Chapter 57 - 『TwentyEighth』

It was the Twenty Eighth Day that Nazarick, the Great Tomb, Transitioned into this New World. This was the day Nazarick waged war, thanks to the discovery of Lizard Men settled at the lake in the Great Forest of Tob, Ainz Ooal Gown has now focused his sights on the expansion of his domain.

On the other hand, Jack and Foresight, have been on over a dozen missions so far and many predetermined discoveries were granted to the Court Wizard of the Baharuth Empire.

Not only were the relics from the game world giving him good relations with the Wizard, but he also seemed to have nestled his way into the Emperor's fair graces. Especially as Fluder Paradyne tried to keep in the good graces of both 'Masters' in which he was serving. So Fluder arranged missions according to the Emperor's will, while ultimately benefiting himself.

Jack had even given him a red potion to study and attempt to replicate. However rather than a Minor or Lesser Potion, Jack had given him a Supreme Healing Potion. Similar to like how he had given a set of lesser healing potions to the group he had moved to Carne Village.

Fluder was ecstatic to find such a marvel! Though considering how powerful this concentrated potion was, he saw no real application for it except for bringing someone from the brink of death back to life. Even then, it was meant for someone of a tremendously higher level.

While he doesn't necessarily have a teaching role in the Imperial Academy of Magic, he was however able to start the club. With the help of Jet, who successfully replicated the spices he had tasted by the way, he was able to gather like-skilled students.

It was mid-day, the sun was directly above the heads communing about the campus. Wind was low, the breeze was nice. The institution today was bustling with activity.

Jack rubbed the back of his head as he stepped out of what appeared to be a pantry. His eyes surfed over those who were moving about. A small smirk forming over his lips.

He could see Jet moving through the crowd, rushing as it were. There were at least three other people right behind him. They were dodging people in the halls and making their way in his general direction.

"No running in the halls," the Angel quipped as they went on by.

"Seriously!?" Jet huffed as he looked over towards the man, walking backwards briefly after passing him, only to turn back around and run off with the others.

Turning to glance over his shoulder, Jack watched as Arche materialized in the Pantry he had stepped out of mere moments before. There was a power suit around her neck, a leather collar with a short broken metal chain.

"Welcome back to the Academy," with some convincing he was able to get her to come to school whenever he attended to the institution. Though he wasn't learning there, she was mainly just there to follow him around.

Smiling up at him faintly, she took a step forward and stumbled out of the pantry. Grabbing onto his arm for leverage, she secured her foot and let out a sigh. "This... Thing makes me feel weak."

"That's part of getting stronger," Jack replied as he moved to grasp her hand in his own. "When you reach a higher level, you won't need it so often."

That was mostly because if she was at a higher level, she probably didn't have to level more. However since she was having her by his side, he wanted her to be safe and in order to be safe, you had to be strong.

"..." Leaning into his arm, she ignored the glances she was getting. Especially because of what that power suit may make others think.

Slaves and prisoners often wore chains, she was wearing a chain. It was believable that she could've become his slave, especially due to her house being known for what it was.

Though as news had circulated around since the death and destruction of the Furt household, it was clear that anyone who didn't know what that item was, would make the same assumption.

The two would make their way down the halls, down the corridors and towards the main building of the Magic Institution. They were to see Paradyne today, before the club activities were to start.

So by the time they made it, there was about an hour that had passed. Not that it mattered. Most of their time was spent walking, holding hands and watching the other students.

It was one of the days that they were able to relax without having to do something. Earning money and continuing on with her own things, it was something that made her happy. Especially with the fact that she no longer had to pay her parent's loans off. This meant she didn't have to do more jobs.

Walking up towards a tower-like facility, the two were stopped by soldiers wearing what appeared to be Golden Armor. "Halt there! This is a restricted area."

"My name is Jack Graham, this is Arche Furt." He gestured towards the girl at his side with his free hand. His eyes narrowed on the two men, "We are here upon Fluder Paradyne's request."

Really it was actually his own request, but that wouldn't sound all that convincing, now would it? And as he said these words, Fluder Paradyne himself made his appearance as he stepped out from behind the double doors of the tower. "Ah! Don't mind these two," he said to the guards, practically shooing them.

"But..."

"They are my guests, and guests of the Emperor." The Court Mage said as he ushered both Arche and Jack into the tower and closed the doors behind them.

As the doors were closed, the two looked at the long spiral staircase all the way down to an underground facility. Jack could instantly detect the mass amounts of undead present. It was likely the place where all the things they had captured were sent.

"So... Did you enjoy the treat?" Jack's eyes fixed on Paradyne who jumped at the question and laughed nervously while fluffing his beard.

