AN: "Cookies" → Speech / spoken air quotes
"Cookies" → Thoughts
"Cookies" → Spells / Martial Arts
"Cookies" → Message spell speech
I don't own Overlord
Have fun, enjoy and please review
From here on out I will just name the chapters with "Chapter X" as I run the risk of naming something double. I hope you, dear reader, can overlook that. Thanks for your understanding and now have fun with the chapter.
Chapter 44
→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion / Arachama ←
It was the late evening when Arachama woke up. For the last few days she felt a bit more exhausted, but she managed. She looked out of the window and saw that the sun was going down. Once she got her mind to think clearly she placed Enti, whom she had cuddled, in her bed and wrapped her in a thick and cozy blanket.
Arachama went to the indoor garden, and used her inventory to get some water, when she met Arachne. Her creation seemed tired and even had two hickeys. Arachne was pushed beside her and she could see the smile on the women.
"So you have a plan, little one?" she asked and Arachne's smile grew wider.
"Of course, old-mother. Though I will need your help." the young baroness confessed.
"What did you plan then? Maybe we can further refine your plan." she inquired.
"Baharut is in our hand, thanks to the emperor and me. But there is an opportunity for another potential ally, though this one might be a bit more … reluctant." Arachne began.
"I guess the queen wants something before she would sign anything?" Arachama guessed.
"Indeed. She wants to meet the Sorcerer King, Lord Ainz Ooal Gown. That is where I would need your help." she continued.
"When do you think the meeting should take place?" Arachama asked.
"In four weeks. But travel shouldn't be a problem. But the timetable for such an esteemed being is. Thus we would need a guarantee." Arachne sighed.
"Let me deal with this. I am sure I can get it done." Arachama smirked.
"Thank you, old-mother." Arachne smiled and leaned closer.
Arachama took the chance and began to cuddle with her when an irritating noise filled her head.
"We have a meeting tomorrow, Ari." the voice of her friend, who used "Message", began.
"That is good. I can't wait to see something other than the four walls. Anything we will need for this meeting?" Arachama inquired.
"No, we should have it all here by then." he stated and Arachama began to stroke her child's hair.
"Then Enti it is." she replied and cut the connection.
"Everything ok?" her youngest asked.
"It only contains lots of calcium and can wait till tomorrow morning." Arachama sighed and placed her head on Arachnes.
"If you say so. By the way, can I meet the emperor tomorrow? He has an important meeting and he wants to integrate me a bit more in his dealings." she heard her daughter plead.
"Of course. But be careful, as I will be at the tomb tomorrow. I will also need to contact Enti. hmm. It can wait until she wakes. Till then we can cuddle." Arachama giggled and continued to pet Arachne.
"I like that." her child mused and snuggled into her.
"Me too, me too." Arachama sighed.
→ Nazarick Ainz-office / Ainz ←
The last few weeks, in lack of better terms, were terrifying the hell out of him. First were the increasing numbers of false alarms within Aris mansion. Every time his non-existing heart beat jumped up in fear.
Then were Shalltear, Nabe and Albedo, all wanting more and more time with him. He could, for example, only bathe alone if he drew their attention elsewhere.
Third was the enormous amount of paperwork, which sometimes threatened to crush his fiancee and himself under its weight.
Fourth was the every closer prospect of being a father. It scared him and he already had to stop himself from throwing the responsibility on Ari's shoulders alone. Technically she was the most innocent in this charade, though his scared back( in Incubus-form) told otherwise. He wanted to be a good father, but also be far away from the child.
The final threat to his sanity came in the form of the acquired territory. Since he had gotten some lands in the north of the former Slane Theocracy and the west of the tob forest, he was expected to rule. He also had the standard, for himself at least, to be amongst the greatest rulers.
"I was only a salaryman…" he sighed mentally.
As soon as he wanted to continue the sentence Nabe walked in and placed another stack of papers on his desk.
"Are those guild-exit-formulas?" he inquired.
"Yes, lord Ainz. The worm leading the guild decided to side with the guild leader in Re-Estize, closing the guild itself for a while. He also recommended moving either to Baharut, Roble or the Draconic kingdom." she explained.
