Shirou didn't know how to feel as he found a spot to quietly contemplate matters on his own. It wasn't the most professional of him, nor was it the best choice all things considered when there were those in need of healing or were out searching for him, but he needed to be alone.

The battle would sort itself out now that the main combatants had retreated, and with Scathatch and the others on scene, it was highly unlikely to lead to further bloodshed.

His departure could then be seen as a show of trust.

Only Shirou would know that it wasn't that complicated.

Thoughts of Arturia seated on the hastily made Camelot in Roble came to mind. The odd ways she'd been acting, the subtle things that weren't in line with how an NPC should act, they'd always been cause for suspicion.

However, after spending countless years searching and never once reaching a promised miracle, Shirou no longer jumped headlong into any leads on impulse. Rather, he would keep walking forward on the promise of pursuing his ideals and finding the path to Utopia.

And yet, perhaps it had been closer than it had seemed.

"Saber?" Shirou muttered absently while glancing back in the direction of Roble. A certain longing rose up from within him. The many words he wanted to say, the many actions he wished to commit, but most all of that paled in comparison to a simple greeting.

Shaking his head, Shirou stood up on his feet, moving away from an outcropping of grass that had obscured his location from the wider battlefield in the plains.

He needed to go back.

Before pursuing anything else, he needed to make sure. Not just about Arturia, but with all the others summoned to this world alongside him.

Then Shirou thought of Gilgamesh and felt his stomach sink at the realization. He shuddered at the implication of what he had done, but it was spilt milk.

He had to head back to the Holy Kingdom of Roble, towards Camelot.

For a moment, Shirou hesitated recalling Nero's state and that of the others he'd seen on the battlefield.

In Shirou's arsenal were Noble Phantasms suited for healing and recovery. Him staying behind could alleviate the pain of many, and even help rouse Nero from unconsciousness. However, it didn't seem likely for the Empire soldiers to let Shirou anywhere near Nero without a confrontation.

Reinforcing his eyes, Shirou observed Nero's condition from a distance and noted that her vitals were intact.

Nero had simply overtaxed herself and was in need of rest. There was no cause for immediate concern, especially with signs of the Hundred Faces mixed in with the Empire's army acting as Nero's bodyguards.

He was free to leave. He'd likely be reported missing by those in Re-Estize's side, but misunderstandings could be solved later after confirming the whole truth for himself.

Thus was the urgency.

"Merlin," Shirou called out, to which a gate of flowers appeared swirling behind him.

Stepping out of the flowers, Merlin appeared with a subtle expression. Vigilance was also mixed in as he could feel the Rune Witch nearby, but most of his attention was on Shirou.

"We will return to Camelot." Shirou said.

Merlin nodded, finally showing a trace of expectation. "Was the journey long?"

Shirou froze at the words, craning his neck towards Merlin.

Yet, Shirou was unable to read through Merlin's jovial poker face. Whether this was the Merlin Shirou had made in YGGDRASIL, or something more, only Merlin could say himself.

Considering Merlin's data and programming were tailored to the personality Shirou had seen in glimpses through Traced weapons, it was difficult to tell.

But those words…

Merlin clapped, snapping Shirou out of his thoughts.

"Shall we depart?" Merlin asked while gesturing to a door of floating petals. "It's been a while since I've teased the little King."

Besides, Merlin revealed a knowing glint in his eyes. He enjoyed the taste of surprise and bitterly sweet affection moored in awkward actions and revelations.

With one last look at the battlefield between the Baharuth Empire and Re-Estize, Shirou nodded and stepped through the portal back to the Roble Holy Kingdom.

Merlin was but a step behind, a red spear impaling the previous spot he stood at, causing cold sweat to travel down his back.

Ah…Women.

Merlin hurried to close his flower gate.

On the other side, Arturia's eyes widened as Shirou and Merlin appeared in the midst of a diplomatic meeting between Roble's remaining factions in the Holy Kingdom.

Opening a flower gate right into the heart of Camelot's audience chamber, Arturia was far from the only one taken aback, as this was a private meeting between the Roble's 'Valkyrie,' and Princess Calca Bessarez.

On either side of them, the Knights of the Round flanked Arturia, while Kelart and Remedios stood on either side of Calca.

