If you notice any errors, please feel free to give me constructive feedback. English is not my first language, so if you notice any mistakes, please mention them in the comment section at the end of the chapter. I do not own Overlord. All property rights belong to their respective creators. Let's begin the story!
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Chapter-43
The City of Dor,
Abelion Hills,
New World – Present Time;
Overlord Verse;
The Temple of the Supreme Lord – The Omnipotent God;
Within the temple's inner chamber, Merlin and Medea took their seats at a long stone table. The Elders of the Four-Clan Alliance remained kneeling as they pledged their loyalty once more.
Merlin calmly surveyed the room and the supposed Elders of the Alliance, that inhabited the piece of land where their Guild Base's door had been brought to. The scene brought a smile on the flowery mage of Avalon, as he oversaw, what could be a religion, worshipping his master. The same could be said about Medea. To them, it was a new experience, as they brightened up on the idea of creating a religion for their Master, giving it some thought, considering other ways they could showcase their devotion to their Master.
To Medea, it was expected of the ignorant creatures to worship her master. By their ignorant move, and by sheer luck and coincidence, the Four-Clan Alliance had unknowingly gained approval for their existence, for occupying the land surrounding their guild base, from Medea and possibly the other two. They had at least managed to lessen the wariness and hostility of the guardians of Avalon, and had ignorantly planted a seed of religion in the hearts and minds of the Guardians of Avalon.
Their stance in the upcoming meeting of Avalon, elevated by a bit. To possibly being painted in a fair or positive manner, when relayed to the other NPCs of Avalon.
******
Meanwhile, Alucard lingered outside, sitting on an upper stair leading to the entrance of their guild base, or the Divine Door as the residents called it. His crimson eyes gleamed faintly in the well-lit room deep inside the temple. His gaze wandering through the various runes drawn across the room, their presence intrigued him, as he wondered about their purpose. While, the Templar Guard, Grith remained standing at the bottom of the stairs, standing guard to prevent any disturbance to the Servant of the Supreme God, or to the Divine Door, as his duty demanded.
While, the Elders had moved to a separate chamber for their conversation with the supposed Servants of the Supreme God, leaving behind young heirs and the templar guards outside. Their gazes drifted between the eternal symbol of their Supreme God and the silent, towering figure who guarded it. Alucard remained indifferent to their presence, already mapping the surrounding land with his vampire pets.
It was then that Zorak, the young Goat Beastman heir, could no longer restrain himself. Shrugging off his friends' hands, he stepped forward, falling to his knees before Alucard, below the Divine Door. His forehead pressed against the stone floor, his voice quivering as he pleaded, "Divine one…" His voice cracked, but desperation forced the words out, as he struggled to utter every syllable, "I beg of you; please grant me justice. My father, a faithful servant of the Supreme God, was slain by the heretic humans who dared to trespass upon the Supreme God's land. They defiled our lands and our faith… They killed him. Please… I beg you… punish them, and restore honour to my father. I beg the Supreme God, to grant me justice against those wretched and heretic humans, who worship fake gods."
The temple hall fell silent.
Grith's eyes widened as he hastily stepped forward, grasping Zorak's shoulder to drag him back. "Enough! Do not disturb the messenger of the Supreme God!" His voice wavered, fearful of the retaliation from the Servant of the Supreme God, for the transgression. Yet, deep beneath his tough exterior, he was kind and hopeful. He tried to shove the boy back into line, though Zorak resisted, bowing even lower as tears stained the dust beneath his forehead.
For though Griith feared Zorak's recklessness, deep inside he prayed Alucard would take notice, that perhaps the Supreme God would extend his divine embrace to his follower.
Grith's grip tightened, trying to restrain the boy, but his own heart wavered. If Alucard lent his hand, and if they could retrieve the Goat Beastmen's Chief's body, there was still a chance for resurrection, even if weakened. It was no longer simple rescue, it had become a matter of pride for the Alliance, for the humans had trespassed on their lands, the land of their Supreme God. Those measly humans who worshipped fake gods, who knew death, had dared to invade their Supreme God's abode. For now, they had relayed that Zolstrak's body had been destroyed completely, albeit to it being stolen.
Alucard did not move at first. His crimson eyes regarded the boy prostrated before him, with coldness. Then, to the surprise of the young heirs and Grith, the man in crimson cloth disappeared and appeared before Zorak in a split-second. The sudden appearance of the Servant of the Supreme God, caused Grith's grip to loosen up, faltering as he stepped back, fearful.
