Chapter 9 (version 2)
Signing up and joining the Slane Theocracy, as it goes, is probably the easier part. Fill up some forms, and go through some basic training, and that's it. You're an initiate into the hierarchy of priesthood and nuns!
It is just the first step, though.
As a new initiate, the Slane Theocracy organises various lectures, which all revolve around the teaching of the gods worshipped. An initiate should know better than the average populace about the religion which they profess, and what are the common challenges faced. That entire course on religion would be about 3 months, for the initiate introduction and induction, and many many years for more advanced studies into the faith. It's initiate introduction is 3 months, because most new initiates want to get to the good part, which is beginner classes in basic temple skills, such as light healing, and light, and the channelling of holy powers. Any longer than 3 months, and the young children gets irritated that they don't get to learn actual magic.
Anna, though she was a believer in the gods, she did not strongly hold or understand the teaching of the 6 gods. So the classes were an eye opener for her. It seems amongst her cohort, she was considered old, as initiates were as young as 5. The young children were happy to see an elder sister to join them in their studies, but the trainers themselves, usually dealt with kids, and as such felt she should join a different group for her studies.
Though, when she professes why she joined, which is at the beckoning of an evil spirit that cannot be removed by purge, they figured it's probably due to her mental baggage, and she is merely seeking comfort through faith. Most of the trainers were sympathetic to Anna's problem though they could offer little assistance or advice.
Anna's daily routine consisted of daily prayers, daily studies where they go through various books on the faith, recognising certain figures as gods and certain others as saints. There was a little bit on history too, on the origins of Slane Theocracy, and about the stories behind the six gods. The routine was quite tailored to the young children that the Theocracy often gets, so the books were very simple, big words and some basic artwork to keep the curious child interested.
It remains an effective means of indoctrination, similar to how children were schooled in churches or temples in the real world. By molding their thought process and worldview from a young age, one could ensure that most that graduate from such a system, are firm believers of the faith.
For Anna though, the books are too simple, and so the caretakers referred her to the temple library, a really basic library for the temple, that contained advanced materials meant for more mature readers. The small library, about the size of a 10 feet by 10 feet room, was arranged by the gods in which the subject referred to.
Of them all, the shelf dedicated to the god of death, was the most empty. Perhaps there is little to be said about death.
Anna's journey as a Slane Theocracy initiate, and spy, had just begun.
It's late autumn. In about a month, Necropolis finally hit 2,500.
It is a little achievement in Ainz's head, perhaps he figured an imaginary trophy would appear for completing certain milestones in games.
Achieve 2,500 population, it would read.
The explosive growth in population was primarily achieved by raiding of the nearby human towns, rescuing the captured elves, and convincing smaller elven villages along the way to join Necropolis.
Food variety at this point, still remained somewhat dependant on cornucopia, but borrowing a bit of Ainz's magic, the growth of the natural vegetation accelerated that some of them are now producing food. Greenhouses was also built, to ensure some food supplies in the coming winter. Within the greenhouses were fast growing crops, hardy ones like potatoes. The heat was trapped using a special enchantment, creating a temperature controlled environment for the quick growth of the food.
One brazen elf once asked, "Why can't we keep using that magic item for food, Emperor?"
To which an amused Ainz replied, "Because I don't intend to keep using my magic to feed you. Everyone should work, and learn to feed themselves." It was an unusually harsh comment.
Surely the concept of freeloaders are loathed in society, no?
They should earn their keep, and make themselves useful. Perhaps this was a concept that was somewhat foreign in this world, or was it because of some other reason?
Ainz overlooked the fact that the people of Necropolis considered his very being as a god, and surely a god giving out freebies is just nothing more than child's play. So his rebuke reminded the elves, that their god was one that demanded work, industry and labour, in exchange for rewards.
"My apologies, Ainz-sama." The brazen elf, kneeled and almost smacked his head hard on the ground, fearing to offend their great god.
