Published at 6th of April 2019 10:44:12 AM Chapter 95

Overlord First Half Chapter 95: Massacre Part1

Massacre Part 1

Translators: Frostfire10

Editors: Ureel

Exactly one month after the Empires proclamation .

The fields were ripe with the fruits of autumn, and welcomed the shining golden colour . A light breeze blew and the blue skies were clear . The white clouds were few and floated in the sky .

The months after this would only get colder, but this season was the busiest of the year . If one took in deep breaths, the clear air would enter their lungs . The warm air that was present a few weeks ago was nowhere to be found .

This was the season where one would not want to leave bed, but those who could do so belonged to a special class in the Kingdom . In fact, this season was the busiest of the year .

To the farming villages this was the time to harvest the results of one year of hard work, and when tax would be collected . Also, merchants would be rushing over to villages and cities .

Everyone was rushing about in a hurry .

Even in the Fortress City E-Rantel .

However, the hustle and bustle of E-Rantel was a bit different from those in other cities . It was not lively, but the heat being released from a different form of emotion was spreading across the city .

The source of that heat was within the outermost ring of E-Rantels three walls .

There were countless men there . Most were wearing a jumbled set of clothes . Most were commoners . However, their numbers were astounding . Probably 200,000 .

There was no way that this number of humans stayed in E-Rantel . Since E-Rantel was in the territory contested over by three countries, its transportation network was often used . There were goods, people, money and various other things . And this city naturally became large .

However there was no way that 200,000 humans would live in this area .

Then why were they all here?

The ones who explained this was a group of young men .

There were many men who were making wooden and straw figures, refitting bent metal shields and armour and practising with spears without blades . It was obvious what they were doing . Battle training .

Yes The 200,000 residents of the Kingdom assembled here were assembled to war against the Empire .

Vigorous shouts could be heard . Of course, the number of enthusiastic shouts were few . Most were filled with fear of being forced onto the battlefield . The vigour came from them wanting to learn this to avoid dying . That was why they trained .

However, not everyone was training seriously .

The war between the Empire and kingdom occurred annually . Thus there were many that were broken . There were many without motivation that were hiding in a corner lying down . Some were spilling their guts out on their neighbour . Some were hugging their knees while crouching .

The more years went on, the stronger this trend .

Their desire to fight was mostly terrible and they merely wished to return home alive .

This was the morale of the Kingdoms troops . This could not be helped . They were forced here to do unrewarded work and their busy schedules cleared . Even if they returned alive, the loss of that time would tighten the noose around their neck .

And this did nothing to change the fact that a slow death was closing in on them .

Next to those soldiers were several carriages running past . On top of them were countless amounts of provisions .

It was extremely difficult to imagine that over 2% of the Kingdoms population would stay in one city . However E-Rantel was the frontline of the war with the Empire and was the place where the Kingdoms military power gathered .

As the wars with the Empire waged, the preparations for 200,000 people were being done . Their food stores were huge, and were probably the largest buildings in the city .

Then why were those carriages being shuttled back and forth?

There was but one answer . The fact that this amount of food was needed pointed to it .

Those men who were lethargically working viewed those carriages with fear . As if they were looking at the reaper .

Most of those that understood what was about to happen stared at the carriages .

The large scale transportation of food .

This meant that the war with the Empire was encroaching .

Within the innermost section of the three walls of the fortress .

There was the residence of the mayor of E-Rantel, Panasolei Gruze Vauna Rettenmaier . It was a residence that fitted his position as mayor, but compared to the building next to it, it fell down a few notches .

This mansion was the most extravagant in the city . Then if one wondered who lived in this place, there would only be one answer . This building was meant to house those who had a higher position than the mayor .

This was the Noble Guest Residence .

It was a mansion that was only opened if a king or someone of equal status had arrived .

And inside a room of that mansion, there were the figures of several men .

Sitting on the simple throne was of course, the King of Re-Estize Kingdom, Rampossa III .

Standing diagonally behind him was the strongest warrior of the Kingdom Gazef Stronoff .

