-Arwintar-

Turning down the dark alleyway, all four cloaked people moved swiftly in silence. Kathrin kept glancing at Shalltear and Malga then back to lord Sitabus with worry. His mood shimmered unseen; still, he clearly saw the ruins as another failure. His mood was not helped by what they had learned only hours after traveling into the capital Arwintar. She knew where they were headed; she was just unsure how lord Sitabus could track them so well.

He stopped suddenly as his gaze locked on to the wooden door, almost unseen in the shadows of the alleyway. Above it was a faded sign barely readable with a wand and scroll.

Without much thought, he practically punched the door open without care. Kathrin followed closely into a room dimly lit by a few candles filled with tattered scrolls and some assortment of items. Which smelled of magic only burn out; at first look, it might seem like a downturned magic shop; however, all the shelves were kept with spots of dust. The magic scrolls and items where long used or failed magic scrolls, which are sure to misfire.

Kathrin then focused on the three people near the shopkeeper; the first two looked like a couple dressed in luxurious, expensive clothes reinforced by a layer of magic. The pretty woman in a dress brushed her auburn hair out of her face as the slender, raven-haired man in a suit, pulled her closer, whispering.

On the other side of the counter was a short man in robes of a mage, one of his eyes glassy and lifeless, with a deep scowl glaring at the group, his hands gripping a glass orb.

Behind the counter, the grizzled green-skinned, with his ears missing their tips, shopkeeper stopping his argument between the three. His face adopting a sly smile at the three, it would seem friendly, if not for the devious glint in his eyes.

“Ah, new customers it so rare to have, if you give me a minute to talk to these three, I will be right with you.”

Lord Sitabus marched forward, not regarding the man’s words. Kathrin readied to act, staying back her gaze, keeping watch of her love. Usually, he might be more talkative; however, the last place they went to seemed to ignite a deep rage in her master. Or perhaps the ruins of the village keep was still affecting him.

Either way, lord Sitabus was not himself; Kathrin hoped this would not last long and find answers. Under this rage was a deep pain one she had only seen upon Jade’s or Velvet's death. It felt like there was now a barrier between them, which hid her loves secrets.

She would not let this stand; Only she was having trouble thinking of how to help him. As his loyal and loving queen and servant, she couldn’t let him drift in this darkness, which consumes his thoughts. Changing him in ways, she was not happy with even if she didn’t know why. Perhaps she would consult Velvet after this; She seemed to understand what was affecting him.

Sitabus stop between the three in front of the counter, glaring intensely at the shopkeeper. “You know a fallen nobles house burned down, and their children were taken here. I want them Ureirika Rile Furt and Kuuderika Rile Furt.”

The mage narrowed his eyes at lord sitabus “How do you know this-

Lord Sitabus turned to the aged and scarred mage; under the gaze, he fell to his hands and knees as the noble couple stepped back. Watching as the mage struggle till it became too much slamming into the ground cracking the wood floor unconscious.

Without a word, lord Sitabus turned back to the Shopkeep, ignoring the couple completely, glaring at the shopkeep now feeling the blood lust aura pressing down as well.

“Hey, we came to buy them first. You can’t possibly afford what we offered.” The woman demanded, still quivering too fearful of stepping closer.

Kathrin felt both wrath and annoyance, at the sheep, could they not understand lord Kyuketsuki’s rage. Under this thinly veiled act, she knew whatever they wanted Arche’s sisters for would mean their death. This was not something she could allow, and perhaps if she helps speed matters along, it might lead to her love calming down so they could talk.

With this in mind, Kathrin hissed in irritation with a hand raised whispering [Chain dragon lightning]. Watching as the enchanted clothes did little to stop the spell screaming as the charred corpses fell to the floor.

Walking up beside her lord, much to his surprise. “Your other Customers are unable to talk at this point now about the children my love is looking for!”

To her surprise, the shopkeeper only grinned leaning over the counter. “As I was telling the others, those two are already being processed. Besides, what is the rush? Rumor has it that Arche died in the vanishing ruins along with all the other adventures and the army at Lograth… he trailed off before narrowing his gaze.

