CH : 05 Messed Up World

You can join my Patreon.

patreon.com/GodofGreed

*****

A small, ominous point appeared on Dominion Authority's radiant body, a stark contrast to its majestic form. Slowly, almost mockingly, the point expanded into a gaping maw of absolute darkness—a black hole hungry for all that dared defy its gravitational pull.

The legendary angel's brilliance was eclipsed by the encroaching darkness, its celestial light dimming as it was drawn inexorably toward the yawning abyss. In a cruel twist of fate, the black hole devoured everything in its path, swallowing Dominion Authority whole.

Darkness reigned supreme as the black hole consumed the last remnants of hope and resistance. The battlefield was engulfed in an eerie silence, broken only by the faint echoes of despair.

Nigun stood frozen in disbelief, his mind struggling to process the devastation that unfolded before him. The once-proud members of the , renowned for their faith and zeal, now lay broken and lifeless, their bodies scattered across the battlefield like discarded toys.

"Who... are you...?" Nigun managed to stammer, his voice barely a whisper amidst the carnage.

The elder lich regarded Nigun with cold indifference. "You really are an annoying mortal," he replied dismissively. "Playtime is over."

With a wave of his hand, the lich commanded his Death Knights, formidable armored undead warriors, to unleash their wrath upon the remnants of the Sunlight Scripture. The Death Knights emerged from the shadows with ominous intent, their massive shields and deadly weapons gleaming in the dim light.

Nigun's shock turned to horror as he watched his comrades being cut down mercilessly by the relentless onslaught of the Death Knights. The once-proud warriors of faith stood no chance against the overwhelming might of the undead.

Blood stained the ground as screams of agony pierced the air, a symphony of despair that echoed Nigun's own sense of helplessness. He could only watch in horror as his allies, his friends, were slaughtered like lambs before the grim reaper's scythe.

The atmosphere was thick with tension as Nigun found himself kneeling before the dreaded elder lich, his life hanging by a thread. His voice quivered with desperation as he pleaded for mercy, his eyes wide with terror.

"P-Please d-don't kill me!" Nigun's voice trembled, the words barely escaping his lips.

The Death Knight, its sword poised dangerously close to Nigun's throat, remained silent and unmoving, a silent sentinel of death standing at the lich's command. Nigun's breath caught in his throat as he stared up at the undead being, a flicker of hope mingling with the overwhelming dread that consumed him.

For a moment, there was a tense silence, broken only by the faint sounds of battle echoing in the distance. Nigun's gaze pleaded silently with the elder lich, hoping against hope that some shred of mercy might spare him from his imminent demise.

"Now, mortal, explain your attack on this village," the undead being demanded, its voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

"W-We were tasked by the cardinals to set a trap and eliminate the Warrior Captain of the Kingdom," Nigun stammered, his voice betraying his unease.

"Hmm, I understand. So, you resorted to destroying multiple villages to lure him out," the undead being mused, its gaze piercing.

Then came the unexpected question, one that puzzled Nigun even in his dire situation. "Now tell me, mortal, who taught humanity tier magic?"

Nigun's brow furrowed in confusion at the sudden shift in topic. Was this undead being unaware of such fundamental knowledge, or was there something more sinister at play? Regardless, Nigun knew better than to provoke the lich further.

"The Six Great Gods that descended on earth 600 years ago introduced Tier magic," Nigun answered quickly, trying to keep his voice steady despite the unease creeping through him. "But 100 years later, it was spread by the Eight Greed Kings."

The lich nodded, seemingly satisfied with the response. However, a lingering sense of uncertainty hung in the air, as if there were deeper secrets yet to be uncovered in this encounter.

Ainz pondered Nigun's words, the revelation about the ancient gods and kings stirring a sense of curiosity within him.

"So, the past seems to have not changed much. Six gods and greedy kings were players, but from 600 years ago..." Ainz mused aloud, his thoughts drifting through the pages of Novel

"Are any of these six still among the living?" Ainz inquired, his gaze unwavering as he awaited Nigun's response.

