(Since notifications on the site are still not working, this note is a confirmation that this chapter was uploaded as scheduled on 5th May 2024)
daniel: Hey guys! Great to see you all again! Here comes a new chapter! We enjoyed writing this as always! Hope you all do too! Konosuba, Jobless Reincarnation and Slime anime continue to be amazing plus we cannot wait for the Holy Kingdom Overlord movie! Please enjoy!
Edster: I echo the sentiments of my co-author and hope you are all doing well. As well as the anime daniel mentioned I'm also enjoying Misfit of Demon King Academy and As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I'll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World a lot and we both can't wait for the next season of Demon Slayer coming soon!
Not much more we need to say, let's get into the last chapter of the Two Leaders Arc kicking off with the Second Battle of Carne Village. As always, the usual disclaimer that neither I nor daniel own Overlord or any of its characters, locations, events or anything else related to the anime, manga or Light Novels. The only things we own are our OCs, Henry and Fengxian. ENJOY!
Chapter 28 – Love, War and a Historic Visit
*CLANG CLANG CLANG*
*pause*
*CLANG CLANG CLANG*
The repeated three tolls of the village's bells, the sequence that everyone had agreed on as the signal for immediate danger, rang clearly throughout the village stirring everyone awake, including the new village chief Enri who at that point had been peacefully sleeping in her bed alongside her little sister Nemu.
"Sis…what's going on?" Nemu murmured groggily as she cleared the sleep out of her eyes, not noticing the concerned and panicked expression on her older sister's face.
"I don't know," Enri replied as she immediately sprung out of bed and rapidly got together a set of clothes for both herself and Nemu. "But whatever it is, it's bad enough that the alarm bells have been rung. Put these on, gather some things and come with me. We don't have time to waste!"
Recognising that something bad was happening, Nemu didn't argue with her sibling. Once the two had changed into their clothes and picked up what they needed, they raced outside only to find themselves amid a scene of chaos and fear. Most of the villagers, as well as those among the goblins, hobgoblins and ogres who couldn't fight due to their age or were unable to for other reasons, were hurriedly making their way in droves to the marked safety dwellings on the other side of the village from where the bells were being run. Even though many among them were doing their best to remain calm, some of the children and infants had picked up on the apparent warning that foretold danger and were either screaming or crying in fright, a reaction that then spread to some of the adults causing them to do the same.
"Enri!" As soon as the sisters passed out of the gate in front of their dwelling, they were greeted by the former village chief and his wife who ran up to them. "We'll look after Nemu! You get to the others and do what you have to do!"
"Right! Thank you!" Enri replied gratefully as she passed Nemu's hand into that of the former chief's wife. But the small girl didn't come along at first, her expression full of worry for her big sister's safety.
"Sis…I'm scared! Please don't-!" Whatever Nemu was about to say was cut off as Enri knelt and placed her hands on her little sister's shoulders.
"Nemu…you need to go with them and wait for me at the safe house, okay?" Enri told her firmly. "I have duties now, which means I can't hide anymore." She then gave Nemu what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "Be brave for me, okay?"
"O-okay!" Nemu squeaked as she wiped her tears with her free hand. "Please don't die, big sis!"
"I won't, I promise," Enri swore, but as she watched her little sister run off with the pair of adults, she couldn't help but look up towards where the bell, which if she remembered correctly was most likely being rung by Jugem since it was his turn leading the guard detail tonight, was located, she couldn't help but feel a slight sense of foreboding. "I've only just become chief of the village, and it's already experiencing its first crisis since those soldiers invaded us," she thought to herself as she turned and ran towards the clearing near the outer gate where the others would be gathering. "It's like some evil god is testing us…" Her eyes narrowed as she set her jaw squarely in determination. "Everyone here is relying on me and the rest to keep them safe, and I promised Nemu I would stay alive. I will not go back on my duty as a sister and leader…not as long as I can help it!"
~TNT~
"Alright, that will have to do! Make sure to check your weapons too!" Enri heard Jugem barking orders as she made it to where a crowd of goblin soldiers, alongside the ogres from Agu's clan and some volunteers from the village's Vigilante Corps, were busy setting up some basic defences that would hopefully keep the invaders at bay. "Miss Enri, glad you could make it!" He said with relief as he spotted the new chief hurriedly making their way towards them.
"I'm sorry I took so long…I had to ensure Nemu's safety," she apologised, only to be waved off by the veteran warrior.
"No need, I understand. How is she and Miss Lizzie?" He asked.
"Grandma's fine. I made sure she got to the safehouse with the others before I came," Nfirea spoke up as he too arrived on the scene, clutching a large satchel in his arms. "I'm ready to do my part to defend this place."
"Great. Now that we know the noncombatants are safe and under guard, we can focus on the invaders." Jugem then turned his eyes on Agu and some of his clan who had also arrived to lend a hand. "Agu, I'm going to put you and your tribe to work as well. It's time for you to earn your keep!"
"The Gigu tribe stands ready to assist! We'll do our part!" The young hobgoblin answered determinedly, his fellow hobgoblins nodding their agreement. Once everyone was assembled, the impromptu strategy meeting could now begin.
"Agu, there's something I'd like you and your tribe to do once the battle starts," Nfirea spoke up as he opened his satchel and passed the hobgoblins some vials containing a sickly green liquid. "Get to a good vantage point and throw these at the largest enemies. While it might not kill them outright, it should slow them down enough that they'll be easier to deal with."
"You can count on us! Us hobgoblins are great throwers!" Agu answered as he and his fellows took the proffered vials before heading off to find a suitable vantage point. They were the only group to receive specific orders with the rest of the soldiers being divided into various groups to defend their assigned section of the walls in case of a breach. At the same time, archers would be deployed in the towers to pick off the invaders at range.
However, just as they were concluding their deployments, Brita gave voice to what the majority of them were thinking. "What are the odds these invaders are the Giant of the East or the Demon Snake of the West?" She asked.
"At the moment we have no clue who these invaders are, but we can't rule it out," Jugem replied grimly.
