Chapter 255

There was no one clear choice for the Allfather of Nazarick.

He sat on his throne, free of his mask, free of his burdens and fears of rejection, though he doubted he would ever be completely free of his guilt, Albedo was happy. He himself was happy. 'And another child on the way…'

That thought was never far from his mind, and it posed one worry that he was not readily free from. 'Being a good father…to my son, and to my daughter… wait… why am I so certain it will be a girl?' Those emotions slammed into him like a train striking one of the unfortunates of his homeworld that flung themselves in front of the tracks. It was very rare that he missed his skeletal body… but the supreme swelling of worry blended with affection was enough to make him long for his limiter for the first time in a very great long while.

The immediate problem was whom to dispatch. 'I suppose I could have had the Baharuth Empire practically for the asking… but the issue of loyalty without their oaths being a given… I can't be sure that wouldn't be a problem. Perhaps I made a mistake in the refusal before… Oh well, I can make up for it now by participating in the tournament they 'thought' was my idea.'

The only issue was that there were a multitude of good options. While some were out due to their existing burdens… Shalltear had the frogmen and the lizardmen. Demiurge had the dwarves, Sebas and his teams both handled the Draconic Kingdom, Pandora's Actor and Lupusregina managed the issue of the Kingdom… Calca was loyal but… 'I need to set someone to watching over them there… Perhaps Entoma or Narberal? I can't help thinking I should send CZ as an ambassador to the Queen of Frost… I don't know why, but something tells me that they'll get along well.' Ainz thought and then rubbed his chin as if deep in thought.

Cocytus was an obvious choice, he was a warrior without peer, but he was also a heteromorph, and humans would have a difficult time accepting him. The trouble was, almost each one he considered shared that same drawback, and the more like a human the choice was, the easier everything would be. 'I do need to send someone to watch over Calca and our son… Cocytus might enjoy that, and when they see his devotion to protecting and teaching the boy, that might help soften some of the antiheteromorphic sentiment. His fixation on honorable combat would also help out with their warrior class. Yes, that's perfect…!' Ainz thought, and hot on the heels of his former idea...

Another idea struck him for the tournament.

'Of course… how did I not think of her immediately!' He wanted to smack himself in the face.

"Call Aureole Omega to the Throne Room." Ainz gave the order, and within minutes, the lovely porcelain doll-like form of Aureole Omega entered the throne room.

She was dressed as a shrine maiden, red and white robes with long hanging sleeves, and short, straight black hair that hung just a little lower than her ears at the sides, and with a long ponytail that hung down her back. A girlish smile plastered firmly on her face, she skipped into the throne room with the fervor of a joyful young girl who was happy to see her father return from work. Her final skip brought her to a kneeling position at the base of the throne and her right hand came up to her small chest just over the heart. "Allfather, you called, I came."

'Can I send someone to fight who is just that… cute?' He asked himself, she acted like a girl just barely into her teens, and sounded the part to boot. 'She 'is' level one hundred. I see no reason why not. There's very little that should pose a threat to her in this world as far as I've seen.'

His resolve settled, he explained the nature of recent events, and held a hand out toward her, "You are chosen to fight for the Kingdom of Nazarick, win an Empire in single combat. Defeat the world's champions, and establish our Kingdom as supreme."

Aureole Omega raised her hand and gave him a playful smile which flashed her pearl white teeth, "Is that all, My Lord? I'd be overjoyed to do this for you. Are these fights to the death or…?"

"It is my understanding that the Arena of Arwintar presently prohibits battle to the death. However, it is possible that this will not be the case for these duels." Ainz pointed out, "Their instructions about it are… curiously lacking. Perhaps they figure anyone should come to the arena willing to die if they want to win an empire for themselves?"

"Okay!" Aureole piped up, she made small fists just in front of her chest, "I'll fight real hard and kick their butts!" She grinned and punched the air.

The gust of a breeze followed, and Ainz' royal robes rustled a little at her action.

"I'm sure you will." Ainz said with a gentle little look, "But remember I prioritize my children over any amount of land. If you do face defeat, you may surrender to save yourself and I won't scold you."

"Thanks M'lord, but no worries! I won't lose! It won't even be a contest!" She punched her fist up in celebration, the broad smile still filling up most of her little round, soft face. She was the opposite of a warrior in every way.

"When do I leave, m'lord!" She asked, she was already starting to bob and bounce a little where she knelt, filled with energy, vigor, and an eagerness to get started.

