The undead forces had spread throughout the city of Re Estize, establishing control over every inch of territory. As they advanced, the first arrests began, with patrol officers accused of collaborating with the Eight Fingers being among the first to be apprehended.
Many nobles who had sought refuge in the city before the invasion soon found themselves targeted as well. With the assistance of the common people, the Nazarick forces located the residences of these nobles and swiftly moved to arrest them.
At first, the nobles protested furiously as soldiers entered their homes, but they were quickly subdued and taken into custody. Meanwhile, their family members were separated and scattered in different directions. Despite their cries for help, the nobles were swiftly silenced by the Death Warriors accompanying the Nazarick forces.
Despite the brutal tactics employed by the undead, the common people showed no sympathy for the nobles, showering them with insults and even throwing objects at them as they were taken away. It was clear that the nobles' tyranny and oppression had left a deep-seated resentment among the populace.
The sick citizens that lived in them slums, were taken to the angels to be healed, and given food for the families. The common people were surprised from the carriages pulled by Soul Eaters with tons of food. The vampires gave them as much as they wanted and the citizens with a cheerful smile, praised Ainz Ooal Gown for his benevolence.
In contrast, the sick and needy citizens of the slums were treated with compassion by the Nazarick forces. They were provided with medical treatment and food, their ailments cured by the angels in service to Ainz Ooal Gown. The benevolent actions of the undead rulers garnered praise and gratitude from the common people, further solidifying their support for the new regime.
The angels, with their ethereal beauty and divine aura, captured the attention of all who beheld them. Their healing powers worked miracles, rejuvenating the sick and infirm and leaving them feeling as if they had been reborn. Despite their selfless acts, however, the presence of the angels posed a threat to the traditional religious institutions of the Four Gods.
A priest approached one of the angels, drawn in by her divine presence. She possessed short blue hair, piercing blue eyes, and six magnificent wings adorning her back. Clad in a white robe with blue stripes, she exuded an aura of purity and grace.
"Greetings, your Holiness," the priest offered with a respectful bow of his head.
The angel returned his greeting with a serene smile. "Greetings," she replied in a gentle tone.
Curiosity brimming within him, the priest inquired, "Your Holiness, may I know what kind of angel you are?"
"I am a Seraph, an angel of the first sphere in the celestial hierarchy," she answered with a touch of solemnity.
Unfamiliar with the celestial hierarchy, the priest regarded the angel with reverence, assuming it must hold profound significance.
Meanwhile, Lakyus, intrigued by the interaction, observed from a distance, eager to learn more about the celestial beings.
However, the priest's next question veered into dangerous territory. "I see… Your Holiness, why are you with the undead?"
A chill seemed to descend upon the conversation as the angel's demeanor shifted, her smile fading into seriousness.
"What do you mean?" she responded, her voice taking on a steely edge.
Undeterred, the priest pressed on, his words laced with disbelief. "Why do you and the other angels serve the undead king?"
The angel's response was swift and decisive. "Because he is God."
The priest's skepticism erupted into protest. "A skeleton cannot be a god! That is blasphemy of the highest—"
Before he could finish his sentence, a sudden explosion of white aura erupted from the angel, enveloping the area with an icy intensity. Lakyus, caught in the storm of divine power, felt herself stagger to her knees.
Recovering from the shock, she watched as the priest, overcome by the force of the angel's wrath, tumbled backward in stunned silence.
"You... a mere mortal dares to call me, an angel of the highest order, a blasphemer?!" the angel thundered, her fury palpable. "On top of that, you dare to call the ruler of the High Heavens and the all-father of the angels… a skeleton?! You piece of filth!"
The sudden outburst attracted the attention of nearby vampires and Death Warriors, drawn by the disturbance. Lakyus, still reeling from the angel's power, could only watch as the situation unfolded before her.
As the chaos settled, the vampires restrained the trembling priest, while the Death Warriors uncovered evidence of his treachery. Discovered to be a spy from the Slane Theocracy, the priest's fate was sealed.
