CHAPTER 16:

SISTERS REUNITED

"How did the latest lesson go, Arche?"

The blonde-haired teenager sighed, running a hand through her short blonde hair as they walked through the forest, heading towards Carne, Albedo and Antilene in tow. "Not well, Harry. Celicia's still listless, not to mention traumatised by what Clementine did to her."

"And no doubt there's survivors' guilt," Harry mused. "We've had to deal with that quite a bit in Carne. We managed to resurrect some of the victims of the Sunlight Scripture's massacre, but many of the revivees, to say nothing of the survivors, are feeling the effects. Damn. I'm not a shrink, neither is Momonga, and I'm not sure there's any Floor Guardian who is capable of doing so. Hey, Antilene, did they have psychiatrists in the Theocracy?"

Antilene snorted. "Nope. They had priests in confessionals, that's the closest thing, given what you've told me what psychiatrists do. But is Celicia satisfied by what's being done to Clementine?"

"Well, she is, but I held back on telling her exactly what Clementine is going through. I know she caused so much suffering, and she deserves everything Demiurge does to her, but it's still repulsive, seeing that done to a fellow human, even if Clementine was a monster in human skin," Arche said.

"But you do not wholly object?" Albedo asked.

Arche looked flatly at Albedo. "I wouldn't send my parents to Demiurge. They're bad, but not that bad. But Clementine tortured and murdered so many people, and she got off on it. I also think on what she did to the Swords of Darkness…and I think to myself…that could have been us in Foresight. And she took trophies, those tags. Harry showed me how many before Momonga took them back to the Adventurers' Guild." Arche shook her head. "Demiurge is bad enough, but sending a monster like Clementine to him? She deserves it."

"How are the others settling in at the decoy?" Harry asked.

At this, Arche smiled. "Quite well. That was actually a good idea, to hire Foresight as 'guards' for the decoy Tomb of Nazarick. With that Slane Theocracy emissary nosing around you and Antilene, going on a long-term job helps. And Aura's quite nice. Actually, she really loved that watch thing Momonga gave her, though why did he warn her against setting the watch to certain times?"

At this, Harry laughed. "The watch is voiced by BubblingTeapot. Remember, she was a voice actress, and she did a lot of H-Games, games that had pornographic content, and she put in a couple of lines in as a prank if you set it to certain times. 19:19, in Japanese, can be spoken as 'Ikyu! Ikyu!' or 'I'm coming! I'm coming!'(1)."

Antilene cackled, Albedo chuckled, and Arche blushed heavily. "You're joking, right?" Arche asked.

"Nope. The sad thing is, her brother, Peroroncino, loved buying H-Games, but always got squicked out by them if his sister was a voice artist in one." His face fell. "But back to Celicia. It's been over a month since we saved her, and yet…I'm worried. Arche, you're only a little older than she is. Do you have any idea on what would help her?"

Arche, after a long moment, shook her head. "The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is finding Tuare. Don't get me wrong, Celicia's still helping out around Carne, but she seems to be just going through the motions. I've managed to befriend her, yes, and she's on good terms with the villagers, as well as the denizens of Nazarick, and she's grateful for being resurrected…but…she believes she will never see Tuare again, that she's not strong enough to find her, that she never will be."

"She has a talent allowing her to learn magic at twice the normal rate for humans," Albedo observed. "Surely if she applies herself…has she simply given up hope?"

"Maybe," Arche said. "I'm a prodigy myself by the standards of this world, and yet, the denizens of Nazarick eclipse me, and everyone I know. And there's also the trauma of her death and resurrection, as well as her team-mates dying for good. Brita had to deal with something similar thanks to Shalltear, though Brita's coping far better."

"Hopefully, Sebas and Solution might find some clue as to Tuare's whereabouts," Harry said. "I doubt they will simply stumble across her."

At that moment, a Message came to Harry, and he answered it. "Hello?"

"Lord Enzo, it is Sebas."

