Author's note: You are probably surprised that I write a new chapter so quickly. Except in my synopsis, the events were part of the previous chapter. But as I was writing, I realized that I would never be able to keep the whole plot in one chapter... so I cut it in half before I realized that it was not enough... and yes a third chapter is planned.

Smoking Hill

Barony of Breval, north of Roble Holy Kingdom

Only a few months ago, and despite some tensions between the northern barons and Queen Calca Bessarez, the area was a haven of peace. Most of the inhabitants were men of the woods, trappers, or lumberjacks.

Nevertheless, the demi-human tribes from the Abelion Hills had swept over Roble. As battles took place on the plains, around cities, and along the main roads, bands of humanoids took advantage of the growing instability to bend into the woods, attacking travelers and ravaging isolated villages.

The people of Roble had very strong prejudices against demi-humans, the result of centuries of war and several invasions. And of course, this racism led them to consider that all demi-humans were beasts, dirty, stupids, rough, and bloodthirsty, at best all they could do was rush for their enemies screaming at top lungs when they had the advantage and run away when they get beaten... because 'naturally' the demi-humans were a cowardly bunch.

These prejudices greatly deserve the humans of the villages of Resteloft, Mighland, and Arlen because the half-humans were led by skilled leaders. Inexplicably, these invaders seemed to be aware of all the decisions made by the men of the woods. Preferring cunning to frontal combat, they ambushed the first punitive expeditions and inflicted severe casualties on humans.

Everything changed when the militias of the three villages united under the command of Usse, a Ranger native of the region. He knew the area better than the invaders, and he could move around the woods without leaving a trace. In turn, the half-humans were ambushed, the patrols disappeared without a trace, and the heads of the sentinels were found planted on stakes.

Unfortunately, the enemy leader was cunning... and he knew perfectly the plans of his enemies.

Usse commanded a punitive expedition headed for Smoking Hill, a Kobold hideout. The small army was composed of about sixty militiamen accompanied by a dozen seasoned warriors and some novice druids.

The troop had set out at dusk. They were advancing as quietly as possible. The woods were particularly favorable to an ambush. They were divided into three platoons that followed each other about a hundred meters apart, each group being instructed to rescue the others in case of attack.

Suddenly, a group of kobolds appeared on their way. At the sight of their enemies, the humanoids dispersed in the woods, fleeing as quickly as possible... Immediately, the vanguard of the expedition began to chase them. They had to neutralize the demi-humans before they arrived at Smoking Hill and warned their comrades. The surprise effect was the only advantage of the attackers, the Kobolds having the advantage of number in addition to being entrenched in the natural caves under the hill.

But the vanguard never joined the fugitives... simply because the 'kobolds' were just a magically created illusion.

At this time, the rear guard was attacked.

A whirlwind of icy wind fell upon the men caught by surprise. The Cone of Cold eliminated in an instant almost all the men in the back... if not all. The abyssal cold of the spell transformed them into statues covered by a case of frost, frozen in a movement of flight or arms raised in a derisory reflex of protection.

The main company, in the center of the formation, had just realized that they had just been ambushed when other kobolds - and these were real this time- appeared on both sides. The demi-humans were mounted on the backs of giant weasels. After firing a volley of arrows, they charged to fight into a melee.

The militiamen and warriors commanded by Usse were markedly outnumbered. Unable to flee a mounted opponent, they were surrounded and... massacred.

The forerunners, hearing fighting noises abandoned the pursuit of the illusionary Kobolds and turned around but other enemies awaited them. Fortunately, some of the best fighters were in the vanguard and they managed to defeat their opponents.

However, this brief confrontation slowed them down, and when they arrived at the site of the battle everything was already over. They found a tangle of bodies on the ground amidst broken weapons and puddles of blood, but when they quickly counted their dead friends, they realized that all were not there. This meant that the kobolds had taken some prisoners. And Usse was not among the dead.

A few days later, in Targos.

Baron Marcus Aquain Breval was sitting in his office listening to the three foresters who had arrived that morning, crossing the goblin blockade to bring him news of the war.

The spokesman for the small group, a half-elf called Coal of Fire, finished recounting the events.

