Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight.

The carriage moved slowly through the streets of the capital.

The view outside the window was completely different from the desolation outside the city. The stone-paved road was flat and wide, and the buildings on both sides were mostly stone structures with exterior walls painted in various colors, looking quite respectable in the afternoon sun.

Occasionally, a horse-drawn carriage would pass by, the sound of its wheels rolling over the stone slabs echoing through the streets.

Rune sat by the car window, peeked out from behind a corner of the curtain, then lowered it and turned to Sebastian, saying:

"Of course you can find it."

His tone carried a natural certainty, as if stating a very simple fact.

"The Mage Guild in the capital has the most comprehensive collection of magic scrolls in the kingdom. Mr. Sebastian should be able to find the magic scrolls he desires here."

Rune raised his hand and pointed out the car window. Following the direction of his finger, a rather magnificent building could be seen.

The building's exterior walls were considerably higher than the surrounding houses, casting a wide shadow in the sunlight. Occasionally, people in long robes would hurry in and out of the entrance, their hems swaying gently in the wind.

Sebastian glanced at the building following Rune's finger, nodded slightly, and said nothing more.

Rune withdrew his hand, his gaze lingering on Sebastian's face for a moment.

Merchant of the Bahamas Empire.

The Empire places far greater emphasis on magic than the Kingdom. There, one is known as "humanity's strongest magic caster," Fluda Parade, who can wield sixth-order magic.

If collecting magic scrolls was the purpose of this trip, it is illogical for a merchant from the Empire to travel to a kingdom with relatively scarce magical resources to purchase them.

Rune wisely refrained from mentioning the flaws in Sebastian's identity.

Exposing him would do Rune no good; on the contrary, it would push Sebastian and Solius into a corner, putting Rune in danger.

The carriage continued on its way, passing through several streets before turning into a relatively quiet alley.

The houses on both sides of the alley are shorter than those on the main street, but more exquisite, with snow-white walls and colorful flowers on the windowsills.

"By the way, Mr. Sebastian and Ms. Soliuxiang don't have a place to stay in the capital, do they?"

Rune suddenly spoke, his tone as casual as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

Sebastian turned his head slightly to look at him, but did not say anything.

Rune smiled, his smile appearing quite gentle in the afternoon sunlight.

"I have a residence in the capital. Although it's not as grand as the main residence in Eindora, it's quiet and quite comfortable to live in."

The carriage stopped in front of a row of terraced houses.

Rune got out of the car first, stood on the stone steps, and raised his hand to signal Sebastian and Soliuxiang to get out of the car.

It was a row of three connected houses, each two stories high, with gray-white stone walls and dark wooden doors and windows.

Compared to the magnificent mansions of nobles in the capital, it is indeed not grand, but it is clean and tidy, and every detail shows the owner's care.

"Because I prefer a quiet environment, I bought all the detached houses in this area when I was buying a house."

Rune spoke casually, his tone nonchalant, as if it were just a trivial matter.

The housing prices in the capital are outrageously expensive.

When he bought those three houses, Rune gritted his teeth and signed the papers. Every time he saw that expense in the ledger afterward, his heart bled.

But Rune had to grit his teeth and buy it in order to get closer to Sebastian and Soliuxiang.

The official excuse was that Lajus had fallen out with her parents after becoming an adventurer, so that she could stay in the capital.

That silly little sister was touched by this for a long time.

"Mr. Sebastian and Ms. Soliloquy can stay in the building next door."

Rune raised his hand and pointed to the house on the far right, his tone sincere and natural.

"It will also make it easier for me to keep my promise and treat you to a meal."

After he finished speaking, he turned to look at Suo Liuxiang.

Soliuxiang stood behind Sebastian, his delicate face filled with reluctance.

She frowned slightly, her lips pressed into a thin line, and her gaze swept over the house and Rune with obvious disdain.

"I don't want to live here—"

"Miss."

Sebastian's voice was not loud, but it interrupted Solusian's words at just the right moment.

"Don't forget 'Master's' instructions."

The old man turned slightly to look at Suo Liuxiang, his light gray eyes holding a gentle yet undeniable calm. He didn't say anything more, just looked at Suo Liuxiang.

Soliuxiang and Sebastian exchanged a glance for a moment, their eyes flashing, then she turned her head away and said nothing more.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Rune."

Sebastian turned to Rune and bowed slightly.

"Mr. Sebastian, you're too kind."

Rune waved his hand, his smile gentle and composed.

"I'll have someone send some daily necessities over later. Just let me know if you need anything."

Thank you.

Rune glanced at Suo Liuxiang one last time, then looked away and turned to walk towards the middle house.

Suo Liuxiang.

Combat Maid, Amorphous Slime Lv10, Initial Chaos Lv10, Assassin Lv2, Poison Maker Lv4, Assassination Master Lv1, and others—these combined skills make her truly formidable. Within the kingdom, only a handful can rival her.

But that's about it.

At level 57, his strength isn't particularly outstanding within the Great Tomb of Nazarick. With proper planning, and given the kingdom's current resources, there might be a chance to kill him.

For Rune, Solus was practically worthless.

On the contrary, being able to report to Ainz without going through the proper channels is an uncontrollable problem.

The only thing worth praising is its appearance in human form, but its essence is an amorphous slime with a justice value of -400, which is an evil creature like a slime. It's unlikely that anyone would still be interested in Solusan after knowing its true appearance.

Fortunately, the objective of "slaying the 'Death-Spreading Sword Group' mercenary group" has been basically achieved.

They established a fairly good relationship with Sebastian.

Given Sebastian's intelligence and character, he should be able to see that what appears to be a fair "deal" is actually Rune's attempt to "protect" him and Solusang from attacks by the "Scattering Death Swords."

However, Sebastian accepted it anyway, which means that Sebastian tacitly acknowledged that he owed Rune a favor.

Rune could also sense this from his attitude during his later conversation with Sebastian.

Furthermore, by providing Sebastian with accommodation at the end, it shouldn't be a big problem to use these favors to morally blackmail Sebastian later.

At this moment, Rune could no longer see Sebastian and Solius, but he could imagine them.

Sebastian is probably carefully checking every room to make sure there are no spying magical artifacts or hidden mechanisms; given Sebastian's cautious nature, he would definitely do such a thing.

Suo Liuxiang would probably be standing to the side, his face undoubtedly showing an unwilling expression.