One side supported the monarchy, while the other side, which supported the Greater Nobility faction, included more than half of the six greater nobles. Although they were in the presence of the King, this place had also become an extension of their fighting, a battleground for the two competing factions.
Because of this, being of the pro-monarchy faction and also a confidant of the King, Gazef was unwilling to casually interject. He knew that his clumsy manner of speech had no chance of arguing successfully against these nobles, therefore it was necessary to avoid slipping up and giving others the chance to use his own words against him.
...The Slane Theocracy’s covert operatives were able to grasp our movements and appear at a timely moment… this indicates a spy has probably infiltrated the inner workings of the Kingdom. If this is the case, perhaps it is someone among the six greater nobles...
Gazef’s eyesight drifted towards one particular person amongst the ranks of nobility, a noble with a particularly cold gaze.
This person had his blonde hair tied to the back and a pair of slender blue eyes.
His skin had the unhealthy white coloration that suggested it was rarely exposed to sunlight. His lanky figure gave the impression of a viper.
Although his age should not have reached forty, his appearance looked exceptionally older because of that unhealthy skin tone.
He was one of the six great nobles, called Lord Raven. He constantly switched between the two factions like a bat in order to further his own profits. He was also a noble who covertly approached the King’s second prince.
If there is a traitor to the Kingdom, it should be this fellow right?
Noticing Gazef’s gaze, Lord Raven curled his lips which were already very thin. Seeing that kind of provocative attitude, Gazef’s expression became even more rigid.
“With that, the Warrior Captain’s report ends here. There are other important matters which need to be decided upon.”
The king declared, feeling a little exhausted, telling the nobles to back off for the time being. Gazef walked to the King’s side and surveyed the nobles. As a personally trusted subject of the King, he was long accustomed to unpleasant stares.
“Well then, in accordance with usual yearly custom, we shall war with the Empire in a few months time. This is the next item on today’s agenda. Lord Raven, explain to everybody.”
“Yes, your Majesty.”
Like a ghost, the man silently walked up and began to explain in a soft voice.
Nobody made a noise. Not only did he have influence over both factions, he was also the one with the most power amongst the six nobles. Nobody dared making an enemy out of him.
No objections were made as Lord Raven went through the planned course of action and who would send out how many soldiers. After he finished explaining, he smiled frivolously at the King and bowed:
“——The report has been concluded.”
“Thank you, Lord Raven. Does anyone have anything they wish to say?”
Once again the room became noisy, with whispers being exchanged.
“This time it is our turn to repel the opponent. With that, let us then proceed to directly counter-attack the Empire.”
“Absolutely correct. I’ve pretty much become tired of only merely repelling the Empire.”
“That’s true. Let those imperial fools experience our worst.”
“Correct, Earl-sama, just as you say.”
The room resounded with the merry laughter of the men wearing fine clothing.
Stop dreaming. If it were possible to refute in such a way, who knew how much fun it would be.
The Kingdom and the forces of the neighbouring Empire would meet every year on the battleground at Kaze plains.
Until this date, neither side had suffered too serious injuries, but that was because the Empire never committed its full forces. If there was any real intent to topple the Kingdom, there would be no need at all to set camp at Kaze plains and wait for the Kingdom’s army to arrive.
Gazef and a few other nobles who still used their brains reckoned that the Empire used such a method in order to deplete the Kingdom of its national strength.
The Kingdom, composed of militia; And the Empire, composed of professional soldiers, and having a hierarchy of Knights.
Which side’s soldiers were superior was obvious with a single glance, hence the Kingdom needed to mobilise twice the numbers of the Empire’s forces from their population and because of the larger amount of troops, the army needed a greater amount of food supplies. Although there were magic items which could produce food, they were only intended to provide nourishment and the resulting food was so unpalatable that even starving people would hesitate to eat them, therefore those could never become the main source of provisions for meals.
Moreover, the Empire’s invasion was just in time for the wheat harvest, leading to a shortage of manpower in villages, who had to delay the wheat harvest as a result.
Without having to commit all their forces in an assault, the Kingdom’s national strength would naturally weaken, following which the royal power would also wane.
