Chapter 4, Part 2

After he finished speaking with Aura and Hamsuke, Ainz opened a portal and returned to his quarters. The homunculus maid and the Eight Edge Assassins followed suit. In his bedroom, he sat behind a desk, though there were no documents on it. His return to Nazarick wasn’t planned, and Albedo probably held onto the important documents until his return.

Ainz took out the Orb of Death and turned his [Negative Energy Touch] ability on. Although the orb trembled slightly as it began to absorb negative energy, it was fine as long as he didn’t talk to it. Ainz closed his eyes and thought about what he had learned.

The orb’s ability to sense other beings is probably how the goat managed to evade the Hanzos. But, the invisibility is a different matter. Is it a talent or an item? Regardless, it would be good to know of an existence of such a thing.

My adventure in the Draconic Kingdom is coming to an end. Once we take back the last city, the beastmen invasion will be mostly over. Especially if I can capture the other minotaur and the goat. Ainz thought. Hmm, Kraus still hasn’t approached me. He should be satisfied with my combat prowess, is he waiting for the end of the campaign to make his move? Then there is the Queen, I’ll finally learn about wild magic.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. The homunculus maid bolted from her chair and disappeared behind the door. A few moments later she returned.

“Ainz-sama, Demiurge-sama wishes to speak with you,” she announced.

“Let him in,” Ainz said.

The maid opened the door and the demon walked in. He was smiling as he bowed to his master.

“Ainz-sama, I wanted to deliver a report about my visit to the Argland Council State,” Demiurge said.

Ainz nodded for him to go on.

“I had met with one of the Councilors, Blue Sky Dragon Lord, Suveria Myronsilk. He said his nation would consider allying with us against Jaldabaoth. But due to your nature as an undead, they were apprehensive and wished to avoid making a hasty decision. We agreed to establish friendly relations and to exchange diplomats between our nations,” Demiurge said.

“Were you able to learn anything about wild magic?”

“My apologies, Ainz-sama. Suveria said that they could use it, but didn’t go into any details.”

“Guess I’ll have to get my information from the queen of the Draconic Kingdom,” Ainz said.

“I’ve heard you have captured a powerful minotaur. May I inquire as to your plans for him?”

“Hmm, I haven’t decided yet,” Ainz said while caressing his chin.

“Then, I would like him to be given to me.”

“Oh, and why do want him?” Ainz asked curiously.

“There are several reasons. The first is to test if his skin can allow us to craft higher level scrolls,” Demiurge began.

“Ah, yes. The parchment made from the skin of an Abelion sheep can only be used to craft tier 3 spells.”

“Yes, I would like to test if a higher level specimen’s skin would result in a higher quality parchment.”

Poor guy, Ainz felt sorry for the minotaur. But if it can strengthen Nazarick…

“Then there are the Abelion sheep,” Demiurge interrupted Ainz’s thoughts. “I would like to see if breeding them and this minotaur would result in powerful offspring. After all, if the minotaur is powerful because he has the blood of the Minotaur Sage, then would his offspring also be powerful?” Demiurge had quite a smile and was rubbing his hands as he spoke.

“Could a minotaur actually breed with the bipedal sheep?” Ainz asked.

“Mm, I had been running some experiments,” Demiurge’s smile grew even larger.

“You can have him then. Work hard for the benefit of Nazarick,” Ainz waved his hand.

“Thank you, Ainz-sama. I am most grateful,” Demiurge bowed.

After the demon left Ainz continued to charge the orb while he waited for a report from a Neuronist Painkill. He thought about Demiurge’s request.

I planned to kill the minotaur shaman and the goat necromancer, but perhaps I can bring them back to Nazarick? I probably need to kill the shaman as proof for the Draconic Kingdom. Still, even if we can’t resurrect him, I could use his corpse to test summoning higher tier undead. Hmm, if Demiurge’s experiments are successful, it could mean being able to permanently summon high tier undead.

Before Ainz could imagine how powerful Nazarick would become if he could have hundreds or even thousands of Pale Riders, his thoughts were interrupted by another knock. The maid once again rushed to the door.

“Ainz-sama, it’s a Death Knight, he has the report from Neuronist-sama,” the maid said upon returning.

“Let him in.”

The maid opened the door and a Death Knight lumbered in. He bowed to his master, approached Ainz and placed the report on Ainz’s desk.

Ainz picked up and scanned the report. It confirmed that the minotaur told the truth. No additional information had been obtained.

“Tell Neuronist Painkill she had done an excellent job,” Ainz said. “I’ll be leaving now,” he continued.

After saying this and dismissing the Death Knight, Ainz cast [Message].

