AN: "Cookies" → Speech / spoken air quotes

"Cookies" → Thoughts

"Cookies" → Spells / Martial Arts

"Cookies" → Message spell speech

I don't own Overlord

Have fun, enjoy and please review

Chapter 20

→ Arwintar Barracks / Gaius Marius Novius ←

Gaius Marius Novius was marching down his legion. It was in perfect order and presented itself perfectly, as they should. The armor was cleaned and the swords sharpened, though the supply of new shields got destroyed in an accident a short while back.

He went further and further, until he was closing to his own chamber.

"To your drill. Centurion, make the training hard today." he barked and his trusted Primus nodded in glee.

"Now I can relax and think," Gaius Marius Novius thought and looked in disdain at his paperwork.

He worked through his usual paperwork and found the typical papers, rations, weapons, movements and the preparations for the coming war. Then he found a report from his trusted friend, who worked in the palace of the emperor.

"I first thought she would be a nobody with no expertise, though the emperor seems to look at her as desirable. As long as I play along and show my colors to the authorities, all will be well." Gaius decided, after reading that the woman had helped the emperor by the use of a widespread network.

"She seems to be a great spy. That concludes that she partially understands logistics. Lets test her" Gaius stood up, placed the papers he would need in a bag and walked towards his chambers door.

He looked at his men and saw them in their drills.

"Such weak soldiers, if only I had the command of the first instead of the 6th." He gritted and left the barack.

After a short walk towards the palace he went to the war chambers and placed his papers on their respective destinations. When he wanted to leave he nearly bumped into Nimble and greeted him.

"Nah, Gaius? Everything ok?" Nimble asked.

"It goes, it goes. The maggots still can't properly work with their swords and can't keep their armor clean. Though the biggest disappointment is that the shields got lost in the incident a while back." Gaius hissed back.

"Ha. So you still treat your men like this?" Nimble barked back laughingly.

"Otherwise they wouldn't accomplish anything, you should know this as a former legionnaire of my legion" Gaius replied.

"That is true, though I also remember that the only reason you got your cushy position is because your brain is better than your useless sword arm." Nimble laughed and Gaius frowned.

"By the way. Instead of useless chatter I have a question. What can you tell me about this Arachama. I already visited her and she seems ineffective and inept." Gaius inquired.

"Hmm. From what I gathered from Leinas and Fluder I know that she is disabled and quite intelligent. That is mainly the reason our emperor is looking more and more towards her. She compensates her lack of physical strength with her magical capabilities. She also provides valuable information." Nimble answered.

"Then why does our emperor want us to work together? My legion is for logistics and not magic. That makes barely sense. Though sadly I have to brown nose this one." Gaius planned and left Nimble standing on the floor.

He walked out of the palace and decided to look at Arachama again, though this time not as an idiot but as a figure of authority.

→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion / Arachama ←

Arachama was seated in her wheelchair, armed with books and snacks. She knew that today the nutcase would be back and thus she used her 'wheelchair'-form. She had placed a few books on the table and began to read through Renners reports and was abashed at how miserable the organization of Re-Estize armies was. Barely 2000 professional soldiers, everyone else is conscripted and barely paid.

"No wonder the unrest is growing after a few annual wars. No food and many destroyed families." Arachama thought and sighed. That was the moment when Foire came into the room with the nutcase.

"Good afternoon, general. I hope our last discussion wasn't as terrible as I thought? It would be such a shame" Arachama smiled fearfully.

"It was intellectually stimulating. How was your day, lady Arachama?" Gaius asked and pressed his lips against her knuckles.

"Good until you nutcase came into this room" she thought.

"Extremely well. I am blessed today. I am reading a report on the logistics of Re-Estizes armies." Arachama replied.

"They have logistics?" Gaius asked with faux-surprise.

"Barely. I don't believe they could survive a longer war. I also don't believe that they will win this war, if we play our cards dutifully. But that is where we make our due, right?" Arachama smiled and Gaius seemed to be surprised, though he hid it extremely fast.

