She is OVERLORD

Chapter 14

"We have to expand the walls around Carne Village? Again?" Shalltear asked, the vampiress frowning slightly.

Kobayashi was holding court, the undead Valkyrie watching her people interact.

Albedo nodded as the gorgeous succubus said, "We've had an influx of new settlers. Mostly from Re-Estize, but also from the Empire and the Theocracy."

"Clearly many are spies," Demiurge noted. The demon addressed the Empress, "As you ordered, I am monitoring the situation."

'I wonder if he's not happy about that?' Kobayashi wondered. She got a sense he wanted to do more about it... admittedly, spies were a problem. But unless someone broke into the Tomb itself, there wasn't much harm they could actually do.

"I am concerned about defending the growing villages," Cocytus noted, the huge bug warrior standing nearby.

"We can destroy anyone who attacks us," Demiurge looked at him disapprovingly, "do you lack faith in the Great One?"

Kobayashi held up a hand, "I think he means how quickly we can react, and that the villages might receive damage before we do."

"Yes," Cocytus agreed, "the way things stand now, there will be casualties."

"What do you suggest?" Albedo asked mildly.

"Carne is literally sitting on our border with Re-Estize," Cocytus rumbled, "there is no defensive depth there."

"So just take land from Re-Estize," Aura shrugged as the boyish elf added cheerfully, "it's not like they're using it."

"Uhm, I think that would be an act of war, Sis," Mare offered timidly, her girlish looking brother standing nearby.

"If we have to, we can move Carne away from the border," Albedo pointed out. With their Stone Golems and Shalltear's transport gate anility, it wouldn't even be that hard.

"Besides, we're not even under threat by anyone," Shalltear added cheerfully.

'Yet,' Kobayashi added mentally. She was almost certain SOMEONE would be dumb enough to jump them, eventually. "No complaints from the village chiefs?" she checked.

"No, Mistress! They seem very happy," Demiurge said firmly.

Kobayashi made a mental note to make sure the villages weren't too scared to complain. Running an 'Empire' was harder than she thought...

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"How many of the Noble Faction were arrested?"

"Nearly a third! They're completely in disarray!"

"None of the leaders though."

"Still! Plus anyone associated with the accused are laying low."

Gazef Stronoff hid a smile as he heard the maids gossiping. It wouldn't do to be seen gloating over the damage to the Noble faction, but he felt a great degree of satisfaction at it. Plus, it was nice to hear such scum finally paying for their crimes.

To be honest, Gazef had also been a bit shocked at the nobles going to an illegal brothel like that. ESPECIALLY the reveal that some enjoyed torture and murder there. He couldn't understand how such people could exist... that mindset was incomprehensible to him.

Worse, several noble's homes were going to have to be investigated. Several had disappearances which might be due to kidnapping and murder. It was a horrible mess.

Gazef reached the King's private chambers, and knocked firmly on the heavy doors. "Come in," a voice called.

Ramposa III was working at his desk, attended by his secretary. Marquis Raeven was there, apparently representing the surviving noble faction. Along with him, was Prince Zanac.

"My lords," Gazef bowed slightly.

"Welcome," Ramposa III smiled, "we were just discussing the situation with my eldest."

Gazef hid a wince. Prince Bardo, while not an actual customer of the illegal brothel, had been a close friend to several. And associated with a few more. And most of the nobility KNEW it, which meant he was hiding out until the heat died down.

"Not that there's much we can actually do," Zanac said just a bit smugly. His brother hiding out gave him a great opportunity to look good, obviously.

Raeven gave the younger man a faintly scolding look. "We are planning to push through several measures, including your suggested increase to the standing army," he noted to Gazef.

Gazef brightened. Up until now, the kingdom had had a very small standing army. Instead they had recruited troops from various Nobles, and conscripted untrained peasants, taking them away from farming etc etc. Having a larger standing army would benefit the kingdom hugely.

