XIV
A large explosion of vivid white light took place, emerging from the naked earth all the way up to the sky. A light so warm and dense in both scope and size that, much to the dismay of the bystanders, its sheer presence could almost be attributed to a cataclysm of impossible proportions. As it took place, a multitude of inhabitants of the Star City fled the premises aimlessly as if they had witnessed the end times first hand and were about to experience true delirium after surviving it.
None of that happened; there was barely enough time for anyone involved to grasp the concepts of time and space before their minds began to mutate, reshaped, reformed. Born anew, blossomed from the ground up into complacent flowers. Ainz took his time as he contemplated the holographic windows opening up in front of him. Was it the miracle he hoped for, or perhaps another failure among many? He moved away from the developer console which was still glowing and quivering in mid air, warm and fuzzy from the intense usage. It disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared before Albedo several hours prior. The walls trembled and the cave shook violently. Flannar looked around in pure terror. That must have been the end for the guild base, he feared. There was no going back now.
"All that energy..." he murmured, sensing a steady decline of power around him "What have you done, Sorcerer King?"
"Just what any father would have on such an occasion. I have scolded a few children for their bad behavior" Ainz replied, his tone was authoritative yet resolute. There was no trace of malice in his words, he truly meant everything he said. "I will return to the surface. You are free to do as you please. After all, I feel partly responsible for what happened up there. Once you have recovered, meet me at the plaza. Albedo, you shall come with me. There is no other way to solve this, I'm afraid".
Albedo was chained and broken inside, still stunned by Flannar's surprise attack and bitter towards Ainz with every fiber of her being. She did not feel remorse for her behavior nor any willingness to reconsider her actions. Each and every step she would take from now on, she thought, would involve her taking revenge over whatever spell the snakeman had casted over her beloved Momonga.
She nodded and followed with graceful albeit uncertain steps. Her visage kept looking downward towards the ground to evade Ainz's scrupulous gaze still wary of her every move. The two returned to the plaza where the space-time bubble had dissipated just a few seconds prior. Every participant had been caught in the massive explosion of light, yet they were unharmed. The incredulous looks upon their faces made Ainz chuckle.
"Hah. Look at you lot. Did you really think that I would let my subordinates fight among themselves, let alone harm one another?" he shouted, approaching the ruined cobbled road at a slow, measured pace. Demiurge looked at Ainz in confusion but then quickly composed himself, making sure to be presentable enough before clearing his throat.
"I... dont believe I have ever witnessed such a shameful display of disobedience from anyone. Every action taken here was uncalled for, and my own responsibility. Please lord Ainz, when punishment will be dealt, make sure to go harder on me." The archdemon bowed deeply, making no effort to mask his genuine shame. Mare, who woke up pointing his staff at Narberal, hastily let go of it and sat on the ground with both hands covering his face.
"Sorry! I'm sorry! I-I should have, have never done that..." his voice betrayed the emotional turmoil inside of him. Ainz was quite pleased; to him, it became apparent that none of the malice he had seen before was real. It had all been born from Albedo's influence, which was itself a product of the developer console. Luckily for him, that one last bit of energy it still retained granted his small wish. He could see it in their faces, their mannerisms, the way the denizens of Nazarick looked at one another and at Albedo in turn. The tide had turned against her once and for all, no amount of excuses nor appeals to magic would absolve her from her misdeeds.
Cledna blinked a few times, unsure of where or when it all happened, and knelt down in disbelief with her weapon still producing bright green flames which hissed at the contact with the barren soil. Her eyes met those of Albedo who did not bother retaining her dignified demeanor for a second. She received a glance full of scorn and utter revulsion, then the Overseer averted her eyes, fingers twitching against the chains binding her limbs.
"Collaborators... conspirators, all of you" she uttered beneath gritted teeth "If even just one of you could have felt what I felt..."
The denizens of Nazarick did not dare open their mouths. Everyone was deeply ashamed of their own actions, eventually every single one of them came to the realization that Ainz was there to restore order and not merely punish them for what they had perceived to be the right call in a moment of frenzy. Cyrus rushed to Plurimo's side while he was tending to Mako's defenseless and spent body. The little kid was still grasping at his explosive device, which had not detonated.
"Come on now... let that go" Plurimo whispered, keeping an eye over Mako's teary gaze "It's over. You dont need to do this. I promise you that everything will be just fine".
"But... they are here... our enemies..." Mako's trembling voice betrayed a deep sense of hate and regret at the same time. His fingers kept hovering over the metallic object, which he could has sworn he had activated. Yet it did not work. It couldnt, or perhaps it already had and he was not actually having that conversation. Maybe he was already dead. These thoughts swimmed in his small mind as he tried to grasp at a bigger picture which he could not foresee.
Plurimo's hands reached Mako's and gently brushed atop of his palms, "Let go. If you really believe that, then dont waste your life just yet. Wait for a better chance to live through this and get your revenge". He couldnt believe that such words were gushing out of his own mouth, even as he spoke part of him wanted to feel the embrace of a thousand flames simply engulfing his body and claiming his hot flesh. He shook his head vigorously before slowly pulling the device away from Mako's hands.
