Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight

Rune followed her gaze and saw a dragonfly woven from long leaves, its wings fluttering gently in the breeze, as if it were about to fly away at any moment, yet it was always restrained.

Si had already looked away and reached out to tug at his sleeve.

"Let's go, elder brother, let's go take a look ahead."

The sky began to change without anyone noticing.

The afternoon sun gradually changed from bright to warm orange, stretching obliquely from the side of the roof and casting long shadows on pedestrians.

The crowds at the market began to thin out, and some stall owners started packing up their goods, moving unsold merchandise back into their shops.

"Let's go back," Si said softly, with a hint of reluctance in her voice.

Rune nodded. He glanced back at the road he had come from. The bustling market had slowly receded like the tide, with only a few shops still lit up, casting a small circle of warmth in the twilight.

As they walked back along the path they had come from, Rune paused for a moment as they passed the dragonfly pendant, its thin wings still swaying gently in the breeze.

Rune raised his hand, took the dragonfly off the hook, and placed a few copper coins on the stall.

By the time they returned to their camp, night had fallen.

The campfires lit up between the tents, and smoke rose from the direction of the kitchen.

The veteran in the kitchen was squatting by the fire, turning over pieces of meat skewered on wooden sticks, the grease dripping into the fire and making a sizzling sound.

Si yawned, waved to Rune, and walked towards her residence.

Good night, elder brother.

"Goodnight." Rune watched her walk away until her figure disappeared into the shadows between the tents before reaching into his robes and taking out the dragonfly woven from long leaves.

A night breeze swept in, and the firelight danced to the accompaniment of the wind. Rune released the dragonfly from its restraints.

The dragonflies seemed to come alive, flying away into the distance on the wind.

Rune quietly returned to his residence only after the dragonfly disappeared into the night.

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Aindora's troops packed up and set off.

The journey from this border city near the Orc Kingdom to the Dragon Kingdom's capital, Dellavale, is not far, taking about two days on foot.

Rune deliberately slowed down the march to give the newly resurrected soldiers enough time to adjust to their physical recovery.

The group traveled southwest along the main road of the Dragon Kingdom. The fields on both sides of the road had been cultivated again, no longer showing the tense state of wartime scorched earth.

Along the way, villagers stood by the roadside, gazing at the banner of the Aindora family with eyes full of gratitude and joy.

Rune sat on his horse, his gaze fixed straight ahead, but his thoughts were already drifting to the upcoming meeting.

Yesterday, I was so focused on getting Silk away from that dangerous place, the capital, that I forgot about something terrible: the very fact that Silk was meeting with Queen Dorothy of the Dragon Kingdom was a deadly matter.

If that silly little sister of hers saw Deloron acting all cute and petite like a little girl and then thought about all the rumors about "lolicon" circulating in the capital...

Rune's back started to break out in a cold sweat again.

He turned his head and glanced at the middle of the line out of the corner of his eye.

Si rode her horse, her red and white leather armor standing out brightly in the sunlight. She felt the vitality on the villagers' faces and smiled as well.

Clearly, Si was unaware of Rune's current panic.

Rune quickly looked away, silently considering a countermeasure in his mind.

Send her back? Obviously not.

Rune had just agreed to let Si stay, but as soon as they got close to the capital of the Dragon Kingdom, he sent her away, which made him seem even more suspicious.

Moreover, Nazarick's actions are becoming increasingly unpredictable, so keeping Silk by his side is indeed safer.

Even if she were to be tortured by Silk, it would be better than Silk facing the "Demon King" who might appear at any time in the capital.

I had no choice but to reluctantly take her with me.

Rune sighed inwardly and quickly rehearsed in his mind his responses to various unexpected situations.

Two days later, just past noon, the outline of the city walls of Della Valle finally appeared on the horizon.

The city gates of the Dragon Kingdom's capital were open, and the flow of people coming and going was much greater than Rune remembered.

News of the Orcs' defeat had spread throughout the Dragon Kingdom, and the martial law on the border was lifted. Caravans and farmers lined up at the city gates, waiting to enter, and the long lines slowly crawled forward.

Rune raised his hand, signaling the group to slow down.

His gaze fell on the camp that had already been set up outside the city.

The tents were neatly arranged, the wooden stakes were sturdy, and drainage ditches had even been dug along the edge of the camp, indicating that preparations had begun several days prior.

A familiar voice came from the direction of the camp entrance.

"Lady Aindora." The tone was gentle, yet weighty.

Rune saw Chancellor Bergman walking towards the camp entrance.

He was wearing a dark formal suit, and his silver-white hair was neatly combed.

