Overlord, Vol. 14: The Witch of the Doomed Kingdom

Chapter 3 | The Last King

1

There was a mountain of paperwork in the office and a number of very pale ministers.

Their complexions were a direct result of workloads that left them physically drained and the mental torment of knowing exactly how much danger the kingdom faced.

Zanac had signed far too many things, and his wrist ached. He gave it a shake, then rolled his shoulder, seeking some measure of relief. He could hear popping noises coming from all over.

Like everyone else here, his body was screaming for rest.

But as much as he’d love to take one, the work kept piling up, and no amount of effort seemed to get them anywhere.

Possibly enlisting more help or foisting the work off on others was the wiser choice, but unfortunately there was no one capable around. Only other members of the royal family could do what he was doing.

And Zanac had no intention of asking his father or Renner for help.

Failing to do so might be a mistake, but he also knew he had no choice.

Zanac picked up his pen once more, reading the next page on the pile. He signed and stamped it.

On his eighth round of this, there was a hammering at the door.

Several ministers sighed loudly. More paperwork?

A corpulent domestic minister let out a dramatic-sounding “pheeew” and heaved himself upright before going to the door. Taking his time, as if every second he delayed would reduce the work bound to come.

A knight was waiting outside.

“Apologies for interrupting. Princess Renner would like to meet with you, Your Highness.”

Not what he’d expected but no less aggravating.

“Tell her I’m too busy. I’ll hear what she has to say at dinner this evening.”

Since their older brother’s disappearance, they’d been making an effort to dine together. It had been days since they last managed it—Renner had likely been eating alone.

However, he could not imagine her feeling lonely. They might have less maids than before, but Climb and Brain were constantly with her. She should have been enjoying herself immensely. Far more than she would dining with Zanac or their father.

“Understood.”

The knight closed the doors. But Zanac had a sinking feeling Renner was not about to take no for an answer.

He put away his pen. Seeing the minister take a step away from the door, he gestured for him to remain put.

It took less than a minute. There was another knock, and once more the knight’s face appeared.

“I do beg your pardon, Your Highness. The princess, um…says that if you do not wish to hear unfounded recriminations, then you had better agree to her request.”

A threat? Zanac made a face. This hardly seemed like her, but if this was how they were playing it, he had little choice. If she started yelling, it would only add to his workload.

“Fine. She may enter. But only Renner—not another soul. Those two can wait outside.”

“Understood.”

The knight knew who he was talking about. She
had
brought them with her.

Brain was the finest warrior in the kingdom. Climb himself was far stronger than your average man. Renner hardly ever left the palace, so it seemed rather a waste of talent to leave them guarding her.

But they were not in the employ of the crown; they were
her
men, and their wages were paid from her allowance. Zanac had no right to order them about.

As the knight closed the door, Zanac turned to the assembled ministers.

“My sister’s here to thwart our efforts. Shame. Rejoice, for you may now rest. I’ll give you three hours. Make the most of them and come back refreshed.”

They all managed weary smiles and then shuffled out like so many zombies.

Renner took their place, her smile as bright as theirs were not.

“Brother, I’m sure you’re aware our ministers work better when they’re given adequate time to rest. If you work them to the bone like this, the mistakes will only pile up. Besides, you don’t look so good yourself.”

Zanac rubbed his unshaven bristles. He’d been working as long as they had and likely looked just as weary. He knew he craved rest, too. But there was so much the man in charge had to decide.

“We should have hired someone who looked just like me so
he
could sign things.”

“If our father’s signature will do, we know just the man. Perhaps you should ask him?”

Renner gave him a long look. He knew what she meant but thought it best to be sure.

“—What?”

“…Is he still alive?”

Zanac made a face.

“Come, now. You think I’d have him killed? With this crisis hanging over us? He is, however, extremely unwell. He’s convalescing in his chambers. Any reminders of his duties will disrupt the rest he needs. I cannot let anyone see him—even the princess. I
am
sorry.”

Renner’s smile matched his. This was the smile she used when she saw right through him.

“Brother, there should be no lies between us. Without Marquis Raeven’s soldiers, you can only keep our father imprisoned because the military and domestic ministers have chosen to back your play. What do you have planned for him?”

“He attempted to resolve things by negotiating with the Nation of Darkness.”

And that was why Zanac found himself handling all royal duties in the king’s stead.

Since he was the one keeping his father locked up, all the work that entailed landed on his plate. If he went crying to his father now, he would be the most pathetic man alive.

“Not like I don’t know
why
. He was there when two hundred thousand fell in the blink of an eye.”

Worse, he’d lost both a son and Gazef Stronoff that day. But this Zanac left unsaid.

“I appreciate the urge to negotiate in the hopes that doing so would minimize the casualties. But we are long past the stage where that’s an option.”

Zanac pulled out a large sheet of paper, spreading it on the desk before him.

This was no cheap material but pure-white paper that came at a steep cost. They’d used Trace to map the entire kingdom.

“Observe. This is the number of cities we believe the Nation of Darkness has sacked.”

The entire eastern borderlands and half the north were covered in
X
’s. Anyone with any knowledge of geography would know these marked cities with sizable populations. And a wise observer would realize that if they included smaller towns and settlements, there would be a lot more crossed-out spots on the map.

Zanac ran his fingers across it.

“When the war began, we thought the Nation of Darkness lay idle. But they were actually advancing north.”

His finger drew Renner’s attention to one country.

“They’ve closed our border with the council state,” she said. “We have no hope of reinforcements from them.”

“Exactly. Since they didn’t move, our father thought the declaration was merely a threat and continued to negotiate. But while he wasted his time with that…this was happening. Cities toppled; entire populations put to the sword.”

Zanac’s teeth gnashed audibly.

“…An unpardonable travesty.”

No king worth their name would stand for it.

“If the Nation of Darkness has no intent of engaging in diplomacy, then we have no choice but to resort to other tactics. Am I right?”

“You are indeed. And you mean—force.”

Zanac nodded.

“Sister, take that dazzling brilliance and tell me—how did we not notice their invasion? Until they hit E-Naeurl all the way up here, why did
no
information reach us?”

When the Nation of Darkness attacked a city, the slaughter was horrific, leaving none alive. But that was a far cry from preventing any escape. And even during wartime, merchants and travelers didn’t quit the roads.

How had they all been silenced?

What magic had the Nation of Darkness used?

“Hmm. I think you’ve already guessed? The Nation of Darkness could not have managed this through mere containment.”

“Yes…I thought as much. And that means the
X
’s we have here may not paint an accurate picture.”

If this was not the Nation of Darkness’s power alone, then the explanation was painfully obvious. They had collaborators within the kingdom.

Possibly ministers within the palace had turned traitor, filing false reports. Or members of the landed gentry had pledged allegiance to the Nation of Darkness, and that was where the lies had come from them.

Zanac ran a finger down the map. In this vast expanse of land, who could betray them to achieve the desired effect?

His finger stopped on a city name and pulled away.

“………Sister, do you already know? Which nobles betrayed us?”

“Ruling out the palace insiders already?”

She was clearly ahead of him. Once that would have proven unsettling, but now it was a comfort.

“Not many people could act as such a substantial block on information even if they wished to. Perhaps the war minister…but he could do nothing about the merchants. Word spreads within the capital beyond anyone’s control.”

“If you’ve gotten that far, then you’ve already reached the answer. Marquis Raeven.”

“—Absolutely not.” Zanac shook his head. Forgetting that his own finger had stopped on E-Raebel.

“Do you really think that? Marquis Raeven absolutely doted on that boy of his. If they were to take him hostage…”

“………It would force his hand. Those curs!”

“But I think it’s just as likely he simply concluded we have no future.”

Zanac was loath to believe his old confidant had betrayed them. But if a noble of his influence said the word, they might well manage to keep all information from getting out. And any citizens fleeing the slaughter would head for the largest city. E-Raebel was the perfect destination.

Is that what had drawn the Nation of Darkness to the marquis?