With swift efficiency, the undead warriors took the priest away for interrogation, leaving the other priests fearful of potential repercussions.
Meanwhile, the angel returned to her duties, her divine presence a beacon of hope amidst the turmoil. Lakyus, though awed by the power of the holy beings, remained conflicted in her feelings toward the undead God.
As the citizens gradually placed their trust in their new ruler, the future of the Nazarick Kingdom hung in the balance. With the potential for conflict looming on the horizon, the delicate balance of power between nations threatened to erupt into full-scale war, with consequences that could reshape the continent forever.
Twenty undead warriors, led by a formidable Death Cavalier, patrolled the outskirts of the city, their senses keen for any signs of activity. Among them were six vampires clad in supple leather armor, two imposing Undead Berserkers donning ominous black full-body armor, each wielding menacing double-bladed battle axes, and twelve Death Warriors, their eerie presence unsettling to any who crossed their path.
Their mission: to root out any remaining nobles who sought refuge in hiding, though most had already been apprehended.
Suddenly, a young vampire boy with striking white hair stepped forward, drawing the attention of his comrades. He paused, then bent down to touch the ground.
"What is it, young Teodor?" inquired the Death Cavalier, his tone expectant.
Teodor listened intently, his ear pressed against the earth. "Sir, I'm hearing something beneath us," he reported.
The Death Cavalier's interest was piqued. "Like what?" he probed.
Teodor's expression grew grave. "A lot of... steps," he replied, indicating that a significant number of individuals were moving beneath them.
Sensing an opportunity, the Undead Berserker suggested, "Should I blow a hole, Sir?" His hand gripped his battle axe, ready to unleash devastation upon the terrain.
But the Death Cavalier intervened with a strategic plan. "No, we need to find the entrance. Little Kloi!"
At his command, a spectral Wraith materialized before them, its form resembling a shadowy apparition.
"Little Kloi, get inside there and inform us where the entrance is located," the Death Cavalier ordered.
With a nod, Kloi phased effortlessly through the ground, utilizing its ethereal form to navigate through solid obstacles.
After a tense wait, Kloi returned with crucial information. "He says the tunnel is connected to a mansion in the east, not far from us."
Taking charge, a vampire girl with blonde hair and a bow strapped to her back leaped onto the roof of a nearby house to survey the surroundings.
"I see it, Sir. It's the only mansion in that area with decorated trees around the yard," she confirmed, her keen eyes scanning the landscape.
Satisfied with the reconnaissance, the Death Cavalier issued the order to advance. "Very good, Miss Junida. Everyone, let's move!"
With a unified response of "Aye Sir!", the undead squad set off towards their target, prepared to confront whatever awaited them in the depths of the underground tunnel.
The immortal squad sprinted swiftly, their undead forms moving with eerie grace as they made their way to the mysterious tunnel. Passing through numerous streets and blocks, they eventually arrived at their destination—a desolate area devoid of any houses.
Despite the imposing walls surrounding the mansion, the undead group encountered no obstacle too great. With effortless agility, they leaped over the barriers, their mission clear. The Death Cavalier signaled for caution as they approached the mansion's entrance.
Upon entering, they were met with the shocked gaze of a maid, her eyes widening at the sight of the unexpected visitors.
"Wh-Who are you?! What are you doing here?!" the maid exclaimed, her voice trembling with fear.
"Stay out of this, Miss," the leader of the group commanded, his tone firm and commanding.
"This is the house of Marquise Iblue! You can't just enter like-
Unfazed by the maid's protests, the Undead Berserker issued a menacing threat. "Begone, woman, or I will beat the living soul out of you!"
Pale with terror, the maid realized the futility of her resistance. It was evident that these creatures cared little for her or the identity of the mansion's master. Her only hope was to delay them, to buy time for her master's escape. However, facing such formidable adversaries, she knew her efforts were in vain.
As the undead warriors descended into the mansion's basement, the maid could only watch helplessly. How had they discovered the tunnel? The question lingered in her mind as she resigned herself to the grim reality of their presence.
