Hi guys Azza here!
Reviews
Thomas MCF – Thanks for the feedback I'm glad I'm not doing too bad on the Overlord stuff, hopefully what I've written for this chapter still fits into that however it needs the subsequent parts to make complete sense but that's for another time haha!
Xagon Kirigaya – There will be a conversation at some point but it will most likely be post time skip but thanks for the support!
Anyway on with the story!
I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.
Ever Evolving Decline
/Natsu's POV/
'Oww …'
Slowly sitting up Natsu found himself alone in the abandoned building, all traces of Beast III/R and the humans she had seemingly enthralled gone without a trace. Expanding his senses out revealed that the room itself seemed to exist in its own sort of space-time, not bound by the rest of Water Seven though why that was Natsu could only speculate.
Did Beast III/R leave it like that so he could recover? Did she simply forget to remove it along with everything and everyone else or perhaps the area itself is simply anomalous in nature? Either way he wasn't complaining as he shakily rose to his feet.
"Ahnk?"
No response.
"Ahnkseram," Natsu called more forcefully only to be met with an eerie silence.
Just as he was about to jump into his own mind to find the first Hybrid he was shocked to see him materialize before him as if he existed in the real world, a concerned look masking his usually calm features.
"Natsu!"
"A-Ahnk!"
"The Primordial, what happened to her!?"
"She's gone," Natsu replied softly as Ahnkseram walked toward him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"At least you got out alive that's all that matters Natsu … wait a minute-!"
"Just realized it did you?"
"I-I'm outside, you finished it!?"
"I didn't do anything," Natsu replied with a frown. "The Primordial gave me one of my shards … among other things and suddenly it just works. I called for you and poof you appeared."
"That's interesting," Ahnkseram mused. "I can feel yet I don't believe I truly exist, how strange …"
"Come back into my mind for now, watch my memories of what happened and see if you can pick up anything I might have missed."
"And what are you going to do?"
"I'm gonna experiment with this space, something about it still doesn't feel right even if Beast III/R left," Natsu replied as Ahnkseram vanished back into his mind. "Now then let's see what makes you tick …"
/Luffy's POV/
"And that's why you should've just stuck with Nami," Zoro sighed as Luffy looked out at the vast ocean contemplating the news of the attack on Usopp.
"So you guys know where this place is right?"
"Nami told us before we left," Sanji replied as he motioned for the group to follow him. "Nami said it was on the outskirts of town just … here."
Zoro bumped into Sanji who had frozen in shock and was about to lay into him when Chopper sprinted past, his form morphing into a large gorilla looking state.
"Oi what-!"
"Oh shit," Mordred cursed as they all began running over to Chopper's position.
Laying in the ground in a pool of his own blood was Usopp, stab wounds and bruises littered his body, his unconscious form not even registering Chopper's movements as he swiftly began treating his more serious wounds.
"Is he alive," Sanji asked as Chopper nodded.
"He's pretty injured but he'll live," Chopper replied grimly. "I'm gonna stabilize him for now so we can … take care of this."
Luffy cracked his knuckles as his eyes turned toward the eyesore of a building in the distance that was clearly the home of the Franky Family. As he began to move toward the building the others also began to prepare for the coming fight.
Zoro put on his bandanna, left hand moving to position itself over his blades which were ready and eager to draw blood. Sanji lit a cigarette whilst stretching his legs, Chopper rose to his full height easily dwarfing the adults and exhaled sharply whilst gritting his teeth.
Mordred began walking forward with Clarent coming to her side in a burst of flame as her outfit morphed into her newly acquired combat robes, her eyes dulling slightly as Clarent began preparing her for the coming fight.
The group walked up to the door with Luffy leading them. He was about to knock down the door when it suddenly opened and a half giant emerged, pausing view who would dare come to their hideout.
"Huh? What do you pipsqueaks want-?"
