The forest of Tob was a large track of land, that many Lords had hoped to settle themselves upon.
A wish shared by both those of the Kingdom and the Empire.
Both also equally forced back by the strong and seemingly powerful monsters that sprout from it.
The only reason monsters had not spilled in excess from it, is believed to be due to the efforts of the Adventurer Guilds.
But in truth, the land itself is constantly contested by its occupants.
With peace and order maintained only by superior might. One powerful enough to rally the creatures within it, allowing the formation of communities
And it came at the form of the so-called Three Kings.
The Beast of the South. A giant hamster the size of a carriage, with a green scaled tail harder than steel. And welded with such force that can crush a man's head with a single flick.
The one who will be called Hamsuke.
The Giant of the East. Owning command of the most braindead, simpletons and physically strong monsters. Ranging from Trolls, Ogres and Goblins.
Dumb Guu the Wartroll.
And finally, the most illusive of them all. Leading ambushes against Adventurers. Cunning and smart enough to pick his fights. A naga... A very ugly Naga.
Serpent of the West, Ryraryus Spenia Ai Indarun.
The thoughts ended just as Momonga sighed. His helmet banished into his inventory. Sword hanging at his back. While his handsome face was engulfed by his Overlord persona.
His red dotted eyes glowed back into focus. Churning a new train of thought regarding his new desired direction.
Dominion.
Momonga believed that all three falling under his command would suit as a strong foundation. They are after all, the gateway to the Forest of Tob, closest to the human civilizations. But it would be too time consuming as it is too costly to maintain order.
No. At the moment, he needs competence.
And there is one that prove to be the perfect choice but...
'It would be foolish on my part to approach them as I am now.'
Momonga realized that the Dark Elves of the forest will see his approach of establishing himself in their land as nothing more than an invasion.
And the last thing he wanted was to reduce the numbers of the most valuable forces in the forest due to unwanted conflict.
'I will have to wait.' Momonga thought. 'I don't know the exact time the creature would awaken. But it should be no more than six to seven years basing that on Renner's age.'
His mind dismantled the upcoming fight should it rise but more on the upcoming calamity sleeping at their doorstep.
A giant tree, corrupted and evil with a hunger for devouring life. A creature from Yggdrasil.
The Zy'tl Q'ae.
'I can approach them later on. Force their hand into the table and expand with little to no bloodshed. Their desperation... I can use it.'
His dark thoughts sprang a sense of conscience. But the budding light was snuffed out by the darkness of practicality. And when reason tried to swarm its way to his heart, his mind was engulfed in darker memories.
Of being demanded out by the Men of the Kingdom, to be parted from his Albedo's embrace.
The inaction of the very people he fought for. Their vindication, their smug faces... the guilt, and those who spoke for him.
The cage they thought to hold him. The man who snuck in blankets and stuffed pillows for his comfort.
The promises of setting things right... the insults and taunts... the words that spilled. Of how they boasted of what they would do to her... His own... His Albedo!
""Momonga-sama?/san?""
Two voices snapped him out of his thoughts.
And he looked down to see two pairs of hands wrapped around his. On his right walked Albedo, looking at him worriedly. And on his left walked Sylvia, looking at him with careful regard.
and for a second, things felt right. Long enough for him to remove his Overlord mask and sighed out in relief.
"Apologies... I may have lost myself in thought back there."
"You don't need to explain yourself Momon—"
"Yes he does!" Sylvia interrupts. "Speak to us Momonga-san. We're your companions are we not?"
"Sylvia!" Albedo was enraged, but the Princess did not back down. Glaring defiantly at the yellow eyed woman.
Before the sparks erupts, Momonga halted them with a firm squeeze of their hands.
"You are right...Sylvia."
"Momonga-sama!" Albedo was scandalized at his words, stopping only when she received a sly smile from him.
"Ho? You disapprove? And here I thought you wanted to stand by my side~ Albedo-chan~" the Overseer's face blushed fiercely, "I guess you'll have to take a step back for a while. Don't worry, Sylvia-hime will keep me company."
Both squeaked as Sylvia was pulled closer into Momonga's embrace with Albedo herself, wrapping herself around his arm.
And within the Great Forest of Tob, his laughter resounded.
Heard by those who would one day meet their new Overlord.
—.—.—.—.—
Zaryusu Shasha, a Lizardman of the Green Claw tribe trecked the Forest of Tob alongside his Brother, Shasuryu Shasha.
He stood with the characteristic slouch of their kind. His scale is a dark-brown color reminiscent of the mud they had grown up on.
He wore beasts fur wrapped around his waist. With a crude axe on his waist. Made of badly smoothened branch that served as the handle, holding two misshapen rocks that served as axe heads.
