular person."
"Well I do belong to the house of Sapato and I am to be your head priestess so I am no regular person off the street as well." She replied curtly.
"Now that we are all caught up shall we all go I am not accustomed to the restaurants so any suggestions to where we should go?" The prince asked.
"I know of a nice place we can go that has the best desserts and it is right down the street," Leala suggested.
They all agreed and set off for the restaurant and had a wonderful evening after they ate they walked the streets and talked and then they finally went back to the Church. There he bid goodbye to both of them and told Leala to stay behind. "Leala I only have one day left the timetable has moved up due to national security tomorrow I want to meet you where we usually met I am going to take you somewhere very special ok?" Momonga agreed and Momonga flew away.
That night while lying in bed dreaming of a perfect night with the prince Leala had a massive stroke and died, it destroyed her and brain so much that if she was revived since she was at such a low level she would be an invalid. The next day her friend Tria Sapato came to look for her because she did not meet her at breakfast when she found her she grasped her and began to cry. Blood had run out of the nose of Leala due to the extensive brain damage and since Tria worked at the Church she knew it was an injury that could not be healed after casting a prognosis spell. As she wept over the body of her only friend Tria heard a voice at the door, "I am very sorry." She looked over to see Prince Momonga in Military dress no longer in disguise. "You! What did you do did you have sex with her?", as Tria knew intercourse with a God meant death. "I never touched your friend even though it is my right if I wanted to do so is it not?" Momonga replied. "You are correct but you could have told me at least I could have spent some more time with her." Tria sobbed. "But if I had you would not have enjoyed the day we had together would we?" Momonga again replied. "I guess you are right, can I ask this why did you even get involved? Tria said wiping tears off her eyes.
"Because she was like me for two years we watched the same sun set alone only a mile away I wanted to meet her and knew she would die last night so I thought I could make her life a little better I guess." Momonga replied. "I understand but why did you come today there must be a reason …you can fix this right?" Tria said as she stood up and approached him. "Yes I can, like I said I am a friend of your fathers and I told him what was going to happen and he told me to give you a choice. You Tria are of the house of Sapato so you have the authority to do something and you must stop running from it and embrace your title will you do it?" Momonga asked. "Is this whole thing about me and my father and keeping up the image of the royal support house?" Tria asked angrily. "Yes and no it is about you and your life but also your friends we cannot all live the way we want we all must make sacrifices so will you do this for you and Leala will you embrace your training and become the first high priest and a few years or will you take light your name? Momonga asked again. "Yes I will do as the namesake and nation ask of me." Tria said in her most serious voice. "Then there is a way to save Leala we have a new species transformation program that people can volunteer to change their race to something that will serve the Empire" Momonga responded, "So you cannot revive Leala?" Tria asked.
"No but we can reincarnate her." He said.
"As what?" she asked.
"The Nation's first Angel priestess!" Momonga said
"You mean she will have wings and feathers and fly?" Tria asked. "Yes!", "Will she remember me? "Yes" "Then let's do it forgive me Leala but I need you!" Tria said. "Alright she shall be your servant from now on you will be in charge of her since she will be a different race she will think and act differently I will begin. Momonga walked forward put his hand over Leala's body and said "Angelus et resurrectionis erimus" immediately her body began to float and with a blinding light her body transformed into an Angel with bronze skin blue eyes and white wings she took her first deep breath and sighed. Her body came to rest back on her bed and she sat staring at both Momonga and Tria. "I was in a cold place far away but I am back?" Leala said. Tria ran up to her and gave her a hug, "Oh Leala I don't know what I would do without you died my love but you are back but you are different." Leala looked at her and said, "Yes I was dead but I was resurrected as a Heavenly Host Angel level 20 and now I am here to serve you Tria." Leala said.
"Why are you talking so strange?" Tria asked. "I can answer this I told you she is an angel now they are a being that are meant to serve so her purpose is to serve you also angles are being of logic so that is why she is talking like that." Momonga said. "This is not what I wanted I wanted Leala back this is not Leala!" Tria said curtly to Momonga. "Yes it is her you will just have to get used to the new Leala I think you will find your friendship different but fulfilling." Momonga said. "I also have to agree although my countenance has changed you will find that I am much more efficient at my services to the church and to you as well as being your friend." Leala said with little vocal inflection. "I guess so but I am very uneasy about this it like she seems different but what else can I do?"Tria said. "That's good I am glad you are happy I have to go to our fealty feast today but I will see you soon," Momonga said as he started out the door and flew away Tria would not see him again until she was coronated as the Priestess of the Church of Nazarick.