XIII
Death had always been a recurring occurrence in Rokkan's life. Whether his father ordering him to kill someone for the family or himself cutting away at withered weeds, the constant presence of oblivion haunted him in some way.
A bitter reminder of this fact came to be out of the void. His first conscious thought when her acquired a semblance of life again was "murder".
His rage boiled the blood within his veins as his head and body fused back together under a silent cast of regeneration and resurrection magic through his rings, many of which had been gifted to him by the gracious mercy of lady Albedo herself by proxy of her devout servant. Still, even though his ability for reason and speech was gradually coming back, he was unsure of where exactly he was. His eyes were still closed shut, unable to open for an indefinite amount of time.
"What a fool you are. Lowly worm you were, and as a worm you shall perish".
The mocking words of lady Albedo echoed into his mind. Were they ever uttered by her beautiful lips, he wondered? Probably not. But his shattered soul made them real.
Albedo's cackle echoed in his mind, taunting and tempting him to action. He wouldnt give his mistress the satisfaction of doubting him again.
In a sudden display of strength, his eyes finally snapped open, pupils dilated and glowing with fury. Around him everything was dark and damp, filled with the stench of rot and decay. His fingers clenched into fists, rings glinting in the dim light as he slowly rose to stand.
Every muscle in his body ached and screamed in protest. Pain and relief mingled together in a macabre dance as his body regenerated piece by piece so haphazardly it was a wonder he didnt simply fall apart again. But his rage fueled him. An inferno that burned through the pain and lit the only path forward.
Rokkan's brain was throbbing painfully in its newly reformed skull, yet he was glad beyond measure for he was able to think again, feel again, destroy again.
"Lord Bormeliar... I have underestimated his performance. What a gross miscalculation. Horrible, terrible, unforgivable!" he uttered through gritted teeth.
Upon further inspection, Rokkan realized that he was in a small, cramped cave. Around him, tools and utensils were scattered on the ground as well as a plethora of papers detailing autopsy procedures and bags containing remnants of human bodies. He realized with disgust that he had been put into a makeshift morgue most likely ready to be disposed of soon. He directed his attention towards the only exit and took it, opening the wooden trapdoor leading upstairs. The dimly lit halls of the municipal building were in sight. He did not need to move further than that to achieve his revenge.
Rokkan grinned maliciously as he snuck around the corridors leading further into the building. There were fewer guards than expected, probably due to the electoral ceremony. Judging by the time of day he thought, he must have remained there no longer than a few hours. That played out to his advantage as he still had time to recover his strength and muster enough manpower to strike back at the heart of the city. Still he would not make the same mistake twice. He hastily mapped his surroundings and checked every corridor for signs of possible intrusion. None, as many probably had been recalled into the main hall to continue with the celebrations. A voice yet again filled his mind with distorted laughter "Pathetic. And you were so eager to serve me? A mere lump of meat, so weak that a single blow could kill it. Revolting".
"Why do you torment me so, lady Albedo? I just wanted to be useful, to serve my people..." he thought to himself, every second of that mockery stirring his anger and need for revenge "if you really can see me like this... then watch closely".
His steps became more erratic and vigorous. He jumped upwards several flights of stairs evading the few guards still doing the rounds with ease as their lazy patrolling paths had more than a few holes left in them. Eventually, he reached Bormeliar's office, its double doors wide open and unceremoniously made available for former electors and military commanders alike to stand and protest.
Rokkan could see in the corner of his eye many people shouting and screaming vehemently against these glacial eyes of his, the impassive strategist just standing at the window as if he owned the city.
"This election is perfectly legal, I see no reason for complaints" he uttered with firmness in a spiteful retort "please call off your colleagues or you will be expelled at once. I understand your concerns but believe me, under present circumstances the government is actuating what is best for the people".
The guards at the door, as well as the militiamen inside the office, pointed their muskets at the small crowd standing at the doorway as if they had just spotted a treacherous bunch ready to steal the nation's secrets, a gesture which froze the bystanders abruptly.
"If you have nothing else to say, leave the premises. There is much to do still".
A shiver ran through Rokkan's spine while his body began mutating anew, ready to jump out any second. He felt anger and disdain taking hold of his extra sets of limbs as he stood tall whilist his body kept on healing and growing stronger. Yet he also sensed something akin to fear dwell below the surface. He hesitated, probably for the first time in years. What was he afraid of, he asked himself? There was no answer for him to hold on to. Perhaps he concluded through gritted teeth, he was simply a coward. Throwing caution to the wind was not an option, maybe it would have been best to just wait it out and strike from the shadows. But his pride forbid it. Then why wasnt he moving a single muscle?
"Cowardice is the gravest of sins" Albedo's suave voice yet again called out to him and hissed words of disapproval in his mind "what are you waiting for, my servant? Are you truly my servant or just pretending to be one? In that case, it would have been better if you stayed dead".
The harsh words he kept hearing came from nowhere, seemingly a product of his imagination. But somewhere deep in his soul he felt a surge of conviction that spurred him into action.
"True... I cant let her down. I must become this nation's leader. The city needs my guidance!"
He rushed into the office without a care. Nobody was standing in his way, his eyes were fixated only on his current target. Bormeliar appeared mildly surprised, his composure admirable.
"Hmm? Pitiful, it seems as though my foot requires more training. This time I will definitely reduce the rest of you to a pulp" the strategist uttered out of spite as he took in the sight of Rokkan's half naked body rushing in towards his location. He sighed and prepared to receive a strike, assuming a defensive fighting position. That pleased Rokkan; the mere fact that Bormeliar seemed to be taking him seriously gave him confidence. He did prepare to strike... However, the punch never reached anywhere.
A powerful gust of wind blew away paperwork and furniture alike, blowing up all windows simultaneously as a roaring sound coming from the depths of the earth shattered the building from its foundations. Violent shockwaves followed by endless rumbles split the floor and all of its occupants, destabilizing the whole structure. Bormeliar realized with a hint of shock and disbelief what was about to happen just as he tried to warn the guards in his proximity; not a single soul among the bystanders survived.
The crumbling structure fell like a castle of cards among unseen explosions. The screams of the few who had a chance to embrace their destiny for about a few seconds more before being crushed by the rubble soon died out and darkness took hold of Rokkan's surroundings once more. This time however, not for long.
His arms were strong enough to free themselves from most of the debris and stone walls crumbled around him. As he took a deep breath and freed himself from these bloody remnants, he saw a glimpse of the sun fading behind a thick layer of smoke, and directly behind it, large black wings.
"A giant crow? No, a... an angel?" his mind tried to process what had just appeared before him. Then it all fell into place.
"Lady Albedo? The real queen of Nazarick, in the flesh... That cant be right can it?"
The figure before him had nothing to do with humanity. A slender body which reminded him of a sultry wench whose features might have been able to stun the most strong willed man alive, yet her complexion was pale beyond belief and her yellow eyes seemed to be glowing with a white shade just below the pupil. Her long hair had somehow fused with her wings which looked sharp as a razor, adorning her head like a black crown as they flexed around her shoulder blades, extending as far as the eye could see. The vision was both divine and dreadful at the same time; even someone who was used to murder and all sorts of heinous acts would feel compelled to run away for the briefest time.
