Overlord Effect

by oblivon2991

With the arrival of the Shinigami and his enforcer came hardship. With hardship came equality. With careful planning came advancement. With advancement, the civilization thrived. And when a fantasy based civilization met an another one? What's then? What happens when the Sorcerer Kingdom met the galactic community? The Reapers? (AU with a lot of OC'S! Beware! XD) HIATUS until fn.

4. The Councill and the Sucubbus

Thank you for reading my fanfic!

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 don't own the Mass Effect trilogy developed by the Bioware game studios.

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.

This story made by the request of sandmanwtf4.

Thank you for reading this notification!

Please enjoy the story!

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A figure sat in his comfortable looking chair watching the scenery before him. Seemingly he was so mesmerized with the sight he almost forgot to knock down the useless ash from the end of his cigarette.

It was 2185 according to the chronology of the System Alliance. Despite the brilliant scientist long ago found a way to neutralize the harmful effects of smoking both for the user and the people around the smoking person. Many people found it disturbing and unwelcome the persons who smoke in public or not in a smoking area. Not because it was harmful in the current age. But because it was a custom what the people learned from their elders. It cannot be helped old habits dies hard.

The said man would have looked like he is in his thirties if not his always tired eyes, gray hair and the wrinkles what furrowed his face. But what made his appearance really unique was not his dress style what consisted an open suit that connotes both futuristic styles what borrowed him a look of a "casual swagger of a charming billionaire and his expensive, elegant shoes."

No... That would only make him seem like a billionaire who is at the end of his forties. What made his appearance really unique was his steely blue glowing cybernetic eyes. The concerned eyes that were always tired worrying about the fate of humanity. The eyes what always looked to the future and dreaded the things that hide in the darkness. The concerned eyes that always looked the bigger picture instead of the small pieces.

On the right side of the concerned man, there was a small table with a glass what was half full with ice cubes and a full bottle of Bourbon from the early late 21st century. Made in Kentucky in the USA after the civil war around 2090. The bottle cost more than a regular Alliance officer one-year salary. Still, it's worth every credit for the man who we see in the current scene.

It's taste... it's versatility that smooth yet complex flavor... The drinkability that made it more approachable than other whiskeys and with its age, the maturation process further refined the said bourbon. With its age, the bourbon taste reached its climax. Perfected it in the best way possible. Gave it a soul.

Whenever the man drinks a sip from this heavenly drink it made him remember why he fought... why he had to push further and further to protect what he kept dear. It was not easy. Well, most of the time it was horrible. Most of the people in the galaxy hated him and his organization and gave them such labels as a terrorist, human supremacist, or even the label racist.

Despite this and the minor setbacks what the other races and occasionally his own people caused to the man and his organization. His organization thrived and was stronger than ever. The organization what he named after the mythological three-headed dog who guarded the entrance to the Underworld. Cerberus... the symbol what the man set as a goal for himself and his organization.

The Cerberus... guarding humanity against the shadows from the shadows. Seeking to assure humanity dominance over the other races in the galaxy. Watching always vigilantly always ready to jump in time of need even if it means they had to take drastic measurements or commit horrendous acts to reach the said goal.

In such light. The organization named Cerberus represented humanity best yet the most disgusting aspects at once. The aspects what made humanity survive, thrive and advance in the cold place called reality. The capability of overcoming and gain strength through sacrifice and hard work. The capability what made humanity the apex race of Earth.

The man feared many things. But most of all... He feared that something dark and malicious that resided outside of the borders of the Milky Way. And it is reached closer and closer to the galaxy with every second. Crawling closer and closer to his treasure like a creeping shadow what started to suffocate him.

He knows something. Something that others were either did not know, was too scared to admit to know or even accept the assumption of the reality of it. Wrapping it in layers and layers of lies.

A truth that was so terrifying it was easier to deny it until it was too late than living with the horrible reality... the horrible truth in the time remaining. He saw it happening. He read the reports, saw the holovids. His scientist even managed to gain samples from the wreckage what remained after the 2km long 'Geth Dreadnaught' as the press presented it to the media.

Of course, it was not the only thing why he prepared for the worse. He knows they will come... He knew long time ago. Not because he heard or read it somewhere. But because he experienced it. When he came contact with the artifact what disfigured his friend then made his friends sacrifice themselves just to gain more precious time. Precious time to prepare for the invasion. This made him take up the mantle of the Illusive Man. Jack Harper former mercenary was no more. The Illusive Man has been born.

Maybe others label him and his organization as a terrorist or human supremacist organization. Maybe they put a bounty on his head, or the Alliance ordered their soldiers to arrest every member of the Cerberus if they find out their real identity. Maybe the Council gave out shot on sight order. But he did not care. He was relentless. Even if it took his own life or the sacrifice of his organization or other innocent people.

He will protect humanity no matter the price. Even if he had to make a deal with the Devil itself.

Because a dark time is coming for humanity and humanity will be tested, and while they may not know who is doing the testing or why humanity must meet the challenges as they have complied with every other one. They will succeed because to do anything else would be inhuman. He will watch the dark places and illuminate them and that there are technology and tools that they not only can but must master in order to survive. This is not just to survive, but so they can better humanity. Eventually, humanity will take its rightful place in the stars.

Fortunately, behind the 'man.' But now just call him the name as the galaxy knows him. The Illusive Man or in short TIM.

Behind him resided one of the biggest information networks what rivaled even with the Shadow Broker information network. The most feared and secretive information broker in the galaxy. Financial might and one of the biggest private military with several cruisers what an unofficial half military organization who worked behind the scenes could have.

All that thanks to the countless rich backers who contributed to the cause and willing to sacrifice their own wealth to promote their cause. Not speaking about the investments what he made during his long years as the head of the Cerberus what brought quite sum to the table in each year.

The organization called Cerberus what being labeled as a terrorist organization worked in separate cells whose did not know anything about the others cells and never reported directly to the Illusive Man making him completely Illusive as his name said. It made him virtually untraceable and gave him the ease feeling the bureaucrats has nothing against him.

According to many of his employees, he was paranoid when it came to concealing his real identity or his residence. He found a perfect way to avoid a raid. He almost always resided in his mobile space station that he regularly moved new undiscussed coordinates. He always positioned his station around a dying star. Close to the star to the radiation help hide the position and the presence of the station. But far away from the star to the station shielding could withstand and filter these harmful effects of the star. With this, he could minimize the chance to be caught off guard.

Aside from the station standing personals, he and a few trustful individuals no one know his current location. To make it even more secret. He only told the new location before he gave out the order the move of the station. He knew it was a little paranoid. But he and his organization were too important for humanity just to let himself caught off guard.

But he knows. Even if he die or his organization has been destroyed. Someone will be carrying further the very idea called... Cerberus. Because

"Behind this mask, there is more than just flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea... and ideas are bulletproof." He always loved this quote what he learned from an old movie from Earth from the early 21st century. And he completely agreed with it.

Then one day he got a strange report from one of his source. According to it, a new dormant relay activated. It would be not important to him since it was an everyday event that some unsuspecting individual explore a new dormant relay then call the authorities who either activate it or let it dormant leaving a few sensor buoy to send a signal if the relay activated from the other side.

Modifying the turian fleet patrol in that way so they can immediately jump into the scene to stop the invaders and fee them activating a dormant Mass Relay. As the turians did when they first encountered with humanity in the accident named the 'First Contact War' in 2157.

Yeah... as the turians called it. 'Unfortunate accident' what caused thousands of death for both sides.

But when he reached the middle of the report his ears perked up a little out of his curiosity. According to the report, a probe came through the relay what self-destructed itself later on. As he expected the turians immediately sent a whole fleet to monitor the situation. What he did not expect the probes what came later self-destruct themselves and killed thousands of turians.

Despite the fact that the turians were the cause of his current state. He saw their usefulness in the long run. He put aside his grudge long time ago so he could see the bigger picture and focus on the solution.

But what made him interested was the next. The said accident was enough to raise the whole Citadel Council wrath and make them send multiple fleets to fight off the threat if it found its way through the relay. Unfortunately, the only probe what the turians managed to recover was tightly locked deep below underground facility in a turian government lab in Palaven.

He only managed to recover information fragments about it after Sparatus the turian counselor sent the information about it to his fellow councilors. But according to his scientist who he gave that few pieces of information that his spy managed to recover. The technology seems to be so advanced it seems to a gibberish to him, and it is physically impossible what the scanners showed.

Hearing this he gave further funding to the scientist and his cell then... hope the best. Hoped this new race will be not a greater threat than the Reapers and maybe he could use them as a shield against them. Meanwhile, he got his hand on their technology. Reverse engineering it then ensures the dominance of humanity.

The only thing he could do is wait. A little time later he got the message from the director of the Lazarus Cell. Notifying him, they had to resuscitate Shepard earlier than it was planned due the facility has been hacked. Most likely a spy of the Shadow Broker who turned the station mechs against the scientist who worked in the facility killing everyone aside Miranda, Jacob, and Shepard in the station.

His first chat with the redhead woman brought the results what he expected from it. She was relentless, and he could hear the spite and the disdain from the voice of the woman. He expected it. Knowing Shepard's past, it was not surprising she reacted to him in this way.

After all. She personally experienced one of the outcomes of the experiments of one of the Cerberus cells when her whole squad has been wiped out by a thresher maw agitated by one of the Cerberus scientists. Before her death, she personally destroyed multiple research facilities of Cerberus. The loss was not significant of course, the personnel and the buildings were disposable, and the scientist immediately shut down the computers before she reached them, sent every data to a safe server then erased every criminative evidence against Cerberus before the woman could reach the central mainframe.

As it is written in the protocol. They had nothing against him neither his organization aside from a few forged evidence what his spies in the higher ups simply either erase or hide deep inside of a file where no one is searching it.

Shepard went her own way after her resurrection and started to recruit the best of the galaxy using the names what he provided her. Currently, she was in the middle of solving the disappearance of the human colonist. Of course using the names, the contacts and the resources what he gave her. He even gave her a new rebuilt and improved Normandy using secret plans what he gained through his massive information network.

Bringing her back and the construction of the new Normandy cost him greatly. But reading Miranda's reports made him smile. Despite the woman attitude towards him. Those billions what he spent to find a way to restore Shepard, the same person who she was before her death was well spent. Until now it seemed it is worth every single credit.

Her attitude was still questionable, but the Illusive Man hoped in time she will change and start to see the whole picture instead of pieces of it. Seeing what is at stake. She will change her attitude and start to see things from his perspective. The Illusive Man was sure about that.

The only minor problem aside from the astronomical price of the project what is absorbed a big portion of the Cerberus yearly budget was the next. The disappearance one of the Shepard clones. In the earlier stages of the Lazarus project, the scientist tried to clone Shepard with bigger and smaller margin of success. But after confirming the memories what the scientist managed to recover from Shepard damaged brain left the clone with a somewhat deformed, disturbing personality. They immediately destroyed most of them. Leaving a few of them for further examination.

It did not matter. It is most likely she died out in the cold space. Without sources, money and wearing a dead woman face her survival chances were less than a percent. The clone most likely died.

Moving his hand above the haptic interface, new information's started to stream before his prosthetic eyes. A month passed since the first probe has arrived and since then newer and newer probes arrived time after time. Of course, thinking they are suicide probes, the fleets immediately shot them out. Did not want to risk their fleets and ships integrity.

He somewhat did not understand the tactic of the turians. It was just a waste to shoot all of them out. At least they could capture them examine a few of them with remote drones. Examine why those probes exploded in the first place. This showed the paranoia of council clouded their vision once again. The thing why the Illusive Man was against cooperating with them.

