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- Azerlisia Mountains-
The Quagoa clans didn’t oppose him or his group as they moved through the tunnels. He was still trying to think of what the best use for them would be. They were not dwarfs, and his original plan was out still Bardic lived among humans, so there had to be more somewhere else.
The white-furred Quagoa, Kazu was leading them the last bit of the way through the tunnels. To the old dwarf city, they renamed Ru Yozune after the hero, who led the charge to wipe out the dwarfs. It had taken a day’s travel to get there, which gave Ainz time to think about what he would demand of them. Learning the relatively new Zo Agrmos clan lived near the entrance with only about 7,958 total; the other nine clans lived in Ru Yozune with one clan living close to the dragons.
‘The dragons are the most useful with their bodies having had many uses along with their treasure hoard. Once I have those how much use would they have to Nazarick alive.’ At the very least, he needed to earn their respect, but these Quagoa only seemed to respect strong warriors and the rare ores which they eat as a young age determining the strength of their claws and fur. They might not even know how to make armor or weapons, let alone magic weapons? Which would take more of an investment then he would need with the dwarfs. At this rate, he might have to gain them like the lizardmen with an overwhelming show of force.
Glancing at Zayusu as they walked down the dark tunnels, Cocytus had done an excellent job so far, and it would be a start to his idea of having humans and demi-humans close to each other. Plus, he doubted he could trade them much of anything they didn’t already have. At least until he imaged them using armor or shields, they must have some weakness. Which he could have armor made for them or exploit if they tried to attack them again.
Then they came before the fortress city of Ru Yozune, finding further proof the Quagoa would take a lot of work. they had not even repaired damage to the fortress. “Albedo, how soon do you think it would take to repair the walls. Along with getting a school and tradesmen training center going here.”
Albedo yellow eyes gleam, yet it took her only a few seconds to answer. “Three months for a few Alpha Havens and training center. The walls would take at least a year; this may take longer to get a few trainers and trained teachers to come here.”
Ainz hummed another idea that came to mind. Perhaps they could be a testing group for some of his ideas.
“What are Alpha Havens?” Zayusu asked as the gates opened for them.
“A place for all people to learn knowledge of present and past. Which will help them and a haven for offered children or those affected by disasters like the demon emperor’s attacks. They are named after a demon maid I captured and free from Jaldabaoth in our last battle.”
“So even powerful demons are no match for you, lord Ainz.”
He resisted urging to correct Zayusu taking in the city. The inside was in even more need of repairs. With holes and damaged structures patched or weakly reinforced. Proving they would be a potential ally in the future, but for now, he would have to force them into submission. Building them back up from scratch would be the best route. Letting out a sigh as they came within sight of what was once a grand council building, now like most of the rest of the city without lights aside from a few glowing crystals.
“You must be the skeleton who frightened them. Is your master the dark elf child or the dark knight to your side.”
Leading them to the meeting room where Pe Riyuro has golden fur and wears a brown loincloth. As a leader, he was wearing a cloak and crown with a nearby cage of lizards in it.
Ainz watches the king of the Quagoa clans; he pulled out a lizard from the cage to eat. Riyuro was the only one he had seen wearing clothes of any kind so far. The king didn’t show fear of him as the guards around the room block their exit.
“They told me you were strong but only saw one of you fight. I killed them for such cowardice. Your pursual of this goal to fight the dragons is foolish. Apologize for killing them, and I might decide to only enslave you both. Before ending your skeleton,” Riyuro glared switching between Aura and Albedo.
“It seems my thoughts about you were correct.”
“If you mean that I would not bow to a skeleton, a dark elf child, a lizardman, and some strange human without a show of skill, then yes. I will not risk my people's survival on weak invaders.”
Time to start off strong, Ainz unleashed his dark halo over the room, making Pe Riyuro drop the lizard he was about to eat. Frozen in fear as he was forced to his knees by this overwhelming pressure.
“Aura, please use it on everyone in this city. I want them to see the despair they will face if they refuse my terms a second time.”
“Yes, lord Ainz” pulling off the scroll on her back aura, unrolled it painting the brush. As the king and every one of the clans in the city found themselves in a mist-filled cavern city. Now saw the familiar home nowhere in sight. Around them was a lake of blood as bodies of unknown Quagoa lay all around them. Some of them rising as undead staring and encircling all 80,000 people with overwhelming numbers.
