Chapter 40 - Volume 6 (1/2)

Overlord Volume 6 Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Attack Preparations

Part 1

Lower Fire Month (9th Month) 3rd Day 18:27

It was evening by the ti over his watch to the guards Climb had called over Now that he was released frory that his stomach ached

…If I ry, I don’t kno I’ll live this down

He opened the house’s door Naturally, Gazef had permitted Brain to treat this home like it was his own

As Brain entered the house and walked towards the room which Gazef had lent hi in his direction Souessed that it was Gazef, and when the person uess was proven correct

“Well, you’re back late, Unglaus Did you go anywhere?”

Gazef’s question held no hint of a rebuke In fact, as Brain fell into contemplation about how to answer that question, Gazef instead looked upon hiht with interest

“If you don’tover dinner?”

That idea sat just fine with Brain He rubbed his belly and laughed

“That’s a great idea Where shall we eat?”

Gazef looked surprised for a“over here”

“Are you going to have the servantsto cook yourself, Stronoff?”

Gazef smiled bitterly at that unexpected question

“No, I can’t cook at all”

Saying so, he pursed his lips into a cat-s etting on in years Inflavours… but they just don’t seeet it”

Brain chuckled, and teased: “So even the great and dom is forced to eat bland, healthy fare?”

Gazef did not protest this, merely frowned and replied: “Indeed”

Then he continued: “While i’d thought of letting you try my famous home-cooked food, in the end I ordered take-out”

“Is that so That’s very kind of you Thanks”

Brain smiled thinly as he said this It seemed to amuse Gazef, who chuckled Then, he shot back:

“Can you cook then, Unglaus?”

However, that riposte ide

“Well, it’s nothing ether siet by if I couldn’t cook on ”

“I see,” Gazef answered as they entered the dining room, whereupon he picked up the basket placed near the wall

It seerance wafted out fro the nose and belly

The two of the several dishes on the table, they raised glasses filled ine and clinked theether There was no special occasion for the toast They sied the wine down in silence

A refreshi+ng flavor spread from their lass down He coughed and said in an earnest tone:

“…It’s been a long time since I had wine”

“Same here Or rather, I should say I haven’t eaten at ho in the Palace is hard, huh”

“There’s a lot for the Warrior-Captain to do”

“Are you in charge of the Royal Family’s security too?”

“Yes It’s what I do for the ht nature through his words It would be fine to lapse a little, but he insisted on sticking to his guns

The nobles must hate couess was on the mark, because Gazef very rarely dom’s Warrior-Captain, Gazef mainly talked about his military duties or how he served the Royal Family There was hardly any talk of the decadent world of ballroo social barrier still separated noble froely vanished in the nearby E

In the past, he had honed his sword skills to defeat Gazef, and he had selfishly thought that “the next time we meet will be a battle to the death” Yet the two of them were now friends who could share a drink

Perhaps Gazef had picked up on his thoughts, but the other ether Perhaps the as starting to get to them, but they used a bit toothe table

“Oi oi, don’t spill it on the food”

“Don’t you think the wine’ll ue’s pretty bad so it’s all one to laus?”

“Brain Call me Brain”

“Really now Call me Gazef, then”

“Got it, Gazef”

The two of thehed, and there was a clear ringing note as their glasses clinked together again

Gazef brought up all manner of topics, and Brain soon found hi into it, Gazef nonchalantly asked:

“Come to think of it, how did a man like you end up like that, Brain?”

He asked that question carefully, as though afraid of reopening old wounds His penetrating gaze did not appear to be testing the truth of his words He sees

“Mm, thanks”

Gazef froze at Brain’s unbidden thanks Perhaps that face of his was a, but Brain’s own expression softened a little Then, he straightened himself up and said:

“…I saw a ical beast, maybe?”

“I think it was a Vampire… her naer she ed to deflect the move I invented… to defeat you”

Brain sensed that Gazef’s eyes had slightly widened

“…Is that so”

Those words were accoe smile Brain knehat that smile meant

It was the desire of any warrior to defeat a hty foe

Brain had once felt that way about Gazef Gazef had probably wanted to fight Brain as well, to re-experience that pitched exciting battle frorin prodom’s Warrior-Captain

Brain described the Vampire’s appearance, but Gazef replied that he had never heard of her before Then he took a mouthful of wine Brain had a sip himself, and then described their battle — no, of how she had trampled him underfoot

However, he stayed away froade He felt that Gazef ht say “every man walks his own path in life”, but the truth was that in front of a righteousthe depths to which his past self had sank in pursuit of sword skills

