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-Capital of Re-Estize-
Once Rita followed Lord Kettor out of the gate, she saw the destruction still being repaired. The once-great city of Re-Estize now in ruins with scaffolding and undead everywhere busy repairing burned or damaged buildings. The people came up to see their king and the emperor, she could only guess what they must be thinking.
Even the royal castle in the distance looked like it had been through hell. Should she have asked her lord to stay and help them how many had the demon emperor killed! She balled her hands into fists; she should have been here to help.
Turning her gaze to lady Kathrin looking back with pleading eyes. She needs to check if they were still alive. ‘Alright, you and Bardic may check but meet us at the castle after.’
Rita gave lady Kathrin a bright smile as their eyes met. Pulling the dwarf’s hand as they went into the crowd. Horrified at the damage and destruction around the city while repairs were beginning. It might take a year to undo the damage done by Jaldabaoth. It was hard enough trying to find her way through the streets.
“Lass, do you really think they survived this. My brother might be tough, but if what King Ainz said is true…” Bardic didn’t dare speak it aloud with despair hanging over him.
“Shut up! They are alive, I know it. We just have to find them!” Hissed Rita pulling him faster down the streets passing carts of dead and people with wills so broken they would not meet her eyes.
Turning a corner, she saw it the old tavern at least what burned remains still stood letting go of Bardic she rushed up to the charred wreckage. Hopefully, looking around for them, they had to be alive. Huffing as she lifted a burned support beam out of the way.
The ruins where silent, huffing as she searched, seeing only burned skeletons and bodies. ‘They should have been safe; otherwise, what was the point of her leaving.’ Looking around, she still remembered the old dwarf asking her what was wrong, the somewhat shady bar with friends new and old, which helped her start her journey to become an adventurer.
As the bright memory faded replaced by the charred ruins and death. Asking if anyone was here only to get silence of the empty street. Bardic walked up, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Lass there gone if they are still here, their dead.”
Following Bardic’s gaze, over to the building next door, the ruined blacksmith wrapped metal and off-color swords. In place of his brother's hard work.
Hearing footsteps, they both turned to the butler with gray hair and a thick beard, followed by skeletons pulling carts. “Hello miss, did you know these people?” The old butler gently asks as the skeletons got to work, moving the rubble and picking up bodies.
They both move out of the way to talk with this butler. Lady Kathrin sent her his name Sebas. “Yes, we did a few years back. They helped me train to be an adventurer and introduced me to the blacksmiths next door. I still remember arguing with Rudyard Tamber about using two swords.”
Bardic laughed lightly. “Yeah, my brother always argued the standard style of one sword one shield would be better.”
Rita grinned softly with a chuckle. “Right up till I beat him three times in a row. He got so flustered.” Her two-sword style was rare and difficult to learn. This is why she had to be active and fast, always being aware of both blades to not catch on her self or end up only using one sword, which would nullify the point of the style.
Both Bardic and Rita were silent as they watched the skeletons work. Ritana turns to Sebas taking in his static face.
“Do you think any of them made it out, Sebas?”
The old butler stared deep into her eyes before extending a gentle hand. “It is possible. Would you like to meet other kind warriors, perhaps they know?”
Rita gave a weak grin at the lie, turning away from the wreckage. She couldn’t do anything for the dead, perhaps her lord could revive them, but she thought better of it. There was no way to say what kind of torture the demon had put them through before ending them. “Sure, lead the way.”
Giving one last respectful glance back at the Feather Born Tavern and Tamber Brothers Blacksmith. Leaving her past to rest; hopefully, they found a better place beyond death.
Rita took her mind off the matter by looking around as they traveled. There had to be something she could do to help, but her time would be limited here. Toning out Bardic talking to Sebas as they followed him to the main castle through the devastated ring wall.
Leading up the stone steps in the wall up to a training room. Where a blue-haired warrior with a katana adorned in silvery and red armor on top of the sides of his pants and black shirt training with a blonde knight in full dark plate armor without the helmet. It took Ritan a few seconds to realize who the blue-haired warrior was, Brain Unglaus.
