I would like to thank all of you who left their reviews, it's always such a joy to read them.
Answer to andrethevaforite16: He knows it, the full story of what happened will be (probably) revealed after Carne so stay tuned!
"speech"
[spells. skills, martial arts]
{messages}
'thoughts'
"Nazarick was technically not transported, it was created."
Silence settled among the players. Nobody knew what exactly to say or think.
"What do you mean created ? WE created Nazarick, not some random super-entity!" Shouted Nubo, with most of other players agreeing with his sentiment. But some grasped the meaning behind Ancient one's hastily formulated words, so untypical for him. A sign that he was truly stressed out.
"I think Ancient one has a point." Tabula grimly said. "What we created was in a virtual world, a blueprint if you will, that was made real in this world."
What they hoped to be the truth, that this was a physical world, quickly turned into something they hoped was not the case. It was interesting, how quickly it could turn from dream to unsettling nightmare. Either this was a fever dream created through nanobot malfunction, or there existed entity that could create Nazarick, make it real. In either case, there existed grim possibilities of what fate awaited them.
"I don't think that is sure to be the case, Ancient one." Momonga's baritone rang through. "We do not know if any entity simply wished Nazarick to became real, or if it required something like an extensive ritual of the most powerful beings combining their power to achieve this, we don't even know why it was done or how." 'I remember that lizard mentioned something about the dragon emperor's scheme'. Momonga really hoped he could alleviate the worries of his friends, for all 200 years he hadn't met anything stronger than a dragon lord. Not that they were weak, but their extraordinarily powerful magic drained their HP, meaning they couldn't spam it, creating a suitable opportunities to retreat, provided one possesed a world-class item to break through that annoying barrier. 'Should I tell them about my experiences here? While it would alleviate their worries, what if they stop trusting me, as I technically am not the same person I was just three days ago. Or am I ? I don't know, this is something for philosophers to decide.'
"Momonga," Tabula's reply threw the overlord out of his musing, "that would be the ideal situation, definitely. However, considering that we just experienced one miraculously great outcome, I doubt the best case scenario would be repeated like this."
It made sense to think that way, after all, after having one extraordinarily lucky outcome, like rolling 100 from 1-100 random roll was still much more likely than having this kind of luck twice in a row.
'But it is that way.' Momonga remarked in his mind and tried one last push to alleviate their worries. "Be it either way, gathering as much information as possible should be our first priority, especially on notable individuals." He was grateful that logic of those two worrywarts made his point easier to be pushed through, as everyone understood the importance.
"All in favor ?"
Eleven hands were raised.
"Then we have settled our utmost priority for the moment. If everyone in the tomb is as loyal as they appear to be that is."
{Sebas, have you finished your reconnaissance ?} The overlord said that both through Message and loudly while holding two fingers where his ear would be located.
{Indeed Momonga-sama, it appears we are in the middle of plains bordering on forest with no intelligent life in sight.}
{Very well, wait a minute for more orders.}
"Sebas just reported that Nazarick is in the middle of plains with no intelligent life in sight. Should I send him here to provide a more detailed report or will we go to the surface ?"
*Knock*
Before anyone could share their opinions, someone knocked on the door of the Conference room.
"I apologize for the delay my lords, but some of the food you have ordered is ready." Solution's melodic voice leaked through the door.
Quite a few stares were directed at Herohero even before the statement ended.
"Oh come on." Protested the elder black ooze. "It's just a little snack, it can't distract us or anything."
"Well, maybe small refreshment will cheer us up a little bit and gives us energy to think this through." Agreed Bukubukuchagama.
"I still think it was dumb and irresponsible to order a snack, but I'm also dying to try real food for the first time." Commented Nubo, while the rest just subtly nodded.
'I guess it can't hurt.' Thought Momonga and send a message to Sebas.
{Sebas, come to the Conference room and brief us about your findings.}
"Come in." The undead then answered, realizing that Solution for some reason still hadn't entered.
The door opened and revealed Solution caring an immense tray filled with expensive-looking food, but not only her.
Behind her, 10 other homunculus maids with similar trays entered the room. Each maid went towards one player and settled the tray down before each one, with Solution going straight for her creator.
"Solution-" Herohero started, 'you kinda overdid it with the size', was what he tried to say, but seeing Solution's inhumanly beaming face, he was unable to point out the fact that the maid overdid it. "-thank you, this is a very large snack, to be sure."
"Snack my ass!" Nubo couldn't hold himself back. "This is enough food for an entire day, what the heck?"
"This one is most pleased you find his humble appetizer so splendid!" A shout was heard from entrance to the room. Everyone moved their gaze there, wandering who made that strange statement. Everyone except Yui that is, who was already flabbergasted from the fact that an extremely attractive maid is serving her food like she was CEO in luxury restaurant.
At the entrance, an ork in chef hat was seen on one knee, eagerly looking at everyone in the conference room. Shihoutu Tokitu, the area guardian of the canteen. Which sounded quite absurd now that he was real.
"Appetizer ? This is already more than we ordered."
Momonga tried to steer the chef out of his little world.
"What are you saying Momonga-sama ? For such a joyous occasion as return of all gathered supreme ones, a feast should be held for 11 whole months! YES!"
It was not very effective.
"Now Supreme ones please choose what meals would you like to be served first!" As he was saying this, two maids entered the room, each carrying one end of what looked like a huge parchment. When they placed it on the table and unrolled it, everyone could see that it was packed with names of various dishes and foods, some of which the players haven't even heard or seen before.
"First ?" Was the only thing Ulbert managed to get out of himself, overwhelmed with both the sheer size of menu, and the large amount of food placed in front of him, which he would have already started eating if he was not so shocked with the chef's proclamation.
"HAH! If you would like me to cook you specific food as second, third or at any time simply inform me!" Shihoutu Tokitu doubled down.
'What is he talking about ?' Was the thought in most of the player's minds. The more composed of the bunch tried to come up with something to make the overexcited ork leave.
"Your devotion to us is greatly appreciated, but shouldn't you be at the cafeteria attending to regular guests ?" Tried Ancient one.
"HAH! I will then immediately reserve whole Canteen just for your esteemed selves." Said the chef and started sprinting out of the room.
"Oi wait!"
"HAH!"
"What my friend here meant was that we have only ordered a small meal because we are busy with important matters so we are not in a mood to partake in such a grand feast." Momonga tried again.
"Is that so…" The ork chef said solemnly.
"Indeed, the …appetizer… is quite enough for us to get some refreshment, thank you." Said the overlord sincerely.
