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Rune's feelings were equally complicated.

Could the messenger be Albedo?

He hoped it was Albedo, because it was related to the progress of his subsequent plans.

But at the same time, I don't really want it to be Albedo, since that would mean...

Just then, the knight's voice came from beside him: "Prince, the delegation has arrived."

Rune's gaze followed the direction the road stretched forward.

It started as just a black dot, but it quickly became visible.

It was a procession of monsters, with black-armored knights riding on jet-black unicorns with gleaming red eyes, their armor pulsating as if it were alive.

There were five carriages in total, each pulled by a hideous horse-shaped monster, and the guards around them were also monsters of various shapes.

Zanak straightened his back a little.

"Alright, I'll confirm again. The other party is equivalent to a foreign dignitary. Anyone who attempts to do anything to the Demon Kingdom's delegation is committing a serious crime and will be executed immediately."

"Yes!"

"Very well! Then let's have a war, with the utmost courtesy, to compete for the prestige of both nations!"

"Yes!"

The knights' reply was full of confidence, and Rune nodded slightly. He adjusted his facial expression; the other party was crucial, and he absolutely could not reveal any flaws.

The vanguard of the delegation arrived first.

It was a knight in black armor, straddling a jet-black unicorn.

The creature beneath the armor was likely not human; its aura emanated like wisps of heat, giving off a sense of imminent danger.

"Excuse me for speaking while on horseback! We are an envoy from the Demon Kingdom!"

The sound was as grating as a stringed instrument on the verge of decay, sending chills down your spine just by listening to it.

Zanak responded loudly: "I am Zanak Valleo Ignalelvansef, the second prince of the Kingdom of Riestij! His Majesty has ordered us to lead you to the palace. Please follow us!"

“Understood, then I will follow your lead. My name is… Please forgive me, as I have no name, so please allow me to answer by my race name: I am a Death Knight!”

Upon hearing the words "race name," Zanak frowned slightly, but he didn't let his surprise show in his tone.

"May I address you as Lord Cavalryman?"

"That would be perfect."

"Well then, first of all, may I greet Your Excellency the head of the delegation? I am the second prince, and I am in charge of Your Excellency's actions within the palace. I hope that Your Excellency will remember me now."

"Understood, I will go and consult with the commander immediately."

The lead car turned back.

Rune's gaze followed the black-clad figure. His heart was beating a little faster than usual, but his breathing remained steady. If it was Albedo, he would need to be extra careful.

The Death Rider returned shortly afterward.

"I apologize for the wait. The Demon Emperor Yadabawo's right and left hands have expressed their willingness to see you. Lord Zanak, please come this way."

Zanack gestured to the knights beside him, signaling them to stay put.

He dismounted and strode toward the delegation, with Rune following closely behind.

As Rune approached the carriage, he saw the full appearance of the monsters.

The Death Rider's unicorn eyes glowed with a dark red light, and its hooves left faint scorch marks on the ground.

The carriage was carved with intricate patterns, and the magical energy emanating from it made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

The car door opened.

A figure slowly stepped down from the carriage.

She was an absolutely beautiful woman.

'It really is Albedo.'

Rune confirmed this judgment in his mind and felt a sense of relief.

While it's possible that she's impersonating someone, Albedo has never shown her face, so there's no point in impersonating someone who has never appeared in public.

Moreover, the fact that the opponent possesses the world-class item [Hell Abyss] further proves that this is indeed Albedo.

Zanak paused involuntarily. He had never seen beauty comparable to Lana's, but the woman before him was a completely different kind of stunning beauty.

"I am Zanakvalleo Ignalelvansef. On behalf of the Kingdom of Riestize, I welcome Lady Albedo."

“Lord Zanak, please don’t stand on ceremony.” Albedo’s voice was serene and beautiful, carrying the composure of someone accustomed to being in a superior position.

"My name is Albedo, and I have come as an envoy of the Demon Kingdom. Although I will only be here for a few days, I hope you will take good care of me."

Zanak remained humble. "Thank you, Lady Albedo."

Albedo shifted her gaze from Zanak to Rune, who was standing half a step to his side.

Those golden, vertical pupils scrutinized him from head to toe with a scrutinizing look.

"This must be Lord Rune Aindora."

