"So that is all of it. Rerugen." Tanya has called him by the first name she knew him by. Of course, it was not every little detail, but it was enough that even his rapidly confused mind could understand Tanya's situation. He was let in on that while she did not know precisely what the "new world" was like, she knew they would be brought to it at the end of the shutdown countdown. And while she did not know they were going to be sentient, she did know the NPCs were going to be there. She also theorized that while some things will be different between the world they experience in the game YGGDRASIL, there would be some similarities, and it seems like they kept their races and classes. Leaving both She and Rerugen as elves.
Tanya then told him that both of them are reincarnations as well, she did not fill him in too much on the empire's war. Just that they had been in a world with magic during a world war one phase. It took a while but even if Rerugen did not accept it he could tell Tanya was not telling a lie. She was telling him the truth. She told him about her deal with three "gods" known as Beings X, Z, And Y. mostly just involving the former two as Y seemed to just want to keep balance in the deal. She had won in one world, and she planned to keep going so she can finally take Being X down. The others as well as she refuses to let self-proclaimed gods lord over her. It was a lot, and no matter how she explained it Rerugen could not fully understand it all. 'If only I could restore memories, it would make this so much easier.'
Rerugen was processing all of this before a sudden question escaped his lips "What are your conditions for winning this time?" Tanya was not expecting that to be his first question after all of that, but she answered straight. "Kill Ainz Ooal Gown. or as you knew him, Momonga." that was at least one other thing she knew, that Momonga would go by his guild's name at some point. Rerugen was stunned. "You knew all of this and yet- why would even bother invading the tomb in the game then." Tanya crossed one leg over the other and with a stern brow look she said "Because a different condition existed where if I take down the guild and concur the tomb of Nazarick in YGGDRASIL, I would not have to go through the trouble of the new world. Or killing him. Because unlike in the new world, Momonga would respawn just with fewer levels. Here I also have to risk my own life! It could have all been easier if the raid succeeded! But now our lives are in danger. For multiple reasons."
Rerugen fell back more in his seat. Now he knew why Tanya was so mad after they failed in the raid. Why she was so mad when she found out the real reason he could not make it before. Because now she had to kill Momonga. Make sure he cannot come back, which likely means killing all the now-sentient NPCs as well. The thought of the NPCs dying caused Rerugen's chest to pang in pain a bit as well. Though it seemed at the end Tanya sounded more pissed off about her own life and his being a risk rather than the fact she would kill someone. He still thinks she is evil. But he understands why she had no choice. No, rather she had a choice but took the more dangerous option solely for her own revenge. A truly evil villain, a true cold soldier, but not a heartless girl.
"As for my plan-" Tanya was about to explain her plan when Rerugen held up a hand. "What is it now?" Tanya was a bit annoyed as she had put her hand towards Rerugen as he was waiting for her to let him speak. At least the fearful dread of speaking before she finished her remained a little. "Before we continue, I want to ask why they want you to kill him specifically. You mentioned that this 'Being X' will get in your way which means helping Momonga. But why was he their target?" Tanya sighed deeply "hell if I know. But, last time the man I had to stop was a demon king who turned people into demons and ate people as well. All he wanted was immortality, and in exchange, he was willing to kill everyone else." Tanya leaned forward again and said "If I were to make a guess, it is probably because Momonga plans to do something truly despicable in this world. If not now, eventually. My secondary guess is committing a large human massacre. But I cannot be certain." she of course could not say for sure, maybe Momonga would be a hero. Either way, she had to kill him.
Rerugen stood up, he was not angry, he was not upset. "I need a moment. I just to think over things. I'd rather hear your plan later." Tanya could tell Rerugen wanted to decide if he even wanted to help her now. So she would not argue with letting him do that. "You are already stuck here. As I said before, don't regret staying later. Well now is when you should not regret it. However, I will say, if you come to oppose me. I will make you regret it." she made sure to specifically mention oppose, that way he might at worst remains neutral. But her plan needed him on her side. So just as he was about to close the door Tanya said "I needed someone I could trust, which was why I went far to make sure you would be here on the day of the shutdown." Rerugen did not respond, just remained for a few more seconds before leaving.