The half giant didn't get a chance to finish as a fist to his face sent him flying backward into the crowd of his fellow dismantlers allowing the Straw Hats to enter the hideout.
"Oi what the hell!"
"Look there's a bunch of guys storming in!"
"Hey ain't those the scrubs we stole from?"
"Probably here to try and take their cash back!"
"Oi get the hell out of here before we do to you what we did to the long nose!"
"His name is Usopp," Luffy growled as he began walking toward the lead henchman who was mouthing off. "And he's a hundred times the man you'll ever be."
"HAH, the weakling couldn't even beat us yet you think he's better than us! What an absolute joke-!"
"Gum Gum: Pistol!"
Luffy struck the henchman in the face so hard a loud crunching sound could be heard followed by a squelching noise that made all the Franky Family take a step back in shock. The person Luffy had hit collapsed to the floor lifeless, his face having been caved in by the force as blood dripped from Luffy's still clenched fist.
Looking up at the Franky Family with one visible eye Luffy began to walk forward again this time with the rest of the group advancing slowly toward them forcing the Franky Family to lash out in terror.
"SHOOT EM!"
The members of the Franky Family who stood before them opened fire however Zoro appeared in front of Luffy and with precise strikes sliced the bullets in half prompting them to shatter and explode midair.
"What the hell, he cut the bullets!"
"You think that's impressive," Sanji said as all the members of the Franky Family gasped not even seeing him move behind them. "Then you'll love this!"
Jumping high into the air Sanji landed on the face of one of the henchmen with one hand as he began to spin around rapidly kicking everyone in range in the head.
"Black Leg Style: Party Table Kick Course!"
As Sanji began laying into anyone within range Chopper pulled out a small orange candy like object and popped it into his mouth with an audible crack signalling he bit down onto it.
"Rumble: Horn Point!"
Chopper's body began to morph into an actual reindeer with his horns becoming as sharp as blades. With a growl he charged into a group of nearby henchmen impaling them onto his horns before tossing them aside like trash.
"HEHE, THINK YOU CAN SURVIVE THIS GIRLIE," another one of the half giants sneered as he aimed a cannon larger than a building at Mordred who merely sniffed in response. "DIE!"
Mordred simply walked into the attack setting off a large explosion that rocked the building to its foundations. The other Straw Hats froze for a moment having seen Mordred walk right into the attack and hoped that she would be alright.
To the shock of the Franky Family Mordred emerged completely unscathed appearing to have not even bothered to deflect or evade the attack as her nearly lifeless eyes honed in on her attacker.
"Acre Thrust."
Vanishing from where she had emerged the sound of gurgling drew everyone's attention toward the half giant whose throat had been ripped open, Mordred reappearing on the other side of his body moments later flicking the blood from her blade as the open wound caught fire.
"These guys are monsters!"
"Someone go get the boss!"
"Oi," Luffy said placing a hand on the shoulder of a henchmen who was about to flee through the open exit. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Don't start a fight you can't finish," Sanji added as he kicked a man in the neck, killing him instantly.
"You should've never messed with us, you brought this curse upon yourselves," Zoro growled before firing off an aerial slash attack at the other half giant cleaving him in two.
"Tear it all down," Luffy ordered as everyone began utterly trashing the place until it was nothing but ruins with its inhabitants severely wounded or dead.
After the last attack was dished out the group sat amidst the smouldering ruin of what once was the Franky Family's hideout, no sign of the money they'd been looking for.
"That Franky guy probably has it," Sanji spat as he kicked a still conscious henchmen in the head knocking him out cold. "Where the hell could he be in this damn city?"
"Guys," Luffy said seriously drawing the attention to their Captain who sat atop the tallest piece of rubble. "I've got something important I've gotta say."
"What is it Luffy," Zoro asked knowing that anytime Luffy acted serious then the situation was indeed dire.
"One of the foremen who works for the Galley-La Company took a look at the Merry and said she can't be fixed, at least not cheap enough to where buying a whole new ship wouldn't be more worthwhile."
