(In case the notifications on FF still aren't working, this chapter was uploaded as scheduled on Sunday 30th June 2024, aka my 33rd birthday! Enjoy my birthday present to all of you!)
Edster: Hey there everyone, and welcome back to the next part of the Nazarick Triumvirate. I hope you are all doing well, and once again on behalf of myself and my co-author daniel, thank you for sticking by this story and showing it so much love as we begin to enter the home stretch on this first part of our tale. As of writing this story has 165 reviews, 338 followers and 323 favourites, and we are grateful for each and every one of you as well as everyone who has read even one of the 32 chapters we have put out so far.
I also hope you all have enjoyed this latest season of anime. It's been an especially good one in my opinion, given how peak both Demon Slayer and Mushoku Tensei have been! As for what's coming up in the summer, my watchlist consists of the following as of the moment: Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest, Tower of God Season 2, Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World Season 2, Suicide Squad Isekai and 2.5 Dimensional Seduction. Just the return of Fairy Tail already makes this summer's selection a banger!
daniel: Hey guys! Just as my co-author said thanks to all of you for helping us get to this point! We really enjoyed writing this one as always! And can't wait for Fairy Tail to come back! But for now, looking forward to the final episodes of this season of Demon Slayer and Jobless Reincarnation! And of course A VERY happy birthday to my co-author from one of his biggest fans (Me!)
Edster: Enough waffling though, let's get stuck into this pivotal chapter of our story where the monumental meeting between our protagonists and the Emperor of Baharuth himself takes place, setting the stage for what is to come! 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 32 – The Dawn of an Empire
"And…there!" With another swift motion of his staff, Mare brought the cracked ground back together as instantly as he'd parted it, causing further gasps of astonishment from those watching. It was taking all of Jircniv's legendary composure to stop breaking out into a sweat at the casual yet controlled display of magical might before him.
"Looks like our massacre is now complete! Way to send a message, am I right?" Aura commented cheerily, causing her younger brother to sigh at how giddy she sounded as she gave an approving scan at the now quiet courtyard around them, devoid of Imperial soldiers who were now resting an eternal sleep in the ground beneath the dark elves' feet. Once she was satisfied, Aura fixed her gaze back on those watching from the upper railing as she proceeded to lay out the demands that the Supreme Beings and Demiurge had coached her on. "Normally we'd have killed you all up there too, but we were given clear orders not to harm the Emperor of Baharuth…and since we don't know which of you is the Emperor we'd better hold off. That said…" And here Aura's eyes narrowed once more, creating a terrifying look despite her cute appearance. "If the Emperor doesn't apologize to our masters then we'll destroy this whole country! So if you're up there, Emperor, make yourself known or we'll kill you all!"
"These Supreme Beings…what are they talking about…could it be Ainz Ooal Gown and his compatriots? No…I don't have time to give this much thought. If I don't speak up now, we'll all be dead before we can blink!" "Please, don't attack!" Jircniv called out, stepping forward and putting his hands on the railing. "I am Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix, and I wish to talk if you'll allow it."
"Hmm, impressive…this guy's got guts after what we pulled, or maybe he just really doesn't want his people to die," Aura whispered to her brother as she laid eyes on Jircniv for the first time.
"I'm surprised he didn't run, but I'm glad too…the plan would have gone wrong if he'd fled," Mare muttered back.
The fact that these envoys were at least willing to listen gave Jircniv some room to both breathe and plan. The good news was that he'd spared those around him and his people a massacre. The bad news, however, was what came next. He could see only one possible path that might forestall any further acts like the one he'd just borne witness to, and while it wasn't a course of action he was particularly looking forward he knew there was no going back now. "It would seem I have underestimated our foes," he told those gathered around him who were looking at him with a mixture of trepidation and expectation. "I know now what I must do. I will have to visit the Great Tomb of Nazarick myself if we are to stand any chance of making peace with its rulers." His course decided, Jircniv gave the orders to prepare an official delegation to accompany him on his visit which would consist of himself, Fluder, Loune, and the remaining Imperial knights along with the necessary number of attendants and servants who would not only see to their needs on the trip but would also prepare and escort the gifts he was planning to bring as a peace offering. As he was doling out these orders, he missed the dragon and the dark elves lifting off from the courtyard and flying back from when they came, satisfied that their part of the plan had been a success.
~TNT~
"My apologies, Your Majesty, but we need you awake." The Emperor was roused from his mid-afternoon nap, which he'd managed to settle into despite the rhythmic jostling of the horse-drawn carriage. The small procession thundered across the Empire's lands, heading towards their mysterious destination. The kindly face and gentle voice of his secretary brought him back to the present, and as he came to, he allowed himself a luxurious yawn.
"Wow, I haven't had one of those since I was a child," he remarked, stretching his arms and rubbing his eyes while leaning back against the plush, crimson lining of his highly embroidered personal carriage. In the carriage with him were Loune, Fluder who also seemed to be deeply asleep, and Baziwood, the captain of the Imperial knights. "Perhaps I owe Lord Gown my thanks for such consideration…"
"It's high time you had a break since you're always working on one thing or another. What's all that in aid of anyway?" Baziwood commented good-humoredly, causing Jircniv to chuckle in appreciation of his candid way of speaking.
"Personally, I think that 'Bloody Emperor' is to blame…always keeping me busy, you know," he returned the jest, broadening the grin on his knight's face.
"That's a shame, I thought you two were close," Baziwood joked back while Loune watched on with a smile. It was good to see his ruler relax a bit and crack some jokes, given the stress of the past day or so.
"He's alright…he's just been pushing through so many new reforms that I can barely keep up with the man," Jircniv stifled another yawn before smirking at his secretary. "Isn't that right, Vermillion?"
"You're not wrong, and with all the fat and inept nobles we've been purging from office, the bureaucracy's been stretched a bit thin as well." Everyone got a chuckle out of that, including Fluder who had been stirred from his nap by the sound of their laughter.
"What a profoundly stupid man he is," Jircniv commented, chuckling at his self-debasement before getting serious once more. "However, if I continue to make laws at such a hectic pace, the next Emperor will surely despise me…such is the risk of keeping the Empire safe…"
"Next Emperor? Do you mean-?"
"Are you planning to take a lady of Baharuth as your Empress, or seek one from outside the Empire?" Fluder asked, having perceptively noted what Baziwood was about to inquire. Jircniv grimaced slightly before answering.
"My preference would be to take one from outside the Empire, but my choices are limited."
"Hmm…what about Princess Renner of Re-Estize? You and she are of similar mindsets when it comes to passing reforms that benefit the people."
"Given the corruption her country has spiralled into, her efforts are to be commended…especially when you consider the vipers she is constantly surrounded by," Jircniv acknowledged. "But yet…I can't help but get the feeling something's off about her. And I get the unpleasant feeling that she makes 'mistakes' deliberately. I'd always be second-guessing myself around her, which someone in my position cannot afford." The sixth sense he had developed as an Emperor was practically screaming at him that the 'Golden Princess' was not what she seemed. If the slander her brother Zanac liked to spread, calling her a "monster", had any truth to it, better she stayed as far away from the Empire as possible.
"True…then how about the Dragon Queen Draudillon Oriculus?" Fluder suggested. "She does carry the blood of the Brightness Dragon Lord, and the Dragon Lords have access to wild magic. Imagine casting Resurrection with the loss of life force-!"
"Spare me another rambling about magic you haven't obtained yet, old man," the Emperor waved off with a snort. "Besides, she's an old hag whose age she hides with magic. Those are the sorts of women I despise the most. Unfortunately, the rest of the worthy women of this world cannot even come close to measuring up to them…" Whatever mini-tirade he was about to go on was interrupted by a knock on the door of his carriage.
