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
This chapter has depictions of gore and so on. If you are a minor or have dont handle such things well, please consider to not read this and only the summary:
For those who skip: Katze Plain is a massacre, Arachama wakes up
Chapter 34
→ Zesshi ←
Zesshi woke up relaxed and refreshed. First she was shocked until she remembered where she was. Once the shock calmed, she stood up and prepared herself. First came the armor.
"The scythe can wait for the moment." Zesshi thought and decided to go to the lounge.
She just stepped inside when she saw Lord Ainz. She went on to bow when he stopped her.
"Not now. I just want some peace for now." he sighed and Zesshi shrugged.
"As you wish, lord Ainz." Zesshi had replied.
"The others are still asleep." Ainz mused.
"How early is it?" Zesshi asked, rubbing one eye.
"We have roughly 4 in the morning. The sun hasn't risen yet." Ainz replied.
"So it is early." Zesshi sighed.
"That shouldn't be a problem. Do you know chess?" He asked
"I heard of it. I also know how the pieces move. But I am not a good player myself." Zesshi answered.
"Well, we have time. Especially before I unleash the massacre today." Ainz told her and took out a chess board.
They played for a while until Sebas entered the room. He went over to the 'kitchen' and prepared breakfast for all. Zesshi meanwhile got beaten again and again by Ainz. Just when Mare came she was bordering on throwing the board into a corner. Only knowing that the entity before her could easily stomp her into the dust reigned her in.
Breakfast was a fast and silent affair and Zesshi decided to flex her muscles, not without Ainz sending Mare to accompany her. She opened the front and walked out. Once outside she stretched her arms, legs and back. Cracking her knuckles she looked out of the castellum. On the low ground was the camp of Re-Esize. It was unruly and barely anything more than a mob.
"Why do they continue to disregard any tactic and strategy?" Zesshi hissed.
"I-I think they don't understand that n-nothing can s-stand against a supreme being an-and its wishes." Mare replied.
"So they are just to stupid?" Zesshi asked and Mare nodded, a blush on his face.
Zesshi and Mare continued to walk around the camp, talking with some soldiers of Baharut. Just as it got hotter and hotter, Zesshi decided to go back into the tent. Sadly for her, the relief of the cold wouldn't be for her. Lord Ainz went outside and waved her over.
"What can I do for you, Lord Ainz?" Zesshi inquired.
"A messenger arrived. It is customary to meet before battle and try to negotiate. I as a party within this war will join the negotiations and you will accompany me. Mare and Sebas will wait here on ready. Tell Mare of his order, as I need to prepare some safety measures." lord Ainz ordered.
"As you wish, lord Ainz." Zesshi said and walked back to Mare.
"Mare, lord Ainz wants you and Sebas to be at the ready." Zesshi told him. He nodded and sprinted towards the tent.
"Such a shame he is so shy." Zesshi mused, as she went to lord Ainz.
Both Lord Ainz and her then continued to go towards the imperial tent. Once there they met Arachne, who greeted them with respect. Then came Jircniv. He wore armor in good quality and carried a helmet just under his armpit.
"Good morning, Ainz Ooal Gown. Would you like to go to the negotiations or would you like to prepare first?" Jircniv asked, obviously trying to sound as respectful as ever without losing his face.
"We can go now. If my intel is correct it will be a farce and thus it is better to get it behind us. Less stress then." Ainz replied.
"Just my thoughts there. Then we shall depart." Jircniv smiled and both parties started to move out.
→ Barbo ←
Barbo sat in his tent when the messenger came back. Usually he wouldn't even bother, but he knew most of his supporters were traditionalists and thus would react badly if negotiations were not tried.
"I take it they don't want to negotiate?" Barbo asked, hoping that he guessed right.
"They want to negotiate in the middle between the camps." The messenger corrected and some nobles were a bit flabbergasted.
"That is something new." Barbo thought and didn't know how to react for a second.
"Then I will go with two nobles. Any volunteers? Any disagreements?" Barbo asked.
Seeing his great resolve he didn't see any dissidents, for now. Even his future father-in-law was shaking head. Two nobles stepped forward. One was Marquise Blumrush. The other was a face he hadn't seen before.
"But it doesn't matter. I will be victorious and thus will need witnesses for my glory. I just hope it will go well." Barbo thought.
"Then prepare horses and a few men. Can't be sure with the monster all around." Barbo ordered and the messenger shot out of the tent.
