Chapter 2, part 1

In an office-like room in Nazarick, Ainz, Albedo, and Cocytus were observing the fight between the maids and the adventurers on the Mirror of Remote Viewing.

“What do you think Cocytus?” Asked Ainz, as he saw Demiurge walk out of the wall of flame, signifying that the maids' part was over.

“Although. The. Enemies. Were. Too. Weak. The. Pleiades. Displayed. Excellent. Team. Work. And. Good. Coordination," Cocytus replied.

“Did they really?” - wondered Ainz. To him, it looked like the maids quickly overpowered the low-level adventurers. Did Cocytus recognize something he didn't? Perhaps as a level 100 warrior, Cocytus had a better perception for combat details?” He mused as they watched Demiurge act out his part.

Ainz turned off the Mirror of Remote Viewing and looked at the two guardians in front of him. Were they satisfied with the way things went?

“Everything seems to be going according to Demiurge's plan,” Ainz said, trying to assess their reaction.

“Yes,” replied Cocytus.

“There could be no other outcome for a plan designed by a Supreme Being,” Albedo said proudly.

“It was Demiurge who came up with this plan Albedo,” - corrected her Ainz. “And it is an excellent one – the Holy Kingdom has no option but to seek our aid and will be in our debt.”

“Yes,” acknowledged Albedo “but your plan goes so much further than that. None of us could ever match your intellect and foresight.”

Satoru's none existent heart skipped. “Why do they always do this?” He wondered. “Can't they just accept that it's a simple plan and not think of some grandeur scheme I can't understand?”

“After all,” - Albedo continued “you had already predicted this course of action when you departed for Empire.”

“What? What is she talking about?” What does Baharuth Empire have to do with the Holy Kingdom?” Ainz wondered. “Should I probe for details or would that be too dangerous. At least Cocytus is here.” Ainz did not want to be alone with Albedo when it came to his plans. Just like doing so with Demiurge, discussing future plans while being alone with Albedo could easily lead to him getting exposed.

“It's hard to play an Overlord,” Suzuki thought, as he struggled to come up with a decision. Should I acknowledge it or deny it? “Oh, no. I took too long!” He panicked under Albedo's gaze.

“It is as you say Albedo. Although I could not be certain things would work out as projected.” He looked at Albedo and Cocytus trying to gauge their reactions.

Cocytus seemed to be impressed, cold air escaped from his exoskeleton. Albedo's wings opened in excitement, she had a happy and proud look on her face.

“As expected of the leader of the Supreme Beings,” Albedo said. “Oh, Jircniv will be arriving in a week to sign the vassalization documents,” she added “truly everyone dances in the palm of your hand.”

“Albedo and Demiurge put together the vassalization documents, so I should be fine signing those. But why is she so impressed?” Ainz wondered.

“Then let us proceed with the plan for the Holy Kingdom,” - he said, pushing this questions aside.

In front of the city of Cressa's gates:

With everyone's attention on him, Jaldabaoth stretched his arms out sideways in a stance similar to that of a commander and then...

[prostrate]

As they heard the demons voice everyone fell to their knees and prostrated in front of him. No matter how much they struggled they could not move a muscle, as if someone had taken control of their bodies.

“Lowly humans!” They heard the demon speak. “The adventurers sent to protect you have died. Now it's your turn.”

As they realized that only death awaited them, all the people who heard the demon wept. How foolish were they to think that humans could stand up to a being such as this? That column of fearful demons. It was just a show, a play to amuse this demon. It made sense, as according to the folklore demons enjoyed tormenting humans.

“However, your pitiful display of resistance had amused me!” The demon spoke. “I ache to see you struggle some more. I want you to understand the true meaning of despair!”

As the humans wondered what else he could do besides killing them, the speech continued.

“Instead of destroying this city as I had planned, I will instead attack your capital. Two weeks from now I will destroy it, and consume this whole country with it! So, struggle foolish humans and fall in despair from your inevitable demise!”

[releasing control]

They had control of their bodies again, but none of them had the strength to stand up. Drained of all of their energy by the fear they've just experienced all they could do was lay there.

After a while, they began to struggle to their feet one by one. The demon and his maids retreated and disappeared into the wall of flames. As the guards and adventurers recovered enough to go check on “Fortress” members, they saw one of the paladins struggle to get up.

The next day in the Palace of the capital of the Holy Kingdom:

In the throne room were Empress and Potemur. In front of them Potemur's second in command who had just delivered his report on what he had learned from the bishops of the Slane Theocracy, from where he had just returned.

“I see. The Theocracy thinks that Momon, Ainz, and Jaldabaoth all wield the power of the Gods.” Potemur summarized.