"Learn your place. Ainz-sama's wisdom is vast, and mere mortals do not fathom his great vision." Albedo intervened, probably slightly amused at Ainz's rebuke.
The elf, still kneeling. "My sincere apologies, Ainz-sama. I am not worthy of questioning your wisdom."
Since when did the elves become so fearful of me? Is Albedo behind this?
Ainz rubbed his jaw, before deciding it was a small matter.
"Apology accepted. You are dismissed."
Albedo glared at the elf, which quickly ran out of the door of the mansion that was built for their great Emperor. His face was still visibly pale, perhaps fearing an eventual punishment for their Emperor. The elf was one of the coordinators of the food supplies, and he feared he asked a question too many.
Ainz forgot the exchange as quickly as it happened. It probably did not register as anything particularly worth remembering, and turned to Albedo.
"How are the trainees?"
"The training of the first batch of children is disappointing, Ainz-sama. These younglings, some have barely any talent for weapons or magic. I say we dispose of them, as keeping them around would be a waste for your great empire."
Albedo looked a bit mixed between annoyance and sorrow, perhaps at her failure to cultivate the children.
"It will take a while, Albedo. A month is too short to see the true depth of anyone's abilities. Are you handling the training yourself, Albedo?"
"No, Ainz-sama. I've used some undead champions and liches to conduct most of the training."
Undead liches?
"Ah! That may be part of the problem. Do we have more human or elf looking warriors that can provide the training?"
"I thought of that, Ainz-sama, but I only know of Mare, but I'm afraid that would be against the rules?"
"Ah yes. The rules."
Ainz rubbed his jaw again, this time with his other hand. Then he remembered.
"I may have an item that can summon an elven warrior. Let me see whether I can find it…" Ainz's hands reached for the infinite abyss that is his inventory, and searched for the item.
"Ah, found it." Ainz took out a small bell, and handed it to Albedo. "This is the bell of the elven tavern. It randomly either a level 15 elven knight or soldier."
By all measures it was a trash item, but when your inventory is incredibly large, you never quite dispose or clean up unused items.
Albedo rang the bell, and a green light appeared. And from the green light, a handsome elven knight emerged.
"I am Elven Knight Haroo . At your service, my lady."
"The knight's yours to use, Albedo. Let me know if the knight disappears after a while."
"Yes, Ainz-sama. Will use the knight to train the children." Albedo then motioned the knight to follow her, and they left Ainz in the room.
"Ah, finally, some time alone..."
The King had received unfortunate news.
Perhaps as all kings go, the country is always in some kind of crisis. Either internally or externally, there was something to fill the worries, and create problems. A peaceful, prosperous country would always be the target of some ambitious person eager to upset the existing order.
"I'm sure the wise senior nobles of Re-Estize have all heard of the recent events."
"Oh, pardon me your majesty, I've been uninformed so far." Marquis Blumlash added. Raevan internally scowled, knowing Blumlash is faking it, wanting to lure out what the King knows.
King Lamposa smiled, he too was well aware of Blumlash's intent, but he would play along. "We've received reports from the north, that there may be a rebellion coming up. Most of those northern lands belong to minor nobles, and due to a string of fires, are now in dire need of food."
Gazef, who was also in the council room, admired how the King could say such dire things with a straight face. He knew the King anguished over it internally, but before the nobles, the great political game takes centerstage, and his natural politician emerges.
"Next, is western coastal nobles have reports of raids that seem to target their demi-human slaves. Have you heard of anything extra, since that's rather close to your dominion, Marquis Boullope?"
"Ah, some upstart elf town calling itself Necropolis. I'm about to raise an army of 10,000 and crush them." Boullope seemed confident, though the King's reports suggested that there was more to this elf town. Merchants that the King spoke to, described how the elves looked up to an undead god, referred to as the Great Emperor, Ainz Ooal Gown, the second coming of the Elven God.
