More than a hundred years.
Higashino Makoto repeated it.
"In over a hundred years, how many people have died in the Slane Theocracy? How many have died in the Elf Kingdom? How many innocent people have been caught up in the war? There are no winners in this war, only losers. And the madman who started this war still sits on the Elf King's throne."
He turned around and looked at Thousand Miles Astrologer, his golden eyes appearing exceptionally deep in the moonlight.
"I want to end this war."
The Thousand Miles Astrologer gazed at him for a long time. Then she slowly stood up, walked to him, and looked up at him—
"This truly matches the legendary description of the Silver Paladin."
She was a whole head shorter than him, and had to look up to see his eyes.
"Mr. Higashino, what do you hope to gain from the Slane Theocracy?"
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.
"First, I need the Slane Theocracy to proclaim this achievement to all nations— the Black Hero and the Silver Paladin slew the Elf King, ending a war that had lasted for over a hundred years."
Thousand Miles Astrologer's eyebrows twitched slightly.
You want fame?
I want everyone to know—the war is over.
Higashino Makoto's voice was calm.
"It's not that the Slane Theocracy won, it's not that the Elf Kingdom won, it's that the war is over. No one needs to shed blood for this war anymore."
The Thousand Miles Astrologer silent.
She looked into Higashino Makoto's eyes, trying to find traces of hypocrisy, affectation, or deliberate intent.
But she found nothing. Those golden eyes were too calm, as calm as a stagnant pool.
This tranquility reminded her of someone.
Cardinal Raymond Zarg Zach Roder.
The man standing at the pinnacle of power in the Slane Theocracy also had the same calm, unfathomable eyes.
"And the second one?"
She asked.
"Secondly, the Slane Theocracy needs to stop the war with the Elf Kingdom."
Higashino Makoto said.
"The Slane Theocracy and the Elf Kingdom have reached a ceasefire. Not a truce, not a temporary ceasefire, but a true, complete, treaty-based Peace."
Thousand Miles Astrologer's fingers tightened slightly.
"Mr. Higashino, you know this is impossible. The conflict between the Slane Theocracy and the Elf Kingdom has been brewing for over a hundred years—"
"Possible."
Higashino Makoto interrupted her.
"If the Slane Theocracy wants it, it's possible."
What makes you think that?
"Because after the Elf King died, the Elf Kingdom needed a new king."
Higashino Makoto's voice was calm and resolute. Unless Ainz was willing to let Mare or Aura become the king, the new king would certainly not be as powerful as the Elf King.
And--
"And that new king needs Peace. The Slane Theocracy needs Peace too. You've been fighting for too long, you're all exhausted. But no one dares to stop first."
The Thousand Miles Astrologer silent.
She stared at Higashino Makoto for a long time.
Then she turned around, walked to the table, picked up the glass of black tea that had gone cold, and took a sip.
"The Cardinal will ask for my opinion."
She put down her teacup and looked at Higashino Makoto.
How would you like my answer?
Higashino Makoto looked at her, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Tell him the truth.
"Momon and I are going to kill the Elf King. Whether the Slane Theocracy agrees or not, we'll go. If the Slane Theocracy agrees and is willing to cooperate, publicizing our achievements and ending the war, that would be the best outcome. If the Slane Theocracy doesn't agree..."
He paused.
"We still want to go. It's just that things will be very difficult for the Slane Theocracy then."
The corner of Thousand Miles Astrologer's mouth twitched slightly.
Are you threatening the Slane Theocracy?
"It's not a threat."
Higashino Makoto shook his head.
"It's stating a fact."
The Thousand Miles Astrologer stared at him for a long time. Then she chuckled softly.
The laughter was soft and faint, carrying an indescribable emotion.
"Mr. Higashino, you're not quite what I imagined."
What kind of person do you imagine me to be?
"Even more... hypocritical."
Thousand Miles Astrologer speaks honestly.
"You're better at sweet-talking and know how to gain the upper hand in negotiations. But you... you're too direct. So direct that it leaves people unsure how to respond."
Higashino Makoto smiled. In truth, as an absolute powerhouse, there was no need for him to say nice things.
"Wouldn't it be better to be more direct? It would save time."
Thousand Miles Astrologer shook his head.
"It's not a matter of good or bad. It's just... I'm not used to it."
She turned around and walked towards the door. After a few steps, she stopped and looked back.
"Mr. Higashino."
"Um?"
"I will relay your words to the Cardinal verbatim. As for his decision... that's beyond my control."
"I know."
Thousand Miles Astrologer took one last look at him, then pushed open the door and walked out, the sound of the door closing echoing in the empty hall.
Higashino Makoto stood by the window, gazing at the closed door, and remained silent for a long time.
Kurumi.
"Exist."
Do you think the Cardinal will agree?
Kurumi the book, her right eye curving into a crescent moon.
He will agree. Because—he has no other choice.
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.
You're more confident than I am.
"It's not confidence."
Kurumi stood up, lifted her skirt, and walked to Higashino Makoto's side.