"Your Majesty, it's Leinas. May I speak?" The voice of the female Imperial Knight wafted in from outside.
"Door." Instantly obeying his Emperor's command, Baziwood got up and pushed the door wide, causing a blast of warm air to hit everyone inside. After taking a moment to adjust his eyes to the brightness of the midday sun that faced them, Jircniv looked out to see the blonde-haired knight astride her brown horse, now galloping at the same pace as the ones pulling his carriage. "Enter."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." With a move that she made look effortless, Leinas leapt off the back of her horse and bundled into the carriage, closing the door behind her as she did so before turning to face the Emperor. "According to our scouts, we are nearing our destination. Assuming the report they gave me is accurate, maids are stationed at the entrance ready to receive us, presumably to welcome us upon our arrival."
"Maids at a tomb, eh?" Jircniv pondered thoughtfully. "Well, given that we saw dark elves among their ranks, that should hardly come as a surprise."
"Such wise insight, Your Majesty, since the place we are about to see is a completely new world to us." It was hard for Fluder to contain his excitement at finally seeing the place where his new gods dwelt, hence his enthusiasm leaked into his words. This didn't go unnoticed by the carriage's other occupants, leading the ancient magus to recompose himself before offering words of caution. "Since we have already borne witness to what some of its denizens can accomplish, I implore you to remain at my side should the worst come to pass."
"I see…if needed, we'll escape with your teleportation magic. Very well then."
"If you have to escape, the Imperial Knights and your guards will do whatever we can to buy time for you…" Baziwood trailed off as the ugly mark hidden under Leinas' fringe audibly burst with a small squelch, forcing the blonde knight to press a tissue to it to keep it from leaking all over the carriage floor.
"Sorry…" she muttered as she lowered her tissue, now covered in a sickly green liquid, her voice laced with very audible bitterness at one of the daily reminders of the curse that afflicted her that she would give up and do anything in her power to break free from, before looking the Emperor square in the eye. "But if the worst should come to pass, I will prioritize my safety first and foremost."
"Right, right…as to be expected. You have repeatedly informed me of this ever since you became a Knight. That is the deal we struck, isn't it?" It wasn't that the Emperor was dismissive of her abilities; they were the reason he kept her around despite her 'condition'. He knew that it was only out of gratitude for what he'd done for her in the past that kept her around, and that if given the opportunity to save her own life or lift her curse, she'd abandon him without a second thought. A sad notion, but one that was fully understandable in her case. "Now then…" Everyone turned to face him as he rose slightly in his seat even as he continued to rest his head in his palm while propping himself up with his elbow. "I hope you are all as ready as I to find out what manner of people we're dealing with. If what the envoys said is true, we'll be dealing with multiple powerful entities during this meeting."
~TNT~
As they drew closer to where the Great Tomb of Nazarick was located, the sun that had shining over them for most of the trip slowly faded away to be replaced by ominous clouds and the distant sound of thunder rumbling, and when they finally came to a stop at the outer edges of the hills that surrounded Nazarick's surface entrance it appeared as though rain could fall on them at any moment. But there could be no turning back now, and fortunately for the delegation they'd spotted several canopies had been set up for their arrival, accompanied by a waiting delegation of maids as the scout had reported. Once the guards had dismounted and formed a protective line next to his carriage, Jircniv had Baziwood push open the door before descending gracefully down the golden stairs, and upon his appearance the waiting delegation of maids kneeled before him dutifully.
"Welcome, Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix of Baharuth," the bespectacled one at the front intoned before smoothly getting to her feet, which was the signal for the other maids to do the same. "We have anxiously been awaiting your arrival and bid you and your retinue welcome on behalf of our masters, the Supreme Beings of Nazarick. My name is Yuri Alpha, and with me today are Cixous, Foire, Fith, Foth and Etoile. We will be seeing to your needs until our lords are ready to receive you."
"Your masters have proved themselves gracious hosts already by sending such beauties," Jircniv answered with the same amount of courtesy. "You are a most welcome sight."
"Your kind words honour us, Your Majesty," Yuri said with a smile while doing her best not to growl at his deliberate attempts to charm them. "But before we see to your comfort, allow us to do something about these awful weather conditions." To the shock of everyone in the Baharuth delegation, Yuri only had to clap her hands and the clouds that had once lingered over their heads like an ominous portent instantly cleared away, allowing the sun to shine on them once more. But despite the favourable change to the weather, the visitors to the Tomb were more stunned than delighted.
"No more clouds…and it's already so much warmer…" Leinas murmured
"They can control the weather too? Just what else are these servants of the Great Tomb capable of? And if this is the power they control…" Jircniv's shudder at what this meant contrasted sharply with both the weather and the reaction of his mage advisor to whom he posed his question. "Speak, old man…what manner of magic is this?"
"It cannot be…how extraordinary!" Fluder gushed, his delight being mistaken as fear and perhaps curiosity by those around him. "The power wielded by those chosen by my gods is incredible! And if this is only a fraction of what they themselves are capable of…" He shuddered with anticipation before coughing, making sure to school his features as best he could to hide his mounting excitement. "The most basic of the Control Weather spells comes from the Sixth Tier of magic, but I believe what we just saw was of an ever-higher tier! Simply amazing!"
"You must all be incredibly tired after your long trip." Yuri's interjection, spoken calmly as though altering the weather was a simple, everyday occurrence, came before Jircniv could question Fluder any further. She then proceeded to snap her fingers, causing the doors of a nearby wooden structure to creep open and, to the further shock and horror of those assembled, a whole squad of death knights to emerge from its death, their horrific appearance rendered nearly comical by the fact they were marching past carrying tables and chairs.
"Impossible…they are using death knights in this way?" Nimble asked, completely dumbfounded.
"Death knights…What are these things? Are they the same as the undead you are experimenting on in your tower? Answer me!" Jircniv demanded of Fluder once more.
"They are, and yet they are not! They are on a far greater level than anything I could ever dream of summoning!" There was no hiding the excitement in Fluder's eyes and voice this time as he watched the massive undead constructs walk past. "This is unimaginable…to think that someone is capable of not only conjuring but commanding so many mighty undead!"
"Your Majesty!" Despite the undead paying them no mind, Baziwood, Leinas and Nimble had still drawn their weapons and were now standing protectively in front of their ruler. "Even with the three of us and Lord Fluder by your side, we stand no chance against these things!" The hefty blonde exclaimed. "Stay back! You're in grave danger!"
"You said I could run, right? Right now, that's looking a very attractive option for me," Leinas muttered.
"If you feel it necessary to save your life then go right ahead," Jircniv told her with forced calmness, trying to maintain an outward expression of indifference even as his insides were a bundle of nerves. Leinas tensed, preparing to make good on her threat, but the Emperor's next words froze her to the spot. "But should you flee, you will no longer be considered one of my Imperial Knights…which would make you an uninvited guest, much like the workers who came here before…" The knight gulped as she realized the implication behind his unspoken words and willed herself to stay still even as every other fibre of her being screamed at her to flee.
"There's no need to be so nervous," Yuri Alpha explained with a soft smile. She and the rest of the maids had been thoroughly amused by the panic that had settled in among their guests upon bearing witness to the death knights. "The constructs you see here were created from the hand of Lord Ainz himself, and as such they are absolutely loyal to his commands. You can be rest assured they'll do nothing to harm you during your visit."
