A Theory on Godhood: An Overlord Story

Chapter 24: Lords of the Forest

Northern Forest of Tob, Lair of the Progenitor, one hour before the Zuranon Disaster

In truth, sitting around to wait for Blue Planet seemed like a bad idea at first glance, but Ankoro Mocchi Mochi knew that by this point, there was no other way.

Waiting for so long had also been an issue, but she insisted that they didn't leave, even at Coup De Grace and Nubo's request.

"Come on. At least just come back and stay in the observatory with me," the ophannin player pleaded over the messenger. "Watched paint dries the slowest, or whatever the saying is."

"Indeed, better we return home and rest while we wait," the feline hunter agreed. But Ankoro was having none of it.

"No. We stay here and make sure nothing else comes out to keep him like this. We know other players are here, and who knows what else may have come from Yggdrasil. I'd rather not risk it and leave him vulnerable just so we can be more comfortable."

Nubo sighed over the messenger. "You and your brother Mekongawa both are way too strong willed. Fine, but I'll keep an eye out still. Anything happens and we'll come guns blazing if you need it. For you and Momonga both."

"Momonga is out and about?" Ankoro asked, surprised. "What's he doing? And does this have something to do with Mekon?"

"Momonga, Ariel, Ra Ra Rasputin, and CZ are all out playing adventurers with some humans. Your brother went out for some fun too, I suppose. Currently they're shacked up at that village that Boss saved with Garnet and Bellriver. Not sure when they'll be back."

Now her brother's sudden need to leave at the start of their trip into the Forest of Tob made sense. Whatever he had to have been doing, must have been fun enough to warrant his attention like it did.

"See ya later, Pigeon," the she-wolf said, before cutting off her end of the communications. Coup De Grace followed along as well.

With the humans, dryads, cherubs, and Lupusregina gone, Ankoro and Coup De Grace had hunkered down on either side of Blue Planet to discuss their current predicament, leading to their previous conversation with the angel player.

"We can't touch him, we can't move him, and we can't even talk to him because BP's off in La La Land," the she-wolf stated in a huff. Her fur stood on end in worry.

The androsphinx, in comparison, merely stroked his chin. He was not in his usual quadrupedal form. "We are not wanting for help. Our friends will surely guide us and protect us should the need arise. Nubo has been watching ever since the start of our adventure. He even confirmed fire support should we require it."

Ankoro grunted. "Yeah, but I'm more worried about our charges too. I know Lupus and the Cherubs will keep things handled, but...I don't know, I didn't think I'd get attached to them the way I thought I would."

"You're concerned for their well-being," Coup De Grace said flatley. His cobalt blue eyes narrowed at her in an accusatory way.

Her face grew hot at that, but there was no sense in denying it. While she had had some concerning thoughts of her own regarding the lumberjacks of the Spriggan Settlement, she couldn't help but admit that they seemed unique.

Indeed, those little humans, who flailed like rabbits most of the time, had a fighting spirit that she could admire and relate with. They cared for each other, and for those not even of their own kind.

But when she thought of them as rabbits, like she just did, is where the confusion set in. Human instinct told her that she connected with the humans and dryads. She empathized with their struggles and desires, their will to regain what they had taken from them.