Overlord of biblical proportions: Return of the Biblical God (17)

To Momonga's luck, genuine good luck this time, the Sun was already setting over Kuoh when he sets out from Nazarick. So, at the very least, he didn't need to wrack his brain urgently to search for some random activity or a random place he needed to visit to seem like he was busy to Shalltear. 

The excuse came to him quickly enough; he simply declared that he needed to conduct a patrol of the human territory he controlled in this world, that is, Kuoh. And more fortunately, Shalltear wasn't Albedo or Demiurge, so she didn't immediately start saying ‘of course, I understand what a genius plan, Lord Momonga, how could I not have guessed it earlier!’; before thinking that he has some kind of incredibly convoluted plan. 

Instead, Shalltear simply nodded along, then walked next to Momonga with an expression of devotion, like that of a dog, promised an endless walk and all the delicacies in the world during it.

Trying to banish from his head the image of Shalltear attempting to gnaw at a bone from his own snow-white skeletal body, Momonga walked along the paved road, with Shalltear quietly following behind him. Now, if his luck holds out, no Police officer would accost them for Shalltear, more specifically over the way she’s dressed. 

Because of course he should have known that in Shalltear's huge personal wardrobe there would be a school uniform. Why not? She was created by Peroroncino as his personal waifu after all, it would have instead been simply strange if he hadn't found something as mundane as a school uniform for her. If he had found a swimsuit, a very rare drop from aquatic mobs, or an expensive in-game purchase, a complete [Seductress Succubus] set, yet another very rare drop, and a hundred other costumes, all equally just as rare, what would stop him from picking up a school uniform?

And what would stop Shalltear from wearing such a uniform when she was about to go on a stroll with her beloved master, because of which she now looked less like a mighty vampire mistress, and much more like… Well, strictly speaking, like a schoolgirl.

Moreover, due to her small figure, Shalltear, with a very big stretch, looked like a high-school girl, at worst? Well, Momonga looked like a criminal taking a night stroll with a middle schooler whose puberty had not arrived yet. One particular part of Shalltear's body made her look much, much, younger than she actually is.

Following Momonga's own gaze, Shalltear reached for her chest, then embraced it seductively… Or at the very least, she was trying to. After all, to ‘embrace’ something, something needed to be there in the first place.

Momonga, realizing his secretive glances had been noticed, instantly looked away, then cleared his throat, nodding to himself. 

"Um, ahem, good. I think we should head forward."

It was hard to say whether Shalltear had overcome her envy of large breasts, the fact that she spent most of her time still wearing her padding suggested that she had probably not. However, on the other hand, she didn't keep her padded bra during sex, which is impossible of course, but he has a feeling that Shalltear will find a way. 

That is, she had showed Momonga her true form, and achieved acceptance of it, which is why at the moment she looked exactly like a young and naive schoolgirl. So right now, even if Shalltear hadn't accepted the fact that her silhouette was more a washboard than mountains and canyons, at least she wasn't so ashamed of this fact now, seeking to hide it in any possible way.

However, Momonga cut off this reflection after a moment, otherwise he risked drawing himself back to the pink heaven of Shalltear’s bedroom that he had just resisted with all his might. And that didn't bode well for Momonga – he had already decided not to become like the bosses of his past world, then at least he shouldn’t sexually take advantage of his subordinates, and pretend that he was currently engaged in something important.

However, the question of what exactly he should be doing at the moment was the eternal question.

Walking through the streets of Kuoh, Momonga looked around, trying to look like he was busy, and not to pay attention to Shalltear’s quiet steps following him, surveying the city as if he was surveying the city. While, instead, he was actually panickedly trying to find something that he could engage with.

It continued for a five minute that seemed like an eternity, before he stopped, Shalltear stopping as well, he couldn’t continue like this.

Taking a deep breath, Momonga decided to stop, his constant panicked search for some petty tasks he could resolve with his powers usually didn't end with anything good. Too often, his ’small’ actions grew into significantly more important events than they appeared to be at first glance. Take his enrollment in school for example, or his trip to Germany for textbooks, or even now, deciding to have an impromptu visit to Shalltear’s room had unexpectedly grown into an ‘inspection’ of Kuoh.

