The Emperor & The Dawn of Despair

The Captain of the Black Scripture was walking down the entrance hallway of the Cardinal Council hall, sitting there was the Black Scripture's extra seat, Zesshi Zetsumei or Antilene for her actual name. Zesshi was currently playing with a cube that had many colors on it, you turned it around by twisting it at various parts till all sides had one matching color; it was gifted to the ancestors of the Slane Theocracy by one of seven gods that visited their world a long time ago, one of Zesshi's ancestors. A Rubik's cube they called it. "So what was the meeting about?" Zesshi asked the captain who responded with a coy smile "A report was given to you and the other members." Zesshi looked back at the Rubik's cube "I did not read it. It is much easier to hear it from you."

The captain smiled still and explained how their mission to tame the catastrophe dragon lord was interrupted by a powerful Vampire, two of them were killed and they were forced to retreat. "I see. What a mess. The sunlight scripture was wiped out. Myriad Barrier and Divine Chain are killed on your mission. And my favorite playmate Mary is off getting her adorable little revenge with Quaiesse." Zesshi managed to get one side of the Rubik's cube completed but the rest remained. "You're supposed to be training her, not playing with her" The captain points out in regards to Mary. "pah, must be like everyone else she if far weaker than me. If I don't pretend like I am playing with a little sister I get bored. By the way…" Zesshi smiled at the captain "that undead you encountered. Who is stronger, me or her??" The captain gave her a knowing smile "You of course." 

Zesshi sighed "That Ainz Ooal Gown that wiped out Nigun and the sunlight scripture probably is not either. What a shame." she began rubbing her stomach and had a creepy look "Unlike you who simply is okay with marrying that unimportant future wife of yours. I do not care who they are or what they are, so long as they are stronger than me that is all I need from my spouse." she grinned in a way that meshed well with her creepy look "my strength and that persons. If we both are so strong it makes me wonder how powerful our child would be." the captain, aware that this was her mentality, said nothing, she could easily beat him down if he said something against it. His only concern was if it was someone who would not come from or be loyal to the Slane Theocracy they would lose their strongest fighter. 

Suddenly the door burst open, and coming inside were two guards who were helping Mary inside. The girl looked exhausted and beaten, she seemed to barely be able to stand. "Mary?" the captain had not expected to see this when she returned "Where is Quaiesse?" he asked the guards but both of them just lightly placed Mary down. She was breathing heavily "H-he…he is." She choked on her words and tears fell down her face. "He's dead," Zesshi said without a hint of emotion, "was the elf that strong?" everyone had assumed this "Tanya" to just be an elf slave or half-elf villager that Clementine saw or heard while hunting Mary's father. But if the elf was capable of defeating both Mary and Quaiesse then she was far more dangerous. Mary looked up and began explaining everything.

Elsewhere, a dragon waited for a woman to approach. "My old friend, good to see you," she said with a smile at the platinum dragon. "Same to you. Are you still an adventurer?" the dragon looked over at a still suit of armor "I can no longer travel with you like in those days." The old-looking woman chuckled "I am retired now, passed the buck off to a young one to take my place in the adventurer team I was with." the dragon looked at her hand "The ring I entrusted to you. I see it is gone." The old woman rubbed the finger that once held the magic item "I entrusted it to that young one I mentioned. She is worth it." The dragon lord was not too pleased but he trusted her judgment so he merely brought it up. After that, he remembers his recent encounter with a powerful vampire in the great forest of Tob. "I know you are retired but I need you to look into something for me. A feel a force from that YGGDRASIL has come to corrupt our world again, but unlike our former leader, it will spell disaster for this world…."

In the Re-Estize Kingdom, King Ramposa the Third was meeting with nobles about recent skirmishes with the Baharuth empire, behind him was his most loyal knight Gazef. After the meeting was over and it was just the two of them walking King Ramposa brought up the attempt on Gazef's life in Carne village. "The nobles could have been behind that attack. Even if they were not, I regret not taking proper actions to defend you my most loyal knight." what the king said made Gazef a bit surprised but he smiled "It is my duty to protect you and the kingdom. Just because the nobles have a problem because I am a commoner, It is nothing I cannot handle." The King sighed "Am I not allowed to worry for you as well?" 

Walking up to them was a girl in a beautiful white dress, the king's daughter Princess Renner. Behind her was her retainer Climb. "Father I see you're finally out of the meeting, I had wished to speak to you earlier," Renner said in a sweet tone. Her father smiled "I apologize for that." Renner smiled more "I have my usual walk around the garden, Climb will be there to keep me safe as always." Climb did his best to look confident, but he was still a junior knight, he would defend Renner with all his might but he still doubted himself often. After Renner and Climb left King Ramposa looked at Gazef "I wish to meet this Ainz Ooal Gown, so that I may thank him for saving your life. Though I am unsure what I could reward him with." Gazef would grin "Knowing how much of a gentleman he is, I am sure your gratitude would be enough." 

