Mission accepted.

POV Lakyus

Across the Re-Estize Kingdom, many trained in the ways of the warrior. Whether it was how to wield a sword or master the famous martial arts of the land, every warrior worth their salt needed intensive training.

This could be seen in the training grounds of E-Rantel.

Currently, it was just Evileye and me, as Tia and Tina had gone ahead and Gargaran had been banned from the castle for causing a commotion. We marched through the long and luxurious corridors of Ro-Lente Castle. The large glass windows allowed enough sunlight to enter, making the marble floors and walls shine with a celestial glow. Beautiful tapestries and paintings decorated the hallways, depicting historical scenes such as the battles that gave the Re-Estize Kingdom its independence from the Baharuth Empire. There were even paintings that showed part of the lost history before the Evil Deities and even the Eight Greed Kings.

Because of this, I took pride in being a priestess of the Water God and a defender of humanity, just like the great heroes.

We left the guest wing and all the macabre pictures behind before reaching the grand central courtyard. Through a large, vibrant green garden, separated by wide paths of white stone, the two women could see Valencia Palace at the other end, a small sparkling gem in the center of a massive fortification.

"Tia, Tina," I called, identifying their presence.

There were two blurs of movement, and just like that, two identical slim blonde young women appeared kneeling in front of me. They wore strange foreign outfits with different colored accents (one blue and the other red) probably to distinguish them. Unlike other knights, Tia and Tina were part of a long magical order known as the Shadow Clan, said to have been founded by a mysterious and powerful entity hundreds of years ago. Called Ninjas, Tia and Tina were some of the few living humans who had mastered the powerful magic of Ninjutsu (whatever that was).

"Who do you wish us to kill, evil boss?" asked Tia, the one on the right (with blue on her uniform).

"Is it finally time to take over the kingdom, evil boss?" Tina, the one on the left (with red on her uniform), wondered.

I sighed, all while Evil-Eye laughed. Sometimes I felt like I was leading a band of killer children. On the other hand, there were times when I worried that my comrades really meant their words when they said they would support me if I started massacring certain nobles. I had considered such drastic measures myself, much to my dismay... because of the sword, of course! It was all Kilineiram's fault.

"I will go with Evileye, keep an eye out for anyone spying, okay?" I growled.

And so, without another word, I went with Evileye to the palace across the courtyard. As we approached the area, we saw more fellow warriors. There were the heavily plated royal knights, dressed in silver armor and long red capes, as well as knights serving different lords. Some wore expensive civilian clothes, while others donned armor.

In any case, as the Blue Rose Knights approached Valencia Palace, I made a point to ignore the looks our group received. There were nods of approval, leers and smiles, and even some who simply looked on with desire. Once inside the palace, fortunately, there were few people, mostly servants by then. Still, I marched through the luxurious halls in a foul mood.

"Perverts..." I muttered.

"It's in men's nature," said Evileye, ever since she fell in love with Momon.

"Don't justify them, you're just thinking about wanting Momon to notice you..." I said, half-mocking.

"What! I... this..."

"Never mind, let's go, the princess is waiting for us."

Renner was my best friend; it was always calming to be with her. With her unmatched intellect, we had gotten out of many tight spots in the past, like when she deciphered the encrypted message from the notorious criminal band: the Eight Fingers.

Once inside, I found myself surrounded by even more luxury. There were fine curtains on the various windows that allowed a lot of sunlight into the room, and the furniture was evidence of the person who owned them. Said person was already waiting, sitting at a round table. She gave a broad smile to the incoming knights, and I responded with a warm smile.

"My good friend Lakyus, it's a pleasure to see you," said the princess.

A delicate young woman with long golden hair and a fine blue dress, Princess Renner was as bright and pretty as usual.

"You summoned us, princess," I said with a bow.

"Come and sit before the tea gets cold, everyone," said the girl.

We sat at the table, while Renner served the tea with a kind smile. I gladly accepted mine with a smile, while Evileye didn't take the offered drink, as suspicious as always.

"I didn't see Climb-kun."

"He's training with Brain," she said, this time without the smile.

"You know why we're here, right?" Evileye asked.

"Ah, always straight to the point," Renner scolded, looking at her tea. "And here I wanted to start with some gossip."

"Don't worry about her, princess," I intervened with a smile. "We have some good gossip and want your advice."

