CHAPTER 27:

THE DUST SETTLES

The fallout from the Worker invasion was, thankfully, minimal. The Furts were in prison, pending a trial. And while it was a foregone conclusion, some semblance of due process had to be seen to be done. On Arche's suggestion, Harry hired the Furts' servants to work at his mansion in Arwintar, and had paid off the Furts' creditors, just so they wouldn't come after Arche or her sisters.

Arche was far from happy about this. For all that she despised them, they were still her birth parents, nowhere near as bad as Antilene or Leinas' own. But she endured it, as she often had.

Of course, someone else who was far from happy was the ambassador to the Slane Theocracy. He had been confronted with the surviving members of Wild Dog, Keen Edge, and Heavy Masher (their memories suitably modified to avoid confirming where Antilene was, amongst other things), and while he denied it all, the Furts had folded under interrogation. Jircniv took great pleasure in declaring the ambassador persona non grata.

Not long afterwards, Jircniv was regaling Harry, Momonga, Albedo and Antilene in his audience chamber with what had happened. After relating his story, Jircniv drank from a goblet of juice, and sighed happily. "Power needs to be wielded intelligently and with precision, not as a bludgeon to get your own way…but damn, that felt satisfying."

"I'm sure. The ambassador caused you a lot of trouble," Momonga said.

"And in other news, the Katze Plains is a barren wasteland," Jircniv scoffed. "Even knowing your origins and temperament, I'd rather avoid aggravating Nazarick. What's more, I'm still trying to replace the spies he suborned. Spies that have been compromised once can be compromised again. That alone has cost me time and effort that would be better spent elsewhere. And as useful as Demiurge's Shadow Demons are, I'd rather not rely on your services too much, if you don't mind me saying so."

"Quite all right," Momonga said with a magnanimous wave of a hand. "Our purpose is not conquest and ensuring the submission of other nations, though I'm sure many of the Floor Guardians would be eager to conquer this world in our name. Aside from revenge on the Platinum Dragon Lord and Rigrit, our main purpose is to try and improve this world, without it falling into the same pitfalls as Earth did. The Baharuth Empire is doing very well, and even the part that I detest, slavery, you are actively working for a replacement that won't affect the economy too much. To whit, using undead. Incidentally, have the pointers I have given Fluder helped?"

Jircniv chuckled. "He won't shut up about it. Given a year or so, we can start bringing in non-sentient undead to act as replacements for slaves in earnest. There'll be considerable resistance, though. Leaving aside the fact that the undead repulse the living, there'll also be those who will refuse to give up their slaves simply because they find it enjoyable to abuse other people legally. But what of the Theocracy?"

"We have our own plans for that," Albedo said. "We intend to wage a propaganda campaign designed to weaken the populace's faith in the Six Gods. Unless they provoke us further, we intend to play the long game here. You are aware of the existence of the Players. We intend to point out that the so-called Six Gods they worshipped were mortal, and had died of old age. What kind of god simply dies from old age?"

"A canny plan," Jircniv said with an approving nod. "The Theocracy is one of the more powerful countries in the world, especially in terms of military strength. But, instil doubt in those fanatics, and that strength will begin to fail, or else will be engaged dealing with dissenters within."

"Of course, that's only part of the battle," Momonga said. "And it's a long-term plan. Honestly, I am looking for a nice change. I am considering heading to the Dwarven Kingdom before long. I'm genuinely curious about the Runesmiths."

"Yes, you mentioned that. I'd be curious to hear about whatever you find out," Jircniv said. "Dwarven weaponry and armour is highly-prized, but getting to their Kingdom is a touch tricky. We usually wait for them to trade with us."

"Speaking of weapons and armour trade, we've been analysing weapons from our foes," Momonga said. "A few in particular were intriguing, if low level compared to us in Nazarick. Clementine favoured wielding stilettoes that could contain an enchantment for release, and nothing of the sort was present in Yggdrasil. The stilettoes themselves can only contain up to 3rd Tier Magic, but I've been doing some analysis, and I'm looking into improving the concept. Also, Malmvist's rapier had no less than two curses imbued into it to worsen the wounds it made, which, combined with the poison it was laced with, would kill anyone who didn't have enough resistance, and we are working on reverse-engineering that and improving it. While it's possible that Fluder already knows of such things, if you wish, I can give you the notes, to help outfit your army, or at least certain units of it."

"Generous," Jircniv noted.

"Consider it compensation for the stress we've caused you lately, even if indirectly," Momonga said.