"Can I help you with something?" Gaius asked.

"Ara ara. Of course. I would like to know how our logistics work in more detail." Arachama asked and Gaius nodded.

He then explained the structure of the armies. The concept of legions and centurie. Then he went over specialized units and the expertise of his legion. Suddenly Gaius looked at a book.

"What is this book about?" Gaius asked and held a book about the roman legionnaires and the roman empire in his hand.

"I must confess that I don't necessarily know exactly how the armies of Baharut are equipped and how they fight. Thus I decided to look at former empires, which proved exceptional on the field of battle. This one is about an empire, which was called 'Rome' though it got destroyed a long while ago. It existed for a bit over a millenia." Arachama answered through her teeth and cursed herself for not hiding the book.

"So you are looking things up when you don't understand them?" Gaius asked in a surprised tone.

"Of course. I know logistics, but certainly not military. I fled from my former home for a great number of reasons." Arachama replied, playing the offended aristocrat.

"No need to be offended, lady Arachama. If you don't mind, could I borrow this book? It seems that these legionnaires fought in a similar style than we did for the last century. I also would like to talk business with you, as I know that you are able to seemingly conjure large quantities of food, weapons and other things." Gaius asked and showed his teeth in a nasty grin.

"Ohh my god, what did I do?" Arachama thought and shrieked inside her head. Mini-Arachama meanwhile was banging her head against the wall of her skull, giving Arachama a strong migraine for the rest of the day….

"I don't conjure them. I simply use a spell called "Message" to contact a close friend of mine, who prepared what I need for me. Later I use a spell called "Gate", with which I can instantly travel to a place I know well enough to visualize. That is actually an idea I would like to bring forth. I have a few scrolls of said spells in reserve and could sell them to the military. You could use them for communication and instant transport of supplies." Arachama tried and the nutcase looked flabbergasted and sad.

"I have to agree that this would be quite an idea. I will work through this book and then work out a concept for now. By the way, could you get resources quite fast or how long would it take?" Gaius asked.

"It depends. I can get supplies like food, water, weapons and armor quite fast. The scrolls need a bit more time though. Nothing more than a few day at most." Arachama explained and Gaius nodded.

"I will go then. I must work out a concept." Gaius smiled and left.

In the evening Arachama would feel tired, unknowingly having reformed the logistics of the empire to a new level.

→ Between E-Rantel and Colognium ←

It was a rainy day and the soldiers were disheartened. In the midst of a marching column was the contingent of E-Rantel. It only massed around 800 men, though a few already died thanks to dysentery and the weather.

Amongst that mass of walking dead was a man in his mid 40s. He wore self bought armor, which had a slightly better quality than the usual armor of the Re-Estize forces. Thanks to his status as a veteran he even was the leader of a small group of 45 soldiers, though he didn't think greatly about this. He had blond hair, which was cut short, and had a lean figure. He held a medallion of a black phoenix with red feathers at its tails. The name of the figure was Proditor Fides, one of the best carpenters in E-Rantel.

"A nice necklace." A youngster told him from his side.

"If you knew." He replied in a strangled tune.

"Is there an interesting story or what?" the youngster asked intrigued.

"A long story, but short version is that I love what it symbolizes." He replies.

"So your wife." The young man annoyed the poor Proditor.

"She died a decade ago" Proditor thought bitterly and placed a smile on his face.

"You can see it that way. Now. Did our noble Prince pay us already?" Proditor asked the youngster in an attempt to change the topic.

"Nah. Though I heard that we will capture Colognium, I heard it's rich." the youngster grinned.

"I also heard that the woman looked great and knew nothing but a good life." Proditor followed suit and a few laughter were heard.

"Heard the nobles will not partake of the battle." another youngster threw in.

"Sounds like they want us to have some fun." Proditor laughed back.

