Chapter 8: The Queen is dead, Long live the King!
They went out a back door and started to walk to the Emperor's quarters Ainz walked with his normal slow graceful pace, which made him seem like he was floating, his hands cross behind him making him seem like he was in deep thought. Momonga noticed at a young age that it seemed like effort in thought went into everything he did as if he practiced it. The truth was he did from signing his name to sitting down he did everything with purpose and grace befitting the Emperor of Nazarick. An enormous weight had always been on his shoulder and if he was not undead with the passive skill to regulate his emotions he would have cracked under the pressure a long time ago.
"Momonga you are my son and I love you it might seem strange to hear an undead say this as we are supposed to hate life but I am one of the 41 supreme being so I am not a undead but The undead of which all undead worship and follow. Also I was tough on you because I had no training on how to act and be a King or a God. You see everyone thinks that Gods are born and automatically know what to say and do, like we appear as a complete being but we are not as you know we grow and learn just as the humans. This is why the God-kin of Nazarick hate humans because my friends of the 41 Supreme Beings they were created by us and when they were born they were complete."
Momonga was walking and listening to his father and was amazed by the insight he had of the Nazarick people he never thought about why they hated humans he just took things as they were, he then decided that he still had a lot to learn about being a leader. His father never ceased to amaze him it was as if every time he thought he had something mastered his father would always take it to another level in magic or in lesson in life.
They came to a room and a maid quickly open the door Ainz nodded at her and then he entered the room, Momonga followed. Ainz led them to a special chest and began to dispel five seals one after another. As Momonga watched as he thought the protective measure on the chest were a bit excessive as he knew no one who could get past one of his father's seals but he always thought his dad was a bit paranoid. As Ainz unlocked the last seal he began to speak, "This was made for you by your Uncle Sebas and Uncle Demiurge. This is a scale armor suit made just for you on top are scales from a dragon they are made from the strongest material from this world. Then underneath is a chain link Armor made from the finest rainbow metal found in the Gods realm. With this Armor on alone you will be invincible and is my gift to you.
Ainz picked it up and handed to Momonga, the Armor was had been colored jet black with red emblems of the Crest of Nazarick across the chest. The armor was stunning nothing had ever been made like it. "This armor took ten years to complete and will serve you well take it I have also put my and your mother aura's into it so we will always be with you." He could feel the familiar maelstrom of his fathers and mothers passive skills coming from the armor into his hands.
Momonga looked up with a large smile and said, "Thank you father this is a gift that I will always cherish I can feel you put your soul into this. I love you father and I will make you proud!" "Ainz looked at Momonga and place his hand on his head, "My son you already have made me proud!" Momonga smiled this was one of the rare moment when he felt like it was just a father and son sharing a moment together and was to be cherished."
Ainz closed the chest and turned around at sat at his desk snapped his fingers and out from a shadow came his uncle Demiurge. Momanga wondered how long he had been there and was a little embarrassed at the thought of him seeing the whole exchange. "Demiurge when did you arrive?" Ainz asked? "Just now my lord as I know you sensed me when I entered the room." Demiurge replied as he straightened his tie.
"Very good, very good, well then will you tell us the specifics of the situation in the Dragon Kingdom?" Ainz coolly asked as if he turned off his fatherly switch and turned to all business."
"Ah yes might I first say that the armor turned out better than I imagined and God Prince Momonga" he said as he bowed "You are the embodiment of the power of magic and battle as my master I hope you will find me as usefully as you father."
Momonga could not be too familiar with him in front of his father. "Ah yes" he started to stammer "Just call him uncle I already know you call him that anyway you are following my Nazarick family order command" Ainz was talking about when the Sorcerous Kingdom ceased and the Empire was created he proclaimed that all of the guardians of Nazarick now become officially his children and proclaimed a public Gown family tree so their subjects would understand the new power structure. This was because the humans and demi-humans they ruled did not understand the ranking system of Nazarick and since kingdoms are based on heredity it was decided to name all the guardians as children of Ainz Ooal Gown. This edict also proclaimed that if anyone touched a Gown it was punishable by death, thus the untouchable Gown saying.
