Chapter 11: Waves & Plots

What just happened? Evileye had no idea. One moment Shiva told them to avert their eyes, the next she was hearing booming sounds and when she finally got the chance to look she found herself staring at a massive crater where the Beastman Capital use to be. From the white flames still burning she could only guess what transpired.

"Such destruction," she muttered, not knowing whether to be awed or frightened.

The destruction of the Beastman Capital occurred in mere moments and from the looks of it there were no survivors. The magic caster shivered as she looked down at the figures of the previously charging army. Many of them had escaped the range of whatever ability was used but they were unable to escape their fate. Evileye's gaze left them and went to the statues of the Slane Theocracy agents. Seeing what became of those who did not heed Shiva's warning the magic caster could not help but feel relieved that none of her teammates disobeyed the white haired girl. It would have been a tragedy if one of them had refused the advice. She did not even want to think about the disaster of the Queen Draudiron befalling the same fate as the petrified men.

"Wh- wh- what are you?" the remaining agent of the Slane Theocracy stuttered. "Ar- are you an angel? What kind?"

Evileye herself wanted to ask as well. Two hundred years ago the angel Dominion Authority defeated a Demon God with a spell of the unfathomable 7th Tier. Its might is such that it is probably one of the Theocracy's trump cards. An angel that can use magic unattainable to humans was a fearsome thing. Until this day she had believed it was the strongest angel. Looking at what remained of the city she now knew that was not the case.

Shiva did not respond to the man's comment. She shot him a withering look, causing him to look away. After that she walked away from the statues and approached the unconscious beastman. No one stopped her as she bent down to slap the Demi-Human awake. Evileye really wanted to know the angel species of Shiva and Ramiel. She had never heard of angels with six wings. She had never heard of angels who could take human forms. There were so many things she was curious about. What was that item wishing magic Shiva used? What type of teleportation magic did the white haired woman use to bring them here? What Tier was it? She had so many questions she wanted to ask, but they all faltered when she saw Shiva's expression.

The woman was clearly in a bad mood. Though she tried to hide it she seemed disturbed by what she had just done. Evileye could sympathise with her. Killing hundreds of thousands of people, no matter their race, never weighed easily on a person. The knowledge that you have killed countless and among them potential innocents was not easily to deal with. At least she got the children out of the way, Evileye thought. She did not have that option centuries ago. Somehow it calmed her that Shiva felt something from this. Given that most creatures at her level of strength would not give a second thought to the bugs they crushes Shiva's lament, as little as it was, proved that she cared about life.

The undead magic caster was brought out of her thoughts when the now revealed angel finally managed to wake the wolf beastman. Everyone's attention went to the wolfman as he sat and looked around with a confused expression, probably trying to figure out where he was. His bewilderment grew as he took in the faces staring at him, until he saw Ramiel. Then he began to panic and beg for his life offering to give him everything he has if he let him go.

"Why did you spare his life?" Queen Draudiron asked after a long period of silence. She had probably just recovered from seeing what had become of the Capital of the people who were causing her sleepless nights. The look she gave the beastman showed that even with their capital having been reduced to cinders her hatred would not disappear easily.

"We need someone to take the news of what happened here to the rest of the beastman race," Shiva said, eyes on the wolfman.

Said wolfman was now on his feet and had just noticed the absence of his city. Quickly realising what it meant the beastman let out an anguished howl. "MY CITY!" he cried. "MY FAMILY! NOOOOOOOOO!"

"If your children were have not matured yet they are fine," Shiva responded calmly. "If they are grown up I'm sorry for your loss, and if you had a wife sorry for her loss too."

Although she said these words her tone made it clear to anyone she was not sorry what she had done. Evileye could tell that she felt a little bad for what she had done, but her expression did not give a hint of regret. Her face clearly showed the wolfman that whoever had perished in the destruction of the city deserved their fate. After hearing the Shiva's words the beastman surprisingly calmed down. His children were probably minors and his wife, if he had one, was either away or he did not care about her. Seeing the wolfman's relieved expression Shiva posed a question. "What's your name?"