"So we are free after the battle." One older levied asked.

"I don't get paid and neither are you. Why should I enforce their words if they can't prove anything and don't pay me enough to care?" the question hung in the ear for a short while.

"We will kill the enemy. Then you can have fun and loot." Proditor confirmed and tucked his medallion back under his plate.

"Hear! Hear! Hear!" shouts were heard.

"I bet the others in command will not correct me and the other forces will follow our 'great' example. And if everyone breaks the rules no one will get punished." Proditor smiled and found himself enjoying the march much more from then on.

→ Arwintar Imperial-palace warchambers / Jircniv ←

It had been one week since Jircniv had declared his ambition to capture territory in the former Slane Theocracy. That week had proven quite stressful, as he had to approve a big number of deals and organizational reforms. Now his 8 legions were equipped with a large shield in oval form, plate armor, a sword and three javelins each. The supply lines were restructured to enable the faster movement of his armies. They would now use scrolls with "Gate", which opens a portal to the place they wanted and knew, which was the reason they now gave 5 mages with the necessary ability to use the scrolls to each legion. The 6th legion would now be occupied with public order instead of carrying supplies through the no man's would even deploy a contingent of his prized Griffin-riders together with the 6th to help with rooting out bandits.

Jircniv looked at his Generals and grinned. Victory seemed certain and Jircniv had to calm himself.

"Look around you, remember that you are a human too", Jircniv remembered the words a close friend told him after he had climbed the throne in triumph. His grin disappeared shortly after that. He looked around the room and took in the view.

His three remaining 'four imperial knights' stood around the room. 9 Generals were in the room, with 8 of them for their legions and 1 General for all of his armed forces. He also had gathered a few retired Generals and even a few former Centurion were in the room. Thus he could finally give his final plan, for now the final plan at least.

"First we need to go over your orders respectively. The first will be our reserve. Depending on our reports we will need more manpower, wherever Re-Estize makes its move. You will camp here: Dullium, just halfway to the border to our troubling neighbor.

The second will capture Colognium, north in the former territory of the fallen Theocracy. It will be the furthest part west we will advance. I have no plan on overexerting our forces. If possible, take it peacefully and aim to get good relations with the population.

Third will guard the Thopolae-passage, which is the flatland north of the Dwarven-kingdom. Re-Estize ignored its existence, but we cant be prudent enough.

I want the fourth Legion to guard the mountains of the Dwarven-kingdom. We don't know what the fools of Re-Estize are planning.

Legion five will be north of Katze Plains, if the Re-Estize tries to attack there we will use this Legion to take E-Rantel while they are fighting in Katze Plains.

Gaius Marius Noviuis, your Legion will work our logistical system and keep the public order up. If there are bandits, they have to go either way. If the populus starving, give them food and water. Are there soldiers from Re-Estize plundering their way through our new territory? Kill them. You will also serve as reserve in emergencies. I also give you a contingent of Griffin-riders so that you have no problems finding the problems.

Our seventh will guard the actual Katze-Plains and will stall the enemy as long as possible if they attack there. If that happens our reserves will stamp the enemy into the ground of this wretched ground.

The eighth will be our vanguard and take Shuryanma. Same rules as the second. Any questions? No? Then move out. I expect results as fast as possible." Jircniv gave the plan and orders and then the staff saluted.

"As our imperator orders, the doomed follow your orders." The chorus was heard and nearly the entire staff went to gather their soldiers. Only the imperial knights remained in the room.

"Pfuh. That is always hard. Luckily nearly all my generals are either loyal or clever enough to not play against me." Jircniv thought and let a big sigh leave his lungs.

"Should I tell lady Arachama to contact our ally in this undertaking?" Leinas asked and Jircniv looked at her.

"Indeed. It is an opportune moment for them to declare E-Rantel as theirs. It would either weaken them economically or they have to split their armies into far too many pieces. Either way, it will benefit both of our parties in this conflict." Jircniv told her.