“…What do you make of the King of Darkness?”

“His intelligence is terrifying. A strategic genius with a knack for international geopolitics. And most frightening of all is that despite his power, he does not rely upon it—his plans are
cunning
. You could call him a monster without arrogance.”

Something smelled off. Zanac gave her a searching look. Renner had the same expression she always had, but…there was more emotion in her voice than normal. Awe. Respect. He’d caught a glimpse of both.

“We’re looking at a spider’s web, but how many years has he spent weaving it? Are we but moths caught in his trap?”

“I’d rather be a butterfly.”

“Either one is but a meal for him. But if you’d rather be a butterfly, suit yourself. Either way…even if we manage to wriggle ourselves free, all we will find is another web waiting beyond. It scares me. That we share a world with someone capable of this. Perhaps he predicted all my actions, too.”

“He’s worse than you?”

Renner smiled but did not answer.

“Back to the original point. You’re considering sending a party to investigate Marquis Raeven’s manor, but…you’ll find nothing.”

“I thought not. But I can’t just…sit here and do nothing.”

If they
knew
the marquis had most likely turned traitor, then Zanac’s hand was forced. And he was clinging to a faint hope that he
would
find something.

“So what move would you make here, Sister?”

“I should ask you this first, Brother. If the Nation of Darkness keeps moving like this, they’ll be coming for the capital next. I have no idea if this is the best place to station your armies, but…do you have any?”

“We’ve received positive responses from the local nobility.”

But no responses at all from anyone distant. They’d received the requests and were simply observing the situation. Most likely planning on prostrating themselves before the Nation of Darkness the moment the royal family fell. Perhaps simply afraid if they cooperated with a royal request, it would earn them the Nation of Darkness’s ire.

Either stance was laughable.

Any notion that they might be saved only proved they were fools.

Yet, he could not laugh that off. No one could dare take such a risky position fully knowing what the Nation of Darkness was capable of. They, too, were victims of the Nation of Darkness’s information control.

Once the capital fell, the Nation of Darkness would raze their cities to the ground. If they did not join the war effort here and now, they would simply perish alone later.

“Do you think we can win?”

Zanac’s smile wavered. That was easier asked than answered.

“It’s not a matter of can or can’t. We have no choice. The Nation of Darkness is here to burn our cities and slaughter our citizens. To survive, we must gather every soldier we can and stake everything on one great battle.”

His fist tightened.

“……………Brother…you’ve become king.”

“What? What do you mean? Arrogant?”

“……Well, if we lose this battle, then the kingdom itself is doomed, right? No matter where the capital’s citizens flee, it’s hopeless. Staking everything on one great battle is the
right
choice. Oh, maybe the marquis knew you’d do this, and that’s why he switched sides.”

“Oh…so the people have somewhere to go.”

“But the Nation of Darkness may not allow it. They might order the marquis to slaughter anyone who comes begging for amnesty. To prove his loyalty.”

Why had Marquis Raeven betrayed them? Had he really betrayed them at all? Or was he just caught in a Nation of Darkness plot to sow distrust along with Renner?

Zanac knew the marquis had tried to make the kingdom a better place.

Perhaps he should send the man a letter and ask to meet so they could speak their minds. But that might just put him on the spot.

A letter to a traitor from a former confidant. That would be enough for the Nation of Darkness to suspect disloyalty.

That might be an effective move for his side but one that should be kept in reserve until Marquis Raeven marched his troops to war flying the Nation of Darkness’s flags.

If he was only aiding the Nation of Darkness because his son was held hostage, then Zanac could not hold it against him.

He’d long since known of the man’s unnatural devotion to his boy.

The thought almost made him smile, but he soon forced his attention back to his sister.

“Refugees, hmm? Not quite the same thing, but Father wanted to send you—or rather, us—as envoys to the city-state alliance. Before I had him sequestered. What do you think? If you’d like to go, you should probably leave the capital now.”

Zanac was mustering every soldier he could find for a final last stand, but the odds of victory were overwhelmingly slim. And defeat meant the King of Darkness would raze not just the capital but every city behind it.

Nowhere in the kingdom would be safe. His father’s proposal had been based on the assumption that exile was the only route to survival.

There were two uses for ex-royalty.

First, marriage—adding their royal blood to your family. Second, death—and with their deaths, the ending of their line.

The Nation of Darkness would almost certainly opt for the latter.

He could tell they wished to condemn his kingdom to the pages of history.

“It
is
a good idea. Are you going?”

“Too late for all that. If our brother was still around, I gladly would have. But forget me—what will you do? The King of Darkness is undead and will not take pity on the fairer sex. Execution is likely inevitable.”

“Not to mention the indignities I’ll suffer at the hands of those who blame us for this fate.”

Renner had no compunctions about saying that out loud. Zanac grimaced. He supposed he should admire her clarity of foresight.

Renner’s beauty was renowned. There was no guarantee these desperate times would not drive men to crazed acts.

“Keep Climb and Unglaus at your side.”

“Certainly. I’m not letting Climb go anywhere.”

“It’s just me here and the situation
is
dire, but you really should say ‘them.’”

Why was Brain Unglaus serving this woman?

He’d said something about liking the cut of Climb’s jib, but was he interested in him romantically? He’d had it looked into, and they had discovered that Brain had some history with various women but no confirmed children.

Zanac left this unspoken, fearing how his sister would take it. And if it somehow reached their ears…well, what could be worse?

“Either way, I have no intention of fleeing. I shall die a proud princess.”

He raised a brow at that.

For some time now, he’d assumed she would happily run, as long as she could take Climb with her. Or was she simply saying this to his face and preparing to flee in secret?

That does sound like her.

“The King of Darkness will happily put your corpse to good use.”

“Possibly. But you plan to lead your armies into battle against him?”

“Apparently so. I may be of little practical use. But having royalty serve as the high commander is symbolic—someone needs to do it.”

Zanac glared at the rafters.

“Like you said, I am the next king. The title brings an onus. If I die, Father will end it all. You can run whenever you like.”

She might be unsettling, but she
was
his sister. It couldn’t hurt to act like a proper brother once in a while. Perhaps it would earn him a kind word from the gods once he was dead.

“Very well. If it comes to that, I shall.”

When his gaze turned back to her, he found her smile looked exactly like it always did.

2

The Nation of Darkness was marching west, leveling every city and town between them and the capital. Yet, their forces were not making good time—the advance was most accurately described as a crawl.

The larger the army, the slower it moved. Evileye had mentioned that wisdom didn’t apply when all the soldiers were undead, which Lakyus took to mean the Nation of Darkness was intentionally taking its time to intimidate the capital’s citizens.

The slow, inexorable advance
had
already caused one riot, which only ended after considerable bloodshed. This had forced the population to make one of two choices.

They could leave the capital to flee the Nation of Darkness’s advance—moving farther west to get as far away as possible.

Or they could remain at home, shut their doors tight, and hope for it to blow over.

The latter choice had proven far more popular. Refugees had to worry about supporting themselves on the road or somewhere far from home; this option was limited to those with money, connections, or a viable trade they could bring with them.

Thus, 95 percent of the capital’s population had remained in place.

Until yesterday.

The royals had put out a decree.

A call went out to all able-bodied citizens to take a stand and protect the city from the armies of darkness. In other words, a draft.

Many were too scared to fight and remained holed up. But far more sensed that if they lacked the courage to fight, they would be leaving their loved ones to be slaughtered.

A mad fervor infected the city, riling everyone up. The streets were teeming with mobs of people preparing for war, and groceries were a booming business as everyone tried to ensure their sons and husbands went off to battle well-fed.

That feverish mood only intensified when word got out that the crown had ordered all merchants to lower the prices on food.

The Blue Roses were currently pushing their way through those crowds.

Their destination was an inn on the other side of town.

Lakyus was at the fore, speaking over her shoulder.

“I can handle this alone. Our client didn’t specify who should come, and an offer like this hardly needs the whole party. You’ve all got enough work as is. Let’s split up.”