King Lamposa knew that name. Gazef mentioned it before, as it was he, who saved his life from the trap of the Slane Theocracy. And if Gazef looks up to him so highly, 10,000 men may be way too few. But the King was not going to get in the way of the arrogant Boullope and his overconfidence. The King figured his advise to be wary of Ainz would only be wasted, and so he kept it to himself.
"I see. That's good to know that the warrior Marquis Boullope will attend to this town of Necropolis. We wish you swift and great victory." The King responded, perhaps a little snarky.
Prince Barbro and Prince Zanac was both in the council room, as observers. But it seemed something triggered then.
"Father, allow me to join Marquis Boullope and crush this puny upstart. I shall have my personal troops and conscripts to form an army of an additional 10,000 men. With our combined army of 20,000, this tiny elf town won't stand a chance." Prince Barbro raised.
King Lamposa wanted to sigh. Stupid child. Barbro must've thought this would be an easy task, given our overwhelming numbers. But Gazef cautioned the King in private, to be careful when dealing with Ainz. But Boullope had probably whispered some thoughts into Barbro's head, and would see any attempt to disallow him, going against his chance to rise up as king.
"Very well, Barbro. You may go with Marquis Boullope, if it's not too much trouble to him."
"Certainly not, your majesty." Boullope spoke, with a hint of snarkiness. "Prince Barbro would be a great help."
Both Marquis Raevan and Prince Zanac rolled their eyes at how terrible their acting is. Prince Barbro must've wanted to use this as an opportunity to firmly establish himself as the primary successor.
It was then Blumlash added oil to the fire. "Surely these elven lands shall be given to Boullope and Prince Barbro?"
Gazef mentally wanted to smack that fat Marquis. Victory is not yet a given, and here they are, talking about the spoils.
But the King had seen in coming. "Yes, yes. It'll be split in 3, a portion for Marquis Boullope, a portion for Barbro, and a third portion for the royal house, for providing the supplies along the way."
Blumlash grinned. "Excellent, your majesty."
"Anyway, to the next matter."
The King motioned the attendees to move to the next scroll.
"What are we to do of the insurgency up north?"
"Ah, we've heard their protests many times. But they've never took up arms against us. Why would now be any different?"
"Surely it just is their usual grumbling. It is not as if the rest of the country has plenty of food to spare."
"Well, reports has it that some of them has taken up arms."
"That's just swagger. If we were to march 50,000 men up north they will promptly surrender."
"I hear a chain of fires had caused food stockpiles to dwindle. Surely there is more to it…"
"Your majesty, since this worries you, why not send some of your good men to check it out."
"Ah but my dear noble, I would like to have your support before marching my men through your fiefdoms."
It was one of those aim left but meant to hit the right kind of feints, it seems.
"Ah you are right, your majesty. That would be highly disruptive to trade and commerce. Perhaps a smaller party no larger than 5,000 men would do. Perhaps call it an expeditionary force against monsters."
"5,000 would surely lose if the towns combine their men."
"And what makes you think they have the ability to? There is no clear leader amongst the northern towns, and all the minor nobles would rather stab each other than work together." It seemed some of the great nobles have little understanding of how the north is united in their neglect from the south, and that neglect can prove to be a powerful unifier.
Raevan moved to calm the discussion, "I will arrange for some of my men to further investigate, your majesty. There is no need to be hasty."
"Very well, since Raevan volunteered, the rest of us would not object."
"Then I shall entrust this to you, Marquis Raevan."
Marquis Raeven breathed a sigh of relief. The nobles would feel insecure if the king marched his army right into their lands, especially if they cannot reasonably raise an army to prevent a surprise attack. Perhaps they fear something. Maybe they suspect the king knows their allegiances, and a large army passing through would be a very convenient time to make a mess..
"Lastly, I take you have heard of the disappearance of the Blue Rose's leader, Lakyus?"
"Indeed. Most distressing. I have gotten extra guards just in case, as now death is no longer resolved by resurrection." it was the old counts turn to speak. Not strange for the one so close to knocking on death's door.
