Thank you for reading my fanfic and giving me a chance.
My mother language is not English, so please be patient about the grammatical issues.
I don't own the Overlord(オーバーロードŌbārōdo?) novel or anime series created by Kugane Maruyama.
I would like to thank the excellent job what the Skythewood translator team done with the light novel translation.
Without their hard and persistent work, I surely couldn't write this story.
Please review it I know I will make mistakes what I will intend to correct and try to learn from my mistakes and improve myself.
Thank you!
Now let's continue our little story!
After the fast battle with the Lizard men's strongest warriors. Cocytus returned to Ainz to his forward outpost where they inspected the whole campaign.
"A splendid battle." Said Ainz with a satisfied tone.
Ainz praised Cocytus who knelt before him.
"You did great Cocytus. You showed us great control over your power." Esdeath praised him with a satisfied tone and showed him a thumb up.
"Thank you." Cocytus cracked his mandibles in a pleasant manner.
"That might be so, but I believe you understand clearly that we are showing them the whip now, but you need to show them the candy from now on. Do not start a reign of terror."
"I understand." Cocytus nodded.
Ainz nodded and looked at the other Guardians in the room.
"Very well. Guardians, listen well. I already said in the throne room that Cocytus would rule the lizardmen village. If there is anything Cocytus needs, do lend him your support. Cocytus, I hope you can engrave loyalty towards Nazarick deep into the hearts of the lizardmen… And to provide them with an elite education… I leave all these to you… Let me know if you need special items like 'Heaven Feather.' I will also loan some 'Power Suits' to you in the meantime."
In the game YGGDRASIL, it was possible to change race mid-way, but it didn't mean you could switch as you wish. You needed to fulfill several conditions, and the change would be irreversible.
One of the conditions was a particular item. For example, you would need the 'Book of the Dead' to be a lich. To turn into an imp required 'Fallen Seeds.' And the 'Heaven's Feather' that Ainz mentioned was an essential item to become an angel.
Changing one's race might be possible in this world, that's why Ainz couldn't help sharing his ideas.
"I. Will. Seek. Your. Advice. When. The. The time comes, Ainz-sama. May. I. Ask. How. You. Plan. To. Deal. With. Those. Lizardmen?"
"Which lizardman?" inquired Ainz
"Yes, the two lizardmen named Zaryusu and Shasuryu."
"The two who fought til the very end. Their corpses should still be in the wetlands. But what of it?"
"Ah, those two." Esdeath clapped her hands together. "Those two showed us a great show. Don't you think Ainz-san?" she turned to Ainz.
Ainz only nodded in response.
"I see. Collect their corpses; I will use their bodies as material when I create undead with my unique ability."
Cocytus wanted to say something, but Esdeath overtook him.
"Ainz-san. Don't you think it might be better to resurrect at least one of them? We could test our resurrection ability in this world, and if they accept our rule, it will guarantee their loyalty to us in the future. "
"Hmmm, what do you mean? Do they have such value?" asked Ainz curiously.
When Ainz watched the battle through the Mirror of Remote Viewing, he saw that Cocytus was absolutely dominating, there wasn't anything else of note.
"Those three seemingly was their best warriors. They meant a great deal to this tribe. If we show them, even death bend its knee to us. They surely swear complete loyalty. After what we saw. We can conclude their knowledge about magic does not extend more than tier three magic. And what I heard Pandora's Actor about their reaction when they saw that low tiered weather control spell. We can even say to them we can take away the life what we granted to them anytime." Explained Esdeath.
Ainz nodded. "That's an excellent idea Esdeath-san."
"Oh. You are just flattering me." Esdeath hushed away the praise with a joking manner.
"But you already predicted all of this, doesn't you? You crafty old bastard." Esdeath shot a smile to Ainz. Then looked to Cocytus and nodded. Cocytus don't know what to do nodded back.
Ainz nodded. "Indeed. That was my plan all along..." Ainz sweat dropped internally. "Esdeath-san. Please don't do this. You are just inflating my non-existent genius once more. Don't be like Demiurge and Albedo please!"
Ainz continued after his moment of internal screaming. "... They were weak, but I could see their warrior spirit and fearless resolve in the face of the strong. It is a pity to use them as materials. So I thought they could become even stronger, maybe unbelievably so. But." Ainz turned to Esdeath. Esdeath looked to him with an innocent look.
"I wanted to teach Cocytus how to measure things. Like when I gave him an insufficient amount of forces and when I said I wanted to create undead from them."
An expression of realization moved everyone's face.
"Sorry Ainz-san." Esdeath scratched the back of her head while smiled.
"… Does she like those lizardmen?"
To be frank, Ainz didn't know what to feel when he heard the term warrior spirit. He came across the term killing intent in novels and mangas but didn't think much of it. It was just like the time when Ainz had warned Narberal about these things, and she had said "Ah, yes, I see, oh~," that kind of feeling. Similarly, the resonance among warriors was something Ainz didn't understand. Maybe, Esdeath understood this more, Being mostly a close range fighter and all.
This was because Ainz might look like this now, but he was originally just an ordinary salaryman. If a regular citizen born in Japan understood warrior spirit, that would be dangerous. If it was the mind of an excellent salaryman, he might comprehend a little.
Cocytus nodded. "I. Thought. The. Same. Ainz-sama."
But thinking it through calmly, Esdeath had a point.
He was thinking about performing resurrection experiments somewhere, and Ainz felt using them to test had many benefits. And compared to the battering Cocytus in the throne room, he now could provide clear and concise proposals. If this was a sign of improvement, Cocytus had passed with flying colors.
After thinking about it shortly, Ainz remembered he had competent subordinates.
He recalled the aides standing around him silently in a manner befitting a servant.
"Albedo, tell me your opinions."
"My thoughts are the same as Ainz-sama."
"...Demiurge, what do you think?"
"I think Ainz-sama is the most correct."
"... ...Shalltear, and you?"
"I think the same as Demiurge and await Ainz-sama's judgment."
"... ... ...Aura"
"Yes, I think the same way as everyone too."
"... ... ... ...Mare."
"Erm, erm erm, yes, I think the same too."
He turned to Zero. "What do you think Zero?"
Zero just nodded. But you could read nothing from his always stoic face. "I think the same Ainz-sama."
Their answer was as good as not answering at all, giving Ainz a headache.
Esdeath sweat dropped. "Why do we even ask them?"
After thinking it through, Ainz came to a conclusion— Maybe from the standpoint of a Guardian; they didn't think there was any major issue. Which also meant there wouldn't be a significant impact no matter what decision he made.
That was also dependent on the circumstances of the Guardian. There might be problems if their situation changes.
Simply put, when a small group of people says a hundred million is a small amount of money, there will be the problem of how accurate that statement was. This was the difference in the perception of values.
"A waste of breath… well, I could think of it as being fine in resurrecting them right? I was planning to deliberate over it more; we have made too many mistakes recently."
With no other choice, Ainz had to weigh the pros and cons from his own standpoint.
"...We had decided to rule over the lizardmen, but do they have a suitable representative? Or a group that could represent them?"
"No, but they do have a suitable representative."
"Oh? Who is it?"
"The white lizardman that didn't take part in the battle earlier. She seemed to possess the power of druids."
"Oh, that one! Hmm, that could work…"
If it was her, she could be of use— Ainz thought. He could use her to spy on things.
However, implementing the idea Ainz had in mind might make Cocytus who will be ruling the lizardmen feel troubled. So what should he do? Ainz suddenly had a moment of brilliance.
"…Wouldn't it be faster just to ask? Although I didn't get any useful answers just now..."
Ainz shared his plans with Cocytus, and Cocytus expressed his acknowledgment.
It was hard to judge whether Cocytus said that to accommodate his master, but Demiurge and Albedo didn't have strange reactions either when he glance at them. This made Ainz relaxed and assured him that it shouldn't be a problem.
"Splendid. How long will you need to bring her here?"
"Pardon my impudence, I thought Ainz-sama would ask for her, so I ordered her to wait in a room nearby."
Ainz couldn't help looking at Demiurge and saw him shaking his head.
"Awesome, he handled it well, without any instructions and it didn't seem to be someone else's idea."
Message:" Ainz-san."
Message: "Yes. Esdeath-san?"
Message: "You really maxed out your luck stat."
Message: Ainz chuckled in the message spell." Indeed I am."
Ainz continued to inspect the lizardmen's village through the mirror.
"This must be how a superior feel when he sees his subordinate mature as he had hoped for," Ainz thought with a face of satisfaction. But his head was a skull, so it didn't actually move.
"No no, well done Cocytus. Wasting time is foolish; you thought the right thing. Just Esdeath-san spoiled your intention." Ainz turned his skull towards Esdeath.
"Sorry Ainz-san. It will not happen again." Esdeath pleaded.
"Alright then, bring her over." Commanded Ainz.
"Erm, please wait!"
"What is it, Aura?"
"I don't think a shabby place like this is good enough. Even though we are hosting people who are submitting to us, it is too run down for the Supreme Beings status. I feel that the meeting should be done in the throne room of Nazarick."
All the other Guardians except Mare nodded gently in agreement.
"...My apologies. I miss out on this point; please forgive me!"
"Ahhh…"
Ainz never thought about that. He then thought about how to react. Suddenly, he remembered something. In that case—
"— Aura."
"Yes!"
"I told you that this place you built— the place filled with your feelings and emotions, is as good as Nazarick right? I really mean it. Cocytus, bring her in. I will hold the audience here."
"Ai-, Ainz-sama!"
