The Aftermath of Carne Village
The echoes of Nazarick's intervention in Carne Village spread swiftly through the surrounding regions, but no account carried the name of Valtherion. Instead, the villagers spoke only of a divine presence protecting them, attributing their salvation solely to Ainz Ooal Gown.
Valtherion had ensured this himself. Through subtle manipulation of memory and perception, he erased every trace of his involvement from those who had witnessed his power. Survivors—both friend and foe—now carried memories that painted Ainz as the lone savior, while the unseen hand of Valtherion remained cloaked in mystery.
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Within his opulent chambers, Ainz Ooal Gown sat at his desk, poring over reports of Nazarick's recent activities. The defense of Carne Village had been a success, yet Ainz could not shake an unsettling feeling.
His thoughts turned to Valtherion's fleeting appearance during the battle. Although his subordinate's demeanor remained as enigmatic and detached as ever, the brief display of his abilities hinted at depths that even Ainz could not fully comprehend.
"Valtherion... what are you planning?" he mused aloud, the empty room offering no answers.
A communication spell interrupted his thoughts, Albedo's voice resonating through the magical connection.
"Ainz-sama, Valtherion has left Nazarick again. Shall we take action?"
Ainz hesitated. Though Valtherion's independence often grated on his nerves, he understood the importance of maintaining a delicate balance.
"No," Ainz replied after a pause. "Let him move as he pleases. His actions may benefit us indirectly. However, keep a watchful eye. I want to know everything he does."
"As you command, Ainz-sama," Albedo responded, her tone tinged with reluctant acceptance.
---
Valtherion walked through the dense forests near Nazarick, his presence completely masked by his abilities. To any observer, he would appear as nothing more than a faint breeze rustling the leaves.
Unlike before, he sought not to dominate or reveal himself but to observe, study, and influence the world from the shadows. His power allowed him to manipulate events without ever leaving a trace, ensuring that his influence remained undetected.
He came upon a battlefield where knights from the Slane Theocracy had clashed with an unknown enemy. Bodies lay strewn across the ground, their lifeless forms telling a story of violent conflict.
Valtherion stood silently amidst the carnage, his gaze sweeping over the scene. With a wave of his hand, an unseen energy coursed through the battlefield. He extracted the lingering memories of the dead, piecing together the events that had unfolded.
"So, the Theocracy moves," he murmured to himself. "How predictable."
Rather than tamper with the physical evidence, Valtherion wove an intricate illusion over the area. The scene now bore the hallmarks of an ambush by a rival faction, complete with fabricated traces of magic and footprints leading in a deliberate direction.
When the Theocracy's scouts arrived, they would find nothing to implicate Nazarick. Instead, their suspicions would be redirected toward imagined enemies, setting the stage for future conflict.
---
In the grand halls of the Slane Theocracy, priests and generals gathered to discuss the latest reports. Scouts had discovered the remnants of the ambush, and their findings pointed to a rival faction.
"This cannot be ignored," one priest declared, slamming his fist on the table. "If this faction is bold enough to attack our forces, they may be a threat to our plans."
Another priest nodded. "It is fortunate that Nazarick appears uninvolved. If this is the work of a rival, perhaps we can use them to our advantage."
Zesshi Zetsumei, the enigmatic Cardinal, leaned back in her chair with a sly smile. "Let us observe further. If there is a deeper force at play, it will reveal itself in time. Rushing in blindly would only weaken us."
The others murmured in agreement, their focus now entirely diverted from Nazarick. Valtherion's subtle deception had succeeded.
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Back in Nazarick
Albedo approached Ainz in the throne room, her expression thoughtful. "Ainz-sama, Valtherion has acted again. However, he has left no trace. All evidence of his presence has been erased."
Demiurge, standing nearby, allowed a rare smile to cross his lips. "As expected of Valtherion. His methods may be unconventional, but his results align with Nazarick's goals. He obscures our movements and shifts the world's focus elsewhere."
Ainz nodded slowly. "Perhaps. Yet, his motives remain his own. His power surpasses even my understanding, and that makes him both an asset and a potential threat."
He leaned back in his throne, his skeletal fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. "Continue to monitor him, but do not interfere unless absolutely necessary. For now, we shall trust in his judgment."
"As you command, Ainz-sama," Albedo and Demiurge replied in unison.
---
Far from Nazarick, Valtherion stood atop a hill overlooking a small, unremarkable settlement. The villagers below went about their lives, blissfully unaware of the forces that loomed over them.
Valtherion observed in silence, his mind calculating the potential uses of such a place. He raised his hand, casting a delicate spell that wove through the settlement like an invisible thread.
The spell carried no malice. Instead, it subtly influenced the villagers' perceptions, instilling in them an inexplicable sense of unease. This unease would push them to fortify their defenses and prepare for unseen dangers, strengthening their resolve without them ever realizing the source of their newfound caution.
"Let the pawns grow stronger," Valtherion murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips. "A more robust board makes for a more engaging game."
With his task complete, he turned and vanished into the shadows, leaving the village none the wiser. The world continued to turn, oblivious to the invisible hand guiding its course.
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End of Chapter 11