"Roger that. So we're going with Intruder Plan 2?" The former adventurer asked, referring to one of the pre-arranged strategies that she, Jugem, Enri and the others had devised just in case another attack would happen. But just as Jugem was about to give his assent, they were interrupted by a shout from the nearest tower.
"Chief! Jugem! We're seeing a lot of movement coming out of the forest!" The archer, Gurindai, reported. "They're headed straight for us and will be on top of us shortly!"
"Understood! Then there's no more time to waste." Jugem turned around and, alongside Enri, Brita, Nfirea and some of the company leaders, addressed the gathered volunteers and soldiers. "Warriors of the Carne Village Milita…prepare for battle! Let your blades be keen and your aim be true as we fight to defend the chief and the people of this village! LET'S GO SPILL SOME BLOOD!" His rallying cry was carried up and echoed by both human and goblin alike as they all rushed off to take their positions.
"I'm going to do a quick run through the village just in case someone missed the commotion!" Enri told him as he prepared to take up his own position.
"Understood. Be careful, Chief Enri. We'll see each other come daybreak, I'm sure of it." His eyes then roved to the young man standing behind her. "You keep her safe, Nfi. Understood?"
"Leave it to me! Let's go, Enri!" With those words the two youngsters headed back into the village as Jugem dashed off to take his place among the defenders.
~TNT~
As the invaders drew ever closer, the mixed force of humans and goblins moved into position and readied themselves for battle. Due to their height and better protection, the goblin archers took positions on the wall in order to have a good line of sight upon the enemy hordes below, while the human archers, being led by Brita, stood below and slightly behind them on the ground. And where walls had not yet been constructed, goblin warriors accompanied by ogres crouched behind wooden palisades and barriers made out of thorns, swords and teeth bared as they awaited the order to engage. And just like with the archer contingent, the human volunteers clad in leather pauldrons and chest plates stood a few paces behind them as a last line of defence.
Once he was satisfied that everyone was in position, Jugem took out a crudely made telescope and looked through it to get a better idea of what sort of forces they would be confronting, and what he saw gave him mixed feelings of relief and unease. Whilst the invading force wasn't as large as he was expecting, there was enough among them to give them pause. He spied snakes, wolves and other dark creatures of the forest at the front, and behind them came the lumbering shapes of ogres and trolls with their thick skin and who wielded clubs and tree trunks. But most concerning of all to the goblin commander was the armoured troll at the back with green skin, thick scales and what appeared to be a massive broadsword clutched in his massive hand.
"Steady! Steady!" He bade, hand raised, as the enemy forces continued their mindless advance, drawing ever closer to the gate. "Archers, ready!" At his command, both the goblin marksmen in the tower and along the walls as well as the human contingent nocked their arrows in one smooth and practiced motion. "Hold!" He then ordered as the enemy drew right up to the wall, ignoring the tension he could see in some of their shaking hands. The moment had to be right, or their volley would not hit any of their targets…
*BAM* The gate shuddered as a couple of trolls bashed their crude weapons against it, which was the moment Jugem had been waiting for. "FIRE!" He bellowed, and as one all of the archers let their arrows fly. For the most part, their projectiles struck true as nearly all of the creatures were pin-cushioned and struck down, but it would take more than a few arrows to pierce the thick skin of the ogres and trolls as they continued to advance on the gate.
"Don't let up! Prepare for another volley!" Jugem ordered. With grim nods of understanding, all of the archers once more nocked and prepared to fire. Unfortunately, some of them wouldn't be taking part as some of the ogres, upon spotting the watchtowers poking above the walls, changed tactics and hurled some massive boulders at the vulnerable wooden structures, causing them to start toppling over with their goblin occupants still inside.
"Don't give into fear! Fire again!" Jugem ordered, trying to maintain morale. His efforts seemed to work as, despite the collapsing towers around them, all of the archers maintained enough wits about themselves to fire off another volley
"Don't underestimate us goblins!" Shuringan and Gurindai, the archers in the collapsing tower nearest to Jugem's position, cried as they managed to fire off their arrows before jumping out of the falling structure and managed to land a direct hit on both of an ogre's vulnerable eye sockets, killing it on the spot. Not to be outdone, the arrows from the rest of the archers also struck more of their marks, wiping out the rest of the creatures and even sticking a few ogres and trolls so full of arrows that left them looking like pincushions as they toppled to the ground. But even as their numbers dwindled, the invading force still pressed onwards towards the gate.
"They'll break through soon! Squads, switch to melee weapons and prepare to engage!" Jugem called. With grim determination in the knowledge that things were about to get a lot more dangerous, the goblins and humans all put down their bows and formed up on the other side of the gate as the invaders continued to batter against the gate until eventually the right side collapsed, revealing an enemy ogre on the other side. But this had been a deliberate tactic on the part of the defenders. By making the right side of the gate weaker, and building a line of fences between that would funnel the invaders as they passed through, the simple-minded tactics and aggression of the ogres played right into Jugem's hands. Being the experienced commander that he was, he didn't intend to waste.
"Hah, you lot really are as dumb as bricks to fall for that! Get 'em!" This was the signal that the ogres on the goblins' side had been waiting for, having been in reserve to wait for this very moment. With bellowing roars, they charged forward and, protected by the fencing, smashed their clubs down upon the skulls of their unsuspecting opponents. Not to be outdone, the human soldiers who wielded spears also charged forward and stabbed and poked through the gaps in the fence at the exposed legs and feet of the bewildered ogres, harassing them even further.
"HUGRH?! SMASH!" One of the invading ogres bellowed as, perhaps sensing where they were having problems, went to smash the barricade, only to be halted by a few arrows from those goblins who hadn't yet put down their bows along with the vials of concoction that Nfirea had given to Aku and the other hobgoblins to throw at their heads. As the green liquid seeped down their faces, the ogres tried to wipe it off only to get their hands stuck to the surface of the liquid which in turn provided another easy target for the goblins' arrows to hit.
