Some Minutes Ago
"No way... Ainz? Is that really you?" Kazuma's voice was filled with shock as he looked up at what had once been his classmate back in their old school.
"Kazuma?" Ainz murmured, recognizing him. "Looks like I'm not the only one who's gone through some changes," she mused, glancing down at the raccoon in the slightly modified adventurer's outfit that Kazuma had once worn.
Kazuma's eyes traveled upward, lingering on the strange red halo above Ainz's head. "What happened to you? How did you… you know… how did you end up... like this?" He struggled to find words, glancing away awkwardly. "I mean, as a student?"
Ainz -or rather, Suzuki Satoru- gave a small sigh. "I could ask you the same, but I doubt either of us has any real answers." She extended her hand to help Kazuma up. "And call me Suzuki Satoru from now on."
Kazuma took her hand and, with a slight pull, got to his feet. He blinked at her in surprise. "Suzuki Satoru? Was that your name before the whole 'isekai' thing?" He eyed the girl who had once been the fearsome undead Overlord.
"Any problem with that?" Satoru raised an eyebrow, clearly curious about his reaction.
"N-No, it's just... so ordinary. I mean, I never expected the big evil skeleton overlord to have such a normal name. And, well, I didn't expect him to turn into a little girl either." He glanced at the golden autocannon strapped across her back. "Guess that's my mistake. But... why the change?"
"It's a long story," she replied with a sigh. "Let's just say... I didn't exactly have much of a choice on the matter."
Kazuma shrugged. "If you say so." He glanced around, scanning the area. "Are you here alone?" He sounded genuinely surprised to see her standing there without her usual entourage.
"Yes, some of the Guardians were assigned to different schools and others are not students. They wanted to send someone to stay with me, but... I needed some space after "this"." She rubbed the back of her head, seeming almost embarrassed of her situation.
Kazuma snickered. "Must be nice to have some time to yourself. The girls all ended up at the same school with me."
Satoru gave him a wry smile. "Well, that's lucky for you. You just need to keep an eye on a single place."
Kazuma groaned, rolling his eyes. "Me? Lucky? That's rich."
Their conversation was cut short as Satoru's gaze shifted to the distance. A plume of smoke rose from the direction of Abydos School, and her expression turned serious. She glanced down at Kazuma, who had taken cover behind her. "Do you have any idea what's going on over there?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"Oh, I nearly forgot! Ain… sorry, I mean, Satoru, we need your help! Something's attacking the school, and…" Kazuma pointed urgently toward the rising smoke.
"Hold on, slow down a bit," Satoru said calmly, her eyes narrowed at the distant smoke. "You can explain everything on the way." Without hesitation, she took off in a sprint.
"WAIT!" Kazuma yelled, making Satoru stop and turn back. "I… I can't run, you know." He gestured down to his short, stubby legs with a hint of frustration.
"Right, of course." Satoru chuckled softly, returning to him. She leaned down, scooped him up effortlessly with one arm, and secured him onto her back. "Hold on tight. I'd hate for you to get hurt because of my speed," she added, a rare smile breaking through her usually stoic demeanor. "And… it's good to know I'm not alone."
Kazuma blinked, surprised. "Didn't think I'd ever see you smile," he murmured, noticing Satoru's cheeks flush slightly as she turned her gaze forward. 'What's this hard thing on her back?' he wondered, feeling something moving ever so slightly and pressing against him as they picked up speed.
"It's been a while since I've felt this way," Satoru admitted, her tone softer than before. "And I don't have that old 'poker face' anymore." She took a steadying breath, shaking off the momentary vulnerability. "Now then, what's the situation?"
"Oh, right! The school's under attack. Something big and strong enough to smash through anything in its way. I didn't get a good look at it, but I easily see what it could do with the buildings on its path." Kazuma's voice carried a mix of concern and frustration as he described the scene to the best of his ability.
"This isn't good. I have been in this city for very little time but I didn't expect such a thing to exist in this place," Satoru muttered, her brows knitting as she weighed her options. She could feel the familiar itch of anxiety creeping in, yet she forced herself to push it aside. "Any more details?"
"Not really, sorry," Kazuma admitted, sounding genuinely apologetic. "I would have tried to learn more but this current state didn't let me."
