Overlord Premise Chapter 17

Hey friends and fans! Kairomaru is bringing you a new chapter! The Lizardmen have only four hours before they must face Cocytus. Zaryusu already knows that the one chosen to face the Lizardmen Tribes has to be stronger than an army of five-thousand undead with magical weapons, the writing is on the wall…they can’t win. But they’re warriors and they won’t go down without a fight!

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So, without further delay, please enjoy.

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Chapter 17 – Trial of Warriors, The Lizardmens’ Fate

The Lizardmen Chiefs sat together to discuss the options given to them by the ‘Great One’: Ainz Ooal Gown. With only three choices, there wasn’t much to talk about when it came to the decision itself. However, they did share their thoughts on how to minimize their losses and allow their people to survive.

“As long as we’re surrounded, I can’t imagine that we’ll escaped.” Sukyu said plainly to the other Chiefs. The undead with the silvery armor and shields—all magical—were still standing across the marsh, watching the village silently. “Undead don’t tire out, so even if we run, they’ll just chase us down until we collapse and kill us while we’re exhausted. What’ll we do?”

“Call every warrior class Lizardman to arms. With all of us here we might be able to…” Shasuryu said, but trailed off as his brother spoke.

“Brother.” Zaryusu looked straight at his brother. “Can I ask that it be just five of us?” That got everyone’s attention as they all looked at Zaryusu curiously. “If their goal is to demonstrate their overwhelming power, they are unlikely to kill us all. Especially if they want to rule us. If that’s the case, we’ll need a central figure for the survivors to rally around.”

Sukyu nodded once to the idea. “A sound argument.”

“Yes. But…who stay?” Kyuku asked in his slow speech.

Zenberu snorted. “It won’t be me. I’m gonna go down fighting.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.” Shasuryu said with finality. “Crusch will lead the survivors.”

“Just a minute!” Crusch nearly hissed at the others. “I’m fighting too!” She declared, placing her hand on her chest. “Besides, wouldn’t it be better for Shasuryu to survive?!” She pointed out the current head of the unified tribe before turning to look at Zaryusu. “Zaryusu… I’m going with you. Didn’t you have me resign myself when you called me to follow you here?”

Zaryusu looked at her, a mix of emotions in his eyes. “…things are different now. If you can survive, even if it’s just you, then you should.”

Crusch’s tail slapped the ground powerfully, almost sounding like a whip. “Don’t give me that!” She glared at Zaryusu, her red eyes filled with anger that he was clearly about to martyr himself, but wouldn’t allow her to do the same at his side.

“I’ll let the two of you work this things out.” Shasuryu said as he stood up. “See you all in four hours.” He walked away, followed by Sukyu and then Kyuku.

Zenberu was the last to follow and he gave a look and then a nod to Zaryusu before walking away. There were still things to do to prepare for this final battle.

“Crusch…understand.” Zaryusu requested softly of the female that he loved.

“There’s no way that I could!” Crusch denied instantly, her red eyes still angry. “We could still win, after all! My powers could keep you alive until we grasp victory!” She already knew that wasn’t possible. Crusch wasn’t foolish, she was an excellent judge of an enemy’s strength, this was a battle they couldn’t win…but if that was the case, she wanted to be at Zaryusu’s side at the end.

Zaryusu shook his head, his eyes resigned. “I don’t want to send the female that I love to her death.” He looked down at the floor, the pain building in Crusch’s eyes too hard to look at any longer. “Please, grant this foolish male’s wish.”

Tears welled up in Crusch’s red eyes as she pulled Zaryusu into a tight hug and buried her face into his chest. “You’re playing dirty.”

“Sorry…” Zaryusu said as he returned the hug.

“In only a week’s time you stole my heart…and now you’re telling me to just watch you die?” Crusch asked as she held onto Zaryusu, tears escaping her eyes to roll down her white scales and soak into Zaryusu’s green clothing.

Zaryusu had nothing to say in response…because that’s exactly what he was asking Crusch to do. So, instead of speaking, he simply held her closer and tried to pour as much of his love for her as he could into their embrace.

After a long moment of silence, Crusch pulled back just enough to look into Zaryusu’s eyes, her red eyes filled with love, resolve, and more emotions that were hard to place. “Impregnate me!”

“…huh?” Zaryusu barely managed to utter out, his shock so great from the sudden demand that his eyes were wide and his jaw gaped.

Crusch didn’t give him any time to deny her, grabbing Zaryusu’s arm and dragging him off towards one of the huts furthest away from where everyone was gathering for the battle preparations.

-Dummy Nazarick-

“Alright, on to business.” Momonga said while still sitting on Shalltear’s back. “Do you think we effectively scared the hell out of them?” He asked with a mildly amused tone.

“We were so awesome it almost scared me!” Aura smiled brightly at Momonga.

Shalltear turned her head so that she could look up at Momonga over her shoulder. “Without a doubt, my lord. Their faces were riddled with delicious fear.” She said with pinks across her face and her breaths coming in hot little gasps. Shalltear cooed softly when Momonga gently petted her head over her black and red bonnet that matched her ball gown.

Demiurge nodded in agreement with the other two Floor Guardians. “I think it went perfectly, Lord Momonga.”

“Very good. Then I suppose we can consider the first stage of Cocytus’s demonstration a success.” Momonga said while making sure to keep up the tone and posture that he felt the Guardians expected of him during this operation. ‘[Creation] is a Super Tier Magic that can only be used four times a day. I cast it in part to test its area of effect…but if the Lizardmen hadn’t freaked out, then it would’ve been a waste.’ He thought about the spell that he’d used to freeze the lake as far as the eye could see. It was great as a demonstration of power to be able to change the conditions of the entire battlefield instantly, so Momonga was happy with how his test had gone. “Aura. How’s the security net going?” He questioned the Dark Elf girl while turning to look at her.

Aura bowed her head once. “I have the undead you lent me and some magical beasts on guard, but so far, they haven’t found anything.” She reported with a small smile.

“I see.” Momonga replied while considering everything about their current location. ‘This small base doesn’t have defensive magic cast on it. So, it should be the perfect chance to attack if someone is trying to watch us while looking for an opening.’ He looked at all of the Guardians—except Shalltear since she was still acting as his chair—and spoke his thoughts aloud. “We’re giving them a big enough opening…but the security net hasn’t caught anything, and there’s been no attack. It may be safe to presume that the Slane Theocracy is still recovering from the punishment that I doled out to them and is currently incapable of trying to retaliate.”

