The Paladin of the Holy Kingdom: Part 1

There’s no way His Majesty can’t feel the mood in the air… perhaps he simply doesn’t care about the petty fumblings of tiny men. Is this the bearing of a king?

“Everyone, listen up. Before us stands His Majesty, the Sorcerer King Ainz Ooal Gown. Unable to ignore the plight of our nation, he has specially come here on his own to aid us. You will accord him all due respect!”

After Remedios said so, everyone in the room bowed to the Sorcerer King.

Once everyone had raised their heads, the Sorcerer King spoke in a grand tone.

“Greetings. I am the Sorcerer King, Ainz Ooal Gown. I have come to this land in order to help you, not on the behalf of my nation, but in a personal capacity. Therefore, while this might be a little sudden, I have noticed a few things on my way here, so I wish to seek your opinions on the matter. Please allow my follower to explain.”

The Sorcerer King stepped aside, allowing Neia to walk past and in front of him.

“Excuse me, everyone. Allow me to explain what His Majesty said earlier.”

Neia relayed the Sorcerer King’s questions to everyone present. After the short speech, a heavy silence filled the room.

“...Then what does His Majesty propose we do?”

Remedios addressed her question to Neia, who stood by his side.

“No, before that, what do you think? I have only come to do battle with Jaldabaoth, not to lead you all. If I end up participating too heavily in your strategic planning sessions, do you not think things will become very troublesome after defeating Jaldabaoth?”

Murmurs spread through the room.

“...Or do you mean to say you will subordinate yourself to my command? In that case, I will also use the most appropriate means to save this nation.”

That ought to be the best way to do it, right? His Majesty might be undead, but everything he says makes perfect sense. He will surely abide by any agreements he makes too. Right now, at this very moment, if you want to save the suffering people, bending the knee to another country’s king for a time ought to be the right choice to make, no?

“The only one who may stand above us is Her Majesty, the Holy Queen. Regretfully, we cannot accept commands from the king of another nation.”

However, Remedios promptly rejected the offer.

“—!”

You should be willing to do anything to save the people! Wasn’t that the reason why we’re using the king of another nation, and such an incredible king at that!?

Neia hung her head. That was to hide the dark, muddy emotions which stuck to the interior of her chest.

“May we inquire as to what course of action Your Majesty would take in our position?”

“If it were me, hm? Well, the logical thing would be to immediately move your base to a new location, no?”

“A new location…”

Everyone in the room, Remedios included, had a distressed look upon their face. That was because they did not know of any other place which was suitable as a hideout.

“Judging by your response, I guess you do not know. In that case, you need to plan your future operations under the assumption that the quicker you move, the sooner Jaldabaoth’s army will attack you. ...Then, since that is all, I will retire to my room.”

Just as Neia was about to follow him, the Sorcerer King held out his hand to stop her.

“Forgive me, but I would like you to stay here and listen to the others’ opinion on my behalf, Miss Baraja.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

While he had not acknowledged her as one of his people, it would seem the Sorcerer King was treating her as a substitute for himself. In that case, if she did not properly complete this task, he would be disappointed. Just imagining the Sorcerer King being disappointed made her heart flutter for some reason.

“I can count on you, then? You don’t mind, do you, Captain Custodio?”

“If Your Majesty permits it, we will not object.”

After hearing that, the Sorcerer King turned to leave with the paladin assigned to be his guide.

Once he vanished around a corner, a priest spoke up.

“So that’s the Sorcerer King… Captain Custodio. Will it really be all right? I hope the cure is not worse than the disease. That would be very troublesome.”

“Indeed. Taking future poison to escape present agony… is that not what paupers do?”

“We’ve talked about this before, haven’t we? Don’t make me repeat myself. The poison’s already in us now.”