Chapter 16: The Fire Rises
THIS IS THE BIGGEST FUCKING CHAPTER I'VE MADE YET 5K WORDS GODDAMMIT THIS TOOK FOREVER BUT I'M HAPPY
Lucifer woke up in his own, comfortable and simply remained laying down as he thought about the events of yesterday. The Black Scripture had suffered the heaviest losses it ever had on a single mission. Although some of them had managed to escape with a few of those who had died, it had been a catastrophic loss to them. Ruvik would no doubt revive those whose bodies he had managed to bring with him, but it would take time to bring them back up to full strength.
This was good new but it was also came with its own set of problems. They didn't have the luxury of time anymore.
With the Black Scripture and Kaire's [Downfall of Castle and Country] out of commission, Nazarick had to press the advantage and could take more public action while they had the chance. The Theocracy was bound to counterattack the moment they finished licking their wounds so from here on out Lucifer would have to rush to complete his preparations before the Theocracy recovered. The sooner he founded his country, the sooner he could take real action against his hated enemy and bring an end to the age of stupidity humanity had seemingly brought on upon this world. He sighed as he went over his to do list. Cocytus would invade the Lizardmen Tribes, Avenir had been turned into a vampire and would begin her training under Shalltear, whose sex toys had been confiscated as punishment for yesterday's events, that formal party Gazef had invited him to was today, he had to meet with Fluder Paradyne to trick the Empire into attacking Nazarick, Momon was supposed to be following a lead on Jaldabaoth, and Operation: Hellfire was scheduled to commence in five days.
I have a lot to do and the sooner I get it done the better.
Lucifer was snapped out of his thoughts as he felt something wet travel across his chest. He looked down and, sure enough, there was a sleeping Albedo on top of him….. and she was drooling….. lovely.
I am NOT dealing with right now!
With that thought, Lucifer teleported out from under her and got dressed for the day.
Soon we'll be able to stop hiding.
"This is an outrage!" the Cardinal of Light yelled after hearing from Ruvik and the remnants of the Black Scripture.
"I assure you your holiness, events transpired exactly as I have told you," Ruvik said from his kneeling position. His eyes were those of a broken man. He had seen his friends killed and the true power of an evil god-like….. no, not a god-like. A true, evil god. After hours of running through the tunnels, they had found an exit near the borders of the Baharuth Empire. After that, he and his remaining comrades had charged through Katze Plains with Ruvik, Zur, Kuaiesse, and Garuna clearing out the undead while Mori brought up the rear carrying an unconscious Kaire, not to mention the corpses of Oras and Cedran. In one arm while wielding a war axe twice his size in his other hand. They didn't call him the Strongest Human for nothing.
"Captain Ruvik," the Cardinal of Fire spoke up. "Are you certain your description of the man who used that powerful spell was accurate?"
"Yes your holiness," Ruvik replied. The cardinals muttered amongst themselves for a few moments before turning to look at the remnants of Black Scripture again.
"Based off your report, the man who attacked your team was Lucifer Dracul," the Cardinal of Darkness reported. "His presence was revealed to us approximately two months ago. He is responsible for Sunlight Scripture's destruction and Nigun's resignation."
"Your holiness, what happened to the other members of Black Scripture?" Ruvik asked, hoping that at least Avenir was alive. "We have heard nothing." The cardinals glanced at each other before looking back at Ruvik with sympathetic looks.
"I'm sorry Ruvik," the Cardinal of Wind said. "We found the bodies of Isabella, Gregor, and Beaumarchais were found on display for the world to see. We have had no word as to whether or not Wralk and Avenir are alive." Ruvik's heart sank. He didn't really know Wralk, nobody actually had do to his inability to speak, but Avenir, he just couldn't stand not knowing what happened to her! Was she alive but injured? Was she dead? Was she taken prisoner? His thoughts were interrupted by the Cardinal of Darkness.
"One thing we have learned from Ruvik's report is that Lucifer has more resources than we had originally believed. It appears that he is in charge of, or at least a key figure, of an organization that includes inhuman scum such as succubi, vampires, and doppelgangers. Not only does he have powerful subordinates, but to have been able to respond so quickly after the Black Scripture encountered the vampire he must have an extensive network of spies," the Cardinal of Darkness said as he adjust his round spectacles.
