Chapter 27: Fortress Plans

The night passed uneventfully as Zelphyr spent the time organising the information he was receiving from the Hanzos he had left in the Dragon Kingdom capital. Morning came with Zelphyr waking early in the morning, however he was still beaten by Narberal who was stood outside his room waiting patiently.

The inside of the fortress was even more impressive than the halls of the Dragon Kingdoms Castle. Decorated with luxury fabrics and lighting, the common room was similar to a royal meeting room. Lining the walls were tens of doors, each a polished wood with metal linings on the edges. In the center was a sitting area with long luxurious sofas lined around a small black table. Zelphyr was pretty sure this level of luxury would make even royalty double take since this was nothing more than an outpost.

As Zelphyr sat quietly drinking tea, he felt a plethora of new presences appear outside the fortress. A joyful smile floated upon his lips as he stood up and walked towards the sealed doors.

Nodding towards the door, Narberal opened the doors and stood to the side, her posture completely straight.

When the doors opened, the figures were knelt before the door, not entering. Zelphyr nodded slightly at the deep respect he felt from the group.

His gaze scanned the group and saw a squadron of Hanzos knelt behind a small figure. This figure was dressed in a luxurious waistcoat and trousers. It was none other than Aura.

A natural smile rose upon his lips the moment he saw her.

"Aura, I am glad you came"

Zelphyr spoke as he gestured the group to stand. Without wait, Aura bounced up with the Hanzos following shortly behind. They started to walk in following Zelphyrs urging before he stopped them.

Aura was confused for a moment before Zelphyr spoke out his reasonings.

"Call in your beasts, staying out in the forest in unnecessary at the moment."

Aura nodded her head before letting out a high pitched whistle. As she did, a small thundering was heard from deeper into the forest.

The earth shaking sound got closer as Zelphyr felt three presences approaching from the forest, each one completely different from the other.

Within seconds, the shaking stopped as three beasts revealed themselves from the forest depths. Surprisingly, very little of the scenery was destroyed in their path as they made their way before Aura and Zelphyr.

Aura stood proudly in front of Zelphyr as she felt him look over her pets.

Zelphyr was impressed by the choices Aura had made. It seemed she had put some thought into what type of beasts Zelphyr would find most useful in the fortress.

Standing in a row were three beasts, an Iris Tyrannus Basileus, an Itzamna as well as a Amphisbaena.

The Iris Tyrannus Basileus was a large reptilian creature that was reminiscent of a Tyrannosaurus Rex as its name suggested. Its thick scales looked like a natural armour that sparkled in the dim lighting around the Fortress. Unlike the T-Rex, this creature had slightly longer arms with razer sharp claws on it as well as a fin-like appendage on its back.

Stood next to the Iris on all fours was an Itzamna. Zelphyr remembered this was the beast that Aura called Quadracile, although he assumed this was not the same one. This beast was a large chameleon with the ability to travel at extreme speeds as well as use lightning magic. As both a silent killer and magical attacker, the Itzamna would play its role well.

Finally, the last beast known as the Amphisbaena was a large two-headed snake. Unlike a hydra, its body was a full snake with two heads that contained jaws capable of seriously wounding a young dragon with a single bite. Due to its genetic makeup, it was a perfect killer in the forest as its fast movements were further enhanced by the many twists and turns of the forest.

"Excellent choices Aura, I trust these three will be assigned to this Fortress?"

Aura beamed a bright smile at Zelphyr as she nodded her head. Seeing this, Zelphyr entered the Fortress, telling everyone to follow him.

When they entered, the luxury immediately caught their eyes. However, as it was not as grand as the Great Tomb of Nazarick, their reactions were fairly tame.

Zelphyr offered the sofa opposite him to Aura and told the Hanzos to go and pick an unoccupied room each.

"Now then Aura, are you aware of the role of the small force here?"

Aura thought for a moment before shaking her head with a disheartened expression.

"Forgive me Lord Zelphyr... I cannot see the purpose"

Zelphyr smiled serenely at Aura showing his lack of negativity. Immediately, Aura mood lightened a bit.