"Aura, back down."
"Albedo!"
Aura protested with her face red, saying "Why are you stopping me?" However, Albedo merely glances at Aura before ignoring her fixing her sight at the door. The one answering the emotional Aura was Demiurge.
"...Anything Ainz-sama says the law. Since Ainz-sama said this place is as good as Nazarick— "
"—It must be true."
Shalltear continued.
"I don't think my words are ironclad laws, although I don't want to be thought of like that… but just this one time, it is a big help."
"Aura, I will say this again. As my most trusted subordinates— one of the Guardians, this place you put in so much effort to build is on the same level as Nazarick. It is true even now when construction works are ongoing… Do you understand?"
"...Ainz-sama, thank you very much."
"Ainz-san is right Aura. You did an impressive work with this place. Don't worry it will be good for the negotiations." Esdeath smiled to Aura.
Aura's face reddened because of her embarrassment. "I-I thank you Esdeath-sama."
Aura deeply lowered her head and the other Guardians did the same.
"Don't mention it."
"There is no need… to be so emotional… This is embarrassing." Thought Ainz.
"Well then, usher her in, Cocytus."
"Yes!"
In a short moment, Cocytus brought a pure white lizardman into the room.
The lizardman knelt before Ainz and lowered her face to the ground.
"State your name."
"Yes, Supreme Overlord of Death— Ainz Ooal Gown. I am the representative of the lizardmen, Crusch Lulu."
"What an incredible title." He was curious as to who came up with this title, but Ainz acted like a calm king and said.
"... Hmmm, well met."
"Yes. Gown-sama, please accept the oath of fealty from us, the lizardmen."
"Hmmm…"
Crusch shot a glance towards Esdeath, but after a moment she pinned the floor her look as the petite looking girl waved her.
"They look almost like the Argonians from the Elder Scrolls games. Just not as humanoid as the Argonians. Still, they are humanoid lizards. What a strange coincidence." Chuckled Esdeath.
"They live in a swamp, and they are humanoid lizards. I wonder when an Oblivion gate appears and the Deadra invade the place."
"I should ask Momonga-san to lend me an item what can summon demons."
"Yeah, that's a magnificent idea. The tribe would be the Argonians. And the summoned demons the soldiers of Mehrunes Dagon the Deadric Prince."
"Yes! This is a great war game idea what can prepare them for a possible demon invasion. If they became our subordinate, they had to defend themselves somehow. Our forces are thin enough just carelessly to send them around."
Ainz watched Crusch carefully while Esdeath waved her plan in her head.
The scales were pretty. They shone brightly under the illumination of the magical light. "I wonder how they would feel like if I were to touch them.," Ainz was academically curious.
As he stared closely, he realized Crusch's shoulders were trembling. Cocytus should have deactivated his freeze aura ability, so it must be due to some other reason.
Ainz pondered shortly and found the answer; it was evident.
If she made Ainz unhappy, all the lizardmen would be massacred. That was why she was so careful in her speech. For Crusch who was under such crushing pressure, Ainz strange silence planted a seed of terror.
Ainz didn't have the hobby of taking pleasure in bullying the weak. If it was for the good of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, he was willing to do anything no matter how cruel it was, but he won't perform such destructive actions needlessly.
"The lizardmen will be under my rule. However, Cocytus will be the one ruling in my place. Any objections?"
"— None."
"That is all. You may leave."
"Eh? Is that all?"
Crusch said in a surprised voice while she remained bowing. Like a person who was entrusted with unreasonable request who might go insane at any moment.
"For now. Crusch Lulu. Your lizardmen will be ushering an era of prosperity now. Future generations of lizardmen will be thankful for being my subjects."
"We dare not, we are already thankful to the Supreme Being for granting us mercy even after we resisted with violence."
Ainz got up from the throne slowly. He walked to Crusch's side, squatted down and place his hand on Crusch's shoulder.
Ainz could feel a tremor coming from Crusch's body.
"I have a special task for you."
"As Gown-sama's faithful servant, I will do anything I can…"
"Not as a servant, I want you to do something for me— in exchange for Zaryusu's resurrection."
After speaking the name he heard from Cocytus, Crusch lifted her head immediately, her face twisted from shock.
Gleeful from this 'jackpot,' Ainz continued observing Crusch. She was probably trying to hide it, but her expression was wavering. It was hard to judge as her emotions as her facial expression was very different from humans, but it should shed some clue.
"Something like that…"
"I am the one who controls life and death. To me, death is but a state of being."
When he heard Crusch's voice that was tapering off, Ainz answered.
"It is the same for poison and sickness, but I can't extend the lifespan of mortals."
It might be impossible through ordinary means, but with the Super-tier magic 'Wish Upon a Star', it probably could be done… Although it might be possible, it was better not to sound it out loud.
"... What do you wish of me, your humble slave?... My body?"
Ainz was speechless. Esdeath sweat dropped and imagined Ainz and Crusch together. A chilling feeling ran through her spine. For a moment her face turned into a dreadful expression.
"No, that's a bit…"
A reptile was a bit too much. Ainz wanted to back away immediately, but he pushed himself to play his role. As for the sound of teeth grinding that came from somewhere, he would just ignore it for now.
"A cough! No. It's simple; I want you to keep a close watch on whether there are 'lizardmen thinking of rebelling'."
"There are no such lizardmen."
Ainz laughed at Crusch's positive reply.
"I am not dumb enough to assume that. I am not familiar with how lizardmen think but using the race of humans as an example; betrayal is common. That is why I want an agent on the inside to watch over things."
Crusch turned expressionless again, making Ainz panic on the inside, wondering whether the deal was a failure. There was a backup plan not involving the resurrection of Zaryusu, but doing so had the goal of binding Crusch with gratitude. What should he do if she rejects him here?
"I shouldn't be too greedy and go for broke… That must be what they mean by no use crying over spilled milk."
"... Before you lies the chance for a miracle. But this opportunity won't be here forever. If you don't grab it immediately, it will be gone forever."
With a shiver, Crusch's expression moved like a cramp.
"I am not going to use irritating rituals. Resurrection spells exist in this world right? That is what I am going to use."
"That is the legendary…"
Facing Crusch who swallowed her words back, Ainz adopted an arrogant attitude and gently said.
"Crusch. What is the most important thing for you? I want you to consider."
As Ainz observe Crusch's eyes starting to waver, he seemed to be seeing the illusion of scoring a client in a business meeting.
Next, Ainz had to let Crusch understand this miracle was not a free service. Providing free service will make others suspicious, but they will be more receptive to it with a request for an adequate amount of money.
"I just need you to watch your fellow lizardmen in the dark. Depending on the circumstances, you might need to make hard choices. To prevent a betrayal, I will cast a special magic on the resurrected Zaryusu. If I think you have betrayed me, I will end him immediately. It must be troubling for you, but the resurrection of Zaryusu is not something you can get a fair deal, right?"
"Actually, there is no such magic."
Ainz acted as if he had said everything and stood up slowly. He then opened his arms.
Ainz looked at the struggling Crusch.
"Oh, right, tell the resurrected Zaryusu this in my place. I revived him because he is of use to me. I promise not to mention your name. So, Crusch Lulu. Choose now. This is the last chance for you to get your beloved Zaryusu back. What say you? Yes? Or no? Choose."
Ainz reached a hand out to Crusch slowly. At the same time, he said to the Guardians.
"Do not do anything even if she rejects— Alright, ready to answer now? Crusch Lulu?"
"Tick-tack. Crusch Lulu. Tick-tack." Said Esdeath from the background. Crush looked at her with a frightened expression.
"Who is she. She sounds like a little human girl aside from her strange eyes. I did not see her when the Supreme Ruler of the Death handed over his message. How many more subordinates could he have? Is she as strong as that other girl who merely banished that high-level undead? When I glanced at her, it was like she could crush me with her mere presence." then she saw what Ainz is sitting on.
"Is he using that girl who simply banished those undead as a chair?"
Scene Change: Lizardman's village:
Zaryusu felt a gentle sensation covering his entire body. A hand which wanted to pull him out from the abyss, but Zaryusu brushed it aside. He felt something disgusting from the touch of that hand
After a period between an instant and eternity, he felt the hand stretch out towards him once again. Just as he was about to brush it aside for a second time, he hesitated. Listening carefully, he could hear a voice coming from that side. As it turned out, this rude awakening was the voice of the female he so deeply loved.
Hesitation.
Hesitation.
Still hesitation.
In this world where it was uncertain if time existed at all, Zaryusu kept on hesitating. Eventually, he seized the hand despite being very reluctant to do so.
And he was then pulled into the world of bright.
Fatigue permeated through his entire body.
As if his insides had turned into a paste.
Then he felt abnormally tired. He had never felt this tired even after overexerting himself physically.
Zaryusu struggled to open his heavy eyelids.
Blinding light entered his eyes. Although lizardmen eyes would automatically adjust to light intensity, it could not do so instantaneously. Zaryusu blinked his eyes—
"Zaryusu!"
Someone was hugging him tight.
"C-Crusch?"
There should be no way he would ever hear this again, this female's voice.
Zaryusu finally adjusted his eyes and saw the female that was hugging him.
That was indeed his beloved woman, Crusch Lulu.
Why? What was going on?
A flood of questions and unease rushed towards Zaryusu. His last memory was— the moment his head had dropped into the wetlands. He had most definitely been killed by Cocytus.
Then why was he still alive? Unless—
"—Was Crusch killed too?"
"Eh?"
Zaryusu opened his mouth to ask, yet his mouth seemed numb, unable to move properly.