Satoru glanced over her shoulder, nodding in understanding. "You don't need to worry, Kazuma. A little more intel would have been helpful, but I can make it work with you around." Her grip on the autocannon tightened, her fingers flexing around the weapon's cool metal. She threw a small grin his way, trying to lift his spirits. "You know, you're a lot more capable than most would give you credit for."
Kazuma snorted, though he couldn't help the small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Well, if you say so. Just… don't drop me, okay?"
With a nod and a firm grip on her weapon, Satoru sped toward the smoke, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead.
"You don't have a problem with this?" Kazuma suddenly asked, breaking the silence as Satoru carried him. The two still had some distance to cover before reaching the school.
"Huh?" Satoru glanced over her shoulder briefly, her face a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean, you got turned into a little girl, after all. Doesn't that feel... weird to you?" Kazuma clarified his tone somewhere between casual curiosity and genuine concern.
Satoru chuckled softly, her steps steady as she weaved through the desolate streets. "Not really. I spent over a year stuck in the body of an undead. Compared to that, getting used to being alive again is way more challenging than my appearance." Her voice carried a calm pragmatism, but her eyes stayed sharp, scanning for any signs of danger around them.
"Yeah, okay, that... actually makes sense," Kazuma admitted, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. The thought of experiencing the world as a skeleton was baffling to him, especially when it came to sensations. "I can't imagine what that must've been like."
"Even now, after shrinking down so much, you're still as reliable as ever, huh?" Kazuma remarked, glancing at Satoru. The once towering undead was now about the same height as Tanya, yet still carried Kazuma with ease.
Satoru's face flushed a deep shade of red, her composure slipping. She spun around, glaring at him with flustered intensity. "S-Stop praising me like that! It's embarrassing!" she shouted, her voice a mix of indignation and embarrassment. 'If this is enough for me to get this emotional it will be impossible for me to interact with the guardians.'
Kazuma chuckled, finding her reaction both amusing and endearing.
"Are we still far from the school?" Satoru asked, cutting through his musings.
"No, we're getting pretty close," Kazuma replied, glancing at the streets as they zipped past. He frowned down at his stubby legs. "Did it seriously take me that long just to cover a few blocks? I hate these stupid little legs. Turn left at the next street."
Satoru followed his directions, her boots hitting the pavement with rhythmic precision. Her gaze wandered over the empty surroundings. "This place is so deserted. Did everyone evacuate to somewhere safe before the attack?"
Kazuma shook his head. "No, it's always like this. Abydos is... well, not exactly thriving."
Satoru's expression darkened as she glanced at the boarded-up windows and crumbling infrastructure. "I'd heard this district was struggling, but I didn't expect it to be this bad."
Kazuma let out a small sigh. "Yeah, it's not great. What about Gehenna? What's it like over there?"
Satoru smirked faintly at the question. "If I had to sum it up in one word? 'Chaotic.'"
"Come on, it can't be that bad," Kazuma replied skeptically.
Satoru snorted. "If anything, I'm underplaying it. Even when I stayed under the radar, it felt like every corner had at least five groups fighting each other. Constant chaos, no matter where you went."
"Damn," Kazuma muttered, eyes widening. "Guess I should count my blessings here, then. Oh, take the next left and then a right. The school's just up ahead."
"Got it," Satoru replied, adjusting her grip on Kazuma as she sprinted forward, her sharp gaze locking on the rising smoke in the distance.
As the duo approached the school, the sounds of gunfire and explosions grew deafening, each blast rattling the air with increasing intensity. The acrid scent of gunpowder and smoke drifted toward them, adding to the urgency of the moment.
"This firepower... is it the students defending the school?" Satoru asked, her voice steady but tinged with curiosity.
Kazuma shook his head. "No way. They are tough but they don't have the firepower to cause this kind of chaos. It's got to be the attacker."
Satoru's eyes narrowed as they neared the last corner. A blinding light illuminated the street ahead, its intensity pulsing like an ominous warning. "Kazuma, get ready. Stay behind me." Her voice was firm as she hefted her weapon, its weight familiar in her hands. "I'm going in on the offensive."
With a powerful leap, Satoru rounded the corner, her autocannon aimed and ready.
As they entered the chaotic battlefield, their eyes scanned the scene in an instant. The source of the destruction dominated their view, a massive war machine, its sheer size and presence overwhelming.
Kazuma froze, his mind racing. 'No… it can't be. The Destroyer? What's it doing here?' His gaze darted over the mechanical monstrosity. It was unmistakably the same walking fortress he had faced twice before, but it was different now. Its metallic frame gleamed in pristine white, and above it hovered a glowing halo that pulsed with an otherworldly light. 'Why is it white? And why does it have a halo?'
