Sebas and the Pleiades combat maids were walking through the streets of the city of Hannover. Sebas was in his usual black suit and each of the maids were in their maid dresses. Though it was evening, the streets were as clear and well-lit as in daytime. Even after a month's time, the use of electricity was still wondrous. Yet every street was paved with poles with lights atop them. Every single building had access to power, and many windows were clearly lit. That something so amazing could at the same time be so common spoke of how extraordinary this city was. The sheer size of Hannover was also impressive, almost a quarter of a million humans lived here. In Yggdrasil only the great city of Trondheim had been larger. Little wonder that Ainz-sama had sent them here to act as spies. Their duty was to learn everything they possibly could about these humans and, if at all possible, to acquire at least one reward crystal.
Ainz-sama had warned him to be cautious and patient. There was no time table for their mission, if they could succeed it would not matter to Ainz-sama how long it took. As soon as they arrived the priority was to be accepted by the human community and to appear to be ordinary humans themselves. Sebas understood that in order to blend in their use of magic would have to be very selective. Likewise killing would draw unwanted attention. One of the major assets they had available was the physical beauty and attractiveness of the maids. Sebas could recall once hearing a conversation between Peroroncino-sama and Tabula Smaragdina-sama where they'd discussed their mutual love of maid cafés. Anything that appealed to two Supreme Beings was guaranteed to enthrall ordinary humans. Sebas had asked Ainz-sama about them and received a thorough education. He made the business arrangements and greeted people at the door, Yuri baked the cakes and other sweets, and the rest of the maids served the customers. The café was wildly popular and the girls were minor celebrities. It was because of this attention they had received tonight's invitation, which was a great opportunity to advance their mission.
Despite this initial success, things had not gone perfectly. As they walked down the street a group of men in work clothes passed them. They openly stared at the maids and made a variety of lewd suggestions. One of them put two fingers to his mouth and gave a long whistle, in this society it meant he wanted to bed one or more of the women. Sebas sent the men a hard look, he believed in proper behavior and honor, and found their actions detestable. Neither he nor any of the maids replied.
Once the men were out of earshot, Narberal muttered angrily. "Disgusting worms! I'd like nothing better than to turn them to ashes!"
"I know," Lupusregina sighed. "It's disgusting having to spend all day serving them and pretending to like them."
"And no matter how many times I tell them no they keep asking me to meet them outside the café!" Naberal growled. "As though any of them could be worthy of my time!"
"You have the wrong attitude," Solution told them. A pair of teenage boys whistled. Solution winked and blew them a kiss. Both boys began to jump up and down. "Humans can be entertaining, even if you're not dissolving them."
"Why do you encourage them?" Narberal demanded.
"It's fun. Besides, it makes it easier to get them alone."
"You know the rules while we are on this mission," Yuri chided.
"I know," Solution answered with a pout. "No magic, no releasing our true forms, no killing, and no hurting the humans. Still, we're supposed to be sweet and charming aren't we?"
"That's so," Yuri nodded. "But keep in mind the reason for that. It's to maintain our cover and allow us easier access to spy. It is not to give you an opportunity to eat someone."
"The work would be much easier if you would let us eat just one person," Entoma complained. "Would anyone miss the homeless guy who works the corner down the street?"
"No killing," Yuri said with a wag of her finger.
"What if he just dies on his own? Could we eat him then?"
"No."
"What about just one arm? Would anyone even notice?"
"No," Yuri insisted. "A human corpse with a limb torn off would draw unneeded attention."
"But I hate having to live off human food! It's so bland!"
"Consider it a sacrifice for the Supreme One."
"I don't mind eating Yuri-nee's cooking." Shizu said in a monotone.
"That doesn't count," Entoma said. "You like sweet things."
"We will do whatever is necessary to complete the mission," Sebas declared. "Regardless of the difficulties."
This statement brought the conversation to an end. As they continued to walk cars flowed past them travelling in both directions. More than a few flashed their lights or honked their horns as they went by. Automobiles were another wonder of this world. They used the same electricity that turned night into day, and they did not belong solely to the military and those in power. Many ordinary people owned them, indeed, Sebas had made more than enough money to be able to purchase one if he wished. The idea of traveling about in an iron and glass carriage did not particularly appeal to him. But they were viewed as status symbols here, perhaps purchasing one would help him to blend in?
It was about a two mile walk from their place of work and residence to their destination. There was a mansion that took up a city block. The building was three stories and made of white
marble. There were statues and carvings on the walls, mostly depicting soldiers and their fighting vehicles. On a flag pole on the roof was a flag with seven stars and the inscription 'Strength From Unity.' The building was enclosed by a ten foot high black iron fence, topped with razor wire. There were dozens of soldiers patrolling the perimeter and the inner grounds. On either side of the main gate was an eight foot tall personal mecha. When they had originally captured the Evil Witch the sailors had mistaken Cocytus for one of these. Sebas could understand why. They were constructed of solid metal and about five feet wide. Each one held a massive weapon in its hands that looked like a cross between a machine gun and a cannon. He noticed that Shizu was giving the mecha and their firearms special interest.
