What brings you here today?
Well, this is in regards to the matter of the goods for the Holy Kingdom being stolen
by the nobles of your kingdom.
First, I would like to apologize for the actions of that citizen.
And...
Is it possible to gain forgiveness with my head alone?
Just a bit... It seems I've misread you, Ramposa III?
Is it because that man is no longer by your side?
Or perhaps because you realized the excellent talents of your child?
You never would have made a choice like that in the past.
Well, it's fine.
Either way, our response to this matter will not change.
The Sorcerer Kingdom declares war on the Re-Estize Kingdom.
We will deploy our soldiers exactly one month from today at noon!
The only exception is if your kingdom invades E-Rantel,
which is a part of our kingdom, before that date...
Lastly, I have a message from His Majesty.
This is all a part of your schemes!
How dare you interrupt me as I repeat the words of the Sorcerer King.
Human, do you wish to die before the month is out?
These are the words of His Majesty.
"I do not intend to cast any large spells this time. Let's enjoy ourselves."
That is all.
You claimed this was all a part of our schemes,
but this matter came as a surprise to us, as well.
We're the ones who want to know what in the world your kingdom was thinking.
Hup! Hup! Hup! Hup! Hup!
The Sorcerer Kingdom gave us one month to prepare for war...
But even though they've declared war,
they haven't shown any sign of mobilizing their troops.
Were they just trying to threaten us?
That's not something the Sorcerer King would do.
You saw the Sorcerer King with your own eyes, didn't you?
I didn't just see him.
I witnessed Gazef's one-on-one with him.
Well, I have no idea what happened, or how Gazef lost, even now.
That's...
I'm taking care of it for the time being.
The Princess pushed it on me.
Master Stronoff's beloved blade and one of the treasures of the Kingdom, Razor Edge.
Even that sword couldn't leave a scratch on the Sorcerer King?
I've heard that it's possible.
But the blade didn't reach him.
The Sorcerer King is planning something.
It's just a gut feeling, but I believe it's true.
That's why I'm going to get these kids out of here.
You've got a way?
Finally have.
I'll have them catch a ride on a caravan heading toward a city near the Council State.
Even if I die, the swordsmanship I'm teaching...
worthless or not, will live on in the kids.
Actually, Master Vesture also said something similar.
Would you allow us to send one of ours with your children?
What? Are you sure?
That'd be reassuring. Thank you.
So, it's been a month since we declared war on the Kingdom.
They seem to think that we've withdrawn into E-Rantel.
Demiurge, you've done an excellent job
of monitoring the roads and keeping our movements covert.
Thank you very much.
Similarly, you've also done an excellent job getting some of the Kingdom's nobles
to defect to our side, Albedo.
Thank you very much, Lord Ains.
Yes.
The main objective of this plan is to prevent other countries
from sending support troops, or otherwise intervening,
by shutting down the Kingdom's borders before they even notice.
That's why it was necessary to annihilate the cities and villages near those areas, but...
Ahem.
Everyone has racked their brains and contributed to the success of this plan.
However, it worries me that there were no problems at all.
Cocytus, how did you feel after your defeat against the Lizard Men?
Yes. I felt I had learned a lot from that defeat.
That's right.
I believe that we can learn a lot from suffering setbacks.
With our strength, it may not be difficult to annihilate a few cities and massacre their people.
But experience from mistakes can help us
develop a foundation that supports us when we face more difficult situations.
Now that the Sorcerer Kingdom controls so much land,
I'll be assigning a greater variety of tasks to all the floor guardians.
You're even preparing a path for us, who lack experience, to create history.
Th-That is exactly right, Demiurge!
So, let us prepare for the time we fight against a guild that is stronger than ourselves.
Yes.
Lord Ains, I believe it's almost time for the next battle.
Who is responsible for the next region?
Lord Ains.
Then, we'll definitely have to watch closely.
Yes.
I didn't prepare anything extravagant, though.
