"Please, cheer up, Master Jean! Sulking around won't do you any good. Would you like some tea to ease your stress?"
"That'd be wonderful, Noelle," The Acting Grandmaster forced a meager smile upon her tired face.
Jean had been stuck within her office ever since Stormterror's attack. Her coffee reserves had been screaming at her in both agony and anguish. They were soon to perish if the Acting Grandmaster didn't pace herself properly. The towering stacks of paper that stood between Jean and her subordinate nearly drowned out her words. Although her subordinates would probably split the earth and part the seas if she asked them to, Noelle was the only knight who stood at her side through the entire ordeal.
"What about you, Lady Amber?" The maid turned and asked the Outrider before her.
"I'm not thirsty… But it'd be amazing if you could bring me one of those strawberry brownies you made yesterday!" Amber's smile contested the brilliant radiance of the sun that lay idle outside.
"Right away!" The Wondermaid gave a courteous bow before leaving to fetch the requested items.
The room fell silent, mostly because Amber was afraid to bring up this next topic:
"How long has it been since you've had a good night's rest?" Her golden eyes stared at her superior's pale face.
"Although I am grateful for your concern, there isn't much I can do if we truly wish to move forward," Jean waved Amber's troubles aside with masterful ease, "There's much to do… I must assist Kaeya and the 6th company with the reconstruction efforts. I also have to oversee the trade negotiations with the Liyue Qixing. There's also the issue of the Abyssal Forces, I'm afraid our hands are too full to dispose of them… Oh, and don't get me started on the 'Death Knight' situation. Those who still oppose Ainz keep hounding me about it… Although I understand their concerns, we can't really reprimand someone such as him," Jean's chest began to inflate and deflate at a worrying speed.
"Wow! Easy there, one thing at a time," Amber began to panic, 'I-I've never seen Master Jean this stressed… W-What should I do!?'
"My, my, I leave you two alone for less than an hour and this is how I find you?" Amber's eyes darted to the now-opened door at speeds unknown.
"What is it, Kaeya?" Jean asked, her head slumped onto her desk.
"Can't I visit my favorite Grandmaster simply because I miss her presence~?" The Cavalry Captain's grin spread itself across the entirety of his face, "...I also come with good news."
Like a young feline who's caught the smell of catnip wafting across the room, Jean's eyes darted toward Kaeya. Maybe the Cavalry Captain would finally get her out of the abysmal pit she currently found herself in.
"Oh?"
Sensing his superior's keen interest, Kaeya continued, "The reconstruction effort has progressed smoothly." Kaeya explained, then sat down, cross-legged, "Although many of the warehouses within the walled city have been destroyed -their products alongside them, Springvale has offered enough supplies to last us at least half a month."
"Isn't that wonderful, Master Jean?" A reemerging Noelle pronounced while making her way toward both her and Amber. She decided to take the long way across the room, the tray in her hands blocked the view beneath her, making the scattered books on the ground a lethal hazard.
"With that settled, we can center our efforts on our treasury's health," The Grandmaster's smile finally seemed genuine. After thanking Noelle, Jean pulled out a stack of parchment from the drawer beneath her desk.
"..." Kaeya leaned back and aimed his gaze at the adorned ceiling above. Although the Cavalry Captain was glad that he could take some of his superior's burdens off her shoulders, the amount of work required for the situation at hand had the capability of tiring even the brightest of secretaries.
"Oh? I bet our little pirate over here would be overjoyed to help you out in that department, Miss Jean," Sensing her colleague's dread, Amber decided to tease Kaeya.
"Although I'm happy to help the Acting Grandmaster, I feel like we have more… pressing concerns."
…
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became heavier as both figures knew what was on the other's mind.
"I know what you're getting at, Kaeya."
"Then you understand how we must deal with it, no?"
It took a bit longer for Amber to understand what the two were talking about. The tension in the room could easily cause those within to choke, and the underlying discourse transpiring between the Grandmaster and the Cavalry Captain was palpable, "Ah…I-I think it'd be better if we discussed this in a more… formal setting, no?"
"Lady Amber is quite right, it's no good to discuss this amongst yourselves. You'll end up tiring yourself up again, Lady Jean!" Noelle calmly placed herself between the two.
"Hm?" Jean took yet another sip of her tea. The refreshing taste in her mouth opposed the red sea that flowed in her heart. The topic of Ainz Ooal Gown was a tricky one, ' There are many variables at hand. Ainz has proven to be an invaluable asset to Mondstadt as of late, yet he -although indirectly- assaulted a core member of the Knights of Favonius… Sighhhh… Noelle's right.'