"My looove! Look look, I got you!" a screeching female voice which seemed to be coming out of the depths of hell suddenly emerged from the gaps in the collapsed buildings around them, as if it had belonged to a monstrous creature of gigantic proportions.
Bley appeared in the distance, her plastic body dragging itself forward through the smoke and ashes before jumping high in the sky so that anyone could see her. Just as gracefully - and rapidly - as it had emerged, her torso began spinning at lightning speed through the air and projected itself like a bullet towards Plurimo's location.
Her hands grasped the metallic device and dragged it with her into the ground. Bley didnt bother landing on solid earth and let the speed and weight of her body do the rest, sinking deep into the broken soil beneath. Plurimo stood there, a bit puzzled but relieved to see her so lively and in good spirits.
"T-thank you... You didnt have to go that far though. I had already disarmed it" he said hesitantly to not upset her. A few seconds passed without so much as a breath as her body was still buried deep into the ground, a small crater indicating that she had been going down deeper still. Then, her head peeked out of it. Her eyes were sparkling with joy and a very real emotion behind her pupils.
"Oh. Then I suppose you wont praise me for saving your life..." she began fidgeting with her fingertips, a small blush creeping out on her cheeks "oh well... guess I'll have to convince you then". She jumped out of the crater and landed on top of Plurimo, forcing her thighs on his neck while applying pressure on his carotid with the powerful pistons mounted at each side. That was clearly not why Plurimo had engineered her legs like that, however their original purpose was no longer useful, he thought to himself. The young man sighed, a contented smile on his visage even as he let Bley choke him, laying down on the brink of asphyxiation.
Risélla looked at the scene from afar, she was still standing next to the mass of broken carriages that had become a barrier between the plaza and the rest of the city. She shook her head and wiped away a single tear which threatened to escape her left eye.
"Well... I guess this is it then. We are done fighting. And so, me too... I better go back to my father's side" she thought to herself "That stubborn old man... what would he do without me? Besides I have an arranged engagement to see through. Maybe then... who knows, I'll be able to help someone".
She gave one last look at Plurimo, torn between running towards him and escaping as fast as she could. In the end though, she chose the latter. As Risélla was about to turn, her visage met a soft surface and her whole body bounced a few feet backwards.
"You look terrible, little missy. What kind of support would you be to poor Plurimo?" the Judge was standing in front of her, he seemed determined, resolute, almost accepting. He was looking past Risélla, towards those whom he perceived as his enemies. Even so, his thoughts were all devoted to his comrades.
"Look at him. He's playing with dolls, like a child lost for affection. Keep him company when he gets back up on his feet, will you? That boy... ah, what would we be without him. And he in turn, cannot function without us" he forced out a laugh, slapping his own belly with childlike contentment. Risélla stood there for a few more seconds before nodding to herself. Perhaps there was still time before she had to take that one final decision.
"Come on now, get back to work. I mean it" the Judge continued "I dont care what that... thing is, but I wouldnt trust Plurimo's wellbeing in the hands of a piece of metal. Love isnt eternal you know. There's bound to be a time when his guard is down and THEN you can strike!"
"W-What's that supposed to mean?!" Risélla averted her gaze and instinctively stomped on the barren soil will all of her might "I am not interested... nngh who do you take me for!"
Following the Judge's appearance, Asta swiftly landed near their location, her appearance almost cat-like in her quietness. She looked disheveled and tired, as if she hadn't slept in days.
"We still need to rescue everyone. There is no time to cry over our losses right now. Not even losses of the heart" she said, running towards a pile of rubble next to the municipal building's remnants, now housing injured soldiers and civilians alike. The small girl who used to drive Plurimo crazy and proudly rebel against the system was no more. To anyone who had seen her before, the person helping out the people of the Star City now seemed a mature and responsible kid who had found her place among many. The Judge had seen her change gradually the closer the Sorcerer King's forces were to the city, and now he had definite proof of her acceptance of the status quo. Whatever the future may hold for her, he thought, she would grow up to be a fine lady.
In the spirit of cooperation, the population began reconstruction immediately following the strange phenomenon of the white light explosion. Demiurge stood still as he watched it happen with a keen eye for the most vigorous and potentially useful assets among the citizenry.
"It must be said, these people do appear to produce a considerable amount of effort when faced with adversity" he said, halfway between a smirk and a genuine smile "Although I see no value in their physical structure, for the moment. Maybe these Elves of Purity could show off some of their unique skills later on, when full incorporation is ongoing."
Ainz nodded, hoping to salvage the situation before any other outburst of violence could occur. He observed carefully for any sign that the population might want to start riots or outright rebellions against him, yet he saw none. Still, he remained wary, fearing that he might have had to act on his own to quell resentment and dissent on a regular basis. Ainz was adamant that he would not tolerate any other disruption of his diplomatic efforts no matter how small. He had to set an example and if he had to force it on his subordinates too, he would do so.