There was no doubt in Gazef’s eyes after he had heard the whole thing

“Do you believeplace, after all It wouldn’t be strange if such a monster did exist When you look back at history, there were things like the Deon Lords Still… I don’t think I could beat such a powerfulyou are now so I can’t really comment, but I’m still certain that you can’t beat her She lives in a world which people like us can’t even approach Even if the two of us attacked at once, all we’d e to do is draw the battle out fro ?” Gazef mock-complained

However, Brain sternly told him:

“Gazef You have to protect the royal fae her even if you see her You can’t waste your life like that”

“Thank you for your advice However, if that dom, I will throw my life away even if all it does is buy some time”

What time could he buy? Gazef would be helpless before her unless she wanted to play

Even so, Brain began to feel that Gazef ht be able to do it, even if it was just to buy some time

“She’s called Shalltear Shalltear Bloodfallen”

After Brain described her appearance once ot it However, you’d best tell ain once I recover from the wine, just to be safe I’ll learn as much as I can about her too”

“I don’t think any aainst her”

“If we know a stor about it? Can’t just leave things be Besides, we h brains”

“If only that were the case”

“I’m not too close to hiht to be able to co useful… anyhat do you plan to do in the future, Brain?”

Brain’s eyebrows knitted at that question What should he do?

His eyes unconsciously drifted to his beloved「Katana」beside the table

It was lingering attachment

Ultimately, that was all it was No matter how much he tried, he would never be able to beat that reatest swordsman was in ruins He had indeed wasted his life

Froround and live his life correctly

It was just a childish drea on a fare, and while he had forgotten ered in the recesses of hishe knew besides that ordsmanshi+p Put in a nicer way, he had lived a very focused life

“Far… well, that’s not bad, but… how about this? Why not serve the nation with ht not be able to beat that monster called Shalltear, but he considered himself quite capable in terms of human-scale ability However—

“I’ and scraping business”

“Well, I don’t bow and scrape that much…”

“Ah, sorry I didn’tin the court … In truth, I think that’s a pretty good idea, Gazef Fighting for others… that’s it! Oi, Gazef, I met a boy called Climb”

“Climb? That hoarse-voiced kid?”

Gazef went “ohhhhhh” as he saw Brain nod

“Where did you uard, so he shouldn’t have hadon the streets”

“Training on the streets, huh… well, he just doesn’t have talent I don’t think he’ll get any stronger than he is now All he can do now is train his body and i that? If not, I uide hiot no talent for swordser than me in some areas”

The look on Gazef’s face see me”

Indeed, Brain was far more skilled than Climb, and more talented as well However, Brain knew that this discrepancyin the face of true power, and so he felt that laughing at Climb for it would be hypocritical

Rather than quibble about such a trifling difference, Brain felt that Cli will — which had withstood the hty Sebas — was truly worthy of praise

I was beaten and chose to flee But Climb would never run if soht Perhaps a man like him… could clip thatabout Gazef’s confused expression Instead, he roughly explained the day’s events; in other words, the raid on the Eight Fingers brothel

“I see So you and Climb… I see”

“You can abandon me if you think it’ll cause proble so to cause you trouble if I’m at odds with the underworld, don’t you think?”

“No, not at all In fact, I rather welcodo more than to carve ers so bad for the Kingdom?”

“They make me want to throw up They control doo to the nobles, allowing those rogues to mix with them and swan around in normal society If we try to arrest the we can do on that front The only e can hurt thee into their cunningly concealed hideouts, force their cris Of course, they’re e noble, so if we fail, the consequences will be severe”

“You’re out of luck, then?”

“Indeed Therefore, I hope what you did weakens them Unfortunately, that’s not too likely”

“Can’t you have the King issue a royal decree or so him will interfere from the sidelines, so we can’t do it And they have allies in both factions, whichheavily over the table, the two of them drank their wine in silence and reached for the food

Part 2

Lower Fire Month (9th Month) 4th Day 07:14

TheEach of the noises when put on the ground The sacks contained all their gear, because entering the Royal Palace all girded for as not very appropriate

After putting down their weighty luggage, the group rotated their shoulders Renner looked kindly upon them, and their team leader, Lakyus Alvein Dale Aindra, asked her:

“Will you have any princessly duties to discharge later?”

