Volume 3: Re-estize, Chapter 5: Counter-Attack

City of Re-Estize - Ro Lente Castle

In one corner of Ro Lente Castle was a meeting room used to host discussions between minor nobles. Even though it was night the room was brightly lit as if it was midday, the red glow of the [Flames of Gehenna] filled the room from the windows overlooking the city. A long table stretched across the room on it lay a map of the city. Around the table were six powerful people. The royalty family was represented by Princess Renner and the Warrior-Captain Stronoff. The other group were adventurers. Tri'ade represented the Admantie Team of Darkness and two Blue Rose members were there, Lakyus and Evil Eye.

The sixth person here was one Tri'ade did not recognize. She was a woman in her forties but her toned physique and vigor in her eyes made her look younger than she was. Guild Master Ameilia Gran. She was responsible for running the adventurer's guild in the capital just as Pluton Ainzach did in E-Rantel. Though it could be assumed her authority was higher than Pluton's due to her being in charge of guild business in the capital.

Naturally Tri'ade thought they would be looking to the Guild Master for leadership. After all Pluton did organize the Guild's response to the army of undead that rose in E-Rantel. But everyone else's eyes were on the Princess.

"Guild Master Gran. Thank you for coming so swiftly at this late hour."

Ameilia bowed to Princess Renner. "Your Highness, It is of no matter. I wasn't getting any sleep anyway." After her bow the Guild Master glanced over to Lakyus.

"Blue Rose"

"Guild Master."

You could cut the tension in the air between Amelia and Lakyus with a knife. Tri'ade suspected it might be because of Blue Rose's work against Eight Fingers. The Adventurers Guild was officially neutral in politics. When the Guild Secretary explained it to him she said something about needing to ensure information and resources were freely shared between nations the Guild operated in. Regardless it seemed adamantite rank came with it more privileges than he was originally told.

Not moving from his position next to Evileye Tri'ade introduced himself. "Tri'ade of Darkness. It's a pleasure to meet you Guild Master."

"Please spare the formalities. Call me Ameilia. I must say it's a surprise to see Darkness here."

"Is it?"

After hearing of the Adventurers Guild neutrality he initially wondered why he was accepted. After all, didn't his actions at Carne's Village indicate he was anything but a neutral actor? They had accepted his promise to not involve himself in political matters rather quickly. When Tri'ade learned of the Guild's 20% the answer became clear to him.

The Guild looked the other way due to money. Pluton he suspected did so hoping to get an adamantite team's revenue for his branch and Ameilia probably looked the other way in regards to Blue Rose for the same look of annoyance on the Guild Master's face all but told Tri'ade he was right. It didn't surprise him. People always bent the rules for their own benefit.

"As you all know demons have assaulted the capital. I have asked both Darkness and Blue Rose here because of their experiences fighting them."

"Of course your highness. I have already issued a call to arms. Every adventurer in the capital will be at your disposal. "

"Will Red Drop be joining us?"

"No. They are on assignment in the Argland Council State."

"That is a shame."

Argland was a country far to the north of the Kingdom. Even if they were informed of their trouble they would be of little help. Tri'ade recognized their name. They were the oldest and most experienced adamantite adventuring party in the country. It was fortunate then for Ainz Ooal Gown they couldn't defend the city. Fewer wild cards whose combat power they didn't know anything about running around.

"We will have to do without them. As you all know the Warehouse District has been surrounded by a wall of fire."

"The flames appear to be an illusion of some sort. It offers no resistance to those that pass through it and it doesn't burn."

"The Flames of Gehenna."

Everyone around him turned to look at Tri'ade.

"It's a wide area support spell. Any demons and unholy magic cast within the area marked by the flames are empowered. We should expect heavy resistance" There were other secondary effects of the spell like Item drop levels and such but Tri'ade didn't know if they carried over to the New World.

"That's bad. From what I saw there is a small army of lesser demons roaming the district."

"There is good news."

"And what's that?"

"Whoever their master is by using the Flames of Gehenna he's taking a defensive position. Most of those lesser demons are very likely summoned creatures. Disposable minions meant to slow us down and wear us out."

"How is that good news?"

"It means other areas of the city are safe. They cannot attack outside the Flames of Gehenna without giving up its advantages. Their goal now is clear. To hold the warehouse district. "

"But why though? What are they after?"

"Hmm"

"I don't know. But these demons underestimated us. " A cocky smile spread across Lakyus's face as she looked at Tri'ade.

"I can't be everywhere. And there's at least two demon lords in the city."

"Tia and Gargaran died fighting a powerful demon. You think they're working together?"

"Greed did say he had a master. "

"Lust. The demon who attacked my team called herself Lust. And more than that she gave me her master's name. Jaldabaoth."

"Jaldabaoth?" Tri'ade was surprised he recognized the name. It was from the Gnostic faith from what he could recall. Just like Demiurge's name was. Just how much did Demiurge know? Or was it just something Demiurge overheard from his creator Ulbert.

"Yes. The succubus mentioned her master was in search of an artifact."

"Got to be some crazy powerful artifact to cause so much trouble."

Most in the room understood that whatever the demons were so keen on having they must not be allowed to have it. A demon was a being of pure evil. Their desire for destruction insatiable they nearly destroyed the entire world if the Thirteen Heroes didn't stop them. Or at least that's what they were told from the old stories.

"Eight Fingers."

"Princess?"

"They have the artifact. Or at least Jaldabaoth thinks so. Each place that was attacked was affiliated with Eight Fingers."

"Their smugglers basically run the Warehouse District."

"None of the other squads have answered my messages." Tri'ade could hear the trepidation in Evileyes voice as she said it.

"What about Climb?"

"No response."

"What squads?" Ameilia interjected looking visibly annoyed as she asked the question. Renner came clean and answered her honestly.

"Guild Master earlier tonight the Crown organized a raid on Eight Fingers operations. Along with the Warrior Select and other volunteers we organized a simultaneous strike against sites across the city."

"Volunteers, huh. Is that how two of your team died. Volunteering your services?" Guild Master Ameilia glared daggers at Lakyus. She obviously did not approve of adventurers violating the neutrality of the Guild.

"They did. They knew the risks. Eight Fingers are dangerous criminals. Just because they bribe people to look the other way doesn't mean we will."

