The pen or The sword: It's a good thing you're here to set the record straight. If you weren't there, readers would believe that I portrayed Demiurge as being able to manipulate multiple people simultaneously and deceive both sides of a war.
Author's note: once again, I would like to thank all the readers and those who took the trouble to write to encourage me or correct my mistakes.
Blessing, Promotion
and
Reward
Daggerford, Roble Holy Kingdom
The day was not yet up and the fields surrounding the small town of Daggerford were still plunged into darkness. The sky was pure and cloudless. A moon crescent gleaming with silver light, like a disproportionate sickle abandoned by a titan on a sheet of black velvet sprinkled with diamond dust, illuminated the shacks of a small abandoned village and fields left fallow.
A horse sorted and its hooves slammed on the pebbles of the way. A troop of horsemen in silver plate armor surrounded an elegant carriage. These guards were not just any knights, they were paladins dressed in the white tabard adorned with the blue emblem of the Roble Holy Kingdom.
Removing her armet helmet, which she placed under her arm, Remedios Custodio jumped to the ground and crossed the space separating her from the carriage. She looked out one of the windows. The inside of the carriage was plunged into darkness. She nevertheless discerned three sleeping figures, curled up against each other. After a brief hesitation, the Grand Master of the Paladin Order knocked on the door.
"Your Majesty, it will be time."
A sleepy voice answered from within.
"All right, Remedios, thanks for waking me."
The door opened as a valet deployed a short stairway down. Queen Calca Bessarez went down first. She was a beautiful young woman with the appearance of a frail teenager, with very pale skin, almost ethereal, and long blond hair that went down to her knees. Dressed in a white dress with some blue drawings, the queen had only one jewel, a blessed silver crown.
Gallantly, Remedios Custodio offered her arm to help the queen down. Two other women descended the short stairway behind Calca Bessarez. First, Kelart Custodio, the High Priestess of Roble and... the younger sister of Remedios. Dressed in a steel breastplate and a long black skirt, Kelart had brown hair styled ponytail and a mace hung on her belt.
Massaging her neck (sore because she slept in a bad position) Kelart turned to her neighbor, the wizard known as Miriel, and looked at her with suspicion. Much more intelligent than her sister (which was not a feat), she understood that Miriel had manipulated Remedios to study the summoning of a dragon and its army. And to tell the truth, this idea made Kelart very uncomfortable... After all, who could guarantee that Miriel would not call an additional enemy rather than the help they hoped for?
"Lady Miriel, I still don't understand why Her Majesty has to summon an angel herself. I am quite capable of doing so without having to disturb her."
In the darkness, the half-elf smiled.
"I tried to answer you. Alchemy is nicknamed 'Art of the Kings' and some of the stages of the creation of the Philosopher's Stone use a symbolism speaking of 'king' and 'queen'... if the angel is invoked by Her Majesty, our chances of success are higher."
"Why" abruptly questioned Remedios.
"It's... symbolic. Magic and alchemy rely on the use of symbols."
In front of them, Calca Bessarez walked among the tall wet grass, looking at the sleepy nature. The queen of Roble was in an excellent mood.
"Kelart, Remedios, I know you want to protect me, but since I might as well play the role that Miriel gave me. Plus, I'm really glad Miriel asked for my help. I felt so helpless..."
The High Priestess of the Holy Kingdom was startled at hearing her queen call the half-elf by her first name without any honorifics. ' How long have they been so close? ' she wondered.
"... I am happy that I am finally given a task. I want to contribute to our victory. And then..." Hearing an owl hooting, the young queen turned in this direction and laughed while smoothing her hair as the wind blew. "I had not had the opportunity to walk at night, in nature... since childhood. I had forgotten the beauty of a nocturnal landscape."
"Principality of Peace!"
From the outstretched hands of Queen Calca Bessarez came out a light that did not dazzle, a light that behaved as a kind of liquid, rather than as a radiation. Flowing upwards, this light rolled up into a sphere that broke into a thousand pieces as an angel emerged, spreading its wings, like a bird breaking its egg from within.
Miriel looked at the creature with surprise.
The angel was a stoic creature that floated in the air above its summoner. A creature of mechanical appearance... looking more like a kind of mecha than the angels Miriel had seen painted in paintings. Its body was made of metal, like its wings and even its halo.
