Valkyrie's Shadow

Chapter 33

Haaaaah…so tired.

On his bed in the former Mayor’s Manor of E-Rantel, Ainz Ooal Gown lay face-down in defeat. It had been a long day. Too long.

As he had feared, piles of paperwork awaited his return. The entire morning had been spent in his office with Albedo, who seemed hellbent on making up for the time she had ‘lost’ together with him. His stroll through the city with Momon and Nabe took up the greater part of the afternoon, and he couldn’t remember most of the updates Pandora’s Actor had given him during that time. When Ainz came back to the manor, he found himself in his office again for a second round of paperwork that lasted well into the evening.

I need a vacation.

Ainz wearily turned his head to face the nightstand beside the bed, letting out another long sigh. The titles upon it were still as intimidating as ever: especially the massive tomes written by that girl from the Empire. In the past few weeks, he had attempted to make some progress on his reading by changing his approach.

Rather than trying to slog through from beginning to end – which always had him give up a few paragraphs in – he would skim through the index to find subjects that seemed interesting. As interesting as a thesis on the operation of a magocratic state could present, at any rate.

The Sorcerous Kingdom was functionally a feudal state with a monarchy that was bound by its laws. This was due to the legal framework inherited from Re-Estize, which had caused Albedo and Demiurge to protest the idea that Nazarick’s Supreme Overlord could be bound by such paltry things as Human laws. Even as a monarchy, one could say it was a magocracy since he was the ‘Sorcerer King’…or was that wrong?

Regardless, there were several topics that he thought would be highly relevant to the Sorcerous Kingdom. Unfortunately, even with his interest piqued, he quickly became lost in the advanced material that seemed to require extensive familiarity with the subject matter to even grasp at the most basic of levels.

And so the vision for his nation remained as nebulous as the Katze mist, following his vague directions and half-baked ideas. Stability was a given, considering their relative strength. Albedo and her administration kept things running as close to clockwork as could be expected, with improvements reportedly made week by week.

Yet, a secure nation run by an inhumanly perfect bureaucracy was never his goal. If anything, he might have liked it better if there were always little problems for him to fix here and there. Not only would that make him feel useful, but as it was, things still felt too sterile and soulless. Ainz wanted the Sorcerous Kingdom to be a nation known for its character – a place that its people could be proud of, just as Ainz was proud of the guild that was the source of the nation’s inspiration.

The concept of national identity did not exist in the societies that had formed in the region. At the least, it was weak – a far cry from the national spirit that prevailed over countries in the modern era of his former world. Perceptions of statehood were in fact not much different than Earth in the early renaissance.

‘Common folk’ did not care about the nation that they belonged to. They cared about their families and the villages that they lived in; whether they could survive the winter and if they had sufficient security to eke out a living. Race and religion weighed far more than the sense that one belonged to a Kingdom or an Empire. Whether a Farmer was from Re-Estize, Baharuth, or Roble, this outlook on life was much the same as anywhere else.

The people that cared about things like history and a legacy greater than themselves tended to be those who could afford to. As such, it was affluent aristocrats and – ironically enough – Adventurers that tended to affiliate themselves with nations. Even with them, however, the sense of collective national identity was tenuous, at best.

If a Noble’s title went from Re-Estize to Baharuth, they no longer considered themselves a Noble of Re-Estize despite their house serving that nation for generations or the fact that their new liege was their former enemy. As Baroness Zahradnik had put it, they were no longer one another’s business and moved on to see to the business that mattered.

When it came to Adventurers, it was more in the sense that they claimed to protect a nation’s people. If they felt it was to their advantage to change their base of operations, then they did so as a matter of course. Despite being ‘protectors of the people’, they could just as easily leave them behind. It was a hypocritical, mercenary mindset unsuited for individuals entrusted with the security of a state.

With this in mind, it was the aristocracy, with the culture and ties that they forged within their territories, that came the closest to achieving something like national spirit. People loved and fought for their landlords. Or they quietly hated them. Either way, they were icons that represented the ‘world’ of the common folk: their homes and the immediate connections to the lands around them.

This energy was something he needed to harness somehow for the Sorcerous Kingdom as a whole – something necessary to make the nascent nation more than something that existed by peace of the sword alone.

Light tapping sounded from the bedroom door, followed by a respectful voice.

“Ainz-sama, Shalltear-sama has requested an audience.”

