Mass for the Dead Chapter 16

Name of God (神の御名) is the sixteenth main story chapter in Mass for the Dead. It was released to the public on November 7, 2022.

Main Summary
On that day, E-Rantel collapsed.

The city was overrun by a large number of Chaos Beasts, and many of the residents were killed, injured, or disappeared without a trace, creating countless tragedies of various kinds. A few months later the fortified city... is being rebuilt. Very steadily.

Episode 1: Since Then
E-Rantel, a city that had experienced many tragedies from an attack by Chaos Beasts to the invasion by the Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth and his minions once again is recovering from yet another disaster. Several months have passed since the unprecedented catastrophe that surpassed all those in the past. The city is slowly recovering, its efforts at reconstruction being directed by Saint Clementine in the streets of the city. Though the building are damaged and the streets cluttered with debris, the workmen are alive with activity and morale to restore E-Rantel to its former glory. Part of their heighten spirits is in due part of the saint giving them words of encouragement, but most credit is given to the protagonist.

Clementine while speaking to the workmen, cannot deny that the adventurer is no doubt the major patron to the city and is someone who deserves praise. To the people working to rebuild their home, it goes without saying that the protagonist presence is what is keeping the remaining people in the city going instead of abandoning it. And while there is still danger of staying due to Chaos Beasts that spring up from time to time, the reinforcements brought by the protagonist has made it manageable.

Some of the workers confesses that when first seeing the reinforcements brought to exterminate the Chaos Beasts, they were horrified, but since they are forces brought by their savior they see no harm. The reinforcements are actually Skeleton Warrior s from the Sorcerer Kingdom. Once seen as enemies of the living, they now protect them, guarding the Crack that formed in the fortress city, confronting and dealing with incursions from the monsters that emerge from the anomaly.

Elsewhere in Prince Zanac's office, a soldier delivers a letter from the protagonist. After the messenger leaves, Zanac asks his aide, Marquis Raeven to look at the contents of the message. The marquis reading through the letter informs the prince that it is an additional proposal for the "Resident Dispersal Migration Plan" along with improvements to the construction of a defense network for the migration candidates, establishment and security of supply routes and details of the migration schedule. Though Raeven thinks that the proposal will require some review and calculation, Zanac still finds it to be nothing less than impeccable and excellent. In the past Raeven would have dismissed such a proposal to be "absurd" given the number of soldiers required for the defense network, but such limitations do not apply to the Sorcerer Kingdom given their use of undead as a source of manpower. Prince Zanac finds it hard be impressed and worries if he is not careful he might break off his relationship with such a nation. To Raeven, utilizing the undead would have been difficult and received heavy backlash, even if they are in a city such as E-Rantel where it accepts demi-humans. However Zanac notes that if not for the urgency of the current situation, such a proposal of using undead would have dissolved an alliance, or worse a human nation joining hands with a army of undead would be reason for war.

Thankfully according to Raeven none of the nobility are that outraged, though there are some sentiments that come close to it. Right now there is discontent on not just using the undead, but also demi-humans and the Kingdom's alliance with the Sorcerer Kingdom. Zanac finds that it can't be helped given their country's stance towards demi-humans and undead, an attitude of resistance is to be expected.

The marquis thinking back of how E-Rantel began using demi-humans as a labor force can't help but feel as if it was all just preparations for the residents of the city to get use to the undead army. The thought does not surprise Zanac, as she feels that the protagonist and Prime Minister Albedo have the wit far beyond him to scheme such a plan, so much so it's even silly to try to resist their machinations. This shock the marquis to which Zanac explains the ulterior side of the "Resident Dispersal Migration Plan" which will see to the the population of E-Rantel will be spread to destinations through not just the Kingdom but also the Baharuth Empire. As far as Raeven understand this is a countermeasure against Chaos Beasts, which are drawn towards area where there are large concentrations of living creatures. Hence for humanity to survive the plan is to disperse the populations to avoid less attention from the Chaos Beasts. And while the dispersal will make conserving defense forces and improve food efficiency, it also means that the adherents of the Sorcerer Kingdom will spread to various parts of the Re-Estize Kingdom.

While the protagonist could not stop the recent disaster from happening, his merit of driving Jaldabaoth away is still recognized. Not only that, the people have seen with their own eyes that the Sorcerer Kingdom's undead are more than capable of dealing with the Chaos Beasts from the Crack. This still will lead to more believers in the Sorcerer Kingdom. The development worries Raeven, though not so much for Prince Zanac as he himself feels that he is one of those believers. Things in the Kingdom have so far not been good, as not only has the king and crown prince supposedly died, as well as a certain monster has vanished. In his blunt opinion, it would be better to be under the protection of the Sorcerer Kingdom than in the hands of the bickering nobles who are still trying to make use of the deaths and disappearances of the majority of the royal family. The latter is the best course of action to Zanac who is left helpless to the circumstances.