Rokkan's heart hammered in his chest as he knelt in the small space between himself and the ruined floor of the building. He could not believe that his chance to settle all of his scores at once was finally approaching.
"I am Marquis Rokkan Drykven, here to serve you dutifully" he stated with trembling hands, desperately trying to suppress the anxiety welling up inside of him "it is an honor to be able to witness your splendor in all its glory. Please accept my servitude. I have heard your words clearly and I'm ready to fulfill my duty under your guidance".
Albedo seemed uninterested in that little man flailing his arms and prostrating like an ant, far below her lowest expectations. To her, in that precise instant, the world felt like a stage where her play could be reharsed again and again without limits. Should she wish for it, the city would be hers without any such help.
"You have proven to be a useful asset" her voice came seemingly from nowhere as her lips did not move and her gaze never moved onto Rokkan once "However, I have no need for your services at this time. Our agreement has reached a standstill. It seems that you are unable to attain your full potential no matter what I give you. Your limitations are too apparent, as for me..."
Albedo's unnaturally tall body grew in size again, her legs towering above the ruined municipal building like a giant ready to crush everything in its path "I have reached far above my true self... my purpose is clear now. Clearer than it has ever been".
Unable to comprehend any of what Albedo was saying, bent as he was on getting what he wanted as he had always been focused solely on himself and his selfish goals, Rokkan nodded away like a madman, smiling broadly with constricted pupils pretending to be front and center on a play he had no role to take part in. To him, what was happening felt surreal and unpredictable, his mind could not register a single word.
"Standstill? How can that be, I have been working tirelessly to support you and the Sorcerer King! Please rest assured that I can still-"
Albedo's right pupil moved slightly to the corner of her eye to meet Rokkan's own gaze. It took just that to silence him; fear wouldnt even begin to describe what he felt in the wake of his mistress' arrogant stare.
"Destiny has chosen a strange ally... one that cant seem to be able to shut up and know what their place is" her voice echoed in Rokkan's mind once again laced with fake sweetness and a hint of displeasure.
"N-No, you are right. I apologize, I got carried away. It wont happen again" he replied meekly as his forehead brushed against the ground "anything to become this city's legitimate ruler...".
Albedo kept silent from there on. She seemed catatonic, tranced, in a daze. Her face spoke of unintelligible delight and endless sorrow. There was deep longing in her eyes, yet her posture and graceful, subtle movements reminded Rokkan of a matron attending matters of importance. He could not understand her, now that he had a chance to finally be closer to her divine form. Had she been like that all along? Was the mysterious lady Albedo a giant capable of shapeshifting? Was she a monster after all? His feeble mind had no way of knowing nor registering what was happening. He simply stood there like a child trying to grasp at simple concepts and failing miserably time and time again.
Yet his will to dominate and see that Flannar got destroyed were too strong for him to hesitate any further.
"Allow me... to crush your enemies" he said in a determined yet confused tone "lord Flannar is still out there. Let me prove myself, my worth to you. You wont regret putting me in charge of this city. Should lord Ainz Ooal Gown ever wish to bargain at the negotiating table, I will be sure to give everything he could ever want".
For the briefest moment Albedo's lips seemed about to part but they never did. A low pitched voice hissed in Rokkan's mind. "Lord Ainz always takes what he wants without compromise. Always. Always, always, always, always..." the word "always" kept being repeated incessantly until Rokkan could not hear it any longer.
Albedo stayed there simply staring at nothing in particular, tilting her head slightly as a gentle morning breeze came in to caress her features. Taking that subtle movement as a "yes" on her part, Rokkan hopped off of his vantage point and rushed down through the streets, ready to meet his old enemies.
"I'm going to gather my forces anew... with her support I'll be unstoppable. I wont be dwelling in the shadows any longer!" he thought to himself in a frenzy of euphoric, maniacal megalomania.
Just as he was about to move, a shadowy figure slightly smaller than Albedo appeared behind her. Once Rokkan's eyes adjusted to the new presence and understood its features, an icy chill made his skin crawl. He did not comprehend... he couldnt. And so his mind surrendered to the physical evidence before him and just accepted whatever would come next, slowly descending into madness.
.
Mako sat on a pile of metallic scraps and broken machinery, fiddling with a small metallic sphere in his hands. His mother's words echoed in his mind, instilling in him a sense of duty and purpose. "You must use your gifts to protect us, my son. To be so young yet so talented, is a miracle that the gods bestowed upon us. We must not waste your potential".
His childlike wonder lent a naive optimism to his inventions, unable to fully grasp their destructive potential. Even as the concept of "bomb" and "death" were fully ingrained into his brain, he could simply not see them. To him, this was but another experiment, a way to exercise his mechanical talents in service of the greater good as he understood it.
His fingers worked deftly, connecting a power source to the sphere and adjusting its electromagnetic pulse to detonate on impact. He had made many such devices in the past, of varying sizes and shapes. This would not be the last for sure.
Satisfied with his work, his lips curled into an excited smile. It was imperative for him to please his mother and his coworkers, to feel the praise that only Risélla could provide. Where were they, he wondered? Perhaps they would all reunite soon. Laor-f'ha had promised him that he would tell them where Mako was as soon as possible. In the meantime, he had to remain hidden. Things had changed so suddenly, yet he could not go back to his mother just yet. Those imperialist invaders needed to be eradicated, that was the only thought that crossed his naive mind. He was not sure of what an "imperialist" really was, but that nomenclature had been used by his mother often while referring to the forces of the Sorcerer King.
Patriotism swelled in his little chest as he imagined the look on his mother's face when news of his success would have reached her. He would be a hero, his name etched into the annals of history as the one who saved their homeland.
Mako leapt to his feet, metallic sphere clutched tightly in hand, and set off on his quest to obliterate the enemy. There was no time to waste, even though Laor-f'ha had asked him to stay put for his own sake, he simply could not do it for too long.
He left his hiding place in pursuit of his next goal through the municiapl building, eager to show off his talents to lord Bormeliar himself. He knew the old strategist was among those whom he perceived as powerful and wielders of authority, yet he was unclear on exactly how much of it he possessed compared to lord Flannar. Certainly a god would be stronger and capable of greater feats, but he had heard from Laor-f'ha that Bormeliar was no mere mortal either.
"I hope he wont be angry with me for disobeying" he thought to himself "but I feel like if I dont do something soon things will get even worse!"
When he reached the plaza, a horrific scene of destruction presented itself to his young eyes. He could not have imagined that such a great amount of blood could exist inside of a human being, let alone those bratty elves of purity. His innocent eyes wandered around the place, scanning for some sign of life.
The municipal building was no more, instead there were piles of rubble and large fires all around its perimeter. The once gorgeous gardens had been set ablaze and black smokestacks could be seen engulfing the scenario. Screams, people running and shouting echoed from all directions.
"Maybe this is the White Witch's doing. Maybe I'm too late..." Mako thought to himself as he ran towards what he perceived as a possible entrance, guided by a broken street lamp still barely functioning. The light source illuminated a torn wooden door that was miraculously keeping a possible passage into the ruins open.