“What’s got into you, Lakyus?” Evileye asked. “There a reason you don’t want us coming?”

Lakyus forced her lips into a smile. Inside, she was cursing her friend’s sharp instincts, but she couldn’t let that show. Tia and Tina were almost as bad as Evileye, and she was glad she had her back to them.

“Of course not. I just thought it would be a shame to waste your time.”

“I get where this is coming from.” Gagaran grunted. “Azuth’ll be there, right?”

Lakyus felt her heart skip a beat.

Exactly. Her uncle, Azuth Aindra, leader of the Drops of Red adamantite adventurer team. He’d been called in at the same time as the Blue Roses.

“You’re family so you want a chance to catch up. I know the feeling.”

Whew, at least she was wrong about
that
.

Lakyus pounced on the convenient excuse.

“Well, yes. You see, everyone? He’s in the capital but hasn’t come to see me. So—”

“Puzzling.”

“A mystery.”

“Hmm?”

Lakyus blinked at the twins.

“You’re related, both adamantite team leaders, yet we didn’t get any word he’d be returning to the capital. Where’d this client hear about it?”

“If they’re connected to the Drops of Red, they’d use the name, but the client didn’t say a single thing about it.”

Last night, a thoroughly plain-looking man had shown up at the Blue Roses’ lodgings, said someone wanted to hire them, and told them where to meet. A direct hire, no guild involved—Lakyus thought it smelled fishy and was ready to decline. Then he said Azuth would be there, and she felt obligated to show.

“Yeah, it’s goes right past fishy into an obvious plot. Lying to draw us out?”

“Right. And if this is a trap—you’re strong, Lakyus, but you can’t do everything alone. If they mean us harm, we shouldn’t let them come after us one by one.”

“Still…”

She appreciated their concern. But—

“And who wouldn’t want to meet a hero?”

“I hear his name all the time, but our paths have never crossed. Since you’re related, you should have introduced us.”

Lakyus felt a knot in her stomach.

Her uncle wasn’t a
bad
person, but he wasn’t a good one, either. He was the kind of man most accurately described as a terrible influence on children.

When she’d met him in her tender years, he must have hidden that side of himself—he’d been normal enough then. Perhaps adventuring had gradually loosened his screws.

Lakyus could only offer up a silent prayer to powers unknown—it was hardly a matter to bother the gods with.

When he first met someone, her uncle usually played it right. Like being a hero meant acting the part in front of his admirers.

She’d have to bet on that facade.

They reached their destination.

It was a run-down inn. No one would claim business was flourishing here, even as flattery.

But the doors were sturdy. There was a real weight to them.

The twins’ hands both found her back.

A warning. Something bothered them.

There was a bar inside, but it didn’t look like the owners were running a tavern.

Terrible location, no booze, just lodgings…?

Everything about it felt wrong. Lakyus refocused. She could sense her comrades bracing for combat, ready for anything.

She spoke to the nondescript man behind the counter.

“We’re the Blue Roses. Our client should be waiting for us.”

“Room 301. Aindra of the Drops of Red is already here.”

Was he really? They’d find out soon enough.

Lakyus thanked him and headed up the stairs.

The place was quiet. They passed no one on the stairs and didn’t hear a sound that didn’t come from them. Either this place had very good soundproofing or there was no one else here.

The third floor had far fewer rooms. Half what the floor below had. Each room must be that much larger.

They found a door with a plate engraved with 301 and knocked.

“Uncle, it’s Lakyus!”

Listening closely, she could just barely make out a man’s voice saying, “Come in.” It was too soft to identify the speaker.

Tia and Tina tried to step in front of her, but she stopped them and slowly pushed the door open.

It was a different world within.

The fixings were subdued but sumptuous. Possibly even fancier than their own lodgings. That alone was unnatural. This inn clearly wasn’t on the up-and-up.

Before Lakyus could finish taking it in, a voice called out.

“Oh, Laky! Been too long.”

That was definitely her uncle’s voice.

“Unc—,” she began, turning toward him.

Mid-word, she slammed the door.

“…………………”

“Wh-what’s wrong, Lakyus?” Gagaran asked.

They’d all heard his voice. It was hard to just insist there was nothing wrong.

“…I’d better see him alone.”

“We’ve come too far for
that
,” Evileye growled.

True enough. Lakyus looked around, and everyone clearly agreed.

In that case…

“Um, so. I should mention…my uncle tends to do questionable things.”

“…The leader of the Drops of Red does?” Tina asked.

Lakyus nodded gravely, then scanned their faces again. There were lots of frowns, but they’d worked with her long enough to know she wouldn’t lie about this. Once she was sure they’d prepared themselves mentally, she opened the door again.

There was a long couch in the room, with a distinctive velvet sheen.

On it sat a man—unmistakably Azuth Aindra.

He was naked from the waist up, giving them a full view of his taut stomach and chiseled pectorals. Not appropriate attire for meeting a client. But this was not why Lakyus had tried to avoid introducing him to her party.

Azuth was flanked by a pair of half-naked women, each leaning up against him.

Calling them clothed at all was being generous. They had no tops on, everything spilling out suggestively. They did have undergarments below, but these were little more than strings that didn’t cover much of anything.

Each had fairly charming features. They were likely high-class courtesans.

The heaps of saucy clothing on the floor were likely what they’d worn on their way here.

Azuth had an arm around each shoulder, his hands openly toying with their breasts.

“Uncle…if you knew the client called your niece here, you could have tried a little harder to be presentable.”

Even while she talked, his hands never stopped groping away. They were moaning provocatively, not even trying to push him off.

That attitude only made this whole scene even worse. If their client had brought the girls here, she would make them pay.

“I figured you’d arrive a little later. But hey, not like we were still in bed, am I right? No big deal.”

“It’s a very big deal!”

She was too scared to look at her friends.

“…It is?” Azuth looked genuinely baffled. At no point did he stop playing with his companions’ nipples. “You’re
so
uptight. All men want to bed good women! And my kids’ll all be born with some talent. Best if I’m free with my seed.”

“Hmph. So he quit the aristocracy but can’t stop himself thinking like them?” Evileye asked.

Azuth made a face, glaring at her. That would have intimidated most people, but the Blue Roses were made of sterner stuff. It washed over Evileye like a gentle breeze.

“Ha, that look proves I’m right. They call him a hero, but he’s a man-child. Maybe that’s exactly why he cast off his title so easily and went out adventuring. But clearly he’s in no state to meet a client. Get these floozies outta here.”

“—What’s with this kid?” the woman on the right said, scowling.

“Ugh, what a hassle. Aindra, that room empty?” She pointed at a door in back.

“Yeah, it’s the bedroom. We already scoped it out.”

“Then have them wait in there.”

“Seriously, what is her problem?” the girl on the left said. “Won’t even show us her face but acts like she’s a big shot.”

“
…Sigh.
Charm Person. Go.”

“Ah, of course. Right away.”

The girl on the left got to her feet, and the girl on the right looked shocked. She opened her mouth—

“You too. Don’t forget the clothes on the floor.”

The spell activated again before she could speak. The girls obeyed their orders and left the room.

Azuth had his own brow cocked the whole time. Then he shrugged. Most adventurers would probably react like Evileye had drawn a sword, but he clearly had no argument. Lakyus was loath to admit liking anything about him right now, but this was as close as she got.

“Nice one, Evileye,” Tina said, throwing out a thumbs-up. “But the courage to bed potential assassins certainly is very adamantite adventurer.”

“Is it?”

“We’re trained for this sort of thing. If you don’t have the skills or the magic, you make sex your weapon. Gagaran, this will never apply to you, but the basic technique is—”

Ignoring Tia’s explanation, Evileye turned to Lakyus.

“Figured any other approach would just be a headache. But I’ll hold my peace now. Talk all you want.”

“Thanks, Evileye. So, um…
sigh
.” They hadn’t even started, and she was already tired. “Uncle, this client seems seriously fishy. Who are they?”