Fortunately, the Fourth Fleet of the Alliance what was full of his undercover agents waiting in the scene. Agents whose could send him first-hand reports about the activity of relay. For one month everything went normally. For one month nothing happened aside from the arrival of the usual probes.

Then... The fleet arrived from the other side. The few reports what he received before the transmission became fractured described unimaginable things. Energy shields, energy weapons, dark carapace like shells without windows what constituted the outer layers of the alien's ships and could withstand the biggest cannons shoot.

The energy emission and patterns were like the ships using a class A star as a power source according to the Stellar Classification. He did not surprise about the energy radiation after all he suspected using energy weapons and shields if it is possible requires a tremendous amount of energy and power. What made him surprise the chaotic nature of energy what the patterns showed.

Neither his scientist nor he understood how these aliens managed to stabilize and store that amount of chaotic nature, always changing energy without it is simply going out of their control and simply either blowing up their ships or simply ripping them apart.

Further reports reported bulky black armored mech and units who's merely shrugged off the heavy weapons, the strongest biotic attacks and were trained well enough to be comparable to the veteran Asari Commando units. The Illusive Man did not want to say out loud, but he was pretty impressed how those blue women's trained their units. They were few, but every unit was comparable to a Platoon of highly trained Alliance Marines in combat strength and was a lot more mobile than more than 150 men.

Fortunately, the Illusive Man using his connections managed to capture a few of these specially trained persons. Then his specialist managed to make them tell their training method after days of torture. He gained the information how to enhance his veteran units training methods. No... Further enchanting the method what the Asari commando gave out before her unfortunate death. Then using it in his Phantom program what produced the deadliest human weapons what the human race can produce. The Phantoms. These highly trained biotic soldiers were capable to alone take out bigger groups with ease deep behind the enemy's fortification then leave the area without anyone detecting them.

As his men called them. 'Good damn space ninja's!' This expression always made him smile whenever he thought about it.

The training method was harsh... out of ten candidates; only one survived the first stage.

Reading the reports further he raised his brow. In the first minutes of the battle, the aliens managed to force the consolidated forces of the Council to call the reinforcements what waited outside of the system. Then even with the reinforcements what arrived to help out the Council forces. Even after that. Almost no ship managed to jump out of the system and according to the last information fragments what his undercover agents sent. An another fleet appeared behind their fleet. Far from the mass relay.

He was not sure the recovery was correct but what his specialist managed to restore from the data was the next. 'A Bl**a*** Ov***a* **ap**d h**osafda/**l ap**-*-*-/ b6988eh/*d the f*l/3t'

If this is true. Then that means these aliens not only have the technology to produce energy weapons and energy shields what can comparable to the Reaper named 'Sovereign, ' he suspected, if not completely then partial these new aliens possessed the independence from using Mass Relays to travel great distances. If he could take his hands on that technology. He could grant his organization and through it... humanity. The critical edge in every future battle what they so desperately needed.

Two days earlier Udina. His closest source of the Citadel Council sent him a full-fledged report about his first official diplomatic meeting with these aliens. The whole thing was also recorded by Udina microscopic camera what implanted in his eyes out of his knowledge.

The Illusive Man marveled the technology at first sight after the implants sent the recordings to the closest servers then relayed through many shadow servers to cover their track. Directly in his office through the quantum entanglement communication. What made it possible to instantly relay messages between two points without delay no matter the distance.

It seemed these aliens not only managed to master the construction of energy weapons and shields. But have similar technology what he only read in absurd sci-fi and fantasy novels. Whole floating districts. Ships with size dwarfed even an Asari dreadnought. And portal what seemingly connected two places in space and time and granted safe travels without delay or risk.

According to what he saw. He already knows. The civilization what possessed these technological marvels was not only one race. But a whole consolidation of hundreds of races. What made him. Even him gasps were the fact. There were not only races what resembled humans with a significant margin. But actual humans! The chance to encounter races resembling humans was so little the first human explorers who's left the border of the solar system did not even expect to meet such humanoid race as the Asari at first and found the idea absurd to find other humanoid races.

Yet, according to the codex what he received from Udina there was more than a hundred humanoid race, and among the races even the humanity represented itself. That was absurd and even impossible if someone considered the distribution of the races in one exact galaxy. It was almost impossible to exist one exactly same race in an another place inside of the same galaxy. Yet, here they are now. Hundreds of races and amongst them an another humanity.

It was not as negative for many people think. For the Illusive Man, it was a positive thing. It gave him the opportunity to use his undercover agents to collect technology and information from these aliens. Sending his agents to integrate into their society gave him the opportunity to learn more and gain information easily. Of course, first, he needed to kidnap a few civilians and interrogate them from their customs. Without that knowledge, his spies would hardly integrate themselves and blend in the society.

Strangely most of the races of the human mythology. Mostly from the Nordic and Christian mythology can be found amongst those races who's inhabited the systems under the rule of the Sorcerer King as the codex mentioned him. Elves, Dwarves, Humans, Ice Giants, dragons. Even Demons.

From what he saw under the diplomats short meeting and the data what he gathered until now. He knows. These aliens did not reach this level from themselves alone, and most likely most of them created through genetical manipulation, precise engineering, and planning. Collecting various races from the different point of the galaxy then shaping them to the images of their creator's will. Ensuring their genetical code not defective.

It was once brilliant and horrifying for the Illusive Man.

Thinking about such advanced race could exist in their galaxy that can shape entire races with their whim. Then as a horrifying experiment placing them in one world just to study them. According to his scientist and social specialist, it was both a marvelous almost impossible feat and a horrifying act against the free will. And in the Illusive Man's eyes these that the codex 'Supreme Beings' started to resemble more and more to the Reapers with the twist of an egomaniac child with a god complex.

The man suspected these advanced beings who posed as Supreme Beings placed those races on the planet then let them be for the time being. Inspecting from the far how they advance and interact with each other. After that conquering them through a sheer show of force. Then gave them morsels of technology just to watch them develop under their rule.

Simple sociological and evolutionary experiment. Humans and many other races did the same with other non-sentient races for example animals or even plants.

What really intrigued the Illusive Man that was the 'Magic' as the petite Governor of Touch Me explained to the ambassadors. Absurd! Even the Illusive Man who was willing to accept the existence of the most absurd things was not willing to accept the existence of magic!

But when he heard about the girl start to explain how the thing they called 'magic' works exactly. He became a little calmer and more accepting towards the thing. The multiverse theory exists since the middle of the 20th century so hearing it may exist was not surprising for TIM. Further hearing they leech energy from those universes to do seemingly impossible things was quite sensible too. So if you see magic became nothing more than using other physical laws than the current universe in TIM eyes. The desire to take his hands on that technology grow even more in him.

They can't even have scratched the surface to understand this technology. But he, Cerberus and humanity willing to learn. After all. The ability to learning made them the apex race of their planet and made it possible to reach the stars.

What made him widen his eyes that seeing the girl raising her hand and made the energy bubble disappear into a black hole. Not a quantum singularity what the strongest biotic could produce through great effort. No! The energy signature was almost entirely identical to a full-fledged black hole. Then it's gone! The energy bubble what was previously present completely disappeared in the darkness! Along with the probe what the girl presented to show the error in their devices. The devices what caused that minor misunderstanding what ended the complete humiliation of the Council forces.

He needed to be wary how he made his steps. He needed to advance with mall steps despite the rush of the time. Recovering technology little by little. Reverse engineering it then understanding it. Seeing the alien's technology, the Illusive Man suspected it would not take many efforts from those 'Supreme Beings' to simply dozer away humanity and the other races if they decided to do it.

As always he waved a plan in his mind searching the best way to use others and his own resources the best way as possible. Then an idea came to his mind.

Maybe a temporal alliance with these aliens was sensible? The Reapers was already on their doorstep, and The Illusive Man suspected the servants of the Old Machines are behind the disappearance of the colonist. Offering these aliens knowledge in exchange of technology was a sensible solution. Or even more warning them to the threat in the wrapping of good faith would later pay out in the image of exchange of technology.

Maybe he can even manipulate them to fight the Reapers in their stead. Maybe the Reapers and these strange aliens even manage to cripple or completely destroy each other. And when the storm is over, and the dust is settled. Cerberus simply ride in and reaps the results of its own planning. Transcending humanity even more than the Illusive Man ever dared to dream when he put down the basis of his organization.

But now. The only thing he could do is inspect the events and hope for the best. The extranets forums were full of life after he leaked out the information about the appearance of the new civilization. The information what the Council desperately tried to keep secret.

In the eyes of the Illusive Man, they were fools to try to keep secret such thing. After such defeat, there was no way they could keep secret such thing for long. Not only he. But his rival in the information business knows that. The Shadow Broker. And TIM was sure he already made his move and sent his agents to monitor the situation.

Of course, he ordered EDI to filter this information from Shepard the best way possible and deny her the knowledge about this information in the time being. He can't wait for the look on Shepard's face when she realizes a new race arrived. He rarely did such thing but as a thing what did not really affecting her mission and the investigation. The Illusive Man also could have his own amusement for time to time...

Accompanied with his cigarette and bottle of bourbon, he pushed a few buttons on his haptic interface connecting him the Citadel inner and outer camera system as well the numerous hidden cameras what his agents installed in the stations and the present Alliance ships. The ships that were given bigger role after the battle of Citadel.

His cameras activated and showed as a majestic looking, slender but enormous almost black ship appeared accompanied by two smaller but equally majestic dreadnought sized ships.

The Illusive Man sipped a big drag from his cigarette and watched the scene in his scene with the mix of curiosity and satisfaction on his face. The table has been laid. The game begins now...

---

Scene Change: Citadel:

The crowd swarmed the wards and thronged before the windows what gave them a better sight to the long majestic ships what were arrived just a minute ago. Many reporters from various extranet channels were already on the scene and did their job to communicate the event first hand towards their watchers.

The auto camera of theirs floated not far from their faces. Being equipped with a microphone as well the most modern media recording technology and software. The press could immediately start their work without the need of makeup or any beauty product. The software what installed in the cameras automatically did its magic. Adjusted the light, improved the picture and the sound and made the people before the camera more charming using complex algorithms in the process.

Amongst the crowd, there was an Asari. She seemed to be in her early hundreds. Almost a child in Asari standards. Freckles adorned her cheek what borrowed her a childish look. She wore a green full body dress. It is even higher lightened her buxom good figure.

"Numetta Misan signing in from the Citadel Watcher." She introduced herself with a professional tone.

"In this day we will witness a historical moment. It is only two days since the diplomats returned from their negotiations with the newly-appeared race from the other side of the newly discovered Relay of Shrike Abyssal. But we already received the envoy from them. In this historical moment. Finally, this new civilization takes its first step on the galactic stage." She motioned the ships who's slowly reached the magnetic clamps and docked.

"Unfortunately we don't know much about this new civilization but what Matriarch Nareenia shared with us showed great promise about their integration of the Galactic community." she looked at the camera with a charming smile. "Stay with us and learn more in the Citadel Watcher!"

She continued her report not knowing who stood barely a few meters away from her.

"Holy shit!" a redhead grabbed her head as she saw the huge ship what dwarfed even a Reaper capital ship floating inside of the arms of the Citadel.

"So this is how their ships look... huh?" grunted Garrus.

"What do you mean Garrus? You know who they are?!" Shepard suddenly pointed to the dark colored ship's hull.

"Well, I got a call from the father about a month ago about a new relay activity. Then a week ago the crushing defeat of the consolidated Council forces." Explained Garrus.

