Writer: Henet
Editor: PervySageChuck
Overlord Ascendants Arc 2 Crescendus
Overlord Arc 2 Prologue
Prologue
There are ten unique levels within the Great Tomb of R’lyeth. The other floors had their themes based off the natural environment, such as the ocean theme of Level 4 of the tomb and the dense jungles and vast plains that could be found in Level 7.
In contrast, both Level 9 and 10 were based off the design of a magical sky castle that Azrael once frequented in his own world. The design was a blend of his home, the Great Tomb of Nazarick and that of the sky castle. The halls were decorated by a pristine white marble floor, polished so thoroughly that once could see their reflection, staring back at them.
Great white marble columns stood tall at both sides of the hallways at fixed intervals. While, intricately designed tapestries, regal-like statues, and lively paintings lined the hallways. Golden crystal chandeliers dotted the ceiling, illuminating the entire hallway.
Although the entire level was located within the deepest part of the tomb, the crystal lights created a bright summer’s day feel to the hallway. Even the air itself does not smell stale like that of an underground tomb. One could unmistakably feel the gentle spring breeze caressing them as they walked through the marble corridors.
The entire Level 9 was built for one purpose and one purpose only, to serve as the private quarters of the rulers of the tomb. Hence, numerous personal suites could be found there. Numerous household facilities like a bar, bathhouse, kitchen, indoor garden, and spa could be found here. The floor also contained specialized facilities like the library, training room and the war-room.
To maintain such a large complex would undoubtedly require an army of maids and butlers. Henceforth, the presence of a large force of Ushan maids and butlers could be seen working tirelessly to maintain its pristine condition. To outsiders, their job may have seemed menial, but to them, to be chosen to work here was a mark of honor to them. One that many would fight tooth and nail for. The red-panda like race considered the place as sacred, the dwelling place of the Supreme Being that rescued their race from certain extinction in the distant past.
In the past, during the last days of the old Ushan Kingdom, that small hidden country was beset on all sides by other races, some who coveted their skills and knowledge in alchemy while others sought their furry hides to be used as garments. During their darkest times, their savior came. In return for their loyal service, he evacuated all the Ushans in a single night, bringing them to the eastern borders of the Forbidden Continent. Thanks to him, the once dying Ushan race flourished, founding a new nation within the relative safety of the Forbidden Continent. Since that day, the Ushan had sent their best to serve in the Great Tomb of R’lyeth.
Needless to say, the vast Level-9 complex also contains the necessary facilities to house and feed a large and diverse workforce. Other than the Ushan, several other races worked hand in hand with them, including the Lamias, Homunculus, Birdmen and Automatons. The large workforce was needed so that none of the workers were overburdened and had sufficient rest time.
A lone figure was walking through one of the corridors. A black haired girl of 12-13 years old, a pair of curved horns sprouted from the side of her head, while a pair of black-feathered wings adorned her hips. She was walking briskly, each step created a crisp tapping sound as her metal greaves contacted the marble flooring. The maids and butlers that were working on their chores stopped what they were doing, and bowed to her before resuming their tasks. Anael paid them no heed as she was focused on her intended destination.
Soon, she arrived in front of a dark oaken door. She promptly knocked on the door a few times. But no answer came back. Anael proceeded to open the door quietly and walked inside. She shouted out the name of her half-sister.
“Astrape-chan.”
But no-reply came back.
Anael took a few moments to look around the living room. With one look, she could tell that the owner was not here.
Two weeks had passed since they first came. Anael had adjusted to her own room. Undoubtedly, her younger sister did the same. Other than the furniture, the room was filled with many personal effects. The most prominent are the pictures sitting on top of the mantelpiece. The common figure in each picture was a little girl with raven black straight hair.
Anael walked towards the mantelpiece to take a look at those pictures. In one of the pictures, the raven haired girl, appearing much smaller than she looked in others, was sitting on the shoulders of a large crystal blue insectoid figure. In another one, she was beaming while standing next to a maid with the same black hair but who appeared much older than her. Anael appeared along with that little girl in many of those pictures along with a boy with a pair of curve horns and wings like her, and also a young platinum haired girl with crimson eyes. The accompanying figures in those picture varied from a pair of dark-elf twins, a man in a brown suit, with a tail sprouting from the back, a tall serious looking maid with glasses and many others. There was even a baby picture of the little girl sitting on the thigh of a regal skeletal figure, who was wearing a set of black robes. The expression of all the figures in those pictures conveyed a common feeling, happiness.
Anael felt a sense of warmth after looking at the happiness moments recorded in it. However, her recollection was interrupted as she caught the sound of clacking coming from the direction of the kitchen.
