Arwintar Palace, the Baharuth Empire

Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix calmly observed the courtyard of his palace from the balcony. Very few people were out and about as of now. They had been scared off by the thunderous rainstorm that threatened his beautiful city for an entire week. Thankfully it was not raining now, but the booming flashes of lightning threatened another deluge.

The rain was so profuse that it was starting to flood the streets. The mages of the Imperial Academy did their best to dispel the excess water, coming in soaked to the bone after each attempt. Last the emperor had heard, all of Fluder's brightest were brainstorming to figure out the best way to eliminate the storm.

Most of the citizenry remained indoors to avoid the rain. The worst of it happened at midday when most people would be out and about conducting business. Save for the occasional guard, the roads were eerily quiet. The pristine make of the city's architecture gave it an unearthly timelessness to it all as if the entire population went to sleep one night and vanished straight out of their beds.

It sent a chill down the young emperor's spine to see his capital so… derelict.

"Have you had any luck yourself devising magic to dispel the storm?" Jircniv asked Fluder Paradyne, his court magician.

The old man shook his head regretfully. "I have not. [Control Weather] is a sixth-tier spell, and while that is within my abilities, all my efforts have failed. Whatever this storm is, it radiates power which far eclipses my own."

Jircniv carefully noted the hungry edge to Fluder's tone. "So either the storm itself is simply a mere superstorm created naturally by the forces of nature, which I doubt, or it is the result of another magician's skill. A level of skill never before seen."

"Quite so. I am sorry that more cannot be learned from this phenomenon."

"Don't be. You have done well considering the circumstances. Still, this is the strangest form of besiegement I've ever seen. There aren't even any armies waiting around our borders, nor has there been a demand other than the magic letter we received."

The letter in question had, amazingly enough, literally flown in through his bedroom window. Jircniv had long retired to his bedroom chambers after another meeting with his chief advisors regarding the situation with Re-Estize. Just when he'd prepared to slip under the covers and rest, a bird had insistently rapped its beak on his window.

Despite his better judgment, he'd thought it was some form of new magic that Fluder had developed at the time. He'd opened the window to let the bird in when it snapped its neck and transformed into a letter. His hands shook when he picked up the letter and opened it.

Enclosed within had been the following:

Your Highness Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix,

We hope this letter finds you in good health. Within a week, an envoy from the Elysian Council shall arrive for matters of diplomacy. We wish to speak at length about the benefits of a prosperous business relationship between our two kingdoms. We find we have much to offer you in these trying times.

Keep this letter as a sign of friendship. No matter what may happen next, know that our intentions are true. We look forward to meeting with you and your people.

And stamped at the bottom of the page was an intricate symbol he'd never seen before. There was no other kingdom he'd known of that had the same symbol, which indicated to him that he was dealing with an entirely new faction. A faction that had no problems employing magic to get their meaning across.

What made it stranger was just how… minimal the letter was. There was hardly any formal introduction of who would be coming other than an envoy of the "Elysian Council". It was short, punctual, and mysterious. And what did it mean by "trying times"? For whom? Was that a warning, or a threat?

He'd immediately called together his war council after receiving it.

They'd been debating the meaning of the cryptic message long into the night when the thunderstorm came down upon the capital, and it had not dissipated since then. Jircniv understood the meaning of that much of the message at least.

"Our intentions are true", the letter read… We shall soon see. It's about time for these "envoys" to arrive.

It didn't help either that his empire seemed to share in some of the misfortune that befell the rival nation of Re-Estize. Their spy, Blumrush, had been ousted far sooner than he'd hoped. The trade route that they had going through the Forest of Tob had been annihilated by an unknown force some months past, cutting off vital trade they used to have with the dwarves.

Except the dwarves had gone silent long before that particular loss. The team he sent to the mountains stopped responding after making contact with their Dwarven allies. Every attempt to divine what happened to them was met with abject failure, magic of a similar level to the very storm that defied Fluder's efforts to comprehend it.

Combine that with the fact that even in its desolation E-Rantel still served as a barrier against any sort of forward invasion, and Jircniv could already feel a headache forming. At the very least his nation was still thriving. Continuing the farce that was the annual war just so they could slowly whittle down the decrepit nation was his biggest concern of late.

Something within his gut told him that this would likely be the last annual war waged between the Baharuth Empire and the Re-Estize Kingdom. The troubles of their neighbor would seldom provide an opportunity to recuperate after this. And before Blumrush's eventual ousting as a spy, he had it on good authority that the royal house would eat itself alive one way or another.

We'll plunder what's left of that nation's corpse after we conquer it. Then I can focus on the issues with the dwarves. Months of silence from them have started to upset my stomach.

BOOM!

A particularly bright flash of lightning cracked across the clouds. The roar of thunder trailed closed behind as if a dragon had just breathed the bolt itself. In the gloomy outline of those clouds, he vaguely thought he saw a shape floating in the center.

He shook his head. Perhaps he wasn't getting enough sleep as of late. For a moment, he could've sworn what looked like-

Fluder hummed in thought. "Perhaps we should head inside, your Majesty. We're risking too much being out here already."

"We will. A week of nothing but downpours and flashes of light. What good does a magic storm do if it acts the same as any other?" Jircniv frowned at the clouds.

In response, more lightning exploded against the thunderhead. It happened in a rapid-fire, one bolt directly after the other, lashing out at nothing in particular. That same shadow from before became darker, painting the outline of that same mysterious shape that Jircniv thought he imagined from before.

So much lightning was bursting from the cloud, bloated like an overripe fruit, that Jircniv's ears were ringing. He realized too late that it was intentional on the part of whatever summoned the storm. Fluder was shouting at him, talon-like fingers tugging at his shoulder to come inside.

