Death Knights, legendary Undead capable of reducing even the strongest soldiers into disjointed lumps of blood-oozing meat. Their dreary skeletal visage is enough to devour all the bravery any ordinary human can muster, the despair-inducing hatred residing in their hollow eye sockets bound to paralyze any unfortunate prey they set their eyes on.
The appearance of a single Death Knight is enough to drive an entire nation into panic. Standing in the way of these uncontested killing machines is but a death sentence. Only Humanity's strongest heroes deserve the right to challenge these harbingers of death. Yet here they stood, untold dozens of them…
Typically, their skeletal fingers enveloped the hilt of their signature weapon, a flamberge, a sword so immense it could cleave through flesh and bones as if they were paper. Despite this, their blades remained sheathed, instead replaced by a long, sturdy rope. The thread's other end clutched a pile of adamantite so extensive it dwarfed their two-meter frames. Even then, the combined strength of a mere two Death Knights was sufficient enough to move the unbudging object across the wastelands around them.
"Remind me why we're not using Golems," a disinterested voice asked. The woman's gaze hovered over the mid-level Undead. She watched as the trail left by the large ore dug deep into the midnight soil sprinkled atop the tomb's graveyard.
"DEATH KNIGHTS ARE SUPERIOR TO GOLEMS WHEN IT COMES TO DEFENSE AND OFFENSE. IF WE WERE TO BE ATTACKED BY THE MONSTERS PLAGUING OUR SURROUNDINGS, DEATH KNIGHTS WOULD BE OF MORE USE," Cocytus replied to the Floor Guardian of the first three floors.
"I suppose that makes sense," Shalltear twirled the umbrella in her petite, child-like hands. There was no sun to blind her crimson eyes, and the mausoleum roof overhead shielded her ashen skin from any light the crystals above emitted. Nevertheless, the True Vampire held her sunshade close and tight, "Still, I don't understand why Demiurge chose one of the most unrefined metals available. Choosing adamantite is an insult to the Supreme One. Cocytus, surely you agree," Shalltear twisted her neck and lifted her chin to face her Insectoid friend, "We're talking about Nazarick's defenses, after all."
Cocytus' six eyes shifted towards the evergrowing line of mountain-sized adamantite, "DEMIURGE WISHES TO TEST THE METTLE OF THIS DOMAIN. THERE IS NO NEED TO WASTE RESOURCES IF A LOW-LEVEL METAL IS ENOUGH TO KEEP WHATEVER THIS PLACE HAS TO OFFER AT BAY," The frost coating his every word was quick to overwhelm the sizzling warmth around the duo. His high level allowed him to withstand most weather conditions, so for Coctyus, the blistering waves of unbridled heat were no different than the petrifying cold of the Fifth Floor.
Shalltear let out a long deflated sigh, "Well, whatever… I'm sure Demiurge has his reasons."
A hollow stillness began to fester between the two.
'Elder Liches?' Shalltear redirected her focus onto a squad of hooded figures surrounding the newly built wall, "What are those Liches doing?" she asked, her brows furrowed.
"I SUGGESTED USING THEM TO WELD THE CHUNKS OF ADAMANTITE TOGETHER. USING FIREBALL ENSURES THAT NO GAPS ARE PRESENT IN THE WALL," Cocytus and Shalltear watched as the Skeletons placed their hands on the metal. The vast distance between the duo and the Liches prevented any chants from reaching their ears, yet they were quick to notice the unmistakable color of melting adamantite.
"Do you really think there's anything capable of breaching the First Floor out there?"
"EVEN IF THERE WAS, I'M SURE YOU'D DISPATCH OF THEM BEFORE ANY REAL DAMAGE WAS DONE-" Shalltear began to twirl her silver hair after hearing such a heartfelt compliment, "-EVEN SO, I'D PREFER IT INTRUDERS WERE DEALT WITH BEFORE THAT WAS NECESSARY. THERE'S NO NEED TO GET INVOLVED IF THESE NEW DEFENSES ARE ENOUGH TO DRIVE THEM AWAY. SUCH WERE THE ORDERS OF THE SUPREME ONE."