"Stress is unfortunately a hazard of the job when it comes to ruling, or at least if you're a competent ruler," Jircniv said. "In any case, thank you for your offer, Momonga, and for your cooperation too."

"Quite all right. Jircniv, you helped keep my friend safe, politically if nothing else. That means much to me."

"Indeed. You have helped my love shelter here," Albedo said. "If he had somehow died, or been sealed away once more…" She looked away. "I'm not sure I would like what I would have become. For that, you deserve my gratitude…"

When Harry, Albedo, Antilene and Momonga returned to the mansion, it was to an argument. "And by what right does an aphid have to speak with such familiarity?" sneered the cold tones of Narberal Gamma. She was going to be recalled to Nazarick before long, to allow the Furts' former servants to take her place.

"I am Enzo's sworn sword. That may be a more ceremonial position given his power, true, but I take that duty seriously," Leinas was saying as they approached the living room. "He cured me of my curse, and helped me gain my vengeance. And he is fine with such familiarity. You could probably ask him yourself."

Harry sighed, even as he opened the door and found Narberal glaring at Leinas, only for the Japanese-looking beauty to do a double-take on seeing their arrival, and promptly kneeling. "My lords, Lady Albedo!" And when she saw Leinas still on her feet, she snarled, "On your knees, worm!"

"Worms don't have knees," Leinas snarked back, before looking to them. "Is Jircniv okay?"

"Less stressed now that those idiots have been taught a lesson," Antilene said, before looking to Narberal. "And I didn't hear you greet me, Narberal."

Narberal, after a moment, gritted her teeth. "…Lady Antilene," she said, in the tone one would normally reserve for a piece of shit smeared on one's shoe. But Antilene was stronger than the Pleiades, and that deserved some respect from the cold Pleiades battle-maid.

"You may stand, Narberal, and ignore Leinas' attitude. As Enzo's sworn sword, she is due some leeway at least," Albedo said. "Aside from your fracas, there is nothing to report?"

Narberal shook her head. "The only thing I was told that Lord Cocytus has some issues with the Lizardmen settlements that need to be discussed. They weren't urgent, so he relayed that message to me rather than using Message to contact you directly. Oh, and the Tuare girl that Sebas rescued, she had another episode. Her sister and Yuri Alpha are tending to her now."

Harry, Momonga, Antilene and Albedo shared a look. Tuare was still having some episodes where her PTSD played up on her. Thankfully, Yuri and Celicia were amongst those best suited to calming her down. Tuare had actually won some small respect from the Pleiades (save for Solution, who still viewed her with some disdain, and tolerated her for Sebas' sake, and Entoma, who was indifferent) for her dedication to learning her trade and her skill, to say nothing of the Homunculi Maids. Even Narberal, who tended to refer to humans as various insects or vermin or the like, didn't call her by any of those names.

"We'll go and check in on her when we head back to Nazarick," Harry said. "Leinas, you want to come with?"

"Sure. At least the other Pleiades are fun. Hell, Lupusregina is a sadist, and Entoma a cannibal, and they're more fun than Chuckles here," Leinas said.

"I am Narberal Gamma, nematode," Narberal retorted.

"Enough, Narberal," Momonga said. "Leinas is a guest of Nazarick, and the sworn sword of Enzo. And Leinas, try not to provoke Narberal."

"Fine…"

Yuri looked over to where Tuare was chatting with Celicia, the former sex-slave looking embarrassed. They were in what passed for Nazarick's infirmary. "Forgive me, Lord Momonga. I believe the cleaning agent we were using was what triggered her episode. They used something similar in that brothel, to clean up stains…and to punish the sex-slaves who fought back. She never underwent that, thank goodness, but she was forced to watch one girl being made to drink such a cleaning agent."

"Ugh, really?" Antilene groaned. "I heard of something similar being used by a serial killer in the Theocracy before he was caught, forcing them to drink lye. That's a nasty way to die."

"Indeed," Albedo said. "Every new thing we learn about the Eight Fingers in general, and that section in particular, makes me feel ever more justified in giving them to Demiurge. Is she all right?"

"She recovered quickly enough," the bespectacled battle maid remarked. "But she will need ongoing…counselling, I believe it's called. Lord Sebas would probably be best-suited to the role. While he is no psychologist or psychiatrist, she trusts him, and as a butler, it helps him to be able to listen to the problems of others."

"It helps that he's Touch Me's creation," Momonga mused. "But her progress, Yuri?"

