Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight

Ainz calmly examined the scene, pointing to a line of blood-written words beneath Nina's body: "This is Nina's death message. It says 'underground sewers' and includes the number '2-8'."

"What...what does this mean?" Rigi asked, trembling.

“It could be misleading, or it could be a real clue.” Ainz stood up. “However, I’ve found a more reliable method of tracking.”

He had Narberal produce the scroll and cast the "Object Locator" spell. The target wasn't Enfreya, but the missing metal plaques belonging to the Black Sword members. The spell reacted quickly, and Narberal pointed to a point on the map: "Here, deep within Yerantir's graveyard."

Through the "Clairvoyance" spell, Ainz saw the scene deep within the graveyard: countless undead surrounded an altar, in the center stood a gaunt man holding a black orb, and a cute blonde woman, and at their feet lay the unconscious Enfreya.

“With so many undead prepared, the other side must be plotting something big.” Ainz deactivated his magic and said to Rigi, “I can accept the request to save your grandson, but the price will be very high.”

“I’m willing to pay any price!” Rigi said eagerly.

“It’s not money.” Ainz’s tone was terrifyingly calm. “It’s everything you have. If Enfreya returns safely, you will have to hand over everything you have.”

Lizzie's face turned deathly pale instantly. She took a step back, her voice trembling, "You...you wouldn't happen to be a demon, would you?"

"So what if I'm a demon?" Ainz retorted, "Do you want to save your grandson?"

Lizzie bit her lip, a struggle flashing in her eyes. Ultimately, her worry for her grandson overcame all fear: "...I promise you. I'll give you everything I have to save my grandson!"

“The contract is established.” Ainz nodded, turned, and walked towards the door. “Then, let’s not delay.”

When Ainz and his group arrived at the cemetery, it was already in complete chaos.

The cemetery gates were tightly shut, and the guards stood in panic on the walls, thrusting their spears at the undead surging below. The air was thick with the stench of rotting flesh and the low groans of the undead. Even more terrifying, a colossal undead necromancer, pieced together from countless corpses, was slowly climbing the walls.

The guards were taken aback when they saw Ainz riding on the hamster, then noticed the bronze badge on his chest with disappointment. What could a low-ranking adventurer do in this situation?

Ainz flipped off and took the greatsword from Narberal's hands.

“Look behind you, it’s very dangerous,” he said casually.

The guards turned and saw the undead giant approaching, baring its fangs and claws. Just as they let out desperate screams, Ainz made an incredible move: he hurled his greatsword with the force of a javelin throw!

The greatsword transformed into a black lightning bolt, instantly piercing the undead giant's head. The immense impact sent the monster, composed of countless corpses, crashing to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

"An undead blocking the way."

Ainz drew another sword and walked towards the door. "Open the door."

"Don't talk nonsense! There are thousands upon thousands of undead outside the door!" the captain of the guard shouted in terror.

Ainz didn't answer, but simply pushed off the ground, leaping over the four-meter-high wall and disappearing on the other side of the gate. Narberal also floated up lightly, carrying Kurasuke over the wall.

The guards looked at each other, trembling as they climbed the wall to look outside.

The black-clad warrior charged into the horde of undead, wielding his greatsword left and right. With each strike, several undead were cleaved in two or sent flying. He was like a black blade, forcefully carving a path through the endless tide of undead.

The corpses of the undead lying on the ground were piled up like mountains, while the figure moved forward with unstoppable momentum, getting further and further away.

"...He calls himself Feifei," a guard murmured. "That skill...it can't be a bronze-level adventurer. He must be a legendary steel-level adventurer!"

“Dark warriors…” another guard whispered, “No, dark heroes!”

Ainz fought his way deeper into the graveyard. Behind him lay hordes of fallen undead, while those in front of him began to shrink back in fear.

Even these low-intelligence monsters, after being killed in one blow countless times, instinctively felt fear. They surrounded Ainz, but dared not approach easily.

“This will only lead to a stalemate.” Ainz frowned. He didn’t want too many undead to escape, lest the casualties among his guards damage his reputation, but he couldn’t waste time here either.

He unleashed some of his power, summoning two mid-level undead, Jack the Ripper and the Corpse Collector. These two more powerful undead immediately began slaughtering the surrounding undead.

At the same time, he summoned several low-level undead as a guard to prevent any adventurers from snatching the spoils of victory before him.

"Then, let's go."

When Ainz led Narberal and Kurasuke to the shrine deep within the cemetery, they saw a group of people dressed in black robes forming a circle. In the center, a gaunt man was holding a black jewel and chanting incantations. Enfreya lay unconscious not far away.

“Oh, what a beautiful night. Don’t you think it’s a waste to use it for such a boring ritual?” Ainz said loudly.

The men in black robes immediately went on alert. The gaunt man, Kajit, looked up at Ainz: "Hmph... just who are you? How did you manage to break through that group of undead?"

"I'm an adventurer who accepted a commission to search for a missing boy." Ainz glanced around. "Are you the only ones? Where is the others?"

Before Kajit could finish speaking, a flippant female voice came from the direction of the ancestral hall.

"Oh dear, we've already been exposed. Hiding any longer isn't a solution."