What gave him his answer was the look of very confused expression on Crusch's face. Seeing that expression, Zaryusu was a little relieved, knowing that Crusch was not dead. Then why was he still alive?
A hint was given to him by a voice to his side.
"Well. There is some confusion after the resurrection. It seems his level also dropped… thus it can be determined that there is not much difference from YGGDRASIL."
He also heard a little girl giggling from that direction.
"Welcome back to the land of the living Zaryusu Shasha." Said Esdeath while smiled.
Realizing who was speaking to him, Zaryusu looked with surprise at that direction.
The one who stood there was the king of death; the magic caster who possessed incomprehensible power. Beside him stood a little girl with pure white hair. She seemed like a normal human girl not older than eight years old. Aside from her heteromorphic eyes what sclera was pure black like the darkest night. With blood red and white pupils.
In the hand of the king of the death hand he held a glowing short stick of about thirty centimeters in length, it emitted a sacred aura that appeared out of place in the hand of the Overlord of death. It was a breathtaking item which seemed to be made out of ivory, with the front end coated in gold and the handle inscribed with runes.
Although Zaryusu did not know, it was a resurrection wand, the item which revived Zaryusu. Only faith-based magic caster could use items imbued with faith-based magic. However, this magic item was an exception to this faith based system and could be utilized.
Zaryusu slowly turned his gaze and recognized this place as the lizardman village.
As if they intended to surround the entire place, all the lizardmen were prostrating. Even more shocking was that they were motionless— that posture was one of worship towards an incredibly powerful being.
"What is happening…"
After witnessing such power, prostrating was only natural. However, the surrounding lizardmen were not just showing respect, but something more. Lizardmen did not have gods. Strictly speaking, their objects of faith were their ancestral spirits. The feeling given off right now by the surrounding lizardmen was like that of reverence towards Gods.
"Hm. Step down, lizardmen. Without instructions, nobody is permitted to enter the village."
Nobody objected to these words. More than that, it was accepted without a sound being made. The only sounds which were heard were of bodies getting up and the splashes by walking along the wetlands. Leaving them behind, the lizardmen departed from the clearing.
Seeing as he was so powerful that he had such a degree of strength, their wills should have been utterly defeated. The lizardmen culture of submitting to the strong played a part as well. This meant that everything was developing according to the other side's script.
"Aura, are all of them gone?"
"Yes, they are."
The one who replied was the dark elf girl. Although there was also the factor that she had been behind him, out of sight all along, the girl surprisingly gave off no presence. Therefore Zaryusu had not detected her at all.
"I see. Then first, a few words for you, Zaryusu Shasha. Congratulations on your resurrection."
Resurrection.
Until he registered the meaning of this word, Zaryusu required a little time. Then after he understood it, he also felt a shudder throughout his body.
Resurrection— which meant that he was alive again. He heard that white haired ril mentioned he is alive again but he thought she is some kind of illusion what he sees because he died.
He was speechless and could only gasp.
"What is it? Do lizardmen have some particular aversion to resurrection? Or have you forgotten how to speak?"
"Glug, glug… cough… y-you can resurrect the dead…?"
"That is true. What, you thought something of this degree couldn't be done?"
"Did you hold… a big ceremony?"
"Big ceremony? What is that? I have no problems doing it easily by myself."
Hearing this, Zaryusu was completely lost for words. According to legends, resurrection magic was a power only lizardmen of dragon king lineage possessed.
And he did so all by himself.
Monster? No.
An incredibly powerful magic caster? No.
Zaryusu understood this completely.
Leading a mythical army, commanding demons.
Which meant, this— the existence in front of him was one who could rival the gods.
Zaryusu staggered up and prostrated himself before Ainz. Crusch also frantically knelt down in the same fashion.
"Supreme One."
He thought the eyes are looking down at him seemed a little troubled, but Zaryusu decided that he was just mistaken.
"I pledge my life to you."
"Very well. What do you wish for? I will grant it to you in the name of Ainz Ooal Gown."
"Please grant prosperity to the lizardmen."
"That is only natural, of course, I will guarantee the prosperity of all those who come under my dominion."
"My gratitude."
"Good. Is your speech still not clear? Rest for a bit, and you will get used to it. Rest for now. Afterward, there are various things which will have to be dealt with. The first thing would be the defense of this village that is under my dominion… for the details, discuss it with Cocytus."
Ainz left after he finished saying this. However, before that, there was something which Zaryusu had to do, and had to do right now.
"Please wait. What about Zenberu and older brother?"
"Their corpses should be around the area."
Ainz, who was just about planning to leave with Aura, stopped casually gestured with his jaw into the outside of the village.
"Can you please revive them?"
"... Hmm… I don't see any benefit in doing so."
"Then why me? Zenberu and older brother are very powerful. They will definitely be useful."
Ainz scrutinized Zaryusu, then shrugged his shoulders.
"I will consider it… preserve the big lizardmen corpse well. I will consider it later."
Esdeath subtly pointed beside Zaryusu and smiled. Then left the quickie wooden house with a joyful manner.
After speaking, Ainz dusted his robe as he left after Esdeath. Aura could be heard saying as she walked by his side "That hydra is so cute ne~," and her voice faded into the distance and eventually disappeared.
Zaryusu looked at his side where his brother laid. He seemed unconscious but alive. He could determine this due his brother's chest went up and down. He sighed in a relieved. Finally stopped collapsing and relaxed.
"We made it through alive… or rather, I revived…"
He did not know what kind of rule would await them in the future. However, since lizardmen's usefulness left an impression, it shouldn't be too bad.
"Crusch, older brother—"
"Never mind about that. Worry about it later. For now just rest well and clear your fatigue. It will be all right; I can carry you."
"Ah… thank you."
Zaryusu closed his eyes and lied down. Just like in those days where he had overworked his body, he was eager to rest and fell asleep once his eyes were closed.
Once again Zaryusu felt the touch of gentle hands stroking his body back and forth as his consciousness slipped back into the darkness.
Scene Change: Dragon Kingdom:
It was a bright day in the Dragon Kingdom. The forces of the Beastmen Country seemed to be dormant. No major offensive has been taken in the last few days. It was very unusual for General Brook Upton one the general of the Dragon Kingdom army. Currently, there were more than thirty Generals out of the front lines. Because of the frequent supply raids of the Beastman country.
However, their attacks in the last few days strangely reduced. This was very unusual and worrisome. Either they have planned something big or something distracted their attention. None of them was a good option.
If the Beastmen start a major offensive against the Dragon Kingdom while they are in this dire state, they surely do not survive the offense If that something what distracted their attention managed to overthrow the Beastman. They will be most likely their next target.
Suddenly he saw one of his forward scout galloping on his horse. The scout stopped before him and jumped down from his horse he seemed heavily injured.
"Call a medic!" commanded General Brook.
The General walked to his injured scout and kneeled beside him. "What's wrong. Who did this to you?"
"A-A big group of Beastmen attacked us at night. And they wiped us out." Shuttered the traumatized scout.
"Did they killed everyone in the forward outpost? Speak!"
The scout only nodded weakly. "A-An enormous tiger like Beastmen led them. W-we don't even have a chance. They wiped and ate everyone. Only I managed to escape." The scout started to cry because of his traumatic experience.
Brook gritted his teeth. Under his long years of military service, he never heard such thing as a group of Beastman managed to wipe out an entire camp without their notice.
Usually, there were always signs before the Beastmen attacked. They were big; their strength was ten times of a human, and they bred like damn rabbits. But the Beastman was not this bright usually.
Though, he heard news about a huge Beastmen who lead successful raids against their forward outposts.
Usually, he and the other Generals dismissed such claims the Beastmen capable of such thing. Their strength lied mostly in their physical strength, their numbers and their fast reproduction rate not in their intelligence.
If an intelligent Beastmen General appears and brings together the Beastman forces. They will be in huge trouble.
The Dragon Kingdom only managed to hold out this long because of the Baharuth Empire and the Slane Theocracy continuously help them out with their military force in exchange for a considerable amount of sum.
But strangely the Slane Theocracy did not send any help for a long while. The Slane Theocracy usually sent one of their scriptures and additional support to help them out on the front lines.
But now they sent no one. Maybe, they did not send anyone because of their war with the Elf Nation was at its peak and they needed all of their strength.
Still, Nonetheless, the Baharuth Empire had to send forces to help them out, If they don't. Well. They will be the next course of the Beastman Country menu.
The Dragon Kingdom army hired many adventurers from the Adventurer's Guild to help them out. However, General Brook Upton hated them.
They were useful in the battle, yes... But he thought them as simply overpaid mercenaries who has no honor and rather flee from the fight than die.
He did not have any other choice. He has no enough men to held back a great Beastman invasion. The Slane Theocracy and the Baharuth Empire reinforcements out of the question and there are no Garrison nearby where he can request a considerable amount of reinforcements.
Nor the Dragon Country has enough strategic reserves to send him that amount of man. He had no choice. He had to hire an Adventurer team. He already planned how to choke down these sudden Beastman uprising.
The best course of action was to kill that Beastman General ending his rampage permanently, As the saying goes, If you want to kill a snake. Cut off its head, and the boy dies with it.
The medic was already being in his tent and stabilized the injured scout. He gritted his teeth in his anger and called out of his man. "Marcus!" the man before his tent immediately ran to him.
"Yes, General!" Marcus was a tall middle man. With chestnut colored eyes and beard. He was neither ugly or handsome. He got a big scar from a Beastman claw in a battle.
