Chapter 19: 19. Non Player Character
"Can you stop being so childish?" the question came from a beautiful, if androgynous, dark elven child. She wore a shirt of light leather armor, reinforced with red dragon's scales. The emblem of Ainz Ooal Gown was proudly displayed on her vest, stitched in gold onto a white background. Below that, she wore a pair of white pants, matching her vest. A necklace with a glittering golden acorn pendant hung from her neck, and she wore a pair of gloves reinforced with plates of enchanted metal. This girl was known as Aura, Guardian of the Sixth floor of Nazarick.
"Who is being immature? I'm just appropriately sad not to be allowed to remain in Ainz-sama's company, it's probably another scheme of that harlot!" answered Aura's companion, a beautiful girl wearing a gothic lolita dress. Her red eyes flashing dangerously at the end of the sentence.
"Shalltear," spoke Aura while sighting "are you perhaps doubting a decision made by Ainz-sama?"
"Wha- NO! how could I ever doubt an order by our beloved master?" she hurried to answer, the idea that her fellows could think she was anything but loyal to the supreme one, her one love, was disturbing.
"Then problem solved, because those are Ainz-sama's orders, no matter what Albedo did or didn't say, and that's that," continued Aura while shrugging, as if to show how little interest she had in Shalltear's problems.
"Shorty you- argh," frustrated and angry at being bested by using her own logic Shalltear stomped on the floor, causing the entire room to shake by the strength of it.
"Watch it, you useless washboard. If you damage Nazarick I'll beat you to a pulp and then I'll tell Ainz-sama that you pad your bra!"
"You wouldn't dare! I mean, I do not pad my bra!" Shalltear's mood did a sudden 180° at Aura's threat and while her voice seemed to be as full of fire as ever, she really wasn't too much into it.
"Yes yes, whatever you say," Aura on the other hand simply dismissed Shalltear's words. "So what did Ainz-sama order you, anyway?"
Shalltear looked like she wanted to argue more with her friend-slash-nemesis but she held back her tongue. She may have been impulsive but she was smart enough to know that Aura would play her like a fiddle if she wasn't careful with what she said. It was for this reason that when Shalltear answered she was back to her sweet refined tone.
"Yes, of course. Ainz-sama has graced me with a personal mission, you would know about it if you had been at the meeting," said Shalltear, her tone clearly accusatory.
"I wasn't needed at the meeting because Ainz-sama already gave me a personal mission weeks ago. Or did you forget?" If she were being honest Shalltear would admit that she did forget about it, but the idea of having to take more of Aura's mockery was simply too appalling for her to admit it.
"W-well, like I was saying. Ainz-sama called me and a few others before personally giving us our missions. His powerful presence was such that I felt my special place start to-"
"Shalltear, please focus on Ainz-sama and save the colorful details for yourself," Aura cut off Shalltear.
"Oh yes, I tend to forget that you are still a child, unlike myself," some of Shalltear's haughtiness was back by now and she lost no time showing it.
"Just finish the story," Aura sighed tiredly.
"Well, like I was saying. Ainz-sama had called some of us to be given special tasks and…"
---
The room was what a resident of Nazarick would describe as a cozy office, while to the rest of the world it would look like something out of an old French palace. The beautifully carved furniture, the light sources and even the books, everything was a work of art of the highest quality.
Inside this office were gathered five of what could charitably be called 'people'. All of them amongst the higher ranks of the Great tomb of Nazarick they inhabited.
"Hello to all and thanks for coming," spoke the one in charge of the meeting. The mighty undead sorcerer known as Ainz Ooal Gown, Supreme ruler of Nazarick and all that existed.
"There is no need to thank us Ainz-sama, we live to serve," was Albedo's, Nazarick's Guardian Overseer and Ainz's second in command, quick answer, "we are all pleased to know you have deemed us worthy of receiving a direct order from you."
"Regardless, I do want to thank you for being here today. I have a need for your talents and to accomplish a number of missions only you can do. Albedo if you would" Ainz softly nodded towards Albedo.
"Yes Ainz-sama. As you know, we have been transported to this new world not of Yggdrasil and are now inhabiting a strange land. But Ainz-sama in all of his wisdom, has already set the course we are to follow. Even now your fellows are working tirelessly to further the glory of Nazarick and the same is expected of all of you," spoke Albedo as she looked at each one of them in the eyes.
The other three occupants of the room, Shalltear, Sebas and Shizu, looked at Albedo attentively. Even if she didn't like it, Shalltear had to admit that Albedo was really good at her work.
���Then what it is required of us Albedo-sama?" spoke Sebas, his expression as stoic as ever.
