Supreme Beings of Azeroth

Ainz sat motionless on his throne with mild confusion, a faint firefly glow in his red eyes, the only visible reaction to the sudden swirling Gate opening in the middle of the throne room. He recognized the magic-it was Onyxia's, so it wasn't an unauthorized breach—but what took him by surprise was the unexpected procession that followed.

From the portal emerged Onyxia's elite dragons, disguised in their Stormwind guard visages, carrying numerous large bags and boxes.

Then came more.

And more.

Ainz silently counted as the mountain of cargo piled higher and higher, consuming the once-pristine floor of the throne room like a greedy dragon hoarding its spoils. A single minute stretched into eternity as drakonid after drakonid emerged, hauling yet another box, yet another sack, yet another thing that had no business being dumped before the King of Death himself.

Finally, the last few figures stepped through, and Ainz's nonexistent eyebrows would have risen had he still possessed them. These ones were not carrying cargo.

Bound in thick rope, gagged with coarse cloth, and wriggling like helpless fish caught in a net, a group of small humanoids were dragged forward. Ainz immediately recognized their distinctive round faces, their absurdly large goggles-even when terrified, they never seemed to remove those things- and their short, frantic limbs. Gnomes

Upon seeing him, the gnomes started to shiver in fear but then grew confused, seeing Buku sitting beside him.

"We brought you the gnomes you requested, Your Imperial Majesty, on Lady Onyxia's behalf." One of the drakonids saluted smartly.

Buku groaned audibly as she pinched the bridge of her nose with exasperation. "Oh, for the love of... Subtle as a brick through a stained-glass window," she grumbled. "This isn't even remotely what we had in mind."

Ainz glanced toward her, a wry amusement hidden behind the motionless skeletal form. "You may have a point."

Standing to his full height, Ainz raised a commanding hand, his long, bony fingers radiating authority as he dismissed the drakonids. "You may return to your duties. I will take it from here."

The drakonids saluted again, their swords clacking against their armour as they marched back through the gate. The portal collapsed behind them, leaving the room conspicuously crowded with dishevelled gnomes, scattered cargo, and the lingering tension of what had just transpired.

Ainz motioned to one of the drakonid guards stationed near the wall. "Untie him," he commanded, gesturing toward the gnome in the centre of the pile, who bore a striking resemblance to Icuzz Pipegear.

The guard obeyed, and the gnome was freed, though his trembling hands immediately went to clutch at the nearest crate as if for balance, or perhaps as a makeshift barrier between himself and the towering figures around him. Slowly, Icuzz stood, his small stature making him appear even more fragile amidst the imposing authority in the throne room. "W-what is going on?" Icuzz squeaked, his voice trembling as his gaze darted nervously from Ainz to Buku to the guards and back again.

"First, I must apologize," he began, his deep voice echoing across the hall. "It seems there was a... misunderstanding. I had merely requested an update on our agreement, not…" his hand swept toward the bound gnomes and the mountains of stolen goods, "...this." He moved to button up his robe and then switched to his visage form for the gnome to recognize him. "Untie the rest of them and let's discuss matters in a more casual environment."

Icuzz's initial relief at the apparent softening of tone was short-lived. The moment his gagged wife and children were freed, his anger bubbled over. "Misunderstanding?!" he shrieked, his high-pitched voice echoing through the chamber. "These brutes bound me and my family, dragged us here like livestock, and stole everything from my shop!"

The outburst was met with an immediate ripple of tension among the guards. One of the drakonids, stepped forward, its halberd glinting ominously as it snarled. "You mortal worm dare-".

The halberd was already mid-swing.

Then it stopped.

Dead still.

Ainz had not moved, but the air itself had.

The room's atmosphere plummeted in an instant, the pressure becoming suffocating as an invisible force clamped down on every living thing in the chamber. The drakonid's arms trembled, its body frozen, as though an unseen hand had seized its very soul. The guards and gnomes alike felt a primal, creeping terror slither up their spines as the temperature of the room seemed to drop several degrees.

