Hi! Sorry for the long gap, I've been working on a draft for some harem original fics, and catching up on some other stories on royalroadl, novelupdates and also Overlord V12.
Ainz looked at the magical mirror intently, watching the battle unfold before his eyes. He was surrounded by Wololo, and all the guardians.
On the mirror itself, they watched how a large army of wolves fought against the theocracy army. All of the guardians studied it intently, their minds trying to process the learning that Ainz-sama was trying to bestow them.
Albedo wondered what was Ainz's objective. It was quite obvious the wolves were no match for the army, and strong individuals that lead them. If it was her, she would have deployed a far stronger army. But this felt a bit like Cocytus's test earlier, when Ainz-sama wanted to see how he would have reacted.
"But who is he testing? All of us?" She wondered, stealing glances at the reaction of the other guardians. "How does this relate to the discovery of the Theocracy's world class item?"
As the battle went on, the faces of the guardians changed. "Ainz-sama, what's the purpose of wasting these wolves on the theocracy?" It was Aura who finally found the courage to ask what's happening, it pained her as a beastmaster to watch so many wolves die for nothing.
Ainz turned and looked at them. "What do you think of the Theocracy?"
The guardians froze.
Albedo wondered whether it was a loaded question, was there something else that Ainz wanted them to say.
Shalltear seemed like she wanted to say something, but then she couldn't. In her mind, the Theocracy did her a great dishonor, and she wants to crush them with all her might. If she was the first to answer, would she repeat the mistake that caused her to be mind-controlled in the first place?
Cocytus wondered whether the wolves symbolised something, was it recklessness? Was it blind fury? Or did Ainz want to "keep" the theocracy as some kind of puppet state?
Demiurge pondered whether it was a rhetorical question, Ainz called them here for moment of learning, so this had to be it.
All the guardians took a while to consider Ainz's question, and so no one said anything for a good minute.
At that point, Ainz wondered whether he asked something really stupid. Was it so bad that it was not worth their time answering? So he gulped, and held on. Unknowingly, his discomfort at the awkwardness that caused his aura to activate, and the pressure in the room intensified.
Aura and Mare was sweating, in their minds, it was no easy question. The pressure on their body signalled that he would be disappointed if they answered badly.
Eventually, Cocytus spoke. "The Theocracy… they are organised, and have good fighting tactics, but their response to the wolves was delayed. It showed that they are not used to fighting on their home ground. But we should not underestimate their power, they might be hiding their true strength."
Ainz nodded a little.
Demiurge then added. "So Ainz-sama's intention is to show us that the Theocracy is too arrogant that they are not prepared for a fight deep in their own capital, and that is an opportunity for us to exploit. If we strike hard and fast, we may catch them off guard."
"What if that's what they want us to do?" Albedo added. "Their delayed response might be planned. Our intelligence suggests they are a very well organised bureaucracy."
"Not all of it. Only the elite which is their Black Scripture. So that's the group we need to watch out for." Demiurge added.
"So we should have a special hit squad that targets the Black Scripture." Shalltear said. "I volunteer..."
"They have that Downfall of Castle & Country, what if they use it on you again?"
Shalltear sulked.
"It's a single target world class item, so it's useless if we use a mob of high level characters against them. We can use a swarm of level 70 monsters, and some ranged snipers from afar." Albedo proposed.
Ainz sighed. This entire conversation went way too fast. I just wanted to know what they thought of the theocracy. I had thought they had an interesting model of governance. Maybe I shouldn't have asked this question when I show them this skirmish.
All the guardians instantly froze, and turned to face Ainz. They all kneeled, except Albedo who bowed.
"Apologies, Ainz-sama. We got carried away."
He waved his hand. "It's alright."
The guardians still kneeled.
"Anyway, I asked Wololo to send a group of wolves to get a sense of their military might. That's all there is to it."
"Wouldn't they suspect someone planned it?"
"I created a dungeon somewhere and made it spawn feral wolves. At most they'll just discover the dungeon and destroy it."
"Ah."
"Such things happen, do they not?"
"I.. I don't think so, Wololo-sama." Aura said. "A dungeon out of nowhere just rings all the alarm bells."
Along the shores of Necropolis, a huge statue loomed. It stood on a small standalone island, and it welcomed and warned of all who came by sea to the city that is Necropolis.
"What is that?" The merchant trader looked at the captain of the ship, who seemed unfazed by the towering statue.
"A statue to their god, supreme being Ainz Ooal Gown."
It stood, towering above the sea, like how the Statue of Liberty must have seemed to the ships who approached New York in the fog. It was easily 15 stories tall, his body seemed to glisten in the sun, probably made of some kind of silver. It had the face of an undead, a skull, every edge, every nook was carved onto the massive statue. its eyes glowed, pitch black with a large red center, seemingly made of some kind of giant ruby.