His gaze wandered around the plaza and back where Albedo had first introduced herself in her new form. There, he recognized the torn robes of his clone, still lingering in mid air, suspended in an invisible mantle of magic energy. Narberal followed Ainz's gaze and frowned as if she had seen a weird apparition, a ghost perhaps. It looked like she had seen it for the first time that day.
"So it's still alive after all. Even though Albedo has lost control of it. Pitiful creature... I wonder just where you come from" Ainz muttered as he moved closer to his clone's physical manifestation, fuzzy and unfocused in its corrupted and unstable state.
"What kind of pain are you feeling right now? Is it even pain, or perhaps a sense of... longing? Knowing myself, it could be true. Then again, you just look like me, what if there is nothing underneath this carcass?"
"Stay away from it, lord Ainz. Please, it could be dangerous" Narberal hastily intervened ready to slay the clone on the spot.
"No, dont worry. This being... is probably not even able to think for itself. Perhaps it never truly did" Ainz replied, touching the clone's skull with a skeletal finger. Barely any motion came out of it, not even the slightest acknowledgement of another creature nearby.
"Dont touch him!" Albedo shouted in a fit of maddened fury "He... he is Momonga, the one you denied! Oh, what am I saying... you... are you even him anymore?"
Ainz ignored Albedo's wild ramblings. It was clear to him that the simple desires of the Overseer had turned into obsessions way beyond his comprehension. Even as a human being Satoru had no way of knowing how a woman would react to loneliness to such a degree. Was it truly the right way to look at it? Would he forgive her for that single transgression? After all, she caused such chaos to break out freely and destabilized her own companions. Appropriate punishment had to be dealt to be sure, but there was more to it. While examining the clone closer still, Ainz noted how he seemed to be infused with pure negative energy, a kind of unbridled malice and karma that only high level NPCs possessed.
Ainz estimated that his own clone would have to hover above level 90, and its own memories had been no doubt tampered with.
"Tell me... who are you?" he asked once, shaking the creature's thoughts through the magic field lingering in the air around them.
A sharp gust of wind followed by a magnetic discharge through the perimeter ensued and the clone's jaw began to move.
"I am lord Momonga."
"So you are, hmm? Well then, perhaps you can refresh my memory. What is that lord Momonga does, exactly?"
"... a leader. Fearless. Evil. A genius. A conqueror".
"A conqueror? Is that all?"
"No. I am..." the clone struggled to find more words. It seemed like his backstory had been tailored towards Albedo's idolized view of himself.
"There is nothing else behind those words, is there?" Ainz remarked, visibly disappointed.
The clone lowered its skull as if deep in thought. Something about it was unmistakeably different from a regular copy born from simple magic. Ainz observed its stillness, noting every little change. The technique used to produce such an mlaborate copy must have required a considerable amount of energy and power.
Eventually after a few moments of internal deliberation, Ainz's clone turned his eyesockets to him again.
"I am... alone."
These words shook Ainz on a primal level. The small yet growing humanity still present within him, that part of himself which still lingered towards empathy and learning its inner workings felt called into question.
"What do you mean by this? Explain it to me."
"I dont know myself" the clone lowered his skull again, this time however it also moved his hand towards his chin mimicking a thinking gesture "I feel like... oh. Did I say feel?"
The more it talked, the less robotic its demeanor looked. Demiurge smirked in open amusement.
"Hmph. Clever. Please lord Ainz dont let this preposterous deception sway your judgment. Albedo has created this abomination to sully your name, that is clear by now. We wont be so easily manipulated a second time, now that we all know what is at stake. Please let me handle its disposal posthaste".
Ainz shook his skull and let the clone continue in his thought process. He wished to indulge that curious creature more, tempted as he was to keep the conversation going. There could have been value in what he was witnessing.
Bit by bit, Ainz's copy began recollecting all of its original's deeds. From Re-Estize to the far eastern corners of the continent to his descent south and the subsequent wars against the multiple alliances bent on taking him down. Names of locations, people and events were recalled in vivid detail, as if the clone itself had seen and interacted with them first hand.
Ainz listened carefully, scanning his speech pattern for any sign of anomaly. To him, it felt natural and real in a way that no simple copy born out of magic spells could provide. He stopped it halfway through its exposition and put a hand over its shoulder, sensing the aura surrounding it as authentic, proper of a living being.
"Very well. You do know me in every little detail. Perhaps Albedo has poured information into an empty vessel to create you, yet I fail to see the purpose of your existence. Were you meant to substitute me? And this loneliness you speak of... whose sentiment was it?"
"Mine. And mine alone" the clone replied, "I... felt empty. Even though I knew I was lord Momonga, and for the briefest time lady Albedo was my queen, I have... sunk into a strange state. Depression perhaps? I don't know. I think... I realized that what I sought after was long gone."
"I see. And tell me, what is it that I... that you were seeking so badly?"
"Friends," the clone replied without hesitation, "I felt the need to find my friends. I cant say when or where I had that primordial feeling carved into me. Perhaps it was there the whole time."
