CHAPTER 35:

THE HOLY ROBLE KINGDOM

Antilene didn't know what to expect when she came up to the command post of the Theocracy, a box containing the head of her sperm donor in hand. She chose to do so in a suit of generic armour, taken from the Treasury of Nazarick, albeit armour that would fit her. One that didn't look like the armour of any of the kingdoms, or Elf Country, not that the Elves generally wore armour.

So it was to her surprise that, after showing the guards the contents of the box, she was ushered to a tent where a surprising guest was waiting. A familiar young man with a mop of short blonde hair, crimson eyes, and a face meant for feline smiles. Honestly, if it weren't for the actual sanity and lack of bloodlust, he'd be a dead ringer for a male Clementine.

He was confident enough to dismiss the guards. Or rather, he figured that, if she really was the one to kill Decem Hougan, she could kill him with relative ease. After they were dismissed, he said, "So, may I ask why have you come here?"

"I was the one to kill Decem Hougan. As far as I am concerned, this war is over now. The Slane Theocracy now has no reason to invade Elf Country…unless you really are that eager for more slaves?"

The young man raised an eyebrow, before he sighed. "I should have known it'd be you who would have done the deed eventually…Zesshi Zetsumei."

Antilene sighed in her own turn, knowing her identity had been exposed. The helmet didn't do much to disguise her voice, and she needed to let the Theocracy know who protected it. So she removed it. "Quaiesse Hazeia Quintia…the One Man Army."

Quaiesse nodded, acknowledging his former superior, in strength if nothing else. While Antilene admittedly got along better with the current Captain of the Black Scripture when she was still part of it, Quaiesse was pleasant enough to talk to, even if that smile sometimes made her want to throw a brick into it. Then again, at least he wasn't insane like his sister.

He then read the missive, before eventually looking up. "I see. So…you went rogue during your disappearance?" There was no condemnation in his tone, just a simple curiosity.

"You could say that. My current allegiances are not to Elf Country, but I will protect it should the Theocracy attack it again, along with my backers. You had peaceful relations with Elf Country before. You may be able to again. Besides, having me kill this bastard means you can save face a little, say it was all part of the plan."

Quaiesse nodded, before looking to her exposed ears. "You consider yourself an Elf now? Even though you say your current allegiances are not to Elf Country, you still seem to have gone native." He held up a calming hand in case she got angry. "I ask only for information."

Antilene chuckled, the sound a bitter sneer. "I was raised in the Theocracy, I'm not one of the Elves, and I don't think I ever will be. Though nor am I like a human from the Theocracy. What I was to them…what we all are in the Black Scripture…little more than living weapons. You know this. You and the Captain were the smart ones in the Black Scripture. And because of what this rapist monster did to my mother…" She spat onto her sperm donor's head. "…I'm a Half-Elf in the Theocracy, you're smart enough to do the math. The moment I stepped out of line, I'd be fucked, and not in a good way. I just want to be free to be myself, as a person. And I am now. And please don't be so asinine as to ask me where I am, whom I'm allied with. You'll probably figure it out sooner or later."

Quaiesse looked at her, digesting what she had told her, before nodding. "The Cardinals and the higher-ups in the Scriptures will have to learn the truth. I was only here to offer advice to the forces on a new offensive, but it may be a moot point now. In fact, it seems my skills as a diplomat may be needed. But some may order your capture, even execution. Still…" Quaiesse peered at her. "…Are you happy?"

"…Happier than I was with the Theocracy."

"…As you are a traitor, I shouldn't feel glad at that. But…I suppose I am. You never really seemed happy. Even my sister seemed happier than you, and, well, you may have heard of her betraying us."

"As a matter of fact, I am well aware of what has happened to Clementine," Antilene said. "Rest assured…she will trouble nobody any longer."

"Oh. You know where she is? Is she dead?"

Antilene allowed a smirk to touch her lips. "No. But she is wishing she is. Given what she intended to do with Zurranon, well, it's a fitting fate. It's best you don't know, it'll give you nightmares…"

Albedo had to admit, the streets of Hoburns were magnificent enough, better than many in Re-Estize. True, they were walking through one of the upmarket areas of the city, but it looked like something out of a fairytale. And the smells coming from the restaurant they were approaching smelled delightful.

