Chapter 3: Darkness Descends
Part 3
In the blink of an eye the deadline of the duel between Ainz and the Theocracy came and went by.
The refusal to go out and fight Ainz with the strongest few and instead risk the lives of thousands was met with fierce outrage by the general populace. The notion that an Undead could not be trusted to hold true to his word fell on deaf ears as people would rarely think logically when their life was at stake.
During these months the Slane Theocracy had been recalling most of their battle capable divine type magic casters and was preparing multiple large scale rituals to ward off the evil that was coming their way.
Even so, no one felt at ease. These superficial actions would do little to stop a being that could crush the lives, hopes, dreams, and spirits of an entire army with a single spell and still have time to personally duel the army's strongest warrior to the death.
Out of precaution five of the Six Archbishops had left the capital and fled to other cities in the nearby region, the only one left was Archon who was charged with managing the Black Scripture and the city overall.
By now everyone that could leave the capital had done so and the only ones still there were those who had to stay as part of their job or responsibility or those that had nowhere else to go.
Even so, the number of people in Astousa was still over fifty thousand.
On a summer day much like any other - the exact same day that the deadline was over - the city was just beginning to awaken as the Morning Prayer was over. The citizens were doing their jobs. Bakers were baking, the farmers were tending to their crops, and the priests were preaching their beliefs to common folk. Who would have thought, that it would be on this very day that the fate of every single one of these citizens would change forever.
Out of nowhere dark clouds started to form in the sky above the capital. Sinister winds blew through the town causing fear in the hearts of all who felt it. These clouds and this weather was not announced by the priests. It carried a hint of something unnatural, something evil.
Reacting swiftly and decisively, the Guards immediately rang the alarm. Throughout the capital bells could be heard, bells that had never been heard before; for the first time in the history of the Slane Theocracy the capital was under attack.
All the guards on the city walls began searching frantically. As soon as they saw these clouds they knew all too well what it meant; Ainz Ooal Gown had come.
Finally they saw it, on the main road a dark space had formed. A hole through reality had been torn and from it emerged a being that could only be described as death incarnate, a skeleton wearing a cowl and robe that seemed to emit a dark aura. Their enemy has appeared.
Ainz did not say a word as he gestured with his hand and from the dark space behind him appeared twenty strange entities appeared. They looked like dark clouds that had faces, with some in agony while others were laughing menacingly.
"Are those… Wailing Wraiths?!"
The captain of the west wall screamed at the sight of those creatures. As the captain of one of the four outer walls of the capital it was required that he had encyclopedic knowledge of all monsters known to mankind so that he may act appropriately in chase a large horde of monsters tried to attack the capital. But even so, this situation was unfathomable for him to deal with.
Wailing Wraiths were considered a higher form of Wraiths that appeared very rarely when a group of Wraiths were in the same place. Powerful Undead spawned in a place where a lot of weaker Undead got together. The same was true for spectral-type monsters.
Wraiths were already a large enough hassle to deal with and would require Mythril-class adventurers with a mage and priest on their team to take care of them. Wailing Wraiths would require at least an Orichalcum-class party to be their opponent if the adventurers wanted to stand any chance. And this monster had just summoned twenty of these legendary Undead.
Wraiths started floating as soon as they received the command. They flew ever higher into the sky and began making their way towards the capital.
Seeing the strange creatures approach, the guards on the city walls desperately tried to shoot them down with arrows but found that they were out of their reach and could only watch helplessly as they entered the capital.
Once they were flying over the capital the Wailing Wraiths split up and started flying in different directions.
Once flying above the houses of the citizens they began delivering the same message repeatedly.
"You foolish humans that have refused the mercy of the Supreme One will be judged! Three hours from now you will face the divine retribution which you deserve! Convert your faith to the god before your eyes and you may yet be spared! Try to flee this city and you shall be devoured instead!"
These words were repeated dozens of times as the specters continued to move through the skies above the city.
Soldiers and magic casters tried to shoot them down but found that they were still out of reach. And it would require some time for the griffin corps to be prepared to intercept them.
Needless to say the entire city went into a frenzy.
Everywhere people were screaming crying and running for their lives. Some attacked the guards out of frustration and some fell to their knees and started praying in desperation. But not one soul tried to flee the capital itself.
Normally when faced with such a threat there would be individuals who would still take their chances with trying to flee but this time not one tried to pass through the city gates.
All had heard about what Ainz was capable of and not a single one doubted that no matter their number they would die as soon as they left Astousa.
As difficult as it was for a religious nation like the Slane Theocracy to accept it there was a reasonably large amount of citizens that had fallen to their knees in prayer begging Ainz to be merciful upon them. Since it was impossible to tell who was praying to their own gods and who wasn't, the soldiers could do little but stare at this maddening scene and try to calm down the citizens that were throwing a fit.
