Disclaimer: I do not own My Hero Academia/Boku No Hero Academia, Overlord, or any other property in this work that I did not make myself.
The Sorcerer Hero: Deku
Chapter thirty-nine: The hunt for friends, part two
(Twenty-nine years after the death of Himmel hero, in a clearing in the woods near a village several miles south of the magical city of Auberst)
A portal conjured by the Portal to Nazarick spell opened up, and out of it walked Dabi, flanked by his second in command Spinner on his left and third in command Toga on his (Dabi's) right. "So we..." Spinner said, some mildly uneasy surprise in his tone, "...We really just traveled to another world."
"This is only to help Lord Ainz and his fellow take over the land of this world," Dabi explained, "He'll take us back to our world when this one is added to his list of conquests."
"And since Lords Ainz and Peroronchino are working the job of taking over this world together," spoke up Shalltear, walking up to Dabi's group as she spoke, "This world will be theirs faster than you can say 'All glory to the Great Tomb of Nazarick'." Dabi, Spinner, and Toga saw that the vampire valkyrie was already in her winged red armor and was wielding her Spuit Lance.
Holding up a hand, Toga said, "Question, miss armored vampire lady. What sort of quirk does Lord Ainz have that lets him travel to different worlds?"
Rolling his eyes, Spinner said, "Toga, I'm pretty sure that whatever power it is that Lord Ainz has, it's not a quirk."
Turning to look at her lizardman fellow, Toga asked, "How sure?"
Shrugging, Spinner replied, "At least ninety-one point six percent sure."
"Indeed, Lord Ainz, as well as Lord Peroronchino, doesn't have any quirks," Shalltear said, "For they possess powers far beyond the powers of your world that the humans in your world all clamor around so much."
"Lemme guess," Dabi said in a dry tone, "They're using at least some kind of magic."
"Pfft," Toga said, "Silly Dabi, magic isn't rea-"
"Yes it is," Shalltear cut in, "And Lord Ainz is indeed using magic. He's been using magic ever since he first became the legend that he is. He used magic to do pretty much everything he's done in your world. Take and bestow quirks, conjure portals, create his undead fodder force, resurrect the dead, freeze time-"
"Wait wait wait," Spinner said, "Did you just say 'resurrect the dead'?"
"Did she also say 'freeze time'?" Dabi asked.
Seeing the surprised looks on the faces of the humans from the world Peroronchino was sent to, Shalltear let off an amused smirk. "...Oh, Lord Ainz can do all of that and more," Shalltear said, "And with Lord Peroronchino, the Supreme Being who created me, working alongside him, there isn't a realm that they can't conquer."
"Lord Ainz's fellow..." Toga said, "...created you."
"Everything in Nazarick was made by the forty-one Supreme Beings," Shalltear said, "Aside from what we've taken over in the realms we have access to, that is."
Dabi held his hands up at shoulder level with the palms facing forward. "...Yeah, if guys like that can make people like you, then it's a damn good thing my fellows and I are following them," Dabi said, "Because they've got to be hella strong to make a hella strong person like you."
Shalltear allowed herself another smirk. "At least the humans from your world are smarter than the ones in the world that the Great Tomb of Nazarick appeared in." Putting her free hand on her waist, Shalltear went on, "Now, the main reason you guys are here is because you'll be helping with a plan to attack a nearby village where forces are marshalling to take on the demons who had taken over a city called Auberst."
"Demons are real too?!" Toga exclaimed.
Arching a wry eyebrow, Shalltear remarked, "Albedo and Demiurge are both different kinds of demons, with Albedo being a Succubus and Demiurge being an Archdevil. There are also a number of other demon type denizens among the forces of Nazarick." Gently shaking her head, Shalltear went on, "But the demons in Auberst are bound to be different."
"What will we do with those demons, ma'am?" Spinner asked.
"Lords Ainz and Peroronchino will attempt to forge an alliance with them and together they will take over this world," Shalltear said, "The Supreme Beings are hoping that being inhumans same as the demons will help facilitate the forging of an alliance. If the demons of this world won't play nice... well, that just means that Lords Ainz and Peroronchino won't have to share." Dabi and his friends all had a very good idea by what Shalltear meant when she had said that 'Ainz and Peroronchino won't have to share'.