He snuck in, kneeling and crawling through narrow passages until he reached a large open area which had once been an office. He used the rays of sunlight filtering through several gaps in the ceiling and inner walls to gather info on his surroundings and plan where to move next. A feeble voice called out to him.
"You... over here" someone extended a gloved hand out to Mako, their body almost entirely covered in rubble "please child... get me my sword".
Surprisingly, they didnt ask to be freed from underneath the stones and crumbled walls. Instead, they indicated a strange metallic contraption which had been thrown far away from their location. It was barely visible, shining on its side thanks to a few gaps in the ceiling which reflected its immaculate surface. Mako complied, reaching for the strange object, and put it back into the stranger's hand.
"Is this what you need?" he asked timidly "you dont look dangerous... I-I mean, not right now at least".
"Yes child. Thank you". The soft, sweet voice gained confidence and determination as their fingers grasped the object. A small smile formed on their lips "To you, I'll never be. Dont worry". In a flash, a burning green glow emerged from the device, extending several meters upward. A large flame, invigorated tenfold by an unseen anger. The hand swung around and the flame followed, cutting away at the debris as if they were butter. A moment later, the stranger's body was fully visible. A girl with long twintails and burning green and cyan irises stood tall as she brushed away the ashes staining her armor. Her visage emanated an intimidating aura of authority and sheer destructive power. Her body gradually began to glow of a faint green light as her burning blade grew in intensity and size.
"Ah, you are one of my brother's protegees. I think I recall your description" she shook her head to keep a semblance of composure "forgive me for not recognizing you. My memory is still fuzzy. I dont know why you came here of all places, but I'm glad you did".
"I-I was supposed to meet lord Bormeliar at some point... we were planning the defense of the plaza a few days ago. They told me I would be needed..." Mako's eyes were downcast as he tried to gather his thoughts "why... why did this happen? Its all my fault, I should have acted sooner..."
"You are not to blame. You're just a child" the girl knelt and pat his head lovingly "Please dont look at me like that. You have done nothing wrong. If anything, the fact that you are here right now is proof enough that your courage is second to none. I'm sure brother will reward you when all this is over. Now then..."
The girl turned around and observed her surroundings with interest, then she nooded to herself "hop onto my back. Dont be afraid".
Mako complied, clinging tightly to her armor as she took a deep breath and prepared herself to dive into the rubble. She pointed her sword high towards the ceiling and traced a large circle. The green flames engulfing her surroundings melted the crumbled walls with ease, slicing up every remnant again and again. Soon a perfect circle formed above their heads. The girl leaped high and spun on herself, drilling headfirst into the debris. As she plunged in the concrete and brick walls, she took a deep breath. By the time her lips had parted to exhale, her body was out in the open, feet landing on a precarious yet still stable set of tiles plastered with remnants of the ornate hall which had been just above her head. She let Mako climb off of her shoulders and shook off a bit of dirt before confidently strolling towards her target.
"I can sense him. He's still alive" she said, slicing up a large portion of the wall in front of her. The structure crumbled on itself before melting away. Just underneath its now nonexistent weight, Bormeliar's body could be seen. His eyes were closed and he seemed to have been injured badly by the fall. As soon as the girl's hands reached out to grasp at his back, he groaned in pain.
"Cledna... it is you, isnt it? I'm sorry. I couldnt foresee this happening" he muttered while trying to keep his breathing steady "I was a fool. I'm unworthy of my position. I should have-"
"Stop it. There will be time for self-pity. That time isnt now though" Cledna forced herself to keep her composure and steady her resolve "come now. Dont tell me this is enough to break you down. You fought worse enemies than a few concrete walls".
"True... I suppose I have grown soft after all these years behind a desk. If I survive this, I swear that I'll be more closely involved with the militia".
The two stayed silent as Cledna took in the sight of his injuries. Understanding the gravity of the situation she swiftly lifted him up and carried him downward towards the entrance that Mako had used to crawl in. Cledna used her sword yet again to create a larger hole and exited the crumbling structure.
Her eyes darted in all directions taking in the horrific sight of the destroyed plaza, blood and gore splattered at its corners, corpses littering the streets, blinding smoke preventing her from seeing too far.
She was about to head towards the R&D to seek answers in a futile attempt to meet with Risélla and the rest of the crew which she hoped could heal Bormeliar back to full health, yet her uncertain steps were brought to a halt by a strange, unnatural vision. Banners resembling the Sorcerer Kingdom's own domain were standing in the way of a plethora of abandoned carriages. Anxiety and tension seeped deeply into her light frame as she let Bormeliar rest on a broken pillar and shook her sword in the air, producing a larger green flame out of its base.
"So this is a full scale invasion... we have been attacked without a former declaration of war. This is the extent of the Sorcerer King's cruelty. Foolish of us to think he'd spare us the humiliation..."
"Be careful. Dont wander around too far from this position. Do not expose yourself to needless danger" Bormeliar ordered through a small fit of cough "We need you more than ever. The city needs protecting... if the Sorcerer King came this far it means that lord Flannar has been captured. We have to take our time and assess the situation before attempting anything rash".
"I know. But the truth of the matter is that we dont have time to do anything right now. Please let me loose. I feel like... brother needs me". Cledna gritted her teeth in anger and apprehension, advancing cautiously towards a group of unknown bystanders. By focusing hard on her surroundings the girl spotted someone she remembered being an enemy of her nation; a tall devil with sparkling crystal glasses who was standing just a few meters away from the crumbled municipal building beared an uncanny resemblance to one of Ainz Ooal Gown's high ranking officers. The thick smoke prevented her from seeing who they were arguing with, the explosions all around the perimeter deafening her ears.
.
"Bley, please go and find whoever survived the explosion. Bring them all to me" Plurimo asked pleadingly while a few of the surviving soldiers and officers were preparing stretchers and tents to gather supplies and establish a base of operation.
"Look, look! I'll be out here being a good girl, just for you, so nobody will die! Got that?! You better be among them honey or I'll cut your thing off!" Bley replied cheerfully as her slender metallic frame bent over and propelled itself high in the sky like a bullet, landing amidst the rubble. It disappeared into the smoke still lingering around what remained of the rooftop much to the delight of lord Ainz.
"Hmm, perhaps I should have adjusted the amount of magic consumption into her joints before giving her permission to move. Oh well, what's done is done" he thought, smiling internally "Ah, the vigor of youth... well! I'm still young myself after all! I should not dwell on such trivialities like some ancient carcass".
Ainz's gaze moved back to who her perceived as a potential ally and, most certainly, a victim of the circumstances. Flannar was standing a few meters away from him, as if caught in a daze.
"Damn... this isnt the way I wanted it to end" he stammered out, confused and saddened by such a brutal turn of events. His eyes darted around his location, taking in the massive amount of damage and dead bodies littering the streets. The scene could only be describe as apocalyptic for someone who had never witnessed anything more devastating outside of his domain.
"Please believe me this isn't my doing. None of my subordinates would ever do such a thing" he pleaded to Ainz for a sliver of support "I want to find out what is going on as much as you do. Let me handle this".
