Chapter 21

Lemon entered the throne room with annoyed steps, feeling as if he was blue balled from taking out his frustration on that sadistic temperance. Following him, Akeno walked gracefully like a Black Calla swaying gently to the breeze, her face one of amusement as she tenderly looked at her grumbling Master.

Looking forward, Lemon saw Ainz seated on the throne as he looked concentratedly at a projected display. To his right, Albedo stood with an astonished face and to the left of Ainz, the guardian of the 7th-floor Demiurge, stood with an equally astonished face plaster on him. The three individuals that can be said to be the brains of Nazaric now were intensely concentrating on the projected display, not even registering the two figures walking towards them.

'Hmm, what's with this seriousness? Did they see something unexpected from the cave........ I wanted to throw some complaint at him, but it doesn't look like the best of times.' 

Ainz finally raises his head from the screen, a look of surprise in his fiery eyes as Lemon and Akeno arrive at the dais leading to the throne. 

"Ah, you are here, Lemon. Sorry for not welcoming you." (Ainz)

At their Lord's words, Albedo and Demiurge also came out of their astonished gawking of the display. And seeing who Ainz was talking to, they both bowed their head. 

"My apologies' Lemon-sama, I didn't notice your arrival" (Albedo)

"I as well. To think my senses would fail me due to shock" (Demiruge)

A sudden sense of awkwardness assaulted Lemon on seeing their bowing figures. Because, he came in fully intending to give them a piece of his mind, but on seeing them in such a serious mood, his anger was soaked. He could guess the reason behind his summons, but when a guy gets his libido shoved up his head (and ass), who can blame him for being a little cranky.

"I-It's OK, lift up your heads, both of you. I was also at fault for not coming on time so, let's move on." (L) 

Lemon's attempt to casually breeze past his guilt was intercepted by the grateful voice of the two. But the faint giggles he hears from behind him must simply be a trick of his imagination.

Attempting to quickly move on, Lemon walked up the stairs, approaching the three. His genuine interest in what they were watching, greatly helped his acting.

"So, is that a display of what is happening inside the cave?" (L)

Nodding at his question, Ainz fiddled with the orb-like projector, enlarging the display to cover the throne room. On the display, a Large Black dragon was looking down at a group of eleven. From what he saw, the two parties were cautiously conversing with each other. But, due to the numerous rock formations, and the distance separating their targets from the Hanzo capturing this image, the image was not of the highest quality, making it hard to make out any details.

"Hmm, I hoped they would be at each other's throats, but it looks like they are becoming friends." Stated Lemon dissapointedly, his eyes squinting.

"Hmhu, they were fighting just a minute ago. One of the Black Scripture members even died trying to restrain that dragon. The Dragon suddenly calmed down after breaking the chains that tried to restrain it and killing the restrainer." (Ains)

Stopping his squinting, Lemon turned to Ainz with a puzzled face. He then asked cocking his head a little.

"Ok, but why were you guys so socked a minute ago? Ya, the sudden calming of the Dragon is weird, but not something for you all to concentrate on so much." (L)

Interjecting before Ainz could reply, Albedo spoke. Her tone was a mix of seriousness and caution.

"No, Lemon sama, we were not astonished by that, but by the equipment one of them is wearing." (Albedo)

Hearing that, Lemon once again turned to the blurry display. He concentrated on the eleven figures this time, but despite his squinting, he still could not see which equipment they were talking about.

"Hmmm Nope they are too small for me to make out their equipment. Which one are you talking about?" (L)

Ainz, pointing to one of the figures, continues from Albedo's explanation.

"The old woman wearing the silver-coloured traditional Cheongsam dress. Do you recognise what she is wearing?" (Aniz) 

"Let me see, a sliver Cjeongsam with a dragon embroidery....... that description sounds familiar, but where did I hear it from.....mmmm." (L)

Ainz, shaking his head at his friend's lack of recollectional power, answered his own question.

"It's the Downfall of Castle and Country." (Ainz)

Recalling suddenly what the item was, Lemon looked at the three. His casual mood is now completely replaced by a serious one.

"Oi, Is it the one I am thinking of? Because if so, this will no longer be a jocking situation." (L)

"We don't know if it's the 'Downfall of Castle and Country' from Ygrasil, but seeing as we also brought our equipment, including the World Items, it being the genuine article is not out of the question." Said Ainz solemnly while putting his hands on his forehead. He continued.

"I should have anticipated the existence of World items in this world. We also brought ours, so of course, any players that came before would have brought theirs as well." (Ainz) 

Feeling anxious and angry at himself for not grasping this simple logic, Ainz angrily hit the armrest of the throne. However, no one held him accountable for the oversight because they also didn't consider this possibility, and how could they? As soon as they arrived in this New World, they were shown that they stood at the pinnacle of this world's power hierarchy, and even if they suspected the existence of other players, all their investigations rewarded them with nothing leading to that fact. Thus, they had grown bolder and less careful, drowning in their relief that none could stand up to them. This revelation, however, will put a damper on that conceited thinking.

