Chapter 53
「You’re still worried?」
「That’s natural, isn’t it, Lloyd? This is the first time he ever had a representative duty in his life… I could only pray that nothing happens to him」
「He’s accompanied by Chris and the King’s Guard, but…」
「Enough. If anything happens to him. We’ll just have to send our army to them」
It was late at night, but three adults were gathered in Sylvird’s room.
Sylvird, Lalarua, and Lloyd were the one in the room.
Tonight was the first night that Ainz was on his first duty as a representative. He’s their first grandchild, and the crown prince. So, there must be a lot of reasons that made Sylvird worry.
「W-well, you’re certainly right… If he suffered any harm, it’s only natural for us to send our army…」
Today, Sylvird was so worried that he was saying things that he normally would not say. It’s probably because of the alcohol he drinks.
The room tonight wasn’t illuminated by a bright lamp using a magic tool, but by a fire lamp fueled by oil. The shadows made by the flickering fire with the slightest breath of air made him feel somehow sad tonight.
「Umm…? Excuse me, but I…」
Suddenly, a knock on the door echoed in the room. It was unusual for someone to come at this hour, and would normally be considered disrespectful to the king.
Lloyd went to the door to check who it was.
「…I see. Perfect timing. Ah, don’t worry, I will tell His Majesty about it… Good job」
「Lloyd, what happened at this late?」
「Yes. Actually, the news that Your Majesty must have been waiting for has just arrived」
「…Hmm? the news that I’ve been waiting for…?」
「This is Ainz-sama’s report for today. Would you like to read it?」
When he heard that it was today’s report, Sylvird instantly sobered up. Then, with the most energetic voice of the day, he replied to Lloyd.
「W-why don’t you tell me sooner! I’m sure Lalarua must be interested in that too, right!?」
「Yes, yes. I’m interested too… Lloyd, could you give it to us」
「Yes…!」
Lloyd returned to the two in a slight hurry. He then handed them the report he had just received.
「…Hyme, they said!?」
Not only Lloyd, but even Lalarua instantly broke out in a cold sweat. It was because of the intense aura that was emitted by Sylvird. A different tension from the time of the sea dragon attack surrounded the room, and the two were unable to open their mouths because of Sylvird’s aura.
They wondered if something had happened to Ainz, or if Hyme had done something to him.
But their worries were short-lived, because, within a few minutes, Sylvird showed a smile on his face.
「Ku… Kukukuh, Hahahahah! What a hilarious story!」
At that moment, the tension that had surrounded the room was broken.
「D-dear? Why don’t you tell us what’s written in it…?」
「Your Majesty. Did Hyme did something this time…?」
Sylvird’s smile widens when he hears their words.
He then begins to tell them what was written in the report. To summarize, it was the story of Ainz and the others from the time they met Tigre until they returned to the White King.
「…Well, well. I never thought I’d hear such a hilarious story on a night like this」
Lalarua’s shoulders quiver as she holds a fan in front of her mouth.
「Hahahahah! Your Majesty, Ainz-sama surely has grown up magnificently!」
「Yeah. I never thought that my education for him would come to fruition to this extent」
「But dear? It’s not that I’m trying to side with the people from Hyme, but what about the Knights of the King’s Guard who laughed at them」
「Hmm? …I don’t know what you’re talking about?」
Lalarua looked at Sylvird who deliberately showed a puzzled look on his face. Seeing that, she finally understood.
「…I see. I must have made a mistake」
The knights had laughed at Grint. But Sylvird pretended that he had not seen it in the report and did not mention it. That way, everyone would be happy.
「But, Your Majesty. I have to give Dill the highest praise I’ve ever given to him later」
「You’re right, Lloyd, he has done quite an amazing feat… Lalarua. Shouldn’t us the royal family reward Dill for his feat of defeating the “Holy Knight” of other countries multiple times?」
「Yes, you’re right. And as I remember, Dill doesn’t have a reliable sword yet, right? And since he’s going to be Ainz-kun’s escort, this is a good opportunity for us to give a good sword to him」
「Dill must be honored by it. And I’m very grateful」
For Sylvird, the alcohol he drank that day was the tastiest one he ever had.