"It's an analysis. The war between the Slane Theocracy and the Elf Kingdom has lasted for over a hundred years. The Slane Theocracy has long wanted to stop it, but it lacked a respectable reason. The adults gave them a reason—'The Elf King started the war is dead, the war is over.' They can say to the outside world that it was the Slane Theocracy's strategy, the Slane Theocracy's diplomacy, or something else by the Slane Theocracy that led to the end of the war. But in reality, they did nothing."
"So they will agree."
"Right."
Kurumi nodded.
"Moreover, they will proclaim your achievements throughout the entire continent. Not out of gratitude, but because—proclaiming your achievements is tantamount to proclaiming the 'victory' of the Slane Theocracy."
Higashino Makoto glanced at Kurumi.
"You're quite good at politics."
"I'm just good at observing."
Kurumi tilted her head, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"Moreover, as the adults said—treat people as people. Everyone has what they want, and everyone has what they fear. If you know what they want and what they fear, you can guess what they will do."
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly, without revealing that he had actually read that line from some book somewhere in the corner of the room.
"You remember what I said very well."
"I remember every word you said, sir."
"... It's more like chuunibyou (middle school syndrome)."
This isn't just childish immaturity; it's "basic respect for superiors."
Higashino Makoto shook his head and didn't reply.
He turned around and looked out the window at the night sky again. The crescent moon hung high, the stars were sparse, and the distant temple spires shimmered with golden light under the moonlight.
"Ainz."
He murmured the name, then turned and walked toward the stairs.
"Kurumi, we're leaving first thing tomorrow morning."
"Yes, sir."
"You don't need to sleep with me tonight, get some rest."
"The same goes for adults."
Higashino Makoto walked up the stairs, his footsteps echoing in the empty corridor.
Pushing open the door to the second-floor room, Ainz sat in the shadows in the corner, his scarlet eyes gleaming in the darkness.
"Are you done talking?"
"The talks have been barely concluded, and the Slane Theocracy hasn't given a response yet, but that won't affect our next steps."
Higashino Makoto closed the door and sat down on the bed.
"We're leaving tomorrow. To the Elf Kingdom."
Ainz nodded.
Nabe.
"Exist."
Narberal's voice came from outside the door.
"Get ready, we'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."
"Yes, sir."
Ainz stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the night sky outside. The crescent moon was reflected in his scarlet eyes.
"Higashino."
"Um?"
"Are you really sure the Elf King deserves to be killed? We don't have much information; apart from those two Elf Kingdom, the rest comes from the Slane Theocracy."
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"Uncertain."
He answered honestly, since he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, so who knew the specifics?
"However, it doesn't matter. At worst, we can use magic to look into his mind, and everything will be clear at a glance. Besides, if we're wrong, we can only blame his bad reputation; even his Elf Kingdom wish he were dead."
Ainz remained silent.
He looked out the window at the moonlight, at the flickering lights on the distant temple spires, and at the flags fluttering in the night wind.
"You're right."
He finally said.
Higashino Makoto lay down on the bed, his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling.
"Ainz, you've changed. You're the undead who hates life, yet you're taking this long to figure out. It's like I'm the villain."
"Yeah?"
"You wouldn't have said something like that before."
Ainz remained silent for a moment.
"Perhaps. Perhaps... I've been influenced by you, this 'Silver Paladin.'"
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
"I'm hardly a paladin."
"But in the eyes of the people of the Holy Kingdom, you are..."
Ainz turned around and looked at Higashino Makoto.
"In the eyes of those you saved, you are. In the eyes of those whose hope for the future was rekindled because of your arrival, you are also."
Higashino Makoto retorted with a smile.
"Haha, so in that case, aren't the Black Hero the same?"
He just stared at the ceiling, at the unlit chandelier, at the dust dancing in the moonlight.
"And, Ainz."
"Um."
"Tell me, what exactly are we 'players' in this world? Everything suddenly transitioned from virtual to reality, and I always have a feeling that it's not quite real."
Ainz fell silent. He walked to the bedside and sat down on another bed.
The skeleton's fingers tapped lightly on his knees—a subtle gesture as he pondered.
"Have no idea."
He finally said.
"But at least—we can choose. In our past lives, most of us didn't have that right."
"And now, choosing what kind of person to become, what kind of thing to do, choosing... I won't regret it."
Higashino Makoto glanced at him sideways, a slight smile playing on his lips.
When did you become so eloquent?
"You forced me to."
"Ha."
They both laughed at the same time. The laughter was soft and faint, echoing in the empty room and carried away by the night breeze.
On the windowsill, the black cat "Zafkiel" curled up in the moonlight, its golden eyes half-open and half-closed, its tail swaying gently.
Kurumi leaned against the door frame, her right eye curving into a crescent moon, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Good night, sir.
"Good night."
The candle went out.
Moonlight streamed in through the window, bathing the room in a silvery-white glow.
Four people and one cat.
In the dead of night in the Divine Capital, I quietly await the arrival of tomorrow.