As Tanya was melting in her chair because she felt both embarrassed and guilty Vikki entered the room. "The high-ranked soldiers have gathered in the war room like you ordered, Misstress Silver." Tanya jumped out of her chair and walked towards Vikki. "Good, we need to discuss what we will be doing now." she then turns back to Vikki "Also explore around outside. Report back to me in detail what you find. But do not stray too far away from the base." Vikki Saluted and went to do as she was told. While Tanya went to the war room.
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Ainz was still just staring at Albedo. He thought that there was no way this was real, that this had to be a dream. Or he died and this was just his dying brain playing tricks on him. "Albedo, come here." he wanted to test something. With a creepy smile and blushed cheek Albedo got close enough for Ainz's bone hands to touch her. Which he did, specifically touching one of the succubus's breasts. Albedo moaned but Ainz was too distracted by his thoughts to notice. 'It is real. I can feel it. This is all real!' that meant he was in a real Tomb of Nazarick. Sebas and Albedo were there and they were real. They still seemed loyal to his guild, at least to him. He could not believe his hollowed eyes.
Suddenly a large moan escaped Albedo and she grasped his cloak and pulled herself against him. "Oh Lord Momonga if you wanted to have your way with me all you had to do was ask~" Ainz's mouth hung open. While it's true she was a succubus she still should not be doing this. 'Wait, that edit I made!' the part he added about Albedo being deep in love with him was kept in the switch. 'Tabula! I am so sorry!' as Albedo rubbed more on him suddenly his body shined and he suddenly just felt nothing. For a moment his libido was going wild but just now it was like it went away in an instant. 'Right, my race is undead Overlord.' his feelings would be repressed whether he liked it or not. At least large bursts of them.
"Albedo I want you to gather all floor guardians except for Victim and Gargantua on the six floor." Ainz's deep voice demanded, he wanted to see if it was more than just these two. He turned to the leader of the Pleiades next. "Sebas, I want you to investigate the surrounding area. If you find any intelligent creatures you are to be kind and invite them into the tomb. But do not stray further than one kilometer from the tomb before returning." he added that last part as he wanted to avoid unnecessary combat too far away from the tomb. Both Albedo and Sebas bowed "As you wish." they left so Ainz would go on ahead to the sixth floor, only the guardians there will be ready.
He arrives at the amphitheater on the sixth floor. Above them was a fake night sky. "Lord Momonga!" suddenly a dark elf wearing a white suit and suit pants that were over a red outfit jumped from up high and landed on the floor. It was Aura Bella Fiora, one of the two guardians of the sixth floor. "Aura, where is your brother?" as he said that a dark elf in a white suit and a white shirt slowly made their way over to the two while holding a staff, it was Mare Bello Fiore. Aura's brother. They both wore opposite gendered clothing as their creator, Bukubukuchagama, firmly believed that quote "All little boys should wear girls' clothes, and all little girls should wear boys' clothes!" he choose not to question it.
"L-lord m-momonga. I-I am happy to see you here." Mare stuttered before his sister Aura put an arm around him. "I am glad to see you here as well! What can we do for you?" Aura was beaming with positivity. Since he had time before the other guardians showed up he decided to see if the guardians could still perform well in combat. "Aura, care to do a little sparing with a fire elemental?" Aura excitedly nodded "If I can show you my skills I won't complain!"
Ainz chuckled a bit and summoned a primal fire elemental. It was a strong one as well. But using her whip Aura easily dispatched of it. After the debacle with the Imperial unit's invasion of the tomb, the NPCs were slightly higher leveled than they otherwise would have been to be more prepared. Most of them had been wiped out after all. Ainz wanted to have them be stronger just in case, and it seems Aura's easy kill of the elemental was nothing to her. Good. Mare clapped a bit for his sister.
