There were a total of four people within the room.

室内一共四人。

There were two paladins, who had come straight in after the fighting and were thus covered in bloodstained armor -- Remedios Custodio and Gustav Montagnes. There was the person in charge of the surviving priests, a middle-aged man who could use third-tier spells -- Siliaco Naranho. And then there was Prince Caspond Bessarez.

战斗之后，因为走过来所以穿着被血弄湿的铠甲的圣骑士两人——蕾梅迪奥丝·卡斯托迪奥和古斯塔沃·蒙塔涅斯——以及整合活下来的神官的负责人，能够使用第三位阶魔法的中年男子——希利亚科·纳兰霍祭司，还有王兄卡斯邦登·贝萨雷斯。

Two of them had come from the battlefield and one of them had been in charge of healing the wounded. As a result, Prince Caspond’s room was filled with the stench of blood.

上战场的两人加上持续治疗伤兵的一人。由于这三人的缘故使得王兄的房间充满了血腥味。

Remedios had not removed her helmet even now. That was not proper etiquette for visiting a prince’s chambers at all -- one could even call it disrespectful -- but Caspond did not seem bothered by it and he appeared very calm.

蕾梅迪奥丝甚至现在都没把头盔脱掉。这实在不是适合来到王兄房间的打扮，甚至可说是失礼，但是卡斯邦登可能对此倒是没什么想法吧，态度表现得很冷静。

At the same time, the air in the room was terrible, though not because of the preceding point. It was true that it reeked in here, but the reason was because the mood in the air was harsh. It was so weighty that it even seemed to dull the sunlight entering through the window..

然而与此无关，房间里的空气相当糟糕。虽说的确是很臭，不过原因是在于气氛十分险恶。由于太过沉重，连窗户射进来的阳光都让人觉得黯淡。

This was not how people who had beaten overwhelmingly unfavorable odds and emerged victorious ought to be.

这不是扭转了压倒的不利状态获得胜利的人会有的样子。

Caspond was the first person to speak in this weighty silence. Still, who else could speak first but him?

在郁闷的沉默中，最先开口的是卡斯邦登。不过除了他以外又有谁能先发言呢。

“Tell me about our casualty situation.”

「那么让我听听受害的状况。」

“Of the 6’000 militiamen we brought onto the battlefield, 4’000 of them have been injured or killed.”

「是。上了战场的民兵六千人之中，约有两千四百人伤亡」

“...If I may add to the Vice Captain-dono’s words, there are also a thousand people among the wounded who are being healed by the priests, but half of them perished because we could not reach them in time.”

「……如果要补充副团长阁下的话，包括伤兵在内大约有一千人，虽然神官们在进行回复，但有半数因为没赶上而死去」

“...And then half the paladins survived, and eight priests died.”

「……然后活下来的圣骑士有一半，以及八名神官过世」

Caspond closed his eyes and shook his head as he heard Gustav’s words.

卡斯邦登因为古斯塔沃的话闭上眼睛，摇了摇头。

“Against a demihuman army like that… while we can’t say losses like these are a good thing, should we be grateful that those were all we took? Or should we be sad for the sheer number of casualties--”

「以那个亚人军队为对手……虽然无法说以这种受害程度了事算是好的，但应该说谢天谢地只有这种程度而已吗？或是说该对出现这种程度的受害表示悲伤——」

“The latter.”

「是后者」

Remedios’ still, small voice interrupted Caspond.

蕾梅迪奥丝小声地打断了卡斯邦登的话。

“The latter.”

「是后者」

“...Captain Custodio is right. We ought to be sad to have suffered such losses.”

「……卡斯托迪奥团长说得对。对于出现这种程度的受害感到悲伤吧」

Gustav and Siliaco looked down as they heard Caspond’s words.

古斯塔沃和希利亚科照着卡斯邦登的话垂下眼。

They knew that against a 40’000-strong army of demihumans, it was a miracle that the woefully-outnumbered Holy Kingdom Liberation Army had so many survivors -- albeit a man-made one. However, they also understood that saying something like this would be disruptive and unproductive, so they had no choice but to do this instead.

