Jierunifu understood completely. From the very beginning, from the initial start… everything was under the control of that monster, Ainz Ooal Gown.
The suggestion to send people to Nazarick from the start was made by Fulda! Which means! From the very beginning! Fulda had already betrayed the Empire!
"Your Majesty?" Bajed and the others once again showed confused expressions. Jierunifu knew his face must have been quite unsightly just now!
"Fulda has betrayed us! In this situation, how much loss will the Empire suffer? Can we just transfer him to an idle position and let him live out his days there?" Jierunifu said.
"Your Majesty… this is no joke. Your words…" Everyone widened their eyes, completely bewildered as to why their Emperor claimed the Empire's strongest trump card, Fulda, had betrayed them.
"I'll say it again! Fulda has betrayed us! In this situation! How much loss will the Empire suffer!" Jierunifu patiently repeated.
After all… Fulda was the teacher who watched him grow up. To be honest… if he didn't know Fulda's nature so well, Jierunifu wouldn't have wanted to believe this fact.
"The losses will be quite significant…" The Secretary said cautiously.
In truth, Jierunifu understood without him saying it how great an impact losing Fulda, this trump card, would have on the Empire. Moreover… now the Empire also had to face the monster Ainz Ooal Gown. With Fulda's betrayal, this was simply…
"Then can we find someone to replace him now!" Jierunifu asked, looking directly at Fulda's student.
The student's expression brightened. Jierunifu saw it and secretly chuckled to himself. Indeed, power can make people lose their way. Replace Fulda? The position of the Empire's Chief Magic Caster, a position Fulda had held for an unknown number of years. Now that there was an opportunity to ascend, a magic caster would naturally have ambitions.
Jierunifu didn't think it was bad for someone to covet this position. After all, desire is also a driving force for progress. Jierunifu also acknowledged this desire, but some things still needed to be made clear first.
"The person who takes over Fulda's position might very well have to fight Ainz Ooal Gown!" Jierunifu said.
As soon as these words were out, Fulda's student immediately deflated. It seemed he was also a sensible person; his life was more important than power.
"This… in that case, I… I will prepare a list of candidates." Fulda's student stammered in response. Jierunifu understood that his name would certainly not be on that list.
"Alright! Then, come for an interview after you've prepared the list. Next is how to gather intelligence to deal with Ainz Ooal Gown. Given the current situation, we can only act like dogs, obediently currying his favor for the Empire." Jierunifu snorted a laugh.
"Like dogs? Then, Your Majesty…" Bajed also showed a rather self-deprecating smile.
"Then, Your Majesty, how long must we wag our tails at that monster?"
"It shouldn't be too long. My idea is to form an alliance of countries including the Empire, the Kingdom, Theocracy, Evaluation Country, and the Holy Kingdom. That is, an Anti-Ainz Ooal Gown Alliance." Jierunifu said.
As soon as Jierunifu finished speaking, everyone was greatly surprised.
"What's so strange? The Empire alone can absolutely not defeat that monster. Since we can't do it, let's drag a few others along!" Jierunifu explained.
"To… fight?" The Secretary asked nervously.
"Of course, it should be said we must fight. Besides that, we have no other way to survive." Jierunifu answered very firmly.
"Then why ally with him?" Bajed asked.
"Not only do I plan to ally with him, but I also intend to help him restore his nation. Because only then can the first step be achieved. You should have noticed, what Ainz Ooal Gown said before, and what that Black Worker girl said, he originally ruled this land. For some reason, he went underground. This land is a low-end conflict of interest between the Kingdom, the Empire, and Theocracy. If they restore their nation here, it will inevitably become an enemy of the three nations." Jierunifu said.
"And another point, Ainz Ooal Gown is an Undead. I don't think he will treat living beings kindly. Moreover, if what that Black Worker girl said is true, then Ainz Ooal Gown has reason to hate current humans. And people certainly wouldn't want to be ruled by an Undead, right? Then rebellion is certain. If a rebellion occurs, then it will be suppressed. If such a thing as directly suppressing the populace happens, the Kingdom, which transferred the land, and Theocracy, which has always prioritized humanism, will not stand idly by." Jierunifu continued to explain.
