Note: This story is a work of fiction. It has many content of adult nature. If you do not want to read such content, please close your browser window or press the convenient back button.
This story uses the same setting as my other story "Momon, Big Black Changeling". Essentially, Ainz Ooal Gown is the same type of creature as in that story, although this and that story happen in different worlds.
Additional note: parts of this chapter have been taken from previous chapter, be advised.
It was truly ironic, at this point, to contemplate the fact that after all these years, his headstrong daughter still ended up consenting to an arranged marriage, of sorts. True, she had been the one to arrange it herself, and the manner in which it was to be done was most questionable, but it remained a fact nonetheless. It would not be the sort of marriage that would bring important connections in the Kingdom, nor honor the traditions of the upper nobility. Nonetheless, the fact that Lakyus had not been brought, kicking and screaming, into the connection was a pleasant surprise, even if the circumstances were neither joyful nor ideal.
His wife would say that that the source of the trouble had started with his father, who had squandered the goodwill of his brother Azuth and had left him to carry forward the Aindra legacy when the former gave up his inheritance to take up adventuring. That led to inspiring his own daughter to take up the mantle, forsaking the titles owed her by blood all to chase her own glory. But he was just as guilty, for he had indulged Lakyus' fascination with the heroism of great people in the past, who had forged their names on the annals of history.
"My blood will be no less noble for the tasks I undertake for the good of humanity," she would say later on, on the letter she'd left behind the first time she'd become an adventurer.
Truth be told, he was proud that she had forged a path that would ensure the Aindra name would resonate throughout history. But of course, he would always have preferred she remained safe, and not risk her life out in the fields like some bandit. But that was fine. He was satisfied even with just that.
The troubles had then come not too long ago: of rumors circulating in court about certain scandals that the Aindra had been involved in. There had been whispered intimations all around the Royal Court, and even in the Noble Faction, that there was some old crime, some ancient offense, that would see the Aindra stripped "justly" of their "ill-gotten" gains. He had furiously pursued these loathsome rumors, but found no trace of their source, and as time passed, so too did the whispers grow and fester.
Eventually, a certain noble approached him, and subtly implied that all this would blow over if Lakyus would consent to marrying. That was the first time he'd unceremoniously dumped a fellow nobleman out on the streets without a courtesy. Yet even more nobles came calling, near all of them low-ranking bottom feeders, and it was then that he realized that there was a conspiracy afoot.
It was at this time that Lakyus had perhaps gotten wind of it, as she had returned home for the first time in many years to discuss the matter. She was adamant that she would find the ones responsible with the help of the legendary Blue Rose.
Time passed, and then the surprising news came to him that Lakyus had decided to marry a fellow adventurer: the one whom many in the Capital had been talking of for many weeks—the Dark Knight Momon, of Eclipse Nebula. He didn't know why she had done so, but before he could even talk about it with her, she had returned home to the house that he had bequeathed to her in spite of her giving up her title—and had then requested that they meet.
There, his daughter told him of the necessity of the match, and that she was taking care of everything. She had been set to formally meet with Momon on a certain date. And then she asked if he would like to be there, to meet the man her disowned daughter was to marry?
Really, no man worthy of the title of father would have picked any other option.
He made ready for the appointed day, and when the day came, he had his carriage take him back to Lakyus' mansion, where he was set to await the adventurer Momon.
Ainz and Albedo had been formally invited to stay at Lakyus' estate, a house set aside for her by her family even though she had abandoned the name to go adventuring. Naturally, it had been scouted by Nazarick beforehand, courtesy of Solution and the minions that had been placed under Sebas' authority. Demiurge had reported that a rudimentary network had been placed throughout the entire city, infiltrating even to the bothersome underworld, allowing them to listen in on the likes of the Eight Fingers.
It was hoped that the Empire team would be able to acquire that same success. The group was "weak", relatively speaking, with his mercenary npcs, a native who was weaker than Nazarick's lower level minions, and an untested cyborg race. Albedo had assured him that contingencies were in place, all to ensure the same results.
Lakyus was there to greet them in her estate, along with her maids and servants. The rest of Blue Rose had wisely stayed away, as this was quite a personal affair. The leader of Blue Rose greeted Ainz with a reserved cheerfulness, though she reserved a lot more cheer for Albedo, as usual. If the latter hadn't already informed him about having already bewitched the young lady, he would have been insulted.
