pm17051: First of all, thank you for these very nice lines. Indeed, my story tells how someone weaker can defeat someone stronger. Recounting the victory of someone strong over someone weak serves little purpose. Not only is the end predictable, but it also makes me angry. I'm the chivalrous type.
To answer your questions:
1) What is Miriel's current level? She is level 35. That said, she is very strong for this level... because of all the objects she has as her characteristics. Moreover, it is difficult to compare since 'Miriel' is an OOO character, not Yggdrasil's.
2°) In which country Miriel will go? A lot, but going to a country and staying there are two different things. Slane, Roble, and Baharuth are the countries where she will live.
3°) Decem Hougam will be interested in her? Certainly... but since she travels in the company of Antilene, the elf king will focus mainly on... paternal matters (good luck pal).
Sorry, but I plan to add Gilgamesh because it is a crossover.
Note from the author:
You will find some minor differences between this chapter and episodes 12 and 13 of Season IV of Overlord (which directly inspire this chapter)... They're not mistakes on my part. Miriel's arrival begins to cause ripples and the Overlord's story begins to change.
There are two types of comments I receive often, and even if they are opposed, they can be complementary.
Readers ask me, again and again, why Gilgamesh still hasn't appeared in this story.
The others thank me for not writing a typical 'Ainz wank' where an Isekaied Gilgamesh crushes Nazarick like a pitiful anthill.
I wanted to showcase Ainz's power and the fact that Miriel was unable to overcome Nazarick without a powerful outside's help. Therefore, Gilgamesh's absence was intentional. Now, I have brought the story to the point where I wanted it to be: the end of Season IV of the anime.
Honestly, I don't understand why you're in such a hurry.
Do you think it would have been a good idea for Frodo to arrive at Mount Doom as early as the 17th chapter of the Lord of the Rings?
What would the rest of the trilogy look like? That would have been the story of Frodo becoming overpowerful, destroying all the cities of Mordor, and massacring all the Orcs by counting the points, as in clay pigeon shooting.
Ice Shroud
The door opened with a slight squeak and the light entered Nazarick's huge throne room.
Two people advanced on the burgundy carpet covering the floor, passing between the columns forming like the nave of the cathedral. The blue light of the imposing chandelier hung from the ceiling and revealed the appearance of the first of the visitors: Ainz Ooal Gown himself, dressed in his usual black mage dress with purple stripes. He was accompanied by Albedo. The Minister Plenipotentiary was dressed in black metal armor and wore her helmet under her arm.
They were walking towards the throne... where another Ainz Ooal Gown was sitting! Standing to his left, Demiurge held in his arms the Mirror of Remote Viewing, and to the right of the Sorcerer King there was Shalltear Bloodfallen.
This Ainz Ooal Gown was dressed in a luxurious red and gold dress. Moreover, the Overlord did not have most of the magic rings on his fingers.
Having arrived a few steps from the throne, the version of Gown' dressed in a black and purple robe humbly knelt before the Gown sitting on the throne. Albedo - a few steps back- did the same.
"Nice work, Pandora's Actor and Albedo," said the Gown dressed in red.
"Thank you, your compliments go straight to my heart, Ainz-sama" replied the Doppelgänger while returning to his true form. Under the mage dress he had borrowed from his creator to complete his disguise, Pandora's Actor was now dressed in his usual brown military uniform.
"Pandora's Actor, we've seen your fight," said the Sorcerer King. "But I want to hear your concrete impressions. What emotions did he show through his words and his attitude? Tell me everything you know about Riku Aganeia."
Prostrated on the ground, in Dogeza (1), Pandora's Actor mimicked the end of the battle with the animated platinum armor. When he repeated the words of Riku Aganeia, he imitated his voice and now the Doppelgänger used Ainz's voice:
"Wait, wait! Let me finish!"
Then the Financial Manager of Nazarick stood up slightly, looking at the Supreme One, while speaking in his normal voice:
"And there he suspended his attack." (2)
On her knees behind him, Albedo could not hide her anger. Her beautiful face was twisted.
