Overlord Manga Chapter 68

This is the sixty-eighth chapter of the Overlord Manga.

Summary
Albedo announces Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix as head of the The imperial delegation before Ainz Ooal Gown in his Throne Room. Ainz welcomes the delegation from the Baharuth Empire which Emperor Jircniv respectfully thanks. Demiurge, in his Imp form, though finds the emperor and his entourage speaking to Ainz on equal footing to be profane. So the demon uses his voice to forcibly make the imperials kneel before his master.

All members of the delegation, save for Jircniv, to the Floor Guardians annoyance. Ainz though orders Demiurge to relinquish his control over the humans which Demiurge complies. The master of the Great Tomb of Nazarick apologizes for the rudeness of his subordinates, even offering to lower his head to the shock of the Guardians. Jircniv realizes that his retainers were forcibly under the effect of mind control magic and that his magic necklace warded him of Demiurge's influence. The emperor says there is no need understanding the misunderstandings of subordinates misinterpreting their master's orders. As an example he commands Loune Vermillion to bring forth a earthen jar. Jircniv then presents the undead the head of the noble who sent the invaders to the tomb.

Demiurge offers it to his master who after taking the severed head ponders what to do with the grisly object. What happens next shocks Jircniv when the head in Ainz's hand melts into a pool at the undead's feet and slowly reforms into a Death Knight. The sight of Ainz creating the undead causes Jircniv mind to turn at what the magic caster can do and how any more Death Knights he could create.

The emperor thoughts are disturbed by Ainz who addresses him by his full name. At Jircniv's insistence to use his first, Ainz first apologizes for the unsightly scene he just witnessed of his subordinate using control magic upon his group. And secondly announces that the matter of Jircniv's noble causing trouble has also been resolved quietly. Feeling bad that he made the emperor come all this way, Ainz allows the human to depart.

This though confuses Jircniv who thinks that cannot be all and that Ainz must have another reason for summoning him. When he asks Ainz what he means, the undead tells the emperor that soon they will be busy hereafter as there will be trouble coming soon and intends to make those who do harm to them pay.

Hearing this Jircniv mistakes that this is a declaration of war. Jircniv then proposes an alliance between the Empire and Ainz. Shalltear Bloodfallen thinks the emperor is joking, but she is quickly silenced by a swift kick to her rear by Aura Bella Fiora. A fight between the two females almost commences, but Ainz with dignity firmly tells them to "quiet down", forcing them to halt their behavior. The scene of Ainz exerting his control over his minions awes the delegation.

The emperor then continues his proposal to help build a nation for Ainz Ooal Gown to rule offering the resources of the Empire. For awhile Ainz considers the idea and accepts allowing the emperor to handle all the details. This only further confounds Jircniv, wondering why the undead accepted it so easily when he could force him swear his loyalty to him when he has the upper hand? This only causes Jircniv to be more wary that the undead is a cunning monster with an intellect that surpasses mankind.

Ainz and Jircniv proceed to agree to establish embassies for each other to readily communicate. The emperor offers his aide Loune to act as his representative. Likewise Ainz offers Demiurge to act as his representative as a penance for the latter for his behavior towards the emperor. The act of sending Demiurge, is viewed as a ploy thus highlighting Ainz's insidious nature to the emperor.

Now that they are allies, Ainz invites Jircniv to receive a warm welcome as a guest. The invitation is politely declined by the Bloody Emperor on the grounds that he wishes to depart as soon as possible to make preparations for their alliance. And even rejects Ainz's offers to speed his journey with his undead so as to prevent to be associated with the monster publicly. Accepting Jircniv's wishes, Ainz has high hopes for the alliance, in contrast to Jircniv who detests the act as he believes he just allowed his people to be slaves to the undead.

After departing the Great Tomb of Nazarick, the emperor feeling defeated, rides with a disciple of Fluder Paradyne, a scribe and his knight Baziwood Peshmel. The situation at hand looks bleak given what Jircniv just seen of the magnitude of power Ainz possess and what he controls in that tomb. But the human emperor still believes that humanity's defeat has not been decided.

