"Again, Lord Ainz wishes to apologize for the sudden disruption."
"There's no need to apologize-" Jircniv raised his hand, urging the maid before him to raise her head, "-We understand that His Majesty has priorities. We are in no position to complain. After all, we get to enjoy the other flavors his grand tomb has to offer."
The girl before him flashed a scant smile. The sand-colored bangs atop her head covered most of her face, yet the dirty rubies hiding beneath still found a way to mesmerize him, "Your understanding is greatly appreciated. As I mentioned before, my name is Fith. If you are to need anything, please, ring that call bell over there."
Her words wafted away into the hallway, for Jircniv was far too distracted to pay any attention, 'All the women Gown has under his command seem artificial… Their beauty is far too grand for any mortal. Perhaps, she too, is some sort of monster?'
"Before I go, I must mention that Lady Alpha and Lady Gamma will be your guards for tonight-" Fith gestured towards the room's closed door. Her pearly gloves mimicked the undiluted magnificence of her creamy skin and neatly contrasted the tainted raven enveloping her uniform, "In case of any emergencies, please call out to them. They'll assist you with any situation that may arise."
"Thank you."
Fith bowed before leaving the room.
"Clunk."
"Oh, how our mighty emperor has fallen: acting so formal in front of a simple maid," a burly man exclaimed from the opposite side of the table at which Jircniv sat, "Has our beloved emperor gone soft?" The man cuddled his statured beard whilst letting out a hardy laugh. Baziwood Peshmel wasn't oblivious, however. He too understood that stepping out of line would result in an excruciating death. He could not blame his master for giving Gown's servants the treatment of kings, who would? The Undead had a grasp on his heart from the moment he first encountered him. Not once had Gown turned to face the man, yet the emptiness his mere presence instilled upon him was more than enough to keep Baziwood's loud mouth shut.
"This isn't the time for taunts, Peshmel." A brute declared. His towering figure dwarfed Baziwood's frame, yet the quiet voice coming from his mouth caused more comfort than fear.
"S-Sorry, you're right, Nazami," Baziwood scratched his nape in shame.
"Normally, I'd have you go cherry-picking as a result of your insubordination, but… I suppose you aren't completely wrong: I have, indeed, grown soft," Jircniv slid his fingers across the top of his glass. The spectral hum it sang mimicked the ghastly state of the emperor's mind.
"Surely you jest, my liege!" The circlet atop the speaker's forehead stayed as still as a marble statue amidst the man's wild movements, "You're the only man worthy of our beloved empire! Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but if it weren't for you, Baharuth would've crumbled before Re-Estize! Even now, surrounded by both unbeatable monsters and a wretched god, you stand proud! I am sure none are capable of replacing you, Lord Jircniv!" The knight's jagged breath trampled the silence previously dancing around the room.
"Bhff!" Jircniv laughed, "It's always good to have you around, Nimble… Really." the tired monarch took another huge swig of his drink, "Anyhow… I wonder, what would drive Gown to such panicky measures?" Jircniv reflected upon the night's passing, 'One moment we were having dinner and the next we were teleported to this… surprisingly expansive room.' The ceiling was infested with glamorous chandeliers, yet none were close enough to cause discomfort. The domed roof above provided all the necessary space.
"It must be something terrifying to cause such a hasty reaction from him," The only woman in the group spoke up. Her entrancing emerald eye floated towards the door. The young beauty crossed her arms, causing a clamorous yelp from her armor, "We even got a pair of bodyguards."
"I share your sense of worry, Leinas." Nimble shook his head, "And I feel that if we try to leave, we'll be dragged back here like a bunch of over-cared-for babies."
"...That's… an odd analogy," Jircniv rubbed his waterless eyes.
"How many days has it been since you slept, My Emperor?"
"It's been a mere three days, Nazami. There's no need to worry. I've already told you: Gown gifted me this cursed ring. It lengthens my stamina. Does he really wish for me to experience as much of his inflicted suffering as possible?" The man's head fell onto the table.
"M-Maybe he just wants you to be as productive as possible? That ring sounds like a blessing, I can't recall the amount of times I've fallen asleep against my will."
"I envy you, truly… Sometimes I wish I was but a knight…" Jircniv sighed, "Either way, it's not me you should be worrying about, Baziwood-" The walking corpse of a man turned to his sturdiest subordinate,"-Nazami, how have you been faring? It's only been a couple of months since your resurrection: are you sure you're in good health?"
"I am fine, My Lord. The crippling weight atop my shoulders has completely disappeared."
"To think an Undead was able to cast [Resurrection]. I tell you, Leinas, my entire world fell apart! Why weren't you there again?"