"Shit," Sanji sighed as Chopper sniffed clearly upset about the loss of the Merry.
"Despite what they said I was considering holding a vote on if we should spend the Berries we got on fixing the merry anyway, cost be damned but now that this has happened …"
"We can't do it," Zoro said bluntly prompting Luffy to nod. "It makes sense, sad as it is, but without a working ship we'll die out there on the open seas."
"The moss head is right, the Merry is like one of us but we're in the Grand Line now and we need a ship that'll be able to stand up to whatever these seas throw at us."
"B-but what are we gonna tell Usopp," Chopper sniffled prompting everyone to put their heads down knowing that such a talk was likely to result in a fight of epic proportions.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it Chopper," Luffy sighed as he rose from his spot. "Anyone seen Natsu around?"
The group shook their head in unison prompting Luffy to sigh even deeper than before as he looked up at the sky.
"Robin goes missing, Natsu runs off to do who knows what, the Merry can't be fixed and I'm gonna have to break the news to Usopp …"
"You have to endure Luffy," Zoro said as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "You are the Captain, the one who ties us all together. Usopp might not like it but the Captain's word is final so he'll just have to endure it."
"That's a bit harsh moss head," Sanji scowled before sighing. "But you're right. The Merry means so much to us but to Usopp that ship was a gift from someone he cares deeply for, this isn't going to be easy."
"Being a leader means doing what is best for those you lead not necessarily what feels right," Mordred chimed in. "The fact is we no longer have the money to fix the Merry even if we wanted to, sure the ship has sentimental value to the crew but the journey will end here should you try and find an alternative."
"She's right," Zoro said turning back toward Luffy. "Come on we'd better get this over with."
"Yeah," Luffy sighed as the crew left the massacre behind and made their way back toward the Merry for what would likely be one of the last times.
/Natsu's POV/
"It's definitely a spell, any idea how to crack it Ahnk?"
"Have you not checked what that crystal shard gave you Natsu?"
"Was kind of busy feeling agonizing pain so no I didn't check."
Ahnkseram began pushing several of Natsu's lost abilities to the forefront of his mind several of which could easily shatter the illusion left behind by Beast III/R.
"Well it's been awhile let's hope I haven't gotten too rusty eh!"
"Come on you've used it like a million times …"
"Not a million times and definitely not for any purpose other than to experiment," Natsu said as he activated his Hybrid's Aura. "Hybrid's Aura: White Arts – Holy Pulse!"
"You changed the name," Ahnkseram said slightly surprised as the pulse shattered the illusion revealing the same space this time full of the homeless people he'd thought had been taken.
"E-excuse me?"
Spinning around Natsu was surprised to see a little girl no older than three holding a note in her right hand. The girl looked awful though that wasn't too surprising since she was homeless.
"Yeah?"
"The pretty lady told me to give you this."
"Did she now? And what exactly did you get in return for handing this to me?"
"She kissed me on the forehead and now I don't feel hungry anymore!"
"…"
"Don't worry its nothing malicious," Ahnkseram said quickly as he eyed the girl critically. "I suppose that being full it technically a pleasure too so it makes sense Beast III/R can fulfil such a desire."
"Hey mister can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Can you kill someone for us?"
"…"
"I'm telling you Beast III/R has nothing to do with this I swear!"
"Kill someone for you," Natsu asked in confusion as several more of the homeless kids began standing up and walking over, all asking the same question. "Whoa whoa, slow down there a minute and explain why you kids would want me to kill someone!"
"Mister the pretty lady said you could kill the bad man!"
"Bad man," Natsu asked confused as the orphans began to shudder.
"The man comes in dressed in all white and wears a freaky mask comes and takes some of us away, never to be seen again," said one of the older girls sadly. "After he rounds up some of the kids he tells us he'll be back and he's due to come back soon."