Ever since he wore the scar proudly as evidence. He meets a Beastman face to face and survived. Marcus wore casual officer uniform. He was the General most trusted man.
"Are there a vacant Adamantine Adventurer team nearby?"
Marcus thought for a moment. He tracked the Adventurer's population, in that case, his General need to hire some.
He placed his hand on his chin and thought for a moment. "The Crystal Tear is in an another front. But I heard a new adventure team whose achieved numerous victories in other fronts and even praised by the Queen herself."
"What is the Adventurer team name and how many persons it consists?"
"It includes only two individuals and the group called Darkness."
The General turned to Marcus with a dumbfounded expression. "Only two people? How could a group what only consist two people reach adamantine rank?"
"I don't know General. But according to our reports. The Beastman covers when they see them on the battlefield. The Dark Hero Momon and the Beautiful Princess Nabe."
"Dark Hero… Beautiful Princess… Bah…" Murmured General Brook.
"General. Do I send them? Do you need their services?"
The General gritted his teeth. He did not want to hire mercenaries because he despised them.
His hate against mercenaries came from his young age When he was just a private in the Queen military. His group has been betrayed by their own hired forces after the bandit leader offered them better payment.
Those scoundrels instantly betrayed them when they heard the enemy offer. Only he survived, everyone else died in his group.
He survived. However just barely. He managed to sidestep in time and the sword what strike him down only partially cut him on his shoulder and head.
He pretended to be dead, and the bandits were careless and hoarded the corpses into one pile in the backyard, without checking anyone is alive. From that, he managed to crawl away.
Three days he had to endure without proper treatment. He managed to survive and not bleed out due he burned out his injuries as soon as he could. He got a minor infection, but he survived.
Ever since. When he thinks about this. He reaches to his shoulder and feeling a phantom pain.
Despite a priest completely healed his injuries. It was some phantom pain what was more psychological than physical.
"Call them." He looked down to the tactical map what was in his command table.
Two and a half days later. A warrior clad in dark armor and a beautiful young female who a brown overcoat walks into the military camp.
The black knight armor was exquisite trimmed with gold on the edges. Two massive excellent greatswords hung on his back, but only their long handle was visible.
The two large blade of the weapon was hidden under a crimson cloak. The warrior's face was hiding under a black closed helmet.
The female face was beautiful but serious. Almost motionless. Although she wore a light brown coat what buried her delicate body, it seemed she had good curves under her coat.
Her hair was pinned together in a horsetail with a pin.
As the duo entered the camp, every soldier watched the tall, broad warrior and the beautiful woman march towards the commander tent.
Most of the soldiers peeked towards the woman. They spent too much time on the front lines already without a lady company.
But due to the country current difficulties. They can't send replacement yet. So they had to endure more time in their camps than they used to.
The duo headed towards into the command tent. What was located in the middle of the field.
Surrounded by wooden spikes and many guards whose always stood beside its sides to avoid a nightly assassination attempt.
They were veteran soldiers and wore enchanted armors what prevented them to be manipulated by mind affecting spells. Besides this multiple alarm enchantment surrounded the camp and the Command tent.
As the duo approached the entrance of the tent, the guard stopped them. "Halt! What business you have here?" asked the guard in an almost angered tone.
"I am Momon." The man in clad black armor motioned in himself then he pointed his female companion. "And she is Nabe. We are the Darkness Adamantine Ranked Adventurer group. Your General sent a message for the Adventurer's Guild in a request to an Adamantine Adventurer group."
The guard eyes widened and bowed his head hastily. "I-I am sorry Momon-dono. I did not know it was you! I immediately let the General know the arrival of the two of you!"
Momon nodded. "Don't worry about it. No harm was done." Assured Momon the guard. The guard sighed in relief. "Thank you Momon-dono. I will be back right away!"
The soldier retreated into the command tent. "To speak in such unrespect full manner with Momon-sama! Please allow me to dispose of these insects!" Said Nabe in an angered tone as she reached towards her sword on her side.
"Excuse us for a moment." Said Momon. The other guard nodded. Fortunately, he did not hear or see what Nabe said and done, because he was barely awake due to his guard duty at night.
The warrior clad in black plate armor escorted Nabe to the sidelines. "Muu. Nabe we spoke about this before, when we are adventuring. I am Momon, the adventurer, and you are my companion Nabe."
"You can't threaten or kill people who do not do anything to us without any real notion."
"That only alienates them from us and don't use this honorific when we are outside of Nazarick. Do you understand me? I said you this many times. Do you want to disappoint me?"
Narberal Gamma blushed. "N-No... I-I mean. Y-Yes. Momon-sam-san."
"That's better. Don't forget. We are in undercover here collecting information. Let's try again. So what do you say Esdeath-san if we accidentally met her?"
"I call her in her adventurer's name without honorifics Momon-sa-san."
Momonga nodded. With that, they returned to the entrance.
Not long after this little conversation between the duo. The guard stepped out from the command tent.
"General Brook is receiving you." Momon nodded in response, and the duo entered the tent.
The General was just leaned above the tactical map of the surrounding area while his most trusted officers were beside him.
It seemed he is planning some move against the always advancing Beastmen.
"Then the third battalion will retreat while our hidden forces in the forest encircle the enemy. Completely cut off their way of escape." He had said before he noticed the freshly arrived duo.
He looked up from the map. Hate radiated from his eyes. "Ah. The legendary heroes finally arrived."
He did not even try to cover the mockery in his sound. Narberal barely could hold herself back not to decapitate the General.
She only managed to keep her facade up because of her master presence and special request.
Momon nodded. "We are here because of the urgent special assignment what the Adventurer's Guild passed to us."
"Do you get any information about the request?" asked the General while he reached into his coat and pulled out his pipe.
"We got a basic debrief about our task. But it 'd be nice if we receive more information about the enemy." Said Momon.
The General stuffed some tobacco in his pipe then placed the end of it in his mouth. After this, he ignited it with matches. Brook signed Momon and Nabe to come closer with his head.
Then leaned above the map again.
"A big group of Beastmen broke deeply into our territory, penetrated our defenses and wiped out a big portion of our forward outposts."
"If we don't do something they will surely capture the keep of Belgrade and after that." The General sipped on sip from his pipe and exhaled it slowly. Everyone was silent.
"Let just say. If they capture it and find the hidden passages, we can't really stop them until they reach the capital of the kingdom."
"Belgrade is an important piece of our Border Fortress system if we lost that fortress the country most likely fall."
Momon nodded. "When do we leave?"
"When the sun rise. We hired other adventurers to accompany you, and I send a whole regiment with you as a support."
"That should be enough to fend off the Beastmen until we recuperated and began our counterattack." The General sipped an another sip of smoke from his pipe then exhaled it.
Momon nodded, and the General continued.
"Until that. Recuperate. You are dismissed. You will get further information when you reached Belgrade. We paid for a few courtesans because of the particular Queen request."
The General sipped an another sip from his pipe. "I don't know what the queen see in you. But don't expect me to treat you as an exception because you wear fancy armor and because you are high ranked adventurer."
"You are under my command don't forget it. Now leave. I have many things what I have to discuss with my advisors."
Momon nodded. "Duly noted." As Momon and Nabe who could barely contain herself headed towards the exit. A soldier burst into the tent without any notification. He almost stumbled in Momon barely parrying him.
"General! The enemy has been captured The Border Fortress of Belgrade."
The General hastily turned to the soldier. Everyone eyes widened in the tent. "What did you just said, son? Repeat it!"
The young soldier gulped then repeated what he said. "T-The enemy Beastman group captured The Border Fortress of Belgrade." He slumped on the ground. "Where did you get this information?"Asked the General in an angered tone.
"The few remaining survivors passed down the information who's survived the battle."
"How those filthy Beastmen was able to capture one of our strongest Fortress without a long siege?" murmured the General.
He turned to one of his Guards who stood inside the tent. "Bring the highest ranked soldier who survived the battle. At once!"
The soldier placed his hand over his heart and bowed as a salute then ran out of the command tent.
"It seems our situation is worse than I thought. Tch." He clicked his tongue.
In his whole life, General Brook Upton was never in such situation like this, If they wait for further reinforcements. That big group of Beastman undoubtedly reinforce the fortress, entrench themselves and request further reinforcements from their homeland.
Forming a new forward outpost in an important location in the Kingdom and continuing their future raids from the Border Fortress of Belgrade. Their most reinforced border fortress.
"Damn that filthy animal!" the General gritted his teeth.
As the General wondered how he could recapture the fortress with his limited amount of forces and with the only Adamantine Ranked Adventurer group what was currently in the camp. Of course, he had a few idea. But they were hazardous.
The other adventurers did not arrive yet, and he did not have enough men to storm the fortress, as he wondered in this. The guard whose he sent for the survivor's leader entered the tent with the broken soldier who barely kept himself together.
Due to the physical and mental exhaustion what their desperate escape caused. "Bring him a chair and some water."
Ordered the General. The guard who just arrived back with the survivor saluted again and hastily prepared a seat to the weak man and another guard brought a big jar of water and a metal mug.
He poured to the exhausted soldier. The soldier grabbed it and consumed the whole cup.
After that, he poured once more. After the survivor's leader had finished his drinking, the General fetched his chair spun it to face backward of the soldier and sat on it.
The soldier realizing who sate before him immediately stood up and saluted respectfully. "At ease soldier." Said the General while he raised his hand.
The soldier slumped to the chair due of his exhaustion and breathed slowly.
