Chapter 47: Kingdom Fall

Days had passed since news reached the Holy Queen of the invasion in the east. The wall had been breached, and thousands of demi-humans flooded into the Holy Roble Kingdom.

But they were not the perpetrator. A new unknown power was behind the destruction of the wall and the attack on one of their cities, Rimun.

And they wielded flying ships—an unheard-of technology. Their soldiers were grotesque beings: brain-like creatures skittering across the battlefield, towering giants with tentacle beards looming over all. A nightmarish sight for any beholders.
"I never expected that this place would turn into a battlefield..."
The Holy Queen, Calca Bessarez, sighed heavily, her silver diadem glinting in the candlelight.

"The walls of Kalinsha are tall and robust. I believe we could make a good stand against both the demi-human forces and this new mysterious enemy commanding them. I've doubled the number of archers stationed along the ramparts to fend off flying enemies along our walls." The Grandmaster of the Paladin Order, Remedios Custodio, declared with a proud chin.

Calca could only smile as she saw her friends resolve to fight the incoming invaders. While she was impulsive, Remedios had always been steadfast in her duty.

"I still wonder why they decided to invade on foot if they have flying ships." Kelart Custodio, sister to Remedios, mused. "They must have a reason for that."

"Simple. They got more troops this way. Recruiting those filthy demi-humans was a way for them to expand their army." Remedios crossed her arms as she thought her solution to be right.

"That may be. But it would indicate a weakness our enemy possesses. While they have flying ships, their ability to carry troops must be limited. The reports from Rimun stated that the enemy had no more than 100 troops, most of them being these "brain" creatures. This must mean their ships are limited to that number, so let's put 50 more on that. So all in all, 150 members, crew included." Kelart surmised.

"Your intellect is fearsome as ever, Kelart." Calca nodded approvingly, gaining a grin from the Custodio sister. "I am glad you are by my side in these dire times."

"Let's not forget the reports about the giant worm they used to destroy the fortress." Remedios remembered what the scout had described them. The earth split apart as it moved forward. And wherever it went, earthquake followed.

"We could use magic against it. I wonder if it has some weak point we could exploit." Kelart suggested. "Also, we still don't know if divine magic works against these abominations."

"I believe a powerful strike would be able to fell this beast. If I could get close to it, I may kill it." Remedios stated without fear, as if fighting against a giant monstrosity was nothing extraordinary and dangerous.

"There are easier methods of slaying such a creature. We could use our angels to pour oil over it, then bombard it with fireballs." Kelart thought of a clever solution. While they could use the angels as simple soldiers, utilizing their flight could be a clever way of dropping bombs and liquids over their enemies.

"Whatever the case, I doubt we will be able to defeat that thing outside of the city walls. The moment it shows itself to breach into Kalinsha, we must be prepared to attack it!" Remedios clenched her fist in a symbolic gesture.

"We must not forget about the demi-humans. I still hope for more support from the South, but that may not happen." Calca's voice was not filled with hatred, but regret that she could not have made relationships with the South better in her reign.

"We must defend ourselves without them for now. The North has enough soldiers. We must simply utilize them well." Remedios spoke.

"Still no word from the Theocracy? They must be occupied with the new kingdom rising in the north." As expected, Remedios seemed to growl at Kelarts words.

"I cannot believe they let an undead create his kingdom and rule over lands previously owned by Re-Estize! I can't even imagine the thought of that happening to us!" Remedios went on a rampage as her hatred for the undead was made visible.

"I would not be prone to judge that quickly." Calca replied, calming the storm that was her Grandmaster.

"Forgive me, your Majesty. But you know what I say is true."

"Undead or living, I believe we all serve a purpose in this world." The Holy Queen answered. "We should–"

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and a man entered the room. It was the chief of staff.

"Your Majesty, a merchant from the empire has inquired multiple times to come speak with you. He claims to have information about the giant worm."

"Bring him to us then. Let us see if he speaks the truth." Calca said, and the man nodded, disappearing once more.

"Your Majesty, I would advise against bringing any stranger near you. Kelart and I would suffice to talk with the merchant alone." Remedios protested.

"No, Remedios. As a ruler, I must hear him out myself. I cannot hide behind you two every time someone has to speak with me." Calca said firmly, ending Remedios' paranoia.