At this time Archon had already arrived at the hidden crypt beneath the cathedral. From the moment the alarm had rung through the capital, protocols had been put in place on what to do so all that was required of him was to make the biggest decisions based on the situation. Although that itself was possibly worse than handling the small stuff.
"Report what the situation is outside?"
Archon fixed his attention on the captain of the Windflower Scripture that had stayed behind in order to manage the city's messaging system in case of attack.
"Yes! As it stands now the enemy has sent seemingly non-aggressive creatures out to pass on a message. It appears that the enemy gives us a three hour deadline to surrender or rather convert our faith before he attacks. All messages say the same so it has to be correct."
Convert? Why would he place importance on such a thing? Why even give us a three hour deadline? Another trap?
Archon finally arrived in the room where the Black Scripture was already waiting.
Inside this dark, dim stone room with candles barely lighting it, the fate of humanity was to be decided on this day.
Damn, why did they stick me with this job? The one to do this should be Ylliana.
The twelve or rather thirteen members of the Black Scripture, plus Kaire who was a former member but still too important to retire were present. Now it was up to Archon to make a decision with the information that he was provided to decide when to move out.
"As it stands now the enemy is only one. The Sorcerer King is currently standing alone on the main road. I have no doubt that any armies we send towards him will lose. Our only choice is to use the element of surprise and attack him from behind by using the holy 'summoning array'."
Archon knitted his brows. He could not understand why Ainz had come alone and even gave them three hours to prepare themselves. If they ambushed Ainz, would he really be able to get a victory? Did Ainz really leave himself so vulnerable?
There is no choice! We have to risk it all or our lives may all be forfeit.
Although with some doubts, Archon made the decision and ordered the Black Scripture to head to the Teleportation array inside the Black Scripture.
Once inside he gave the Black Scripture their orders and wished them good luck as he left word to their captain to prepare them for the battle.
Sylvan inhaled a breath of air as the next words could be the last he said to some of the people here.
"Members of the Black Scripture, protectors of the Slane Theocracy, heed my words. We will soon move out against the Sorcerer King, Ainz Ooal Gown. We face a foe that is capable of wiping out entire armies and we ourselves are in danger of being completely wiped out.
"But when have we faced different odds? All of us here that have stepped into the realm of heroes have survived by returning from the precipice of death many times. If we cower now, all of humanity could end up becoming slaves for that monster to play with as he sees fit.
"We will not back down! We are the shield of humanity against the waves of evil, the sword of justice that cuts through the darkness! We are the last defense of all that that is good and holy! We are the Black Scripture!"
The other members of the Black Scripture roared as they got riled up by the speech of their captain. Even if it was only a little they would need every last bit of courage they could get if they hoped to fight Ainz.
"Now, members of this proud Unit, who will aid me in this mission?"
Two members of the Black Scripture stepped up, their faces hidden by masks and each wearing a similar attire. They were the replacements of Clementine and the finest twin assassins of the Theocracy. Although individually below the others they excelled at dual executions and had earned the right of a shared seat in the group.
"We, the 12th Seat Heaven and Earth, will fight with you and die with you. As long as we live their backs will not be safe."
A girl dressed in a strange attire and a pointed hat with a crystal orb floating next to her stepped up. The child genius who was one of the few people that knew how to use divination magic in the country and could both manipulate and see through illusions. The Thousand Miles Astrologer, Palyntana stepped up. "I, the 11th Seat, will fight with you and die with you. No matter what illusions they may try to use to trick us it will be pointless against me."
A large man with unruly white hair and dark skin stepped up. With an axe that was bigger than himself tied up behind his back it was not difficult to see why he was called 'the strongest human'. The man previously known as the human monster and hermit of the Troll mountains, Bahmeth stepped up to answer the call. "I, the 10th Seat, will fight with you and die with you. There is no monster stronger than me in this world; I will crush all of our foes."
A man with dark hair that was leanly built with a chain that glowed as brightly as the sun stepped forward as well. Although his carelessness had cost him his life once before, he had been revived as his item could only be wielded by him and it was simply too useful to abandon. The Divine Chain, Edgar Beaumarchais. "I, the 9th Seat, will fight with you and die with you. No matter how far they run or how strong they are I will catch them and bring them down to their knees."
A bulky man with red hair that wielded two giant shields stepped up. He too had died once before but many thought that it was only thanks to his sacrifice that one of their God-Kin had survived. The personal bodyguard and defender of Kaire. The hero and Myriad of barriers, Cedran Crust Dovahlis. "I, the 8th Seat, will fight with you and die with you. Until I am but bones and dust I will protect Kaire-sama with my life!"
