Overlord Volume 14

The Witch of the Falling Kingdom is the fourteenth light novel volume in the Overlord series. Written by Kugane Maruyama and illustrated by so-bin, it was released on March 12, 2020. It details the Sorcerer Kingdom's conflict with the Re-Estize Kingdom and Ainz Ooal Gown's confrontation with Platinum Dragon Lord.

Main Summary
A carriage from the Sorcerer Kingdom was attacked by Re-Estize nobility.

Though they knew it was a trap, the Re-Estize Kingdom still chose to face the enemy in open battle. Nazarick proceeded to declare war on the Kingdom as though they were expecting this response.

The Re-Estize Kingdom, still unable to recover from the massacre on the Katze Plains, is forced on a path that leads toward their downfall. Even though they knew they'd be standing against a foe they have no chance against, Prince Zanac, Blue Roses, and Brain will still face their foes head-on.

Nazarick's merciless war of annihilation is about to begin.

Full Summary
The story starts off with Albedo carrying out her duties regarding all of the current affairs in managing both the Sorcerer Kingdom and Nazarick. Due to the ever-increasing workload, she has been so busy that she is thinking that she needs new direct subordinates to help her situation. At the same time, she is worried about Demiurge setting up the new intelligence service which may jeopardize her own plans. She contemplates who within the Great Tomb she can recruit to help with her affairs.

It was then she got word of an unexpected development regarding a certain someone and is rather shocked by the report, and wonders if the Eight Fingers, the one in charge of said person, has betrayed Nazarick. With that, she took off to deal with this urgent matter.

Meanwhile, back at the Kingdom, Philip is sitting at a bar drinking his troubles away as none of his ideas have born any fruit to increase his wealth. He is frustrated that none of the higher-ranked nobles treat him with respect, and blames the Sorcerer Kingdom for his troubles as the food trade between them has kept people from buying his more expensive crops. He meets with two fellow New faction barons and comes up with a plan to steal one of the grain supply runs used for the Holy Kingdom's humanitarian aid in order to reap the profits for themselves. Philip, not realizing the huge consequences this could bring, plans this out along with the other two barons, who are not so thrilled to follow this plan, and even conspire behind his back on how to deal with Philip's plan. Philip sets up the events that will lead to the Kingdom to come into a conflict with the Sorcerer Kingdom.

When word reaches the Sorcerer Kingdom about this unprovoked aggression by the Re-Estize Kingdom, the Floor Guardians and Ainz were initially confused, as Philip was supposed to be under the thrall of the Eight Fingers. Once they brought Philip's handler to Ainz, the Sorcerer King deemed Eight Fingers to be blameless for the incident. In fact, it was Albedo who had underestimated the man's stupidity. It was originally intended to use the noble in a future plan to eventually sow discord within the Re-Estize Kingdom, gather all the useless and incompetent nobles and cause a civil war. Once things escalated, the Sorcerer Kingdom would have a casus belli to invade and take control of the neighboring nation. However, the incident complicated things, as they as a country needed to respond to this affront. The plan to cause a secession had to be scrapped and a war of complete annihilation of the Kingdom was favored so as to make an example of what happens to those who aimed aggression towards the Sorcerer Kingdom and its king.

