KISHEY123: In fact, Miriel summons monsters and items from different franchises since the first chapter. But because most multi-crossovers are chaotic and unreadable stories, Miriel won't invoke characters from other franchises. The reason - from Miriel's point of view- is that she is afraid of being unable to control too powerful characters. So why Gilgamesh? Well, without spoiling the rest of the story, Miriel won't choose to summon Gilgamesh, she will have no say in the matter.
Miner49ner : I reread your comment several times and... I still do not understand what you are talking about exactly. You start by saying: "It's weird that she is just figuring out stuff", and after that "She has no knowledge but she's constantly connecting things with no knowledge or experience. For a 16-year-old she acts like a 40-year-old". Since these two parts seem to be in opposition to each other, I assume you are referring to two distinct topics.
I guess the "she" is Miriel and the "stuffs" must be how the "Ring of Kings" works... at least that's what I assume. I'll give you a simple trick to make you more understandable: Call things by their name.
Now to answer what I think is your first point:
- The "Ring of Kings" did not come with a user manual and so far Miriel assumed that it could only summon creatures from OOO or the Elric Cycle. She was wrong... it's as simple as that. She's not perfect, she doesn't know everything, and she makes mistakes.
To answer what I think is your second point:
- First a general observation. You confuse "Age" and "Experience" on the one hand, and "Knowledge" and "Intelligence" on the other. Rest assured almost everyone makes these very same mistakes. The experience reflects what you have... experienced (by definition). An individual in a peaceful environment, without direct existential threats, can be physically adult and behave mentally like a teenager. Conversely, in countries at war, children are forced to grow up very quickly. As for intelligence, that's what you do when you do not have a manual with the solution written. Knowing the right answer because you learned it is not proof of intelligence.
- Then, far from a continuous stream of miraculous and unexplained accomplishments, Miriel succeeds in some things and fails in others. She learns about alchemy through experimentations assisted by her Interface which gives her the properties of the ingredients and the alchemy books from her Inventory. But she also reads the magic books of her Inventory... and only gains migraines. Far from being a protagonist who succeeds in everything she undertakes without any real explanation, Miriel constantly experiments, learns and tries everything possible... Moreover, although she never brags about her intelligence (she thinks being average at best... but she was bullied and her parents never had a nice word for her) she was good at connecting the dots. And even so, her successes are mostly the result of her constant efforts. She even overworks to the point of fainting.
- I also explained that Miriel (the character in this Fanfiction) was not just Watanabe Haruko in the body of her in-game avatar. Upon arriving at Jaldabaoth's Dungeon, she realized that she was not afraid of the monsters and had no trouble killing them. The Isekai experience changed her mentality. She inherited some traits of the game character named "Miriel", who was more mature than her 16-year-old Japanese girl self.
- In conclusion, I humbly remind you that this is a work of fiction. I'm not going to spend 30 chapters recounting in detail how Miriel learns this or that knowledge, how she experiments with magic for the simple pleasure of being realistic. Moreover, in two out of three Fanfictions, the protagonist is already aware of everything right from the start and never needs to acquire any new abilities or skills. He also never fails in his endeavors. It's quite uncommon to come across a Reviewer who expresses surprise and comments that such an approach is not realistic.
Gold Simp: Sorry to upset your enthusiasm, but Miriel is a crossover with Fate/ Prototype. Well... it's always about Archer Gilgamesh... but a parallel universe version of the King of Uruk that does not have Gate of Babylon as NP. I decided on Prototype Gilgamesh for three reasons. The first is simply that FSN Gilgamesh is too powerful (with an NP capable of destroying planets...). The second reason is that given the method of invocation... FSN Gilgamesh probably could not be summoned... or more exactly we would end up with Gil-kun (the child version of Gilgamesh) in... very very bad mood. The third reason is that I have already written several Fanfictions focused on Fate/Stay Night's Gilgamesh.
Otherwise, you might be wrong in saying that Haruko has not changed, I explained it in my answer to the previous Review.
