Makings of an Overlord

by The Emerald Commander

Suzuki Satoru has no idea how to rule the Great Tomb of Nazarick, especially now that he has been transported to an entire new world as a human (kind of). However, he is going to give his all, no matter how much Albedo keeps trying to sleep with him, how much Demiurge wants to commit genocides and how much he wishes to date that cute peasant girl in the village nearby. Slight!AU

13. Chapter XII: Calm Before the Storm

Chapter XII: Calm before the Storm Part I

An eerie calmness had invaded the Kingdom. The night skies over the city of Re-Estize were clear and the winds had ebbed into serene nothingness. However, to everyone who had any remote knowledge on the whims of the weather, such was only the stillness that preceded the tempest. However, the gathering storm had yet rear its nefarious head.

Within one residence of the city, a certain woman stared out the window straight at the heavens. She looked as if she had come back from an important gala, which wasn't far from the truth, dressed in an elegant navy blue dress. Long golden hair curtained around her head, with many strands covering her face, and her icy pearl-blue eyes pierced into the night. Surrounded by darkness and seated on a simple chair by the window, she ignored the desk and many books on the shelves against the walls.

"This is the worst time possible for the plan," muttered the woman.

"On the contrary…"

The woman snapped her head towards the shadows in the room, only to gasp. Her cold eyes found a pair of hovering red orbs, tiny flames that burned with ancient hatred and wisdom. He didn't approach and instead stood camouflaged amongst the blackness like an evil silhouette.

"H-Harbinger," spluttered the woman.

"Hell-Raiser," said Harbinger. "Have you done as I told you?"

"Yes! I spoke to that idiot. He bit the bait and I guarantee he'll do exactly as you wanted."

Harbinger's burning gaze didn't waver over her.

"Did he take all the items?" He asked.

"Yes, of course! That fool could barely resist getting his spoiled hands over them."

"What about the rest?"

"It is proceeding on schedule. The crates have already been delivered to a third of the warehouses. By tomorrow night, we'll be ready."

Harbinger didn't speak. He merely stared at Hell-Raiser, and the woman, in turn, fought the urge to cower in fear.

"Speak. What concerns you?"

She gulped but after mustering her courage, the woman spoke up.

"Harbinger… is this a good idea? Of all the times to do this, why now? The Six Noblemen and their mightiest knights are here, as well as many of the most renowned orders of the Kingdom. Worse, there's that delegation from the Roble Kingdom," muttered Hell-Raiser. "I met them tonight. They brought the Paladin Captain and a few of their Nine Colors."

Harbinger didn't say anything. The woman took it as her cue to continue.

"Why don't we delay?" She suggested. "Once the nobles and Paladins return from whence-"

"No," cut in Harbinger. "You either strike now or you will be discovered."

"How is that possible? I have eluded discovery till now," insisted Hell-Raiser.

"Not from Ainz Ooal Gown," growled Harbinger.

Hell-Raiser tried not to flinch as Harbinger marched out of the shadows and towards her desk. She bowed her head, averting her wintry eyes from his fiery gaze. When she looked up, Harbinger was staring out the window.

"He has taken over Eight Fingers," stated Harbinger.

"Wait, you mean to tell me that that alleged powerful mage is behind the raids on Eight Fingers?" Hell-Raiser asked, baffled. "I thought-"

"You thought wrong. Ainz Ooal Gown, or rather his servants, raided the Eight Finger bases across Re-Estize and the lands around E-Rantel," said Harbinger. "He counts with many different minions, many of which are quite powerful."

"Then shouldn't we cut our losses and leave?" Wondered Hell-Raiser. "If we go through the plan, it will be E-Rantel all over. While I understand this will cause irreparable damage to the country, won't this leave that entity, this Lord Ainz-whatever, as a hero again?"

"Yes and no," chuckled darkly Harbinger. "If things go as I planned, then the Kingdom will rise against Ainz Ooal Gown and perish. That will depend on the buffoon. Idiots may be easy to manipulate, but they can be unpredictable."

"Don't worry, Harbinger," bitterly spat the woman. "This particular idiot won't stray from the plan."

"He better not," warned Harbinger. "Not if we want to wreck death and destruction across the Re-Estize Kingdom…"

The woman firmly nodded in understanding. Her cold eyes gleamed with glee at the mention of the end of her pathetic homeland.

"Then you know what to do. Don't fail me, Hell-Raiser."

"I will succeed," scoffed the woman. "I am not a fool like Death-Caller…"

She frowned, reminded of her fellow Zurrernorn ringleader.

"Harbinger, what happened in E-Rantel?" slowly said Hell-Raiser. "Was Death-Caller really stupid enough for his own ritual to backfire?"

"No," said Harbinger. "He merely thought too highly of himself."

Hell-Raiser pursed her lips, annoyed by the cryptic response.

"Focus on the task at hand. We shall strike tomorrow night," ordered Harbinger.

"We?" Asked a baffled Hell-Bringer.

"Yes, I will return to aid you," he said. "You are not wrong, Hell-Raiser. Our forces are insufficient. That is why I never intended to use only your demons. They'll be the vanguard. I'll procure the rest."

His words did little to ease Hell-Raiser's worries. If anything, he only made them worse. Still, she kept quiet and shivered, picturing a white toothy grin from the dark entity.

"If you don't mind me asking… where will you be going now?" Hell-Raiser timidly wondered. "We could use that ability of yours to move around undetected."

"Ah, I do apologize," mused Harbinger. "But I have to meet with an old…" he paused, and Hell-Raiser could imagine a smirk hidden by the shadows "…woodland acquaintance."

The woman released a sigh of exasperation. She was about to ask for more details, only to realize that Harbinger was gone.

For all of his evil presence, Harbinger sure loves his theatrics, being all dramatic and cryptic, Hell-Bringer thought with a roll of her eyes. She then sighed and shook her head. Not that I am one to talk considering my own family and behavior…

Hell-Raiser frowned as she tried to gain some meaning to what Hell-Bringer had said.

Could he mean an elf? Or maybe a troll? Are there even trolls within Zurrernorn? Wondered Hell-Raiser.

She shook her head in frustration. Unfortunately, it was hard to tell what forest the dark leader of Zurrernorn had alluded to. She didn't doubt that Harbinger was ancient enough to have made acquaintances of living legends, probably less than he had made equally legendary enemies.

Like this mysterious Ainz Ooal Gown, thought Hell-Raiser.

She went back to staring at the calm night. She actually had heard a lot about the dark lord, more so than she had let on to Harbinger. However, Hell-Raiser doubted most of what was said was true. Still, a part of her actually wished some of the rumors going around were true.

I wouldn't mind some Charming Evil taking me away from this horrid kingdom and mockery of marriage to ravage me gods-know-where, thought Hell-Raiser, biting her lip. A being that could get rid of this wretched nation… I'd love to see that…

She wasn't going to deny the thought turned her on. It reminded her of the time she met Harbinger, how he had lulled her into joining Zurrernorn with his sweet words of death, pain and torture, and even immortality… that and a promise to expand her knowledge on demonology.

Hell-Raiser reclined on her seat, eyes focused on the eerily quiet world beyond the safety of her room.

Lord Ainz Ooal Gown is said to possess many powerful demons, she thought. He even has one for a wife or concubine. What was her name again?

---

Albedo was a demoness on a mission. Although her pace and posture exuded only serene elegance, she was filled with anticipation. She paused and studied her surroundings. After all, even as Lady Overseer, this was not a floor of the Great Tomb of Nazarick that she frequented.

The Eighth Floor was not a hospitable place. In fact, it was the most dangerous floor; the Supreme Beings had seen to that. At first glance it looked like a pale white desert, made of patches of cracked earth and dunes that held a mystical pale white glow beneath a silver moon. Said shining orb stood alone in what looked like a starless void-like sky, even if there was a ceiling.

The Dark Ones, in their seemingly innocuous shadowy forms, swept from one place to another, or hid amongst the dried out trees and husks of buildings littered across the expanse. Albedo spotted Shadow Flayers, like packs of wolves, keeping the Dark Ones at bay. Neither type of ancient evil fiend, however, was the main danger of the dungeon. It was the alleged moon.

All in all, the Eighth Floor made for an interesting view, especially from the safety of the Cherry Blossom Sanctuary. A garden at the heart of a desolate wasteland, the area was a small hill, covered in lush green grass and blooming cherry blossoms. A granite stairway led up the slope of the hill, straight to a tori gate, past which one could find the Sanctuary proper. There, a shrine stood at the center of a glade, looming over a pond and right next to a lonely cherry blossom tree.

It was beneath the shadow of that tree, the largest in the entire sanctuary, that Albedo found her query. He sat against the bark with a look of deep concentration all while staring at his reflection on the pond. Rubedo, ever vigilant, was on both knees next to him, while the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown hovered on his other side. Albedo did not miss the Royal Guard hiding amidst the trees surrounding the shrine alongside the other guardians of the area, such as the petite short-haired fox-masked Uka-no-Mitama.

Albedo allowed herself a moment to flatten the creases of her dress and make sure she was looking her best. Tonight, she could not fail. Confidence bubbled in her chest and Albedo approached the pond.

"Rubedo," greeted Albedo with a nod and a smile, only to turn to the one she really wanted to talk to. "My love."

"Albedo?" Asked Lord Momonga, his face marred with concern. "Is something the matter?"

"No, my lord," Albedo said with a bow. "The Tomb rests easy under your rule, Supreme One." She gave her love a concerned look. "I only wanted to check on you, my love. Are you having trouble sleeping?"

"I am afraid so, Albedo," chuckled Momonga. "When I have too much in my mind I remain restless."

"I suppose there is a lot to worry about," nodded Albedo. "Is there anything I could offer to help?"

And by anything, Albedo meant herself, of course. The succubus really wouldn't have minded helping her master distract himself from his duties and get a good night sleep. Some close physical activity that she had in mind was bound to help.

"That won't be necessary," he said. "I don't think I'll stay around for long."

"If that's the case, may I join you here, my love?" Albedo said, only to sweetly add with an innocent flutter of her eyelashes. "If it isn't too bold of me..."

"I don't see why not."

Soon after, she head dived to sit right next to her love. Before Momonga could do anything, she was leaning against him, hugging an arm and resting her head on his shoulder. Her hands subtly took in Lord Momonga's growing and hardened muscles and allowed for his scent to wash over her. He did squirm a bit, perhaps in surprise, but did not protest. Albedo did feel Rubedo's pointed stare, although she wasn't sure if it was from disapproval or jealousy.

"What were you thinking about, my love?" Asked Albedo, unable to fight her curiosity.

"What am I not pondering about?" Replied Lord Momonga, his voice gentle yet amused. "There is the situation developing at the Forest of Tob, the meeting tomorrow between the Kingdom and the Empire, the delegation of the Holy Kingdom, the many experiments we've been conducting, the newly inducted members of the Tomb…"

He hummed, turning to her. The two shared a smile. Even if it did sound like the situation was overwhelming, Lord Momonga was far from stressed. Soon enough, though, his cheeks gained a pinkish color and he averted his eyes, making Albedo more curious.

"I've been also thinking about… well…"

Albedo patiently sat there, smiling at the overlord.

"You see, I..."

"Yes?"

Lord Momonga wearily sighed.

"I was thinking about you and Shalltear."

"Me?"

Her heart started racing with mirth at the revelation.

"Yes. I have been wondering about – Albedo? Wait, Albedo!"

But the succubus was lost in her own imagination. Her face burned with an intense blush and her wings flapped with excitement. Yes, her beloved must have been thinking about her because clearly he was meaning to wed her soon, right? It had to be. Maybe Momonga was pondering where they should have their first time? No, he probably was already planning the fate of their children, all fifty of them.

"Oh, my love," wistfully sighed Albedo. "You do not know how joyous such words make me…"

"Albedo," chocked Lord Momonga.

He cleared his throat, finally snapping her out of her daydreaming.

"Albedo, please."

The Lady Overseer blinked. Lord Momonga looked hesitantly at her, as if pondering whether to flee or call in reinforcements. Albedo bowed her head and apologized, even as her heart insisted on maintaining a tempo of excitement. She felt ready to pounce, yet a glance at an attentive Rubedo managed to dissuade her.

"Yes, I have been… ehm… thinking about what you mentioned days ago, specifically the… ehm..."

Albedo waited with abated breath. What else was he thinking about? Perhaps someone else? Their future sixty offspring? Regardless, Lord Momonga seemed to be struggling a lot with his words that night.

"The…" the dark lord appeared to choke, struggling to utter the word he wanted. In the end, he took a deep breath and spewed out "…harem."

"Truly, my love? We could discuss it now if you wish," Albedo proposed.

A wary look crossed Lord Momonga's face.

"I suppose we should. You see, I have been meaning to ask about that." Why did he sound so hesitant? Was he afraid that she had failed him? "Just… how many, Albedo? How many women have you been considering?"

"Overall? I'd say…" she hummed for a moment "…a hundred females?"

"A hundred?"

"Is- is that too small a harem? Then I'll strive to obtain twice that number!"

"Two Hundred?!"

"I apologize! A thousand! Yes, that will do well, right my love?!"

"A THOUSAND?!"

By that point Lord Momonga looked ready to faint. Albedo wasn't sure what to say. She knew her beloved was a being beyond her comprehension, but to crave after so many females… that was a legendary sexual appetite that could only leave a succubus like her blushing in awe.

"No, Albedo, that's too many females."

Too many females? Mentally repeated Albedo, only for her eyes to widen and her blush to grow.

"How foolish of me! Do you wish males as well? Perhaps beings without sexual dimorphism?"

"No, I… ehm… I think females will do."

"As you wish," happily said Albedo, only to frown in confusion. "But my love, how many do you want then?"

Lord Momonga didn't look certain himself.

"About that… Albedo, be honest with me, do you truly want me to have a harem?" He asked with a worried frown. "And please, do be honest. No matter how selfish you believe it to be, tell me what you want."

Albedo hesitated. Was it proper for her to do such a bold thing? What about the plan? Wait, could this be a test?

"My lord, I want nothing more than be your wife and indulge in your every desire," slowly said Albedo, smiling reassuringly. "All I ask is that I am allowed to stand by your side forever and be loved the most…"

That didn't mean she liked the idea of sharing her beloved's attention. Albedo would rather have had Momonga for herself, but she knew she couldn't deny the Supreme One anything. Moreover, she wasn't about to mess with her master's grand plan for the New World. That did not mean, however, Albedo was not above using her powers as a succubus to corrupt and seduce any females Lord Momonga picked up to be subservient to her. In fact, as Head Wife, it would was to be expected… even if it did mean sullying herself a bit.

For you, Lord Momonga, there's nothing I wouldn't do, fervently thought Albedo. Be it laying with other females or killing the other Supreme Beings… such is my love for you…

Lord Momonga, on his part, remained silent, frowning at her. Albedo studied his face, taking in the way his eyebrow furrowed and the passionate fires he had for eyes. Tentatively, Albedo snaked a hand over his chest and started seductively caressing him. He looked at her, snapped out of his thoughts.