"I guess that's true," Shalltear placed a hand up to her chin. The alabaster skin covering her every finger deviated from the deep purple staining her puffy, billowy dress, "Oh?" Shalltear's gaze latched onto an incoming figure.
"ENVY."
"My Lord, my lady."
Shalltear stared at the kneeling monster before her. In contrast to her Puritan way of dressing, Evil Lord Envy's mature and voluptuous figure stood proudly on display. A piece of art so magnificent it deserves an exhibit in the world's most renowned gallery. Her ashen skin hid beneath delicate strands of jet-black bondage gear so fettered, that movement was deemed nearly impossible, "Raise your head. I am aware that prolonged abstinence to my divine self is near fatal, but you have a job to do, Envy dear~ Why are you here?" Shalltear tried to look the monster in the eyes, yet she could not find the windows to her soul amidst the crow head attached to her neck.
"Forgive my impertinence, Lady Shalltear, but I must inform you: the scouts that Master Demiurge dispatched have returned," The Demon's marked beak remained shut, yet the hum of her silky, feminine voice was unmistakable.
Shalltear raised an eyebrow, "The Hanzos are no longer under my command," The playful attitude mingling amongst her words vanished, instead being replaced by a scorching animosity, "Have them report to Demiurge," The swaying of her silver hair mimicked her apathetic attitude.
"W-What you say is true, My Lady, but the Hanzos wish to speak with you and Lord Cocytus directly," The Evil Lord's fingers squirmed beneath the plumes adorning her arms, "T-Their commander says it's a matter of grave importance. Shall I order them gone? Say the word and I'll have them report to Master Demiurge."
Rarely did underlings disobey the orders of their masters, as a strict hierarchy was in place within the tomb. Although all members of Nazarick shared the common goal of fulfilling Ainz Ooal Gown's wishes, definite factions existed within the tomb. Demiurge reigned over the seventh floor with unparalleled power and authority, commanding the obedience of every demon and creature within, much like Shalltear's words were law in her domain. Seeking an abrupt audience with another floor's superior -especially whilst in the service of another- was practically unthinkable.
Shalltear's eyes wandered toward Cocytus'.
"I SEE NO ISSUE WITH HEARING THEM OUT."
"Bring them here. Once that's done, return to your post."
"As you wish, My Lady."
Shalltear paid no attention to the disappearing lord, rather, she allowed her mind to wander, 'How quaint. First, he makes me give up the subordinates oh-so graciously bestowed onto me by the Supreme One, then, he has them report to me?! Is this some sort of cruel joke? If so, I don't like it!' The polished features enveloping her face began to distort.
"YOUR THOUGHTS ARE SHOWING."
Shalltear looked down, "Oh, silly me~" The True Vampire was quick to hide her left hand. It would seem that, amidst her anguishing, her thumb's fingernail suffered quite the beating.
"Here they are, Lady Shalltear, Lord Cocytus."
"F-Forgive the interruption, My Lords," A figure of pure darkness groveled, "I am eternally grateful. To think you'd hear out a mere scout."
"RAISE YOUR HEAD, HATTORI," Cocytus approached the Hanzo and his men, "I SENSE WORRY IN YOUR VOICE, SPEAK."
"Y-Yes, My Lord," Hattori stammered, turning his masked gaze towards the towering Insectoid guardian. "As you are aware, my regiment was assigned to survey and map the surroundings of the great tomb. During our expedition, we made two significant discoveries. Firstly, we have verified the existence of a passageway leading deeper underground. Coincidentally, we have also come across a route leading upwards," The Ninja looked up, hoping to see any reaction in the swordmaster's face.
"I SEE… WE MUST REPORT THIS TO LORD AINZ. SUCH A DISCOVERY WILL PROVE CRUCIAL."
