Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight.

The carriage moved slowly through the morning mist, its wheels making a rhythmic rumbling sound as they rolled over the stone pavement.

Rune leaned against the carriage wall as the morning mist in the capital gradually dissipated. The gray-white stone buildings, the towering temple spires, and the majestic towers of the distant royal city of Lorenti all seemed like phantoms emerging from the mist.

His thoughts, however, were not on these sights.

Feifei.

Or rather, Ainz Ooal Gown.

After advancing to the Mithril-level adventurer, the name "Feifei" disappeared from the Adventurers' Guild's public information.

There were no new commission records, and he didn't appear in any town's guild hall, as if this person had never existed.

This isn't right.

Rune tapped his fingers lightly on his knee. Based on his understanding of Ainz, the Undead King valued the identity of "Adventurer Feifei" quite highly.

This was his key method for gathering intelligence, building his reputation, and conquering the world.

Under normal circumstances, even without the credit for eliminating vampires.

Ainz will likely use other methods to gradually increase his adventurer rank, eventually becoming a highly influential Adamantite-rank adventurer.

But he didn't.

Shalltear's disappearance led Ainz to choose to retreat.

Rune deduced this conclusion in his mind. Unlike in the original story, Ainz now possessed even less information and had genuinely lost Shalltear, a crucial combatant.

Given Ainz's cautious nature, he might indeed choose to lie low for the time being under these circumstances.

Bring Nazarick's core forces back to their own side, reduce external activities, and avoid further losses.

only……

The identity of "Adventurer Feifei" should be innocent, and Ainz can continue to use this identity as long as he does not expose his connection with Nazarick.

Unless, he was worried about something else.

Ainz might be worried that he, as a powerful adventurer who suddenly appeared, was himself a suspect.

The sudden appearance of an unidentified but powerful adventurer team would attract the attention of the authorities in any country.

Ainz may have thought that continuing his high-profile activities at this time would attract investigation and probing from his enemies behind the scenes.

With Shalltear missing and the enemy's identity unknown, any extra attention is risky.

So he chose to disappear.

Rune let out a soft breath.

In any case, Ainz's pace of conquering the world has slowed down, which is good news, even if it's only temporary.

The carriage stopped in front of a magnificent city gate.

Lorenzo.

Rune alighted from the carriage and looked up at the heart of the kingdom's power. The towering city walls, constructed of greyish-white megaliths, gleamed with a damp sheen in the morning light.

The royal family is truly extravagant.

Rune passed through the city gate and entered the royal city. The corridor was wide enough for four carriages to travel side by side, and huge tapestries woven with patterns symbolizing the kingdom hung on the walls on both sides.

Every few steps there is a statue, and the light from the [Perpetual Light] magic lamps shines down from the dome, illuminating the entire corridor in a golden glow.

Rune's footsteps echoed in the empty corridor. He walked slowly, his gaze sweeping over the statues one by one, mentally estimating their value.

If this money had been used for the development of the kingdom, the war against the empire would not have been so passive.

As Rune was thinking, he heard footsteps coming from around the corner of the corridor ahead.

The footsteps were heavy, with a deliberate rhythm, as if trying to assert their presence. The boots clattered loudly on the stone floor, as if announcing their arrival.

Rune stopped in his tracks.

A young man with blond hair and blue eyes emerged from around the corner.

He was dressed in a magnificent military-style dress uniform, with gold thread embroidered on the collar, and a longsword that was more decorative than practical hanging at his waist.

Barubolo Valleo Igna Lyle Vansef.

The kingdom's first prince, and the first in line to the throne.

Rune sighed inwardly, thinking how unlucky he was.

He wanted to go around it, but the corridor only had one direction, and the other person was clearly walking towards him, so there was no way to avoid it.

Rune could only step forward a few steps, place his right hand in front of his chest, and bow slightly, performing a standard noble salute.

"Prince Balubro"

Barubolo stopped in front of him.

A smile graced his square face, the curve of his lips barely deserving of a kind, but his blue eyes held a light that made one uneasy.

It's the look that only someone who thinks they have everything has.

"Lord Lu Enqing." Baruburo's voice was loud, even echoing in the empty corridor, "Long time no see."

"Your Highness, are you well?"

Rune's response was brief and respectful, with his signature gentle smile on his face.

Barublow looked him up and down, his gaze aggressive.

"I have long heard of Lu Enqing's bravery and martial deeds."

Barublow spoke, his tone carrying a deliberate air of praise, "I heard that you easily killed a powerful orc on the battlefield all by yourself. Amazing, truly amazing."

What he said wasn't wrong, but coming from Baruburo, it just felt a little off.

It's like someone who knows absolutely nothing about swordsmanship evaluating the quality of a sword; they use seemingly nice words, but when put together, they sound incredibly jarring.

"Your Highness flatters me." Rune bowed slightly. "It was just a fluke."

"You're too modest." Barublow waved his hand, his smile fading slightly. He took a half-step forward, getting closer to Rune, and lowered his voice to say:

"However, Lu Enqing, I heard... you and the Second Prince are getting very close."

Rune's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

They arrived as expected.

The second prince, Zanak Valleo Igna Lyle Vansef. Unlike his incompetent older brother, Zanak is truly talented and is highly regarded within the king's faction.

"Your Highness is overthinking it," Rune said calmly. "I have only had a few courtesy meetings with the Second Prince, and we are not close friends."

Barublow suddenly burst into laughter. The laughter echoed in the corridor, carrying a deliberate cheerfulness that only made people want to frown.

"That's good." Barubro patted Rune on the shoulder, the force neither too light nor too heavy, but with a hint of warning. "Lord Rune is a smart man, he should know who will hold the future of this kingdom."

He paused, a hint of threat creeping into his smile.

"Lord Lu En has been aiding the Dragon Kingdom all these years? Leading the cavalry of his territory to support another country, this can definitely be defined as an act of treason. Fortunately, my father is merciful and will not pursue the matter."