It was here that they also met Lakyus' father. The man had an intimidating air around him, like a mid-level manager summoned from out of one of the branch offices to report to the corporate offices. A big fish of its pond who refused to be intimidated by even bigger fish. Ainz had only ever spoken to one personally, which made him a bit nervous when greeting the father.
"Charmed to meet you," the father said in a reserved voice. "I have been hearing much about you, sir Momon. And the lady Amelia, of course. I do wonder, is that Lady Nabe behind you?"
"No, it is our maid," Ainz replied, gesturing to Yuri Alpha. "She will be seeing to our luggage personally. I fear there are certain… artifacts that require our constant supervision, and bringing the maid was the only way to ensure that. I hope it does not trouble you?" There were no artifacts, but it did answer the question of why one of the Pleiades was present, even if she was disguised.
Lakyus and her father seemed to look interested at his mentioning the fact that he had precious cargo, but they spoke nothing more of it. Instead, Lakyus shook her head and said, "Not at all, any guests with you is a guest of ours. Please do come in, and welcome."
They instructed the maids to aid Yuri Alpha with disengaging the luggage, while the four of them went to the parlor for some late afternoon tea. Predictably, they talked of mundane, everyday things. Ainz was content to let Albedo handle the chatter with her usual charm.
"I hear tell you've travelled far and long, sir Momon," Lakyus' father said. "Alongside claims that there is a kingdom somewhere waiting for you."
"My pardons, but I cannot remark on that," Ainz said stiffly. "At the moment, I'm just doing whatever I can—"
"To save and protect the people?" the aristocrat asked, while sipping his tea.
Ainz sighed. "Yes, as all adventurers must."
"But—well, do forgive my presumption—you somehow seem tired of it all."
"Oh no, I would never be tired of adventuring," Ainz said, a little miffed. He looked tired? The only reason anyone could call him tired was because of his rampant sessions with Albedo and all the other women. Even his stress of ruling had been lessened somewhat when he'd done as Albedo had suggested and delegated certain tasks to Demiurge and the others. It left him with quite enough time to continue his fantasies of being an adventurer whilst indulging in some delicious sex with whoever he pleased.
"Hurmph, I see," the man said, mostly to himself. "You are remarkably like my daughter, in some respects. Perhaps that is why…"
"Are you two talking about me?" Lakyus cut in, as the two ladies noticed Ainz' and her father's talk had drifted off into its own tangent.
"Merely of your similarities as adventurers, my dear, nothing more," the father replied with a toothy smile.
Lakyus sighed in something like exasperation. "Well, I have a feeling supper is almost done. Shall we prepare ourselves in the dining hall?"
They immediately set to supper afterwards, which had been long prepared. It was a feast, but nothing special compared to what Nazarick was capable of, especially with the many "feast" options Ainz had in his disposal, whereby he could summon a cornucopia of food. If he could just be bothered to dig into his inventory space, that is.
At the end, they retired to Lakyus' private parlor, where they began to talk of business. The marriage itself was to be a semi-private affair, with only a few people invited. Chief, of course, was Lakyus's immediate family, along with Blue Rose. Then, there were certain nobles, personages that had links to the family. These were obediently noted down by the shadowy spies they had brought into the mansion, ready to be investigated by Nazarick later on. Albedo had guessed that these were most likely representatives of the vile underworld brokers that had imposed such things on Lakyus in the first place.
On the other side was Momon's admittedly smaller entourage. Ainz had to feign surprise when the father mentioned inviting Count Vanessa of Kubern (Solution Epsilon's disguise). Ainz and Albedo shared a look—many had already tried fishing for the details of Ainz's link with his supposed "sister", but it was surprising that Lakyus' own father was also asking about it.
"It is… a delicate subject, but I pray we not bother her with this," Ainz said. "Suffice to say it would not be a good idea to invite that one."
Smoothly backing off, Lakyus' father acquiesced and they continued to talk of other things. There was some contention between Lakyus and her father as to the type of "rite", as well as under which temple the wedding was to be held.
"My pardons," Albedo asked, cutting into the semi-argument, "But what is the point of this decision?"
