Lizardman Heroes

Lizardman Heroes (蜥蜴人の勇者たち) is a re-enactment game event in Mass for the Dead that was released on July 2, 2019 to July 11, 2019.

Background
This is a story you should have seen somewhere--. A army of death suddenly approaches the village of lizardmen who live in the Great Lake. The fate of the war, betting on the survival of their species, was in the hands of the heretic traveler Zaryusu and Cocytus, the 5th Floor Guardian of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.

Summary
Black clouds loom over the village of Green Claw, and is visited by an undead that blots out the sky. It declares their doom to the lizardmen below. After it vanishes, the lizardmen of Green Claw discuss what their response should be to the declaration of their extermination. After some debate, Zaryusu, a Traveler, voices out that they can still survive. Though he is considered to be outside the tribal hierarchy many of the other tribesmen allow him to speak. He proclaims that because the messenger specified them as the second sacrifice, it implied that the other tribes were threatened as well. In the past, the lizardmen were at war with one another due to overpopulation and food shortages. Green Claw formed an alliance with Razor Tail and Small Fang against the alliance of Yellow Speckle and Sharp Edge. Green Claw and its allies were victorious, while Yellow Speckle and Sharp Edge were wiped out.

The five tribes could ally with one another to form a large enough army to defeat their would-be destroyers. Many in the tribe do not believe it to be possible as several of the surviving lizardmen from the defeated tribes were absorbed by the other tribes and may still hold a grudge against Green Claw and its allies. Shasuryu Shasha concurs with Zaryusu's wisdom and appoints him as an emissary of Green Claw to gather the tribes of Red Eye and Dragon Tusk.

At the site of construction the Great Forest of Tob, Entoma Vasilissa Zeta gives Cocytus a series of scrolls to use for his upcoming campaign. Entoma herself has been ordered to monitor Cocytus's progress at Ainz's orders.

At Red Eye, Zaryusu is given an audience with the acting chieftain. Much to his surprise, the chief is an albino female who introduces herself as Crusch Lulu. Crusch's exoticism arouses him to the point he proposes to her on the spot. Her attraction to him also comes out, however, the two regain enough of their sense to address the more pressing matter: the threat of extermination. Crusch explains Red Eye plans to evacuate the Wetlands, though Zaryusu advises against it. He warns that the other tribes will retaliate should one of the other tribes tries to escape to a new habitat and possibly might start another intertribal war. Taking note of the veiled threat Crusch reluctantly agrees to ally her tribe with Green Claw in face of extinction. When Zaryusu asks how her tribe managed to survive the shortage of food during the previous war, Crusch is hesitant to say. In the end, she tells him in anguish of her tribe's desperate story of survival, resorting to cannibalism. Crusch is ashamed of the past, though is comforted by Zaryusu. With the alliance with Red Eye secured, Zaryusu next destination is Dragon Tusk. He is joined by Crusch and after arriving at Dragon Tusk's Village are met with hostility. Zenberu Gugu approaches them and demands a duel with Zaryusu.

Zenberu Gugu orders his tribe that he will duel Zaryusu Shasha. Should the latter win, he would be Dragon Tusk's new chieftain. Zenberu is eager to fight against Zaryusu seeing him as a top grade warrior. Zaryusu agrees on the condition that Crusch Lulu be spared should he fall. As the duel between the two progresses over time, Zenberu manages to land a blow on Zaryusu, but he eventually loses due to exhaustion from one of Frost Pain's abilities. After the match, Zenberu agrees to join his tribe in the alliance after a feast and drinks.

Cocytus thinking that its time to begin the war sends a [Message] to is forces to advance. The moment is reported by Entoma to Albedo and Ainz. Ainz who instructed Cocytus to refrain from partipcating directly on the battlefield, eagerly waits to watch the war unfold. At the village of Razor Tail, the lizardmen tribes have gathered together from the five tribes into the Lizardmen Alliance under the leadership of Shasuryu. The leaders tells the gathered lizardmen not to waver and attack. The two armies engage, and thanks to the lizardmen's morale and preparation they are gaining the upper hand. Crusch then summons two Swamp Elemental s to the battlefield clearing up the undead. Cocytus, seeing this from his command post realizes that he has underestimated his opponents. He calls Demiurge for advice so as not to disgrace Ainz Ooal Gown. Demurige instead asks Cocytus to think of the various disadvantages that Ainz Ooal Gown set him up with in leading this army. He proposes that perhaps winning is not the goal of Ainz, but instead reminds him that Ainz wishes to test Cocytus in thinking for himself. Before he could elaborate further, Demiurge apologizes and cuts the call. Faced with little options, Cocytus deploys his elder lich commander: Iguva=41.