"What will be the conditions for ending the battle peacefully?" Boullope asked, seemingly unsure himself.
"The total surrender of the enemy. They are fighting our rightful rule for far too long. They should also hand over the monsters, or the means to control them." Barbo laughed. Some of the nobles fell into his laughter while others were stunned at his great plan.
Barbo and his noble entourage had another glass of wine before they received confirmation that the horses were ready.
The nobles were moving to their horses to get going. Once all were in their saddle he waved at his loyal levied men and turned around. The other two nobles, Marquise Blumrush and a Baron called Phillip something Montserrat, copied his actions. Then they, together with a cavalry escort, rode out of the camp.
They closed in on the center, where the lofty emperor was already with his entourage. Two imperial knights and a woman in a wheelchair, who was pushed by a good looking maid, accompanied him. The other part of their party was composed of a skeleton and a spider-beast-demi-human.
"How the mighty have fallen. I couldn't imagine asking an undead and such disgusting beast for help." Barbo thought.
Once they got closer, Barbo and his noble entourage dismounted and came closer. He observed Jircniv closer.
"I am a little disappointed, I thought he would be taller and stronger." Barbo hissed towards his nobles.
"Indeed. But look at the cuties with him." Philip filled in.
"True." Barbo agreed.
Once they came closer one of the imperial knights came towards the middle.
"The emperor agreed to these negotiations and would like to know your proposition before we present ours, as you asked for negotiations." Leinas told his party.
"I, prince Barbo, demands the total surrender of the renegade proving of Baharut. I also demand the monsters to surrender to the control of the Re-Estize Kingdom, so that I may be able to weed out the disgusting beasts." Barbo placed his proposal before them.
The reaction was immediately palpable. Disbelieve. Anger. Fury. All was clearly on their tongue. But none of them dared to speak their mind. His nobles and he himself smirked at this.
"Even the beasts know that we are far superior. They are controlling their speech. Ahh. I should have placed the bar higher." Barbo thought.
"We demand the acquisition of E-Rantel and surrounding lands, including the forest of tob, to the forming Sorcerer kingdom of Ainz Ooal Gown. Furthermore we demand reparations to the Slane Theocracy for the massacres, which victimized thousands of their citizens. Baharut is here to support the claims of Ainz Ooal Gown and those of the citizens of Slane Theocracy." Leinas brought forth.
"I don't think you have any demands to make, as Baharut is nothing more than a weak renegade-province." Barbo replied.
"I would disagree, Prince Barbo. Baharut and Nazarick can easily destroy your forces. This would mean that Re-Estize would have lost roughly 8 percent of its able male population. This will drastically decrease the economy and thus taxes. We on the other hand will not fear defeat, as Nazarick, Old-mother and Ainz Ooal Gown do not know defeat." The women in the wheelchair dared to speak up.
"Hasn't my sister told father about a woman in a wheelchair who caught the fancy of their so-called emperor? Ari? Arachi? Arachama was her name, I think." Barbo thought.
"Look at you cuty, wouldn't it be far better to serve me than this skeleton?" Barbo heard and observed Philip ogling the spider-beast, which scrunched her nose.
"You are nothing but a fly on the floor. Weak, useless and shortsighted." it replied and Philip looked abashed.
Blumrush meanwhile looked angry, his gaze just turning towards him.
"He must be scandalized about their gall. Completely understandable." Barbo thought.
"I can tell you something, cripple. Once we defeated Baharuts armies and the beasts of yours. I will take you, then I will show you what a real man can do. Then I will sell you. You are nothing more than a worthless piece of meat. What can you do about it, eh? And your worthless old-hag you call a mother will be nothing more than a prostitute for our kingdom. Such will be your fate when we win this battle and your weaklings magic will do nothing against this fate of yours." Barbo hissed in anger, which was against their arrogance.
"I see. You aren't rational any more. Thus negotiations are ill advised for us." This cripple, in her obscenity, told them.
"When we win, I could probably take the beauty there." Philip agreed and Barbo nodded, since he found her ugly.
Marquise Blumrush's head meanwhile grew redder and redder.
"Understandable, after all, they dare to not treat us as our superiority demands." Barbo thought.
→ Zesshi ←
Zesshi grew more furious at the second. First they dared to use inflated demands, which were just shy behind their egos. Then they called her and the denizens of Nazarick as beasts. Though she knew that he wouldn't say it, she knew Lord Ainz would like to destroy this prince himself. She never saw anyone stupid enough to call Lord Ainz a "skeleton". Given she usually wasn't around lord Ainz and rather enjoyed cuddling with mom. But the thought counted in her head.