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Tanya was waiting outside the Emperor's palace. The emperor of the Baharuth Empire had invited their mercenary company to the palace to discuss a job. Rerugen had reported that it was supposedly to put down a small rebellion, which meant either the emperor did not want to use his resources on it or it was a way to see just how good the Imperial Unit actually was. Since Yuukal had returned to give her report Tanya had sent the Fairy to check all three locations where the rebellion had risen, due to this she had the one piece of information the Empire did not have, which was which location the leader was. Though the empire was aware that the leader was a former Grand Arena champion. 

It was also thanks to Yuukal that Tanya had learned that there were world items in this new world as well, or at the very least items that were world item level. How they ended up here was anyone's guess and she was just glad it was Ainz who was causing trouble by it. Still, who it was remained a mystery. After Banaita Final was finished studying that summoner that was with Mary, they planned to revive him so that they could get information out of him. 

A knight followed by others walked up to Tanya's group. With her was Rerugen, Zewuart, and Warn. Turavin was supposed to be here but he was yet to return from his little "adventure" looking for the Lizardmen villages. The knights were, much like the people who had watched the group walk to the palace, a little worried when they saw the death vine. But Tanya made sure to tell them Warn would mean them no harm so long as they did not try to cause harm to them. "V-very well. Right this way Argent Silver." the guards lead the small group inside, Rerugen waved at other guards as they passed by who recognized him from his previous visit. Eventually, they made it to the throne room of the large palace. There on the throne was Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix. Called the "bloody emperor" due to his purges of worthless nobles. Not that Tanya agreed with that nickname, to her it made sense, he was getting rid of people who did not deserve power and giving it to commoners or lower nobles who had proven their worth. Behind the Emperor were his four imperial knights, his retainers, and ones he had hand-picked for their strengths and aptitude. 

"So you're the elf that leads the Imperial Unit, Argent Silver was it? Is that your name?" Jircniv would follow up his words by saying in amusement "Are you a child? Or just short?" Tanya had to hold out a hand when Warn looked like he might attack the Emperor, sure either of them could easily destroy every soldier in the palace, but that was not why they were here. Becoming wanted criminals for punching the Emperor was also not her agenda. Tanya took a small bow, as did Rerugen and the others, it was mostly just them lowering their heads slightly. "Why yes that is me. I am grateful the Emperor of the Baharuth Empire asked for me and our company to help take out those rebellious scum. As for my Name, Grand General Argent Silver or just Grand General Silver is fine for you." Tanya acted respectfully but also did not present herself as a kiss-ass, this was not the same as the empire from her second life, she had no reason to. 

"How dare you! The Emperor will call you what he pleases!" one of the four Imperial knights, Leinas, said with a scowl. Another knight Baziwood would say "And you all should be kneeling before the Emperor!" Tanya shook her head as she had many reasons not to follow the orders of these knights, unlike the generals she knew they were not above her in this world. "I respect the Emperor because of all the reforms he has made in particular regarding slaves and the rights of other races. As well as the strides he has made to make this country one based on merit. However, he is not my Emperor, I am not even a citizen." it felt weird to be so insubordinate for once, but she kind of liked it. The Emperor seemed amused as well, until she said "However, my respect goes no further than that. And while I will be sure to carry out this Job dutifully. I remind you I hold no loyalty to the Baharuth Empire. So I ask that if you want my respect, you return it in kind."

Jircniv stood up and walked towards Tanya a smile still on his face but it was obvious to her that he was covering up how much her lack of loyalty annoyed him. "Since you are not loyal to me, I will simply call you Silver. And you speak as if this job was already given to you. I can easily send my knights here to take down this rebellion. So why should I hire such a curt elf?" Tanya did not waiver though, she could read him like a book based on everything he has done, "because unlike you, I know which location the leader is." everyone except those for the Imperial Unit was in disbelief. Rerugen adjusted his glasses "In addition, we will not share this information with you. I warned you during our meeting before Emperor El-Nix, that not hiring us would be a poor decision on your part. After all, we may share our talents with your enemy." 

And now Jircniv's facade fell as he sneered "What was that? Are you claiming in my own Palace that you would help the rebellion?" he could Tanya had a grin that made the Emperor trip on himself a bit but he managed to keep himself from falling. "I imagine they would pay quite well if we were the reason they became the rulers of your country." for a moment the Emperor thought he had trapped himself in someone's assassination plot and watched with worry as Tanya started to fly without using the fly spell and met him at eye level. 

