"The Black Hero and the Silver Paladin." These two names shouldn't be too unfamiliar to the Slane Theocracy's intelligence system.
Ainz remained silent.
He recalled what he had done in the Re-Estize Kingdom.
Defeat the giants, vanquish the demon serpent, and subdue the Wise King of the Forest.
And not long ago, they helped the Re-Estize Kingdom fend off the army of the undead.
Those events are widely known in human society, and it's impossible for the Slane Theocracy not to know them.
And what Higashino Makoto did in the Holy Kingdom—
With a wave of his hand, he repelled tens of thousands of demi-human troops and saved the Central Fortress from falling.
This further spread the name "Silver Paladin" throughout the northwest corner of the entire continent.
Two people with such a record appeared simultaneously within the territory of the Slane Theocracy.
The high-ranking officials of the Slane Theocracy could not possibly remain indifferent.
"So, you're waiting for them to come to us."
"Ainz said."
"Right."
Higashino Makoto nodded.
"Wait for them to come to us. Then, we'll deal with whatever they say."
Ainz remained silent for a long time.
"Higashino, you're really good at this kind of... psychological warfare."
"It's not a psychological game, just simple speculation."
Higashino Makoto shook his head.
Treat people as human beings. Everyone has what they want and what they fear. If you know what they want and what they fear, you can guess what they will do.
"So what do you think the Slane Theocracy wants? What do you think it fears?"
"I want to protect humanity, rule humanity, and eliminate all non-human threats."
Higashino Makoto's voice was calm.
"I fear the reappearance of beings like the 'Eight Greed Kings.' I fear humanity will lose its protection once more. I fear those True Dragon Lords. I fear humanity will once again become pitiful subsistence food."
Ainz's red eyes gleamed.
"Then what are we? What are we to the Slane Theocracy?"
"Unknown."
Higashino Makoto said.
"It's both a threat and an opportunity. That's why they'll cautiously probe rather than attack directly. After all, even just the strength we've displayed is absolutely among the best in humanity."
Ainz nodded.
"Understood."
He turned his head and looked out the window again.
The setting sun was painting the sky a golden-red hue.
In the distant fields, several farmers are tidying up their tools, preparing to go home.
Smoke rose from the village chimneys, drifting away into the twilight.
Everything was peaceful.
But Ainz knew that this calm was just a facade.
Beneath the calm surface, undercurrents are surging.
The Slane Theocracy, Imperial Capital, Temple Headquarters.
Cardinal Raymond Zarg Zach Lord stood before the enormous floor-to-ceiling window, his hands behind his back, gazing at the darkening sky outside.
He wore a magnificent white robe, the hem of which was embroidered with the Six Great Gods, and a necklace made of unknown gemstones hung on his chest.
His hair was gray and his face was aged, but his gray eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's.
"How's the situation with the Black Scripture?"
His voice was hoarse yet calm, carrying the composure unique to those who had long held high positions.
"The first team members have returned to the capital and are receiving treatment."
Standing behind him was the lieutenant of the Black Scripture, a young man wearing a black cloak.
"No one is in mortal danger, but despite treatment, they remain in a weakened state for some unknown reason, resulting in a significant drop in combat effectiveness. It is estimated that it will take at least three months for them to fully recover."
Where's Kaire?
"Her mental state is very poor. Losing 'Downfall of Castle and Country' has been a huge blow to her. Cardinal, I need to make arrangements—"
"Need not."
Raymond Zarg interrupted him.
"Let her rest. I'll handle the World Item matter."
The adjutant remained silent for a moment.
"Cardinal, there is one more thing."
"Explain."
"News has arrived from the border: the 'Black Hero' and the 'Silver Paladin' have entered the Slane Theocracy."
Raymond Zarg's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh?"
They entered the country as "travelers," saying they were interested in one of the oldest countries in human history and wanted to visit. The group consisted of four people: two men, two women, and a black cat.
"Black cat?"
"Yes, a black cat."
Raymond Zarg remained silent for a moment.
"Who on the Black Scripture's side is still capable of making a move?"
