Overlord - Of Sin And Sanctity 9 Chapter 9: Differen

After we'd sorted out all the small details like what I would get for free and who I'd be working with, for the record, I get accomodation and food free, I retire to my new room. It's not too great, but it has all the essentials including a king-sized bed. Not sure what they're insinuating, but at least I have a lot of s.p.a.ce to sleep now.

I got up early, as is right and proper for your first day in a new and quite possibly hostile country, and go to look around. Sun s.h.i.+ning, bird singing, flowers blooming, I felt great about the day. After talking to some of the male gardeners, the female ones were... More difficult, to talk to, so s.h.i.+zu dealt with that end. I found out that the garden had been around for over 500 years, and contained some species of plants that couldn't be found anywhere else, because one of the six great G.o.ds planted them personally... Thinking on it, there are rosemary, thyme, c.u.min and a few other such plants just scattered around. For some reason I don't think whoever it was told them they could be used on food. I asked about the Black Scripture's extra seat and got where she normally hangs out in the Great G.o.d Sanctuary. Somehow I have a 1 yen sticker on me that wasn't there 5 minutes ago.

Momonga: [Message - Dabilosi] Nabe and I killed a few 'strong' characters and recovered a 'powerful' item. You want to take a look?

Dabilosi: [Message - Momonga] Dumb skeleton, I can't tell whether I do or not until you tell me how strong they actually were.

Momonga: [Message - Dabilosi] Uguh... The spellcaster summoned two {Skeletal Dragon}, and the melee fighter, a girl named Clementine, used a large number of martial arts and seemed around level 35.

Strong? Clementine? Hold on.

Dabilosi: [Message - M

omonga] Ok, what weapons did she use, what's the powerful item, and did she have blond hair.

s.h.i.+zu: Drnell-sn? Are you alright, you're just standing there.

Dabilosi: Ah, Momon-san just asked me a question that required quite a bit of thought, that's all. Sorry.

Momonga: [Message - Dabilosi] Four short rapiers, some crown thing and yes. Why?

Dabilosi: [Message - Momonga] Ok, first off they're called stilettos idiot. Second, revive her, tie her up and send her over ok?

Momonga: [Message - Dabilosi] Why's that? You might want to to keep an eye on her as well, she isn't quite, how do I put it... Right, she has a mental disability so you have to be very careful around her.

Dabilosi: [Message - Momonga] ...Skully, our laws don't apply here remember , they have slavery and prost.i.tution everywhere you look so I don't think s.e.xism and discrimination are your biggest problems. Actually discrimination likely is in this country but only against non-human races and now I'm rambling. Just send her.

The cardinals possibly spoke a bit too much about Quaiesse. More importantly, they spoke at great length about the betrayal of his sister. They spoke for a good 10 minutes on how the family history and how it was expected. Since she wasn't confirmed dead yet, they gave me a description of her looks, personality and even preferences, which was scary and sounded a lot like they monitored her every move. But I guess that's what happens when you can tell anyone in the country to spy on anyone else and have it explained with 'I'm a major religious figure'.

This little incident screwed with my plans so instead of looking for the other extra seat, I decided to just wait for my package in my room while setting up anti-spying defenses. She arrived trussed up about half an hour afterwards though, so I guess it wasn't that much of a pain. Untying her was a given since I wanted to have a discussion with her before handing her over.

Dabilosi: So. You got killed by that dumb skeleton?

Clementine: .....

Dabilosi: I'm going to hand you over to the Slane Theocracy's cardinals soon.

Clementine: Where's my brother.

Dabilosi: On an expedition.

Clementine: Oh...

Huh. I thought that since Ainz said she wasn't quite right she would be a bit more active or at least follow up with more questions. Interesting. But then again... She must've felt unstoppable. Being in the black scripture and then nothing happening to her after she betrayed it and stole a powerful artifact, only to realize that everything she ever knew was pathetic in the face of true power. It's a bit sad... So let's abuse her mental state by getting her to sign her life away. It isn't like she was going to keep it if I did anything else. This is completely justified. I am not doing anything immoral. Nope, not a thing.

Dabilosi: You know, this wouldn't have happened if you were stronger...

The peasants toil away at the soil because their lord is stronger, and tells them to. If they have a strong will, determination and stamina they can get away and become free men.

Free men generally become adventurers to start, because they aren't strong enough for any inst.i.tute to acknowledge them. When they get tougher they either stay to increase their influence, or join an organization for protection. They need this protection because they are still weak.

Even these organizations must pay money to the state, as if they do not, they are destroyed by the army. I will ask you this question Clementine. Do you know why this is?

