Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight

The only thing worth praising is its appearance in human form, but its essence is an amorphous slime with a justice value of -400, which is an evil creature like a slime. It's unlikely that anyone would still be interested in Solusan after knowing its true appearance.

Fortunately, the objective of this mission to "defeat the 'Death-Spreading Sword Group' mercenary group" has been largely achieved.

They established a fairly good relationship with Sebastian.

Given Sebastian's intelligence and character, he should be able to see that what appears to be a fair "deal" is actually Rune's attempt to "protect" him and Solusang from attacks by the "Scattering Death Swords."

However, Sebastian accepted it anyway, which means that Sebastian tacitly acknowledged that he owed Rune a favor.

Rune could also sense this from his attitude during his later conversation with Sebastian.

Furthermore, by providing Sebastian with accommodation at the end, it shouldn't be a big problem to use these favors to morally blackmail Sebastian later.

At this moment, Rune could no longer see Sebastian and Solius, but he could imagine them.

Sebastian is probably carefully checking every room to make sure there are no spying magical artifacts or hidden mechanisms; given Sebastian's cautious nature, he would definitely do such a thing.

Suo Liuxiang would probably be standing to the side, his face undoubtedly showing an unwilling expression.

Chapter 48 Eating Rune

The afternoon sun streamed through the window, and a faint scent of wood and tranquility filled the air.

The door closed gently behind me.

Rune stood in the entryway, his boots making a soft thud on the dark wooden floor. No lights were on inside; light seeped in through the half-drawn curtains, tracing thin streaks on the floor, with dust motes floating slowly within the beams of light.

Hill stood at the end of the corridor.

She was dressed in a standard maid outfit, with a black and white striped skirt that reached below her knees, and a white apron tied meticulously.

Her long blue hair was tied into a low ponytail at the back of her head, with a few stray strands hanging down beside her ears. Her brown eyes were still half-open, carrying the same dejection that had remained unchanged for thirteen years.

But her posture was different from usual.

It wasn't the perfunctory, lazy bow of everyday life, but a standard, deep bow that could almost be written into an etiquette textbook. The back was straight, then the person slowly bent down, placing their hands together in front of their body, and lowering their head until it was level with their waist.

"grown ups."

Two words, so light, like a feather falling on the water.

But Rune understood.

It was a secret code agreed upon between him and "Hill".

The Church's actions were successful.

Rune stood there, looking at the girl who had bowed down, his heart skipped a beat in his chest.

From Sebastian's subtle changes in expression, he had a vague idea of ​​the outcome. But a guess is a guess, and confirmation is confirmation.

Only now, only when those two words reached his ears, could he truly feel at ease.

Rune took a deep breath, suppressing his surging emotions, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

"No need for formalities, Hill."

He waved his hand casually and naturally, his tone as calm as if he were talking about something very ordinary.

Hill straightened up.

Her brownish-yellow eyes met Rune's for a moment, then she nodded slightly and turned to walk towards the kitchen. Her steps were slow and deliberate, her skirt swaying gently behind her.

Rune watched her retreating figure, the smile on his lips fading slightly.

The phrase "no need for formalities" was a message to her to cease all contact with the Church.

Being neighbors with Sebastian is a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, Rune can grasp the direction of the situation more accurately. But on the other hand, this means that Rune and the people around him are likely to be under constant surveillance.

Therefore, no matter how many details need to be confirmed in the actions of the Church.

We can't say anything.

Even in their own mansion, with the doors and windows tightly shut.

Rune pushed open the study door and went inside.

Business as usual.

Hill came in with a cup of black tea, placed it on the table, and then left.

Rune picked up his teacup and took a sip.

It's not hot.

He put down his cup, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.

Quiet.

The only sounds were the occasional birdsong from outside the window and my own steady breathing.

Rune felt an unprecedented tranquility in the world, unlike anything in the original story.

The trajectory of fate has already shifted.

Rune didn't know where this shift would take him, but he was at least reluctant to leave the current tranquility.

At this moment, inside another mansion.