"There's not much we can do about it, other than engage someone to find her. But with the rest of the Blue Rose fully committed to locate her, I think adding more people would only complicate things for them."
Wise, from the Marquis. But the King had other reasons to bring it up.
"Barbro and Boullope. Whilst I trust your combat skills greatly, please do not be arrogant in your next battle with the Elven town. There would be no resurrects, and it would pain me greatly to lose you."
"Have faith in my ability, father. I can fight better than anyone else in the family, some elf or undead isn't going to hurt me."
"May the gods protect you."
Boullope grinned, "Fear not, your majesty. The future king will be well protected."
Prince Zanac felt his stomach churn at the word 'future king.' But this was not his time to speak. Marquis Raeven too felt a bitter taste in his mouth, at such a person to take over from King Lamposa. All the noise but lacking the brains or the empathy.
The King smiled, but Gazef known his liege long enough to recognise it was a fake one. Perhaps the nobles too, know it is a fake smile. But nobody would call the king out on that.
What came after was a rundown of the empire's other matters, such as the overall food shortages, preparations for the upcoming war with the empire, and crime.
A while later, after the meeting was dismissed.
"Your Majesty."
"What is it, Gazef?"
"Sending Prince Barbro is… dangerous. It is a very strong opponent, that we are up against." Gazef really meant to protect the royal house, even if they were stupid people like Barbro.
"I know you believe so, but I can't stop my children from acting in what they feel is best for them. As much as I think they are being stupid, sometimes they have to fall and learn from their mistakes."
"Your majesty, what if the force fails? What should we do? I've met Ainz Ooal Gown, perhaps I can negotiate with him for a peaceful coexistence. Surely war doesn't have to be the only decision we can make..."
"Well, if we suggest that outright, the nobles would have jumped on us. That I, King Lamposa, is a coward, senile and no longer willing to defend our own lands. How would that look, Gazef? The right decision, is hard to make."
Gazef sighed. So much politicking.
"But if this expedition fails, I will send you to negotiate. Having tried war, and failed, the nobles will come to their senses."
"Yes, your majesty. I will be at your service. But I believe we fail to come to a resolution on the northern rebellion."
"Officially, they have not yet rebelled. And marching an army through Marquis Blumlash and Count Lytton's lands would upset them greatly."
"Pardon me, your majesty, but letting Raeven handle it is a good idea? Who knows what that two headed fox is planning."
"But what he suggests is the right thing to do. He may be two-headed, but I find his actions understandable. Enough, Gazef. It's been very tiring. I do not want to justify this further to you."
"My apologies, your majesty. Allow me to escort you to your chambers."
"Yes, walk with me."
…
…
"Are you going to see him off, Princess?"
"Who? My brother? Why should I?"
"Yes, Prince Barbro." Climb didn't add what he wanted to say, but just let his mistress continue.
Princess Renner adjusted her dress a little, and stood up. "You're right, Climb-kun. I should see him off." The princess walked out, and Climb followed. It's a relatively small group, comprising of the Princess, Climb, and 2 other royal guards.
Prince Barbro's expedition, as it may be, was something Renner cared little for, but for her long term goals, she would like it very much if he failed. Prince Barbro would surely marry her off to some greedy, lustful noble to secure their support.
Such a brother wasn't worthy of her time. But formalities do call for it, and even Prince Zanac was at the castle gate, awaiting the first Prince. At the inner gates, the royals and nobles had gathered. The King too, was present.
"Safe journey, my son. May you be successful." The King tapped his sword on Prince Barbro's shoulder.
"Thank you father. You could consider retiring after my triumphant return." Prince Barbro replied, his tone a little snarky.
"We'll talk when the time comes, son. Now, go and return safely."
"Hmmph." Prince Barbro got onto his white, armored horse, and then started to ride out the gate with his entourage of knights.
