Chapter Text
[Chapter 2: Dreams And Nightmares]
Ainz stepped through the [Gate] alongside Emilia, Aeternia, and Rem. "Alright, you two go off to the mansion while I figure things out here."
"Wait, Ainz. Where exactly are the cultists?" Emilia asked, "We can help, you know?"
"I have the situation under control." Ainz simply answered, preferring to not expose Emilia and Rem to any more danger.
"Aiiinz, answer the question." Emilia demanded, crossing her arms and looking up at the Overlord.
The undead mage sighed, "Fine. They appear to have arrived in the village under the guise of travellers."
"Then you can't use your magic to kill them all! The villagers might get caught in the crossfire!" Rem said.
"That may be the case, however, like I said, I have the situation under control. Just trust me, alright?"
"How about you trust us and let us go to the village?" Emilia countered, evidently hellbent on contributing.
Ainz sighed, "Alright, but just make sure the villagers don't panic."
"Don't panic? Why?" Rem asked, reading her morning star.
"You'll see. [Gate]. Now go, there is no time to lose. Aeternia, you make sure they stay safe as well."
The trio headed through the magical portal, leaving Ainz to think to himself, 'Since when did she become so headstrong? Ah, it's fine.'
He connected to his summons and uttered a simple command, "Kill them all."
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
Rem and Emilia stepped through the portal, finding themselves in Irlam village. They looked around and found that nothing was amiss. The villagers stared at the two girls with wide eyes, given the magic that brought them there, but that was to be expected. Still, as Emilia scanned the crowd that was gathering around them, she did notice several unfamiliar faces.
Milde, the headwoman, walked towards the two and asked , "What brings you here, Lady Emilia? And in such a fashion as well!"
As much as she wanted to engage in the usual pleasantries, time was of the essence, and so Emilia cut to the chase, "It's very important, so please just trust me, alright? Who are these new people around here, and when did they arrive?"
"Oh, them?" Milde asked and pointed at some of the faces neither Emilia nor Rem recognised, confused but going along with what she was told to do, "They're travellers who arrived just recently. Do you need something from them?"
"Ye-"
Before Emilia could even try to finish her sentence, the sound of flesh being torn echoed out.
She quickly turned to find that several of the 'travellers' had knives sticking out from their throats, blood staining both the ground and those nearby with red.
Behind each person currently having their throat mutilated was a dark figure, one which she instantly figured to be one of Ainz's summons.
With perfectly synchronised movements, as if this was a part of some elaborate play, the Death Assassins removed their knives from their victims, swiftly grabbing the bodies and disappearing.
It could have been dismissed as a fever dream, if not for the blood.
Silence dominated the village square as the villagers processed what had just happened in the last few seconds, shock and fear colouring their faces as Emilia's mind raced in order to find a way to take control of the situation.
"Everyone, please stay calm!" she shouted, "These people were not travellers, but instead Witch Cultists! Ainz managed to find out about them before he teleported us here!" she called out, hoping to assuage some of the fears that were present.
'Really, Ainz?! You couldn't be more subtle about it?!' she yelled at the Overlord inside her own mind.
In a desperate gamble to prove her words to be more than mere excuses, she said, "Aeternia, can you bring me a corpse of one of the cultists to prove that I am not lying?"
Before anyone could ask who she was speaking to, her guard appeared in front of her, corpse in hand. She threw it down at Emilia's feet, quickly rummaging through its pockets and taking out two objects that characterised followers of the cult, that being their gospel and a ceremonial dagger.
The villagers collectively breathed a sigh of relief, and Milde said, "Thank you, Lady Emilia, for dealing with them in that case. I dread to think what may have happened if you hadn't arrived. But, if I may ask, where is Lord Ainz?"
Despite correctly presuming that all the cultists in the village were dead, it was still concerning for her that she didn't see the mage alongside Emilia.
"Ainz is currently dealing with the rest of the cultists. If you'll allow us, we'd like to help with the… clean up." interjected Rem, deciding that that was the least you could do for the villagers after giving them such a scare.
'I hope Ainz at least keeps the fighting away from the village…' the maid thought to herself, dreading the kind of cleanup that a battle concerning Ainz would require.
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
Byron ran across the forest as if in a frenzy. His hood didn't impede his vision, and so he could manoeuvre through the dense forest with relative ease.
He slashed at the branches that stood in his way, hoping to buy himself precious seconds to get away from those… things.
Despite their preparations, dwelling in this forest for many days and adhering to the guidance of both their gospels and their archbishops, it seemed that fate, or perhaps some force grander than it, had decided it was time for them to meet their ends.
Out of nowhere, ghastly apparitions had attacked his camp, tearing apart his comrades and rending them limb from limb. It was only by some witch-given miracle that he managed to escape.
He had to get to the archbishop, to warn him of what stalked these woods! Normally monsters wouldn't be a problem, but these were intangible, unharmed by their sacred blades!
Even the archbishop may be wounded by such a being, and no such thing could be allowed to come to pass!
What sort of horrid curse had been cast upon this land to have beings like this manifest!? As much as they were outcasts, those hated by society and the very world, this was never the extent of the misery that was thrown at them!
Their pursuers at the very least made for good sacrifices once they were dead, but these monsters were the ones to do the sacrificing! Were these the souls of their victims come to claim their revenge from the grave?
Or was their mistress unhappy with their last sacrifices? Had she personally ensured their demise? Ah, what a cruel fate that would be! To be rejected by the object of their devotion and unceremoniously slaughtered like cattle!
To die for his mistress at the word of his archbishop would have been the greatest joy, but this was far from it! His mind raced, trying to find some way to appease the Witch of Envy. But as he ran, one of those horrid things suddenly materialised in front of him. It was a deathly shade of white and appeared to be a rotting corpse covered in rags.
As he tried to stop himself, it proved to be for naught as he had been moving too quickly. Before he could recover, his momentum had propelled him directly into the figure, which swiftly dug its hand into his chest.