"Understood." Leinas replied and left the room.

"Hard times ahead, aren't they?" Nimble asked sarcastically and Jircniv smiled.

"Indeed. I feel that every plan only lives until combat ensues." Jircniv answered with a sad smile on his face.

"I hope that our allies will do this for us." Nimble grumbled and Jircniv laughed, the tint of sadness now a bit smaller.

"I think they will. Now. I think we should drink with our legionnaires and enjoy the evening. It will be the last time I drink alcohol for a while." Jircniv said and raised his cup with red wine, which was nearly black.

→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion / Arachama ←

Arachama was waking from a nap and only had time to get clothed when Leinas walked inside the mansion. Leinas fell into a couch and massaged her nose with two fingers.

"Ara ara. That bad?" Arachama asked and Leinas smiled.

"Nah. It was exhausting. The Generals were arguing as if they had the power to decide what our emperor thinks. Luckily the emperor made it quick and thus I am already here. By the way, the emperor wants you to 'contact' the tomb. He is hoping that the tomb will send an ultimatum towards Re-Estize, asking for E-Rantel. Both outcomes will benefit the empire in this war." Leinas reported and Arachama sighs.

"That wouldn't be a problem. Though I already have a fitting messenger in mind. Zesshi could use some fresh air." Arachama said and Leinas perked up.

"Wouldn't Zesshi be overkill?" Leinas asked.

"Ara ara. She needs to gain this experience, since she is very blunt. I need to remind her to keep her temper in check though. I chose her foremost for her strength though. If Re-Estize attacks her… may whatever god they believe in have mercy for them." Arachama thought out loud and placed finished documents back into the fitting folders.

"But I don't think the Kingdom will attack her until she attacks or they are too enraged with the ultimatum, they are very proud. Ara. Thus she is practically the perfect choice. But just for security I will give Zesshi a "Gate"-scroll." Arachama whispered and now her idea got more form.

"What else would you need?" Leinas asked and Arachama smiled.

"Ara ara. First we need dinner. I am hungry and then I need to talk to Zesshi, though I am sure that she will understand and even wants to help, even if her idea of 'help' was more of a hands-on approach. I also need to talk to my good friend." Arachama replied.

Enti, Ninya and Tuare walked in to prepare food, which was great timing in the eyes of Arachama.

Dinner was as nice as always and Arachama, as always, listened to the conversations of her daughters. Zesshi was talking with Arche to get help with her spell, as she still had problems with it. Kuude and Ure were discussing pranks with Leinas, who threw in some ideas of her own. Arche, Ninya and Tuare discussed their progress respectively.

"If the three sisters will continue like this I need to specialize them a bit more." Arachama thought about the twins and Arche and grinned inside.

Enti was sitting on Arachamas lap and ate together with her, to the envy of Yuri. Foire and Fith ate and talked about letters from their other sisters.

The dinner went well and after they were filled they left Arachama in the room.

"Now to business." Arachama sighed and opened a "Gate" to Mongas office.

→ Colognium / Proditor Fides ←

The army of Re-Estize had built a camp near Cologne and was now laying siege to it. While the leaders had talked a great deal about being careful and promising heavy punishments on deserters, looters and other such undesirable people, they also tried to think of a way to ensure that nothing like that could happen.

Proditor ate a green apple and rewinded the trip of the army towards Colognium. They encountered three smaller towns and quite a few villages. Those were immediately plundered and the citizens were now either terrified or dead. This didn't go well for the prince, but since all soldiers participated or kept their mouths shut, nothing could be done about it. Now the leadership of this gigantic force feared the same fate for the prized city of Colognium.

Colognium was famous for being a rich and prosperous trading hub. It had many contacts outside of the former theocracy. Most famously towards the richer provinces of the Baharut Empire. All of that gave the common soldiers hate, envy and spite. That the same soldiers were not paid and heard rumors about the beautiful women inside the city didnt help to calm things inside the camp.

