Chapter 2: Maiden of Death
"Dialogue"
'Inner monologue'
[Yggdrasil Spells]
{Elden Ring Sorceries/Incantations}
{Message}
'This feels bizarre. Where exactly am I? Somehow I knew what to do, but at the same time, I seem unfamiliar with the environment. As if I received some kind of vision, or rather the knowledge that I had to kill this person...' Momonga thought. Nothing around him hinted at a place he knew. It was weird, and he questioned what was behind all this. Looking into the future wasn't exactly one of the things he could do.
'Everything feels weird. Right now, I'll need to gather information about my whereabouts. But before that, I wan't to see how this works.'
As he concentrated on releasing the new ability he had gained, a window appeared before him, displaying something he had not seen in a while.
Name: Ainz Ooal Gown/Momonga
Yggdrasil Level: 100+
Rune Level: 0
[Error in Calculating Stats]
[Stats Temporary Locked]
[Temporary Stats Loaded]
Attribute Points
HP 60—-Vigor: 62
MP 100+—-Mind: 99+(123,5)
Agility 40 + Phy. Def. 70—-Endurance: Unlimited(112)
Phy. Atk. 35—-Strength: 35
Resist 95—Dexterity: 96
Mag. Atk. 90 + Mag. Def. 95—-Intelligence: 99+(185)
Faith: 0
Special 100—-Arcane 99+(100)
Total Yggdrasil-Rune Level: 713+
Total Rune Level: 0
HP: 1912+
FP: 691,6+
Stamina: Unlimited
Equipment Menu
Armor:
-Divine Robe-
[Divine Class]
-Divine Cloak-
[Divine Class]
-Divine Circlet-
[Divine Class]
-Divine Golden Necklace-
[Divine Class]
-Divine Gauntlet-
[Divine Class]
-Divine Belt-
[Divine Class]
-Divine Boots-
[Divine Class]
Rings:
-Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown-
[Divine Class Artifact]
-Shooting Star-
[Divine Class Artifact]
-Resurrection Ring-
Unknown Class
-Divination Protection Ring-
Unknown Class
-Behavior Disturbance Ring-
Unknown Class
-Trap Resistance Ring-
Unknown Class
-Ring of Mastery Wand-
Unknown Class
-Spell Sealing Ring-
Unknown Class
-Magic Enhancement Ring-
Unknown Class
-Mana Regeneration Ring-
Unknown Class
Talismans:
None
Weapons:
-Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown-
[Guild Weapon]
Requirements:
Status: [Guild Leader]
Scaling:
Strength: B
Intelligence: A++
Arcane: A+
Dexterity: B+
Faith: -
-Red Orb of Momonga-
[World Class Artifact]
Requirements:
Status: [Momonga]
Scaling:
Strength: Possibly C-B
Intelligence: Possibly B-A
Arcane: Possibly A
Dexterity: Possibly B-A
Faith: -
+Time: A+
Momonga read the menu, surprised that his stats were translated into different kinds of numbers.
'It seems the system of this world has provided me with an adept explanation. All stats cap at 99, but I seem to go beyond that limit. And according to this system, my level in this world is equal to zero, meaning there is room to grow.'
Momonga stared at the menu with many emotions entering his mind. But all were washed away as a soothing sensation overtook his body.
'Long have I waited to return, the tomb, the NPCs. I left them all alone. In the end, I was cast away, sealed away. I must find a way back! But first, I need to know where I am exactly.'
Turning around, he recognized the place as a castle, yet the atmosphere was far from welcoming. The sky was dark as ever, and the surroundings were filled with swords carved into the ground. A battlefield nonetheless, but a grave at most.
He could feel the wind going over his body again, the chilled air surrounding him. He could hear the lightning and feel the ground with his own feet. How long he had yearned for this.
Yet there was something that got the eye of the Overlord the most, a small pile of what seemed to be some sort of roots sprouting from the ground, forming something akin to a bonfire, yet without the flame.
He neared the site, from which he could feel energy connected to the powers he absorbed from the warrior. A kind he felt wrong for him to possess. Yet it was not entirely his, as it was never entirely the power of the Tarnished alone.
Stretching his hand toward the site, he tried to replicate the effect, his fleshless hand stretching toward it with the intent to light it up. Yet he failed. Nothing happened, according to what should have happened.