In his left hand, he held a staff, the staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, with it's many gems. it flashed like a lighthouse, sending a ray of light at regular intervals to mark its presence to the approaching ships. On his right, he held a pouch, seemingly signifying wealth, and a sign of welcome to those who wish to trade.
"Will that eye beam kill us?" The trader asked again, as those red eyes sent a ray of light that seemed to scan the seas.
"Probably not us, if we fly the correct flags. But I hear rumors from the elves that if an enemy navy was to appear in its shores, those eyes fire a magical destruction beam capable of instantly destroying any enemy navy vessel. But for now, it is just an identification ray. That staff is also the town's lighthouse."
The trader stared. He had never seen a statue so large in his life, and as the ship approached it, it seemed magnetic. His eyes could never leave how beautiful, and fearsome it appeared.
Then, a wraith floated over, it was like a typical wraith, except in its hand it held a flag, and the merchant trader instinctively reached for his weapon. A sailor quickly ran over and held his hand down.
"It's the port guide. Relax. He will guide us to our pier berth." The sailor said to the trader.
A wraith as a port guide?
The merchant trader gulped, swallowed his saliva. This is who they wanted to spy on? Is the Theocracy nuts?
The captain laughed at the merchant's pale expression. He had seen it many times, every time he agreed to take passengers or traders to Necropolis. They all had the same goal, make money by bringing their wares to a new growing country, but the sight of the might at display all sent their hearts and minds crazy.
Well, he had the same reaction when he first sailed here, but after so many hundreds of trips, he is now desensitized to it.
"Don't worry. If you do not attack, they will not harm you."
"I.. I can't believe that." His entire life, he was taught that undead were enemies. No exceptions.
"You theocracy traders need to get used to seeing more non-humans." The captain laughed. Well, it's easy to say in hindsight.
They quickly berthed, with a few golems then assisting to haul goods off the ship. It is an efficient process, with golems and wraiths aiding the disembarkation, with some of the elves providing supervision and talking to the captain to sort out the necessary documentation.
An elf would normally coordinate with the captain and traders where and how are the goods to be arranged.
The trader looked at the imposing presence of the statue that stood out in the sea, now facing it's back. It shone in the sun like a sea giant who stood on the water.
"So, what are you selling?" An elf asked, interrupting his concentration. He was dressed in some kind of uniform, and held a notepad in one hand. The notepad had all sorts of boxes, and seemed to be some kind of customs form.
"Household silverwares."
"Estimated value?"
"10,000 theocracy silvers."
"According to the schedule of goods, tax rate will 5% on your profit for household merchandise. You may pay either upfront using an estimated profit and settle the difference later at a preferential rate of 4%, or pay later when you depart."
"Ah. Later then. I need the cash now."
The elf handed him a copy of a form, denoting the details. "Please keep the form, it will be used when you leave. If you lose it there will be a fine."
The trader nodded, and he then made his way to the market, the few handlers who hauled the goods guided him there.
"Eh?! Isn't that Gazef?" The trader almost screamed out of his lungs. Gazef was standing with some young elves, no older than 15, and they fought with wooden swords.
The elf who was leading the horse carriages smiled. "Ah, Gazef-dono is a guest of Ainz-sama."
"What is he doing here?"
"I don't know much, but they say he is requesting for help to avenge his King's unnatural death. Ainz-sama has yet to agree to his request."
The trader nodded. This was something reportable to the theocracy, or maybe they already knew. But he had to come back with something, else he wouldn't get his pay.
Gazef seemed haggard, his walk a bit tired. He has grown increasingly restless, as Ainz refused to commit, to assist him in his revenge, but after hearing the massive destruction of E-Libera, he started to suspect that perhaps there was a bigger, more sinister plot or undercurrent at play. Maybe Brain was right after all, perhaps the gods are at war, and Ainz had to tread carefully.
Gazef and Brain had found temporary jobs in Necropolis, as sword-fighting trainers for fresh elven recruits, to pay for their temporary stay at Necropolis. At first, he wanted to refuse, but with the current civil war situation, and Gazef's terrible relationship with all the nobles, he really did not know where to go.
So here he was, a warrior-captain who had lost his way, and fled to another country for help in his desperation, after his king was slain by the underworld.
The trader couldn't resist seeing Gazef, so he walked over.
"It's an honor to finally meet you, Gazef Stronoff, the great warrior captain of the Kingdom."
"Eh? You are?" Gazef turned to face the visitor.
"I am trader from the Theocracy, my name is Patrik."
"Ah. Greetings, its quite a distance from the Theocracy to this place."
"It is not that bad, there is a river that runs to the seas, which then leads here. But, my purpose is not to just idle chatter."
"Oh?"