Splitting the clouds like a floodgate, a shining hull of metal nearly as large as the imperial palace breached the storm. It was a flying ship, not unlike the navy that the Holy Roble Kingdom employed in their military. However, it was completely enclosed, with no visible sails and multiple beams of light shining through the windows where a pilot or captain might glance out.

Against the rain, its hull gleamed a hammered bronze, emblazoned with the same symbol as the one in the letter. Dozens of cannons ringed the side of the warship, circular machines persistently humming. They bellowed streams of fire with such force that the ship groaned. Those, Jircniv deduced, must be what kept the ship in the sky. It was a marvel of magic and metal, unlike anything he'd ever seen in the world.

Fluder stared slack-jawed, no longer tugging on him. Instead, he pointed with a single claw towards the ship. Jircniv saw a small shape fall from under the mighty warship, the belly opening with a sideways door like a monstrous maw.

In a moment, the shape drew close enough to the palace that Jircniv recognized it as a solid gold carriage pulled by a team of metal horses. Flying on either side were dragons of scales the same color as the ship. They had ruby eyes and drill-shaped teeth, breathing thick steam from the depths of their throats.

On brass wings, they carried their mighty forms and shielded the carriage. They roared with a strange tone, like how Jircniv imagined a bellowing forge might sound if it were an animal.

Dimly the shouts of the Imperial Knights reached his ears. Orders carried on the whipping wind from officer to soldier. Jircniv looked down in the courtyard, watching his loyal men assemble in formation for the approaching vessel. Based on the angle of the carriage and its honor guard, the courtyard would be where the envoys would land.

Jircniv might have tried to shout orders to those below, to back down and stay away from the courtyard. It would have been for naught since even at close range, Fluder's voice dissipated amongst the rain clouds. What good would his voice do from his balcony?

Thankfully his men had enough common sense to see the angle he did as well. They made a wide berth around the courtyard's perimeters, giving ample room for the metal dragons to land. The stone floor cracked beneath their weight, shining claws slicing into the immaculate mason work like cheap cobblestone.

Both dragons roared to the sky, challenging the storm and belching tongues of flame that evaporated the water instantly. A trumpet call of sorts, as the carriage did not land as Jircniv expected. Instead, it floated down gently right to the edge of the balcony. The automaton horses neighed just like ordinary horses, their cries rang with the same metallic tones as their Draconic counterparts.

Fluder took a step in front of Jircniv, his hands alight with magic. There was a cold look in his gramps's eye, but also anticipation. Jircniv could almost taste Fluder's curiosity to know the source of the storm. He would be a fool to deny that he was curious himself.

The door to the carriage opened. The first man to step out was as elegantly dressed as one might expect of a national diplomat. Donned in a decadent suit with an oversized rose-shaped lapel on his shoulder, the man exited the carriage with a poise few could manage so elegantly in the pouring storm. A top hat rested on his head, obscuring his hair but bringing attention to the gold-plated monocle he wore.

His goatee and mustache quivered with amusement at the sight of Fluder, lips drawing back in a gleeful smile. "Well met! Apologies for meeting like this, but I felt the rain might add a bit of dramatic flair to our first impression. Wouldn't you agree?"

For once, Emperor Jircniv was at a loss for words. His gaze flickered to the clouds and then back to the well-dressed man. He had been the source of the week-long storm? This was that magician?

"Ah, but where are my manners? My friends are still waiting to get out of the carriage. Might I come down there with you?"

The man waited patiently for a response. Jircniv quickly recomposed himself. "Of course. But if you're really the source of this storm, could you dispel it? There's hardly a need for this anymore. You've made your point, and my people have suffered enough for it."

With a tilt of his head, the envoy gently stepped down onto the balcony. Now that he was closer, there was a noticeable size difference between the two of them. The envoy himself was so much larger than either Jircniv or Fluder that the former thought he was inhuman.

Others began to pile out of the carriage. Five others came out, rounding out the inside of the carriage for a total of six with the first envoy. Given the massive warship floating in the sky, there was no doubt countless more waiting there, but only these six individuals had been sent. Just who was the Elysian Council?

The second man to come out was dressed in the garb of a priest, with white, flowing robes and a golden scepter in hand. He bore a rigid, well-kept appearance, a steely glare surveying the area around him. His eyes locked with Jircniv's, and he felt an inexplicable need to fall to his knees and apologize profusely for all the wrongs he'd ever done in his life.

Jircniv held back his scowl. Who was this man to judge him so readily? A man of the cloth may hold significance, but there were still procedures to follow. From the moment they locked eyes, he knew the priest would be trouble. The calculating gaze did not help matters either. Whoever he was, Jircniv would need to stay on his guard.

Following the priest was perhaps the oddest warrior he'd ever seen. Their armor was extremely bulky to the point of looking padded. Heavy gauntlets interlaced with wires and an exposed core on the palms covered their arms, and a strange, amber dome of reflective glass was their helmet. It was completely impossible to tell whether the warrior was male or female.

That amber dome betrayed no emotion other than a head tilt. Jircniv nodded to the warrior, and they nodded back with polite greetings. His shoulders loosened slightly from the kind display.

Then came a woman mage in forest green robes, several medals of war pinned to her breast, and a nasal helmet atop their head that matched the robes. She grinned wickedly as if debating where next to throw destructive magic. After her, there was another man in a suit of lavender. His expression was affixed professionally, a monocle resting over his eye. His clean-shaven face and meticulously plucked eyebrows spoke to hours fawning over his appearance for this meeting.

The final envoy to exit the carriage was so ancient that Fluder could be his junior. He wore traditional plate armor like a warrior, though the edges were tinged with frost, the shoulders dotted with sharp icicles. Hair as white as snow and a beard to match harshly framed his face, with paper-thin skin stretched taut over his skull. A flowing cape trailed behind him, betraying his position as a high-ranking officer no doubt.

