Walking past the busy villagers, Momonga quietly pondered his own thoughts.
"With this, news that someone named Ainz Ooal Gown saved the village will surely spread."
"If there are other YGGDRASIL players in this world besides me, doing our best to help one another would be ideal."
"For that reason, we must avoid provoking their hostility. Avoiding unnecessary slaughter is something we should strive for."
"Moreover, I need a righteous cause—preferably even a nation to stand behind me…"
"Big brother, are you thinking about what we should do if there are other YGGDRASIL players in this world?" Walking beside him, Chu Lian could tell from his silence what he was thinking and suddenly asked softly.
"Uh… yes. After all, if they're players like me, then in this unfamiliar world, finding companions would be a good thing." Momonga did not conceal his thoughts. He also knew that perhaps other NPCs would not understand such matters.
But Deloris was different. She had already possessed independent intelligence before coming to this world, and might even secretly understand both the game and reality. There was no need to hide such things from her.
"Deloris thinks that before confirming whether the other party is friendly, it's better not to make contact. In YGGDRASIL, the war between humans and non-humans never ceased. There's no guarantee that mindset won't persist here. If they're also non-human, then it's fine. But what if they're human?" Chu Lian spoke entirely from a player's perspective.
Momonga felt a strange sense of incongruity hearing an NPC speak like a player, yet her words were indeed worth considering.
"Am I acting too hastily?"
"It's not a matter of haste, but direction. Why assume that they must be able to accept us? Human nature is treacherous. We cannot rely on them retaining their original hearts after gaining great power and unrestricted freedom. While searching for them, we should also guard against them."
"This does require careful thought. If they learn of our existence and gather in large numbers, we could be in danger…" Chu Lian's words rang an alarm bell in Momonga's heart. He resolved to act more cautiously in the future.
That's right. The more cautious you are, the less likely you are to make mistakes or reveal flaws. That way, it'll be easier for me to do what I need to do. Chu Lian felt relieved—and slightly proud of her cleverness.
"Using a god's-eye view and only thinking of this now—after already making mistakes—and still feeling smug about it? Little Lian'er, honestly… If someone truly ruthless were in your position, with your current resources, strength, and status, you'd have gained far more than just Albedo and the title of Princess of the Great Tomb of Nazarick." Ayase couldn't help but speak up.
"I know I'm not the type who can discard everything for profit. Everything I do now is based on not harming the people of the Great Tomb of Nazarick or the majority of this world."
Chu Lian did not deny it. She simply wasn't that kind of person.
"Entering a dungeon is meant to complete tasks and gain as many benefits as possible. But if those benefits are soaked in blood, life, and darkness, I can't do it. And I doubt you'd want to see me like that either."
"It's precisely because of that mindset that every task you undertake is so difficult, even if you end up achieving the highest rewards." Ayase sounded as though she were scolding her, yet her voice was exceptionally gentle. "But that's also why the system chose you. You have a bottom line that cannot be crossed. There's no need to worry that you'll abuse the system's benefits to do evil."
"I like this version of you, Lian'er. Very much…"
The final words were soft and faint. Had Chu Lian not listened carefully, she might not have heard them at all. Ayase, at this moment, seemed especially adorable.
At that time, Momonga, having finished his contemplation, spoke up.
"That's enough for today. Deloris, let's head back."
"Yes, big brother." Hearing his voice, Chu Lian withdrew her focus from the system space and responded.
But just after she finished speaking, a man carrying a shoulder pole passed before them and said to Momonga, "Hello, Lord Ainz…" After expressing his gratitude, he continued on his way.
Momonga had been observing Chu Lian's reactions all along. Once the man had walked away, he asked, "Deloris, how do you feel about humans? Do you like them—or hate them?"
"I neither like nor dislike humans. I admire their resilience and detest their contradictions. I admire their drive to improve their lives, yet despise their greed and persecution of other races."
"They are not born strong like other races. Born weak, they grow through their own perseverance, eventually surpassing others. Though such individuals are rare, it must be said—no race excels at absorbing the strengths of others and strengthening themselves as they do."
"Of course, if left unchecked, one day humans seeking ever greater power will only destroy themselves."
"They are a multifaceted race—more complex than any other…"
Chu Lian did not praise humanity simply because she had once been human.