Kelart and Remedios looked at the angelic apparition, in awe. The Paladin turned to Miriel:
"It's a 4th tier Summon, a high-level angel (1)"
While listening to Remedios proudly praise her 'little sister' for being able to summon an angel at such a young age, the half-elf wizard watched the queen give instructions to the angel she had just summoned.
The creature extended its metallic hands in front of her and a white light emanated enveloping the participants... and the vegetation covered with dew.
Taking a bulging, long-necked retort ( a type of vase called 'Philosophical Egg') from her inventory, Miriel cast a spell.
"Invisible Servitor."
The dew was removed from the nearby leaves and collected by invisible hands. Floating in the air, the liquid formed an aerial stream that entered the Philosophical Egg. Once it was half-filled, the half-elf wizard closed the retort with a cap sealed by a glyph: the seal of Hermes. This magic seal had the property of protecting the contents of the vase that it sealed from any alteration (2). For added security, she reopened her Inventory and placed the retort in it. Time did not pass inside the Inventory, a hot dish stood out even if it had been cooked months before.
She turned to Calca Bessarez and bowed very low.
"You Majesty, it's time to go back to the castle."
The queen turned east. A pink glow appeared on the horizon.
"Yes, you are right... My brother is going to be furious, I left without telling him. Well... hopefully, he didn't notice anything."
But luck was not on Calca Bessarez's side.
In the courtyard of the castle, a man was waiting for them. His hair was blond and long, falling lower than his shoulders. Very handsome, he had a melancholic face that should attract female interest. He dressed in a long white tunic. On the chest, the garment was decorated with a blue pattern. The prince also had a cloak (white on the outside and blue on the inside) as well as leather boots.
Descending from the carriage, Calca smiled to appease her brother.
"Caspond, nice of you to come and wait for me."
The young man looked at her angrily.
"I wouldn't have waited for you and worried if you'd told me where you were going!"
"I was doing something important... for the kingdom."
But the young man no longer listened, he turned to the Summoner.
"I guess this is all your fault, Miriel!"
Unsure what to say, the half-elf bowed slightly.
"You know me? I must say you have the advantage over me, sir because I don't know who I'm talking to."
Briefly, the young man appeared hesitant before smiling... instantly passing from anger to seduction. The queen made the introductions.
"This is my older brother, Caspond Bessarez."
Oh... the fiancé of the villainess who tried to ridicule her at the ball the previous week. This time, Miriel curtsied politely, lifting the bottom of her wizard dress.
"It's an honor to meet you."
"The reciprocal is just as true," Caspond replied, greeting her with a simple nod. "Could you tell me why you 'borrowed' my sister?"
"I apologize for not answering, Your Highness, but this courtyard is not the ideal place to detail our plans. An enemy spy may be within earshot. Also, unfortunately, I have a very busy schedule. Despite the pleasure I have to speak with you, I have to shorten this discussion. I hope you'll forgive my impoliteness, Your Royal Highness. Have a good day."
Caspond Bessarez was furious and had trouble hiding it. Calca, Remedios, and Kelart believed that this was the consequence of the anxiety he had felt during his sister's absence... they were wrong.
Caspond... or rather Doppel-Caspond, the Doppelganger who had taken the appearance of the prince after Demiurge murdered the real Caspond... enraged because he missed a chance to eliminate his 'sister' and capture Miriel.
Alchemy is based on symbolism.
After obtaining the Philosopher's Dew, it was necessary to 'inseminate' it with a mixture of gold and silver dissolved. The result was called the Materia Prima, the raw material, but also the 'Embryo of the Golden Egg'.
If the retort containing the mixture was called Philosophical Egg, the Athanor (the oven in which it cooked) was often compared to a maternal womb.
The Athanor had a cylindrical shape, with a dome that reflected heat. There were two openings. The bottom one allowed access to the fireplace, and the top one (closed by a crystal plate) allowed the alchemists to monitor the cooking of the Materia Prima.
Kneeling, aided by wizards' assistants, the Summoner had drawn a complex pentacle on the ground, all around the Athanor. Inside were drawn symbols, but also a peacock, the phases of the moon, and also... the text of the Emerald Table (3), which she had to write letter by letter since Miriel did not know Greek. She proceeded slowly; looking at each letter traced, and compared it with the transmutation screen drawn in the book. The Summoner could not afford the slightest mistake. It would take a single imperfection to derail the whole process.
After half an hour of effort, the Half-elf Summoner straightened by massaging her painful kidneys and then clapped her hands to wipe the traces of colored chalk that smeared her fingers.
