“While that is certainly possible, I trust you’re also aware that this is a very dangerous move. If you act to reduce the power of the nobility, the country may fall into chaos.”
The King knotted his brows, and Gazef’s heart ached.
“Panasolei, as usual, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Although one might die during surgery, there’s also a chance that one might live. Regardless of what we do, the disease will spread through the body and slowly kill us. In that case, shouldn’t we step forward and seize the day?”
“My King, surgical operations are not reliable. It would be better to find another solution instead.”
“If there were some magic solution to save the Kingdom, everyone would go for it. But the barbaric method of cutting open the body to remove the diseased portion is the only cure for our present predicament.”
This frightening and crude procedure, advocated by the Minotaur Sage, was the only remedy for the Kingdom.
A gloomy silence dominated the room, which had seen a king forced to extreme measures to save his country.
Then, just as it seemed this oppressive atmosphere would last forever, a knock rang out from the door, as though to shatter the despondence in the air.
The man who entered without waiting for a response was Marquis Raeven.
“Gentlemen. I apologise for the delay.”
Relief spread through the room.
“Ah, just the man we were looking for. Marquis Raeven, I put a great burden on you.”
A look of confusion appeared on Raeven’s face for a moment as he was caught off guard, but he immediately reacted by replacing it with a tired expression.
“No, don’t take it to heart, your Majesty. In truth, entrusting command to Marquis Bowlrob would have been foolish in the extreme. After all, he only knows how to order charges and retreats.”
It was unclear whether Raeven sincerely meant his harsh criticism. Perhaps he might have said so on purpose to lighten the mood when he sensed the gloominess in the room.
“In addition, if your Majesty was to assume direct control of the army, a misstep might result in the Noble faction retreating on the eve of battle. As such, there is no commander better suited to the role than myself. That being said, working so long without rest has taken its toll on me. I wish to announce in advance that after this war is concluded, I would like to rest on my own lands for several months.”
With that, Raeven’s expression suddenly turned severe.
“I apologize for my curtness, but we can’t waste time here, so let’s get this over quickly.”
Although his face remained as cold as that of a snake’s, Gazef could sense human emotions within him, as well as qualities that he could bring himself to admire.
I was a fool to not have seen his true nature beforehand. Am I really so bad at reading people?
With regret in his heart, Gazef recalled the meeting in the King’s chambers before they left the Capital. There were five people present; King Ranpossa III, Gazef himself, Third Princess Renner, Second Prince Zanack and Marquis Raeven. Upon hearing about the last two, Gazef felt a shock that could have brought down the palace. In particular, there was that man whom Gazef despised, the man who reminded him of a snake and a scorpion… a word like shock could not fully express his reaction when he learned that Raeven was one of the most diligent and loyal nobles, working tirelessly for the benefit of the King.
“I seem to be constantly causing trouble for you, Marquis Raeven, as well as my daughter.”
Ranpossa III lowered his head to the seated Raeven, a sincere expression on his face.
“Your Majesty, please don’t do that. I’ve already acted on my own without consulting yourself; I only regret that I did not take action earlier.”
“Marquis Raeven, allow me to apologize to you as well,” Gazef said as he lowered his head. “I was deceived by surface impressions and harbored disrespectful thoughts about you without
understanding your true intentions. Please forgive this foolish one.”
“Warrior-Captain-dono, there is no need to worry about that.”
“Even so, if I am not punished for my foolishness, it will stick like a thorn within my heart.”
Raeven’s face seemed to say “really?” and then he shook his head. After that, he laid sentence upon Gazef.
“I understand… then, from now on, I shall not address you as Warrior-Captain-dono, but as Gazef-dono. Consider that a token of my respect towards you.”
It was a punishment that couldn’t even qualify as a punishment.
A thought ― that he had eyes, but could not see ― started growing in his heart, and Gazef replied with sincere gratitude.
“Many thanks, Marquis Raeven.”
“Gazef-dono, think nothing of it. Then, let us begin discussing the direction in which the Kingdom will go from this day forth.”
Gazef passed through the main gate and reached the company stables on the outer ring of the city.
He exhaled deeply, to relieve the fatigue clouding his mind.
He was exhausted.
The meeting he’d just attended made him acutely aware that he was a mere commoner.
As he stood by the King’s side and moved through noble society, he’d gradually come to understand the way they thought.
Even so, he frequently encountered responses and attitudes that only those born and bred to the nobility would understand. Gazef couldn’t understand why they would think that way, especially the concept of valuing the pride of the nobility over concrete benefits.
Or no, even more inscrutable than that was the idea of prioritizing one’s pride over one’s citizens.
Gazef slowly scanned his surroundings.
The soldiers, shouting as they ran back and forth… they were the people. The people of the Kingdom, arriving from villages all over the country to fight this war. Although they didn’t look too reliable as soldiers, that was unavoidable; their hands were meant to hold hoes and shovels.
Protecting them should have been the duty of the ones who ruled over them.
If they handed E-Rantel over, they would be hurting the people who lived within the city, just like the King said.
However―
Gazef recalled the image of Ainz Ooal Gown, wearing his strange mask.
He had returned to Carne Village just after dusk, with no sign of having fought a hard battle.
That was right. The two of them had easily defeated the enemies which had utterly decimated Gazef and his troops.
As expected of the superior being who titled himself the Sorcerer King.
Rather than fight him directly ― no, that would only make the people suffer.
“Shit!”
Gazef cursed, unable to find an answer. What should he do? Confusion on the battlefield was a sign of impending death. Even the man hailed as the strongest in the region could still die if he could not focus.
And on top of that, his opponent was Ainz Ooal Gown.