Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight

However, the kingdom's political enemies would certainly use this as an opportunity to attack the Eindora family, so Rune also abandoned this route.

The last route is to lead south from Aindora, then east through the Slane Theocracy, and finally to the northwestern territory of the Dragon Kingdom.

This is the path that Rune has always chosen.

Although the presence of Sebastian has made the first route through the Katz Plain less dangerous this year's "Eastern Expedition".

Or rather, even if there is danger, Sebastian would take care of it with a single punch.

However, rashly changing the route from previous years could arouse Demiurge's suspicion if Sebastian reports it back to Nazarick.

Rune needs to avoid any appearance of impropriety with the Theocracy, but deliberately avoiding contact with the Theocracy might actually make Demiurge suspicious of Rune's relationship with the Theocracy.

Therefore, Rune's marching route was the same as in previous years: first to the Theocracy, and then from the Theocracy to the Dragon Kingdom.

The day after the army left the territory of Aindora, the border checkpoints of the Slane Theocracy finally appeared on the horizon.

The white stone building gleamed softly in the afternoon sunlight.

The walls are as smooth as a mirror, and the emblems of the six gods are engraved above the main entrance, their edges gleaming slightly in the sunlight.

Rune pulled on the reins and raised his hand to signal the group to stop.

Before the gates of the Holy Kingdom, a cavalry unit of about a hundred men was already lined up and waiting.

Their armor was lighter than that of the Aindora cavalry, and their breastplates were engraved with the emblem of the water god.

The leading priest dismounted and, with neither arrogance nor servility, performed a standard greeting to Rune.

"Your Excellency Aindora, welcome back to the Slane Theocracy."

The priest struck a good balance, being courteous without being overly enthusiastic.

Behind him, the Papal cavalry maintained their orderly ranks, their gazes calmly fixed on the army from the kingdom.

Rune dismounted to return the greeting and took out a pre-prepared document from his robes. The priest took it, carefully checked the seal and signature, and then nodded slightly.

"The formalities are in order. As is customary, we will dispatch an escort force to accompany you across the borders of the Theocracy."

His gaze swept over the two hundred cavalrymen behind Rune, and his tone became more businesslike.

"Please understand, this is the rule of the Holy Kingdom."

“Of course.” Rune nodded. “I have followed your country’s rules many times before, and I would not dare to trouble you to say more.”

The priest's expression softened slightly, and he turned and gestured to the cavalry behind him.

The hundred theocratic cavalrymen immediately split into two groups, one leading the way and the other flanking the cavalry of the Aindora territory.

The team set off again.

The roads in the church were much smoother than those in the kingdom. The horses' hooves clattered on the flagstones, making a crisp, rhythmic sound that mingled with the occasional birdsong from the fields on either side.

In the fields beside the road, several farmers looked up at the large procession before lowering their heads to continue their work.

Gehrman rode in the middle of the line, his face stern from the start.

This veteran, who almost attacked Sebastian at the slightest provocation, was clearly not known for his good temper.

His chestnut warhorse snorted, which he calmed down with a pat on the neck, but he couldn't calm himself; his hands, which had been holding a sword for years, gripped the reins so tightly they creaked.

"Tch." He sat on his horse, tilting his head to complain to his colleague beside him, "I risk my life every year to eliminate demi-humans, only to be treated like a thief by these guys who call themselves 'human supremacists and protectors of humanity.' It's really infuriating."

A young cavalryman nearby tried to strike up a conversation: "Brother Gehrman, it's the same every year, we're used to it..."

“What are you used to!” Gehrman’s resentment was no less. “While we were fighting to the death on the battlefield, these guys were just hiding in the Holy Kingdom watching.”

After he finished speaking, he deliberately raised his chin at the nearest theocratic cavalryman, his provocation in his eyes undisguised.

The theocratic cavalryman remained expressionless, his gaze fixed straight ahead, as if Gehrman were merely a roadside stone.

Gehrman, feeling rebuffed, was about to say something even harsher when a calm voice came from ahead.

"Quiet."

Rune uttered those two words calmly.

Gehrman immediately shut his mouth, and the roguish air that had been hanging on his lips vanished completely.

He even subconsciously straightened his back and gripped the reins more firmly.

The young cavalryman, witnessing this comical scene, had just begun to smile when Gehrman's threatening gaze smothered his smile.

Rune ignored the little incident behind it.

He turned his head and explained to Sebastian, who was riding alongside him, "Even though the Slane Theocracy is the most powerful human nation, it's normal for them to be wary of foreign troops entering their territory. Rather, the fact that they're letting us pass is because we're there to help humanity fight against the demi-humans."

Rune calmed everyone down with a gentle tone.

"This level of vigilance is justified. Please bear with me a little longer, Sebastian. Fortunately, the journey is not long. Just hold on for about three more days."

“No,” Sebastian said. “Actually, I don’t care that much.”

