Ainz's red eyes flickered slightly.
He sensed it.
Three people were walking towards the hotel.
His steps were steady, his breath restrained, and he possessed a rhythm that only comes from rigorous training.
He's not an ordinary person.
"A member of the Slane Theocracy?"
"It should be."
Higashino Makoto stood up and straightened his robes.
"Let's go, let's go meet them."
The two left the room and went downstairs.
In the lobby on the first floor of the hotel, Kurumi was already sitting at a table, holding a cup of tea in her hand, her right eye half-closed, and a half-smile playing on her lips.
Narberal stood behind her, her hand on the hilt of her sword, her gaze coldly fixed on the doorway.
The black cat "Zafkiel" crouched beside Kurumi's feet, its tail swaying gently.
The door was pushed open.
Three people walked in.
Leading the way was a man who looked to be under thirty, an old friend.
Bound by magical chains, with a short sword hidden in her boots, and equipped with magical items resembling colored contact lenses to enhance her observation skills.
He has a chain-shaped tattoo on his shoulder and his teeth are white and even.
The emblems of the Six Great Gods are engraved on his body.
His steps were steady, his gaze was calm, and a polite smile played on his lips.
The ninth seat, "Divine Chain."
Two people followed behind him.
The tall, muscular man with white hair all over his body, wielding a giant axe, was probably a barbarian.
The tenth seat, "Strongest Human".
The man dressed in a red, full-body bodysuit with reinforcing metal plates, in an assassin-like style, is most likely an assassin.
The twelfth seat, "Heaven and Earth".
The three of them walked up to Higashino Makoto and Ainz and stopped.
The visitor bowed slightly, placed his right hand on his chest, and performed a standard Slane Theocracy greeting.
"Are you two 'The Black Hero' Momon Fei and 'The Silver Paladin' Higashino Makoto?"
Ainz remained silent.
Higashino Makoto nodded.
"It's us. You are--"
"The Black Scripture, Ninth Seat, Edgar Kukulbumarshe."
The newcomer straightened up and looked at the two of them calmly.
"I have come on the orders of the Cardinal to make contact with you two."
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly. Just as he had expected, the Slane Theocracy had come to approach him.
What are you contacting?
"Consultation—Regulations on all matters concerning the two during their time in the Slane Theocracy."
Heinrich's voice was calm and polite, without a trace of hostility or servility.
"The Cardinal said that you two are distinguished guests of the Slane Theocracy. Although the Slane Theocracy does not welcome adventurers of unknown origin, it does welcome scholars and travelers who are interested in human civilization. Please feel free to tell me if you need anything."
Higashino Makoto and Ainz exchanged a glance.
"Cardinal, you're too kind."
Higashino Makoto withdrew his gaze and looked at Heinrich.
"We're just here to see the scenery. We don't need any special treatment."
"The Cardinal said that the two of you would definitely say that."
Heinrich's lips curled into a slight smile.
"So he also asked me to pass on a message."
What did you say?
"The gates of the Slane Theocracy are always open to the truly strong."
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment, then he smiled.
This is blatant solicitation.
This means that they have caught the eye of the Slane Theocracy, and this journey will be smooth.
"Your Cardinal is an interesting person."
"Cardinal will be very pleased to hear you say that."
Heinrich turned to the side and made a "please" gesture.
"If you two don't mind, I'd like to invite you for a cup of tea. And... have a chat."
Higashino Makoto looked at Ainz.
Ainz nodded slightly.
"Good."
Higashino Makoto said.
"Drinking tea is fine. But--"
He paused, his dark eyes staring directly at Heinrich.
"Don't test me. Just ask me whatever you want to know."
Heinrich's smile froze for a moment.
Then he nodded.
As you wish.
The four of them—plus Kurumi and Narberal —sat down at a long table in the hotel lobby.
Heinrich sat opposite Higashino Makoto, with Grubert and Alice standing behind him, maintaining a vigilant posture.
The proprietress brought out the tea, and seeing this commotion, she wisely retreated into the kitchen.
Edgar picked up his teacup and took a small sip.
"Mr. Higashino, Mr. Momon."
He put down his teacup and his gaze swept across the two men's faces.
"I will be frank. The Slane Theocracy has heard about your actions in the Holy Kingdom and the Re-Estize Kingdom. I deeply admire your strength. But the Slane Theocracy has a question. What is your true purpose in coming to the Slane Theocracy?"