Clementine: ...It's because, they are weak...

Dabilosi: Correct. Look further and even the rulers are not strong enough. If they make the wrong decisions rivals will incite revolution and with enough numbers can overpower the ruler in question. Do you know why this is?

Clementine: It is because they are weak.

Dabilosi: Exactly! Even those who are said to be at the pinnacle cannot act too recklessly! They cannot do so as more can combine forces to destroy them! WHAT IS THE ONLY THING WE CAN CALL THIS?!

Clementine: Weakness. They cannot act as they like because they are far too weak to silence their opposition. They cannot do as they wish simply because of their own lack of strength.

Dabilosi: But how can you avoid all of this? How can you do as you please when you please without consideration of others?

Clementine: You just need to grow strong. You need to fight back against the oppression with even greater strength. You must be strong enough to take everything as it comes and never surrender.

Dabilosi: Do you want it? This, strength?

Clementine: I do.

Dabilosi: Would you be willing to give up everything for it?

Clementine: I would!

Dabilosi: Here it is then. Accept this power of mine. [Soul Stealer]

(A unique magic of the Seven Deadly Sins, Soul Stealer binds the target to the users will permanently and increases or decreases the target's level to 4/5 of the user's level. In my case, 80, and grants them random compatible skills and cla.s.ses up to said level. The downsides are you can only have three {Soul Slave}s at a time, and it can only be used on willing npcs, who were extremely rare.)

The magic did not change Clementine's physical appearance, and yet I felt a very strong mental link between us, through which I instinctively knew I could send commands. Let's try it. !!Say h.e.l.lo to s.h.i.+zu!!

Clementine: h.e.l.lo s.h.i.+zu-saan! I wanted to speak to you but this big boy distracted me... What a shame. I'd loove to spend lots of time with you...

s.h.i.+zu: Annoying. If Lord Dabilosi didn't personally help you I would kill you right now.

I wonder if that would actually work. Huh.

Clementine: Sooorry! Dabilosi-kami doesn't know if you can... After all, he did make me FAR stronger.

EH?! YOU CAN HEAR MY THOUGHTS?! If so, does that mean you can divulge secret information to my enemies? Also, when did I get deified? Why do you know my proper name? Did s.h.i.+zu tell you? Did I miss something?

Clementine: s.h.i.+zu-chan, s.h.i.+zu-chaan! He's thinking weird things about you. But don't worry almighty master, I won't divulge your tightest secrets.

.....Did you really just do that? DID YOU? Now look at her, the same shade of red as me! I guess I have to sort this mess out now, thanks a lot.

Dabilosi: Uh, s.h.i.+zu, I don't think she quite meant that...

Clementine: I meant every word of it!

!!Stop listening to my thoughts!!

Dabilosi: Guh! s.h.i.+zu, I wasn't thinking like that!

Clementine: Your beet red face and hurried speech voice the contrary, it's quite obvious what you were thinking of... ƸƷ

!!Shut up!!

Dabilosi: Please don't believe her s.h.i.+zu I-

s.h.i.+zu: It's ok. I wouldn't mind if it was you Lord Dabiloi.

Eh?! How do I respond to that! I mean, she's definitely nice, but it's also quite obvious she said that out of obligation to the supreme beings since I haven't exactly been talking to her much. Hmm.

Dabilosi: ...I think... If that's really what you want, we shouldn't do anything but a simple kiss to start. On the other hand, if you just said that because you felt you had to, tell me now and we will not do anything. I guarantee I will not be disappointed either way.

s.h.i.+zu: I definitely want a kiss Lord Dabilosi.

I wasn't expecting that answer, but thankfully I managed to draw the target away from my d*ck. I still have my virginity and I want to stay that way, or rather, I'm not going to lose it randomly because of a mistake. I'm glad she's straightforward though. The kiss itself felt like it lasted forever, but in reality it was probably only a few seconds since we didn't do anything special. I want more now, but that would be pus.h.i.+ng it.

Dabilosi: Congratulations s.h.i.+zu, that was my first kiss!

s.h.i.+zu: Lord Dabilosi. You shouldn't have let me.

Dabilosi: So, you really didn't want to do it?

s.h.i.+zu: That isn't right, but I'm not worthy of that honour.

Dabilosi: If I say you're worthy you're worthy, and besides, I didn't clarify so it's my mistake... If you want to take a break and tell people you can ask Yuri or Sebas to stand in temporarily.

s.h.i.+zu: No thank you. You have a.s.signed me to your side and there I will stay until I am no longer required.