Guest: I guess many people love Ainz because they would like to be in his shoes (great powers, a harem, an army, a dungeon resembling a palace, etc...). As for the effect of spells in the New World, I noticed that video games are strictly Area of Effect (AoE) Spells and do not consider the shock wave effect that exists in real life.
Author's note: as usual, thanks to all the readers and Reviewers.
War is strong Diplomacy
In the eastern plains of the Baharuth Empire.
The landscape was an infinite succession of plains where the wind was waving green grasses. Here and there, a few hills, groves of trees, or rivers broke this uniformity. It was only by looking north that the landscape became more rugged. On the horizon, one could see the misty contours of a mountain range.
Big birds turned in the sky... wait a minute... they were not birds. They were Hippogriffs, creatures born from the cross between a Griffin and a mare. Each of these aerial creatures with the front half of a Griffin and the hind quarter of a horse has a rider.
These riders wore steel plate armor and blue capes, the uniform of the knights of the Royal Air Guard.
They were circling over a group of blue armored wagons. These vehicles carried knights of the Royal Guard. Two of them, well recognizable with the golden armor they wore, stood at the back of each wagon, armed with heavy crossbows. They were escorting a magnificent red coach with gold ornaments. The coachman and his assistant were also knights of the Royal Guard. These vehicles moved much faster than ordinary carriages. The spokes wheel hubs were surrounded by a circle of light and a blue vapor wrapped the horses. Supported by the magic that lightened the wagons and the enchantment that boosted their endurance, the stallions galloped at full speed without getting tired.
Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix had not moved since the beginning of the voyage. With his chin on his hand, he was meditating. Things had changed so quickly in the last few months. When the Emperor of Baharuth first heard of Gown, he understood that terrible hours were coming and that perhaps the Evil Deities would awaken again. He believed at the time that Gown and Momon would be the heroes who would protect humanity.
The discovery of the Great Tomb of Nazarick had ruined that hope. Ainz Ooal Gown was not a hero; he was even the main threat to humanity. Jircniv allied himself with the Sorcerer King and helped him build up his own kingdom because... it was better to walk alongside the Devil than to be an obstacle in his path.
The responsibilities placed upon Jircniv were daunting, a burden inherent to his role as sovereign. An emperor must be prepared for anything to safeguard his people and uphold the legacy of past rulers. He could not shy away from any unpleasant task, nor spare any individual from his decisions.
At first, Jircniv believed that he could double-cross the Overlord, feigning friendship while spying on him to learn his weaknesses and maneuver other nations like puppets to create an alliance capable of destroying the Sorcerer Kingdom.
But... Gown was a monster... No, not a monster, a god of death. This was even worse. You could fight a monster even if he has insane powers. You just had to be smarter than him. But Gown was incredibly cunning and above all a master in the art of plotting and manipulating his enemies. The Overlord was aware of his duplicity. Gown appeared 'by chance' at a secret meeting with envoys from the Slane Theocracy. The emissaries, thinking themselves betrayed, had left the conference in anger. This had ruined any hope of a secret alliance with the Pontifex Maximus...
A bitter smile appeared on Jircniv's lips. It was very well done. How can one not admire the nonchalance with which the undead had undermined all his carefully devised plans before displaying his strength by crushing the arena champion before his very eyes, without even resorting to magic?
The Emperor of Baharuth had understood the warning
He could not defeat Gown, nor could he be smarter than him, and he immediately recognized his defeat, proclaiming himself the vassal of the Sorcerer King. His goal now was to be indispensable, or in any case useful and obedient enough for the undead king to leave him in place... and not annex Baharuth as he had done with the Re-Estize Kingdom.
Jircniv passed a hand in his blond hair that shone like gold, eyes half closed.
"Who can defeat Gown?"
The emperor spoke to himself, but three other people were seated in the large armchairs of the red coach. The first was a wizard dressed in a gray dress and hooded cape that was somewhat the uniform of the members of the Ministry of Magic. Then there was a counselor dressed in a dark brown dress. The last person was a tall man, in black plates' magical armor.