A girl wearing a strange outfit stepped up. she wore a short white skirt with black leggins and carried a small white pursue. Although it could be considered sinful to expose this much skin as a woman, the power that this outfit provided was no joke. The power she wielded could easily wipe out entire villages and cause enormous terror to nations. The Harbinger of Nightmares, Persiva Mors Minim stepped forth. "I, the 7th Seat, will fight with you and die with you. Though I pray that the power I hold needn't be released. If necessary I too will unleash my full strength against this threat."
A blond man with sharp eyes and a sturdy looking body who wielded a shining blade that was longer than himself stepped up. The greatest swordsmen of the nation who excelled at slicing through creatures with an evil alignment. The Sword of Justice, Roquefort Vita Almack stepped forward. "I, the 6th Seat, will fight with you and die with you. With this sword in my hands I will slice that evil skeleton in two and protect the future of our nation."
Another man with blond hair and a stern face stepped forth. He wielded no visible weapon but his strength was undoubtedly in the top five. A man who was both a beast tamer and thought to be the strongest monk alive. The entity that manhandled basilisks and turned them into pets. Clementine's older brother and ruler of Beasts, Kuaiesse Hazeia Quintia. "I, the 5th Seat, will fight with you and die with you. With these bare hands of mine I will crush the skulls of all those who would fight us."
A beautiful woman who emitted a gleaming holy aura stepped forward. The granddaughter of the highest priest of the Slane Theocracy, Egyl, and already she had reached the same realm as her grandfather. The blessed divine magic caster who wielded ultimate holy power. The Divine Chant, Alyssa Braise Yolis. "I, the 4th Seat, will fight with you and die with you. As long as I have the strength I will heal you, and as long as the enemy is evil I will vanquish them."
An old man with a face hidden by the cowl of his attire stepped forth. Hidden in the darkness of the Theocracy's unknown arcane magic caster division, there had been the awakening of a secret genius, that if he could extend his life like Fluder, could possibly surpass even that old monster. The one who had already reached Fifth-Tier-Magic and the Mage of Miracles, Augus Fernis Emyras. "I, the 3rd Seat, will fight with you and die with you. No matter what magic this foe might wield, I will show him the might of our nation's spells and burn him to cinders."
The last to step forward was a young child with dark brown hair. Wielding a spear that seemed too big for him but by no means was. The most dangerous human of the Black Scripture who was denied the seat of captain simply because he was not a God-Kin. The Time Turbulence and child prodigy, Ensem Furt Ondares.
"I, the 2nd Seat, will fight with you and die with you. With me on your side all the enemy can do is die!"
All of the members had responded. All of them knew the risks and dangers and all of them were prepared to fight to the end for the sake of the human race's survival.
"Well then! Activate the teleportation spell."
The twelve elder priests around them began chanting their spells. The symbols on the floor lit up and began to glow in a majestic golden light as the space of the room began to distort.
This was the Slane Theocracy's secret power: to store magic energy by pouring mana continuously into special spell arrays they were capable of performing spells of a tier higher than was humanly possible. The Slane Theocracy had used this only once before in its history to vanquish an invading army of beastmen and thus earned its title as strongest human nation.
One of the elder mages yelled as the spell was near completion, "Prepare yourselves! It will activate any moment now! For the sake of our race, we wish you victory!"
The symbols on the floor glowed as the light grew blindingly bright and enveloped the members of the Black Scripture in a golden veil of magic.
"Now! Divine prayer! [Holy Summoning]!
As if the sun had formed in the room the light got even brighter only to fade shortly afterwards. The members of the Black Scripture had disappeared as well.
"Use it!"
Sylvan gave the command as soon as they had been transported, before Ainz had any time to cast a spell. They had to use this opportunity to defeat him or such a chance may never come again.
the teleportation spell was successful and they had been teleported just behind the sorcerer. all that was left for them to do was to use the power of their nation's treasure and wipe out the enemy known as Ainz Ooal Gown.
The power of [Downfall of Castle and Country] emerged as the dragon of light sprang forth and soared into the sky. Moments later it flew onto Ainz who had only managed to turn around and see the Black Scripture that had appeared behind him.
the Black Scripture watched as the light envelloped Ainz and washed away any resistance that he might have. The creature that could resist this attack had not been born yet. the fact that it had hit meant their victory.
Sylvan roared from joy as the spell was complete by now. The sorcerer didn't have the chance to counter like that Vampire.
He turned around to congratulate Kaire but then…
….
…..
…..
"Not good."
Ainz seemed to frown his non-existent brows as he continued to look at the monitor in front of him which displayed the status of all of his NPC's
From the beginning Ainz had been following the events in the Slane Theocracy from a crystal monitor in Nazarick's throne room.
