"Enri, how about the personnel transfer?"
Kael turned, his sharp gaze fixed on Enri Emmot who stood beside him, asking about his troop's readiness. According to his plan, there was a high probability they would encounter Ainz and his subordinates when they went to the Re-Estize Royal Capital this time.
After all, those who understood would know. From the leader Ainz to NPCs like Albedo, they all harbored a strong sense of pride attached to the titles 'Ainz Ooal Gown' and 'The Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick'. Their very self-worth was bound to those names.
If one wished to provoke them, there was no need for elaborate schemes or complex strategies. Simply wave these two red flags twice—the tarnished name and symbol of Nazarick—and they would charge like fighting bulls, blinded by rage.
This wasn't about wisdom or cunning strategy, it was a gamble on their pride as members of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick. An arrogance that could be exploited.
Upon hearing Kael's question, Enri Emmot said seriously, her tone full of readiness, "Your Excellency, all personnel have assembled and are awaiting your command!"
"Very good." Kael nodded in satisfaction, a faint smile gracing his lips.
Then he turned to Lakyus, pondering for a moment. A thought crossed his mind. "You have just been revived. Do you wish to stay here and rest?"
The situation in the Re-Estize Royal Capital was now so complicated and tense, filled with intrigues she had only just learned of. Lakyus would clearly not accept the offer, however sensible it sounded.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency, but I feel I am fully capable of fighting and need no rest." Her voice was firm, a new resolve in her eyes.
"...Alright."
Kael was silent for a moment, accepting her decision. Then, he extended his hand and retrieved a complete set of magic equipment from his spatial backpack. The items floated out one by one: a robe, outer armor, jewelry, weapons, and more.
Lakyus observed the items with a fascinated gaze and was momentarily startled to see the dazzling magical light shining from the artifacts. An extraordinary aura of power radiated from them.
"I am lending these items to you," Kael said, his voice calm yet containing a warning. "These items are very rare, so you must take good care of them and not let anyone steal them."
"..."
Although Kael said this, Lakyus understood the hidden meaning behind his words.
If a professional participates in battle, there is only one situation in which they would lose their precious equipment: if they are killed in battle or captured.
Kael was indirectly telling her that if she encountered someone she couldn't defeat, she shouldn't struggle to the death, but rather prioritize her own safety above all else. An implicit, thoughtful command.
Feeling something heavier than the equipment itself in her hands—a trust and concern—Lakyus's emotions fluctuated for no clear reason. Her heart warmed. She nodded heavily and promised, "Rest assured, Your Excellency, I will cherish these artifacts."
"Good." Kael smiled faintly, said little, and immediately walked out of the hall. An aura of majesty followed his every step.
Lakyus was confused for a moment and didn't understand the meaning of that sudden action.
At this moment, Enri Emmot stepped forward, a small smile gracing her face. "Lady Aindra, please quickly put on this equipment. We are ready to depart."
Having said so, she too left the hall, following in Kael's footsteps.
As the hall door slowly closed behind Enri Emmot, Lakyus's face flushed slightly again, and she quickly donned the equipment Kael had given her one by one. Each item fit perfectly, as if custom-made for her, radiating a power she had never felt.
Re-Estize Royal Capital, the royal city of Laurent.
As the hour slowly approached the time Ainz Ooal Gown had predicted, the entire Re-Estize Royal Capital fell into a tense, suffocating atmosphere. The night wind carried whispers of fear.
A large number of ordinary soldiers transferred from the city guard were stationed on the first wall of the royal city and at the city gate. They held lighting tools in their hands, some stood guard at crucial checkpoints, while others patrolled back and forth on the city walls. Everyone was on high alert under the warning of their superiors, their eyes ceaselessly sweeping the darkness.
Behind the first wall and between the second wall, the original guards of the royal city and the soldiers trained by Gazef Stronoff were responsible for guarding and patrolling. They were the core defense, tension clearly radiating from every face.
Finally, there was the courtyard between the second city wall and the palace buildings. An area now filled with final preparations.
