Overlord IV Episode 09

"Countdown to Extinction" (滅亡への始まり Metsubō e no Hajimari) is the ninth episode of the Overlord IV adaptation. It was first broadcasted on August 30, 2022.

Summary
After Ramposa III asks Albedo for forgiveness by sacrificing himself, shocking the Re-Estize nobility present, Albedo feels she misread him. As Ramposa III would never have made such a plea in the past, Albedo asks if his choice was because Gazef Stronoff was no longer beside him or if he recognized Prince Zanac's excellent talents. However, it does not change that Albedo's announcement that the Sorcerer Kingdom formally declares war on the Re-Estize Kingdom. Elaborating that the war will begin precisely one month hence at Noon, she stipulates it may proceed sooner should they invade E-Rantel in the meanwhile. Staring down a disruptive noble to be silent, Albedo continues that there will be no large spells for this war. Taking her leave, Albedo clarifies that this war was a surprise to them and not one of their schemes, wanting to know what Re-Estize was thinking with their actions. In Re-Estize city, Brain Unglaus watches as young orphans train in the sword arts under one of the Six Great Disciples while he talks with another. As the swordswoman informs Brain that the war begins in one month, but there has been no troop deployment seen, questioning if it was simply a threat. As Brain rejects the notion, he also confirms he witnessed the Sorcerer King's power in his fight with Gazef but still cannot understand what transpired. However, he wields the Razor Edge by order of Princess Renner, as he recalls hearing that it could be used to hurt Ainz Ooal Gown but didn't see it as Gazef didn't have the chance to show it. Feeling as though there's a scheme by the Sorcerer Kingdom, Brain was able to chart a path for a caravan for the orphans to relocate to a city in the Argland Council State, a plan similar to what Master Vesture concocted, and the two Disciples pledged to take those children with them, to which Brain is glad to hear and thanks them.

Exactly one month later, Ainz praises Demiurge's efforts concealing troop movement and Albedo's gaining defecting nobles. Ainz elaborates that the plan is to prevent Re-Estize from receiving foreign aid and interference, before anyone can notice. When mentioning the need to annihilate border towns and villages, he brings up everyone's contributions to success but finds it odd that no trouble has arisen. As Ainz brings up Cocytus and his defeat from the Lizardman warriors, he explains his wish for the Floor Guardians to learn from setbacks, as facing such obstacles develops a foundation to face growing odds in the future, considering they will have more responsibilities as they gain more land. Even Demiurge notes that he is helping them to gain the experience they lack to create further history. Once Ainz affirms Demiurge's observation, he orders them ready for the possible day they will face an enemy guild. Albedo then mentions it is nearly time for the next battle, informing Shalltear that Ainz will lead the next charge, but Cocytus also makes a note of a lacking military force. Aura agrees, even noting some of the towns Ainz attacked let small numbers of humans escape, and asks if there was a reason. Ainz agrees the questions are reasonable but asks them to witness the battle and let him explain afterward. As Mare reveals the next target is E-Naeurl, the guardians talk about how weak their military stands, thus compensating for Ainz's lesser numbers. But as they talk, Ainz thinks back to when Sebas Tian brought Ainz to the Frozen Prison on the Fifth Floor where Pestonya and Nigredo wished to speak with him.

Recalling that Nigredo and Albedo were sisters, Ainz initially pondered if it would have been good to bring the latter but recalled Albedo's agitation at Nigredo simply being under house arrest, so he was relieved not to have brought her along. Meeting Nigredo, she explained that she wanted to ask if he could stop his massacre of the Kingdom. He refused and noted that such a matter should have been brought to her direct superior, Cocytus, and found her actions as blatant disrespect. However, Pestonya agreed with Ainz's logic, and thus she asked Sebas, who brought him to the Frozen Prison. Ainz entertained the idea and asked what benefit showing mercy would bring to the Great Tomb of Nazarick, to which Nigredo emphatically declared that all babies have potential. Clarifying that humans are innovators by nature, Nigredo believed they could help advance civilization in new ways, an example being how the biscuits of E-Rantel went from hard and rough to soft and tasty, all through reduced food costs and developed food culture. Ainz countered that progressing civilization could endanger them, as the strong stagnate and the weak get stronger, wishing to prevent Humanity from possibly overthrowing Nazarick in the future. Pestonya then added that, in conformity to the Carrot and Stick approach, letting some survivors escape could spread the word to other nations and races about the power of Ainz Ooal Gown. Thinking how the guardians may reject leaving witnesses, and considering how other races and lifestyles may serve his kingdom someday, their way of thinking was a minority but Ainz was determined to hear it out. Thus, Ainz agreed to allow a small number of humans to escape, much to their glee. Back to the present, Ainz anxiously picks away his feather pen, wishing to hide the truth about his promise of mercy, but calms down as that's his future self's problem now.

