AN: "Cookies" → Speech / spoken air quotes
"Cookies" → Thoughts
"Cookies" → Spells / Martial Arts
"Cookies" → Message spell speech
I don't own Overlord
Have fun, enjoy and please review
Chapter 28
→ Nazarick Ainz-office / Albedo ←
Albedo was working the stacks of paperwork, which Lady Arachamas and Lord Ainzs endeavors generated. It was sadly a natural thing and she couldn't do anything about it. It was also one of the reasons she didn't have as much time with her future husband as she wished. The fact that Lord Ainz was also working a false persona as 'the adventurer Momon' didn't help either.
She was halfway through when she heard a knock and looked up, placing everything into order and ordering the one knocking inside. Demiurge walked in and placed another stack of papers on her table, while Albedo looked at it with slight disdain.
"Here are the reports. How did your meeting with Lady Arachama go?" Demiurge began and Albedo stretched her arms.
" Splendid. Aside from the relaxation for that moment, Lord Ainz is much more happy than he was before. I also met an interesting being." Albedo remembered.
"Oho. Someone interesting? Who would that be?" Demiurge smiled.
"We both know that Lady Arachama has taken in strays, as much as some might dislike it. One of those strays is called Zesshi Zetsumei. She, in comparison with the rest of the world, is strong and certainly has a nice streak to her character." Albedo answered and Demiurge looked at her, interested in his eyes.
"That would be two, who catch your interest. First Renner and now Zesshi. Hmm. I think I should look at her myself." Demiurge thought loud.
"She is certainly worth a shot for you. Although lady Arachama is looking at her more closely after the hunt Zesshi had." Albedo warned.
"What do you mean?" Demiurge asked.
"Baharut had problems while besieging a city. Zesshi then took care of this. Arachama, the motherly being she is, didn't take that very well. Now Zesshi is grounded." Albedo answered.
"Thanks to your tone I take it she was successful?" Demiurge inquired.
"Indeed. Currently the attacker is with Neuronist Painkill." Albedo expressed joyfully.
"That is fortunate. Hopefully we get much needed information about the potential threat against Nazarick." Demiurge sighed, relieving his tension.
"I just hope the paperwork decreases in the future. Though I know the 'Supreme Beings' are perfect, lady Arachama makes so much of it. It feels oppressive to work through her papertrail alone. Though I suspect she doesnt know this." Albedo pressed.
"I think it's part of the great plan that is in play. Though I am not privileged enough to understand everything about it, I think it is a test by lord Ainz and lady Arachama." Demiurge tried to cheer Albedo up, which worked.
"That must be it." Albedo beamed and Demiurge got a frown on his face.
"I need to go. Entoma is shopping today." Demiurge bid farewell and left Albedo in the mountains of paperwork, which seemed to have doubled while they talked.
→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion / Arachama ←
Several days after the 'tea-incident' Arachama was relaxing with her daughters. The western wing was cushioned. She played an old board game with them and let them win, as she could have easily destroyed them. Arche was winning, thanks to Arachamas restraint.
"But where would the fun be in that?" Arachama mused and felt the sun beam through the window onto her abdomen.
"That is what life should be about. My children are around me, sun beaming onto me and relaxing days away with my family." Arachama enjoyed looking at her children.
The only one missing for the moment was Zesshi. Arachama began to fear when she heard the snickering of the twins. Once Arche finalized her victory, against a stiff but fertile resistance from the twins, the monopoly board was stored away. Arachama still wondered how they got a comparable quiet game done without thrown pieces, but she relished her time regardless.
The door to the wing was flying open and the knob smashed into the wall. Zesshi stood in the door, all eight eyes showed thunder and flames. Anger was visible in the face and the twins jumped up. Arachama was confused until she spotted Zesshi clothing. A pink ballet dress.
Arachama sighed and decided to solve the problem at hand peacefully and grabbed something from her bag.
"Ara ara. Here, you can have this." Arachama promised and gave Zesshi one of her older dresses. It had black and purple coloring and reached knee-length in front and covered the top of the abdomen.