The Hanzros were already watching the exits in case they tried to escape. He left Zarusu outside with Aura in case a player was hidden in here somewhere now would force them to strike. Albedo stood by his side, ready for battle time to show off his practiced acting skills.
“You have refused and proven that your scouts where liars. However, as the other clan did not oppose me, they shall be spared.”
Allowing Albedo to step in front of him her ax ready, he had restricted her to not using magic unless necessary. “To test your worth, you may pick 10,000 to fight my queen. She is still upset with your slight. After this trial, you will hear my requests, or I shall cull this city’s numbers down to 15,000. If you try to run, I will take it as a second slight to our kindness.”
Pe Riyuro's eyes shrunk to pinpricks at the sight and smell of the horror around him, realizing he should have listened. Ainz would have changed his approach, but his theory proved correct. Waiting for the Quagoa king forces, but he was shaking as he picked a selection to attack Albedo.
Ainz could see they didn’t use magic, favoring only rush tactics with large numbers. None of them showed any extraordinary skills or tactics, along with no weapons or armor. Leading him to the conclusion, the dwarfs of this region must have been weak. To fall to simple overwhelming numbers of demi-humans with weapon resistant hides and sharp claws. Guessing lightning or fire might be their weakness.
It didn’t take long at all for Albedo to return to his side her armor clean of blood or guts. Watching the Quagoa King fall to his knees, splashing blood around him.
“Here are my demands. You are now vassals of the sorcerer kingdom. My laws are your laws, and everything the dragons have will be divided as I see fit. I will send one of my guardians here to watch you as he is tasked with governing the lizardmen. Do you submit or should I..” Ainz left the question hanging.
Pe Riyuro raised his head to look deep into those flaming red eyes. He had lost the chance to bargain and struggled to speak. “Yes, we submit your rule, your majesty, please no more Kazu shall lead you to the dragons.”
Even as they were transported back into the center of Ru Yozune, where the body parts of the fallen had been piled up. Ru held back tears before he could morn the dead or bury them.
[mass create undead: low tire]
Black goo swarmed over the mass of bodies creating hundreds of towering death golems. With tower shields, deadly giant swords, and clad in dark armor like the other five they had seen. Any hope Ru Yozune felt was crushed by the sight of so many monstrous golems of death. If each one of them could do even a tenth of what Queen Albedo could, they would never be able to break free of this monster.
“These death knights shall protect you and keep watch over your city. Zarusu will stay here to explain the rules when Cocytus arrives, I expect you to obey him as you would me.”
After a quick message to Cocytus to come to greet the Quagoa. Kazu continued to lead them deeper into the tunnels to the three trials. Pass them is where the dragons holding up in the old dwarf capital.
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-Dwarf Capital City-
Ainz was a little surprised at how quickly the first dragon surrendered to them. Though he was rather thin and weak for a dragon. Albedo and Aura met back up with him, and Kazu, after the last Quagoa clan, refused to side with them too fearful of the dragons. The lead dragon himself had been far too arrogant and died with only one [grasp heart]. Now, he needed a way into the vault taking in the mountain of treasure hoard the dragon had with gems and gold, which didn’t compare to Nazarick’s vault.
As the three female dragons left to go gather the other dragons, leaving the trio alone with the dragon body. Before he could think more of the matter of opening the vault without a unique item, the area darkened. Which was an odd choice if someone was going to attack, considering all of them could see in the dark.
“Greetings, Lord Ainz, might I bargain for that dragon lord’s body.”
Aura and Albedo went on alert at the shadow projection of Jester. Bowing to him before coming closer to the group halting between the dragon corpse and them.
“Jester Troop, I presume. Why would I give you the dragon’s body.”
Shalltear had told him of this admin,’ so he knew what to expect. This was his first time meeting her shadow in person. More to the point, what reason would she want the body of a dragon she couldn’t even touch. Unless there was more, the Admin was hiding from Kyuketsuki. What did she mean by dragon lord? Was that a class of dragons in this new world?
Jester giggled at him as if reading his mind. “I can’t read your thoughts like my champions. But I’m guessing you are wondering what I could give in return. I assure you it will be worth the trade. I can even give processed items of every part of this dragon. Double if I must please, I will even unlock the vault behind the throne.”