The chief of staff returned, opening the door and closing it again. Only to open it a second time. He was a strict man of protocol, not even disregarding them now in war.

There stood a slim elderly man, his back slightly crooked. His grey hair retreated to the back of his head, and a small mustache covered the skin between his lips and nose. Despite his age, he carried himself with the dignity of a seasoned merchant.

His mantle was made of a thick hide, a silver necklace hanging around his neck. One could say he seemed successful in his business.

Then there was his eyes. His eyelids were almost closed, allowing only a fraction of his iris to be visible. Perhaps he was much in the sun and had accustomed himself to keep his eyes relatively closed.

He bore a genuine smile, making a good impression on the three women.

"You are standing in front of the Holy Queen Calca Bessarez, ruler of the Holy Roble Kingdom. State your name!" Remedios shouted.

"No need to be harsh, Remedios. I am sure he would tell us his name even if you hadn't frightened the man." Kelart said in a tone that suggested she was tired of hearing her sister scream all the time.

"Alright, you two, let him speak." Calca stated.

"My name is Bernerd Grevada, your Majesty. I am a humble merchant from the empire and possess information that might aid you in your defense against these invading forces. Once I heard they would come here, I rushed right to your doors." The man's voice was rather calm for the current circumstances. Or perhaps his age allowed him to possess a mind free from concerns.

"What does a merchant from the empire have to do in our kingdom?" Remedios inquired, crossing her arms, her distrust visible in her posture.

"Well, my wife was an adventurer who originally hailed from here. Yet, she passed away recently. I traveled here to bury her ashes in her village, as she wished it. On my return, I stayed in Kalinsha for a while before hearing of the commotion and rumors. And if they are true, I might have knowledge that could help your cause greatly." The man described his journey, which seemed plausible to the three.

"My condolences for your loss. I hope the last weeks were not too harsh with you." The queen spoke in a tone suggesting she felt his pain of losing a loved one. Truly, her compassionate heart knew no bounds.

"Thank you, your Majesty. While it is difficult, I managed to bring myself to come here nonetheless and fulfill her dying wish–"

"Alright! Tell us what is so important you came all the way here!" Remedios' patience seemed to dwindle with every word the man spoke.

"Of course. While I was still in the empire, I witnessed a similar invasion. Hope seemed lost as a giant worm-like creature appeared, devouring whole houses and dozens of men. But, there was one who stood against the abomination, fighting the creature with every fiber of his being. The battle was harsh and long, and in the end, despair seemed to rise among us as our hero was seemingly eaten by the creature, only to cut himself free from its stomach! He had slain it from the inside out and stopped its rampage completely!" The man boasted of whoever he talked about, leaving the three in confusion and hope altogether. But his story suggested there was a way to beat the worm.

"Who is this man you are talking about?" Kelart asked, interested in which person he spoke of.

"Silly me, I forgot to tell his name! He's the new Martial Lord, Momon of Darkness! An adamantite adventurer who became a legend in one day!" The old man continued.

"Momon? Tell us more of him?" Calca's and the sister's interest rose.

"He's clad in dark armor, a red cape that blows elegantly in the wind. His two great swords can cleave through anything! There isn't a soul that doesn't know the name Momon in the empire!"

"Can you tell us where we can find him?"

"Mmh, sadly, he became a subordinate of the Sorcerer King when he conquered E-Rantel. He made a deal with the undead king. He would protect the citizens of E-Rantel for his entry into the Sorcerer King's servants." At the mention of the Sorcerer King, Remedios' expression changed drastically. However, she managed to keep herself composed.

"He is still an adventurer, right? Which means he can act independently." Kelart knew adventurers did not interfere in wars most of the time. They possessed a sense of freedom that soldiers hadn't.

"If an adamantite adventurer can beat that thing, so can I!" Remedios knew she would probably be in the same rank. Now, she had confirmation that someone of her strength could defeat such an aberration. However, she didn't know how comfortable she felt with being eaten by a giant worm.

"Thank you for sharing this with us. I will see to it that you are safely escorted to Prart if you wish to depart." Calca offered.

"I will gladly accept that offer, your Majesty." Bernerd bowed and walked away in a single turn, the doors closed behind him.

"The Sorcerer Kingdom, huh." Kelart repeated, her mouth having a bitter taste.