Momonga turned a shade of red and said, "Thank you very much Uncle the Amour is a masterpiece along with my weapon"
Demiurge smiled and said, "This pleases me a great deal young master, also I am pleased to be you advisor in your first mission you will be joining the my unit the secret police, we are the elite unit that handles sensitive occurrences within the nation as you know the nobles gave us some ridiculous name what was it, the Red Skulls I personally don't get it but that has no bearing on the mission I digress, we shall take portal to the gate of the castle and demand an audience with the queen under E.O.N, Code 21 that states that all heads of Vassal States of Nazarick shall give audience to Nazarick envoys immediately. If they refuse then we shall fight our was into the castle and eliminate the Queen if she allows us in then we shall follow Nazarick protocol and give her one last chance to swear fealty if she chooses not to then we shall eliminate her along with all her head s of state, The mission a very straightforward and simple."
"Yes it seems so do you have any questions Momonga?" Ainz asked, "No I foresee many deaths in the Dragonic Kingdom but none in relation in regards to us." Very good you shall set out at once after you finish come back to the Black Castle and then we shall go on the fealty tour going to the Dragonic kingdom to crown you cousin the king. Now go and bring glory to Nazarick my son!" Ainz said in a stern but excited voice.
Momonga bowed and said, "As you command," Turned and did an about face and walked to the armor room to suit up and stage. Where he was going was about a mile away so he opened a portal straight to and emerged in the midst of armory and military staging area. As he walked it the demons jealousy and avarice both kneeled at the sight of the prince, Momanga motioned them to stand up and said, "I appreciate your respect but today we are brothers in arms let us strike fear in the hearts of our enemies!" Jealousy was an eight foot tall demon with wings of a bat and fangs of tiger and adverse was of the same build and had the head of a lion and the bottom half of some sort of large goat. Both were very intimidating to anyone beside those who were not from Nazarick.
They both went back to equipping their armour and weapons, for Momonga coming here was just to meet them as he had all of his equipment in a pocket dimension and could equip his items whenever and wherever he wished. He reached into his pocket dimension and pulled out his armour and equipped it, the armor with the crest on the chest made him look like a dark knight. He thought about equipping his new weapon "despair" but was told that he could tear a hole in the fabric of space if he put too much strength behind it and he was not familiar enough with the weapon to conclude that he would not destroy the world his first time using it so he decided that he will keep this weapon as a trump card that will only be used if needed.
As he was pondering this he felt a hand placed on his shoulder based on the latent ability rushing into his body he could tell it was his Uncle Demiurge. He quickly turned around and saw Demiurges smiling face. "Greetings young master as you military advisor do not allow yourself to be caught up in thought so much that it reduced you awareness of the situation even in a safe environment like this.
Momonga smiled, "Say Uncle I know you are the main intelligence officer for the Empire how did father know I call you uncle? Demiurge smiled looked down and then up cast [shell] a spell that would not allow you to be heard but does allow you to be observed. Demiurge looked down the entire time he spoke, "Your father is always watching you might not know this as you are still young he has the ability to observe anyone he wants at any time" Really?! Momonga exclaimed,
"Yes I have been on the edge of the world before on secret missions for you father when a critical decision needed to be made suddenly I would get a [message] from your father telling me what to do, it has not happened often but enough to make you always wonder, he is truly frightening Supreme Being isn't he?
Momonga thought about it and replied, "Yes he is I had no idea!" No one does except for the White Queen and your father and when he is ready he shall share his ability with you! It made Momonga think about all the times he lied to his father to get out of trouble or the embarrassing things he did in his room that normal teenagers do. Demigure saw the look of worry on the face of Momonga and said, "Do not worry he only uses his power for reasons of state or if I were to guess to see how your training fairs, I have never seen him use it for personal reasons that the Kind of ruler we serve. Demiurge then got a serious look on his face," If I were to worry about anyone it would be the White Empress your mother we have never seen eye to eye as you know but I would be very careful when you are awarded the as the first Guardian of The Empire of Nazarick of who you hang around and who you hold dear because if you get to close to someone she does not approve of they will most likely disappear, that is all I can say young master. He casually dispelled [shell] and acted like nothing happened and went on with his business.
