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
Chapter 6
→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion / Arachama and Entoma ←
Arachama was seen in her bed with Entoma, who she cuddled. That is until she looked out the window and saw the red glim of a sunset. She got up, Entoma was still sleeping, and went and kissed her awake.
"Ara ara Enti, wake up. We have an important meeting." Arachama whispered into Entomas' ear. She heard Entoma grumble a bit.
"None of this hiss, my little Enti." Arachama said and laid a set of clothing out for Entoma. It was a copy of the normal dress. She herself decided against her sunhat and instead decided to go with open hair. She also wore a victoria dress. It covered her until she reached her front till her human parts weren't visible. The back of the dress on the other hand covered her entire length, reaching the tip of her abdomen. The dress was mostly black with a big red cross on her abdomen and a small pattern in her front.
"What meeting do we attend? I thought Yuri Alpha had set the negotiations on friday?" Entoma asked.
"You remember my "Corner Spiders" in Re-Estize?" Arachama asked.
"Yes mother. They are extremely good at their duties." Entoma said.
"Well.'' One of the royals seemed to figure out my sources. She asked for a meeting. I will go there. We might gain a good resource for Nazarick." Arachama said.
"Are you sure? I mean the humans in this world don't like "monsters" like us." Entoma asked, unsure of the idea.
"Uhh. She dislikes the word "monster"." Arachama realized.
"Ara ara. They might see us as "monsters". But why do we care about it? We are stronger than them. They only call us "monsters" to make them seem stronger. Now my little Enti. Lets just show them that we can be merciful "monsters" and that these humans who call us "monsters" just envy us" Arachama tried to cheer her little Entoma, who was dressing up, up.
"Yes mother. Who will be guarding you?" Entoma asked.
"You will be my little Enti." Arachama ordered and Entoma nodded.
Entoma and Arachama made last preparations, most of them concerning their optic. Arachama then placed a note on her desk, that said where she was and that she will be back till midnight.
"Let's go Enti. "Gate" Lets meet her" Arachama casted and Entoma and her walk through the spell.
They walked into the room of Princess Renner and only saw her at a small table. She looked like a nice innocent girl. But through her "Corner Spiders" she knew her little secrets, which made her interesting for Archama
"Good evening, lady Arachama?" the princess asked.
"Yes. I am Arachama. This is my little girl Entoma. I hope I don't need to remind you that the meeting will remain between us." Arachama greeted and introduced herself, Renner nodded trying to hide her little fear.
"Now princess Renner. Why do you want to meet me?" Arachama asked.
"Multiple reasons. But foremost I want to know some details. Then we can see from there. But I must applaud you for this ingenious network of spies." Renner said and Arachama realized that the princess was trying to use rhetorical honey.
"But two can play this game, hehe." Arachama thought.
"Ara ara.I might help you with some details. We can see where it leads us. But I also must congratulate you on figuring out my little network. I assume you want something for your silence? As long as it is equal it could be brokered" Arachama smiled and petted one of her "Corner Spiders" on Renners table.
"Let's start with the details. I want to know how you managed to get all those little spiders into the palace." Renner asked intrigued.
"I already have the needed information. What could I lose here?" Arachama thought and looked at Renner.
"It is just personal interest. I will not interfere with your network, as long as my Climb and I aren't impeded." Renner explained.
"When I shook the brutes, I believe his name was Gazef Stronoff, hand I placed multiple eggs on him. They hatched and reproduced. The rest was simply spreading through the palace. I get the information then with my "Higher Corner Spider". My little angels were even able to infiltrate nearly all of the nobles' estates." Arachama explained and Renner looked shocked.
"So you know all of the moves of the kingdom." Renner thought loudly.
"Ara ara. Don't underestimate my little friends. Not only the superficial moves. I have a list of traitors, who sold your kingdom out to the Baharut Empire. Then I have a list of multiple conspiracies in the court, with all their plans and participants and all who know of it." Arachama grinned at Renner, who became a bit pale.
"Fearing for your little "puppy" or fearing that he might see you in a different light? I knew that you only wanted him when I came through my little "Gate"." Arachama smiled reassuringly.