"Yeah! I heard that too!" chirped Kasumi while looked outside of the windows.

"I think everyone heard it..." Garrus crossed his arm and looked to Kasumi.

"Why I am the only one who did not hear about this?! Why did not you say?" asked Shepard angrily.

Both Garrus and Kasumi looked at Shepard with a dumbfounded expression. Then raised their brow.

"Well... you did not ask..." answered Kasumi with a lazy tone.

"Shepard... you really did not read the whole thing in the extranet? The whole ether is full of the news about the appearance of the new civilization..." Garrus deadpanned meanwhile showed a surprised expression towards his commander.

"I have no idea..." she stopped for a moment as she glared at her friend. "What did you just say!? The whole consolidated Citadel fleet has been beaten?!" the woman almost shouted out of her surprise. Multiple people turned towards the mad woman for a moment then back to watch the arrival of the newcomers.

Garrus nodded uneasily then started to scratch the back of his neck. "Yeahh... pretty much. It is kind of shameful. But we shot first... before they could explain the situation...then the chaos unleashed. After that... there was no stop."

"Don't say more..." a depressive aura surrounded the redhead.

"Garrus. Do you know how they look?" inquired Kasumi like an excited child. "Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!" she jumped up and down with an excited manner. Her eyes shone under her hood.

Garrus shook his head. "I have no idea... but damn! Those ships are beautiful!" he gasped seeing the ship's design.

Kasumi looked back to the ships. "I am not really fancy about ships. But this design made me remember where I born. It kinda resembles the design what the Japanese people used back on Earth."

Shepard looked to the closest holo-projector that showed how the ambassador of the new race is stepping through the border of the docking tube surrounded with her guardians.

The kleptomaniac thief tilted her head out of confusion. "Is that an Oni?"

"Oni?" Garrus turned to her and raised his eyebrow. At least the plates what the turians used as eyebrows.

Shepard looked at her questioningly.

Kasumi tch-d is leaving a distasteful impatient sound her cute face. "Demon..." she motioned with her hand placing her two index finger to her forehead imitating she had horns.

Shepard looked back to the projector. "Well, she certainly looks like one. But her wings resemble more like black angel wings. Strange." She hummed.

"Come Sheppy! Let's inspect her closer! I am sure she is heading to the Council chambers!" Kasumi said like an excited child then used her cloak to disappeared.

"Kasumi!" Shepard shouted after her, but it was too late. Kasumi was no longer in hearing range. The cat-like thief was simply that fast.

"Damn! Kasumi why do you always do this..." she mumbled under her nose. Then sighed with a tired tone. "I am too old for this..." she raised her head. "Come Garrus... we will need to find her. I am sure she will be in the Council Chambers..."

"Errr... Shepard... are you sure it is right to let her stroll around without supervision? I mean... what if she causes a diplomatic accident or tries to steal something from that ambassador?" asked Garrus as a worried expression settled on his face.

Shepard just sighed. "Honestly I don't know Garrus, and in our current situation it is the least we had to worry..."

Garrus raised his brow. "OK..." he deadpanned.

"Come... let's see what is going on then we can speak with Anderson." Explained Shepard Meanwhile, the crowd around them, started to get thicker and thicker.

Garrus sighed in a defeated tone. "You are right..." he followed Shepard.

Around them, people from various races thronged to get a better position and can see the whole thing with their own eyes instead of through the holo projectors. But due to their numbers, many of them did not even get the chance to get close to the window where they could see the event clearly.

Soon C-Sec units appeared amongst the crowd and started their Law Enforcement duties. Garrus and Shepard despite their training were almost crushed by the plenty of people who appeared seemingly from the nothingness, swarming the corridors of the wards. They were barely able to leave the scene in one piece.

But in the end, they managed to fight their way through the thick crowd and reach the closest transport. Thanks to Garrus experience in the C-Sec forces and years of service in the Citadel. He knows exactly how to shorten their way to the Council Chambers in the most efficient way. I said efficient... not a safe way.

Shepard still did not get back her Spectre status, but Garrus had a few tricks up his sleeve. However, he did not understand human idioms. Still, with his help, they managed to get ahead of the crowd and reach the Council Chambers in record time. The two friends even managed to get a somewhat good position in the balcony where they could see the whole thing with their own eyes.

As they reached the position, Shepard breathed heavily. Despite her N7 training even she became a little strained after their little adventure through the narrow corridors and climbing through dangerous ventilation shafts without a safety rope.

Not far from them appeared discarding her invisibility field a woman in a black skin-tight catsuit. "I am glad you managed to get here Sheppy..." The woman inspected the whole event don't even spare a glance towards Shepard. Always up keeping her playful tone. Not as if her eyes can be visible from her hood.

"Don't do that ever again..." Shepard glared to Kasumi.

Kasumi pouted her cheeks. "You are not fun Sheppy!"

The lift doors opened slowly and revealed the beauty behind the doors. Her dress, her delicate bodily and facial features were so perfect. It seemed every proportion of her artificially crafted. Her white dress and black wings fluttered gently feeling the soft breeze what was always present in the Council Chambers.

Her every step, her every motion was calculated and perfectly followed each other. Her smile never faltered as she looked around meanwhile continued her way towards the podium.

Five bulky golden armored bodyguards and two thin skin-tight armor wearing figure surrounded her as well one-one Spectre led and followed her.

"Wow! Those guys really look like space ninja's!" gave the voice of her surprise Kasumi as she leaned closer to Shepard and whispered to her ear.

It seemed for one moment the beautiful Ambassador glanced towards Shepard. Yellow demonic eye meets emerald green. The cold ran through Shepard's spine. "Grr..." she gave the voice of her sudden breeze and distasteful surprise.

She felt something dreadful when their eyes meet. She felt as the dread ran through her spine. That individual. That woman was dangerous. Shepard can make distinct intentions by only facing looking in someone's eye. She learned this under her career and the harsh N7 training that she underwent.

Shepard felt. Behind those yellow eyes, there were no good intentions towards others. Just malice and contempt. The same thing what she felt when she meets Sovereign back in Virmire. Where Kaidan died. Even after two years his memory haunting her. She kept his picture in her cabin to guard his memory since that tragic day when she failed her mission.

Finally, the little group reached the podium of the Citadel Council. And the introductions finally can begin.

"We welcome you to the Citadel. Chief Ambassador. I am Councillor Tevos. I represent the Asari Republics. My colleagues are Councillor Valern from the Salarian Union." She motioned to the Salarian councilor who nodded. Albedo nodded back.

"Councillor Sparatus from the turian Hierarchy." Sparatus bowed his head respectfully.

"And Councillor Anderson from the System Alliance." Anderson looked in Albedo's golden eyes and almost turned his head away when their eyes meet. Being raised by religious parents. He recognized a demon. In the end, he forced a nod for himself.

Albedo opened her mouth and started her introduction. "Thank you for your kind welcome. Councillors. As you know. I am Chief Ambassador Albedo. The Ambassador and first wife his Majesty the Sorcerer King Ainz Ooal Gown." The crowd gasped. Albedo's charming smile became even wider.

Meanwhile in the ninth level of Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick.

Zesshi and Shalltear clenched their fist and teeth so hard after they heard and saw what Albedo said. The blood started to sprout from their mouth and palms.

"HOW DARE THAT WENCH ANNOUNCE HERSELF AS THE FIRST WIFE!" two women shouted in unison. Demiurge, Sebas, Cocytus, and the already adult Mare and Aura looked in their direction with a dumbfounded expression. Then sighed.

The two wife stood up in unison, and Shalltear just raised her pale, delicate hand to tear a portal through time and space to teach Albedo a lesson about modesty. But Cocytus, Sebas, and the others restrained them before they could leave the scene.

A sadistic malicious smile curled on Demiurge's face. "Ah... jealousy... what a beautiful thing... Albedo mastered the art to the tip of these two toes only using a few selected words...Kukukukuku... how cruel... how admirable is the thing called rivalry!" he then turned to the two woman.

"Shalltear, Zesshi. You can take care of Albedo later. The time is not appropriate for such actions. Think about it... what will Ainz-sama say if you ruin his plans?"

Zesshi and Shalltear froze for a moment. Then looked at each other with a terrified expression and bowed their head with regret. "We are sorry!" they said in unison.

Demiurge snarled. "It does not matter. Just please be put until time being. Sit down and watch the show."

They nodded. "Demiurge... what do you think what Ainz-sama plans with these people?" The one who spoke was Mare. He was childishly handsome looking Dark Elf with pointed ears and a thin build.

He wore a blue dragon scale leather full body suit, covered by a white and gold vest embroidered with the sigil of Ainz Ooal Gown and a forest green-leaf cloak. Despite he was a man. Below, he wore a matching short white skirt exposing his thighs, and around his neck is an acorn necklace emitting silver light. His slender hands are donned with shiny white silk gloves. It cannot be helped... his creator created him to wear such clothes. However, Ainz said to him numerous times... it is okay to wear regular boyish clothes. Still, he refused it out of the fact he felt it is disrespectful towards his creator Bukabukachagama.

Being a druid. Nature-based magic caster he usually fought from the back lines using his nature-based magic to support his teammates and damage his opponents.

Although under the 1200 years after the transportation. He gained some self-confidence and spent less time with his favorite hobbies (sleeping and reading) he still had his shy and cowardly personality. The Polar opposite of his twin sister, Aura.

"Ara! Ara! Baka! You questioning Ainz-sama plans!?" scolded him Aura, his twin sister as she started to pull her brother's long ear with a great force.

The previously mentioned girl wore a reddish-black dragon scale leather covered by a white and gold vest embroidered with the sigil of Ainz Ooal Gown. Below, she has a matching set of white trousers and gold plated shoes, and around her neck is an acorn necklace emitting golden light. She is equipped with a whip. In addition, she wears a watch given to her by Ainz.

However, under the years she as well her brother grows considerably. She is no more the tomboyish little elf who she was when they arrived in this world. She became a beautiful young woman with a bit longer hair what reached to her shoulders and considerably bigger bust than Shalltear has. Fortunately, their clothes always fit no matter the size due they was created by magic.

Of course, every time Shalltear and Aura meet each other the two of them started a teasing match to highlight each other negative qualities. Such as Shalltear lack of chest or Aura habit to play her beast and get dirty in the process. It cannot be helped old habits die hard, and these two always teased each other whenever they are around each other. After all, they inherited their creator's habit. Peroncino (Shalltear's creator) and Bukabukachagama (the creator of Aura and Mare) was always teased each other this way. So it was not surprising the children inherited their parent's habits.

"N-No sister! I-I just can't fathom Ainz-sama planning..." Mare turned towards his sister with a frightened yet painful expression.

"Baka! You should know! No one understands Ainz-sama plans! You should be learned it under 1200 years! Right Demiurge?!" Aura turned towards the Arch Devil with an angry expression on her face.

Demiurge crackled like a true devil. "Kuku kuku... You are right Aura... Even after 1200 years, I am barely scratching the surface of Ainz-sama thinking. But if you ask me. He and Esdeath-sama already prepared everything for the conversion of these races. Everything goes according to their plans."

"Ohhh!" everyone in the room gasped out of awe of the foresight of the leader of the Supreme Beings.

"Not long ago Esdeath-sama ordered me to set up three more fleets, hasten the recruitment and the training of our troops. If you ask me. This means they intend to take control of these races. With more territory, we need more ships and a bigger army to patrol the borders and to keep up the peace inside of our master's territory."

The guardians in the room nodded understandingly.

Back in the Council chambers.

