...Holy Roble Kingdom...Hoburns...

King Caspond stood at the table in the council chamber, there were representatives of North and South present, it was the largest council gathering in some time, there were chief priests for all six of the gods from both regions, the only figure missing was Gustav, as he was absent hunting down Remedios Custodio. He raked his eyes over the group, head of the capitol's merchant guild, the supreme general of the Northern & Southern armies, the fleet admiral, and the heads of the major noble houses, there was a lot of power in that room, and there had to be...for this.

He folded his arms in front of his chest and spoke in a voice that said he knew that many were not going to like what he was going to tell them.

"All of you have seen the reports. The Slane Theocracy has sent Scriptures into our country. What is more, they've sent inquisitors into our country to target people for religious persecution. If that isn't enough, Remedios Custodio has been burning peasant villages of those she deems to be something called a 'spiritual heteromorph'...

A plump bearded man raised his hand, Caspond recognized him as the head of the merchant's guild. "Yes, majesty, I've seen that, but...what does it mean?"

Caspond paused, "Ah, I see that must not have been included in the report, a spiritual heteromorph is what she's taken to calling anyone who follows the Sorcerer King. Anyone who has in some way connected themselves to 'Black Justice'. She's decided that such people... are not people, and is executing them and even their children. She's been assisted in this by insurgent groups backed by the Slane Theocracy. Simply put gentlemen, the Holy Kingdom is now the location of a proxy war being waged by the Slane Theocracy against anything connected to Ainz Ooal Gown."

There were rumblings of horror, some of their expressions were wide eyed... they were people who obviously had not read the report.

"Some of these attacks did not go well for the Slane Theocracy, I was recently given information that reported that the Gray Scripture, one of the larger ones of the Slane Theocracy, was all but exterminated by Neia Baraja and her elite company."

Chaos erupted among nobles and priests, but the military men were quiet and contemplative, they knew from reports of their own that even the weakest scriptures were worth the equivalent of a platinum rank, any force that could edge out a victory over that was one to be reckoned with. The King pounded a gavel on the table to restore order and the general spoke up. "But doesn't that now mean she and her ranks are more or less crippled as a fighting force?" He asked.

"They suffered ten dead... then the Sorcerer King resurrected all of them, then he turned the bodies of the scriptures into skeleton laborers, along with the bodies of I don't know how many auxiliaries, and he's now renting them out as labor through one of the temples. The Slane Theocracy is utterly furious... but no less so than myself." Caspond replied.

He was right to be, nobody argued that they could allow the Slane Theocracy to turn the Holy Kingdom into a battle ground, marching troops wherever, burning what they wanted, inciting riots where they wished, not even the most arrogant Southern nobleman wanted that precedent.

"There is more. The holy text of this new religion has been written, I'm due to receive a copy soon, and..." he paused, "as long as the contents would not lead to our ruin, I am going to undertake ritual acceptance of their faith, and I am going to ask that our country become part of the Sorcerous Kingdom, on the condition that they put down the threats to our people and help expel the Theocracy. Caspond said heavily.

Chaos erupted. "You would expel the gods and their servants and invite in the undead?! This is heresy! This is blasphemy!" Someone said, and Caspond pounded the gavel so hard it snapped, and that did not stop the chaos, so he took a guard's ax and slammed it full force on the wooden table, burying it deep enough that when he let go, it did not fall. That restored order.

"I will say this once. We cannot defeat the Slane Theocracy, even with their being distracted by the war with the elves, they're winning that war and doing so handily now. The Re-Estize kingdom wouldn't have any interest in helping us and even if they did want to they could not. The temples of Black Justice are drawing in constant wealth by renting out the undead, they now heal more people than the temples, thanks in no small part due to the policy the temples themselves pushed." He gave a look at the sour faced priests, telling them in a glance that they had no one to blame for that but themselves.

"What about hiring adventurer teams?" Someone spoke up, "Do we really have to become a part of the Sorcerer King's domain?"

"I have already done this. Blue Rose has accepted our contract and is on the way, but there was no one else of note in Re-Estize. To hire enough quality teams for this, I had to reach out to... yes... E-Rantel, I had to get permission from the Sorcerer King to hire from his national guild to protect our people from this threat. Do you all understand the implications of this?"