他们知道以四万亚人类军队为对手，只是寡兵的圣王国解放军一方能有这么多生还者是何等奇迹般——虽说是人为的——的事情。但是，他们也理解在这里说出这种话，只会破坏场面且无济于事所以才会表现出这个态度。

“Was it the Sorcerer King who defeated the demihuman forces in their formation?”

「是魔导王打倒了布阵好的亚人军队吗？」

“Yes. There were few eyewitness reports amidst the chaos of defending the city walls, so we’re unsure of the details, but there’s talk of mysterious undead beings destroying the army.”

「是，因为正处于城壁防卫的混乱之中并没有多少目击情报所以不了解详情，但是有消息指出不明不死者们将军队歼灭」

“I see. That matches up with what I heard from the Sorcerer KIng. So he used the undead he created to clean them up -- wiped out a massive army like that, hm? In that case… we can conclude that the Sorcerer King can defeat Jaldabaoth, am I right?”

「原来如此，那么事情和我从魔导王那里听来的话是吻合的。用作成出来的不死者们进行扫荡吗——把那样浩荡的大军给歼灭了啊？那样的话……是不是能认为如果是魔导王就能赢过亚达巴沃呢？」

Caspond shifted his gaze to Remedios, but she simply pursed her lips and remained silent. The highly volatile air around the Holy KIngdom’s strongest paladin made her a figure of dread to the weak. Caspond turned away from her and toward Gustav, who immediately returned his gaze with a deeply apologetic look in his eyes and bowed his head.

卡斯邦登将视线稍微朝向蕾梅迪奥丝，但她只是绷着脸沉默不语。圣王国最强的圣骑士所放出来的一触即发的空气，对弱者而已来说只是恐怖的对象。卡斯邦登转开视线，朝古斯塔沃看去，他立刻送出非常抱歉的眼神并低下头来。

“Hahh… is it really alright to bet the entire KIngdom on him? Or rather -- should we think of what to do if the Sorcerer King loses to Jaldabaoth? Does anyone have any ideas for the next best thing we can do if that comes to pass?”

「哈……将一切、这个国家的一切都赌在他身上没关系吗？还是说——应该要先设想好魔导王败给亚达巴沃的情况呢？在这种情况下关于次佳的对策，有谁有主意吗？」

He was answered by silence. Amidst all this, Remedios spoke up.

回应的只有一片沉默。这之中，蕾梅迪奥丝开了口。

“In that case, how about calling Momon over?”

「那样的话，把飞飞叫来如何？」

The three people other than Remedios looked at each other with severe expressions on their faces.

除了蕾梅迪奥丝以外的三人都一脸严肃的面面相觑。

Remedios -- who felt it was a good idea -- frowned.

觉得是个好主意的蕾梅迪奥丝皱起脸来。

“What? Do you have any better ideas? It’s more proper than that damn undead creature, no?”

「什么？还有比这个更好的想法吗？比那个不死者来说要好得多吧」

“...Captain. We are now discussing what to do if the Sorcerer King dies. In such a situation, expecting to go to the Sorcerer Kingdom to get more help would be very risky.”

「……团长。现在讨论的是如果魔导王阵亡后的事。在这样的情况下，还期待去魔导国要求增援是很危险的」

“Not necessarily,” Siliaco said as he stroked his white moustache.

「也不尽然如此」希利亚科一面摸着夹杂着白色的胡子说道。

“A moment please, Vice Captain-dono. The Captain-dono’s idea is risky, but not a bad move. How about lying about the Sorcerer King being captured by Jaldabaoth and getting Momon to come over?”

「请等一下，副团长阁下。团长阁下的主意虽然危险却不算坏招。骗说魔导王被亚达巴沃囚禁起来之类的把飞飞叫来如何？」

“Priest-dono, that would be too dangerous. Even if Momon defeated Jaldabaoth, discovery of the lie could trigger a war. Even if all goes well, the Sorcerous Kingdom’s impression of our country will plunge to rock bottom. And if things go badly, Momon might very well become a second Jaldabaoth and lead the Sorcerous Kingdom’s undead army into our nation.”