Renner had hardly any power, but she still had her responsibilities as the princess

“It’s fine Those matters can wait Don’t worry”

“Aha”

A mischievous expression came over Lakyus’ face Similarly, Renner also flashed her a hter

“Lakyus Once you’re ready, I’d like to ask you to take care of that matter as soon as possible”

“Why? I heard yesterday that ere going to attack in secret, taking each location in turn Isn’t that so?” asked Evileye, the ic caster

She had not re mask even in the Royal Palace She had not been censured for such suspicious dress because she was an adamantite-ranked adventurer, the elite of humanity, and also because her teae

“Soht, so I feel we need to change part of the plan It’s like this—”

Renner described the brothel raid froht

Climb stood stock still behind Renner, and the members of Blue Rose looked upon hiazesinto the brothel and saving people fro He had one in with hi worthy of praise

Instead, he felt disappointed with himself He had not been rebuked for his reckless, independent action and the plan had not been cancelled, only altered The fact that he actually felt relieved by that only ic

“Not bad, cherry boy”

“Yup, Gagaran’s right Apprehending aKing’ Davernoc ‘Void Cutter’ Peysilian ‘bloody Scimitar’ Edstrom ‘Thousand Kills’ Malmvist ‘Illusion Devil’ Succulent And then their leader, ‘Battle Demon’ Zero”

Tia smoothly recited each name

“Davernoc is undead Peysilian is said to be able to cut down even distant foes Edstroic weapons Males Succulent has already been apprehended And Zero is a braho excels in empty-handed combat Each of them is equivalent to an ada one of the work, Clilaus and fought by his side,”

Clireed with that sentiment

“The fact that he could take out Succulent in one hit proves that Unglaus — the est warrior (Gazef Stronoff) to a standstill — is the real deal That said, I’m more interested in that old butler which even he couldn’t beat”

“I didn’t get Sebas-sama’s address…”

“…Hm, Climb Did he not tell you because he ary of you, or did you not ask because you knew you should not have asked… which is it?”

“Both of theht have told me if I had asked him However, Sebas-sama volunteered his help despite the fact that I was the one who involved hiht cause him difficulty”

“…Hm — you’re an honest chap”

“Yup”

The sisters see Climb up from head to toe

“I have no idea why I’ve never heard of such an a person before…”

Clih it had been triggered by those words from Evileye Just as he was about to retort, Lakyus clapped a few tiht, let’s leave this aside for a moment If not for him, ould not have found the accurate location of the brothel and ould not have captured the head of the Slave Trafficking Division (Cocco Doll) Both Cliht, Lakyus Then, Princess You said you were going to change part of the plan — does thata new location instead?”

“Yes, Evileye-san I was hoping to attack several points at once by today and take thee and ill lose it the more time we take”

The room was dead silent

Only Blue Rose would be participating in this operation They had insisted on taking the targets one after the other due to this lack of manpower

“Er, but Princess I believe we told you before that we don’t have the people for it, right? Did soht? We can’t hire adventurers for this, can we?”

One of the founding principles of the Adventurer’s Guild was to defend huainst external threats Thus, there was an unwritten rule in the guild that they would never involve themselves in disputes between humans Otherwise the Adventurer’s Guilds of various countries would not be able to step over national borders and help each other

Therefore, if the Guild judged that their involvement in a matter would result in their involvement with a perpetual feud, they would apply pressure on their adventurers to abide by that unwritten rule This applied even if the Guild’s intervention would save lives The pressure which the Guild could apply included warnings, not reco jobs to them, and expulsion from the Guild in the worst-case scenario

As a result, there were so part of a group known as Workers However, there were rumors that the Guild would eo after those who violated the rules with un their opposition to Eight Fingers was a violation of this unwritten rule, but they were adauably the Guild’s representatives, so there was no way they would actually be chased out of the Guild Thus, their actions had received tacit approval However, the only reason why they had been excused this trespass was because they were the ones who had done it

“The uard in order to bulk up our nuuards in their pocket All we can do is have them handle cleanup at the end Otherwise there’ll be trouble”

“Sa house troops from the nobles We can’t ask theers”

“Hmph The only people we can trust are Stronoff and the men loyal to him — his warriors… no, we don’t even kno many of his warriors can be trusted”

“Practically speaking, yes In the end, there’s not much we can do because we don’t know exactly kno far our opponents can reach Still, if we do nothing but investigate because of that, the Kingdom will fall apart one day We can’t adequately reot cries for help from all sides”

Renner nodded as she heard Lakyus’ complaints

The Empire’s interference only codoovernlimpsed the sun frohting on despite the dire circumstances Once more, Cli the Kingdo happiness to the thened

However, there were those who did not understand that point and had decided that all the princess had to be was a decoration — her sole purpose being to sit there and look beautiful Clier at these people — primarily the nobles — and his hands balled up into fists

However, Renner’s lovely voice filtered into his ears and dispersed his anger, and he onceto their conversation

“You’re right Therefore, I thought of asking a reliable noble for help”

“You know of trustworthy nobles, Princess?”

