The anti-gravity bus glided smoothly through the winding streets of Romalia city, its sleek futuristic design a stark contrast to the medieval architecture surrounding it. Inside, Itami, Rory, Tuka, Granham, Lelei, Piña, Annika, John, Hamilton, Sugawara, and their bodyguards pressed their faces against the large windows, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and trepidation.
As they left the city proper and began ascending a hilly road, an unbelievable sight greeted them. Spread across the verdant hillsides were countless Death Knights, their skeletal forms hunched over as they tended to vast fields of crops. The juxtaposition of these undead warriors performing such mundane tasks was jarring.
"Impossible! Skeletons growing crops?" Annika exclaimed, her voice tinged with panic as she fumbled with her camera to capture the surreal scene.
Sugawara, his face pale, added, "The Sorcerous Empire can control skeletons on this scale? It's... unthinkable."
A heavy silence fell over the group as they contemplated the implications. Sugawara cleared his throat nervously before speaking again. "Mr. Six mentioned something even more unsettling - their Emperor is also undead."
Piña and Hamilton exchanged alarmed glances. "What? Their emperor isn't human?" Piña asked, her royal composure slipping for a moment.
Sugawara nodded grimly. "According to Mr. Six, their Emperor is an Overlord - the highest form of undead. And apparently, there are many more strange things in their world."
Granham stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Hmm... I'm beginning to think he might be some kind of god of death."
"I agree," Rory chimed in, her eyes gleaming with intrigue. As a demigoddess herself, the concept seemed to fascinate rather than frighten her.
As they continued their journey, a massive tunnel came into view, guarded by armored soldiers wielding weapons that seemed to blend magic and technology. The bus entered the dark passage, and suddenly a eerie green light filled the interior, scanning every inch of the vehicle and its occupants.
Emerging on the other side, they were greeted by the imposing sight of Fortress 55 looming in the distance. Its towering walls and intricate architecture spoke of both immense power and advanced engineering.
"What is that?" Hamilton gasped, his composure slipping further.
Before anyone could answer, their attention was drawn skyward. The group collectively held their breath as they took in the impossible scene above them. Dragons of various colors and sizes soared through the air, their scales glittering in the sunlight. Cockatrice Riders, mounted on massive bird-like creatures, patrolled in formation. Mages floated effortlessly, their robes billowing around them as they wielded staffs crackling with arcane energy.
But it was the massive Helicarrier floating serenely among the clouds that truly stole their breath away. Its massive bulk defied gravity, bristling with weaponry and magical defenses that spoke of unimaginable power.
"00234," John addressed the bus's AI, struggling to keep his voice steady, "can you give us any information about... all of this?"
"I apologize, but I am not authorized to disclose that information," the AI responded coolly.
John sighed, accepting the silence that followed.
As they approached the gates of Fortress 55, the enormity of the structure became even more apparent. The massive doors swung open with surprising grace, allowing the bus to pass through into a bustling military complex.
"Welcome to our home planet!" 00234 announced cheerfully as they exited the gate structure.
John, observed their surroundings with a critical eye. "They're far more advanced than us," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Sugawara nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on two battleships of the Sorcerous Empire Air Force soaring overhead. Their sleek designs incorporated both magical runes and advanced technology, a combination that seemed impossible to the Earth visitors.
"There are so many different races in their army," Lelei observed quietly, her keen eyes picking out details the others missed.
Suddenly, Tuka's excited voice cut through the tension. "Look at that enormous statue!" she shouted, pointing towards a colossal figure in the distance.
All eyes turned to follow her gesture, and they were met with an awe-inspiring sight. A titanic statue of a skeleton figure dominated the skyline, its craftsmanship so intricate and lifelike that it seemed almost animate.
"The artistry is incredible," Piña breathed, her royal upbringing allowing her to appreciate the skill involved despite her unease.
"It looks as though it might come to life at any moment," Itami added, a shiver running down his spine.
Annika, ever the journalist, turned to their AI guide. "00234, whose statue is that?"
The AI's voice held a note of reverence as it replied, "That is the statue of the Supreme Being, Ruler of Death, Sorcerous Emperor Ainz Ooal Gown."
"It's even larger than the Spring Temple Buddha in China!" Sugawara exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder.
As they continued past the military installations, the group fell into a contemplative silence. The sheer scale and advancement of what they had seen was overwhelming, challenging everything they thought they knew about magic, technology, and the nature of reality itself.