「祭司阁下，那样太危险了。就算飞飞打赢了亚达巴沃，谎言一旦被揭穿就可能会引起战争。就算往好了想，魔导国对我国的印象会跌落低谷。而往坏处想的话，飞飞非常有可能将成为第二个亚达巴沃，将魔导国的不死者军团派进我国」

“Precisely, you two. And the worst thing is that the Sorcerous Kingdom will have a justified grievance against us.”

「正是如此，两位。而且最糟糕的是魔导国一方就有了声讨我国的正当理由」

Remedios tilted her head at Caspond’s explanation.

对于卡斯邦登的说明，蕾梅迪奥丝偏起头。

“We’re not adjacent to the Sorcerous Kingdom, so that’s okay, right?”

「与魔导国又没相连，没关系吧？」

“...Captain Custodio, please stop thinking of dangerous things. I don’t want to adopt any policies that will endanger us… that said, I don’t have any good ideas. How about you two?”

「……卡斯托迪奥团长，你不要想些危险的事。我不希望采取会在将来招致危险的策略……话虽如此，想不出好主意呢。你们两人呢？」

Siliaco and Gustav could not think of anything either.

希利亚科和古斯塔沃两人也都想不出什么好主意。

The room was plunged into a brief silence.

房间陷入短暂的沉默。

Eventually, Caspond quietly spoke up.

最终卡斯邦登发出话语。

“...For the time being, let’s each go back and think about it on our own. There’ll be no problems if the Sorcerer King can defeat Jaldabaoth.” Caspond clapped his hands together. “Then let’s talk about something else. What about the rations that the demihumans brought? Can we eat them normally? And if we can consume them, how long can they last?”

「……暂时各自先回去思考吧。要是魔导王能打倒亚达巴沃的话就没问题了」卡斯邦登敲了一下手「那么来说别的事吧。亚人们携带的粮食怎么样了？是我们也能普通吃下去的吗？要是能吃的话，能吃多久？」

Normally, they would belong to the Sorcerer King since he had defeated the demihuman army, but he had already said that he would hand them over free of charge.

本来的话，击退亚人军队的是魔导王，所有权也是归他，但他说好全部无偿提供。

Gustav answered. He was in charge of sundry tasks like that.

回答问题的人是古斯塔沃。这些杂务的负责人都是他。

“Sire. There seems to be a lot of hardened bread-like objects and vegetables that we should be able to eat. Thanks to the attack of the Sorcerer King’s undead creatures, they were captured intact, so they are in very good condition. In addition, there are also some food items which need to be further investigated, such as sour-smelling vegetables and so on.”

「是。像是硬掉的面包的东西还有蔬菜之类，应该能够吃的东西有很多。由于是魔导王的不死者发动的攻击，所以能以完整的形式入手，因此保存状态非常好。除此之外有不得不调查的食物，像是散发出酸味的蔬菜凉拌之类的」

Preserved food was very common in the Holy Kingdom. However, these were demihuman rations, so they might belong to a species which ate rotting food, which was why Gustav said they had to investigate further.

酸味食物在圣王国也很普遍。但如果是亚人们的食物，有可能是食用腐烂物种族的东西，所以古斯塔沃说有调查的必要。

“There is only one problem. That would be the meat.”

「问题只有一个。那就是肉类料理」

“Which means?”

「这是指？」

Gustav’s face was dark as he looked at Caspond.

古斯塔沃一脸黯淡的看向卡斯邦登。

“A portion of the meat looks like it came from humans. That conclusion came from looking at their shape and we’re not certain about it. Maybe we could tell if we ate it, but I’d rather not sample it, if you don’t mind.”

「有一部分像是人肉的东西混在里面。只是从形状来看做出的判断，并不能说是绝对。吃了的话也许能知道什么，但试吃之类的还请饶了在下吧」

“How much meat are we talking about here?”

