CHAPTER 13- The Garden Of Broken Dreams
IN NAZARICK'S 10TH FLOOR
"Can you please send this file over to Demiurge, Fith?"
"Ofcourse. Lady Albedo. It shall be done."
The maid said as she picked up the large file to deliver it to the guardian of the 7th floor. Leaving Albedo to continue with her work in her office.
'With the rise of territory expansion and future contingency planning, the work never ends. On top of that. Investigations on this mastermind are increasing as well per orders of the supreme one. It's been a few days since the incident and we haven't found anything on this new threat…Ugh! That piece of filth! How dare he set foot in my loves home! He will pay! He will die! As soon as Demiurge finds something on them. There won't be a single place in this world they can hide.'
From her anger. Albedo suddenly yawned.
'Am I really that tired? I have been using the ring of regeneration for 3 days now. I suppose a small nap wouldn't hurt. I won't be able to see Lord Ainz's magnificent form until tomorrow so might as well.'
The overseer. Finished her work early. Headed to her quarters. Took her shower and began to dress herself in her night gown. Her nightgown was a black and purple revealing lingerie. As she readied herself for bed. She grabbed her life size body pillow of Lord Ainz which she hand made herself for her nightly fantasies. Along with a variety of toy plushes of Lord Ainz surrounding her.
"All I do is for you my love, some day you''l grant me the honor of joining you in your bed. I promise I'll be good hehehehe." she said with such fervor. Gripping the body pillow and feeling excited at the plushes looking at her.
In the corner of the room however. Laid the guild banner of Ainz ooal gown representing the 41 that built the great tomb and its residents. All Albedo could do was look upon it in disgust.
"someday…I shall find you…and I will kill you all for the harm you've done to Lord Momonga. Everyone else here still loves and misses you. They're foolish for worshipping you. You who abandoned us. Not even having the decency to say goodbye. You animals… savages are what you are. Not gods or supreme beings worthy of your titles. You will die for the harm you've caused. I swear it"
With that. Albedo calmed down and proceeded to shut her eyes. And went to sleep.
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THE NEXT DAY
I must still be tired. 7 hours of sleep was barely anything. But serving lord Ainz is everything. If I can't even get up early. What good would I be?
I'll have to resume where I left off yesterday. Lets see here…Demiurge's reports on the farm. Sebas's on the maintenance of the 9th floor. Maids schedules seem in order. Just gotta approve it. There!
As I near the end of my paperwork I should message Lord Ainz if he needs anything hehehe. Or maybe I should use this opportunity to sniff his sheets aah! They always smell like nothing but that's what I love most about them!
The doors finally open and I already know who it is. My one my only true love.
"Albedo. How have things been here during my two day absence?" He said while I bowed.
"My lord. No changes to report. Everything has been running smoothly. And we've increased our security as you've requested."
"Very good. Thank you albedo. You're policy changes bring me great relief. I know the tomb is safe in your capable hands."
Aaaah he complimented me!! Oh it's all for you my lord! Your thanks are wasted on me my love! Keeping you safe is all that matters!
"Ofcourse my lord. If there's any issues you have with the policy changes. Please let me know."
"I have no criticisms at the moment. However I'd like to mention that you've done such a wonderful job lately Albedo. Not just increasing the security. But all your work you've done in the past. I don't say it much but I want you to feel that I appreciate you and I don't know where I'd be without you."
"M-my lord." I can't keep myself from breaking into tears. This is too much! I'm unworthy!
"It's true Albedo. To me… you are the most loyal servant in the tomb."
"Aaah! I'm unworthy of your praise my lord! Nonetheless I will live up to those claims!"
With that he left to his quarters. Leaving me in tears of joy at having my loyalty praised.
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NAZARICK THRONE ROOM
"And that is the end of our reports my lord."
Demiurge finished his report about the experiments going well at the farm base. I hope this meeting can end soon. I've still got more to do at e-rantel.
"Albedo. Has there been any change to the rune craft sales I've entrusted to you?" My beloved said.
"Yes. Just recently during the momon day festival. Our runecraft sales have gone up exponentially compared to last year. No if anything this was the highest reported ever. According to the charts."
"EXCELLENT!" My beloved said. His voice booming the throne room. Expressing his unbridled joy. "I'm so happy to hear that. It's no doubt in favor to your efforts Albedo… my guardians, watch your overseer at work for she has proven herself successful yet again! Do make sure to learn from her example!"