"My lord, it wouldn't do to burry yourself in your thoughts," she purred, inching forward. "Or else, you may never rest…"

"Yes," he absent-mindedly hummed, his gaze lost in hers as if mesmerized. "The hour is late for more midnight contemplations."

A devious yet coy smile stretched on Albedo's face. The hand on his chest slowly travelled upwards, grazing his throat and moving onto his cheek.

"Maybe there's something else we could do… Something other than thinking?" Sultrily proposed Albedo.

This was it. Would she manage to achieve her goal that night? Sadly, it seemed she wouldn't.

Lord Momonga's gaze broke away from hers and frowned. Albedo, on her part, fought the urge to groan in frustration. Instead, she kept her smile.

"I…"

"Please, my love," she begged.

When Lord Momonga looked at her, it was with a tired face, ridden with guilt and hesitation. It was oddly reminiscent to that look he had early after the Transfer. For a moment, Albedo felt dismayed that her attempts to finally get what she wanted had been rebuffed. However, just she was set on redoubling her efforts, Lord Momonga's face hardened, removed of all prior insecurities. It was a face that jolted Albedo's heart and made her blood run hot; it was the same expression that had slowly yet steadily grown common on Lord Momonga.

"I think it is my turn to be finally honest with you, Albedo."

Her heart skipped a beat.

"I do want to… ehm… do something other than thinking," he said.

Albedo's eyes were wide with saucers. Although she had been looking for one such admission, now that she had heard it, she had no idea how to respond. Thankfully, Lord Momonga carried on.

"Unfortunately, I find myself to committing to it. I have been quite unfair to you and Shalltear," he softly yet firmly. "I have allowed my fears and doubts push you away. I have been a coward, Albedo."

"Don't say that, my love," murmured Albedo, distraught and shocked by what she was hearing.

"It is the truth," sighed Lord Momonga. "I've been pathetic, and no matter how much I try to grow out of such a thing, I struggle." His flame-eyes went out, much like he had closed his eyes. "I want nothing more to be the determined master you deserve… but sometimes I allow my past hold me back."

Albedo hesitated, her heart racing, before she unwind her hold from Lord Momonga's arm and moved his other hand to caress his other cheek.

"What do you mean?"

"I rather not go into details, but enough is to say that I have never been quite adequate at forming relationships," he admitted. "Before my comrades, I had a lonely existence. I had people I worked with, colleagues if you would, and acquaintances… but nothing more. My friends changed that… for once, there were those I wanted to spend time with. And yet, even then, I did keep a guarded distance, looking from the sidelines as they sometimes argued, unwilling to say anything that may endanger such precious bonds I had gained."

And they left you, bitterly thought Albedo. How dare they wound Momonga in such a way?!

He looked up at the pitch-black ceiling of the Eighth Floor, his fire eyes glowing with renewed strength. Albedo, though, kept her gaze on his face, growing angrier at the Supreme Beings who had so boldly forsaken her beloved.

"I want to change that," stated Lord Momonga. "I really do… yet I can't help relapsing…"

He turned to look at that and Albedo smiled tenderly, offering as much reassurance and comfort as she could. He had a very familiar nostalgic look, one that Albedo wish to help Momonga get rid of. She knew what that expression meant, and it only made Albedo despise the other Supreme Beings even further.

"Could thoughts on the other Supreme Beings hold you back?" Albedo boldly asked.

Much to Albedo's shock, no nostalgic smile crossed his face. No, in a strange twist of fate, Lord Momonga didn't look nostalgic at the mention of the Supreme Beings. Instead, he chuckled and shook his head, another sign that Lord Momonga was changing from the time of the Transfer.

"Maybe once, but not anymore. Now that I think about it, I don't believe I've been thinking much about my friends or their opinions," he admitted. Rather than the sorrow Albedo expected, he looked baffled. "There was a time I could imagine their every response like they were there, in all of their eccentric voices and theatrics. Not anymore. I…"

He looked confused.

"…I think I've been too busy with the tomb," he chuckled half-heartedly.

Albedo felt triumphant at the moment. Lord Momonga was finally starting to dismiss the other Supreme Beings. If that ensured his happiness, then Albedo knew what she had to do.

"There has been so much happening as of late that has required your attention," she commented softly, whispering into his ear. "I am certain the Supreme Beings would understand and even approve."

"Would they?" He hummed, frowning.

"Yes. Wouldn't they want you to focus on keeping this grand place you've all built? Wouldn't they rather you found happiness and indulge yourself? They would want you to be happy, wouldn't they?" She tried very hard not to sound bitter and accusing.

"Of course they would," huffed Lord Momonga, yet he still frowned.

Albedo's breath caught in her throat. Was that doubt in Lord Momonga's face? Was she succeeding? She held back her emotions as he carried on speaking.

"They were my friends, my comrades. They'd want what is best for me…"

Except stand by you when that's all you've ever wanted, Albedo wished so desperately to point out.

"And wouldn't they want you to enjoy all the pleasures to be had?" She asked instead.

"Definitively, and tease me along the way," scoffed Lord Momonga. Only for his frown to deepen. "Or would they? No, Tabula wouldn't and neither would have Touch Me... or would he? He would be one to encourage marriage, wouldn't he? Or… or maybe not?"

Albedo was surprised when Lord Momonga's look of confusion morphed into concern, before turning to… fear?

"I am not sure."

Albedo smiled and comforted her master the best she could, her hands never abandoning his face as she pressed herself further onto him. Her black wings wrapped around him while making sure he could feel his arm buried in her chest. Lord Momonga was too lost to care, but Albedo did not miss Rubedo's warning stare, or the way the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown angrily swayed in the way behind her, as if annoyed by her intrusion.

"It is alright, my love," she tenderly said.

"Is it?" Said Lord Momonga. "What if… what if I am forgetting them? What kind of friend am I to forget those I held so close to my heart?"

Albedo didn't trust herself to speak. She knew that if she opened her mouth, she would say something that would incur Lord Momonga's wrath, such as stating the plain truth that he should forget the Supreme Beings, to cast them out of his mind forever and focus only on her and her fellow servants, those who so willingly wanted what the Supreme Beings hadn't: Momonga's happiness. Thus, she stayed quiet, despairing as Lord Momonga poured his heart out.

"Will the day come I will completely forget about my friends?" Sorrowfully whispered Momonga. "Will a time come when I try to conjure our adventures and find only blank darkness? And what shall- wait, Albedo? What's wrong?"

It had been too much. Before she knew, Albedo realized she was sobbing.

"I-I'm sorry, my love," sniffed Albedo. "But… I-I can't stand it…"

She threw leaned back, away from Lord Momonga. She tried to control her damnable tears, but they kept flowing. Shame marred her own sadness, yet she couldn't stop crying.

"I can't stand to see you in such pain," cried Albedo.

She forced a teary smile, anger at her own inability to control herself. She knew, though, that deep down, beneath those tears, there was only fury directed to the Supreme Beings. As saddened by her beloved distress as she was, her soul was a tempest of unbridled rage. How dare the Supreme Ones make her master feel such things? Damn them! Damn them all!

"I apologize, my lord," she said. "I don't know what came over me."

To her surprise, Lord Momonga didn't stay put. Albedo could only stare as Lord Momonga looked tenderly at her and, with the hem of his robe, cleaned her face. The gentle gesture only made her release more tears, even as she tried to smile and look pretty for him. She probably looked so ugly while she cried.

"It's alright, Albedo," he said with a smile. "I apologize for making you cry."

Albedo sniffed but said nothing. She did blush, though, for Lord Momonga was still working on her tears. His penetrating and resolute burning gaze, on the other hand, did wanders to comfort the succubus. She beamed with happiness, happy Lord Momonga was no longer so distraught.

He caressed her face with a thumb, removing the last wayward tears. In turn, Albedo reached with her hands over his. He didn't lean back or look away. Instead, they stayed like that, eyes locked. Tentatively, hope burned anew in Albedo's heart. Perhaps she could achieve her mission that night.

Hence, Albedo inched forward. Lord Momonga didn't move away. Emboldened by his touch, Albedo moved forward, her face heading straight towards her master. Her eyelids fell over her eyes, the taste of victory already in her lips.

Suzuki knew what was about to happen. In fact, he could see it coming in slow motion. He didn't move. Instead, he remained there, paralyzed with hesitation. However, rather than allow his fears take over, he felt his resolution harden his nerves. Suzuki had meant what he said; it was high time he stopped pushing his issues to a Future Suzuki, to stop running away from what he found too troublesome or complicated. Hence, his flame-eyes went off and he leaned forward himself.

Their lips met and did not detach soon after. Instead, Albedo opened her eyes and the Supreme One's eyes burned alit, and, for a while, they only stayed like then. When they leaned away from each other, they didn't say anything. Rather, Albedo smiled, new tears flowing down her cheeks. These tears, however, were of joy.

Albedo had succeeded on her quest.

Their second kiss was less chaste and far more than a peck. It was clear neither knew how to kiss other than press their lips onto each other. Albedo actually grew embarrassed of her poor performance (what would Lord Momonga think of her?), but Lord Momonga didn't protest, and instead slowly tried different things. She took her lower lips in his, then allowed her tongue to wander, and so did he… Needless to say, Albedo hadn't been happier until that night (or was it morning already?).

However, as all good things, their moment wouldn't last.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Albedo and Lord Momonga leaned away from each other. Albedo glared at the silver moon on the midnight ceiling. Lord Momonga chuckled, his guffaw growing into outright laughter, as he followed her gaze. All around, the clicking noise, as of that of a loud clockwork, grew louder.

"The [Wheel of Time] is finally turning," mused Lord Momonga, as if amused by the poetry of something she was missing.

Albedo didn't find it amusing. That bloody thing had interrupted a very important moment! How dare that blast thing do such a thing? It was their first few kisses, the one they would tell to their seventy children in the future! She quickly reminded herself that the alleged moon, [Wheel of Time] was an inanimate object, but even so the indignation persisted. Perhaps she should have gone over to Sephiroth (Victim's residence), and destroyed the mechanism that Rubedo had used to protect: the [Clockworks of Fate]. That would have saved her the interruption.

Lord Momonga stood, and helped Albedo up. When she rose, she made sure to end up standing close to him. They ended up with his arm wrapped around her waist and her hands on his chest. They paused, the reality of what had just happened settling in between. He eventually stepped back and offered his arm. She took it. They shared a brief happy smile before strolling over to the tori gate, all while that annoying ticking noise continued and grew louder.

TIC. TOCK. TIC. TOCK.

On the sound grew and Albedo saw the moon moving. In fact, with each click the object moved faster, moving to a new quarter across the ceiling around the Sanctuary. While that happened, a wondrous sight took place on the desert around the lush oasis.

TIC! TOCK! TIC! TOCK!

Dunes rose and lowered, cracked earth was replaced by sand and sand by cracked earth. Shadows danced, speeding from one spot to another. It all felt like the world around the Sanctuary was moving at incredible speeds, as if time was running a hundred times faster. Many things were actually happening, all of which would have been disastrous to any invading Player, but not to anyone within the Sanctuary.

"Hmmm, how poetic. The true enemy of the Eighth Floor," chuckled Lord Momonga. "It is not death, water, nature, ice nor fire. Rather..."

TIC… TOCK.

"…It is Time."

The moon finally stopped with a final resounding echo, and time itself returned to its prior speed in the desert. The shadows went back to their usual soaring speed across the wasteland and everything regained an air of normalcy.

Albedo glanced at Momonga, her mind analyzing what he had just said. Even if she was immortal, the future scared her. Would Lord Momonga hold true and stay with her for all eternity? As Albedo and Lord Momonga exchanged smiles again, the succubus decided that it was pointless to worry and, like always, she buried her dread and fears deep within the confines of her soul.

In silent agreement, the couple walked back to sit by the pond. They both sat by the tree there. They did kiss some more, but it was clear Lord Momonga was tired. She pushed down the urge to jump all over him; she had already gotten far that night, better not to ruin her chances due to impatience. As he laid back against the tree, he yawned. Albedo hugged Lord Momonga, resting her head on his chest, while he wrapped an arm around her. They said nothing then, and no word was utter afterwards. Instead, they remained like that, until they drifted into sleep, happy smiles plastered on their faces.

In the meantime, Rubedo watched at the pair with longing, before bowing her head, left to kneel there with the hovering Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown to protect her beloved master.

---

While Suzuki Satoru and Albedo had their moment within the Tomb of Nazarick, a dark portal was opening in one of the shadowy alleyways of nighttime E-Rantel. None other than Shalltear Bloodfallen stepped out, a parasol in hand, followed closely by Elion, two Vampire Brides and two Aristocrats. Sparing only a few seconds to sneer at her filthy surroundings, Shalltear took flight, followed closely by her brethren.

Her prey wasn't far and, in fact, was out in the open. Finding her had been surprisingly easy, especially after a quick trip to Nigredo. Albeit reluctant, Albedo's sister had been willing enough to aid Shalltear in her quest.

It did not take long for Shalltear to land on the tiled roof of the large cathedral of E-Rantel, one allegedly dedicated to one of the human great gods. Shalltear couldn't care less about whatever stupid beliefs humans held. All she cared was the petite form silently brooding at the edge of the roof, all on her own, beneath the clear night sky of the New World.

With a smirk, she dismissed her escort, who vanished to watch from the shadows. Elion the Lesser Vampire remained behind her, well aware of his duty. It was both him and the Floor Guardian who approached their unsuspecting prey. The target, in turn, obliviously watched at the city below. Such was her concentration, she did not notice until it was too late of the danger looming over her shoulder.

"Hello Evil-Eye!"

The petite mage jumped up high in the air in fright.

"Oh my, I hope I didn't startle you," Shalltear innocently said, translated soon after by Elion. "Did I interrupt your brooding?"

"I do not brood," Evil-Eye huffed (or at least that's what Elion whispered to Shalltear).

"Of course not," mused Shalltear. "I take it you were simply sitting there… all alone… staring off at the human settlement."

Although masked, Shalltear could tell Evil-Eye was silently scowling.

"What do you want?"

"Oh nothing," said Shalltear, checking her fingernails as if she hadn't purposely sought the petite mage out. "I was simply passing by and saw a little cute vampire brooding alone. Do you mind if I join you here?"

Evil-Eye glanced around. Even without seeing her face, Shalltear could very well imagine how her fellow vampire considered whether to actually accept Shalltear's presence, or make a run for it. That or Evil-Eye was assessing whether she could escape her predicament. That made it all more amusing for Shalltear; she wouldn't have minded a chase, after all.

As Evil-Eye took her time, Shalltear smiled and went over to sit at the edge of the roof. Evil-Eye stared, no doubt squinting warily at the Floor Guardian. Shalltear, in turn, responded with a cute innocent smile before patting the spot next to her.

