Chapter 54   Invitation

"Hmm... What are your plans for these two little girls? Are you really going to find their sister at the Great Tomb of Nazarick, the adventurer named Arche?" Barrett asked.

"Of course I'm sure," EeDeChi's tone was unquestionable. "Arche was definitely taken by Ainz for his harem!"

Barrett thought of Ainz Ooal Gown, who had once used an unprecedentedly powerful magic to annihilate over a hundred thousand troops of the kingdom, and felt a chill down his spine. He said, "But that undead called Ainz Ooal Gown is very strong. We may not be able to defeat him."

"What are you afraid of!" EeDeChi's voice was resolute, her eyes firm. "Evil will never triumph over justice!"

"I don't know if evil can triumph over justice, but I am absolutely certain that Ainz can easily triumph over me, Sean, and Stella. After twenty years as an adventurer, barely surviving until now, I fear I might fall victim to justice triumphing over evil."

"If you're afraid, you can leave my adventurer team right away. I don't accept those without steadfast revolutionary will!" EeDeChi waved her hand dismissively.

Barrett opened his mouth, about to say, If I leave, who will organize the team's equipment? You'd get swindled even buying dates!

But he thought better of it and swallowed his words, instead advising, "If you're going against the Demon King, just be cautious. I heard there are envoys from the Sorcerer Kingdom in the capital. There might be spies here, so be extremely careful in your actions."

"Got it, got it, stop being so naggy," EeDeChi impatiently replied. "The enemy is in the light, and we are in the shadow! Ainz knows nothing about us, but I can keep gathering information on them. To deal with them, we should lay low for now and take it slow."

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the afternoon had passed. EeDeChi had dinner cooked by Barrett and Stella together, adhering to the principle of "take a hundred steps after dinner and live to ninety-nine," and was getting ready to take a stroll on the streets.

A palace servant entered their courtyard, delivering a message: Princess Renner invited EeDeChi to attend a banquet at the southern estate in the capital, where many nobles and important figures would be present.

Facing an invitation from their employer, especially one from the seemingly kind-hearted Princess Renner, EeDeChi didn't refuse. 

She muttered phrases like "roaming the wine world for decades" and "I drink baijiu like it's water," leaving Barrett and the others utterly perplexed. Climbing onto the farewell carriage, she set off for the banquet.

(Note: baijiu is a liquor typically ranging between 35% and 60% alcohol by volume (ABV))

The adventurer captain got off the carriage and arrived at the spacious southern estate, where a servant in black and white sleeves guided them into a luxurious hall on the second floor.

The magnificent hall was bustling with people. Under the elegant "Everlight" crystal chandeliers, nobles and officials in splendid attire and graceful demeanor held wine glasses, nodding and exchanging pleasantries. Beautiful maids, holding delicate wine glasses, smiled gracefully and fluttered around the participants like butterflies.

EeDeChi activated her Innate Talent and inspected the Justice Value hovering above the heads of these well-mannered and neatly dressed nobles. With a disdainful smirk, she strode into the hall.

She wore simple, loose black attire, starkly contrasting with the lavish, gold-and-silver-clad nobles around her, making her look like an ugly duckling among beautiful peacocks. People occasionally cast disdainful glances at her, discussing how she managed to enter.

EeDeChi paid no heed, or perhaps didn't care at all. She casually picked up a glass of expensive red wine, downed it in one gulp, and began scanning the crowd for Princess Renner's presence.

Ahead, two tall young nobles stood between two wine tables, holding glasses and engrossed in conversation, blocking EeDeChi's path.

EeDeChi reached out and lightly tapped one of the nobles on the shoulder, expressionless. "Excuse me, make way."

The two nobles glanced disdainfully at EeDeChi, ignored her, and continued their discussion. EeDeChi frowned at their arrogant demeanor and walked straight through the gap between them.

"Clang!" The two nobles were knocked over onto the white floor, their glasses shattered, spilling pale red wine everywhere.

"Damn..." The young noble's shoulder smarted from the impact, feeling like his shoulder blade might shatter. Nonetheless, he gritted his teeth, stood up, and rebuked, "Are you blind when you walk?"

EeDeChi glanced at their Justice Values above their heads, about to retort, when a melodious and elegant female voice sounded behind the young nobles.

"Could you two lower beings rolling in the mud kindly move aside? Please don't block my way, alright?"

The tone of the woman's voice was graceful and enchanting, yet her words were haughty and cold.

The two nobles clutched their shoulders, turned around, and hastily apologized, bowing. "We're terribly sorry, Your Excellency Ambassador. We'll leave immediately." With that, they practically sprinted away.

EeDeChi followed the direction of the woman's voice and saw a stunning beauty in a pure white evening gown standing by the wine table. Her glossy black hair, contrasting with the dress's color, flowed down to her waist, and her golden eyes were fixed on EeDeChi, with a faint smile on her face.

EeDeChi glanced at the number representing Justice Value above her head, and instantly, her eyebrows furrowed deeply along.

Princess Renner had approached EeDeChi without her noticing, extending her hand to introduce them. "EeDeChi, this is Lady Albedo, the envoy from the Sorcerer Kingdom. You two..."

The beauty in the evening gown gracefully approached EeDeChi, who strode purposefully towards her, leaving Princess Renner aside. When their eyes met, sparks seemed almost ready to fly between them.

"Hello," Albedo faced EeDeChi and extended her delicate hand adorned with white silk gloves.

"Hello," EeDeChi smiled and shook her hand. "Do you know? You're the second person I've met with a Justice Value of -500, the lowest in the room. I find you quite displeasing."

Albedo grinned, her smile captivating. "You are the second woman to receive such attention from Lord Ainz, so I find you equally displeasing."

EeDeChi's pupils contracted sharply. "Attention from Ainz? What does that mean?"

Albedo snorted unceremoniously. "It means, Lord Ainz has been watching you for quite some time."

"In any case," Albedo withdrew her right hand from EeDeChi's grasp, supremely proud. "I am here to extend this invitation on behalf of the supreme and great Ainz Ooal Gown, and all members of the Great Tomb of Nazarick."

As she finished speaking, a blue light shimmered in her palm, conjuring a meticulously crafted crimson and gold invitation card, which she handed to EeDeChi.

Veins bulging on EeDeChi's forehead, she accepted the invitation letter.