He could feel the cold embrace of death wrap around his heart as his consciousness left him…
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
The Overlord nodded as his summons reported that all the cultists were gone. His idea of quickly taking them out all at once was effective, though it almost went awry when the cultists turned out to be more numerous.
'At least they managed to deal with all the ones in the village at once.'
With the matter of potential survivors settled, he focused on the task ahead.
As he flew above the forest, he found the clearing he was looking for, alongside the madman who he guessed was the Archbishop of Sloth.
"I have been waiting for you, believer in love!" came the voice of Petelguese as Ainz landed in front of him.
"You have?" Ainz asked as his feet touched the ground, unsurprised that the man didn't react to his undead appearance, "I presume it's due to the… smell of the Witch?"
"Yeeeees!" the man cried out, leaning back and clawing at his face, "I feel it off of you! Yes! Yes! You must be him! The one who we have been looking for!"
Ainz curiously looked on as the man tore his skin asunder.
'Maybe I should talk to him before I kill him, but this just seems… exhausting.' Ainz thought to himself, deciding to play along, at least until his patience ran out.
"Oh? Who am I then? I don't think I've developed multiple personalities, after all."
Petelguese walked closer to Ainz, uncomfortably close in fact, and his bloodshot eyes stared into the Overlord's crimson flames, "You are him! Pride! The one beloved by the Witch!"
The archbishop fell to his knees, his neck twisting at an inhuman angle as he looked up to Ainz, expecting some sort of answer.
Ainz lightly pushed the archbishop away, who promptly fell on his back, rolled away, and stood up in such a manner that Ainz could almost count the amount of fractures.
'How can his knees bend like that?!' he asked himself as the man's body seemingly snapped into place.
Seeing that the cultist was still staring at him expectantly, Ainz said, "While Satella does seem nice and all, I'm not so sure about this Witch of Envy. Besides, what are you even doing in this random forest anyway?"
The crazed smile immediately disappeared from Petelguese's face, "Your gospel didn't tell you?!" he called out, leaning forward while his fingers dug into his arms.
'Well, I should've taken that into consideration.' Ainz thought, unfortunately not having taken one off of the recent cultist corpses, 'I guess there's no point in trying to prolong this then.'
Ainz pointed at the madman, "[Maximise Magic: Chain Dragon Lightning]."
To the Overlord's surprise, as the lighting manifested and coursed through the air, the archbishop reacted not only in time but with a spell of his own as well, "Ul Dona!"
Walls of thick rock surrounded the man just in time to save him from being fried by Ainz's spell.
"An earth mage? Ul implies you are quite decent as well." Ainz said, lowering his hand and letting excitement build up within him, "Wonderful."
If Ainz's bare skull was covered by flesh, a smile that would have chilled even Petelguese to the core would have been visible.
"Not only do I get to gather another trophy, but you will be a source of valuable spells." Ainz said, walking up to the charred stone, "[Maximise Magic: Shockwave]."
The grand walls were turned into mere pebbles as the words were uttered, and Petelguese's now less composed voice could be heard from beyond the dust that obscured Ainz's view.
"Why!?" he called out, "Why!? Why!? Why!? Why!? Why!? Why!? Why!? Why!? Why!? Why!? Why!? Why!? Why!? Why!? Why!? Why does a heretic like you get to experience her love?! You are slothful, and you do not even possess a gospel! Disgusting, slothful heretic!"
Ainz thought back to his encounter with Satella as he cast [Body of Effulgent Beryl], "Hmm, frankly, our first meeting wasn't the best… I should probably apologise to her if I get the chance." Ainz muttered.
She did offend him, but he had overreacted.
'Next time I see her, I'll apologise. But… I've no clue when that will be. Well, I'll just have to remember.' he told himself.
"Shut up! You don't live for her love, you take it for granted! I will take her love from you! She will love me! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will! She will!" Petelguese repeated over and over again, leading Ainz to ask himself a vital question.
'If this guy could organise anything cohesive, then how bad are the guards in this world? Are you telling me a guy like this could outmanoeuvre Crusch?'
It was a real mystery; thankfully, the abilities of the archbishop weren't.
As the madman kept ranting, several black hands appeared from behind him.
"So you have the same power as Sekhmet." Ainz muttered but found that the hands in front of him moved quite sluggishly compared to the ones he had encountered previously, "I guess you weren't made for that power though. [Greater Dispel]. Still, show me what you can do."
Like apparitions banished to a different plane, the hands from behind Petelguese disappeared with a shimmer, as if they were never there.
"Her love is wasted on you!" Petelguese called out, summoning his unseen hands once more, though to Ainz they were quite visible.
"Hmm, I wonder if magic works on these." Ainz muttered, unconcerned with the yelling of the man, "This could be good practice in case I ever have to fight Sekhmet, even if she is already dead."
Compared to the original witch, Petelguese' ability didn't seem too impressive, but practice was always nice.
"[Call Greater Thunder]." Ainz said, targeting one of the hands that was currently flying at him.
The skies opened up and lightning that would have put the anger of Zeus to shame emerged, striking its target with terrifying fury and precision. However, the hand remained unscathed, without so much as a single burnmark visible.
"Immunity to magic? Or do they count as weapons? If they do then this shouldn't work." the Overlord mumbled, taking out a staff that was specifically enchanted to knock enemies hit with it away. It wouldn't work on a weapon, and thus it was the perfect way to test what these counted as.
He met one of the hands head on, hitting it with his staff. Unexpectedly, the hand was sent flying away, barrelling through trees and rocks alike.
"So they are a part of an enemy? Then do you just have lightning immunity? [Teleportation]." The undead mage appeared just in front of the archbishop, putting his skeletal hand on the cultist's chest, "[Shocking Grasp]."
Electricity coursed through his hand and into his opponent's body, causing Petelguese' body to spasm as he desperately tried to use his authority to knock Ainz away.
