The Current Situation of Various People. A Prologue

'''The Current Situation of Various People. A Prologue''' (色んな人の現状. のプロローグ) is a side story in the Overlord series. It was released on a blog by Kugane Maruyama.

Main Summary
The concept is the current situation of various people in Overlord.

Full Summary
In the Baharuth Empire, Nimble Arc Dale Anoch of the Four Imperial Knights waits to deliver a message to his liege, Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix. He is told that emperor is currently entertaining a guest, who the knight guesses to be Pe Riyuro of the Quagoa. Knowing that the emperor would not want to be disturbed, Nimble goes and waits in the waiting room next to the emperor's office. There he finds Baziwood Peshmel there as well. The other knight is happy to see Nimble, though is curious is to why he has come to visit Jircniv, until he spots the scroll that Nimble is delivering, a message from the Sorcerer Kingdom. Nimble explains it came from Prime Minister Albedo and was just a notice. That being said Baziwood sees that its not a big issue to interrupt the emperor and so they wait. While they wait Baziwood learns that the messenger who delivered the scroll to Nimble was an undead which doesn't help them in determining what is written on the scroll. Nimble notes that he is envious that while he is carrying the cursed document, Jircniv is enjoying a few moments of happiness.

The two knights then talk about the Empire being short-handed especially in Four Imperial Knights, as there are now two vacancies. Sadly there are not enough people who can be qualified for the title. The knights states that too many of the Empire's talented warriors go to the gladiatorial arenas. Speaking of such, Baziwood mentions Kullervo Palantynen, which Nimble asks if he is strong as their nation's "trump card", though the Lightning Bolt believes it would be hard to tell. This leads a line of question on how strong the Martial Lord's previous predecessors are. Some are considered to be asked to fill in the spots in the Imperial Knights, like the son of Viscount Zesch. Though none of them are stepping forward to support the Empire. Nimble believes that everyone has different priorities. The discussion then turns to family matters, which Baziwood mentions how his wives are complaining to him that is barely passing by their standards. The Fierce Gale thinks that Baziwood is a good father and husband. Hearing that makes Baziwood happy, and the knight asks why hasn't Nimble found someone yet as he holds a noble title and rank. After some nudging from Baziwood, Nimble confesses that he is scared of women due to his experiences with his sisters. The leader of the Four Imperial Knights finds this weird as Nimble was never uncomfortable around Leinas Rockbruise. He is told that Leinas was only seen as a colleague not as a woman.

The conversation ends when a secretary invites them to see the emperor who is ready for them. Jircniv looks happiest than Nimble has ever seen though his mood dims when his knight tells him about the missive from the Sorcerer Kingdom. Despite the Sorcerer King never actually doing the Baharuth Empire any harm, Jircniv still has the fear of the undead and his monsters would break the peace. Due to that incessant fear the emperor could not open the scroll. While contemplating on reading the scroll, a ring is noticed on the desk by Baziwood. Jircniv explains that it a magic item that suppresses stomach aches and a gift from Ainz Ooal Gown. Though to the emperor it was a symbol that death was hanging by a thread with Ainz looming above.

The emperor reads the scroll and discloses its contents to his knights that a special dignitary known as the Faceless One from the Holy Kingdom will be visiting the Sorcerer Kingdom. The scroll apparently is an invitation to the ceremony being held. There is not much time until the ceremony happens, though Jircniv does not wish to attend, feigning a stomach ache and nominating Nimble to go in his place. Nimble inquires that the emperor's behavior was much more motivated before the Empire became a vassal state. Jircniv seemingly aware this apologies asking Nimble if he could trouble himself to this task. Unable to refuse a direct invitation from his liege Nimble accepts the assignment.

Trivia

 * The story takes place shortly after Overlord Volume 14.