Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight

Cerabreu was completely deflated.

He shrank back into his chair, placed his hands on the table, and sat upright like a primary school student.

The tuft of hair lay limply on his forehead, as if it had lost its strength along with its owner.

Malcolm sighed softly, and finally reached out his thick hand, patting the captain's shoulder with a tender touch.

The elven ranger Alicia turned her head away, somewhat embarrassed to look at her team leader.

Gladstone buried his face in the spellbook, his shoulders trembling slightly; it was clear that not laughing out loud was the result of his best efforts.

Rune looked at this annual tradition and a happy smile appeared on his face.

He could certainly do it in a way that wouldn't provoke Cerabray. After all, if the reasons were explained clearly, given Cerabray's personality, he would eventually accept it.

But he hadn't forgotten the other party's arrogant face from yesterday.

She herself wasn't as generous as she had told Sebastian; she really didn't care at all.

But directly confronting someone is the lowest form of retaliation.

Even if he were to retaliate, Rune would definitely use the method that would make the other party suffer the most.

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

Bergman cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

“So,” his gaze shifted from Serabray to Rune, “Does Lord Aindora mean that Crystal Tear will be responsible for the frontal defense, while Lord Aindora will lead the cavalry alone to carry out the decapitation mission?”

“Exactly.” Rune nodded.

The prime minister turned to Cerabray.

"Mr. Serabreu, do you have any further objections?"

Cerabreu's lips moved.

He glanced at the Queen sitting in the main seat, whose pitiful appearance made him swallow back the words he was about to say.

“…That’s all.” His voice was muffled.

“Then,” the prime minister said, his gaze sweeping across both sides of the long table, “we shall proceed according to His Excellency Aindora’s plan.

He paused again to make sure no one objected, then looked at the Queen.

"Meeting adjourned," the Queen said in her voice, trying to sound as authoritative as possible.

The members of Crystal Tears stood up and began packing their belongings.

Malcolm picked up the longsword the captain was leaning against the side of his chair and handed it to Cerabray.

Serabreu took the sword and walked toward the door without looking back.

The tuft of hair swayed slightly in the air, carrying a hint of defiance.

Alicia followed behind the captain, nodding slightly as she passed Rune. Gladstone, carrying his spellbook, hurried out as well.

The aggrieved expression on Derodion's face had mostly disappeared.

"Lu Enqing." Her voice returned to its usual tone, but still carried a hint of softness, "Are you really not needed the [Crystal Tear] to assist you?"

“No need.” Rune stood up. “I appreciate Your Majesty’s kindness.”

Derodile glanced at him, as if she wanted to say something, but only nodded slightly.

"Then... Lu Enqing, please be careful."

"Yes."

Rune bowed slightly, then turned and walked towards the door.

Sebastian followed behind him.

Only the Queen and the Prime Minister remained in the meeting room.

Derodile sat on the large chair, her legs crossed, supporting herself slightly with her hands. Her endearing posture was gone, replaced by a languid, mature woman's pose.

Combined with her loli-like image, it creates an indescribable and unique contrast.

She stared at the closed door and remained silent for a moment.

"Bergman".

"Yes, sir." The prime minister replied respectfully.

Deloron's gaze remained fixed on the door, as if she could still see Rune's departing figure through the tightly closed door.

“Do you really believe,” she said, her voice barely a whisper, “that Lord Rune can accomplish this task with the power of the Aindora territory alone?”

The prime minister did not answer immediately.

He lowered his eyes, a thoughtful expression appearing on his wrinkled face.

After a few breaths, he finally spoke.

"Although Lord Rune is very strong, it would be very difficult for him to kill the Orc King on his own."

"Then why?"

“However,” the prime minister interrupted her.

His tone rose slightly, and his eyebrows relaxed.

"Based on my understanding of His Excellency Lu En over the years, there must be a reason why he made this decision."

Upon hearing this, Derodile's large eyes held a hint of anticipation.

Chapter 46, Phase Two

The Great Tomb of Nazarick.

The translucent crystal screen slowly dissipated in front of Ainz, finally settling on the smiling face of the Adventurers' Guild Master, Burdon Ainzak.

The screen disappeared.

Ainz Ooal Gown leaned back in his chair, the dark red light in his eyes softening slightly compared to usual.

Stainless steel grade.

The Dark Squad has finally reached the Steel grade.

Although the process made him, as both an observer and creator, want to cover his face with his hands at times, the outcome was ultimately good.

From now on, the identity of "Feifei" will have a wider range of intelligence channels, enabling access to deeper secrets of the kingdom and even neighboring countries.

They can also accept quests that only adventurers of the Steel rank are qualified to undertake.

This is of immeasurable value for finding any traces left by the companions and for investigating the dragon that controls Shalltear.

Ainz silently breathed a sigh of relief.

That guy Pandora's Crete...

Although the image of riding on Naga's back still lingers in his mind, the final German military salute almost made him drop his jaw.

But in terms of the results achieved, these can only be considered minor episodes.

Ainz felt that he should still be rewarded when Pandora returned.

After all, when employees bring benefits to the company, even if it's a ruthless company from before Ainz's time travel, they should at least give verbal praise.

Ainz doesn't consider himself a particularly heartless boss, so it's important to consider rewards that are suitable for Pandora.

Just then.

"Clap clap clap."

Applause came from my side, like a sound effect inserted at a carefully chosen moment.

Ainz turned his head.

Demiurge was standing to Ainz's right.

An elegant smile graced his cunning face; he wore his usual suit and clapped his hands lightly.

"Truly brilliant," Demiurge exclaimed sincerely. "As expected of Lord Ainz's arrangement."

Ainz's jaw opened slightly, making a soft "click" sound.

"Demiurge, what brings you here?"

As soon as he asked the question, Ainz realized that this wasn't the point.

"Wait, when did you get here?"

When Ainz asked the latter question, he was praying frantically in his heart.

Don't come too early.

Don't let him see that embarrassing scene.

Please, please don't.

Demiurge adjusted his glasses with a calm and unhurried demeanor.

"Just as Lord Ainz was silently cheering for the adventurer Feifei's brilliant maneuver, I arrived."

Ainz's jawbone opened up even more.

On that pale, skeletal face, the red light in the eye sockets flickered violently.

Demiurge saw it...

A green light, symbolizing forced calm, flashed across Ainz's body.

The icy sensation surged from the depths of my consciousness, forcibly suppressing the overwhelming sense of shame.

Demiurge watched Ainz's expression change, and the corners of his mouth curved upwards even further.

He nodded slightly.

"That's right, Lord Ainz had that expression back then."

Ainz's thoughts almost stopped, and the green light that forced him to calm down flashed again.

"No, that's a bit... cough cough."