In her short life, Neia did not have the opportunity to see many things around the world. Up until the Jaldabaoth incident, she had lived a rather sheltered life, never stepping foot outside the holy kingdom itself, and residing in her home town for most of that life.
Disregarding that fact, she had still seen may beautiful places within her home country. The royal palace that she had the honor of visiting was truly breathtaking at the time. While she had only been there for a few short hours, she had always imagined that was what the peak of architecture was like.
Now she could only laugh at how Naive she was.
The moment she had stepped through the portal, she simply had no words to describe what she saw. The only thing here mind could reasonably come up with was calling it "A haven of the gods."
The dimensions of the hallway they were currently walking through were exceedingly large. It could probably fit a small house in the middle and still have room to walk around it. While the size gave her the feeling of being small and insignificant, she had accepted that she was compared to the truly awe inspiring sights.
Pillars that sparkled all the colors of the rainbow from the rooms light descended on all sides of the room. While she didn't know what material it was made of, it certainly wasn't cheap.
Beautiful pearl white walls made up the sides of the room, etched with gold embroidery, that created truly beautiful works of art. While she wondered if the artistry was truly made of gold, she decided to stop thinking about it, as the splendor of the passage was already becoming to much to bear. But that only meant it was worthy of such a great ruler.
Now I see why his Majesty didn't have the dwarves make a palace in E-rantel for him. Nothing they could have made would have even held a candle to this place. And to think this is merely a hallway...
"Miss Baraja?"
The sound of the undead king's voice suddenly snapped her out of her trance as she realized it was probably rude to not say anything all this while. "Y-yes your Majesty?"
"It seems you have been spacing out all this while. Are you feeling alright?"
"Of course Ainz-sama! I was merely stunned by the magnificence of this hallway! It far outstrips anything I've seen in my life in terms of beauty!" this was not mere flattery, she truly had never seen something so magnificent.
In response to this, he simply gave into a bout of light-hearted laughter. It would seem he was truly happy with what she had said. "hahaha, is that so? No, I won't act that way to you, my home truly is incredible isn't it. Both me and my friends built it together a long time ago, so it can be considered a testament to us as a whole. I will do anything to protect it. For it is the Legacy of us all!"
This voice was filled with great power and determination, and she could not help but feel emboldened after listening to it. Even Touch-Me who was beside him seemed to nod along with him. It would seem all of his friends held the same view as him.
"Your built all of this, your majesty?"
"Indeed, with the help of my friends, we created a paradise where all of us and the children could live in peace, and now that some have returned, that may finally come to pass."
While he had no facial expressions, she could tell he was giving a warm smile.
"By the way miss- Baraja, was it? I'm sorry for suddenly leaving out of the blue when we first met. I was choosing to be cautious since I had no clue where I was or who you were."
"Its not a problem, I understand it since I now know the story between you two, but if you were so lost, then where did you come from?"
"Its a long story."
And with that, the conversation ended, as she could tell he wasn't intent on enlightening her as to what that meant.
They soon passed through a gate at the end of the hallway, leading to a spherical room that was covered with indents, where statues of demons stood. Each one looked so lifelike, that she almost got into a defensive position from her memories of Jaldabaoth. A large glass dome covered the top of the room, where the symbol of the sorcerer kingdom could be seen etched into it. The sunlight that filtered through it only added to its beauty.
"By the way Miss Baraja, you seem to have been carrying my staff for quite a while now, is there any reason for that?"
Neia instantly panicked at the realization that she had been holding on to his staff the whole time, when she should have immediately given it back to him the Moment she had the chance. But the décor of the space around her had caused her to lose her train of thought. but who could except a excuse like that?
What am I doing! Why must I be such a idiot!
"I deeply apologize your majesty! This was the staff you had dropped when you left the kingdom a few days ago, so I had kept it in safe keeping for your return. I should have given It to you the moment you stepped foot into my chambers!"
"hm? That staff is nothing to write home about. I only bring it out for ceremonial purposes. Its just some random accessory that I have imbued with a 1st tier spell. You can keep it if you wish, I have to many useless items like that anyways."
While the idea of having too much stuff seemed ridiculous to her, she couldn't accept any more of his majesties items.