Shirou and Merlin appeared in the middle.

Brain Unglaus did not know how to feel when Climb had first approached him as a representative of the Golden Princess. However, he ended up sighing as he realized that this could be another political maneuver in Re-Estize's factions between the Royals and the Nobles.

Trying to even his breathing, Brain observed Climb.

Climb was young, barely of age or experience to be participating in the annual war between Baharuth and Re-Estize. As if to further emphasize that, the full plate armor Climb wore that clunked with each movement spoke of ill confidence.

It was true that more armor signified preparation, but it also signified that Climb was prepared to get hit in battle. That was a poor mentality when it came to war, especially when most full-plate armor positions involved a unit working in cohesion.

Shaking his head, Brain noted the whispers around and was able to infer that Climb was the rumored 'bellboy' that the Golden Princess had supposedly brought to run errands. Officially, Climb was participating as the Princess's guard, but no one really put any emphasis on that.

Climb was far from the most skilled individual. Rather, Brain could tell that the young man had a ways to go before achieving anything.

"The Princess wants a meeting?" Brain spat, flem and blood mixing in his mouth from injuries he'd suffered while fighting against the Demons side-by-side with Sasaki and Musashi. Well, he liked to think he was on the same level, but he still fought even if the other two had to save him a couple times.

Brain was now confident that he could now see the path of the sword. The next time he encountered that, that vampire, he would never falter at just her nail again.

What stemmed from Brain was a burgeoning ego and confidence, but it was about to take another blow.

First, he'd lost the championship against Gazef, then he was crushed by Shalltear Bloodfallen, and now…

Brain could understand Renner's discretion, but what was irking him about Climb was something else entirely.

"But kid, why me?" Brain frowned heavily, arms crossing together.

At the question, a look of alarm crossed Climb's face as he suddenly tensed under Brain's scrutiny.

"Well," Climb glanced at Musashi and Sasaki who were already bickering despite the earlier battle.

Then he glanced at Brain whose body was sweating and trembling from exhaustion.

Climb coughed, eyes glancing away.

"You were more approachable?" He lied blatantly. Rather, the scowl on Brain's face made him the least approachable.

Brain glowered, but had no words when he thought about Climb's choice rationality. But emotionally, Brain felt utterly irked.

Damn kid.

Brain sneered, but soon composed himself and let it go. To see new horizons, one had to be free in spirit and ideal rather than arrogant or deluded in one's skill. Sasaki and Musashi were the best examples.

"Sorry kid, but that's not my decision to make." Brain shot Climb down, not wanting to get dragged into a bloody political dispute. That's how many fools found themselves dead.

However, Climb was determined, an aspect Renner readily adored in him.

"But you could ask them?" Climb insisted.

Yes.

Yes, Brain could, but-

"I didn't know you had friends?" Musashi wrapped an arm around Brain's shoulders and glanced down at Climb with a level of heightened scrutiny. "Hmm, the face shape is alright, but the features are too rugged. Pretty boys are eye candy but you're not quite there. However, you at least have the energy."

"Thanks?" Climb said awkwardly.

Musashi moved on and stared at Brain. "What were you talking about?"

"He was asking for a meeting with the Princess," Brain said.

Musashi didn't blink an eye. "Will we get paid?"

She was calculating how much udon she'd be able to afford with more gold.

"Can you decide for everyone?" Brain cut in before Musashi got any ideas. Sasaki was just as skilled as her with a sword.

"Yup," Musashi said with a grin. "Besides, don't you think he'll finally agree to a duel if I piss him off enough?"

"I can hear you," Sasaki sighed while approaching and assessing the situation.

Suddenly faced with all three swordsmen who cut out achievements for themselves on the battlefield, Climb felt the natural pressure the three exuded. It was like standing next to sharpened blades.

Don't get Musashi's easy-going attitude or Sasaki's collected demeanor wrong, but those two were sword maniacs. Brain was more subtle, and that was why Climb had initially chosen him.

"So there you have it, my word goes!" Musashi persisted, wrapping Brain and Sasaki in her arms and dragging them forward. "Where's this princess?"

Climb, unsure, but determined, was just relieved that he could carry out the princess's request.