"Such mastery! It's incredible!" Fluder's words and resulting cackle caused everyone to look at him as though he had gone mad, and the almost insane look on his face was just as disconcerting. "What would you like me to do, your Majesty? Teleport you out? Do you think it would be possible in this place?! And even if we tried, would the masters of the Tomb allow it?!"
"That's an interesting expression you're wearing there, old man," Jircniv commented through gritted teeth while plastering an amused expression on his face. "But let me ask you something…did you truly think I'd run, after having come all this way? Do you truly think me a coward?" The Emperor couldn't hide a snigger at the frozen expression of his mentor upon hearing those words.
"O-Of course not! I should have known better! You are a much braver man than that, my liege!" Jircniv frowned at the old man's attempts to toady his way back into his good graces but was prevented from speaking further by another clap of Yuri Alpha's hands.
"If you are done with your conversation, we have finished preparing your tables," the clearly amused maid spoke up, indicating the line of tables and chairs that had been put down and neatly assembled by the now-departing Death Knights. "You can now relax and enjoy yourselves. The rest of the maids will see to your comfort while I inform the masters of your arrival." With a deep bow, she proceeded to leave the area as the other maids, now joined by some more death knights, came forward with drinks and various other amenities while showing their guests their seats. The group was trepidatious at first, but the kind attentiveness of the maids and the quality of the food and drink they were offered put even the most suspicious of them at temporary ease.
"Wow, that sure was tasty!" Baziwood commented after chugging down a glass of what the maids had described as 'orange juice'.
"I've never tasted anything like this," Loune commented, eyeing his own drink after taking a sip from it. "It strikes the right balance between sourness and sweetness.
"It's soothing to the heart," Jircniv added, feeling many of the stresses of the past day or two take a backseat as he allowed himself to indulge in the sumptuous offering before them. "If only to taste this magnificent drink, I'd say the trip here was worth it." Nobody in the Baharuth delegation could disagree with his words as they too found themselves enamoured with what was, by all accounts, a simple drink. But just as they were getting far too comfortable, Yuri Alpha returned to announce that her masters had finished their preparations and would see them now. Once they had all gotten to their feet, Yuri led them towards the wooden structure where the original set of Death Knights had appeared, only to be greeted instead by what appeared to be a portal of some sort that glowed a malevolent purple that caused them to stop and stare in both awe and shock. After allowing them a brief moment of pause to comprehend the Gate before them, Yuri motioned for them to follow her through, and as they did so they were all transported in a blinding flash of white light.
~TNT~
As the massive doors granting them entry to the Throne Room of Nazarick opened wide, Jircniv and his associates, for the umpteenth time that day, were both overawed and daunted by what they witnessed within. Not only did this throne room dwarf the size of his own at the royal palace back in Arwintar, but it also seemed to have been designed to intimidate anyone who walked within if the dark colours all around them were anything to go by. Whatever ease they had been feeling up above was now a distant memory, replaced instead by fear and grim foreboding as they followed Yuri and her squad of maids down the extravagant red carpet, flanked on both sides by golden-plated undead guards, towards the distant elevated throne where the master of this domain could already be seen watching them approach.
"Everything about this place screams of gold, status and power…both magical and militarily," Jircniv thought to himself as he took a moment to take in their surroundings before returning his gaze to the maids in front of them. "And beautiful women too…truthfully, I doubt there is anything I could offer to this Ainz Ooal Gown, his fellow 'Supreme Beings' and those who serve him that he doesn't already have. If the masses bore witness to what I could see, they would no doubt equate him to a god…especially considering the variety of beings that surround him. Not one of them looks out of place, and they all look content to simply be in his presence. And it's not just him that gives me this feeling…" Even as he felt Ainz's red eyes pierce through him, Jircniv couldn't help but direct his gaze to the two individuals standing on his immediate right and left as well: the golden-haired man clad in black-and-gold armour that projected an aura of regality and majesty who was watching them approach with visible curiosity and interest, and the black-armoured helmeted goliath who towered above the rest, casting an air of stoic menace over them even from such a distance. "Those two…they must be the other 'masters' of this place the maid was talking about earlier if the very auras they're giving off are any indication…" He allowed himself a small smile despite the feeling of him and his group being like mere sheep in the jaws of lions right now, a situation Jircniv was very familiar with since he was usually the lion in any negotiation or summit he was part of. "To be standing before such beings, and for no one to have run…That's a small victory for us, maybe the only one we'll get today…" And hopefully, all of them would be returning alive and with the Empire intact but he had to temper his expectations in the presence of such might…
Aside from their newest recruits who they'd kept out of sight to keep selling the lie that all of the workers from Baharuth had met their ends here, Ainz, Henry and Fengxian had assembled everyone of note both among the denizens of Nazarick and those who had joined their ranks in order to show the Baharuth Emperor just what he was dealing with. At one end stood all of the former Lizardmen chieftains, minus Crusch and Zaryusu who had remained in the village, and Hamsuke, while at the other end were Ninya and Jemima, the latter of whom had her scroll and quill at the ready to take this meeting's notes. CZ and Entoma were present also, standing alongside Yuri and her squad of maids who had taken their place in the line next to Sebas and Pestonya. The remaining members of the Pleaides, as befitting their status as the Crown Prince's consorts, stood alongside Albedo next to their beloved, and on their other side stood Demiurge in his imp form as well as Aura and Mare who Jircniv and his entourage instantly remembered from the damage they'd caused to the palace courtyard. On the other side of Fengxian stood Shalltear and Cocytus, the latter of whom had been recalled from the Lizardmen Village to play his part in this historic meeting.
This was the trio's first glimpse of the Emperor of Baharuth, and the impression he was making so far was a good one. He bore the dignified composure befitting a ruler worthy of the name, and for the moment he showed no hint of fear despite the ominous and strange surroundings both before and around him. His appearance and manner of dress reminded Henry of Justinian the Great, but the Crown Prince's gaze had also been turned by the female knight among Jircniv's entourage. Despite the armour she was wearing, she carried herself gracefully and was pleasing to the eye despite having half of her face hidden by her luscious-looking golden hair, the reason for which Henry was quickly able to sense…the foul taint of a curse stuck out like a sore thumb to him amidst such beauty. If he could figure out a way to remove it, maybe the poor, beautiful thing would be grateful enough to…Henry suddenly shook his head, breaking himself out of such thoughts. That line of thinking could wait…what was to come was more important than dealing with some curse the weakest of their potions could cure a hundred times over.
"My Lord Ainz, Crown Prince Henry, and Grand Marshal Fengxian," Yuri began to proclaim with a deep bow. "The Emperor of Baharuth, Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix, and his entourage have come before you in response to your summons."
"So he has…thank you, Yuri Alpha," Ainz said while continuing to pierce the Emperor with his gaze. From what he remembered from Shinozaki's reports as well as what he had overheard from many others, this was a man to be admired and respected at any other moment. However, the circumstances that had resulted in this meeting required a more bullish touch, to show this man who was the real power here and what could come from defying him and the others. Time to put all of those lessons from both Henry and his books to use. "I am Ainz Ooal Gown, master of the Great Tomb of Nazarick." He then indicated to his right and left as he respectively introduced his comrades. "To my right stands my adopted son and heir, Crown Prince Henry Edward William Augustus Constantine Trajan Plantagenet-Caesar." Henry inclined his head respectfully. "And on my left stands the leader of my armies and our strongest warrior, Grand Marshal Fengxian." The massive warrior's helm gave no indication of any reaction aside from continuing to stare down their nervous guests. "We thank you for responding to our summons as promptly as you did since the matters we wish to discuss are most pressing to both us and yourself."