"Ugg... It's not that simple."

"Is it? The only difference between them and bandits are their noble connections."

"The guild must stay neutral!"

"Enough. Now's not the time. Not while demons roam the streets. "

Both Lakyus and the Guild Master lowered their heads in agreement with the Princess. From how they looked at each other through Tri'ade imagined they still had words they wanted to say to each other.

"Your right Princess. But out of curiosity. Was Darkness involved in this as well?"

Amelia looked to the Princess for answers but she turned to Tri'ade. She probably didnt want to answer for him.

"A member of my team Ninya. Her sister Tuare was kidnapped, raped, and nearly tortured to death in an Eight Finger's brothel."

Tri'ade stepped closer to Amelia looking down on her. "Being neutral was not an option, Guild Master. "

The room was filled with an awkward silence. Ameilia's face turned pale, she stuttered "I-I understand. My apologies." Tri'ade stepped away back to where he was standing before as the Guild Master apologized.

Evileye interjected, wanting to be heard, spoke directly to Tri'ade. "As I was trying to say before I was interrupted. Climb. You know the boy who helped Sebas save the girls?"

"What about him?"

"If the Princess is right about the targets the other squads are dead. Climb along with them."

"You don't know that."

"Princess. The monster who killed my friends did it in a single blow."

"What?!" The Guild Master, Ameilia was in shock. Adamantite-ranked adventurers were the pinnacle of humanity, living legends. It was unthinkable that they could be killed, let alone in a single blow.

"They wouldn't have had a chance to run. That's how powerful some of these demons are."

Evileye was right. Lakyus' squad suffered heavy casualties before Tri'ade came along. Gazef was the only survivor of his squad. Tri'ade speculated that Demiurge had an Evil Lord overseeing the attacks of each Eight Fingers location. Besides the one he was sent there were seven locations. A sin could have been sent to each one of them.

All of the other squads would have a snowball's chance in hell surviving the Evil Lords. Being led by retired orichalcum adventurers. His thoughts turned to Climb, the young bodyguard of Princess Renner. The question of Climb being dead nagged at Tri'ade and he got a sinking feeling in his gut. By denying Climb's request to help Sebas he might have gotten the young man killed.

"A single death is a tragedy…" he thought.

"We'll find him. Don't you worry. " Lakyus said, trying to console the Princess. Even going as far as putting her hand on the Princess's shoulder. Renner responded with a weak smile.

"I'm sure you will. But he wouldn't want me to worry. Not when so many other people are depending on us. We'll have to make do and defeat this Jaldabaoth without him and the other squads."

"With all due respect to your majesty, but how? If these demons can kill adamantites so easily it'll be a slaughter." Amelia sounded distraught over the news of how powerful the enemy was.

"There is one man with the strength to stand against these Demon Lords."

All eyes were on Tri'ade. He ripped off his adventurer's plate and handed it to Ameilia. The confusion was clear on her face but Tri'ade explained himself.

"I can't. Not as an adventurer."

"Huh? What does being an adventurer have anything to do with it?

"There are seven deadly sins. Lust, Greed, Gluttony, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and last of all Pride."

A dreadful realization swept across the faces in the room. Tri'ade could almost feel the fear building up in them.

"Seven...There are seven of those monsters?! Not counting their supposed master."

"T-There are more of them?"

"You think they are here? In the capital?"

"I wouldn't gamble on it and say they are not. And it would explain the army of demons."

"You think they're all summons?"

Anyone familiar with magic knew it took far higher tiers of magic to summon multiple creatures at once. To summon and control even a small army was probably beyond anything they ever heard of. But if that was a surprise to them Gazef and the others didn't show it.

"Did you see any infighting between the lesser demons? The Overeaters in particular. "

"Overeaters?" She tilted her head. For a moment Lakyus was confused, she didn't know the name of the demon.

To help jog her memory Tri'ade described an Overeaters appearance. "They are like Giant frogmen with large lumps all over it's fat body."

Lakyus shook her head. "No. No fighting at all. They seemed to be waiting for something."

"Yea. Gotta be summoned. Overeaters can't go long without eating someone demon or otherwise. " Tri'ade made up that fact. As NPC's in YGGDRASIL they never ate someone unless they killed them in battle. But he felt like it was plausible enough. It might not even be a lie for all Tri'ade knew. He needed to give them at least a bit of hope the fight was winnable. Kill the summoners win the day was simple enough for most to understand.

The Guild Master gave him a skeptical look. "How do you know all of this? The nature of demons, magic, everything."

"I guess it does appear strange. From their perspective at least. They think I'm an elf adventurer from a far away land. Any rational person would be skeptical about someone so knowledgeable about a subject that is taboo."

Not yet knowing how to answer Tri'ade stared at Amelia in silence.

"I would trust Sir Tri'ade's council. He has a wealth of experience from his travels of foriegn lands." Gazef stepped forward to defend his friend from suspicion.

"I-I do too!" Lakyus blurted out. "We'll get nowhere if we can't trust each other."

"Hold on! That's not what I meant at all."

Raising his hand Tri'ade silenced the room and they gave him a chance to speak. He looked at Gazef and then Lakyus "I appreciate your trust." He looked back at Amelia and said, "The answer is quite simple."

Without uttering a word luminescent light formed around him into a halo. It was no ordinary light. The divine radiance emanating from him filled the dimly lit room like the rising sun of a new day. Tri'ade had silently cast [Holy Aura]. A tier eight spell he had access to as a cleric and was mostly used as an area buff. Allies nearby have their resistance, physical and magical defenses boosted. Along with that it also grants increased protection against negative karma spells like Distort Moral. But more importantly like he learned from his experiments with Peter aura magic can manipulate people's emotions.

Evileye shielded her eyes from the light while the others looked on in awe. Clearly mesmerized by the holy light cast before them.

"What the…."

"Gods." It was a strange sight to see. The guild master sank to her knees nearly smacking her face on the table doing so.

"Like the demons in this city. I am not of this world." Tri'ade drew his Holy Moonlight Greatsword from his inventory and presented the blade to everyone. It's pointed edge resting on the floor and both of his hands resting on each side of it's cross-guard. "I know their tricks because I have fought them before. I have hunted them before."