Satoru, however, didn't have the luxury of speculation. The Destroyer's glowing face was charging with energy, the light growing brighter with each second. She reacted instantly, swinging her autocannon into position and pulling the trigger. The weapon roared to life with a localized explosion inside its barrel, propelling the projectile forward at incredible speed. The force of the recoil threw her off balance, almost causing her to fall.
Kazuma, quick on his feet despite his small form, jumped off Satoru's back just in time. He landed awkwardly but managed to stand on his own, giving her room to recover.
The explosive shell hurtled through the air, colliding with its target in a deafening blast. The Destroyer staggered, momentarily stunned, as smoke and debris billowed from the impact.
Satoru steadied herself, her sharp gaze locking onto the battlefield ahead. "It looks like I managed to get here just in time," Kazuma muttered, his eyes now drawn to the students of Abydos, who had taken cover further down the street. Among them stood their Sensei, rallying them with quick commands.
"Kazuma?!" A familiar voice rang out, sharp with disbelief. Aqua stepped forward, her wide eyes locking onto the raccoon. Her gaze then shifted to the girl standing beside him. It took her a long moment to process the newcomer's identity, but as her eyes settled on the robes and the skeletal hands peeking out, realization dawned. "Ainz?!" she exclaimed, her jaw dropping in shock.
Satoru turned, surprised by the outburst, but didn't have time to respond before another voice joined in.
"You know this person, Aqua?" Ayane asked, stepping closer. Her gaze flickered between Kazuma and the robed girl beside him. The Foreclosure Task Force members and Sensei gathered around, curiosity etched on their faces. "Is she someone important?" Ayane's tone was laced with intrigue, her eyes lingering on Satoru's robes, a rare and notable outfit for a student outside of ceremonial occasions.
Aqua pointed a trembling finger at Satoru. "Of course, I know her! That's Ainz!" She paused, her expression twisting into confusion. "But why does she look like that? And what's she doing here of all places, that foul un…?" Before she could continue she was cut short by another explosion caused by Satoru's weapon.
Satoru sighed, tightening her grip on her weapon as her eyes flicked back to the Destroyer. "My name is Suzuki Satoru. Also, Aqua I'd love to catch up, but we've got bigger problems to deal with right now," she said sharply as she sprinted toward the frontline. The glow on the war machine's face was beginning to build again, signaling that the battle was far from over.
As she rushed forward, she gripped her autocannon tightly and pressed the trigger repeatedly, each shot roaring as it tore through the air. The shells exploded against the Destroyer's frame, holding it at bay for the moment.
"Focus your fire!" Sensei's voice rang out from behind the cover of rubble. "Aim for the side where the grenades detonated earlier. That section of the armor is weaker!" The Abydos students nodded and quickly adjusted their aim.
"Kazuma!" a familiar voice called out amidst the gunfire. It was Megumin, her crimson eyes peeking out from behind her massive weapon, pinned beneath its unwieldy weight. "If you're here, can you please help me?"
Kazuma turned toward her, an exasperated sigh escaping his lips. "You've already managed to get stuck again?"
"Yes," Megumin replied, her tone flat and apathetic to her situation.
"Fine," Kazuma grumbled, scurrying over to help free her as the battle raged on.
Meanwhile, the students poured firepower into the Destroyer, their combined efforts visibly straining the war machine. It groaned under the constant barrage, its movements growing more erratic. In desperation, the machine's massive legs began stomping wildly, each impact cracking the ground beneath it in a thunderous quake. The students scrambled, narrowly dodging the destructive blows, their quick reflexes keeping them just ahead of danger.
"Keep going! Don't let it gain any ground!" Sensei urged, his voice firm as the girls pressed their assault.
"Take this, you hunk of junk!" Aqua shouted, her face twisted in determination as she unleashed spell after spell. "I will never lose to something an undead brought into this world!"
"You're annoying me. Because of you, I have lost a part-time job that would pay well." Serika followed suit as she looked at the giant machine.
The Destroyer's efforts grew increasingly frantic. It began thrashing wildly, smashing its colossal body against the nearby buildings. Walls crumbled, and debris rained down, the sound of destruction deafening. A massive boulder, dislodged from the chaos, plummeted toward Satoru.