Finally, the bus approached their destination - an ornate guesthouse surrounded by lush gardens and guarded by an array of both human and non-human sentinels. The architecture was a breathtaking blend of styles from various Earth cultures, yet with an otherworldly twist that marked it as uniquely of this realm.
As the bus came to a stop and the doors hissed open, the group disembarked on shaky legs, still trying to process everything they had witnessed. Standing before them was a tall, imposing man with straight blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.
"Welcome, honored guests. I am Albert Bessarez, Governor of the Roble Holy state. " he greeted them warmly, his voice carrying an air of authority.
John stepped forward, extending his hand. "John Marks, representing the United States diplomatically."
As Albert shook John's hand firmly, Annika couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. "Sir Albert, can you tell us about the Sorcerous Emperor? What kind of being is he, really? That statue we saw... is he truly a skeleton?"
Albert's expression grew serious. "Ainz-sama is a ruler of great kindness and wisdom. However, make no mistake - he does not hesitate to be cruel or harsh when the situation demands it. And yes, he is indeed an undead being - an Overlord, to be precise. The most powerful of all skeletal entities."
The group exchanged uneasy glances at this confirmation. Piña, her diplomatic training kicking in, asked, "How many different races coexist in your world, Sir Albert?"
"It's difficult to give an exact number," Albert replied thoughtfully. "But it would be in the thousands, at least."
Gasps of disbelief echoed through the group. "How is that possible?" Hamilton asked, his voice filled with wonder and a touch of fear. "How can so many different beings live together without constant conflict?"
Albert smiled, a hint of pride in his expression. "It's not impossible with the right methods of governance and management. Ainz-sama possesses unparalleled wisdom and intelligence. He has found ways to maintain harmony among even the most disparate groups. It's why we call him the Wise Emperor."
As the group tried to process this information, Itami noticed the fatigue etched on his companions' faces. "Ummm I think we all need to rest for a while. It's been an overwhelming day."
Albert nodded in agreement. "Of course. You've traveled far and seen much. Rest is important." He turned slightly, gesturing to someone behind him. "Ferid, please show our guests to their rooms."
It was only then that the group noticed the figure standing silently behind Albert. Ferid stepped forward, his movements graceful and precise. He wore an impeccably tailored white suit, but it was his eyes that captured everyone's attention - and sent a chill down their spines.
"Vampire," Annika whispered, her voice barely audible.
The reaction was instantaneous. The US agents drew their weapons, training them on Ferid. In response, the local guards unsheathed their swords, the air crackling with tension.
"Please, everyone calm down!" Albert's voice cut through the chaos. "Ferid will not harm you. He has been my loyal secretary for sixteen years and has never once acted against me or anyone else."
Ferid himself held up a hand, displaying a ring on his finger. "I wear this ring, which prevents me from succumbing to my vampiric nature. I will not harm you, I swear it."
Rory stepped forward, her eyes locked on Ferid. "Granham and I will keep an eye on him, just in case."
As the tension slowly dissipated, Albert nodded in gratitude. "Thank you, everyone. I must attend to my duties now. Ferid, please escort our guests to their rooms."
With that, the group began their journey through the labyrinthine corridors of the guesthouse. As they proceeded down the corridor, the group found themselves in a vast hallway that seemed to stretch endlessly before them. The walls, crafted from polished marble streaked with gold veins, rose at least thirty feet high, meeting an intricately vaulted ceiling adorned with frescos depicting various historical scenes. Crystal chandeliers, each as large as a small car, hung at regular intervals, their magical lights casting a warm, ethereal glow throughout the space.
The most striking feature was an enormous painting that dominated one wall. Unlike the other artworks, this one seemed to pulse with an almost supernatural energy. The scene depicted a titanic battle between two beings of immense power - Ainz Ooal Gown and the Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth. The artist had captured the intensity of the moment with extraordinary skill; magical energies clashed in vibrant colors, while the surrounding landscape lay devastated by their conflict.
"If I may ask," Rory began, her eyes transfixed by the artwork's detail, "what is this picture about?"
Ferid's voice took on a reverent tone as he explained the historical significance. "This depicts a battle from 800 years ago, when the Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth launched his assault on the Holy Kingdom. Ainz-sama's victory here marked a turning point in our world's history."
"Umm... Well I am curious about something. Is there any democracy in your country?" John asked, his brow furrowed with curiosity and concern.
Ferid's lips curled into a slight smile. "It would be wrong to say that democracy does not exist at all. In our system, as long as the people want to see you as the ruler, you remain in power. However," he paused, his crimson eyes gleaming, "If the people no longer desire your leadership, you will be removed. The Sorcerous Emperor himself then installs a worthy replacement. That is our way."