Standing beneath the stairs, Akeno's voice finally broke the shameful silence that had descended upon the royal room.

"I apologize for my ignorance, but I have not heard of this World Item called " Downfall of Castle and Country". Can I request an explanation?" (Akeno)

She apologetically asked while giving a beautiful bow at the four people, her long raven hair sliding down her side and hearing this. Demiurge walked forward, his finger pushing up on his specs. 

"Ahm, I see. It's understandable you do not know. Even I learned of it purely by coincidence when Ulbert Alain Odle-sama and Peroroncino-sama discussed on the Item." 

He looked towards Akeno as if a teacher to his student, and pausing for a moment for dramatic effect or to recall the details, he continued.

"From my recollection, this World Item is in the appearance of a qipao, a type of body-hugging one-piece Chinese dress -though I do not know of this Chinese place- It grants the user the ability to subjugate the mind of any creature, even those that possess racial immunity to mind-control. For instance." (Demiruge)

He took a moment to consider whether or not to utter his next words, but then he extinguished his doubt after realizing that everyone was already aware of it. 

"It can bypass the undead's resistance without a problem. As for its attack, it is Single-target, which is excellent for ambushing a stronger enemy. I believe it also possesses a homing function, but, as its activation takes time, and also due to the flashy nature of this attack, if the person is aware that it's coming, it's a relatively easy attack to counteract." (Demiurge)

Akeno Listened intently to Demiruge's explanation, nodding several times in understanding, and after hearing till-the-end she bowed again to him.

"I thank you, Demiurge-sama, for informing me of such valuable information." (Akeno)

"Think nothing of it. I am more than happy to provide my meagre knowledge to help the growth of a fellow NPC." Replied Demirguge, acting out his teacher role with a satisfied face.

"Well, as everybody has gotten caught up, what is our next step, Guild Master?" (L)

Asks Lemon, while looking at Ainz, who had his eyes still focused on the display. There was a drawn-out silence as none uttered a word. Until a movement occurred, not with Ainz's group, but in the display. 

The Dragon suddenly spread out its wings and, with a flap of it, blew gusts of wind to the scripture members. The one with the Shield jumped in front, guarding them against the blast. Simultaneously, as if they had planned this beforehand, the one wearing the World Item started to activate it. However, as if mocking their attempts, a Dark beam pierced through the shield bearer's chest, rushing towards the World Item user, but maybe the goddess of luck smiled at her or a final display of loyalty from the shield-bearer, the beam missed her by a hair's breadth. The beam, however, blasts the ground under her, making her lose her foothold and breaking the spell unfinished. 

Disappointed at missing his true target, the Dragon gave a loud roar. It gathered energy in its mouth again to finish the fallen woman, but seeing that the others surrounded her, as well as their attempt to start their counter-attack, it withdrew inward inside the cave. 

"It seems that whatever they were talking about had broken down..... Does that Dragon know of the World Item? Its action form just now suggests that it does." remarked Albedo, reflecting the opinions of those present.

"Well, at least they are breaking off. For now, this will buy us a little time." Murmured Lemon as his eyes followed the now ten people.

He turned to his friend again, asking the same question, but this time, Ainz responded, his voice full of authority and majesty.

"The guild Ainz Ooal Gown will now move to capture the black scripture. Albedo, let the other floor guardians know about my orders, and once they're ready, have them gather here. Demiurge, you will be in charge of information blockage and countering. See that the information does not leak out to the Slane Theocracy. If possible, I want all of them captured. They might know more about the other Players and World Items. Lemon, you go and equip up as well." (Ainz)

Hearing Ainz's command, all the NPCs kneel to him, an acknowledgement in their voices. Lemon, on the other hand, made a menacing smile. His blood was pumping fast at this battle, which can be even said to be their first fight after coming to this world.

"Ok then, we will gather her in 30 minutes. You are all dismissed." (Ainz)

With Ainz's words, Albedo and Demiurge rushed out of the throne room to perform their tasks. Lemon also walked out of the throne room. He was, however, not walking towards his room but to the dining room, and Akeno followed him with ever graceful steps. 

"Akeno, call Caenis. She will bitch forever if she misses this." (L)

Nodding her head, Akeno put her fingers on her ears.

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In the heart of the forest of Tob, where indifferent insects lurk by night and, tree branches block the sun throughout the day. An area so secluded that even the monsters that call this forest their home dare not venture near, and the crawling insects, as if sensing the sinister air, defy their instinctual chitters for silence. In such an area, a cave stood ominously, as if it was an entrance to some underground Hell. No trees grew around it, and not even grasses sprouted to claim the surrounding land. 