"Does everyone have their invitation?" Sebas asked.
All the maids nodded and produced the slips of paper.
"Now remember, I want all of you to blend in and talk to the people inside. The goal is to make useful contacts and gain information about this city. You are free to use any methods necessary, but I want everyone to remain alive." He looked directly at Solution. "No disintegrations."
She bowed her head. "As you wish."
Walking up to the gate they handed their invitations over to a guard and were passed through.
XXX
Inside the main ball room a band played and couples danced. There were tables loaded down with food as well as an open bar. The air was thick with smoke and conversation. Sebas noted that women outnumbered the men by at least two to one. All of them were wore revealing dresses and high heels, and all of them were youthful and very attractive. By comparison, the men ran the gambit in both looks and age, nearly all of them wore a uniform of one sort or another. In his black suit Sebas stood out, a couple other guests assumed he was a waiter and asked him to get them some more drinks.
Each of the maids split off and were soon surrounded by admirers. Even in a room filled with beauties they stood out, and their maid outfits only made them that much more memorable. As Sebas went through the crowd he picked up snatches of their conversations with the gentlemen present.
XXX
"Has anyone ever told you that you're beautiful?"
"I hear it all the time," Narberal replied. "And before you ask, no I won't go out with you, and no I won't do anything for money."
XXX
"Would anyone here like to get inside of me and have me make them scream for days?" Solution asked.
The five men with her all shouted they would and immediately began shoving one another.
XXX
"I just love a man with juicy arms."
"Juicy?"
"I mean thick," Entoma corrected herself.
XXX
"Could you please tell me about your mecha?" Shizu asked in her regular monotone. "Weapons turn me on."
XXX
From other groups he heard talk about the upcoming war. There didn't seem to be any fear, certainly no thought the war would be difficult of they might lose. The men in uniform spoke of war as if it were a sporting event. They talked about glory and easy victory. No one bothered to hide the fact it was coming. Sebas had seen enough here to understand their confidence. Given their resources and numbers they likely would win without much difficulty. All this strength and confidence only made his work that much more important.
He soon spotted the host of the party and the person who had invited him and the combat maids here. He was a tall, imposing figure with short cropped blond hair. Defense Minister Kerensky had on a beautifully tailored field gray uniform that was drowning in gold thread and medals. Kerensky saw him and waved him over. The Defense Minister had a jovial smile and a friendly demeanor, he was the second most important man in the Western Alliance and enjoyed demonstrating his power and wealth. Standing next to him was a man in a black uniform without gold thread or medals. He was short, barely five feet, with glasses and a tiny, scraggly mustache. Whereas Kerensky delighted in playing the host and welcoming his guests, this other man seemed to radiate an aura of hostility and unpleasantness.
"Mr. Tian," Kerensky said with a wide smile. "I'm so glad you and your lovely ladies could join us here tonight."
Sebas offered a bow. "On the contrary, it is I who must thank you for your invitation. It is a great honor, Defense Minister."
"Everyone just calls me Kerensky." He turned to the man standing next to him. "Let me introduce you to Heinrich Heiphall, Commander of Police and Minister of Internal Security. You're lucky, most foreigners who meet him for the first time don't get to do it under such pleasant circumstances." Kerensky laughed while Heinrich remained stoic.
Sebas bowed to the other man. "A great pleasure to meet you Commander Heiphall. I have heard much about you."
"All of it good I'm sure," Heinrich said with the tiniest of sneers.
Not even slightly, Sebas thought. Whereas Kerensky was responsible for the military, Heiphall was in charge of the regular and secret police. The regular police enforced the laws and investigated crimes. The secret police dealt with any threats to the regime and were said to spy on everyone. The secret police arrested people only at night. If they were very lucky they were returned home with bruises and a few broken bones after an interrogation. The unlucky ones simply vanished and were never heard from again. The secret police never needed anything more than suspicion to come for you. Heiphall was the last person he had wanted to meet tonight.
"You are respected and feared," Sebas said. "For a person in authority this is always a good thing."
"Clever answer. Do you know I have a file on you and all your lady friends?"
Sebas gave no sign the news worried him. "I wouldn't think my employees and I warrant such attention. We only wish to start new lives here in this great city."
"The police know everything and see everything. Nothing escapes our notice." Sebas knew that was a lie. If they were really that omniscient they'd have already come for him and the Pleiades. "You and your maids are a very unusual case. We get our share of immigrants of course, we are the light of the world after all. But most of them either work the mines or join the military, or find a husband if they are female. It's most unusual for them to prosper as you have."