Marquis Raeven asks if that is why the prince postpone his coronation, which Zanac responds that it is due to the fact that the king's body has yet to be found. If Zanac crowned himself king, before finding his father's body, he would be criticized for showing lack of respect and be questioned on his legitimacy to the throne. At this point Zanac is trying to handle the fallout and support the reconstruction of E-Rantel any way he can. Raeven muses that if the city falls, then it will become increasingly difficult to protect his own territory and family and believes that Zanac's decision was the right one.

Both noble and royal fume over their powerlessness in the situation. Zanac looks on the bright side of things, as he still has the marquis, a patriot to rely on at his side rather than his horrible sister. Zanac mentioning the missing princess, causes the marquis to wonder about her whereabouts, but even Zanac does not know as he never was able to decipher his sister's actions before or even now. At the same time Zanac wonders about Climb's fate. Elsewhere the aforementioned princess is very much alive in an undisclosed location where the human girl wonders what her older brother is thinking about now, before laughing madly.

On the same day, the Territory Guardian of E-Rantel receives a visit by a certain dignitary at the former headquarters of the Tripartite Alliance. Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix greets the protagonist and his allies, Soi and Surako, thankful that the adamantite adventurer is safe despite the tragedy of what occurred in the city. When the emperor heard news of the half-destroyed E-Rantel, Chaos Beasts running amok and mass casualties, he feared that it was over for them. He laments that all the resources that the three allied nations pooled together from their solidarity, acquisition of human resources to research of new magic technology nearly was all lost. Even the disaster brought on by the Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth paled in comparison, though just when humanity was facing a resurgence in their strength, it was snatched away in a blink of an eye. And in that moment the alliance not just nearly crumbled but the survival of humanity was tittering to the brink. Though they have endured the crisis no thanks to the protagonist's efforts in supporting humanity in this broken world.

The protagonist though tries to be humble about his accomplishments, giving credit to the early stage of the alliance in laying the foundations for humanity's revival. Soi says otherwise as the human nations while even under an alliance were busy competing for resources. Jircniv goes on to say that Soi is shrewd in that regard, as every country prioritized their own agendas to acquire stronger people. It was in this aspect of the alliance's plan led to discovering unknown people like the protagonist and Soi to promote their growth. The protagonist is sadden though on the loss of so many talented people and that their sacrifices can hardly be compensated by rebuilding one city.

Jircniv believes otherwise as humanity has the protagonist. It was only due to the protagonist that the people of E-Rantel were able to rise above such a hopeless situation and restore the city and people's spirits even when Chaos Beasts can spring up at any time. Thanks to the undead army brought from the Sorcerer Kingdom the people now can live peaceful lives and focus on moving on and restoring their homes because the protagonist is their symbol of hope. The emperor goes so far to say that he would willingly sacrifice everyone that were lost on the day when the Chaos Beasts attack to bring the adventurer back, highlighting how much faith the leader of the Empire has in the protagonist. To him the protagonist is necessary for humanity's survival during these trying times.

Jircniv words are flattering to the protagonist, but finds the idea that the city of E-Rantel relying solely on him a bit too much as the praise should instead be directed towards his homeland, the Sorcerer Kingdom. The homunculus and his comrades grow more uncomfortable when the emperor declares that the protagonist is a greater symbol than his home nation. The emperor clarifies that he does not dismiss the power of the Sorcerer Kingdom and uses the example of his own servant Fluder Paradyne, who abandoned him when Jaldabaoth in favor of going to the side of the Sorcerer Kingdom to peer into "the abyss of magic". While Jircniv is within his right to be furious, the emperor believes that it can't be helped given the old man's obsession and it was natural course to go towards the stronger nation. Hence Jircniv does not hold the Sorcerer Kingdom accountable for Fluder's betrayal nor does he hold it against them for hiding him in the E-Rantel Magic Research Institute. Jircniv having deduced where the old man was, kept the information from Nimble when he came to defend the laboratory, and specifically ordered him to prioritize on his emergency order rather than arrest the traitor.