"Also ", he added when he saw the area guardian was about to prostrate and shout how unworthy of thanks he is, "I suppose that everything here is supposed to provide buffs ?"
"HAH!"
"In that case I would like to ask you if you have something that doesn't provide buffs, I would like to try something."
"I apologize Lord Momonga, but my classes as-"
"In that case, I believe I have something suitable, my Lord." A smooth voice was heard from the door behind the chef.
Yuri Alpha swiftly walked to the overlord and offered him bunch of biscuits form her inventory.
Momonga took them with a polite 'thank you'.
She then went, together with Sebas, who walked in with a bow right after the battlemaid, to stand at the wall near their respective creators.
"Why do you want food with or without buffs ?" Asked Tabula, interested what had the guild leader in mind.
To answer that Momonga took out of his inventory the Food buff ring and put it on his ringfinger.
"My question still stands, sure now with this ring you get buffs from food, but it's only about 10% as strong as someone who can get then without that ring." The setting maniac's thirst for answers was not satisfied just by being shown a ring.
"Well, maybe because I am a skeleton ?" Answered Momonga, a faint hope lingering in his heart that the squidhead would get it without the need for long and, at least for his friend, embarrassing explanation.
"I get it that it is common sense that skeletons can't eat, but what happened recently is NOT a common sense." Retorted Tabula in a deadpanned voice, as if he was explaining things to a child.
"One way to find out anyway."
The overlord took a piece of meat from the pile and, with hand under his jaw, bit into it. To the surprise of everyone, the piece that was bitten off floated a little bit back, where throat would be, before dropping down to his imaginary stomach. There, it just stopped. And slowly started disintegrating before their eyes, as Momonga's equip still had visible ribs and higher stomach. Also strangely his world class item was completely ignored by the food, as if it not event there, as it passed through.
"Hm…buffs aside, I felt very briefly the taste of it. Definitely less than a body that is build for it."
"What a wonderful news my lord!" A voice of certain succubus was heard as she entered the room. "I am so glad I found you in the Conference room Supreme ones." Albedo bowed slightly and then went to stay at Momonga's right side.
This put the overlord into severe discomfort, that had to be continuously suppressed. It was moments like these that he was glad for his emotional dampener.
"Indeed, if I couldn't taste food I'd be jealous of everyone that could."
He then bit into the biscuit, but this time the overlord forgot to put his hand under his chin. The bitten piece simply fell through the empty jaws of his skull and through the collar of his clothes, landing close to the bone he is sitting at.
"Oops"
Few of the members started laughing, with some remarks like "forgot your bib ?" being also thrown at the embarrassed overlord.
The maid stationed near Momonga took out a napkin and tried to clean him up.
But before that could happen, Albedo snatched the napkin out of her hand and proudly proclaimed; "I will be happy to clean you Lord Momonga!"
With this proclamation she tried to stretch her hand through the skeleton's abdomen to pick up the bitten piece and clean up her beloved.
"A-Albedo! Quit it! I can do it myself!" The overlord tried to push Albedo's hand away and get the napkin, but the strenght difference between level 100 physical tank and magic caster was quite vast.
"But Lord Momonga, there is no need for you to do it yourself!" Said the Succubus with wide cat-like eyes staring in excitement at her beloved. "As you dutiful servant I will be happy to clean you head to toe!"
At this point Sebas and Yuri grabbed the overexcited succubus from behind and dragged her away.
Momonga just hurriedly stood up, which caused the piece of biscuit to fall through his robes and on the ground anyway. Where the homunculus maid finally cleaned it.
Looking at his comrades, he saw most of them facepalming while some of them were still in the midst of joyful laughter.
"Alright, there was enough commotion for now, it's time to get this meeting back on track." Commented Tabula, with Ancient One and Touch me nodding along.
"That was your cue to leave us alone." He added when no NPCs present made any move to leave.
"But Lord Tabula, we humble servants should be by your side to assure you have every comfort while you work." Albedo tried to protest against her creator.
This caught the attention of some players, as the general consensus up til now was that NPCs are most loyal to their creators, even as this theory was not tested by anyone so far, most players just figured it on their own based on the fact that the NPCs tried to stay close to their makers, like when the food was brought, for example.
"Albedo, I have a question for you." Momonga eyed the succubus as she straightened herself. "If I gave you orders that conflict from the ones Tabula gave you, or ones from any other of us, what would you do ?"
"I…" Albedo paused, looked at everyone present, then simply looked at the ground and softly spoke; "I would follow your order, lord Momonga."
"Then please inform all the guardians that their presence will be soon required at the sixth floor for a meeting, except Victim and Gargantua." The overlord gave order none of the players anticipated, throwing them for a loop.
{Momonga-}
{I just wanted to get her off our backs, and this is the first thing I could come up with!} The overlord defended his actions in their mental network.
"As you wish." Albedo walked off the room.
"Everyone except Sebas leave now too." Said Ancient one, and the rest of the NPCs, some after also being told by their creators, rest after being glared at by Albedo on her way out, left.
"Sebas, did you see any flying islands in the sky?"
"No lord Touch me."
"The forest or the plains, are they magical in nature or made out of mundane grass and trees ?"
"Only mundane lord Nubo."
"What level were the animals you met ?"
"They didn't possess any combat ability lady Bukubukuchagama, just normal wildlife."
"Is there anything you believe we should know immediately, or is everything else details you could wait until the guardians have gathered to present ?"
"I believe there is nothing pressing lord Ancient one."
Ancient one nodded at Touch me, who ordered him to leave and wait for the gathering at the sixth floor.
It was only when he left, that the players relaxed.
"Alright, I believe there will be no more distractions, right ?" Momonga glared a little at the slimes, particularly Herohero, who was responsible for the horde of NPCs being there just a moment ago.
"Sorry, had no clue they will be such fanatics…" The elder black ooze mumbled an apology, which was accepted since no one realized how fanatical the NPCs would be.
"Ancient one, how about you tell Momo and Maiko the plan we came up with to handle NPCs ?" Proposed Peroroncino while nonchalantly eating from his plate, while everyone else has yet to touch theirs.
"You're such a glutton!" Reprimanded him Buku.
"Thanks sis love you too." The avian retorted and then ignored his incensed sister.
"So, based on our interactions with Albedo, we came up with a plan to possibly handle the guardians and through them, everyone." Informed Tabula the overlord.
"Did you pick up Takemi's weapon ?" Asked Touch me, who also started eating.
"By the way, why do you think we need this to handle Cocytus ?" Asked the overlord as he pulled said weapon out of his inventory and put it on the table.
