Winds blew by as Ainz, Aura, and Mare stared off from the forest's edge where they stood on a ledge that overlooked Shalltear's current position. Shalltear was still unresponsive, but that meant Ainz had plenty of time to prepare before attacking and subsequently awakening her with aggro. At least he was pretty sure, he would put it to the test to see if buffs would also make Shalltear's attack mode go off. Aura and Mare were there to find any enemies nearby that could be waiting to set up a trap, he gave them World Items, to help resist any world item the enemy may have if they were even there. Ainz himself wore a different robe that looked like an old monk robe, not even half as good as his actual robe, but there was a reason for this. "Aura, Mare, this is where we part ways. Remember to take out anyone hiding."
Aura and Mare nodded. On Aura's waist was a giant-red oriental scroll, Depiction of Nature and Society. On Mare's arms were two gauntlets, the left was evil-looking and made from black metal and covered in thorns, and the right gauntlet in stark contrast was light metal and looked like a pure maidens armor, this was Avarice and Generosity. "We will leave then Lord Ainz," Aura said with a stern look in the direction of where Shalltear stood far away from them. Ainz then quickly said "And retreat if the enemy outnumbers you." he did not want to take any risks. Aura herself already had a close call with Argent Silver. He did not want any more of the guardians to come into harm's way right now. Or worse, fall under mind control like Shalltear. "B-be safe as well Lord Ainz." Mare would say before both he and Aura left.
Ainz started walking down towards Shalltear he had a conversation with himself. "I just wanted to spread Ainz Ooal Gown's name out there to try and reunite with my old comrades. But then all of this happened." his eyes darkened a bit and the single bit of red in them seemingly vanished "Another player was here and it ended up being Argent Silver. And she attacks Aura, trying to get information on where Nazarick is. If she had managed to chase Aura she would have known the tomb could be accessed beyond the forest, there would be no way she would fall for the fake ones we put up." he still could not dare to guess why Silver, as Tanya, would want to know. Sure their guilds had their rivalry but they were never full-on enemies, even when they attacked Nazarick and nearly took them down.
That was a problem for later, right now he had to save Shalltear first. He stopped by a tree and grabbed the branch that was in his way. "Whoever did this to Shalltear, I will make sure to kill them for this act against Nazarick. Their deaths would be slow." even with his own dark threats he felt nothing. Nor would he feel bad about it. It was what he had to do when he found out who was behind this.
Back in Nazarick, Albedo and Cocytus were watching Ainz through a spell. Demiurge had finally returned and stood close to them. "Why have we not sent other guardians to help defeat Shalltear?" He asked this quite knowing of the fact that Shalltear's ability to use divine and holy magic put Ainz at a disadvantage. "Because Lord Ainz requested that he fight Shalltear alone," Albedo responded with a small smile. "Seeing the man I love so much, insist on such a brave move, how could I say no? Besides. Ainz Promised me he would defeat Shalltear and return to us. I trust Lord Ainz's decision."
Demiurge could not believe what he was hearing, Ainz could be walking to his death and Albedo seemed content with that! "I will gather some guardians and have them-" Before Demiurge could leave Coctyus held his axe out in front of the demon, "Do not insult our Lord by doing such a thing Demiurge." Demiurge adjusted his glasses "So that is why you had me come here immediately upon my return. To prevent me from stopping him." he said this to Albedo who nodded. Frustrated Demiurge sat down "if Lord Ainz dies in the battle. I will have you resign your post as overseer of the Guardians." Coctyus would then say in a bewildered tone "You would dare have Albedo forced from the position the supreme beings gave her?!"
"It is exactly because of that!" Demiurge held out a hand a little "he is the last supreme being, the only one who never left. If we lose him, to one of our own no less, what good are we as Guardians of Nazarick?" the battle was seventy-thirty victory chance, thirty being in Ainz's favor. Albedo only looked at the spell allowing them to view Ainz who had made it to where Shalltear was. "If that is what it would take then I will agree to resign from my position." She would watch with great admiration, as did the others even if Demiurge still thought it was idiotic to let him fight alone he still could not deny his admiration for their great Lord Ainz's bravery. Albedo finishes her statement by saying "And I know, Ainz will overcome the odds and return to us."
Ainz started by activating a buff "Body of Effulgent Beryl!" light green tink momentarily covered his skeletal body and old robe. Shalltear did not react. It meant his theory was correct, "So long as I do not attack you, you will not act. Just like the game. Sorry Shalltear, but I shall take this opportunity to get as much of an advantage as I can." Ainz held out both of his arms and started chanting a lot of spells, some with delayed magic in them as well. "Fly, bless of magic caster, infinity wall, Magic ward: holy, Life essence, Freedom, Greater full potential, False Data: life, See through, Paranormal intuition, Greater resistance, mantle of chaos, Indomitability, Sensor boost, greater luck, Magic boost, Draconic power, Greater Hardening, heavenly aura, absorption, penetrate up, mana essence, greater magic shield, Triplet Maximize Magic: Explode Mine, Triplet Maximize Magic: Greater Magic Seal, Triplet Maximize Boosted Magic: Magic Arrow." lights of different shades surrounded his body. Until finally he was done.