"Do you kids know why he's taking you away?"
"We're orphans, who'd miss us?"
"…"
"Yeah we're just trash that ends up being discarded here by Pirates or Marines who don't want to keep us," another kid sighed. "All we have is each other but the man in white keeps taking us away …"
"Tell you what," Natsu said as he crouched down to eye level with the group of orphans. "I'll hunt down this man in white and find out where and why he keeps taking you all, depending on why he's doing it I'll kill him."
"You guys hear that, the pretty lady was right he's gonna help us!"
"Wonder why Beast III/R would bother helping a bunch of orphans?"
"Primordials act purely on instinct so whatever her reasons were are entirely her own and it's likely our speculations are the furthest thing from the truth."
Rising to his feet Natsu turned around and began to leave, his coat flapping wildly behind him as his ears fell deaf to the sultry giggle echoing throughout the abandoned building.
/Luffy's POV/
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE'RE GETTING A NEW SHIP!"
Luffy winced as Usopp screeched out in protest at his decision, completely expected yet still he could already begin to feel the rage filled rant about to slap him in the face. Did Usopp honestly think he wanted to toss the ship aside like yesterday's trash?
"Usopp …"
"NO WHAT THE HELL LUFFY WE CAN'T JUST GET RID OF THE MERRY JUST BECAUSE SHE'S A LITTLE BANGED UP!"
"Usopp the Merry can't be fixed, the foreman himself had a look at her," Luffy sighed tiredly. "We all love the Merry but the fact is we can't stop just because the ship does, we've all got to keep moving further into the Grand Line-."
"So you'll listen to some random stranger you only met today rather than trust in a friend who's been with us from the beginning," Usopp snapped back with a scowl on his face. "I thought you were different Luffy but it's obvious now that you're just like all the other Pirates out on the sea who'll abandon their comrades when the going gets tough!"
"Well you know what Usopp if you don't like the way I run things then you can piss off-!"
Luffy didn't get to finish his sentence as Sanji kicked him in the side of the head sending him crashing through the table and into a nearby wall.
"Let's all just calm down for a minute here!"
"You want me to calm down," Usopp growled as he looked up at Sanji with a glare. "You want me to abandon the ship that's one of our earliest crew members!"
"Usopp it's not like that it's just …"
"Just what!? Is this because I lost the money, it's because I lost the money that we can't get the Merry fixed isn't it!?"
"Usopp," Luffy sighed as he pulled himself free from the wall. "The money wouldn't have made any difference anyway, like I said before the ship just can't get any further than this."
"So you guys are firm on changing ships then," Usopp asked prompting Luffy and the others to nod sadly. "Fine then, change ships, but do it without me!"
"Usopp-!"
"No shut up Sanji I'm not gonna be drowned out by you guys again, I won't abandon the Merry when she needs us the most! Plus Luffy already made his opinion clear on this; I don't like his decision so I should piss off!"
"Usopp you know Luffy opens his mouth and says stupid shit all the time so just settle down a minute and think this over-!"
"No Sanji," Usopp said firmly as he stomped toward the door. "I've had plenty enough time to think as it is! All the rest of you guys have abilities that let you keep up with the crazy bastards we run into but me, I'm just a guy with a fucking slingshot, a liability!"
"Usopp that's not true," Chopper cried only for the sniper to shake his head.
"My minds made up," Usopp said as he jumped off of the railing of the ship and began walking away only to spin back around and point directly at Luffy.
"Luffy! I challenge you for control of the Merry at sundown!"
Without even waiting for Luffy to acknowledge the challenge Usopp left and headed back toward Water Seven leaving everyone on board minus Mordred feeling terrible. Mordred had seen many personal conflicts such as this one so it wasn't too surprising that the weakest link cracked, especially after the Aokiji debacle.
"What do we do now," Nami asked shakily as she fought back the tears that were fighting to escape her.