"Thanks mother." Zesshi smiled and changed right then and there, effectively flashing Arachama, who hastily looked away.
"No fun, mother." the twins chorused and Arachama sighed.
"You are incorrigible." Arche deadpanned.
When Zesshi was finally dressed in something much less pink, the twins beamed at her. Zesshi glared at them.
"That's for making mom scared." They said and then hugged Zesshi, who was flabbergasted and couldn't keep the glare up before smiling.
"Ara. That wasn't my intention. I knew I would get this done and thought mom trusted me. Was it really that bad?" Zesshi asked and looked fearful at Arachama.
"She only destroyed parts of the mansion and was a tad unstable, mentally." Arche threw in the discussion.
"Yeah my thought." Arachama agreed mentally.
While Arachama zoned out she suddenly was hugged by Zesshi, Arche and the twins. She relaxed and enjoyed the hug.
→ Re-Estize Royal-palace / Zanac ←
The day of Zanac proved interesting. First was the fact that his trusted friend Marquise Raeven had returned a while ago and would visit him today. The Marquise had important business with the adventurers.
The other, more badly received, surprise was the return of Prince Barbo yesterday. He had told everyone, or at least who would listen, how 'brave' and 'honorable' his campaign had gone. Then Barbo, after some nobles began to question his side, began to blame the 'terrible' soldiers.
Zanac was sure that it probably was a combination of poor leadership and terrible characters within the army. But then again, he hadn't been there. He only had a few reports, which he got thanks to Marquise Raevens network.
He was deeply in his thoughts when he startled, thanks to a knock on the door. It resounded three times, a sign between Raeven and him to know who knocked.
"Come in." Zanac said and it was indeed Raeven who entered.
"Good morning, my Prince." Raeven greeted.
"Good morning to you too, my friend. Interesting times we live in, aren't they?" Zanac returns.
"That is an understatement. Did you already hear that Prince Barbo wants to take over the second army as well?" Raevan ranted, shock evident.
"I hope not. That would be a disaster." Zanac sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"Now we come to the points we need to discuss." Raeven grinned.
"Well there are a few. Any new information on the army of Baharut or the expedition force we sent to Slane?" Zanac fished.
"Not really. The only thing I know is that the first and second are besieging Cologne while our forces are sitting inside. We can't do a thing for them." Raeven reported, his grin turning dark.
"So we need to calculate without them. Damn. That only leaves the second army of conscripts." Zanac thought loud.
"I wouldn't count on them, if they are led by your brother. On the other hand it is a chance for our cause." Raeven sighed.
"He would not only ruin the army but his reputation as well." Zanac replied.
"Indeed, and it would be easily possible. I still have many people in both factions that owe me." Raeven continued.
"That would be a chance, but it would weaken Re-Estize drastically." Zanac threw in.
"Yes. Especially with that unknown alongside Baharut. We need to be careful and prepare for the worst. The worst right now would be a massacre." Raeven counted and Zanac nodded.
"Then we would need my dear sister. She was always favored by the common people. With the 'Golden Princess' we could have enough support to destroy his claims once and for all. If our kingdom still stands, that is." Zanac proposed and both shivered visibly.
"We need to make a decision now, as the nobles will meet in a short time." Raeven said.
"Well…" Zanac answered.
→ Abellion Hills 'Happy Farm' / Entoma ←
Entoma was in a hurry to get all the things she needed. They only had enough for lunch and not dinner. Luckily Entoma had 'connections', meaning she knew Demiurge and could ask him for supplies. Thus she stood in front of him on his so-called 'Happy Farm'.
"Good morning Entoma. Here for your supplies?" Demiurge asked, a mischievous grin on his face.
"I am. I want something special for my mother this evening." Entoma replied, a small beam shone behind her mask-bug.
"That is great. I just recently got more criminals and I believe the choices today are great. What would you like? Demi-humans or humans?" Demiurge proposed.
