Chapter 11: Adventures of Nazarick
The cock crowed in the Albedo Township Emperor Ainz was already up sitting at his desk reading the daily report of the Nazarick Adventure groups on the front lines. New species and tribes had been found, subjugated and then claimed for the Empire. The known world had increased by 1/3 since the founding of the Empire a decade ago. The White Empress Albedo touched the bed next to her to feel to see if Ainz was there, 90 percent of the time he was not due to him not needing sleep but from time to time to rest his overactive brain he would take a special potion made just for him that would let him sleep for an 9 hour period. The potion was made by Fludder Paradyne Sapato it was more like a balm that he would apply to his head and it would counteract his undead ability and allow him to rest. This was not a normal practice as he found being unconscious for 9 hours troublesome but found he would have to do it every so often to keep his sanity because he would get overworked and become very paranoid after a few months of not sleeping.
"Darling come to bed and play with me even Gods need to fulfil their husbandly duties." Albedo said not raising her head, Ainz looked over at Albedo thinking that she was growing more bold and familiar with him every day. When they first were married years ago she still worshipped him as a God and having a normal conversation did not happen, but over time she grew accustomed to seeing Ainz more as a person as she saw him in times no one else was allowed to, times when he even doubted himself or just delegated the problem to her instead. This allowed her confidence in her relationship and allowed it to grow but her greatest accomplishment in her mind in their marriage was Momonga because she bore him a son and heir to his legacy. This was something all the Guardians wanted as they feared that one day the Supreme Being Ainz Ooal Gown could leave them like the rest of the 41 Supreme Beings.
Emperor Ainz did not particularly even care about having and heir but he had heard the pleas from Cocytus and the other Guardians which was the only thing he wanted from his lord was an heir to serve to be by the side of his son. Cocytus saw himself as a weapon and a weapon could not be used if it had no handler and the idea of Cocytus not having a lord to serve was his greatest fear. Ainz who wanted all his children happy gave Cocytus what he wanted. That is why he made his son General of the Army and Cocytus his second in command. When he told Cocytus of his plan months ago Cocytus kept thanking Ainz and asked every conceivable question possible about his new duties until Ainz had to excuse himself.
"I can see your thinking about our son Momanga" Ainz said curtly, "How did you know?" Albedo fired back with an embarrassed tone in her voice, "You first get a distant look in your face and then smile and that could be about me or Momonga and I am here so it must be him." Ainz said in a cheerful tone. "As always Emperor your knowledge is infinite like the summer sky," Albedo said. "That reminds me I have been thinking of our sons official title, unofficially he is the God of life and Death but this does not show his full power and I think the only reason he took this is because I hold this title as well," Ainz said tapping his chin as he looked up in the Air. "What were you thinking of my love" Albedo asked. "Well he will be married soon and I think he will need an official title so I was thinking Momonga Albedo Ooal Gown the God High King of Magic." Ainz said with a smile. "High King? Will he not be a prince still?"
"The truth is that the Northern Alliance ran by the Dragon Lords and city states no longer have a place in the Empire so by sugar or the whip our gift for our son's marriage will be the newly made North Western Vassal State of the Empire of Nazarick...so what do you think? Ainz asked as he folded his hands. "I like it you have been much too lenient to those Dragon Lords and City States our son will crush them if need be" Albedo said with a smirk on her face. "Yes I expected you would say that well it is about time he said as he got up. "What shall we wear today my love" Ainz said. Albedo smiled and jumped out of bed walking over to the dresser pulling out a dark blue dress and cloak. "I have chosen these for today what do you think?" Ainz nodded his head in agreement normally a maid would have came in and dressed him but once he was married to Albedo no one was allowed to dress him under the Empress's orders and seeing the Emperor nude was punishable by death.
Ainz had no idea of this order but there were many secrets that Albedo kept from Ainz as she tried to hide her over possessive nature. It was not that Ainz even cared either he knew her nature when he read her core programming and added that she was madly in love with him. He used to try and control her behavior but accepted responsibility for what he had done to one of his friend's children. Ainz was never an evil man but what drove him to such cruel acts was his love for the NPC's of Nazarick which he saw as his friend's children. He just wanted to make them happy that why he married Albedo and allowed her to do terrible things. When he first came to the new lands he had compassion but after time things became black and white either you were from Nazarick or not and that simple fact decided the fate of many. The reason why the Slane Theocracy was crushed and the members of the council were still being tortured and killed every day was because of what they had done to Shallter. That was why he adopted all the NPC's as his children was because over time the feeling of them being his friends children turned into a feeling they were his children as well as the practical purpose of creating a royal family to rule the Empire. So Albedo's cruelty went further and further unchecked because Ainz allowed it to and because he wanted to make sure she was happy like all his other children. This is one reason why Albedo was known as the White Empress because she was as cold as ice when Ainz was not around, and her cruelty slowly became legendary within the Empire.