"Why though?" Ainz asked himself.
"Since the prince is making our pawns work without her input, my love." he heard Albedo grumble, while she placed another folder aside and cracked her fingers.
"Isn't the pawn's job to slowly drive the kingdom into ruin?" he threw in there, trying to play it as relaxed as possible to hide his confusion.
"It is my love. But the prince is seemingly incompetent without comparison." Albedo sighed and went over.
"Is everything prepared for tomorrow?" Ainz inquired.
"Yes. Pestonya will be at the ready and the guardians will be there as ordered." Albedo grinned and placed herself in his lap.
Nabe meanwhile licked her lips. Ainz wanted to sign the papers, but other commitments would prove more entertaining for him.
→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion / Arachama ←
It was early morning when Arachama turned in her bed, feeling for her Enti. The emptiness of her grip certainly didn't help her to continue her sleep and thus she gave up after five minutes. Grumbling forward, still in her pajamas, she crept towards the kitchen. Seeing as everything was seemingly asleep, Arachama made herself some tea and got some snacks. Then she went towards the garden and sighed.
The roof was made of glass and thus she could look at the sky. The first rays of twilight were piercing the sky, but the moon stubbornly held the ground.
Arachama was completely ensnared in her activity when she felt a weight in her lap. She looked down and saw the trusted mas of Enti.
"Morning, my little spider." she snickered while giving Enti a hug.
"Good morning, mother." Enti yawned back and reciprocated the hug.
"Do I want to know where you were?" she asked her little angel and kissed said angel.
"Nothing dangerous. I only visited Demiurge for supplies." Enti told her and Arachama could smell Entis excitement.
"That sounds good. Is everything prepared?" she inquired.
"Yes. I already prepared breakfast and lunch for all, except us. Everyone knows to be on their best behavior and I got my best dress out." Entoma nearly beamed pridefully.
"That is good. I got everything finished. How about we get dressed and eat breakfast in Nazarick. After we cuddle for a while and finish the snacks?" Arachama asked and gave Enti a millipede-cooky.
"That sounds great, mom." Enti said and ate said cooky.
They relaxed in that position, ate snacks and drank tea until the first red rays of the sunrise were visible above them. Arachama was now fighting the tiredness, though she kept herself awake by stroking Entomas 'hair'.
"I think we need to dress, Enti." Arachama sighed, not wanting to go.
"You're right, mom." Enti replied.
"But I don't wanna." she sighed and continued to cuddle Enti.
"What about Lord Ainz, mom?" she chirped.
"He can wait." Arachama answered and kissed the back of Entis head.
They continued to cuddle another five minutes before they went to dress.
Arachama, looking in her mirror, was quite happy with her choice. A Victorian dress, which was going to the ground. It had toxic-green and red accents while using black as background. The muster was similar to spiderwebs and held in green. Her back was comfy, since the dress was plush there. She looked over and checked if a hat would fit. It was green and had black spiderwebs instead of a ribbon. She decided to take it.
After she decided that she was ready she went to the foyer, where Enti was already waiting. She wore something similar to her usual uniform, though it was black with a deep red. Arachama was sure that this was the coloring she had first chosen for her, before the other creator, Genjiro, had discarded it for the normal one.
"You look fabulous." Arachama smiled and scooped Enti up.
"Thanks mom." Enti inaudibly sighed.
"Then "Gate", let's go." she said and opened the portal.
Carrying her oldest like a teddy bear she went through the portal and reappeared in Mongas office.
Once inside Arachama looked around. Pheromones were filling the air and she had to control herself. She understood Monga taking advantage of the situation, but couldn't he do that in his bedroom?
She followed it and soon stood in front of the door to said bedroom.
"Then we go to eat breakfast." she hissed.
"Haven't we already eaten breakfast?"
"Nah. I am hungry."Teleportation"." she answered and soon both stood in front of the canteen.
She went inside and gathered food. Two bowls of potato crisps, a bottle of water, a plate of pancakes with syrup and ice cream for good measure. THough the last one was definitely more because she had the urge to eat it. Sadly Enti decided to only take a few pancakes.