But then a new guardian joined them "You did alright I suppose. I would have taken it out in a second though." this was Shalltear Bloodfallen, whose creator was Chagama's brother, Peroroncino. Shalltear was a vampire and guarded the first, second, and third floors of Nazarick. Aura crossed her arms and rolled her eyes "A statement as fake as your chest." Shalltear was of course offended as she placed her hand over her fake breasts "Why you! You're just jealous I actually have a chest!" Aura got real close to Shalltear "Unlike you I am not hundreds of years old. What's YOUR excuse?!" Shalltear huffed "I-I have no idea what you mean." while Mare tried his best to calm the down, Ainz was in a bit of bliss. For a moment he remembered how sometimes Chagama and Peroron would argue, even if they were separate being Aura and Shalltear certainly argued like their sibling creators. It made him a little happy.
Soon afterward a figure that left a large stomp with each step was walking toward them, Cocytus. The Vermin Lord could have been mistaken for a blue-armored samurai from a distance, though that more has to do with the insectoid-based Vermin Lord race's body than Cocytus himself. Thought the design might be why his creator, Warrior Takemikazuchi, choose it as Cocytus's base. "Stop arguing in front of Lord Momonga. It is immature and makes you two look less like guardians of the tombs" Those words from Cocytus of all insectoids made both Aura and Mare almost immediately stop. Though both still grumbled a little and Shalltear even had puffed out cheeks. Holding up a hand Momonga said "It is quite alright. I was reminiscing anyways. But I am glad you made it Cocytus, I am always proud of your hard work." Cocytus bowed a bit to Momonga, "I am unworthy of such praise my Lord."
"As are we all." the voice of Albedo was heard as she along with Demiurge approached the rest. "Forgive me tardiness lord Momonga, I am certain you have something important to tell us all," Demiurge said while adjusting his glasses, his eyes fully obscured by the glass somehow. "Yes, I suppose I do. We will need to wait for Sebas to come back with a report on what he finds." not long afterward Sebas had already arrived.
After bowing he gave his report to Momonga and the other present floor guardians. Describing that Nazarick was now surrounded by mostly grassland, forest, and some mountains. A shock to Momonga as Nazarick was in swampy marshland in YGGDRASIL. Within the range Sebas was allowed to explore the area outside the tomb, he found no man-made structures or intelligent creatures. But he did describe the skies in a way that made it seem exactly like it was in YGGDRASIL. Momonga had pondered to himself what that meant but soon noticed the NPCs looking at him expectedly. Right, he had a question he needed them to answer.
They all suddenly bowed with one knee pressed against the ground of the amphitheater. He was not expected that, but he did not address it. "My loyal guardians of Nazarick. I must know, what am I to you?" they all answered without a second thought. Aura and Mare called him their great leader of the tomb who they adore so much, Sebas called him the person responsible for gathering them all here and refused to abandon them. A sentiment shared by Cocytus who added he was the supreme being above all supreme beings. Demiurge described him as a wise leader. Shalltear said as her master and the only one worthy of ruling over her. Albedo described him as he who rules above all supreme beings, their most exalted leader, and the man she loved.
Albedo's final comment aside it all really touched Momonga. Had the magic that kept his feeling from bursting out beyond internally not kicked in he might have cried a bit, out of joy. "Thank you all. In light of Seba's findings, I find a few things we need. Albedo and Demiurge, start drawing up plans for a comprehensive system for Nazarick. Include all floors except the eighth floor." he turned to Cocytus "Begin preparing for and executing defensive plans for outside the tomb, we may not have found signs of intelligent life just yet. However, do not attack anyone unless they attack first or intend to invade the tomb. Either keep them away or if they seem reasonable enough, invite them to the tomb under the condition that they give up any weapons until we can confirm they are not hostile." Cocytus nodded.