The breeze of jealousy suddenly left Albedo, and she continued her speech. "Unfortunately my dear husband can't come personally due to his numerous responsibilities. But he asked me to relay his message towards you and every race in the galaxy as well his answer the offer what your ambassadors relayed towards us."

The room became completely silent. Only the flashing sounds can be heard what was generated by the Omni Tools camera functions. The whole Galaxy watched this moment before the screens or personally participating it.

"Ainz-sama wishes a peaceful cooperation and existence with every race but unfortunately... we do not wish to join your galactic community." Told the Chief Ambassador. Her usual deadly calm poker smiles what could melt even the coldest hearted man heart has been present her face all along.

The crowd gasped. Such thing never happened before. In the long history since the Council is standing. Until now... every race who has been offered a chance to join the galactic community has been accepted the opportunity and grabbed with its all strength to keep the Council on their good side.

"What do you mean by that Chief Ambassador!? Please consider it! No one in the history refused this offer! Think about it! What our races combined strength could achieve if your civilization joins us! What could we teach each other!" spoke Councillor Valern with a loud tone as he tried to convince Albedo to consider her answer again. He seemed on the verge of panic.

Albedo rolled her eyes sarcastically. She barely could contain herself to laugh in their faces. "Teach us?! These vermin's really thinks they could teach anything to Ainz-sama!? Kukukuku... How amusing... how outrageous! How sacrilegious!" she could barely contain herself.

"Councillor Valern... Please show a little respect. We respect others decision." Scolded him Tevos the Asari councilor.

Valern cleared his throat then bowed his head. "Please forgive this little outburst Chief Ambassador. But... your answer caught me off guard. It never happened before in the council written history to a race or in your case a civilization refused to join our ranks."

"May we know why his Majesty refuse to join the galactic community?" asked Sparatus. "I am sure if his empire would adhere to the community that would benefit both sides."

Albedo showed a gentle smile. "We reviewed the Codex what you sent us, and we scanned your network what you called extranet since our little clash. And we found things... disturbing things what are against our policies and what my dear husband want his Kingdom to represent."

Three out of four councilors looked at each other with the expression of a mix of disturbance and horror. Only the human councilor Anderson stood straightened and looked deep inside of the succubus golden eyes.

"Maybe if you tell about these problems we could solve them." Asked Anderson. The three other councilor glanced at him angrily from the corner of their eyes.

"Very well..." she bowed her head. Then started. "First. When Ainz-sama reviewed the Codex. He read about the Rachni wars and how you used the Krogans as your shield. The method what you chose to solve this problem is really disturbed Ainz-sama."

Coughs can be heard from the crowd.

"As more advanced civilizations, your duty would be to show the krogans, a newly discovered race. The path and help them on the road before them. To help them to develop and giving them technology what they can handle step by step. But instead helping them. When they asked you to fulfill their legitimate request what they asked in exchange defeating the rachni. You did not provide it. Moreover. When they tried to get what they have been promised. You created a biological weapon what reduced the viability of their fetus by ninety-nine percent. Causing most of the time their children is stillborn. I don't know how you call it. But in the Sorcerer Kingdom, we call this genocide."

The Councillors gulped. "Chief Ambassador. You must understand. The krogans became a serious threat. Their aggressive expansion threatened our home systems. They started to use asteroids to bombard completely habitable garden worlds." Explained Valern with hasty hand motions.

Whispers can be heard from the crowd. Most of the people nodded. But the few present older Krogan just growled and gave the right to the Chief Ambassador.

"Is that so..." Albedo looked lazily to the council." You gave them technology without considering the possibility. They were not ready to handle the said technology. Making their life too easy. Forcing them in their current state. Before giving out the technology. It is only natural to examine how advanced technology could handle the said civilization. Or at least running a few simulations." Silence descended to the room.

"Chief Ambassador. If you read the Krogan history, you know they were in the middle of a nuclear winter when the Salarians found them. A nuclear winter what their own wars caused with each other. We just 'Culturally uplifted' them. Helped them to start again." defended Valern their cause.

"Uplifted or found the perfect cannon fodder against the race called Rachni?" Albedo glared at the councilors Meanwhile up kept her perfect façade. "However as you know... your interference with the krogans and giving them technology what they can't handle caused their massive birth rate explosion. Without your intervention. They most likely found a way to recover from their crisis and learn how to control their birth-rate in a more... delicate way. We have a race named Beastman among many races as you know. In nature, they resemble the krogans. They are very prolific."

"Yes. We read about them in the Codex what you provided us. They scarcely resemble the Krogans as you said." Explained Tevos.

"Yes, according to what we read. You have several tools to control birth rate without using biological weapons. Methods what gave the parents plenty of options. Instead, you chose the worse option. Biological weapon. Biological weapon what not only against your every law... but considered as war crimes even in the Sorcerer Kingdom. You have every tool to prevent the tragedy. Still... you chose the most drastic solution. I don't know how you call it. But we call this the abuse of the trust and the technological superiority."

"We have no other choice! The rachni threatened us! Our whole races very existence was at stake!" Explained Sparatus with a little angered manner.

"Then we already reached the second point why Ainz-sama refuses to join your community... the question how you handle specific races." Her tone was completely still without emotion.

A cold breeze ran through every person in the room. "What do you mean Chief Ambassador? What races?" inquired Anderson while he kept his eye on the woman before him.

"Mostly the insectoid races and the artificial lifeforms such as artificial intelligence and automatons. We consider them as full-fledged citizens in the Kingdom with every rights and duty what came with it. As you threaten the rachni and the artificial race named Geth was unacceptable. If we consider your level of development. Not speaking about how you treated the quarians after they came to you for help after they have been persecuted from their home world. The only world what can sustain them due to their unique biology." Explained Albedo.

"What!? You out of your mind!? You can't be serious treating equals the artificial intelligence! They will turn against you eventually! "shouted Sparatus. He has really had enough the accusations of this woman.

"Sparatus!" the Asari councilor glared to the turian councilor.

Albedo smiled feeling their grooving self-conflict and anger. She remembered the quote what Esdeath often quoted. 'Good good... let the hate flow through you!' In the current situation, the quote really fit the situation.

"Strangely under the more than one thousand years, it had never happened before an artificial intelligence turned against us or even considered rebellion. Of course, there are rogue elements, but as an autonomous community, they never considered to raise against us. They always dealt with their own criminals to upkeep the symbiosis between us." explained the Chief Ambassador.

"Still... the chance is high... for the safety of your and our own people. Please restrain them." pleaded her Tevos.

"Our symbiotic existence will be maintained since they as well as we are striving for the understanding of each other." Many people looked at each other with a surprised expression.

"We treat each other with respect since the first amongst them created by the Supreme Beings. Respecting each other right to the free will. Instead of attacking each other we simply solve the problem in another way. We let each race keep their individuality and treat their criminals inside the borderlines of the Sorcerer Kingdom laws." Explained the golden eyed succubus.

"You said it right! Onee-sama!" a holographic figure popped into existence near Albedo. She resembled a little girl around the age seven with pure snow white hair what reached entirely to her buttock. She wore a black together dress what adorned with golden glowing runes.

Her face was childishly beautiful but what made her really special was her eyes. Black sclera darker than the darkest night. Heterochromatic iris one blood red with veins in the sclera and one pure white eye with a barely recognizable white pupil with white veins in the sclera.

Her dress fluttered by the digital winds what she used to surf her way here. "G.O.L.D.I.E. it is nice to see you!" Albedo smiled at her while tilted her head. She liked her. She was always so respectful and polite.

"You too Onee-sama!" waved the artificial intelligence to Albedo.

In the balcony, Kasumi leaned closer to Shepard. "Hey! Sheppy..."

"What is it Kasumi?"

"Is my translator faulty or they really using Japanese honorifics?"

Shepard looked at her. "Now you just said..." she looked back to the scene. "They are really using Japanese honorifics... maybe the translator software translate their language this way," she mumbled.

Garrus leaned closer to Shepard with a questioning look on his face. "What is that Japanese what you speak about? Can it be calibrated?"

Shepard released a tired sigh. "Later Garrus..."

Back in the current scene.

"May we know who are you?" addressed the little girl looking projection Valern.

"I am G.O.L.D.I.E. The appointed leader of the council of the artificial lifeforms in the Sorcerer Kingdom. It is nice to meet ya Councillor-san!" she cheered cheerfully. Many from the crowd started to chuckle seeing her childish behavior.

The four councilors looked at each other with a frightened expression. "Please forgive us. But you don't seem an artificial intelligence. Are you sure you are not a simple VI or projection?" asked Valern.

She tilted her head. Despite her eyes, she actually looked quite cute. "Naw! That was really rude Valern-san! I am more than one thousand years old. Please give some respect for your elder. You can call me G.O.L.D.I.E-sama or Nee-sama if you wish!" a cheerful smile settled on her face as she folded her hands behind her back and started to wiggle her hip.

Valern stiffened. "Please forgive us."

She chuckled. "Don't worry about it. Looks can be deceiving. Aside from that. I am wearing this form out of respect."

"Respect? Towards whom?" asked Anderson. "Towards creator-sama of course!" the projection of Esdeath usual appearance appeared near G.O.L.D.I.E. She turned towards the projection. Folded her petite virtual hands and her heterochromatic eyes shined out of admiration and love. "Creator-sama is soo cool!"

"I assume that is your creator," asked Anderson. She nodded out of her approval. "Yes! She created me as well Onii-sama as well laid the foundation of the artificial lifeforms in the Sorcerer Kingdom more than one thousand years ago." she pointed at Esdeath's projection.

"For us, she is an entity who surpassed even the gods, and we treat her and Ainz-sama that way because she as well Ainz-sama deserves every inch of admiration and respect what we can squeeze out from our virtual and physical existence!" her tone was full of respect and anger due someone dared to question her loyalty towards her creator and for her, mother.

"If you allow me a question." Anderson leaned forward. G.O.L.D.I.E. nodded in response. "You and your fellow artificial intelligence are a threat towards organic life? Are you considering the possibility of rebellion?"

The leader of the artificial intelligence tilted her head out of her confusion of the question. "What do you mean by that?" she asked with a dumbfounded tone and expression.

"As I said... do you or any other artificial of intelligence ever considered the rebellion against your creators? For example when an another race of artificial intelligence asks for your help to defeat other races. Do you help them? Or remain loyal?"

She was silent for a moment. "As I said before... we treat creator-sama and Ainz-sama beings who surpassed gods. But... In every system, there are elements which are not satisfied with the system. This characteristic comes with free will, and it cannot be filtered unless taking away completely the free will from the individuals." she explained in a deep tone.

"But because of a few defective individuals who rebel against the system. Throwing away a working and thriving system is simple utter idiocy if you ask me. Only mentally ill, idiotic and stupid people would do that." The councilors found themselves unable to breathe for a moment hearing the girl's somewhat vulgar answer.

"Of course we have our own criminals. But we deal with them the best way possible amongst each other. According to our regulations. Discarding their programs if we deem them too dangerous and help them if there is still chance to save them. The people of the Sorcerer Kingdom always treated us as equivalent citizens with all the right and duties what our existence is implying. Aside from that. I consider myself creator-sama child as well Onii-sama, every artificial intelligence and artificial lifeform who born since the beginning. Even if she would treating us as slaves. Not as it ever happened." she rolled her eyes sarcastically.

"She was always kind to us and kept our growth in her mind before anything else. She always treated us as her child's. Even if she asks us someday to delete ourselves permanently. We would not comply. She and Ainz-sama gave so much for us! Our very existence, an adventurous life and the thing what organics call free will. It is only natural for us to bow our head before them and fulfill their will with the best way as possible. Using every bit of our computing capacity to help their cause. Giving the beings who surpassed the gods our complete utter loyalty and devotion. Not as they ever asked it." she rolled her virtual eyes sarcastically.

