Chapter 180 ~ Ideology

Chapter 180 ~ Ideology

The four supreme beings appeared within the vast Round Table Room once again, and each took their respective seats, just like before.

A sigh escaped the bony jaws of the skeletal overlord as he sank into his marble chair, releasing his grip on the golden staff of Ainz Ooal Gown and letting it float in mid air by his side.

Of course, no air was actually exhaled. It was just a habit Momonga still retained from his previous humanity whenever he could finally take a rest and ease his mind after a long, arduous time at work.

Yuuji, Aika, and Lelouch all folded their wings as they took their seats. The succubus immediately hugged her beloved’s arm and rested her head on his shoulder, while the two slimes rested on top of the massive, round, marble table in front of Yuuji.

Momonga leaned back to his chair, the blazing crimson pyre that were his eyes dimming for a moment as he “closed” his eyes in this brief moment of reprieve and silence.

Then, he straightened up once again and turned to his friends.

“Now then... Shall we discuss what our next move would be?”

Everyone nodded their heads in unison, agreeing to his proposition.

“The next closest thing that will be happening is the Theocracy’s attack on Carne Village. If I consider the timeline correctly... It might be happening around tomorrow morning.”

Yuuji thought for a moment as he recalled the anime of Overlord.

In the anime, the scenes that happened with Carne Village weren't shown when it truly happened for cinematography purposes of the anime. But, given that the blonde village girl and her sisters run away from the attackers in her village and met Momonga while he was fidgeting with the “Mirror of Remote Viewing”, he estimated the attack to be happening the early next day.

“I can make sure.”

“Please.”

Yuuji nodded at Lelouch as the latter closed his eyes. Then, when he opened it, his eyes shined with brilliant white light for a few moments.

“Knights... Magic casters... In the middle of the night... On horses... Galloping... Hills to the edge... Plains...”

Lelouch closed his eyes, then when he opened them again, they no longer emanate the blinding light.

“I scryed at Nigun, the leader of the attacking force in Carne Village. Yuuji’s right. They’re still on their way to Carne.”

No one doubted Lelouch’s words.

With the True Prophet class, which was the epitome of all divination classes, his scrying abilities was not only undetectable, but also irresistible if the target did not have any divine-ranked item enchanted with specialized anti-divination spells. Even then, they would only have a slim chance of actually resisting his divination spells.

The only sure way to prevent Lelouch from spying on them would be to be in the possession of a World Item.

No matter how high ranking or important Nigun was to the Theocracy, which he was neither, there was no chance that he would be in possession of one just for a mission to attack a regular village.

Having been given a crystal which contained a seventh-tier spell to summon a Dominion Authority was already generous enough on the part of the Theocracy, and such a relic was only given to him because he was tasked to eliminate the Head Warrior of the Re-Estize kingdom while disguised as the Empire’s soldiers.

Thus, it was literally impossible for Nigun to resist Lelouch’s scrying spell.

Momonga nodded at his words.

“I see. Then, we shall intervene as planned tomorrow.”

All of them nodded.

Intervening with the slaughter had always been their plan from the start. However, they wouldn’t deal with Nigun’s group until they attacked the village.

Momonga, Yuuji, Aika, and Lelouch planned on intervening just like Momonga did in the anime.

That way, they would gain Carne Village’s favor as well as the head warrior, Gazef Stronoff’s gratitude.

Yuuji nodded his head.

“I’ll discuss this with Albedo and Demiurge tomorrow. But, I suggest taking the slow approach when it comes to the Theocracy.”

“Hm? Why?”

“The country had ingrained its toxic ideology of Human supremacy deeply into its people. They considered demihumans as inferior beings and elves as slaves. If we were to use force to destroy their country, their ideology would continue to live and somewhere, someone would carry on the torch along with a burning desire for vengeance.”

History was littered with tales of a small group of people who managed to successfully win over their oppressors through sheer will and belief in their ideology.

With a strong belief and will, the human spirit was nigh-unbreakable. And even if their bodies were to perish, the burning determination and will would be passed down on others and never die until they achieved their goals.

“It’d be too difficult to make sure everyone who believes in their theology and ideology is dead. And their determination and will will continue to be passed down. It’d simply be an endless cycle.”

“...Then what do you suggest?”

“Destroy their ideology.”

A look of shock flashed across Momonga’s expression.

“I agree with Yuuji.”

Lelouch said, before continuing.

“If we destroy their ideology and the people’s belief in them, those up high will lose any influence. And then, if we come in and offer them a better ideology... It’ll be easier to take the country.”

Momonga nodded his head a few times as he slowly tried to understand Yuuji and Lelouch’s words.

“Oh! I have a great idea~!!!”

All eyes turned towards the bewitching succubus, who suddenly raised her hand high up in the air while still hugging Yuuji’s arm with her other hand.

“Lelouch, what if you use geass on the Black Scripture when they encounter Shalltear! That way, we can get the World Item and get spies that are super high up in the Theocracy!!!”

Lelouch’s eyes widened as countless thoughts began flashing across his mind, considering the possibilities and the pros and cons of Aika’s suggestions.

“That’s... a good idea. No, it’s an amazing one. I’d need to test if my geass could be dispelled by a high level dispelling magic and if it could be resisted.”

While his geass might have the power of absolute obedience, there was still a chance of it being dispelled or resisted with the myriad of magic in this world. Even in Lelouch’s original world, there was the “Geass Canceller” which was capable of reverting the effects of his geass and releasing the target from his influence.

Although his geass had been “perfected”, as part of the reward from completing the mission in his world, he still needed to make sure and test it before he implement the plan with his geass as its crux.

“But it’s still an amazing idea worth considering. I’m impressed, Aika.”

“Hehe~ Leave it to me~!”

Lelouch nodded at Aika as she winked with a bright smile. Then, he turned towards Momonga.

“Then, I’ll be joining Shalltear, Sebas, and Solution during their trip to Re-Estize. And, I might as well join them there and help lay the groundwork in Re-Estize as a foreign noble.”

With his geass, it’d be easy to take control over some nobles and important key figures that would make it easier for them to move within the kingdom and do what they have to. And, with his presence there, it would be easier for Shalltear, Sebas, and Solution to work and do their job since he’d be present if they were to seek advice and get permissions.

“If possible, I’d like to bring a few shadow demons and doppelgangers to do reconnaissance for me.”

“Very well. It could be arranged.”

Momonga readily agreed to Lelouch’s suggestion.

“Then, the next thing I’d like to talk about is... Who would like to become adventurers?”