"We're in luck then, I shall arrange the gathering of the council," Kaeya stated in a flat yet still respectful tone, "The meeting was already scheduled for today, there are merely some documents I must gather before we begin. Please take this time to rearrange your thoughts, Grandmaster," Kaeya left the room after bowing down to his superior. Although his views differed, he was aware of his standing. He had no intentions of getting into a brawl with his superior, doing so would end up with him either in the dungeons or being left with cleaning duty for an entire month.
' What a mess… ' Jean looked at the glamorous room surrounding her, ' What would you do… Lady Vanessa, ' She contemplated whilst looking at the crystal-ridden chandelier above. Although it wasn't overwhelmingly hot, sweat draped across her forehead and neck, ' No matter! '
Jean shook her head in response to her own doubts, ' The Grandmaster placed his trust upon me. I promised him that he'd come home to an even greater, more prospering nation! ' Her eyes then danced to the view the window on her left offered her, ' We'll rebuild… We'll forge Mondstadt back to its once glorious state. Time is on our hands after all… '
'Still, his guidance would be much appreciated. It'll be a while before he hears of Mondstadt's current state of affairs, I should write him a letter.'
"...That concludes my summary on the ongoing reconstruction initiatives," Kaeya handed a stack of papers to the soldier on his left, "Pass these around."
Although surprised at the sudden call, the young soldier quickly gave each member of the table a copy of the statement.
"You'll find my entire report within these documents. There's also a summary at the very end."
Those seated flipped over the pages, taking a quick look at what was held within. The first page was cramped with a detailed explanation of the presumed damages spotted all over the city. The 2nd and 3rd folios contained an excessive amount of spare data. Most stopped reading after finding themselves overwhelmed by such numbers. The Acting Grandmaster was the only one to reach the end of the article, ' This is certainly concerning… '
"Hmm… This will come in handy. I'll distribute a copy of this to the others within the 6th Company. I assume you have no problem with that?"
Kaeya's face scrunched up in disgust, "Why of course I have a problem, Hertha! This is sensitive information we're talking about… What a foolish idea," Kaeya shook his head in disapproval.
"B-But… We'd be able to finish the restoration of the east sector if my men were to have this information!" Although the Cavalry Captain intimidated Herta to a certain degree, she stood her ground.
"Fufu… I merely jest," Kaeya flashed a cheeky smile, "I'm very aware. Please feel free to pass it around," He took a small sip of the wine laid before him to mask his amusement.
"Honestly, Kaeya… there's a time and place for such jokes," Lisa made her disfavor known.
"To be quite frank, Lady Lisa, I agree with Sir Kaeya," A woman who seemed to be in her mid-20s interjected, "It'd be bad if the information were to be leaked. It'd be a better idea if Hertha only shared it with those in charge of each sector's reconstruction."
"Nymph is right. This does seem to contain a good amount of details that should stay within these walls. It'd be bad if the citizenry caught wind of how truly dire the situation is. Many lost family members during Stormterror's attack. This would only place an additional weight upon their shoulders," Jean finalized the decision with enough authority to settle the brewing debate.
"Very well," Hertha immediately gave in to the Acting Grandmaster's request.
"I assume this brings us to the end of this topic, no?" Lena asked. Although she was doing her best with the rebuilding of Mondstadt, she quickly grew tired of the subject. Her division -the 7th- had been charged with carrying the resources necessary for the construction of any and all buildings. Managing such a workforce resulted in more than a few migraines for her.
"So it would seem," Hugo replied, checking the faces of those around him.
"Then I suggest we move on to a more pressing issue. Let us discuss the man who prevented Mondstadt from ending up in an even worse predicament, shall we?" The atmosphere within the room drastically changed at the mention of Ainz Ooal Gown, as if a tempest suddenly appeared within their very hearts.
"...I feel like we should not discuss such a topic without Captain Eula's presence…" Hugo spoke up once more, "This situation is directly related to her, she is the one I feel has the most authority when it comes to this," Although his deep voice reverberated with authority, the caution swimming alongside it made itself clear.
"Although I share your concerns, as Co-Commander of the 7th Company, I assume you're privy to why I've given her the week off. After living through such a traumatic experience, it's fair to assume that Eula's not in a pleasant state of mind," Jean said whilst casually throwing Kaeya's report onto the table.
The aforementioned man turned his gaze downwards. Although he was only given certain details, what he was informed of seemed… brutal, ' To think she managed to escape alive… '
"Honestly, I feel that Ainz isn't exactly to blame…" Amber was the first to state her opinion: "At the end of the day, he still helped Eula and her men!"
"It still doesn't change that his subordinate nearly killed one of our captains…" Lena countered, "Ainz Ooal Gown has been a good asset, but that doesn't absolve him of his involvement in this."
Her resolve reminded Jean of a carefully laid out scale, "Although you've heard of the incident's outline, most of you haven't heard the full story."
"What's about to be discussed must remain a secret," Lisa began.
