Overlord Manga Chapter 75

This is the seventy-fifth chapter of the Overlord Manga.

Summary
Ainz Ooal Gown announces to the imperial knights to be given applause to celebrate his supreme power. The knights along with Mare Bello Fiore are quick respond by clapping their hands. When one of the Dark Young turns in their direction and begins running toward the Imperial Army, the knights respond with even louder clapping in fear. As the monster gets closer and shows no sign of stopping, one of the knights in fear breaks ranks and flees. Soon he is followed by more of his fellows until mass panic erupts.

Nimble Arc Dale Anoch who is at the front of the army can only look in shock. However the sight of the fleeing knights is nothing compared to when the Dark Young halts before Ainz and him. Ainz then climbs aboard the Dark Young. At the top of the monstrosity he apologizes to Nimble for altering the original plan of casting his most powerful spell as he did not allow for the Imperial Army a chance to shine by leading a charge. But since the knights would be more prone to being trampled by his Dark Young it would cause him to be responsible for their deaths and offer an explanation to the emperor.

Ainz decides to let Nimble's men do their assigned roles. Nimble asks the Sorcerer King if he intends to bring his undead to the battlefield and launch an assault. The undead states that he sees no point as the Dark Young have already accomplished that role in destroying the Royal Army. Instead he will allow Nimble and his men to clean up and keep Mare at the base camp. To Ainz he as a certain target in mind he would like to check on. Nimble disgusted at the carnage mutters if Ainz is a devil, only for the undead to hear him and correct him, stating that he is an undead.

On the plains, Marquis Elias Brandt Dale Raeven looks on with dread at the slaughter, wondering aloud to himself on where Ainz Ooal Gown learned such terrifying magic. Seeing that battlefield is no just a killing ground, Raeven orders his men to retreat. Boris Axelson asks on the whereabouts of the king. The marquis sees that the king's camp is close to one of the rampaging Dark Young. Though the noble understands that if they king is lost, the entire kingdom could fall apart, he decides to put his faith in Gazef Stronoff in protecting the king and has Boris lead his team lead him to safety.

During the flight on horseback Raeven mind is frantic on how such a monster like Ainz Ooal Gown could exist in the world of humanity and on how to protect the future from this new threat. Lockmeier notices that one of the Dark Young is hot on their trail and warns his allies. Boris desperate for a way to fight back asks Lundqvist for a magical solution, only to be rebuke by the magic caster on the hopelessness of fighting a monster of that caliber. Boris then tells them that they have no choice and orders them to be ready.

The former adventurer then urges Raeven to escape on ahead, promising that they will guard his rear. Understanding the noble rides his mount first, while behind him he hears his subordinate shout spells and attacks at the approaching monster. The sounds soon die off, as a looming shadow of the Dark Young appears to blot out Raeven and his mount. Feeling that these are his last moments, the marquis curses for coming to the battlefield as he was aware of Ainz Ooal Gown's tremendous power when he was in the Royal Capital but failed to truly comprehend the magnitude, but was blind by his desire for the future of the kingdom. In tears now all he can think is about his wife and dear child and see them again. Looking back behind him Raeven feels he is about to meet his doom.

Elsewhere back at the king's tent, the Vice Captain urges King Ramposa III to flee as soon as possible. Ramposa III though does not wish to shame himself by fleeing, but the Vice-Captain pleads the king to reconsider as there is nothing more he can do now by flee to E-Rantel and plan for a counter attack. With bitterness the king finds it to be pointless, though the Vice Captain refusing to hear such words gives the order to his men to take the king and flee. The Vice Captain then gave additional steps to take precautions such as avoiding escape by horseback as he deduced that the Dark Young were targeting large groups, thus they will need to run on foot and carry the king to safety. Surprised by this action, Ramposa III asks what will the other members of the Warrior Troop do? On this the Vice Captain states that he and the rest will act as a distraction and mount up and flee in the opposite directions. The level of determination in the men truly shocks the king and voices his refusal to the plan as he does not want to risk their lives as they are treasures to the Kingdom. The Vice Captain understands the risks of being a decoy but assure his liege that he and his men have no intention of dying.

Climb adds that he will assist to act as a diversion as well, bringing a flag standard into the tent. While he is unsure if the monsters have eyes, he believes that if they wave a flag non-stop it will draw their attention. Plus since he is wearing white armor, be is sure that the monsters will be drawn to him. Brain Unglaus is humored by Climb's resolve, decides to follow the young warriors lead. The Vice Captain is amazed by their willingness as they are not exactly subordinates of royalty and thus have no obligation to do so. Brain though reassures the Vice Captain not to worry as both he and Climb were at the frontlines of the Demonic Disturbance and survived. All they can do is hope luck is on their side. That being said, Brain wishes the Vice Captain and his group luck, before exchanging a fist bump with the other warrior. The Vice Captain though thinks that they will make it as the gods will not watch in silence at their plight citing that a hero came during the Demonic Disturbance.