She slew a human maid once because she looked at Ainz to long. It was not because the maid was in love with him but she was a regular human maid on her first week at the job and was taken back once she set eyes on the Emperor in fear and awe. Albedo took it another way and later that day the maid was called to the outside court Knick named the "red grounds" not because of the red roses but that is where servants were sent by Albedo to be executed when she showed Albedo was waiting with two Homunculus maids of Nazarick. She simply walked up and asked her, "Do you know what this place is and why are you are here?" Albedo asked with a wicked grin on her face. "Nnnno M'lady I promise I haven't done anything wrong M'lady I am truly happy for this job to work in the royal court," The woman said as she bowed her head grasping her apron nervously, "If I had it my way none would set eyes on my husband but it cannot be helped but you know that none shall touch a Gown and live but you stare at my love and touch him with those disgusting eyes of yours." The woman began to tremble and cry Albedo walked up to her and said, "Let me tell you a little secret this courtyard was a gift to me from Lord Ainz and guess what the roses are actually white," she said as she cut the woman and half with a wicked smile on her face while she screamed obscenities at her, the poor woman was only 20 years old. The maids cleaned up and took the body away to become a death knight not to let the corpse go to waste. There were many jobs in the capital city of Nazarick but none so dangerous than working for the White Empress.
"That reminds me we are done with the Paradise floor in Nararick correct?" Ainz asked as he was getting dressed with Albedos help. "Yes all preparations are complete the city has been built and the tree has finished growing it is fit of being called the domain of the Gods." Albedo said. "Then it is time to begin to put the plan into motion we shall proclaim at every banquet on the tour that we can now go to the Gods Realm of Nazarick made by me and the Supreme Beings and that the faithful will be allowed to go for a short time I would say a few days. They shall go by portal and see the domain and worship the tree and then go back. We shall allow the priest and nobles go first and then allow those who have been faithful in the Church of Nazarick and shall make them even more devoted." Ainz said as if someone was dictating every word. "You are truly generous to allow humans to sully of holy ground of Nazarick but it shall make all in the world truly see your Godly power." Albedo said as she said as she straighten out the collar of Ainz's gown that he was wearing.
"Well when I rule the entire world and nothing is left to conquer and we grow tired of the grueling nature of ruling the world we shall give our son the Empire and we shall retire along with any of the other guardians and maids of Nazarick that wish to come with us and go back to Nazarick and rule paradise." Ainz said with a sigh of relief thinking about a retirement of ruling just Nazarick again made him happy. "I shall be a God and our son the Emperor and we will live for eternity in paradise together, Ainz said softly, Albedo smiled, "That is still far away but for us to get to be together for eternity is simply not long enough my love, only you could give a woman everything they want including all those of Nazarick, you are truly benevolent!" Albedo said as she grasped each side of Ainz's head and stood on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss on his chin.
"Do you think that all the Guardians will be happy I still worry about the twins Mare and Aura. They have not aged and I fear they shall be children forever." Ainz said in a concerned voice. Albedo rolled her eyes and pouted out her bottom lip she did not like to think of Aura and Mare as her children even though they technically were her children. She wanted Momonga and him alone to have the title of Ainz's child and even though they were adopted the idea still made her unhappy. Ainz mistook it as him not being sensitive to Albedo. "I apologize I worry too much about them when you are right here and I should be making you happy." Ainz said. "It is not that I just think that you worry about them too much Mare and Aura are happy even though I suspect Mare wants more of a relationship than being your daughter I think she has what you call a teenage crush." Albedo said putting her hand over her mouth with a little giggle. Ainz pulled his head away from her and said, "Why would you say such a thing she has never said anything like that to me and if that is true she is young it shall pass. I was maybe thinking they can be an Elven royalty if they want but so far they have not expressed any interest in ruling their own lands and I also suspect that all the original guardians will want to retire when I abdicate the crown but I hope than none do so at the price of their happiness."