“Mm? Wait, you don’t even know? They got a proper outfit backing them up, I think.”

“You think? So you don’t know them, either?”

“Not personally. If they’ve got any manners, they’ll introduce themselves soon enough. If they hide, well.” He grinned. “That just means they’re bad news after all. What’s your plan?”

“Plan? For what…?”

“You wanna run? I can hook you up.”

“We’re not going anywhere.”

Lakyus felt all eyes on her back.

“…Tch, knock it off with the act already. The Nation of Darkness’s killing everyone in their path, leaving nothing but corpses and rubble in their wake. If you think the capital’s gonna be any different, you’re a fool.”

“So fight with us.”

“Hell no. I ain’t seen the King of Darkness personally, so I can’t be totally sure, but from the stories? I—
we
don’t stand a chance against him. Only monsters can beat monsters. Ain’t no place for a human in this fight.”

Azuth let out a weary sigh. She’d never seen him like this.

“……That’s why I left the others behind,” he said. “And told my brothers to start running.”

“And…they didn’t, right?”

“Nope. Dumbasses. They did turn over their kids, though. My party’s taking ’em to the council state.”

While Lakyus tried to think of a response, Tia hissed, “Boss.”

A moment later, a male voice called to them from the hall. “Right on time.”

Tia, Tina, and Gagaran had been standing in the doorway, and it was like they were shoved into the room by an invisible force. A new man and woman entered.

He was young.

Each of his ten fingers had a ring on it, and there was a pleasant smile plastered to his face.

The woman behind him looked half asleep. Her clothes were baggy, and walking seemed to take a lot out of her. She wore an unnaturally large hat, and the brim hung down, obscuring half her face.

Lakyus was instantly on guard. Her party comfortably stood in the highest tier of strength among all things living, but both these visitors had something about them that made her think even they were outclassed.

But then one last person entered, and the very air changed.

He was so big he had to turn himself sideways to get through the door. He was dressed like a barbarian, with a massive ax on his back, and the aura he radiated was so powerful it felt like the space around him warped.

The first two were strong.

But this man was in a whole other league.

Her throat clamped up.

Lakyus was an adamantite adventurer. She’d fought any number of powerful monsters and subhumans. But nothing like him. This man was even stronger than the skull-faced demon she’d seen during Jaldabaoth’s rampage.

Was he guarding the first two?

If any outfit had someone this good, she should’ve at least heard stories. Whatever organization they worked for had to be powerful enough to hide their very existence—it couldn’t be anything less than a country.

“…Glad I brought my whole kit.”

“…Each is better than us combined.”

“I have no memories of anyone like this in the kingdom.”

“Come oooooon!” Azuth said. “You roll in late all menacing and shit? Is that how your boss told you to play this? Unbelievable.”

“Says the man who brought whores with him.” The woman sneered. “This ain’t that type of establishment.”

“Ha!” he said, throwing back his head. “You make me visit a place like this, I’m gonna show a little spite.”

The woman clicked her tongue.

That seemed to confirm what he’d implied—this inn was
theirs
. Only two countries seemed likely to be running something on this level. Either the council state or the Theocracy.

And the latter was much more likely.

“Now, now, I think that’s quite enough,” the pleasant-looking man said.

“Quai…
Sigh.
You’re the leader this time, so whatever you say.”

She didn’t seem pleased with it but assented nonetheless.

“Your ire is valid, Mr. Aindra. Here you are sparing us a moment of your valuable time, and we arrive last. I do beg your pardon.”

“Ha!” Azuth laughed this off, but the man showed no sign of dismay.

“I do hate to skip the pleasantries, but let’s get right down to business. Mr. Azuth Aindra and all members of the Drops of Red not present.”

Lakyus narrowed her eyes.

Her uncle had cast aside his title, but he was still an honorary knight, so addressing him formally required the inclusion of a
Day
before the surname.

Azuth detested that custom, and polite strangers often tripped themselves up on it.

This man had deftly dodged that trap, which meant he’d clearly done his homework. Or his superiors had.

“Lady Lakyus Alvein Dale Aindra. Miss Evileye. Miss Tia. Miss Tina. And Miss Gagaran. We are here to recruit all of you for a job. Perhaps you would prefer to fight until death arrives. But we believe you should turn your gaze toward the future.”

“Hmph. No manners. Where you from?”

“What does it matter? Don’t—”

A hand reached out from behind the woman, covering her mouth.

“What?”

“No!”

Tia and Tina both jumped, drawing their weapons.

An outlandish-looking man was standing just behind the woman. His garb covered not just his body but his face and hands—and all of it was strengthened with what looked like metal plates.

“Crap, an assassin better than us!”

“Crap, a lot better than us.”

Lakyus knew of no assassins better—and more dangerous—than these two. But they openly admitted this person was better?

“Please do not be alarmed. You may put your weapons away. If he intended to kill you, there would be no reason to reveal himself like this.”

That made sense. If he’d entered the room without any adamantite adventurers noticing, he must have been hidden via some power. Revealing his presence in such a ridiculous fashion was actually an assurance he was not here to assassinate them.

Or was that
why
he’d revealed himself that way? To drive home the point that if they refused this offer, a deadly assassin would silence them?

“Please forgive my companion’s lack of manne—”

“—Oh, come off it. What’s the point of hiding it? You’re Theocracy, right?”

“Is that true? They were hiding people this good?” Evileye gulped.

Lakyus was just as shocked.

Long ago, she’d fought a band of theirs that had been burning down subhuman villages. They’d been
good
. Their commander had been better than she was, at the time. But nobody of this caliber had been with them.

“News to you? I thought the stories would have gotten around by now. The Theocracy’s own line of heroes. The Black Scripture. Although I hear one’s not exactly a
hero
.”

He was looking at the barbarian as he said that.

The hulk of a man returned a carnivorous grin.

“Heh-heh-heh…you’re well informed. But you’ve got one here yourselves. Like me or even higher up.” He pointed at Evileye. “Evileye of the Blue Roses. You’d give me a run for my money.”

Even with that declaration, he didn’t look like he planned to lose if it came down to a fight. This was a man with a plan in mind.

“……Hmm, not many things stronger than me. Demons aside…if we’re talking humans and subhumans alone, there’s just Lord Momon.”

“Only Momon, hmm?” the barbarian murmured. But he said nothing else.

“Well, Theocracy secret forces. Care to team up with us and fight this King of Darkness?”

Evileye was still muttering to herself—“And that woman…no, she’s…”—but Azuth talked right over her.

And the pleasant man’s smile never wavered.

“The invitation is a great honor, but our mission is to recruit those with talent. I’m afraid we must refuse. An army that joins wars of their own volition is a detriment to any society.”

“Hiding behind your orders, huh? I’m asking what you think as individuals.”

“Ridiculous,” the woman scoffed. “They tell us what to do, and we do it. Keeps things nice and simple.”

At this, the pleasant man’s smile finally wavered. “You’re simply too lazy to think for yourself,” he said bitingly.

“Fair. But as long as I’m obeying orders, any fault lies with those above me. I
really
hate getting blamed for things. I’m great at pinning it on others, though. Everyone says so.”

“They don’t mean it as a compliment,” the barbarian muttered.

“Heh-heh. So I take it we have your answer, Mr. Aindra? What do the Blue Roses say?”

“Can we ask a question first? How would we even get away?”

“That you’ll learn when we’re on the same team. I
can
say we have already scouted several other adventurer parties and successfully guided them to safety.”

“…Yeah? This wasn’t by force or threats, was it? You forcing people to go along?”

Gagaran had a point. An offer from anyone this strong could be hard to refuse.

“We have done no such thing. Those who join us unwillingly would be a liability in the future. They must join us of their own free will, so that we may work together for the future—for humankind.”

The man spoke earnestly without a trace of deception. His ability to do so was likely why he’d been chosen to recruit them.