"The leader is a former arena champion who lost his spot to your champion, and since he refused to swear loyalty to you after you purged the noble who was paying him under the table, he rose against you with commoners who fell for his heroism. But I don't see him as a hero." she held out a hand and Jircniv flinched but saw Tanya had made no moves or even raised that odd weapon on her back to him, "I think he was just angry he was thrown out for failing to do his job properly and losing in the very arena he once dominated. Then when rulers changed he failed to change with it. I find the best kind of employers are those who treat everyone equally, both in deciding who keeps their jobs and those who should be removed from them. Which can only happen if you view them on equal ground. Neither above nor below you." Tanya was speaking from experience, she fired people in her first life for wasting company time, failing to do their work properly, and other various fireable offenses. If they cannot do their tasks properly, then they should be replaced by people who will. "So how about we do just that, El-Nix." 

Jircniv was in utter disbelief of this short yet scary elf. Argent Silver had basically thrown his casual way of calling her by her name and no additions back at him and did not say the Emperor title. She also seemed to be the only one who saw his vision and what he was doing to make the Baharuth Empire the country that would make way for the future of the world. Sure he had loyal knights, but What she said about equal ground was something even he had not thought of, all he wanted was the cream of the crop. But in getting rid of worthless nobles and replacing them with knights or commoners who showed more promise, he was putting them all on equal starting points, even if only the best ever truly rose to power. There will always be certain truths, he held the ultimate authority of the Empire. In truth, he was not equal to anyone, but that meant he had to deal with the headaches of running this country all on his own soldiers, a fact that still would not change. As well as constant assassination attempts. But Silver had no want to kill him, all she wanted was respect and payment after she completed the job of suppressing the rebellion. 

Return her respect for him. He can do that, it has been a long time since he felt this relieved. He took her hand and shook it "Very well Silver. You have your job, don't disappoint me and bring down this former champion and those fools who follow him." Tanya grinned "with pleasure, El-Nix." The Emperor would return to his throne. "What is your strategy if I may ask?" 

Tanya landed back on the floor of the beautiful throne room and took out a map. She waited for a table to be brought over and Zewaurt helped spread the map of the Empire with each rebellion spot already marked. "I will send my regular forces to deal with the other forces, while I focus my attention on the leader's location, Warn and Zewuart will lead the other two forces. While only Rerugen and I will be at the leader's location with a smaller force." 

One of the four imperial knights asked "A small force? We can provide forces if it is due to a lack of manpower on your part." Tanya shook her head "No, the main point is to make them think we are only attacking those two bases. That way, if the leader has taken precautions to escape we can prevent it preemptively. For that, we will be using Workers." Workers were adventurers who worked outside the guild, mostly only for money for one reason or another. They are sometimes called Dropouts due to a good amount of them only become workers because they found the adventurer's guild restrictive so they left it before becoming workers. Due to this, what they do is technically illegal, but none have been arrested so far. "The reason we picked Workers over adventurers is because there is less of a chance of it being leaked to the rebels. This is the same reason I ask your knights or army not to be involved." the other reason, is Warn was already a big risk having him here, showing off her half-inhuman army would probably prove bad later down the line, at least for now. 

Jircniv seemed a little unamused this time "may I at least have some of my knights assist you? I would like a report from them as well about the battle, and to confirm you killed the leader. Using Workers like that as well will make me less nervous if my men were there." Tanya sighed "I suppose you can have one of your imperial knights and a few others join us. Need to keep the number small for the main attack if we want to make the leader overconfident." she already knew the leader was overconfident already, thanks to Yuukal's information. So seeing a smaller force come to his location will make him think he is guaranteed to win. Suddenly though Zewuart would say "If we accept your knights there, may I ask we receive something in return?" neither Tanya nor Rerugen asked him to do this, so both were taken aback, Warn was not even batting an eye though as a Death Vine it was hard to tell. Tanya side-eyed Zewuart 'guess I did base this him on Zettour, so maybe he thought of something I haven't? Oh well, I guess I should just be glad his schemes will not be against me this time.' 

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Ainz had returned to the Great Tomb of Nazarick after he as Momon completed some quests. Vikki had left with Tanya after she had returned, stating that her father had requested her back in the capital so the two would take quests there for a little while. They promised to meet again, they were still in the same adventure team after all. Ainz by now, already knowing that "Tanya" was Argent Silver, was now certain Vikki and her "father" were NPCs from Silver's guild. Though he had no official confirmation of that yet. He had hoped to clear the air with Silver before she left, but it would have to wait till next time. He did plan to go to the capital at some point, it was a possibility that Silver's guild base was near there considering that's where they made their fake backstory around. 