The city was formidable in its defense, as was expected. They seemed to have heard rumors or reports of the lootings and the devastation before the army arrived. It was surrounded by strong, wide and high stone walls. They even had roofs over the top of their walls, so that their soldiers would be more covered from arrows. The walls even had parts, which were hanging over the walls with murderholes. This would prove to be a hard nut to crack.

Even besieging the city would not do, since they could easily resupply their city. The city had filled their storages to the brim, had smaller fields inside of its walls, knew how to smuggle and had freshwater supplies within their walls. A normal besieger would lose here.

Sadly their leader was not a normal besieger. The prince decided to take the city by storm, promising their pay and glory on top. The ladders were built and now awaiting the battle. The soldiers were ordered to rest and the Prince has decided to observe the battle together with the other nobles.

"Such a shame our leader is cowering away." Proditor thought and threw the applecore away.

He walked further away and observed a road into the nearest forest. It wasn't observed much, since it was behind their army. He followed the road a bit and was greeted by a sword to the neck.

"Don't move further." a deep voice nearly whispered and Proditor simply showed his hands and pulled out his phoenix amulet.

The figure was a tall man. It wore a dark brown cloak with two amulets. One had a similar amulet than Proditor wore. Another was connected to a small capsule medallion. He carried a bastardsword and a hatchet was visible under his cloak. Graying hair peeked from under his cloaked head and yellow, spiked teeth flashed in a cocky grin.

"So you are my contact here?" Proditor asked and the unknown person nodded.

"Seemingly. I am here to tell you your orders. If you fulfill them you will get the agreed reward from our leader. If not we both will see what we get." The shadow answered back and Proditor shifted a bit.

"I can feel that he is stronger than me. Better listen for now." Proditor thought.

"My family served Zuranon for generations. If you don't trust the orders, then you can explain why you failed." he replied and a grin expanded on his face.

"No need to be so annoying. Your orders are as such…." Shadow whispered the orders and Proditor smiled.

→ E-Rantel / Renner ←

Renner and her group had traveled for quite a while when they reached E-Rantel. E-Rantel was a frontier-city and thus more a defensive bollwark than an actual city like Re-Pospel, which was a port-city. It even had professional soldiers as garrisons, since most of the dead from the annual wars are buried here and some come back as undead. Though Renner had important business in this city.

She had sent Leinas to get rooms in a fitting establishment, which proved to be subpar with her expectations, though she knew that team 'Darkness" officially lived here, which would help her greatly. She got a room with Climb, which contained a bedroom and a cleaning room. Similar arrangements were made for 'Blue Roses'. The carriage was placed in the backyard, together with the ones from a rich merchant and one from 'Darkness' Luckily Renner remained incognito, since she wore the clothing of a rich merchant.

Once all were settled Renner saw that Climb prepared to clean himself and Renner took out a cocoon. It opened and she saw a "Corner Spider". It knew its quest and ran towards the open window and Renner wouldn't see it for a while. Renner then continued to look at Climb.

After she had cleaned herself, of course watching out for Climb, she went downstairs and met with 'Blue Roses for their dinner. The dinner was bread with goulash and tasted ok. She sadly didn't meet 'Darkness' to give a report back to Nazarick, though that would only mean more business in Carne. After they ate dinner Renner and Climb went back up and Renner fell into her bed and slept soundly.

The next morning Renner woke up to find a tired Climb watching over her.

"Didnt you make shifts with 'Blue Roses'?" Renner asked and Climb shook his head.

"Then you will sleep while we move. I can't have you collapse from exhaustion." Renner ordered and Climb went to clean himself, tiredness obviously within each step.

"I should get some reward for my Climb, once I am back from my trip? Or should I give it at the end?" Renner thought and licked her lip.