"Please tell me if there is something going against him. I don't want to lose him" Renner pleaded.
"Ara ara. Quite eager. I am sure we can work something out. Now where am I?" Arachama replied.
"You told me that you managed to infiltrate nearly all estated." Renner spoke.
"Ahh yes. As I told you. We got the lists and the infiltration done. I also know some deeper things and how well your country is faring, based on my look at the economy, history and my little friends." Arachama listed.
"We are not looking good to you, are we?" Renner asked.
"Your nobles are either traitor or stupid, with Marquis Raeven being a noticible exception. He is quite smart and is loyal. But what could he do if all is burning, such a shame. Now, tell me how you got the idea with the spiders'' Arachama grinned.
"I noticed the increase in spiders and their webs. I also saw other changes after Gazef Stronoff came back from his mission. So I asked him. He told me about a spider lady and then explained that she summoned spiders. From there it was only a logical step and I tried it. Obviously it worked." Renner explained, smiling like a demon.
"She is more heteromorph than human." Arachama smiled back.
"Well, you are the first one to find my network. Like I said, congratulations and well done. Sadly I cant remove my spiders, since they are working quite some overtime." Arachama joked and snickered a bit.
"If it might not be too much to ask, what are you and the maid behind you?" Renner aked, true curiosity coming to the surface.
"My little Entoma is an arachnoid while I am an arachne. But I remind you that this will stay between us. Now. What did you want to ask? You called for the meeting after all." Arachama asked.
"I know that you are powerful. I also know you dislike the kingdom. I can guess that you and this Ainz Ooal Gown will probably do something against the kingdom. Now I would like to make a trade. I will help you, as long as it is possible and you help me to get Climb, since he is a commoner and I am a princess I can't marry him. But I am sure the new wind will upset many things." Renner stated.
"Hmm. I want to be sure. We will write a contract with the papers I brought with me. You shall only be used for manipulation and as a spy, can't waste a brain like that in battle. I will also allow you to use the "Corner Spiders", as long as you are loyal to me or Ainz Ooal Gown. If you betray us I will torture Climb before you and much more. Am I clear?" Arachama explained and Renner gulped audibly.
Arachama then proceeded with the same paper she used for Arche. She wrote the points down and waited for Renner to sign. Once Renner signed, she signed the contract herself.
"I would give you a copy, but I guess you don't want it to be found?" Arachama asked.
"That is unfortunately true. But thanks for that offer." Renner replied.
"Any questions now?" Arachama asked.
"Only two, before I have to go for dinner. One would be why I feel like I sold my soul, the second would be how strong you and your group truly are." Renner asked.
"To the first, you practically did sell your soul and body to me. You are my servant and will do as I please, as long as I enable you to marry Climb and get his children.
The other question can be answered simply. If Ainz and I wanted we could conquer the world within one year. But I only want to cuddle my children and Ainz wants a slow approach.
A final reminder. If you break the contract by telling anyone about our relationship, the contract will destroy you." Arachama smiled while Renner paled.
"Understood, lady Arachama" Renner spoke as fast as possible.
"Then I will use my spiders if I need something from you "Gate" Goodbye" Arachama said and left with Entoma.
When she was through and the "Gate" closed, Arachama sighed and cooped up Entoma.
"That was scary. I felt like my head was in a swirl" Arachama thought.
"Mother, are you hungry? I could get us some "albion sheep"" Entoma asked.
"Yes, do that Enti. I meanwhile will write a report for Albedo and Ainz. Afterwards we eat and go to sleep." Arachama replied.
→ Arwintar Furt-mansion / Arche ←
Arche woke up with her sisters. She prepared them for the day and helped James a bit. She worried for the old butler, but he reassured her that it is normal for old people to be unable to do some things.
James' health was in steep decline for quite some time now. The time periods with barely anything to eat didn't help his health either. A dark reminder for Arche was when she saw James write a letter, which she assumed was his last will.
She had planned to ask her lady for a great favor, which she probably could never repay. Her parents had accumulated a debt of 350 gold coins. She also heard more and more about slavers moving up and down the furt-mansion.
Arche was ready to leave when she heard her parents in the kitchen.
"Arche, could you come please?" her mother aked.
