“Did something happen? It seems like you have some good news.”
“Yes! There’s someone we’d love you to meet. Come this way, please.”
Maybe it was an influential noble or a member of the royal family?
Gustav led the King of Darkness—and Neia, for some reason—into a room.
Sitting on two of the simple wooden chairs inside were Remedios and an emaciated man.
They both rose to greet the king.
Gustav introduced the man. “This is Master Caspond, elder brother of the Holy Lady.”
Certainly, once it was pointed out, the man did resemble the profile of the second holy king engraved on the kingdom’s gold pieces. Neia’s eyes widened to learn that he had actually been imprisoned here.
“Master Caspond, this is the king of the Nation of Darkness, Ainz Ooal Gown, His Majesty Ainz Ooal Gown. He’s assisting us.”
“Ohhh, I don’t know how to thank you, Your Majesty. Very pleased to meet you. Just as he said, I’m the brother whose clever little sister got ahead of me.”
Remedios frowned at what she perceived to be nasty remark. But it seemed she couldn’t behave normally before someone in line to succeed the Holy Lady, so all she did was lower her eyes.
“Ahhh, I see. Pleased to meet you, Master Caspond.”
The two of them looked at each other for a time.
Neia wondered what they were doing, but eventually the King of Darkness held out a hand, and Caspond took it.
Usually the superior person was the one to offer a handshake.
Common sense would say that compared to someone who was in line to be a king, an actual king, albeit of a small country, would be superior. And it would be natural to be humble before someone providing one with assistance. Neia figured the king had waited to offer his hand for a moment out of respect.
He’s so modest and broad-minded.
Neia was impressed. She saw Gustav nodding in admiration out of the corner of her eye.
“Your Majesty, apologies for meeting you in such a sorry state. I would have much rather appeared in dress appropriate to our stations…”
“You have nothing to be ashamed about. A noble’s elegance isn’t a matter of clothing. You must be exhausted after being imprisoned for so long; let’s continue the conversation sitting down.”
“That’s very considerate of you. I’ll take you up on that.”
When they released their hands, the king sat first, followed by Caspond.
“I’m just so glad you’re all right. Why did they have you locked up in this area?”
“Because I had managed to run this far! Baron Bagunen was a great help. How is he doing, Commander Custodio? After we talked last, you took him away.”
“Yes. Baron Bagunen’s wounds weren’t terribly serious, and they weren’t life-threatening. But the poor environment left him physically drained, so he’s in a deep sleep.”
“The priests can’t do anything with their magic? I’d love to have him lend us his wisdom.”
“The priests used up what mana they had healing the wounded, so they’re resting now. My apologies, but unless it’s urgent, we should conserve mana.”
“Well, I suppose I can’t argue with that, Commander. But he did everything he could to get me here safely, so if at all possible… You see what I mean to say, I’m sure…”
It wasn’t Remedios but Gustav who understood and bowed low.
“Now then, there’s one pressing matter I’d like to get confirmation on. Is there anyone in this region who can see through transformations or illusions?”
“Why do you ask that, Your Majesty?”
“To be on guard in case a demon is lurking among the prisoners in disguise.”
Caspond looked at Remedios. “Commander, can you answer His Majesty’s question?”
“Ah, apologies, but I’ll go ahead and answer as second-in-command. I’ve never heard of anyone with abilities like that.”
As the king was thinking with a “Hmm,” Caspond pressed Remedios.
“If His Majesty is this worried about it, it must be important. You swear to the gods you don’t know?”
The two paladins nodded, and Caspond turned to Neia. There’s no way a squire like me would know someone like that, she thought but hurried to nod as well.
“Squire Baraja, you don’t know, either, huh…? What? Don’t look so surprised—the commander told me your name. I appreciate your work attending to His Majesty.”
“Thank you!” Neia bowed, flustered.
“That’s right. She’s an excellent assistant—I wish I had a squire like this.”
“Y-you must be joking…” Her voice trembled.
Seeing that, Caspond and the king chuckled, but their faces reassumed their solemn expressions immediately after (though the king was expressionless).
“I hate to reveal my ignorance like this, but demons have the ability to transform into other people?”
“Demons are able to transform in order to corrupt people, but it’s not as if they turn into someone specific. They just change into a human. They don’t use someone’s face as a model. So if…mixed in with the prisoners…there’s someone nobody recognizes, we need to keep an eye on them.”
“So then we need the prisoners themselves to check on one another…”
“An illusion would make it a bit more complicated. With an illusion, they could change into someone specific. Right, like…” The king cast a spell, and his skull head turned into Caspond’s. “This is an illusion. But it’s a low-level one. As you can see, neither my clothes nor my voice has changed. And it’s not as if it copies your memories or thoughts. So if we have people talk to someone who knows them well, it’ll be clear right away.” The king’s white skull face returned. “There are several ways to handle clothing and voice, so the best is to have conversations and see.”
Neia realized with a start that the question he had asked the orcs earlier was a precaution against this issue.
He’s always so brilliant. It’s amazing how he manages to consider all these different things…
“I see… Well, you heard him. Get to work.”
“Please wait. We can also anticipate the appearance of a demon showing its true nature. I think you should stay near someone strong like Commander Custodio.”
“Ah, understood. I’ll make sure to operate with her around.”
Gustav bowed his head.
“Master Caspond, that was
