This is the twelfth chapter of Overlord New World.
Summary[]
Part 1[]
In the mines of the dwarven city, Aura and Ainz peek around the corner at the end of the tunnel to find a lone dwarf digging for ore. Aura approaches the dwarf from behind as he is sorting through a bucket of ore with his back to her. So when the dark elf give a cheery hello, the suddenness causes the dwarf to react in fear, pulling his cloak over his head and ducking to the ground. The cloak as it turns out is a magic items, rendering him invisible which Aura can see through.
Aura calls out to the dwarf telling him she has not intention in harming him and can see him as he tries to crawl away from her. The dwarf miner seeing she is a dark elf finally answers why she is in the mine. Aura explains that she just recently arrived to the city, but finding it empty looked for someone to explain it's current state. Which led to her finding the dwarf. Seeing that the dark elf can really see him despite his invisibility, the dwarf takes off his cloak to fully reveal himself. The dark elf then starts over introducing herself as Aura Bella Fiora from the Sorcerer Kingdom to the miner. The name of the country is unfamiliar to the dwarf, assuming it to be a kingdom of dark elves. Seeing Aura's offered hand, the dwarf cleans his dirty glove on his pants before shaking it and introducing himself as Gondo Firebread.
After shaking hands, Aura tells the dwarf can address her without any formality, which is a relief to Gondo as he is just a regular miner. Though seeing that Aura has status and a big shot, Gondo jokes that maybe he should keep his mouth shut. Aura though asks if it is alright if she can some questions. One being on where did the dwarves who lived in the city five years ago go? Gondo explains that everyone left and emigrated around three years ago to another city. Gondo then asks why Aura came to the city. Aura states that there was a lizardman who lived in the dwarven city for awhile, and because no one is here he is worried. Upon hearing about a lizardman, Gondo does admit hearing about a lizardman with a big arm came to this city. Aura adds that the dwarf that the lizardman befriended previously seems to have moved as well.
Aura asks if Gondo can tell her where the dwarves emigrated to. While Gondo does not mind tell the dark elf, he doubts if she and her lizardman companion can really reach the destination through the mine. Especially it being dangerous for Aura as Gondo notes that she is still a child. Aura assures him that she will be fine as she has other friends. Even so the dwarf comments that he is not impressed as Aura was sent into the tunnel alone, where there are monsters crawling around and nowhere is safe. He chastises whoever sent a child, finding it a disgraceful thing for an adult to do. Aura comments that she isn't alone, Ainz has been lurking in the shadows while invisible.
Gondo unsure about that answer, then decides that they should move out. Though Aura seems capable of seeing in the dark, Gondo lights a lantern anyway for illumination. Even though the light might attract monsters, it's a rare occurrence but should be careful. Not only are there monsters that can sense light but even vibrations to chase down prey. If they should encounter any, Gondo encourages Aura to run ahead and leave him behind. His concern for Aura's well-being gives the watching Ainz a good impression of the responsible dwarf.
Aura then broaches on why the dwarves abandoned their city. Gondo elaborates that it was due to the Quagoa who dwell in another city to the northeast. The Quagoa are underground dwellers like the dwarves, but are troublesome as the relationship between the two species is so bad that the other kills each other one sight. Aura asks if these Quagoa walk on two legs and have sharp claws. That's a accurate description according to the dwarf, who asks Aura how she knew. Aura thinks that she may have seen their footprints in the city. The news shocks Gondo, worried that the city has now become their nest just like that place.
Aura though believes that the Quagoa have yet to dwell in the city yet, and suggests that maybe they were scouting. This does not bode well to Gondo, as he was planning to come back to the city with some more equipment. Aura then shares a look at the invisible Ainz, who then decides to reveal himself. The undead undoes his invisibility, speaking to introduce himself. The new voice stops Gondo in his tracks, and when he turns to see who it belongs to, seeing the Ainz before him, the dwarf lets out a terrified scream.
Part 2[]
Gondo’s immediate response to the undead is to run and tries to drag Aura with him to safety by the hand. To his astonishment he finds himself unable to get away as she holds him back, assuring him that there is no need to panic. And when Ainz addresses him by name, the dwarf fears that the undead used magic to read his mind. Although Ainz states he merely overheard his name from his conversation with Aura. The Overlord then introduces himself as Ainz Ooal Gown the Sorcerer King of the Sorcerer Kingdom.
Gondo still is wary and question the undead if the Sorcerer Kingdom is a land of dark elves, but is informed by Ainz that it is a nation comprised of various races. This makes Gondo shocked as the undead are known to hate and kill the living. Aura vouches for her liege that he is not lying. And that Ainz has been listening to her and Gondo's conversation the whole time. Godno then realizes that the dark elf girl wasn't really alone in the tunnels, but with an invisible Ainz.
