AN: "Cookies" → Speech / spoken air quotes
"Cookies" → Thoughts
"Cookies" → Spells / Martial Arts
"Cookies" → Message spell speech
I don't own Overlord
Have fun, enjoy and please review
Chapter 52
→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion / Arachama ←
After Leinas was asleep, kind of at least, Arachama left for her own quarters. But sleep never came to her. She knew that Monga was occupied for so long with the dwarfs. He was also more versed in tactics and strategies than her, as long as it wasnt related to business.
But she had listened a few times to one of his rants, plannings and schemes before and now she would at least get the groundwork done.
Sadly for her, her sadness was now gone and cold fury crossed her mind. Only the fact that her children were around, if asleep, kept her relatively contained.
"I will not get any sleep tonight. Best start to work then." she sighed and went to her office.
She would write the whole night, still widely awake in the early morning. Suddenly the door creaked and she looked up.
"Mom, why are you up already?" Enti inquired, sneaking into her lap.
"I am thinking and working, my oldest." she responded, giving Enti a kiss onto the back of her head.
"Aren't you tired?" asked her daughter.
"Not currently. The whole situation is a mess and I am angry. Leinas died to an unknown force. It doesn't help that I haven't thought to make sure the enemy was dead." Arachama sighed and could swear she smelt anger in the air.
"So Leinas is the reason behind your anger? Should I?" Enti thought loudly.
"No, she was surprised by the enemy. But what annoys me is the uncertainty now. But something important is missing." Arachama said as she looked over the paper.
"If something important is missing, why not get someone to gather it? I am sure that all guardians are ready to gather it for you." Enti asked, as Arachama felt her looking up.
"I can't do that. You all are too precious to Monga and me. The danger is too high. But I think I have a solution for the problem." Arachama smirked as her eyes fell onto the name 'E-Rantel'.
"That will do." she thought as her mind finally decided that it was tired.
"Thank you, my oldest. You brought me a great idea." she smiled and tightened the hug around her daughter.
The eyes got heavier and heavier and soon she fell asleep.
→ Azerlisia Mountains / Zesshi ←
In the early morning Zesshi woke up and went to stretch her arms. Since yesterday Lord Ainzs mood had been somewhat soured and she wasn't exactly sure why. Sadly he also didn't give her more details, otherwise she would try to help him, at least until mother would probably ground her again. But that is an occupational risk.
As she stretched she got company by Gondo and Belegar, which eagerly talked about runes and smithing. She mostly ignored the conversation between them, focusing on her own drink and glaring at a rock in front of her.
She also thought about her siblings and Leinas. A bit of homesickness came from her heart, before she crushed that.
"I had made my choice. I will stand through this and then relax more with mom." she thought and shook her head.
"Everything ok, lass?" a deep voice asked and she turned around.
Belegar was standing with Gondo and both looked at her.
"I was just thinking about my family. I miss my mom a bit, that is all." Zesshi sighed.
"I am sure your mother is fine." Gondo smiled and gave her a mug filled with ale.
"Thanks. I am sure she is fine, if probably eh.. occupied. I just feel a bit homesick today." she said, raising her shoulders a bit.
"If you say so." Gondo responded.
"Tell me, do you know what happened yesterday?" Belegar looked at her.
"One of Lady Arachamas pawns got ambushed. Now my love is furious and wants to find if the one responsible is still existing." shalltears voice cut in, as the vampire washed her face.
"That is something and someone that terrifies me." Zesshi sighed mentally, not sure what terrified her more, the message or the messenger.
"What makes you so sure about this?" Zesshi inquired, getting more ale from Belegar.
"First and foremost. Lord Ainz is a genius and plans everything multiple milenia beforehand. Second reason is that nobody can hide and withstand Nazaricks forces." Shalltear responded nonchalantly.
Zesshi meanwhile winced while Belegar and Gondo just continued to drink.
"Better not say anything. I am sure mom can be clever, if overbearing. But to think she has a plan is absurd." Zesshi thought and remembered her mom running around the house like a chicken without its head because something minor and unexpected happened.
"But is Lord Ainz smart enough for that?" she asked herself.
