Higashino Makoto reached out and patted her head.
"Stop asking. If you keep asking, I'll develop chuunibyou (middle school syndrome)."
Illya nodded as if she understood, and then shut her mouth.
Lakyus walked ahead, head down, her long golden hair obscuring her face.
But Higashino Makoto noticed that her ears were red.
Very popular.
It was so red it looked like it was about to bleed.
A slight smile played at the corners of his lips.
The "Blue Rose" stronghold is located deep in a small alley in the east of the city.
A three-story stone building, its exterior walls covered with ivy, with a wooden sign hanging at the entrance that reads "Rose House".
Lakyus pushed open the door and stepped aside.
"Please come in."
Higashino Makoto stepped inside.
The first floor is a spacious hall with several sofas and coffee tables scattered around, and several oil paintings and some adventurers' souvenirs hanging on the walls.
The air was filled with the aroma of tea and flowers, and sunlight streamed in through the windows, making the entire hall warm and bright.
"Sit."
Lakyus walked to a sofa and sat down.
Higashino Makoto sat down opposite her, and Illya sat down next to him, her long, silvery-white hair gleaming softly in the sunlight.
Gagaran, Tia, Tina, Evileye each found a seat.
Tia and Tina sat in the shadows of the corner, like two cats ready to pounce at any moment.
Gagaran sat near the door, arms crossed, his eyes wary.
Evileye sat beside Lakyus, holding her staff in both hands, her long golden hair falling over her shoulders.
"Tia, bring out the intelligence."
Lakyus said.
Tia stood up, walked to a cabinet by the wall, unlocked it, took out a thick folder, and handed it to Lakyus.
Lakyus took the folder, placed it on the coffee table, and opened it.
The first page is a hand-drawn map.
The map shows the various areas of the Royal Capital, with different colored markers indicating the "Eight Fingers '" strongholds, contact points, warehouses, and casinos.
"The 'Eight Fingers' influence in the Royal Capital is mainly divided into eight parts."
Lakyus pointed to the markings on the map.
"Drug trafficking, slave trade, security, assassination, theft, finance, gambling, smuggling. Each part is handled by a 'finger.' They cooperate and compete with each other, but they unite when faced with external threats."
Higashino Makoto looked at the map, his dark eyes scanning every mark.
Where is their stronghold?
"Here."
Lakyus pointed to a location slightly north of the center of the map.
"In the northern district of the Royal Capital, there is an abandoned noble residence. On the surface, it is empty, but in reality, it is the headquarters of 'Eight Fingers.' It is heavily guarded, and at least two 'Fingers' are stationed there."
"What about combat strength?"
"The 'Six Arms' are the six strongest individuals under the jurisdiction of the security department who control the Eight Fingers."
Lakyus turned a page, revealing several portraits.
"Everyone among them is a top-tier expert, reaching the Steel-level adventurer level. Furthermore, they've hired some mercenaries and adventurers, making them quite powerful."
Higashino Makoto glanced at the portraits, casually tapping them with his finger, completely unconcerned.
After all, they were just cannon fodder who were crushed by Ainz in the original story.
He spoke to Illya beside him.
Have you memorized their faces?
Illya idly twirled her hair with her fingers, looking rather bored.
Upon hearing Higashino Makoto's words, she immediately straightened her petite body and answered.
"Of course! Illya is very powerful!"
Higashino Makoto ruffled her hair, making the girl make sounds like a cat being petted.
Higashino Makoto handed the document back to Lakyus, signaling her to continue speaking.
Lakyus closed the folder, his expression somewhat serious.
"But there may be other forces behind 'Eight Fingers,' such as nobles. Some nobles are in cahoots with 'Eight Fingers,' providing them with protection and intelligence. If we want to take action against 'Eight Fingers,' we must also face the counterattack of these nobles."
Higashino Makoto leaned back on the sofa, his dark eyes staring at the ceiling.
"Leave the nobles' affairs to the royal family. We're only responsible for dealing with 'Eight Fingers' himself."
Lakyus looked at him.
Are you sure the royal family will intervene?
"Uncertain."
Higashino Makoto shook his head.
"But if they don't act, I'll make them act."
Lakyus was silent for a moment.
What are your plans?
"Courtesy first, then force."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"First, go and talk to the king. Explain your reasoning and appeal to his emotions; if that still doesn't work—"
He paused.
