Chapter VI

"Grasslands?"

"Affirmative, my lady. Completely different from the swamps that surrounded the Great Tomb of Nazarick. Additionally, there had been no buildings, humans, or monsters within a 1-kilometer radius" Reported the butler of steel.

"I see...So it seems that Nazarick has been transported to a completely unknown location for some reason. Thank you for your hard work, Sebas" With a smile that would put the shine of a thousand suns to shame directed at the fellow dragonoid, your face then turned pensive once more as you processed the somewhat alarming information.

There was a reason you were not the Guild Master despite your unmatched strength within the world of YGGDRASSIL.

Simply put, you were not a strategist.

Unlike your former guildmates, namely Momonga, Punitto Moe, and even Tabula Smaragdina, you weren't a masterful tactician who thought at least five steps ahead of everyone else. While you could lead a party, you knew long ago that you simply didn't have the patience nor great insight to formulate complicated plans and the like.

If anything, your main strategy in battles was to overwhelm the enemy with your might. A strategy which, in all honesty, was absolutely reckless and foolhardy if you weren't as powerful as you are.

Simply put, you were the ultimate tank. A fact that your friends took advantage of whenever a battle was to take place and which you weren't ashamed to admit.

"Albedo and Demiurge, seeing as both of you are Nazarick's greatest minds, what do you suggest our next plan of action to be in the wake of our...current situation?" Crossing your arms, you sent an apologetic look at your subjects, "Sad to say, but I am not a perfect being and wholeheartedly admit that strategizing is not my forte. I'm more of a frontliner and a tank. Momo-chan would be best suited for strategizing instead..."

"Lady Lucifiel/My Lady!" Shouted all the floor guardians in horror and alarm.

"Please, do not downplay your worth like that! While it is true that Lord Momonga is unrivaled in his intellect and insight, you are not lesser than him because of it. May the other Supreme Beings forgive me, but I believe that what you think you lack is not a weakness at all. Rather, it is what sets you apart from the other masters. As you say, you may not be well versed in tactics, but you fully make up for it in not just strength. What you have...is an unwavering kindness and compassion for unworthy beings like us. When all had left, it is you who had stayed and offered us the chance to serve you until the end of time itself. Should I ever be given a choice in which master to choose...I would gladly and wholeheartedly choose you again and again" Demiurge's right hand was held over his heart, clutching and wrinkling his suit.

Heat crawled up your face at the demon's declaration, your pale luminescent skin acquiring a red hue as your tail twitched and seemed to wag from behind you. Now that was a response you weren't expecting to get after just a seemingly harmless comment about your particular weakness in complex war tactics.

Was that one of his passive skills taking effect or was the heat finally getting to you?

Demiurge didn't even have any shame as he smiled at you with his own wagging tail, as if he were some innocent and naive little puppy waiting for a treat or some pats from its master for being a good boy.

Not that he was anything but a good boy ever since you ended up here.

By Odin's beard, Ulbert made him TOO perfect.

"T-Thank you, Demiurge. Your words bring me great joy and relief..." You would have probably shed a tear had you still been human, but dragons do not weep. "I will endeavor to be a ruler worthy of your loyalty and devotion. For only the greatest master deserves the greatest subjects"

"LUCIFIEL-SAMA/LADY LUCIFIEL!!!" Was the heartfelt cry of your dearest Floor Guardians.

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You. Are. A. Dragon.

A legitimate fire-breathing dragon.

A dragon wearing seemingly human skin.

A humanoid dragon who had a pair of BIG. DRAGON. WINGS.

A pair of wings which you, for some reason forgot about, haven't even tried out.

Until now.

It wasn't your fault that you forgot that you could actually fly now thanks to the massive draconic wings which now sat upon your slender back. Sure, you could make them appear and or disappear through sheer will and may have forgotten about them for the past few days, but it surely wasn't your fault!

Securing Nazarick was your first priority so you had to communicate and plan with the Floor Guardians, specifically Demiurge and Albedo on how best to protect the tomb from any potential danger. Your character build was that of a tank, best for frontlines and facing the enemy in a direct assault so sitting back on the sidelines to think up of strategies wasn't something you were used to.

Now that all the plans are underway, you were finally given some well-deserved time of your own. Your head hurt from all that thinking and you weren't really feeling up to some sparring or battle in general.

Of course, what better way to clear one's head than a leisurely solo flight across the blue skies of Nazarick?

"Please wait, milady! Should you go alone then none of us can perish as lowly shields for you should anything happen" Came the highly logical reasoning of Narberal.

As much as you reveled in their utter devotion to you...it can honestly be a bit too much sometimes.