"Let's forget about them. We have to focus on what's happening right now–"

Remedios stopped as she heard the sound of several quick footsteps nearing their door. She reached for her blade, prepared to cut down any intruder. If it was that old man who was truly an assassin, he must've played the part of an elder quite well.

"Your Majesty!"

It was the chief of staff.

"Has something happened?" Remedios asked of the servant.

"There are sightings of the giant creature approaching, as well as the demi-human army!"

The man lost his footing as the ground beneath them began to shake. As on instinct, Remedios darted to the Holy Queen, pinning her to the ground as she acted as a protective cover.

"It's alright. The earthquake faded." Kelart assured the two.

They rushed for the balcony, seeing a vast dust cloud rising on the horizon.

"Are we sure an adamantite adventurer managed to beat that thing?" Kelart questioned. Perhaps it was a smaller version of it.

"We must rush–" Before Remedios could continue, she could see a shadow looming over her. While it wouldn't be anything of the ordinary, she remembered who their enemies were.

"Get down!" She screamed as she grabbed both Kelart and Calca, jumping back into the castle. A second later, a lightning bolt hit the place they stood at, leaving a scorched balcony behind.

"They're here!"

They looked outside the window, seeing three flying ships hovering above the city. Then, the perpetrator behind the lighting bolt aimed at them. A humanoid-looking creature at first glance. But its skin was a slimy purple, its eyes white and soulless. It was similar to those sketches they had received, with tentacles sprouting from its face.

It wore a dark robe with some armored parts made of weird organic material. Its long, claw-like fingers and two toes instead of one made it more so alien.

"That must be one of their leaders! What spell was that?" Remedios asked as she kept her eyes on the creature hovering in the air.

"That must've been the 3rd Tier spell Lightning! We should retreat. We don't know a thing about these things!"

Before they could move, the wall before them erupted into a boom as a huge opening appeared.

The creature slowly hovered into the large hall, pointing a hand at the three.

Remedios quickly reacted, charging at the aberration without hesitation.

"[Holy Ray]!"

The spell shot forth of Kelarts hands, colliding with the creature at incredible speeds. The spell made contact with the creature, yet it only hit its shoulder, the damage it sustained not being enough to kill it.

"It must have a great magic resistance to defend against Holy Ray!" Kelart noticed.

"Then it will taste the tip of my sword!"

Remedios swung her blade at the floating creature, yet it evaded her strikes through its ability to float around her.

"[Flow Acceleration]!" She sped herself up, which the monster noticed, going out of her range as the chandeliers above him almost scraped his head. But while Remedios attacked it, its sights were on one specific person. It raised its hand, widening Remedios' eyes.

"Your Majesty!" She screamed, but it was too late. A purple ray of energy shot forward, colliding with the Holy Queen with a deafening sound.

Remedios and Kelart could only watch as she screamed in agony, unaware of what kind of spell the creature used on their queen.

She was to collapse, but Kelart quickly managed to get a hold of her.

"My queen! Are you alright!"

No response. While her eyes were wide awake, she did not seem to be conscious at all.

"You will pay for this, you monster!" Remedios screamed out her lungs, yet it was still out of reach.

"[Summon Angel 3rd]!"

Kelart cast, and an Archangel Flame appeared before her.

"Remedios, attack on my signal!"

The angel burst toward the creature, yet instead of attacking it, the angel went for the chandelier above it, cutting it loose.

Before the creature could react, it was buried under the weight, pinning it to the ground.

"Now!"

Remedios ran toward the creature at her full speed.

"[Holy Strike]!"

Her sword glowed in divine energy as it made contact with the creature, causing an explosion that effectively damaged evil creatures. From what she knew, this creature was anything but good.

However, as a hand shot toward Remedios, trying to grab her, she was startled that it had still survived.

'What! It's not evil?'

She was mistaken. The creature seemed a little charred, but the attack was not fatal.

"Use normal attacks!" Remedios heard her sister shout.

"[Flow Acceleration]! [Strong Strike]!"

Before it could escape again, she unleashed a powerful attack on it, cutting into its flesh and through its shoulder. With a cry, she severed its head from its body, killing it for good.

Exhausted, she knelt for a moment before she realized what had happened.

"Calca!"

She ran to Kelart, who still held the Holy Queen in her hands.

"What's her condition?" Remedios asked, but Kelart seemed as oblivious as her.

