Alessia slowly walked through the streets of E-Rantel. She was looking for Themis.

Winter has come to the capital and brought the usual festive atmosphere. Ornaments adorned the streets, houses and Death Knights. Despite late hour all manner of people filled the streets - Humans, Goblins, Lizardmans, Beastmans, Ogres, Orcs and many, many others. Fun, laughter and sometimes even singing filled the air.

Some children of mixed races run past Alessia, screaming and moving by the rules of a game no one knows but them. Alessia looked after them with a smile. Everyone was happy in Utopia built by Ainz Ooul Gown. All races were leaving in harmony and security, without sickness or hunger. No matter the cost, the happiness of His Majesty people will be assured. Everything but luxury items and food were provided freely. Nobody had to work but most people still do. Eternal live were pretty boring without a purpose.

Alessia's mouth moistened, and she turned her head forward with slight embarrassment. She need to find Themis. Tomorrow she will meet the King, so she was extremely nervous. Hopefully getting a piece of Themis's mind would calm her dawn. She know that she did good thou. The last Player - this time it was bulky human warrior the size of average ogre - was scouted before he even fully manifest himself and were quickly disposed off. Now they have another century to prepare for the next one. Not that they need a century. With a dozen of different World Items at their disposal and a crew of Unread Dragon Lords wielding Soul Magic she could not imaging that any Intruder would ever be strong enough to demand direct intervention of the God, who broke 100 level threshold some eons ago.

The Utopia's future is secured for all eternity. And, probably, even after.

Alessia came out in market plaza. Here the holiday felt even stronger. Hymns sounded from all sides. Illusions were imposed on huge fairy-tale mansions and castles floating in the air on the occasion of the holiday.

Alessia exhaled rapturously and shook her head. Only Albedo - the first wive of the the King - or one her kids - could come up with such wonderful idea to honor their liege. The sky were filled with the images of Surshana, striking epic stances in exotic outfits. One could only image how much joy it will bring to the original.

Looking at her beloved God at the sky, she didnt notice as she arrived at the far corner of market square. Out here she found Lady Zahradnik, who was smiling at the sky with similar sentiment. She was standing beside several rows of hanging black bags of various shapes and sizes stretching into the infinity of the night. From time to time someone took a bag off hanger and carry it away.

- Oh, Lady Zahradnic, Happy Holidays. Its rare pleasure to meet your personally.

- Its good to see you again, Alessia - Ludmila's joy were clear through her usually calm tone. - I just return from my annual sweep across Beastman Confederation.

- How did it go?

- Uneventfull but profusely - Ludmila shrugged - they stop trying to fight or migrate, or even hide generations ago and now overbreeading is their survival strategy. Which is essentially what we want from them.

- Savage animals. No wonder His Majesty never consider extend His Light to them.

- That is their place in big order of things. Some races in Sorcerous Kingdom need to eat meat and Confederation exist to provide for it. Overall it is much cheaper than tending our own livestock and provide much entertainment for many.

Alessia knew that. Yet it still made her wonder how low some living could sink to survive.

As they were speaking people keep taking bags off hangers and wondering off. One assertive goblin manage to shake off the biggest bag in a row, although they usually prefer kid-size, and now unsuccessfully tried to pick it up. An ogre, who was passing by, put it on his shoulder while chuckling and asked where to take it. As the rest of the basic needs, meat were free in the Utopia.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

- So, Alessia, what bring you here? Want some of this Saraca fellow? You wouldn't believe how many people still want a piece of him.

- Er, no, thanks. Actually I'm looking for Themis.

- Ah, but of course. I think I saw her hunging around somewhere on that side.

They move along a long row of bags. Dozens of Shrouds of Sleep big and small appeared and disappeared into the night.

- Is there some sort of order you hanging them out?

- We usually place cubs next to their parents. It would be cruel to separate them.

Alessia shook her head again. Some people prefer meat of intelligent beings, but personally she couldn't understand how it was different from any other meat. Luckily, understanding is not required.

Around the time she stopped hearing hymns she saw huge containers of blacked metal placed upon each other. No sound were coming from them, but she could feel vibrations in the surrounding air.

- What is this?

- Oh, thats knew package for Draconic Kingdom import. Some humans were complaining that open cages kinda broke the mood. Vampires also quite happy since apparently it helps to develop taste faster. So it's a win-win decision for us.

- He-e-eh, I guess our weather manipulation may cause another unfortunate crop failure over there yet again.

- Guess so. - Ludmila laugh lightly - Serve them right for rejecting His infinite Mercy. On the other hand, who else could sell us so many of live human younglings for a bit of bread.

They leave crates with "Silent" cast upon them behind and come to luxury part of a row. Most unique and developed merchandise for the most refined taste were gathered hear. Blue Rose - one of the few teams of Adamantine adventures of Old World, who tried to flee Sorcerous Kingdom expanding sphere of influence, until there was no place left to run. Dradulion - the eternal honored queen of Draconic Kingdom, who overestimated the patience of the representatives and their superiors in the negotiations. Platinum Dragon Lord - the last and strongest defender of the Soul. Saraca - the most hated person ever. And a thousand others, rows upon rows of "heroes" who denied His Will, His Vision, His Infinite Mercy, protecting those that undeserved His Light.

Alessia remembered that long time ago the will of a dead person was actually matter. Now all that was matter the will of the God, as it should be. The "heroes" were resurrected at demand, butchered, consumed and resurrected again. Sometimes they forced to fight at the Arena, sometimes used at training and school lessons. Or just for fun. Sometimes it took some strange forms. For some reason Ludmila called the ordeal through which Entoma Vasilisa drive her favorite dish "The Greatest Love Story Ever Told".

Alessia walked the familiar path, opened one of the "luxury" bag and breathed a sigh of relief. Themis was on her usual place, staring into the void with wide eyes. Not that she was very popular with general population. Anyone except herself hardly ever show any interest to her sister. Alessia's mouth moistened again, but she knew she must restrain herself. Tomorrow will be a big day, and she need to keep her mind clear.

She quickly beheaded the corpse and excused herself. Ludmila shook her head with smile. She closed the bag and put a couple of coins to the till, humming her favorite hymn.

On her way home Alessia remembered how sad she was, when condition of opening her race changing box were denounced. She laughed. How silly those worries seem now, how small was her price for eternal service, how surprised was Themis when she died for a first time. Alessia should have known better. She will never truly lose her sister, as it will make her unhappy. Everyone is happy in the Utopia.

When the door closed behind her she placed Themis head at Resurrection Plate and activate its effect. The head comes to live. Themis eyes widened as she was staring at Alessia. Her mounth opened as if she was screaming but only soft creaky sound came out. Alessia sighed. Their will be no conversation this time due to apparent absence of lungs. Suddenly a thoght of the Player came to her mind. That weird bulky warrior, who start crying and calling his mommy with a voice of a nine years old girl, after receiving her first blow. She wondered how may he taste. But thats ok. She only need a small piece of Themis mind to calm her down. Just a tiny bit. She raised a strange kind of long fork...

Alessia waked up on cold sweat and looked around in panic. Themis were laying next to her. Judging by the calm and rhythmic breathing she was alive and well.

"Of course she is alright" - Alessia thought with relief. "Surshana Mercy, it was such a weird and scary dream".

Her gaze fell over the cooling box in the corner of a room, where Sisters kept their drinks.

Themis was right. She shouldn't drink so much before sleep. She knew it.

But she couldn't help herself. This year DK-younglings were especially sweet.