"You must be tired from your journey." Chancellor Bergman's tone was friendly but not overstepping his bounds. "Are you satisfied with the camp? If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask. His Majesty has been waiting for you in the capital for quite some time and specially instructed this old minister to come and welcome you."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the group of people behind Rune without making a sound.

The wise-looking butler Sebastian, and a blonde woman wearing red and white leather armor.

The prime minister's gaze lingered on Si for less than a moment before he looked away, his face still bearing that gentle smile.

"If it is convenient for you, my lord, you may accompany me into the city to pay homage to His Majesty at this moment. The carriage is ready."

Rune's heart tightened slightly.

He turned his head and glanced at the silk behind him out of the corner of his eye.

If he were to go with the prime minister now, Si would inevitably follow. He hadn't yet figured out how to navigate between the two of them.

Rune's scalp began to tighten again.

He quickly imagined all sorts of terrible scenarios in his mind, then gave an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry to trouble you, Prime Minister, to make this trip in person.” Rune bowed slightly. “However, the troops have just arrived, and there are still some matters to attend to. As for an audience with His Majesty… may I go later?”

Chancellor Bergman's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

"Of course, sir. Now that you have returned from your expedition, you do need to settle your troops first. I will go back and report to His Majesty. You may enter the city at any time after you have finished your business. The guards will guide you."

After the prime minister finished speaking, he nodded to Sebastian and Si behind Rune as a greeting, and then turned and walked towards the royal city.

Rune watched the prime minister's figure gradually disappear into the distance, and only then did the weight in his heart slowly lift.

After the troops were settled, Rune's gaze swept over the encampment.

Sebastian's tent was on the southernmost side, right next to the supply shed. The old steward had chosen the location himself, probably so he could easily observe the surrounding area. At this moment, the tent flap was hanging down, and figures could be vaguely seen.

Without hesitation, Rune strode toward Sebastian's tent. Si was standing on the other side of the camp talking to her adjutant, seemingly unaware of his movements.

He quickened his pace.

When the curtain was lifted, Sebastian was sitting at a low table.

Sebastian looked up when he heard the noise, and seeing that it was Rune, he stood up.

"Lord Rune."

“Sebastian.” Rune stepped into the tent, pulling the curtain behind him but leaving a gap so he could keep an eye on the outside.

"Now we can visit Her Majesty the Queen and inquire about information regarding dragons."

Sebastian's eyes lit up. Although he was more concerned about Lord Touchmy now, he had not forgotten Lord Ainz's mission.

Moreover, he deceived Lord Ainz with information about dragons, so it would be better to obtain information about dragons sooner rather than later.

Sebastian thought to himself as he adjusted his collar and cuffs. He tugged at the hem of his black tailcoat and smoothed his graying sideburns.

Looking at him, Rune breathed a sigh of relief and silently rejoiced at Sebastian's competence.

“Then let’s go.” Rune stepped aside and lifted the tent flap.

Sebastian followed him out of the tent.

Rune had only taken two steps when he stopped.

Outside Sebastian's tent, a figure dressed in red and white stood.

Si stood upright, a smile on her delicate face.

The curve of her lips was just right, and her eyebrows and eyes were curved, making her look elegant and proper, without any flaws.

But Rune could see clearly that there was no smile in those light green eyes.

Chapter 113 Recognizing Relatives

Silk looked at Rune with a smile on her face.

“Brother, Mr. Sebastian.” Si bowed slightly, performing a noble greeting, her tone gentle and natural, “Greetings.”

Faced with such a kind silk, Rune's back instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

“…Good morning, Si.” He tried to remain calm.

Sebastian was just half a step behind Rune, clearly unaware of the subtle change in atmosphere.

The old butler nodded slightly to Si and replied in a similarly gentle tone, "Good afternoon, Miss Aindora."

Silk's gaze remained fixed on Rune, her eyes narrowing slightly, like a cat spotting its prey.

“Brother,” her voice was still sweet, “where are you all going?”

Rune's Adam's apple bobbed as he pondered a solution.

Sebastian, however, added, "Lord Rune and I are on our way to visit Her Majesty the Dragon Queen."

Rune felt a chill run down his spine.

After Sebastian finished speaking, he nodded to Si, completely unaware that something was amiss.

Si's gaze lingered on Rune's face for a moment, then she tilted her head slightly: "Oh~ so you're going to visit Her Majesty the Queen."

"Why didn't my elder brother tell me? Shouldn't I have gone to visit him?" The black lines behind Si's back increased.

Rune felt an increasingly powerful sense of pressure, and beads of sweat almost seeped from his forehead.