After breakfast, which consisted of bread with bacon and eggs, Climb prepared the carriage and 'Blue Roses' still looked out for 'Darkness'. Though Renner suspected that this has not anything to do with the team itself but more with Momon. Especially with Lakyus looking red on the cheek. Just when they wanted to leave the city, Tia found the beast of burden of the adventurer.

"Momon!" Lakyus shouted and the adventurer turned around. Lakyus nearly threw herself at Momon. Nabe meanwhile looked annoyed and leveled her gaze at Lakyus and Evileye, who used "Teleportation" to get to Momon faster than Lakyus. Through the force developed by the flying people Momon fell from Hamsuke, a giant hamster, and landed on his back.

"Hi. What can I help you with?" Momon asked and Nabe looked even sterner than before.

"We are on a mission. For that we travel to Carne Village." Renner explained and bowed.

"Please excuse my bodyguards" Renner continued and Momon simply shrugged it off.

"You could accompany us, Momon." Lakyus proposed and Momon looked at Renner, who nodded back.

"What do you do in Carne?" Momon asked.

"I got a trail of a close friend of mine and I am looking for her" Renner told Momon who nodded.

"If you could wait a bit? We have slain a basilisk and want to cash in the reward." Momon said.

"We can certainly do that" Renner told them and so they would wait until Momon came back.

→ On the mainroad towards the Slane Theocracy ←

The Legions were marching out since the emperor had given the orders. All went smoothly and the well disciplined behemoth of Baharut is now moving its deadly gaze onto unclaimed lands to its south. Its goals, as well as the orders, were clear. These Legions were not mere rubble, like the armies of Re-Estize. These were soldiers, who would write the name of their emperor into the history books with the blood of their slain enemies.

The vanguard was the closest to the border when reality sunk into the newest recruits. Luckily those could reclaim their calm and the march was unimpeded by it. The roads were easily cleared of bandits and other obstacles and the closest villages were secured and used as bridgeheads. The sixth legion now took over and worked with the villages. They needed to reassure the villages about their intention to protect the citizens and needed to make lists of supplies. If those supplies were too little the empire carried rations to them.

Katze Plains was cleared from undead as fast as possible, in the event that the Re-Etize Kingdom would try to invade through E-Rantel. They rebuilt the forts, dug trenches and placed traps. They even managed to flatten a few hills, which gave them more view and their camp highground.

The Thopolae-passage was a narrow passage north of the mountains, which formed the Dwarf-Kingdom. It was now fortified from the mountains to the steep cliffs of the sea. The northern fleet of the Baharut Empire would help the legion here, if Re-Estize would attack here.

The logistics was still the part which had improved the most. All legionnaires were surprised when they heard that they didn't need to carry rations any more. It had drastically improved the distance the soldiers could march. The first evening they were shocked to find a magician using a scroll with a spell and it opened a portal . Then a carriage was pushed through and gave them the food. Afterwards the spell was used again and the carriage together with reports was brought back through it again. After that the legionnaires only asked how the magicians did that. Though the magicians simply shrugged at them and said that that would be telling.

All those preparations went smoothly and sometimes even surprised the generals and soldiers. A rush of euphoria swept through the legions when they finished preparations and began to improve those fortifications. The army of the Baharut Empire was in peak condition, in comparison to the prior years.

→ Between Colognium and Re-Estize border ←

The village Lyonell was destroyed a few days back and the survivors were now hidding within the closest forest. Anger, fear and drive was showing in their eyes. They had lost everything. Their homes, their properties and their families. All gone. Most were children, but some were fortunate adults. Women who were out to get water. Young men who were lumberjacks or hunters. Those were in the forest when the forces of Re-Estize attacked and destroyed everything.

The forces had first found the village and once they were close had attacked it. They burned the homes, sometimes with people still inside of them, and then took the women and girls with them. Some were able to escape and warn the ones in the forest. Now they were here in a clearing to decide the next steps.

"They are our enemies. We need to fight back somehow." A younger man said. He was a medic and had collected herbs on the terrible morning.