The Overlord teleported away again, avoiding a narrow hit from Petelguese's hands, "So you don't have immunity." Ainz said, sighing as he put away the knockback staff, "Why do I still expect YGGDRASIL rules to work here? It seems they only apply to me."
He surely sounded like a madman to Petelguese, but nobody would listen to someone like him anyway, so Ainz felt safe enough mumbling cryptic statements about his past life.
"But I'll indulge myself in just one more test." Ainz said as a fist raced towards him, "As much as I hate to do this."
Ainz gritted his teeth as the fist hit him, knocking him backwards. It dealt bludgeoning damage which, while dulled by [Body of Effulgent Beryl], still hurt, akin to stubbing his toe on the counter back in his old apartment, though this time he at least had his body regulate the pain a second or two later.
"Alright, those can definitely hurt me." he said, brushing the dust and debris off of his robe, "With that out the way, I think I have just one question left to ask. [Greater Dispel]. [Teleportation]."
The massive hands that were once again making their way towards him burst into mana, and before they could reform, Ainz teleported in front of Petelguese and grabbed him by the neck.
"Now will you tell me why you came here?" Ainz politely asked, lifting the archbishop off the ground and tightening his grip.
"To kill that slothful imposter and bring about our mistress! And we will! We will feel her love!" Petelguese managed to say before Ainz's hand began to crush his windpipe.
"I presume by 'imposter' you mean Emilia, given their similarities?" Ainz asked, already knowing the answer to his question and with his eyes blazing brighter, "Unfortunately, my patience with you people coming after her has run quite thin recently. Thankfully, I've dealt with your little band, though in hindsight their deaths may have been too quick."
With a satisfying crunch, Petelguese went limp, and Ainz tossed the corpse to the floor, pointing at it and activating a skill that made dealing with the man worth it, "[Dark Wisdom]."
The corpse turned to ash, and Ainz felt new spells engraine themselves in his memory.
"I suppose I might as well grab his stuff as proof." the Overlord muttered…
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
Petelguese grinned as he felt his soul leave his body. As a spirit, he would only have to move to another host. Even if his ten fingers were killed, the monster that had killed him also seemed to be one loved enough to warrant possessing.
However, when he blinked he found himself in an endless, pitchblack expanse.
There was nothing here.
It was a complete void, devoid of life, death, or even the notion of existence, almost like what could be beyond the event horizon of a black hole.
He looked around, trying to find something recognisable in this endless plane, and he was blessed with a sight greater than any other.
There, walking towards him, was the purple silhouette of the woman he had devoted his life to.
"Mistress! Finally you answer my love!" he called out, falling to his knees and crying tears of joy.
He stayed there, arms outstretched and ready to embrace his true love. The figure got closer and closer, until she was right in front of him.
But she didn't spare him even a stray glance, walking directly through him, as if he wasn't even there.
He turned around only to find her to not be there anymore, and his tears turned to those of sorrow and anger.
Words of apology and begging tried to leave his throat, but for some reason they stuck there. He looked around himself once more: left and right, up and down, if such concepts even merited being mentioned in this odd place. He tried to summon his authority, one on which he had relied so many times before, but no power came forth.
There was nothing, again. Even his authority was gone in this endless abyss, never to exercise its power again.
He looked down in despair, only to spy something coming closer to him.
From the endless depths of this forbidden abyss, a skeletal hand reached out for him. It was massive, grabbing him as if he was a mere toy.
Was this his punishment for him failing his love?
No, he knew who had made such a fate befall him.
A crimson flame, the same as the ones he saw in his opponent's eyes, enveloped him.
He could feel his very soul burn away, forming into strings of information, arcane ones and zeroes that adapted his magical knowledge to the one who had bested him. His very being was taken apart, piece by piece, the flame scorching away everything but what was required.
Individuality, love, memories, all of them were consumed by the crimson flame, used as fuel to facilitate the process and satisfy the entity that made this happen.
After what felt like an eternity, the red light in the void was extinguished, and the skeletal hand scattered the information that remained across the endless expanse of this realm.
It retreated back from where it came, its task complete.
And so the light of Petelguese's soul died with the flame.
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
Otto Suwen was a merchant, a pretty good one.
Actually, one could say that he had something in common even with the great Anastasia Hoshin!
That being that he was incredibly unlucky, though unlike Anastasia, he never seemed to be able to outpace his misfortune or ward it away with gold.
From nearly drowning soon after he was born to now being here, stuck in a cave after being kidnapped by Witch Cultists. Sure, he knew earth magic quite well, but such a thing was of little use when he was bound and tossed into a cavern.
He had cried and begged, to no avail of course, when he was initially tossed in here. Such a fate just had to befall him. Being kidnapped by cultists and probably sacrificed, while he was just trying to make a living!
At least, that is what he thought would happen to him, until some mysterious beings appeared, killed the cultists, and disappeared without listening to even a word of his.
Now he would probably just starve here, dying slowly and alone.
He put his head on the cold ground, trying one last time to break or snap the rope, or even move the rock he was bound to by a few centimetres. Naturally, he had no such luck.
So now what would he do? Think of all the missed profits? Lament that one time he didn't confess to the cute girl that worked at the inn he visited when he came to sell some wheat?
Ah, what a miserable time it would be.
However, he saw a figure on the horizon.
No vain hopes arose in his heart, knowing full well that it was most likely another cultist or one of those beings that pulled the disappearing act before.
When the figure came close enough for him to see its face, his heart sank. Death itself had arrived to claim him, deciding that there was no reason to wait for him to waste away slowly. Perhaps it was some odd form of mercy that the transcendental being offered, but Otto still lamented the fact that he had to meet such a fate at all.
Tears streamed down his face, and a deep, regal voice reached his ears.
"There's no way they were taking him as a hostage, right?" the figure mumbled, only for it to step forward and crouch down, "I presume you're in need of some assistance?" it asked.