It was the bodyguard of the emperor who replied.
"There are rumors that someone would be able to. We are talking about a half-elf called Nimrodel or Miriel, in the Holy Kingdom. She allegedly confronted Jaldabaoth and thwarted his plans several times. More importantly, she would be a young woman of great beauty."
Emperor Jircniv looked at his knight with suspicion in his pale red eyes.
"Why do you mention her youth and beauty, Baziwood?"
Baziwood Pehsmel a middle-aged man with long blonde hair tied to a ponytail shrugged his shoulder.
"All men prefer to team up with a pretty girl, at least I do. From what I learned, Miriel would be a Player and a powerful wizard. Maybe you could offer her the head of the Ministry of Magic to lure her in Baharuth... unless..." He paused briefly to smile maliciously at his emperor"... unless you propose to her!"
The emperor of Baharuth jolted before turning to Baziwood and glaring coldly at him.
"Why are you always talking about marriage when we're alone?"
It was not the knight who replied, but the counselor.
"Jircniv, Baziwood is right. You are already 22 years old. At your age, your predecessor had already fathered several descendants. Giving a legitimate heir to the Empire is also part of your duties. For some reason, you've refused to marry so far. You don't want to marry a noble of the Empire, and you don't want to marry any of the princesses and queens of the other kingdoms. This... Miriel is not from Baharuth and is not a noble. I think that's exactly the type of candidate you're looking for. In addition, if you marry a Player, your children will be Godkins, which will greatly enhance the influence of the imperial lineage."
"I know that Vermillion, but it doesn't matter now. What's important is to prepare for our meeting with Gown."
Loune Vermillion, secretary, and scribe of the Emperor, thought for a moment. His face showed concern.
"Do you think inviting us is some kind of trap set by the Sorcerer King?"
Jircniv had a bitter laugh.
"I think that Gown invited me to play the role of the performing dog, so I can do a few tricks for his other guests. They can see how Gown domesticated the Bloody Emperor. Yes, there is a trap but we are not targeted. We're just part of the show. Trolls too are part of the charade... even if they don't know it."
The Emperor of Baharuth rubbed energetically his scalp, his eyes looking at a stage that only he could see.
"Gown's real targets are the Karzanas City State Alliance and the Great Minotaur Nation."
The imperial coach had arrived in an area where three different landscapes converged. The plain where they had traveled reached a swamp that stretched at the foot of a mountain range. It was their destination... the Troll Kingdom.
Jircniv walked down the few steps of the footboard and stopped between Baziwood Pehsmel and Leinas Rockbruise, the only woman among the Four Imperial Knights.
Two battle maids came to bow before them.
"It's a joy to see Your Imperial Majesty again."
Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix replied with a charming smile. The emperor knew that his attractive appearance had a definite effect on women and he never hesitated to use this asset when the opportunity arose. And then... he glanced amused at Baziwood. The knight might not have been drooling, but he was not far from it. Jircniv didn't have to force himself when he met such pretty women.
" I share your joy, Yuri Alpha. I missed your beautiful smile"
The young and elegant maid had her hair tied into a low-cropped bun at the back of her head and wearing glasses radiated this mixture of human warmth and efficiency generally associated with the 'Big Sister' type of woman.
The emperor turned to the second maid.
"It's good to see you again, Lupusregina Beta."
The brown-skinned athletic beauty with two long red braids bowed politely. Then she smiled... revealing that her canines were more developed than those of a human being.
"I thank Your Imperial Majesty for remembering me, we only met once."
"The circumstances were unforgettable," Jircniv replied in a slightly taunting voice.
The current circumstances were no different.
They discussed there, at the foot of a wooden staircase that led to a platform decked out with draperies in the colors of the Sorcerer Kingdom, but also with the banners of the Karzanas City State Alliance, the Great Minotaur Nation, and the Baharuth Empire even.