The others seemed to be stunned, silent, slack jawed. The only one that wasn't was Evileye. She was shielding her eyes from the light.

"Is the lightshow really necessary?"

Tri'ade deactivated the Holy Aura surrounding him and the light faded. "Sorry about that. But as the old saying goes. Seeing is believing."

"Okay, wow."

"I know it's a lot to take in. Since I arrived I've tried my best to hide it. But I can't anymore. Not if I want to save this city.."

"You can defeat Jaldabaoth and his lords of sin?"

"I can. With the help of my followers. After all, even the God of Death died when he fought alone."

Tri'ade referenced the legend he heard about Surshana the Theocracy's god of death. That he fell in battle to the combined might of the Greed Kings defending the Theocracy. It was a hotly debated myth especially in the Theocracy from what Arthur told him. Apparently it was the reason why the other human nations worshiped Four Great Gods as opposed to Six. After all If the God of Death died then it was argued he was no god. And if there's no Death God why worship his mirror opposite the God of Life.

The guild master stood up with Tri'iade's plate in hand. She rubbed her eyes and blinked, still processing what she saw. "And you can't do that while abiding by guild rules. Alright Tri'ade or whatever you are. I accept your resignation. Though I must ask, does this apply to the rest of Darkness?"

"Ah besides Narberal? No. Peter will lead Darkness in my place." Tri'ade was somewhat impressed how quickly Amelia got back to business.

Ameilia cracked a knowing smile and quickly looked over to Blue Rose. "Alright once this is over with I'll do the paperwork myself. "

"Alright then let's get back to the business at hand." Tri'ade planted both of his hands on the table with the map of the city upon it. "What should our plan of attack be?" saying this to himself as his eyes scanned the map before him. Someone had already drawn a large red circle indicating the area affected by the [Flames of Gehenna].

The northern part of the district or at least the top portion of the district, Tri'ade didn't know since this map did not have a compass, was flanked by one of the many rivers in the capital. Three bridges led directly into the territory held by Demiurge. Each roadway led into the warehouse district and into a four way crossroads and seemed quite a logical construction compared to the haphazard roadways in other parts of the city. Presumably this was to avoid merchants and other foreigners that used the warehouse district and to avoid traffic congestion in this hub of economic activity.

The southern and eastern sides of Demiurge's territory in the city led out into urban sprawl of other districts while the western side was mostly blocked off by the river to the north winding its way southward as it traveled west. While there were a few main roads leading into the territory from this direction there seemed to be countless side roads and alleyways where demons could slip through into the rest of the city.

"Have the surrounding parts of the city been evacuated?"

Gently the princess shook her head so her long blonde hair wouldn't flail about. "No curfew is enforced. But… there has been no word of people fleeing from the flames.

"Those living in the district probably don't know the flames are harmless." Lakyus tried her best to put a positive spin on things for the Princess's benefit. The two of them appeared to have a close relationship. Closer than one would expect of an adventurer and their employer. But that wasn't what concerned Tri'ade right now.

"We need to get people out of there," Tri'ade said as he paced back and forth thinking. He went to the stonewall of the room they were in, pressing his fingers into it. The stone gave away after a small effort leaving large cracks in the stonework much to everyone in the room. " The buildings in this city might as well be made out of tissue paper. We don't want people getting trapped in the rubble."

"Ah, leave that to me and the copper plates" Ameilia said with confidence. "Organizing search and rescue is a simple job if you know what you're doing. But we will need a safe place to set people down at." The guild master looked to the princess.

"We can set a camp outside the city for people to stay until it's safe to go back to their homes."

"Good. Then my forces will split into three teams and will consist of my strongest followers. Each team will be tasked with clearing the main roads in the district."

"And the Lords of Sin?"

"The swift destruction of their summons should alert them. They'll have to deal with us least we annihilate their screen of minions. Their likely goal is to use their summons to slow us down so they can search for the artifact. If we can deal with them quickly it'll force Jabbaloath to send the lords to deal with us."

"Is searching the district for them not a possibility?"

"We don't know how many Sins are in the district. Spreading ourselves out would allow them to pick us off one by one."

"Hmm, you're right."

"While we punch through the main roads, the adventurers and noble retinues will secure the ground we take and the backalleys." When he mentioned the nobles there was a palpable silence in the air until the Warrior-Captain broke it.

"The nobility and their house guards will not be joining the attack."

"What?"

Tri'ade thought he misheard what the Warrior-Captain was saying. But Stronoff repeated himself.

"The nobility of the city have chosen not to offer their assistance."

Tri'ade was shocked at what he was hearing. He heard of the noble's horrible reputation but it was human nature to rally around the flag in a crisis. What on earth were they thinking? Did they honestly think demon's ransacking the capital was not their problem? It threatened them as much as everyone else.

But one thing puzzled him more. "Gazef perhaps I misunderstood something but don't the nobles swear an oath of fidelity to his majesty and the Kingdom?" From what he understood of feudal systems the serfs are sworn to serve their noble lords, and noble lords to their king. It's a hierarchical system of service with sets of obligations and duties everyone must legally abide by.

A sad smile crept on Gazef's face. "Perhaps in the Empire that is true. But only an assembly of nobles can force a member of the nobility to action."

"They combined the worst aspects of feudal society and demoncies together?! What the fuck?!" Tri'ade placed his palm on his mask as he wanted to rub his forehead at the shock of this revelation.

King Ramposa the Third might not be as valuable of an ally as he initially believed. "Perhaps I should think of Re-Estize as if it is medieval Poland." Tri'ade was a bit of a history buff mostly due to him playing historical strategy games before YGGDRASIL came to consume most of his free time.

Medieval Poland or the Polish-Lithiuanian Commonwealth as it's normally called was a personal union of both the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Though Poland was the greater of the two kingdoms economically and culturally.

The monarch of the Commonwealth was historically incredibly weak. Their powers were checked by the Sejm, a legislature consisting of the Commonwealth's noble classes. That weakness in the head of state eventually led to the downfall of the dual kingdoms.

This noble assembly Gazef spoke of reminded Tri'ade of the Sejm. It was the Sejm as Tri'ade understood it that was also responsible for electing a new monarch. And it was corruption of this body that notably led to the partition of the Commonwealth.