→ E-Rantel / Arachama ←
It had taken some time for Arachama to leave her mansion. Especially the maps, which she now carried on her back, were hard to copy. But after a short trip she was now standing in the former mayor's mansion. Normally Monga would use this as a second throne room, but she had no use of a throne and thus left the mansion as quickly as she could.
Wind brushed at her face as she looked around. Everything was clean. The people looked happy, though some of the newcomers were still lacking weight. As she continued though Arachama felt a bit dirty, as she had to sneak out of her own mansion. But why would she need protection in her friend's kingdom?
"Sometimes the guardians are a bit overzealous. Protection is just one aspect." she thought and shuddered at the thought of Albedo's lecture during her pregnancy.
As she continued to walk towards her objective, Arachama felt more and more stares at her. The population slowly began to notice her and she continued to rush as fast as she could, without running, towards the adventurers guild.
But news of her seemed to travel faster than herself, as some of the citizens began to bow towards her. That made her uncomfortable and she continued to increase her speed.
Once she was at the building of the adventurers guild she practically crashed into the front door, shocking many adventurers inside. An uncomfortable silence lasted for a few moments, only interrupted when an elderly man stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Lady Arachama, how may we serve?" the leader of the guild, Ainzach, if she remembered his name correctly, asked.
"Am I correct that my friend already talked to you about his plans in regards to the guild? Because I have something that might interest you." Arachama replied and Ainzach nodded.
"His highness did indeed speak about his plans. I liked them and we came to agreements. But please, let's head for my office. Anything to drink or eat?" he answered and she declined the offer.
Once inside his office, Arachama placed one of her couches onto the ground and made herself comfortable. Ainzach meanwhile made room for her belongings, which she placed onto the table.
"What can the guild do for you?" he asked.
"My friend and I helped two of my subordinates out. We faced an individual, which carried great strength for our world. I am not sure if we actually killed it or not. That is where your guild comes into play. Monga said that the restructuring of the guild is in motion and that it will focus more on exploring and scouting. I would like to hire a team or two of adventurers. Would that be possible?" Arachama inquired and took out one of her copied maps.
Ainzach looked over the maps and grumbled inaudibly.
"How strong was the individual?" Ainzach asked.
"Hmm. I would place the individual at roughly adamantite. The good side is that Nazarick can potentially give back up. That is where this scroll comes into play." she told him and his eyes lit a bit up, as she held a "Message" scroll up.
"So you want a team of adventurers, which will travel there and scout the area around the Surshana-shrine. They should also contact you if they are in danger, so you can give them back up." he summarized.
"Yes. I have much on my plate for the foreseeable future, thus I can't really travel around and using "Gate" there can lead into a potential ambush. But once I am contacted I can tell my daughter to keep an eye on them." she smiled and Ainzach sighed.
"How likely is the enemy to be alive?" he inquired.
"That is something I don't know. If he is alive the team wouldn't be obligated to fight. Retreat is an option here, as the information is of greater importance." she replied.
"I think I saw a fitting team in need of a quest. Could you wait a short while?" he asked.
"Of course." she answered as he stood up and left.
Arachama continued with one of her knitted pillows until she heard the floor creak. She packed it away and observed Ainzach enter the room. Just behind him followed a group of five blond women, though Arachama noticed the small masked girl within the group. Seemingly the blond did as well, as Arachama noticed her stopping for a short while. Another group came in as well. Arachama knew that it was Nabe and Pandora's Actor, as he would sometimes take over when Monga wasn't able to larp as a hero.
Nabe tried to bow slightly, but Pandora placed a hand on her shoulder, calming the doppelganger.
"These are the two adamantite groups we have in E-Rantel at the moment. The others are currently on quests." Ainzach told her and she nodded.
"That is alright." She smiled at him and placed the scrolls, maps and payment back in order.
"My friend and I encountered a problem at the shrine of Surshana, right in there on the map. Sadly we don't know if the enemy escaped or if it is indeed dead. Nazarick will provide backup, if the situation becomes too dire. It also helps to boost our kingdom's adventurer guild." she told them and Lakyus nodded.
Pandora meanwhile glared thoughtfully at her forehead.