Some of the wiser ones had dawning expressions of understanding, but the others... not so much. "It means," Casponds said in exasperation, "That one way or another our security is dependent on the Sorcerer King, it means we have no other options for our defense, this 'proxy war' by the Slane Theocracy is about to be an open one, and if I don't do something to stop it now, then we may as well have not even bothered to fight Jaldabaoth, because we're dead either way and at least burning is quick."

His voice was so heavy and grim that even the seemingly outrageous things he said, did not provoke a loud response. "Let me be clear," he said firmly, "I did not call you here for your advice, I called you here to personally inform you all about what is going to happen, you deserve that much. In the meantime, muster your armies, because we are going to need them to expel invaders and crush traitors."

As he finished speaking King Caspond used a small spell crystal he had hidden in his hand, it did not kill anyone, it didn't make them sick, indeed its covert use seemed to accomplish nothing. However he knew quite well what it was really doing, it was exaggerating their emotional agitation, impeding their reason and inflaming their tempers, not so much that they would be noticeably different, especially after such news as they'd just been given... but rather enough so that they would be more inclined to lash out or react against a perceived threat, however they saw the announcement, good or bad, they now saw it more so in that way, better... or worse, than they would otherwise. In his mind, the pseudo Caspond was profoundly impressed with the work of his master's master when it came to formulating this plan, and with so few targets all alone and unguarded, it was over in an instant.

One could be forgiven for not knowing anything was over, or that anything unusual other than the announcement had even begun, and as that had been the whole point, Doppel-Caspond was pleased. Soon the meeting descended into bickering and Caspond called a halt, "Nothing new will be resolved here, if anyone has a real solution other than what I plan to do, then present it, and if not, return to your homes, consult with your advisors, and prepare to see the nation we know change again, for the better this time, I hope."

They filed out one by one, and Caspond watched several of them twitching and shaking with rage that could not be completely concealed. When the last one left, he grinned, indulging in the satisfaction of success, and then he replaced his emotionless mask and returned to his quarters to 'sleep' for the evening. The next morning a brief inquiry revealed that all of the Southern nobles had abandoned the capital and were returning to their homes. Similarly, a great many paladins had volunteered to go and hunt down Remedios Custodio or to 'escort' the Southern nobles back home as an honor guard, while numerous priests had chosen to venture to their temples for prayer and meditation. As Caspond went over the packets of requests, he could not help but laugh, it was like they'd handed him an enemies list of people who intended to oppose the Sorcerer King or who would rather join with Slane Theocracy forces than see the Undead rule. Pretending to be depressed by the sudden emptying of so much of his court, he returned to his quarters and called for his master.

Demiurge arrived swiftly, "It was just as you said, master." The Doppel-Caspond stated with a smile, "They reveal their allegiance by their actions, still, as many as this is, I note that most of these are either from the South or have firm ties to it. True, there are some nobles, paladins, and priests from here in the North on there as well... but... shockingly few, could there still be a problem I do not see?" He asked.

Demiurge paced the royal bedroom stroking his chin as the 'King' of the Holy Kingdom knelt in silence. "I believe it relates to their experience with our master. Lord Ainz is charismatic, he is powerful, many of the men you see in the North have direct experience with his generosity, his power and his wisdom. They don't see him as an ordinary undead, remember that the first human worshiper comes from this Kingdom, Neia Baraja was the first to see our god for his divine status, who was not also created by him or one of the other Supreme Beings. It stands to reason that those who have had more experience with him would see more of the truth than those who are farther away. Think nothing of it, the list you have is sufficient, I will have it copied and returned to you tonight for 'approvals' and we will look for these people when the time comes." Demiurge said, and taking the list from the kneeling agent, he entered the gate and returned to Nazarick.

The Caspond imitation went to the bed of the King, laid himself down, and slept with a smile on his face that did not go away until he awoke at dawn to find the documents on his desk waiting his seal of approval.

...In Nazarick...

