"I always feel like Iri-meimei has changed since we last met," Hellank said playfully.
Iri had waited idly in the inn for quite some time, taking a break to transmit a new task to Wolf Sister 'Lupu'sregina in Karn Village, and then slipped back, only to find the Four Strategists Squad members already waiting for her.
As for the task, it was merely asking Wolf Sister to help the commoners who came for assistance in her absence.
Of course… Wolf Sister had doubts about this, but after Iri gave her an evil look, Wolf Sister suddenly understood, muttering about Iri's last trick on Wolf Sister, something about giving hope and reaping despair, and nodded in agreement. Naturally, she would do it when she had time… After all, it was a special period, and protecting Karn Village was still the top priority.
"How am I different? I've only been separated from you for a few days, right?" Iri didn't feel like she had changed much. Wasn't she just acting like a brainless, spoiled princess for a few days?
"How should I put it, your aura is different. Alright, let's not talk about that. Iri-meimei, what do you need us for?" Hellank asked.
"Uh… I suppose you all know about the recent events in Nazarick, right?" Iri said. This matter should be widely spread in E-Rantel by now, and there's no reason for Adventurers not to know.
"Are you talking about Nazarick's declaration of restoration? We heard about it from the Adventurer's Guild, and it's being talked about everywhere on the streets. Iri-meimei, is war truly unavoidable?" Uncle Roba chimed in, looking worried. He truly was a good-natured person.
"Yes, it's unavoidable. Originally, my father and I didn't want to start this war, and you know why. Nazarick merely wants to reclaim what rightfully belongs to it. It would be great if the Kingdom could let go, but I can also understand the Kingdom's side. After all, if a mysterious country suddenly appears and claims this land is theirs, no one would agree, right?" Iri replied with a regretful expression, but in her heart, she thought the Kingdom was asking for it!
"Roba, even without Nazarick, the Empire and the Kingdom would surely fight at this time every year. This time, it's just that Nazarick is added to the mix. And you should think positively, if Nazarick reclaims its territory, wouldn't the annual war be completely avoided? I don't think any country would have improper designs on Nazarick, right?" Hellank said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Indeed!" Uncle Roba could only nod in agreement.
"Alright, the main reason I called you all here this time is because I want Arshe to accompany me to the Kingdom's Capital." Iri said.
"Me?" Arshe was a little surprised.
"With Iri-meimei's skills… she wouldn't need Arshe as a bodyguard, right? So, Iri-meimei is looking for Arshe for something else, right?" Hellank understood Iri's thoughts after hearing her request.
"Yes, before the war starts, I want to go to the Kingdom's Capital to gather some information. I might have to interact with high-ranking officials of the Kingdom, and going alone makes me a little uneasy, mainly regarding etiquette." Iri said, feigning a pitiful look.
"If Iri needs me, I naturally won't refuse." Miss Arshe agreed directly. After all, Iri was considered Arshe's benefactor, and this small request was nothing.
"If Arshe isn't here, then our Four Strategists Squad will have to close down again." Hellank said.
"No, before the war starts, I have something else to ask of you." Iri said seriously.
… …
"Hellank, what do you think of Iri-meimei's request?" Roba asked after seeing Iri and Arshe off, ordering a juice and a beer at the inn.
"Regardless of what Iri-meimei wants to do specifically in the Kingdom with Arshe, we can rest assured about her safety, after all, that's Iri-meimei. As for the request she gave us… no, it should be called a task. I think… it's probably preparation for after the war." Hellank said, taking the beer Roba handed him.
"After the war? Hasn't it even started yet? And she's already planning for after the war? Iri-meimei is truly amazing." Imina also waved the boss over for a drink and interjected.
"After all, it's Iri-meimei, so it's normal for her to think of such things. Although what she said was a bit discouraging… every word was reasonable. If you don't resist, you won't die. Iri-meimei is merely giving us this task to reduce the public's backlash after Nazarick takes over E-Rantel." Hellank recalled Iri's previous words and chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"If you don't resist, you won't die. I guarantee with my character that no sad things will happen if you obey Nazarick, so…" That's what Iri said at the time.
"Then what should we do?" Uncle Roba hesitated.
"Of course, we should do our best to help Iri-meimei. Let's not talk about that thing around our necks. Even without that restraint, given Iri-meimei's proposal, this is indeed the best solution for the people of E-Rantel. You should know, that Ainz Ooal Gown is not as kind as Iri-meimei. I don't need to tell you what happens if you don't obey him, do I?" Hellank said.
"Indeed… Iri-meimei has always been playing a very, very big game of chess. Perhaps from the very beginning of the legend of the Yelantiel Holy Woman, Iri-meimei had already anticipated the current situation, right?" Roba smiled as if relieved.
"That's right, as pieces in Iri-meimei's hand, we should do our part well." Hellank said, patting Roba's shoulder.
"Spreading rumors, Hellank and I can do that. An honest person like Roba isn't suited for such things." Imina said after downing her drink in one gulp.
"Hey! Imina, drink less. We still have important things to do later." Hellank knew how bad Imina's drinking habits were.
"No, I'll go too. That rumor about Nazarick isn't a lie; it's just telling the facts we've seen and heard." Uncle Roba said very firmly.
… …
"Achoo…" Someone's talking about me behind my back again! No need to say, it must be the Blood Emperor! Iri thought, covering her nose, extremely annoyed.
"Then, Iri, when are we leaving for the Kingdom's Capital?" Arshe asked, a little worried.
"We'll leave in a bit, so I'll take you back to Karn Village first to pack your luggage." Iri, of course, knew what Arshe was worried about—her two lovely sisters.
"Is that so? Good… good." Arshe's expression immediately brightened. See? She was so easy to read. Earlier, when I told her she might have to stay there for a longer time, Arshe kept wanting to speak but couldn't, which was definitely related to her sisters.
So, Iri took Arshe to a secluded spot and used a teleportation scroll to directly teleport to the vicinity of Karn Village. It was still because Iri couldn't communicate that she couldn't contact Wolf Sister, who was maintaining the anti-teleportation barrier, so she could only teleport to the outskirts of Karn Village and then walk the rest of the way.
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