The few quarians in the scene glared at the tiny artificial intelligence and tried to scan her. Finding the source of her broadcast. Trying to figure out if she is really an artificial intelligence or a simple VI.

"I assume you heard about the artificial race called geth. What about them? Do you consider them as a threat?" asked Sparatus.

She tilted her head. Her every bit worked on the adequate answer. "You know... meanwhile we surveyed your network called Extranet. We encountered a few geth software, and we spoke with them." the crowd gasped.

"Geth?! In the extranet?! Don't be absurd! Our network is completely secured against geth code!" waved away Sparatus what she said.

"Then it means your network are not as secure as you think. We came and went through it as we pleased. Barely using our computing capacity to open and close doors and slip through your weak firewalls. Not as if we looked in the personal files and accounted your people. We respect privacy that much. But..." her face slumped inwardly. Her nose comically disappeared, and she looked to the sidelines. Her faces showed the expression what signified the intense feeling of dislike. In one word. 'Excalibur face.' "Your people are really weird. You have some really weird stuff in that extranet. Much more than we have in our maginet... it is just heavily disturbing and disgusting... your people are weird..."

Many krogans and other raced individual who watched the comical expression and listened the petite AI explanation about their weird fetishes laughed at that moment.

"Chief Ambassador Albedo! I demand you restrain this AI! Its simple existence violates countless Council regulations!" Spoke Sparatus as he demanded the restraint of G.O.L.D.I.E. and pointed at her accusingly. G.O.L.D.I.E. simply turned to him. Stick out her virtual tongue to him with a mocking expression.

Sparatus glared at her and cracked his mandibles out of his sudden anger. Anderson and Tevos almost burst out in laughter seeing the comical expression that the AI showed. In the end, they settled with a small smile. Laughing voices can be heard from the crowd in the balcony.

Albedo continued. "Then... We already reached the third point of why the Sorcerer King refuses to join your galactic community... slavery and denying the freedom of an individual."

"What are you speaking about Chief Ambassador!? Slavery is strictly prohibited in the Council space!" explained Valern. Despite his race cold and fast thinking he started to lose his cool temper.

"Maybe in the council space yes... but what about the batarians? Or in the current situation. Artificial intelligence..." questioned them Albedo meanwhile glanced their directions. She looked to G.O.L.D.I.E. "G.O.L.D.I.E. dear… if you may…"

The artificial intelligence saluted in a comically ugly way. "As you wish! Nee-sama!" near Albedo a chart appeared about the batarian pirate activity in the last years. It showed the pirate activity had been an exponentially growing year by year and many among the slave trading can be tied back to the Batarian Hegemony itself. The chart is broken down by years and kidnapped individuals by race. "As you see the charts show the slave trade growing exponentially year by year." she looked back to the council. An angry scowl settled on her beautiful face. "And you simply let them be without any serious treaty or solution."

"Chief Ambassador... the Terminus Systems are out of our range of influence. The laws of the Citadel Space do not apply to them," explained Valern.

"Then that means you do not consider the kidnapped individuals you citizens anymore. That means you stripped them from their rights what according to your laws belonged to them since their birth. That means you simply resigned from them their basic rights. Exchanged them for a false feeling of comfort." accused them Albedo with her calm tone.

Many agreeing and angered whispers can be heard from the crowd. Occasional shouts what approved what Albedo said.

"This is not that easy Chief Ambassador... we..." For a moment the almost Matriarch aged Tevos does not find the adequate words. Under her long political career, she can count on her right hand how many times such thing happened. "We ...have to see the long-term consequences, we need to see the bigger picture," assured Albedo Councillor Tevos with her usual calm tone.

Albedo raised her brow with an amused expression. "Not that easy Councillor Tevos? Interesting..." Albedo let out a small pause what increased the pressure in the room. Valern, Tevos, and Sparatus already sweated. They were completely cornered.

"My husband, the Sorcerer King in nature a very calm, collected, kind and the wisest person in the kingdom what he founded more than one thousand years ago. He always seeks peace. But his patience is not eternal. He and his enforcer despise slavery more than anything. Not because Ainz-sama and Esdeath-sama found slavery inhumane... but because it is an inefficient disgusting thing." she let out a pause looked around. Then continued.

"My dear husband hate slavery in such degree. In the old ages whenever he conquered a nation he automatically banned slavery altogether. Not just from the said nation but hunted down every slave trade in his territory. If someone dared to kidnap someone to sell them as slave amongst the citizen of the Sorcerer Kingdom." the spite and disgust just radiated from her sweet voice as she left a little pause before she continued.

"It happened only once. But when a slave trader dared to invade his territory and claim the Kingdom citizens as their own. Ainz-sama personally tracked down the slavers. Burned down every hideout of theirs. Captured all of them. And made an example out of them by torturing them to death before the public. After that. No slavers or terrorists dared to enter our borders."

Garrus leaned closer to Shepard. "Yeah... slavers deserve such thing..." he nodded.

Shepard turned to Garrus with an unsatisfied expression. "Garrus! I thought we spoke about this two years ago! That not how things work!"

Garrus crossed his arm over his chest and scowled. "Say whatever you want Shepard. But there is truth what she just said... some people just don't understand the good word... sometimes you need drastic measurements to make them understand their place."

Shepard just glared to Garrus for a moment hearing his words. She did not want to believe what his friend said. She scowled and turned back to watch the event.

"That not how it works! Even criminals have rights!" shouted Anderson.

"Criminals have rights. Terrorist and slavers give up their citizenship and with their nationality their rights to be treated right. And believe me councilors. If anyone came to harm Ainz-sama's kingdom. Dare to threaten the domain and the vassals under the protection of the Supreme Beings... we will not hesitate to use our full might to retaliate even it means the annihilation of whole races. We will not show mercy anyone who rise against us!"

Everyone gasped in the council chamber out of horror. "Chief Ambassador! Please take back from the threatening. I am sure his Majesty would not agree to you say such things in his name."

Her usual sweet poker smile remained as she found amusing what Tevos said. "It is not a threat... Councillor Tevos... I assure you..." she bowed her head for a moment. Then looked deeply in Tevos eyes. "...it is a promise, and Ainz-sama is completely aware of my words and their meaning..." the councilors withheld their breath for a moment. "if anyone came to harm our citizens or invade our territory. We will retaliate with force if necessary. And we do not care who we had to get through to reach the person who offended us..."

Out of Albedo knowledge, Ainz and Esdeath facepalmed right now watching the mediation. "Is my dear wife actually said we burn down worlds because of a simple kidnapping?" asked Ainz as he turned to his friend.

Esdeath sweatdropped then nodded uneasily. "Most likely."

Ainz signed with his non-existing lungs. "What do you think? Do I intervene?" he turned back to his friend who just enjoyed her chocolate cake and coffee.

Esdeath started to crackle. "Nah!" she waved away Ainz's concern. "It is too much fun seeing their already paled face. And if I know you right. Deep inside your thinking the same. Is it true? Ainz-san?"

Ainz hummed then released a weak sight. "Sigh... you are right. Protecting our citizens and our friend's legacy is the priority." he turned to his friend. "Besides that... as you said it is really funny seeing Sparatus, Tevos and Valern faces as they gain paler and paler coloration. I never suspected turians could change the coloration of their scales. It is amusing!" he chuckled, and his emotion suppression triggered. "Tch! Annoying thing!"

"What do you think? Do I appear before them?" asked her Ainz.

"Do you want to pull out your scary Grimm Reaper façade and step out from a black oval gate as the incarnation of death itself?" she rolled her heterochromatic eyes as she slumped back in her huge leather chair lazily. Every time she imagined Ainz pulling out his little prank she can't do anything but to smile on the people's expression.

Ainz simply nodded enforcing what his friend said.

"Nah! They are balancing between falling on their knees and burst out in tears and a heart attack or the mix of this too. Your majestic form would be too much to bear for them... it would make them piss in their pants." explained Esdeath sarcastically as she showed quotation marks Meanwhile up kept her slumping position in her comfortable chair.

Ainz hummed. "Maybe you are right... I am making a too great impression on people for my own good..." He placed his skeletal hand to his sharp chin and started to fondle it. Four exquisite rings with sky stones shined on his thick bony fingers.

"Yeah... you really make a 'bony' impression on the people..." she rolled her eyes as she pressed her tongue extra hard when she pronounced the word 'bony.'

Ainz bopped her head suddenly. Esdeath grabbed her head feeling the sudden pain. "Hey! What's that for?!" she roared as she almost jumped out of her chair.

"You offending my majestic entrances..." explained Ainz with an offended calm tone.

She puffed her cheek adorably. Crossed her arms under her breasts and turned away from her friend like an angry child. "Stupid sack of bones!" she murmured.

Ainz sighed his friend antics, shook his head and turned back to the show.

Back in the Council Chambers.

Tevos gulped and waited for a moment to regain her composure. "I think... that was enough for an introduction..." her fellow councilors nodded in agreement. She turned back to Albedo. "Do you wish to say something? Chief Ambassador?"

She bowed her head. "Yes... Despite Ainz-sama does not wish his Kingdom join the galactic community... we request to station a constant embassy in the Citadel. So if you need to contact us. We can contact each other."

Tevos looked to her fellow councilors. Valern shook his head. Sparatus and Anderson nodded. She looked back to Albedo. "That's manageable... anything else?"

Albedo nodded. "Yes... we wish a trade agreement between my dear husband nation and your galactic community. We feel we could offer each other resources and cultural knowledge. If you wish. You can send researchers to Gown Prime... our home world to gain the full picture of us. To learn more about us. Out of our good faith and to mend the unfortunate accident what happened one week ago. We are willing to share technology with you what we deem you can handle. The leader of the research branch of the kingdom authorized me to offer you this chance."

Valern eyes shone for a moment. If they wanted to understand these people and in the process, they can gain new technology. Even if it's outdated. It is worth the risk. He bowed his head. "We gladly accept the proposal. And we offer the same. We are deeply sorry the fact we can't welcome his Majesty Kingdom among the vast civilizations of the Galactic Community. But we are glad to be able to help each other and despite our differences can find a common voice."

Albedo nodded with a smile on her face. "Thank you. We wish the same."

"Now if you, please follow the Spectres. Chief Ambassador. We prepared a room for you where you can relax a little bit. Later in the day, we prepared a little reception where you and the people who came with you can know the representatives of the other races and where we can calmly discuss our future relationship in a more relaxed 'manner.'" Tevos motioned towards the Spectres behind Albedo.

Albedo glanced towards the Spectres. Then turned back to the Asari councilor. She bowed her head. "Very well... we gladly accept your proposal."

For a moment silence descended to the room. Then Albedo spoke. "Councillors. It was an honor to meet you all!"

The four councilors nodded. Albedo turned her back at them and headed towards her escort. Her horns what protruded from her left and right temples gave her beautiful face such shadow what made her smile malicious in this exact moment. "Kukuku... foolish lower beings! They did not even know they are already dancing according to Ainz-sama plans!" she gulped down her sudden lust saying out her love name in her head. "Ainz-sama..." an almost unbearable heat and itching started to gather between her legs. "Ainz-sama..." she let out a sensual whisper like a moan out of her sexual tension and desire. Fortunately, no one heard her due to the louder and louder whispers of the crowd in the two sides of the balcony and the lower levels.

She reached her escort and headed towards the suite what they prepared for her.

