Inside the carriage, Higashino Makoto leaned back in his armchair, his eyes closed as if he were dozing.
Kurumi sat opposite him, holding a book in her hands.
The text on the cover was in YGGDRASIL script, the same script used in her previous life. Narberal glanced at it but couldn't understand it.
Ainz sat by the window, watching the scenery rushing past outside.
In his mind, the eyes of the Guardians replayed as he left Nazarick.
In that look, there was reluctance, worry, and something else he couldn't decipher.
"Ainz."
Higashino Makoto's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Um?"
"Are you thinking about Nazarick?"
Ainz was silent for a moment.
How did you know?
"Because you've been spacing out ever since you got on the bus."
Higashino Makoto opened his eyes, a hint of amusement in his golden pupils.
"Moreover, apart from Nazarick, nothing can distract the Overlord."
Ainz did not deny it.
She... was very worried about me.
"She, Albedo, or Shalltear? Or perhaps Aura. Whoever it is, it's perfectly normal. You are her Supreme Beings, the very meaning of their existence."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"But you can't stop yourself from doing what you want just because she's worried. Otherwise, you'll always be her 'Supreme Beings,' not yourself."
Ainz remained silent.
"You're right."
He finally said.
"But it's very difficult to do."
"That's how it always is at the beginning."
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly as he closed his eyes again.
Everything is difficult at the beginning, but once you break out of your comfort zone and "fall into a rut," you'll quickly get used to it.
By then, Ainz might not be dragged along anymore.
The carriage continued its journey.
Sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, casting golden dappled patterns of light into the carriage.
Kurumi turned a page of the book, the ancient characters reflected in her right eye.
Narberal leaned back in her chair, her eyes closed, but her ears were constantly picking up the sounds around her.
The black cat "Zafkiel" curled up on Kurumi's lap, purring softly.
Four people and one cat.
Towards the depths of the Slane Theocracy.
Embarking on an unknown journey.
Towards—their respective answers.
Outside the carriage, the wind blew across the open fields.
On the distant horizon, the capital of the Slane Theocracy was faintly visible.
It is a city with a history of six hundred years, a pinnacle of human civilization, and a symbol of human supremacy.
That was also their destination.
Higashino Makoto opened his eyes and looked in that direction through the gap in the curtains.
A deep light flashed in his dark eyes.
"The Slane Theocracy... I hope it won't be too boring."
He murmured the name.
Slane Theocracy, border checkpoint.
The carriage stopped before the checkpoint, its wheels kicking up a cloud of dust as they rolled over the gravel road.
Higashino Makoto lifted the curtain and glanced outside.
The checkpoint was small, made of rough stones, no more than two people high, and only wide enough for two carriages to pass side by side.
Two heavy wooden doors were open, and on each side of the door frame stood two fully armed soldiers—wearing light silver armor, holding spears, with short swords at their waists, and wearing the emblems of the Six Great Gods on their chests.
Their posture was upright, their eyes sharp, a stark contrast to the exhausted guards on the border of the Holy Kingdom.
No wonder they are the strongest human nation in the world.
"Sir, I'll go negotiate."
Kurumi put down her book, lifted her skirt, and got out of the car.
The black cat "Zafkiel" followed at her feet, its tail held high.
Higashino Makoto leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and extended his senses to the outside of the car.
"Halt. Who goes there?"
The soldier's voice carried a cold, businesslike tone.
"We are adventurers, travelers from the Holy Kingdom."
Kurumi's voice was clear and polite, with an irresistible charm.
"Adventurer?"
The soldier looked her up and down—black twin ponytails, a black and red maid outfit, and a strangely shaped flintlock pistol hanging at her waist.
He doesn't look like an adventurer at all.
"You?"
"Me and my companions."
Kurumi turned to the side and pointed to the carriage.
Four people and a cat. They want to travel around the Slane Theocracy for a while.
The soldier frowned.