The Sorcerer Kingdom formally declared war upon the Re-Estize Kingdom, with the support of its vassals, affiliate, and neighboring nations who found the latter to be at fault for the outcome. An official of the Re-Estize Kingdom, wishing to avoid another tragedy with the Sorcerer Kingdom, proposed to offer the perpetrator's head. However, King Ramposa III was against the idea, refusing to sacrifice any of his citizens just to appease the Sorcerer King. Even worse, the king refused to accept the idea from his court to plead to the Sorcerer King to have their nation turned into a vassal state as it would betray generations who served the Kingdom. A better plan was called for, yet none were offered, so Crown Prince Zanac Valleon Igana Ryle Vaiself then began to harbor motives to take the throne to preserve the nation in the face of imminent doom, as his father was still mentally unstable after Gazef's untimely death. When Albedo herself came to meet the court of the Re-Estize Kingdom, she refused Ramposa III's offer to be reimbursed for the theft and even his own life as a reparation, and gave them a month to prepare for the war. Despite the conspiracy surrounding the incident, the Prime Minister of the Sorcerer Kingdom admitted that what occurred was beyond their expectations, and informed the king that the Sorcerer Kingdom would employ no grand magic like their previous conflict, but meet them with armies, not in a war of conquest, but annihilation. The Overseer Guardian then left the humans to plan their last battle as she returned to her master's side. As the two nations prepared for war, the Sorcerer Kingdom made plans to adopt a tactic to invade the western part of the Re-Estize Kingdom, and then march towards the north. This was to gain control of the border, to prevent reinforcements from other nations from interfering with the war and to encircle the Kingdom. The Sorcerer Kingdom's goal was to destroy every city and village and massacre their citizens.

A month later, the city of E-Naeurl located at the north end of the Kingdom was one of the first settlements of the Kingdom that launched a defense against the Sorcerer King's forces. After receiving refugees from the neighboring lands and learning of a massive undead army, the city's leaders prepared for battle. The city's adventurers were called to defend them and organized all its magic casters in a single unit. They were led by the adventurer team Four Armaments under the command of Scama Elbero. The adventurers and city soldiers managed to mount a strong defense against the low-tier undead. However, they faced difficulty in fighting one of the undead commanders when it breached the gates of the city. The adventurers from the Four Armaments were nearly helpless against it and after a second monstrous undead appeared it seemed to be the end. They were saved however by the timely intervention of a giant flying armor who they recognized as Azuth Aindra of Red Drop.

While the war was progressing, Ainz was appealed by a group within Nazarick to spare the Re-Estize Kingdom's subjects. Ainz, having already committed to the plan of brutal war for his Floor Guardians, could not retract his order. However, to appease Pestonya Shortcake Wanko and the other human sympathizers, Ainz agreed to save 10% of the human population in the Kingdom. Later, after sensing that his personal summons were killed in E-Naeurl which gave the Re-Estize Kingdom its first victory against the Sorcerer Kingdom by the Red Drop adventurer, Ainz held a council with his Floor Guardians. Rather than send a stronger force to crush the city, Ainz decided to continue to conquer the other cities and focus their attention to the capital and put an end to the war.

Whilst the war against the Re-Estize Kingdom raged, to the northeast in the Karsanas City-State Alliance, the mayor of the city of Bebad, Re-Kista Cabelia was busy preparing for the upcoming Connelier event that would take place in four years. Already exhausted on the planning, she speaks briefly to her predecessor and grandfather Re-Bern Cabelia on the troubling news of the Sorcerer Kingdom. Most of the intel that she has on the nascent kingdom confuses her and she asks if her grand-sire could use his connections to determine the situation developing in the west.

Due to King Ramposa III's insistence in opening a peaceful dialogue with the Sorcerer Kingdom to avert war, Zanac had to take matters into his own hands to launch a quiet coup and took the throne as King Regent. So far the war with the other nation seemed grim, as a large number of cities and villages had already fallen with their inhabitants massacred. The northern part of the kingdom had been cut off, leading to the question as to why the Re-Estize Kingdom did not notice the invasion until E-Naeurl was attacked. Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself, lending her expertise, deduces that a serious manipulation of misinformation may have occurred within the ranks of their nation. The various factors point all to one man who had the power and skill to completely blindside the Kingdom: Marquis Elias Brandt Dale Raeven. The thought that Marquis Raeven had betrayed them was hard for Zanac to accept, however it was evident that the invasion force would soon make the Capital their final battle. As the King Regent, Zanac was effectively the de-facto ruler of Re-Estize, and had already sent out missives to the neighboring nobles to organize a defense of the city and confront the invaders. Thinking about his family's safety, Zanac urged Renner to escape to the City-State Alliance, but the princess refused to leave and realistically believed that she would be attacked by one of their own while en-route to the neighboring nation. As the invasion force from the Sorcerer Kingdom approached ever closer, the remaining inhabitants of the Kingdom who had not fled already had joined the call from their "King" to arms, reaching for the vainest hope that they had a chance to fight against the Sorcerer King.