Momonga head was spinning everything started to make sense how she knew about Shallteer the Second and how she knew so much about him. She would always say she was informed by someone but there was no way eight-edge assassins or informants could know as much as she did. Was she using all her spare time watching him was his mother the "crazy over obsessive demon women" talk that he would overhear from the workers around the palace not the maids from Nazarick but the slaves that were gift to the Empire before slavery was abolished, Many stayed because the pay was good and they were allowed to live free of charge in a village in the outer courtyard. NO! His mother was the most caring women in this world she was just misunderstood. Suddenly his blood began to boil the next time he overhears a conversation like that he will invoke the Slander of Gown act and have them put on trial and executed as the law states, "none shall speak ill of the Gown family and if they do they shall be tried in the court of law and executed." Bah what do elves know they live in trees! Momonga thought this because ninety percent of the workers in the Black castle were elves given to them by the Old Slane Theocracy as a last ditch effort to buy piece along with all their treasury before they were completely defeated and the majority of their cities destroyed.
Now was not the time to think of such things he would have to sort his feeling out later and ask his mother directly, No he thought that would put Demiurge right in the crosshairs he would have to find out his own and then confront her but just how was she doing it a spell or a special item. Momonga had to stop himself again I must push this back for another day today I prove myself as the Guardian of the Empire.
He looked around and everyone was ready and equipped with armor but no one had weapons. "Demiurge I was thinking that it would not be wise for me to use "Despair" is the guard all going to use hand to hand combat?
Demiurge smiled and said, "We are all hand to hand combat oriented as you know Jealousy and Avarice are both area guardian and I am a floor guardian, we do not use our weapons unless it is needed just as you tactically thought you should always have a trump card whether it is a magical item a weapon or an ability. These things I have taught you but know you will get to experience them which is completely different but let me tell you one thing take it as my last lesson before you go into combat. The Sorcerous Kingdom was able to conquer the known world so quickly because of the way we fought. This was through fear; fear for mortals is an infectious disease that can destroy a nation within. At the start of our campaign in the Kattssee Plains your father brilliantly used a spell that struck fear in the heart of our enemy and allies at the time. Within one month our allies due to fear became our first vassal state. Not long after the nations fell like dominoes. "Do you know how that fear was created?"
"No Uncle not that I am aware, what was it." Momonga muttered. "Your father started the campaign of fear by one doing the unexpected fear of the unknown is one of the most dreaded kinds of fear, second he had us always use overwhelming power to defeat our enemies, this fear crushed all hope that the opposing nations might have had. So by taking away their future and taking away their safety they threw themselves at the mercy of your father's feet. Your father took over the Empire without one drop of blood! Can you believe that he truly is a Genius, so use these principles and make sure that there are always witness left to spread the fear do you understand?
"Yes sir I do overwhelming power and do the unexpected!" Momonga said in a militaristic tone. "Good young master know let us go to the Dragonic Kingdom and spread some fear." Demiurge said smiling as [portal] opened and everyone stepped through their exact point of entry still classified even from Momonga.
Two guards stood in front of the main palace gate in the Dragon Kingdom, the place was very old and the Kingdom was not the richest vassal state. They were still shorthanded from their struggles with the beastmen a war that had raged on since before records were kept on there land. When they became a vassal state the beastmen who lived in the Nation were not wiped out by Emperor Ainz death knights but taught how to grow their own food instead of eating humans. It was an uneasy and unwanted truce that none of the humans wanted. They expected the beastmen to be wiped out in exchange for their obedience.
