Chapter 30: Fallen Kingdom
A particular set of eyes gazed fixated upon the grassy plains ahead, savoring the moment of silence before the coming battle.
This man did not doubt that he would kill every enemy to protect his own kingdom. Yet, some part of his heart wished not to fight, not against a sorcerer like Ainz Ooal Gown.
Gazef Stronoff, the Warrior Captain of Re-Estize, acknowledged the Sorcerer King as the strongest arcane arts user he ever met. But that did not hinder him from standing against his invasion. No, his duty was to protect the king and, in doing so, protect Re-Estize.
"Nice view. A pity about what's gonna happen." A new voice chimed in, joining the Warrior Captain on the outskirts of the Re-Estize camp.
Hearing the voice, Gazef turned around to see Brain and Climb approaching.
"It seems I can't really get my peace even out here. I'll need to find a better place next time." Gazef remarked with a friendly chuckle.
"C'mon, you going to hang out here all alone? Right before the big battle?" Brain commented, delivering a hearty beat to Gazef's broad shoulders.
"It's not that. I just have a lot to think about." Confessed Gazef with a faint sigh.
"What's on your mind?" Brain asked.
"Do you think we are going to win?" Gazef's question seemed serious, his gaze still fixed on the enemy fortress. Brain hesitated; his mouth went open, but he spoke no words, finding no sentence to speak, letting Gazef continue. "We have to, don't we? To protect what's ours, we need to fight for it." The Warrior Captain spoke, his words still holding a touch of doubt.
"A clouded mind before battle does no warrior good, Gazef. Let's say we spar a bit, shall we, Stronoff?" Brain proposed, brandishing his katana and pointing it at the olive-tanned man's back. Even without seeing Brain, he knew the sound of a sword drawn. Gazef but smirked.
"You're that keen to be defeated again, Unglaus?" Gazef taunted, provoking a smug grin from the Sword Saint.
"Come on. That was a long time ago. Let's say I improved. Who knows?" Brain asserted.
"Fine, I'll humor you this time. But we won't spar too long." Gazef said, unsheating his famous blade, Razor Edge.
"Really Gazef? You know it's not fair when you use that weapon." Brain said as he glanced at the turquoise edge of Gazef's sword.
Meeting Brain's gaze, Stronoff looked at him with a firm look. Yet he complied, turning his attention to Climb.
"Fine. I was not going to use it anyway. Climb? You have a sparring sword, right?" Gazef asked, prompting the boy to retrieve his blade.
"Yeah, of course. Here." He offered the sword to Gazef, who in turn offered Razor Edge.
"Should I be really holding that?" Climb asked, yet a quick look into the Warrior Captain's eyes answered his question.
"You ready?" Gazef asked, grip firm, legs apart as he adopted a typical longpoint guard, typical when using a longsword. Brain did the same, yet his stance differed from Gazef's. Brain seemed more flexible, as his fighting style allowed for quick attacks without much rest between them.
His sword was on the height of his waist, pointed back with both hands around the hilt. This allowed Brain to block or counter Gazef's first attack precisely and easily.
Meters apart, they stood, locked in a silent exchange of gazes. Nobody blinked. The first one to do so would have already lost.
"If you won't, I will!" Gazef shouted as he launched a leftward swing at Brain. Quickly raising his katana, Brain intercepted the attack, deciding to follow up with his own.
He then moved his sword to attack Gazef on the opposite side. Gazef stepped back, using the momentum to block the attack with his crossguard, then pushed Brain's blade aside. At least that was what Gazef wanted to do, but Brain saw through it, quickly removing his sword and taking another step back.
"You tried that once. It worked then, but it won't now." Brain said before attacking Gazef with a high guard, executing a vertical slash. Gazef blocked it with the broad side of his blade, retaliating with a swing from the left.
In a swift response, Brain shifted the hilt of his sword to the left, parrying the strike, and then attempting to twist Gazef's sword to the right, aiming to expose the Warrior Captain. Yet, Gazef had seen this move before.
Gazef pulled his sword away, not falling for any tricks to be disarmed by Brain's previous attack.
Both warriors pulled back, catching their breath as they continued to hold their gazes.
Without a word, Brain went for the offensive again, this time on a high guard. Gazef, deciding to mimic his movement, blocked the strike. And again, he went to use his crossguard to push Brain's katana to the side.
'Is he really doing that again?' Brain pondered while he still had to decide what to do. But Gazef allowed no respite, prompting Brain to retract his sword.
When Gazef saw Brain's body shift, he ceased all force on his opponent's sword, maneuvering his blade beneath Brain's arms, poised just before his stomach.
"Checkmate." Gazef proclaimed, a smirk found on his face.
The instant Brain moved his sword away, he noticed Gazef's eyes shift, only then realizing his mistake.
"That was quite a maneuver." Brain admitted, sheathing his sword.
"If your opponent knows your moves, you need to be innovative, right? I know you never saw me do this attack. That is why I lured you in with a counter I did before. You hesitated, but you had no choice. You had to do the same thing or risk it." Gazef explained, his witt in swordsmanship evident.
"I see. A shame I couldn't beat you even now. I was sure I improved." Brain said, a tinge of disappointment in his voice.
"You're forgetting something. Your enemy probably won't stay on the same level as when you fought him. You were so focused on getting better you forgot your opponent has the same opportunities as you do. And to ease your doubts a little, I really just guessed when I made the final move. You were just unlucky enough to do the wrong thing!" Gazef clarified while letting out a wholehearted laugh. The stupefied look Brain gave him was priceless.
"Come on! I guess that's my luck. Thank god there's martial arts. In a real fight, I would have been able to react to that without doubts." Brain remarked.
"But you were really good as well, Brain. How you attacked and countered, I couldn't even track most of your movements." Climb praised.
"Thanks for the compliments. I just have to hope I never encounter someone like Gazef as an enemy." Brain chuckled, the sting of defeat easing.
"You're talented, Brain, you really are. Maybe even more so than I. You just have to broaden your horizon a little bit." Gazef admitted.
"Says the one who won two out of our two fights." Brain replied jokingly, prompting Gazef to dismiss his words with a casual gesture.
Gazef redirected his gaze back onto the to-become battlefield, noting the enemy's movements.
"Well, that was fun while it lasted. But it seems our enemies are finally getting out of their fortress." Gazef stated, all three of them turning their attention toward the imperial camp.