He then started the attack spell which would take a moment to activate, Fallen Down. "That's a spell that is stronger than a tenth-level one? Super tier magic Is what it is called." Demiurge said while watching. Albedo nodded "Yes, though it is closer to a skill. It won't take any mana, unlike those buffing and other spells he used so far. But it takes a little time to activate which is why now, when Shalltear can't act, it is the best time to use it." elsewhere Aura and Mare watched from a far away distance, mostly just Aura thanks to skills she had allowing her to see far distances. Yuukal was also watching a little closer to the battle but up high where, she hoped at least, she would be safe while observing.
While the spell Fallen Down was building up to attack Ainz started adding more stuff to aid in the battle. He placed odd stick objects with names engraved in them in the rope that tied the monk robes to him. Ainz would then snap an add watch-like object and set a time. "Understood, setting the time Momonga-Oneesan!" the excited voice of BukuBuku Chagama was heard from the watch. "Chagama? Seems her voice still plays through this device." Ainz liked the bit of nostalgia, due to her real-life job as a voice actress Chagama often lent her voice to special objects and characters like this. "Well, no more delay. Super tier Magic: Fallen Down!" a large eruption happens. Creating a large crater in the area around Ainz and Shalltear.
"HAHAHA. Lord Ainz! That hurt. It hurt so much!" Shalltear spoke, now finally awakened after being attacked. Technically she became active just as the spell went off, but she had no time to get away so she still took damage. Now equipt with her crimson red Valkyrie armor. Her legendary level item, the Spuit Lance, was given to her by her creator. The Spuit Lance heals damage potential to damage Shalltear does to her opponent, in addition, it does striking damage which along with Shalltear's holy and fire magic did more damage to undead races like Ainz. "Shalltear? Why do you still refer to me as 'lord'?" Ainz asked as Shalltear should be under the control of someone else now. "Isn't it obvious? Because a supreme being such as yourself can only be seen as a supreme lord!" She said this with full honesty. Shalltear then blinked "Why am I attacking you Lord Ainz?" Shalltear looked over her shoulder as if expecting someone else to be there and yet no one was. "I was just attacked and can now only want to kill you."
Ainz chuckled "If you think you can Shalltear, then come at me with everything you have." his confidence against an opponent with a huge advantage against him seemed idiotic, yet he had a plan, and one he could thank Punito Moe for another time, granted it was mostly just based on the battle theories his ole' friend made. "I love your confidence Lord Ainz!" Shalltear flew towards Ainz with her lance outstretched. "Maximize Magic, Gravity maelstorm!" a black sphere rushes towards Shalltear who quickly uses wall of stone to block it. "Mana essence!" Shalltear uses this to see Ainz's Mana, seeing he's already used a great amount. "I wonder if you can survive this battle, we both are magic casters but without you Mana you cannot stop my physical attacks as well." Shalltear mocked him but Ainz simply did not respond.
Shalltear decided she should rush him quickly anyway since her weapon would heal her and it also does great damage against him. But she was hit by three explosions one after the other, courtesy of Explode Mine when he cast it earlier. "So Lord Ainz. Did you set up traps like this? I bet they are all around you, limiting where I can fly." Ainz nodded "Indeed that is right. You gave me plenty of time to set it up." that was a lie on Ainz's part, he knew he did not have the mana to spare to set traps everywhere like this. Shalltear tries to heal with recovery magic by Ainz quickly fires more Gravity maelstorms at her. But she grins, using teleporting magic to get very close to Ainz. However, she sees he is moved by the time she teleports there. "Huh? Delay teleportation?" Shalltear realizes what he did but Ainz had cast drifting Mines, two mines floated around her but just as they were about to explode she used her mist form skill to escape. "Nice try, Astral Smite!" Ainz shouted. While in mist form Shalltear cannot attack but no attacks aside from one that can damage astral beings will harm her.
After the attack hit Shalltear landed on her knees for a moment before quickly flying back up. Some blood was dripping down the vampire's mouth. "Maximize magic: Thousand bone lance!" before the attack could hit Shalltear would guard with another spell "negative impact shield" it is a skill that defends her well and can be used offensively up close. "Purify Lance!" a large lance of pure light appears in Shalltear's hands, before Ainz can even think about dodging or countering, a spot appears on his shoulder and suddenly the Lance hits him. She can expend a little more Mana with a spell to guarantee a hit but only three times.
