Chapter 27: Moving Pieces
As the morning sun graces the kingdom with its warmth, the maids in the Valencia Palace diligently prepare the royal breakfast.
There was an odd silence when King Rampossa walked into the dining hall. Perhaps this was because his two sons were missing. No Zanac nor Barbro. They would usually banter with each other discreetly, Barbro posing as the oldest heir while Zanac remarked on his intelligence. Both had good qualities, at least in Rampossa's eyes.
Now, the light shining into the grand windows seemed dimmer than before, the world more black and white, but amidst the monochrome ambience, the princess, draped in a resplendent blue gown, stood out like a beacon of color. Her beauty, a testament to her royal lineage, was matched only by her deep love for the people.
The king remembered when he had first presented Princess Renner to the people, and a warm smile lit up his face. Her charisma was demonstrated by her ability to garner spectators cheers simply by appearing. Rampossa remembered that fateful day she met her loyal bodyguard, Climb, on the streets. And it turned out to be a very useful encounter.
He was a great asset, and the best bodyguard a princess could have. His devotion was out of this world. Yet Rampossa saw more than what met the eye. He knew what happens when two young people, especially their age, are together for a long time. But he had nothing against that. The only thing that worried him was what the nobles would say if his daughter married a commoner. He couldn't do it simply because it never happened before. Not even a low-ranking noble could marry the princess.
Yet, casting those thoughts aside, the king, savoring a forkful of medium-cooked boar, appreciated the flavorsome meal. The aroma of seasoned meat danced on his taste buds, complemented by sips of a 50-year-old wine from the northern regions. However, he couldn't indulge for long, mindful of his kingdom's challenges.
"A wonderful meal. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. But, if you would excuse me, I must go meet with Gazef and Raeven." King Rampossa declared, rising from his seat, the princess following suit.
"Of course, father." She said as she executed a courteous gesture.
The king made his way through the palace halls and into the strategy room, where a large map of Re-Estize and its neighboring kingdoms was the center of attention. The room was filled with the glow of chandeliers, highlighting the names of towns and cities on the map.
Stronoff, Unglaus, and Marquis Raeven bowed upon the king's arrival.
"I suppose there is no good news at the moment?" The king inquired, the answer already written on their faces.
"Your Majesty, we suppose we could surr-" Before the Marquis could continue, the king disrupted him with a hasty response.
"No! Surrendering won't be an option. My duty as king is to protect our kingdom. Allowing a foreign king to invade and surrender so easily, I won't allow it." Rampossa stated, and everybody knew this to be true. Yet, the enemy was not some king. The Sorcerer King was a powerful arcane user with a formidable army.
"Then what do you propose, Your Majesty?" Gazef asked, his tone slightly worried.
"There is no question. Re-Estize will meet Ainz Ooal Gown in battle. If we win, our nation will prevail. If we lose, we give it our best. Marquis Raeven, I suppose all the conscripted are ready to march upon E-Libera to oppose the incoming army of the Sorcerer King?" Rampossa inquired, at which Raeven nodded.
"The rest of the nobles have pledged their support and are aiding with their own troops. All in all, we should be able to possess about 250'000 men at our disposal." Raeven state and the king approved of this with a slight hum.
"Good, I will personally lead our forces against the Sorcerer King. Such is my duty." Rampossa exclaimed, his decision already made. Nothing would change his mind now. All of Re-Estize was represented through him, such status didn't allow for any weakness to be shown.
He knew his current state of health didn't allow him to be as active as he was on the battlefield, staying in the tent and making a maximum of two appearances before his soldiers.
"Then let us prepare and hope for a better future for Re-Estize!"
"For Re-Estize!"
6 figures, all holding respective power in a nation so human-centered, stood in a circle around a grand table.
Amidst the bustling capital, the Cardinals, as they were known, gathered for a crucial meeting. Books and scrolls, containing invaluable knowledge floated in a harmonious dance around their heads, setting the scene for a discourse that would shape the course of their nation.
"Let us commerce." Raymond, the Cardinal of Earth, initiated the dialogue, the others assuming their seats as he delved into the first agenda.
"We all know what is happening right now. The newly-found illegitimate Sorcerer Kingdom has begun to retaliate against an attack from Re-Estize, sending their troops through their lands. It seems they are marching toward E-Pespel first, but that is not our only concern." Raymond stated, prompting Berenice, the Cardinal of Fire, to continue.
"From what A Thousand League Astronomer can guess, the army of the Sorcerer Kingdom is different from normal humans. She could not see it properly, but she stated their presence wasn't that of a regular person. Yet without further investigation, we cannot prove that point or the race of these knights." She expressed.
"Then what about Ainz Ooal Gown? What about him? Does A Thousand League Astronomer have found anything about him yet? The reports state that he always wears a mask, his face still a mystery to us." Zinedine, the Cardinal of Water, inquired.
"She tried, yet she could not use divination magic on the Sorcerer King. Also, our spies that entered E-Rantel haven't reported anything unusual. Even stating that the Sorcerer King calls to reform the Adventurers Guild in his country for the better." Raymond shared, presenting the information at his disposal, revealing an intriguing lack of negative occurrences during the Sorcerer King's reign.
"But you did forget to mention his use of non-humans. It was also said that he has a couple of subordinates under him that aren't human." Maximilian, the Cardinal of Darkness, disclosed.