Foreign powers would bribe nobles to control votes in the Sejm leading to an election of monarchs who were puppets of foriegn interests. The polish people rebelled against these puppets but they would be time and time again crushed by foreign armies protecting their interests. Eventually Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Prussia saw it cheaper and more worthwhile to simply paritation the corrupt Kingdom rather than continue funneling money to treacherous nobles.

Clearly Ainz Ooal Gown would need to investigate the political system of the Re-Estize Kingdom. Perhaps through diplomacy and gifts Nazarick could secure the resources of the Kingdom without the need for direct conflict.

That would be preferable to Tri'ade. Any conflict between Ainz Ooal Gown and Re-Estize would be a massacre. One that would paint Ainz Ooa Gown in a negative light for any Players they might come into contact with and antagonize the neighboring human Kingdoms.

Tri'ade was confident the Great Tomb could hold out against any adversary, but the same couldn't be said of his new subjects in the Forest of Tob. His new castle was incomplete and Pandora's work on his new legion was proceeding at a snail's pace due to the lack of corpses.

Princess Renner chimed in to explain as Tri'ade considered the possibilities. "Some nobles contend that since the capital is a part of the lands held by the Royal Family, that it is the King's responsibility alone to protect it. Sadly the law agrees with them."

"Besides adventurers, who do we have to fight with us?"

"The City Guard."

"The City Guard." Tri'ade said looking back at Gazef Stronoff who shifted uncomfortably in his gaze.

"The duty of the Warrior-Select is to protect the Royal Family."

"Right" Tri'ade muttered.

"It's not ideal but the City Guard can be a rear guard at these checkpoints. Here, here and here" Princess Renner pointed to the roads leading into the area on the map marked with a red circle.

"The Magicians Guild has also agreed to the use of their tower here as a field hospital for the wounded.

"Hmm." It didn't even occur to Tri'ade that they'd need a field hospital. Such logistics were beyond his experience as a Player.

"It won't stop them. Not completely. Even if the guard somehow managed to hold firm demons capable of flight could strike anywhere in the city. In fact." Tri'ade pointed to one of the bridges where a guard choke point would be ideally located on the map. "If the demons are smart they'll use a team of flyers to attack our rear."

"Could they?" Evileye asked "If the lesser demons are summons It has to be difficult controlling them all."

"That skull-faced demon could." Lakyus piped in to answer Evileye's question to the surprise of her friend.

"Hmm?"

"The one attacked me. What did you call it?"

"A Scale Demon."

"Right. The Sins. They could order a small group of lesser demons to follow a Scale Demon."

"Skull-faced huh? A demon like that was what attacked my men at the docks. A demon like that can cause serious damage by itself."

"To counter them I propose forming a mobile reserve unit. Darkness can take that role. With a few Flight Necklaces they'll have the mobility needed to react quickly.." Tri'ade hoped putting Darkness in the reserve would keep them away from the Sins and more importantly than that, keep them away from Demiurge.

While Demiurge had never met Darkness, if the group continued to serve Ainz Ooal Gown, that wouldn't be the case forever. As the 7th Floor Guardian ran most of the information gathering operations underway from the Shadow Demons to his quote unquote farm in the Abelion Hills. If Darkness could no longer work as adventurers for whatever reason, recon missions would suit them. And while he trusted Darkness to a certain extent he wasn't fool enough to trust them completely like the NPCs.

"Wait… Then who will go with you to face Jaldabaoth and his Lords? " The guildmaster Amelia asked, confused. Her confusion was understandable being ignorant of the fact Tri'ade was a guild master too.

Everyone looked to Tri'ade, to me for an answer. Turning to Amelia and with his hands behind his back Tri'ade looked her in the eye. "As I said before, my followers. I command the forces of Ainz Ooal Gown."

"Ainz Ooal Gown?" Amelia said with some hesitation, questioning whether or not she pronounced the strange string of syllables together.

Walking away from her Tri'ade turned his back to everyone else in the room. He looked out through the window at the [Flames of Gehenna] lighting up the night's sky deep in thought.

For some reason it hurt when Amelia spoke the name of his guild. He felt a pain grow in his chest. Her wide eyed confusion was a stark reminder that the accomplishments of what he did together with his friends were all but forgotten. Hell he didn't even know how much the NPC's knew of Ainz Ooal Gown's past, or their creators. It reminded him of the days leading up to the servers shutdown.

"Tri'ade?" Someone asked with concern. Tri'ade wasn't paying enough attention to tell who it was.

"I'm done here. Make whatever preparations you need for the safety of the city. I need to go to the courtyard and gather my teams together. " Tri'ade prepared to leave the room.

"I'll walk with you. I need to do a headcount in the Great Hall." Amelia quickly went over to Tri'ade's side.

A voice behind them cried out "Wait a moment." It was Princess Renner. "Before you go I want to tell you something."

"Yes?" He wondered what she wanted now.

"Thank you. Thank you for saving my friend" The princess said holding onto Lakyus's hand. "And for all your help tonight."

"Princess."

The princess's words were so sincere, so sweet it couldn't help but bring a smile to his face. Tri'ade paused for a moment to think of a way to respond.

"I was looking forward to that party his majesty invited me to. It would be a shame to miss it because of all of this."

Renner smiled "Is that so? I'm sure father will be happy to hear that."

With that said they left. The Guild Master walked alongside Tri'ade as Gazef Stronoff personally escorted them through the Palace.

"I would imagine you'd stick to your King at a time like this." After awhile Tri'ade decided to engage in small-talk as they walked through the palace.

"Heh. I'd be a distraction. His majesty is in conference with the other nobles."

"Still trying to convince them to help?"

"Always."

As they walked though he noticed Amelia Gran occasionally giving Tri'ade sidelong glances. She tried to hide it with a stoic face but her eyes betrayed her anxiety.

"What's the matter?"

"Ah! I-It's... " Amelia opened the palm of her hand. In it lay Tri'ade's adamantite adventurer plate he had given her. "We don't normally take the plates away."

"Oh." Tri'ade offered the Guild Master his open hand and she dropped the plate into it. "I had just assumed."