Lakyus sighed, while her father pursed his lips. "It is easy to forget that you are not of these lands, and that you had your own ways besides. Tell me, do you not have gods where you come from?"
"We do," Ainz said, feeling a deep foreboding as soon as Albedo opened her mouth. His lover looked surprised for a moment, before she abided by his decision. "Many gods," he said, trying to recall the beliefs that Suzuki Satoru was familiar with.
"Ah. Then were they not involved in the process of matrimony?"
"They were," Ainz said.
"What father's trying to say," Lakyus cut in, "Is that here in the Kingdom, the temples are each dedicated to one specific god. Though we believe in all, we are also drawn to specific ones, which rule our day to day choices. One of these is in the realm of matrimony. What I and my father disagree on, is the choice of temple. He wishes it done in the god of the earth's, who is a family patron of sorts; while I desire it be done in the goddess of the water's, because it is she from whom I draw my healing powers."
"Which, to me, is absurd, my dear. No Aindra has ever been married in naught else but the eyes of the god of wealth. How else do you account for our good fortune? Our vast estates—we owe a lot to Their good grace!"
"Nay, I am an adventurer now, father. I owe the goddess my life, and the life of my team-mates! All those people I have saved—the goddess was all but responsible for it all!"
The old man's face inflated like a sickly tomato. Fortunately, he seemed to recall where he was, which was why he stood up abruptly, murmured a hurried apology, before leaving the parlor.
"Please forgive that display," Lakyus said, with a deep bow. "I did not mean to inconvenience you, sir Momon, lady Amelia."
"It is fine," Ainz said. "However, on the manner of the temple you wish to use, I shall have to leave it to you. I know little of these lands, and their customs, and I have much to learn still. Therefore, I shall be satisfied with whichever you choose. If you wish it be under the eyes of the goddess, then it shall be, and I have no objections."
"I…" Lakyus looked taken aback. "Thank you, sir Momon."
"My lord is quite generous," Albedo said, affecting a silent applause.
At the word "generous", Ainz started, recalling one of the things he had decided in private. He reached into his inventory, and pulled out an enchanted short sword, to be used as a gift for Lakyus. He had initially thought of using one of the ornamental blades he had in his possession, but thought it better represented their mutual adventurer hobbies if he gave her something practical. The sword wasn't as large as the two-hander he knew she was used to. But it had decent enough low-level data in it, and it would function as a sort of side-arm for Lakyus, which she could use for emergencies.
"A gift, for you, my lady," Ainz said, proferring the short blade to her. Lakyus' eyes widened as she took in the gift, and the surprise never left her face even as she unsheathed the blade and tested its weight.
"This blade… such quality…!" she said breathlessly. "I—I—I don't have the words—"
Lakyus seemed entirely floored by the gift, as if she could sense the great value. It was encouraging, in a sense, and made Ainz feel good about the whole thing. The adventurer, her eyes alight, begged him to tell her where he'd gotten such an amazing find, and Ainz truthfully said it had come to him by chance when exploring a dangerous ruin.
It was not too far from the truth: it was a gacha item.
Albedo, who had so far been silent since before the father left, cleared her throat. "Lakyus," she said. "May we use the commode? I'd really appreciate your guidance."
"Oh, it's just over there," Lakyus replied. "I can have the maids—"
"But I'd really rather appreciate it if you could be there."
Lakyus bit her tongue, her eyes swiveling towards him quickly. While Ainz made it seem as if he was oblivious, he knew full well Albedo was itching somehow to play with the leader of Blue Rose.
"Very well," she said. She stood and followed Albedo exit out towards the pantry room. "If you will excuse us, sir Momon…?"
"Do go ahead," Ainz said pleasantly, smiling. It was highly unusual on the outside, but he let it be. He had no business interfering with his subordinates doing what they wanted for themselves. Nabe was a prime example of that, with Albedo a close second.
Besides, it was not as if he couldn't benefit. One transformation later, and he was watching the two frisky women, his modified eyesight unhindered by the many walls now separating them. It seemed that Albedo hadn't taken long to pounce on her prey.
Just as he was about to settle in his seat to enjoy the show, the other door opened, and Lakyus' father returned, offering him a sheepish smile. He mopped away at his sweaty forehead with a kerchief before putting it away.