"The house of Gown should always rule with the support of the house of Sapato it is a good system that we came up with that shall last forever." As Albedo just finished saying this there was a knock on the door. "Enter" Ainz said as he looked at Albedo silently as though agreeing with what she said. "Sorry to disturb you my lord but the local nobles, Lord Momon and Prince Momonga are all waiting in the inner court yard to depart for the adventure training facilities." The maid said as she kneeled and bowed. "You may stand we shall be right there." Ainz replied. Albedo took one last look at herself in the mirror and then they both filed out of the room following the maid to make their appearance to the local nobles and rulers.
In the outer courtyard a huddle of a dozen nervous nobles all stood they were missing one who had been found murdered in his own home. They were all discussing this as he suddenly walked in the door to the surprise of many. The man's name was Gandar Chidon he became a noble by being one of the first high profile adventures to join the sorcerous kingdom and then recruit many other young and up and coming adventurer groups. Later on after the war with the Kingdoms he was rewarded for his loyalty by being made a Noble of the new Nazarick Empire. He was in his late sixties so he was no longer the dashing young man that made him famous. His friend that became a noble in a similar way came up to him and said, "I thought you were dead! They said there was some plot on the Royal family and the perpetrator used your station to get close. Is it true? Gandar smiled and said, Yes, yes it is all true but remember who we work for, were we not knights on the plains of Kattsee and saw the awesome power of the Emperor and joined the adventurers. Have we not seen hundreds of dead young adventurers bodies sent back from the frontier to be resurrected? Why are you so surprised my dear friend? Gandar said hoping that the young prince could hear." I suppose that is true I apologize that you had to go through such an ordeal you must tell me what awaits us on the other side someday." His friend said. "Agreed!" Gandar said as they both had a laugh. "How long has it been since a noble has been murdered I cannot even remember, it is strange though such things used to be common in the old empire." Gandars friend said. "Yes sometimes by the old bloody emperor himself but the Lord God Ainz had it stated to me in a letter of apology and that none of his nobles would ever be killed on his watch." "Really!" Someone proclaimed the entire group of nobles started talking in a murmur. The truth was the last time nobles were killed was during the purge and many of them became nobles overnight to replace the old ones so this news was greatly appreciated to hear before they would get to meet the Emperor many for the first time. While they were all talking the Prince Momonga walked up to Gandar everyone got on one knee and bowed when they noticed him approaching. "You may stand hello Gandar do you remember me?" Gandar still bowing because he was addressing the prince said, "Please forgive this old noble but I believe this is the first time I have met your Highness."
"You are forgiven Gandar noble of Albedo I was the one who resurrected you as you had been dead for too long to be revived by a Priest of Nazarick." Momonga said as he motioned Gandar to stand. "I thank you my God Prince you are most gracious to me" Gandar said with a smile, his plan on grabbing the attention of the royal family had worked because he was a man of great ambition. "No need I could not let such a Nazarick Loyalist noble that lives in the city that bears my mother's name to be killed it would put a blot on the name of Gown." Momanga said. "Speaking of which my lord how is the Emperor and Empress I hope they are doing well?" Momonga sighed internally another ambitious noble he thought to himself killing me with flattery and then wanting to meet my father how often does this happen in a day? "Well of course Gods do not get sick or older so they are in perfect condition as always, we are all very lucky to have such a benevolent God as a leader." Momonga said unenthusiastically. Just then he could hear the herald announce the entrance of the Emperor and Empress his father and mother.
The Emperor Ainz and Albedo both came out of the building into the inner courtyard as everyone got on one knee and bowed their heads. This was called by the nobles the Nazarick salute, normally just bowing to royalty was appropriate but since Ainz was considered a God complete prostration was in order to give full reverence to their ruler. In a regular empire the Nobles would hold enough power to put some pressure on the Emperor but not in Nazarick a Noble was light years away from the Emperor he was not only their ruler but a being of unimaginable power and this was the difference. One reason why he was able to win the war of the kingdoms so quickly was he did not come to this world to destroy but bring order and protection. All the countries were split on how to handle his arrival and no countries could agree on a course of action. Some parts of countries submitted while others fought and out of the ashes of chaos the Empire of Nazarick was born.