"We could try demi-humans." Entoma thought loud.
"That should be easy." Demiurge smiled.
"Of course. Could I also have a list of the things I get? Mother wants to make sure everything is recorded and reported back to Nazarick. She called it 'Expense Reports' or something like that." Entoma inquired.
"Of course. Though I just recently met Albedo. It gave me a few questions." Demiurge began.
"What questions?" Entoma asked with an innocent voice, while packing a few cuts of abellion sheep and demi-humans within a bag.
"How is the dynamic with your sisters, how strong are they, do they treat lady Arachama with the respect she deserves? Questions like that." Demiurge threw in.
"Hmm. I am the oldest. After me it is more a mish mash. Arche is the first to be an outsider and receive mothers' attention. But Zesshi is by far the strongest. Even I couldn't beat her in a twins are adorable and exist outside the chain. Ninya is training to become a maid and thus is directly under me. Though the dynamics can change easily." Entoma tried to explain.
"But do they treat Lady Arachama as they should?" Demiurge inquired, a serious tone in his voice.
"Albedo asked the same question. They do, though Zesshi is grounded for now. She went on the mission to capture someone. Mother was not stable during that time." Entoma replied, one of her 'hands' under her 'chin'.
"I heard she is quite interesting. Could I talk to her?" He asked.
"I can ask my mother." Entoma answered and Demiurge nodded.
He walked to gather a few spices and especially the demi-human-bacon. It was a worthy sacrifice to gather the intel he needed. He needed to know how well trained the 'strays' really were, if they were a threat and so on. Truly a small sacrifice for the needed information.
When he came back a portal opened and Demiurge saw an arachne, quite similar in structure to his lady, walk through. She had a similar abdomen, which was interesting in and of itself. Then came the coloring of her. Black and white. Quite interesting for him indeed.
"So this is the Zesshi, which Albedo talked about?" Demiurge asked and Entoma nodded.
"Indeed. You must be Demiurge. Albedo talked about you herself." Zesshi smirked and Demiurge grinned.
"That will indeed be quite interesting" Demiurge thought and nodded.
"I hope she only spoke well. Though I am not here for little chitty-chatter. I am here to get more information." Demiurge inquired.
"Ara. A direct approach?" Zesshi smiled, a teasing voice dancing in Demiurge's ear.
"Since Lady Arachama took you in, you are considered one of hers. Thus no need to guess your next moves and so on." Demiurge told her.
"Point taken. What would you like to know? Mother is strict right now and I only have five minutes." Zesshi replied.
"I would like to know how you see the dynamic between yourself and the tomb." Demiurge began.
"Ara. I follow my mother. If she agrees to the plans of Nazarick then so be it." Zesshi answered.
"So no direct loyalty to Nazarick, but shouldn't be a problem as she is loyal to lady Arachama." Demiurge remarked in his head.
"I know you had a duel with lady Arachama. It was also quite well fought. How did you, an outsider, get strong enough to face lady Arachama and survive?" He inquired.
"Ara. I had a lot of time. The regiment in my early life was also helpful. Though my talent was most likely the trump card I needed my whole life." Zesshi thought loudly.
"A talent? What does it do? I know of some talents, but sadly never had the joy to meet a being with a noticeable talent." Demiurge mused.
"I can learn skills by taking equipment from a person. Sadly it only works with one skill per equipment and I really need to want the skill." Zesshi sighed.
"Oh. That definitely is interesting." Demiurge said.
"What we could do with it. I should definitely experiment here. But for that I need to talk to lord Ainz." Demiurge thought.
"Any other questions? The time is running low and I don't want my mother to be angry. She was already annoyed that I went here, despite being grounded." Zesshi asked.
"No. I have enough to think about." Demiurge dismissed, his monotone voice showing that he was thinking.
Thus Zesshi went back through the portal. Demiurge and Entoma continued to prepare Entomas bags with the supplies needed before she went back to the mansion, too.
