Golden fluorescence continued to emanate from the magic circle on the floor, slowly converging, forming the silhouette of a woman. The form solidified, transforming from an energy body into complete flesh and blood.
Lakyus slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze surveyed her surroundings, the confusion that had previously enveloped her completely gone.
She had visited this grand hall several times before. However, the figure before her, now with his back to her, felt more impressive than usual.
"Your Excellency!" Lakyus called out respectfully, about to bow in deference. However, she froze when she realized she was currently completely naked. Her cheeks instantly flushed hot, a pink blush creeping onto her skin. Shame pierced her.
"Lady Aindra," a gentle voice greeted. Enri Emmot, who stood nearby, stepped forward in time, swiftly offering a thick blanket.
"Thank you!" Lakyus immediately grabbed the blanket, wrapping it around her body, trying to cover her awkwardness.
As if sensing that Lakyus had completed her action, Kael, who had his back to her, slowly turned. His beautiful, star-like eyes, radiating a soft light, were now fixed on her. "You have just been revived. Do you feel uncomfortable?"
Lakyus paused for a moment. She hadn't expected Kael's first question to be one of concern. There was a hint of sincere gratitude in her voice as she replied, "Thank you for your concern. I feel perfectly fine."
Truly surprising.
When she had used resurrection magic to help other adventurers in the past, some newly revived individuals couldn't even speak or felt extremely weak. Yet, now she felt no weakness at all. As if death was merely a short sleep.
No, now is not the time to worry about that.
Lakyus remembered the emergency she had just witnessed as a soul. Worry once again flooded her mind, prompting her to ask Kael anxiously, "Your Excellency, do you know everything about the Re-Estize Royal Capital?"
"What do you mean?" Kael tilted his head slightly, his expression and tone utterly calm, even a faint smile at the corner of his lips. "About Ainz Ooal Gown, or the Golden Princess?"
"It seems you already know everything." A strange hue crossed Lakyus's eyes. After a moment of silence, she couldn't help but ask what she most wanted to know. Her heart pounded with anxiety. "You mentioned Princess Renner. Do you know that she has been in contact with Ainz Ooal Gown?"
"Not entirely," Kael shook his head and stepped forward, explaining, "Earlier you said you'd return to help her, so I sent someone to investigate the Golden Princess. It was quite surprising that the person who snuck into the palace to observe her reported to me that there was a demon following the princess."
"Demon!?" This was the first time Lakyus had heard this news, and she couldn't suppress her shock. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"A kind and gentle Golden Princess, who possesses no power of her own, actually has a demon protecting her. Do you know what this implies?"
Kael stopped a meter in front of Lakyus, the faint smile on his face not fading at all. He looked at her with a gaze that was both slightly playful and demanding. "There are two possibilities. The first, she has been subjugated by the demon and cannot control her every movement. The second, she has fallen and is involved with a demon of unknown origin, conducting unspeakable transactions."
Kael paused briefly, his meaningful gaze fixed on Lakyus. "Which do you think it is?"
Hearing this, Lakyus bit her lip, not immediately answering Kael's question. Emotionally, she refused to accept either possibility. She preferred to believe that all of this had nothing to do with Princess Renner, and that the perfect Golden Princess had never changed.
However, from the information she obtained directly from the demon named Demiurge and now from Kael, she had to admit that there was a very high possibility that Princess Renner was involved in this matter. A bitter reality that began to tear at her heart.
Clenching her hands tightly, Lakyus took a deep breath, looked at Kael seriously, and asked, "Your Excellency, the capital now faces the threat of Ainz Ooal Gown. Can you set aside past grievances and lend a helping hand?"
Let bygones be bygones, she thought to herself. This book recounts how the Church of Destiny supported the plan to attack Eight Fingers' strongholds at her request, but an unexpected incident resulted in casualties. She knew Kael cared for his followers.
Kael slowly raised his hand.
Although Lakyus felt the hand approaching her, she hesitated for a moment. However, she decided not to dodge. Then, her chin was gently pinched.
As Kael's fingers lifted slightly, her gaze also rose, meeting Kael's deep eyes, like a bottomless abyss yet full of wisdom.
They stared at each other for quite a while before Kael slowly released her hand and said, "Even if you didn't tell me, I would still go to the capital."
A sigh of relief escaped Lakyus's lips.
"Although my believers can be resurrected, it does not mean someone can kill them with impunity. Whoever did this will pay the price." Kael's tone was now cold, yet full of resolve.
Hearing this, Lakyus secretly sighed in relief once more. Kael had previously repelled Ainz Ooal Gown and his organization in E-Rantel. As long as he was willing to take action, the crisis in the Re-Estize Royal Capital should be manageable.
However, she was still rejoicing too soon.
Kael continued, "However, besides Ainz Ooal Gown, I will not let the Golden Princess go lightly. If I am certain she is connected to this matter, death will be the greatest mercy I can grant her!"
Lakyus was shocked, her breath hitched. Even if Princess Renner was truly involved in this matter, they had been good friends for many years. She couldn't just sit idly by and watch Princess Renner be killed by Kael.
Thinking of this dreadful possibility, she immediately asked Kael, "Your Excellency! I beg you to allow me to investigate this matter. I will surely give you a satisfactory explanation!"
"You?" Kael frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure on his face. "Lakyus, though I admire you, you should not be arrogant because of My kindness."
"Do not forget, as of now, you are not My follower, and you are good friends with the Golden Princess. How can I trust that you will not deliberately protect her during the investigation?"
"This..." Lakyus suddenly fell silent. Kael's argument was indeed irrefutable.
Kael's purpose for stepping forward this time was to seek justice for his followers, and he was fully capable of disregarding the Golden Princess's identity and conducting the investigation and gathering evidence himself. It was indeed unconvincing that she, as an outsider and a friend of the suspect, could be an objective investigator.
After hesitating for a moment, she raised her head and asked Kael, "Your Excellency, if I pledge loyalty to you now, will you grant me this opportunity?"
Hearing this, there wasn't the slightest joy on Kael's face. Instead, his brow furrowed even tighter, showing disapproval.
After a moment, he said to Lakyus with a cold expression, "I do not like arrangements like this, so I will not agree to your request."
"..."
Lakyus opened her mouth but could not utter a single word. A heavy burden pressed on her heart. Of course, she knew this proposal was too much of a 'bargain,' and Kael might not agree, perhaps even lowering his opinion of her.
Now that she had been bluntly rejected, it would be impertinent to keep asking. So, she could only remain silent, bowing her head in resignation.
Kael noticed the clear disappointment on Lakyus's face. As if slightly sympathetic to her, he added, "But I can allow you to participate in the Golden Princess's interrogation, and grant her a relatively fair judgment depending on the severity of her case."
"Your Excellency..."
Lakyus's eyes trembled slightly, and a touch of warmth flowed through her heart. Hope blossomed anew. She couldn't help but bow deeply to Kael, overwhelming gratitude filling her soul. "Thank you for your kindness!"