Then, slowly, Alucard crouched. His shadow stretched long across the stone as he leaned closer, the crimson in his gaze glowing faintly. The heirs gasped and shrank back; Grith tensed, torn between protecting the boy and fearing the insult of intervention.
When Alucard spoke, his voice was a low murmur, as it sent a chill down their spines.
"So… your father lost to some humans." His lips curled into something that was not quite a smile. "You wish to seek justice? Or vengeance, little boy?"
Zorak's voice hitched. Sweat dripped down his forehead, as he contemplated the choice and questioned the meaning behind the choice. Pondering on the implications of the question.
"Time's up, kiddo." Alucard smiled. "You are unsure about your own path, yet you beg for justice to my master. He is the All-knowing… the Supreme Lord." He muttered, his grin widened, exposing teeth far too uncanny in the light. Indirectly confirming his position to those present inside the temple.
Alucard reached forward, his gloved hand gripping Zorak's chin effortlessly, and stared deep into his eyes. As soon as the eye contact had been established, he had cast his magic silently, and was fed with information from Zorak's memories.
He saw the four-clan council gathered beneath the Divine Door on multiple occasions, their voices overlapping, praying to the Divine Door – To the Supreme God, residing beyond it. Their daily life, the Elders of the Council, the history of their small nation. From his insecurities of lacking any talent in magic, to his grief that assaulted him the day he was informed about his father's demise.
Memory extraction was quite easy and a simple process, compared to memory manipulation, which dealt with many complexities. Within moments, Alucard withdrew. 'Hmm. I pity them,' Alucard mused silently. 'Fifth-tier magic… that is their limit. But it is interesting that they follow the same magic as us, while this runecraft is also an interesting discovery. Perhaps worth discussing later.' He mused.
His lips curved faintly as he repeated aloud, as though to weigh the boy against his own truth. "So… you lost your father to some humans that invaded your land." His tone carried no sympathy, crimson light lingered in his gaze as he straightened, the boy collapsing forward onto all fours.
"Is it power you seek to be the next Chief of your Clan, or the power to avenge your father, little sheep? What is it that you chose, power or vengeance?" Alucard spoke with uncaring voice, his expression indifferent.
The boy froze. His body shook, yet no sound came forth. Seconds passed, unbearable in their silence. Then, in a trembling whisper, Zorak forced the words out.
"I… I want vengeance."
Alucard tilted his head, studying the boy as though he were a curious insect. "What if it was fate? And your father was destined to die? Would you still defy my master's wishes for vengeance?" The young heirs and Grith were quite shocked by the line of question, and the what the situation could lead to or imply.
Zoraks's breath hitched. He pressed his forehead harder into the ground, silent, as he muttered in frustration, it consuming all his resolve. "Whichever pleases the Supreme God… But I beg… I beg the Supreme God, to give me chance at vengeance. Please help my father."
The silence that followed was heavier than any explosion.
Alucard chuckled softly, the sound hollow and unsettling. "Good." His crimson gaze lingered on the boy as though burning the image into his memory. "I shall remember this."
Turning his back to the boy, he finally muttered. "My Master, though all powerful and master of fate, prefers autonomy. Despite being the one; who is above everything, and the origin of everything, he allows all creatures to make their own choice and decision." Before walking up the stairs, to guard the door. His vampire pets throughout the Avalon and now mew pets spread surrounding the Abelion Hills, as he was fed information from everywhere.
******
Within the temple's inner chamber, Merlin and Medea remained seated, as the Elders of the Four-Clan Alliance remained kneeling as they pledged their loyalty once more, and after all of them had assembled in the chamber with them.
The kneeling Elders lowered their heads, waiting in silence. Their eyes darted with reverence and fear, uncertain if they were standing in the presence of gods or demons. But had this assurance, of being protected by their Supreme God, their expectations, gave them anxiety.
Merlin let the pause linger before rising slightly from his seat.
"I am Merlin, a humble servant of the Supreme Lord. And a floor guardian of Agartha, the abode of the Supreme Lord."
Medea followed, "I am Medea, likewise a simple servant of the Supreme Lord."
The term "Floor Guardian" left the Elders puzzled, but in their reverence they quickly reasoned that such a title must mean guardian of the dwelling where their God Himself resided. The implications only deepened their awe, more so with learning the name of their God's abode. And the strength of the Supreme God's servants, left them in awe.
"We are grateful for the Supreme God to recognise our prayers, and bless us with His divinity," muttered the Dark Dwarf Chief, Zeni.