On the other hand, just saying ‘calm down and think rationally’, wouldn’t work either. Because, strictly speaking, Momonga was calm and more than rational, not because he was composed, but because of [Emotion Suppression]. But it’s the same anyway, right? 

So, rationally, he understood that he was too inferior when compared to his own subordinates in terms of resource management or creating complex plans. It would be much easier for him if someone like Albedo or Demiurge simply gave him a plan and instructions with words about what exactly he needed to do. But they, of course, ‘couldn't embarrass Lord Momonga with their imperfect and meager plans, disrupting his genius plans with their own actions’, or something equally ridiculous. 

No matter how much he requested some instructions for his own actions from them; by obliquely asking, of course, he couldn’t let them discover just how actually lacking he was, and be disappointed. He owed the children of his friends more than that, Therefore he had to take initiative, tackling and solving the issues that seemed simple to him… Only to discover that they were anything but simple.

But, he needs to keep moving, to accomplish feats that were ‘just as expected’ of the leader of Ainz Ooal Gown.

Shalltear was silent, but her very presence next to him embarrassed Momonga, as if someone was watching his every step, and doing so very intently. And what was much worse, the observer wasn't waiting for the moment when Momonga himself would stumble or fail, in that case Momonga would at least know the stakes and could orient himself regarding his actions. He has quite the extensive experience dealing with bosses who were just waiting for a moment of error from his part, real or imagined, to dock his salary or fire him altogether. 

Momonga might never have been the best employee, but he had survived more than one storm and more than one boss trying to show himself off as the largest predator of corporate politics. Usually, for those types, Momonga would only need to lie low, before an even bigger fish, to swallow them.

No, this time, the fervent observer was looking at him with an admiring gaze, not even allowing any thought that Momonga could do any wrong; Momonga could literally turn around and start torturing Shalltear, and she would probably just start praising him instead. 

This unmitigated, total trust and admiration felt more suffocating to Momonga than any hatred or suspicion. Momonga wanted to justify this trust that all the inhabitants of the Great Tomb of Nazarick have on him, but he simply didn't know exactly how he could do it.

Steadily, he walked through the streets of Kuoh, mired in his thoughts, Shalltear following behind him like a silver shadow. Through the empty streets, the late night meant that there are fewer and fewer people, the streets empty of cars. It took Momonga a while to realize that he was unknowingly walking through his morning route, that is, to Kuoh Academy.

He involuntarily shuddered as he lifted his head, only to see the school building. Well, the ruins of one.

The building before him still wasn't completely repaired, protective fences still bared the entryway. It took quite some time for Momonga to receive the news that the school was destroyed by Sirzechs’ outburst, another thing that he had to thank Demiurge for. 

Construction materials are scattered here and there, indicating that this project would take at least several more weeks, even if most of the concrete floors and brick walls had already been erected. It seemed that the Devils’ contract workers operated with special speed and efficiency, even when the Devils didn't directly oversee their work.

The thought about the school rebuilding, however, was replaced by another, a happier one; now that the academy director was under Momonga's control, he no longer had to attend it. However, this then transitioned to thoughts of Rias, their acquaintanceship might have been short, but Momonga wonder what she was doing right now, and whether she would return. 

He had read Demiurge’s report, even if it took embarrassingly long for him to complete it, there were simply too many details; about the attack by the Fallen Angles, about the countermeasures taken to make sure that the attack couldn’t be linked back to Nazarick. And the latest, most important report, about the captured of another [Longinus] bearer, one that used to belong to the Fallen Angels. He wondered just what kind of unique skill the [Longinus] possess.

Reading through the report, Momonga could only conclude that, completely by accident, he had provoked this entire situation with the Devils, that it had landed Nazarick in a much stronger position was nothing more than a happy accident. 

Of course, he could justify himself by saying he didn't want this, nor had he implicitly ordered any of the attacks. And that it has nothing to do with the negotiation he was about to have with the Devils, the Satans, or how it had made his bargaining position that much better. 