My beloved praised me in front of everyone?! Aaah this is a dream come true! I'm happy that you're happy my lord!
After his bold statement. All the guardians clapped in response to my praise! As they should! I am the most loyal and dependable of servants to Lord Ainz.
As soon as that meeting ended. I headed to my bedroom. I just couldn't handle all the praise I've recieved from him today!! I screamed as loud as I could in excitement into my pillow. This is the happiest day of my life!
Stop it albedo! Compose yourself! You still have work to do around the tomb. Your beloved is expecting you to outperform everyone. That's how we keep him here. If we do our jobs well. He won't have a reason to leave. And if I prove I'm most loyal to him. Some day he'll see me as worthy of standing beside him as his queen! And eligible enough to bear his children!!!
As I head towards the cafeteria. Multiple maids and servants were praising me on the way. Telling me that they've heard about my accomplishments that greatly pleased our lord. Poor fools. If you work hard enough. Maybe someday you'll all be worthy of similar praise though I doubt it. That position can only be filled by me and me alone.
Just after I finished my lunch I walk to the throne room.
I hear my beloved is there alone. This might be my chance to gaze once more at his stunningly chiseled skull hehehehe.
As I open the doors to the throne room. I see my beloved doing what he always did when alone in the throne room.
Staring at the banners of those betrayers. Those false gods who hurt him. Why can't he see that they are unworthy of such reverence? My poor lord Ainz. His heart longs for them. But I will someday make sure they never hurt him again.
He stops. He looks at me, calling my name.
"Albedo? What are you doing here?"
"Oh just passing through. Is there something I can help you with? You seem troubled my lord."
He looks at the banners once more. Though his skull is devoid of expression. I can see the melancholy that leaks through it.
Almost as a whisper. He says. "Albedo? Can I ask you something? Just between us?"
"Yes my lord. Anything you entrust with me will be maintained in secrecy no matter what."
"D-do you ever wonder if they– my friends will ever come back?"
"I do. But I try not to think about it too much."
"Do you ever wonder if they are worth missing Albedo?"
What? Lord Ainz has never said anything like that before. Is he serious? Well my answer would be no. but how would he take it? Is this a test of some sort?
"I'm not sure I follow, my lord."
"I'm saying. Do you think that the other supreme beings are worthy of worship? They abandoned us after all and I don't think they're coming back so I wonder… What's the point of it all. I understand if you're uncomfortable with this way of speaking Albedo, however the reason I'm telling you all this is because I feel I can trust you more than anyone else in the tomb."
My…lord…you knew of my feelings towards those that abandoned us? You trust me above everyone else?... very well… you ask me this and I have no choice but to answer honestly.
"I do not, my lord. The supreme beings in my personal opinion are equivalent to traitors. They are unworthy of your respect. Knowing that I told you this. How do you wish for me to die, my lord?" I have no regrets about my opinion. If my beloved wishes for me to die, then so be it.
"I have no such punishment for you Albedo. Rather I'm glad there's someone else in this tomb who shares my opinion on the matter."
Could it be?! Does lord Ainz despise the supreme beings as much as I do?!
"Quite frankly Albedo. I think Nazarick is better off without them. Think. If they returned, the power balance would be unstable. They'd lead Nazarick to ruins. And worse. Ruin the utopia I've worked so hard to build."
"I agree!" Has he come to his senses?! Does he realize the threat that are those false gods? Those betrayers."
"Considering this. Albedo. What actions do you think should be implemented to prevent this?"
He's asking for my advice!
I clear my throat first before responding.
"As you say my lord. Them returning would only threaten nazarick and your position. Therefore I declare we establish a team to eliminate them as soon as possible."
"A team you say? Like the secret search squad of yours?"
"You knew?"
"I am Ainz Ooal Gown! Ofcourse I knew. Since the very beginning. Why do you think I didn't stop you?"
Truly his wisdom has no bounds.
After that I confessed to him about everything. There was no point keeping it a secret from him.
To my surprise. He commended me for my initiative. And agreed to support this plan.
"What about the others who miss their creators? What should be done about them?"
"Hmm. I'd say we keep it hidden from them. But we should enforce a rule to condition them to refrain from speaking of them."
"Indeed. What if I said the topic fills me with melancholy or that I'd leave if someone mentions them again?"