“You two have been training hard have you thought about our last session in the spar?”
Both of them stop noticing the three they bowed to Sebas. “Yes, Sebas- sama. Who are these two?”
Rita smiled, stepping forward, “Ritana Enruos leader of the elite four knights of the emperor. This is my best friend and fellow knight, Bardic Tamber.”
Brain watched her with a wary gaze his hand on his sword; this was not unexpected. News about the new emperor and its troubles had been kept under wraps. Not counting for those that left after Kettor’s reveal of his undead being. “There is no one among the four with that name. and what would an imperial knight be doing here.”
Sebas stopped the warrior captain before it became violent. “She is, I personally saw the Sorcerer king meeting with the new emperor Kettor minx. It has not spread far yet, but they are putting an end to the annual war.”
The blond knight rose a brow stepping closer, unlike Brain, he didn’t have the same hostility. “What happened to the emperor Jircnvi ?”
Rita gained an angry scowl at the memory of the insane cult. It would be foolish to ask, but she had to at least try and hope one of them got out alive. “The cult of crows, if not for lord Ky-Kettor the empire, might be in the same sad state as here.”
“Tell me, do you know if anyone from the Feather Born Tavern and Tamber Brothers Blacksmith survived or what happened to them?”
Brain shivered as he stared at the ground and the young knight, he gave a mournful gaze at the two. “I wouldn’t know my mistress, and I was lucky the demon wanted her for something. I saw how some were… treated, if they were lucky, they died quickly.”
“I’m sorry for your loss. many across Re-Estize lost their lives, and much more to the Demon Emperor short take over.”
Rita loosened her fist with a new fire in her eyes. If she could not save them and didn’t want to know what happened to them, the least she could do was hunt down this demon; it would surely be a worthy challenge for lord Kettor. “What happened to Jaldabaoth, and where can I find him.”
“Lass no, we can’t do that! Think about this.” Bardic gave a warning tone.
Rita stares into her friend's worried eyes, but she had to do this. If not for them, she would not be where she was today. Pushing Bardic aside with some struggle.
Brain grimaced, crossing his arms at Rita, agreeing with the dwarf. “Your friend is right back off. Momon and the Sorcerer King had trouble forcing the demon to leave our kingdom. Your weak, and you will only get yourself killed.”
Ritana drew her swords, her eyes changing to orange, ignoring the shock and horror of Bardic and the young knight. “Brain Unglaus, I heard you were skilled and strong enough to fight Gazef Stronoff! Yet all I see in your eyes is a defeated coward. Show me I’m wrong or take that back.”
Brain glared at Rita putting his hand on his sword. “Humans are no match for monsters, no matter how much you train or how many skills you gain! I saw firsthand what Jaldabaoth and monsters like that vampire could do. They are beyond human limits and powers.”
Drawing out his sword as Ritana wasn’t going to back down. They both glanced at Sebas, who stood there watching holding back the blonde knight and Bardic. As the tension built up between them Ritana grit her teeth, how dare he insult her and Lord Kettor’s strength like that.
“No, you’re only too weak to get back up and grow.” Ritana sprang at Brain into a bind while her other blade came under his sword halting as he grasped her wrist, angling her first blade to the right, bringing his katana forward, forcing her to step back to avoid the edge coming at her neck.
Hissing in annoyance as she came at him with quick slashes and thrusts, testing his speed and skill. She was hoping not to have to use her martial arts for this. She had to teach him a lesson lord Kyuketsuki kept reminding her. Humans might be weak in many ways compared to monsters. Skills, determination, and quick thinking could allow her to beat and overcome all enemies. Humans or monsters, even brain Unglaus, while he had more martial arts and experience than her.
Rita had trained with lady Kathrin to use her limited range to overcome and beat the war troll Go Gin. She would prove his defeated mindset wrong here and now. Catching him in a weak stance and forcing him on his back foot.
Using quick light slashes to force Brain on the defensive, not letting him rest or he would lose. She kept her body moving around Brain, looking for an opening or weak guard. Even so, Brain was managing to counter and block her. He was skilled enough to match her fever pace.