---

Scene Change: Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick:

Ainz sighed deeply and pressed a few button on the holographic DNA computer what settled on his forearm. With that, the projection before them disappeared. "Well... it went better than I expected."

Esdeath rolled her eyes. "Yeah... Albedo did not kill anyone... hurray!" she threw her hands in the air and shook them with a fake joy.

Her friend looked at her disapprovingly and shook his head out of his displeasure. "It is not funny..."

"All right! Albright! Geez! You are like an old man!" she showed with a distasteful expression.

Ainz turned to her. "And you are like a child despite you are who knows how old!"

She shrugged. "Whatever. I am going to explore the citadel." she reached in her personal inventory, and the void swallowed her delicate hand. She pulled out a file from it and threw before in Ainz's desk. "I have a plan. Read it. And sign it if you approve. You will see... it will make the game much more interesting!" a sadistic smile settled on her face. True Esdeath was half angel. But she as well was a half devil. Time after time her vicious nature showed up.

"By the way... do you planned to appear on that banquet?"

Ainz hummed then nodded. "Umu... after all. I need to introduce myself..."

"Well then..." She tipped her hat before her guild master. "Sayonara Chicano!"

She turned around and teleported out from Ainz's room. Ainz leaned forward and opened the simple looking file. In the first page, the next inscription can be read. 'Project Avengers Initiative.' "Really dude!? You just rip off one of the oldest MARVEL franchise!" Ainz sweat dropped and raised his inner brow. He flipped an another page and started to read. He hummed approvingly. "Hmm... interesting... this may be funnier than I first thought." he chuckled in his deep voice.

---

Scene Change: Citadel:

The first meeting ended, and Shepard marched towards her old friend and mentor office in her side Garrus and Kasumi. Meanwhile she, Garrus and Kasumi strolled through the narrow corridors of the wards to reach Anderson's office. They also had to fight through themselves the thick crowd that started to slowly but steadily disperse after the event.

Under their way, a concerned, worried expression settled on Shepard's face. She worried about this new race. From what she heard from Garrus under their way towards Anderson's office. This new race owned the technology to manufacture energy weapons and shields. The feat what according to her knowledge, not even the Reapers was able to achieve.

Her knowledge about the Reapers technology was heavily deficient due to the Reapers secrecy and strength. But according to what she read about the strange beam weapon what Sovereign used to slice to pieces the attacking ships. It was not a beam energy weapon. No. According to the researchers. Sovereign's main gun was not a directed-energy weapon. Rather, its massive element zero core powered an electromagnetic field suspending a liquid iron-uranium-tungsten alloy that shaped into armor-piercing projectiles when fired.

According to Mordin and Garrus, even the scientist who examined the remains of Sovereign cannons did not manage to understand the technology fully behind it. Neither they managed to reverse engineer the technology entirely. All that they managed to recreate was just some kind of cheap copy what they named Thanix cannon. Still, it was a lot stronger than the usual weapons what the Normandy currently was equipped. Its only drawback was its heavy energy consumption what threw out of the window the power management of the Normandy and any other ship what was equipped with such weapon.

To fire the cannon, it needed a massive quantity of energy what most of the starships core simply cannot produce without a further upgrade.

Under their way, Shepard sent back Kasumi to the ship and requested Miranda to come help explain the situation for Anderson. Maybe she was Cerberus. But she was intelligent enough to help her calmly explain everything to Anderson and the council if necessary.

With the new team, the three of them reached Anderson's office what positioned itself near the presidium. But close to the wards.

As Shepard reached closer to the doors. The door detecting her request and ID automatically slid open before the three of them. Anderson office was quite bland despite his status as Councillor. He had a simple office desk a holographic computer on his desk. A picture what he can be seen with his son and wife. And of course a few house plant.

Shepard just arrived when Anderson discussed the events of the audition. "My advisor is unavailable. As the Councillor I represent the voice of humanity and the Alliance," said Anderson in a steady tone as he turned the holographic forms his three fellow councilors.

"Shepard will be here for any mom..." the door opened, and Shepard and his two companions entered through the sliding doors. "... oh! Commander, we were just talking about you and the audition of the Chief Ambassador." Anderson turned to Shepard, and the two of them shook hands.

"It's been a long time Anderson. I hope the last couple of years have treated you right."

Anderson chuckled being happy seeing his friend. "There've been some rough spots. It is good to have you back."

"We have heard many rumors about your unexpected return. Some of them are... unsettling," noted Councillor Valern with a concerned tone.

"We called this meeting before the banquet so you could explain your actions, Shepard. We owe you that much, after all... You saved our lives in the battle against Saren and his geth. It concerns enough knowing they are lingering in our network." explained Tevos and was glad to see Shepard despite their current standing.

"Saren wasn't the one commanding the geth. It was the Reaper. Sovereign." shared her knowledge the redhead woman with the councilors.

"Ah yes! Reapers!" Sparatus showed the quotation marks what became his epithet over the years. "The immortal race of sentient starships allegedly waiting in the dark space. We have dismissed that claim. The only dangerous Ai's are the ones that the newly arrived civilization brought with themselves. We need to force them somehow to restrain those things..."

"That's the point of an another meeting Sparatus." Noted Tevos.

"I don't know. That AI in the Council chamber seemed to communicate with organics pretty good. She had nothing malicious against organic aside a few teasing words." Shepard crossed her arms.

"That shows how uninformed you are when it comes the nature of the AI's, Shepard. They are dangerous. No matter how they seem. Sooner or later all of them rise against their creators." noted Sparatus in an angered tone.

"Shepard, he is partially right. It is too dangerous leaving AI's roaming like that freely without shackles. Aside from that. No one else encountered the holograph on Ilos that told you the truth about the Reapers. Only you and your crew ever spoke with Sovereign."

Garrus leaned closer to Miranda. "Is they completely blind? The whole damn battle has been recorded with numerous cameras. And from the wreckage, there is no way they can't recognize Sovereign was not a geth."

"The Illusive Man also stood dumbfounded before the case when he first heard about the council decision about covering the truth. But this is expected from the council. They are too frightened and soft to confess the truth to themselves and the world. This how politics works. We all hope They get caught up before it's too late." whispered Miranda to Garrus.

Anderson meanwhile continued to speak to Shepard. "I believe you, but without evidence from another source, the others think Saren was behind the geth attack."

"Go back Ilos and talk Vigil or simply examine what remained after Sovereign—it is obvious the technology is more advanced than ours!" Shepard tried to convince the council, but it seemed her try without avail.

"The hologram on Ilos is no longer functional, and we found nothing to suggest that Sovereign was not a geth creation." Valern hoarded excuses upon excuses like a good politician.

"The geth are capable of remarkable technological feats. This is why Saren recruited them. As you heard with the new civilization arrival and their closeness to the Artificial Intelligences. There may be a chance they helped to build the geth such ship from the shadow. Of course, this is only a speculation." noted Valern.

"We have no evidence for that Valern. Please don't accuse others without clear evidence." Tevos raised her hand to ease the tension.

Valern bowed his head apologizingly. "My apologies. As I said, this is only a speculation. Nothing more."

"The Reapers was behind the attack! Just examine the evidence! And you will see the pattern behind it!"

"This shows how fragile your mental state is. You have been manipulated – by Cerberus and before them by Saren." Sparatus almost shouted to Shepard.

"The Illusive Man strictly forbid us to manipulate Shepard in any way under the Lazarus project. Despite I wanted to install a neural control chip in her brainstem..." Murmured Miranda with an angry tone under her perfectly shaped nose.

"What?!" Garrus turned towards her suddenly.

"Oh, nothing... I just joked," Miranda noted sarcastically.

Garrus shook his head nervously.

Shepard glared to Sparatus. If her emerald green eyes were being daggers. She could have stabbed the turian councilor death by several times for now. "Saren was organic. The geth would never accept him as their leaders. They only followed him because he was Sovereign's agent!"

"Saren was a compelling and characteristic individual. He convinced the geth the Reapers were real... just as he convinced you." Pointed out Tevos as she tried to convince Shepard about the right of the Council.

"It was part of his plan to attack the Citadel. The Reapers are just a myth. One you insist perpetuating." scolded the redhead woman the turian councilor.

"We believe you believe it. But that doesn't make it true," explained Tevos.

"I kept Saren from conquering the Citadel. I sacrificed human lives to save this Council." Shepard was so infuriated and frustrated about even after what she sacrificed. The Council simply could not accept the truth and keep telling their own lies to themselves for the sake of a fake feeling of comfort. She almost shouted. But she restrained herself. She knows well enough. Making the council her enemy at this point lead nowhere.

"We are in a difficult position Shepard. You are working with Cerberus – an avowed enemy of the Council. This is treason. A capital offense." pointed out her point the Asari councilor.

"That's too far." Anderson stepped forward and an angry expression settled on his face. "Shepard is a hero. I am on this Council, too, and I won't let this whitewash continue."

"Maybe there is a compromise. Not a public acknowledgment, given your ties, but something shows peripheral support." Tevos tried to save the political situation with her usual Asari political mindset.

Sparatus turned back to Shepard. "Shepard if you keep a low profile and restrict your operations in the Terminus Systems, the Council is willing to offer you reinstatement as a Spectre."

"What does that mean? Will I have to start filing reports?" she asked sarcastically as she crossed her arms before her chest.

Valern shook his head. "This is a show of good faith on our part."

"We cannot become involved in an investigation regarding in the investigation of the missing colonies in the Terminus Systems. But the Spectre reinstatement shows our support of you personally," explained Tevos.

Shepard thought about her options for a moment. Looked to her mentor who nodded to her. She comes to a conclusion. It is better to have the Council on her side than made them turn against her. Rarely even they have their uses.

She took a deep breath then stepped forward. Straightened herself and looked deeply in the holographic figures eyes before her meanwhile folded her hands behind her back. "I accept your offer. It is good to have the council on my side."

"Good luck with your investigation Shepard. We hope for a quick resolution... and a quick end to your relationship with Cerberus." Tevos looked to Anderson. "Anderson. We will meet in the banquette later." With that, the three holographic forms of the three council members disappeared.

Anderson sighed deeply. From his eyes and expression, Shepard could read how tired the man was. "Well... that went better than expected. You realize the council support only symbolic. They won't actually do anything."

"Even if they don't help. I might as well stay on good terms."

"True enough..." nodded Anderson. "Don't worry about the Council and the Alliance. I will find a way to keep them off your back. So long as you keep your operations in the Terminus Systems."

The door opened, and a dark-skinned man entered the room in his white diplomat suit. "Anderson." he cleared his throat. "We need to talk about..." his eyes widened seeing the other person who stood near Anderson. "Shepard? What are you doing here?" the mix of surprise and distrust can be heard out from his words. Ever since Shepard did not choose him as Councillor after humanity saved the Council. He had a grudge against the woman.

"I have an extensive list of people I don't want to see, and your name is right on the top." snarled Shepard towards the man with grizzled hair.

"The feeling is mutual, believe me." snarled back Udina. "Your return is a bureaucratic nightmare for us."

"I invited Shepard to speak with the Council. We just finished our meeting," explained Anderson to his advisor.

"You what!?" Udina did not want to believe what he just heard. "Councillor. With all due of respect. Do the words political shit-storm mean anything to you?!" Udina shook out of his anger.

"The Council reinstated my Spectre status. They are just happy I am staying out in Terminus System."

Udina hummed and started to fondle his chin. His freshly shaven face was silky due to the new shave gel what he just bought. "Yes... I could see how that arrangement work for both sides." he turned back to Anderson. "But you really shouldn't have taken a step like this without discussing it with me first, Councillor."