In front of the two was a table, and six men were sitting in chairs placed around it . All of them wore excellent clothes, and their faces had grace . It was impossible to gain that look in a single generation and so only those from large families with long histories could obtain it .

The table in front of them had countless papers strewn about, and half of these were parchments . Several empty pitchers were left around, and the cups in front of them were mostly empty .

One could tell that a fierce discussion had occured here, one that had gone on for a long time .

And in fact, many of those mens faces were plastered with fatigue .

And the man whose fatigue was not yet visible was the first to speak .

We have received the Empires yearly proclamation of war and where it is held . He was a snake-like man, Marquis Raeven, one of the Six Great Nobles of the Kingdom . It is at

Hmm . Its at the same place right . Katze Plains right?

The man who stole Marquis Raevens words was a man in his forties . When he was young he probably had a muscular figure . One could see the effect of the passage of time on his body . Even so, his voice was full of vigour .

He was Marquis Boullope, the head of the Noble Faction, and the one who prepared one fifth of the soldiers participating in this war .

It is as you say . It is the same location as previous years .

. Since the location is the same, shouldnt it mean that the Empires attack will be the same?

A thin and heartened noble spoke . His voice was somewhat tinged with relief . That was never a good emotion to have before going to war . In front of the fact that the Kingdoms territory was being breached .

That was probably why he was relieved . Several nobles looked at him for an instant with cold eyes .

Unfortunately Marquis Blumrush, that is not the case . This time, the Empire has moved quite the number of troops . I believe that there is some kind of aim . If you are careless you might lose your life you know?

True, Marquis Raeven . Isnt this just granting honour to some strange noble? They did proclaim that I will give him territory . So he will at least move a sufficiently large force right? The strange noble . What was his name

While playing with his sharpened goatee, the extremely thin noble spoke .

(Frontier Marquis) Ainz Ooal Gown . Marquis Pespea .

Yes! He was a magic caster noble right?

According to the Mayor of this city and Gazef-dono, he is a magic caster that needs to be kept an eye on right?

The youngest person present spoke . His face was clean and young, but the cold smile on it did not make others feel welcome .

Exactly . Count Lytton . Gazef, who was standing next to the Kings side spoke . Ainz Ooal Gown is a magic caster to be cautious of . He probably rivals . No, exceeds the Head Magic Caster of the Empire, Fluder .

As an individual, a magic caster is dangerous . But what can one person do?

Making a mocking smile, Count Lytton laughed at Gazefs caution .

As a magic caster, Fluder was widely known in the surrounding countries . However, his true strength was not clearly known . Fluder had not faced the Kingdom in war before, and thus the Kingdoms troops were never destroyed by magic .

Thus many of the Kingdoms nobles did not find Fluder important . Basically they thought he was mere propaganda . Those who thought this were high ranking nobles who had no connections with adventurers or those with occupations related to magic .

Count Lytton was one of them .

To his knowledge, magic casters were a type of tricksters . Of course, priests alone were different .

. That is not the case . A magic caster that can fly and used large scale attacks is extremely dangerous . It would also be painful to be hit from range . But unless its a special case, magic casters would not do such things . However, the Empires reception of Ainz Ooal Gown is too strange . If he were a simple magic caster, they would not do this much . Thus I believe we should be cautious .

The remaining man of the Six Great Nobles, Margrave Urovana spoke heavily . His pure white beard and his wrinkled face had a pressure that came from being an experienced man . In contrast to Count Lytton, he was the oldest, and had the most conviction in his words . Even Count Lytton nodded at his words . However, one man had a different opinion .

Hmm . What Ainz Ooal Gown . As Ritton said, what can one person do? If he flies in the sky we can simply shoot him down with arrows . The same if he stands at range . What can one simple magic caster do alone! Can one magic caster change the outcome of a war! Does Earl Urovana know of such a case!

. I have not .

In actuality, he had not heard of such cases . Well, stories were an exception .

Isnt that the answer . No matter how powerful, one person cannot affect the battlefield .

. What about a dragon?

Marquis Blumrush . He sent a fierce gaze as if he were looking at a fool . That magic caster is human, why did the idea of a dragon come out?