"On the site of the ambush, we counted many footprints. It was difficult for us to differentiate the kobolds from each other, but at least a hundred of them were there. Since then, there have been only a few skirmishes but this respite is probably temporary. Without Usse, we have lost our only capable warlord. They can crush us at any time."

Marcus crossed his arms over his chest, looking up thoughtfully to the ceiling. He had the desire to help the inhabitants of the barony of Breval, his subjects, but what could he do, concretely?

"Unfortunately, I can't help you. Targos is currently under siege. Certainly, a small, determined group can sneak between enemy patrols. But to get a major troop out of town, I should have to force an escape. If I had enough manpower to attack the goblin camps, I would have done it a long time ago... and for the same reason, I can't clear the ramparts. I need every man to contain the enemy."

Coal of Fire had listened without flinching.

"Your Lordship, we knew your situation before we came. We came because of a rumor. According to the peasants of the hills, heroes would have saved your city while it was attacked by goblins and then freed them from the slavery of orcs before preventing the treacherous Jadalbaoth from drowning the Shelayen valley. We would like the help of these heroes."

Marucs Aquaire Breval nodded.

"I can ask them."

Less than an hour later, Antilene Heran Fouche, Khalid Deez, Altiria Siina Verteil, and Leyen Aristeia were gathered in the office of Baron Breval. He introduced them to Coal of Fire and the other two foresters (Wodon and Metair) who had arrived with him.

Once again, the survivors recounted the ambush which ended with the disappearance of their leader.

Antilene had been listening while looking very bored.

When they stopped talking, Khalid was the first to take the floor.

"I see no reason to refuse to help you. However, two members of our team are absent."

Antilene stood up.

"They are just kobolds; these creatures are even less dangerous than goblins... I alone could slaughter them all. And I need exercise. Let's go."

Antilene was not nicknamed 'Certain Death' for no reason. She only seemed happy when she slaughtered enemies... with a certain predilection for elves. Besides... Khalid suddenly winced, during their last expedition she had refused to team up with Altiria and Leyen. It took hours of discussion for her to accept their presence (and very unwillingly). However, this time, the Heterochromia Girl had not protested.

As he pondered the reasons for his girlfriend's sudden change of behavior, Altiria spoke.

"I don't think we just have to fight Kobolds. The spell used to kill the members of the rear guard is too high level to be used by a mere Kobold. With them was a wizard or a water Elementalist capable of using Tier 5 Magic."

Khalid shudders.

"A wizard? You mean a spellcaster of a different race?"

The elf priestess nodded without saying a word, she seemed anxious.

"Princess Altiria, what creature could have used such a spell?"

Again, the elf showed signs of anxiety and hesitation.

"It could be any intelligent creature... or a monster's spell-like ability... maybe even a gifted kobold or a magic object. There are myriad hypotheses. Nevertheless, these kobolds are part of Jaldaboth's army." She turned her face in the direction of her bodyguard, the ranger nodded as if to confirm the princess's doubts. "I think it's a demon" she finally said.

As all the others looked at her worried, Altiria spoke in a firmer tone.

"We know that the Demonic Emperor uses summoned demons to fight humans. Since the beginning of Roble's invasion, there have been several accounts of demons acting as officers leading groups of half-humans. Before that, during the Demonic Disturbance, Jaldabaoth released hundreds of demons into the streets of Re-Estize."

Antilene had a smile reflecting a mixture of childish joy, but also cruelty and ardent passion... a combination of emotions that made her look as evil as a true demon.

"Oh, an opponent who can resist me? It's better to hit weak foes like kobolds! Let's go, I need to let off steam by hitting something that can strike back. I'm tired of kicking opponents who are just walking sandbags."

Altiria panicked, watching the Extra Seat of the Black Scripture completely bewildered.

"Lady Antilene, the fact that a demon used Tier 5 Spell does not mean that it is his most powerful magic. Some demons have spell-like abilities of a level equivalent to the legendary 7 Tier. We must wait for Nimrodel's return, we will certainly need the help of a wizard as powerful as her."