Another Purify lance appears on her hand, along with another spell spot on Ainz. "I believe these are quite effective against an undead like yourself Lord Ainz! My creator Lord Peroronchino provided me with a lot of skills that are effective against you." the vampire smiles maliciously as she throws her second purify spear which hits Ainz again. "Perhaps this is proof he is better than you." in a low tone, but still loud enough for Shalltear to hear Ainz say, "I wonder if this is what you truly feel." Shalltear stops attacking "Hm?" this gives Ainz the opening he needs "Maximize magic, reality slash!" the attack makes it seem like reality shatters for a second when it cuts Shalltear, however, she just grins and uses her skill time reversal and all the blood that splurted out of her body returned along with her health. Much like with the guaranteed hit, there was a limited amount of time a day she could use it.
"Perhaps you'll enjoy this then, Vermillion Nova!" Shalltear uses a fire spell that engulfs Ainz but she notices he is not affected, at least he seems to be handling the fire damage well. "He must have taken measures against one of his weaknesses. But my divine magic will take care of him easily!" Ainz held out a hand "Even if you think you've figured it out, that does not mean you've won. Triplet maximize magic, call greater thunder!" three powerful thunder spells strike Shalltear, who looks quite mad. "Maximize magic: Brilliant Radiance!" Shalltear calls out while at the same time, Ainz shouts "Maximize magic: true dark!" both of them are hit by the weaknesses, but Shalltear notices Ainz stumble. "Now's my chance! His health is low!" seeing he is about to be attacked Ainz calls out another spell to help defend him "Shark cyclone!" the aptly named spell summoned a cyclone with sharks in it. But Shalltear quickly rushes through it, brushing off any damage from it as minuscule.
She manages to hit him with Spuit Lance which got her some health back along with knocking Ainz further into the crater he had created. "Wall of Skeletons!" Ainz summons a giant wall of skeletons to block a second attack, by Shalltear quickly rids of it with Magic Destruction. "Triplet magic, reality slash!" but Shalltear finds three reality slashes coming at her, with no time to react she only manages to avoid one but the other two hit her. It is at this point, with her health low she activated a skill that Ainz pretends he has never seen before, Einherjar, which makes an exact spirit copy of Shalltear that can only use physical attacks. At the same time, she summons bat and wolf familiars. She begins attacking her familiars with her lance to gain back HP.
While Ainz tries dodging the copy, Ainz figures out that Shalltear plans to kill all her familiars while distracting him with the copy so she can heal fully. So he pulls out his skill, capable because he reached certain requirements as an undead overlord, "The Goal of all life is Death!" a giant magic clock appears behind Ainz, this skill adds the instant death effect to the next spell Ainz uses. "Widen Magic, Cry of the Banshee!" in a mere instant, Shalltear feels life leave her as her copy and familiars are all wiped out.
After the light fades the area is now covered in sand. Shalltear appears fine, and unharmed, all of her health restored but she has still depleted all of her Mana. "so Shalltear, how did it feel to die?" Shalltear laughs a little "Had it not been for the item that instantly revives me one time, I would have lost. But now…" She stares seriously at Ainz "All my health is back. While you have very little in HP and Mana. I thank you for this fight Lord Ainz." She readies her lance "and I will kill you with respect. Do you have any last words?"
"Hahahhahaha!" Ainz started laughing which surprised Shalltear. "Actually, Shalltear, it is I who should be thanking you for going all out against me. Because now everything has been going according to my plan." Shalltear's eyes widen "W-what?" Ainz looks at Shalltear earnestly and explains "As Punittoe Moe put in his 'anyone can Player kill' guide, the best way to win in a player V player is with misinformation and knowing more about your opponent." He holds his arms out "Out of all the NPCs, aside from Pandora's actor, you are probably the one I know the second most about. In addition…" his hands close as if to make the point that he was crushing her so far "wearing equipment that gives me resistance to divine and holy magic. While forcing myself to not even flinch during fire attacks to confuse what I still had a weakness to, all part of my plan." Ainz was revealing why his equipment was different and how Shalltear played perfectly into his hands.
Shalltear sneers "You are lying this is just a trap!" Shalltear runs towards Ainz intending to hit him with Spuit Lance. "Perfect warrior!" Ainz shouts as suddenly his robe is replaced with a shiny white armor. "T-that's Lord Touch-me san's armor!" suddenly a large slash cut across her chest "AHH!" Shalltear backs off and sees a large sword in Ainz's hands "That's Takemikazuchi MK 8!" it was Warrior Takemikazuchi's weapon, one that could cut through Shalltear's armor as if it were paper. "That is correct. Thanks to quick change items, I have the power of all forty-one supreme beings at my fingertips! I will defeat with their power Shalltear!" the sword and lance clash until Ainz lets go of the sword and summons Amaterasu & Tsukuyomi, two dagger weapons used by another supreme being.