“Narberal, we are going back to the Draconic Kingdom. Meet me on the second floor in front of Shalltear’s quarters,” he told her.

“Yes, Ainz-sama.”

He ended the [Message] and opened a portal. After going through it he was, once again, in front of Shalltear’s residence. The Hanzos who came with him from the Draconic Kingdom were here as well. Sensing her master’s presence Shalltear came out to greet him.

“Shalltear, as I mentioned Mare is going to get kidnapped. Depending on the circumstances, he might need your help right away, or he might need it later. Either way, you need to be prepared to move out on a moment’s notice,” he told the vampire.

“Yes, Ainz-sama. I will not disappoint you again.”

“You have never disappointed me, Shalltear. I’ve told you already, the incident with the mind control was my error,” Ainz sighed.

“It is unforgivable for a Floor Guardian to attack a Supreme Being,” Shalltear insisted. “But I will work hard to earn your confidence,” she continued.

That’s good enough, I suppose, Ainz thought. The NPCs fanatical dedication to serving me can be quite a pain to manage.

“Then, work hard for the benefit of Nazarick,” he repeated the same words he said to Demiurge.

Shortly afterward Narberal arrived. Ainz opened a [Gate] some distance away from Krozno and the Hanzos went through it, followed by Nabe and Ainz. After making sure no one was around, they returned to Krozno.

Cheers greeted them as they approached the city wall, while the rising Sun illuminated their figures. The gates were opened and one of the army commanders addressed Momon.

“Welcome back, Momon-san. Have you been successful?”

“We were. I’d like to call a meeting with everyone, I’ll share the details there,” Ainz said.

“Of course, I’ll let everyone know,” the commander replied cheerfully.

Ainz and Nabe walked to the former inn where they were staying. Inside, a surprise awaited them. The Queen of the Draconic Kingdom had waited for their return. She squealed in delight when she saw Momon enter and rushed towards him.

“Oh, Momon-sama, I am so glad you are back, I had been so worried,” she said as she jumped and wrapped her hands around his neck.

“Cheh, this oversized mosquito again,” Nabe couldn’t hold up and disgust in her voice.

Hanging from Momon’s neck, the Queen made a triumphant sound as she looked at Nabe.

“Ahem, your Highness,” Momon said as he tried to tear the Queen off of himself.

He wasn’t sure what to do, but then he saw Nabe’s expression.

“Your Highness, please behave yourself,” he said worryingly.

“Then, Momon-sama, were you successful in your mission?” The Queen asked after relenting.

“Yes, I was going to relay the details during a strategy meeting,” Ainz replied.

“Uh, tell me, tell me, tell me,” the Queen bounced up and down while repeating these two words.

The Queen of the Holy Kingdom was much easier to deal with, Ainz thought as he looked at the bouncing Queen.

“Fine, fine. I’ve slain the minotaur warrior. He won’t be a threat to your nation anymore,” he said.

“Ah, as expected of the great Momon-sama,” Draudillon made another attempt to hand herself on the dark warrior, but she was blocked by Nabe, who gave her a death stare.

“We should probably go to the strategy meeting, I imagine everyone will be gathered soon,” Ainz said trying to defuse the situation.

“How thoughtless of me. Then, allow me to lead you,” she said as she grabbed Momon’s hand and pulled him after her.

When they arrived at the meeting place, everyone noticed that the Queen was holding Momon’s hand, who seemed reluctant. Nabe, who was walking behind them, wore a disgusted expression on her face. Kraus gave Momon an understanding smile – it wasn’t easy to be a hero adored by most women. While the Minister looked at Draudillon worriedly.

“As you have probably heard, I had slain the minotaur warrior,” Ainz began.

“Then, your theory of us being spied on worked,” Kraus said.

“Yes, I wasn’t able to question the minotaur, but it appears the one spying on us was his brother, the shaman. So, when Nabe and I had snuck out of the city, his spying didn’t spot us,” Momon said.

“I see, then, what are our plans now?” The Minister asked.

“We will attack the city of Edira – this is the last city under beastmen control, and is most likely where the shaman minotaur is,” Momon said.

“But if the army moves against it, the minotaur might flee, just like the other bastard had previously,” the Queen interjected.

“I’d like to take a small party with me and circle behind the city, cutting off their escape,” Momon said. “Once we are in placed, the rest of the army can advance,” he continued.

“Hmm, the minotaur probably won’t launch an attack against the main army, now that he knows we have someone capable of defeating him,” Kraus said while considering Momon’s proposal.

“But, what if the shaman sees a small part leave and decides to spy on them instead of the main army?” One of the commanders said.