"Please permit me to refuse. whatever your majesty is choosing to give me as a reward is more than enough! Besides I wouldn't have much use for a staff. It would just end up becoming one more thing I would need to take care of."
"haha, well I suppose that's true." with that she had handed over the staff to Ainz, who had thrown it back into his pocket dimension.
At the end of the room, they reached a pair of double doors that were so large, it may have been more appropriate to call them a gate. On one side stood a truly beautiful angel that evoked a calming atmosphere, and on the other was a twisted and vile demon, that evoked a feeling of violence. It seemed like it would take years just to carve them to such lifelike perfection.
As they opened, it lead to a grand room that made even the previous areas seem bland in comparison. A long carpet ran from the entrance of the door, all the way down to the end of the room. And at its end, was a glamorous throne that sat atop a dais, which reached all the way to the top of the room itself. Six spines made of shadow jutted from the sides of the throne, as if centering ones view on its occupant. Beautiful flags, each carrying a symbol that she did not recognize, filled each wall from end to end.
How much wealth would one need to create such a place? She would likely never find the answer.
"Ah yes, before we continue miss Baraja, please wear this for now." as he said this, he handed her a small item which appeared to be a ring of sorts.
The item itself had the appearance of a snake eating its own tail, with two sapphires in place of its eyes. The item itself also appeared to be forged of solid gold, with it glinting under the lights of the chandeliers above her.
"That item is know as [Asclepius's Blessing.] While it has many uses, its main function is the render one Immune to all forms of poisons. While this isn't your reward as I still have use for that ring, you will be required to wear it before we go on any further."
obeying as instructed, she quickly placed the ring over her finger, and the moment she did, it felt like she was completely refreshed. Even the minor pain in her stomach had subsided.
"Now then, please hold on to me. [Greater Teleportation!]"
As they were teleporting, Neia had closed her eyes to prepare for any odd feelings that may arise, as well as to prepare for the sudden change in scenery, but she soon found that the action felt like she hadn't even moved. Like it had been the most natural thing in the world.
-Hah?
As she opened her eyes however, she began to wish she had just kept them shut.
Before her stood the largest pile of wealth she had ever seen in her short life. No, perhaps this would be the largest pile of wealth to anyone who saw it, as no matter who she thought of, be they emperor or adventurer, she was certain no mortal could feasibly gain this much wealth. Even a dragon may be hard pressed to gain such a sum.
The room was filled to the brim with all sorts of magic items and jewelry that Neia didn't even know was possible to create.
There was suits of armor that seemed to be fashioned out of various rare ores and gemstones, a white robe that glittered in the light of the surrounding gold, and looked to be sewn from diamonds, a large dragon skull fashioned out of black diamond, a ruby cap with a letter M inscribed onto it, a statue of a angel that looked to be crafted out of light itself, a tapestry of a dragon burning down a castle with flames that seemed to be moving in real time when one viewed them that was labeled Schrade, a coat made entirely out of phoenix feathers, a obsidian table that held a crystal ball in its center that seemed to be surrounded by floating motes of light, a drinking glass formed out of the hand of a dragon, a statue large beast made out of molten rock, a rose that was formed with a stem of opal and petals of fire, and many more.
"This is the treasury, miss Baraja. Please, urge you to take something of your choice." He had said this so calmly, she honestly thought it was sarcasm for a moment. But as he began to stand there in silence, she realized he was not joking.
"...Haaaaaah!? Please wait your majesty! This is way to much! I could not in good faith take one of these treasures from you, Please reconsider!"
While this room may only exist to most in a thief's dreams, she honestly didn't want the pressure of taking anything. She had already received far far to much, and from the king of another nation no less!
"Its fine. This trinkets are hardly valuable. Besides, you've done so much for me without expecting anything in return, so its only natural that I would return the favor.
Hearing him say that life sized sculpture of a woman holding up a flower carved from solid gold was "hardly valuable" caused her eye to twitch for a moment. And as she was about to object again, Ainz quickly put up a hand to end her argument before it even began.
"I'd be rather upset if you didn't take anything you know?"
"Ngh!"
While she knew that she was being foolish, as this came down to her own feelings rather than logic, but she could not bear to see the great man she admired be unhappy.
And it would be a waste to come all this way and not take something, then I would have just wasted his majesties time...