"It's alright, Narberal. I'm not leaving the tomb or anything, but this is something I MUST do alone" You just wanted to try flying for once and not have any of them who practically worshipped the ground you walked on to see you should you accidentally make a fool of yourself while making your first attempts at it

"Did you forget that I am the strongest being in the universe? Nothing and no one would dare lay a hand on me and live to tell the tale. Let them try and we'll see what happens"

Seemingly taking your word for it, the ebony-haired maid nodded silently.

As much as you appreciated and loved the attention and devotion, there were moments when you felt as if they forgot that you weren't just some pampered princess who had knights fight for her honor.

You were the damned FELL DRAGON for Odin's sake!

Guild's trembled at the sound of your name and Players would rather log out before you could reach them than face your wrath!

Perhaps you should find some way to showcase your powers and complete capability in protecting yourself one of these days...

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"Lady Lucifiel, you came here without any guards?"

"Mhmm...I wanted to be alone for this"

"...So that's how it is...However, forgive my impertinence but I cannot allow you to go out without anyone accompanying you"

"If you're really that adamant about this...join me then, Demiurge"

You...You wanted him to join you?

Alone?

Just the two of you?

"I am aware of my own capabilities in battle, but I wouldn't be a good ruler if I simply dismissed the concerns of my people"

You were simply too kind and too compassionate that he felt terrible for imposing his selfishness upon you.

"Of all the people in Nazarick, I think of you as one of the most capable. Which is why I'm willing to entrust my wellbeing onto you for the meantime"

Had you been a holy angel, Demiurge was sure that he'd have turned to ashes by now because of your unfathomable generosity and goodness.

"T-Thank you very much for accepting my selfishness..."

Truly, he was no match for you.

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Unlike back in your home world where one could barely see any stars, the stars you were currently seeing seemed to be uncountable and the array of multi-colored galaxies and other heavenly bodies you only saw in pictures took your breath away.

It was in the sky that you found solace and freedom.

Flying above the clouds with just the moon and stars as your guide, you could see much of the world beneath you. With it came the acceptance that wherever you are, this was very much your new reality from now on.

You didn't mind as long as you had Nazarick and everyone in it with you.

"The stars here are so bright...They're like glittering jewels..." You whispered, entranced by the sights that you could never see in person until now.

"I believe that this new world shines so that my lady can adorn herself with its riches"

Was Demiurge...Was he suggesting...THAT?

"World domination?...That doesn't sound bad at all"

With the current power you had...world domination wasn't just some fantasy after all. Not to mention that you'd lose your mind if you were stuck inside the tomb for the rest of your life just being waited on hand and foot by everyone.

"Wonderful. I will immediately begin the necessary preparations for this campaign" The currently froggy-looking Demiurge clasped a hand to his heart as he bowed, "Rest assured, we the creations of the Supreme Beings will not stop until this world is within your grasp. Nothing and no one will prevent me us from placing the crown of the world upon you, my lady."

For it is her inherent RIGHT to be given the respect, adoration, and worship of all beings that were below her magnificence. Was it not simple nature for those far beneath the Supreme Beings to show their utter allegiance and submission to them? Frankly speaking, those who refuse to give them their dues must be culled--

The jewel-eyed male did not finish his train of thought for how could he when the object of his affections devotion pulled him into an embrace?

His words died in his throat as his mind sought to explain why the most divine being in existence saw fit to grace his unworthy self with such a gesture, whereas you were blissfully unaware of the guardian's plight.

"As long as I have you and the others, nothing can ever stop me" You announced with neither a pause nor a stutter, "Your devotion is also what gives me strength."

It was at that moment beneath the light of the moon and stars that the legacy of Ulbert Alain Odle knew the true purpose for his creation.

Flying high up in the sky above the clouds and with only these heavenly bodies as witnesses, Demiurge allowed himself to be selfish for the time being.

You couldn't help but smile as you felt him wrap his arms around your middle.

Yes.

As long as you had all of them by your side then taking over this new world would be nice.

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Enri Emmott was scared—No, she was absolutely terrified.

She was sure that neither she nor her little sister would live to see tomorrow once those knights got a hold of them. The least she could do was cover Nemu's eyes before they met their inevitable end.

By some stroke of luck however, it never came.

Salvation came in the form of what could only be a goddess.

"I didn't expect the local humans here to be so weak that they would fall for [Gorgon's Gaze] so easily like that" Her voice was like a bell, pleasant and soothing to the ears despite the clear disappointment in her tone.

Pure snow-white locks draped her gorgeous form and reached well below her knees. Glittering silver scales framed her cheeks and moved down upon her slender neck before disappearing beneath the silk of her bodice. Despite her clearly inhuman features including her tail and pointed ears, Enri would be lying if she said that this being was anything other than stunning.

Even with the feral grin currently occupying this goddess' face, it did not diminish her beauty at all.

"Anyhow, I didn't expect knights of all people to be targeting defenseless girls and children" Dark purple fire crackling with what seemed to be lightning floated above her open palm, "Let's see how you fare against a real opponent. Shall we~?"