Otto looked into the crimson flames that served as Death's eyes and said, "Please, free me."
Fully expecting for his soul to leave his body and be collected by the reaper, he closed his eyes and awaited the inevitable. One second passed, then another, until he felt the rope around his wrists fade away and disappear. Sensing this, he opened his eyes in surprise.
"Now then, you should most likely come to Irlam Village with me. I'd rather you don't get lost in the woods." the figure said, turning around and creating some odd portal in front of itself.
Still bewildered by the current situation, Otto gingerly stood up, rubbing his sore wrists, "E-Excuse me, but… Who a-are you?" he asked.
The skeletal being turned around and said, "Ah, how rude of me. My apologies for not introducing myself. My name is Ainz Ooal Gown. I am a mage, and Lady Emilia's knight in the Royal Selection."
"T-The Royal Selection!?" Otto called out before quickly covering his mouth with his hands, afraid that his yelling may have offended the one in front of him, "S-Sorry, I-I've been travelling for s-so long that I am not up to date on that."
"Travelling you say?" Ainz asked, looking at the young man's fine, green clothing, a dye that was decently expensive in the light shade he possessed, "Is it fair to say then that you are a merchant?"
"Yes." Otto answered, taking off his hat and bowing before the mighty mage, "Otto Suwen, a humble merchant."
He had to utilise all of his willpower to stop his knees from giving out as the red flames in the skull eyed him. It was as if he was being stared at by a hungry demon beast, though he doubted any beast could match the one in front of him in power.
No aura radiated off of his rescuer, making his presence all the more unnerving. It was as if Otto was faced with an all-consuming void, ready to swallow him whole. Thankfully, the creepy silence didn't last for long, and Ainz spoke up soon enough.
"I believe we may have things to discuss then, Sir Suwen. But first, follow me. I'd rather conduct negotiations in a place that is not so dreary and drab." Ainz said, motioning for Otto to enter the portal.
The young merchant gulped and, with small steps and shaking knees, took the plunge. He felt no resistance when stepping through, as if it was just another door, and he quickly opened his eyes, finding himself in the village he had visited only days prior.
He looked over his shoulder, finding Ainz to be beset by what appeared to be an upset half-elf and a maid.
"Ainz! What were you thinking just sending us through!? You could've told us that something like this would happen!" Emilia yelled, throwing her hands up in dismay.
"I agree with Lady Emilia! How were we supposed to manage a situation like that!?" Rem added, equally disgruntled.
'Well, I didn't have spears of ice thrown at me, so that's a success.' Ainz thought to himself, 'Now how do I convince them it was all according to plan…'
The Overlord chuckled, almost as if he was nervous though Otto doubted such a thing was possible just given his aura, and said, "But you got it all under control, right? You asked me to trust you, and I did."
Both of the girls pouted and crossed their arms in sync. "Well, yes, but that doesn't change the fact that you could've warned us a bit more!" Emilia said.
"How were we supposed to know you'd have your summons pull a stunt like that?!" Rem asked, scorning him further, though the annoyance and complaints of the duo mostly came off as adorable.
Ainz put up his hands in surrender, "I understand, but these were extraordinary circumstances." he said, prompting the girls to quiet down for a moment and hear out whatever brilliant reasoning had been running through his mind.
Meanwhile, the Overlord's mind raced, 'Shit, maybe I should've just put them in the mansion, but then why would they need to be there if Roswaal is there? Uuuum, oh! I got it!'
He pointed at Otto, "You see, I had to deal with the archbishop and his subordinates quickly, in order to make sure that young man over there that was captured by the cult could be rescued. If I had ordered my summons to act any later, who knows what would have happened?"
The two looked over to Otto for confirmation, to which he nodded. Not only did he not want to contradict the intimidating mage, but it seemed like a plausible story, though his perspective was quite limited.
Ainz breathed a sigh of relief as the two girls calmed down, and he swiftly excused himself from the scene, "Now, I have some business to discuss with Sir Otto over there, so if you'll excuse me, I'll leave you to settle matters here."
He muttered something, and both he and Otto disappeared.
Before Emilia could lament Ainz's quick exit, Milde walked up to her, deathly pale, "L-Lady Emilia, did he always l-look like that?" she asked, staring at the spot where Ainz had just stood.
Rem nudged the half-elf with her elbow, "My lady, I believe the villagers have never seen Ainz's true face." the maid whispered.
"Oh." was all Emilia had to say before she launched into yet another rushed explanation…
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
It felt odd to be so forcefully moved, this time to what appeared to be some sort of dining hall, and it only reminded the humble merchant of just how unbalanced the scales were here. After all, who could compete with someone who had a power like that? Certainly no merchant!
Oh the potential uses of such a power, being able to instantly take advantage of changing demand and prices by moving around distances instantly! It was a merchant's dream, but it seemed that it would remain a dream for him, and a reality only for the mage that now sat opposite of him.
"Tea? Perhaps a light snack?" Ainz asked, reaching into his inventory, "I'm sure you must be quite parched after that little… mishap in the cave. And I do apologise that such a fate had to befall you on my benefactor's lands."
Otto took off his hat and lightly chuckled, "It's fine, Sir Gown, I am used to being unlucky, even to this extent; and if you'd indulge me in your offer of a snack and some tea."
"Of course." Ainz said, perfectly sliding a drink and a plate piled high with pastries over to his desk.
'Thank God I landed that or I would have looked so stupid.' Ainz thought to himself as the plate stopped right in front of the merchant.
The Overlord closed the hole in reality from where the pastries came and said, "I do have to say though, Sir Suwen, if you really are as unlucky as to count being kidnapped by cultists as within the realm of possibility, then your claim of being a humble merchant may not do you justice."
"I'm flattered, Sir Gown, but you have not even seen my wares. I doubt you can make a bold claim like that after only rescuing me." Otto countered, taking a sip of the tea that was offered.