"Oh, good morning, Sebas. What's the matter?"

"…It's about my investigations in Re-Estize City. I need you to bring Ninya…I mean, Celicia. It's possible I may have found her sister. Solution is notifying Lord Momonga as we speak."

Harry looked at Albedo, Antilene, and Arche. "Got it, Sebas," he said. "Over and out." As the Message ended, he said, "We need to get to Carne right now. Sebas thinks he may have found Tuare…"

Celicia could scarcely believe it, but she all but demanded that Harry bring her to Tuare, despite Albedo's admonishments. Arche was going to head back to Foresight for now, but Albedo and Antilene were coming to Re-Estize as well. And so, they took a Gate there.

Momonga was already there in the well-appointed drawing room of the mansion, discussing matters with Sebas and Solution, before he noticed Celicia's arrival. Celicia was, by now, aware that 'Momon' was actually an undead, but her gratitude for being resurrected outweighed her qualms in that area. "Where is she?" Celicia demanded. Her light brown hair was still cut boyishly short, and she could easily be mistaken for a boy.

"She is still recovering in another room," Sebas said. But as she made to leave, he held out a hand, blocking her exit. "She's asleep, Celicia, and she still needs her sleep," he said gently. "If it is your sister…she has gone through a lot."

"…Tell me," Celicia said, her voice thick with emotion.

"Celicia, I'm not sure that's a wise idea…" Momonga said.

"TELL ME!" Celicia snapped.

Solution glared at Celicia. "Don't you dare have the temerity to raise your voice to Lord Momonga! You are here on sufferance, girl, and…"

Momonga interjected, "Solution, it's fine. If it was my own sister, I would be this angry myself. But Solution…can you taste some of Celicia's blood? You should be able to tell if they are blood relatives, given that you have tasted some of the girl's blood. Assuming, of course, Celicia consents?"

Celicia nodded grimly. "Do it."

Solution nodded herself, and gently grasped Celicia's fingers. The young magic caster winced in pain as Solution's gelatinous body, morphed into fine needles, entered her fingers, before withdrawing. Solution, eventually, said, "I can confirm that Celicia and the girl we have are blood relatives. They are full sisters. Assuming Celicia has no other siblings, I can say that is Tuare."

Celicia sagged in relief, but she looked to Momonga. "…What happened to her?"

Momonga was holding a scroll. "Solution listed the injuries and illnesses she was suffering from. It makes for a rather grotesque litany. Before I begin, I should tell you, Sebas found her being disposed of in an alley, possibly close to an Eight Fingers brothel. She was barely clinging to life. She is in perfect condition now, at least physically, but mentally is another matter. So, I ask you, Celicia…do you truly wish to know what had happened to her?"

"…Yes."

Momonga then read out the scroll. "She was suffering from no less than three venereal diseases, including syphilis, and had gone through multiple abortions, either through crude surgery or abortifacient drugs, with the most recent being shortly before her disposal. Bones in her fingers and ribs had been broken. Tendons had been severed, teeth had been knocked out. She was addicted to a drug, possibly Black Flour. She had an anal fissure, presumably from repeated sodomy. And she was on the verge of complete organ failure from the drug addiction and disease."

Celicia held a hand to her mouth in horror, an action mirrored by Harry, Antilene and even Albedo. "…She went through all that?"

"Indeed. I am abbreviating the list, mind. Thankfully, Sebas used a Healing Scroll on her, and she has been restored. It was the equivalent of a 6th Tier Spell. I wouldn't use it on just anyone off the street…but Sebas made the decision, and I will respect that. However, Celicia, please go with Solution and Antilene to a guest room for now. Once Tuare is awake, you may see her. I have matters I need to speak with Sebas that is not meant for your ears."

"I understand," Celicia said. "…But thank you. Both of you. First my resurrection, and now this…I need to think on this."

Antilene and Solution escorted Celicia out of the room, and Momonga placed a hand to his forehead. "Poor girl. No, poor girls, both of them. Still, I did not want Celicia to hear me say this to her sister's saviour. You slipped up, Sebas."

