Chapter 16: The Twins' Approach and a Keep's Metamorphosis
The confirmation of another Nazarick presence, not just a single entity but a dual signal, actively moving towards them, sent a fresh wave of exhilaration through Ainz. He shared the news immediately with Albedo, Sebas, and Entoma in the relative privacy of his slightly-too-small chamber in Greywater Keep.
"The signal is distinct," Ainz explained, his (Elian's) eyes thoughtful. "It feels… energetic, youthful, and there are clearly two individuals, their energies closely intertwined. They are responding to the Beacon, moving with purpose."
Albedo's golden eyes lit up. "More of our comrades, Ainz-sama! Truly, your divine radiance draws your faithful servants to you across this wretched world!"
Sebas nodded, a rare smile touching his lips. "This is most fortunate, my Lord. Each reunion strengthens our position."
Entoma clicked her mandibles happily, pleased at the thought of more of her Pleiades sisters, or perhaps other Guardians, arriving.
Ainz focused, using his own amplified senses and the obsidian amulet, trying to get a clearer read on the approaching signature. Albedo and Sebas, now aware of the specific frequency, lent their own nascent attunement, creating a small, impromptu psychic sounding board. "Yes…" Ainz murmured. "I recognize this pattern. It's… boisterous, full of unrestrained vitality… and then a quieter, deeper resonance, like the earth itself. It must be Aura and Mare."
The Dark Elf twins. His heart warmed at the thought. Their arrival would bring unique and invaluable skills to their growing contingent.
The immediate question was how to receive them. The expedition to the Whispering Peaks and the remote mountain beyond would have to wait. Greywater Keep, for all its inadequacies, was rapidly becoming the unplanned, improbable rallying point for the scattered denizens of Nazarick.
In the days that followed, Albedo, under the carefully maintained guise of 'Lady Alva,' began to subtly (and sometimes not-so-subtly) impose her will upon Greywater Keep. Ainz had several stern, private conversations with her, emphasizing the absolute necessity of discretion, a concept Albedo seemed to find personally offensive when it concerned the glory of Ainz Ooal Gown.
"But Ainz-sama," she'd argued, her magnificent (currently illusory human) face set in a pout, "this hovel is an insult to your majesty! The walls are crumbling, the food is fit only for peasants, and these humans… they are so appallingly inefficient!"
"And yet, Albedo," Ainz had countered, his voice calm but firm, "it is currently my hovel, and these inefficient humans are, for now, under my protection and part of the facade that keeps us from attracting the full, undivided attention of this world's major powers. Your… grander improvements… can wait until we have established a more secure, hidden sanctuary."
Nevertheless, Albedo found ways. She 'advised' Tom the steward on reorganizing Greywater's meager supplies with a terrifyingly complex system that, while baffling to the old man, somehow resulted in less spoilage and better rationing. She 'assisted' in reinforcing the magically-repaired walls by inscribing almost invisible runes along their foundations – "An ancient warding technique of my lineage, to deter… vermin," she'd explained to a wide-eyed Ser Desmond Grell, who dutifully noted it in his increasingly fantastical reports to Riverrun. The 'vermin' she had in mind were likely entire armies.
Her interactions with Ser Desmond were a constant source of private amusement for Ainz and mild exasperation for Sebas. Albedo, as Lady Alva, treated the young Tully knight with a barely veiled condescension, her every word dripping with the disdain of a vastly superior being forced to interact with a particularly dull insect. Ser Desmond, in turn, was utterly terrified of her, yet also bound by his duty to observe and report on this powerful, unpredictable 'ally.' He found himself missing the simpler days when his main concern was Lord Elian's mysterious powers, rather than Lady Alva's casual discussions of "architectural spell-weaving capable of repelling siege engines" or her critiques of Westerosi martial traditions as being "charming in their rustic brutality, but ultimately lacking in… decisive finality."
Maester Hannis, meanwhile, attempted to engage Lady Alva in scholarly discourse, hoping to learn more about her "ancient lineage's unique magical traditions." Albedo responded with cryptic, grandiose pronouncements about "the shaping of worlds" and "the music of creation," which left the old maester more bewildered and awestruck than enlightened.
Ainz, observing all this, decided to postpone the expedition to the Whispering Peaks. Aura and Mare's arrival was imminent, and it was more prudent to welcome them, integrate them, and then plan their next major move – the establishment of a true New Nazarick – with the benefit of their combined counsel and abilities.