"Well, he is the only one whose creator hadn't came back." Said Ancient one. "That could make him feel inadequate, so we will give him his creator's weapon to let him know we appreciate his service up till now."
"Makes sense I guess. But I really thought Takemi would come back for a chance to experience fighting with swords."
"Yeah, tell me about it, he was always so obsessed with beating Touch me, thought that he would want to continue it here in this world." Added Nubo his opinion to the bank.
"Actually…" Touch me started to say something, but then trailed off, as if not wanting to breach the topic.
"Actually what ?" Asked Pero, curious what made the paladin stop in his tracks like that.
"Takemikazuchi is dead."
Silence settled over the room, everyone stopped talking or eating, instead opting to just stare at the paladin.
"What ?" Herohero asked, quite shocked. "How would you even know that ?"
"We had IRL online meetings with voice chat and camera. I just happened to remember his appearance and then… well, found his body on duty." Admitted Touch me.
"What happened to him ?" Asked Yamaiko, morbid curiosity noticeable in her voice.
"Officially, it was an accident. You know what that means…"
Silence settled once again.
"You know Touch me, your idea of returning to our world doesn't sound so bad now." Ulbert suddenly spoke, his surprising declaration caused a few to gag on their food. "In fact, I find the idea of returning and unleashing Nazarick on those assholes really entertaining."
'So that's what he meant.' Basically every player thought that as they understood why HE of all people doesn't find the idea of return revolting.
"I appreciate that you are planning so far ahead, but we have much more imminent problems to worry about." Reminded everyone Momonga.
That was basically a cue for Ancient one, who recapitulated the plan for everyone to hear. "Based off our interactions with NPCs so far, they seem to favor their creator over anyone else, unless it is written otherwise in their backstories." He glanced at Tabula and Peroroncino, who pretended to not notice.
"Which means Albedo is loyal mostly to Momonga and will probably be willing to serve us all, Shalltear is handled by Peroroncino, who removed her… not so wholesome… fetishes and made her love him." He glanced at the avian again, but this time got slight glare in return.
"Gargantua and Victim are out of the question, as one is mindless and the other is weak. Cocytus is handled with the sword and Demiurge with twins also have creators here, and since I believe they don't have any love according to their backstories, they should be obedient to their creators. Same with Sebas if you want to include him."
"By the way, Peroron, why did you make Shalltear love you ? I thought incest isn't your fetish." Asked Yamaiko, curiously. The innocence of the question almost made some laugh.
"Not it isn't, also it isn't incest, I have no clue what you are talking about." Retorted the avian.
"Isn't she like your daughter when you created her ?" Asked curiously Tabula with Touch me agreeing.
"Disgusting pervert." Added Buku and attempted to fake vomit on the floor, which didn't go well as all the goo simply returned to her body.
"Okay, let me say this straight." Peroroncino took a deep breath and started ranting. "Alright, first of all, incest is sex between family relatives, with blood ties and shit. This is NOT the case, as we are literally even different races, different species, there is no blood shared between us. Not to mention Shalltear probably doesn't even have blood in her veins. But even if you want to make an argument that she is like a spiritual daughter to me, that is also not the case. I made her from day one to be my dream gal, I do not see her as daughter and never will, and while it is true that I came up with her design, wrote her backstory and gave her levels, items and all that, it doesn't mean anything, as you can't really design your children, if you hadn't noticed."
Peroroncino slumped back into his chair right after he stopped ranting and waited for any objections.
There were none.
"Ok, but what after that ? I mean we can't tell the Guardians simply; we were isekaid, you are now real, carry on like nothing happened." Herohero pointed out.
"No, actually we should ask them to report any inconsistencies with the game." Tabula mentioned.
"How do you know that there even are inconsistencies ?" Asked Ulbert, not sure what he was referring to.
"Mayhaps the fact that Yamaiko hit you and it did something to you." Retorted Ancient one little sarcastically.
"Oh yeah… by the way, how did you know it would work ?" asked the demon.
"Didn't." Everyone rolled their eyes at that. "Just tried it to see if it worked."
"Alright…" Yamaiko added -Test what mechanics changed from the game- on the board. "Anything else ?"
"Now, let's just get our stories straight so that we don't contradict each other right in front of the guardians." Nodded Ancient one that Yamaiko can sit down.
"You mean like when they started calling us 'Supreme beings' ?"
"Yeah, exactly that, to pretend that we are something… well supreme, is a bad idea, especially since we are most likely not and I doubt we all can keep up any act for eternity."
"I don't doubt that, but can you make sure they also don't attack us ? Touch was already treading with that line when he admitted he is Yui's father." Retorted Nubo, again not being aware of any unfavorable impressions he may have just created on himself.
"On that note, add finding a way of making someone immortal beyond race change." Touch me requested Yamaiko, who was already seated in her chair, not making her happy at all.
"Now," Ancient one turned attention of players to himself, "let's start fabricating our story."
Aura Bella Fiora noticed a ping in her mind. It was signal that someone entered her floor through conventional means.
'Sebas and Albedo, huh.'
Deciding that she won't bother dragging Mare along, she went to meet them.
"Hey! What brings you to my floor ?" She greeted them without any regards for proper adressing or similar ceremonial stuff.
"Ah Aura, I am just passing through to inform you and then other guardians to gather here on your floor." Albedo spoke as she walked past Aura right to the entrance to fifth floor.
"Why ?" Aura called off to the succubus, but she got her answer from Sebas instead.
"The Supreme ones ordered lady Albedo to do so, as I have been ordered to await them here and give detailed report on our outside, lady Aura."
"Hmm ? What's happened with the outside ?"
"Our surroundings had changed from Hellheim swamp, I will give you more detailed report once our lords arrive."
"Sure, no pro-" she realized something," WAIT, did you say our lordS ?" Aura questioned to make sure she heard the butler right.
"Indeed lady Aura, your creator has also returned." Sebas said, hoping to cheer the floor guardian up a little. However, it had the opposite reaction.
'Why… why hasn't lady Bukubukuchagama returned here to see us yet… Are we such a failures that she doesn't want to see us ?'
And from those negative thoughts, tears started welling out of her eyes. She turned her back on Sebas so he wouldn't see that she was almost crying and asked in a voice she hoped wasn't shaking too much.
"How long were the Supreme ones here ?"
While Sebas realized what Aura really wanted to know, the last thing he wanted was to lie to her.
"I am afraid that I cannot say for certain, as Supreme ones gathering in small groups up to midnight, with last being lady Yamaiko, midnight being when the transportation in question happened, according to lord Momonga."