"The Slane Theocracy does not welcome adventurers of unknown origin. Do you have proof of your affiliation with the Adventurers' Guild?"
"Certainly."
Kurumi shook her head.
"Higashino and Lord Momon are both renowned adventurers. However, we have not come to the Slane Theocracy for adventure. You can consider us as free travelers."
"Then--"
"We can pay a deposit."
Kurumi took out a small cloth bag from her bosom and weighed it in her hand.
A crisp metallic clinking sound came from the bag—the sound of gold coins.
The soldier's expression changed slightly.
"How many?"
"Ten gold coins per person. Forty gold coins for four people."
Kurumi handed over the cloth bag.
"Refund upon departure."
The soldier took the bag, opened it, and glanced inside, his eyes widening slightly.
Forty gold coins is no small sum.
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes, but you must abide by the laws of the Slane Theocracy within its Slane Theocracy. You must not spread heretical doctrines, you must not Blasphemy the Six Great Gods, you must not—"
We know.
Kurumi interrupted him with a smile.
"We're just here to see the scenery."
The soldier said nothing more and waved for them to pass.
The carriage restarted, passed through the checkpoint, and set foot on the land of the Slane Theocracy.
Higashino Makoto opened his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Forty gold coins are a bit expensive.
Ainz's voice came from the other side, deep and calm.
"Not expensive."
Higashino Makoto shook his head.
"Forty gold coins for a 'Freedom of Movement' status is a good deal. Besides, only the top few coins in the bag are gold; the rest are gold-plated bronze coins. And to avoid being discovered, Kurumi used a little magic."
Ainz was silent for a moment.
"... When did you change it?"
"Last night."
Higashino Makoto said it was only natural.
"Kurumi's suggestion."
Ainz looked at Kurumi.
Kurumi tilted her head, her right eye curving into a crescent moon, revealing an innocent smile.
"That's called 'cost control,' Mr. Ainz."
Ainz remained silent.
He began to feel that traveling with Higashino Makoto might lead him to encounter many things he had never experienced before.
For example—on the very first day of entering a country, they start lying and having fun.
The carriage traveled on the official road of the Slane Theocracy for a whole day.
Higashino Makoto leaned back in his soft chair, engrossed in reading a copy of "A Brief History of the Slane Theocracy" that he had bought from a roadside bookstall.
Kurumi was organizing intelligence—ever since she entered the Slane Theocracy, she had been using a special method to gather information about her surroundings.
Ainz gazed out the window, his crimson eyes reflecting the rapidly receding fields and villages.
Narberal closed her eyes, feigning sleep, but her ears were constantly picking up the sounds around her.
"Higashino."
Ainz suddenly spoke.
"Um?"
"The Slane Theocracy has no Adventurers' Guild?"
"No."
Higashino Makoto turned a page in his book.
"Adventures' affairs in the Slane Theocracy are governed by the temple. To obtain similar status, one must pass the temple's examination and swear allegiance to the Six Great Gods. Therefore, we cannot use our adventurer status to gain any advantages here."
Ainz remained silent for a moment.
"So, how do we proceed?"
No adventurer status required.
Higashino Makoto put down his book and looked at Ainz.
"We are simply 'free travelers interested in the oldest country in human history.' We don't take on missions, collect bounties, or participate in any political activities. We just enjoy the scenery."
Does the Slane Theocracy believe this?
"Who knows, but most people probably don't believe it."
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.
"But they'll pretend to believe us. Because—they want to know why we're here."
Ainz's red eyes flickered slightly.
"You did it on purpose."
"Certainly."
Higashino Makoto leaned back in his chair and placed his hands in front of his lower abdomen.
"The Slane Theocracy is the Strongest Human, and also the one with the most extensive intelligence network. The moment we enter their territory, we'll be watched. Instead of hiding, we should openly show them. The more they see, the less they'll understand our true purpose."
"Then what?"
"Then they will send someone to contact us."
Higashino Makoto's tone was resolute.