"I hope that it stays here and doesn't leave a trail of bodies behind." she thought and winced inside, while Mini-Arachamas threw large amounts of plushies at her soul.
"So we are to scout the marked area? Anything we need to be aware of?" Lakyus inquired.
"The shrine of Surshana lies at the wyvern pillars. They breed and nest there. With recent actions from our ally there might be unfriendly tribal warriors and wyvern." she concurred and the muscles of blue roses nodded.
"I would recommend that you travel through the Sorcerer Kingdom and then through Baharut, as it is most likely safer than the seas. Piracy, thanks to the tribes, has become a problem and the route on land at least provides inns and other such establishments." she continued and placed small stones on the map, following streets and pointing out marked inns.
Blue roses looked towards Ainzach with questions in their eyes, when he nodded.
"The payment is already in. All would be upfront." Arachama threw in.
This got the eyes of blue roses towards a large bag of coins on the table.
While the ladies looked over it, Pandora raised an eyebrow and Arachama wanted to shrink, but then understanding was in his eyes and she decided to ignore this.
"It probably is for the better to not ask questions." Arachama thought and prayed inside.
"Darkness accepts." Pandora bowed, together with Nabe.
"So he was in an edgy phase when he named his party." she observed.
"Blue roses accept as well." The blond midget, Evileye if Arachama remembered correctly, shot out as well.
Lakyus meanwhile squinted and soon the grumbling of her party ceased.
"That is great. I hope to see great results. If problems occur, please use the scroll to contact me. It would also be great if you could contact us when you reach the destination." she told them and all, except Ainzach, nodded.
Pandora and Nabe soon left with the cash and their share of maps and scrolls, and she knew they wouldn't use them. Directly behind them followed most of blue roses, though the vampire remained behind for a short while, turning around.
"Could I have a talk, Lady Arachama?" she asked and Arachama was confused.
"Of course, though, why would you want to talk with me?" she inquired.
Ainzach, was the last to leave the room, leaving both of them alone in it.
"I want to apologize for our unfortunate circumstances at our first meeting…" the vampire bowed towards her.
Silence filled the room as she thought about this. No malice in the gestures and no venom in the voice.
"She is sincere?" she concluded.
"I don't hold grudges. But if you ever cross one of my daughters…" Arachama decided and squinted a few of her eyes.
"I understand." Evileye nodded and slowly retreated.
"Then all is good in my books, for now." Arachama responded and let Evileye leave the room.
After the shortstack left the room, Arachama waited for a short while. Thoughts of her former life came to her. After shaking her head though, they left her brain. She stood up, left the room and bade Ainzach farewell.
"Time to go home." she thought as she opened a portal to her mansion.
→ Skavenhaven / Bubonica ←
Within her chambers, which were filled with her favorite fumes made of plagues, bacteria and other infections, Bubonica was resting and thinking. She had always known that she would rule all of Skaven one day. Sadly her dream was tasting bitter-sweet. Not only was she not really ruling, as she would have to follow the orders of this Nazarick, but she also knew the true terror of her accursed masters.
"If only this Demiurge-thing would be a rat-skaven. The offspring-children… How devious-smart they would be-be" she lamented in her mind.
Sadly her rest was cut short when she thought about the devil and her current orders.
"Get the rest under my banner and prepare for further orders. Argh. And he wants some of my weapon teams and monks." she sighed in frustration.
Both, she and Demiurge, knew that she had no other choice but to follow those demands. She had learned what defying orders from Nazarick meant. She wouldnt want nor need a repeat of that torture. She still felt shudders creeping up her riddled tail when she remembered the skinning, feeding and much worse at that accursed farm and that terrible Painkill-thing.
With all that in mind she had sent out messengers, ordering every clan leader, who wasnt under her direct control, to gather at the foot of the great tower. It held a great significance, as the 'Great Tailed One' had used the top as his quarter. Thinking about it she remembered all the time she had spent there.
"Am I truly the last one from that time?" she asked herself, to the confusion of her most loyal monks.
"Mistress, your pawns-servants are at the tower." one of the monks told her as she threw one of her ragged robes over herself.
"Great-nice." she responded and left the room, her loyal following of twelve monks following her.