'I could rob an entire court blind with a decent supply of this!' he thought to himself, 'Just where does he get such tea? Or is this magically made somehow?'
Otto could have sworn Ainz's flaming eyes sized him up the way a predator's do prey, and the Overlord said, "A man's clothing speaks volumes of him, does it not? In your case, it speaks of success."
A small smile appeared on the young merchant's face, "It appears you are as sharp as your own manner of dress, Sir Gown. But forgive me for asking, and with all due respect, mages have never been too intrigued in my wares. After all, magical reagents or metias rarely come into my hands."
"We both know merchants, especially travelling ones such as, I presume, yourself, deal with something much more valuable. I believe I can fairly compensate you for your cooperation." Ainz said, leaning back and projecting the aura of a king.
"It certainly sounds like a wonderful offer, I do have one more question." Otto answered.
"Please, go ahead."
"Why cut such a deal with me? I surely am obliged to give you the better part of whatever we agree on, given that you have saved my life, but the information network of just one merchant is far inferior to the guilds you could strike deals with." Otto said.
It's not that he didn't want to strike a bargain with the manifestation of Death, but a healthy amount of scepticism was warranted in his field.
"You're careful." Ainz muttered, "I like that. As for your question, perhaps you haven't heard recently, but Anastasia Hoshin is also taking part in the Selection. With her around, the guilds are off-limits, since her influence stretches into them with ease."
"And how do you know I am not connected to her?"
Otto could swear a sly smirk appeared on Ainz's skull as the Overlord said, "Despite her being my rival, I know that she is smart and takes care of her own assets. She is hardly the type to send out a travelling merchant with so little escort."
"I suppose you are right." Otto said, nervously scratching the back of his head, "In that case, what is the deal you propose?"
"You will utilise all your connections to gather information for me concerning anything and everything related to the Selection. You do that, and I pay in gold, wares, perhaps even a position in the government once Emilia wins the throne."
Ainz stood up and began pacing, putting a skeletal finger to his chin, "Hmm, but you hardly seem the type to accept such a position." He reached into his inventory and took out a brilliant sapphire, though Otto's eyes couldn't estimate its value from so far away.
"Gems and money are a way into a merchant's heart, but I believe what you travelling types value most is stability, is it not?" the undead mage asked, putting the gem away.
Otto nodded, and Ainz continued, "In that case I believe I have an offer no sane man would refuse. Tell me, have you heard of a blacksmith that goes by the name of Veronica? I've heard she is highly sought after but rarely cooperates with merchants or nobles."
The Overlord put two fingers to his temple in an odd gesture that Otto couldn't decipher the meaning of, instead deciding to answer the question.
"Of course! No merchant worth his salt hasn't heard of her! Still, no one has managed to strike a long term deal with her." Otto said, remembering his own negotiations with the steadfast woman.
"And that is where I come in. Would you believe me if I told you that I could make you a merchant with exclusive access to her gear?" Ainz asked, slowly making his way to Otto.
"No." the young merchant quickly answered, "I'm sorry, Sir Gown, but she has never been willing to cooperate with anyone besides the wise men of the council."
"Then it really does seem like your knowledge is out of date." Ainz said as he walked past the merchant, instead making his way to the window that looked out into the courtyard and opening it. He appeared to wave towards someone and motioned for Otto to come closer to the window.
There, in the flesh, stood the smith that no noble had ever managed to get onto his land. "Ainz, you old bag of bones! What's this about?! I was about to get started on that new ore you gave me!"
"Not surprised by my appearance?" Ainz asked, remembering that this was the first time she saw him without his mask.
"Bah! I already heard all about it after your stunt in the capital! Now get to the point!" she answered, impatiently tapping her foot on the ground.
"I was just figuring out a deal with Sir Suwen here, and I was wondering whether you would allow me to exclusively sell your goods to him as part of the contract."
"You dragged me out of my forge for this?! I swear… Unlike you, I don't have an eternity to waste! I work for you, and who you sell to is something I couldn't care less about!" she yelled, turning around and marching off back to her forge.
Ainz turned to Otto, "My apologies, Sir Suwen, she can be quite moody when interrupted, but as you saw, an exclusive contract for her goods is on the table. Though, now that I think about it, perhaps I should go to one of the major guilds with this."
'So he wants me to put all my cards on the table? I guess I have to when a deal like this is about to be made.'
"I believe I have an edge against even them." Otto said, though in all honesty he presumed Ainz already knew about his divine protection. After all, a mage as powerful and sharp as him surely already figured such a thing out. He didn't know how he could do it, but he probably could and did so.
"Oh? Do tell." Ainz said, continuing his act.
"I possess a divine protection that allows me to speak to animals and the like. With this, I maintain a substantial information network, though I'm sure you already knew of my hidden power." Otto said. Normally he would cower in a corner when faced with someone this powerful and intelligent, but when money was on the table, courage bubbled to the surface.
"Of course. It's a hard thing not to notice when you've lived as long as I have, but I hope you will indulge me in a demonstration." Ainz calmly stated, pointing at the open window.
'No way he has a power like that! That's literally perfect for a merchant! Unlucky my bony ass! If he isn't lying then I'm set!' the Overlord thought to himself.
Otto meanwhile walked up to the window and spoke some utter gibberish, or at least it sounded like such to Ainz. After a moment of anticipation, several birds landed on the window and bowed their heads in the order Otto appeared to dictate.
While this was convincing, Ainz needed something more, and so he said, "Could you ask them how many undead are currently near the left wing of the building?"
The young merchant spoke to the birds once more, and one of them flew away, returning after a few minutes later and chirping what presumably was an answer.
"Four." Otto confidently said, "Though this is only on this side, without counting the back side of the mansion."
Ainz wished he could smile, given that such a wonderful card was just added to his deck, "Correct. It appears my suspicions concerning your protection were correct. In that case what say you to our deal? I will provide you with housing, food, several dozen gold coins per month, as well as an exclusive contract for Veronica's wares in exchange for your information network."