I believe this battle lacks some military force...
You're right.
Some humans escaped from the nearby towns that were destroyed, too.
Lord Ains was responsible for those towns, too...
Was there a reason for this?
Your questions are reasonable.
All of you should watch this next battle.
I'll explain things to you afterwards.
The next attack is on a seaside town...
Y-Yeah, E-Naeul.
It's a fishing town that doesn't have very many soldiers.
It doesn't have much of a protective barrier.
It looks easy to destroy, even with a small amount of military force.
What should I do?
Well, I've bought myself some time for now...
Great Tomb of Nazarick, Fifth Floor
Frozen Prison
I am very sorry, Lord Ains.
I know how insolent my actions are,
but Lady Nigredo and Pestonya desperately wish to meet with you.
I was the one who banned Nigredo from leaving Nazarick.
I must be the one to visit.
Thank you very much for your generous words.
Nigredo, huh?
Should I have brought her little sister, Albedo, with me?
I don't think their relationship is bad...
No, it's good I didn't. Albedo was really angry about her suspension.
Lord Ains, Lady Nigredo is waiting for you inside.
Yes.
Thank you for coming all this way, Lord Ains.
Yes. Raise your head, Nigredo.
So, what did you want to talk about?
Yes...
Lord Ains, is it possible to stop this senseless massacre of the people within the Kingdom?
Impossible.
To begin with, this isn't something to bring up to me directly.
You should have discussed this with your direct superior, Cocytus, first.
Nigredo, your actions show blatant disrespect for your superior.
That's a big no-no for a working member of society.
Lord Ains is quite right, woof.
That's why I would also like to suggest this, as well, woof.
Your superior would be...
Sebas, correct?
Yes.
I see.
Let me ask you this...
We initiated this plan to further strengthen the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
Do you think mere mercy would be enough to change our plans?
All babies have potential, Lord Ains!
Not only the infants, woof.
Humans are innovators that continue to birth new things.
I believe they hold the power to advance civilization in new ways.
Like these biscuits.
These are sold in E-Rantel, but people say they used to have a much harder texture.
They have become softer
through the declining cost of fresh ingredients and the development of human food culture.
Please try them.
Yes.
This is more like a sweet dessert, woof.
I agree.
However, I feel that the progress of civilization is dangerous.
The powerful stagnate while the weak get stronger.
We have to avoid any possibility of humans overthrowing us.
Am I wrong?
I'm grateful that you came to give them even a moment of your time, Lord Ains.
We do not plan to take any more of your time, Lord Ains.
Yes.
It looks like this conversation is...
Lord Ains!
My apologies!
It's fine. If you have something to say, feel free.
Yes. This is the Carrot and Stick plan.
I heard that this plan shows how differently we treat the Kingdom,
who chose to be our enemy,
compared to the Empire, who became a vassal state, woof.
Yes.
Wouldn't people who managed to survive by the skin of their teeth
better spread the horrors they've experienced? Er, woof.
Let some of them survive as witnesses?
Albedo and the others would definitely reject something like that.
But, you know...
A lot of different races with diverse ways of thinking will be joining the Sorcerer Kingdom...
This way of thinking is a minority in Nazarick,
but that's all the more reason to value such opinions.
I understand.
I will consider letting a small number of humans go.
Well, I can't really tell everyone that.
Yup. I'm sure my future self will take care of it.
Port City E-Naeul
Whoa! There are so many!
It's just a horde of zombies, Count Naeura.
They may be villagers that were raised from the dead
after the Sorcerer Kingdom's assaults.
How nauseating.
Wow, they can really do that?
There are spells that can create undead,
and the situation matches what the survivors have described.
But look there.
They're from the Sorcerer Kingdom.
They're special undead creatures sent by the Sorcerer King,
who massacred 200,000 soldiers on the Katze Plains.
Do you think they'd be weak?
They look super strong!
You're not upset about the fact that they think only two of their undead soldiers
could decimate this entire city?!