「说到肉的量，那到底有多少呢？」

Siliaco had a disgusted look on his face.

希利亚科摆出嫌弃的表情问道。

“Many demihumans eat meat, so there was a lot of it. At a glance, it seems like half the rations they brought were meat.”

「肉食的亚人似乎相当多，所以有相当的数量。目测来看，感觉运来的食物有一半都是肉。

“What!? Half of the rations for an army of 40’000 troops is meat?”

「什么！？四万士兵所吃的食物有一半都是肉？」

Hypothetically, if a demihuman ate a kilogram of meat a day, that would make 40 tons. If they had enough for two weeks, that would be 560 tons. In that case -- the Prince grabbed his face.

假设亚人一天所吃的肉是一公斤的情况下，那就是总共四十吨。如果是两周份的话，那就有五百六十吨了。那样的话——王兄用手捂住了脸。

“...How much of that is human meat?”

「……那里面到底有多少是人」

“We don’t know. Checking each and every piece would take a lot of time, and if they aren’t in their original shapes…”

「那就不得而知了。一个一个调查的话相当耗时间，如果不留原形的话就……」

“It would be a shame to toss out food when the future seems grim. I would like to separate the human meat from the other meat… Priest Naranho, can your spells do anything on that front?”

「在未来不明朗的情况下要把食物抛弃实在太可惜了。我想尽可能把人肉和其他的肉分开来……纳兰霍祭司，魔法能办到些什么吗？」

“My apologies, Prince-denka. We cannot do something like that. I feel my colleagues among the paladins should be the same way.”

「非常抱歉，王兄殿下。我等无法办到那种事。属下认为圣骑士的各位应该也是如此」

Caspond saw Gustav nod and sighed deeply.

看到古斯塔沃点头，卡斯邦登长吁一口气。

“So magic can’t do everything huh? How about having the captive demihumans eat it to find out?”

「魔法也不是万能的吗？那么让俘虏的亚人吃下去调查如何？」

“We should let the dead rest in peace. If there’s human meat, we ought to return it to the earth.”

「就让死者安眠吧。如果有人肉的话，我觉得也应该让其回归大地才对」

“Exactly, Captain Custodio… what do you think, Vice-Captain Montagnes?”

「说是这么说，卡斯托迪奥团长……蒙塔涅斯副团长怎么想?」

“Yes, I agree with the Captain. I feel that no amount of time will be enough to investigate each and every barrel of meat. We ought to use our time and effort on other areas.”

「是，我也赞成团长的意见。要一个一个调查桶里的肉的话，在下觉得有多少时间都不够。应该把时间和劳力用在其他的地方才是」

“I see… very well, I understand. So with regards to the demihuman meat, we’ll dispose of everything that looks questionable. In that case how about the demihumans’ arms and armor?”

「原来如此……我明白了。那么有关亚人带来的肉，看上去有问题的东西全部都扔了。那么接下来，亚人们的武器如何」

The Sorcerer King had also handed them over for free, but he had also said that that he would be expecting something in gratitude, so they would have to hand over the appropriate items if the time came.

关于武器的部分也是由魔导王无偿提供，不过他也说了要感谢的话就以某个形式来偿还这样的话，到时如果有能够提供的东西的话就不得不交出来了吧。

If they could defeat Jaldabaoth or take back the Royal Capital, Caspond planned to announce to the people that he would be handing the nation’s riches over to the Sorcerous Kingdom.

如果能够击退亚达巴沃，又或是能够夺回王都的话，卡斯邦登打算在众人面前说、提供给魔导王王家的财宝。

“Firstly, recovering the equipment from the demihumans and burying the corpses will need time, therefore we won’t even have time to check their quality… Priest-dono, if any undead spring up here, will they become the Sorcerer King’s minions?”

「首先要从亚人尸体上取下武器的同时进行埋葬需要时间，因此没有时间连武器的质量都详细调查……祭司阁下，若是该地有不死者产生的话，会成为魔导王的部下吗？」

Undead spawned easily in places where many people died. A place where more than 10’000 demihumans had died fit perfectly.