"This information has the ability to disrupt the very little peace that we hold at the moment," Kaeya followed up, "There are many knights who've loudly voiced their approval of Gown's achievements. I'm afraid that discourse is the only thing that'll ensue if this gets out," He continued, "Severe punishment will be handed out to anyone who does not listen to these… suggestions…" Although he didn't mention any names, the Cavalry Captain's words were directed at those who stood at the room's edge. He didn't look at them, such an action was not needed. Many rushingly fixed their posture after sensing the dread Kaeya emitted.
"Officer Fritz," Jean ushered the man behind her closer, "Please escort your men outside."
"Why of course, ma'am," Fritz gestured for the surrounding soldiers to leave. Although curiosity plagued his mind, he'd been given his orders, he wasn't about to stick his nose somewhere that it didn't belong.
*Crank*
The number of people within the room was cut in half after this one simple order.
"Now, I'll let Lisa take the lead, as she's the one who was present during the fight," Jean stated. She laid back and let chaos ensue.
"That's absurd!" Hugo slammed his fist against the table, "You're saying that not only did that monster let our troops be slaughtered… He also watched as it happened?!" The anger and disbelief in his voice were tangible and the veins on his forehead were as visible as the sun on a clear day, "If what you're saying is true then how has he not been reprimanded or held responsible yet!? He should've been arrested the moment he returned to Mondstadt!"
Hugo was about to say something he'd regret when Lena forced him to sit back down, "...Forgive my outburst, but I am willing to die on this hill," he said as he readjusted his posture, "Gown is lucky enough to have something as valuable as resurrection on his side. Without it, this whole conversation would be entirely different…" Hugo was quick to make his stance known.
"Either way, I too have my doubts about the usage of this so-called 'resurrection'," Bored, Nymph placed her head upon her hand, "Although I trust Lisa, I feel that she must've missed something," Then -like a magnet being sucked into a larger magnetic field, her eyes turned to Lisa.
' One cannot mess with death without upsetting the balance of the world. Such powers are unattainable,' Nymph settled her gaze upon her past rival, ' Haven't your years within the Akademiya taught you anything? ' Although her face remained both calm and collected, Lisa could sense the hatred sent her way.
"After everything we've gone through, why are we still doubting Ainz?" The knights' librarian let out a sigh filled with exasperation and a bit of vexation, "The strength he showcased puts the deities of legend to shame!" Raising her voice in defiance, the small crystal cup in her hand began to crack, "He beat Stormterror within an inch of its life, cast spells capable of leveling cities, and has summoned creatures we have no chance of defeati-"
"-Infighting won't change the outcome of the situation," Jean cut off her friend before she could spiral into an abyss of fury, "We'll get our answers once Eula fully recovers," The Acting Grandmaster was quick to chop off the head of the monster that threatened to consume the two children before her.
Sensing his master's disdain, Hugo decided to move the conversation forward, "Let's say that you haven't gone insane and that Gown does have the capability of resurrecting others… Why do so?" The undead's actions didn't make sense, why reveal such a game-changing card in such a way? "Although it pains me to admit, with the exception of Eula due to status and position, those soldiers are easily replaceable, even he should be aware of such a fact."
Although Commander Hugo would risk his life to protect those who loyally served the Knights and Mondstadt, those under his command were soldiers, nothing more, nothing less. They all had a duty to fulfill. One should be proud to die whilst serving their country -at least that's what he thought. Why not let them rest in peace?
Kaeya lifted an eyebrow in contemplation. He reflected upon his thoughts for a minute, sitting as still as a petrified koala whilst doing so, "Perhaps he wishes to dig his claws deeper into our organization by plunging us into an inescapable debt?" He voiced his conclusion to the group.
"I think you're overthinking things, Kaeya," Amber intervened before anyone could reach a more… radical conclusion, "Isn't that what everybody here would do if they were to be in his position?" The Outrider redirected her head towards Lisa, "You said Ainz panicked once he noticed something wasn't going according to plan, no?"
"Yes," Lisa took a dive into her memory before responding, "After he noticed that Eula was in real peril, he teleported to her side. The situation was swiftly handled after that," Although Lisa was enraged that Ainz let the battle go on for that long, she had to admit that her friend wouldn't be around if it weren't for his intervention.
"Amber," Nymph commenced, "I feel as if you're ignoring the bigger picture," The Knight's Head Mage walked over to the window before her, "Have you not thought about why Sir Gown didn't stop the entire predicament before it escalated? It makes no sense if you view it from your perspective," The caster quickly inspected her outfit within her reflection before circling back to her seat, "Nothing he does makes sense… What does he gain from these deeds? What's his goal, what is he aspiring towards?"
"Hmm…" Kaeya stared deep into his comrade's sparkling eyes, "Do we have any guarantee that Gown doesn't work with the Abyss?"