…then again you two are still alive, so I suppose she might be alive as well. Not that any of what you have done will change the punishment for this Empire and its heroes.” The shopkeeper spat out at the word heroes as if it was venom.

The shopkeeper shot his arm out as a familiar green parasite at her love who growled, as the parasite withered upon trying to bite into Kyuketsuki’s skin.

Kathrin felt a shiver down her spine at the blood lust leaking around her love like a haze of death. His lovely red eyes were almost glowing as he cracked the shelve as his fist slammed down on it. His other hand pulling the Scarf of the shopkeeper’s white shirt and vest over the counter.

At which point lord Sitabus had already shifted to his true form. Most humans might find it terrifying they didn’t see the charm in his form. This shopkeeper's eyes and face didn’t show fear or shock, only curiosity at the true vampire’s form.

“A True Vampire! Why are you helping these ants?”

Lord Sitabus seemed to lose himself to rage as he bites into the shop keep draining his blood. Dropping the drained body to the floor without care eyes narrowed. “Shalltear and Kathrin find Arche's sisters! Malga, watch the front.”

Kathrin felt conflicted as he ran ahead, hunting the masked crow leader. With reluctance, she jumped over the counter, followed by Shalltear. As they travel through the back of the shop, which quickly changed into a stone tunnel.

Which turned into more uniform and wood covered halls Kathrin kept scanning the area, as they when farther in some of the artifacts, and items looked like they were from Yggdrasil.

“Lord Kettor has been different after the ruins what happened? Why is he so angry?”

Kathrin spared a glance at Shalltear, agreeing with the statement and had no answer. After arriving at Arwintar, her lord had not spoken to her much. In contrast, he usually would explain the plan, despite it not being necessary. It was a worrying sign, pulling out the flag from the ruins as she scans the area around them.

The only piece of information she had gathered to indicate a reason for her loves rage. “Shalltear, as you know our, lord, cares greatly for his servants. Seeing the state of the castle and the amalgamations of all its servants turned into Malga… to him, it must have been a great personal failure.”

Her eyes darkened, thinking about it only confirmed her own thoughts. ‘They were all weak, and if that wasn’t enough, they have brought pain to lord Kyuketsuki as well. I won't allow such vulnerabilities in future servants!’ Kathrin could not tolerate weakness or, worse, seeing physical or mental pain brought to her love. Once Kathrin was empress, she would reforge such limitation out of all servents to avoid another reaction like this from her lord.

“Why does he not punish Malga? why does he seem to blame himself?” Shalltear hissed breaking down the door leading to the next hall.

Kathrin let a nostalgic smile show remembering the old days. When she was still growing stronger, remembering when she was once slain by a human defending Kyuketsuki, most would think he would punish her for such a failure. Instead, lectured her on being reckless, of course, she couldn’t understand the reason to his words back then and spent the rest of that week boosting her up so she wouldn’t die again.

“Lord Kyuketsuki would never do that! The only reason he punished you and velvet was that he knew It would only cause both of you more pain. He puts his followers and friend’s happiness above his own, which is why we must always strive to be stronger, so he doesn’t need to feel discomfort ever again.”

Kathrin beamed, taking down the thugs in their way as they found the split in the pathway. Judging by the shattered doorway and the bodyes sprawled around it, her love had already started clearing that path with the other door untouched.

“Is that why he showed me a memory of lord Peroroncino vanishing and destroying his avatar because he couldn’t sustain his body in Nazarick? I still don’t understand?” Shalltear’s voice wavered in a sad and disappointed tone, still not understanding why he would share such a personal memory.

Kathrin’s ears twitched her sharp eyes, snapping over to shalltear with blazing intensity. She took note of every word and Shalltear’s expression analyzing this information and adding it to what she had learned in this new world.

“So, the supreme ones had other forms?” She mumbled she knew they could travel to other worlds; however, this was news. It would explain why her love would talk about the need to log off and rest before work.

‘Could this be part of the change in this new world?’