After loading themselves Arachama teleported them back into Mongas office, where she placed them just on the smaller table and began to eat.
After she was finished, as well as force feeding Enti, she sighed and scooped Enti into a tight hug. They remained like that till the door opened and Monga came through, together with his entourage of Albedo, Nabe and Shalltear.
"Good morning, sleepy head." she said and began to stroke Entis head.
"Mornin'." he grumbled back.
"Did you have a good evening yesterday?" she teased and it seemed to work as Albedo and Nabe blushed, Monga shimmered green and Shalltear looked annoyed at the other two.
"Ahh, yes, of course." he said and sat down.
"That is good to hear. But could you do your uh… gymnastic exercise in the bedroom? I got here and could smell the pheromones. What about the children?" she said, squinting her eyes.
"Ehh, I am sure it wasn't that terrible?" he tried and soon shrunk further into his seat as she squinted harder.
"Uhhh. we will try to keep it there." he continued and she raised four eyebrows.
"Are you sure? It isn't the first time I got into some activities inside this room." she asked.
"I promise." he sighed and she grinned, closing all her eyes and seemingly beaming.
"That is all I ask for. Besides some other things…" she said and relaxed a lot, allowing an Enti to breath after accidentally hugging her to tight.
Nabe meanwhile took the plates and left.
"What is today's meeting about? I am sure that I was under house arrest." she inquired.
"I want every guardian to assign their respective orders for the next step in my grand plan. While I am at it I can also test how far Demiurge was able to discern it." Monga proclaimed, raising his chin a bit.
"So he wants to know where we are and bullsht his way through again. Understood big evil overlord and undead king." Arachama sighed in her mind while nodding along.
"That sounds lovely. Afterwards I can get myself a check-over by Pestonya." she smiled and continued to snack her potato-crisps.
"I knew you would understand. I also have a few questions on my own, not regarding the future child of mine though. Let's start with Baharut. How is your plan going there?" he began.
"It is going smoothly. Arachne has taken over her role. The couple is also now openly courting. Yuri and the twins are moving efficiently in the economy and we are gaining control. My children are learning their spells at an adequate pace and Fluder is a great student. Leinas herself is already deeply connected to us. To summarize, we are safe and sound, while the plan is moving slowly but steadily." she told him, placing as much non-information as possible in as many words as possible.
"But for that they would need to read the 'Spider-papers', which they seemingly don't." she fumed in her head.
"That is great. Do you need help with anything?" he inquired, using a voice she knew he used to bullshit his way out when NPCs were asking him difficult questions.
She felt her mood swing from happy to vindictive as she raised four of her eyebrows.
"I know that voice well enough. What mental trick do you play? Two can play this game." she thought while getting annoyed.
"Actually, yes. We could gain a potential ally. But for that the potential ally wants to meet the Sorcerer King. It would be in Baharut in roughly four weeks. Since you are so busy with gymnastics, I can contact you when the day comes." she hissed.
"Why are you so angry?" She heard the mental connection from the typical "Message" spell.
"Why do you use the voice on me? The one that you use to bullshit your way through and interrogate the guardians?" she snappen mentally with him.
"I didn't mean to. I only need to know if all is going well." he tried.
This calmed her down a bit.
"Then why not simply ask that?" she inquired.
"I have to play an undead Overlord all day. I always need to ask more than one question so they know I have some kind of forethought." he explained and she sighed.
She felt her mood swing relaxed and calmed down.
"I hate mood swings, besides you owe me one." she hissed in her mind before cutting the connection.
"It would be good if you contact me the day before. Anything I should know about that potential ally?" he inquired, having changed his tone.
"They don't like the undead. It would be more advantageous to keep Ainz Ooal Gowns' true species hidden for now. The emperor also dislikes the leader of the Roble Holy Kingdom. We should keep that in mind." She told them.
"Well done. It will move our plans in regards to that country ahead." Monga smiled, as far as his non-existing face allowed it.
"That is good. But let's relax until it is time for the meeting." Arachama sighed and felt that her day would be a long one.
"Sounds good to me. Would you like to play chess?" he asked and she simply nodded as he got a board out of his inventory.
