At the Francia Palace training tower camp, Lord Lock returned to his temporary residence with Vier and Clementine.
As for Shakyulont, he was escorted by Tiger Knights—already ordered by Lock to don full combat gear—to gather the remaining members of Eight Fingers. Once they were assembled, they would be captured in a single sweep.
According to Aenpe Itivea, notifying all Eight Fingers branches would take at least two days.
However, the combat division Six Arms was based in the Royal Capital. With Shakyulont's cooperation, all of its members could be gathered tonight.
That meant only one thing.
There would be blood.
"In truth," Lock mused, "Eight Fingers is little more than a rotten shell. Once Six Arms falls, the rest will collapse on its own."
"Vier," he said casually, "move dinner time up tonight."
"I understand, Master."
Vier withdrew to make preparations. Lock remained in his room; dusk had not yet fully settled, and there was no need for lamps.
He sat near the door, retrieved a magic tome from his storage space, and began reading.
Unlike Ainz, who wielded magic without understanding its principles, Lock genuinely enjoyed unraveling magical theory. Every book he mastered refined his control, expanding his spell repertoire and strengthening his foundation.
Reading really does make one happy, he thought.
But peace never lasted long.
A Tiger Knight soon arrived to report.
"Lord Lock, the five members of Blue Rose have arrived. They request an audience."
Lock paused.
"…All five?"
A slow smile spread across his face.
He had clashed with two of them earlier that day. Now the entire Adamantite-ranked team had come knocking.
Interesting.
"Where are they?"
"At the tower entrance."
"Take me to them."
Blue Rose Arrives
At the training tower gate, five fully armed women stood blocked by two Tiger Knights.
Gaguran was there, her armor newly repaired.
Ibiruei stood silently beside her, face hidden beneath a cloak.
The remaining three were unmistakable:
Two identical twin ninjas in light armor
And at the center, a blonde woman wearing enchanted armor, a greatsword at her waist, with several floating magic blades orbiting behind her.
Lakyus Alvein Dale Aindra.
Lock raised an eyebrow.
Compared to the Golden Princess—outwardly innocent, inwardly twisted—Lakyus was far more straightforward: noble-born, justice-driven, and dangerously capable.
She had once stopped the Sunlight Scripture from massacring demi-humans.
Even in the original timeline, she had chosen defiance over survival.
A troublesome woman, Lock judged. But an admirable one.
Lakyus noticed him immediately.
Unlike the imposing Tiger Knights, Lock wore simple white attire. He looked more like a scholar than a warlord.
A gilded cage, she thought coolly.
"Welcome, members of Blue Rose," Lock said politely.
"You must be Baron Lock," Lakyus replied with a smile. "Please forgive our sudden visit."
"The honor is mine. To meet the leader of Blue Rose, daughter of the Einz-Andorra family."
He went straight to the point.
"Miss Einz-Andorra, what brings you here?"
"Oh?" Lakyus tilted her head playfully.
"Shouldn't you invite us in for tea first? Keeping guests outside isn't very proper etiquette."
Her real aim was obvious.
She wanted to see the Tiger Knights up close.
Lock didn't miss it—but didn't care.
"Please, come in."
A Polite Confrontation
They were led into the tower's first-floor hall. Wooden tables lined the space—originally meant for soldiers' meals.
Lock seated himself. Blue Rose, however, remained standing behind Lakyus.
So this is a negotiation, Lock noted.
"Please speak freely," he said.
Lakyus bowed.
"Earlier today, my teammate Gaguran had an unpleasant encounter with you. As her leader, I wished to apologize in person."
Gaguran stiffened.
"Lakyus—"
She was stopped by Ibiruei.
Lock stood and returned the bow.
"I also bear responsibility. Please accept my apology as well."
The atmosphere grew… ceremonial.
Are these two getting married or what? Gaguran thought, bewildered.
Lakyus smiled, but the warmth faded slightly.
"However," she continued, "Gaguran's equipment was destroyed in that incident."
Lock nodded calmly.
"Name the cost. I'll compensate it fully."
"You misunderstand," Lakyus said. "We didn't come for money."
As expected, Lock thought.
"As their leader," Lakyus continued, eyes sharpening,
"When my teammates are humiliated, it's only natural for me to reclaim our dignity."
She straightened.
"And more importantly… a man stronger than an Adamantite-ranked adventurer has appeared in the Royal Capital. That alone excites me."
Her smile turned fierce.
"I am a martial fanatic, Baron Lock."
Then came the real request.
"So—could you arrange a friendly spar? Blue Rose versus your subordinates."
Lock studied her.
A probe before the Royal Tournament.
An old, transparent trick.
He smiled.
"If that's the case, I'll summon Clementine—"
"Please wait," Lakyus interrupted.
Lock paused.
"There's more?"
"Yes."
She met his gaze directly.
"I'm not interested in your personal strength today."
She gestured outward, toward the tower.
"I want to test your Tiger Knights."
Five against five.
A team battle.
"I want to see whether the Knights rumored to ride Magic Beasts… truly deserve that reputation."
The intent was no longer hidden.
She was openly testing her future opponents.
Lock chuckled softly.
"So that's it."
He rose from his seat.
"Very well."
A dangerous smile formed.
"I accept."
---
A/N: Advance Chapter Has Been Uploaded. Please Check It Out. It will really help me out and will keep me motivated to continue.
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San