"My lord?" Sebas asked, the bearded, steely butler blinking.

"When you ordered Solution to contact me, she did tell me that you had been accosted by a man who intended to dispose of the girl," Momonga said. "You allowed them to leave and report back to their superiors. True, killing them would have drawn attention, and your concern for Tuare was admirable. But your purpose here was to keep an eye out in this city for anything of note. That you brought her back on a whim, not even knowing whether she was Tuare or not…it could have gone badly if she was healed. She could have fled into the night, spreading tales of extraordinary magic used to heal her swiftly."

Harry blinked, before he looked incredulously at Momonga. "Are you saying that Sebas should have left her to die?"

"No," Momonga said. "Leaving aside the fact that Sebas is most definitely Touch Me's creation…there are things I cannot countenance, and what I saw on that list…I felt my emotional suppression kick in a few times. But this was a covert operation, one Sebas has compromised, if only slightly, by his well-meant actions. Those behind it may yet trace Sebas back here. Sebas…if the girl betrayed us, would you execute her?"

Harry stiffened, but even as he looked to Momonga in shock, Sebas nodded grimly. "With reluctance, yes, but the orders of the Supreme Beings are absolute."

"Then I fear not your lack of loyalty, just your lack of discretion," Momonga said. "And calm down, Harry, I have no intention of ordering Tuare's execution, especially not with Celicia eager to reunite with her. We just need to prepare for any reaction from whoever tried to dispose of her."

Harry tamped down on his anger with an effort, though Albedo's hand on his shoulder helped. "Then I think we'd better get in touch with the Blue Roses. They've started their campaign against the Eight Fingers again, remember? I think they're undertaking a raid on a Black Flour farm belonging to a noble with ties to the Eight Fingers. But Momonga…you'd better watch what you say in future. I get that you're ensuring Sebas' loyalty, but he contacted us after finding Tuare, and unlike Shalltear, he hadn't fucked up as badly as she had. Sebas did the right thing. Nothing will convince me otherwise. And any exposure of our operation is not only small, but can provoke the enemy into showing their hand. We just need to ensure we can exploit that. The Eight Fingers, unlike the Platinum Dragon Lord, are so beneath us, it isn't funny."

After a moment, Momonga nodded. "I know, and I'm sorry. But caution and prudence need to be our watchwords. Leaving aside the Platinum Dragon Lord and Rigrit, there's always the possibility of another Player or a descendant taking an interest. Decem Hougan and the Black Scripture may not be the only so-called 'Godkin' in this world that may be our enemy."

He had a point, damn him, but Harry was still angry. "I get that, Momonga. But…even so, while we can't do so too recklessly, we can still help people where we can. Touch Me wouldn't have it any other way. Hell, Ulbert would agree with saving people who are being exploited. And it's not like Sebas charged into a brothel and charged right out again."

Momonga nodded again. "That would be messy…but don't worry, I intend to ensure the Eight Fingers are wiped out. We'll spare a few of their top personnel who may be of use, those with connections, but I've had Demiurge begin on a rough draft of an operation to bring down the Eight Fingers. In any case, let's go and check on our guests…"

When they came to see Celicia, Antilene and Solution, the former went up to Sebas, and hugged him. "Thank you, Sebas."

"No need to thank me, Celicia, though your gratitude is noted and welcomed," Sebas said gently. "My creator, Lord Touch Me, always said that 'saving people in trouble is only natural'." He turned to the others. "Lord Momonga, should anyone come enquiring after the girl, what should be done?"

Momonga scratched his chin. "I would prefer to have the girl tended to in Nazarick, to prevent the Eight Fingers from abducting her. However, if we bring the Blue Roses here, we may need to have Tuare give a deposition, assuming she's in a fit state to speak. It wouldn't hold up in a court of law, especially in this country, but it would be enough to convince the Blue Roses. In addition, she would need to acclimate to being around the denizens of Nazarick. You yourself are still getting used to being around them, Celicia."