"Okay." Was the only thing she said as she walked to the stairs of amphitheatre. But internally, she was a mess.
'Why did lady Bukubukuchagama not return to see us ? Even it she was real busy with some problems the transportation could cause, she hadn't came before it happened.' The questions like those swirled in her mind, and with each second creating even more feeling as if an empty void was swelling inside her. Her only solace was that her creator surely had some super reason for that and will definitely tell her as soon as she came back. And hopefully hug her too. She really needs it.
"Why are you looking so down Aura ?" A smooth voice underlined with repressed malice asked her.
She supressed a sigh and turned to face the source.
"It's nothing, Demiurge."
"Of course, however if you want to talk about something you have my ear." The guardian smoothly replied, which made Aura realize that she was seen through. And also that this was a great opportunity to ask someone who has similar feelings.
"Don't you feel… worthless ?" she asked, making her conversational partner raise his eyebrow in silent question.
"I mean, if your creator is back, I assume he is like mine and also didn't granted you a visit. I know it is a little selfish to feel like this, but I just can't help it."
Silence. She knew her words striked true. Right into the demon's black heart.
"Actually Aura," Demiurge broke the silence, "my creator came to visit me a... while before we were transported." Demiurge answered while weirdly stumbling in the middle of sentence, as if he was not certain about the details of the visit.
"WHAT!?"
'Oh, so lord Ulbert visited him. Then why…'
Only winds and silence were there to attempt and answer her unspoken question.
"I am sure lady Bukubukuchagama will explain everything to you soon." The demon tried to comfort her, but it had no effect.
She sunk even deeper into sadness, the faint hope that there surely was a reason.
Demiurge went to speak with Sebas or Cocytus, who had just entered her floor. She could have asked Cocytus's opinion, but the fear that lord Takemikazuchi granted him a visit too was too stifling, so she simply hoped that he also didn't, even if she felt bad for hoping her fellow guardian was feeling something as stifling as she does.
After a while a [gate] appeared in the middle of the sandy area and both Albedo and Shalltear walked through.
"Oi shorty, why are you feeling so down ?"
At this Aura smiled a little, despite the vampire's attempts to tease her, she was glad for her presence. After all, if her creator didn't come to her, it stood to reason that lord Peroroncino also wouldn't. They most likely arrived at the same time after all so they probably had no time to spare.
She jumped to them and walked straight to the bloody valkyrie.
"Hey leech. Isn't that obvious ? Or did your brain finally started to rot ?"
"Hmph, a childish insult like that can't shake me." The valkyrie proudly announced and then added; "No, I really don't know."
"It isn't that big of a deal anyway." Aura said and started walking towards the meeting place. 'It looks like she is masking her sadness better than myself. I know lady Bukubukuchagama gave my me honest personality, but in this situation I guess it will be for the best to put on a brave face for this meeting.'
"Is something the matter ?" Sounded beside her.
Aura looked at Shalltear, who was walking beside her and was wearing slightly concerned expression.
"No-"
"I can tell if something is bothering you, you know ?" Shalltear interrupted her before she could deny anything.
"It's just that my maker hadn't yet visited me…" She trailed off, hoping that the vampire caught on to the hint to either provide some insight.
"Oh, I thought that she did considering that lord Peroroncino earlier mentioned that he would be glad if his bond with lady Bukubukuchagama wouldn't be parodied in your and Mare's relationship."
Hold up. So the vampire was visited by her creator ? But he and her maker were siblings, shouldn't she be then visited as well ? Why was that not the case ? And most importantly…
"What do you mean parodied ? Did lord Peroroncino also mentioned that his sister is busy or something ?" Aura asked, quite desperate now.
"I'm sorry, but I wasn't provided any other insight by my creator." Shalltear answered with sadness in her voice.
"Why did he even visited you ?" Aura asked, this time with little hope.
"Because…" There was a brief silence. "Honestly, I don't remember much actual conversation after basic greeting, It felt like lord Peroroncino was looking into the depths of my soul and willing it to change so that I may better serve as his bride."
"Bride ?! I thought you would be interested in lord Momonga considering all your extreme kinks." Aura said with playful scoff, feeling elated that Shalltear was visited to be modified, but she was left unchanged. It somehow made her feel as if she wasn't a failure.
But there was a thought deep inside her mind, one that was constantly rearing its ugly head. 'What if the reason I was not visited, was because lady Bukubukuchagama is so dissapointed with me that she deemed it waste of time to change me to better serve my purpose.' And that thought was gaining more credibility considering that even a simple visit to say -"hi"- was denied to her.
Only her best friend's voice broke her out of the dark thoughts.
"Lord Peroroncino actually removed most of them, and he made it clear that it was his intention all along, while the rest were to tease your creator back."
"Is that so…" While she was glad their makers seem to playfully tease themselves like she did with the vampire. The dark thoughts remained.
'I guess it remainds to be seen by lady Bukubukuchagama's reaction when she sees me. If she will be glad to see me or distant will decide it.' She resolved herself and pushed all the dark thoughts out of her head. There was a meeting to attend to and her annoyingly timid brother to fetch.
Bukubukuchagama teleported together with the other players to one of the entrances to the amphitheater.
She was not happy things were progressing this quickly. It was only a few hours at best she managed to weather the storm caused by the shock that this actually happened as well as her increased field of view. It was mind-bending and natural. In fact, the way how easy and natural it was to handle her new body's voice, sight and movement made it quite eerie. It was a certain discomfort that she couldn't blink or darken her vision by any means to allow a moment of introspection or brief solace for the mind.
'I should ask Solution about this.' She made a mental note to herself.
"It is an absolute honor to be here! MY-"
"Tone it down!"
Her attention was caught be Pandora's actor, who was also invited into the meeting as he was one of the three smartest NPCs in Nazarick, or at least Momonga said that he is supposed to be on about the same level as Albedo and Demiurge.
She tuned out the snickering of the players at the NPC's over the top gestures and focused attention inwards, as much as possible with 'eyes' opened.
She tried to imagine her slime taking the shape of a hand and extrending it.
The success was quite limited, as it required intense concentration and the hand in question looked more like Yamaiko's than one a normal person would have.
She next tried to change the color, but she had no luck.
Just when she was figuring out how to change it, Herohero nudged her from behind that others started to walk. She quickly thanked him and matched the player's pace.
They now were walking/oozing/floating towards the gate to the amphitheater where the NPCs were supposed to be gathered.
When they entered, all the invited NPCs were there, along with her creations… perhaps her children now ?
