Summary: Aureole Omega goes to the REK and makes sure they go into decline with grain request, and the Ratmen are contacted and forced to attack elves, giving the SK an excuse to aid the elves and help them defend against the SK. The Ratmen army is destroyed. Meanwhile, the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord and the Platinum Dragon Lord meet up and discuss the past and the future. A death knight is controlled by ST via [Downfall of Castle and Country], which Ainz notices.

Chapter 8 Part 1: Ainz

Ainz moved his skeletal hand in a scrolling motion. The view on [Mirror of Remote Viewing] shifted accordingly to follow the progress of the Death Knight as it marched down a road. On all sides were Slane Theocracy soldiers marching with alongside it. They were singing patriotic songs, and holding bright flags aloft. However, they gave the Death Knight a wide berth, so that there was a 3 meter circle cut in the formation.

The Death Knight was bedecked in blue and white cloth, the colors of the Slane Theocracy. Ainz chuckled as he imagined some tailor attempting to fit clothes on the Death Knight. The effect of the bright colors on the Death Knight was off-putting and looked rather strange. All around the Death Knight, teams of soldiers in groups of four worked together to hold balls of iron roughly 30 cm in diameter.

[Magic Vision]

Ainz cast a spell that allowed him to identify low tier magic items without having to cast individual [Appraise Magic Item]'s on them. Each of the balls was apparently enchanted with the fourth tier spell [Block Observation] which stopped low tier observation from afar.

However, when sitting on the [Throne of Kings], (The Throne in Nazarick is actually a World Class Item gained from clearing the Nazarick dungeon), he gained boosted stats including a boost to his scrying spells. Therefore, he was able to quite clearly see the Death Knight as it marched onward.

Ainz had guessed that the Slane Theocracy would attempt to use the Death Knight as soon as possible: He remembered a time when his company had stolen a technology and quickly integrated it into their systems before they were sued. Then, when they were sued, they didn't have to change their operating system again, letting them essentially keep the technology. He had assumed the Slane Theocracy would also attempt to use a powerful tool before it was discovered.

Bafflingly, the Slane Theocracy appeared to be marching towards the Re-Estize Kingdom. Ainz had a vague sense of why they wouldn't attack the elves with the Death Knight, but he could only guess as to why they would attempt to attack the Re-Estize Kingdom.

It was unmistakably an attacking army. All 13 members of the Black Scripture were present, and thousands of disciplined soldiers. In fact, every scripture except the still dissolved Sunlight Scripture and the busy Holocaust Scripture was present. They had full regiments of archers, cavalry, spearmen, swordsmen, priests, magic casters, and even Hippogryph Knights, Pegasi Knights, and many more. Indeed, it was a noble force of humans reminiscent of that classic movie. 'The One Ring, or something. 'Was it The One Ring? Maybe the Ring Lord? I don't remember.'

Ainz shook himself. 'More important things to do.' Demiurge had proposed several ways to destroy the enemy army, including an ambush while they were still on the road, but eventually the Guardians had decided to have Ainz and the forces of Nazarick appear just as the Slane Theocracy arrived at their destination.

Albedo had determined that they should put on a show the likes of which the world had never seen, in order to impress on the worms Ainz's greatness. Demiurge had suggested allowing the Slane Theocracy to destroy a city , and then quickly and humanely execute them. He hadn't explained his reasons to Ainz, as he was certain Ainz already knew all those reasons and more.

Eventually they had agreed to do both plans, allowing the Slane Theocracy to attack one city before snatching their victory away in a brilliant display of magic and power.

Ainz stared at his desk and rubbed fingers over his bony scalp. He still had mountains of paperwork, and he couldn't fish for answers as to what they were with Albedo since she was busy organizing for the operation.

And how she was organizing!

Deep in the bowels of Nazarick, things were moving which hasn't moved in years. The dead were raised, demons were summoned, area guardians were gathered, and golems were awakened. Weapons were enchanted, monsters summoned, and mercenary summoning tomes which had been gathering dust were suddenly cracked open and used. Everywhere one looked, the Great Tomb was busy preparing for what would be the greatest show in history.

In front of Ainz were two reports marked Top Priority. He had asked that the NPC's do this so he knew what to read first.