"I truly apologize for that outburst. I assure you it shall not happen again." He looked around the room. "Oh? Where are Lakyus and Lady Amelia?"
"They just left; they said something about having to use the lady's room." Ainz's eye caught movement, and there he saw—the man's daughter hiking up her expensive dress to allow Albedo's hands access.
"Ah. Well, that certainly makes things easier," the man said with a mutter. "I hope you will not think me too forward, sir Momon, but let me just say that it was an honor to have met you personally, and that regardless of the circumstances, you are an admirable fit for my daughter. Even were she still under my power, I have no doubt you would have made for a fine suitor."
"That is very kind of you."
The man cleared his throat. "I would ask, though, as one man of another: why did you agree to this match? May you illuminate this old man?"
Someone else outside of Nazarick had already asked him the very same question. Thus he answered in much the same way.
"It is my belief that adventurers are a firmly individualistic lot. They form teams, true, but their goals are almost always self-serving. Wealth. Power. Knowledge. Rare is the adventurer who continues this journey purely for the sake of it. Even I confess to having selfish reasons of becoming an adventurer, though of course I cannot tell it to you yet. Your daughter, of course, is one of the few rare examples of adventurers who go against the grain—who seek this life purely for heroism's sake. Such is the Lakyus I had heard of, and the Lakyus I have also seen for myself.
"When I was informed of your daughter's dilemma, I admit I felt more than a touch outraged on her behalf. I could not believe there were those who would scorn all that she has accomplished as adventurer, all to fulfill some nefarious end. Time passed, and when it seemed she had reached the end of her rope, I reached out to her, and volunteered the solution that has led us to this point."
"Is that all then? You do this for her sake?"
Your daughter's also a lovely specimen by herself, Ainz thought, casting his eye quickly to the scene of the two lovers. Albedo had already stripped off Lakyus' expensive looking corset, exposing her toned, creamy pale navel. Lakyus blonde bush was slick with her arousal, which Albedo was quick to exploit with her wandering hands. Lakyus was panting heavily, her cheeks flushed red and sweaty.
Ainz nodded silently to her father. At that, the man sat back, his eyes filled with some sort of emotion. A moment later, he rang the bell next to him, which confused Ainz for a moment. He glanced towards the pair, and saw that they either didn't hear the bell's sound, or if they did they were ignoring it entirely. Then, the door to the hall outside opened, and a maid entered bearing something on a wheeled table. Upon it was a covered tray.
After the maid went away, dismissed, the lord Aindra leaned forward to uncover the tray. Upon it were several large bars of a material unknown to Ainz, but he was reasonably sure it wasn't gold.
"Six bars of platinum, taken from my personal vault," the father explained. "What I had told my daughter in quite a regrettable fashion is still true in the face of it. For long has my family made its fortune in the mines of Kolten, which we own in partnership with other families. We gathered… well, that is a long story, and one which I shall bore you with some other time."
"Um… and what are these for?"
"Why, they're Lakyus' dowry, of course."
"Dowry…" He was vaguely aware of the term. It was a gift to be given to the groom upon the woman's marriage. Having not been interested in marriage before, that was as far as his knowledge went. Still, he was able to see that these platinum bars (though personally unimpressive compared to the scale of objects Ainz owned) were precious expensive things. Therefore, he acted accordingly, looking like he was stunned and humbled by such a display—
While also taking care to not let the other man notice his eyes darting to the left, from where he saw the continued debauchery of the two lovers. Lakyus was screaming, her crotch visibly humping against Albedo's arm as the latter vigorously fingerblasted the former. Albedo's forearm was slick with Lakyus' love-juices, while the rest of it flowed down to stain her garters.
The man chattered on, not knowing the truth Ainz saw, going on and on about his gratitude to Ainz and so on and so forth. But it was all a dull, distant buzzing to Ainz, as he listened with only half an ear. His imagination ran rampant, and it was all because of this situation. The scene was absurd, here was the father, offering him the dowry of Lakyus' marriage directly. On the face of it, it was totally innocuous. But to Ainz it looked like the father was selling him Lakyus like a piece of merchandise, and over there Albedo was sampling the girl for him.
