Overlord - Of Sin And Sanctity 17 War?

It wasn't difficult to find s.h.i.+zu because she was becoming somewhat of a celebrity amongst the children. Not only that but she managed to meet with a number of influential characters through their children, some of who could be incredibly useful if I ever fell out fully with the cardinals. Which was seeming more and more likely. Zess.h.i.+ seemed to be talking things over with various people, and from the sounds of things, she was trying to make me out as another omnipotent being.

'Although... having a cult following in every country actually wouldn't be a bad idea in case I'm outlawed and still want access to something... I mean here they have the {Spirit Garden} which supposedly raises someone's capacity for magic, and if it can do that even for me then no doubt it's worth sneaking into the country to use. I must get Zess.h.i.+ to tell me where it is.'

For obvious reasons, the garden is one of the greatest secrets of the Theocracy. If the country was ever to be overrun, the garden would be partially destroyed, and sealed off as if nothing were ever there. That way, enemies that would be oblivious to it's existence wouldn't even find it, and those that could find it would require at least a century of dedicated work to fix it - a single flaw in the walls or a leaf out of place would affect the perfectly harmonic balance... Or so she says.

Momonga: [Message - Dabilosi] Uhm... Ota?

Dabilosi: [Message - Momonga] Eh? Yes. That is my name bonehead.

Momonga: [Message - Dabilosi] Did you actually do that?

Dabilosi: [Message - Momonga] What are you... Oh. Jealous?

Momonga: [Message - Dabilosi] Jealous of the fact that you aren't here for the fallout? Definitely. You see, Albedo seems to be insistant you did it out of pity, but this is being hotly contested by Shalltear, as it would be. Demiurge appears to be siding with Shalltear and Cocytus with Albedo, while the other two seem unsure about joining in.

Dabilosi: [Message - Momonga] Hold on. I can understand why Demiurge would side with Shalltear, but why did Cocytus side with Albedo? And why the heck are you turning to me you blundering oaf?!

Momonga: [Message - Dabilosi] In Cocytus' words - I cannot explain it otherwise. They've turned to me and are bugging me to choose sides. Cocytus' next words were 'Dabilosi-sama would not do that' by the way. I also thought that since you started this I shouldn't have to clear up.

Dabilosi: [Message - Momonga] Up yours too thanks. But since it's gonna be like that - Watch and learn, from the master.

Dabilosi: [Project Voice][Message - Momonga] Tsk. I did not think things would come to this. I, am TRULY disappointed. In Shalltear, for being too hasty to spread the news - you did not think of the possible consequences; In Albedo, for blatantly demeaning both Shalltear in her entirety and my image - the former through the insinuation of guilting me into the deed, and the latter through the insinuation that I would indeed do something like this out of pity; In Aura and Mare, for being indecisive, neither attempting to mediate, nor standing on either side in defense or accusation. Finally, albeit to a much lesser extent, Cocytus, for believing that I would do such a base thing.

Nevertheless, the individual faults, I am merely disappointed in. And yet I, am utterly, enraged... What this is, it is a group, not a unit. No, it is even less, a broken jigsaw rather than an impenetrable wall. A combustion mage. A hunter. A paladin. Give me two of these as you are now, and I could eliminate you all without lifting a finger. So if you are all done, I'd like to get back to work without any more distractions.

Momonga: [Message - Dabilosi] Well that was certainly something. Thank you very much kind sir for doing absolutely all the work for me.

Dabilosi: Keh. Unbelievable.

s.h.i.+zu: Dabilosi-sama?

Dabilosi: It isn't important. Just a stupid argument I had to break up.

s.h.i.+zu: Oh.

Dabilosi: I was actually just checking in so that you don't worry. I'm currently learning from some maniac at the training court about martial arts. They appear to be a method by which I can break the limit of strength. If you wish, you may follow along and learn alongside me. It may be useful to learn some close-range techniques just in case you cannot avoid a frontal a.s.sault, but even if you do not consider that a valuable expenditure of time, some of the movement techniques are exquisite.

Forneus: Dost thou remember that which thou hast spake the other party of?

Dabilosi: Yes. But I don't need to reply in the positive. Lying is the same as truth. At the end of the day, they are both just words. Plus I didn't exactly lie in the first place. Also this will make him believe I'm more trustworthy and wasn't just making an excuse so...

s.h.i.+zu: Oh?

Dabilosi: He'll probably bring it up so there's no point explaining it now. Forneus, could you go to talk to Zess.h.i.+? The one I pointed out. Give her a few pointers, her speech is somewhat basic.

Forneus: It shall be done according to thy will.

On the way back to the training court, my thoughts began to wander.

'I've set up operatives in two major powers in order to influence them and help towards Nazarick's goal of world domination, but why do we want world domination? To spread the name of Ainz Ooal Gown and find our comrades or others like us? That is unlikely to happen. For all we know, the two of us could have fulfilled some insanely specific criteria in order to transmigrate - the act of which is unscientific in and of itself to the extreme. Because we might find a way to get home? Also unlikely. Even if it was, I wouldn't take it since naturally there would have to be numerous restrictions or seals on a way home, or the world would be overrun by supernatural beings, which means I would be bound to mediocrity and a normal lifespan again. Wealth and power? What does that achieve? It would just make it easier to do what we like.'