"I can't say. Whatever spell that was, it acts more like a curse. I tried to heal her, but it didn't work." Kelart confessed. Suddenly, Calca twitched uncontrollably, screams escaping her mouth as if she was in extreme agony.

"Your Majesty!" Remedios quickly went to hold her down, and after a while, her outburst disappeared, only whispers hearable.

"She's trying to tell us something!" Remedios picked up, getting closer to her.

"Go…Sorcerer…Kingdom…"

Remedios immediately understood what she was trying to say, a flash of anger appearing on her face.

"What did she say?" Her sister inquired.

"She wants us to go to the Sorcerer King for aid." She gritted her teeth uttering that name, as if speaking it out loud inflicted physical pain on her.

"Against these odds, I'm not sure we'll survive. It might be the only way for us to defeat these monsters." Kelart glanced at the fallen body of the creature that attacked Calca.

They could hear screams outside, where whole buildings were smashed to dust, the large worm decimating district after district. They could not stay here any longer.

"Fine! We're going to that blasted undead if it has to be!" Remedios hit the ground with her armored fist in anger. "If only anything of this wouldn't have happened!"

Her rage was unstoppable. No queen could put out the bursting inferno which was Remedios. She picked up her sword and went to the slain corpse, only to mutilate it further with her weapon to the point it became a bloody paste of organs and muscles.

"Remedios! Come to your senses! Your queen needs you!" Kelart shouted. Luckily, the paladin had already calmed down a little. "We need to leave this city now!"

"O-Of course!" Remedios went to pick up Calca in her hands as they left the room, heading to the stables.

"We're leaving through the western gate. I don't believe their forces have surrounded us yet. It may be the only path of escape." Kelart suggested.

While Remedios could not bring herself to abandon the people of Kalinsha, she had no choice as she glanced at the fragile form that was her queen.

"I'll try to get as many paladins and soldiers to follow us! We'll live to see another day!"

Every century or so, new forces rose to prominence in this world, powerful enough to impact history for millennia. Yet, without exception, they eventually faded—some crumbling under their weight, others erased by stronger hands. Time was merciless, and even the mightiest were not exempt from its erosion.

However, some defied such fates and survived for hundreds of years, expanding their powers to greater heights through combined efforts. Alone, they might've been eliminated a long time ago. Together, they reached heights unimaginable.

"As expected, my clock accurately predicted another coming of them." A voice, dry as parchment yet laced with satisfaction, echoed through the chamber. Its owner sat at a pristine porcelain table, clad in flowing robes as black as the void. Bandages wrapped around skeletal limbs, and beneath his hood, twin azure flames burned with an insatiable hunger for knowledge.

Across from him, a woman draped entirely in white veils inclined her head slightly. She radiated an almost ethereal glow, her presence commanding despite the obscurity of her form. "I commend your work, Kunivela. While we could've kept count of the years, your little device had spared us such a tedious task."

"Is he like us? The feats he shows do not match the abilities we possess." A third voice chimed in. This time, one could see his face clearly. Two skeletal heads rested atop adamantium-covered shoulders. His body was wrapped in a flowing robe, its dark fabric interwoven with sections of polished black armor. Surprisingly, no one would fit such a robe as it was made specifically for him, possessing six arms.

"We don't know much about beings like him. It could be possible. But I believe his power eclipses anything within our ranks." Kunivela mused, his glowing eyes flickering with curiosity.

"You mean to recruit him?" A sharp, inhuman laugh escaped the veiled woman. "While he is undead, we know nothing about him! He is a conqueror from another world, nothing we should ally ourselves with."

"I must agree with Granz Locker. He is a threat. If we were to meet him, most of the time, he would have the advantage over us. He has armies of Death Knights, Elder Liches, Soul Eaters, and various other undead that we don't even know of. A single misstep and all our research would amount to nothing." The two-headed lich replied.

"You misunderstand me." Kunivela waved his hand dismissively. "I do not mean to expose ourselves to him. No, my plan is something far more… subtle."

"Then do enlighten us." Granz Locker leaned forward, her veils shifting slightly.

"If one of us had the power to defeat That One, we would've done it in an instant. But we do not. Deep Darkness Dragon Lord is simply too powerful, even with all of us combined." Kunivela explained, a faint picture appearing on the other's minds as they caught onto his words.