The poor girl was already utterly enthralled by his subordinate, and she looked like she was about to explode into many little pieces. Albedo was merciless in stimulating her body, using her mouth to feast on her bared breasts while her hands worked on her slick nethers. In essence Lakyus was unaware that her father was giving this to him, making the scene all the more delicious. She had just been "sold" to Ainz without her knowledge, and now with Ainz accepting the platinum bars he was sealing the deal. The girl this man had worked hard to raise was now as a whore to be used as Albedo—as Ainz—saw fit. And the girl looked quite happy at that.
"… You will have to excuse me, sir Momon," the man was saying. Ainz refocused, and saw that a maid was helping the man put on his coat.
"You're leaving?"
"Yes. I'm still feeling rather ill from my previous exertions. I have arranged for the maid to deliver my apologies to Lakyus." Ainz rose. "It has been an honor meeting you personally, sir. I can only hope to be a better in-law to you than I have been to mine own blood."
"We shall toast to the future, then, sir."
The man chuckled. "Indeed we shall. Farewell and good luck, sir Momon. Once again, I thank you on behalf of the Aindra family."
Ainz watched the man go, feeling a bit guilty. He looked at the platinum bars he left behind, then shrugged to himself. He sensed for Yuri, and saw her dutifully distracting the other maids, as agreed. When he saw the man board his carriage, Ainz immediately wasted no time and went towards where the couple were, the platinum bars largely forgotten.
The forbidden taste of Amelia's lips on hers never failed to make her knees weak. The fact that she was doing this, right in her own home, surrounded by her maids and with sir Momon and her father just close by made her giddy with pleasure. Indulging in the taboo, something so at odds with the expectations of her as a heroic adventurer, made Amelia's teasing fingers on her nethers all the more agonizingly delicious. She didn't even care that she was leaking all over the floor—the maids would take care of it, no questions asked; and they were lowborn as well, which meant it would be hard to take their testimonies easily. Therefore she indulged in her lover's lips as if she were at a desert, dying of thirst.
So far she had endured the sweet bliss of climax several times since the two of them had excused themselves from the meeting. She found it perplexing that it was so easy to make her climax, but that paled to nothing next to the feelings she held for the strong, confident Amelia.
The door creaked open, and Lakyus, still in the middle of her latest orgasm, could do aught but shiver. But her eyes were quick to see sir Momon's head appear, and then they met his eyes. Lakyus gasped, her pussy clenching forcefully around her lover's fingers as her feelings of ecstasy gave way to panic and fear.
"S-sir Momon…" she stammered, struggling to push away Amelia's darting hands just so she could cover up her shame.
"Ah, my lord," Amelia said in a conversational voice, as if they were still just discussing the marriage. "How is it?"
"The lord Aindra has just left. He had some business to attend to."
"Oh my. Then that means that, barring the maids, we're left all alone in this house. Did you hear that Lakyus? What luck!"
"A-Amelia! Wh—what are you—Stop! This isn't…" Her horrified eyes matched his, and she squirmed to get away from Albedo's prying hands, in an effort to hide her dignity from Momon. "Amelia, stop! Y-your… Momon is…"
"Lord Momon doesn't mind. He knows."
"What? He does?" Sir Momon did nothing as Lakyus stared at him in confusion. But it seemed true. The man didn't react in outrage, in fact he seemed to be enjoying the scene. "This is hardly appropriate! I…"
"Lord Momon can savor you in earnest in his own time. As a matter of fact, I know he will. He can endure with just watching. In the meantime, he will enjoy me enjoying you, my dear. Or did you not think it strange that I insisted on being here, when it should be a meeting just between you two?" Lakyus shuddered as Amelia peeled away her gown, exposing her creamy shoulder. Amelia ran her burning tongue over her collarbone, which made her shriek.
"Be not afraid," Ainz spoke for the first time. "I shall honor the compact, and not touch you until our marriage is concluded."
"However, until then, you're mine, my sweet. I shall relish you like no other."
"This is hardly proper…" Lakyus protested weakly. Perhaps she was more objecting to the fact that Momon was there rather than wthat Amelia was doing this. Never mind that he was to be her husband, he was also a man, and he had never shown her naked body to a man before this! "He's going to think me strange…!"