So far, the conversation had reminded the Acting Grandmaster of a soup simmering within its cauldron. There were moments when the heat got too high and the liquid inside began to bubble, but things never got out of her control. Yet with this straightforward and easy question, Kaeya had managed to not only spit inside the bowl -ruining the entire meal, but to knock the pot over, spilling the contents of its interior onto the ground.
Murmurs and whispers began to circulate within the chamber. The quiet hums began to add up, making it seem as if the room was infested with cicadas. Theories began to arise, but Amber was quick to clear any misunderstandings, "T-That's nonsense!" She proclaimed with the might of a thousand men, "Ainz wouldn't join such a faction!"
"His appearance was rather timely," Lena placed one of her porcelain fingers on her chin, "You were the first member of the Knights to have any contact with Gown, no?"
"Y-Yes, but that proves nothing! Are we supposed to believe that any travelers who arrived before Stormterror's attack were involved in the incident?"
"You know very well that Gown isn't merely some 'traveler'," Nymph interjected once again.
"ENOUGH!" Jean rose from her seat, her frenzied voice was quick to gather the attention of those around, "We're getting out of topic. Ainz Ooal Gown's loyalties are not a matter of our concern -at least for now," She eyed each and every seated member of her council, "We are here to judge his actions regarding his attack on Eula."
"Y-You are completely correct, Grandmaster…" Hertha's voice quivered, "I-I'm… Uhh… Merely surprised that Sir Gown hasn't asked for any reparations…"
This got quite the response from her comrades, "Reparations? Are you insane?" Hugo looked at Hertha as if he were to devour her, "Why would that monster ask for reparations? He should be here apologizing for all the stress he's been causing us!"
"Eep!" Hugo's sudden agitation made the Commander of the Logistics Company flinch, "I mean… Eula's unit was the one that started this entire drama. One of the soldiers who was rescued by Sir Gown stated that Captain Eula purposely deviated from her course to investigate what one of her scouts informed her of."
"Is this true?" Jean asked the only present person who was at the incident.
"As I mentioned, I arrived alongside Ainz. I wasn't there when the commotion started. I could ask Eula if it'd please you."
"As the Grandmaster suggested, let's focus on Sir Gown's punishment," Kaeya waved the matter aside in disinterest.
"I say we force him into the Knights," Hugo was the first to bring forth a suggestion, "With him under our command, our military power will go up tenfold."
"My, my… I thought Ainz's powers weren't something worth mentioning~" Lisa's breathing had returned to normal, the recovery of her quips was a sign of it.
Hugo was about to retort, but Lena managed to speak first, much to her own surprise, "Although I know how you'd approach such a situation, Hugo… I can't say I disagree…" She looked at the space in front of her in search of the document Kaeya had bestowed upon her, "His spells could come in handy in the extermination of the Abyssal forces spotted in the northern region. Not only that, but his minions could be useful when it comes to our reconstruction plans."
"Brilliant, Lena," Kaeya praised one of his comrades for the first time today, " I was about to suggest something along those lines. He would be of great use to us if he were to loan his undead to us."
"I-I feel as if we're getting a tad bit ahead of ourselves…" Amber was quick to flush her friend's ambitious plans down the drain, "Although Ainz was in the wrong -at least partially… I feel as if taking advantage of him in such a way will only end up causing more havoc…"
"I share Amber's concerns, Master Jean," Lisa ignored the fiery daggers sent her way, "Caged lions are known to erupt into fits of violence once let out… I compel you to seek out a more thought-out approach to the situation."
Jean disconnected her gaze from her subordinate, instead, aiming it at the chandelier above, ' Hmmmm… ' None dared interrupt her musings, it was clear her thoughts were elsewhere… "Lena," She began, her vision still glued to the ceiling, "You're in charge of monitoring the scouting parties, correct?"
"Y-Yes," the aforementioned Lena flinched at the sudden call, "I've been tasked with supervising the locations of the many sprouting Hilichurl camps while Eula recovers. Hugo is helping me manage the men under her command."
"Is there a pattern to the location of these camps?" Jean placed her elbows on the table, folding her hands in the process, "More importantly… Do we have the forces necessary to clear them out?"
"The amount of Hilichurlian forces in Dadaupa Gorge has more than tripled in the last few weeks according to the reports given to us by the scouts sent to Galesong Hill. And if I remember correctly, the ruins within Old Mondstadt have been turned into a fortress, a wooden one, but a fortress nevertheless," Lena fixed her eyes on Hugo, seeking confirmation.
"Hm, hm," Her partner nodded his head in agreement.
"...And to answer your second question… I'm afraid our men are too stretched out at the moment, we'd have to pull a couple of platoons from their current assignments if we truly wish to center our efforts in their culling."