"Quite superlative for a human. The main obstacle is her psychological issues. She should be ready to assume full duties before long, and as long as we avoid too many triggers, I daresay she will be good at those duties."

"I could alter her memories, or at least erase part of them, but I'm not convinced she'd consent to that," Harry mused. "Besides, I'm not sure that removes all the psychological scars, and I don't like messing around with the memories of allies or friends."

And speaking of memories, he felt it was past time that he let a few more of the former NPCs in on the fact that he and Momonga used to be human. He'd been meaning to do so since the success with Albedo, but with a select few of the Floor Guardians. Namely, Sebas, Yuri Alpha, Pandora's Actor, and Aura and Mare.

Sebas and Yuri were amongst the Floor Guardians well-disposed towards humans, and Aura and Mare had grown into that, helped by Harry giving them some parental love and guidance. Pandora's Actor was intelligent and was one of the more neutral Floor Guardians, even if he guarded the Treasury rather than a specific floor of Nazarick.

He could also do the same to at least a couple of the other former NPCs. Nigredo and Pestonya sprang to mind. But those previous five were whom he intended…

Harry was on guard, as was Albedo and Momonga, as the five former NPCs watched edited highlights of his memories. This time, he had brought the Pensieve to Nazarick, and the Treasury in particular. Antilene was looking around in interest. "And to think Ainz Ooal Gown accumulated this much stuff," she remarked. "How many World Items did you guys accumulate again anyway? Eleven, right?"

"Yes, and that was a number greater than any other guild in Yggdrasil," Momonga said solemnly. "The next guild in terms of rankings had three. And it's twelve now, with the acquisition of Downfall of Castle and Country. I have one on my person."

"Right, that orb thing you've got in your abdomen," Antilene said. "And what does that do?"

Momonga chuckled. "That would be telling. In any case, during sojourns outside of Nazarick, I have been having the denizens wield appropriate World Items, in case they are attacked with another World Item, as that negates the effects of a World Item. Tabula had already, albeit without my permission, given Albedo Ginnungagap."

"Right, that huge axe thing that transforms from that staff you carry with you," Antilene said, looking to Albedo. "And I remember that scroll thing you have given Aura, and those gauntlets for Mare."

"Depiction of Nature and Society, and Avarice and Generosity respectively," Momonga said. "And Albedo, keep in mind, I am not angry with Tabula's actions. Merely a little annoyed and displeased."

"I know, my lord. Ainz Ooal Gown decided things by majority votes, but Tabula went behind your back to do this. I cannot complain, Ginnungagap is a superlative weapon, but I will apologise anyway for his temerity." Albedo frowned. "However, on reading the notes about other World Items, particularly the Twenty, I am very concerned about their whereabouts. The whereabouts of Ahura Mazda and Longinus in particular are concerning, as they rank amongst the highest threats to us, especially now that we have Downfall of Castle and Country in our possession. Momonga…the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, you once said it was potentially on a level with a World Item. Would it have a similar cancellation effect?"

"I've no idea, nor do I intend to test that hypothesis," Momonga said.

"It's a pretty cool staff, though," Antilene mused. "I'd be curious to see what I could draw out of it with my Talent, even without its powers."

Harry nodded. Antilene rarely used her Talent unless she wanted to get serious. It was called Psychometry, basically allowing her to mimic the skills used by those previously wielding the weapons she wielded. Momonga had been shocked when she revealed that, with her scythe, which had once been wielded by one of the Six Gods, Shurshana, she could use one of his ultimate skills in the Eclipse job class, The Goal of All Life is Death.

However, before anything further could be discussed, the five former NPCs withdrew from the Pensieve. Harry, Albedo, Momonga and Antilene watched them warily, just in case. Just because this worked with Albedo, one of the more-evil Floor Guardians, didn't mean it would work here.

But then, Harry saw the tears glimmering in the eyes of Aura and Mare, as well as Yuri. Sebas also looked like he was trying to hold back his own tears. Pandora's Actor was hard to read, given his lack of features, but his body language showed he was deeply affected.

"…Dad…can we hug you?" Mare, of all people, broke the silence, his voice not stammering but certainly tentative.

Harry simply nodded, and nearly fell over when the two Dark Elves tackled him. They sobbed loudly into his clothes as he gently held them to him. Albedo went over to them, brushing a hand over their shoulders briefly, before she looked at the other three former NPCs. "Well? Knowing the truth, does your loyalty still remain?"