Having calmed down, Gondo asks if Ainz was formerly a dark elf, though is told he is natural undead. To put the dwarf's fear at ease, Ainz tells him he has nothing to fear from him, as there are good and bad people in every race, including the undead. The dwarf is not so sure, as the notion of friendly undead are as believable as good demons. Seeing that the conversation is not going as well as he hoped, Ainz tells Gondo that he and Aura don't mean him any harm and only just came to be friends.
Furthermore Ainz wishes to establish friendly diplomatic ties with the Dwarf Kingdom. Gondo now understands why Ainz is seeking the dwarves to make a treaty. Ainz suggests that they leave the mine, so Gondo can confirm his words with the lizardman who came with them and also there is still the matter with the Quagoa. Gondo accepts this, deciding to take Ainz for his word, as Aura appears to trust him.
While the three walk through the mine tunnel, Ainz asks Gondo that he would like to hear more about runes the dwarves use and their craft. This draws a guarded look from Gondo, who is unhappy by the question, asking why the Sorcerer King wants to know. Ainz can see that the topic is upsetting the dwarf, but then comes candidly that he knows a bit about runes, which surprises Gondo. To show proof, Ainz traces a rune on the mine wall, which Ainz thinks is related to water, and is recognized by Gondo as the rune "Lagu." In the past Ainz heard that there were magical weapons engraved with runes in the human world that were said to have come from the Dwarf Kingdom. But the flow of such rune items have stopped about a hundred years ago. Privately Ainz wants to know whether a player died a hundred years ago and was responsible for the introduction of runes, but knows he can't ask that directly.
Gondo is silent for a moment, before he tells Ainz that he calls himself the Rune Developer. And that Ainz is correct, that in the past magic items made by the dwarves used runes. However two hundred years ago the royal capital was attacked by a demon and the last member of the royal family set out to defeat it. Since then technology from the outside flowed into the Dwarf Kingdom. As a result runes were regarded as outdated. Magic casters are said to be more effective that runes, as they can make magic items three times faster. Thanks to this there are fewer runesmiths as it is said it's more efficient to become a magic caster. In effect the traditional methods of crafting have fallen into disuse. This makes Ainz wonder if this has nothing to do with a player or if it's too early to tell.
He doesn't have time to ponder as Gondo loudly interjects with passion that making runecraft obsolete is a mistake and stupid as runes have their good points. Such as runes not costing money or having no cost for material to enchant. This causes Ainz to react in amazement, matching the dwarf's. Ainz can see the advantages such as runecraft not risking in drying out Nazarick's resources which he worries about every day. On the other hand, Gondo explains that because the production volume of runes is low and it takes time to make. Plus few have the aptitude to be runesmiths.
Remembering Gondo's title as the Rune Developer, Ainz asks if there has been any progress? Gondo though asks Ainz why he wants to know more about runecraft? Although annoyed that his question has been answered with a question, Ainz clarifies that he has taken an interest in the technology since they remind him of the runes he knows of. Thus he became interested in the historical background and technological derivations of why they are different. Now Ainz goes back to his own question, which Gondo states that he has been working in experimenting on reducing the time it needs to use runes in enchanting so it will be possible to mass produce. But that is not Gondo's real purpose, as he wants to make runecraft something special, develop it so that something cane only be achieved by runes. He firmly believes that runes are the future and he wants to have a unique quality that it will not be discarded.
Ainz thinks that must be great with the research. Unfortunately Gondo confesses that there hasn't been any progress. This because he has no talent, and while he can carve runes it takes too long. According to other runesmiths this is normal for everyone to go through this phase and that is how one advances. But other runesmiths have progressed forward but he sadly has been stuck. It comes down Gondo sees himself as incompetent, not like his father who was an accomplished runesmith who left behind a useless legacy. The other runesmiths have declined into drunkards while only he is left doing any developments into runes.
Part 3[]
After hearing this, Ainz bluntly comments on what basis does Gondo think that any development be made for runes, as all this now sounds reckless. He questions what made Gondo think he can develop any progress on his own. And while it might be harsh, the undead states that it's only natural for outdated technology to vanish. Gondo seething with anger shouts that while there may not be any development he will not give up and is firm that his work is not reckless. Gondo admits that he has no talent as a runesmith, unlike his father and grandfather who served as the top runesmiths, the right and hands of the Runesmith King.
But he has seen it with his own eyes, claiming to have read the books and theses of his father and grandfather that indicate that further development of runes is possible. Even his father on his sickbed confirmed it. Gondo though tearful laments that if only he had talent and had it not been for him being incompetent he could have made it into a reality. Thus dwarf refuses to let the craft of his ancestors disappear. No let the glorious name of his father fade away.