"I'm sure you'd like some company," said Shalltear. "I've even brought some snacks!"

She reached into her inventory and pulled out a large golden platter which carried a large pile of small red jelly-looking cubes. She placed it next to her and then looked at the city, acting as if she didn't care about Evil-Eye's reaction.

Eventually, after long and annoying deliberation, Shalltear saw Evil-Eye sit next to her, the platter left between them. The petite mage remained jumpy, looking ready to bolt at any moment. Shalltear smiled and picked one of the tiny cubes, which she proceeded to daintily nimble at.

"Oh my, delicious! You have to try one," said Shalltear. "You're going to love them…"

Evil-Eye only stared at her fellow vampire.

"Wait, we're missing something," giggled Shalltear.

She reached into her inventory and pulled out a teapot, from which Shalltear poured steaming pitch-black liquid onto two teacups. She offered one of the teacups to Evil-Eye, who accepted with no small amount of apprehension.

"What is this?" Asked Evil-Eye, studying the content of her teacup.

"What were you expecting? Blood?" Giggled Shalltear. "This is Night Pearl Tea, the finest drink for any undead."

She took a sip, eyes closed, and relished at the taste. A smug smile stretched on her lips. The fact it was all stuff she had crafted made it all the tastier.

Evil-Eye gave the cup on her hands a few tentative sniffs, before reaching for her mask. To Shalltear's chagrin, the petite mage lifted her mask enough for her lips to be seen and, after some hesitation, Evil-Eye tasted the drink. She froze and Shalltear grinned.

"It's good, isn't it?"

Evil-Eye harrumphed, but otherwise took another mouthful of the drink. Yep, she had liked it.

"I didn't know there was any sort of food for undead," grunted Evil-Eye after a long moment of deliberation.

"There aren't that many recipes, but there are all manner of dishes that would be deadly for the living but beneficial for the dead," replied Shalltear. "Obviously, you need a Master Cook such as me to craft such meals…"

"You cook?" Asked a dumbfounded Evil-Eye, turning to Elion as if he had actually mistranslated.

"Of course that I cook," scoffed Shalltear. She threw one of the jelly cubes into her mouth, relishing on the taste. "Who do you think made this? Albedo?"

She scoffed again at the notion of the succubus crafting food. Sadly, Albedo was a master chef of her own, albeit not of food items. She lacked the cooking crafting skill, but knew how to cook regardless just as Shalltear knew how to sew and knit but couldn't craft garments like Albedo with her Tailoring Crafting skill. Still, it greatly irked Shalltear that Albedo also cooked for Lord Momonga.

"In case you are wondering, these do have blood," said Shalltear, grabbing another jelly-cube. "They are called Vlad's Delight, or Vlady Delight. Lord Mom- Ainz, I mean - once commented that they were similar to another candy called Turkish Delight. I have no idea what a Turkish is…"

…nor do I care, added Shalltear with a roll of her eyes.

Hesitantly, Evil-Eye reached to the platter, only to remove her hand.

"Oh, you are not going to try it?" Whined Shalltear.

"I'm not hungry," grumbled Evil-Eye.

Shalltear grabbed the platter and started prodding Evil-Eye with it. The petite mage, in turn, pointedly ignored the Floor Guardian, keeping both her hands on the teacup.

"Go on, grab one," pleaded Shalltear.

"I don't want any," muttered Evil-Eye.

Shalltear pouted and kept prodding the petite mage with the platter.

"Please? For me," pleaded Shalltear.

Evil-Eye ignored her and, thus, the Floor Guardian redoubled her efforts with the platter.

"Stop that!" Exclaimed Evil-Eye.

Shalltear only intensified her pout.

"Urgh, fine…"

Slowly, Evil-Eye picked one of the small candy cubes. Much like the tea, she gave it a few tentative sniffs, before licking her lips. She opened her mouth, only to pause as she noticed the way Shalltear was staring. The Floor Guardian looked away and studied her fingernails. Evil-Eye warily stared at Shalltear for a few seconds before she finally took a bite off the little cube and then…

"HMM!"

Shalltear smirked as Evil-Eye started to squirm with delight, as if fighting a squeal, a hand on one cheek and the other holding her cup. Such looked adorable. It was short-lived, though. Once Evil-Eye noticed Shalltear staring, she composed herself and looked away.

"They're… they're not bad," mumbled a flustered Evil-Eye.

"If you say so," giggled Shalltear.

Evil-Eye picked another cube and threw it on her mouth with gusto, a smile visible below her half-raised mask. Shalltear watched, pleased with herself.

"So, how are you finding your new service to Lord Ainz?" Shalltear asked.

Whatever joy Evil-Eye had a few seconds prior, evaporated. Her hand, hovering over the platter, retracted, and her shoulders slumped.

"It's not bad, I guess. Not much has changed," muttered Evil-Eye. "All he has asked is to report to him…"

"But you have been having rather private sessions with him, haven't you?" Teased Shalltear with a very devious and knowing smirk.

Evil-Eye pulled her hood over her mask and Shalltear could imagine the burning blush on the petite mage's hidden face.

"He only wants to see the spells I know and talk," spluttered Evil-Eye. "Nothing else!"

"But you wouldn't mind that something else, huh?" Shalltear genuinely enjoying herself, especially with the way her fellow vampire kept squirming in embarrassment. "Oh my, you do want more?"

"It- it's not like that!" Exclaimed Evil-Eye.

"Are you blushing? Oh my, you are, aren't you?"

"URGH!" Evil-Eye had pulled her hood to such point her entire face was hidden.

Shalltear giggled. Oh, what an innocent little thing that was Evil-Eye.

"That said, wouldn't it be nice if your friends could join us as well? Then we could all be enjoying this tea together…"

…And if they could be made vampires, that would be even better, especially that Lakyus, mentally added Shalltear, trying (and nearly failing) not to lick her lips at the thought of the holy knight turned into an undead.

Evil-Eye didn't say anything. Eventually, she pushed her hood back from her face and adjusted her face, only to remain lost in thought, staring off to the city below while absentmindedly eating more Vlad's Delight.

Shalltear took that moment to study the petite vampire. She really wished Evil-Eye could remove that silly mask and allow her to see the cute face beneath. It was hard to believe that Shalltear had come across a vampire much like her: a young, allegedly pretty…

Then she looked at Evil-Eye's chest and cringed.

Why does she have a bigger chest than me?! Protested Shalltear in dismay. That's not fair!

While not sizeable by any means (especially not compared to Shalltear's stuffing), it was far more than Shalltear's real flat chest, and that annoyed the Floor Guardian to no end.

Why, Lord Peroroncino? Why did you create me this way? She wondered.

Still, what were the odds of actually coming across a young-looking vampire like herself? Perhaps, Lord Momonga had already foreseen the meeting, and maybe there was a purpose to it all. Perhaps, it was all a part for her to finally overcome her flaw and decide on the question that had been gnawing at her for a long while.

Urgh, I'm starting to think like Demiurge, mentally groaned Shalltear.

And yet, she frowned and pondered on that. After all, as much as she wanted to dismiss the Archdevil's perchance to overanalyze Lord Momonga's orders and intentions, he had been thus far proven to be quite accurate.

So what if this meeting was designed by Lord Momonga? Wondered Shalltear. Could he want me to learn something out of it? But what? Maybe I need to learn more about Evil-Eye's own insecurities? Think, Shalltear, what did Solution say that Evil-Eye wanted?

"Say, Evil-Eye, you wish to change race, don't you?" Asked Shalltear. "Is there a purpose for it?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Oh, nothing, I was just curious," huffed Shalltear. "I mean, if you wanted to change race due to your appearance…" (particularly your chest, she mentally added) "…there are other ways to do so."

That gave Evil-Eye pause.

"What do you mean?"

"There are ways to permanently change one's appearance," said Shalltear.

"What?" Evil-Eye's snapped so abruptly, it might have broken her neck.

"You'll have to talk with Lord Mo- Ainz. I am sure he could offer the means to make you look into a fully grown woman if you so much wanted to."

"R-really?"

"Yes," nodded Shalltear, only to frown and ponder on herself.

Should I also seek to change my body? She wondered. She glanced down at her stuffed chest. To finally have what I deeply desire…

Unfortunately, such question had been haunting her for a time, even as far back as when she hunted those humans near E-Rantel, and Shalltear knew it would remain unanswered to trouble her another night. However, perhaps Evil-Eye was the key to finally find an answer, be it acceptance of her body or maybe find the strength to finally change herself. Perhaps, she was meant to take the choice Evil-Eye decided, and maybe that was the petite mage's purpose after all. One thing held true, however.

I must act fast. Albedo already has the warchief (who is already making nightly visits to Lord Momonga!), and she's using her position as Overseer to be close to him… urgh, damn that gorilla! I must get closer to Lord Momonga! Desperately thought Shalltear.

"How exactly did you meet him?" Abruptly asked the petite mage.

Shalltear blinked, broken out of her thoughts.

"Who? Lord Ainz? Why, my creator was a close friend of his, and have thus been in Lord Ainz's service ever since."

"The one who turned you was a friend of Lord Ainz's?"

"I wasn't turned," huffed Shalltear. "I was created a Vampire."

"You were born? Or were you made by magic?"

There was something about the say she said the last part that caught the Floor Guardian's attention. Shalltear hoped that Elion was translating correctly, for she was starting to get the feeling that that was how Evil-Eye the Vampire came to be.

"From the very beginning, I've been a Vampire," simply said Shalltear.

"You were born a vampire? But… that can't be. Vampires can't give birth," scoffed Evil-Eye, albeit with a hint of wonder. "Or were your parents from another race?"

"Of course that we can give birth," laughed Shalltear, focusing on the first part and pointedly ignoring the second question. "True Vampires are born from other True Vampires, don't they? Actually, I think my children with Lord Ainz will be something like Dhampirs."

"True Vampires?" Said the confused little vampire, butchering the words with a terrible accent. "Dhampirs?"

"Oh my, you sure know very little of our race," teased Shalltear.

That earned a cute glare from Evil-Eye, or at least, that was what Shalltear thought Evil-Eye was doing with the way she stared at her.

"You know what? You need is to spend more time with me," proposed Shalltear. "You've spent so long around these filthy lesser beings that you don't know any better. I could teach you more about our race, maybe even how to cook, and in turn, you could…"

Think Shalltear, what can Evil-Eye do for me? Thought the Floor Guardian.

Sadly, a few rather lewd thoughts surfaced at the forefront of her mind.

No, no, not yet, now is not the time to be horny, Shalltear admonished herself. It must be something to entice her… urgh, but what? How did Lord Momonga entice the human girl?

Then it clicked. Perhaps Lord Momonga had been showing her the way all along.

"…maybe you could help me with that language of yours?"

Shalltear mentally patted herself on the back. After all, hadn't Lord Momonga made the excuse of learning the human language to spend time with the Enri girl? It was perfect. Oh, Shalltear couldn't wait to be all alone with Evil-Eye… studying… yes, studying. A giggle escaped the Floor Guardian.

"Don't you have him?" She said, pointing at a glaring Elion the Grumpy Translator.

"Oh, he has tried but he's such a bore," huffed Shalltear. It was no lie.

She smirked at Evil-Eye.

"What do you say?" Shalltear purred. "We can get to eat more Vlady Delight, you can learn about your new place serving our beloved master and you won't have to spend all your time hiding what – and who – you are. I could also give a good word to our beloved master. There is much you want from him, don't you?"

Evil-Eye frowned. Shalltear really wanted to push her to make a choice, but she decided to emulate Lord Momonga. He didn't spend his time pushing females like the Enri girl. He merely enticed them and then waited for them to come to him. Shalltear hid her smirk as she noticed Evil-Eye's indecision.

Oh my, purred the Floor Guardian, it seems I will finally get my own little plaything…

It had been one of her main goals that night. After all, it seemed everyone else was getting their own little toys. Albedo had the warchief, Demiurge had the Princess and that other female and the Twins now had new minions. Even Sebas and Cocytus had human to have fun with, although in both cases they were instructing their humans.

Truth to be told, Shalltear was already quite entertained. Perhaps it wasn't like having the fun she had with her Vampire Brides, but having tea with Evil-Eye could be nice enough. There would be a time for the more fun later on.

Shalltear looked up at the darkening skies of the New World.

Ha, take that, Albedo! You may have the Warchief, but now I have a far superior (and cuter) lesser being to groom! She mentally boasted. If this keep up, I will definitively make it as Head Wife before that gorilla… but I must do something to beat Albedo!

A thought crossed her mind and Shalltear giggled with delight. She knew how she could ensure victory over the succubus. It would be bold, but she'd manage.

If only she knew what had happened back between Albedo and Momonga.

---

Part II

When Suzuki woke up, he did so with a cross between a groan and a yawn. The ensuing grogginess muddled his mind as he went on his daily routine, his body moving on its own accord. He got off bed, dressed up and walked straight to his desk, the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown accompanying him along the way with its reassurance presence. On the way, he greeted the kneeling Homunculi maid by the corner and lazily saw her walk to the door, no doubt to call for breakfast. Then, Suzuki plopped down on his comfy throne-like chair and, by magic, his mind cleared somewhat.

No sooner had he sat down, his eyes widened as he realized two things.

Wait, what time is it? Oh crap, I'm going to be late to the meeting! He thought, horrified.

He was a punctual man, after all, something ingrained in him as a salary-man. The fact that he, Lord Supreme of the Tomb, would miss an important meeting between two embittered nations like the Kingdom and the Empire, made him feel worse. Yet it was the second thought that truly froze him over.

Holy Cow, forget the Empire and Kingdom: I bloody kissed Albedo, thought Suzuki.

He blinked, staring at the ceiling in disbelief. Soon after, the door entered and in marched the Head Butler, followed by Yuri Alpha and the same Homunculi maid as before, this time carrying a tray with dishes. They stood by the entrance and bowed, before proceeding.

"Good afternoon, my lord," greeted Sebas, ever the regal and respectful butler.

"Ah, Sebas, good to see you," said Suzuki with a smile. "Good day to you too, Yuri."

His smile grew strained as the butler's words settled in his head.

"Afternoon? How long have I been sleeping?"

"I believe it is a couple of hours past noon, Supreme One, so I presume it must have been a decent amount of hours. You do look well rested, if you allow me to say so, my lord," said Sebas.

"Why wasn't I woken up?" Wondered Suzuki.

Sebas looked shocked for a moment.

"Apologies, my lord, but I was under the impression you had told Lady Albedo to allow you to sleep." He bowed, looking deeply ashamed. "I accept any punishment you-"

"No, no, it's fine," sighed Suzuki. "I was merely asking."

Although Sebas did look relieved, Suzuki suspected the Head Butler, much like any NPC, would probably endure torture (even death) if it meant Suzuki got a couple extra hours of sleep. He suspected they were all rather traumatized from that time he had blown off in exhaustion after the Twins brought Hamsuke into the tomb.