Reaching the kitchen, Anael noticed that the owner of the room was focused on her cooking. She was putting the finishing touches to the bento box that she was making. The labor of her efforts could be found sitting on a three layered trolley just beside her. On top of it was a large basket of neatly arranged sandwiches, a large cheesecake with glistening berries on top, stacks of bento boxes, and a small pot of steaming cream based soup.
Looking from the back, Anael noticed the words ‘To Nii-san with’, made from dried seaweed, on top of the white rice with a heart-shaped Omelet to the side. Checking out the side dishes, Anael could appreciate the effort that her younger half-sister put into it. She was very tempted to steal a bite from it.
I hope she won’t get mad if I ‘borrow’ a box of bento. Anael mused to herself.
The little maid proceeded to take out a piece of cucumber and proceeded to slowly carve it. All this while, Anael was quietly observing her sister, not wanting to break her focus.
Then, as if sensing something amiss, she grabbed Astrape’s hand that was holding onto the carving knife, quick as a flash.
“Careful there, Astrape-chan. You don’t want to accidentally cut yourself.” Her sister reminded her.
As if coming out of her daze, Astrape realized that it was her elder sister, Anael.
“Onee-sama……”
Astrape hugged her elder sister tightly. Anael used a napkin a wipe off the small beads of tears, forming at the corner of her little sister’s eyes.
“You are worried about Azrael nii-san, aren’t you?”
The little maid could only nod. She feared that if she opened her mouth, she would start crying.
Anael hugged her tightly, stroking her back gently.
“It will be alright this time. Nothing bad is gonna happen. Plus, Arilde, Isole and Camira will be going along this time. Although I hate to admit it, the sisters are strong. They will not let anything happen to onii-sama.”
“But nee-sama, I still can’t forget that day. When nii-san disappeared, I understood the meaning of loss. Everyone in Nazarick did. I don’t want to feel that way ever again.”
Anael looked Astrape in her face.
“Trust in nii-san. He came back to us eventually. This time, he won’t be alone. We’ll stand behind him all the way…..You have gotten stronger.”
Anael patted her little sister on the head. Astrape replied with a weak smile.
“See what I have prepared for nii-san for his journey out. I don’t want him going hungry while working. You know he has a big appetite.”
Anael smiled as she listened to Astrape’s introduction to the dish that she prepared. But in her heart, she could not shake off the feeling of unease.
The memory of that fateful day remained fresh in her mind. The day when they had to go all out for the first time, putting their lives on the line and almost meeting certain defeat, at her hands……… Malephius, the Bahamut Scourge Queen.
Malephius, a name that no one in Nazarick would ever forget.
If not for Azrael’s quick action, things might have been different.
That incident resulted in her twin-brother ending up in this world. He stayed here for some time before he was able to find a way to return to Nazarick.
Anael remembered the memories of those dark days when her twin went missing. Father and Mother’s raging grief. The guardian uncles and aunts’ guild laden faces.
And when Azrael finally returned, it was not the same Azrael before he went missing.
Everyone here knew and was familiar with Azrael’s way of thinking.
His motivation was centered along these three words, Family, Duty, and Sacrifice.
From an outsider’s point of view, to be the scion of Ainz Ooal Gown, meant they instantly attained a position where they could gain unimaginable power, authority and wealth.
To Anael and her siblings, in particular Azrael. The position of being the prince and princess of Nazarick was a privilege that came with many limitations. As the future inheritors of Ainz Ooal Gown, their existence was to ensure the everlasting existence and the elevation of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
As the future leaders of Nazarick, any word or edict from them would greatly affect those who serve them. One simple order may result in the purge of an entire race at a moment’s notice.
Hence, since their birth, they were groomed to lead. Knowledge regarding fighting, magic, combat tactics, politics, management and etiquette had been drilled into them since their early youth. They barely had time for things like playtime, friends, and free time in their busy training schedules. The majority of their time was devoted to honing their bodies and minds for leadership.
Although the training was tough, it was not like they were not loved. The children of Ainz Ooal Gown were well-adored by the denizens of Nazarick, especially the Floor Guardians, whom would lay down their lives for them without a moment of hesitation.
Because of this, all of the children were motivated to train harder to live-up to the expectations of those who were devoted to them, especially Azrael.
Hence, the reason for them being in this world was to obtain and exploit any resources or technology that would benefit Nazarick. Anael knew that there was another reason that her twin choose to remain here, a burden that her twin imposed upon himself. To him, failure was not an option as it would result in the potential destruction of Nazarick, for Malephius is………
Anael tightened her fist at the thought of her sworn enemy.