A motley crew of envoys if he'd ever seen any. They were flanked by guards who wore heavy armor. They carried strange weapons, like overly complex hand cannons. There were swords affixed to their hip, but it seemed more decoration than anything else. The glare of their skull-faced helmets was a fearsome sight to behold.

Jircniv subtly glanced at Fluder to see if he utilized his talent to gauge the strength of the mages. The old man did not respond, which meant he did not use his talent yet or simply could not tell. It was more likely the former than the latter.

Fluder's Talent, "All Seeing Eyes", would allow him to see the tier of magic a magician would be capable of. It was a useful ability to gauge the relative power level of an opponent compared to the Court Magician, and if one of the envoys had been responsible for the storm, then there was the possibility that particular mage was either at Fluder's level or surpassed him.

Either possibility left him sick to his stomach. If the letter lied and these individuals had insidious intentions, then there was little chance Fluder could defeat all of them together at once.

Once all members of the envoy were on the balcony, the first tipped his hat off. "Greetings, Your Majesty! I hope we've found you in good health! Though, ah, it might be wise to dispense with this unpleasant weather first. Riku, if you would please?"

To his astonishment, it was actually the warrior who handled the first envoy's request. They simply clapped their gauntlets together with a flash of sparks and the storm disappeared entirely. It was completely sunny, not a cloud in sight. A rainbow hung over the balance as a proverbial bow to tie it all together. Fluder's eyes bulged out his head and his jaw hung loosely.

He wheezed weakly, pointing at the one named "Riku" and the clouds, trying to get some words out. Finally, he stopped and held onto Jircniv's shoulder for support. The first envoy raised an eyebrow but continued.

"Right… Where are my manners? We have spent nearly an entire week holding you in suspense, Your Majesty. It is quite rude, I think, to know all about you yet you do not know any of us yet. Allow me to introduce myself and my compatriots."

With a dramatic flourish, he spread out his arms. "I am Ulbert Alain Odle of the Elysian Council! These are my friends, and we have come to negotiate in good faith for the fate of your kingdom! Blood, gold, and other riches shall be yours."

Ulbert was positively brimming with excitement. To say that he was about ready to jump out of his boots with glee was an understatement. Months of preparation, of rehearsal in front of the mirror, practicing his best motifs among his friends had all led to this moment.

He could scarcely believe it finally arrived.

Emperor Jircniv and Court Mage Fluder stared at him in bewilderment. He expected that. He adored that. He needed to keep the two on their toes during the whole of this negotiation process, otherwise all the effort would be for naught. Punitto Moe had been specific on that front.

"While we try and argue negotiations in our favor, we need to make sure that they don't catch on to our missions behind the scenes," Punitto had said before they left Nazarick. "Shock and awe is the name of the game. Keep the attention on some of us while the rest gather the info we need."

The team sent to Baharuth consisted of the following guildmates: Ulbert Alain Odle, Punitto Moe, Suratan, Dynamite, Nearata, Shijuuten, Variable Talisman, Wish III, Tempest Aizawa, Nishikienrai, Flatfoot, Amanomahitotsu, and Whitebrim. Six of them would present themselves publicly as envoys of the "Elysian Council", while the rest would be slowly introduced throughout their stay in the empire.

A sizable crew of summons and mercenaries remained on the warship as well, though they did have an honor guard of bug soldiers to accompany them publicly. It was hardly needed, but Punitto Moe argued their presence would help legitimize their claims. The automaton dragons were Dynamite's idea, as were the mechanical horses that drew their carriage. It seemed she and Amanomahitotsu had been talking again.

A similar team, of course, had departed for the Re-Estize Kingdom. The remainder of their guild remained behind in Nazarick with the NPCs to ensure their guild-wide experiment would not go awry.

There was that whole adventure in the Abelion hills I had with Demiurge in the interim. Convincing both Punitto Moe and Ancient One to let me go was nothing short of a miracle.

Reminiscing on that week-long trip brought a smile to Ulbert's face. He recalled the culture of the ba-folk in particular, though he'd met plenty of demi-human tribes while there. One face in particular brought a light blush, though he was quick to divert his thoughts.

"Lord Odle… that's quite the proclamation you just made," the emperor finally said with a strained smile. "Thank you for not drowning my people in perpetual rain. Yes, we'll negotiate with you. Please come inside."

The emperor led him and his entourage inside. Ulbert led his procession, trailing closely behind the emperor so that he might admire the smaller man. He did not miss the unsubtle glances of the wizened magician, Fluder Paradyne. He smiled politely enough at the mage when they locked eyes for a second.

He'd spent his time in Nazarick preparing for this moment well. When he'd been split into the team for Baharuth, he nearly leaped for joy. The reason was quite simple. He was a large fan of Emperor Jircniv.

Punitto Moe and Ancient One did an excellent job preparing dossiers on the important figures each team would encounter in their assigned kingdoms. Ulbert had secured the documents, wanting to understand who he'd be dealing with and how best to approach them. The fear that the nobility of this world was like the CEOs of his old world gnawed at him, and he would waste no time entertaining pleasantries with scum-sucking bottom feeders at the time.

Baharuth's dossiers proved an excellent breath of fresh air. From what information their spies had gathered, the nobility of the Baharuth Empire was tightly controlled. Each man in a position of power had been carefully chosen based on their natural talents and hard work, while the leeches were swiftly culled in a bloodbath.

Those who feed into their greedy desires were stomped out. Abuses of power were not tolerated. The nobility that somehow managed to escape the vicious cleansing of the empire were demoted in rank and left to rot among their empty coffers.

And at the center of it all was the ruler of Baharuth. A man who had earned the moniker of the "Bloody Emperor". He was everything a wretch like Ulbert would have aspired to be in the Old World.

Across gilded rooms of grand opulence, those of Nazarick were led. Along the way, Jircniv had called over a servant and whispered in their ear. The servant scurried off to carry the monarch's orders, to assemble the high-ranking officials that composed Jircniv's inner circle.