Food was laid before him and, as he expected, it was a full course lunch. While Yuri happily arranged the cutlery and plates, Sebas withdrew a teapot from his inventory and served Suzuki his favorite tea. In the meantime, Suzuki ignored it all, lost in his thought.

Oh man, I can't believe I've missed the meetings, groaned Suzuki. I knew I should have tried to sleep earlier…

Even if he said so, however, Suzuki knew that he was no stranger to all-nighters. On the contrary, he was quite familiar with them, be it for work or for Yggdrassil. He remembered many nights having to spend long hours grinding in order to have enough to maintain the Tomb. Needless to say, such a grand place as the Tomb of Nazarick hadn't been meant to be kept by one player. Regardless, this was the first time such all-nighters had messed with his responsibilities. Even when at the brink of exhaustion, Suzuki never failed to be punctual at work.

Thoughts of the previous night poured back to the forefront of Suzuki's mind. Perhaps it was time to stop trying to stick to what Suzuki Satoru wanted and actually indulge more on what Lord Momonga wanted. He was no longer a salary man. He was an overlord and Supreme ruler. He had every right to do as he pleased, even oversleeping.

Suzuki nodded to himself. Let the humans worry about their petty affairs; he'd do as he wanted. Of course, he would always try to put the interests of the Tomb above his own. It wouldn't do to be overindulgent.

Once the food was served, Suzuki's concerns evaporated and dug in with gusto. He traded a few pleasantries with Sebas and the maids, mostly showing his appreciation for their hard work and that of the other servants. As always, while flattered, they would say something in the lines of: "we are glad to run ourselves ragged for you." By that point, Suzuki had grown accustomed to the workaholic tendencies of the NPCs. It did bother him, but after so many meals and interacting so often to them, it became an unchanging routine. NPCs, Suzuki had long discovered, were too stubborn in their servitude.

Silence ensued and, while Suzuki ate, he lost himself reminiscing to the events of the previous night, or rather early morning of that same day. He was strangely calm as he recalled his kiss with Albedo, as well as the ones that ensued. In fact, Suzuki felt underwhelmed.

Perhaps I allowed popular media to give some weird expectations? Pondered Suzuki.

Admittedly, the kissing itself had been great, and Suzuki wasn't going to deny he was looking forward for some alone time with the succubus.

His eyes wandered off to Yuri, reminded of what he had discussed with Albedo, and quickly averted his gaze. While not flustered, he did feel a bit hot all of a sudden.

I wonder why Albedo is so insistent on me going after other women, thought Suzuki. Does she think I'm sort of insatiable womanizer?

Suzuki hummed, holding his tea cup over his mouth, as he lost himself in thought.

Sincerely, Albedo and Shalltear will keep me busy enough as it is, he told himself. It is not like there are other women I desperately want to be with…

A part of him, though, had a different opinion in that regard. An image of a smiling Enri jumped to the forefront of his mind.

Right, I have a crush on her. Well, could be worse. I could be lusting after a dozen other humans, he mentally grumbled.

His imagination, again, chose to rebuke him. It quickly summoned the likes of Lakyus Aindra, Princess Renner and the Twin Assassins to the center of his thoughts. Even the prisoner Edström from Six Arms made an appearance in his head.

Oh, come on! It's not like I fancy them or anything! Wondered Suzuki. He then sighed as he reluctantly nodded. Although they are definitely in the 'add to harem' list… but that's it! I am not some perverted lecherous lord!

But, if his head wasn't filled with images of beautiful attractive females, more women appeared in his mind. From the playful Lupusregina and imposing Yuri to the quiet Narberal and alluring Solution, they all taunted his thoughts with various poses and smiles. Suzuki scowled at that.

…I'm blaming Albedo for this. Talking about harems and kissing is driving my libido like crazy, mentally muttered the overlord. He frowned, suddenly pensive. Or could it be my collector spirit that pretty much wants to catch 'em all?

He shrugged.

Well, I suppose that as the supreme ruler of the Tomb it really is expected of me to have a harem… so I really shouldn't disappoint, right? There's an image to uphold, after all. Truly, such a thing weighs on my conscience and heart, but as ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, I must make sacrifices for the good of my people…

He nodded to himself, releasing a chuckle. In the meantime, Sebas exchanged looks with Yuri. They were a bit confused by their master's behavior.

I think I'll go for something like that Baziwood guy. He seems to have proven one can be a happy bloke with five wives, so maybe I could try something like that, thought the overlord. He paused, fighting a dorkish smile from forming on his face. Maybe a few more than just five…

It was in that moment that in marched one of his royal guards and announced a visitor, one that made Suzuki grimace. After his time with Albedo, he dreaded the person he would have to deal with next. As none other than Shalltear cheerfully walked in, Suzuki felt knots forming in his gut.

"My lord," Giddily said a dainty Shalltear.

"Ah, Shalltear, good to see you," nodded Suzuki. He frowned, noticing something. "Are you alright, Shalltear? You look tired."

"I am fine but I appreciate your concern, my lord," said Shalltear, looking down like a misbehaving child and playing with a strand of hair. "However, any weariness in me was well worth it for you, Lord Momonga."

While it was concerning to hear that Shalltear had been going around doing something he had no idea about, Suzuki was worried by her visible exhaustion. That being said, it was still utterly bewildering to spot clear signs of tiredness on an undead.

"I commend your dedication, Shalltear, but it pains me to see you like this. You should rest," hummed Suzuki.

"Oh, my lord, your concern warms by dead cold blood," giggled Shalltear, hands on her cheeks and acting all girly-like. "Your care alone revitalizes me, Lord Momonga, and I am an undead. I can go a couple more hours without sleep than any lowly mortal."

Stubborn NPCs, mentally grumbled Suzuki. Needless to say, this was not the first time he had had that conversation, nor would it be the last.

"I thought I made my thoughts very clear on that matter, Shalltear. This is not the Old World, where you required nothing," admonished Suzuki. "Eight hours of sleep, proper meals and at least one hour of recreation. No excuses."

Shalltear pouted and bowed her head. Suzuki, on his part, sighed in frustration. Still, he was at a loss in regards to the lore discrepancies.

"I understand how frustrating it must be, forced to abide to rules contrary to your nature," softly said Suzuki. "Perhaps such things will be remedied once we determine the root cause of such differences with the Old World. Until then, however…"

His words, though, only made Shalltear frown with confusion

"Lord Momonga, now that you mention that, what do you think could be the cause?" Asked a frowning Shalltear. "Do you think that there's something wrong with us…?"

"No, Shalltear, there's nothing wrong with you," firmly stated Suzuki. "If anything, I am starting to believe it has more to do with the New World. I am not entirely sure, however, but thus far I've been led to believe that it could very well be the low magic of the New World."

"What do you mean, my lord?" Sebas asked. Yuri and the maid looked equally intrigued.

Suzuki leaned back and pursed his lips. He disliked delivering false hopes or things he didn't entirely know, but at the same time, his servants needed to be reassured that he, their master, did not see them as any lesser than ideal servants. NPCs had a bad habit of blaming themselves for most things they deemed failures, after all, and that included doing anything other than furthering his will.

"Again, I say this without full confidence," clarified Suzuki. "It has come to my attention that the denizens of this world are, overall, quite… hmmm… how should I describe them?"

"Pathetic?" Smirked Shalltear.

"Compared to the Tomb, I suppose that is the case," conceded Suzuki. "Regardless, I believe that there are mostly low-level beings in this world because there is little overall magic. With little environmental magic, the potential of growth of, for example, humans is extremely limited and explains why none have reached high levels like in the Old World."

"My lord, is that why you had that first experiment under Cocytus?" Hummed Sebas. "To assess the upper limits of human potential within the Tomb?"

"No, Sebas. That's the purpose of the latest experiment, regarding… ehm… what was his name again? Never mind, the human that under Cocytus' direct tutelage. The first experiment's original purpose was to assess how permanent growth could be accelerated," sighed Suzuki.

He felt he should have felt a modicum of guilt at forcing humans to train for the sake of experimentation, but, truly, he couldn't bring himself to care any less for those bastards. Besides, they were serving the Tomb in their sacrifice and providing invaluable information. Thanks to said experiments, Suzuki learned that a diet of crafted food could greatly enhance stat growth just as wielding items, albeit in far smaller measure. Suzuki himself wouldn't have grown physically and magically stronger otherwise (even if he was, for some reason, a magical behemoth and he had a long way to go before he was anywhere beefed up).

"In any case, I believe heteromorphs sustain themselves through environmental magic, or at least that's the case now in the New World. Thus, if there is little of it around them, it is possible that they require a period of time in which they focus entirely on drawing from their surroundings," said Suzuki. "In other words: sleep."

"Ah, of course you'd figure out such mystery, Lord Momonga," said a blushing Shalltear.

"It is just a theory, for now at least," said Suzuki.

Admittedly, while the theory did explain a few things, it failed to explain others, such as the fact that while the New World was theoretically low in magic, the Tomb surely wasn't. Then there was himself. For some reason, Suzuki had overpowered magic skills, making capable of overcharging spells and having a hard time adjusting the flows of mana to his whim. It couldn't be that he held the stats or abilities of his avatar, for he had to learn spells from scratch and he had arrived with pathetic stats… yet it seemed he had overflowing gusts of powers coming from somewhere. It was as infuriating as it was confusing.

Could I be syphoning environmental magic like an heteromorph? After all, if my eyes are anything to go by, I am part-heteromorph at the very least, thought Suzuki. But why is my growth similar to a New Worlder then?

He shook his head and dismissed the thought. He had yet to confirm there even was such a thing as environmental magic to begin with.

"With any luck, perhaps the likes of Fluder Paradyne, said to have been studying magic for decades, if not centuries, might enlighten us on the mysteries of the New World that have eluded us thus far," said Suzuki.

And indeed, Suzuki was actually planning on getting his hands in all the acquired magical knowledge of the Empire.

"But going back to our original conversation, I expect you go straight to your coffin to sleep after this meeting," commanded Suzuki.

"Yes, Lord Momonga," mumbled Shalltear with her head bowed.

Suzuki sighed. Why did he even bother? As much as he hated the way they slave themselves to their duty, it was part of their very being and there was little he could do to change such bad habits. At least, not without trying to temper into their programing, and that was not an option Suzuki was even willing to consider.

"I am curious, however, what exactly were you doing last night?" Asked Suzuki.

Shalltear beamed and a smirk stretched on her face.

"Why, Lord Momonga, I spent my time furthering your grand plan," she purred. "Actually, there reason I came was to request for Evil-Eye to be under my wing."

Suzuki blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice. Huh?

"Evil-Eye?"

"Yes! I have already convinced her, as expected," smugly proclaimed Shalltear, only to snidely add. "It probably went even better than the Emmot girl with Albedo. With your permission, I'll make her a proper servant."

This is… concerning, thought a weary Suzuki, only to stroke his chin. Or maybe this is a good thing? Evil-Eye could do with the company of fellow vampires, and maybe she'll be a positive influence on Shalltear… oh, who am I kidding? Shalltear probably wants to have a Loli for herself. She is Peroroncino's creation, after all.

Still, Suzuki held some hope. He just worried Shalltear had not kept her hands to herself.

"Tell me exactly what you did," demanded the overlord.

"With pleasure, Lord Momomnga. It all began-"

And thus, Shalltear happily retold how she got the jump on a poor brooding vampire, shared tea and snacks and, before long, Shalltear had convinced Evil-Eye to spend time with the Floor Guardian. It seemed they had agreed on something akin to a mutually beneficial arrangement, something that surprised Suzuki. Admittedly, throughout it all, the overlord stared with complete disbelief.

"I see," slowly hummed Suzuki.

Silence ensued as the overlord remained quiet. Truthfully, he was still unsure what to say. Shalltear, on her part, anxiously shifted on her feet, awaiting her master's response.

"Did I do good, Lord Momonga?" She worriedly asked.

"Hmm? Yes! Yes, you did exceptionally well. You have surpassed my expectations by befriending Evil-Eye," said Suzuki, genuinely impressed, although he did feel suspicious.

He had a very bad feeling about Shalltear's interest on Evil-Eye, like a feeling of something bigger at play, something that made him think of a certain archdevil Floor Guardian and his many overthought schemes...

"You have proven to have a lot of… ehm…"

"Maturity?"

I was thinking more on restraint, but that will do too, mentally sweatdropped the overlord.

"Yes, that too."

Shalltear squealed in delight, before averting her eyes and blushing like a highschooler with a crush.

"Oh, Lord Momonga, your words make my heart beat anew," she said, only to eagerly add. "Does that mean I can get a reward?"

She cutely fluttered her eyelashes and waited expectantly. Suzuki, on his part, grimaced. He had a very bad feeling about this. Still, he wouldn't shy away. If he finally wanted to be a good overlord, he needed to stay resolute and boldly go where no average salary man had gone before.

"I suppose it would be only right," slowly (and hesitantly) nodded Suzuki. "What do you have in mind?"

She looked at her feet, two fingers shyly touching each other.

"Could I be in your embrace?" She meekly asked.

She wants a hug? He wondered. Something about the wording, though, made him feel apprehensive.

"…I do not see the harm of that," he decided (after nervously swallowing a lump of saliva).

"Thank you!" She squealed.

Before Suzuki could say anything else, the vampire cheerfully skipped all the way around her desk, moving to stand next to her master. He watched with mounting dread (and curiosity) as she remained there, standing no differently from a cute little girl. Then, she lunged at him. Suzuki yelped as Shalltear sat on his lap, giggling, until finally she had curled up against his chest.

Alright, this is way more innocent than what I had expected, thought Suzuki with a smile. In fact, he didn't mind indulging Shalltear with hugs… without weird sniffing involved, of course.

Shalltear snuggled closer, before looking at him with a smirk. Someone looked abundantly happy. It actually made Suzuki chuckle and wrap an arm around her. Satisfied, Shalltear rested her head against his chest and sighed contently. All in all, it wasn't so bad. Unfortunately, while she sat there, Suzuki could only stare longingly at his delicious and, more importantly, unfinished meal.

Rather than sitting comfortably against his lap, though, something appeared to bother Shalltear. She frowned, deep in thought, and visibly annoyed by something.

"What is the matter, Shalltear?" He asked.

"Lord Momonga, I know that – eh, you see… eh…" mumbled Shalltear, only to angrily groan. "Urgh, why this must be so difficult? Never mind, my lord. I shouldn't bother you with such things…"

Suzuki only raised an eyebrow. He had never seen the little vampire so embarrassed or self-conscious.

"It is alright, Shalltear," he softly said.

She looked at him with doubt and hesitation, something that worried him greatly. What could be troubling her so? Gently, he pushed a strand of her silver hair aside and smiled reassuringly.

"You can ask anything you wish."

And yet, she bit her lip and looked completely unsure. In the end, Shalltear's usual boldness shone through and, with a playful smirk, she then asked:

"Lord Momonga, do you have appearance-altering items?"

Suzuki, on his part, stared with his widening empty pitch-black eye sockets.