The carriage and its escort had stopped on a kind of esplanade closed on two sides by legions of undead. Unlike the usual creations of necromancy, as stupid as undisciplined, they were skeletons in white plate armors with large round metallic shields. They stand at attention, perfectly aligned. The Emperor saw only one head for each line.
It must have been one of the elite troops of the Sorcerer Kingdom.
Yuri Alpha had risen.
"We were waiting for you, Your Imperial Majesty. Our other guests have already arrived."
The golems from Nazarick had built an observation platform that dominated the surrounding swamps. Several large armchairs (perhaps it was better to speak of thrones) were lined up just in front of the railing.
But Jircniv barely paid attention to the furnishings, entirely focused on the people present, in the first place...
The Emperor bowed slightly before a hooded figure.
"Greetings, Ainz Ooal Gown the Sorcerer King, my lord."
The Overlord was a skeletal undead with an impressive appearance. First, he was much taller than a human being, and then he was dressed in a wizard dress so luxurious that it could only belong to an Archmage. Gown also had magic rings on almost every finger. Nevertheless, the red sphere that shone under the ribcage of the undead was especially noticeable. From this World Object emanated a dreadful sensation.
Nevertheless, the terrifying creature responded in a friendly tone.
"Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix, we haven't seen each other since we met at the Arwintar arena, I think? How have you been?"
Jircniv's smile froze as he remembered how Gown had derailed his secret negotiations with the Slane Theocracy. This superintelligent and manipulative monster must have mentioned this fact so that the Baharuth Emperor did not forget that he watched over him and distrusted him! He forced himself to respond with the same friendly tone.
"I am very well, thank you Lord Gown."
With his skeletal hand, the Overlord pointed to the people who stood beside him.
"You recognize of course Aura and Mare, the twin Dark Elves. You also met Shalltear Bloodfallen."
The blond Emperor bowed slightly, greeting the elves and the Vampire Gothic Lolita. He sighed inwardly. Fortunately, Demiurge was not there (1). This demon-toad intimidated Jircniv. He could literally force people to obey every word he said. Demiurges had stayed some time in Arwintar as 'ambassador' of Nazarick in the Bahamut Empire (or rather as a foreman, whip in hand). During his stay, the demon was unbearable, arrogant, contemptuous, and certain of his own superiority. He treated humans as pests barely more intelligent than rats.
The Sorcerer King turned to three people who had approached.
"Let me introduce the other guests. First, Asterios, Ambassador of the Great Minotaur Nation."
He was a colossal humanoid with a bull's head and gnarled muscles, dressed in a loincloth and with a double-bladed axe hanging in his back. The half-human seemed both suspicious and worried.
"Ah... The famous Emperor of Baharuth. You moved here at the request of the Sorcerer King?"
"I am a vassal of the Sorcerer Kingdom... Asterios. Normally, I obey his orders."
Gown turned to a second humanoid.
"Let me introduce you to Fei Li, ambassador of the city of Greater Rizaran"
With a wave of the hand, the tall undead pointed to an Ape Beastman with brown fur dressed as a warrior. The latter replied with a simple nod, without saying a word.
"And finally, allow me to introduce Hanh, a monk of the Pikhumi order. He is co-ambassador (with Fei Li) for the Karzanas City State Alliance."
The monk dressed in blue and wearing a conical straw hat bowed deeply.
"Ohm, it is a joy to meet the famous emperor of Bahamut." Then he clapped in his hands, before sliding a pearl from his rosary. "Let us pray to Buddha to enlighten us and let this interview end as peacefully as it began."
Jircniv did not know much about Buddhism, except that it was a religion brought into the New World by a Player. But he would pray for this kind of outcome.
They spent some time talking without saying much. Gown then summarized the official reason for their presence here. For centuries the Trolls attacked the east of the Baharuth Empire, abducting and devouring the Emperor's subjects. Jircniv had asked the Sorcerer King (his liege lord) for help against these monsters. Of course, the Bloody Emperor hastened to confirm this version of events. The Overlord also recalled the official reason for the ambassadors' presence. Gown wanted the envoys to confirm that the presence of the armies of the Sorcerer Kingdom so close to the Karzanas City State Alliance and the Great Minotaur Nation was not an attack on them.