"That could work my lord. They'd feel upset at the idea of having made you depressed in anyway."
"Very well. I'll leave it to you. I trust your judgement above all else."
"Yes my lord."
With that. He left.
My lord! My heart can not take it! You entrust this much to me! I am unworthy!!
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THE NEXT FEW DAYS
After that conversation with lord Ainz. We've managed to get everyone to never speak another word of the other supreme beings.
Pretty soon we'll move on to spreading hatred towards them.
"Lady Albedo. Lord Ainz wishes to see you in the throne room." One of the maids says to me.
What could he have summoned me for. Probably to praise me for my work. He's been satisfied with my performance lately hehehehe.
I enter the throne room and upon entering. He calls to me to approach the throne.
"Albedo. I have news. It appears that my old friends walk this earth."
What?! No! Already? But how?
"It's true Albedo and something must be done to stop them from ever setting foot in Nazarick."
"Leave it to me my lord! I will find the traitors and I will have them killed."
"As expected of my most trusted servant! But before you go. You must know that it is Peroroncino and bukubukuchagama. So make sure that shalltear and the twins don't learn about it."
"Your will. My deeds my lord."
At long last. I may finally kill one of those filthy traitors. I'll go get Pandora and Rubedo. Unleash the 15 deathknight squad. And finally be rid of 2 of the 40 curses of Nazarick.
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SOMEWHERE IN THE WOODS
Were at the location Lord Ainz told us they'd be. But I haven't seen that rotten bird or that slime. Perhaps they're hiding.
"Sister! I've spotted them heading north west. They don't seem to have any weapons on them. And it appears its just them."
"Perfect Rubedo. Keep an eye on them until then and we'll meet you there for support. Keep your distance in the meantime."
At long last. Prepare to meet your executioner.
We hurry to the location of the traitors and after Pandora used a spell to confirm they didn't have any magic items. We finally go in for the kill.
Rubedo strikes at them first with a sneak attack. Striking the slime as she's the tank and the strongest of the two. Were not gonna give her a single chance.
The bird runs to help her but I swing at him with my bardiche at his wings. Slashing them clean off.
Aaah his wails of pain are such a melody to my ears.
Rubedo and Pandoras actor finish the slime off no problem.
The death knights hold the bird down to the ground restraining his limbs. Lying in a pool of the blood from his broken wings.
Struggling to get free. I approach him. I stand above him. I look at his pleading eyes and hear his voice.
"Please! don't do this!-"
Having had enough of his pathetic pleas. I strike his chest quickly.
The blood dripping from his body is leaving quickly. Leaving him heaving for air. Doesn't he know its pointless?. I've struck his lung along with his chest. Just lay there and die!
The bird man lets out one final plea.
"Why?"
"I'm sorry. I truly am but I just couldn't allow you to hurt my beloved again!!"
I swing at him again. This time with more speed.
"Do you know how much he suffered?!"
And again.
"How much he's mourned for you?!"
And again.
"You were unworthy of him!"
And finally. I cut his foolish head off.
It is done. Lord Perororoncino and Lady Bukubukuchagama are DEAD.
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BACK AT NAZARICK
I return home. Ready to share the good news with my beloved.
Huh? What's going on? Why has everyone gathered here? Demiurge is smiling at me wickedly.
The twins and Shalltear are looking at me angrily. Have they found out.
Demiurge walks up and begins to speak.
I've been investigating you for a while now Albedo. The evidence is undeniable. You have been plotting for years to kill the supreme beings and threatened lord Ainz to follow through with your plan against his will."
"What?! No that's not true! Tell them lord.! Tell them this isn't true!"
Lord Ainz was willing to lie and hold the secret behind their backs. I know he would defend me against their claims. My beloved loves me!
Lord Ainz looks at me then at the guardians then looks down.
"What can I say to someone who was so evil that they decided to harm the ones I love behind my back then threaten me with severe punishments. You are a traitor and a horrible person Albedo. I hate you I hate your entire existence. I offered this tomb my kindness and compassion. And now I see that it wasn't good enough seeing as hope you decided to kill my commarades."
What?! No no no no no what are you saying Lord Ainz but we agreed! We swore to secrecy! You told me I was your best servant!
Just before I had a moment to explain myself.
The guardians all attacked me at once. Shalltear's sword met my bardiche and broke. I had no weapon.
