Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight.

As the carriage passed the border checkpoint, Rune peered out through a gap in the curtains.

The checkpoints of the Slane Theocracy were completely different from those of the Kingdom. The Kingdom's checkpoints were dilapidated wooden fences, guarded by ragged soldiers whose eyes held only numbness and greed. But the checkpoints here were neat stone buildings, with the symbols of the six great gods engraved on their white walls.

"Please undergo inspection."

A young priest approached the carriage, his tone respectful but not servile.

Inspection complete.

"Welcome to the Slane Theocracy, gentlemen." He bowed slightly. "May the blessings of the Six Great Gods be with you."

The carriage continued on its way.

The sound of the wheels rolling over the road changed; it went from a bumpy, creaking sound to a steady, rumbling sound.

Rune drew back the curtains again and saw the carriage traveling on the smooth stone road. The road surface was paved neatly, and the gaps between the stones were fine and even, as if they had been carefully calculated.

Neat fields lined both sides of the road, the crops growing vigorously, a golden expanse. Occasionally, farmers could be seen on the field ridges; their clothes were simple but clean, and their faces lacked the wooden expression of the Wang Guo farmer.

Rune stared at the scene, suddenly feeling somewhat dazed.

"Lord Rune."

A timid voice came from the corner of the carriage, and it seemed a little louder than before.

Rune turned his head.

Hill was looking at him, his brown eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and cautious probing.

"The people here...they seem very happy," she said softly.

Rune nodded: "Because they believe the future will be better."

The carriage stopped in front of a magnificent building.

The building is entirely white, with six massive stone pillars standing on its facade, each engraved with a different divine emblem. Between the pillars are tall archways, inlaid with stained glass, through which sunlight streams in, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Rune jumped off the carriage and stood in the stone-paved square. The sun was shining brightly, the wind was gentle, and the faint sound of hymns drifted from afar, mingled with a delicate fragrance of incense.

The main hall of the temple is spacious and bright. The dome soars high, painted with murals depicting the six great gods descending to earth. Sunlight pours down from the skylights in the dome, illuminating the entire hall as if it were daytime. Rows of empty benches line both sides of the hall, and directly in front stands a tall altar enshrining statues of the six great gods.

"Wait for me here." Rune looked at the butler and Hill, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Aldred bowed slightly: "Yes, young master."

Hill nodded nervously, his brown eyes following Rune until he disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Aldred stood still, maintaining the standard butler's posture, with his hands folded in front of him, his back straight, and his eyes looking straight ahead.

after awhile.

Footsteps came from deep in the corridor.

Aldred glanced sideways, then his pupils suddenly contracted.

An old man, as thin as a withered branch, was walking towards them—his face was so aged that his age was impossible to discern, his skin an unhealthy earthy color, and his health appeared worrisome. He wore a blue and white priest's robe trimmed with gold, and a wave-shaped divine emblem—the insignia of the Water Priest of the Slane Theocracy—hung on his chest.

Sinedin de Lan Gülff.

This name signifies that throughout the entire Slane Theocracy, his status is second only to the legendary High Priest, a position that even the Eindora family cannot reach.

And now, the water god chieftain is walking straight toward them.

And—Aldred saw a smile on that face. Not a polite, distant smile, but a kind smile, even one tinged with respect.

"You two must be guests from the Eindora family."

Sinedin stopped in front of them, glanced at Hill, and gave a slight bow. The degree of that bow caused Aldred's mind to go blank for a moment.

This is a matter of etiquette between peers.

"Please follow me. The High Priest has instructed that you two rest and wait in the side hall."

Aldred's lips moved, but he found himself speechless for a moment. He glanced at Hill.

The little girl was looking up, her brown eyes filled with confusion, clearly not understanding what the kind old man in front of her meant.

"Thank you... thank you, sir." Aldred finally found his voice and bowed slightly in return.

Sinedin's smile deepened, and he turned to lead the way.

Aldred followed, her heart pounding.

Isn't this person supposed to be even more powerful and influential than the six noble families of the Kingdom of Ri Yestege?

The steward asked himself this question. Could it be that the power of their territory had already grown so strong that the master was still hiding it from him?

He quickly stopped his wandering thoughts; some things were not for him to consider.

------------

The dim candlelight flickered in the enclosed room, casting long shadows of the two people. The ancient tapestry hanging on the wall, embroidered with the image of Death, seemed to come alive in the light and shadow.

"You...you say you know Lord Death?" The High Priest's voice trembled slightly, his eyes showing both doubt and a hint of expectation.

Rune leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping the armrests casually, making a rhythmic sound: "Not just Selshana, but also Ala Alaf, the Glorious Angel Cat~ Meow and those guys."

He spoke these names with the ease of a casual conversation. This is the composure of a true strong person, one that needs no deliberate display, for everything is under complete control.

"Honestly, that cat lover with the Fury fetish had to give her such a name," Rune shook his head, a helpless smile on his face. "I'm embarrassed to even say it out loud."

Unfamiliar words flowed from Rune's mouth with an indescribable casualness. The High Priest's gaze seemed to gradually change—doubt receded like a tide, replaced by awe, and the fanatical gleam that only the most devout believers possessed.

"You are...you are..." The high priest suddenly stood up, the chair making a screeching sound.

"Tomoya Aragaki." Rune smiled slightly, maintaining his composure as if he were simply introducing an ordinary name. "I wonder if those guys left you any records about me."

The candlelight flickered suddenly, casting a play of light and shadow on Rune's face.

The high priest's voice choked with emotion: "Are you the one the Grim Reaper spoke of, the King of Gods who reigns above all gods and commands dozens of beings comparable to the Grim Reaper—the God of Judgment, Lord Aragaki Tomoya?"

His face was full of piety, and his eyes were brimming with tears.

A brief silence fell over the room.

Then--

"Sirshana, you bastard!" Rune slammed his hand on the table, his composure shattered. "Your description is so childish, you've completely disgraced this group leader!"

"I'm going to dock your pay!" Rune, switching back to his attitude towards Sirshana from his past life, subconsciously uttered this catchphrase.