“Yes, from what I could gather, something seemed to force my creator to leave and not come back. Which is why lord Kyuketsuki promised to protect and gain my love.” Shalltear confirmed, blushing with a dreamy smile.

Kathrin's mind hid her annoyance and rage at the idea of something forcing a supreme being to leave. Along with fear was this the power of these Dev’s her lord cursed out so often. What kind of power could threaten the supreme beings of Nazarick, which hunted gods like prey?

“Do you love lord Kyuketsuki more then Ainz?” Kathrin couldn’t help but hope she would say no. As much as she didn’t mind sharing her lord’s affection, she knew not all of Nazarick held the same level of loyalty to her creator and love.

They might all adore the supreme beings; however, Kathrin would always follow her creator’s orders over Ainz. A view which was shared only by Velvet, Clementine, and herself. Along with her lords’ summons, and the humans she had turned into pack mates, mostly because of the magic used to summon or create them.

“I don’t know he is very charming and caring, and he found such a wonderful toy in the ex-human assassin…I can’t decide yet.” Shalltear sighed, Kathrin could see the conflicting emotions in the floor guardians’ eyes.

They both halt as they came to the iron door, which hummed with low tier magic enchantments. Ticking in annoyance at how weak this new world was. ‘How did the supply keep end up falling to such weak beings of this new world.’ with a simple lightning spell, the door was blown open. Revealing two blonde twins chained to a wall withering as the parasites slithered inside them, four infected humans and demi-humans watching talking among themselves.

‘Those must be Arche sisters though I will need to heal them.’ Kathrin grimaced in Yggdrasil there where parasitic races of insects. Her interactions with them were rare, and most had to have their hosts exposed to specific magic to drive them out. A lot were weak to holy magic, even with this knowledge; if the spell is too soft, it would just hurt the host, and if too overpowering, it might kill the host as well.

Scanning deeper into the room, they were not alone; there were several other cells most empty, some with bodies of rejected hosts rotting inside. Some still holding in the uninfected hosts, slaves, all of which hide back in the corner of the cells. Each of the cells with people in them had a guard near them.

Kathrin concludes this must be an infection room where members were turned into hosts of these parasites. She smiled at Shalltear even if she still felt angry for the floor guardian allowing herself to be mind-controlled. They might find answers here; she could only hope her lord was having as easy a time.

“Shalltear, please clear the room, capture a few alive. I shall save the two children.”

Kathrin calmly approached the four with one swift motion of her spear all four around the girls fell lightning scorching them to blackened corpses. She studied the twins carefully, gaging the effects of the parasites, with similar green skin and visible veins. Once they both stopped spasming around, they both glared at Kathrin with hate, not of their own.

“You are too late unless you would risk their lives.”

With a critical eye, Kathrin scanned over the twins analyzing the effects of the parasite on them. “You must not see the difference in level between us.”

Without saying a word, Kathrin raised her hand carefully, calculates the odds of what would be the right tire of magic.

Settling on seventh-tire holy magic, which rushed through both twins causing the parasites inside them to scream, as the children both flopped into Kathrin’s arms unharmed.

“You're done as well then?” Shalltear’s voice rang, standing just a few feet away.

Kathrin beamed brightly. “Yes, please send those captured to painkiller for interrogation. I will protect those two. Once done, we can meet back up with lord Kettor.”

Sitabus tried to calm down as he rushed through the halls of the crow's base; however, each time failed. Hearing the shadows mocking voice, not allowing him to forget why he was here.

‘What's wrong can’t control yourself anymore? Sit back and let us have some fun. They all deserve to feed our blood pool, how many times have they shown us up, how many loyal servents have they killed, what gift did they steal from us!”

It felt like his body was moving without his command. His vision tinted red as he barreled through each door each barrier in seconds. He was not even thinking straight as he cut down every person who crossed his path.

Feeling the wall of blood following him, growing with each person slain. Still, he couldn’t let them escape, not if this part of the plan was to work. No information could get out; he couldn’t cure them all of the parasites, not without risking Kathrin or Nazarick safety any more than he already had by playing around.