'I've no clue why he thinks I knew about his protection, but I probably should figure out a way to detect those… Hmm, there should be a counter to them as well, right? I'll have to do some more reading; hopefully Echidna wrote down something useful on the topic.'
The Overlord snapped his fingers as he silently cast [Create Greater Item], making a contract and quill appear out of thin air.
"I accept and look forward to a fruitful partnership, Sir Gown." the young merchant answered, signing the contract with blinding speed; this was an opportunity of a lifetime!
"Ainz is enough now that we are partners, Otto. Now then, as for what I'd like you to first cover, please deal with information concerning Anastasia Hoshin. I'm sure your protection will be more than a match for her business acumen…"
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
Emilia sat down on her bed as Ainz closed the door. The day had been exhausting to say the least. First there was the whale and then there was the cult. Truly, there were few combinations in the world worse than this one.
Unfortunately for her, Ainz demanded his ring of sustenance back, and all the fatigue hit her like a speeding wagon. Still, she wanted to talk with the Overlord for a bit. It was just… nice to talk with him sometimes, especially after an action-packed day like this.
She turned to face Ainz as he sat down on a nearby chair, and said, "So who was the archbishop?"
"It was some madman, but I think his name was Petelguese Romanee-Conti." Ainz answered, recalling what Roswaal had told him.
Emilia's eyes widened as she sat up and grabbed her head, "W-Wait, Petelguese?" she asked once again.
Ainz quickly moved to her side and took out a potion, "Yes, but are you alright? Did you get attacked by something while I was away?" he quickly asked.
"N-No, it's just… That name seems so familiar." she mumbled.
"Ah… I think I may know why that is." Ainz said, putting away the healing potion.
"You do?" she asked before quickly shaking her head, a smile appearing on her face, "Of course you do."
"I do this time; this won't always be the case, Emilia." he said, "And I only know because of Puck. If I'm not mistaken, one part of your pact with him blocked off some of your memories. He didn't tell me what, or why, but I think that was a part of it. If you want to recover them… swiftly, then I may have an idea, though you might not like it."
She gave him a confident smile, "Try me. It's my memories, after all; I think I can handle them."
"Emilia." Ainz said, his voice deathly serious, "Puck sealed those memories away for a reason. I'm guessing that they won't be pleasant."
Despite his statement, the determination in the half-elf's eyes did not waver, and so he sighed, "I see that won't make you back down."
"You know me better than that, Ainz. You trusted me to calm down the villagers, and I'm pretty sure I can keep myself calm, whatever I may see."
"Maybe, but maybe not. Still, if you are willing to face your past, I know just the place: the Sanctuary. You'll get to free the people there, and the trials just so happen to include facing your memories."
As if she wasn't just lying tuckered out on her bed, she jumped up and said, "So when are we going? You can teleport us, right?"
Ainz gently grabbed her hand and pulled her back to bed, "I know you're excited, but you're also tired. Go to bed. We'll go tomorrow."
"You promise?" she asked, pouting as she sat back down on her bed.
"I promise."
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
'Puck, those memories better not be completely horrid, or I swear I will give you the most cramped, shitty crystal to live in.' Ainz thought to himself as he wandered through the corridors of the mansion.
Everyone, probably aside from Roswaal, should have been asleep by now. Tomorrow he would have to deal with Emilia's venture into the past and most definitely figure out a way to comfort her, but for today he could relax, or at least try to do so.
That conversation with Otto required all of his ex-salaryman skills, as rusty as they were. With those now used and abused beyond repair, at least for the moment, he decided to focus on an area he hoped to become an expert in, that being magic and divine protections.
There was only one place he knew of that could give him the knowledge he sought, and so he quickly cast a [Blessing of Titania] and followed the fairy that was summoned.
He opened the door it stopped at and entered the Forbidden Library. As always, Beatrice sat in the centre, though she was reading one of the books he had given her rather than one belonging to this place.
Despite her initially cold demeanour, Ainz had found the spirit's presence to be somewhat comforting. It was nice to have someone just sit around and read with him, even if they weren't reading the same things. It was probably an old vestige of his human psyche, but the point still stood.
"Hello, Beatrice." Ainz said, slowly making his way to the area of the library where books concerning obscure magical subjects tended to be concentrated.
The spirit looked up from her book, "Back from your adventures, I suppose?" she asked, her expression as neutral as always.
"Yes." the Overlord answered, putting on his magical glasses, "Though I doubt they would make for fascinating stories. As it turned out, the White Whale and the Sin Archbishop didn't provide much resistance."
For a split second, Beatrice's expression changed to that of shock, but it returned to its usual, bored state just as quickly. "It's just like you to dismiss such achievements, in fact."
Ainz sighed, finally settling on a book and turning to the spirit, "Well, one of my friends, she always did say I was that guy."
"That guy?" she asked, though Ainz didn't particularly get why she sounded so curious.
"I guess you wouldn't know the type. There's always that person who keeps on pushing through everything, trying to one up themselves each time. She always said I was that exact person."
As an expression of utter shock appeared on Beatrice's face, Ainz looked up at the ceiling and remembered all the conversations he had had about rapidly progressing.
'It's not my fault I always wanted to move onto bigger targets! It was kind of my job to keep us progressing further, since I was the guildmaster and all that, Ankoro!'
He looked down to find Beatrice… hugging him? With tears streaming down her face? Something was most definitely not right.
"Finally! I waited for 400 years after mother told me to wait for you, in fact!" the spirit cried out.
Ainz gently picked up the spirit with one hand and said, "Wait a minute, Beatrice. I think you're operating under a bit of a misunderstanding here. What exactly do you mean you've waited for me? And who is your mother? Aren't you a spirit?"
"I was made by Echidna, I suppose." Beatrice answered, "She told me to guard this place and wait for that person, in fact!"
"I see… And what exactly was that person supposed to do?"
