Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight.

Chapter 130 Xiao Di Bears Everything

Ainz maintained the composure befitting an Supreme Being, but the sense of hurt welling up from the depths of his soul almost overwhelmed his forced calmness.

"Actually," Ainz tried to salvage the situation, "the original uniform and pose were actually quite good. It's just that I didn't have enough time to take notes, so I just sketched it out casually—"

"Even so," Albedo replied with absolute certainty, "with Lord Ainz's unparalleled painting skills making up for it, it's still so ugly, which only proves that the original was even more unbearable to look at. Lord Ainz is still too kind; there's no need for him to keep speaking up for this guy."

A sharp glint flashed in Albedo's eyes.

"I suggest we thoroughly investigate who proposed this; it's such a waste of Lord Ainz's time."

Ainz felt himself silently shatter.

I really shouldn't have trusted the aesthetics of another world.

When Albedo saw that Ainz did not respond, her voice came from beside her again.

"Lord Ainz, I still believe that we should find out who wrote that proposal."

"A person capable of creating such ugly paintings probably has a rather distorted sense of aesthetics. Keeping such a person in Nazarick might influence the other members—"

Ainz felt his skull was burning slightly.

No, that won't do. Albedo absolutely cannot find out that I wrote that proposal.

Albedo.

Ainz raised his hand, interrupting her.

His tone carried an unquestionable air.

"The principle of anonymous proposals is to allow every member to speak freely. If we hold those who make proposals accountable just because they don't meet our expectations, then no one will be willing to offer opinions in the future. As the ruler of Nazarick, I must ensure this."

Ainz paused, looked up at the void, pretending to be deep while buying himself some time to think.

"Besides, I've already thrown away the original version of that proposal, so let's leave it at that."

Albedo's resolute aura had largely dissipated, and she finally nodded respectfully.

"Yes, Lord Ainz. It was my oversight."

Ainz breathed a sigh of relief.

That was close.

He secretly rejoiced that he had reacted quickly enough, invoking the ruler's "righteousness" to suppress Albedo's dissatisfaction.

Otherwise, if the investigation were to continue, it might be discovered that he wrote the proposal.

Then he'll probably lose all face as the supreme ruler.

Just then, there was a knock on the office door.

Ainz turned his head and looked towards the doorway.

The android maid, Fies, entered and reported to Ainz.

"Lord Ainz, Lord Demiurge requests an audience."

A dark red light flashed briefly in Ainz's eye sockets.

"Perfect timing!"

He cheered inwardly.

Now he could legitimately divert Albedo's attention; if he continued with that previous topic, Ainz was afraid he would give himself away.

"Let him in." Ainz's voice sounded quite calm; he concealed his inner joy very well.

"Yes, ma'am."

Faith gave a slight bow, turned and walked out of the office, the door closing gently behind her.

A moment later, the door was pushed open again.

Demiurge walked in.

His steps were unhurried, his well-tailored suit was impeccably tailored, his tie was neatly tied, and his round glasses reflected a gleam of intelligence under the light.

An elegant smile graced that cunning face.

Just as Ainz was about to ask Demiurge why he had come, his jaw suddenly snapped open.

Demiurge stopped in front of the desk.

Then, Demiurge raised his right hand, fingers together, and held his arm in front of him, his back straight.

This is a standard German military salute.

The pose is exactly the same as the one drawn in Ainz's proposal.

The red light in Ainz's eye sockets pulsed wildly.

His jaw was stretched to its maximum extent, almost touching his collarbone.

"Demeurge!"

He let out a silent cry in his heart.

Why did you do that at this time?

A green light, symbolizing forced calm, flashed across Ainz's body.

But after the green light flashed, Ainz's jaw remained open, unable to close for a long time.

Albedo stood beside Ainz, her gaze fixed on Demiurge.

Her expression changed noticeably.

Those golden vertical pupils narrowed slightly, his brows furrowed into an unpleasant arc, his lips pressed into a line, and his entire face was filled with undisguised disdain.

She looked at Demiurge with a "what a stupid thing to do" look.

A moment later, Albedo suddenly realized.

"I see." Albedo thought to herself, "That simplistic proposal was written by Demiurge."

No wonder Lord Ainz spoke up for that person.

Lord Ainz is so kind; he's even willing to tolerate such a low-level idea as Demiurge's.

Demiurge maintained his salute, yet keenly sensed the subtle shift in the atmosphere.

He turned his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over Ainz's skeletal face with its bulging jaw, then shifting to Albedo's face, which was filled with disgust.

"strangeness."

Demiurge thought to himself.

The atmosphere seems a bit off.

He was about to ask Lord Ainz what had happened, whether his salute was incorrect or his attire was inappropriate—

"Demeurge".

Ainz's voice rang out first.

They were much faster than usual, afraid that Demiurge would speak first.

Demiurge paused for a moment, then lowered his hand in salute.

"Yes, Lord Ainz." He bowed slightly, his posture respectful.

Ainz breathed a sigh of relief.

"That was close."

If Demiurge were to speak first, who knows what questions he would ask.

"You came to see me," Ainz's voice regained the composure befitting a supreme ruler, though his jaw hadn't fully closed yet. "Is there something you need?"

Demiurge straightened up and adjusted his glasses.

"Yes, Lord Ainz." He no longer considered the atmosphere; reporting to Lord Ainz was clearly more important. "It concerns a request from Narberal."

Ainz was somewhat puzzled.

"Naberal?"

"Exactly." Demiurge considered his words for a moment. "She hopes that during this mission in the capital, she can also eliminate some—cockroaches."

When he said the word "cockroach," his tone was filled with undisguised disdain.

Cockroaches? It's normal for girls to be afraid of cockroaches.

Ainz recalled that although Narberal was a battle maid, her fear of cockroaches probably had nothing to do with her strength.

>