Zern Prince Rescue Mission

Zern Prince Rescue Mission was a covert operation undertaken by the Holy Kingdom Liberation Army during Jaldabaoth's siege on their nation to rescue the prince of the Zern race to secure an alliance.

Background
Shortly after the Holy Kingdom Liberation Army was reeling over the loss of the apparent death of Ainz Ooal Gown, an envoy from the Zern race arrive before the leadership with a proposal that would benefit both parties. Though it was a bit unexpected that a part of the Demi-Human Alliance would consider rebelling, the envoy related to Prince Caspond and the other leaders of the Liberation Army of the circumstances of conscription with the Demon Emperor's forces. The Zerns had been forced to follow Jaldabaoth as the demon used his power and intimidation to cow the Zern into servitude. To ensure their submission the royals of the tribe were taken hostage. Since the royals were the two of the only male Zern and were necessary to continue the species, the Zerns had no choice but to follow Jaldabaoth. The Zerns went along with the invasion of the Roble Holy Kingdom, however, the demi-humans have recently learned that the king of the Zerns who was held hostage in the Abelion Hills, was executed by demons leaving the young prince next in line and the sole male. The Zerns' very existence hanging in the balance, they decided it was time to ally with the human resistance for mutual goals. The demi-humans understood that the Liberation Army intended to reclaim the fortress city of Kalinsha to serve as the resistance's new base of operation. As it happened their prince was held captive in the city and the Zerns pledged 3,000 of their warriors to fight alongside the humans to retake the city if the prince was returned to them. Once the battle for the city was over the Zerns promised to have their forces abandon the war against the humans and flee with their prince.

Prince Caspond understanding that this would decrease the number of demi-humans the Liberation Army would have to fight and provided them with assurances that the demi-humans would not betray them, without potentially alerting the Demon Emperor and possibly eliminating the Zern prince, agreed to the proposal. The plan was to have a rescue mission be conducted during the chaos of the battle at Kalinsha. Under the cover of the battle, said rescue team would liberate the Zern prince held captive in one of the innermost castle towers of the city guarded by a Vah Un. The Zerns were forbidden from approaching the tower by the Demon Emperor and thus the demi-humans would leave the rescuing of the prince to the humans, but if the humans could not rescue the prince when the real fighting in the city began, the Zerns warned they would have no choice but to kill their human allies. If they did succeed however in rescuing the prince, the Zerns would would stage a revolt in Kalinsha and switch sides and fight alongside the humans.

Caspond charged Neia Baraja to undertake the mission to secure the prince. And while the task was dauntingly impossible to the squire, the Zern envoy though managed to convince Neia to accept the mission as the she offered to provide Neia with knowledge on the Abelion Hills and guides to further her search for Ainz Ooal Gown. For who else would be going on the mission, Caspond responded that CZ2128 Delta would join accompany her. Though currently a prisoner of the Liberation Army, as CZ was one of the Demon Maids under the command of the Demon Emperor, the maid claimed that she was under the command of Ainz has in the battle against Jaldabaoth, the Sorcerer King was able break the demonic influence over her and switch her allegiance to him. The maid was regarded as untrustworthy by Neia as she was suspicious though soften when she learned the Sorcerer had commanded CZ to remain behind to assist the resistance. The leaders among the resistance were unsure of CZ's loyalties, a few like Remedios Custodio even suggesting that they kill her, but Caspond believed they still could make use of the maid to rescue of the prince. If she betrayed them, then only the Zern will be eliminated, which will reduce the number of demi-humans either if the resistance fails or succeeds to live up to their agreement. And also help root out any moles on their side.

Battle
Neia and CZ entered Kalinsha by hiding in barrels filled with fresh meat and were smuggled into the city by the Zerns. The infiltrators arrived in the food storage area of the castle in Kalinsha.