"Aren't the tribes in the Dadaupa Gorge peaceful? They haven't caused any trouble in the past, so why would they start now?" Lisa inquired, ' The Hilichurls in the Galesong Hill have stayed within their territory for Barbatos knows how long… it wouldn't make sense for them to change their tactics unless they've renounced their pacifist ways… '
"You're correct, Lady Lisa. One of our scouts was spotted when investigating their sudden increase in numbers, yet they didn't draw their blades… Unlike those who now reside in Old Mondstadt…"
"At least we only have to worry about one target…" Kaeya breathed a sigh of relief.
"Even if there are a myriad of other camps sprouting across the land, you are correct, the outpost within Decarabian's Tower is most worthy of our attention, Hugo tried to remind the Cavalry Captain that the problem wasn't exactly… under control, "Although the domain will be passed down to Gown, we still hold the responsibility of maintaining order within our borders,"
In the past, Hilichurls were never a priority. There wasn't a single occasion where they needed to be. The tribes surrounding the walled city were peaceful -for the most part. Apart from the infrequent attacks on merchants, Hilichurls stayed away from the roads. In return, the Favonian protectors of Mondstadt had left them well alone.
"Alright," Jean began to organize the mess that was her seat. Countless papers littered her table setting, like the thousands upon thousands of grass blades sitting just outside her window, "Although I don't agree with Hugo's assessment of indoctrinating Ainz into the knights, I do believe that his strength could come in handy."
"Oh my~ Are you planning on turning Ainz into your watchdog?" Lisa joked. She knew what her superior was plotting, yet she aspired to alleviate the tension in the room.
Lisa's hopes came true, as the Grandmaster let out a soft and tired giggle, "Asking him to exterminate the monsters inside the Decarabian ruins profits both sides," Jean began, "He'll be able to scope out his future domain whilst ridding us of a potential headache."
"Do we have any guarantees that he'll go along with this plan?" Hertha asked, "W-We can't exactly bust through the door to his quarters and demand that he fixes our problems for us… We don't know how he'll react."
"Well, he doesn't need to know what we're up to," Nymph looked at her friend, the gaze in her eyes filled with pity, "...It doesn't take a wise man to figure out what I'm suggesting, right?" She looked at the people around her, surprised that none had deduced her simple solution.
"Oh just spit it out already. We don't have the time or patience for your games."
Nymph looked at Lisa dumbfounded, "A- right…" Although she wanted to retort, Lisa's words had made their way into her physique, "Why would we ever tell Gown what we're plotting?" Nymph looked at the confused faces of the Grandmaster and Cavalry Captain before continuing, "Essentially, we'd be disguising Gown's excursion as a 'tour' of sorts. We'd be guiding him around Old Mondstadt with the hopes of familiarizing him with his new territory… He doesn't need to know about the Hilichurl infestation until he's actually there, no?"
"That is-"
Nymph's stare into Lisa's eyes reminded Jean of a hawk gazing at its prey, ' Brilliant, no? There's no need to flatter me, hem hem! '
"-the stupidest thing I've ever heard…"
"Eh?"
"Now now, there's no need for such language, Lisa,"
"What if Gown finds out about this little plot of yours?" The witch inquired, "Our relationship with Ainz is already sour, there's no need to pour salt into the wound."
"Although I share Lisa's caution, I can't help but think of this as an… okay idea," Kaeya interrupted his comrade's musings, "Although Nymph's plan of action sounds absurd, it's not really far from the truth…"
"This would be a way of furthering our deal with Ainz. The paperwork is almost done, showing him around his future domain wouldn't do much harm…" Although Amber's reasoning wasn't flawed, the conviction behind her words turned her rock-solid argument into a sloppy mess.
"My my, and here I thought you trusted that undead more than us for a second…" Kaeya
"Oh pipe down… I'm still a member of the Knights of Favonius… I have my duties to fulfill…"
" Sighh. Alright, I'll leave the matter of informing Ainz about this matter to you, Amber," Jean gave in to her subordinate's suggestion. Although Nymph's reasoning was flimsy, this would be a sure way to get Ainz out of her hair for at least a little while, ' To think a single man would have the power to turn this entire organization upside down… '
"Huh? Why me?" The Outrider placed her hands above the table in meager protest, "Last I checked this was that brat's idea!" Amber pointed at Nymph, her words coated in a humorous yet truthful syrup.
"Who are you calling a brat, you wannabe rabbit?!" Nymph spoke, her words as sharp as knights yet her tone as dull as an old newspaper.
Knock Knock
Jean raised her hand, silencing those around her, "Come in," She uttered these words with glee. She'd never seen the council in such a worthless and disorganized state, ' Please be something worthwhile… I'm the Acting Grandmaster yet it seems like I'm a kindergarten teacher. '
"Please forgive the interruption, but the Fair Lady has arrived for today's scheduled negotiations," Fritz entered the room with an uncomfortable smile on his face, "Although they're happy to wait in the lobby, I remember you being critical that we receive them with the utmost amount of hospitality."
