Before the Storm: Act 5, Chapter 20

Before the Storm: Act 5, Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Its time to settle the score, once and for all!

Mm.

What score?

From her seat beside Lady Shalltear in the arenas VIP booth, Ludmila watched as Miss Delta and Miss Zeta squared off for the days early match. Much like the Grand Arena in Arwintar, only the big ticket matches in the evenings filled the stands, though it certainly didnt feel that way in the proximity of the Sorcerer King. That only made it feel as if everyone was there for the Sorcerer King rather than the combatants on the field, but no one seemed to think much of it.

She stole a glance at the Sorcerer King. It wasnt as if she couldnt appreciate the sentiment, but it also made her feel sorry for Miss Delta and Miss Zeta. If they had been in Arwintar, the match would have been a main event one that far surpassed all others. Not only were the two Maids individually stronger than Fluder Paradyne, but they both had the appearance of beautiful young women. It was a combination that was guaranteed to drive the bloodthirsty, idol-chasing imperial citizenry wild.

My lady, Ludmila said, would you happen to know what the score theyre referring to is?

Something about whos older, I think? Lady Shalltear replied.

How does fighting prove that?

Strength came with age for certain races of Heteromorphs, so that could potentially apply to Miss Zeta, who was an Arachnoid. But how did that apply to Miss Delta? Much like the Homunculus Maids, she appeared no differently from her apparent form in Ludmilas Truesight and, while her expressions werent exactly animated, she wasnt wearing a mask like Miss Zeta.

This is your last chance, Miss Zeta said. Admit that Im the older sister!

Im the older sister, Miss Delta replied.

No, I am!

Could you two start fighting already?! Lady Aura shouted.

Lady Shalltear yawned and reached over to grope Ludmilas leg. The match had started a good five minutes previous, but all that ensued was an unyielding back and forth between the two Maids.

Ludmila took the time to try and figure out what each combatant would do once the fight started in earnest. She couldnt figure out what Miss Zeta was, but Miss Delta was a scout-type that wielded what she referred to as a magical gun. Regardless of their weaponry, Ludmila immediately identified a problem with the field for ranged combatants.

Isnt this terrain disadvantageous for scout types like Miss Delta? Ludmila asked, There are no obstacles for her to work with. More importantly, room to manoeuvre is minimal.

To her surprise, it wasnt Lady Shalltear, but the Sorcerer King who answered.

That point has been brought up by a few of the participants, but the argument applies in reverse, as well. If, say, we used the entire Sixth Floor as a battleground, ranged scout types would pick apart their opponents at little risk to themselves. Thats why we settled on an exhibition of skills instead of a more realistic scenario. Additionally, a real battlefield would be difficult to spectate.

I see, Ludmila lowered her head.Thank you for the explanation, Your Majesty.

Figuring out how spectators could keep track of league matches in Wardens Vale was a growing problem, as well. She turned her attention back to the field, where the two Maids were now slowly circling one another. Not long after their first circuit, Miss Delta exploded.

Angry orange flames cast long shadows over the sands of the arena. Ludmila half-rose from her seat, trying to figure out what had happened. As the flames subsided, white-hot streaks flashed across the arena, followed by a sharp cacophony that echoed off of the stands. Miss Zeta danced around as a storm of projectiles threw up geysers of sand around her and bounced off of the nearby wall.

The attacks against Miss Zeta ceased just before the smoke from the explosion dissipated. The Arachnoid Maid looked back and forth as she scanned the field, but Miss Delta was nowhere to be seen.

Was that explosion from Miss Delta, or Miss Zeta? Ludmila asked.

It was a Fire Beetle Mine from Entoma, the Sorcerer King said. She must have secretly planted some while they were circling one another just now. Shizu made the best of it, however. She used the smoke from the explosion as cover to go into stealth.

Is Miss Zeta an unfavourable opponent for Miss Delta?

That depends on the tactics that Entoma employs. If I were in Shizus position, I would be just as cautious. It costs her little in this situation, after all.

Ludmila nodded and retook her seat. It seemed that scout types tended to resort to the same basic tactics wherever they were from. They favoured minimising risk and whittling down their opponents until they could finish them off. This usually came with a healthy dose of psychological warfare meant to wear out their targets mentally.

A single sharp crack sounded. Miss Zeta was sent spinning to the ground. Miss Delta appeared for a brief moment before dropping an item on the ground that created a cloud of smoke.

Miss Zeta pushed herself up from the ground, clutching her abdomen. She scanned the field for her opponent, but Miss Delta had already concealed herself again.

