A Theory on Godhood: An Overlord Story

Chapter 19: Followers of the Elder Roots

The cheering finally died down, granting Coup De Grace a moment of reprieve to collect his thoughts at the announcement of the ancient man known as "Pops" by his subordinates.

Surely there was no possible way he could know of us. We made sure to hide such knowledge. No...there is something else at play here.

His gaze fell onto the book that the elder had held in the air for all to see. It was the first time he was seeing the tome physically, but Ankoro had made sure to alert him to its presence.

The accompaniment of a name, Grover Sprigganson, also raised questions in the back of his mind. When he looked to gauge the overall mood and thoughts of his old friends, they all seemed to reach the same conclusion.

Whatever happens, that book just became the final prey of our unknown hunt, alongside that creature hiding out in the forest.

"We have no time to waste, my comrades," Pops proclaimed, catching the heteromorph's attention. "We must prepare ourselves for the trials and tribulations ahead, and prepare a proper welcome for our heroes."

"But Pops," one of the lumberjacks in the crowd called, "What are we gonna need to do? Should we start packing for a trip or start working on getting weapons?"

"The same thing we did when those infernal creatures first came to us. We fortify and plan, but we wait no longer than we need to. Not with our saviors here to guide us."

Determination gripped the men, all of them turning heel and walking right back out the mess hall doors to do what they needed to. Conversations struck up between fellow workers as supervisors started barking orders.

Soon enough, the only ones left were Arne, Pops, Coup De Grace, and the other members of Ainz Ooal Gown. Bjorn had left to accompany his peers and aid in their new efforts.

The androsphinx had half a mind to go and join the humans outside, if only to see how else they might build up their settlement. As it stood, however, there were more pressing matters to deal with.

"So, now that we have all that out of the way, mind telling us what's really going on here?" Ankoro asked, her expression carefully neutral. Lupusregina copied her motion for motion. The feline hunter might've found it endearing under different circumstances.

Pops waved a hand for the guildmates to follow. This time he led the group, pushed open the doors of the dining space to allow them outside. Coup De Grace made sure to tuck in his wings, so that he might not accidentally bump them on the way out.

"Centuries ago, when man was at the mercy of monsters and dragons, there came a being of profound wisdom and power to our world," Pops began, leading down a dirt path and past the buzzing lumberjacks.

"His name was Grover Sprigganson, and he was a creature known as a treant. He came before my ancestors and offered up knowledge on how to be at peace with nature, and how to live alongside its denizens."

Coup De Grace nodded, as did his friends and the pleiade, to show that they were following along. So far the story did not seem out of the ordinary.

Pops continued his tale, taking them down a familiar path to the manor. "He carried with him several items of extraordinary power. Some of them were the Sword of Ginnungagap, the Mask of the Old Ones, and his personal teachings, bound in this book."

The patriarch tapped the cover of the book, tenderly caressing the raised oak etching. More and more lumberjacks filed on by, carrying bundles of supplies to and from areas that apparently needed them.

"He led my ancestors well, safeguarding them against terrible threats, and preaching to them the words of a pantheon of gods he had come to know and care for, one that I am sure you're all too familiar with, Lord Blue Planet."