In the end I just gave up and went back to my original plan of just having fun. s.h.i.+zu looked at me questioningly a few times, but since she didn't actually say anything I didn't see any need to either. The madman seemed to be teaching as we got to the court, so we decided to just watch for a while.

Zarion: No, no, no and no! Thrust like that in a REAL battle and you'll lose your head! When you use the [Piercing Dragon Tusk], you have to remember it was named after the dragon! Not a f*cking flatfis.h.!.+ You have to be domineering, following through right until the end with strong, powerful motions, not standing around like a f*cking lemon until your enemy makes the first move! You're b.l.o.o.d.y useless! And you, what kind of [Severing Blade] was that?! That's supposed to be used to END fights. You use all your strength to deliver a decisive blow, not half of it. That makes it worse than useless!.. Oh? Wahaha, [Capacity Building], I like it! Even when you're training your skills you put extra pressure on yourself by training your body. Just make sure that while you do that you don't go too far with it or you might cause yourself permanent damage.-

This went on for a while before he caught sight of me.

Zarion: Aha! There he is! This, you sh*tbags, is the man who will be the successor of my martial art!

'Uhm, while I like the enthusiasm and I'm glad I get the chance to study all those martial arts... I only just met you.'

One of his students went pale the moment he saw me, but before he could say anything Zarion continued.

Zarion: Wahaha! You seem confused, but let me tell you something, I have never been wrong about people! Some people come to me insincere or with hidden intents, but you? You are the only one I've seen with such dedication and a blazing and pure desire to learn! There is nothing you want from me other than that, and I like it!

???: Sensei? Uhm... He's... That is....

Zarion: Come on Darius! Spit it out you lazy son of a b*tch!

???: He's Darnell! He's... Darnell, the war angel and new extra seat of the Black Scripture.

'Oh so they decided that they would give me that t.i.tle anyway huh?'

Zarion: Do I look like I f*cking care who he is you b.l.o.o.d.y maggot? I don't care if he's a beggar or G.o.d almighty, if he seriously wants to learn from me, I will teach him! Hold on a second. If you managed to get the extra seat how come I beat you? Don't tell me you went easy on me?

Dabilosi: I'm a mage. I'm trying to learn swordsmans.h.i.+p so that I have no weaknesses.

I could practically hear the sweat drops from the students.

Zarion: Alright, get lost all you lot. There's more drive in him than if you put everyone else together.

Darius: Haha... Uhm, my father is a cardinal you know. You will be punished and might even get fired if you don't tutor me properly.

???: Keh, it's not just you with a big name behind your back, my father is the president of the Truthseeker trade committee

The other students near them nod vigorously. I guess him parentage is common knowledge among them. These aren't children, but with how they've brought up, they might as well be.

Dabilosi: Oh really now? Well, do you know what I can do to them?

Darius: Can't be that much. Even the first extra seat can't offend the cardinals, let alone a mere second.

Dabilosi: While that may be the case for the general scriptures... The extra seats of the Black scripture are numbered that way purely because I became one later... If your father - Yvon, right? If he got in my way, a new cardinal of light would be appointed. Now scram before the Theocracy's future looses some potential.

At this I let loose my [Pinnacle Aura] for a second, and he, along with all those around him, pales instantly and they rush off. Zarion's eyes widen and I can practically see him comprehend something.

s.h.i.+zu: Annoying.

Dabilosi: That they were. But rather, Zarion. Is something the matter?

Unintentionally, Zarion let loose his aura again. This time however, there was something different, as if I was being scoured for an opening in my defenses, as if the wind was a mult.i.tude of blades, slas.h.i.+ng me with different shapes, sizes and forms. As if the man in front of me had truly become a sword, capable of tearing down anything in his way. I got over this quickly, but the fact that it happened at all was astounding, especially considering the level difference.

Zarion: Hey Darnell... A sword, is not just a weapon. It is a symbol of authority. A symbol of dominance. Common and general purpose soldiers use a sword, they are the symbol of the army and it's dominance. Cavalry use either a lance or a saber. Generals and specialised units in the army use a spear. For princes, it is a rapier. But the king? He uses a sword, just like his army. Unlike the spear, saber and rapier which have only a few variations, the sword cannot have a perfect style even when one is crafted with to suit the user, and others can see this. The sword must be unyielding, carving it's path onward. A sword does not see good nor evil, but friend and foe. But more than anything else, the path of the sword is not a lonely one. As the king relies on his subjects and his subjects on him, a swords-master must learn from his students as much as his students learn from him.

Zarion: Darnell. My [Samsara Cycles] are the culmination of my entire knowledge. After I have taught you what I can, please help me complete it. I-

Dabilosi: Geez, and here I thought you were going to ask me to do something difficult. If it's just that then no problem, I'll help you to the best of my ability when we're done. Those are some profound words you had there.