But the Gothic Girl was too excited to fight one of Jadalbaoth's demons. She listened to no call for caution. And as Antilene was ready to go alone, the others felt obliged to follow her. In a fight against such a creature, even 'Certain Death' would need help.

At the same time, the Great Tomb of Nazarick

The Floors Guardians Albedo, Shalltear Bloodfallen, Demiurge, Cocytus, and the Dark Elves twins Aura and Mare sat on either side of a long table that was the heart of a majestic meeting room with gilded walls and a ceiling supported by Doric columns.

On a platform, Ainz Ooal Gown looked at them behind a vast desk of waxed wood. In front of him, a map was unfolded, showing a vast portion of the continent between the vast Fresh Water Sea to the west and the smaller sea to the north. Standing to the right of the Sorcerer King, the Head Maid Pestyona Shortcake Wanko, a beautiful lady... with the head of a dog, was waiting for orders.

Nazarick's rulers were discussing the war with the Kingdom of Re-Estize. With a stroke of the pen, the Overlord had just crossed a city on the map. This almost innocuous gesture was the only requiem for tens of thousands of inhabitants who had just experienced an atrocious death. For the Floor Guardians, it was already in the past, it was time to move on to the next objective.

Each of them remotely commanded part of the invading army, and some of the Area Guardians served as lieutenants. Although the annihilation of cities defended by ordinary humans and a few adventurers was not a challenge for the forces of the Sorcerer Kingdom, Gown had just lectured the Floor Guardians reminding them that experiencing defeat was important; it would teach them a lot.

He had just taken as an example the defeat of Cocytus against the Lizardmen, then that of Demiurge in Targos (1). And each of them had nodded, recognizing that they had learned much on that occasion.

"Ainz-sama..." intervened Albedo "it is soon time to begin the next battle."

Sitting in front of her, Shalltear questioned with a pout: "Who is in charge of this sector?"

"Ainz-sama himself."

Immediately, the gothic vampire lolita reacted enthusiastically.

"So I can't wait to see that!"

All the other Guardians agreed. And once again, Ainz felt uncomfortable. If he insisted so much on learning to lose... it was because, given his inexperience in tactics, he expected to be the first to give a 'lesson' in this area.

The Overlord briefly lowered his head then remembering that he had to act as the infallible leader... that he was not.

"I didn't plan anything spectacular" he replied.

The Floors Guardians again discussed with each other, Cocytus - the most experienced in military tactics- remarked that the balance of power for this battle was almost equal, the confrontation promised to be a real challenge.

Demiurge agreed. After all, he knew the problem well, since he had written the report that Cocytus was reading. The 7th Floor Guardian was spying on the cities they were going to attack thanks to its Shadow Demons. Thanks to this, Nazarick's forces were well-informed about the strength of each stronghold as well as the weak points of their fortifications. In addition, the demon had eliminated most of the fugitives before they could reach the capital and spread false information in the palace... especially thanks to Princess Renner.

For her part, Albedo had led many nobles to betray. Her main achievement had been Marquis Raeven. The most influential of the six great nobles of the Re-Estize kingdom had been coerced into betrayal... it must be said that his domain was now on the front line and Albedo had promised him that, in case of refusal, Nazarik armies would burn the marquisate to the ground and slaughter before his eyes all its inhabitants...especially his beloved wife and son.

This undermining work explained why the invasion encountered so little resistance. Nazarick was not confronting the Re-Estize as an entity. Each city, each castle, and each feudal army was attacked separately and ruthlessly eliminated before moving on to the next objective. News of the invasion had not even arrived in the capital.

So Nazarik's military campaign was a succession of attacks against divided and blind opponents...

Though dressed as a boy, the Dark Elf was female. Holding a book in her hands, the female ranger was reading the available information about their next target.

"We attack a maritime city," Aura said in a thoughtful tone.

His brother (because he was a boy... even though he was dressed as a girl) was also leaning over the book, clutching his wizard staff with both hands, reading over his sister's shoulder.

"Yes, it is E-Naeurl" said he in a shy little voice. "Fishing is their main activity, there are few soldiers."

