As Demiurge enters the Sanctum of Truth, the home of one of the smartest beings in Nazarick. He could not help but feel the anticipation of conversing with such an individual. The beings created by Faust the chimeric homunculus all named after the seven deadly sins like the lords of hell that serve him were works of art.
As he was led into Faust's lab, he was graced with the sight of him shirtless his brown skin on display as he was etching strange tattoos on his left arm. The tattoo was...well he didn't know what it was. But felt an innate sense of trepidation form it.
As if feeling his arrival Faust spoke without looking up from the arm. But what he said made Demiurge wonder if his mind was being read. "You can simply ask me what the tattoos are for devil."
The Arch-Devil was taken aback but managed to compose himself. He pushed up his glasses and with a small smirk on his face, he took Faust suggestion and asked his question.
"What are they for may I ask?"
Faust pauses his work before continuing." It's an alchemical array. The one on my left hand which I finished earlier is for Healing, Restoration and Alteration alchemy and the one on my right hand I'm doing now is for Destruction Alchemy. I need them for lord Momona's plan."
His answer provided Demiurge with more questions. Lord Momonga's plan, what plan. Lord Momonga had mentioned no plans after they had sworn their eternal allegiance to him. Perhaps he had met him privately, but if so why wasn't he made aware as a Floor Guardian?
"No, he hasn't said anything yet. And there was no private meeting. Also no I'm not reading your mind, It's obvious what you're thinking." he said getting looks of awe and live from the homunculus present in the lab.
"All of you get started on producing potions. As many as you can. Wrath you focus on alchemic silver, have Lust help you. Dismissed."
None of them questioned him. They nodded and left the room. Demiurge still confused but wanting to learn to anticipate his master's will as well as Faust seems to be able to finally speak after a few minutes of silence.
"Would you care to enlighten me, Faust?" he finally said.
Faust sighed. He hated the distraction but knew that it would impede his work and invited it.
"Lord Momonga will want to explore this world. Interact with its residents, if only to satisfy his curiosity. But in order to see them at their best and worst, he'll do so in a manner where his true power is unknown. After all Momonga-sama and the other creators were adventure and explorers first and foremost"
"How foolish of me. Of course, a new world presents a new adventure, discoveries, and a new realm to conquer.
"Conquer?"
The question took aback Demiurge. Perhaps Faust had not predicted that aspect of Lord Momonga's plan. Then again that was a private moment between his lord and master and himself. The Arch-Devil smiled as he had info the alchemy savant did not.
_________________________________________________________________________________
While experimenting with a magical mirror to glimpse the outside world, Momonga inadvertently discovers a village under siege by a group of knights. Determined to save the villagers and gather intelligence about this new realm, he rushes in and rescues two sisters. Using some of his magic and a weak summoned creature, he quickly realizes that the human knights are surprisingly feeble. With the village now safe, he requests information about the world, which helps him understand it better.
Just then, Warrior Captain Gazef Stronoff arrives with his troops. After a brief conversation with Ainz, it becomes clear that the attack on the village was a trap designed to lure Gazef into an ambush by the Sunlight Scripture. Gazef bravely charges into battle to protect the villagers, but he and his men are soon overwhelmed. Just as Gazef is about to be killed, Momonga casts a teleport spell, swapping places with him and his soldiers. Momonga then easily defeats and captures the Sunlight Scripture. With the village saved, he decides to return to Nazarick.
Upon his return, Momonga gathers all the high-ranking NPCs to make an important announcement. He declares that from this day forward, he will no longer be known as Momonga, but as Ainz Ooal Gown. After leaving the throne room, he entrusts Albedo with the task of informing the other NPCs about his decision. Unbeknownst to Ainz, Albedo relays to Demiurge what Ainz had previously joked about his desire for world conquest. Demiurge interprets this as the true wish of their Overlord, and the NPCs collectively proclaim that the world will be given to Ainz.
He noticed however that Faust was not present. He later dismissed the NPCs but had Albedo and Demiurge remain.
"Demiurge, where is Faust? You spoke to him last," he asked.
"In his lab sir. He said he need not be here for an event he predicted. That his time was better spent ensuring preparations were complete."
Predicted...Preparations. What the hell, he's saying Faust foresaw all that took place. Hmmm, the village makes sense as Faust scanned a wide area when setting up the defenses on the surface. But me encountering spells and summons from Yggdrasil no...no he can't have predicted that. But me changing my name to that of the guilds in hopes that comrades might hear head once it spreads and look for us...possible. What a scary child you made Tabula-san
"Albedo your thoughts?"
In response to his question. She places a hand on her chin in contemplation, before answering.
"More brother is-" she began but was cut off.
"I can speak for myself sister. Lord Ainz" he finished speaking with a bow.