She shook her head. "Expulsion is the only time we take them. For when one of our own is arrested for crimes against the Kingdom."

"Well my joining was unusual. I didn't expect to be accepted after hearing about the Guild's policy of neutrality."

Amelia seemed to relax a bit. "It was. If you had come to my guild I would have turned you away. "

"Probably for the best." With that said he opened up his inventory and put his adamantite plate into it for safekeeping. Tri'ade was no longer concerned about hiding his inventory ability, regardless of the shocked reactions it brought from those passing by.

They came to a large open doorway guarded by palace knights. Adventurers were still arriving, being escorted by palace guards to the great hall. Guild Master Ameilia bid Tri'ade and Gazef farewell. After she left it was just Tri'ade and the Warrior-Captain once more as they left the royal residence through the castle proper.

When they reached the open courtyard Tri'ade's gaze turned to the red glow of the night's sky. "If Demiurge was serious he'd attack this place taking out the city's leadership. I guess I should act like that might happen. Keep up appearances. But who to summon? Camila and her knights are occupied. Gazef already knows Albedo so that might smooth things over."

His gaze shifted to the Warrior-Captain beside him and a random thought occurred to him. "What would Takemikazuchi think of him?" Tri'ade could never know for certain. Perhaps Takemikazuchi would respect him as a warrior or dismiss him as a fool that got complacent after becoming famous for his strength. Though that brought something else to mind. Takemikazuchi's creation Cocytus was ever willing to spar, to fight. What better way could you describe tonight's wargame as anything but a big sparring match?

["Albedo? Can you hear me?"] Tri'ade used a [Message] spell to reach out to the Guardian Oversee.

["Darling! Yes! I can. What can I do for you?"]

["I need you here. Come dressed for battle."]

["Are you in trouble?"]

Glancing over to Gazef Stronoff at his side Tri'ade made sure he didn't by mistake vocalize his response out of habit. Message did not require the person using to talk only to convey thoughts. But to Tri'ade it felt weird thinking of it like that considering all the time he spent talking on headsets.

["No. But I need help to play a game with Demiurge."]

["Oh?"]

[A wargame. We're going to make a play fighting off Demiurge and his minions in the Capital. It's a good opportunity to display the might of Ainz Ooal Gown to the world."]

["Ah fantastic! I'll get ready for you immediately my love. But… who should look after Nazerick while I'm with you?"]

["Put Pandora's Actor in charge. This shouldn't take too long. Oh, and bring Cocytus. I'm sure he would love a chance to fight. I'll open a Gate in the Amphitheatre. Message me when you're ready."]

["As you command my love"]

Lowering his hand from his ear Tri'ade stopped the message spell.

"So?" Gazef asked, unsure of what would come next.

"Ah. We'll be ready soon enough. With the right spell my people can be transported here from my home. "

"Really? That's amazing. No matter how advance the magic, getting people together takes time."

"Indeed." Tri'ade was reminded of the times Ainz Ooal Gown organized for raids against the Lords of the Seven Deadly Sins. He would always have to allocate an hour or two of prep time to the schedule. That was just to ensure everyone would show up. IRL stuff would sometimes get in the way. Like that one time when HeroHero showed up late due to his supervisor wanting him to work overtime.

"Heh. It'd be funny. After all this preparation the demons will just leave before we get there."

"Think we'll be so lucky?"

"No, still even if we win tonight they might just run. You know how useful teleportation magic is in that."

"Ha! I'd be glad just to be rid of them."

Just then the gates leading out of the courtyard swung wide open. From it a haggard group of people spewed into the courtyard. The guards stood aside to make way. Forefront among them was a familiar boy in black plate mail.

"Well I'll be. The kid made it back." A relieved smile crept on Stronoff's face.

Climb and the group that was with him moved forward to the foot of the stairs where Tri'ade and Gazef were standing.

"My lords!" Climb did a solemn bow before the two of them. "I'm sorry for my team's late arrival."

"We thought you were dead. What the hell took you so long?"

Standing beside Climb an older man spoke up. He had short blond hair and was a rogue by the looks of the knife holdistered on his hip. One of the Marquis's former orichalcum-ranked adventurers by the look of it.

"I can answer that. We took the long way to avoid demons and to bring him."

Behind him were wizard looking types that had a floating disk behind them. They pulled the disk closer to Tri'ade and he saw a man sitting on it. He had short brown hair and a beard with a twirly mustache. The clothes he had on looked to be like a pirate outfit to Tri'ade. Thought that might be because of the tricorne hat with a feather plume this man wore.

Gazef walked up to the floating disk to get a better look at the stranger. Tri'ade followed behind him. "And who might he be?"

The man had a wide wily smile on his face. "Captain Jack S. Hornigold is the name. Forgive my manners. I'd give you noble lords a bow but alas..." He pointed to his stump. The man appeared injured as his right leg was gone, cleaved off at the knee leaving him with a bloody stump. The wound appeared to be recent as it was dressed with blood stained rags.

"The good Captain showed us a smuggler's tunnel out of the city. We used it to escape the demons that surrounded the mansion."

"Escape tunnel! It was an escape tunnel. My client valued his family's well being. That is all. He was no smuggler, good sir."

"Right and he just told you of his secret tunnel."

The quote good captain turned a bit pale at his past association. He didn't look like a fool. Jack probably knew of his client's association with Eight Fingers.

"Well in fact he did not good sir! His wife was the one who informed me of it. May the Four bless her soul." He said in his best effort to deflect.

Taking pity on the man Tri'ade interjected. " In any case. I'm certain the Golden Princess would like to thank you personally for your assistance, Captain Hornigold."

"Oh, think nothing of it. But I must be on my way. If you sirs could lend me a cane I can make it to the temple myself. I wouldn't want to be a bother."

"Nonsense. You've done us a service. The princess was dreadfully worried about her..." Tri'ade failed to think of the proper thing to call Climb. No one ever used the honorific sir to describe him so he was unsure if he was a son of nobility. Climb certainly looked like a knight in his mithril armor and certainly conducted himself in a manner of one.

"Bodyguard." Coming to his aid Climb provided him an answer.

"Bodyguard right. Thanks to your invaluable assistance the Golden Princess's favorite bodyguard and the rest of his team are alive. Many have met a far worse fate tonight."