"-Cocytus and I have been tasked with defending Nazarick from any external threats and construction of additional fortifications, respectively. Information gathering has been assigned to Demiurge and Aura, any news regarding such subjects should be relayed to them. Can't you see that we're busy?" The shadow Shalltear's umbrella cast upon Hattori threatened to encase the Ninja in a sea of fear, yet the Vampire's tone mimicked that of a little girl singing a soothing lullaby, 'Hahaha! Finally! A chance to one-up that sly Demon! If I take this opportunity to tell Lord Ainz of this discovery, he is sure to praise me! Gyahaha!'A girlish giggle escaped Shalltear's lips, "But… Since you're already here, I permit you to voice the rest of your report."
"...Right. In any case, during our expedition of the upper passage, a subordinate and I discovered a grueling sight," Hattori turned his gaze on one of his men.
"-As a result of the differing terrain present near the naturally created staircase, Lord Hattori and I decided to ascend and gain a bit of information regarding this new territory. During our investigation, we discovered a large swarm of monsters."
"So? That's no different than wherever we are," Shalltear's face writhed with confusion.
"You're correct, Lady Shalltear. However, this appeared to be no ordinary amassing of creatures. Amongst their numbers there appeared to be, Minotaurs, Undead resembling Skeleton Warriors, Orcs, Lizardmen, Lamias, Shadow Demons, and Dragons… This would pass as no more than a mere reference in our report, yet the direction in which they traveled mirrored that of the tomb's."
"HOW LARGE IS THEIR FORCE?" Cocytus asked.
"Once we uncovered the swarm, we were quick to return. Nevertheless, I assume there to be at least four thousand entities."
"How far away are they?"
"Forgive my shortcomings, Lady Shalltear, but we don't have a proper estimate. Regardless, I do believe that if their objective is the tomb, they'll arrive within the hour."
"WE MUST INFORM LORD AINZ OF THIS IMMEDIATELY," Cocytus turned to Shalltear, "SHALLTEAR, OPEN A GATE TO THE THRONE ROOM."
"No can't do~" Shalltear wagged her left index finger with a passion unseen, "The Throne Room is unreachable via [Gate] or [Teleportation]. The closest I can get us is Lemegeton," the petite Vampire took a brief respite before continuing, "-But… There's no need to disturb the presence of the Supreme One when a simple [Message] can do the job! This is urgent, after all."
"PERHAPS YOU'RE RIGHT. DELIVER THE NEWS TO OUR LORD-" Cocytus began to descend into the tomb's graveyard, "-IN THE MEANTIME, I'LL SEE THAT OUR DEFENSES ARE COMPLETE."
"Okay~"
"How costly…" The Guardian Overseer stared at the holographic panel in front of her. The orange display bombarded her peace with numbers of unthinkable magnitude.
'Although the treasury remains full, it'd be a sin to waste more of the Supreme One's hard-earned gold. We might have to shut down operations on the Ninth Floor's Casino to maintain all the traps active…' Albedo's mind wandered to the days when her beloved would return home after a long, arduous day of slaying monsters, 'Unlike those wretched fools, you never abandoned us. You spent your days maintaining our home. You brought the heads of unbeatable beasts to the exchange box, piles of gold, and gems whose value far outnumbered that of any normal stone… Just to keep this sacred place alive.'
The Succubus thought back to the time when Ainz appeared in the throneroom, bruised and battered.
"I can't believe they followed me all the way to Nilfheim… Those bastards."
She recalled the shaking in her beloved's voice and the cracks in his prized bones. Back then, all she could do was watch. Although she served as her master's right hand, she never managed to reach his side, 'No matter how hard I tried, I could never hold you tight…'
Albedo was brought back to the present when a peculiar scent reached her nose, "Gyahh! Truly, there's nothing better than being the Overseer!" Her slender figure sunk into the throne below. Its surface was hard, covered in all but a pillow in which to rest one's bottom. Nevertheless, the aroma of the man she loved lingered atop it. The smallest hint of it served to erase all the worry in her mind, it acted as a sort of therapy for the tomb's Guardian Overseer, "Now onto the next matter."
Albedo's fingers swam across the screen, its contents completely different, 'What's this?'She stared at the wall of text practically overflowing from the Administrative Log, 'Another report from Shalltear? Odd… Before the manipulation of the Holy Kingdom, the Lamprey scarcely submitted any dossiers. Well, whatever, I can't exactly say I'm opposed to it, let's see..' Her golden eyes drifted across the panel at worrying speeds. If any of the Homunculus Maids were present on the scene, they'd think their superior was experiencing a seizure.