Where the hell did that come from?! He mentally shouted. He then groaned. It is too early in the day to deal with crap like this…

"That's a very strange question," slowly commented Suzuki. "I do happen to have a few…" Alongside a lot of other gatcha items, he mentally added. "Do you wish to change your looks?"

"What? No! Lord Peroroncino created me as the most beautiful being in all of the Tomb of Nazarick," boasted Shalltear, only to scowl. "Although there is one thing that maybe I should change… or rather two things."

Something gnawed at Suzuki's memories, like an itch on the back of his head. He felt as if he should know what was troubling her, as if he had once been made aware of exactly what Shalltear craved. However, Suzuki could not make heads or tails of whatever that was. Still, the idea of Shalltear changing her appearance wasn't such a bad thing.

I mean, I would find it easier if Shalltear did manage to add a couple of years to her appearance, he thought. Regardless, I can't ask her to change for my sake. I've already been selfish enough in that department…

"May I ask what exactly you wish to change about your looks? If it is the color of your hair or skin, you should know I've recently learned the means to change such a thing."

Suzuki tried not to sound too proud about that accomplishment. It had been more of an accident and a test of sorts when Suzuki manipulated (or rather, in a fit of boredom and curiosity, played with) the flows of mana to form new spells. Then again, it was the first spell he had created.

Who knows? Perhaps I'll develop skin-care spells. I mean, it sure will help if I hope to keep many women happy. Women care about that stuff, right? Maybe I'll be the first beautician of the New World, mused Suzuki.

Far away, in a certain human kingdom, a particular monarch perked up, looking away from the experiment she was carrying out on herself, feeling as if there was a kindred spirit out there.

"It is neither skin nor hair what I wish to change," giggled Shalltear, averting her eyes.

Shalltear looked down, her face burning a deep shade of red. Suzuki choked.

"Never mind, I'll respect your privacy," he said.

He cleared his throat and studied a still blushing Shalltear.

"Here," Suzuki said, reaching into his inventory only to pull out a hand-held mirror. "This is a [Narcissus' Mirror]. With this item you should be capable of…"

He trailed off as he realized something. Recoiling, Suzuki hastily shoved the item onto the desk and scowled.

"My lord?" worriedly asked Shalltear.

"It's nothing," muttered Suzuki.

He reached into his inventory again and pulled another hand-held mirror, identical to the previous one except for one single detail.

"Wrong item. Now, this one is the real deal. With this item, you should be able to change your appearance at will."

He didn't hand it over right away, though.

"I will give it to you on one condition," he sternly said, staring straight into her eyes. "You will not use it right away. I trust you to take your time to actually ponder whether you wish to modify your looks or not."

"I will," she promised with a grateful smile.

And thus Suzuki handed over the small round golden mirror over to the vampire, who stared at it for a good while, before putting the item in her inventory and turning to smile at him.

"Thank you, Lord Momonga," she said, only to add with a smirk. "Do you think I should use it?"

"I do not understand what you wish to change of your appearance, Shalltear, but let it be said I do believe you are pretty," Suzuki said. As in fourteen-year old and definitively way-under-legal-age sort of pretty, he mentally elaborated.

"Then you think I shouldn't use it?" She sounded utterly confused.

"Shalltear, the decision is ultimately yours," said Suzuki. "While I rather you kept the appearance given to you by my good friend Peroroncino…" even though I rather you looked a bit above the legal age of consent "…I do believe you have a right to change as you see fit. In fact, I'd encourage it. Nothing would please me more for you to find a life that best appeals to you. As your ruler, your happiness is, without doubt, paramount to me."

And he meant it. He did want his NPCs to become their own selves.

"That goes for you too, Sebas, Yuri and Etoile," Suzuki added. They all bowed respectfully, leaving their master to wonder if they had taken his words to heart.

In the end, his words had made Shalltear blush further and then gush all over him like a schoolgirl with her first crush. It actually amused Suzuki, to the point that he chuckled. Their position was a bit awkward, but Suzuki did trust Shalltear to be less of the jumpy sort than Albedo.

Sadly, in hindsight, he should have known better. Once she was done settling against him, she looked up and shared a smile to Suzuki. Looking back at the memory, Suzuki would later realize he should have noticed the mischievous glint and the deep desire to one-up Albedo in those crimson eyes of hers. He felt her hands reach his cheeks, a gentle pull to lean down and then he saw her face move onto his. Needless to say, Suzuki was a bit surprised by the ensuing contact.

Huh? Was all Suzuki could think as Shalltear's face came back into view, looking satisfied and flustered with half-lidded eyes.

It was as his brain restarted that he realized what had happened.

HUH?!

On her part, Shalltear nuzzled against a stunned overlord and closed her eyes, a smile of triumph plastered on her pale visage.

Suzuki glanced at side, remembering they weren't alone. Sebas watched with one raised eyebrow, while Yuri, still stoic, had a faint blush on her undead face. The homunculus maid was smiling and… wait, was she crying?

Just great, this day is proving to be just amazing, sarcastically thought Suzuki.

As if summoned by his thoughts, the door opened and in rolled the last two NPCs Suzuki wanted to see at the moment.

"My love." "Heil Mein Führer!"

Oh no, mentally groaned Suzuki.

Both Albedo and Pandora's Actor froze, staring at the strange sight of Shalltear curled against their master's chest. For a brief moment, a terrifying dark aura surrounded Albedo and her golden eyes shone like twin murderous suns that promised untold suffering to one certain undead. Then Albedo was back to smiling and standing elegantly. Pandora, next to her, looked scared out of his wits. He wasn't the only one.

"Al-Albedo, it- it is so nice to see you," spluttered Suzuki. I can explain, I swear!

With her face half-hidden against his robes, Shalltear smirked at the succubus.

"Oh, Albedo, how nice you could join us," she purred.

Albedo calmly walked over to Suzuki, her smile unwavering.

"My love, I see that you've gotten latched on by a certain tick," mused Albedo.

"Y-yes, about that…" Please, don't kill me!

Albedo went to loom over a pale Suzuki, her silhouette ominously standing over a deflating and sweating overlord. Then, just as Suzuki worried he'd witness a civil war in his chambers (and more important, over his lap), Albedo leaned over him and took his lips on hers.

"Wh- huh? What are you doing?!" Angrily shouted Shalltear.

"Oh, nothing much," said Albedo, a hand wrapped around Suzuki's shoulders and pressing her very ample bosom onto his face. Suzuki's mind quickly rushed to Lala-land, promising to never return. "Just the same we did earlier today. Isn't that right, my love?"

A look of shock crossed Shalltear only to be turned into burning fury. Albedo's face twisted with sadistic glee, relishing on her little victory over the vampire. Auras of death and promise of agony furled around Suzuki, snapping him out of his heavenly-chest-induced thought. He glanced with mounting worry as succubus and undead looked ready to engage in battle. He was, of course, more concerned that he was in the crossfire.

"Both of you, behave," croaked Suzuki.

The change of instantaneous.

"Of course, Lord Momonga," cutely said Shalltear and Albedo with bright smile and innocent looks.

Suzuki released a breath he hadn't know he had been holding.

SLUMP.

The overlord and the two females manhandling him turned towards a side. There, Sebas watched with both eyebrows raised and Yuri was blushing and slack-jawed. Ignored next to them, Etoile had fainted, a dreamy happy smile on her teary face.

"Oh dear, did our presence affect her?" Said Albedo, more curious than concerned.

"I believe Etoile fainted of joy, Lady Albedo," Yuri awkwardly said, glancing disapprovingly at the fainted homunculus maid. "The maids have been looking forward to when Lord Momonga decided to-"

"Thank you, Yuri," interrupted Suzuki, clearing his throat and trying to conceal his red face. "Perhaps we should discuss important matters such as… as…"

His eyes flashed as they locked on a suitable victim.

"Ah-ha! Pandora! Glad you came here. Do you have anything to report?"

To his credit, Pandora went from looking like a lamb to the slaughter to posing exuberantly as only he could.

"Mein Schöpfer!" Replied the doppelganger. "I have returned from E-Rantel after taking your glorious form to attend the meeting between Empire and Kingdom!"

"Ah, excellent work, Pandora. I am grateful you could cover for me," said Suzuki. "Did you have any trouble explaining Momon's disappearance?"

"Nien, no one was surprised that Sir Momon the Knight Errant left to make sure the people were safe out in the countryside," said Pandora. "By the way, Mein Schöpfer, is that a [Mirror of Hermaphroditus]?"

Leave it to him to notice items laying on my desk, mentally groaned Suzuki.

"Oh? Did you have any plans for this item, my love?" Albedo curiously asked.

"Not really. I actually mistook it for a [Narcissus' Mirror]," said Suzuki, an eyebrow twitching as he glared at the hand-held mirror on his desk.

Differently from the one given to Shalltear, which was made of gold, the one Pandora was pointing at was made of brass. It was hard to tell actually, but Suzuki had had his fair share of bad experiences with the mirrors to have acquired the necessary attention to detail to differentiate both items.

Damn those Shitty Devs and their accursed sense of humor, thought Suzuki.

"Ah, yes, I do remember Lord Luci-Fer once swapped all the mirrors," fondly remembered Pandora only to point at the mirror on the desk once again. "Do you intend to use that one, Mein Schöpfer?"

"Actually, my love, would you mind if I disposed of it?" Albedo proposed.

Suzuki did not want to know why Albedo of all people wanted such an item in her hands. However, he really couldn't care less as long as the accursed mirror did not return to his inventory. Besides, Albedo probably wanted to curry her favor no doubt. Of course, had he stopped glaring murderously at the item on his desk, Suzuki would have noticed the sharp glimmering in Albedo's eyes, the same she had whenever she came with plans to further her goals with him.

"Sure, but be careful. It was designed to activate on accident," grunted Suzuki, sneering at the mirror in question. "But let us go back to the meeting."

He turned to Pandora, all while Albedo happily removed the damned item from his desk. He hoped she threw it out into the fires of the Seventh Floor. Or better not. Demiurge would find it and come up with some convoluted purpose for it.

"So, Pandora, how did the meeting go?"

The doppelganger proudly puffed up and narrated his long boring meeting between human nations, all while trying (and failing) to ignore as Shalltear and Albedo competed on who could manhandle him the most seductively. Pandora posed, flailed his arms and made a show of what was, by all means, a very dull affair. By the sounds of it, the Kingdom and Empire had a lot to discuss, from the illegal trade of Black Dust to the situation in the Katze Plains. Unfortunately, neither side was above constantly throwing subtle insults and jabs at each other.

Halfway the explanation, Pandora paused.

"Ah, before I forget, there's something you should know," Pandora said, smacking his chest with pride. "The Empire has requested an audience with you. I, of course, made sure you'd make the final decision, but if you so want to, we could arrange something for this very evening."

"Oh? What, pray tell, does Empire want to discuss with me?" Asked Suzuki.

"Ah, it concerns one of the Emperor's Four," said Pandora. "The female, the one called-"

---

Leinas Rockbruise was anxious. No one would be able to tell, however, not with the aloof face she kept. Perhaps Baziwood, who could be oddly observant at times, might have had his suspicions and Vermillion could have logically deducted that she probably was restless, but to the rest of the delegation, she seemed utterly unconcerned. Then again, given the meeting she was headed to, perhaps everyone would have bet she must have been feeling something, even after the first long day of droning and useless talks between the Kingdom and Empire.

As the Secretary led both Baziwood and her onwards, down the corridors of E-Rantel's Palace, Leinas glanced at the rest of their little group. Escorted by fully armored knights under Sir Ainzach, the small party of Imperials included a pair of Imperial Knights, who Leinas decided to ignore entirely. Other than the five of them, there were no other Imperials in that part of the Palace.

It was at times like those, surrounded by dangers, that unbidden memories and feelings rose in Leinas. Once upon a time, she would have been accompanied by colleagues, comrades she would have trusted with her life. She refused to remember them as friends, even if back then she thought of them as such. But back then she had also been a naïve fool who thought her family cared her and who thought she had a fiancé who loved her. What an idiot…

Leinas tried to set her mind on anything else. She glanced to her left, to the many large windows. The clear skies were tinted orange with the late evening sun. It was strange to believe that their first day in E-Rantel had passed, and she was already on her way to finding a potential cure to her curse.

She looked at the corridor ahead. They passed by many knights and huscarls glaring at them and with hands on their weapons. Even the passing maid or servant would murderously glower at them. The vitriol directed at the Imperials did not trouble Leinas, but it did surprise her. For some reason, she had not expected the Re-Esterith to despise her countrymen so fervently. Then again, perhaps she was too used to Imperial citizens thinking little about the Annual Wars and their alleged enemies to the West.

I wouldn't put it past these people to salt their lands and poison their wells rather than surrender to the Empire, thought Leinas. It certainly would not be the first times humans employed such petty tactics against their foes. Fools, they should be directing their hatred to their noblemen, to those ruling over them.

However, it suddenly occurred to Leinas that the Re-Esterith people probably did despise their nobility just as much as their foreign enemies, if not more so.

The group reached a large double door. On each side, Knights of the Red Drop stood guard with their crimson plate armors. Sworn to Prince Zanac, Leinas had little idea about their battle capabilities. She, like everyone else, knew far more about the assigned leader of the knights: Sir Azuth Aindra, or as he was known in the Empire, the Blood Knight. Only Gazef Stronoff and Rigrit Bers Caurau could boast a higher kill count of Imperial men.

Sir Ainzach's men stepped aside and the knights of the Red Drop moved to announce the newcomers to the people inside the room. In the meantime, the Imperials waited. It didn't do Leinas any good to her current nerves, not with the thoughts that, perhaps, her salvation was beyond those doors.

No, do not delude yourself again, Leinas told herself.

She was unwilling to hold to any hope. Her spirit had been crushed too many times already. Sadly, her heart would still race with eagerness… or perhaps it was desperation?

Finally, just as Leinas realized that the Re-Esterith were purposely delaying the meeting to grate on their nerves, the Imperials were allowed in.

The room that laid beyond the double door was luxurious, albeit not as much as those within the Emperor's palace. The walls were lined with filled bookshelves, each tome probably worth a fortune, and a warm hearth was ablaze to their right. However, Leinas' attention went to the throne line couch across the room. There, staring at the newcomers, was Lord Ainz Ooal Gown.

He wasn't alone. The ever-present Lady Rubedo proudly stood on the dark lord's left, while the incredibly beautiful Lady Albedo stood to her master's right. Both of them brought a different pang of jealousy in Leinas. One was said to be many times more powerful and talented than her with a spear, even if Rubedo's weapon was an odd polearm. The other one was clearly far better looking than Leinas, unnaturally so.

The rest of Lord Ainz's warrior wives were also present and didn't help Leinas to feel any less self-conscious. They were all beautiful and, if what Imperial spies had learned was true, great fighters. It was obvious they were also exotic catches, being rather different from each other in their own way.