→ Re-Estize Royal-palace / Zanac ←
It was afternoon, when the royal court met. The mood was in the gutter and nobody wanted to be here, at least no one showed any form of enthusiasm. The princes were seated on their respective thrones, like their father, while the thrones of Renner and the queen were empty. The empty throne of the queen was usual, as she had died shortly after birthing Renner. Renners absent was more unusual and Zanac looked at Raeven, nodded and noted it for later.
The first nobles entered and paraded themselves proudly, like they were peacocks in human form. Ever boasting their riches and trying to outboast one another. It was annoying for Zanac, but sadly a part of the court's culture. Zanac saw how Marquise Raeven sneaked in and took his place within the throne room. After roughly an hour the last people were inside after Gazef closed the doors.
All stood a few moments in silence, until the nobles started to boast how many people they would send to the war against Baharut. Zanac sighed mentally and looked at Raeven, the earlier discussion running through his head.
"Based on the boasting within this throneroom we will field 400 000 men to the battle at 'Katze Plains'?" Ramposa III asked.
"Hmm. Yes. That should roughly be the number." Zanac recounted the number in his head.
"Then shouldn't we be able to beat that wretched empire and conquer it?" Marquise Pespa asked and many shouts of agreement were heard.
"Shouldn't we free the besieged garrison of Colognium?" Marquise Boullope proposed.
"That wouldn't be a good idea. While they are occupying two legions of the enemy, we can destroy the enemy in the field. Besides, those have not proven loyal." Barbo hissed.
"Are you sure, your highness?" a noble asked.
"Yes. They didn't follow orders and destroyed the reputation of our kingdom. I would argue that we should use them to restore our honor." Barbo answered.
"Then shouldn't prince Barbo lead the army?" Marquise Blumrush thought loudly. A small roar came, though it subsided after a short while.
"Why would you propose such an idea?" Marquise Raeven asked.
"If we win our honor, at least in respect of the terrible circumstances in the north of Slane, could be restored. Why not use this chance to have our future king restore his in the same breath?" Blumrush answered.
"Are you saying that I don't have any honor?" Barbo hissed at Blumrush.
"No. But your reputation amongst our enemies has taken a hit. We should restore it. I only thought it would be prudent to have it all at the same time." Blumrush tried and Barbo sat himself back on his throne.
"Nicely done. Questioning the honor without getting into a duel." Zanac thought.
"I agree, your majesty." Boullope agreed with Blumrush.
"Let's put it to a vote." Ramposa ordered.
"Everyone agreeing that Prince Barbo should lead our army in the field for the coming battle of 'Katze Plains', raise your hand." Gazef said and counted.
"We have a majority of three to one, your majesty." Gazef reported and Ramposa nodded.
"Then my son shall lead the forces for the battle." Ramposa ruled and the nobles cheered.
Afterwards the nobles started to discuss their share in the coming victory. Some even tried to call in favors to secure so-called 'monster-girls'. Many still had a visual picture of the messenger and they wanted something similar, at least with less attitude. Lands, cities and riches were also divided. All that disgusted Zanac and he just thought about the situation.
"They are talking as if we already won. That is terrible." Zanac sighed and looked at Raeven, who stood outside of this group. After both nodded, Zanac knew his next appointment.
→ Nazarick Ainz-office / Ainz ←
Ainz had just come back from E-Rantel, when he found Albedo and Demiurge in his office. Both were in a heated debate about Arachamas child, Zesshi Zetsumei. Demiurge wanted Zesshi for multiple experiments and promised that those would be safe. Albedo wanted Zesshi to be trained for war, as Zesshis wants to prove her worth. Ainz heard that and wanted nothing to do with it.
"You know that Arachama will not take that lying down?" Ainz asked and both immediately turned to him.
"Of course not, that is why we need to plan that out. I would argue that the experiments are safe and that they will help her. We should also ask Zesshi first, since she will be easier to convince than lady Arachama." Demiurge answered.