In the port city of E-Naeul, an awestruck Count Naeura stands with Scama Elbero as they see the Undead zombie horde ready in the distance. Scama deduces the undead are raised villagers from previously raided locations in the enemy ranks, nauseated by the cruelty. Count Naeura inquires if that's possible, and Scama attests such is possible through magic, and it would confirm survivor reports. Noting from afar a Death Knight with the tower shield and also an unfamiliar variant, the dual wielding Death Warrior, she asks if he's alright since the two undead together could erase his city. But Count Naeura is calm as he is fortunate to have the Mithril ranked Four Armaments at his side. While Adventurers are forbidden to aid in war efforts, Scama notes the situation is unique as they are to fight the undead. When she asks if he should flee with his family, he notes the small number of survivors and deduces the Sorcerer Kingdom aims to eradicate all people in the Re-Estize Kingdom, rendering escape a moot point. Returning to the troops and the allied Adventurers, Count Naeura rallies them as Scama announces Four Armaments will be in command. After the count announces rewards for victory to both allied groups, Lilynette Piani interjects wanting a rare magical item. Asking about the Naeura family heirlooms, the count names the Five Colors Holy Sword, so she wants that reward, but Count Naeura will only grant it should she be his son's concubine, upsetting the men in the crowd entranced by Lilynette. Inquiring which son, Lilynette is libidinous learning the count means his 12-year-old third son, with him rightfully questioning why she knows about his age. Uncomfortable at Lilynette drooling at his suggestion, he accuses her of aiming for his son, which Scama confirms, as Lilynette asks who wouldn't want fruit yet ripened, disgusting the men below. Scama thanks Count Naeura for the humor easing the tension, and everyone moves to battle positions.

Outside the city, the undead marches to the walls, and while nobody knows what the Death Knight and Death Warrior are capable of, Scama has the soldiers and adventurers attack to assess their targets. Once the archers down a regimen of zombies, the Death Knight charges for the gate, to which the magic casters loose volley after volley to no avail. As the Death Knight nears, Scama ponders if it and its ally are the Sorcerer Kingdom's trumps cards, then why send only two of them? Since running is not an option with the Death Warrior aside, Four Armaments goes to intercept the Death Knight, now breaching the front gate, ordering the magic casters to continue attacking. After the Mage casts [Lightning] to stun the Death Knight, he and Lilynette use buffs on Scama before she goes to brawl with the monster. Shocked to see the Death Knight still stand after all that damage, Scama uses [Doppel] on her battle axe to make a floating magical copy and keeps the monster confined to the entrance with support from her party. However, the magic casters are forced to stay overhead to attack the inbound horde as the Death Warrior runs to aid its compatriot. As the Death Knight escapes a binding and the Death Warrior arrives, Scama orders Lilynette and the Mage to fly away as she and the Thief stall the two terrors. Thankfully, they are spared a bloody fight when the Death Knight was sniped with a double tap. They turn to see a warrior wearing a massive suit of armor, who unleashes gattling fire upon the Death Warrior until it is ash. Seeing an Adamantite adventurer's plate, they realize the wearer of the red armor is of Red Drop, who salutes them before flying away. In Nazarick, as all are stunned to see the Death Knight and Death Warrior felled so easily, Ainz speaks that events went as he expected, shocking the guardians.

Major Events

 * The Sorcerer Kingdom formally declare war.
 * The Battle of E-Naeurl commences.
 * The Death Knight and Death Warrior are defeated by Azuth Aindra in his Armor of Reinforcement.
 * Ainz and the Floor Guardians learn of someone wearing Player gear aligned with Re-Estize.

In Order of Appearance

 * Ramposa III
 * Albedo
 * Zanac Valleon Igana Ryle Vaiself
 * Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself
 * Minister of Internal Affairs
 * Minister of Military Affairs
 * Brain Unglaus
 * Pestonya Shortcake Wanko
 * Ainz Ooal Gown
 * Cocytus
 * Shalltear Bloodfallen
 * Demiurge
 * Aura Bella Fiora
 * Mare Bello Fiore
 * Sebas Tian

New Characters

 * Nigredo
 * Count Naeura
 * Scama Elbero
 * Lilynette Piani
 * Azuth Aindra

Skill/Tier Spells

 * Fireball
 * Lightning
 * Anti-Evil Protection
 * Lesser Strength
 * Lesser Dexterity
 * Protection Energy Negative
 * Haste
 * Sunlight
 * Magic Arrow

Martial Arts

 * Heavy Fortress

Known Locations

 * Re-Estize Kingdom
 * Re-Estize
 * Ro-Lente Castle
 * Re-Estize Kingdom Orphanage
 * Great Tomb of Nazarick

New Locations

 * Frozen Prison
 * E-Naeurl

Anime Notes

 * Nigredo makes her first anime apperance since she was supposed to be appear in the first season.

Gallery
Odcinek 9 (sezon 4)