"Excuse me, Lord Ulbert," Fluder said, "You are a mage, correct? The magic that you used to summon that storm, what tier of magic was that?"

"Trying to pry my secrets already? We've hardly had time to sit down for tea," Ulbert jested in a way he thought courtly. "Let us commence negotiations first before I share any knowledge of the sort."

Fluder bowed his head. "Apologies then. Forgive my excitement. It's just so rare to meet another so talented. That warrior with the domed helmet certainly strikes my intrigue."

Tempest Aizawa grunted. "It's no big deal. It's more just something I've practiced with in my spare time. Hardly ever think about it anymore, to be honest." Her voice was muffled, making it harder to discern her tone.

Punitto Moe nudged her in the side. "That is to say, Court Magician, that we take pride in our abilities. We employ tact when it comes to the job. Wouldn't you agree, Ulbert?"

The warning in his voice spoke loud and clear. Make sure to keep them engaged. String them along. Ulbert would gladly oblige.

"He's right of course," Ulbert made a show of dusting off the rose lapel on his shoulder. "All of us have great specializations in our abilities. Magic and strength are wonderful, but hardly all we have to offer. I'm sure we shall have much to offer our esteemed emperor if our show of power is any metric of judgment."

By then, they reached their destination. It was a sprawling room with a long table centered there. Several couches and plush chairs had been hurriedly assembled. Guards in ornate armor stood at the ready, while several important-looking individuals were seated as well. These Ulbert guessed to be part of the bureaucratic council that managed the empire.

Their honor guard joined Emperor Jircniv in surrounding the table. The imperial guards glanced nervously at their bug soldiers, almost making Ulbert laugh. If only they knew just how outclassed they were by the mere fodder of his guild.

Appearances, Ulbert, appearances. I wish Demiurge had joined me for this.

"Please, sit with my council if you would," the emperor gestured to the empty seats. "Refreshments will be along shortly. I only ask for a bit of patience."

"We have all the time in the world, Your Majesty. But our comfort is hardly at the forefront of this meeting. Instead, we are here to discuss yours," Ulbert smoothly replied. He sat down at the opposite end of the table in a plush chair while his comrades took up the couches set up for them.

Punitto Moe sat at his right hand, while Nearata settled in at his left closest to him. The others filed in more or less as they pleased. Tempest Aizawa did have to nudge Shijuuten to scoot over, the undead giant establishing too much of a presence on the couch.

"Alright. Negotiations are ready to start. Does everyone remember their part?" Punitto Moe asked over a private [Message].

"Verily, Moe. Never worry about how our scenes 'i this play," Shijuuten teased lightly. Dynamite secretly cracked a smile at the old man's wordplay.

"We've studied extensively for this. Stick to the script and nothing will go wrong," Tempest Aizawa said.

"As if that has ever stopped Lady Luck from trampling on our plans," Nearata gruffly replied. "Still, better we're the ones holding the cards than this lot."

As if on cue, four knights in black armor, three men and a woman, accompanied a procession of maids pushing a cart laden with snacks. The knights stood resolutely behind the emperor, who himself was finally settling into his throne opposite Ulbert.

Ulbert recognized those four as the Imperial Knights, the four strongest warriors in Baharuth and the personal guard of His Majesty. Wherever the emperor was, it was almost certain they were not far behind. Their professional air spoke to their experience in guarding such an important individual, though they did a double take when they saw the size of the guildmates.

Once the servants had finished dispersing drinks to everyone, Emperor Jircniv cleared his throat. "So you are the envoys of the Elysian Council. We received your letter, along with the storm. I would be remiss if I didn't admit that the circumstances weren't… unique."

"Unique times call for unique measures, Your Highness. We of the council felt it appropriate that we lay bare a small measure of our strength beforehand. Not as a threat, but rather as a demonstration of what we can lend your people in an alliance," Ulbert spoke smoothly.

"Is that so? Then I can only presume you, in turn, have some estimation of our strength. You specifically used a magic storm that Fluder Paradyne, my Court Magician, could not dispel. Rather than send a proper courier, you send a letter disguised as a bird-sized golem."

Punitto Moe chose that moment to jump in. "Think of it as a small trial run. A letter and a bit of weather are hardly anything, but we're content to display more if you so wish. A token of goodwill for the alliance we seek."

"Ah yes, the alliance mentioned in the letter. Your letter was a bit sparse in that regard. Might you be willing to elaborate more on that? What is it exactly you want from us, or rather, what do you hope to gain?" Asked a thin man with graying blond hair in a bowl cut.

"That must be Loune Vermillion," Punitto Moe commented. "Be careful how you proceed here. A sharp secretary like him will try and pick apart our offer."

"I have it under control," Ulbert said in the group [Message]. "To put it simply, great lords, the Elysian Council wishes to partake in an economic alliance with you. Our nation has many resources to offer, though we are not from this area. This alliance would also include military gains in the form of soldiers and equipment, which I foresee being quite useful in the upcoming annual war with Re-Estize."

Jircniv gave him an appraising look. "You've done some research before you came here."

"Only enough to know that your empire is among the most advanced we've seen thus far. Your people enjoy high literacy and education rates. Your cities are well fortified and your armies well-trained. Your Court Magician boasts an incredible magical academy with promising candidates, not to mention an eye for the mystic arts outside your domain."

"Then you would also know that we appreciate transparency as well. It took many years of reform to get to where we are, years of bloodshed, and tireless nights from my court and I. We are open to negotiations, but so far I feel… we would like to understand you better before we make any sort of decision."

"Understood, Your Majesty," said Nearata, dipping his head. "How about a taste of our offerings? We do come bearing gifts. One moment please."

The golden dragon merchant reached out into thin air, activating his inventory. Some of the imperial court gasped at seeing his hand disappear, only to suddenly reappear holding an extremely gaudy, over-designed sword.