"It is an honour to meet and stand before you, Lord Ainz, Lord Henry and Lord Fengxian," Jircniv answered with a polite bow, hand over his heart. "You have been most generous hosts, and I am hopeful that our talks today will prove most beneficial to us both…"
"Pardon me, my lords." As he was normally so composed and eloquent with his words, it was surprising for all of the denizens of Nazarick to hear Demiurge speak with such contempt. "But I cannot abide such blasphemy to your glorious names. This human and those with him stand before you and speak as though they are your equals, and I must correct this!" He stepped forward, his amphibious eyes locked on the visiting delegation who were all now sweating nervously. "Prostrate yourselves before-!"
"That's enough, Demiurge!" The power and force of Henry's words rattled the bones of everyone present as the Crown Prince of Nazarick pinned the now abashed-looking imp with such a glare that he actually trembled. "Such behaviour is unbecoming in front of guests that so far had been nothing but polite and diplomatic to us! You should be ashamed of yourself!"
Demiurge wished that Lord Ainz would kill him now as atonement for bringing such shame to his masters but he knew that now he would have to work a thousand times harder to atone for his shameful behaviour. Henry's gaze then returned to the stunned Emperor. "I apologize for his words. While we encourage our subordinates to speak their mind, as truth always holds more value than honey-covered lies and honest council is always in the best interests of any ruler, it should be with more tact than what you just witnessed…please be assured it will not happen again."
"Of course Crown Prince, no offence taken," Jircniv said with magnanimity even as his insides twisted with nerves again. Despite his kind appearance and respectful words, it was already apparent that the title of 'Crown Prince' wasn't just an honorary one…the force of his words, the commanding aura and the way his subordinate had so readily obeyed indicated a level of authority and respect that was both awe-inspiring and unsettling.
"I echo what my son just said. It was not our intent to insult you, but through my inability to control my subordinate's actions we came very close to doing just that," Ainz added, his contrite tone causing the Guardians and other denizens of Nazarick to look at him in shock since they'd never heard him speak in such a way to anyone before. "You have our sincerest apologies."
Jircniv was just as shocked as the Guardians at this unexpected display, but quickly recomposed himself as he waved Ainz's apology away. "There is nothing to forgive. Worry not, for such displays are a common occurrence. Sometimes our vassals misinterpret us." He then waved one of his attendants forward, holding a large brown pot in his arms. "One of my subordinates has committed precisely this offence and embarrassed myself and the Empire as a result. As a token of my sincerity, allow me to offer up to you the head of the foolish individual responsible for sending those invaders to your home." The nervous man came before the steps of the throne and knelt, holding up the pot in shaking hands. "Will you accept it?"
"We shall. Grand Marshal?" Nodding in response, Fengxian strode forward and lifted the pot out of the man's hands before offering it respectfully to his lord. Upon opening it, Ainz reached inside and grabbed the severed head within before lifting it out and showing it to all those watching. "As we expected, he had a patsy ready to take the fall should his scheme…no doubt this is the employer Arche and the rest spoke of. Hmmm…let's see how they react to THIS display…" "Myself, the Crown Prince and the Grand Marshal are not in the habit of taking trophies, but reassured we will put this gift to good use to showcase our… 'gratitude' " His red eyes sparkling, Ainz focused his magic into the head which proceeded to, before the shocked and appalled gazes of their watching audience, dissolve into sludge at his feet before coalescing into the towering visage of a Death Knight.
"A-amazing…your ingenuity knows no bounds…" Jircniv found himself stammering as his mind struggled to believe what his eyes had just seen, a feeling shared by (aside from Fluder who was struggling to contain his delight and reverence at the power of his gods) all of his subordinates.
Unfortunately for the young Emperor, that was not to be the final display of the might and power of Nazarick as, with a nod and wave from Ainz, Fengxian came forward once more and, with a casual swing of his halberd, decapitated the construct as quickly as it had risen and scattered its bones and armour with such precision that they all landed in a neat pile before their now ill-looking guests. As the Grand Marshal resumed his place it was now Henry's turn to show off, and that's precisely what he did as, with a casual snap of his fingers, he set the piles of bones and metal alight with such heat that they instantly disintegrated without leaving so much as a scorch mark on the rug.
"Such power and control, and I get the feeling that was only a shadow of their capabilities by how casual that display was. What manner of beings are we dealing with here?!" Despite his best efforts, Jircniv's internal panic was now showing externally as he began to visibly sweat from nerves and fear for perhaps the first time in his life.
"A fine display of might and magic, as to be expected from my most trusted," Ainz said with approval as the rest of his subordinates all clapped in awe of what they had just witnessed. His gaze then turned back to the now-sweating Emperor, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of satisfaction at what he saw. "He's afraid now…good, time to tighten the noose a little…" "Now then, Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix…"
"J-just Jircniv will suffice, m-my lord," the man interrupted, prompting another trill of satisfaction to run through all of the Supreme Beings. For him to tell Ainz there was no need to refer to him by his full title was another small victory, a sign that he was now placing Ainz on a pedestal equal to or above his own.
"I see…Emperor Jircniv then," Ainz amended before leaning forward. "Since my subordinate acted so rudely towards you earlier and attempted to undermine my authority before the Crown Prince reprimanded him, just as your subject acted above his own station which you rightly saw him punished for, I will disregard the trouble he brought against Nazarick." This stunned the young Emperor, but before he could stammer out a reply Ainz continued. "As such, there is no need for an apology. You and your retinue will be free to leave Nazarick and return home in peace…at least for the foreseeable future." He glanced once at both Henry and Fengxian who both nodded before pressing ahead. "The three of us, and the rest of us assembled here, are going to be…quite busy going forward."
It only took a few seconds for Jircniv to grasp what he meant, and as the full implications of Ainz's words hit him his eyes widened and his body trembled further as he began to understand just what his casual play had unleashed. Since the man, while smart, wasn't on the same intellectual and planning capabilities as himself, Henry, Fengxian, Albedo and Demiurge, Ainz granted him one last act of generosity by spelling it out for him. "Thanks to the actions of your count, we now realize that trouble will come knocking on our door even if we try to keep to ourselves. Now that we are armed with such knowledge, we shall endeavour to pre-empt any further acts of aggression that come our way."
"W-what do you mean by those words?" Jircniv asked tentatively, his nerves only increasing upon seeing the expectant and vicious expressions on each of Ainz's subordinates. Even the two meek-looking young ladies off to the side were smirking with anticipation.
"Myself, the Crown Prince and the Grand Marshal, along with all those assembled here, will bring great harm upon those who would threaten the Great Tomb of Nazarick," Ainz declared, causing the rest of Jircniv's entourage aside from Fluder to tremble as they too now understood just as their Emperor had. "They'll be made to pay for their arrogance in thinking they could stand against us, and this world shall feel our wrath until the peace and quiet we strive for has returned." There was the intent, out in the open for all to see. A clear message not just to Jircniv, but to every ruler and power that existed in this world of the peril that awaited any who dared threaten them.
"An admirable goal! Why don't we form an alliance? No power in this world would dare dream of going against such two powerful nations!" Jircniv was desperate now as it was clear that, while Ainz had audibly absolved him of any blame regarding the mess with the workers, he was right in the firing line. All he could do now was stall and buy time while he could think of a plan to deal with this revelation.