"You're quite right," Jean began to arrange the stack of papers that had slowly accumulated upon her seat into a nice little stack.
Fritz took this as a sign to return to his post.
"I believe everyone here understands the importance of the peace talks, so let's come to a proper conclusion: I support Nymph's assessment of sending Ainz Ooal Gown to Old Mondstadt," Nymph's chest grew to double its original size once she heard her superior praise her, "Though he won't be leaving with the pretense that he'll be visiting to tour his future domain. We'll notify him of the situation at hand, it'll be up to him if he wishes to participate in the ridding of the Hilichurl camps within Decarabian's Tower," Although her attention was swallowed up by the signing of documents, the solemnity in her words was palpable.
A few members gestured their opposition via the scrunching of their features, but none raised their voice against the Acting Grandmaster. Although each representative held their own views and aspirations, the goal that unified them all was the prosperity of Mondstadt. Rarely had their superior caused the undoing of a mission or project, as such the council had grown to trust Jean.
"Grandmaster-" Kaeya began, "As I mentioned before, I'll be assisting Amber with the gathering of the expedition squad, as such, may I request Hugo's help? I wish to collect men from his regiment, as I believe them to be the most capable," The Cavalry Captain's face often reminded those around him of a scheming fox, or a mendacious snake, yet at this moment his gaze resembled that of a caring ally or a forthright mentor.
"I see no problem with that," Kaeya's proposition brought merit, yet she could sense the intent behind its apparition, "That being said, you'll have to run through your chosen candidates by Amber. She'll be the one with the final say."
"...Why of course, this is her expedition after all."
The cotton ears atop Amber's head perked up, and although her friend's face remained as calm as the breeze in a stormless night, she could sense the dissatisfaction beneath his words, ' Kaeya's never been so apprehensive and forthcoming about a topic before… Why is Ainz so different? ' She pondered this thought for a moment before being brought back to reality by the words of the Acting Grandmaster.
"I believe that this matter has been settled, and as such I hereby declare this meeting adjourned," The uttering of these words brought Jean a sense of comfort and relaxation she hadn't felt since waking up.
Like a stack of dominos, members of the council began to leave. Jean dismissed them as autonomously as the machines within Fontaine. She'd done this an innumerable amount of times, and as such, her mind could wander during the process, ' I wonder how Barbara's been doing. I hope she hasn't been too preoccupied by the sudden influx of patients… I think I'll take advantage of the next few days to see how she's doing. '
"Ainzzz, Paimon's tired of being stuck in here! Paimon feels like a caged bird!" Paimon lofly floated above her dear companion's cloaked skull, "The only thing you've done is browse the library! Didn't you say you wanted to explore Mondstadt? You have the great Paimon at your side, the best guide in the Seven Nations, yet the only thing you've used Paimon for is to fetch your books!" The tiny fairy's furrowed eyebrows quaked with dissatisfaction.
"Fufu, why complain? You could earn a living doing that… I should rent you out! I bet there are many people who'd love to have a floating butler around," The wheels within Ainz's empty skull began to turn, he placed the book in his hands before plotting his marvelously thought money scheme as he began to zone out his companion's complaints about his plan.
Still, he moved this matter aside to gaze at the light emanating from his window, ' She's… right… I have this bountiful feast that is nature and life around me, yet I'm wasting it by doing the same thing that I did as Suzuki… ' Ainz tilted his head towards the ceiling in reminiscence, ' Yggdrasil provided me with all the enjoyment and happiness one could wish for… This world's filled with monsters and species that weren't present in the 9 worlds…' The red dots in his skull floated towards Paimon, 'Might as well seek them out.'
Ainz quieted down for a moment before indulging in the sprite's wishes, "Ah, but don't worry, I think I'll be able to enjoy your presence more than some loaded noble wishing for a tour of Mondstadt," He gestured Paimon closer. She'd been grumbling childish insults that'd make a grown man laugh after his seamlessly funny quip.
"Why of course, hemhem! Where do you wish to go, m'lord? Paimon, Teyvat's Best Guide, at your service!" Paimon rushed to Ainz's side. She then stuck her head inside his robe before being yanked out by the same skeleton that towered over her.
"You've got to stop doing that… Anyway-" Ainz walked over to the window, "-I'm rather interested in the Adventurer's Guild," The rubble within the city had been cleared days ago, yet the view was obstructed by a sea of evermoving people, it took him a moment to find the building that proudly announced itself as the home of the brave, "There was an Adventurer's Guild back in Helheim, I believe I'll be enjoying myself if it's anything close to what it was there."
"You've got to tell Paimon about your homeworld one of these days."