"N-no," Nigun replied, his voice tinged with apprehension. "Five of the Six Great Gods departed to the afterlife, and their leader, the God of Death Surshan, remained behind as an undead to protect humanity."

Nigun's fear of the powerful undead was palpable, driving him to speak the truth without hesitation or embellishment. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, knowing that deceit could have dire consequences in the presence of such formidable power.

Ainz processed the information, nodding to himself as he formulated his understanding. "The five of them must have been mortal humans who passed away due to old age," he concluded internally.

Turning his attention back to Nigun, Ainz posed another question. "Is this undead still in power within the Slane Theocracy?"

Nigun shook his head. "No, the God of Death Surshana was defeated by the Eight Greed Kings."

"The Eight Greed Kings..." Ainz repeated, his curiosity piqued. "You mentioned them earlier. Who were they exactly?"

Nigun explained, "They emerged onto the scene around 500 years ago. They not only vanquished Lord Surshana but also nearly exterminated the Dragon Lords. Subsequently, they seized control of the world. However, their reign was short-lived due to their insatiable greed for power, which led them to turn against each other until none remained."

Ainz couldn't help but scoff inwardly at the irony. "What foolishness. So, that's why they earned the title 'Greed Kings'," he mused silently.

Ainz's curiosity continued to drive his inquiries. "Did these Eight Greed Kings have a base of operations or a stronghold?" he asked, intrigued by the details.

Nigun nodded, confirming, "Yes, their base was Eryuentiu, a flying castle situated in the southern desert. However, it's now guarded by the Platinum Dragon Lord."

"So, they arrived with their guild," Ainz thought to himself, drawing parallels between their situation and the past events. So why didn't Nazarick come with him?

As Ainz delved deeper into the conversation, his curiosity piqued by the history laid out before him, he urged Nigun to continue.

"Tell me more, human," Ainz requested, his tone carrying a hint of genuine interest.

Nigun, though intimidated by Ainz's presence, compiled without hesitation. "Of course, my lord. Two centuries ago, the Demon Gods emerged, plunging the world into chaos and destruction until they were eventually vanquished by the Thirteen Heroes."

Ainz, intrigued by this snippet of history, proceeded to ask Nigun more questions, each query met with prompt and detailed responses from the commander of the Sunlight Scripture. The conversation continued, with Nigun offering insights into the world's past struggles, battles, and legendary figures, all while Ainz absorbed the information with keen interest. As the puzzle was slowly aligning itself in his mind.

"Can I go now, my lord?" Nigun's voice trembled with fear, his words barely audible.

Ainz observed Nigun's trembling form, his expression impassive as the commander pleaded for his life.

"Hmm... did I give you any indication that I would spare you?" Ainz's tone was calm, devoid of any remorse or hesitation.

"But I—" Nigun attempted to plead further, only to be abruptly cut off by Ainz.

"It would be unwise to let you leave here alive. Your fate is sealed." Ainz remarked, his hand raised, preparing to unleash his deadly magic.

"P-please, I won't breathe a word to anyone," Nigun pleaded desperately.

However, before Nigun could finish his sentence, Ainz's spell took effect.

"[Grasp Heart]."

In an instant, Nigun's body slumped to the ground, lifeless. Ainz observed the fallen commander with detached curiosity, his expression betraying little emotion as he processed the aftermath of his decision.

Ainz raised his skeletal hand once more, this time channeling powerful necromantic magic. With a surge of dark energy, Nigun's lifeless body began to convulse and transform, undergoing a macabre metamorphosis into a new form.

Before Ainz stood the newly created High Tier Undead, a Crypt Lord. This undead being stood tall at 195cm, clad in a once magnificent but now tattered purple robe. Adorning its skull was a crown, its radiance contrasting sharply against the gloomy surroundings.