"What is the Re-Estize Kingdom's response to what happened last night?" the Cardinal of Water asked.
"They believe the incident has been resolved by an Adamantite ranked adventurer they call the Dark Knight, Momon," the Cardinal of Fire reported.
"I've never heard of this Momon," the Cardinal of Light scoffed.
"That's because he was only a Copper ranked adventurer earlier this week," the Cardinal of Fire said. Everyone in the room went silent.
"Impossible!"
"To jump through the ranks that fast is unheard of!"
"We must get him on our side!"
"Impressive."
"It seems that he is the one who took care of the undead army that attacked E-Rantel and there are unconfirmed reports that Zuranon was involved," the Cardinal of Darkness informed everyone.
"Could he be involved with Lucifer?" the Cardinal of Wind asked.
"Unlikely," the Cardinal of Fire rebuked. "From what my sources have uncovered, he was sent out by an unknown organization to hunt a vampire named Valeda Tepes and a demon known only as Jaldabaoth. His swords are imbued with the 7th-Tier spell [Holy Smite]. It seems everything he has is made with the intention of killing unholy creatures."
"7th-Tier magic! Those swords should belong to the Theocracy not some mercenary!" the Cardinal of Light shouted indignantly.
"Perhaps we could recruit him to the Black Scripture," the Cardinal of Darkness murmured quietly.
"For the time being we shouldn't inform the Re-Estize Kingdom what happened last night," the Cardinal of Darkness declared. "If word got out that we were beaten by a magic caster nobody has even heard of we would look weak." The other cardinals nodded their heads.
Ruvik frowned. His friends had died last night and the cardinals were going to pretend it never happened! They should be calling for the head of the man who did this not sweeping the incident under the rug! Nobody saw it, but Zur grinned wryly and if anyone could read his thoughts they would hear:
Typical.
"We have gotten off topic," the Cardinal of Darkness spoke up. "Lucifer Dracul is the purpose of this meeting!"
"The question we are faced with is as follows: Is he specifically targeting the Theocracy an act of vengeance for our involvement in Carne Village, or was this something else entirely?" the Cardinal of Earth asked.
"It doesn't matter!" a new voice interrupted. Everyone turned to see the ruler of the Theocracy himself entered the room. Pontifex Maximus, the elected Archbishop of the Slane Theocracy. He was and wrinkled old man in elegant white and gold robes that bore the insignia of the Slane Theocracy. Everyone in the room, even the cardinals, bowed before him. "Rise. Now then, the situation with this mad magic caster has grown out of hand. Is there anything substantial we know about him? Who he is or where he came from? Is he even human?" Zur kept his mouth shut about how he knew that Lucifer was a vampire.
"I apologize Archbishop," said the Cardinal of Light. "But after searching through our records and sending spies to E-Rantel, we still have no viable information about Lucifer Dracul. Maximus let out a discontented sigh.
"With the Black Scripture temporarily out of commission and the Theocracy weakened as a whole, we need to send someone else to gather intelligence on this infidel. We also need to have full deniability should they get caught. Any suggestions?" Maximus asked.
"I think I have exactly who we're looking for," the Cardinal of Darkness said with a smirk. He snapped his fingers and, as if on cue, a figure in dark clothing emerged from the shadows.
"Who is this?" Maximus asked, genuinely curious.
"This is my trusted agent, Corvo Attano. I believe you all remember Nigun's account of what he's capable of," the Cardinal of Darkness said as Corvo gave a polite bow. "Ruvik, I would like you to meet the newest member of the Black Scripture." Ruvik's eyes immediately began scanning the man before him. He certainly looked like he was no stranger to danger and there was look in his eyes that told Ruvik that this man wouldn't feel a thing when he killed someone. Still, there was something off about him. "Sir Attano here is relatively unknown to people of the Kingdom and the Empire. He can infiltrate the Re-Estize Kingdom and dig up any information on Lucifer Dracul and/or Momon without anyone knowing who he is or where he is from." Maximus nodded as the Cardinal of Darkness finished speaking.
"We should also put up a bounty for any information commoners might have," the Cardinal of Light suggested. Maximus nodded in response to cardinal's suggestion but he was more focused on Corvo.
"Can you see this assignment through, Sir Attano?"