"Nami, go speak with Kaku or Iceburg and see about getting us a new ship," Luffy said as he sat atop what remained of the side railing of the ship. "I'll deal with Usopp when he comes back."
"What are you gonna do to him," Chopper asked nervously only for Zoro to reply.
"He's going to perform his duty as Captain Chopper, a man who cannot follow the orders of his Captain must be reprimanded for it. "Where we're going we can't afford to be fighting amongst ourselves like this and we can't throw tantrums and use the threat of leaving the crew to get our way."
"B-but Zoro, Usopp's just scared and confused not to mention hurt about the Merry," Nami replied quickly only for Zoro to shake his head.
"If he does it once and gets brought back he'll do it again and it will show the rest of the crew that insubordination is tolerated. What would follow would be the collapse of the entire crew, who would follow a man who can't even keep his crew in line and lead them?"
"What do we know about this situation with Robin," Luffy asked changing the subject. "Has anyone seen her?"
"Natsu's looking for her I'm pretty sure but if they aren't back by now then something's definitely up," Mordred replied as all eyes turned toward the city which looked even more beautiful under the setting sun.
"I suppose we'll leave Robin's situation to Natsu for the moment though if any of you see her try and find out what's going on."
There was a collective chorus of approval as several members of the crew returned inside since there wasn't much point trying to get anything done this late in the day as Luffy silently stood vigil atop the ship waiting for Usopp's return.
/The Servant State Of Eden – The Port Gate Phalanx/
"Sir we've got several Noble fleets returning," a Knight atop the great wall shouted as a horn began to sound across the area, lights flickering on in the darkness revealing the massive defensive wall that kept Eden safe from the Marines and renegade Pirates.
Spanning the entire island the wall was constructed of a golden alloy with runes etched into its surface spanning several hundred metres in height though it didn't appear to be the case since most of it was submerged into the sea itself.
There was only one entrance to Eden, the Port Gate Phalanx which was a gate forged by Sir Galahad himself and strengthened through the combined efforts of several powerful Casters including Merlin himself.
In order to gain entrance to Eden one does not need any kind of pass code, signal or any other ordinary form of identification rather all they must do is pass through a thin veil of Magic that identifies everything going through it and picks out any potential threats. From there the potential threat will be captured and interrogated until their true motives are revealed.
The first set of ships began to pass through the veil without issue as the massive golden gate began to open revealing the fabled Servant State in all its glory, a sight that stunned all the newcomers on board into submission.
"The first time through these gates always brings out the best reactions," one Knight said snapping several former slaves out of their shocked stupor.
"Why does this place look like … like-?"
"Heaven on Earth," the Knight replied prompting the freed slaves to nod in response. "Well that's because Eden was built through the combined efforts of history's greatest figures as both a home and base of sorts for them to fight the war. Almost every building in Eden was built through the influence of a different time period you see, thus why the decision was made to call the entire island Eden."
"Eden, a paradise surpassing no other," another Knight continued proudly. "And also a safe haven for all those who find themselves in need of it."
As the Knights began bringing the freed slaves back to reality the rest of the ships made their way inside the port. Their occupants quickly docked their ships and began to disembark being met by a group of robed figures who appeared to be Doctors.
"Those who are wounded are to be taken to the Hospital at once; the Chief Nurse wishes to examine them at once!"
"That is quite alright Doctor I have made arrangements due to the overabundance this month's haul has brought forth."
"H-Head Nurse!"
The Angel Of Crimea
Head Nurse Of The Eden Ministry For Medicine
Florence Nightingale (Assassin)
Bounty – 266,000,000 Berries
"I have prepared a suitable area for treating the wounded, any wounded Knights or Macedonian Infantrymen are to report to forward medical post B-3 for treatment."
"Florence Nightingale despite being known as the Head Nurse is actually Eden's current number one medical expert boasting a ninety eight percent survival rate, a number that would have been catastrophically lower had she been summoned in her Berserker Class," one Knight sighed in relief knowing that they would actually receive decent medical treatment over the horror stories some of the Servants on Eden had informed them of.