If that wasn't bad enough, Leinas didn't miss the people to their left, sitting on a couch or standing by the window.

"Lord Ainz, Lady Albedo," Vermillion greeted with a respectful bow, before turning to his left. "Sir Aindra, what a surprise to see you here… as well as the rest of your colleagues."

"Oh, don't mind us," said Lakyus Aindra. "We are here to make sure you don't try anything on Lord Ainz."

"Like it is them who's going to jump our good lord, is it?" Warrior Gagaran teased.

Sir Aindra glowered murderously at the huge ugly woman. It was hard to tell whether the red of her face was out of outrage or embarrassment, but Leinas didn't care. The standing twin assassins smiled at the exchange, but their focus was on the Imperials, no doubt cautious on their every move. On her part, the petite Evil-Eye ignored the world around her and sat next to Sir Aindra, wrapped in her red cloak and hood. In fact, if Leinas didn't know any better, she'd assumed she was sleeping.

"Mister Vermillion, glad you could make it. I hope you do not mind the presence of Sir Aindra and her comrades," said Lord Ainz in his deep lordly voice. "It is only right for the Kingdom to have their representatives. As a guest of the Prince, I rather he did not believe I am plotting within his palace…"

Leinas and her countrymen were not so easily duped. They all knew that Lord Ainz was the true undisputed ruler of E-Rantel and the surrounding land. The fortress city had lost many men, and had been replaced by warriors of the villages, particularly the savage northern tribes, who were all far more loyal to Lord Ainz than the human nobles. Moreover, spies had reported that after the involvement of Barbro Vaiself in the assassination of the late Mayor, the likes of Ainzach had thrown their lot behind Lord Ainz. It did not help that ambitious and greedy noblemen and merchants of E-Rantel were fighting to curry Lord Ainz's favor.

Even Prince Zanac is said to seek Lord Ainz's permission, thought Leinas.

"Shall we move down to business?" Asked the dark lord, snapping Leinas from her thoughts.

"Very well, your lordship," Vermillion replied.

The secretary sat down on the couch opposite Lord Ainz, while the rest of the Imperials stood behind him.

"To start with, allow me to thank you again for sparing time for us, your lordship," started Vermillion. "In regards to the purpose of this meeting, like I told you before, it involves my colleague, Sir Rockbruise."

He paused, as if waiting for the dark lord's input. Lord Ainz, though, waved a hand, telling the secretary to get a move on.

"For you see, your lordship, Sir Rockbruise is under a curse, and a terrible one at that," retold Vermillion. "The Emperor has gone out of his way to fulfill his solemn vow to see to this ailment lifted, but so far, nothing has worked. We were hopeful that, perhaps, your lordship had the means to undo this horrible bane on Sir Rockbruise."

"A curse you say?" Hummed Lord Ainz. "How curious. Please, do tell me more."

He eyed Leinas, as if searching for the shame that had ridden her for many years.

"We do not know much about the curse itself. It is unlike any disease or malady we have witnessed, and so far neither the Temples nor the full expertise of the Imperial Ministry of Magic had been able to determine anything about it, much less any potential cure," Vermillion retold.

"I see. And where did it came from?"

Vermillion turned to Leinas, and she felt the urge to scowl. Instead, she cleared her throat and retold the tale of her curse.

"It was a group of toadmen raiders, your lordship, made of warriors, a beast-master and a shaman," Leinas explained. Memories poured into her mind, unbidden. "They sneaked past the Imperial outposts and attacked a few villages. A few… acquaintances… and I hunted them down, and succeeded in slaying them. However, the Shaman, before I could deliver the killing blow, used her last breath to curse me."

"Do you remember the curse's name?"

"She uttered no name, only insults. The curse itself…"

Leinas paused. She'd never forget that day, how she and her colleagues, drenched in filthy demi-human blood, charged at the wounded shaman. The toadwoman had known she was doomed and raised her hand at Leinas, screaming all manner of swears in her guttural disgusting language. A black mist formed on the tip of her fingers and shot at Leinas. She moved but to no avail. Instead of hitting her full on her face, it grazed the right side of her head.

The Imperial knight recalled the feeling of her spear piercing the wretched demi-human, the squelch of flesh being torn and entrails exposed. Leinas had not relished on the kill. Instead, she had quickly reached for the right side of her face. She had felt no change, but a mere touch told her that whatever the toadwoman had done, it had succeeded.

The blonde Imperial told Lord Ainz what she remembered. He only hummed and remained thoughtful.

"Did you see a magic ring?" Asked Evil-Eye all of sudden.

"No," reluctantly replied Leinas.

She didn't feel like answering to Re-Esterith people, but by the penetrating look on Lord Ainz, he too was curious about it.

"Then it was no ordinary Tier Spell," grunted Evil-Eye.

Leinas felt annoyed by that. She was well aware of the strange nature of her curse.

"Wait, so what did the curse do exactly?" Asked a stupid-looking Gagaran. "Did it make you feel weaker? Drain your strength? Make you have nightmares?"

"No," admitted Leinas.

She gritted her teeth. It was not the first time others had accused her curse for being quite benign. Leinas had already been made well aware of worse curses, such as those that slowly seeped a persons out of their vitality, or even their sanity, or those that permanently crippled someone. In fact, many had claimed she should have been thankful she had been struck with her curse and no other. Oh, if only they knew the shame and pain she had endured!

"That's strange for a curse," said Lakyus. "Usually, hexes and such magics have other purposes, don't they?"

She looked genuinely concerned for Leinas, but the Imperial knight knew better. Sir Aindra, rather than sympathy, probably was brimming with joy at Leinas' suffering. She wouldn't have been the first.

"Your curse sounds useless," harshly stated Evil-Eye.

Vermillion gave Leinas a warning look, while Baziwood cringed. Leinas, on her part, contained her rage.

"It fulfilled its purpose," growled Leinas. "The curse may not have affected my skills in combat, but it marked me. I rather it had killed me…"

Leinas would never forget the disgust on the face of her friends – no, her traitorous acquaintances. They had all acted like they had been worried. They held their rouse for a while, even accompanied her back to her family estate, where Leinas' family took on the role of concerned loved ones. Her father had made her admonishing shouting sound almost like he didn't see her like a broodmare to be sold, and her mother's sobbing had definitively been due to her loss of prospects as a wife rather than those of a distressed mother. Even her siblings had been on the act. But Leinas later learned the truth of it all…

…and I made them all pay for it, Leinas thought.

She took a deep breath and sighed. She wasn't usually like this. Then again, the curse, which had made her suffer a lot, brought the worse out of her.

"Thanks to my curse, everyone I thought that cared about me betrayed me," Leinas coldly stated.

"Including your family?" Asked Lord Ainz.

"Especially my family," said Leinas.

She said nothing more. Instead, she simmered with bitterness, hurt and anger.

"What does this curse do exactly? You don't look that bad," remarked Warrior Gagaran, only burst out laughing. "What? It gave you a nasty scar?"

That horrible smirk on the ugly woman's face made Leinas' barely contained anger snap. Leinas nearly lunged at the brute of a woman. In fact, she leaned forward and clenched the dagger on her waist. However, before she could jump off her seat, she noticed the glint of a blade in front of her. To her shock, it was Lady Rubedo's weapon. The masked metallic angel in question was staring down at her. Everyone around Leinas gasped soon after, only then realizing that Lord Ainz's bodyguard had moved at all.

Fast, thought Leinas in disbelief.

So the rumors were true. Lady Rubedo could move so quickly that one could only catch the after-images. Suddenly, the tall tale that she had defeated a Skeletal Dragon in the blink of an eye didn't sound outrageous. Rubedo, on her part, didn't look like she had run or kicked off like any mortal would have to speed up so quickly. She actually lazily stood as if she had only taken a couple of steps.

"Rubedo," said Lord Ainz.

The metallic angel disappeared, only to reappear next to her master. She stood like she hadn't just moved faster than an instant. Next to Leinas, Vermillion and Baziwood watched on with wide-eyes. Like Leinas, they had held some skepticism over Rubedo's speed. Then again, it suddenly dawned in Leinas that if he so much wanted, Lord Ainz could have had Rubedo behead them and they would have been none the wiser.

What kind of power is that? Thought Leinas. She felt no jealousy. If anything, she felt only awe.

"I apologize, Mister Vermillion, Sir Rockbruise," said the dark lord. "Please, Gagaran, do not insult Sir Rockbruise. It is clear the curse has caused much pain and suffering."

"Yeah, sorry 'bout that," chuckled the big ugly woman. A punch from Sir Aindra later, Gagaran then added. "Your lordship."

"It… we understand, your lordship," said a pale Vermillion. "Our two nations have little reason to be friendly with each other."

"Perhaps, but I insist you leave your feelings outside this room. Do not waste my time with your grudges," said Lord Ainz. "Now, back to the topic at hand. Sir Rockbruise, what exactly is the nature of this curse of yours?"

Leinas described the disgusting state of the right side of her face, hidden behind bandages and an eyepatch soaked with aromatic herbs to cover the stench of rot. If Lord Ainz was revolted by the description, like Warrior Gagaran, he didn't show.

"I mean no offense when I say this, but your curse does sound peculiar, Sir Rockbruise," commented Lord Ainz. "May I examine it?"

The question made her stomach churn. She remained aloof and boldly nodded. She had mentally prepared herself for such intrusion, even if her hands did start to sweat around her bandages. With firm hands, she undid the knots. Lord Ainz stood up and gestured for her to seat next to Vermillion. She did so and, soon after, finished exposing her shame.

She didn't reveal her curse right away, though. Leinas kept her head bowed, took a deep breath, and only then did she raise her head and pushed the strands of her off the right side of her face.

The reaction was instantaneous. Warrior Gagaran grimaced, and Leinas noticed Vermillion and Baziwood looking disgusted. The look on Sir Aindra was the worst of them: it wasn't revulsion, it was pity. The Twin Assassins and Evil-Eye, on the other hand, did not react at all. In fact, neither did Lord Ainz and his warrior wives.

She felt exposed, vulnerable, and, worse of all, weak. Yet she didn't fret. She focused only on the looming dark lord, who looked at her with those mesmerizing burning eyes of his. It was the first time he managed to look at them up close, and Leinas found them akin to red flames amidst the night sky. While the squinting and slated shape of his eyes were odd, she found that they actually gave him a rather exotic look.

Leinas fell her cheeks heat up at Lord Ainz's penetrating gaze. He seemed unbothered by the disgusting effects of the curse. If anything, he offered a kind yet apologetic smile, as if sorry he made her expose her shame in such a manner. Leinas found she didn't mind that much.

"Are you certain there are no other effects?" softly asked Lord Ainz. "Pain? Lethargy? Perhaps something minor?"

"None, your lordship," whispered Leinas.

Lord Ainz stepped back with a hum and stroke his chin, allowing for hair to curtain over her curse.

"I see," was all he said as he returned to his seat.

"Do you think the curse can be lifted?" Vermillion inquired.

Leinas tried not to look too desperate to know, but failed miserably. Even against her better judgement, hope painfully swelled in her chest. Her gaze, though, fell on the beautiful Lady Albedo, who she noticed was smiling. For some reason, Leinas averted her gaze from the demon-kin and tried to concentrate on a thoughtful Lord Ainz.

"Oh, I am sure it can."

Leinas didn't allow herself to sigh with relief. In fact, no one spoke. Instead, Lord Ainz carried on speaking, a frown in place.

"What I am not certain are the means that will be achieved," Lord Ainz hummed. "It could require a simple item… or maybe a high-tier spell…" He turned to Vermillion. "You said magic has already been tried?"

"Yes, your lordship," nodded Vermillion. "Fluder Paradyne tried everything. The priests at the Temples also tried their best."

After a substantial donation, thought Leinas with a scowl.

"Even spells at the same time?" Inquired Lord Ainz.

"Yes," said Leinas while Vermillion looked on in confusion. "All manners of magic have been tried, alone and in tandem, be it divine, druidic, arcane or elemental. Potions, elixirs, cutting the affected skin… everything has been tried and nothing has worked."

Lord Ainz hummed, eyebrow furrowing in thought.

"How intriguing."

"Your lordship, do you believe there is magic powerful enough to remove this- this curse?" Leinas asked with trepidation. She hated the way her voice wavered with fear.

"It is not a matter of power," replied Lord Ainz. "If anything, I do not believe your curse to be as powerful as you believe… what only adds to the uniqueness of your curse. Evil-Eye, you are well-versed on many curses, aren't you? What is your opinion?"

The petite mage squeaked, as if flustered, only to clear her throat and stare at Leinas.

"It is a unique curse," she stated. "I've never seen anything like it."

"Nor have I," added Sir Aindra, still carrying that infuriating look of pity on her face. "And I've seen may fair share of magical diseases."

"Tia, Tina," hummed Lord Ainz. "Do you know any poisons that could cause anything similar?"

The twin assassins were surprised by the lord, much like Leinas. Admittedly, the Imperial knight had never considered such an option. There was such a thing as magical poison, after all. Then again, it was a rare breed of magic and something Toadmen had never mastered (they opted for curses and diseases).

"No," chorused the assassins.

Leinas felt her stomach churn. What did that even mean?

"I see, so this is truly beyond the current knowledge of magic. That being said, I do have a few ideas on how this ailment works and why it has been so difficult to eradicate, but I will only be certain after some tests," hummed Lord Ainz. "If possible, I would like to study this curse in full…"

Cold sweat formed on Leinas' brow and she felt her blood drain from her face.

"What do you propose, your lordship?" Wondered Vermillion.

Lord Ainz contemplated the question for a moment, stroking his chin. His gaze never left Leinas and the knight tried her best to keep her own eyes away. When he finally spoke, Leinas felt her breath catch on her throat.

"If it isn't too bold of me, I'd like to invite Sir Rockbruise to my domain. I wish to have some of my servants perform a few – what's the word?"

"Run tests? Experiments?" Proposed Vermillion.

"Yes, that," nodded Lord Ainz. He chuckled. "To think there are still some words in your language for me to learn. In any case, Sir Rockbruise, Mister Vermillion, I won't know for certain whether this curse will be lifted without proper study."

"Can such experiments be performed here? Or perhaps at the Empire? The Emperor will be more than willing to accommodate your servants," said Vermillion.

"No, I believe it would be faster my way," said Lord Ainz. "I doubt this should take too long. Perhaps less than a season? Much less than that, no doubt. I do understand if you rather she didn't, Mister Vermillion. I rather not deprive the Emperor of one of his own bodyguards."

"His majesty gave his word to Sir Rockbruise, your lordship, so he'll understand," said the secretary.

Vermillion turned to Leinas. She in turn squinted at him.

"Rockbruise? You have the final say on this."

Do not act so concerned about my opinion, bitterly thought Leinas. This was probably your plan all along… to throw me to the blasted Charming Evil like some cheap pleasure slave.

"I'll do anything to have this shame removed, even if it means forgoing my current duties," said Leinas. "However," she added, her voice a dangerous growl. "I will demand your word that my curse will be broken."

