Within the deepest parts of the Slane theocracy, 7 figures each took a seat at a large, cylindrical table in the center of the room. The table itself was of exquisite make. It depicted the symbol for the theocracy carved into the ebony the table had been forged out of, with intricate chain like symbolism of interlocking loops surrounding the perimeter, creating a almost fish scale like formation. It was less a piece of furniture and more a piece of art. If One were trying to calculate the price of the object, they would be engaging in a exercise in futility.
And it was not just this table, but the entire room seemed to be a shining symbol of the theocracy itself. Six pillars of obsidian surrounded the table, and beyond that, six beautiful stain-glass portraits made up the walls of the room, their many hues seemingly lighting the room themselves. each one beyond the craftsmanship of mere mortals. While the figures on the tapestries had no face, one could tell they were beautiful even without that fact. They seemed to be watching over the sanctum itself.
There was a man surrounded by a raging inferno of flames, clenching his fist as if declaring a victory.
There was a woman, calmly sitting a midst a torrent of water. While she had no face, there was no doubt that she was smiling.
There was a man surrounded by a flowing tempest, yet his demeanor seemed calm in spite of this fact, as if his meditation was unbreakable.
There was a man who stood within a grove of trees and flora. His fighting stance seemed to fill all who saw it with courage.
There was a being which seemed less a woman and more a angel, her outspread arms appearing as welcoming as a mothers embrace, and here radiant form emitted a heavenly glow.
There was a skeleton, surrounded by inky blackness, with the ebony aura giving off a feeling of oppression that could not be put into words.
Anyone who would claim to be from the theocracy would not for a moment stumble if asked what the art represented. Each was was a depiction of the six great gods, in all there resplendent glory.
The scones on the pillars that each held a ball of light, radiated a purple glow on the only people who were worthy enough to enter this haven.
Although the people who had entered this place felt as if the value of the room was lowered with there presence, they also would not dare to hold this meeting in any other place, as here was where they were the closest to the gods.
Indeed, these people were none other than the highest ranking officials in the theocracy, the cardinals, along side the highest position respectively, the Pontifex Maximus.
While this was a meeting that was set to be held a week from now, they had all agreed to meet earlier due to a large amount of disturbing new that had reached their ears. While they normally would prepare for the meeting by cleaning the room with spells, the urgency of there problem had prevented it.
"Today we give thanks to the gods that human beings like ourselves are still alive. Thus, do we offer our thanks."
Each member present had had that phrase essentially drilled into them by this point, so everyone could say it as easily as reading a script.
"With that, I would like to start this meeting by addressing one of two topics that we are here to discuss. That being the appearance of a demon with great power appearing within our capital.
He paused to make sure everyone was giving there full attention, and once he was sure they understood the situation, he continued.
"22 hours ago, a demon naming itself, "Ulbert Alain Odle", appeared near the central temple last night, causing a great deal of havoc with its emergence. The repairs caused by its attack are currently underway, with the citizens being told it was the result of one of a magical ceremony that had gone haywire."
"I would like to ask a question, if I may Pontifex, but could it be that this demon was under the employ of Jaldabaoth?"
the man who had asked this question, Maximilian Oreio Lagier, did so because of the infamy that had been gained from the recent appearance of the fiend.
There was nobody in the world at this point who did not know that name. A great demon, with powers to destroy an adamantite ranked adventurer within a single hit. His antics in the holy kingdom had caused the country to almost fall unto ruin, however with the merciful aid of another country, they managed to stay afloat.
"While we cannot rule out that possibility, I feel like it is unlikely. The demon is to possess great strength, as the incident in the courtyard will show, and I feel as if that would have been known as a general in the army. However, based on its appearance, given to us by the 1st seat, it bears a striking resemblance to the menace known as bafolk. Therefore it may have hidden among them during the war effort, then fled when his master was killed."
"I see, but based on its appearance, it may just as well be another powerful demon."
"Correct, but we haven't been able to figure that out yet, with the information we have, we can assume that it is a new demon however. Please come forth, if you will."
Following that sentence, a new figure emerged from under the cloak of darkness that existed near the rooms entrance. The man clad in armor and appeared to be ready for battle at a moments notice.
"1st seat, could you please describe the demons abilities to the other cardinals for me."
"As you wish, Pontifex. While I did not engage with the creature for long, it was able to cast the 3rd tier spell, [Fireball]"
"That is hardly something to announce a meeting over. While that may be somewhat powerful, shouldn't any of the black scripture be able to take it out?" This sentence was uttered form the cardinal of wind, with a almost visible amount of largess.
"I would advise you listen to the full transcript Dominic, lest I have to reprimand you over speaking in such a tone within these walls." While the mans voice was even, he could not hide the biting frost within.
Dominic, realizing he had stepped out of line, bowed his head almost to the point of touching the table, and in a voice that felt like it had been squeezed out said "I sincerely apologize."
"Umu, now could you please continue, first seat?"
"At once. While the spell itself was of a mediocre tier, that single spell was what caused the entirety of the damage in the courtyard, as well as heavily damaging me."