A detached house on the right.

Suo Liuxiang stood by the window on the second floor, her left eye tightly closed.

The window faced Rune's mansion, separated by a narrow alley and a small patch of neatly trimmed bushes. The afternoon sun shone down, illuminating the entire alley and making even the cracks in the cobblestones clearly visible.

A moment later, she opened her eyes.

“Nothing is amiss, Lord Sebastian.”

Her voice had shed its previous pampered, young lady-like tone and regained the respectful tone of a subordinate addressing a superior.

Turning to look at the old man standing in the center of the room, a thoughtful expression appeared on his delicate face.

"There are such foolishly kind people among the human nobles."

Suo Liuxiang tilted her head, as if savoring something interesting. There was no malice in her eyes, or rather, malice was a part of her, as natural as breathing.

"If he were digested, his cries before he died would surely be very pleasant."

As she finished speaking, the corners of her mouth split open, revealing a smile that was almost mangled. That smile contained not only excitement, but also the unique pleasure of a predator scrutinizing its prey.

Sebastian frowned, a hint of disapproval flashing in his light gray eyes.

"Suoliuxiang".

Sebastian's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

"The next steps will still rely on the reputation of the Aindora family; let's not do anything unnecessary."

Suo Liuxiang's smile froze for a moment.

Then she lowered her eyes slightly, her expression slowly recovering from its breakdown, returning to her poised and dignified demeanor. But in her eyes, disappointment was palpable.

"So, after the mission is over..."

Soliuxiang raised his head and looked at Sebastian, his tone tinged with a hint of probing.

"Lord Sebastian, could you bestow this man upon me?"

Sebastian did not answer immediately.

He stood there, hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on something outside the window. The afternoon sun shone on his gray hair, making the silver strands gleam.

There was silence for a moment.

"I make the judgment."

Sebastian's voice was calm and resolute.

“Even from a long-term perspective, Mr. Rune was of use to the Great Tomb of Nazarick.”

Suo Liuxiang pursed her lips.

She didn't say anything more.

Disappointment gradually faded from that delicate face, replaced by a sense of helpless acceptance.

"I understand."

Suo Liuxiang turned and walked deeper into the mansion, her skirt brushing against the floor with a soft rustling sound. Her slender fingers curled slightly at the side of her skirt, gathering that predatory impulse into her palm. The light in the corridor gradually dimmed, and shadows crept up onto her shoulders.

Suo Liuxiang didn't turn back. His footsteps sank evenly, blending into the woody scent and silence of the mansion.

She had no intention of tattling.

In the original story, Sebastian rescued Kiare, a human woman who was useless and even required Nazarick's resources.

Even so, Suo Liuxiang held back and did not report it.

It wasn't until Sebastian gave reasons for keeping Kiarai around, such as "Kiarei is a great cook, the house is too quiet, and we need more people to make it look more like a place," that these flimsy excuses came to light.

Furthermore, Qi Ya Lei's presence created unnecessary obstacles for the mission.

Miss Suo Liuxiang had no choice but to go over her superiors and report them to the authorities.

At this moment, the help that Rune can provide to Nazarick is real and tangible.

The reputation of the Eindora family, his connections in the capital, and his understanding of the aristocratic circles—these are all things Sebas needs to complete his mission.

Soliuxiang accepted the reason why Lord Sebas refused his request for the rune.

Actually, Miss Suo Liuxiang wasn't that fond of tattling.

Chapter 49 Holding a Girl in One's Arms for a Killing

The duel between Ainz and Clementine had been going on for several minutes.

Ainz's two greatswords never managed to touch her. She was as slippery as an eel, easily dodging every powerful swing with her uncanny movements, not even managing to touch the hem of her clothes.

"You're just waving your sword around randomly because of your exceptional physical abilities."

Clementine grinned mockingly. "You don't even understand feints and real attacks. You're no different from a child waving a stick around randomly. Even if you're holding a sword in each hand, if you don't know how to use a sword, it's smarter to just use one. You underestimate warriors, don't you?"