Miles away, traveling through the increasingly cultivated lands of the central Riverlands…
Aura Bella Fiora, her heterochromatic eyes bright with excitement, urged her magnificent mount onward. It was a large, native hunting eagle of this world, its wingspan easily fifteen feet, its feathers the color of storm clouds. She had tamed it within hours of encountering it, her innate Beast Master skills transcending the boundaries of YGGDRASIL. Beside her, Mare Bello Fiore, looking small and anxious atop a lumbering, moss-covered treant he had coaxed into service with his druidic magic, clutched his staff nervously.
"Are you sure this is the way, sister?" Mare fretted, his voice barely a whisper above the rustling of the treant's leafy limbs. "The… the feeling is strong here, but there are so many… people-scents."
Aura grinned, her pointed ears twitching. "Of course, it's the way, silly! Can't you feel it? Ainz-sama is close! And Sebas-san! And… ooh, someone else powerful too! And little Entoma!" She had felt their individual signatures coalescing after the great Beacon had blazed through her senses weeks ago, a divine call that had filled her with an almost unbearable joy. "We're almost there! I bet I'll be the first of us twins to give Lord Ainz a big hug!"
Mare blushed under his dirt-smudged cheek. "Aura, please… try to be… dignified. We represent Nazarick."
"Nonsense!" Aura declared. "Lord Ainz loves us just the way we are! He'll be so happy to see his favorite Dark Elf trackers!" She patted her eagle's neck. "Faster, Sky-Screecher! Our Lord awaits!"
They had traveled for weeks, Aura's boundless energy and Mare's earth-bound magic complementing each other perfectly. Aura scouted ahead, tamed useful beasts, and dealt with any mundane threats (mostly bandits or overly aggressive wildlife, who quickly learned to regret encountering the small but ferocious Dark Elf and her menagerie). Mare navigated, found hidden paths, ensured they always had fresh water and shelter, and used his druidic spells to subtly influence the land around them, smoothing their passage. They had encountered few humans directly, preferring to stick to the wilder paths, their non-human appearance likely to cause alarm.
Now, the concentrated warmth of multiple Nazarick signatures, with Lord Ainz's at the very heart, was an undeniable beacon, drawing them towards a specific point on the horizon – a small, unassuming keep nestled beside a river.
Demiurge, from his shadowy sanctuary in Harrenhal, received Nyx's latest dispatches with his usual meticulous attention. The reports detailed Lady Alva's (Albedo's) unsettlingly effective "improvements" to Greywater Keep, Ser Desmond Grell's continued state of bewildered awe, and the general atmosphere of immense, barely contained power that now suffused the formerly insignificant holdfast. He also noted, with particular interest, the subtle energy fluctuations Nyx had reported emanating from the keep – not the massive burst of the Beacon, but smaller, more controlled resonances, as if Lord Ainz were… practicing, or perhaps attuning new artifacts.
Nyx had also reported the arrival of another signal, this one clearly indicating two more of Nazarick's denizens approaching. Demiurge, cross-referencing the likely candidates with the information Lord Ainz had once shared about his Guardians' relative strengths and abilities, surmised it was most likely the Dark Elf twins, Aura and Mare.
Lord Ainz was not merely consolidating; he was rapidly reassembling his core command structure. This was excellent news. It also meant Demiurge's own window for a truly impactful, strategic reintroduction was narrowing. A simple reunion, however joyous, would not be enough for Demiurge. He needed to present his Lord with a tangible gift, a demonstration of his unwavering loyalty and peerless strategic acumen.
He instructed Nyx to shift her focus again. "The Tully knight has proven a source of… baseline human reactions. Now, observe the interactions within Greywater Keep itself. Specifically, attempt to discern Lord Ainz's immediate objectives and his methods of governance over these… new human subjects. And continue to subtly probe Ser Desmond about any significant, unresolved threats within the Riverlands that House Tully finds particularly troublesome. A problem solved by a loyal vassal, after all, is a powerful statement of utility." Demiurge's mind was already formulating several contingency plans, scenarios where he could step in and offer a… decisive solution… to a problem plaguing the Riverlands, thereby earning Lord Ainz's praise and demonstrating his indispensable value.