'It seems I am failing the requirements to activate whatever this is. I can sense that it's no ordinary site. Maybe-'
Before the Overlord could continue his thoughts, blue sparkling light appeared before him, forming slowly into what is shown as a humanoid of female stature.
She appeared with a cloak, wearing what seemed like a white dress under it, hiding most of her facial features as she stood there.
"Who are you?" Momonga asked as he watched the woman carefully, ready to react to any sudden moves.
'Should I use [Discern Enemy]? No, not yet. It seems she is not hostile at the moment. And if she senses that I used a spell on her, she would probably not act kindly.' Momonga decided not to use any spells of such sorts, solely relying on talking with the person in front of him.
The woman did not seem to respond at first, though she removed her hood to show her face. A mix of golden and red hair adorned her head while her left eye seemed closed with a mark upon it. She was a maiden of fair appearance, her smooth silk skin adding to her beauty as she looked at Momonga.
Like the others, she showed no fear before him, more curiosity about his appearance. She seemed to look him up and down as if gauging his strength and might just from appearance alone.
The sight was one to behold. A skeletal figure adorned with rings of incredible arcane power. Inside its ribs, a red orb of unknown origin pulsating with a craving to destroy. Robes of eternal night adorned the figure, floating in the opposite direction of the wind as they sucked the surrounding light slowly. Above its head, a dark halo showed itself, emitting an aura of unholy divinity as it shone a toxic dark.
"You have slain the Tarnished who sought to bring me to the foot of the Erdtree. I had such hopes, yet you diminished them all to nothing." The woman said in a calm and soothing tone, and from her cloak, a curved sword rose as she thought to battle with the unknown entity.
"I was not aware he was of such help to you. But please, we may not have to fight. I wish merely to talk." The being's voice appeared regal, deep, and anything else the girl would expect. It was a voice full of authority, wisdom, and charisma.
"You seem reasonable. Fine, I will listen to your words. If I find them unpleasing, I will continue with what I had in mind." The girl responded, and her sword hid once more under her cloak.
'So she can be reasoned with. She seems to have some relation with him. Now, to gather information.'
"I apologize for my previous actions. Were you two close? If so, then I apologize once more." Momonga replied as he gave a short bow of his head. This was all a game to him, one which he would play over and over again. In his time as an Overlord, he met many people and learned how to use his charisma to get the best out of his situation.
"I acted as his maiden and granted him the strength of runes. Yet you seem to possess it now, somehow. He was a Tarnished, maidenless, and I came to aid him so that he would aid me in return. He would bring me to the foot of the Erdtree, where I was to find my purpose, and I would crown him the Elden Lord. That was what would have happened if not for your appearance." She said, her eye rested on the Overlord's figure as she scanned him carefully.
'Mmh, I could simply kill her. But she surely has some information that I could use. I should help her, and maybe she can help me.' Momonga mused.
"I see. You two had a mutual agreement from which you both would benefit in the end. For it is my fault, I could aid you instead. Let's say akin to repaying a debt. And you might help me in return."
'If Touch Me was watching, he would give me a thumbs up right now. How I miss them, yet counting how long I am in this body, they might be already dead for centuries, the earth now a pile of rocks in space.'
At his words, the girl seemed to halt momentarily as if sorting her thoughts in order, deciding what to say next.
"If you promise it that you will fulfill the Tarnished's purpose, I see no harm in it. Yet I question your decision. I do not know you, and you do not know me." She said as she stepped closer to Momonga, her figure petite compared to the giant of an Overlord.
"May I not help you out of the kindness of my heart? Mostly not, but I seem lost in these lands, and you might help me." Momonga offered, and the girl seemed to take a liking to his words.
"My name is Melina. And yours?" She asked, having introduced herself finally.
"My name…" Momonga halted briefly, yet that was enough to decide what to say next.
'I went by the name Ainz Ooal Gown for a long time. Maybe, just maybe, this time, I will find someone who will recognize that name.'
"My name is Ainz Ooal Gown, a pleasure to make acquaintances. But please, call me Ainz." Momonga, or now, Ainz, introduced himself, yet her face showed no signs of recognition of the name.