Higashino Makoto picked up his teacup but didn't drink; he simply stared at the Kohaku liquid inside.
"I said, I wanted to enjoy the scenery."
"Just looking at the scenery?"
"Just looking at the scenery."
Edgar remained silent for a moment.
"Mr. Higashino, do you believe in fate?"
Higashino Makoto raised an eyebrow slightly.
"What's the meaning?"
"The Slane Theocracy is a nation established by the Six Great Gods, and it is the last bastion of humanity."
Edgar's voice was deep and solemn.
"The mission of the Slane Theocracy is to protect humanity from the invasion of other races. And you two—the 'Black Hero' and the 'Silver Paladin' —your power far surpasses that of ordinary humans. The Cardinal believes that your appearance may be an arrangement by the Six Great Gods in the unseen realm."
Higashino Makoto put down his teacup and leaned back in his chair.
"So, you want to win us over?"
Edgar did not deny it.
"The Slane Theocracy wishes to establish a cooperative relationship with both of you. The Slane Theocracy will provide resources and intelligence, and you two will assist us when necessary."
"Of course, if the two of you are willing to join the Slane Theocracy, the Black Scripture will surely have a place for you."
Higashino Makoto looked at Ainz.
Ainz's red eyes gleamed through the gaps in his helmet.
He didn't speak.
Higashino Makoto withdrew his gaze and looked at Heinrich.
There's no rush for cooperation.
He said.
"Let's look at the scenery first. We'll decide after we've seen it."
The man nodded.
"That's what the Cardinal said too."
He took out two silver badges from his pocket, placed them on the table, and pushed them in front of Higashino Makoto and Momon.
"This is the badge of honor for a VIP of the Slane Theocracy. Holding this badge grants free and unrestricted movement within the Slane Theocracy."
Higashino Makoto picked up the badge and looked at it.
The emblems of the Six Great Gods are exquisitely engraved.
Thanks.
He put the badge into his pocket.
Is there anything else?
"There is none left."
He stood up and bowed slightly.
"If you two need anything during your stay in the Slane Theocracy, you can contact me through the hotel owner."
"Good."
He turned around and led the other two toward the door.
He stopped at the door and turned around.
"May you two have a pleasant journey in the Slane Theocracy, and may the Six Great Gods protect you."
The door closed.
The hotel lobby fell silent.
Kurumi picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and her right eye curved into a crescent moon.
"An interesting person."
She said softly.
Higashino Makoto leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms in front of his lower abdomen, and stared at the closed door with his golden eyes.
"The Slane Theocracy... is indeed more interesting than the Holy Kingdom."
Ainz removed his helmet and placed it on the table, revealing his skeletal face.
His scarlet eyes were fixed on Higashino Makoto.
Do you think they believed it?
"I don't believe it."
Higashino Makoto shook his head.
"But they won't act rashly. Because—they're unsure just how strong we really are."
"So, we'll be under constant surveillance during our time in the Slane Theocracy?"
"Right."
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.
"So, we let them see."
He stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.
Sunlight streamed in and fell on his face.
On the distant street, Heinrich and his two companions gradually disappeared into the crowd.
"Let them watch us enjoy the scenery."
Higashino Makoto said.
"Seeing them makes me realize—we're not a threat, we're friends."
"Or..."
He paused, then gently tapped the table.
"Or perhaps we'll make them think—we're a threat, but someone they can't afford to mess with."
Ainz remained silent for a moment.
"Higashino."
"Um?"
"You're really good at this kind of... psychological warfare."
"I said, it's not a psychological game."
Higashino Makoto turned around, his dark eyes gleaming warmly in the sunlight.
"Just treating people as human beings."
Ainz stared at him for a long time.
Then he nodded.
Let's go.
He stood up and put on his helmet.
"Let's go see the scenery."
Higashino Makoto smiled.
"Walk."
The four of them left the hotel and stepped onto the streets of the capital of the Slane Theocracy.
The sunlight shone on them, casting long, long shadows.
In the distance, the temple's spires shimmered with golden light in the sunlight.
The emblems of the Six Great Gods gleamed brightly at the top of the tower.
That's the place where humanity was saved six hundred years ago.
It is also the place where Higashino Makoto and Ainz searched for answers.