Prince Zanac, and Princess Renner, both stood next to the King, and waved. "Good luck." They both didn't mean it. It wasn't long before the first prince's group was out of the gates, and the whole sendoff was over.
"Do you think he'll be king, sister?"
"Sister? That's rare for you to refer to me that way."
"I mean no harm, Renner."
She chuckled, "I know. Perhaps we should work together? We both appear not keen on the outcome, should Barbro succeed."
"Father has not committed that he will be king, yet."
"Don't try anything stupid. If he's randomly injured, but the expedition is successful, you'll be the prime suspect."
Zanac had a shock. He was planning to orchestra an accident during the expedition.
"Perhaps the elves should suddenly discover that an army is headed for them."
"That sounds much better, doesn't it?"
…
…
Ainz was amused at the letter. A human messenger came on a fast horse, and came to inform them of the army that was marching towards them.
20,000 men, and they will arrive in 2 weeks via the southeastern valley.
He looked at the human messenger, who was shaking at the sight of Ainz's intimidating figure. He wanted to smile, but Ainz figured he'll look even more creepy.
"Say my thanks to the sender, the folk will provide you food and shelter, and you can be off tomorrow with one of our horses. But I will keep your horse, if you don't mind." It must be a pretty fast horse, and Ainz wanted to keep it.
"Not at all.. Sir." The messenger spoke, stuttering in between.
"But fear not. 20,000 men are just ordinary soldiers. If there's no exceptional individuals among them, we will have no problems dealing with them." Ainz then motioned one of the elf maids to show the messenger his way to his room.
"Albedo. Send some scouts. I doubt there's anyone that's a threat, but we can never be too sure."
Albedo bowed. "Yes, Ainz-sama."
"I'll leave defensive preparations to you. I'll get the skeletal dragons ready." Ainz had collected the bones to summon the skeletal dragons earlier. Summoning them himself should be child's play, given his mastery of the undead arts.
Ainz stepped out of the manor and into the vast field of bones, where the bones from neighbouring lands had been gathered. He instituted a policy where when people die, their bones are to be gathered here, for his military use.
[Animate : skeletal dragon]
Two large skeletal dragons emerged. Far larger than the ones they fought earlier, they also had a black cloud that swirls around them. They seem about level 50 in strength each, a result of various undead-related skillboosts and passives, more than sufficient to scare off the enemy army. Demiurge had earlier summarised the relative military strength of nations, and a single skeletal dragon at lvl 50 should be sufficient to cause a lot of harm to 20,000 men. So two, would be somewhat overdoing it.
The two dragons roared, and the air itself seemed to shake.
The elves nearby visibly froze, some screaming at the sight of the two massive bone dragons. Not everyday you see a massive dragon. The dragons though, nimbly stepped away of any friendly elves and walked into the forests beyond the walls, in the direction of the enemy army.
Massive creatures like the skeletal dragons have a useful passive when facing large armies. Their innate "intimidate" effect weakens the resolve of enemies, making them less organised. If the dragons don't work, Ainz had other cards to play.
…
…
The army assembled by Boullope and Barbro, though 20,000 strong, was actually primarily staffed by conscripts. Men of age, forced to fight by decree of the nobility and royalty, many of which have very little experience in actual combat, or the greater finesse of war. Of that number, only a quarter can be considered trained men, the personal troops of Boullope and Barbro.
In many ways, they were three armies, instead of one. Boullope's trained men, Barbro's guards and the conscripts. Their arms reflect the gap between them, with Boullope's men the most well armed.
"When you become king, you owe me one."
"Yes yes, I will suitably reward you."
"Perhaps your sister as my plaything would be nice."
"You can have her, she means nothing to me. All that matters is I become king."
"Ambitious. I like that about you, Prince Barbro."
"King Barbro, soon enough."
A visibly pale trooper ran into the camp, and screamed, interrupting the two.
"Milord! There are two skeletal dragons headed our way."