"HO MEN WE'VE RETURNED HOME AT LAST!"
"K-King Iskandar you mustn't move yourself so much," one of the Macedonian Infantrymen shouted as Iskandar's arm began bleeding profusely just from being raised high into the air.
"HAH, TIS NOTHING MORE THAN A MERE FLESH WOUND!"
"B-but my King-!"
"I appreciate that you all feel great concern for me however the never ending quest for expansion waits for no flesh wound, indeed if we are to conquer the New World we must learn to endure such minor scrapes."
"That doesn't look minor to me King Of Conquerors," Artoria said as she approached after having ensured their prisoner was safely escorted away by several of her fellow Knights of the Round.
"KING OF KNIGHTS," Iskandar roared with a large grin on his face. "I see the battle fared well for you also!"
"Indeed it did, we freed many slaves and captured one of the Celestial Dragon's agents."
"Such a haul must be celebrated, perhaps the King Of Kings is willing to open up his personal stock once more so that we may drink and celebrate!"
"There will be time for celebrating later King Of Conquerors," Nightingale said sharply as she appeared behind him, injecting a needle filled with a green liquid into his neck. "For now you require emergency treatment for that arm of yours."
"Curses … defeated by the sorcery of modern medicine," Iskandar gasped before collapsing into a heap on the ground.
"Why is he always like this," Nightingale sighed shaking her head.
"King Iskandar is a man who believes himself as the living incarnation of the unstoppable force Florence; I do apologize for his behaviour."
"Ah it's you, I wasn't aware you had returned," Nightingale replied with a small smile as Iskandar's body began to float in the air. "Thank you for coming to assist with Iskandar."
Right Hand Of Iskandar
Head Of Eden's Ministry For Magical Defence
Lord El -Melloi II (Caster)
Bounty – 542,000,000 Berries
"It is no issue Florence though don't be surprised if he tries to fight you again after all this."
"I shall keep that in mind for now Lord El-Melloi however I would ask that you cease smoking, preferably for good."
"With respect Florence I need this otherwise the stress of dealing with so many stubborn Servants will get to me, let alone all the conflicts I keep being sent into."
"So the stress is getting to you Lord El-Melloi?"
"Perhaps," Lord Melloi sighed as he took a drag from his cigar. "It feels eerily reminiscent of when Reines tried to blackmail me because of that shit with Kayneth, stressful and completely pointless in the end."
"Lord Melloi, nice to see you are still in one piece," Artoria said finally bringing her attention over to the long haired mage who simply sighed tiredly.
"Can I have a day off yet?"
"You know what you do is important here, a day off could very well cost us all," Artoria replied bluntly.
"Thirty missions in the last month and all I've accomplished is a bounty increase, not really feeling lie what I'm doing is important."
"Lord Melloi if you could please move King Iskandar to the marked surgery room please?"
"My apologies Florence," Lord Melloi sighed. "We shall speak another time King Artoria."
"Indeed we shall."
Walking away with a floating Iskandar at his side Artoria looked over toward the castle in the distance and sighed knowing that her own work was still yet to be done. How she yearned for a solid nights rest and some fine cooking prepared by the greatest chef they had access to. More importantly though she needed information about Natsu's arrival and when she could expect to cross paths with the King Of Balance again.
Having been saved during Solomon's attack on the Kings by Natsu she felt indebted to him in a way and it was a debt that weighed heavily upon her heart. A man who had yet to truly embark upon his destiny almost sacrificed it all just so she, a Servant who had already accomplished her own could survive a little bit longer.
"I know that look, stop beating yourself up over the past Artoria."
"Don't you have more important things to be doing?"
"I've already finished up the morning shift so I have some free time, perhaps we could take a walk by the castle gardens and talk about your most recent victory?"
