Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight

Sure enough, this was probably just an excuse for Sebastian to bring up the topic.

Rune quickly went through a mental whirlwind, but his expression remained unchanged. He slightly widened his eyes, revealing just the right amount of surprise and humility.

"Miss Suo Liuxiang has read my book? This is truly... truly an honor."

Sebastian nodded slightly and continued, "After reading Mr. Rune's works, my young lady became very interested in the 'dragon' mentioned in Mr. Rune's travelogue."

Rune's heart skipped a beat.

"But unfortunately, I know very little about this."

Sebastian's tone carried a hint of shame, his light gray eyes lowered slightly, as if he were apologizing for his ignorance.

"Mr. Rune, could you please explain this to me so that I can satisfy my young lady's curiosity?"

There was a moment of silence in the reception room.

The rain kept falling outside the window, the rainwater meandering down the glass, distorting the street scene outside into blurry patches of color.

The sound of rain filled the silence, fine and continuous, as if something was gently tapping on the edge of time.

Rune maintained that humble expression, but his mind was racing.

Great.

The plan does not need to be changed.

He had originally planned to abandon his original plan.

Although it's unclear why Ainz's attention was initially focused on martial arts, it's true that Nazarick has started paying attention to dragons again.

That means that the fragment of the true dragon king's armor ultimately served its intended purpose.

The frame-up was successful.

Although he was overjoyed, a hint of embarrassment appeared on Rune's face.

The easier it is to obtain information, the more suspicious Nazarick will become. Rune understood this principle all too well.

He wants to fish for Sebastian properly.

However, Rune must also be careful not to overdo it. If Nazarick thinks that Sebastian won't be able to be persuaded by gentleness and resorts to force, then all is lost.

“If Mr. Sebastian needs it, I will compile a list of information about dragons circulating in the kingdom,” Rune said readily.

It was like helping a friend with something that was just an ordinary little thing.

Sebastian's brow twitched slightly.

“Circulating…” he repeated the word, a glint of light flashing in his light gray eyes, “In other words, does Mr. Rune know some more secretive information about ‘dragons’?”

Sebastian's voice carried a hint of urgency.

It was very subtle. An ordinary person probably wouldn't even notice it. But Rune had been waiting for this.

Rune paused for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly, and his lips pursed, as if he were making a difficult decision.

“That’s true…” Rune’s voice hesitated, “but…”

He didn't finish his sentence.

The rain outside the window grew louder, the raindrops pounding against the glass with a rapid, dense sound, as if something was urging the conversation to continue.

Sebastian, however, was very patient. He sat there quietly, waiting for Rune's next words.

Rune finally spoke.

"Mr. Sebastian is unaware of this."

His voice softened, becoming more sincere, "If it's just information about ordinary dragons, I can certainly provide it to Mr. Sebastian immediately."

Rune paused, as if considering his words.

"For example, the Frost Dragon King of the Angelicia Mountains. I can provide Mr. Sebastian with information about him right now. That should be enough to satisfy Miss Solius's curiosity."

Sebastian's eyes lit up slightly.

Rune noticed Sebastian's expectation and continued speaking.

“However…” there was a hint of hesitation in his voice, “Although the Frost Dragon King is also very strong, he is probably not as powerful as Mr. Sebastian in terms of the oppressive feeling he brings.”

Rune shamelessly pushed the greedy and arrogant White Dragon King into the spotlight.

The Frost Dragon King, Auldek Heliliar, who resides in the old capital of the dwarves in the Angelicia Mountains, is also known as the "White Dragon King" because he has grown to the level of an Ancient Dragon Lv1.

It has amassed countless riches and proclaims itself the absolute ruler of the Angelicia Mountains.

But in Rune's eyes, it was nothing more than bait to lure Nazarick into reacting.

Rune casually revealed information about the Frost Dragon King.

While demonstrating the significance of the intelligence he possesses, the authenticity of the Frost Dragon King's information can also add weight to the subsequent "hidden" information.