It was hooked-shaped, with gems inlaid into the hilt with scaled leather wrapped around it. The serrated blade itself was solid gold, enchanted to withstand extreme force and to light on fire when a command word was spoken. Glowing runes of silver were etched all along the spine of the blade.

There was a hidden purpose to this weapon in particular, but first, they had to get Jircniv and his people to accept it.

"This is a weapon that was forged by our greatest blacksmith. We can produce many more just like it," Nearata said, holding the weapon like a pair of keys for a luxury vehicle. "It boasts a supreme edge that will never dull and can be set ablaze when desired. It is made of precious metals and gems but is ultimately comfortable and lightweight. Would any of you care to hold it?"

Fluder, as expected, leaped at the chance. "Allow me, Your Majesty! I would like to appraise its magical potential. Even from here, I can sense something special about this artifact!"

Emperor Jircniv raised an eyebrow. "Certainly. Go ahead."

The elderly magician swept around the table and gingerly grabbed the sword from Nearata. There was a smug satisfaction in his golden eyes when the blade left his hands. Fluder ran his clawed fingers across the blade's edge, muttering to himself.

It was like watching a child getting a new toy on Christmas, not that Ulbert would ever know. Fluder's eyes glowed for a moment. "Oh… oh my! You said a blacksmith made this weapon? What was their name? Did they inlay the enchantment on this weapon as well?"

"His name is Am. He does have the ability to inscribe enchantments into the weapon, right from its very creation. I highly doubt there exists a weapon he can't forge," Ulbert proudly exclaimed.

Many of the Imperial Court muttered amongst themselves while Fluder excitedly studied the sword. The old mage eventually frowned. "Er, forgive me, but how does one alight it? What is the command word for this particular blade?"

"It is 'Ablaze'," Nearata offered. Fluder nodded and stared at the sword with determination. "Ablaze!"

With a rush of wind, the sword ignited into an inferno. The guards shouted in alarm, and Fluder cackled in delight. "I don't feel heat from this at all! And yet based on the guards' reactions, they did! Oh, it is enchanted not to harm the user with its power, isn't it? How very clever!"

"As I said. Am can forge any weapon he wants, and he could quite easily make more. Keep it as a memento of our affection. We have many more gifts where that came from."

The Imperial Knights looked with amazement at the magic sword. An older man donned in military equipment stroked his beard inquisitively. "A magic sword like that is incredible. Outfitting some of our top soldiers with equipment like that would be a blessing indeed. My lieutenants would have a field day."

Dynamite hummed thoughtfully. "Are you one of the Emperor's generals?"

"General Sern Pantrikair, at your service. A sword like that would boost the morale of any soldier to have. And you're telling me your blacksmith can simply make more? He can do this whenever he wants? In a reasonable amount of time?"

"Not just swords," Tempest Aizawa answered gruffly, making Dynamite pout. "Just give us an order and we can make whatever you want. That sort of job is practically nothing to us."

The eyes of the Imperial Court were focused on Jircniv now, and his critical gaze was affixed on Ulbert.

Had he been human, it might've made the Baphomet demon squirm in his seat. Instead, it delighted him to be the focus of a man like Jircniv. Oh, how he wished he was as cool! He just had to play it smart and then he might make a potentially amazing friend.

There were many things Ulbert wished to ask of the emperor, but he knew that he had to stick to the plan. One false move and it would all be over for his delegation.

"…Lord Ulbert, there are runes on the blade of that sword. Would I be correct to assume that your blacksmith is a dwarf? The Arena Master has a similar blade, so I am somewhat familiar with the design."

Punitto Moe waved off the question. "The runes are hardly integral to the weapon's primary features. They simply enhance some of the inherent qualities, that is all."

"Forgive me, Lord…"

"Zhuge Liang is fine."

"Right," Jircniv narrowed his eyes. "Zhuge Liang. It is just that we haven't had much contact with the dwarves recently. If your blacksmith is a dwarf, it might ease our minds a bit regarding their status."

"Then allow me to state that all is well. We would be happy to arrange a meeting with Am in the future if you find his work commendable. Rest assured that his quality is unmatched anywhere else in the world."

The emperor studied the group for a moment. He likely was trying to pick apart Punitto Moe's more vague statement. The truth was that none of them had any idea what was going on with the dwarves. Their dossiers outlined a friendly connection between Baharuth and the dwarves of the Azerlisia Mountains, but the dwarves hadn't been considered quite that important to expend resources on.

Nearata took the opportunity to reach into his inventory again and pulled out a petite chest. The dragon merchant sent it down on the floor with a distinct heft, almost cracking the tile from the sheer weight of what lay inside.

"A magic sword is fine for one gift, but we'd be poor guests if we did not come prepared with more. This one you may find an immediate use for."

With a flick of his finger, the chest was opened and a dazzling shine dusted the faces of the emperor's court. Within the chest were rows upon rows of gold bullion. The precious metal had been shined to perfection, bringing out the luster in a flattering manner.

"We understand that your economy is quite healthy. You enjoy common goods in excess, and your people prosper," Nearata brought out one of the gold bars and turned it. "But we would be able to expand your markets in ways you could scarcely believe… if you give us the chance."

An imperial court member, a man of refined features who bore a similar outfit to Nearata's, dredged up the bravery to approach the chest. With shaking fingers, he took his gold bar and eyed it with a keen look. Hefting the piece, he glanced at the dragon merchant.

"While I don't have my weights with me, just from the first impression I can tell this certainly feels legitimate. How many pieces have you brought to bear?"

"About six hundred bars, each weighted at around twelve-and-a-half kilograms, or about thirty pounds if you prefer that." Nearata smoothly slipped his bar back into the chest. "Currency is a universal language, and what better understanding of it than in pure gold?"