"Yes, Archbishop," Covro said with a nod.
"Very well, see to it Sir Attano."
Location: Capitol City of the Baharuth Empire, Arwintar
Momon, the newly appointed Adamantite ranked adventurer, strolled down the streets of Arwintar with Nabe at his side. Every time they passed by someone who came too close to Momon, Nabe would mutter something offensive that Momon would ignore.
"Filthy worm."
"Inferior being."
"How dare you stand in the Supreme One's path?"
One of these days you're going to end up pissing off someone I want on my side and I'm beat the hell out of you.
They ducked into a narrow alleyway and waited until the coast was clear.
"My lord, might I ask why we're doing this?" Nabe asked. Momon sighed before answering her.
"While we were killing off some of the Black Scripture members, Fluder Paradyne, the Imperial Court Wizard, attempted to use observation magic to find Nazarick. He would've succeeded if it wasn't for the [Anti-Intelligence Magic Wall] we placed. However, it was the method he used to search for us and not his search for us itself that has led to our discovery. His method was to systematically search all of the area surrounding Carne Village and once he finally got around to the Great Forest of Tob, his spell backfired. He doesn't have our exact location but he knows where to look. Since he's in charge of the Empire's handling of matters concerning magic and magic casters, he will be a useful pawn when it comes to securing the Empire's assistance in founding our own empire."
"I see, your insight is impeccable my lord," Nabe said as the last few humans walked by. "The coast is clear my lord."
"Thank you, Nabe. [Greater Teleportation]!" Lucifer said as he disappeared from the alleyway. Nabe double-checked to make sure no one was watching before she teleported away as well.
Fluder Paradyne had just returned from the Imperial Magic Academy after once again failing to control the Death Knight they had locked up. The moment he entered his residence one of his servants ran up to him.
"Master Paradyne! There is a strange man is your study! We don't know how he got in!" the servant exclaimed. Fluder's eyes immediately narrowed and he raced upstairs with a speed that didn't fit his age. He was 268 years old after all. He burst into his study expecting an assailant or a thief, but instead he found a tall man in black wearing a red cloak leaning back on his couch and sipping something red out of a stone goblet covered in skull designs. He looked up towards Fluder with caring steel gray eyes and gave him a pleasant smile.
"Fluder Paradyne, please take a seat. We have much to discuss," he said calmly. Fluder stared at the strange man for a few moments before he looked back at the servants who were peaking in through gap in the door.
"Leave us. This is a private matter," Fluder said, deciding that this man wasn't going to attack him. The moment the servants left, the man's pleasant smile and caring gray eyes turned into a cold smile and soulless red eyes. Fluder was alarmed by the revelation that the man in his study was a vampire but decided not to make any sudden moves. He tried to use his ability to discern the man's magical power but it was as if something was blocking it.
"Now that they're out of the way, let's get right down to business," the man said. "My name is Lucifer Dracul," Lucifer said as he took a ring off his finger. The moment he did, whatever was blocking Fluder's ability ceased to exist and he saw the red eyed man's true magical power. To Fluder, it was as if the planet had been engulfed in a divine cleansing light. Tears of joy fell down Fluder's face as gazed upon this great sorcerer, this god. For the past 246 years he had forged his own path on his journey to gaze into the abyss of magic. He was never anyone to teach him, he was forced to teach himself everything. There had never been anyone for him to look up to until now. For years Fluder had so many questions about magic, the experience he lacked, and the advanced magical arts. The one who held all the answers had appeared before him. With shaking knees, Fluder Paradyne, the most powerful magic caster in recorded history, kneeled before Lucifer Dracul.
"My faith lies in the god that rules and presides over magic. But if you are not that exalted being, then I shall immediately recant my faith, for the one true god has finally appeared before me!" Fluder proclaimed. Lucifer grinned. "Please great Lucifer Dracul, God of Magic, I beg of you, please bestow your great wisdom unto me!"
A little over the top but Avenir's opinion of Fluder was correct. Now for what I came here for.
"I shall agree to teach you magic if you do something for me," Lucifer said.
"ANYTHING!" Fluder practically screamed.
"I need you to organize something for me…"
Jigsaw wiped the grease off his mask as he finally finished building the last of the 500 Clockwork Soldiers he had been ordered to create.