"HAH! At this rate, we'll destroy them easily!" Cona, a goblin cleric who was standing at Jugem's side, exclaimed as the pair watched the ogres fall.
"As long as they don't have any magic or other freaky stuff…" Jugem's words instantly proved prophetic as a massive dull-coloured troll, easily larger than anything they'd faced before, suddenly appeared before them, its yellow eyes leering down at the now-panicked defenders as it raised its massive sword in one of its giant hands.
"Is that a troll? Why is its hand shaking like that?" Before anyone could answer Cona's question the troll swung its sword to the side, the massive blade easily carving through the fragile timber that held together the rest of the gate and causing it to collapse, leaving the whole entryway clear for the invading forces that were following on behind it.
"Such size and power…do you think that's the Giant of the East?" Cona gulped nervously as the defenders backed away, not wanting to remain in range of that troll's massive blade.
"If it is him, then even with all of us together we might still lose," Jugem answered grimly. As much as he hated the thought of having to retreat, he might end up having to call it if it saved the lives of the defenders since none of them had the power to fight that thing head-on. "Damnit!"
"General…should we find Miss Enri and retreat?" Chosuke, one of Kyumei's wolf riders, spoke up as he and his mount pulled up alongside the pair.
"No, that's our last resort if things turn dire, but we cannot give up yet!" Jugem closed his eyes and took a deep breath before letting out a challenging shout. "Soldiers of Carne Village!" He spoke up. "The odds may be stacked against us, but I don't wanna hear one word about falling back! Let your heroic resolves and fighting spirits strike fear into the hearts of those who dare stand against us!" He then drew his sword and pointed it at the massive troll and the ogres who had begun to shuffle their way through the demolished gate. "Now let's go! Time for us to teach this giant piece of garbage not to mess with Chief Enri!" With a massive unifying roar, the defenders took heart from Jugem's inspiring words and prepared to face down their foes, every one of them now prepared to lay down their lives to ensure the safety of both Enri and their loved ones who were relying on them to succeed.
~TNT~
As the battle was going on, Enri and Nfirea were dashing hither and thither among the houses, opening doors and checking to see if anyone was still there. Fortunately, it appeared that everyone had made it out and towards the safehouse if the silence and empty dwellings were anything to go by.
"This side's clear!" Nfirea reported as he and Enri met back up on the far side of the village having split off to cover more ground.
"So is mine! It looks like everyone got out alright," Enri replied with a sigh of relief. Now she knew that everyone she was responsible for was safe, all that was left to do was for her and Nfirea to wait out the invasion with the rest of the non-combatants and hope that their goblin allies could do enough to win the day. "No…I trust Jugem, Brita and the others…they'll keep us safe!" But before either could make a move to retreat, their gazes were diverted by the sight of a massive blue hand gripping the lip of the wall nearest them. As the pair watched in horror, a blue-skinned troll poked its ugly head over the top and leered down at them which caused the two youngsters to regain their senses and run off, putting several buildings between them and it before they stopped to catch their breath.
"What…was that?" Enri panted as she and Nfirea collapsed against the wall of the bedroom they'd run into.
"I-I think it was a troll…" Nfirea answered between breaths as the pair gagged and coughed. Unfortunately, or fortunately in their case, the pair had run into a home that stunk of old food and human waste that had yet to be disposed of. While being among such stink wasn't ideal, it would actually work to their advantage. "Unlike ogres, trolls have a really strong sense of smell, but the conflicting odours we're among here should confuse that one to the point it may just ignore us…" With a wave, he motioned for Enri to get up, and the pair watched from a concealed position as the troll clumsily clambered over the wall before getting to its feet. "Still, trolls are powerful creatures that can turn the tide of any battle, and all that blood and sweat that's going on at the gate will be impossible for it to ignore. We need to warm Jugem right away…"
"No, that won't work," Enri interrupted quietly so as not to draw the massive creature's attention as it lumbered past. "If it gets to the gate and flanks Jugem's forces, they'll be crushed."
"But what else can we do? There's no one else here who can help us fight it…"
"We have to keep it here, Nfi," Enri said with a determined glint in her eye. "We don't have to beat it or even wound it…we just have to buy our forces enough time for them to deal with the invaders at the gate." Her expression then turned pleading. "Will you help me…please?"
Despite Nfirea's doubts that this plan could work, he couldn't say no to Enri. If she believed that this was the right thing to do, then he'd do all he could to help no matter the risk to his own life. "Alright…" he answered, laughing nervously. "I don't mind trying to bait and fight it, but if it hits me once then that's it for me…"
"Thank you, Nfi." Enri's smile of gratitude instantly set Nfirea's heart aflutter once more. "The ogres' shelter is right next door. I need you to not only buy me some time but also lure it over in that direction while I craft some fake ogres. If we're lucky, we can lead it around by its nose for as long as we need…"
~TNT~
For a while, the pair's plan went off without a hitch.
As Enri had requested, Nfirea was the first to break cover and snatch the troll's attention, which had been focused on the sounds of battle and the smell of blood in the distance, by throwing one of his vials at the troll's face. As the glass shattered all over the troll's skull, it let out a furious roar and hit the ground where the boy had been standing only a few seconds beforehand, only to realise that the boy had run off. With an annoyed grunt, the troll took a couple of seconds to wipe it off his nose, but in the time provided by both Nfirea's distraction and the troll having to clean itself off, Enri had done her part and set up the fake ogre bait, the smell of which lured the troll behind the barn where the ogres dwelt.
Upon realising the cloaked lumps were fakes and that he'd been tricked, the troll let out a furious roar and smashed its hand into the barn, causing the hooded figure of Enri to break cover herself. As expected, the troll watched her flee into a nearby home and walked towards it, only to be distracted and confused once more when Nfirea sprinted away from the building. Deciding that the fleeing human would make a tastier target, the troll gave pursuit.
