Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight

Demiurge turned around, faced Ainz, and bowed deeply.

"I'm sure Lord Ainz has already prepared a way to provide rapid support."

The throne room fell silent for a moment.

Ainz sat on the throne. His jaw remained slightly open, like a sculpture frozen in time.

A green light, emanating a forceful calm, flashed continuously across his body.

Ainz's mind was racing, constantly trying to figure out what Demiurge's methods were.

'No, wait. If it's that...'

His gaze fell on the ring on his finger. The Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown.

A ring that allows the wearer to teleport freely to most locations within the Great Tomb of Nazarick.

Ainz slowly closed his jaw. Then he slightly raised his chin, trying to project an air of "everything is under control."

"Of course."

His voice was steady and resolute, echoing in the empty throne room.

Ainz raised his hand, and the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown on his finger gleamed with a cold, eerie light under the magical lamplight.

He slowly removed the ring, as if performing some solemn ritual.

"For this mission, I have given special permission to take the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown out of Nazarick."

He held the ring in his palm, his gaze sweeping over the guardians below.

"So that we can quickly return to Nazarick."

Ainz distributed the rings to the guardians who did not yet have them.

Demiurge was the last to receive the ring.

He held the small ring in both hands, bringing it to his eyes, his gaze behind his glasses fixed on the ring.

The light from the magic lamp shone on the ring, reflecting a cold, silvery glow that made Demiurge's jewel-like eyes shine.

His lips curled up little by little, a smile that came from the bottom of his heart.

The joy in his eyes was impossible to hide.

Ainz sat on the throne, watching Demiurge's expression.

'...Why does it feel like Demiurge's real target is this ring?'

The thought flashed through Ainz's mind.

But he quickly suppressed the thought.

Ainz said to himself.

'I must be overthinking it.'

Demiurge carefully slipped the ring onto his finger, then raised his head, faced Ainz, and bowed deeply once more.

"Lord Ainz, I will certainly live up to your expectations."

Ainz nodded slightly.

"Okay. It's up to you."

Chapter 7 Marching into Brothels

As night fell, the lights of the brothels in the capital cast dim patches of light on the damp stone pavement.

Rune stood in front of the heavy metal door, examining the exterior of the building.

The gray stone walls looked particularly cold in the night, and the windows were sealed tightly, with only a few faint rays of light leaking through the cracks in the door.

A foul, indescribable stench permeated the air, like cheap cosmetics, sweat, and something darker mixed together, drifting faintly in the night breeze.

Sebastian stood half a step behind him, his black tailcoat blending into the night. The old butler's hands hung naturally at his sides, his posture composed, as if he were simply accompanying his master on an ordinary nighttime walk.

To an uninformed person, this certainly resembled the scene of a noble young master bringing his old butler to seek pleasure.

"According to intelligence, that building over there also seems to have an entrance."

Rune raised his hand and pointed to a building next to several houses.

Sebastian glanced at the gesture and nodded slightly.

“The entrance also serves as an escape route. Normally, there would be at least two guards.” Rune withdrew his hand, turned to face Sebastian, and lowered his voice.

“In that case, Mr. Sebastian, perhaps we should split up. I’ll handle the frontal assault, and you can take care of the other side. What do you think?”

Sebastian's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

“Mr. Rune, if I may be so bold,” the old butler’s voice was steady, “the danger from the front is far greater…”

Sebastian didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear: since a direct confrontation is more dangerous, then the one with the greater strength should bear the responsibility.

Rune looked into Sebastian's eyes.

He certainly knew that the danger was greater on the front.

"Mr. Sebastian."

Rune's voice was even more steady than before, carrying a heavy weight. His gaze met Sebastian's, and there was no trace of retreat on his young face.

“I know that Mr. Sebastian’s strength far surpasses mine.”

Rune admitted it frankly.

“But Mr. Sebastian is my guest, and he accompanied me here this time.”

Rune's voice carried an added layer of solemnity, as if he were stating an undeniable fact.

"How can I entrust the most dangerous part to the guests?"

Sebastian looked at him.

The old butler's expression remained unchanged, but a slight glint flashed in his eyes.

After a moment of silence, Sebastian nodded slightly.

Sebastian lowered his chin slightly, as if to express approval.

'No, wait. Sebastian seems to have actually agreed?'

Rune mentally cursed, "He was just being polite!"

Rune quickly added, "Moreover, this trip is to eliminate evil and uphold justice."

His tone held an almost solemn, vow-like quality. His gaze shifted from Sebastian's face to the tightly closed metal door.

Even when facing...

Rune paused. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, as if he were swallowing something.

"...I would risk my life for it."

When Rune uttered the words "life in danger," his voice paused slightly, but remained resolute.

The night breeze blew again. Rune's golden hair swayed gently in front of his forehead, and the light from the porch lamp fell on his profile, illuminating his light green eyes.

Sebastian looked at that face.

The old butler's lips moved slightly.

“Mr. Rune’s actions are also for my young lady’s sake,” Sebastian’s voice rang out. “Of course, I cannot let Mr. Rune face the most dangerous part.”

Sebastian took half a step forward, standing between Rune and the metal door.

The hem of his tuxedo swayed gently in the night breeze, and his gray hair gleamed silver under the door lamp.

"But……"

Rune's voice carried a hint of wavering.

His gaze darted back and forth between Sebastian and the door before finally settling on Sebastian's face, revealing a stubborn reluctance to let the old man take the risk for him.

"Please grant my request, Mr. Rune."

Sebastian bowed slightly.

As Rune watched Sebastian bow slightly, the tension in his heart finally eased.

Fortunately, Sebastian still falls for this approach.

He let out a soft breath, but the expression on his face became even more complicated.

There was a few seconds of silence.

"Then I hope Mr. Sebastian will grant me a request as well."

Rune's voice was a little softer than before.

"Mr. Rune, please speak."

"Make sure you come back alive."

He paused.

"Also, Mr. Sebastian, you can just call me Rune."

Sebastian's expression underwent a very subtle change, as if he had been touched by something.

"Then Rune, please call me Sebastian as well."

Rune nodded.

“And,” Sebastian’s voice regained its usual calm, commanding tone, “I’ll try my best to capture them. But if they resist, I’ll show no mercy. Is that alright?”

This is the final confirmation before the battle, and also a sign of respect for our fellow travelers.

Rune recalled the plot of the original work.

Those scum who were "spared" lived well after the Eight Fingers were wiped out. They changed their appearance, found new masters, and continued to eke out a living in this world.

Those who were harmed by them lie forever beneath the cold earth.

"Do not."