After some minor deliberation in her head, she finally decided to accept. "V-very well your majesty, I will accept this honor you have bestowed upon me!"
"Its not a honor, just repaying you what I owe. Now, please pick out whatever you wish."
While the pressure of picking something had worried her, it was now added to the pressure of trying to pick something within a reasonable time frame. How can I choose one article when everything looks so expensive! I should probably find something that looks relatively tame.
After searching for sometime, she came across a band that was silver in color and was surrounded in white etching. Unlike most of the items here, it did not glow with power, or appear overly garish, but was instead a normal piece of jewelry that a noble may wear. "Your majesty, I think I'll go with this ring here."
"Ah so that is your choice? That is the ring known as [Icarus's Gift.] once per day, it allows the user to grow wings for 30 minutes to be able to fly for a unlimited period during that time, and once it expires, they will quickly burn up in flames, which depending on your position can be quite precarious, haha."
So even simple items here are so amazing? Since it would be rude to refuse it after hearing its effect, she had no choice but to see it through. "Your majesty, I am eternally grateful for this gift. I will be sure to use it effectively in your name!"
"Umu, I'm glad to her it. Then if that is all, let us head back to the throne room." once again they had cast [Greater teleportation] to exit the veritable sea of gold, and back into the realm of wonder that was the sorcerer kings home.
"well than Miss Baraja, I should be able to arrange a [Gate] for you to head back before anyone notices your absence. So if that is all, I wish you... hm?"
Before he could finish his sentence, it seemed like the sorcerer king was notified of something, given the way he suddenly cocked his head to the side. This was soon confirmed as he put his middle and index fingers to his temple, and began to utter such things like "I see." and "Of course." while Neia couldn't be sure, it was most likely the [message] spell.
"ah miss Baraja, before you go, it would seem that Shizu wishes to speak with you. Are you able to do so at this time?"
This thoroughly unexpected announcement made her quite happy. It had been quite a while since she had seen her, since the end of the war in fact. Therefore this was a truly happy time for her. "Of course your majesty, tell her I'll see her as soon as I can!"
"Wonderful, then Decrement, could you please lead miss Baraja to the Pleiades private room?
Seemingly out of nowhere, a truly gorgeous woman made her way to the group. While she wasn't as pretty as say, Albedo, her looks were still truly astonishing compared to anyone Neia had seen.
"As you will it Ainz-sama, it shall be done. Baraja-sama, please follow me."
While it made her nervous to be referred to with such a title, she endured it on happily obliged the maid, but couldn't help but wonder, How did his majesty acquire all these amazing people?
.
.
.
"So that's what shes really like huh? Cute."
Ainz couldn't help but agree with his friend by giving a small "mm" sound. After she had left the chamber. The way she acted loyal yet nervous gave her a lot of parallels with mare, and he found the attitude to be utterly adorable. Of course he would never say such things to her or others. He had a Image to protect after all.
Seeing that they had run out of things to talk about with her gone, Ainz decided to bring back up the topic of Leaving this world. "Now that we have the chance Touch-me, I'd like to discuss how you may be able to leave this world."
Touch me instantly put his full focus on Ainz, as he didn't want to miss a opportunity, nor miss knowledge to help him find his way back.
"Unfortunately we know very little about anything that could have caused this disturbance that brought us here, but what I have learned is that it has only began recently. 600 years ago at the earliest. So while we may not know anyone who knows what happened to us, we would have to find a being who has lived for that long to tell us how this occurred."
Touch-Me began to nod along with what he was saying, as it was making a lot of sense to him, but therein still lie the problem of not knowing if they had a way back at all. "Do you know anyone who has lived for that long?"
"No we haven't thus far, but if anyone were to know, it would be Demiurge. Once Ulbert is done talking with him, we should ask him about our future movements as well as any long lived individuals. But we have to be careful, since he seems to think I already know this, so he tends to be coy with his answers."
"I see. But we still have to try. Then lets wait another hour and see if they have finished their discussion, then will just head for whoever he points us to."
"Right. So before that, let me tell you about some of the things I've noticed about this world."
And once again, Ainz dove into the pastime he so deeply missed, of talking with his friends about random topics, which caused him to feel quite happy.
Please guys, if these two could make it, then that means you can too. Please, let more of you be summoned here that are willing to stay with me. I need you...