Ainz spoke the calculated speech that he and Albedo both wrote, "Mammon, Aizach and Nobles of Albedo, this city has always been special to me as this was the capital of the Sorcerous Kingdom that was established so many years ago. This city was the seed that grew into the Glorious Empire of Nazarick that could not have been possible without the help of the adventurers that heeded my call and went out and fulfilled my wish to go out into the unknown. Men like Gandar Chilon who believed in me and were instrumental to the growth of the Empire. Now it has been several years since I have seen the facilities that are producing top grade adventurers who have increased the size of the Empire by one third! Now let us go to the training grounds, the adventurers do not know I am coming as I have instructed Mammon to keep this secret so I can see the new recruits in training.
Ainz walked over to the Royal Carriage and got in followed by Albedo, Mare, Aura and Momonga. The rest of the nobles and Momon followed in other carriages, they rushed to the city to the outward part of the city were the labyrinth was that Mare had made so many year ago. They saw the site of young men and women swinging swords Axes and other sorts of weapons they also passed by men sparring with wooden swords and wrestling in saw wood pits. Priests of Nazarick with their black robes and Ephods could be seen tending to injured recruits. Some of the adventurer candidates were no more than 12 years old most whose parents died in the war with the kingdoms so they came from the state funded orphanages and would be able to start training and become adventurer candidates. This was the only hope that these children would have to break out of poverty and were named "war children" as there life was made from the war of the kingdoms and would eventually be adventurers fighting on the frontier for the Empire. This was a whole generation that will only know war their entire lives.
One such child was Wilmot he had no last name because he had no parents, he was told he was found in a home in the Kingdom his family killed by radicals because their town submitted to Empire rule and the local war lord sent a kill squad to punish them. Wilmot was seven when he went to the Ainz Ooal Gown Orphanage and started training when he was 12 he was now 16 which was a big day for him as this was the day he would earn his copper adventure rank and run the gauntlet. The gauntlet was the run through the labyrinth while defending and killing the undead solders that roamed the maze. The success rate was around sixty percent he knew many people that succeeded and many who perished and became the undead that patrolled the labyrinth.
He was excited after he made copper he would be sent to the forest of Knob for his first assignment to catalog creatures and then if he worked hard enough he would make silver and be sent to the front lines where all the action was. He had heard stories of groups of adventurers finding unknown species villages one of the more exciting stories he heard from the instructors who were all mythril ranked and above were stories of fighting dragons and finding treasures. All treasures found are sent back to Albedo to be appraised and if you find a powerful artifact you could make a large sum and get a promotion.
Wilmot was a fighter and his friend a girl by the name of Zoey was a magic caster that could already use tier two magic her specialty was fire magic especially the spell [fireball] that launched a fireball from her staff and consumed all lower level monsters. They had formed a team and were approved to run the gauntlet together. Wilmot was at his bunk trying to calm himself as the time to run the gauntlet was only a few hours away when Zoey came busting through the doors. "
Wilmot did you hear!" she gasped,
"No I have been at my bunk planning our route since breakfasts call what is it? Is Momon going to grade us?!"
Wilmot said in an excited voice. Momon was at the top and spent a lot of time as the headmaster of the adventurer school but rarely ever personally did any of the instructing himself but every so often he would show up. That meant that he had taken a special notice in one of the candidates that were running the gauntlet and if he was impressed they would be promoted to a rank of silver and go directly to the front.
Most of the adventurers would be given their first assignment in country doing something menial like categorizing unknown species or visiting villages that were within the great forest for political purposes. But if you were given the Momon silver as they called it those special adventurer candidates would have a meteoric rise within the adventurer organization. Which would mean fame; money and exciting assignments, once only in a few years would Momon take interest in an apprentice adventurer so the idea of this happening for Wilmot was the first that shot into his mind when Zoey rushed in with an excited look on her face.
Zoey caught her breath and said, "The head instructor came to me and was looking to talk to you it turns out that the Emperor himself is on the grounds and we have been selected for him to observe and grade us!"
Wilmot looked at Zoey with an astonished look on his face, "The Emperor! You mean the Emperor of the World? The God that the Holy Tree sent to this world to give us peace? That Emperor?" Wilmot asked in disbelief.
Zoey nodded yes while Wilmot was asking if it was the real Emperor or some silly adventurer or group that called themselves the Emperors or something like that to trying and impress some noble. Wilmot then remembered about Zoey and what had brought her to the orphanage and then adventurer school.
