Overlord Ascendants Arc 1 Second Coming Epilogue

Writer: Henet

Editor: PervySageChuck

Overlord Ascendants Arc 1 Second Coming

Overlord Arc 1: Epilogue

Azrael was once again seated within a study room in the mansion, along with his sisters, Anael and Akasha, and Arilde. They were poring over the reports, detailing the outcome of Azrael’s recent machination. Their recent act had generated a mountain of information.

Within a week, they had secured almost 30,000 bodies which would be used for the creation of an army. Two day had passed since the Battle of R’lyeth Manor and Azrael and his sisters had been working hard by using their summoning abilities for the creation of an undead army. They had been maxing their <Create Undead> skills to summon various forms of undead, Death Knights, Soul Eaters, Plague Lords and Death Cavaliers. Furthermore, his twin sister Anael had the special ability to perform both angelic and demonic summons. She had placed some of the angelic summons, like the Angelic Sentinels under the control of Cleona, to serve as guards over the prisoner she was supposed to watch over. Azrael shuddered slightly at the thought of that person escaping her imprisonment.

No, I will not allow it. For the girls, I would not permit such a thing to happen.

I will ask Anael to prioritize the creation of more Angelic Sentinels to be handed over to Cleona.

Azrael then shifted his thoughts to other things. Obtaining 30,000 bodies within such a short period was bound to create some logistical issues. For the past few days, Arilde and her sister, Isole, had been coordinating the transport of those unused bodies to be stored within the Frozen Peak, located within Level 6 of the Tomb of R’lyeth. The uses for those bodies had been planned prior.

Since the whole body was not required for the summons, the unused parts were used as food for man-eating denizen dwelling within the tomb, like the Tomb Worms that guarded the catacombs, and the slime population that slithered within the Caustic Warren.

For those who were captured alive, any form of useful information had been slowly extracted from them. Since they did not have any further use, they were now kept as livestock for Akasha’s blood farm, to be used as the occasional treat for her vampires.

As for those humans that Azrael found useful, he had them working for him under a magically bound contract. Realizing the usefulness of human ingenuity like the airships and magic tanks, Azrael had placed those with working knowledge about them under his strict control. During the battle, he had managed to secure multiple specimens of those airships and magic tanks as spoils of war. He had tasked those who were proficient in their operation to teach his subordinates on how to operate them. In return, he would guarantee the well-being of the prisoners and their family.

Earlier in the battle, he had shown them the whip. Now it was time to motivate them with the carrot. To those that witnessed his retribution, the choice was made for them.  Obedience or death. All chose the former.

However, achieving all of this was just the first step of Azrael’s bigger plan. Next, he planned to acquire the knowledge and expertise on how to manufacture those technologies en masse. The working technology will be useful to improve the strength of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.

The strength and capabilities of what he called, ‘magitech’ are still weak when compared to the raw power that the tomb here possessed. But what would happen if he were to combine the knowledge he possessed with magictech. For example, imagine the destruction they could achieve if they imbued the cannon with the Tier-7 spell, <Chain Dragon Lightning> or placing a group of liches within the magic tank as they directed their killing spells at their enemies.

One of his father’s favorite catchphrases echoed in his mind. Knowledge is power. He intended to seek it out by whatever means necessary, while monopolizing the information that he deemed to be game changers.

Azrael had three major objectives in this campaign. The third objective was to significantly destabilize the Empire’s plan to launch their invasion across the continent. In a week, he had just set the Empire back by three years in terms of war preparation. The best part is, nobody knew exactly what had happened to the entire Eastern Army. Astrape and Hilda had made sure of that and Azrael wanted to keep the situation that way. Now, he would be free from any potential hindrance as he proceeded with his other plans. His gaze was momentarily fixated on the piece of map in front of him, detailing the Empire’s Northern Border with the demi-human nation.

“Nii-san, I was thinking of a total revamp of the entire military structure within the tomb.” Anael suggested to Azrael. Her words brought Azrael back from his temporary reverie.

“Anael-nee, why do we have to do that? We could totally trample over them with just the Death Knights. Even one of nii-san’s Death Wyrms would be overkill.” Akasha asked as she took a sip from her blood flavored smoothie.

“Of course we could easily crush them with brute force. However, we should not rely on it too much. Imagine what would happen if we were to face an opponent with the same strength as us. Undoubtedly, the side with the superior tactics will come out on top.” Anael told Akasha who was listening aptly.  