"Why does the empire aid the Sorcerer King exactly?" Climb questioned.
"Baharut had its eyes on Re-Estize for quite a while now, you know. This is but a chance for them to get their slice. But that is just a guess. The most accurate to say." Gazef answered.
"Even then, we outnumber their forces 3 to 1. I don't believe the empire can win against such odds." Climb spoke his thoughts. Yet, the boy did not know how wrong he could be. In a normal scenario, this would probably apply to, yet not in this case.
"Skill is something numbers can't buy. The imperial legions are trained soldiers, whereas our troops are simple levies. And even then, they have Ainz Ooal Gown on their side. He defeated an army of 50'000 men once with what was estimated to be about 500 knights. And then there is the mysterious commander of the Sorcerer King, Alucard Ooal Gown, who can kill 10 men with one swing ontop of his steed. No martial arts included. And we don't know much about our enemy, so our victory isn't guaranteed." Gazef explained quickly. It was true that they could win a pyrrhic victory over the imperial legions, but the Sorcerer King was different.
"Let's not think about that. After this, we'll have as many beers as possible back in the capital. Gazef promised me yesterday he would drink again if we were to win." Brain reassured Climb. It was well known that the Warrior Captain did not drink any alcohol. Yet, for him to do so would almost seem bizarre.
"I would hope so."
"How could he?! How?!" A voice erupted, a blend of anger and sorrow mixed within.
A feminine silhouette occupied the edge of a bed, clad in a white silk dress, appearing like a saint. Despite her angelic appearance, a pair of horns on her head revealed her true nature. Dark, flowing hair cascaded down her back. Two feathered wings sprouted from her waist, arching around her body like a shield.
"Why, Lord Ainz? Why do you give her such things and not me? So much attention for that… that bitch!" Albedo swung her hand, an axe materializing mid-air, crashing into any unfortunate object nearby. "Why don't you give me something I can hold dear, Momonga? Why does it have to be her?!" Again, she let out her anger, cutting her desk in half.
A hush followed. With slow breaths, the Guardian Overseer tried to get her composure back. She dematerialized her axe, closing her eyes for a moment of peace.
"Is this your great plan, my Lord? Do you intend to punish me, ignore me to see if I am worthy? If that is so, I will not falter, my Lord." Albedo proclaimed, opening her golden-colored eyes with a hint of a smirk.
"I will prove my worth to the Supreme One. And maybe, he will reward my loyalty with something very special." A faint blush tinged Albedo's cheeks as she spoke. "Still, I do wonder what Lord Ainz changed in me. What did Lord Tabula Smaragdina make that prompted the Supreme One to change it?" Albedo pondered. To be someone you weren't before. A strange feeling with a longing to search for who she was once. It could only be bad, could it? If not, then why did Lord Ainz change it?
"Luckily, Lord Ainz permitted me to utilize a private force to find other players. A shame I cannot tell the truth. But they hurt him, I cannot forgive them for that." Albedo gritted her teeth at the thought that all the Supreme Beings left her master. The only thing she could hope for was for him not to leave as well. But what if the residents of Nazarick did something that provoked the Supreme One to leave? How would they even know what that would be? She didn't, and she doubted Demiurge did. Nobody did except the Supreme Beings themselves, from which only one remains.
She cleared her throat, rose from the bed, and approached the door.
Outside the suite, a maid stood beside the entrance, awaiting any orders given.
"Please put the suite back into its previous state. You won't tell anybody what you have seen there, understood?" Albedo made herself clear, and the maid nodded.
"Of course, Guardian Overseer." She replied.
"Excellent."
Beads of sweat ran down the soldiers' backs, the relentless sun intensifying the heat under their metal armor. As an imperial soldier, they had plated armor that offered better protection than the armor the kingdom offered its levies. They even had to pay for it, but the professional soldiers of Baharut received their armor as a gift when they completed their training. Yet nothing would prepare them for what would transpire today.
For now, the grassy expanse covered the lands before the city of E-Libel, a town east of the capital. From here, it was not far until reaching the kingdom's heart. Thus, they decided to halt the invasion of the Sorcerer King here.
"Are you ready, Shalltear?" Ainz asked from within the tent the imperials provided him with. Shalltear stood beside him, as did Alucard, or more accurately, Pandora's Actor with the armor Ainz made. To utilize the armor to its best, Pandora's Actor took on the form of one of the Supreme Beings.
To see it from the outside was truly awe-inspiring. Ainz could not question the master smith's talent from the 8th Floor. The armor was a true masterpiece, capable of instilling fear among enemies by sight alone.
"Ready as ever, my lord!" The True Vampire answered, straightening up slightly. Armored in her new divine gear, which was not far from her old armor, the vampire seemed well prepared.
'Since she did a good job reconquering the dwarf's capital, I thought she deserved something. Thus, I took her with me when destroying the kingdom's forces. Also, she could be useful as a bodyguard.' Ainz thought while he stood up.
"Good. Then let us make a scene worthy of remembering for eons to come. Shalltear, Alucard. Let us go." Ainz declared as he emerged from the tent, followed by the two.
Awaiting them before the gates were two individuals. One was a personal Imperial Knight from the emperor, wearing obsidian-colored armor, his blonde hair contrasting his clothing. The other seemed to be the general of one of the legions, bearing short brown hair.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. I hope your travels here were well?" Nimble asked as he made a short bow, the general following suit.
"I had no complains, thank you for asking. I suppose it is time?" Ainz inquired, at which the Imperial Knight nodded. "Then I shall open the battle with one of my grandest spells, is it? Very well, I, but I think it would be better to wait for my army to get here first." Ainz stated, at which both men raised their brows.
"Your Majesty, where exactly is your army now?" The general asked in confusion. If an army would approach their position, he would know by now. But he didn't. Yet he didn't dare to speak of the Sorcerer King ill, yet his mind had doubts about his capability, only from that sentence alone. In his work, he had to judge people fast. This even applied to royalty.
"Right here." Ainz announced and stretched out his arms, a palpable sound following. Behind the enigmatic sorcerer, a rift in space seemed to appear. The purple anomaly expanded, stretching out to a sizeable oval sphere.
The sight alone made soldiers gasp. Even the general and the Imperial Knight looked stunned.
