In the center of the arena stood a tall podium built from sandalwood planks. On the podium, EeDechi wore a reluctant look, like a groom being forced to marry a medusa.
Several gleaming gold medals hung on her chest, honors personally awarded by the old king. Facing the crowd below, she prepared to deliver her inaugural speech as the Warrior Captain.
Brain was also in the crowd below, gazing up at EeDechi with eager reverence. EeDechi shot him a murderous glare in return. Brain quickly dropped his head, wondering what he had done wrong.
EeDechi surveyed the crowd below, standing straight and tall. She cleared her throat and began:
"Folks just don't realize they can't predict their own futures. A person's destiny depends on their own hard work, of course, but it also depends on the course of history. I had no idea at all how I, an orichalcum-level adventurer, ended up being chosen as the Warrior Captain.
"So when Princess Renner came to speak with me and said, 'The king has decided—you're to be the Warrior Captain,' I told her to find someone more qualified. I wasn't being modest; how does an adventurer like me end up in the royal palace?
"But Princess Renner replied, 'We've all discussed it and made our decision.' Later I recited a couple of lines from an old verse: 'Should there be a chance to benefit my country, I would do it with my life and death; how could I choose to embrace or avoid such a duty just because of my personal weal and woe?' And so I came to the capital.
"After arriving in the capital, in these past six months I've basically done three things:
"First, I defeated the assassin known as the Lord of Despair; second, I protected Princess Renner from an assassination attempt; third, I entered the Warrior Captain tournament and became the Warrior Captain.
"If there's any other small achievement, it's clearing out goblins in Sheep Horn. But those are secondary. The main things are these three.
"I'm quite ashamed; I've only done a small bit of work. Thank you all."
After her speech, EeDechi gave a slight bow. Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd below like a surging wave, the deep, rolling sound shaking the entire arena and continuing without end.
Princess Renner's eyes grew moist. "She changed Re-Estize!"
...
In a dimly lit room, red candlelight flickered. Albedo tapped on a full-length mirror with gilded edges in front of her.
The mirror's surface rippled like lake water, the waves erasing Albedo's reflection. A demon wearing round-framed glasses and a red-brown striped suit appeared in the mirror.
"Why the sudden contact? What's the matter?" Demiurge asked from within the mirror. He was communicating with Albedo through this magical device.
"Lord Ainz has given his approval. You may stamp the Sorcerer Kingdom's seal on the sheepskin parchment produced in the Roble Holy Kingdom," Albedo said. A glint flashed in her languid eyes. "Also, I have an interesting piece of news for you."
"Interesting news?" Demiurge adjusted his glasses. "Is it the result of the Warrior Captain selection?"
"How did you know that's what I was going to say?" Albedo asked, surprised by Demiurge's quick wit.
Demiurge chuckled. "By the timing, today is the final match of the Warrior Captain selection. And the ultimate winner was supposed to be Brain Unglaus. You would only rush to tell me if Brain had won, proving you won our bet. Am I right?"
"No," Albedo replied, shaking her head with a smile. "We both lost the bet. The winner is EeDechi."
"Her? That level 100 adventurer?" Demiurge was taken aback. He frowned in thought. "What exactly is her intention in doing this?"
Albedo pressed her lips together. "We were watching the dogfight, yet she jumped down and started tearing into the dogs herself. This person isn't like us. I suggest Lord Ainz increase surveillance on her."
"No, it's not as simple as you think!" Demiurge said seriously. "You gave Renner some items, and she passed them on to Brain to boost his strength and win the final match. EeDechi has connections with Renner and must know about this, so she stepped in and snatched the Warrior Captain position from Brain. By doing this, she's making indirect contact with us while subtly showing off her power!"
"That makes sense," Albedo nodded. "But why didn't she support an ordinary person to compete like we did? Could it be that she's short on allies and had to enter herself?"
"I think that's probably the case... Wait!" Demiurge suddenly stopped, his glasses flashing brightly. "Ah! I got it! That was close! I almost fell into EeDechi's trap! By entering the competition herself, EeDechi is trying to trick us into thinking she's alone. That way, we'd underestimate her and overlook her unknown companions operating in the shadows!"
Albedo was startled, opening her mouth as if to say something but unable to find the right words for a moment.
Demiurge wiped away a bead of cold sweat from his forehead, adjusted his glasses, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He muttered to himself in a low voice, "EeDechi, you're clever, but unfortunately I'm cleverer than you. I've seen through your true purpose. In this round of scheming, I win."
Albedo really wanted to say "Aren't you overthinking this?" but she recalled how Ainz had once criticized her as "all chest and no brains," and praised Demiurge as one of the few subordinates who could keep up with his thinking. She decided to go along with Demiurge's idea.
"Never let your guard down against unknowns, especially a level 100 potential enemy like EeDechi," Demiurge said solemnly.