This deadly game of cat-and-mouse carried on for a good few minutes, but with the pair lacking access to any form of weaponry and having to rely on some of Nfirea's minor spells and concoctions, their efforts to bounce the troll's efforts only grew riskier as time went on. And more worryingly for them, the troll was beginning to pick up on their tricks which meant that they had to take even more drastic methods to divert its attention. It all soon came to a head when Enri dashed out of the house they were both currently hiding in, only for the troll to ignore her as it raised its hands over its head.
"NFI!" Enri screamed as the troll brought its massive arms down upon the house. Fortunately for them both Nfirea, perhaps sensing that the troll was now wiser to the game, managed to jump out of a back window just in time before the dwelling exploded in a sea of dust and rubble.
"Run, now! I'll try and buy you some time!" Nfirea shouted at her as the troll struggled to remove its arms where they had become trapped between the collapsing beams of the now-ruined house.
"No way, don't be stupid-!" Enri's protests were cut off as her best friend gave her an unusually fierce glance.
"He'll catch us both if we stay together!" He told her before turning back to look at the troll. "Your best chance at survival is to run while I distract him!" The teenager then took a deep breath before focusing his magic. "Reinforce Armour!" His body glowed yellow as the spell took effect. "That will only by me some time…but every second matters now…and speaking of what matters…" If he was going to die here, then he needed her to know. "Please, Enri…let me do this," he told her quietly, his face flushing a brilliant red. "Let me protect…the girl that I love."
(Whether in the heat of battle or observing from their hidden vantage points, Jugem, Lupusregina and Henry suddenly felt a faint flutter of relief, as though something they'd been exasperating over for the longest time had finally been resolved)
"Nfi…" Enri didn't know how to react upon hearing her friend's confession, but before she could even begin to process it the boy…no, man…that she knew she was in love with as well sprang into action.
"Come at me, you big bastard!" He roared, flinging his cloak aside just as the troll got free and started advancing on the pair. "Acid Arrow!" A lime-green missile flew from his hand and hit the troll square in the face, splashing acid all over it and causing it to roar in rage and pain. "Go, Enri! See if the goblins can spare any reinforcements! There's only so much I can do!"
"R-Right!" Enri had by now recovered enough to do what her crush had requested and sped off towards the battle. "Please don't die, Nfi…" She begged silently, trying not to cry as she abandoned him to face the troll alone. "Don't die until I can tell you that I love you too…"
"Well…" Nfirea said with a sigh as he collapsed back against a nearby wall, knowing he'd done his job in ensuring Enri's safety. As long as she was alright and lived past today, that was all that mattered. "Guess this is where I die…" He murmured as the troll, now thoroughly annoyed and done with this human's tricks and games, advanced upon him. "You know…you seem to be a bit wary of me, even though you could finish me off in one blow. But I'm not going to go down easy…Hypnotism!" Unfortunately, the yellow wave of magic passed over the troll's skull without seemingly any effect. "He resisted it?! Well…if spells won't work, maybe a bit more trickery will…" As the troll raised its fist to smash him into the dirt, Nfirea charged forward with a wild yell, intending to slide through the troll's legs and confuse it. But what he failed to spot was the troll's knee that moved to block his approach, the impact of which caught him square in the chest, breaking his Reinforce Armour and sending him flying while coughing up a mouthful of blood.
"Damn…can't believe I'm still alive after that attack…that's awesome…" he chuckled, spitting up another mouthful of blood on the floor as he struggled to his knees. "I can't go down yet though…I need to buy as much time as possible…" "Acid Arrow!" He yelled, firing off another projectile at the ground between himself and the troll, forcing the creature to go around it. "Man…it took the threat of death to get me to confess, but I can't believe I actually did it…Jugem, Kaijali, Miss Lupusregina…they'd all be so proud of me…" He then gripped his heart as he found new resolve. "I…I can't go out just yet….at the very least, I want to hear her reply…to see if she feels the same way…Acid Arrow!" The final projectile flew out of his hand just as the troll lifted its hands over its head again, but this time it only scraped the troll's cheek, doing nothing but annoying and enraging it further. "Damn…Enri…Nemu…Grandma…I'm sorry…I hope you'll all be proud of me…"
"NFI!" He heard Enri scream. Looking over, he saw that she'd managed to bring along Jugem, Kaijali, Gokou and Suigyo and they were all running towards him as fast as they could but were still too far away to get to him in time. "Looks like they won…thank goodness…" He raised his arms wide and closed his eyes as he waited for the inevitable. As the troll's arms started to fall, Enri closed her eyes and averted her gaze to avoid seeing the fatal blow.
It never came.
~TNT~
From his hidden vantage point above the village, Henry had watched all this going down with his enhanced vision and hearing and was about to leap into action when he suddenly spotted a familiar feminine shape leaping down from a nearby watchtower. Even in the darkness, he caught the familiar scent that he loved and the flash of radiant red hair along with a sighting of metal that was the sign of a weapon being unsheathed.
"I knew it…I knew she wouldn't let us down…" He thought to himself with relief.
~TNT~
Bracing themselves for the sound of a meaty fist hitting flesh and the splattering of blood that would follow, Enri and her goblin escort were both relieved and surprised that it never came, and as they opened their eyes the sight they saw caused all of their hearts to flutter with relief. Standing between a shocked Nfirea and a confused troll, her silver scepter in hand which had effortlessly blocked the troll's attack, was none other than the familiar form of their friend and protector Lupusregina.
"Wow, this guy really beat the piss out of ya, didn't he?" She commented to Nfirea as though talking about something completely mundane. "You're lucky I showed up to save the day…Heal." A green glow surrounded Nfirea's body, causing his wounds to vanish and his internal injuries to mend. "Go on, your girl and your friends are waiting for ya. Let your friendly, neighbourhood Lupusregina take care of this one." Needing no further encouragement, the relieved young lad stood up and made his way over to the others whereupon Enri wrapped him in a desperate and needy hug.
"NFI! I'm so glad you're safe!" She sobbed into his shoulder. "I wouldn't know what I would do if…if…" Words failed her as Nfirea reciprocated the hug and took her in his arms, rubbing her back gently as the four goblins watched the scene with smiles of relief and happiness.