***
At the same time that Sylvird and the others received the report, Olivia also received it as well.
Marche was the one who brought it to Olivia’s room, where Olivia and Claune were enjoying their tea party.
The two of them felt the same way about the hilarious story written on it. And they decided to talk about it.
「Hey, Claune-san. What kind of person is this third prince? I never met him when I was in Hyme after all」
「To put it simply. He was a person that will never budge from the values he had, and will continue to pursue the things he’s obsessed with until he obtains them. That’s what I think of him…」
「…So, you’re saying, he’s a pushy and stubborn person?」
「In short, he’s just like what you’ve said…」
Oliva, who was unable to say anything else, sipped her tea. Seeing Olivia, Claune sipped her tea as well.
「It’s also written in the report that you’re a candidate princess for him…」
「The word of the royal family takes precedence over everything else. If we’re going to follow that word, I think I was a close candidate」
「O-oh my…」
In Hyme, the royal’s word is considered more important than in Ishtalica. The system of royal decrees, which Ainz used during the Sea Dragon incident, does not exist in Hyme. So, it would be more correct to say that their word is always a royal decree.
「But still, Olivia-sama. Are you sure? From what I’ve read in the report, it seems to me that Ishtalica is far p.r.i.c.klier than it has ever been」
「Yes, it’s fine. We don’t really have diplomatic relations anymore, and… Since they’re not the citizens of my beloved Ishtalica. I don’t see a problem with it」
Claune thought. There is probably no woman for whom the word “saint” is more appropriate than Olivia.
Perhaps that’s why Olivia never seems to be in a situation where she “hates” people. She just becomes “indifferent”.
As a result, she may feel like an ant on the shoulder of the road because she really just doesn’t care anymore.
Even if Grint, a former family member, was involved in it.
No matter how much she thought about it in her head, it was only natural. Considering how Olivia and the Ainz were treated when they were in the Roundheart family, it was rather kind of them to just go away from them.
「And it’s quite a rude story… He was trying to steal a girl who’s going to be a bride in someone else’s family. Oh, my goodness? I wonder if the third prince was the one who said that first… But since you have refused once, so it should’ve been invalid」
「U-umm… Olivia, -sama?」
Olivia looked at Claune with a smile as she called her.
「Wh-who do you mean going to be a bride of someone is…?」
「I was referring to Claune-san and Ainz, of course… Am I wrong?」
Claune blushes when she hears those words.
「Err Umm… How to put this. Umm…」
「Is that a little embarra.s.sing?」
At Olivia’s words, Claune nodded her head without saying a word. She was so embarra.s.sed that she nodded her head while hiding her eyes behind her bangs.
「Fufufu, very well then… Let’s continue our tea party」
Seeing Claune blushed, Olivia urged her to continue with their tea party.
Claune, in her own way, often acted boldly even when she was with Ainz. But for some reason, she seemed to feel embarra.s.sed when she put it into words. Olivia thought that Claune was cute like that.
***
A few days had pa.s.sed since Ainz and the others had arrived in Euro and had held several meetings.
Tigre was never allowed to join them, but he himself has offered a meeting with them every day. And when Ainz and the others were in a meeting with Lord Amur, they even tried to break in several times. But as expected, they were prevented from doing so by the knights of Ishtalica and the knights of Euro.
And finally, the day when Ainz would return to Ishtalica came. Today was the last day of his trip, but he has some urgent work to be done.
「Yes, just like that! Pull it up carefully!」
Ainz and the others were present to lift the huge chunk of sea crystal that had been discovered. Because of its size, they decided to salvage it using the equipment of the battleship that Ainz and the others were on.
「We’re really grateful for your help」
「No no. This is a beneficial deal for us. If anything, we’re rather glad」
It was Lord Amur who talked to Warren. Although they were the one who found it, they haven’t been able to figure out how to pull it up to the surface.