/-/

Elsewhere, Gazef Stronoff steeled his expression and made his way towards the one spot in Re-Estize's side that was left largely isolated. It was like there was an unseen barrier that the others refused to cross out of equal parts respect and fear.

A woman stood alone within the isolated spot. Next to her was an unconscious man in blue spandex.

Gazef swallowed down his nervousness.

It was this very woman who dismissed the ethereal Gate above, and who had also contributed to warding the Demons out of Re-Estize's capital.

She was the Rune Witch, Scathatch.

Presently, Scathatch retracted her hand where she'd thrown a red spear into the horizon like a magic enhanced arrow. An explosion occurred in the distance, but Scathatch could only scowl.

"Missed…" Scathatch clicked her tongue as she muttered under her breath.

That man was a slimy one.

Shaking her head, Scathatch turned her attention to Gazef who had approached and stopped a respectable distance across from her.

His courage was commendable in the face of others who did not dare draw near.

Scathatch could give Gazef praise where it was due.

He offered her a hand in greeting.

Though it was only brief, Gazef had recognized the spearmanship Scathatch had used as something remarkably similar to the spearmanship possessed by a pair of twins he'd encountered in Re-Estize.

If there was a connection, it would be a boon to the King if Gazef could convince the twins to enlist in Re-Estize's guard royal knight program.

Connections and power were the two things Gazef had learned held weight in the Royal Court. Without it, no one would listen, and that was why the King's influence was infinitely weak.

Gazef reaffirmed his resolve as the King's right hand.

"Gazef Stronoff," Gazef introduced himself. As a man who focused more on duty rather than sophistry, his way of speaking was rather blunt. "May I ask for your name?"

Scathatch raised a brow, but appreciated a warrior's mettle far more than a noble with a silver gilded tongue.

"Scathatch," she introduced herself, dismissing the spear she'd thrown into the distance while deactivating the ruins she'd placed around herself when she'd sensed the flower wizard. She'd learned from the first humiliation, that even if she were a warrior, a man like Merlin would find a way to get a hand in.

Scathatch's brow twitched, but she continued her introduction. "I am the warrior Queen of DunScaith."

Her mood wasn't exactly the best, considering what had happened in the Land of Shadows. It wasn't her lack of judgment or skill that led to this outcome, but a feeling she'd thought had long been muted: sentimentality.

She should have placed a larger restriction on Cu, considering his beast-like resilience and strength. Instead, she'd focused on the Undead Magic Caster in a bid to force him to undo the necromantic spell he'd cast on her student.

Cu ended up breaking through the Gate of DunScaith as a result, and weakened the restrictions in the Land of Shadows. In order to prevent the relentless outflow of ghosts and the undead from exiting the Gate, Scathatch had had no choice but to divert her attention and block their exit. However, in doing so, Cu had assisted in the Undead Magic Caster's escape-

"You are Royalty?" Gazef's question spurred Scathatch out of her brooding.

The answer was a simple yes, but Scathatch was preoccupied with feeling the direction the Undead Magic Caster had escaped towards. Her intuition pointed towards Re-Estize.

Hence, she could use the situation to make suitable arrangements.

"Hn," she nodded in confirmation before leveling her eyes even with Gazef's gaze. "I find myself in need of temporary accommodation. I need to look after this errant student of mine and pursue that Undead Magic Caster."

Gazef's eyes widened as Scathatch shared her intentions.

It was in line with the request he was going to ask of her to begin with. Being as the Undead Magic Caster had escaped through the gate Scathatch closed, there was no other choice but to ask. Re-Estize could not cope with the level of strength that the Undead Magic Caster demonstrated.

Granting accommodations to Scathatch was for the kingdom's best interest.

Besides, something told Gazef that the unconscious man Scathach was watching over was also no push over.

As far as Gazef was concerned, the more capable warriors in Re-Estize right now, the better. More so with the Undead Magic Caster on the loose.

"I will send word to the King," Gazef made up his mind. No, it was certain. "He'll be sure to agree considering your contributions against the demons attacking our capital prior. We could even host a ceremony in thanks for your efforts."

"Such is my duty against demons, ghouls, and the undead," Scathatch hardly blinked at the offer and simply shook her head. "I have no need for thanks or ceremonies. Just prepare a place to rest and adequate food. After several years, I now have a target to hunt."

