PSA: Sorry for the long delay, I've been quite busy recently.
Steel and Sorcerers – Chapter 42
A large group of adventurers, including the teams Sky Wolf, Kralgra, and a number of other mithril and lower ranked teams had arrived at a large clearing around several hundred metres in diameter in the Great Forest of Tob. The terrain was filled with a number of hills, and after climbing to the top of one they could see the structure they were seeking.
A large circular wall of stone encircled an area a bit over a hundred metres across. Various carved rocks and gravestones dotted this area, and at its centre was what looked like a mausoleum constructed out of stone reinforced with logs. Various low-level undead such as skeletons and zombies were wandering around inside the walls of the compound.
"Huh… it looks different to how I remember it" commented a platinum rank adventurer. They had been part of the original group that discovered the tomb, but were forced to retreat after an elder lich appeared.
"What do you mean, what's changed?" asked Igvarge, the mithril ranked leader of Kralgra.
"I thought it was in more of an open area rather than in the middle of the forest. Also, I don't remember any logs being part of the construction of the centre building, it should be completely stone."
"Is it possible we have the wrong place then?"
"Perhaps… but it's similar to how I remember, and there's no way we could've missed something like this when we were here last time. Perhaps they made some modifications? No… haha, please forget that last part."
"Well, it is unlikely, but if elder liches are present here it is possible that a more powerful undead may be here, and commanded them to make some renovations. Or, actually, perhaps this is a hideout for Zurrernorn."
"Ah, that would also explain why it only appeared more recently as well. We'll need to be extra careful just in case. Oh, that reminds me, what do you think?"
Everyone in the group turned to see what that individual had to say.
That mysterious person had suddenly appeared as they were on the way to the Great Forest of Tob, carrying a large bag over their shoulder full of weapons. They were donned in full scale-mail armour, with a small sword-like insignia in the centre of the breastplate. A layer of fur was wrapped around their shoulders, and a long whitish plume sprouted from their helmet. Their most defining feature however was that the armour itself shone as if it were made of pure platinum. Also, they never seemed to take their helmet off, so no one knew what the looked like underneath.
When they had first met that person, he had said that he had heard that they were going to investigate some new ruins that had appeared in the forest, and asked if he could follow along with them. When asked what his intentions for coming with them were, he said that he just happened to have heard about some activity in the area, and was wondering if they might be related to what they were seeking. He also mentioned he didn't need any pay, and wouldn't interfere, so everyone had a vote and decided to let him tag along.
The adventuring teams organised themselves and made their way down the hills to the compound, pushing the gate open and clearing out the undead within the perimeter.
Eventually they were done, and arrived at the main building, which upon entering seemed to be mostly made of wood on the inside. Descending down some stairs, unlike before, was a large portal at the end of a short hallway, much to the surprise of the adventurers who had come here last time. The platinum-armoured individual seemed particularly curious about this, although seemed disappointed after a small team briefly went through and came back, reporting that it just led to some catacombs. It was late afternoon by this point, so they decided to rest for the remainder of the day, and tackle the dungeon the next day.
The next morning, the adventurer teams equipped themselves and entered the portal to clear the tomb.
It shouldn't need to be said, but most did not return. Only several hours later, did a couple of the members of Kralgra come running and screaming out from that portal, covered in wounds and burn marks.
After getting medical attention, the lower-ranked adventurers who had stayed behind to guard the camp asked about what had happened. However, not much information was gleaned, other than some mad ramblings about hordes of undead, and something about a giant rodent and a katana-wielding swordsman with blue hair.
When asked if he would enter the tomb, the platinum-armoured warrior declined, saying they weren't sure that the dungeon here was what they were looking for.
They waited around until the next morning to see if any other adventurers would return, but none did, so with heavy hearts the adventurers began making their way back to E-Rantel.
With the huge devastation caused to the American-led coalition fleet around Japan caused by Jaldabaoth, and the continued advance of the demons through Tokyo, the Japanese Government decided it was necessary to invite Ainz Ooal Gown to a diet hearing to re-discuss terms of his assistance.
Thankfully, it was easy to get in contact with him, since last time he was at the Diet hearing he had left behind an entity of sorts to act as a messenger. That entity had come along with them to Yokota Airbase when it had become apparent that the Diet Building would be overrun by demons.
It had the head and mane of a lion, and a total of four wings with one pair of wings stretched out and another pair folded around them. Clad in a suit of shining armour, it was armed with a shield adorned with eye patterns in one hand and a lance of fire in the other. For the last several days it had stood outside the main office building on base, standing there almost perfectly still and emanating a powerful aura that made it difficult to walk by.