"Don't worry, I'll keep constant surveillance on EeDechi," Albedo nodded gravely.
Behind Demiurge in the mirror was a twisted, bizarre scene: several imp-like creatures leaping and jumping around, tugging at strange, eerie beings in the image. The chaotic screams were extremely shrill, and the aura of evil corruption seemed ready to burst out of the full-length mirror.
Albedo turned slightly to look at the scene in the mirror, pointing at a creature with six human hands, six human legs, and three human heads. "What is that thing?"
Demiurge glanced behind him. "I'm conducting an experiment, fusing three Abelion Sheep together with magic. This way I can harvest a larger piece of intact hide and flesh. However, there's still a problem with merging their consciousnesses at the moment."
...
In the royal palace of the Re-Estize capital, in Princess Renner's bedroom.
The magic-powered fireplace in the corner radiated light and warmth, making the bedroom warmer than spring.
Princess Renner wore only a thin, sheer pink-white dress, with white lace garter stockings underneath.
The golden glow from the fireplace illuminated her. Beneath the sheer dress, her skin was soft as snow, her figure's curves balanced and beautiful. A silk bustier supported her well-developed breasts, and her fair cleavage was clearly visible. The fragrance of a young maiden bloomed like a flower bud ready to open.
She filled a glass of red wine and handed it to EeDechi, who was dressed all in black shirt and pants. With a bright, charming smile, she said, "Congratulations on winning the position of Warrior Captain."
EeDechi took the wine and downed it in one gulp. She smiled bitterly. "I didn't expect to win either. Sigh, what a hassle."
A strange light flickered in Princess Renner's clear eyes. A blush rose on her cheeks as she leaned gently toward EeDechi, whispering like a lover, "I've heard rumors from the streets that you... enjoy both men and women... Is that true?"
"Why are you suddenly asking this?" EeDechi was taken aback. "They're all just rumors! If I catch anyone spreading lies, I'll rip out their tongue!"
She patted Princess Renner's bare, fair shoulder and said, "Remember this well: don't believe rumors, don't start rumors, don't spread rumors. Be a good, law-abiding citizen."
"By the way," EeDechi looked around and asked in confusion, "Why did you bring me to your bedroom to talk?"
"Well... it's just the two of us here, more private." The charming blush on Princess Renner's face grew even more pronounced.
"Young people shouldn't wear such light and revealing clothes." EeDechi looked Renner up and down. "You should be more modest and proper."
"You are right." The blush faded from Princess Renner's face. She set down the wine glass and said seriously, "No one ever expected the Warrior Captain to be a woman. This has never happened in any previous tradition."
EeDechi said proudly, "Traditions are meant to be broken."
"Have you ever thought," Renner said softly, "why our kingdom couldn't have a female king?"
"I have high hopes for you," EeDechi encouraged. "Keep at it, and maybe you'll be the first female king!"
Renner nodded and said, "I'm working toward that. But right now, I've hit the biggest obstacle, one I can't get past. As long as this obstacle exists, I'll never be able to become king. In a year or two, my father might grant me a remote fief and I'll have to leave the capital. After that, we might never see each other again."
Her tone was sorrowful, and her eyes shimmered with tears, making one feel pity for her.
EeDechi asked urgently, "What obstacle? Is some noble trying to assassinate you? In the name of the Warrior Captain, I'll go take care of him for you."
Renner shook her head gently. "It's not a noble. It's the second prince, Zanac. By both law and tradition, he's the first in line to inherit. I can't compete with him."
EeDechi scratched her head. "This… I don't think I can help you with that. Take it slow."
"If only he could step out of the succession struggle." Princess Renner chose her words carefully. "I'm sure with your abilities, you could… make him leave."
EeDechi's brows furrowed. Though she sometimes acted strangely, thanks to some innate talent, her political sense was sharper than a wild dog's.
She immediately caught the hidden meaning in Princess Renner's words and asked coldly, "You're bringing up the old idea again, wanting me to take out your brother?"
"Not necessarily kill him…" Renner said, somewhat panicked.
"I won't agree to it." EeDechi set the wine glass down heavily on the table, turned, strode to the door, pushed it open, and left the bedroom, exiting the princess's chambers.
Princess Renner stood dazed in front of the fireplace, silent for a long time.
She picked up the mink fur coat from the large bed, draped it over herself, covering her delicate curves. Though the fireplace radiated intense heat, wearing only a thin sheer dress in winter was still very cold.
After a while, the magic fire in the fireplace suddenly went out. A girl in tight black clothing, a stealth operative, emerged from the fireplace and bowed to Princess Renner.
Renner asked, "Tia, any new information?"
The stealth operative replied, "Odys Malcon Waverly seems to be plotting against the newly appointed Warrior Captain. Should we warn EeDechi?"
"No need," Princess Renner said, her gaze profound. "Although the blade can't be wielded by me, if Odys insists on throwing himself onto it, why should we stop him?"