Rita gains an angry scowl panting a little he was skilled. She could give him this much. But she would prove she wasn’t weak-willed like him, like before lady Kathrin had shown her real strength. [superior ability boost]
When their blades met again, Brain hissed as his arms trembled under the shock of the blow. Her second blow sent him sliding back, nearly dropping his sword. Before Brain could counter, he had a sword at his throat and chest. “Warrior captain, you lost this dual because you have lost your way. Lady Kathrin and Lord Kyuketsuki showed me there is always a way to win with justice and honor if you just push through the pain and fear.”
She pulled back her swords, sheathing them. Showing her disappointment at such a strong warrior acting spineless and defeated without even trying. “If you wish to regain my respect, get back up and show me the warrior who stood his own against the Warrior captain I was told storys about.”
Hearing applause, she took notice of Sebas, the young knight and Bardic. Rita blushed quickly, recomposing herself with sweat rolling down her face. She didn’t mean to blow up on Brain-like this, but she could not stand his depressing monologue.
“I see lady Kathrin taught you well.”
Turning back to Brain to thank him for the spar only to meet his cold stare. It seems even that quick match had done little to change his mind. ‘Well, if you're going to be like that, I'm not so sorry after all.’
“Now, with practice done, how about we head inside for some food.”
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-with Ainz and Sitabus-
Sitabus relaxed in his seat across Ainz with no one else in the room, only Kathrin and Albedo in the room next door, writing up the alliance between the empire and the kingdom. Two of his knights and Shalltear outside the door guarding it with Rita and Bardic taking care of personal business from what Kathrin told him.
Right now, they were just enjoying catching up while they had time alone. No windows and only two doors they could both watch.
“I get the strategy; still, I think you let demiurge go a little too far. To take control of eight fingers and fight the crows.”
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
He had far more he wanted to say, but so long as eight fingers didn’t step out of line. He would leave them be for now. If they did cross them again, Rita would love to hunt them down.
“I changed Demiurge’s plan to have the empire test Nazarick defenses. I will say Blue Rose is a useful asset, and Evileye has confirmed the two leaders of the thirteen heroes were players.”
This just kept confirming what Jester had told him was true. At the very least, the Administrator could be trusted for now. He would still keep careful watch of Jester's words and actions.
“Do you know how Carnival was effecting our message spells?”
He should tell him about the administrators; however, he didn’t even know the extent of there power? He didn’t know any of their weaknesses or if he could trust the one ‘helping’ him. There was one thing he was sure of Carnival killed Jade. “I found out the name of one player that may have a world item. Jester, who convinced you to attack us, is really Carnival.”
“This would make sense Neuronist with my supervision managed to pull out all the information of two members of the Covenant of Crows we captured. There were eight members, one of those members before they went missing went by the alias Jester. Who had odd connections to the leader?”
[Carnival’s projection is nearby, which means Carnival must be somewhere in the city.]
Shooting up, Sitabus glared at the door partly because of Jester, partly because he heard the sound of steel clashing. Flying over to the doors, throwing them open with a glare unleashing his [blood lust aura].
“What is going on here, Shalltear!” His voice booming over the kneeling group.
Spotting his four knights, Climb Renner’s personal knight, the new warrior captain Brain Unglaus, Shalltear, and Sebas.
Brain paled at him sweat rolling down his forehead with a deep dread in his eyes. Brain’s gaze switching between him and Shalltear nearby kneeling just as he was. Kettor took note of one of her broken nails. Then switching over to Brain, his sword dropped near him. Realizing what the problem was as Rita was quick to explain the situation.
“Sorry lord Kettor Brain recognized Lady Shalltear. Lady Shalltear antagonized him and allowed him to attack her.”
Turning to Shalltear with a disappointed glare. ‘Great another mess to clean up. On top of Ritan’s grudge against Jaldabaoth and administrator hunting.’ What happened to having a few hours of peace and quiet to talk with Momonga.