With this revelation, the room began to take a completely different tone. The fact that one of there godkin could be injured by a unknown threat, was a matter that needed to be dealt with swiftly.
"D-do we know if he is capable of higher tiers? If he really could use such magic..."
"I don't think so Raymond. While we have no way to confirm this, I have some evidence that he can only use 3rd tier and below spells. First of all, while we were talking, embers began to appear at his feet, which may signify that the creature has specialized in fire attacks, increasing there potency to such a level. And at the end when it fled the capital, it used the 3rd tier spell, [Dimensional Move]. If it could use higher tiered spells, it would likely have used the 5th tier, [Teleportation]."
At this revelation, some color returned to the faces of the cardinals. But the fact still remained that it has the capacity to harm the godkin.
"well that is a relief, but then how should we deal with such a creature? We can't risk losing the godkin if another encounter occurs."
"The current plan is to send the black scriptures top fighters to take the creature down as soon as it is spotted. While it is unlikely they will survive a direct hit, the creature must be physically weak, so we just need one clean strike."
They could safely make this assumption due to a basic principle of the world. One would naturally have skills they did not work on atrophy over time the only beings who could turn such logic on its head were the gods they worshiped. So a creature with such high attack power must be very weak to blows, in other words, a glass cannon.
"Well we can only hope that we can actually land that strike. Also, I vote that we keep this things existence a secret from Zesshi."
"Agreed." The answer was instant, without a shred of hesitation.
Seeing that the first matter was concluded, at least for the time being, the Pontifex moved on.
"Well, now that's settled, its time to move on to the second topic. Which is far more troublesome."
Unlike the previous topic, most of the room already knew about this news, so they all understood the danger.
"2 days before the incident with the demon, one of our spy's saw hundreds of undead creatures flying over the Roble Holy kingdom. I trust I don't need to elaborate on where these undead came from?"
There could only be one place that undead could amass in such quantities, that being the realm of the sorcerer king, Ainz Ooal Gown. The theocracy had no qualms about that kingdom being destroyed, since they chose to abandon there faith towards the six and chose to worship that abomination calling itself a king. So one could say that they would be getting what they deserved.
"While The Roble Holy kingdom has a good relationship with the sorcerer kingdom, it is still officially un-allied, so I feel like this is a sign of impending doom, or the sorcerer king trying to tell them all "know your place".
"Lets think of the absolute worse case scenario and say each one of those undead our as powerful as a death knight. Do we think the godkin could effectively deal with them?"
"While we do not have any records of undead that fit the description of the ones seen, I feel like we should adopt that way of thinking. When the time comes to lay siege to the sorcerer kingdom, they will have to be our top fighting force. Quite frankly I don't see them losing to any of there forces based on there past experiences."
Ginedine simply put his head into his hands after all of this news had been dumped onto him. "Why is there so much evil in the world right now? Between the undead and the emergence of demons its almost like were being punished."
"Regardless, the fact remains that they are here now, so we shouldn't ponder such matters. Instead we should be focusing on how we can deal with them."
"I know that. Humanity will definitely come out on top since the gods our watching over us, but I can't help but feel like we've miscalculated somewhere."
Seeing the mood was turning grim, the Pontifex had to make sure they were all on the same page. "Don't worry everyone. Humanity WILL prevail. We have the gods artifacts, the godkin, and the sacred weapon to deal with the threat. Nothing will fail."
the current plan in the theocracy was to have the godkin defeat the sorcerer kings forces, while the adventures they had recently acquired would provide support, then when the undead took the stage, they would use [Downfall of Castle and Country] to possess it, learn its secrets, then destroy it when it had proved useful. But there is one more thing...
While This was the information that the other cardinals had known about, there was one piece of info that the Pontifex had been hiding from them until now. Knowing the backlash he was about to receive, he took a deep breath, and managed to drop the bomb.
"I have decided that in order to prevent the possibility of failure, however slight, we should request assistance from the Platinum Dragon Lord."
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Savon had lived his whole life as a farmhand and his parents farm. While it wasn't a exiting life, it was necessary to provide food form the theocracy. And it wasn't as if he just acted as a recluse. He did get out from time to time, but with the emergence of things like the sorcerer kingdom, it was probably best to stay in relative peace.
While there were dangers to living near the forest, it was outweighed by the gains that could be made from living in such a bountiful area.
As a matter of fact, as the morning sun began to shed its radiance, he headed off to reap some of said gains. Anyone who could claim themselves to be a farmer would know that the best time to pick crops is in the morning.
However as he approached the field top start work for the day, the sound of rustling came from a nearby bush. Since it was all to common to have a wolf or the like to attack the farm animals, he always carried a short sword on him in case of emergency's.
As he grew closer and closer, the noise seemed to amplify itself. And in response, he raised his sword arm to gain the first strike.
And from out of the bush popped the head of a goat.
At first he was merely dumbfounded, than after a split second realized what most of happened. "well how did you get out of your pen little guy? You were almost turned into my dinner for the night. Lets get you back to the stable."
As he had said this, the goat head moved upward, presumably standing up. However it had moved from the height of the mans knees, the several feet taller than himself. Faced with this startling revelation, he could do naught but stare agape at what was before him.