'The hard part is done. Now all that remains to be done is to heat the Materia prima. Every time you change color, you have to change the heating temperature."
About to add something, Miriel frowned and turned to a sigh leading to the inner courtyard of the castle. Confused rumors, cries, and tears rang out.
"But what's going on? Could somebody go find out?"
At this moment the door opened with a bang. Without worrying that he could interrupt an experiment, a paladin ran in.
"The Archduke Demondidier's army was defeated by Jadalbaoth. The survivors are on the run, chased by the Demonic Emperor."
"Defeated? When?"
"The day before yesterday, Lady Miriel!"
She turned to the other wizards.
"Watch the cooking! I'll see Her Majesty!"
The Grand Master of the Paladin Order Remedios Custodio was in her element. The young woman seemed reliable and competent as she spoke of what she knew. Unfortunately, it was a deceptive appearance... Remedios' lack of intelligence and her direct strategies had caused heavy casualties in the Holy Kingdom ranks.
"We have nothing to fear right now. At least it will take three days for Jadalbaoth's army to reach Daggerford. Assuming he set out immediately after the battle... I believe we can count on five days of respite."
Queen Calca and Kelart Custodio were very worried... unlike Prince Caspond. The young man showed impressive composure despite the tense situation.
"We must evacuate the city."
The paladin smiled and shook her head with a nice smile, her 'little' sister was such a lovely person.
"Your Majesty, women, children, as well as all civilians who were not strictly necessary were evacuated months ago."
"Oh... I see... So... what should we do?"
Once again, Miriel had the impression that Queen Calca was completely overwhelmed by the situation.
Kelart stood up and turned to his older sister.
"Since we're talking about evacuation, the person that takes precedence is Her Majesty."
"I can handle it," replied the half-elf wizard instead of Remedios.
All turned to her.
"What do you mean, Lady Miriel?" said Kelart.
"Have you forgotten? I have a flying carpet. I can take five passengers and drive from Daggerford to Hoburns (round trip) in an hour and a half."
Remedios nodded.
"Five people? Her Majesty, Prince Caspond, Kelart, and I... that's four."
"We could take a young squire or one of the castle's handmaidens," Calca Bessarez proposed.
Miriel glanced at Caspond, expecting him to name his fiancée, but he remained silent, seemingly indifferent to abandoning her in his flight.
"Yes" conceded the paladin "with this we will have five passengers."
"But before you leave, I need two orders signed by Her Majesty the Queen," Miriel quickly added.
"Two orders?" answered Calca.
"First, I need your formal permission to summon Elvil the Dragon. So far I have only received permission to search for a way to summon this dragon and negotiate with him. To open a portal stable enough for Elvil's army to traverse it, I would need a written order. I believe everyone agrees that Elvil is our last chance at winning this war?"
Looking alternately at the queen and the two Custodio sisters, she saw that the three women agreed with her. As for Prince Caspond, he seemed much more focused listening attentively, but without taking the floor...
Calca Bessarez nodded.
"I will immediately draft an order to that effect. And what is the second document you will need? "
"I fear that Jadalbaoth will be sieging Daggerford before we have gathered everything we need to summon Elvil. Fortunately, I have an idea to delay the Demonic Emperor... well, to be exact, I know someone who must be able to. But you must appoint him to lead Daggerford's garrison, Your Majesty."
A few hours later, Hoburns, capital of the Roble Holy Kingdom, Royal Castle.
"I'm tired, leave me alone!"
With a wave of his hand, Doppel-Caspond beckoned the servants to leave the room. The valets bowed and went out the door.
The Doppelgänger was not tired, the journey to the capital lasted only half an hour... but he needed a bit of solitude.
He entered his office, carefully closing the door behind him and then opening a locked box on his desk. He took a parchment and dropped it. The scroll unfolded, floating in the air without falling...
"Message!"
With a hand on his head, Doppel-Caspond spoke in a low voice.
"Demiurge-sama... I have news for you."
The false prince quickly summed up everything he had learned about the dragon Elvil and Miriel's plans. Demiurge listened without interrupting the impersonator once. He spoke only when the Doppelganger had completed his report.
"I had taken into account that this Player was able to jeopardize my plans, so I got Ainz-sama to let me use one of Nazarick's... assets. Stay close to Calca Bessarez and keep spying on her. I'll deal with Miriel."