Instead the South East portion of the Vassal state was given to the beastmen as these were their ancestral lands that they currently occupied and so they were given them. They were also allowed a prime minister to discuss policy with the queen. Beastmen were not known for their intelligence so Emperor Ainz had to find an Elder Beastman who was something of an outlier like the battle troll he collected for winning an arena fight so long ago. This Beastman was named Zanacar and was unusually smart and wise. Ainz promoted him to be their leader and left all internal clan council squabbling to them. Zanacar knew that the way they lived could not be sustained and that if things continued all the human world would rise up and defeat them. He was the reason why the beastmen would invade for a while and then stop because he would convince them to not awake a sleeping giant. Another trait that made Zanacar a perfect candidate is that he was the tribal elder and all respected and did what he said.
The first thing that Ainz and Zanacar did was find a viable food source for the beastmen and since they were carnivores it had to be livestock. Any sentient being was out of the question so they settled on a type of forest boar that was a white meat that tasted very much like human. They were easy to raise, reproduced quickly and could meet the needs of the Beastmen.
Beastmen though by nature were hunters as well as fighters and needed an outlet for these instincts. Beastmen were allowed to hunt once a week and Ainz had Aura release dragons, wyverns, harpies and all other assortment of dangerous beast for them to hunt. Secondly, in areas that proved to be especially dangerous on the frontier due to wild beast beastmen adventurer units were dispatches to hunt and kill in the danger zones until they would become livable. Then after they achieved their goals they would be moved on to a new area. For the time being the arrangement was perfect except for the humans who served the dragon queen.
Everyone in the Vassal state had loved one killed by Beastmen and hated them, when the treaty was signed it had to be done in secrecy as there had been several attempts on Zanacars life. Because of this arrangement there was much resentment against the Empire and the queen also hated the agreement and refused to sign the treaty. Only after she found out about Sebas being a dragon and the promise of a heir did she agree to the terms. For a time things died down and the Dragnoic Vassal State began to prosper again after hefty investments of money and food were made to get the nation back on its feet and prospering. But anytime a young child would go missing or someone disappear the beastmen were blamed. Very few times were any of the allegations were true but the beastmen were an easy scapegoat for any problems the nation was having.
This was the cause of the plan to break off from the Empire of Nazarick and go it alone as they had become prosperous again and forgot that they were fighting a losing war against the Beastmen. They believed that with their new weapons and Army they could wipe out the beastmen and no longer need the Empire. Many believe that Emperor Ainz kept the beastmen around was so they would need them for protection. The Queen started to believe the words of her council and became prideful of her nation even though all the prosperity was due to the Empire of Nazarick's intervention.
The two guards were discussing everything going on in the country and if the queen was really going to try and break free of their Vassal State status from the Empire of Nazarick. "Filmore if you ask me it absolute suicide to try and break our agreement with the Empire of Nazarick I mean we have a Dragon queen yes but they have an immortal God King I mean 120,000 people dead with one spell! I heard that's not even his most powerful spell just one he likes; I heard that the knights of the Empire you know the ones on the winning side, many of them retired because of the slaughter they saw.
"Man I talked to a guy once who was there and when he heard a goat bleat he pissed his pants and raised his hand and said "All hail Ainz Ooal Gown" That's the winning side Wandart the winning side!" They both shook their heads and agree that no God could save them if the Empire wanted to keep them there was no stopping them.
"You know who is pushing this whole independence thing are the rich land owners, they are mad about how the Emperor fixes the prices of grain and other goods so no one goes hungry and so they just want to line their pockets with more gold. Who do you think is going to do the fighting? Filmont asked.
"Not them I tell you it will be us poor bastards!" Wandart Exclaimed
"Fascinating I do believe that this is some excellent intel do you know the names of these land owners" A unfamiliar voice said behind them as they both slowly turned around to see the Demon King himself head over the Nazarick secret police the Nobles Grim reaper Demiurge Gown. The one responsible for Hell night at the old Kingdoms Capital to be subdued by Momon but to be tamed by the Emperor himself as the story went.