"Lau Fang," the beastman answered silently. His attention occasionally switched from Shiva and Ramiel to what use to be the city.

"Lau Fang," Shiva uttered his name as if tasting it. She was completely ignoring his wary glances. "What is your status in the Beastman Kingdom?"

"I am the king's adviser," Lau fang replied. When he mentioned his position, for some reason instead of feeling prideful like many of his status would he instead showed a despairing look.

"Good," Shiva said, her face hardening. "I want you to go to your people and tell them what happened here. Tell them what happened to the city and tell them why this happened. You do know why it happened don't you? With your status there are few who will doubt you."

Lau Fang nodded in response. The fact that humans were the culprits was a great teller why the city was destroyed. "What about my children?"

"They are in safe hands," Shiva answered. "You just worry about spreading the news."

Evileye watched on as the beastman rubbed the bottom of his furry snout in contemplation. It did not take long for him to reach the decision that everyone present already knew he would make. Truthfully he had no choice in the matter. If he refused nothing would stop them from killing him.

"I accept," he mumbled in defeat.

"Good," Shiva said. "After you do this I will find you and bring your children to you."

This surprisingly did not sound like blackmail or a threat. Lau Fang nodded and turned to go, only to stop and turn back with a questioning look. "I mean no disrespect Ningen-sama, but the next settlement is a fair distance from here. It will take a while to get and without food..." he left his statement hanging.

Before Shiva could respond to it Shiro, the tigerwoman (Demon, Evileye silently thought), raised her hand in excitement. "I can help with that!" she exclaimed.

This caused both Shiva and Ramiel to shoot her annoyed looks. "You're staying right here with us," her mistress said with finality.

"I was not planning on going with him," Shiro said with indignity. A magic scroll suddenly appeared in her hand. "I heard about an interesting story in this country so I messaged Shamsiel to lend me this scroll. It will summon the perfect mount for him."

By observing the feline's mischievous smile Evileye knew nothing good would come of this. A scroll that summons a mount? And the demoness got the idea after hearing a story in the Beastman Kingdom? Whatever Shiro was up to was definitely not for the benefit of the wolfman.

"Can I see that?" Shiro asked, though before she had even finished asking the scroll disappeared from Shiro's hand and appeared in hers. "I see," she said after opening the scroll. "The fact that you borrowed something from a Necromancer means you are up to no good."

She closed the scroll and threw it back at Shiro. However, before the tigress could catch the scroll it burst into white flames. The surprised Shiro quickly retracted her hand before the flames could touch her. After that she could only watch with a pout as the scroll disintegrated. "I'll handle the mount," Shiva said. She reached in empty space and drew out her staff. "[Summon Worg]"

A grey wolf appeared at her side, but this was not any normal wolf. It stood nearly two metres from head to paws, which was about the same height as Ramiel. Its head turned left and right, observing everyone with its intense yellow eyes before its gaze settled on Shiva. "You have summoned me Master?" it said in a questioning tone.

Evileye did not know how to respond. Whether it was the beast's ability to speak or its strength, both were beyond shocking. Estimating its strength she was certain she would be the victor should it ever attack her but she would have to go all out and would not come out unscathed. Her teammates would not stand a chance unless they worked together and luck factored into it.

"You will carry this man wherever he desires to go until I return," Shiva said, pointing at Lau Fang. She turned to him with a humorous smile. "Isn't this the perfect mount for you?"

A minute later they watched the beastman speed down the hill to who-knows-where. He was forgotten after that.

"We're done here Your Majesty," Shiva said, turning to the queen. "Are you ready to go back or would you like to stay here for a while."

"Yes- I mean no." Queen Druadiron had a bewildered look. It took her a while to come to her senses and give a proper answer. "I have seen enough. Let us return."

Shiva complied and opened a portal to the throne. She was about to step through when he last of Slane Theocracy agents poke up.

"W-what about my comrades?"

The white haired angel did not even bother to look at him as she walked into the portal. However, Ramiel and Shiro stopped in their tracks and both shot him intense looks that sent him cowering away. Then they both followed.