"Who are you to intrude on our conversation-"
A loud explosion was heard, followed by screams. The Prince and Boullope rushed out of the camp, grabbing their swords along the way out.
It seems war had come to them, first.
Two massive skeletal dragons were swiping their troops left and right, swinging their massive boney tails and smashing them into the troops easily. Many were fleeing, unprepared to face a dragon in war.
Thwack.
Smack.
The dragons ruthlessly fling their tails around, and slashing any nearby troops with their two large claws.
Occasionally they breathed out a toxic smoke, causing some of the men to vomit and lose consciousness.
Thwack.
Smack.
A few soldiers flew in the air, hit by the dragon's tail, and landed next to Marquis Boullope.
"Run, my lord!"
Boullope screamed. "Where are the archers? Shoot flaming arrows at the dragons!"
A few of the nearby men repeated the Marquis' command, and flaming arrows soon came down on the skeletal dragons in volleys.
But the high level dragons were largely unhurt. Their bones were charred slightly, taking some damage, but they could keep on smashing the troops and the camps.
"More flaming arrows!"
"Fire flaming arrows in succession, and put some distance in."
Boullope may be a warmonger, but he wasn't exactly stupid. The personal troops followed the commands, and the dragons were showered in flames. Though minimal damage, it delays their movement and allows the melee troops to retreat.
"Catapults and ballistas to the front! Smash the dragons' bones with something hard! Pick up any rock you can find!"
The few catapults and ballistas meant for the siege were quickly armed with whatever rocks they could find and thrown at the skeletal dragons.
The army is retreating, and the conscript flee like a panicked mob, whilst the small groups of trained men tried their best to arm the heavy weapons. Ballistas and catapults fling boulders and the two dragons, occasionally smashing into them and causing them the stagger backwards.
But they were still alive. And their broken bones regenerated quickly.
The ballistas and catapults kept firing, buying time for the rest of the ill equipped army to flee.
About 1 hour of constant barrages from Boullope's catapults, the dragons still were largely unhurt and they could keep moving. It seemed they had greater regeneration than the usual skeletal dragons that Boullope had seen in the past.
They pulled the ballistas whilst they fired. Alternating firing and movement between a few ballistas to keep causing the dragons to stagger.
At least casualties were minimised, and the bulk of the army is now some distance away. Boullope estimated probably around 2,000 men died, mostly the helpless conscripts. The dragons did not pursue the fleeing army further, and they stayed at the previous campsite, something that Boullope found highly relieving. If the dragon gave chase, none of them would have lived.
The men regrouped about 10 miles away from their campsite, though most of the conscripted troops had probably fled.
Only the personal troops remain.
"What do we do now?" Prince Barbro looked visibly pale. This was supposed to be his clean victory, against some elf and undead lich. He did not expect that the lich has such massively powerful undead dragons at their disposal.
"Those were not normal skeletal dragons. They had far higher fire resistance and their regeneration is very high."
"That don't matter. What are we going to do to win?"
"Win? You're lucky that the skeletal dragons didn't give chase!"
"What? The great Marquis Boullope claiming that we are lucky that they didn't give chase? Do you know how this will look if news gets out we lost to some elves? Your dreams of having Renner is gone. Gone!"
Barbro wasn't pulling his punches in taunting Boullope at all.
But Boullope didn't buy it. "You stupid prince. That dragon would have killed us if it tried. We cannot win with our existing army. We need to retreat and get some good adventurers to come with us. Maybe Red Drop or Darkness."
Barbro looked bewildered. "How dare you!"
It was then one of Marquis Boullope's senior captains came in.
"Confirmed, milord. The skeletal dragons are not pursuing. But we see some wraiths floating around."
"I'm calling this off, Barbro."
"No you are not. We are taking the town one way or another. Can't we avoid the dragons?"
"What makes you think the dragons won't follow us? The fact that we got surprised or even ambushed by it tells you they know where we are. And there are wraiths out there looking for us."
"We will retreat in shame! SHAME! I cannot accept this!"