After receiving a Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown back from Mare, Ainz teleported to the ninth floor. after opening the doors to his study, he saw Albedo already waiting there. Her cheeks were red and she stared at Ainz with a wide toothy grin. She would greet him in a seductive manner, which caused his emotion limiter to kick in once again. 'This is bad. If only I hadn't made those last-minute changes to Albedo's character before this all happened. These NPCs made by my dear friends are like children to me.' instances like these were the few moments he was glad to have a racial-emotional inhibitor in place. 

Ainz placed the map of the new world out on his desk, he had received it from the adventurer's guild. It was not perfect, only human nations were marked well while the rest only had borders and names over them, he would need to get a separate map for them. He and Albedo also made plans to duplicate the map and distribute it to the rest of the guardians. "Nazarick is here not too far from Carne village. E-rantel is the closest major town." Ainz then moved his bone fingers over to the capital of the Re-Estize kingdom "Argent Silver's base may be near the capital as well. Speaking of, how are Sebas and Solution doing?" the two mentioned NPCs were undercover in the capital. Albedo smiled "They are doing quite well. In fact, while neither had seen Argent Silver or Vikki in the capital, they found a merchant that fit the description Vikki had provided of her father. I met to tell you as soon as you got back."

While Sebas and Solution had been sent to the capital for many reasons while this was not one of them, it was a nice bonus. "Very well. Inform Sebas I want him to scout the other shops, and then only buy items from her father's shop that cannot be found at any others. In particular, if the health potions are any color but blue tell him to purchase those as well. Additionally, I would like Sebas and Solution to get close to the man. He is likely, no, he is one of Argent Silver's soldiers." he was unsure if Silver called her NPCs guardians or something else, so he went with a soldier as it fit her. "Very well." Albedo would do so after the meeting. Ainz went over the other parts of the map, like the Slane Theocracy and how Ainz told them to be cautious about it as that was where Nigun and his men were from. The Baharuth Empire seemed in constant conflict with the Re-Estize Empire. The Argland Council state was a nation of demi-humans supposedly run by a council of dragons. The Roble Holy Kingdom seemed to be on the other side of the Abelion hills. Which was where Demiurge currently was, Ainz was not sure how but there Demiurge was able to secure amazing leather and other materials for parchments and scrolls. It was thanks to his efforts they were able to make magic scrolls that were such high quality. He will remember to praise Demiurge for that later.

"How goes the building of the false Nazarick?" Ainz asked as he knew he left Aura in charge of that. Elsewhere, in the Great Forest of Tob, Aura was overseeing Golems and elder liches in gathering wood and constructing the fake Nazarick. It would not be as glamorous or as long as the Great Tomb, even when digging down to make the different floors Aura new only to make the outside convincing enough to throw off people looking for the Great Tomb of Nazarick. One of the little demons that were acting as communication between each group flew over to Aura. "there appears to be a problem, given our measurements, we may already be getting short on wood for building before we've even started." Aura was about to respond to that when the watch that Ainz gave her went off "It is now lunchtime. Be sure to eat well!" it said in in Chagama's voice. Aura's cheeks brighten up and she smiles "Alright lady BukuBuku Chagama." she told them to come back to her in an hour.

Aura ran down to where the head maid, Pestonya, was waiting for her. The head maid had a humanoid body but the features of a dog. "Here is your lunch Lady Aura. As you requested a Burger with two pickles, french fries with the skin on, and a cola. Er, woof," Pestonya added the 'woof' constantly. "Thank you Pestonya!" Aura bites into the burger, "Mmm, so good. You know this one hundred percent grade-A beef is great. But I like a mixture of beef and chicken as a burger nicely combines the two." Pestonya bowed her head "I will be sure to inform the chef. Er, woof." while eating Aura looked at the watch she had and smiled warmly, she rubbed it slightly with her other hand, hearing the voice of her creator was nice. If only she could hear it from the real one as well. 

Back with Ainz after he hears that construction is moving on as scheduled he turns his attention to someone else who is still in the tomb. "How is Shalltear doing? Is she recovering well after the incident?" Albedo's face scrunches up a bit "Her physical therapy shows no problems. She will need to work on leveling up again as you predicted. However, she is unable to focus on any tasks. And instead…."