Both of the Guards went completely pail, Wandart looked to see two towering demons on his right and left and a mysterious figure behind him. He looked at his uniform much like the one he was wearing but instead of a dragon seal he saw in the same spot a Red Skull every soldier in the Nazarick army new that was one uniform you never wanted to see. Wandart prostrated himself and looked over at his friend and said, "Kneel you fool!" But poor Filmont was so scared he pissed his pants and shook like a leaf, after a few more seconds he tried to prostrate himself but passed out into a crumple heap.
"Wandart is it you shall stay here and when we get done with our audience with the Queen we shall have a nice long chat about everything you know. You saw my uniform and as your are in the Nazarick military you know that I am a part of the Secret Police so I have the authority to have you do as such. Do not think about going anywhere to discussing our conversation with anyone or that constitutes as treason. Are we clear?"
"Cr-crsatal cla-cla-clear mi lord I will do exactly as you say!" Wandart choked out every word he had never felt such a presence before it was as he was being crush under an invisible weight.
"Good soldier, no one knows capital politics better than the palace guard you know!" Let us take our leave we shall no go and petition the queen for an audience.
Wandart could hear the clink and clack of armored people walking away he still did not dare lift his head until he could no longer hear them he looked over at his friend. "Poor sod come on let me get you up" he said as he gave him a slap on the cheeks to wake him up.
As Momonga and the rest of his team made their way through the outer court into the palace main hall he could hear constant whispering and every time an unsuspecting servant would cross paths with them they would immediately prostrate themselves as they were not versed on the etiquette of Nazarick. "It seems the queen here has not taught her staff proper etiquette of Nazarick Uncle? Momonga said, "It would seem so if I did not know better it would seem she has little regard for anything Nazarick except our Gold, troops, and grain."
Finally they came to the main throne room were a wide eyed Chamberlain announced their arrival.
"Introducing The God of Magic Prince Momonga Albedo Gown and the Chief of Special Affairs Demiurge Gown of the Empire of Nazarick. There sat the queen no one knew how old she was around 100 most would say but she took the form of a 14 year old girl. It was a mystery why her own subject did not know this but maybe all who figured it out died from old age.
This time Momonga stood at the front of a V formation Demiurge to his right and Jealousy and Avarice to his left. The Queen was supposed to get up and bow but did not a clear sign of disrespect. "Forgive me if I do not get up I have been very ill you see that is why I was not able to attend your little party."
"You surely know that protocol dictates you send at least an ambassador to attend and show your fealty to me and the Empire of Nazarick these seemingly disrespectful events can be overlooked if you simply swear you loyalty to me and to Nazarick. If you are unhealthy enough to bow then I will understand and it will understand and not require it until you are better.
"We of the Dragonic Kingdom joined the Empire thinking that you would wipe out the ancient enemy the beastmen but instead you have helped them, given away our land, and given a Beastmen a position of power that is only answerable to me and no one else. You have done the exact opposite in my opinion and therefore ask to withdraw from the Empire. As each day passes the beastmen steal our children eat those who are close to the border and get ready to wage war against us at any moment!" The Queen screamed as she pounded her fist on the table next to the throne.
Momonga looked back to Demiurge, "The document please" Demiurge rustled through his bag and brought out a sealed scroll and handed it to Momonga. "Nazarick agreement 405, Now let it be known that the Dragonic Kingdom will now and forever be the Vassal State of Nazarick, the war between the beastmen and humans will be brought to a quick end as many soldiers that are needed with patrol the border of the beastmen and the ancestral land and that of the humans that live in the Dragonic kingdom. Also one million pieces of Nazarick gold will be deposited into the new Vassal State Treasury and a stipend of grain will be given so no one will go hungry until the time that the Kingdom will be self-sufficient. Under Nazarick law all sentient beings are given equal treatment in the Empire and a suitable solution will be met with the beastmen. Signed the Dragonic Queen, the Prime Minister Zanacar and the absolute ruler God King Ainz Ooal Gown."
"This document was signed by you and agreed upon the Empire of Nazarick everything in the agreement has been met upon, also if we had not fulfilled any part of the agreement which we did not you still do not have any legal standing for your nation to exit our agreement the word forever is non-negotiable."