She didn't know what, or even if there was a correct answer on her unspoken question.
At the side Sebas and Yuri Alpha were bowing and Pandora's actor went to join them.
Then she dared to look upon the gathered, kneeling guardians, searching for two small figures. She found them, looking happy to see her with sparkles in their eyes and they immediately waved to her.
This one gesture, this affectionate gesture made her feel enormous guilt. Aura was fine as an argument could be made that her clothes are like this mostly for mobility, which a ranger needs, but in Mare's case, there was no excuse for his skirt or shy demeanor.
She immediately looked away from the children, and tried to pretend she is admiring the other guardians or her comrades.
"Sis, come on, at least wave them back." A whisper came from her right side, she turned and saw her brother, head lowered to where she could easily hear him but even individuals with sharp senses like Aura probably won't be able to.
"But… but it is my fault that they are like this, just because I refused to listen to anyone here. IF I was less stubborn they could -"
"-look like they weren't made by pervert for cross dressing and feminization."
Her brother finished her sentence with obvious mocking undertone would normally made her angry, but now it only deepened her guilt. It was undeniable, as two living, breathing examples were staring at them right now, eyes uncertain, starting to fill with tears.
"Show them some affection will you ? It's new for all of us, but you won't solve anything by trying to pretend you don't see them." He finished and moved to his spot as Albedo was starting to initiate some ritual oath.
She extended a tendril of slime from her body and shakily waved at them, trying to put into it more energy than she was feeling. She knew they saw her, but there was not enough time to determine their reaction as they had to say their part in the ritual of swearing fealty.
All she was hoping to was that they won't hate her. Perhaps not only for making them like a parodies, but also for leaving them, and not even having the decency of returning.
'All I can do is prepare that they will be mad at me, I can at least hope that they will forgive me.'
XXX
"We have heard your oath and are greatly pleased by it." Momonga said and made a sweeping gesture with his right hand.
'He's really getting into it huh ?' Thought briefly Ancient one, hoping his guild leader won't overdo it.
"Now listen. The Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick has been caught in an unprecedented situation, so we will now explain what we know to be true and then will listen to the report of Sebas who has already investigated the situation. Now my dear friend, Ancient one, will explain it in more detail."
'Not too shabby actually.' Was quite the amusing thought in the illusionist's head as he reached for the infinite chalk and started drawing.
While his profession let him draw semi-regularly he was still not confident in his skills quite enough. While wondering if their world also had some level and classes-like system that worked without anyone realizing it, he finished the rudimentary picture.
On the left side were two bubbles, one smaller under the bigger one, in the small one was drawn what the logo of their guild and in the upper one was a drawn a small decorated, and not perfectly round flame. It meant to represent souls and he obviously didn't how they looked so he just made something up.
From both bubbles were pointers straight at the bubble on the right, that was on the height level of the bigger bubble on the left. There was nothing written here.
"If during the explanation you have any questions, feel free to ask." He offered and then started.
"At midnight, something extremely important happened. The event in question was a transportation of both us and Nazarick, to another world." While saying this he was pointing at all the bubbles, with 'us' being the one representing their world and so on.
"We currently have no idea how such occurrence came to be or who caused it, all th-. Yes ? Albedo ?"
The mentioned succubus let her hand down and asked; "Lord Ancient one, was it not that lord Momonga transported whole Nazarick ?"
'How the heck did- Oh… right, his announcement.'
He mentioned for Momonga to speak.
"I assure you I had absolutely no influence about this transport. I managed to predict it, but that too could be summed up as luck. We have no idea what caused it, but I did know it would happen."
{Ancient one, we need to talk ASAP.} Suddenly messaged him Nubo. {In private.}
'Weird, this is not like Nubo at all.'
With his curiosity raised, he continued the presentation.
"As I was trying to say, all that we know is, that the event in question moved everything present in Nazarick at that time to a new world." After taking a deep breath, he continued. "Now, about what means the height difference in those bubbles representing worlds. Our original world and this one so far look quite similar, or you could say, that they are residing in same dimension." He let the words sink in. But still no one dared to have any questions. This was quite unexpected, but he carried on.
"Yggdrasil was, what you could call a sub-world, connected to our own, where the laws of reality was… different. And more freedom and power was provided to us as beings native to higher dimension. With this transport, Nazarick was thrown into a whole new dimension, where laws of reality might be different than you know it, are any of you aware of any changes ? However miniscule they might seem ?"
All the present NPCs, including the bowing trio outside and arena staff just shook their heads.
"I see, it seems like you were adapted to this new dimension by the transport, probably to preserve your sanity. Still, I assure you that multiple things have changed and we all, " he gestured to himself and players,"can see them everywhere. So if you see-. Demiurge ?"
"If I may be so bold and ask, what are some of those changes ?" The demon asked, than hastily added. "I don't want to doubt your great selves, as whatever you say is bound to be the truth, but so that we may better spot those differences if you provide an example."
'The fact that you are speaking to me for example.' Was what Ancient one was thinking, but obviously couldn't say. 'Whatever we say is bound to be the truth ? What the heck ? Also, I should probably provide example…'
"I will show you something that has changed. Yamaiko, I would like you to cast your 9-th tier: All greater heal on Peroroncino when I say so, before that please cover your eyes and ears."
"What the heck ? How will that show anything ?" The teacher was obviously quite confused.
"Please do so I will explain it to everyone later."
On those words Yamaiko extended one hand towards the avian, closed her eyes and covered her ears each with just one finger from her second gigantic hand.
{Momonga, please move just next to Peroroncino.}
He waited for the skeleton, who understood the purpose of this test from this message, to comply and said. "Now, heal him."
[All greater heal]
"OUCH." A quick cry of pain escaped Momonga's nonexistent lips as the AoE healing spell hit him as well, dealing him damage because he is undead.
"Lord Momonga!"
"I'm so sorry Momo!"
"I'm alright, just one spell cannot one shot me." The skeleton in question tried to calm both Yamaiko and NPCs down. "If this happened before midnight, I wouldn't have taken any damage." He then explained to the flabbergasted NPCs.
"Are you familiar with system called 'friendly-fire' ?" Ancient one asked them.
And all the NPCs shooked their heads.
"HP ?" NPCs nodded their heads, the same with MP, cooldowns, inventory.
{It seems like they only know the meaning of game mechanics that affect them right now.} He then shared his theory with rest of the players.
"Now that you know an example of a change, let me continue." It was time to get the presentation back on track from this minor showcase of friendly-fire mechanic.