"I already told you, Baz, I was busy taking care of those rampaging Beastmen. Ugh, your breath reeks of ale. I swear to The Four, continue drinking and I'll pierce your throat with my spear."
"What spear? Those maids took our weapons when we entered, remember?"
"Anyhow… He didn't even cast resurrection. If I recall correctly, the name of the item he used was [Wand of Resurrection]." Nimble's mind drifted to the wavering memory.
"Doesn't change the fact he revived good 'ol Nazami over here."
"Hm."
"Reminiscing about the past is inconsequential. We should keep our focus on the present-" Nimble rustled with the teacup before him, "-I doubt Gown has any intention of letting us leave. Those "Bodyguards" are more akin to prison guards. They want us confined to this room and this room alone."
"Prison guards? They assigned us a pair of maids. We can always default to our previous plan. Sneak out of this hell hole whilst carryin' one of those beauties around. If we're caught, we can always use the one we took as a meatshield," The spark in Baziwood's eyes nearly overpowered the might of the chandeliers above.
"Does the ale you're drinking contain poison?" Jircniv looked at the man with bewilderment, "-If you dare suggest such a thing again, I'll have you executed."
Baziwood's smile dropped dead, "Whaaat? How am I wrong?"
"Remember, we're in a tomb. We have no idea how deep underground we are," Nimble spoke up, "That very fact makes your suggestion a suicide mission. Sadly, however, it's not that which scares me the most. We'll have to pass through an unthinkable amount of monsters on our way up… I don't exactly wanna see what this tomb offers invaders."
"I don't even think we'll make it past this room…"
"Oh? Care to explain, Leinas?"
"I saw the gear those maids carried whilst leading the emperor to the banquet hall… They aren't just maids, I'm yet to encounter any cleaning staff equipped with armor platings. Just think of that Fith girl: she wasn't wearing any sort of combat gear."
"Are you implying you're weaker than the women who served us orange juice on our previous visit?" Jircniv jokingly mocked the female knight.
"Yes."
"As expected…" The man didn't doubt his subordinate's words. Although Leinas held no profound loyalty, he trusted her abilities. She was amongst his strongest warriors, he had no right to challenge the views of a hardened veteran, "Still… I'm surprised you didn't rush to the exit once the commotion started. There were a few minutes of chaos you could've used to your advantage," Jircniv eyed the woman with intrigue.
"I was close to, but my instincts told me to stay put."
"Interesting," Jircniv stood up, "Anyhow, I think I'll take your advice and sleep, Nazami."
"Very well, My Liege," Nimble followed in his leader's footsteps, "-I'll stay up and guard the entrance. Is that alright with you, My Emperor?"
"Huh? Sure, do whatever you please," Jircniv swung the doors of the room's closet open, "-to think they'd provide us with pajamas..."
"Very well, My Lord," Demiurge bowed low, "I shall begin to enact your will."
"Click."
The Archdevil closed the doors to his master's grand office, yet it only took the monster a few steps into the pristine hallway to set his master's plan into motion, "[Shalltear, are you there?]" Demiurge lifted a finger to his temple.
"[D-Demiurge?]" An alarmed voice rang inside the Devil's mind, "[What can I do for you? If you want to have another tea party, I'm sorry, but it'll have to wait.]"
A nasty vein emerged on the Floor Guardian's forehead, "[I'm sure you're aware, but we don't have the time to waste on "luxuries" such as those.]"
"[Surely you jest! I vividly recall you having the time of your life when you last came here,]" The Vampire sighed, "[But… you're right. I'm busy to the point where I've yet to enjoy the sweet company of my brides… Oh, what a tragedy!]"
"[Yes, I cannot imagine a worse fate,]" Demiurge rolled his eyes, "[Anyhow. I'll be borrowing the Hanzos under your command.]"
"[E-Excuse me?]" The shock meddled in Shalltear's voice was palpable.
"[There's a zero chance of interference whilst using [Message]. You know what I said,]" Nazarick's Lead Strategist took a moment to inspect his glasses. He retrieved a small cloth from his breast pocket before wiping them down, "[Perhaps you're too busy to pay attention? After all, managing the first three floors alongside the surface's perimeter is no easy task.]" Often, Demiurge took pleasure in teasing the little Vampire, yet he had to admit that she took responsibility for a vast amount of the tomb, 'I'd honestly offer you my assistance if my schedule wasn't so tightly packed…'
"[Oh I heard you, alright!]" Shalltear yelled.
Demiurge nearly severed the [Message], after all, he'd prefer to leave this conversation with his hearing intact.