"It's okay…we're safe now…" he tried to reassure her, only to notice the tears of relief falling down her face as she looked up at him. "Why are you crying?"
"You stupid…dummy…" she snivelled with a small smile. "I thought…I thought I'd lost you…"
"So…I don't wanna spoil the mood here…" They all turned as Lupusregina strode over to her, blood dripping from the blade of her scepter but…" Her words were cut off as she, and the rest, all jumped back as a mammoth inferno suddenly sprung up around the troll's corpse, engulfing both it and the immediate vicinity. "Oh wow…that smells…familiar…and like hamburgers. Anyway…glad you kids are safe, and unless my ears deceive me, the main battle went well as well." As if prompted by her words, a cacophony of victory shouts from the mix of goblin and human defenders could be heard in the distance.
"You hear that?!" Kaijali asked with a grin.
"Yeah! It means we won!" Gokou exclaimed with a small jig that was taken up by the other goblins, much to Nfriea and Enri's amusement.
"Well, my job is done here so I'm going to head home for the night!" The werewolf maid remarked almost causally as she made to walk off, only to stop as she remembered something. "Oh, that reminds me…Nfirea, Lord Ainz wanted to reward you for that purple potion you created earlier, so he's inviting you to his home for lunch tomorrow. He also said to extend the invitation to Enri and Nemu, so make sure all of you clean yourselves up!"
"Thank you so much for everything" The pair of humans bowed as the red-haired girl left, who waved in response. "I meant to burn that corpse just at that moment, but someone else got there first…who could've…" Lupusregina sighed happily as the answer came to her. Only one person she knew could produce flames many times as hot as hers. "My beloved was looking out for me, even after my mistakes…such a kind and compassionate man he is!"
"Chief! Brother Nfi…we're going to let the people in the safehouse know that the coast is clear! Why don't you two relax and take it easy for a while?" Jugem spoke up, recognising that the pair would probably want to be alone for a while after what they'd just been through. Without waiting for a reply, the four goblins left, and a moment or two afterwards the two young humans went their own way, seeking a private spot to talk about what had just happened.
~TNT~
"We-We made it…I thought for a while we wouldn't but…we actually won…" Enri spoke up as she and Nfirea collapsed against the roots of a nearby tree where they were certain they wouldn't be found or overheard by anyone.
"Yeah…we did…" Nfirea agreed as he, rather hesitantly, laid an arm around Enri's shoulders. His boldness paid off as not only did Enri smile at his gesture but she also cuddled into him, laying her head on his shoulder.
"We got lucky with Miss Lupusregina's arrival, but…I never want to go through anything like that ever again…" The girl sighed as she took comfort in Nfirea's touch. Rather than feeling awkward like it had done for so many years, now it felt safe, reassuring…and altogether right. Eventually, she lifted her head off of his shoulders and shuffled her sitting position until she was looking directly at Nfirea who momentarily blushed under her intense stare. "If I can't say it now, after what just happened and after everything he nearly sacrificed for me…how can I ever be brave enough to lead everyone through such a crisis again?" "Nfi I…I've never seriously thought about what this means before, but I know now that I never, ever want you to leave my side."
"R-really?" The boy stammered back, unable to believe what he was hearing due to all his self-doubt. "Does she…?"
"I-I…" Enri swallowed her doubts away and smiled at her oldest and dearest friend. "I wonder if that means I'm in love with you…"
"I can't tell you what it means but…" Nfirea awkwardly brushed at his fringe before smiling back at her nervously. "I-I'd be happy if you were…I mean, if you were in love with as well…" If he was about to say anything else, it was cut off as Enri suddenly leaned forward and captured his lips in a soft, sweet kiss. Nfirea's heart raced and his mind went blank for a moment as he struggled to process that this was actually happening, but eventually he returned the kiss, cupping Enri's cheek in his hand. "W-Well…I guess that answers that then…"
Enri giggled in response as she nestled her head into Nfirea's chest, allowing her friend…no, her boyfriend now, to wrap her further in his arms. "Yeah, it does…doesn't it…" For a few moments that happily seemed to stretch for what felt like forever the two simply sat there, content in each other's embrace and neither willing to let go of the other until Enri remembered something from earlier. "Um…Nfi?"
"Yeah, Enri?"
"What Miss Lupusregina said earlier…about being invited to Master Gown's home for lunch…was she being serious?" She asked. "I thought he was a wandering traveller without a home…"
"Well…" As Enri looked up she noticed the boy rubbing a hand through his hair awkwardly. "I can't tell you anything about it right now since he swore me to secrecy some time ago, but what I will say is that there is definitely more to him and those who came with him than meets the eye…you'll see for yourself when we get there, I'm sure." Truth be told he too was curious about Master Gown's 'home' and what awaited them there. "So yeah, Miss Lupusregina was being serious…so we probably ought to do as she said and wear something nice, just so we don't cause offence."
Though a small part of her mind was curious about what Nfirea meant, she left it be for now. After all, Master Gown and his friends had saved her and Nemu's life that fateful day, so whatever questions she had could wait until she met him again in person. "I'll have to make sure Nemu behaves as well…being so young, she can get overexcited easily and I don't want her to offend the wrong person…"
This drew a chuckle from Nfirea as he stood up and offered his hand to help her up. "We probably ought to head back…no doubt everyone's wondering where their chief is, and we probably ought to try and get some sleep before we go."
Enri smiled as she took the hand of the man she loved and allowed him to pull her to her feet. After sharing one more kiss and embrace, the pair walked back hand-in-hand to where the rest of the village was waiting for them. Upon spotting their chief and Nfirea approaching them whilst clasping each other's hands, everyone there, but especially the goblins, Lizzie and Nemu, let out a resounding cheer and congratulations to the happy couple, much to their embarrassment. They now had two reasons to celebrate…victory in battle, and their chief and Nfirea finally admitting their feelings for one another. The party that resulted lasted well into the night towards the early hours of the morning.