Gesturing to Shalltear, Dabi asked, "So we're gonna show those demons that we wanna team up, and we'll do so by attacking the village where forces are marshalling to get ready to attack the city that the demons took over."
Nodding once, Shalltear said, "Lords Ainz and Peroronchino are running recon, using magic to disguise themselves with illusions to blend in with the humans. Once they get back, we'll have info on the expected strength of the forces we'll be dealing with. From there, our lords will know exactly how much force we'll need to use."
Toga was about to speak up, but stopped short when Shalltear noticed something and knelt in the direction she noticed the thing in. Dabi and his friends all turned and saw a guy and a girl come walking up to the encampment. Magic glowed around the guy, changing his appearance to Ainz who dropped the illusion spell. At this point, there was no harm in Dabi and his fellows seeing his true appearance; he already owns them and their world.
As for the lady, she took off a ring and magic flashed around her, the illusion dropping to reveal it was really Peroronchino. "Man, Kurama's accessory crafting was truly impeccable," remarked the birdman archer, "I don't think anyone in the guild could top him in accessory crafting."
"Sirs," Dabi said, "There was no need for you two to trouble yourselves. You could have easily sent someone else to scout things out for you."
"Thank you for the concern," Ainz said, "But Peroronchino and I wanted to get our hands dirty a bit before we let our followers have fun."
"We got a rough idea on what all to expect," Peroronchino said, "And we got a plan."
...
Ainz, Peroronchino, Shalltear, Dabi, Spinner, and Toga all stood around a table that had a map of the nearby village on it. "This here is the village where forces are marshalling to take on the demons who had taken over Auberst," Ainz said. Pointing to various parts on the map, Ainz went on, "Its main point of entry is here, but it has four other lesser entry points here, here, here, and here. A total of five points of entry."
"We'll secretly surround the place," Peroronchino said, "As well as put bulks of our undead fodder force at the four lesser points of entry to prevent people in the village from escaping through said points. This will leave only the main entry point, through which we'll invade the village."
Holding up a hand, Toga asked, "What if someone in the village can fly?"
Ainz gestured commendingly at Toga. "An excellent point to raise, Toga," Ainz said, "We ought to be cautious of people in the village who can fly."
Peroronchino held up his strongest bow, which he got back from Ainz. "I can shoot down anyone and anything with this bad boy right here. But for getting in close, we also have Shalltear. We can also pull in Albedo if need be."
"This is basically a fantasy world with magic and such, right?" Dabi asked.
"Yes, and I actually saw an elf while Peroronchino and I were in the village," Ainz replied, "Granted she wasn't a Dark Elf like Aura and Mare, but the girl we saw was indeed an elf."
Shrugging, Dabi said, "Then why not use Felgrand as a big ass siege engine of some kind? He's a gargantuan dragon, and dragons fit in fantasy settings like this world."
"We're wanting to save the six giants for if we have to fight the demons in Auberst," Peroronchino explained to Dabi, "But I do agree that you have a sound idea."
Holding a hand to his chin, Ainz said, "Although we may use at least one of the girl giants if the use of a giant proves warranted." Ainz and his group spent the next few hours discussing how to carry out their attack on the village. Ainz, ever the cautious one, had set up all of the usual security spells and what not before even unrolling map he had on the table.
The battle when it commenced was going to be glorious.
The next morning in the village near Auberst, it was early when an explosion outside of the inn where Frieren and her party were staying at. "Oi, Frieren!" Gorilla Warrior said as he tried shaking the elven mage awake, "The village is being attacked!"
"Five more hours..." Frieren said sleepily.
"Yeah Gorilla, I got it from Stark and Fern that Frieren is like this a lot," Sein said dryly.
Fern and Stark came running into the room, both already dressed and ready for battle. "Miss Frieren! There's undead surrounding the village!" Fern called out, her tone clearly indicating panic.
Frieren immediately perked up. "Undead?" Frieren said, "How many?"
"Enough to surround the village and make escape impossible unless someone can fly over all of it," Stark replied.
