Overlord IV Episode 03

"Baharuth Empire" (バハルス帝国 Baharusu Teikoku) is the third episode of the Overlord IV adaptation. It was first broadcasted on July 19, 2022.

Summary
As Albedo prepares to leave for the Re-Estize Kingdom, Ainz asks her to be wary as Shalltear's attackers are still unknown and goes over if she has her countermeasures readied. But transitioning to the topic of Demiurge, Ainz stops himself as he doesn't want to ruin his "Overlord" persona to his NPC, then asks Albedo to be careful of common illnesses in the New World even though she is immune to sickness. Although acknowledging, Albedo still asks for a kiss as she claims it can boost immunity and lists more reasons for that. As she puckers up, he kisses her on the cheek, but she starts crying as he indulges her request, so he hugs her to calm her down. Once she apologizes for her scene, Ainz understands and wishes her safe travels as she says goodbye to "Lord Momonga." After Albedo drives out of sight, Ainz orders Lumière to forget everything she witnessed from the farewell, with the maid acknowledging the command.

In the Slane Theocracy, the Six Cardinals conduct a meeting over the founding of the Sorcerer Kingdom of Ainz Ooal Gown, led by Cardinal Raymond Zarg Lauransan. As the Baharuth Empire recognizes the Sorcerer Kingdom, Cardinal Dominic Ihre Partouche voices that an undead ruler is a hell-on-earth situation as Cardinal Yvon Jasna Delacroix asks if they should have intervened sooner. Still, Cardinal Berenice Nagua Santini voices they chose not to antagonize Gown at the time. Cardinal Maximilian Oreio Lagier asks about the Empire's reasons as they could be enthralled, but Cardinal Zinedine Delan Guelfi refutes the notion as the Empire has Paradyne. Raymond notes that Thousand Leagues Astrologer remotely observed the war and gave a delayed report and are stunned to learn Ainz commanded 500 Death Knights during the war and now in E-Rantel. As Raymond was once Third Seat of Black Scripture, he does not believe humans could fight Death Knights while God-kins are more likely-- such as Zesshi Zetsumei and the Captain of the Black Scripture.

However, Zinedine knows Raymond is hiding something given and asks for it as Thousand Leagues Astrologer became a shut-in. Once Raymond reveals the rest of the full report, Maximillian understands his reluctance as anyone would be skeptical, learning Ainz caused 130,000 deaths in one spell. As Zinedine postulates the spell was 11th Tier Magic of the gods, and Dominic thinks it is the Descent of a God. With Yvon questioning if the time has finally come, Maximillian realizes it has been 200 years since the last descent. With that in mind, Dominic notes that Re-Estize is too far behind in martial power compared to other nations to fight, with Zinedine disappointed and Maximillian noting that the Kingdom was led to a safe region to grow and prosper to develop heroes and monster slayers. Yvon reflects that they instead fell into corruption with drugs and infighting, thus becoming unsalvageable as a nation. Voicing a need to shift their plans, Maximillian votes to lead the Empire to take over Re-Estize, with Berenice seconding his plan.

Returning to the main topic, Raymond reveals that Ainz destroyed the Sunlit Scripture, and Berenice inquires if he was allied to the Honyopenyoko vampire Black Scripture encountered. Yvon thinks so as both are undead, and Maximillian notes Jaldabaoth is quite powerful from his rampage while also arriving around the same time. Dominic notes the three monsters appeared in the Re-Estize Kingdom in a rough timeframe, leading Maximillian to believe they're cohorts. When Yvon questions Momon's mysterious arrival and fights with the vampire and Jaldabaoth, it is suspicious he'd serve the Sorcerer King. Dominic theorizes the vampire and Jaldabaoth are separate from Momon and Ainz, with Maximillian afraid all four could be allied. However, Raymond counters the theory as Momon destroyed the vampire, leading Yvon to recommend having Momon and Ainz fight each other, and Dominic votes to avoid direct involvement. Raymond agrees, considering their losses from Windstrider's betrayal, the Sunlight Scripture's destruction by Ainz, and Lady Kaire's death from the fighting the vampire. With limited routes and losses mounting, they decide on heading to the Empire, hoping the Emperor isn't already enthralled under Ainz.

In Arwintar, Jircniv curses Ainz but questions if wishing him life would be better since he's undead. Finding his hair is starting to fall, a scribe enters, asking if he'd rather let a secretary file the paperwork for him-- all of which are resignations from the Knight Orders following the war, as the knights suffer fright from witnessing the massacre at Katze Plains. Jircniv wants to address the papers directly to continue having the support of the knights but asks why he was visited, with the revealing that the "merchants" Jircniv sought have come to him asking for an audience. Glad that the Slane Theocracy has agreed to a covert meeting, Jircniv needs their alliance but venues the meeting to the Colosseum so that the crowd may hide their talks. The next evening, Jircniv talks with Baziwood and Nimble in a chariot to the Colosseum, with Baziwood confirming they'll meet Silver Thread Bird at the entrance. Jircniv confirms as he needs them for counter-espionage to ensure his meeting is kept secret. While Nimble agrees Adamantite Adventurers are the apex of heroes, they still cannot surpass human limitations. Jircniv counters that Momon is Adamantite and keeps the people safe from Ainz's wrath, so Silver Thread Bird being Adamantite should equate to equal protection. Nimble and Baziwood see how worn Jircniv is, granting him the freedom to voice himself privately, questioning his choices since Ainz arrived. Shaking away lost hair, Nimble states that Ainz is beyond man's ability to counter and that challenging him is foolish. Jircniv chooses to continue for humanity's sake, the Empire has no guarantee if Ainz will show mercy even if they surrender. Thus, he is seeking Slane's practices refined for centuries longer than the Empire's existence.