Mare nodded a little hesitantly. “I think you’re right, Lord Momonga.”

“If that is the case, then the acquisition of the Lizardmen and their territory should be settled without issue.” Albedo smiled at Momonga, happy that her lord’s plans to expand their lands wouldn’t be interfered with.

Demiurge raised his right hand in front of him slightly. “On the topic of building our own land…” He paused for a second as Momonga turned to face him. “…to gain legitimacy as our own sovereign nation…what if we aligned with an already established country?”

Albedo’s gloved hand came up to slightly cover her lips. “Oh.”

“Oh.” Momonga copied Albedo’s response, not quite sure what Demiurge was proposing.

Shalltear, Mare, and Aura all looked confused, clearly not understanding what Demiurge meant at all.

“I see what you’re getting at.” Momonga was able to lie convincingly by briefly touching the immovable core of his Primordial Deity being. “However, it seems as though Aura, Mare, and Shalltear do not. Explain it to them, Demiurge.” In the privacy of his mind however… ‘And explain it to me too!’

Demiurge bowed to Momonga. “Understood.” Turning to look at Mare and Aura, he tried to simplify the idea so that it would be easily understood. “When it comes to a new country gaining legitimacy as a sovereign nation, it will always run up against those that are opposed to a new nation forming. After all, no one IN power wants to give up their authority and control…whether that be of lands they currently rule over, or lands that they WANT to rule over in the future.”

Both Aura and Mare nodded, understanding that much easily enough. It was clear they still needed the rest explained to them though.

“Once we declare our land to the world, having an already established country immediately recognize our sovereign rule over the lands we claim, as well as our autonomy as a nation, will force other nations to think and consider whether they wish to challenge our claim.” Demiurge continued the explanation, making sure to keep the hypothetical situation simple. “Having a significant nation supporting us, especially one that would be willing to issue a formal declaration of their intent to stand in arms with us against aggressors, would give our new nation legitimacy in the eyes of the world.”

Aura tilted her head to the side slightly. “Couldn’t we just ask the Fox Lord? He has his own nation, right?” He was also friends with Momonga, which in Aura’s eyes made it obvious that he’d back them up if someone challenged their land.

Albedo was the one to answer this time. “Unfortunately, we can’t.” She shook her head once. “While we should continue to build a good relationship with Lord Abeno and his country; in the eyes of all the surrounding nations it’s not recognized as a legitimate kingdom or country. They all consider it as nothing more than the territory of a monster. Therefore, even though it’s by far the most advanced territory on the map, Lord Abeno’s backing would not grant our new land legitimacy in the eyes of the other nations.”

“So, we need to have one of the human countries support us then?” Mare asked Demiurge and Albedo, looking up at the two taller Floor Guardians.

“Exactly.” Demiurge nodded to the Dark Elf boy.

Shalltear spoke up from her place as Momonga’s chair. “It can’t be the Theocracy, for obvious reasons.” Not only were they a human supremacist nation, but after their use of a World Item on her and Momonga’s subsequent ‘divine retribution’ upon their capital, there would be no support or even peace between Nazarick and the Theocracy. She smiled and cooed as Momonga softly petted her head again.

“That means it would have to be the Kingdom or the Empire, right?” Aura asked as she recalled the other two largest countries surrounding where the Great Tomb of Nazarick was located.

Albedo nodded with a small smile for Aura. “Yes. The lowly humans may yet be of some use to us.”

“Personally, from what reports I’ve read on the Re-Estize Kingdom, their leadership seems incompetent.” Demiurge made his opinion of the Kingdom known. “Relying on a country that’s slowly destroying itself would most likely only endanger our land.”

While the conversation about which human country would be the most helpful went on for a while, Momonga took in the information that Demiurge and Albedo were simplifying for Aura and Mare. With his limited education, Suzuki Satoru couldn’t hope to fully understand the complexity of medieval politics. But when incredibly intelligent people like Albedo and Demiurge simplified things, he could take that information and apply what he knew to it; both to gain understanding and to keep up the image that the Floor Guardians and the other denizens of Nazarick had of him.

“Alright, we’ll infiltrate a country that could help support our legitimacy in the future.” Momonga said as a way to end the discussion for now. “For now, though, let’s see how the Lizardmen are spending their time…” He activated the Mirror of Remote Viewing and the surface glowed briefly before showing the Lizardman village where all their forces were gathered. They saw some Lizardmen preparing their primitive weapons while others were in groups doing what seemed to be morale-boosting war chants. “Utterly wasting it.” With a swipe of his fingers through the air, the mirror changed its area of view until the four leader Lizardmen were seen, clearly drawing out battle tactics in the dirt on the ground. “Save for the Chiefs…” His myriad-colored eyes narrowed and he leaned forward just slightly. “I don’t see the white lizard…or the one with the magic weapon.”

Aura glanced around the area that the mirror was showing before looking at Momonga. “He said his name was…Zaryusu, right?”

“Ah, yes, I believe you’re right.” Momonga nodded to Aura, affecting a tone as though the Lizardman’s name was beneath his notice.

“Maybe he’s inside one of the huts?” Aura offered the idea with a smile.

Momonga smiled at Aura in return. “It’s quite possible.” He pulled an item called the Infinity Haversack from his Inventory and then opened it to pull out a spell scroll. “The Mirror of Remote Viewing can’t offer a view indoors, at least not normally. However,” He tossed a single scroll into the air, watching it unroll and then burn up in blue flames as the spell inscribed within activated. “…using magic, I can create a sensory organ and by linking it with the mirror.” He picked one of the further huts away from the rest of the Lizardmen, planning to search from the furthest and then move inward in his search for the two missing Lizardmen…only to guess the correct hut on the first try.

The interior of the hut was dark at first. But all of the Guardians either had Dark Vision naturally, or possessed the Skill as part of their build from their creators. In only a second the interior was easily seen…and showed Crusch lying on her stomach on a straw mat with Zaryusu lying atop her. The two Lizardmen had their tails entwined as they moved together, clearly in the middle of mating.

Momonga swiped his hand to the side and grabbed onto the unshakable core of his being to not react in a shocked fashion. Instead, he put his right hand over his face and let out a long, slow exhale. “I didn’t need to see that…”

“What an absolutely disgusting bunch!” Demiurge said with a slight growl in his voice. “Cocytus is about to attack, and that’s what they’re doing?!”

