Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight

Before Nazarick even arrived, the kingdom's defeated soldiers had already ravaged the land.

After traveling for about half a day, the scouts ahead reported that the routed army had come into view.

Rune pulled on the reins and raised his hand to signal the group to slow down.

He spurred his horse forward, crossed the last low hill, and the view ahead was fully revealed.

A messy campsite stretched out along both sides of the road.

The tents were set up crookedly, and some were even left lying on the ground before they could be fully erected.

The embers of the campfire still emitted ash and smoke, and the air was filled with the mixed smells of leather and sweat, as well as the dejection unique to defeat.

Several guards patrolled the edge of the camp, their eyes scanning the surroundings warily, but their steps clearly lacked confidence.

Rune didn't let the troops get too close. He led Gerdav and Feifei on horseback toward the center of the camp.

When the guards saw someone approaching, they first gripped their weapons warily, but after recognizing the face, they lowered their guard and stepped aside to make way.

The news quickly reached deep into the camp.

The king's tent was pitched in the center of the camp, slightly to the north. It was a little larger than the others', but at this moment it also looked a bit crooked.

The curtain was lifted, and Lambusa III stepped out.

The monarch of this kingdom appeared several years older than Luen remembered.

He tried to straighten his back, but the lines of his shoulders betrayed his undeniable fatigue.

However, when those cloudy eyes saw the warrior captain's figure, they suddenly lit up, as if a dying candle had been rekindled by the wind.

Gerdov dismounted and knelt on one knee.

"Your Majesty, minister..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

Queen Rambushe III had already reached out and supported his shoulder; the old hand trembled slightly, but the strength was not light.

"...It's good that you're back." The king's voice was hoarse, but it carried a sense of relief.

He had thought that Gerdov had died on the battlefield, so seeing the sergeant return alive was an unexpected joy.

Gerdov looked up, his eyes also filled with emotion.

The king's gaze fell on Rune again, and he nodded slightly as a sign of acknowledgment.

Rune dismounted and stepped forward to bow, saying, "Your Majesty."

"Lord Aindora," the king's voice was a bit steadyer than before, "you have also returned safely."

In the following time, Rune and Gazef gave a truthful account of what had happened on the battlefield.

Gerdoff narrated, with Rune providing supplementary information.

After the meteorite that fell from the sky, Fei Fei clashed with the Demon Emperor Yadabawo, and then both sides retreated.

Gerdoff's narrative is plain and straightforward, without any deliberate embellishment, but that very plainness makes the weight of this battle all the more profound.

“If Mr. Fei Fei hadn’t arrived in time,” Gerdoff concluded, “you and I, Lord Eindora, would probably not be standing here today.”

The nobles standing nearby exchanged glances, their eyes revealing complex emotions.

They originally thought that Feifei had only repelled the Demon King Sagara, but they did not expect there to be such a twist in the story.

The Demon Emperor Yadabawo himself appeared and cast a spell powerful enough to alter the landscape, but even so, Feifei was still able to contend with him.

Marquis Boroloop spoke first: "So... that Lord Feifei was able to repel even the Demon Emperor Adabavo himself?"

His voice rose a few decibels, "So, as long as Lord Feifei is here, we are not without a chance of winning?"

These words were like a pebble thrown into still water, making the eyes of the disheartened nobles light up again.

Some people echoed this in hushed tones, and the trend of advocating war resurfaced.

The atmosphere inside the tent immediately became more lively.

King Rambusha III pondered for a moment, then sat down on the makeshift chair, looking down as if weighing something.

A moment later, he raised his head, his gaze passing over the crowd and landing on Feifei.

"Your Excellency Feifei," the king's voice became more solemn, "you have saved the capital and rescued the kingdom's warrior captain and Lord Aindora in this battle. Your merits are outstanding, and I intend to bestow upon you a noble title. What do you think?"

The atmosphere inside the tent suddenly became quiet.

The nobles exchanged glances, and most of them nodded slightly, clearly not opposing the decision.

Binding this powerful figure with a title would be entirely beneficial to the kingdom.

At this point, Fei Fei had already gained the approval of both the noble faction and the royal faction, so it was only natural that he would be given a title.

However, Feifei politely declined, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but please forgive me for refusing."

A low murmur arose inside the tent.

The nobles exchanged glances, their faces filled with surprise. They had assumed Feifei would accept, after all, a title and a fief were things most people dreamed of.

Queen Lambusa III raised an eyebrow slightly, but there was no reproach in her tone: "Why did Lady Feifei refuse?"

Feifei's voice came from under his helmet, calm and honest: "Your Majesty, the reason I was able to repel the Demon Emperor this time was because his previous meteor spell consumed a lot of magic power. If he were at his peak, I'm afraid I wouldn't be a match for him. I feel ashamed to accept the reward now."

His gaze then turned to Rune and Gerzel, as if seeking confirmation.

Queen Lambusa III asked, "Lord Aindora, is what Lord Feifei said truly true?"

Rune nodded, his tone resolute: "Your Majesty, what Lord Feifei said is true. In my judgment, the Demon Emperor Yadabavo at his peak is indeed difficult to defeat."