Momonga then turned to Mare who had raised a hand "W-what if we made f-fake Tombs to hide better? B-because what if that sil--- never mind!" Mare closed his eyes out of fear that even thinking someone could threaten Nazarick now would be seen as disloyal. Albedo did not say it, but she thought it and glared a bit. Demiurge and Cocytus also thought about it but did not say it. Sebas, Shalltear, and Aura gave concerned looks but did not say anything. All of the guardians had been wiped out by Argent Silver's raid, and Sebas only survived because of a plan to surprise the other guild should all but one member of Ainz Ooal Gown be wiped out. Momonga mistook this for fear of Silver, so he "understood" and patted Mare on the head. "I will protect all of you, but you make a good point." while Shalltear and Albedo were trying to bite back words of jealousy Momonga looked at Sebas, who understand why and answered "The area around Nazarick is perfect for making a lot of false Tombs. Mare should have no problem constructing them."
With all the roles decided, those that were given none were informed to return to their floors until further notice. After Momonga had left with Sebas the others were more at ease. "Shalltear, I sensed you were a bit off till now. Why is that?" being questioned by Demiurge the vampire in question giggled and her body shook a little. "Is it wrong to be in utter awe of Lord Momonga? Feel so tingly and hot all over~" Demiurge cleared his throat and looked away "I suppose such fits with your nephrotic fetish." Albedo's face scrunched up "I cannot allow such Lewd thought of our master, Shalltear." Shalltear huffed "Oh please, you're probably thinking lewder thought of him this very second." the two began arguing, this time Aura caught in the middle. "Well Aura if they get out of hand feel free to let me know." as Demiurge, Mare, and Cocytus walked away Aura "W-wait you're leaving me to deal with this?!" already Shalltear and Albedo's argument was edging closer to a brawl.
After they had gotten far though Demiurge said "Though one of them may bare our Master's heir one day. We may already have to prepare a form of allegiance to our future master." Cocytus almost attacked Demigure for that "How dare you insinuate our Master will ever be replaced." he then held his head with one of his four arms. "B-but to hold Master child like a proud uncle. Let them ride on my shoulders! What a joy that would be!"
Demiurge adjusted his glasses and then asked curiously of Mare "Why are you wearing a dress anyway if I may ask?" Mare nervously clenched his staff "W-well our creator Chagama wanted me and my sister to dress as, She put it, a trap." not knowing what that meant Demiurge assumed it was something of importance if one of the supreme beings insisted on it. "Then perhaps all young boys and girls should dress as such."
While in a room of outfits, Momonga is trying to figure out how to use the Mirror of Remote Viewing. He could not simply activate a command or options for it now since no menu existed. Eventually, he figured it out, which was important as he would need to do the same with his magic and more. Using this he is able to see far beyond the area directly around the tomb. He soon sees a village under attack by soldiers, they did not seem like regular soldiers as well. "Seems these villagers have no one to defend them," Sebas said readily. "Yes. however, I see no benefit in getting involved." Sebas nods, but Momonga can see how sternly the butler is staring at the massacre. It reminded him of how Sebas's creator Touch Me-san saved him without a second thought. Feeling obligated now he stood up "tell Albedo to meet me while full equipt except for Ginnungagap. We will go to that village, we need more information on this world after all." Sebas smiled "Of course Lord Momonga, I will do so right away."
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The Moment Tanya entered the room all of the NPCs inside except for Deimano saluted. Deimano instead gave a small bow. "Greetings grand Commander Silver. We are awaiting orders!" Turavin pronounced, the only one who was not sitting before as none of the chairs would fit him, but he was standing by Rovel's normal seat. Tanya noticed it was the same for the others except for Zewaurt who pulled up extra chairs for him and Vikki near her larger one. Wae*nu was by Wae*mu's chair, Warn by Weikarn's, Terranian by Kouven's, Banaita Final was sitting while saluting and hot a lollipop in her mouth, Vestige was right behind her, and Deimano had was by Rerugens seat even though he was informed his creator was here as well.
"It is alright, all of you at ease." Tanya sat down in her chair, a large intricately designed one that was far larger than her size. Zewaurt remained standing behind her while the others except for Turavin sat back down. For a second Tanya remembered a time in YGGDRASIL when all members sat around like this planning for various events and raids. "I sent Vikki to explore the area a bit. When we have a more rough understanding of this new place we will work on strategy."