"You needn't mention it! Just doing my part for the crown."

"Nonsense! In fact, let me be the one to begin repaying you for your service." Tri'ade moved closer to Captain Hornigold and touched his stump.

"[Heal]."

Upon casting the spell light sprouted forth from the man's leg and when the light dissipated his crippling injury was gone. Leaving him with a new leg now walk with.

Captain Hornigold got off the floating disk and tested his regrow limb. Leaning in on it before shaking it still a bit amazed at his sudden recovery. Jack Hornigold did his best bow to the two of them. "Ah thank you. It occurs to me, I never got your names, your lordships. "

"Lord Tri'ade of Nazarick. And the man beside me is the ever so famous Warrior-Captain of the Warrior-Select. Gazef Stronoff."

"What's left of it at least."

Tri'ade was surprised by the self deprecating joke Gazef made. It was the sort of joke Tri'ade himself often told others when describing his frankly pathetic life back on Earth. When he was human that was. The realization of what his friend in Re-Estize lost took him aback. Certainly being their commander Gazef would have known many of those that died tonight. And the reason for their deaths stood right beside him. His so-called friend and savior.

It surprised him that he didn't feel much guilt about it. Unlike when he thought Climb was dead. Was it because he was a demon now? Or simply because he viewed Gazef more as a tool than an actual friend. They hadn't known each other for long after all and didn't know anything about the members of his warrior select.

Tri'ade figured It was the latter all things considered. After all, Sebas had managed to make friends, human ones at that with Tuare and Climb. Him losing one would be tragic. Maybe there was some hope for the other NPC's to get past their disdain for humanity.

"What of Lady Lakyus and the rest of Blue Rose? Are they alright?" Climb seemed to have grasped the implication of what Tri'ade and Gazef were hinting at.

"Their alive, lad. Thanks to Lord Tri'ade here. Without him saving Lady Lakyus, Tia and Gagaran would still be dead."

"Gagaran was defeated?!" Climb's eyes went wide in disbelief at what he just heard.

"The demons leading these attacks are monsters among monsters. You and Captain Hornigold should go see her highness immediately. She can tell you everything. "

Wary glances were exchanged between the soldiers and ex-adventurers in Climb's group. Adamantite adventurers were legendary for their strength. No doubt Gazef didn't mention his own near death experience with the demons to avoid a panic among them.

"Oh. Of course!" Climb turned to face Tri'ade and gave him a low bow. "I must thank you milord for well… everything."

"Don't thank me. The battle is not over yet. "

"The rest of you are dismissed. Warrior-Select go see the Vice Captain in the Barracks for new assignments."

With that Climb's group dispersed. Climb and the ex-adventurers heading into the palace to their respective noble lieges and the Warrior-Select soldiers that were with them to the barracks in the Castle Walls.

Tri'ade then heard a sweet and familiar voice. The voice of his wife Albedo.

"[Darling. We are ready for you.]"

"[Gate]"

Albedo was the first to step out of the gate in her pitch black armor, the Hermes Trismegistus. Tri'ade opened his arms wide, physically inviting her. A red glow emitted from the slits of her helmet and she lunged at him with an incredible speed that almost knocked him off his feet. Gazef reached for his sword at the sight of the black clad woman flying in the air towards his friend. Relaxing only when Tri'ade embraced Albedo in his arms. He gave her eskimo kisses nudging his mask against her helmet.

"Oh darling! teheh"

"I know. I missed you too. This time apart has felt like months."

Over Albedo's shoulder Tri'ade could see Coctyus stepping out of the portal decked out in his own form of battle gear. With golden magical accessories covering his body, a massive amulet and bracers being the most prominent.

"Cocytus"

Tri'ade let go of Albedo and she took her place at his side opposite Gazef. The giant blue insectoid kneeled before him as a sign of subservience. Even kneeling down on one knee Cocytus was taller than anyone here standing up.

"Lord. I. Am. Ready. To. Serve."

"Rise." Cocytus obeyed, rising to his full height of eight feet two inches he towered over everyone else in the courtyard Tri'ade and the now very nervous guards on duty included.

"I think introductions are necessary. Gazef. This is the Floor Guardian Cocytus. One of Ainz Ooal Gown's greatest warriors." Tri'ade placed his hand on Gazef's shoulder. "Cocytus this is the Warrior-Captain, Gazef Stronoff, the strongest man in the Kingdom."

Cocytus placed one of his hands on his chest and did a slight bow. "It. Is. An. Honor. The. Supreme. One. Has. Spoken Of. You."

"Ah It's an honor to meet you too." Gazef seemed phased by Cocytus's greeting. Given the Floor Guardian's immense size Tri'ade didn't think much of it. For most people the insectoid guardian would be an intimidating sight to behold.

"You've already met my wife Albedo." Tri'ade motioned his hand over to Albedo dressed in the same black armor she wore at Carne's Village when he first met the Warrior-Captain.

"A pleasure Lady Albedo. Would It be improper of me to congratulate you?" Stronoff slightly bowed out of respect to the Dark Warrior before him.

"What?" Albedo began to sound somewhat irritated being subjected to questions.

"On your union with Lord Tri'ade. It would be rude of me to not give my congratulations if your wedding was recent. "

"Oh! Really?! I don't see how any of that matters. I'm thankful. Every. Single. Day." Albedo said into Tri'ade's ear while hugging onto his arm. It wasn't nearly as enjoyable as it sounded with both of them clad in armor.

Tri'ade turned to Cocytus "Now that you two are here. Let's begin."

Raising his hands Tri'ade began casting Super-Tier magic. Light in the form of magical circles began to dance around him, wisps of pure magical energy gathered above him bouncing up and down. The light of the spell shone bright in the dark of night illuminating the courtyard Tri'ade was standing in.

"What in the world is this?" The Warrior-Captain appeared amazed by the dancing lights and magic surrounding him.

Opening up his arms wide Tri'ade answered "Super-Tier magic. The summoning begins."

After a moment Tri'ade put his arms back to his side. He wasn't about to waste a cash item to cast [Pantheon]. True he had a great number of them in the Guild Treasury but they were irreplaceable. For Ainz Ooal Gown he would have to use them wisely. There was a downside to this.