The lizardmen's advance is suddenly broken by the elder lich who easily dispatches the Swamp Elementals, causing the lizardmen in the battlefield to withdraw. The chieftains, seeing this obstacle from afar, deduce Iguva=41 to be the commander. Using Rororo as a shield, Zaryusu, Zenberu, and Crusch engage the undead close enough for them to attack him. The elder lich summons Skeleton Warriors to combat his opponents. While Zenberu fought against the skeletons, Zaryusu and Crusch face off against Iguva=41. After freeing Zaryusu from Iguva=41's fear spell, Crusch was attacked by the furious lich. Zaryusu engages the lich one on one. Unwilling to use Frost Pain's area effect ability, as his comrades were too close, Zaryusu instead creates a mist around him. Iguva=41, unable to see him, lowers his guard allowing the lizardman to stab him in the skull. Iguva=41 attempts to choke Zaryusu, but succumbs to his wound. The death of Iguva=41 signals the undead army's defeat and a victory for the lizardmen.

At the Throne Room in the Great Tomb of Nazarick, Ainz holds a meeting with his Guardians. Cocytus, apologizes for his defeat against the lizardmen. However Ainz asks him the reason as why he lost. Cocytus admits that he had underestimated his foes and lacked information on them as well as the land topography. He also states that the undead army lacked commanders to give orders on the battlefield. Ainz is impressed and delighted at what he said but that he still needs to be punished for his defeat. Ainz orders Cocytus to exterminate the lizardmen alone as his punishment. However, he makes a request that the lizardmen be shown mercy which Albedo yells at him for. Ainz orders her to be silent and Cocytus states that the lizardmen are more beneficial to Nazarick alive rather than dead. He says that they are capable warriors and is against killing them for that reason. The idea is rejected at first initially, but Demiurge suggested an idea to Ainz that they can keep the lizardmen alive as an experiment to see if they can govern them without the use of fear. Ainz then accepts the idea and orders the GUardians to be ready to move out to show the lizardmen the power of Nazarick. He commands Albedo to prepare their forces and to have Gargantua be activated and calls the meeting to a close.

Back at the lizardmen village, dark clouds loom over head as another undead army is spotted across the Great Lake. Zaryusu and the lizardmen notice the magical equipment that they carry. Crusch then notices that a sixth tier spell called control weather, which Zaryusu suggests is the power of the "Great One". When the army clears a path for a skeleton wrapped in a black cloak, they notice him casting a powerful spell that freezes the wetlands solid, forcing the lizardmen to retreat to higher ground. Zenberu theorizes that he is "Great One" based on his overwhelming power. They then watch a giant golem throw a cubed rock in the middle of the frozen lake. To their astonishment the skeletons form a staircase with their own bodies and a royal procession being formed as Ainz and his Guardians walk up to the top of the cubed rock and he sits on his throne. He sends messengers to the lizardmen asking them to send out a delegate to speak with him safter which Shalltear claps her hand to disperse them. Shasuryu and Zaryusu go out to meet them. They introduce themselves and Albedo orders Demiurge to make them bow down which he uses his skills to force them to bow down. Ainz then informs he wants to thank them for helping him in his experiment. But now wishes for them to be under his control. However in order to give them a chance to resist, he offers them a deal. If they manage to defeat his warrior Cocytus in battle he will leave them alone. Shasuryu attempts to surrender but Ainz rejects it and leaves them after telling them that the ice will melt. He and his guardians exit by using a Gate after bidding them farewell and Demiurge releases the two as they contemplate on what to do.

The tribal chieftains meet and decide to call their warriors to arms but Zaryusu wants only the five of them to fight so the last leader alive can represent the tribes after they die. When they decide Crusch should be the one to stay behind, she objects but Zaryusu talks her into it. He embraces her once more before she then asks him to impregnate her. After teleporting from the Great Lake, to the newly built base in the Great Forest of Tob, Aura apologizes for its shabbiness, but Ainz Ooal Gown thinks it is satisfactory. Ainz also takes notice of a throne constructed out of bones, learning that it is a gift from Demiurge who offers it to him. Ainz hesitant to accept it and instead, orders Shalltear Bloodfallen to come forth and kneel to act as a chair for him. Although this act is supposed to serve as a punishment for her "rebellion" the vampire, however, feels ecstasy and joy while the other Guardians, save Albedo, praise Ainz's decision.