Caught mid-fire, Satoru realized too late that she couldn't dodge. Her focus was locked on suppressing the Destroyer's main weapon. "Shit!" she hissed, raising her arms instinctively as the shadow of the falling rock loomed over her. She braced for impact, closing her eyes tightly, but the impact never came.
When she dared to open her eyes, she saw a pink-haired girl standing firmly in front of her, shield raised high. The massive boulder had splintered against the shield's surface, shards of stone scattering harmlessly to the sides. Satoru blinked, stunned.
Hoshino lowered her shield slightly, her determined eyes meeting Satoru's. "Don't worry. I've got you covered, young girl." She flashed a confident grin before turning her gaze back toward the Destroyer. "Now, let's finish this thing. So I can rest those old bones."
At another corner of the battlefield, Kazuma crouched behind cover, finally managing to help Megumin back to her feet. His sharp eyes tracked the desperate, erratic movements of the giant war machine as it wreaked havoc around them.
'Come on, Kazuma, you've taken this thing down twice before. There's got to be a way to do it again.' As he studied the Destroyer's movements, something caught his attention. He leaned forward, narrowing his gaze. "Whenever the Destroyer stomps with its middle legs, it slides them to the side before lifting them again," he muttered to himself, the gears in his mind turning as he processed the observation. "If I get the ground slippery could he fall by mistake? That is crazy enough that it might work."
"Kazuma, what are you planning?" Megumin asked as she dusted herself off.
"I need you to come with me," Kazuma replied, motioning for her to follow.
Her crimson eyes narrowed with suspicion. "What are you up to this time?"
"I need cleaning supplies. Specifically anything with oil. I'm sure I've got some in my room."
Megumin hesitated. "About that…"
Kazuma raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
"You'll see," she muttered evasively, avoiding his gaze.
Kazuma groaned but waved her along. "Fine, just come on." The two moved cautiously from cover to cover, staying out of sight as they made their way toward the dormitory.
Meanwhile, the battle continued to rage.
"Serika, I'm out of bullets!" Nonomi called out, her minigun whirring uselessly as it ran dry.
"I'm running low too," Serika replied, her tone tense as she glanced toward Shiroko. "Shiroko, how much ammo do you have left?"
Shiroko checked her remaining rounds, her expression grim. "Just one more to go."
Serika cursed under her breath. "Great. Just great."
Aqua's voice cut through the noise, her frustration evident. "Aaaaah! Why do the problems always pile up at the worst possible time?"
"Calm down, I'm sure we will be able to find a way to turn this around," Sensei said as he tried to calm his students but he himself felt some pressure over the situation.
Despite the mounting challenges, the students held their positions, their determination still strong as they prepared for whatever came next.
"Why is my room destroyed?!" Kazuma shouted as he saw the destroyed janitor's room.
"The Destroyer fired its main cannon here," Megumin replied flatly, gesturing toward the scorched walls and shattered furniture.
Kazuma let out a frustrated groan, running a hand through his hair. "Of course. Just my luck, huh?" he muttered to himself.
As he took a cautious step forward, his foot hit something solid. He glanced down and froze. Lying amidst the rubble were three intact bottles of exactly what he had been looking for. A spark of relief crossed his face.
"Well, at least the plan's still on," he said, picking up the bottles and holding them tightly. "Let's get back there and I will explain what we are going to do."
The situation was looking increasingly dire. The students' ammunition supplies were nearly depleted, and the relentless assault of the Destroyer showed no signs of slowing. The air was thick with tension and the acrid smell of smoke.
"Ainz, you've got to bring that thing down fast!" Aqua shouted, her voice frantic.
"It's Satoru! And I'm trying!" she snapped back, her tone strained as she fired another round from her weapon, the recoil vibrating through her arms. 'This is tougher than I expected.'
Amidst the chaos, a voice called out. "Mr. Kazuma? Megumin?" Ayane shouted as she saw the raccoon and the students making their way under the giant war machine.
"Kazuma, what are you planning to do?!" Darkness yelled as she got herself ready to rush to their position.
"Megumin, pour as much oil as you can under its feet!" Kazuma commanded, uncorking his bottles of cleaning products and hurling the contents onto the ground. Megumin followed suit, splashing the liquid liberally across the battlefield. The ground beneath the Destroyer's legs became a slick, shimmering puddle of oil.