"What is it?" Arche asked.
"Whoa whoa. We are your parents. Now, where is it you always go?" Her father asked.
"I do my work so we can eat something." Arche replied.
"Daughter, I don't mean what you do. I mean where you go." Her father reiterated.
"I go to the neighbor. She hired my team for security." Arche said.
"We only have one neighbor and that one didn't hire anyone." Her mother thought out loud.
"Now time to plant my cover" Arche grinned inside.
"You are right. I am helping a store fill up. I might have a long term job, where I can also take my sisters with me. It will pay a good sum." Arche said. She looked at James, who nodded.
"That is great. Please give your best. Maybe the noble can marry you." Her mother exclaimed.
"How does she get that?" Arche thought and simply nodded.
"I will go then. Kuuderika and Ureirika? We will move out" she smiled and her sister nodded.
"Can't wait to meet Foire. She is always so nice" Kuuderika said smiling.
"Who is that?" Her father asked.
"I will explain later. We are short on time." Arche said. She grabbed her sister and left as fast as possible.
Once outside she met her team and they moved to the mansion for another day of relaxed work. Her mood was low that day. She needed to move forwards faster than she thought. It pained her to ask lady Arachama, especially after all the nice arachne had done for her. But if it meant her sisters could be safe she would have to do it.
"Why do my parents act so stupid" She thought.
"Hi Arche" Imina greeted. The rest of her team saw her moving towards the mansion of their client.
"Hi guys. How is it going with Yuri?" Arche asked.
"It is going well. She learns fast. We are now going over trade routes and so on." Hekkeran said.
"How is it going with you?" Imina asked.
"Well. I learned a lot in the time I'm here. The magician is a master in summoning. "House Spider". This is the one I trained the last few days. It is tier 2, but it is the start for higher tiers. At home I need to act quickly." Arche whispered to Imina. Imina nodded and saw Arche pet the small spider. Arche then put the spider on her shoulder.
"Sister, can you teach us this trick?" Kuuderika asked and her sister nodded.
"Not the puppy-eyes. Not the puppy-eyes" Arche tried to withstand.
"I will ask. I am finetuning it with the one who teached me." Arche replied.
"Yeah," her sister exclaimed happily.
Foresight simply nodded and sighed.
"Arche?" Hekkaran asked.
"Yes leader?" Arche replied.
"With the money we are earning, Imina and I are thinking about leaving the business of worker and becoming traveling merchants. We think it is possible and safer. Roberdyke already told us that he wanted to become a traveling priest. Will you be good?" Hekkeran asked.
"I can deal with that. I just need to prepare some things." Arche answered.
"That's good. We were concerned about your situation. Knowing that you have something lifts a burden from my shoulders" Hekkeran replied.
"But why do you want to leave the business?" Arche asked.
"Hekkeran and I are getting together. We see the jobs are getting more dangerous. We don't want anything bad to happen to us, since we are planning to have children, '' Imina replied.
Arche and Roberdyke looked like fish out of the water.
"WHAT?" they both shouted.
"Wasn't it obvious?" Hekkeran asked.
"In hindsight." Arche thought loudly, remembering all times where Imina would share tents, rooms or just cuddle with each other.
"Yeah, it makes sense," Arche stated.
Afterwards they moved to the mansion of their client.
"Good morning" greeted Foire. Arch's sister immediately ran over and tried to hug the maid.
"Foire!" They shouted.
"As always?" Roberdyke asked.
"Yes. Lady Yuri is in her office. Arche, the magician, is in her usual spot." Foire stated and then went with the children to play inside the forest.
Once inside Arche splitted of and walked inside lady Arachamas part of the mansion.
"Good morning. I have let Enti prepare something for us. I have "albion sheep" here. While it is in a bun, I hope it will taste good." Arachama said.
Arche went to her seat at the table. Arachama went to her couch and began to eat. Arche followed suit and found the breakfast delicious.
" Ara ara. I see that you used a summon. Is it the one on your shoulder?" Arachama asked.
Arche nodded, took the spider and showed her to Arachama. She placed her hand under Arches and the spider hopped into the hand of Arachama.