Whatever happens now, Enri owed her life to her.

"[Ignis]"

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Blood and guts flew left and right as the Sunlight Scripture was mercilessly slaughtered like pigs. No matter what they did, they could barely even put a dent on the monster!

They who were initially the hunters were now the prey and there was nothing they could do about it.

"That's enough, Draco Knight"

The armored reptilian beast stilled its rampage at the command of its master and lowered its head in submission.

Both villager and knights alike turned their heads towards the owner of the voice. Mouths gaped and eyes widened in shock at the sight of the draconic female and her companion who seemingly appeared in the sky all of a sudden.

"If you do not wish to be completely eradicated then I suggest that you leave. NOW"

Despite her flawless visage, her eyes were like molted gold as she glared at the terrified knights, "Tell your master who sent you back to them and should you bother this village again..." Cold, unadulterated fear gripped their minds and threatened to stop their hearts merely from how overwhelming it was.

"I will rain fire and blood upon your kingdom until nothing is left but the scorched earth from where it once stood"

The company of knights didn't dare to pray at the face of their destruction.

Because they felt that they were already forsaken by their gods at the face of such an opponent.

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Thankfully (Sadly), they didn't put up a single fight and immediately fled the scene with their tails between their legs. After their pitiful attempt of fighting your Mid-Tier summon, the most you'd have gotten out of them was some temporary amusement as they tried to fight for their lives.

Was this really all this new world had to offer you in terms of an opponent? Worthless cannon fodder who probably wouldn't even be able to defeat a small goblin horde?

If this was truly the extent of its warriors then dominating this world would be easier and more boring than you thought.

"Let's just go back, Yuri. I'm more tired from the effort of dealing with weaklings than the actual pitiful fight itself" You sighed and rubbed your temples in irritation, even your tail twitched aggravatedly from behind you.

Yuri Alpha nodded enthusiastically. "Milady is correct. Such disgraceful display is not worth your precious time."

"At the very least, we got some information about this new world from the village chief so it's not a total loss on our part"

While the world you all currently resided in had no name, the kingdoms of this world certainly did. This place for example, Carne Village, was under the Re-Estize Kingdom whose nearest city was called E-Rantel. There was also the kingdom's neighbor and rival nation, the Baharuth Empire which they get into yearly skirmishes with. Additionally, there was the Slane Theocracy who bordered south of the previous countries.

From the name itself you knew that this Theocracy was going to be an annoying thorn on your side. Not because they were going to be difficult opponents or anything, but rather their mindless devotion to fake gods and that they were superior because of it.

For a single moment all the denizens of Nazarick simultaneously sneezed

Gazing upon the setting whose orange hues bathed the world, you kicked off the ground and opted to hover several feet in the air to be able to enjoy a better view of this new world.

It wasn't long however before you heard the multitude of galloping hooves in the distance and with your superior eyesight, took note of another group of armed riders who seemed to have more promise than your previous opponents (if they could be called that).

"Yuri, tell the villagers to gather inside the chieftain's house. Whereas he will be accompanying us to the square to receive these new...guests" Schooling your features into a calm and collected mask, you descended to the ground once more and folded back your wings and cast a glamour upon some of your more...draconic features to disguise them for the meantime.

Better not alarm these newcomers at the first meeting, right?

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Gazef was at his wit's end.

These dogs of the Slane Theocracy or Baharuth Empire had decimated yet another innocent village and all for WHAT?!

Not to mention that because of those scheming nobles all he could take with him were 50 of his men and all because of their political games! If not for his loyalty to his king and love for his kingdom then he would have probably accepted the empire's scouting attempts long ago.

As he and his knights approached Carne Village he breathed an internal sigh of relief at the sight of it still standing. This was a good sign already, but he needed to make sure first and foremost of the people's safety.

Nearing the seemingly untouched village he was met with who he assumed to be the chief at the town square and two other odd figures beside him.

One was a maid? Judging by the puffy black and white dress along with the headband, she was undoubtedly a maid.

Even from his seated position upon his horse he could tell that the maid was a beautiful woman. One that most men would trip over trying to talk to.

However, it was her companion that caught his eyes and kept them all throughout.

Simply put, she was unlike any woman the head warrior had ever encountered in his life and he'd seen his fair share of beautiful maidens in his long life. Even the famed Golden Princess whom he saw regularly enough due to being her father's sworn shield could not hold a candle to this devastatingly gorgeous creature.

Gazef knew that the moment those golden orbs gazed into his own, he would dream of no other.

"I am the Chief Royal Warrior of the Re-Estize Kingdom, Gazef Stronoff"

"Gazef Stronoff? I am Lucifiel A. Ooal-Gown. It is a pleasure to meet you"

A pleasure indeed.