At the same time, in another part of the city.
"Breadcrumb!"
A line of golden smoke suddenly appeared in the middle of the street. Stunned, the inhabitants departed, fearing that it was a kind of attack. This suited Miriel well because passers-by would have been on the way, bothering her to follow the smoke line.
Followed by two paladins in polished armor that looked like mirrors, the Summoner ran through several streets before coming to rest in front of a large house. The wide front door was open and she heard music, laughter, and conversations as the smell of stale beer made her wince. She could not read what was written on the sign hanging near the entrance, but she guessed that it was a tavern.
But if her spell had brought her here, it must have meant that the one she was looking for had to be inside. She hated the crowd... and even more that kind of crowd... Mechanically rubbing her goosebumps-covered arm, the Summoner nodded and entered, framed by the two paladins.
As she passed, the laughter and the drinking songs went out, several drunks watched her as she followed the golden smoke line to a table... where people she knew were sitting. Antilene Heran Fouché had ordered a large plate of seafood. At her side, Khalid Deez drank beer in a wooden mug. Altiria Siina Verteil was silent... as uncomfortable as an elf princess could be in a tavern full of noisy humans. They too recognized and greeted her but the Summoner was content to answer them with a smile before turning to the only person who remained silent. Pulling from her pocket a letter sealed by the royal seal, Miriel approached him.
"Leyen Aristeia, Her Majesty the Queen Calca Bessarez appoints you to command the army defending Daggerford."
The same day, Floating Castle, Argland Council State.
The two paladins in platinum armor stopped in front of the wooden door of an apartment. Hearing the pearly melody of some girl's laughter, they hesitated and then one of them drummed at the leaf of the door. After a few attempts, a nonchalant voice replied "Come in, it's open!"
They pushed the door with disgust.
The apartment was luxurious, richly furnished, but messy. In addition, dozens of empty bottles lay on the floor or the furniture. A shirtless man was lying on the couch facing the door, his feet resting on the coffee table in front of him. He was between two women dressed in just enough cloth to make a normal-sized handkerchief. He had an arm passed around the neck of each of them, the hand kneading a... a strategic part of the anatomy of these ladies. What he did to them was at the origin of the laughter that one heard down the hall.
One of the paladins hesitated briefly and looked at the man, his blond hair, the mat falling back on his shoulder, his red-tinted wick, his short beard, and especially the adamantite medallion of the Adventurer Guild hung at his neck. He was the man they were told.
"Azuth Aindra?"
"It's me!"
"His Excellency, the Councilor Tsaindorcus Vaision, the Platinium Dragon Lord summons you."
"When?"
"Immediately! I hope you're not drunk."
"Buddy, I try to spend as much time as possible drunk or in gallant company and preferably drunk AND in gallant company. You see, Minister Albedo said she'd kill me when we meet again. So I may not have much time left to enjoy the pleasures of life. And in my personal cosmogony, the Hereafter is a cold and unpleasant place. So I try to make as many good memories as I can."
The room was large, and circular, with a high ceiling. Except for some banners hanging on the walls, the only facility was a circular platform almost as wide as the room. One could only access this platform through a flight of stairs.
Yet no one would have said that the room was empty. On the platform was coiled a dragon with metallic scales of platinum color. He was a magnificent being, his size imposed respect and he looked like a noble creature.
As two of his paladins brought in Azuth Aindra (now dressed in a black doublet and a cloak of the same color), Tsaindorcus Vaision squinted and bent down, his huge head almost touching his guest.
"Oh... Azuth, how kind it is to (finally) leave your den to greet your host."
Not impressed, the adventurer raised his hand in a casual greeting.
"Yo, Tswa."
"What did I tell you about inviting prostitutes into my house?"
The blond man made an effort to remember and scratched his head...
"Um... not to do it?"
"And?"
"..."
There was a moment of silence before the dragon spoke again.
"Pay these girls and don't bring in other prostitutes, understood?"
More annoyed than really angry that the Eight Greedy Kings' castle was turned into a brothel (after all before the Platinium Dragon settled in, it was already a place of perversion) Tsaindorcus Vaision sighed and shook his head.
"I didn't make you come to scold you like some unruly mischievous child. Get ready to go. You have a new mission."
"Gown?"
"No, Jadalbaoth!"
Azuth raised an eyebrow.
"The infamous 'Demonic Emperor'... not much better. I go alone or with 'Riku Aganeia'?"