"Lord Ainz, we cannot trust these ungrateful idiots" Narberal insisted with murderous intent in her pupils "this is far too convenient. We have no choice but to cut them down".
"Regrettably, I have to agree" Demiurge intervened with a small smirk "Lord Ainz, please, let us see reason. As it is often the case, humans and their derivatives - whether flesh and blood or not - tend to be driven by instinct and irrational logic. We are not fools".
While their words certainly held weight and there was merit in their concerns, Ainz thought best not to jump to conclusions. If that same scene had presented itself a few decades before then, he might have heard their words under a different kind of premise. Perhaps the "old Ainz" as he perceived it, might have slaughtered Flannar and his associates without a second thought. Still, what little remained of his humanity begged him not to. The newfound feeling akin to what "empathy" was... a bittersweet reminder ever present within his mind through still images of a life ago. He shook his skull, resentful towards himself for ever looking doubting in front of his subordinates.
"Back down I say" Ainz kept going, on the verge of resorting to his repertoire to freeze everyone in place "Demiurge, there will be a time for reconsideration. This is not it".
Flannar didnt waste any time. He stepped forward and offered his comradery to the soldiers passing through who were hurriedly setting up camp and taking out as many injured as possible. He chose a suitable location away from most of the action and knelt. A faint yellowish aura engulfed his body as he concentrated.
"Patriotic Heart".
Ainz noted an immediate spike in level cap and sheer activity around him. Upon analyzing the situation further, he found it hard to dismiss how the effects of Flannar's casting super tier magic could provide aid to the cause. He was not sure how he intended to do so therefore he stayed vigilant. It was undeniable that it consisted of an AoE spell the size of the whole plaza, or perhaps a little larger than that. Ainz saw no increase in Flannar's own stats, however it seemed as though the workers, soldiers and officers still standing had received a buff.
"Unexpected. I would ask him directly but given the circumstances, I think its best if I act nonchalantly" he thought, seeing as though Demiurge was on the verge of instructing the Pleiades to get rid of Flannar "should I just give him carte blanche and see what happens? No... that would not be wise. Think, think!"
Flannar seemed immobile, concentrated on his own task. The people around him seemed to be feeling reinvigorated and energetic as though they had regained lost decades of their lives. Ainz saw in amazement how effortlessly they started removing large portions of walls and debris much bigger than their own bodies, carrying them away from the entrance to what little remained of the building. Such a monumental task took them mere minutes.
Just as he had made up his mind and was about to finally reach out for a discreet explanation, two figures appeared amidst the darkness created by the smoke surrounding the area. When Albedo's now flaming white eyes came into view, Ainz's nonexistent blood froze. Her form was way taller than she had ever been, almost akin to a giantess. Her wings were larger, unnaturally bent and spiked as if they had been pierced by endless streams of thorns. Her gaze was unfocused and distant, pure malice and a trace of something else which he had no way to interpret.
It also seemed that she had gained a follower of unknown origin who was promptly addressed by Flannar briefly after breaking his own concentration, much to the dismay of his allies who suddenly felt their strength diminish.
After a brief confrontation, the atmosphere in the plaza appeared to have reached a peculiar standstill. Neither the denizens of Nazarick nor Flannar's entourage had any idea of what to do or how to approach the new information. In addition smoke, debris and fire rendered their vision momentarily difficult. The tension between all parties involved was palpable, almost physical. Albedo herself broke its straining weight with her words.
"Welcome home, my love.." she spoke with a mixture of sorrowful realization and exhilarating liberation after her subordinate had made his own hastily put together introduction, much to Ainz's irritation and indignation "oh have I longed for our reunion in such circumstances... you have no idea!"
"Albedo... what is the meaning of this?! Your presence, let alone your appearance. Have you gone mad?" Ainz had no way of addressing her with his usual vernacular in such a state. He found his composure anew after a brief pause, however his disapproval was undeniable.
"Why are you here? Why didnt you tell me?"
Demiurge rubbed his chin deep in thought, evaluating the situation from all perspectives as he kept his distance to briefly consider all options available including tactical retreat to the outskirts and regrouping to organize an assault.
"More than that, why do you allow such a lowlife nobody to address lord Ainz in that needlessly crass manner?" the archdevil asked with a tinge of disappointment in his tone "I would be willing to forgive such impudence if it came from anyone but a rude human with no ties to the political spectrum of this place. What has gotten into you?".
Albedo stood still and took a deep breath which did not betray any emotion within herself. She turned towards Ainz fully and smiled.
"I have no followers. I simply took what was given to me and turned it into an opportunity" she replied "I serve you faithfully... I always have. That is why I am here now. To give you this place, as proof of my love and devotion. In exchange... all I want is your love, your time, your essence!"
Her arms spread wide towards the blackened sky as a rainfall of putrescent mud coated the buildings all around her, unspoken magic casted by sheer will alone. Ainz could barely recognize her demeanor let alone her personality.
"You have gone way too far, Albedo. Please return to Nazarick at once. What you are doing goes against all of my principles"' he replied, still irritated by how her human follower addressed him "there is no rhyme or reason for you to be doing this. These people were surrendering peacefully. Moreover... I still dont understand what you were trying to accomplish by gifting me this place. Perhaps I havent given you enough work? Was the weight of responsibility too high for you to handle? Or were you simply bored? You know you can always tell me all of your problems, my door is-"
Albedo remained silent for a few seconds, then her smile turned into a smirk and finally into laughter, her face contorted into a sickened, rabid version of her own self. Her hands moved to her cheeks as she pulled the skin down to reveal the lower half of her eyesockets, flaming white pupils expanding till they faded into the irises.
"BORED? Oh, was I bored? Bored? Ahaha! Bored!" her high pitched voice echoed across the ruined plaza and pierced into the bystanders' skulls as if ordering them to listen, filling them with dread "You dont understand... you truly must be an impostor. Lord Momonga... there is no other explanation... years after years after YEARS of waiting! Silent torment... the nights I spent alone were all worth it, to see this day come true. Please, come my love. Come and witness the special place I conquered just for you".
These words seemed to be spoken for someone else other than Ainz as she turned her head back a few times, eager for someone or something to keep listening.
"Demiurge, Cocytus, escort her back to camp. I need to keep the situation under control".
Demiurge considered the matter at hand before moving forward towards the giantess in front of them. How would lord Ainz propose they deal with her, he wondered? Reducing her size, perhaps rendering her incapable of moving? Teleportation was negated in that place therefore quicker solutions were not feasible. As he approached however, it became apparent that Albedo was not alone. A shadowy figure perhaps a few inches smaller than herself moved swiftly behind her and slowly revealed itself.
"My love... come. Here it is, your rightful place. Cant you see it? The banners are already risen. Your greatness awaits no other... it knows no bounds!" Albedo eagerly bowed and lowered herself towards an unspoken companion. Ainz's skeletal features still betrayed no emotion however his internal indignation reached new heights.
A perfect copy of himself stood at Albedo's side. It looked just like him save for the fact that his robes were partially torn apart.
