Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight

But he didn't.

Shalltear's disappearance led Ainz to choose to retreat.

Rune deduced this conclusion in his mind. Unlike in the original story, Ainz now possessed even less information and had genuinely lost Shalltear, a crucial combatant.

Given Ainz's cautious nature, he might indeed choose to lie low for the time being under these circumstances.

Bring Nazarick's core forces back to their own side, reduce external activities, and avoid further losses.

only……

The identity of "Adventurer Feifei" should be innocent, and Ainz can continue to use this identity as long as he does not expose his connection with Nazarick.

Unless, he was worried about something else.

Ainz might be worried that he, as a powerful adventurer who suddenly appeared, was himself a suspect.

The sudden appearance of an unidentified but powerful adventurer team would attract the attention of the authorities in any country.

Ainz may have thought that continuing his high-profile activities at this time would attract investigation and probing from his enemies behind the scenes.

With Shalltear missing and the enemy's identity unknown, any extra attention is risky.

So he chose to disappear.

Rune let out a soft breath.

In any case, the pace of Ainz's world conquest has slowed down, which is good news, even if it's only temporary.

The carriage stopped in front of a magnificent city gate.

Lorenzo.

Rune alighted from the carriage and looked up at the heart of the kingdom's power. The towering city walls, constructed of greyish-white megaliths, gleamed with a damp sheen in the morning light.

The royal family is truly extravagant.

Rune passed through the city gate and entered the royal city. The corridor was wide enough for four carriages to travel side by side, and huge tapestries woven with patterns symbolizing the kingdom hung on the walls on both sides.

Every few steps there is a statue, and the light from the [Perpetual Light] magic lamps shines down from the dome, illuminating the entire corridor in a golden glow.

Rune's footsteps echoed in the empty corridor. He walked slowly, his gaze sweeping over the statues one by one, mentally estimating their value.

If this money had been used for the development of the kingdom, the war against the empire would not have been so passive.

As Rune was thinking, he heard footsteps coming from around the corner of the corridor ahead.

The footsteps were heavy, with a deliberate rhythm, as if trying to assert their presence. The boots clattered loudly on the stone floor, as if announcing their arrival.

Rune stopped in his tracks.

A young man with blond hair and blue eyes emerged from around the corner.

He was dressed in a magnificent military-style dress uniform, with gold thread embroidered on the collar, and a longsword that was more decorative than practical hanging at his waist.

Barublowal Leo Ignaler Vansef.

The kingdom's first prince, and the first in line to the throne.

Rune sighed inwardly, thinking how unlucky he was.

He wanted to go around it, but the corridor only had one direction, and the other person was clearly walking towards him, so there was no way to avoid it.

Rune could only step forward a few steps, place his right hand in front of his chest, and bow slightly, performing a standard noble salute.

"Prince Balubro".

Barubolo stopped in front of him.

A smile graced his square face, the curve of his lips barely deserving of a kind, but his blue eyes held a light that made one uneasy.

It's the look that only someone who thinks they have everything has.

"Lord Lu Enqing." Baruburo's voice was loud, even echoing in the empty corridor, "Long time no see."

"Your Highness, are you well?"

Rune's response was brief and respectful, with his signature gentle smile on his face.

Barublow looked him up and down, his gaze aggressive.

"I have long heard of Lu Enqing's bravery and heroic deeds."

Barublow spoke, his tone carrying a deliberate air of admiration, "I heard that you easily killed a powerful orc on the battlefield all by yourself. Amazing, truly amazing."

What he said wasn't wrong, but coming from Baruburo, it just felt a little off.

It's like someone who knows absolutely nothing about swordsmanship evaluating the quality of a sword; they use seemingly nice words, but when put together, they sound incredibly jarring.

"Your Highness flatters me." Rune bowed slightly. "It was just a fluke."

“You’re too modest.” Barublow waved his hand, his smile fading slightly. He took a half-step forward, getting closer to Rune, and lowered his voice to say:

"However, Lu Enqing, I heard... you and the Second Prince are getting very close."

Rune's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

They arrived as expected.

The second prince, Zanak Valleo Ignalel van Seif. Unlike his incompetent elder brother, Zanak possessed genuine talent and was highly regarded within the king's faction.