Shalltear? That’s rare…she usually doesn’t come to see me in this manor.

Ainz rose from his bed, glancing out the window. Night had fallen upon E-Rantel, and not a trace of the sunset remained.

“Have her brought to my office, Cixous,” he said. “I will be out shortly.”

He gave the room a quick once over before the maid on duty returned to attend him. As they made their way through the manor, Ainz wondered what the visit could be about. If there was some sort of emergency, he would have been contacted via Message. It was not an immediately pressing matter, yet it was important enough for her to come and see him personally.

Three Vampire Brides stood outside of the door to his office, and they lowered their heads deeply as he passed. Inside, Shalltear awaited him in front of his desk, dressed in her black ballroom gown. She spread out her skirts in a curtsey at his approach.

“Ainz-sama. I hope the evening finds you well.”

“It’s been a busy day,” he said as he seated himself. “And the days are bound to become busier once Demiurge sets his plan in motion. I almost wish I could return to the relaxing journey we had over the past two weeks.”

“Ah, Ainz-sama!” She beamed radiantly, “It fills me with joy that I could be of some service to you. If ever you desire, I will be more than happy to arrange for another trip!”

“Umu. I will keep that in mind. So, what brings you to request such a rare audience?”

Shalltear fell silent at his question, lips twitching slightly as her hands fidgeted over her lap.

“What’s the matter, Shalltear?”

“Ainz-sama…have I been serving you well?”

A complex expression filled her face as she asked and awaited his response. It reminded him of the time shortly after her revival, when fear, doubt and shame plagued her every word and action. Ainz had forgiven Shalltear for what had happened, but she had never forgiven herself. No words existed to console her; no punishment could lift the weight of her ‘sin’ from her shoulders.

Following their journey to the Dwarf Kingdom, her vigour was renewed as she threw herself at the task he had assigned to her, but he supposed that the spectre of the past was not so easy to exorcise. After so long, perhaps she finally felt ready to put it all behind her.

“I think you have done an exceptional job, Shalltear,” he said. “Your growth has far exceeded my expectations, as have the results of your work. So much in fact that I believe you are more than ready to act as the Minister of Transportation in full. The Sorcerous Kingdom’s logistical network – its land, sea, air and magical infrastructure – will be entirely under your management. If there is anything that you require, do not hesitate to ask.”

“T-thank you very much!” She bowed deeply several times, “I am honoured that your most exalted self has entrusted this task to me!”

Ainz smiled to himself as the Floor Guardian’s excitement filled the office. It wasn’t one born of indulgence, but out of pride for Peroroncino’s daughter, who had grown so much.

After several more bows, Shalltear seemed to get a hold of herself. An uncertain expression replaced her smile, and her eyes went to some spot over his right shoulder. He turned to see what she was looking at, but there was nothing there.

“Then, if I may ask, Ainz-sama…”

Hoh…she’s actually going to ask for something? Well, it’s not as if feelings alone can build a transportation network.

Since she had been managing things well so far, Ainz figured that Shalltear would be well aware of the costs that came with a nation’s infrastructure. More than he was, at any rate.

“I understand the magnitude of the responsibilities that I have bestowed upon you,” he said. “Any funds or items that you require can be withdrawn from the Treasury. I will inform Pandora’s Actor.”

“You have my thanks,” Shalltear said, “but what I need…are people, arinsu.”

People?

“I suppose there are some Mercenaries stored in Ashurbanipal that would be suited for labour…”

“It is not labour that I require, Ainz-sama.”

“I see…then what sort of people do you need? As you know, most of Nazarick’s denizens capable of duties outside are already doing what they can. This is especially the case with our ongoing operations in Re-Estize and Roble.”

“Fortunately, my request does not involve Nazarick’s limited resources…Ainz-sama, did Baroness Zahradnik please you?”

So she means to employ some of the citizens. She really has come a long way…

“I believe that she will be a great boon to the Sorcerous Kingdom,” he replied. “Not only is she a talented and industrious individual, but possessed of a rare character that I can only wish we had more of. I do not know what she was like when you first met her, but you did well in bringing her to our side.”

“In that case,” Shalltear said, “There are some additional individuals that I would like to take as my vassals and bring over to our side. They will all be crucial for my work in the future.”

“As your vassals? Who are they?”

“Countess Corelyn, Countess Wagner, and Baroness Gagnier.”