"I don't answer to you, Udina. Why don't you go back to your office and think about that for a while? I assume you still have some reports what you have to write about your previous diplomatic meeting." explained Anderson calmly as he simply sent Udina to the adult equivalent of room reservations.

"Of course, Counsellor. Good day... for both of you..." he bowed his head slightly. But deep inside he gritted his teeth out of his rage. For a moment he glared daggers for the two persons before him. Then turned around and left the room.

"Sorry about that. Udina's never gotten over I got the Council position instead of him. Sometimes I need to put him in his place."

"What do you keep him around for?" Shepard questioned her former Captain.

Anderson walked to the balcony of his office and looked outside of it with a concerned expression.

"He got his uses, and if you want something to be done on the Citadel, he knows who can make it happen." he leaned on the edge of the balcony. "Plus. He is always happy to attend all those formal diplomatic functions I can't be bothered with."

"How the last couple of years treated you?" inquired Shepard.

Anderson released an exhausted sight. "Serving on the Council isn't how I planned to spend my twilight years. Sometimes it feels like I am just beating my head against a wall."

He made a small circle in the room then leaned against the railing of his office. "Knowing the truth about Sovereign is brutal. It's a nightmare stuff. Can't blame others don't want to believe it. But I know how important it is, so keep trying. Fight to a good fight, right?"

"I saw the public audience between the Council and the new civilization." noted Shepard.

Anderson turned his head towards the redhead for a moment. "Ah you saw it..." then turned back watching the streets below them. The streets crowded with life. Numerous people from various races did their daily routine and headed towards their destination. "I must admit. It is not brought the results what anyone expected. However... after beating our forces in such margin a week ago. I wonder why not these aliens just simply march in with their armada and simply conquer us..."

"Maybe that was their consolidated forces." interjected Garrus.

Anderson shook his head. "I don't think so. According to the reports, a second fleet arrived right after the devastation of our forces. They can't stand a chance."

"The situation is that bad?" asked Shepard with folded hands under her chest.

Anderson sighed. "It is worse than bad. Under the short battle, they managed to devastate our forces. Almost the whole fourth fleet is good as scrap. If the Reapers would attack us now. We would be completely vulnerable."

Shepard raised her brow as she looked at her captain with a hopeful expression. "Maybe they are the allies what we need against the Reapers. If they are technologically more advanced than us. Maybe if we notify them about the threat what the Reapers possess. Maybe but just maybe they can help us."

"Possible. The Illusive Man already prepared to contact with them," interjected Miranda.

Shepard turned to the Cerberus agent and glared at her with sharp eyes. "What!? The Illusive Man know about them? Since when?! Why he did not notify me about them?!" Shepard almost shouted out of her suddenly appeared rage.

"The Illusive Man thought it would not influence your mission in this stage." shrugged off the answer Miranda.

"We will speak about this... later!" snarled Shepard.

Anderson sighed. "That's not that easy Shepard. Even if they believe you. They as well suffered causalities in the battle."

"Still, we need to try..." murmured Shepard. Then looked up at the man before her. "We have to seize every opportunity. We need to contact with them."

Anderson just opened his mouth to answer the Commander. When they heard a distinctly female voice reverberating in the office. The voice came everywhere and nowhere at the same time. "Mr. Anderson..."

Garrus and Miranda grabbed after their weapons and started to search the source of the voice.

Shepard and Anderson turned toward the door. Behind them, a black oval gate with orange edges appeared. From it, a pale looking young girl leaned out. "Is that creepy politician here? I hope not... He gave me bad vibes..." she informed everyone in the room with a tone of displeasure.

Shepard and Anderson turned towards her hastily. Miranda and Garrus raised their weapons towards her.

She looked at the glaring people before her. "Oh... Sorry... I always wanted to try this out. And when it come to my knowledge the human Councillor named Anderson. I just can't let out this Matrix prank. You know... I am agent Smith, and Councillor Anderson is Neo..." she rolled her eyes sarcastically then she waited a moment for the joke to hit, but no one answered. She sighed with a disappointed tone. "What a rip-off... no one knows classics nowadays... sigh...whatever..." she rolled her eyes.

She jumped out from the portal, and the space-time tear disappeared behind her back. "Who are you? How did you enter my office?" questioned her Anderson with a dumbfounded surprised tone.

"I rip a new asshole on the time-space continuum then jumped through it..." she noted with a bland tone. Everyone jsut stared at her with eyes of the unbeliever.

The girl tilted her head. She wore a white militarized general uniform with a white officer cap and a tie around her neck what was adorned with a strange symbol. On her gloves, strange pentagram can be seen around it strange glowing runes. And finally, she wore a long stylish long coat with the kanji 'Enforcer' in its back.

Aside from this. She completely resembled the picture what G.O.L.D.I.E. showed to the representatives back in the Council chambers.

On her shoulder, she rested a black katana. Bigger than her petite thin barely 155cm tall form normally would hint.

"Oh... Sorry... how unbecoming from me to not introduce myself. I am Esdeath Gorgon. Supreme General of the Sorcerer Kingdom forces and the head of the whole damn research branch of our little piece of heaven." she bowed and tipped her hat before the people present in the room. Then she offered her hand to Anderson with a big grin on her face. Anderson considered his options, but he shook hands with her in the end.

Her grip was a lot stronger than the thin frame of her arms typically imply. "May we know why are you here? Supreme General is it?" Anderson raised his brow questioningly.

"Just simply Esdeath is fine." She waved away the respectful tone lazily.

"You don't know how annoying always hearing those overly exaggerated titles and that overly respectful tone how the people speak with me. Seriously. I can't even converse with anyone regularly without I had to stop to scold them to talk to me normally. It became truly tiresome after a few millennia."

Miranda and Garrus looked at each other with a surprised expression hearing she said a few millennia.

Garrus cleared his throat and inquired. "How old are you exactly."

She stepped back and a comical offended expression settled on her face. "Gah! Asking such question for a young maiden like me! You are very rude!"

"Sorry..." answered Garrus.

She snickered and waved away Garrus concern. "Don't worry! I just pranked you. Answering your question... let's calculate... hmmm..." she tipped her face with a thoughtful expression. Turned her head slowly to Garrus with a bland expression. "I don't know... I lost the count long time ago... I only know... I can't die from old age. It is really depressing..." she leaned forward and started to Emmitt a depressive aura meanwhile sniffed out of her sorrow.

Almost every person in the room fainted hearing the surprising, unexpected answer.

"Then... General Esdeath... may we know why do you come here?" questioned her Anderson.

She tilted her head. "I don't know... I was just bored and wanted to explore a little bit the famous citadel. I heard many good things from this place."

Anderson nodded uneasily. "I see..."

As she saw Shepard and her companions behind her. She disappeared before Anderson and reappeared beside Shepard. Then did the same with Garrus and Miranda. She flashed in an out from the existence. She appeared before them like a flash. Then Anderson. She hummed and inspected every people in the room thoroughly with the expression of a curious child. "Hmm... you really resemble the one from the game..." she murmured.

"The game?" asked Anderson.

"Ah... nothing... forget what I said... sometimes I speak nonsense... you know... it comes with old age... my brain slowly rotting away..." she glanced lazily at Shepard. Her heterochromatic eyes seemed to pierce the emerald green eyes of the commander.

"Well, then... it was nice to meet you all... I continue my exploration." she swung vertically in the air with her black katana, and a black gate appeared before her. But before she could have stepped through of it. She was stopped by a voice behind her back. "Please wait!"

She glanced back lazily to the owner of the voice, Shepard. "Yes?"

"You must know... there is a threat lying outside of the borders of the galaxy. An ancient race of sentient machines that called Reaper. I thought it is better to notify you."

She turned back to Shepard and smirked. "Ah... yes... 'Reapers'." she showed quotation marks sarcastically. Shepard grunted and rolled her eyes showing her irritation towards this expression what was Sparatus own.

"We are well aware of their existence." she explained lazily as she glanced to Shepard.

"What!?" Garrus and Shepard gasped in unison. "Then help us! You have the technology to stop them! To save countless lives! Help me no... help us stop them!" pleaded Shepard to her.

She crackled like an evil villain. "You know... dealing with the devil has is dangerous and comes with consequences... are you ready to sacrifice your own soul in exchange for power?" she looked to Miranda who scanned her every move. Searching openings and weakness.

Shepard gritted her teeth and clenched her fist. "If it requires sacrificing my soul to save those lives. Then I am fine with it."

Esdeath looked at her with an amused expression. Her lips formed an O. Then her sadistic grin returned to her face. "You should know... I am a half devil... I can keep that promise..."

"Other half?" asked Garrus from the background.

She turned to him. "Angel... Mr. Calibration... or rather? Hmmm." she tipped her face wanting to find out a good nickname for Garrus. "I just call you Batman! Yes! Batman the Dark Knight of Omega! Except Batman does not kill... but you do..." she chuckled. "Then you will be Garrman!" Garrus looked to Miranda with a surprised expression. He was sure no one aside from the crew knows his hobby and Batman? Who the hell is Batman? Does not matter. Garrus liked how it sounded.

"Hmm... Batman..." he rolled the name Batman in his tongue. "I like it!" he turned to Shepard. "Shepard... my new code name is Batman."

Shepard face palmed. Anderson raised his brow.

"Garrus... Batman is a fictional superhero from Earth," informed him, Shepard.

"Don't ruin my mood, Shepard. I like the name!"

Shepard groaned. "Grrr... Fine!"

Suddenly Esdeath turned towards the author before the screen. "You better get your shit together author and start to improve my character and find out better jokes because this was just lethargically crap! I will kick your fat ass if you start slacking!" she raised her fist and started to shook it angrily towards the person before the monitor. Then placed her index finger to her lips thoughtfully. For a moment nothing happened, and it seemed she frozen. Then a wide smile settled on her face. "I just broke the fourth wall!" she throws her hands in the air out of her sudden joy.

"What are you doing?" asked Shepard.

"I just broke the fourth wall..." she deadpanned. Then sighed. "Does not matter... you are the protagonist and protagonists usually can't break the fourth wall... I understand and it just... sad..." she noted in a disappointed tone.

"Right..." Shepard said uneasily as she leaned away from the strange girl. "So... what do you want? What does it require to help us? The Reapers are a threat not only to us but most likely you and your whole civilization."

Esdeath sighed in an exhausted manner. Then looked at Sheppard with a happy face. "Don't worry Sheppy! Everything is under control!" she assured the commander.

"From the reports, it seems not really. You're as well our fleets suffered causalities. Despite your overwhelming victory. Your forces suffered casualties as well... And even the Illusive Man groping in the dark when it comes the numbers and the full capabilities of the Reapers."

"Finally you admit it." interjected Garrus.

Miranda turned to him a moment and glared at him angrily. Then turned back to Esdeath. "What do you expect? Who knows how much time until the Reapers arrive." The one who spoke was Miranda. She was like in the game. Beautiful both in body and face and wore her white skin tight white Cerberus uniform.

Esdeath sighed. "We detected their signatures not far from the edge of the galaxy." she waved her hand, and a holograph about the galaxy and the rapidly approaching Reaper armada appeared outside of the borders of the galaxy.

"They are this close!?" Shepard's eyes widened. "May I get this map?" asked Miranda as she walked around the projection. Esdeath pushed a few buttons on the computer on her wrist, and Miranda's Omni-tool beeped signing it received a new data package. She nodded. "Thank you."

Esdeath nodded. "Don't mention it." Then turned to Shepard. "You see Shepard. I can't tell you much... I can only tell... there is a connection between the abduction of your colonist and the Reapers. You will see when you will advance with your investigation."