The first document detailed the Re-Estize Kingdom.

"The Re-Estize Kingdom is suffering mightily from the grain that was taken. Confidence in the nobles and royals is very low, and many people are leaving to head to the Empire. Famine is severe in several sectors, and the army is completely disbanded. Nobles very fractured and worried. Considered ready for phase 3 of the plan."

Ainz didn't know what phase 3 of the plan was, let alone what the plan was at all. 'Did it have something to do with the Frost Wyrm?' He wondered.

The second paper documented the Slane Theocracies's army's progress.

"The Slane Theocracy is on a direct path towards E-Restize. (I couldn't find the capital of Re-Estize anywhere, so I went with E-Restive.) They are expected to arrive in 23 days. Attacking force is negligible in comparison to Nazarick's forces, but overwhelmingly superior to Kingdom forces. The Kingdom is currently unaware of their movements. They have 20 known members over level 30. They have 1200 Hippogryph knights. They have 1600…"

The list went on and on. Ainz sat back in his chair and sighed silently.

Suddenly, the massive door's opened, and Albedo came into the room. She kneeled on the floor in front of Ainz.

"Ainz-sama"

"Hello Albedo. Is there a problem?"

She blushed, before looking up.

"No my lord. I just wanted to hear your opinion on a few choice matters."

"Of course, Albedo. You can always come to me for help, though I think you will find that you are better suited to these things than I am." 'WHY MEEEE!'

"Well, Ainz-sama, last night in our discussion with Demiurge, when I asked how you want me to affect the coming events, you said you wanted me to ensure our impact on the Kingdom is as great as possible. Later you told me to see to it personally when I asked if I should use subordinates to manage it. If I may dare to assume your inscrutable intentions, you wanted me to travel to the Kingdom and forge an alliance with them, so we have an excuse to defend them against the Slane Theocracy?"

"What? I mean, you have read my intentions completely. I thought that you going there personally would, hmm, have a, uh, effect on the situation, yes. Very impressive, Albedo."

She blushed, and wriggled with delight.

"I will attend to it, Ainz-sama. Secondly, I was wondering if you wished to spread the word that you are Surshana, the God of Death? I see a number of ways it could be useful in the future, which you must be considering."

"A god, you say? Well, I'm not sure that would be good. Though, on the other hand, if you say there are some benefits, it would probably be a good idea. I'm tempted to say yes, but I'm not sure it would be believable."

"Ainz-sama, you are already a god to us . How hard can it be to impress your divinity on those insects? Besides, the humans deify anything that saves their pathetic lives and has power. Additionally, you cut an almost divine figure, and there is already a cult which worships you developing in the Holy Kingdom."

"I guess you are right. If you think it's the way forward, then I agree. Also, on that note, please tell CZ to visit Neia, I believe they are friends."

"Of course, Ainz-sama. I will spread the word. To think that you would extend such care to a mere servant!"

Albedo was panting, and her face was a little red. Ainz frantically looked towards the Eight Edge Assassins who menacingly moved closer to Albedo. Ainz quickly picked up a report and quickly started reading before Albedo could jump him.

Part 2: Cardinal Meeting

The Cardinals were all in a blue and white tent with richly embroidered images of the Six Gods on it. The guards outside heard nothing of the raging argument inside, due to the magically soundproofed tent. Inside, however, words were hurled in rapid succession.

"This is folly! There is little to be gained here, and when the Sorcerer King finds out, he will be angry, and we can't afford to fight him!"

"You've said that many times already. You are so scared that you dare not move out of the country! This is our best chance to take over the Re-Estize Kingdom preemptively. If we don't it will definitely join the Sorcerer King!"

"We can't take it, our people don't want to share a border with the Demihumans!"

"Well, we can leave a few towns between us and them."

"How do you know that they will even join the Sorcerer King?"

"They have no military, low public approval which gets lower every day, and a famine! It's only a matter of the time before the Sorcerer King would be 'forced' to move in to prevent the chaos. Hell, WE are telling our citizens that WE are moving in to help the country. How easy would it be for him to claim such a thing?"

"I still think that there's no way the Sorcerer King won't notice the Death Knight! If he notices, how will he react?"