"They… Uhm… I don't know, in fact. They were supposed to take me out of here, I suppose."
The Overlord gently put Beatrice back on the ground, saying, "I won't lie to you, Beatrice, I'm not the one you are waiting for, since the person you are waiting for probably doesn't exist."
It was a brutal statement that cut the spirit to the core, the pain showing on her tear-stained face. All that waiting being for nothing? Centuries of isolation culminating in this painful moment?
"Chances are that Echidna just said that without anyone in mind, especially if they haven't arrived in several centuries. I've talked with Echidna, and forgive me for saying this, but she doesn't exactly seem like the caring type. Maybe you should just… move on? I know Roswaal can't, especially given how much he loved that book of his, but you've waited long enough."
"No!" the spirit cried out, returning to the little ladder she always sat on, "I can't abandon my duty after all these years! If you aren't them, then be gone!" A gale force wind was sent forth at Ainz, only causing his cape to flutter dramatically.
'Poor girl. Centuries just stuck here… How did she not go insane? I started talking to myself only a few months after all my friends left…' Ainz thought to himself.
Isolation was a killer, and he knew that well, so he decided to throw a lifeline to the spirit in front of him. He wouldn't forcibly 'save' her, but if she wanted to take a chance, then the least he could do is offer her one to take.
"Then how about this? We can go search for that person together. Given that you are a spirit, why don't we form a pact?"
Beatrice looked up at him, her face neutral once more, "Betty was told to wait for them, not find them, in fact."
Ainz sighed, nodding along, "Yes, yes, good things come to those who wait, I know. However, I also know that that proverb isn't exactly perfect. You, for instance, have waited a long time. Isn't it about time for you to become proactive?"
"I suppose…" she muttered, "But what would be the details of our pact, if Betty were to agree to it, in fact?"
'I don't really know how pacts work, but I guess I'll make it simple.'
"Since you are a spirit, I will provide you with mana. In return, you give me your knowledge and magical prowess. Together we will passively search for that person. This pact will last until either of us decides to terminate it or one of the conditions is broken." Ainz stated, hoping that forming such a pact was even possible.
"Passively?" Beatrice asked, focusing on one specific part of the pact.
"Yes. After all, I have my own goals to accomplish as well. You've waited for centuries, what's a few more years of searching?" Ainz countered, extending his skeletal hand to the spirit.
Beatrice looked at it for a second, probably weighing the pros and cons of Ainz's offer, but in the end, she shook it.
It was almost as if an explosion went off in the room, and all the books in the library appeared to fade away.
'A failsafe of some sort?!' Ainz thought to himself, 'Probably bound to her leaving as the librarian, so that people don't kill her for the books or something! Shit!'
It was a horrible loss, but at the very least he could always go ask Echidna about anything… Actually, after thinking of that alternative, this was an even worse loss!
"Um, Beatrice, you wouldn't happen to know all the information that was stored in here, right?" Ainz tentatively asked, looking around the now-empty room.
"Betty does, in fact." she proudly answered.
Ainz let out a sigh of relief, 'I guess I won't have to deal with Echidna then… Still, she may be 400 years old, but she's as moody as an actual child when push comes to shove.' he thought to himself, glancing down at Beatrice whose mood changed from sorrow to pride at the flip of a switch.
"By the way, Ainz, how much mana do you have, in fact?" she asked, looking up at the tall mage.
"You can't sense it?" The spirit shook her head, and Ainz mumbled, "So I guess even with having a pact like ours, it still doesn't account for the effect of anti-divination items… Well, be ready. This may be a bit much."
Ainz took off one of his rings, and Beatrice immediately fell backwards, covering her eyes. He quickly put his ring back on and helped her get back on her feet, though her breathing remained ragged.
"What was that, in fact?" the spirit asked, her eyes wide.
"That was my mana. It doesn't seem like you drain enough mana to have it go into the red, so you should be fine constantly being active." Ainz said, keeping the idea that he would have to dismiss her in a serious fight to himself.
"But to absorb all of that mana, it's insane, in fact!"
"I don't think I absorb mana, I instead make it." he countered, "And the only reason I am able to form a pact with you is due to an artificial gate Echidna made long ago. Anyway, if you are so concerned with mana, then I presume you have some spells you can cast that take a lot of it?"
"There are some like that, I suppose. Betty is the best user of ying magic, after all."
"I see… In that case, could you write down your spells and what else you can do with your magic? Maybe I can theorycraft some new ones." Ainz said, practically salivating over the ideas that swirled in his mind.
'Yin was shadows, right? And also some other factors… If it turns out she can use some form of teleportation given this whole library trick… Hmm, there's potential here.'
He snapped out of his miniature stupor and instead said, "Well, feel free to roam around. I'll be in the garden if you need anything or simply want to chat."
Beatrice crossed her arms and upturned her nose at the Overlord, "Betty has had enough of you for today, in fact, I will go transcribe my magical knowledge, I suppose."
Seeing that she had no intention of joining him in the garden, he teleported away before his new contractee decided to sever their agreement early…
ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ
It was a nice evening. The moon was high in the cloudless sky and illuminated the area in front of Ainz. He couldn't sleep of course, but zoning out while sitting in the gazebo was basically as good as it got.
How he wished he could at the very least enjoy a nice cup of that mythical drink called brandy on a night like this.
'If Satella summoned me here, maybe she can give me a physical body? Or is that just something the Witch of Envy can do? I doubt she'll be too cooperative if that's the case.'
To think he – in one day at that! – would deal with both a legendary monster and a madman probably responsible for the deaths of thousands, only to not be able to be rewarded with a good drink.
Life was unfair, alas he had to deal with it. However, perhaps he could take a day of rest! Tomorrow he would relax a bit and… Oh, he had to go to Sanctuary…
He sighed, silently cursing Puck. 'Couldn't have chosen a better time to leave. What a great companion he is.' Ainz said.