That was the reason the Greater Nobility faction turned a blind eye to this. They were happy that the authority and power of the enemy faction —— the royals—— were decreasing.
Once our national strength became feeble, the Empire would invade with full strength! Do you really think the enemy is satisfied with the current skirmishes? Why is your way of thinking so naive?
Gazef was aggravated by those nobles who believed that their own absolute power would perpetually exist.
“So what you are saying is that the suspicious magic caster, who rescued the Warrior Captain, could possibly be someone from the Empire with the objective of infiltrating our side for espionage?”
“Ah, so that was it, you’re right. I heard the Empire has a Magic Caster Academy, so this is very likely.”
“The names of the people in the Slane Theocracy consist of a given name, a baptized name and a family name, is it possible that this name is a pseudonym?”
“Men of that sort who appear in the Kingdom are always those who make others uncomfortable, do you think we should come up with a way to handle him?”
“Perhaps you can also consider capturing him. The adventurer's guild does whatever they please by employing a large number of magic casters. It’s a problem that another such being exists. It will be better for us to find a way to place him under our authority.”
“The money paid to the Guild cannot be taken lightly either. Adventurers living in the Kingdom charge very unreasonable fees for repelling monsters currently residing in the country!”
“Bringing him here should be the best option.”
Hearing this, Gazef could not stay silent any longer. He absolutely could not allow them to continue slandering the benefactor who save himself, the villagers and his subordinates.
“One moment please. First of all, that magic caster is extremely friendly to the Kingdom. The way of thinking, of wanting to arrest this kind of benevolent person is really unwise——”
Gazef gave his opinion in an attempt to divert the palace meeting’s increasingly biased discussion direction. Several nobles showed obvious looks of disgust.
With only his sword talent, Gazef climbed into his current position. In the eyes of the nobles whom had long histories of heritage, he was nothing more than an overnight wealthy upstart.
This was why Gazef was detested by them. Furthermore his swordsmanship was unparalleled within the Kingdom, which only deepened the nobles’ hostility.
The hardest part for these distinguished nobles to accept were men with abilities that surpassed their own, even though their status was lower than their own.
Several nobles did not wait for Gazef to finish speaking before verbally denying Ainz Ooal Gown one after another, and others followed suit in echoing their denial.
The king seated on the throne said hoarsely, with a hint of admiration:
“... Enough. We conclude that the Warrior Captain’s judgment is not wrong.”
(TL Note: This is the Royal “We” used here)
“Well… if your Majesty says so…”
The nobles did not refute, temporarily holding back their ridiculing smiles.
Gazef sent a look of gratitude towards the monarch to whom he had sworn allegiance and who had in turn elevated Gazef’s status.
Meeting Gazef’s gaze, the King nodded gently in indication.
♦ ♦ ♦
After every power struggle and flattery meeting, his heart and mind would become exhausted. However, Gazef did not let this show on his face as he accompanied the King along the palace corridor.
The King, who walked with a cane, had injured his knee in a past war and his gait would sometimes be unsteady, but considering the King’s dignity, Gazef did not extend his arm in assistance. Moreover, if he had already reached the condition which required the assistance of others in order to walk, the great nobles faction’s voices in support of abdication would become stronger, requesting the King to abdicate in favour of a puppet prince manipulated by them.
Although Gazef felt saddened, the King still had to walk with his own strength.
Arriving near the royal quarters after walking slowly along the corridor, the King suddenly spoke:
“... The nobles’ strength is still needed to curb the Empire’s invasion. If their advice is bluntly rejected, this country would split itself apart without having to wait for the Empire to invade.”
Although the content was abrupt, Gazef was very clear on what the King was trying to say, therefore he could only bit down on his lips.
“I envy the Empire.”
Gazef did not know the words that would console the King’s whispers.
Three generations ago, the Empire had also been a feudal state. However, the power of the nobles gradually weakened, and when the current emperor ascended the throne, it became an absolute monarchy.
The current emperor—— Zirkunif Lun Farod el Nix.
During his ascension t