At the entrance, Silver Tread Bird greets and introduces themselves to Jircniv before heading to the VIP booth, sweeping and confirming no eavesdropping methods in play. Thankful, Jircniv asks the team to wait outside the door as he conducts a secret meeting, reminding them there's no debate given he is Emperor. So Freivalds yields to the directive and orders Fan Long to break the locks to allow privacy but grant entry should any trouble arise. Following their exit, Jircniv reflects on Fluder's defection, making him reliant on adventurers and voices feeling at peace seeing a gladiator match with the crowd cheering; as the people are ignorant to the monster next door. Soon, the meeting begins with the arrival of the Head Priests of the Fire and Wind Temples and two undercover Slane Cardinals (Raymond and Berenice), with one bodyguard each taking their seats. As Raymond hands Jircniv a paper questionnaire to answer, he understands their caution and distrust, before waving to the audience before the next match with the Martial Lord. When Berenice inquires who they are, Nimble explains they're the strongest fighter in Baharuth, and Jircniv doesn't know he is fighting as the fight was added last minute. When Raymond asks for Jircniv to finish the questionnaire, he can't as everyone hears the announcer reveal that the surprise challenger is Ainz Ooal Gown. When the bodyguards rush to protect their Cardinals, Jircniv is flabbergasted before realizing the Cardinals now distrust him.

Although attempting to explain he was innocent of conspiracy, both Cardinals note Jircniv chose the venue and likely played them to force cooperation. Thinking there was a leak, Jircniv concludes that Ainz played him since the start of his present position. Before he can escape the booth, a flying Ainz greets Jircniv from out the booth's window, and their small talk on meeting by coincidence only confirms to Jircniv that Ainz planned for their meeting to ruin any chance at an alliance. When asking if his guests are acquaintances, Jircniv sees it as Ainz testing his loyalties. Still, Raymond strategically avoids introductions by stating his group has a sudden emergency and must go, with Ainz bidding them farewell. As they leave, Ainz asks if Jircniv is well after seeing him pale. As the Emperor reassures him, Ainz states he is glad as personal wellbeing is important, then flies back down, and The Head Priests of Fire and Wind denounce Jircniv as a traitor. Jircniv asks their views on Ainz, and they admit the temples cannot accept an Undead king, so they're still researching methods to end him. While Jircniv understands their suspicions, he cites Ainz's benevolent rule in E-Rantel, but they counter that nobody knows if that will last. Jircniv agrees, asking they not hastily decide and begs them to witness the match within the colosseum to discern any vulnerabilities to aid them. The Priests depart, leaving Jircniv alone with his knights, shouting for the Martial Lord in fervor, his last chance against Ainz.

Major Events

 * The six cardinals of the Slane Theocracy gathered for a general meeting to address about Ainz Ooal Gown and his newly founded nation, Sorcerer Kingdom.
 * Emperor Jircniv hired Silver Thread Bird as additional bodyguards in the Imperial Colosseum.
 * A secret meeting between Emperor Jircniv and the delegation of the Slane Theocracy breaks down after Ainz was announced as the challenger of the Martial Lord in the Colosseum.
 * Sorcerer King Ainz Ooal Gown vs Martial Lord of the Empire begins.

In Order of Appearance

 * Albedo
 * Ainz Ooal Gown
 * Lumière
 * Shalltear Bloodfallen (Mentioned Only)
 * Raymond Zarg Lauransan
 * Dominic Ihre Partouche
 * Yvon Jasna Delacroix
 * Berenice Nagua Santini
 * Maximilian Oreio Lagier
 * Zinedine Delan Guelfi
 * Zesshi Zetsumei
 * Captain of the Black Scripture
 * Thousand Leagues Astrologer
 * Fluder Paradyne (Mentioned Only)
 * Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix
 * Baziwood Peshmel
 * Nimble Arc Dale Anoch

New Characters

 * Freivalds
 * Keila no Södersten
 * Fan Long
 * Unkei
 * Powapon
 * Head Priest of the Fire Temple
 * Head Priest of the Wind Temple
 * Go Gin

Known Abilities
Tier Spells
 * Floating Board
 * Fly

Known Locations

 * Sorcerer Kingdom
 * E-Rantel
 * Baharuth Empire
 * Arwintar

New Locations

 * Deep Within the Slane Theocracy
 * Grand Arena

Anime Notes

 * Pontifex Maximus and other government heads are excluded in the council meeting. Only the Six Cardinals attended the meeting to discuss about Ainz Ooal Gown.
 * Raymond Zarg Lauransan and Berenice Nagua Santini were the leading envoy of the Theocracy that meet Emperor Jircniv in the Imperial Colosseum alongside their bodyguard who are seemed to be the remnant members of the dissolved Sunlight Scripture.

Gallery
Odcinek 3 (sezon 4)