N, no . He might rival an army by himself .

When talking of humans, there is no meaning in talking about dragons . The premise is different! What are you thinking . Being cautious of one magic caster Marquis Boullope glared at Gazef . Do you not think it is shameful for nobles of the Kingdom to be scared of shadows?!

Marquis Boullopes words rang true .

Several of the Six Great Nobles nodded in agreement . What could one magic caster do .

However, several people did not . Even if a normal magic caster could not, they were unsure that this magic caster could overturn their past preconceptions .

Firstly, the envoy we sent to the magic caster has yet to return, so he probably was hostile then . The envoy has probably been killed .

I believe so .

Marquis Raeven nodded . While it was publicly stated that the envoy went missing, his corpse was already recovered .

No matter what happened, do we intend to fear a boorish man who killed an envoy of the Kingdom?

. What is that not the case?

What do you mean?

His pitch dropped as Marquis Boullope spoke to Marquis Raeven . There was a large difference between his polite past reactions and his current .

This was because Marquis Boullope viewed Marquis Raeven as his equal .

There is a possibility that the Empire had killed the envoy . To pull him to their side .

Despite Marquis Raeven saying this, the possibility was low . Renner agreed .

The envoy was obviously bitten to death by a beast, but Evileye had said that there was no summoned beast nor monster that was large enough . Thus the possibility of this being the work of the Empire was low .

The more probable answer, was that they had incurred his wrath .

Hmm . That may be the case, but I do not think it is possible to change the fact that the magic caster was brought to the Empire and is being used as a pawn?

If we invite that magic caster into the Kingdom

Stronoff! Despite receiving such a high position in the Empire, he would betray them? If he has honour he would not do such a thing . Only the lowest dreg of humanity would betray anyone!

Without moving his gaze, Marquis Raeven focused on one of the nobles in the corner of his eye .

While thinking that if he said that One of them is here you know, it would feel great, he thought, filled with a certain dark emotion .

If one is a part of the Kingdom, yet audaciously betrays it, I would want to make that person meet a bad end .

Agreed .

Well lets ignore that . More importantly we have to think about the current war with the Empire . Lets get this conversation back on track . Marquis Boullope raised his voice . For example, what is the Empire planning and how the war on the plains will go?

I believe that it will go as usual

The silent Rampossa III received Marquis Raevens gaze and spoke .

I intend to do that . I believe that everyone understands why .

The Six Great Nobles nodded . Well, one did not seem to get it .

The Empires knights were heavily armoured, and fought on horseback . Facing such a enemy, it would be foolish to battle on flat land like the Katze Plains . It would be better to barricade themselves in E-Rantel, where the casualties would be fewer, and the chances of victory were higher .

However, that was unacceptable to the Kingdom .

First was the problem of using a large number of commoners . Even though it was an important harvest period, they were forced to deploy to the battlefield . If they were not returned quickly to their work, the Kingdoms economic power would deteriorate .

Next was that feeding 200,000 men for extended periods was difficult even for E-Rantel .

If they boarded themselves within the fortress, the Empire which had plenty of magic casters would use a different strategy . Since it was not clear what they would do, the results would be unpredictable .

One might think that this was because 200,000 troops were used, but the Empires knights were strong, and their trainings far surpassed the Kingdoms . It would be dangerous to not activate 200,000 troops .

That was why the Kingdom had no choice . While they did the same as always and will accept the charge head on and it was the best choice for the Kingdom .

Understood . By the way, Your Majesty, the Empires troops have been deployed .

I see .

It seems about time to let start to let the peasants start working for their food .

It is just as Count Lytton says . Let us ready our troops . How are your preparations, Marquis Boullope?

There are no issues, Marquis Pespea . Mine can move immediately . Your Majesty .

. Then please move your troops .

Now Your Majesty . Who will have overall command? I do not mind if it is myself?

While it was phrased as a question, it was different . In his words were a pressure telling Rampossa III to hand over the right to command .

Rampossa III and Marquis Boullope . If asked who was better at command, many nobles would reply the later . And Marquis Boullopes troops comprised of one fifth of the army, forty thousand men .