Leaving aside that her current body was of another race and her identity was the Princess of Nazarick, she had once been merely an NPC. What right did she have to stand from a human perspective?
So she stepped beyond identity and spoke objectively. She did not need Momonga's agreement—or anyone's. She was simply voicing her thoughts.
"Heh, it seems Deloris is quite friendly after all." Even though she had remained neutral rather than expressing a clear stance, from Momonga's perspective as a non-human, neutrality already implied considerable goodwill.
He did not consider that a problem. Whether she viewed humans favorably or not was not his concern. He merely wanted to know her stance so he could take it into account in future actions.
"No matter how we view them, for now we must remain calm and treat them with kindness. A bit of acting is still required." Momonga looked at the petite girl before him and spoke with a faint smile.
"For a fox, acting is the least concerning thing." A small smile curved Chu Lian's lips. "Please rest assured, big brother. Deloris will handle it well."
Looking into the distance, she saw several villagers gathered together. A young villager seemed to be discussing something troublesome with the village chief.
"It seems they've encountered another problem they can't solve, big brother. Let's go help them. Friendliness, attitude, acting…" Her tail swayed playfully beneath her robes as she spoke.
"Mm." Momonga nodded and walked with her toward the murmuring villagers. "What happened, village chief?"
"Oh, Lord Ainz…" The chief turned at the sound of his voice. "A group of knights is approaching…"
"I see. Gather the remaining villagers at the chief's house immediately. Chief, come with me to the plaza." His words clearly meant: I will handle this. With such a powerful figure offering help, the villagers felt reassured. The chief smiled gratefully and replied, "Yes."
Standing behind Momonga, Chu Lian watched the dust rising along the road and thought silently:
So the final stage of the ambush designed to assassinate the Kingdom's Warrior-Captain has finally arrived? The Slane Theocracy is truly detestable. I should uproot them completely someday.
Better yet, stir suspicion in other nations and let them commit some further reprehensible acts. Then I'll have even more justification to destroy them.
Committing vile deeds in the name of righteousness—like filthy rats pretending to be gentlemen. Disgusting.
If not for the innocent civilians, I'd almost go to Origin Land and trade for a zombie virus to throw into their country.
Alright, I know that thought is insane. But I truly dislike these hypocrites.
"Lian'er, never think like that again. Killing is one thing—even slaughter is acceptable—but do not use something that violates heavenly principles."
Ayase knew all her thoughts and immediately warned her.
"Death is the natural end of life. Whether it comes early or not, it is destined. But if you create slaughter through unnatural means, you will only accumulate more and more sin, until in the end you destroy yourself."
"I know, I know. I never planned to truly do it. But the Slane Theocracy must be destroyed. If it isn't, the final optional tasks can't be completed."
"There are ways to destroy it. The Slane Theocracy isn't simple—be cautious. Oh, and if you destroy it without relying on Nazarick's power, you'll receive unexpected rewards."
Ayase was practically giving her special treatment with that hint. Chu Lian nodded, half understanding.
While she was lost in thought, the group of knights had already reached the edge of the plaza. Seeing the three figures standing there, the leading knight reined in his horse and looked at them.
"I am the Warrior-Captain of the Re-Estize Kingdom, Gazef Stronoff. Having learned that knights of the Baharuth Empire were causing trouble nearby, I come under the king's command to suppress them, patrolling the villages…"
"Warrior-Captain…" The chief repeated the title aloud.
Hearing him, Gazef noticed the chief and asked, "You must be the village chief. May I ask who stands beside you?"
"This lord is…" The chief raised a hand to introduce them, but Momonga interrupted with a bow.
"There is no need to trouble the chief. A pleasure to meet you, Warrior-Captain. My name is Ainz Ooal Gown, a magic caster who came to aid this village after seeing it under attack."
Gazef was momentarily stunned by the introduction, then dismounted and stepped forward.
"For saving this village, I have no words sufficient to express my gratitude…"
Just then, a knight approached him and reported in a low voice, "Warrior-Captain, multiple figures are approaching from all sides, forming an encirclement around the village…"
Hearing this, Chu Lian's heart stirred.
They've finally arrived. Time to stretch my muscles a little, Slane Theocracy. Let's see just how capable you truly are…