"I know what the treaty says boy I was there when it was signed, before you were even a thought! I also do not care what you or your father says I owe my allegiance first to my people who are unhappy with the beastmen and want war!" The Queen Crackled.
Need I remind you how the war was going before we intervened you emptied your treasury to the Slane theocracy so they could send retired warriors to help you and did they not get eaten only months into the campaign? You had no hope and if you start war again it will happen again! Momonga retorted.
"Things will be much different this time thank to your help we no longer need you we can win this war and we no longer need your services." The queen snapped back.
"Fine" Momonga said, "if that is the way you feel than we will not force you to stay apart of the Empire but you we will be in this same situation we were in before in five years."
Everyone's eyes shot wide open Demiurge wanted to say something but trusted that his young master had some trick up his sleeve he had to. Momonga began to walk toward the queen the guards quickly tried to block him but the queen told them to stay away. Momonga brought out a new document and pin out of his pocket dimension.
"Here is a new document outlining our new arrangement please sign here" he said as he placed the paper on the desk beside her and handed her the pin. She quickly jumped up and signed the paper, "I knew that Nazarick would be spineless", she muttered just loud enough for all to hear.
"Lastly a handshake to seal the deal" The queen held out her hand in a way that expected Momonga to take her hand and kiss it. It was meant to be her final insult but turned out to be her final act.
Momonga grabbed her hand gently kissed it and said, "You should really read what you sign." Panicking she looked back at the paper it was a document abdicating her throne to her son!
"This is not legal and I shall, I shall" The queen stammered as she tried to make sense of what was happening.
"You see as powerful as you think you are I am the GOD OF MAGIC the moment you touched my hand was the end of you your magic of longevity and will no longer keep you alive.
All of her court watched in horror as she went from a 14 year old girl and aged to a 100 year old women in less than a minute. She tried to cry out and say something but she did not have the energy.
I want you to see this before you die I am signing your abdication and accept it now your son Dracus Tian Gown will become King and his father Sebas Tian will be his royal advisor this was so generous of you, I thank you!
At this point she only had the strength to move her eyes, she was cursing him with every fiber of her being then everything went black for the queen was dead she died of old age. The whole court was shocked no one knew what to do except for the secret police.
"All right let us clean up here everyone who saw what happen must die go to work" Demiurge said as a loud scream came from a female servant. Quicker than the human eye could see Momonga had closed the only doors that led out of the chamber. Jealousy and Avarice jumped into action systematically slaying each person in front of them. A young soldier tried to jump out of the window but Jealousy ran up behind him and chopped his head off with one swift motion of his hand while Avarice had rammed his hand though a young handmaiden stomach and pulled it out to slay another. There were a total of 25 people in the throne room that day and not one stayed alive longer than two minutes.
After everyone was dead Demiurge gave a signal and a portal opened all sorts of beings began to file out and drag the bodies back into the portal. Then a fleet of fifty maids came and cleaned the throne room from top to bottom so no one could tell what happened. The only body that did not move was the queens who the whole nation would now believe that she died of natural causes and signed the decree making her son the next in line for the throne.
Demiurge walked up to Momonga who was standing watching the maids at work, "So this is the infamous cleanup crew the bodies most likely will become death knights I suppose."
"My lord I hope that the next time that you could make me a part of your plan I almost spoke up and ruined it." Demiurge said. "I had faith in you I know the plan was to kill her and everyone else but I thought of a flaw when we walked it and I could foresee the deaths of tens of thousands if we went with the original plan." Momonga replied.
"Really my young lord could you tell me what it was?" Demiurge said. "Yes as a 1/3 Dragon lord she had the ability of an enormous amount of wild energy. She could only release one blast but enough to kill many in the kingdom and if she would have released it I could only deflect it this destroying the capital along with the palace. It would have been impossible to cover up. So I catered to her vanity as a being that was very old she saw me as an appointed immature adult that could be outsmarted and I let her think that. She never would have thought I could have killed her with a touch and since I already had the document we were going to forge I acted as if I was beaten and knew it.