"She is strong enough to be a warmachine on her own. She also needs to come out of Lady Arachamas shadow and spill a little blood, even if it is from lowly humans. Everything should be fine, if she goes to war in an advisory role. Plus lady Arachama can help Zesshi with the goal to make her more experienced in leading beings." Albedo proposed.
"You both just forget one factor in all of this. Arachama has a, lets call it a strongly pronounced, mother instinct. I will not involve myself with this and never officially heard of this, am I understood?" Ainz ordered and both nodded.
"Good, now. Why do you want Zesshi for your plans?" Ainz asked.
"For your great plan, of course." Demiurge answered.
"Then explain that part of the plan to my Albedo, please." Ainz replied.
"We need to find beings with strong talents. That is why you send lady Arachama to Baharut. Zesshi Zetsumei, Fluder Paradyne and Arche are holding talents, which are of great use for the tomb, if we understand them." Demiurge began and Albedo nodded along.
"With that talent Nazarick could easily overpower the other nations without risking the floor guardians." Albedo answered.
"But why waste such potential? First I would like to understand the talents better." Demiurge interjected.
"But we can study it a lot, once we have fulfilled my love's plan to conquer the world. Why waste years now?" Albedo hissed.
"Maybe you should try to convince Arachama and her child first? I believe the problem will be solved afterwards." Ainz said, sarcasm flowing on his tongue. Both looked at him.
"Of course. Lady Arachama already knows your plan and thus would know the next step best." Demiurge praised and Albedo beamed.
"You will manage it. Since Albedo and I will be busy, how about you plan the next step? I am sure it will take time." Ainz ordered and scooped Albedo up.
"As you wish, my lord." Demiurge grinned.
→ Re-Estize Royal-palace / Zanac ←
After the royal court took place, Zanac walked to his office. He expected to meet Marquise Raeven inside, though that didn't happen. Once inside Zanac prepared tea and biscuits and began his share of the paperwork. Just when he poured himself a tea he heard a knock.
"Come in." He answered. Marquise Raeven opened and came inside.
"Good afternoon, my prince." Raeven greeted.
"Good afternoon, my friend." Zanac smiled and placed two cups of tea on his desk, shoving a stack of paperwork aside.
Raeven sat down and took the tea.
"What an awful court." Raeven hissed.
"Indeed. But everything went according to plans. Sadly we can't do anything for the poor army." Zanac sighed.
"Yes. Though I disliked organizing this outcome. I also feared that Baron Cheneko would chicken out. Luckily he is either insane or foolish." Raeven confessed.
"I understand. It is one of our better options for now. Barbo should never become a king, or may the gods have mercy upon our soul." Zanac said in a hurt voice.
"We also need to keep an eye on Renner, once she is back in the capital. She can either be an asset or threat." Raeven thought loudly.
"That is true. I will give her a deal she can't reject." Zanac told Raeven.
"Tell me the results please." Raeven replied.
"I will. How are the adventurers doing?" Zanac asked.
"The ones the prince hired didn't get paid and are angry. The ones amongst my circle are indeed wary. I told them of the court, in which the messenger spider-demihuman showed up. They tell me that she is dangerous." Raeven answered.
"Do they know what she was?" Zanac inquired.
"Indeed. An arachne. Supposedly they can either be strong in melee, casting or summoning. Though more important is that she was the messenger. Going from the worst I would propose to take the deal they wanted." Raeven confessed.
"Sadly the court already made the declaration." Zanac sighed.
"That is also the reason we need to get the harvest done as best as possible. Probably should also buy supplies from Roble. This year is already bloody and will get much worse after the battle." Raeven established.
"We should remember ourself today as men doing the best possible action." Zanac said in a defeated voice.
"Indeed. If we are lucky some of the more dangerous nobles die in this war." Raeven agreed and both sipped from their tea.
"Hopefully the more powerful, though I doubt that." Zanac returned.
"Count Lytton already died in the Slane Theocracy." Raeven reminded Zanac.
"Yes. Rockerlen will probably die, too." Zanac threw in.
"Such a shame he only has this mute brute of a son." Raeven hissed.