They deserve it, Evileye though as she stepped through the portal. Shiva had warned them not to look and they did not listen. The fact that they ended up in that state was completely their fault. No one paid the man any mind as they too went through. A moment later the agent entered the throne room with a distraught face. The portal closed after.

"I would love to stay Your Majesty but I have to go," Shiva suddenly said before anyone could speak up. "Please use this if you want to contact me."

A white dove popped into existence and flew over to the queen, landing comfortably on her shoulder. The queen herself had a surprised expression. Her gaze went from the dove to Shiva as if she had just had a great revelation.

"I'm sorry to leave you like this without finalising our agreement but I have urgent matters to attend to," Shiva said, oblivious to the queen's gaze. "If you want to contact me just kill my familiar and I will send someone to pick you up."

"A white dove," the queen mumbled, still looking between the bird and its summoner.

"Yeah," Shiva replied, now noticing the gaze. "In ancient times doves were used to represent angels. They are the perfect familiars for someone like me don't you think?"

"Yeah" the queen said absentmindedly. Then, as if remembering her earlier words she asked "Pick me up? And take me where?"

"To my home," Shiva replied. She raised her staff and cast the same portal spell. "I suspect I will have a lot of work to do over the next couple of weeks." The last sentence was said with an annoyed expression, as if the work she was going to be busy with would be an unpleasant affair. "Now if you would excuse me I have to go and inform a hundred thousand children I just killed their parents and destroyed their city."

The news of the destruction of the Beastman Capital spread quickly in the Beastman Kingdom and beyond. No one knew exactly what happened except the Beast king's adviser Lau Fang who claimed humans were responsible for it. However, those who travelled to the site did not believe him after they saw what was left of the cities and the salt sculptors nearby, especially when Lau Fang admitted he did not see how the city was actually destroyed.

After seeing what was left of the city some of the more knowledgeable beastmen suspected their campaign in the Dragon Kingdom had incurred the wrath of its founder. The result had left them weakened and without a leader. This event would later come to be known as the Judgement of the Beasts. It would be generations before they dared to attacked any human settlements again.

To the west, in the human lands, what happened in the Beastman Kingdom did not have much of an impact. Only a few had witnessed what happened and did not go spreading the information to everyone they met. They did tell their leaders though and with knowledge of a new powerful party these leaders began to hatch plots.

In the innermost reaches of the Slane Theocracy, a dozen people sat a round table as they had done just months ago.

Raymond Zag Lauransan could not help but sigh. As the Cardinal of Earth and the commander of the Six Scriptures he was again the overseer of such a meeting. Ever since the Sorcerer King seized E-Rantel these individuals who commanded the highest powers in the Theocracy had been slaving away trying to discover the extent of the Sorcerous Kingdom's might and how best to foil it. Their agents had given regular reports of the situation in the fortress city but none could get close enough to find out anything of real importance. There was also the issue with the Empire becoming a vassal of the Sorcerous Kingdom. Recently Raymond's days had all been extremely stressful. He had hoped not to meet his fellow cardinals and government officials in this manner so soon.

There was nothing he could do about it though. The events of the outside world were out of his control. "Today we're here to discuss what happened in the Dragon Kingdom a week ago. I am sure you are all aware of what happened."

A collective number of sighs sounded across the room. Raymond knew how they felt. This meeting had to do with another being of unknown origins.

"I heard angel appeared above the skies of the Dragon Kingdom's capital city," the Cardinal of Fire, Berenice Nagua Sandeni answered. "It apparently saved them by massacring the Beastman Army. Many of the commoners and even the priests claim it was sent by the Gods."

The last sentence was said with a fair amount of scepticism, scepticism that was reflected by everyone present.

"But there was a girl who appeared the next day in court claiming to be the one who summoned the angel," Ginedine Delan Gwerfe, the Cardinal of Water added.

"How much of that is actually true," the Pontifex Maximus asked.

Everyone looked at Raymond, waiting for the answer.