"May I speak?"
The Doppelgänger turned to the Succubus.
"What is it?"
"You played the role of the Sorcerer King, our lord Ainz, the undisputed ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. But you prostrated yourself. I think that's just appalling!"
The Doppelgänger's face could not show emotion, it is a mask with fixed features. However, his answer was contrite.
"True, Ainz-sama would never have done such a thing."
The Sorcerer King intervened at this moment.
"No, it was a fine performance. If you have to bow down for the opponent to drop his guard, then don't hesitate. I have lost nothing concrete by this action."
The Overlord rubbed his chin pensively.
"The opponent must now think I'm an easy prey." The undead laughs softly." Well done, your behavior acted like a poison on his mind."
Pandora's Actor stood up.
"Thank you."
"Unfortunately, I still lack information," says Ainz. "He has a capacity that I can't figure out."
"Are you talking about the barrier he used to keep me from fleeing?" replied the Doppelgänger.
Ainz nodded.
"Only Albedo was able to cross it and she had Ginnungagap (3) on her. So we can assume that this is the effect of a World Item. I guess it must be a power similar to Depiction of Nature and Society that I entrusted to Aura."
"One moment, My Lord, when Riku has cast World-Isolating Barrier, he consumed a lot of HP. Could this be a skill?"
Again Ainz seemed to reflect, rubbing his inexistent lips.
"Yes. I've never heard of a World Item that consumes HP. Especially since this consumption also occurs in other actions."
"Yes, Ainz-sama. Even when he teleported, his HP decreased."
"Among the World Item, some have several powers. But here we are talking about an animated armor, a teleportation effect, and the intangible barrier. All these skills are too different. As it stands, there is no guarantee that it is really a World Item. Too bad... we will have to lose a second time against this Riku Aganeia."
Seeing the amazement of the Floor Guardians, Ainz sighed.
"I do not do this because I like it. Nevertheless, to obtain a total victory, one must know everything about the enemy."
All the Floor Guardians prostrated before answering "By your orders" in chorus.
Suzuki Satoru, the Player reincarnated as Ainz Ooal Gown, looked at his 'children', kneeling before him. They could be resurrected... exactly as the inhabitants of the New World. But nothing proved that a Player could be brought back to life... in fact, Since the Six Great Gods and the Eight Greed Kings were all gone. It had to be assumed that the opposite was true. He had to act on the assumption that his death was final. That's why he sent Pandora's Actor to confront Riku, rather than risk facing the Palladium Warrior himself.
Ainz stood up.
"Well, Cocytus and Aura must be about to invade the capital. I'm going there too. I still have a role to play."
Demiurge got up.
"Ainz-sama, I remind you that the end of the siege of Targos... and the beginning of the plan we have prepared to rally to us the one called Miriel... is also planned for today."
The Sorcerer King stopped and thought for a few moments. Currently, the Roble Holy Kingdom was not his priority. But Miriel intrigued him as much as Riku, even though the half-elf was much less powerful than the Platinium Warrior. He turned around briefly.
"Demiurge, delay the operation until my return, I want to supervise this action personally."
"By you will, Ainz-sama."
Demiurge had already shown that his detestation for Miriel could cloud his judgment.
The city of Re-Estize, the capital of the kingdom of the same name, was a vast city built at the foot of a wooded hill where the royal castle stood. There was only one paved street between the main gate and the palace. The other streets were made of dirt and turned into potholes on rainy days.
Although there were some luxurious or impressive buildings (such as the Mage's Guild), the city was essentially a monotonous cluster of two-story stone houses.
But that day was not an ordinary day, the streets were... empty.
The usual hubbub of the populous city had given way to an abnormal silence. However, Re-Estize was not empty, the population was holed up in houses.,sometimes cellars. This morning the shops had not opened. The inns and taverns were empty. On the other hand, all the temples of the city were full... many people prayed. They were hoping for a miracle to save them.