"Hopefully, this will put an end to this mess!" Kazuma muttered, his voice filled with a mix of desperation and determination. "Hopefully."
As the Destroyer's massive foot descended, it landed squarely on the oily surface. The machine's weight and unsteady footing caused its leg to slide awkwardly. "Satoru, shoot its leg! Now!" Kazuma shouted, pointing to the vulnerable limb.
Satoru reacted instantly, pulling the trigger of her autocannon. The explosive rounds rocketed toward the machine's leg, detonating on impact. Though not strong enough to cause any massive damage to the limb outright, the force of the explosions, combined with the slippery surface, caused the Destroyer to falter. Its weight shifted, and the colossal machine began to tip.
As the Destroyer started to fall, the students sprang into action.
Hoshino jumped forward and with Iron Horus raised she protected the rest of the Foreclosure Task Force, Aqua and Sensei.
Meanwhile, Darkness and Satoru rushed forward, directly toward the collapsing giant. Without hesitation, the two positioned themselves between Megumin and Kazuma and the falling machine, bracing for impact.
From Satoru's back, a pair of sickly, leathery bat-like wings unfolded, emerging from beneath her long hair. She wrapped them around herself and Darkness, reinforcing their defense as debris rained down.
The Destroyer hit the ground with an earth-shaking crash, sending up a massive cloud of smoke and dust. Its heavy body smashed into the ground, and its already damaged armor buckled under its own weight. The head of the war machine was crushed upon impact, finally bringing its rampage to an end.
"Is everyone alright?" Sensei called out, his voice tinged with panic as he scanned the chaotic battlefield, searching for signs of life.
"We're fine!" Kazuma shouted back, his words broken by a fit of coughing as he waved the dust from his face.
Miraculously, the group emerged unscathed from the devastating impact. By sheer luck, the one area they stood in was left untouched by the Destroyer's massive frame as it came crashing down.
Chunks of metal and debris had fallen perilously close, but none struck their precarious cover. The thunderous impact rattled the ground beneath them, sending tremors rippling through their bodies, but they remained unharmed.
Darkness slowly rose as her body shook uncontrollably, her breathing heavy but steady as she glanced around her. "So close," she murmured as she saw all the debris around.
"Pervert," Kazuma said, his voice laced with a mixture of disappointment and disgust as he stared at Darkness.
Satoru unfurled her wings, letting them fold back beneath her hair as she straightened up. Her sharp eyes scanned the wreckage, ensuring the immediate threat had truly passed. The colossal machine lay in a crumpled heap, its head smashed and its once-imposing body now a motionless ruin.
The group exchanged relieved glances, their tense expressions softening ever so slightly. While exhaustion weighed heavily on them, the realization that they had survived filled the air with a palpable sense of relief.
"Thank goodness," Sensei sighed in relief, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.
"It's done, isn't it?" Satoru asked, her voice quieter now as she finally allowed herself to relax. The adrenaline that had been coursing through her veins began to fade. She clutched her arm tightly against her body, wincing at the lingering pain caused by the extreme recoil of her weapon.
"Let's keep watching a bit longer. We can't be sure it won't stand up again," Aqua said fearfully as she knew well how much of a beating this machine could take.
"Again?" Satoru asked, a hint of unease in her voice.
Everyone fell silent, their eyes fixed on the crumpled machine. The tension in the air was palpable as they waited for any sign of movement from the Destroyer. But the war machine remained lifeless, its colossal frame utterly still.
Finally, Aqua broke the silence with a deep exhale, the tension visibly draining from her body. "It's finally over," she murmured, relief flooding her voice as the calming quiet enveloped their surroundings.
From the distance, Satoru raised a thumbs-up, her skeletal hand catching the light. "Great job, Kazuma!" she called out, her voice carrying a rare note of enthusiasm.
"Mr. Kazuma did it!"
"Good job, Mr. Kazuma and Megumin!" others chimed in praising their deed.
Kazuma and Megumin exchanged a glance, their faces flushing as the compliments poured in. Though they were pleased, the sudden attention left them feeling awkward and exposed.
Darkness, however, turned her attention to Satoru, her curiosity piqued. "Hey, Kazuma, how did you end up finding Ainz?" she asked, her gaze shifting to the figure that had once been the fearsome undead Overlord.
"For the last time, it's Suzuki Satoru," Satoru interjected firmly, a hint of irritation in her voice as she corrected Darkness, determined to keep her new identity clear.