The king watching the exchange wonders to himself on how everything ended up so wrong and is sadden that such young lives will be thrown away for an old man like him. He finds asking for forgiveness to be insufficient, so instead he tells Climb that if he returns to E-Rantel safety, he promises to grant any reward he desires. Climb pauses at the offer before declining, as he has no need for a reward as he exists only to aid Princess Renner as she save him. Brain jokingly asks for a possible reward of marrying the princess to Climb, which causes Climb to fluster in protest. The joke is not lost to the king who takes it in good humor, stating that that then Climb will need a lordship which he promises to fulfill when he returns to E-Rantel. The king's escorts then proceed to carry him aloft on their arms. Before they depart, Ramposa III wishes the other men luck, promising to see each other back at the fortress city. The riders then head out to distract the Dark Young.

On the killing ground, a Dark Young is seen chasing the fleeing soldiers of the Kingdom. Among the crowd that run in terror, one though stands his ground: Gazef Stronoff. The Warrior Captain seeing that should the monster continue, then the king's camp will soon fall. He then proceeds to unsheathe Razor Edge, planning to buy the fleeing king and his escorts time. But the Warrior Captain knows that his chances of defeating the monster are low, but is determined to give his allies time. At first he tries to use Sense Weakness to find a vulnerability but it is useless. Later he uses Possibility Sense to strengthen his technique for an eventual clash. When the Dark Young is upon him, Gazef's Martial Art allowed him to study the monster in greater detail, but finds nothing to exploit and only causes his fear of the Dark Young to grow. Gazef though does not run as he is the Kingdom's strongest warrior and has a duty to perform and prepares to do battle with the Dark Young as it charges at him.

On the very last moment the Dark Young turns away from Gazef, going past him. Briefly shocked by the action, the Warrior Captain choose to put Razor Edge in the path of a passing hoof to stop it. The impact is so strong that is pushes the Warrior Captain back, but manages to ground himself. One of the tentacles of the Dark Young swings down to attack him. Gazef barely manages to block it, but the blow sends him flying into the air and then crashing into the ground. The human is alive but injured. To Gazef he thinks that he is only alive because the monster does not see him worth the effort. Even though he lost against the Dark Young, Gazef gets back up, determine to protect his king.

Observing the Dark Young that charged at him, he realizes that there is someone atop it: Ainz Ooal Gown. Upon seeing the magic caster unmasked, Gazef muses that his savior was never human to begin with. Climb and Brain riding through the plains, catch sight of Gazef confronting the Dark Young. The pair stop their mounts and come down to join Gazef glad to see he is safe. Their reunion is cut short when he two notice the magic caster atop the monster. The Dark Young proceeds to gently lower Ainz to the ground, who greets Gazef like an old acquaintance. Gazef responds cordially, even managing to make a joke about Ainz's undead state. Once the pleasantries are done, Gazef asks if the Sorcerer King really just he came to down to the battlefield just to see a familiar face. Ainz understanding that Gazef wants to cut to the chase, the extends a hand and offers Gazef an opportunity to become his vassal. If he accepts then he can stop the carnage. Ainz then demonstrates this by snapping his fingers and tells the trio to look around. To their astonishment, the Dark Young have halted their chase of the fleeing humans, frozen in place at Ainz's command. The demonstration is witnessed by all on the battlefield, and ironically causes Raeven, who was being chased by a Dark Young, to be spared. Ainz reminds them that this is only temporary, and hinges on the answer Gazef gives him.

Gazef though is confused as why Ainz would do all this to use as leverage against him. Though Gazef understands that if he accepts the Sorcerer King's hand, he will save countless lives he ultimately refuses affirming his uncompromising loyalty to his king. This bemuses Ainz as he questions the logic for a man like Gazef, whose bravery cause him to risk his life to protect Carne Village to willingly throw away other peoples' lives away when there is a chance to save them. When the human gives him no answer, Ainz call him a a fool. Gazef reacts by point his blade at the Sorcerer King, and formally asks a one one one duel.

Major Events

 * The Imperial Army flees and falls apart when a Dark Young approaches to receive Ainz Ooal Gown as its rider so he can survey the killing field.
 * Marquis Raeven and his team of adventurers escort him to safety at the cost of their lives.
 * The Warrior Troop convince King Ramposa III to flee to safety while they along with Climb and Brain Unglaus serve as decoys.
 * Gazef Stronoff determined to buy his king and allies time to escape goes to confront one of the Dark Young, but is easily outmatched.
 * The Warrior Captain, joined by Climb and Brain, comes face to face with Ainz Ooal Gown.
 * Ainz offers Gazef to become his subordinate and in exchange he will stop the massacre. He demonstrates his ability to control the Dark Young by ordering them to stop, the brief respite allows for many humans on the plains to be spared, among them Raeven.
 * Gazef refuses to become Ainz's subordinate and instead offers a challenge to the Sorcerer King.

In Order of Appearance

 * Ainz Ooal Gown
 * Mare Bello Fiore
 * Nimble Arc Dale Anoch
 * Gazef Stronoff
 * Elias Brandt Dale Raeven
 * Boris Axelson
 * Lockmeier
 * Rii-tan (Flashback)
 * Marchioness Raeven (Flashback)
 * Ramposa III
 * Climb
 * Brain Unglaus

Spells/Skills:

 * Fireball

Martial Arts:

 * Invulnerable Fortress
 * Sense Weakness
 * Possibility Sense

Known Locations

 * Katze Plains

Chapter Notes

 * This chapter first appears in Monthly Comp Ace February 2023 Issue.