"Dame Albedo," Pandora's Actor began, his voice unusually solemn for the hammy, theatrical Doppelganger, "I understand your concern. This is not a truth lightly given out, nor a secret that should be divulged too readily. But knowing their origins, and thus our own, does not change a thing. I am the proud creation of Lord Momonga."

"…And it was good to see our creators, I am sure," Sebas said. "I got to see Lord Touch Me, and Yuri got to see Lady Yamaiko, and we were created in their human likenesses."

"And we got to see and hear Lady BubblingTeapot again!" Aura sobbed.

"It's the greatest gift we could ever have, aside from being brought to life," Mare added.

Albedo nodded. "I am certain that your creators, the Supreme Beings, would have been proud of what you have all become. Indeed, had they known what would happen, I am sure Lady Yamaiko and Lady BubblingTeapot would have come along. As for Lord Touch Me…"

"No, I understand. His family and his work hobbled his chances of coming back," Sebas said solemnly. He looked to Albedo. "And what of you, Albedo? Of Lord Tabula Smaragdina?"

"I find myself ambivalent. He gave me and my sisters life, and he crafted my backstory with care, for the most part, and for all that, I am truly grateful to him," Albedo said. "In truth, however, I am glad that Lord Momonga changed that last part of my backstory. The love I feel for Harry is a truly divine gift, and far better than the thought of me being a slattern as my creator intended. And it has helped me realise many things. We of Nazarick are monsters. But it does not mean we need to act as such to all the denizens of this world. We will have the world cheer us on as we conquer not their territories, for the most part, but their hearts and minds. In addition, Lord Momonga and Lord Harry are Supreme Beings, but they are not as perfect as many of us believe. It is our solemn duty to help them, for all of us to grow as beings, and to be not merely their servants, but their family."

"Solemn duty?" Yuri asked. "I disagree. It is a duty I accept gladly, despite knowing what I do."

"I agree," Sebas said. "If anything, this only increases my admiration, for you both have risen to the challenge of ruling the Great Tomb of Nazarick rather well."

"Jawohl!" Pandora's Actor exclaimed. "I feel closer to Mein Vater than ever! I will do what I can to help Lord Momonga and Lord Harry, wenn es meines Gottes Wille!"

Harry felt Momonga cringe from here, but then, Aura looked up at him, as did Mare. "Umm…Dad…I know you said we could call you that in private…" the timid Mare asked. "But…with Lord Momonga, if it's in private…can we…can we call him Uncle Satoru?"

Harry looked to Momonga. Although the skull his head had become did nothing but have a toothy rictus on it, Harry got the impression he was actually genuinely smiling. He came over, and they turned around. "…In private, that's perfectly fine by me," Satoru said gently, before hugging them.

The gamble had paid off. The loyalty of more of the Floor Guardians had been guaranteed, despite the truth about their origins, and that of Satoru and Harry. And bonds had grown stronger, further firming up the foundation of Nazarick, and Ainz Ooal Gown…

CHAPTER 27 ANNOTATIONS:

So, here we are. This will be the last chapter for now, as I've burned myself out on this story for the time being. That, and I need to decide what antics Nazarick get up to in the next arc.

Now, I have one of three options, all of which have been foreshadowed to some degree or other in prior chapters. The first is that, in order to bolster their forces for the upcoming annual war, Prince Barbro and his supporters get it into their head to try and conscript Momonga and Nazarick. The outcome is pretty much the same as what happens during the third season. But I'm still not sure how to make that work.

Secondly, I could do a new take on the Dwarven Kingdom arc…but again, I'm not sure how to make that work. I'd need to re-read the novel and maybe, for extra clarity, wait until the fourth season comes out on home video.

Thirdly, I could do the Roble Holy Kingdom stuff. But again, not sure how to make that work, and I reckon that Harry would get pissed off with Remedios PDQ, and want to adopt Neia. By this point, her father is still alive, so that's out of the question.

Finally, and perhaps the most exciting possibility, is to take on the Elf Country arc early. Now, the first light novel of that arc is yet to be released in English, though it comes out very soon as of writing (March 21st, at least on Booktopia), and the second novel doesn't come out until July…but honestly, with Antilene on Nazarick's side, it should prove interesting, and I have some great ideas for her character arc that began when I wrote Chapter 26.