"But Your Majesty! Even so! The Empire's identity is their ally. Won't this make other countries think we are on their side! If an alliance is truly formed and that monster is eliminated, then the next target will be us!" The Secretary said.
"Hmph, just operate from behind the scenes. Let other countries know that the Empire is only superficially allied with him, but secretly is helping them. That's all that's needed." Jierunifu replied with a cold laugh.
"Will other countries believe us?" The Secretary continued to ask.
"Isn't that simple? Set up a stage for Ainz Ooal Gown, let him display his powerful strength. At that time, other countries will naturally realize it themselves." Jierunifu answered.
"Then we don't even need to ally with Ainz Ooal Gown, do we?" This time it was Bajed who raised the question.
The invasion incident this time was indeed initiated by the Empire, that's correct, but this land belonged to the Kingdom. If he were to restore his nation, the Kingdom would be the one to suffer losses. The Empire had already apologized, and Ainz Ooal Gown also said the matter was settled. At this point, the Empire could also act as the initiator of an Anti-Ainz Ooal Gown Alliance from outside the conflict.
"Bajed, you…" Jierunifu looked at Bajed with some displeasure, his gaze like looking at an idiot. However, Jierunifu didn't blame him. After all, he was just a general who led troops; playing schemes and politics was the business of him, the Emperor, and his ministers.
"What if, after Ainz Ooal Gown declares the restoration of his nation, the Kingdom obediently surrenders the land directly, thereby drawing him over to the Kingdom's side? Given the Kingdom's usual attitude towards the Empire, the outcome goes without saying, right!" Jierunifu said.
Yes, the relationship between the Kingdom and the Empire was quite poor, fighting every year on the Katz Plains. If the Kingdom drew Ainz Ooal Gown over and had him aim his gun at the Empire, then it would be our Empire that would be in trouble!
Bajed had nothing to say. Jierunifu also understood that Bajed was also thinking for the Empire, but directly pushing Ainz Ooal Gown to the Kingdom's side was absolutely not a good idea.
"Therefore, the role the Empire plays is that of a spy. While pretending to be Ainz Ooal Gown's companion, it assists the alliance. But doing so… once exposed, the Empire could very likely be directly annihilated by that monster. Of course… if it were me, I would do the same." Jierunifu said. The method of killing a chicken to scare the monkeys is indeed very effective.
"If it were Your Majesty, you could indeed do it." Bajed laughed and said.
"I'll take that as a compliment. So the Empire cannot be the initiator of the alliance; it must be formed voluntarily by other countries. And all we can do is collect intelligence from within Nazarick, and at the same time, collect intelligence on people who can fight Ainz Ooal Gown." Jierunifu continued.
"Will there be anyone who can fight that monster?" Fulda's student expressed considerable doubt about this.
"Of course there are." Jierunifu was quite confident about this question.
"Oh! Does Your Majesty already have a plan in mind?" Bajed also seemed to understand Jierunifu's intention.
"Of course, you all just saw those people recently." Jierunifu said with a cold laugh. This hint already clearly indicated who he was referring to.
"Do you want them to defect?" The Secretary asked, somewhat confused. Could it be done? With Ainz Ooal Gown's regal demeanor… it would be very difficult for his subordinates to betray him, wouldn't it?
"It should be very difficult… even if it's difficult, it must be done… Moreover, didn't Ainz Ooal Gown just give us a card? I want to make something of her." Jierunifu said.
"That willful princess? But she's his daughter? Can it work?" The Secretary already had doubts about this.
"Heh heh! It works precisely because she's his daughter." Jierunifu laughed and replied.
At this point, Jierunifu recalled his own father. When he hadn't yet ascended to the throne of Emperor, the person he most wanted to kill was probably his own father. If it really didn't work out… wasn't there also a Black Worker who looked almost identical to her?
-----------------------
To read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can follow and support me on Patreon.
I'll be posting early chapters there so you can always stay ahead and never miss any new content.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"