"We need to monitor the Holy Kingdom more closely." Ainz said, "If my human followers are being killed, that is a mighty insult to us, though it can be tolerated for now as we allow the tensions to escalate, I want to ensure we note who is responsible and that we do not forget them when all other tasks of significance are done. In the meantime, I also want to see friendlier relations with Blue Rose. While not especially strong, they are a talent pool I would like to absorb and what is more, they represent a mountain of good will. To have Blue Rose agree to work for us is akin to having a good name and a good reputation." His voice was serenely confident, but inside his own head he was just hoping that what he was saying sounded intelligent.

Demiurge and Albedo nodded sagely as they knelt in front of him, "Of course, my beloved." Albedo said sweetly, all those who have insulted you will have their faces, homes, and names identified so that we may capture them when they are no longer needed."

"When do you plan to send out Momon my lord?" Demiurge asked.

Ainz wanted to panic as he wondered why he would send out Momon, he quickly covered and asked, "So that I do not disrupt any of your plans, when did you need him?" Ainz asked.

"I was planning to request that he be sent to where Blue Rose is working after Caspond is killed and the new ruler refuses to pay, so that when Momon learns of it, he can gain your approval to pay out of the Sorcerous Kingdom's treasury, thus enhancing your reputation directly before you finally move to end Remedios once and for all." Demiurge's eager voice came out so fast that Ainz could barely process it all, but when he did, he laughed in a way that he had practiced many times, "Oh, my dear Demiurge, son of my dear friend Ulbert, you have in fact guessed my own plan!" Ainz said as if he were joyful at seeing a child grow. "Well done!"

Demiurge wore an overjoyed smile on his face, "With this, I stand at the base of a mountain, even if I don't see its peak, I can at least truly marvel at the greatness before me."

"On another note, I plan to take a walk through Arwinter tomorrow, it’s been some time and I would like to pay a visit to Jircniv, I also plan to visit Carne and E-Rantel, and I'll be back in a few days so please handle the paperwork for me until then." Ainz said, fearful for a moment that they might ask him more questions about his 'plans'.

"So soon my lord?" Albedo asked.

"It must be." Ainz said, "As it says in the library, "A prince must be seen by those he rules, or he will be forgotten." *

"As you command my lord." Albedo said.

When they parted ways and he was completely alone Ainz could only whisper in relief to himself, "Phew... paperwork and questions avoided in one go."

...In the merchant camp...

Neia was the first to wake up, and she almost panicked when she felt an arm laying over her, before she realized that it wasn't that she'd awakened just before an attack, but rather it was how Skana had fallen asleep. She allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief. She lay still, letting her breathing slow and her heartbeat slow down and relax. The previous evening had been a first, and in retrospect she wasn't sure if it would have happened at all if things had not gone the way they had in the fight against the Gray Scripture. Still, she found she wasn't unhappy, it felt good to connect with someone, and when she realized that she didn't actually have to be awake yet, she eased herself closer to the slender one eyed scout, and breathed deep, inhaling the scent of everything around her, but savoring most of all that she didn't awaken alone, being alone was easy to get used to, being disconnected was easy to get used to, being different was easy to get used to, all was easy to get used to, to such a degree that when it hit what she really needed, she felt the lack all the more sharply as the many days and nights with nothing but a blanket to embrace, all hit home at once.

Relieved by her very different condition on this particular morning, she allowed herself to move an arm over the sleeping woman next to her, and render a gentle squeeze.

However, it appeared that in the moment of gentle expression, she had forgotten she was lying with a Black Justice Scout trained by Sebas and Cocytus, and even that slight difference was enough to awaken the woman instantly. Skana's eye popped open swift and wide, and that which had played out with Neia moments earlier, now played out over her face as well as the memories of the previous day, and night, came back.

"You're awake too, aren't you?" Skana asked.

"You caught me." Neia said with a slight chuckle, "No help for it, we're both awake, we might as well get up and start the day." Skana said.

"I know, but it feels so good right here. I had no idea how tightly wound I was." Neia said.

"Well, you've got to get that out of your system every now and then, you know." Skana said with a wicked smile as she got up and began to pull on her discarded uniform. "Otherwise, well... if you just don't experience any of life's joys, then what's the point of any of the struggles we go through?" She asked as she pulled on a boot.

"I guess I never really thought of that," Neia said as she pulled on an undershirt, "being a squire to the Paladin Order didn't really leave time for those reflections."

