Hello Nazarins and Scrolls, we are in the final stretch of this arc in my fanfic The One Who Came Back.
Decisions are made, but not everyone is happy with them.
With you
The One Who Came Back
Chapter 69: Resolutions
"A human mind is amazing," said Ainz.
Mental illnesses caused by chemical imbalance, physical and emotional traumas, or exacerbated by paranoia, in the 22nd century, would still be difficult to treat, even with huge doses of medication. But in the new world where magic was real, it only took a few hypnotic words infused with magic, spoken by a girl who had just discovered her true nature, to end years of suffering and obsessions of a weakened mind.
"How many lives could be saved if we had this power in my world," thought Suzuki Satoro.
Yes, Suzuki Satoro still lives within Ainz, and that part of his mind appears more when he remembers his original world. There, he was Suzuki, in Yggdrasil, Momonga, and in the New World, he is Ainz. The sentimental, the nostalgic, and the resolute, three sides of the same persona.
"Thank you, my lord, for accepting your humble servant's request."
"It was no trouble. Miss, you have rendered excellent service to the Tomb, so offering a little help was not a bother." 'After all, I just accessed some settings and cast a fake spell, what effort did I really make?'
"I apologize, my lord, but do you really not wish for me to include any hypnotic command in her so that she supports or serves the Sorcerer Kingdom?"
"No. She will come to us, and she will come of her own free will. I do not want any ally who is at my service against their will. They need to be free in their choices." Momonga thought of how his life changed by tampering with Albedo's mind.
"As you command, Lakyus will be a strong ally when she realizes the light of your wisdom."
"So I hope. Let us return then," said Ainz, becoming invisible again.
Renner headed straight to the rest area. She opened the door and stood beside it for a few seconds, as if expecting something. She then entered, and as soon as the door closed, Ainz became visible.
"Welcome, Ainz-Sama."
"Is everything in order, Albedo?"
"Yes, Ainz-Sama. The anti-divination spells remained active and detected no attempts to infiltrate your privacy."
"It is assumed that no one would attempt to watch us knowing who I am and the consequences of such an act, but it was still best to keep this room hidden. Miss Renner, you are dismissed. You may return to your duties while I wait. Albedo, arrange a portal for her. I will wait in the room."
"Yes, Ainz-Sama." "Shalltear, a portal, please. Only Renner will return. I will stay here... with Ainz-Sama... in the room... alone."
"SONOFA..." the vampire managed to shout before the message was cut off.
A portal opened, and Shalltear stepped out of it.
"Very well, where is that gorilla? Ah, there you are. If you think I'm going to let you alone with Ainz-Sama, you're mistaken."
"Calm down, Shalltear, I was just joking."
"Joking my foot. I'll keep Ainz-Sama company, and you can stay here in the room listening."
"Shalltear, there's nothing to worry about. Ainz-Sama is in the other room, and he shouldn't be disturbed. I'll stay here with Sebas waiting for the Council. You have obligations to fulfill."
"Humph! Alright, since Sebas will stay here, I have nothing to worry about. Come on, Renner," she said as she closed the gate.
"Goodbye, Shalltear. You really have nothing to worry about, after all, Ainz-Sama has already named me your 'Companion.'"
"SONOFA..." shouted the vampire at the last moment.
Ainz was now sitting in a large armchair.
"Well, let's listen to the whole conversation again to make sure we haven't missed anything."
The undead pulled out the recording crystal from his robe that he always carried in meetings.
After a few hours of analysis, he was already certain.
"They will die! Gondo and Jircniv seem like two children arguing. Albedo and Demiurge will surely have them executed. I cannot allow this. Gondo accepted me as an undead faster than anyone else. Draudillon already knew my fame, and Enri was saved by me, but Gondo, he just naturally accepted my existence. I can't lose him. Jircniv, on the other hand, is a powerful ally and a very capable ruler. Even replaced by a Doppelganger, I would lose all his experience. What should I do?"
Ainz paced back and forth in the room, thinking about the options until he suddenly stopped, raising his index finger in success.
"I've got it! This should work!"
*knock knock*
"Come in!"
"Lord Ainz, the meeting has concluded."
"Thank you, Sebas. Let's see what has been decided."
A page awaited at the door to escort them to the meeting room. Inside, everyone seemed to be trying to look as... "official" as possible, as if they wanted to convey some authority, even though none had been granted to them except that given by themselves.
"Welcome again, Your Majesty Ainz Ooal Gown. We, from the Council of the City-State of Argland and the Four Invited Kingdoms, have deliberated on all the information provided to us and have reached a decision. But before any statement of ours is made, we believe we should inform you of a situation that reached us hours before you did."
"Hmm, something serious probably, to give such a solemn highlight. Only one thing could be."