Ainz's glowing gaze locked onto the would-be executioner. His voice was calm. Too calm.

"Enough."

The drakonid gasped, immediately retracting its weapon and stepping backward, bowing so low its helmet nearly scraped the floor. "M-my deepest apologies, Your Imperial Majesty."

Icuzz, for all his earlier bravado, now stood as stiff as a malfunctioning automaton, his tiny hands clenching and unclenching as he struggled to process whether he had just barely survived a swift execution… or if he was still scheduled for one. His family, now unbound, huddled together like a gaggle of anxious chicks, their heads swiveling between their patriarch and the undead emperor.

"My initial intention wasn't to kidnap you," Ainz repeated, his voice as smooth as polished obsidian. "Our servant… misinterpreted my request,"

Beside him, Buku gave a dramatic sigh, rubbing her temples. "That's putting it lightly."

"Let me introduce myself again," Ainz continued, stepping forward with an air of grandeur. "I am Ainz Ooal Gown, Emperor of the Nazarick Empire, and this is my wife, Buku."

Wife?

The gnomes' expressions flickered between fear and outright confusion. For most, seeing a terrifying lich in command of an army of monsters was one thing, but seeing that same lich casually introduce an angelic figure as his wife as if this were a polite dinner party? That was simply too much for the brain to process in one sitting.

Ainz gestured broadly to the grand architecture around them. "Welcome to our humble home."

Humble?

The ceiling stretched so high that adult dragons could fit in with ease, grand murals adorned the walls, and the very air itself felt heavy with enchantments. This was not a 'humble home'-this was a domain fit for gods.

"I hope you can join us for dinner so we may discuss business." Ainz continued.

Icuzz blinked rapidly, his brain still struggling to shift gears from 'impending doom to dinner invitation.

The gnome coughed awkwardly. "Uh… Empire of Nazarick? I haven't heard of a place called Nazarick before."

"Our Empire currently controls the upper part of Blackrock Mountain and the region formerly known as the Burning Steppes." Ainz stated with a regal nod.

Icuzz's mind immediately whirred into motion. The Burning Steppes? That wasteland of scorched rock, lava flows, and angry dragons? And yet this emperor spoke of it as though he had conquered a vacation resort.

"Come," Ainz gestured, turning on his heel with a graceful swish of his elaborate robe. Buku did the same, taking her place at his right side. Icuzz quickly caught up , instinctively falling in step at Ainz's left, his family right behind him.

"I see," the gnome said cautiously. "So… what now? The prototype you sponsored is in one of those bags, but you have not paid for the rest of our inventions."

Ainz nodded. "Ah, yes. But I'm sure we can come to an agreement." He cast a side glance at the gnome. "But first, let me treat you to a fine meal for the troubles I have caused.

The words had barely left his mouth before a pair of dragonspawn servants, draped in the livery of the imperial household, pushed open the grand double doors to the dining hall. The gnomes hesitated for only a moment before following their host inside.

The room was breathtakingly opulent. Unlike the darker, more ominous throne room, this chamber was designed to invite rather than intimidate. The walls were painted in warm, welcoming tones, adorned with elegant crest-covered flags. Smooth white stone tiles gleamed underfoot, reflecting the soft golden glow of floating chandeliers.

A vast table stretched the length of the chamber, carved from what appeared to be a single slab of enchanted wood, polished to perfection. The moment they were seated, a small army of dragonspawn servants rushed forward, placing an array of decadent dishes before them.

Buku raised an eyebrow as the gnomes' eyes widened at the sheer variety of food.

Bowls of fresh fruit and golden-fried meats, bottles of aged Stormwind brandy and magic-infused wine, steaming loaves of fresh bread paired with wheels of aged cheese, and an assortment of exotic delicacies sourced from across the known world. Even the presentation was fit for royalty, with intricate garnishes and delicate plating that suggested the chefs behind this feast were nothing short of culinary artisans.