Cocytus was behind me and struck my back with his weapon of god slaying emperor blade. Making me bleed excessively.
Aura used her whip to subdue my body.
I can't move!
Sebas hits me in the stomache and face. Breaking my nose and causing it to bleed.
Don't you know I'm the future wife of our lord?!! How dare you strike at me?!!!
Demiurge looks at me. Puts his hands on my face and begins to burn it.
I scream in agony. It hurts! It hurts so much! No! NOT MY FACE!
I look down at a pool of my own blood. It's barely enough but I can see my reflection. I see my sister.
Her horrid disfigured face. Noone would marry her.
Tears spill from my eyes hoping it was just my sister. But when I blink. She blinks too. The reflection in the blood has to be my sister. IT HAS TO BE!!!!!
I look up and see all my so called allies. Lord Ainz standing above them.
"Filthy traitor" he calls me. But I was only trying to secure your throne my lord.
My lord?
He gives the order and then Cocytus lifts up his sword high. Then swings for my neck.
Everything goes black.
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What happened? I blinked and I was in my office next to Lord Ainz. I panic.
I grab my head, touch my face frantically. I feel the skin is still intact. I fall from my chair in the heat of the panic.
I can't stop breathing frantically.
Lord Ainz notices me. He leans down and asks if something is wrong.
I look around, turning my head on a swivel.
I ask him what happened.
"My lord!! I'm sorry please forgive this servant! I thought it was your wishes! If I did anything to displease you. Please feel free to punish me for it!! Please please!!! Don't let them have me again!!"
I cry on my knees while I await whatever he has to say to a pathetic servant. I must have done something to displease him.
"Albedo! What are you talking about?!"
"The supreme beings my lord! How I killed lord peroroncino and lady bukubukuchagama!! I thought it was per your orders."
"You did what?!"
His tone is that of fury. Is that not what he wanted me to do?
"YOU BITCH!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!!!!"
He raises his hand and strikes me in the face so hard I could feel the space in between his bones.
"YOU!! HOW DARE YOU!!"
He proceeds to hit me in the office. My beloved grabs my hair roughly. Dragging me to the desk to hit me in the face once more but with a fist.
The storm of insults towards me hurt more than the cycle of punches thrown to my face and body.
Lord Ainz then uses reality slash on me to cut my torso causing excessive bleeding.
I plea to him wondering what I did wrong. Whether I misunderstood his orders.
But he continues to slam my face to his desk until my teeth get stuck to the wooden board.
I'm beaten and bruised everywhere. Is this my punishment for not understanding his orders correctly? Am I still your best servant?
I see my beloved summoning a sword.
He leans closer and closer.
I'm kneeling on the floor. Trying to hold my balance and not bleed out.
He points the sword at my torso. Then begins moving it slowly. Cutting a wound getting bigger and I see the sword coming out from behind me as I see it slowly disappearing in front of me.
I spit out blood then fall to the ground. Just like before. Everything is fading to darkness.
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What is happening? Why did I wake up again?
This time I was in my office alone.
I touch my belly. It was as if nothing was cut open.
The door opens.
I see my beloved walking through.
"Aah Albedo. Good morning to you."
What? Did nothing of the two deaths happen? Am I imagining things? What is going on?! Does he not remember anything?!
I stood there dumb founded until he gave me the order to review our undead rental costs for the dragon kingdom.
I proceed to my work as usual but what was that? Why did I keep dying only to come back?
I'll have to ask Pandora about it. For now I've got to manage Nazarick as usual. Not to mention we still have that mastermind to deal with.
I rush through the halls of nazarick. Everyone smiles and waves at me as if nothing happened.
What is happening?! I can't help but be more fearful of my surroundings.
Did everyone already find out? Are they just toying with me?!
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Two days have passed since that moment. I've been more careful about revealing my plans. Turns out we never killed them after confirming it with Pandoras actor.
I'm more confused than ever. Does this mean I'm in the clear?
Just then I get called in to see lord Ainz in the throne room for an emergency meeting.
I rush to my beloved's command. Then I see Demiurge standing by his side.
Just then. He speaks.
"On your knees worm!!!" His command mantra spell is so powerful it immediately made me obey.
Behind Demiurge's back was a folder he pulls out. It's the missing folder I had on the supreme being hit squad!!
No!!!
"Albedo! For the act of treason. Conspiracy against the other supreme beings. I sentence you to torture followed by death !" My beloved decrees.
