“Go back. The Commander-in-Chief is currently taking a bath.”
“*Tch…*”
The knights who rushed in turned around at Taylor’s words.
No knight would dare object when the Commander-in-Chief was temporarily monopolizing the bathhouse.
Especially if that Commander-in-Chief was a woman.
With the knights successfully sent away once again, Taylor crossed his arms and sat back down.
“Hmm…”
About five minutes after Schlus was let in.
As notified, Commander Pelaine arrived and went inside.
Of course, he didn’t mention that Schlus was already in there.
The reason for this was simple.
“I wonder if they’ve met by now? *Kuk kuk…*”
Because it seemed like it would be fun.
That was all.
Both seemed like inexperienced virgins.
He was curious about what kind of reactions they would show if they accidentally met naked in the bath.
Would a scream soon echo?
He even thought he might catch the rare sight of the usually stoic Schlus Hainkel running out after being punched.
“Umm… Hmm… Hmmm…?”
But something felt off.
It had already been twenty minutes since Pelaine went in.
There was no sound inside, not even a scream or a loud voice.
Time continued to pass.
By then, no one had come out yet.
‘Am I… overthinking?’
What if something happened inside?
What if both were targeted by an assassin?
A bad feeling began to creep in.
He desperately wanted to go inside to check, but thinking of his sly wife and bunny-like daughter waiting at home made his conscience prick, preventing him.
Should he shout and ask if everything was okay in there?
Just as Taylor steeled himself to rise…
“Umm…?”
*Thud thud.*
He heard footsteps coming from inside.
And coming out was none other than Schlus Hainkel and…
“Was someone still on guard? Good work, Vice Commander.”
“Y-Yes…”
Walking right beside her was Commander Pelaine.
But there was something strange about Pelaine.
Her ears, which were always standing on edge, were drooping, completely relaxed.
Her sharp gaze, which usually pierced through, was focused on Schlus’s face, having lost its usual ferocity.
That was clearly not the face of the Holy Knight Commander or Commander of the Suppression Army, but the face of a female beast.
‘What on earth happened in there?’
Taylor stared blankly at the two.
As he did, Schlus came close and whispered in his ear.
“Taylor.”
“Y-Yes?”
“You must have orchestrated this situation intentionally. I want to thank you.”
“Ah, uhh…”
Taylor could only awkwardly smile.
Thank you?
He thought she was a timid virgin with no courage.
But now it seemed she was a complete player.
Just because she had been busy during the war doesn’t mean she couldn’t dominate in just an hour…
Taylor felt a mixed sense of awe towards Schlus’s calm demeanor.
“Now you can let other knights in.”
“Oh, right. Yes. I’ll change the water and let them in.”
“Change the water? Why do something so inefficient?”
“Because there are idiots who might gulp down the water that the Commander-in-Chief just used.”
“……”
Pelaine’s expression hardened.
She had learned something she didn’t particularly want to know.
Just then, Schlus heard footsteps running hurriedly from afar and tensed up.
It was a precaution against a surprise attack by an assassin.
But what rounded the corner was none other than a knight from the Imperial Knights.
“Schlus Hainkel! Commander! You are all here!”
“What’s the matter?”
“I have important news! Duke Lorraine has declared unconditional surrender and wishes to come in!”
“Wha…?”
The three of them stood frozen in shock.
*
The situation had become quite urgent.
To be honest, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they’d been caught off guard.
The Great Forest had declared a blockade, and I had crushed the infantry division there yesterday.
And today morning, the Great Forest began to withdraw, so today should have been a calm day.
I had expected that just recovering the corpses and treating the wounded would take up the whole day.
But Lorraine seemed to mock my expectations, lightly skipping over them.
With no negotiations whatsoever, he declared unconditional surrender, giving up everything to the Southern Republic.
“Are you kidding me? What’s the chance it’s a trap?”
“We’re assessing it. However, Duke Lorraine himself has come to the 4th Castle to surrender and requested the disarmament of all soldiers.”
“……”
The chances of it being a trap seemed slim.
Looking at the long procession approaching from afar, it seemed even more likely.
The formation was thin, allowing our cavalry to break them easily if desired, a disastrous formation for combat.
They weren’t coming to fight.
It was rational to believe they were genuinely here to surrender.
“Duke Lorraine wishes to surrender! Open the gates!”
“……”
Before long, a servant arrived at the castle gates shouting loudly.
But Pelaine merely looked down at him without any response.
“Lo-Lord Lorraine wishes to surrender! Respond!”
“……”
Pelaine responded with a cold gaze in place of words.
I couldn’t help but admire her in this moment.
If it were me, I would have been overjoyed, opening the gates immediately and pushing Lorraine inside to sign the surrender document.
But Pelaine was carefully considering every little detail, making sure not to tarnish the dignity of the Empire.