Dabilosi: Ok, it's your choice. I'll just give you a few message scrolls then. Clementine, ready to go meet the cardinals?

Clementine: *Nods viciously a large number of times*

s.h.i.+zu: I'll deal with questions relating to you Lord Dabilosi.

Dabilosi: Alright, but just remember it's Darnell-san in public... Go get some rest.

s.h.i.+zu: Very well Lord Dabilosi.

----- Not much later -----

s.h.i.+zu: [Message - Shalltear] Lady Shalltear?

Shalltear: [Message - s.h.i.+zu] Oh? s.h.i.+zu? Whatever is the matter? If something happened to Lord Dabilosi I will not be happy.

s.h.i.+zu: [Message - Shalltear] Lord Dabilosi... gave me his first kiss.

Shalltear: [Message - s.h.i.+zu] s.h.i.+zu, I thought I asked you to find out what LORD Dabilosi likes so that I can get closer to him, and maybe put in a few good words?... SO WHY DID YOU KISS HIM?

s.h.i.+zu: [Message - Shalltear] He phrased it in such a way that I felt I would either kiss him then or possibly never have the chance again. So I kissed him. I will not regret my decision.

Shalltear: [Message - s.h.i.+zu] W-Well, what did it feel like?

s.h.i.+zu: [Message - Shalltear] It was too wonderful to describe. If I was not an automaton I may have embarra.s.sed myself quite thoroughly. Thankfully I have perfect bodily control.

Shalltear: [Message - s.h.i.+zu] Ok. Just try and work out what he prefers and don't go any further.

s.h.i.+zu: [Message - Shalltear] I cannot guarantee anything. But I will try.

s.h.i.+zu: [Message - Demiurge] Lord Demiurge, you asked for information on anything major happening.

Demiurge: [Message - s.h.i.+zu] Ah, s.h.i.+zu. What is it?

s.h.i.+zu: [Message - Demiurge] Lord Dabilosi, gave me his first kiss.

Demiurge: [Message - s.h.i.+zu] Oh?! This is good news indeed! Continue.

s.h.i.+zu: [Message - Demiurge] He used soul stealer on the human he was given after convincing her to do it. Said slave then went on to embarra.s.s him through wordplay which he presumably was not sure I was aware of, inferring that he wanted to bed me. He then followed up with asking me to decide whether or not I wished to kiss him, with the implication being that the alternative might mean I never got the chance again. When I said yes and did so he revealed that it was his first kiss.

Demiurge: [Message - s.h.i.+zu] ...You should not have done so. I shall discuss this with him.

s.h.i.+zu: Oh? Ok.

----- After Demiurge composed himself -----

Demiurge: [Message - Dabilosi] Lord Dabilosi, if you would?

Wait what?! Randomly contacted by Demiurge? How to respond. How about I reference his work in non-essential areas? What is it to speak about is a link to how much work he's placing in other areas. Yes, that should be good enough.

Dabilosi: [Message - Demiurge] Ah, Demiurge! I've been expecting you. Tell me, what is it that you wish to speak about?

Demiurge: [Message - Dabilosi] (That's true, I haven't.) Would I be correct in a.s.suming you were testing s.h.i.+zu?

Heh. a.s.suming. That's a useful word. If someone makes a good a.s.sumption, they haven't guessed the entirety so...

Dabilosi: [Message - Demiurge] That is a good a.s.sumption. Your preparations?

Demiurge: [Message - Dabilosi] They are going well.

Dabilosi: [Message - Demiurge] Ah. For your efforts in the Great Tomb of Nazarick, I will tell you something important about the Supreme Beings. As we become wiser, we become able to sum up our actions in a single phrase. It is sometimes inaccurate, it can sometimes change slightly as we realize ourselves better.

"If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles."

This is my being.

"To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting."

This is Lord Momonga's being.

Demiurge: [Message - Dabilosi] ...This. If you would, I will write these down.

None off the npcs have Sun Tzu's Art of War written in their descriptions, so this should be ok.

Dabilosi: [Message - Demiurge] Very well. But remember, the deeper you delve into these phrases, the closer you come to understand our very essence. I must go now.

Actually all I have to do is see the cardinals to see if I can get another room for Clementine, and that can wait but I didn't really want to carry on that conversation. A quick message to the osseous king and a stern talk with Clementine about what not to say and I'm ready to go. I wonder how many will be there... I gave them a bit of time to prepare before but this time I'm just walking in. I also hope Quaiesse comes back at some point, but that's just because I want to see his face.