Zarion: Wahaha! You are right! But I could only say these things because I am a genius of the sword. When you are through, you too will be a genius! Hmm? Is this the 'significant other' you told me about?

'It took you that long? Or you just didn't get round to mentioning it? s.h.i.+zu, I get that it's a bit overwhelming for that to be said but seriously, I can feel the heat emanating from your face and I'm a good half meter away from you... '

Dabilosi: Well, yes... But then, also no... If you know what I mean.

Zarion: Wahaha! How great it is to be young!

At this point s.h.i.+zu's head is covered in it's entirety by a perfect shade of red and she looks just about ready to explode... Garnet really was odd.

Dabilosi: I hope you aren't taking this the wrong way.

Zarion: Keh. I cannot take it the wrong way, for I am the great and powerful me. Geniuses do not make mistakes.

Dabilosi: Alright Mr.Genius, come on and fight me, right here and now!

I didn't explain anything to s.h.i.+zu about this. I'm guessing she thought about it properly after a while, since the next time I saw her she seemed perfectly fine. By not explaining it I was hoping that it came across as a misunderstanding, which it to some extent was, and that she didn't pursue the matter any further. If she doesn't pursue the matter, I look like the good guy, and if she does... Everything gets really awkward. That's the gamble I made.

...........

For almost 4 weeks after that my schedule was as follows:

Get up

Discuss current affairs with s.h.i.+zu and Forneus

Fight Zess.h.i.+ to build her stamina

Fight Zarion to learn more of the [Samsara Cycles]

Digest information from battle

Fight Zarion to learn more of the [Samsara Cycles]

Digest information from battle

Fight Zarion to learn more of the [Samsara Cycles]

Digest information from battle

Sneak into the {Spirit Garden} while Zarion is teaching

Train using [Capacity Building] in the garden to build up both my physique and mana pool at the same time.

Fight Zarion to learn more of the [Samsara Cycles]

Digest information from battle

Sleep

After the end of the third week I could use the [Samsara Cycles] to the same extent as him, but we continued fighting in order to develop the technique even further, with the number of arts combined reaching 192 at the end. My body was, given the stats in YGGDRASIL and a rough approximation of a 200% increase, around the same strength as a level 80 guardian cla.s.s. The ma.s.sive increase might have something to do with the fact that I was stacking the [Capacity Building], an art generally used to acc.u.mulate power before releasing in one shot, to the point where I was almost being ripped apart, and keeping myself together with regeneration and decay spells. In contrast, my mana pool only expanded around 10%, but that's still an unbelievable amount. I've learnt that your mana pool does affect how much 'mental strength' you have, but not the other way around, and that if I use every martial art I know consecutively (Excluding [Asura Slash of Light]), I wear down only after around 10 minutes. On top of even that I used the various arts I learnt to create my own new set of skills:

G.o.d of war - A combination of [Body Strengthening], [Flow Acceleration], [Focus Battle Aura], [Greater Ability Boost], [Invulnerable Fort], [Limit Breaker] and multiple other arts focused on bolstering defenses and dealing powerful strikes.

Golden Gun - A combination of acceleration and evasion arts along with [Fleet Foot] and [Capacity Building], [Severing Blade] is used to deliver a decisive blow. Since [Severing Blade] requires as much power as possible, as soon as this fails it is required to use mana.

Asura Samsara - [Asura Slash of Light] is used sparingly alongside the [Samsara Cycles] to put immense pressure on the enemy, striking wherever the enemy would be most vulnerable.

Even though Nazarick has yet to come across anything that can rival it, I would rather be prepared for anything. Not only that but before now a sneak attack from any of the guardians would instantly kill me... And while I'm sure that wouldn't happen, it's not a pleasant thing to have lingering at the back of your mind.

Xygat: [Message - Dabilosi] War?

Dabilosi: [Message - Xygat] Could you repeat that please? It was nice and peaceful here so I was startled by you messaging me and didn't hear it properly.

Xygat: [Message - Dabilosi] War?

Dabilosi: [Message - Xygat] Ok. Translation: Since that's a question and not a statement I take it this war was expected as you are asking whether you can join in. Since you should still be in the Re-estize kingdom, the only expected war is with the Baharuth Empire. They declared war early because of the increasing number of higher-ranking mages in the kingdom... Do I have anything wrong?

Xygat: [Message - Dabilosi] No.

Dabilosi: [Message - Xygat] Then send word to... Albedo. I am unsure whether or not plans have been made since it is s.h.i.+zu who has been updating Nazarick recently. I have many ideas, but I am not sure which ones can be implemented currently.

Xygat: [Message - Dabilosi] Mn.

And upon saying my goodbyes, it was off to the kingdom!

'Can important events just stop happening for a while? I want to go see dragon country.'

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So... Double length chapter today...

I have nothing to say so I guess it's just thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed. If you didn't... I'm very sorry.

The discord link is https://discord.gg/NWRtraT if anyone's interested.