"Did you know each other?" Ayane asked, her tone tinged with curiosity as she stepped forward, her eyes studying the outsider student with growing interest.
Serika tilted her head slightly, squinting at Satoru's unusual attire. "What kind of fancy clothes are those, Nonomi?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine wonder.
"I'm not sure," Nonomi replied, adjusting her glasses as she observed the intricate designs of Satoru's robes. "They look like something out of an ancient era, maybe ceremonial?"
Serika was even more curious as she saw a little emblem of the academy almost hidden in a shirt under Satoru's robe. "Why would a rich kid even think about joining Gehenna, of all places?"
"Maybe she's in her rebellious phase," Hoshino answered with a shrug, scratching the back of her head as if the whole situation was just another oddity in her day. Her nonchalant expression did little to mask the faint amusement glinting in her eyes. "That is maybe why she is having a name problem with the others."
Satoru, meanwhile, remained composed, her gaze flicking between the students as if analyzing their remarks, though her lips twitched faintly at Hoshino's offhand comment.
"Yes, we used to study in the same class before coming to this city," Satoru explained, brushing dust off her robes as she adjusted her hair, trying to regain some semblance of composure.
"Wait, you're an outsider too?" Serika asked, narrowing her eyes with suspicion. Her posture tensed slightly as she tried to process this new revelation.
Before Satoru could answer, Kazuma stepped in. "Aqua, Megumin, Darkness, come with me for a bit," he said, grabbing Aqua and Megumin by their wrists and nudging Darkness with his elbow to follow. "Satoru wanted to talk to you."
"Why would I waste my time talking to a filthy un—ouch!" Aqua started but was promptly silenced by Kazuma's glare, her protest cut short as she rubbed the arm he had lightly pinched.
"It'll be quick, I promise," Kazuma assured the others, dragging the reluctant Aqua along.
Satoru turned to the Foreclosure Task Force and Sensei, bowing her head respectfully. "I'm sorry for the trouble, but this is a personal matter I need to discuss with them. Thank you for understanding."
Ayane smiled warmly, shaking her head. "There's no need to apologize. You helped us save the school. If anything, we should be asking for your forgiveness for getting you involved in all this."
Satoru's lips curved into a faint, grateful smile. "Thank you." She straightened herself and walked away, following Kazuma and the others toward the school grounds. Her movements were purposeful, though there was an undeniable tension in her shoulders, hinting at the weight of whatever conversation lay ahead.
The group moved deeper into Abydos Academy. Though the school had largely survived the attack mostly intact, a thick layer of dust covered everything, from top to bottom.
They continued until they reached a quiet, secluded corridor, ensuring they were far from anyone who could hear them.
Satoru glared at the small raccoon in front of her. "Kazuma, who is that man? You didn't explain anything about him." Her voice was calm, but her furrowed brow revealed her curiosity and concern.
Kazuma scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Ah, right… I forgot to tell you about Sensei. My bad. He's, uh… well, from what I've seen, he's the luckiest guy alive. Pretty sure he's the only human male in this entire place, and I think the most powerful political figure too."
Satoru crossed her arms and sighed. "So we just rolled bad RNG, huh? What a mess."
Megumin, who had been silently observing, suddenly stepped forward. "Ainz, what happened to you?" she asked, cutting through the conversation with urgency.
Satoru glanced at her, her red eyes reflecting a hint of weariness. "You're the second person to ask me that today. I have a feeling it's a question I'll hear a lot from now on." She took a deep breath before continuing. "Truth is, I don't know. When I woke up in this world, I was on a train, and I was already like this. No explanation, no warning, just this." She concluded as she pointed to her own body.
"Kufufu," Aqua chuckled smugly, folding her arms as she stared down at Satoru's smaller frame. A mischievous grin spread across her face, her tone dripping with mockery. "The great, powerful undead Overlord is now smaller than me! Truly, how the tables have turned."
She leaned in slightly, her grin widening. "From what I can see, while you still have some traits of an undead, you're not one anymore. How fortunate for me! At least now, I won't feel compelled to purify your very existence every time we meet." Aqua laughed, clearly reveling in her perceived victory.
Satoru's golden eyes narrowed, her piercing gaze cutting straight through Aqua. It was a look the goddess immediately recognized. It was a cold glare, one that reminded her all too vividly of Tanya's expression. Aqua stiffened, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. "S-Sorry! I won't repeat that," she stammered, quickly averting her eyes.