"Lord Dracul will be so pleased. I really must thank Lady Fiore for finding that steel mine. Perhaps I should make a Chimera for the lass?" he said to himself. "Only thing left to do is finish the [Total Maniac Bombs]." Then a woman's started screaming behind him. He turned around to look at Clementine who was strapped to operating table.
Her arms and legs had amputated because they were "of inferior design" making her a quadruple amputee. Parts of her skin had been removed and replaced with skin from other creatures that had been stitched into her own. The skin around her left eye had been removed and replaced with skin from a pale green creature. The eye there had been taken out and replaced with a large sickly yellow eye that didn't quite fit, but that problem was easily solved by sanding away at the skull and removing the eyelid.
"GIVE ME BACK MY LEGS YOU FREAK!" Clementine screamed.
"I can't do that right now dearie I gave them to my good friend Entoma," Jigsaw said as he raised his hands. "I promise as soon as she has finished digesting them I will go retrieve them. That is if Ms. Yuri Alpha allows me into the women's lavoratory. But I would think you would knew and improved limbs then you'll be just like me!"
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" Clementine screeched.
"No seriously just look at me!" Jigsaw said as he removed his Plague Doctor mask. Upon seeing his face, Clementine started to scream in pure horror. "That's just rude."
Gazef let out a sigh. He had only been at this party for an hour and he already wanted to leave. The nobles had gathered in the Great Hall of the Re-Estize Grand Palace. Everywhere he looked he saw elitists and bootlickers dressed up in their finest and pretending that the Kingdom's situation wasn't deteriorating as they spent so much on superfluous fancies. As much as he wanted to leave, he had a duty to protect his king. That meant sticking around nobles who hated him for being a commoner who had been given authority just because he was talented instead of being born to a wealthy family who could buy whatever authority they wanted.
"You look like your contemplating suicide, Gazef," a familiar voice came from behind. Gazef spun around with a grin on his face. He had the feeling this party was about to get a lot less painful.
"Lucifer," Gazef said in a good mood for the first time that day as he shook the man's hand. "I was worried you wouldn't make it."
"I couldn't let my friend suffer through this alone, could I?" Lucifer joked with a charismatic smile full of false charm. Several of the nobles looked at them and either scoffed at them, raised an eyebrow, or gave a small smile to see Gazef wasn't hated by everyone.
"Come on, there's someone here who wants to meet you," Gazef said as they walked to a particular group of people. Lucifer recognized them from intelligence reports he had gathered from Sebas. King Ramposa III was an older man who needed a cane in order to walk, Marquis Raeven was a man who reminded Lucifer of a snake, he had plans for him later. The king's oldest son Prince Barbro looked every bit an impressive prince , Prince Zanac was dressed in fine clothes like his brother but he was short and fat, and, the one that actually caught his attention, Princess Renner.
"Your highness," Gazef said. "This is the man who saved me back in Carne Village, Lucifer Dracul." The old man's eyes widened for a moment before he held out his hand.
"Gazef told me about your heroics that day," the king said. "I am pleased to have the chance to meet a powerful magic caster like yourself." Lucifer grinned as he shook his hand attracting the attention of some nearby nobles.
"I was just doing what any rational human being would've done," Lucifer lied. Barbro was scowling at him.
"Filthy commoner," he muttered and looked like Zanac felt the same. Lucifer would've been surprised how differently they had turned out despite their father's good example if he hadn't already been briefed on them.
"I would offer you a place among the nobility but the noble faction is antsy enough as it is," the king apologized.
"Do not worry about it. I would've turned down the offer anyway," Lucifer shrugged.
"You would deny a great generosity from the king?" Barbro demanded angrily. Lucifer gave him an uncaring stare.
"If it conflicted with my own interests, yes," Lucifer stated honestly. Barbro and Zanac scowled while Raeven raised an eyebrow. Renner just continued to smile at everything.
"He is the king…." Zanac began.
"A king is a human. I am a human. There is no difference between us," Lucifer lied coldly. Gazef stiffened as he awaited the king's response and several nobles started scowling at Lucifer, who shot them an evil grin when neither the king nor Gazef were looking. Then the king started laughing.