"Yes..." the clone answered with a monotone voice. Albedo's hands moved back and forth to caress his jawline and arm, eyes almost shut in complete and utter devotion.
"Outrageous! You will answer for your actions right now!" Ainz yelled with fury just one step away from incinerating her right there. Albedo simply ignored him and stood back up, waiting for Demiurge and Cocytus to strike her down should they have wished to do so. She felt invincible, her twisted sense of loyalty fully placed onto her master.
"Lord Momonga... you were never truly in love with me, were you?"
"But of course I was" Ainz's clone responded without moving its skull.
"Thank you... I knew it. I am the one, am I right? I will bear your children and keep you safe, elevate you higher than anyone ever did!"
"Yes... you will".
"Ah! Hahah! This is the best day of my life. I managed to conquer this place with my own hands, my own strategies, my own deeds! And now I'm your favorite person, yes?"
"Yes... you are".
The surreal display went on for a few more seconds before Ainz lost his patience for good. Shielded by Cocytus, Demiurge and the Pleiades he thought he could handle Albedo's new form just as well as he would have handled her normally. Being specifically tailored for 1 vs 1, Albedo would have proven a great opponent but in such a situation he felt the need to reconsider his options nonetheless. Never too careful, he still hoped that the course of the conversation could be stirred away from conflict. Setting her off in unknown territory among people he could hardly restrain and a plethora of new potential companions was not good for diplomacy as well as directly damaging his image of a just ruler capable of keeping his subordinates in check. Whether that was the work of an enemy World Class Item or simply a passing folly derived from years of constant war however, he would put an end to it.
Invoking a tier 8 abjuration spell Ainz casted an AoE buff to his companions which granted them additional protection towards psychic interferences. Sensing the intensity in Albedo's gaze growing ever stronger and her mental fortitude seeping in with an obnoxiously impenetrable determination, for the first time in decades part of him felt a surge of panic.
Flannar could only stand there in disbelief as he took in the opportunity. Was that a chance to turn against lord Ainz Ooal Gown right there? Was it the miracle he had hoped for to restore his authority and keep the city safe? A quick evaluation of Albedo's aura turned the tables, as he had no need to witness her stats to know what he already felt. The answer was clear: he needed to cooperate whether he would have liked it or not.
He was about to voice his concern and get ready to battle the arrogant Drykven lord who had appeared before him with such impudence when all hell broke loose; Cledna appeared in the corner of his eye and she lunged forward towards Demiurge with her sacred weapon Nileforge burning green flames of perpetual acid. A silent scream died in his throat.
Cledna's next strike was fierce but lacked aim. The brutal slashing caused the paved road above Demiurge's body to melt away in a flash but he had jumped out of the way, sensing her approach.
"Oh? Is this one of your associates, I presume?" he asked Flannar nonchalantly, barely brushing away some debris from his suit "Do tell, because if that is the case then our time for conversation may cease. Lord Ainz, please allow me to keep both parties on agreeable terms by putting shackles on their ankles".
Cledna gritted her teeth and jumped upwards to move out of potential retaliation. She landed close to Rokkan with a burning sense of dread and disgust.
"What are you doing?! Get out of there at once!" Flannar sprinted her way with absolute terror in his gaze "Stand down. You are about to ruin everything!".
"Brother, what is happening? why are you not fighting? I... I was unaware that the Sorcerer King himself was here" Cledna remarked, looking as confused as ever "Have we surrendered? I cant believe we would. Let me slain this vile traitor for you. There must still be hope!"
It was at that moment that Ainz understood one thing. He had to move as quickly as possible and shield those whom he deemed worthy of keeping close, because the next instant would prove decisive. Sure enough, Albedo turned towards the group and stood her ground.
"See, my love? See how these people treat you? Unworthy, unruly scumbags! Useless, pathetic, miserable lowlife losers. We should just kill them all and rule over the land, right? Right?!"
"Yes..." Ainz's copy muttered as he advanced a few paces, his red orb glowing of an intense light foreign to anyone present there.
"My friends, can I call you friends still? Will I not be denied of your approval? Please dont deny me your attention. This is not my Momonga... Momonga is here with me. FOREVER!"
Albedo's maniacal laughter echoed across the city as she stepped away from the plaza and took off, flying just above the skyline. Her gigantic form and terrifying black wings covered the sun as much as the lingering smoke, rendering the scenario an apocalyptic mixture of burning inferno and blackest night.
"I have to admit... Albedo does have a point" Demiurge remarked, moving away from the rest of the group "Perhaps there is an impostor among us...".
Narberal followed, albeit a bit reluctantly at first. Her gaze seemed unfocused as if she had been confused by a spell yet her spiteful attitude was as sharp as ever.
"True... these maggots need to be taught a lesson. Why dont we just wipe them out right now?" she hissed looking back at Flannar directly "lord Ainz... please give us permission to exterminate them".
Unlike his peers Cocytus seemed unmoving. "NO. THIS IS A FOLLY. YOU ARE ACTING IN AN OUTRAGEOUS MANNER. RECONSIDER YOUR WAYS OR FACE CONSEQUENCES. STOP DISRESPECTING LORD AINZ" he stated plainly, arm at the ready just above his katanas.
Mare was shivering next to the carriage which had took them there. He was not afraid in the slightest, however he dreaded the idea of hurting his friends both old and new. The mere notion of that escalating conflict among his peers made him extremely uncomfortable.
"T-This, this must not go on. Please I beg you, there are other ways to end it. I-Impostor or not, it must, must be solved by lord Ainz's will" he timidly spoke while gripping on his staff as tight as he could.
"I agree with that assessment. However, one has to wonder who is the real lord Ainz at this point" Demiurge's remark seemed innocent enough but the mere question was laced with an underlying tone of mistrust and dangerous assumptions "Albedo is not acting as her usual self, that much I can concede. Consider this, she might be mad or we might be jumping to conclusions. The one we see here looks just like lord Ainz, his voice is the same as well as his physical appearance. And as for his details..." Demiurge observed and analyzed him closely. There was little doubt; everything looked, felt and sounded just like Ainz.
"Moreover lord Ainz would never stop us from doing what is right. This obstinate defense of the weak and blatantly hostile authorities of this city must be put into question".
"But... this is nonsense. If he is not the real lord Ainz, that must mean..."
Mare was trying to grasp the situation at hand with most impartial judgment. He was not ready to follow in Demiurge and Narberal's footsteps. His mental fortitude was strong and his resolve unmoving. He pointed his staff at the archdemon not without reservations.
"P-Please back off. Dont do this. That is madness and you know it".
"Do what, pray tell? This seems like a pointless argument. We must establish facts and what I see here is pretty clear. Perhaps lord Ainz's mind has been tampered with" Demiurge kept going with a sinister tone in his speech. Something was off and Ainz could tell things were just going to escalate further.
Save for Narberal the Pleiades were still at camp and could operate any and all machinery including the massive amount of cannons Demiurge had devised to level the city. One order from the archdemon could make everything collapse.
Albedo flew high above their heads and gracefully landed herself atop the ruins of the municipal building. Ainz's copy extended his arms and his eyesockets filled with a blood red light.