“It’s just as you say, Demiurge!” Shalltear spoke up from her position as Momonga’s chair.

Mare’s eyes were a bit wide and he didn’t seem able to talk properly. “Uh…um, er…”

Aura was angry on her and her brother’s behalf. “You’re right, exactly right!”

“I’m jealous…” Albedo said softly, barely able to be heard over the others.

Momonga would just pretend he didn’t hear Albedo. “Hah… Well, they’re about to die. I suppose the instinct to preserve the species would kick in.”

“As you say, my lord!” Demiurge aligned his opinion with Momonga’s.

“Quite right!” Shalltear agreed.

“Er, uh, ummm…” Mare was still unable to articulate his thoughts.

Aura sighed and crossed her arms. “I guess that much should be allowed.”

Albedo cupped her cheeks in her hands; her golden eyes locked onto Momonga’s back. “I wish you would…”

“…all of you, quiet.” Momonga said flatly and the Guardians instantly stopped talking. His eyes landed on Mare and Aura and his thoughts blanked for a second. ‘Shit… Was it too early for them? I mean…they’re both in their young teenage years by Elf standards… But what am I supposed to say if they ask where babies come from?! Surely, Bukubukuchagama taught them about sex education in their creation lore…right?’ He didn’t recall reading that right off the top of his head though. Grabbing the steadying influence of the core of his Primordial Deity being once more, Momonga pushed ahead. “As there doesn’t seem to be any interference from outside forces, we probably don’t have anything left to worry about among the Lizardmen. But don’t drop your guard, Aura.” He looked at the Dark Elf Ranger, seeing her straighten up under his gaze and instructions. “If the security net catches anyone, I and the Guardians will all move out.”

“Yes sir!” The Floor Guardians accepted Momonga’s orders without hesitation.

-Marsh-

Four hours had passed and the sun was heading for the horizon, beginning to cast orange ryas over the forest and the vast marshlands that made up this part of the massive lake within the Great Forest of Tob.

All of the Lizardmen warriors had gathered, the younger warriors of the current generation and the older warriors of the previous generation that had trained them. With them were two Swamp Elementals that had been summoned by the Druids and put under Shasuryu’s control. The five Chiefs stood at the front of the forces, ready for battle.

‘At this distance, no harm should come to the village.’ Zaryusu thought to himself as he briefly glanced back at the mud walls surrounding the village. He quickly turned his focus forward again when the armored undead began to stomp their bony feet and slam their swords into their large silvery shields in perfect synchronicity to make a sound almost like thunder.

It quickly became clear that it was a call to their ‘champion’ as trees within the forest began to topple over with loud crashes. Every tree felled was closer than the one before it. And at the speed the trees were falling, it was very obvious that they were being cut down with a single blow each. As the last few trees fell, the armored undead stopped their stopping and shield banging as a towering form emerged from the path of deforestation.

“That monstrosity is Cocytus?” Shasuryu said in shock as all of the Lizardmen gazed upon the Vermin Lord.

Cocytus had his favored halberd—Decapitation Fang—in his upper left hand as he walked between the two formations of Nazarick Elder Guarders. On his chest he wore a golden-colored item that almost looked like a belt with a shield on it, but Cocytus wore it as a necklace. On each of the first sections of his four arms were gold and white bracelets that each provided certain buffs to Cocytus’s stats or protections from certain types of attacks. As Cocytus stepped into the shallow water of the marsh, he walked through it without slowing down until he stood a decent distance from the shore. Once he was where he planned to make his stand, Cocytus slammed the butt of his halberd into the ground beneath the water, allowing it to stand perfectly straight even when he let go of it.

“Listen carefully! Do not hold back, no matter what happens!” Cocytus told the gathered Lizardmen before a cloud of frosted air escaped his mandibles. “Lord Ainz is watching, and only your best will satisfy him! Please, show me your spirit!”

All of the Lizardmen were shaking, even if just slightly.

“The spells cast on us are supposed to prevent fear, but…” Zenberu said as he grabbed his lightly trembling left arm with his stronger right arm to force the slight shaking to stop.

Cocytus lifted his upper right arm, holding out the three-fingered, insectoid ‘hand’ in front of him. “But before we start…” He activated one of his Skills. “[Ice Pillar]!” The water of the marsh erupted upwards in two spots at the midway point between Cocytus and the gathered Lizardmen forces. In the time it took to blink, the water had frozen into two massive spires with a significant distance between them, more than enough space for a dozen Lizardmen to charge through at the same time. “I accept all of you as honorable warriors. So, please, forgive any affront my next statement might cause. Beyond this gate lies your death! Should you choose to step beyond it, know that it will be your last!” Cocytus crossed his two upper arms over his chest as he waited for the Lizardmen to pass between the twin pillars of ice.

“How ‘bout that? A monster with manners.” Zenberu remarked as he walked forward, punching his left fist into his larger right palm.

Kyuku and Sukyu followed after him, readying their weapons. Sukyu using his large slingshot, a size that most grown human men would find unwieldy. While Kyuku had his doubled-bladed spear at his side. Zaryusu followed right after, taking up Frost Pain in his right hand.

Shasuryu, however, turned to the warriors that were starting to follow after their Chiefs. “You should stay back for now…in fact, go back to the village.”

“No! Let us fight with you, Chief Shasuryu!” One of the younger warriors requested.

“It’s not cowardly to withdraw! Nor is living!” Shasuryu fully faced the younger warriors now as he spoke strongly. The two Swamp Elementals moving passed the group to move through the two pillars of ice under Shasuryu’s command.

“Then let us…” Another young warrior tried to argue.

Shasuryu spoke even louder. “But some of us don’t have that option! You would not accept us as your Chiefs if we refused to fight; in fact, I would hope that you’d cut us down yourselves!”

Another young warrior stepped forward strongly, his large bone club at the ready. “But we WANT to fight! Please, don’t rob us of our honor!”

One of the older warriors from the previous generation stepped in front of the younger warriors. “Let us old timers have this. You’ll all get your chance at honor, someday.” The other older generation warriors that marched behind him towards the ice pillars gave the younger warriors nods, wanting their sons and students to stay alive.

With hisses of frustration, the younger warriors all retreated back towards the village, but notably did not enter it, standing in a group between the village and the battle that was about to take place.

When all of the Lizardmen warriors had stepped beyond the ‘gate’ of the ice pillars, Shasuryu drew his large sword from his back. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Cocytus!”