But, even if they believed his explanations, something that Momonga himself have a hard time believing, it still wouldn’t erase the fact that he would be taking full advantage of their weakened position. He would be doing a disservice to Nazarick if he didn’t.

So, taking into account that Momonga would never reveal his true strength to any possible adversary, it meant that his relationship with the Devils have been irrevocably damaged, if not completely ruined altogether. 

This fact saddened him somewhat – not that he especially cared or concerned about what would happen with the Devils, nor did had any strong relationship with the Devils. No, it was simply the fact that the heightened tensions would only make it harder for Momonga to operate in peace, and keep the eyes of the other Factions from him.

After all, if the Devils were showing him more attention, it would mean that others would be interested too, if only to see what was so interesting about Momonga.

Really, a continued peace would be truly helpful to his plans. 

"Lord Momonga?" Shalltear's voice shattered Momonga’s contemplation. Turning her way, Momonga could see that she was scrunching her brows somewhat. 

"I sense someone approaching. Someone with a… Significant amount of holy power."

Momonga blinked before all thoughts of Devils and his relationships with them were blown from his mind, and his mind habitually slid into a much more familiar state. Preparing for battle.

"From where, and how far? How many? Their speed of approach? How strong?"

"From the north, maybe a kilometer or one and a half, about their numbers… I’m unsure… Please forgive me, Lord Momonga, I don't possess any [Ranger] classes to determine their exact location" Shalltear bowed, but continued a moment later, knowing just how important it is."

“They’re approaching… slowly? Walking pace, most likely. As for how strong they are… It's not dealing me damage at the moment, but their Holy Powers are strong enough to start dealing damage from afar. Not to me, of course, my [Resistance] is too strong. I'm not sure if this is an active ability or a passive effect of an affecting aura."

The report made Momonga think for a moment about how he should respond to the possible threat. If he, right now, used [Summon Undead I] and summoned a [Skeleton], then timed how long before its HP drained, he could determine how strong the [Holy Aura] is. It might not be a clear indication of their strength, but it would be a good ballpark. The [Skeleton] possessed zero [Resistance] and Momonga had long ago memorized its exact HP, so Momonga could calculate the exact DPS of the [Holy Aura].

But, is it a [Passive Effect] or a deliberate attack? The slow, deliberate walk, could indicate either; is the opponent stacking damage, or are they just taking a walk and Momonga’s presence didn’t enter into the figure at all?

Should he summon a Skeleton now, it could be taken as an attack, or preparation for one.

Momonga rejected the idea after a moment’s thought.

The fact of the matter is, Momonga hadn't suffered a single point of damage, and neither did Shalltear, only detecting it and not suffering damage as well, despite their shared weakness to [Holy] damage. This could only mean that the [Holy Aura] was not at all that strong.

As a deliberate attack, it would be quite the pathetic attack, but if it’s a [Passive] effect? There are some data that could be learned from that. 

The weakest Aura skills, that are capable of dealing damage, were a skill that could only be taken starting from the fortieth level. Of course, by Yggdrasil standards, such a level was beyond weak, but in this New World, it could mean a significant, and important figure.

Someone that Momonga really didn’t want to meet under any circumstances. Especially since Auras are very much a toggle-able skill, just like his [Despair Aura]; for all he knows, he was about to meet a level 100 enemy, that was just keeping their Aura disabled.

Moreover, considering that it was [Holy Power], a skill that needed positive Karma, while Momonga has the worst Karma in comparison, and an Undead besides, the probability that the opponent would react sharply to his undead nature increases exponentially.

Of course, one of his rings, currently transformed as his underwear so that he would always remember to wear it, completely hides any and all information about him, a ring specialized against information gathering. Shalltear, however, possessed no similar equipment.

A grave mistake.

So, quickly extending his hand forward to his [Inventory], Momonga pulled out a concealment ring, unfortunately he only had a few of these, and extended it to Shalltear. 

"Put this on. Quickly."

"Lord Momonga?!" Shalltear suddenly recoiled, looking at the offered ring, before biting her lip and suddenly spinning her head around herself, as if she was looking around in embarrassment. 

"Here?! Lord Momonga, of course I agree!"