"For the Servants of the Supreme God to grace us with their presence, we are truly honoured," added Griff, lowering his head.
One by one, the rest echoed their words, a murmur of gratitude filling the chamber. Their happiness was deserved, now that their prayers had been finally answered. Their God had acknowledged their existence.
Merlin inclined his head faintly, acknowledging their devotion. His gaze drifted across kneeling Elders of the Four-Clan Alliance. For now, he had a lot of information to play the scenario. The inhabitants surrounding their guild base already worshipped his master, and the door that led to Avalon – Treating it as a Divine symbol of his Master. Now, contemplating the information he was presented with, he truly wondered, what his master had tasked him with. Whatever was his Master's grand plan, all he could do was play along and guide the mortals before him, and preach them about the greatness of his master. For, he was a simple immortal being, who was just a pawn in the plans of his master. He could never hope to comprehend HIS plans.
Merlin's staff rested by his side as his soft voice broke the silence.
"I am truly impressed by your devotion to my master," He paused, eyeing everyone, before continuing – His pause, brought the Elders to their toes. "And I am sure he is pleased with your devotion. But unlike my master, we both aren't All-knowing, so I am curious to learn about you, your people, and this kingdom of yours. I am sure there must have been a reason, as to why my master arranged for our meeting."
Hearing him speak, the Elders exchanged glances, nodding at his explanation. For they were pleased at being acknowledged by the servants of the Supreme God.
The first to rise was a broad-shouldered figure, his dark skin gleaming under the torchlight. His beard was braided, and his eyes were sharp.
"I am Theodore, a Dark Dwarf," he said, bowing low. "I hold the seat of the Lord of Blacksmith, at this Elder Council of the Four-Clan Alliance."
Next came a figure, who had same stature as the Lord of Blacksmith. "I am Zeni, I hold the seat of the Lord of Runesmiths, and that of the Chief of the Dark Dwarves. We are truly grateful for the Supreme God to bless us mortals with the knowledge of his divine runes."
Merlin's eyes lingered a moment longer on Zeni, the faintest of smiles tugging at his lips. 'Runecraft… interesting indeed. I'll have to look into this runecraft. It's interesting as it is with master being called God of Runecraft… Well, I do remember Lady Evernight Candidum calling Master that on one occassion.'
From behind, a stout hill dwarf shuffled forward, his robes marked with gold embroidery. His round face bore a practiced smile, though his eyes gleamed with faintest trace of caution.
"Rootil a Hill Dwarf, I hold the seat of the Lord of Trade at this council," he introduced himself. "All types of trades within the alliance and with those outside is handled by me, my lord." He muttered, bowing respectfully.
Then came the tall figure of Grith, the Griff warrior. He stepped forward, helm tucked under his arm. His voice was deep, steady, and resolute.
"Grest a Griff, and the captain of First Unit of Templar guards, I am here on behalf of my lord Grith, the Lord of Templar Guards. We guard the City of Dor, and the Temple of the Supreme God. We are the warriors, who have pledged the very purpose of our lives to the Supreme God. While, I apologise for Lord Grith, as he is currently guarding the Divine Door, after the recent events, the situation is a bit tense."
Medea nodded with satisfaction, for warriors offering themselves to her Master's will was a fitting pledge. But was a bit disappointed by their strength.
The next to step forward was a Goat Beastman, his curved horns were polished. So, was the leather garb he wore, layered with many runes.
"Zokor a Goat Beastman," he said. "Lord of the Hunt. And with our Chief being killed by the humans to the east, I am also acting as the temporary representative for the Lord of the Magical Arts, the position of our previous chief."
A hushed murmur followed as the oldest among those present was helped forward – A Griff whose feathers were faded and brittle with age, yet his eyes carried a profound gleam. He had been helped inside the chamber, to meet the Servants of the Supreme God, from his usual chamber where he rested inside the Temple.
The old Griff, spoke with rasp voice, "I am Greydor, the Elder Guardian of the City of Dor and the Temple of the Supreme God. Oh, Divine Beings. This opportunity brings me great pleasure, to host the servants of the Supreme God himself. What a joy it is to live long enough to behold the day, I saw the Divine Door open again." He muttered, shocking Merlin and Medea by his revelation, as he struggled to support himself, and was supported by Grest and by the Chief of Griff, who rushed to support him. As the Chief of Griff, spoke on behalf of the Old Griff. "Divine Ones, it was Lord Greydor, who first found the Divine Door."
******
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**The End**
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