Then the maggot dared to speak to her in such a derogatory manner, only for its master to give even stupider demands.
"What a farce." Were her thoughts, until she heard him say some particular lines.
"I can tell you something, cripple. Once we defeated Baharuts armies and the beasts of yours. I will take you, then I will show you what a real man can do. Then I will sell you. You are nothing more than a worthless piece of meat. What can you do about it, eh? And your worthless old-hag you call a mother will be nothing more than a prostitute for our kingdom. Such will be your fate when we win this battle and your weaklings magic can do nothing against this fate of yours." Barbo hissed.
Zesshi felt a vein pop on her forehead. The little maggot then asked for her as a spoil.
Now Zesshis fury was in her mouth and she grew angrier by the second.
"You dare to speak about mother like that? I can show you how we 'beasts' treat pests like you. I think this qualifies as attacking our honor, Lord Ainz." Zesshi hissed. She had seen the flames in his eyes shine more violently at the prince's declaration and knew he was holding back his emotions right now. She could have sworn that the flames were now in the color of blood and not jewels.
"I agree. It is clear to me that the only 'purpose' of this farce was to throw insults. I will end the negotiations here. Arachama the elder doesn't deserve this treatment and I as leader of Nazarick will restore her honor as she is currently unable to." Ainz promised.
"Such a weak monster, once we have control we know where to start to weed out this scum. Thanks for the info skeleton." the prince laughed.
Zesshi felt anger rise to her face. Her eyes were partially closed and Zesshi, with the emotional support of Lord Ainz, held her emotions back. Jircniv meanwhile nodded.
"I agree. These so-called negotiations are a farce. I would like to restore the honor of the young lady here, but I believe there will be nothing left for us after noon." Jircniv agreed.
Arachne obviously tried to keep her tears back, as Zesshi knew she had a sweet heart. The delegation of Re-Estize seemed smug and had the gall to smirk at them. Then lord Ainz casted "Gate". All went through the portal and arrived within the camp.
Just when they arrived Zesshi heard Arachne sniff a bit. Jircniv immediately ran over and tried to help her. Nimble meanwhile went to get some cloth towels. Just as Zesshi wanted to go she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"To make this as clear as possible. Nothing from the talks reaches the ears of either Sebas, Mare or any other floor guardian through you. I don't want to picture the damage they would do to innocents for this. I want to take them on. I want to punish them as I see fit." Lord Ainz ordered.
"I will not talk if I can restore my mothers honor. She took me in, not needing to. Mom taught, fed and trained me. She cares for all of us and is certainly the best I ever had." Zesshi adamantly told him, later asking herself where she gathered the guts to do so.
"I have known her for the longest time. I will not have my closest friend be attacked in such a manner and certainly not by such upstarts." Lord Ainz whispered.
"But you want me to keep my mouth shut. I want to destroy them." Zesshi replied.
"I don't want you injured. I can't imagine how Aracha would react to that." Ainz stated.
"I wouldn't be. How about this? I will attack them. If they get too strong you take over. For that chance to restore mom's honor I will keep my mouth shut. Otherwise I can easily contact Albedo myself." Zesshi smiled, holding a "Message" scroll at her developing chest.
"Argh. Alright. But at the first sign…" Ainz began.
"You will take over. Either case, the Re-Estize kingdom shall pay for their crime." Zesshi finished, a smug smile on her face.
Lord Ainzs eye-flames dampened for a short while and then grew back. He reached a hand out. Zesshi grabbed it and shook it. Afterwards she placed the scroll back into a pouch at her armor.
"Do you have any plans for the battle?" Lord Ainz asks.
"I certainly have. I planned to …*whisper*" Zesshi whispered her plan to him and he nodded.
She even saw his eye-flame flare up at some points.
"Then I agree. Prepare everything you need.
→ Ainz Ooal Gown ←
The mood in the castellum was mixed. Most people were outraged at how the rumored future wife of the emperor had been treated. At least nearly all, by now, knew that he fancied her. Jircniv, in all his glory, still had trouble finding a way to communicate his feelings towards her. But all else knew that he was falling more and more for her.
Arachne, in the end, managed to gather herself with the help of Nimble and Jircniv. Though she looked terrible with red eyes and tear stains on her cheeks. Jircniv walked over to lord AInz, who then signaled for Zesshi to come over.