From both of their vantage points on the outskirts of the village, both Henry and Lupusregina watched these developments with wide smiles. It had taken them long enough!
~TNT~
Despite the massive celebrations the night before, the goblins, ogres and humans of Carne Village were raring and eager to go in order to get their village put back together after the invasion. In what seemed like no time at all, the ogres had managed to fix the gate and parts of the wall that had been breached, while the goblins and humans focused on repairing the houses and other buildings that had been damaged during the attack. Fortune had seemed to smile upon them as nobody had perished and no key buildings or stock of supplies had been destroyed.
Before racing back to try and save Nfirea alongside Enri and the others the night before, Jugem had looted the Giant of the East's strange sword after killing it, only to find to his shock and later satisfaction that the weapon shrunk down to a size that meant he could wield it comfortably. He'd already taken it down to where their practice dummies were kept and had a few swings with it to get used to its weight and centre of balance and had found that he could wield it just as well as his old blade.
After getting it appraised by Nfirea who, as befitting of the cordial invitation his saviour and secret patron had extended to him, his beloved and her little sister, was clad in the best clothes he had in his possession with the help of his grandmother, who had slapped him upside the head when he dared imply he would go to Master Gown's 'home' in his usual attire. Said clothes consisted of a jet-black vest over a pristine white long-sleeved shirt, the best black pants he owned plus freshly polished dress black shoes alongside a liberal dose of cologne he had made himself, and as a final touch his hair was slicked back, revealing his vibrant blue eyes in full, thanks to a hair styling potion he had previously made.
After the lad confirmed it had some magic properties, the two then discussed the strange behaviour of the Giant last night with Jugem pointing out its strange, jerky movements alongside the fact that it hadn't been able to heal itself as trolls would normally do. Nfirea reasoned that it sounded like the troll had already died and been raised as such movements were akin to how a zombie would move. Jugem wasn't so sure, but before he could say anything the door they were standing in front of opened, revealing Enri and Nemu. In lieu of her usual attire, the older girl was wearing a red-and-yellow dress, high heels and what appeared to be a wreath of pink flowers on top of her hair which she had styled with particular care that morning. As for Nemu, she was wearing a white dress and had her hair done up in twin pigtails, atop which was a red hairband topped by a red ribbon.
"Morning Nfi…Jugem…so um, do I look okay?" She asked nervously.
"You look wonderful, Enri," Nfirea told her genuinely, his face blushing furiously upon seeing how gorgeous she looked.
"Oh um…thank you…You look really good yourself…" Enri stammered with an awkward blush of her own as Jugem and Nemu giggled at the embarrassed pair.
"Hope I didn't keep you all waiting!" Everyone jumped about a foot in the air in shock as Lupusregina appeared before them from seemingly out of nowhere, only to let out a cry of pain as she was unexpectedly socked on the back of the head before another lady in a maid's outfit who had white skin, black hair tied up in a ponytail and sported a pair of rectangular-framed glasses over her dark eyes.
"Please excuse my younger sister's behaviour…she can get overexcited far too easily," the older maid apologised with a small bow before looking at the four shocked residents of Carne Village with a warm smile. "My name is Yuri Alpha, a maid of Lord Ainz, and I along with Miss Lupusregina have come to escort Lord Nfirea Bareare, Lady Enri Emmot and Miss Nemu Emmot to his home."
The three that were named looked between themselves nervously before nodding, and after reassuring Jugem that they would be fine they proceeded to follow the pair of maids out of the northern gates of the village while wondering just what on earth awaited them in Master Gown's 'home'.
~TNT~
The pair of maids led them out of Carne Village, skirting the borders of the Great Forest of Tob as they headed on a north-easterly bearing. Eventually, after an hour or so of walking, Yuri and Lupusregina led the three back into a patch of forest, the middle of which was home to a massive clearing that marked the surface entrance to the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
After passing through a hidden entrance to what appeared to be a massive man-made crater (which had been initially carved out and then improved by Mare's magic), the three visitors couldn't help but be awed at what they witnessed, even if it was just on the surface. The crater measured 200 metres all the way around and was dotted with stone carvings, pillars, mausoleums and gravestones that were dotted all around them. At the southern edge was the path they were all walking towards, at the end of which stood a massive marble temple.
"Welcome, honoured guests, to the Great Tomb of Nazarick," Yuri intoned reverently as they stepped inside the structure.
"Like what you're seeing so far?" Lupusregina teased upon seeing their awed expressions. "Well strap yourselves in, you haven't seen anything yet!"
"Everyone take my hand, please." As the eldest of the Pleaides maids, Yuri was one of the very few outside of the Guardians trusted with a Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown and so would be able to teleport them to the Tenth Floor. The three guests were hesitant at first but, upon seeing Lupusregina smile at them encouragingly, took hold of Yuri's arms and hands. A moment later they vanished only to reappear in a more lavish setting outside of where the Pleaides Sisters had their quarters. After allowing a moment for their guests to recover and marvel at the shining marble floor, walls and ceilings around them, the pair of maids escorted them along the winding corridors of the 10th floor, past the Lemegeton and up to the doors of the Throne Room. As they approached, the two massive doors swung wide permitting them entrance.
With the maids leading the way the group passed into the throne room itself, and the three guests' awe only deepened as they bore witness to the scenery surrounding them having never borne witness to anything of its like before. It was truly a magnificent and gargantuan room, fit enough to hold the population of Carne Village in it many times over, and possessed a ceiling, from which hung chandeliers and numerous flags emblazoned with strange designs, and surrounding walls that glowed white and were tipped with golden decorations. And underneath their feet ran an exquisite red rug that ran from the door to the base of a massive set of stairs which was currently flanked on both sides by twenty young girls in maid outfits, ten on each side and all of whom were eagerly watching their guests arrive, and atop of which was a gigantic throne carved out of crystal and upon which sat a familiar figure, the very same man who had saved Enri and Nemu's all those weeks ago: Master Ainz Ooal Gown.