“I do, Evileye-san There aren’t many of them, but I know of one who can be relied upon”

“Oh, and who is that, Renner? I don’t doubt your judge reliable if they can’t do anything for us There’s also no guarantee that he’ll be able to h troops from his domain either

“I don’t think that will be a proble”

“I can understand that”

“Mm, the Warrior-Captain’s a reliable ers, then we’re finished”

“Clio call Marquis Raeven over He was present at the latest ht to still be within the Royal Capital”

“The Marquis? I did see him in the company of the Prince…”

Indeed Marquis Raeven matched all their criteria for the man they needed… his trustworthiness aside

He was one of the Six Great nobles, those whose assets and so on surpassed those of other nobles by far However, there was no proof that Raeven was not in cahoots with Eight Fingers One could also say that his wealth ers’ bribes

However, Climb promptly rejected that notion

Renner — his mistress, the wisest of all wo of respect — had chosen that naht to be reliable

However, the members of Blue Rose seemed displeased, in contrast to Climb

“Oi, oi, Princess Are you sure you can trust this Marquis guy?”

“They say Raeven’s a bat”

“A bat who flits back and forth between the Royal and noble factions If he’s doing it all for his own gain, then Eight Fingers’ filthy lucre will ence about us, Princess”

As the disapproval poured on froh the air Its source was Lakyus

“…That’s enough, all of you! Ahhh, Renner, Marquis Raeven didn’t exactly leave a good impression on uarantee that And I believe he’s taken ers”

Eh?! Everyone present was surprised, and they had confused looks on their faces However, someone hit on a possibility and asked:

“Are you trying to spread false information in order to manipulate the enemy?”

“We did that before so from somewhere to divert the attention of the security personnel”

Renner shook her head at the notion of the assassination

“That’s not it, Tina-san and Tia-san I believe that soers even if they do take their ht? You could say I lost my bet if it turns out he was et Marquis Raeven He should be willing to meet me once you tell him about the destruction of the brothel and the capture of the head slaver”

Cliht outside theThe , and it seemed a little early to wake someone up However, one could not keep Great nobles at one’s beck and call, so itnow

“Should we talk about capturing the head of the slave trade? Your servant believes that it ”

Renner said that she had to play that trump card to compel an audience, but surely not even a Great noble could refuse a Princess’ su the case, should they not keep it in reserve?

Renner shook her head at Climb’s opinion

“We need to lay our cards before hi so is the best proof that we trust the Marquis

No wonder Climb nodded and then bowed respectfully

“Your servant understands Then, I shall summon Marquis Raeven now”

“Please do, Climb Now, since this will take some time, shall we have tea?”

♦ ♦ ♦

Lower Fire Month (9th Month) 4th Day 09:37

Blue Rose believed that it would take some time for Marquis Raeven to arrive They estimated that he would come by around noon

As a nobleely consisted ofsummoned him for an audience, but Renner was just a powerless princess, after all She would be lower on Raeven’s list of priorities

Therefore, when Cliht for a moment that he had been chased back Thus they were hard-pressed to hide the looks of surprise on their face when they saw the forms of two men behind him

One of them was, of course, Marquis Raeven

His appearance was, in a word, i clothes were made of soical beast — and stitched with goldwork The embroidery around his collar and his front buttons was of exquisite workeht and reflected the light

His stand-up collar completely concealed his narrow neck This was top-class apparel, which was undeniably suited to hidohtly plump man

When Renner saw him, she exclaimed in surprise:

“Onii-sama”

“Yo If it isn’t my sister from a different mother You look well… oh, and if it isn’t the Alvein heiress and the renowned Blue Rose Hoonderful To think we’d run into so many adamantite-ranked adventurers here”

The , and who had addressed theht and cheerful voice was none other than the Second Prince Zanack Valrean Igana Ryle Vaiself

Lakyus curtsied to hirand wave of his hand

“I heard you were talking about so, so I decided to drop in”

“I have come in response to Renner-denka’s su all his way, Marquis Raeven Please raise your head”

Renner rose froher status than herself — make his entrance

Marquis Raeven had a cold shtened up

His smile was very sinister, and it made people think he was quite creepy Yet for some reason, it seemed perfectly suited to him It did not displease others who looked upon hi to the adjacent room for a while?”