The old steward slowly withdrew his gaze from the theocratic cavalry, a faint approval lurking in the depths of his light gray pupils.

"I actually admire the fact that these troops are always on high alert to protect their country."

In fact, Sebastian had an additional benefit.

While the relationship between the Kingdom and the Theocracy is not as tense as that between the Kingdom and the Empire, it is far from harmonious either, and this unwavering vigilance from the rank-and-file soldiers of the Theocracy is a testament to this.

Sebastian quietly filed this assessment; it was intelligence worth noting.

Rune glanced at Sebastian, confirming that there was no trace of reluctance or politeness in the old butler's expression.

He looked away, a slight smile playing on his lips.

This is exactly the effect Rune wanted.

If the Holy Kingdom gives the Aindora army the green light, or even acts overly enthusiastically, then Nazarick will become suspicious.

After all, why should the Holy Kingdom lower its guard against a private army of nobles from a kingdom?

This is why Rune had requested the Church to take such precautions from the very beginning.

Judging from Sebastian's reaction, he struck the perfect balance.

The troops proceeded for three days under the escort of the religious authorities.

On the afternoon of the third day, as the outline of the Dragon Kingdom's border watchtowers appeared on the distant mountain ridge, the Theocracy's cavalry, as if by prior arrangement, neatly reined in their horses.

The leading priest rode forward and gave Rune a brief military salute.

"Lord Aindora, the border of the Dragon Kingdom lies ahead. As agreed, we shall stop here."

Rune returned the greeting, speaking in a calm tone: "Thank you all for escorting me all the way. Please convey my gratitude to your country."

The priest turned his horse around and gestured to the cavalry behind him.

More than a hundred theocratic cavalrymen turned around at the same time, their hooves pounding the road they had come from, raising a thin cloud of dust, and soon disappeared at the end of the mountain road.

Rune stood there, watching the group disappear into the distance.

The people from the Church left swiftly and decisively, without a single unnecessary word of pleasantries. This businesslike attitude was exactly what Rune wanted.

He looked back.

"keep going."

The army crossed the border and entered the Dragon Kingdom.

After traveling for about half an hour, the scouts ahead brought back news that the people of the Dragon Kingdom had arrived.

Rune raised his hand, signaling the group to slow down. He looked towards the end of the road, where a small group of people had appeared and were heading this way.

There were only about ten people. Their equipment was not particularly sophisticated; their leather armor showed signs of wear, and the weapons hanging at their waists were of different styles, clearly indicating that there was no standardized equipment.

Compared to the gleaming armor and orderly ranks of the Theocracy cavalry from before, this small squad looked more like a hastily assembled militia.

But they dismounted while they were still quite far away.

The leader was a tall, thin man in his early thirties. He walked quickly to the front of the rune horse, stopped, and bowed deeply.

"Lord Aindora!" His voice was a little hoarse, "On behalf of the people of the Dragon Kingdom, I thank you for coming again!"

The dozen or so people behind him all bowed down in unison.

Rune dismounted and reached out to support the squad leader's arm.

"No need for formalities, please continue to take care of me this year."

The squad leader straightened up, his eyes filled with undisguised gratitude.

"I am Marco, the captain of the third squad of the Dragon Kingdom's border guard. I have come to greet Lady Eindora on Her Majesty's orders."

He added, "His Majesty has instructed that if Lord Aindora needs to travel to the capital, we will escort him throughout the journey. Regardless of whether he goes to the capital, Lord Aindora may decide the direction of his troops as per past practice."

Rune nodded. This was indeed the point he valued most: non-mercenary aid meant he retained full autonomy in operations.

Queen Dorothy clearly understood this and never set any limits on it.

“Let’s go to the capital first.” Rune mounted his horse. “We should go and see His Majesty first.”

Marco readily agreed with a "Yes," then mounted his horse and led the way with his squad.

The army continued its march.

The Dragon Kingdom's border is not long; it takes only half a day to travel from the checkpoint to the nearest town.

As the outline of the town of Tarbach gradually came into view, dusk was approaching.

This is a typical border town.

Low houses with gray tiles and white walls spread out along a dirt road, with scattered shops and residences on both sides. Dried herbs are drying on the windowsills, and the air is filled with a faint earthy scent.

There is a big tree at the entrance of the town, its trunk so thick that two people cannot wrap their arms around it.

Several old men sat under the tree. When they saw the large cavalry, their eyes narrowed slightly at first, but then they recognized Rune, who was walking at the front, and the wrinkles at the corners of their eyes slowly smoothed out.

"It's Lady Aindora." An old man nudged his companion with his elbow. "Here we go again."

“That’s right, it’s come earlier this year than in previous years.” Another old man squinted and grinned, revealing a toothless mouth.

This place has not yet been trampled by the orcs' iron hooves, but the shadow of war has already seeped into every corner.

Young men are almost nowhere to be seen in the town. Occasionally, a few figures peek out from the alleys; they are either old people, women, or children.