"Yes. Rokerlen was a good man." Zanac smiled sadly.
"Any news on other fronts?" Raeven asked.
"Renner will return soon together with 'Blue Roses'. She wanted to talk to the arachne that saved Gazef Stronoff. Then we have a father, who becomes more and more passive. I hope he gets out of it soon." Zanac told Raeven.
Suddenly a knock was heard.
"What is it?" Zanac inquired when the door opened.
"The king wishes to speak with Marquise Raeven and Prince Zanac." The maid reported and both walked towards the king's office.
After a short walk through the palace they reached the office from his father. The door was opened and thus Zanac only knocked, after looking inside. There were also Gazef Stronoff and Brain Unnglaus. Once Raeven and Zanac were inside, Gazef closed the office door.
"We have important things to discuss in regards to the war." Ramposa told all of them.
"So you think that this war will be lost?" Zanac asks.
"Yes. We can't stop the vote of the court, but we can minimize the damage to our family. Thus I cut to the main part. All within this room, Climb and Renner will not go anywhere near that damn army." Ramposa, in his regal voice, ordered. All looked at him.
"Are you sure, your majesty? Princess Renner, Climb and prince Zanac I can understand. But why the rest of us?" Raeven asks.
"The loss would be too great. After the battle we need to rebuild the kingdom and try to keep the population as high as possible." Ramposa answered.
"The loss of people will increase the lost harvest. We will lose roughly four to six percent of our able men. If we work from the worst case. Those dead can't work the fields and we are already close to harvest. The grain will rot in the field if the war even lasts too long." Zanac thought loud.
"Yes. That would be devastating, as the empire will then have an easier time to attack us next year." Ramposa sighed.
"He did plan this from the beginning, but many nobles either dont care or don't see the trap he used." Raeven informed them.
"Which hurts even more. Renner has used her network to gather intel on many nobles. Sadly we can't do anything against most of them for now. At least nothing more than to hope that they will die at 'Katze Plains'." Ramposa sighed, placing his crown on the table.
"How sure are you that the army will lose?" Brain asked.
"Gazef here has seen the magical power of their leader and told me how strong he thinks their messenger was." Ramposa began. Brain looked at Gazef.
"Their leader and his friend destroyed one of the scriptures, though not the infamous black scripture. That in itself would be an incredible feat, but they didn't even exert themselves. Their messenger seemed weaker than them, but even I and Brain together would not break her sweat." Gazef recalled.
Brain and Raeven gulped while Zanac felt his eyes bulge forward and his jaw drop.
"Do you see now, why I don't believe we can win this war? Baharut would be bad enough, with the influx of magical powerful beings. But the other party of their alliance is far worse for us and since we don't have strong magical aligned people in our services, we can't protect our army against magic-casters." Ramposa ranted.
"So we better stay back and prepare for the defeat. Maybe we should prepare for a harsh peace?" Raeven summarized and Ramposa nodded.
"Once my daughter comes back I will tell her." Ramposa sighed and all nodded.
"That will be a terrible year for us." Zanac thought while he looked at all of them.
→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion / Arachama ←
Arachama was working on her reports when she looked over the 'Spider-Papers'. It seemed she could give Jircniv a nice piece of actual information. Re-Estize was not only preparing for war, but would be marching soon.
Arachama then proceeded to write a report for him and placed it in a silk-bag. She had started to use them for multiple reasons. She could make her silk waterproof, which could protect the reports. Then it was a nice characteristic, which would allow Jircniv to know who had written the reports. It might even become a trend one day. But the biggest advantage was that the knitting calmed her down.
She thought about the silk-bags when Enti walked in.
"Mom, dinner is ready." Enti reported and Arachama scooped her up, like always.
Dinner was lighter this day. It was polenta with a sauce, which Enti made. The usual pudding covered it nicely. Tea was served afterwards and the other joined after the meal. All were in their talks, when Arachama waived to Foire.
"What can I do for you, Lady Arachama?" Foire asked.