Light glinted in Scathatch's eyes, Gazef feeling goosebumps rise from the strength of Scathatch's conviction.

But there was still something else Gazef needed to ask.

"Do you know about a pair of twins?"

.

.

.

Soon, talks of the return of the Evil Gods began to spread through the New World.

And of the darkness and death, brought about by the undead Magic Caster.

In Nazarick, the mood was far from pleasant. Only Pandora's Actor and Narberal were saved from the heavy air as they were too busy keeping their cover low as Team Darkness.

Ainz had returned to the Great Tomb with Demiurge's corpse in hand.

Ainz's return to Nazarick did not go unnoticed. From the moment Albedo had felt his familiar magic energy and the activation of the warp ring only accessible by the Great Ones, she was rushing out of her room.

With elated breath and relief coursing through her after the report of Ainz being thrown into a hostile land, Albedo leapt with excitement towards a familiar figure.

"Lord Ainz, you're-!"

Albedo's pupils dilated, her complexion drastically changing as an unseen pressure caused the area itself to cave and buckle. Such things would not have ordinarily affected Albedo considering her level and skill, but she could not bring herself to resist upon noticing Demiurge's corpse and Ainz's silent fury.

"G-Greetings to the Supreme One!" Albedo slipped straight into formality and bowed her head, firmly planting a knee to the ground, her wings tucked evenly behind her.

"...Gather the treasury." Ainz forced the words out with thinly veiled emotion. "Send a notice to the floor guardians to gather in the main hall."

It was the most Albedo had ever heard her Lord's tone so heated. Rather, it had always been calm and collected as if all the world was already in his hands.

"It will be done!" Albedo didn't waste a moment and carried out Ainz's instructions.

However, most of the floor guardians were already nearby.

Shalltear and the twins, Aura and Mare, were peeking out across the audience hall. Similarly drawn to Ainz's arrival, they had arrived moments after Albedo and were now rooted in place.

Cocytus, who arrived last, straightened his back and bowed his head. What he felt from Lord Ainz was an unmistakable fighting spirit that spurred a somber mood.

It wasn't long after Albedo left before she returned with a mountain of gold coins which she placed before Ainz in the audience hall.

No one could speak lightly as Ainz went through the motions of the revival process. He had prior experience with Cocytus and the curse placed upon him, but Shirou had changed things. However, Demiurge was the second death Ainz had to deal with in the New World. Once with Cocytus had already been enough.

He could not bear this.

Ainz was gloomy, but was unwilling to let the matter simply drop. He was brooding.

Ainz laid Demiurge down in front of the pile of gold, and soon that gold began to melt into a liquid slosh that submerged Demiurge within it.

Bubbling and frothing, Ainz felt his tension heightening as time passed by. His attention was focused entirely on a list of Nazarick's active NPCs, watching for the spot that signified Demiurge's name to relight.

None of the Floor Guardians spoke. They didn't have to in order to infer what had happened because they had all seen Demiurge's corpse.

Aura and Shalltear didn't even bother bickering, while Albedo was biting down hard on her lower lip, hands clasped in front of her.

Eventually, the pool of liquid gold began to rise as if pinching a curtain up and draping a figure beneath.

Nazarick's active personnel list began to flicker, a sign that caused Ainz no end of relief.

Within seconds, Demiurge's name grew bright, and from the liquid gold that rapidly vanished into a certain figure, Demiurge emerged.

Eyes wide, Demiurge took a moment to stare at himself in thought before noticing that everyone's attention was on him. Ordinarily, this would never cause Demiurge to grow flustered, but it wasn't just the other Floor Guardians present. Ainz himself stood before Demiurge.

"G-Greetings to Lord Ainz, last of the Supreme Ones." Demiurge made an awkward bow, recalling the last memory he had of falling prey to Nero's blade.

Demiurge was nervous, unable to tell if he had failed to meet Ainz's expectations to an adequate degree considering the mood of the audience hall. The thoughts of the Supreme Ones were far above Demiurge's own, so inwardly he felt panic at the thought of failing to live up to Ainz's grand plan.

"Something has to change," Ainz spoke under his breath, staring at a healed Demiurge.

"Lord Ainz?" Demiurge called tentatively, displaying a rare sense of unease.

