Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight.

The morning breeze, carrying the coolness of early autumn, blew from the end of the corridor, stirring the wind chimes hanging under the eaves and making a soft, tinkling sound.

Rune stood in front of the mansion gate, watching the butler Aldred direct the servants to load the last few boxes onto the carriage.

The carriage was simpler than he had imagined—the interior was dark, there were no family crests, and the rims were still covered with dried mud.

"Young Master, just a moment longer." Aldred approached and bowed slightly. "Everything we need for the journey has been prepared."

Mother Eleanor stood at the front. She wore a light gray morning robe, her hair was neatly styled, and the pearl hair ornament at her temple gleamed softly in the morning light.

Her eyes were a little red, but she still had a gentle smile on her face.

"Rune." She walked over, bent down, and reached out to straighten his collar. "Take good care of yourself when you get to the territory. It'll be chilly in the mornings and evenings, so remember to wear more clothes. Don't stay up too late reading; it's bad for your eyes."

Her fingers trembled slightly.

Rune didn't dodge; he simply looked up at her.

"Mother, I will."

Eleanor looked at him, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she just sighed softly and placed a kiss on his forehead.

"Go."

She stepped back, giving her seat to the person behind her.

Rune nodded.

He turned around and looked behind him.

The mansion's gates were wide open, and several people stood on the stone steps in front of them.

The count stood on the steps and did not come down.

He stood there, his hands behind his back, his face bearing that familiar, perpetually emotionless, serious expression.

The father and son's eyes met in mid-air.

silence.

Then the count nodded slightly.

He didn't say a word.

But Rune understood.

Be careful on the road. Write a letter when you arrive. Don't embarrass me.

That's about it.

Rune nodded as well.

enough.

Ms. Cecilia stood a little behind her mother.

She wasn't wearing her dark-colored teaching dress today, but a light brown casual outfit with a simple silver brooch at the collar.

She walked over.

"Young Master Lu En."

Her voice was still gentle, with a slight morning hoarseness.

Rune looked at her and suddenly remembered that every morning during the past three years, Cecilia had never gotten angry with him for his arguments.

He opened his mouth.

"Teacher Cecilia."

"Um?"

"I……"

Rune paused.

The morning light fell on his face, illuminating his hesitation clearly. He looked down at the ground in front of his toes, where a small clump of moss, tender green and glistening with dew, was sprouting from a crack in the stone slab.

"sorry."

His voice was very soft.

Cecilia paused for a moment.

"Back in class," Rune continued without looking up, "I always talked back to the teachers. I was late, I skipped class..."

As he spoke, he suddenly realized he was being a little ridiculous.

Think about it carefully, why do I have this attitude?

It was probably Cecilia's lectures that made Rune feel like he was being despicable every time.

He always wanted to deny Cecilia's values ​​and make excuses for himself.

To justify his original plan to join Ainz Ooal Gown.

That's really childish.

He looked up and met Cecilia's light gray eyes.

Those eyes were still so gentle, like the waters of a lake in spring, encompassing everything.

"Professor Cecilia," Rune's voice steadied, "thank you for your guidance over the past three years."

Cecilia looked at him.

There was a few seconds of silence.

Then she laughed.

That smile wasn't the polite smile you give in class; it was a softer, more genuine smile, like someone who had finally received an answer.

"Young Master Lu En."

She spoke softly.

"No need for that, I'm proud of you."

Rune was stunned.

A morning breeze blew in from the end of the corridor, fluttering Cecilia's skirt. Rune looked at Cecilia, his light gray eyes filled with warmth and comfort.

She was serious.

She truly felt—

Rune's ears felt a little hot.

He took a deep breath and looked directly into Cecilia's eyes.

Rune, who had already made up his mind to fight Ainz Ooal Gown, did not dodge.

Just stare straight at her, just like she's always looked at me.

"Teacher Cecilia."

Rune's voice was steady.

"I will try my best."

Just then—

A small figure suddenly squeezed between the two.

"Onii-chan!"

Lajus's face appeared before Rune, blocking Cecilia's view. Her eyes were wide open, and her cheeks were slightly puffed out, like a small animal guarding its food.

"Time to go!"

Rune paused for a moment.

"Didn't we agree?" he said instinctively, "I'll write to you once we get to the territory."

"I know!" Lajus's voice was muffled. "But...but if Onii-chan doesn't leave now, it'll be too late!"

As she spoke, she reached out and nudged Rune's shoulder.

This girl...

Rune suddenly wanted to laugh.

Yesterday, she was reluctant to leave me and wanted to come with me. Now, she's starting to kick me out.

Rune turned and waved to everyone.

"I'm leaving."

Eleanor's eyes reddened further, but she still nodded with a smile. The Earl stood on the steps, his expression still serious, but his gaze remained fixed on him.

Teacher Cecilia stood in the morning light and nodded slightly to him.

Lahoz stood at the front, her two small hands clasped together in front of her, her lips pressed tightly together.

Rune smiled and turned to walk towards the carriage.

The car door opened.

Rune bent down and crawled inside.

There was already one person sitting in the carriage.

A tiny figure.

The girl sat quietly in the corner of the carriage, shrinking herself into the smallest ball.

She was wearing a clean, light gray dress, simple in style, clearly altered to fit the size of a maid in the manor.

Her hair was no longer the messy thing it used to be; it had been carefully combed into two small braids that hung down her shoulders.

She looked up when she heard the door open.

Rune's gaze fell on her face.

Her blue hair shimmered softly in the morning light. Her brown eyes, like lukewarm tea, were cautiously peering over.

Her skin was somewhat pale, and her jawline was too defined.

This child must have been hungry for a long time.

Rune looked into the girl's eyes. "What's your name?"

"Hill, my name is Hill. I thought Lord Rune had already remembered me..." Hill's voice trailed off, sounding a little aggrieved.

This is bad. Did this child mention his name? I think he told Lajus in the alley, but I was thinking about how to clean up the mess and didn't remember.

It's alright, Rune has his own high-EQ approach to strategy.

"Of course I remember, but it was Lajus who asked you last time," Rune said, looking righteous. "I'll definitely ask her again myself."

Looking at Hill's tearful eyes, she was deeply moved.

Rune was somewhat smug, thinking, "As expected of me."