"Hyortr did what?" Ainz asked as he heard the reports narrated by Demiurge.
Back in Nazarick, in his office. He and Albedo were sorting through the reports and anonymous petitions to improve Nazarick, some of which was secretly added by him.
It was then that Demiurge arrived to report the weekly progress of the Slane Theocracy and his side projects of the Happy Farm.
"Indeed my Lord. As expected of Hyortr, within one month he has managed to cause this much chaos in the Slane Theocracy. Every move he made, led those Cardinals deeper into his web of traps, and when they finally realised their predicament, it was already late."
Demiurge replied, his gleeful smirk everpresent.
'So scarry!! I didn't imagine Hyortr will be able to accomplish this much in just one month.'
Internally, Ainz was freaking out at the absurdity of the situation.
A whole nation of religious humans, now were divided into two groups. One still holding faith to the Six which was deteriorating as we speak, while the other was the new but now gaining influence of the God of Death.
"I see..as expected of Hyortr. He didn't disappoint me." Maintaining his image as a competent ruler, Ainz answered as he glanced at Albedo.
Who was also smiling joyfully. Hearing a nation of heretical worms be in such chaos and begin to worship her Dear Lord gave her no more Joy than a housewife hearing people praise her Dear Lover.
'Wait...by the way this is going, why was there the need for that slow acting and dormant function of the virus?' A question formed in his mind as he remembered the details Hyortr briefed him with.
Hyortr intended for the virus to spread completely first then activate it. But now it seemed to work just like how normal viruses will work.
'Maybe so that it will spread faster but look like it's natural.' After some thought, he reasoned.
"Then what of the Farm you were working on?" Ainz asked.
"It is going well my Lord. We have already began the production of lower tier scrolls from the resources we gained in the Demon Attack plan." Demiurge replied.
He didn't mention one detail that the resources he spoke of were 'bipedal' organisms, beings that consisted of more than half the population of the world.
"I see. When can you begin researching for higher tiers?" Ainz then asked.
In the new world, some things had changed from the way it used to work in Yggdrasil.
Experience couldn't be gained anymore, certain resources were not available and some spells and skills worked differently than they did back in the game.
Right now, Ainz had three main objectives. Find a suitable replacement for the missing materials for creating magic items like scrolls, establish a network of intelligence.
And also find his guildmates, if they too arrived in this world.
"I have already begun the preparation my lord. But I will need some help from Hyortr. He has some expertise in areas I am inadequate in." Demiurge confessed.
"Verywell, then you can inform him when his work is done."
"Yes my Lord."
"Albedo, has the emperor sent any message?" Ainz then turned to his Gaurdian Overseer.
"Yes my Lord. Emperor Jircniv metioned that the annual War will happen in the same venue, that is the Katze plains near E-rantel.
He said that his spies reported that the kingdom intended to send three hundred thousand to the field this year. About thirty percent more than the previous head count."
Albedo replied.
"I see..I remember Emperor Jircniv proposed I send someone who can cast our Strongest Spell to signal the beginning of the war." Ainz spoke, his red eyes gaining a sharp glint.
"Yes." Albedo spoke as Demiurge silently observed the conversation.
"Who do you suggest we send then?" Ainz then asked, turning to the two of the three most intelligent beings in Nazarick.
"I propose we send Hyortr." Demiurge replied.
"Ohh? Why so?" Ainz asked, his hands over his face as he rested the elbow on the desk, genuinely curious of Demiurge's choice.
"I believe, Hyortr will be a perfect person for this. Except for you my Lord, he is the only Summoner in our Guild. He is also knowledgeable in various spells that focuses on large scale destruction. Basically he is designed for War purposes. As such, Hyortr will be perfect for this." Demiurge answered.
One thing he didn't mention was that he was also curious about how strong Hyortr really was. He only heard that Hyortr may be one of the strongest, being on the same or higher league with Rubedo.
"I see...when will the War begin?"
"About two weeks later my Lord." Albedo said.
"Hmn, tell Hyortr about this arrangement."
-------
Back in the city of the Noble called Postio.
Hyortr stayed disguised as the healer, staying in the mansion reserved by the Marquis, as he 'prepared' for the great cleansing of the city.
Inside his quarters, he was met by one of the shadow demons of Demiurge who informed him of the Latest news.
'Well this is interesting. Did my presence alter the way the plot was going? Well I have already done it by my actions in Slane. But logically, it should be Ainz who will engage in the Katze war. Why me?'
"Did Demiurge state the reason of my Involvement in this?" Hyortr asked the demon, who remained knelt on the ground.
It was a peculiar scene for anyone who happened to see it.. a demonic beings shrouded in black mist kneeling before a fatherly and revered saint.
But the demon knew who Hyortr was, although his present apperance didn't show, the demon knew how cruel these Abyssal Beings could be, far more than any Demonic ones could do.
"Yes, Lord Demiurge mentioned that you..."
The demon recited the very same reason Demiurge gave to Ainz.
This caused Hyortr to think that maybe Demiurge was interested in his power. Even though the demon didn't outright say it, Hyortr guessed Demiurge's hidden agenda.
'If they want to see my true power then power I shall show. A grand and spectacular show. '
A smirk formed on the human face of Hyortr which kind of unsettled the Demon kneeling before him.
'Abyss Beings as really scarry.' this was the emotions of a Demon, someone infamous for countless sins and evils.
"Very well, inform Demiurge I will be there."
"Understood." Leaving the room, the demon swiftly departed the Slane Theocracy to reach Demiurge in the Happy Farm.
The demon just didn't want to stay in the same room as that Being.
Meanwhile, Hyortr was caught in a predicament.
"*Sigh* so what spell should I use?" This was the concern that formed in the mind of Hyortr.
He had some really powerful AOE spells that would be suitable to kill a large amount of mobs.
The only problem he seems to be having is choosing one.
"Nevermind, I should focus on here first."
Saying this, Hyortr walked out of the room.
He had to first cleanse this City, and then let the news spread of his deeds and the God he worshiped.
--------
No sooner than the debate between Hyortr and the bishop spread that the Cardinals already held another meeting.
This time, the atmosphere was far more desperate and solemn. There was only one option left, to completely remove this Healer from the Stage.
The longer he lingered in Slane, the more followers he will gain. Previously, it wasn't confirmed that he had a God he worshiped, but this recent display proved that there indeed was a God hidden behind the scenes.
And this God was an unknown figure not known to them. The Cardinals didn't even think of it being Untrue because not many knew the fact that the Six Great Gods themselves mentioned in the Testament that there were other beings powerful than them in their original World.
And as for the possibility of it being a complete coincidence wasn't even speculated.
"We should have sent the Black Scriptures back then .." Dominic lamented as he regretted the indecisiveness they showed in the past.
"..." Non refuted his words as they too knew it was a better choice to have taken now that they experienced the consequences.
"Lamenting what happened after won't help now. Maximillian, mobilise the black scriptures. I want him either captured or dead by tomorrow." Raymond spoke as he turned to the Cardinal of Darkness.
"All of them?" Zinedine asked, taken aback by the over cautiously placed order.
"All of them." Raymond Nodded as his eyes held a strong determination.
"Even the extra seat?" Maximillian asked, his voice solemn.
"Yes. Even Zesshi." Mirroring his Serious face, Raymond confirmed.
★★★★★★★