"You did well," Ainz said cryptically, unable to stand the self-blame in Demiurge's eyes. However, that didn't mean he would just let this go. "However, you were unwise in choosing your battles."

"Y-Yes," Demiurge hastily bowed his head. "Was it the preparation, timing, or failing to account for the enemy's variables?"

Ainz shook his head. He didn't really understand whatever machinations Demiurge had in mind, but there was one aspect he knew had to be corrected first and foremost. More than even choosing which battles to fight and which to avoid.

"You died," Ainz stated. "That is unacceptable."

For a moment, Demiurge's eyes widened, realizing that his death may not have been part of Ainz's plan all along.

Then did he cause his Lord's objective to fail?!

"The battle?!" Demiurge called urgently.

"Was lost," Ainz shook his head. It was a lost battle from the beginning from the moment the Rune Witch got involved. He had to give up Cu just to escape.

Demiurge froze, mind moving on overdrive on the assumption of what would have changed if her were alive when Ainz arrived.

A second later, Demiurge's eyes widened as he fell to his knees and punched the ground in frustration.

He saw it! He understood it now!

If he had been alive, Ainz would not have had to reveal himself and remain a mastermind in the shadows.

It is in the light where other scrutinize and plan, while those in the dark are free to catch the enemy unaware!

At the very least, with Demiurge alive, they could use him as a means to draw attention if need be. However, with Ainz's existence now known, operations and the Supreme One's general safety were now at risk.

"I-I do not deserve to live…" Demiurge hung his head.

Much to Ainz's concern, Albedo did not speak up to refute her fellow Floor Guardian.

Rather, even the others found themselves nodding as Demiurge had clearly caused Ainz a great inconvenience.

"Enough," Ainz had no plans of delving deeper into this. It was already spilt milk. "Plans moving forward should never end with you, or any other denizen of the Great Tomb's death. A true plan is one that doesn't jeopardize our own people. Ulbert never compromised on his allies."

Demiurge visibly recoiled at the admonishment. "I-I understand."

"Stand up and join your fellow Floor Guardians," Ainz had no wish to see Demiurge continue to kneel. Especially when there was no much that had to be done.

"Understood," Demiurge obeyed Ainz's words.

When Demiurge took his place with Shalltear, Albedo, and the others, he was gritting his teeth so hard that Mare and Aura could hear it. His jaw was clenched such that veins were visible on his neck.

Moreover, Demiurge had no words for the disdain Shalltear was blatantly showing for his failure, nor Albedo's reproachful eyes despite the two of them coordinating prior.

"Listen well."

Ainz's voice caused all Floor Guardians to stop glancing at each other and focus only on Ainz who took a seat on the supreme throne in Nazarick.

Everything had to change about the way he approached the New World.

It was a fact that YGGDRASIL's Raid Bosses had also arrived in this new land. As familiar as Ainz was with their move sets after numerous deaths at their hands, he was also familiar with their characters and natural tendencies.

They would never be compatible with Nazarick's people.

They were enemies through principle alone.

Hiding could never be the answer when their existence itself would always oppose the values of YGGDRASIL's Raid Bosses.

Ainz could theoretically conform or even befriend certain NPC Bosses, but the same could not be said for the others in the Great Tomb of Nazarick. Their tendencies were too aligned with evil. There was not one NPC in Nazarick that was favorable to humans except Sebas.

In which case, Ainz could never stand idle and watch a purge.

From the beginning there was only ever one choice.

Ainz issued his command.

"Prepare for a long war."

He'd hunt them down one by one, and using items acquired from their defeat, he'd mount his rebellion against those who could not accept his people.

It was what his Guild Mates would have done.

In YGGDRASIL, the raid bosses did not seem to have the luxury of revival.

Moreover, considering their capabilities, the amount of gold required was certainly astronomical. In contrast, Nazarick had amassed a fortune in its time in YGGDRASIL and could afford numerous resurrections.

Although fighting Raid Bosses was difficult, it was not impossible. Otherwise, YGGDRASIL would have never made such a setting.

It was difficult, but doable.

That's what mattered.

More importantly, if his guildmates were really in this New World, Ainz would not have the face to meet them if he could not protect the cherished NPCs entrusted to him.

The heart of a human began to wane.

Thanks for reading!

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