Ainz leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. He brought a hand up to stroke his chin in thought.

Her claim that they would be crucial for her work was most likely the case. Countess Corelyn was a prodigy whose expertise and foresight would prove invaluable to Shalltear’s efforts. Countess Wagner was a key player in transportation technology. Baroness Gagnier forged social and economic connections between the disparate peoples of the Sorcerous Kingdom. All three were the heads of successful merchant houses, sharing common ground in their knowledge of logistics and trade. Not only that, they were all exceptional administrators with successful territories under their management.

Together with Baroness Zahradnik, who could offer insights on the military side of things, Shalltear would have the cornerstones upon which she could build the Ministry of Transportation into a force to be reckoned with. He couldn’t even begin to imagine where their work would lead.

They were all noblewomen he had seen in the company of Shalltear since shortly after the founding of the Sorcerous Kingdom and reportedly worked closely with her. The three she had requested were his direct vassals, meaning that he could indeed transfer their titles to Shalltear. Such a move was something no ordinary ruler would have considered out of the fear that they would lose power and influence, but Ainz was no ordinary King.

Shalltear’s work was essential to the future of the Sorcerous Kingdom. As a bonus, the many burdens that came with managing transportation and infrastructure would be left in hands immeasurably more capable than his.

“Very well,” he said. “They are yours. However, this transfer of authority will have to wait until the end of the season. Pandora’s Actor might cry if a huge portion of the Sorcerous Kingdom’s tax revenue was snatched away at the last second. I assume you will be using their taxes to build up our nation’s infrastructure and associated facilities?”

“Yes, Ainz-sama. It will be sufficient for our construction efforts, as well as research and development. I will, of course, be paying you my taxes according to the laws of the nation.”

“There’s no need for that…”

“Oh, but I insist!” Shalltear smiled, “After all, it is only fitting as a successful vassal, arinsu. None of the others will come remotely close to matching my contributions to Nazarick’s coffers.”

It was the first he had ever heard of someone paying taxes to get ahead. Since he so often envisioned Nazarick and the Sorcerous Kingdom as corporations over which he presided as CEO, Ainz felt that he should be the one paying out a salary to the Guardians. In mere months, however, Shalltear generated several orders of magnitude more revenue for Nazarick than Ainz had managed to scrape up while working as an Adamantite Adventurer.

“I suppose I’ll be looking forward to it, then,” he sighed. “More importantly, do you truly believe that they can be brought over to our side?”

Ainz was still at a loss as to how a -450 Karma NPC could command such unswerving loyalty from Baroness Zahradnik.

“I think it is inevitable,” Shalltear replied. “That they’re all good friends will make it that much easier.”

“And what about you?” Ainz asked, “Your relationship with Baroness Zahradnik…do you consider her a friend?”

“Ludmila is more than a friend, Ainz-sama,” Shalltear said. “She is my vassal, arinsu. Something like an Area Guardian, perhaps?”

With their audience concluded, Shalltear swept her skirts out in an elegant curtsey before turning to make her way out of the office. Her hips swayed as she glided through the doorway, brimming with confidence. Ainz watched her leave with some bemusement.

An Area Guardian, huh.

More than a friend, to be called a vassal by a Floor Guardian of Nazarick held far greater significance to its denizens. An Area Guardian was a position of power, respect, and authority bestowed upon the blessed few by the Forty-One Supreme Beings. To be genuinely considered in similar terms was praise of the highest order.

The door whispered shut behind Shalltear. Then it opened again.

“Ainz-sama,” Cixous said. “Demiurge-sama has requested an audience.”

“Bring him in.”

The golden-haired Homunculus Maid stepped aside, allowing the Guardian of the Seventh Floor entry. As usual, Demiurge was wearing his red suit with its orange pinstripes. Ainz thought that there might be an extra spring in his step, but he might have been seeing things.

“Ainz-sama,” Demiurge placed a hand over his breast and bowed deeply. “It is my deepest pleasure to once again bask in your supreme presence. I trust that your journey has been a fruitful one?”

“Umu,” Ainz nodded. “There were many unexpected gains, and it was an enjoyable experience overall. You will have to forgive me for engaging in such frivolous pursuits when you have been working so hard.”

The Archdevil chuckled, lips curving up in a wicked grin.