It was misfortunate for the young Emperor that, while they didn't say it out loud, the master planners of Nazarick saw right through his attempt. But instead of scoffing or laughing at the man's audacity, his offer made them think about the benefits this alliance, however short it lasted, could bring. Shalltear, however, couldn't keep quiet at this (as she perceived) insult against her beloved and the rest of the Supreme Beings. "Pathetic! How dare you even think you and your country could compare to-" She suddenly broke into an unbecoming sweat as she felt the weight of Grand Marshal Fengxian's gaze upon her. Nervously craning her head, she saw the Grand Marshal's helm facing her, the glowing slits where his eyes would be glaring ominously as if daring for her to continue. Not wanting to feel the full weight of his fury again she shut her mouth on the spot, much to Aura's amusement, as Jircniv continued his desperate plea. "Yes! Rise up, found a country, and rule it as a king! I could think of no one more worthy of that title than the illustrious Ainz Ooal Gown!"
Henry had been poised to interrupt Shalltear before the vampire could put her foot in her mouth again, but thankfully Ki had gotten there first. However, the normally mild-mannered Crown Prince's ire had just been spiked at hearing Jircniv's suggestion of Ainz proclaiming himself as a king. The very notion that his best friend, adopted father and liege should be put on the same level as those less worthy than him visibly enranged him to the point that his fiery aura flared up, causing Jircniv and his entourage to flinch visibly and Ainz, Fengxian and his harem to look at him with concern. "King, you say?!" he snarled, his teeth morphing into draconic fangs making his appearance that little bit more terrifying. "From what we've heard, you hold Ramposa III, the king of Re-Estize, as nothing more than a fool who governs over a land that's on the verge of collapse... are you suggesting that you hold Father in such a low regard that you would have him take the same title as such a fool?!"
The retinue of the Empire froze in shock and terror as the Guardians and the rest of the Nazarick entourage pinned them with murderous glares for daring to insult Lord Ainz in this manner. Albedo, Shalltear, Aura, Demiurge and the Pleaides maids in particular looked as if they were holding themselves back from tearing them all limb from limb.
For the first time in his life, Jircniv's image of regality cracked giving way to sheer terror. ""N-NO!" He stammered in a desperate attempt to save his own life, the lives of his companions and the people of his country. "I w-would ne-never place Mas-Master Gown in the same le-level as that old fool!" It was a testament to how utterly shaken he was that this was the first time any of his people, Fluder included, had EVER heard him stammer in such a manner.
"Then you will atone for such an insult by backing Father as he takes on the same title as you hold, that of Emperor, and show that you truly see him as an equal in this alliance!" Henry declared with a tone of authority that brooked no disagreement. Having discussed this privately with Suzi and Ki during their planning strategy for the establishment of their realm, he and the others had collectively decided their nation would be an empire, not only because it was the highest level a ruler could aspire to reach but also in honour of the many empires of their previous world such as the biggest empire in history (the British Empire), the most iconic (the Roman Empire) and their native land, the mighty Japanese Empire.
"O-of course, Lord Henry! I meant no offence, and you are right of course. A man as prestigious as Master Gown deserves nothing less than the title of Emperor!" Jircniv agreed at once as his insides contacted with terror. This was SO much worse than he'd thought or envisioned, absolutely nothing seemed to escape these all-powerful beings! "My Empire would do all it could to assist yours in this great endeavour!"
"I see…a most generous offer, Emperor," Ainz chuckled. Though initially hesitant over the idea of being an emperor, Henry's convincing arguments won him around to the idea. The title alone would instantly put them on a pedestal above the rulers of the other nations and make them think twice about coming after them, especially once news began to spread about the power they held. And the thought of ruling as an emperor…he couldn't help but find it a somewhat appealing notion, a thought which he never imagined he'd be capable of. Was this really still what he, the former Suzuki Satoru, wanted? Or was it more to do with how his personality was shaping more and more like his avatar with every passing day as Ki had predicted so long ago? It was something he'd have to discuss privately with the others later. "And what merit do you see for yourself in this endeavour?"
"Only to establish friendly ties with your future Empire, the great country you will one day create. Let us prosper as two Empires standing side by side to lead this world into a new age!" Jircniv proclaimed, but his honeyed words didn't fool anyone from Nazarick. They could tell he was, out of fear and genuine concern for the people of his country, stalling for time to try and figure out a way to counter their schemes.
"I see…then I look forward to it…" Ainz's instant agreement caught everyone, even some of the Nazarick entourage, flat-footed as they had expected the Overlord to attach some strict terms to this proposal, or even demand Jircniv's submission or subservience. The only ones who didn't seem fazed were Henry, Fengxian and Demiurge who quickly figured out that this was a further ploy to throw Jircniv off-balance.
"What is he thinking?" The Emperor wondered, his eyes narrowing at the robed figure who continued to watch him with that haunting, unblinking gaze. "He and his fellow 'Supreme Beings' are at an overwhelming advantage. They know that I am the one in the wrong here, but are letting us off incredibly lightly. If they had demanded my submission as recompense then I would have had no choice but to acquiesce. What game are they playing? Damn them…I cannot figure them out! But if I continue to hesitate, they'll get suspicious. Better to play along for now and try and figure a way out of this later…" "That is truly wonderful to hear!" He exclaimed jovially. "In that case, if there is anything we can provide you now, ask and it shall be yours!"
Ainz looked between Henry and Fengxian again for a moment, silently communicating with them, before answering. "There is nothing we can think of right now, but it would be convenient if we had a means of contacting you quickly."
"Nothing unexpected…an exchange of diplomats is common when forming a new alliance." "My secretary can assist with that," Jircniv indicated to Loune who stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "His name is Loune Vermillion. I'm sure you will find his talents most useful."
"You are most generous, Emperor Jircniv. And welcome, Ambassador Vermillion. Rest assured we will treat you with the utmost courtesy and respect during your stay with us," Henry said with a reassuring smile that eased the man's nervousness a little. "From our side, Demiurge will go with you." The imp stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Since you were so generous to forgive his earlier display of rudeness, we would like to leave such a task in his hands. As one of our most trusted aides, we are confident he will be of great use to you and will be able to resolve any issues that may arise from our fledgling partnership."
"They are already moving against us! That demon was prepared to use his magic to force us to our knees if the Crown Prince hadn't intervened! "You are most kind, Lord Henry. We thank you for your generosity," he forced himself to say.
"This is the birthdate of a new alliance that will shake the very foundations of the world," Ainz proclaimed dramatically as Loune, now sweating buckets, took a position next to Fengxian. "Perhaps in the future we'll make this a holiday to give it its rightful commemoration." Ainz chuckled before making a dismissive gesture. "I won't take any more of your time. The maids will escort you back to your carriages. I wish you a safe return trip to Baharuth, Emperor Jircniv, and look forward to our next exchange."
"I agree, we should make it so. Nothing would please me more," Jircniv replied through barely concealed gritted teeth. "Until next time, Master Gown, Lord Henry, Lord Fengxian." With a respectful bow that his subordinates instantly copied, the Emperor of Baharuth followed the party of maids as they led them away from the throne towards the massive doors, but just as they were leaving, Fengxian spoke up for the first time, his deep, guttural voice causing everyone in the Baharuth delegation to shudder.
"Do not waste our one act of kindness, Emperor Jircniv, for you will not get another. Should you attempt a similar action against us as your subordinate did, you and the Empire will suffer dearly." The Grand Marshal's threat rang in their ears as the doors to the Throne Room slammed shut behind them.
~TNT~
"Well, that went well did it not? He acted exactly as predicted," Ainz spoke up once he was certain that Jircniv and the others had left and after ensuring that the nervous-looking Loune had been escorted away to his new lodgings by Yuri and CZ. "Do you agree, my son?"