Cocytus uncrossed his arms and raised his right hand, making the universal ‘come forward’ motion with his hand to officially start the battle.

“FOR THE ANCESTORS!!!” Shasuryu roared out as all of the Lizardmen charged towards Cocytus, looking to overwhelm the enemy with numbers. Their loud war cries were heard even back in the village as they raised their weapons while charging.

“I hate to do this to warriors, but I must reduce your numbers quickly.” Cocytus said to himself while spreading his arms about half as wide as they could go. “[Frost Aura]!” The water around Cocytus’s feet sparked with a brief flash of what looked like lightning, before all of the water emitted subzero mist like high-pressure steam that raced forward in a mass wave of intensely frigid air.

“YAAAAAHHHH!!!” The charging warriors battle cry was silenced as the Frost Aura hit them.

A second later the thick mist cleared revealing the frozen corpses of the Lizardmen that had been caught in the attack. All of the older generation warriors had been wiped out in an instant, leaving only the Chiefs and Zaryusu standing with small patches of frost stuck to their scales.

“That seems about right.” Cocytus said as he eyed the range that he’d reached with his Skill. ‘I held back enough to ensure that the ones that retreated didn’t get hit too.’ He would not kill those that had withdrawn, it went against his warrior nature bestowed upon him by his creator: Warrior Takemikazuchi.

Sukyu took aim with his slingshot and fired a sharpened stone straight at Cocytus’s face. If it hit one of the Vermin Lord’s six eyes, great. But that wasn’t the actual purpose of his attack.

Rushing in directly behind the speeding stone projectile was Kyuku, his double-bladed spear spun once as he charged at Cocytus, prepared to take the opening that Sukyu’s shot would make while using the White Dragon Bone armor to block any counter attack.

The two Swamp Elementals swirled forward at Shasuryu’s mental command, but parts of their liquid mud bodies partially froze from the frigid temperature left behind by the [Frost Aura]. The freezing noticeably slowed the two Elementals as Zaryusu went right and Zenberu went left.

What none of the Chiefs expected was for the sharpened stone to shatter in the air against a defense that seemed to cling closely to Cocytus’s body.

“Ranged weapons won’t hurt me. All the Guardians of Nazarick have acquired items or Skills that grant us full resistance.” Cocytus said while reaching into his Inventory.

“Hup!” Kyuku cried out as he leapt from the ground and brought his spear forward to stab Cocytus. “HYAH!!!”

From his Inventory—but looking as if he’d pulled it from thin air to the Lizardmen—Cocytus equipped an Ōdachi over 180cm in length. The silvery blade gleamed in the orange rays of the sun. “God Slaying Emperor Blade!” Cocytus announced the name of his weapon a split-second before slicing Kyuku in half, vertically, White Dragon Bone armor and all.

Zenberu and Zaryusu rushed straight at Cocytus from both the right and the left, looking to pincer him.

‘That armor is one of the Four Great Treasures and can even repel Frost Pain, but he just…’ Zaryusu thought to himself at seeing Cocytus’s sword cleave straight through the White Dragon Bone armor like it was paper.

“[Iron Natural Weapon]! [Iron Skin]!” Zenberu activated two martial arts as his large right hand and forearm glowed with a reddish aura.

“Hyah!” Zaryusu swung Frost Pain at Cocytus at the same time that Zenberu punched at the towering Vermin Lord.

Cocytus stopped Zenberu’s punch cold with his blade, while at the same time catching Frost Pain with his empty, upper left hand as if it was only a stick. Zaryusu blinked in shock at Frost Pain being caught so easily, Cocytus practically invalidating another of the Four Great Treasures of the Lizardmen.

“Click.” Cocytus’s mandibles tapped together as he angled his sword slightly, freeing it from the deadlock with Zenberu’s fist, and then cleanly sliced off the crocodilian-like Lizardman’s right arm just above the elbow.

“GAAAAHHH!!!” Zenberu roared out in agony from the loss of his arm, staggering backwards as blood flew through the air.

“Not bad,” Cocytus said to Zaryusu as he kept hold of Frost Pain no matter how much strength the Lizardman put behind it. “…the sword, I mean.”

‘It won’t budge!’ Zaryusu grimaced and threw a knee strike straight into Cocytus’s knee joint from the side, looking to take out his enemy’s leg. “Augkh!” He cried out in pain as it felt like he’d just slammed his knee into a block of steel.

Cocytus whipped his segmented tail into Zaryusu’s side, the straight spikes on each segment that hit Zaryusu stabbed into him like knives and sent the Lizardman flying backwards to splash into the water. “You’re just in the way.” He felt two more sharpened stones shatter against his defenses, but ignored them for now.

Zaryusu hacked out a mouthful of blood as he lay in the shallow marsh water. ‘I’m this injured after just one hit?’ He’d never felt such pain from a single blow before and it was clear that Cocytus hadn’t put everything he had behind that tail swipe.

“[Over Magic: Mass Slight Cure Wounds]!” Shasuryu cast a spell that was normally above his level as a Caster, requiring the use of the ‘Over Magic’ modifier.

Both Zenberu and Zaryusu glowed with the soft green light of the spell as it healed them. Zenberu’s arm grew back in a golden glow of light, while most of the injuries on Zaryusu’s body healed up, though there was a painful throb lingering in his body.

‘Over Magic? I’ve never heard of such a thing before…’ Cocytus wasn’t a caster himself, but Nazarick had many, and still he’d never heard of such a thing from any of them. It was new information for Nazarick. ‘That I was able to reveal something new like this while Lord Momonga is watching…’ It made Cocytus feel proud.

The two partially frozen Swap Elementals rushed at Cocytus with only two short motions form Shasuryu’s hands. His Druid abilities weren’t as high as his Warrior skills, so he needed a moment to recover from casting the healing spell on Zaryusu and Zenberu.

Cocytus cut straight through both of the Swamp Elementals with a single swing of his sword, scattering them back to muddy water that splashed into the marsh.

“Damn…” Zaryusu got back to his feet with his body slightly twitching from the dull pain he was in. He spat out the last of the blood in his mouth as he looked at Cocytus.

“You still have the will to fight?” Cocytus asked rhetorically as he could see the determination in the Lizardman’s eyes. “Then I shall return this to you.” He tossed Frost Pain at Zaryusu’s feet, the magical weapon sticking straight upward, waiting for Zaryusu to grab it.