「I heard you’re going home as soon as you’re done with this」
「Yes. We had a fruitful and good meeting this time. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this opportunity」
「We too are grateful… One thing, though, has been a problem」
「We know that you don’t plan for it. So, we’re not really concerned about it」
「…But we are grateful. You’ve saved us from the brunt of Hyme’s wrath」
He’s talking about what happened to Graff and Claune.
Not only Euro, but Ishtalica may be involved in it now. But he has guessed that the information that Warren has given to them was meant to protect Euro.
Of course, there was no denying the fact that Ishtalica wanted to mess with them. But that was the best outcome for both of them.
「You’re a very important friendly country for us, so you don’t need to worry」
「…Ishtalica is a seemingly mild-mannered country. But if Hyme ever gets too carried away…」
「Let me tell you something」
The air that Warren wears suddenly changed.
「We don’t have to attack them directly to cause damage. For example… Imagine if a port town in our country has changed its fishing method to a “special” method. That will change the marine ecosystem in the nearby seas, and the dangerous monster will head to the seas where there is an abundance of food… For example, the seas near the port city of Roundheart. Those monsters are always hungry, so a few days is enough time for them to change their behavior」
「…I see. I’m glad to be able to hear that valuable information」
「That’s good then」
While they were talking, the salvage operation was going smoothly. If they could get it to Ishtalica, the country would be even further enriched. The thought of that made Warren feel more relaxed.
A short time later, they were finally able to lift up the sea crystals and loaded them onto the battleship. After confirming it and greeting Lord Amur, Ainz and his group headed to their ship to finally go back to their homeland, Ishtalica.
「…Umm, Ainz-sama. This is a heartfelt gift from us Euro」
「Thank you very much, Ed-dono. I’m grateful for it… Hmm? This is…」
A knight of the Kings guard receives a collection of souvenirs from Ed. Among them, Ainz found a carved wooden figurine.
The color and shape of the figurine were enough to remind him of a certain existence.
Then, some dangerous urge hit Ainz’s mind. He doesn’t know why. But from the moment he sees the figurine, he begins to feel some kind of destructive urge in his mind.
「This is a figurine of a race of the being who are said to be the guardian deities of this continent」
「I-I see… So, what race is this?」
Ainz could feel his heart beating loudly. He couldn’t believe seeing that figure here.
「They are called Red Fox, the guardian deities of this continent. They are considered to be an auspicious race, and we hope that their blessings will be pa.s.sed on to His Highness Ainz… And I wish the same too for Ishtalica」
Ed continued to tell more about them to Ainz. He said that people that are born with “red hair” in this continent were said to have the blessing of the guardian deities.
「…Yes. Thank you. I appreciate it」
Ainz, on the other hand, was trying his best not to let his feelings show on his face. Chris and Warren seemed to feel the same.
That continued until they entered the White King and it was just the three of them.
***
After Ainz and the others had moved into the ship, it was time for them to go home. But the tension in the room was far from calm.
The ship had already sailed from Euro, and Lord Amur’s castle was barely visible at sea, but the tension did not change.
「Umm, Ainz-sama… Chris-dono. I’d like to hear your opinion」
Warren’s words sounded strange for someone like him.
After all, he was capable of solving a lot of problems on his own. That’s why he had never asked Ainz for his opinion before.
「I’m pretty sure that this figurine is definitely a red fox」
A female figure with the features of a fox and colored red. The carved wooden figurine looked exactly like one of the demon king’s aides from the doc.u.ments Chris had translated. With a rough manner, Ainz pointed at the figurine on the table.
「I don’t know much about it. But as Ainz-sama said, I think it is the same being as the red fox」
「Hmm…」
『The red fox who was in her entourage. She is the most likely the culprit that triggers the Demon Lord’s outburst』… That was a sentence written in an old elven script in a book that Kadyma had purchased.
They don’t understand a single meaning of it. Why would such a being be a guardian deity here on the continent of Euro?
