"No, no, Miss Lupusregina Beta is also very kind to everyone. Although she's not as good as Ellie-dono, we can't ask for too much more." The old man still led the conversation with Ellie, and after he finished speaking this time, he showed a slightly troubled expression. So that's it... Ellie now understood what was going on. The sense of incongruity she felt from this old man earlier was because of this.
"It's alright. If there are any difficulties I can help with, please bring them up. After all, I bear some responsibility for E-Rantel becoming what it is now. I couldn't prevent all those tragedies from happening. If only I could have convinced the Old King of Re-Estize Kingdom to give up resistance back then, everyone's loved ones wouldn't have gone to their deaths." Ellie also put on a very sad and self-reproaching expression as she spoke.
This old man's idea must be Demiurge's, right? Albedo wouldn't come up with such an idea, so it could only be Demiurge. As expected of Demiurge, to set up such a stage for her to perform?
Let me first explain: the old man who made Ellie feel incongruous was actually Pandora's Actor in disguise. The chuunibyou-filled exclamations he made at the beginning immediately gave away his identity. It's just that Ellie hadn't reacted to it at first. It seems Demiurge had made arrangements beforehand, asking Pandora's Actor to act with her upon her return!
"Ellie-dono has already done enough for us. Not only did she remove those patrolling guards, but she also arranged for the establishment of orphanages to adopt those orphans who lost their loved ones due to this war. Recently, to ensure those orphans receive education, she personally negotiated with Baharuth Empire and invited many teachers from the Empire. We... how could we dare to ask anything more of you?" Pandora said with great "emotion."
"No, what I... what I've done still cannot compensate those who lost their loved ones in this senseless war. If anyone still has any dissatisfaction or requests, please tell me... I will do my best to help everyone." Ellie only regretted that she didn't have eyedrops. Although she was a professional "actress," it was still a bit difficult to act out a scene where tears flowed at will.
"Ellie-dono has done more than enough. How could we dare to have any more requests! Since E-Rantel was occupied, and after getting used to those Undead, actually... actually, everyone is living better than before. Please rest assured, Ellie-dono." Pandora's Actor's acting was indeed remarkable. If it weren't for the initial chuunibyou-like exclamations, Ellie wouldn't have even recognized his identity.
"This... this is good. This way, I can also feel a little relieved. Whenever I think of everyone's loved ones dying because of my incompetence, I just... I'm sorry... everyone." Ellie choked up, covering her mouth, seemingly trying to hold back her tears.
Actually, on the contrary, Ellie was desperately trying to squeeze out some tears, but she couldn't do it.
Seeing Ellie like this, what else could the other pedestrians say? They all showed sad expressions.
"I'm truly sorry, everyone... I have something to ask of you. Although it may not be appropriate for me, who you see as the Great Demon's daughter, to say this, but for everyone's sake... I can only shamelessly ask you, please do not resist my father. Actually, my father is not as bad as you imagine. In fact, the idea of the orphanage was proposed by my father; I merely conveyed it. As long as everyone doesn't resist, my father has also promised me that he will absolutely not trouble anyone. So... so please everyone..." Ellie said up to this point and then bowed her head again as if enduring something, not continuing.
Actually, these commoners wouldn't dare to resist even if they were given ten more guts. Ellie said this to boost Father Ainz's popularity. It wouldn't be good to take all the credit herself and let Father Ainz be the Great Demon. Besides, the establishment of the orphanage was indeed Father Ainz's idea, and it truly had nothing to do with her. This still needed to be clarified.
"Ellie-dono, please rest assured, we will not do anything that would trouble you, Ellie-dono. Besides, aren't we living better now than when we were ruled by the Kingdom? Everyone, don't you agree!" It was still Pandora's Actor. This time, Pandora appropriately tossed the topic to the other onlookers.
"Yes... yes! Taxes have been lowered, and they even provide us with free labor and teach us advanced techniques we've never seen before. Medical care is also free, and I heard they are building schools to let everyone study for free soon. What more complaints could we possibly have?" Someone in the crowd said this, and many commoners nodded in agreement.
"This... I'm truly grateful that everyone is willing to listen to me." Ellie said to everyone, feigning immense emotion.
"This is now a city of Ainz Ooal Gown Magic Kingdom, and you are the princess of Magic Kingdom, and a princess who is willing to think for us. Of course, we must listen to you, Ellie-dono... no, Illy-dono." Pandora's Actor continued to shower Ellie with praise, making Ellie a little embarrassed.
Then, someone, I don't know who, started shouting Ellie's name, which immediately invigorated the atmosphere. The surrounding commoners all joined in the shouting. For a time, more and more people gathered on the entire street, and even some commoners who had been hiding in their homes opened their windows and joined the shouting, making Ellie feel various discomforts... Although Ellie had seen many grand scenes, this was the first time she had been praised to such an extent... However, Pandora eventually called for everyone to disperse, not to hinder Illy-dono from continuing her work, and Sister Yuri also arrived with several ordinary Dragon Maids to greet Ellie, which finally allowed Ellie to escape.
Although she understood Demiurge's intention, it was fine at first, but she truly felt a bit uncomfortable during the later stage of excessive praise.
But then again, Demiurge's arrangement was indeed good. It instantly boosted her prestige among the people of E-Rantel, and she also managed to shift the blame for the war onto Re-Estize Kingdom. She had indeed discussed this matter with the Old King, and it was a fact.
However, with the Kingdom's system, avoiding conflict was naturally impossible. Therefore, the Kingdom also had to bear the blame for so many deaths for Father Ainz. Before the war, Father Ainz had also issued a statement, and she, as the princess, had personally gone to negotiate with the Old King. By all accounts, Nazarick had already done its utmost.
So! This way, the people of E-Rantel could direct their anger towards Re-Estize Kingdom, which would make it easier to rule E-Rantel. As expected of Demiurge.
"So that's it! As expected of Ellie-dono, even after being Girlish (loli-fied), you haven't regressed at all." Chao Lu said this without any particular tone.
Hmm? This?? Chao Lu's inexplicable words surprised Ellie a little. Could it be that Chao Lu had seen through something?
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