Chapter 21: A Strange Idea

*(Author's Note: It's been a while because since this is a new idea from mine, it's difficult to think a way to continue the story. I've been writing and scratching ideas off since it would be confusing if I wrote non-coherent things.)*

*(Author's Note: Also I've been so hype with the "Overlord III" and I'll think of something to add it. There will be some new characteristic of Dark Identity.)*

"What do you mean "that's it"? Do you have an idea, Iden-san?" Doburo asked. Just as everyone else were curious.

"Yes, I do. But it will be strange for you Nadia." I replied to them, then glanced at Nadia.

"Anything for you. Even if it is the strangest thing to do." She bowed slightly. As for the others looked at us confused while Dallas looked kind of jealous.

"So what's the idea?" Borzo asked.

"Since Nadia is a silver wolf, she can sniff out those mages scents. She did that with me even if it was faint." I explained. Nadia simply nodded what I just said.

Everyone were speechless. Even the Inugata family and some of the dog race villagers were proud of their sense of smell, they wouldn't be a match against her, a silver wolf. The Silver Wolf were practically masters of the hunt, they would sniff out their prey in the shadows, look for them and finally, obtain their trophies.

I glanced at them firmly. Even if what I said was a bluff or it may have been the fact, I wouldn't falter my thinking if Nadia is the only one that could search those rogue mages.

Taking a moment to think, the Inugata family made a final decision to which may be very important for the villagers.

"In that case, we hope that you will bring down these monsters who damaged our daughter." Doburo said with his determined eyes I could see that he meant every word he spoke.

I simply nodded. "Alright. If anyone wants to bring justice to these savages, I'll bring whoever wants to." My voice was heard and everyone in the village looked at me determined and wanting to join me but... "But I'll only bring a few people with me if that only brings them less attention. I cannot bring many people or warriors with me since it could endanger many of us."

The villagers looked at each other, not knowing who will go with me. But then, one hand raised up to which everyone including Doburo and Berna were surprised with widen eyes.

"I will go." Dallas said firmly, still raising his hand.

"What are you saying Dallas? You won't go with him." Doburo answered seriously. He almost lost a daughter. Now he didn't... no... he won't let his son get killed out of vendetta.

"And what I am suppose to do? To wait here while those savages rest thinking that they did another good job?! No. I won't let them do as they please. So I'll go with him to kill those bastards, you like it or not!"

Everyone were speechless, usually they would just laugh it off as a joke. But this... this was a serious affair that the daughter of the chief was injured by those people. A familiar would understand if one of their sons or daughters were to be injured, they would not rest until those responsible are dealt with.

"Aren't you going to stop him, Iden-san?" Asked Berna worried.

I shook my head. "This is something HE wants to do. I won't interfere what he decided." My answer are clear. I wouldn't let my own creations to endanger themselves. But if they were in case, wounded or even near at the death's door. I'll hunt those bastards as if that would be my last mission on this world.

The one who calmed the father-son relationship was Hopy, who placed her hand on Dallas' shoulder. "Dallas. We understand that you want to hunt them but if you are going then you team are going too!" She stated with her companions behind her.

"Hey, man. We will go with you, you like it or not." Borzo smirked.

"There is no way we will let our leader and friend go alone." Zobro added.

"Um." Netsuki nodded.

"Guys..." Dallas was literally about to cry with his friends, he puffed out his chest proudly. "Yes, we'll go together."

Doburo sighed. Knowing that they were together since childhood, it wouldn't be strange that they would follow him at all cost. He smirked and stated. "Alright. You and your team will follow Iden to those rogues. We will keep a lookout if we see them around and also protecting your sister."

Dallas nodded. "Yes, father. I'll find those people."

"Alright, people. It's time to move." I clapped my hands to gain their attention. The team nodded and followed me and Nadia to track those rogue mages.

Several minutes passed since we left the village. Dallas escorted to us where the information of his little sister last location before she met those rogues.

Once there, we could see faint footsteps and carriage marks as if they were moving something. Nadia leaned closer to look and gave a quick sniff on the ground.

"They did pass through here and they were carrying something big. From what I just smelled, they didn't go so far so we may reach them in time. Also I do not know what was the contents of what the carriage was carrying but what I can understand, it is not good." She informed, holding her nose out of disgust.

"Alright." I nodded and looked at the beastmen. "You know that this is dangerous. But this would help your people by dealing with those rogues to the end. If you want to return to your families, I won't stop you."

Silence descended for a moment. The one who broke the silence was Dallas.

"I don't like to speak like an idiot but... we are already here so there is no need for us to step back on our words." His tone was heard kind of foolish but more determined. His team smiled hearing from him saying like that.