"Friends you say?" Ainz was surprised. Something inside of him spoke of a similar feeling, after all wasnt the reason he was there in the first place because of his friends? How far would he have gone if not for the vague notion that someone somewhere was waiting for him? He had considered it for the longest time. Even beyond the wars, the conquest, the masterful plane born from ingenuity that had kept him going for so long.
"Yes. And now... that I somehow know how to feel, I... I dont know what my place is" the clone continued, casting his skull downward in a futile attempt to disassemble itself. Ainz grabbed its skeletal hands and stopped him. A strange glint in his eyesockets seemed to make his expressionless visage ever brighter.
"Hahaha! Then this must be fate. Yes, it has to be. Though normally I wouldnt believe in it, there is no other explanation. You... from this moment onward, you shall be my friend. And not just any friend, a personal friend!"
Ainz grasped the clone's fingers and squeezed with little effort, its features were completely indistinguishable from his own, and the more he thought about it, the more excited he became.
"I dont understand. Why are you treating me like this? Arent you... disgusted?"
"Oh no, not at all. In fact, this is going to be one profittable opportunity for the both of us" Ainz concluded. He turned around and prepared himself, measuring his words carefully.
"Mare, please help your friends at your leisure. You have my full approval. I trust your judgment. As for everyone else, I want you all to welcome this inexperienced roleplayer among us".
"Role...player, my lord?" Narberal and Cocytus were exceedingly confused. Ainz seemed to be genuinely amused by that reaction.
"Indeed. This is, umm, Poponga. You see, he is an adventurer from another realm. A reality far away from ours. Now that we have talked and found each other on agreeable terms, I know for certain that he is not a threat, on the contrary, I want you all to welcome him as an honored guest. Cocytus, please escort him back to camp. I will go back myself shortly after my diplomatic visit has ended."
"ARE YOU SURE LORD AINZ?" Cocytus looked at the clone with suspicion. Yet, he would not dare defy his master's orders.
"Of course. Now please show him some hospitality. The poor traveler took the time and effort to dress up like me in such a pristine, perfected state, it would be a pity to let him starve. I want you to keep him safe and well fed. And please explain the situation to the others, make sure it is understood that Poponga must be treated with high regard".
"IF YOU SAY SO MY LORD. IT SHALL BE DONE. COME OVER THEN, LET US NOT WASTE ANY MORE TIME". Reluctantly, Cocytus obeyed, letting the newly acquired Poponga step away from Ainz.
"I... am not sure if what you seek will be profitable as you say" he spoke, "But I guess it wouldnt be bad to live for a bit".
"Believe me, we want the same thing in the end. And we shall obtain it, in our own way. From this moment forward you are Poponga. The second Supreme Being on this planet. And I'll make sure that everyone acknowledges it as well. Now go, and act natural. All I ask is that you follow Nazarick's rules and stay out of trouble. As for the rest... we shall discuss it tonight". Ainz felt exceedingly pleased with himself. Once again, he had been able to snowball his way into a favorable position. He saw Poponga off and sighed in relief. Truly that had been a remarkable encounter, and he had to thank Albedo for it, in a way.
The next few hours were dedicated solely on regrouping and discussing how to best achieve a peace treaty with the authorities of the city. Flannar said his goodbyes to the guild base, the very structure which had housed his birth, and made sure to preserve as much of it intact as he possibly could. A great deal of workers were recalled from the now extinguished fires in the plaza to reconstruct the entrance that once led to Cyrus' lair, all under his personal supervision.
As night fell, the population of the Star City was exhausted and demoralized by the Sorcerer King's presence, however there was an unwavering sense of community and good will in the air, as if the cradle of the city itself had been solidified through the tremendous effort. They had salvaged their homes and retrieved most of the injured, starting reconstruction as soon as they were able. Some had begun preparing small fires all around the camps now gathering the survivors and in a few hours songs and cheering could be heard all around the districts.
Some among the upper class were beginning to suspect that lord Flannar, whom many still believed to be a benevolent deity descended on earth to keep them safe, was about to make a deal with the Sorcerer King. Those who felt brave enough to dare speak openly about it were met with cold stares and uncertainty. The lowest strata of the population, which was still easily swayed, began to view the arrival of the Supreme Being as a form of retribution: through lord Ainz, perhaps there could be justice at last for the beggars and less fortunate as they were keen on demanding new laws against the nobility and the dreaded merchant class alike. Thankfully for Flannar though, the Judge was on top of things as he had always been prior to that moment. Whoever was found associating in large groups was quickly made to disperse and their associates were questioned. If found unwilling to cooperate, the Judge would simply send them to prison temporarily until the inevitable order to feed the newborn Elves of Purity would be issued by the archbishop.
After the new plans for the city had been laid out and the denizens of Nazarick had took their time exploring the possibilities of a full annexation, Ainz found himself sitting on an ornate wooden bench right next to the altar of the massive cathedral which had served the archbishop and his sermons through the day. Flannar was with him, tired after hours of preparations and meticulous diplomatic efforts.