Ainz had to laugh, thick and rich, his voice rang out over the whole of his mighty hall. "Not for weeks, we'll just be taking a [Gate], so we have no need to hurry. Familiarize yourself with some of the customs of Baharuth so that you don't disgrace yourself, but otherwise consider this your 'free time' to enjoy yourself before your big…" He sought just the right word, as happy as she was, it didn't seem like 'fight' was quite right. Then it hit him, "your big debut. Make it a good show, Aureole Omega."

"Course, M'Lord! I'll do my best!" She exclaimed, and nobody, of course, questioned that.

Evileye sidled up next to Momon, the campfire was crackling away, and for the moment they were alone. Lupu, Gagaran, Lakyus and the twins were off testing their skills as hunters. But the vampire had only one prey in mind, and hunting that would not take her even an inch away from where she was right then.

Momon took off his helmet and sat it between his feet, his hands were a dark brown tan, as was his face, and he looked deeply into the flames as if lost in thought.

"Do you… like camping, Lord Momon?" Evileye asked.

"Just Momon. We're traveling companions now after all." He flashed her a pleasant smile and then added, "I do, actually. I used to spend a great deal of time alone, people in my position tend to do that, so a large outdoor world to explore, that pleases me. The evening warmth, a crackling fire, a fresh kill roasting… simple pleasures like that are far removed from the petty concerns of a court. Adventure is far preferable to games of power and politics."

"I… I couldn't agree more!" Evileye gasped, every word of his sounded so… so damn noble, "I'm not too close, am I?"

"I'm comfortable here, if you are." He said, and glanced down at the masked adventurer.

"Y-Y-Y-Y-Yes of course I'm comfortable I… of course. I'm always comfortable next to you." Evileye said and then realized just what she'd said, she sucked in a deep breath. She cringed back and waved her hands rapidly, "I… that's not quite what I meant, I just meant you're marvelous company and I enjoy being with you… but not that way, just that we have so much in common and I… will shut up now." She groaned and put her hands beside her head.

"I'm glad I'm wearing this mask! By the six gods I didn't think I could blush this much! How embarrassing…" Evileye moaned.

Momon eased himself down from the log he sat on so that he sat on the ground with his legs stretched out, it gave her something closer to an even look at his face. "It's fine, mein frau… all is well, I won't say a word to the others. You're the most enjoyable company too."

Before she could say anything back, Gagaran's voice reached them through the dark. "Just because I used a hammer and you used your crosier, does not make you a better hunter!"

"No, giant virgin, but actually hitting with mine while you missing with yours, sure as hell does!" Lupusregina said in a singsong sort of way.

"I didn't miss, I crushed its spine." Gagaran said, coming into view as a giant shadow in the trees.

"Yes, but you were aiming for the head, and 'I' actually hit what I was aiming for. Don't try to pass your shoddy work off as equal to my perfection!" Lupu giggled while the giant woman fumed down at her.

"We got cock for dinner! Who wants a nice big cock? It's a little veiny and red in some places, plus the big oaf kind of broke it in the middle, but if we give it a good rub it should be fine if we swallow it hot… why is everybody looking at me that way?" Lupu asked, looking around with a sweet smile at the blushes that were on every face as the others came back into view.

Gagaran groaned, "Lupu… for the thousandth time it's called a cockatrice. You don't shorten it to 'cock'. Please."

Deep sighs of relief went up while they closed in on the campfire dragging the monster behind them and crashing through the trees with every step.

A few hours later after a round of eating and drinking underneath the endless sky, when one by one they went to their bedrolls and Gagaran was at last alone with Evileye the giantess asked in a little whisper, "So… did you do it?"

Evileye let out a frightened "eep" and whispered hoarsely back, "Gagaran!" She then deflated, her shoulders slumped under the long stare of the big square headed oaf of a sister. "No… nothing. I need more time…"

"It's a long road to Arwintar, so you've got plenty of that." Gagaran encouraged her and gave Evileye a slap on her shoulder. "G'night, shorty, and good luck tomorrow." The giant of a woman yawned and stretched her arms out and stood up.

"Yeah, yeah you're right, thanks… I'll take the first watch, you get some rest." Evileye said and watched her friend disappear into a slightly undersized tent that left her feet poking out as far as her shins, and a moment later snores began in earnest. Alone at last, Evileye looked into the flames and listened to the dark, her eyes, she knew, were glowing bright in the darkness, but hidden by the mask she wore, it was impossible for any of them to know. 'I so want there to be more… but when he knows…?' The rejection loomed in her heart like a wolf lurking around their camp. Fear of how her sisters would react kept her quiet for years, how much more impossible… and necessary, would it be with a defender of humanity like Momon?

'I want more… but how can I have it… if he'd kill me for existing?' Evileye asked herself the question, and even if she did feel weary before, she could not have slept after thinking about that, and the thought stayed with her clear till morning when her companions began to stir again.