Her tone was calm, yet she pronounced his name accurately.

“Indeed.” Rune nodded slightly and gave a polite bow. “I am Rune Albedo. I am truly honored that Lady Albedo knows my name.”

Albedo's smile deepened slightly.

"Lord Aindora, I have heard of your deeds. You were there when the powerful adventurer Feifei covered the rear. People with the courage to stay on such a battlefield are rare in the kingdom."

Rune felt Zanak's body stiffen slightly.

This statement appears to be a compliment, but its underlying meaning is clear: the other nobles in the kingdom are cowards who deserted in the face of battle.

Zanak's lips moved, as if he wanted to say something to save face for the kingdom, but in the end he just remained silent and swallowed his words.

The current kingdom has no leverage to contend with the Demon Kingdom.

Albedo's lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile; her simple test had been successful.

Zanack did not refute, and his silence itself was the best answer.

Demiurges was right; the kingdom would indeed swallow its anger until Fly returned.

Rune took in all these subtle exchanges, but he wasn't about to just stand there quietly.

Since we've already made up our minds, we won't let any opportunity to lay the groundwork slip by.

Rune took half a step forward, his smile carrying a hint of self-deprecation.

"Lady Albedo is too kind. I was forced to stay there simply because I wasn't fast enough. If we're talking about courage, the Kingdom's Warrior Captain is the true role model."

Albedo's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, a fleeting, enigmatic light flashing in her eyes.

She didn't refute, but smiled gently, like a fleeting ripple on the surface of water.

"Lord Rune is too kind."

Albedo's tone returned to its previous businesslike calm.

“Your Excellency Zanak, I have heard that there are some places worth visiting in the capital. If possible, I would like to take a tour before the formal negotiations.”

“Of course.” Zanak nodded, a hint of relief in his voice. “We will arrange for a knight to guide you. Also, tonight we have arranged a court banquet with the royal family. Tomorrow night is a banquet for the kingdom’s nobles, and Lord Rune will be in charge of that banquet. The day after tomorrow is a concert by the court orchestra, after which we will arrange a formal diplomatic negotiation.”

Albedo nodded slightly: "Then, I'll have to trouble you all."

Zanak gestured to her side, and Albedo climbed back into the carriage, the door closing behind her.

Rune stood still, watching the carriage, pulled by a monster, slowly pass through the city gate.

He also mentally reviewed the details of the plan one last time to ensure everything went perfectly.

The silhouette of the carriage gradually faded into the distance in the light and shadow of the city gate.

Albedo leaned against the carriage wall, her gaze falling on the gap in the curtains. The image of that young nobleman lingered in her mind for a moment.

Rune Aindora, the person Sebastian mentioned, and also the name Pandora specifically pointed out in her report.

She remembered Pandora saying that he "had the same taste as Nazarick".

Albedo didn't delve into the meaning of those words at the time, but now it seems that this human is indeed somewhat different from other nobles.

Perhaps it can be used as a pawn in her strategy.

She withdrew her gaze, her fingertips gently caressing the world-class item [Hell Abyss] in her hand.

If that dragon was indeed watching the Demon Kingdom, then she should have already been attacked.

But so far, all is well.

The Great Tomb of Nazarick, the Throne Room.

A semi-transparent crystal screen floated in front of Ainz, showing a carriage slowly moving forward.

The dark red light in Ainz's eye sockets remained steadily fixed on the [Crystal Screen].

His posture appeared calm, but his gaze almost never left his face.

Albedo has been gone for several days.

Throughout the journey, he would periodically open the Crystal Screen to check on her itinerary.

The scene contained nothing but monotonous roads and the occasional passing fields, let alone the dragon's ambush.

But Ainz still couldn't be completely at ease.

Only when Albedo's carriage entered the capital did Ainz finally feel a weight lifted from his heart.

"...It's good that you're alright."

The moment he finished speaking, a message appeared in his mind.

"Lord Ainz, I have arrived in the capital and everything is going smoothly."

Albedo's voice remained as steady as ever.

Ainz straightened up and unconsciously replied, "Very good. But Albedo, did you sense anything unusual on the way?"

"No, Lord Ainz." The tone on the other end of the communication was unusually calm. "There haven't been any noteworthy signs along the way."