"This will take some time. Be alert. If the enemy is smart they will try to disrupt the spell "

All Super-Tier magic had relatively longer cast times, though how long depended on the spell itself. Though in general offensive spells like [Fallen Down] might have a cast time of just one minute while summoning spells took longer. This regulated summoning spells of Super-Tier level to pre-battle prep without the use of a cash item.

"Understood." A puff of cold air released from Cocytus's mouth as he drew his Halberd and scanned the area for threats to his liege. Thankfully Cocytus ignored the slack jawed guards blankly staring at them from the ramparts.

The mention of a fight seemed to snap Gazef Stronoff back into focus. As he noticed the now distracted guards. "Hey! Get back to duty and keep the lookout! Unless you want to be demon food!" he shouted up to the guards startling them. Hastily they went back to their posts, watching over the ramparts, their eyes towards the Flames of Gehenna.

"Of course no demons are coming." Tri'ade thought as the guards were berated. He had to resist the urge to grin. While he thought he should feel bad about deceiving him it was quite the opposite feeling. It was somewhat of a thrill to him like it was a part of a game.

Like it was in YGGDRASIL. It reminded him of the feeling when he got the upper hand in duels by tricking his opponents. Given his jack of all trades build he wasn't very potent in any one aspect. No matter how he offset that with equipment he would never be as a potent damage dealer as Ulbert was nor fight in melee as well as Touch Me. No, he relied on deception on catching his foes off balance with his diverse skill set.

The courtyard stood in silence for a seemingly unbearable amount of time. Tri'ade's mind wandered to what he would say to those adventurer's he made acquaintances with after tonight. The multitude of questions they and in turn many others would have of him. The fear and hate in their imagined responses ran across his mind as he imagined the conversations.

He made an effort to get to know many adventurers in E-Rantel to gain information on Blue Rose and other things of interest. Much of that time was quite awful. He had to drink beer tasting of piss that would never get him drunk thanks to his poison immunity. Still sometimes he had fun sometimes acting drunk in the tavern and arm wrestling strangers.

"Halt! Identify yourself." Coctyus said in a commanding tone pointing his Halberd at whoever he was speaking to. This outburst broke Tri'ade out of his mental gymnastics and he had to look back to see who Cocytus was addressing.

Seeing it was Evileye Tri'ade waved his hand to his giant bodyguard "At ease Cocytus. Let her pass." At his lord's command he lifted his weapon up straight and tapped the bottom of his polearm on the ground.

"What's the matter?" Tri'ade turned his head away from Evileye, he didn't want to strain his neck looking back at her.

"N-Nothing... Nothing new anyway. What exactly is all this?"

"Heh. So you're interested in THIS light show." Tri'ade waved his hands around in the air motioning to the magic circles dancing around him.

"Should have known that it would catch your interest. Considering that, I am channeling enough mana to destroy a city right now. " He was being somewhat overly dramatic. Certainly the creatures summoned by Super-Tier Magic could destroy cities but he was uncertain about the area of effect of Creation or Fallen Down.

"What?!" Evileye exclaimed. Perhaps Tri'ade's choice of words were poorly chosen considering the occasion.

"Surely you must know the mana required to control multiple summons increases exponentially the more you have." Higher tier magic of course required more mana to cast. It was a somewhat roundabout way to say it but Tri'ade wanted to avoid using game terms in the presence of natives.

"I do." It was a basic principle of summoning magic. Of course Evileye knew that much.

Albedo moved closer to Tri'ade and whispered "Who is she?"

Bending his neck down, Tri'ade's masked face came close to touching Albedo's helmet to answer "A friend of a player." What he said was in a whisper.

"Oh." Albedo seemed to grasp the implications of what he said. Or at least Tri'ade hoped she did.

Something in his mind told him [Pantheon] was nearly completed and Tri'ade began to imagine where the Cherub Gatekeepers would appear. In his mind he moved the summoning points around to points along the castle walls surrounding the courtyard.

As the magic of [Pantheon] activates the magical circles around Tri'ade glowed with a bright holy light and six portals of white light appeared in the air above the walls. Out from them emerged the golden lion manes of Cherub Gatekeepers. Clad in shining armor and fiery lance the four winged angels invoked awe as they looked upon their master from on high.

"Incredible. I have never seen angels like these."

"Cherub Gatekeepers. They are angels of the First Sphere, the upper echelon of the Celestial Hierarchy. Their kind is tasked with the duty of guarding the gates of heaven, from those who would dare force themselves into paradise."

Tri'ade said, looking up at the Cherubs, trying to explain the lore of the Angels he summoned. It was not surprising Evileye knew nothing of them. From what he learned from the members of the Sunlight Scripture the highest level angel they knew of was from the Second Sphere, the Dominion Authority.

He knew the lore from the Questline: Heaven's Peril back in YGGDRASIL. Where Heaven itself was assaulted by Pride's forces with the aid of fallen angels. The Super-Tier Spell [Pantheon] was one of the rewards at the end of in gratitude from Heaven's defenders. The questline didn't really fit within Tri'ade's role playing gimmick but he did it anyways cause he was obsessively collecting spells by any means. His build after all was hardly optimized. Relying on versatility and surprising his opponents with a diverse array of spell options.

"You really are a Supreme Being." Gazef said in disbelief.

Stronoff could not help but think back on what Lust said earlier that night. The pressure from all the powerful beings surrounding Tri'ade was indescribable to his instincts as a warrior. He even used his martial senses to try to see the gap between them but it was too immense.

"Of. Course. The. Master. Is."

With the Cherubs summoned Tri'ade didn't feel like putting on a show concentrating on the summoning spell. With normal summoning magic it required one to stay still during the casting but as Super-Tier magic was a special ability it didn't have the same casting restrictions. So he turned around to see Gazef's reaction to all this. To see his face.

"Eh?"

Gazef and Evileye weren't alone. Behind them in front of the doors leading into the castle was a large group of curious onlookers. Like Evileye they must have come out here to see what was happening. Among them he could spot the rest of Blue Rose, and Darkness. In fact given their gear the crowd of people all seemed to be the adventuring sort.