Amelia stripped off the last of her clothes. She shivered under the cold, and held her toned arms over her milky-smooth breasts. Amelia walked around to her front. "In the future, my lord will be responsible for comforting you, Lakyus. For now, let me take over, and relieve you of your worries. Look into my eyes." Lakyus did as she was bidden, finding the mesmerizing sight of Amelia's eyes difficult to resist. As Amelia began fondling her firm breasts, her consciousness drifted into a series of warm images, one after another.
Her resistance faltered when familiar scenes bloomed in her mind. There, she was lying spread-eagled over a warm body. Skilled hands teased and prodded at her sensitive points, causing spine-tingling sensations and bringing a full course of pleasure all over her body. Gradually, she settled in, luxuriating in the feeling of being embraced by her lover.
Then the picture changed, and she realized that the body she had been lying on belonged to none other than sir Momon's. His body was harsh and firm as a statue's, coarse and hairy, contrasting quite heavily with her soft, silky-smooth skin. As she squirmed, she felt his strong, bulky arms restraining her—gently, but enough that she couldn't move, as if she'd buried her arms in rock. In the meantime, his hands were free to explore her as Amelia had done.
And maddeningly, the pleasure his hands evoked were much stronger than what her friend and lover were capable of. She was held entranced, cross-eyed, as his larger, stronger fingers tweaked and squeezed all over her sensitive nubs. Soon enough, she was squirting all over his fingers, while all she could utter were helpless, pathetic whines.
Then, Amelia's face appeared above her, and Lakyus tried to reach out a hand to beseech her aid. But try as she might, her lover's face remained far out of reach. Amelia's face glimmered, like a reflection on the water's churning surface. Then her eyes shone, like stars, as a whisper came to her ears, like the breeze.
"Here is the pleasure that shall be granted you, my sweet. Awaken, awaken, awaken. Taste it, savor the feel of my lord's ultimate generosity…"
Then she felt it, encroaching upon her most private place: a long, thick, turgid thing that was as dangerous as any blade. It lay against her thighs like a living tendril of some monstrous thing, and thus she was afraid. And yet Amelia's face reappeared, and with it came her hands, so smooth and kind.
"Shush, my love. Allow me to guide you into the pleasure. Wrap the lord in your velvet embrace, and he shall bestow upon you in like turn."
Then her hands lifted Lakyus' hips, until her entrance hovered just above the tower of flesh. Slowly, Lakyus' descended, until her pussy began to sheathe Momon's stiff member inch by inch into her. A warmth spread out from their joined genitals, until its heat overtook Lakyus' whole body.
"Can you feel it? Within you, the lord's favor. On your marriage day this will come to pass. So let my lord work, and engrave this scene into your memory forevermore." Amelia leaned down to kiss her, just as her arms pushed Lakyus' hips down all the way until she was thoroughly impaled upon Momon's meatstick.
Lakyus gasped into the kiss as light exploded all around her, coating her in a miasma of pleasure from which she could never escape, no matter how much she tried. Eventually, the scene faded away, like ink in the rain, until the haze lifted, and Lakyus saw she had returned to reality. They were still there, in the secret room, with Momon sitting in the chair, his massive form dwarfing all the other furniture in the room, and his eyes staring hungrily, intently at her.
Lakyus shivered at the attention, even as she realized that she was in the midst of a roaring orgasm. She gasped and squealed, her eyes rolling up to the top of her head as Amelia's mouth sucked and licked the nectar from her nether folds without pause. Through thick-lidded eyes she crossed gazes with Momon, and she felt a hot, delicious shiver run through her.
By the gods, was she actually looking forward to the marriage now? And all because of—
"I see you still have doubts, my dear. Perhaps my lord will oblige you once more," Amelia said. Her eyes glittered, oh so mesmerizing-
And the next thing she knew, Lakyus was bouncing on top of Momon, riding his erection wildly while he bucked and pushed up into her. Each plunge into her felt like a spine-tingling jolt that left her seizing up in panting pleasure. She didn't know why she was in this dream-world, wasn't even aware she was in a dream-world. But the myriad pleasures had already gripped her core, and she indulged madly in these visions like a wanton whore, uncaring it was Momon who was giving her this pleasure.
Though she would not know it, Amelia would continue to pleasure her even unto the dawn time. Their servant would make an excellent job of warding off the other maids from being too curious, while Momon would continue his vigil of Lakyus' continued violation in mind, body and soul.