"She will do it, since she has learned too much from Arachama." Lord Ainz explained, with a bit of respect and regret in his voice.
"Is that so? I thought we wanted to crush them." Jircniv asked.
"Her plan is good. In case of its failure I will destroy them with a super tier spell and be done with them." Lord Ainz answered.
"Then nothing remains for me. How can I restore her honor?" Jircniv asked, pointing towards Arachne.
"Prepare your cavalry, give them these potions. They contain pheromones, which will enable them to pursue." Lord Ainz proposed, giving a crate of potions to nimble, while Jircniv nodded.
"That would be agreeable." Jircniv agreed.
"THEY ARE PREPARING!" shouted the sentry. All soldiers prepared themselves outside the castellum. Jircniv immediately ran for his cavalry. Lord AInz waved Zesshi to his side and both walked into the center of the formation.
"Are you ready?" Lord Ainz asked.
"Yes. I want to avenge my mother. They will bathe in my fury and will curse the day they insulted mom." Zesshi smirked, an evil glint danced across her eight eyes.
"You partially remind me of her. Back then. Though the means are different, the sentiment is the same. She never took it easy if anyone dared to harm any of our group, and later her daughters. That is what I like about her." Ainz told Zesshi, who blushed a bit.
"What did she use back then?" Zesshi inquired, curious about the reply.
"She liked to call it 'deeper-wallet-policy'. As long as she has much deeper wallets, the enemy would be vulnerable. That is how she liked to deal with problems back then. Nowadays she still likes it, but in a different way." Lord Ainz reminescended, seemingly smiling.
→ Zesshi ←
A gust of wind went through Zesshis hair as she observed Re-Estize finishing their preparations. Baharut meanwhile was almost ready, the cavalry being the last, smearing the potions on their armors.
"Can I ask you one thing?" Zesshi asked.
"What would it be?" Lord Ainz inquired.
"When we win now, will my mother wake up today?" Zesshi wanted to know.
"Yes she will. And we both should be scared out of our minds about what we will be doing. It is quite odd though." Lord AInz shuddered.
"I think I know what you mean. I feel fear and happiness at the same time." Zesshi sighed and another gust of wind went through her hard. This time it was far stronger than and her hair was standing up. Thirteen strands were flowing in the air, as if they were tails on her head.
"Are you ready?" Lord Ainz made sure.
"Yes. Let's begin "Einherjar". Let me avenge mom." Zesshi whispered.
Zesshi felt a bit of her magical power leave her body and it formed a carbon copy of her. Even the scythe was there.
→ Re-Estize army ←
The army was observing the strange duo in front of the enemy. A skeleton and a beautiful woman, if you ignored that she was down her waist a spider. Suddenly a white smoke seeped from the woman and formed a copy of her. Then the copy positioned herself before the beauty, as if protecting her.
The nobles looked curiously while many of the younger levies dressed her down in their mind. But soon the copy moved towards them. At first it was leisurely. Then the speed increased. Just when arrows were fired she disappeared and reappeared in front of them. A scythe cleaved through the first line. A dance enveloped and levies were gutted, decapitated and maimed. The levies tried to kill it with their spears and shields, to no avail. Suddenly the copy stopped.
The copy first blew and then exploded, a giant cloud of smoke covered the army. The levies couldnt even see their own waist. Arms were only visible to their elbows. The only indicator that the formation still stood was the clustering of cheap armor.
Suddenly cries echoed within the cloud and the formation broke. Gargles filled the air, and the humming of insects was with it. Thousands if not millions of small feet were tapping in synchronization, giving a disturbing mixture of an army with better discipline than them and filling the army with fear of the unknown. It sounded lighter than a normal army of men. But it promised doom.
The frontline encountered the threat first, still feeling around and searching for the others. The first things they felt were insect bites and blood leaving their bodies. Then they felt how maggots gnawed through their flesh. They cried in pain and wished it to stop. They fell to the ground, as their legs gave in. Just as they were inches away from the sweet touch of death, the maggots were on their skin and developed into more flies, which gave chase to the next line.
Relief went through the line, at least the ones that survived, only for bulges to appear. Those bulges moved on their own accord and pain filled the soldiers. Then they popped open, splashing blood, puss and secretions everywhere. Spiders, similar to the black widow, crawled out. They had a toxic green tip on their abdomen and were as tall as a fingernail. They bit their victim and the pain increased. Breathing got harder and harder. Then, to the relief of their souls, their heart stopped and they ceased to be alive.