The rumor had spread the day before after sunset. Prince Zanac's army had been defeated by the Sorcerer Kingdom and a horde of undead was approaching the city walls.
At this moment, around the east gate, appeared a bank of freezing fog... perfectly abnormal in this season and by the magnificent sun that illuminated the city... then a violent shock shook the wall while doors designed to withstand war machines collapsed, smashed on the first attack.
Cocytus had just entered Re-Estize!
The huge insectoid demon advanced in the middle of rows of soldiers brandishing their weapons... all had faces congested with fury. Officers gave orders, the guards gathered running to counter-attack. But there was no movement. They were mere statues frozen in their last movement... statues covered with white frost and ice crystals that reflected the sun.
The whole scene was wrapped in ribbons of freezing fog.
The bulwark of Re-Estize was archaic, a simple wall reinforced with small square towers. Nevertheless, no king saw fit to modernize this defense. After all, no one had seriously threatened the capital for centuries...
Heads surmounted by the round leather helmet so typical of the army of Re-Estize Kingdom and spearheads protruded from the battlements. All the defenders were leaning to look at their visitors: at Darth Elf, and some monsters (including a cold dragon, a T-Rex, a basilisk, a giant wolf, and a frog able to swallow a man a mouthful)
The Dark Elf gave them a big smile and raised two fingers to form the V of victory.
"Don't bother me, I'm not here for you. I advise you to leave when you still can."
Then Aura leaped, bouncing intrepidly on the cornices and the reinforcements of the almost smooth wall before falling softly on the walkway, between the soldiers who parted while uttering cries of terror.
Without paying attention to the guards, she made again the V sign, but with both hands while chuckling.
A guard with a big mustache had regained courage. He approached her, brandishing his spear.
"Do not move!"
Aura turned on him.
"I repeat, don't bother me. Besides, shouldn't you be worried about my friends? I didn't come alone in case you forgot."
While the heads of the monsters appeared at the battlements, the guards dropped their weapons and collapsed to the ground... backing up to the opposite wall
"Leave them, it's not my problem," said Aura as she pulled a map of the city out of an inner pocket of her white jacket, "Let's see, the Magician's Guild... ah, it's that way!"
Suddenly, Iris (a female T-Rex) jumped and screamed... the guards collapsed defeated by terror. As the other monsters got angry because the dinosaur had not respected their Beast Tamer's will to spare the guards, Aura intervened.
"But no, I'm not angry over something so trivial. Follow me all..." Then looking at the T-Rex, the Dark Elf female changed her mind." But you're too big to walk through the city streets."
As the T-Rex lowered her huge, visibly depressed, head, Aura smiled at her.
"So I will give you a special mission, go around the ramparts and eliminate all the guards."
As the Dark Elf Ranger plunged into the streets below, followed by the beasts she had tamed, Iris ran like a true ram of flesh and muscle thrown against one of the towers. The part closing the walkway was razed scattering into an avalanche of broken stone blocks. Without even slowing down, Iris continued her course to the next tower. She had enough stamina to go around the wall and destroy everything in her path.
Brain Unglaus was walking down a street in the city.
He decided to kill the Sorcerer King and end the invasion. At least that's what he told Princess Renner before leaving the palace... but to be honest, he didn't think he was able to cross Ainz's army, let alone defeat the Overlord.
The truth is he was tired of running away...
Twice already he had survived the massacre while the others died around him. Rather die here than behave once again like a terrified rabbit...
"Here... the atmosphere has changed!"
The street in front of him disappeared in a freezing fog. Suddenly, Brain heard a heavy step. Emerging from the mist, Cocytus was in front of him. Behind the cold demon were women in kimonos... or rather ice creatures with the appearance of women.
"It will be him..."
Brain smiled slightly. He had already understood that he would not go any further. The enemy had an overwhelming presence. Yet he did not feel fear... just the exaltation of a warrior who was going to die with a weapon in his hand.
"I attack."