It had not taken long for her to reach the tower from within. The benches, as rotten as they were, were split into two groups. One was filled with former clan heads, who had surrendered to her beauty, and clan heads from vassals. The other was still empty and would be occupied by the other clan heads, or their representative.
A sign was enough to let two of her monks open the front gate. The screeching was like one of her claws on a board, she loved that sound.
Once she exited she was at the top of the stairs and looked down upon her new pawns. Observing the crowd she noticed that only one face she knew dared to get here. What she also saw was another face missing,
"Such a shame-fail he didn't come-visit nor send a pawn-decoy." she sighed as she now knew her new enemy.
"But with my new power-might I can smite-destroy him and his clan." she smirked inside, her rotten claws already flexing in anticipation.
"You are now mine-mine. Get in and listen-listen to my orders-demand." she ordered and went inside, followed by ten of her loyal monks.
The crowd followed, still unsure what to think. Bubonica meanwhile smirked inside and observed them taking place. Going over the clans and the representatives she noticed that only Squeal had shown himself, while most of the other clans of the council had sent someone else. Only clan Critz hadn't sent anyone, besides the head of her messenger.
The newcomers slowly sorted themselves, still nervous and staring at her most devoted followers. Though Throat the dirty might have impressed them a bit with the purple glinting stone-eye and the third arm.
Once everyone was seated she slammed her staff onto the ground, producing a resounding echo and silencing the entire room.
"From now-now I am the ruler-queen of skaven-rats. I demand-expect loyalty. Traitors-cheaters get killed. Understood?" she demanded and her most loyal now stood up, glaring down upon the newcomers.
Most of the clans nodded along, displaying their musk of fear. This told her that they were already hers. Only one skaven had not displayed said musk. This individual was Squeal Skullsnatcher.
"Am I clear-understood?" she hissed at him.
He glared at her for a moment. Though it felt like an eternity within the room. Her monks were ready to behead Squeal while some others were not far from ripping him apart.
It took some time until the lower lip of Squeal shuddered and Bubobnica knew she had won.
"Great. Now-now. I demand-order every able clanrat to be ready-ready. Clan Critz are-are traitors. I want-want them dead-killed." she hissed, though it was more of a shouted order within the quiet cathedral.
Not even five seconds after she had given her orders, the newcomers were running over themselves to leave the room, to the amusement of her loyal servants.
"Lets see-witness what you do-do, Sneak." she whispered, only to be heard by her twelve monks.
→ E-Rantel / Evileye ←
Evileye had left the room feeling a little bit better. Sadly the arachne was suspicious, if not too negative at the moment, of her, as was to be expected. But Evileye had realized that this female holds great power, if the rumors of her were to be believed. Thus Evileye had to make sure that her team wouldn't get negative consequences for her actions from back when she hunted down eight fingers.
She was almost running into Momon, when Lakyus stopped her.
"So we see you later at the eastern gate?" she heard.
"Sounds like a plan." Momon agreed and left.
After a short while daydreaming, Evileye was snapped out of it.
"Hey shorty, what did you need to talk to the spiderlady?" Gagaran asked.
"Remember the disaster back at the capital? The one where the king had the guild investigated?"
"You mean when an arachne, whom Gazef owed his life to, was attacked by an adventurer? Or more precisely, us?" Gagaran inquired.
"Yes. I wanted to apologize. She seemingly holds great power and influence over the Sorcerer King. Rumors say that she has birthed his child." Evileye sighed.
"Oho, so he is moving fast?" Lakyus commented.
Her party looked at Lakyus with confusion.
"If a noble house comes up, they need to ensure stability as soon as possible. The tool that is used most of the time is marriage and producing an heir. If the circumstances aren't stable long term, then they can face dire consequences, either economically, in the form of usurpation or other unwanted consequences." Lakyus explained.
"I almost forgot that you came from blue blood." Evileye whispered.
"Not anymore. But I learned that stuff, as it is basic knowledge up in those circles." she responded.
"Either way. We should keep a clean slate, if not improve, our relations with the king and anyone he holds dear. I heard what one of her daughters did at Katze Plains. I prefer to not receive similar treatment." Lakyus shuddered.