"That is true. We even don't know what race this Sorcerer King is. From what we know, he could be human. But his use of non-humans does raise concern. Also, he uses these mysterious knights under his command. The question is, what if this Ainz Ooal Gown is indeed not a human?" Yvon, the Cardinal of Light, voiced the shared concerns.
"We will need more information about the topic. The war against Re-Estize will give promising results and a ground for Baharut to invade. But to a different topic, about the experimental potions." Raymond redirected, directing his gaze toward the Cardinal of Water.
"Of course. Our researchers have found that the blood from demi-humans, like elves, also works. The potions have been a success so far. Even Instant Death started to feel stronger, yet not by much. Even then, if she drank one potion more, it would enhance her strength, but only for a short amount of time, the effects being exhaustion. The only true success was found in the new 13th seat, Helin Gaillard Lauransan. His growth seems to have been exponential. In terms of abilities, he is about the 7th strongest in the whole scripture, even without being a godkin!" Zinedine explained, and the Cardinals' interest in the project rose as they heard the newly appointed member of the Black Scripture was able to rise quickly through the ranks.
"How do you explain such a quick growth, Zinedine, while others have simply gotten slightly better?" Berenice questioned.
"We aren't sure yet. It could very well be the boy's talent, allowing him to use any item without meeting the requirements. Or, the potions from the [Vessel of Equality] allow for more growth in the innocent the person is. Since the boy loses his memories from his previous life, he also loses whatever guilt he has. It could be either, but as I said, we are not certain yet." The Cardinal of Water clarified.
"Impressive. The gift of the gods truly has brought us something amazing. With his talent, he might be able to use one of their sacred artifacts. But is he ready for such a task? From the reports, he wasn't on a single mission yet." The Cardinal of Wind observed.
"True, the boy needs to learn some experience. Because what is power without the knowledge to use it properly? I say we send him in on the next available mission." The Cardinal of Light proposed.
"Any objections? Good. Then this meeting is concluded. Praise the Six!"
"Praise the Six!" They chanted, and then, one after another, they left, Raymond being the first to do so. He swiftly navigated through numerous doorways and protective spells until he found himself outside the meeting grounds.
Setting his sights on his modest abode, he proceeded towards it, a waiting carriage ready to transport him to his doorstep.
Upon arrival, a peculiar sound emanated from the garden, a sound familiar to Raymond, the clash of steel against metal. Someone was training, and Raymond recognized the responsible person.
Pushing open the doors to the yard, he beheld a young boy, sword in hand, vigorously attacking a training dummy clad only in a battered steel breastplate.
"I welcome your commitment to your training, but you should know when to rest." Raymond remarked, startling Helin, who turned to face him with a sweat-drenched face.
"I'm sorry. But I don't get any better with the sword at the training grounds. So I thought I'd train at home as well." The boy responded, and the Cardinal let out a small chuckle at his response.
"Being in the Black Scripture may be a heavy task, but your body will need rest. How do you intend to go on a mission when you barely slept." At Raymond's words, the boys' eyes widened, clearly having sparkled something in Helin's head that the boy grew a smile.
"I can finally go on my own mission?" The boy hastily asked, having awaited this moment for a long time. Until now, he had only trained with instructors and fellow Black Scripture members. He knew he had improved since the Extra Seat nearly beat him to death, with flashbacks haunting him at the mere sight of her. However, even as a Black Scripture member, he encountered her only sporadically, perhaps once a week at most.
"Of course. It has been decided that you will need some experience to come by with your rapid growth in strength." Raymond affirmed, and the boy expressed joy at the thought but swiftly regained composure.
"I won't disappoint you. I will try my best to fulfill the mission, Father." Helin reassured, met with a hand placed on his shoulder.
"I know you won't. I have faith in your abilities to succeed. And I do not doubt that. And when you return, you will receive your own special equipment like the other Black Scripture members." The Cardinal said.
"Really?" The boy asked.
"Of course. You are one of humanity's greatest. From now on, you must defend our land against calamities that try to bring humankind to its knees. And if you die, you may simply be revived once your body is retrieved." The Cardinal reassured the boy, yet an audible gulp could be heard.
The thought of dying was frightening him, he who almost died that night, the night he entered the scripture. Yet he survived and now carries that memory with him for all time to never forget how helplessly and naive he was then, thinking that he even had a chance of winning against the Extra Seat.
"But do not worry too much about these things. For now, enjoy a good night's sleep, son." Raymond advised as he made his way toward the house.
"You as well, father."
Platinum Dragon Lord, son of the Dragon Emperor, the great heir to a collapsed dynasty.
Above some grassy plains, a silver armor stood floating, watching what happened beneath. As he guessed it, an army of undead marched toward Re-Estize, a human kingdom he couldn't care less about. Yet it somehow interested the being behind these undead.
Since that day he fought the vampire, he couldn't get it out of his head, not even the other undead he sighted.
'That being, I can feel it has something to do with it. We met in the Great Forest of Tob, which is near the human city E-Rantel, which now belongs to a so-called Sorcerer King. Nothing is certain yet, but these undead, each as powerful as Landfall, are marching toward the capital of Re-Estize. To summon so many powerful undead, only a player or a dragon lord can do that.' Tsaindorcus ruminated, aligning the knowledge at his disposal with his subsequent course of action.
'Mmh, I may have to wait until she who sleeps in the Sea City awakes. It would be easier than asking the other Dragon Lords for help. Slutarn won't be any help, those genies do not tend to move outside of their territory. Only she would be the best call right now. '
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