Said person cleared his throat before he spoke. "One of the agents we sent to aid the Dragon Kingdom contacted us with this information. He claims to have been present when the girl summoned the angel."

"And what about Thousand Mile Astrologer," Ginedine asked, always the sceptic.

"Nothing," Raymond replied in defeat, much to the shock of the others. As the head of the Scriptures he was glad Thousand Mile Astrologer had left her room and was back at work, even if she refused to ever spy on the Sorcerer King again. However, he had been quite surprised when she informed him she did not see the battle for the Dragon Kingdom's capital. "She claims someone noticed her spying and countered her magic. She was only able to gaze upon the scene after the battle was done."

Everyone took a deep breath at this. Thousand Mile Astrologer was the best Diviner in the nation. She had never been caught when using her divine magic to spy on someone. The fact that someone had done so and not only noticed her but blocked her magic was hard to believe.

"Which agent witnessed the girl casting the spell? Was it the lead agent?" this question was posed by the Dominic Ire Partouche, the Cardinal of Wind.

"The leader witnessed it, but he has unfortunately perished. The one who reported this is the only surviving agent from those we sent." Raymond sighed again. He had lost count of the number of headaches he'd had in the last couple of months. He was still withholding the manner of the lead agent's passing from those present. That was something he would disclose later. "The girl who claims to have summoned the angel calls herself Shiva. Initially she had two followers, a knight named Ramiel and one Niahoggr D'zar."

He let his words hang in the air for a while. Sure enough someone exploded a moment later.

"What is a Dragon Lord doing with her," the Cardinal of Light, Ivon Jasna Dracrowa asked. "Just who is this girl?"

Raymond raised his hand to calm stop him. "Calm down Ivon. We will get to that later."

"What sort of angel did this girl summon?" the Cardinal of Darkness. "Was it the highest ranked angel?"

Maximilian Oreio Lagier could not help the indignity in his voice, neither could the others help themselves when they copied him. Grand rituals were conducted by the priests of the Slane Theocracy to summon Dominion Authority. If one girl could summon it what the best priests in the nation went through a lengthy ceremony to summon in an instant what did that say about their priest? It would mean the girl was more capable than all those elites. And extremely dangerous, Raymond though in a self-depreciating manner, looking at his companions. They knew nothing yet.

"No, it was Virtue of Elegance," Raymond replied. It was then that he began to spread the reports on his side of the table to everyone. "This a report I compiled with all that I heard from the agent."

Silence reined for a while as everyone skimmed the report. The first to cry out was the Pontifex Maximus.

"She proposed an alliance with Draudiron Oriculus?" he asked surprise.

Raymond could imagine the question going through his head and that of everyone seated at the table. Why would this powerful stranger want to enter an alliance with the Black Scaled Dragon Lord? Although they referred to her as such it was only because of her ability to use wild magic and that ability was too lacking to be a threat to them. Without it the queen of the Dragon Kingdom was simply a normal woman, one who loved to parade herself as a small child. Why would anyone want an alliance with her?

"What's more surprising is that claim that she liberated all the captured cities," the head of the Judiciary branch interjected. "Is there any truth to this claim?"

"Unfortunately- fortunately, depending on how you view it- there is," Raymond sighed. "Our stationary agents have corroborated this information. Many priests have left the capital city to aid the freed people."

Everyone remained silent for a while.

"Do you think the Black Scaled Dragon Lord will accept the proposal?" Berenice asked.

"I don't see why not," Ginedine replied with a 'humph'. "This Shiva was able to do what we could not."

"If we had sent the Black Scripture they would have been able to accomplish the same thing," the head of the Legislation Branch claimed indignantly.

"But we did not now did we?"

"That's because of that damnable Sorcerer King!"

"Calm down everyone," Raymond said with raised hands, bringing the attention back to him. He pointed at a set of reports that were still on his side of the table. Earlier he had only distributed half of the files on his side. "As you can see I have not given you all the information our agent sent. Who here has heard about what happened in the Beastman Kingdom?"

"Didn't a dragon burn down their city?" the head of the Executive Branch asked.

