The rune‐etched platform in the Eternal Dominion's Grand Plaza pulsed in quiet darkness as Velkharion emerged from his portal. Before him, the generals and Floor Guardians gathered beneath the vaulted ceiling, their expressions a tapestry of curiosity and anticipation.
Sythera's frost-scaled brow flicked with excitement. Kroxar's massive form shifted, hammer in hand. Zelefar's golden eyes glowed softly. Valnor watched with a measured smile. Even Isaril, newly roused from her arcane studies, leaned forward, keen with interest. The five Floor Guardians—Cocytus, Albedo, Demiurge, Aura, and Mare—stood behind them, silent as living statues.
Velkharion inclined his helm in formal greeting. "Well then shall we begin," he began, voice resonant. "I have returned from Nazarick, where I reunited with one of our oldest allies—Ainz Ooal Gown." A ripple coursed through the assembly.
Zelefar's fangs gleamed. "To make contact with a player so fast! As expected of our lord."
Velkharion nodded. "Indeed. Our reunion was heartfelt, and we have cemented an alliance."
Sythera's eyes softened. "An alliance with Nazarick… That bodes well for our mutual goals."
"Today," Velkharion continued, "Ainz Ooal Gown and his core lieutenants will join us here. We will share intelligence, magic research, and resources. Together, we shall shape this continent—and beyond."
The generals exchanged looks of delight. Valnor tapped a ledger. "With Nazarick's might combined with the Dominion's influence, no power can stand against us."
Cocytus rumbled from behind: "The Lizardmen Domain is next on Ainz's agenda. Our alliance will ensure he conquers swiftly, while we apply our own strategies in Re-Estize and Baharuth." His insectile wings fluttered. "We understand each other."
Sythera stepped forward. "High Templar, your discipline mirrors our own tactical rigor. This partnership is natural." She bowed to Cocytus.
Cocytus dipped his lance in acknowledgment. "As our ice wards hold the frozen sea, your blades hold the court's intrigue." A mutual respect blossomed instantly.
Demiurge observed with narrowed eyes. "A mutual exchange of research on demiurge protocols for immortality and Nazarick's arcane marvels will accelerate both our causes."
Albedo floated forward, her beauty and devotion radiant. "My husband and I welcome this union of hearts and ambitions."
Mare and Aura, guests at the war council, murmured their consent, their bond with the generals sealed by Velkharion's diplomacy. The entire chamber hummed with newfound unity.
Velkharion raised a gauntleted hand. "Let preparations begin. Secure guest quarters for Nazarick's emissaries. Synchronize our dinner service with the palace schedule. Tomorrow, we dine as free sovereigns and peers."
Isaril bowed. "Consider it done, my lord."
With the formal announcement concluded, the gathering dispersed into eager clusters: Floor Guardians congratulating generals, generals comparing notes on resource streams, Velkharion exchanging private nods with Shuna, who had arrived silently to witness the triumph.
As torchlight softened into lantern glow, Velkharion and Shuna retired to the Observation Terrace—a high balcony overlooking the Mana Convergence Core's steady pulse.
Shuna leaned against the stone balustrade. "They accepted you so readily."
Velkharion wrapped an arm around her. "Old bonds run deep. Ainz and I share both camaraderie and the singular hunger of players thrust into this world."
Below, the Core thrummed with potential, the heart of their Dominion.
Shuna smiled. "Tomorrow, they cross our threshold as honored guests."
Velkharion nodded, turning to view distant continents. "Then let the final preparations commence. I will rest—but first, a word with Cocytus." He signaled, and the insectile warrior descended to the terrace.
Cocytus's mandibles clicked softly. "I will ensure the tournaments in the frozen arena honor Ainz's conquest style."
Velkharion chuckled. "Excellent. Strength and spectacle—both will bind our alliance." Cocytus bowed in assent.
Morning's first light found the Grand Plaza transformed. Adorned with prisms of mana-glass and banners bearing both the Frostfire emblem and the layered bones of Nazarick, it looked like a stage set for divine spectacle. Red carpets led from the Gate circle to the throne dais. Servants arranged tables with polished crystal goblets and silver platters heaped with nocturnal delicacies.
At precisely the third toll of the clock—an obscenely large mechanism powered by arcane gears—Ainz Ooal Gown emerged from the Gate circle. Of his company, only Albedo, Demiurge, and two lesser guardians accompanied him. Their presence brought a hush over the assembled host.
Velkharion descended the dais to meet them. At mid‐flight, Skeleton King and Overlord clasped spectral hands, their long‐lost brotherhood renewed in that silent grasp.
"Soul of steel," Ainz whispered in Velkharion's ear, "it is good to stand with you again."
Velkharion bowed. "And you, master of bones."
Albedo's eyes glowed with delight. Demiurge's smile was modest but pleased.
At the round table carved from starlight‐forged obsidian, Velkharion presented maps and codices.
"We control E-Naeul, Teravell, and Baharuth's underworld," he explained, "while you conquer the Lizardmen's frozen domain." He pointed to the draft of campaign plans. "We seek to link our trade routes, combine intelligence networks, and share demiurge and World Item research."
Ainz nodded thoughtfully. "The Lizardmen fall within two days. Then I turn south. Our combined forces could pacify the Slane Theocracy's northern marches."
Sythera added, "And our puppet holdings in Re-Estize will serve as supply depots for your troops."
Cocytus tapped a crystalline chalice. "I propose a joint military exercise in the frozen arena—your bone armies against my ice legions, under my command."
Ainz's hollow laughter sounded like distant thunder. "A friendly match—let us test our strategies."
Demiurge unfurled a vellum scroll. "And I will exchange notes on life‐binding protocols—your Nazarick techniques for our demiurge protocols."
Albedo offered a radiant smile. "Together, we shall become legends of this world."
Each guardian and general raised a crystal goblet. Velkharion's voice rang clear: "To the alliance of players—Momonga and Velkharion—in both name and spirit."
The goblets clinked in a ringing chorus, sealing the pact.
By midday, the allied banners fluttered atop spired towers. Messengers departed for Teravell and Baharuth, bearing new edicts signed by both Overlord Velkharion and Ainz Ooal Gown.
Cocytus led his host north to conquer the Lizardmen's cliffs, his enormous cry echoing across frozen valleys. Ainz marshaled his undead legions, their skeletal drums drumming a dirge of conquest.
Back in the Eternal Dominion's council, Velkharion and Shuna oversaw the exchange of arcane relics:
• Ainz's World Item diagrams, crushed fine by demiurge for deeper study.
• Zelefar's crystallized soul‐anchors, offered for Nazarick's laboratories.
• Plans for shared access to Siren Ruins research—under joint guardianship.
As twilight wove violet threads across the sky, Velkharion stood with Ainz upon the Observation Terrace. Below, the Core pulsed like a living heart.
Ainz placed a knotted bone on the railing. "What now, friend?"
Velkharion smiled. "Now we let the world watch our harmony—and tremble." He rested a hand on Ainz's skeletal shoulder. "Tomorrow, the alliance solidifies, and every power in this land will understand: two players—once guildmates—stand at the pinnacle of fate."
Meanwhile, in remote speed, the Lizardmen Domain shuddered under Cocytus's relentless march.
And in the darkness beyond reality's veil, the multiverse whispered, awaiting its champions.
Thus dawned a new era—one of unity between Nazarick and the Eternal Dominion, and of boundless horizons for the players who refused to settle for any single world.
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