‘Is this really all I’m good at playing the monster?’ He questioned himself he had come here hoping to talk his way in yet again he was resorting to slaying his way through minions. How could he prove he could be of future use to Nazarick if he couldn’t even trick a few level 30 and 40 enemies.

The only upside was that he was starting to get the hang of the one martial art he had. He had been practicing since Ritana explained and showed him how [ability boost] worked. Unlike the battle with the three dragons at the fort were activating the martial art felt unstable. Now [ability boost] was staying active without much effort thankfully.

Yet Sitabus was unable to feel any drain due to the battle frenzy numbing any pain or draining effects. He wasn’t sure when the rush of rage and fury had left. Sitabus found himself standing alone in what he assumed was the back exit of the wreaked shop blood drained body parts and destroyed shelves scattered about.

Try as he might Sitabus still felt emotionally numb to the slaughter, unsure what to feel. Glancing back at the strain, he felt shocked by the amount of blood gathered by his [blood pool] skill. He could not even see past all the red liquid blocking the way. There was no way to even begin using this much unless he wanted to start using tenth tire spells in the capital.

Dismissing the idea, he opened a gate to his lab in Nazarick, moving it all through into his blood tanks. Once the gate closed, Sitabus scowled, just noticing the smell hidden among the death around him. Almost unnoticeable among the stench of blood was the scent of fear and sweat.

Kyuketsuki’s dulled eyes locking on to the right, under a pile of body parts and a broken door. Walking towards the hiding spot, slowly flexing his clawed hands. Glancing in a pool of blood not collected by his [blood pool], seeing his true form instead of the lust for battle or rage, he felt empty seeing the reflection.

No, it felt worse Sitabus could only describe it as lacking something which he could not identify, which had been there before? As Sitabus casually cut through the gore and wreckage, to the sight of a cowering demi-human resembling the same race as Revie. The mouse demi-human covered in blood and his clothes ruined.

The words were barely above a whisper. “Please don’t kill me…I…I ”

Then it struck him Sitabus couldn’t feel any emotion for this demi-human only board and ideally contemplating ending the wretch. Taking a step back, fearing what he would do, ‘Am I losing my humanity if I keep using this appearance will it happen faster?’ Not trusting himself, he turned away from the demi-human.

Sitabus’ hands were shaking, feeling the voice whispering to kill the demi-human. What scared him was he couldn’t help but agree they might be a possible threat. Where they even apart of the crows he was hunting?

“Answer carefully if you lie, I don’t think I will be able to control myself. Are you working with the covenant of crows!” Sitabus harshly growled out his claws twitching.

He answered with a quivering voice. “NO, they forced me to work the shelves promising if I did my job, they wouldn’t do with me what they did to the others.”

Sitabus didn’t have to turn around to hear his body shaking, racked with fear of death. ‘It doesn’t matter, he is still a witness; he could still ruin the plan.’

Sitabus fought the impulse to attack, forcing himself to change back. Willing the blood lust away struggling with this dark will. ‘No, he is not part of it.’ Finally, gaining back control, he pointed to the door leading to another alleyway.

“Leave and find Revie he is looking for his kin.” Hearing a gasp of surprise before silently leaving stopping halfway.

“If you could please save Tesera, I couldn’t…” the muse demi-human went quite mumbling apologies and rambling before finishing. “…She is somewhere in this city; it is all I know. I only hope Revie will forgive me; I was so scared…”

Once the mouse man was gone, Sitabus let out a breath. ‘We should have ended the weak vermin.’ Refusing to argue Sitabus settle for silence, answering a message from Kathrin.

{My lord, we have secured the twins and found prisoners. I am having them transported to our base in E-Rental for screening.}

{What about the raids on the other base around Arwintar?}

Kathrin purred through the link. {They are clearing them as we speak my lord shall we move on to phase two of your plans.}

-Royal Palace-

Sitabus couldn’t help but wonder about the idea there was still time to back out. Though it would be effective, and he was sure the crows would strike at the emperor soon. It would even drastically alter the future of the Baharuth Empire if he wasn’t careful. Then what would be the difference between him and these crows?