The General sighed deeply "Tell me what happened in Belgrade. How the enemy managed to capture it without a siege?"
"O-One moment there was everything alright. Then the next multiple smaller rat like Beastmen with dagger appeared from the nowhere and opened the front gates."
"After that, a huge Beastman army appeared from the nowhere and flooded through the gate."
"What about the guards near the gate? Did they not noticed the rat-like Beastmen what you mentioned? Did they not alarmed the others before those creatures managed to open the gates? Answer me!" the General almost shouted.
He was furious. He only felt such rage in his life once. When he almost died because of the traitorous mercenaries. He was not mad at the soldiers whose escaped.
Sometimes it is better to retreat and pass the message to their comrades. Then realizing later their outposts has been captured.
He respected those whose can analyze the situation and can make a good tactical decision in a fast manner. The best battlefield commanders came from. It is better to leave a lost battle if you can return later and turn the tide to your liking later.
But if the fight and the cause are lost, you must fight with all of your willpower to die an honorable death. At least this was General Brook creed.
"N-No. They did not have a chance, as we headed outside. We realized all of the night guards throats were slit."
This was strange. Not just for Brook but everyone in the tent. How did they manage to escape if the Beastman flooded in on the front gate and massacred everyone else?
Only the highest ranked officials knew about the four secret passage what led to the fortress.
"And how did you and your fellow soldiers escaped while everyone else killed in the keep?"
Asked the General suspiciously. The leader of the survivors gulped because of his nervousness.
"W-We were lucky…" he shuttered.
"You are lying." Said the General in a calm manner. He learned in his long years in the army and one of the retired member of the Special Forces of the Queens guards. How to determine who is lying and who is not.
As the member of the Special Forces. He often has to interrogate spies, and for this, he had to learn to make a difference when someone says lying to him.
He already decided the man before hem is lying to cover himself and his fellow soldier's coward act. He realized his lies from the man heavy breathing, dilated pupils, his always overlooking eyes, and his hand and leg placement.
"Tell me the truth we don't have time for such games. You know there is an easy way and a hard way to acquire information and you don't want the walk in a hard way." He said in a freezing tone what make the other soldiers around him feel a cold feeling.
They already knew their old General knew minimum one hundred ways to make a man scream without any tool and they was aware that, he can cause even more pain when he is using different tools.
As an ex-Special Forces agent, he studied the biology of the human body thoroughly to use it against the enemy of the Kingdom. Either using as a tool to gather information or killing the enemy.
The soldier gulped again. "W-We were lucky…" he told his lies again. It was weaker than before.
General Brook sighed in a disappointed manner. "Fine. Then it is a hard way. Tie him to the chair." Ordered the General his men.
His guards nodded, fetched a rope and tied him to the chair however he tried to get away.
The General stood up slowly.
The soldier already regretted his to lie to the General. Who was famous for his past as the Queen Special Agent.
The traitor was never really a smart guy, and he only advanced through the ranks of the army because he was always in the right place in right time.
But it seemed his luck what was his trademark left him. He thought his luck help him out one last time. He thought he could deceive the General when he entered the tent.
General Brook slowly walked to his desk. And Pulled out a wand looking item from his desk drawer.
It was a rod looking thing. The end of the rod seemed painted to red. It seemed enchanted by some magic. However, it does not seem to it when you just watched it with a naked eye.
Momonga and Narberal felt it has some kind of weak enchantment on it.
"I wonder what kind of enchantment that item contain." Mused Momonga in his head. He and Narberal could leave anytime if they want.
But Momonga was curious about that item. He was curious about what kind of effect it contains. He used his [Perfect Warrior] spell to trade his magical abilities and stats to warrior ones.
So he could not use his spells. Just a few of his racial abilities. And he either can't use his spell [All Appraisal Magic Item] what told him what kind of effect enchanted on that item. So he watched silently from the sidelines.
The grizzled General strolled to the traitor what seemed to start to tremble from the look of his face and his increased heart rate. "This will loosen your tongue." The General said in a deadly calm manner.
As he walked closer and closer to the soldier started to sweat in an accelerated rate.
When he reached the soldier, he raised the wand and began to bring closer and closer to the trembling warrior face who already urinated in his pants. "Do you want to speak or I have to start the torture?"
Asked the General in a violently calm manner. The soldier gulped.
"Well then." The General barely touched the wand like item to the soldier's face. The traitorous soldier already started to scream like he was skinned alive. "P-Please. No more. I confess. I confess everything!"
The soldier gulped after he stopped screaming. "W-We escape through a hidden tunnel what lead to a nearby village."
"Do your superiors knew about this secret tunnel?" asked General Brook.
"N-No. We used it to smuggle things in and out to the Fortress. It was lucrative. We never thought about the actual situation the enemy using that tunnel against us." The soldier looked downward because of his shame and agony.
"Who dug the tunnel?"
"M-My smuggler friends. W-When I was at guard duty I never reported the noise what their digging caused so they could work while I am on duty."
"And how the Beastmen acquired the information about this smuggler tunnel?"
"T-They most likely captured and tortured m-my smuggler friends and obtained the information from them." Shuttered the soldier who was still agonized after the pain wand.
"Then you say you are a traitor who caused the deaths of thousands of men?"
The soldier already knew what will happen to the traitors. In the Dragon Kingdom. The traitors have been executed after a long elongated torture.
The General pushed the pain wand again to the now prisoner's face. The man shouted again with all of his strength. He tried to endure it.
But his will was not strong enough. "Please stop! I beg you! Please, stop!" he shouted while tears rolled down on his face.
The old General turned back. You could not see any emotions on his face. He grabbed the young soldier hair and dragged him to the map while he was still tied to the chair. "Which village contains the entrance!?" he said in an angered tone.
The broken man looked to the map and shuttered. "T-The village of Tarbes. B-But they are most likely already sealed the entrance." Said the man in a desperate manner.
General Brooks grimaced. The expression of disgust could be read from his face. He understood and accepted if someone retreated from a battle for a good reason.
But give away his comrades. This disgusted him more than anything else. With a motion, he pushed back the chair, and it has fallen to the ground with the drawn-out man.
"Prepare the army for the move and assemble the special strike force what will infiltrate the Fortress of Belgrade."
"There are many secret tunnels what the enemy most likely not know, and they are not in the layout of the Border Fortress."
"What about the traitors?" asked Marcus the General trusted officer.
"Strip them, burn the signs of the traitors of their chests. Then hang them. They do not deserve to die by a sword." Said the General in a coldly disgusted manner.
The traitor man was already the midst of tears. Ainz hated traitorous people too. But strangely he did not felt even a slight way of pity nor did he felt any sympathy towards the traitor soldier.
He wondered this was because of his new body undead nature or because of his hate against this kind of people.
To avoid treason in the guild. Ainz and his friends laid down conditions what you have to meet to join the Ainz Ooal Gown.
In YGGDRASIL there were often cases when people only joined certain guilds to gather information and after that. They either sell off the highest bidder the information or share it with their friends or just dissolve the guild from inside out.
This was often used as a tactic in the early years of YGGDRASIL and after that against inexperienced players.
This was easier than the people think. You only need to cause a little chaos, creating a little quarrel between the guild members. Then sit back and watch how the guild was tearing itself down from inside out.
Then simply loot their vaults when most of the guild members left. This was an often used tactic against casual guilds whose did not make the necessary precautions against it.
However, it only worked first when the game started as said before. And against inexperienced players. The members of Ainz Ooal Gown learned a long time ago how to detect such things and made the necessary countermeasures to avoid such things.
The information paired with patience was the most powerful weapon in YGGDRASIL. It was watershed between victory or defeat. The difference between the best player and the worst player.
An experienced YGGDRASIL player firstly always acquired the information and when he/she had the information planned his/her next move to reach his/her goal.
With this simple method, the players could simply turn the tide of the battle or acquired the item what they needed. While an inexperienced, impatient player simply ran into the fight without threat, chance or any other analyzation or information gathering about the target nature or capabilities.
"Prepare the army for a full assault. I want them ready to move under a few hours."
"We had to recapture the keep at all cost or this country is doomed." He said to his officer. The officer saluted and jogged out of the tent.
"Momon." The General turned to Ainz.
"Yes, General." Answered Momonga.
"The inflator team leave before dawn. Prepare yourselves."
"You and your companion will go with my best infiltrator team. It took approximately a half day to reach The Fortress from here by a horse. The army will enter the keep with full march approximately one and a half day. That mean we will reach and attack the keep two days from now dawn."
"Until that, you and the inflator team will have the time to sabotage everything that you can and cut down the snakehead if you are able."
"After that. My army will storm the keep from all sides even it means we will perish under the siege."
Momon nodded. "Are you sure your men can infiltrate the castle without the Beastmen realizing it?" asked Ainz suspiciously.
The grizzled General chuckled. "I have a separate task force adapted just for such situation like this. I have compiled my army structure myself."
"Filling every important position by my liking. With the best of the best what I could find. You and your companion task will be to protect them while they do their jobs and cut off the snake head if it is possible."
"And how many people you have in this task force. How many we will go against such superior force?" asked Momon. However, he really do not cared about how many low-level enemies attacking him. He can defeat them easily.
The General looked to Momon and smirked. "With you and your companion. Not more than fifteen people. They are trained by infiltration, assassination, and sabotage. They are the best what the Kingdom can offer."
The warrior clad in black armored nodded. "Fair enough."
"I hope the Queen praises about your abilities not just empty words. Now. You and your companion may leave. I need to make the necessary planning to our next move." General Brook leaned above the tactical map.