"In summary, you are here to report to your respective governments that the Sorcerer Kingdom is only intervening to protect our friends in the Baharuth Empire from the threat of the Trolls," Gown explained.
Jircniv turned to the ambassadors to see their reactions. Only the Buddhist monk smiled and replied with a few kind words. The two half-humans (who were warriors) remained silent and tense. They knew that the real reason for their presence was to witness a demonstration of the military might of the Sorcerer Kingdom.
This punitive expedition against the Trolls was just a pretext for an exhibition. Gown was going to show the ambassadors that he was protecting his friends and punishing his enemies... A subtle way to force the hand of the Karzanas City State Alliance and the Great Minotaur Nation in their future relations with Nazarick.
Gown placed his glass on the tray of a homunculus maid and beckoned his guests to follow him. He sat on the largest of the armchairs before showing the army which stretched in the plain, at their feet, and up to the limit of the marsh. All the soldiers prostrated themselves upon their arrival. Jircniv raised an eyebrow, noting that they were not undead but Beastmen. The Emperor also noted the presence of a Hydra.
A formidable chorus of voices rose, saluting the Overlord:
"All Hail Ainz Ooal Gown!"
Simultaneously, the skeleton elite guards surrounding the platform began to strike the ground with their feet and strike their shields with their swords rhythmically. The demonstration was so impressive that Jircniv felt electrified.
The Sorcerer King raised his hand and the clamor died in one blow as the kneeling warriors got up.
"The troops who will fight are Lizardmen and Toadmen from the Wetlands, in the Great Lake region, south of the Azerlisia Mountains. Note that just like you, I am just a spectator. I did not participate in the development of the military campaign against the Troll Kingdom, and I would not lead that battle."
Standing near him, holding a large oval mirror in her hands, Shalltear intervened.
"This small battle is far too trivial for a great genius like Ainz-sama to bother with."
The Gothic Vampire would add something but Aura Bella Fiore pinched her butt. While she uttered an "Ouch!" due to surprise, the Dark Elf looked at the Third Floors Guardian with furious eyes while holding a finger in front of her mouth: "Hush, you will speak when it is your turn, you interrupted Ainz-sama's speech!"
Ainz coughed in his closed fist.
"Please excuse the Floor Guardian Shalltear Bloodfallen... she was very enthusiastic. To get back to the situation, Nazarick Elder Guarder's unit deployed around the platform is only there to protect us in case - very unlikely - the battle was lost. It's time I introduced you to the general leading my army in this battle. Cocytus?"
From the hand, he pointed to a group of Lizardmen kneeling in front of the platform... a few steps in front of them there was a monstrous and huge silhouette, an insect walking on two feet - a fusion between a mantis and an ant. With a tail twice as long as his height covered in sharp spikes like icicles and a strong jaw. Two of his hands hold a silver halberd, while the remaining two hands hold a mace emitting black light and a crooked shape sheath which seems to be for a broadsword.
When the insect with a chitin shell similar to diamond dust spoke two jets of icy vapors escaped from his mandibles.
"I. Cocytus. Floor. Guardian. Of. The. 5th. Floor. Hail. Ainz. Ooal. Gown. The. Creator. And. The. Sorcerer. King."
Hahn, the Buddhist monk, turned to Gown.
"Your Majesty these Lizardmen are part of your kingdom? Under what circumstances did they rally you?"
The Overlord suddenly seemed a little embarrassed.
"Let's say... we offered them a chance to join the Sorcerer Kingdom and they agreed."
The ambassadors and the emperor exchanged tense glares... understanding that it must be the kind of offer that cannot be refused. Even the participation of the Lizardmen was part of the little comedy to show that it was better to ally with Nazarick than to fight it. Fei Li the Ape Beastmen suddenly spoke, dispelling this moment of tension. Jircniv realized it was the first time he heard his shrill voice.