While so, Ainz decides to observe how the lizardmen reacted to his ultimatum. He uses the Mirror of Remote Viewing to observe their preparations. While shifting through the images, he comes across Zaryusu Shasha and Crusch Lulu mating. Ainz is shocked and quickly cancels the magic. Despite the rest of the Guardians are disgusted at their actions, Ainz quickly gives an explanation that the lizardmen are doing it to keep one's race alive from facing extinction. He then directs his attention to Aura, ordering her to keep watch on the surroundings during the duel as they need to be wary of people possessing World Items.

Four hours at dawn and Cocytus awaits the lizardmen at a clearing carved by the skeleton. Cocytus greets them and before commencing the battle, he conjures two pillars of ice to create a makeshift gate. He declares those that cross the gate, will have their lives forfeit but gives the option for them to flee. All the elder lizardmen warriors and chieftains unanimously affirm their insistence to fight despite the odds and insist that the younger generation return to the village and live.

As the lizardmen charge at Cocytus, the Floor Guardian uses [Frost Aura] to encase most of the warriors in ice. The only ones left are the chieftains. Sukyu Juju and Kyuku Zuzu lead the attack. The former shooting at Cocytus with his slingshot while the latter continues the charge. Cocytus is protected by a shield, and thus, is immune to long range attacks. When Kyuku attempts to spear Cocytus, he is bisected by the God Slaying Emperor Blade.

On the other hand, Zenberu attempts to use his Martial Arts against Cocytus, but the monk's attacks are easily deflected. Further, Cocytus would then cut off one of Zenberu's arms. Zaryusu attempts to stab him with Frost Pain, but the Guardian catches the blade between his fingers. Cocytus uses his tail to swat the traveler away. The two lizardmen are saved when Shasuryu Shasha uses healing magic on them. Additionally, the Swamp Elementals tries to put up a fight against Cocytus, yet they end up being destroyed with a quick slash.

Afterwards, Sukyu tries attacking Cocytus again but to no avail. Seeing his attacks annoying, Cocytus uses [Piercing Icicles] and kills him. The next to fall is Zenberu when he tries to rush towards the Guardian, only to succeed in decapitating himself.

Cocytus seeing that Shasuryu and Zaryusu are left, parsing them for surviving for as long as they have. The two brothers exchange words of encouragement before resuming their fight with Cocytus. Cocytus respecting his opponent asks them to declare their names to him. After the introductions are done, Shasuryu uses magic to manipulate the mud to attack him, but are rebuffed by Cocytus's defenses. Later, Zaryusu uses [Icy Burst] to cloak the area in mist. The older brother attempts to strike Cocytus with his blade and is killed. Zaryusu is the last one to attack, to which Cocytus easily catches his blade once again. However, the blade begins slipping from Coctyus's grasp. Frost Pain had been coated with blood and as it slides closer to Cocytus's chest, he declares the tactic to be magnificent. Unfortunately, the blade is blocked by Cocytus's passive ability and Zaryusu is later slain.

Cocytus is praised by his master who designates him as the ruler of the Lizardmen. Cocytus asks what will be done with the slain lizardmen to which Ainz responds that they will be used to create undead. However, Cocytus states that would be a waste as the lizardmen possess a warrior's spirit that can contribute to Nazarick. Ainz surprised at Cocytus's input decides to accept it. Later, Cocytus then brings the last remaining chieftain Crusch Lulu before Ainz. Being the lizardmen's representative, Crusch declares the tribes' official surrender and allegiance to their ruler.

Ainz offers Crusch a chance to bring Zaryusu from the dead, but in return, the albino must act as Nazarick's spy amongst her people and be on the lookout for possible rebellion.

Zaryusu awakens to find Crusch hugging him and Ainz Ooal Gown commenting on his successful return from the dead. Zaryusu is weak yet in awe by the revelation that Ainz possesses such power. Zaruyus and Crusch prostate themselves before Ainz acknowledging him as a Supreme Being. Just as Ainz leaves, Zaryusu makes a request that his comrades be resurrected. Ainz considers the request and tells him to preserve the body. The episode ends with Zaryusu eventually succumbing to his ordeal and collapsing in Crusch's arms.

Trivia

 * The scenarios in this game event covers the events from Overlord Volume 04.