"[Those Hanzos were given to me by the Supreme Being himself! They are to guard Nazarick's perimeter until you smartasses figure out a more efficient method!]"
"[I am keenly aware Shalltear, yet it seems that Lord Ainz's orders have changed. The Sixth Unit will be assisting me in the exploration of our surroundings. They are to map… wherever we are.]"
"[...Fine. It seems Lord Ainz has already developed a plan, sasuga! The only thing a servant such as myself can do is to clear the path for him,]" The petite Vampire let out what Demiurge thought to be a sigh of awe and admiration, "[Where do you want them?]"
"[Tell them to meet me in the Grand Mausoleum thirty minutes from now. I have something else I must take care of before seeing them off.]"
"[Very well, Demiurge. In the meantime, I'll try to find some replacements... I assume that's the only thing you wished to discuss?]"
"[Correct. I'll send the Evil Lords your way, they should suffice, no?]"
"[They'll do. I'll see you later, toodooloo.]"
…
Demiurge managed to contact his seven aids before eventually reaching the entrance to the ninth floor.
"Alright… It's time to visit the fifth." Demiurge straightened his tie and adjusted his gloves, he couldn't allow his outfit to swallow even the smallest specks of snow. The monster's left hand reached into his pocket, causing a tiny fragment of reality to bend and shift inside. Demiurge retrieved a small amethyst ring from his inventory, "[Teleportation.]"
"Bshhhhhhh"
…
"So, Cocytus did indeed follow orders… Still, it's rather annoying to be teleported leagues away from my destination… Whatever, Nazarick's defense mechanisms lay miles above my discomforts." Demiurge dug his tail into the ground, yet his balance remained stolen. The Devil's extra appendage was lengthy, he could even attack opponents standing six feet away, but even then, it wasn't long enough to pierce the deep foundations of Nazarick's fifth floor, 'I haven't been here in a while… To think the snow would reach my hips…' Demiurge spread his tendril-like wings, 'Hm… That…won't work either,' His crystal eyes gazed at the innumerable shards of blue ice flying above, 'This I do remember… Another component of the floor's defense system… If I were to fly, I'd reach Snowball Earth with a fifth of my health gone.' The flakes of hoar dancing atop him would slam into him time and time again. Normally, such paltry weather conditions would serve as a mere inconvenience, yet the falling hail posed as more than a minor distraction.
Each pellet was infused with generous amounts of sixth-tier magic, '[Piercing Whistle], no?' whilst the spell contained no offensive power of its own, the strengthening boost it provided served as a fine feast to its caster and his allies. It was often paired alongside [Obsidian Sword] or [Thousand Bone Lance] as it nearly doubled their slashing and piercing damage, 'Lord Nishikienrai never failed to exceed my expectations. Truly, it comes as no surprise that a skilled ninja such as him was able to concoct such a deadly and inconspicuous trap.' Visual effects were plentiful in Yggdrasil, so unless a party of intruders was well-versed in modest deceptions, most wouldn't mind entering the kill zone that was the fifth floor, 'I believe this specific trick was responsible for culling a respectable amount of the mid-leveled players during the Great Raid,' It takes a lot more than mere bullets to execute level forty players, yet none could escape the constant hellfire raining down on them, 'It took an absurd amount of time for their back liners to cast [Creation]...'
Demiurge snapped out of his mind's trance. Once again, he plunged his hand into his pocket. This time, however, there was no need to open his inventory. He reached for a crystal compass encased in ice, 'This should lead me to Snowball Earth… Now…'
"[Aspect of the Devil: Eight Limbs of Speed,]" The Demon's feet lay limp in the air, their purpose spirited away by eight long spider-like limbs.
"Hm?" Demiurge burst into an unusual sprint, yet he quickly stopped when he began to hear two pairs of soft, melodious footsteps.
"Welcome to the fifth floor, Lord Demiurge," a womanly voice said from afar, "Forgive us for not greeting you earlier."
The aforementioned Devil moved closer, "...Ah…"
"We were sent by Master Cocytus after he perceived an unknown presence in his domain," another voice spoke.
"I pay it no mind," Demiurge inspected the two beauties before him, 'Frost Virgins?'
"Such a grievance is inexcusable, My Lord-" The two pale-skinned women lowered their gaze, "-rest assured that it won't happen again."
"I rather not reiterate: It's of no matter to me," Demiurge reverted to his fully human form. The Frost Virgins before him knew their way along their master's domain, so there was no need to make his way through the floor like a maddened beast, "Would you be as kind as to escort me to Cocytus? I have an urgent matter to discuss, straight from the top."