"How strong was it then?" Gagaran asked.
"Oh right, she was drunk when we heard the tales." Evileye remembered.
"What terrifies me more is that her child must have learned it somewhere, most likely the mother. The one we just met." Evileye concluded and Lakyus nodded.
"We better move, evil boss." Tina chimed in.
It took just over an hour to prepare everything. They packed as much as they could into their saddles and then closed their home securely. But they were a bit early, as Momon still hasn't appeared.
Just as Evileye was getting bored, and daydreaming, she saw Nabe appear.
"He needs a bit longer." Nabe told them with her typical sneer.
"Does she mean that sneer though? I never saw her without one." Evileye asked herself.
Evileye meanwhile checked the black haired woman out, to get a closer picture of her, when her eyes fell onto Nabes hand.
"A ring, a fu**ng ring?" Evileye snapped in her mind.
"Why haven't I seen it before? I must look so unprofessional! Argh. But surely he isnt the one. But who else? Argh." evileye fumed and felt her world crack a bit.
"We should move out." the voice of her love filled the air and she came back to reality.
"How bad can my luck be?" the vampire thought as they left the city.
→ Under Re-Estize / Sneak Nightsnout ←
The ratways are something incredible. They reach under every great city, connecting the whole continent under the earth. Even the dwarfs, despite their underway, had not something that encompassed. It had taken roughly 600 years to build the ratways from the caves around Skavenhaven.
Under every great city were so-called undercities. Nests, which the skaven had built for multiple reasons. Some were merely a bridgepoint, for when the skaven would take the surface-world. Others were to steal and kidnap from the surface-world, giving them a steady supply from much needed workers, food, metals and information. There were many more uses and thus they were vital for the skaven.
Luckily the man-things had forgotten about them and thus their undercities remained intact and undetected.
One of the more hidden undercities, as it belonged to clan Critz, was the one under the city of Re-Estize. I supplied said clan with information about the surface and even gave them access to the surface.
Clan Critz had established itself a long time ago, when they were a comparable new clan. The main business of clan Critz had been information and suppression of dissenters. But sadly Sneak never got juicy information on Bubonica. She might have been threatened a few times. But never had anyone had anything against her for long. Either they disappeared or were killed. One of the more disturbing things was that, thanks to her being so shameless and open, she didnt care if someone had any information on more sensitive topics about her.
Then, a day ago, a messenger arrived with her demands. He had cringed inwardly, but would have accepted. But one of his former pawns had killed the messenger and now he had a problem of gigantic proportions at his whiskers.
"She had moved quick-fast." he thought as he recalled the past day.
He hoped to get clan Mortes under Squeal Skullsnatcher, but he already was on his way to surrender. With now only three members of the council of thirteen, he was alone.
"She has the numbers, enormous defensive potential and more industry than my undercity. That is terrible." Sneak grimaced as he looked over his assassins.
"My usual-normal advantage is information-blackmail. But that is a bad-bad point against her. She doesn't care-care. She also has the technology-stuff-stuff and former clan Merger beast-beasts. So-so we need to force-force her to barter-bargain." he schemed and he came to an idea.
"I make a list-list. Prepare for missions-quests. I think I have a great idea-plan." Sneak smirked.
"Yes-yes, nightlord." his assassins bowed and disappeared, thanks to their martial training in rat-fu.
Sneak waited for a while, before he found himself in his shinobi shozoku and one of his clans robes. Once he was ready he whistled and one of his children, unknown to said child, appeared.
"Sniktch ready, nightlord." reported the assassin.
"The information is correct-right?" he inquired.
"He knows-knows who his boss is." Sniktch replied and Sneak nodded.
"Follow me-me." he ordered and they slid through the night.
First they got through the sewers, then through the alleys. Closer and closer to their target.
Once closer they observed for a short while, until Sneak chose the entrance through the sewer. Thus they completely went around the guards and entered the complex without any problems. Inside the palace they used the hidden ways, which the humans seemingly forgot, and came closer and closer to their target.
Sadly it was in a discussion with a blond female youngling, before it left. Once she was gone Sneak gave Sniktch a sign. His pawn immediately went to secure the pathway and observe the corridor.