"Ara ara. She looks the right size and she looks healthy. That is good. Now little one, please go to the forest, will you?" Arachama said.
The spider hopped from the hand and went to the closest open window.
"So how good was the summon?" Arche asked.
"I would say we can move on. "Corner Spider"" Arachama summoned.
A blue circle appeared on her hand and a small gray spider appeared in her hand. It was as tall as the "House Spider".
"This is a "Corner Spider". They are an advanced version of "House Spiders". They can be used with great effect as spies, since no one cares to check spiders. Sadly they don't hold up to large enemies. But they multiply extremely fast. They are a tier 3 summon." Arachama explained.
"Sounds like hard training. I hope I will not disappoint." Arche said.
" Ara ara. I have a question, Arche." Arachama began and Arche noded.
"Yes lady Arachama." Arche said.
"You told me your family was in deep debt. I also know that you are bringing your sister over every day now. Yuri also informed me that there were sightings of slavers in front of the Furt-mansion. Do you want to explain something?" Arachama asked in a soothing voice, while walking behind Arche. She then hugged her and placed her head on Arche's head.
To Arche it felt like she could trust Arachama even deeper than she usually did. It was like some kind of dream. She gulped down.
"My parents have built a debt of 350 gold coins. I am trying to move out, as you know. I fear the slavers are to buy my sisters. I wanted to ask If they could live here till it is finally the time. I know it is a lot, but I need this help." Arche spoke in a monotone voice.
"Ara ara. Is that all? I had a child once. I know that some children only speak parts. Please tell me a bit more." Arachama soothed.
"My sisters also asked me to teach them "House Spiders" since they found the spider cute. Could I teach them this spell?" Arche asked.
"Ara ara. Now we have the whole deal, right. Was it this hard?" Arachama asked and kissed Arche's head.
"No mother." Arche replied.
"I will allow both, if your sisters will be joining our sessions. I also want another thing, but we will get there in due time." Arachama whispered into Arche's ear and kissed her from time to time.
"I understand mother," Arche said.
"I have already drawn a contract. You will give me body and soul. The same for your sisters and I will help you get out of your predicament." Arachama soothed.
"Yes mother." Arche said.
"Good daughter, oops. Sorry. Good Arche." Arachama replied snickering and lifted her hug.
Arche moved to the table, and signed the contract from Arachama.
"Now Arche, should we start with your training to summon "Corner Spiders"?" asked Arachama and Arche felt her mind return.
"This was strange. But I feel like she is my true mother" Arche thought.
"As you wish, lady Arachama." Arche replied.
"I will have a room ready for your sisters by tomorrow morning. You will pack their necessary stuff. I can then finally meet them. I hope they don't fear me." Arachama said shyly.
"They probably wouldn't. I think they will like it here. I will also tell the butler of the Furt-mansion that we will leave. He wanted to leave once my sisters and I moved out." Arche reassured.
"Oho. I hope he is doing well." Arachama said.
"He is old and age is catching up." Arche replied.
"Ara ara. Don't be sad. Look at the positive side of things." Arachama said and pushed a plate of "albion sheep" towards Arche, she ate.
The day was long and they trained hard. Arche managed to get at least the summon-circle. This meant that she would be able to summon a "Corner Spider". This got much praise from Arachama. Arche also realized that Arachama got into a bad mood when she mentioned her own parents. But this mood improved when she told Arachama about herself or her sisters. Arachama was also unable to sit still for the rest of the day. Lunch came and went. Once it became late in the afternoon Arachama turned to Arche and hugged her.
"You should go. Yuri will tell your group that sadly the lessons would not be done tomorrow. Your friends will still get paid. You will ask if you can come over to learn from Arachama." Arachama ordered.
"I understand. Might I ask why the lessons can not be done tomorrow?" Arche asked.
"Yuri will meet a clerk from the city hall and talk about trade for leather and iron. I will take care of you and your sisters while Yuri handles the clerk." Arachama explained.
"I understand. I will do as you told me, mother" Arche said and left.
She went into the foyer and heard Yuri talk to her team.
"Sadly I have an important appointment tomorrow. I will pay for tomorrow. But I can't take lessons." Yuri explained. Her team nodded and thanked Yuri.