"Well, you do sometimes speak like an idiot." Zobro joked. As the other laughed with him.

"Don't say it like that you jerk!" Embarrassed, I saw how they were close to even joke like that. It made me remember those times I joined Nazarick way before I opened up with the members.

Nadia glanced at me, knowing that I was the last Supreme Lord besides Ainz, she knew that I was somehow... lonely.

"Iden-san." She mumbled. Not so low to keep under her nose and not to loud to gain the attention of the beast team. I looked at her, her expression somehow sad but caring.

"Don't worry so much." I assured, patting her head with a smile.

I whistled to which the beastmen looked at me. "Okay, everyone. If you are determined to continue on this journey, we'll continue." Everyone nodded and followed me and Nadia.

-Scene Change: E-Rantel with Ainz-

Ainz in his adventurer form as Momon, strolled aimlessly looking for someone if he/she would appear as any other day. Narbarel, Ainz's partner named as Nabe, glanced at him curiously as Ainz looked around.

"Ain- Momon-san. Who or what are you looking for?" She asked curiously.

"It's been days since Deimurge's invasion and we first returned to E-Rantel. It would have been a few days, Identity and Nadia to return but somehow they aren't seen much around." Said Ainz to which also Narbarel realized of the other Supreme Lords' absence.

"I did hear from the guards that the woman Identity-sama was guarding arrived two days ago." Informed Narbarel.

"Then let's go look for him there." Narbarel nodded following him to the Naimbot Dawngor's residence.

Reaching the front doors of Identity's patrons, Ainz and Narbarel stepped in front of the guards, who recognized them as they reached them.

"Ah, Momon-san. What brings you here?" One of the guards asked.

"Yes. I'm looking for Iden Mak. Have you seen him?"

"Hmm... well, our lady arrived with three escorts with her. But then nothing." The other guard answered.

"I see. Could you at least bring me the escorts that went with the young lady?" The guards nodded and one of them went to look for Scarlet and Silvina. After some minutes, both of them including the guard returned.

Ainz saw how Iden's both bodyguards twitched at the same time they saw him. Ainz could guess that something happened that they were in that state.

They went to an nearby cafe to talk. As they both sat together, they were sweating abruptly. Even though they only saw Ainz in his adventurer form, they wouldn't like to know his role as the Overlord of Nazarick.

"Now..." His voice surprised them both. "... would you kindly tell me where is Iden?"

"W-Well..." Silvina started, sweating abruptly.

"H...He's..." Scarlet continued also sweating.

Narbarel wasn't very much of a help since she was glaring both of them with a murderous intent. Her gaze was like piercing through their fragile souls.

"Nabe..." Ainz's voice calmed Narbarel's rage toward Iden's subordinates. "I know you and I want to know where is Dark Identity. Much like myself, I'd like to know his whereabouts but threatening them with your glare isn't much of a help."

"I'm sorry, Momon-san." She apologized. Her head bowed down.

"So you two," Turning his attention to Scarlet and Silvina. "I'd like to know what happened?"

Scarlet and Silvina took a breather from Narbarel's glare so they started with the explanation.

"After we parted away from the central city, we were on our way to E-Rantel until we were stopped by three mysterious beings." Silvina explained, adjusting her glasses.

"Three mysterious beings?" Asked Ainz raising a brow.

"We couldn't see their faces since they were cloaked." Scarlet continued. "After that, Iden-sama ordered to us telepathically to return here while he went with them alone."

"And you left our Supreme Lord alone? You incompetents fools." Narbarel snarled. Her eyes twitching in fury was once again, terrifying for them.

"Nabe." Ainz tried again to calm her down. Even he would be... no... he was mad but his emotion suppressor kicked in calming him completely. "Continue."

"Yes... After that, as we did ordered, we returned to E-Rantel with the young lady but..." Scarlet paused, gulping her dry saliva.

"But?"

"After we returned... Nadia-sama disobeyed the order and went to find him." Silvina finished. Their head bowed down onto the table, knowing that not telling Ainz was also part of their orders. But being in front of him, it was unavoidable not to inform him now.

"And why didn't you both reported to Ainz-sama?" Narbarel asked, showing her hostile tone.

Raising his arm to Narbarel, Ainz almost guessed the reason. "He also ordered you both not to speak about it, right?"

"Y-Yes!" Silvina replied.

"He didn't want to worry much of your time so he did ordered us not to inform you." Scarlet added.

Ainz sighed, looking tired between his Overlord role and Adventurer role, placed his hand on his helmeted forehead. Dark Identity... you only made it worse and even your subordinates dealt the consequences. I hope wherever you are, it isn't dangerous.