Back at the tomb, Ainz Ooal Gown holds a private meeting with the Floor Guardians. Glad to have that meeting with the emperor, Ainz tries to bluff his way through talking to the subordinates by telling them that everything went as planned. A question is brought by Shalltear as why he did not just conquer the Empire by force? At a crossroads on what to say to the NPCs he maintains that subjugating the Empire would be a foolish course of action. While it is true that they could conquer the Empire easily, it would also create a lot of enemies. Hence they needed to create a precedent to show that Nazarick was not the agressor but the victim to the world giving them a reason to retaliate. Aura has doubts that the world will accept such an explanation even with the Empire backing them. Though Mare figures it out that by bringing the emperor to the tomb it served to minimize intelligence leak and to control the negotiations. Plus now that they established they will be building a nation, it would prevent Ainz Ooal Gown's name from being tarnished.

Demiurge and Albedo believe that there is more to the plan, given his master's genius. To keep up his appearance, Ainz confirms this to be true and praises the pair for discerning his intentions. The other FLoor Guardians are filled with surprise and beg their master to reveal his true plans. Ainz having no choice relents to their insistence by having Demiurge explain for him.

Meanwhile in Jircniv's carriage, the emperor asks his retainers what they thought of Ainz Ooal Gown. Baziwood and the others are in concensus that the undead is a terrifying monster who can destroy the Empire and in no way they should antagonize him. The emperor likewises agrees commenting that Ainz also had the bearing of a king, given his overall aura of a tyrant. Worst of all Jircniv is under the impression Ainz ia a rare breed of schemer with every move having a subtle purpose. This leads him to believe that everything in the meeting went according to the undead magic caster's plan. Equally frighteing was that Ainz amassed a following of not just undead but many different monsters. This only serves to add more questions as to how such a place like the Great Tomb of Nazarick could exist as there is no record of it. For all they know it could have teleported from a place like the Demon World. The Empire still lacks concrete information but hopefully that will change once Loune returns from his stay in Nazarick. The scribe in the carriage promises to try to do their investigation as discreet as possible, and Jircniv stresses the importance of being careful so as to not break the facade of their 'alliance' with Ainz.

Baziwood then realizes that they wronged the people they brought with them, the women they intended to give to Ainz. Though their use is now moot given an undead would have no use for them. Baziwood jokes that they were lucky they did not give the women to the magic caster, else they would have told him that the emperor threatened their families for their cooperation. This brings a bitter though to the emperor as he has made many enemies, in fact the only ones he can trust are his aides like Fluder Paradyne. Having encountered Ainz, Jircniv thinks that the old wizard should have begged the undead for magical knowledge. And yet he did not. There is a thought that the monster Demiurge used mind control on Fluder whilst everyone was distracted by that forcibly order to kneel. Fluder's experience and knowledge would make him invaluable and an asset to the Empire's military. The more Jircniv thinks, the more odd Fluder's behavior becomes, as if the old man had prior knowledge of what was in the tomb. The idea causes the emperor to come to a cold realization....that Fluder already had some secret deal with Ainz Ooal Gown. While it may sound impossible everything points out that Fluder was in cahoots with Ainz, from the discovery of the tomb to the dispatching of the workers.

Breaking out of his thoughts, the emperor tells those in his carriage that Fluder Paradyne has betrayed them. His retainers think that he is jesting, but Jircniv demands them to assess how this would affect the Empire. The disciple of Fluder seeing that his liege is serious informs that if this is true then this would weaken thei national power. In any case it would also cause the other nations to start moving in their time of weakness. The emperor drops the idea that now that Fluder is no longer loyal a successor for his position of Imperial Court Wizard would be needed. The disciple at first wishes to covet the position, but as soon as Jircniv states that the position would entail fighting Ainz Ooal Gown, he immediately tries to downplay his skills pass the position to one of his colleagues.

Seeing that he will need other means to persuade others to confront Ainz Ooal Gown, Jircniv prioritizes on maintaining appearances of the 'alliance' whilst his intelligence agents gather information. Baziwood though asks how long will they have to continue to bow to that monster in the tomb. The emperor clarrifies that they will not be fighting alone against Ainz Ooal Gown, as he intends to have not just the Empire fight the undead but also the Kingdom, Theocracy, Council State, Holy Kingdom and other nations. A coalition will be eventually be created with the aim of defeat Ainz Ooal Gown. The retainers have some doubts that they should fight, but Jircniv insists that they have no other choice but to join hands with the other nations for their survival. When asked then why they are helping Ainz found a country, the emperor explains that it is the first step in forming their coalition. The location close to the tomb is E-Rantel, a valuable location as it is strategically placed at the border of the Empire, Kingdom and Theocracy. If Ainz founds a country there, he will be making an enemy of the other nations in the vicinity. Additionally Ainz is undead, and no doubt he has hatred for the living and the people will never tolerate an undead king, thus a conflict is inevitable.