"So, let us conclude this charade. I know what you want, Flannar. There is little I would not be able to perceive" Ainz said in an authoritative tone, "I am inclined to grant it. However, you must prove yourself useful and loyal."
"Does he really want to let us go free? Is he willing to concede our independence?" Flannar was speechless. He had not foreseen that outcome in the slightest, considering his major efforts had all been concentrated on misleading the Sorcerer King into thinking that their city held no value and his personal possessions were merely used for powering up his weakening skills. He did not think that Ainz would believe his lies, and therefore he was prepared to accept defeat. These words however sparked a small glimmer of hope.
"What I have seen today is enough to keep my interest up. After all, both you and I know that such a valuable artifact as the so-called developer console must be preserved and studied in detail. I take it that, apart from you and your associates, nobody else knows about it? And what about the guild base itself?"
"Of course. Only I knew of its existence, and the few that did before me are long gone. The guild base... I'm afraid that it won't last more than a couple months at this rate".
"I see. That is unfortunate, however I cannot hand you my subordinates for such a trivial task. I wish to keep the console for myself and study it for the benefit of the rest of the world. It is in our mutual interest that the artifact be granted to Nazarick for further analysis and safekeeping. As for your city, it will become a center of commerce and a landmark of my kingdom. Do you have any objections?"
"Would that make any difference?" Flannar replied in a somber tone, the snakes on his head shivering and slithering about, "You seem to know what we both want, so I'll just let you speak".
"Ha! You are quite entertaining. Please, indulge me."
"... very well. So I shall. I wish to keep my mother's remains intact, so I would ask that you please refrain from retrieving any more artifacts from the guild base" Flannar hesitated just enough for him to reconsider further demands.
"Your mother? Didnt you say that you had to consume her?"
"Indeed. That is what I had to do in order to survive. Still, before she allowed herself to be eaten... she cut one of her bangs so that I wouldnt forget the scent of her hair".
"Scent of her hair? That is rather... a peculiar thing to say."
Flannar looked down at his own hands, he clenched his fists in a fit of guilt which lasted barely a moment, yet Ainz could feel it being deeply rooted inside of him just by his posture and tone of voice. "It was an innocent thing to do. WHen I was born, I remember the first thing I did was sniff her hair. They were beautiful, warm and soft. The scent coming from her hair was very similar to that of the cave, briny and intense. I would often close my eyes and dream of the sea".
"I see. I will allow it. I have no desire to disrupt your spiritual union. Before I retire to my camp, please take me to her".
Flannar nodded, curious about his intentions. As they were leaving to reach one of the many entrances leading underground, he couldnt help but wonder what kind of schemes his genius mind had in store for him and the Star City as a whole.
"So, regarding that concession you were about to make..."
"Huh? Ah right right, hmm, how should I put this" Ainz began to speak as he walked, clearing his throat before committing to it "I have reconsidered your previous actions, in hindsight I should have been more careful with my preparations before coming here. So, I believe that you deserve my thanks for settling the situation with my subordinate. Her attitude towards you was... less than ideal. I am not one to overlook such things, though normally I would just take what is needed. This time however, I am willing to let you decide".
Ainz stopped as they were reaching the innermost chamber of a large underground grave, nestled far away from the rest of the massive graveyard which covered the entirety of the lower basin.
"I want your World Class Item. As a guild leader it is my personal responsibility to protect my kingdom from its influence. Therefore I cannot allow anyone else to have that kind of power". A brief pause ensued, then he continued "With that being said, I commend your efforts in trying to keep your small corner of the continent safe and protected. It is clear to me that you truly value your subjects and your independence. For those reasons... I feel like as your new patron, I should give you a token of my good will. I shall allow you to marry one of my subordinates."
"M-Marry? What? Me?" Flannar was both stunned and shocked. A surge of panic began to work its way up his spine. "Who would I even marry? Oh gods, this is a tragedy of the greatest magnitude! Can I think this through? I need to consult with my sister first, I-"
"Hahah, at ease, the look on your face tells me everything I need to know" Ainz felt relieved by Flannar's reaction. To him, the snakeman appeared genuine and clueless, his demeanor reminded him of himself when he first set foot into that strange New World and had gradually begun to adapt and change.
"It wont be a real marriage, more of a formality to keep your domain intact. I do not wish to upset the balance of power in my kingdom by letting you act freely."
"I get it now. He wants to monitor the situation" Flannar's bittersweet realization came at the expense of his frustration, part of him felt exceedingly relieved at the thought even though dread has started to seep in.
"Please do not assume that my actions are dictated solely by self interest" Ainz hastily pointed out, reading Flannar's desperation "I am grateful for your help, that is all. If you agree, you will retain control of this city and its inhabitants as before. All I ask is that you keep me informed about your experiments. Turning regular beings from this world into NPCs is a feat that I wish to study in detail. Our goals align, after all. If you'll be able to achieve perfect hybridization, then we shall benefit from it in equal measure".