"I have a silk-bag with documents inside. I need those brought to the emperor. He might like the information. But it can wait after dinner." Arachama ordered and Foire nodded.
The rest of the dinner went without any disturbances and suddenly Arachama felt a shiver run down her spine. Her children immediately realized that Arachama wasn't feeling well and tried everything to help her. Thus another cuddling-session began. This time they helped her towards her bedroom and all had a nice nap together. At least until Yuri knocked.
Arachama crawled from her bed and into her office, Enti still on her abdomen. Once inside she sat down, still a bit tired and annoyed, and began her paperwork. It all went smoothly and she was finished after a short while, after which she got a headstart on tomorrow's paperwork. Then a well known portal opened.
Albedo and Demiurge walked through, though Albedo had obviously been ripped from Monga. At least if her hair and the dress was an indicator. Both asked to talk with Zesshi. That was even more annoying and not really reassuring for Arachama. Sadly Arachama hadn't any good arguments against that.
"And I have a cuddling-session doesn't count." Arachama thought, pouting.
Then they came back and were now sitting in front of her. Both wearing serious faces.
"We wish to do a proposal, lady Arachama." Demiurge began, seeming quite weighing his own words.
"Ara ara. Then what would the proposal be?" Arachama asked, two of her feet impatient tapping the floor again and again.
"We learned that one of your children has an excellent 'talent'. I would propose to train and experiment on her. Then we can train her to excell war." Albedo continued.
"…Experiment on…" "…War…""…Experiment on…""…War…"
Arachama heard those words over and over again. Zesshi meanwhile seems ambiguous. She retreated as far as possible into the couch, almost becoming one with the couch. Albedo and Demiurge lost their smiles and seemed to prepare a hasty retreat.
The words continued to roll in her mind and pictures followed. She had seen pictures of older wars. The pictures of cut open people didn't help her mind at all.
Then the picture of her daughter and former husband got into her head. Both had been autopsied. She had seen the cuts, which were still open when she identified them. The picture of her only daughter, from her life before, haunted her. Tears fell from four of her eyes while she pressed the others close.
"GET OUT OF MY MANSION, NOW!" Arachama shouted, her heart beating louder and her breath got more and more rigid. Her voice got louder and louder, fuelled by her panic and anger. A black mist fell into her vision and would obscure her memories from that moment onwards, for the rest of her life she would not have memories of that timeframe.
The only thing she saw were pictures of her daughters, dead and cut open like her dead one. She would wake up in her bed within the mansion. All her daughters cuddled her and all of them with concern in their eyes.
"Ara. I hope I didn't do anything too drastic." A weakened Arachama hoped. Her voice was weak and she felt extremely cold and hot at the same time.
"I am sorry mother. If I had known they would use such words I would have told them to be more careful." Zesshi nudged and tightened her hug. Her sad voice made Arachama feel worse.
"It was terrible. I can't forget the pictures and yet I can't see them. I wished for a long time they would stop. But they always haunt me." Arachama cried and reciprocated the hugs.
"They never meant to hurt you, mother." Zesshi tried and Arachama leaned closer.
"Let's talk tomorrow. Right now I need rest." Arachama sighed and fell asleep.
Nightmares haunting her though the hugs gave her the support she needed to not cry.
→ Nazarick Ainz-office / Ainz ←
Ainz was working on important documents, when the door to his office was abruptly opened. A scared Albedo and Demiurge walked inside. Albedo had seemingly lost her proud posture and Demiurge had sweat all over his face. This confused Ainz and he was about to give orders to retrieve all of the guardians and Arachama. Then his 'emotional suppression' kicked in and he relaxed.
"I guess she didn't take it well?" Ainz asked and both shuddered.
"Yes, Lord Ainz." Demiurge answered and Ainz sighed.
"I always thought her to be more calm. But the sheer amount of devastation is impressive. Especially for a summoner." Albedo confessed and Ainz was even more confused.
"Alright, what happened exactly?" Ainz inquired and signed both of them to seat themselves.