The spiders, flies and mosquitos gnawed, bit, sucked and terrorized their way through one line after another.
→ Zesshi ←
Zesshi stood beside Ainz and saw how her 'Einherjar' cleaved through the enemy. A sigh escaped her lips.
"If they hadn't insulted mom I would have left it at that or let Lord Ainz deal with this. But sadly for them I need to punish them." Zesshi thought and breathed in. The gust of wind still held her hair up, though Zesshi was sure it was her magic, as she had seen mother have something similar, if angered.
Her 'Einherjar' burst open and covered the entire field, except the castellum and a small parameter, in smoke.
"Lets begin. "Summon: Swamp-swarm" and "Storm of Flies". Let me see how you will handle my spellcraft." Zesshi glared at the cloud.
Many summoning-circles appeared. Mosquitos the size of a finger flew out of them. A gigantic cloud of mosquitoes was around the army, not attacking it but slowly flying towards the white smoke. Together with all the flies Zesshi summoned they colored the sky black and red. The humming vibrated the soldiers of Baharut, some even losing their balance. The hearts tried to match the humming and thus the soldiers had problems breathing. The horses were almost panicking.
"I love this. It will be my magnum opus. All for you, mother, even if you will never see this. All for you." Zesshi thought, a single tear rolling down her cheek.
The cloud merged with the smoke and cries filled the field. Then Zesshi stretched her arm out. She imagined where the corpses should be and focused.
"Let's put it up a notch "Summon: Widow-swarm", let's see how much remains" Zesshi smiled, knowing what would happen inside the cloud.
"I think moms honor is restored." Zesshi smiled.
"That it is." Lord Ainz patted her head, "That it is."
Zesshi leaned in and imagined it would be her mothers hand.
→ Barbo ←
Barbo was angry. While his nobles were positioned outside the cloud they saw nothing.. He wanted to know what was happening and stomped up and down. Nothing came from the cloud. No sound, sight or any movement gave any indications of what was happening.
"How am I to give orders if I can't even see what is going on?" he thought, trying to keep his composure.
Then a miracle happened and the cloud of smoke dispersed. The picture that came afterwards would be hard to forget. The entire center was nothing more than a pool of dry gore. No blood, only bones, puss, flesh and entrails.
The flanks were in the process of being devoured. The one doing it is still standing on the hill, being patted like a good dog. Barbo was livid.
Then all hell broke loose. The levies began to run. Panic had set in. The noble in his back also started to ride away. It was madness. Barbo, not seeing a chance, took the reins of his horse and decided to lead his supporters to safety and fled with them.
→ Jircniv ←
The entire day was terrifying. First he had to be the perfect host to his guests. Otherwise his empire might be doomed. Then the negotiations had attacked his Arachama into distress and questioned her honor.
"And now whatever this is." reminiscent Jircniv as he observed the devouring of an entire army of roughly 400 000 men.
"At least I now know why Fluder is so happy about learning entomancy. What did he call it? 'The most versatile magic there is?' I now understand why. She can spy everything about you, without you noticing and she can destroy you without problems. It is quite terrifying. But that makes my Arachama even more interesting." Jircniv thought. Though the thought of Arachama kept her calm. She was on his side. He just knew it.
"I think I should speed up my plans soon." He whispered and saw Leinas and Nimble smirk.
"If you wish, I am sure Leinas has some ideas on her tastes." Nimble winked.
"I don't like her that way…" Jircniv said, a faint blush was fought down. But he knew his mask had failed for a short while as he saw Leinas hide her smile.
"We know. Just be sure to make your plans fast. Cant have another man claim her as his wife, can we?" Nimble smirked and Jircniv groaned.
The enemy cohesion was broken down and the insects got more and more in numbers. Then Zesshi nodded at him.
"That is the sign. Cavalry, chase down these rabid dogs!" Jircniv ordered and trumpets carried that order. The horsemen immediately charged, trusting their emperor. Small hesitation was seen before they entered the cloud of insects.
Later that day he received his reports. No life was lost on either side of Baharut or Nazarick.
He would achieve his goals. He restored his love's honor, won a great victory and knew where his position in the coming order was.
He also decided on a strategy to win over Arachama.
→ Ainz ←
As the battle was finished Ainz thought about many things. Some were more strategic, others concerned with his continued existence if Arachama ever learned of the last few days. Just as afternoon hit he walked to Jircniv, who was still staring at the field.