Darkness stepped forward next, her gaze steady. "May I ask why you keep insisting we call you Suzuki Satoru?"
Satoru gave a small nod. "The simplest explanation is that it's the name on my ID. Also, calling me Ainz Ooal Gown here would draw far too much attention, wouldn't it? I'd rather avoid unnecessary complications."
"Well, those are definitely going to draw attention too," Megumin said, pointing at Satoru's skeletal hands.
Satoru sighed, lifting one of her hands to examine it. The exposed bone gleamed faintly, its eerie appearance contrasting sharply with the rest of her living form. "Yeah, I know," she admitted. "I'll need a pair of gloves to cover them up. They're not exactly subtle."
Her voice grew firm as she turned back to the group, her golden eyes meeting theirs. "Still, from now on, call me Suzuki Satoru. It's more convenient, and I'd prefer to avoid unnecessary confusion."
"With that settled, I have a question," Kazuma said, turning his gaze toward Ainz.
"What is it?" Ainz replied, his tone calm but curious.
"Do you happen to have a spare house? Mine just got blown to bits." Kazuma's voice carried a mix of frustration and resignation.
Ainz shook his head. "Sorry, but I only have a place that's just big enough for one person."
Kazuma sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping. "Why is my luck always like this?" he muttered, fighting the urge to break down.
"Perhaps you could look for a job," Ainz suggested thoughtfully. "This city seems to have plenty of opportunities for someone with your particular set of skills."
Kazuma's mood brightened slightly. "You know, I think you're right," he said, perking up a little. "But that still doesn't solve the problem of where I'm going to stay."
"Why don't you talk to Sensei? He looks like a cool guy," Ainz proposed. "He might be able to help you find a temporary place until you can get back on your feet."
Kazuma nodded slowly, considering the suggestion. "Yeah, that could work. I might even be able to find anyone else from the old school while at it."
"Also, I have a question," Satoru said, as she glared at the others with eyes filled with seriousness. "Have any of you mentioned the Destroyer to the students here?"
"No, why?" Megumin asked, her crimson eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion.
"I think it's better if we keep it that way," Satoru replied, his tone measured but firm.
"Huh? Why would that be better?" Darkness cut in, her expression puzzled. "Wouldn't it make more sense to talk to them about the Destroyer and everything else that's happened? They might be able to help."
"I see where Satoru's coming from," Kazuma said, leaning back with a weary sigh. "We're in a pretty bad spot right now."
"Kazuma, what do you mean by that?" Aqua asked, tilting her head with a frown.
"To put it simply," Kazuma explained, folding his arms, "if word spreads, people in the city might decide we know too much. They could try to capture us and force us to spill everything we know about the Destroyer and that's the last thing we need."
"While the students at this school and Sensei seem trustworthy enough, I believe there are plenty of others out there who wouldn't be as kind," Satoru said, her tone steady but tinged with caution as she remembered of the group of criminals back on Gehenna that had kidnapped a student. She paused for a moment, her gaze sweeping across the group as if to measure their reactions.
"If you feel it's necessary to tell them, I won't stop you," she continued, her voice softening. "I just ask that all of you stay vigilant. The world isn't as forgiving as this place, and I don't want any of us getting hurt because we let our guard down."
A heavy silence fell over the group as the weight of his words sank in. The idea of being hunted for their knowledge was an unsettling prospect, one that none of them wanted to face.
"So, what should we do for now, Satoru?" Kazuma asked, glancing toward the student.
"For now," Satoru began, her expression thoughtful, "I want to establish contact with the others as quickly as possible. With both of our groups here, I have no doubt that Tanya, Subaru, and their teams will show up sooner or later." He paused, crossing her arms as a hint of frustration crept into her voice. "But figuring out how to accomplish that... Well, that's an entirely different challenge."
Kazuma frowned, nodding slowly as he followed Satoru's line of thought. The task of reaching out seemed daunting in an unfamiliar world.
Before the conversation could continue, a shout rang out from outside.
"Everybody, come here fast!" Ayane's urgent voice called from beyond the school walls.
Without hesitation, the group sprang into action, rushing outside to see what had happened.
As the group stepped outside, their eyes were drawn to thin trails of smoke rising in the distance. The lines of smoke twisted and coiled, growing thicker and closer with each passing moment.
"Come on, that's just unfair," Aqua groaned, already sensing another problem barreling toward them.