"Ainz, a strange name I have never heard of. Yet you said yourself you are not from here. From where are you then?" Melina asked, curious about the Overlord's origins. He seemed so, otherworldly.
'What should I say? The truth, half of it, or a lie. Maybe only as much as necessary.'
"I somehow was transported here, I do not know how or why, but suddenly, I found myself in this place, right there." Ainz pointed to where he descended, traces of the impact still visible.
"I see. You must come from beyond the Lands Between as I have never heard of a being such as you. You must not have heard of Grace then." She answered, Ainz focusing on the word 'Grace' solely.
'There must be more to this 'Grace' than she says. I might have to pry more about it.'
With a snap of his fingers, he created a small obsidian table with two chairs on each side.
"Please, let us take a seat before continuing." Ainz offered, and Melina complied, carefully inspecting the objects that appeared out of the air.
"How is such a thing possible? I have never heard of magic that can conjure objects." She asked, then assuming it was safe, she sat on the chair.
"Then such magic seems not common in your lands. But to what you said before, about Grace. I am not familiar with the concept. Could you perhaps explain what it exactly is?" Ainz inquired.
"Grace is a blessing bestowed upon the beings in the Lands Between by the Erdtree. It is what gives them guidance on the right path. It is also what guides the Tarnished who once lost it. If they possess Grace, they are to not die until they accomplish their goal or step from the path of guidance." Melina explained.
"And the Erdtree, I suppose, is that giant golden tree in the distance?" Ainz gestured to the tree that easily dwarfed anything in its vicinity.
"That is the Erdtree, providing the blessings to these lands and a symbol of the Greater Will. Yet they are now in disarray since the Elden Ring shattered." Melina said.
'This is all new to me. I have to gather as much information as possible.'
"Elden Ring?" Ainz asked, curious about these new revelations.
"Yes, made from all the Great Runes, it once defied the order of the Lands Between. The Great Runes were claimed each by a Demi-God, yet you seem to harbor one from Godrick." Melina said, and Ainz seemed not to be surprised.
"That explains it now. Meaning, if I am meant to gather all the Great Runes, I can restore the Elden Ring?" Ainz questioned.
"You are not guided by Grace, are not of the Lands Between, and are what is found as blasphemous in this world. I do think it would be very… difficult." Melina responded, hinting not only at his appearance but at his whole being.
"And what do you think I am?" Ainz asked, his voice deepening, curious how Melina saw him.
"Those Who Live In Death. Unwilling to return to the Erdtree, they remain walking among plains, hunted by those of the Golden Order. Yet since you are not from the Lands Between, you must be some different kind."
'So these undead are somewhat similar to what I am. But I think they are more linked with the Erdtree, and I am not. I will have to research once I meet these undead.'
"I can assure you, Melina, that I am not of these 'Those Who Live In Death'." Ainz explained, Melina raising a brow at his statement.
"If you claim you are not, how do you explain your appearance?" She asked, curious about what the being before her was exactly.
"Let's just say I am not your typical undead." Ainz responded, thinking this would be the best answer without revealing important information about his race too much. Still, she would probably not know what an Overlord was, but it was better to keep that to himself.
"I see. Forgive me, I had no knowledge of what place to sort your kind into. If you truly seek to aid me in place of the Tarnished, bring me to the foot of the Erdtree and become Elden Lord."
Ainz, hearing her words, could only look at her with an empty expression.
'I did kill her only chance, but to become, from what I understand, the ruler of this place? I only desire to return to Nazarick, to the Guardians, and to the rest of the NPCs. Perhaps with the power of this 'Elden Ring', I could find some answers to how to return to my world.'
"I put my word to it already. And I swear it on the name of Ainz Ooal Gown, I will help you if you help me. It is not my wish to become Elden Lord, but I will see what I can do. I only wish to return to my worl- my home. These lands are unknown to me, and you might be the perfect guide." Ainz said, stretching out his hand to seal the agreement.
"You are a special one, mysterious and bizarre. Yet there is no malice in your words, much more loneliness." Melina said, her words weighing the weight of a star. "Thus, I have decided to accept your offer, Ainz." She took the Overlord's hand. Surprisingly, it was warm to the touch, something she would not have expected.
"Then it is settled."
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