But tonight, a ten-person party stood at the entrance to the cave in this desolate location. Wearing clothes and armours with intricate designs and effects and wielding powerful magical items, they stood with their back to the cave. They are the most powerful unit of the Slane Theocracy: the Black scriptures. 

They travelled far from their homeland on the orders of the Supreme Council, who after receiving information from one of their teammates, the 7th seat 'Thousand Leagues Astrologer', on the revival of the Catastrophe Dragon Lord dispatches them either to eliminate or control the Dragon Lord. This mission, however, is on the brink of failure. No, in fact, losing two of their most valuable members and coming up empty-handed might be considered a failure already.

"Shit, I knew we should have attacked that lizard all at once. Dame it." Yelled a giant barbaric-looking man as he struck the ground with his gigantic axe, cracking the ground.

"Mmm, I would have not agreed with you before 'Strongest Human', but this time that Dragon has witnessed our strength. We should have followed through with our initial push." Agreed, A man with a thin presence as he looked towards the cave they just run out from.

In response to their complaint, a girl who appeared very inappropriately dressed for the setting responded. She wore a female school uniform and purple-framed glasses, coupled with her short, very light brown hair and orange eyes, making her seem like a high school student. The light purple bag on her only reinforces this image.

"Haahaa, will you two shut up!!. Complaining now will not get us anything." grumbled in an annoyed voice. 

"What did you say, brat?" Snapped the barbarian, swinging his buried axe to his shoulder as he glared at the girl menacingly, ready to cut her down.

Sensing the rising tension, a woman with golden blond hair intervened in a solemn tone.

"Stop it you two. Thousand Leagues Astrologer, you went too far, and Strongest Human, please calm yourself." Her dress, which was green, white, and pink, fluttered as she moved between the two people. Gazing with measured fury at two unredeemable fools.

Seeing that the kindest of them reprimanding them in such a harsh tone cooled their head. Making them walk away from the scene disgruntled.

"Haaaa." As she sighed with relief that this didn't turn ugly, a man with yellow bob-cut hair and piercing red eyes thanked her from behind.

"Thank you for de-escalating the situation quickly, "Divine Chant". We don't need any complications right now, especially after losing two of our members." 

"....yes, it's a tragedy that those two had to perish like that. We didn't even bring out their corps... do you know how that beam penetrated Cedran's shield, Quaiesse-san? " (Divine Chant)

Hearing her question, he reflected on the situation while putting his hand on his chin. Then, after a moment, Quaiesse spoke out on his thoughts. 

A little further from the group, a man and a woman were looking over a sleeping old lady. This man is the Captain of the Black Scriptures. He is an androgynous young man with long black hair and sharp red eyes. Wearing ornate armour and a humble-looking spear, he looked more like a handsome young noble than a leader of a secret unit. Next to him, a woman with long blue hair tied with a braid sat huffing her breath. Her clothes were sagging and loose, making her look like a shut-in who'd been dragged out. Her abnormally large hat, which hid most of her face only intensified this impression. 

"Good, it's nothing serious. She just had a light concussion from the fall." murmured the captain after diagnosing the elderly woman. 

After catching her breath, the blue-haired woman looked at the captain and asked worriedly.

"Amm, Captain, what will we do? Is Lady Kaire going to be ok?"

"She is fine, just unconscious after the fall. I have also used healing magic on her. So she will open her eyes soon. Infinite magic, tell the others to set up camp here for tonight, and we will attack the Dragon again tomorrow after Lady Kaire wakes up." 

Hearing his order, she nodded her head and stood up. Her already dishevelled clothes became more unsightly. This scene did not even fash the captain as his eyes returned to the sleeping elder. Infinite magic, however, realising the state of her clothes, suddenly remembered shame and, quickly fixed her attire and started to walk towards her teammates to inform her captain's orders.

Unbenouce to them, a patch of black blot appears some distance away from the clearing. This quickly spread outwards, and beings that would forever scare them started to emerge from it 

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Hello, Author here.

Firstly let me thank the readers who have followed my work till here. I created this work for my entertainment as well as to improve my writing and throughout this short journey, I have realised something. My writing becomes shit when I hasten it, I could not properly express the scene that is playing inside my head and all the flow becomes disjointed. It was a shock!! to me too when I read the draft again.

Another reason for this decision is my busy university life eating my time away. So I have decided, from the next chapter I will be releasing it after reaching a certain PS count.

I Chapter=30 PS.

I will release a chap every 3 days if the PS count is reached, if not then I will release new chapters when I can since I do like to keep writing. Thank you for understanding.