Momonga blinked in confusion for a while, before realizing what he had done. He had just given a ring to someone that he was in a relationship with. His [Emotion Suppression] activated automatically and Momonga took a deep breath, slowly exhaling before clarifying thing lest Shalltear misunderstood; he was most definitely not prepared to move their relationship to the ‘next stage’ as it were. 

"The ring is for hiding your nature and presence. I need you to retreat from view and prepare for a possible attack, or ambush, in case they are an enemy and are approaching us as bait."

"Ah…" Shalltear spoke slowly, suddenly becoming slightly gloomy, but immediately dispersed the clouds from her face and accepted the ring from Momonga, she then put it on her finger, her left ring finger he noticed, but Momonga didn’t mention it. 

"It will be done, Lord Momonga!"

A moment later, Shalltear disappeared in a barely noticeable flash of teleportation, leaving Momonga alone with his thoughts.

"Hm, so Shalltear is thinking about marriage after all…" Momonga sighed.

Of course, he knew about the goal of all relationships, marriage and all that, but he had never thought about it in relation to himself. He was barely starting to get used to the idea of having a girlfriend, two of them even; as for Marriage…

If he started thinking about it, Momonga felt that no amount of [Emotion Suppression] would save him from the growing spiral of panic. How was he even supposed to propose when he had two girlfriends? Take both as wives at once? Should they all be wives on the same level? Or did he need to choose a main wife? What about the wedding? Who could even marry Momonga if he was both the head of Nazarick and simultaneously God? How would his other followers perceive such a relationship?!

And perhaps most worryingly of all; what would he do if a new woman appeared?! 

Not that he was striving for such a thing, and he would probably say no to a relationship with anyone outside of Nazarick, but what if another of Nazarick’s denizen asked him out!? Could he even say no!? He already had two girlfriends, and neither of them are against adding a third, a fourth, or even more. And not that he was looking forward to it, but he wasn’t, theoretically speaking, against it either!

A Harem is a man’s romance! As Peroroncino always crow about, even if Touch Me always debated vociferously against him about it, and…!  

Another flash of [Emotion Suppression] and Momonga's mind was cleared of his ever-growing panic attack, though Momonga wasn't even sure which exact emotion had gone out of control and provoked the reaction of his Passive skill. But whichever it was, Momonga could only be forever grateful for his Undead nature, otherwise he would have fallen into a panic stupor and missed the approach of the interloper. 

Momonga had pegged her as the interloper almost immediately.

In Yggdrasil, the [Human] Players and NPCs are usually based on the European ‘look’ for their appearance, while the monsters gravitated in their depiction toward standard western fantasies, and he had thought of it as the default. It was only until Tabula had disabused him of that notion, that in the far past, before the nukes fell, different countries typically has a distinct style to them. 

For instance, in Japanese games, it was not unusual for the monsters to be based on Japanese folklore, or that the Player Characters would be Asian in looks. It was only in the modern times, like in Neo-Japan where arcologies could contain people of so many disparate ethnicities and looks, either workers for their super-globalized world and megacorporations, or refugees from all over the world, that everything became so homogenized. 

So, for instance, in his current Japan, still lacking the Neo prefix, meeting a European, was a very novel event. The girl was clearly of European origin, with gorgeous blue eyes, long wheat-colored hair and outstanding… Proportions. One that Shalltear herself couldn't replicate with any padding. 

She stood out like a burning fire amid absolute darkness.

She was also most definitely a supernatural race, judging by the fact that she was literally glowing. The streets in front of Kuoh Academy was not dark, in fact it was quite well lit, and yet, despite that fact, Momonga could still see the soft glow of light surrounding her. 

It was not a glow like that of a lightbulb, or a fire, but some other more ethereal glow, making it hard for one not to notice her, even if they are just passing by. It was a surprise that she doesn’t cause car crashes every time she walks the streets. 

‘An Aura effect, I suppose.’ Momonga noted instantly internally, before concentrating on the figure of the approaching girl. Fortunately, his facial expression was unchanging regardless of what emotion he was experiencing inside, so his face in this regard rather resembled a wax mask of benevolent goodwill, perfectly suited for hiding his emotions. 