Sneak waited for a while before he heard yawning from inside the room. He chose this moment to barge in. The blond man-thing immediately tried to grab a blade, but Sneak threw a kunai at it and stuck it against the wall.
"You will listen-behave." he ordered and the man-thing glared at him.
"I will not listen to…" it tried.
A short kick to the crotch and the man-thing was on the ground.
"Sloppy-bad. Me-me here for barter-bargain."Sneak squeaked.
"Wha..?" man-thing tried, but Sneak rammed a cloth in his mouth. It seemed to taste awful, but that could be because it once was a loincloth of a rat-ogre.
"I know you plan-scheme to attack beard-things. I want you-you to go furhter-further. Attack-assault clan pestin under bread-thing burrows." Sneak skittered.
The man-thing looked at him questioningly.
"You know-know how to attack-assault dwarfs?" Sneak asked and the man-thing shook its head.
"What a stupid tool-tool." Sneak thought and smirked inside, as stupid tools were easy to control.
"Here-here is scroll. Plan-scheme inside. Behave or-or face consequences." Sneak ordered and the man-thing nodded.
"Good, yes-yes, good." Sneak smirked and grabbed the man-things arms.
He scratched a triangular shape into it and then spat. The blood turned black and Sneak finished marking his new pawn.
"Before you do stupid man-thing things. What will your friends-masters say when you rattle-snitch on me-me?" Sneak smirked as he retreated, pulling the gag out of man-things mouth.
"HOW DARE YOU ASSAULT ME IN MY ROOM? ME PRINCE BARBO?" the man-thing shouted.
"No one can hear-listen to us. No one will believe-listen to you rattle-snitch on me." Sneak smirked as he slowly opened the door, pulling a string.
The Kunai he had used flew to his paw and he held it in a tight grip, ready to defend himself.
"You do-do your part. Then I will let you live-live." Sneak smirked as he widened his arms.
Sniktch appeared immediately and both retreated, leaving no trace.
The way back was as easy as the way to the palace, if not easier. Once they were back proper, Sneak smirked.
"What is the plan-scheme?" Sniktch, his apprentice asked.
"We build more fights-fronts. Once she is overpowered-overwhelmed we barter-deal." Sneak smirked.
"We seek-search peace?" Sniktch inquired.
"Yes. Wanted-seeked it. But Snarl killed-murdered the messenger." Sneak answered as his beady red eyes left the sewers in the darkness.
→ Nazarick / Albedo ←
During the last night and the current day, Albedo and the tomb were in panic-mode. Not only was her love in combat, without any regiment to defend him no less, but both supreme beings were in that situation. That had been a big hit to their pride and now she had to work herself through even more papers.
She had wanted to go to the location of the battle immediately, but Lady Arachama had already finished everything while she still had worked on a plan. She only received the news that Lady Arachama had made the first steps, when Pandora's Actor told her.
"Luckily we might get rid of that midget as well." Albedo thought about Evileye, as said maggot had eyed her love and attacked the other supreme being, even if planned.
Just as Albedo had finished the paper work, she had catched onto Lady Arachamas step for now and prepared a report for her love.
"He might want to change things as he wishes. He is the leader of the supreme beings after all." Albedo smiled and daydreamed.
Just before she was to go she looked over the 'Spider Papers' and couldn't hide a smirk.
"At least we don't need to take care of that folly." Albedo mused as she made a mental note.
Soon after the usual portal appeared and she went through with a bag of reports. This time Albedo was glad that the temperature wasn't as extreme as last time and she bowed before her love.
"Lord Ainz, I brought the reports." Albedo smiled at him and he held a hand out.
She placed the bag in it and he grabbed her hand and wrapped her in a hug.
They cuddled for a short while, to the envy of Shalltear.
"Anything new?" her love asked.
"Quite some things. Lady Arachama began to enact your plans and sent a reconnaissance quest through the adventurers guild…" she began.
"That is good. No use risking the guardians." she heard him mutter.
"But we would gladly risk ourself for you and Lady Arachama." Albedo thought.
