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 to the throne, the killings were so bloody that it was almost enough to form a river of blood, therefore this youth was henceforth known as the Blood Emperor. Gazef recalled coming across him in the battlefield, the emperor who once wanted to recruit him.
That emperor truly was a born ruler.
“Because of my superficial way of thinking, I was unable to protect you, and for that I am sincerely sorry. Even when issuing you a dangerous order, I was unable to give you the best equipment for the job… we are asking for your forgive-, no, please forgive me… Your subordinates also lost their lives because of this.”
“No, not at all…”
“Gazef, it may not make a difference, but although it cannot be called an apology, I would like to give recompense to the families of the deceased. In addition, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude towards Master Gown for rescuing my most loyal and trusted aide.”
Even though it wasn’t the King himself who was rescued, he still wanted to personally express his gratitude towards a mere lowly commoner. This matter should be problematic, but —