“…I’m out,” Gagaran said before he could even prompt a response. “But it ain’t even up to me. We’re all doing what our leader says.”

The whole team nodded.

“Ah. Well, little point trying to persuade you. I see your minds are made up.”

He seemed to fold a bit too easily. Lakyus lowered her center of gravity in case he planned to resort to a more violent approach.

The man spotted this and flashed her an awkward smile.

“Please, Lady Lakyus. I have no intention of using force. I pray you all manage to give the King of Darkness what he deserves. The receptionist is holding the payment for coming here, so please accept it on your way out. With that, we must take our leave.”

At his wave, the Theocracy contingent began moving out. Things appeared to be ending without incident, but just as Lakyus started to relax, Azuth called out.

“Hey, almost forgot…uh, what’s his name, Rufus? Rufas? How’s he doing?”

“Ru…? I do beg your pardon. The Theocracy is a big place, and I’m afraid I have no idea who you mean. Perhaps with more det—”

“Oh, right. At your level, you wouldn’t know the name. What do you usually call that undead? The gentleman?”

All members of the Black Scripture looked blank…and then their faces twisted up in masks of absolute fury. The hostility was so intense it seemed certain few would leave here alive. But the pleasant man acted first.

He held both hands out, restraining them all.

“Quai, what is this? We can’t kill him?” the woman asked. Her eyes glared daggers at Azuth all the while.

“It’s a bluff. You will not take action here. That’s an order.” The hostility dissipated as swiftly as it had arrived. The man turned back to Azuth, his eyes very cold. “…That said, I’m very curious how much you actually know. I shall have to report this. Move out!”

Their guard never dropped. Every member of the Black Scripture made it clear if anyone moved, they’d respond without mercy. One by one, they left the room.

Once she was certain the coast was clear, Lakyus hissed, “Uncle! You’re the weakest one here, so why are you trying to wind them up?!”

“Mm? Yeah, that was a close one. Didn’t think they’d be quite that mad. If the man with the fake smile wasn’t here, I’d be dead. I assumed they wouldn’t do shit—they’re banking on us hurting the King of Darkness for ’em, after all. Guess I was wrong!”

He let out a chuckle, and Lakyus heaved a sigh.

Was that really the case?

Her uncle had made a show of possessing vital info on the Theocracy, but it seemed highly likely they’d want to silence him to prevent even the remote possibility of it leaking to the King of Darkness. Or at least snatch him up and torture the information out of him.

Why had he even tried to make that claim? Without it, the whole meeting would have ended without incident.

Why set your own house on fire?

Azuth wasn’t
that
impulsive. There must be some factor she couldn’t see.

This line of thought wasn’t getting her anywhere. She decided it was pointless and gave up.

“Augh. So what are your plans, Uncle?”

“Mm? Gonna hang out in the capital till the King of Darkness gets here. A few days from now, the kingdom’s forces are gonna fully mobilize and form up nearby. They won’t win. He
will
reach the city. And none of you stand a chance against the King of Darkness. You should run.”

Harsh words.

“But I can’t just abandon the capital and… Uncle…”

If anyone could beat the King of Darkness, it would not be a warrior’s blow but an assassin’s strike. That was why Lakyus was biting her lips and watching the troops march off to stand in his path.

“If you’re asking me to fight with you, then hell no. I’ve got my own business to take care of.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, something only I can do. You do what you can. But you are my niece, so lemme say it one last time. You really oughtta run. You will all be helpless before the King of Darkness.”

“……Hmm, what’s that supposed to mean? You think you stand a chance?” Evileye asked.

Azuth made a face.

“I can’t beat the king, no. I ain’t all that. But even if he’s got the capital surrounded, I’m pretty sure I can break through it on my own.”

He stood up.

“I’m gonna go next door and give my hips a workout. Anyone wanna join me?”

Lakyus caught his drift and grimaced.

“We’ll be leaving, then. We have many preparations to make.”

They said their good-byes, stayed vigilant on their way downstairs, took their reward, and promptly left the inn.

No signs of any ambush.

3

Reports arrived that the Nation of Darkness’s armies had been spotted not three days’ journey from the capital. All armies under Zanac’s command set out to intercept.

Half a day’s march to the nearby plains. There, they’d been building simple defenses since learning of the Nation of Darkness’s westward advance. They planned to face the armies of darkness here.

Their forces were positioned on the main road, so if the Nation of Darkness’s armies continued a direct march to the capital, the plan should prove effective. If the Nation of Darkness chose a different path, they would have to quickly reposition themselves. That was a concern, but reports from their scouts suggested the enemy was staying the course, so these concerns would likely prove groundless.

Yet, none took that as glad tidings.

The kingdom’s forces were conscripted from neighboring domains, capital citizens, and able-bodied refugees. The fate of the very country rested on their shoulders.

Their number: just over four hundred thousand.

Much as Zanac wanted to pat himself on the back for managing to assemble that many, they were a hastily cobbled army, with no real weaponry to speak of. Far too many were carrying handmade clubs.

Morale was relatively high—but that was little better than the final thrashings of a cornered rat. Those aware of the Nation of Darkness’s unspeakable cruelty had simply taken up arms, desperate to protect those they loved. The moment cracks appeared in that courage, the kingdom’s armies would crumble.

Numbers were a weapon, and the many rows of soldiers lined up were genuinely intimidating. Yet the Nation of Darkness kept marching directly at them—to what end?

If their enemies had any knowledge of strategy, they would never come straight at a force this large. The best thing the Nation of Darkness could do—strategically—was
nothing
. Their undead armies needed no supplies, while four hundred thousand human soldiers required an absolutely insane amount of supplies to stay fed. Surrounding them and making threats alone would be enough to starve them out or incite a panic.

But the Nation of Darkness’s march was inexorable, trampling everything in their path. It was like their commanders weren’t thinking at all.

Were they that certain of victory?

In that case, the Nation of Darkness was not being foolhardy at all. They had spells that could wipe out two hundred thousand troops in one fell swoop, so perhaps they simply assumed they could cast something like that twice and immediately end the battle.

As commander in chief, Zanac rather hoped otherwise, but he knew several of the nobility were convinced that was what fate had in store for them.

They’d suggested splitting their forces to avoid a repeat. The logic was sound. It put them at risk of being picked off and getting defeated in detail, but it would also prevent them from being wiped out by a single big spell.

Unfortunately, Zanac could not afford to do that.

Between the previous defeat and this invasion, they had lost far too many nobles, knights, and ranking officers capable of commanding large forces. Dividing his forces would make it that much harder for each army to stand their ground. That would no longer be the final defensive line—it would merely be a crowd of four hundred thousand people.

Having a force this size, standing
together
—that was what gave them the courage and cohesion to stand in the Nation of Darkness’s path.

It had been two days since their arrival here.

Given the sheer size of their forces, that was how long it took for them to prepare for the impending battle. Once all the troops were finally in position, the Nation of Darkness’s armies finally showed themselves—as if to say,
You’ve had more than enough time
.

The army of darkness was perhaps ten thousand strong. It seemed to consist of three or four main types of undead. From numbers alone, it seemed like they would scatter like dust in the wind, but the strength of each individual soldier put the balance of power squarely on the enemy’s side.

“Your Highness.”

“I know.”

Zanac waved off his war minister.

The minister was struggling with his new armor—it was downright comical. But Zanac was painfully aware he was little better.

He currently wore the armor Gazef had once used—a royal treasure. But it did not look
nearly
as good on him.

Still, he was grateful to have magic armor.

The stress of the job had led him to gluttony, and his waistline had taken the brunt of the burden. Without magic armor, he’d have been forced to ask a smith to make alterations.

“My horse!”

At his order, a knight led a horse to the front of his tent.

The horse gave him a baleful glare, but with some difficulty, he managed to mount it. Leaving his retinue behind, he left the camp, trotting toward the Nation of Darkness’s forces.

He could have brought guards, but what use would they be if the Nation of Darkness planned to kill him here? They would not even give the undead pause.