"Your Majesty, how can you be sure the Trolls will attack here?"
The question seemed to amuse Gown.
"Oh... it's very simple, Cocytus planned to attract them here and beat them in one great battle. A fair and square fight. A little direct, if you ask me...but that's the general's plan and that's his battle. Like you, I'm just a bystander. Since we're talking about the show, it's time to start it. Shalltear?"
The diminutive Vampire approached, still carrying the mirror.
"Yes, Ainz-sama."
Ainz made some magical gestures on the mirror's surface and a scene appeared. It was unfortunately too small for the guests to see distinctly.
"I will now project into the air an enlarged image of what the Mirror of Remote Viewing reflects so that you can see well."
The Overlord pulled out a parchment from a kind of tear in space and released it. The scroll unrolled, suspended between heaven and earth, and caught fire before disappearing.
The scene was scary.
The immaterial screen that floated in the air reflected a scene such as could have seen a bird flying over the marshes. A small village of circular huts stood on an island. There was no smoke, and no chimneys because the Trolls feared fire.
Several creatures just off the primitive brute lived there. Without hair, they had round heads with pointed ears and soft mouths. Their appearance gave the impression that they were totally stupid.
"Common trolls," whispered Baziwood Pehsmel, leaning over Jircniv. "They're brainless, but even a gold-ranked adventurer would have difficulty fighting one. They are immensely strong... and tall, with almost unlimited endurance. In addition, they regenerate from their wounds. Only fire and acid can destroy them."
The Baharuth Emperor rubbed his chin as Gown showed a different scene, just as impressive. Skeletons were advancing among the trees, a disorderly crowd of countless undead dressed in a mixture of rags and rusty armor. They wielded chipped swords.
Trolls were stupid. Moreover, many scholars were struggling to understand how such congenital cretins had succeeded in creating one of the largest nations on the continent and one of only three nations to be entirely populated by a single species of demi-human.
However, their attackers were even more stupid. They advanced in disorder, without tactics or strategy, content to move towards the enemy dragging their feet, sometimes even hitting the trees. Other images showed groups of different creatures, such as undead beasts or zombies.
When the Mirror of Remote Viewing returned to the village, the confrontation had already begun. The hordes of undead stormed the trolls... about twenty adults and five children... and... the colossus struck with huge clubs, smashing the undead one after the other. Moreover, a large number of destroyed undead were already accumulating on the ground in front of the humanoid monsters.
Leinas Rockbruise bent over to whisper in the Emperor's ear.
"Jircniv, I don't think the undead can win."
"Why is that?"
"It's simple. To kill a Troll you have to deal massive damage in one attack. Because it regenerates, it is impossible to kill it with multiple minor injuries."
"Oh, I see... individually, undead can't hurt a Troll enough to kill it."
He thought for a few moments and then turned to Gown to repeat almost word-for-word what Leinas had just said to him.
"... doesn't that jeopardize your strategy, Lord Ainz?" Jircniv concluded.
"My strategy?" the Overlord laughed. "But I am here as a spectator like you. Cocytus, have you heard the question of the Emperor of Baharuth?"
"Yes. Ainz-sama."
"And what is your answer?"
"This. Is. Not. An. Attack. My. Only. Goal. Is. To. Lure. The. Trolls. Here. To. Fight."
The handsome blond man again turned to Gown, narrowing his pale red eyes.
"Lord Ainz, may I ask Lord Cocytus a few questions?"
"Please, Jircniv, you have my permission."
"Lord Cocytus, you attacked several villages simultaneously, I am right?"
"Yes."
The Bloody Emperor turned to the screen to watch the fight that continued. More and more undead arrived, but the Trolls had destroyed them all so far.
"How many troops have you sent?"
"400. Undead. Beasts. 2500. Skeletons. 2500. Zombies."