If the King were not present, the overall commander would be Marquis Boullope .

However the King was present . While it was natural for Rampossa III to have overall command, the nobles of the Noble Faction would not accept this so easily .

At Marquis Boullopes pressuring question, Gazefs eyebrow twitched . Despite seeing that Marquis Boullope did nothing . To him Gazef was a commoner who knew how to swing a sword . He would originally not even permit him to be present in this room with the King and Six Great Nobles .

. Marquis Raeven .

Yes .

I shall leave it to the Marquis . Advance the troops to Katze Plains and return them back safely . And I shall leave their deployment up to you .

Understood .

Marquis Raeven received the order of Rampossa III and bowed . To Marquis Boullope it was like his desired position was stolen from him, but he could not complain about Marquis Raeven . He knew his excellence, and it was difficult to disagree . And more importantly, Marquis Raeven belonged to both factions . Several of Marquis Boullopes aids also owed Marquis Raeven .

Speaking up strongly in front of them would implant doubt in their minds .

That was why Marquis Boullope agreed .

Marquis Raeven . I shall leave my troops to you . If you need anything just say .

Thank you very much, Marquis Boullope . I shall rely on you then .

It was a meaningless exchange, but it was necessary for nobles .

Then we shall end this here . Marquis Raeven . Im counting on you .

Understood, Your Majesty .

As the Six Great Nobles left the room, the only ones remaining were Rampossa III and Gazef .

Rampossa III slowly rotated his neck . Gazef heard creaking sounds . As he had released tension, the king had a relieved face .

Good work, Your Majesty .

Ah . I really am tired .

Gazef made a wry smile . A small scale war between the Noble and Royal Factions had just occurred . This would make anyone tired . However Rampossa III was a person more tired than most .

Has he arrived yet?

It would probably be difficult for him right?

True

When Rampossa III said this, the door was knocked on . The door was opened and the person they were talking about arrived .

The one who entered the room was a disgustingly obese man . His hair was thin enough to reflect light, and the remaining strands were all white .

His body was round enough to be called obese . His stomach was slaughtered in fat, and slabs of flesh hung beneath his chin .

He was a disgusting man, but his eyes had the spark of wisdom . He was a man with a large disparity between his personality and appearance . Rampossa III gave that man a kind smile .

Thank you for coming, Panasolei .

Your Majesty . The mayor of E-Rantel, Panasolei, lowered his head . And then he shifted his gaze . It has been a while, Gazef-dono .

Mayor . Thank you very much for that time .

No no . I should be the one to thank you . I am very grateful for your patrols of the nearby areas .

Youre not wheezing through your nose today?

Your Majesty . Panasolei made a wry smile . There is no point if I do that to someone Im close to . And Your Majesty already knows .

Sorry sorry . Forgive me Panasolei . Now, I wanted to use some time to catch up, but we have none . So, sorry but can we get to the point .

Understood, Your Majesty . Before that, one question .

Rampossa III gestured with his chin to continue .

There is a young knight in white armour standing outside the door, but is it fine to not ask him to leave?

While there was soundproofing, it was difficult to make it absolute . If he pressed his ear to the door, he might be able to pick something up from this important conversation .

Hearing that, Rampossa III and Gazef immediately understood who he was talking about . The young man named Climb .

It is fine . He guards my daughter from danger, and can be trusted .

Panasoleis gaze flicked to Gazef, and seeing him nodded, Panasolei agreed .

I see . Understood . Then . Shall we begin?

No . The King hesitated but replied . No, one more person is coming . Can we wait until he arrives?

Is that so . Then shall we first talk about the expenses of the provisions within the city? And I have papers about the projected national strength of the Kingdom in one year based on the materials the Marquis provided .

Yes . I want to get past the headache inducing stuff first .

And Panasoleis words caused even the domestic affairs ignorant Gazef to frown .

The amount of expenses would cause one to wonder if the Kingdom was going to be alright . The effects of collecting a large number of provisions on the Kingdom . And the largest problem was the deterioration of the national strength of the Kingdom after the commoners returned home .

Panasoleis predictions, even his optimistic ones, were situations that would make one want to hide in a hole .