“I understand, onii-sao next door?”

“Got it”

With that clipped reply, Lakyus indicated that her colleagues should get their things They were probably going to gear up in the next roo time

The five me the adjacent roo people to take a seat

“Please, have a seat over here”

“Yes, Renner-denka”

“Sure, sis”

One of them threw themselves onto the seat, while the other one settled hiracefully Renner poured a cup of tea and placed it before Raeven

“I ahness would personally pour a cup of tea for ive lared unhappily at the two tea-drinkers

“Ah, but do you not dislike tea, onii-sama?”

“True, I’’sto wet my throat”

“Then I shall have theWill fruit juice do?”

“Tea will be fine There’s no need to let news leak out”

“I doubt the maids will have time to report to their families if we make our move by today”

“Still, you should be careful Wo mouths, after all In particular, the ly quick at tattling”

Renner smiled, then poured a cup of tea and placed it before Zanack

“…Hence network, have you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Ah, neverof tea

“Ack, it’s bitter,” he said while sticking out his tongue

“Still, your Highness What matter is there which needs to be discussed so early? That said, your servant will rush to your side at any tiive the word”

“Thank you Then, I shall get to the point since tiht I wish to borrow your intellect”

♦ ♦ ♦

After coughing briefly, she wasted no ti to the meat of the subject

Marquis Raeven’s narrow eyes parted slightly, full of surprise However, he recovered almost instantly and hid his consternation

“My intellect, hhness that asks… your servant fears he will not be able to live up to your expectations

“I think you will do fine After all, I doubt anyone is your equal in affairs of the court, Marquis Raeven”

Marquis Raeven and the Prince exchanged looks

Princess Renner had hardly ever participated in political power struggles So what did she mean by “affairs of the court”?

Marquis Raeven s too hard on the e conclusion That much was obvious He decided to hold off on his decision until he learned more

“And ould you have your servant tell you?”

“I wish to ask if someone like yourself, as a secret supporter of the Royal Faction — or rather, as the one who holds the entire Royal Faction together — could mobilize the faction’s forces”

“…What?”

Given the look on Marquis Raeven’s face, one one off in front of his face Just about anyone who saw this would have been shocked, because Marquis Raeven was not normally an expressive man

Still, his reaction was understandable Any other noble h it off, but this was a truth which had been hidden until now

People thought of Marquis Raeven as a bat, flitting frouiding the Royal Faction and warding off any potential conflicts which gest part in keeping the country whole

The Kingdoo without someone like Raeven around

Zanack sucked in a tiny breath

He had already sensed that Renner, with her uniinable intellect, was a fiend in human form Yet, she was like a prisoner in the Royal Palace, without eyes or hands to see or work her will How had she grasped the truth under these circudom knew the answer besides Zanack

Both of the, but they rejected that notion al a fact of life Both of theers behind their smiles, but Renner’s attitude did not seem like an act In that case, how exactly had she found out about that?

Renner seenored Marquis Raeven’s shocked expression and calmly continued:

“…No, perhaps I should have asked one of the two members of the Royal Faction, but Marquis Blu on information to the Empire, no? That would mean…”

“What-what did you say…”

“A hness!”

Zanack murmured hoarsely, but Raeven’s eyes shot wide open and he shouted

“Marquis Bluht? After all, is that not why you tried to keep the good Marquis fro too much?”

The two of them stared speechlessly at Renner

They looked at the beautiful girl, who cal?”

“You…”

「您……」

Marquis Raeven was so overcohness”

Renner had been right about everything

Only Zanack and Marquis Raeven knew that Marquis Blumrush, a Great noble of the Royal Faction, had betrayed the kingdom They had kept quiet about his treason to keep the balance between the factions fro down

Marquis Raeven had been desperately trying to keep this from the noble Faction and had come up with allthis His efforts should have been flawless, until now

Zanack only knew about this because Marquis Raeven had told hibird discovered it? As Zanack ioosebumps

“How did you find out…”

“Oh, I just listened to what everyone was saying And I do talk with the maids from time to time”

How reliable were the maid’s words?

An unbelievable idea filled Marquis Raeven’s h his memories, he could conclude that what Renner said — what she had gleaned froossip traded by the h a h, which she had fashi+oned into a jewelled necklace

Therefore—

“—A monster”

He quietly intoned the word that most suited the woman known as Renner

Renner should have heard that loud and clear, but all she did was s Marquis Raeven for his rudeness He abandoned the line of thought he had been following until just now

She deserved his honesty And his recollections of the past were correct