The daggers cut up Shalltear more around the Torso and arms, struggling until a fist-like weapon is switched in just as Shalltear is about to finally get a hit in, sending her back. Before Shalltear could get back on the offensive she stops and is stunned to see Ainz now wielding a bow, the very one used by her creator. 'That bow, it can only be countered or blocked by magic. But I already used up all my MP!' the bow fires a sunbeam arrow, it hits Shalltear for massive damage. "Houyi's bow is my creator's weapon, that's Peroroncino's weapon! How dare you use it against me!" now fueled by more rage than before Shalltear rushes up to Ainz before he can switch to a close-up weapon. Her lance pierces into Ainz and she grins wildly. "My lance will take your hp! It's over Lord Ainz!"
Suddenly a voice is heard "It is time Ainz-Oneesan!" Shalltear blinked "Chagama?" it came from the watch Ainz had on, suddenly Perfect Warrior dropped and Ainz was back in his robe. "As I said before Shalltear, everything has been going to plan. This entire time I planned to only do one thing, get your large HP pool to where I could end it in one last attack!" suddenly the spell Fallen Down started to be cast again, since it did not use MP what little remained was no deterrent.
"Lord Ainz, all I have to do is kill you before it goes off!" Shalltear prepares to attack but Ainz reveals a cash item he had kept hidden till now. "This item removes casting time, the spell will go off in an instant!" Ainz only needs one second to crush the object and activate the spell. Shalltear tried to disrupt him by attacking but suddenly she felt a presence behind her, she recognized the skill, but because it distracted her for that one second Ainz's spell was able to go off without a hitch. Fallen Activated and once again Shalltear felt the embrace of death "There he is…" Shalltear starts to say quietly as she begins to disappear, "The supreme being who rules over all of us. Lord Ainz. I've been defeated, isn't that right, shorty?"
Elsewhere Yuukal begins flying off believing now was a good time to give her report. Meanwhile, Aura had stopped blowing her breath which stopped her skill, she had managed to assist them at the last moment. "Aura is Shalltear…gone?" Mare asked his sister while solemnly holding his staff. Aura would stand up and sternly say "We should head back to Nazarick, I have quite the choice words for that fake chest."
-----------------------------------------------
Tanya had aimed her rifle at Mary who just stared back at her with a mix of scorn and confusion. Tanya was aware the Zettour had somehow restored Mary's memory, but she was not sure it would work again. It seemed a little too easy 'Is that Being Z's work?' Tanya thought. However, even if it was, Mary just screamed out and a bunch of magic light swords appeared from thin air. "Shut up! You're nothing but a liar, Tanya!" The swords flew towards Tanya, but the elf decided to just wait for the sword to be halted by her class's special skill. Yet one of the swords went through the magic shield and pierced her body. Since it was magic the sword disappeared but Tanya was perplexed, sure it did not do much damage since Mary was dramatically under-leveled compared to her, but it still did hurt.
"What?" Tanya started to fly away, unable to get perfect aim due to all the light swords heading toward her. 'Angels cannot typically do that! Damn you Being X' she cursed through her teeth. If getting Mary to easily more easily remember past lives was what Being Z felt was balance for this then Tanya also found that bullshit as well. Angels in YGGDRASIL could not ignore magic shields without having buffs or items. Angels were not like Mary either as they were a part of the Heteromorphic section of races so even player-wise they could not look exactly like a human. How Mary does is beyond her. Still, Tanya could see using an analysis spell that Mary was at Max, level twenty-three. Impressive but she would not be able to do much damage to Tanya even if she used her strongest spell. Ignoring magic shields did not mean Mary could ignore Tanya's naturally higher magic defense and physical defense because of the level difference.
"This may kill her." Tanya looks at her rifle. Despite having lost no health it was very possible one shot and the spell with it would eviscerate Mary instantly. "Ahh!" Mary yells as she starts approaching with her father's holy sword, again Tanya easily dodges, Mary is far too easy to read right now. Even in the life where Tanya first met Mary, she stood a better chance, to say nothing about the previous world where Mary could have become a hashira if the demon war had gone on for longer. Mary had been slacking in this world and it was showing, that or people in this world were weaker than Tanya thought. Mary came in for a second attack this time accompanied by her swords of light.
Tanya dodged those and then pivoted to the side of the Holy Sword attack before kicking Mary in the stomach and sending her flying back. Once again, weaker compared to before, Tanya's physical strength without buffs was weaker than her magic strength. 'This world does follow YGGDRASIL's rules then.' Tanya thought to herself, remembering how much power difference there was in YGGDRASIL between players with even a few levels difference. "...is Being X off his game or something?" She was already calm as she realized even with this "racial ability" Mary had to ignore magic shields and passives, it seemed she still did not stand much of a chance.
"I almost feel bad for you," Tanya said in a not-so-quiet voice this time. "I do not need pity from my father's killer!" Mary shouted through tears. This however just made Tanya angry "I feel bad because of how little chance you stand." Tanya turned around, flying backward so she could face Mary. She then grinned like a mad woman "It's almost like a child fighting a lion. The former does not stand a chance and lions can choose to either take their time or just mercy kill them quickly!" Mary sneered "How dare you so brazenly underestimate me! I am humanity's angel! A gift from the seven gods and heaven!"
