Chapter 70: Ainz's Decision
If Lucian were delivered to the House of Truth.
Albedo seemed to have already pictured it. The corner of her mouth curved upward, and a sweet smile began to form on her face.
It hadn't quite bloomed when Sebas's voice cut through the [Message].
"Lady Albedo, I must respectfully disagree."
There was something rare in Sebas's voice — a faint, unmistakable edge of anger.
"Mr. Lucian has provided Nazarick with considerable assistance. A person like this should not be subjected to interrogation."
The Throne Room went quiet for a moment.
Albedo's brow pressed together.
"Excuse me? Sebas, don't forget your place."
Her voice had cooled. Something displeased flickered in those golden vertical pupils.
"Nazarick's interests come first. That is your purpose."
On the other end of the [Message], Sebas was drawing breath to reply.
A flash of green light passed through the Throne Room.
Ainz's forced calm triggered.
The cold sensation surged up from somewhere deep in his consciousness, pressing down the turbulence that Albedo and Sebas's argument had stirred in an instant.
The dark red light in Ainz's eye sockets steadied.
He raised a hand.
"Enough."
Not loud — but Albedo's mouth closed immediately. She stepped back one pace and lowered her head, her posture shifting into something humble and deferential.
On the other end of the [Message], Sebas fell silent as well.
Ainz's gaze moved through the Throne Room and came to rest on a point in the empty air.
Albedo's proposal had its logic.
Seizing Lucian and handing him directly to Neuronist for interrogation was the most efficient path. Interrogation could extract all information in the shortest possible time.
But Lucian had genuinely done a great deal for Nazarick. The Martial Arts intelligence he had passed to Sebas — Ainz had been reviewing it just earlier.
He could not bring himself to act against someone who had helped Nazarick.
And beyond that: from what Sebas had described, Lucian had acquired his dragon intelligence almost incidentally, through his support campaigns in the Dragon Kingdom.
If they resorted to interrogation, what Nazarick would extract was likely to be incomplete.
And Nazarick would lose the cooperative route to Dragon Kingdom intelligence entirely.
"Albedo."
Ainz spoke.
"Yes."
Albedo raised her head immediately, those golden vertical pupils filled with attentiveness.
The forceful bearing from a moment ago had vanished without a trace, replaced with something close to devout compliance.
"Lucian Aindra has entered Nazarick's probationary period. That was my decision, personally."
Ainz's voice was measured and firm.
"Given that, he cannot be treated as an ordinary human."
Albedo lowered her head deeply, her forehead nearly reaching her knees.
"Yes, Ainz-sama."
Her voice was soft. Nothing like what it had been when she addressed Sebas moments earlier.
"As expected, the depth of Ainz-sama's thinking is beyond what this subordinate could hope to reach. My perspective was far too narrow."
Ainz watched Albedo fold forward and felt his jaw drop open slightly.
He closed it.
That fast? he thought. She was just so insistent a moment ago...
"Sebas."
"Yes, Ainz-sama."
The relief in Sebas's voice was audible. He was doing a reasonable job of concealing it, but Ainz could hear it plainly.
Touch Me would have supported my decision too, Ainz thought. If it had been Touch Me.
"Your proposal is approved. You will accompany Lucian Aindra to the Dragon Kingdom. Continue your observation and evaluation of him there. Dragon intelligence will be gathered through that same route."
"Thank you, Ainz-sama."
Gratitude filled every word of it.
"One more thing."
Ainz was genuinely satisfied that Sebas had found a direction.
"Sebas, well done."
A brief silence from the other end.
"You give me too much credit, Ainz-sama. This is simply my duty."
The emotion in Sebas's voice was, if anything, stronger than before.
The connection ended.
Ainz leaned back against the throne.
So exhausting, he thought. Not only do I have to make the decisions, I have to manage all the disagreements between my subordinates. This is absolutely not something an ordinary office worker is equipped to handle...
Solution had been standing to one side the entire time, waiting in quiet.
She watched Sebas open his eyes. Saw the smile that settled onto that deeply lined face. It was faint, barely there, but Solution could tell that Sebas-sama was in a very good mood right now.
She tilted her head slightly.
"Sebas-sama. Does Ainz-sama have new instructions?"
Sebas turned toward her. The smile gradually faded, replaced by something thoughtful. He looked at Solution, a slight furrow forming in his brow.
Under that gaze, Solution felt a small, involuntary unease. She straightened instinctively.
"Solution." Sebas's voice was steady. "I will be accompanying Mr. Lucian to the Dragon Kingdom. You will remain in the capital."
Solution blinked.
Sebas gave her a concise account of Ainz-sama's decision: the Dragon Kingdom intelligence, Mr. Lucian's request, and the order authorizing him to make the journey.
Solution listened, and gave a slight nod when he had finished.
"Those beastmen," she said. "They take the Dragon Kingdom's people as food?"
The question came out carrying a quality that was difficult to name. As though she found the subject faintly interesting.
"Yes." Sebas looked at her. "Which is precisely why this mission carries risks that make it unsuitable for someone in the role of a merchant's young lady."
Solution lowered her gaze and said nothing.
Sebas reached into his coat and produced a list.
"For some time, the Aindra family's network has been helping us collect magic scrolls. The majority are of the production type — magic that simply does not exist within Nazarick."
Solution accepted the list.
"Your assignment is to remain in the capital and receive and safeguard these scrolls."
Solution folded the list carefully and tucked it away.
"One more matter." A subtle pause entered Sebas's voice. "Because of Mr. Lucian's connections, a group of noble ladies has recently been extending invitations for you to attend banquets."
Solution looked up at him.
"This is a valuable opportunity. Those noble ladies may not participate directly in political affairs, but they move in circles adjacent to the capital's decision-makers. Casual conversation with them can yield a great deal of useful intelligence."
Sebas continued, "So your remaining in the capital is the most appropriate arrangement."
Solution was quiet for a moment.
"...I understand, Sebas-sama."
Meanwhile, in a house nearby, Lucian was standing at the window, fingers tapping quietly against the sill.
He knew nothing of the debate that had played out in the Throne Room. But the outcome was exactly as he had anticipated.
Specific dragon intelligence to draw Sebas toward the Dragon Kingdom. Noble ladies' invitations to keep Solution occupied in the capital.
With Solution out of the picture, there was considerably more Lucian could do.