Pontifex Maximus

Pontifex Maximus (最高神官) is the head of state of the Slane Theocracy.

Appearance
In the Anime, his upper portion of his face is obscured, though it appears that the Pontifex is a wrinkled old man with hair just below his earlobes. He wears a red robe with a silver pendant around his neck with the crest of the Slane Theocracy.

Personality
The Pontifex Maximus appears to possess the attitude of a moderator among his peers in the leadership of the Theocracy and maintains a stable dialogue during their meetings. Though that is not to say he is not without other sides of emotion as he is capable of displaying palpable hatred.

Background
At some point the current Pontifex Maximus was originally a member of one of the Six Scriptures. It can be assumed that he managed to rise to the rank of a Cardinal since only a member of the Six Cardinals can rise to the position of Pontifex Maximus.

The Ruler of Conspiracy Arc
The Pontifex Maximus presided over the meeting for the highest members of the Slane Theocracy.

The Half Elf God-kin Arc
Upon learning of the Sorcerer Kingdom's invasion of the Kingdom, the Pontifex Maximus oversaw an emergency meeting with the Theocracy's leadership. While satisficed with the many powerful adventurers that they managed to save from the doomed nation, unsure on what to do with the extra manpower. The Pontifex Maximus put it to a vote to send the adventurers to Dragon Kingdom in their war against the Beastman Country in order to amend their failure in providing aid to the other kingdom.

When the conversation was drawn on the inevitable conflict with the Sorcerer Kingdom and possible destruction, the Cardinals agreed to prepare a contingency and send some of their people to a refuge. One of the Cardinals suggested that Raymond Zarg Lauransan to be selected to lead and protect the survivors, given his past as a member of the Black Scripture. Raymond though declined stating that he was not as he was before and pointed out that the refugees may not accept him as a leader. Before the argument could continue, the Pontifex Maximus brought order reminding everyone that they should for the moment use their energy and resources in ridding the world of the Elf King.

Abilities and Powers
The Pontifex Maximus is the highest authority within the Slane Theocracy.

Trivia

 * Aside from the Cardinal whose sect the current Pontifex Maximus originally belonged to, the remaining Cardinals are each potential successors.
 * The Pontifex Maximus exists in the Web Novel, though the author at the time kept his identity secret and referred him as the pontiff.
 * In the Anime it was he who gave Nigun Grid Luin the Sealing Crystal. Though in the credits he was named "Head Priest".
 * In Mass for the Dead, the Pontifex Maximus has a deputy, named Enhela Read Gahi, who acts in his place as the representative of the Slane Theocracy for the Tripartite Alliance.

Quotes

 * (On Ainz): "I heard that the Sorcerer King used a powerful spell. As such, the Royal Army routed. Because of that, they abided by the requests made before the battle and ceded E-Rantel to the Sorcerer Kingdom for the founding of a nation. That’s all."