"Also increase the safety measures for Nazarick and the guardians outside. They are to report three times a day to make sure they are safe." he ordered and she wrote it onto a notepad.
"Yes, my love. Then we have recent test results in regards to the justice system in E-Rantel. I summarized it inside the documents in the bag. But the most interesting part is something else. It seems that our recent acquisition is facing quite a challenge. That challenge might prove useful to us, as it had contacted the annoying prince." she smirked.
"Did the challenge do that in regards to you know whom?" he inquired.
"Yes. If all goes well, the challenge will submit soon enough." Albedo answered.
"That is good." her love smiled and Albedo cuddled herself deeper into him.
After some time, which she enjoyed though, she was interrupted when she knew she had to leave.
"I need to go, my love." she sighed and he casted the usual "Gate", but not without giving her a kiss.
"This trip will be over soon." he whispered and she smiled.
"I can't wait." she responded and went through the portal, rubbing the cheek he had kissed.
→ Arwintar Nazarick-mansion / Leinas ←
Life, or rather unlife, was certainly an interesting thing for Leinas to explore. The main advantage was that most of her needs stopped being relevant. She didn't need food, drink, sleep and was in general calm. The disadvantage, as she soon found out, was that most of her friends, and if she would squint she would even call family, needed sleep. Thus she needed to learn how to spend such time, and the faster she would do that the better.
That problem got even worse, when she never had spent time alone and doing nothing. Normally she either had 'friends', friends or duties around herself. But with everyone asleep and her workout of roughly four hours finished, she was now glaring at the library in the northern part of the mansion.
"Even if I have all the time I need, I can't even decide what to read." Leinas sighed mentally and frowned at herself.
"But at least I can read without needing light." she humored herself in a whisper, as she grabbed a book about different kinds of undeads out of the library.
She held it and looked at the front and then her eyes fell onto the title and author.
"How to level your undead character, written by Momonga." she read and looked at it, confused for a short time.
"How do you build a non-living thing?" she asked herself and decided that she had no time limit, for now at least.
She opened the book and skimmed through the table of content.
"Low level undead, abilities, skills, spells, lore, whatever that is, banshees? Banshees, didn't Lady Arachama describe as one?" she mumbled Leinas as she opened the book further and began to read.
She soon learned that lore ment history and thus she began with that, finding that a brutal death could be described for her own. Though she hoped that she would never have to warn anyone before a gruesome death came, at least if Nazarick was involved.
She then continued to read through skills, abilities and much more, until she came upon recommendations to level further and recommendations about fighting styles as Banshee.
"This Momonga certainly knows his stuff." Leinas thought.
"I hope he is less frightening than Lord Ainz." she shuddered.
"Both of them are just big plushies." Leinas heard and jumped around.
Lady Arachama stood behind her and searched the shelf herself.
"So you know this Momonga? Can I meet the author?" Leinas asked, hope in her heart.
"I know him alright, though he has changed a lot since we started our new chapter in life, or unlife in his case." Arachama giggled and grabbed a book about logistics in something called the medieval age.
"So he is another insane madman?" Leinas inquired.
"Nah. Like I said he is a big plushy. At least he is that for his wifes, all willing by the way." her lady smirked as she had gotten her facial expression.
"Can I meet him?" Leinas asked, hope in her voice.
"It is already on its way, though he goes by the name Ainz Ooal Gown now." Arachama told her, searching for another book.
Leians meanwhile was short of collapsing and dying a second(?) time.
"And here I thought Momonga was a bookworm…" Leinas whispered.
Now Arachama giggled for a while and Leinas stared at her.
"If you knew… But enough of this Momonga. Why don't we talk about the stuff you're reading? Maybe I can help you? Or we can write down questions for when you meet him? And even if you only understand the stuff better, it is still a win." Arachama smiled and Leinas pressed air out of her dead lungs.
"That sounds like a great idea, Lady Arachama." Leinas agreed.
"Then we better get a hot chocolate and afterwards we get comfy in the living room." her lady nodded and so she prepared for an intense teaching session.
AN: Sorry that it took some time. This chapter was harder than expected to write down. I also got the memo that my idea has not worked out as I wanted.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you did, please leave a review/ comment. Until next time.