“To further illustrate this, the Empire had the tactical advantage when fighting with the low level serfs that we sent against them. Individually, they possessed a similar level combat strength to the Empire’s musketeer. But as we can see, our enemy triumphed over an army that had ten times their number. Their tactical advantage was only brought about by the possession of magitech, the ability to strike at their enemy from afar and from relative safety. In other words, to overcome this shortfall, we have to change the way our army fights.”  Azrael backed up Anael’s explanation.

Akasha opened her mouth in a big ”O” as if comprehending her elder sibling’s explanation.

“Then, Anael-nee, you have a plan?” Akasha asked further.

“As a matter of fact, I do.” Anael smiled at her young sister.

“As I mentioned, the Empire’s advantage was their ability to attack from a distance, withering down our numbers before reaching them. To overcome the enemy’s advantage, we need troops that possess high mobility and defensive stats. Although we can spawn skeletal warriors and zombies with relatively ease and zero cost to us, using them in battle would be a waste of effort. When facing an enemy with similar capabilities as us, we should focus on using the Death Knights and Death Warriors with Soul Eaters as their mounts. They are to be separated into several groups, rushing to probe the flanks of our enemies, acting as a form of distraction. They are to be coordinated by the Death Cavaliers, who would serve as sub-commanders. They will distract our enemies from the main blow.” Anael suggested.  

“From the air, is it?” Azrael understood his twin’s line of thought.

“Yes, an air attack would serve to confuse our opponents. In this case, launching an attack against their airships would redirect their attention from the ground. Allowing more of our ground forces to reach our enemies unscathed.”

“In other words, you are proposing these few things. Firstly, the establishment of a heterogeneous army with smaller distinctive groups with specialized roles. Secondly, emphasis on unit mobility in the battlefield. Thirdly, a new air superiority fighting force.” Arilde summarized Anael’s points, to see if she left out anything.

“Precisely, we could use this opportunity to test out our new tactics against any would-be invaders.”

“Then, let’s work out the details later. I would like the rest to join in the discussion. Plus, our guest will be arriving shortly.”   

There was a knock on the door.

“Ah, just in time.” Azrael remarked.

One of the Ushan maids opened the door and ushered the visitors inside. It was Serene, with Hanna following from behind. Everyone’s attention was directed at Hanna. She was looking at them nervously in view of the recent events. Most of their expressions remained neutral. Only Arilde was giving Hanna an encouraging smile.

“Please be seated, Princess Hanna. I’m afraid that I have dire news for you.”

Serene took out a chair for a pale looking Hanna. Her hand was clenched into a fist and the knuckles were white.

“From what I found out, it seems that your sister is to be married to the King of Grimvale in two weeks’ time.”

Hanna’s face turned milky white after hearing this news. Her eyes were bloodshot. She groaned, “Prim, oh Prim.”

Hanna knew that mounting a rescue would be impossible mainly due to the large amount of planning needed. The situation was made more dire due to the distance between here and the capital of Grimvale. It was an estimated eight days worth of travel by horseback, five days if travelling by airship. Plus, the security level would be heightened during such an event.  Compounded by the fact that the Kingdom of Grimvale was feared by the other nations due to the Grim Fifty, there are……

Hanna’s thoughts was interrupted by Azrael’s next statement.

“However, I intend to rescue your sister as stipulated in our mutual contract.”

Hanna did not expect Azrael to proceed with such a tough request. She understood that such a highly difficult request would come with a steep price.

“I shall honor your request. That is, if you honor mine.”

“I understand. I am willing to pay the price for the safety of my sister.”

“Are you sure? You have not even heard my terms yet. Once you agree to them, there’s no turning back.” Azrael questioned her.

Hanna closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“No price is too great for the wellbeing of my sister.”

“If that is your choice. Take out the contract, Hanna. Follow my actions.” Azrael drew out his contract from the air. While Hanna took hers out, which she had been keeping with her since then. She followed after Azrael by placing her left hand on the scroll, mimicking Azrael.

“Then, this is my price. I will save your sister, Prim. In return, you must remain here in the Tomb of R’lyeth with us. Do you accept this condition?” Azrael asked.

The words ‘Stay in Tomb of R’lyeth’, appeared on Hanna’s contract just beneath the words ‘Save Prim’.

In her mind, Hanna had a million questions. But, there was no turning back now. If she is to be a hostage, then so be it, as long as her sister would be saved.

“I agree.” Hanna replied in absolution.

The words written on both paper glowed briefly before returning to its original state.

“Then, it is done. Our first agreement. Let’s begin planning the rescue.” Azrael was smiling happily as he pocketed the contract.

Author’s Note

Dear readers, this ends the first arc for Overlord Ascendants. Do let me know what you think of the story so far. I would like to hear everything, both good and the bad. Plus let me know, what you all hope to see in the coming arcs.