Hello Scrools and Nazarins, bringing another interlude in my fanfic The One Who Came Back.

Directly from the Red Carpet.

With you

The One Who Came Back

Interlude 13

"We return once again directly from the Draconic Kingdom with the Red Carpet in honor of Ainz-Sama."

"So far, we've seen the procession of carriages heading towards the castle; despite their efforts, none compared to the beauty used by Ainz-Sama, arinsu."

Aura and Shalltear cheerfully narrated the events shown by the Remote Viewing Mirror. Both were dressed in pajamas and used hairbrushes as microphones. Their audience consisted of the other three guardians, Demiurge wearing his striped pajamas and holding Victim on his lap, with Cocytus beside him. These last two wore only pom-pom hats, "to get into the spirit," they said.

Everyone was in the break room watching the arrival of the delegations and the party organized in his honor.

"Now comes the best part, the entrance to the palace," announced Aura.

"But first, let's analyze the hostess. We hope she lives up to the privilege of receiving Ainz-Sama."

"That's right, as my vampire colleague said, the queen needs to put in the effort. Let's see then, the queen is sitting on her iron throne and seems to be wearing a long black dress made of what appears to be scales. Is that right?"

"One moment," said Shalltear with two fingers on her temple, "yes, the Shadow Demons confirmed they are dragon scales, but given their size, they must be baby scales, probably the queen's own old scales."

"Okay, over the queen's head, she has a crown made of black crystal. Is that obsidian or something else?"

"Yes!" said the vampire still in communication with her informant, "That is Dragon Glass! That's right, Draco Obsidian!"

Demiurge leaned in, interested, grabbed a handful of popcorn, gave some to Victim, and ate the rest while thinking:

'Dragon Glass is a rare alchemical ingredient, obsidian made from the heat of a dragon's breath and charged with mana. It's necessary for making red potions, one of the ingredients we hadn't been able to find in the New World until now.'

"Attention! The first guests are entering, leading the way is King Gondo. I've already spoken with the dwarf, and he quickly recognized Ainz-Sama's greatness," said Aura.

"A people who knew how to submit. The king is wearing some kind of dwarf uniform and, over it all, he's wearing a fur cloak. His appearance tells me it's Quagoa fur."

"Are you sure?" asked the elf.

"Of course! I killed so many of them and was close enough to remember," said Shalltear proudly.

"Emperor 'Jerkvic' won't like the provocation. How will he retaliate?"

"We'll find out soon."

After the Dwarven Kingdom's delegation presented their gifts, the delegation from the Baharuth Empire entered.

"Emperor 'Jerkvic' is wearing a golden robe set adorned with red rubies, probably an attempt to emphasize the nickname 'Bloody Emperor,'" said Aura.

"'Bloody Emperor,' hooow original! As if there were any other type of Emperor," Shalltear scoffed to Aura, and they both had a big fake laugh.

"It seems there's nothing noteworthy in his presentation. Wait! I think I spoke too soon. Shalltear, help me. That larger painting, in his portrait, painted in the background, is that a dwarf dressed as a servant?"

Both had leaned so close they were almost pressing their faces against the mirror to see the nearly nude Emperor's self-portrait standing in a victorious pose looking beyond.

"Let me zoom in, Aura. Yes! It's a dwarf dressed as a servant and WITH A SHAVED BEARD! Oh! Ho! Ho! By the look on the dwarf king's face, his ancestors must be rolling in their graves with this offense. The night is heating up, arinsu."

"The next to enter is my little brother, don't falter, Mare!" the elf ordered, knowing her brother wouldn't hear.

The elf king was at the hall door and had a moment of hesitation. The half-elf who was two steps behind her lord stepped forward. The elf didn't look at Antilene, but this approach was enough to give confidence and prompt Mare to start walking.

"Mare Bello Fiori is wearing a set made directly in the Elven Kingdom, nothing noteworthy as he has much better clothes in Nazarick, arinsu."

"Ainz-Sama had him wear something from the new kingdom. He said it would be good for the elves' self-esteem to see Mare wearing something typical."

"Oh!" Shalltear responded.

Without any mistakes made, it was soon the turn of the delegation from the Sorcerer Kingdom.

"The first to enter is Sebas Tian, the Iron Butler is wearing a variation of his uniform, a black gala tuxedo with a white bow tie and cufflinks with the Sorcerer Kingdom's emblem, very sober," commented Aura.

"We can't fail to mention his companion. After all, the human is wearing 'Neuronist,' a piece created and made by Nazarick's number one torturer. The long-tail white dress is made of leather, as is the black corset. Both materials were provided by Lord Demiurge's farm."

To thank Shalltear's mention, the archdemon made an exaggerated bow with his hand. He knew the human hadn't asked and didn't want to know from which animal the leather came, yet she seemed happy to wear it.

"The Queen doesn't look pleased with this sight. We can expect some tension tonight, arinsu."

"Now it's time for the main attraction, our lord Ainz-Sama! WHOO-HOO!" shouted Aura.

"Ainz-Sama is wearing a white robe with incredible golden details, his attire totally highlights his divinity," sighed Shalltear.

"And his companion Albedo is wearing a beautiful turquoise dress," teased Aura.

"UNF!" snorted the vampire, "I would have been a better choice than that gorilla."

"But if you were wearing that dress, it would simply fall off. You have nothing to hold it in place," the elf said, laughing before being attacked by the vampire.

The other three guardians ignored the cousins' fight while continuing to watch the broadcast.

...

Author's Note

A little relief before returning to the horrors of war.