Then, dark silhouettes appeared out of it. Armored in darkest armor, taller than any imperial soldier, and terrifying, to say at least. Their mere presence seemed to produce fear in anything around them.
Once all emerged, they stomped on the ground in unison, showing their discipline and readiness to fight for their master.
"G-Good. Then let us continue." Nimble said, turning his attention from the arrived army. He heard reports of them, yet to see them in person, he knew that everything they did was true. Slicing 5 men in half with one simple swing? He wouldn't doubt that they couldn't.
Nimble knew good equipment when he saw one, and theirs was on par or better than his own. He almost felt jealous.
Ainz nodded to Nimble, who ordered the gate to be opened.
Beyond the fortress walls, more imperial soldiers awaited on both sides.
'So this is it then. I haven't tested this Super-Tier spell much back in Yggdrasil. But if it would work…' Ainz thought. He seemed to have already arrived at the front of the imperial legions, his Dark Paladins behind him. 'Well, never mind then. No time to think.'
"Then let us begin." Ainz declared. The kingdom seemed to begin mobilizing its forces, sending its left and right-wing after the fortress. It was clear that the nobles would underestimate the empire and him, opting for a frontal attack, and exactly that would be their downfall. "We will meet them in the middle. There is no need for you to follow." Ainz said to Nimble, but before the knight could say a word, Ainz was already on his way, his troops following him tightly.
"B-But…" Nimble lost his words, simply watching the sorcerer walk toward the battlefield. 'Is he crazy?! Does he have that much faith in his abilities that he would face an army of 250'000 soldiers?! What are you, Ainz Ooal Gown, that you don't fear an army such as that?!' Nimble contemplated, then turned to the general. "Be ready to move the legions. If the Sorcerer King has unleashed his spell, we will attack." Nimble declared, thinking to be prepared for anything that would happen next.
To be true, they thought the Sorcerer King would unleash grand flames, eternal ice, or thundering lightning upon the enemy soldiers, but they would be wrong.
Ainz walked toward the kingdom as if it were an everyday thing. Even now, he wore his mask, [Avarice and Generosity], equipped on both arms. Of course, Ainz did not take the world item without reason. It was all part of the grand spell he wanted to perform.
Standing in the middle of the battlefield, he gazed at the kingdom's ranks. He spotted a familiar face, Gazef Stronoff, the man he saved at Carne Village. The Warrior Captain seemed to do the same, gazing back at him. Certainly, the man had already recognized him even from this distance.
'Beside him are his two friends if the reports are to be believed? And that seems to be Marquis Raeven.' Ainz didn't remember their names, but he only knew that the blue-haired guy was a skilled martial artist. Killing him wouldn't be great since he planned to learn more about this alien form of magic, if one could call it that.
And the blond one, he was nothing special. No talent nor great strength. Maybe his willpower surpassed a normal human, but he was of no great concern. He simply couldn't kill him because he was protected by the word he gave to someone who would, or already has, betray the kingdom.
Ainz, with a smooth motion, raised both his hands into the air, Avarice and Generosity ready at his use.
Soon, blue runes expanded from his body, engulfing the Overlord and being seen by everyone. All eyes were now fixed on Ainz, the anxiety rising every second.
An arcane phenomenon like this was never witnessed before, marking the dawn of a new age in the world.
Gazef fixated his gaze upon the approaching Sorcerer King, accompanied by two enigmatic figures trailing behind him. As always, the sorcerer adorned his twilight robes, yet something seemed different. His gauntlets were replaced. One hand gleamed white like an angel's, while the other bore darkness like a demon's. He did not know the symbolism of it, but he clearly knew the Sorcerer King did not wear these when he met him back at Carne.
Scrutinizing his bodyguards, his eyes shifted to the one in crimson armor. Never had he seen such a design. And the wearer, a pale girl, exuded an air of elegance and perfection. No eyebrow was bigger than the other. Everything about this girl's face was symmetrical. She would be the best-looking woman he had ever seen by human standards. Yet her current attire made her look like an intimidating adversary.
In her hand was a lance of unknown design connected to her suit in the back.
'I have never seen such a weapon nor armor. This simply looks so alien to me.' Gazef did not understand what function the tube had. But he did not question it as he would not find any answers in his head.
Shifting his gaze to the right, he saw someone he had only heard tales of.
'Alucard Ooal Gown. Commander of the Sorcerer King's legions. They share the same name, so I suppose they must be related somehow.' Now that he saw Alucard's armor, he was sure it was on equal grounds with the crimson one. Yet it was a bit more intimidating, the skull for a visor clearly meant to inspire dread among enemies.
"Is this Ainz Ooal Gown? The Sorcerer King you talked about, Warrior Captain?" Marquis Raeven inquired from his mounted position beside Stronoff.
"It is." Gazef confirmed.
"He seems more dangerous than we thought. And his army…" Raeven said, losing any words to describe the force behind Ainz Ooal Gown.
"Yes, I have yet to fight one of his troops. They seem well-equipped. But now that I possess all of the national treasures, I am confident I will not be that easy to beat." Gazef stated.
"N-No way! It can't be!" Suddenly, a voice called out. As Gazef turned, he saw Brain, his face filled with despair as tears formed in his eyes. His knees seemed weak, yet he kept looking into the distance as if he had seen something so horrifying that it could even immobilize one of the greatest warriors with their presence alone.
"What is it?" Gazef demanded. Both Climb and the Marquis turned to see what the commotion was about. "Talk to me, Unglaus!" Gazef shouted at the man's face, holding his head with both arms.
Brain simply raised a shaking hand and pointed toward the battlefield, where the Sorcerer King was.
"N-Not she! Everything but her!" The man screamed, fear completely overwhelming his mind.
"What about her?" Gazef continued, trying to figure out the source of Brain's dread.
"S-She was the one that beat me! T-The monster!" Unglaus proclaimed in a shaky voice, almost falling backward as his own strength failed him.
As Gazef heard this, he turned back at the crimson knight beside the Sorcerer King, then back to Brain.
"She was the one who beat you?" Gazef questioned.
"Beat me? She destroyed me! Held my sword with two of her fingers from a full-on swing! I-I activated my martial arts and saw how I would strike her down. But, she was fast enough to catch my sword with her fingers." Brain explained, his heart slowly calming.
Concern is etched on the Warrior Captain's face when hearing this. He had no doubt that Brain was speaking the truth.