Dont give up, Entoma!

You can do it!

Cheers of support rose from the Homunculus Maids nearby. Entoma raised her arms. A low buzzing filled the air as a cloud of flying insects emerged from behind her mask and swept out over the arena.

Lets see if her patience pays off, the Sorcerer King said.

Patience, Your Majesty?

Shizu can only use her Smoke Grenade Skill once every three minutes. Shell be exposed for at least that long if Entoma can force her out of stealth.

The swarm of insects settled over the field. With the vantage of the VIP booth, Ludmila could see a humanoid outline of bugs lying flat on the ground, but would Miss Zeta notice?

Big sister attaaack!

A giant centipede emerged from Miss Zetas sleeve. Miss Delta rolled away as it smashed into the ground that she was just lying on. The centipede was so long that it was still near Miss Zeta as it chased Miss Delta around.

Where does she keep that? Ludmila murmured.

Entoma is an Entomancer, Lord Mares voice came from across the Sorcerer King. An insect user.

She wasnt sure if that answered her question. Was the giant centipede a type of summon?

Repeated flashes illuminated the ground around Miss Delta as she gave up trying to maintain her stealth. Her retaliation bounced off of a shield that appeared on Miss Entomas arm. The Arachnoid Maid charged at her opponent, but the far more nimble scout managed to keep her distance.

Tch! Stay still!

No.

Fine!

The front of Miss Zetas garments shifted and opened slightly, revealing a pair of sharp appendages that worked to scatter slips of paper into the air.

Thats a lot of talismans, Lady Shalltear said.Updated chapters on novelbin(.)com

I suppose that is an option, the Sorcerer King said. By saturating the area, she can restrict Shizus mobility.

What are they? Ludmila asked.

Talismans, Lord Mare answered. Entoma is a Talismancer. We wont know what those talismans do until they activate, though.

I dont think what they do will matter, the Sorcerer King said.

Wh-Why is that, Lord Ainz?

Because Shizus holding a Thermal Detonator.

No.

In that case, do they accept coins from Re-Estize or the Merchant Guild?

No.

Ludmila glanced at the people around her. They were all focused on attending to the Sorcerer King, so she was stuck wondering what she could do about money.

Their first stop was a pavilion with a variety of woodcrafts on display, manned by several Demon-like creatures. The largest amongst them, a huge reptilian being with black scales, broad wings, and wicked horns held out its clawed hands in welcome as the Sorcerer King approached its unsettling kiosk.

Welcome, Lord Ainz! It flashed a fang-filled grin, It is our greatest honour to receive you at our humble exhibit!

What do you have on display here? The Sorcerer King asked.

Lord Demiurges finest works! He had us set up this gallery to help liven up the festival. Please, allow your humble servant to act as a guide.

As expected of a Devil, I suppose?

She was reasonably certain that the sort of livening up that the exhibition offered wouldnt contribute to a festive atmosphere. Human festivals had no shortage of macabre offerings, but what was presented before them in this exhibit went well beyond memento mori. As they entered the shadows of the pavilion, Ludmila felt as if she were stepping into the lair of a storied villain. Figures of such fine craftsmanship that they looked like flesh transmuted to wood were arranged in scenes of nightmarish torment.

The Sorcerer King stopped in front of one such scene, where a set of tilted metal tables were arranged in a semicircle. Strapped to each of them was a naked Human. The one in the middle was in the process of being flayed alive. From her neck down, layers of skin, fat, and muscle had been peeled back to form the grotesque petals of a flower framing the glistening organs that they once concealed. Contrary to her grim condition, the womans face bore a rapturous expression.

Lord Demiurge calls this one The First Blossom of Winter, the Devil adjusted his folded wings as he spoke. Its one of his earliest works, but its still unsurpassed as a favourite on the Seventh Floor.

Hungry

A string of drool leaked out from behind Miss Zetas mask. Ludmila reconsidered the grotesque scene. It would undoubtedly be horrific to witness for Humans, but maybe it acted as an appetiser for carnivorous races. She couldnt claim that Humans didnt create attractive displays for their food.

They strolled deeper into the pavilion, going by several more scenes before the Sorcerer King stopped at one that didnt involve someone being mutilated. A mix of Humans and Demihumans dined together at a long table, which had a sumptuous feast laid upon it.

A harmonious scene, the Sorcerer King said with a nod.

Lord Demiurge calls this one Family Dinner, the Devil said. Its not as popular with our patrons as the other scenes, but it holds a great deal of sentimental value.