"Yes... Yes... A Death Knight you called it, a legendary undead. What tier is needed to control it?" From the tone of his voice, one could almost immediately tell he had failed to take control of the monster.

"Death Knight..." Arche's mind immediately went to the creature which Jack had been said to have killed at the ruins during their first mission. Her eyes narrowed on Jack, "Did you...?"

"Yes, I did." Jack chirped causing her to roll her eyes.

Pursing her lips, "Tall and Mischievous... Are you sure you're an Angel...?" While the prank wasn't bad, the idea of them having the chance of dying was. If they had actually gotten hurt because of this, she would've been angry and probably even heart broken. Thankfully, nothing bad had happened that time.

"I checked," Jack's wings sprouted from his back. "Lets jump," He grinned widely as he looked down the gap in the center of the spiral. There was just enough room for them to jump down.

"Jump? Us?" Paradyne blinked, baffled by the idea.

Arche would immediately move in front of Jack, wrapping her arms around him. "Ready!" While her tone was somewhat hushed, she squeaked cheerfully against him.

Fluder compressed his lips seeing her easily accept Jack's suggested action. The old man then watched as the two crept on over to the edge of the platform and dropped out of view.

"Couldn't he have just teleported down to the bottom..." He who wanted to stare at the abyss of magic, couldn't comprehend why Jack didn't use magic whenever or wherever he could.

So as he walked over to the edge, he glanced down towards the bottom, seeing their progress of the fall. It didn't take long though, for them to make it to the very bottom, only a few seconds went by until he heard the flapping of wings followed by the disturbance of the undead below.

Chuckling to himself, the Court Wizard retained his serious expression and made his way down the stairs. It took him much longer than the two who had jumped to reach the bottom. At the same time, it was rather peaceful to walk alone down the steps. He was normally followed by his disciples and they always asked questions and sought caution with ever step he took.

The instant he reached the bottom of the stairs, he raised his brows looking over the magic casters who had been overlooking the undead, all looking at Jack.

It was likely because all of his wings were out. For the past several days, the Emperor didn't know the true nature of Jack, other than the fact that he was a powerful magic caster.

So seeing an Angel land in the middle of your place of work, would definitely be understandably bewildering... If not extremely distracting.

"There are a lot of skeletons here... They're higher level than zombies, most of them." Jack commented as Arche was resting against him. Before their arrival a the institute, they had been practicing magic, so she was mentally exhausted. This also explained her stumbling out of the pantry considering the mana cost of teleportation.

"Yes... As you may have assumed this is the Undead Labor experiment that is ongoing. If the Temples had anything to say about it, this entire experiment would be shutdown..."

Hearing Paradyne speak, he couldn't help but nod at this. The Temples weren't too keen on the idea of undead beings or using the undead for the benefit of the living. While he could understand the viewpoint of a zealot, he still disliked religion.

"This experiment is revolutionary, but wouldn't it take work out of the hands of the needy?" His eyes narrowed on Paradyne who blinked at the thought.

"The needy?"

"Farmers, and farm hands, who already work their land to earn money. If the Undead were to take their jobs, their livelihood, wouldn't the economic system end up declining?" Jack asked curiously as he kept an arm draped around Arche, lightly caressing her side.

The Court Wizard slowly nodded, but he was still thirsty for the knowledge that this experiment may present him. His eyes then moved towards the collar that was around Arche's neck. "That is..."

"Power suit," Jack answered as he tucked her more into his side. "It helps one get stronger, faster, but at the same time greatly weakens them in the process."

"And you've been having her wear it on all of the jobs we've been sending Foresight on?" He leaned forward scratching his long beard, looking her over as she was practically asleep standing up.

"Yes, I've been having her wear it during our missions. It has proved to allow her to get further than she would have much sooner," he grinned a bit looking down at her resting face.

Standing straight up, the Wizard nodded slowly. "Interesting... Very interesting... Would I be able to get one of those?" His eyes were begging, but after plenty of time, he learned not to beg too much.

Jack was the type of person where you had to get to know, to hang out with and even do favors for before getting something out of him. That is unless he wanted something out of you, then he would give you a deal as he had been since his arrival.

"Is there anything in particular here that you've made big progress on?"

"I've made a sixth tier spell, Obey, in order to command members of the undead."

Hearing this, Jack raised a brow slightly. A sixth tier spell called Obey? It made him want to chuckle considering the word choice. Though since it was a sixth tier spell, it could be considered a threat against Nazarick, abide a very small one at that.

"I look forward to your further developments then... You may proceed in showing us around..." His eyes looked over the area. Right now they were in a dirt pit with a very high ceiling which was artificially lit.

Skeletons were tilling the underground with rakes and the noise was echoing throughout the place. Their movements also seemed to be heavily in sync...