"I will be going now. Zesshi and my other subordinates will rest for a short while. Arachama will be contacted by my ol… eh young friend. Then negotiations with the enemy will be opened. Do you have any demands to Re-Estize or whatever? If yes you can give them to Arachama and she will give them to my friend. I am sure my friend will keep them in mind." Ainz told the young emperor, which he started to like.
"That is a great idea. I will go to my palace in short order to prepare some rewards for great contributions to our victory in this war. I am sure one or two legions can remain here to guard your subordinates?" Jircniv told him.
"Then I wish you farewell. "Gate" I am sure we will see each other again." Ainz bid his farewell and then went through his trusted portal.
Once close to E-Rantel he equipped his 'Doppelganger Ring' and armor. The noble Momon was back in E-Rantel to gather his 'wife'. But only after he had rested his nerves and wrote some reports.
A few hours later he was finished and thus went to go for Nabe. Nabe had gathered supplies and brought some documents to the guild and he wasn't sure how far the enemy would flee. He just hoped he could gather information in E-Rantel about their numbers.
On the streets the mood was starting to sour and many people were packing. He went to the guild and then upstairs towards Ainzachs office. Once there he met Nabe, who was just leaving the Ainzach office. He walked inside and placed his arm around Nabes shoulder. Then they heard tumult downstairs.
"Good day, Momon. I hope you are not here for business? You should be somewhere else and enjoy your honeymoon." Ainzach jokes.
"No. I am only here to gather my wife. But it seems that danger is on the horizon." Momon replied.
"That is sadly true. Let me accompany you to the door, seeing as there is some ruckus downstairs." Ainzach smiled and the group walked to the stairs.
There Ainz had to suppress his own intent to kill the maggot before him. Barbo was standing there. Staring at Ainzach and then Nabe. Lust in his eyes glared at Ainz.
"I am here to get adventurers. Me and some nobles need safe traveling to the capital. I am sure this beauty would do…" Barbo suggested and grabbed Nabe at the but.
Nabe now popped a vein on her forehead. She grabbed him and threw him down the stairs he had just walked up.
"Don't dare touch me worm. Only my l-husband is allowed to do that." Nabe hissed.
The tumult, which had been loud downstairs, immediately stopped as the prince landed face first into the ground. Blood came from his nose as he stood up. He drew his sword and glared at Nabe.
"I am the prince. I take whatever women I want, however I want and when I want." he shouted.
The hall was completely quiet and all eyes turned to the prince. Ainz meanwhile was fighting to not kill the prince, as Arachas 'Spider Papers' had told him that he would be an easier foe than his brother. But the temptation was there, and it was strong for Ainz.
"You will not touch my wife again, or I will put you six feet under." Momon hissed. Ainzachs eyebrows shot to his forehead and almost merged with his normal hair
"Shut your mouth you filthy commoner." the prince angrily replied.
"That is enough. I will not tolerate such disgusting behavior in my guilds halls." Ainzach shouted.
"That is good. Throw the wannabe hero out then." The prince ordered.
"I meant you, young prince. I will not tolerate your behavior. I will declare a boycott against the Re-Estize ruling house, Ryle Vaiself. I don't care how you get to your home, but I can see that none of our adventurers disagrees with my boycott. Now be gone before I widen that to include the nobility with you." Ainzach hissed, obviously trying to hold back.
The prince, realizing that he is in a deadly situation, decides to retreat.
"I will never forget your faces and what you did." he promised.
"I hope you don't. Then you can reflect and learn proper behavior." Ainzach replied under his breath.
"Nabe and I will go now. I am sorry that you have to deal with this…" Ainz began.
"No problem. I am sorry you had something like that happen to you." Ainzach sighed and Ainz left.
Just as Ainz and Nabe were within their rented room, Ainz transformed back and left a few 'Shadow Demons' to scout the city for enemy forces.
"I hope everything is ok?" Ainz asked Nabe, who looked at him.
"I am sorry. I shouldn't have let him touch me." Nabe sniffed.
"Everything will be fine." Ainz said, kissing the back of Nabe's head. It would soon develop further than just kissing.
→ Zesshi ←
Zesshi was lying in her bed and just reading through a book. While she had enjoyed destroying the enemy army, it had left her completely mana-less for now. She was exhausted and Sebas was adamant that she should rest. He was even standing just outside her tent.
Soon enough she fell asleep. She felt safe and turned some times, only to feel a stroke against her hair. She turned a few times until she gave up on sleep. She found herself in her room again, Entoma caressing her hair. Zesshi decided to stand up and Entoma let her.