He drew the katana attached to his belt, then swallowed a Potion of Lesser Strength, a Potion of Lesser Dexterity, and a Potion of Magic Weapon, one after the other.
The empty vials bounced off the floor behind Brain.
Cocytus advanced towards him, his body shrouded in icy mists. The houses on either side of the street were now covered with frost and the former highwayman felt life go out in the houses. If he had any hope of winning, Brain would have sunk into despair by then...
"Another impassable wall..." he whispered.
Well... it was predictable. The city had no more defenses and would capitulate immediately. After that, it would surely be a great massacre... "Everything is too easy for you", he thought as he looked at the demon that had stopped a few steps before him.
And yet...
He warned himself, firmly showing that he would protect this city and not let them pass.
"Brain Unglaus."
With a gesture of the arm, the demon of the cold beckoned the Yuki-onna to stop their advance. He replied in a deep, grave, inhuman voice.
"I am one of the servants of His Majesty the Sorcerer King and Creator Ainz Ooal Gown. Cocytus."
A cold steam came out of the demon's mandibles resembling a colossal four-armed insect with a body covered in silver chitin.
Understanding that the demon was showing respect towards an enemy, Brain bowed deeply.
"Thank you so much."
"No need."
Planting his usual weapon in the ground, Cocytus took a katana with a white hilt from his Inventory.
"Zanshin, the Godslaying Emperor Blade."
Brain had no way of knowing, but the Ruler of the Frozen Rivers only drew this weapon against opponents who had earned his respect.
Brain concentrated.
'We must try everything,' said Stronoff.
"Reinforcement!"
A golden aura surrounded Brain Anglaus as a circle of red light formed on the ground, drawing the boundaries of his 'absolute perimeter'. Previously, he believed that anyone who entered the circle was doomed to die. But he was only a man... and the monsters that invaded the Re-Estize Kingdom far outweighed the poor martial prowess of a mere human.
Blood began to flow from his nose because he had Strengthened his body well beyond normal limits. Yet...
"Supreme Reinforcement!"
An even more powerful golden aura briefly surrounded him and he leaped forward on Cocytus who had just entered the circle of red light.
"Nail Clipper!"
It was over in an instant, so fast that the human eye could not see the two fighters moving... Brain collapsed, spitting blood.
The man was dead... yet he did not fall, kneeling on the ground. As if, even in death, he refused to surrender. Cocytus put his katana back in his Inventory and turned to the dead but not defeated man.
"I didn't know there was anyone this strong. He could have been a great asset for Nazarick. However, I refuse to disrespect such a determined warrior, Master Bujin Takemikazuchi would surely agree with my judgment."
The demon bent down, picking up the katana that had escaped Brain Unglaus' hands.
"I take this."
He turned to the ice women.
"Cover his body with a coffin of ice."
And the demon resumed his route, heading globally in the direction of the Ro-Lente Castle, the royal palace. But Cocytus was zigzagging in the streets so that the aura of cold created by the ice women spread in all the houses and killed all the humans who hid there.
Most of the inhabitants had not been able to flee in time and found themselves trapped in the capital: men, women, children, old men, as well as the few adult men who had not perished in the battle of the day before. None would be spared (4)... the only mercy the Sorcerer King offered them was a painless death.
But the demon of the cold was not the only person who took charge of the massacre of the inhabitants. In an orphanage of the capital, the children and women who cared for them were dying on the ground. They had been poisoned... by the food brought by Princess Renner, the very person who provided the funds and founded this orphanage.
Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself was standing beside her father in the throne room that had been abandoned by all the nobles, guards, and even the servants. They were the only two people left in the palace since everyone had fled the day before by order of the king.
An evil smile briefly appeared on Renner's face. In her pocket a box containing a very special seed had just opened... the key to this opening was the betrayal of people who had faith in her. It was only in anticipation of this moment that Renner had paid the costs of unnecessary orphans...
Since the Demonic Perturbation, the king's daughter was secretly working for Demiurge. Her help had been crucial to obtaining information on the military and political situation of the kingdom, but also to delay the retaliation of the Re-Estize Kingdom and prevent Prince Zanac from counterattacking effectively.