"Then she works under Ainz Ooal Gown. These are grave news." Gazef commented, turning his gaze back on the plains before him.
After some time, a priest arrived, alleviating Brain's fear with a chant.
"Better?" Asked Gazef.
"A little. But we won't have any chance against her." Brain claimed, at which Climb raised his voice.
"You can't lose hope like that! We need to protect the kingdom! I thought you were a warrior! How can you give up before you even fought?!" Climb's words hit the blue-haired warrior like a battering ram. He was a warrior. Why was he so afraid then? Was it death? Or was it because he hadn't achieved anything great before? Win against Gazef Stronoff was one of his goals, yet had he not escaped from Shalltear, he would have never had the chance to fulfill that goal. But would it matter? What would it change?
"It doesn't matter. Nothing matters." Brain whispered. Then, as he took a deep breath, he stood up, opening his eyes as he fixed his eyes on the crimson terror. His legs no longer shook, and he wasn't drowning in despair, even if he was anxious.
"I'm fine." He said. Gazef, seeing this, smirked.
"Good. About time. It seems they began to move." Gazef said. The Sorcerer King and his subordinates seemingly stood in the middle of both camps, halting their approach.
Just then, everybody was found agape, staring at the phenomenon.
Giant arcane circles surrounded the Sorcerer King, expanding into the air as the runes formed around him.
"What is that…" Brain asked, yet he received no answer. All eyes were fixed on the mysterious magic unfolding, eager to see any sign of what the Sorcerer King was about to perform.
Gazef had seen his fair share of spells cast by mages, yet he had never seen nor heard of something like this.
"We need to attack now!" Marquis Raeven commanded, his orders relayed to all fronts.
"Why aren't they moving?" Climb questioned. Seeing none of the Sorcerer King's knights go on the attack seemed bizarre when an army of 100'000 was marching toward you. Yet Gazef had his suspicions.
"He doesn't need his army." Gazef commented, bewildering both Brain and Climb as they looked at him dumb-founded.
"What do you mean by that, Gazef?" Brain asked, his tone worrying. Yet the Warrior Captain didn't seem to answer anytime soon, gazing toward the one being called the Sorcerer King.
He could feel it. The tension, the anxiety. Something grandiose was about to happen.
'No one is attacking me upfront. I guess there are no players out here.' In Yggdrasil, if any player cast Super-Tier magic, he would be the prime target of every enemy in his vicinity. Since it took a casting time of 30 seconds, other players had plenty of time to disturb the caster and cancel the spell. Yet it seemed such counter-measures were absent here.
Ainz didn't find it necessary to shorten the cast time. For now, he simply enjoyed the scenery, only perceiving exp where one would see soldiers, human beings with feelings that had a wife, child, sister, or brother. Yet most were destined not to return to their homes after what would transpire today.
'Many will die by my hands. Yet I feel nothing. No, remorse or guilt. I only strive to gain greater power.' Ainz contemplated, with a mere second remaining until he could cast his spell. Extending his arms outward, the runes around him expanded and lit up into a bright flash, signalizing the beginning of the end.
"[Soul Harvest]"
For a moment, a profound stillness gripped the battlefield. The cries and shouts of soldiers were muffled to the point they couldn't be heard anymore. Time seemed frozen as the spell took effect.
Suddenly, every soldier collapsed one after another, their lifeless bodies littered all over the battlefield. Yet no arrow was shot, nor did any sword cut any of them down. No, something far worse had happened.
Even without deploying his undead legions, Ainz Ooal Gown had killed thousands of soldiers with one single spell, half of Re-Estize's troops gone just because of one man. Or rather, a monster in disguise. However, he would soon lose this facade and show his true nature.
Reaching for his mask, Ainz let it disappear, his face visible before the world. His pristine skull emitted an otherworldly radiance while every other part of his being seemed to suck in any nearby light.
Spreading his arms, he revealed his rib cage, inside an orb of crimson color, frequently pulsating with an insatiable hunger for destruction.
"Behold my power and applause!" Ainz commanded, both Shalltear and 'Alucard' clapping their hands at their master's power. All of the Dark Paladins followed. "But the spell isn't over yet." Ainz stated, at which Shalltear and 'Alucard' didn't seem so surprised. After all, their lord's power was not to be questioned.
Soon, luminous orbs, akin to visible vapor, emanated from each fallen soldier's body, converging toward the Sorcerer King at a moderate pace. Souls, as one would call them, entered one of his gauntlets, Avarice, fueling it with experience Ainz was about to use.
'[Soul Harvest] would typically allow someone to utilize the 'souls' for any following spell that requires experience, be it Super-Tier or other. Sadly, if not all souls are used, they disappear after a while. Yet I can go around that. With Avarice, I can suck the souls into the world item and gain experience instead. And it seems the exchange rate is ten times the souls I harvested. I not only gain experience, but I can follow up with an incredibly powerful spell.' Ainz stated, initiating another Super-Tier spell. Yet this time, he cut the casting time completely.
"[Nog-C'thulhu-gof'nn]"
"...This can't be!" Exclaimed a Re-Estize soldier, his eyes wide with horror as he witnessed everybody die before him. Friends and comrades he made simply dropped to the ground, their lifeless eyes looking back at him as if to warn the man to run and not look back.
Gazef, Climb, Brain, and Marquis Raeven were stunned. Ainz Ooal Gown had killed half of their troops with a single spell, beating their expectations by a large margin.
"By the gods…" Raeven gasped, his mouth agape at the tragedy before him.
Gazef stood in solemn silence, his stare fixed on the sea of fallen soldiers. Yet his attention was soon captivated by the enigmatic figure that caused this disaster.
As the Sorcerer King reached for his mask, it vanished, revealing a visage so fearful none could stand under its stare. A creature forged from darkness itself, simply existing to haunt all life. An undead, only consisting of negative energy-infused bones.
"So you're not human, huh." Gazef remarked, seeing the Sorcerer King's true nature. He hadn't suspected him even being such a creature, yet it seemed he had either deceived him or become one recently. He knew stories where great magic casters would turn themselves undead to become immortal, yet he didn't think Ainz was that kind of a character to sacrifice thousands of souls just for his own. Why would he save Carne village then? He didn't know. Everything about Ainz Ooal Gown was a huge enigma, an abyss that would make you lose yourself the more you looked into it.