The Platinum Dragon Lord squinted.
"If need be I would intervene through my remote-controlled Platinum Armor."
Once again, Tsaindorcus Vaision (also known as 'Riku Aganeia' the Platinum Warrior) one of the 13 Heroes, was on the warpath. As the defender of the New World, his duty was to protect the innocent from any threats. The Platinum Dragon Lord was determined to stop Jadalbaoth from devastating the Holy Kingdom (4).
E-Rantel, capital of the Sorcerer Kingdom 'V.I.P Villa'.
Standing in front of a mirror, Ainz Ooal Gown admired his outfit.
Around him, several homunculi maids brushed the fabric of his new wizard dress or adjusted its folds so that the drape fell elegantly.
Ainz turned to one side and then the other, looking at the movements of the garment on his reflection. This was not the first time Nazarick's NPC had offered him clothes. They believed that the 'Sorcerer King' should have a wardrobe worthy of this title.
The dress which he had just put on was very similar to his usual garment, except that the dress was purple and red instead of purple and black. The biggest difference between the two garments was that her new outfit was adorned with gold with a purple sash also embroidered with gold threads and adorned with two rubies. The dress also had a triangular chest collar and tarnished silver epaulets, which complemented the light crown (also of tarnished silver) that Ainz wore over the hood of the dress.
Albedo was watching the Supreme One inspecting his new garment with concern. It must be said that this dress was an initiative of the succubus and that she had even drawn the pattern, like any woman who offered a gift to the man she loved, the demon was afraid the present does not please the person concerned. Noting the apprehension of his prime minister, Aiz turned to her.
"It's a beautiful dress worthy of an archmage and a king, Albedo, thank you."
The Pure-White Devil blushed and her hands joined in a prayer-like gesture as she wiggled on the spot.
"Oh... Ainz-sama... this humble dress only enhances your natural magnificence."
As the succubus drew nearer with a hoarse breath, and eyes replaced by pink hearts, the Overlord coughed conspicuously.
"Albedo, I remind you that we have an important meeting!"
These few words awakened her from her trance. Startled, she realized that she was in the throne room with several NPCs who looked at her strangely.
"Of course, Ainz-sama, I have not forgotten," she lied.
An hour later, the interview with the Calzanas City State Union ended. The ambassadors of this city-states alliance finally left the play. The Overlord was left alone with the Nazarick's NPC.
On the throne, Ainz finally relaxed a little, 'closing his eyes' for a few moments. He hated having to play the role of the great sovereign who knew everything better than everyone else. It was exhausting, especially since half the time he didn't even understand what the negotiators were talking about. Diplomacy seemed to avoid addressing the real problems directly, often using flowery language. Of course, Ainz guessed the existence of unspoken, implicit concerns, but he did not understand what their nature was. He was like a colorblind person playing a game about colors.
Exhausted, the overlord pinched the edge of his nose... or rather made the equivalent gesture since he had no nose... and sighed. If only his migraine could subside. He dreamed only of returning to bed and sleeping forty-eight hours.
Standing next to the throne, Albedo squeezed Ginnungagap against her chest. Much smarter than Ainz, she understood the implicit level of negotiations. Nevertheless, despite this... the Succubus had been more of a hindrance than assistance. During the negotiations, she had repeatedly shown signs of anger... and each time, it was necessary for Ainz to intervene to avoid an embarrassing diplomatic incident.
"How dare they talk about customs quotas? You are kind enough to provide them with agricultural commodities at meager prices, they should be grateful and ask for more instead and not seek to limit our exports!"
Always 'eyes closed', Ainz sighed... Albedo was completely insensitive to the difficulties of the 'inferior beings', she did not understand (or did not want to understand) that the ambassadors of the Calzanas City State Union feared that imports from the Sorcerer Kingdom could ruin their national agriculture.
But the Merciful Pure White Devil had still not drained her anger; she had other issues of discontent.
"And I can't believe their arrogance. How dare they refuse the generous offer of undead garrisons to protect them from aggression! Such ingratitude makes me want to scream."
Ainz opened his eyes to watch the Overseer of the Guardians roam the room waving her arms... It was useless to point out to the succubus that the ambassadors had probably understood that this undead army would never be loyal to them and that their presence would transform the Calzanas City State Union into a mere protectorate.
"Albedo, they have accepted most of our proposals. In time, they will accept others."
The demon calmed instantly.
"You're right, Ainz-sama."