"Let me get dressed," Frieren said, her tone and expression more serious now, "I may have killed a lot of demons, but I've also killed my fair share of undead as well."
...
Frieren and her party rushed out of the inn, and right away they saw simple skeletons and zombies in the village. The forces marshalled to fight the demons in Auberst were able to fight back against the undead, but they took some losses as the attack came as a surprise. There was no time to pray for the fallen as Frieren and her party had to fight.
Frieren and Fern flew up with magic, while the guys remained on the ground. Sein used his priest magic to fight the undead, his Three Spears of the Goddess spell working quite well. Gorilla and Stark had to fight in close quarters, but soon grouped around Sein when the undead started to go right for him, as if they sensed he was a threat with his holy magic.
As for the girls, they flew above the village and struck down the undead with attack spells. "Where did all of these undead come from, Miss Frieren?" Fern asked, looking worried.
"I can tell they aren't related to the demons who are in Auberst," Frieren replied, "They must be an independent force trying to take over things here. I believe that the demons in Auberst will either form an alliance with the undead so the two groups together can take over the world, or the demons in Auberst will fight the undead so as to not have to share the spoils of war."
As the two mages continued to fire down attack spells on the undead in the village, a crescent shaped energy projectile flew in at them, making Frieren and Fern throw up defensive magic to block it, but it only bought them enough time to fly out of the way as the projectile burst through the defensive magic anyway.
When Frieren and Fern recovered, they were met up by Shalltear and Albedo, both in their respective suits of armor. "So there are those from this village capable of flying," Albedo remarked.
"You're a demon," Frieren said to Albedo, "I can tell." Looking to Shalltear, Frieren said, "You aren't a demon, however."
"Yes, that's correct," Shalltear said, "I don't suppose you're familiar with vampires, are you?"
Fern immediately tensed up. "You're a vampire. That's one of the strongest kinds of undead."
"You're smart for a lowly human," Albedo praised, her tone dry, "Now here's what's going to happen. The forces in this village marshalling to take on the demons who had taken over Auberst are going to fall today, then the forces that the Supreme Beings are leading here will meet with the demons and offer them a chance to form an alliance with us. If they don't agree, we'll kill them and proceed to take over this world anyway."
"They would be utter fools if they reject the offer our lords have for them," Shalltear said.
"Your lords must be idiotic fools if they believe that demons would willingly form an alliance with them," Fern said, trying to out on a brave face, "Demons have-"
*SLASH*
Fern never finished as she was quickly slashed by Albedo's axe, a slashing strike that went from her left shoulder to right hip. Fern, with a spaced out expression on her face, dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes. "FERN!" Frieren screamed, alarmed to see her apprentice stricken down, and so easily too, by the demon in the black armor.
Relaxing her stance, Albedo said in a warning tone, "Any insult or slight paid to the Supreme Beings is punished with death. Do not try testing us on this. If you do..." Albedo gripped the handle of her axe a bit harder. "...You will fail."
Forget being beyond journey's end, Frieren was now beyond pissed off's end. She flew back to get distance before firing a barrage of attack spells at Albedo and Shalltear. The ladies of Nazarick did not give the elven mage the satisfaction of scoring a hit, they simply flew around the spells, with Albedo getting the feeling that the magic might be able to at least scratch her and Shalltear. "Hey, this elven mage might be able to actually hurt us," Albedo called out.
"Seriously?" Shalltear called back.
"By nicks and scratches, but she can still damage us," Albedo replied as she flew around another spell from Frieren.
Gritting her teeth, Frieren was getting ready to cast another spell, but stopped short when a burst of blue flames blasted her in the back. "GAAHH!" Frieren called out as she cried out in pain, and she turned to look at the source. She saw Dabi standing on the roof of a building in the village, looking up at her with the intent to aim and fire at her. Masses of blue flames were in his hands. "What sort of magic is that?" Frieren called out.
"It ain't magic I'm using, Tinkerbell!" Dabi called back, "I come from a world where magic don't exist unless it's brought there from another world! What I'm using is a power called a quirk!"