"As always you are too kind, far kinder than I deserve … Irisviel."
The Fabled White Holy Grail
Irisviel Von Einzbern (Caster)
"That is quite enough out of you, no more beating yourself up over this Artoria I simply will not allow it!"
"Irisviel …"
"Don't you Irisviel me, you may be a King of legend but that doesn't mean you can simply ignore what others are saying! How do you think Natsu would feel knowing you regret his noble effort at saving you from the Grand Caster!?"
"…"
"We all know he has a big heart Artoria, perhaps you should find a way to show that you appreciate his efforts?"
"H-how would I go about doing something like that," Artoria asked confused as Irisviel giggled at her plight.
"Perhaps give him a gift, one from the heart? Perhaps you could also arrange some kind of event that the two of you could do?"
"Are you certain that will work?"
"Well you should try and work around Natsu's likes and dislikes," Irisviel sighed at Artoria's lack of social skills. "If you Natsu to like whatever it is you do then you should try and cater to his own personal likes."
"I see …"
"So do you have any idea what you plan on doing, I heard your Lancer counterpart has sent an invitation for Natsu to come to Eden once he enters the New World so you have plenty of time to come up with something."
"I think I might have a few ideas however there is someone I must consult with before I try my hand at it," Artoria replied deep in thought as Irisviel took her hands into Saber's own.
"I have faith that you will nail it Artoria however don't try and rush into things too quickly or you may ruin whatever it is you are trying to do."
"I shall keep that in mind Irisviel, as always your counsel has helped me see much more clearly than I ever thought possible."
"Well I'm glad to hear I was of some help," Irisviel replied as she knelt down and plucked a flower from a nearby flowerbed. "Well I suppose I had best return to my wing before the girls cause any more trouble."
"Please Irisviel, allow me to escort you," Artoria said offering her arm to the pale skinned woman who smiled in response.
"Why of course my King I would be honoured to accept such a proposal!"
Looping her arm around Artoria's the pair strolled toward the large castle in the distance, Artoria's thoughts much clearer than what they had been when she arrived. Now only the thought of what Sir Agravain would discover from the Agent of the Celestials plagued her thoughts though even that felt distant as Irisviel's gentle warmth flowed through her as it always did putting her mind at ease.
Tales From The Tale Verse
Ainz Ooal Gown And The Great Assistant Debacle III
The Paperwork Test Of Mighty Hand Cramping
/Ainz's POV/
"And … done!"
"Well done Ainz," Elias said as he took the stack of papers from the Overlord's hands. "Mmhm, perfect score as per usual. You always were more intellectually inclined Ainz, the fact you grew to be so powerful despite this is truly something to behold."
"Thank you Lord Elias," Ainz replied with a slight nod. "Alright Shalltear, Albedo, are you prepared?"
"Lord Ainz what exactly was all that paperwork," Shalltear asked confused prompting Ainz to step to the front of the room.
"A good question Shalltear for you see everything written within these documents are examples of what my Assistant will be forced to deal with on a weekly basis. From simple matters pertaining to our own world to official Council documents that must be filled and filed my Assistant must be able to complete them at a level close to if not greater than my own ability."
"Well then it seems that this is my time to shine," Albedo said with a teasing smirk directed Shalltear's way. "When it comes to the more intellectually focused tasks none can beat me for my very being exists to perform such tasks!"
"Shut up you old hag I've got plenty of knowledge thanks to my age!"
"ENOUGH," Elias' voice boomed effectively silencing the pair. "You will have one hour to complete the test, no outside interference may be brought into the exam and you may not ask for assistance or utilize any abilities that would allow you to gain the knowledge from any other source than your own mind. This is a test to see how you fare against the dreaded beast of paperwork therefore you must be able to complete it without aide for us to properly decide a winner."
"Are the two of you ready," Ainz asked as both Shalltear and Albedo nodded. "Very well then, your time starts … NOW!"