After saying to that angelic being that they requested to speak with Ainz Ooal Gown, it had simply nodded, and a few hours later he suddenly appeared out of thin air beside it. With that, the rest of the diet was summoned, and the hearing began that afternoon.
Ainz was called to the stage to repeat what his conditions were.
With a regal tone, he addressed the diet. "As I'm sure you all know, the crisis involving Jaldabaoth is due to him and his demonic army being extremely powerful, and being able to break through the gate and enter Ginza. To prevent something like this re-occurring after Jaldabaoth is driven off or defeated, you need someone capable and experienced in dealing with threats from what you call the special region. This is why I and my subordinates should be granted control of the area in the vicinity of the gate. Due to our past cooperation, I would of course allow your nation and its allies free passage even though it would be under my jurisdiction. Now, from this, I would gain a convenient way to access and explore your world, and you would gain a strong defence against hostile entities from the special region. Please note that I don't mind the exact details being worked out later due to the urgency of the ongoing crisis. I hope you all make the right decision for your nation."
With that, a new vote was put to the floor. There was a great deal of discussion. Momon and Sebas, who were apparently powerful warriors with strength comparable to Ainz's had recently joined to help defeat Jaldabaoth, so there was the question of whether they would be enough, and that Ainz might not be needed. However, most wanted to see all the destruction and suffering caused by Jaldabaoth's armies stopped as soon as possible. Besides, perhaps the terms could later be manipulated in their favour to give up less land for instance.
The results of the vote ended up being 70% for, 20% against, and 10% abstaining.
"Thank you for providing me with the means to help defend your people" said Ainz. "I promise you won't regret this."
With that, Ainz was assigned to join the special strike team alongside Momon, Sebas, Yotiaru, Itami's squad, and several USJF soldiers. The next day they were deployed on their first mission together.
Skyscrapers passed by on either side as the special strike team, in a CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter flew over the city of Tokyo.
Early that morning a group of soldiers north of Ginza holding the line at Kanda River came under attack by a large group of powerful demons, including war devils and scale demons, and required assistance. Thus, the special strike team was dispatched there.
It was a short trip of about half an hour to get there from Yokota airbase, and the helicopter soon touched down on the athletics field at Bizumi Elementary School, just a couple of hundred metres from the river. As the ramp opened at the back of the Chinook, they all immediately rushed out towards the fighting.
The soldiers had assumed holding the river would be a good strategy requiring less troops due to the water being a natural barrier. However, that thinking was quickly proven wrong, as many of the demons, including the stronger scale demons and war devils had flight capabilities. They desperately radioed out the locations of the stronger demons by street name, and the strike team moved in to engage.
[Chain Dragon Lightning]! A bolt of dragon-shaped electricity shot forth from Ainz's fingertip, obliterating a whole group of war devils. Meanwhile, Momon and Sebas moved into melee range to engage other groups of strong demons. This left Yotiaru, Itami's squad and the special forces to fire at any weaker stragglers who snuck past.
As they moved through the area, there was some initial confusion from the JSDF and US soldiers trying to hold off the demons when they saw these warriors and undead mage straight from a fantasy world, but that confusion quickly turned to elation and gratitude once they realised that they were on their side.
Within 15 minutes the area was clear of most powerful demons, and the squad was called back to the helicopter to provide assistance to a different area.
The fighting continued like this for the next few days, with Ainz, Momon and Sebas doing most of the heavy lifting, and Yotiaru, Itami's squad and the American operators being more for showing that people from the special region and Earth were working together.
However, there seemed to be no end to the demons. Despite their interventions, Jaldabaoth's forces were still making progress, albeit at a much slower pace. A change of strategy was needed.
Destroying the gate to stop Jaldabaoth's reinforcements was both not possible, as attested to by Itami's squad, who saw that on the other side in the special region it had remained standing despite being hit by a massive attack that destroyed most of the USJF base there. It was also not desirable to destroy the gate, as the special region held great promise and opportunity. Thus, it was decided that the special strike team should fight their way to the gate at the centre of Ginza, and hold it, preventing any more of Jaldabaoth's reinforcements from coming through and forcing him to fight them. Ainz, Momon and Sebas all agreed that they were unlikely to be overwhelmed by Jaldabaoth's demons on the way there, and that Jaldabaoth himself was the only real threat, who they had driven off together before in the past. It was just up to Yotiaru, Itami's squad and the US operators to provide support and try not to get caught in the crossfire.
The next day the operation was launched, code-named 'Padlock'. Once again, they flew out in a Chinook helicopter, landing just behind the frontlines, this time near the Akasaka Imperial Residence. There was a large forested garden area there, thus many tanks and infantry fighting vehicles had been deployed to take advantage of the open space. The strike team passed by these vehicles and the improvised barricades set up by JSDF and US soldiers as they made their way east towards Ginza.