But the Pure-White Devil was too angry to contain herself... she just switched targets.
"These ambassadors of the City State Union are not a hopeless case. At least they recognized your magnificence, Ainz-sama. On the other hand, the Great Minotaur Nation... how could these cowheads refuse your benevolence?"
"Albedo, they didn't say no. They just haven't sent an embassy yet. They may need more time to decide to join us. Perhaps they are waiting to see who will win the war between us and the Troll Kingdom, which would be logical. Originally we provoked this war to show them our military power."
"But Ainz-sama, your victory is gained. How can monsters like trolls prevail against you?"
Albedo stopped vituperating to look around. The throne room had stayed the same since the time of the Re-Estize Kingdom. E-Rantel was an important city, but the mansion was not the main residence of the king. He stayed there only to supervise the fighting against the Baharuth Empire, on the eastern border.
The room was not very large even though its blue-painted walls supported by square half columns in gilded stucco were quite luxurious. However, the carpet that went from the door to the throne was the same blue as the wall. The carpet should have been red, what a lack of taste.
"This throne room is unworthy of you, Ainz-sama."
The Overlord rose from his throne, looking to his prime minister. Inside, he sighed. The Nazarick NPC was always eager to offer him new land, titles, and treasure. From the first day, Demiurge had offered him this world. Obviously, the demon hadn't asked the opinion of the inhabitants.
"You want to build a new throne room?"
"No, Aiz-sama, I just had a grand vision. A Supreme Being deserves a palace whose splendor surpasses all royal castles. Thus all visitors will know that you are the greatest of all kings and that only you and you deserve to be served."
Ainz refrained from shaking his head. Once again, he felt overwhelmed by the NPC's expectations. He was already living in an unimaginable luxury... that deprived him of all privacy. A maid was standing in his room all night ready to respond to all his whims. He could no longer open a door or a curtain himself without the servants speaking of suicide because he had 'lowered himself' to perform a trivial task.
Great Tomb of Nazarick, a few hours later.
Ainz had just teleported into the Imperial Lodge of the 6th-floor amphitheater. Apart from some lizardmen, most of the spectators were golems... The latter were there only to give the illusion of an audience; they felt no emotion and could not take pleasure in watching the fights inside the Roman-like arena.
The Overlord bent a hand over the railing and watched for a few moments the training fight between Climb and Sebas Tian.
He nodded thoughtfully, watching the rapid movements of the master and student. The young blond man attacked continuously but the Iron Butler blocked all sword strokes with his bare hands. Climb had made tremendous progress since their fight during the fall of Re-Estize.
"Ainz-sama!"
The Sorcerer King turned to the Imp flying in. Unlike Climb who used the polymorphic ability of the Imps to copy the appearance he had before being transformed, clinging to his vanished humanity, Renner did not deny her demonic nature. Still a little clumsy when using her bat wings, the she-demon landed under the canopy and made an elegant bow while lifting the bottom of her black dress.
"It's a pleasure to meet again His Majesty the Sorcerer King."
Ainz lazily waved his hand.
"Get up, Lady Renner, no need for this kind of play-acting when we're alone." He turned to the arena. Climb and Sebas were no longer fighting; the Dragonoid was explaining a martial art technique to his young student.
Intrigued, Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself looked at her bodyguard and then Ainz.
"Tell me, Ainz-sama, why are you here?"
"To meet you, of course."
As she frowned, a little worried, Gown laughed while making a soothing gesture
"I was just coming to inform you that the negotiations with the Calzanas City State Union went well. I would like to congratulate you and... thank you for your wise advice. Could you follow me to E-Rantel... with Climb?"
E-Rantel, the artisan district
Even the most extraordinary things cease to look extraordinary with habit. When a Frost Dragon landed in the courtyard of a large forge in the city of E-Rantel nobody paid particular attention to it.
Hejinmal, a young Frost Dragon, frequently traveled back and forth between E-Rantel and the Azerlisia Mountains. It carried, in a large bag, the minerals and tools requested by the dwarf blacksmiths residing in the capital of the Sorcerer Kingdom.
While Gondo Firebrand, a dwarven miner, runesmith, and explorer signed the form handed to him by the Frost Dragon, another dwarf joined him, the latter was eager, almost running.
"The Sorcerer King just arrived and he asked you!"