Tanya tilted her head from side to side once "Well, I'll give you this. You certainly have a bigger ego than before, kudos for being slightly different this time." Mary almost growled before shouting "Stop talking like you know me!" Mary held out her hand and her angel wings suddenly were engulfed in blue flames "And burn before you reach hell, Blue fireball!" a blue fireball went towards Tanya. But the Elf just smiled and held out a hand, suddenly one of the medals on her jacket shined, it had an odd blue crystal orb in it. The medals on Tanya's mage general outfit were a collection of items that had a specific purpose, made using YGGDRASIL's impressive crafting and customizable features. This one could absorb any offensive magic so long as it was focused on the target at was below level ten. There were other restrictions of course, it could not absorb instant kill spells and could only store one spell at a time. It also used your own mana but still based its damage on the original caster stats, so it was not great. But for situations like this, it was perfect.
"T-that cannot be!" Mary was stunned and looked at Tanya with bewilderment. "There is no way. You cannot just take my fire!" Mary once again pointed her holy sword at the elf. Tanya started laughing "This is just too hilarious! And to think I was worried about what Being X's plan was. You cannot even match me this time!" Tanya pointed at Mary with her rifle "At least before you could give me trouble and even injure me. At least last time despite being just as whiny and annoying as you are now, you were a challenge. Hell, you could even go toe to toe with me in a sword fight! So sorry if I find it funny that the gap between us this time is just so magnanimous!"
Mary started shaking as frustration filled her head. And her headache returned, briefly, she could see Tanya in an odd flight suit over a city that Mary did not recognize. Then she saw Tanya in an odd outfit with a Haori over her shoulders, staring back at Mary with a warmer smile before the visions stopped. "S-stop mocking me you demon elf!" Mary summoned four light swords that sped toward Tanya. But to prove her point more Tanya did not even move, just stared with wide eyes and a devil-like smile. All four hit and Tanya did not even flinch and she took barely any damage. Mary's left hand shook as her mouth was left open "T-that. No…but."
Tanya started shaking her head and then left it up a little "Do you finally get it? The difference between us is not that one of us is favored by gods. It's that nothing you do would matter anyways!" she was about to fire at Mary, who was to frozen. The poor angel girl just had her whole life crash on her like a pile of bricks. Part of Tanya wanted to kill Mary, just get some sweet revenge for the first time the two of them killed each other. But she also did not want to do that, it felt like it was playing too much into Being X's hands. She suddenly fired her bullet Mary did not even realize till the sound of the rifle firing went off. Tanya had aimed for just over Mary's shoulder, so the bullet barely grazed the girl's hair. "I would move if I were you." Tanya had focused a fire spell into the bullet, so not far after it went past Mary it would explode into a field-range fire spell.
Mary had used her angel wings to fly away, but while being away from the spell she was still nearly knocked down from the force of the explosion. "That was…what tier spell was-" Mary looked back and saw Tanya was not there, instead she was flying towards the ground. "Hey get back here!" Mary flew after her, despite now being very much away from the fact Tanya was far stronger than her and could take anything she could throw at the oddly dressed elf, Mary was still very short-sighted and very much in denial. Those weird visions from before also did not help much. Tanya waited til she was just above the ground the floated just above it while still flying forward. As she soared above the ground and saw Mary closing in. it was then that Tanya brushed her fingers against the grassy forest terrain before casting a spell "Twine Plant" While casting her eyes went yellow." Vines sprung out from the ground behind Tanya as she flew past the ground she cast it on. Mary was caught up in it, including her wings, which could not burn through the vines fast enough before she was forced hard against the ground while the vines continued to wrap around her.
While this was happening Terranian stood amongst a large collection of Gigant and regular Basilisks. He swung his beautifully designed glaive in the air to get off some of the fresher blood. "For someone so intimately dressed, are your best strategies truly only to throw worthless numbers at me?" The lord knight shook one of his four fingers as if being disappointed in his opponent. Quaiesse looked very furious after that, this bug just simply did not get his genius! 'I was the one that got so many adventurers to join the Slane Theocracy! I am the one that keeps the black scripture's public image intact since everyone except the captain seems to just think they can do whatever they want!' The summoner had hoped Terranian would have tried out by now, but none of his summoned creatures so far even dealt a single point of damage.
Still, this meant he would have enough free-tamed slot to get this very defensive lord Knight. 'If I can use my breath on him then he will be too terrified to stop me while I use my skill to tame him!' if he could both make Mary happy by getting her wrongfully aimed revenge and bring back a powerful tamed insect, his sway power would grow, he was sure of it. "I could be guaranteed a captain position when he becomes a council member," Quaiesse said while thinking of the current captain, he was strong, almost as strong as Antilene. But even they would be impressed. "If you won't start moving while talking to yourself, I suppose I will move instead." holding his weapon over his shoulder Terranian started slowly making his way toward the summoner. "Fine then come closer, come on!" Quaiesse summoned a Moonlight wolf he had tamed his crimson owl and the last two Gigant basilisks he had tamed.