"Only a monster could rule over other monsters. No wonder Shalltear Bloodfallen serves him." Brain commented, staring at the Overlord.
"What do we do now, Gazef?" Climb asked, desperation evident in his voice. Even Raeven appeared at a loss, it seemed. His face was pale from witnessing such devastation.
But before Gazef could respond, another phenomenon unfolded.
From each fallen soldier, ethereal lights ascended, converging toward the Sorcerer King. One could call these luminous entities souls, for there was no description for them.
"No way…" Brain exclaimed, baffled by the scene.
"What is he doing?" Climb asked worryingly.
But none of them had any answer to this. They could only watch as the souls departed and surrendered themselves to the grasp of Ainz Ooal Gown.
Even the king bore witness to it with despair etched across his eyes. The monster he harbored disdain for revealed itself as the harbinger of death, a truth he hadn't anticipated.
The one who sent flying monstrosities to the capital, who rained blood and gore upon it, who defeated his son in battle, his second son as well, was indeed a creature of death itself.
He thought of the Sorcerer King as a cruel man who enjoyed the suffering of others, especially his own. Yet this changed now that he saw him with his own eyes.
"Doomed… We are doomed." He whispered as he realized what he had just done. Indirectly, his actions had led to the deaths of all the soldiers who succumbed to the Sorcerer King's spell.
A doomed king, destined to accept anything that would come for him.
But what would transpire next exceeded everybody's expectations.
A resounding crack, akin to a shattering mirror, echoed across the battlefield. High above, a strange anomaly emerged as if the heavens themselves sought to make way for some force superior to itself.
Subsequently, a deafening boom reverberated. The anomaly expanded, revealing a passage to another world, a portal of unknown origin.
"What is that…" The soldiers of Re-Estize pondered. The slaughter of one hundred thousand or more soldiers wasn't enough. Despair had to persist until none of them were left.
As they peered into the portal, only darkness could be seen, an eternal storm crackling with green lightning, sometimes revealing shadowy figures lurking within.
Then, everyone's eyes shifted back to the Sorcerer King as the souls he had gathered departed toward the rift in space. They entered, and in an instant, they seemed to be consumed by something unknown.
A grotesque growl followed, which made even the toughest men shiver with fear. Something seemed to approach the portal, still concealed by thick clouds, yet its colossal size was noticeable.
It reached for the portal, stretching toward it, yet it seemed to collide with a flexible membrane reminiscent of a membrane inside an egg. It mirrored a birth, yet instead of being something good, this birth would bring only devastation upon man.
It didn't seem to be alone. If one looked clearly, he could see three beings who struggled to reach the barrier, pushing themselves to their limits to feast on the remaining soldiers.
With a resonant pop, the thin wall gave away, and three beings descended to the ground. Dust rose from the impact, hiding whatever monstrosities landed there.
A moment of silence yielded to menacing growls emanating from the impact.
The dust settled, and their hideous forms were revealed at last. Towering creatures with dark grey skin that seemed hard as steel and six eyes that shone bright yellow.
The creatures possessed two huge bat-like wings, but the most disturbing part was the tentacles hanging from their mouths.
Even without knowing the creature, one could see the malice it had in its eyes, the destruction it craved for.
As they spread their wings, despair descended upon the soldiers of Re-Estize once more. Fear gripped all but the Sorcerer King and his subordinates.
'It seems somewhat different. But it has been successful. The Star Spawn of Cthulhu. Level 90 and specializing in psychic abilities. I considered using the Dark Young for this, but the Star Spawn would make for an interesting sight.' Of course, Ainz had his reasons. One was that he wanted to see if he could get something more than a Star Spawn from the portal. Since flavor text became a reality, who said the summons would be limited to Star Spawn? Maybe he could manifest something greater, but it only seemed to increase in quantity, not quality. Spawning one was standard back in Yggdrasil, but three were impressive.
'I know I said I would use one spell, but they don't know these are separate. I just wanted to snatch some experience for myself. Also, if I had used [lä-Shub-NIggurath] I would have lost all that experience to summon the creatures as a sacrifice.' He was sure he had gained another level now. But now was not the time to look into that.
"Ph'nglui mglw'nafth Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn." Ainz uttered aloud. Nobody understood his words, yet they would soon witness its effects.
'If one can speak the language, it's no problem buffing the Star Spawn. A little easter egg from the developers.'
The Star Spawn reacted to his chant, fueled with rage, as they surged toward the Re-Estize soldiers.
'Do not kill the following four people. Remember that.' Ainz ordered them mentally, then proceeded to summon himself a Soul Eater to be its steed.
Shalltear and 'Alucard' both summoned their respective mounts. Where 'Alucard' called his bicorn to his side, Shalltear got herself a Vampire Unicorn. It was about level 60, and even if there were far more impressive vampiric steeds than itself, anything more powerful would frighten onlookers even more, which she wanted to avoid.
A Vampire Unicorn was similar to a unicorn except for its pale appearance, red eyes, and sharp teeth.
"We march onward." Ainz stated, and his army, along with him, marched toward the remains of Re-Estize.
The soldiers stood frozen in terror, their eyes fixed on the approaching abominations.
"This has to be a dream! It has to be, right?" One soldier whispered to his comrade, who could only respond in empty words. As one of the monstrous figures soared toward them, time seemed to slow down as he recalled his life before he was brutally smashed to bits by the eldritch monstrosity.
Gradually, the soldiers succumbed insane, killing each other left and right. None were safe in the presence of those beings as they massacred and ate anything that even seemed to be alive.
Wherever they went, death followed. Some died quickly, while others died in great pain.
Amidst the chaos, even one of the greatest warriors seemed to hesitate to attack such a being, yet he set such thoughts aside. He saw one coming straight at him. No, at the soldiers before him, it seemed it didn't care much to attack the greatest warrior of Re-Estize.
Gaining momentum, he rushed at the creature, trying to go for one of its legs.
"[Sixfold Slash of Light]!" Gazef went for the attack, he made contact, yet to his dismay, the creature's hide remained unscathed.
'Razor Edge does nothing?!' He thought, but he didn't despair now. The creature, noticing his attempts, struck him with the backside of his left arm, sending him hurling back to the camp.