"Then let's change the king."
The hall fell silent.
Gagaran tapped his fingers lightly on his knee. Tia and Tina exchanged a glance. Evileye lowered his head, his lips moving slightly as if he were muttering something.
Is this something I can hear?
Lakyus's face was serious, his expression somewhat distorted.
I stared at Higashino Makoto for a long time.
"Higashino. Higashino."
"Um."
Do you know what your words just now meant?
"Know."
Higashino Makoto's answer was concise and to the point.
"That means if the king doesn't cooperate, I'll depose him. If the nobles don't cooperate, I'll exterminate them. I refuse to believe that everyone sitting in that palace is a bunch of insects who can't understand human language—"
They had such a wonderful start!
But...
He paused.
"If that's the case, then I'll go to another country."
Lakyus's lips trembled slightly.
"You... you can actually say such a thing so easily?"
"Because for me, it's really easy."
Higashino Makoto's voice was calm.
"I have the power, and I have the determination. And this boring and corrupt country needs a strong remedy."
Lakyus looked at him, at the calm, emotionless light in his dark eyes.
She suddenly remembered what her uncle had said—
There are some huge variables in this world.
They can save a country, or they can destroy it.
They are not gods, but they possess divine power.
Therefore, never try to judge them by common sense.
It seems that Higashino Makoto is just that kind of person?
"Mr. Higashino."
Lakyus's voice softened.
Why did you do that?
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"I wanted to do it, I could do it, so I did it. It's simple, isn't it?"
Higashino Makoto's gaze fell on the window, looking at the sky illuminated by the sunlight.
"I want to make the world a better place. Not for any other reason, just because I like beautiful things."
Lakyus looked at him for a long time. Then she slowly nodded.
"I see."
She didn't ask any more questions.
Because she knows that some questions don't need answers.
Some answers don't need to be understood.
She only needed to know one thing: she had to tell the Renner and the King about this; the worst could not be allowed to happen.
"Then it's settled."
Higashino Makoto stood up.
"Tomorrow, I will go to the palace to see the King. You continue to gather intelligence on 'Eight Fingers.' We will make our move in three days."
Lakyus stood up, placed his right hand on his chest, and gave a standard knightly salute.
"No problem."
Higashino Makoto looked at her, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"You're quite obedient."
"It's not about being obedient."
Lakyus straightened up, looking at him with his emerald green eyes.
"It's about trust. You trust us, so we trust you."
Higashino Makoto didn't reply. He turned around and walked towards the door.
Illya lifted her skirt and followed.
He stopped at the door without turning around.
"Lakyus."
"Um."
"Your 'Dark Blade Mega Impact' is a good name, quite interesting."
Lakyus blushed again.
"You--You--"
I'm just telling the truth.
Higashino Makoto pushed open the door and went out.
Illya followed behind him, her long, silvery-white hair gleaming golden in the sunlight.
She turned her head and glanced at Lakyus, a hint of curiosity in her crimson eyes.
Then she turned around and chased after him.
"Big brother, wait for me!"
The two figures disappeared at the end of the street.
Lakyus stood in the doorway, gazing in that direction, his emerald green eyes gleaming with a complex light.
"Team leader."
Gagaran walked over to her.
Are you alright?
"Fine."
Lakyus shook his head.
"It just feels a little unreal."
What's unreal?
"That person."
Lakyus's voice was very soft.
"His existence itself is unreal."
Gagaran was silent for a moment.
But he does exist.
"Yes."
Lakyus's lips curled up slightly.
He does exist.
She turned around and walked back into the hall.
"Keep working. We'll be working with that person in three days. Before then, review the intelligence on 'Eight Fingers' again, making sure nothing is missed."
"Yes, sir!"
All four responded simultaneously.
Lakyus walked to the window and looked out at the sunlit sky.
Her long golden hair swayed gently in the breeze, and the outline of white clouds was reflected in her emerald green eyes.
"Higashino Makoto..."
She murmured the name.
In the distance, Higashino Makoto and Illya's figures had disappeared at the end of the street.
But Lakyus knew they would meet again.
Three days later.
In that abandoned nobleman's mansion.
In that place known as the "Eight Fingers" lair.
They will meet again.
At that time, she will see that person's true strength.