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 and that it might jeopardize her own plans so she is contemplating 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 is wondering if said person has betrayed them and 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 and he is frustrated that none of the higher nobles treat him with respect, he blames the Sorcerer Kingdom for his troubles as the food trades between them has kept people from buying his more expensive crops, he meets with two fellow new faction noble members and comes up with a plan to steal one of the grain supply runs used for the Holy Kingdom restoration in order to reap the profits for themselves, Philip not realizing the huge consequences this could bring, does so and in doing so, he sets up the events that will lead to the Kingdom to come into a conflict with the Sorcerer Kingdom.

When word reached the Sorcerer Kingdom on this unprovoked aggression by the Re-Estize Kingdom, the Floor Guardians and Ainz were initially confused as Phillip was supposed to be under the thrall of the Eight Fingers. Once they brought Philip's handler to them, 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 refuse to be ruled under the Sorcerer 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. The officials of the Re-Estize Kingdom wishing to avoid another tragedy with the Sorcerer Kingdom, wished 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, however, none was offered. 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. 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 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 magics live their previous conflict but meet them with armies in not 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 eastern 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-Naüru located at the north end of the Kingdom was one of the first communities 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 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 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 to be Azuth Aindra of Red Drop.

While the war was progressing, Ainz was appealed by a group within Nazarick to spare the Re-Estize Kingdom. 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-Naüru which gave the Re-Estize Kingdom its first victory against the Sorcerer Kingdom through 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 rages, to the northeast in the Karnassus City-State Alliance, the mayor of the city of Bebad, Ri Kista Kabelia is busy preparing for the upcoming Connelier event that will be taking place in four years. Already exhausted on the planning, she speaks briefly to her predecessor and grandfather Ri Berun Kabelia 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 see and determine the situation developing in the west.

Due to King Rampossa'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 regent. So far the war with the other nation seemed grim, as a large number of cities and villages had already fallen with their people 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-Naüru 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 the marquis had betrayed them was hard for Zanac to accept, however it was evident that the invasion force would soon make Re-Estize the final battle. Zanac as a regent who was effectively the king 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 the 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 organizer 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 ecape route reserved for the adventurers who accept. In the end, all the members of Blue Roses together choose not to agree with the idea of relocating to the Theocracy and decline the 5th Seat of the Black Scripture's offer.

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. Zanac leading the army, equipped in the remaining treasures of the Kingdom decided to make one last ditch effort to save his nation. Going out alone to meet the opposing force he is granted an audience with Ainz Ooal Gown. There Zanac pleads with Ainz, asking why such a being with so much power would commit to this senseless war. His only response was that Ainz wished to show the world his power. 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 on something common Zanac began to understand him as a fellow ruler and someone with a somewhat human side. In the end he failed to convince Ainz to avert the way, 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 Sorcrer 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. After the violent coup, the nobles presented Zanac's severed head to Ainz Ooal Gown to show their loyalty. The Overlord who had reservations of committing the war to its finale, was silently enraged by the murder of Zanac. The act spurred him to relinquish all sympathies of the the unforgiving humans of the Kingdom and order the extermination to proceed.

Before the invasion proceeds, the Executives of Eight Fingers were ordered to choose about a thousand people from the Kingdom to be spared and taken to a safe location. At capital's invasion, Cocytus, Aura Bella Fiora, and Mare Bello Fiore were sent to lead the attack. Remaining behind, Ainz and Albedo were attacked by Azuth Aindra from above, which Albedo then gave chase to the upstart. It was a distraction of course as a mysterious platinum armored knight named Riku Aganeia attacked and isolated Ainz in a magical sphere and the two do battle, with the former gaining an advantage over the Sorcerer King. 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 forces the latter to flee quickly. It is later revealed that Pandora's Actor had shape-shifted into his creator to draw out possible attackers. After doing battle with his opponent the Treasurer had been granted a measure of the enemy's abilities. They two later teleport back to the Great Tomb of Nazarick after they successfully finish their mission as planned. The platinum armored warrior, having retreated is revealed to be the Platinum Dragon Lord and rendezvous 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 tehir leader was adamant on remaining to stay and fight her companions did not feel the same and planned to escape to a distant country, taking their leader to safety. After the offer to escape is rejected by Climb and Renner the adventurers depart. Brain upon returning is disappointed that their allies have abandoned them decides to go on a walk. During his stroll he encounters the invasion forces led by Cocytus, and challenges him to a duel. The duel ends in Cocytus's victory, but he was impressed by the swordsman's courage and resolve he decided to claims Brain's weapon as a trophy and give him a proper burial. Aura with 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 pets 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. 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, only to be toyed with for his efforts before being killed. Climb was soon revived and found him in an unfamiliar place with Renner who was now a demon. Hearing that Renner had negotiated his revival and became a demon for his sake, he forgave and swore to continue watching over her and agreed to become a demon as well.

Near the end of the war, Philip who had been under house arrest for his crime, was visited by Albedo. Thinking she was there for him to escape together. However the Overseer Guardian 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 that remaining nobles that were spared death, thanks to their association with Marquis Raeven swore loyalty to Ainz in the ruined city of Re-Estize. After that Ainz then ordered that the entire city to be destroyed save for the royal palace which Ainz intended to leave as a monument to the defeated. The Sorcerer King now having to possibly deal with the annexation of territory from the war, and possibly Renner's superior intellect in seeing through his facade decided to make himself discrete and 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 copiesies sold over the year.

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