"Lady Yuri? Could it be possible for me to meet Arachama tomorrow? She said that she could show me a new spell." Arche asked.
"When she says it is fine then it is possible. She will not partake in the appointment." Yuri answered. Arche nodded.
"Worked much better than I thought." Arche thought and smiled.
After a bit of small talk Arche collected her sisters and went towards their home.
Once she entered she told James her and her sister's disappearance the next day. James nodded.
"Are you sure you will manage?" Arche asked.
"I asked my brother. I will live with them. They already know about me, let's call it condition. I will therefore have good final moments." James replied smiling.
"I thank you again and wish you a good rest." Arche smiled and shook James hand.
"I also thank you for the great moments and wish you a happy life." James replied.
Arche then "borrowed" her parents' cases and placed as many essentials as possible inside of them. She then hid them underneath the bed and played a bit with her sisters. She then summoned "House Spider" and ordered it to wake her and her sisters before sunrise. She then started to teach her sisters the summon.
→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion / Arachama and Entoma ←
Arachama sat on her couch, Entoma in a tight grip of her hug. She thought about multiple things. First she thought about her dear Enti. Then her mind changed towards the next day.
"Enti. I will be going to the treasury. I ask you to prepare a nice meal. Afterwards we will play a small game. Would you like that?" Arachama asked.
"Yes mother. I have a question though." Entoma asked
"Yes, my little girl?" Arachama asked.
"On the day we got into this new world, you had many problems. Was that a test? Did I not fulfill it?" Entoma asked shyly.
"Please don't remind me" Arachama felt shame rise
"Yes it was a test, and you did great. You are doing great." Arachama replied and kissed Entoma.
"Please buy it and let me forget this unsightly event" Arachama cried inside her head in shame.
"Thank you. You are giving my mind rest" Entoma said and Arachama saw a small tear dripping from the face-bug.
"Ara ara. Don't cry. I don't like it when you cry. I will be back in a little time." Arachama soothed.
"They aren't from sadness. I feel like a great burden is lifted." Entoma said. She then stood up to start preparations for dinner.
"Then I will go. "Gate" See you later Enti." Arachama said.
Once she was through the "Gate" she stood in front of CZ Delta.
"I will need you again CZ" Arachama said, grabbed CZ and used her guild-ring to teleport to the treasury.
The way inside the treasury was like normal and she reached the area where Pandora's Actor resided.
"Heeeelo ladyy Arachamaaa. With what service can I help you todayyyy?" Pandora spoke in a theatrical manner.
"I will need "Eggs Of Arachne". I would like to take them with me, since I don't have an exact timetable." Arachama stated.
"I can give them to you, lady Arachamaaaa. I guess you also know the rrrrequirements?" Pandora asked and Arachama smiled.
Pandora nodded and collected the requested items. They were black with small veins covering the outer shell. They were as large as the small pills Arachama had to take. She placed them in her inventory.
"Thank you Pandora. How else is it going?" Arachama grinned.
Afterwards she did smalltalk with Pandora, before she left. It was meaningless banter about the other supreme beings. Mostly Arachama told stories about them.
Once Arachama had placed CZ back on the spot where she had collected her. She casted "Gate" and appeared back inside her living room. She went to the living room, when Entoma walked in with two plates of steak.
"We are eating a heavy meat base, aren't we?" Arachama sighed.
"We are predators', mother. We need our protein." Entoma replied.
"Makes sense. I remember that you never told me what "albion sheep" and "bipedal sheep" are." Arachama smiled.
"They are humans. I would have told you earlier, but you were stressed." Entoma replied.
"I see. Let's hope that they were criminals." Arachama said.
"Why do you care?" Entoma asked.
"Shit. I am too calm and slipped up. Argh. Think and think deeper than Mongas world domination plans. What can I say? I can't argue with my moral compass. I also can't say that I was a human. Argh. And why do I feel that it is more terrible to slip up than to eat humans? What is wrong with me? Argh." Arachama thought and felt like a child found with a hand in a cookie jar.
"Ehhh. In my experience criminals taste a bit better. The adrenaline and ruthlessness gives the flesh a bit more taste." Arachama answered and covered her little lie with a goofy grin.