"Its a chance we have to take. If we don't act fast, we will lose our only potential ally in the area. There's no hope against him alone. And besides, it's protected by anti-scrying magic. If he hasn't noticed yet, he never will"

"There's no hope against him anyway. Besides, how do you know he hasn't noticed?"

"Because he hasn't attacked us yet! It would be a perfect excuse for the filthy undead. Don't say such things. I am certain the Gods will give us victory."

The Cardinal of Death had been watching his companions fight in silence, but now he stood up.

"I think there is entirely to high a chance he is Surshana-sama, risen again. His actions have all been for the greater good, and his Kingdom is enjoying prosperity. These are not the actions of an undead with hatred for the living. It is the actions of a lord and ruler. Besides, his power is nothing short of divine. He even uses the magic of the Gods!"

A chorus of boos echoed forth.

"Shut up. We've heard this ten times already."

"Your lucky we haven't kicked you off the council for blasphemy. That was your last chance."

"If he was Surshana-sama, why would he say he is Ainz Ooal Gown instead?"

The Cardinal of Death sat down under this withering rebuttal. His comrades picked up the argument where they had left it.

"It's too big a risk. Remind me why we are even bringing the Death Knight? It seems like something that will drastically lower the morality of our cause."

"We need to defeat the Kingdom quickly before they can even react. A blitzkrieg is more important than being sympathetic. After all, it costs quite a bit to keep this army in the field. The sooner we win, the better."

They argued long into the night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Next Morning~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the crack of dawn, the army picked up its banners and continued moving. They crossed hills and dells and passed over mountains and rivers. They had scouts ranging far and wide, but they never noticed the five Hanzos monitoring their position, or the Wraiths in their path watching their every move, recording troop numbers. They never noticed the Mist Stalker who listened to the Cardinals as they argued. As the army marched on, many eyes watched their progress closely.

Part 3: Albedo

Albedo dismounted her carriage gracefully. The carriage was bedecked in rubies, gold, and onyx colored wood walls. It was decorated beautifully, but not ostentatiously. In Albedo's white gloved hand was a scroll and a rolled up piece of paper.

Albedo was filled with delight as she heard the gasps of appreciation from the onlookers as they gazed upon her elegant vehicle. She was greeted, as usual, by Princess Renner.

Shortly after, Albedo and Renner arrived in the Princess's room. She sipped the tea offered by Renner, before settling in her chair. She slid a document forward to Renner.

"Renner-chan. This document is a defense pact between our nation and yours. It will need your signature."

Renner was about to sign, when a thought crossed her intelligent mind.

"Albedo-dono, this will also need the Nobles's approval as well. I don't see how they would ever agree to this."

"Never fear. My master in his infinite cunning has prepared for this. Awhile ago, he left a Death Knight with the Elvish Kingdom. He claimed it was just to defend the Elves, and I believed him then. However, it must have really been a trap- the Slane Theocracy captured and mentally dominated the Death Knight. This caused them to be emboldened to launch an attack which is currently underway at your kingdom. That will allow you to pressure the nobles to sign a defense pact or risk being annihilated by the Slane Theocracy. My master must have foreseen this as far back as the Ratmen! Ah, it truly is a joy to serve a Supreme Being!"

"To think we consider ourselves intelligent!"

Albedo glanced sharply at Renner.

"We? You are a mere human, albeit an intelligent one. Do not presume to put yourself on a level with Demiurge and myself."

Renner bowed her head.

"I'm sorry Albedo-sama. It won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't. Renner, your objective is to spread rumors that the Slane Theocracy intends to attack. I also want you to work to paint Ainz-sama as the only hope of the Re-Estize Kingdom."

"Understood. Now, Albedo-dono, is that it?"

"Yes. Renner, do you want to tell me about your puppy?"

"Always, Albedo-dono."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Meanwhile~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

King Ranpossa III lay on his bed. He knew he was dying, but he wasn't scared. He had thought a lot recently of his long-dead wife. He remembered her gentle smile, golden hair, and her intelligent mind for politics. It was she who had helped him gain the throne over his less capable elder brother.

'Renner had inherited more than her hair.' He thought.