Calmly walking up to Shalltear, his gaze never leaving her body. “Shalltear we are guests here, and I will not have you fighting with random people of the Sorcerer Kingdom. I will have to punish you for this later.”
“Yes, lord Kyuketsuki.”
Sitabus turned to Brain with wide eyes at the Scene. He let out a sigh well he was planning to hunt down jester any way. “Sorry for any past misunderstandings warrior captain. It looks like we will have to cut this short, my friend. Please tell Kathrin when she is done to meet us in E-Rental.”
Taking Shalltear’s hand and with his knights following closely behind him as he moved down the halls. None of them speaking up till they were well outside the castle with one mass fly over the group. They took flight over the city as Kettor instructed them to look for Carnival.
Scanning over the city streets below for something. ‘Where is Carnival now?’ [Your close just go to the right a little.]
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-E-Rental-
Kathrin stepped through the gate with a blank face trying not to show her infuriation after learning her love have left quickly. Something was off even if Shalltear got recognized there was no reason for him to go rushing off unless Carnival had been found.
Walking down the halls of the mayor’s office building, ignoring the surprise of those she passed. While she waited for more orders, she hoped to talk with Rheanna to gauge her reaction to everything. After Albedo expressed her concern about the human, it might be the overseer’s paranoia.
If not for the fact that she had seen an undead kill her father. An oversight on her part, but the woman was just as savvy as Mayor Panasolei when it came to forecasting future trends in the economy. This is why she had to check finally coming to the door ignoring the guards and pushing open the large carved wooden door.
“Hello, mayor Reanna; how has your day been.”
The dark red-haired woman looked up in surprise at lady Kathrin before smiling warmly. Putting the pen down, not a hint of deceit in her eyes, behind those glasses.
“I wasn’t expecting you, my empress, Kathrin, did you want me to arrange another hidden trade convoy or something else?”
Kathrin Takes careful notes of Rheanna’s every muscle twitch before taking a seat. “Yes, most of this will probably have to be run by Baldo Lauffray. Recently Crain village has taken in an army of goblins to take residents there. What they need are food supplies to get them started and help to expand their food production long term.”
Rheanna hummed in thought, opening a drawer pulling out some papers. Kathrin watched her work through the mental calculation, which she already knew what it should take. It was more helpful to have underlings that could come to the answer themselves.
“It will be tough, but we should be able to help them. I may need to ask for help from the sorcerer king for the skeleton labor is this acceptable?” Rheanna signed the papers handing them over to Kathrin to review.
‘What was Albedo-sam messing with me, or did she honestly believe Rheanna show disloyalty.’ Handing the papers back to Rheanna after skimming over them. Everything was in order and logistical as she would have done. Thinking to another question that had been bugging her.
“Has there been any news regarding some new beast-man kingdom?”
Rheanna's bright mood dimmed a little clasping her hands together. “You mean the old dragon kingdom. We have recently gotten a flood of refugees from them. passing through to the Slane Theocracy or into Re-Estize.”
Kathrin thinks back to the emperor's notes on them. they had been having beast-men troubles. “What happened to them last I heard they were still fighting?”
Rheanna denied this answer pulling up a message on to the desk. “One old soldier of the dragon kingdom brought this in, written by the new beast-man council. Any human to come near their lands will be considered open food for the taking.”
Kathrin frowned. They were holding out fine until now it should be at least a year before they needed help what had changed? This would be an excellent chance to test the newly reformed army. Add on the three new high tier vampires when required, and it would be secure and controlled.
How would she pitch this to lord Kettor to please him best? She could have Demiurge’s new persona show up personally and help with Ritana’s progressing growth. She might even be surprised like her battle with Go Gin.
“This is horrible news, I will inform my love as soon as he arrives. If I may ask, is blue rose available if we should need help?” Kathrin feigned worry while holding the mayor's hand to comfort this sheep.
Rheanna gains some of her chipper mood back at those kind words. “I will send them your request, where should I have them meet you if they accept.”
Before Kathrin left the mayors office, she gave a teasing grin. “I will find them if they accept not to worry.”