Skana laughed, "That's why I had to act first." She said as she began to strap on her sword belt, "Left to you, you'd have never even noticed the opportunity."

As Neia put on her own belt she shrugged, "Probably not, at least not before the opportunity was gone. To be frank, I don't even really know what this opportunity... to use your word, really was beyond last night, if anything, but for now it’s enough to say I'm glad it happened, but now we've got a job to do, oh Skana the Bold." Neia said somewhat sardonically.

Skana grinned widely, "Skana the Bold..." she said, and repeated it several times, "I like it, I'll take it. But you're right, we do have work to do." She said, and held the tent flap open politely for Neia, who stepped out and stretched out with a pleasant groan, the sort one emits when they slept well and are prepared to start their day with energy.

CZ never groaned or stretched, but she did not lack for energy, and she approached Neia and Skana as they exited the tent, "Good morning cute and not cute." She said, and then placed a new sticker on Skana's eye-patch, and one on Neia's cheek. "Good, now cuter, and cute." She said, and Skana looked confused, while Neia, well used to CZ's idiosyncrasies, only laughed and gave her a hug. "Good morning to you too, CZ. I assume you'll be joining us for the rest of our journey?"

"Yes." CZ said straight faced. "We'll be together for the next few weeks at least, unless Lord Ainz recalls me."

"Alright, then you should get a horse, you can ride with Tinamoc and I up front of the caravan, I expect we'll be at the border in no time." Neia said as the camp gradually awoke and prepared itself to move, by this time there was not even a novice who didn't know what to do, and they were underway quickly, and none of them were inclined to take their time after the previous day's events. Skana gave Neia a brief hug, squeezing her hand lightly once more, and then rushed off to her hell horse to assume her position in the line, while Neia and CZ went to the front, each one flanking Tinamoc.

"To pass the time, why don't you tell me what you've been up to since last we saw each other?" CZ asked.

"It’s a long story..." Neia said.

"It’s a long ride." CZ replied.

They reached the Southern border wall... or Northern border wall if you were born on the other side of it, late that day, just as Neia and Tinamoc had run out of stories.

Neia looked at the wall as she rode up close to it. It was impressive in the crude way that large objects were impressive, but having seen the truly impressive work of the Sorcerer King, and the destructive power of Jaldabaoth, she knew there was really little difference between this and a sand castle. Still, as her neck craned to look up when she stood at the base, she could see why ordinary travelers found it to be impressive. The large blocks of stone, the wide heavy gates; as a checkpoint, it wasn't bad.

"Have you been through here before?" She asked as she turned to look at Tinamoc.

"Not in many years, most of the work I need to do is in the North, I let my more extended family handle the side of things down here." He replied.

"Enjoy the traveling, do you?" Neia asked.

"If I'm being honest about it... well yes, just don't tell my wife that, she hates how often I'm gone, not that I don't love her, but I like seeing new things, I like being in the thick of the bargaining, you just don't get that from negotiations by mail. But since she lives in the capital in the North, well, I'm usually not apart from her for as long as this. As it is, I'm just glad she's alive." He said sincerely.

"How long do you think we'll be in the South?" Neia asked.

"A month or two, things are more concentrated here, I have to hit the major cities, but after that, well, the people in those cities will handle the rest, we don't need to hit every town and village along the way, but it’s also safe, you won't have to be my bodyguard anymore, or at least not nearly as much, so if you want to visit villages nearby for a day or two and try to win converts, be my guest. Just don't tie yourself to me along the way or that'll make it difficult for me to get business done." Tinamoc said pragmatically.

"As you wish." Neia said politely.

As they finished speaking a guard approached and Tinamoc handed the man his royal pass, and after a few minutes of nominal inspections, the guard returned it, saluted, and signaled for the gates to open, which they did with ponderous slowness, a great echoing creaking noise sounded from one end of the valley pass where the wall and its gates were located, but noise or not, slow or not, they opened, and in a few minutes the caravan began to roll forward again, at last, they'd reached the Southern Holy Kingdom.

*Note: This is from Machiavelli's 'The Prince' and Ainz is getting the quote slightly wrong, but he has the gist of it.