As our carriage rolled steadily along the well-maintained road leading to Re-Estize, the capital of the kingdom, the sunlight filtered through the thin canopy of trees lining the path. The gentle rocking of the vehicle made for a surprisingly comfortable ride.
Clementine sat across from me, legs lazily sprawled out over the seat, arms folded behind her head. Solution, composed as always, sat beside me in perfect posture, hands delicately resting in her lap.
We had just completed the necessary formalities at the Adventurer's Guild earlier that morning—transferring my and Solution's IDs to the Re-Estize branch, while Clementine, being a new registrant, was officially entered under that city's jurisdiction.
Pluton Ainzach had personally handled it to ensure there were no complications. I appreciated that. He wasn't a fool—he understood talent when he saw it.
The carriage continued to move, the clip-clop of the horses the only sound for a while, until Clementine cracked one eye open and looked at me with a lazy grin.
"So," she began, "what's got your pretty little head all focused? You've been spacing out since we left E-Rantel. Thinking about some sweet noble lady already?"
I turned my gaze toward the passing trees. "Something like that."
Clementine chuckled. "Hah, I knew it. You've got that 'scheming for panties' look in your eye."
Solution gave a faint huff at her crudeness, but I didn't bother correcting Clementine. She wasn't wrong.
"I assume you've heard of Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself?" I asked, still watching the woods.
Clementine blinked. "Princess Renner? Sure. Golden Princess of Re-Estize. Known for being beautiful, intelligent, and oh-so-kind… although, well…" She gave a toothy grin. "People who look too perfect on the outside tend to have the filthiest thoughts inside. I kind of like that in a girl."
"You're not wrong," I replied. "She's not the saint the world thinks she is. Because of that, I'm going to need her on my side."
Sol glanced at me, her voice curious but calm. "For what purpose, Alex-sama?"
Clementine leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "Yeah, I'm curious too. What's the angle here? She's just a noble, right? Beautiful, sure—but if you're just into blondes with secrets, you've already got me." She winked.
I became silent for a moment; I can't exactly say my dream is to get under Renner's pants, can I?
Then an idea appears in my mind. "It's not just about her. It's about what she can do for me. Connections, access, influence. She has the trust of the people and the royal family, but she's cunning enough to manipulate them all. She's the perfect entry point for everything I plan to do in this world."
Clementine whistled low. "Damn, you've got ambition. I like that."
But unknown to Alex, Solution was hearing this with sharp eyes and ears. As her Lord, he himself said that he needs connection and power, which only means one thing: he will be taking this world through war and bloodshed, not through politics, just like Lord Demiurge predicted.
Solution, ever elegant, nodded. "It is a logical strategy. If this Princess Renner is as capable as Alex-sama says, then she will be an asset."
"Exactly," I said.
Alex, without knowing, just doubled down, solutions though.
"And," I added with a faint smirk, "Re-Estize is also the closest major city to the Slane Theocracy."
Clementine's playful expression vanished, replaced with a sharp glint in her eye. "The Theocracy, huh? Don't tell me you plan on messing with them."
"Oh, I plan on more than that," I said, voice low. "They have something I want."
Clementine leaned in. "Let me guess. A person? A weapon? A secret technique?"
I shook my head. "A World-Class Item."
Solution blinked. "World-class... item?" She was surprised.
Clementine narrowed her eyes. "Never heard of that. Sounds fancy, but you're treating it like it's some kind of divine artifact."
"It's more than that," I said. "World-class items are relics of immense power—so powerful they can change the fate of entire civilizations. Each one can rival entire armies. Even gods might hesitate before confronting someone wielding one."
Clementine's smile slowly returned, a glimmer of excitement now in her eyes. "Oh? You're really serious about that, huh?"
"Yes," I looked out the window again. "And I'm not leaving this world without taking one of them for myself."
Clementine sat back with a low whistle. "Well damn, no wonder you kept me around. You knew I'd be useful in a fight like that, huh?"
"That," I said, "and you've got a killer body."
She snorted in amusement. "Flattery and ambition? You really are my kind of guy. But let me ask you something: what if I betray you since you already told me everything about you?"
I looked at Clementine, who had a smile on her face. "I didn't tell you everything. But let me tell you what happens if you betray me. When I drank your blood back in the graveyard, I left some of my blood in your body so if you betray me, I will just activate that blood and give you a painful death."
I may be horny, but I am not that fool to completely trust my previous enemy. Of course, if she loves me, then I will remove that blood.
"You really are cruel," Clementine said.
~~~
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