"Why?" Zesshi asked, still rubbing her eyes.
"Sebas brought you and your things here when you slept. The others are also here. Just rest if you need." Entoma beamed and Zesshi relaxed again, cuddling with Entoma.
"Is mother already awake?" Zesshi inquired.
"Lord Ainz told us that he will be here shortly. Then she will awaken. I can't wait to cuddle mom again." Entoma told Zesshi, who felt her cry.
"It was a hard time, eh?" Zesshi said, stroking Entoma.
Both were cuddling for roughly an hour, when Arche ran inside to tell them that Lord Ainz arrived.
→ Arachamas Dreamland / Arachama ←
Arachama turned around in her dream, eyes still closed. She didn't want to lose the last picture she had of her children. All clamoring at her. It felt terrible, but Arachama knew it was needed. Sadly she couldn't keep her eyes closed and opened them.
She was in a clearing in a forest. The ground was carpeted in thick moss. It was fluffy and made her feel at ease. She then decided to look around. A small stump had a tray on it with cookies, fruits, tee and water. A bigger one was covered in moss and had a pillow and blanket. She looked inside the forest. There were trees upon trees. As she felt bored she tried to get through. After roughly ten meters she had to watch out and clamored back. It was a gigantic island, in the middle of the sky. No land was in sight, except her small island.
She went back and found two figures seated there.
One of them was a man with blond hair. He was a bit thin and wore a business suit. It had burn holes and looked expensive. He carried a drink and sat upon a suitcase.
The girl beside him, probably twelve years old was also blond and looked similar to Arche. Except she had a blue summer dress. She ate a small ice cream and was seated on a suitcase, though it was smaller.
Arachamas eyes got tears and she began to cry. That was her former family. She had missed them and this was too much for her. She couldn't keep her emotions in check.
"Mom, is everything alright?" The girls asked, as she stood up.
"I missed you." Arachama whined, tears kept streaming down her face.
"We know, Yamana." Her former husband said.
"I hope you do." Yamana sighed and kept hugging her little girl.
"That's why we are here. We need to talk." the father inside the group smiled.
"How can you be in my dreams?" Arachama asked.
"Just this morning the veil between the world of the living and the dead was drastically weakened. This enabled us to move into your dream. I know that it wouldn't be long for me. But I couldn't let this opportunity go. I needed to see you one final time. The little munchkin here came along." he winked and Yamana laughed.
"Is that true Kimihiko?" Yamana asked.
"I missed you mom." Kimihiko smiled and jumped deeper in Yamanas hug.
They were cuddling for roughly five minutes, then the husband coughed into his fist to get their attention.
"I can't stay much longer. I know you miss her. If all goes well you will see Kimihiko much more, Yamana. Please live the life you want. Make her happy." Her former husband said, kissing her forehead. He had always kissed her there when they separated. In their childhood until he forgot it on the day of their flight.
"What do you mean?" Yamana asked and Kimihiko changed in front of her.
A small Arachne was infront of her, similar to her but yet different. It was like a spirit. She then turned into smoke and seeped into Arachama.
"You will see. Live well, darling. Do it for me and our daughter." Her former husband said and began to dissolve. Soon enough Arachama sat alone in the clearing. Only two suitcases.
She opened them and found two important pictures. One was of her family. Kamihiko was in her lap and had played with the hair, which hugged her face. Her husband was smiling at the camera. The other was a picture of her and her husband at their wedding. Both hand in hand, kissing each other. A letter popped in front of her.
"You can have the pictures, since I will move on. They should be in your inventory." Arachama read loudly. Then the island shimmered golden and Arachama closed her eyes.
→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion / Arachama ←
Arachama felt heat return to her body. The smell of the clearing had disappeared and soon enough she opened her eight eyes. Her daughters were all around her. Monga stood in front of her and his eyes flared a bit. Yuri, Fith, Foire and Tuare waiting at the door.
Arachama yawned and felt tired.
"Good morning, I guess?" Arachama asked and smiled.
"Mom." A chorus of her children sounded through the building. Nearly all of her children jumped at her. Zesshi remained a bit back.
Soon enough Arachama was awake and cuddled with her children. Monga and Zesshi remained a bit distant.
After another hour of silent cuddling she sent them all out, so she could get dressed properly. She entered the living room, where Arachne, Monga and Zesshi waited. Arachne seemed relaxed, while Monga and Zesshi found great interest in the carpet.
