Overlord: Ancient One

Arthur was floating in the sky watching the beautiful sunset on the west horizon. Even though the sky was covered with clouds the sunset looked stunning and mesmerizing.

And behind Arthur was Demiurge, who was in his true form.

After Roland and the group explain the general knowledge and even give some gold coins they return to their town to report their findings in Adventures Guild. 

Arthur also came to know their party—Dark Blade—is a popular gold-plated party, that made name for themselves.

Another interesting thing Arthur noted is that the Wasteland that spreads across two countries—Re-Estize Kingdom and Greed Empire—is called Nastrond.

Nastrond, according to folklore, this a place where both True Gods and Demon Gods fight for their supremacy over the world. Because of their overwhelming power, they terraform the whole place into an Undead Plane. 

Ultimately, they couldn't kill each other so the world split into two—The northern part of the world was overseen by the Great Gods while the Southern part of the world was Ruled by the Eight Greed Kings.

But what Arthur found interesting was the name 'Nastrond' itself. It was one of the places in HELHEIM, more precisely the place where {World Enemy: Níðhöggr} is placed.

{A dragon who gnaws at the root of the world tree, YGGDRASIL.} That was it's description and it is one of many {World Enemy} Arthur soloed. And Níðhöggr can be said to be the strongest Undead Summoner in the whole of YGGDRASIL. Arthur dragon Avatar—{Dragon of Apocalypse}—looks can said to be inspired by Níðhöggr.

"What do you intend to do, Ancient-sama." While Arthur was deep in thought, Demiurge voiced him back to reality.

Arthur didn't look at Demiurge, he simply continued to look at the sun that was fading in the west horizon. To the onlookers, this action of his looks oddly mysterious.

"What a beautiful world, isn't it? Demiurge." Arthur's voice sounded. His voice was low but weirdly attractive.

"Perhaps it is. I believe the beauty of this world exists to adorn you, Ancient-sama," Demiurge said in a reverent voice.

"Indeed, it is beautiful. You say these stars exist to adorn me... perhaps that is so. Perhaps the reason that I have come here is to claim this chest of jewels for myself." Even Arthur felt cringed after finishing the line. But he didn't show it on his face. 

"If is your wish, then by your command, I shall lead Nazarick's forces to claim this chest of jewels. I, Demiurge would like nothing more than to present this chest of jewels to my lord and master, Ancient-sama."

Those cheesy lines made Arthur chuckle. He wondered if Demiurge had been intoxicated by the atmosphere as well.

"But to do that we have to defeat the 'Gods' of this world." Saying so Arthur turned to Demiurge, Who had a long grin on his frog face.

"—Demiurge, I have an order for you. Discuss with Esdeath and make an army formation that can take on ninety million and make sure the said army is ready to deploy at any moment. I also give you permission to enter 11th-floor."

"Your wish is my command, My lord." Demiurge bowed as his grin reached his ears.

"—Ancient-sama, can I ask you why spared the adventures party?" Demiurge asked curiously.

Demiurge has no idea why his master would spare a couple of humans from his firm grip. From his lord's previous order, it is clear that he is going to wage war against the supposed Gods of this world. And that humans are the only ones who know about their location, even though barely, but letting them leave freely even without leaving a shadow Demon—is something he can't comprehend.

Even though Demiurge was blessed with intelligence that could rival anyone excluding Supreme Beings, even with that intellectual, Demiurge couldn't come up with a reason why Ancient-sama would let the humans walk away.

A random move? Demiurge thought but quickly dismissed the very thought. The one in front of him was a being who plotted against the whole of Asgard and even successfully destroyed it while everyone was watching and placed Nazarick Flag over the dead bodies of millions.

And Demiurge once heard from his creator—Lord Ulbert—that even the other supreme beings were afraid of Ancient-sama cruelty and Strategies.

For a great mind like Ancient-sama to make such a random mistake is something Demiurge can't comprehend. 

But he is not arrogant enough to think that he could fully understand Ancient-sama strategies, which even other supreme beings failed to do. So to fully understand his lord's intention and to perfectly carry out his order Demiurge voiced his doubt.

Hearing Demiurge, Arthur couldn't understand what he meant but as the Ruler of Nazarick, he couldn't ask what Demiurge meant by that as it would damage the character he built till now. 

But Arthur didn't cower because of lack of knowledge instead he just looked at Demiurge and just like an absolute Ruler he asked his assistant for help.

'Friday, tell him what he needs to know.' His voice was filled with confidence and dignity but that didn't last long as Friday didn't respond.

[....] 

'Friday, this not a time to pull pranks, I am on edge here. Look, he is looking at me. I need assistance here.' Even after Arthur begged Friday didn't respond.

'Fine, If you are not going to help then watch me as I deal with this.' 

"There are three reasons why I spare them." 

"As expected of you, My lord. To think that you already foresee the disadvantage, I am in awe at your intelligence and I am ashamed myself to admit that I don't even know a single reason as to why you spare them. I know it unbecoming of a Guardian to ask this but can explain some details of your plan."

His master, Ancient One-sama, was the supreme ruler of Nazarick, who concealed countless stratagems within a single move of a chess piece. Demiurge who had been created with outstanding talents-could not even hope to graze the soles of his brilliance with his outstretched hands. Attempting to read his master's motivations was a mistake.

That said, sensing his master's will and preparing for it was a mark of true loyalty.

If I don't work hard enough... Demiurge thought while said the master was smoking his brain.

Plan? Wish, I had one. Even though I like to explain my plans to you but Friday is offline. Arthur thought but he didn't let his nervousness show to his face.

As he was not intelligent enough to fool Demiurge without the help of Friday, he replied with a constructive type 'answer'.

"I will only tell you one of the reasons, the rest is something you have to figure out yourself." Sorry Demiurge that is the best answer I can come up with. I really wanted to say something cool but my trusted aid betrayed me in times of need. Of course, Arthur couldn't say that loud so he kept that in his mind.

"They are native to this world and they possess knowledge that we don't. This is especially true given that we do not quite understand this world... so I hoped Roland could do our work for us."

"I see... so you used him as a pawn to fill out the local information. It is quite fitting to use inferior lifeforms like humans in that way." His face revealed a grin like he was saying something funny.

"...Indeed. However, that is not all. Since we saved him at the brink of death, he will be even more grateful to us. In addition, since they were adventures, the country's Adventures Guild will investigate the matter if something happened to them. That was why I stepped in."

"Ah... as expected of Ancient-sama... so that was why you took the leader and the others alive. Marvellously."

"Yes, that is correct and this is only one of the reasons. If you can come up with rest then I will give you a reward worthy enough for your intelligence." but there is no other reason. Arthur completed the sentence.

"I understand, Ancient-sama. I shall continue working hard in future to prove myself worthy enough."

"Is that so? Then seeing that I have completed my objective, let's return to Nazarick."

"Certainly, My Lord." 

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