→ Arwintar Imperial-palace / Jircniv ←
Jircniv was sitting on his couch, working through several documents when the door was opened. Usually there would be an announcement but this time it wasnt. He knew what it ment.
"Arachama, I hope the trip was wonderful?" he inquired.
"It was enjoyable, though I rather like this room." she answered and winked at him.
"That is understandable. Is everything prepared?" he asked.
"I talked with them. The Sorcerer King and Lady Arachama will come over shortly before the queen arrives." she smiled as the maid, Tuare was her name as far as he could recall, pushed her wheelchair over.
"Sounds good." he said and pressed a kiss on her perfect forehead.
"No problem. May I help you with the paperwork?" she proposed.
"Of course. Though we might take a break in between some." he smiled before giving her a peck on the cheek.
They worked through the papers with ease and finally they were finished. It was just closing in on noon and thus Jircniv ordered something to eat. Tuare was sent and now both of them were alone, as Nimble was guarding the door.
"We are proceeding at a good pace. Thanks to you the more annoying nobles have either gone or learned to keep their mouths shut." Jircniv told her.
"That is good. I also got no threats or anything in that regard. The threat is most likely gone. How do you like to advance our plan?" she asked, winking at him.
"If it were me we would have the wedding night tonight," he confessed.
"That would be my desire as well. But what is stopping us?" she inquired, already getting her notebook out.
"I want to keep it more traditional, to appease the older nobles. Thus I would need to properly court you." he smiled.
"I am sure the time undercover can be deducted," Arachama smiled and got her arms around his neck, pressing a peck on his cheek.
"That would be lovely, but sadly they don't officially know it." he giggled and soon they kissed again.
"How will you court me then?" she teased, getting closer so that he could smell her perfume.
It smelled like strawberries and vanilla. He liked it.
"Officially I invite you to a ball, where I will ask to court you. You then agree. Afterwards we will have to meet regularly." he began.
"So you only need to ask publicly." she nodded along.
"Once a bit of time is gone we can go to the next step, where I ask you publicly to marry me. But that is still far off, my sweet dear." he smirked.
She then pulled him tighter and got into a full blown kiss.
It lasted for roughly a minute before they went apart again. She blushed and Jircniv felt alive again. Afterwards they remained silent for a while until he pushed her wheelchair closer. Then he helped her out of it and placed her onto his couch, placing an arm around her.
"I hope it is comfortable?" he inquired.
"It is, though not because of the couch." she giggled.
"Well then. The generals only come in in the afternoon." he kissed her forehead again.
Arachama hugged him and they would relax for a while.
→ Nazarick Ainz-office / Arachama and Entoma ←
While she played chess with Monga, and got beaten into oblivion, she also cuddled with Enti. It truly relaxed her and kept her occupied. She also felt that Enti fell asleep during one game and she continued to stroke her child's head.
The games went on and on, to her annoyance without any victory on her side, until Demiurge entered the office. He bowed towards her and then talked to Monga. Arachama meanwhile focused on her oldest and ignored the others. At least until the perfect view of Enti was interrupted by the skeletal hand of Monga, which waved in front of her.
"...chama? Are you there?" she heard him ask and ruptured herself out of her focus.
"What is?" she asked, looking around in confusion.
"It is time." Monga snickered and she sighed.
"You can go then. I will wake my child up." she said and three left the room.
She nudged Enti until a groan filled the room. Then her oldest shot up and she scopper her child into a hug.
"It is time, dear." she smiled at Enti and felt her daughter relax.
She got up and teleported both of them into the throne room. The floor guardians were already there and bowed. It still felt strange for her, but she could ignore that feeling for a while. What she couldn't ignore was another feeling though.
The throne room had changed slightly and she looked around. Finally she found that the throne itself looked different. Instead of a single throne there was now a throne with two seats. The seats were at a different height, the highest was on the left while the lower one was on the right from her view. Monga sat on the higher throne while the lower one remained empty. Albedo stood proudly beside it and had prepared one of Arachamas pillows for the pregnant mother.
"Monga, since when did the throne change?" she inquired by using "Message".
"The guardians had built it roughly a month back and I like it. Anything wrong with this throne?" he asked back.