“Your Highness is overthinking it,” Rune said calmly. “I have only had a few courtesy meetings with the Second Prince, and we are not close friends.”

Barublow suddenly burst into laughter. The laughter echoed in the corridor, carrying a deliberate cheerfulness that only made people want to frown.

"That's good." Barublow patted Rune on the shoulder, the force neither too light nor too heavy, but with a hint of warning. "Lord Rune is a smart man, he should know who will hold the future of this kingdom."

He paused, a hint of threat creeping into his smile.

"Qing Lu En has been aiding the Dragon Kingdom all these years? Leading the cavalry of his territory to support another country, this can definitely be defined as an act of treason. Fortunately, my father is merciful and will not pursue the matter."

Chapter 73: A Battleground?

Listen quietly to Prince Balbro's threat.

Rune's expression remained unchanged, his smile mask still perfectly in place, as if what Baruburo had said was nothing more than an insignificant remark.

In fact, the nobles of the kingdom have a great deal of autonomy, and it is entirely up to the lords to send troops to help human nations resist the orcs.

Using this reason to punish Rune would unite both the royalists and the nobles in opposing it.

Barublow clearly had no political sense; he watched Rune's silence with satisfaction, thinking his threat had worked.

Then Barubro pretended to be friendly again, though it was obviously fake.

"Of course, I'm not an unreasonable person."

Barubro leaned closer and lowered his voice, so low that only the two of them could hear, "As long as Lord Lu En stands by my side, I, the prince, will certainly not treat you unfairly. I like brave and valiant people."

He paused, a meaningful smile curving his lips.

"I know what kind of things Lord Rune likes. The elven loli captured by the Slane Theocracy, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

After he finished speaking, he took a step back, admiring Rune's expression.

Rune's face was expressionless.

This wasn't a deliberately maintained calm; his mind had genuinely gone blank for a moment. Looking at Baruburo's smug face, he was momentarily speechless.

"Hahahaha!" Barubro burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the empty corridor, as jarring as a broken gong. "Lu Enqing, there's no need to be shy, I understand. What man doesn't have his hobbies?"

He patted Rune on the shoulder, a little harder than before, as if sharing a secret with a like-minded friend.

"Then it's settled. Lu Enqing, please consider it carefully. I'll wait for your reply."

After saying that, he turned around and strode away. The sound of his footsteps gradually faded into the distance, along with his piercing laughter, disappearing into the depths of the corridor.

Rune stood still.

He stared in the direction where Baruburo had disappeared, and his expression finally changed. His brows furrowed little by little, the corners of his mouth turned down, and his eyes were filled with helplessness.

That's an idiot.

It's all because of this idiot, and those incompetent nobles whose brains are just as full of rubbish as his.

Rune recalled the "rumors" circulating in aristocratic circles.

It is said that his aid to the Dragon Kingdom was not for the greater good of humanity, but rather because he coveted Queen Drordiro's petite body.

They falsely accused Rune of being a lolicon and having ulterior motives towards the young-looking queen.

Rune had heard those words more than once.

He did not bother to clarify the rumor. On the one hand, for most nobles, once such a label was attached, it was difficult to remove.

On the other hand, such rumors actually provide excellent cover.

But that doesn't mean he won't be upset, even though he's not a lolicon.

Rune took a deep breath, suppressing the surging agitation.

'Lambsha III…'

He silently recited it in his heart.

The current king of the Kingdom of Riestize. Although weak and incompetent, he at least retains some conscience. Is Balbro really his biological son?

Personality, talent, and appearance. The law that this triangle cannot be satisfied simultaneously is vividly demonstrated in the members of the Van Sef royal family.

Prince Zanak, the second prince, possesses both character and talent, but his appearance is lacking. Princess Lana is talented and beautiful, but she is a twisted monster. And this Prince Balbro…

Three, but none of them are included.

Rune's lips twitched slightly.

At least the king still has some dignity.

"It must be tough dealing with such an idiot, Rune."

A gentle voice came from behind him, but the words inside were somewhat harsh.

Rune turned around.

Lana stood three steps away.

Her long golden hair shimmered softly under the magic lamp, and her deep blue eyes looked over with a smile, as innocent as the first flower to bloom in spring.