在有许多人丧命的地方，有容易产生出不死者的倾向。超过一万的亚人死掉的地方正符合条件。

Upon being addressed, a profoundly worried look appeared on Siliaco’s face.

被问的希利亚科露出了打从心底困扰的表情。

“I do not know. I truly do not know. But anything could happen, so we ought to deal with the bodies and sanctify the land as soon as possible. I would like to rely on our strength alone for that, but we simply cannot manage that way, so I would like to get some help from the paladins.”

「属下不清楚，真的不清楚。但是不管发生什么事态都有可能，应该要尽早处理尸体，同时净化该地才对。虽然想要仅靠我等的努力，但是实在没办法的情况下，还是想要借助圣骑士之力一用」

“Ahh, leave it to us. We’re used to dealing with the undead, after all.”

「啊啊，交给我们吧。怎么说我们也习惯应对不死者了」

“I’d expect no less from Captain Remedios, it puts my heart at ease… If only the Holy Queen-sama or Kelart-sama were here…”

「不愧是卡斯托迪奥团长，真是可靠……要是圣王女大人或葵拉特大人在的话……」

Everyone fell silent as Siliaco’s words tapered off.

全部人都因希利亚科没说完的话语而沉默。

After what seemed like a period of silent prayer, Caspond spoke.

经过一段像是进行默祷的时间后，卡斯邦登开口。

“Ah, something on that point, Vice-Captain Montagnes. The Sorcerer King seems to want to take the magic items back to his nation, so he picked them out first. Of course, he’ll return anything that belongs to the Holy Kingdom.”

「……啊，说到这个，蒙塔涅斯副团长。关于魔法道具魔导王似乎要带回国家，所以先分出来。当然如果是圣王国的东西或是相关的物品的话就推辞掉」

“Understood. Still, while I can tell when it comes to swords and armor, I’ll have difficulty with other items. If anyone here has knowledge of magical items, I would like them to step up and help.”

「遵命。可是关于剑与铠甲之类的，我等是能够判别，但其他的就有困难了。如果谁拥有魔法道具的相关知识，还希望能请那位人士协助」

“I could help when it comes to items passed down through the royal family. As for religious items, however--” Siliaco nodded as Caspond looked to him. “--In that case, we’ll go get helpers from among the civilians. Still, this was really unexpected. No, we should say it was more than we hoped for. We ought to thank the Sorcerer King’s power for surpassing our expectations.”

「如果是王家相传的道具的话，那么我多少知道一些。宗教相关的道具的话——」收到卡斯邦登的视线，希利亚科点点头「——那么，之后就从民间募集的协助者吧。话说这还真是预料之外呢。不，该说是预期之上的才对。应该要感谢那个魔导王的力量超乎想象才对」

Nobody present voiced any objections. Amidst the silence, Caspond spoke again, like he was their representative.

在场的四人没有一个有异议。沉默之中，卡斯邦登如同代表一样再度开口。

“This city was saved from conquest thanks to the Sorcerer King’s power.”

「靠着魔导王的力量，这座都市才免于陷落」

There was a very audible sound of teeth grinding, and Caspond looked worriedly at Gustav.

能听到相当大的用力咬牙声，卡斯邦登很困扰似的看了古斯塔沃。

“After this, I will need to thank him on behalf of the Holy Kingdom. When the time comes, I hope you will all be present… in any event, being able to draw on the Sorcerer King’s power and achieve victory is a joyous occasion.”

「接着得要代表圣王国去表达感谢才行。那时我想请诸位也参加……总之借着魔导王的力量获胜是可喜可贺的事」

“Don’t forget we did our best too.”

「我等也尽力的事还请不要忘」

Remedios’ words seemed to freeze the air in the room. No, it was two people who had frozen up; Gustav and Siliaco.