"Only confused about the change. But why is there an empty seat?" she sent him.
"The guardians said it's for the heir." he answered and she sighed at that, luckily she sighed as she sat down.
Once she was seated, and Enti sat comfortably in her lap, she looked at the guardians. All the floor guardians were bowing, except for Gargantua and Victim since they were not here.
"Since Demiurge seemed to figure out my plan, he shall present it to the others." Monga ordered and Demiurge stood up, moving in front of the guardians.
"Since we managed to secure the lands, which encompass the 'Sorcerer Kingdom', we have secured its position militarily. Now we move to further our reach..." he began, but Arachama turned it out. She was just enjoying Enti and cuddling.
"... Thus we have quite some points, which our Lord, in his infinite wisdom, wants to be addressed." Demiurge concluded.
"That is right. But are you sure it is that one time?" Monga inquired.
"Didn't he learn it last time?" Arachama asked herself when Demiurge simply confirmed that it indeed was 'that time'.
"As you have figured me out, why don't you tell me what their next role is?" Monga asked and Demiurge seemed to go into overdrive.
"It would be an honor, my Lord." he nodded.
"The easiest guess is that Cocythus will be continuing his assignment with the Lizardmen, as this is his duty for now. It is otherwise secured and no problem to us. Similar are the villages around the forest of tob.
The territories in our south-east on the other hand are riddled with brigands, a problem we need to dissolve.
Then there is the interest in dwarfs, which you both share. I would propose to send an expedition to them, first in the north and then the south.
Then there is the operation in Re-Estize. I think, as their nobles have insulted one of our supreme beings, they need a long, painful punishment. Since they don't want to pay up, we make them pay.
Thus I have the following proposal. We send Albedo to work closer with our pawn in the palace. They can destroy it easily, if the reports were truthful." he summarized and nodded towards Albedo.
Albedo herself had a mixture of anger and pride on her face as she puffed her chest up.
"That shouldn't be a problem. She is bound in a contract towards me. As long as her pet lives, which it will, we have her in our pocket." Arachama threw in, before giving her oldest a cockroach-cooky.
If she hadn't her oldest in her lap she would have shivered in anger. Once she was back in her mansion she had recalled every meeting in Re-Estize and nearly leveled the mansion in fury. While she knew it was partly a plan, at least the contract was, she couldn't forget the humiliation and insult towards her kin and herself that she endured at the 'ball'. Arachama felt fury rise in herself.
Albedo looked at her and nodded towards Demiurge.
"Since the prince is already working towards destruction…" she began.
"They insulted not only me, but my kin. Make sure they pay without breaking my word towards them." Arachama hissed, remembering the humiliation of a 'ball'.
"As you wish, Lady Arachama. May I report to you for that mission?" Albedo asked.
"That would be possible. I decide when they are ready to face the true consequences of that humiliation towards my kin." Arachama smiled, though she heard nearly everyone in the room shudder.
"Then we have the expedition to the northern dwarfs…" Demiurge began.
"I will go there. Beside me will be Aura Bella Fiora and Shalltear Bloodfallen." Monga told them.
Demiurge looked at him and then pushed his glasses up.
"I understand. If that is the case we have to tweak it a bit, but the result is much more promising." Demiurge smirked.
"Then continue." Monga ordered.
"That leaves only two problems. The southern part of the Sorcerer Kingdom and the migration at our border in the west. I propose that we drive the brigands out by using Mare Bello Fiore's abilities and then have them struck down." Demiurge proposed.
"That would leave only the security of Mare and the other problem." Arachama whispered to herself and felt many glances towards her.
"Mare will go with a cohort of 'Death Knights'." Monga ordered and another round of nodes came back.
"For the migration, I have a proposal, Monga. I heard most of them were adventurers and magicians. Didnt you want to reform the adventurers guild? Why not now? We could also have a school for magic." Arachama asked, munching on a cooky and handing one to Enti.
"Then we proceed with that. Only one thing from my side to all of you. My goal for the kingdom…." Monga started.
Silence filled the room as all eyes went to him, with the exception of eight as she was searching ehr pocket for another cockroach-cooky.
