Chapter 19: The Blackfish's Verdict and an Icy Revelation
The air in Greywater Keep's main hall remained thick with unspoken tension long after the Tully scout had been dismissed, his astounding news of Bandit King Karse's demise echoing in the sudden silence. Ser Brynden "Blackfish" Tully, his face an unreadable mask of granite, continued his meal with deliberate slowness, though Ainz could feel the weight of his intensified scrutiny like a physical pressure. Every occupant of Nazarick present – Ainz as Elian, Albedo as the regal Lady Alva, Sebas as the sagacious Master Tian – maintained their carefully constructed facades, betraying no hint of the internal calculations and deductions whirring within.
The rest of the dinner was a masterclass in strained civility. The Blackfish asked a few more pointed, though ostensibly casual, questions about House Hollow's knowledge of the northern foothills, the capabilities of their "allies," and their general awareness of the… "ebb and flow of fortune" that sometimes befell troublesome elements in the Riverlands. Ainz deflected with youthful earnestness, professing ignorance of such grand events but reiterating his unwavering commitment to peace and order under House Tully. Albedo offered enigmatic pronouncements about the "inevitable judgment that befalls those who sow chaos," her golden eyes gleaming with a light that made even the battle-hardened Blackfish momentarily uneasy. Sebas spoke wisely of the "delicate balance of fate and the unforeseen consequences of ambition."
The next morning, as Ser Brynden prepared for his departure, he requested a final private word with "Lord Elian." They stood in the now impeccably clean courtyard, the magically reinforced walls of Greywater Keep bearing silent testament to the strange powers at play.
"Lord Hollow," the Blackfish began, his voice low and devoid of pleasantry, "your House has demonstrated a… remarkable resurgence. Your keep is stronger than it has any right to be, your household more capable than its size would suggest, and your allies…" he paused, his gaze sharp, "are possessed of singular talents."
He took a step closer. "The fall of King Karse is a boon to the Riverlands, make no mistake. A festering wound has been cauterized. But such… convenient miracles… often carry hidden costs, or herald the arrival of new, unpredictable forces." His eyes bored into Ainz's. "House Tully values strength. It values loyalty even more. We will be watching Greywater Keep, Lord Elian. Very closely. Continue to serve the peace of the Riverlands, and you may find House Tully a generous liege. Step beyond your station, invite chaos, or pursue ambitions that threaten the tranquility of this realm…" He let the threat hang, unspoken but unmistakable. "Ser Desmond Grell will continue his liaison duties. His reports will come directly to me. See that they give me no cause for… undue concern."
With a final, curt nod, the Blackfish mounted his horse and, with his veteran retinue, rode out from Greywater Keep, leaving behind an atmosphere of palpable relief and heightened caution.
Once he was gone, Ainz immediately convened his Nazarick council. The relief in the room was tangible, though an undercurrent of tension remained.
"Well," Ainz said, allowing a measure of his true Overlord persona to surface, "that was… invigorating."
Albedo scoffed, her Lady Alva guise momentarily slipping. "That human barbarian dared to imply suspicion towards you, Ainz-sama! He should be groveling in gratitude for the service that was clearly rendered to his insignificant house!"
"And yet, Albedo," Ainz said, a wry tone in his voice, "it was precisely that indirect service that has bought us this scrutiny. There is no doubt in my mind that Demiurge orchestrated Karse's downfall. His timing was impeccable, his execution flawless, and the outcome undeniably beneficial to our current position, at least superficially." He paused. "However, his methods, while effective, lack a certain… alignment with my current strategy of gradual integration and managed revelation. Demiurge is a peerless strategist, but his definition of 'subtlety,' as I have often found, can be rather… expansive."
Sebas nodded. "Indeed, my Lord. The Blackfish is no fool. He clearly suspects our involvement, or at least the involvement of powers aligned with us. His warning was clear."
Aura, who had returned with Mare from their woodland concealment shortly after the Blackfish's departure (under the guise of returning from their "spiritual retreat"), piped up, "So, does this mean we can't go beat up more bad guys, Ainz-sama? Karse sounded like a real jerk!"
Mare fidgeted. "P-please, sister, don't be so… eager for conflict. Lord Ainz has a plan."
"Aura's enthusiasm is… noted," Ainz said, a faint smile touching his lips. "But for now, our priority shifts. The Blackfish's increased scrutiny means a large-scale expedition to the north-eastern mountains to establish a New Nazarick is too conspicuous. We need to be more… discreet in our major undertakings for a while."