Hearing those words reached into Ainz's soul, as it mirrored his own desire to preserve the memory of his comrades in Ainz Ooal Gown. Gondo apologizes to Ainz for raising his voice to the undead, but makes it apparent that he has decided that this is the path he wants to live. And so he will not give up on advancing runecraft. To that end Ainz makes a startling offer to the dwarf, a proposal of having the Sorcerer Kingdom become a patron in the research and advancement of runecraft.
Taken aback by the undead, who just moments ago was being negatory towards Gondo's work, leaves the dwarf shocked who then asks why Ainz's interest. The answer is simple to Ainz, because Gondo said that advancement was possible. And since Gondo who lacks the skill of a proper runesmith cannot complete this advancement on his own, then the solution lies in gathering all the runesmiths in the Dwarf Kingdom, believing that by pooling their knowledge and using it to refine the craft will bring about success.
However the Sorcerer King states that there will be conditions for his cooperation. One being that Gondo and the runesmiths must move to his country and conduct their research there. Ainza asks a stunned Gondo if he can help persuade the remaining runesmiths. The dwarf thinking on this thinks it is possible as most are desperate and will migrate to the Sorcerer Kingdom if there's a chance to revive runecraft.
Finally Ainz asks if Gondo would sell his soul to him. Before the startled dwarf, Ainz explains to him that this is to ensure that all the runesmiths are gathered and focused on the objective. As it would be difficult to revive a craft that is on the verge of oblivion. Thus he wants to know Gondo's commitment, adding that he as his patron may have to get his hands dirty to achieve Gondo's goal. Even warning the dwarf that he may have to betray his country and be forced to make difficult choices.
Gondo says that the answer is simple, and that he accepts, stating he would be willing to sell his soul to the Sorcerer King if it meant he can runecraft live forever. The undead and dwarf seal their agreement with a handshake witnessed by the smiling Aura.
Privately Ainz hopes that if all goes well, with the access to rune weapons the Sorcerer Kingdom might provide them to adventurers and even better sell them to neighboring nations. To him it's worth the investment. Ainz requests that Gondo introduce him to the dwarves of the city where he originated from. The Sorcerer King then hopes to sign a treaty with the dwarven monarch. Although Gondo informs his new patron that the Dwarf Kingdom currently has no king, but instead the Regency Council, made up of several leaders rule the nation.
After the trio exit the mine, Shalltear greets her liege at the head of troops of Nazarick Old Guarders that are part of the convoy. Ainz then notices that a few of the Hanzos and thus questions the Floor Guardian on where they are. An apology is received from Shalltear, telling Ainz that she authorized some of the Hanzos for reconnaissance who have reported that they have discovered some strangers have entered the cavern. Sure enough a pair of Hanzos are seen spying from a rooftop in the dwarven city, observing strange-looking bipedal monsters.
Major Events[]
- Aura introduces herself to Gondo, and learns that the dwarves in Feo Jera abandoned the city due to the encroaching Quagoa.
- After learning that there were traces of the Quagoa in the city, Gondo becomes worried. And so Ainz reveals himself, giving the dwarf an intense fright.
- Gondo eventually calms down once Aura explains who Ainz is and the his purpose for coming the dwarves city.
- Ainz and Gondo talk about runes, more specifically runecraft and its decline.
- From Gondo, Ainz learns that despite the dwarf's lack of talent and skill he is determined to revive runecraft. His determination to preserve his ancestors legacy resonates with Ainz's own desire to preserve his friend's legacy. Due to this Ainz offers to become a patron in the advancement of runes.
- Gondo accepts Ainz's offer giving him his soul and allegiance to the Sorcerer King and the to conspire to bring all the runesmiths to the Sorcerer Kingdom.
- When they leave the mine, Shalltear reports that the Hanzos have spotted strangers entering the city, which are revealed to be Quagoa.
Character Appearance[]
In Order of Appearance[]
- Ainz Ooal Gown
- Aura Bella Fiora
- Gondo Firebeard
- Zenberu Gugu (Flashback)
- Ulbert Alain Odle (Flashback)
- Herohero (Flashback)
- Touch Me (Flashback)
- Peroroncino (Flashback)
- Tabula Smaragdina (Flashback)
- Warrior Takemikazuchi (Flashback)
- Shalltear Bloodfallen
New Characters[]
Abilities Used[]
Spells/Skills:[]
- Perfect Unknowable
Known Locations[]
Chapter Notes[]
- The first part of the chapter was released with 12 pages.
- The second part of the chapter was released on May 21, 2025 with 12 pages.
- The third part of the chapter was released on June 4, 2025 with 12 pages.
- Mephistopheles and the fallen angel that Ainz mentioned to Gondo in Volume 11 about beings who were atypical of their kind is not mentioned.
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