Momon nodded and turned to the entrance direction. "Come Nabe." Nabe shot a killing glance towards the old General.
But the old man did not see her face because he already leaned back above the tactical map what laid on his massive wooden desk.
Scene Change: Abandoned Village not far from Belgrade.
At dawn, Momonga and Nabe headed to the abandoned village near the fortress to met the inflator team what the General spoke about.
They meet in a separate location to does not cause any stir. As Ainz and Narberal entered the ghost village, they already knew the inflator team hiding somewhere here and watching them.
"Nabe prepared yourselves." Warned Ainz his companion.
Nabe only nodded while analyzed the situation. The village could be vivacious before the Beastman attacked.
As they continued their way towards the middle of the village, They looked around. Then they saw a thin muscular man with long white curly hair and blue eyes. He played on flute a strange melodic song.
He wore plate armor and a one edged sword hanged on his side. He sat on of the multi-story houses shield roof while leaned against the walls behind him.
He stopped playing with his flute. But he does not look into Momonga and Nabe direction.
"There are not many people who are fool enough to enter this village nowadays." Said the white haired man in an uncaring manner.
Momon and Nabe stopped. "And you are?"
"You first." Said the white haired man. But he sill not looked at them.
Momonga and Nabe are feeling no one else besides their thirteen new companions. Answered. "I am Momon, and she is Nabe. We are the Adamantine Adventure team. Darkness."
"Password." Said the man while he leaned his back to the Wall.
"Valar morghulis" answered Momonga. "Answer?"
"Valar dohaeris." Replied the white haired man.
"You can tell your friends to come out now." Said Momonga.
The man smiled. "So, you sensed them." The white haired man whistled multiple times. Sometimes a long a whistle. Sometimes a short. It was like when you combine a bird singing with a Morse code.
Suddenly 12 more people appeared from various places. Surrounding Narberal and Ainz. The thinly armored man stood up on the roof than with an elegant double flip he arrived at the ground.
"Welcome, our humble village." He said to Momonga. "I am Griffith, the leader of the Rahofan."
His group was already lined up behind him. "Rahofan?" asked Ainz.
Griffith nodded. "Yes. This is our small group name. It means Miracle."
Momonga nodded. "Let me introduce my team to you." He started his team introduction.
"He is Judeao one of our mages." The short, thin man only nodded. Momonga nodded back.
"Beside him stood Pippin. He is our poison specialist."
"It is nice to meet you two." Greeted them Pippin. He was a tall, muscular man and it seemed his eyes always closed.
"Corkus is our demolitionist specialist and lockmaster." The small, thin black haired man who had a smug face raised his hand. "Yo."
"Beside him stood Rickert. She is our sniper and lookout. If she can't see something. That is not there." Joked the leader of the Rahofan.
"I-It is nice to meet you two."
"That smugly looking old pervert our other mage. Gaston."
"It 's nice to meet new people especially if one of them is such beauty as you. My, lady." Gaston bowed to Narberal gracefully and winked to Narberal.
Narberal only snarled. "Insect." She mumbled under her nose with full of anger. and disgust
"Dilos our second sniper beside Rickert. His specialty is fast paced covering shoots. If an enemy is in our way. He is surely clear the way." Joked the white-haired leader.
The scared faced man just nodded.
"Dante is one of the close range and assassination specialist in our group. Just give him a close ranged weapon, and he can use masterfully. Besides this, he is quite decent with long ranged weapons and brawling too."
The muscular man cracked his fist. "When do we start?"
"Errol is our second close ranged specialist. He is the group shield If the things go south. He covers us with his shield while we retreat."
The big muscular man only growled under his closed helmet. "He does not speak much tho."
"Continuing the introduction. Beside him stood Riguel. Our field doctor and other assassination specialists."
"They often call him the angel of death or mad scientist. However, he does not even resemble an angel even a little bit. If you have some sickness or you are injured or maybe you are poisoned just call him. He will fix you in no time or simply just use you for his sick experiments." Griffith snickered.
The dwarf-like bearded man nodded. "The lad speaks well."
"Beside him stood our beautiful Samantha or you just call her simply Sam. The third mage in our little group."
The petite woman waved them cheerfully. "I am happy to meet you two."
"The twentieth member of our group is Nikol. The best tinkerer what you can find in the world and our other locksmith."
"I am an Engineer. Griffith." Corrected him Nikol.
"And of course at last. Let me introduce you Kim. Our thief and third close ranged specialist."
"If you need something to be stolen, pickpocketed or you want to get in somewhere. Don't look further. Just ask him, and he will lift it or ingest you. He is really acrobatic too."
"It is nice to meet you all." Said Momonga. Narberal just nodded. She does not want anything to do with these insects as she called them.
If her master does not command her previously, she would already end their miserable lives earlier.
"Time is short let's start the planning." Clapped Griffith his hand together. The group then retreated into an abandoned house, and Griffith described the plan.
"There will be four teams." Said Griffith.
"The first let just call it Alpha. Consist Judeau, Pippin, Rickert, and Dante."
"They will be our dagger team. Their tasks will be to assassinate the enemy's Lieutenant's and hide their corpses. Either by poison, close range or from afar and poison the enemy food supplies what they brought with themselves."
He placed a chess piece on the map.
"Giving them a nice stomach ache." he smirked.
"The second group will be the Beta team. It will consist Corkus, Gastonm Errol, and Riguel. They will rig the gates to open our arriving army when the time comes and to rig every choke point what can give the enemy benefit with traps."
He placed the second chess piece on the map what laid on the table.
The four of them nodded.
"The third group will be the Gamma team."
"The team will consist Dilos, Sam, Nikol, and Kim. They will be our distractor group. Or shield if you like this word better."
"They will confuse the enemy as much as they can. Diverse the enemy attention with tricks from the last team. Secure the still living civilians and captured soldiers whose most likely kept in the warehouse."
He placed the third piece on the map.
"And the last team is?" asked Momonga.
Griffith smiled. "The last team is consisting me, Narberal-chan and you Momon-san. We will be the Omega group. While the Gamma team clear our way to our objective."
"We will march into the heart of the darkness and tear it down."
"In other words, we kill the enemy leader. According to our intelligence. The enemy General is a very smart Beastmen. So he is most likely expecting our arrival. He probably set a trap for us, and we will walk into it willingly." Griffith smirked
"I expect him to be surrounded by his most trusted and most powerful soldiers. This is where your legendary strength and infamy amongst the Beastman came into the picture Momon-san." Griffith showed the last chest piece. It resembled a black knight.
"So you want me to challenge him to a One, one duel and kill him? This is a little bit risky. Don't you think?"
Griffith nodded. "Exactly. But knowing the Beastmen nature. Even he refusing to fight with you. The other Beastmen will see this as a weakness and force him to fight with you either way. If you cut off the snake head, the body will die with it. Combining this with the chaos what the other three group will cause to the Beastmen."
"They will be so confused. Our army will massacre them in no time after the General will arrive with the military," explained Griffith.
"Our team armors have been enchanted to dampen its noise and hide our scent so that it will be no problem."
"If you or your companion will need such enchantments, just say it to either Judeau, Gaston or Sam."
"If you need any other item, just say it. My team will gladly provide you the necessary equipment's in the duration of the mission."
"That will not be necessary." Said Momonga calmly.
Griffith folded the map. "Then let's go. Time is short." Momonga and Narberal nodded in unison.
"Exactly." With that, they left to complete their mission.
Scene Change: Border Fortress of Belgrade:
The little team arrived near the fortress one hour later under the embracing shadows of the night.
"This will be our meeting point after we completed the mission. Don't be hasty. Everyone understood the plan?" asked Griffith
Everyone nodded in unison. "Then. Let's go. Do not bring shame on me. I expect everyone to survive. "
With that, the four group parted their way and used the four hidden entrances to enter the fortress.
The alpha team used the Northern secret door what was the most closer to the larder and the barracks.
The Beta team used the Eastern entrance what was closer to the main gate.
The Gamma team used the Southern secret entrance to the weapon stockpile and the warehouses.
And finally, the Omega team used the last remaining access. The western gate. This secret door led straight into the castle interior.
They emerged out from the walls near the main hall. Where the Beastmen General most likely took his seat. However, the Omega team only started their missions after the Alpha, Beta and Gamma team finished with their primary tasks.
They did not want to spoil the other team's mission because they failed with their own.
The corridors what led to the main hall was strangely quiet, Too quite if you ask me. The other teams were as previously said was already finished with their tasks.
The Gamma team led away most of the civilians through their secret entrance and neutralized the guards who were at their way with magic or other methods.
Looted some weapons and armed the captured soldiers, So when the army arrive they can create an inner riot. Further increasing the chaos amongst the Beastman ranks.
The gates have been already rigged by the Beta team to open automatically when their army is arriving, and they placed multiple traps in the choking points of the fortress.
As the alpha team, they already eliminated most of the Beastman General Lieutenants and poisoned the food stock what they brought with them.
You could say. They will be an atrocious stomach ache when the attacking army arrives.
In the morning their army will come at the gates of the fortress. There are only a few hours remained until the battle begins.
It was still dark when the Gamma team what consisted Griffith, Narberal and Momon entered the halls of the Castle of Belgrade. Thanks to the muffling enchantments on Griffith armor, the Magically created armor what Momonga wore and Narberal magical abilities what further veiled their presence.
No one detected them. The corridors were clear as said before. In the main halls of the Castle Belgrade on the throne like stools. Sat, an enormous figure.