What he could gather so far, they wanted revenge against the thirteen heroes and current ruling human populous. By the disregard and outright planned events, which would have been far more devastating without him there to stop them. How far their plan reached, he could not be sure only that if they got their way, a lot of innocent people would get hurt. Yet that wasn’t the reason he was stopping them no matter how much he tried all he could think about was how they destroyed his supply keep and hurt both Shalltear and Velvet.

Sitabus hoped to end this stage quickly without using his true vampire form. Hoping it might slow the loss of humanity still doubt lingered. ‘What if my loss of humanity was just slower than Ainz’s own. What was the shadow which whispered in my mind to let it go?’

The most frustrating thing was that he couldn’t find an answer, only a feeling like he had forgotten something.

As the doors to the throne room opened to the heart of the palace with a red carpet leading up to the throne. Where Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix sat looking board on his throne. Nearby his four knights, and finally Fluder Paradyne. Rubbing his long beard his eyes locked on to the three

The emperor’s eyes seemed curies with a raised brow at Arche's sisters following the cloaked Kathrin. Before settling onto Sitabus as he stepped forward, ignoring Fluder’s stare.

“Hello, emperor I am Kettor, and I can solve your problems for a small price.” Sitabus gives a friendly smile.

Jircniv, eyes narrowed almost unnoticeably, smirking at the group. Though his eyes were trying to read Sitabus, unable to see or detect the seventh-tier illusion around him. Finally, the emperor spoke after a few minutes. "What problem do you mean, and even if we had such a problem, what would be your price?"

Sitabus beamed knowing though he was unsure if the emperor already knew and was playing, or honestly didn’t know. “Simple I recently found out that all the nobles killed have some relation to one of the Thirteen Heroes. Second, this cult of crows has been targeting the empire’s armies. Based on what little I know, they will come for you next, possibly this city.”

The emperor, despite scolding his features, let his surprise show, though his voice was neutral as he stood moving closer to the strangers. “How do you know this?”

Sitabus scowled, thinking of the masked assailant, which forced him to fight Shalltear. He had to be careful not to give away too much information, or else the emperor might figure out he was at the battle.

“Have you read the report of the battle of Lograth they convinced dragons to attack for what an adventure in E-Rental did to their brother. They had well trained and armored attack trolls; they also crippled the defenses of the fort, so even if it were retaken, it would take months to repair. All this would have taken planning and time, plus I have a hunch that this is not the only battle that occurred like this, is it?” Sitabus felt both happy he had guessed right and annoyed it had taken him this long to figure out.

The emperor was stoic as he thought about the last reports of the battles. “Yes, they have nearby three other cities, unlike Lograth, it was a total massacre with only a few remaining to report the battle. This still doesn't tell me how you plan to help or how you know about the reason the dragons joined them?”

Sitabus cursed his slip up quickly, recovering with a lie. “I heard the rumors while passing through if you must know. As for how I can help that is simple, I will ambush them when they come after you.”

One of the four stepped forward, taking offense to the claim. “You dare suggest you can do the elite four knights’ job better than us!”

Sitabus glanced over the knight before disregarding him altogether. Unable to suppress an urge to smirk darkly at the weak knights. Sitabus, not noticing his red eyes shining brightly for a brief second. “If I wanted to, I could do it single-handedly with ease, but no. An emperor that cannot even cure such a mild curse is hardly worth my time.”

Nimble snarled at the arrogance of this stranger, unsheathing his sword, pointing it at them. “If you are so confident of this, you won't mind a test of strength.”

Sitabus broadly stared at the foolish knight before scoffing at the idea. He didn’t come here to lose himself to his battle frenzy again, fearing what might happen. “I see no point in such a one-sided fight.”

The emperor picking up on his reluctance to fight. Sitabus didn’t like the look in those eyes, the emperor saw some way to manipulate the situation to his advantage.