The noble sputtered, his eyes darting between the gold and Nearata. One of the Imperial Knights, a middle-aged man with long blond hair and a goatee, whistled appreciatively. "And you're just the head merchant? Not bad."

"How did you fit all that gold into that chest?!" The noble merchant demanded.

"Oh, that's actually my work," Dynamite chimed in. "I enchanted it to have more storage space on the inside. It's still very heavy though, so I'd suggest you get a team of people to move it. Although our soldiers are pretty strong… They could lift it easily."

Now the entire court eyed the gold wantonly. They were not greedy people by nature. Each one had been hand-picked by the emperor himself for their skills and inherent moral values. It was highly unlikely that they could be so easily bribed.

But displaying wealth in any capacity was bound to draw attention. First a magic sword of "exceptional" quality, and now enough gold to bankrupt an entire kingdom. Ulbert could already hear the silent question being asked in their heads.

What else do they have in store?

Ulbert decided this moment was their best chance to deal the final blow. "Somehow, gentlemen, I get the impression that six hundred gold bullion and our finest craftsmanship is not enough. Let's display the final gift."

"I think we get the point, there truly is no need-" Emperor Jircniv began, reaching out a hand to stop them. Ulbert sped past his objection and nodded towards Punitto Moe. The holy player reached into his inventory and pulled out their last gift, that which would assuredly buy their way into Baharuth's graces.

What was pulled out was an ordinary oil lamp. The kind that wouldn't be out of place in a commoner's home. One that was well taken care of but otherwise unremarkable. It had been requested to be like that for this precise moment.

Punitto Moe set it down on the table and shoved it towards the middle. "Hey, wake up! You have guests to entertain."

The shutter on the lamp flew open, a burning blue flame crackling to life in the center. All the air in the room sucked into it and rose. It burned hotter and hotter, coalescing into a humanoid shape.

Every guard save Ainz Ooal Gown's drew their swords. The Imperial Knights, who'd watched the negotiations with amusement or indifference, immediately surrounded the Emperor. Fluder stared in amazement at the being which formed over the table.

Wish III assumed a shape not unlike the monarch of Baharuth. He made a show of stretching his limbs out like he'd just awoken from a long nap. "How cruel you are! I am not some pet to simply be ordered about, priest! But alas, I shall oblige."

Two embers that served as his eyes flickered over to the Imperial Court. "Greetings, oh Emperor Mine! I am the mightiest of all the djinn, the great Wish III! For three wishes I shall grant you, upon three requests you ask of me. Might we strike a bargain to free me from that foul man's clutches?"

For a moment, none of the Imperial Court could muster the words. For the first time since the meeting began, the calm and collected mask that Jircniv wore cracked. A perverse pleasure in breaking it down overtook Ulbert, and he couldn't help his sly smile.

"Don't listen to him about that. You don't want to ask anything beyond the three wishes. You'll end up indebted in a way I can't free you from," Punitto Moe drummed his fingers on the table.

That broke the spell over Jircniv. "I-I see. So this… djinn as it calls itself. You have… captured it? How?!"

"Don't worry about that. All you need to know is that if you feel the gold and magic item aren't enough, you can make three requests from the Djinn. You have my word it'll grant them to you without any hidden 'fees'. Does that sound good?"

That last part Ulbert knew was specifically aimed at Wish III. Whenever he utilized [Dark Wish], he liked to take the cost of health from whoever asked for it in the first place. Now, however, Wish III would be forced to take the burden on himself.

That's alright. He agreed to it with the stipulation he could just not grant a wish if it killed him.

Wish III held up both hands in mock surrender. "Yes, yes, of course. Anyway, what would you have of me, Emperor? Many kings and gods would kill to be in your position, you know? Get three wishes, for free? That's a deal not many can aspire to have. Ask, and I'll grant it if it's within my power."

Now every member of the delegation, including Ainz Ooal Gown, was on the edge of their seat. Emperor Jircniv shifted in his throne, clearly trying to think his way through. Perhaps he understood the angle that the guild was trying to force him into, and that it was clearly working.

He was the last man standing in his court. They'd won over Fluder with the magic sword, and they'd won over the bureaucratic council with their gold bullion. Now they'd have to win over Jircniv with some Yggdrasil skills. By cornering him from three angles, the pressure was ramped up to an absurd degree.

Every aspect of this meeting had been engineered from the get-go. They knew that getting a shrewd man like Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix to sign a treaty wouldn't be easy, especially since his country wasn't in dire straits like Re-Estize was.

So long as he agreed to prolong negotiations, that would be a win for the guild. They had to keep him invested in what the guild had to offer while simultaneously weakening him from the inside out.

"…I will not make any wishes now, but it is clear to me just how much you value a potential alliance between our people," Jircniv rubbed his face with a sigh. "I would still like to understand the full extent of your offer, so I will hold off on signing a treaty… for now."

Ulbert's satisfaction was palpable. "That's all we ask for. Will you take our gifts then?"

"Fluder, would you take their rune sword and the djinn back with you to the Imperial Academy? Have them studied extensively. You also have my full permission to question the djinn as you see fit. Marquis Fainworth, go take the gold and have it appropriately accounted for. Feel free to have it stored wherever it is safest, or used wherever it is needed most."

"Right away, Your Majesty," Fluder cradled the magic sword like a swaddled baby. Wish III shrugged his shoulders and returned to the lamp, the insides growing dark as his flame extinguished. One of the Royal guards rushed over and gingerly picked up the lamp with both hands. The men exited the room.

Jircniv watched them the whole while, Ulbert carefully observing his every reaction. The mask had reappeared and the emperor refocused his attention on those of Ainz Ooal Gown.

"With that out of the way, perhaps a tour of this city might be acceptable? I anticipate that negotiations will take some time as you all lay out the intricacies of this deal," Jircniv said, rising from his throne in one swift motion. His Imperial Court rose alongside him.