However, Albedo knew that darkness lurked here, even in a country supposedly bathed in light. The nearby Abelion Hills were home to Beastmen who invaded the Holy Roble Kingdom on an annual basis. What was more, according to Jircniv, and confirmed by Demiurge's intelligence, the Queen, Calca Bessarez, was, while a generally competent and loving queen, also unwilling to make pragmatic choices. That, and she had formulated spells specifically for skincare and cosmetics, something Jircniv's spies dug up relatively recently. Albedo could understand vanity to some degree, especially in a ruler trying to present an image, but dedicating so much effort to such a trivial thing smacked of wastage.

Unfortunately, for Queen Calca at least if not the country, there was a schism between the nobility, not unlike the factions in the Re-Estize nobility. It was partly because Calca had been chosen as ruler over her older brother, Caspond, though he himself had willingly stepped aside in her favour. However, many nobles in the southern reaches of the kingdom disdained her. They even spread rumours that she was in a secret lesbian relationship with her close friends, the Custodios sisters. A civil war never quite touched the Holy Roble Kingdom, but tensions simmered.

One of said sisters, Remedios Custodios, had been known to Harry, at least by reputation via Jircniv and the Blue Roses, not to mention Antilene's own knowledge from her time in the Theocracy. While the foremost Paladin of the Holy Kingdom, and certainly a great warrior, they had also heard of her reputation for being something of a bitch. She had no skill as a leader of soldiers, no charisma or ability to think strategically.

Demiurge had discussed a false-flag operation along similar lines to Operation Gehenna to gain power and influence over the Holy Roble Kingdom, but Albedo had vetoed it. The Supreme Beings would be displeased if innocents got hurt. Though gaining power and influence in this kingdom may be prudent, sooner or later…

The meal they soon had wasn't quite as good as those in Nazarick, and there was at least the Golden Pavillion in E-Rantel and that restaurant they went to for their first date that was better. But it was still quite excellent. But as they finished the meal, Harry's attention was brought to a pair of young women who were sitting at a nearby table. Sisters, he was sure, though in terms of demeanour, they were very different.

They both had the same beautiful features framed by short, chocolate brown hair. But one of them had a calm and kindly expression, while the other had a sharp look to her eyes, an ugly look that tainted her beauty. Like she had the embodiment of a Resting Bitch Face. The latter groused quietly, "I hate this place. Not the food, it's pretty good, but the clientele here are wilfully ignorant of the dangers our kingdom faces, Kelart."

"That's as maybe, Remedios, but I just wanted to have a nice lunch with my sister." A waiter came along and took their order, and once he hurried away, the woman called Kelart leaned forward. "So, I heard you have a new squire, Remedios. Namely Pavel and Jeanne's daughter(1)."

"We haven't completed the examination process," Remedios sniffed in disdain. "Honestly, I wished she looked more like her mother. She certainly has her father's eyes, like she wants to gut someone. I cannot fault her skill with the bow, though, and apparently she is good at finding her way through the wilderness, so if nothing else, she can be our scout."

Harry realised a couple of things at once. Firstly, these two were the Custodios sisters. Secondly, Remedios' reputation as a bitch wasn't wholly unfounded, given the way she spoke of this restaurant's clientele (though he felt she wasn't wholly wrong) and this girl. Even when speaking of her skills, her tone was of contempt.

He risked a brief Legilimency probe…and didn't like what he saw there. She was a self-righteous cow who believed wholeheartedly that all Beastmen were evil. Indeed, she was almost as xenophobic as those bastards in the Slane Theocracy. She was envious of her sister, though she also genuinely loved her all the same.

And then, there was what she thought about her potential new squire.

The squire in question was Neia Baraja. Although barely into her teens, she was looking to join the Paladins, following in her mother's footsteps. And while she was talented, Remedios' grudging praise of her abilities was outweighed by her contempt towards the girl. If anything, she intended to use Neia as a general dogsbody…and a verbal punching bag.

Yet Harry saw, free from Remedios' prejudices, a girl who had potential. Someone who didn't deserve to be her superior's whipping boy…well, whipping girl. Someone who would be stifled under Remedios' aegis.

So, out loud, he said, "Sounds like she can be a lot more than just a scout."

Remedios glared at him. "Don't listen to other people's private conversations," she said in a tight tone.

"Then don't say them loud enough to make them public, and disturb other diners. My wife and I were here to have a quiet meal while we were visiting Hoburns. Though I wasn't expecting to meet two of the most celebrated figures in the Holy Roble Kingdom, the Custodios sisters. I am Hal, and this is Albedo. We're mercenaries with the guild Nine's Own Goal." He bowed in his seat, and Albedo did the same.

Kelart smiled, while Remedios, while clearly stinging at his rebuke, eventually nodded, if only in acknowledgement of her being a celebrated figure. "I don't believe I have heard of Nine's Own Goal," Kelart said.