Morning dawned on the capital of the Re-estize Kingdom. Between moments of contemplating the various ways she could endeavor to have her dear Climb try and fail to achieve an impossible quest (while making sure the risks remained calculated), she silently tackled the issue of the meeting with Lakyus and Momon.
Her "friend" was a nonfactor. The issue now was Momon, leader of Eclipse Nebula, and who was said to be the master of the one named Amelia. She categorized that thing as something decidedly not human because it was obvious to the trained eye that such beauty and skill was alarmingly at odds with each other so as to sound preposterous. So was the claim of their coming from an exotic faraway land, but of course Renner did not have the resources to investigate that fully.
All she had were her own impressions of Amelia, and the testimonies given to her of her group by Lakyus. This impressive trio that had so far achieved what so far had been impossible had not been hard to miss, but rather than bask in wonder, the Princess was only gripped with a sense of foreboding.
The primary hypothesis in her mind was the fact that, if these were human, then they were as old or just a bit older than Fluder Paradyne, and were actually master illusionists who could disguise their forms so completely as to be able to attract a woman like Lakyus. Her friend was comparatively dim in aspects, but Renner respected her adventurer's instinct. Under this conjecture, Amelia was under an enchantment so powerful to be able to entrance the leader of Blue Rose. But if they were only master charlatans, then how were they able to co-opt the adventurer's guild? Ainzach was no less a fool, and yet he had promoted Momon on just the resolution of the Zuranon crisis alone. Under the assumption they were charlatans, it was entirely possible they had even facilitated the crisis in order to take advantage of the situation; however again, Ainzach was not someone to be fooled so easily. He had to have witnessed Momon's power first-hand, as to convince him he was truly worthy of adamantite.
Therefore, it was not just a matter of having master illusionists, they would also be comparatively strong. If this was false, then a great conspiracy had entrapped the adventurer's guild, which was no lesser worry. They had to have worked unseen, without being detected by Ainzach's network, the Great Nobles' network, and Renner's own little eyes and ears. A hint, a rumor, would have come out if there were foul things afoot, and yet there was none.
Returning to the supposition that such power was legitimate, then the only other explanation was that Eclipse Nebula were not humans at all. They were probably a form of heteromorph, with unnatural powers she could not deduce until she'd seen it herself. That also explained the strength, and the ability to charm humans.
Really, this was the most likely possibility in Renner's mind. She would be able to see it for herself, once she'd formally met this "Momon". Amelia was one thing, perhaps her so-called master would be another.
"Princess, your guests have arrived," said the maid from outside.
"Oh my~ Please do let them in! And do serve the tea at once!" Renner replied.
Lakyus came in, still as remarkably stiff as ever. She could detect the hint of female arousal from her body, subtle as a perfume. It was not too difficult to deduce that Amelia had been playing with her food again.
The woman in question slithered up from behind, looking into her eyes knowingly. For all that Renner disdained useless emotional hangups, this woman was getting quite close to triggering a childish outburst from her. A weakness of still being human, perhaps.
"I greet you well, Princess Renner. May our meetings be forever fruitful." And there he was. The big, bulky man behind the infamous jet-black armor. And yet as she greeted him with her usual mask, she was struck by something quite surprising.
She could not smell him. She could not smell anything of him.
Humans were stinky creatures. Even the most delightful maiden smelled of something beneath their clothes, and if it was not desired they wore heavy scents to bury it deep. Men in particular tended to smell more. The sweaty men in heavy armor that guarded her estate were just the prime examples. Her brother, all the noblemen she met smelled pretty through necessity, but take all that away and they stank just as much as the peasants they ruled. People whispered that Emperor Jircniv perpetually smelled of the blood he'd spilled to ascend his throne, but Renner figured he'd always have a smell, regardless.
Her dear Climb could try and tidy himself up all he wanted before calling on her, but she could always scent the remnants of his excursion still lingering on him, as well as the newborn scent of excitement that usually accompanied his fervent desire to protect her. He was just a cute puppy that way.
But this man, this creature smelled of nothing. And thus she was sure. His large bulk may as well be an ogre's underneath that illusion.
So this was the secret of Eclipse Nebula.