Rampossa III understood this better than Gazef, and his face was strained .

How did this .

If . The Empire attacks again next year, the Kingdom will move closer to fracturing . The number of peasants starving to death due to tax will rise rapidly, and if not taken seriously, the treasury will empty .

. .

Rampossa III placed his hand on his chin and hid his face .

It was the result of several years of them responding to the Empire however they liked . By the time they understood the Empires aim, it was far too late .

Your Majesty .

This is troubling . If I had acted sooner . If I had acted before the Factions completely divided and those standing by me still had power . What foolishness .

It was not that easy . Even if he had cleaned up then, the Kingdom would probably have fallen into civil war, and when weakened, it would be swallowed up by the Empire .

This was the result of inaction of several generations of royalty . It was impossible to clean all that up in one .

Silence fell in the dark room . And cutting it apart, were several knocks on the door .

And Marquis Raeven entered .

I have made everyone wait .

Marquis Raeven, sorry for taking up your time .

No no, pay it no mind . It was the correct decision to throw it to me then . However, my apologies, I cannot stay here for long, so shall we solve the problems quickly .

His snake-like face was cold as always, but Gazef felt human emotion in the man . He also confirmed that he liked the man .

I was a fool for not being able to see this mans true personality .

As Gazef regretted that fact, he recalled the conversation he had in the royal chambers before they left the capital . The four people that were assembled there Rampossa III, Gazef, Renner and Marquis Raeven . The conversation he had with those two completely blew away all his preconceptions he had of the royal court .

The shock of the fact that the man that Gazef hated the most was working the hardest for the King could not be described in one word .

I have troubled both you and my daughter .

While making a sincere expression and the sitting Marquis Raeven, Rampossa III made a deep bow .

Y, Your Majesty . Please stop this . I am someone who acted without Your Majestys knowledge . I feel deep regret that I did not use different methods earlier .

Marquis Raeven . Allow me to apologise as well . Gazef bowed deeply . Without knowing Marquis Raevens true intent, I was deceived by your haughty demeanor, and I have nurtured disrespect for you . Please forgive this fool .

Gazef-dono, paid it no mind .

. Even if you say that .

Marquis Raeven detected a deep sense of regret hidden inside Gazefs words . Then only giving Gazef some form of punishment would give him relief .

Marquis Raeven nodded in head several times in understanding . And he gave Gazef his punishment .

Understood . I have called you Gazef-dono for a long time . Not Stronoff-dono . Now allow me to call you Gazef-dono as friends . I deeply respect you after all .

A punishment that was not a punishment .

His eyes were nothing more than decorative holes in his head if he could not see this mans true worth . While thinking that, Gazef spoke words of gratitude that came from his heart .

Thank you very much, Marquis Raeven .

Discerning that Gazefs words had the utmost respect inside, Marquis Raeven said nothing . Anything more would be Gazefs problem .

Now shall we hurry up and begin, Your Majesty?

Confirming that Rampossa III nodded, Marquis Raeven began to speak again .

First is . About the adventurer called Momon who is Ainz Ooal Gowns disciple . The chance that Ainz Ooal Gown sent him to contact the Kingdom is high, just as Renner-denka says .

About that, we have contacted Momon, but he said that he is not related to whatever his master does .

I see . Then contact is impossible .

Is it possible that by apologising to Momon, we will be indirectly apologising to Ainz Ooal Gown?

Its probably impossible, Your Majesty . According to what the mayor says, his attempts at catching the Kingdoms eye . Probably failed . He now completely belongs to the Empire .

Saying that, Rampossa collapsed into his chair .

One cannot think of Ainz Ooal Gown as a mere magic caster . He is probably a magic caster that commands great power . It would be best to think of him as someone who rivals Landfall .

Peace and alliance, and by granting territory to Ainz Ooal Gown we can make him an obvious enemy . That was Renner-samas plan right?

Yes . While he has become part of the Empire, he has been granted such a high position so they probably understand his danger . Thus if we make an encirclement he should not be able to escape .