“Enough. Stop being stubborn.”
“Pr-Prime Minister!”
Just then, Lorraine approached from the back of the procession, resting a hand on the servant’s shoulder.
“I, Lorraine Philip, former Duke of the Southern Colony, hereby formally surrender to the rebel suppression army.”
“Open the gates.”
Only then did Pelaine’s command come down, and the gates began to open.
From the Empire’s perspective, the Southern Republic never existed.
Thus, the position of Prime Minister couldn’t be acknowledged.
The former Duke of the Southern Colony, now merely the leader of a rebel band, descended from his horse and slowly entered the 4th Castle.
The servants tried to follow, but were stopped by our knights.
Only Lorraine was allowed entry.
“Take him to the conference room.”
“Yes, understood.”
After confirming he passed through the castle gates, we immediately moved inside.
Pelaine and I took the lead, with Cain following behind us.
Next came the commanders of the Imperial Knights and other mercenary leaders.
We entered the conference room and seated ourselves.
Without anyone saying a word, everyone found their places without argument.
Naturally, only two seats remained empty.
The top seat and the seat just below it.
“What is it? Hurry and sit.”
“Ah… Yes.”
I bypassed the fidgeting Pelaine and took the seat just below the top.
Even though I was basically her superior, I couldn’t sit above the Commander of the Suppression Army.
I was about to leave soon, while Pelaine had to stay a while longer to handle things, so I couldn’t undermine her authority.
After everyone settled, we waited for about five minutes.
Footsteps were heard outside, and the door creaked open.
Then came Lorraine, bearing a dark expression.
But why was he still in handcuffs…?
“Are you certain the troops brought in are all of the rebel army?”
“Yes.”
“Have the garrison forces disbanded yet?”
“They are still maintained for security purposes.”
“We should add the immediate disbandment of the garrison as a condition for surrender.”
“You may do as you wish…”
The disbandment of the garrison was a sensitive issue.
Just before, the garrison that remained loyal to Lorraine almost cost Ainz and Erica their lives.
If they entered the castle in a rush to conquer and were ambushed, they didn’t want to suffer annihilation, so we had to ensure no remnants were left.
“Then let’s have them bow and seek forgiveness—”
“Return your weapons and sign the surrender document—”
“……?”
“……?”
Since we spoke at the same time, our eyes met, realizing our error.
As soon as it was spoken, I immediately regretted it.
Signing the surrender document was the norm on modern Earth, but here it was customary to bow in reverence.
But Pelaine closed her eyes and extended her hand, allowing me to continue speaking.
Uh-oh. This isn’t good.
Using the status as an investor in the order to impose pressure was becoming awkward.
Everyone’s eyes turned to me, and I couldn’t afford to stall any longer.
With a sigh, I stood up, retrieved the prepared document, and spread it on the table.
It included the newly added condition for the disbandment of the garrison.
“Return your weapons, Lorraine.”
“Return my weapons…?”
“I meant to say to return your personal weapons to affirm your intention to surrender.”
“……”
With his head bowed low, Lorraine brought his hands to his waist.
His long sword came free from the scabbard, landing on the table.
After handing him the pen, he calmly read the surrender document before signing his name in the designated area.
Next came my turn, representing the Emperor, followed by Pelaine as the Commander of the Suppression Army and Holy Knight Commander, and then Cain as the Vice Commander and Commander of the Imperial Knights.
Thus, all signatures were completed.
“With this, we accept the surrender of all rebel forces led by former Duke Lorraine and declare the end of all disturbances in the Southern Region.”
“……”
The official surrender scenario had ended.
Lorraine lowered his head, unable to lift it.
Now it was time to ensure the actual surrender took place.
We all stood and turned Lorraine back around, leading him outside.
Surrounded by knights, Lorraine stepped out again, passing on commands to the rebel army.
To drop their weapons and surrender.
*Thud…*
*Clank…*
*Thud…*
The procession began to pass by, tossing their weapons and armor aside.
It was a majestic sight.
The image of thousands of troops disarming all at once.
Soon, armor and weapons piled up, forming a silver tower.
It took quite some time for the surrender procession to fully pass.
During this, we had already sent knights to each castle to check for potential ambushes.
As it became clear that all troops had genuinely surrendered, nothing else stood in our way.
With the sun setting in the twilight.
The Holy Knights and Pelaine were preparing to enter the three castles in succession to raise their banners.
I approached Pelaine intending to make a slightly difficult request.
“Commander.”
“Oh, Schlus. It’s indeed as you said. I never expected Duke Lorraine to surrender so quickly… You’ve really come to report his surrender and head back.”
“Pelaine. I urgently have something to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“I’d like to put you in charge of the execution of Duke Lorraine.”
“……”
Pelaine’s mouth slightly fell open.
