The contents were roughly as followed:
The Baharuth Empire acknowledges the sovereignty of the independent Kingdom of Nazarick, ruled by the Sorcerer King Ainz Ooal Gown, and formally recognizes it as an ally of the Empire.
Originally, the region near E-Rantel was the domain of the Sorcerer King Ainz Ooal Gown. The Kingdom of Re-Estize is unlawfully occupying this territory and must now return it to its rightful owner.
If the Kingdom does not comply with this demand, the Empire will aid the Sorcerer King Ainz Ooal Gown in reclaiming the Sorcerer King’s territory.
This will be a just war, fought to end unjust occupation.
After the contents were read out, the room exploded into a hubbub of discussion. These terms were insane, and so was anyone who agreed to them.
“Just in case, I have also had the scholars examine the Kingdom’s history, and no mention of any individual named Ainz Ooal Gown ruling the surroundings of E-Rantel was discovered. There is no legitimacy to this claim.”
“This is ridiculous nonsense, which lunatic’s ravings are these?!”
The boisterous cry rang throughout the hall.
Marquis Bowlrob’s formidable presence ―a testament to his former glory as a warrior― seemed to give the other nobles courage, and they returned his shout with their own approval.
“Although it’s been delayed, isn’t this just the same old Imperial invasion they announce every year? They always find some stupid reason to declare war, so this time round, they must really be scraping the bottom of the barrel to throw up this magic caster’s name, right? I want to see what kind of clown they’ve given that ridiculous title of ‘Sorcerer King’.”
Count Ritton’s words were followed by the derisive laughter of the massed nobles.
“However…”
The count turned his fox-like eyes ―filled with disdain― toward Gazef.
“I believe we’ve heard of this Sorcerer King madman before, haven’t we, O Warrior-Captain Stronoff?”
“Indeed, he was the magic caster who lent me a helping hand at the outskirts of E-Rantel.”
Count Ritton delivered his cold mockery with an irritating laugh.
“I see, he must have helped because he thought they were his own peasants.”
The scornful laughter of the nobles could be heard all around, yet nobody stopped it, because Gazef, who was born a commoner, was hated by many members of the Noble faction.
If it had been a member of the Royal faction, the King would have intervened, but since Count Ritton belonged to the opposition, the King could only furrow his brow.
“Seems like it was the Empire burning down the farming villages near E-Rantel, don’t you think?
The Warrior-Captain said something about the Slaine Theocracy, and then receiving aid from some Gown fellow, right? Isn’t he involved with the Empire? And didn’t someone else also say that the bodies of the ambushers who nearly killed the Warrior-Captain vanished without a trace?”
In his mind, Gazef recalled the sight of the powerful members of the Six Scriptures, as well as the mighty silhouette of Ainz Ooal Gown.
“Although the bodies vanished as Count Ritton said, I do not feel the Empire was involved. When I was at Carne Village, the knights that attacked us were far stronger than those of the Empire. They used angels, and there’s no doubt that they were a unit from the Slaine Theocracy.”
“And why would the Theocracy do that?”
How should I know?
Indeed, if Gazef could give an answer like that, it would make him feel a lot better.
Just as the court was about to fall into squabbling due to Gazef’s silence, a voice of aid rang out from Ritton’s side.
“That mad magic caster is irrelevant! What we need to decide on is how to respond to the false Emperor, isn’t that so, your Majesty?”
“It is as Marquis Bowlrob says. We need to decide what the Kingdom’s answer will be.”
“I beg your permission to speak,” Marquis Pespeya said as he advanced. “Accepting the Emperor’s terms will be very difficult. Our only recourse is war.”
The mention of war sparked activity amongst the serried ranks of the nobility.
“Ah-ah, now is the time to crush them once and for all, and then take the fight to the Empire’s doorstep.”
“You’re absolutely right, I’m tired of the constant Imperial invasions.”
“It’s time to let the fools in the Empire know what they’re dealing with!”
“Exactly, just as the Marquis says.”
These words, sandwiched by scattered laughter and repeated throughout the throng of nobles, grated unbearably on Gazef’s ears.
The last few years, they had met the Empire on the field of battle at Kattse Plains.
For the most part, they had simply drawn up battle lines and confronted each other, or exchanged arms briefly with minor losses to the Kingdom. This year would probably be more of the same, and the nobles took on an air of laxity as they imagined the same old events playing out again.
However, Gazef spoke out, spurred by the cry of his warrior’s instincts.
“Don’t think that this battle will end in a small skirmish like it always has!”
The nobles looked like they’d been splashed with a basin of cold water, and turned resentful looks on him.
“I see. This is what our Warrior-Captain really believes. Can you give us a reason for that?”
“Yes, your Majesty, that is―”
The image of a certain person set alarm bells ringing through his heart.
“―That is to say, it is because of that great magic caster, Ainz Ooal Gown.”
“That being the case, the only one of us who has actually seen him face to face would be you, Warrior-Captain. That means we must give some weight to your words. Can you tell us what makes you say that?”
Gazef did not know how to answer. He did not know how to explain it, but his warrior’s instinct was telling him that making that kind of decision about this war would be extremely dangerous.
“Your Majesty, could you not hand over the outskirts of E-Rantel to the Empire, no, to that magic caster?”
After a moment’s silence, the shouts flew like hail.
“You craven coward! How shameless can you get, you chicken-heart?!”
These shouts came from the nobles of the Royal faction.
“After his Majesty showed you such kindness, you turn around and tell him to surrender his demesne to outsiders? When did you start serving the false Emperor?! Not to mention, you haven’t even answered his Majesty’s question!”
In the face of such deserved castigation, Gazef could not answer. Had he been in their position, he might have well done the same thing.
“Enough.”
The one who reached a helping hand out to Gazef in his time of need was his beloved King.