Handing the form to the dragon, Gondo hastened back to the great hall. Dozens of dwarves worked there, singing amidst the sparks and roar of fire activated by the smithy bellows. Some founded ingots, others forged weapons on anvils, and of course, several dwarves engraved runes on weapons that were still unfinished.
The Rune Developer made a quick bow to the crowned undead standing in the middle of the room, barely noticing the young blonde woman in a black dress (Renner in human form, of course) and the knight in mithril armor by her side.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Your Majesty?"
"Hello, Gondo Firebrand. I received your message announcing that you have completed my order. Can I see it?"
The dwarf nodded.
"Of course, Your Majesty, this weapon is yours."
With a wave of his hand, Gondo motioned to two of his companions, and they left quickly for a warehouse. When they returned, they carried a long wooden box that they placed on a counter cluttered with tools.
Gondo proudly opened the box, allowing visitors to admire the weapon resting on a red cushion. It was a Bastard Sword designed for a human. The weapon had the appearance of a classic knight's sword. The knob was a huge ruby and the cross was inlaid with gold in an elegant design that continued on the shoulder around another ruby inlaid at the base of the blade.
"The weapon is in White Steel, it was imbued with two runes. The fire rune and the sharpness rune."
"There is a place where the weapon can be tested," Gown asked.
"Sure! Follow me, Your Majesty."
They returned to the courtyard, several posts covered with notches and training targets had been installed in an angle of it.
Gown took the sword out of its case, made a few reels, and turned to Climb.
"It's your sword, young man. Made on my order, for your use. Go test it."
Climb swallowed and hesitated before taking the weapon.
"I don't understand Sorcerer King, I tried to kill you... you killed me and..."
"I also brought you back to life. The Climb that was my enemy is dead, and the Climb in front of me is the bodyguard of one of my subordinates... which makes you my subordinate. And I prefer my subordinates to be well-armed. Go exercise, young man."
Without further ado, Climb approached one of the posts and struck. The sword ignited in a fiery bow... before cutting the pole into two parts that caught fire.
As Climb looked at the weapon with wide eyes, Renner drew closer to the Overlord squinting and hiding her twisted smile behind her hand.
"I thought I was the one to be rewarded."
"When your... 'toy' is happy you're happy, right?"
The Witch of the Fallen Kingdom laughs very low, barely audible.
"It's very well thought out, Ainz-sama."
Author's Note: I had trouble coming up with a title for this chapter. This type of chapter is a sort of unavoidable passage where the author must show the progress of the various intrigues and announce future events (in this case, the intervention of the Platinum Dragon in the Roble War). Unfortunately, this kind of chapter leaves the reader wanting more because nothing important happens. It's some sort of huge teasing: "There are going to be a lot of super important things happening... but I'm not going to tell you about it right now. Read on."
The authors are like cats, we would do anything to attract attention... However, we do not spit hairballs which makes it easier to clean up. Adopting an author is better than having a cat. Nice slogan, isn't it?
(1) From the point of view of Yddragil's rules, Principalities of Peace were mid-level angels. But we must remember that the inhabitants of the New World are not Players. They are unable to use magic as powerful as Ainz.
(2) This is the origin of the term 'hermetically sealed'.
(3) "Tis true without lying, certain and most true. That which is below is like that which is above and that which is above is like that which is below to do the miracle of one only thing. And as all things have been and arose from one by the mediation of one: so all things have their birth from this one thing by adaptation. The Sun is its father, the moon its mother, the wind hath carried it in its belly, the earth is its nurse. The father of all perfection in the whole world is here. Its force or power is entire if it be converted into earth. Separate thou the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross sweetly with great industry. It ascends from the earth to the heaven and again it descends to the earth and receives the force of things superior and inferior. By this means you shall have the glory of the whole world and thereby all obscurity shall fly from you. Its force is above all force, for it vanquishes every subtle thing and penetrates every solid thing. So was the world created. From this are and do come admirable adaptations where of the means is here in this. Hence I am called Hermes Trismegist, having the three parts of the philosophy of the whole world. That which I have said of the operation of the Sun is accomplished and ended."
English translation by Sir Isaac Newton.
(4) In the web novel, there's a scene where the Platinum Dragon is torn between intervening to counter Ainz's attack on Re-Estize or assist the Holy Kingdom in its struggle against the Demonic Emperor. In my fan fiction, thanks to Miriel, Roble last longer, 'Riku Aganeia' does not have to choose between the two conflicts and can intervene in each of them, one after the other.