"We need to take careful steps forward. I see three options. One, we hide in the forest for the rest of the conflict. We can hunt and build huts for the time.

Second would be that we move east. If Re-Estize is on the move, Baharut will move too. If only to not give Re-Estize too much resources.

Third would be to check the other villages and then to plan from there on." An older hunter counted down. He considered himself lucky, as his only relative left, his son, was coming with him today.

"You didn't count any help from Slane?" another hunter replied.

"The tax collector did not appear this year. I don't think that they would forget their taxes. They also wouldn't tolerate one, or even two armies marching through the ground. Thus something bad must have happened. If rumors are true the capital has fallen." The older hunter replied.

"I like the third option. Only waiting would drive the younger among us into a frenzy. We don't know how Baharut would treat us. This only leaves us with one option." The oldest amongst them stated and then most of the survivors agreed. Thus the decision was formed.

Unbeknownst to them many similar meetings took place during the last week.

→ Nazarick Ainz-office / Arachama ←

Arachama was walking into the Ainz-office. She had come here for two objectives. One was to prepare some defenses for Carne. She felt that it was important for Ainz. not for the reasons he gave the guardians. But more so for the emotional value. He went there and defended them. This act wasn't something a normal undead would do. If her suspicions were correct the value of the village was far greater than she anticipated.

The second was an ultimatum. Ainz would declare the lands around E-Rantel as part of his kingdom and if Re-Estize wouldn't comply, Nazarick would march to war, or rather party hard on Re-Estize broken teeth. Arachama hoped that Re-Estize wouldn't be stupid enough to face Nazarick head on, especially together with Baharut. But her hopes were low, as Arachama was sure that Re-Estizes nobility knew nearly nothing about Nazarick itself. Thus she had the perfect messenger.

After a short wait Monga walked in with Albedo in tow. It was an interesting picture for Arachama. Monga had his hand on Albedo's waist and Albedo nearly cuddled into his arm, always looking up at Monga. She also giggled all the time and Arachama smiled at seeing this beautiful picture.

"Ara ara. After our lovebirds are finished, would you like to draft the document?" Arachama asked and both became serious.

"Of course, lady Arachama" Albedo replied while Monga seated himself in a strange, over the top, fashion. Arachama looked questioning at him and he simply let one of his eye-flames shine brighter.

"Another wink?" Arachama thought while Albedo brought a proposal, which she and Demiurge had worked on, to the table.

Monga took it and read through it.

"We, the Supreme Beings of Nazarick, proclaim our claim to the lands of E-Rantel. We declare the occupation of those territories as unjust and reprimand the Re-Estize Kingdom for their actions done to our territory. We demand that all troops leave said territory within a month.

Further we demand the lands containing Canre Village as compensation for the unjust occupation of our territory. The citizens, who wish to live under the rule of the kingdom, are allowed to leave both territories within a month after Re-Estize has formally signed a fitting treaty with the Supreme Beings of Nazarick.

If the kingdom's actions don't meet our demands, we will march together with our allies, the Baharut Empire." Monga read out loud and Albedo became prouder each second.

"Ara ara. Albedo, you did well. There is only one small detail I would like to change. 'Supreme Beings' might sound too much. Maybe we can write Monga here as our king and leave it at that. So that we have a single person they focus on." Arachama proposed and Albedo looked thoughtful.

"If you want it." Albedo replied after a few seconds and Arachama smiled brightly.

"Are we sure that we can deliver this?" Monga asked.

"Ara ara. We will deliver it together with Baharuts declaration of war. I just hope that they will have enough humility left for meeting our demands." Arachama sighed and Albedo looked confused.

"Since when do humans have humility?" Albedo asked and Mongas eyes flashed as he took Albedo's hands.

"I will go now. I need to prepare our Messenger." Arachama replied and casted "Gate" to get to her mansion. She stopped when Monga stood up.