Marquis Fainworth, the man of refined features, and some of the Royal guards got to work with the chest. The guards noticeably struggled just trying to lift the chest on their own. Punitto Moe motioned to two bug soldiers, who rushed to either side of the chest and lifted it easily.

From there, Marquis Fainworth and both groups of guards left the room as well. Who was left on the Imperial side was the inner circle of the Emperor himself.

Emperor Jircniv clasped his hands with a more relaxed air now, though his eyes still betrayed some suspicion. "Might I give you a tour of the city? There are surely many wonders we can enjoy together while negotiations are ongoing."

"Oh, Your Highness, nothing would give us greater pleasure," Ulbert grinned, and he felt his excitement begin to rub off onto his guildmates as well. Only Punitto Moe reigned them in, his cold aura dampening the sparking hunger in their hearts to complete their mission.

Their time in Baharuth would not disappoint.

The Imperial Academy of Magic, Arwinter

Fluder Paradyne hummed happily as he and his entourage returned to the Imperial Academy, some of his disciples falling in line behind him once he entered. The Royal guards were dismissed once a disciple procured the magical lamp.

The academy was bustling this time of day, its many hallways filled with prospective students from across the empire. Each student turned their head when they saw him pass. Everyone present in that school showed exceptional promise as future magic casters, with those he personally tutored being a cut above the rest.

"Where is Sophie Noia? Is she still in her laboratory?" Fluder asked a disciple directly behind him.

"She is. Right where you left her when the Emperor summoned you," the disciple chuckled. "She was just starting to rave about how she was 'this close' to making a breakthrough right before you arrived."

"Fetch her for me, will you? Send her to my office. I wish to share these artifacts with her," Fluder did not miss some of the jealous glances his disciples had. He brushed it aside. It was only natural that they felt that way. Especially since Sophie had just recently become his highest disciple.

Every disciple of his displayed the capacity to utilize fourth-tier magic, a result of his nearly one hundred and fifty years as the Imperial Court Magician hand selecting the best and brightest among the academy's students.

Those who attended the academy enjoyed access to education at near-zero cost, allowing those who might otherwise slip between the cracks to grow into phenomenal mages. Talent was nurtured here, and those who excelled were amply rewarded.

Sophia Noia was chief among them.

Thinking of her did inevitably lead to the thought of another, talented mage who'd unfortunately disappeared. Arche Eeb Rile Furt was her name, a bright star who made it into his circle of Chosen Thirty. Without any warning she left the academy, but he could certainly guess as to why.

It always broke his heart to think such talent was wasted. He only hoped she was alright. If she was not, he hoped she would seek him out for help.

Dismissing his other disciples, Fluder had just entered his private office and set down the lamp and sword on his desk when his door flung open with tremendous force. He did not have to look up to see who it was. Only one person would so brazenly barge in.

"Careful, I just had that door repaired," he said without missing a beat. "Did you install a pulley system from your lab to my office just to get here quickly?"

"What's this I hear about two new magic artifacts?!" Was Sophie's crazed response. She immediately sped over to his desk, bending over with a sparkle in her unique eyes.

Sophie Noia was a confident young woman with heterochromatic eyes, one being blood red and the other a light pink. Her complexion was fair, with dark purple hair framing a beautiful face that turned the heads of many students in the academy.

It did not help matters that she could dress somewhat promiscuously, donning a white jacket with a hood that exemplified her bosom. The only thing that ruined her beauty was the scar over her left eye, covered by a golden monocle.

The various test tubes and other instruments on her belt jingled as she studied the lamp and sword. "I'm surprised you'd take an interest in weaponry like this, but the lamp must be especially special if you decided to bring them back here."

"It was primarily on the Emperor's orders, but I would've found a way to share them with you and the others somehow," Fluder rested a hand on the lamp. "First that orb that allows us to communicate with the undead, and now this sword and the lamp. Luck is truly on our side these days!"

Sophie rubbed the back of her head. "Yeah, about that… the orb stopped talking to us."

"What?! Why?!"

"I… might've been too zealous in my line of questioning. I wrote down the most important parts, but when I started to ask about why it produced that black slime and whether it was chemically similar to some of my captive slimes, it shut up."

Fluder stared at her. "I will address that properly later. Now though, the lamp is far more important. I intend to study the being captured within to my fullest capability, and I'd prefer to have you here with me due to your unusual interest in monsters."

Sophie waved off his comment. "Not any more unusual than your interest in the undead. But what is inside the lamp? Is it a magic creature we can study extensively?"

As if on cue, the shutter on the lamp opened, revealing the blue flame of the djinn locked inside. "I can hear you, you know?! I am not an animal to be poked and prodded! I am a djinn, and I grant wishes!"

Sophie jumped at hearing the sudden voice. "It's sentient? Fascinating! Tell me, djinn, are you an elemental of some kind? How did you get captured in that lamp? What's this about wishes? Can you grant any wish, or is there a limit to it? What tier of magic is it? Can you-"

"Goddammit, I got stuck with eggheads? Kill me already," Wish III lamented. "Whatever, I'll work with this. At least you're not as jumpy as that alchemist kid I talked to."

The blue flame inside surged. "Yes, I am an elemental. I was tricked into this lamp by that damnable priest. I can grant you three wishes, so long as you wish honestly. It's magic far beyond your puny little mind to comprehend, so don't even bother."

Fluder clasped his hands in excitement. "With the Emperor's orders to bring you to the magic academy, he has given me full reign to work with you. I will formally ask permission, but I'm sure he'll let me ask a wish of you!"

"Oh? The old man has a wish to ask? I could be persuaded to grant it to you, but you're not the Emperor. It'll come at a price."

"I am not sure His Highness would appreciate that, djinn," Sophie crossed her arms. "You said a priest captured you? It sure would be a shame if word somehow got back to him that you weren't being cooperative."