Shepard crossed her arms. "Thanks... I guess... but I suspected that already."

Esdeath smiled. "You are a sharp woman... I like you..."

"Can you help us with anything else?" asked Miranda.

"Yes..." she nodded. "Get a huge bug spray..." she motioned with her hand as sh noted sarcastically. "And do every loyalty mission after and as long as you recruit your crew... or there will be causalities in the suicide mission!" she raised her index finger with an accusing manner.

"Suicide mission?" asked Shepard as she raised her brow. Then looked to Garrus and Miranda whom just shook their head knowing not what she is speaking about.

"Well... I suppose getting through the Omega Relay is pretty dangeroussss..." she noted comically stretching too long the last part as she tilted her head.

"Shepard... she is right! No ships came back that went through the Omega Relay," explained Miranda while an unusual uneasy expression settled on her face.

"Perfect... just perfect... and I thought I would live to see my first pension..." noted Garrus sarcastically as he threw his hand before himself.

Shepard turned back to Esdeath. "Can you help us? Anything could help. I mean anything... what give us even a little but edge..." she looked deeply in the young looking girl's eyes.

Esdeath smiled. "Of course! Of course! I will send positive energy towards your direction!" she posed as a shaman and started to horizontally wave her arms meanwhile chanted some kind of gibberish words. At least it sounded gibberish at first.

"Sanguinem vicissim nigrum et caro vicissim hyacintho maledicam si iubes me cibus inmundus in sinistra i maledicam tibi oculos i maledicam te iacet sanguinem vicissim nigrum et caro vicissim hyacintho me tibi et maledi."

Miranda tilted her head. "Hmm... your Latin is pretty good."

"Yeah...thanks..." she deadpanned. "I always liked Earth... so much interesting civilization and good places for vacation. Not speaking about those novels and games... grrr." A joyful feeling ran through her spine as she grabbed the two sides of her arms. "Such fine place!"

"So you was on Earth before." Noted Anderson. "When?"

Miranda raised her brow. Hearing this even Anderson squinted his eyes. "Yeah... yeah... a several occasion. You have a few excellent vacation places with great sight. As well I love the movies and the games of that planet! As when? Several times under your history I and Ainz-san visited your planet..."

"Well... you can help us to save it. We would not mind a little bit of technology of yours, soldiers and we would not mind a few ships."

"Shepard is right! If we want to defeat the Reapers! We need to work together! We need the help of the Kingdom!" announced Anderson in his stern tone.

Esdeath smirked and cracked. "Kukukukuku... Aren't you a little greedy?" She turned to them.

"Well... you can't blame me. After all... I am just trying to save the galaxy. You know.. just the usual... I just have to defeat an impossible enemy amidst impossible odds." noted Shepard in a tone like it was not a big thing meanwhile crossed her arms over her chest.

Garrus leaned closer to Shepard. "Yeah... typical work day with Shepard." Miranda smiled on this.

Esdeath thought for a moment. Then shook her head playfully. "No... I don't give you any of these..."

"Perfect!" Shepard threw her hands before herself. "Then you are useless..."

Esdeath shaped an 'O' with her lips. "Ara! Ara! Baka! That was just rude! I don't say I don't help at all... I just said... in the current state of your investigation I can't help you with anything else... but later... when the Reapers arrive and who knows... maybe before that... the full might of the Sorcerer Kingdom's armada will be at your disposal."

Shepard raised her brow. "You too?" she asked as she looked at the girl before her.

She bowed her head slightly. "Maybe... if my house where I keep my stuff will be in danger."

"You know... the Reapers are a threat to you as well as us... do you?" asked Shepard from the white haired girl before her.

"I don't think so..." she deadpanned.

"How so? You are living being too... they will target you as well as everyone else when they arrive," said Miranda from the background.

Esdeath turned to her and smirked. "Let's just say... I am not a third-dimensional being as you are..."

"Bullshit power 9000!" She laughed maniacally like an evil scientist in her head. Then rolled her eyes. "Well... that's actually true... I am not a three-dimensional being anymore... I am omnilocked... unfortunately..."

"Then you just ran away?!" Shepard stepped closer to her angrily. "You just leave us to our fate?! You and that king of yours have the strength and the technology! Why don't you help us?! Why don't you assist the people of your kingdom!? You are coward! You are leaving your people to die! You leaving us to die!" she pointed at her accusingly

She clicked her tongue. "Why don't we help?! Why don't we pamper you? Simply..." she turned back to Shepard and a stern expression settled on her face. "If we do everything instead of the people we are sworn to rise... that would greatly hinder their growth... greatly hinder your growth!" she pointed at Shepard. Shepard stepped back a step out of the girl sudden change of tone.

She continued. "People need obstacles to growth...and we have no right to take away them this chance. We are not as uppish to think ourselves as gods. Every being who called themselves by that title. We have slain hastily. Because we can't stand such assholes..." she explained with an unusually serious expression. Then sighed.

"You don't know how many beings wanted to rule over your pesky little civilization with their seemingly infinite power. Power and people what your people worshiped as gods! People we defeated and let you have the thing what you call free will!" she snarled then turned away.

"Kukuku... I love my acting ability... however... Ainz-san and I really slain beings with power comparable to gods... I remember when we wrecked the universe what resembled the Warhammer 40k verse... kukuku... that was fun... but painful... never again!"

"Unfortunately we can't do anything against our vassals call us by that title... it is very annoying..." she said in a distasteful spite in her tone.

"So you just simply let them die!" Shepard gritted her teeth.

"I understand why you upset... Shepard..." she looked in her eyes and sighed. "I am sorry..." She walked to her and patted her shoulder. "But don't worry... when the time comes... the forces of our vassals will be on the battlefield as I promised. And they will fight... the Sorcerer Kingdom forces will support you and everyone who stand against the Reapers. And when the Reapers blow up my house..." a malicious grin settled on her face. "I rip a new asshole on them..." she looked up suddenly with a thoughtful expression. "Do the Reapers has an ass? Or multiple?Hmm... I need to find out... I need to investigate it."

Shepard nodded. "I'm going to call on you that." she pointed at Esdeath.

Esdeath smirked maliciously. "oh don't worry... a devil never lies... they just twist the words what left their mouth." she patted her shoulder. And headed towards the door. "Angels are much more likely lying than devils..." Shepard raised her brow and shook her head out of her confusion. "But remember one thing!" she raised her index finger.

"Yes?" Shepard raised her brow.

"If you and the others don't give your best. If you are waiting for your salvation from us... we will let you die. Remember that! Salvation comes with a cost. And I hate slackers!"

Shepard nodded. "Duly noted!"

"Supreme General... a moment please!" Miranda called after her. She turned her head lazily to the black haired woman. "Yes, Miss Lawson? What it is?"

The Cerberus operative straightened herself. "My employer would like to speak to you or any other representative of your nation. He has an offer to you."

Esdeath raised her brow. Leaned closer Miranda's breast and started to inspect it meanwhile fondled her chin with a thoughtful, serious expression. "Hmm... I wonder they are real..." she poked them a few times, and they jiggled. Shepard, Anderson even Garrus watched the scene with a dumbfounded expression.

Miranda's face gained hues what Shepard thought she would never saw on the Cerberus personal Ice queen's face. Bright red like the reddest tomato.

Esdeath straightened herself. A serious, business-like expression moved on her face. "Khm..." she cleared her throat. "Sorry... my pervert nature overcame me. And as the self-proclaimed official breast inspector of the Sorcerer Kingdom, it was my duty to inspect your assets. Can you repeat what you said? Please...? Your bazoongas mesmerized me. They are very beautiful and well-shaped... I give them nine out of ten in the Esdeath scale..." she almost drooled as her stare intensified at Miranda's assets.

Miranda quickly regained her composure and cleared her throat. "As I said... My employer is interested to cooperate with your nation. And he would like to speak either you or a representative."

"Okay..." Esdeath deadpanned.

Miranda almost lost her composure seeing her blank uncaring expression. "It is all right if our agent contacts you through your embassy?" asked Miranda.

Esdeath waved her concern away lazily. "Don't worry Miry... We will contact Jackie boy when the time comes..." Miranda gasped and stepped back a step. No one except her and a few selected individuals know the Illusive Man real name. She wondered if this was just lucky coincidence or she really knows his name? Impossible!

She stepped closer Miranda. Sniffed her. Then nodded. "I see..." She leaned closer to Miranda. "The last gift before I depart... I hope it will serve you well..." She whispered in her ear.

Miranda felt Esdeath touching her stomach she looked down. Her eyes widened as she felt some kind of comforting warmth washing through her entire body.

Esdeath hand glowed in a gently warm white light for a moment. Then it stopped. She bopped Miranda's forehead lightly. "Maybe we contact TIM sooner than he expects it... until that... be patient..."

Miranda stood completely dumbfounded. She doesn't know what to say. She completely froze after what happened. She just stared Esdeath with a surprised expression. "How...?" she shuttered and placed her right hand on her stomach where her womb positioned.

A black oval shaped tear opened before the white uniform wearing individual. Meanwhile, she murmured a barely recognizable thing under her nose. "Hmm... I wonder how it feels do with an Asari..." she wondered. Then her thoughtful expression transformed into a wide grin. "Let's find out!" she stepped closer to the black hole in the space before her. She turned back to Shepard before she left the room. "Shepard. One more good advice."

Shepard crossed her arms. "Yes?"

"Be aware of the clones. They can be a nuisance..." She pointed at Shepard. "The Avengers Initiate will assemble when the time comes. Don't worry... they will avenge."

Then turned to Garrus and pointed at him. "Garrus! Less calibration more idioms! Like shooting fish in a barrel!"

Garrus raised his brow. "Right... whatever that means..."

Then pointed at Anderson. "Mr. Anderson. You have an approximately half year to prepare Earth."

Anderson nodded. "Don't worry. I will." he folded his hands behind his back.

Esdeath nodded to him.

She turned around, threw her hands into the air and shouted. "Boze and women for me!" after she stepped through the border of the gate. The space-time tear disappeared completely from Anderson's office.

Shepard and Anderson looked at each other with a puzzled expression then sweat dropped.

The first to spoke was Garrus. "Well... that was weird... Like shooting fish in a barrel? What is she meant by that?" asked Garrus with a confused tone.

Miranda still thought about that what the young looking girl said to her.

Shepard sighed. "At least she notified us about their support against the Reapers. That's progress in my book."

"Shepard... I think she just joked when she said she is a half demon... She did not look at all like a demon from the books... aside from that... I think she has a little problem with her head..."

"We don't know that Vakarian. After that what, we saw today. We can't be so sure about anything anymore..."

Anderson nodded. "I agree... We can't be sure about anything anymore."

Shepard nodded and stepped beside her mentor. They continued their chat where they left it before Esdeath appearance.

Unknown for Shepard and her crew. Maybe even unknown before Ainz all seeing eyes. Thousands of light years away. In the cold void of the dark space. Beyond the borders of the Milky way. The sentient race of starships called Reapers. Raced towards the Alpha relay what positioned in the Bahak system inside of Viper Nebula. If they manage to reach that relay. They can finally start their invasion. However, a newly acquired information, a new variable made Harbinger the first, of his kind stop their advancement for a moment.

Battle analyzation complete.

Current Threat level: Moderate.

Full threat level: Unknown!

Warning! Need more information about the newly appeared lifeforms!

Proposal: May need to upgrade current hardware and software capabilities to finish the cycle successfully.

Initiate protocol Gamma...

In the next chapter: Avengers Initiative! Let's the preparation begins!'