Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight

Soon after, Naberal spoke again:

"Actually, besides the previous matter, another problem has arisen. That is... the vampire incident."

"What? You mean vampires?" For Ainz, who was completely clueless at the moment, Narberal gave him a new direction.

Ainz's speech unconsciously quickened.

"Did the other party mention anything about that vampire? For example, his appearance or something like that?"

"No, I'm sorry. The person who came to see you was just a messenger. They only said that the details would be explained at the guild, and hoped you could go there as soon as possible. I heard that several adventurer teams have already arrived..."

Nabella paused.

"The union's envoy is nearby. How should we convey this message to him?"

Ainz closed his eyes.

Of course, he had no eyes to close. The light in his eye sockets simply disappeared briefly, as if undergoing some kind of visual reset.

Ainz is thinking.

Narberal's report concerned Shalltear. However, the report did not describe the characteristics of vampires, suggesting that the "vampire incident" might not have been Shalltear's doing, or at least, the information had not yet reached that level.

But in any case, this is a starting point.

Ainz opened his eyes again, and the light in his eye sockets relit.

He turned his head to look at Albedo beside him.

What do you think of the message from Nabella?

Albedo's golden, vertical pupils met Ainz's gaze for a moment. Then she lowered her eyes, seemingly processing this new information quickly.

A few seconds later, she looked at Ainz again.

"Given the current lack of intelligence, I personally believe that we might be able to make use of the intelligence gathered by this group of humans."

Her tone was calm and resolute.

"The Adventurers' Guild is the organization closest to civilian intelligence networks, and perhaps it can provide us with some information from a different perspective."

Ainz nodded.

That's what he thought too.

Unlike in the original story where Shalltear's location could be observed, Nazarick's current state is unknown.

Even Albedo, who looks down on humans and considers them inferior beings, intends to rely on the power of the ants.

Ainz made a decision.

Albedo.

"exist."

"Inform Sebastian to investigate information related to [Martial Arts] in the capital. Collect any rumors, records, or special cases related to Martial Arts."

"As ordered."

“I’m going to the guild in Yelantil.”

"Understood. I will inform Sebastian immediately as instructed."

"It's troublesome."

As Ainz spoke, he took off the Ainz Ooal Gown ring from his hand and clenched it in his palm.

"Also, I will give the ring to Yuri, and then I will trouble you to take it back."

"Yes."

Albedo bowed her head deeply once again.

Ainz put the ring back on and turned to walk towards the entrance of the Frozen Prison. Ainz glanced back at Nicole, who was curled up in the corner.

"Nigraed".

"Yes, Lord Ainz..." The voice that came from the mouth without lips was still low and filled with self-reproach.

"Don't blame yourself." Ainz's voice was calm, without any hint of blame. "Your abilities are fine; I underestimated this world."

“Ah…Lord Ainz is so merciful…” Albedo clasped her hands together in front of her chest, her golden vertical pupils gleaming with a hazy light.

Chapter 54 The Adventurer Who Avoided Death

After the meeting, Ainz did not leave immediately.

He stood in the shadows of the corridor, watching Igfargi and his group emerge from the room. The three men's faces were filled with resentment and hostility, and they deliberately bumped into his shoulder as they passed by.

"Get out of the way, you're from abroad."

Ainz didn't move. He just stood there, his gaze beneath his helmet calmly fixed on the departing figure.

“Lord Ainz,” Narberal’s voice came from behind, tinged with suppressed anger, “Please allow me…”

"No need."

Ainz raised his hand to stop her. His tone was calm to the point of indifference, as if the bump had merely been a gust of wind blowing past his clothes.

He was thinking about something else.

The words that Chairman Burton had just said were still lingering in his mind.

"Silver hair and a large mouth," "She used magic to create the undead," "The adventurer repelled her with the potion you gave him."

Without a doubt, that was Shalltear.

If Shalltear had truly betrayed Nazarick, she wouldn't have stayed in a place where she could be found at any moment.

If she was being controlled, those controlling her should have moved her to a safer place instead of leaving her there to be attacked.

A day has passed since the adventurers discovered her. Whether Shalltear has betrayed them or is being controlled, she has no reason to remain in that place.

Ainz suddenly relaxed.

The tension, the readiness to face the worst, receded from him like a tide.

Ainz even found it somewhat laughable. Just moments ago in the conference room, he was worried that more people would see Shalltear's appearance, wondering whether he should erase the adventurers' memories, or simply...

Looking back now, all those worries were unnecessary.

Shalltear couldn't possibly be there.

Even if he took this group there, they would only find an empty cave. No one would see Shalltear, and nothing would happen.

That being the case.

Ainz turned and looked towards the end of the corridor. Igfargi and his teammates were packing their gear, preparing to depart. Their faces wore different expressions: some nervous, some excited, and some impatient.

"Naberal".

"exist."

"Go and inform them that we are leaving immediately."

Naberal was taken aback.

"Lord Ainz, didn't you say..."

“I’ve changed my mind,” Ainz said calmly. “Since I’ve already agreed, there’s no danger anyway.”

He paused, then added, "Moreover, we might be able to learn some information that I don't know about from these adventurers."

"As ordered."

Naberal bowed and turned to walk towards the group of people.

Igfargi and the others were unaware that, through the chain reaction of the shifting world lines, they had changed their inevitable fate of death.

The team set off in the afternoon sun.

Ainz rode on Kurusuke's back, Narberal rode the warhorse summoned by the item, and Igfargi and his teammates rode their own horses. The group, along with a hamster, traveled along the dirt road outside the north gate towards the forest.

"Hey, Feifei."

Igfargi's voice came from behind him, still with that barbed tone.

"You really saw that vampire?"

Ainz did not turn around.

"I've met you."

"where is it?"

"A very far place."

"Hmph." Igfargi sneered, "Could it be a dream?"

Ainz did not answer.

He didn't care about this person's mockery, or rather, he wasn't in the mood to pay attention.

However, one of Igfargi's companions spoke up to smooth things over.

"Captain, say less."

Igfargi snorted and said nothing more.

The procession continued onward.

As the forest drew closer, the fields along the roadside were gradually replaced by shrubs and weeds. The air was filled with the scent of earth and decaying leaves, and occasionally a bird would be startled from the treetops, fluttering its wings and taking flight into the sky.

"This is it."

The adventurer at the front reined in his horse and pointed to a path deep in the forest.

"The place where the vampire was found is inside, about an hour's walk away."

Ainz flipped off Kurasuke and patted its fluffy fur.

"Let's go. Let's walk in."

The forest was denser than Ainz had anticipated.

The air was damp and stuffy, filled with the smells of decaying wood and moss.