The squad advanced into the tunnel, guided by the waiting Wraith, Kloi.
"Splendid job, Little Kloi. Thank you!" praised the Death Cavalier, eliciting a joyful roll from the Wraith before it resumed its ethereal form and followed the leader.
Meanwhile, five Death Warriors remained on the surface to maintain control of the mansion, while the rest of the squad pressed forward through the darkness of the underground passage. Though shrouded in shadow, the undead warriors navigated with ease, their dark vision rendering the gloom insignificant.
After a considerable stretch of running, the squad encountered an unexpected obstacle: a thick iron gate blocking their path. Undeterred, the Undead Berserker effortlessly wrenched the gate open, revealing a surprising sight beyond.
"A river?" the Death Cavalier remarked, taken aback by the unexpected discovery. Though they had heard the rushing water behind the gate, the sheer scale of the underground river took them by surprise.
Beneath them lay a narrow sidewalk, leaving them uncertain which direction to take. Teodor, displaying his characteristic bravery, leaped onto the sidewalk to scout ahead. As the rest of the squad followed suit, Teodor's keen senses alerted them to the presence of voices emanating from the left.
"Sir, I'm hearing many voices on the left side," Teodor reported, prompting the squad to follow his lead. With each step, the voices grew louder, guiding the undead warriors toward their next encounter.
As the squad approached, they spotted several wooden boxes blocking their path. Drawing closer, they took cover behind the crates, peering over the top to assess the situation. Their eyes fell upon a lone guard, though his attention was focused elsewhere.
Ahead, a massive boat dominated the scene, flanked by a wide sidewalk where approximately sixty humans hurriedly loaded various items onto the vessel. Two figures, adorned in opulent robes, directed the workers with authoritative gestures.
Unnoticed by the distracted guard, the vampires swiftly subdued him, muffling his cries and swiftly ending his life with a deft stroke of the blade.
"Quickly, people! Time is of the essence. We must escape from this kingdom posthaste," declared Marquis Iblue, urgency lacing his tone as he urged the workers to hasten their efforts in loading the boat with precious cargo.
The underground river, with its ancient sidewalk, held a storied history. Constructed two centuries prior, it served as a refuge for humans seeking sanctuary from the ravages of the Demon Gods. Over time, however, its significance faded from memory, though not entirely.
The Eight Fingers, notorious criminals, had utilized the tunnels extensively, establishing connections to the underground river to facilitate their illicit activities. Many nobles, complicit in their dealings, frequented the area for clandestine pursuits, often involving the exploitation of female slaves.
But on this particular day, the tunnel would serve a different purpose. With the river leading to the ocean, Marquis Iblue saw it as the perfect escape route from the encroaching forces of Nazarick. He and his son had ordered their guards to secure all the valuable treasures within the mansion, preparing for their departure.
"My lord, everything is prepared. We can depart at any moment," reported one of the guards.
"Excellent. Let us leave this nation behind," declared Marquis Iblue.
As they readied themselves to board the boat, a sudden disturbance shattered the calm. Fifteen figures materialized behind them, startling the guards. Turning to face the unexpected intruders, they were met with a sight that filled them with dread: soldiers of the Nazarick Kingdom, though fewer in number than their own..
The young noble's disbelief echoed through the tunnel. "I-Impossible! How did they discover this place?!"
A black-armored knight, representing the forces of Nazarick, stepped forth, his presence commanding attention. "You make a lot of noise, that's how we found you," he declared coolly.
Though outnumbered, the humans bristled with defiance, hands instinctively reaching for their swords.
"I'm going to give you only one chance. Surrender peacefully," the knight offered, his voice firm.
"F**k you, monster!" the noble spat, his defiance unwavering. "Men, kill them!"
With a rallying cry, the humans drew their swords and surged forward, intent on overwhelming the smaller group with sheer numbers. Despite the odds—15 against their 60—they remained undeterred, fueled by desperation and the belief in their superiority.