"She's requesting even more undead!?" A look of confusion manifested on her face, causing her forehead to overflow with creases, 'We've already lent her four hundred Death Knights and Death Warriors. Having divided Lord Ainz's legion amongst the Guardians, there's no possible way to accommodate her needs…' Her master held control over an innumerable swarm of Undead. The size of his troops was enough to conquer the entire continent in the span of a few days. Yet, no matter how many bodies he puppeteered, he'd only have enough to secure a couple of floors, 'If I send the Undead I assigned to the Fourth Floor to assist her, then perhaps I can fulfill her wishes,' There was no need to infest the Underground Cavern with Undead. The Floor Guardian of the Fourth Floor, the Siege Golem Gargantua, was unlike any other. Its sentience belonged to the master of the tomb, and as such, it could deliver no commands to the subordinates under its wing, 'Seeing as no one's controlling him, no orders are being issued. I suppose the monsters I sent serve as nothing but wandering sentries.'
Albedo's fingers hovered over a pair of the projection's buttons, "This'll do," She pressed the large [Confirm?] in front of her before unleashing a long, drawn-out sigh.
Clasping her hands together, the Overseer thought to the near future, 'Lord Ainz is soon to return. He should still be at the spa, so I have about half an hour to get ready…' Her alabaster clothes remained as pure as the morning sun and as silky as a spider's webbing, yet Albedo couldn't risk flooding her dress with the sweat of her hard work, 'If I bathe quick enough, I should be able to return before his arrival.'
Albedo stood up, her heels clasping against the reflective floor beneath her. All she needed to do was reach Lemegeton, after that she'd be able to teleport to her private hot spring on the Ninth Floor.
"-Ah, Albedo, I didn't expect to see you here."
The Guardian Overseer fell to the ground, her head low, "M-My Lord!?"
The only remaining member of the Fourty-One raised his right hand, "Stand up, I've told you countless times: there's no need for formalities whilst in my presence."
Albedo rushed to her master's side, "Right… Huh?" the Succubus tried to speak, but the display before her entranced both her mind and mouth.
"Hm?" Her beloved looked downwards, "Ah… sorry, how unbefitting of me. Give me a second to change," Ainz began to stand up, clasping a diminutive stick from his inventory during the process.
"WAIT, NO!"
The Overlord flinched, clearly taken aback by his aide's sudden outburst.
"I-I mean; there's no need for you to change, My Lord. This is your home, you deserve to be comfortable. Additionally, it's just the two of us here. Believe me when I say I'm not bothered by it, not in the slightest!"
The jagged breathing in between each word made it hard for Ainz to understand, still, he indulged the Overseer and sat down, "A-Alright, if you say so…"
A frightening smile snuck onto Albedo's face, 'Gyaah!!' Her legs quivered as she returned to the throne's side. Being level 100, paralysis held no sway over her body, nonetheless, there was nothing her resistances could do against the damnable curse that is infatuation, 'It's not often you grace me with such a wonderful sight!'
Her eyes drifted downwards. Rarely did she have the chance to admire the magnificence of her master beyond his robes. Only during critical public affairs did he step out of his Divine-class outfit. Her gaze landed on the crimson threads hugging his bony ribs. The vibrant fabric mimicked the burning fire within her lord's eyes. Her mind strayed to when her master fought the vermin brave enough to trespass upon their home, 'Perhaps the robes he used then are a variation of this one?' The image of a shirtless Ainz obliterating the disgusting worms dubbed "Workers" instigated her cheeks to bleed red. That aside, this'd been the only opportunity she'd had to ogle into Ainz's calcium-rich bones in such a manner.
"Is there something on my face, Albedo?" Ainz scratched his chin.
"N-Not at all, Lord Momonga… I'm just curious as to why you're here-" Albedo stepped back, "-Forgive my i-insolence! I-I'm overjoyed at your a-arrival, it's simply u-unexpected," The bumbling mess of a woman went pale.