Frieren looked completely surprised. Most fire magic doesn't get as strong or as hot as the blue flames that Dabi shot at her, and his conjured blue flames aren't magic? Frieren was going to be wanting to look into what power these 'quirks' are, but sadly she was never going to get that chance to expand what she had down about the powers that are out there.
That was because Frieren, who had lived for over one-thousand years, saw her absurdly long life come to an end when Shalltear rushed her as she (Frieren) was distracted by Dabi and, with a single thrust of her Spuit Lance, impaled Frieren through her chest. Shalltear put her right foot on the doomed elven mage's torso and pushed to get her off of her weapon, letting Frieren fall down to the ground where Fern already laid dead.
...
Aureole, the land where souls rest, was where Frieren found herself when she came to. Standing over her was Fern, a sad and resigned but accepting look on her face. "Hello, Miss Frieren," Fern said, "It looks like you're finally awake."
Frieren stood herself up, looked around. She saw that both herself and Fern looked ethereal. "...I'm guessing that we were both killed," Frieren remarked, her usual level of calm acceptance having come back to her.
Fern nodded once in the affirmative. "A number of others from the village we were at also came here. One villager told me he saw Stark, Sein, and Gorilla among the people who were able to flee when an opening in the invading ranks appeared. Said villager reported that it was Gorilla who had urged Stark and Sein to flee with him. I'm assuming that they are assuming you and I would have survived the undead attack and would meet up with them later."
Frieren nodded once in understanding. "I can't blame the boys for thinking that you and I would have survived the undead attack on the village." Looking up, Fireren said, "So this is Aureole. Not exactly how I imagined we'd get here, but we got here."
Fern gave an agreeing nod before she said, "I bet that Mister H-" Fern suddenly stopped short and held her hands over her biceps and shuddered, as if she were suddenly made cold and began to shiver. "Brrrrrr," Fern said, "I feel oddly cold for some odd reason. I also feel that something... wrong is going on."
Frieren was about to speak up, but she suddenly started acting like she was cold same as Fern. "I'm guessing that something is being done with the bodies we left behind when we were killed by the undead who attacked the village," Frieren reasoned as she shuddered, "I just hope that it's nothing too disturbing."
...
After the attack on the village was concluded and the forces of Nazarick had secured their victory which was a foregone conclusion, Ainz proceeded to raise many of the village defenders as zombies to add to the ranks of the forces he and Peroronchino had in this third New World. Among the new undead that would be marching to war in the name of Nazarick were the reanimated bodies of Frieren and Fern.
Dabi, and he along with Spinner and Toga looked at zombie Frieren and zombie Fern, remarked, "Dude, so that's how Lord Ainz makes his undead foot soldiers." It was clear that Dabi was at least darkly amused by seeing the dead raised as zombies by magic.
"Well it's one form of necromancy that we've seen," Spinner said.
Looking at the zombie Frieren and zombie Fern, Toga with a mildly worried expression said in a likewise tone, "These girls won't turn us into zombies if they bite or scratch us, will they?"
"That isn't how turning the living into the living dead works, human female," Albedo said as she and Shalltear came walking up, getting the attention of Dabi and his friends; the female floor guardians still wore their armor, but Albedo had her helmet off. "The human in question has to die first," began Albedo, "Then they can rise as undead, either by a necromancy spell reanimating them, or because they were killed due to being attacked by some forms of undead."
"If a living being is attacked by an undead, but the attack in and of itself doesn't kill, then the attacked living being won't be turned," Shalltear said.
Gesturing to the zombie Frieren and zombie Fern, Albedo went on, "Also, these two won't attack unless told to by someone with the authority to issue said order."
As Toga breathed a sigh of relief, Dabi asked the armored ladies, "So what orders do the bosses have for us next, ladies?"
"A battalion of Nazarick forces here will be sent to Auberst to parlay with the demons," Albedo began, "We are going to attempt friendly cooperation with the demons first. If that fails, then what all forces we have will march to war against the demons and wipe them out to a man for daring to reject the mercy offered by two Supreme Beings."
With an amused smirk, Shalltear added, "We'll even bring in the six giants for the attack, provided that we have to attack of course."