Sebas, Demiurge and Shalltear who were standing next to him were disturbed by what their master had said.
"Ainz-sama, you seem troubled. Doesn't it appear that the mind-control has proven to be ineffective?"
Demiurge leaned in as he studied the monitor displaying the names of all the high level NPC's in Nazarick.
Ainz continued to ponder about what he saw for a bit before he finally answered, "Yes, you're right, Demiurge. The experiment has proven a success which is already a great boon."
From the beginning it had naturally been Pandora's Actor who posed as Ainz in order to lure out the rats that were hiding in the capital.
Of course, the teleportation array had long since been discovered by the shadow demon shinobi who had thoroughly scouted out the layout of the capital. Although it was not identical, it was still similar to something that players used in YGGDRASIL. a so called mass transport point, a device used mainly for clans to quickly transport their members across short distances.
This obvious bait had only been taken because of desperation of the enemy being at their doorstep, but that was fine with Ainz. The methods did not matter, but the results did.
"What I'm worried about isn't Pandora's Actor, it's the group that previously possessed that item."
From the moment that he had seen it, Ainz had instantly recognized the World Class Item that the Theocracy possessed. It had been quite famous in YGGDRASIL, seeing as it could mind-control virtually any foe.
Ainz felt very happy that the item was one he recognized as an unfamiliar weapon would mean that this world had the power to make World Class Items by themselves, which would be troublesome to say the least.
The reason he was worried was because the group that last possessed that item in YGGDRASIL also possessed another World Class Item. One that if unleashed could spell the end of all of Nazarick.
Six gods huh? The number matches as well but the timing doesn't after all. They should also have been online on that day and yet they ended up six hundred years in the past. But to think that they were the ones who were transported here of all people.
In YGGDRASIL there were three ranking systems: Guild ranking which was the most prestigious, solo ranking which was individually split depending on the type of character or it's race, and lastly party ranking which determined the strongest six-man team of the game.
The party that had held the position of strongest six-man team for the longest amount of time had been one known as 'the Six Kings'. They were generally regarded as the best six-man team of all time and not without reason.
They were frequently hired to go on high difficulty raids and boss fights and delivered with a ninety percent success rate if they did.
Combined with the fact that each of them had not only incredible individual capabilities, their teamwork was unmatched even by the six-man teams of Ainz Ooal Gown.
And to top it all off, they were in the possession of three World Class Items. One of which was one of the Twenty.
Their power was to such a degree that if they had been part of the raid that once breached Nazarick to the eighth floor then the outcome of that invasion could have ended differently altogether.
the reason that raid had failed is because the enemy had wasted a large amount of its disposable mercenary NPC's in the lower levels, not expecting the improved tomb of Nazarick to be so vast and intricate. if those guys had been around they would have probably advised a more conservative approach. which could have meant that the enemy would have had enough reserves when they entered the eight floor.
They could only be said to have one flaw.
They had no lives whatsoever…
Even Ainz - who spent most of his time in YGGDRASIL - could be considered a casual player compared to them. The six of them were online nearly 24/7 and almost always out grinding.
Due to this they had earned a nickname amongst the rest of the community:
"The Six Addicts."
The Floor Guardians looked at Ainz in puzzlement as they did not understand the title.
Seeing this, Ainz regained his composure and organized his thoughts once more.
"Ah, uhm, basically the problem lies with the other items that the enemy is likely to possess. We have to deal with this rabble quickly and investigate the hidden crypt of the capital."
"Yes!"
The shouts of approval unified into a single response of the guardians.
"Shalltear you stay here and monitor the situation. If the need arises, join up with us and assist in the battle. Meanwhile, I want you to recall all members outside Nazarick without a World Class Item."
"Eh, but Ainz-sama, I finally have the chance to take revenge against the vermin that brainwashed me. Surely I deserve to join the fight as well?"
Although she was not one to go against her master's orders, Shalltear still felt wronged if she could not exact her revenge when her prey was within reach.
"Don't worry Shalltear. I don't plan on killing them any time soon. We will capture them alive and then you can pick them up to play with them as promised. if they saw you then their will to fight might hit absolute zero and they could end up running for the hills. Although that would not change their fate it would be much more boring."
Even though Shalltear still felt like she should go she swallowed her dissatisfaction and obeyed her master's orders without a word.
"Well then you two, let's call for Cocytus and Mare and set out. Let's finally put a rest to this meddling foe once and for all
"Yes!"
Author's Afterword: contrary to what you may think it was not the beta that was at fault for late release… it was me, Dio! (report me for that lame reference) my last exam required a four day cramming period and afterwards an obligatory three day drinking period as is custom in Belgium ;) anyways get hyped for the last part of this chapter that will be released… sometime.