"Zoey are you going to be fine with this I know your father was killed by the Emperor's men and your mother as well?"
Zoey looked down and said, "That is all ancient history if my parents loved me enough they would have cared for me instead of dropping me off here and then go fight against the Emperor plus they were from the place from which we do not speak and I owe the Emperor because he took care of me because before the Empire war children were abandoned."
Wilmot listened to Zoey bark out everything she had been taught to think and act by the teachers at the orphanage and the instructors at the adventure school. Zoey was somewhat an outcast because both of her parents were top officials in the Slane Theocracy the most hated enemy of the Empire during the war of the Kingdoms. This meant that Zoey had to work twice as hard as anyone to please the instructors and had no friends other than Wilmot. It was because of this very reason why she was at the top of her mage class which enraged many of her fellow students and made her even more unpopular.
"Zoey you know the reason why they picked us was because of your talent at the mage class, but I don't mind."
Zoey blushed she did not care about her ranking or how well she did she only cared about Wilmot her one and only friend.
"Do you think they will give us both silver and we can go to the frontier together?" Zoey asked looking down at the ground because she was blushing.
Wilmot thought about it and thought there was a strong possibility that she would get silver while he would be awarded the standard copper and be left behind. Although this was a strong possibility Wilmot did not want Zoey to sabotage herself so he pushed that thought back in his mind and said,
"Yes I think if we do well they will give us both silver and our team will be on its way to fame and fortune!"
They both looked at each other and laughed, "Well I need to go talk to the headmaster and you need to get ready I will see you at the training grounds in an hour OK?"
Wilmot said looking at Zoey she nodded her head up and down agreeing and smiled and ran out of the boys barracks because girls were not supposed to be there without an instructor present. Many young adventurers would get kicked out of the program once it came to light that a girl in the program was pregnant and the father was also a candidate that is why it was heavily frowned on for boy and girl candidates to keep each other company outside of training. Many relationships were started at the adventure school but only acted upon after graduation.
Wilmot put on his leather plate armor and chainmail and sheathed his sword and swung it on his back and headed to the training grounds he was sure that the headmaster would be waiting for him there. As he made his way out of the barracks and walked along the path that would take him to the training grounds there was also the entryway to the labyrinth he saw all the Coaches lined up along the main administrative building were all the important things happened as a recruit the only time he would be called in to that building was for graduation or when he screwed up, so recruits like to steer clear of this place until graduation.
If he and Zoey both passed his graduating class would have around fifty people in it from a class of one hundred. After you were an adventurer they would revive you but as a recruit the right of passage into the organization was the gauntlet if you did not pass they would let you die. Adventures had to have risk everything and no risk nothing gained as they would say and so if you did not survive the gauntlet you were not worthy of being an adventurer. This was the way they weeded out the ones who would not do well later on, of course not all candidates were from the orphanage many of them came from the town or somewhere in the empire those candidates had a lot larger chance of making it through because they were taught before they came or were much older and more experienced than those who were war children. Of those who died in the gauntlet almost ninety percent were from the orphanage, it was a very tough life but the only one they had ever known. Since they were orphans no one would miss them except for other war children they did not even get a grave their grave was in the gauntlet and it sickened many that the undead they would fight were their friends that became a part of the labyrinth.
As Wilmot was thinking about the cruel nature of his life he hear the husky voice of Aizach the headmaster of the adventure academy, "Wilmot adventure candidate 1106D front and center young man!" Wilmot turned around and stood at attention three feet in front of Aizach as he had been taught to do countless times before, "I know you have already heard but I have just came from the audience of the Emperor himself you and Zoey have been chosen to display the Running of the Gauntlet the final test of a candidate before they are made an adventurer. You were picked because of the timing and your skill you are to not embarrass me in front of the Emperor. That said the test administered will be the same difficulty and not made easier so do not think you will get special treatment do you understand?" Wilmot staying at attention said, "Sir yes Sir" Aizach nodded in agreement and said, "Then get out of my site and get to the entrance the Emperor along with the local nobles will be observing you from the skybox now go." Wilmot ran as fast as he could to the entryway to the Labyrinth, when a candidate was given an order by an adventure instructor they were expected to run like mad and do whatever was asked in the fasted way possible if the instructor did not think the candidate was giving 100 percent then they would be punished by withholding a meal or making them run around the maze which was several miles around. All Wilmot could think about was this was the last time he would have to do this for the instructors at the school and he could not wait to graduate.