"Antimagic field V, Mind break".
Invoking the spells Ainz's copy encircled the area with a powerful AoE that shielded all nearby buildings within a large glowing red dome. Everyone's mind became fuzzy, their willingness to fight subdued temporarily as their features were bombarded by psyonic waves.
It was at that moment that Flannar was able to see through the thin veil of illusions which he perceived were created by Albedo; thinner, insignificant white threads were sticking out of the earth, several strands flowing in the breeze. They formed large chunks all around her body, clinging upward towards the sky and embracing the rubble surrounding the plaza.
"I must know more" he thought as he tried to connect to the Guild base in his telepathic entwining link to the myconid creature whom he had asked for help many times before during periods of need. He fully intended to sacrifice some of his HP to regain control of the situation and propose a tactical defense of the city, provided that his sacrifice would not require his ultimate death. He did not wish to let the Sorcerer King know how weak he truly felt at that moment.
However, no matter how hard he tried he could not reach it. The creature's usually gruesomely guttural voice festering with putrescence and rage was nowhere to be found. His very presence which Flannar could usually infer just by virtue of being the current owner of the Guild base seemed to be absent from the world.
"Something's wrong... very wrong. This is the worst time for him to be dormant. Or perhaps..." an idea formed into his mind. His heart raced with worry as he turned his attention towards Ainz.
"Sorcerer King, I think I know what is happening" he uttered through Message "Please you need to trust me on this. If you wish to survive, you need my help".
"Survive? Aren't you getting a bit ahead of yourself? This is my subordinate. Do not interfere" Ainz replied. Surely there was little to be feared in such a circumstance. He had devised countless plans in the event that Albedo had turned hostile, there were countermeasures to be used with proper care. However he regretted saying that so suddenly as he realized that both Demiurge and Narberal were preparing themselves to attack. Demiurge's intent might have been unclear but he knew that the strategist would no stop at merely defeating Flannar but also bombard the city.
"Narberal, Demiurge, I order you to stand down right now" he roared with fury "This is not up for debate. You will treat my guests with respect. As for Albedo, the only solution is confinement. I see there is no sanity left in you but do not fret, I shall soon deal with it".
The smallest hint of sadness formed onto Albedo's visage for a brief moment before her mischievous grin returned. Defiant and restless, she flew even higher and summoned Ginnungagap which materialized in her hands in a shape much larger than normal.
"My love, please get rid of these pests, I beg of you. Momonga... my only accomplishment, my greatest victory, I dedicate it to you alone".
"Yes..." Ainz's clone sprinted forward, hovering above the Sorcerer King's skull. He quickly stepped out of the way as a first strike ensued which destroyed part of the paved road just below his boots. Demiurge summoned a storm of feathers as sharp as steel blades which flew straight for Flannar, promptly melted in flight thanks to Cledna's swift slashes. Her fiery green blade made short work of any projectile thrown at them no matter how big, however she could not anticipate them all nor protect herself in the process.
Narberal ran like the wind towards her target jumping to the side as she predicted an attack from Flannar. The attack never came however as all he wanted to do was turn around and flee as fast as possible. Some may attribute it to cowardice, which only increased Demiurge's smugness. However, his intent was to reach the inner gates of the Guild base where he felt confident Albedo's true form was residing. If his assumption was correct the entire structure might just be collapsing as he was about to embark on that endeavour. Terror filled his mind even as he was targeted by multiple enemies; their efforts would be in vain if he had let that happen.
"Cledna, keep civilians out of the plaza for as long as you can. Then retreat out of the city walls'' he hastily ordered as the perceived god of the Star City ran in a panic, evading piercing and slashing hits from Narberal who was aiming at his throat constantly with an obstination which bordered obsession "Cyrus, help her. Dont let anyone follow us".
Flannar bolted away from the plaza with superhuman speed, prompting everyone who was working to restore order in the vicinity to turn and flee. "Everyone get out of the plaza. Prioritize saving yourselves and those close at hand. Retreat to the merchants' district and push for the outskirts!" his voice was filled with authority and a hint of something that could only be described as veiled apprehension. He gestured for Ainz to follow him yet again, communicating with him through Message "I beg you to reconsider. Your subordinate might look fairly normal but she is not. I will explain everything, but please follow me to the Guild base. Should you perish our city will be surely destroyed".
Ainz was uncertain if Flannar's words came out of sheer desperation or if he had genuinely good intentions. Part of his natural instinct had already decided to defy his words; however the prospect of getting his hands on rare artifacts and prized possessions into a new Guild base was too tempting. Moreover, he found it odd that its leader would lead him straight to it. Surely he was willing to cooperate for his own sake no matter what Ainz would have asked of him. Yet he sensed something else... something primal, like a tidal wave breaking ashore. A real, tangible fear of dying.
"The mere notion of me perishing is ridiculous" he commented, sighing "Still, as it stands the situation is unsustainable. Very well then, I shall accompany you, but if this is a trick know that my vengeance will be swift" he finally replied, leaping away from the conflict "I will not abandon my companions. This is merely a chance to test how good your class and racial skills truly are".
Ainz positioned himself in between Flannar who was running for his life and the rest of his enemies, both old and new, who were about to pursue. Narberal seemed to have an unhealthy rage towards him, as if her mind had been programmed to destroy him no matter the cost.
"Stand down Narberal. This is an order".
"Lord Ainz... I cannot comply. That ignoble spawn must be eliminated. I will not rest until he is dealt with!"
Displeased with her response although he understood that it might have originated from mental conditioning, Ainz took aim and waited for her to be in range. The back of his hand met her cheek halfway generating an echoing slapping sound, a gesture reserved for the most disobedient of his subordinates. The force imprinted into it was probably miscalculated as Narberal spun on herself and landed face down on the ground.
"Ah I uh... HMM! we will talk about this when things settle down" Ainz hastily coughed up a response to quell his own discomfort before he retreated to where Flannar was.
Demiurge kept himself busy way behind them as he was still bent on throwing projectiles in preparation of a greater attack, most likely involving crashing meteors which Mare had already anticipated; he was ready to deflect their trajectory with his staff, something he had practiced in the past as a mere exercise to further improve his strength.
Just behind the young elf, Rokkan lunged towards Cledna with unspeakable fury fully committed to lacerating her limbs through the gaps in her armor.
"Fool! I have been blessed by lady Albedo herself! I cannot die anymore! Hahaha!" these were the words he would have liked to spit out in Cledna's face as soon as he had pierced her right arm. However, he found that the ground upon which he was standing was suddenly fluctuating upward.
"What the hell-" his thought process faded into oblivion just as his head landed on the cobbled terrain while his body slumped down like a useless lump of flesh a few meters nearby, spilling out a few droplets of blood before the acid coating the hole in its neck corroded it all.
Mako advanced timidly amidst the chaos, ignoring any and all warnings. With Bormeliar gravely injured and barely conscious due to blood loss, he was free to move about and witness the true cruelty of what he perceived to be the Sorcerer King's forces.
His naive, innocent mind was single handedly moved by one concept alone: patriotism.