His brother, Shasuryu Sasha had a single edged sword, made out of a single slab of rock, strapped at his back. It's size is nearly as tall as he was with a dried straws atop his shoulders. Contrasting with his dark green scales, reminiscent of the grasses along the shallow edges of the Great Lake.
The two walked with lightly footfalls and sharp eyes. Cautious of anything that moved.
In the silence of the forest, Zaryusu spoke. "We should have seen them by now."
Hearing his brothers worries, Shasuryu nodded. Noting how eerie the situation is. "We will trail the path a little bit more. If we can't find them then..."
"Surely you do not mean to abandoned them?" horrified at what his brother implies, but the silence from his kin was answer enough. "They are our tribesmen! Our hunters! The very ones that hunt to feed many of ours!"
"I know that!" Shasuryu roars back. "But we cannot risk the tribe for them! They wouldn't want that!"
Zaryusu flinched back. Bowing his head in unspoken apology as the truth of their situation sinks in.
Seeing his brothers hurt, Shasuryu added, "We will send a search party when we can but until then, you must focus on what we need... for the tribe."
Zaryusu's eyes regained strength and nodded. Reminding himself of their current situation.
"If the hunters are gone then... we will have to hunt on our own— *snap! Who's there!"
The brothers immediately drew their weapons at the noise. And for a moment, only the forest trees rustled, then came the footfalls approaching them from the shadows and—
A Lizardman rushed without warning followed by three more. Fear etched in their faces as they looked forward and back. When their eyes finally registered the two in front of them, they smiled.
"Chief—"
"Teryusu—"
"Run!!!"
Half a dozen lizardmen sprung just behind the four. The last of them, was suddenly yanked by the tail and viciously pulled back. And without warning, a tri-pronged hand-axe seemingly carved from a single slab of ice, cut the the throat of the fallen Lizardman.
Drenching the dirt with blood.
Seeing the blood of their kin spilled, the brothers snarled recognizing the weapon in a single glance.
"Frost Pain! that means—"
Shasuryu snarled, knew the Lizardman holding the bluish white blade while donning a gauntlet with three claws protruding at the knuckle on his other hand.
"Razar!"
Wielder of Frost Pain, and Chief of the Sharp Edge Tribe.
"Ah~ the two young-uns from Green Claw." he said with eerie calmness as he eyed the two up and down. "A good find... Good meat... Kill them!"
The brothers shared a nod, and together, lowered their stance for a fight.
Seeing this, the last three survivors decided to make a stand just behind them, grabbing a branch or just their fists.
Five rushed against the five.
And with a gultural roar that made him sound more like young dragon than a lizard, Shasuryu rushed forward with his sword at hand.
Two Sharp Edge Lizardmen met him, jagged claws made of rocks wrapped around their fingers aimed for his neck and chest.
With a grunt, he blocked both with the flatside of his huge sword and with a great strength, shoved them on the back-foot and swung wide.
Both dodged as they lowered themselves on all fours and attacked his abdomen.
"[Fortress]" Shasuryu blocked one with Martial Art while his tail wrapped around the neck and slashing heavily against another.
Locked in a power struggle, and slowly pushing down on his opponent, Shasuryu smiled in mockery. "It appears you beasts needs a reminder why we don't fight on all fours."
Behind him, his brother and his fellow Green Claw tribesmen were also engaged in their fights.
The Sharp Edge Tribe fought like beasts. Slouched low enough for their hands to graze the ground. While using their hind legs to kick off the ground, and close distances at great speed.
Their weapons of choices were dirks, daggers and claws. Their forms are more streamlined and slimmer while still showing powerful muscles. Emphasizing mobility and quick slashes.
The Green Claw Tribe however fought like warriors. Using their axe and clubs, they attacked with great strength produced by their firm footing and robust forms. While moving with great balance despite wide and awkward swings with nimble use of their tail.
Zaryusu parried a dagger as his opponent rushed past him. The Sharp Edge Lizardman realigns itself for another dash, firms his footing—
Zaryusu digs his clawed toes to the ground.
The Lizardman launches, blade going for the abdomen.
Zaryusu, let the edge grind against the flat of his axe, and just as weight pressed down on his arm his tail wiped out.
Wrapped around the ankle— yanked back— Zaryusu's axe falling on the Lizardman's neck—
*Shlack! *Spurt—
The head rolled to Razar's feet who stood with crossed arms, snarling at his fallen kin.
"Disappointing..." his eyes drifted to the corpses that littered the ground and nodded. "Still~ this should suffice~"
And with a draw of his weapon, he shouted. "[Icy Burst]!"
—.—.—.—.—
A short distance away, Momonga and his two companions turned to see a swirl of ice and frost that erupted out of nowhere.