"I do, Father. As soon as he walked in here he knew that he was outmatched, and as a result all he could do was stall and agree to our proposals to buy himself some time to try and plan his next moves," Henry replied. "And though he kept up his composed outward expression, it was too easy to see that our words and actions terrified him. We've got him unnerved now, a sensation which I suspect he rarely experiences, and we can use that both now and in the future should, as we suspect, he move against us once more. And given the necessary reminder our Grand Marshal imparted that our mercy has its limits, he will most likely try and form a grand alliance of the world's nations against us."
"I agree with such sentiments, especially now that we can use Shinozaki to spy upon him more easily. As for uniting the rest of the kingdoms against us, such an endeavour will be futile before it gets started. Re-Estize is on the verge of ruin despite their victory against Jaldabaoth, the Slane Theocracy hasn't made a move ever since we took care of their Black Scripture and the Lizardmen now serve us. He will find no allies in his immediate vicinity." Ainz said before turning his gaze to the rest of his subordinates. While he and Henry had been conversing the Lizardmen, Hamsuke, Pestonya and Ninya had all left, their part done and dusted. The only ones who now remained were the Guardians, the rest of the Pleaides bar Yuri and CZ, Sebas and Jemima. "I sense some of you may have questions about what happened. Please, speak your minds."
"My beloved Lord Ainz, your humble servant has a question to ask of you." After everyone else had left, those that remained, apart from Albedo, Demiurge and the rest of Henry's harem, had taken a knee as usual before the throne, and Shalltear had spoken up first. "Why are we treating that human Emperor as an ally when he is clearly so much weaker than us?"
"All of our justifications must be justified in the eyes of the rest of the world, despite how inferior they are compared to us," Albedo answered, drawing a nod from Ainz, Henry and Demiurge given that the Guardian Overseer had just perceived their intent by making Jircniv a collaborator.
But rather than clearing things up, Albedo's answer had only confused Shalltear further. "But we have the means and power in our hands to crush them and take what we want. Why go all through this trouble of making friends with them if our goal is to take over their lands in the end?"
"You are correct, Shalltear. I'd wager myself, Father or the Grand Marshal could wipe out the Baharuth Empire with ease, but in doing so we would be condemned for our actions," Henry explained. "Our names, and that of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, would be sullied if we committed such unwarranted aggression, and we will not allow that to happen. When the lands eventually fall under our rule, it will need to be both justified and with the people's support if we are to establish our eternal golden age, and the first step to making that happen is establishing our kingdom with the support of, as of this moment, perhaps the most powerful nation on this world."
"I. See. Now…The. Example. You. Set. With. The. Lizardmen. Tribes, By. Willingly. Forcing. Their. Surrender. Rather. Than. Annihilating. Them, Was. A. Test. Of. Bringing. A. Nation. Under. Our. Rule. Peacefully," Cocytus huffed. "If. We. Take. Similar. Measures. With. The. Other. Nations, They. Too. Will. Capitulate. In. As. Peaceful. Means. As. Possible."
"Our lords really are three steps ahead of everyone else…amazing…" Aura marvelled, with Mare nodding in agreement with his sister.
"Heh heh…I see you are all understanding now that the thinking behind our Supreme Ones' plans is not as simple as you initially thought," Demiurge cackled, pushing his glasses up to his eyes before flaring his arms out dramatically. "Their intent of forging an eternal empire that will outshine anything this world has seen thus far was set in stone from the beginning, and everything that has come about since then has been a result of their divine planning and incredible foresight. This exchange with the Emperor of Baharuth was yet another example of such meticulous planning that leaves us on the precipice of achieving their goals, and it has been both awe-inspiring and humbling to have borne witness to it!"
(It has?!) Ainz and Henry spoke into each other's heads while maintaining an outer expression of calm. Whilst it may have been a pipe dream of Henry's initially given his fascination with the concept of an empire, their initial steps into this world hadn't been to set the stage for it but rather to gather knowledge and ensure Nazarick's survival in this new world. It had only been after the subjugation of the Lizardmen and the destabilising of the Kingdom through the Demonic Disturbance, seeing more of the inequality and corruption that blighted this world, that had set their minds towards conquest and rule rather than just existing. Even letting the workers invade Nazarick had just been about testing their defences, potentially gaining some new recruits and forcing the Empire into an apology to gain leverage against them initially, but now through Jircniv's eagerness to curry their favour in order to preserve the lives of his people they'd been given the platform to make what had once been Henry's pipedream a reality.
Rather than explaining things, Demiurge's words had left the others even more confused. The only ones who looked as though they understood the demonic Guardian's words were Albedo and the rest of Henry's harem who were very much aware of their beloved's dream, allowing themselves an amused chuckle at the others' confusion. This led to the frustrated Guardian of the seventh Floor sighing before turning and lowering his head to the Supreme Beings. "My lords, I think it may be beneficial for me to explain how everything that has happened thus far has been in line with your divine intentions all along. It would help them understand our future plans as well."
"As expected of you, Demiurge, as well as Guardian Overseer Albedo and the rest of my son's harem. You have succinctly figured out what we have been thinking all this time," Ainz praised quickly. "It's as Ise said, 'fake it till you make it' It would also help us understand how our actions could have been perceived and allow us to plan along similar lines of thinking for the future." "Demiurge, you have our permission to enlighten them on how everything we have done since arriving to this New World has facilitated our plans as you perceive them."
"Thank you, my lords. I will do my best not to drag this out." Demiurge coughed before launching into his explanation. "First, consider their initial intervention in saving Carne Village. At first glance, while it may have appeared to be a simple act of heroism, it was actually a calculated move to establish a foothold in this new world. By saving them, we secured a loyal and grateful populace which has become a crucial part of our information network and resource gathering, providing us with invaluable intelligence and local support. The act of saving the village also served to introduce Nazarick to the world in a positive light, showcasing our strength and benevolence."
"Following such decisive intervention, their next brilliant move was the establishment of their adventurer personas. By creating 'Momon' and 'Alfred', Lord Ainz and Crown Prince Henry quickly earned a positive reputation through unparalleled feats and heroics thus allowing them to gather critical information on the region and its inhabitants. As well as the strategic advancements such reputations have created, it also allowed them to be in a position to rescue the talented potioneer Nfirea Bareare during that unfortunate incident in the graveyard, thus securing both his and his grandmother's services and significantly improving our understanding of their craft, along with bringing the talented Miss Ninya into the fold. Furthermore, the honour of being made knights by the King of Re-Estize following the Demonic Disturbance cemented their status and influence, allowing them to operate with greater freedom and authority within the Kingdom."
It was now starting to dawn on the rest just how far ahead their lords had planned, but Demiurge wasn't finished. "Then there was the destruction of the Black Scripture by the Grand Marshal and Shalltear, crippling one of our most formidable enemies and forcing the Theocracy to retreat and lick their wounds ever since. It also resulted in the acquisition of Miss Jemima, their former Seventh Seat, who has since flourished under our guidance becoming a valuable asset in our operations." Jemima blushed at such high praise.
"Then, as Cocytus just alluded to, came the subjugation of the Lizardmen tribes, bringing them Nazarick's rule through their willing surrender. It served as a practical demonstration of our ability to govern diverse races and integrate them into the fold of Nazarick. They now stand as a shining example to our benevolent rule and the peace and prosperity it brings."