News continued to trickle into Greywater over the following days, brought by Tom's local contacts and Entoma's ever-vigilant insect spies. The northern foothills were indeed in chaos. With King Karse and his lieutenants gone, lesser bandit chiefs and broken companies were squabbling violently over the remnants of his territory. House Tully, as predicted, was forced to dispatch a significant portion of its already stretched forces to try and impose order, a task that would likely occupy them for weeks, if not months. This, at least, diverted some immediate military attention away from Greywater Keep.
In his shadowed command center within the ruins of Harrenhal…
Demiurge reviewed Nyx's meticulous report on the Blackfish's visit to Greywater Keep, his reaction to the news of Karse's demise, and his subsequent departure. A thin, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips. Lord Ainz had, as expected, deduced his involvement. And the Blackfish's suspicion, while a minor complication, was also a testament to the effectiveness of the operation. Lord Ainz was now perceived by House Tully not merely as a quaintly powerful minor lord, but as a force to be reckoned with, an entity whose "allies" could topple small kingdoms overnight. This elevated his Master's standing considerably.
"Excellent," Demiurge murmured. The initial "gift" had been a success. Now, to ascertain Lord Ainz's next requirement. He transmitted a new set of instructions to Nyx: "Your primary task remains the observation of Lord Hollow's strategic objectives. What resources does he seek? What challenges does he prioritize? What information does he lack? Subtly guide conversations with Ser Desmond Grell or other accessible members of the household towards these topics. Understanding Lord Ainz's needs will allow me to prepare… further demonstrations of loyalty and utility."
Demiurge also considered the other Nazarick presences now gathered at Greywater. Albedo, Sebas, Entoma, and now the Dark Elf twins. A formidable core. His own reunion would need to be timed perfectly, his offering meticulously prepared. He would not simply arrive; he would present himself as the solution to his Master's most pressing problem.
Back at Greywater Keep, Ainz turned his attention to the other significant piece of intelligence: Aura's report of the unnatural cold she had sensed far to the north-north-west.
"This persistent sensation of cold, Aura," Ainz said, looking at the detailed maps of the northern regions they had acquired from Riverrun. "You are certain it reminded you of Niflheim?"
Aura nodded vigorously. "Yes, Ainz-sama! It wasn't just normal cold, like high mountains. It felt… dead. Like the air itself was frozen magic. And it was stronger this time, more focused, before that weird blizzard kicked up and Sky-Screecher got spooked."
"The Neck, or the lands bordering it," Sebas mused, indicating the vast, swampy region on the map. "A desolate and largely unmapped territory. If one of our comrades, particularly one with an affinity for cold, such as Lord Cocytus, were to manifest there…"
"He might instinctively create an environment more suited to his nature," Ainz finished, his mind racing. Cocytus. A powerful warrior, a loyal Guardian. His combat prowess would be an invaluable asset. And if he was alone in such a desolate region, he might also be vulnerable, despite his strength.
"The expedition to the north-eastern peak for New Nazarick is on hold for now," Ainz declared. "The risk of attracting the Blackfish's direct intervention is too high. Instead, Aura, I have a new mission for you. A more focused, long-range reconnaissance towards this area of unnatural cold. You are to be the essence of discretion. Observe, identify, but do not engage unless absolutely necessary or if you find a denizen of Nazarick in immediate peril. Your priority is to confirm the source of this phenomenon and report back. Take whatever supplies you need. Sky-Screecher will give you the speed and vantage you require."
Aura's eyes shone with excitement. A solo mission, entrusted to her by Ainz-sama himself! "Yes, my Lord! I will not fail you!"
While Aura prepared for her new mission, Ainz tasked Mare with a different, equally vital project. "Mare," he said gently to the timid Dark Elf, "the Blackfish's visit has highlighted our vulnerability here. While Albedo's enhancements to the walls are commendable, Greywater Keep itself is too exposed. I need you to begin work on a… subterranean extension. Directly beneath this keep. A hidden sanctuary, a secure vault for valuable items, and an emergency bunker should the worst occur. Use your earth-shaping abilities. It must be completely concealed from the surface, its entrances magically warded and undetectable. Albedo will provide you with preliminary designs – on a much smaller, more practical scale than her grander visions for New Nazarick, of course."
Mare, though intimidated by the scale of the task, nodded earnestly. "I-I will try my very best, Lord Ainz. The earth will obey."