“That’s why we’ll have them leave the city in small numbers to avoid suspicion. Nabe and I will be the last to sneak out. By the time the Shaman notices that something is off, we’ll be in position already,” Momon explained.

“I have no objections. If we can liberate Edira, the beastmen invasion will essentially be over,” the Minister said.

“It would be even better if we could remove the minotaur shaman, but you are right,” the Queen finally said something that didn’t start with “Momon-sama.”

“Then, we will set off this evening, and the main army can move out tomorrow afternoon,” Momon said while looking at everyone.

After they all nodded in agreement, the meeting was concluded. Everyone headed off to do their part, leaving Draudillon and her Minister alone.

“It doesn’t appear to be working,” the Minister relayed his observations.

“You’re telling me,” she shook her head.

“Then, what will we do? The soldiers already call him the Dark Hero, if he kills the other minotaur during the assault on Edira, his popularity will grow even more.”

“What can we do? I clearly told him he could have me and the Kingdom, but he refused. I don’t get this man,” Draudillon shrugged.

“Have you thought of using your real form?”

“On the off chance that Momon is into old ladies?” She laughed self-mockingly. “And don’t call it “form.” God, I could use a drink,” she added.

“No drinking until Momon leaves the city,” the Minister said.

“Ugh. So, do you have any suggestions?”

“He doesn’t appear to be interested in what we have to offer. His only interest seems to be in learning about wild magic, but we’ve already promised that information as a reward for his help,” the Minister shook his head distraught.

“Then, what? Will we have to become a vassal state like the Empire and the Holy Kingdom?” she asked. “Ah, if only I didn’t fail as the Queen,” Draudillon sighed.

“You haven’t failed, your Highness,” the Minister protested.

“No? My kingdom ravaged by beastmen, the army’s morale at rock bottom, having to rely on the mercy of another nation for our salvation. Heck, if it wasn’t for the Slane Theocracy’s group we wouldn’t even be able to stall long enough for Momon to save us. What do you call that if not a failure?” She had tears in her eyes as she thought of how many of her people have died.

“Maybe we would be better off with someone else at the helm,” she sighed.

“Your Highness, it’s still too soon for that,” the Minister said.

Draudillon didn’t reply. What was there to say? All she could do was wait patiently for the night to come, then, Momon would be gone and she could find her respite in a bottle.

The small group had made it to their destination, a safe distance away from the city of Edira. They’ve set up tents and had placed sentries to observe the surroundings. It wasn’t a simple trip. The Hanzos didn’t have enough time to return, so the first half of the way Momon had led them blindly. As a result, they’ve run into a beastmen patrol and had to destroy an entire camp. Luckily the camp was pretty small and the beastmen were caught unprepared.

By then, the Hanzos had returned to him, and Momon was able to lead the rest of the way with no issues.

While he sat in his tent, Ainz had confirmed a number of things with the orb. If he placed the orb into his inventory space, the orb couldn’t sense anything. According to the orb, it was unlike anything it had experienced before.

A multi-dimensional pocket space… eh? What am I even saying? Ainz mused as he listened to the orb’s description of what being inside the inventory space felt like.

“So, if I suddenly take it out, your appearance would be a surprise for the other orb. If you quickly point me in its direction, we should arrive before the other party can react,” he mentally addressed the orb.

“It is as you say, King of Death,” the orb replied hastily.

Ainz was using [Negative Energy Touch] to charge it. But he would turn the ability off before speaking to the orb, which resulted in the orb almost interrupting him in order to reply sooner. Ainz found this development amusing.

I wonder if the goat will show up. Nearly ten thousand beastmen and thousands of humans, can he really resist such a temptation? Now, I just need to be in the thick of it, that way he’ll feel safe thinking that I am distracted. Plus, according to the orb he needs to be within 50 meters of his target for the orb to capture the negative energy. Ainz thought lazily as the orb lightly trembled in his hand.

The night passed uneventfully, and by the afternoon of the next day, the rest of the army had arrived before the city of Edira.

Momon and Nabe rejoined the rest of the army, which stood in front of the main gates.

“They don’t appear to want to flee,” Kraus said.

“The last stand?” One of the army commanders sneered.

“It’s very possible they have used those rage potions again. You should keep that in mind, and avoid unnecessary casualties,” Momon brought the commander to his senses.

“Thank you, Momon-san,” the man said.

“Then, what is our plan for this attack?” Kraus asked.

“We’ll do what we did at Krozno, except there will be no waiting this time. Your group will advance just slightly behind me, and the rest of the army can advance after the ramparts are cleared,” Momon said.

“Very well. Then, let’s liberate this city and this nation,” Kraus said.

Supported by the army’s thunderous cheers, Momon and Nabe began to advance.

 

Previous | Next