"Who will you send?" Monga asked.

"One of my children. She knows her techniques and I will give her a "Gate"-scroll to get home as fast as possible." Arachama replied and Albedo looked confused.

Arachama walked through the portal and found herself in her living room. She immediately went to get Zesshi. She found her toughest within the training field in the cellar.

Zesshi wore training armor,which was from Nazarick. Her scythe was in both her hands and on the ground was Leinas. Arachama also saw Enti training in a corner with the help of weights. She bench pressed quite a sum, at least Arachama thought that it was much.

"Ara ara. Zesshi. I have something for you to do. Leinas, the same applies for you. Let's talk in my living room." Arachama said and both immediately went to clean themselves while Arachama went to her living room.

After a while Leinas and Zesshi walked into the office and seated themselves.

"What can we do for you, mother?" Zesshi asked and devotion and determination shone in her eyes.

"Ara ara. First I give orders to Leinas. Leinas, can the Baharut Empire declare war on Re-Estize? I have a few documents, which could help in the process. They are in the prepared bag at the entrance." Arachama asked. Leinas seemed to think for a short while.

"It should be quite easy, as it is already planned to be done in two weeks." Leinas replied.

"Can it be done within this week?" Arachama asked and Leinas looked at Arachama.

"I can certainly try." Leinas answered.

"Ara ara. That would be splendid. Then you should go now and bring the bag to Jircniv. Please tell me if it worked." Arachama asked and Leinas nodded.

Leians stood up, took a bag and ran out of the mansion.

"What can I do for you, mother?" Zesshi asked and Arachama smiled.

"Ara. Monga needs a messenger to bring a document to the king of Re-Estize. Sadly our forces are a bit tied down. Thus I proposed that you are capable of bringing such a document to the king of Re-Estize. I know it is a bit below what you think is appropriate. But it is an important document." Arachama began.

"You only need to ask. Of course I will do as you ask of me." Zesshi smiled brightly and her eyes were a bit crazed. Arachama oversaw the face and simply took out a scroll.

"I also want to give you a tool for that. Here, this is a scroll with the spell "Gate". You can use it to get back here. Thus cutting your way back. Just channel mana into it and then think of this mansion. I will also use a "Gate" spell to bring you close to the capital." Arachama replied and Zesshi nodded along.

"Any questions?" Arachama asked and Zesshi thought for a bit.

"Isn't the messenger of Baharut to slow if you bring me directly to the capital?" Zesshi asked and Arachama grinned.

"Who says that I can't help their messenger too? If I know Jircniv correctly, thenI think Jircniv will send a person we both know. But for now we have to wait." Arachama answered.

Quite a time later a warmed up Leinas walked in. She held the same bag. And had wet clothing and hair.

"Ara ara. You could have walked, you know?" Arachama said.

"Of course I could. But I decided to run. Here is the declaration of war. Jircniv asked me to get someone that knows the capital of Re-Estize and a scroll with "Gate". I think, lady Arachama, that I could get one from you?" Leinas asked in a hopeful tune.

"Not only that. I will cast it myself. You both will bring the documents to the Kingdom. Then both of you will use "Gate" to get back here. Zesshi has the scroll back." Arachama summarized and Leinas nodded.

"Understood," Leinas replied and Zesshi smiled.

"Good. Get clean and rest. We will do that tomorrow morning, since it is already time for dinner." Arachama ordered and both women stood up, bowed and left the room. Arachama sighed and decided to read more. This time reading through a book on hoplites.

AN: Thanks for reading. Please review.

This chapter was hard to write. I had wrote it 2 times before this version and then deleted the other two, because I wasn't confident in those

I also checked again and Gate, at least as far as I see, isn't ranked in the tier system. Thus I don't know which tier it is. For all I know it could tier one. For the sake of this story it is low enough that it can be placed in/on a scroll.

I read the review about Chapter 15. I will try to improve it, sadly it will take time. But I am working on it.