Once both were seated, one of the homunculi maids was sent to gather food for all of them. Albedo took a deep breath and then looked at Ainz with teary eyes.
"After the report." Ainz sighed, resisting her puppy-eyes.
"We went to Nazarick-mansion, where Lady Arachama and her daughters live. Once there we spoke with Zesshi Zetsumei and told her about our ideas. She was ecstatic but wouldn't go against her mother. Thus we went to Lady Arachama herself." Demiurge began and needed a break.
"How did you word your request?" Ainz asked.
"We asked if we could have Zesshi for our war efforts and to experiment on." Albedo answered.
Ainz then remembered a terrible night, when the game was still ongoing and the guild was regularly visited. He saw that Arachama was online in the deep night, alone and remaining in one area, and went online to talk about something. An upcoming raid, if he remembered correctly. She had been traumatized and he then learned that she had lost her husband and daughter in an accident. He remembered her crying about her daughter being cut open like some kind of sick experiment. She had been deeply traumatized.
"An extremely long time ago, Arachama lost one of her daughters and she had been autopsied. It was a devastating moment in her life. Autopsies and experiments can be quite similar in the mind of some beings. The mention of war didn't help. She probably thought you would cut her daughter open. Poor words, even if unintentioned." Ainz murmured.
Albedo looked at him, horror on her face while Demiurge looked at the floor. Both sat there in deep silence.
"We truly messed up." Albedo suppressed the tears in her eyes. Demiurge found the carpet even more interesting.
"You couldn't have known that. Though you should have been much more careful towards Arachama." Ainz sighed.
"Yes, my lord." Albedo replied.
"I should contact her now. Better to keep the damage as small as possible." Ainz said.
"She fell unconscious during her fit of rage." Demiurge meekly threw in.
"Then I better contact Yuri." Ainz told them. Afterwards he decided that deascalation would be necessary, or his tomb could be ruined.
→ Arwintar Imperial-palace / Jircniv ←
Jircniv was looking outside his window. The direction was strange, for all not knowing who resided in that general direction. Those who knew decided to not talk about it. It was occurring more and more in the last few weeks and became a habit of his. Though he enjoyed it.
After roughly half an hour Jircniv got back inside and walked towards his dinner. Fluder and Nimble were either sitting and eating or standing at their post. He ate his dinner when a knock came from the door. Jircniv placed his dish down and gulped his food.
"Come in." He ordered and a Maid walked in. He recognised her as Foire and nodded.
"Good evening, emperor JIrcniv Rune Farlord El-Nyx. I am here to deliver these." The maid reported and placed a silk bag in front of him.
He stood up and took a look inside. A big smile formed as he read and read through the pages.
"They truly think they can win? So many underestimations are truly horrifying? What made them think my forces would arrive too late for the Battle? It would be insulting, if it wouldn't work in my favor." Jircniv thought.
"I thank you and your lady. Please give her my regards" Jircniv ordered and Foire walked out.
"Good news, I guess?" Nimble asked.
"Nearly insulting news, but good for us." He said and handed the papers to Fluder, who looked over them.
"Then I think we should finally take the city?" Fluder asks.
"Not now. From the reports I gather that the second and first are still preparing for the attack. After that, maybe." Jircniv said.
"I think we should still prepare for the battle. Could we ask Nazarick for aid in that battle? It is a war for them after all." Nimble threw his two cents in there.
"That should be possible. Though I fear that the strength they show may demoralize our men. The reports on this Zesshi are terrifying. And She is probably among the weaker beings. Just plain scary." Jircniv sighed.
"It could end the annual war against Re-Estize, if we play it correctly." Fluder hummed.
"Indeed. That would be great." Jircniv exhaled and took a new bite.
"Should I then go to lady Arachama tomorrow?" Fluder asks.
"Yes. She is a better choice for negotiations in that regard than any of us ever could." Jircniv agreed and thus the decision was made. The bloody mist of the war just became thicker.
AN: I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and if you did so, please feel free to comment.