“You better not forget me!” Sukyu hissed out as three more stones rocketed through the air and shattered against Cocytus’s defenses.

“That’s getting annoying.” Cocytus turned his attention onto Sukyu as the Small Fang Chieftain moved swiftly through the marsh to reposition himself for another shot. Raising his lower right hand, Cocytus used another of his Skills. “[Piercing Icicles]!” Six icicles the size of daggers formed in the air in front of Cocytus’s hand before blurring straight towards Sukyu.

“Guh!” Sukyu’s quick footwork only allowed him to dodge two of the six projectiles. Three pierced through his torso, lodging into him in vital areas, while the final icicle pierced through his right thigh. He skidded backwards from the force, the shallow marsh water splashing around his feet, but he stood tall for a short moment…looking at Cocytus as the last of his life slipped away and he collapsed into the marsh face first with a splash.

“RAAAHHH!!!” Zenberu roared as he charged straight at Cocytus, his scales glowing with every Martial Art that he could use. His large right fist screamed through the air, but in a flash of silver, Cocytus beheaded him with a swing too fast for any of the Lizardmen to see. Zenberu’s body collapsed into the shallow water and his head splashed down a few meters away.

Cocytus looked at Shasuryu and Zaryusu for a moment, both Lizardmen seemed surprised at the quick dispatch of Zenberu and Sukyu. “Amazing. Lord Ainz predicted this. That the two of you would last until the end. And, sure enough, here you are. Be proud.”

Shasuryu didn’t take his eyes off Cocytus as he spoke to his brother. “How’re you holding up over there, brother?”

“Bad, I’m afraid. The pain is still throbbing.” Zaryusu replied as he held Frost Pain at the ready. “But don’t worry, I’ve got a few more swings in me.”

“Alright, then that’ll have to be enough.” Shasuryu said as he readied his steel sword, the two-meter long weapon enchanted for extra sharpness and to prevent rust. “That last spell really took it out of me. My magic power is drained; one more cast and I’ll pass out.”

Zaryusu glanced over at his older brother. “You always did push yourself too hard, brother. But all the same…as long as I have a drop of blood left to give…FROST PAIN AND I WON’T GIVE UP!!!” He bellowed out loud and strong despite his pain.

Cocytus’s mandibles clacked together once. “That was a fine war cry.”

“You always did have a way with words, brother.” Shasuryu said as he took a firm grip on his sword with both hands. “We will meet our death together.” He raised his large sword towards Cocytus. “Now, come! Let’s not keep our guest waiting any longer!”

“I am in no rush. Far be it from me to get between brothers saying their goodbyes. Prepare yourselves…” Cocytus paused for a second. “No. Forgive me. You were prepared for death long before we crossed blades.” Looking at the two Lizardmen warriors before him, Cocytus extended them a warrior’s courtesy. “May I have your names before we finish?”

“Shasuryu Shasha!” Shasuryu proudly gave his name.

“Zaryusu Shasha!” Zaryusu stated his name with equal pride.

Cocytus gave a nod to them both. “I shall remember you as warriors. As long as I live, you will not be forgotten.” He brought his God Slaying Emperor Blade to bear, holding it horizontally in front of himself, allowing both Lizardmen to get a good look at the Divine Class weapon. “Also, I must apologize yet again. Normally, I would face you with a weapon in each hand. But you are not strong enough for me to draw them. It would be an insult to go all out, to both of you.”

Shasuryu raised his sword as he shifted his stance. “That’s a damn shame, isn’t it?”

“It sure is.” Zaryusu agreed as he leaned forward slightly, Frost Pain held at his side. “Let’s go!”

“I’m on it! [Earth Bind]!” Shasuryu cast, the muck of the marsh rising up into two tendrils that shot towards Cocytus.

‘So, being out of magic was a bluff…’ Cocytus noted as the two muddy tendrils rushed towards him. “My defense cannot be penetrated by one whose magic level is inferior! Don’t waste your time!” The two tendrils hit the defense around Cocytus’s body and exploded into droplets.

Zaryusu got to Cocytus’s side and swung Frost Pain. “Icy Burst!” Thick frost-filled wind engulfed Cocytus and swirled around the area just around the Vermin Lord, creating a thick haze that was impossible to see through for most.

‘A pointless effort…’ Cocytus wasn’t effected by ice or chill in the slightest.

“RAAHHH!!!” Zaryusu roared out as Frost Pain pierced through the thick haze to stab Cocytus.

Only for the magic blade to be caught by Cocytus’s empty, upper left hand again, stopping the blade completely.

“AAAAUUUUHHHH!!!” Shasuryu’s war cry drowned out everything else as he burst through the haze with a massive leap into the air, his large sword coming down on Cocytus in an overhead swing.

‘So both the Icy Burst and the thrust from Zaryusu were feints for this.’ Cocytus realized as Shasuryu swung down on him. “But if you’re going for a sneak attack…” His blade was naught but a flash of silver as it cleaved through both Shasuryu’s sword and the Lizardman himself like it was moving through paper. “…YOU SHOULD BE SILENT!!!” As the two halves of Shasuryu splashed into the marsh, the pressure being pushed onto Frost Pain increased significantly.

The magical blade slid forward through Cocytus’s grip.

“Blood?” Cocytus realized the ice blade was coated in fresh blood to make it harder to hold onto. ‘He made his first swing lighter so that I’d think it was easier to hold onto… He wasn’t the feint, Shasuryu was. Right from the start his plan was to make the blade slip through my grasp and run me through.’ “You did all of that, of this?”

Zaryusu shoved all of his wright and strength behind Frost Pain. “RAAAHHH!!!”

“Magnificent.” Cocytus said with genuine praise for their tactics and willingness to die as warriors.

Frost Pain slid through Cocytus’s grip and struck the him in the torso. Only to bounce off a similar defense that protected the Vermin Lord from projectile attacks.

“Huh?” Zaryusu blinked as he took a half-step backwards from the failed stab.

Cocytus turned his body, actually taking his first step since the fight started, to focus all of his attention on Zaryusu. “I’m sorry. I have a Skill that temporarily negates any attack from weak magic weapons. Unfortunately for you, that means that as long as it’s activated, your effort was meaningless at best.” Cocytus raised his upper right arm, holding the God Slaying Emperor Blade high. “Well fought!” Zaryusu didn’t even see the swing that took his life, it simply happened too fast.

