Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight.

The morning light slanted in through the window, drawing a bright line on the desk.

Rune's gaze lingered on that line for a moment, his fingertips tapping the table at a steady, unhurried rhythm, as if he were calculating something.

Hill stood to the side, his brownish eyes half-open, his face bearing the same dejected expression he had worn for thirteen years.

"Use it for now," Rune finally spoke, his voice carrying a hint of reluctant compromise. "If all else fails... we can borrow some from Lajus. That kid seems to have saved up quite a bit of money since becoming an adventurer."

As soon as he spoke, he felt that gaze change.

Hill didn't speak, but her eyes clearly said, "How dare you ask your own sister for money?"

That look was so direct, so direct, that Rune had to look away.

"Ahem." He cleared his throat, trying to salvage the situation. "This is a loan, not a demand. I'll pay it back later."

Lajus ultimately failed to become a knight, as the kingdom's knighthood could only be held by male descendants of nobles. Lajus had no choice but to settle for becoming an adventurer.

For this reason, Rune even wrote a letter to his father, complaining that he hadn't raised Lajus well.

This kind of behavior—using the guise of righteousness to settle personal scores—feels surprisingly good.

Hill remained silent. He merely tilted his head slightly, and a tiny, almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth on his expressionless face.

But it is extremely lethal.

Rune decided not to interpret the meaning of that expression.

Just now.

There was another knock on the door.

"Please come in."

The wooden door opened, and a figure walked in, bringing with it a refreshing breeze.

He was a boy of about fifteen years old, with short, bright golden hair that looked as if it had been soaked in sunlight. It was neatly combed back, revealing a smooth forehead.

His eyes were a pure, clear blue, almost transparent, like the clear sky after rain reflected in two shallow pools of water.

His face still had the youthful angularity unique to teenagers, but his features were already beginning to show the handsome features of a young man, and his skin had been tanned into a healthy honey color by the daily patrols of the territory.

He wore a simple but neat linen shirt, covered with a thin leather armor, and a plain-looking longsword hung at his waist. The edges of the scabbard were worn white, showing signs of daily maintenance and never being neglected.

The boy stepped in, his back ramrod straight, and his right hand deftly raised to his chest, performing a standard knightly salute. Although he was not a knight, he did this gesture with utmost seriousness.

"Lord Rune, I'm back!" His voice was clear and energetic, typical of a young man, as if bringing the whole day's vitality into the somewhat dull study.

Rune raised his head, and the slight frown that had been on his face due to financial problems instantly relaxed, a gentle smile appearing in his eyes, like a smiling mask.

"It's Tachi Mi." His voice was unhurried, carrying a brotherly warmth. "Thank you for your hard work. How are the tax revenues from the territory?"

At this moment, Hill, who was standing to the side, quietly scoffed, the sound so soft it was like a pebble falling into a pile of cotton.

Her brownish-yellow eyes were half-closed, her gaze lazily sweeping over the boy with an inexplicable dissatisfaction. She didn't understand why Rune was treating this guy so well.

Tachi Mi didn't notice Hill's little actions. He just respectfully took out another account book carefully wrapped in kraft paper from his pocket and presented it to her with both hands.

"It's all done. Here are the tax ledgers. Please take a look, Lord Rune."

Rune took the ledger, opened the cover page, and scanned it line by line. The handwriting was neat, every income and expenditure was clearly recorded, and the writing exuded the vigor of a young man. One could tell most of this child's character just from his handwriting.

Touch Me knelt down on one knee again, and after Rune had turned a few pages, he spoke softly:

"Lord Rune, I have something to report, please forgive me."

Rune raised his eyelids slightly, without stopping turning the page, and said, "Speak."

“Two families have suffered misfortunes this year,” Tachi Mi’s voice was steady, but his fingers hanging by his side curled slightly. “The Kurut family next to the blacksmith’s shop on the east side, the father broke his leg while working and has not been able to work in the fields since. And the single-parent family near the woods on the south side, the mother fell ill in the winter and spent a lot of her savings on medical treatment. The family only has a child under ten years old to help them.”

He paused.

"My subordinates took it upon themselves to reduce or exempt them from taxes."

The study was quiet for a moment.

There was a hint of tension in Tachi Mi's voice.

"Please deduct it from my salary, Lord Rune."

Rune closed the ledger and looked up at the boy in front of him, who was bent over like a bow.

"Tachi Mi".

"Your subordinate is here."

"Raise your head."

The boy hesitated for a moment, then slowly straightened up. There was some trepidation in his azure eyes, but more so a stubborn composure. He had done what he believed was right, and he was prepared to bear the consequences.

Rune looked at him and suddenly smiled.

It was a very gentle laugh, like a ray of sunlight filtering through the clouds in winter—unassuming, yet warm enough.

"You did a great job."

Taqi Mi was taken aback.

"It is my responsibility to think about the people of my country." Rune placed the account book on the table. "You can see the difficulties of those two families and put yourself in their shoes. This sense of responsibility is much more valuable than the taxes themselves."

Rune leaned back in his chair, his voice carrying a serious tone of approval.

"Your salary need not be deducted. You have taken care of the people for me; I am the one who should thank you."

Taqi Mi's lips trembled slightly.

A thin red flush suddenly rose in the boy's eyes, but he held back tightly, not letting any emotion slip out.

Touch Me took a deep breath, put his left hand behind his waist, clenched his right fist, and pounded it hard on his heart. He raised his head and looked intently at Rune.

Those eyes held reverence, emotion, and the thrill of having one's ideals recognized.

"For justice—"

The boy's voice was clear and firm, echoing throughout the study.

"Heart Sasagiyo."

Sunlight streamed in through the window behind Rune, bathing him in a golden halo. The rays of light, filtering through the transparent glass, cast dappled shadows on his shoulders, resembling sacred wings.

Rune's face was backlit, hidden in a soft shadow, making it difficult for Touch Me to see clearly.

But Touch Mee felt that Lord Rune must be smiling approvingly at his righteous actions.