"Gazef, why are you here? I understand that your king has been slain, but of all countries to flee to, why did you choose here?"
Gazef paused.
"Why not the Empire, or the Theocracy?"
He sighed. "...Ainz Ooal Gown, he felt like a man I could trust to help me."
"Who is he?" This was a good opportunity to probe who is the ruler of this land, and Patrik took it.
"I… I don't know much. We met at Carne Village, when I encountered and fought some of your theocracy men, the Sunlight Scripture, who were trying to kill me. So yes, I could not go to the Theocracy, after their attempt on my life. The Empire with their constant war with us would also rather have me dead. So, here I am, seeking Necropolis's aid."
The trader froze. He did not know Gazef was attacked by Theocracy scripturemen. That was something he would ask once he got back to the Theocracy. Why did the Theocracy made an attempt at the warrior-captain's life?
"What.. what happened with the King, King Lamposa?"
"Eight fingers. That's all I am willing to tell you. I must get back to teaching these young kids now. Good day."
Gazef ignored him then, but the trader had gained some good information, so he left Gazef to his own matters and walked off.
The trader sat in his inn, he had briefly understood that Prince Barbro had colluded with the Eight Fingers to overthrow the King. That much was easily obvious, so Prince Barbro, who usurpted the throne, killed the reigning King of Re-estize faced the rebellion of his brother, Prince Zanac and also Marquis Raeven.
But what is Gazef and Necropolis's past relations? Was there more to it?
Who would know, and more importantly, who would talk?
At a time of great opportunity, the world threw a spanner into his plans. Emperor Jircniv looked at the map, and sighed.
Any army who wanted to march on the capitol of Re-Estize would have to go through E-Libera eventually.
A swift blitz, all the way to the capitol seemed attainable, with the civil war in full swing. He earlier calculated that the battle of E Libera would open up a great opportunity, as both sides were weak and vulnerable.
But the tree of death created a massive no go zone between the capital and the Empire. No army was willing to get anywhere near there. And if he could not get the capitol to swiftly establish victory, it was not worth it. The destruction of E-Libera also meant the loss of a valuable city, and had shifted his perception of Re-Estize as a target.
"Your majesty, the theocracy delegation is here." An attendant, knocked and came in.
"Great."
The Theocracy sent an official request to discuss the matter of the Re-Estize situation, but to him, it was proof that the Theocracy knew nothing about it, and also proof that they were keeping tabs on everyone, himself, the Emperor, included.
Still, an official delegation, led by a Cardinal. Every part of it is unusual, but the Empire welcomed it with open arms. How could the mighty Empire be unwilling to talk to a neighbouring nation, what more a Cardinal who made the long trip here.
For once, an above table discussion with the Theocracy, instead of covert dealings filled with code words and secret messages, which was how they usually did their affairs.
"Welcome Cardinal Ginedine."
"Indeed, it is my pleasure to finally meet you, young emperor." Truth was, the Emperor had spoke to the Cardinals covertly before, via secret intermediaries.
They sat in a large, poshly decorated meeting room. Flags of both nations were throughout the room, the full decorum upheld. This was a visit by a senior foreign national, and the room needed to look the part.
"Emperor Jircniv, lets get down to it. Have you heard of the new elvish country of Necropolis?"
"Yes, but I do not have much information beyond the official reports from the Kingdom, and the merchants."
Ginedine smiled. "Ah, let me volunteer some information. I am sure you are aware that the ruler of Necropolis is an undead elder lich?"
"Oh? I had the impression it was a beautiful lady."
"Ah, yes, the lady is the chief administrator, but the head of state is an elder lich by the name Ainz Ooal Gown."
"I see. You have come all this way to speak of a small elvish town on the borders of the Kingdom?" Jircniv was well aware of Necropolis, but with them so far away, and with their generally passive behavior and conduct, he had assessed the ruler to be someone who did not have expansionary desires. Or else, he would not have settled for a plot by the sea, and his undead armies would have expanded everywhere. If he was as powerful as they say he was, that's the only thing that made sense.
"Emperor Jircniv, I hear you are an intelligent man."
He laughed. "Not as intelligent as I hope and want to be, Cardinal Ginedine. But cut out the flattery, it does not work."
"I don't mean to flatter, but consider the coincidences. A new city and country emerges on the border of Re Estize. Re-estize then descends into civil war, and soon after that, a huge force of magic or nature was unleashed on Necropolis."
The emperor smiled, "You mean to say these are related and can be traced back to this Ainz Ooal Gown, and he has some kind of vendetta against the Kingdom?"
"Certainly sounds like it, no?" Cardinal smiled. "So, we are here to offer a cooperation agreement, not to wage war against Necropolis… but to get to the bottom of this."