There was a pregnant silence. The crowd of people seemed to be waiting on him to say something. Anything. It would have been a nerve wracking situation a couple of months ago. But Tri'ade got used to public speaking with the NPC's and treated it as a chance to roleplay.

"Adventurers!" Tri'ade said, getting their attention. "As you know Demons have descended upon the world once more. Their wall of flame marks their claim where terror reigns and their masters are powerful. Two centuries have passed since their like have walked the mortal realm."

Pacing in front of the crowd of onlookers Triade continued speaking. "But as you see they are not the only ones to have come to this world. Many of you may know of me as Tri'ade Nazarick, the leader of Darkness. But that is not all I am. I am also the Lord and Master of Ainz Ooal Gown"

There were murmurs among the crowd. Pacing back Tri'ade took center stage once more.

"I did not share this because what we are is inconceivable, our origins unimaginable. Any rational mind, ignorant of us, would be incredulous at any serious suggestion of who we are."

He saw the wide eyed stars of many in the crowd as he spoke. They seemed mesmerized by what he was saying. Even more surprising were the strange looks Lakyus was giving him.

"For we are veterans of Ragnarok, the war between the Gods. Our battlefields were in the highest realms of heaven and the deepest abyss of hell itself." On the fly Tri'ade decided to co-op a bit of the norse myth of the end times. As it was technically true due to the fact Ragnorok did happen as part of the Ragnarok Expansion that first introduced Divine-class gear into the game.

Raising his Holy Moonlight Greatsword high in the air Tri'ade shouted "And today we lend you our swords to drive these demons back!"

Cheers of jubilation erupted from the crowd. Excited shouts of warriors ready to meet the demons head on could be heard. For the first time tonight a sense of hope and excitement filled the air for those adventurers present.

With that Tri'ade breathed a sigh of relief. The difficult part of explaining himself without exposing himself was done. The pre-battle planning and preparations as far as he was concerned were done. There was only one big thing left to do tonight.

.

"Now this farce of a battle can begin. The sooner the better."

Afterword (skip this if you want to avoid author ravings)

I Know I know. I've missed you all too. It's been so long has it not? Six months and several days counting. I wish I could tell you it was all productive and I got 2 more chapters ready to be published but that would be a lie.

Truth is I rewrote this chapter so much it has ballooned the cut content is nearly as long as this chapter ended up being. Almost all of this is dialog between groups of characters (all of whom I must keep in mind how their characters ought to act, and try to make their dialog fitting to their character) and is a transition to a major battle.

Hell It's basically a blueprint for how the next chapters are going to go with the battle plan laid out for the audience. It's probably the result of my writing style wanting to write things organically to have characters interacting with the plot rather than, you know… planning things ahead. And even with that I don't think I gave enough moments to characterize the supporting cast.

I also began work on the first chapters of the next Volume and the feast chapters for the volume happening after that one. More as to keep motivation to keep writing than get bogged down in writing this chapter. So you know there's THAT. But it certainly won't help in updating chapters for quite awhile.

I've seen many reviews with the regards of "hoping this story will not go unfinished." This has come up in the past when updating took… time. Here's the thing. I never wrote this Story with an ending in MIND. It is quite literally a parallel universe to the Light Novels. It can go as long and as far as they do if not more. And frankly given my industry as a writer It'd probably take 2080 to quote un quote finish it at the current rate.

Besides what I love with Overlord is the journey not the end. Cause everyone who reads Overlord KNOWS how it will end. Ainz Ooal Gown will conquer the World, New Worlders will be pwned and humbled if not outright destroyed by the Supreme Might of Nazarick.

What makes Overlord a true masterpiece is the world building and characters. Not stakes in the plot.. Regardless of Ainz's paranoia there is no threat to Nazarick that can't be handled via overwhelming force. Most of the time NPC's deliberately handicap themselves in overly paranoid moves just to obliterate their foes at a fraction of their power. Besides a World Enemy dropping in and saying hello there is no meaningful conflict that isn't self inflicted or couldn't be done in a less dramatic way.

The same I hope is true for my own story. That you'll enjoy the journey of me writing it. I will continue writing it as long as the passion of Overlord burns in my body. Someday when that passion burns out there WILL be an ending. But I suspect it will be as satisfactory as the ending to Volume 17 of the Light novels when it comes out. Because again Overlord is for the journey and friends/enemies we make along the way not the end.

The lore of Overlord is so open and full of endless possibilities. Hell the fact the World Map is largely based on the Middle East opens up the possibility of modifying other parts of the World for Ainz Ooal Gown to conquer.

For instance Why not have the Beastmen Kingdoms reside in a subcontinent like India and the beastmen attacking the Draconic kingdom which is largely in Pakistan be simply one of numerous kingdoms (as the name suggests). Or a Lupine/Werewolf tribes in the Italian Peninsula, or tribes of Centuars control the Steppes north of the Argland Council State beyond what would be the Overlord's equivalent of the Black Sea. Or Girtablilu (Scorpion-kin, humanoid upper half, giant scorpion lower half) reside in what would be the Overlord's parallels to Libya or Egypt?

Part of me wishes I had endless vigor and time to write these stories. I really do. But working in fast food as I do. Well. It doesn't lend itself well to such creative outlets. And even then as a writer who just began seriously writing I don't think I have the skills necessary to do such things. I really wish I took up writing as a hobby ten years ago but Overlord wasn't around back then to inspire me to write.

I know the next chapter will come out far sooner than this one did. Because I know I won't be endlessly re-writing it. But I sincerely ask for your patience as I want to make these chapters to the best of my ability (as opposed as some of my earlier work.) And thank you if you bothered to read me rant and unwind my stress in making this latest chapter. It really was a trip to write.

PS: Don't expect Captain Hornigold to play a major role in volumes to come. I made him up to plug a plot hole of how the hell Climb survives without confirming or denying Demiurge/Renner have paired up yet. That said I was pleasantly surprised the latest Volume of Overlord confirmed that Sea Trade was the only reliable method of transporting goods from Re-Estize to the Roble Kingdom, I actually wrote the character before that bit was translated so that made my day. He'll probably join Renner's retinue with her holding the Captain's past as blackmail material over him (hence his last name). Maybe serve as a swashbuckling alternative to Brain. It's still in the air.