Ludmila hoped that she would be able to create similar scenes in Wardens Vale. According to Clara, creating an identity that superseded race was one of the keys to achieving the harmonious society that the Sorcerer King desired. Unfortunately, it wasnt as easy as saying so. Even before things like education and culture, it wasnt safe to put two races in the same space sometimes. This was especially the case when the very young were involved. Florines adopted Beastman cub often used her Quagoa caretaker as a combination chew toy, scratching post, and hunting target.

Maybe this is a hint

She memorised the races assembled in the scene. If they were proven to be able to gather at the table peaceably, then it stood to reason that the feat could be replicated.

Lord Ainz, one of the Homunculus Maids attending to the Sorcerer King said, the afternoon talent production will be beginning shortly.

Thats right, isnt it? The Sorcerer King said, Shall we visit the food stalls before we head over?

Thank you for honouring us with your presence, Lord Ainz, the horned Devil said.

Ludmila looked over her shoulder as they filed out of the pavilion. The more she thought about it, the more the exhibit seemed strategically placed to stimulate the appetites of the carnivorous patrons. Right after it was a stall selling meat skewers, so it almost felt like something Liane would do.

She hung back as the entourage dispersed to line up at the various food stands. Like the books in the Great Library of Ashurbanipal, their signs used the same confusing text that she couldnt make heads or tails out of.

Not getting anything for yourself?

Ludmila started at the sound of the Sorcerer Kings voice.

There are so many food items that Ive never seen before, Your Majesty, she replied. I wouldnt know where to start. That aside, Lady Shalltear informed me that they dont accept outside currency here.

Ah, about that, I could lend you some

She turned in horror to find the Sorcerer King rummaging around in his inventory. Before she could raise any protests, he produced a handful of golden coins.

This should be enough to purchase a broad sampling

Your Majesty, Ludmila lowered her head, theres no need for

It wouldnt be much of a festival without food, would it? The Sorcerer King told her, Please enjoy what Nazarick has to offer to your hearts content.

In that case, Ludmila said, would Your Majesty know what the exchange rate for these coins is? Its not as if I came to visit empty-handed

Exchange rate? Ah, if I recall correctly, its two Re-Estize gold coins for one of ours.

With a sigh of relief, Ludmila produced her coin purse.

So theyre the same as trade coins? She asked.

I wouldnt say that theyre the exact same, the Sorcerer King replied, but they may as well be here.

She exchanged ten gold trade coins for the local currency. It was far too much for food, but she figured that she would need them if she found some interesting goods to bring home. It would be a mere pittance to pay if she discovered something that would help with the development of industries in Wardens Vale.

However, after glancing over the coins she seriously wondered if she should spend them at all. Each one looked freshly minted, and their fine detailing made them seem like works of art.

I dont recognise anything that these coins depict. If theyre the coinage used in Nazarick, shouldnt they bear His Majestys likeness?

That was the norm everywhere, as far as she knew. Ludmila stared at them for several moments longer before realising something else. She turned around and glanced about to see if anyone was paying any attention to her before sniffing the coins in her palm.

Do they smell like Ainz-samas pocket? Lady Shalltear asked.

Ludmila stuffed the coins into her purse and drew the string shut.

I beg your pardon, my lady?

Youre ten thousand years too early to fool me, a smile crept onto Lady Shalltears lips. After having to deal with that gorilla all this time, Ive developed a very sharp sense for these things. Shes always sniffing this and marking that honestly, if theres a behaviour of the living that you should shed, its that one.

She kept glancing at the Sorcerer King to see if he had noticed Lady Shalltears ongoing lecture. Fortunately, he was too busy paying attention to a few others who had come back with their food or was considerate enough to pretend he couldnt hear Lady Shalltear. Lady Aura, however, came right up and kicked her cousin in the ankle.

Ow! What do you think youre doing, you little

No, what do you think youre doing? Lady Aura scowled, Dont you have any delicacy? Your vassals are going to resent you if you keep doing stuff like that.

I-I was just teasing herwait, dont tell me youre defending her because you want to sniff them too? You Rangers are so wild

Retribution came in the form of Lady Auras fist atop her cousins head. She really was like a reliable older sister.

Lets grab something to eat, she told Ludmila. The shows going to start soon.

Everyone seems to be looking forward to this performance, my lady, Ludmila said. Might I know what its about?

Its a show put on by the Seventh Floor gang. I dont know what its about, but the one they put on yesterday was pretty good. Now theyre doing the second one theyve been working on: Fools Conquest.