During that tight spot at the laboratory, the protagonist gives him his thanks for sending two of the Four Imperial Knights to their researchers aid during the emergency as per their agreement. Jircniv knowing the confidential material that was housed in the institute understands the secrecy and was honored that the protagonist approached him for aid in the event of such a disaster. And while his imperial knights should be punished for being privy to the institute's secrets, the emperor feels that they have endured enough, after having been cut down and died, and later revived by the Sorcerer Kingdom. In effect the knights are already indebt to the Sorcerer Kingdom and is more than happy to allow Nimble and Leinas serve under the protagonist. The offer is appreciate, albeit the protagonist feels such praise is underserved. The conversation then moves onto details on the future relationship between the Baharuth Empire and Sorcerer Kingdom.

After Jircniv had continued his talk with the protagonist until he was dazed, by sunrise the adventurers of Darkness finally left the meeting. Whilst walking out in the streets of the ruined city, near the area where the Crack is, several citizens of the city spot them and are greeted warmly by a crowd happy to see their heroes amongst them. Navigating through the fawning crowd, the adventurers finally reach their inn suite. There Slimeko along with Soi are relieved that they are done for the day. Though tired the women note that their popularity and the protagonist as planned is now worshipped as an idol and symbol of hope. At this point Soi believes that the protagonist attention is so great that not even the Slane Theocracy could object.

The protagonist does not share the same sentiments, but is more concerned by Jircniv's blind faith in him as it is a little dangerous. While he being seen as a hero falls within their master Momonga's plans, the homunculus finds it a bit disrespectful that he is being given greater importance than the Sorcerer Kingdom. Soi though thinks that the blind faith in their fans could be convenient which Slimeko agrees as now no will dare question their actions. Still this worries the protagonist as such fervent believers could be a problem and believes that it would be safer to approach the plan with that in mind.

Soi reluctantly agrees that to be true, as complains that its a pain to act given she has no acting skills, and what's more annoying is the magic item equipped by a certain person. Slimeko adds that it can't be helped as that person's item makes one immune to mental attacks so they have no choice but to act in order to extract their thoughts.

Episode 2: Master Source
In the Great Tomb of Nazarick, at the Round Table Room, Momonga receives a report on E-Rantel's current situation. Reading through the report, Momonga is glad that the inhabitants of the city were so accepting of the undead army and managed to maintain peace. Additionally it seems that the Theocracy has kept quiet as they are in no position to complain on the undead forces. The solidarity of Three Kingdoms, which Momonga corrects himself, has evolved into Four Kingdom after the other three witnessed how valuable the protagonist and the Sorcerer Kingdom are to their continued existence. The residents of the city have become adherents to the new nation. Not only that the plans for the Kingdom and Empire are now progressing smoothly and soon the puppetization will be expected to progress.

Demiurge and Albedo listening to their masters outline of the status of their plans, report that invisible attacks in the city have subsided, leaving only the Cracks and Chaos Beasts. Though the last two threats have countermeasure, Demiurge is concerned that they do not yet have any for the invisible attackers. But on the bright side their rule of E-Rantel has turned out better than they originally planned, ironically thanks to the calamity. Albedo adds that the Sorcerer Kingdom was given a just cause to deploy their undead army earlier than planned to E-Rantel. Now they have shown the military capacity of their nation to the world and its effectiveness at dealing with the threats of the Cracks and has allowed their political influence to expand.

Albedo notes that with the Sorcerer Kingdom handling the defense of the city, human labor has been redirected to escort the increasing number of merchants, leading to an increase in the transportation efficiency of goods and food. The alleviation of the shortage of goods and food has not only affected E-Rantel but also in various places.

It also seems that the achievements of the Sorcerer Kingdom, have spread to various places from the mouths of the humans with very little creatures effort from Nazarick.

Momonga reports that he and Pandora's Actor are continuing the efforts to steadily increase the number of corpses collected from outside for their undead forces. Though the gains of Nazarick still cannot erase the fact that many of their own meritorious agents have gone missing. Albedo sees the distress in Momonga after he mentions this which he apologizes for being such sour thoughts as he cannot help feel bitter of a loss.

The Overlord recalls a conversation he had with the protagonist once upon a time when the homunculus said that his value was low and that he would not regret losing it. Momonga denied that being the case, but seeing how things were now progressing without any major catastrophe, he feels that his words were a terribly hollow consolation.

Demiurge holds some idea what the Overlord is feeling, as for those in Nazarick, they are companions created by the Supreme Beings. And feels great sense of loss towards his missing comrades. However, he feels that their loyalty had prepared them in advance for something like this so that there will be no problems with Nazarick should something happens to them.

If possible, rather than lamenting the situation without them, Demiurge believes that they should praise the results of their commitment and be proud.