Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight.

The gentle sunlight of the church falls on the stone road, softening the shadows of every pedestrian.

Rune stood still, his gaze fixed on the little girl on the street corner with her hands on her hips.

Blue hair, brown eyes, and delicate, doll-like features—everything about her was exactly the same as Hill in Rune's memory.

But what was in those eyes was completely different.

Hill's eyes were always timid, like those of a startled fawn, lowering their gaze before cautiously raising them. But the pair of eyes before him were scrutinizing him with undisguised arrogance, as if assessing a stranger who had suddenly intruded into his territory.

"Hey," Alice said, chin raised, a hint of impatience in her voice, "you still haven't answered my question. Who are you?"

Rune did not answer.

He was just looking at that face, but another thought was racing through his mind.

This face.

This child looks exactly like Hill.

Divine bloodline.

A magical genius.

Infinite magic.

These words collided in Rune's mind, sparking a dangerous yet extremely alluring flame.

What if we swapped them?

Rune paused in his breathing.

Once this thought arises, it grows wildly like weeds, impossible to suppress.

Bring Ellie back to your side.

This child, with immense magical potential, is far more valuable than Hill.

She can serve as a communication node between Rune and the Theocracy. If she uses the [Message] magic, she can keep Rune's true identity confidential to the greatest extent possible while maintaining close contact with the highest levels of the Theocracy.

Even if Ainz Ooal Gown were to arrive, all he would find out is that she was "the little girl who was saved back then".

As for Hill—

A tender look flashed in Rune's eyes.

Let that child stay in the church.

Keep her away from those impending, almost inhuman monsters. Let her live well under the glory of the six gods, without having to face things she shouldn't have to face.

She was just an ordinary little girl.

As for what's in front of us—

His gaze returned to Alice's face.

This little guy was just talking to him in that tone.

Female imp.

Rune silently repeated the word in his mind.

Then they need to be punished properly.

Rune snapped out of his thoughts, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Who I am is unimportant." He turned around and instructed the High Priest, who had been standing quietly to the side, "Take this child back to the Temple of Foreign Affairs."

"Yes."

The High Priest stepped forward at the call, his wide robes sweeping lightly across the ground. He extended his hand, his movements respectful and gentle, to take Alice's hand.

Alice suddenly took a step back, crossed her arms over her chest, and looked as wary as a cat with its fur standing on end.

"Hey, hey, hey, what do you mean?" Her voice rose a few decibels, with a sharp edge typical of children. "Why should I go with you? Who do you think you are, taking me away like this? I'm warning you, this is the Holy Land, kidnapping children is illegal."

As Alice spoke, she backed away, her feet already positioned as if she were about to flee.

Rune quietly looked at the little girl who had the same face as Hill but seemed to be a completely different species, and suddenly felt a little amused.

If it were Hill, he would have been so scared that he would have hidden behind him.

The High Priest was not angered. He simply stopped, bent down slightly to bring his gaze level with Alice's, and then spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Alice, I am the High Priest of the Slane Theocracy."

His voice was calm, as if he were saying that the weather was nice today.

Alice's expression froze for a moment.

"Supreme, High Priest?"

She blinked her brownish eyes, her gaze sweeping over the High Priest's wrinkled yet imposing face before quickly moving to Rune standing to the side.

Rune noticed that her throat moved, as if she was swallowing.

But this little girl's mouth is clearly harder than her brain.

"So what if he's the High Priest?" Her voice lowered, but she was still trying to hold on. "Does the High Priest think he can just take away a child like that? I'm not someone to be trifled with."

As she spoke, her voice grew softer and softer.

Now he's starting to resemble Hill a bit.

The High Priest simply looked at her quietly, a gentle smile on his lips.

Alice's magical perception was indeed astonishing. She couldn't sense the Supreme High Priest's exact strength, but her instincts were frantically warning her that the old man before her was extremely dangerous.

"...Fine, let's go then."

Alice muttered something under her breath, took two awkward steps forward, then stopped, raised her chin, and added, "I just want to see what you're up to! Yes, that's it!"

Rune looked away.

He was afraid he would burst out laughing if he kept watching.

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

Back at the Temple of Foreign Affairs, Rune summoned the High Priest alone.

"I have an idea," Rune said bluntly, "to have that child named Alice stay with me."

The High Priest's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Rune continued, "She has the same appearance as Hill, but her magical talent far surpasses Hill's. By staying by my side, she can serve as a link between the Theocracy and me, transmitting messages using [Message] magic, which is safer than any messenger."

He paused, his tone softening slightly: "As for Hill... let her stay in the Holy Kingdom. She's just an ordinary child; let Hill live a good life in the Holy Kingdom."

The Supreme High Priest's expression shifted from initial doubt to realization, and then gradually revealed surprise.

"Your Majesty, God of Judgment," his voice trembled slightly, "you mean... you are willing to personally teach Alice?"

Rune did not correct his misunderstanding.

"You could say that."

"This, this is wonderful!" The High Priest was unusually flustered, clasping his hands together in front of his chest. "That child, though unruly, is indeed a genius that comes along only once in a century. If she could receive your guidance—oh, and Zetsumei too, she is too..."

He paused halfway through his sentence, a hint of regret flashing across his face.

If it weren't for the immense importance of this perilous mission, the High Priest would have loved to pack her up and send her to Rune as well.

"However," Rune changed the subject, his gaze falling on the High Priest, "there is something that needs to be dealt with."

"Please give your instructions."

"That child's personality," Rune said casually, "is too flamboyant."

The High Priest was slightly taken aback.

Rune continued, "Hill is quiet and timid. If Alice appears in the kingdom like this, everyone will see through her act. This needs to be corrected."

A knowing smile appeared on the High Priest's face. He turned slightly, his gaze fixed on a certain spot outside the hall, and called out:

"Antille"

The next moment, the figure of Jue Si Jue Ming appeared silently at the palace gate.