Thus, it seemed best to go alone. Demonstrate his own dauntlessness. And if it did result in death, that, too, would serve as proof of how vindictive the King of Darkness could be.

Re-Estize still has heroes.

Zanac reached the midpoint between the two armies without incident. He activated the magic item he’d brought, his voice booming.

“I am Zanac Valléon Igana Ryle Vaiself of the Re-Estize Kingdom! I would like to speak with the King of Darkness one-on-one.”

He knew this would not be a battle of wits. The time for that had long since passed.

Zanac simply wished to know. What was the King of Darkness thinking, and why had he started all this?

Ainz was seated beneath a tent with tarp hung on three sides only, watching his forces assemble through the open side. The Nation of Darkness’s armies were almost all undead and needed virtually no supplies, so the camp itself was quite modestly sized considering the number of troops it contained.

Fundamentally, they didn’t strictly need to make a camp at all, but this, too, was valuable experience.

In fact, after pitching camp several times, the results had become far sturdier.

Ordinarily, they would use Mare’s magic to create defenses, but for good reason, Mare was silently standing next to Ainz, watching the undead go about their tasks.

By his side, Aura was also watching the armies at work, but her eyes were focused on her own minions.

Whether tents or camp defenses, magic offered easy solutions. But by the same logic as above, they had physically carried in a tent, pitched it, and made camp around it.

Perhaps we could put Mare in charge of all the Nation of Darkness’s construction.

Ainz glanced at the boy’s profile, standing by his sister, intently watching the undead set to work.

The Nation of Darkness had subhumans and grotesque races that were good at digging. Perhaps those races could be placed under Mare’s command. He had a feeling Albedo was already working on that—in which case the paperwork would come his way eventually—but it couldn’t hurt to float the idea past her.

As if summoned by his thoughts, Albedo came striding across the camp. She’d been supervising construction, with Cocytus serving as her guard.

“Lord Ainz, it seems the human armies have dispatched an envoy. Your orders?”

“A parlay before the start of battle? Prepare a reception—refreshments, too.”

As Albedo got a table and chairs ready, Ainz spotted a man in full plate riding toward them.

Ainz had seen that armor before.

Wasn’t that what Gazef Stronoff wore? I think it was. Is this his replacement? That’s not what I’d heard…

But as the envoy reached the center of the field, a booming voice rang out.

“I am Zanac Valléon Igana Ryle Vaiself of the Re-Estize Kingdom! I would like to speak with the King of Darkness one-on-one.”

If his voice traveled this far, he must be using a magic item.

“……What do you say, Lord Ainz? If he is not declaring the opening of hostilities, he is of no value. Should we start the battle?”

“NO, ALBEDO. THAT WOULD BE RUDE. HE DESIRES A BATTLE OF WITS. IF WE DECLINE, PEOPLE WILL SAY LORD AINZ IS VINDICTIVE AND SMALL-MINDED.”

“Let them talk.” Albedo sneered. “They will all perish here regardless. If there is no one to listen, words have no meaning.”

Ainz certainly would prefer to avoid anything requiring wits. And this man was royalty. He was likely superior to Ainz in every way besides military might. Still…

“Albedo, have you forgotten? There are those stealing glances at us.”

“…Forgive me.”

“Hmm. I’d better go. A prince has come out alone. I should answer in kind.”

“……Are you sure it’s safe, Lord Ainz?”

“No. But if it seems like I’ve been subjected to mind control, use that World Item to save me, Aura.”

Ainz had left the World Items he normally carried behind in Nazarick. If Aura used the Scenes of Nature and Civilization, Ainz would be sucked into it as well. Even if Ainz was brainwashed, he could not teleport outside of it.

“Of course!”

“Hmm.” Ainz nodded and climbed aboard a soul eater, riding it out of camp. He had been practicing horseback riding and was getting quite decent at it. But he wasn’t exactly skilled, either; to avoid embarrassing himself in public, he’d opted for an undead mount.

By the time Ainz reached Zanac, the royal had dismounted, so he followed suit. Whatever fate awaited him in the future, Ainz intended to return gestures of respect or insults in kind.

The prince was a stout fellow. But no makeup could hide the circles under his eyes.

“An honor to meet you, Your Majesty. I am Zanac Valléon Igana Ryle Vaiself.”

“The honor is all mine, Your Highness. I am Ainz Ooal Gown, King of Darkness. This is no conversation to have standing up.”

Ainz cast two quick spells, creating a pair of black thrones nearby, which were placed facing each other. Since they were made with magic, both were indistinguishable.

“Metal chairs are unfortunately quite hard, but they will allow us to sit and speak.”

“My pleasure, Your Majesty.”

Each took a seat, and Ainz cast one more spell. A gleaming black table appeared between them.

Despite the magic he was throwing out, Zanac showed no signs of alarm. Perhaps because he was not here to make an attempt on Ainz’s life.

Ainz drew two glasses from his inventory as well as a bucket of ice.

“Will water do? It seems an inappropriate time for a drink. I also have orange juice if you prefer?”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Water will be just fine.”

Ainz couldn’t drink, but etiquette dictated that he fill his own glass, too.

“Now we are ready to speak. What did you have in mind? The moral justification by which we invade?”

“There is no need to make that point any clearer, Your Majesty. But I did have something to ask. Why choose such a vicious response? Why not accept our surrender?”

A natural question. To Ainz, it was all logically sound, but from his perspective, it must simply seem like an onslaught of uncalled-for violence.

Ainz nodded gravely. No point or means of hiding it, so he simply spoke as their plan dictated.

“There is no benefit to doing so. I shall make an example out of you, and thus all shall know how foolish opposing the Nation of Darkness truly is. For that purpose, once we have wiped your army out, we shall march upon the capital and reduce it to rubble. For hundreds or thousands of years it will stay that way, an everlasting reminder of the wretches who dared defy me.”

“…That does not sound like jest.”

“I did not intend it as such. It’s simply a statement of fact.”

“But why?”

“Why?” Ainz echoed, confused.

“The Nation of Darkness possesses great power. You could easily demonstrate, Your Majesty, without such extreme tactics.” Zanac licked his lips, then swallowed hard. “Why be so vindictive?”

“Vindictive, hmm.”

Zanac appeared concerned he had upset Ainz, but he felt no such emotions.

“What is it you’re after?”

Ainz rolled that phrase around his tongue.

Once, the friends he’d made in
Yggdrasil
had been everything to Ainz—or Satoru Suzuki. Those memories still gleamed. That was why he had wanted to see them once more.

When the game drew to a close, in the instant everything was about to be lost forever—he had been sent here.

The end was
not
the end.

Merely the beginning.

The NPCs his friends created came to life, and he could sense the spirit of his old friends in their every action. At first, he’d been scrambling to make sense of the changes happening around him and feared they might betray him—a notion that now seemed laughable. He barely ever worried about that anymore.

But it might not just be Ainz who found himself here. There had been plenty of signs that other players existed.

Naturally, this had given him hope that the friends from his happiest days might be here, too. Admittedly, if being present for the end was a requirement, then he was likely alone.

Each time he’d used certain spells or gained new information, he’d felt their absence most intimately. But as long as he did not know for sure, hope remained.

Perhaps it was foolish to cling to a hope that faint. Perhaps it was pathetic in a way.

But those times had been everything to him.

But now that dream was fading.

His friends were precious. But the NPCs were just as important to him.

They were like the children his old companions had left behind.

And as the last one here, it was his duty to keep them safe.

That was why Ainz was prepared to sacrifice everything else. His top priority was making his nation stronger—so that the NPCs would never be exposed to danger, so that the Great Tomb of Nazarick didn’t lose a single soul.

Shalltear had been placed under the control of someone unknown once before. He’d managed to steal her back, but she could have leaked all Nazarick’s secrets and enabled a hostile actor to deal them a fatal blow.

He could not let that happen again.

“What am I after? That sounds hard, yet it is quite simple, really. I seek only one thing. Happiness.”