"From what I heard it was the Brightness dragon Lord who did it," the Pontifex Maximus answered.

"I heard it was Draudiron herself," Ginedine added with a scoff.

Without further delay Raymond passed on the reports. "These files detail the events that occurred after Shiva appeared in front of the Dragon Queen the day after." He would let them make their own conclusions on their own.

"This is... how can this be possible?" the first to ask this question after skimming through the file was Maximilian. "She destroyed the city?"

"The lead agent and another of our agents were petrified because they witnessed the scene?"

"An angel with six wings? What kind of creature is that?"

"Are you sure our agent did not just see an illusion?" the Pontifex Maximus asked.

"As much as I wish for that to be the case I have no one else who can corroborate what he saw," Raymond replied.

"What about the Kingdom's Adamantite group Blue Rose?" Ginedine asked. "They were present weren't they?"

The mention of that caused Raymond's face to twist as if he was having indigestion. Blue Rose was full of promising individuals, especially their leader who was a divine magic caster. But she was a heathen who prayed to another god. Also... "I don't think they will be willing to meet us after the incident with the Sunlight Scripture."

"Those damn traitors!" the head of the Judiciary Branch yelled distastefully. "For them to interfere with the Scripture's divine duty and defend those creatures."

Everyone present agreed with his sentiments. For a human to fight their own kind in defence of Demi-Humans was the gravest of sins. Such an act was unforgivable and irredeemable.

"Perhaps we can meet this Shiva and learn what she is after," Berenice suggested. Like Raymond and everyone present she believed Shiva had alternative motives with her alliance with Draudiron Oriculus.

"I doubt that," Raymond said, bringing everyone's attention back to him once more. "She has a beastman servant and took offense to when it was called a savage."

"So what do now?" Ginedine asked. "Do we just watch as she aligns herself with the Black Scale Dragon Lord for whatever reason?"

"We could make her antagonise the Sorcerer King or Jaldabaoth," Maximilian suggested. "If she's really an angel would she tolerate an undead ruling the living and a demon running amok?"

Everyone nodded in agreement. This Shiva was clearly the same as the four powerful beings that appeared a while back. If they could find a way to get her to wage war on the Sorcerer King surely that would take the strain of them. Even if she is unable to defeat the undead she would at least weaken him, making him vulnerable to the Slane Theocracy's attack.

"Ok," Raymond said in agreement with the rest. "Let us send more agents to the Dragon Kingdom. This time they will be priests and their mission will be to meet this Shiva and manipulate her into attacking the Sorcerous Kingdom."

In the royal carriage of the third princess of the Re-Estize Kingdom the young man Climb sat next to his mistress as he listened to what he could only describe as the most unbelievable tale he had ever heard. If he had heard this a year ago he would have been hard pressed to believe what he was hearing, but since then he'd had experienced events just as bizarre.

"An angel destroyed the beastman's capital city?" Renner asked in amazement. "And you didn't see what happened?"

"If I had looked I would not be talking to you now," Lakyus said. "Two of the men from the Slane Theocracy did not listen to her and they were turned into salt sculptures."

"Because they saw what happened?" Climb asked. "Was it an ability like the Giant Basilisk's [Gaze]?"

"No stupid boy," Evileye said. "You ever hear of a [Gaze] destroying a city."

"Don't be so hard on him now Evileye," Lakyus reprimanded her teammate. "Climb does not have the same knowledge of monsters that we do."

"Humph. I'm just correcting his obviously wrong assumption," Evileye retorted in a pouty voice.

"You could have said it in a nicer way," Renner reprimanded with a childish pout. "Stupid Evileye!"

"Hey-" the Blue Rose magic caster was about to respond before Lakyus popped her on the head and silenced her. The next moments she sat silently holding her head in embarrassment.

The carriage carrying the four of them had just come from the newly built orphanage and was headed for the royal palace.

"The reason we told you this is because we were hoping you could reach out to Shiva," Lakyus said, ignoring her seething partner. "If you could make her aware of our plight I'm sure she would help us when the Sorcerer King inevitably decides to invade."