"I'd rather we live, and come back better prepared. We are not prepared for dragons or wraiths. We were expecting a conventional enemy, Barbro! We need magic and adventurers to fight skeletal dragons!"
Boullope's captain was in agreement, but he kept his mouth shut.
"This... This is unacceptable!" Barbro stormed off, out of the makeshift camp.
A short while later, Boullope vented. "That idiot!" He then turned to the captain, "Why didn't we see the dragons coming?"
"We were not expecting them, sir."
"What kind of a stupid answer is that! Where were our scouts?"
"They were towards the town, sir, but they did not notice the two dragons that came out of the forests!"
"What about our rangers?"
"We didn't hear from them."
"For how long?"
"Uhmm…"
Boullope was upset. "Idiots." He took a few deep breaths, and then asked. "How many did we lose?"
"About 2,000. Sir. The conscripted army has all fled, though. We'll probably find them in the nearest human town. Do you want us to gather them back?"
"For what? As fodder for the dragons?"
The captains held their tongue.
"We retreat. We need proper arms, and adventurers. Mages as well, perhaps even some holy magic users." Boullope looked around, and at the map. He then pointed to a town, and instructed them to go there.
Barbro on the other hand went back to his own camp, and looked at the captains of his own guards.
"What do you guys think? Give me some ideas!" Prince Barbro was fuming. He would not accept a retreat.
"We could…hire some adventurers? Claim that we are laying siege to the enemy but are actually waiting here?"
"Perhaps we could say we are making a blockade, as we're still waiting for a good time to invade."
"That's… That's a good idea. Let's build a simple wall and say we're defending."
"It won't last against the dragon though."
"Doesn't matter. I cannot retreat so swiftly! I'll just say I'm entrusting some of you to keep the dragons at bay, whilst I attend to other matters,"
"As you command, sir."
…
…
The skeletal dragons were more effective that expected. The army that marched towards Necropolis had practically no exceptional individuals capable of handling of large dragon of that size, comprising of mostly basic infantry. The experienced men, were ill equipped, and did not have heavy maces or crushing weapons that could deal some damage to the dragons.
"It's wonderful, Ainz-sama. But why did we spare them? Is it not better to eliminate these enemies outright. They surely will return for revenge."
"You're right, Albedo. But I also want to let the news of their defeat to the dragons sink in a while."
"I see. The wraiths report that they are building some kind of makeshift wall, using whatever they materials they gathered nearby."
"A blockade?"
"It seems that way, but I wonder why they felt such a flimsy wall would be effective against our dragons. Perhaps it's just a distraction. Maybe they would attempt a smaller infiltration team instead."
"You're right, Albedo. Do we have countermeasures against assassins and spies?"
"The wraiths will spot anyone unusual. The gargoyles stationed on the walls too will keep watch. They won't get anywhere near."
"Hmm, are the elves of any use?"
"As of now, no. They're too fresh and their training incomplete."
"Ah, a pity then."
"Who are the leaders?"
"From a few of the fleeing men we captured, it seems it's led by a prince named Barbro, and a senior noble called Boullope. Boullope and his men seemed to have retreated further to a human settlement, whereas the Prince and his men is the one building the wall."
"Are they that confident we won't attack their wall while they are building it?"
"They are being foolish, Ainz-sama. The dragons will make short work of the walls. And the wraiths can fly. They're probably just reacting out of habit by building walls against enemies that they cannot defeat."
"Is that so…" Ainz pondered his options. "Anyway, let's see what they have planned. Gather more information, and do not engage yet. Perhaps the prince can be useful to us."
"I've already sent more wraiths to spy on them. Will attempt to capture more humans to gather intel."
"Then I leave it to you. Let me know if anything happens." Ainz then stood up, and teleported away, back to Nazarick.
…
EDIT : I still haven't decided on the Jaldaboath event. Maybe not.
Anyway, thanks for the reviews. It's really great :)