'Damn, it's strong. I won't be able to stop even one of them.' Gazef thought, spotting a familiar figure in the midst of the chaos. 'Ainz Ooal Gown, we meet again, it seems.'
There, a true master over monsters, Ainz Ooal Gown, the Sorcerer King, rode on a skeletal steed emanating an otherworldly aura.
It wasn't long until Climb and Brain joined him, their swords high as they held their ground.
The Sorcerer King approached slowly. And just as the Sorcerer King was 10 meters away, his deep voice resonated amidst the plains.
"You look well, Stronoff." Ainz greeted, his tone welcoming rather than hateful or serious.
"You as well. Perhaps you lost your humanity on your way here." Gazef remarked, eliciting an aggressive gaze from the girl in crimson armor. But as Ainz erupted in a hearty laugh, her face returned to normal.
"I can assure you I haven't changed a bit." Ainz replied, descending from his Soul Eater as he approached Gazef.
"So, what is your goal? What is it you do desire? Surely you haven't come merely for the fun of it." Gazef inquired.
"Mmh, very well, I will speak clearly then. You see, I am somewhat of a collector. Not only of objects of great power but of individuals as well. Plainly speaking, I want you to join me, Gazef. If you do…" The Sorcerer King snapped his fingers, and a sudden silence engulfed the battlefield. No longer did the ground shake with tremors, nor did the sky erupt in screams of the Star Spawn. "Take a look around you."
As Gazef observed each monster Ainz had unleashed upon their army, he noticed they halted their movements completely, as if stuck in time.
"You've stopped them." Gazef acknowledged.
"Your next actions will determine what will happen next. If you join me, I will recall them and stop the massacre, but if you refuse my offer, I might give them a different order." Ainz threatened. He wanted to bring Gazef to join him by any means, yet he failed to see the human part behind it. It would seem logical to join him because the choice to join him would save thousands in return. Yet logic wasn't the only part of a human's actions and decisions. And Ainz failed to see that.
"No, I can't. My allegiance is to the king. I cannot betray that." Gazef declared, having made his decision. His eyes showed no hesitation as he stood proudly by his words.
"A pity. I was hoping you would accept. Yet it seems not even I can get anything I want." Ainz said, at which Gazef pointed his sword toward Ainz. Quickly, Shalltear sped up from her steed, aiming for the warrior's head. But a raised hand from Ainz stopped her in her tracks just before she could put an end to the Warrior Captain's eyes.
Shocked, Gazef looked at the speed portrayed by the girl.
'I hadn't even seen her move! No wonder Brain is so afraid of her. She is truly a monster.' Gazef thought but quickly returned his attention to the Sorcerer King.
"Sorcerer King Ainz Ooal Gown! I challenge you to a duel!" Gazef proclaimed, shocking both Ainz and his comrades.
"Are you sure you want to do that? You couldn't even react to the movement of one of my servants, and you still think you can beat me?" Ainz questioned, doubting the logic behind his words, yet Gazef stood firm.
"The king's enemy is in front of me. I cannot simply let you go. I will fight you with whatever I have!" Gazef proclaimed.
"Fine. I'll humor you, Gazef." The Sorcerer King agreed, signaling his bodyguard to retreat and giving Gazef and him some space to fight. "That is an interesting sword you have, Gazef. Might I take a look at it?" Ainz asked. To Climb and Brain, this seemed ridiculous to ask, yet Gazef seemed to consider it.
Walking over to the Sorcerer King, he once again remembered how tall he really was. Without hesitation, he handed the enemy of his kingdom his weapon, one which was hailed as one of the kingdom's treasures. Just like that, Ainz could have taken it away and kill the Warrior Captain with no way to protect himself. Yet Gazef was still standing, watching the Sorcerer King inspect the weapon.
"This weapon is incredible. Gazef, tell me, do you know what this weapon can do?" Ainz asked, at which Stronoff answered to the best of his knowledge.
"It can cut through anything. Its sharpness is like no other, of that I am aware." The Warrior Captain stated, yet Ainz seemed unsatisfied with his response.
"That is only a portion of what it is capable of." The Sorcerer King claimed, surprising Gazef with his remark. What was it that the sword could do that he didn't know? "But that isn't important for now. I appreciate you letting me appraise it. You may have it back." Ainz said, using a levitation spell to return the blade to Gazef.
Gripping his hands around the hilt, he felt no change in the weapon itself. Sadly he had considered that the Sorcerer King may have done something to it, yet his intuition was right. He wasn't someone who would play dirty. In that regard he thought to have understood Ainz Ooal Gown's character right. Even if he attacked the kingdom, he was not without honor.
"Now, before we begin, may I claim that weapon as the victor?" Ainz inquired, his interest in the sword evident. But Gazef shook his head.
"No, this belongs to the kingdom, I cannot allow you to take it with you." Gazef refused. Normally, any enemy would have looted his corpse for anything valuable, yet he knew the Sorcerer King would hold his word.
"Mmh, I will allow it. But do know that if you fight me, your death will be permanent. No resurrections allowed." The Overlord warned, his nature backing up the claim that he brought. Who else to stop a man from returning to the living than the enemy of life itself?
"That is fine by me." Gazef replied.
"Gazef, you can't do that!"
"At least let me fight beside you!"
Both Climb and Brain protested, but Gazef stood firm.
"This is my fight, you two! Or do you want to drag my honor through the dirt?!" Gazef retorted. He didn't do this out of the pleasure of his heart. No, he did this to fight for his king and country, for their sake, not for his.
Both warriors seemed taken aback yet respected his decision.
"Perhaps they can aid in another way? You there, make the signal to begin the fight." Ainz pointed at the blonde knight. Climb was first too stunned to say a word, but as he remembered he had taken a bell with him, he quickly took it out, showing it before the Sorcerer King.
"Will this suffice?" Climb asked, at which the Overlord nodded. Deciding he had taken a good amount of distance, Ainz turned around and looked Gazef straight in the eyes.
"Those eyes don't lie, Gazef. You are prepared to die. Brave, but foolish. But I have to respect your decision. Not many would stand up to me like you do." Ainz acknowledged, his words evoking a smirk from Gazef.
"I appreciate the praise. But how are you sure I won't win?" Gazef said confidently, at which Shalltear remarked with a chuckle, finding it amusing that the Warrior Captain believed he could defeat Ainz Ooal Gown.