Both immediately began tearing into the paperwork filling out entire pages within seconds however it was clear that Albedo was in the lead. Ainz wouldn't dare say it aloud but he knew Albedo was going to win this one; it was as she said earlier that she was quite literally designed for the purpose of handling such tasks. However for fairness' sake he would allow Shalltear to test her mettle against Albedo because in the end she would still gain points much in the same way Albedo did during the last round.
"Alright there Ainz?"
"Indeed Lord Elias," Ainz sighed as they moved away from the duo so as to not disturb them. "I do not like pitting them against one another …"
"The issue surrounding your Assistant must be resolved Ainz for it has gone on far too long, you and I both know that."
"I understand Lord Elias however I still do not enjoy seeing those under me fight, they are all I have left …"
Elias watched Ainz's eyes dim slightly as they ran over both Albedo and Shalltear's forms drinking in every slight detail. Elias knew Ainz had it rough ever since he became a Devil, the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death combined with his fusion to the Overlord Ainz Ooal Gown warping his understanding of reality for quite some time.
"Do you … do you still struggle with it, Suzuki?"
His eyes flashed briefly at the mention of his true name though all traces of vulnerability were gone in the same instant, only an ancient being like Elias being fast enough to even catch the shift in his friend.
"Sometimes I do yes, though wouldn't you if you found yourself murdered and woke up as a video game character with that life now being real life? How am I ever meant to trust what is true reality and what is not, what if all of this isn't real and I'm slowly dying in my room back home?"
"Life often cannot be predicted Suzuki and for a man who always plans twenty steps ahead that can be quite jarring but you must never lose faith," Elias said softly. "Is this real; is it all merely a concoction by YGGDRASIL? Who can truly say however what is most important is that you ask yourself one simple question."
"And what is that?"
"What do you feel when you are the Devil Ainz Ooal Gown, Overlord of the Great Tomb of Nazerick and my successor and beloved Lord of all these wonderful servants?"
"I …"
"You don't have to tell me Ainz, simply reminding yourself is enough," Elias said as he began to walk back toward Shalltear and Albedo who seemed to almost be finished. "I found myself questioning my own reality after countless centuries alone however Chise came along and with her love I found myself with new purpose."
"I don't understand where you are going with this?"
"Look within yourself and find purpose Ainz and ask yourself if that purpose is worth prolonging your existence. Is it worth living as Ainz Ooal Gown or is it better to die and pass on as Suzuki Satoru? Personally given how far you've come I'd like my friend around for many centuries to come however it is entirely up to you …"
Elias clapped his hands snapping Ainz out of his temporary stupor as he called time on the test seeing as both Albedo and Shalltear had finished ahead of time.
"Right then let us see just who grades higher shall we," Elias said as he waved his hand with each stack beginning to glow a faint green colour before numbers began popping up above them. "Well it appears Albedo got a score of four thousand out of four thousand!"
"As if I would score anything less," Albedo sniffed as her eyes glanced at Ainz whose thoughts seemed to be elsewhere.
"Shalltear you scored … three thousand nine hundred and ninety eight out of four thousand, still a respectable effort however Albedo wins this round putting the two of you neck and neck!"
"So what's next," Shalltear asked also having noticed Ainz's faraway look. "Lord Ainz?"
"We'll be taking a break for now, Ainz needs time to consider the next task doesn't he," Elias said prompting Ainz to nod quickly before returning to his previous stupor.
"Albedo, Shalltear, you are both dismissed for the day," Ainz said as he began walking toward the nearest exit. "There is something I must do before we go any further Lord Elias, something I must check up on …"
"Take your time Ainz, if you need me I am but a call away."
Nodding, Ainz departed the room and made a bee line for his throne room completely ignoring the calls from his ever faithful companions, his mind far too preoccupied with Elias' words from earlier.
'Find my purpose … perhaps that place will hold the key?'
Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!