But when the disciple brings up how the Empire will create the alliance with the other nations to defeat Ainz Ooal Gown? Since they are allying with the undead magic caster will they no be seen as collaborators? For this the emperor states that the Empire will work behind the scenes and provide the other nations intel to show their sincerity. To further convince the Jircniv plans to create a way to show the other nations Ainz Ooal Gown's power. And while they could feign ignorance and not help Ainz Ooal Gown found his nation, the risk of being destroyed are too great, so they will act as allies for now while working behind the undead's back. The Empire will not propose the colaition, but let the other nations come to the conclusion that uniting is the best move. Meanwhile the emperor's alliance with Ainz Ooal Gown, will hopefully locate someone who can defeat the magic caster. The thought of finding someone who can fight Ainz is doubtful to those in the carriage, but Jircniv points out that they do indeed exist, such as the ones in Ainz's court. Jircniv intends to induce a revolt in Nazarick, and is willing to use bribery and flattery to get Ainz's retainers cooperation. Though the path is difficult, Jircniv believes that it is the action they must take.

Back in the tomb, Demiurge finishes up reiterating Emperor Jircniv's scheme as he predicted exactly what the human will do. The formation of a coalition of nations aimed to defeat Ainz Ooal Gown is exepcted in his parameters. The Floor Guardians find the emperor's plan to be a bore that uniting the other nations would actually give them any hope to defeat Ainz. Sebas Tian though finds it insulting that the human would dare think any of them would actually betray their master. The others in the chamber are in agreement with Albedo adding that this was all predicted by Ainz Ooal Gown.

Of course Ainz had no plans for this even about making an alliance with the Baharuth Empire but plays along. Albedo then states her master's objective which was to peacefully claim to the nearby human city, but if they are to be aggravated by the Empire through their conspiracy then Nazarick will show them the true meaning of kindness. Demiurge lauds his master for the use of the adventurer Momon who is viewed as an existence created by Ainz to manipulate E-Rantel's populace. This is all confusing to Ainz as the adventurer identity was just a way for him to explore the world. Demiurge even says that they could have also seek the aid of the Golden Princess but using her skills would be a wasted trump card. In fact the demon holds the human in high regard and sees her as a valued pawn. Hearing that from Demiurge, Albedo takes an interest. Before they go any further, Cocytus reminds the pair that they have gone off topic.

They quickly apologize to Ainz, though the conversation to him was very insightful. Demiurge has a matter that needs to be discussed, which how to address Ainz as a kin. The demon feels that Ainz Ooal Gown requires a new title befitting for him. Some names are thorwn around by the Floor Guardians and Sebas Tian, but ultimate Cocytus's suggestion is accepted. Ainz Ooal Gown then names himself the "Sorcerer King" of their nascent nation, declaring that he will show the feuding Kingdom and Empire his power.

Major Events

 * Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix and Ainz Ooal Gown meet and address each other. On behalf of the Empire, Jircniv apologizes to the undead and presents Ainz with the head of Count Femel as the perpetrator.
 * In fear that Ainz plans to launch a war against the human nations, Jircniv offers to form an alliance with Ainz and help him form his own country. Ainz accepts the offer, making his forces allies of the Baharuth Empire
 * After heading back to the imperial capital, Jircniv comes to the realization that Fluder Paradyne betrayed the Empire.
 * Jircniv begins to makes plans to forge a coalition of nations to fight against Ainz Ooal Gown and also incite a rebellion in Nazarick. Though his plans are predicted by Demiurge who believes that Ainz Ooal Gown had forseen this as well and is a wise lord.
 * At Cocytus's suggestion, Ainz Ooal Gown names himself the "Sorcerer King" and plans to demonstrate the power of Nazarick to the world.

In Order of Appearance

 * Ainz Ooal Gown
 * Albedo
 * Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix
 * Baziwood Peshmel
 * Loune Vermillion
 * Demiurge
 * Shalltear Bloodfallen
 * Aura Bella Fiora
 * Mare Bello Fiore
 * Cocytus
 * Fluder Paradyne
 * Sebas Tian
 * Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself (Cameo)

New Characters

 * Count Femel (Head)

Abilities Used

 * No abilities were used during this chapter.

Known Locations

 * Great Tomb of Nazarick
 * Throne Room

Chapter Notes

 * This chapter first appears in the Monthly Comp Ace January 2022 Issue.
 * This chapter contains the most pages in a single issue since the manga began.