"It won't be as much as you hoped," Ramposa III cautioned, "I feel certain the Noble faction will bargain over this. But it will be better than what we had."

"Agreed," Zanac nodded.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Ninya hurried to the mansion housing the diplomats from Ainz Ool Gown, his cloak fluttering around him. Brita had suggested having Tuare stay there under Sebas' protection until she fully recovered, and the older man agreed.

(It seemed likely the ones running the underground brothel would be angry with them, and Sebas was an incredible fighter, more than capable of protecting Tuare. And apparently Narberal was a magic user of immense power too.)

"Welcome!" the maid smiled cheerfully as she answered the knock. "Miss Tuare is up and about," she added, "she's eager to see you."

"Thank you, Lily," Ninya said, recognizing her.

The three maids were ordinary maids, apparently. But Brita had arm wrestled the one, Yuri, and discovered she was stronger than HER. By a lot. It really made Ninya wonder what their Empire was like, if it produced ordinary maids like this...

"Ninya!" Tuare looked up from where she had been sitting, dressed in a simple dress. Her color was much better, and her long blond hair was shimmering.

"Tuare," Ninya hugged her, then quickly released her. After everything she endured, she did not like being touched. "I'm so sorry I didn't find you sooner," she tried apologizing again.

"Hmm," Tuare shook her head, "you had no idea where they took me. In fact I'm astonished you were able to track me down!"

"I had some help," Ninya then explained about becoming a adventurer, helping Empress Kobayashi and so on.

"Thank you," Tuare smiled a bit shyly. "So, what happens now?"

"That's something we're still working out," Ninya admitted.

There was another knock on the door, and Tuare stiffened in fear, until they heard a maid welcoming Brita. The other woman strode in, then Sebas joined them.

"Miss Tuare," he nodded respectfully.

"Mister Sebas," Tuare smiled weakly, still nervous around men, after everything.

"I did have an idea," Brita admitted. "You can't stay in the city, obviously...," she said.

Tuare nodded, "Nor do I want to. I have no pleasant memories here."

Brita patted her hand, "Understandable. I was thinking Carne village?"

"Carne?" Tuare asked.

"It's on the border, away from the Lords who took you and their reach," Ninya said eagerly, "and you'd be living under the rule of Empress Kobayashi."

"No one in the Kingdom would dare strike at you there," Sebas noted seriously.

"And Ninya and I would visit you too," Brita vowed as she squeezed her hand in her's.

Tuare looked at Brita, blushing faintly.

'Eh?' Ninya blinked, wondering what that might mean...

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"You want to attempt a raid on Ainz Ooal Gown?"

Jircniv Rune Farlord el Nix, the Emperor of Baharuth Empire, known as the 'Blood Emperor' and other titles, was meeting with certain powerful nobles, concealed under spells by Fluder. There was the question if Fluder's powers could block those of Ainz Ooal Gown...

"Are you insane?" Jircniv asked bluntly.

"No, no," Count Femel said quickly, "I have a plan that will keep the Empire safe."

"Go on," Jircniv said dubiously.

The plan, actually, was reasonable. Femel through various middlemen would hire Workers, whom would attempt to raid the mysterious Tomb that was apparently the core of the Empire of Ainz Ooal Gown. He would use multiple layers of middle men to carry out the operation, hiding who was really in charge.

"So, why risk this?" Jircniv asked calmly.

Femel said eagerly, "We know so little about them or what they are capable. Sending in the Workers, we can determine what the are capable of..."

"Or they'll just wipe out the Workers entirely," Jircniv noted.

"Which still would be useful information," Femel offered.

Jircniv considered it, "Okay. But ensure this can NOT be traced bsack to us. Ideally, have someone on site who could be blamed, if needed."

"There's a noble whom you stripped of rank. He thinks you will restore his title if he succeeds," Femel shrugged.

"Then he's a fool," Jircniv said.

"Exactly."

To be continued...

Notes: Yes, I'm SORT OF doing the Workers Arc. But no, it won't go as canon.