"While this took place, Sebas and Miss Solution had already begun their information-gathering mission in the Kingdom's capital. Whilst their findings from this mission were illuminating, it was Sebas' act of mercy in saving the human woman, Tsuare, that not only led us to discover just how deeply the rot of corruption had spread throughout the Kingdom but also served as the catalyst for the Supreme Beings and I to establish a comprehensive plan to turn the situation to our advantage. This set the stage for our pièce de resistance, the Demonic Disturbance. This event, masterfully orchestrated, allowed us to systematically dismantle the criminal organization known as Eight Fingers, thereby removing a significant pillar of the Kingdom's corruption, while at the same time allowing us to acquire both theirs and a good portion of the Kingdom's finances to aid in our future endeavours."
Demiurge's smile widened slightly. "More importantly, this Disturbance paved the way for us to forge an invaluable alliance with Princess Renner. Her unique position and mindset made her an ideal inside collaborator. With her assistance, we now have a direct line into the heart of Re-Estize's ruling structure, allowing us to manipulate events to our advantage. And having had the unique pleasure of meeting her, she was more than I could have imagined from a teenage human princess and from what Sebas described."
"If that's the case, I'd like to meet her myself someday," Albedo interjected, intrigued by Demiurge's description of the Princess.
"I'm sure you will be given the opportunity in the near future should our plans continue to move forward with such success," Demiurge told her before turning back to the rest. "As should come as no surprise by now, given everything else I have just elaborated on, more recent events, though appearing mundane, serve as further examples of our lords' meticulous planning and foresight. The test of Carne Village's defences allowed us to evaluate Enri Emmot's leadership capabilities, demonstrating her potential as a reliable leader and ally. This was followed by the invasion of those workers from the Empire, an operation designed to not only test our defences and deter future incursions but also as an ingenious method to acquire potential talent. With the recruitment of Foresight, we have bolstered Nazarick's capabilities with skilled individuals who now willingly serve our cause. This all culminated with the meeting we just held with the Baharuth Emperor, bringing an influential ruler directly under our sphere of influence. The Emperor's decision to align with Nazarick, albeit out of fear and strategic necessity, marks a significant step towards our ultimate goal of establishing our eternal empire under the rule of the Supreme Beings."
Demiurge then cleared his throat before concluding his longer-than-intended explanation. "My fellow Guardians and everyone else assembled, what I have just described is not merely a series of isolated incidents, but rather a meticulously crafted symphony of strategic manoeuvres, all orchestrated towards the goal our Supreme Beings have always strived for: the establishment of Nazarick's eternal empire. The unfolding of such a divine plan, which could only have been crafted and brought about by their foresight, wisdom, and unmatched power, will lead us to a future where Nazarick reigns supreme, where all shall kneel before the glory of our eternal empire!"
After Demiurge's impassioned conclusion, a brief silence hung in the air, filled with the weight of his words. The assembled Guardians and Sebas exchanged awed glances, each processing the gravity of Demiurge's explanation in their own way as they now fully understood how everything they had been a part of had been instrumental to this great plan.
As for Albedo and the rest of Henry's harem, they nodded silently. Having believed in the wisdom of such a plan ever since hearing their Crown Prince's wish, hearing Demiurge articulate their grand design reaffirmed their faith in the divine plan of their Father, beloved and Grand Marshal. And as was often the case, Ainz, Henry and Fengxian were blown away to different extents by Demiurge's intellect, spokesmanship and dramatic flair. The genuine passion and reverence in his explanation were clear and the three of them had lofty expectations to meet but with their progress so far and as long as they stayed together, the three of them knew they could accomplish anything they set their minds to. Hearing just how everything they'd done fit so perfectly together in this 'grand plan' was the icing on top of the cake.
"Now then, Supreme Ones." Demiurge's gaze had turned back to Ainz, Henry and Fengxian, forcing the trio to snap out of their temporary introspection and give the Guardian their full attention. "In accordance with the divine plans you have set into motion, the stage is now set for Nazarick to rise and dominate this world. With everything now in place by your divine wills, it leaves us with one final matter to be decided: The establishment of titles befitting our glorious Supreme Beings."
"I think that has already been decided, Demiurge." Everyone's eyes turned to Henry as he spoke up. "There can be no title more fitting for our Lord than that of Sorcerer Emperor, one that befits his mastery over both magic and man." No one in the room disagreed.
"As you have suggested, let it be so my son," Ainz proclaimed as he got to his feet, causing everyone else including Henry and Fengxian to fall to their knees as they prepared to listen to his edict. "I shall decide upon further titles when the Empire has been established, but for now I believe there are two titles which can be immediately confirmed: My son and heir Henry as Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Fengxian as Chief Commander with absolute authority over all military affairs."
"You honour us Father," Henry answered reverently.
"We shall give our all in your service, my Emperor," Fengxian added solemnly.
"Glory to the Sorcerer Empire! Glory to the Sorcerer Emperor, Ainz Ooal Gown! Glory to the Crown Prince of the Empire, my beloved Henry! And glory to our chief commander, Lord Fengxian!" Albedo declared fervently, a cry echoed by the other members of Henry's harem
"GLORY TO THE SORCERER EMPIRE AND OUR SUPREME BEINGS! NOW AND FOREVERMORE!" Came the cry from the rest of those assembled.
"Very good, my loyal servants! Now, rise!" Eager to please their future Emperor, everyone in the room instantly rose to their feet and waited on their lord's command. "Though the establishment of our empire is at hand, there is still much work to be done to see it to fruition. Spread the word throughout Nazarick so that we are all on the same page, for everyone has a part to play in what is to come."
~TNT~
In sharp contrast to the jubilation and excitement ringing throughout Nazarick's throne room, the mood in the carriages escorting Emperor Jircniv, his guards and the rest of his delegation back to Arwintar was much more downcast given what had occurred, and no one's thoughts were in more turmoil than that of the young Emperor himself as he reflected on what had happened rather than listening to the inane prattle of his courtiers.
"Damn it…damn them all to the furthest reaches of the hells…" he internally raged. "We were on the back foot the moment we entered that place, a castle befitting of an undead king and his servants. And on the throne itself sat Death, with Majesty and Terror at his right and left hands…there was no way that could have gone positively, but the outcome of it all was the worst I could have ever envisaged. In my haste to secure my own life and that of my servants, I have given perhaps the most powerful beings to ever exist in this world the legitimacy to start shaping this world to their desires…" He shook his head and clenched a fist, trying to shake himself out of his negative thoughts. "No…I'm not out of this yet. I still have my life, and the Empire is still in one piece. We still have a chance of victory…"
Drawing himself out of his introspection, he looked up to see Baziwood and the others watching him with concern and anticipation and managed to plaster a smirk on his face to hide his inner turmoil. "Ainz Ooal Gown, Henry, Fengxian…they truly are monsters among monsters. One of them alone would have been a nightmare to deal with, but all three united? Should they ever choose to become our enemy, I have no doubt the Baharuth Empire will fall in no time, and even if we should try and appease them, no doubt that undead nightmare and that walking mountain of terror would kill all the living of this world for sheer amusement. Such beings have no souls and no conscience, and even Henry, for all his majesty and regality, to consider such beings a father and a comrade as he does, I do not doubt that he would likewise burn down anyone and anything they ask of him to nothing more than ashes for the sake of their machinations, do we not agree?"
"Completely…the situation is just as you make it out to be, your Majesty," the young courtier who was temporarily filling in Loune's role as his secretary spoke up.
"I feel the same." Baziwood's serious tone was a stark contrast to his usual carefree manner of speech, a sign that this was indeed a direr situation than anything the Empire had gone through before. "And I've got my doubts these are enemies that mankind stands a chance against."