"I want to have a paradise for all sentient species. We will build the kingdom with that in mind. Am I understood?" Monga finished.
"Yes, our Lord." came the chorus back.
Arachama could almost feel Mongas smile and just sighed. A heavy feeling pressed her in her abdomen as she stood up, Enti hanging in her hug.
The guardians on the other hand left, except for Shalltear and Albedo.
"I also have some interesting information for you, Monga." Arachama smiled and looked at him.
"Is that so?" he inquired.
"Blue Roses are moving towards E-Rantel in search of a certain adventurers team." she told him and saw a green aura surround him.
"Thank you for the information." he said and she nodded.
"No problem. I will go then, since I am tired." she sighed.
At that moment Pestonya came into the room and closed in.
"May I diagnose you now, Lady Arachama ~woof?" she asked.
"I would rather be in a comfortable pillow in the mansion, before I fall asleep standing here." she replied and a certain portal appeared.
She went through, carrying Enti and followed by Pestonya. Once she sat down Pestonya casted the necessary spells.
"I have good news, Lady Arachama ~woof." Pestonya smiled.
"What are those news, Pestonya?"
"I think the egg will be ready tomorrow." Pestonya told her and Arachama nodded.
"Enti dear, could you clear today and the day after?" she asked and Enti freed herself from her hug and sprinted off.
"I guess this news will be known by everyone here till dinner. In Nazarick they probably know it as soon as tomorrow morning." she thought couldn't hide a smile.
"I will report to Lord Ainz then, Lady Arachama ~ woof." Pestonya said and left.
Arachama sat there for a few moments, not being able to comprehend the situation and thus simply decided on two actions. She would cuddle the living hell out of a child and she was tired. Thus she would be later found with a distraught, yet happy, Arche in her arms and sleeping in her bed.
→ Arwintar Imperial-palace / Arachne ←
The time between lunch and the promised meeting went by extremely fast. But Arachne enjoyed it nonetheless. Jircniv had cuddled with her and they talked about multiple topics, though she was sure he just endured through a theoretical lecture on faith-magic to hear her talk. But he got his reward in a passionate kiss.
Once the sun began to glow into her eyes she heard the servants enter and prepare a new table. The new table was a topographic one, showing the land of the wyvern tribes, the former Slane Theocracy, Baharut and the Mare Homonorum.
"I hope you can endure me and the generals talking, if only to hear my voice as well." Jircniv whispered in her ear before teasing her with descending kisses along her neck.
"Certainly, if only to repay the favor." she smirked before pecking his cheek.
Soon enough the generals came in, accompanied by Nimble, Leinas and some bureaucrats. She simply decided to look pretty for now and listen in.
"So, gentlemen. Let's get this started. We have attacks from wyvern riders at the sea, they seem to scout the villages in the south. What options do we have?" Jircniv opened the discussion.
Servants meanwhile placed multiple figurine of wyvern on the table, indicating greater accumulations of raiders.
"The main problems are their tribal society and their air-superiority." One general, which she knew as Gaius Marius Novius, began.
"So we need to cut that down. Otherwise our infantry would be useless and our artillery would prove useless. The mages on the other hand will have trouble, as wyvern are bred for speed." he finished his summary.
"Any information on the wyvern?" Plumbus, a general who had discovered the undercover relations between her and Jircniv, asked.
"The wyvern mostly bred on the Surshana-Pike-Mountain. It is not really in the center, but north-west from it. Roughly there." One of the bureaucrats, who wore magical gear, told them. He placed an egg at the mentioned position.
"In the last war, roughly 150 years back, the gryphon of Baharut also had an advantage in height, in which they could fly. It should still be possible to use this." another one mentioned.
"At least one part is clear. We will need the 'Royal Air Guard'." Plumbus sighed.
Arachne could feel Jircniv tense up.
The 'Royal Air Guard' was a troop of griffin riders. Griffin were expensive and thus the force was limited to 800 men. It wasn't part of any legion and, similar to the four imperial knights and palace guard, were directly under Jircnivs command.
"He doesn't like to give others his toys." she thought, before leaning closer to the table.
Now people looked at her.