"Since your goal was not to defeat them... did you sacrifice them?
"Yes."
Jircniv turned back to Gown.
"Lord Ainz, I do not understand why you accept such a waste of troops. I know they are unintelligent creatures but..."
The Overlord laughed again and waved a hand in a gesture of denial.
"Thank you for your feedback, my friend, but your concern is unwarranted. I would have to lose twice as many minor undead every week so that my losses are no longer replaced. In addition, I turned into undead of all the inhabitants of the eastern part of the former kingdom of Re-Estize. As a result, I have a reserve of over 500,000 minor undead."
500,000 undead! Jirniv felt the hair of his neck bristle. Gown's army was far more numerous than his staff's most pessimistic estimates. In addition, the Sorcerer King had to create at least 10,000 undead each week!
The immaterial screen continued to show the course of the battle, not that there was much change. Several bands of Trolls, including Cave Trolls and War Trolls wearing coarse armors, advanced up the stream of undead, effortlessly slaughtering their opponents. Since the beginning of the confrontation, they had only seen one Troll being killed, submerged by swarms of undead. On the other hand, hundreds, perhaps thousands of skeletons and zombies had been destroyed.
Suddenly, a horn sounded.
The Ruler of the Frozen Rivers spoke.
"It's. The. Lizardmen. Watchers. The. First. Trolls. Have. Arrived. On. The. Battlefield. We. Have. Prepared."
Trolls emerged from the swamp in disarray, consisting of a few groups of ten to fifteen scattered individuals. There were around two hundred adult Trolls in total, but they were advancing in an uncoordinated manner, not paying attention to allied groups.
They were visibly angry as they moved towards the undead, which were lined up directly in front of them. Unlike the enemies they had faced so far, these undead were in formation shoulder to shoulder and shields rose. Some were mounted on skeletal horses. It should be noted that they were under the direct control of ten Elder Lichs who were able to coordinate them effectively. These Lichs were also powerful magicians.
Before the skeletal hand of each necromancer appeared colorful and whirling pentacles adorned with glyphs and symbols.
"Fireball!"
"Acid Javelin!"
As Jircniv watched the explosions of fire and acid projectiles fall on the first trolls, the mage who accompanied the emperor leaned over him.
"Your Majesty, the Lichs exploit the trolls' Achilles heel. They can no longer regenerate when they take fire or acid damage."
Attentive, the emperor of Baharuth straightened himself slightly, his hands tensing on the armrests of his armchair.
As the first trolls reached the ranks of skeletons and zombies and attacked them with their usual violence, the Lichs began to fire at another group of trolls. But another participant of the battle launched its first attack. Toadmen and Lizardmen approached and threw javelins toward the Trolls. Although gigantic, the monsters were slow and clumsy, the inhabitants of the Wetlands had no trouble running away when they approached, harassing them continuing to retreat, and refusing hand-to-hand fight.
Worse, some Toadmen were spellcasters.
"Fire Arrow!"
"Acid Arrow!"
Of course, they were not of the level of the Elder Lichs but they were far more numerous! And if their spells did little damage, they temporarily blocked the regeneration of the Trolls who gradually turned into pins cushions as their allies continued to throw javelins! A first Troll collapsed and was ended by a fire spell cast by a Toadman shaman.
Jircniv rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"I am not an expert in military tactics, but it is obvious that Cocytus has set up a tactic to minimize his losses and exploit the weaknesses of his enemies... and that it is effective."
Behind him, Baziwood Pehsmel nodded.
"This is also the case of the undead" he showed the immaterial screen. "They overwhelm the Trolls."
Leinas Rockbruise also intervened.
"They are a hundred times more numerous than the enemy and they are not afraid to die... they are already dead, after all... so attacking en masse to destroy the enemy (even at the cost of heavy losses) is an effective tactic. If you're asking me to face an army of undead with such a shorthanded number, I'll tell you right now, I'm running. I'm too young to die."