"Your enthusiasm is impressive. For that, I'll even grant you the first strike. But if I still stand after that, your death will be guaranteed, Gazef." Ainz declared, his growing darker. The ominous tone sent shivers down the spines of Climb and Brain, yet Gazef stood firm, not fearing it as he stood there unfazed, as if facing a storm from the top of a hill. One could call that suicidal, or worthy of heroism.
"Fine by me." Gazef replied, raising Razor Edge in a ready stance. In contrast, Ainz stood motionless, majestic, and imposing, awaiting the signal from the princess's bodyguard.
"Oh, sorry!" Climb apologized. He seemed to have gotten a bit carried away by the situation.
He was confused about why the Sorcerer King would allow Gazef even to hit him. To his knowledge, mages weren't known to be durable, yet he had to remind himself that Ainz Ooal Gown wasn't anything regular. He was an anomaly, a monster, a being that could call forth other monsters even more frightening than itself. Surely one strike of the Warrior Captain wouldn't strike him down.
But then a lingering hope lit up in Climb. What if Gazef could defeat the Sorcerer King? What if the undead's overconfidence would be his downfall?
'Please Gazef! You have to do it! What would happen to the princess if you can't stop this monster now? How could I even defeat the Sorcerer King and protect the princess if you're defeated? You need to win, Gazef, you need to!' Climb mentally encouraged the Warrior Captain, meanwhile holding his bell high, awaiting the right moment to start the duel.
Brain had similar thoughts, yet he respected Gazef for facing death head-on, a strength that he himself lacked. He hadn't such a strong will nor duty to any kingdom that could get him to do something like that. That was exactly the reason he respected Gazef more than any other person. His character was honest and truthful, not overconfident or arrogant.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the two, Pandora's Actor concealed his amusement as he read the thoughts of the two. His race could read minds as a skill, whereas someone like Ainz or any other caster, who didn't orient in a psychic-type race, needed mana to fuel such a spell. This ability was often useful, especially when Pandora's Actor was to impersonate his father.
Time seemed to slow down as Climb began to ring the bell. This was it, Gazef's last dance with death. He had faced it long enough, but now he was ready.
He was sure he was going to die at Carne Village, but because of one person, he survived, something that felt wrong. But now that he faced his savior, he was sure he had to survive to face him on this battlefield. Perhaps his death would save countless others, perhaps not. But he had to try nonetheless.
He remembered the start of the battle, as the Sorcerer King killed tens of thousands of soldiers with a single spell and then continued to conjure forth monstrosities by sacrificing their souls.
It all felt surreal, like a dream turned nightmare. Yet, unlike in a dream, he knew he wouldn't wake up from his bed, knowing it was all in his head. And he wouldn't return to the palace on a sunny day, greeting the king in a good mood while believing the world was fine as it was.
No, this was the end of the line. From here, there will be no further adventures, no more watching nobles slander each other, nor traveling to villages to defeat bandits and vagabonds.
The chilling cold, Gazef could feel it. His breath was different, his body more frigid, almost as if he prepared himself for death, an eternal silence that was to come and never go away.
But would he really care about the king if he was ready to leave the living plane, embrace death, and never return? Who would protect the kingdom's people from the Sorcerer Kingdom's legions? Those who had burned down cities in their wake and killed innocents simply because of a dispute.
He didn't know, didn't think about anything else right now. The only thing that mattered was his enemy, nothing else.
As the bell rang out loud, Gazef charged at the unmoving Sorcerer King with a shout, unleashing a number of potent martial arts.
"[Body Strengthening]! [Enhanced Magic Resistance]! [Flow Acceleration]! [Magical Weapon Enhancement]! [Sixfold Slash of Light]!"
He executed his favorite and strongest technique, one he had mastered over the ages, surpassing even the [Fourfold Slash of Light]. He bore all his strength, his being into the attack, his veins bulging, muscles taut to the brink of rupture. Nothing would be unscathed after such an attack, not any human.
This was the Warrior Captain, the pinnacle of fighters in the kingdom, at his best. Yet, to everyone's disbelief, laughter emanated from the Sorcerer King after Gazef executed his trump card.
"No way…" Brain gasped. A technique that normally cut through anything human or metal, seemed ineffective. No scratch or damage marred the Sorcerer King's bones, nor did his clothes lose their elegant appearance. No, the undead ruler seemed as untouched as before, as if Gazef hadn't unleashed the strongest attack he could muster up.
Gazef stood in shock, seeing the Sorcerer King clap as if commending his efforts.
"That was very good. Yet not enough." Ainz stated.
'I actually received some damage because of the blade. It bypassed my immunity yet still did minimal damage. A shame I can't have it.' Ainz wanted to study it and find out where it came from. It wasn't from Yggdrasil, of that he was sure.
"I suppose it is my turn next, Gazef." Ainz said, a smirk appearing on the Warrior Captain's face.
"I have given everything I've got, yet you still triumphed over that. You are truly amazing, Lord Ainz." Gazef admitted. Even in defeat, he marveled at the powers Ainz Ooal Gown possessed. This being was simply out of his reach, perhaps of any mortal.
'You stood up against me, knowing that you would lose. Yet still, you did it. You knew that you would die here. I don't know if I would do the same, if I would sacrifice myself like that, knowing I would never come back. But Gazef didn't hesitate. He challenged me to a duel without hesitation. That much I could see in his eyes. The eyes of a man who knew death but still chose to face it.' Ainz didn't say it, but he admired Stronoff in that regard. Gazef's character was far greater than that of Suzuki Saturo. The Overlord was fully aware of that. Yet he was not jealous. Rather sad that he had to kill such a man.
"It was a pleasure to have known you, Gazef." Ainz said his last words to the man before casting a silent spell.
'[True Death]'
Without uttering a word, the Sorcerer King had already won the duel. Gazef Stronoff, the Warrior Captain of the Re-Estize Kingdom, died standing. No grand battle happened, no exchange of blows, no equal opponent challenging him. No, it was a fate far more cruel.
"Gazef? Gazef?!" Brain cried out, seeing his comrade stand motionless. Yet as the man lost balance and fell to the ground, that was when Brain rushed to his body. Climb followed closely. "Talk to me, Gazef! Say something!" Brain screamed, holding Gazef's head as tears streamed down his face.
