The carriage moved forward in the setting sun, towards the Divine Capital, towards the egg pancake, towards—the direction where someone was waiting.
Certain Death sat on the edge of the car, turning a Rubik's Cube in her hand. This time, she solved one side.
Not the whole picture, just one side.
But one side is enough.
A slight smile played on her lips, and her heterochromatic eyes reflected the golden-red glow of the setting sun.
"Higashino."
"Um?"
"Thanks."
"It's over."
She said it very softly, so softly that it was almost inaudible.
Higashino Makoto looked at her, a gentle light flashing in his golden eyes.
"Yes. It's over."
Certain Death's lips trembled slightly.
She wanted to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.
She simply lowered her head, her long, black and white hair falling down and obscuring her face.
Higashino Makoto didn't ask.
He simply reached out and gently patted her helmet—the silver armor made a crisp sound.
Let's go.
He said.
"Let's go back and eat egg pancakes."
Certain Death raised his head and looked at Higashino Makoto.
In those heterochromatic eyes, something was shimmering—not tears, but a brighter, starlike light.
"You're treating."
She said.
Why should I treat?
"Because you are the guest. Guests should treat."
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"... Didn't we say before that guests shouldn't treat us? I remember you agreed to that."
I've changed my mind.
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds, then chuckled softly.
"Okay. My treat."
Certain Death's lips curled up slightly—it was the first time Higashino Makoto had ever seen her smile.
Then she turned around and walked out of the main hall.
Her silver-white armor gleamed coldly in the dimly lit hall, her long black and white hair flowed behind her, and she carried the spear-scythe "Charon's Guidance" on her shoulder, the blade still gleaming with a dark purple light.
Higashino Makoto watched her retreating figure, a smile playing on his lips.
The carriage slowly entered the city gates of the Divine Capital as dusk fell.
The shops along the street had already begun to close, with only a few pubs and bakeries still lit up with dim yellow lights, their orange glow seeping through the windows and casting warm shadows on the damp cobblestones.
Certain Death jumped off the edge of the carriage, his silver-white armor making a crisp metallic clanging sound as he landed.
She took off her helmet, and her long, black and white hair fell from her shoulders, swaying gently in the evening breeze.
"Arrive."
She said it in a flat tone, but Higashino Makoto noticed that her pace was a little faster than usual.
Higashino Makoto climbed out of the carriage, stretched, and his bones cracked and popped.
Ainz followed behind him, his black full-body armor gleaming coldly in the twilight. His crimson eyes peered through the gaps in his helmet, surveying the city he was visiting for the first time, yet had heard a great deal about.
Where is the egg pancake shop?
Higashino Makoto asked.
Certain Death didn't answer, but simply walked forward. Higashino Makoto shrugged and followed.
The egg pancake shop is located in a small alley in the Divine Capital, nestled between a blacksmith shop and a general store.
The shop is small, with a faded wooden sign hanging at the entrance that reads "Nazel Bakery," the words blurred by wind and rain.
The shop was dimly lit, with only an oil lamp burning on the counter.
The air was filled with the aroma of flour, butter, and caramelized sugar—a warm and comforting scent unique to bakeries.
An elderly woman with gray hair sat behind the counter, knitting something in her hands.
Hearing the doorbell ring, she looked up and gave a kind smile.
"Certain Death, long time no see."
Her voice was husky yet gentle, possessing a reassuring quality unique to grandmothers.
"Aunt Nazel."
Certain Death walked to the counter, leaned the sickle against the wall, placed his hands on the counter, and stared straight at the old woman with his heterochromatic eyes.
"Do you have any more egg pancakes?"
"Yes, fresh out of the oven."
The old woman stood up, took a plate of golden-brown omelets from the oven behind her, and placed them on the counter.
The omelet was still steaming hot, sprinkled with icing sugar, and glistened enticingly in the light of the oil lamp.
Certain Death stared at the plate of egg pancakes, swallowing hard.
Higashino Makoto walked to her side, took out a gold coin from his pocket, and placed it on the counter.
"Five. The rest will be the deposit for tomorrow."
The old woman stared at the gold coin, momentarily stunned.
"This... is too much..."
"Not much."
Higashino Makoto picked up a piece of egg pancake and took a bite.
The sweetness melts on the tongue, carrying a faint milky aroma and a slight bitterness from the caramel.
The outer layer is crispy, the inside is soft, and the temperature is just right—hot to the touch but not burning the tongue.
"Tasty."
He said it sincerely.
In terms of taste, it certainly can't compare to Novas Etier's Little Kitchen, but within the human world, it's definitely quite good.
Moreover, it's like getting tired of abalone, lobster, and Wagyu beef feasts, and then eating a sweet potato.
At this very moment, it truly deserves to be called delicious.
"Indeed, it's better for humanity to develop naturally. Can humans whose future is predetermined truly be called human?"
Higashino Makoto became firm in his decision.
Certain Death glanced at him, then picked up a piece of egg pancake and took a big bite.
Her cheeks were puffed out, like a squirrel stealing nuts.
"... Of course it tastes good."
She said it indistinctly.
Ainz stood at the doorway, not coming in. He didn't need to eat, nor did he have the ability to taste.
He simply stood there, his crimson eyes peering through the gaps in his helmet, taking in everything in the shop—
The half -Elf Kingdom girl happily eating her omelet, the silver-haired man with sugar smeared on his lips, the twin-tailed maid standing to the side smiling, and the black cat perched on the counter staring at the omelet.
And there was that old woman with gray hair and a kind smile.
"Ainz, aren't you coming in?"
Higashino Makoto's voice came from inside the shop.
"I'll wait outside."
"Come in, you can sit down even if you don't want to eat. It's a bit windy outside."
Ainz paused for a moment, then stepped inside.
The black full-body armor looked a bit cramped in the narrow shop, so he found a corner to sit down and leaned his two greatswords against the wall.
Narberal stood behind him, her hand on the hilt of her sword, her eyes scanning every corner of the shop warily.
"Isn't that girl going to sit down?"
The old woman looked at Narberal with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
"She's a guard."
Higashino Makoto said.
"The guards can sit too."
The old woman came out from behind the counter, carrying a cup of hot tea, and placed it in front of Narberal.
"Have a cup of tea to warm yourself up. It must be tiring for a young lady to stand for so long."
Narberal stared at the cup of tea in silence for a moment, then slowly released her grip on the sword hilt, picked up the teacup, and took a small sip.
"Thanks."
Her voice was very soft, but the old woman heard it, smiled and nodded, then turned and went back behind the counter.