Speaking of Antilene, while reading the wiki, I was surprised to learn that, despite TV Tropes labelling her fight with Mare a ROFLstomp (in Mare's favour), she actually put up a damn good fight. Hell, she used her Talent, Psychometry, to mimic Shurshana being able to use The Goal of All Life is Death via her scythe, which once belonged to Shurshana. If it weren't for Mare having counters to that, she could have won that…well, until Papa Bones and a pissed-off Aura took revenge. I think that, properly equipped and going all-out, Antilene would wipe the floor with at least a few of the Floor Guardians, albeit by dint of death magic. Shalltear with her resurrection item would definitely win, and Mare proved he could counter Antilene. But what of, say, Sebas, Demiurge, Cocytus, Aura (solo or with her beasts, but not with Mare), or even Albedo?

So, why did she lose her spars mentioned in a prior chapter, aside from my being ignorant of this Talent? Simple. They were spars based on pure innate skill in combat and innate strength, not her Talent or using lethal intent on both sides. Antilene could certainly beat the Pleiades, albeit one-on-one (not so sure all at once), even in a spar. Antilene would only use her Talent on an opponent she would take seriously. Just about everyone she has fought in a life or death battle so far is so below her, it's not funny, and so, she hasn't used her Talent.

Now, back to the chapter…I found it odd that Tuare didn't have any real PTSD after all she's gone through. I thought I'd put some in here, and that she's recovered enough from being triggered, but it's an ongoing process.

And Aura, Mare, Sebas, Yuri and Pandora's Actor now know the truth. Really, of the Floor Guardians, they're probably the safest bets. Plus, it allows for some adorable scenes with Aura and Mare. Seriously, all the feels. I personally reckon that Aura and Mare are probably the closest to Momonga on a personal basis in canon. I mean, FFS, when Decem Hougan decides to impregnate Aura, a hidden Momonga promptly attacks him without hesitation, calling him a paedophile. For all the atrocities Momonga has been responsible for, directly or not, up until that point, that says a lot.

Review-answering time! NoSkill4Me: While you raise a fair point, I should point out that there is not that much conflict in Overlord…well, that isn't a complete curbstomp. I specialise in character interaction, and I actually like these nice moments. Much of the story is about Harry and Albedo's romance, as well as some characters growing beyond what they did in canon. Albedo, Antilene, Arche, Aura and Mare…but when I do come back to this fic, it'll be to one of the more conflict-driven scenarios mentioned above.

And it's funny you should bring the lack of conflict up. I actually have been giving serious thought to an AU of this fic where Harry and Momonga are actually implacable enemies. Long story short, the idea was that Harry not having a job, just a trust fund set up by Hermione, gets on Ulbert's nerves, and he instigates Harry being kicked out of Ainz Ooal Gown. Momonga is one of those who votes against Harry, thus sowing the seeds for Harry eventually becoming his enemy in the New World.

It was partly inspired by StarKnight2.0's OC-centric fic Somewhere Far Beyond and its sequel Into the Pandemonium. They're both surprisingly good stories, where at least three or four other Player groups make it to the New World at the same time as Momonga. One of them, a Player who has basically modelled himself on the Wizard of Oz, works with the Slane Theocracy to save Kaire, and in doing so, takes control of Shalltear, only to use her to attack Momonga and then cause her to commit suicide in front of her. And while Oz is a hypocrite for not only working with the Theocracy, but also provoking one of the most dangerous beings in the world, he has a major point about Ainz Ooal Gown…

"The word of Ainz Ooal Gown? Don't make me laugh! I've seen what your promises mean, back in YGGDRASIL. Sure, to the world, you seemed like a real band of brothers, a band of upstart [sic] citizens who got pushed around by everyone else. But on the inside, you guys were as filthy as the rest of us, maybe even filthier. [...] You guys acted like you were the shit when you ganged up on other people, but when people punched back, you played the victim."

WearyCurmudgeon: It's actually a plot point a number of times in Doctor Who. The Doctor usually leaves people to fix their own messes, but sometimes, he causes even more. In the classic series story Timelash, the consequences of a prior visit to the world that is set on (albeit one that wasn't actually written) are discussed, while Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways shows the consequences of the Doctor's lack of help with the cleanup of the events of The Long Game. And these are just a few examples.

I also like exploring the fact that, despite Voldemort's fall, nothing truly changes in Magical Britain for the better. This is a recurring theme in my post-Hogwarts stories, and often acts as the impetus for Harry to go elsewhere.

Also, the Thrawn Trilogy is canon, as far as I am concerned, not that shite Disney sequel trilogy.

No numbered annotations this time.