“Happiness?” Zanac blinked at him.

Ainz chuckled. Like he hadn’t said anything that odd.

“Man or not, that’s what we all want.”

He’d forgotten to maintain his usual act and simply spoke as if with a dear friend.

“And you’ll rob others of their happiness to achieve that?”

“Don’t we all? If those who matter to me are happy, then why should I care what happens to anyone else? If the happiness of your citizens required the suffering of those from other realms, would you tell your subjects,
Sorry, you can’t be happy?
”

“Preposterous!” Zanac quickly recovered himself, bowing his head. “I do apologize, Your Majesty.”

Ainz, too, had reassumed his monarchal demeanor.

“No apology necessary.”

“With your wisdom and power, was there no other means of achieving happiness?”

“…Perhaps there was. But perhaps not. If I look up and see a simple path to happiness right in front of me, there is little point in waffling around in maybes. I am far better off seizing that chance that has presented itself. What was the line? The goddess of fortune has no hair in the back.”

Zanac looked puzzled.

“What an odd sort of goddess. Forgive me—I meant no insult to the object of your faith.”

“Oh, don’t concern yourself. I have no faith at all. It was merely a saying I’d heard once. My point is, for the happiness of those I must protect, misfortune must fall upon your country. That is the basis of most wars, really. Satisfied?”

“I suppose. I certainly have thought similar things from time to time. For the benefit of my country, for the happiness of those I rule—considering these things is the duty and burden of any leader. If our destruction brings comfort to the citizens of the Nation of Darkness, then I understand why you will not accept surrender. Nothing can be done to change it.”

“Glad we could clear that up. Perhaps it is my turn to ask a question, but I’m afraid nothing comes to mind…” Ainz looked up, thinking. “Oh, I supposed there is one thing. If you are wearing his armor, what about the sword? Who carries the blade of Gazef Stronoff?”

“We have entrusted that to Brain Unglaus.”

“Brain Unglaus? Oh, him.”

One of the men who’d borne witness to his duel with Gazef. He vaguely recalled the name. It had been a long time ago, and the man’s face escaped him.

While they razed the capital, there were several items worth recovering. One of which was Gazef’s sword.

“Is he here with you?”

“No, he is not, Your Majesty. He should still be at the castle.”

“Ah. Then it doesn’t matter what spells we use to wipe you out.”

Cocytus was in charge of securing the palace, so he should mention this detail to him.

“We have no intention of losing, but I would appreciate it if you could use gentler spells that kill without undue suffering.”

“……Hmm. A reasonable request. In deference to your candor, I shall slaughter you as gently as I can.”

“I appreciate it,” Zanac said, grinning.

Ainz was left speechless. This man was rather daring. Ainz was not sure he could have done the same.

I bet I couldn’t. Is this what being born into the life does for you? Very educational.

Zanac picked up his glass and drained it. He clearly didn’t even entertain the idea it might be poisoned.

“Most refreshing, Your Majesty. There is one more thing I’d like to ask. Were any of your subordinates responsible for my brother’s death?”

“Your brother?” Ainz blinked at him. Come to think of it, he had heard that a kingdom prince had been eliminated. The name escaped him. All he could remember was that it had been quite long ago. “I believe so, yes.”

“Ah…so he is dead. That had been bothering me for some time. I appreciate you confirming it. Good-bye.”

And with that, Zanac got to his feet and headed toward his horse.

Ainz put the glasses away and headed toward the soul eater. Zanac waited by his horse for Ainz’s arrival.

Unsure why he was waiting, Ainz climbed aboard the soul eater. Only then did Zanac mount his steed.

A prince and a king. Given the difference in their standings, perhaps he had not wanted to be looking down upon him. Ainz was unfamiliar with manners surrounding mounts and horses but sensed this was proper noble decorum.

I should probably learn aristocratic etiquette sometime soon. There’s so many things to learn. Will I ever get caught up?

“Your Highness!”

The nobles were there to greet Zanac upon his return. Nearly all held lands nearby and had responded to his call.

No one had stopped him from riding out, but now it was the opposite, and he found he could not step inside the camp. They had all pinned their hopes on him. Hopes that the King of Darkness would make some concession.

Zanac started with the question foremost on all their minds.

“It was no use. The King of Darkness is here to massacre all of us. No room for negotiation at all.”

It seemed odd to him that this turned any of them pale. Had they still believed anything else would happen here?

Zanac got off his horse and left them to their anguished thoughts.

Inside his tent, the war minister met him with a wry smile.

“So no good news, then?”

“Exactly what we thought. But there was one surprise.”

“Oh? I’ve never seen the King of Darkness. How vile a monster was he?”

Zanac smiled.

“Much more human than I expected.”

The minister’s eyes went wide. Perhaps for the first time since Zanac had met him.

He reflected upon his meeting with the King of Darkness.

His appearance was certainly that of a hideous monster. His aura was palpable, and the robes draped on his person were clearly precious beyond all measure. But beneath it all was a motivation most anyone could relate to—the happiness of those he cared about.

That seemed incredibly human. Not at all like the undead—the sworn enemies of all living things.

He had no idea what line of thought had led the King of Darkness to this specific strategy. But like he’d said, he could understand his reasons.

“Yeah, that’s…my takeaway. He’s just…like any human.”

Zanac’s gaze drifted to the tent above.

Perhaps there had been a better move. Long ago, before it came to this. But it was too late now.

“…How goes the battle preparations and setting up the chain of command?”

“Those under your direct command—the capital forces—can move out at any time. Dividing them up by address proved very effective. But the movements of the landed nobility are rather sluggish. It’s almost as if they’re competing to be the worst.”

The war minister did not hide his disgust.

“That’s only to be expected. They are not under our command, and many of them have not made their peace with death yet. All we ask of them is that they not strike the first blow. I want to believe they can at least manage that much.”

If they couldn’t keep up, that was certainly an issue, but without them, they’d lose a quarter of the army’s strength—far worse.

Even if the King of Darkness used that spell again and they lost two hundred thousand, they would still have half their number. An alarming figure, but if the noble-led troops were half that remaining number, then their role would be much more important than a quarter initially suggested.

“So what’s the plan, then?”

“We don’t really have one, Your Highness,” the adviser admitted, looking exhausted. “We’re not even in any cohesive formation to speak of. All we can manage is an unorganized charge. Which means if morale collapses, so do we… Should we attempt to cut off our path of retreat?”

“Belay that. We’re better off putting the royal knights out front. And—”

“Please, Your Highness. Leave that to
us
.”

Zanac raised an eyebrow. He was far from a formidable warrior himself, but the idea of this egghead waving a sword around was unconvincing.

“If someone must lead the charge, it should be me. Our prince should remain in command at the rear.”

Zanac met his gaze and held it a long moment. Then he nodded.

“I’m glad we’re in agreement…” The minister’s eyes darted up to the tent’s roof. There was nothing to see there. The tent top blocked his view of the sky. But he stared at it a long moment before murmuring, “Honestly, I never much cared for Stronoff. But now every day I wish he were still with us.”

“I feel much the same way, except I rather liked the man.”

The minister smiled faintly, then turned his attention to a commotion suddenly arising outside.

“What’s that? Has the Nation of Darkness begun their advance?”

“No…,” Zanac said, listening closely. “This is something else.”

Several men came rushing into the tent.

All feudal lords with land near—well, not that close, really—but relatively near the capital. Their number included several of the pale faces he’d noted earlier. The rest must be mercenaries. He saw fresh blood on their blades.

“You dare enter the prince’s tent with drawn blades?! Stand down!”

None of them responded to the minister’s roar. Eyes like cornered rats, all on Zanac.

It was all Zanac could do not to double over laughing.

He’d suspected as much from the start, but this made it all too clear just how stupid they were.

Perhaps it had been an error to move the knights away from him, positioning them with the commanders. This desperate attempt was only possible because there was no one left to stop them. It had never occurred to him anyone would try to mutiny here—he had clearly placed far too much faith in humanity.