"We got involved in the mess where the Theocracy attempted to assassinate Gazef Stronoff," Harry said. "In addition, you may have heard of the Jaldabaoth incident where the Eight Fingers summoned a demon in Re-Estize City. Momon and Shizu, a pair of Adventurers we are associated with, actually did the deed, but we helped in ridding the capital of Jaldabaoth's minions. We also worked with the Blue Roses prior to that."

"Ah yes, I have heard of Momon and Shizu, the Adventurer duo known as Darkness," Remedios conceded thoughtfully. "And you are associated with the Blue Roses?"

"Indeed," Albedo said. "Hal has a long-standing friendship with Lady Evileye in particular."

And with that, a plan came together in his head. Or maybe it was an impulse, born of a whim. "Actually, I have an idea," he said. "Would you say that your new would-be squire may benefit from additional training? Especially by one of the Re-Estize Kingdom's premiere Adventurer teams?"

"And how do we know you are telling the truth?" Remedios asked suspiciously.

"I'll call up Evileye once you're done with your meal. Then you can hash it out when she and the Blue Roses arrive…"

Keno wasn't amused when Harry called her out of the blue via Message, given the situation. However, once he explained that he was doing it to help out this Neia Baraja, she agreed, using Gate (something Harry managed to teach her) to bring the Blue Roses through to Hoburns. On being confronted by the famous Adventurer team, with Lakyus' reputation as a warrior cleric in particular holding considerable weight amongst the Paladins, Remedios seemed much more enthusiastic in giving Neia over.

Of course, they had to clear it with the Barajas. Thankfully, the Blue Roses' presence helped matters, and Harry and Albedo let them do the talking. He then finally got to meet Neia Baraja.

She certainly had most of her mother's looks for the most part, a messy mop of blonde hair framing cute features. But her eyes were those of her father, ones that seemed to be set in a permanent belligerent glare more often than not. Though when she learned that the Blue Roses, of all people, were going to train her, she became enthusiastic.

However, Harry was bearded by Keno afterwards, moving a little way away from the group. "You know this is going to cause trouble, right?" she asked.

"I know, and I'm sorry to cause trouble for you and the Blue Roses, to say nothing of her parents," Harry said. "But causing trouble for Remedios? I used Legilimency on her after hearing her speak about Neia. Keno, she's a bitch, plain and simple, a self-righteous, xenophobic bitch who shouldn't have the position she has. Don't get me wrong, she's genuinely devoted to Queen Calca and this kingdom, she really wants to save people, and she's pretty strong and skilled by the standards of this world, but she also has little strategic ability, cannot believe herself or Queen Calca to be wrong, or that the Beastmen deserve to live. She's a moral absolutist of the worst kind who hasn't actually turned evil. Hell, she's too much like too many in the Theocracy. She's also incompetent as a commander, at least outside of battle. And she was going to take her frustrations out on Neia. Not through any physical abuse, but certainly probably going to give the poor girl a verbal battering. I just gave Neia the opportunity to fulfil her potential…well, without poaching her for Nazarick, anyway. I thought this was the best plan that wouldn't compromise Nazarick."

Keno, after a moment, nodded. "Fair enough. I'm mostly a specialist in magic, but I can teach her a thing or two in marksmanship. Maybe we could get Aura in too, pretend I know her through a contact or something. Or Imina."

"Imina's probably a better idea, at least for now," Harry said. "Aura's too high a level above Neia, and besides, there's exposing Nazarick to consider. Besides, I think Imina's getting bored doing guard duty on the decoy tomb. Hell, if Neia's parents were dead or nasty pieces of work, I'd adopt her outright…but they seem like good parents, and I don't want to take her away from them. This is ensuring all involved are happy. Except Remedios, but I don't think she's ever happy."

Keno nodded. "Once she realised you were telling the truth, Remedios seems willing to foot the bill."

"As much as I'd want her to pay, I'll cover the fees with my own funds, Keno. Anyway, we'd better get this sorted, this interrupted my date with Albedo. Hopefully, she's in a forgiving mood…"

Albedo was looking on as Neia spoke with her parents. The Custodios sisters had already left, and she was glad to see the back of Remedios. Harry had told her via a silent Message what he'd seen in her mind. And this was someone who was meant to be the protector of this kingdom?

Still, she looked to Neia and her parents with mixed thoughts. In truth, she felt envy at seeing such a tightknit family unit. And yet, she also saw a hope in the Barajas. Hope that, one day, it would be her and Harry standing there, with children of their own. Oh, they still had that already with Arche, Aura and Mare, and Antilene. But Albedo also wanted biological children, a union between her flesh and that of Harry's.