Blue Roses is invited to a secret meeting arranged by an anonymous person at a non-disclose location. Upon arriving at the meeting room, the members of Blue Roses meet Lakyus's uncle, Azuth of Red Drop. The respective leaders of Blue Roses and Red Drop discuss about various matters, including their client's supposed identity and origin. During this meeting, Lakyus reveals that Blue Roses will stay behind with no intention of escaping alongside Azuth. Lakyus attempts to convince her uncle to work side-by-side with them against the Sorcerer King, but she is rebuffed, as Azuth reasons that their enemy is not something mere humans like them could defeat. The adventurers were shortly greeted by the arrival of the organizers of the meeting: the members of the Black Scripture. The secret unit of the Slane Theocracy had come to offer the adventurers to relocate their home base to the Theocracy as they had a special escape route reserved for the adventurers who accept. In the end, the members of Blue Roses chose not to agree with the idea of relocating to the Theocracy and declined the offer by the 5th Seat of the Black Scripture.

About a half day's travel from the Capital, the army of the Kingdom of 400,000 stood their ground to face the approaching undead army of the Sorcerer King. Prince Zanac, leading the army, was equipped in the remaining treasures of the Kingdom and decided to make one last ditch effort to save his nation. Going out alone to meet the opposing force, he was granted an audience with Ainz Ooal Gown. There, Zanac pleaded with Ainz, asking why such a being with such grandiose power would commit to this senseless war. His only response was that Ainz wished to show the world his might. Though the new king believed he was lying and asked what he really wanted, to which Ainz momentarily lowers his facade and said 'happiness', which Ainz affirmed would be something he would do anything to acquire for him and his nation. Finally reaching a common consensus, Zanac began to understand him as a fellow ruler and someone with somewhat of a human side. In the end, he failed to convince Ainz to avert the war, but Ainz promised Zanac that he would give him and his own countrymen a gentle and painless death. The conversation ended on pleasant terms and Zanac was allowed to return to his forces, After returning back to his army's side, Zanac informed his subordinates that the Sorcerer King's plan to kill them all was non-negotiable. The king then planned to die a honorable death, however he was ambushed by a group of mercenaries and nobles who planned to take his head to the Sorcerer King as a means to appease him and show fealty to their new overlord. After the violent coup, the nobles presented Zanac's severed head to Ainz Ooal Gown to show their loyalty, but the Overlord who once had reservations of committing the war to its finale, was silently enraged by the murder of Zanac, their own king. The act spurred him to relinquish all sympathies of the unforgiving humans of the Kingdom and ordered their extermination to proceed.

Before the invasion began, the Executives of Eight Fingers were ordered to choose roughly one-thousand people to spare from the Kingdom and take them to a safe location. At the Capital's invasion, Cocytus, Aura Bella Fiora, and Mare Bello Fiore were sent to lead the attack, with Cocytus as commander and Mare as aide-de-camp. Remaining behind, Ainz and Albedo were attacked by Azuth Aindra from above, to which Albedo then gave chase, playing into the distraction of course. As a mysterious platinum-armored knight arrived, he stated he was allegedly named Riku Aganeia, attacking and isolating Ainz in a magical sphere constructed by Wild Magic. The two subsequently did battle, with the former gaining an advantage over the Sorcerer King due to his advantages over undead. The fight between the Sorcerer King and Riku Aganeia comes to an immediate end when Albedo intervenes to save him. With Albedo arriving to the scene of the battle and overwhelming "Riku" for a brief period of time, this power shift forces the latter to flee quickly. In private, it is later revealed that Pandora's Actor had shape-shifted into his creator to draw out possible attackers, and after doing battle with his opponent, the deceptive Treasurer had been granted a measured appraisal of the enemy's abilities. The two later teleported back to the Great Tomb of Nazarick after successfully finishing their mission as planned. The platinum armored warrior, having retreated, was revealed to be the Platinum Dragon Lord and rendezvoused with Azuth to return to the Argland Council State.