Both Scarlet and Silvina still firm and trembling were waiting if their lives were about to be punished or spared. Ainz looked at them, knowing Identity for a long time, he could guess he was much more merciful than him.

"You both return to your patron's residence. I'll deal with this later." He ordered them, standing up. There was no answer but Scarlet and Silvina bowed before returning.

Outside of the cafe, Narbarel asked. "So what are we going to do, Momon-san?"

"Contact Nazarick to look for him and tell both Hawk and Sorath to find him. I can guess that they will be more helpful finding Dark Identity."

"At once." Narbarel bowed and called back to Nazarick.

Wherever you are, I hope for your safety my friend. Ainz though.

-Scene Change: Unknown location inside the forest-

We kept walking, following Nadia to wherever those rogues were. Until we finally located them at the entrance of a wide cave.

"We arrived." Said Nadia, hiding behind a bush while some others were hiding a tree.

"Those fuckin' bastards. I'll murder them all if they nearly killed my sister." Dallas' voice was full of anger. Maybe all present understood his anger but there wasn't time for that.

"Look Dallas. We will take them out but remember to keep you head cool if you want to continue."

"Or what?"

"I'll be obliged to subdue you fully." I replied, my tone was cold even the beastmen felt that power behind my words. I wasn't kidding. I promised to deal with the rogues but not finishing it hot-headedly.

"Alright. So what are we going to do?" Hopy asked. Looking at the encampment those rogue mages were.

"We can go inside until we dealt with the front guards." I said, looking at both rogue warrior guards in front of the cave.

"So should we take them out until nightfall?" Zobro suggested.

"Maybe. We still don't know their exact numbers so we are at a disadvantage." Said Borzo.

"Let me handle the recon. I'll try at least know their exact numbers." I suggested. Knowing Nadia, she kind of understood how I'll recon the cave.

"We understand. We'll wait you here." Dallas nodded as the other did the same. I went not far from them to begin my scouting.

Standing not far from the cave and from the beastmen I hoped that this would work.

"[Mimic]" I used one of the principle skill of the Doppelganger race. It allows me to transform any race, being human, elf, orc or any animal and beast without problem. The only Doppelgangers in Nazarick are Narbarel and Ainz's creation, Pandora's Actor. You could say the Doppelganger race are the tricksters and spymasters of the heteromorphic races. Nobody suspects if they are their allies.

I transformed to a little mouse and allowed me to sneak past the front guards. Counting each enemies inside, I saw their armories, weapons, grimoires on tables and somehow prisoners? There were some beastmen prisoners, more land beastmen. I reached to a much bigger cave. There were men drinking, fighting, sparring and five big figures sitting on a round table apart the rest.

I decided to close my position to them and hid behind a barrel. I started to overhear them.

"So when it is going to finish those mages with their rituals?" One of the females asked. From her voice, I could guess she was mature. She was pale, her hair purplish long with a gorgeous body. And she was wearing some kind of witch attire. Being a black dress and a fancy witch hat.

"Don't worry about them. I told them that they were needed the essentials to work on the ritual. Shishishi" A much more elderly voice chuckled. Having a long white hair and beard. His eyes could be seen because of his long eyebrows. His attire consisted on a grey open-robe with a leather armor underneath and steam-punk goggles.

"..." The other female much like an assassin or thief didn't spoke much. She had her arms crossed under her chest. Her eyes closed, it only showed her short reddish-black hair, her mouth covered with a mask, her attire consisted in light armor as a ninja but more advanced and supplied than the movies.

"Hmph. I hope so old man. We don't want any of those Slane Theocracy idiots to mess it up." His rough voice was guessed as the middle-man of the group. His brownish-blond long hair and a messy beard was noticeable his sharp eyes and tanned skin. His armor was neither light nor heavy, somehow in between. He was wielding a long broad sword resting on his side.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen." Finally the one that looked like the leader of this group spoke. "I hope that this, help us govern over those beast and finally have our revenge." His mouth started to curve to a wide grin. As the other did the same except the assassin, she just looked at him. His black combed hair, tanned skin His attire consisted on a cloak over his shoulder, underneath a more advanced armor with bigger shoulder pads. On his waist, a thinner sword. I could guess it was like some kind of katana but I wasn't sure.

Everyone stood up and went on their ways. The witch went to drink, the elder mage with the rogue mages and his grimoires, the warrior went to train or fight with the bandits and the leader went inside his quarters. Somehow the assassin like wasn't among the people inside the cave.

I looked around to try at least locate her. But somehow I suddenly felt a chill on my back. I turned around slowly only to find the assassin staring at me intensely. I was so surprised that the first thing I did was run away from her.