Banaita Final suddenly took the lollipop out of her mouth, Tanya cringed a bit when she saw the "embryo" inside. it was an item Adelheid had created that was basically worthless but one he baked into Banaita's lore where it satiated her normal craving for human flesh. It also regrew even after Banaita finished it, so lore wise it "kept her in check." even if it's really just an item for flavor. "Unneccasry Mein commander…" Banaita's accent was somehow more genuine than "adelhime42" who was her creator as well. "We still have the same length above and below ground, and your field works the same. The system is still rebooting but I could tell no hostels were around in Fort Gegen Gott's territory." Tanya nodded "I see, but we still don't know how different things are now. Continue looking into it. Vestige, work with her as normal." the masked Goul just gave a thumbs up in response.
Deimano leaned back a bit in the chair "If I may, what of the others in the base?" Tanya then said, "Thank you Deimano for volunteering for informing all of them of the discussion we have here in the war room today." Warn chuckles a bit "Tough luck man, need help with that?" Deimano rubbed the back of his head "Ah Warn, helpful as always. A true saint of the army." Warn rustles his vines "I don't deserve that title!"
Turavin then slammed his centaur hands on the end of the table causing it to shake "Grand Commander! We should prepare offensive plans to take control of the area around us! The people of this odd land might already be planning to do the same." Tanya shook her head "For now I insist you focus on taking control of defending the base. Once Vikki has given us her report of the land around us and plan accordingly." Turavin stands up straight and salutes "Yes commander! Your command is my duty!"
Suddenly Terranian grumbles and looks at Tanya. "With all due respect lady Silver. I am better suited to the role of defense commander of the Turavin. If it is alright with you." Hearing a very regal voice and respectful manner coming from an Insectoid of all things was a little funny to Tanya, but expected due to how Kouven wrote the Lord Knight. "I need you to coordinate along with Wae*nu a comprehensive and detailed defense from inside the base itself. Wae*nu, you are to make sure during this that our supplies are the same as they were before." The Dryad stiffed up "Y-yes m-mam. I MEAN…yes Grand C-Commander Silver." Terranian grumbled again "Very well. I shall take up the task with diligence."
Suddenly Vikki burst through the door and was short of breath. "u-Um sorry for interrupting but-" she was cut off by Zewuart saying "Unless it is a big emergency I insist you give the Grand Commander your report first." Vikki shook a bit and quickly saluted while giving her report "We are surrounded by a thick forest, with a speed increase spell it took me the time I left till now to return. Proximity two minutes minute." Tanya rubbed her chin "So walking would be nearly forty minutes. And we were previously in more desert-like lands." realizing Vikki had forgotten why she burst in Tanya then asked, "And was there something else?"
Vikki gasped "That's right! Mistress Silver!" she gulped a little and said nervously "Major Lherich has left the base! I noticed him leaving on my way back through the forest."
Tanya seethed her teeth a bit "I guess I have his answer." Deimano stood up, and yet still sounded calm "If I may go bring my creator back, I would be happy to." Tanya was about to deny his request when she realized something, he was doing this out of loyalty to him. This meant something she had theorized but did not consider how far it went. Even with more sentience, the NPCs were more connected and loyal to their original creators. She grinned widely 'Yes, this confirms my plan…well it's a worthless plan now.'
She stood up "I will go, you can join me as my guard and Warn can do the informing the others himself. But know if you choose to side with Rerugen should he attack me, I won't hesitate to end you both." this time, Deimano saluted "I understand fully."
Meanwhile, Rerugen was nearly at the end of the forest. "What am I thinking? She'll kill me" he was not even leaving to oppose her, he just wanted a more isolated space to gather his thoughts away from her watchful and fear-inducing eyes. Had he not seen which direction Vikki came from he might have gotten lost when walking through the forest though. Suddenly though fire reflected in his glasses, it came from somewhere close by. After a brief moment of hesitation, he walked towards it, because he too was curious about what this new world was about.