No, wait.

Arguably, they were making the right choice. They were just searching for a way to get through this ordeal alive.

Thus, Zanac had only himself to blame. It was his inability to sense where their hearts lay, assuage their fears, and unify them.

He wondered if his father could have done better, and despite his best efforts to look intimidating, he once again had to fight off a smile.

“Down, you fools!”

“…Halt, Minister.”

“But, Your Highness…!”

“I said halt. Stand down.”

“I cannot accept that order.”

“Minister—”

“That’s quite enough, Your Highness. Buying time will get you nowhere.”

“Hmph. That was hardly my intent.”

He might be girded in a national treasure, but he had little combat training or experience. His brother might have fared better, but Zanac stood little chance of cutting his way out of this.

If this mutiny was not on impulse but planned, his fate was as good as sealed.

But when he glared around the room, they flinched.

Pathetic. If they believed themselves to be in the right, then they should be more sure of themselves. Zanac followed his own example there, standing strong and unyielding.

“What business brings you to my tent? I’m sure you are well aware what these drawn blades signify.”

“—We are, Your Highness. We demand that you offer up a surrender.”

Zanac smiled. “The King of Darkness will accept no surrender. I spoke to him about just that. There is nothing we can do to change his mind. Perhaps you’ll find this hard to believe, but our sole path to salvation is to fend his forces off.”

“We can’t win…,” one noble whispered.

Zanac agreed. “Yet, fighting is our only option. I offered him our capitulation. In vain. Once again, the only way we survive this is to fight.”

“Perhaps for you, Your Highness. But if we impress him, perhaps he will allow
us
to escape. Our lives in exchange for yours.”

That got them all chattering at once.

“This is all the fault of that idiot who attacked their convoy! We’re not to blame!”

“We pledge loyalty to the King of Darkness!”

To Zanac’s ears, these words were indistinguishable from the prattling of young court ladies idly discussing their ideal knights over tea and crumpets.

“Let me be clear on one point. Attempting to capture me will get you nowhere. I am a prince, here to fight until the bitter end. If you come at me, know that it may cost you your life.”

Honestly, what a mess this all turned out to be.

At the hands of his own allies. What an unseemly end.

Perhaps he should consider it a stroke of luck these fools would perish here and cause no trouble for his father and sister.

With that warrior by her side, these fools would never put Renner down.

“If you want my head, come and take it!”

Zanac drew his sword, and the war minister stood by his side.

He had no confidence in his skills, but his equipment was far superior.

When none of them moved, he glared.

“What? You came here with blood on your swords! You chose not the way of the poison chalice! The moment you dirtied your own hands, you must have been prepared for it to end like this!”

The insurrectionists exchanged glances.

Clearly, they hadn’t thought that far ahead. Zanac found that disappointing. He would have preferred to die at the hands of someone aware of the consequences.

In the face of the armies of darkness, fear had drawn their heartstrings too taut, and they had snapped, rushing headlong into this foolish mistake.

Perhaps he had never been cut out to be king. He possessed none of his father’s magnetism, his brother’s authority, or his sister’s wits. But that was fine. He had never really wanted to be king. He had only wanted to make this country better.

Indeed.

The country, the citizens, and his family…

He had just wanted them to be happy.

One of the noblemen yelled something at the tent flap, and several burly mercenaries came rushing in.

Zanac swore under his breath, then remembered how his brother swung the blade. He did his best to imitate that roar as he charged into the fray.

Ainz was discussing the assault on the capital with Cocytus, Aura, and Mare when Albedo came back from checking the final formations with a frown on her face. He turned toward her, wondering what had happened.

“Lord Ainz, the enemy have fallen into disarray.”

“…What? Disarray? How so?”

Ainz rose to his feet and stepped outside. There was definitely something going on. It looked like they were turning on one another.

Eventually a group of knights came charging out of the formation. It did not look like they were trying to land the first blow of the battle.

Ainz and his minions watched in silence as they approached the Nation of Darkness camp. From the ramshackle gear, these had to be a group of mercenaries, accompanied by the nobles who’d hired them.

An older man in aristocratic finery emerged from the host of imposing fighters. He called out, his voice tinged with hysteria, and the wind caught his words, carrying them to Ainz’s ears.

“We wish to speak with the King of Darkness! Prithee!”

Zanac was not among them. Between the evident disarray and this small breakaway group, he had a hunch what had gone down.

“Albedo, bring them to me.”

Albedo bowed her head, but Ainz didn’t even look her way. He turned back to his tent and sat down upon his makeshift throne. The three guardians inside spoke not a word as they took their places beside him.

Soon, Albedo entered with a dozen or so nobles in tow. Their guards were forced to wait outside.

They flinched at the sight of Ainz, gasped at the sight of Cocytus, and were baffled by the presence of Aura and Mare.

“Bask in the glory of His Majesty’s visage!”

The kingdom nobles took a knee by the entrance, bowing low.

“Raise your heads,” Albedo intoned before finally taking her place by Ainz.

“An honor to be graced with your presence, Your Majesty,” the eldest noble said, apparently speaking for the group. From the deference the others showed, he was clearly the leader. “We are but supplicants awed by your grandeur, wishing only to serve beneath your feet. First, we bring you this gift…”

One of them thrust out a bag. Albedo started to step forward, but Ainz stopped her. He rose slowly from his throne—a move he’d rehearsed many times before—and stepped toward the nobleman.

He took the bag.

Not a trap, then.

Rather disappointed, he inspected the gift.

He could smell fresh blood wafting from inside. It was all too easy to predict the contents.

Ainz opened it anyway, peering inside.

His eyes met Zanac’s.

He looked back at some length. He had only just met the man for the first time, so it was hard to rule out the possibility of a look-alike. But from their behavior, the odds of that were not high.

Ainz closed the bag, handing it to Albedo on his way back to the throne.

“Give that a proper burial.”

They still had more than enough bodies to create undead from. There was no need to make use of Zanac’s.

“What happened to the armor he was wearing?”

The gathered nobles looked confused. Likely they thought bringing the head of their commander would earn them lavish praise.

“Well?” Albedo hissed. “Do you intend to not answer Lord Ainz’s question?”

“R-right, the, um… I believe the prince’s body is still in his tent,” the leader managed to blurt out.

“Oh. Fine. You have done well.”

They looked delighted and bowed their heads again.

“Fine work deserves a fine reward. What is it you wish?”

“Please, spare our families, Your Majesty! We swear unswerving loyalty to you and you alone!”

This cry went up from a nobleman toward the rear of the group. The urgency was apparent on his face. The leader spoke up as well.

“Silence! But my wish is the same. Your Majesty, we beg for clemency.”

Each of them quickly voiced their agreement. Ainz calmly raised a hand, stopping their cries.

“Very well. I understand your request. You are all in agreement on this?”

They nodded vigorously.

“Then we shall not kill you. Albedo—have them sent to Neuronist.”

“—Understood.”

“Your Majesty, our families…,” one whispered. Ainz did not let that pass.

“Them too?” He smirked. But they did not catch his meaning. “You’ve talked me into it. Albedo, find out where their families are located and send them all together.”

“As you wish, Lord Ainz. Gentlemen, this way.”

Albedo led the noblemen out of the tent. Once they were out of earshot, Ainz beckoned Aura over.

“Tell Neuronist not to kill them until they beg for death.”

“You got it, Lord Ainz!”

Aura started to move, but he caught her hand. She looked surprised.

“And keep them alive for a long while even
after
they do.”

“Okay!”

He let go, and Aura took that to mean his orders were complete. She ran out after Albedo.

Ainz watched her go, giving orders to the remaining guardians.

“I’ve lost all interest in this farce. Cocytus, take command with Mare as your second. I’ll allow you both to join the fight if you so wish. Do not allow a single kingdom citizen to leave here alive.”

Their voices echoed in the affirmative.

And an hour later—the Re-Estize Kingdom’s last army vanished from this world.