Icuzz, despite himself, hesitated only briefly before grabbing a fork. The rest of his family, initially wary, soon followed suit.

The tension that had lingered in the air slowly began to ease as the gnomes ate their fill, their small hands moving quickly to grab more food while it lasted.

Buku leaned back in her chair, swirling a glass of deep crimson wine. "See? Was that so hard?"

Fenke, Icuzz's wife, licking a bit of sauce from her fingers, narrowed her eyes. "Thank you for the dinner, but I don't appreciate my kids getting scared half to death. You could have just asked us to come for negotiations."

Ainz nodded, tilting his goblet slightly. "That is fair."

That said… I, too, am interested in what you are proposing," she continued.

"Money is a bit tough again, that's for sure," Before Ainz could respond, one of the younger gnomes piped up with the brutal honesty that only children possessed, earning a glare from both Icuzz and Fenke.

Buku leaned forward slightly, "In that case, We'll get right to the point. My husband and I come from another world-one that was polluted and nearly destroyed by unchecked technological progress."

Icuzz's ears perked up at that.

Buku casually stabbed a fork into a piece of golden-brown fried chicken, twirling it slightly as she spoke, "We failed to stop the destruction of our previous world due to severe restrictions on our power. Now that we are here, we do not intend to let this world suffer the same fate." She took a bite, chewed thoughtfully, and continued, "That's why we were so eager to invest in air purification technology. And now, we'd like to make you an offer."

Icuzz leaned forward warily. "What kind of offer?"

Buku's smirk widened, "Simple. Work for us. Start the Nazarick Science branch. We want to be at the forefront of progress and we want to ensure it does not go astray." She gestured broadly, as if painting a vision of a grand future. "In return, you'll have everything you could want-funding, resources, luxury, time for passion projects. You'd never have to worry about money again."

Icuzz took a sip of wine, nodding slowly-until, suddenly, realization crashed over him like an anvil falling from the heavens. His eyes widened to the size of saucers as the words sank in.

"Wait! Wait! WAIT!" The gnome shot to his feet atop his chair, nearly choking on the piece of steak he'd been chewing. His fork clattered noisily against his plate as he gestured wildly with both hands. "You want me and my family to spearhead your entire science branch of the government? The entire thing?!"

Buku sipped her wine, entirely unfazed by his outburst. "Yes, but with our oversight, of course. So you couldn't just do whatever you wanted."

Ainz nodded, his expression unreadable. However, we would give you ample freedom to pursue your interests- within reason, of course."

Buku leaned in slightly, voice taking on a covert edge. "There are certain technologies from our previous world that we would like to see recreated. And you, Icuzz, have already demonstrated a keen interest in purification technology." She smirked. "That means you're already halfway there."

Icuzz opened his mouth-then closed it-then opened it again, struggling to wrap his mind around the sheer scale of the offer.

This wasn't just a job. It was an empire-backed position of immense influence.

Before he could say anything remotely intelligent, Fenke reached up, grabbed his arm, and yanked him back down into his seat with the sheer exasperation of a woman who had seen this play out before.

"Sit down Icuzz!" she hissed. . "Didn't you hear where we are? Ask more questions before agreeing to work for these people."

Icuzz coughed, straightening his waistcoat as if that would somehow restore the dignity he had just lost. "Aghm, of course. If you don't mind, there are a few things I wish to clarify before giving an answer."

"Of course," Ainz intoned, "but keep in mind your status as well. While I don't mind more casual interaction in an informal event such as this, my wife and I are rulers of a nation."

The words carried no anger-only a quiet authority, however, the implication was clear. With the increasingly fanatical devotion of Nazarick's subjects, there was always a risk of some zealous subordinate interpreting perceived informality as disrespect - and disrespecting the Supreme Beings was something Nazarick's denizens did not tolerate lightly. Ainz would rather avoid the unnecessary mess of reigning in an overzealous servant who might take matters into their own hands.