“You are far too humble, Ainz-sama. My meagre efforts are as amateurish flailings compared to your masterful machinations. If my work was to prepare the Holy Kingdom for your eventual dominion, then surely yours was to set the stage for events that will shake the entire world.”

No, I literally just sailed up and down a river and looked at some ruins. Nothing to see here…

“I presume it is matters of the Holy Kingdom that have brought you here tonight?”

“Indeed, all has been readied. We await your word to commence.”

The conquest of the Abelion Hills and the subversion of the Holy Kingdom of Roble. Demiurge had presented him with a ‘script’ to review, of which he could only say ‘umu’.

The first phase was the subjugation of the Abelion Hills. Demiurge would gather all of the races whose existence would be problematic to the Sorcerous Kingdom and use them as an army to attack the Holy Kingdom. Once sufficiently pressed, the Holy Kingdom would have no choice but to seek outside help. Their delegation would arrive in the Sorcerous Kingdom and Ainz would lead the Holy Kingdom’s forces on a campaign to liberate their cities. Once that was done, he would defeat Jaldabaoth and ‘save’ the peoples of the Abelion Hills from their Demonic overlords.

It was, in part, for this reason that he had Baroness Zahradnik lead her Undead company through the Katze Plains. She started out with a ragtag force that would not be much different than the survivors of the Demihuman onslaught and ended with a company that was roughly equivalent to a regiment of the Holy Kingdom’s army.

Carefully watching her progress gave him what he felt was a good grasp of how low-level armies functioned. He probably couldn’t use any of her more disturbing methods for publicity reasons. At one point, he asked about more image-friendly tactics in a roundabout manner to no avail. Still, he was confident that he would at least not look entirely ignorant when playing his part in Demiurge’s script.

“Very well. You may begin.”

And so, with a regal gesture practised in front of his bedroom mirror countless times, Ainz Ooal Gown sealed the fate of an entire nation.

“Good evening, Miss Aramis.”

“Good evening, Lady Zahradnik.”

The rustle of fallen leaves whispered over the grounds of Castle Corelyn, carried by the chill winds heralding the autumn harvest. Taiya Aramis shivered slightly and drew her woollen shawl more tightly around her shoulders. She led Ludmila through the warm hallways of the castle keep – it was more a palace, really – and up to the third floor.

If it was one thing that marked the difference between Ludmila and her childhood friend, luxury would be the closest word to describe it. Born a hundred kilometres downriver and an entire world away, Clara Corelyn was the epitome of civilian aristocracy – a Noble amongst Nobles. This luxury was not to be mistaken for opulence, however, as Clara was just as austere as she. Every action taken, purchase made and project constructed was a careful calculation that Ludmila struggled to see every facet of.

Rather than drive herself crazy trying to discern the meaning behind every detail of the ornate corridors, she reached into the Infinite Haversack on her right hip and withdrew two books freshly scribed and bound. Each was an exact copy of the journal she had picked up in the runecrafted vault in Lagaš, which the Sorcerer King had delivered to the Royal Archive of Ashurbanipal for safekeeping.

Ludmila could read perhaps a quarter of its content, but it simply wasn’t enough to make sense of much of it. Clara, however, could probably at least get half. It would long be the object of study, but, with a full translation, she thought they would finally be able to discover the truth behind the Katze Plains.

A knock on the door of Clara’s private chambers echoed lightly down the immaculate corridor. Her friend’s voice issued softly from the other side.

“Yes?”

“Lady Zahradnik has come to see you, my lady.”

“Please, come in.”

Taiya opened the way and led Ludmila further in. Seated comfortably on her bed was Clara Corelyn, looking snug and warm beneath her silken sheets with documents spread all about her.

“Shall I have something prepared, my lady?”

Clara’s amethyst gaze went to Ludmila, who shook her head. Seeing this, Taiya excused herself, shutting the door quietly behind her. Clara’s eyes continued to linger until she finally set down the papers in her hand and rested a cheek on her knees.

“So our rook has finally taken to the field,” she said. “It is about time you joined the game.”

Ludmila could only offer a resigned smile in reply. With a mere glance, her friend had discerned the change that had come as a result of her time with the Sorcerer King. She wasn’t even dressed in the new outfit that His Majesty and Lady Shalltear had bestowed upon her.

“And what game might that be?” Ludmila asked.

“The only one that matters,” Clara answered with a small smile of her own. “Bringing the light of the Sorcerous Kingdom to the world.”