"We have worked very hard to achieve what success we have had. I am very grateful that we have been welcomed and allowed to prosper."
"Having such beautiful ladies helped too, I bet." Kerensky added.
"They are not only beautiful," Sebas said. "But hard working as well. All we want is to become productive members of this great country. We hope to become citizens one day."
"That is possible for the women," Heinrich said. "They only need to marry a citizen and give birth to at least one healthy child. For men citizenship requires you complete the standard ten years' service in the military. Do you intend to volunteer?"
"I am a businessman, not a soldier."
"What you and you women are is different, and I don't like things that are different."
"This is a party. You don't need to be interrogating people all the time, Heinrich." Kerensky said giving him a slight nudge and turning to Sebas. "You must forgive him, he doesn't know how to leave his work."
"I don't apologize for taking my duties seriously. There are threats everywhere."
"And I and the whole Revolutionary Council thank you for it, but I'm sure we're safe from a restaurant owner and his lovely staff."
"You can never know who is dangerous," Heinrich said flatly.
Very true, Sebas thought. Kerensky's attention was diverted and Sebas noticed he was looking in the direction where Solution was holding court. It seemed she was the Defense Minister's type. On the outside at least.
"Her name is Solution, would you like an introduction, Defense Minister?"
"I think that would be delightful."
As they headed off Heiphall remained where he was, watching.
XXX
Solution spent much of the evening dancing with Kerensky. The other maids wandered through the ballroom conversing with different people. Sebas left to use the bathroom. Most of the mansion's first floor was open to the guests, armed guards stood at both stairwells to prevent anyone from wandering upstairs. Sebas slipped into a small anteroom that was empty, opened a window, and went outside. He was careful not to draw the attention of any of the patrols going over the grounds. Sebas leapt up and easily landed on the roof. There were no soldiers there. He had no trouble finding and unlocked third story window and sliding inside unnoticed.
All the servants were downstairs attending to guests, so he was able to conduct a swift search unimpaired. He found what he was looking for down the main hall next to the master bedroom; the Defense Minister's private office. The door to it was not even locked. Kerensky obviously thought his home much more secure than it actually was. Being a dragonoid Sebas could see perfectly well in the dark and did not bother turning on the light. The desk was covered in reports and military dispatches. They gave the current locations and troop levels of the military. Sebas looked them over and committed them to memory. He did not have a photographic memory like Shizu's, but he could call back important information.
There was one very important matter he hoped to learn about. He could not afford to be absent from the part for too long. Sebas hurried through the desk drawers and then through file cabinets that were also in the office. In the second one he found a thick file with the information he was searching for. He took it out and went though it sheet by sheet. Bringing these papers back to Ainz-sama would definitely please him, but would also possibly expose their mission here. Sebas took the locations listed and burned those into his thoughts before returning the file.
Sebas exited the room, hurried to one of the windows and leapt down. He was able to get back inside and return to the ballroom without anyone noticing the absence.
XXX
Metal rails led out of the mine entrance. About every hour or so an iron cart would be pushed out, filled with iron ore. At the end of the rails the cart would be tipped over and all the rocks would be dumped out. The person who had brought the cart out of the mine would slowly begin taking it back inside. Meanwhile, some workers would haul up the ore and toss it into a horse drawn wagon. When they had collected all the ore they would take the wagon down the hillside to a brick building with a massive chimney that spewed out black smoke. All around the building were six rickety wooden lodges that housed all the workers. Surrounding all the buildings, and the hill itself, was a wooden stockade with six watch towers above them. In each tower were a pair of guards and a machine gun. On the other side of this fence were four brick and metal buildings where the soldiers were all garrisoned. There were also two trucks parked outside. In front of the main building was a flagpole, in the breeze was a flag depicting seven stars and the words, 'Strength From Unity.'
The soldiers not currently on duty were tossing a ball around and talking to one another.
"A mine and foundry using forced labor," Cocytus said. He and Nigredo were scouting them from the nearby wood.
She nodded. "The miners don't seem to be here by choice." In her arms she gently cradled her doll. "What do you wish to do?"
"My orders are to bring all the humans we meet into the service of Ainz-sama. That is what I intend." He began to walk towards the settlement.
"Didn't Ainz-sama also wish you to do this with as little violence as possible?"
Cocytus halted and turned back to her. "He did."
"The humans might not react well to seeing you suddenly appear. Maybe it would be better to let Daryl meet with them first."
Cocytus thought about it for a moment. He'd been present when they captured the Evil Witch. The humans had started shooting at him for no real reason. They tended to spook easily.
"All right, I suppose we can try that."