Ainz allowed himself to dream about a world of allies born from pure YGGDRASIL material, gradually replacing all races and species until NPCs and new worlders would be indistinguishable from one another. At that point, he would have truly achieved world peace he thought, for the result of their tireless efforts would be transforming the New World into YGGDRASIL itself, a place he knew like the back of his own hand, where nothing was left up to chance and easily controlled, countered, assessed and balanced according to his desires.
"So what say you, Flannar? Strengthening your ties to me through marriage, or an amicable annexation. The choice is yours to make. Know that this is a privilege I do not concede often".
Both prospects were less than desirable to Flannar, who had hoped to retain full independence. Yet, he saw value in that proposition as it kept his hands free from direct intervention in his subjects' affairs for the time being. At the very least, he thought, he could concentrate his efforts trying to salvage the guild base and his personal domain the Air Castle would be kept intact. With a deep breath he parted his lips and voiced his approval out loud.
"Alright then. I could use some counseling before marrying one of lord Ainz Ooal Gown's lieutenants" he smiled weakly "But I'll make sure to be presentable".
Ainz nodded, pleased by his answer. That part of him which was opening up to empathy had won over his traditionally stronger side. There was a lot to gain and nothing to lose.
Excited by the possibilities that collaboration entailed, he kept walking until they both sat foot into a small secluded chamber. The walls were made of pure black granite, at its center a rectangular coffin adorned with old effigies of YGGDRASIL's top guilds stood the test of time, pristine like the day it had been forged.
Flannar offered a small prayer and then opened it, revealing an imposing suit of armor worn by a female mannequin. It had a funeral mask on it, the shape and features had been sculpted with care and precision to resemble its original owner as closely as possible. Long flowing hair cascaded around it, it looked like they had just been washed and combed.
Ainz stood there in contemplation for a few seconds. A flash of bright light caught his mind in a whirlwind of what could be described as a tiny vortex of emotions. An unexpected memory which seemed on the brink of surfacing, yet it never did.
"Tell me, do you know the specifics of this armor and its owner?" he asked out of the blue.
"Yes of course. Mother told me about YGGDRASIL, what it was, what the other world had been" Flannar recalled with a sense of reverence in his tone of voice "I know everything. That part of her which is still inside of me and fuels my immortality... sometimes I hear it in my dreams. What she was, who she was, her role in the company. I will keep her memory alive for as long as I live".
"I see. So if you know everything, then perhaps you may recall her name-" Ainz rubbed his skeletal chin with a single fingertip, unsure and hesitant. He turned his gaze away, unwilling to look at either Flannar nor the mannequin.
"No, forget what I said. Perhaps certain things are not meant to be known. You have my thanks. I think this is where we part ways. I shall return to camp. Meet me tomorrow morning".
With that said, Ainz Ooal Gown took his leave. Flannar did not know why he had been so hasty, but he felt too tired to even ask. The next day would prove even more difficult he thought, so he better rest and prepare himself for the Sorcerer King's departure.
.
"My lord. Here is the definitive proof that Albedo did it" Sebas announced with a grave tone as he showed a few strands of long black hair through the magic mirror "I spent several days exploring every nook and cranny, questioning every servant and resident. There is no more doubt I'm afraid".
"Indeed. That is unfortunate" Ainz sighed, visibly tired about the whole ordeal "You have done exceptional work as always, Sebas. Please dispose of the corpses and make sure Albedo's office is being relinquished. I shall call in Aura and settle this matter posthaste. Let everyone know that the position of Overseer has been voided and Demiurge will be in charge from now on until a suitable replacement is found".
"Understood my lord. Then I shall take my leave."
With that, Sebas ended the conversation. The mirror disappeared, leaving Ainz alone with his thoughts. The loss of Albedo was not something he had easily foreseen, and the mere thought assailed his mind with doubts and guilt.
"What do you suppose we should do with her?" Ainz turned his attention to Poponga, who was sitting in the corner enjoying a local beverage. There were so many things he had never experienced, so much to explore. The clone thought about it for a bit and then answered honestly.
"Punishment seems to be the fastest and easiest option. From what I understood, you like to deal with your subordinates directly like a father would. Is that the right approach, you may ask? If I am allowed to speak for... well, yourself, then yes I agree. It should be dealt swiftly and it should also set an example".
"You learn quite fast. I am surprised" Ainz replied, noting how at ease and natural Poponga looked even as he spoke of punishing someone else "Truly you are the first of the new generation of NPCs produced by the Star City which seems to be shaping up to become one of a kind. How about I let you do that?"
"Really? Are you sure you want me to punish my creator?"
"Indeed. Prove to me that you have the will and capabilities to go against your maker" Ainz concluded, inviting him to follow "I wish to see how you do it, and what is your ultimate decision. Be aware that this may well be your last, if you disobey."