Back at Greywater Keep, Ser Desmond Grell dutifully penned another report to Riverrun. His script was shaky, his ink blotched. How did one describe a lady who mended fortress walls with a wave of her hand and spoke of warding runes that could repel armies? How did one explain Lord Elian's quiet, absolute command over such beings, or Master Tian's serene wisdom that seemed to calm even the most terrifying sorceress? His earlier reports had likely been dismissed as the ramblings of a young, overwhelmed knight. This one, he suspected, might earn him a recall for questioning his sanity. Yet, he was a Tully man. He would do his duty, however bizarre it had become.
Meanwhile, the training of Greywater's small garrison had reached new levels of intensity and effectiveness. Sebas Tian's rigorous drills had instilled discipline and skill. Now, Albedo, in her guise as Lady Alva, would occasionally "observe" these sessions. Her mere presence, her golden eyes critically assessing their every move, was enough to make Hal, Timms, and the Oakhaven men push themselves to their absolute limits and beyond. They moved faster, hit harder, and their shield wall formations, while still rustic, were now surprisingly solid. Entoma's insect spies, a silent, unseen network, provided perfect reconnaissance of the surrounding lands, alerting them to any approaching travelers or potential threats long before they reached Greywater's patrols.
Ainz spent much of his time in his chamber, ostensibly in study and meditation. In reality, he was familiarizing himself with his vastly increased mana reserves, practicing the subtle nature manipulations afforded by the obsidian amulet and the wolf totem, and attempting to reach out mentally to any other, more distant, NPC signals. He also had long discussions with Entoma, learning about her solitary journey, her fears, and her unwavering loyalty. It was crucial, he knew, to understand the psychological state of each of his reunited children.
Then, the unmistakable dual signature of Aura and Mare drew very close. "They are almost upon us," Ainz announced to his assembled Nazarick contingent. "Within an hour's ride. Albedo, Entoma, you will remain here and 'guard' Greywater Keep. Keep Ser Desmond… occupied and reassured. Sebas, you will accompany me. We will extend a formal welcome."
Albedo looked deeply displeased at being left behind, even for a short while. "But Ainz-sama! Surely I, as Overseer of the Guardians, should be the one to greet our returning comrades!"
"Your enthusiasm is noted, Albedo," Ainz said, a hint of steel in his Elian voice. "However, your… public persona as Lady Alva… is still somewhat new to our human allies. Master Tian and I are more familiar figures for a diplomatic greeting party. Besides," he added, a slight smile playing on his lips, "I wouldn't want Aura's enthusiasm to inadvertently cause damage to the keep before she's even properly introduced."
Reluctantly, Albedo acceded, though her expression promised a very thorough debriefing of the twins upon their arrival.
Ainz and Sebas rode out from Greywater Keep, heading towards the source of the rapidly approaching signals. They didn't have to travel far. As they crested a small hill overlooking a stretch of open woodland, they saw them.
Two figures emerged from the treeline. The first, small and vibrant, was Aura Bella Fiora, her heterochromatic eyes scanning the landscape with cheerful alertness. She rode not a horse, but a magnificent griffin, its feathers the color of a thunderhead, its razor-sharp beak and talons gleaming. It was a creature of myth in this world, yet it seemed perfectly content beneath her light touch. The second figure, also a Dark Elf, was Mare Bello Fiore, his usual anxious expression firmly in place. He was atop an enormous, shambling treant, its bark-like hide covered in moss and flowering vines, its ancient eyes glowing with a soft, green light.
Aura spotted the two riders on the hill – the young boy and the dignified old man. Even at this distance, the resonance was unmistakable. Her face split into a wide, joyous grin.
"Ainz-sama! Sebas-san!" she whooped, her voice carrying clearly on the wind. She urged her griffin forward, and the massive creature spread its wings, launching into the air with a powerful beat, diving towards them with exhilarating speed.
Mare, startled by his sister's sudden exuberance, yelped and clung tighter to his treant, which continued its slow, ponderous advance.
Ainz watched them approach, a genuine, warm smile gracing his youthful features. The Dark Elf twins, his children of the forest and field, had come home. Greywater Keep, the once-forgotten ruin, was fast becoming a fortress of unimaginable power, a beacon for the lost glories of Nazarick. And with each arrival, the future of this world tilted further on its axis.