Fluder sputtered, ready to reprimand his High Disciple for her attitude. He was cut off by Wish III's bark of laughter.

"Ha! The girl has spunk. Not bad, mortal. You're lucky you're easy on the eyes, or I would've blasted you to ashes, priest or not. Fine, fine, no cost. But I do like this little game of ours. How about we strike a bargain?"

"We're listening."

A strange wind filled the room, seemingly generated by the lamp since the flame inside swayed to its flow. The natural lighting that came from a nearby window dimmed, making the shadows jump out far more than they should've.

"I am a being of many stories. I can share with you tales of gods and monsters you can scarcely believe! Display feats of magic that tore the world asunder, and reveal the depths of forbidden knowledge that would drive lesser mortals mad. I can answer life's most pertinent questions, cure your worst ails, and assuage your deepest fears. Strike a bargain with me, and I will grant you each a wish of your choice, just as I will the Emperor."

With each word, the shadows morphed to match what Wish III was talking about, a puppet show and subtle display of his influence on the world even while supposedly trapped within the lamp. The allure of what he offered was almost too good to be true.

This is why Fluder, despite himself, restrained his desire to say yes then and there. "And what do you get in return for this? This is a bargain, that goes two ways."

"I won't take anything from you. Just as I answer your questions, you'll answer mine. A simple exchange of knowledge. Do we have a deal?"

Normally, Fluder might've tried to dig deeper into the conversation. He'd never encountered anything like Wish III in his two hundred years of being alive. He looked like an ordinary flame elemental but behaved far differently.

A useful caveat to the situation was that the djinn feared that priest. His previous comments poorly hid the fear he saw in the throne room. Whatever the priest was capable of, the djinn knew far better than to test them. Fluder would need to seek out Zhuge Liang and ask what spell he cast to trap the djinn in the lamp.

Sophie tugged on his sleeve. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

"Does the thought of agreeing terrify you, my disciple?"

"Absolutely! But… I also feel strangely thrilled. I think I could learn a lot with this elemental. If he really grants wishes, he could help with our undead research."

"Then it is settled." The wizened court magician declared. "We agree to your bargain! Now answer our questions!"

With a rush of wind, the lamp lit on fire. An intense heat filled the room as Wish III formed outside the lamp, his humanoid outline mirroring Fluder's, just as it did Jircniv's. A hissing laughter rattled the walls of his private office.

"Oh, the fun we'll have together! I think we'll start with some basics real quick. Now hold still. I prefer to show rather than tell, and you seem the type to enjoy a long nap!"

Arms of flame rested on either side of Fluder's temples, an electrical current passing into his hair. Black spots danced in his eyes, his body suddenly light and his stomach crawled up into his throat. He heard Sophie scream for him, and he realized that he was falling over.

Something caught him, sitting him upright in the chair at his desk. With dim vision, he saw the same thing happen to Sophie. Tongues of flame gently picked her up and deposited her soft body next to his. That was the last thing he felt as his consciousness faded.

Wish III watched the old man and young woman snore loudly. They'd be out for a while as a memory from his days in Yggdrasil played out in their dreams. He took a moment to appreciate the curvy body of Sophie before he glanced at his partner lying on the table.

"Wakey, wakey, Variable Talisman, time to go to school! Did you pack your lunch for the field trip?"

The magic sword that Nearata had so generously "gifted" to His Majesty Jircniv grew several tentacles and dragged itself off the table. It clattered to the floor, the seams of the blade breaking apart to reveal grotesque, pink flesh filled with innumerable eyes.

It rapidly expanded in size, pieces of bulky plate armor grew out of the crossguard and covered the exposed flesh. Within seconds stood Ainz Ooal Gown's resident mimic player, the infamous dragoon, Variable Talisman.

His head was in the shape of an anvil, beady eyes glaring daggers at the slyly grinning djinn. "Go fuck yourself. I hated school and hoped I'd never have to step into another one again. At least it's nicer than my old middle school."

"Oh relax, this'll be fun! We can scour this place for all the hidden artifacts and magic they have in this place. If the dossiers are correct, they have extensive laboratories. Maybe you'll find something for that flying rat of yours. The eye candy might be worth it too."

Variable Talisman grumbled darkly to himself, and Wish III sighed internally to himself. He was in another one of his moods again. That was fine. Now they could begin their true mission of worming into the secrets of the Empire, as well as potentially win over Fluder Paradyne as a spy. He held knowledge of great import to the guild, and any dirt on him to hold him in line would do.

They mentioned something about an orb and undead. Gotta find out where they keep that at least. Time to put on a disguise.

Wish III rubbed his hands together, approaching the slumbering duo. "A deal's a deal. I answer your questions, and you'll answer mine. Operation Puppy Dog is a go."

Hello Dear Readers,

If you are reading this, then good news! I am not (un)dead! This was an extra long wait because I am now officially a college graduate! What this means is that I will be getting this entire summer off before the next big chapter of my own life: Law School. I am very excited to be beginning this next stage of my life and to fulfill my dream of one day becoming an attorney. With this does come some new announcements.

The first is that I will be working to update my Ko-Fi page (Just search "Konahrik" with the Ko-Fi title in your search bar). I know it looks barren and I want to make it more... lived in so to speak. I want to start posting more ATOG content over there, which will range from lore tidbits to some of the artwork that Lyron has made for me. I will also make a section for commissions! If there is something, in particular, you want me to explore or some other side story you'd like to see be made, you can check out my rates on the Ko-Fi page. I plan to have everything updated by this Friday, so hold off on any story requests until then. The donations is still open, so if you like what you're reading, any donations would be greatly appreciated!

As always, I'd like to give a special thanks to my beta team over on the Library of Ashurbanipal Discord Server. Without their help and your guys' support, I would never be able to give you guys the quality that you deserve. Thank you for three years so far, and here's another three more!

Until you collect the other eight!