Celicia nodded. "And given what those monsters put her through…I mean, the Eight Fingers…even an unofficial testimony will be hard on her. But if anyone else comes searching for her?"

"Aside from the Blue Roses, and perhaps Gazef Stronoff or associates of Princess Renner, I will ensure Sebas knows how to deflect any enquiry. For make no mistake, Celicia, I have no intention whatsoever of letting your sister suffer what she did ever again. Ever. I swear it on the name of Ainz Ooal Gown. I will not sully the good name of my friends by breaking such a vow, any more than you would break a vow made on the Swords of Darkness' names."

"…They were the ones you longed for? When I brought up your friends?" Momonga nodded, and Celicia said, "I'm sorry I reminded you of a painful memory."

"More bittersweet than painful, and I regretted lashing out at you as much as I did," Momonga said solemnly. "It was one of the reasons I agreed to Harry's demand that you be resurrected. And leaving aside that it was the right thing to do, you were too young to suffer such a fate. I'm sorry I did not enough to alleviate your misery afterwards."

"No…I'm not sure much could have, Momonga," Celicia said morosely. "Nobody could drag me out of that mire. Only this, my sister coming back to me, did so. But…what can I do to repay this?"

"…Be there for your sister, and get stronger. Even though you're human, your trait of learning magic faster stands you in good stead, Celicia. You have immense potential that should not be wasted," Momonga said. "And you are her last remaining family. Your parents died when you were young. You honoured her by taking on part of her full name, Tuareninya, and adopting it for your own. You fought bravely alongside the Swords of Darkness, and you showed me kindness, as did your party, despite my being, frankly, a rank amateur at Adventuring in this world. It was thanks to the Swords of Darkness that Momon began his ascendancy, Celicia, and your friends should have lived to fight again. Their demise was my bitterest regret in this world thus far."

"Thank you, Momonga. But…I still wish to see her, before I go. I…I need to know this is real, that she is really there."

Momonga nodded, before turning to Sebas. "Escort Celicia to her sister. If Tuare is awake and willing to see Celicia, let them stay together for a time, and notify me via Message. Otherwise, bring her back to me after a few minutes."

"Of course, Lord Momonga," Sebas said, before escorting Celicia out. Harry didn't fail to note the glare Solution shot after him.

"Do you have something to say, Solution?" Albedo asked.

"…I feel conflicted, Lady Albedo," Solution confessed, the blonde Pleiades maid bowing. "With all due respect to Sebas, and he is due every respect as my immediate superior and a Floor Guardian, why are we not punishing his potentially compromising our plans in the capital?"

"He has been reprimanded, and that is often punishment enough," Albedo said primly. "His mistake was not as egregious as that of Shalltear, who not only allowed Brain Unglaus to escape, but succumbed to her Blood Frenzy and needlessly killed humans in a manner that drew attention from unwanted corners. And if those behind the girl's degradation make the mistake of accosting either of you, then that could very well be an opportunity. In addition, it pleases both of the Supreme Beings that not only did Sebas and yourself report what had happened in a somewhat timely manner, but that Sebas saved her in the first place. The Supreme Beings value the girl's sister, and this serendipity has paid dividends, securing her loyalty to us. I do not expect Sebas to help every stray or near-corpse, but it has worked out this time."

"I see. Forgive me my insolence, Lady Albedo, and Lord Momonga and Lord Enzo," Solution said.

Momonga shook his head. "While I do not expect every one of my orders to be questioned, I should also point out that I do not expect wholly unquestioning obedience. Asking questions is reasonable to a degree. In addition, you should also remember that Sebas is the spitting image of Touch Me, and also is an idealised form of his character too. I don't expect you to follow Touch Me's example, of course, but I can understand Sebas' actions in that light. I do not expect you to like Tuare or her sister, but please tolerate them, and show them every courtesy due a guest of Ainz Ooal Gown."

