Natural Warrior
Chapter 1: Propositions
Disclaimer: I do not own Overlord or any of the characters involved except Guardian N. Nature.
The Great Tomb of Nazarick loomed ominously in the mists of the graveyard. A group of adventurers approached from the trees that lined the clearing.
"You sure this is a good idea boss? I've heard this place is impossible," one of the group asked their leader.
The man nodded, "It's all rumors and overblown nonsense. We'll clear this place and show everyone it's not as difficult as people would think."
The group nodded at his words and turned to face the structure. The Leader took a confident step forward, only to halt as the sounds of exploding earth and rattling bones echoed to them. Ahead, figures emerged from the mist. The group's eyes widened in horror as they realized an army of skeletons was marching toward them.
"Y-You can't be serious!" The Leader said.
"There's so many!" The doubtful member shouted.
Meanwhile, at the far end of the clearing, sitting on the steps of Nazarick's front gate was a skeletal figure wearing an elaborate black and purple robe.
"Ah, another group of would-be heroes sent away pissing themselves in fear at the sight of our magnificent base," he said.
"Y'know, I've always wanted to ask someone like you if you ever get bored playing the role of the villain?" A voice asked from behind him.
The skeleton shot up and spun around to see a figure leaning against one of the pillars. He wore a simple green tunic with a robe belt and darker green leggings. His bare feet slapped against the stone floor as he straightened up.
"Who are you? How did you get here?" The skeleton asked him.
"Calm yourself Lord Momonga. I am not an enemy, but a friend. Here to offer you an opportunity for something… more."
Momonga relaxed slightly.
"Who is this guy?" he thought.
"You're probably wondering who I am."
Momonga gasped.
"And if you just thought that, no that I am not some kind of mind reader. Merely someone well-educated in people's thought processes. But that aside, my name is Guardian N. Nature. I am an envoy from my people who was sent to the Great Tomb of Nazarick with a proposal."
"And what might that be?" Momonga asked.
Nature smiled, "In three months, my people will be going to war. Our enemies have gathered powerful allies, and we realized that if we stand any chance against them, we will have to do the same."
"So you came to us."
Nature nodded, "Precisely."
"We're not interested," Momonga told him.
"Really? Such a quick decision, are you sure?" Nature asked.
Momonga nodded, "This place will disappear soon, as I'm sure you're aware. So whatever 'war' you're going to be fighting won't matter."
Nature nodded now, understanding dawning in his eyes.
"I see… Well, that is most unfortunate. But, if that is your answer, I will not push the matter further. Good day to you Lord Momonga."
Nature made a circle in the air with his hand before disappearing into a green-colored portal.
"Who was that guy? And what's talking about with a war? The game's shutting down in a few days," Momonga thought to himself.
"It doesn't matter. He's gone, and the Tomb of Nazarick's reputation as an undefeatable base remains secure."
He nodded to himself before activating a ring on one of his bony fingers to teleport himself into a large, circular room with a great table situated in the center. He sat down in one of the chairs and sighed.
"Maybe I should find something to do while I still have time," Momonga thought to himself.
He sighed again before logging out of the game.
A few days later
Momonga, and another player Herohero, were seated around the large circular table.
"So, I guess this is it," Herohero said.
"Indeed."
"It's been fun man, take care of yourself," Herohero said before logging out.
Momonga leaned back in his chair, thoughts rushing through his head as he contemplated everything that was happening. After a few minutes, he stood, grabbing the staff he had floating next to him and making his way to the throne room of Nazarick. Along the way, he encountered some of the NPCs he and his friends had made. He gathered them in the throne room as he sat on the throne for the last time.
He mentally grinned as he used his staff to alter one of the NPC's settings so that she would be madly in love with him, then leaned back in his chair.
"Not that any of this matters. In a few minutes, it will all be gone anyway."
He closed his eyes and watched as the timer on his screen ticked down the final few seconds. When it reached zero he waited… but nothing happened.
"What?" he asked.
He opened his eyes and saw the NPCs looking at him with confused expressions.
"Lord Momonga, is everything alright?" One of them asked.
A succubus wearing a frilled white dress named Albedo, the one whose settings he had messed with in the final minutes before the game ended.
"Uh… yes, everything is fine… Albedo," he said.
"What the hell is going on? The game should've ended. I would've thought I'd be logged out automatically, but now the NPCs are talking to me…" Momonga's mind was racing as he processed the events.
"Is there something troubling you my lord?" Another NPC asked.
He was an older man with white hair and wearing a suit.
"Ah… yes. Sebas, survey the lands surrounding Nazarick. Something is not right here and I want to find out what it is."
Sebas nodded before disappearing in a blur.
"Ah, now it seems I've arrived at the right time," Nature's voice called out from the far side of the throne room as he approached.
Albedo and the other NPCs immediately readied weapons as he appeared at the edge of the light.
"You!" Momonga shouted.
"Yes, Lord Momonga. Perhaps now we can discuss my earlier proposition? After all, it seems things did not go to plan as you thought they might."