Exactly what Momonga himself needed.

‘And now, to approach a potential enemy…’ Finally, erasing all distracting thoughts from his mind, Momonga shifted his posture, prepared for any surprise attack as he marked her as a potential enemy. 

With a final deep breath, he made his approach.

"Excuse me, but are you lost? It's quite unusual to see someone walking on these streets alone at such a late hour…"

***

As it turned out, her Daddy had a different intent for her, as she couldn't obtain any scrap of information no matter how long and how far she walked. Leaving her only choice being to visit the Church, either to spring the trap, or to find the truth.

Her last stop before visiting Kuoh church, however, was visiting the only other place where paranormal activity had been definitively recorded – Kuoh Academy. A place, where, until recently, two heiresses of Devil Pillar families, and more importantly sisters to two Satans, studied along with their reincarnated [Peerage]. A place that the Crimson Satan, and the Strongest Female Devil, her supposed ‘rival’, have a special interest in. 

Unfortunately, information about what happened inside the academy was limited within the highest ranks of the Devil faction, the two known Sis-con, putting the security of the academy as important as the capital of the Devils itself. That was why the church and the Angels didn't even possess the smallest of intelligence regarding the school. Why three Satans, along with Sirzechs' wife, had left the Underworld, giving the Fallen Angels a window of opportunity to attack.

But, through indirect observation, the Church had managed to establish the fact that the Satans’ visit was related to the Church, the Demon that resides within it, and possibly, to Daddy… 

But besides such a conjecture, the angels didn't have much information, and unfortunately, Gabriel's inspection of Kuoh brought her no new information except confirmation of already known facts, that the Devils had left Kuoh. And that the city is now under the control of a new force…

A force that had announced the End of Days, according to Irina.

However, approaching the Academy, Gabriel unexpectedly heard a voice that made her instantly tense. 

"Excuse me, but are you lost? It's quite unusual to see someone walking on these streets alone at such a late hour…"

Gabriel's gaze instantly slid to the speaking figure, a young man whose age was on the border between high school graduate and young college student. The benevolent expression on his face, one that didn’t even possess an ounce of malice on it, instantly removed at least a small part of wariness regarding his presence in Gabriel’s mind. 

But only a small part, especially since the young man had managed to catch her unaware.

Gabriel, of course, had never really trained her abilities in detecting opponents, possessing no significant talent in this regard; of her combat skills, she felt most confident in matters of healing and blessing the faithful, though she wasn't defenseless herself. However, even considering this fact, completely avoiding her gaze and attention was difficult, to say the least, so how had the young man done so? 

Not to mention that, possessing quite the considerable level of power, Gabriel could usually quite easily determine the nature of any being standing against her, whether they were human, Devil, or something else. Usually.

However, the young man before her gaze was impenetrable to her sight, the attempt to determine his nature proved so hopeless, as if Gabriel was looking at nothing more than a truly empty space.

No, perhaps it was wrong to call the man before her an ‘empty space’. Quite likely, even looking at any other empty and clean space before her, Gabriel could catch something, the smallest remnants, particles, something magical or not. There would be ‘something’ there.

The man before her was more empty than emptiness itself, a true abyss that had swallowed any possible information about itself. It was as if he was a black hole of information, nothing exists that could be observed.

If her eyes were not seeing his form, Gabriel would think that there was nothing there at all. 

Gabriel's first involuntary impulse, of course, was to retreat. Not to attack, but rather find the first suitable excuse and leave his presence, but Gabriel had arrived in Kuoh with the goal of gathering information, leaving the presence of someone who absolutely possessed such information was simply counterproductive.

Therefore, instead, Gabriel smiled at the young man before responding. "Thank you for your concern, but I'm simply enjoying an evening walk."

"Well, there's nothing wrong with that," In response, the young man didn't change his facial expression and nodded, before shifting his gaze to Kuoh Academy, "Though I must say, you've chosen quite an unusual place for your walk."

"Who wouldn't want to see such a place in person? The news about the explosion had been national news." She wasn’t lying either, the news about the school’s explosion had been front cover news, though Gabriel thought for a moment about how much she should reveal her hand, as she followed the man's gaze to the school, 

"As far as I've heard, people still aren't sure what exactly happened to cause the explosion, are they?"