Solution bowed again. "Of course, Lord Momonga. And thank you for clarifying matters. Do you require anything else, or am I dismissed for now?"

"No, we don't need anything for now, thank you for asking. You may go," Momonga said. Solution bowed, and left the room. Momonga sagged. "…Ugh, I sometimes wonder why my guildmates chose me to be the guild leader. It's stressful acting as one."

Albedo looked to Momonga. "And yet, they entrusted you with that role. I remember them speaking of you highly, as a conciliator, a mediator. Both you and Harry have those qualities. In many regards, it's somewhat novel to experience them, given the premium we place on power, but…the results speak for themselves."

"You get more flies with honey than vinegar, as the old saying goes," Harry said.

Antilene chuckled. "Hey, I think Albedo and I are more butterfly than fly, old man." She then frowned. "Still…do you reckon the Eight Fingers will act?"

"Assuming they were behind Tuare's degradation, it's possible," Momonga said. "But the Eight Fingers don't possess a complete monopoly on crime in Re-Estize. They are just the biggest fish in the ocean, so to speak. I will consult with Sebas and Solution on how to act if such an event occurs."

"And when the time is right," Harry said grimly, "we will break the Eight Fingers, as well as whoever did that to Tuare, assuming they're not one and the same…"

CHAPTER 16 ANNOTATIONS:

So, thanks to Sebas deciding to communicate to Momonga far sooner, many of the issues in that arc are resolved. But are there cracks in Harry and Momonga's relationship?

Incidentally, I read something disturbing on TV Tropes. There's claims that Tuare was actually pregnant when Sebas found her, and that Solution aborted the foetus and ate it. I haven't found any real proof. I couldn't find it in the light novels, certainly. There's an implication in the anime I missed, but still…let's put it this way, in this version of events, Solution does no such thing, though the brothel owners pretty much did it for her, through abortifacient drugs or crude abortion procedures. Keep in mind, this is a medieval fantasy society, and even with healing magic, I dunno how safe abortion would be in such a society.

Review-answering time! ZLC genesmith: Most of the Pleiades, naturally. Whether Shalltear can be aged up…well, I'm still undecided.

Mugen-Muse: Well, most people just quote the 'better to be feared than loved' part, but people forget Machiavelli actually said, if possible, you should be both. As for the Shadow Demons, I get the feeling that they're relatively low level, low level enough that they can be stopped by the right magical wards. The Theocracy, being paranoid and filled with talented mages, use the right kind of wards on their embassies and the important places in the Theocracy proper, which also deter Doppelgangers, in this story anyway.

Keep in mind, Ainz Ooal Gown isn't going to take on the Theocracy until they're ready. Basically, taking on the Eight Fingers is practise. They want to ensure that, when they take on the Theocracy openly (rather than through covert operations and fleabitings), they're ready to take on the Platinum Dragon Lord as well (in other words, the equivalent of The Witch of the Doomed Kingdom will be an all-out war not against Re-Estize, but against the Theocracy). They also intend to use misdirection and, as the others discuss later, erode the people's faith in the Theocracy. After all, one of the arguments they will use is a very poignant one: what kind of god dies of old age like most of the Six Gods did?

Nathair1: It is, isn't it? I think that if Jircniv knew the truth, he'd still be frightened, but he'd also know that Ainz Ooal Gown used to be human beings. As for Ginnymort, keep in mind, I think the Diary Horcrux, after the shock of being in a female body, decided to do so simply because it was novel. The canon Voldemort probably didn't have much sexual desire, Delphi's existence aside (and even that's of dubious canonicity), but keep in mind, by that point, he had only a small fragment of his soul left, and his main desire was for power and immortality. He probably only banged Bellatrix to shut her up.

I dunno whether there are any giant snakes in the New World, but that's not wholly out of the question. As for Renner's opinion of Nazarick…well, I haven't decided yet.

1. No, really. The things you learn from the Overlord wiki…