Four Imperial Knights

Four Imperial Knights (帝国四騎士) are the strongest elite military unit of the Baharuth Empire. They serve as the personal guard of the Emperor, Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix.

Background
Though it is unknown when and how the knight order was formed, each of the Four Imperial Knights is recruited by the Emperor himself to serve as his personal guards, regardless of their backgrounds or history, provided that they possess exceptional fighting skills and prowess. As a result, each of them has differing viewpoints, attitudes and abilities. Even their degree of loyalty to their liege varies between each individual.

The Four Knights are tasked with carrying out the Emperor’s will, protect him from various threats and ensures his safety and at least one of the Four Knights has to remain in the Imperial capital at all times. At In terms of authority in the Imperial Army, they would be considered equal to the rank of a general. They also fight on the Emperor’s behalf on the battlefield during Annual Wars.

At least two members of the previous Four Imperial Knights fought during one of the Empire's annual wars against the Re-Estize Kingdom. The Kingdom suffered heavy casualties that year and the Empire's victory seemed almost sure, until Gazef Stronoff and his Warrior Troop turned the tides, resulting in two of the original Four Imperial Knights' deaths.

The Invaders of the Large Tomb Arc
During a discussion held between workers of different groups respectively, they acknowledge the notion that the Four Imperial Knights are slightly weaker than the Kingdom’s Warrior Captain, Gazef Stronoff. They have even mentioned that the Captain of the Mithril Imperial Guards was estimated to be on the same level as the Four Knights.

One of the Four Knights, Nazami Enec, and the Royal Guard confronted the intruders in the Imperial Garden, which resulted in them being slaughtered by Mare's spell that buried them alive.

The Magic Caster of Destroy Arc
There were only five guards in attendance for Emperor Jircniv's meeting with Nazarick's emissaries, Aura Bella Fiora and Mare Bello Fiore. One of such happens to be the leader of the Empire's Four Knights, Baziwood Peshmel.

Twenty knights, along with two of the three remaining Four Knights, escorted Emperor Jircniv and Fluder Paradyne to Nazarick in order to apologize for the invasion caused by Count Femel.

Some months later, Nimble Arc Dale Anoch is tasked with accompanying Ainz on the battlefield during the war with the Kingdom. During the war in the Katze Plains between the newly-founded Sorcerer Kingdom and the Re-Estize Kingdom, he could only stare in mute horror on the battlefield. He was among those present felt terrified in seeing the left wing of the Re-Estize Kingdom’s army suddenly die due to the effect of Ainz Ooal Gown's potent super-tier spell. Nimble realized possessing the title of the Four Knights now seemed so shockingly superficial in the face of overwhelming power, feeling no prideful about it.

The Ruler of Conspiracy Arc
Two of the Four Knights, Baziwood and Nimble were accompanying the Emperor for the secret meeting with emissaries from the Slane Theocracy and Temple as part of the plan to conspire with defeating Ainz Ooal Gown.

Leinas stayed behind at the palace as ordered by Jircniv. He believes she is actually conspiring to acquire useful information before betraying the emperor and fleeing to the Sorcerer Kingdom.

The Current Situation of Various People. A Prologue Arc
It was stated by Baziwood that were two vacancies in the Four Imperial Knights. When he spoke to Nimble on the subject they thought perhaps the ones who could fill the position were members of the Grand Arena like the Martial Lords. One former Martial Lord in particular was brought up as he was strong enough to take on all four knights, though they were disappointed when none of the members were willing to take on the role.

Strength
The Four Imperial Knights are specially trained elite soldiers of the Baharuth Empire. Armed with lightweight adamantite armor and weapons made of adamantite, they are the empire's strongest. In addition to the standard equipment, they are given several types of magical gear that can improve their physical and mental abilities.

In the Web Novel, all the Four Imperial Knights have the following basic equipment: In conjunction with their gear, the knights also have potions worth of a total of 1000 gold coins.
 * Gauntlet of Strength (increases physical strength)
 * Amulet of Health (resistance against poison and diseases)
 * Belt of Constitution (increases durability)
 * Ring of Resistance (increases magic resistance)
 * Ring of Protection (increases physical defense)
 * Greave of Quick March (increases movement speed)
 * Mantle of Elemental Protection (reduces elemental damage)
 * Shirt of Cure Wounds (1st tier healing spell, can be used once a day)
 * Helm of Mental Protection (resistance against mental attack)

Trivia

 * After the Sorcerer King made the Empire a vassal sate, at least one of the knights needed to always accompany Jircniv for his safety. At night when there were no other options, their duty would be transferred to the Imperial Guards to allow the two to sleep.
 * Baziwood Peshmel was the only known commoner so far to have been given a position among the Four Imperial Knights.

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