"Everyone, thank you for waiting!"
Lock reappeared with Clementine, greeting the Theocracy's people with a smile.
"Baron Lock. Hmm?"
Raymond responded cordially, but his attention quickly focused on Clementine beside Lock.
She was dressed in a black bodysuit and light armor, radiating a powerful, almost uncontrollable, energy.
Not only Raymond, but the God-kin Captain beside him also frowned slightly. This level of aura…
"May I ask, what happened to Clementine?"
Lock glanced at Clementine 2.0, who was standing behind him, and was not surprised by Raymond's question.
"Nothing, just a slight enhancement."
"Enhancement?"
"Rather than that, have there been any unusual movements here in the past two days?" Lock didn't want to dwell on the question and looked toward the bandit mercenary group's stronghold in the distance, asking.
Raymond knew it was not appropriate to press further, so he suppressed the strangeness in his heart and replied,
"No. In the past two days, the young girl in red clothing you mentioned has not appeared in this vicinity."
"I see…"
Lock pondered, stroking his chin.
Although in the anime, for the sake of a compact plot, the information shown was that Ainz only dispatched NPCs Sebas, Solution, and Shalltear from E-Rantel after he arrived as an Adventurer, in reality, both sides should have acted almost simultaneously.
Otherwise, Lock would not have rushed here so anxiously to stake out the place in advance.
Well, never mind.
Anyway, as long as he waited here a little longer, Shalltear would naturally find her way here following the information about the bandit group.
And even if the plot changed drastically and Shalltear did not appear here, Lock could still gain a talented Brain, so he would not suffer any loss.
The cooperation with the Theocracy would not be greatly affected either, because the basis of their cooperation was his powerful strength. At most, it would make the Theocracy more wary of him, preventing a wholehearted win-win situation.
Just as Lock was thinking this, a black figure suddenly landed in front of them.
The man, clearly an assassin, knelt on one knee and reported to Raymond,
"Lord Raymond, three women are holding members of the bandit group hostage and are coming this way. Two of them are women in white, and the young girl in the red dress you instructed is also among them."
Raymond immediately looked at Lock, his suspicion that he was a prophet growing stronger.
Lock immediately became happy and said,
"Chief Priest Raymond, let's proceed according to the plan. You all will deal with that girl and see if what I said is true. I also need to start my plan. See you later."
With that, Lock led Clementine toward the bandit group's lair.
Raymond watched his retreating, remained silent for a moment, then turned and said,
"Alright, then let's verify how powerful the True Ancestor Vampire that Baron Lock spoke of truly is. Everyone, please proceed with caution!"
"Yes!" ×13
Raymond immediately led all members of the Black Scripture and Kerry in the direction the scout indicated. Although wary, he did not know what kind of breathtaking scene the upcoming battle would be.
"I feel like you're in a very good mood," Clementine said, seeing Lock smiling and even walking with a light step.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Haha."
"Alright, I remembered something happy. The Theocracy's people are about to have a terrible time," Lock chuckled, clasping his hands behind his head and looking at the dim starry sky.
"Hmm, aren't you supposed to be cooperating with the Theocracy? Why are you happy that they're having a bad time?" Clementine was a bit confused.
"And aren't they going to deal with the terrifying vampire you mentioned… Did you lie to them?"
As she thought of this, Clementine's face also showed a twisted smile, as if she had a premonition of the Theocracy's fate.
"I didn't expect you to be so mischievous!"
"Nonsense. I am an upright and kind person, unlike a pervert like you!" Lock retorted.
"I've already told them to be careful. But humans are such strange animals; even if they sense danger, their long-standing arrogance as powerful beings will make them cautious, but also lead to a slight disregard for known dangers."
"Alright, you can begin. Remember to use all the martial arts and combat techniques you know during the battle, letting the power within you strengthen your body and enhance the power of your skills."
"Hmph! I understand."
Clementine drew the two short swords from her waist. These were, of course, not her original weapons, but legendary-rank items from Yggdrasil that Lock had prepared for her long ago, just like the defensive gear she wore.
"Huh? Who are you?!"
The two members of the bandit mercenary group guarding the cave entrance immediately spotted the two, grabbed their weapons warily, and demanded loudly.
But in the next second, Clementine charged at them like a gust of wind. The sharp tip of her sword accurately pierced one of their hearts. Before the other could react, she moved behind him, and the other short sword plunged fiercely into his abdomen.
"Ah!!!"
The wail immediately attracted the attention of the other bandits in the cave.
"What's going on?!"
"We have intruders!"
After dealing with the sentries at the entrance, Clementine immediately rushed into the cave. As she activated her martial arts, the power within her continuously strengthened her body, and a novel experience surged into her brain, making her feel an unprecedented exhilaration!
Soon, she arrived in the first chamber. Several bandits were holding weapons with wary expressions, and next to them was a table with an oil lamp and ale poured into bowls.
Clearly, these bandits had just been drinking and reveling.
"Who are you?!"
Clementine curled her lips, habitually showing a twisted smile.
"Big sister here has come to play with you all. Make me excited, quickly!"
"Eek—!"
Seeing her two short swords still dripping blood and the twisted smile on her face, the bandits were terrified.
"Charge!" one bandit shouted, forcing courage into his voice as they raised their weapons and attacked Clementine.
Unexpectedly, she did not immediately deal with these petty thieves.
Looking at the long sword swung by the bandit at the front, its trajectory and speed were so slow, as if the entire world had slowed down due to her focus.
Flowing Acceleration!
Clementine released the martial art. The slowness deepened, like the last struggles of a mosquito trapped in solidified resin.
With a slight upturn of her lips, Clementine moved.
She walked toward the bandit—not fast, merely a brisk stride—tilting her head slightly to dodge the long sword, just like stepping around a branch in her path.
With a gentle thrust of the short sword in her hand, she pierced him through.
The world snapped back to normal.
"Kill them! Urgh—!"
The shouting bandit felt a blur before his eyes. His attacker vanished, and a sharp pain exploded in his chest.
"You seem to be quite smitten with big sister."
Clementine's soft voice whispered beside his ear, filling him with terror. The sword slipped from his hand as he trembled, reaching out to push her away.
"You can't touch me, pervert."
A playful voice.
The last sound he ever heard.
Thud.
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A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
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