Poponga laughed in a way that felt endearing to Ainz; he stood up and walked over to the far eastern side of camp where Albedo was being held captive inside of a triple magic field, guarded by several high tier demons around level 80 summoned by Demiurge with the specific task of keeping the field active and supplied at all times. "Ah! My love, you have returned!" she shouted as he tried to free herself from her chains, pupils glazed over and cheeks red with lust and rage all the same "Please I beg you, get me out of here. I need to avenge you, there is no time to waste...".
Poponga observed her visage for a long while before coming to a definite conclusion.
"Brainwashing would not be ideal. Rewriting her memory would also be a waste as she would not retain a shred of the experience, thus she would be unable to change her ways and eventually she would end up rebelling once more. Therefore, exile should be the best option. Still, I think we could go a little further than that. Letting her keep the ability to fly and cast spells seem too dangerous for Nazarick's domain as a whole. And what about rehabilitation? She cannot possibly undergo a path of self-discovery and repentance like this" Poponga began to explain, with the same excitement and passion as a newborn kid who has just discovered a new word "May I proceed?"
Ainz nodded, not even gracing Albedo with a direct eyesocket contact "Please do. After all, there is nothing that you may do that I cannot fix".
Poponga moved forward and eluded the magic field with ease. Then he placed his skeletal hands on Albedo's wings and snapped their bones at shoulder height. The ex overseer groaned in pain but endured with remarkable dignity. Then, Poponga casted a super-tier spell which sealed her skill set.
"There. Now everything can proceed as normal" Poponga continued, satisfied "She wont be able to fly nor use magic. At present, she is just as useless as a human being".
"You... How dare you! After all I have done... my eternal devotion...!" Albedo felt the flames of an unyielding rage burn deep inside of her. Yet she would not dare lay a finger on either Poponga nor lord Ainz. She simply sat down and waited.
"You are correct. My biggest mistake was to rewrite your backstory. I am sorry, Albedo. This might have been avoided" Ainz replied "But what is done is done. I can only hope that you will see reason. Consider this period away from Nazarick as an act of mercy. Once you have returned, I shall welcome you again".
Poponga nodded, pleased with himself and Ainz's ultimate decision.
The next day, Flannar's entourage saw Ainz as he was about to leave his camp. With Albedo chained up, pushed away from the valley and made to walk towards the desert a few hours prior, he had had all the time in the world to prepare himself for his newest acquisition.
"Ah, there you are. Very well, we can skip the formalities" he said as soon as he saw Flannar approaching "Please be at ease. you are my guest for the day".
"I thank you for your most generous words" Flannar replied in a somewhat cheerful tone, inviting Cledna and Cyrus physically closer in a futile attempt to bolster his defenses "So who should I... marry, if that's the right word anyhow?"
Ainz called over the Pleiades and made them line up. CZ Delta began to serve drinks while Narberal offered a pure white handkerchief to Flannar.
"Please take this. I think you may need it" she whispered maliciously.
"Hello darling. Did you miss me?"
Solution Epsilon emerged from a tent nearby, dressed pure white, her generous curves and massive breasts giggling about as she sauntered towards him.
"No way..." Flannar's eyes rolled upwards "Why you of all people..."
"Well, it was my understanding that Solution really wished to get closer to you" Ainz replied as if what was happening was going to be the most natural occurrence in that case "do not worry, I made it clear that she may not harm you nor interfere in your personal affairs. Still, she will give you helpful advice from time to time. Be aware that her services are not for sale, so if you need her help please do contact me beforehand."
"Oh I'm sure we will get along just fine, right?" Solution hissed, kissing Flannar's chin "I am quite persuasive when it comes to obeying. Didnt I promise you that I would make you pay?"
"Now now, there is no need for that. Keep your distance and everything will go as planned. Please be mindful of your boundaries, Solution" Ainz spoke with a more harsh tone, marking each syllable with unbridled authority.
"Of course lord Ainz. I'll make sure to be a good wife... for a while" Solution replied, circling around her target "You can rest with both eyes closed. The same cannot be said for your masculinity".
A shiver ran through Flannar's lower abdomen "This is going to be a looong marriage..."
"W-Wait! My brother doesnt need a wife right now" Cledna interjected, visibly embarrassed and upset "and what about her in particular? She murdered a lot of our countrymen and tried to abduct me!"
"Punishment has been dealt according to her offenses" Ainz stated with a solemn aura about him, "rest assured that even if I cannot resurrect the people she has killed, her insubordination has not gone unnoticed. Consider her period in your care as one of the ways she can expiate her sins".
Cledna wanted to protest further, yet she did not have it in her to even try. The stage had been set up and their next best chance would have come perhaps years from then. She began to break down, Flannar offered her the newly acquired handkerchief and offered a hug.
"We'll get by. I haven't seen you in fifty years, this is going to be a breeze. We will have all the time in the world to rebuild it all. Plus, Plurimo and everyone else is still here with us. I won't fail you, that much you can count on" he whispered.
"Please be mindful of your manners, everyone. Keep them well fed and sated till our departure. Let this be a joyful day for both parties" Ainz concluded. Reluctant yet relieved that the Sorcerer King's forces were about to leave, Flannar let himself go a little more, abandoning his formal mannerisms for a while. He felt surprisingly well received by the Pleiades, who were as hospitable as they could while maintaining their strong sense of professionalism. Mare made a brief appearance as well through his own preparation for departure, stealing a cookie from the full scale banquet that had been arranged overnight for the occasion.