Maybe she had more alike with her love than she thought. Greedy for love, greedy for family. No, that was definitely the case. Even before the Yggdrasil servers shut down, she was aware enough to realise she was lonely. And even now, thanks in part to that, along with everything that had happened since the shutdown, she yearned for bonds. Just like her beloved.

Still, she had to admit, while a little irritated at their date having such an interruption, she couldn't fault Harry too much. Helping people was what he did, and she had to admit, he had a point. One shouldn't chastise one's subordinates to vent anger or frustration. Chastisement of one's subordinates should be a punishment for making mistakes and an incentive not to make them again. It served a purpose, something she had learned.

Once upon a time, she was not so different. She remembered her impulsive berating of Mare in his suggestion to camouflage Nazarick with artificial hillocks when they first arrived in this world. In hindsight, not only was Mare prudent and pragmatic…but she should not have chastised the timid Druid over such a trivial matter. And truth be told, she actually found the new surroundings of the Great Tomb of Nazarick pleasing to her eyes.

Harry and Satoru had changed her, and for the better. While she already knew the value of her subordinates, the various denizens of Nazarick, she found herself actually caring for many of them. Even Shalltear, for all that damned lamprey's faults, she looked upon as an honorary sister.

So when she learned why Harry had done this, she sympathised. Perhaps the Neia girl's potential could be nurtured by the Blue Roses. And maybe she could blossom from there…

CHAPTER 35 ANNOTATIONS:

So, there you have it. A brief sojourn to the Holy Roble Kingdom, and a life made better. Because seriously, Neia deserved better.

Now, I didn't want to linger in anything to do with Roble because I wasn't that big a fan of the storyline, or rather, I wasn't a fan of Remedios. Then again, who is a fan of Remedios? She's a self-righteous bitch who, despite being supposedly fighting for the people, uses Neia to vent her spleen, even before everything goes completely to shit. And poor Neia is told to put up and shut up by Gustav, someone who is supposed to be tactful and diplomatic, but clearly doesn't care enough about her wellbeing.

Honestly, it's a crying shame Remedios didn't die during that arc, and rather, Calca and Kelart did. Both of them had their faults, but they were far better for Roble than Remedios. I learned from the Overlord wiki that a fan nickname for her is Retardios. Fitting, really. Hell, there are villains in Overlord (aside from the denizens of Nazarick) who are more interesting and compelling than Remedios is, even if their morality is far darker. Maybe someone should do a version of Cartman's song Kyle's Mom's a Bitch from South Park, only with Remedios.

As for Neia, well, the Roble arc is her story arc, but I wanted to give her a chance to become something better away from Roble…or Ainz Ooal Gown for that matter. Hopefully, she won't end up becoming a fanatical cult leader in this version of events. I actually struggled with how to introduce her, and eventually came up with this.

Also, we see Quaiesse at the start of the chapter. I thought that, if any member of the Black Scripture would appear and actually be reasonable, it'd be him. He seems the polar opposite of his sister Clementine, at least for the most part, given what we see of him in Volume 14 of the light novels. So having him speak with Antilene was an interesting experience. She knows he's one of the most reasonable members of the Black Scripture, and won't basically rant about her being a traitor, etc.

I know you're probably sick of me saying I don't know when the next chapter will be out, but this time, that is genuinely the case. I don't know what to do with the story now, at least for the moment, and I'm feeling burned out on this story anyway. But you guys just got seven new chapters to this story in just under a fortnight, and after something of a hiatus to boot. Hopefully, this will be enjoyable.

Review-answering time! Nathair1: Pay attention! Erya Uzruth was the leader of Tenmu, the smug blonde guy who basically was a one-man Worker team with a trio of Elf slaves as support and bedwarmers. In the canon story, he was the one who basically got curbstomped by Hamsuke. In this story, Imina, with a little help from Aura, was the one to do so.

Rex-Mortuorum: I'll be perfectly honest, I disagree wholeheartedly. Demiurge is the Floor Guardian I despise the most. Leaving aside his many, many atrocities, there's the fact that he keeps putting out these convoluted plans that have little actual morality, and Ainz basically goes along with them to save face, to say nothing of Demiurge's antagonism towards Sebas. Don't misunderstand me, I like his style, and he shows consistent affection and care for Mare, but honestly, his nature is a poor reflection on Ulbert's character.

1. As Neia's mother is a Paladin herself, but unnamed in canon, I thought I'd name her after Jeanne d'Arc.