"I must do something" he thought to himself, positioning closer to the combatants who ignored him till the very end. Nobody was even remotely aware of his presence, focused as they were on fighting one another with unbridled rage.
"Mom, forgive me... maybe I wont come back home after all".
As he stood there with his immaculate visage looking straight at Ainz as if it were the most horrible monster he had ever seen, Mako pulled out the small device he still had with him. He pressed a small portion of it nestled in between several layers of metallic chassis and the spherical mechanism began emitting a tenuous white light. It trembled in the boy's hand so violently that it soon could not be contained and he let it slip onto the ground. When it began emitting an eerie screeching sound and smoke puffs erupted from its sides, some of the fighting stopped altogether.
Flannar became pale as soon as he realized, from the corner of his eye, that Mako had been fiddling with some unknown object.
"Dont...!"
Ainz saw it and realized that he had lost control of the situation. For the first time in these years spent waging war on escalating terms, he felt the need to protect himself directly.
"Greater Absolution - Temporal Seam", a stronger version of Time Stop which could be casted within a sphere large five hundred meters was used upon the bystanders. From Ainz's skeletal hands an imperceptible gust of wind spurted out of its own will and engulfed the area, morphing itself in the form of an invisible sphere producing a temporal-spatial laceration encompassing the combatants. Everyone froze where they were and the action died out. Nature was still, immutable, immaculate. Ainz turned his skull with the barest veil of apprehension.
Flannar was still moving despite the casting of super tier magic, completely unaffected by spatial nor temporal causality.
"Remarkable. So you seem to defy temporal magic" Ainz took a moment to collect himself before he began to move "now, shall we proceed? I hope whatever you have in store is worth this standstill. You seem awfully eager to lose your possessions. It would be unwise to invite me into your lair so casually. Or perhaps you were simply stunned and did not realize that I had everything under control?"
"I... may be naive compared to you, but with all due respect Sorcerer King, I fear that you have underestimated our predicament" Flannar indicated the sky where Albedo was still flying around, ready to strike at any moment.
"Impossible! How..." Ainz felt like screaming in frustration. Even though they were protected by the World Class items, the NPCs would still be affected by temporal magic of such magnitude. Flannar was an anomaly, a curious experiment made by a YGGDRASIL programmer, therefore Ainz did not feel as surprised but more intrigued. Seeing Albedo fly however disturbed him.
She plunged down at full speed, landing just a few feet above ground and then launching herself towards Flannar with her axe at the ready. The sheer size of her body seemed to make it easier for him to evade her attack, however due to the ease at which she could change speed and position at will he found it hard to dodge.
"She is adjusting her coordinates based on his position, the subtle changes her body endures seem to be so precise that its hard to believe she is of this world" Ainz noted, pondering over the subtle shifts in her body's origin point as if she were teleporting a few degrees each time Flannar was trying to move away in a different direction "what did Albedo get herself into? This may prove extremely dangerous".
Indeed Albedo's body was on lock-on at all times. It was physically impossible for Flannar to dodge her attacks. He got hit, the slashing sounds of flesh against metal echoing through the silent stillness of the plaza. Yet he lived thanks to his regeneration ability. No matter how bad Albedo wanted him dead, his body simply kept regenerating. This was not without consequences however, since Flannar could feel everything she was inflicting upon him.
"Albedo, enough!" Ainz roared back at her "Hurting him will get you nowhere. How do you plan on appeasing me? Have you lost all shame?"
Trying to appeal to her pride and inner sense of duty seemed to have no effect. She was lost in a world of her own.
"Die! Die! How long does it take for this miserable pile of flesh and bones to die?!" Albedo kept hitting his body with relentless aggression, slashing away ounces of flesh cut after cut after cut. Yet as if born from a ceramic vase, Flannar's body simply disintegrated and emerged back in one piece right where it first got destroyed. His mind was a whirlwind of pain and suffering, agonizing delirium at each slashing motion which let him no rest.
"Die! Die! Once you die lord Momonga will be pleased!" Albedo screamed at the top of her lungs, glancing back at Ainz's copy from time to time "If I can kill you... if I just kill you, then-"
At that moment, Flannar mustered one of his last remaining moments of clarity to push his right hand against Albedo's temple.
"Feel the pain of the universe".
Ainz glanced down at Flannar's hand and noticed a glimpse of crimson light emanating from one of his fingers. It looked insignificant at first, but then it began acquiring intensity and color so vivid that it would pierce a mortal's retina if viewed directly. Ainz realized that it belonged to a ring Flannar was wearing on his index finger partially hidden under his glove. The surge of power and unmistakable aura made Ainz shiver in his bones, recognizing the origin of that ring immediately.
"A World Class item... right under my nose. How could I not sense its presence?"
A Thousand and One Nights was a large book-shaped ring that looked like it contained a thousand pages revolving around the finger that wore it. It had an offensive purpose, the user was able to pick up a single target and send them "the Pain of the Universe" for one millisecond. That was not a figure of speech: the target experienced the pain and suffering of all lifeforms in the universe at once, which was sent directly into their brain bypassing all filters and immunities.
Albedo's eyes rolled back into her skull as her giant body collapsed onto the floor instantly. A shockwave of insurmountable negative emotions overwhelmed every nerve ending in her brain. Her mouth soon opened in a silent scream and a dark foam came out of it as she experienced countless convulsions.
Pressed down beneath her arm, Flannar struggled to get out. Ainz's shocked expression could only be hidden by his physical appearance which betrayed little of what transpired within.
He offered the tiniest bit of help, pushing Albedo's arm aside to let Flannar breathe and give him time to roll away and stand up again.
"You will have much to explain when this is all over" he said at one point once he could feel his emotions were back in control "For now, I'll be content to retrieve my companion in her original form".
Flannar nodded weakly, still trying to regain his breathing.
"I knew you would have recognized it at some point. I asked my protector to coat it in a layer of illusory magic that would be strong enough to deceive even you. It was supposed to be my trump card... I guess that wont be necessary anymore".
"So you were planning on using that on me? How foolish. But given the circumstances, I can appreciate your honesty at the very least".
"That was before you conquered the city" Flannar replied, inviting Ainz to follow "I did not think I could achieve anything meaningful afterwards. I would have been happy with my nation's independence as we have discussed".
Ainz followed Flannar through the stillness of the city. Once they got out of the temporal-spatial laceration encompassing the plaza, he could see how much effort the population was putting into coordinating to stop the fires, help those in need, reconstruct destroyed structures and direct panicked outsiders to suitable refuges.
"Look. Over there" Flannar indicated a large castle far above the clouds, partially covered by rocky formations and snowy peaks which shielded it and shrouded it in a veil of blizzard and ice.
"That is where I resided before your arrival. That's where we are headed now. Please follow me, we shall reach the source of this madness sooner".
The two flew side by side towards the entrance to Flannar's domain. To think he had initially thought of returning there with the Sorcerer King's head in between his palms made him smile bitterly.
Inside a cave far deep within its confines, the two leaders found themselves stepping onto a large ornate platform which Ainz recognized.