"My beloved's plan," Albedo's eyes took a savage glint as she spoke, "is simple yet excellent and while you don't need the specific details yet, you are expected to carry out your individual missions dutifully. For this reason each one of you will be assigned to infiltration or intel gathering missions which will keep you away from Nazarick for long and will require of all your ability. I could go on, but I believe this is better explained by Ainz-sama himself, as Demiurge would say if he were here, 'only Ainz-sama can truly understand the real depth of his plans' and I would agree with him. Please Ainz-sama, if you would?"
"Ah, eh... Yes Albedo, of course," Shalltear couldn't help but be moved by Ainz's thoughtfulness. It was common for him to sometimes act as if he actually needed to think before speaking or as if the entire conversation wasn't just a formality on his part. Shalltear loved not only his domineering personality, but also that he didn't even need to show it, for it was crystal clear to everyone how beyond them he was in both character and mind.
And he is also soooo handsome. Oh Ainz-sama, please take me right here in front of everyone, my body is ready.
Shalltear barely paid attention to what Ainz said, so focused as she was on her fantasies. Before long she found her hands moving to dangerous places but luckily she had the presence of mind to control herself.
Even as distracted as she was, Shalltear still got the gist of Ainz's plan. Each one of them was given an infiltration or information gathering (if not both) mission of some kind. All as a way to further Nazarick's objectives and find any possible enemies before they struck.
Oh Ainz-sama don't worry. I'll make you proud and then… mmmmh and you will take me and… ahhh! Like always, Shalltear's fantasies quickly started getting out of hand. As much as she was not prone to speak them outloud at the drop of a hat like Albedo, Shalltear's mind was a hundred times as dirty as that of her rival for the position of head wife.
But now she was risking more than just a little embarrassment (for her fellow Guardians that is). If she acted improperly it would be the same as an insult directed at the Supreme one, something that she could never forgive herself.
Pinching herself as strongly as possible, and being happy that her nails counted as powerful enough weapons to cause her damage, Shalltear's mind got back to reality. The pinch was not really that painful but actually somewhat exciting.
Hmmm, if Ainz-sama were to push me down and then he started hitting me in-
"Shalltear, are you listening?" the interruption came from Albedo, who was looking at her disapprovingly.
Tsk, damm big-titted harlot. Were Shalltear's actual thoughts, but she instead said, "Yes, of course I am. Ainz-sama just explained Sebas is to pick one of the Pleiades for infiltration purposes, also that he will remain incommunicado until contacted by Ainz-sama himself or one of his deputies," Shalltear's matter of fact tone and the fact that she perfectly summarized the plan stung deeply at Albedo's pride, whose face contorted into a rictus of anger.
"That's… good Shalltear. Well done," As Albedo spoke Shalltear could swear she saw a vein about to pop, but to her credit her tone remained neutral.
But before the silent confrontation brewing up between the rivals could violently explode Ainz defused the situation, "Then, with that done you are the only one left Shalltear. Everyone else is dismissed, thanks for your time."
Only once the three of them were alone Ainz spoke again, "Shalltear, as you probably know ever since arriving to this new world and this land on particular we have been in conflict with a local group."
Shalltear nodded. She was familiar with the so called government of 'Canada' and how it had dared try to deprive the Supreme one of the humans he had claimed as his own. Sadly Shalltear had not yet been allowed to take care of them, with Ainz urging caution instead.
"Good, then your mission relates to them. Albedo, if you will?" Ainz once again nodded at Albedo, who hurried to obey.
"Yes Ainz-sama," she nodded, showing an honest smile to her beloved before turning to Shalltear. "While Ainz-sama and I will remain in Nazarick directing all the teams, you will operate on your own. We want you to track down one of the member organizations of the Canadian government, they are responsible for the camps were Ainz-sama's new pets, these 'mutants', are held and we believe they will eventually try to counter attack if left on their own. It's for this reason that we want you to track them down. Use any resources necessary but do not fail Nazarick," Albedo frowned at the last part, the implication of her lack of trust in Shalltear clear.
Big titted bitch, thinking I'm not capable enough and- Wait a minute, she is going to remain here with Ainz-sama while I am gone? That damnable witch! I'm going to-
"Also, try not to draw too much attention. Don't kill anyone you don't absolutely have to and don't show your true power unless your life is at risk," quickly added Ainz.
"As you will, Ainz-sama." And after a deep bow Shalltear left.
---
"See? This is all a plan of that big mouthed gorilla to have Ainz-sama all to herself. She is probably even..." Shalltear paused, her face contorting as if thinking something unspeakably horrible, "She is probably going to try seduce Ainz-sama while I'm gone!"