"So who will be leading the march to Auberst to first attempt to offer an alliance with the demons?" Dabi asked.
"Lords Ainz and Peroronchino have assigned the role to Cocytus," Albedo explained, "As an absolute example of what it means to be a warrior, Cocytus is a fine choice in leading Nazarick forces in a march. Sasuke would have also been an equally reasonable choice, but our lords flipped a coin to decide and it came up tails so Cocytus got the job."
Gesturing to Dabi, Shalltear added, "You and your companions here will also be part of the march, although you will be provided with mounts. I hope you three as living beings won't mind having to ride skeletal horses."
Dabi, Spinner, and Toga all went wide eyed with surprise when told that they would be riding undead mounts as they rode with Cocytus to Auberst to first offer the demons that took over there a chance to work together with Nazarick. If said negotiations fell through, then Dabi hoped that the forces that were marching over there would be able to leave, or at least send word back to Lords Ainz and Peroronchino that the demons of Auberst don't wanna play nice.
This is the first world aside from his own that Dabi got to visit. It would suck if he died here.
A few days later in Auberst, Ulbert was skimming through a book he found in the ruins of the building where the first class mage exams would have been held. He was doing so despite being unable to read the language of this world; he was just trying to look scholarly. He was snapped out of his reprieve when Aura the Guillotine came jogging up to him.
Ulbert snapped the book closed as Aura knelt before the goat man demon. "Lord Ulbert," Aura began, "An army is marching towards Auberst. It's estimated they'll be here within moments."
"...There is a hint of piqued alarm in your tone," Ulbert remarked, picking up how Aura wasn't exactly viewing said army as no issue for the demons, "Surly an armed force of humans can't have a demon like you on your guard."
Gently shaking her head, Aura replied, "It's not an army of humans. It's an army of undead."
"Undead?" Ulbert said, showing interest, "Oh my, that sounds more interesting than humans."
"The undead army is led by a large blue, multiarmed insectoid with what looks like large spikes of ice coming out of its back," Aura said, "He's accompanied by a human male, a human female, and a male of what looks to be some manner of humanoid lizard."
Ulbert was intrigued by the identities of the persons leading the undead march to Auberst. He was especially interested by the identity of the first person that Aura identified; the large blue insectoid with multiple arms, and it's got large ice spikes coming from its back. The goat man demon was wanting to see where this could lead to.
Gesturing to Aura, Ulbert said, "Do you know if they mean to attack us?"
The Guillotine gently shook her head. "They aren't marching in a manner suggesting that attacking us is the only option they're considering. They may stop so the leaders could attempt to parlay with you, Lord Ulbert." Looking concerned, Aura went on, "But I'm not sure if the undead will be so easily controlled that they can be stopped from attacking us with just a simple command. This IS undead that we're talking about, they're mindless and act randomly."
Ulbert was about to speak up, but got cut off before being able to get out even one word when a female lesser demon came running in. "Lord Ulbert!" the female demon said, "The undead army that was seen marching towards Auberst has stopped in formation outside the main entry point of the city! Their leader and some top subordinates of his rode forward and are demanding someone from our side to ride up to them! I... I think they may want to... negotiate with us."
Ulbert did not miss the surprised confusion in the tone of the female lesser demon at the end. It piqued Ulbert's interest that the demons of this world were so untrusting of undead. "Aura," Ulbert began, getting the attention of the Guillotine, "Ride out to meet with those wishing to parlay with us, learn exactly what terms they have, then report back to me. If they truly wish to ally with us, then who are we to reject using some basic undead to take hits for us as we take over this world?"
Aura relaxed a little, put at easy by Ulbert who gave the idea of using the undead to sponge hits for the demons as they worked to take over the world. "Very well, Lord Ulbert," Aura said, "I shall see if the undead army and its leaders truly want to parlay with us." Aura took off as soon as Ulbert gave her the go ahead to do so.
Things were getting weird for the resurrected demon, but then again she's seen no shortage of things she never would have thought possible prior to the arrival of Lord Ulbert Alain Odle.