"You think this person can beat that monster?" Climb asked, surprised. In his mind the only one who could beat that monster was Sebas-sama and maybe Momon but the latter was now with the Sorcerer King. Were there actually still people out there who could match the undead who cast that devastating spell?

"She reduced a city to cinders in seconds," Evileye replied. "Her strength is undeniable. She's also an angel so I have no doubt she will hate the Sorcerer King. It's not like she's alone either. She has that bodyguard Ramiel who's also an angel and that weird demon Shiro."

"An angel has a demon servant?" Princess Renner asked, her cute face reasonably confused. Even Climb found that hard to believe.

"I thought you said she was a beastman," he said.

"Shiva and Ramiel look human. It doesn't mean they are," Evileye retorted.

"Why do I get the feeling you're being meaner than usual Evileye-san," Princess Renner asked.

"Ignore her Princess," Lakyus said before the magic caster could speak. "She's just upset because Shiva didn't reveal anything about the spell she used to transport the beastman children away from the city."

"All the beast children?" Princess Renner asked in awe. "Is something like that possible?"

"Until today I didn't think it was," Evileye said seriously. "Shiva activated the spell with a ring, and then a wide circle of light appeared on the ground with strange runes inside. Truthfully, apart from the excitement from witnessing it I was a little terrified. That was magic beyond anything I have ever encountered."

Hearing this Climb retreated into own thoughts. A spell that when activated materialises a wide circle with runes. That sounded awfully familiar. "A circle? Do you mean a dome that enveloped the caster?" he asked.

"No I mean a circle," Evileye replied. "Don't you know the difference?"

"Now that you mention it Climb you bring up a valid point," Lakyus interjected, completely ignoring Evileye. "The spell activation bears a similarity to the one you described."

"So the Sorcerer King summoned those monsters with an item?" Renner asked.

"I believe so," Evileye said thoughtfully. "That was why I wanted to know more about the spell or the item. Perhaps Shiva will know the spell that was used by the Sorcerer King one the Katze Plains. I believe it's of the utmost importance that we get this person on our side."

"Hm," Princess Renner sat with her hands on her lap, as if contemplating something. "Unfortunately there is nothing I can do. Otou-sama has been ill ever since the death of Stronoff-sama and the disappearance of Babro Onii-sama. Zanack Onii-sama has taken over most of his duties so he's always busy dealing with the nobles." Suddenly she exclaimed as if an idea just hit her. "I know, why don't I send Lakyus-san as an envoy of the Kingdom."

There was a moment of silence. No one knew how to respond. Climb could guess the reason. The Adventurer's Guild forbade its members from getting involved in politics of any kind.

"Princess we both know that is not-"

The leader of blue Rose's words were cut off when the princess suddenly grasped her hands. "I will ask for Onii-sama to give you a letter with the royal seal," the princess said jovially. "I'm sure I can convince him to take time out of his busy schedule for that considering the potential benefit. Thank you so much for agreeing to this!"

Lakyus could only awkwardly nod and reluctantly agree. Even her teammate at her side, who looked like she wanted to object, did nothing. The radiant expression on Princess Renner's face was something they could not say no to. Climb was very familiar with it. Few could resist the Golden Princess.

Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix gripped hard at his head, relieving it of a few strands of hair.

This action had become more common these days and if not for his personal healers he would probably have gone bald by now.

Everything in his life was going wrong! The churches had antagonised him, the nobles were planning a revolt and he had lost the respect of the military. He was completely isolated. His closest confidants were the only people he could trust. These days the nobles blatantly sent assassins after him. For some reason they always managed to get around many of his guards and only came short because of Baziwood's efforts. The churches these days refused to heal anyone associated with him and, because they could not do it openly, secretly preached against the Sorcerer King and his minion the Blood Emperor. The whole ordeal depressed Jircniv. If not for the threat of the monster looming he had no doubt he would have been overthrown and ferried off to the stake as a traitor to humanity.