The strange seed in the box was one of the two awards she asked for. The other... the other was Climb. Renner had found an excuse to temporarily move her bodyguard elsewhere. She smiled as she saw the door turning on its hinges.
Ainz Ooal Gown had just entered.
Renner's father, King Ramposa III, rose from his throne to welcome the Sorcerer King. He stopped a few steps away and bowed down.
"Your Majesty, I acknowledge my defeat. My life is yours. Do with me what you will... but please spare the people of my kingdom... These people are innocent."
Ainz looked at the king for a few seconds. Then, he shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but I can't spare the people of the capital. I decided to raze the Re-Estize's city to the ground and annex the kingdom. It is necessary to make an example that strikes the imagination so that no one ever opposes my will. In this way, more wars will be avoided and many lives saved. I can, however, promise you that the cities in the west of the kingdom, between the capital and the coast, will be spared."
The old king hesitated and sighed.
"I suppose my death is also necessary."
"That's right."
"I understand, Sorcerer King. I decided to stay because I hoped that my blood would be enough to satisfy you. But I guess you do not have such high regard for the value of a mere human king. But, please, I would implore you to spare my daughter. I am not asking you as a king but as a father. You have already killed my two sons."
"It's not up to you, it's up to her," said Ainz while nodding to the princess.
The latter stood two steps behind her father, clutching the sword named Razor Edge, one of the royal treasures, which had once been wielded by Gazef Stronoff.
King Ramposa III seemed surprised.
"I don't understand what..."
But the sovereign could not finish his sentence, an unexpected pain radiated from his side. He turned to see Razor Edge profoundly embedded in his hip. The last king of the Re-Estize kingdom staggered, turning his gaze to his murderer... Renner! His eyes widened with horror and sudden comprehension as Gown's words again resounded in his ears: "It's not up to you, it's up to her". So his daughter betrayed him to save her life...
He spat a flood of blood and collapsed on the ground... the royal crown rolling on the blue carpet before coming to rest while hitting a column.
Looking at the bloody sword, Princess Renner pouted.
"I imagined killing my father would be harder. But... since he was going to die, I didn't have a choice, did I?"
Ainz overtook her and sat on the royal throne.
"Indeed."
Climb was a blond teenager with short hair and blue eyes. He was a very cute boy... and Renner's bodyguard, as proved by his enchanted Mithril and Orichalcum full plate armor.
If he had left the proximity of his mistress whom he served with devotion, it was because he loved and respected her with total ingenuity. Some called him 'Faithfull Dog' because of this.
Orphaned from unknown parents, and living on the street, he had been saved by the princess and believed all her lies without ever doubting. No doubt he loved her more than anything.
It was a beautiful story, a love story between teenagers... and it was also a reciprocal story.
Princess Renner was... a monster. She was devoid of human feelings. A cold, merciless, Machiavellian, and manipulative witch... a true psychopath willing to do anything to achieve her ends.
Yet the princess also loved Climb, even though this love was as twisted as the rest of her personality. And if he ran to the other end of the city under the false pretext of checking a secret passage in a royal warehouse near the wall that could lead them outside...To be honest, it was only an excuse for him to be absent when Renner killed the king.
Climb stopped suddenly.
Standing on top of the warehouse, a blond-haired Dark Elf looked at him timidly, squeezing a Wizard Staff on his breast, while holding his very short skirt with the other hand.
The girl... finally, the person he thought was a girl (It's a trap!)... called him.
"Uh... excuse me, but you can't stay here. I was ordered by Ainz Ooal Gown to take everything of value from the warehouses and then destroy the city."
At the same time, Mare's sister was finishing slaughtering the Wizards to loot their guild.
Climb looked around and saw humanoids in black, their faces hidden by a veil. They were pushing the doors and carrying in the street crates and bags.
Without answering, he turned around running as fast as he could.
The enemy was already inside the city!