"I wish there were more people who thought like you, Lucifer Dracul!" the king laughed. Lucifer gave a genuine smile. "All of humanity needs to work together if want to rid the world of creatures like that vampire who appeared near E-Rantel!" the smile was no longer genuine. Zanac and Barbro had left in a huff seeing their father give such praise to a commoner. Raeven gave a curt nod of respect and walked away. Renner curtsied before Lucifer when he turned his attention to her.
"So you are the "Golden Princess" I've heard so much about?" Lucifer inquired.
"Yes sir, Mr. Dracul, that's me," she said innocently. Lucifer recognized that face she was making however. It was the same face he made when he pretended to be friendly with someone he thought wasn't worth his time.
"Isn't Climb supposed to be here?" Gazef asked. Renner tilted her head.
"He's cleaning up. He got back a few hours ago after running round with Brain Unglaus and an old man he looks up to named Sebas," she responded. Lucifer mentally frowned. He hadn't received any reports from Sebas or Solution today, so what was going on?
"Do you take acting classes?" Lucifer asked. Renner's eyes momentarily widened as she understood what he was getting at.
"No. Do you?" she asked pleasantly. Lucifer gave a fake smile as a silent agreement was reached between the two of them: You keep your mouth shut and I'll keep mine shut.
"Lucifer, you aren't flirting with my daughter, are you?" the king joked.
"No, I'm married," Lucifer lied.
"Your wife wouldn't happen to be Albedo would it?" Gazef asked while elbowing Lucifer and wiggling his eyebrows exaggeratedly.
"How did you know?" Lucifer responded, pouncing on the convenient lie.
Albedo was overseeing resource extraction. Hundreds of low level Skeletons were being used as undead workers. They were bringing in carts filled with tons of steel they had excavated from the mine and lumber they had cut from the Great Forest of Tob. Additionally, Bone Vultures that had been sent as scouts had found even more mines filled with iron, platinum, gold, and even adamantite. Of course sometimes the mine wasn't abandoned and they had to kill all the workers, but the corpses became additional soldiers so if anything they would consider it luck. All or these resources we being compiled in Nazarick for the time being for certain future projects.
As the Bone Vultures were reporting the location of a new mine they found, Albedo suddenly stiffened up.
"I don't know why, but I suddenly feel like I just missed something I would've loved," Albedo muttered.
I don't know why but I'm suddenly glad Albedo isn't here.
Lucifer gave a polite wave as the king and his daughter walked off. As he and Gazef went to go get drinks they were halted by large brute of a man: Marquis Bowlrob. He looked down at Lucifer, not physically of course, and glared at him. He was on older man, but his scars told the story of a warrior.
"So you're that magic caster, huh?" he growled. "You don't look half as strong as Gazef says."
"I apologize, but we really must be going, Marquis," Gazef said, trying to defuse the situation as the other nobles snickered. Lucifer raised his hand, signaling Gazef to stop.
"If you think you're so strong than how about I make a little wager with you," Lucifer said with a smirk. Bowlrob raised an eyebrow as the nobles who snickering shut up and glared. "I'm going to let you punch me ten times. If you manage to knock me back, I'll leave. If you fail I'm going to throw out the window." Most of the nobles were practically hissing at the commoner for being so daring. Bowlrob actually smirked.
"You're on, mage!" he exclaimed as he threw a punch into Lucifer's gut. He didn't budge.
"I'm sorry, was that a punch or are you asking me to plow your sister?" Lucifer mocked, intentionally angering Bowlrob and the other nobles. Bowlrob responded by throwing nine more punches at Lucifer, all in vain. "Too bad," Lucifer said as he grabbed Bowlrob and dragged him over to the window. No one made a move to stop him. Lucifer opened the window and looked around for a good landing spot for the struggling marquis. Selecting a pile of manure near the stables, he tossed Bowlrob who fell e few feet before submerging into the slop. Lucifer, Gazef, the king, and even some of the other nobles started laughing. On the other hand, many of the nobles looked downright murderous so Gazef and Lucifer decided to leave.
"That was the best party I've ever attended!" Gazef roared in between laughs.
"I'm glad you enjoyed the show," Lucifer chuckled
before receiving a [Message] from Demiurge.
[My lord, a situation has emerged.]
[What happened?]
[I have received disturbing reports from Solution. I fear Sebas might've betrayed us.] Lucifer's eyes momentarily widened when he heard those words.
