What was to be a long and arduous battle ended so soon that the time taken for the fastest and first priority report sent from the camp to the capital of Baharuth actually took a longer time than the actual battle.
"With the casting of the spell, Called Abyssal Roots, it killed 70,000 of the Vanguard after which 156,000 were trapped by the growing vines, their fate unknown, speculated to be dead. Leaving only 14,000 who escaped the battlefield. Along with that, the Head Warrior, Gazef Stronoff was killed in a duel against the General, Hyortr.
Our army, with no physical injury, suffered mass bewilderment and later on developed fear of Roots and anything plant based or something resembling cocoons. Eliciting involuntary responses that led to some deaths post war." The retainer, Vermillion narrated. Cold sweat was tickling down his forehead as he struggled to grasp the horror of the events.
It's mere proof was the crooked and frantically written report. The paper having stains of tears on it. Indicating that the one who documented this suffered from a trauma, what could it be other than that massacre?
"Hah-haheheh" Jircniv, unable to hold his sanity together cackled. The mere thought of a single spell killing nearly 240,000 left him in a mix of emotions.
Fear? Disbelief? Terror? Anger? Helplessness? Everything.
His face contorted into a strange expression, his mind slowly reaching a breaking point.
Ainz Ooal Gown, just what horrific monster did he Unleash? Just who will stop them?
------
After the war, which got promptly declared the Katze Plains Massacre, it's horrifying events reached the ears of the other nations and hidden organisations.
A single spell killing 70,000 was really unheard of. Something which the Dragon Lords of the ancient era or the Great Evil Gods couldn't even achieve, or so was the claim.
But, unfortunately, for the Kingdom and Emperor Jircniv himself, the other nations, like the Holy Kingdom and Dragon Council refrained from taking any actions this soon.
Major events were happening just too soon. First it was that Dark Organization called Dark Eclipse Order, then a sudden pandemic and a civil war in Slane Theocracy, the nation with the highest human Population and faith. And now another hidden organisation emerges Called the Sorcerer's Dynasty Ainz Ooal Gown.
Some intellectuals even speculated that these three events were connected. And what could it be?
But ultimately, what Jircniv initially hoped for was achieved. This massacre showed the world what kind of a monster this Sorcerer Dynasty was. A single general, using just one spell, although his most powerful, killed nearly 240,000.
Then imagine how much his master could do? This prompted the other nations to be vigilant but at the end ofthe day, due to the vast distances between the Katze Plains Massacre's incident and their nations, these rulers chose to stay back and observe.
-----
In an unknown location. Where a Platinum Scaled Dragon slumbered. An old lady entered the chamber of the slumbering Dragon, who lifted his eye lids.
"It's been a long time, Rigrit." A low rumbling voice escaped the Dragon's mouth as he greeted the old lady.
"Indeed, Platinum Dragon Lord. Are you aware of the events happening outside this halls?" Rigrit, immediately got to her point.
Seeing her serious and urgent demeanor, the Platinum Dragon Lord shifted his head towards her, urging her to continue.
"Recently...."
Rigrit slowly recounted all the things that was happening in the world. As she gave more information about the situation outside, the more The Platinum Dragon Lord's face morphed into a frown.
"Dark Eclipse Order....Ainz Ooal Gown...I have not heard of these names before..in my extended life time, never have I come across such organisations." Hearing her recount how the masked individual named Orovas said they were an ancient civilization, Platinum Dragon Lord denied any recollection.
"Then..are they like those 'Gods'." Rigrit then asked.
"It could be. They might be the one called Plah-erhs. It's a shame that I can't act now, but I will find an opportunity to strike and gauge their strength." Platinum Dragon Lord declared. " They will not endanger my World."
---------
Gathered in the Throne Room of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, the guardians lined up in a single file on the side under the stairs leading up the throne. With Albedo next to him, Ainz sat on his throne, looking at the kneeling figure of Hyortr.
"Well done Hyortr. You have outdone yourself and my expectations." Ainz generously praised, and rightly so.
"It was just my duty, My Lord." Hyortr spoke as he bowed before the 'Supreme Being.'
"For your excellent work. Tell me, what do you desire. I will try to fulfill it to the best of my abilities as the ruler of Nazarick." Ainz asked.
"Then..My Lord, could you perhaps grant me the authority to run the Slane Theocracy autonomously under my name?" Hyortr, after a brief consideration spoke.
"Elaborate.." Ainz questioned as he leaned forward, his curiosity captured by Hyortr's proposal.
"As we all know. The only Goal of Nazarick, is to spread its dominance and fame through World Domination. For that, Demiurge, Albedo and I have together begun the plans that Lord Ainz envisioned for us." Hyortr began.
'Wait..when did I envision anything? I was just too worried about you guys revolting against me and you say I was planning a great scheme? Which you obviously mistook for!'
Internally, Ainz ranted his frustrations. But on the outside he occasionally nodded as if what Hyortr said was expected by him.
"Thus we plan to take over The Kingdom of Re-estize through a Casus belli. And as for the Empire, through Vassalization. It was merely a coincidence but a fortunate one that the nation, Slane Theocracy that I targeted, was the culprit behind Shalltear's failed but attempted brainwashing." Hyortr continued.
The last sentence produced a range of emotions, mostly anger and vengefulness from the guardians.
"Those insects!! I will crush them all!" Shalltear promised through her gritted teeth.
"It won't be necessary, because I learned from the captured Black Scriptures that they were the ones responsible. In fact, you were not their initial target but a Certain Dragon Lord. The one who wore the World Item is reportedly dead and no one will be able to use it. "
Hyortr called out to Shalltear as he calmed her down. But, Demiurge on the other hand lifted his glasses as he spoke, his voice filled with a smug pride.
"As expected of Ainz Sama."
"Huh?" "Eh?" Confused voices came from the other Guardians as well as a subtle one from Ainz.
"What do you mean Demiurge?" Aura asked, confused.
"Well, by granting Hyortr Permission to act against the Slane Theocracy, Lord Ainz had already suspected, no he expected, the play of events that led to this moment. He knew beforehand that The Theocracy was responsible for Shalltear's brainwashing but wanted us to find it out ourselves. Right Ainz-sama?"
Demiurge unraveled his Conjecture. Looking at Ainz for his approval, Demiurge unconsciously swayed his metallic tail.
The rest of the guardians also looked at the Overlord who was reeling in from such a shocking revelation even he didn't know he did!
'When!!! I just thought it brought merit with Hyortr controlling that nation!! How did my words made him come to such a conclusion!!' Frantically ranting, Ainz panicked. But luckily, his Undead emotional suppression kicked in, saving him from an awkward moment.
"Ahem..Indeed Demiurge, you understand me too well."
"It was just a glimpse of your already laid out plans my Lord. I hope not to claim to know everything about your grand schemes my Lord. You truly are the Crystalization of Wisdom itself! How could a lowly demon like me come close to your greatness!!" Demiurge replied, his voice rising an octave as he praised the glory of Ainz Ooal Gown.
"U-um. Yes. Thank you Demiurge.."
Ainz hesitantly accepted his overly enthusiastic subordinate's admiration.
'Ahhh..Please someone Help Me!!' Ainz internally pleaded to no one.
While on the other hand, a certain Lector cackled in his mind, enjoying the struggle of a Salary man inside an Overlord's Body.
'Hahahahaha!!'
★★★★★★★