The Undead Berserker surged forward, his double-bladed battle axe cleaving through the air with deadly precision. With a thunderous strike, he split a human in two halves, the grotesque display of violence sending shockwaves through the enemy ranks. Another unfortunate soul met a gruesome end as the Berserker seized them by the head, smashing it against the wall like a ripe fruit, leaving behind a mess of blood and bone.
The sight halted the advance of the humans, their faces contorted in horror at the brutal spectacle unfolding before them. The once-united group now scattered in disarray, their comrades reduced to nothing more than mangled remains.
"Monster!" someone cried out, the word choked with fear and disbelief.
But there was no respite as the second Undead Berserker unleashed a deafening battle cry, charging into the fray with unbridled fury. With a single sweep of his axe, he felled six humans simultaneously, their bodies torn asunder and scattered like discarded puppets.
Meanwhile, the vampires joined the onslaught, their movements swift and deadly. Teodor thrust his bastard sword into the heart of a human, ending their life in an instant. Jonida and her fellow archers rained arrows upon the enemy, picking them off one by one with deadly accuracy.
The Death Warriors, seasoned in battle, moved with lethal efficiency. They struck with precision and speed, their blows sending heads flying and bodies crumpling to the ground in a macabre dance of death.
Amidst the chaos and carnage, the once-numerous human forces found themselves overwhelmed by the relentless assault of the undead and their vampiric allies. With each passing moment, the battlefield descended further into madness, as screams of pain and terror filled the air, and the river below ran thick with the blood of the fallen.
"C- Cut the rope! Cut the rope!"
Panic gripped Marquis Iblue as he desperately ordered his guard to sever the rope tethering the boat, hoping to make a hasty escape from the nightmarish scene unfolding around them. But before the guard could carry out his command, two arrows from Junida's bow found their mark, piercing the guard's eyes with lethal accuracy. With a gurgled gasp, the guard slumped lifelessly to the ground, his body collapsing into the river below like a discarded marionette.
As the noble turned to take matters into his own hands, the Death Cavalier loomed over him with an ominous presence, blocking any hope of escape. With a chilling realization, the noble understood that their fate was sealed. His trembling hands gripped the sword tightly as he attempted to sever the rope, but to no avail. The boat remained firmly anchored, held in place by the supernatural strength of the Death Cavalier.
With a swift motion, the Death Cavalier effortlessly lifted the boat into the air, suspending it like a toy in the hands of a giant. The helpless nobles, now at the mercy of their undead captors, tumbled from the boat and crashed onto the unforgiving ground below. Their cries of pain mingled with the anguished wails of the fallen, echoing across the riverbank as a grim reminder of their inevitable defeat.
Meanwhile, the Death Warriors moved swiftly to secure their captives, their cold efficiency leaving no room for resistance. With the fat noble nursing a broken arm and tears streaming down his face, the once-proud Marquis Iblue could only watch helplessly as his dreams of escape crumbled before his eyes, replaced by the harsh reality of defeat and captivity.
"Damn you! DAMN YOU MONSTERS!" Marquis Iblue's voice cracked with fury as he railed against his captors, his curses echoing through the air like a desperate plea for salvation.
But his tirade was abruptly cut short as Teodor's fist collided with his face, sending him reeling into unconsciousness. The young vampire stood over the fallen noble, a grim satisfaction in his eyes as he surveyed the scene.
"Good job, young Teodor," the Death Cavalier commended, his tone betraying a hint of amusement. "I was about to punch him myself."
"Thank you, Sir," Teodor replied, his voice tinged with a sense of pride at his accomplishment.
With their mission accomplished, the Death Cavalier turned to address his squad. "All right, squad, let's return to the surface. Little Kloi, go first and inform the others of this place. They must check if there are more tunnels connecting different locations. As for these two," he gestured towards the unconscious nobles, "we will send them to Lord Ainz."
"Aye, Sir,"
As the squad made their way back to the surface, their task completed, they left behind a scene of chaos and destruction, a stark reminder of the power wielded by the forces of Nazarick Kingdom.