For most of the way there Ainz, Momon and Sebas mowed their way through any attacking demons while Yotiaru, Itami's squad and the US operators followed behind, just trying not to get killed.
After a few hours they made it to the gate, but it was almost completely unrecognisable from images before the invasion. The area was totally reduced to rubble by both Jaldabaoth's demons and high-altitude airstrikes, leaving behind a cratered concrete hellscape.
They didn't have to wait long for Jaldabaoth to make his appearance, flanked by hordes of powerful demons.
"Well, we meet again" called out Jaldabaoth. Flying above the ruined buildings with bat-like wings, dressed in a crimson suit and a blue and gold trimmed mask, he gave a short bow as if to mock them.
"Demon, you will pay for your transgressions!" yelled Momon.
"Good… let the hate flow through you. Now, who are these little friends you've brought along with you? It would be a shame if something were to happen to them. Hmm, although that female's bow… is it perhaps made through the art of runecraft? That could be a problem."
Yotiaru, Itami's squad and the US operators hastily made their retreat. They had already discussed earlier that they wouldn't be able to do anything against Jaldabaoth himself, so once the fight began they were to stay at a distance and provide supporting fire against any incoming weaker demons.
"With all three of you here, perhaps I should get serious for once…" said Jaldabaoth.
There was a bright flash of light and a burst of smoke, which as it cleared revealed Jaldabaoth's final form. It was that of a fearsome demon with fangs protruding from his mouth and his body covered in scales. He had stout arms and sharp claws, as well as flaming wings and a snake-like tail.
"Now heroes. Come at me!"
Momon and Sebas charged forwards as Ainz cast [Chain Dragon Lightning], wiping out a large group of demons. Yotiaru began firing off arrows from a distance while the soldiers began firing with their rifles at a swarm of flying gazer devils.
[Vermillion Nova]! Ainz was engulfed in a pillar of flame by a spell cast by Jaldabaoth, however remained unfazed.
"Hrmph, ineffective?!" He was about to try to cast another spell, but was interrupted as Sebas tossed Momon at Jaldabaoth, slicing off one of his wings as he flew past and landing perfectly with a clunk sound atop a destroyed car.
With one of his wings removed, Jaldabaoth fell to the ground with a thud, shaking the earth. He then charged into melee with Sebas, who deftly deflected his strikes until he spotted Momon coming up from behind. Jaldabaoth roared, taking his attention away from Sebas for a moment to bat away Momon with a huge, muscled arm. However, this was a mistake, as this enabled Sebas to jump forward and deliver a powerful strike to his midsection, knocking him backwards.
Ainz continued casting spells until all of the more powerful demonic subordinates had been eliminated, after which he turned his attention to Jaldabaoth, who was brawling in melee with Momon and Sebas. He cast [Call Greater Thunder], an enormous thunderbolt falling from the sky to strike Jaldabaoth.
"I guess this is it then" growled Jaldabaoth, clearly badly wounded. [Meteor Fall]!
Everyone quickly ran to try and get out of range as a meteor ripped through the air and landed amongst the rubble, causing a huge explosion and launching chunks of debris everywhere.
Yotiaru and the USJF soldiers who were a considerable distance away were thrown through the air by the force of the impact. Momon and Sebas took heavy damage. Ainz cast [Body of Effulgent Beryl]. This negated any bludgeoning damage, and thus would've also negated the fire damage, but he was already immune to fire thanks to his equipment.
As the dust cleared, Jaldabaoth was kneeled over, heavily wounded after having been hit by his own meteor, and on the brink of death.
It had been agreed that if possible, Ainz should be the one to deliver the finishing blow to help improve his public image. While it would be nice to have one of the people from Earth deliver the final blow, since they were basically sitting out most of the battle it would make it seem like they were stealing the glory.
Ainz cast [Call Greater Thunder], and with that Jaldabaoth was defeated, his body falling to the ground like a puppet who's strings had been cut, and disappearing into dust.
Reports soon came in from all across Tokyo that the demons were retreating, and the USJF force began rapidly gaining ground. By the end of the day the last of the demons had been either killed or driven back through the gate. Operation Padlock had been a success, and Tokyo was secured.
PSA: Jaldabaoth arc is finally over aha.
I think someone suggested having Jaldabaoth spread some super-virus to earth to cripple it. It's something I also thought about, but I've decided against because: It would be a bit boring, as Earth is going to have a hard enough time as it is taking on Nazarick. Also, there isn't much precedent for it, as we've never seen anyone weaponise plagues in the original novels and overall there isn't much mention of diseases in general.
I should hopefully have another chapter out within a week, which will involve the annual war between the Re-Estize Kingdom and Baharuth Empire.