The morning sunlight streamed in through the window and fell on Higashino Makoto's face.
He opened his eyes, his dark pupils slightly contracting in the morning light, displaying an instinctive sensitivity to light, much like a feline.
He didn't get up immediately, but lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, listening to the birdsong outside the window and the distant church bells.
The mornings in the Divine Capital are quieter than the nights—not silent, but a serene tranquility washed clean by the morning light, carrying a certain ritualistic quality.
Knock knock knock.
The knocking sounded, unhurried, three times, with even intervals.
"My lord, the Slane Theocracy's reply has arrived."
Kurumi's voice came from outside the door, clear and calm.
Higashino Makoto sat up, his long black hair slipping down his shoulders.
He rubbed his eyes and yawned.
Although I don't need to sleep, I still feel lethargic and unwilling to move every time I wake up.
"Come in."
The door was pushed open, Kurumi walked in.
She changed into a new maid outfit today—still black and white, but the skirt was shorter, with more lace, and the overall style was more glamorous.
The black cat "Zafkiel" followed at her feet, its tail held high, its golden eyes sparkling with curiosity in the morning light.
"The Slane Theocracy has agreed."
Kurumi walked to the bedside and handed him a letter sealed with sealing wax.
"It was delivered early this morning. It was personally delivered by the seventh-ranked 'Thousand Miles Astrologer'."
Higashino Makoto took the letter, removed the sealing wax, and unfolded the letter.
The handwriting is neat and strong, each stroke carrying a rigorous, almost rigid sense of order.
It's like someone who has written official documents for many years can't shake off that habit even when writing personal letters.
"Agree."
The letter began simply, without any formalities or small talk, with just one word.
Higashino Makoto continued reading.
The letter was short, but every point was clearly written.
The Slane Theocracy agreed to publicize the achievements of the "Black Hero" and the "Silver Paladin" in killing the Elf King, agreed to hold ceasefire negotiations with the Elf Kingdom after the Elf King's death, and agreed not to propose harsh conditions such as ceding territory and paying reparations during the negotiations.
However, the basic clause that "the Elf Kingdom shall not initiate an attack on the Slane Theocracy" is retained.
In the last paragraph, the Cardinal's handwriting became even more forceful than before.
"The Slane Theocracy will send one person to accompany us. Not to monitor, not to interfere, but to witness. To witness the death of the Elf King, to witness the end of the war. Please understand, Mr. Higashino."
Higashino Makoto put down the letter, his golden eyes gazing out the window.
The sunlight shone on his face, making his golden eyes shine exceptionally bright.
"Kurumi."
"Exist."
"The Slane Theocracy wants to send someone to travel with us."
Kurumi's right eye narrowed slightly.
"Who?"
The letter didn't say anything. It only mentioned "one person."
Kurumi was silent for a moment.
Should I have my subordinates investigate this?
"Need not."
Higashino Makoto stood up, folded the letter, and put it in his pocket.
"Since the Slane Theocracy is willing to send someone, it means they genuinely want to cooperate. As for who they will send... we'll find out when they arrive."
Kurumi nodded and said nothing more.
She turned and walked to the table to prepare breakfast—plain porridge, side dishes, a few slices of golden-brown toast, and a pot of freshly brewed black tea.
Higashino Makoto walked to the window, opened it, and took a deep breath of the morning air.
The temple spires in the distance shimmered with golden light in the sunlight, and the emblems of the Six Great Gods shone brightly at the top of the spires.
"Has Ainz arrived?"
Higashino Makoto asked.
"They've arrived."
Kurumi answered while setting out the cutlery.
"Miss Nabe is helping him put on his armor."
"... Do I need someone to help me put on the magic armor?"
"Miss Nabe said, 'It's my duty.'"
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.
That girl, really...
He didn't finish speaking. Because he sensed that three people were walking towards the hotel.
Her steps were lighter and quieter than those of the Thousand Miles Astrologer last night, carrying an almost instinctive breath control that comes from extreme training.
There were two people—one of them was so faint that he was almost nonexistent.
If it weren't for Higashino Makoto's perception being far beyond that of ordinary people, he wouldn't have noticed it at all.
"They've arrived."
"I said in a low voice, then turned and walked toward the door," said Higashino Makoto.
Kurumi put down her cutlery, lifted her skirt, and followed.
The black cat "Zafkiel" jumped down from the windowsill, landed lightly on the floor, and trotted after him.
Ainz was already standing in the lobby on the first floor of the hotel.
He wore his signature black full-body armor, with two greatswords strapped to his back. A full-face helmet covered his skeletal face, leaving only two thin slits through which a faint red light shone.
Nabe stood behind him, her hand on the hilt of her sword, her gaze coldly fixed on the doorway.
Higashino Makoto walked over to Ainz, and the two stood side by side.
"You felt it too?"
Ainz asked in a low, calm voice that came from inside his helmet.
"Hmm, this guy traveling with us seems pretty strong."
Ainz's red eyes flickered slightly.
"The person's aura is being concealed. They possess some kind of item or magic that is suppressing their presence."
Higashino Makoto nodded without saying anything.
The door was pushed open.
Leading the way was Thousand Miles Astrologer, whose beige medium-length hair shimmered softly in the morning light, and whose light brown eyes behind round-framed glasses carried a hint of weariness from staying up all night.
She was still wearing that high school girl uniform, the pleated skirt fluttering gently in the morning breeze.
There was another person behind her.
She was a girl who looked to be under fifteen years old.
She wore a full suit of silver-white armor, with intricate patterns carved on it—not the emblem of the Slane Theocracy, but some kind of design that Higashino Makoto had never seen before.
Armor covered her entire body, revealing only her face. Her face was small, with delicate features like a doll, and her skin was so white it was almost translucent.
Her hair was so long that even under her armor, strands could be seen falling from the edges of her shoulder armor.
It's not a single color, but a mix of black and white, like the keys of a piano.
She was wearing a full-face helmet, but the visor was open, revealing her youthful face.
Long, black and white hair. Black and white pupils. A face whose age is impossible to discern.
Saying she's fifteen is acceptable, saying she's twenty is also acceptable, saying she's thirty... is also barely acceptable.
Higashino Makoto looked at her, and she looked at Higashino Makoto.
The two stared at each other for two seconds.
"You are the 'Silver Paladin'?"
The girl spoke, her voice unexpectedly clear and crisp, possessing a pure quality unique to young girls.
"I am."
Higashino Makoto nodded.
The girl tilted her head, her heterochromatic eyes scanning him from head to toe, and from toe to head.
"It doesn't look like... anything special."
The corner of Thousand Miles Astrologer's mouth twitched slightly.
"Please... please don't be so rude."
There was a hint of nervousness in her voice, as if she was afraid the girl would say something even more outrageous.
The girl pursed her lips and didn't reply.
She walked up to Higashino Makoto and looked up—she was a whole head shorter than him and had to look up to see his eyes.
"My Certain Death."
She said it in a flat tone, as if she were reading from a script.
"The Cardinal has sent me with you to the Elf Kingdom. Not to monitor, not to interfere, but simply to witness. Of course, if possible, I hope to personally cut off the Elf King's head."