Aura on the other hand seemed less than impressed by Shalltear's story and was not afraid to show it.
"So, let me see if I get this. Ainz-sama gave a mission specifically to you, alone, unlike the rest. Said mission is one that Albedo doesn't think you can accomplish and of vital importance, right?"
"Yes?" was Shalltear's answer.
"So obviously to get rid of you Albedo somehow convinced Ainz-sama to send you on this vital mission where you will get the chance to prove yourself to Ainz-sama and show him your good points but is also angry because of…?" Once Aura explained it that way Shalltear started to understand what her elven friend was trying to say.
"Ohhh, I think I get it now," said Shalltear sheepishly.
"You do, eh? Then maybe what about you than-" but Aura was cut off, as a portal opened in front of them.
"Sorry, Ainz-sama's orders must be obeyed. See you later shorty," and in a flash Shalltear was gone.
"That idiot," Aura cursed "Well, I better go see if my lunch is ready."
---
'Dead End Drinks' was not what one would call a 'reputable drinking establishment'. Located in what some would call 'the middle of nowhere' as far as Canada was concerned, Dead End Drinks mostly catered to a very specific group. This group was known as the 'Sons of man', a biker gang of petty criminals who loved causing trouble for many people, their only defining feature being their constant spouting of a certain anti-mutant speech. Of course, like with most things in Canada, there was more to them than meets the eye.
For a long time it had been suspected that their continuous avoidance of the authorities and anything worse than a parking ticket had less to do with their ability and more with their contacts.
It was this that brought him to Dead End today. The cold Canadian winter howling outside as he nursed a drink and tried to listen in to the partially inebriated criminals.
"Leh me tell yah. I knuw a gurl wid an ass yah culdn't beliv. Da best hundred buck I evah spen' " the drunk's words were not only so slurred as to be almost unintelligible but also of little value to the man. It was his third day at the Dead End, but no useful data had come out of it yet.
Maybe it's time for a more direct approach? But he dropped the idea almost as soon as it had come. Maybe he could beat the information out of them and maybe he would highly enjoy doing so, but he knew the risk was too big. While in the past he may have gone for it, he was no longer the same man he had been years before, he had learned what some would call responsibility.
So instead of standing up and beating all of the human shaped trash to an inch of their lives he had to remain seated and listen to another two hour drunken diatribe about 'the best ass ever'.
But destiny had other plans in mind, as not long after an unusual event happened.
The doors of the bar opened violently, much like how the man would have done so in years past and through them came something rather unexpected.
It was a girl, a young one if her face and height were any indication. She was dressed in a kind of gothic victorian dress of a dark colour which contrasted deeply with her corpse-like pale skin. Her eyes were blood red, and her face was simply beautiful, even for the man, who was used to dealing with pretty young women. But that was not what the man focused on, for it was all secondary to one feature.
She reeked of death.
She entered the bar calmly, almost as if she owned the place. There was no doubt in her steps nor fear in her smell. She truly had no reaction to a bar full of criminals and other scum looking at her like carrion eaters ready to descend upon a corpse.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for someone," the girl's speech was refined, her accent like those of nobility.
Or a high class courtesan.
"No drink no talk. Pay up or go away girl," the barman was direct and to the point. While many of his patrons were looking at the girl hungrily he only saw a client who had to pay if they expected service.
"Yes, of course. Give me your best… drink," she finally answered, the word coming across almost like an insult.
"Here you go, nice Maple liquor. Best we've got." The man would have felt sorry for how the girl was being ripped off it he hadn't been so on edge.
Once the drink was paid the girl sat down and started lightly sipping it.
Not long after she did that one of the Sons got up and walked or to be more precise, staggered, to where she sat. He reeked of alcohol in such a strong way that the girl's smell of death and blood was almost hidden by it.
"Heya beuty, wacha doing all alone? Wanna go find some fun with ol' Nate?" said the very inebriated criminal in what he probably believed was a 'smooth' voice. His efforts paying off in the sense that he was only mostly unintelligible.
"Not interested. I'm actually looking for someone so go away," was the girl's cold answer, her eyes never even looking at the now named Nate.
But Nate was not someone used to being told 'no', his inebriated state only making his usual impulses worse.
"Look gurl, no one tells me no. Come get some drinks before I get angry." Rage alone gave the man focus, his threat coming much more clearly than anything else he had said before.
"No, now please disappear," the girl's tone remained the same, but now the man could actually smell her anger. It was still weak but quickly escalating and if the stench of death that surrounded her was any indication he knew he may need to intervene before things escalated and his mission became compromised.