Albedo, meanwhile, was not content with merely designing bunkers. She approached Ainz with a new proposal. "Ainz-sama," she said, her golden eyes gleaming with fervor, "while we exercise this… tedious discretion… for the benefit of these shortsighted humans, your personal security remains my paramount concern. Allow me to utilize some of the lesser treasures I brought from Nazarick. I can weave a network of powerful, yet concealed, magical defenses around the immediate perimeter of Greywater Keep. Not merely physical reinforcements, but illusionary barriers to misdirect unwanted eyes, sophisticated detection wards against intruders, and perhaps even a few… discreetly placed… offensive traps that would only activate against genuinely hostile forces or those attempting unauthorized scrying. They would appear as extensions of House Hollow's 'ancient family magic,' further enhancing your mystique without overtly revealing their true origin."
Ainz considered this. Albedo was, as always, focused on his protection and the projection of his power. Concealed magical defenses would indeed be a significant asset, especially with the Blackfish's increased scrutiny and the unknown watcher still potentially active. "Very well, Albedo," he conceded, after extracting firm promises of utmost subtlety and deniability. "Proceed. But ensure these… enhancements… are not so grand as to invite an immediate siege by every curious mage in Westeros."
Albedo beamed. "Of course, my beloved Ainz-sama! Their subtlety will be matched only by their lethality against your enemies!"
And so, a new phase of activity commenced at Greywater Keep. Aura departed on Sky-Screecher, a small, determined figure flying towards the frigid mysteries of the north. Mare began his quiet, painstaking work beneath the keep, the earth sighing and shifting almost imperceptibly as he coaxed it into new forms. Albedo, with Entoma's insects providing a discreet security screen, began weaving intricate, nearly invisible magical wards into the very fabric of Greywater's lands, her power carefully modulated, her efforts cloaked in secrecy. Sebas continued to train the garrison and manage the keep's mundane affairs with his usual flawless competence.
Ainz watched them all, a sense of cautious optimism warring with the ever-present weight of responsibility. His forces were growing. His foothold in this world, however precarious, was strengthening. But the game was becoming more complex, the stakes higher.
A few days later, Aura returned. She was battered, her clothes singed in places by what looked like frostbite despite her protective gear, and Sky-Screecher was clearly exhausted, its feathers ruffled and its breathing labored. But her eyes blazed with triumphant excitement.
She landed Sky-Screecher heavily in the courtyard, nearly collapsing from its back, and rushed towards Ainz, who had come out to meet her with Sebas and Albedo.
"Ainz-sama!" she gasped, her breath misting in the surprisingly warm air of the courtyard. "I found it! The cold! It's… it's incredible!"
She quickly recounted her journey. Flying far to the north-north-west, deep into the desolate, icy marshlands that bordered the shivering sea – a region vaguely identified on some maps as the Glacial Moors. The unnatural cold had intensified dramatically, the land itself frozen solid even in what should have been a milder season. Sky-Screecher had struggled against hurricane-force winds imbued with razor-sharp ice particles.
"And then, Ainz-sama," Aura continued, her voice filled with awe, "I saw it! In the distance, through the swirling ice and snow… a fortress! A colossal fortress made entirely of blue-black ice, like something torn from the heart of Niflheim itself! It wasn't any castle from this world, I swear it! Its architecture… it was familiar! And… and near it… I saw a figure! Massive! Insectoid! Wielding weapons of pure ice!"
Ainz's non-existent heart leaped. An ice fortress. A massive, insectoid figure. It could only be one Guardian.
"Cocytus," he breathed, the name a mixture of hope and dawning concern.
"Yes!" Aura confirmed. "It had to be him! But before I could get closer, Ainz-sama, or send any kind of signal, the blizzard… it was like the whole sky just exploded with ice and wind! It was unnatural, like a defensive ward. Sky-Screecher was almost torn apart. We had to retreat. But I saw him, Ainz-sama! I'm sure it was Lord Cocytus!"
Cocytus. Found. But in a remote, hostile environment, seemingly protected by a magically generated super-blizzard. This was a major breakthrough, but also a formidable challenge. Reaching him, making contact, would be an expedition fraught with peril. Yet, the thought of reuniting with his loyal warrior of the ice filled Ainz with a renewed determination. The scattered children of Nazarick were, one by one, being accounted for. And with each reunion, the power of Ainz Ooal Gown in this new world grew inexorably.