In the outer corridor of Francia Palace, Vier slowed her steps slightly.
Lock's earlier words still lingered, and despite herself, a faint hint of embarrassment crossed her face before she lowered her head.
Lock noticed—but did not pursue it.
Before he could speak again, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the corridor.
Ahead walked a young woman with long, pale-golden hair, dressed in a simple white gown. Her eyes sparkled like polished gemstones, bright and gentle. Behind her followed a young man clad in full armor, his posture tense, his attention fixed entirely on her.
The Golden Princess Lana and her guardian, Climb.
Lana stopped when she saw them and tilted her head slightly, smiling with innocent curiosity.
"Excuse me," she said softly, "may I ask who you are? And what brings you here?"
The question itself was ordinary.
Yet something in her tone carried an inexplicable familiarity, as though she were already halfway to the answer.
Lock raised an eyebrow imperceptibly and bowed.
"I am Lock Kote Albert, here to meet His Majesty the King. Princess, I pay you my respects."
"Albert… ah!" Lana's eyes lit up. "You are Lady Catherine's younger brother, Baron Lock, aren't you? It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
She curtsied gracefully.
"Rumors about you have spread throughout the Royal Capital."
"Rumors?" Lock asked mildly.
"Yes," Lana replied with a gentle laugh.
"Such as 'the frontier noble who commands Magic Beast Knights' and 'the brother of the Kingdom's third Adamantite-ranked Adventurer.'"
Her gaze sharpened, just a little.
"May I ask what brings you to the Royal Capital this time?"
Lock smiled—but did not answer.
"That," he said calmly, "is something His Majesty the King would be better suited to explain to you personally."
Lana's expression did not change, but her instincts screamed.
"Oh? Then… does this matter concern me?" she asked lightly.
Lock bowed once more.
"Princess, I shall take my leave. I believe we will meet again soon."
With that, he departed alongside Vier.
Lana watched their retreating figures, her smile slowly fading.
A sense of unease settled in her chest.
Something had shifted.
And whatever it was, it would not end quietly.
She had already seen the Magic Beast Knights.
Powerful. Disciplined. Dangerous.
Even Lakyus and Gagaran of Blue Rose had not concealed their tension. Each knight rode a high-tier magic beast, yet not a single one lost control or turned their gaze on civilians.
That alone was terrifying.
Magic beasts were creatures of blood and instinct. To command them so precisely meant absolute authority.
Lana exhaled slowly.
"Climb," she said softly, "let's go see Father."
"Yes, Princess."
Outside the palace walls, Lock and Vier walked in silence.
Lock had no intention of staying in the Royal Capital's noble guesthouse. Instead, he chose to remain with the Tiger Knight Order stationed in the training towers beyond the inner district.
"Vier," he asked suddenly, "what do you think of the Golden Princess?"
Vier considered her words carefully.
"Her demeanor matches the rumors—kind, elegant, approachable. However… there is something hidden behind her eyes. She is not as simple as she appears."
Lock smiled faintly.
"Correct. That princess looks white on the outside—but cut her open, and ink would spill out."
Lana was intelligent. Dangerous, even.
Among the King's three children—Babro, Zanac, and Lana—she held the least overt power. No army. No noble faction.
And yet—
In the original flow of history, she was the only human who could calmly converse with Nazarick's most depraved denizens.
Her body was human.
Her mind was something else entirely.
Vier frowned slightly.
"Then, Master… why choose her? Wouldn't someone with such a mind complicate your plans?"
Lock stopped walking.
He turned and looked at Vier, his gaze sharp.
"Never forget this," he said evenly.
"No scheme matters without the strength to enforce it."
"In front of absolute power, all intelligence becomes reactive."
He stepped forward again.
"You need strength. Immediately. We don't have time for subtle games."
"Yes, Master," Vier replied at once. "I will complete my integration as soon as possible."
"Good."
That night, as the Royal Capital buzzed with unease, far away beneath the earth—
The Great Tomb of Nazarick stirred.
Ainz Ooal Gown returned via teleportation and seated himself upon the Throne of Kings. The gathered Guardians immediately knelt.
"You may rise," Ainz said calmly.
His gaze shifted to the demon in a tailored suit, glasses glinting ominously.
"Demiurge. Why was I summoned so urgently?"
"Lord Ainz," Demiurge replied smoothly,
"Sebas has reported that Lock Kote Albert has entered the Royal Capital with his Magic Beast Knights."
Ainz frowned.
"…And why should that concern us?"
Demiurge smiled.
"Because his actions are illogical."
He adjusted his glasses.
"A human noble entering a capital with overwhelming force implies intent. Political or otherwise."
"I believe," Demiurge continued,
That Lock intends to seize the throne of Re-Estize."
Silence followed.
"So what?" one Guardian thought aloud.
Demiurge's smile widened.
"Previously, Shalltear was controlled by a World Item. That individual is still unknown. Lock and his sister are the only entities in this country whose strength approaches relevance."
"Leaving such a variable untouched places Nazarick at a disadvantage."
Ainz's eye sockets flared faintly.
"…Then what do you propose?"
"We bait them," Demiurge said calmly.
"Create chaos in the Royal Capital. Force them to respond."
"If we act with all Guardians present," he concluded,
"We can capture the Albert siblings—and uncover the truth."
Ainz nodded slowly.
"Very well, Demiurge."
"Prepare your plan."
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