蕾梅迪奥丝的话让室内的空气结冻了。不，结冻的是两人。古斯塔沃和希利亚科。

Gustav’s mouth opened and closed like a koi. He looked like he had no idea how to apologize for his superior’s outburst.

古斯塔沃像是鲤鱼一样嘴巴张合不停。一副不知该如何替自己的上司的暴言，谢罪才好的样子。

“...Indeed. Captain Remedios, it is a fact that we would not have won this battle without the fierce resistance that you and the people put up.”

「……正是如此。卡斯托迪奥团长，如果没有你们，还有民众们的死命抵抗的话，这场战斗绝不会胜利，这是事实」

Caspond saw Remedios nod, and then he continued speaking,

看到蕾梅迪奥丝点头，卡斯邦登继续说下去。

“However -- it is also a fact that without the Sorcerer King’s help, we would have lost, and it is just as true that he could have won by himself. Am I wrong?”

「然而——要是没有魔导王的话就会输，这也是事实，而且他一个人就能赢同样是事实。我有说错吗?」

Remedios savagely ripped off her helmet and flung it at the wall, making a loud bang.

蕾梅迪奥丝粗暴地脱下头盔后，朝着墙壁扔过去。发出了过于巨大的声响。

“Your Highness! Did something happen!?”

「殿下！发生什么事了吗！」

The door to the room flew open, and the paladins on guard outside rushed in.

门被打开，在外面警备的圣骑士冲了进来。

“Nothing happened. Continue waiting outside.”

「什么都没发生。在外面待命」

The paladins’ eyes went back and forth between Remedios’ helmet and the look on her face, and they realized what had happened. After indicating that they understood, they quietly left the room.

圣骑士的视线在掉在地上的蕾梅迪奥丝的头盔与蕾梅迪奥丝的表情间反复来回，理解到发生了什么。表达了解的意思后静静的从房里出去。

“Captain Custodio, please do not get worked up. I ask you to be calm.”

「卡斯托迪奥团长，请不要激动。拜托你冷静」

“How can’t I be worked up!? All the people I’ve met on the way here have only been praising the Sorcerer King! It’s as though he won the whole thing by himself! Didn’t he only show up halfway? How many people died before he won!? That was a victory paid for by the lives of the people, the paladins, the priests, men, women, elderly and children!”

「我能不激动吗！来到这里前碰到的民众几乎都只在感谢魔导王一人而已啊！简直像是靠那家伙一个人就获胜一样！那家伙不是到一半才出现吗！在那之前死了多少人才有的胜利啊！那可是民众、圣骑士、神官——不管男女老少，付出了许多牺牲才有的胜利！」

Remedios glared at Caspond.

蕾梅迪奥丝瞪着卡斯邦登。

“It’s not true that he won by himself!”

「那家伙一个人的胜利，这种事才不是真的！」

“Captain!”

「团长！」

Gustav could no longer hide his fear at the way Remedios was acting in front of the prince. Remedios had never been one for thinking, but at the very least she was smart enough to know who was her superior. However, things were different now -- she seemed like a pain-maddened beast.

在王兄面前所摆出的逾越态度让古斯塔沃已经无法隐藏住恐惧感。蕾梅迪奥丝本来就是不太思考的人物，但起码还有知道谁在自己之上的智能。但现在不一样，简直就像受了伤而痛得发狂的野兽。

“That boner bastard was flying around in the sky when it was all over to show himself off! Is war a game to that bastard!?”

「那个骨头**。结束的时候在空中来回飞着展示自己！对那家伙来说这场战斗是游戏吗！」

“...Captain Custodio, it seems witnessing the deaths of so many of the smallfolk has upset you. Would you like to take a rest?”

「……卡斯托迪奥团长。看到许多民众死亡，所以心情不好过吧。稍微休息下如何？」

In response to Caspond’s mature answer, Gustav shot the man a grateful look.

对于卡斯邦登成熟的对应，古斯塔沃以感谢的眼神相对。

“Before that, there’s one thing I’ve been thinking of. I’m sure Jaldabaoth and the Sorcerer King are in league with each other.”

