POV: Lakyus
Throughout the Re-Estize Kingdom, many struggled with the customs of a warrior. Whether it was how to wield a sword or master the famous martial arts of the land, every warrior worth their salt needed intensive training.
This could be seen in the training grounds of E-Rantel.
Currently, it was just Evileye and me. Tia and Tina had gone ahead, and Gargaran had been banned from entering the castle for causing a scene. We marched through the long, luxurious hallways of the Ro-Lente Castle. The large glass windows allowed plenty of sunlight to pour in, making the marble floors and walls shine with a celestial glow. Beautiful tapestries and paintings adorned the hallways, depicting historical scenes like the battles that granted the Re-Estize Kingdom its independence from the Baharuth Empire. There were even paintings showing parts of the lost history before the Evil Deities and even the Eight Greed Kings.
This was why I took pride in being a priestess of the water god, a defender of humanity, just like the great heroes.
We left behind the guest wing and all the macabre paintings before arriving at the grand central courtyard. Through a large, vibrant green garden, separated by wide white stone paths, the two women could see the Valencia Palace on the other end, a small shining jewel at the center of a massive fortification.
"Tia, Tina," I called, sensing their presence.
There were two blurs of movement, and just like that, two identical slender blonde girls appeared kneeling before me. They wore strange foreign outfits with accents of different colors (one blue and the other red), likely to distinguish them. Unlike other knights, Tia and Tina were part of a long-standing magical order known as the Shadow Clan, said to have been founded by a mysterious and powerful entity hundreds of years ago. Called Ninjas, Tia and Tina were among the few living humans who had mastered the powerful magic of Ninjutsu (whatever that was).
"Who do you want us to kill, evil boss?" the one on the right (with blue accents), Tia, asked.
"Is it finally time to take over the kingdom, evil boss?" the one on the left (with red accents), Tina, wondered.
I sighed, while Evileye laughed. Sometimes it felt like I was leading a band of child assassins. On the other hand, there were moments when Lakyus worried that her comrades truly meant their words when they said they would support her if she started massacring certain nobles. Lakyus herself had considered such drastic measures, much to her dismay... by the sword, of course! It was all Kilineiram's fault.
"I'm going with Evileye. Keep an eye out for any spies, okay?" I grumbled.
And so, without another word, Lakyus went with Evileye to the palace across the courtyard. As they approached the area, they saw more fellow warriors. There were the heavily plated royal knights, dressed in silver armor and long red capes, as well as knights who served different lords. Some wore expensive civilian clothes, while others were clad in armor.
In any case, as the Blue Rose Knights approached the Valencia Palace, Lakyus made a point to ignore the looks her group received. There were nods of approval, leers, and smiles, and even some who simply stared with desire. Once inside the palace, fortunately, there were few people, mostly servants by then. Still, I marched through the luxurious hallways in a foul mood.
"Perverts..." I muttered.
"It's in men's nature," said Evileye, who had been like this since her infatuation with Momon.
"Don't justify them. You're just thinking about how you want Momon to notice you..." I said, half-teasing.
"What! I... uh..."
"Whatever, let's go. The princess is waiting."
Renner was her best friend. It was always calming to be with her, with her unmatched intellect. We had gotten out of many tight spots in the past, like when she deciphered the encrypted message from the infamous criminal group: the Eight Fingers.
Once inside, Lakyus found herself surrounded by even more luxury. Fine curtains hung on the various windows, allowing plenty of sunlight into the room, and the furniture was evidence of the person who owned it. Said person was already waiting for them, seated at a round table. She gave a big smile to the incoming knights, and Lakyus responded with a warm smile.
"My good friend Lakyus, it's a pleasure to see you," said the princess.
A delicate young woman with long golden hair and a fine blue dress, Princess Renner was as bright and beautiful as ever.
"You summoned us, Princess," I said with a bow.
"Come, sit before the tea gets cold, everyone," said the girl.
We sat at the table while Renner served the tea with a kind smile. I gladly accepted mine with a smile, while Evileye declined the offered drink, as suspicious as ever.
"I didn't see Climb-kun."
"He's training with Brain," she said, this time without the smile.
"You know why we're here, right?" Evileye asked.
"Ah, always straight to the point," Renner deflected, looking at her tea. "And here I wanted to start with some gossip."
"Don't worry about her, Princess," I interjected with a smile. "We have some juicy gossip and want your advice."
"Evileye is right," Renner nodded. "The Sorcerer King has been sending invitations to all high-ranking adventurers across the kingdom. It seems adventurers from the Baharuth Empire have also received letters." Renner paused and looked at me accusingly. "You should have been at court. It was discussed quite intensely."