"You intend to throw our 'leader' after the Sorcerer King and hope for his defeat?" Banezeri's skulls turned slightly, the soft clinking of bone against metal punctuating his words. "You think him foolish enough to take such bait?"

"No, Banezeri. We will orchestrate an elaborate trap leading him to the Sorcerer King. I'm still making the details out, but since he does not typically specialize in dealing with undead, he should have some problems facing Ainz Ooal Gown." Kunivela explained further, his plan seemingly appearing more and more realistic by the minute.

"We must tread carefully. We all know he is quite unpredictable. His experiments are… unsettling. What he is able to do with his Wild Magic is impressive, knowing we provided him knowledge of Tier Magic." Banezeri Anchas murmured..

"Still, he has the pride of a dragon. He cannot go against his nature. If we abuse that, we might be able to convince him to leave his accursed cave."

"I'd rather bring Ainz Ooal Gown to him. But knowing where he is, I doubt the Sorcerer King will ever find his layer without searching for it." Like all other Corpus of the Abyss leaders, Granz Locker knew where their leader was located. It was not a place one could reach on foot. Most mortal races would not even survive the journey there.

"Perhaps we should discuss this with the other members present. Maybe we might find a solution to getting That One to fight the Sorcerer King." Banezeri proposed, getting nods from his fellow Night Liches.

"Then we'll meet again at the Crimson-Eyed Duke's residence. He won't know our location there." Granz Locker suggested. "If that is all, I'd depart to more important matters." She disappeared, leaving an empty seat behind.

Banezeri watched as Kunivela did the same, prompting him to vanish as well.

The world shifted. Obsidian walls melted away, replaced by the dim glow of torches flickering against cold stone. The air in this chamber was thick, oppressive. The paintings lining the walls depicted six figures—watching, waiting.

Then came the voice.

"What does your little band scheme now, Banezeri Anchas?" It was deep, resounding with an authority that sent shivers down even undead spines. Hidden by shadows, there was a giant figure staring down at him. The two blazing red orbs seemed to pierce right through him. If he feared That One, he certainly feared whatever this creature was.

Even after studying undead creatures for centuries, he could not figure out what type of undead his new master belonged to. Thus, he had simply given up on that, deciding that it was a higher form of existence he would not reach nor know anything about.

One could say Corpus of the Abyss had two leaders. Where That One thought itself the true master of their organization, it was Banezeri's master who provided him with ideas and plans he was to set in motion in the organization.

Quickly, he went to one knee as he bowed before the undead entity.

"My lord, Kunivela proposed a plan to get rid of Deep Darkness Dragon Lord for good. Our plan is incomplete, but we would lure him to a location where the Sorcerer King would be, then let the two fight each other."

A silence followed, stretching long enough to weigh upon his mind. Then—

"I see. If even one perishes, your organization benefits. And as much as you want that dragon to die, I would like for that pretender to meet his end." The figure shifted, revealing the edges of two vast, feathered wings, black as the abyss. "But, having Deep Darkness Dragon Lord dead is also favorable. Perhaps with my interference, we could defeat the victor, as he would be weakened by the battle."

"It is as you say. However, there is a flaw in our plan. We lack the means to ensure that the Sorcerer King is in the right place at the right time. We still have to find a solution to that problem." The Night Lich admitted.

"The Cardinals and I are already working to uncover his movements. Unfortunately, he is an elusive figure on which divination magic has no effect. This makes things complicated, but not impossible. Your next task is to draw the dragon from his cave. Everything else… leave to me."

"As you command, Lord Rufus."

Banezeri bowed lower, his mind already racing.

A great game was unfolding in the shadows, and soon, two titans would clash.

No matter who fell, Corpus of the Abyss would be watching.

And waiting.

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It has been a while, hasn't it? But, well, I'm back with multiple updates to this story!

Corpus is rising. Plans are unfolding. Kingdoms are rising and falling.

Chapter 50 will be a big one, and I'll probably try to put all of Volume 12 into it. The next two chapters will be Volume 13. Length-wise, it will be shortened since I won't be doing all that "Ainz dying" stuff.

Do tell me if you want me to update just this story or any other stories from me. I also thought of stories with other fandoms, here some examples of what crossovers I thought of.

Overlord x Invincible

Overlord x A:TLA