"Now you listen to me, you fucking bitch!" but Nate's stupidity was too great, his hand violently grabbing the girl by the shoulder…
A severed extremity impacted the floor, blood trailing behind it. The owner of said appendage, the previously named Nate, could only stare dumbly at the bleeding stump where his had used to be, at least before the pain registered and he started screaming.
"My hand, that bitch cut my fucking hand!"
"I told you to get lost," the girl said as she licked her hand and the blood that stained it.
The man hadn't seen what happened, as it all went down too fast for him to follow, but he still perceived with his other senses. He knew the girl had cut the biker's hand in one strike, one so fast no one had even perceived it.
Nate on the other hand was furious at the girl's dismissal, the adrenaline, alcohol and pain leading him to make another mistake.
"DO YOU KNOW WHO WE ARE? WE ARE THE SONS OF MAN, YOU FUCKING MUTANT WHORE. WE ARE GOING TO DRAG YOU OUT AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO MAKE YOU OUR B-"
"Shut up," this time the man did see the strike. It was sloppy and without any kind of effort behind it, yet it had the speed of lighting. Nate was hit directly in the solar plexus, a savage crunch sound resonating as the man fell to the floor, just like a puppet whose strings had been cut.
"Oh, I didn't intend to hit him so hard. I guess I should be more careful around ants," it was hard for the man to smell something from her beyond the ever present stench of death and blood, but he could almost swear she really meant it.
The other bikers, previously too stunned at their companion's dismemberment, were now on their feet. Some reached for weapons while others hurried to charge the girl while wielding improvised weapons or previously hidden knives.
"Oh but 'Sons of Man' eh? You are just the insects I was looking for," said the girl cheerfully, her smile a terrifying sight.
But the bikers advanced undeterred, their thirst for revenge or stupidity, if not both, too high for them to notice the clear danger.
The man did honestly not care about what happened to the bikers, if scum like them was killed then it was nothing but their rightful comeuppance. But he did care about the info they held and so when things escalated he moved to intervene.
In the time it took him to move the few meters that separated him from the girl, three of the bikers went down bleeding from a variety of severe wounds. Her speed and brutality was truly breathtaking.
Deciding that he had to stop the girl but not convinced about actually hurting her, the man directed a well aimed punch at her face. It was fast and at their current distance completely unavoidable.
The next thing he knew was that he was flying backwards while vomiting blood, something having connected with his stomach with what seemed like enough force to liquify his organs.
"Oh no, I killed another. Lord Ainz is going to be sooo angry," was the last he managed to hear before hitting the wall of the bar and going through it.
---
Shalltear was disappointed by her current task. Her orders had been to gather as much information as possible regarding the hidden organization that dealt with the mutants. With help from records recovered during Ainz's first raid they had discovered a possible connection between a low band of nomad thieves and said organization, it was for this reason that Shalltear had tracked them down to the filthy hole where she now stood.
But it seemed like it may be for nothing, as she had carelessly killed more than half already. She had not meant to, but their feeble human bodies had simply burst when she gave them but the softest of taps.
Oh, Ainz-sama is going to be so disappointed. Maybe enough to tie me down, push me to the ground, hit me and then.. No! Now is not the time to fantasize about that.
Having, for once, controlled her impulses, Shalltear went back to the subject at hand.
Carefully, as if she were dealing with a crystal figurine, she applied pressure to one of the thieves' hands. "Now, you will tell me all I want to know and I promise you that I…"
"Y-you will let me go, right?" answered the thief as he tried to hold in his pain filled moans.
"Yes, let's go with that."
"Now, what I want to know is where I can find-" but before she could start with the proper questioning something hit her square in the back of her head.
"Who threw that?" she asked angrily. The piece of rubble, for that's what had hit her, had not really hurt Shalltear, but the idea that one of the lowlife humans would dare strike her filled the True vampire with rage.
"I did," the answer came from the most unexpected of sources.
The man she had punched through the wall before, was now standing in front of the rubble of what used to be said wall. His clothes were bloody but there was no clear wound anywhere in his body, nor did he seem to be in pain.
Huh, weird. I was sure I felt his organs burst. Well, it really doesn't matter. Thought Shalltear as she dropped the wounded human.
Before she could finish dropping the human another piece of rubble struck, but this time she saw it coming and smashed it before it could touch her. Sadly for Shalltear said object was not actually rubble, but a bottle of beer, which after bursting had soaked her upper body.
"You will regret that, human!"
"I ain't no human, bub." Answered the man as three metallic blades emerged from each of his hands.
---
Another chapter done, bub.
This one has been planned since before I even though about seriously writing the fic. I'm not sure if I am happy with it but I wasn't going to rewrite it a hundred times searching for some impossible "good enough".
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Lasyandra
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