Gerdov nodded vigorously in agreement.

After hearing their affirmative answers, the king lowered his eyes slightly.

Those nobles who had just rekindled their flames of war were suddenly doused with ice water, their once passionate faces turning somber.

Rune observed these reactions without feeling particularly moved. These people were always like that: eager to seize opportunities when things were going well, but quick to retreat when things went wrong.

King Lambusa III was better than these incompetent nobles.

His gaze returned to Fei Fei, his tone still solemn: "Since Your Excellency Fei Fei has refused, I cannot force you. But I will not retract this promise. The Kingdom will reserve this title for Your Excellency Fei Fei until the day Your Excellency is willing to accept it."

His tone was calm, and he did not show any dissatisfaction because of Feifei's refusal.

He then turned to Rune, his eyes filled with regret: "Lord Aindora, I regret not heeding your cautious advice. If I had taken your advice sooner, perhaps things would be different today..."

He waved his hand, as if to dispel those useless thoughts.

Rune silently commented in his mind: Although he lacks vision and wisdom, he at least retains the most basic qualities of a king.

He's much better than that eldest prince, Baluburo.

In his mind, Rune took the opportunity to give the already deceased eldest prince another dressing-down.

Standing to the side, Gazef's eyes instantly reddened upon hearing the king's words. He lowered his head, his voice hoarse, "Your Majesty is too kind. It is my incompetence; I am no match for the Demon Emperor Adabawo, which led to this."

"Commander," the king's voice interrupted him, tinged with concern, "your return alive is the greatest fortune for the kingdom."

Rune ignored the deep bond between the warrior captain and the king, and silently observed Fei Fei's reaction.

Feifei stood in the center of the tent, her black full-body armor maintaining its upright posture, without making any unnecessary movements from beginning to end.

As if the warrior captain had once again touched Lambusa III, the king spoke again: "Lord Feifei, what you have done for the kingdom far exceeds what a title can measure. Even if you refuse the reward, at least let me prepare some gold coins for you."

“Your Majesty,” Fei Fei’s voice carried a hint of helplessness, “I understand Your Majesty’s good intentions. But I truly cannot accept any form of reward at this time.”

But then Feifei changed the subject.

"If Your Majesty insists on bestowing something, it would be better to keep this sentiment to yourself. Wait until I have truly defeated the Demon Emperor Yadabawo before rewarding me. Only then can I accept it with a clear conscience."

After these words were spoken, a low murmur arose inside the tent.

Marquis Borolope frowned, his face, covered with old scars, filled with confusion: "Lord Feifei, you just said you were no match for the Demon Emperor, so why are you saying you want to defeat him now?"

Feifei turned her head slightly and replied, "I come from a distant country where there is an ancient trial. If you can pass it, you will be able to break through your own limits."

"At that time, I will be confident of defeating the Demon Emperor Yadabawo."

The king then asked, "What if it fails?"

Feifei said, "If we fail, we will die in the trial."

There was a moment of silence in the tent, followed by a collective gasp.

Marquis Borrolope's breathing became heavier, and Gerdav clenched his fists unconsciously, making a slight cracking sound.

Rune lowered his eyes and silently gave Pandora's acting a high score in his mind.

Queen Lambusa III remained silent for a moment, her cloudy eyes swirling with complex emotions: "Even so, does Lady Fei Fei still intend to participate in that trial of death?"

“Today on the battlefield, I witnessed the Demon Emperor’s cruelty firsthand,” Fei Fei said without hesitation. “If left unchecked, more and more innocent people on this land will perish. I… do not wish to see that happen.”

He spoke earnestly, his tone carrying a heavy weight, as if he were truly concerned about the fate of humanity on this land.

Rune stood aside and watched the whole thing unfold.

Feifei continued, "This journey will take approximately one year. During this time, I urge Your Majesty and all of you to refrain from conflict with the Demon Emperor to avoid unnecessary losses."

The king did not answer immediately. He turned his head to look at the several high-ranking officials beside him, as if to confirm their attitude.

Marquis Borrolope was the first to speak up. He patted his chest and said in a loud voice, "Your Excellency Feifei, rest assured, we will not act rashly before you return."

Earl Lytton then spoke, his voice a bit gentler than that of Marquis Borrolope, but equally ingratiating: "Yes, Your Excellency Flyff, please go ahead with peace of mind. We await your good news."

Several nobles nodded in agreement, echoing their sentiments. The atmosphere inside the tent relaxed once more, as if defeating the demon would be a piece of cake once Fei Fei returned.

"That's right, it's just a matter of enduring for a year."

"Lord Feifei risked his life to participate in the trial, we can't be so impatient as to not even have this much patience."

"Riblom Rashull... has no choice but to give it up for now."

King Lambusa III nodded slightly: "In that case, we shall do as Lady Feifei says. For the next year, the kingdom will refrain from conflict with the Demon Emperor." He paused, his gaze falling on Feifei with sincere wishes, "May you have great success in your military endeavors."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Feifei bowed slightly in greeting.

Unlike the optimism of the nobles present.

Rune guessed that Nazarick would probably make something even bigger than the war during the year Feifei was away.