Re-Estize had already fallen.
Climb stopped.
His breath condensed into a mist at the end of his lips. Despite his concern for Renner, the young man had just realized that a perfectly abnormal cold was spreading in this street. The walls were covered with hoarfrost.
He looked around, and listened, without perceiving any sign of life.
"Is there anyone here?"
Despite the risk of being spotted by enemies, he shouted several times. But no one answered. With a heart throbbing with apprehension he went to a door... closed of course. The young warrior no longer had the three bells that Gargaran had lent him for the raid against the Height Fingers, but he could open a door without a problem... even if he had no picking skills.
After delivering a forceful kick, he shattered the lock and proceeded to investigate the inside of the house.
It was all frozen!
On the first floor...
"No, no, no..."
Tears appeared in Climb's eyes.
On the wooden floor, a mother squeezed her two children against her in a vain attempt to protect them... they looked like finely carved statues, covered with frost and ice.
"How did it end up this way...? Sorcerer King... if only you didn't exist..."
Climb didn't bother checking another house. He understood that the entire city had become a necropolis, with each house serving as a tomb filled with corpses covered by an ice shroud.
Climb knew it would be too late.
Fires had started in several parts of the city. Above all, the palace was transformed into a magnificent ice sculpture, proof that the enemies had arrived at Ro-Lente Castle.
He entered the palace by the same secret passage he had taken to go out and ran to the princess' boudoir. Empty... On a table, a paper told him to go to the throne room.
He stopped running only a few steps from the entrance. Six guards were on duty and they were not soldiers of the Re-Estize Kingdom... they were women dressed in white kimonos, skin as pale as ice.
He was too worried to fear that they could stop him. The Bodyguard headed for the door. One of the Yuki-onna turned to him, mechanically Climb retreated... but she spoke to him without aggressiveness.
"You are the last human in the palace, you can enter."
In the state of panic that was his, Climb simply understood that he could enter and pushed the doors... he did not realize that this meant that there was no other living human left in the royal palace.
He ran towards Renner. She was kneeling on the ground, visibly horrified. Her palms, her clothes, and her face were stained with blood. He noted before her Razor Edge on the ground, also covered with blood and the king's corpse.
On the throne sat Ainz Ooal Gown dressed in his usual black and purple mage dress. He stood between Albedo and Demiurge. Cocytus was further away, standing against a wall.
"Princess Renner" shouted Climb kneeling beside her.
The Princess' glassy gaze regained its sharpness.
"Climb..."
Furious, the young blond man stood up and drew his sword.
"Sorcerer King!"
But Demiurge went forward, readjusting his glasses. The demon was visibly furious that someone threatened his god.
"What insolence before Ainz-sama. Knell down!"
The air vibrated, charged with magic, for the order of the demon was charged with power.
Climb fell on one knee, in the pose of a knight before his king, while Renner prostrated herself face down against the ground.
Despite this, Climb found the strength to straighten his head. The blood on the princess' hand, the sword on the ground, the dead king...
"So this is it... you cast a mental control spell on the princess? You forced the king's daughter to kill her father!"
But Albedo, Ainz, and Demuirge exchanged amused looks. As the saying goes, there is no worse blind than one who does not want to see... ah, teenagers in love.
Yet Ainz spoke of something completely different.
"I remember you. You were present during my duel with Gazef Stronoff." He turned to Demiurge. "Release your grip."
"Of course, Ainz-sama." Then the demon turned to Climb: "You are free."
The bodyguard reacts with impressive reflexes, rising and grabbing Razor Edge (a weapon much more powerful than the ordinary steel blade he had dropped) in the same movement, before warning himself.
"Sorcerer King, it's your entire fault!"
Ainz got up without being impressed... since he felt as much in danger as a lion in front of a just-hatched chick.
"You can thank me," he replied. "The royal figure that I am deigns to challenge you to a duel. Let's see... if I win, I take this sword."
Climb tightened his grip on the handle of Razor Edge, the treasure of the kingdom.