"Please buy it. Please buy it." Arachama pleaded inside her mind.
"I understand. I should have asked sooner. The supreme beings also have a more delicate taste and tongue. Please forgive me mother." Entoma said.
"Nothing to worry about. I simply never told you." Arachama soothed and her mind-version was dancing because her "cover" didn't blow up.
They ate their steaks and Arachama then went to Yuri.
"Yuri, tomorrow is the meeting. Arche and her sisters will be moving in tomorrow as well. We will need to coordinate." Arachama said.
"I had the meeting at noon." Yuri said.
"I will also need rooms for Arche and her sisters." Arachama said.
"The western part of the mansion is empty. We can use them. I can ask Foire and Fith to help me clean and prepare the rooms needed." Yuri explained.
"That would be great. They shall be sent to me tomorrow. All three." Arachama smiled.
Yuri nodded.
"I have a question, lady Arachama." Yuri asked.
"That would be?" Arachama replied.
"Why that girl and her sisters?" Yuri asked.
"I once had a daughter. She looked similar to Arche. It might be that. It might be a wish for children. Maybe I am a collector and want Arches talent in the service of Nazarick. In all cases she will have fulfilled the requirements of Nazarick in a short while. You and the others will treat her nicely. Don't look disgusted, she will mostly stay here." Arachama said.
"She is a human," Yuri said, a slight growl in her face.
"She is under my protection. Do you question my competence or my taste?" Arachama soothed.
"Nothing, lady Arachama. I spoke out of line." Yuri replied, turning even paler if possible.
"Then we have an acord. They will be treated well. Now I will go and look through the documents and copies. We will see each other tomorrow." Arachama stated and went.
After she left Yuri's office she went into her own. Luckily she didn't have many copies and documents. She read through them and then sorted them. She also copied Yuri's notes and stored them accordingly. When she was finished she had considerably calmed down.
She then looked for Entoma and scooped her up. Afterwards she went to bed with her Enti in her embrace.
→ Nazarick / Albedo and Demiurge ←
Albedo was looking at reports from all floor guardians and on documents from Arachama. While she was still a bit fuming of Arachama looking into her project in Arwintar, she understood that nothing can beat a supreme being, once they set their mind on their goal. She also felt assured since Arachama had two pleiades with her.
"My project called "happy farm" is going well. I will just need more "albion sheep"" Demiurge reported.
"Sadly we should be more careful. Though I got an interesting report from Entoma. She reported that lady Arachama prefered "albion sheep" who were criminals, as their character gives the flesh better taste." Albedo explained.
"Then we should look out for those individuals. Luckily Sebas is out collecting information. Maybe we can get something useful. I will also look out." Demiurge said.
"That would be good. I also read that lady Arachama is looking for people with so-called "talents". These "talents" seem to be rare but she thinks that some may be good for Nazarick." Albedo said.
"Hmm. I will try to get more information on that. What did our network in Re-Estize gather?" asked Demiurge.
"They gathered a lot of information. We know some of the nobles better than they themselves. We know the traitors, the stupid and the clever ones. I also have a report that might help us in our endeavor to collect the criminals." Albedo said and petted a stack of paper.
"Can I have a copy, so that I can read through it?" Demiurge asked.
"These are the copies. We got information about a syndicate called "Eight Fingers". They seem to fit the bills. But we will only take the grunts for now, since they could prove useful. I also got a report about potential new assets there." Albedo smiled.
"What new assets?" Demiurge asked.
"Here are the information-sheets. Lady Arachama managed to get hold of a talent-holder. She says that this holder is able to see the magic-tier any being can cast. She will be used in the Baharut Empire, once sufficiently trained and brought under her thumb.
The other one is the princess of Re-Estize. Lady Arachama has ordered us to proceed as we see fit, as long as we don't endanger her and her "puppy"." Albedo explained.
"So that is their plan. They truly are many steps ahead." Demiurge smiled.
"Yes, they are supreme beings ater all." Albedo said and gave Demiurge the papers.
"Thank you Albedo. I will start immediately." Demiurge said and left.
AN: Thanks for reading and please review.