Hearing the offer what Jester was putting on the table made her sound desperate to get this dragon body. She wasn’t even waiting for him to think about the proposal before adding more on. Already it sounded like he was gaining more from this deal then she would.
Which put him on edge, there was no way Jester would be going to such lengths unless there was something special about dragons. Was something about dragon lords special? Would he bee trading away a dangerous weapon if he agreed.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
The only way to find out would be to watch what she did. If she turned on him, he could cast either a large fire spell or lightning spell and dispell this darkness zone. If need be, any future dragon lords or dragon corpses would need a high priority to be watched. He would not let some secret weapons fall into the hands of Nazarick’s enemies.
“Aura and Albedo stand down, but stay alert.”
“Before I agree, why just this dragon.”
Jester's red mouth smiled as she approached the body. “Shalltear told you of world gem shards yes. They are pieces of this world’s WCI, even small pieces hold tremendous power Equal to other WCI’s. But this is only a fraction of the world gems' real power and ability.”
Ainz stared at Jester, trying to figure out what this had to do with the dragon’s body.
“What you don’t know is the shards are hidden within the souls of this world's original magic users. Even this false dragon lord keeps a small one hidden watch.”
Before Ainz could react, Jester was already doing something.
Jester held out her hand at first nothing happened before the blue scales twisted and morphed colors shining brightly as a draconic scream of pain could be heard. Ainz could see the dragon soul being pulled into a dark unseen vortex as it sucked in the soul.
There was a colossal pulse of blinding darkness as in place of the dragon lords’ body was now a large pile of items Ainz knew where products created with the dragon parts. Near Jester was a small, shining crystal shard Jester stepped back with a wave of her hand. The massive vault doors opened Jester fell to her knees, panting.
“This shard I leave to my champions friend beware of those…” Jesters projection fades out of view with a wide smile. As the [darkness zone] disappeared out of sight with the administer.
Ainz wearily walked over to the pile, bending down to pick up the gem. Hearing whispers of the dead dragon’s voice tell him of its power. The old dragon had lost all his pride or anger now speaking like the death orb. He knew now why Kyuketsuki was so secretive seeing firsthand the power of an administrator to bend the world around them. Neither Albedo or Aura saw what had created this shard, but its capabilities, even if limited, were dangerous.
He had to think carefully about what to do with this situation. Clutching the gem in his hand first, he had to sort and transport all this then mark up what to share with the Quagoa.
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-Arohdrun -
Ritana followed Evileye as they patrolled the streets waiting for the impending attack, which would be the excuse to wipe out the beast-men. Then Rita could go help Kettor save those under there care in the fallen dragon kingdom. The waiting put her on edge despite lord Kettor trying to calm her down. Her instincts told her Jaldabaoth would be waiting; she had to be ready for it her hand, never leaving her sword handle. Eyes scanning the crowd for any sight of trouble, her ears listening for any odd noise and her nose taking note of every scent around her.
“You seem tense is that demon on your mind.”
Rita jumped at Evileye’s question, sighing, realizing maybe she was a little too high strung. How could she not be she had to be ready for that demon she would show that weak swordsmen. Any threat which came her way would fall to her.
“Don’t worry that demon will fall to emperor Kettor. I will slay him myself if I must.”
Evileye stared at her before shaking her head. “How can you be so naïve?”
“What is that supposed to mean! Do you doubt lord Kettor or my strength?”
She stared down the vampire caster, daring her to say more, only getting a sad sigh. “I faced him and one of his demon maids. Jaldabaoth, Ainz, and Kettor are all monstrously powerful far beyond us. Ainz could not best that demon alone just to save the kingdom. Even Kettor seems wary to fight him if both of them are this cautious what do you think you can do.”
“I will fight him and win; he must have some weakness. Even if I can’t, Kettor will crush him without trouble.”
Evileye stopped and locked eyes with Rita questioning the warrior's sanity. Then again, she had fought the war troll Go Gin alone. Perhaps she was already mad enough to have no fear. Shaking her head and resuming their patrol.
“You just don’t understand looking at me like Brain did. Questioning my supreme being Kyuketsuki and questioning his chosen knight. He chose me for my strength and unwavering sense of justice. Why can you two just have faith in this fact? I heard my father talk like both of you before, defeated and bending the knee to monsters like Eight Fingers.”