[I'll meet you at manor Sebas and Solution have been using.]
[Yes my lord]
"Gazef, I'm sorry but there's something I have to attend to back home. Take care of yourself," Lucifer said hurriedly. Gazef could see he was in a hurry so he let him go.
"You too Lucifer!"
Zur walked the streets of Humanika in the dead of night. No one was around to bother him. He passed a street corner where, when he wasn't off with the Black Scripture on a mission, he would use his magic to entertain children who would marvel at the simplest of spells. These were the same brats who would throw rocks at elves as they passed by in slave wagons. Race, religion, nobility, none of it mattered in the end.
Rats. Everyone in this city is a rat. Those cardinals are blind to what's happening and the Archbishop is a fool stuck in his ways.
There was a reason Zur never told anyone his age. It's not like people would believe him if he claimed to not only be alive during the time of the Thirteen Heroes, but they would outright laugh at him if he told them that he fought by their side against the Evil Deities. Of course, no one would recognize his name. Hell, Zur was his actual name and people still didn't make the connection. Then again, nobody had ever connected his old friend Evileye to the vampire Landfall. That was why he hated the Theocracy. People like he and Landfall had risked everything to save innocents, but they were the truth that the Theocracy and the rest of the humans didn't want fitting into the history books. Landfall had accepted it as the way the world is and moved on to become an adventurer. Zur did not move on. He did not accept the "natural order of things" as Evileye had called it and chose a different path.
He chose revenge. He had chosen to destroy that so-called "natural order". If his thought process was wrong then he didn't want to be right. He wanted the Slane Theocracy and everything it stood for to be torn apart and forgotten.
Becoming a member of the Black Scripture had just been a way to gain access to information and it had finally paid off. It was almost exactly like last time. Powerful people were appearing, the balance of power was shifting, and finally the cause had been revealed: Lucifer Dracul. He was different than the others that had arrived before him. The Six Gods had picked humanity as their favorite and killed anything that put so much as a finger on them, the Eight Greed Kings immediately started destroying everything, and the two who had been his comrades in the Thirteen Heroes had been cleaning up after the Evil Deities. They had all either picked a side or chose to wipe out everything. Lucifer had done something entirely different. He hadn't picked a side or made himself publicly known yet and very few people even knew his name. He was playing puppet master from the shadows, he was planning something, and he served only one side: his own.
He may be the one who tears the natural order to shreds. Anyone with half a brain can feel it. Something big is coming and I know whose side I'm going to be on. The organization I've spent the past two centuries building will be at Lucifer's command and under his leadership we will finally achieve our dream to destroy the natural order ushering in a new order and the end of an era.
Zur finally arrived at his destination: a stone wall in a dark alley. He reached out and lightly touched the wall with his pointer finger.
"New Order," he said in a solemn tone. The wall turned translucent revealing an underground passage which he started walking down as the wall solidified once more. As he headed deeper in, he dispelled the illusion magic that gave him his false face. As the wrinkled, unhappy face of Zur melted away, his true face was revealed. No skin, no meat. Just bone. Two small, flickering red lights danced in his empty eye sockets (his face basically looks like Ainz from the anime).
He was an Overlord.
As he headed deeper in he was greeted by men in hooded robes dyed red.
"Welcome back Grandmaster Zur," one of them greeted with a bow. He finally entered the main hall which was a dark, torch lit room with numerous people in red robes and intelligent undead creatures such as liches who stood to the sides of the room. In the middle of the room was a table that had thirteen seats around it. Twelve men in purple robes stood when Zur walked in, these were the Twelve Executives. Only when Zur took his seat at the head of the table were the Executives allowed to sit.
"The 478th Council of Zuranon will come to order," Zur declared. "My brothers and sisters of death, I have news of the utmost importance. The day I promised you when I founded Zuranon almost 200 years ago is drawing near." His fleshless face seemed to smile.
"So, you have found an entity that can really remake this world?" one of the Executives spoke up in an excited voice.
"Yes. Our Antichrist is almost here."
Zuranon's goal is never really made clear in the LN so I thought I'd do this. Have you seen what the 3rd Seat of the Black Scripture really looks like? He doesn't look holy at all. Also can someone tell me what an SB is? I got a comment about it and I have no idea what it means.
HAIL AND KILL!