Aura rode out on some form of demonic steed, the female lesser demon following along behind her, as they rode out to meet with the leaders of the undead army. Said leaders were obviously living beings, and that fact in and of itself surprised the resurrected demon. The human male and human female were interesting, but the male humanoid lizard and the large insectoid? Such beings never appeared even in Aura's wildest fantasies.
When she and the female lesser demon met up with the leaders of the undead army, Aura said, "I am known as Aura the Guillotine. I have been authorized to ride out and speak with you to see if you and your forces are willing to have peaceful negotiations."
"I am Cocytus, leader of these forces from the Great Tomb of Nazarick," replied Cocytus, "And my lords are indeed interested in peaceful negotiations with you and your demons to see if our two sides can join together and take over this world."
Aura was surprised to get confirmation that the undead army, or at least those who lead it, really are interested in working together with Lord Ulbert and the demons in taking over the world. Aura looked to the undead that marched under Cocytus's word, and was further surprised to see that one of the zombies was the elf girl who killed her previously. That put some degree of amusement into the heart of Aura.
Looking to Cocytus, Aura said, "...Very well. Will you and your troops be willing to wait here while I return to Lord Ulbert and inform him tha-"
"Wait a minute!" Cocytus interrupted, "Did you just say Lord Ulbert?" Dabi, Spinner, and Toga all took note of the sound of hopeful surprise in Cocytus's tone.
"...Yes, and he is bar none the greatest of demons to ever exist," Aura replied, also surprised as she had also taken note of the sound of Cocytus's tone just now.
"Is his full name Ulbert Alain Odle," Cocytus asked, "And he resembles a goat man?"
"You... are familiar with Lord Ulbert?" Aura asked, growing more and more surprised. After all, the leader of the undead army somehow knows Lord Ulbert.
"He's one of the forty-one Supreme Beings!" Cocytus said, "My lords are two of said beings and are trying to find the others! Oh they will be most happy to hear that one of their fellows is here!"
Aura was even more confused now, but she had enough to know that the forces that had marched up to Auberst are willing to play nice. "...You and your troops will have to wait here while I go inform Lord Ulbert that the forces are being led by folks who apparently know him from somewhere," Aura said, "You said your name is Cocytus, right?"
"Yes, and Lord Ulbert will recognize the name of the Great Tomb of Nazarick," Cocytus replied, "He had helped to create it. He will also recognize the name Demiurge."
Aura nodded once and rode back with the female lesser demon to go report to Ulbert. After Aura was gone, Dabi said to Cocytus, "I'm guessing that this Lord Ulbert fellow is one of the buddies of Lords Ainz and Peroronchino."
"And how will he recognize Sir Demiurge?" Spinner asked.
"Lord Ulbert is the Supreme Being who created Demiurge," Cocytus explained, "Similar to how Lord Peroronchino is the Supreme Being who created Shalltear." Cocytus released a blast of cold air from his mouth. "To think that Lords Ainz and Peroronchino's quest to find the other Supreme Beings would yield results so quickly! The others in the Great Tomb will be ecstatic to see a third Supreme Being come for them to serve. I can imagine that Demiurge in particular will be besides himself with joy, as the Supreme Being in question is the one who created him."
Dabi, Spinner, and Toga all looked surprised by what all they were learning. The only reason they weren't freaking out is because they now all serve the interests of the beings who are constantly pulling out all of these surprises.
END, CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Author's notes;
This chapter sees Ainz and Peroronchino take out the forces gathering in the village near Auberst so that said forces can march to fight the demons who took over the magical city. With the heroic forces that had been gathered wiped and some raised as undead, Ainz and Peroronchino assign the job of leading a march to Auberst for negotiations to Cocytus.
When Cocytus, with Dabi, Spinner, and Toga accompanying him, reach Auberst, they parlay with Aura the Guillotine, and from her Cocytus learns that this is the world that Ulbert Alain Odle, one of the forty-one Supreme Beings and the creator of Demiurge, had been sent to. The resurrected demon girl is surprised to see that Ulbert was recognized by Cocytus who expressed obvious joy at recognizing the goat man demon, and rides back to Ulbert to tell him negotiations are now very much possible.
The next chapter will see the number of united Supreme Beings jump up to three. Until then, take care everyone. Later.
