Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight.

Chapter 100 Refusal

Gagland leaned back in his chair, his thick arms crossed over his chest, his eyes full of mockery.

Iver sighed softly: "That's good. We don't need to consider the [Six Arms] factor anymore when attacking other strongholds."

The gaze from beneath the mask's slits fell upon Rune.

"————Thank you."

The other Blue Rose members familiar with Iveria could hear the approval in his voice.

Rune quickly waved his hand, his face becoming even more humble.

"Oh, not at all, I was just lucky."

"In short, there is not much risk in attacking the other strongholds of [Eight Fingers], but we still need to be careful."

Rune steered the conversation back on track, turning his gaze to Lajus.

"Now I can set off for the Dragon Kingdom with peace of mind."

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room subtly changed.

Lahoz's excited expression, which was still immersed in her brother's wonderful story, was blown away as if by a gust of wind.

Her brows furrowed slightly, and her eyes were full of worry.

"Is my brother going there again?"

Lahoz's fingers unconsciously twisted the edge of the cuffs of her pale red dress.

"Why don't we wait until Azure Rose has dealt with [Eight Fingers], and then go with my brother?"

After those words were spoken, the room fell silent for a moment.

Gegrand's gruff laughter broke the silence.

"The team leader is right." She slammed a large hand on the table, making the water in her teacup slosh around.

"I've wanted to visit the Dragon Kingdom for a long time. I've heard that the orcs there are all incredibly strong."

An eager expression appeared on her square face.

"I'll go too."

Iverie nodded in agreement; she too wanted to save this nation on the verge of destruction.

Rune looked at the Blue Rose members sitting around the table and felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

But at the same time, Rune also felt a headache.

In previous years, it was fine; although implementing certain things was a bit inconvenient, it was manageable with a little attention.

Absolutely not this year, after all, it concerns—

"Let's forget about it. Wild roses are too expensive; I'd go bankrupt if I invited them."

Rune refused in a joking tone.

Lahoz immediately sat up straight, placed her hands on the table, interlaced her fingers, and adopted a proper posture.

"I've saved up some money."

Lajus looked directly into Rune's eyes with a determined gaze.

"I'll cover the expenses for this operation. Brother, don't worry about the costs."

Gegran grinned.

"What are you saying, team leader? I'd do this kind of rescue work for free."

An honest expression, somewhat incongruous with her rugged appearance, appeared on her square face.

"I'm just as aware of what a lolicon older brother should be, so don't underestimate me."

As she spoke, she gestured with her chin toward Rune, a gesture of respect between warriors.

Over the years, Rune has aided the Dragon Kingdom, and the only fees he has received from the Dragon Kingdom are for the losses incurred during the march and the pensions for the soldiers.

The Dragon Kingdom was already in dire financial straits; if he charged it the normal rate for hiring soldiers, it would only worsen the already precarious situation of the nation.

That's why Gegrand said he "possessed enlightenment".

"Me too," Iver's voice rang out again. "Although adventurers cannot participate in wars between nations, the Dragon Kingdom is facing an active invasion by demi-humans. This is not within the scope of the restrictions."

She spoke a little faster than usual.

"The Adventurers' Guild was founded with the intention of helping humanity."

Looking at these people who were willing to help him without reservation, Rune felt a mix of gratitude and headache, churning into a complex emotion.

This is bad.

He groaned silently to himself.

The script shouldn't be like this.

He had intended to downplay the topic and set off alone, but now the entire Blue Rose was going to go to the Dragon Kingdom with him.

This won't do.

"Let's forget about it, it would be too unfair to you."

"Brother, why are you refusing us?"

Lahoz's voice suddenly rose a few decibels.

"Could it be that my elder brother is planning something shady in the Dragon Kingdom?"

Rune's pupils contracted slightly.

"How could you guess that?" His heart skipped a beat.

Rune decided to reassess Lajus's intelligence. Perhaps his younger sister wasn't so stupid after all?

"Or perhaps, my elder brother has truly fallen for the Queen of the Dragon Kingdom—"

Lahoz's voice seamlessly transitioned from questioning to aggrieved.

"We'll be in the way, won't we?"

As she said this, she lowered her chin, as if trying to swallow back the words she shouldn't have said, but she still couldn't help it.

Rune's lips twitched slightly as he looked at his younger sister's expression.

The second instance upheld the original verdict.

She's still that silly little sister.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the surging helplessness, and looked calmly at Lajus.

"No, that's not it."

Rune didn't rush to explain, but instead first denied Lajus's guess.

"It's because of the eight fingers."

When dealing with kind people, you really have to rely on seemingly legitimate reasons.

Rune silently repeated this sentence to himself.

Lajus looked into Rune's eyes, trying to find any trace of a lie.

"The Eight Fingers organization is about to become a thing of the past, but such a criminal organization that has been entrenched in the capital for many years cannot be completely eradicated. There will definitely be remnants waiting for an opportunity to retaliate."

"If the Blue Rose stays away, the remnants of the Eight Fingers will surely seek revenge, and Father and Mother are in the capital—"

Rune plans to use his parents' safety to kidnap Lajus.

Lahoz's lips trembled slightly, and her hands on the table unconsciously tightened their grip.

Rune knew his words had worked.

A few years ago, Lajus had a big fight with her father because she insisted on becoming an adventurer. Her mother tried to persuade her, but her father turned away and left her to decide her own life.

During that period, Lahoz almost never returned to her family home.

It wasn't until later, when Lajus became a Steel-class adventurer and with Rune's mediation, that she finally reconciled with her parents.

But Lahoz was still hesitant, and Rune seized the opportunity and pressed on.

"Furthermore," he softened his tone, "once the remnants of the [Eight Fingers] are wiped out, Blue Rose will be free to act—"

He paused for a moment, then his gaze returned to Lahoz's face.

"After we eliminate the evil, I'll take you to the Dragon Kingdom next time."

Lahoz looked at him.

"----good."

She responded softly.

Compromise is also a form of trust.

The surrounding members of the Blue Rose silently watched this scene.

Rune didn't say anything more.