A long conference table was placed here. At one end of the table sat the aged King Ramposa III, dressed in a magnificent formal suit, striving to project calmness amidst the storm. Beside him was Gazef Stronoff, equipped with the Five Royal Treasures, standing upright like a pillar of strength.
In the courtyard corridors and within the palace buildings behind the old king, professionals from the Adventurer's Guild, the Magic Caster's Guild, and the great temples carefully concealed themselves, ready to rush out at any moment to encircle the invaders. The air was thick with hidden magical energy and Martial Arts aura.
Gazef Stronoff looked around from time to time, his hand always gripping his sword hilt tightly, his mind highly strained. He knew the scale of the threat they were about to face.
"Calm down, my warrior captain." King Ramposa III seemed to notice his nervousness and soothed him with a gentle tone, a faint, understanding smile.
Although King Ramposa III was just an ordinary old man and not a magic caster, his voice seemed to possess a magical power for Gazef Stronoff, capable of relaxing his tense body. A true power of charisma.
He loosened his grip on the sword hilt and bowed deeply to the old king. "My apologies, Your Majesty. I was being rude."
"No matter." King Ramposa III smiled faintly, and asked without nervousness, his tone remaining calm, "It seems the other party is very powerful, for he can make you so wary."
"With all due respect, I'm afraid so." Gazef Stronoff's face, which had just eased, became serious again. He said to King Ramposa III without hesitation, "If it weren't for the members of the Church of Destiny who risked their lives to save me, I might have been defeated by that demon."
King Ramposa III was silent for a moment, his eyes radiating seriousness. Gazef Stronoff was the warrior captain he had personally appointed, and also the strongest professional he could directly mobilize, so he trusted Gazef Stronoff without question.
Since Gazef Stronoff said that the members of the opposing force were very powerful, it meant that Ainz Ooal Gown and his organization were not something the Re-Estize Kingdom could contend with. This bitter reality pierced his mind.
"My warrior captain, was my choice wrong? I did not flee the palace for refuge, but chose to stay and face Ainz Ooal Gown." King Ramposa III showed a hint of doubt in front of Gazef Stronoff, an expression even the Second Prince Zanac had never seen. The burden of the throne felt so heavy.
Gazef Stronoff bowed his head. He understood the king's dilemma.
His Majesty the King represented the majesty of the Re-Estize Kingdom. If he chose to retreat because of a wicked organization's declaration, the royal family's reputation would be tarnished, and the morale of the people would be crushed.
Furthermore, if he avoided meeting Ainz Ooal Gown, perhaps that evil monster would vent his anger on the people of the Re-Estize Royal Capital, thus bringing unforeseen disaster upon the capital.
He knew very well that His Majesty had strong reasons not to surrender.
Therefore, he could not directly answer the question posed by the king. He could only strike his chest with his right hand and say with unwavering determination, "Rest assured, Your Majesty, unless I die, I will never allow anyone to harm you!"
"Haha, that is truly reassuring." King Ramposa III showed a pleased smile on his face, expressing his approval of Gazef Stronoff's loyalty. A strong bond of trust.
"What is that!?"
"Be careful!"
Suddenly, there was a commotion among the soldiers on the city walls. Gazef Stronoff immediately looked up at the sky, his eyes widening. Two terrifying figures appeared out of nowhere, slowly descending.
One was a skeletal undead clad in a deep black robe—none other than Ainz Ooal Gown himself. And the other was a humanoid demon wearing a neat red suit and a mysterious mask—Demiurge.
The two figures slowly fell from the sky and landed precisely beside the conference table, creating a chilling silence.
King Ramposa III unconsciously stood and prepared to welcome the arrival of the other party with the etiquette of receiving someone of equal status, regardless of his fear.
At this moment, the Skeleton Mage on the opposite side spoke first, his voice calm yet carrying unparalleled weight: "Your Majesty, King Ramposa III of the Re-Estize Kingdom, my name is Ainz Ooal Gown, and this is our first meeting. I humbly request your assistance!"
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