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Gazef POV
Chaos, absolute mayhem. Angry shouts, nasty retorts, and occasionally even insults disguised under the cloak of polite words. A war of words and factions that had been raging for years between the royals that supported the king and the nobles that wanted Barbro the eldest son and crown prince on the throne to use him as a puppet for their own desires. An atmosphere that should have been completely inappropriate in the presence of a king; in other words, the prime example of a meeting at the court of the Re-Estize Kingdom. Respect for King Ramposa was at a new high, especially thanks to the measures he had taken during the demon invasion and the attack of the Seven Deadly Sins.
However, this didn't mean that the atmosphere at court improved. Quite the opposite. Now that the Royal Faction had gained new strength, the members of the Noble Faction fought even more fiercely. A sad picture, considering that their neighbors were already greedily licking their fingers while the highest officials in the kingdom were doing nothing but tearing themselves apart on their own. Though Gazef
"Silence, the king wishes to speak" the prime minister interrupted the noise and Gazef's thoughts
"Thank you prime minister, the reason I have summoned you all today is this letter addressed from Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix himself" said the king
"Why the uproar You majesty? Isn't it just the usual annual declaration of war?" called out marquis Boullope supported by the laughter of some lesser nobles.
"Quite the opposite, firstly this time the declaration isn't just from the empire. El Nix has made it clear that this time he is serious. The preparation of four of the six legions at the katze plain supports this. In addition, El Nix also writes that the invasion is only to reclaim the land that was originally owned by the sorcerer king Ainz Ooal Gown, more precisely E-Rantel and the surrounding lands." Explained the king.
"Hah what a joke" shouted Marquis Blumrush
"That reminds me haven't we heard of this Ainz Ooal Gown before? I recall the warrior captain speaking about him." added Count Lytton
drawing all eyes to him.
"Yes, it was the magic caster that saved me during that incident" He answered
"So he only did save you because he thought you were on of his peasants" joked Count Lytton drawing laughter
"For me, it only seems like another Casus belli. The Empire has done this the last few years, why should it be anything different?"
"I do not know about that magic caster but have you forgotten that the empire has stationed 4 legions instead of the usual 2, their reasons may be false, but their intent is true they want to invade us for real this time" Marquis Pespea argued
"Calm down my subjects, I think it would be wise to hear the warrior captain's opinion on this matter. After all he has met this individual." ordered the king once again drawing the attention to him.
"I..." he hesitated
"I think a war is an error, I don't feel comparable against sir gown therefore I think we should consider to surrender..."
"ARE YOU MAD? Surrendering to this scum how could you...?" Shouted Marquis Blumrush angrily supported by other voices of outrage.
"Please Marquis Blumrush, I asked the captain about his opinion it is only fair that he is allowed to share it with us" The king interrupted Marquis Blumrush
"As for your suggestion I am sorry, but I cannot give up land without a fight, as a king it is my duty fight for me and my subjects" The king rejected his unspoken proposal with an unusual amount of fire in his eyes
"I understand my king" He replied dutifully and bowed his head
Normally, Gazef would have agreed with the king. After all, the Royal Faction was stronger than ever, and at a time like this, it was bad for the king to show weakness, as it could undo the goodwill he had just built up. But he was a soldier in the service of the kingdom, and as such, it was his duty to follow orders and fulfill the king's wishes, even if he disagreed.
"Well, if you will go to war your majesty than please allow me to support you with my troops as well as with my best commanders" Offered Marquis Raven.
"Are you sure Marquis Raven? The land around E-Rantel is the king's responsibility." objected Marquis Boullope
"It is our duty as the nobles to defend this land have you forgotten, marquis Boullope" spoke Margrave Urovana with unnatural fury in his eyes considering his age
"I have to agree with Margrave Urovana such a view is unsightly for a nobles like you" said Marquis Pespea supported by shouts from his faction
"Please! Please! Gentlemen. Instead of arguing, we should keep a cool head. Aside from the magic caster that was mentioned, the Empire has also stationed four of its six legions. If the King's army loses, not only E-Rantel but also all our other territories will be in danger, so I think it's only wise to prepare my army, even if it may not be my duty." explained Marquis Raven, followed by murmurs of approval.
"I shall also provide you with troops, your majesty"Marquis Pespea interjected
"You have my support as well my king" said Marquis Blumrush
After the majority of the Royal Faction had agreed, the members of the Noble Faction now reluctantly, after giving each other a grim nod. Most likely in order to not be seen as cowards.
"Prime Minister. Delay our answer as much as possible. We will need all the time we can get" ordered the king.
"Warrior captain!"
"Yes, your majesty?" he answered
"I want to speak to you under 4 eyes about the upcoming war" his king said
"Of course I am at your service"he replied.
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Third-Person POV:
"Am I wrong old friend" asked the king the moment they were alone
"I wouldn't say wrong, your majesty, it's just a bad idea in my opinion." Gazef replied.
"You mean that magic caster you told me about. Is he really that dangerous?"
"I don't want to offend you your majesty" said the warrior captain
"You will never offend me, of that I am sure. And since there are no pesky nobles nearby, please speak freely my friend" Encouraged the king.
"Alright... You know I am not a coward, even at overwhelming ods I have never surrendered. Not the moment the sunlight scripture had me half dead at their feet as well at any event that might happen in the future, but..." explained Gazef hesitating at his final sentence.
"But Ainz Ooal Gown was different, I felt that if I had attacked him he could have killed me for sure. He didn't give out any aura, at least not physical, but my instincts screamed at me to run and pray he wouldn't bother to chase me."
"And the woman you mentioned, you said they seemed to be friends" commented the king
"The woman was something else as well. She gave off a noble, almost royal aura, but there was something else... While with Sir Gown I just wanted to run away, she scared me differently."
"What do you mean?" Asked King Ramposa.
"The urge to go unnoticed, like a small animal making itself even smaller to avoid attracting the attention of an apex predator or, worse, activating the hunting instinct of that predator."
"That does sound worrying, especially since you are our greatest trump card old friend. And you really don't think you could do something against them? Not even with razor edge and the armor?"
"That remains to be seen, but I will swear you majesty... That I will not run, I Gazef Stronoff will fight until I die and if only to buy you a few seconds to escape.
That I swear