"It is fine, they are a decoy. The Fortress itself will be a decoy starting from today. Whilst a member of Nazarick is out, they will reporting here and relaying the information back via this structure. I have already set up a warp gate here, so we can transfer between the two easily."

Aura looked at Zelphyr with understanding before her expression clouded with confusion once more.

"Wait, Lord Zelphyr. Why would we even need this? Nazarick is hidden from the people here. And from what Albedo has said, the humans of this world are like ants"

Smiling wryly, Zelphyr replied as he noticed Narberal nodded her head from the corner.

"It is not them. It is future threats. Never mind them for now, this base also serves a separate purpose. I intend to use this location as the foundation of a testing facility disguised as our headquarters. Eventually, we will expand this outpost so that we can perform tamer experiments with less urgency here. Nazarick is spacious and has plenty of resources, however future problems are easier to tackle with at least the bare minimum preparation."

Zelphyr explained loosely. This was his true plan, he intended to start his New World research here as well as in Nazarick. After all, it was good experience for him to manage buildings and outposts outside of Nazaricks direct control, it will provide him good knowledge for when he is in control of everything.

While it is true he has managed Nazarick for years as well as the Guild of Ainz Ooal Gown, it is not the same as running a fully independent and unrestricted society. In Nazarick, he still has the assistance of the system to monitor his subordinates status as well as the ability to immediately respond.

On the other hand, his builds outside of Nazarick will need to be started from fresh. Of course, he would not admit that was his reason to Aura.

"Ah that makes sense, so they are staying here for now to guard?"

"Exactly, although I may also assign a few tasks such as scouting out the topography of Re-Estize and it's border."

With that conversation finished, Zelphyr gave Aura a run-down of what he and Narberal had achieved yesterday.

"They dared to attack you Lord Zelphyr? Hey Narberal, did you kill them yet?"

Aura spoke with an angry voice, her discontent clearly evident.

"Unfortunately Lady Aura, they still live. Lord Zelphyr did not wish for the deaths of most of them. However, two are dead as an example."

Aura pouted as she looked at Zelphyr, her eyes blaming him for not ending the lives of the attackers.

"They were elite guards and likely valued by our 'potential ally'. Had we minced them, then threats and force would be our only resort. Besides, why would I allow Narberal to dirty her beautiful hands anymore on those types"

Hearing Zelphyrs comment, Aura yielded whilst Narberal looked astonished. Her face slightly flushed as her wide eyes stared from Zelphyr to her hands.

"Nonetheless, I wish for you to relay our progress to Albedo. Tell her I will be in contact within the next couple of days, with an update as well as to see how she is progressing."

Aura beat her puffed out chest with pride.

"Of course Lord Zelphyr, is that everything?"

"That is all for today. I will be in contact soon, I would like you to frequently visit the fortress once every 2 days. Inform someone to open the gate for you."

After saying their goodbyes, Aura left through the front door like the wind.

"Now then, lets get these guys organised so they're aware of their responsibilities when we leave"

Narberal nodded and left the room, fetching the Hanzo squadron.

Meanwhile, Draudillon was sat around a circular table, with several upstanding individuals in attendance. As she looked around, she saw 6 men, wearing downcast expressions as they processed her story about meeting Zelphyr, as well as his proposal.

Every single person in attendance wanted to shout that they refuse, but no-one was in the position to. Currently, this meeting consisted of 8 people, The Queen and the Prime minister leading the conference. Followed by the Supreme Commander, the Finance Minister as well as the Foreign Affairs Minister.

On the opposite side of the table, was three more men. A man with a very imposing demeanour sat with his arms crossed and eyes closed. He was Duke Armatt, the most prominent noble in the Dragon Kingdom, as well as the only other member of Nobility who had some connection to a Dragon Lord, albeit much weaker than Draudillon. Next to him was a rough looking man whose appearance was less sophisticated, he was the Adventurers Guild Leader.

Finally, a stern looking man pressing his glasses against his face sat with a frown. This was the Merchants Guild Leader.

"Such a shit situation"

The Supreme Commander commented, causing the other members to frown even more.