The shadows unveiled his face. However, Momonga clearly saw thanks to his night vision.
The face of the General resembled a tiger he even had long cat-like claws an over muscular build with broad shoulder and striped fur.
Around him there was multiple lower leveled Beastman slept on the floor in a drunken stupor.
As they approached the throne, Griffith grabbed his blade what was coated in poison in its sheath. Aimed at the Beastman throat and stabbed it.
The Beastman General did not even have a chance to make a sound. He just suffocated into his own blood.
Then suddenly from the shadows, they started to hear as two paws clapping together and mocking laughter. The whole room enlightened as many rats like Beastmen stepped out from the shadows and lighted the torches on the columns.
"Well, well, well looks what get lost in my new little household. It seems I caught a few human or should I say cockroaches?" said the Beastman who appeared on the balcony.
He was looked identical to the Beastman Griffith killed previously by stabbing his throat.
"Did you know? He was my twin. He planned to kill me while I slept to take my place. Foolish brother. He was never a bright one." He smirked.
Griffith played along and gritted his teeth. "You?!"
"I wonder what do I do with the intruders like you? Do I cook them? Steam them? Or simply gave them to my boys as a beefsteak?" the Beastman around them growled as they showed their enormous fangs and the saliva dripped from their mouths.
"Could you tell me at least your names before we eat you?"
Griffith smiled and stepped forward. "I am Griffith, the woman behind me is Nabe. You should know her as the Beautifull Princess."
"Yes. I know her title. She killed many from my brothers. And the warrior in full black plate and the two massive sword behind you is Momon the Dark Hero. I get it. Doesn't I?" he smirked while his huge fangs in his mouth were visible. Momon did not answer just glared at him.
"Mysterious and quite as the tales said. You know you will not get out here alive. Do you? Your story will end here Dark Hero!"
The General of the Beastman just wanted to give the signal to the archers to end the trio life, but Griffith addressed him. "If you are so sure about yourself. Why don't you come and fight with him?"
The Beastmen chuckled. "What do you think what I am? A fool? I am not stupid enough to fight with him one on one."
Griffith shook his head. "Then what are you? A coward?"
"No. I am simply not a fool as I said before." He stated in a lazy manner.
Griffith spread out his arm and turned around slowly in a Three hundred and sixty degrees. "Do you believe it? It seems your great General who destroyed many forward outposts of ours and killed our veteran soldiers with ease." he looked back to the Beastmen General in a mocking manner.
"Seemingly nothing more than a weakling who fears a simple human in a fancy armor. Do you really want to follow such leader?"
The Beastman in the room started to look at each other and murmured among themselves.
In the end, a Beastman addressed the Beastman General. "The human speaks right Ragescar! Do you fear a simple person in a fancy armor?"
Multiple Beastman started to bluster questioning his right to lead them. Ragescar growled in annoyance. "Silence you fool! Don't you see he just want to incite us against each other?"
He growled, but the chain reaction had already started. The Beastman began to growl louder and louder. The dawn was nearly here, and the army will soon arrive. Then the Beastman began to chant. "Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"
Ragescar did not have any other option. He has to defeat that human in black-clads plate armor, or he will have lost control over his own army.
Disobedience was like wildfire amongst Beastmen. If a leader lost its credibility in its subordinates eyes. They never followed their leader-forth.
"Fine! I will kill this insect and dine from his flesh!" he grabbed his two huge Halberd from beside his two sides and jumped down amongst his men.
As he arrived down to the ground, the marble floor cracked under his heavy weight. He started to walk towards the trio and spread out his hands where he held his two huge Halberd. "Come to me Dark Warrior! Let's show me why my kind fears you!"
Momon stepped forward and equipped his two huge black Great Sword. The swords have an exquisite handle, and it seemed the blade was masterwork. Griffith awed as he watched the two blades.
The two titans clashed. Ragescar was multiple times stronger than a regular Beastmen soldier, and his speed belied his huge three-meter-tall from what was packed with muscles paired with a broad shoulder.
Ragescar seemed furious and uncaring for an untrained eye. But thanks to Momonga experience what he earned in the battlefield when he fought against other Beastmen and the swordsman lessons what Cocytus and Esdeath provided him.
He could easily analyze the Beastmen General fighting style and counter it with his own. He spent the first minute only to defend himself with his two massive Greatsword, blocking the attack sidestepping from them.
Never saying a word just watching his enemy movements. Ragescar used a fighting style what combined the massive Halberds striking force with his speed and strength.
Beside that the furious attacks what first seemed only pointless waving. Served a purpose. It developed this way to disrupt the enemy concentration, helping the user defense and attack at once.
After the first two minutes, Momonga was already thoroughly analyzed Ragescar fighting style and started to attack back actually. He could end the battle anytime, but he wanted a little practice for himself.
Because he was bored and it was fun for him. The furious clashes of blades were awe inspiring to the spectators. Narberal just smugly smiled under her nose knowing in advance the result of the battle.
After the fifth minute, Momonga became bored with their little clash and disarmed Ragescar with from one of his Halberd. Adapting to this the General of the Beastmen grabbed his remaining Halberd in two handed and changed his posture.
However, this does not help him. His strikes became more furious and faster, but he had no chance against a level 100 player who used [Perfect Warrior] to boost his stats.
He disarmed Ragescar from his other Halberd. The Beastmen wanted to attack him with his bare claws in as the last act of desperation, but he kicked back the Beastman with his armored legs. Knocking him back with a few meters.
The General of the Beastmen panted because of the long fight and the long clash between him and the Dark Warrior. "You are really a monster as the tales said."
Momon glared him. "Do you want to give up?" he asked blandly.
The Beastmen general chuckled. "No thanks. I rather die an honorific death live with the shame of defeat."
"Is that so?" Said Momonga. Suddenly they heard a big explosion from outside. Rageclaw turned to the direction of the blast. "What is this?"
"It seems our army has arrived." Noted Griffith from the background.
Rageclaw looked at them with burning rage in his eyes. He wanted to attack Momon with one desperate attempt while Momon did not watch him. Aiming the weakest point of his armor. His eyeholes with his claws.
It was a foolish attempt. Momon already saw through him. He moved his left black Greatsword and slashed Rageclaw stomach.
Every Beastmen eyes widened in the hall. Their seemingly invincible General. The person who they owed for their numerous victories died. Chaos erupted in their ranks.
Some of them ran towards the entrance of the hall. Mostly the rat-like Beastmen who nature wise was more coward than their cat, dog or another animal like counterparts.
The other started to attack the trio. Momon, Nabe, and Griffith fought side by side against the overwhelming numerical superiority. But in the end, they triumphed over the Beastmen in the central hall of the Castle of Belgrade.
When the few first soldiers reached the halls, they did not believe their eyes.
The ground of the vast hall of the castle was littered with the corpses of the Beastmen. Either they are slashed into pieces or many little stabs on their bodies or their fur burned out in numerous places thanks to Narberal Gamma magic.
When the soldiers secured the courtyard and annihilated the remaining still fighting Beastmen fighting forces whose does not flee from the fortress already, the General walked into the hall in full battle armor.
Knowable the grizzled old veteran always fought beside his men. Increasing his people morals and with it the efficiency of his army.
As General Brooks arrived looked around in the hall. Then looked to the trio with a satisfied expression. "The three of you did this?" he asked suspiciously.
Griffith smirked and nodded. "We did this General!" Narberal and Momon did not say anything just stood silently.
"You and your group did a hell of the job with this mission." he praised them with a satisfied manner.
"The Beastmen was so confused we barely lost any men. The Border Fortress is secured, and the Beastmen army has been disbanded. It will be a while until they gather their strength again and attack this front in a more serious manner."
"And you." He walked to Momon and eyed him. "I misjudged you, Momon, I hope you will forgive me." The general offered his hand.
Momon nodded took General Brook hand and shook it. "No offense taken, people usually thinks similarly about me when we first met."
"Heh. Fine then. If you need anything, my son. Do not be a stranger to ask my help."
Momonga nodded. "I will. Do not worry." With that, the General turned to his men and commanded them. "What are you waiting for? I want this place secure and cleaned like the queen herself arrive here tomorrow!"
"You know Momon. I hope we can work together again in the future." Said Griffith while smiled.
Momon only nodded and started to walk towards to the exit of the hall. His and Narberal task here is done.
It is time to return to his other duties. As he walked towards the entrance, his cloak has been rippled by the wind.
"Momon the Dark Hero and the Beautiful Princess Nabe. I wonder I will ever meet the two of you." Thought Griffith.
"Well then, time is money. Back to the balls and chains." Griffith smirked and left to search his team.
In that day night at the office of the General. An officer reported to the General.
"Did you found the Beastmen General body?" asked the General.
"No, sir. Unfortunately, we only found one body what resembled the description. According to Griffith-dono report, they were twins, and he has killed him with a throat stab while he slept. When we found his body, we only found a stab wound on his neck section. So he is most likely the one who Griffith-dono killed."
The General sighed. "It cannot be helped. We have other problems on the horizon. Let's concentrate on them."
The officer saluted to his General. "Hay!" then he left
Omake: Warning may be adult content! May contain weird themes!
Esdeath was minded her own business. Spent her free time with her new hobby. Experimenting with items and their abilities. When she heard a knocking on the door of her room.
"Come in." she invited the stranger. The unknown figure in black academic robes entered the room subtly. He looked around. Then he closed the door.
"Esdeath-san. Please hide me! I promised Albedo and Shalltear a date night where the three of use dining together. But I don't really want to go! I have better things to do. Beside that. They are too sticky."