As the danger to the city looms, Climb and Brain Unglaus attend a meeting with Princess Renner with Blue Roses to ready for what would be their last moments. After Brain was given an excuse to leave the room, Evileye and the other remaining adventurers betray Lakyus, attacking her long enough to drug and mind control her. While their leader was adamant on remaining to stay and fight, her companions did not feel the same and planned to escape to a distant, forgotten country due south-east, taking their leader to safety by force. After the offer to escape is rejected by Climb and Princess Renner, the adventurers depart. Upon returning, Brain is disappointed that their allies have abandoned them and decides to go on a walk. During his stroll he encounters the invasion forces led by Cocytus, and challenges him to a duel which overwhelmingly ends in Cocytus's victory. But the Floor Guadian was impressed by the swordsman's courage and resolve, deciding to claim Brain's weapon as a trophy and preserves his body in ice. Aura alongside her pets likewise comes across the old mentor of Gazef Stronoff, Vesture Kloff Di Laufen, who attempts to lead a counter-defense against the monsters, but is quickly sniped by Aura who then orders her beasts to kill the remaining disciples.

King Ramposa III and his daughter soon find themselves all alone in the palace. As his last act he asks Climb to help Renner to escape and to hide the Kingdom's royal treasures. Climb then left the palace to hide away the items, and as soon as he returned to the throne room, he found that the king was killed, by Princess Renner's own hand with Razor Edge, surrounded by the Sorcerer King and his minions. Thinking Ainz had forced the princess to murder her own father, Climb attempted to attack the undead overlord, only to be toyed with for his efforts before being killed. Later, Climb was revived and found himself in an unfamiliar place with Princess Renner, who was now a demon. Hearing that Renner had negotiated his revival and became a demoness for his sake, he forgave her and swore to continue guarding her, agreeing to becoming a demon as well. Renner, now content in living with Climb for eternity in the world's safest fortress, once more pledged herself to Albedo to serve the Great Tomb as a servant of the Supreme One.

Near the end of the war, Baron Philip, who had been under house arrest for his crime, was visited by Albedo, thinking she was there for them to escape together. However, the Guardian Overseer replied that she was here to collect him so he would be tortured to death for his stupidity in allowing this unforeseen war to happen. Once the Kingdom was destroyed, all the remaining nobles that were spared death — thanks to their association with Marquis Raeven — swore fealty to the Sorcerer King in the ruined city of Re-Estize. Afterwards, Ainz then ordered for the entire city to be razed save for the royal palace, which Ainz intended to leave as a monument to the defeated and to serve as an eternal reminder of what it means to oppose the Sorcerer King. The Sorcerer King, now having to possibly deal with the annexation of territory from the war, and possibly Renner's superior intellect seeing through his facade as a ruler, decided to make himself discrete and later go on a vacation with Aura and Mare to the nation of the Elves.

Chapters

 * Prologue
 * Chapter 1: An Unexpected Move
 * Chapter 2: The Beginning of the End
 * Intermission
 * Chapter 3: The Last King
 * Chapter 4: Well-Prepared Traps
 * Epilogue

Trivia

 * Overlord Volume 14 has the largest amount of pages in Overlord light novel series to date.
 * The Special Package Edition for Overlord Volume 14 comes with a figure of Ainz Ooal Gown that was sculpted by Kenji Ando.
 * In this cover art of the book, the image of Ainz Ooal Gown does not appear to have the Red Orb on him.
 * It is the 4th best selling single volume Light Novel of 2020 with over 228,628 copies sold over the year.

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