Those damn bastards, he thought, furiously gripping at his hair again. They don't understand at all. Those shallow-minded pieces of shit!

Jircniv more than anyone had tried to get rid of the Ainz Ooal Gown. He had tried to conduct secret meetings with the Slane Theocracy to discuss how to handle the Sorcerer King. But everything had fallen through. The meeting and likely the plans of the Grand Alliance, that monster had seen through it all! If he had not sworn fealty at that moment there would be no Empire now. And those sons of bitches are blaming me for submitting? I saved their damn lives! They should be thanking me!

His depression deepened as he thought about the last couple of months. He had lost so many things. His pride, the fear of the nobles, the trust of his people and Fluder, especially Fluder. More than the fact that he swore fealty to the Sorcerer King the only reason the nobles had become so brazen was because he no longer had the great magic caster at his side. There was nothing he would love more than to wipe those nobles out but his hold on the army was not as strong as it use to be. If he did that he feared he would antagonise himself even more.

"Damn that bastard!" he cried, slamming his fist against the table.

"Sire I think you should calm down," Baziwood, his most trusted aide said while standing at his side. The two of them were in his study.

At his bodyguard's words he visibly calmed down, though inside his feelings were still as messy as before. "How can I relax when that monster is taking everything from me?" He had bled and sweated to make the Empire what it was today. Then Ainz Ooal Gown showed up and undid everything he had worked so hard to achieve. These days more than anything Jircniv thought about how future generations would see him. With all that happened in this year he harboured no illusions about being remembered in a positive light.

"This message presents an opportunity to free ourselves of that undead's shackes," Baziwood responded, pointing at the letter Jircniv read before his rant.

The letter was from Nimble Arc Dale Anoch who like Baziwood was one of the Empires Four Knights- Two Knights now since Immovable Rock was dead and Heavy Explosions had gone missing. The letter had been written in a newly developed code only he and the two understood. It detailed the events in the Dragon Kingdom just over a week ago. The day the beastmen tried to take the city Nimble had [Message]d to tell him about how the invasion was foiled. In his excitement Jircniv had ordered him to stay in the Dragon Kingdom and try to get in contact with the person responsible but now Jircniv wondered if he had been too hasty.

"Even if this person who destroyed the Beastman Capital is capable of defeating the Sorcerer King what of it?" he asked with a bitter smile. "Unlike the rest of the surrounding nations we know the strength of the Sorcerous Kingdom. One person of that level won't be near enough."

Most countries thought that they only needed to find a way to defeat the Sorcerer King and that would be the end of it. Of course to do that they would have to get past the fireball chucking Elder Lichs, the army smashing Death Knights and the city devouring Soul Eaters. Most of them thought that apart from Ainz Ooal Gown himself that was the extent of the Sorcerous Kingdom's might. They did not know. The army he displayed, that mighty force of undead in which every single creature could crush a nation was in the eyes of the Sorcerer King simply made up of foot soldiers. They had not seen the creatures in that throne room. They were unaware of the Dark Elf twins, the pale girl, the winged woman, the insect creature and the monster Demiurge. If they had known they would be rushing to kneel before the Undead King and beg him to spare them.

However, as he contemplated that his thoughts suddenly took a different turn. Sure that monster's aides are strong but they can't be all that loyal to him. With his tyrannical style of ruling there must be a few among his peerage who believe they should rule. With humans it was different but monster philosophy was might makes right. Those with strength close the Sorcerer King would clearly be unsatisfied with having to serve him and would be looking for an opportunity to stage a coup. If we can get this Shiva to battle the Sorcerer King perhaps they will rebel at that moment. If we're lucky they will destroy each other. That was Jircniv's preferred outcome. If even one of those monsters was left alive the Empire would still be in danger.

Jircniv clapped his hand. A moment later the door to his study opened and an old mage with a dignified bearing walked in. He was Fluder's former apprentice and one of the few people Jircniv could trust. He had also been present that day in the throne room of Nazarick so he understood the strength of the Sorcerous Kingdom.

"What can I do for Your Majesty?"

"I wish to send a message to Nimble."