"...I'm quite aware," Ainz's crimson orbs meandered towards the obsidian crystal hanging above his throne, "I encountered some unexpected company in the Yuzu bath, so I decided to return ahead of schedule. I hope I'm not inconveniencing you."
"Not at all, My Lord!" Like a hawk returning to feed its young, Albedo's chin landed atop her right hand, "But... who would dare to disturb your peace? Such blasphemy must be punished! Please, reveal to me the intruder who dared to breach the sanctity of the baths, so that I may inflict the fury of the Guardian Over upon them," Her master's voice reeked with indifference and dismissal, however, Albedo couldn't overlook such a fact, 'The hands of the Area Guardians are full, and the other Floor Guardians would rather be whipped than intrude upon our master's private terms. Who would be in the resort at this hour?'
"Pay it no mind," Ainz shattered the disgust within Albedo's heart with a mere four words, "It is not my position to meddle with the reunion of two friends."
The Succubus' mind raced with possibilities, 'Two friends?' Then, as if the final piece of a puzzle fell into place, Albedo's eyes lit up, "Are you speaking of Cz and that Human?" It was not inconceivable that one of their guests might seek a visit to the baths, and as a result of bearing the lightest load around, the Pleiades in charge would be forced to oblige.
"Precisely. According to Demiurge, the two developed a close-knit relationship whilst fighting the Demihuman forces under his command."
'Odd… Cz2128 is an Automaton, there's no reason for her to get attached to a Human,' Albedo's thoughts were interrupted by the memory of the Human's visit to the Sorcerer Kingdom, 'Well… It's not out of the realm of possibilities. That Human possesses the correct amount of reverence one must have towards the Supreme One. If I'm being honest, her devotion to Lord Momonga rivals that of Nazarick's denizens… She's also the reason why I can stare at your wonderful physique, My Lord!' A chill-inspiring chuckle escaped the woman's lips.
"Putting that aside, has anything transpired during my absence?"
"Luckily, no," Albedo passed the monitor around her waist to her master, "As you can see, everything's under control. Cocytus and Shalltear are overseeing the progress of our newly constructed defenses whilst the remaining Guardians are tending to their floors."
"Is that so?"
"Ye-" Albedo took a moment to process her thoughts, "...Actually… I promised Demiurge to relay a message to you.."
Ainz's eyes were ripped away from the holographic panel at the mention of his other aide, "Oh?"
"I consider entertaining this thought to be foolish, but... He wishes to test the limits of the Ariadne System once again."
Her master fell silent, "..." Albedo stared into his orbs, she could see the storm of thoughts swarming over his mind.
"Denied," She expected such a reaction, "There's no need to push our luck. If Yggdrasil's rules still plague our home, turning off the Ariadne System for even just a few minutes would be catastrophic," The financial implications of upsetting Ariadne were enough to set aside the concerns of his Demonic tactician.
"You're completely corr-"
"-However," Ainz paused for a brief second, "-Nazarick's safety stands above any petty amount of gold. Meaning that, if this new realm proves to be worthy of worry, he has my full permission to experiment with the entryways inside the Ninth Floor."
"I shall forward the news, My Lord," Albedo lowered her head.
"Now, I will be returning to my office," Ainz exhaled a heavy, exasperated groan, "...It's about time I revised the documents on my desk."
"Very well, I will remain here and finish looking over the Administrative Logs. After that, I shall return to your side," Albedo stepped aside, allowing her master to rise.
"Alright, I'll see you la-"
"Is something wrong?" Albedo stared at the still image of her master. The statue before her mimicked the one standing amidst the central square of E-Rantel.
Ainz lifted a finger up to his skeletal mouth, "...Yes… Alright… Mhm… Are you certain?... Okay, relay this information to Pulcinella. Goodbye…" The Overlord dropped onto his throne once more, his voice lingering with concern.
"Albedo."
"Y-Yes, My Lord?"
"Tell Nigredo to meet me inside Snowball Earth, it seems we've attracted the attention of a few unwanted guests…"