「I don’t know. But the Demon Lord seems to be driven insane by the Red Fox. Let’s say that by believing the doc.u.ment, does that mean, the red fox came to this continent after her rampage?」
「Let’s a.s.sume that Ainz-sama is right… But I don’t know what’s its purpose」
While Ainz and Warren were wondering about its reason, Chris opened her mouth.
「…Pleasure-seeker. That’s written about her in that book」
「…Chris. What do you mean?」
Suddenly, unlike his usual, Ainz looked strange. Seeing that, Warren and Chris both wondered about him, but Chris decided to continue her words.
「The Red Foxes may be plotting something else on this continent…」
「Considering the mess they’ve made of Ishtalica, it’s conceivable that they’re trying to do just that. But their next target is not Ishtalica…」
Warren agreed with Chris. Chris a.s.sumed that they were so much of a pleasure-seeker, which was why they were going to mess with the continent as if they were playing.
「No」
But Ainz disagreed with Chris.
Ainz’s expression was still the same. But Chris who looked at him felt that he was just like an experienced knight on the battlefield. Even though he was just sitting there, she could not find any opening from him, and if she took her eyes off him for a moment, she felt that her head would fall to the ground. That’s the feeling she got from him.
「She’s always been like that, she likes to mess with other people, but… No. It was from the beginning. It was my mistake to believe her」
A series of unconnected words come out of Ainz’s mouth.
「A-Ainz-sama… What are you talking about…?」
「What’s wrong, Ainz-sama!?」
Chris and Warren were surprised. They had no idea what Ainz was talking about and stared at him with anxious eyes.
What did he believe in? They don’t understand what Ainz is saying.
「I thought she was just lonely. But that’s not the case… To mess with me, it must be her plan all along. Ever since “that” happen, ever since “that”…!」
Ainz did not respond at all to their calls. But he stood up and approached the table where the red fox figurine was placed.
When she saw that, Chris wanted to go next to Ainz and tried to take his hand. She didn’t know what was going on, but she wanted to calm him down.
But her legs couldn’t move, and Chris looked at her own legs to see why.
「Wh… Why…」
There was no sign of any restraining magic on her legs. And there are no signs of any other magic being cast either.
…But there is one thing she has figured out. Her legs were trembling like that of a fawn’s.
This is fear, a feeling of dread that she hasn’t felt in a long time… And that’s the reason why her legs won’t move.
Chris was also terrified when she dealt with the sea dragon… But still, it was not enough to stop her from moving her legs.
Why does she feel such an instinctive fear for Ainz that she can’t move her legs at all? Chris couldn’t figure out why.
「And now you’ve destroyed our bond… Haaaa!!」
Ainz took a big swing with his right hand and started swinging it. Chris wondered what he was doing when he moved his arm as if he was swinging a big sword, but a moment later something strange happened.
Suddenly, a loud roar echoed throughout the White King, and both Chris and Warren couldn’t help but close their eyes.
Soon after, she opened her eyes and looked around to see what had happened.
It wasn’t long before she found out that there was a huge hole in the room where Ainz and they had been. The hole was so big that they could see the sea and the deck from there.
When Chris next saw Ainz, she wondered when he had picked it up, or where he had gotten it from. In his right hand, he held a huge sword that was disproportionate to his body. The blow of that sword must be the reason why there was a huge hole in the White King.
Everything was blown away from the table where the red fox figurine had been placed.
The White King was the best battleship the King of Ishtalica had ever had, its defenses were harder than of a dragon’s, and it had durability that was hard to match.
But even so, Ainz’s swing had managed to cause so much damage.
「Ugh…」
Ainz stood as if staring blankly at something, but soon closed his eyes and almost fell over.
「Ainz-sama!」
Before he collapsed, Chris held Ainz in her arms. And the large sword he was holding disappeared like a particle as soon as he closed his eyes.
「This is… It seems, things didn’t end with just this」
Warren thought about that and just looked at Ainz, who was being held by Chris.
After that, many knights of the Kings guard rushed into the room. And they could only be amazed at the devastating state of the room.