Overlord (オーバーロード)

The Theocracy?

Yeah. Their representative visited the Kingdom.

I originally wanted to discuss some countermeasures with them.

But you strongly insisted we should stand by our foreign policy...

You were the one who decided not to meet with them, Brother.

You said there was nothing you could do

to help against an enemy like Jaldabaoth, who wasn't even human.

Don't glare, my sister.

I'm just realizing that all this work has accumulated

because of the little problems we couldn't respond to immediately.

The Theocracy asked the Sorcerer Kingdom for help since we refused their request for aid.

In the end, the Sorcerer Kingdom defeated Jaldabaoth

and even sent an enormous amount of relief supplies.

The reputation of the Sorcerer Kingdom only continues to grow.

But didn't you give them permission to travel through the Kingdom to deliver those supplies?

How could I refuse?

We requested the right to impose import taxes and charge fees

for use of our merchants and warehouses.

The Sorcerer Kingdom accepted every request without any resistance.

They even said they were willing to sell some of their wares within our country, too.

They're so generous, it's disturbing.

You're thinking too negatively, Brother.

No, I'm sure this is another one of their plots.

Hasn't the Empire already become a vassal state due to their ploys?

Then why don't we just pledge to become a vassal state ourselves?

Hah! Maybe if we could control our nobles like the Empire.

The first thing that would happen if I did that would be a rebellion.

That wouldn't happen.

Hmph.

She's not serious,

but it looks like she'd go along with it if I foolishly agreed...

If only Elias would come back to my side...

It would be difficult to bring Marquis Raeven back to the royal capital.

I've heard that his will was crushed by the war with the Empire.

More importantly, when will you ascend to the throne, Brother?

I'd like you to fulfill your promise to me soon.

Father is trying to find the right time to pass me the throne.

Your wish will come true soon.

Thank you very much, Brother.

Why won't things go my way?

Oh, Baron Montserrat.

Baron Delvi. Baron Rokerlen.

To our faction's great leader, Baron Philip.

Cheers!

Oops!

No worries.

By the way, something seems to be worrying you lately.

Is everything all right?

Everyone around me has been so useless that they've been dragging me down!

The commoners in my domain

don't listen to me, the new head of the prestigious Montserrat family, at all!

We'd be rolling in money if they only listened to my words!

They're making no effort to raise the cash crops I told them to raise!

All they can do is give me excuses,

like they're not sure if the crops can be grown in this climate

or that they don't have the manpower!

I see. I see.

It's natural to get angry at those far more ignorant than yourself.

Right?

Exactly right.

You understand!

There are too many people in the world that smother those with talent!

However, you have a wonderful backer that believes in your talent!

Oh, Hilma?

Yes. I'm so jealous of you!

She's created the perfect gathering place for your faction,

without asking for anything in return.

No, no. It's not my faction alone—

Well, I plan to do away with the outdated method of prioritizing people

just because of status and age.

Oh, how reassuring!

Right?

Exactly right.

Lord Philip, I hear that you're close to the Sorcerer Kingdom's prime minister.

Yes. I've kept in contact with Lady Albedo through our letters.

So you know of the situation?

It seems the Sorcerer Kingdom is producing an enormous amount of food,

an amount comparable to our own kingdom.

Aren't they a small kingdom with E-Rantel as their only city?

Well, I've heard they use the undead to tirelessly cultivate a large amount of farmland.

The undead?

How creepy.

On top of that, they're sending that food as aid to the Theocracy.

I'm sure of it,

since a lot of carts from the Sorcerer Kingdom have been traveling through my land.

Through your lands, Lord Vianney?

The warehouses throughout the kingdom are being packed with food

and that food can be sold within the Kingdom for a cheap price.

What's that?! How unfair!

Lord Philip, please keep your voice down.

That'll greatly affect the price of the crops being grown in my territory!

As expected of Lord Philip!

You instantly understand our current worries.

We have to do something about this...

So, we need to have the Sorcerer Kingdom lower their production of food crops?

That's right.

I can bring down the hammer of justice on the Sorcerer Kingdom

while reaping benefits for my domain and my kingdom! Three birds with one stone!

No, it's the perfect plan!

Do the two of you have a bit of time?

There's something that may interest you...

We've been conquering territories at a good pace.

But...

We really lack the manpower.

It would be outrageous of me to ask the Supreme One for help...

Problems Encountered During Transport of Aid to the Theocracy

A report on problems encountered during the transport of aid to the Theocracy?

Huh?

I understand we're doing this

to show the public that I have a good relationship with Momon,

but the silence is really stifling...

But there isn't really anything I want to talk to Pandora's Actor about.

Um, Miss Nabe.

Yes.

Well, let's see...

Have you visited the orphanage that was suggested by Yuri at all?

No, not yet...

Then, should we stop by?

Yes!

Lord Ains.

What is it, Entoma?

I'm very sorry for the interruption.

Lady Albedo is requesting your return to the Great Tomb of Nazarick as soon as possible.

Huh?

Lord Ains. I have gathered all the floor guardians before you.

Yes.

Good work. Raise your heads.

Yes!

So, Albedo, tell me why you've gathered everyone here.

Yes.

Four days ago,

the food we sent to the Theocracy was stolen while being transported through the Kingdom.

Oh? And the culprit?

A noble of the Kingdom.

That noble used his subordinates to attack our carriage and robbed our goods by force.

If I remember correctly, weren't the transporting merchants

prepared by the Eight Fingers?

Their carriages carry the flags of the Sorcerer Kingdom.

In other words, the Kingdom decided to directly attack the Sorcerer Kingdom?

Oh, or perhaps the Eight Fingers have betrayed us?

No, that's...

Hm? What's wrong, Albedo?

What's going on?

Isn't this the attitude of an employee that has to

tell her boss that he's made a terrible mistake?

I don't remember any of the nobles from the Kingdom, though...

Did I do something?

Albedo, don't hold back. Tell me.

Yes, Lord Ains.

I believe you remember our plans to use a foolish noble to take control of the Kingdom.

Yes, the one you've been sending letters to...

Only for the sake of our plans!

N-No, excuse me.

That fool of a noble is the one who orchestrated the robbery.

Of course, as you said, there's a chance that this was a ploy by the Kingdom...

Hm. I'm sure you've already checked to see if that was the case.

Yes. I have a witness.

This is the one responsible for managing that witless noble.

Who is that?

I-I-It's good to see Your Majesty the Sorcerer King in good health!

Woman, I allow you to state your name.

My name is Hilma Cygnaeus, Your Majesty!

Oh, I vaguely remember the name.

I-I didn't know anything! It's true!

I would never do something that went against your wishes!

I have nothing to do with this!

Yes. First, I will confirm if your words are true.

Dominate.

Were you involved with the robbery orchestrated by the nobles?

I was not!

Have you ever been told you have multiple personalities?

I have not!

Hm. Do you have any feelings of hostility against us?

Not at all! Not even a little bit! No!

I see.

Even if your actions may have indirectly triggered this result,

it would be unfair to blame you for the crime.

Cygnaeus is innocent.

Lord Ains!

A superior should take responsibility for the mistakes of their subordinates!

Allow me to say this! I never thought he would do something so outrageous!

I warned him so many times! I had so many people watching him!

A superior should be responsible for the mistakes of their subordinates. I also agree.

However, those words should be used by a superior to protect their subordinates.

It shouldn't be used by another to force the responsibility on someone below them.

Albedo, let me ask you this...

Who is responsible for taking care of Cygnaeus?

That would be me.

Yes. Then, as your master, should not I be the one ultimately held responsible?

N-N-Not at all! There's no way that you would be at fault, Lord Ains!