"Faust thank you for joining us"
"Of course lord Ainz, I just finished interrogating those humans you brought back."
Everyone's eyes widened...except Ainz since he had none.
"Excellent and what did you discover."
"I discovered perhaps one of your greatest obstacles in this new world. The Slane Theocracy is a human nation of the New World and one of the three nations that neighbors Nazarick. Putting them in a position to send search parties, scouts, or outright invade." He said while playing with a red stone in his hand. "One of the strongest countries in the region; it is a highly religious and orthodox state that promotes human supremacy, prompting them to often interfere in other nations' affairs for the "greater good of humanity. This view of there's already put them at odds with us". he said getting nods and frowns from Albedo and Demiurge.
Meanwhile, Ainz was thinking back to the times in Yggdrasil when he who had chosen a Heteromorphic race was hunted down by humans and other races that viewed him as evil just by how they looked. He was drawn out of those thoughts as Faust continued.
" Being one of the oldest established human nations, the Slane Theocracy has a history of six hundred years based on fierce adherence to their country's religion. The doctrine of the Slane Theocracy revolves around the Six Great Gods, who appeared six hundred years ago. As a result, the country is divided into six different religious sects, each with its own specialized intelligence agency focusing on one expertise they're skillfully good at. Each sect is devoted to one of the Six Great Gods by the Scripture group's color.
Despite being split into different factions, the groups will still co-operate when necessary during times of crisis. They all acknowledge the threat of demons and other races in the world. Additionally, the Slane Theocracy's civilization is said to be more advanced in technology than any of the neighboring countries that surround it. The Slane Theocracy also has an institutionalized divine magic training system that is comparable with the Baharuth Empire in terms of arcane magic, one in which they possess a magic school that focuses on training faith-based magic casters. The overall literacy rate for citizens living in the Theocracy is fairly high."
He paused and let them digest that bit of info. But they could tell he had more. It would seem they underestimated this new world a bit. Faust foresight to do a thorough investigation gave them some much-needed clarity.
"Lord Ainz, I don't believe we are the first to be sent here."
"What!" exclaimed Demiurge out loud and Ainz internally.
"The Six Great Gods...used Tier Magic."
Ainz was shocked, but a feeling of calm overtook him before he could lead it to show.
"I see. Are they still present?"
"No, considering the doctrine of The Slane Theocracy. The Six Great Gods were human and as such..."
"Ahhh they most likely died of natural causes. Any more on this Slane Theocracy Faust."
"Yes, my lord. The Six Scriptures are elite military organizations of the Slane Theocracy, each with its own belief, principle, strength, and doctrine. Each Scripture corresponds to one of the Six Great Gods of the Theocracy and is deployed based on their specific skill sets. The one you faced was the Sunlight Scripture. They were led by Nigun Grid Luin and specialized in the extermination of demi-human villages.
The Sunlight Scripture had been involved in many illegal activities throughout the Re-Estize Kingdom. At one point they were sent to eradicate a demi-human village but were stopped by Blue Roses, whose leader managed to scar their captain's face. In addition to that, they also operated in the Dragon Kingdom, countering the invading beastmen.
Given their name and elemental significance of the Six Great Gods to the Six Scriptures, it's likely that the Sunlight Scripture follows the teachings of the God of Life, Alah Alaf."
"I see, and the other five scriptures. Any information on them."
Faust sighed."No, each scripture guarded its secrets from one another quite well. But I do know their names and specialization. The Windflower Scripture specializes in information gathering and espionage. The Clearwater Scripture specializes in foreign infiltration and intelligence gathering. In the Holocaust Scripture, their job is conducting assassinations, guerrilla warfare, and counter-terrorism. The Ashendust Scripture, their job is guard duty on a secure base outside the Theocracy. And finally, the Black Scripture is said to be the strongest scripture among the Six Scriptures. Black Scripture is the Slane Theocracy's final trump card, a special forces unit comprised of individuals with heroic-level abilities. One could even think of them as a group supposedly made up of adamantine-ranked adventurers. "
He paused again before continuing. " Now I have no reverence for an Adamantite-ranked adventure. Ergo more research and investigation is required. Thus I propose we start your plan in the Re-Estize kingdom. Re-Estize Kingdom, a human nation with an estimated population of nine million and... suffering from a political divide among the nobility. Therefore it will be the easiest to infiltrate and navigate. Our team can consist of you myself and a plaides maid of your choosing."
Demiurge was smiling at his friend's wisdom. While Albedo was smiling, because her brother was able to decipher her beloved thoughts from minimal actions. Ainz having been calmed by the aura yet again finally replied.
"Hmmm good, we leave for Re-Estize Kindom tomorrow."