“No matter how powerful, a God-kin could not become so powerful as to render attacks from another awakened God-kin ineffective,” gave her response Felvia Olan Valu. “Such bad luck, so much power in the hands of such an evil being.”

“Then what about Momon? He was able to draw with Jaldabaoth, which should mean he's on his level as well,” Potemur mused. “But his behavior is too humble. Could he be an extremely strong God-kin? Although there is a question of his lineage. Then there is that powerful vampire he defeated.”

“As I thought, we've got more questions than answers,” Feliva concluded. “But let'sleave the unknowable aside, and focus on what we do know.”

“Jaldabaoth is an unimaginable existence. Even if I can damage him, there is no way I alone can defeat him. Then who can we enlist to help us?” She asked the other two.

“It is unlikely that the adamantite adventurers of the Kingdom, Empire or any other country will be effective. We need someone stronger than that,” Potemur replied.

“I've asked the bishops about providing help. Although they have humanity's trump card, the Theocracy will not send her to our aid, nor are they willing to send the Black Scripture,” his second in command explained. “They seem to be more concerned with the Sorcerer Kingdom and their scores of undead.”

“That doesn't leave many options. Do you think the dragon councilors of the City State Alliance will aid us?” Felvia inquired, doubt in her voice.

“Dragons are unpredictable. However, given their previous encounter with the Eight Greed Kings, I cannot imagine any of them rushing to our aid, to confront another such existence,” Potemur replied.

“Then it appears our only choice is to ask this Sorcerer King for help. We can request Momon, that should not be asking too much, right? Even if he is no longer an adventurer and now serves as an enforcer under the undead.” Felvia summed up their position.

“Also it pains me to admit, that is our only option right now,” Potemur admitted while shaking his head. “Still, to ask an undead to help in a fight against a demon. Who would've thought of such a thing.”

“The members of “Fortress” need resurrection, and my brother needs to recover his strength. Although “Devastation” cannot stop Jaldabaoth, having an adamantite adventurer's group in the capital will raise everyone's morale. Potemur, I want you to travel to the Kingdom, and ask Princess Renner to arrange for an Audience with the Sorcerer King. As the Kingdom's envoy to the Sorcerer Kingdom, she should be able to do so. Take an orichalcum adventurer's group “The Young Blood” as your guards.

“As you command!” Potemur bowed to the Empress.

***

The main tavern of the Capital was as loud as ever. But if one looked more closely they could see that the atmosphere was somehow depressed, and not rumbustious as usual. In a corner, several people sat at a table. They were members of “Devastation” and “The Young Blood.”

“So, you are the ones who will accompany Potemur on his journey?” asked Kiara.

The Empress had asked her to arrange for a secret meeting between Potemur and Princess Renner, using Kiara's connection with “Blue Rose” whose leader was, in turn, a good friend of the Princess.

“Yea, I guess the Capital is on high alert after what happened in Cressa. Normally an orichalcum group would not be requested for protection when traveling to the Kingdom's Capital,” - Marv responded.

“I still can't believe “Fortress,” no, Baur had lost,” sighed Kiza “how powerful these demons must have been.”

“There are even rumors that this Jaldabaoth was unharmed even after taking Baur's strongest attack,” - mentioned one of the people at the table.

Marv's body shuddered as he heard that. That paladin was an unimaginably powerful being. Much more so than he could ever hope to reach, Baur had transcended humanity and moved well into the realm of legendary heroes. How powerful would this demon have to be, if the gap between him and Baur was so immense? Could such beings even exist? Marv broke out in cold sweat as he thought about it.

“So, what does the Empress plan to do?” Kiza asked, hints of agitation in his voice, “I've talked to the guild master of Cressa to confirm – Jaldabaoth said he would destroy the Capital in two weeks.”

“Is there anything she can do?” Asked Marv in a heavy voice. “Though she is a descendant of a God, can she overcome such a demon alone? And what about his maids? I heard the fight between them and “Fortress” was as one-sided as us dueling a silver rank,” his deep sigh was full of despair.

After looking around,

Kiara lowered her voice before speaking: “Keep it to yourself, but I have heard that she plans to ask the Sorcerer King for help.”

“The undead?!” Cried out Kiza, his eyes wide with shock.

“Quiet,” Marv punched him in the shoulder. “Does she actually plan to ask that being for help? Also, you said he did not seem to hate the living, would an undead being even considered helping humans?”

Shaking his head in disbelief they continued to discuss Jaldabaoth attack and proclamation. Tomorrow “The Young Blood” were to depart on their journey to the Kingdom's Capital, as Potemur's guards.