The group exchanged uneasy glances. Piña, drawing on her royal upbringing, pressed further. "Your country seems entirely monarchical. Are the laws here particularly strict?"
Ferid's expression darkened, his voice taking on a chilling tone. "Of course. In our Empire, those who break the rules are stripped of all civil rights. Heinous crimes are punished with utmost severity."
He began to recount a story that made the blood of his listeners run cold. "Several years ago, in a city on the continent of Heimer, a boy committed a terrible act - he raped an innocent girl. Despite his father's wealth and influence, nothing could save the boy from justice."
The group listened in horror as Ferid described the gruesome punishments inflicted upon the criminal. Daily torture, magical healing only to prolong the agony, and punishments so severe that the boy begged for death. The use of resurrection magic to perpetuate the torment seemed to particularly disturb the Earth visitors.
Sugawara, his face pale, managed to stammer, "Your words... they remind me of descriptions of hell."
Annika, her journalistic curiosity warring with her growing fear, asked incredulously, "Are you serious? How can anyone bring someone back to life?"
"In our world, such feats are possible through magic," Ferid replied matter-of-factly.
"Only God can grant life!" Annika exclaimed, her voice tinged with both awe and terror.
Ferid's eyes gleamed as he responded, "Ainz-sama is the god of death. His power over life and death is absolute."
The hallway seemed to grow colder as the implications of Ferid's words sank in. John, ever the diplomat, tried to steer the conversation to safer ground. "Have your people ever revolted because of such severe punishments?"
"No," Ferid replied, his tone carrying a hint of pride. "Since the Five Years' War, there has never been a rebellion of any kind in our Empire."
"The Five Years' War?" Lelei inquired, her quiet voice laced with curiosity.
Ferid nodded, gesturing to a series of tapestries lining the walls. Each depicted scenes of battle and conquest, the artistry so lifelike that the group could almost hear the clash of weapons and cries of the fallen.
"The Five Years' War," he began, gesturing to another series of murals that lined the opposite wall, "was a defining moment in our empire's history, 620 years ago. These paintings tell the story."
The group moved along the wall, examining each mural in sequence. The first showed various regions in revolt, depicted through scenes of burning cities and clashing armies. The detail was extraordinary - even the expressions of anguish and defiance on the rebels' faces were clearly visible.
"The rebellion began simultaneously in several regions," Ferid explained, pointing to different sections of the mural. "The Continental Alliance, as they called themselves, believed they could overthrow the Sorcerous Empire by coordinating their attacks. They had spent decades preparing in secret."
The next mural showed the empire's response - armies of Death Knights, Soul Eaters, and other beings marching under the banner of Ainz Ooal Gown. "The response was swift and absolute. The empire deployed forces."
Moving to the third mural, which depicted various battles, Ferid continued, "The war lasted five years not because the rebels posed a significant military threat, but because Ainz-sama wanted to ensure that every root of rebellion was thoroughly eliminated. It wasn't just about winning battles - it was about reshaping the very fabric of our society."
The final mural showed the aftermath - scenes of reconstruction and integration. "After the war, the empire implemented sweeping reforms. The strict justice system you asked about earlier? Many of those policies were established then. But so were programs for education, economic development, and racial integration."
As they reached the end of the historical murals, the group arrived at the guest quarters. The hallway opened into a circular atrium, with doors leading to individual suites positioned like spokes on a wheel. Each door was crafted from different materials - some from rare woods, others from precious metals or magical materials - each chosen to suit the preferences and needs of different races.
"These are your accommodations," Ferid announced, gesturing to the doors. "Each suite has been specially prepared according to your individual needs."
The rooms themselves were masterpieces of architectural design. Vaulted ceilings soared overhead, supported by graceful columns that seemed to defy gravity.
Each suite contained a separate sitting room, bedroom, and bathroom, all furnished with an elegant blend of luxury and practicality. Magical crystals provided adjustable lighting, while enchanted windows could show various views from around the empire. The furniture, while appearing antique and valuable, had been enhanced with magic for optimal comfort.
"The rooms are equipped with communication crystals," Ferid explained, pointing to glowing orbs on bedside tables. "Simply touch one and speak to request anything you need. The staff will respond immediately."
As the group marveled at their accommodations, Ferid made his farewells. "I'll return tomorrow to escort you to your meeting with Ainz-sama. Until then, please rest and make yourselves comfortable."
With that, he departed, leaving the visitors
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