"The only thing that only moved between different worlds and not in dimensions are us." Ancient one, again, gestured at the players. "As we believe our souls were ripped from our old bodies and placed in those you see before you, those that we used to live in Ygdrassil." He waited for any questions, and after a little while, Shalltear raised her hand.
"May I ask what happened to your old bodies ?"
"We are actually not sure, the prevalent theory is that our old bodies are dead. Another possibility is that they simply entered vegetative state without any soul, or perhaps spirit to inhabitate and control them. But we are still unsure how any of that works. Technically it is also possible that our consciousness was split in two and another version of ourselves inhabits our old bodies." Ancient one answered with all of his theories. When they discussed how to answer possible questions, no one predicted this one, and he hadn't prepared an answer beforehand. But he preferred to inform the NPCs about all the possibilities, it was preferable than to have their old selves massacred by rampaging monsters if they ever managed to get into their old world for some sweet, sweet retribution.
"Oh… is that so…" Shalltear said, looking sad.
{Pero ? I thought you removed the necrophilia from her ?} Ancient one questioned the avian.
{I did! Stop jumping to conclusions that she wants to fuck my dead body.}
{Then why is she sad ?}
{Maybe because our old bodies probably fucking died ?}
{Yeah, I doubt that.} Ulbert suddenly joined the conversation.
{She doesn't know our old bodies are human.}
{Good point actually, I'm proud of you!}
{Shut it.}
Ignoring the bantering pair, Ancient one continued.
"This means a lot has changed on a fundamental level. The first change and the one you will notice the most is, that we now are able to stay in Nazarick indefinitely."
This arose slight murmurs and gasps along the NPCs, just like planned.
"My lord," Demiurge spoke, "what do you mean ? Were you not able to do so before ?"
He and the other NPCs looked more shocked than Buku and Ancient one figured they would be.
'Then again, I guess we would probably be disturbed too if someone who created us from nothing like a god would suddenly disappear. I cannot understand that feeling, as in my world basically no one except the most well-off is grateful to their parents for their birth. After all, someone's existence is hell from birth to death and their only other choice is to shorten it and embrace the scary unknown of death earlier.'
"No, as I explained, we were not originally from your plane of existence, and so if we were to attempt to stay in Yggdrasil indefinitely, we would certainly perish."
As all present NPCs gasped at the realization, he continued; "I believe that you are aware that we were sometimes leaving Nazarick and then coming back, that is because we had no choice but to do so. And then…" he paused for a little dramatic effect, as his experience on human psychology taught him, "for almost all of us, coming here anymore became impossible, as we had too much to do in our world to come here. And some of us also died."
"Died ?. But. You. Are. Gods. How. Can. Supreme. Beings. Die. To. Any. Other ?" Cocytus spoke, for the first time since pledging his oath.
"In our world, many things were different from Yggdrasil, and explaining it won't help our situation, so I would prefer to focus on more urgent matters." Ancient one smoothly deflected the question they actually prepared for in the meeting.
"And the more urgent matter is one last crucial piece of information that we know. Whatever, or whoever caused this transportation event is in fact in THIS world. As in our world such thing is unheard of." He told a half-truth, as the concept of Isekai is explored in literature, not in reality.
He gestured to Momonga and the overlord, with staff of Ainz Ooal Gown in hand, that Ancient one was sure he hadn't had before the transport, he declared in regal tone.
"In light of the facts you have just heard, hear then the doctrine Nazarick will follow henceforth! Our will is to unite all of our comrades, the 41 shall be together again!"
This got (again) quite notable reaction from the NPCs, especially Cocytus, followed by Aura, who thought it would by great if Ankoro returned.
"For that to achieve, we need to discover and then seize the power that is responsible for transporting Nazarick here. Therefore we shall now focus on discovering strong and notable individuals among the natives of this world. Remember above all, that whatever you encounter out there doesn't have to follow the rules of Ygdrassil, such as resurrection or classes. There may be certain individuals with unique abilities too that cannot be explained. Keep all that in mind and move most cautiously!"
After their thundering acknowledgement died down. It was time to give them some time alone with their creators.
"Thank you for listening patiently, now feel free to reunite once more with your creators, I am sure you must be excited to meet them again." With the last words, everyone broke into groups to discuss matters privately.
XXX
Ulbert waved Demiurge aside from all other participants of meeting.
The archdevil was more than happy to practically run to his creator, kneeling at a respectable distance.
"My creator, lord Ulbert Alain Odle, thank you so much for coming back."
"Rise Demiurge, there is no need to be so formal with me." Ulbert said back warmly.
'I sure am glad that I listened to their suggestions, before he was modeled with the CEOs in mind, I think it would either irk me to no end, or I would slowly became like them too thanks to his influence.' He supressed a disgusted shudder at the sole thought of becoming like those assholes that made hell out of basically everyone's live in their world, for money.
"Thank you my lord, may I ask you, will you stay in Nazarick forever ? Now that you are able to ?" He asked with eagerness the world disaster hadn't expected.
"Yes, I will." The answer was simple yet resolute, as he also felt that the tomb was his true home just like Momonga, only his increasingly worse financial situation forced him to drop the game to get a half-time job atop his normal one. And even that turned out to not be enough after few years. "I may sometimes temporarily leave to arrange some matters, but I can promise you that Nazarick will remain my home."
"Thank you, it truly brings me utmost happiness to hear you say that my lord."
'Little too stiff for my liking but we can work on that.'
"Demiurge, there is no need to use my titles outside of official events or when no one hears us. You can simply call me Ulbert." He offered.
"To call one such as yourself so casually… I-"
"Please, you are like my son to me, I insist."
"Then, I will attempt to obey… father." Ulbert could see that the archdemon was happily smiling (not smirking, which was rare) when he said the word father.
"My father, may I also interest you in some of the designs of various… projects of mine ?"
"Oh ? What have you made ?"
"I started planning farms in an attempt to solve Nazarick's possible shortage of materials. I also plan to borrow some books how on dabbling into working with soft materials like leather."
"That sound impressive indeed. I can't wait to have a look at it."
XXX
Momonga observed interactions between the players and NPCs, he himself mentioned to Pandora's actor what needs to be done about Cocytus, so there was no need to suffer his chuni tendencies, at least for now.
As predicted, the warrior bug simply took a few steps back and what seemed like an absent-minded look spread into his eyes.
Momonga immediately went towards him. When he was noticed, Cocytus stiffened and took a knee.
"Lord. Momonga. Do. You. Need. Something. From. Your. Humble. Servant ?"
"No, Cocytus, I didn't come to you to give you more orders, what I wanted was to give you news about your creator and an heirloom."