"Ok. You can hide into my drawer until they stop your search. If they come here, I will simply say you have some important matter what you had to attend."
Momonga nodded then looked around more thoroughly. The walls in Esdeath room instead of its usual painting were you could see a battle between multiple races. Now you can see multiple floating equations and calculations. "I wonder how many real money she spent to acquire this result." As he looked to Esdeath who noted something on a paper piece he asked.
"What are you doing Esdeath-san?" asked Momonga innocently. If you could imagine any innocence in his deep booming voice.
"Oh. I just doing some magical experiments. Trying to figure out the laws of the tier based magic system and our abilities. So we can develop more or upgrade our current abilities with more function or strengthen them."
"Besides this I trying to figure out how the magical laws can influence the physical laws and back. The possibilities are infinite!" she stretched out her gloved hands towards her room ceiling. What resembled the space with multiple stars' galaxies and the solar system planets and the sun life-like simulation.
She started to crackle like as a mad scientist and multiple flashes of lighting with sound could be seen and heard.
Momonga sweat dropped. "Seriously Esdeath-san. You frighten me." Thought Momonga seeing his friend behavior.
Then he looked at her more thoroughly. Instead of her usual overcoat. She wore a lab coat what was the mix between a trench coat and a simple lab coat. If you see its back, you could see a few kanji write on it.
"Head Scientist and Enforcer."
"Cool lab coat." Praised her Momonga.
"Ah. You think so. I designed it myself. It gives a massive amount of buff my intelligence and perception stat. Perfect for researcher jobs. Do you want one I made a few spare. You can engrave any text on its back." Momonga nodded.
"Do you need any help?" asked Momonga.
"If you want you can be my assistant. But I warn you. This is dangerous."
Momonga chuckled. "Hah. What me a little danger? I am the ruler of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick! I eat danger for breakfast."
Not. Momonga was unable to eat anything. He was undead.
"Then let's start our fun!" she said while smirked with a crazy expression to Momonga.
Esdeath gave Momonga to one of her spare lab coat to increase his intelligence. Fortunately, Esdeath used cosmetic skins from her personal vault and data crystals when she created the items. So they automatically fitted to the wearers. And anyone could use them above level seventy. Momonga almost looked like Ghaster from the Undertale when he wore it. But more skeletal like and his ribs were visible.
"You look cool Momonga-san. You should wear more cloth like this." Esdeath praised him.
"You think so?" Momonga inspected himself. "Hmm. Maybe you are right."
Esdeath turned back to the table where she did her experiments. "Then let's continue our madness. Shall we?" Momonga only nodded as a reply.
They did many experiments through the hours then they continued with item operation. They wanted to test a cosmetic item what has an unknown effect.
"Are you sure it is safe Esdeath-san? You know what happened last time." asked Momonga in a worried tone.
"What happened? What last time?"
"The last occasion when a similar item activates automatically, and you jumped into my neck while the Pleiades and Albedo went wild in my office." Ainz has not yet recovered from that case. Ever since he thought back at that event. A dread ran through his bony spine.
"Oh, that?" Esdeath chuckled. "Ah. Pleasant old memories. That was quite funny."
"It was not funny. It was horrible! " A wail of shame radiated from Momonga.
"Don't be like an old man Momonga-san. If you think like this, you will get old fast."
"I am an undead. I fueled by negative energy." Reminded his friend Momonga.
"Sorry. Sorry. Sans-san. It will not happen again."
"It is not a problem. At least read the manual before you use it."
"Because that will takes away the thrill of the experimentation."
"You are incorrigible." Shrugged Momonga "By the way. Why are you call me always Sans?" asked Momonga curiously.
Esdeath thought about it a moment. Then answered. "You know there was an old game in the 21st century what called Undertale. You played as a young girl who accidentally stumbled into the monster's underground world. The game was story based and its end, and gameplay heavily depended on your decisions through the game."
"There was a skeletal NPC in the game which is named Sans. He only had 1HP and 0 DEFENSE stat. When you meet him, he usually slept and told bad jokes to you."
"Hm. Then He could not have been a big challenge."
"Let me continue." Momonga nodded. "Sorry."
"In the game, you could go all the way without killing anyone and finish the game. But if you wanted you could fight and spare the monsters and befriend them."
"But there was a thing called genocide run. What most players did at least once. In this case, you killed every single monster in the Underground World of the monsters."
Momonga nodded signing he understood. "When you reached the corridor before the throne room. You had to confront Sans. He maybe has 1HP and 0 DEFENSE stats, but you had to hit him first to bring down that one wretched HP of his. This is where the negative karma came into the picture."
"Negative karma?" asked Momonga
"Yes, it is true you gained experience, attack power, items, and levels and became stronger by killing monsters through your gameplay. But by killing innocent creatures also increase your negative karma level. This is what Sans using against you. You can't hit him until your negative karma does not run out."
"I see so he is using this as a resource. But what of it? There must be a catch."
Esdeath smiled sadistically. "Yes, there is. If you want to run out of negative karma, you must first have to survive his rapid attacks, bone related spells, kinetic throws, summoned traps, time-related abilities and Ghaster Blasters. What he summons through the scenario. A significant portion of players after a few try simply gave up and leave the game because of its difficulty. What the game reward with a mocking message."
"I see then he seemingly the weakest enemy in the game. But in reality, he is the strongest. Very crafty indeed."
"Ah. Our item is almost ready. Are you prepared Momonga-san the next stage."
Momonga nodded.
"Don't touch it until I don't say."
Momonga thought for a moment. "I don't know Esdeath-san. What if something backfires?"
"Trust me I am an engineer." She smirked.
"Yeah. A program engineer. Not a magic theorist." Momonga mumbled as he reached towards the item. "Not yet!" Esdeath shouted as she tried to stop Ainz. As their hand touched the object at once, a big flash blinded them. When it ended, seemingly nothing happened.
Esdeath and Momonga examined themselves, but seemingly everything was alright. Except. Esdeath raised her hand. "Why I have these delicate hands instead of bones? And what is this warm feeling between my legs and this funny feeling in my stomach?"
Momonga raised his hands too. "I feel strangely calm. But why are there rings at my skeletal fingers."
The looked at each other. Then their raised hands. Each other than their hands. Then again.
"You are in my body!" they shouted in unison while pointed at each other.
"Just let just calm down!" said Esdeath in Momonga's body.
"You speak about to calm down! It is your damn fault. I am panicking! I am panicking! I can't calm down!"
"Just take it easy we will solve the…"
Momonga grabbed the two sides of Esdeath's body. "I c-can't why the hell are your body so damn sensitive?"
"Just breathe deeply."
"Wait I found the instructions for the item." Momonga started to read it.
Her eyes twitched. "It states. The item effect cannot be dispelled and it will wear down only after two days."
"What two whole days?" Suddenly they heard a knocking on the door. They both turned their head in the direction of the door.
"What do we do?" Esdeath asked from Momonga.
"You are asking me?"
"You are the guild master."
Momonga somehow managed to calm himself down. "J-Just act as usual."
Esdeath in Momonga's body nodded. "Come in," said Momonga.
"Hearing my words in her voice is weird!" thought Ainz
The door opened the beautiful demoness peeked in the door and looked around. Then she suddenly saw Momonga body. The lust radiated from her eyes. "Ah. Momonga-sama! Shalltear and I searching you for a half a day! Come our dinner is ready! Esdeath-sama do you mind if I borrow Momonga-sama?" Esdeath in Momonga's body looked to Momonga and shook his head.
She started to smirk. "Take him. We finished for today."
Momonga nodded however in Esdeath oversensitive body he or now she felt an overwhelming lust towards the beautiful Albedo.
Momonga body leaned toward to his counterpart and whispered to her. "If you ate my special cake I will break you."
Momonga's face reddened. "W-What are you speaking about?"
Albedo ran into the room and grabbed Momonga's arm. With that, they left the room. While Esdeath looked back to her original body in a desperate manner.
After they had left the room, Momonga remained alone in the room with Esdeath's body.
First, he thought about trying out the food in Nazarick. So he ordered a few types of food and ate, ate and ate. When she dropped a bit between her cleavage, Shee reached to it but touched the skin. It was Very sensitive.
"It is right if I do this? What the others would think about me?"
He looked to his chest, and his nose started to bleed. "I wonder how they feel." He closed the ranged between her chest and her trembling hands. Then she finally reached it.
"Kyaaa!" she shouted in lust. But no one could have heard it thanks to the dampening fields and enchantment what isolated Esdeaht's room.
A/N:
"May Light always surround you;
Hope kindle and rebound you.
May your Hurts turn to Healing;
Your Heart embrace Feeling.
May Wounds become Wisdom;
Every Kindness a Prism.
May Laughter infect you;
Your Passion resurrects you.
May Goodness inspire
your Deepest Desires.
Through all that you Reach For,
May your arms Never Tire.
I wish happy new year to everyone!
I thank everyone, who is still reading, following, favoriting and reviewed my story! I know it is not easy beside all of the nonsense what I write.
YOU ARE ALL AWESOME!
I would like to apologize, post factum for the long update time. My last month was busy beside my other fanfics and ideas and after this, a more busy month will awaiting me with a lot of exams. So keep it up! I will not go anywhere! I will be just a little busy. :)
Don't worry Uncle Death is watching you!
There are only 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary, and those who don't"
HERE IS A 01010000 01001111 01010100 01000001 01010100 01001111 those who still reading my meaningless prattle!
REVIEW!
Thank you, everyone! :)