「在那之前我有一件想明白的事。亚达巴沃和魔导王绝对是一伙的」

The three people other than Remedios looked at each other.

蕾梅迪奥丝之外的三人面面相觑。

“Do you have a single fact to back that up, Captain-dono?”

「这么说是有什么根据吗，团长阁下」

Siliaco looked coolly at Remedios. If one looked calmly at what she had done until now, she was clearly saying that because she hated the Sorcerer King and wanted to bring him down. Now was clearly not the time to let one’s personal preferences dictate one’s decisions.

希利亚科冷淡的看着蕾梅迪奥丝。考虑到至今为止的行动来冷静分析的话，这怎么看都是因为无论如何都想将魔导王拉倒才这么说的。明明现在不该是拿好恶来判断的时候。

“Isn’t he the only one gaining from this? Both the demihumans and the people of the Holy Kingdom are dead. He -- the Sorcerous Kingdom is wearing away at our fighting strength in order to someday take control of the nation and the hills! That’s why he came here!”

「得到利益的不就只有那家伙一个吗？不管亚人还是圣王国的人都死了。那家伙——魔导国是为了总有一天可以统治这个国家和丘陵地带，而在着实的削减我方战力。所以那家伙才来到这里的！」

“...I see. That certainly makes sense from the perspective of profit. What do the two of you think?”

「……原来如此。从利益的观点来看是可以说得通。你们两人怎么想？」

Gustav furrowed his brows as he answered Caspond’s question.

古斯塔沃皱起眉头回答卡斯邦登的问题。

“The Sorcerer King came here because we asked him. Also, was it not the Captain’s suggestion to have the two of them fight?”

「魔导王是因为我们请求才会来到圣王国的。而让两人战斗不是团长的提案吗？」

“...Indeed it was. That masked bitch in Blue Rose is also one of them. If not for what she said, we would never have gone to the Sorcerous Kingdom. If not for that suggestion, we would have gone to the Empire or the Theocracy. And who knows, he might have come anyway even if we didn’t say anything.”

「……的确是这样。那么苍蔷薇那个带面具的家伙也是同伙。要不是那家伙那样说的话，我们也不会去魔导国。要是没有那个建议，就会去拜托帝国或是教国了吧。而且说不定就算没说那家伙也会来」

Haaaaah, Caspond sighed deeply.

卡斯邦登唉地发出了沉重的叹息。

“Captain Custodio, your logic has been nothing but self-serving from the start. You’re simply twisting the facts to match what you’re saying. I recall the Sorcerer King saying he wanted maid demons, am I wrong?”

「卡斯托迪奧团长，你的推测从一开始就是方便自己的答案。你只是使事情变得和你所说的对得上而已。好像魔导王说过想要女仆恶魔，那点没错吧？」

“...Please forgive me for saying these things which are unbecoming of a priest. I hear that those maid demons are quite powerful. In that case, I can understand why the Sorcerer King would like to obtain them. Demons do not need to eat or drink and they do not have a maximum lifespan. Being able to dominate such a powerful demon might be better than gaining an army.

「……还请原谅我说出这不该由祭司所说的话。听说那个女仆恶魔有着相当了得的力量。那样的话我也明白魔导王为什么会想将其弄到手可。恶魔无需饮食也没有寿命限制。能支配强大的恶魔说不定比得到一个军队还有价值」

“In that case, it would mean the Sorcerer King is aiding our nation because he felt there was sufficient value in it. It is only common sense for a king who rules a nation.”

「这样的话，也就是说魔导王是估算到了足够的价值，才会提出援助我国的。作为治理国家的王者来说是理所当然的行动」

“Still, nobody’s seen those maid demons before, right!?”

「但是，这不是谁都没见过那个女仆恶魔的样子吗！」

As Remedios screamed like a reeeeeetard, Caspond looked at her like she was a pitiful, sad child.

卡斯邦登以看可怜的孩子的目光看着不理智地喊叫着的蕾梅迪奧斯。

“Captain Custodio. I would like to speak reasonably with you, and not speak with emotion… but it seems you are tired. Go and rest. That is an order.”