Icuzz, to his credit, had the decency to look appropriately chastised. "Right, my bad, Your Imperial Majesty." He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "In my defense, we gnomes abolished the monarchy centuries ago, and the cultural norms regarding the nobility have somewhat faded from our society."

He leaned forward slightly, watching Ainz carefully for any reaction.

Ainz's skull tilted ever so slightly, as if considering the statement. "That is understandable," he acknowledged at last, in a calm voice. "I personally do not require my titles to be used in every sentence, but there are certain appearances that need to be maintained. A ruler must maintain a certain level of distinction, for the sake of their subordinates, if nothing else."

Buku, still comfortably swirling her goblet of wine, chimed in with an easy smirk. "Basically, don't be too stiff, but don't get too comfortable either. We are trying to run an empire, not a tavern."

Icuzz gave a sharp nod, straightening slightly. "Understood."

Ainz leaned back slightly. "Now, what questions do you have?"

Icuzz took a deep breath, his expression becoming noticeably more serious.

"We gnomes are members of Alliance and I would rather die than let my inventions be used against my own people." His voice carried an unshakable conviction. Across the table, Buku raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"My question is where Nazarick stands concerning the Alliance." He steepled his own fingers, unconsciously mimicking Ainz's earlier posture, though on a much smaller scale. "To my knowledge, the Burning Steppes are occupied by orcs that don't belong to the Horde, and if I am correct, these dark-scaled creatures-" he gestured vaguely toward the drakonid servants standing at attention "-are with black dragons." His tone measured with an underlying concern.

His eyes flickered between Ainz and Buku as he shifted in his seat, the weight of his words pressing down on him like an ill-fitted breastplate. "Don't get me wrong, sire, I would love the position you are offering. But I might not be able to accept it for… moral reasons." Icuzz did his best to make his and his family's position clear. While he detested war, he was a realist and knew that sometimes conflicts were inevitable.

He felt Fenke nod beside him, her lips pressed into a firm line.

Ainz did not react immediately. He simply tilted his skull ever so slightly. Finally, he spoke. "Our current status with the Alliance is… complicated, but hopefully, we can resolve the issues without open war."

"That said," Ainz continued, "are you worried about the entire Alliance? Or just your people in particular?

Icuzz opened his mouth, then hesitated.

"That's… an odd way to phrase it," he said carefully.

Ainz's gaze did not waver, "As far as I know, other races haven't exactly been eager to help the gnomes to liberate their fallen city. I am curious, why?" Ainz asked. Such a question was rather obvious. Why didn't one of the strongest political unions in the world help one of their own? Surely, the city could be cleansed if one impoverished gnome could build an air purifier with full Alliance backing. The task would not be too difficult, it would only be a matter of time.

Icuzz fell silent. He felt something tighten in his chest. Because damn it, Ainz had a point. Sure, the gnomes had found a home among dwarves and humans. They were allies, brothers-in-arms, inventors and strategists who had poured their talents into the Alliance's war machine for generations. But when it came to reclaiming Gnomeregan, their once-proud capital, now little more than a toxic wasteland, the enthusiasm had been… lacking, to put it politely.

Why?

It wasn't as if the Alliance lacked the manpower and resources. Stormwind alone fielded entire legions for their petty squabbles with the Horde, spilling blood over border territories no one actually cared about. Even Ironforge, with its legendary resilience, seemed content to let the gnomes fester in exile, their homeland reduced to a cautionary tale of reckless ambition.

And yet-

Icuzz had no clear answer.

Ainz, ever perceptive, pressed the advantage. "We can agree that Nazarick will do its best to help your people."

Icuzz looked up sharply.

Ainz's fingers steepled before him, the very image of a ruler delivering generosity with all the ease of a god dispensing miracles. "I will allocate resources for you to develop the technology required to cleanse Gnomeregan. "Furthermore, I will hire your brethren to aid in this endeavor-along with their families, should they choose to relocate."

Icuzz's mouth went dry. That was more than he had ever expected.

"For my wife and I," Ainz went on, "clearing out all the hostiles wouldn't be an impossible task. Once we have a proper plan, and provided your people wish to cooperate."