On the other side of the table, Cocytus extended a huge arm. Only one of his claws was larger than Aura's entire hand. The Ruler of Frozen Rivers touched the book delicately... with his friends the demon of the cold was incredibly gentle and patient, always paying attention to his gestures, so as not to hurt someone.

"The walls are low."

On the map, the city was in the northern part of Re-Estize Kingdom, almost at the western end of the North Sea. Two other towns in the area had already been razed by hordes of undead advancing westward.

Ainz Ooal Gown listened to the debates without intervening. It was still the best way not to talk nonsense. Earlier, Aura asked him why he had let some of the inhabitants of the nearby town flee and take refuge in E-Naeurl... He responded cryptically, merely advising her to look carefully. Once the battle was over, he would then listen to what she understood. It was his usual way of hiding his mistakes (2)... claiming that his failures were currently part of a subtle plan. After all, Demiurge or Albedo were always imagining far-fetched explanations that turned Ainz into a genius with unlimited talents... All he had to do was congratulate them on understanding his 'brilliant' strategy, and that was it.

As the attack on E-Naeurl was about to begin, far from being confident in his (non-existent) abilities, Ainz was terrified. Every time he had to command armies or decide on political or diplomatic issues that he did not even fully understand he... was improvising, without any overall plan.

It was a miracle that the undead didn't make a terrible mistake so far. Since his arrival in the New World, each of his decisions had led to a resounding success... but not because of his 'genius'... he has the luck of the devil...

But everything the Overlord had built looked like a house of cards. The slightest mistake on his part... everything could collapse.

They had watched the whole battle in the Mirror of Remote Viewing.

The Floors Guardians were still stunned by the sudden arrival of a warrior dressed in a red Armor of Reinforcement and armed with a Heavy Machinegun. They were Yggdrasil's magical stuff offered as a welcome gift to new players... so as not to leave them completely helpless in front of higher-level players.

This fighter in flying armor had come just as the two Death Knights from Nazarick's army had crossed the great gate of E-Naeurl. The city was about to fall and the adventurers of Mithril-class trying to stop the undead will die...

But it only took a few seconds for the warrior dressed in red armor (an Adamantite-class adventurer belonging to the Red Drop team) to eliminate the two Death Knights and change the tide of the battle.

After that, the zombies forming Ainz's army were easily eliminated by the defenders helped by the adventurers hired by Count Naeura.

With his hands crossed under his chin, Ainz Ooal Gown seemed to smile.

"Everything is going according to plan."

Of course... the undead had nothing planned at all and certainly not the intervention of an Yggdrasil's Power Armor. But above all, Ainz couldn't afford to lose face in front of the Floor Guardians. Fortunately, a green aura had surrounded him, immediately restoring his calm.

The first to react was Cocytus.

"So that was it."

Usually, it was Demiurge or Albedo who 'understood' Ainz's 'awesome' plan first and explained it to the others. The Sorcerer King was surprised that the cold demon intervened. But Shaltear began to wave her arms like a windmill.

"I too understood. So you had foreseen the appearance of this warrior in red armor, hence the small number of troops. It was to bring him out into the open."

Ainz Gooal Gown acquiesced... although the only reason for the low strength of the invading army was... that Ainz had been too lazy to read Demiurge's report and had completely underestimated E-Naeurl's defenses.

Already Demiurge adjusted his glasses while smiling at Shalltear and Cocytus.

"Congratulations, you're very insightful."

The Floor Guardians applauded their king and encouraged him to continue the offensive to destroy the Red Drop to punish them for interfering with the conquest of Re-Estize. Initially agreeing with them, the Sorcerer King changed his mind after a short glance at Pestonya... he promised her to spare as many humans as possible. The inhabitants of E-Naeurl had barely escaped a massacre... Ainz could annex them without firing a shot and they would probably never revolt against him.

"It's time to walk on the capital."

If the destruction of more than twenty of the most populous cities and several hundred villages had not been enough to frighten the inhabitants of the kingdom, the complete destruction of the capital of Re-Estize and the extermination of the royal family would break until the slightest hope of resistance.

Ainz rose abruptly, swirling his wizard dress and slicing the air with a sharp gesture of the hand.