"As far as I know, that is still the case. Shame though…" The man answered evasively, before, after waiting another couple seconds, as if detecting Gabriel’s unasked question, spoke again. "I’ve studied at this Academy."

"Hm?" Gabriel threw the man a questioning glance, internally quickly sorting through all the information in her head regarding any notable students. There were the two Heiresses, of course, but the man before her was quite clearly male. A member of their [Peerage], perhaps? No, the heiresses wouldn’t leave their [Peerage] behind.

Of course, among the Academy's students there would surely be other paranormal beings, it would be strange if there weren't such near the Devils, but none of them had attracted the church's attention in the past… While the man before her more than attracted attention, by being completely immune to Gabriel's gaze.

The complete absence of information makes things even more suspicious.

"Not for long, but more than enough time to… Learn some things," Although the expression of benevolent goodwill on the man's face didn't change at all, for a moment, Gabriel noticed frustration flashing in his voice. It doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together, he had learned something about the school, and that what he had learned was something that he disliked.

However, Gabriel's mind seized on something else. 

‘Not for long? What did he mean by that?’ Taking another look at the young man, his youth was clear to see, so if he had not studied at the school for long, had he transferred to the school from somewhere? How? If just from one meeting Gabriel could spot something ‘strange’ about the young man, Gabriel had no doubt that the rulers of Kuoh Academy, the Devils, would notice as well,

So why? The Devils would only allow such a transfer only if they were interested in the transferee, and the Church hadn’t noticed such a thing. The Academy might be able to keep all internal information secret, but something as public as eliciting a transfer of a person of interest from outside, would be something that the Church would definitely notice. 

That could only mean that the young man’s transfer was not because of the will of the Devils.

Considering that the church hadn't received information about any conflict or negotiations, it led Gabriel to only one conclusion; the Devils didn't know about his transfer, and they couldn't do anything to prevent it.

Suddenly, Gabriel was struck with the desire to pray, to praise her Father, because surely it was His hands that had delivered the young man to her.

"Excuse me, but may I know your name?" Gabriel shifted her gaze to the young man, trying to cement his appearance in her memory. Could this person be that very Demon in Irina’s report, one that is capable of existing in church without retribution from the Lord?

"Satoru… Hyoudou Satoru" Said the man, making Gabriel freeze.

Satoru, it was the name in the report… The name that Irina had brought to the seraphims' judgment, the name that Daddy chose for his Second appearance in the human world again.

Could this be a coincidence? If it were just a name, then possibly. Satoru was, after all, a common Japanese name.

But… Something inside Gabriel said otherwise.

The all-forgiving expression on his face, the ability to hide even from Gabriel's gaze, the frustration he felt from looking at demons walking among humans in broad daylight, corrupting them, not fearing God's wrath… 

"Father?" Gabriel turned to the man, to Satoru, after which, a moment later, twelve snow-white wings rose behind her back.

The dark night was instantly illuminated with heavenly light, and Gabriel's beauty and radiance multiplied manifold. Finally taking her true form, the Great Seraph appeared in all her magnificence, before gazing at Satoru, who didn't change his facial expression at all, as if he knew about Gabriel’s true identity in advance… Though if he really was Daddy, then this was only natural, after all, how could he not recognize his most beloved daughter?

"Father…" Gabriel pronounced, looking at Satoru, before slightly bowing her head, "Please, dispel my doubts… Take on your true form…"

Satoru, standing opposite her, hearing her words, suddenly froze even as his facial expression didn't change at all, so the words that followed didn't seem strange to her at all, 

"True form, um… Of course… After all, there's no problem with that…"

Perhaps it was simply because she was being overwhelmed with boundless joy, but from her Daddy’s mouth, murmuring of curses could be heard being spoken under his breath. But, watching her Daddy’s serene expression, of course, it was nothing more than a figment of her imagination.

Nothing more than an illusion created by the Devil… Whom she would be trying to kill for such blasphemy, if he wasn’t dead already.