"Right…" Ainz was about to cast [Gate] yet something within his subconsciousness routed him in another direction, "The weather's nice, so let's enjoy it to its fullest."
Seeing her companion head towards the door, Paimon rushed to his side.
…
The halls were overflowing with people, some carried large stacks of papers whilst others simply hurried to their destinations. It had barely been a week and a half since his arrival, yet the knights had already grown accustomed to his presence. Trainee soldiers used to greet him with the utmost respect, some had even requested he sign their breastplates -not that he ever indulged in their pleas. Now, their reactions were far tamer, Ainz nodded his head in acknowledgment of the soldier before him and waved toward the secretary passing on his left, ' Ahhh, thank god they've calmed down. To think I began researching other estates in Mondstadt… Still, they took it all too far. It's not like I'm some sort of bigshot… '
"Hey, what's going on?" Paimon moved out of Ainz's shadow as a result of the commotion befalling the entrance of the building.
"P-Please rest assured, we've notified the Acting Grandmaster of your arrival, y-you'll be attended by our staff in the meantime," A soldier in more elaborate clothing -at least when compared to his comrades, said to a small group of people.
"Like I said before, there is no rush," A woman with pale blonde hair spoke. The features on her face softened in an attempt to alleviate the tension in the room, "We have no intention of snatching the Acting Grandmaster from her duties," The matriarch continued to ease the worries of the young man as he led both her and her retinue deeper into the building.
The woman's rich pale skin lured the eyes of the young knight and the shimmering orbs that were her silver eyes only served to distract him further, yet the intricate and ornate mask that swallowed half of her dignified face garnered most of his attention, "W-we thank you for your understanding, but what kind of impression w-would we instill if we were to make the Fair Lady wait?"
The woman covered her mouth in an attempt to hide the amused chuckle she let out, her lengthy crimson sleeves swaying as a result of the sudden movement, "If you insist. Still, I dare not interrupt the Acting Grandmaster if she's in some sort of meeting."
"I'm thankful for your understanding, Lady Harbinger. I now understand why the Acting Grandmaster holds you in such high regard. At the very least, let me escort you to her office, having you wait here would be nothing but disrespectful," The lone soldier gestured towards the staircase behind him.
"You flatter me, and yes, that'd be delightful. Please, lead the way."
The sharp clicking of her high heels against the polished floor echoed across the entirety of the first floor, yet they were quickly drowned out by the soft, pillowy surface of the red carpet beneath her feet. The Harbinger was on the verge of reaching the second floor when her attention was stolen by equally loud footsteps, "Hm?"
Her head spun around, trying to find the source of the metallic clicks. Her eyes quivered once she spotted the nexus of the noise. Her calm facade nearly crumbled after her gaze was swallowed by the nigh-endless darkness the figure below her emitted. Thankfully, she'd spent dozens if not hundreds of hours perfecting the mask that lay under her mask. Her face returned to its previously beautiful state in under a second, "You're not supposed to be here right now…" She whispered in an annoyed yet careful tone.
"What was that?" her escort spun his body around in the hopes of understanding what his guest said.
"Nothing. Would you be as kind as to lead my dear mages to the Grandmaster's office? I wish to partake in a bit of conversation before the leader of the knights indulges my audience."
The young man was about to protest when a feeling of shivering dread crawled up his legs and onto his chest. He tried to find the source of his anxieties, but the only thing he could see was the alluring woman before him. She didn't wait for his response, and as such, she was already nearing the first floor. He was about to pursue the Fair Lady but he decided against it, as most of her purple underlings were already burrowing deeper into the second floor.
…
"Oh my, and here I thought I'd never get the chance to meet Mondstadt's daring savior!"
Ainz flinched. His hand rested on the front door's handles, he was so close to breathing in the fresh air of the world that lay outside. He spun his body around and cocked his head in confusion, "?"
His eyes landed on the pale beauty that gently descended from the floor above. He waited in silence as she approached him. Ainz nearly propelled himself forward in an attempt to salvage her time, a remnant of his past office-worker mentality.
"I heard you were staying here, in the home of this city's guardians, even so, I thought it unlikely that I'd meet you here, Sir Gown," Her slim figure swayed as she bowed and the pillowy fabric that made up her outfit cascaded down towards the floor.
Unwillingly, Ainz ogled at the radiant woman before him, sizing her up in anticipation of the forthcoming discussion, "To think my existence has reached even those beyond my knowledge," He tried to mirror the dignified tone the woman addressed him with. It wasn't beyond his grasp; the untold years he spent as a businessman made the words that came out of his mouth flow as easily as water down a mountain, "Pardon me, but I don't think we've met," He extended his skeletal hand forward. Everyone within the walled city knew of his nature, so there was no longer a need to hide his bony appearance.