Not at all!
Actually, I feel super lucky that the mithril adventurers of the Four Armaments are here to help.
Adventurers normally don't support any side of a war between countries,
but we're fighting against the undead.
I'd love to surrender, but that's probably impossible.
Why don't you try to escape by sea with just your family?
Well, you've seen how many survivors there have been so far.
Are you trying to say that the number of survivors is too small?
That's exactly right.
I'm thinking the Sorcerer Kingdom is planning to eradicate all the people of the Kingdom.
If that's the case, do you think we'd really be able to escape?
Thank you for coming here!
I hope everyone will cooperate to stand against this unprecedented danger!
We are the Four Armaments mithril team!
We will be leading all of you today.
I've prepared plenty of rewards for all the adventurers here today!
Of course, I've also prepared special rewards for my soldiers, too.
But don't let those rewards preoccupy you while fighting!
I'd rather have a different kind of reward.
Don't you have some magic items that you consider family heirlooms?
Oh, I do.
The Five-Colored Holy Sword has always been in the family.
It's a longsword that has the power of five different elements.
He's talking about that?
I want that!
Seriously?
Lilynette.
Hmm. That depends on the situation.
I'll give it to you if you marry my son as a concubine.
Huh?!
Don't joke around!
Lilynette is mine!
No, she's mine!
Hey!
Don't you have four children?
Your main wife gave birth to your oldest son and third son.
Your concubine gave birth to your second son and eldest daughter.
After taking your eldest daughter out of consideration, which child?!
My third son.
Your third son?!
Ahem, isn't he still twelve years old?
You want me to be his concubine?
Yes, that's right...
Why would you know the age of the third son of a noble from the countryside?
Is it because you're a first-rate adventurer?
No, that's not it.
Yeah, that's not it.
Well, I guess it can't be helped.
Yeah, can't be helped.
I'll become his concubine for the Five-Colored Holy Sword.
I was the one who suggested it, but...
Why is this girl drooling like that?
Was she aiming for my son from the start?
Or the magic item from the start?
I believe it's the former.
Who wouldn't drool over fruit that hasn't ripened yet!
I thought she'd be upset if I asked her to be a concubine...
Well, sir...
I'm glad you eased the tension with your humor,
but we need to prepare for battle.
You're right.
I'm depending on all of you!
The undead with a shield and the dual-wielding undead...
Does anyone know how strong they are?
I was being serious, though...
Lilynette!
I don't know.
Same.
Then, we'll have to figure out what kind of attacks are effective against them first.
Archers! Draw!
Release!
Second wave! Draw! Release!
They're moving.
So fast!
Magic casters! Begin attack!
Fire Ball!
Don't panic!
Our enemies are undead!
Their movements don't slow down when they take damage, but the magic attacks are working!
Keep casting until it goes down! Fire Ball!
Are they the Sorcerer Kingdom's trump cards?
That's why there's only two of them?
Or...
Should we run?
That will be impossible with that thing around.
Leader!
Watch out for the movements of the dual-wielder!
We'll distract the one with the shield!
Hit the undead with all the magic you've got once they reach the city walls!
We'll leave the high ground to you!
Lightning!
That's enough magic. Can you strengthen me instead?
Yes.
Anti-Evil Protection.
Lesser Strength.
Lesser Dexterity.
Protection Energy Negative.
Haste.
It can still move after taking that much damage...
Doppel!
Heavy Fortress.
Sunlight!
Magic Arrow!
One more!
All right!
Magic casters!
No good!
The other one is coming! They're returning fire!
What?!
Here it comes!
Fly away and escape.
We'll try to buy some time.
Huh? Seriously?! Me?!
Guess it can't be helped.
Huh?
Wh-What in the world is that?!
What in the...
Hey, that's an adamantite adventurer!
A member of Drop of Red?
The Death Knight and Death Warrior were destroyed so easily...
Mm. Just as expected.