A blonde woman walked out slowly, the clanging of metal echoing with each step. She opened her trench coat, revealing a collection of all sorts of adventurer's metal badges, ranging from the lowest bronze to the highest mountain bronze.

"My name is Clementine, nice to meet you." The woman revealed a predatory smile.

Chapter 37 The Expedition

The night was as dark as ink, but the racecourse under Aindola's control was as bright as day.

Hundreds of torches were stuck in the iron frames around the horse farm, their orange flames flickering in the night wind, casting long and short shadows on everyone. The faint crackling of burning oil mingled with the low snorting of the horses, echoing across the open field.

One hundred cavalrymen stood in neat square formation.

They rode upright on their horses, their backs straight and their eyes fixed straight ahead. They wore lightweight mithril-plated plate armor specially made by the territory's workshop. The plates gleamed with a dull silver-gray luster in the firelight, and many plates still faintly showed traces of swords and blades.

These are the scars and glory of the soldiers.

Each man carried a three-foot-long straight-bladed sword at his waist, and a small round shield and a short spear hung beside his saddle. The edges of the scabbards and shields were engraved with the crest of the Eindora family, and a black sword standing upright.

Rune stood on the high platform in front of the training ground.

He wasn't wearing his usual clothes tonight, but instead put on a full set of custom-made mithril armor.

The armor's design was simple and clean, without any superfluous decorations, except for the family crest engraved in the center of the breastplate. The armor plates conformed to the lines of his body, reflecting a cold, eerie light in the firelight.

The helmet was tucked under his left arm, and his golden hair fluttered slightly in the night breeze.

He scanned the team in front of him.

This is the territory's cavalry regiment that he has spent a lot of time building up bit by bit.

There were about three hundred in total, but today Rune only selected one hundred.

Each one was personally selected by Rune from among the young men of the territory. Most of them were sons of farmers, apprentices of blacksmiths, or descendants of hunters. Years ago, when they first took up arms, they couldn't even ride a horse properly.

And now,

Rune's gaze swept from the first row to the last.

These young men sat upright on their horses, their hands firmly gripping the reins, their gazes calm. Their eyes held no fear as they looked at Rune, only a profound trust.

Rune had seen that look in many people's eyes.

He had seen this look in the eyes of the farmers kneeling on the edge of the fields, praying to the gods. He had also seen this look in the eyes of the believers gazing up at the dome of the temple on the streets of the theocracy.

But now, these young people are looking at him.

Just like Hill back then...

The people from another world are really stupid. Just because they're fed, they're already so trustworthy...?

Rune took a deep breath, suppressing the subtle discomfort in his heart.

He stepped forward and walked to the edge of the platform.

A breeze blew up from the valley, carrying the coolness of early autumn and the scent of harvested wheat straw from the distant fields. The torchlight danced on his face, casting distinct light and shadow on his young features.

"Gentlemen."

Rune's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to every corner of the training ground.

"Mount up."

His voice remained steady.

"Set off."

One hundred cavalrymen simultaneously mounted their horses, their movements perfectly synchronized, the clanging of armor and weapons creating a deep, resonant roar.

They tucked their left hands behind their waists, clenched their right fists, and pounded them hard against their hearts.

"Heart Sasa Gei Yo".

A hundred voices merged into one, echoing in the night sky.

Rune watched this scene, his lips twitching slightly.

This action, and these cringeworthy lines...

When the cavalry regiment was initially formed, since it was a custom server that he controlled himself, Rune had a sudden inspiration and brought over a classic scene from a deep memory from his previous life.

Later, when Si saw it, she was incredibly excited and specifically asked Rune for a detailed explanation of the movements, saying she wanted to give it to the Blue Rose team members to learn. Rune, looking back now, feels a bit bewildered.

The torchlight faded into the distance behind us, and the sound of horses' hooves rose like muffled thunder.

One hundred and one horses traversed the territory's streets, their hooves clattering rhythmically on the cobblestones. Faint lights shone from the windows of the houses lining the streets, and occasionally, curious children would peek out from their windowsills.

As he passed through the town gate, Rune glanced back.

The lights of the territory stretched out behind him like a small patch of starry sky on earth. Among those lights were the still-burning fire in the blacksmith's furnace, the oven light from the bakery baking all night, and the candlelight from the school where students studied diligently through the night.

Behind every lamp, someone is living a good life.

Rune withdrew his gaze and looked ahead.

He could see nothing in the darkness. Only the road beneath his horse's hooves stretched forward in the darkness, leading to a direction he had calculated countless times before.

When the sound of horses' hooves caught up from behind, Rune did not turn around.

"Lord Luen! Lord Luen!"

Tajimi's voice sounded somewhat hurried in the night wind.

A young man rode a chestnut pony, galloping up from the rear of the group. He wore silver armor, and the orogen short sword, a gift from Rune himself, hung at his waist. His short, golden hair was tousled by the wind, and his face was flushed from running.

Rune pulled on the reins, and the horse snorted and stamped its feet a few times.

Why are you here?

Tajimi reined in his horse in front of him, his chest heaving, but his back remained ramrod straight.

"Lord Rune, please take me with you!"

The boy's voice was clear and bright, carrying far on the night breeze.

Rune looked at his still-childish face. His azure eyes shone brightly in the night, filled with expectation and an almost stubborn seriousness.

“Go back,” Rune said.