Amongst the forms of power, influence was unique in that the stronger ones influence became, the stronger the oppositions influence became . If Ainz Ooal Gown gained territory and used his great power, his danger level would increase and more would become his enemy .

So will this city be ceded over?

Panasolei asked this in an unreadable voice . As mayor, his emotions were complicated .

I hope we do not have to do that . I hope that this war goes well, and as peace agreements we can grant him the territory between the Empire and E-Rantel .

. The problem is what will the nobles say .

If we are defeated to a certain extent they will probably accept it . If not they will believe that Your Majesty desired to run away from it all .

Basically Marquis Raeven . There will be a need to be defeated to a certain extent in this war .

Exactly . Gazef-dono . It would be nice if we can reduce the Noble Factions power .

The room once again fell into silence . Everyone could understand Marquis Raevens words rationally . It was very important . However it was difficult to emotionally accept it .

Defeat would mean the deaths of the many citizens drafted from the Kingdom .

The deaths of several hundred, thousands, tens of thousands of people . While on paper, it was not a large number, but as long as one had the slightest imagination, they would be able to hear the cries of their countless relatives .

Since a certain amount of deaths are already unavoidable, it cannot be helped . Then we shall collaborate with the Empire, and from there, sow discord between Ainz Ooal Gown and the Empire . That will be the best way to protect the Kingdoms future .

The Kingdom had no other choice . While the other countries were in turmoil, the Kingdom would recover its strength . And if one of the two became an enemy, the other would become an ally . If possible, they would like to ally with the Empire .

While this was based on the premise that they would have friendly relations after the war, this was not strange .

Wars were a method of negotiation between countries . It was like how the weaker person would listen to the stronger one after a fight .

Of course, that might not be the case in a world with only humans . Differences in race, religion or language might cause them to war till extinction .

However, this world did not have only humans . They had the existences known as monsters and countries made by demi-humans . There were even undead that hated the living and several beings that towered over humans .

In such a world, it would be foolish to destroy the races that had the most similar sense of values to oneself .

If one thought of race as a class, it would be best to coexist . However even the same race would find differences and war would break out even between those with the same values .

That was why they wanted to make an alliance with the Empire .

To those who talked with Renner, Ainz Ooal Gown was someone stronger than Landfall and could destroy a country by himself . There was no way that such a person was human . No, he might be human, but someone who exceeded humanity was no longer human .

If they were to form an alliance, it would be best to form one with a race with the same values . Forming an alliance with another species would be last resort .

When everyone forced themselves to accept this, Marquis Raeven recalled something .

And another thing . I wanted to talk about someone related to Ainz Ooal Gown, someone known as Blood-Stained .

Ooh . I wanted to talk about this to His Majesty as well .

What is he?

Yes . She is [Blood-Stained] Enri, a mercenary troop leader in Carne Village .

Carne Village?

Gazef recalled the time when he had met Ainz in that village for the first time . It was a village that was attacked, and there did not seem to be anyone who would be called Blood-Stained .

Yes . Blood-Stained Enri is a person who commands monsters such as goblins and ogres .

Hearing about her relation to demihumans, Gazef immediately understood that there was some connection between Blood-Stained Enri and Ainz .

I see . This Enri and Ainz Ooal Gown are related .

That is the question . Some nobles have received information that Blood-Stained Enri is related to Ainz Ooal Gown . And some of them have said to capture her .

That is dangerous . We do not want to anger him any further . Shall I make up a reason?

No . Send out the order to capture .

The gazes of three people fell on Marquis Raeven .

Should they anger Ainz Ooal Gown any further, it would be questionable if they could have friendly relations after the war . If the Empire does not agree to an anti-Ainz coalition, they would make an alliance with Ainz to usurp the Empire .

Even though they wanted to form an alliance with him, angering Ainz any further would be extremely dangerous .

On top of releasing information that Momon was the one who leaked it .

I see . If we do not give the order, the Noble Faction will be annoyed . It would be troublesome if enmity was left with the (Frontier Marquis) . So we release that information as a form of apology .

Yes . Exactly . If possible, we should tell Marquis Boullope this so that they send out an idiot of the Noble Faction .