"If you did not exist, the kingdom would be at peace. No one should have died. The princess would never have had to cry."
Ainz's only reaction was a mocking sound... What a fool, they were all playing a score written by Renner. Her hero was fighting for her... just like Renner wanted. This whole scene was Ainz's second gift to Nazarick for the entry of the lost kingdom's former princess. And it amused him to play the role of the big villain that the hero in white armor had to fight to protect the beautiful princess...
Taking this as an insult, Climb leaped, whistling his sword, and then... threw it!
Ainz blocked the attack with a backhand, sending the weapon crashing into the ground.
As the princess screamed his name, Climb punched the Overlord in the face... impressive... and completely useless!
As the bodyguard cried out in pain as if he had hit a stone wall, the undead lifted him by the collar.
"In stories, this is when your emotions awaken your sleeping power. When you reverse the situation and succeed in crushing me."
Climb who read a lot of old legends and tales (his passion since childhood) understood very well what Ainz was talking about, but he could not escape the grip of the bony hand that held him with a force far surpassing that of a man.
"But reality is cruel. Nothing like this will happen!"
Ainz threw the young warrior against a wall. He rolled to the ground moaning but immediately rose to wipe the blood flowing from his split lip.
"You will die, here and now! You are not worth saving! You have no gift or talent that would justify your being saved. But no need for you to lament. The world is unjust. And it starts from birth. One can be born with a gift or absolutely none. One can be born into a rich or poor family. The lucky ones will have a good life, while the unlucky ones will have a life of misfortunes. But it is not necessary to deplore this inequality, because... Death is the same for everyone." The undead eyes suddenly lit up with a red light. "So I'm the great equalizer. Only my mercy as master of death will bring equality in this world so unjust"
Climb was not demoralized, he was furious... he knew he had no gift, that he was just a human being. But what the monster said outraged him: "In my great generosity, I will all offer the same grave to all." Happy or unhappy, it was hundreds of thousands of innocent people who had just died... And even the poorest, even the orphans, wanted to live. Who was Ainz to believe that he had the right to decide who would survive and who would perish?
"And I am the shield of the princess..."
For a moment, Ainz confronted Climb, and then nodded.
"I see. It's that kind of look..."
Ainz turned around, walked a few steps away, picked up Razor Edge, and threw the word at the feet of the bodyguard.
"Pick it up."
Climb obeys as Ainz pulls a black metal scimitar from his Inventory.
"I need to know. After you kill me, will it be the princess's turn?"
But this time he noticed the slight laugh of Albedo and the suddenly embarrassed look of Ainz... Even blinded by love, the bodyguard understood that something strange was happening.
But the laughter of the Overlord brought him back to the present.
"I wonder, what would make you suffer the most? The best is probably not to answer this question."
This time, Climb's fury was explosive. He leaped and struck while still above the ground.
"Sorcerer King!"
There was a quick exchange of blows, and their swords collided in a shower of sparks. Climb was beaten back by a counterattack. But he quickly leaped again into the fray.
"Liberation."
A green aura enveloped him, emitted by the magic ring on his finger: Rigrit's Ring, a magic ring that had belonged to one of the Thirteen Heroes. This item had the power to temporarily boost the abilities of his wearer, allowing him to fight as if he was five levels above his current level.
The princess's bodyguard had targeted the red sphere in the chest of the undead and...
The attack was stopped. Ainz simply grabbed the weapon in his free hand.
"Well tried, it was a good assault."
Ainz struck at the shoulder... the armor of Mithril protected no better than a sheet of paper. Climb staggered back, the blood splashed on the carpet in the throne room... it bled out, the blow being very deep. Yet the young man remained standing.
This time the princess stood up screaming with fear and worries that were not utter lies. Oh yes... of course... this time she was serious. She didn't want Ainz to break her toy. Renner would need her cute plaything again afterward.
"Can Razor Edge break a World's Item? I wonder. This experience interests me a lot. However..."
Ainz dropped his sword which went back into his Inventory and extended his hand forward.