Well, alright, perhaps he wouldn't relax tomorrow, but the day after was a different story! He would sit here and… remember that he had to report his killing of Petelguese to Miklotov.
"I ran from a company where I slaved away to the bone, and now I slave away despite being all bones…" he joked, chuckling lightly.
Whatever, he would find time to relax eventually.
As he pondered his schedule, he felt someone lightly tap him on the shoulder.
Given how deep in his own thoughts he was, he stopped time on instinct and jumped up, preparing to fire off every spell he could.
However, when he turned around, he saw that it was just Ram.
Time flowed once more as Ram was the one to jump back this time, startled by how quickly Ainz moved from his laid back position.
"You really gave me a scare, Ram." Ainz muttered, "But it's good to see you after a while. I hope you've been well."
For some reason, an eerie feeling crept up his back as Ram furrowed her brow, "It's only good to see you because Rem came back with you." she began, venom already dripping off her tongue, "What were you thinking bringing her to fight the White Whale?!"
Ainz put up his hands in a placating gesture, quickly trying to think of a way to calm down the oni in front of him, lest he be assaulted by this maid just like he was by Rem in the past.
"Now now, I made sure she was safe through the entire ordeal." he said, "Besides, she did great! Shouldn't you be happy that your sister got a chance to grow?"
"Maybe, but that doesn't excuse you dragging her into a battle like that! From what she told me, it's not like you needed her there anyway! Show off!" the maid said, her tone trying to cut into Ainz.
"I understand your concern, and if you would be willing, I will be glad to take you into battle next time instead of her." Ainz said, trying to get out of his current predicament.
"If it means my dearest sister doesn't end up in danger, then fine. I'll show you how to truly deal with opponents anyway." Ram said, crossing her arms and looking away from Ainz.
Presuming the conversation to be over, the Overlord slowly sat back down and turned away from the maid, beginning to relax once more.
However, he felt her presence linger over his shoulder, and he turned back around, asking, "Is there anything more you would like to discuss?"
A grimace blossomed on Ram's face as she moved inside the gazebo and sat opposite of Ainz. "There is." she muttered, "Though I don't know if I should ask for your help in this."
"Oh? And why is that?"
"I already am in your debt for saving Rem and me. As much of a fool as you are to drag her to battle, I still owe you." Ram said, slowly and as if it hurt to admit.
'So she does remember that whole thing! My efforts weren't a waste!' Ainz triumphantly thought to himself before saying, "Please, you don't owe me for doing something so basic. Ask, and I'll see what I can do."
Ram looked at him, her one visible eye filled with disdain, but Ainz had a hunch that that loathing wasn't aimed at him. "My village, the village of the oni, was slaughtered."
'Quite the way to open up. Does she want revenge or something?' Ainz asked himself, keeping quiet and letting her continue.
"Roswaal knew it would happen and didn't stop it." she said, omitting the title of master that the noble's name typically came with. "To be honest, Ainz, I got over that part."
"I see." Ainz muttered nodding along, 'Wow, she really is as cold as they come. Just getting over it? Yeesh, I'd rather not get on her bad side… though I don't think she has a good side for anyone but Rem.'
"After that happened, Roswaal saw me as his way of killing the Divine Dragon. He forced me into a pact by threatening Rem. I want you to break that pact, so that I can kill him." she said, determination blazing in her eye.
Ainz leaned back, "We both know I can't allow that during the selection. However, afterwards…"
Roswaal was a rogue element, and he had never promised to keep the noble alive. Who knows what a man that hellbent on his goal would do once it was accomplished? Would he try to help his teacher take over the world, or would he just awkwardly hang around her like a boy with a crush?
Variables like that were not something Ainz welcomed. Once Emilia was on the throne, Roswaal's usefulness ran out. He wouldn't be loyal to him anymore, and he would no longer be needed. Sure, Ainz could also be hypocritical and not resurrect Echidna, but he was a man of his word, at least when it was convenient.
Promises and pacts seemed to hold some special meaning in this world, so he'd rather stick to his, especially given that Echidna agreed to be his ally upon returning. This of course didn't interfere with his plan to potentially get rid of the loose end that the court magician consisted of.
From what he gathered from talking to Echidna, he could kill Roswaal and the most she would want from him is to know exactly what spells he had used to kill him.
Besides, he had grown fond of the blue-haired oni, so doing a favour to both her and her sister was hardly a problem.
"Could you tell me the condition of the pact? I'm not sure I've found a way to break those in this world, so I may have to do so… manually, if I had to put it in a word." Ainz said, still unfamiliar with the nature of pacts and contracts, despite having just made one earlier that day.
"He gives me mana and doesn't kill Rem, and I kill the Divine Dragon for him when the time comes." Ram answered.
"In that case the only problem is securing a way for you to gather mana on your own. Hmm, I have two ideas." Ainz said, realising that the potion he had used on her during the early days of his stay here didn't do the trick.
"I knew you'd have some ideas." Ram muttered, a menacing smile on her face, "Tell me."
"The first one is that I use a strong healing spell. It requires a bit of finesse from me, but it's nothing I can't handle. The other option… Well, let's just say it requires you to trust me."
She tilted her head to the side quizzically, "Isn't the fact that I am here proof that I trust you enough?"
"Hear me out." Ainz said, ready to propose an idea only the mad or the desperate would go along with, "If I were to kill you and use a resurrection spell, your horn would most definitely return."
Ram looked at him as if he was mad, which was an expected result. She leaned back and looked up at the starry sky. "Have you done this before?" she asked, still staring upwards.
"Of course." Ainz lied. Resurrection was never his forte and so he left it to his guildmates who specialised in such things and didn't need wands, scrolls, rings, and the like. Still, all he needed to was to resurrect some random corpse beforehand to guarantee things worked smoothly.
Given that summoning did, with necromancy really being quite close to resurrection when one thought about it, there should be no problems.
"Fine then." she said, standing up and walking away, "Just don't get Rem into any more trouble."