I tried to run away as fast as possible but the assassin was quick that nobody inside the cave noticed her. She grabbed my squishy body, since I was a mouse, and while holding me, she stared showing her narrow yellow eyes. I didn't know if I was feeling fear or perturbed. She then started strolling as if it was normal inside with me on her hands. Whatever is going to happen... it won't be good to me.

TO BE CONTINUED

*(Author's Note: There some of you, readers, complaining about my grammar. I know I have a lot of grammatical errors but do not worry. Sometimes I re-read my stories and check if there are errors. If you think I have errors, do not comment much about since I already know it.)*

*(Author's Note: Also there is a reader that sometimes helps me with some ideas: rmarcano321. Thanks for your support, I'll announce some of the things I have chatted with him.)*

Dark Identity

Nickname: Faceless Trickster - The Enforcer - The Grand Sorcerer (being Iden Mak)

Level: 100

Job: One of the Almighty 41 Supreme Beings - Naimbot Dawngor's Bodyguard

Alignment: Great Evil

Sense of Justice: -400 (But tends to be more merciful)

Racial Level: Doppelganger Lvl. 15 - Greater Doppelganger Lvl. 10

Job Level: Battle Mage Lvl. 10 - High Cleric Lvl. 5 - Elementalist Lvl. 5 - Sword Saint Lvl. 5 - Blacksmith Lvl. 5 - Shapeshifter Lvl. 5 - Others

Nadia Wildfang Foxtrot

Nickname: The Silent Beast Maid -

Level: 100

Job: Great Tomb of Nazarick Battle Maid - Naimbot Dawngor's Bodyguard

Alignment: Neutral

Sense of Justice: 50

Racial Level: Werewolf Lvl. 10

Job Level: Assassin Lvl. 10 - Ranger Lvl. 5 - Guardian Lvl. 3 - Others

Hawk

Nickname: The Nocturnal Doctor

Level: 70

Job: Great Tomb of Nazarick Doctor

Alignment: Good

Sense of Justice: 200

Racial Level: Birdman Lvl. 10 - Nocturnal Owl Lvl. 10

Job Level: Assassin Lvl. 10 - Striker Lvl. 5 - Poison Maker Lvl. 5 - Alchemist Lvl. 5 - Doctor Lvl. 10 - Others

Sorath

Nickname: The Battle Junk Commander

Level: 65

Job: Great Tomb of Nazarick Commander

Alignment: Evil

Sense of Justice: -200

Racial Level: Angel Lvl. 10 - Archdevil Lvl. 5 - Others

Job Level: Berserker Lvl. 10 - Commander Lvl. 10 - Weapon Master Lvl. 5 - Others

Clementine

Nickname: The Blonde Sadist

Level: 25

Job: Black Scripture (Former) - Great Tomb of Nazarick Servant

Alignment: Neutral-Evil

Sense of Justice: -100

Racial Level: [Human Races don't have Race Level]

Job Level: Striker Lvl. 5 - Assassin Lvl. 5 - Others

Jasmine

Nickname: The High Command

Level: 25

Job: Black Scripture 10th Seat (Former) - Great Tomb of Nazarick Servant

Alignment: Neutral-Good

Sense of Justice: 100

Racial Level: [Human Races don't have Race Level]

Job Level: Wizard Lvl. 10 - Sorcerer Lvl. 5 - Others

Indra

Nickname: The Red Berserker

Level: 25

Job: Black Scripture 11th Seat (Former) - Great Tomb of Nazarick Servant

Alignment: Neutral

Sense of Justice: 50

Racial Level: [Human Races don't have Race Level]

Job Level: Sword Master Lvl. 5 - Fighter Lvl. 10 - Others

Scarlet Sunshine

Nickname: The Blazing Sun - Flame Brain (by Silvina)

Level: 30

Job: Fire Sun Chief (Former) - Great Tomb of Nazarick Servant - Loyal Bodyguard

Alignment: Neutral-Good

Sense of Justice: 100

Racial Level: [Human Races don't have Race Level]

Job Level: Fighter Lvl. 5 - Guardian Lvl. 1 - Elementalist (Fire) Lvl. 5 - Weapon Master Lvl. 5 - Others

Silvina Moonshine

Nickname: The Ice Queen - Ice Kitty (by Scarlet)

Level: 30

Job: Icy Moon Chief (Former) - Great Tomb of Nazarick Servant - Loyal Bodyguard

Alignment: Good

Sense of Justice: 150

Racial Level: [Human Races don't have Race Level]

Job Level: Fighter Lvl. 6 - Guardian Lvl. 1 - Elementalist (Ice) Lvl. 5 - Dual Sword Master Lvl. 3 - Sword Master Lvl. 5 - Others