"Evileye is right," Renner nodded. "The Sorcerer King has been extending invitations to high-ranking adventurers across the kingdom. It seems adventurers from the Baharuth Empire have also received letters." Renner paused and looked at me accusingly. "You should have been at court; it was discussed intensely."

I smiled tensely at that. Give me a quest, and I would do it without many complaints. Ask me to stay with a bunch of snobbish nobles, and I would rather let Kilineiram take over. Maybe that was a good way to improve the kingdom, now that I thought about it... no, I had to resist the temptation! Bad Kilineiram!

"I'll try to attend next time," I said. "Although I'm not on good terms with my family. So, what is it that was discussed?"

"Oh, many things. Since the Katze massacre, the kingdom has been in chaos; 2% of the population has died, including first-born nobles. Now, what's left are a bunch of untrained second and third sons. Where should I start?"

Renner went on to recount scandalous things next.

Firstly, the Sorcerer King claimed to have conquered the Abelion Hills and established a trade route passing through them.

Then there were technological advancements: mass creation of golems, something called a printing press that produces books in bulk, an improved potion, the creation of a coliseum not for battles but for games called football and basketball, new medicines, and a magical item that allows seeing the target's mana.

Additionally, Queen Calca was visiting his kingdom for 'trade agreements.'

Finally, the rumors were true: he used undead for labor and liches in administrative positions, which contradicted my beliefs as a follower of the faith.

"So he's not killing his population?" I asked.

"Not yet," Evileye replied.

"Do you think we should accept?" I continued to ask.

Renner closed her eyes, thoughtful.

"He plans to show you the benefits of joining him; it doesn't seem like a trap."

"No way will I abandon the kingdom," I answered with conviction.

I would not abandon my homeland.

"But if you go, we might gain another source of external information. Many of our spies haven't returned. Besides, this kingdom is in decline."

"Wouldn't you feel betrayed if I switched countries?" I asked, confused.

"I'm not asking you to change countries permanently."

"So you're planning for us to be spies when it's almost certain death?" Evileye said, strange, considering how much she wants to see Momon.

"You see, I want you to investigate the improvements in the Sorcerer Kingdom to replicate them here in Re-Estize, and confirm that Ainz Ooal Gown doesn't have an evil long-term plan. Also, have you heard of the third faction?"

"We have no idea."

There are only two factions, the noble and the royal.

"Now there is a third faction, dubiously called the puppet faction."

"They are, as their name suggests, puppets of Ainz Ooal Gown."

"Do they want to give away the kingdom?"

"No, it's more complex. The nobles are second and third sons, in short, incompetent. I think Ainz is manipulating them so the citizens desire foreign intervention."

"That's..." I was in shock. Another invasion by Ainz Ooal Gown, can we withstand it?

"Evil," complemented Evileye.

"And how can we, mere ignorant adventurers, uncover the plans of such a powerful entity?"

The little princess touched her lip with a finger and looked at us thoughtfully.

"Maybe there's someone in Re-Estize who doesn't live there by choice and is somewhat close to the Sorcerer King according to rumors."

"Momon!" Evileye fell into the trap.

I was thinking, Renner was my best friend, had advised me well many times, and was much smarter than me. Maybe I should listen to her this time too.

I thought about what the Water God would want, to help the disadvantaged.

"After all, adventurers seek adventures," Renner finished.

I smiled, Renner knew how to convince me.

"I vote yes, but I'll discuss it with my team."

"I... I too."

x-x-x-x

"So the princess wants us to go to the undead king's realm?" Gargaran said once we left Ro-Lente Castle.

"Yes, I vote yes, I want to know what we will inevitably face in the future, and Evileye wants to see Momon."

"Hey! I also care about humanity," replied Evileye.

"Calm down, shorty, we all know you want to get laid."

"So the evil boss is going to join forces with the Sorcerer King?" Tia asked.

"The evil boss's sword has finally possessed her," Tina added.

"I'm serious," I said, distressed.

My decision has nothing to do with the sword, hmmp, Kilineiram don't influence me!!

"I vote whatever you vote," said Gargaran.

"That makes us three, will you join?"

The twins nodded.

"You are already the majority, our decision doesn't change the result."

"Yes, the evil boss will force us anyway."

"Well, time for adventure."

Sorcerer King, prepare yourself; Blue Rose is heading to your country!

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