He tensed up, as stomach pains lanced through his stomach. He could feel that his end was upon him.

For weeks, he had been bedridden with debilitating cramps and stomach pains. Healing spells don't fix old age, and natural deterioration was something they never touched. Ranpossa had been planning his last moments for days now. He would bless his children, repudiate the nobles, and declare Zanac the king. For Renner, he would grant more titles and incomes.

Ranpossa steeled himself. 'It is time.'

With an effort, he sat up. Immediately, the doctors around him rushed to hold him.

"Summon my children. It is time for me to bless them."

The doctors knew that he was dying, and that Ranpossa wanted to say his last words, so they didn't argue. Looking at him sympathetically, the Head Doctor left the room.

Minutes later, Zanac arrived. He knelt in front of his father and kissed his wrinkled hand. The two of them talked for a couple minutes about regrets and hopes. Finally, Ranpossa put a hand on his shoulder.

"In the eyes of the gods, I name you the King of the Re-Estize Kingdom!"

His son glowed briefly golden as the job class was given to him. A tear fell from Zanac's eyes, and he kissed his father's hand again, before leaving the room. The doctors and desperate well-wishers hoping for a last minute reward clapped politely.

A few minutes later, Renner entered the room. The same scene repeated itself, and he gave her titles and lands. Renner gave his frail body a hug, and kissed his cheek. Eventually, she too left the room.

Ranpossa felt a darkness creep up around him. It was comforting and peaceful. He allowed his eyes to close for the last time, and eased himself into that comfortable darkness. Slowly, he fell asleep to visions of his youth, and of his wife waiting for him. He would never awake.

"The King is dead, long live the King!"

The cry was taken up. Around the city, bells began to toll and people began to weep. many, however, blamed had blamed Ranpossa for the current hardships, and were dry-eyed. A feast was planned in honor of the King's memory, and anyone who wanted food was invited. Nobles gave lavish gifts to the royal family, and held banquets in their castles. Around the city, the Temples of the Gods were filled with worshippers, and a massive funeral procesion went down the main avenue. Ranpossa was buried in the royal graveyard next to his wife. One of his last wishes was for Gazef to be buried near him, so Gazef's coffin was uninterred and reburied below Ranpossa's grave.

The day after, Zanac was crowned as King of the Re-Estize Kingdom.

Part 4: Meeting of Nobles

The Nobles were all gathered in the Great Hall. Zanac was sitting in the throne presiding over the meeting, and Renner was sitting next to him. All of the Marquis's were present save perhaps the greatest; Marquis Raevan. He had fled to his woodland mansion to spend time with his son after apparently realizing life was too short to waste on governance, so he was not here to calm down the argument raging through the hall.

"What do you mean, the Slane Theocracy is attacking?"

"I mean they were sighted coming up the road with a massive army, and they haven't scheduled a diplomatic mission, you idiot!"

"Can we stop them?"

"I don't know! They have a Death Knight!"

"How did they get a Death Knight? We're doomed!"

The Nobles started arguing and blaming each other, each man proposing his own hopeless solutions from guerilla warfare to total surrender. Just as the argument was reaching its heights, Renner stepped in.

"Gentlemen."

The Nobles quieted down and stared at her critically.

"I have the answer to our salvation. Here!"

With dramatic flourish, she placed a document on the table.

"This is a defense pact with the Sorcerous Kingdom. I don't like it any more than you do, but they are the only ones who could possibly have enough strength to defend us now. They are our last hope. If we sign, they will defend us. What do you say?"

None of the Nobles stood forward. Renner looked at Zanac sitting on this throne pleadingly. The two of them locked eyes, and invisible communication passed between them, with Renner begging and Zanac looking skeptical. They locked eyes for a second more, and then Zanac reached over to the document and signed his name in a bold flourish. Like a floodgate being opened, the Nobles quickly added all 39 of their signatures as well. When the last Noble had signed, Zanac planted the king's seal on the document and spoke up.

"Today, we have saved our country from certain doom!"

Authors note: That's all for today. Next episode is gonna be the fight. Also, would anyone be interested in a fanfic about the six great gods after this one is done? Let me know. Hail Ainz-Sama!