"I think I can wait till tomorrow for the report, little child." Arachama said and hugged Arachne from behind and planted a caring kiss on her back.
"As you wish, old-mother." Arachne said and used "Teleportation" to get out of the living room.
"What happened?" Arachama asked, knowing the look Zesshi gave her. She also knew Monga enough to know that something didn't go as planned.
"I guess you remembered our deal?" Monga asked, looking out the window.
"Yes. Zesshi wouldn't see any combat. That was the main part." Arachama asked, her hair forming thirteen tails.
"Today was a battle at Katze Plains. I took a major part in it. But I wasn't in melee. I just used summons." Zesshi tried. Arachama observed Zesshi.
"And?" Arachama asked, knowing that Zesshi had done more. Zesshi tended to swirl her left most outer braid when she omitted a bit of the truth.
"I might have also fought at Colognium. But I am not injured, mom. All did go well." Zesshi tried, a pleading look in her eyes.
"I am not angry with either of you. I am sure Monga was making sure you survived and thus I will forget Katze Plains." Arachama began, hearing a deep sigh from Monga. Zesshi also relaxed and had a smile on her face.
"But I will not forgive Colognium. You are grounded, young lady, until I deem it safe enough that the lesson sunk in." Arachama finished smiling and Zesshi nodded, trying to look as innocent as possible.
"Yes, mom." Zesshi replied. Afterwards Arachama gave Monga a small hug and then cuddled with Zesshi.
"Anything else?" Arachama asked.
"The guardians want to have a celebration for this successful step for the great plan. I want you to be there." Ainz said.
"When is it?" Arachama asked.
"Tomorrow evening. They also want to test alcohol. They insist that everyone removes any items, which disable toxins, as those would hinder the effects of it." Ainz explained and Arachama lifted four eyebrows.
"Whatever. I am too tired to figure out any plans. Zesshi, from now on you will remain within my eyesight. I would also order you in my dreams, but I am unable to carry you there, so you will only sleep with me from now on. During the day you are in the same room as I. I hope I am understood?" Arachama ordered and Zesshi nodded sagely.
"That would be hard with your next assignment. I need you to negotiate with the kingdom, wouldn't that interfere?." Monga tried
"It wouldn't be a problem. Last time I checked I can have her in the same carriage as me. She can even be present at the negotiations. But this is her incentive for not throwing herself into carnage, battle and danger all the time." Arachama smiled and Monga nodded, probably seeing her quiet fury inside her eyes.
"Good. we will see each other tomorrow at this party." Arachama bade farewell and Monga took the clue and left.
Arachama tried to stand up, but Zesshi clamored at her. So they cuddled until both fell asleep within the living room.
→ Katze Plains / Patroul ←
It was typical for Baharuts legion to patrol around their castellum, to ensure their safety. Especially at Katze Plains, where the deaths stacked so high in history that the undead simply showed up without an end in sight. It also ensured that Baharut would know if the enemy regrouped and tried to attack.
The patrol had controlled the area in their back and was now advancing down hill. The sound of loose gravel echoed through the Katze Plains. They closed in on the field of massacre.
"Quite terrifying, don't you think?" One soldier told the other.
"What? The corpses, how they were killed or the scenery here?" came the reply.
"All three. Look, they are still wet and glimmer." answered another.
They got closer until they would have to climb the dead. It was more of a dead mass than separate people. Faces, still filled with agony and screams showed them the horror their ally had unleashed. A shudder went down the spine of the patrol.
They continued to advance when the one in the front held his arm up. It was a signal for all to stop.
"Do you hear that?" the frontman asked.
They all listened and then they heard smacking sounds and the breaking of bones. Then it stopped.
"Give me the torch." The oldest soldier ordered and prepared a bit of tinder. His torch got brighter and now illuminated much more.
The patrol fought a shock as they looked in front of them. A sea of red eyes, never ending as the horror of the battlefield. The soldiers were shocked.
"I have no eye-gaze, but I watch-see." They heard and fear crept deeper into their spine. Panic settled in and the group fled.
They reported it and once a larger group was out, the corpses were gone. The only remains were pieces of bones, which were gnawed down. No flesh, no innards and no culprit.
AN: There was the battle of Katze Plains, and I didnt need to write hundreds of times *splat*. I just hope it got a bit of the feeling of Katze Plains.
I hope you enjoyed this. If you did please, feel free to comment / review