"This day can't get any worse," Serika muttered under her breath.
Before anyone could respond, the ground beneath their feet trembled violently. Dust and small debris scattered as the tremors intensified.
Suddenly, the earth ahead of them erupted in an explosion of dirt and rock. From the crater emerged a massive, white serpentine machine, its metallic body gleaming ominously in the dim light. Shaped like a colossal snake, it moved with unnerving speed, its segmented form slithering across the ground with mechanical precision.
The machine ignored the group entirely, its glowing red eyes fixed on its true target, the wrecked Destroyer. Without hesitation, it lunged forward, its powerful jaws clamping down on the defeated war machine. The snake-like construct coiled tightly around the Destroyer, dragging it with relentless force toward the desert beyond.
The group could only watch in stunned silence as the monstrous machine disappeared into the horizon, leaving behind a trail of destruction and a cloud of dust in its wake.
"It came for the Destroyer," Kazuma muttered, his gaze fixed on the massive machine retreating into the desert, its hulking form kicking up clouds of sand as it disappeared over the horizon.
"Destroyer?" Ayane echoed, tilting her head confused as to why Kazuma said that name.
"Huh... it's a fitting name for that monstrosity," Kazuma replied, carefully masking how much he actually knew about the giant war machine.
"Fair enough," Serika said, crossing her arms as she stepped forward. "But why did it come here in the first place?"
"Probably to rescue it," Sensei chimed in, his expression thoughtful as he watched the receding machine. "This won't be the last time we encounter that thing, I'm sure of it."
"Well, I guess my work here is finally done," Satoru said, stretching her arms behind her head with a relaxed smile. "I think I'll head back to Gehenna."
"Already leaving?" Sensei asked, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at the Gehenna student. "Why not stick around a little longer? Come with us for some ramen. It's going to be fun."
"When did we decide that?" Aqua asked, blinking in surprise.
"While you were busy chatting," Nonomi chimed in with a cheerful smile. "We figured we'd pay Master Shiba a visit and grab some ramen while we're at it."
"Would it really be okay if I joined?" Satoru asked hesitantly, her gaze flicking between them. "I wouldn't want to intrude or get in the way of anything important."
"It's perfectly fine," Sensei assured her warmly. "I always enjoy seeing my students happy and spending time together. It'd be a treat to have you join us."
"If you're sure," Satoru said, a faint blush rising to her cheeks as she gave a small, appreciative smile.
The general of the Kaiser PMC slammed his fist against the table, the force rattling the scattered documents and empty coffee cups. If his face was capable of showing emotion it would have been twisted in rage as he stared at the monitors showing the war machines retreating into the desert, their massive forms disappearing into the hazy horizon.
"Why is it always those damn Schale and Gehenna people swooping in to save those brats at the last second?" he growled, his voice dripping with frustration. His knuckles turned white as he smashed his fist against the table again, leaving a faint crack on its surface.
"If it weren't for them," he muttered bitterly through clenched teeth, "I'd finally secure that promotion I deserve."
His fury simmered as he glared at the screen, his mind racing with thoughts of vengeance and resentment against the forces that kept undermining his plans, but he knew a chance like this would never come again.
"Kihehehehe." A menacing laugh echoed through the dimly lit room as a video of the battlefield in Abydos played on the screen. The chaotic sounds of gunfire and clashing forces filled the air, a constant backdrop to the grim spectacle.
The figure watching the video leaned forward, as she patted the cat siding on her lap. Just as the image of a girl unfurling a pair of bat-like wings filled the screen, they paused the video, freezing the moment in eerie clarity.
"Iroha," She said, her voice laced with dark excitement as she looked at the red haired girl besides her. "I have conceived an idea most ingenious."
Hello again, sorry for the delay. This chapter turned out to be longer than I expected, and it's still missing some parts I wanted to explore in more depth. For instance, I wanted Satoru to have more friendly interactions with the Konosuba team, but due to the plot, and more importantly, pacing, I had to put that on hold. Fear not, though! I plan to delve into that in a shorter (hopefully) omoke featuring them together at Master Shiba's restaurant.
The next chapter will be a standalone omake showcasing the first moments of each group arriving in Kivotos, followed by a chapter focused on Subaru, Rem, and Ram.
I was hoping to post the next chapter at the beginning of the month, but I can't make any promises since I have a lot of exams coming up next week. Wish me luck!