The Crypt Lord's eyes, now empty sockets filled with dark magic, turned towards Ainz as it awaited its master's commands, a silent guardian forged from the remnants of Nigun's mortal form.

The Crypt Lord bowed deeply before its master, its loyalty unwavering as it pledged its readiness to serve.

"My Lord, I am at your command," the Crypt Lord intoned respectfully.

Ainz nodded, pleased with the obedience of his newly created undead servant. "I want all of you to gather their money, items, and any other valuables," he commanded.

The Death Knights swiftly carried out their orders, diligently collecting everything of value from the fallen members of the Sunlight Scripture and presenting their spoils before their master.

Ainz surveyed the amassed wealth, a mix of gold, silver, and copper coins, a sight that brought a satisfied smile to his skeletal visage. With this haul, financial worries would be a thing of the past for a considerable time.

As he examined the items, only one caught his interest—the spell-sealing crystal. The rest were deemed unworthy of his attention, but Ainz still stowed them away in his inventory. They might fetch a decent price when sold, after all.

Later, Ainz and his Death Knights returned to the village. The sight of their savior brought joy and relief to the villagers, who had anxiously awaited his return.

"I have destroyed the enemy. You have no reason to fear anymore," Ainz announced, his voice echoing with authority.

The villagers, overwhelmed with gratitude, bowed deeply, their hands folded in gestures of prayer and reverence. To them, this undead being was not just a hero but a divine protector. From that moment forward, they pledged to worship him with unwavering devotion.

"My lord, the people of this village will always remain loyal to you!" declared the village chief, tears of joy streaming down his face.

"I'm pleased with your loyalty," Ainz responded, his tone conveying both satisfaction and a sense of benevolent authority as he accepted their adoration.

Ainz turned to address his Death Knights, his gaze steady and commanding. "Death Knights, you will remain here and protect this village. Crypt Lord, you will act as their commander," he instructed. "Stay hidden when the tax collectors and adventurers visit, and begin constructing a wall around the village to ensure you remain unseen from a distance."

"It will be done, my lord," the Crypt Lord replied, bowing deeply in acknowledgment of the order.

Satisfied with his arrangements, Ainz nodded. "Good. Now I can leave this place," he thought, confident in the security and future of the village under the vigilant watch of his undead minions.

As Ainz prepared to leave, he noticed two little girls approaching him. Yes, how can he forget about them? He recalled seeing them mourning the villagers' deaths earlier and surmised that they must have lost their parents.

"Lord Ainz, are you leaving?" asked the older girl, her voice tinged with worry. She was a 10-year-old with blonde hair and brown eyes, dressed in simple woolen clothes. Behind her stood a smaller girl with reddish-brown hair and brown eyes.

"Yes, I must leave for a while, little one," Ainz replied gently.

"But the bad knight who killed Papa and Mama might come back," she said, her voice trembling with fear.

Ainz knelt down to meet her eyes and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Do not worry, little one. My knights will stay here to protect you all."

The older girl's eyes brightened with hope and gratitude. "Thank you very much, Lord Ainz. You are a merciful God."

Ainz was taken aback by the title. A God? He hadn't expected to be seen in such a light. The weight of their adoration was both surprising and humbling. Still, he maintained his composed demeanor, understanding the weight words and the hope he now embodied for these villagers.

"What is your name?" Ainz asked, gently patting the older girl's head even though he knew her.

"My name is Enri Emmot, and this is my little sister, Nemu," she replied, her voice filled with both respect and a hint of newfound hope.

Ainz nodded, then reached into his robes and produced a set of items. "I will give you these. They are called the Horns of the Goblin General. If you blow them, Goblins—small monsters—will appear. You can command them to protect you."

To Ainz, these items were trivial, almost forgotten amidst his vast collection of cash shop items and so much more. Yet now, they seemed perfectly suited to provide the protection the villagers needed.

"Thank you very much, my lord!" Enri exclaimed, her gratitude evident in her voice.

"Think nothing of it, child," Ainz replied, patting both their heads with a rare gentleness. "Use them wisely, and stay safe."