“Maybe your father was smart and saw a battle he couldn’t win.”
Ritana moves like lightning, slapping Evileyes mask. Huffing in rage at those words, she might still love her father, but he was a greedy coward.
“Don’t you dare! My father could have chosen the harder path he should have thought of his family! Instead, he spent his nights doing Eight Fingers’ dirty work and took their money. He traded his honor and respect for greed and murder even after my mother grew sick and died poisoned by his ‘friends’. Even after I saw him get killed by that stupid belly dancer bitch. Even after our noble family vanished overnight, and I wandered the streets penniless, I never once considered trading my morals for coin or comfort. I have sacrificed a peaceful life and noble titles for my honor, and I will not start now!”
Marching ahead, Rita tried to calm down, but her father had forever lost her respect the night he let mom die. She would reforge her family name and redeem the dishonor her father had brought the family name. Ritana had a promise to her mother to keep. Demon or not, she would be better.
Catching up, she glanced at Evileye before sighing. “Sorry about that. My father is a sore subject for me.”
…
When Rita got no answer, she tried changing the subject.
“So how did you become a vampire.”
Evileye looked away before sighing. “I just became like this one day, and everyone I know was an undead. Many blamed be for it before I joined the thirteen heroes that came to my kingdom one day.”
“Landfall?” Rita whispered her father had a family member who lived there before it vanished. Truth be told, none of her books she read said much about landfall even their appearance was a mystery. Giggling at her imagination at what Ritana envisions the vampire looking like. A blonde girl shorter then Ritana was not one of those options.
“I'm a little surprised you know that name. Don’t repeat it, please.”
“I only know of the name our family Archives had some relative-
Rita snapped her ears to the sound of clashing swords and screams rushing off down the road finding the beast-men. Seeing most of the animals getting butchered by blood knights and vampire brides. Eivleye caught up, ready to fight shooting off [Crystal Lance]. Seeing almost no need.
“No need the undying guard has this covered.”
Ritana focused on searching for anyone in danger, not seeing many she just kept alert. Before hearing two screams looking over, she saw two cloaked figures rushing away. Running at full speed, she could not catch up, only seeing them vanish over the wall gritting her teeth. Even with [grasshopper legs] and all three ability boosts, they were too fast to catch up to the three. Rita wears a weak smile; if nothing else, she would get her chance to prove herself.
They must have a fly spell, and stronger speed-boosting spells lady Kathrin had told her about. This was all the proof she needs to know that the twisted demon must be involved. Too bad lady Kathrin had forbidden her from telling any of the Blue Rose team before they could run away.
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-Outside Arohdrun the Next Day-
A vast army of eight legions of humans, elves, and demihumans along with two legions of undead in total 100,000 troops stood before kettor with Blue Rose and his elite four standing behind him. Next to him stood lady Tearus (Shalltear) and Clementine with her head showing the rest of her body hidden by the cloak.
“ Today the new beast-men kingdom has shown they care not for borders or boundaries. As much as it pained me, I was willing to leave them be so long as they didn’t attack your homes and cities, which I protect; however, they have just attacked though my guards kept most of our people safe A mother and her young daughter. Where taken.”
He shifted to his true form letting his blood lust aura wash over the crowd. “They dared take those under my protection, so I must go to save them as your emperor. I will go alone if I must as I would hunt down injustice done to any of you under my protection. But I will not ask you to throw your lives away in a war for me. I ask you to fight these gluttons beast with me for the future safety of your loved ones, friends, and children they will target next if we don’t show them we are not weak like the dragon kingdom. If you believe like me that such atrocities should not be allowed to happen. Step forward and join me in showing them our fangs.”
Evileye was surprised by the speech he had gathered them here, but unlike any other king, she knows. He wasn’t telling them to fight. He was asking them to fight for what they believe was right. She felt a shiver run down her spine by the power he commanded watching in shock as with one tremor, all of them stepped forward without hesitation.
Kettor smiled at their dedication and the trust they placed in him to lead them into battle.
“Very well then once Kathrin opens the gate follow me, and we shall show them if they step into the empire, they shall respect our laws and people, or they shall be bled dry.”
A rush of courage filled Evileye as the army of the empire cheered without an ounce of hesitation or fear. As he shifted back, a massive vortex of darkness open Blue Rose followed Kettor and his people through the [gate], which appeared.