"War," said Lord Murios. "We received a communication this morning from the so-called Coalition of the Southern Holy Kingdom. They no longer recognize the authority of the Holy King Caspond and claim independence, alleging oppression by the now-called Northern Holy Kingdom."
"So, they've become a separatist state."
"Yes. The declaration states they will fight in every way to maintain their hegemony."
"Obviously, they will not only seek to protect their lands. Part of ensuring their freedom will involve the downfall of Caspond's Reign. Civil war will ensue throughout the kingdom," pondered Ainz.
"Yes, we believe the process will end with the reuniting of the Holy Kingdom under the banner of the Holy King or the government of the South."
"Such a declaration of war, is it considered just?"
"Following the old treaties, yes. It is an internal war, a struggle for control of power within one's own homeland. Although the Holy King will likely claim terrorism, the Coalition is following the protocols established for our non-intervention."
"So, you will not interfere."
"No, nor will you."
"HOW DARE YOU..."
"Albedo! Let them continue, please. Lord Murio, you were saying?"
"Ahem! Yes, as I was saying, after considering the facts presented, we have decided that the destruction of the capital of the Slane Theocracy was a justified act through a previous declaration of war between the Theocracy and the Elven Kingdom. The latter only sought support to have strength in such an act, with the Sorcerer Kingdom being considered merely an instrument in this war. However, analyzing the previous events, a worrying pattern emerged. In less than two years, the Sorcerer Kingdom won a battle, established a kingdom, overthrew another, established powerful vassalage, and destroyed a potential opponent."
Ainz shrugged.
"What can I do if these kingdoms come to me, whether for good or for ill?"
"Alright, in light of this, we have decided... immpoooor... a show of trust that you are not establishing an expansionist policy, a forced takeover of power on the continent."
"A proof, a sanction that I could simply ignore, since I have never been officially invited to participate in the Union of Kingdoms."
"Yes, something to be remedied if Your Majesty accepts our... decision."
"What would that be?"
"The Sorcerer Kingdom will not interfere in the conflict. It will not engage in trade or supply any aid to either side, and it will not establish any presence in Holy territory, whether through troops or individual agents."
"The Holy Kingdom, the northern one, we maintain a friendly trade and aid situation after the fall of Jaldabaoth. Their forces are weakened, they will not withstand an assault."
"We know that, and that is precisely why we ask you to abstain from this conflict. There is no greater proof that you do not wish to conquer everything than to leave an ally to its fate."
"THAT IS..." began Albedo, but changed her tone when she noticed her master looking at her - "Ahem! That is... acceptable. The Sorcerer Kingdom will commit to not interfering in the Holy conflict, and no force associated with the Sorcerer Kingdom will cross the current border of the Holy Kingdom," she narrated solemnly and reluctantly.
"Thank you, Prime Minister. We have taken the liberty of drafting a treaty of non-intervention from our Union and would like the Sorcerer Kingdom to participate," Lord Murios said, showing the document.
It would be normal for such a document to be reviewed by Albedo, a bureaucracy expert, but her master stepped forward, took the document, gave it a brief look, and signed it, showing total confidence in his actions and that no one would try to deceive him.
"It is done. I believe that concludes my part in this meeting. I must return to my kingdom, as much remains to be done in my own lands. Excuse me, gentlemen," declared the undead sovereign, disappearing into a black portal outside the room.
"His Majesty Ainz Ooal Gown has departed," said Albedo, with a bow, entering the same portal, followed by Sebas.
After everyone had disappeared, the breathing in the room returned to normal.
"Phew! What pressure was that? It was as if we were in the presence of a... superior force," Lord Eloi spoke, watching Riku leave.
The representative of the Dragon Lords was followed by Rigrit and two other advisors, the human and the black dwarf, the only ones who disagreed with the council's decision and the representatives of the Four Kingdoms.
"Lord Riku, may I have a moment of your attention?"
"Lord... Ardork, make it quick. There is much I wish to do."
"A moment will suffice, around here, please," he said, heading to a tower reserved in the palace, one that had anti-divination runes and magic.
"Lord Riku, I would like to show you something. This was brought to us by a traitorous dwarf. He sought refuge here and, like all traitors, is now rotting in one of our dungeons in the Underground Kingdom," said the black dwarf, unwrapping something that looked like a brick.
"And what would that be?" asked the dragon with interest, his eyes shining through his helmet.
"A ingot, my lord, of metal never seen before."
...
Author's Note
When I mentioned Suzuke Satoro I didn't mean to say that Ainz has multiple personalities, just that he has different emotional sides, like someone who is courteous and serious at work and playful at home.
About the ingot, yes it is the same one stolen by the dwarf blacksmith, now it is in the hands of Riku/Tsa.