After the girls had returned home, Ainz summoned the Crypt Lord.

"How can this one serve you, my lord?" the Crypt Lord inquired, bowing deeply.

"Crypt Lord, I want you to ensure the protection of those two sisters," Ainz commanded.

"The two girls to whom you gifted your treasures, my lord?" the Crypt Lord confirmed.

"Correct. Additionally, I want you to train all the villagers to become stronger, particularly those two sisters," Ainz continued.

"Did you notice something unusual about the sisters, my lord?" the Crypt Lord asked, curiosity piqued.

"I can't say for certain, but I believe they might prove beneficial to me in the future," Ainz replied thoughtfully.

"I see. Truly, you are wise, my lord. It shall be done," the Crypt Lord affirmed, placing his right hand on his chest and bowing his head.

"Now, I will leave," Ainz declared.

"P-Please wait, my lord," the Crypt Lord interjected. "Wouldn't it be better to create more servants to protect you on your journey? There are many corpses around the village."

Ainz was momentarily taken aback by the Crypt Lord's concern for his safety. "No, it's better to travel alone. Don't worry, Crypt Lord. If things get dangerous, I will use teleportation magic to return here."

"Ri-right, I didn't consider that. Then, my lord, I wish you a safe adventure," the Crypt Lord responded, understanding.

"Umu," Ainz acknowledged, before setting off on his journey, leaving the village under the vigilant watch of his undead minions.

***

I left the village behind, my thoughts churning as I walked along the dusty road. Each step brought new questions, theories, and unsettling realizations.

"Too much has changed," I muttered under my breath, my gaze fixed on the horizon. "Starting with me arriving here alone, without Nazarick. The Warrior Captain not showing up in all his glory. And perhaps the biggest anomaly—Enri Emmot."

In the original story, when Ainz arrived, Enri was supposed to be somewhere between 15 and 17 years old. Yet, here she was, a mere child of 10. That meant one thing: I had shown up well before the timeline of the original story.

But that only raised more questions. Why had the Sunlight Scripture attacked earlier than expected? Was it a systematic operation they'd been executing for years, designed to draw the Warrior Captain out of the capital?

No, that didn't add up. Neither the web novel nor any other accounts mentioned previous attacks like this. None of the villagers or the Warrior Captain ever spoke of this being a recurring event. And yet, Enri's parents were still fated to die, just as in the original story—but that wasn't supposed to happen for another four or five years.

It struck me again—a chilling realization—that if I hadn't conveniently appeared when I did, all of them would have been dead. The village would have been nothing more than ash and corpses, wiped out by the Sunlight Scripture without a second thought.

This led me to two equally unsettling conclusions: either someone was orchestrating events from the shadows, pulling the strings to ensure my arrival, or this world was far more broken than I ever imagined—its timeline warped, tangled, and utterly chaotic.

It left me with two possible conclusions: either someone was actively manipulating events behind the scenes, or this world—and its timeline—was more warped than I could have imagined.

And I didn't like both situations not one bit.

I let out a heavy sigh. "No point in driving myself mad over it," I muttered, trying to shake off the paranoia creeping into my thoughts. Overthinking was only going to give me more strokes than answers.

Still, I needed clarity. "I should head to the capital," I decided aloud, the idea solidifying with each word.

E-Rantel, the fortress city, held little interest for me. It was strategic, yes, but dull compared to the promise of the capital. A sprawling metropolis teeming with life, intrigue, and opportunities. There, I could gather information, assess the state of the Adventurers Guild, and perhaps uncover more clues about this fractured timeline.

With that, my direction was set, though the uncertainty of what lay ahead only added to the weight on my mind.

The adventurers guild, in particular, intrigued me. It was a place where heroes and mercenaries gathered, a hub of knowledge and power. If he could infiltrate it, I might uncover valuable information.

******

Thanks, you can join my Patreon.

patreon.com/GodofGreed