"No more secrets! We advance on the capital. We will take all the cities on our way! They will understand what it means to oppose Nazarick!"

The strategic discussion was over, and Ainz had just asked if there were other issues to deal with. Demiurge then spoke.

"I take this opportunity to announce that I have found Miriel's trace."

This seemed to surprise the Sorcerer King, but he crossed his hands under his chin and replied with apparent disinterest.

"Oh?"

"Yes, Ainz-sama. Do you remember the group of adventurers who interfered with the capture of Targos and the annihilation of the armies of the barons of Northern Robble?"

"Would she be in that group?"

"Exactly Ainz-sama. Moreover, one of the members of this team would be even more powerful than Miriel. According to my spies, she's a half-elf named Antilene Heran Fouche and she's linked to the Slane Theocracy."

"I see."

"I suggest we question again the bishop I brought back..." Demiurge hesitated for a moment. "... after the last attempt to capture Miriel."

"All right, tell Neuronist Painkill to take care of..." The Overlord stopped to rub his chin. "What's his name again?"

"His name is Pierre Avice Barbet, Ainz-sama" said Albedo.

Nevertheless, Demiurge did not let himself be diverted from the question which interested him.

"What about Miriel? She is not currently in Targos, but I can return to the Roble Kingdom as 'Jadalbaoth' to attack the city as soon as my spies confirm her presence."

Ainz Ooal Gown waved negatively.

"No. On the one hand, I would need you for the attack on the town of Re-Estize. Besides... I don't want to upset you... but so far you haven't had much success against Miriel."

Demiurge grimaced and bowed deeply, one hand over his heart.

"Unfortunately, I cannot contradict you on this point, Ainz-sama. To my great shame, it is the truth. Miriel ridicules me before my master at each of her appearances."

The demon's anger was obvious.

Ainz tried to calm the Floor Guardian.

"I remind you that Miriel is a Player like your creator Ulbert Alain Odle... there is no shame in losing to a Player."

The Sorcerer King paused in meditation. He resumed the conversation with a more determined voice.

"Once we have destroyed Re-Estize, Roble's vassalage will become our priority. Demiurge, I will give you additional means to facilitate your success. As for Miriel... we will change tactics. I want you to keep watching her, but don't interfere."

The 7th Floor Guardian suddenly raised his head. It was obvious that his superior's decision irritated him deeply.

"Will you entrust her capture to someone else, Ainz-sama?"

The Sorcerer King made a soothing gesture.

"No one here doubts your talents, Demiurge. However, every time 'Jaldabaoth' appears, Miriel fled or hid. The reputation of the Demonic Emperor is very useful in some cases, but not in this instance. I will give this task to someone who can approach the Player without scaring her and who will have no trouble getting her trust. "

Demiurge saluted stiffly.

"As my master said."

For the first time since their arrival in the New World, the Arch-Devil disagreed with Ainz's decision. The latter was saddened.

"Demiurge, I remind you that our primary goal is to find out if the other members of Ainz Ooal Gown were also exiled here. Miriel is a Player. She may have heard of them. At the very least, she can tell us how she got here. I understand you have a grudge against her... Besides, I may not have been diplomatic enough when I said you that I would entrust someone else with the task of finding her. For that, I apologize. But look at me, today I just lost a battle. Does it affect me?"

"The situation is not the same. These troops were just a sacrifice."

Actually... no, it wasn't a planned defeat, but it wasn't something Demiurge needed to know.

"You're wrong. Losing affects me. And I'm angry. But being an undead my emotions are easier to control."

"Angry? Against the Red Drop," Shalltear asked.

"No, against myself." As the Floor Guardians looked at him with amazement, the Overlord sighed. "The enemy showed up because I lured him with an easy victory. Nevertheless, this defeat remains a humiliation. I agreed to sully Nazarick's reputation of invincibility because one day we will have to face other Players. The Six Great Gods and the Height Greed Kings prove that we are not the only Guild to have arrived in the New World. In a war against a guild as powerful as us, certainly, we will not always be victorious. Our current defeats must serve as a revelation of our own weaknesses."