The crimson owl was fast but cut down instantly the moment the glaive got it. One of the Gigant basilisks barely even made it to Terranian before its head was cleaved off. The other Gigant Basilisk managed to catch Terranian's left hand while it held the area of the handle right under the bladed top, while the Moonlight wolf bit into the other end of the handle and both pushed back. "You two are hard workers. I can respect such willingness to throw your life away. But it is not a noble thing to die for someone who only views you as servants!" both the Basilisk and Moonlight wolf stopped as they stared at their opponent, they suddenly felt like their life was in no danger.
"Yes, that's it!" Quaiesse took a deep breath in but gasped and coughed when he saw Terranian toss his glaive into the air while both the Gigant basilisk and Moonlight wolf were still biting into it. Terranian starts to bring his eyesight directly on Quaiesse who is still staring in awe, the Gigant Basilisk would be too large and heavy for even the strongest human he knows to throw just as easily as his opponent just did. "Greater Ability boost…" Terranian started using skills, or martial arts as it is known in the new world, "Gale Acceleration, Grand power strike, piercing strike!" some skills that usually were used for weapons were being used to empower Terranian's horn instead. Thanks to Gale's Acceleration Terranian's speed was increased and he rushed forward much faster than before. Quaiesse tries to summon the last creature he has, an angel, but just as it is summoned Terranian's Horn pierces through it and kills it instantly. then the summoner could begin to see his life flash before his eyes. His sister, joining the Black Scripture, recruited various adventurers and enslaved many enemies most of which were from the elf kingdom, and when he helped train Mary. Terranian's horn went right through Quaiesse's chest and without high defense to begin with, Quaiesse was killed.
Tanya had loaded another magic bullet into her rifle by the time Mary had managed to free herself by burning and cutting away at the vines. She also witnessed Mary use her healing powers to instantly heal up to full and remove any injuries, all at once. Except the emotional ones as Mary still seemed furious at Tanya. "I see you still do not just want to give up. Honestly, just like most fanatics you just can never see when the writing is on the wall." Tanya said while not even bothering to point her weapon at Mary. "you and your weapons I've never seen before. You and you're an annoying way of speaking as you know me. Or knew me before. It's pissing me off even more!" Mary said in a furious tone but saw how Tanya smirked before saying "Finally seeing how I feel huh?"
Mary's wings were still ready but the flames were gone. Tanya could see the flame resistance along with it. "I'll kill you, devil!" Mary said with a sneer, before blinking 'Wait. I meant to say demon elf.' Mary was not sure why she said something different, but she shook her head before using her wings to glide through the air. Tanya spoke out "mana essence" quietly just before her rifle and Mary's clashed. 'Her mana is gone, that explains why the flames stopped. That healing spell likely took the rest of it.' Tanya had already won it seemed. "What even is this!?" Mary asked in regards to Tanya's rifle. "A tiny canon? A strike weapon?" she of course had not seen it before, firearms were unknown to the new world.
"Call it whatever you want" Tanya smirked before Mary's sword was deflected away. Tanya skillfully spun out of the way of the next swing before she cast again, this time the metal from before shined again, "twin blue fireball!" she placed her hand just a few inches away from Mary. "wait that's my spell-" Mary's shock and fury were interrupted by the double fireball going off. Tanya used up a little more Mana to double-cast it, and now the crystal in the metal no longer had it, but since the spell would use Mary's own stats as the power behind it then there was a chance that Mary would not die, which is what Tanya's goal was for now.
Mary was on the ground and could barely lift herself with her arms. Tanya walked over and pointed her rifle at Mary, the regular bullet with a simple spell focused into it could even kill Mary now "it's over. This really is your last chance. I would have asked for your surrender so we could take you back with us. But…" Tanya briefly remembered how happy Antoan was when talking about his daughter, "out of respect for your father. I will let you go back home. Attack one more time though, and this is done, I will simply send you to him." Mary was about to mouth off to the one who beat her, but suddenly the stomps of a Gigant Basilisk were heard. For a moment Mary thought it was Queiesse coming here to help take down Tanya. But she was given a cruel image of the Gigant Basilisk carrying the corpse of Queiesse in its mouth while Terranian rides its back and pets the Moonlight wolf.
"N-no. not Queiesse. He was one of the chief members." Mary mumbled as more horror at her current situation set in. "Forgive me, Grand General Silver, I had to ensure these two were okay and well," Terranian said like it was a noble act he did in freeing these two creatures, the Gigant Basilisk was pretty much scared into following the giant insect. "It is fine, I can see for the most part the body is intact which makes it good for us" Tanya was very casual about it. "Y-you monsters!!" Mary went into the sky but it was clear she had no energy to fight, even she knew that. "I will get stronger and kill you demon elf. I swear it!" Mary flew off trying to get far away. "Mary! One day you will learn the truth!" Tanya shouted out after Mary "Both what I was talking about. And how truly vile your 'holy' country is. If you ever feel the need for safety I am here!" Tanya still planned to kill Mary if she came back for a fight. But she wanted to at least offer that.