Kettor stepped through it to the almost bare and harsh mountains seeing Kathrin and beyond her was the city walls of Oasi Casemar. Rage boiled unseen as he saw the city they had threatened those under his protection worse, these beasts had no care for life. Hearing from his shadow demons how they ate humans of any age, almost making a game of torturing them. He marched forward with a bloodthirsty gleam in his eyes his loyal army following him forward, stopping as he raised his hand to stop the march. Looking up at the beast-men on the wall, he saw tiger men and a few others before spotting a small demon on the wall, hissing.
‘Something is not right the beast-men don’t work with demons did they summon it.’ He had yet to meet any demon summoners or infernal casters; he would have to be cautious most infernal caster or summoners were at least level 50.
“Open your gates, surrender, and let us talk peacefully. Refuse, and it shall be an act of war with the empire for threatening our safety and violation of our laws of conduct.”
A caster tiger woman stepped forward, throwing a [fireball] down at him. The low-tire spell was blocked by his high tire immunity to weak spells and attacks. Smiling up at the beast-men tribes feeling his blood lust rise as he shifted to his true form.
“Very well, we shall not stop until you agree to stop any further attacks on our people or until every single savage is captured or wiped out from the dragon kingdom.”
[endless shadow hands]
From his shadow, uncountable numbers of hands reached up above the high walls which the beast-men thought protected them, grabbing them and pulling hundreds down. Bodies being crushed as they impacted the ground at terminal velocity, those who were not pulled down watched in horror casting spells or shooting arrows at him. None of these weak attacks hurt him in the slightest.
As the blood of the fallen gathered in his blood pool waiting to be used, he draws out his saber. [triple Plasma style: death dragon rising] the ground trembled as three huge crimson dragons burst out from under a section of the wall causing many more beast-men to fall to their deaths as a large opening in the towering walls of the city fell.
“Charge! Kill any beast-men who does not surrender!”
“Kathrin and Shalltear, you are acting commanders. Clementine, I want the top of those walls cleared, then help below. Blue Rose and my elite four follow me.”
They all rushed to act, but Kettor didn’t have time to watch them; this was war now but a necessary one. He would keep his promise to Jircniv; he would make the Baharuth Empire prosper without having to worry about constant raids of beast-men. Despite his show of power to force a surrender, they attacked. Kettor had no mercy for any who could not see they had lost already.
So far, the battle was somewhat one-sided as his army washed over the shocked and scattered defenders. They could do nothing to stop Kettor as he really didn’t need Blue Rose or his four at this moment. Though once they spread out further away from the main fighting, they started fighting as Kettor cut a path through tiger and bear beast-men to the castle linked to the wall towards the enormous domed building where his tactical mind told him the leader would be.
Cutting through all who blocked his path with ease, hearing the fighting spread out. Across the city, he would have to depend on Kathrin and Shalltear to lead them. The lives of those they led were in their hands. Once, he had the leader, who, like most demi-humans, was probably the strongest they should break easily.
Smashing down a door with a dead tiger man into a training area with a sparring ring. Glancing up, he could see he was close once Kettor was inside; he could just let Blue Rose and Ritana pick off guards and warriors while he crushed the leader and paraded the body and or head around to break the morale of the enemy fully.
Before he could think about this plan, all of Blue Rose gasped and took a step back while his four elites jumped in front of him.
His eyes looked forward to four maids with pride masks and Demiurge standing there in his vermilion suit with a pride mask of his own his razer claws out. Staring at his group. His mind ground to a halt; what was Demiurge doing here?!
“I see you have come for these two sooner than expected.”
Demiurge waved to the mother and child behind him, chuckling, earning a growl from Ritana. Drawing her swords out, stepping closer to the maids and Jalbadoth, the other three followed hesitantly.
“Jaldabaoth, you might have succeeded in destroying my world, but you will not take this one!”
“Return both of them now, monster!” Rita screamed out, barely holding herself back from charging.
Kettor trembled as he struggled to think up a plan, which would include either having to fight Demiurge and the Pleiades or risk showing his connection to them. “Blue Rose, go back and circle around to clear out the beast-men ahead in the main building.”
Demiurge chuckled darkly, “Don’t make a promise you can’t keep. Or did you fail to tell them about how I got my demon maids?”
“Rita, stay back, wait!”
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-End of Chapter-