The Bloody Emperor burst out laughing as if the franchise of his bodyguard was very refreshing. At least that's what he wanted her to believe... Jircniv distrusted her, deeming her not loyal. That's why he always kept her close.
"The contract I signed with you gives you that right, Leinas."
While they were talking, Rororo (the Hydra) approached a group of five Trolls and attacked them using its multiple heads. On its shoulders was its "father' the Lizardman Zharysu Shasha. Armed with the Ice Blade Frost Pain, the warrior also struck enemies around him. Some Todmen shamans approached and occasionally fired fire or acid spells to weaken the Trolls.
One after the other, the monsters succumbed.
Seeing that one of their enemies was strong enough to fight several of them, the Trolls lost courage and ran away, running towards the shelter of the marshes. They were hunted like rabid dogs. Some of them were killed by spells or massacred by the skeleton horsemen.
Ainz Ooal Gown turned to Cocytus
"I congratulate you on your victory. This bodes well for the continuation of your campaign. I am confident that you will easily defeat the Trolls. You learned a lot because of your previous defeat against the Lizardmen."
"Yes. Ainz-sama. I. Was. Deeply. Remorseful. For. My. Inability. To. Achieve. Victory. Even. After. Receiving. Command. Of. My. Own. Troops. I. Lost. At. The. Time. Because. I. Wasn't. Familiarized. With. The. Terrain. And. Underestimated. My. Opponents. I. Learned. From. My. Failures. And. Decided. Never. To. Make. The. Same. Mistake. Again. All. This. I. Owe. To. Your. Wisdom. Ainz-sama. You. Let. Me. Be. Wrong. So. I. Could. Measure. My. Shortcomings. On. My. Own. You. Even. Gave. Me. A. New. Command. After. My. Failure. For. You. Are. Generous. To. Those. Who. Serve. You. I. Put. My. Previous. Experience. To. Good. Use. I. Lured. The. Enemy. Into. A. Terrain. That. Gave. Us. The. Advantage. And. Exploited. The. Weak. Points. Of. The. Trolls. To. Defeat. Them."
Cocytus was usually a man... err... a heteromorph of few words, but he had much to say this time.
Ainz waved his hand casually.
"It's okay to support you. You're like the son of Warrior Takemikazuchi. Teaching you what you don't know is part of my duty as a friend of your Creator."
Jircniv had listened to Gown's discussion with the horrible giant insect and shuddered... They had just witnessed a demonstration of the workings of the diplomacy and military apparatus of the Sorcerer Kingdom, and - now- the Overlord showed them that his warlords were humble, and devoted, they learned from their mistakes and were eager to improve. And especially the fact that the Floor Guardians were like a family for Ainz Ooal Gown... so much for his idea of turning the Floor Guardians against Gown.
The Undead King was amazing. He always seemed to know all his plans. Perhaps most terrifying was that Gown never seemed irritated by his machinations. He countered his plans in an almost nonchalant, even friendly way... a little like a master gently mocked a hard-working but a little slow student.
(1) Under Jaldabaoth's mask, he prepares a new offensive in the Holy Kingdom.
Author's note:
The title of this chapter is of course inspired by Clausewitz for whom the war is "The continuation of the diplomacies by other means." This corresponds well with Ainz's mentality.
This chapter is told from Jircniv's point of view. The Emperor of Baharuth is convinced that Gown is a manipulative genius whose slightest statement is the beginning of a subtle machination. We all know that's not true.
As a reminder, the diplomatic maneuvers preceding the battle were well understood by Jircniv... but he wrongly attributes this astute stratagem to Ainz. This plan was crafted by Renner, the Witch of the Fallen Kingdom.
As for the tactics and strategy used in the battle, it was Cocytus who imagined them.
In this chapter, you may have been surprised to see Jircniv's advisors push him to... marry Miriel. As you will see later their arguments stuck a cord.
I don't know if you noticed, but since chapter 19, each chapter covers only one day. There are a lot of events that take place almost simultaneously, and as a result, the story moves slowly forward.