"Is that alright Grand General?" Terranian asked as he was certain Argent Silver would have left nothing left of anyone else. Tanya nodded "Yes, I will send an order out to everyone when we return to base. For now…" Tanya looked at the corpse of the summoner that Terranian killed "We will have Banaita Final look him over. If needed we will resurrect him so that I can get more information about this world."
Elsewhere Mary had flown as far as she could before collapsing by a river. "I… will…never…forgive..them." Momentarily the last thing Tanya shouted out at Mary when she left went through Mary's thoughts. She grasped the stones by the water.
----------------------------------
Gold filled the throne room of Nazarick, enough to resurrect Shalltear. 'There will certainly be some loss of levels. We will lose a hefty amount of our funds as well.' Ainz had already decided to resurrect Shalltear regardless of these drawbacks. "Albedo, you know what to do," Ainz said as Albedo nodded, she was to wait by the throne so that she could see if Shalltear was still rebellious after she resurrected. If she was then that meant no matter what there was nothing they could do.
"Lord Ainz, forgive me for being so imperative. But if Shalltear is still looking to go against us when she revives let us be the ones to deal with her." Demiurge said with a very grave tone while putting his hand to his chest. "But I was the one that-" Before Ainz could finish Albedo said "Please do not underestimate us Lord Ainz. if we are not allowed to protect you, how can we pride ourselves on being called guardians?" Ainz could see this was important to all the floor and area guardians, so he acquiesced. "I will agree then. So…" he held up the staff of Ainz Ooal Gown and used it to resurrect Shalltear.
The gold started to melt and turn liquid as it got smaller and smaller until it took the form of Shalltear, who was now naked. Ainz slowly came over and pulled out a large purple cloak and through it over Shalltear so she would not be as exposed. "Albedo?" He looked back at the succubus. Albedo watched as Shalltear's name returned to the guardian status screen and was shown to be completely removed from any statues. "Rejoice Lord Ainz. your glorious plan worked and she is freed of any mind control." Ainz was happy as he could be given his limiters. Shalltear started to awaken "L-lord Ainz?" Shalltear spoke with a confused tone. Suddenly Ainz started to lift her in his bony arms, "Thank kami. I am so happy you are alright."
Shalltear was blushing slightly "I-I am not sure what is happening. But I am fine with this." a few moments pass and Shalltear sits in the middle of everyone while holding the cloak over herself. "I am here, and naked, does that mean I caused you trouble Lord Ainz?" she asked in a concerned tone as this was not the first she or many other NPCs had been resurrected. "It is alright, Shalltear tell me what is the last thing you remember?" Ainz asked calmly. "I think it is leaving with Sebas and Solution on a journey to the capital and finding people with martial arts skills." Shalltear had forgotten the last five days, including who had tried mind-controlling her. "I see. And do you feel anything wrong with yourself?"
Shalltear started to feel herself "No I am fine…wait!" She freaked out as she noticed her breasts were flat due to the breast pads she wore not carrying over from the resurrection. "AHHH! Where did my breasts go?!" this makes the other guardians angry. "Hey! How can you complain about something like that flat chest? Do you have any idea how much strive you caused us and Lord Ainz?" Aura said while waving a fist in the air, even Mare said "I-I have to agree." Demiurge adjusted his glasses "I believe a punishment is in order for this." Shalltear whimpered "B-but why? I did not do anything!" Albedo walked up with a stern look on her face "Take some accountability Shalltear! You caused us a lot of trouble and could have killed our great Lord Ainz!" the rest of the guardians all told off Shalltear more.
Ainz meanwhile just stared and felt nostalgic as he pictured the guardians as his former guildmates and friends. He reached his hand out as if expecting them to actually be there only for his vision to come back to the guardians arguing and lecturing Shalltear. "Enough. I will take responsibility. Meaning Shalltear will only receive a minor punishment at worst." Ainz said with an odd tone of glee. "Lord Ainz I insist you be more strict with her!" Albedo huffs a little and gives the same stern stare she gave Shalltear. "There is no need. As I told you before Albedo at least half of it is my fault. However, now that this trouble has been finished up, I am much more aware of what we should do."
Ainz stood up tall. Getting the attention of all the guardians. "Argent Silver being in this world means that no matter what there is a very big threat who is aware that we are here as well." He looked at Aura who nodded. "I personally hope to build a working and if not allies then at least amicable relationship between us and them. But I will not sit on my laurels, we should prepare for any invasion of the tomb, and be warned to keep an eye out for her. Nabe and I will do what we can for her and her underling on our adventurer team as well." he then looked at Shalltear before looking more generally over the NPCs. "more importantly I am aware of other World Items in this world. Which means we should prepare for them as well. So for those two reasons, we must build Nazarick's power and influence!" all Gaurdians smiled and nodded "Yes, Lord Ainz!" they all said proudly.