As he ran up to the entrance he could see the skybox hundreds of feet away he could also see a dark figure in a robe with a fearsome mask on he guessed that was the Emperor and a woman with wings and horns on her head that was who they called the White Empress they did not tell him she would be watching as well. Lastly he saw a person his age with red eyes wings and horns on his head that must be the God Prince he heard so much about of late. Rumor has it that he had killed a dragon lord by just touching simply touching him. The skybox was exactly what is sounded like it was an observation box with seats that followed the candidates from the sky. It was suspended by magic and a rare metal called suspendium that when imbued with magic would start to float. Wilmot quickly saw Momon and Aizach as well filing into the skybox.
That is pretty much everyone who matters in the adventure organization chain of command the rest of the individuals must have been the Nobles of Albedo. This was also an opportunity because if they caught the eye of a rich noble they could be assigned protection duty or become personal adventurers brought into the family to do the nobles house dirty work. This was also a very lucrative offer as most of the Nobles in Albedo were adventurers and it was not uncommon for talented you individuals to be adopted into the noble family because the Head noble has no heir. As Wilmot had his head in the cloud he did not even notice Zoey approaching as she had to tap him on the shoulder to get his attention.
"Dreaming of Graduation or perhaps in shock of the sight of the royal family?" Zoey asked, "Can I ask you something and do not laugh but do you think one day we could work for the House of Sapato?" Wilmot asked with a straight look on his face.
Zoey was doing all she could not to laugh, "The house of Sapato, only very few have been allowed to join the support house and they were all from established royal bloodlines If it was the house of Gown simply no because you have to come from the Land of Nazarick and be at least a God-kin I hear Momon barely made it to the support house but sure anything's possible in time."
Wilmot looked down he knew that was the highest anyone could get and even the nobles fought each other furiously to try and be accepted into the support house. There were only a dozen high officials and royals in the support house and a new member was only added every few years unless a vacancy appeared which did not seem likely because most were in the house had become immortal and imbued with power of Nazarick. You were not just a high political officer but also a weapon at the throats the enemies at Nazarick's necks. Wilmot also knew that the Emperor had a special affinity to adventurers such as Momon the Sword of the Empire and if he could be one of the candidates for the new species evolution project he could attain the power. This would mean he would no longer be human but there was always a price to pay.
A loud speaker spoke the words, "Adventure Candidate 1106d and 1117d please find your way to the entry of the gauntlet. This was it Wilmot though as he and Zoey made their way to the maze. This was one of two mazes the one above ground was for the candidates the one below ground was for experienced adventurer groups to hone their teamwork this meant the gauntlet was a walk in the park for seasoned adventurers but not for these young adults. "Candidates remember your training and show the skills that will bring glory to Nazarick! Begin!" the loudspeaker glared. Wilmot and Zoey were off, "Alright we will stay along the outer north side of the maze this will Bering us to the western interior and back out the southern exit," Zoey looked at Wilmot and nodded she might have been the most talented Mage but she knew he was a brilliant tactician and had knowledge of where all the traps and ambush points were set.
As they made their way through the maze they could feel the overwhelming presence of power emanating from the Skybox. Both could not believe the power these beings possessed. The amount of mana that radiated from them would deplete Zoey's entire mana within minutes and that was the power simply leaving their bodies. As Wilmot and Zoey started around their first corner told Zoey to ready a destruction spell while he held his sword, "If I am correct there are two low tier skeleton warriors around the corner that patrol the straight away we will both destroy one ok? Wilmot said as Zoey nodded yes.
Meanwhile in the skybox Aizach was briefing everyone what was happening, "Each candidate had to graduate the gauntlet to become a copper adventurer they know if they die they will not be revived, they have been training their entire lives for this event. The magic caster is one of our brightest pupils that can cast tier two magic already and the Boy and a fighting class that had exceptional leadership and warrior skills. "Ainz looked down and said, "This magic caster already using tier two magic that is impressive I should like to see it and it looks like they are about to have their first engagement with some low level undead this should be interesting." Momonga sneered, "Put me in the maze and we shall see," Ainz stomped his staff and said in a stern but firm tone, "For the God of Magic to sully himself with the blood of mortal is beneath him surely you were jesting my son?" Momonga grit his jaw this was one of few times his father rebuked him in front of non-family members but he knew he would have to play along to keep his pride in check, "Of course my Emperor I was simply adding some lively conversation I have no intention as the General of the Wartime armies and the Black Brigade to get involved with such trivial things," Ainz nodded and some of the Nobles nervously chuckled not knowing what transpired.