Just then shalltear and Cocytus appear behind me and drag me out of the throne room.
I am gagged and unable to move.
I see before me the black capsule of kyouhukou. I know where this goes.
I was thrown to th capsule just as I hae sent so many before me.
Once I land. The Duke of fears children begin to surround and crawl on me.
Oh please no!! They scurry up on my then enter every orifice I have and continue eating me from inside. The shivers are awful!!
I can feel them inside me! Eating me!! Nononononono!!!
Blackness begins anew.
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After that experience. So many more deaths followed.
I was discovered so many times. No matter how careful I was. I always ended dying one way or the other.
I slipped up and didn't refer to lord ulbert by honorifics and was considered a traitor and sent to Demiurges farm where I was subjected to all matter of atrocities as part of his experiment.
Littlest things led to so much suffering.
Pandoras actor betrayed me and I was sentenced to be tortured by neuronist for hours until I died.
A supreme being returned. Lord warrior takemikazuchi declared I was a traitor and no one defended me. Everyone took his word.
immediately I was sent to shalltears dungeon where I was tortured and used as one of her 'toys' to break.
I tried to be secretive about it and even confessed my sin to lord Ainz. Of what led to my plan. But he instead sent me to the frozen prison where I was treated like trash.
Barely ate. Filthy. And freezing. My body was damaged by the freezing cold as I was treated like a slave than a person.
Cocytus used his whip to hit me multiple times as punishment.
So cold… it's so cold and I don't have the luxury of clothes and shoes.
I die of starvation.
I wake up and I'm in my lingerie on my bed. There's candles. It's a romantic setting.
Lord Ainz walks through and he has his robe on. Is this happening? Are we doing this?!
Just as I prepare my sexy pose. He lunges at me and places his hands on my throat. Strangling me.
I plea for air but he is ignoring me. I'm running out of oxygen! Slowly but surely. As my windpipe is crushed. It all fades to black again.
This is probably the worst death I've experienced thus far.
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I wake up… again. I don't know how much longer I can take! Everything I do ends in failure and death. Every little thing leads to suffering. No matter what I do right!! It all leads to death!!
Is this time real?! Is this reality?!! Where am I?!!!
My beloved!!! I'm sorry!!! Lord Momonga please forgive me!! Please free me from this prison!!!
"It's time we end this." A calm deep voice I recognize all too well. My beloved stands before me once more.
He looks down at me as if I'm something pitiful. That glare. That frightening glare.
I break down crying. Sadness and confusion all breaking down like a dam. I plead for him to forgive me for being such a pathetic servant. For him to free me from this purgatory of deaths.
He summons a dagger from his hand. Then throws it at me. Landing on the ground.
"Prove your loyalty… slit your throat." He says to me coldly.
My beloved… I have no choice but to obey. This is for you my love.
I grab the dagger. Eager to prove my loyalty even in death. My soul. My body. My mind and life. Is yours.
I close my eyes. Ready to prove my loyalty. But something stops me. Why can't my hand move?! Why now?!
"DO IT!" He yells at me. "DO IT DO IT!!"
I'm trying but the force is stopping me. There's something else. The entire walls around us is falling apart.
Everything is falling apart?!!! A storm of destruction washes the very reality I'm in away.
Everything fades to black.
I wake up in my bed. Panting.
Why does this feel more real than—
Was it all a dream? Am I still dreaming? How much of this was real? Am I dead?
I hug my shoulders. I lean down. And break down crying.
Is it finally over? Is the nightmare complete? Or am I still dreaming? Was anything in my life real?! Lord Momonga! I need you!!
I'm too scared to go outside.
I look at my plushies of lord Momonga and can't help but feel more fear than love for it.
Is it finally over?
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BACK IN NIM
"Tabula! What the hell?!!!!!" Garnet the bear Druid tells to his friend.
"What did you do that for? You stupid bear!!! I was this close!! THIS CLOSE TO SOLVING OUR PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!!"
"You used a super tier dream walking spell without permission from Ulbert!!"
"To hell with that goat!!"
"Even if you were using it on an enemy. We don't know how that'll affect us in the future!!!"
"Shut it!! Paddington!! I knew what I was doing!!"
"I'm telling Ulbert right now! You may not answer to me, but you WILL answer to the council!!"
"Arghhhh"
Tabula walked off as soon as Garnet made the call.