Shalltear was in a bar on the ninth floor, bags sagged under her eyes. She was trying to drown her sorrows in drinks "finished one drink and I am already wasted. Haven't I fallen far enough after my rebellion?" Shalltear sighed heavily. Sous-Chef then said "Actually Shalltear, I believe your resistance to poison would prevent alcohol from affect-" he was stopped by Shalltear grunting loudly obviously not in the mood and not to mention still stronger than him, so he quickly saved face with her by saying "T-then you did gulp it down fast so what do I know?" 

Ainz heard that Shalltear was taking it badly before, her betrayal was not even known to her until after she was revived. It was making her depressed as her loyalty was in question, not to Ainz though, but he understood why she would think that. "I believe it is because you have not properly punished her that Shalltear feels the weight of her guilt even now" Albedo looked serious because she would feel the same way had this unthinkable brainwashing happened to her as well. "I see, I had not considered that you all would take it so hard." the more he thought about thought it made sense, the NPCs were not exactly like humans, but even some humans would want a form of punishment to make up for a misdeed they did. So the extreme loyalty of the denizens of Nazarick would lead them to feel crushing guilt for any wrongdoing against him "Very well. I will think on it more." finally he turned his attention to the Great Lake, where the Lizardmen villages were and where Cocytus was preparing for war. "I wonder how Cocytus plans to take down the Lizardmen."

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A Lizardman named Zaryusa Shasa walks over to a river where he is raising fish on a farm, a skill he had learned when traveling out into the world. His hand went to an icy blade on his waist when he heard a twig snap. "Easy, it is just me brother." there was his brother, the chief of the Green Claw tribe. "Oh it is only you Shasurya" he calmed himself down as his brother joined him by the river. "I cannot thank you enough for making this fish farm. If my dear wife would not get upset I would come see all you've made with the skills you learned" Shasurya crosses his arms "You'll see what I mean though when you settle down yourself." 

Zaryusa shook his head and looked up at the sunny sky "I doubt I will be doing that. I may have learned helpful skills due to being a traveler. But everyone except you treats me like an outsider. Especially the elders." Shasurya pats his brother on the shoulder "I used to think you would become chief instead of me you know. So don't be so down on yourself." Zaryusa smiled a little "But it is thanks to you taking the role instead that I was able to travel." the two were going to take out a few fish to cook when suddenly the skies darkened over them. "What… what's happening?!" the two realized it would be covering the village as well, and it did not look like normal rainclouds either. 

They rushed back to the village, both brothers having a feeling of danger. When they returned Shasurya started giving orders to the worried villagers "Get all children inside. Anyone capable of fighting get ready to defend the village." suddenly a figure appeared from the clouds, it had many faces, and it was an undead though no one knew what to call it. Zaryusa had encountered something like it before, but he had fled from it the last time. "Doom. this land along all the Lizardmen villages has been climbed by the great one. In eight days all villages will be invaded. This village will be the second one sacrificed to the great one!" dread and horror filled all the Lizardman even after the undead creature and the dark clouds disappeared. 

Across the Great Lake, each Lizardmen tribe was told by the messenger undead of their doom and in which order their villages were to be invaded. The chief of one lowered the slingshot he had planned on firing, at another an armored chief just watched with disdain, another an Albino female Lizardman started up and clenched her small cloak. Finally, at another the chief just crushed the cup of some drink in his large hand "Tch, eight days. Do they think we will need it?! Are they insulting our pride as well?!" another voice from behind The chief would say "I am more so annoyed they interrupted our drinking, Zenberu." 

Turavin finished the drink and placed it down, the Centaur grinned widely "Let's see if you can survive. I would hate to lose a drinking buddy after I found you." 

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In an underground area, a man with a tall and large body sharpened his sword. "Heh, I will survive. Win or lose." he was the Rebel leader, Zunkin Un Rella. The other two locations where his rebellion had risen were closer to the Border with the Re-Estize Kingdom. He was sure that the Emperor would send forces to those first instead of the one he was at to prevent him from escaping should the rebel forces be wiped out. But here he had a secret passage not even his closest men knew about. He would escape through that should the battle become a losing one for his side and he would escape to another country to rebuild from there. Of course, he did not plan to lose, he was a champion after all! No matter what Orc or Goblin the Emperor had take his place. 

"I will not lose, El-Nix!" Zunkin said in anger before using his newly sharpened sword to cut through a dummy that had a very poor drawing of the Emperor on it. One of his men came in "Sir we have received reports that the Emperor has hired a Mercenary group to attack us. Two forces are currently moving towards base two and three." Zunkin growled "So he thinks we are beneath his army? Fine, I will wipe out these pathetic mercenaries and then we will make our way to the capital!"