"So what you're saying is… if I refuse to join you, those two hundred thousand soldiers of the Kingdom won't make it back alive?"
Hearing Ren Kuroda's words, the steadfast and unyielding Warrior-Captain, Gazef Stronoff—now reimagined as Shirogane Genzou—felt his expression stiffen.
Genzou was loyal to the Kingdom—there was no doubt about that.
But at the same time, he deeply valued the lives of the soldiers under his command.
If over two hundred thousand troops were to perish here… then the Kingdom would effectively be finished.
The Sorcerer Kingdom sought control of E-Rantel, but a Kingdom stripped of its army would be incapable of defending its remaining lands.
Even if the Sorcerer Kingdom chose not to act further, other nations would never ignore such an easy target.
"Stop, Ren."
To Ren's surprise, Ainz—who was usually cold and detached, and who had never once opposed him—stepped forward this time.
"I don't want to force Shirogane Genzou into submission like this. He's one of the few humans I actually respect."
That alone spoke volumes.
Ainz truly admired the man.
Ren let out a small snort.
"Don't get the wrong idea. What kind of person do you take me for?"
"If I really wanted those soldiers dead, I wouldn't have stopped you from using a super-tier spell at the start."
He shrugged casually.
"I'm not here to slaughter them. I'm just planning to use their lives… as bargaining chips in a deal with the Kingdom."
"If they agree, then all two hundred thousand soldiers can be taken back safely by you, Captain. And we won't continue pursuing your king either."
Genzou froze.
Not only would they be allowed to retreat…
But not a single soldier would be killed?
This was a crushing defeat for the Kingdom—yet the concessions being offered were unexpectedly lenient.
Which only meant one thing.
What Ren truly wanted… lay elsewhere.
"First," Ren continued, raising a finger, "E-Rantel will formally be ceded to the Sorcerer Kingdom as sovereign territory."
"Second, the Kingdom must recognize the legitimacy of the Sorcerer Kingdom."
"And third—your current king must abdicate. The throne will pass to Princess Renner—here, we'll call her Hoshikawa Rana, the 'Golden Princess.'"
"Additionally, the Kingdom will provide appropriate reparations."
He smiled faintly.
"If you accept these terms, we withdraw immediately—and return every single one of your soldiers."
"Well? Captain Genzou… I don't think these are unreasonable conditions, do you?"
Genzou was silent for a long moment.
Because, truthfully…
They weren't unreasonable.
Ceding E-Rantel had already become an unavoidable reality. After such a disastrous defeat, the Kingdom had no leverage left to refuse.
As for the second condition…
While Genzou didn't fully understand why the Sorcerer Kingdom insisted on Rana ascending the throne, the old king was already advanced in age.
After such a loss, abdication was a likely outcome regardless.
The first prince lacked both vision and capability—utterly unfit to rule.
The throne had always realistically come down to either the second prince… or Princess Rana.
And compared to the prince, Rana enjoyed far greater popularity among the people.
As for the nobility?
Most had already been captured during the earlier demonic invasion.
Their influence had all but collapsed.
"…May I ask why?" Genzou finally said, his gaze steady.
"Why Princess Rana? What exactly are you planning?"
Ren answered without hesitation.
"It's simple."
"The old king marched to war, lost—and offended us in the process. Abdication is the price he pays to settle that debt."
"As for why Rana…"
A faint, knowing smile curved his lips.
"Because she's smart."
"She understands what happens if the Kingdom continues trying to oppose the Sorcerer Kingdom."
He tilted his head slightly.
"If we put some hotheaded fool on the throne—someone who keeps dreaming about reclaiming E-Rantel—then next time…"
His voice dropped, colder now.
"I can't guarantee I'll hold back."
Of course, the real reason was far simpler.
Rana was already on their side.
With Albedo's assistance, she had become something akin to a "little devil" herself.
The Kingdom's nobles were currently detained within Nazarick.
Its future queen was effectively one of Nazarick's own.
At this point, calling the Kingdom an extension of Nazarick wasn't even an exaggeration.
And that meant Genzou—and those two hundred thousand soldiers—were, in a sense…
Already their own people.
Even if they didn't realize it yet.
Genzou exhaled slowly.
"This decision… is not mine to make."
"But His Majesty—and Marquis Raeven—are still on the battlefield."
Due to the spatial lockdown, no one had been able to escape.
Though no one was actively pursuing them, they had been unable to break free.
Before leaving, Ren added one more thing.
"Oh, and one personal request."
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't disclose my relationship with Ainz Ooal Gown to anyone else."
Genzou nodded.
"I understand."
"…Should we formalize that with a contract?"
Ren shook his head lightly.
"No need."
"I trust your character."
At the edge of the battlefield, Genzou finally found the king, Marquis Raeven, and a handful of adventurers guarding them.
They had been wandering in circles due to the spatial seal, growing increasingly anxious.
The moment the king saw Genzou return, relief washed over his face.
Without delay, Genzou relayed Ren's conditions in full.
Before the king could respond, however, Marquis Raeven—here Raizen—spoke out sharply.
"No—we cannot allow Princess Rana to take the throne!"
"This is clearly part of their scheme!"
"If Your Majesty must abdicate, then I propose naming the second prince as successor."
"If the Sorcerer Kingdom fears future conflict, we can negotiate a formal peace treaty."
His expression hardened.
"After witnessing that kind of power… even the fools of this Kingdom should understand reality by now."
Raizen was one of the Kingdom's sharpest minds.
And he was also among the few who had long since seen through Princess Rana's true nature.
Yes, she appeared kind. Gentle. Beloved by all.
But that was merely a mask.
In his eyes…
She was less a human—and more a demon wearing human skin.
If someone like that ascended the throne, the Kingdom would eventually be twisted beyond recognition.
And the Sorcerer Kingdom's insistence on her succession only deepened his suspicions.
There could very well already be ties between them.
The king, however, did not react strongly to Raizen's outburst.
He knew well enough that Raizen supported the second prince.
But even so…
Did they truly have a choice?
This wasn't a negotiation.
It was an ultimatum.
Agree—and everyone lives. The Kingdom endures.
Refuse—
…and they all die here.
And worse still…
A Kingdom that had already lost the bulk of its army would have no means left to resist the Sorcerer Kingdom's advance.