Ainzach spoke up, "Looks like our candidates have destroyed the undead patrol and move to the second phase immobile and mobile monsters this is where they must fight plant type monsters along with undead archers and other long range fighters. Wilmot jumped up and with a heavy downward slash cut the Venus deathtrap monster in two while Zoey incinerated the undead archer taking aim at Wilmot with [Fireball] she could hear voices from the skybox say, "Wow fireball that is a very powerful and effective spell" she could not help and smile. After the other two enemies were destroyed it was time to start phase three of the labyrinth the traps long rand short range and immobile monster phase. The traps were the most deadly thing in the maze as a candidate could forget his footing when fighting a monster and set off a trap that could kill them both. This was the final phase as this showed that if they could complete this phase they could successfully complete any type of dungeon.
As Ainz and all the rest in the skybox watched the two candidates slowly check for traps and avoiding all they could find suddenly four undead warriors came out of the walls in ambush. Zoey and Wilmot were cut off from each other and forced to fight the two undead alone. Wilmot rushed in and smashed in the skull of the first undead soldier before he could react. He then rolled forward just missing the down stroke of the rusty sword of the undead soldier that was next to the one he had just dispatched. Wilmot quickly stepped on a trap that opened the floor under the undead soldier and watched as it plummeted thirty feet down into a pit with metal spikes.
Meanwhile Zoey unleashed a close quarter combat spell [Fire Ring] that spread a ring of fire around the caster to a six foot radius. It was a spell that mages had to use carefully because it incarnated anything within its radius friend or foe. The two undead soldiers turned to ashes and immediately disappeared. This was a very advanced and destructive spell as she could hear more murmuring from the nobles who knew anything about magic. After the ambush they both ran along to the southern part of the maze and made it to the exit. Wilmot's plan had worked perfectly they did not get lost and ran into the fewest creatures possible to clear the labyrinth. As they reach the exit they both stopped and bent over breathing heavily no one could get out a word. They both looked at each other and smiled all those years of training and now they will finally get to be adventurers.
As they both stood up and were catching their breath they hear the loudspeaker say, "Candidates Wilmot and Zoey report to the administrative building for grading at once!" They both started the long walk to the building that most candidates dreaded but not in their case. Both did not know who or what to expect, would the royal family be there or just Momon they just could not know. "I hope it is just Momon or Aizach being in front of the royal family is just too much, I have heard of mages so awed by the Emperor's power that they quit magic because he is so powerful." Zoey said, "Yes I doubt they will be there they probably are off to the Dragonic Capital as I hear the Emperor's Grandson the new King is going to be crowned later today." Wilmot said. They both did not want to say it but neither of them really wanted to see the royal family but as they came to the entrance of the administrative building they saw men in black military uniforms standing around waiting for orders. "I know who they are they are the Black Brigade the God Prince's private army and guards of the royal family what do you suppose they are doing here." Zoey said.
As they walked up to the doors to let them in and Elf and Lizard man guarded both doors, "State your names," the Elf said, "W-Wilmot and Zoey here for our results of the gaunt-" "Yes, Yes, come in" the Elf cut of Zoey as they most likely knew who they were before they came. The soldiers from the Black Brigade opened the doors and there was the God Emperor himself flanked by Empress Albedo and Prince Momomga, Aizach was on the left and Momon on the end. Both of the candidates dropped to one knee and bowed reverently.
"Your names are Wilmot and Zoey both war orphans attended my orphanage and then enrolled in the Nazarick School correct?" Ainz asked quickly as if he was in a hurry, "Yes my God Emperor!" Wilmot and Zoey said out of synch. "Zoey I understand your parents were undesirables, I am interested what do you think of me and tell me the truth." Wilmot gulped and thought this could turn bad for Zoey as rumor had it the Emperor could read minds. "My lord and God I am very grateful for everything you have given me and I believe my parents were fools," Ainz looked at Zoey said "Is that so? Momonga what do you think?"