"Leinas!" "Rockbruise, you can't-"

"You dare?"

It was the beautiful demon-kin who spoke last, her words silencing the entire room. Her beautiful face was marred with a nasty murderous sneer. Leinas shivered but did not look away.

"You dare demand an oath out from my beloved?" A dangerous glint crossed Lady Albedo's golden eyes.

Lord Ainz, without breaking his gaze from Leinas, raised a hand and the demon-kin went back to smiling calmly.

"Sir Rockbruise, in the name of Lord Ainz Ooal Gown, you have my word that by this point next year your curse, this strange ailment, will be eradicated. Moreover, while in my realm, you shall be provided for in full like a guest of honor. That, I swear," he solemnly proclaimed.

Leinas felt her heart clench with hope. However, her fears still gnawed at her. It didn't matter. If it meant a cure, she'd endure it. If not, she'd have her vengeance. Retribution would not be swift either.

"Your lordship, I do not wish to offend, but if Sir Rockbruise is to depart our company, I'd like a few guarantees," said Vermillion.

Lord Ainz raised a hand, preemptively stopping another angry rant from the demon-kin.

"Name them," commanded Lord Ainz.

"I would like a group of mercenaries to ensure Sir Rockbruise's safety and oversee the experiments. As much as we all wish to see a cure, the Emperor will not allow one of his loyal knights to go unaccompanied."

"How bold of you, human," spat the demon-kin. "My lord has already given his word that no harm shall come to this knight of yours."

"No, Albedo, it is understandable," hummed Lord Ainz. "I must commend the Emperor's devotion to his servants just as your own dedication to your ruler, Mister Vermillion. I am curious, however, why mercenaries?"

"These mercenaries are the ones readily available to accompany Sir Rockbruise and they are a remarkable group by itself. Moreover, you'll also learn they have a wide range of skills, from a talented mage praised even by Fluder Paradyne herself to a well-known cleric capable of divine magic."

As if they hadn't been brought specifically to throw at Lord Ainz's grasp, thought Leinas.

"Very well, how many mercenaries are we talking about, Mister Vermillion?"

As polite as he was with his words, even Leinas could tell Lord Ainz held a warning edge in his tone. This dark lord was gracious, but it seemed he had limited patience for demands.

"One group, made of four individuals. I assure you, they are the group with the best reputation and will not cause any problems," said Vermillion.

How clever, thought Leinas. The Furt brat will be the perfect spy with that talent of hers as well as another offering for Lord Ainz. Well played, your majesty, very well played.

Even if she had been thrown like a piece of meat to that womanizing dark lord, Leinas had to admire the Emperor's cunning. The fact Emperor Jircniv had enough to control the Furt Brat from Arwintar was but a mark of his cleverness. Leinas, on her part, was expendable. It was her own fault, really. Leinas had, after all, made it clear she would serve Jircniv as long as it served her purposes.

"For their sake, they better not," coldly said Lord Ainz.

A shiver went down Leinas' back, her imagination conjuring an unlikely scenario the dark lord was offended by the Furt Brat as an offering.

"My lord!"

Everyone looked at Sir Aindra. She had been gaping at the exchange, dumbstruck for some reason that eluded Leinas.

"If Imperials are to invade your home, then- then I offer to keep an eye on them myself!"

Silence.

Leinas looked at Vermillion and Baziwood, who were exchanging confused looks. They weren't the only ones. Lord Ainz's eyebrows had shot up his forehead, while Lady Albedo was smirking with something akin to triumph. On their part, Warrior Gagaran facepalmed, the Twin Assassins smirked (Leinas could have sworn she saw the one in blue give a bunch of coins to the red one), and Evil-Eye stared at Lakyus in utter disbelief.

"That's an excellent idea, isn't it my love?" Said Albedo. "I am sure the Kingdom will be reassured if they have representatives making sure nothing befalls Sir Rockbruise and her countrymen. It would complicate their already tenuous relationship otherwise, wouldn't it?"

She smiled innocently at her lord. Lord Ainz, on his part, pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Fine, the knights of the Blue Rose are invited to oversee the research," he said with exasperation. "But I rather the Princess is consulted beforehand. You are her vassals, after all."

"Yes!" Said Lakyus in triumph, only to amend with an intense blush and a poor attempt at schooling her features. "I mean, will do, Lord Ainz."

So Lord Ainz has already charmed Sir Aindra, thought Leinas. She smirked and glanced at Vermillion. This won't be as easy as you thought, will it Vermillion?

By the look on Vermillion's face, he hadn't expected such turn of events. Still, remained composed. He had been chosen by the Emperor for a reason, after all.

"Now, let us discuss compensation," hummed Lord Ainz, a crude smirk stretching on his face as he reclined on his back.

"Compensation?" Asked Vermillion.

"Why, of course," said the dark lord. "You do not expect me to waste my servants' time out of the generosity of my heart, do you?"

"Of course not, your lordship," nodded Vermillion.

While he said so, Leinas didn't miss a sour note in Vermillion's tone. He probably had been hopeful regarding the tales of Lord Ainz's generosity. How foolish. No true powerful lord would be so indulgent to waste time and resources without something to gain. Leinas could respect that, or perhaps she had become too cynical to expect anything better.

The question, however, remained.

When Lord Ainz demands compensation from me, will I pay it?

However, rather than fear, Leinas actually felt something else. She looked over at Rubedo. Leinas wasn't going to deny she wished she had half her speed in combat. Could it be possible to gain such power? What would the price for that be?

---

Night slowly crawled across the New World. Across the Katze Plains, mindless undead moved around within its unnatural mist, unperturbed by the darkness, while on the Empire, most people carried on with their business. Arwintar, even well past dusk, remained lively, with many people happily going on their business. Stores may have been closing, yet pedestrians moved along in large cheerful flocks. Unbeknownst to them, a shadow approached their city.

It was a force of nature far more devastating than any storm, and yet it was moving with extreme caution. Days had passed since it escaped the confines of the Tomb of Nazarick, but the Dark One would not lower its guard. It was part apprehension of its former prison guards, and part instinct what kept him avoiding anyone's notice.

A massive city laid ahead, filled with pathetic lower lifeforms. The Dark One had been avoiding attention thus far, but even if it was filled with alien instinct that drove it run away, another part of it had a powerful urge to obliterate its enemies with prejudice. It had been created to attack, after all, and that was what it craved.

Hence, the Dark One sneaked within the large settlement ahead, and straight to the city's elaborate sewer system. Many a person would later swear they saw a huge shadow soar through the land, as if alive, while others far unlikelier would be traumatized by a horrible creature of darkness that poked out from the very grown in all of its horrifying glory only to blend back into the ground.

An evil shadow had found its home in the underbelly of Arwintar, a shadow that would change the fate of the Empire...

---

Part III

The Great Cathedral of Hoburns was a jewel of engineering. Its ceiling rose high in the air, held by large pillars. The sunlight poured in and lit the white marble floor with many colors from the stained glass of the windows. On the far end, a massive glass depicted the Holy Kingdom's national hero, a Valkyrie Knight, descending with a sacred sword onto a foul demon.

The Great Cathedral of Hoburns was not a place Neia Baraja had expected to find herself in.

She frowned at her surroundings, her hand reaching for her trusty blade. What was she even doing in the Cathedral? For some reason, she had the strong impression she was meant to be elsewhere. In fact, there was something wrong about everything.

The sound of heavy steps echoed across the massive hall. Neia snapped her head to her right. There, confidently walking out of the blinding beams light from the windows, came a paladin. Like any other member of the Paladin Order, the figure wore a bright silver plate armor under a snow-white surcoat. However, this was no ordinary Paladin, at least not to Neia.

Neia's heart dropped. Although the Paladin's face was covered behind her helmet, the squire knew the paladin's identity. Without a word, the Paladin drew her blade, revealing the faint glimmer of enchantments.

"If you want to be a Paladin, then you must defeat me!" Shouted the Paladin.

This situation was all too familiar to Neia.

"M-Mother?!"

"I won't be able to help you this time."

Neia look to her left. To her mounting shock, a familiar man stoically stared back at her, standing right outside the darkness marring that part of the Cathedral. He had his hands on his waist, his black cloak pulled back to expose his tall, lean and muscular body. On his belt he carried a sword and three daggers, with four more tiny blades strapped on a belt across his chest. Pouches of poison and potions were littered across his body, and a familiar bow protruding from its quiver behind one shoulder. While Neia was not surprised that particular man had gotten the jump on her, she was dumbstruck by his presence. Even with his face shadowed by a hood, she knew exactly who he was, just like she knew all too well he wasn't supposed to be there.

"F-father," spluttered Neia.

What is going on? Thought Neia, looking around the Cathedral.

For a moment, nothing happened. Neia's Mother kept her stance, awaiting to be engaged by her own daughter in a final lethal duel. Neia's Father, on the other hand, stared on, evidently intent on just watching as his wife and daughter duked it out.

"Are you going to face me?" Neia's mother harshly said, making her recoil.

"You don't have to do this," her father soothingly said. He pulled out his bow and offered it to her. "The choice is yours."

What is that supposed to mean? A growingly flummoxed Neia thought, desperate to make sense to all the weirdness developing before her very eyes.

However, just when Neia thought her predicament couldn't get any worse, a soft chuckle reverberated across the Cathedral. Neia shuddered. Deep and rumbling, the voice was ridden with amused malice.

"Is this the best that the Holy Kingdom has to offer?"

Neia's eyes widened as she spotted a new figure walking out of the shadows, this time from behind her and from the entrance of the Cathedral. With each step, the light that had been pouring from the colored-glass windows receded. Neia watched in horror as night arrived at the Cathedral and magical stones lit up across the tall pillar.

Regal and imposing, the dark figure strode forth clad in a luxurious black silk robes and held an impressive golden staff. Neia's attention was drawn to his pale face, however. Although she couldn't make out any details, blurred for some reason, Neia knew the face was meant to be extremely handsome and hold a charming smile. Those eyes of his, on the other hand, were radiant evil fires that bore into Neia's soul.

"Begone, fiend!" Shouted Neia's mother.

The Paladin rushed at the dark lord, but he merely laughed. Light radiated from her hands and spread to her entire body, making the Paladin glow with righteous power. No sooner was he within her reach, the evil fiend lazily pointed at the Paladin. Neia watched in horror as her own mother's body sprawled backwards, spraying blood everywhere as if cut by a dozen claws.

"No!" Roared Neia's father, shooting three arrows in quick succession.

His aim was true, but the arrows turned into ashes no sooner they came an inch from the evil monster. Again, the dark lord laughed and lazily pointed at his target. Rather than being cut down, Neia gasped as her father was set aflame and screamed in terrifying agony. Within instants, only charred bones remained.

Neia, to her credit, drew her sword and did not even consider running away. And yet, she found herself unable to move. She stared, rooted in place, as the evil fiend sauntered over to her.

"What do we have here?" Mused the dark creature. "A new devotee?"

Neia desperately wanted to scream that she'd never serve an evil fiend like him, but her body didn't respond. He kept marching forward, straight at her, all while Neia watched, helpless. Soon enough, the dark lord was right in front of her.

With a mere finger, he pushed Neia's blade aside. Her heart promised to jump out her mouth. Lord Ainz stepped closer, his smirk widening. The dark lord loomed over her, a hand tenderly taking hold of her chin and forcing Neia to lock her gaze onto his.

The evil entity opened his mouth and then said:

"Wake up, Squire Baraja!"

Neia Baraja opened her eyes. Her heart nearly stopped at what she saw next.

Rather than an evil looming entity of chaos and destruction, Neia found something much, much worse: a very annoyed Captain Remedios. In fact, the Captain wasn't only glaring down on her, she was shaking Neia.

Needless to say, Neia had far more pleasant awakenings…

"C-Captain!" Squawked Neia.

"Ah! You finally deigned to wake up Squire?"

Neia winced at the accusation in the captain's voice.

"Get up and ready yourself," commanded the Captain, before unceremoniously dropping the squire back on her back.

The Captain turned to leave, only to pause, spin around and give Neia a confused frown. The squire could not quite tell whether it was deep concern or disapproval on woman's face.

"By the way, you scream in your sleep. You should talk with Gustavo about that."

And without another word, Remedios hastily marched out, leaving Neia to dumbly blink at her door. Neia was too confused to understand anything that was going on. If anything, she was still reeling about that nightmare of hers. Getting woken up by Remedios hadn't exactly helped either.

Neia's body moved before she even managed to think. She got out of her small bed and started changing into her uniform. Thankfully, she took solace on her solitude, grateful she had been provided her own bedroom, and finally worked on shaking off the lingering effects of the nightmare.

Neia blinked a couple of times, her heart racing and her face covered in sweat. What had she been dreaming about? No, it had been no dream. It had been a nightmare. Her parents had been there… and so had Lord Ainz Ooal Gown. Or at least, that was what Neia thought he looked like.

She shuddered and shook her head, focusing on the task at hand.

The squire quickly replaced her nightgown with breeches, a linen shirt, a hauberk and, finally, her white tunic that proudly displayed her homeland's sigil. Outside, Neia was surprised to hear a cacophony of activity. She heard heavy steps running up and down the corridor and alarmed shouting. Amongst the shouting, Neia grimaced as she recognized Captain Remedios.

A sense of dread spread through Neia. Could they have been under attack? She hastily buckled her belt around her waist and held her sword. While it was not a blessed blade of a full-fledged Paladin, the metal gave her all the reassurance she needed to calm down a bit, enough to realize something.

It's morning already? Thought Neia.

Indeed, the room and her white clothing had gained an orange tint from the light coming from the outside. In fact, she quickly realized that the room was not as dark as it should have otherwise been. Yet, something told Neia it was a bit too early for sunlight.

Perhaps it was because she had just woken up, but it took her much longer than it should to realize that the sky was still awfully dark for morning and the light was stuck over a part of the horizon. The orange tint was also a tad too eerie to be from the sun. However, before long, Neia knew exactly what was happening.

The city of Re-Estize was burning.

---

The Ro-Lente Castle was filled with activity. Neia looked around as servants and warriors chaotically sped from one place to another all while Prince Caspond and his escort marched down the corridors. On each side of the Prince, Gustavo (who preferred to be called Gustav by foreigners so as not to butcher his name) and Remedios kept a wary eye on the frantic people running around, who in turn seemed to ignore the men of the Holy Kingdom.

Neia had no idea what was going on. She hadn't been told, nor did she ask anything. Given the stern demeanor of both Captain and Vice-Captain, Neia didn't feel like pestering either for questions. Besides, she was hopeful she would eventually be informed about what was happening. Then again, perhaps they weren't sure themselves.

Eventually, the group halted before a set of doors. Neia quickly realized did not lead into the Throne Room, as she had first expected. Instead, two Royal Knights allowed them into a large meeting room where people was already waiting.