"That's just an excuse, is it not? You plan to go against Necropolis one way or another, and you want to drag us along to help with our resources."
Cardinal Ginedine smiled, revealing his fake teeth. "That's not true at all. It is merely an investigation, to ensure that this new kingdom is not doing anything… unusual."
The emperor smiled. But the theocracy's dislike for non-humans is well known, and an ascendant elven country was a threat, what more with their current war with the other elvish country. The theocracy, to put it bluntly, is trying to borrow their military to crush this elven nation.
But why? The theocracy has equally strong military, and they have the famed Black Scripture at their disposal. Did something happen?
"Oh, I am surprised that the Theocracy requires our assistance, since the scriptures of the theocracy are legendary."
The emperor did not know of the destruction of the Sunlight Scripture, which was a tightly kept secret. Even more recently, the death of Kaire and a few ex-scripture members. Even though she could be revived, it seems her advanced age has made it extremely difficult, and they are still making the preparations required.
The Cardinal smiled. "We certainly can investigate on our own, but it would be better to take up the challenge together with another nation. Together, we can preserve the status quo."
So much bullshit, the emperor thought. "We would prefer if the investigation is done without our official participation. We certainly can supply some assistance, but at our terms."
The cardinal frowned. "Humanity's dominance is at stake. Does that not matter to you?"
Finally, something that sounds more like the truth. So this is what this was all about. A proposal to form a military union, to preserve humanity against non-humans.
"It's going to be a year now."
He sat, admiring the dark wooden furniture filled with carvings of monsters, gods and people, heavily influenced by Hindu or Balinese gods. It was a proof of his guildmate's attention to detail, to make such ornate items. Their guild has somehow attracted such obsessive personalities, and it really shows in their work. Such items would be fit in a temple, or a seaside resort.
The room was lit with sunlight from the sides, coming in through the wooden carvings that also served as the window grills. Their shadows created strange creatures on the ground.
"Yes. Where are you on the competition we agreed?"
"Not much progress, sadly. Busy with groundwork, exploring ruins, setting up mining networks, collecting subordinates, investigating and absorbing new dungeons."
"You sound like you have to forfeit this round, huh?"
"It seems so."
"I think 1 year is too fast. Training powerful warriors need longer than that, and I believe crafting high grade artifacts too need a lot of time." Ainz said. "We didn't think this through."
"It's an idea we got while lounging about at night after all." Wololo smiled, sipping a cup of coffee as a werewolf. It took a while, but he finally found a fruit that had the characteristics of coffee beans.
"Maybe you would have something if you didn't spend so much time with those plants. You spent too much time making that coffee machine and that coffee plant farm." Ainz laughed. "But if I had tastebuds, I'd drink it too."
"I just wanted authentic coffee, instead of the prepackaged one's we have in Nazarick. Those came default from Yggdrasil!"
"But the prepackaged one tastes better, I heard the maids say!" Ainz sighed. When his guildmates gets obsessed over something, it was best to just stay out of their way. He wondered whether this was one of the crazes where hippies crave authentic, home made coffee over manufactured, but obviously higher quality coffees.
"Well, I haven't gotten the refining process down! I will get there. Besides, Yggdrasil coffee was made awesome by default, you can't even reverse engineer it! It's made artificially by a combination of codes, like genetically engineered food!"
"Yes yes. So, the competition, should we change the terms?" Ainz didn't want to go down the rabbit hole that was coffee.
"The guardians won't like it. Demiurge, Cocytus might feel that we let them down if we don't use that massive coliseum they built for us."
The two supreme beings sigh. There was a real pressure to live up to their guardian's over the top expectation of them. After all, they really gave their all to build that place.
"We can put on a show. Maybe… get the humans fight some monsters?"
"Did you find any interesting monsters? I have giant undead, a couple of undead wyrms and a few bone dragons."
"I have a frost giant. And a sea serpent. And some treants. Giant bugs as well."
"Oh, battle of the monsters. Sounds like kiddy show, when heroes fight monsters."
"Let's get the humans to fight with the monsters."
"That sounds like a reality show. Man Versus Beast?"
"You mean like forcing the humans to survive two fighting monsters?" Wololo laughed.
"That sounds fun. Dodge the monster attacks?"
Wololo paused a while. "The theocracy thing is still bothering us though. Should we do this first or that?"
"How deep is your spies? Didn't you say you wanted to infiltrate them first? Or lure them out with the Catastrophe Dragon Lord's revival?" Ainz smiled.
"Deep enough. It won't be long before I know when their sacred treasures are taken out."
"Then we wait our time. Vengeance requires careful planning, especially one that has caused us to kill our own." Ainz nodded. "In the meantime, we can put on some entertainment for our followers, no? As leaders we need to keep morale high."
"Entertainment, eh?"
That's it!