Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight.

Listen quietly to Prince Balbro's threat.

Rune's expression remained unchanged, his smile mask still perfectly in place, as if what Baruburo had said was nothing more than an insignificant remark.

In fact, the nobles of the kingdom have a great deal of autonomy, and it is entirely up to the lords to send troops to help human nations resist the orcs.

Using this reason to punish Rune would unite both the royalists and the nobles in opposing it.

Barublow clearly had no political sense; he watched Rune's silence with satisfaction, thinking his threat had worked.

Then Barubro pretended to be friendly again, though it was obviously fake.

"Of course, I'm not an unreasonable person."

Barubro leaned closer and lowered his voice, so low that only the two of them could hear, "As long as Lord Lu En stands by my side, this prince will naturally not treat you unfairly. I like brave and valiant people."

He paused, a meaningful smile curving his lips.

"I know what kind of things Lord Rune likes. The elven lolis captured by the Slane Theocracy, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

After he finished speaking, he took a step back, admiring Rune's expression.

Rune's face was expressionless.

This wasn't a deliberately maintained calm; his mind had genuinely gone blank for a moment. Looking at Barublow's smug face, he was momentarily speechless.

"Hahahaha!" Barubro burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the empty corridor, jarring like a broken gong. "Lu Enqing, don't be shy, I understand. What man doesn't have his hobbies?"

He patted Rune on the shoulder, a little harder than before, as if sharing a secret with a like-minded friend.

"Then it's settled. Lu Enqing, please consider it carefully. I await your reply."

After saying that, he turned around and strode away. The sound of his footsteps gradually faded into the distance, along with his piercing laughter, disappearing into the depths of the corridor.

Rune stood still.

He stared in the direction where Baruburo had disappeared, and his expression finally changed. His brows furrowed little by little, the corners of his mouth turned down, and his eyes were filled with helplessness.

That's an idiot.

It's all because of this idiot, and those incompetent nobles whose brains are just as full of rubbish as his.

Rune recalled the "rumors" circulating in aristocratic circles.

It is said that his aid to the Dragon Kingdom was not for the greater good of humanity, but rather because he coveted Queen Drordiro's petite body.

They falsely accused Rune of being a lolicon and having ulterior motives towards the young-looking queen.

Rune had heard those words more than once.

He did not bother to clarify the rumor. On the one hand, for most nobles, once such a label was attached, it was very difficult to remove.

On the other hand, such rumors actually provide excellent cover.

But that doesn't mean he won't be upset, even though he's not a lolicon.

Rune took a deep breath, suppressing the surging agitation.

Lambusa III…

He silently recited it in his heart.

The current king of the Kingdom of Ri Yestize. Although weak and incompetent, he at least retains some conscience. Is Balburo truly his biological son?

Personality, talent, and appearance. The law that this triangle cannot be satisfied simultaneously is vividly demonstrated in the members of the Van Sef royal family.

Prince Zanak, the second prince, possesses both character and talent, but his appearance is lacking. Princess Lana is talented and beautiful, but she is a twisted monster. And this Prince Balbro…

Three, but none of them are included.

Rune's lips twitched slightly.

At least the king still has some dignity.

"It must be tough dealing with such an idiot, Rune."

A gentle voice came from behind him, but the words inside were somewhat harsh.

Rune turned around.

Lana stood three steps away.

Her long golden hair shimmered softly under the magic lamp, and her deep blue eyes looked over with a smile, as innocent as the first flower to bloom in spring.

Rune put his mask back on, revealing a gentle expression, placed his right hand on his chest, and bowed slightly.

Princess Lana.

Rune's voice was calm and respectful, as if the person who had just shown disgust towards Balbro's back was not him at all.

"Princess Lana is joking. Prince Balbro is a generous and forthright man, and he is also your elder brother. How could he be a fool?"

Lana chuckled softly, like a wind chime being twirled in a gentle breeze, clear and melodious.

She took a step forward, getting closer to Rune.

"It's alright, Rune," Lana said gently. "You don't need to pretend in front of me. I want Rune to relax."

As she spoke, she stood on tiptoe, reached out, and touched Rune's cheek.

That hand was fair and slender, with a faint pink tinge at the fingertips.

Rune dodged to the side.

The movement was small, yet swift and decisive. Lana's hand hovered in mid-air, her fingertips less than an inch from his face.

Lana withdrew her hand. Her eyelashes drooped, casting a small shadow on her eyelids, and her lips were slightly pursed.

Anyone who saw that appearance would feel pity.

"Didn't Rune say that if I helped him, he would grant me one request?" She raised her eyelids, her deep blue eyes filled with a hint of grievance.

Rune's expression remained unchanged.

"Your Highness, I will naturally fulfill my promise." His tone was businesslike. "But is Your Highness sure you want to use it in this kind of situation?"

Lana blinked, and her initial hurt slowly transformed into something deeper.

"Is Rune even willing to grant me this small request?"

She looked even more pitiful. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she was holding back something, and her fingers gently twisted the edge of her skirt, her knuckles turning slightly white.

Rune sighed inwardly.

He knew, of course, that this woman was a master actress, but if the stalemate continued, and a passing servant saw them, who knew what outrageous rumors would spread.

Moreover, Lana was actually willing to use that promise for such a small matter.

Makes a killing.

"In that case," Rune bowed slightly, "Your Highness, please proceed."

Lana's eyes lit up. She stood on tiptoe again and reached out her hand.

The moment my fingertips touched Rune's cheek, it felt cool and soft, like a snowflake falling on his skin.

Then, Rune saw Lana's crumbling smile.

"Simata... Simata."

Rune's back instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

Just then, a calm voice came from the other end of the corridor.

"Brother, what are you doing?"

Rune's body stiffened. The pressure was even greater than when he faced Sebastian, surging up from the base of his spine and straight to the top of his head.

He mechanically turned his head little by little.

Lahoz stood at the end of the corridor.

She smiled and looked this way.

He had a kind face.