-Dummy Nazarick ~ Later-

Aura, Mare, Demiurge, and Shalltear knelt to one side of the throne of bones that Momonga sat in (after he’d requested the human skulls be removed, giving the reason that they made for an uncomfortable place to rest his hands), with Albedo standing at his side as was her place as Overseer of the Guardians. Cocytus knelt directly before Momonga, awaiting the Supreme One’s words.

“Cocytus, you fought admirably today.” Momonga offered praise first and foremost.

“Thank you very much, my Lord.” Cocytus accepted the praise humbly.

Momonga nodded to Cocytus, having expected the warrior-like response. “That being said, giving the Lizardmen the ‘stick’ is no longer permitted. You must lead them only by the ‘carrot’. It must not be a reign of terror.”

Cocytus bowed a bit lower in acknowledgment. “I understand, Supreme One.”

“Very good. I’d like for you to instill in them a loyalty to Nazarick. And, if possible, give them a specialized education…but I’ll leave the details to you. Let me know if you need any specific items or spell scrolls.” Momonga had a very small smile on his lips when Cocytus bowed in acknowledgement of his orders. “Raise your heads, Guardians, and here my words.” Once all of the Guardians were looking directly at him, Momonga continued. “The rule over the Lizardmen villages is assigned to Cocytus. If he ever requests your support, assist him to the best of your abilities.”

“Lord Ainz,” Cocytus spoke up after Momonga had finished assigning the Lizardmen to be under his control. “If I may, what are you planning to do with the bodies of those Lizardmen?”

Momonga hummed thoughtfully for a moment, he had an idea, but wasn’t sure if it would be taken well by all of his Guardians. “Their bodies should still be lying in the marsh where they fell. Did you have an idea for them, Cocytus?”

Cocytus looked up at Momonga from his kneeling position. “While it’s true that they’re weak. I saw the spark of true warriors within them. I truly believe that they have the potential to become far stronger than we assume, if given the chance.” Momonga looked like he was considering Cocytus’s words, so the warrior continued. “If I’m not mistaken, you haven’t conducted any experiments with resurrection outside of reviving Shalltear through the Great Tomb. Perhaps we could use the Lizardmen for that purpose?”

‘Score! Cocytus’s idea is similar to mine! Now it’s not my idea alone!’ Momonga thought to himself. “True warriors, is it? Very much like Warrior Takemikazuchi.” He said softly, making all of the Guardians straighten up slightly at the name of another of the Supreme Beings, none more so than Cocytus who almost seemed to radiate a happy and proud aura at being compared to his creator. “They’re too precious to waste then?” Momonga asked rhetorically, though Cocytus nodded slightly anyway. “Is there anyone that can represent the Lizardmen as a whole?”

“There was one that did not participate in the fighting. The white female lizard with powerful Druidic magic.” Cocytus informed Momonga with his head bowed.

“Alright. How long will it take to bring her before me?” Momonga questioned Cocytus, prepared to use [Gate] if he needed to…even though he didn’t give any hint of that outwardly.

Cocytus slightly raised his head to look at Momonga. “Forgive me. I had assumed that you’d ask that. She is already waiting in the next room.”

Momonga slightly raised an eyebrow in honest surprise. He glanced over at Demiurge, but the Arch Devil barely shook his head to let Momonga know that he had nothing to do with this. Cocytus had anticipated Momonga’s request and fulfilled it in advance all on his own.

‘That’s the kind of growth that I wanted to see.’ Momonga thought to himself, proud of the development that this operation had allowed Cocytus to gain. “Well done. I am pleased, Cocytus. Your judgment was correct. Please, show the female in now.”

“Lord.” Cocytus bowed once before standing up and walking towards the doorway to the next room.

Only a minute later and Crusch was kneeling before Momonga, her head bowed low, a deep pain from losing Zaryusu having torn up her heart.

All of the Guardians knelt still, not having moved from their positions. A show of the absolute respect they had for Momonga, as well as a demonstration of how the female Lizardman should act while in the presence of the Supreme One.

“Tell me your name.” Momonga ordered with a flat tone, briefly touching the core of his being to make sure his voice wouldn’t give away any of his thoughts or emotions.

“Of course,” Crusch bowed a bit lower, not once opening her eyes. “Whatever you wish, Lord Ainz Ooal Gown, Supreme Ruler of Death. I am priest and guide to the Tribes, Crusch Lulu.”

Momonga nodded just slightly. “Thanks for coming.”

Crusch’s position didn’t change in the slightest. “Of course, my Lord. Please accept the absolute allegiance of my people. We will serve you without resistance.”

There was a noticeable change in the air as Momonga let his Deity Aura expand. It was at its lowest level, but Crusch visibly trembled from it while Momonga approached her.

“Hm?!” Crusch’s red eyes opened wide when Momonga’s hand gently touched her shoulder over her orange clothing.

“Now that introductions are done. I have a special request for you.” Momonga told Crusch, his expression almost baffling as it wasn’t flat, yet gave no hint of his thoughts and conveyed no emotion.

“If there is anything this humble servant can do, you have but to ask it, my Lord.” Crusch said as she looked up at Momonga. “I’m listening.”

Momonga patted her shoulder once. “This isn’t an order, more of a favor. Accept it, and I will return Zaryusu to life.”

Crusch’s eyes widened and words came out before she could think to stop them. “Is that really possible?”

“Life and death are nothing more than states of being. To move someone between the two is a simple matter, for one such as I.” Momonga said as he slightly moved his wings behind him, the deep black and pure white feathers almost seeming to glow for the briefest of instants.

“I see. And what is it that you desire?” Crusch asked Momonga softly. “How can this slave serve you?” She looked down and to the side slightly. “Do you wish to partake of my body?”

“Nrrrgh!” Albedo growled with her teeth bared and her black feathered wings spread wide, a purple aura of malice surrounding her as she glared at Crusch.

“Raaahh!” Shalltear made a threatening hiss that bordered on a low roar, a red aura forming around her, her blood red eyes trying to kill the female Lizardman.

‘FILTHY LIZARD SLUT!!!’ Albedo and Shalltear had the exact same thought at Crusch’s suggestion.

Momonga took a second to collect himself at the sudden offer. “No. That’s not it.” He shot a look over his shoulders at both Shalltear and Albedo, making both women calm down. “I want you to keep an eye on your fellow Lizardmen and make sure there are none who would betray me.”