"Welcome to the Great Tomb of Nazarick, honoured guests!" The twenty girls echoed as one as they approached the throne. On the left side of the rug stood Carmilla, Meili, Frederica, Kuna, Raksha, Therisia, Zarestia, Nono, Himca and Catha, while on the right side stood Grayfia, Serafall, Venelana, Sona, Kuroka, Irina, Xenovia, Ravel, Ingvlid and Bennia.
"Oh wow, so cool so cool!" Nemu squealed as, unable to contain her excitement anymore after everything she'd seen, she ran around the room, dashing around the pillars and exploring every nook and cranny she could find.
"Nemu! Don't run off like that!" Enri scolded as she and Nfirea chased after her, only for the small girl to run up the steps to the throne and, to everyone's astonishment, take a running leap into Master Gown's lap.
"Lord Gown! Your house is so amazing! Thank you for letting us come visit!" She exclaimed. Enri was just about to tell her off for being rude when the robed figure laughed at Nemu's excitement.
"I'm glad you found it so impressive…I'll be sure to give you, your sister and Nfirea the full tour later on," he said as he rubbed Nemu's hair with a gloved hand.
"Did you really build this place yourself?" The little girl asked curiously.
"Haha! What an eager and curious mind you have, little one!" He answered. "I did not build it alone…I had friends who helped me in the endeavour, making it into the impressive structure you see before your eyes today."
"That's so awesome! Your friends must be just as amazing as you are!" Nemu squealed, causing the robed figure to let out an even more hearty chuckle. Yes, amazing was a good way of describing them.
"I'm so sorry for my sister, Master Gown!" Enri apologised as she and Nfirea came before the throne and bowed. "She means well, she just doesn't know a lot about etiquette. I'll make sure she knows for next time!"
"There's no need for apologies, Chief Emmot," he said, raising a placating hand before lowering his gaze back to Nemu. "Would you like to see the rest of the house that me and my friends built, young Nemu?"
"Yes please! Can I, can I?" Nemu asked with wide eyes.
"You absolutely may, but first…refreshments! You three have had a long trip to get here after all." He clapped his hands once, causing the twenty maids to instantly turn and kneel before him. "Please go to the kitchens and help see to the preparations for our meal, and bring up some drinks for them while you are at it."
"Yes, Lord Ainz!" They all answered as one. As they left to do his bidding Ainz got up from the throne and, along with Yuri and Lupusregina, personally escorted their guests to his meeting room off to the side of the room. Once inside, Ainz and their guests waited patiently for the maids to arrive with drinks and refreshments. They weren't kept waiting for long as a small group eventually came back with trays full of cups, hot and cold drinks and various snacks including bread, sweets and chocolates. After thanking the maids, the three helped themselves with Nemu sticking to juice and Nfirea pouring himself a regular coffee. On the other hand Enri, due to her nervousness about this whole affair and Nemu's enthusiastic attitude and boldness, piled sugar cube after sugar cube into her coffee before finishing it up with a liberal dose of milk, much to Nemu and Nfriea's concern and Ainz's mild amusement as he sat and watched.
"Ah…so sweet…" Enri gushed once she eventually stopped loading up her coffee and took a sip.
"Yeah…that's probably because of all the sugar cubes you loaded them with…" Nfirea chuckled as he took his sip. "Sweets and sugar like this are pretty hard to come by at the village, but I'm sure if we asked we could probably get some sent to the village…"
"I'm sure we can arrange that. Sweets, sugar and other delicacies like them are some of life's greatest pleasures that should be enjoyed by everyone," a new voice rang out, causing the three guests to look up. Their eyes widened as they spotted a familiar golden/black-armoured form entering the room, the dragon helm from when they'd last seen him still fixed over his head.
"Mister Constantine!" There was no stopping Nemu again as she raced over to where Henry had entered and squealing in delight as the golden-armoured man scooped her up in his arms.
"Hey there, little one," he said warmly as he carried her back over to an amused Ainz and Nfirea and exasperated Enri, who he was sure might nearly have a heart attack from Nemu's antics. "You enjoying yourself so far?"
"Absolutely! I can't wait to see the rest of your home! Master Gown's already said he'll give us a tour…will you come as well?" She asked with pleading eyes causing Henry to ruffe her hair affectionately, a gesture which had Lupusregina silently gushing upon seeing how great her beloved was with the little girl.
"Of course…I'd be honoured to show you around. In the meantime, you want some chocolate?" Getting an enthusiastic nod from the girl, Henry sat her back down between Enri and Nfirea before handing her a bar.
"Sir Constantine…it's wonderful to see you again," Enri spoke up with a small incline of her head as Nemu enthusiastically set about the snack.
"You too, Chief Emmot. And you must be Nfirea Bareare?" The young man nodded awkwardly. "It's a pleasure to meet you…Lord Ainz has told me a lot about you and how you've been so helpful with your knowledge of potions."
"N-nice to meet you, and it's no problem," Nfirea replied awkwardly as Henry sat down opposite them and removed his helm, revealing his attractive facial features to them for the first time, before loading up his own mug with just as many sugars as Enri had and likewise the milk. Upon the curious looks given to him by their guests, he revealed he also couldn't stand coffee or tea on their own and had to load them up with sugar as well to give them more of a kick… which caused a certain chubby second prince to sneeze as he enjoyed his own sugary coffee while continuing to plot against his buffoon of an elder brother
(He swore that he would soon enough find a kindred spirit in his hate of the bitter coffee and tea before shrugging it off)
With a clearing of his throat, Ainz gathered their attention as he started discussing with Nfirea the success of the purple potion that Lupusregina had given him before shifting into more casual discussions about how Carne Village was progressing after their first visit. Even though what they talked about wasn't news to Ainz and Henry given Lupusregina's previous reports, they still feigned curiosity and interest so as not to draw suspicion. Their talk eventually led to the most recent attack on the village and the pair of Supreme Beings expressing relief that they had been able to defend themselves so successfully, which led to Enri thanking them for the generous gift of the Horn Ainz had given them.
