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. 

These two things were extremely valuable, as Carne village would be their first real foothold on the real world for their plans, and the head warrior's favor would also go a long way if they were to complete their missions. 

Enough to let a few villagers they don't even know the face or name die under the blade. 

It was a cold, heartless decision. But they all agreed that it was the best possible decision they could make to ensure a smoother future. 

"Should I come with?"

Yuuji asked. 

While he had no doubt that Momonga would be able to deal with the Sunlight Scripture of the Theocracy, even if they summoned Dominion Authority, Yuuji was still willing to come with him for extra safety if he wanted it. 

With him, a descendant of the True Light who's immune to anything a low ranking angel like the Dominion Authority could throw at him, present, the encounter won't even be a battle. 

Momonga thought for a moment.

"...I will be fine. I will have Aura secure the area along with her beast and, if things somehow become dangerous, buy some time with her beasts. "

Having seen his encounter with the Sunlight Scripture in the anime, Momonga held absolute confidence that none of them could pose any threat to him even if he were to go alone. But of course, since there's still a chance that something might go differently, he still made sure to have Aura and her beast secure the area and be nearby in case something went south. 

"I'd like to come as well. It'll be much easier to capture and extract information from them if I just use my Geass and bring them all under my control immediately."

"That's a good idea…"

Momonga rubbed his bony chin with his skeletal fingers as he considered Lelouch's words. 

Making them fall into Lelouch's control would definitely make everything much easier and simpler. The only downside would be that the interrogators within Nazarick might not get a chance to enjoy themselves with the new prisoners, since they'll be happy to divulge any information they might seek. 

"Ah, but before that, it might be a good idea to put up an anti-divination barrier onto the entire location. If I recall, someone from the Theocracy was scrying on the battle in the anime."

"Oh, that's right! I think it's one of the higher up members who specialized in divination spells. Isn't it the Thousand League… something."

Aika pursed her lips, trying to recall the title of the Theocracy's divination specialist.

"Astrologer."

"That's it!"

Yuuji smiled at Aika before continuing.

"The Thousand League Astrologer. They're a member of the Theocracy's strongest group of fighters, the Black Scripture."

"Mm… Perhaps it'd be a good idea to start planting spies on the Theocracy."

Yuuji nodded to Momonga's proposal.

"I agree. After all, they're the ones in possession of the World Item "Downfall of Castle and Country" and used it on Shalltear when she was dispatched to accompany Sebas and Solution to gather information in Re-Estize."

The blazing crimson pyre within Momonga's eye sockets flared brightly along with the flame of hatred and anger within his heart as realization came upon him… 

But immediately, his undead trait automatically kicked in, suppressing the intense emotion that suddenly flared up within him. 

Yuuji was right… How could he forget? These are the people who attempted to put Shalltear, one of his dear children, under their control and forced him to fight and kill his own child to release her from the incomplete mind control. 

His bony hands clenched into fists as he shook his head.

No. He won't let it happen. He swore on his life, he won't let any of it happen the same way it did in the anime.

"That's right… Then, it's decided. I will give Shalltear and Sebas a World Item each to protect herself. And we'll begin planting spies in the Theocracy so we could watch their movements and strike them when they're vulnerable. "

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?"

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