With a little investigation, Nazarick would confirm that the Frost Dragon King's location, habits, and strength assessment were all accurate. And this would be the most compelling evidence against the false information that followed.

Sufficient bait is needed to attract large enough fish, even if the bait itself may not be real.

Of course, if Ainz were to suddenly decide to go and destroy that Frost Dragon King...

Rune could only silently apologize in his heart.

Ultimately, that arrogant and greedy dragon will never realize that it is nothing more than a chess piece on the board, ready to be discarded at any time.

Chapter 68 Retaining Sebastian

Sebastian listened to Rune's description of the White Dragon King.

The Nazarick steward remained silent, but in his mind, information about the "White Dragon King" was being rapidly analyzed.

The king of the Frost Dragon clan, who dwells in the Angelicia Mountains, is known as the "White Dragon King."

However, judging from Mr. Rune's description, his strength was not enough to contend with Shalltear.

Shalltear Bloodfallen, the guardian of the first three levels of Nazarick, possessed overall strength ranking among the top in the entire Great Tomb. If the White Dragon King's power was merely this, then he could not possibly be the culprit who caused Shalltear to lose control.

The intelligence is still insufficient.

Sebastian looked up, a troubled expression appearing on his wrinkled face.

“Mr. Rune,” his voice carried the measured tone characteristic of an old butler, “my young lady’s curiosity… is a bit too much.”

Sebastian paused, as if considering his words.

"I'm afraid this news won't satisfy Miss. If that's all there is to it, I'm afraid I'll be punished by Miss when we get back."

Sebastian tried to make his tone sound somewhat helpless, his light gray eyes looking earnestly at Rune.

"Mr. Rune, could you please tell me more confidential information about the 'dragon'?"

He still used Suo Liuxiang as an excuse and resorted to a self-inflicted injury ruse.

Although it was indeed a bit unfair to Suo Liuxiang for leaving Mr. Lu En with the impression of being willful and capricious.

But that was ultimately for Nazarick, to complete the task assigned by Lord Ainz.

I believe Suo Liuxiang will understand.

Rune sat opposite him, his expression gentle.

But in my heart I was silently complaining.

'Can Miss Slime really punish a level 100 dragonman? She's more like Ainz Ooal Gown tattling.'

Of course, he would never say that out loud.

Rune furrowed his brow slightly, as if making a difficult decision.

“It’s not that I don’t want to tell Mr. Sebastian.”

Rune spoke. His voice was tinged with difficulty and sincerity, and his gaze was slightly lowered.

"only……"

Rune paused, his light green eyes filled with worry.

"These powerful dragon kings are unpredictable in temperament."

Rune's voice deepened, as if a stone was pressing down on it, "If they find out that I leaked their information... it could bring annihilation to the Eindora family."

Even if he refuses, Rune still wants to leave Sebastian with a good impression of being responsible.

Furthermore, on the surface, Rune did not reveal any specific information.

But in fact, he has already passed on the most important thing; there are indeed some powerful dragon kings.

This conclusion, drawn indirectly, is more convincing to Nazarick than being told directly.

Sebastian was silent for a moment.

He understood.

Those dragons were very powerful, far surpassing the White Dragon King.

So powerful that Mr. Rune didn't even dare to help him.

I have always been taken care of by Mr. Rune.

From the young man's offer of protection when they first met, to later providing him with accommodation, sharing martial arts information, and finally to this door that never closed to him.

Mr. Rune helped him with everything.

Since revealing information about dragons would bring disaster to Mr. Rune...

Even if I am punished by Lord Ainz for failing in my mission, I absolutely cannot implicate Mr. Rune.

Moreover, we now have at least some information indicating that certain dragons are incredibly powerful.

Nazarick's direction is at least correct; the rest can be investigated gradually through other means.

Sebastian made the decision.

“In that case, Mr. Rune.”

He stood up, his movements unhurried and deliberate, displaying a unique composure and uprightness.

The hem of his black tuxedo drew a clean arc in the air. He bowed slightly, his back still straight, his posture conveying a dignified yet respectful gratitude.