Ainz waved her thanks off, saying it was no bother. He then decided to reveal a few certain truths to them about their home and the company they kept, explaining that he was the leader of this place along with the revelation of Henry, who also revealed to them that he was Ainz's adopted son and heir, and Fengxian's true names. And without revealing anything specific to them, he told the three that they were quietly setting things in motion that would result in big changes coming to the world, and that Carne Village may be among the first to feel them. But upon seeing their nervous expressions, Ainz reassured them that they would come to their aid and keep them safe should they find themselves in danger again. After hearing theirs and Lupusregina's accounting of the battle, he also mentioned that he'd had the Serpent of the West tamed and would be stationing it on the outskirts of Carne Village as further protection just in case.
After they'd finished their talks, Ainz and Henry personally led them on the tour of all of Nazarick's ten floors and introduced them to the Guardians and the other denizens of Nazarick they met along the way. After being warned that these three were under their Lord and Crown Prince's personal protection, even those who still bore some ill-will to humanity among them were courteous and respectful to the three upon meeting them. Those with the more positive karma and fairer natures, including the likes of Sebas, CZ, the dark elf twins and Ninya, who they remembered from Carne when she and the rest of her adventuring team, alongside Darklight, had visited while escorting Nfirea, went so far as to treat them with the politeness and courtesy that being honoured guests of the Tomb warranted.
They also ran into Albedo (who they remembered from Ainz and company's first outing to Carne Village), Solution and Narberal who were curious about the three guests, and they were introduced as Henry's harem alongside Lupusregina, which drew great teasing from Enri and Nemu. The red-haired maid got them back though as she teased Nfirea and Enri about how long it had taken them to get together as a couple, causing the pair to blush and everyone present, including Nemu, to laugh at them. When they then travelled to the Sixth Floor and after being introduced to Aura and Mare, Henry offered Nemu a piggyback ride around the floor on his shoulders while sprouting a pair of large golden wings from his back. As he took to the skies with an excited little girl sitting on his shoulders, all of Henry's harem couldn't help but be in awe at how fantastic he was with her which only further fuelled their desires to give him their own offspring as soon as possible.
After this exciting ride, a magnificent lunch was thrown in the Throne Room with most of the Guardians and Pleaides attending. This event also brought Fengxian up from his Fifth Floor dwelling causing Nemu to once more throw herself at one of the Supreme Beings, again to Enri's exasperation and Ainz and Henry's amusement which only increased when Fengxian stiffened up and then eventually awkwardly patted the eager girl on the head. Once that was finished, it was time for their visitors to depart, and they were given a proper escort out of the Tomb before Lupusregina carried on with them back to Carne Village.
And as they left, in full sight of everyone attending including Lupusregina and Nemu who were walking on behind, Enri and Nfirea left hand-in-hand to a resounding cheer, especially from Henry and his harem who were delighted to witness another deserving couple getting together at last.
~TNT~
Once all the excitement had died down and everyone had returned to their duties, Ainz found himself sitting on his throne once more pondering on the events of the last two days and found himself satisfied with the results. Not only had Carne Village's defences held up to the test, but the alliance of goblins, ogres, hobgoblins and humans not only living but fighting together had exceeded all of his original expectations when he first invested his efforts into maintaining the village as a potential first territory for their future rule.
Not only that but Enri had come through and proven herself as a worthy general and chief of the village. With the assistance of the likes of Nfirea, Jugem and the rest of the townspeople, the village was in good hands for a long time to come, and with Nfirea and Enri's union the future of it would also no doubt be secure for many generations.
As he continued to ponder all of this, the door to the Throne Room opened and Henry strode in. "I have just received word from Lupusregina. Enri, Nfirea and Nemu have returned safely to the village."
"Good," Ainz replied. "Tell me…what are your thoughts on what has happened the past few days?"
"As well as I expected and more," Henry answered with a smile. "Carne Village is in good hands, its people prospering and its defences secure. A successful first test of what should now be considered our territory."
"Indeed. This will set a good precedent for the future," Ainz nodded before chuckling in amusement. "I also couldn't help but notice how good you were with Nemu…should I be expecting any grandchildren in the future?"
A visible blush could be seen on Henry's cheeks, but thankfully he was saved from any further teasing by the unexpected arrival of the last member of their trio who came bearing news that instantly turned the mood in the room serious once more. Shinozaki was ready to deliver her full report on the Baharuth Empire and was requesting permission to return to Nazarick to deal with it personally.
Upon hearing this, Ainz immediately gave the order for his Grand Marshal to grant Shinozaki's request before ordering Henry to gather all of the Floor Guardians, including Cocytus from the Great Lakes, the Pleaides and other key Nazarick personnel such as Jemima and Ninya and have them report to the Throne Room immediately.
It was time to set things in motion once more.
daniel: And done! Hope you all enjoyed reading the chapter as we did writing it! Carne Village and especially Enri passed the test with flying colours! She and Nfi are now a couple and they alongside Nemu had a wonderful time in Nazarick!
With that, the Two Leaders arc is done and now we move to the worker's invasion arc! And let me tell ya, the vast majority of them will wish to have NEVER heard of the tomb! Stay tuned!
Edster: Once again my co-author summed it up better than I could. There wasn't much to change from what happened in the anime except for cutting one or two bits out of the battle to make it more streamlined along with putting their visit to Nazarick in more detail, especially given Henry's part in that.
And yes, we're getting into the Worker's Invasion arc next time out, and like daniel said we have a LOT of plans for how that's going to go down along with the changes we plan to make. Those workers and Jircniv have no idea how bad their plans are going to go to hell, but that will be covered in the next few chapters!
As always, Chapter 29 will come in two weeks' time. Until then, thank you to everyone who made it this far for all of your support and we'll see you in the next chapter of the Nazarick Triumvirate!
Also, remember to keep adding to the TV Tropes page for this story if you want!