Stay overnight in a place like a demon's lair? You must be joking!
Leaving aside whether his daughter, who can control minds, will come over and deal with each of my subordinates one by one, there might even be more terrifying methods!
I absolutely will not believe that the monster Ainz Ooal Gown would let me stay overnight without any ulterior motives!
At this moment, Jierunifu noticed… a tall, slender man wearing glasses and a strange formal suit, who had been standing beside Ainz Ooal Gown.
Just now, he was standing next to that 'willful' princess. When Ainz Ooal Gown invited me to stay overnight, that man smiled, didn't he? He definitely smiled!
This man, radiating a sinister aura, coupled with that disgusting smile, clearly looked like he had a plan. No! I absolutely cannot let him succeed! This is no place to linger! I must escape quickly!
"No, no, please don't trouble yourself. Although I would very much like to have a long talk with Lord Cong, I must return quickly to make various preparations for the arrival of Her Royal Highness the Princess," Jierunifu said with a forced smile.
"Is that so? What a pity. Then I… no, I will send someone to escort you!" Ainz Ooal Gown said with a tone of great regret.
You thwarted my plan, and it is indeed a pity… So, you're immediately moving on to your next move, are you? Jierunifu thought to himself.
"Thank you for Lord Cong's kindness. After all, we came by carriage, so we'll just return by carriage!" Jierunifu said.
Although I have indeed never ridden a dragon and would like to try it, given Ainz Ooal Gown's words and actions just now, I certainly wouldn't believe he would send me back without any selfish motives.
"Is that so!" Ainz Ooal Gown once again 'revealed' a tone of regret. Whether it was sincere or an act, there's no need to doubt! It must be an act! Before he throws out any more tricks, I must quickly take my leave!
"Then we shall take our leave. Once the princess is ready, please speak with my Secretary Rone!" Jierunifu said quickly.
"In that case, Demiurge, please see the guests out!" Ainz Ooal Gown said.
"Yes, Lord Ainz!" The man who had made Jierunifu wary responded.
"No, please don't trouble Lord Cong. It's a rare opportunity. May I trouble the ladies of the maid staff to see us off? I have never seen such beautiful ladies," Jierunifu quickly refused.
It was obvious… from the moment I saw that guy's smile, I became wary of this slender man. And just that much was enough for Ainz Ooal Gown to notice!
How intelligent are you?! And you clearly know I'm wary of him! Yet you still send him to escort me. Isn't that clearly mocking me?
Ainz Ooal Gown's actions are nothing more than a message to me! Who truly calls the shots here!
Damn it! This guy has no intention of forming an alliance with me at all! And I clearly know this! I clearly know it! But I am powerless to resist and can only follow Ainz Ooal Gown's script!
"Hehe! Thank you for your praise. I imagine those maids will also be pleased. In fact, I am very happy right now to gain an ally like you. I even want to declare this day a holiday," Ainz Ooal Gown said with a smile.
"Indeed! Lord Cong is right, it is truly worth celebrating." Jierunifu tried very hard to suppress his urge to curse loudly and shout, "Are you going to establish a slave commemoration day?" He forced himself to squeeze out a smile in response.
...
On the carriage ride back, Jierunifu remained silent. Fulda, who had been riding with him earlier, was not here but was riding with his students. In his place was another one of Fulda's students.
Having witnessed various miraculous things, Fulda must now be engaged in a lively discussion with his students!
Compared to them, this side was much quieter, dominated only by an immensely heavy atmosphere. Rone had already stayed in that Great Tomb, and now another Secretary had taken his place.
The reason for this was entirely Jierunifu's doing. Ever since leaving that tomb, Jierunifu had worn a solemn expression and hadn't spoken a single word. Bajed had never seen Jierunifu, who was known as the Blood Emperor, display such a disheartened expression.
Jierunifu naturally noticed the expectant gazes of Bajed and the Secretary, but what could he do now? He could do nothing! Because Bajed and the others simply did not understand what kind of existence the Empire was about to face!
Upon entering that tomb… no, it can no longer be called a tomb… it should be renamed the Demon Lord's Castle!
Upon entering the castle, the magnificent buildings and the never-before-seen decorations all revealed how wealthy the owner of these things was, and then the ability to effortlessly summon a Death Knight that could defeat the entire Imperial army.
This alone was sufficient to demonstrate his strength. So, it means… the enemy the Empire faces is a powerful being who utterly crushes the Empire in terms of financial and military power!
Even more terrifying is that… the one who possesses these things is also an exceptionally wise individual. It's obvious what the Empire's future will be if it opposes them.
The Empire's overall strength is indeed very strong, but in front of Ainz Ooal Gown, it's nothing. Comparing the Empire to him is like comparing a small lamb to a giant dragon, and… this giant dragon also has a very sharp mind.
Jierunifu lowered his head and glanced at his fists, which were still tightly clenched due to tension. No! There is still hope! The Empire's defeat has not yet been confirmed… no… I should say humanity's defeat!
And so, Jierunifu let out a laugh, a laugh befitting the title of Blood Emperor.
Bajed and the Secretary felt relieved when they saw their Emperor laughing again. If even the Emperor lost confidence, then there would truly be no hope.
"Alright, then let's first discuss, from your perspectives, your views on that tomb. You can say anything… don't worry about being punished. First, let's start with the owner of that tomb, Ainz Ooal Gown!" Jierunifu said. What he needed most now were opinions, opinions on how to deal with Ainz Ooal Gown!
"Then…" Since he was the one who brought it up, and it was only natural for him to start, Jierunifu continued.
"Ainz Ooal Gown is a monster among monsters, capable of easily creating Death Knights. If we become his enemy, the Empire might not see tomorrow. Even if we choose to surrender to him, since he is an Undead, he might very well indiscriminately slaughter the innocent out of hatred for the living. Do you have any objections?" Jierunifu said.
"No," Bajed replied. The Secretary and Fulda's student also shook their heads, indicating no objections.
"Is that so? It seems everyone is in agreement," Jierunifu sighed. After all, having witnessed those things firsthand… no one would doubt it.
"I'll add something. I believe it's almost impossible for humans to defeat that guy with their strength, not even with the entire Imperial army," Bajed added. Coming from Bajed, the head of the Empire's Four Generals, there was naturally no room for doubt.
"The key is that this monster also possesses a remarkably outstanding kingly aura! He has all the charm a ruler should have," Jierunifu also added.
"Yes, I think that monster has more of a kingly aura than our Emperor!" Bajed said playfully.
"Indeed, I admit that too. Compared to him, I am truly far inferior," Jierunifu admitted quite frankly.
After all… it was the truth.
"Is it because of that phrase, 'No noise, silence'?" The Secretary confirmed with Jierunifu.
"Of course. Didn't you also feel that natural kingly aura that 'flowed' out when that monster said those words?" Jierunifu retorted, and the Secretary could only nod.
"Finally, the most serious problem is that terrifying entity not only possesses power but is also extremely wise! You might not realize it, but ever since our visit, everything has been proceeding according to his script. Otherwise, he wouldn't have let us go so easily. He possesses absolute power, yet he doesn't wield it directly but uses schemes. Such a person is the most difficult to deal with!" Jierunifu said, his expression darkening considerably at this point.
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