"The seventh, tenth, and twelfth seated soldiers sustained minor injuries and have largely recovered. Also—Lord Certain Death is in the capital."
Raymond Zarg's brow furrowed slightly.
"Certain Death... Don't let her get involved for now. Her personality isn't suited for things that require discretion."
"Yes, sir."
"Send the seventh, tenth, and twelfth seat holders to contact those two. Be polite, but not subservient. Probe their true intentions, but don't provoke them."
What if they refuse to make contact?
"Won't."
Raymond Zarg turned around, a deep glint in his gray eyes.
"Since they haven't hidden their whereabouts, they're waiting for us to find them. These kinds of people won't refuse contact."
The adjutant lowered his head.
"Understood."
"Go."
"Yes."
The adjutant left the room, the sound of the door closing echoing in the empty space.
Raymond Zarg turned around again and looked out the window at the night sky.
"Black Hero... Silver Paladin..."
He murmured the two names, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
What exactly do you want?
No one answered.
Only the night breeze slipped in through the cracks in the window, rustling the documents on the table.
Three days later.
In the central part of the Slane Theocracy, there is a town that is neither too big nor too small.
Higashino Makoto and his group checked into a hotel in the town center.
The hotel wasn't big, but it was very clean.
The proprietress was a middle-aged woman in her forties, slightly plump, with a friendly smile and a heavy Slane Theocracy accent.
"You four are from out of town, aren't you?"
She led the way upstairs while striking up a conversation with him warmly.
"From the Holy Kingdom."
Kurumi answered.
"The Holy Kingdom... I heard they're currently at war with the demi-humans, it must be quite chaotic there."
"Fine."
"That's good. Are you adventurers?"
"Not entirely."
Kurumi smiled but did not give a direct answer.
The landlady, understanding the situation, didn't ask any further questions. She led them to four adjacent rooms, gave them a few instructions, and then went downstairs.
Higashino Makoto pushed open his room door, went inside, and casually tossed his luggage onto the table.
The room was small, containing a bed, a table, a chair, a clothes rack, and a potted green plant of unknown species on the windowsill.
Simple, but enough.
He walked to the window and opened it.
The street below was bustling with people, the cries of vendors, the laughter of children, and the rumble of horse-drawn carriages all blending together to create a lively scene of everyday life.
"The Slane Theocracy... is indeed more prosperous than the Holy Kingdom."
Ainz's voice came from behind.
He walked in without knocking.
Higashino Makoto did not turn back.
"Six hundred years of accumulation did not come for nothing. Moreover, with the wealth left behind by the Six Great Gods, the economy naturally developed even better."
"But their army is very strong."
"Because of fear, because of war."
Higashino Makoto turned around and leaned against the window frame.
"The human elite of the Slane Theocracy have never forgotten their history of Dominate by demi-humans and alien species. Their strength stems from fear—fear that one day the protection left by the Six Great Gods will vanish, and they will be reduced to their original forms, reduced to livestock and sustenance."
"Moreover, fighting the Elf Kingdom for hundreds of years has instilled a strong sense of martial spirit in that country, which is certainly a good thing."
Ainz remained silent for a moment.
"I understand that fear."
"I know."
Higashino Makoto looked at him, a gentle light flashing in his golden eyes.
"After all, in the garbage world we came from, every person at the bottom of society lived in fear."
Ainz did not deny it.
"So, I've come."
He said.
"I want to see how humanity survives in this world without a 'Supreme Beings'."
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.
"Then you've come to the right place."
He turned around and looked out the window again.
"Because the Slane Theocracy, although it borrowed many legacies from the Six Great Gods, is indeed the limit that 'humans without players' can reach."
Ainz walked to his side, his scarlet eyes also gazing out the window.
On the street, an elderly man is buying candy for his grandson.
The child took the candy, smiled happily, and revealed two missing front teeth.
The old man patted the child's head, his eyes filled with affection.
Ainz watched this scene and suddenly felt...
Humans are indeed very weak.
But it is also very resilient.
Their tenacity is so remarkable that it reminds one of their former self.
"Ainz."
Higashino Makoto's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Um?"
"Someone's here."