"From what we witnessed, he rules as an absolute Overlord. And disregarding his appearance, he bears a kingly charisma. On top of that, he is dangerously intelligent. I saw meaning behind every movement he chose to make." Jircniv added. "His fellow 'Supreme Beings' were no less impressive; Henry, with his regal bearing and commanding presence, exuded a charisma that could rally entire nations. And Fengxian, that silent, armoured behemoth, radiated an aura of sheer terror and unyielding strength—one glance was enough to understand the depths of his might." He then frowned as parts of their exchange came back to him. "They also appeared to know a great deal about our Empire…how could they have possibly known without-?" And that's when it hit him. "Ainz and Henry clearly surpass the old man as a magic caster. But Fluder's obsessed with magic…why wouldn't he have begged to stay behind so that he could glean new information instead of leaving with us without saying a word, regardless of the risk to his person? He barely seemed curious at all during the meeting, which is so unlike him…which means…"
The answer came to Jircniv like a bolt out of the blue, morphing his face into an expression of shock which startled the fellow occupants of his carriage. "HE KNEW! He'd seen it before…that's why he wasn't surprised! He's in league with them!" Baziwood tried to get his attention, but so lost was the Emperor in his thoughts that he didn't hear him. "How long?! From the beginning? Yes…that has to be it. It was Fluder who discovered the location of Nazarick, and it was also Fluder who suggested sending in the Workers using Femel as a scapegoat! It all makes sense to me now…damn the old man!" "Fluder Paradyne is a traitor and has betrayed us, that's the only logical conclusion." he declared, stunning everyone around him.
"It cannot be…surely you jest?!" The hooded courtier to his side argued desperately, not wanting to believe ill of his honoured patron.
"It's no jest, and I wish it weren't so, but there's no other logical explanation to how much they already knew about us," Jircniv stated with finality. "Just how reliant upon him are we? If I strip him of his power, how much damage will that cause us?"
"I-It would end very badly, Your Majesty," the hooded man answered, still refusing to believe ill of Fluder. "The damage would be unimaginable…Fluder represents much of our strength, and no country has a caster capable of matching his power."
"Fluder's power is a great negotiating tool," the other courtier pointed out. "If the other countries learned of his demotion, our neighbours would feel emboldened to retaliate against us."
"I see…and we cannot allow them to come at us at a time when unity is required," Jircniv conceded with a heavy sigh. "If we are to overcome the threat of the future Sorcerer Empire, our only hope is to unite the Empire, the Kingdom, the Theocracy, The Council State and the Holy Kingdom in a grand alliance to fight against Nazarick and the Supreme Beings. For the time being, however, we must ostensibly act as their faithful ally while we plant the seeds for forming this resistance." Jircniv noticed the others looking uneasy and wished he had the confidence to reassure them, but right now his words were as desperate as he felt. "It's risky though…if we are discovered, the Empire will be the first to fall. If roles were reversed and I were in Ainz's shoes, I'd destroy the Empire as an example to the other nations of the cost of defying the Great Tomb of Nazarick."
"That does sound like something you'd do," Baziwood pointed out with a wry grin, causing Jircniv to chuckle.
"I'll take that as a compliment," he retorted with a wry smile before his expression turned serious once more. "Because of this, the Empire cannot be the first to suggest such an alliance. The other countries will have to band together on their own, and as we await this we must also seek our individuals who have the power that could stand up to all three of them at once."
"Think they exist? And if so, where would we find them?" Baziwood asked, frowning slightly. "From the looks of those standing beside him, none of them would ever betray that undead bastard or his fellows so that rules them out."
"There has to be someone, even in the farthest corners of the world. We will find them, and set them against Nazarick. Otherwise, humanity as we know it is doomed" Jircniv declared.
~TNT~
Upon their return to Arwintar just as the sun began to set, Jircniv dismissed his entourage for the evening claiming he needed time to process what had just happened. The only ones he permitted to attend him were the young courtier taking Loune's place and Baziwood to guard him, leaving the likes of Fluder, Nimble and Leinas free to do as they pleased.
Detaching herself from everyone else, though making sure not to stray from the palace given Jircniv's earlier threats of removing her from her post, Leinas found herself wandering the palace grounds as she contemplated everything she had witnessed there including, to her puzzlement, why the Crown Prince of Nazarick, that Henry fellow, had been watching her at times with interest. Leinas found herself blushing slightly as she recalled the intensity of his gaze, but why would such a handsome man with power beyond human comprehension who already had his share of women, who were all inhumanely beautiful, be so interested in a martial woman with a cursed blemish upon her face? It didn't make sense!
So lost was she in her ponderings that she almost walked straight into one of the maids who she recalled seeing attending Jircniv a few times. Before she could utter an apology, the maid firmly pressed a small sheet of parchment into her hands.
"Read this, but do not speak a word about its contents to anyone," the maid told her sternly. "Should you wish to accept what it says, signal me subtly when we next attend His Majesty. I will know where to find you." Before Leinas could reply, the maid walked away as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Her curiosity piqued, Leinas unfolded the note, and as she read what it said her eyes widened from both shock and hope:
"To the esteemed and fair Lady Leinas Rockbruise of the Imperial Knights,
I trust this message finds you in good health and that you and your companions enjoyed your brief stay in our home. Even with the Emperor himself standing among you, I could not help but notice your remarkable beauty and how galling I found it to be smothered by that horrible curse upon your skin. Such a blight on perfection cannot be allowed to remain on your fair complexion, as I'm sure you have no doubt wished ever since it was inflicted upon you
To that end, I have a proposition that I believe will be mutually beneficial for us both. If you assist the maid who handed you this note in gathering information on the Empire and your Emperor's plans, I swear on my name and that of the Great Tomb of Nazarick that I will personally break your curse and offer you an exalted place among our ranks in the Empire we seek to create.
With regards,
Crown Prince Henry Edward William Augustus Constantine Trajan Plantagenet-Caesar of the Sorcerer Empire."
As soon as Leinas had finished reading the note it burst into flames, causing the knight to drop it as it wilted and vanished without leaving so much as a mark on the ground. However, the words written on that scrap of parchment were forever burned into Leinas' mind, leaving her with a lot to think about regarding her future.
daniel: And here it is! Hope you guys enjoyed it! We had decided from the beginning that we would upgrade the Sorcerer Kingdom to that of an Empire, it just seemed natural given Nazarick's rightful place at the pinnacle of the New World!
And as we promised we sure installed the fear of God into Jircniv! And despite that, he still thinks he can squeeze a victory out of this… Can't wait to show you all how UTTERLY WRONG he is
And finally, yeah, we couldn't help ourselves, Leinas is one of the most beautiful women in the setting, and with her willingness to do just about anything to break her curse that was a no-brainer!
See ya next time guys! You're all amazing! And of course wishing my co-author many more happy birthdays!
Edster: Thank you very much my friend, and as he often does daniel echoed my thoughts on this chapter perfectly. From the very beginning we were always going with the Sorcerer Empire rather than the Kingdom, especially given Henry's fascination and love of those periods of history, and this was the perfect time to reveal it. And oh yes, poor delusional Jircniv…while he may believe he still has some hope of getting out of this unscathed, future events will show that the exact opposite will be the case!
And here we have the reveal of the next member of Henry's harem…Leinas' beauty, and her willingness to do anything to break her curse, made her an ideal fit. Henry appreciates her beauty and can give her the cure she desires most of all in exchange for her taking her place among his harem. That will officially take place either at the end of this story or early in the next one.
Thank you once again for all the love you are showing this story, and we will see you in a fortnight for the next chapter of the Nazarick Triumvirate where the announcement of the Sorcerer Empire reaches the rest of the world…how will they react? And as always, make sure to keep updating our TV Tropes page!