Leaving two shadow demons behind to let her know as she went down the halls keeping up the ruse of caring for now. Careful since Xennessa, along with most of her succubi, were now positioned around the empire. Only a handful was needed in E-Rental for keeping watch.
Walking out the building met by the cold wind clouds dotting the mid-afternoon sky. ‘Now what to practice while I wait for lord Sitabus to arrive?’
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-Carnival-
She rushed down the streets glancing behind her to the sky and alleyways. Jester was officially angry at her. This was to be expected, but too send Kyuketsuki after her was a bit much. She could sense him nearby. The only way he could be closing in on her is if Jester was helping him.
Something she couldn’t do much about without totally giving her position away to Jester and by proxy Kyuketsuki. It was the only real saving grace of why he had not found her yet. Reaching out to the most substantial point she could find. Vanishing in a flash to the edge of the capital's outer walls.
Her attention is drawn to one shadow on the wall with a menacing grin. Hopefully, she could smooth this over quickly, or else she would find out what happened if she died with the admin’ realm locked. Glancing around using her admin’ sight to spot Kyuketsuki a safe enough distance to talk for a few minutes.
“I see you are still not following our rules! Does Ainz know you have been shadowing him for months now?”
Carnival couldn’t show off, not with the innocent people in the area, and she didn’t have much time to stick around for her own safety. Kyketsuki wanted her dead if Jester told him the truth about Jade’s death. “Muketsu, we can talk about this. Sister’s don’t sic deadly vampire lords on each other.”
The cold laugh that answered filled Carnival with fear of how seriously was the locked-down on the Admin’ Realm affecting her.
“Oh, are we sisters now? The sister I remember was kind, understanding, and fair. Not cold, cruel, and all too willing to shove me in a void hoping to forget I exist. Or worse Like what you did to poor Jade.”
Jester extended a hand cracking the street as a huge dust cloud rose around them even as she blocked the blast. She could see the vampire's wrath filled eyes turn her way. Creating a light projection to buy time scaring people nearby away with Nightmarish visions.
“I only made Jade vanish to teach him a lesson; this is not a game. Please just calm down and let's talk, I know we can find a way to unlock the admin’ realm.”
Jester’s glare intensified as her red eyes shined with wrath her red lips pulling down into an angry scowl. “You locked me in without even knowing how to undo it!”
Carnival could bearly hold back the waves of black flames sent her way with little time to think of another way out of this. Even as her light projection vanishes, Skidding back, realizing negotiation was out the window, she reaches up to clear the clouds. Only to watch [control weather]shift again as the rain began to fall.
“That is the person that attacked me at the cemetery!” Shouted Rita from her blind spot.
“So we finally meet Carnival. If you didn’t kill Jade, tell me the truth now, who did!”
She didn’t need to turn around to know they had arrived. If she had actually gone to Momonga, this wouldn’t be much of an issue. But with Shalltear, Kyuketsuki, and Velvet ready to attack any minute, she did not have a lot of options.
What to do to get out of this as much as she hated to use it wild magic would be her only bet. Luckily Kyuketsuki’s group was hesitant to move in; they didn’t realize how limited her combative skills where. Holding up a hand, she turned on [area block], preventing any nearby message spells from being sent. Quickly creating a small doll in her other hand shaped like Momonga sensing the death of three people nearby.
“Stay back if this breaks your friend will feel it.”
Relieved to see the fear In Kyuketsuki’s eyes glancing at Jester, this shouldn’t be working. This poorly thought out rushed bluff shouldn’t even fool Jester? This was really just a smoke bomb that could temporarily block the magic of those who breathed it in. What was Jester up to now with such a dark grin?
None of them spoke in the silence as they encircled her the vampire lord looking to Jester with narrowed eyes. Carnival stayed ready. This wouldn’t work for long, or it shouldn’t be, which is what was worrying her the most.
“As one Administer to another hand over the pieces of the world’s gem shards to lord Kettor. Do this, and we will let you flee in return for Ainz’s safety.”