In E-Rantel Ainz Ooal Gown, the Sorcerer King, the Absolute Ruler of Nazarick and the last Supreme Being sat upon his throne as one of his most trusted subordinates relayed the information he had received from one of his sources.

Shiva, he thought with a skeletal hand stroking his bony cheek. Memories of a white haired angel flashed in his mind. She had been one of the more prominent members of the guild Seraphim, said to be extremely close to their leader. Sephirah. That name was legendary among Players in Yggdrasil. Someone of unparalleled strength who even Touch Me could not beat. If Shiva was in this world too there was chance that person was here as well.

Could they be the ones responsible for Shaltear's brainwashing? The hand that rested on the arm of the throne clenched tightly, making loud gnashing sounds. This caused his already attentive subordinates to become even more so.

"Ainz-sama, is the something wrong?" came the voice the beautiful Guardian Overseer Albedo.

But Ainz was deep in his thoughts.

Seraphim has a lot of reason to antagonise us, he reasoned. Between Peroroncino's insults and their failed retaliation there was more than enough enmity for them to strike at Ainz and all of Nazarick. Anger rose inside him only to be suppressed. The action repeated itself as he delved deeper into his thoughts. If I get Shalltear to meet Shiva will she remember something? There was a chance that it was not them but if it was...

I will destroy them. I will kill them all and everyone related to them. To him it did not matter if the perpetrator was man or god. Whoever brainwashed Shalltear would pay for crossing him. No matter who they are I will annihilate them. In the future all anyone will remember of them was that they angered Ainz Ooal Gown and paid the price.

After those comforting deliberations he came back to the present and looked at his Guardians. These were his children. He would not tolerate anyone causing them harm.

"We go on as before," he declared. "However, some of you will be in pairs. Shalltear, you will assist Cocytus with his duties. Aura and Mare will obviously be together. Albedo will obviously be with me." As he said the last words he felt a headache coming. Hearing those words Albedo was doing her best, or pretending to hide a victorious smile while Shalltear wore a deep frown. Watching the two Ainz surmised it was the latter. He did not have time for such matters now. "Sebas, most of your time is spent in Nazarick so you're fine just as you are. As for Demiurge, since your duties takes you the furthest you will act as bait."

The demon bowed humbly. "Understood."

There was no argument. Ainz' word was absolute. Whatever he said was law, even if uttered on a whim. The denizens of Nazarick could only obey. They lived to serve the Supreme Beings. Dying for the course of their master was an great honour to them.

Of course that was not Ainz' intention. "Although you are bait I will not allow them to get close to you. I am adding a hundred Hanzos to your see to you safety." He then looked away from Demiurge to the rest of the Guardians. "All of you will have extra personnel added to your security detail. I want you all to be prepared, if the enemy appears we will all rush to Demiurge's side and destroy them."

"Hai!" numerous voices echoed in throne room.

"Now," the red orbs in his eyes seem to brighten at that moment. "Let us prepare a memorable welcoming for our opponents.

-END-

Heteromophic Races

Sephirah: The Golden Berserker

Racial: Angel ?

Power ?

Seraph ?

Job Level: Brawler ?

Barbarian ?

Berserker?

Armoured Berserker?

Juggernaut?

Racial Level: ?, Job Level: ?, Total level: 100

Personal Character

[Also known as Sephirah Optimus Maximus. The legendary leader of Seraphim, the first World Champion, who boasts a perfect arena record. Because of her charismatic nature and her battle prowess she was referred to as a flower at socials and a beast in combat. Her brutal, uncontrolled yet refined and efficient fighting style never failed to bring down a foe. Her reputation as being the strongest in Yggdrasil was earned over the 'corpses' of her opponents. In the game few people know that Sephirah and Shiva are sisters. Outside the game she is married with twin sons.]

It's a week later than I stated so I have to apologise. The earlier draft felt like three thousand words of information dumping.

If this were a light novel this is where volume one ends. You can think of the next chapter as the beginning of the second volume. So until then, hope you enjoy yourselves.