Three noblemen were deliberating over a map of the city spread up across a massive rectangular table. They were part of the Six Great Nobles, if Neia recalled correctly. Behind them, a rather small group of lesser noblemen and retainers grimly murmured and muttered, with an air of anxiousness and fear hanging over them. Some were clad in full plate armor and carrying weapons, while others wore expensive-looking tunics, but all of them had the same worried look on their faces. At the head of the table, a tired King Ramposa turned his haunted eyes towards Neia's group next to a red-armored Gazef Stronoff. It may have just been Neia's impression, but the old monarch looked far more emaciated than usual.

There was an unexpected presence, however. On the king's other side, with a small smile, was the beautiful princess of the Kingdom. Princess Renner offered a polite nod at them, but otherwise stood unbothered amidst men at the brink of battle. Behind her, the ever present Sir Climb scowled towards Neia, who quickly averted her gaze. She still wasn't sure what she had done to offend Sir Climb, but at times it felt like he was Remedios' lost child or something with the sternness and intensity of his glares.

Seeing so many men ready for war, Neia felt her stomach painfully churn with nerves and anxiety. Was the city under siege?

No sooner had the Prince stepped inside, the chatter of the Re-Estize noblemen fell into silence. Caspond wasn't daunted, however. He went to stand close to the king and gave a respectful bow, one that was imitated by the rest of the Prince's group.

"Your grace," said the Prince. "We heard about the situation. I offer my condolences and our assistance."

"Thank you, your highness," said the king with a tired smile. "However, I can't accept your help. It wouldn't be right…"

"I came here with my fellow countrymen to form bonds of friendship with your people, your grace. I see no better way to prove ourselves but by aiding you in your time of need," said the Prince.

The king didn't look convinced, and Neia couldn't blame him. Allowing strangers to help was a sure way to look weak before his subjects, not to mention the political ramifications of losing important dignitaries from a foreign nation.

"Father, perhaps you should reconsider," said Renner. "While I have a full belief in the might and bravery of our loyal liegemen, this is a threat unlike anything we have faced before. There are too many unknowns about this threat for us not to include the expertise of the likes of Paladins, holy warriors prepared to combat the evil at our doorsteps."

"The Princess is correct, your grace," chimed in the Chief Warrior. "The Paladin Order is far better suited for this battle than any of us. We could improve our odds and minimize our losses with their aid. This is the first time we've faced demons of such variety and numbers."

D-Demons? Mentally spluttered Neia, wide-eyed. Her previous dread swelled in her gut and she glanced at the windows, only to gulp and look at the King. Just how many demons are out there? And how did they even came to be?

"I say we let them join in," scoffed a burly nobleman. "There will be little left to do once my boys and I are done."

The man looked as more of a warlord than a noble, especially with his fur-cape, the scars marring his face and the massive black plate-armor he wore. On his chest, the sigil of a snarling boar magically glowed at Neia, and a huge mace hanged from his waist shimmering with arcane power. Likewise, the boar-shaped pauldrons had shining yellow eyes that spoke of enchantments.

"Now is not the time for boasting, Boullope," sighed the youngest noblemen from those around the table. He was definitively the most handsome of the lot with short, wavy blonde hair and grey eyes.

Differently from the big burly Boullope, the pretty nobleman was svelte and elegant, perhaps a tad too much. With navy blue plate-armor and matching cape, he carried a golden sword and an air of refinement that spoke of high nobility or even royalty. In other words, he contrasted greatly to the hardened and powerful-looking Boullope.

"It is our duty as noblemen of-"

"Blah, blah, blah," interrupted Boullope. "Cut it with the sanctimonious crap, Pespea. There's a city burning!"

"Enough, both of you," said the King.

Boullope and Pespea glanced at their liege only to glare at each other. They otherwise didn't say anything else. Ramposa turned to Prince Caspond and gave a reluctant nod.

"Very well, your highness, I welcome your aid in this dire time," decided the king.

"Thank you, your grace," replied Caspond. "What is the situation here?"

Ramposa gave a nod towards the Chief Warrior, who nodded back in understanding before stepping forward and explaining what was happening on the map.

"At the stroke of midnight, fires started across various warehouses and houses in the northeastern corner of the city, with the merchant district at the heart of it. When men showed up to fight the flames, they were ambushed by demons. Since then, the fires have spread and cut out entire areas within the district, where we fear innocent people are being hunted down by the demons," explained Gazef Stronoff.

The Chief Warrior proceeded to indicate in the map said areas. Neia looked at the map, and a grim picture formed in her mind. It seemed the fire hadn't managed to spread that far or wide, but it had been more than enough to close off entire neighborhoods. A huge chunk of the city seemed surrounded by fires.

"Guardsmen and knights have barricaded the entrances to the district but unless we do something, the fires – and demons – will consume everything inside. Attempts to breach through the entrapped areas had been met with varying results… for the most part failures. We have also tried to lure demons out of the encircled areas, but they appear to be content in staying within the burning city blocks and hunt the people trapped inside."

Demons do tend to have resistance to fire and preference on the innocent and uncorrupted, like children, Neia recalled from her many lessons as a Page and Squire.

"The situation is direr than that," grimly said Pespea. "Many warehouses there store the city's grain. Unless we put out the fire and fast, we'll be facing bread shortages by winter."

Neia awkwardly looked around. Was it a good idea for a nobleman of all things to voice such critical matters to foreigners?

"Forget the grain! Most of our products are stored there!" Bemoaned the third nobleman.

Just like his fellow Great Nobles, he too was dressed in plate armor. His, though, was golden and covered in intricate etchings of suns and stars. With an accompanying blue cape that had golden thread woven in, Neia doubted the armor was even meant to see combat.

"Stop your whining, Blumrush," scoffed Boullope.

Gustavo stepped forward, looking down at the map with a frown.

"What demons you see?" Gustavo said with his broken Re-Esterith.

A look of frustration at his limited grasp on the foreign language crossed the Vice-Captain's face. He quickly turned to Neia and gestured for her to step forward. As she did so, her stomach cramped up with nerves.

"What types of demons have you seen?" Prince Caspond asked before Neia could.

Gazef Stronoff proceeded to describe the various types of demons that had been encountered. Neia, on her part, desperately tried to conjure memories on all she had learned thus far from the many books on demons. Once the chief warrior was done, Gustavo turned to Neia, who tried not to squirm under the pressure. She particularly ignored the look on the Captain, for it would only made her stress even more.

"Vice-Captain," said Neia, mustering her courage and steeling her nerves. "I believe the Chief Warrior has described Gazer Devils, Hellhounds, Imps, Overeating and…" she frowned "…some type of scaled demon?"

"Are you certain, Squire Baraja?" Asked the Captain.

Suddenly, Neia's anxiety tripled. She hadn't come off any harsher than usual, but Neia was already self-conscious enough of her own lacking abilities as a Paladin without further scrutiny on what she believed she had a decent grasp on.

"I think so, Captain," squeaked Neia.

The Captain was about to retort something, only for Gustavo to interrupt.

"I trust her as a translator, Captain, and her knowledge on demons," said Gustavo. "She has gone over many tomes recently and, sincerely, between the three of us, she had the best education."

"You sure?" Remedios had to said, squinting with suspicion at Neia.

"Do you believe Pabel wouldn't have guaranteed the finest education for her daughter when he made it as Lord Black?" Said Gustavo with a smile.

That brought a knowing smile on Remedios' face. Neia, on her part, felt utterly miserable. Why did it have to be her parents that brought some semblance of reliability on Neia?

"Trust me, Captain."

As always, Remedios' face softened and nodded at the Vice-Captain. Unfortunately, that only made Neia feel worse. This was not the first time Remedios had been told the same, but as always, most of what entered one ear of the powerful Captain tended to escape through her other ear.

"If you say so," she said, only to glare at Neia and add. "Do not fail our Order, Squire Baraja."

"Yes, Captain!" Replied Neia, a wave of relief washing over her.

"So, Gustavo, are they strong?" Asked Captain Remedios.

"Not to any paladin worth their sword," stated the Vice-Captain, lost in thought. "The Scale Demon may prove more challenging, though. I think I've read about one such demon but I am not sure…"

Neia actually remembered mentions of such demons in various books she had been made to memorize. If she didn't remember wrong, one of the Evil Deities, the Demon God King had had powerful scaled demons in his army. One had actually been a well-known commander. However, Neia held her tongue. It wouldn't be for a lowly squire to speak up, would it?

"Want me to shake your head for you?" Suggested Remedios.

"Please… don't," deadpanned Gustavo.

"It helped last time," remarked Remedios.

"No it didn't," spluttered an embarrassed Gustavo. "And stop trying to shake my head whenever I don't remember something!"

"If it helps you remember vital stuff, then it is my duty to do it," solemnly stated Remedios.

"Maybe you could try reading the Luminaria for once instead," Gustavo shot back with a hint of a smile.

The mention of the thick tome filled with information of dozens of types of undead and demons made Remedios scowl petulantly, as probably did the mention of any book. Gustavo chuckled at the Captain's reaction, all while Prince Caspond smiled and shook his head in amusement. Neia, on her part, still couldn't believe how much the Captain of the Paladin Order abhorred doing anything that involved brainwork.

"I am worried, though," hummed Gustavo, his eyebrows furrowing in concentration. "Someone must have summoned these demons but there are too many…"

"But we can beat them, right? So what's the big deal?" Asked the Captain.

"Captain, your average warlock can summon one demon at a time and never anything larger than a Gazer Devil. Overeatings need a ritual between two or more warlocks," explained Gustavo.

"Ah, like angels, right?" Remedios nodded.

"Precisely," nodded Gustavo with relief. He probably was glad he didn't have to stall to explain the Captain how summoning of demons happened. Neia wouldn't be surprised if that had been the case. "The fact there are so many of them either means there are hundreds of evil casters or there are extremely powerful warlocks involved."

If not an Evil Deity, amended Neia in her head.

Then again, it was said Demon God King had wielded an item that allowed him to summon legions of demons. Could something similar be happening out there? It was not impossible, considering that item had been lost to history, even if some accounts claimed the Thirteen Heroes had destroyed it.

"And that's bad because…?" trailed off Remedios.

"Because it means we aren't facing demons alone, but also powerful mages."

Prince Caspond and his fellow countrymen snapped their heads at the one who spoke. To everyone's surprise, including the noblemen of the Re-Estize Kingdom, it had been Princess Renner of all people who had just fluently spoken in the Roble tongue.

While Neia had expected her to know some of the language (maybe even speak it as well as the Prince), Princess Renner's words rolled out almost as if she had been born in the Holy Kingdom. Perhaps more shocking was the fact this was the first time Renner had shown such skill (then again, they had only been one day at the Kingdom). Renner, though, wasn't done displaying her linguistic mastery on the Roble language.

"Moreover, while the manner of this attack suggests coordination, it is possible there are plans involved we are ignorant about. As far as we know, this attack could only be a distraction, or bait to draw in warriors. For example, the culprits could intend to attack the Ro-Lente Castle no sooner we have committed our best knights and warriors to deal with this threat. For all we know, this catastrophe is meant to take out all of the Six Great Noblemen and my father at once, considering the timing… or maybe even you, your highness."

A surprised Prince Caspond slowly nodded in understanding. Remedios, on her part, blankly blinked at the pretty princess. Meanwhile, King Ramposa smiled with fatherly pride while Sir Climb and the Chief Warrior fought smiles of their own, amused by the reaction of the Roble people.

"Ah, right…" was all the Captain managed to say before awkwardly adding. "Thank you for the explanation, your highness."

She didn't understand, did she? Morosely thought Neia.

"Enough of this!" Exclaimed Boullope, slamming a fist on the table. "We must act!"

"Patience, Marquis," the King said. "We are still waiting on the rest, we are yet rallying our full strength and…" his face took a grim expression "…there is someone else who may help."

Neia frowned. Just who could the king be alluding to? The Princess and the Chief Warrior clearly knew who they were, for they appeared unfazed by the declaration. Sir Climb knew as well, for he scowled with visible disapproval. The noblemen present at the meeting, on the other hand, were confused and annoyed.

As if summoned by the monarch, there was an ominous knock on the door. Something shifted in the air and suddenly everyone stood up straighter and an air of trepidation filled the room. A royal knight stepped into the room, announcing the newcomer.

At once, Neia's heart start racing, growing pale and her hands became sweaty. Her countrymen looked at the door with intrigue and wariness. Soon after, a group walked in.

At the head came a blond woman, dressed in a blue armor and brandishing a pitch-black sword, followed by a petite red-cloaked and hooded figure that wore a mask, what appeared to be twin assassins and a massive woman. Neia's eyes widened, recognizing just who they were.

"My lady!" Cheerfully exclaimed Lakyus Aindra, leader of the Knights of the Blue Rose.

"Oh, Lakyus!" Happily responded Renner. "I am so glad you are here!"

However, it was not the famed female knights that made Neia shiver. Rather, it was the dark silhouette that came forth, borne out of darkness. He strode with a powerful presence that demanded attention and respect. With fire-like eyes that bore into mortal coils, the dark lord walked into the room like a living shadow. It was just like her nightmare.

"Your lordship, I am glad you could make it so swiftly," said King Ramposa. He eyed Sir Aindra and her companions. "As well as bringing back my daughter's much needed retainers…"

"The pleasure is all mine, your grace," calmly said none other than Lord Ainz Ooal Gown. "Now, please, do tell: how may I be of assistance?"

---

Author Notes:

And thus, the calm has passed before the pent up storm in Suzuki's pants rages out! Ha, joking! I'm joking... no need to throw a boot at me or anything.

So, here we are, in yet another chapter. Once again, I apologize for the delay. I lost count of how many re-writes this chapter had. There were so many ideas I wanted to add but felt they would only drag the story even further... and I actually think the end product has slowed the plot to standstill again.

In any case, I hope you liked the chapter as well as the way I imagined the Eighth Floor. I sincerely apologize if you found Suzuki's interactions with Albedo a bit... cringey. I am working on the whole romance stuff, so please, have mercy (and patience).

Thanks for your reviews, by the way. I do apologize for rarely responding to them, but I do feel really awkward about answering. I'll try to write back, especially those with doubts. I thank you, Agonizing Turtle, moose3333, AlphaWave1737 and AnimeFan13579. You and others (such as Blue Cipher), have certainly kept me writing with your reviews, as well as helped me with ideas and opinions (especially the talk of a certain OFC and the Roble trio, and the discussion on the data crystals; you know who am I talking about). I do apologize if I forget to mention anyone.

Now then, time to close off this. Can anyone guess who is the great fool who is going to rush the Kingdom's end? What about Hell-Raiser? She is not necessarily an Original Female Character per se... only a simple rework of an existing no-name character that may or may not have been mentioned at one point or another. Let's just say she'll add some drama.

Once again, thank you for reading up to this point!

Cheers,

The Emerald Commander.

PS: Next chapter may take some time, especially at the pace I am rewriting stuff like a nutjob (-.-)