"I see... a streaming device from YGGDRASIL. This tech was still out there for all this time" he felt both intrigued and annoyed at the discovery. If Flannar had been a better leader, he might have had a decent chance at defeating him. Luckily for him he thought, the leaders in the New World were all pretty easy to read or outright dumb.
The platform slowly moved downward into a vacuum tube filled with blue and black cables, its speed started to increase until it reached - and broke - the sound barrier several times.
Just as fast as it had started to descend, the platform stopped abruptly once it found its final destination. Ainz and Flannar stood in a large cave which had remnants of advanced technology in it. At its center, a large furry rotting cocoon with putrescent water leaking out of it greeted their nostrils with its acidic smell. Long thin white threads emerged from it, partially connected to a wide holographic console next to it.
"This... is where I was born" Flannar began to explain, guiding Ainz through the agglomerate of cables and metallic engines "Mother gave birth to me through this cocoon. Its threads are infinite, and they reach far above the surface. They are imbued with magic which only I can use. It appears that someone else has figured out how to do so, though".
His gaze wandered around the room until it locked on to a female figure laying against a console of large proportions which was partially obfuscated by a plethora of floating texts and windows displaying statistics and loading bars.
"Albedo!" Ainz rushed in and shook her awake. Her pupils were dilated and unfocused, her breathing erratic and barely audible.
"She has been connected with the developer console for quite a while" Flannar noted while he helped Ainz move Albedo down on the floor "This device is not meant for us to fiddle with. Only mother could operate it to full capacity, and even then we were forbidden from standing next to it".
Looking around in a rare moment of respite, Flannar verified the status of its surroundings. THe corridors were dimly lit, barely held together by metallic plates, unstable structures and remnants of a technology that was impossible to replicate. The stench of decay and corruption mingled with the intense feeling of static felt like wearing a putrescent veil that would slowly consume them. Ainz's eye sockets however were solely focusing on Albedo and her breathing. He verified her status and concluded that she was sufficiently healthy physically.
"It is strange... her body has had no alterations whatsoever. But her mind..." the Sorcerer King had shown his very first, and probably last, moment of weakness. Flannar observed with curiosity and apprehension as Albedo slowly regained consciousness. Her hand wandered upward until it reached Ainz's shoulder and gripped it firmly.
"So this is it... my love... all I ever wanted was a moment of personal triumph" she spoke while her body shuddered with sheer electricity coursing through it "Did I fail? I couldnt possibly fail you, lord Momonga".
"You did not need to succeed in the first place. What you did was foolish and reckless" Ainz replied in a somber tone "I will have you confined for a time. You are not well, Albedo. I blame myself for not seeing it sooner" he turned towards the so-called developer console, partly in awe and partly ashamed "If there is still shame and pride in you, revoke my clone at once. We will have time to discuss your punishment later".
Albedo chuckled within a tired, nervous cough. She lifted herself up till her wobbly legs slipped and she hit her back on the hard metallic plates. Her eyes darted towards Flannar, an evil glare piercing his visage with unseen daggers.
"You... this isnt over" she hissed "Everything would have been perfect if it wasnt for you... what did you do to my Momonga?"
There was little Flannar could say at that moment. He simply stood there contemplating if he should leave Ainz and Albedo alone to their quarrel. Ultimately however he choose not to. he explored the rest of the Guild base, or what was left of it, and soon found the body of another denizen of Nazarick.
"I would assume this is one of your companions?" he asked Ainz, presnting him with the horrific vision of a disfigured body dismembered in multiple chunks amidst puddles of putrescent black blood and viscera. Ainz took a moment to look at it in shock. The body looked just like Pandora's actor.
"Yes... that is most likely Bludigar'd-Bluden. His presence here is... unsettling".
Ainz could barely contain his fury without emotional suppressor, however her managed to keep himself strong for the inevitable confrontation.
"What did you do with him, Albedo?"
It was necessary" Albedo stared at the corpse with vacuous constricted pupils "he... he was a source of nutrition for the device. As soon as I felt that surge of power... how could I not?! I simply HAD to. If only you could see what I saw in that moment... our life together, lord Momonga. So crystalline, so perfect and beautiful..."
Upon hearing these words Ainz stood before Albedo and grasped her shoulder with enough force to make her feel a clear sting. A magic circle formed beneath her feet and a pair of glowing red chains of outer planar nature emerged from the ground and wrapped themselves around her torso, immobilizing it upon contact.
"You should stop talking now" Ainz replied, his eye socket flaming red "before I lose my patience further. Life is invaluable. We are not monsters. I am not a monster".
"Clearly you are not" she agreed with teary eyes "this was all necessary, for you, for me, for us!"
"There is no us, Albedo. And after what you have done perhaps it would be wiser to make some adjustments".
With these parting words Ainz turned to Flannar who was taking into account every nook and cranny.
"I see it now... so there are other ways to reach this place after all. I have always thought the Air Castle and the Bridge of Salutation were the only gates, but as the years went by the decaying foundations fell apart. The Guild base... is sinking towards the core of the planet".
Flannar sighed deeply and pointed at the console with a complex mixture of disdain and shame "Through this device I was granted many wishes. The creature who was responsible for my protection was..." his gaze moved towards the putrescent myconid-like creature barely alive on the floor who had been abandoned seemingly by everyone, its features recognizable only due to its unsteady breathing above a layer of watery mud "My father. The only NPC compatible with mother's DNA. He himself was a proud warrior class swordsman once, but he lost its strength and any semblance of dignity once mother began experimenting on him".
Flannar moved at the center of the room and pointed at a secret entrance towards a secluded cave connected to the main hub "Here. Through this passage we would be able to reach the Great forest of Tob. There's a secret door connected directly to it".
"Why would it be here, of all places?" Ainz asked, uncertain and guarded still even though his defiance was slowly waning.
"I dont know. Mother never told me since the forest was not there yet when she first experimented with remote teleportation. She simply felt it".
"Felt it?"
"Yes, it is hard to explain... she predicted that someone would follow. Someone who she wanted to meet" Flannar tried hard to recall all of Hilda's words "whether that was you or not, I cannot say".
Ainz stood a long while pondering his next move. The temporal bubble he had imprisoned his subordinates would not last much longer, though he now controlled the situation again he felt it necessary to appeal to his own newfound empathy and seek a different way to end the quarrel.
He decided to inspect the developer console, that mythical device which had enchanted Albedo to that extent. He took a moment to perform maintenance checks, monitor the status of its functions and what it could actually accomplish.
"It would seem that there is enough energy left for one wish more, so to speak" he declared upon further examination of the Guild base's own stats "Albedo has consumed what little else could be done in the first place. Pity... we might have been able to accomplish more otherwise. Nevertheless, once the command is executed, your Guild base will most likely cease to function".
Flannar nodded, acknowledging his inability to do anything at that point. Whatever the Sorcerer King had in mind, he would be able to do it.
"Whatever it is that you may have in mind, I only ask that you keep the city intact".
"You worry too much. Didnt you hear what I stated just moments ago?"
Ainz looked down at the console and selected what he wanted with care. Then he hovered his skeletal index finger over the holographic button which would lead to the execution of his command.
"Your hope, my hope. It all aligns perfectly".
After one last check, he pressed the button.