Momon was nothing more than a skilled warrior, a demihuman perhaps, or even a heteromorph. It wasn't even outside the realm of possibility that he was an undead skeleton in reality. A strong enchantment had been laid on him, to make him appear as he was. It had sufficed to fool even Ainzach, which meant it was indeed powerful.
"Lord Momon, please have a seat," Amelia said. The guileless Momon, who wore his expressions clear on his face, bumbled about as he was ordered.
This made it certain. Amelia was the real leader of Eclipse Nebula. Whether or not she was the caster of the illusion was not something she could discover. It was entirely possible there was a hidden hand behind Amelia, who controlled the group's every function. Alas, that was only something she could discover later.
This also made Amelia the more dangerous of the pair in front of her. Therefore, she had to work to charm Momon in her own way, in order to discover a wedge that could serve as her leverage over the group. Perhaps Momon would be able to divulge their secrets, though unknowingly.
"You are certainly beautiful as they say, Princess," Momon remarked, the faintest hint of a tremor on his voice. Well now that certainly wasn't too obvious…
She gave him a brilliant smile. Though the man seemed a malleable brute, Amelia yet remained the principle threat. Still, it now seemed simple enough to begin working on the so-called hero. She just needed a chance to have him alone to herself, without the watchful eyes of Amelia.
In the meantime, now that she knew what these creatures were in truth, as well as a vague notion of their intentions in her father's kingdom, it was now time to assess her decisions regarding this newfound knowledge.
She had the option of going to the authorities with this knowledge. However, it was an unstable solution to a factor that was already unstable by itself. Provoking a reaction from these creatures would be good, but she would be unable to gauge the intensity of their reactions until it was too late. If that Nabe knew spells of destruction, then the Capital City might just be reduced to rubble. While she didn't care much for the structure, nor the people inside, it would be a great inconvenience to Renner's current plans. Thus, for now, appealing to the aid of other experts was not yet a primary option.
The other option she was considering would be quite damaging for her if she was found out. And yet, compared to the other options, this was more beneficial. She would work with these creatures, figure out their plans, and then, if she deemed it necessary, use what she learned to help destroy them.
Or, she could also use them, help them in their aims while working to advance her own.
"Lakyus dear? There is a most private matter that the lady Gertrude wishes to speak with you about," Renner said. "I should have her summoned, but as I promised her that it should remain private, I feel it best that you go and find yourselves a private area instead. I believe she can still be found in the servant's hall, attending to her duties. If you please, I would love for you to entertain her request now."
Gertrude did have a plausible motive for meeting with an adventurer. But it was not that important (she had deduced it was about her lost childhood friend who had become an adventurer and had last been heard in the border with the demihuman lands near the Holy Kingdom) and she had not promised anything to the maid. But it was a way to make Lakyus leave, and leave her friend did, leaving the Princess alone with the creatures clad in humanity's flesh.
From the look on Amelia's face, it was clear she had seen right through her. No matter, it was far important now to reach an accord.
"Let us dispense with the double-talk," Renner said. Momon's eyes widened, and predictably, went to seek his "master", Amelia. "You are here to play in the Kingdom for your own desires. Well, I also have my own. I also acknowledge your superiority in the ways that no average human is capable of. For this, I would humbly seek an alliance, if not a petition for vassalage. In return, of course, for favors and certain other privileges that I know you can grant." Renner bowed her head.
Amelia laughed, a muffled "fufufu" behind her gloved hands. "What did I tell you, my lord? She is an interesting human is she not?"
"She is as you have said," Momon said.
"My lord" perhaps referred to the invisible master, which confirmed one of Renner's suppositions.
"Very well, Princess Renner. Raise your head, there now that's a good dear. Let's see, you wish to aid us? Well, as of now we do not require much help, however, we are not averse to granting you something as a favor. What is it then? What is your most fervent desire?"
"Is there anything else for someone born to my lot?" Renner raised her head, eyes gleaming. "To surpass everyone and be lord of this kingdom. If I should get this power, then Re-Estize shall be yours to do with as you please."
"You realize what you are offering?"
"I do not care."
Amelia smiled. "Very well then, little princess. Let us talk business."
Yet another chapter commissioned by anonymous, thank you. A reminder that the story is commissioned.
If you'd like a story commissioned, feel free to contact me here, or on AO3 under "RHoldhous".