"About. Lord. Warrior. Takemikazuchi ?"
Momonga just nodded his head yes and withdrew Takemikazuchi-MK8 from his inventory.
Cocytus let out a gasp as he saw his creator's finest weapon in front of him.
"The reason your creator is not here, is because he cannot."
"You. Don't. Mean. H-"
"Sadly yes, Cocytus. Takemikazuchi is dead."
As he let the words sink, the warrior bug visibly trembled at those words.
"But. How. Is. It. Possible ?"
"He died not in Ygdrassil, but in our world, and even death works differently there, we are not sure if it is possible at all to bring him back, but if it is, we will have to first travel back to our own world and bring his body to Nazarick. Until then, please accept this."
"But. I. Am. Not. Worthy. Of. Such. Treasure. I. Have. Failed. Him."
"Cocytus, you were never expected to fight for us in our own world, it was impossible. Your duty was to protect Nazarick, and as it still stands, you have suceeded."
"But. I. Have. Died. To. Invaders. Many. Times." The warrior still tried to protest.
"And you have stopped them even greater amount of times. Listen well now, Cocytus, it was never expected out of you to stop all the invasions. Only the weakest of the weak could be stopped on a single floor. As long as you managed to weaken them, you have suceeded. And you managed to kill multiple players even in that invasion. You never failed us, so please take this, it belongs to you as an heir of Takemikazuchi's will." Momong finished his speech. He hadn't expected such resistance, but hoped this would be enough to stop any further protests.
Cocytus very carefully took the blade with all four of his hands and like a samurai, he raised it above his lowered head.
"Thank. You. For. This. Gift. I. Will. Strive. To. Never. Fail. Again."
XXX
"What do you think happened to our real bodies dad ?" Asked Yui, who got worried about the fate of their bodies.
"Well, we don't really know anything so far, but I guess the most logical explanation is that our previous bodies are dead."
Touch me then takes off his helmet and turns his insectoid face on his daughter, who doesn't react because she was informed beforehand about his ingame race.
The world champion gently pets his daughter, without ever using any potential amount of force. "This might sound horrible, but I hope our previous bodies died."
"What ? Don't you know that mom will be super sad if we both suddenly die ?" Retorted his daughter indignantly.
"Yes, that might happen. But honestly I have a feeling she will figure it out, mom is clever like that." Touch said to his daughter before adding; "It will actually be quite the chaos if we suddenly show up here in our current bodies with our old ones still fuctioning."
This drew a short giggle from Yui as she leaned against the full-plate armor. "Yes, I guess she would be quite confused if a stranger and a weird giga insect showed up in her house some time after the transfer failed."
Was all they said, as a pleasantly comfortable silence settled among them, interrupted only by the thoughts in the paladin's head; 'I should probably ask Ancient one, to cast some of his 10th tier illusions on me, and use that skill to maintain them indefinitely. Not sure if he will accept, it can be used only on one ilussion after all.'
XXX
"Lord Peroroncino!" Was all the warning the avian got, because just as he got into Shalltear's line of sight after the permission to reunite with each other, his creation lunged at him and bowled him over.
"My creator! My maker!" Was all the avian could hear as he lied spread-eagle on the sandy ground of the amphitheatre while the petite vampire was nuzzling into his basically exposed chest and belly.
"Ah S-Shalltear, it's n-nice to s-see you." Was all that he managed to get out of himself. He did write in her backstory that she would show affection to him directly, but this was not the most appropriate of circumstances.
"Please let me sit." He finally managed to squeeze out of himself after a while of hopeless staring at the beauty atop of him.
After sitting straight, Shalltear settled right on his lap, which was no less distracting, but at least it let him sit straight. In this state, Peroroncino realized something.
'Wait a minute… are those… pads ?! But Whitebrim...'
This threw him for a loop of thought… it was in her backstory that she is actually flat and pads her breasts… but backstory should only affect personality, right ? On the other hand, there was no normal way to be isekaid from dive mmo game. But if descriptions, flavor text, had a way in how the final realized NPC came out, even outside of appearance, that was a wild idea…
The only thing to throw him out of his thoughts was the vixen in his lap as she started to subtly slide back and fro, trying to get a reaction out of him.
"Ah, I feared you forgot me, lord Peroroncino."
"I-I could never hope to forget you even if you were a world away." This, at least in the avians mind, cringe and overplayed line elicited a happy squak from the vampire.
'Damn, her mere presence is so distracting. Why the heck did I write in her bio that she has almost a lustful aura towards those she loves ? Well, I should have used my brain more so that on me.'
"Then WHY you hadn't come to at least say 'hello' ?" A shout, filled with anger and anguish in equal parts, suddenly was heard by him. The divine bird turned his head aside and saw his sister with her creations.
"Shalltear, do you know what is going on ?"
His creation had both sad and thoughtful look on her face as she replied. "Shorty was quite upset that lady Bukubukuchagama hadn't come to see her up till now, as except her all of us who had creators present were visited by them before this meeting."
'It probably isn't dangerous, but I guess she will stay mad a while, sis wrote her as her 'ideal copy' after all.' The avian thought sarcastically.
His sister had short temper, he knew that for a fact, it was aimed his way quite often after all, however the sooner they would get this sorted out, the better.
"Sweetie, would you mind if we tried to interfere and sort it out ?"
"If my creator thinks this is the correct course of action, than it is."
'What ? How did she come to that conclusion ?'
"Well, I'm not right all the time, but I have a feeling that we should do that."
He said and walked to the arguing pair.
Mare was already sitting in Bukubukuchagama's slimy 'lap' and tried really hard to not cry, while the slime was affectionately stroking her boy with a tendril, while the other was extended towards Aura, beckoning her to come to her. Which the dark elf girl was not too keen on doing. Not that she didn't want to, it looked like she was constantly looking at the lap as if wanting to just go there, but her stubborn nature and hurt kept her from doing so.
"Now that I can be here I won't abandon you!"
"S-sis m-m-mayb-"
"Only because you can't leave this world! But you didn't come to us. You wouldn't even be here if you weren't stuck in this world would you ?"
"If I could live inside Nazarick and be your mom I would always choose it."
"Then why you didn't meet with us when everyone else did ?"
The argument was going nowhere.
"W-well… becaus-"
"Aura, you know, my sister had a lots of important duties to do before the transport, she really wanted to visit you but couldn't." Peroroncino said and was glad his new face couldn't really frown at the memory of his sister's nonchalance before the transport.
"Shorty, you have your creator back now, aren't you happy ?"