"Jircniv, if you wish I can contact our allies and guard the capital for you. I only need to summon a few monsters." she told him.
"Are you sure?" he inquired.
"Of course. I am still the caster that can cast the highest tier within your empire." she smiled at him and felt him relax again.
"Since we need them for the war we take them into consideration. Arachama, contact the Sorcerer King. The commander in chief will be Plumbus, as he is the most experienced. But every strategic move, if possible, needs permission." Jircniv ordered
"Then I would propose the following plan. The main force will advance towards the 'Shrine of the Minotaur Slayer' in the center. From what I gathered the last few weeks, it is holy to them. I expect them to defend it. Meanwhile a specialized force gets to Surshana-Pike-Mountain. Steal or destroy the eggs, kill the grown wyvern etc." Plumbus smirked and waited a short second.
"Then they move further south. There is an old vault from Slane. We can plunder it." Plumbus finished and Arachne didn't need to be a mind-reader to find everyone in agreement.
"So this is our plan?" Jircniv inquired.
Only cheers and nods answered.
"The taskforce will be composed of Leinas Rockbruise, Nimble Aarc Dale Anoch, Fluder Paradyne and the first century of the palace guard." Jircniv ordered, seemingly placing everything on one card.
"Then there is only one question. When do you wish us to move out?" Plumbus asked.
"Baharut will move the day after tomorrow." Jircniv said and sat down beside Arachne again.
Soon the generals talked amongst each other while Servants brought snacks. Jircniv meanwhile slung his arm around Arachne's shoulder and she leaned in.
"For the duration of that war, I want you to stay in the palace," he whispered.
"Then I better bring my clothes with me the day after tomorrow. Or would you rather…" she teased.
"I would wish, but sadly there are too many traditionalists." he sighed.
It would prove to be a relaxed night. A calm before a storm if Arachne had to put it into words.
→ Undisclosed location ←
The head of Zuranon, figuratively and literally, rested on a pillow as the body was moving around the room. He hated that habit, but it had stuck with him.
"So I will meet you soon, Sire?" the voice in his head asked.
"Indeed. I want to look something up, sadly the other vaults proved unreliable for my research. How is everything on your end in regards to the Slane Theocracy?" he inquired
"They are still fighting. Why are mortals always so annoying? Anyway, our plan went as well as it could, though the main vault was already plundered. They even took the marble from the walls." his partner told him.
"Such a shame. But to be expected from them. They did it back then as well. So I can guess there are at least two walking around. One of them is probably the wallet-warrior Arachama, since she always plundered guilds to the last piece of currency. The other is probably the leader of their guild, Momsta? Momo? Momonga. That was his name. The next goal for you is to move and recruit the names I gave you. I want them tested as soon as possible. Especially that assassin." he ordered and his old creation mentally sent his understanding.
"Good then I will move now." he told it and cut the connection from his "Message" spell before casting it to talk to another one.
"Alator, how did your mission go?" he asked.
"I didn't get the queen, but her caster, Kelart got hit." he reported and anger flared up for a short moment before the emotion disappeared.
"Such a shame that one of my best pawns failed that mission. But we still won that" he thought.
"Anything else?" he inquired.
"I lost my left eye. Remedios got me there badly." came the reply and again anger flared.
"Can you still use your talent?" he questioned.
"Of course, though now I'm blind during the time I use my talent," he answered.
"Then I want you to move towards this Sorcerer Kingdom. Gather information. Once a month I will contact you." came the orders and the connection was cut.
"Time to move now, before that female tribal chieftain wakes up." he hissed in his mind.
The body moved to the head and got it up. He moved slowly and quietly outside and placed the head on his shoulders, cracked his fingers before summoning his bicorn. He could travel to his goal using "Gate", but he didn't know if it was still as he remembered it, as there were more than a few centuries to his last visit. He thus decided he would rather take the safe option that takes longer than the risky.
"I didn't use every trick back then to obliterate myself in some dumb accident." he thought grimly and rode into the night, scaring a little girl in the process.
AN: And so the next wave is starting. I already have some plans and cant wait for some key moments to write. But that can take time. I hope you enjoyed the read. If you did, pleas leave a review/comment,