"Lord Ainz, Aura also happened to find the location of a Great Lake where Lizardman villages are located," Albedo said while bowing her head. Ainz chuckled "Good."
---------------------------------------
Elsewhere in the Slane Theocracy, the captain of the Black Scripture is bowing to the Six Cardinal council, having already given his report on the vampire incident. One of the cardinals speaks "So the black scripture was forced to retreat after a single vampire failed to fall under their control. Two of them were killed and one wounded." The captain nodded "I have also received word that Mary left to avenge her father, Quaiesse went with her to ensure she would be safe. Neither have returned as of yet." he forced himself not to speak venomously, Mary was still too weak to even with her angel powers, they should have never mentioned who killed her father. Even if it was a lie so the Cardinals could cover up their hand in hiring the one who killed Antoan.
"Quaiesse is capable and can get others to help her with his natural charm. We are not worried about them, he will keep the angel safe," they spoke of Mary only as the angel, nothing else mattered to them about who she was. "Still our strongest scripture is weakened. And this vampire worries me." one cardinal says. "Yes, we should act weary from now on."
The next day in the Baharuth Empire the bloody emperor Jircniv finished listening to the account of the soldier freed by the "imperial Unit" mercenary company. How both of the slavers his soldiers had taken years to try to track down and yet every time they think they are close one of them disappears. Given to Jircniv and his four loyal knights were documents provided by the second in command of the imperial Unit, Rerugen, who was outside waiting to be called in after the emperor decided on if he should reward them. On them were not only the names of all the slaves but also ones taken from the army during investigations.
"So this mercenary company did what our army and intelligence could not in one night? And their leader is an elf?" the emperor said before looking over at the knight who was held captive the same night "Y-yes. They were quite strong, if I recall correctly the head slaver's guards took down an entire unit whose nearly caught him a month ago. Yet all of them were killed in one blow." the knight blushed a little remembering how Rerugen had been the one to cut most of them down in one spell. But Zewaurt's skills were impressive as well. "Interesting. And Argent Silver did the same thing to the other infamous slaver by taking advantage of underground deals and the two slavers wanting to kill each other."
Jircniv grinned from ear to ear. "Call in the man that came to represent them. I plan to give them their reward, finally took down scumbags I've been chasing for a year at least." he then laid down on his hand "These mercenaries might be able to take care of that rebel for us as well, so maybe I will discuss it with their leader if he is willing to bring her afterward." One of the knights shakes his head "sir we will handle that silly rebellion. Even if it is happening in three locations they stand no chance against our armies might."
The emperor grinned and said very simply "if that is the case, then you will have the chance to prove it by seeing if you can find and kill the leader before the mercenaries do." he only wanted one thing, the true cream of the crop, and if this Mercenary company proved themselves, perhaps it would be better for him to incorporate them into his army. Even if their leader is an elf. Rerugen entered and bowed his head "Thank you for allowing me the chance to speak with you Emperor." Jircniv motioned Rerugen over "Come, have a seat, we have much to discuss."
---------------------------------------------------
And now time for a special Isekai Theater!
In the background, Ainz and Tanya are playing chess and concentrating hard on the game. The NPCs are behind their respective leaders, silently cheering them on.
Yuukal flew to the front of the stage and began to talk "Hello everyone. Forgive them for being unable to talk to you right now. But don't worry, I have something that will keep you entertained."
The fairy looks around and secretly pulls out a tiny notepad. "This is my secret insider information. For this edition, we will…talk about levels! Specifically of the imperial unit."
She flipped through the notepad "Tanya, all her commanders, Adelhime42, Keonanija-san(Hey that's my creator!), and a few others were the only ones who were level 100…."
In the background, Tanya beat Ainz a second time in chess. The two of them were good sports about it, shaking hands and setting up for another round. Meanwhile, Albedo had to be restrained by the other guardians to keep from attacking Tanya. Vikki had to be restrained by the other soldiers from attacking Albedo due to trying to attack their leader.
"....The rest ranged from a minimum of high-fifties to mid-nineties in levels. As such strategies were often formed to give lower leveled players more experience and levels when taking on dungeons. Isn't that interesting?"
In the background, the arguing engulfs all NPCs they bark at each other and Rerugen is just trying to keep the two groups separated from one another. while Ainz and Tanya miraculously are still able to focus on the game with all the chaos.
Yuukal bows to the audience "Thank you for lending me your time. I am told I may do this again since the next arc will likely be the last split arc, at least for a while. So tell me what else you want to know about the Imperial Unit, be it the players or NPCs! Bye-bye, everyone!"