"What if she would have read the document before she signed it?" Demiurge asked. "I simple would have touched her as she read and forged her signature as we planned.
"Brilliant absolutely Brilliant young lord you are your father's son we have taken over the Kingdom with only 26 deaths and the world will see it as a natural succession as we put out the rumor she was sick and dying and also all the world leaders knew she was old so no one will question the new coronation. There is no blemish or mark on the name of Nazarick. You did an outstanding job!"
"Thank you Demiurge and the fealty tour with my little brother Coronation as king and Uncle Sebas as the royal advisor. This will be a truly great time to see all of Nazarick! I have to go back my father is making me the Guardian of Nazarick. Momanga said.
He walked through a portal without saying goodbye to Demiurge he smiled and said to himself, "he left again without thinking about it one day he is going to end up on the Moon."
Momonga walked down the hallway the he had walked countless times before, he was proud of himself he had single handedly taken care of a crisis and covered it up without any incident. The succession of the Dragon King will now be flawless and he used his mind to take of the problem brute force, he outwitted then the Dragon Queens trap to unleash her wild magic and destroy half the nation. As he was thinking he looked up to see the doors that led to his father room. Two maids were standing at attention at each door fifth and sixth he believed,
"I will announce your arrive right away young master!" Sixth exclaimed. "That will be fine, how are you Sixth I have not seen you in a long time?" Sixth smiled and looked down and straightened her uniform and said, "Um, yes Young Lord I have been in the Glorious Tomb for the last year and now I have rotated back to the surface." How do you like life on the surface?" Momonga asked already knowing the answer already, "Master I enjoy my time here but I think we all consider the tomb as home." "Well your tour of duty will end soon enough and you will get to go back" Momonga replied.
"Yes my lord I will announce your arrival!" Sixth said as she darted into the Emperor's chambers," So Fifth right? Momonga asked because he wanted to make sure it was her and not embarrass himself. He knew it was her he had perfect recall when it came to his memory but he always wanted to be sure. "Yes my Lord how may I be of service to you today?" "I have noticed that you and Sixth are always together are you friends?" Sixth blushed and replied, " Yes young master we are many of the maids are friends." "Ah yes I see that would make sense, I wanted to ask you a question my mother the White Empress Albedo Gown does she treat you fairly when you work at the palace?"
"Well" she looked down and grabbed her apron with both hands and twisted it nervously, "Your mother has always treated us kindly, and sometimes she gets angry when one of us makes a mistake but I would not say she treats us unfairly." She stammered.
"What do you mean by us?" Momonga asked. "Well we the maids and battle maids from Nazarick are all in supervisory position above the elves that work at the palace; we also have the honor of serving the royal family anyone that is not from Nazarick is allowed close to the royal family. But the elves they are not treated so well." Momonga blinked he wondered how such things could happen without him knowing.
"What types of things happen to the elves?" Momonga asked. "Well since it is you Highness that is asking and I refuse any information she has the maids, beaten, whipped and sometimes.. well some time she had them executed." Sixth nervously said.
"How often does this happen? Momonga asked in disbelief. "Well not very often and the frequency of events like these have decreased and they are lowly scum of the out world, my lord you should not worry yourself with such trivial things." Sixth said she was nervous very nervous she was caught in an impossible situation. "Sixth you have no reason to be nervous you are telling me nothing I did not know I just wanted to make conversation" Momonga said this so if anyone was watching she would not get in trouble and to put Sixth mind to rest when he grew up in the Tomb of Nazarick he grew up very closely with all of the Maids and considered them family. The edict that the Emperor passed made all his children except for the maids and the battle maids were put in various positions of power throughout the kingdom.
The battle maids were not given the name of Gown but given the name of God-kin and considered distant relative of the Gown family. "Sixth came through the door and said the Emperor is ready to see you know!" Momonga smiled at both the maids and thanked them for their help and walked through the door. His father was sitting behind his giant desk that was meant to be very imposing signing documents that an elder litch that was in charge of bureaucracy of the Empire. He applied his seal to the last form and handed it to the litch he bowed and turned and walked away.