Ainz looked at the Floor Guardians, one after the other, and saw them nodding their heads. As a matter of fact, this speech was mostly addressed to himself... after all, the Undead had been so complacent as not to read the (very thick) report that Demiurge had compiled for him. And that was the real reason for his defeat.

"We are too complacent, lazy. Because the humans of the New World are too weak to oppose us, we become careless, making mistakes that we would not have made on Yggdrasil. We must not persevere in these bad habits. So don't be mad at your opponents for being better than you, but at yourself for not being better than them."

At a time when Ainz was only the salaryman Suzuki Satoru, he had often heard his Kacho (head of a department) say that he was sterile to hate a competing company that had taken a client from them but that it should motivate them more to win the next contract.

In any case, the explanation made the Guardians think... especially Demiurge.

"Once again, my master's wisdom is an inspiration to me. I had not seen things that way, Ainz-sama."

The Overlord raised his hand in a gesture of appeasement.

"I remind you once again, but Miriel is a Player. Even alone, even as a Medium Level Player, she remains the equivalent of a Supreme One. Losing to her is still losing to a rival guild. So there's no reason to be ashamed."

Demuirge's face was illuminated by a sudden revelation and he laughed, having regained his good mood.

"I finally understand. You must have known from the beginning that Miriel was in Targos. That's why you knew my battle plan was doomed to fail. Yet you let me do so that I understand the superiority of a Player. I was blind even though my master repeatedly showed me my mistakes."

The demon rose and bowed ceremoniously, one hand on the heart.

"I thank Ainz-sama for his patience. While I deserved to be punished for daring to believe I was superior to a Player... and therefore superior to the Creators themselves... Ainz-sama showed me my mistakes without ever getting angry. My master tested me and I failed. Indeed. As you would expect, someone else should replace me in this task since I failed... in fact, I did not even understand what my real task was. And for that, I must ask you to accept my apologies, Ainz-sama."

As all the Guardians turned to him with admiration, Ainz Ooal Gown slowly nodded. For once, he was not even surprised at the incredible talent of Nazarick's NPCs to always believe that he had manipulated all events with a demonic skill. The important thing was that he had defused a situation that could have been explosive.

"Demiurge, it is natural that I show patience and pedagogy with you... as with the other Floor Guardians. You're like the children of my best friends."

As the NPC looked at him with a mixture of gratitude and pride, the Overlord rubbed his chin.

He would have to be very careful afterward. Demiurge had developed a deep aversion to Miriel. Except that Ainz wanted to win this Player's friendship and bring her to Nazarick's safety. He knew well that being thrown against his will into the New World could be traumatic.

And Miriel's situation was worse than him. Apparently, she appeared alone in this hostile world and was only an intermediate-level player. He couldn't help but sympathize with his situation. All he wanted to do was bring her to safety...

Alas, by entrusting Demiurge with the task of capturing her, he had turned Miriel into an enemy.

Nazaricks' NPCs may have considered him a genius, but Ainz was well aware that he made one wrong decision after another.

Worse, by trying to correct his mistakes, he made other bad decisions.

He was like a tightrope walker, always rocking to one side or the other so as not to fall.

Author's note: I too am a tightrope walker. Many crossovers are just... some sort of doormats where the author's favorite character 'wipes his feet' on an entire universe because since he is stronger, he has all the rights. In this story, my goal is not to ridicule Ainz for the benefit of Miriel, or vice versa but to write a story where the plot moves forward harmoniously while taking into account the influence of each of these two characters on the story of the other character... and the resulting change for Overlord's plot at whole.

(1) The discussion is based (more or less) on the strategic conference of Episode 9, Season 4 of "Overlord". Nevertheless, the defeat of Demirurge at Targos is an event specific to this fanfic. If you are interested in knowing, this fanfic is based on the conversation between Ainz, Nigredo, and Pestonya in this same episode, in particular, the passage about "the weak ones that are strengthening and the strong ones that are stagnating."

(2) To be exact, this time, the escape of some survivors is not due to an error. Simply, Ainz promised Pestonya to let some humans escape in each battle... first because the Head Maid had asked him to show some mercy, but also because the survivors undermined the morale of the defenders by proclaiming that it was impossible to resist.