Momonga walked up to Zoey who was trembling and grabbed her hair and pulled her head back and looked into her eyes and said. "Loss, love, fear and sadness but no hatred she is telling the truth," He let go of her hair and walked back to the place where he was standing." Ainz looked at Zoey and said, "very well since you told me the truth and you are so talented I will give you the option of making silver how does that sound?" Zoey's face turned red and flush she could not believe her ears but there was one problem, "My lord God I am truly thankful but what of my partner Wilmot?" Ainz was surprised , "What of him he has good tactical skills and will be a greater asset one day but I fail to see why you are concerned with him he will graduate as all the other students," Zoey blurted out before she knew what she was saying, "My lord I wish to be with Wilmot,"
Silence filled the room no one expected this Aizach most of all he turned beat red, "Young candidate you should be whipped for your insolence and thrown out of the organization!"
Ainz then motioned for silence he then looked at Momonga, "Is it true?" Momonga knowing what he meant said, "Yes she is in love with Wilmot even though she has never said so. She had been in love with him for about six years and he has shown no affection back." Ainz looked at the two and then tapped his chin and looked at Albedo, "My love what do you think?"
The Empress walked up to Zoey and then told her to stand and then spoke very quietly, "Have you really loved this boy for such a long time when shown no affection back, do you think he might be using you to get to the top" she said in a whisper so no one could hear.
Zoey looked down and said, "I do not care if he is I just want to be close to him for the rest of my life, he is my only love." Albedo's eyes split and in the cold heart of hers she finally identified with a human and how it felt to love someone for so long and get little to no affection back.
Albedo turned around and said, "They can be both promoted to silver but on the condition they are married before." Ainz looked at his wife and smiled as he had not seen such great compassion from her and said, "So be it" and tapped his staff on the ground of which a pulse of light emitted and made the whole building shake. The royal family turned around and ushered out of the building, leaving two young adventurers in complete shock. Aizach still angry turned around and followed them out to say goodbye.
Zoey looked down her face was bright red all of her feelings that she had for Wilmot had come out in the most embarrassing way possible. She had just professed her love for him in front of the royal family. Worst yet now they were to be married without any input from her betrothed. She slowly looked over to Wilmot speechless to see what his reaction was. Wilmot at the same time was speechless and looked over to Zoey, he was no fool he knew that she loved him but relationships are against the rules and Wilmot always followed the rules after seeing so many young talented men kicked out of the program for making poor decisions. Wilmot was not power hungry but he knew what it was like to be hungry and knew that the Adventurer Organization of Nazarick or AON as many called it was his only ticket out of poverty. It was either that or working on one of the new villages popping up all over the countryside. This was a part of the poverty relocation decree by the Emperor all jobless, homeless people were shipped out to these newly created villages to be farmers. It was a tough life work from sun up to sundown, they were very safe as every village had a death knight to protect it but it was not what he wanted.
They both were staring at each other Wilmot finally broke the silence, "Thank you for standing up for me but it was very foolish you could have been whipped or executed talking to the Emperor like that." Zoey turned even one more shade of red, "I could not bear the thought of leaving without you and also I had a feeling that although the Emperor is a Supreme Being he has more compassion than most think." she blurted out. Wilmot thought about it and then agreed with her that if it were the monarch of the old kingdoms death would be a sure thing. "Well I guess our lives are sealed if we do not get married we go against the will of the Emperor." Wilmot said. Zoey burst into tears of Joy hearing those words this was the happiest day of her life.
Writers note:
If you like this then stay tuned I will write part 2 of the book that contains:
Next the Crowning of the Dragon King
The Engagement of the Prince
The Destruction of the Dragon Lords and Momonga takes a Kingdom and a lot more.
I am also looking for help so if you like what you read contact me if you want to contribute and if any artist out there I would love someone to draw a nice picture of Ainz's son Momonga because I suck at art so bad that it would be laughable. Thank you for reading and as it looks I will be writing part 2 of the story has been out for 24 hours and I already have over 2500 views so I guess I underestimated myself. I really look forward to the future of this fan fiction and the second half will have a "bit of the ultraviolence" meaning way more fighting content because the start of the book I had to develop the world and characters so the second half will have a lot more action.
****Update: Next Chapter coming this Friday****
i will promise a new chapter at least once a week for sure but I need you to spread the word!