Emperor Ainz looked up at his son smiled and motioned his son to come," Come have a seat we have much to talk about." Momonga walked straight over the two chairs in front of his desk and sat in the chair to the right as he was taught to always sit at the right because in some cultures to be at the left was considered evil or a shame. "You look good you in that armor my son exactly as I imagined when it was it was made," Ainz placed his seal down and leaned forward in his chair placing his grasped hands in front of him on the desk.
"I saw how you handled the Dragon Queen absolutely brilliant my son mind it is no easy task to outwit Demiurge he was truly impressed as was I and your mother!" Ainz leaned back and lifted his left hand as from the shadow of the back of the room his mother the White Empress came forward. She was holding a black cape with red lining and the crest of Nazarick on the back. It had golden embroidering and ropes at the top.
"This cape is one of a kind magical item that symbolizes you as the Guardian of Empire of Nazarick. You mother although the Queen is still overseer of all Guardians so as the ancient laws of Nazarick say you must be approved and awarded this position from me and the Overseer the White Empress. You are also named General of the Armies of Nazarick and shall bestow this honor, tell everyone they can come in." Ainz told the maid in the back, she bowed and opened the door.
Ainz stood and Momonga followed suit as he stood up he turned around and saw all his family file into the room breaking off into two groups one on his left and one on his right. Everyone one was here from all over the kingdom, Queen Shallter and King Brian and their two children, Sebas and Dracus, Coctyous, Demiurge, Victim, Nigreto and countless others. He turned back around to see his father and mother step in front of him.
They waited until everyone was in place and then Albedo began the ceremony, "With this cloak you are now the first Guardian of the Empire of Nazarick and the General of the Armies of Nazarick!" She walked up and buttoned the cloak on the raised portion of his armor that was created to hold the cloak on the right shoulder of his armor. It draped over the right side of his body with the gold cords hanging on his shoulder that made his armor stunning. Everyone started to clap this was more a celebration than it was a ceremony. He turned around and thanked everyone for being there. "I know my father adopted all of you as family except for my mother. I hold the same sentiments as my father and even more so as I have grown up with you all as my family and am grateful to have had your guidance in my development and will extend your services to me as long as you desire. Once again thank you, and for the first time in his life a single tear dropped from his eye. He did not know it yet but the next time this would happen it would not be out of joy.
All the members of the family Gown came up and congratulated Momonga on his accomplishment, he was now one less step away from the Emperor and had the power to go and do whatever he desired because he was now considered an adult. This new power to be out from under the influence of his mother excited him as he could now walk through the capital on a stroll if he so desired and he could not wait to enjoy his new freedom.
Dracus came up to Momonga and bowed, Momonga nodded his head in acknowledgement. "I have heard my birth mother died today and she signed the proclamation making me king." Momonga smiled and awkward smile as he had killed his mother and never fully realized that it was his cousin's birth mother. "Yes I was around for the end to insure the documents of succession were signed she spoke of you several times. Dracus looked at Momonga with a quizzical look and said, "Really I am surprised that women did not have an ounce of compassion in her heart to be honest I am glad she is gone, the thought of moving to the castle with her sickened me." Dracus said with a look of disdain on his face. "Well it all turned all alright,
"Although I will miss you at the capital I will be sure to visit you often" Momonga said relieved as he knew there would be a time when he would find the truth about the death of his mother and did not want it to come between them.
All the guardians mingled and drank it was very rare that only the Gown family would be in one room with no other heads of state. It was a very rare chance for everyone to ignore palace protocol and act like a family. When Ainz first passed the act that made them all family there was heavy resistance but after a while everyone got comfortable with it and got used to being a family because it was what Ainz wanted. After an hour everyone started to leave as they had duties to perform as so did Momonga tomorrow would be the start of the Royal Tour his first chance to see the Empire of Nazarick.