"... I could always conduct it after I killed you."
Climb smiled... a grimace where fear, anger, and pain were mixed with pride.
"The Sorcerer King will use his magic against me?"
Ainz didn't react. He decided not to inflict more harm on Climb because he would have to resurrect him after the battle. It wouldn't be a good idea to complicate matters with multiple injuries. In any case, if Climb did not understand the lesson, continuing would be equally in vain. He would be plunged into a pit of despair and helplessness, powerless to defeat the wicked and rescue his princess.
The bond teenager rushed forward, still trying to defeat the enemy.
"Grasp Heart" simply says Ainz.
As he collapsed and his sight darkened... his heart just exploded... Climb heard the Sorcerer King's voice one last time.
"You fought well."
In the story, the hero reaches the throne room of the Demon King to rescue the princess. However, it was a tale specifically created for the inhabitants of Nazarick and had a tragic ending. The hero dies...
It wasn't the end, but rather the beginning of a new life - as a demon.
But it was not the end, not certainly not.
Climb's death was just the first step.
Princess Renner had betrayed to receive the Seed of Corruption. An object that had turned her into a demon... Now she was immortal and powerful.
But the fallen princess of the lost kingdom had no ambition to spend her evil eternity alone. Climb would be with her...
Ainz Ooal Gown promised her a second Seed of Corruption in exchange for her help and eternal loyalty.
Far from it, Roble Holy Kingdom
Standing on the outer wall of the city of Targos, Marcus Aquaire Breval listened to the reports of his scouts, while looking at the stronghold of the goblins.
"You say they're all gone?"
"Yes, My Lord."
Baron Breval looked at the forts and squinted... what was happening? Had the goblins fled or was the Demonic Emperor preparing another of his twisted plans?
As in answer to his unspoken question a watchman called.
"My lord, a column of wagons is heading for the walls."
It was a carriage advancing in front of several heavily loaded wagons.
The escort was limited to a handful of riders, Adventurers, or Workers, and it was a wonder how these wagons managed to cross the front line to arrive here.
"My lord, look at their flag..."
The travelers were carrying the flag of the Baharuth Empire, which perhaps explained why the goblins had not attacked them. They were nationals of a neutral power... and a vassal of the Sorcerer Kingdom. Offending Ainz Ooal Gown is a risk that no one in their right mind would take.
Suddenly, the lead coach stopped a hundred yards from the doors, and a tall man dressed as a butler with white hair and beard stepped out.
He placed a white-gloved hand on his chest and bowed deeply.
"I see that the master of this city has seen us arrive. Then I ask that you open the doors to my mistress. We do not arrive empty-handed; we bring food for the besieged."
Baron Breval asked, "Who are you?"
The man replied, "My name is Sebas Tian."
He then showed the open door, from which a lady dressed in a long red dress, fanning herself with a painted silk fan, descended. Her long blond hair formed rolls on her shoulders, and she was very beautiful... except she wasn't human. Her real name was Solution Epsilon. Sebas Tian introduced her as his mistress, Lady Sol, who had crossed these dangerous lands just to supply them.
At least this Trojan horse was more attractive than a stupid wooden statue...
Author's note: The second arc of this Fan Fiction is ending, and Ainz's attempt to transform the Roble Holy Kingdom into a vassal state will be the focus of the next arc, with the story finally starting to deviate from the canon.
(1) A form of prostration typically Japanese (it also exists in China under the name of Kowtow) that reflects contrition, shame, and the desire to return to the ground.
(2) The fight takes place in episode 11 Season IV of the Overlord's anime.
(3) A world Item resembling a scepter with a black ball floating above its upper end.
(4) To be exact, a thousand people were evacuated the day before by Shalltear Bloodfallen, most of them members of the Eight Fingers. The Blue Rose adventurer group fled using a teleport spell cast by Evil Eye. In addition, two members of the royal palace will be spared by Ainz... Given the size of the city... the massacre probably caused more than a hundred thousand dead.