Cursing under her breath so this is what this was about balling her free hand tight. Turning to Kyuketsuki, her face hidden by the mask, she couldn’t lose them, but she didn’t have much choice. Putting her hand out vanishing into her inventory to the grave gaze of Kyuketsuki.
Muttering something to himself, pulling out the three sickly glowing gems. Carnival had to shift the way she held them to keep from being burned. These gems did not hurt this much last time she held them. What had changed since then? Locking eyes with Jester staring at the small gems like a lost prize.
“You can’t trust Jester. You have no idea what these gems can do. If you take these, you are putting this world at risk.” She pleads to Kyuketsuki, holding out the gems which started to hiss, forcing her to drop them to the ground.
Kyuketsuki was silent, thinking about her words before lunching out a [shadow hand] to pick them up. Spinning them around in the shadow hand’s grip with narrowed eyes. Before Kyuketsuki stabbed at the air in front of him, then everyone acting like a flash of light happened, covering their eyes.
“Where did she go shadow.” Hissed Shalltear, as they all acted like her illusion, was working again.
“She fought back my control, but keep those safe if Carnival gets them again, she can affect other souls like Jades.”
Letting out a sigh of relief before turning to glare at the shadow projection. Leading her on like that was uncalled for. Yeah, carnival screwed up, she would confess this. Still, this player had the most reason to want to kill her. Now she couldn’t ally with any of Nazarick after this either, which was definitely planned.
[Don’t act ungrateful we are still sisters, but keep this up, and I will watch him kill you for real.]
Hearing Jester's message Carnival took the hint and flew away as quickly as possible. With a hidden smirk, this was a setback, but they were not the only players around here. Nor was that all the pieces of the new world’s world item if she could collect a few pieces of them, it would go a long way in slowing Muketsu down at least till she could make her see reason.
‘Maybe I can go to the dragon lords no, they still see Jester as a player. Rigrit was unknown if she could even help at her age. Blue Rose, no, they were wrapped up with Nazarick for now.’ Huffing in frustration following the sensation of the player high over the mountain top. The smell of blood and death could be picked up from here.
Sometimes she hated the superhuman senses for times like now giving a pitying look to those below. She had not anticipated the dragon kingdom falling to there ilk if it was a better situation she might be in a position to help. But without a champion to fight with Muketsu would hold the upper hand.
Reaching out her hand [Avatar beacon sense], three red dots appeared in sight. They were weaker then she would like, but it was better than nothing. Hovering above the ground as the capital of the old dragon kingdom came into sight, its once clean walls and high towers where a shadow of its former self with the smell of death and blood filling the air.
Now beast-men patrolled the walks phasing through the gate. It was even worse inside. ‘Really how barbaric have they become while I wasn’t watching.’ If these players turned out to be beast-men, it would take hours to hunt down more. The actions of finding others might be better given how cruel and violent most of them had become here.
A problem to fix after she could counter her sister's control. Already it was taking more strain to remain unseen then it should. Following the beacon, she had to hold back her disgust at how savage these beast-men were to the humans. Even there own kind was not spared seeing one get stabbed for trying to steal a miserable, broken young man being sold as food.
The beacon blinked at one building turned into a stockade/ holding cell for food. Carnival prays she would find humans, not beast-men avatars the fact they where being held captive here was not promising unless they were freaking out.
The shift had different effects on people. Her sister was calm, almost cold, and logical. While she remembered screaming her head off and panicking for an hour after first arriving. The best outcome was only mild panic. She really didn’t want to deal with suicidal ones again, like the leaders of the thirteen heroes.
Grimacing at the memory of the outcome for her and them in the end. ‘Do they not have a guild base it should be.-
There was a pulse, a beep, and a boom of a crash as if a mountain had fallen from the sky.
Carnival turned her head to see a city that had fallen from the sky. Fighting was already breaking out as angels poured out of the wreckage. Resisting the urge to facepalm, there went subtlety. Becoming visible, Carnival spoke [admit truth seeker] a long two-handed sword appeared in hand. Cutting the two guards heads off. [Psychic blast] bust the doors off with unseen force. Walking into the dark building, ‘This was going to be a long week.’
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-End of Chapter-