"O-of course, My Lord," The duo parted like the red sea, "This way…"
Demiurge nodded. The Archdevil began to mindlessly follow his comrade's subordinates, 'What a contrast…' Under normal circumstances, one wouldn't be able to see three feet in front of them, courtesy of the unending blizzard around them. Thankfully, Demiurge's unimpeded vision held no quarrels with it, 'There's ice everywhere. I wonder, if one were to place one of these insurmountably large pillars inside the seventh floor's magma lake, would it melt?' His abode specialized in melting the skin off of their intruders, despite that, he doubted the burning inferno could hope to melt the unbreakable ice in Cocytus' home, 'I dare not sully the home of the Supreme Ones, yet one does wonder… Would a weapon created from this material even come close to those made of Adamask?' He pressed his hand against a tall slab of ice, 'It'd be easy for me to pierce untold layers of it… nevertheless, it may be worth mentioning it to Cocytus. It does regenerate, after all.'
"Watch your step, My Lord."
Demiurge looked down. If it weren't for his enhanced vision, he would've never gazed upon one of the floor's Area Guardians, 'The Slithering Leviathan?' At the bottom of the vast pit below him lay a serpentine shadow. Its figure hid below layers and layers of frozen water, "It won't emerge unless ordered too, correct?"
"That's right, Slimy Snake will only attack if it senses hostile forces. He used to preside under Lord Cocytus' home, but he ordered it relocated after Nazarick's transportation to the New World."
"...Slimy Snake?" Demiurge looked at the underling, his materialistic eyes shined with curiosity and utter confusion.
"...That's what Lady Aura named it during her previous visit…"
The other Frost Virgin knelt. She placed her delicate and petite hands on the frozen foundation, "[Release.]"
"An illusion?" Shards of crystal water rose from the bottom of the pit. After a moment of waiting, they all turned into scythe-like formations. Their splendid overlapping birthed a superb bridge. Demiurge oversaw the countless defense mechanisms within Nazarick, yet he wasn't privy to the specific layout of the floors, "Or perhaps a form of creation magic?"
"A combination of the two, My Liege," The taller of the Frost Virgins continued to lead the way, "A construction mechanism was implanted into this corridor, yet it requires a specific type of crystal magic to activate. Its presence is also concealed with the use of illusion magic."
"Impressive."
"Indeed, the intelligence of the Supreme Beings holds no bounds"
"At any rate, we're approaching Lord Cocytus' abode," After crossing the overpass, Demiurge was met with an overwhelming number of minotaur-sized tunnels. If a human were to stumble across the newly presented terrain, they'd confuse it with a drained quarry. Demiurge turned left. He wasn't cognitive of the floor's every nook and cranny, but he could orient himself within it.
It wasn't long until Demiurge reached a large clearing. Before him stood a monumental globe with the shape of an overturned vespiary. Along its edges stood six sky-reaching pillars of ice, three on its left and three on its right, "This'll do."
The trio ground to a halt, "From here on out, I know my way around," Demiurge slid his gloved fingers across his raven-black hair. The climate was brutal and harsh, yet it was nowhere near as intense as the floor's entrance, casting [Hellflame] upon himself was more than enough to ward off the falling snow, "Please return to your posts."
"As you command, My Lord. Also, rest assured that we've notified Master Cocytus of your arrival."
"Hm… [Teleportation]." Demiurge disappeared.
…
The Archdevil's feet were quick to settle in the slippery foundations of a subzero edifice.
"...Demiurge?"
"Ah, Cocytus. How have you been? I hope I'm not intruding upon something important?" The Devil looked around. His comrade was surrounded by an untold amount of aids. Humanoid beetles coated in platinum plagued every corner of the room whilst nearly every seat in the room's center table was occupied by some sort of fearsome monster. Demiurge walked closer to the preposterously large Insectoid in front of him.
The Heteromporph lay still, stilling atop a crystal throne befitting his stature, "It's a pleasure to see you, I've fared well, my friend. And no, do not worry, the conversation reached its closure a second before your arrival. Fsshhhh," The cold air exuding from his mandibles swarmed the surroundings. Most inside wore little to no clothes. It was only a result of their nature that they resisted the instinct to warm themselves up.
"What can I do for you?" Cocytus waved his hand.
Demiurge watched as Cocytus' subordinates exited the room, "...I wished to talk to you about securing a perimeter around the tomb. Lord Ainz wishes to take a more aggressive approach this time around."
"Oh? Fsshhhh. I wouldn't have expected that from the Supreme One, knowing his careful nature," Cocytus gestured Demiurge to take a seat.
"I shared your intrigue, yet I was enlightened by His Grace after Albedo voiced her hesitation."
"Please, educate me then," Cocytus leaned in.
"Of course! First of…"