"So, umm, I'm sorry for the fire and everything" he told Flannar with an air of innocence and genuine concern "but! I'll be back soon, that is a fact. Since Solution will stay here for a while, I can come visit anytime. Maybe it won't be too much help, but I want to get to know this place more. Tell Plurimo I want him to read me some stories, alright?"
"I think he has his hands full with that little bratty tin girlfriend of his. He has hardly come out of his house, but if I see him I'll be sure to... well, try my best". Flannar couldn't help but think that perhaps even the introduction of that new element was all a distraction orchestrated by the Sorcerer King to keep him in check. Slowly, his paranoia was starting to make itself known.
As the last light of day began to fade on the horizon, Flannar and his entourage moved away from Nazarick's camp and returned to their home. Would they plot against the Sorcerer King again? Was that even a concern worth investigating into? Ainz was certain that whatever the future held, he would be able to handle it just as smoothly now that he had casted that miraculous spell through the developer console. While the range of its effect was not ideal and it barely covered the desert area surrounding the Star City, he would take great care to reproduce it and amplify its potential once he had arrived in Nazarick.
Satisfied, he moved back into his personal headquarters, where the real Ainz Ooal Gown was waiting for him.
"Great job, Poponga. Nobody suspected a thing" Ainz applauded with enthusiasm akin to that of a roleplayer scoring a 20 on a saving throw, "marvelous performance. Truly, you are my image in all but tone. Everything else is perfect."
"You honor me too much. I suppose this means that I have done a good enough job, but will I earn your trust?" the clone asked anxiously.
"Patience, my friend. You are but a newborn child. But the potential within you is so great that I feel confident leaving you in charge for a little while. Prove to me that you are as reliable as I think and then I might consider extending your stay."
Relieved, Poponga bowed deeply as he had been taught to do. His training was going well and in just a few days he had begun acting, speaking and thinking like Ainz. Narberal, Cocytus and Demiurge were aware of the ploy, however everyone else had been kept in the dark on purpose.
"Very well then, let us return to Nazarick. Once there, I will instruct you on how to best keep a distance and observe deference towards the others. After all, you are not to be confused for a commoner. You will need to be able to take my place at will, especially during the writing of treaties and ceremonies. Act on my behalf, following my instructions to the letter, and I will be sure to reward you with more knowledge."
"As you wish, lord Ainz."
With these parting words, the group returned to Nazarick. While Ainz had not been able to secure any means of controlling the minds of the populations forming his vast empire, now expanding at the very borders of the continent, he had acquired new World Items and the means to unlock the very fabric of reality through the developer console. Moreover, he had gained a new precious ally and someone he could consider one of his peers - after all, who better than himself could suit such a role? -, on top of securing a source of potentially neverending NPCs. But he felt he had much more to do to appease his subjects, and to be able to move about freely and seek new ways to control the spreading rebellions, he still had a long way to go. After about a week more settling in and preparing new plans of action, Ainz took a drastic decision.
"...hiking, you say?" Demiurge looked slightly dejected, "is this even a good time, lord Ainz? We have just returned, the delegations are still here on the premises. It would seem like a stretch, but we still need your precious advice every step of the way. I wouldnt dream of doing anything without your approval."
"Oh, but you have my approval. Isnt that right, Poponga?" Ainz replied as he prepared to venture forth in the wilderness with his blackened attire, concealed as a wandering knight, "I know I can count on all of you. That is why I feel confident enough to leave for a while. There is no task too great that I... he couldnt handle."
"Pardon my indiscretion, but how is he different from any other Doppelganger? We cant just leave it all in the hands of one-"
"You know nothing. Poponga is much more than that. He is the first prototype of a new generation. And soon enough, you will see it bear more fruits. Be ready to accept many more friends among our ranks."
"My sincerest apologies, lord Ainz. I shall never make the same mistake again".
"Very well. Now... Narberal, are you coming?"
"You dont have to ask, lord Ainz." Narberal was just standing idly by in the throne room, summoned earlier to assist in further endeavors which Ainz had not spoken openly about. Now that she had an idea of the situation, she felt compelled to follow.
"Very well. What about you, Mare?"
"More travels? YES!" the young elf jumped off of his seat at Ainz's right side and rushed out, following his master.
Demiurge saw them off and sighed "Good grief this is going to be such a pain... hmph, I guess I better give it my all then. Well, lord Poponga... ugh, so awkward. Ah, forgive me, I feel a little uncomfortable addressing someone else as lord".
"I understand your concerns perfectly. I will never take any offense from you. As a matter of fact, I am grateful to be here most of all" Poponga felt truly inspired. Not only had he been granted admission inside Nazarick itself, he had been given a small responsibility that he would defend to the bitter end.
"Noted. Alright then, let's do our best."
END