“There are no such Lizardmen, I assure you.” Crusch said with more energy than she’d had since the beginning of this meeting.

“I’m not foolish enough to believe that. Not even for a second.” Momonga said plainly to Crusch as he looked into her red eyes with his prismatic, ever-shifting eyes. “I’m offering you a miracle, Crusch Lulu. But I cannot wait for you to decide where your loyalties truly lie. Seize this moment and do as I ask, or lose the opportunity forever.” Crusch squeezed her hands together in her lap, her heart and her mind practically at war within her. “What is most important to you now? I want you to think hard on that while I present my offer. Then, I expect an answer.” Crusch looked down at her clenched hands, knowing what she wanted, but not wanting to betray her people. “I want you to keep watch on your tribesmen from the inside. However, if at any point I think you’ve betrayed me, I will take Zaryusu’s life away…and I’ll make sure that you see it happen.” Momonga said simply, letting Crusch know the price of any betrayal. “Spying on your people is a small price to pay to have the love of your life back, wouldn’t you say?”

Crush closed her eyes as Momonga turned his back and walked a few steps away. Her mind was racing, her heart was thundering inside her chest, emotions swirled within her like a storm.

“Times up, Crusch Lulu, what’s your decision?” Momonga asked, spreading his wings wide without looking back at her. “Even if she declines, do nothing.” Momonga whispered to the Guardians, just barely loud enough for them to hear and impossible for Crusch to overhear. “Well? I’m done waiting. Make your choice.” He turned to look at Crusch, his Deity Aura briefly flaring before he returned it to just the area directly around himself.

-Later-

Weightlessness.

Dark.

“…su.”

A faint noise.

“..ryusu.”

Faint light.

“Zaryusu.”

The light grew brighter.

“Come back.”

Zaryusu twitched within the darkness. The voice sounded familiar…important. He reached out towards the light, towards the voice.

“Please! Open your eyes!”

“Uhhh…” Zaryusu slowly opened his eyes, seeing the sky.

“ZARYUSU!!!” Crusch leaned over him, her red eyes lighting up with love and joy as she leaned down to hug Zaryusu as tight as she could.

Zaryusu’s eyes widened as he felt Crusch against him. “Cr-Crusch? Why are you…? Is this the afterlife?” His speech was a little slow, slurring like he was drunk even though he was as sober as he’d ever been as he sat up. “Were you killed…by that monster?”

“You’re alive, but the confusion will last for a little while.” Momonga said, drawing Zaryusu’s eyes to him. “Apparently, you’ve lost a Level as well. I guess I can reason that little has changed from YGGDRASIL.”

“Huh?” Zaryusu didn’t know what that meant, but as he looked around, seeing that they were surrounded by Lizardmen, within the village, and even Rororo was leaning all four heads over the crowd to look at him, he realized that he truly was alive.

“Zaryusu Shasha,” Momonga said, getting the Lizardman to focus on him again. “First, allow me to congratulate you on your resurrection.”

Zaryusu blinked at that, his mind taking a moment to parse through the lingering confusion before he spoke. “What? Resurrection? You can…bring the dead…back to life?” He shifted his position and kneeled before Momonga. “Truly…your power cannot be rivaled.” With Crusch at his side, both of them bowed low, prostrating themselves before Momonga. “Great One, I humbly pledge…my eternal allegiance to you.”

Momonga looked down at Zaryusu and Crusch, noticing that all of the other lizardmen quickly copied them, kneeling and bowing to him. “Very good. In the name of Ainz Ooal Gown, I accept your fidelity.”

“All we ask in return, is to prosper.” Zaryusu requested, his face down, his eyes closed, an act of absolute submission to the being before him.

“Is that all?” Momonga said with a small hint of warmth in his voice. “Fear not, I can definitely promise prosperity to all under my rule.” His wings spread wide, kicking up a slight breeze, making the kneeling and bowing Lizardmen open their eyes, even if they didn’t lift their heads. “Behold the miracle of my magnanimity!” Tapping into his Master of Life Class amplified all Healing and Resurrection spells while reducing the number of Levels lost from resurrection. Pairing that with his Priest and High Priest Classes gave him access to the most powerful Resurrection spell in YGGDRASIL, one that could even be used on Players and NPCs with lower Levels without destroying them. [Widen Boosted Magic: True Resurrection]!”

The purest light emanated from Momonga’s body and spread far and wide throughout the village and across the marsh. The Lizardmen couldn’t keep their eyes open due to the brightest, but all of them had raised their heads in shock at what they’d heard. The brilliant light filled with such positive energy only lasted for exactly five seconds after the spell was casted.

“Wh-What happened?” One of the Lizardmen asked once everyone was able to open their eyes.

“Why don’t you look and see?” Aura said with a bright grin as she shoved open the wooden gate of the village.

Before the eyes of all the Lizardmen in the village, the fallen warriors that had died against Cocytus started to get back on their feet, all of them clearly confused like Zaryusu had been as they looked around, trying to get their bearings. Not one of them had a single mark upon them, no injury left over from their deaths. Before the Lizardmen could start talking, cheering, or celebrating, Momonga spoke up while looking at Crusch and Zaryusu.

“You mistook me for the Ruler of Death before, but now that you have come under my rule, I will correct that belief.” Momonga said to the two Lizardmen, as well as all of the Lizardmen still surrounding them. “I am NOT the Ruler of Death. I am a Primordial Deity of Life, Death, and Magic.” He let his Deity Aura expand to the limit of its range while mentally labeling all of the Lizardmen as allies, giving all of them the pleasant buff from the Racial Trait and making the Lizardmen stare at Momonga in awe.

Crusch stared up at Momonga in both disbelief and awe, never having expected that all of their fallen would be brought back to life after what the Primordial Deity had made her agree to do. But without negotiations, or tributes, or any begging…Momonga had resurrected everyone without missing a single Lizardman, just to show them the prosperity they could expect now that they lived under his rule.

Zaryusu bowed to Momonga again. “Thank you, Great One. Truly your generosity…knows no bounds!”

“Hmm, your speech is still slurred. A little rest should remedy that.” Momonga said to Zaryusu while making a mental note of the after effects of resurrection in this new world. “Take some time to recover, along with everyone else, and then you and the other leaders will speak with Cocytus about what is to come.”

“Yes, Great One.” Zaryusu bowed low again, along with Crusch at his side.