"Nnngh" Aura went and with a 'thud' grudgingly plopped down into Buku's lap.
"I'm still not okay with it!" She protested defiantly, even as she practically melted into her maker's embrace and petting tendril.
"Let mommy make it up to you, okay sweetie ?"
'Sis, that's not gonna work probably. Well whatever, I tried to help you and will use this if you try to comment about me and my little vampire.' The avian rolled his eyes a little, thinking Aura won't let herself be bought like that
"M-may we c-call you mom ?" Asked Mare, also hoping for something.
"Of course sweetheart!" Chagama happily answered. "That one was a given. How about spending more time together ? What are your favorite activities ?"
"I-I like reading b-books." Said Mare, as if he was confessing some grave sin.
"Well, then how about we read some story together ?" Bukubukuchagama offered the shy dark elf.
"Y-Yes! That would be g-great!" Mare said with a smile and leaned even more into his mother.
"Then I want to go on an adventure with you!" Aura immediately demanded. Adventuring was not her favorite activity, but she was looking towards adventure with her creator.
"Sure, if I'll ever go on an adventure, I'll take you with me if others won't forbid it." Buku said, making sure to include that last condition, if her guildmates would want for some reason to go alone without NPCs.
"Sounds good." Aura agreed and simply let a satisfied sigh appear on her face as she was being cuddled by the slime.
"It's nice to see that you are getting together." Peroroncino remarked with a satisfied sigh. He wouldn't want to comfort his sister if she came to him crying that her babies hate her. He of course would comfort her if situation ever become that dire, but it was an unpleasant thought nonetheless.
"Agreed, in these uncertain times we must stick together more than ever before." A gurgling voice came out behind the group. Everyone yelped in surprise as Tabula appeared before them, Perfect unknowable fading away.
"We know Tabula, but you don't have to sneak behind us and scare us to make a point." Complained Peroroncino, who was, due to his sharp senses, the only one aware of the brain-eater's antics.
"Perhaps… But I was getting rather bored because I had no one to chat to." He pointed with a tentacle to Albedo, who was few meters behind Momonga and glaring at Cocytus, as if daring him to continue the conversation with the overlord.
"Yeah, I guess our little joke went a little bit too far." Admitted Peroroncino with a little shy expression.
"Oh yes, it's funny how much can one little line change so much."
"Tell me about it. By the way, did you know they don't change just the personality but appearance too ? And maybe more." Peroroncino let out a little laugh.
"What do you mean maybe more ?" Asked Tabula, suddenly becoming serious.
Peroroncino looked at his creation, who looked at him back with confused expression. 'Whatever, if the flavor text is real I need to bring it up to her anyway.'
"You know that Shalltear was designed with big chest while I always wanted small, right ?" He said, to his creation's blushed shock while his sister and her children were ignoring him, happily chatting away their reunion.
"I really didn't pay attention to your tastes." A dry remark was all he got from the squidhead.
"But the point is, the character model had big breasts, the only thing I could do against it is to write in her bio that she is in fact flat but wears pads. Because I know I cannot draw nearly as well as Whitebrim."
Tabula just stared at him, having no clue about what the avian was talking about.
"My creator, you wanted me to have small chest ? I don't have to wear pads to appeal to you ?" Asked the even more confused vampire.
"Of course not darling." Peroroncino carefully patted her head as to not scratch her.
"Ahhh, I see what you mean, so flavor text translates also into other things like body and perhaps into abilities…" Tabula stopped, his groteque eyes suddenly dilating.
"OH FUCK!" The sound emitted by the brain eater was heard by everyone in the arena.
All the players heard that and quickly converged into the their location. Including Herohero, Nubo and Ancient one, who had been conversing between themselves quite secretively and were stealing short glances at Momonga for no obvious reason.
"What's all this ruckus about ?" asked Herohero.
"I figured out that NPC description also affects their body and perhaps even their abilities, and Tabula freaked out for some reason." Peroroncino got them up to speed with the alchemist's antics.
"Well, the NPCs themselves are loyal as far as we have seen, so I really don't get your reaction here." Pointed out Ancient one.
"Maybe he tried to copy Ankoro and created some NPC that wants to rule Nazarick like Eclair." Chimed in Yamaiko.
This elicited few laughs at the memory of the joke NPC.
"Just please don't tell me you made joke like that in Rubedo."
The atmosphere changed, if Rubedo had in her bio that she wanted to conquer Nazarick, it would be extremely bad.
"No, Rubedo IS loyal." Tabula got out of himself.
"Then what's the problem ?" Asked Nubo curiously.
"Well, normally we could use her against an enemy we couldn't defeat to either beat them or stall for time." This got nods, as now the tactical usage of the Half Golem was now expanded when she was potentially sentient.
"But thanks to this revelation, we cannot put her in battle where she might perish, only perhaps as last-last option."
"Why not ?" Asked Touch me. In fact, he himself would do quite enough damage to her. Of course not enough to kill her, as that would be a matter of luck. He had against her about 20% chance. If his combat skills in Ygdrassil translated perfectly into new world. The chance might go up or down depending on possible options to gain strenght.
"Well… when I was writing her backstory I was really fascinated with Lovecraft's universe-"
"Oh boy, so she's like a tentacle 18+ monster or what's the big deal ?" Peroroncino's perverted wisecrack earned him no chuckles, only glares with a smack on the head by his sister.
"There are kids here!"
"Uncle Peroroncino, why does it feel like you said something that we were not supposed to know about ?" Asked Aura innocently, earning the avian another punch, this time from Yamaiko.
"No, again it only manifests if she 'dies' so its not that big of a deal but still. If that happens, we are dead."
"So can you finally tell us what's there ?" Ulbert was losing his patience.
"Her defeat will reveal that she was a sleeping Great Old One, and she will then rampage across the world."
AN: Whew, this chapter turned out to be MUCH longer than I anticipated. Also I promise that I will try to tone down the exposition, as I originally wanted the players to go outside in this chapter, but it already is long enough. I normally try to keep them about 8000 words, this one is 11000 and I hadn't even started the 'magic experiments' section, that will also had to be moved to the next one.
Also a few disclaimers: I won't be giving Shalltear the geisha verbal tick, I have no clue if Peroroncino would remove it or not, but I don't know how it works and don't want to include.
Also, few questions that I failed to find an answers to on wiki: Is Zy'tl Q'ae supposed to be the Catastrophe dragon lord that the Black Scripture went to subjugate ? Or is that dragon lord in the caves below Tob ? I would appreciate some clarification there.