There it was. The unspoken price. This was not charity. It was not some altruistic crusade-Obviously, he didn't make this offer out of the goodness of his heart-to restore a lost people to their former glory. No. This was strategy. And Icuzz wasn't stupid. He understood, immediately, what Ainz was offering. If he accepted, the gnomes would no longer be merely displaced allies scraping by under the Alliance's shadow. They would be Nazarick's gnomes. Ainz's gnomes. The most technologically advanced, brilliant minds of the Alliance, placed under his control, kept in check by his oversight.

Icuzz's stomach twisted. He had spent years dreaming of a way to reclaim Gnomeregan. Had lost sleep over failed proposals, over the sheer apathy of the powers that should have cared but didn't.

And now, sitting across from him, was a skeletal overlord who was not offering empty words. Ainz had not once said, I will consider it. He had said, I will do it. And that made him more dangerous than any Alliance bureaucrat or Horde warlord.

Fenke, ever the more skeptical of the two, folded her arms tightly over her chest, her expression hard as tempered steel. "How can we trust your word alone? You say you'll help our people now, but what if you change your mind later? We wouldn't be able to do anything if you decided to use our inventions for war."

Ainz was silent, unreadable as ever.

But Buku?

Buku snorted.

It was a sharp, incredulous sound, like she had just been asked whether fire was hot.

"Look," she said, leaning forward, planting her elbow on the table and propping up her chin. "We could just hire other talented gnomes, you know. It's not like you're the only ones in the world with brains."

Icuzz stiffened. Buku waved a hand lazily, spinning her goblet between her fingers. "The fact that my husband even made such a generous offer should tell you exactly how interested we are in getting gnomes on our side. Gnomes who can create... Who can research."

Then, her expression shifted, her eyes darkening, "Besides, we don't need weapons to win a war; just two of us are enough. We conquered the Burning Steppes by ourselves, we can do it again."

Then, she leaned back, "So? Do you agree or not?"

She picked up her fork, spearing another piece of fried chicken. " If you don't, we'll take the purifier, send you and the rest of your stuff home, and go find another talented gnome who is ready to work." Buku demanded, clearly starting to lose patience. It would have just been easier to bend the gnomes to her will, but as she and Ainz had agreed, they would only use it if there were no other options. And since the gnome family knew about Onyxia's involvement with Nazarick, they couldn't just be set free, meaning they either agreed outright or were mentally dominated.

Icuzz felt a cold sweat bead at his temple. He knew what she meant. There was no walking away from this. Not anymore. Even if they were sent "home", they wouldn't truly be free. Not after seeing this. Not after learning what they had. They were already caught in Nazarick's web. There were only two options.

Accept.

Or…

He didn't want to think about the alternative.

Icuzz exhaled shakily, glancing at Fenke. His wife held his gaze for a long moment, her lips thinning. Then, slowly, she gave him a barely perceptible nod. A choice, but not really. Icuzz turned back to Ainz and Buku, his hands clenched into fists beneath the table.

"...Yes, we agree." Icuzz agreed.

Buku's smirk widened.

Ainz remarked. "Excellent."

True to their word, Icuzz and his family were quickly granted a spacious living area- so spacious, in fact, that he almost wondered if it had been meant for someone far larger than a gnome. The ceilings were high, the furniture finely crafted, the walls adorned with intricate carvings. It was luxurious to a degree that made even Ironforge's wealthiest noble estates look like hastily assembled lean-tos.

And the laboratory?

The laboratory was massive. State-of-the-art, filled with equipment he had only dreamed of having access to, with a few orcs, trolls, and even an ogre as an assistant for the heavy lifting.

Icuzz just closed his would take some time to earn enough trust to be allowed to travel freely, but for that moment, life was starting to look up.

Editing by aidan_lo, NabeisWaifu.

Proofreading by IAMTHEPLOKOKIOPO, I AM THE STRING CUTTER, fvvck, and aidan_lo.

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