I smiled nervously at that. I hadn't seen the king in a long time. After all, the king had yelled at and even struck me for failing to resurrect the warrior captain. I understood he was grieving, but it was still hard to forgive, even as a water priestess.
Besides, give me a quest, and I'd do it without much complaint. Ask me to stay with a bunch of nobles, and I'd rather let Kilineiram take over. Maybe that was a good way to improve the kingdom, now that I thought about it... no, I had to resist the temptation! Kilineiram, bad!
"I'll try to attend next time," I said. "Though you know what happened with King Ramposa... So, what was discussed?"
"I'm sorry about my father. He... since the massacre, he's been furious and then sad. Gazef Stronoff was important to him..." said the princess, looking at the floor.
"It's fine, I swear. You have nothing to do with it," I reassured her.
"A lot has happened since the Katze Plains massacre. The kingdom is in chaos. Two percent of the population has died, including first-born nobles. Now, all that's left are a bunch of unprepared second and third sons. Where should I even start?"
Renner went on to share some scandalous news.
First, the Sorcerer King claimed to have conquered the Abelion Hills and established a trade route passing through there.
Then there were the technological advancements: mass production of golems, something called a printing press that creates books in bulk, an improved potion, a coliseum not for battles but for games called soccer and basketball, new medicines, and a new magical item that allows one to see the target's mana.
Additionally, Queen Calca was visiting his kingdom for "trade agreements."
Finally, the rumors were true. He used undead as labor and liches in administrative positions, which contradicted my beliefs as a follower of the faith.
"So, he's not killing his population?" I asked.
"Not yet," Evileye replied.
"Do you think we should accept?" I continued.
Renner closed her eyes, thoughtful.
"He plans to show you the benefits of joining him. It doesn't seem like a trap."
"I would never abandon the kingdom," I replied with conviction.
I wouldn't abandon my homeland, even if the king struck me.
"But if you go, we might be able to use another source of external information. Many of our spies haven't returned. Besides, this kingdom is in decline."
"Wouldn't you feel betrayed if I switched countries?" I asked, confused.
"I'm not asking you to switch countries permanently."
"Then are you planning for us to be spies when it's almost certain death?" Evileye said, oddly, considering how much she wants to see Momon.
"You see, I want you to investigate the Sorcerer Kingdom's improvements to replicate them here in Re-Estize. And confirm for me that Ainz Ooal Gown doesn't have an evil long-term plan. Also, have you heard of the third faction?"
"We have no idea."
There are only two factions: the noble and the royal.
"Now there's a third faction, poorly named the Puppet Faction."
"They're, as the name suggests, puppets of Ainz Ooal Gown."
"Do they want to give away the kingdom?"
"No, it's more complicated. The nobles are second and third sons—incompetent, in short. I think Ainz is manipulating them so that the citizens desire foreign intervention."
"That's..." I was shocked. Another invasion by Ainz Ooal Gown. Would we be able to withstand it?
"Evil," Evileye added.
"And how can we, mere ignorant adventurers, uncover the plans of such a powerful entity?"
The little princess touched her lip with a finger and looked at us thoughtfully.
"Perhaps there's someone in Re-Estize who doesn't live there by choice and is somewhat close to the Sorcerer King, according to rumors."
"Momon!" Evileye fell into the trap.
I thought about it. Renner was my best friend. She had advised me well many times and was much smarter than me. Maybe I should listen to her this time too.
I thought about what the water god would want—to help the disadvantaged.
"After all, adventurers seek adventure," Renner concluded.
I smiled. Renner knew how to convince me.
"I vote yes, but I'll discuss it with my team."
"I... I do too."
Later
"And the little princess wants us to go to the undead kingdom?" Gargaran said once we left Ro-Lente Castle.
"Yes. I vote yes. I want to know what we'll inevitably face in the future. And Evileye wants to see Momon."
"Hey! I care about humanity too," Evileye retorted.
"Relax, dwarf. We all know you want to get laid."
"So, evil boss, are you going to join forces with the Sorcerer King?" Tia asked.
"The evil boss's sword has finally possessed her," Tina added.
"I'm serious," I said, exasperated.
My decision has nothing to do with the sword, hmph! Kilineiram, don't influence me!!
"I'll vote however you vote," said Gargaran.
"That makes three. Are you in?"
The twins nodded.
"You're already the majority. Our decision doesn't change the outcome."
"Yes, the evil boss will force us anyway."
"Well then, time for adventure."
Sorcerer King, get ready! Blue Rose is heading to your country!