Momonga turned and wrapped his wings around his body, mimicking a feather cloak as he often did, before he started walking away. “Aura, time to go.”

Aura ran over to Momonga with a bright smile. “Right!” She walked side by side with him, a happy smile on her face the whole time. “Can I play with the hydra sometime, my Lord?” Aura asked, looking up at Momonga while pointing at Rororo.

Rororo let out a little hum as all four heads bowed low to Momonga and Aura.

Both Aura and Momonga vanished with [Greater Teleportation] once they cleared the gathered group of Lizardmen, Momonga taking hold of Aura’s hand a short moment before they disappeared.

In the center of the village, still kneeling, both Zaryusu and Crusch held each other, their tails entwined.

“We managed to survive…all of us.” Zaryusu said as he leaned against Crusch and let out a sigh of such relief that he felt like all the tension in his body disappeared.

“You’ll be fine, love.” Crusch assured Zaryusu as she nuzzled against him, so happy that he was alive. “I promise. Just try to focus on recovering. We can worry about everything else once you have your strength back.”

Zaryusu leaned into Crusch’s embrace, his body relaxing as his eyes closed. “Yeah… As long as I can rest in…your arms.”

As Crusch held the sleeping Zaryusu, the rest of the Lizardmen that had gathered in the village rushed out into the marsh to find their loved ones that had just been resurrected. Cheers rose up from the Lizardmen as even after the deadly battle, everything they’d lost had been returned to them by the Deity they now lived under. All of the resurrected warriors were confused, like Zaryusu, but they hugged their wives, children, siblings, and parents, just grateful that they were alive and with them.

-Nazarick ~ Night-

Momonga headed for his bedroom, looking to sleep from the stress of maintaining the image that the Floor Guardians had of him all day. After resurrecting all of the fallen Lizardmen warriors—his original reason having been to garner the loyalty, good will, and devotion of all the Lizardmen—he’d returned to the dummy Nazarick for a ‘post-mission’ briefing with everyone. He’d gotten praise for his benevolence from Mare. Demiurge had complimented his strategy to display his power to the Lizardmen. Cocytus had bowed his head and thanked Momonga for resurrecting the Lizardmen that showed the spark of true warriors while pledging that he’d personally make them strong enough to be of great use to Nazarick. Albedo had been all to happy to praise him for the successful acquisition of the Lizardmen and their territory to add to the lands that he would rule. Shalltear had thanked him for giving her the punishment that she’d felt she needed since the incident of her mind-control, though the True Vampire had clearly enjoyed the ‘punishment’ too much for it to actually be called a punishment.

‘But at least it’s all over, for now.’ Momonga thought to himself in relief as he opened his bedroom doors, briefly noticing the lack of the on-duty Homunculus maid, before his eyes were drawn to movement from his bed.

“My Lord Momonga...” Albedo purred to Momonga as she lay in his bed, clearly having been there for a while as the blanket and his pillows were disheveled. But the Succubus’s bare leg poking out from beneath the blanket, and the fact that her shoulders were uncovered made it blatantly obvious that she was naked. “You’ve had such a long day, come rest in my arms~” Albedo tempted with a breathy, sensual tone. Her golden eyes glowed in the dim light of the large bedroom.

Momonga would normally need to grab onto the core of his being to keep himself from freaking out about this situation. But right now? “That sounds nice, Albedo…” Momonga said with a little nod as he unequipped his normal Divine Class items, leaving his body bare as he walked towards the bed, allowing Albedo’s bright eyes to practically devour his nude form in the process.

“Lord Momonga~” Albedo nearly threw the blankety off her naked body, posing sensually as she lay on her side. Her pure white skin almost glowed in the dimly lit room. The curves of Albedo’s body were as close to the perfect ‘golden ratio’ as possible, and Momonga, even as drained as he was from a stressful day, admired her large breasts capped with pink nipples and areola, her flat tummy, trim waist, wide hips, her longs legs, and the trimmed raven-black hair above her mound.

“Beautiful…” Momonga said with a warm smile for Albedo, making the Succubus’s black feathered wings move in joy at his compliment. He crawled into his bed and pulled Albedo into his arms, their naked bodies molding against one another, sharing their warmth and the pleasant sensation of skin-on-skin contact. “Thank you, Albedo~” Momonga kissed her lips softly, Albedo eagerly kissing him back, before he shifted his position a bit and laid his head on her large tits, using them as the softest and most relaxing of pillows.

Albedo was over the moon, radiating joy, love, and affection as she wrapped her arms around Momonga, threading the fingers of her right hand through his long black hair as she held him to her breasts, her left arm moving to wrap around his shoulders and keep him as close to her as possible. With Momonga’s arms around her waist, the two were flush against each other “Rest now, my Lord Momonga... Take all of the comfort my body can offer you~” She whispered softly, gently running her fingers through his long hair that occasionally looked like it had the stars from the night sky shining within.

Pulling the blanket back over them took a second for Albedo to grab it with her left hand before returning her arm to being around Momonga’s shoulders. The heat of their naked bodies pressed together beneath the blanket was soothing in a way that Albedo couldn’t quite describe, but she absolutely reveled in it. Her Lord Momonga was already asleep, his soft breath sending pleasant tingles across her breasts. With a loving smile, Albedo closed her eyes and held Momonga close, drifting off to sleep while comforting her beloved.

Given that Albedo had personally cleared Momonga’s morning schedule and ordered no Homunculus maid to show up until breakfast, the two would sleep in each other’s arms all night and well into the morning.

Just as Albedo had planned.

-End Chapter-

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

The Lizardmen warriors were slaughtered by Cocytus.

They all knew they had no chance…but like true warriors, they fought for their home and families anyway.

But now that they live under the rule of Ainz Ooal Gown, prosperity is a given…as are the blessings of a Primordial Deity.

In a display of miraculous power, Momonga resurrects ALL of the fallen Lizardmen right before the eyes of the tribes. Convincing them absolutely of his divine status. Just as he wanted.

Almost as if something about him desires the loyalty, reverence, and devotion of those that live under his rule and receive his blessings.

But trying to maintain the image of the perfect Supreme Being that the Floor Guardians see him as is both stressful and tiring, especially when Momonga has to keep it up for an entire day.

But Albedo has a cure for that~

Nothing like loving cuddles all night while you sleep to get rid of stress.

What comes next for Momonga and Nazarick?

Keep reading to find out!

Until I get your reviews, later!