"He is already dead." A cold voice echoed in Brain's mind. He wanted to believe it to be a lie. An illusion conjured forth that didn't hold truth. However, he felt no pulse from Gazef's body. Thus he had to realize the worst.
Gazef was a friend, a rival, a comrade. He had saved him that day when he had been on the capital's streets, rotting away in the cold weather.
But he had seen something in Brain that even he didn't recognize in himself. Yet now that Gazef was about to die, he couldn't do anything but watch. And he hated himself for that.
Suddenly, Brain felt a rush of wind go past him. He only noticed a white blur as the world around him spun in different angles and directions. The next few moments seemed like a lucid dream as his head couldn't catch up with what was happening.
In a millisecond, Shalltear stood before her master like a protective shield, seeing the interloper approach vastly with a form of teleportation ability unknown to her.
Excluding a bright flash, the stranger attacked Shalltear, which fended off the attack that would have hit Ainz.
At that exact moment, a red object flew past, getting a hold of Climb, Brain, and Gazef, then speeding into the distance at extraordinary speeds.
The flash of light vanished, showing a figure clad in platinum armor materializing before them.
Just as Shalltear repelled the attack, she started one of her own, yet Ainz retaliated.
"Shalltear!" He shouted, halting all her movement with one word. The platinum knight seized this opportunity to vanish again, disappearing from the battlefield.
"I had him, Lord Ainz?! Why did you stop my attack?" Shalltear questioned, frustrated that their enemies had gotten away.
"No, they are more useful to us alive. This way, we may track their movements to where they are going. Also, that stranger in platinum armor, I have met him before." Ainz revealed, surprising both Shalltear and Alucard.
"Where exactly have you seen him before, Lord Ainz?" Shalltear asked, but Ainz hesitated to say anything at first.
'So she doesn't remember him as well. I should tell her then.'
"When you were under the control of the world item, that individual fought you, trying to defeat you while you were in that state. For who he is or what reasons he has, I don't know." Ainz explained.
"So, if he survived against me, then isn't he a danger we should watch out for?" Shalltear reasoned.
"Mmh, well, he didn't fare well against you when I saw him fighting. He could be level 80 or more, but not 100." Ainz commented. "But what I want to know is why he has appeared here. Fighting you, saving the three of them while wanting to strike an attack on myself. There must be some deeper meaning behind this." Ainz didn't get much information from his description back then, but knowing he worked with the adventurer from Red Drop who possessed a power suit, the search would be easier.
"Should we take precautions to secure the area from any other attacks, Lord Ainz?" Alucard inquired.
"No, I don't think they'll attack again. Let's continue the march." Ainz ordered. Soon, the Dark Paladins moved again while Ainz, Alucard, and Shalltear returned to their mounts.
"Shalltear, how did the attack feel? Was it rather difficult to defend or the opposite?" Ainz asked, looking at the vampire.
"It was decent, but not enough to really deal some damage to me, I think." Shalltear replied.
"Good. But it was weird, I didn't feel any mana from him at all, just like then…" Ainz couldn't figure it out yet, but he was sure with more study of this world and its magic systems he could find out why he could use magic abilities while not having any mana at all. He could be a player utilizing warrior skills, yet he hadn't seen any skill that looked like that.
But that didn't matter for now. The only thing was to finish the conquest of the Re-Estize Kingdom. He marched toward the enemy camp which hadn't any soldiers left for him or his troops to vanquish. Either they died or fled the scene.
'Almost forgot about the Star Spawn.' With a mental command, he ordered the aberrations to join him from above, following his movement against the enemy camp.
Empty camps awaited him, yet one individual seemed to remain. A crown rested on his head, yet the man did not seem like a king. Rather a man who had lost it all.
"Well met, King Rampossa. I see your soldiers fled your authority. Now you stand alone, king of Re-Estize." Ainz remarked as he approached the man, yet he did not move nor react to his words.
"...You…You ruined everything. Because of you, my sons died, and my kingdom now lies in ruins and is at the mercy of someone cruel. I could never understand how Gazef had such praise for a creature like you. A monster." The king uttered, gripping his ceremonial sword tight as he prepared himself for one last stand. What else could he do but this? Simply stand aside and watch the Sorcerer King burn down his kingdom. No, he couldn't.
"A precise perception, King Rampossa." Suddenly, he heard a voice appear behind him. Even without seeing him, he could feel the undead's gaze piercing through his soul, causing him to drop his weapon out of fear.
"[Death]"
The king fell lifeless on the ground, his limp body adding to the piles that were already there.
'I wonder if I could do something here. Maybe I could create a [Doom Lord] that maybe has some abilities of its past life from the king's corpse.' He wasn't sure if it would work, but he had nothing to lose.
"[Create High-Tier Undead: Doom Lord]"
As he initiated his undead creation skill, a dark goo descended upon the fallen king, surrounding his corpse as the fluid grew bigger, surpassing Ainz's own height.
The undead had a crown as in life, yet it was covered in jet-black armor, with bones protruding from its back. Around it, a black mist seemed to appear.
'Mmh, it's still the same, but it doesn't seem to lose any health yet. I should look out for that.' Ainz thought, then returned to what he initially wanted to do.
"Go forth, my Star Spawn, and destroy the very next city! Don't leave any survivors left!" Ainz commanded the massive creatures, soaring toward E-Libel. Whatever was still in that city would cease to exist in a couple of minutes. The Star Spawn would make sure of that.
'Come to think of it, the Slane Theocracy hasn't really interfered with my invasion. Maybe they don't want to antagonize me and draw too much attention to themselves. I am sure they have some valuable items that could trouble my armies somewhat. For now, they should be the ones we should be most aware of, and of course, the Dragon Lords.' The topic of dragons had eluded him thus far. Yet he was sure he would meet some in his conquest of this world.
Remembering something, Ainz turned to look at the imperial fortress, but he saw no soldier being sent his way.
'Didn't they say they would aid me after I performed by spell? I guess I have to do it myself then.' As a portal appeared before them, he turned to address Alucard first before his departure.
"Make sure nothing is left of the capital, Pandora's Actor."
"Your words are my command, Vater!"
discord . gg / h6cpJ5d3xh
Here's my discord invitation code. Join if you're interested in becoming a proofreader of my next chapters, or you just want to hang around. Both work.
Will probably take a break from this story, and get some inspiration on what to do next instead of rushing in.