"Oh, how embarrassing… How unbecoming of me is it that I haven't introduced myself yet," The woman gracefully accepted his handshake before placing her delicate hand upon her chest, "I am La Signora, 8th of the 11th Fatui Harbingers."
Ainz smiled, he could sense the immeasurable pride behind the woman's melodic words. He always appreciated when his friends boasted about their position within the guild, there was nothing more he enjoyed than planting the flag of Ainz Ooal Gown above the ravaged ruins of opposing guilds. Most within the humanoid faction took it as a sign of war, yet to Ainz, it was nothing more than a display of the strength his family possessed, ' Nothing could ever stop us when we were together… Isn't that right, guys? '
Ainz cleared his throat before announcing his own titles, "It seems that you are already aware of who I am, nevertheless, allow me to introduce myself… I am Ainz Ooal Gown, leader of the most infamous Heteromorphic Guild, and Master of the bottomless tomb. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Harbinger," It had been a while since he mentioned those titles, and as such, his inner chuuni could finally rest peacefully… at least the next while, ' I hope I didn't divulge too much info. Nah, I should be fine, I didn't mention Nazarick or Helheim. Either way, it'd be improper to just give her my name after such a cool intro! One must reciprocate the other's actions and emotions if one wishes to proceed, isn't that what you once said, Punitto? '
"I was lucky enough to witness the magnificent fight that was your duel with Stormterror, and I must say, your strength would be most welcomed within the Fatui."
Ainz chuckled, "We've just met and you're already trying to recruit me?"
"I'm just telling it like it is," Signora smiled. "But who knows, you might receive an invitation one of these days. It's clear you're far stronger than the puppet and combat-hungry brat, so an ascension to the rank of Harbinger isn't exactly out of the question," The grin on her face seemed predator-like, yet the truth her words conveyed was not lost on Ainz.
"It seems you're laying out quite the tempting offer before me…"
The smile on Signora's face grew.
"...Forgive me, but I must think about it, accepting such a proposal requires thought, I hope you don't mind."
The fingers on the Harbinger's left hand flinched, yet the only one who caught wind of it was the fairy beside the Overlord.
"Oh well… Still, that isn't exactly a no, so I'll be awaiting your response with great interest. Hm?" Signora turned her head upwards, "It seems I must be on my way… It was truly a pleasure meeting you, Sir Gown. I have a feeling our paths will cross more than once."
"I concur… Lady Harbinger…" Ainz watched as La Signora ascended the blanketed staircase, "What a nice lady…" He murmured.
"Uhhh… Ainz… Paimon had a baaaad feeling about her. She reminds Paimon of a sneaky snake!" The sprite glared at the disappearing madam with suspicion.
"Is that so…" Ainz paid little attention to his friend's concerns, "Now, I believe we have a Guild to visit, do we not?"
"Oh, that's right! Let's get going before they close up, it's getting quite late, after all!"
"My lady, the head of the knights is awai-" The Cicin Mage charged with guarding her master flinched, "-You're shaking, are you alright?"
Signora held onto the wooden railing on her left, yet the trembling of her hands was salient, "Shut up," She grabbed her underling by the cheeks in an attempt to quiet her down, "Why didn't you tell me he was here? The scouts within your squad reported that Gown was out fishing," Signora began to squeeze harder, her anger was palpable, yet even then, a layer of fear and confusion enveloped her tone.
The Cinin Mage tried to speak, but the hold her master had on her was too strong, "Jer whas ño meinhion ojf whis rechurn!" She eyed the Harbinger with a mix of fear and shock.
"Hm…" Signora let go of the petrified mage after coming to terms with her current situation, "...My apologies, Magnolia…"
Magnolia knew her master regretted her actions, yet the fiery temper in her voice made it hard to believe.
She'd been working under La Signora for nearly a decade and had learned many things most would deem unthinkable. Kind, vigorous, exalted… There were many words that could encompass her master's spirit, yet the one that took the throne was none other than superiority. The 8th Harbinger of the Fatui spoke in a dignified manner that subconsciously instilled a sense of worthlessness in most. When she first began to work alongside her, the only thing in her mind was fear. However, as the years passed she came to understand La Signora. Behind that mask of ashen shade was but a simple woman. Most within Magnolia's regiment had been enlightened of her true self, and as such were ready to devote their entire lives to her. Total and absolute loyalty, such was the thing she and her comrades were willing to provide at a moment's notice, "Worry not, my liege. Although I wish for you to be more… uhh… Understanding , you're reaction is quite warranted!"
"Hm…" La Signora took one look at her most devout subordinate before heading towards her destination, "...Come now, our Mondstadtian friends are in a moment of peril, it'd be shameful if we didn't offer our 'assistance'."
"Y-Yes, master," Magnolia erased the loss of composure La Signora presented her with from her mind, "I'm right behind you!"