“No, I agree. Let us see some proof of your prowess before I agree to this. Especially since you haven’t said what you want out of this deal. For all I know, you could be working with these crows as you call them, sir. Kettor.”

Sitabus knew the emperor was forcing him into this situation, though why he wasn’t sure. Glancing at Fluder, realizing that same talent must have given away his strength. If the emperor thought he was just some magic caster, he was in for a rude awakening.

“If you must know, I have already routed out a few nests in this city, and I am still tired, so I will let one of my companions fight in my sted. I would ask for a chair, but I don’t see one nearby.” Calling both Shalltear and Kathrin over. “Now which one of you would like to play with them.”

Both of the women looked at each other, silently messaging one another. Before glancing at Sitabus with some strange look, he couldn’t place. This went on for a few minutes before finally, Shalltear turned to Sitabus with a slight blush.

“Lord Ky-Kettro, if you feel tired, then allow me to be your seat to watch Kathrin fight these fools.” Shalltear was breathing heavily at the request.

Sitabus was cursing this moment, seeing the smirking face of the emperor. Along with the odd looks of the knights. ‘Great if I say no, the emperor might try to force me to fight or blow our cover. If I say yes, I will have to explain to Ainz why I used Shalltear like a chair. Along with them thinking I’m some kind of weirdo, what should I do should I risk it?’ His thoughts were interrupted by the shadow again.

‘What’s there to think about let us play. Unless you are too scared, don’t worry, I won’t make too much of a mess of them.’

Halting his thoughts, Sitabus glanced back at the children near Kathrin's side. Realizing if he lost control again, it might traumatize them or worse. Staring at his shaking hands, not for fear but the lust for combat and blood, he knew he couldn’t risk Arche’s sisters or the promise he made her like this, not trusting himself. He forced a smile at Shalltear, hoping Ainz wouldn’t be too angry.

“Thank you, lady Tearess, I might rest after this and reward you later for your kindness.” Shalltear, herself, was thrilled to help the supreme being finding a great thrill as her lord got comfortable on her back. Her red panting face hidden by the hood at the warmth above her.

While the emperor and his elite four were trying to understand why someone would volunteer for doing something like this. ‘How much loyalty and control over his group does this man have?’ Even being the emperor, he could never expect a servant to be willing to agree to be a seat, let alone volunteer to be one. Subtly glancing at gramps, not only was this group powerful with magic, they were almost totally loyal to this man. If just one of his followers could defeat all of the elite four, he would have to be very careful about how he handled them. Yet, at the same time, they would be a massive boon to the emperor if he could find a way to get them to stay.

Still, Jircniv would have to find out all their weaknesses and skills to know just how significant a boon for the empire they would be. He might even be able to finally expand into the Re-Eztic kingdom in the next annual war.

Then turning to Leinas Rockbruise if he could so quickly cure her curse, that would mean controlling the leader of this group would nip any question about loyalty to him right away, so long as he commanded this man.

“So, Kettro will have her fight for you, then how about a deal. If she can beat all four of my elites, then I will let you name your price later.”

Sitabus took in every detail of the emperor’s face trying to get a read on why he would offer such a deal. Trying to ignore how weird this all felt, the only thing making this ruse bearable was the fact that Shalltear seemed to be enjoying being his chair for whatever reason. Which he was trying very hard not to think about, Peroroncino would be enjoying himself teasing him for no end if he saw this.

“Kathrin show them our strength; just don’t kill them.”

Jircniv’s eyes show his shock since this Stranger had not even asked what he would get if he lost. Wondering how he could be so confident Kathrin would win or was it arrogance. It was still four against one, yet even knowing so little about the elite four, the bored look on his face scream that this man knew how it would end.

This fact didn’t seem to matter; however, as they both watched as Kathrin holding her spear waited for the elite four to strike first. It quickly went downhill as only Sitabus, and his group, save Arche’s sisters, could keep up with Kathrin's speed. The whole fight didn’t last more than a minute before the elite four were knocked out armor broken and weapons scattered.

-End of Chapter-