「卡斯托迪奧团长。虽然想跟你以理性、而不是像这样情绪性地对话……不过你看来有点累了。去休息吧。这是命令」

The red-faced Remedios still looked like she wanted to shriek something else, but Caspond was a step ahead of her and continued speaking.

虽然脸变得通红的蕾梅迪奧斯好像想喊出什么，但是卡斯邦登比她早了一步继续说下去。

“Go comfort the wounded men. That’s part of your duties as a field commander, am I wrong?”

「去慰问负伤士兵。那是作为前线指挥官的义务吧？」

“...I understand.”

「……我明白了」

Remedios picked up her helmet and left the room.

蕾梅迪奧斯捡起头盔，离开了房间。

There was no way to describe how the air in the room relaxed after that. It felt like the sense of fatigue one would have after a storm had passed and all the pieces had been picked up, mixed with a sense of relief at the fact that they had managed to survive.

房间里流动着无法言喻的松弛下来的气氛。那是对暴风过后收拾残局的疲劳感和总算渡过它了的解放感混杂起来的气氛。

However, one man had unfinished business.

不过，有个男人还没完事。

“Your Highness! I sincerely apologize for Captain Custodio’s actions!”

「王兄殿下！卡斯托迪奧团长的事实在是抱歉！」

Caspond smiled bitterly to Gustav as the latter bowed his head.

卡斯邦登苦笑地看着低下头的古斯塔沃。

“You had a hard time too. However, could you think about the future? I honestly have no idea what’s going to become of this country after this war is over. If only we could find my sister, the Holy Queen… what happened to the Holy Queen in the battle of Kalinsha? Did you hear anything from Captain Custodio?”

「也真是辛苦你了。不过，你也稍微考虑一下以后的事比较好哦？我实在想象不到这场战争之后，这个国家会变成什么样子。要是能找到我妹妹，圣王女大人就好了……圣王女在卡林夏一战中怎么了呢。你在卡斯托迪奧团长那儿听说什么了吗？」

Gustav was Remedios’ personal assistant. Therefore, he would have been present when Remedios told Caspond about it.

古斯塔沃扮演着蕾梅迪奧斯的辅助者一职。因此，会从蕾梅迪奧斯那里听到她说的话，向卡斯邦登说明的时候他也在场。

The fact that he knew but was asking again proved one thing -- the prince suspected that Remedios might be lying to him.

明明如此却还再次询问，也就是说是这么一回事。王兄是在怀疑蕾梅迪奧斯是不是把虚伪的情报告诉了自己。

“...My Prince, I heard the same thing from Captain Custodio that she told Your Highness when we met for the first time.”

「……王兄殿下，卡斯托迪奧团长和殿下首次见面时所说的内容和我所听到的一样」

She had been sent flying by a shockwave and when she came to, the Holy Queen and her sister -- Kelart Custodio -- were nowhere to be seen. Though the corpses of paladins and adventurers and priests were strewn all around, the bodies of those two were nowhere to be found.

被爆发的冲击波震飞，醒来的时候没有发现圣王女和自己的妹妹——葵拉特·卡斯托迪奧。虽然散布着圣骑士和冒险者、神官的尸体，但是里面没有那两个人的尸体。

“Is that so? Maybe I was worrying too much… Captain Custodio does not seem like one of those people who say one thing and mean another. It would be better if they were captured by him. Instead. If they were killed… the matter of the succession would become very complicated.”

「是吗？是我稍微过虑了吗……卡斯托迪奧团长也不像那种口不对心的人啊。如果是被那些家伙抓住了还比较好。如果被杀了的话……围绕着王位的事会变得很麻烦」

Startled, Siliaco asked him a question.

希利亚科讶异地问到。

“Caspond-sama, are you tired of the position of Holy King?”

「卡斯邦登大人不是疲于圣王之位吗？」

“Are you flattering me? In truth that might be the case if my sister had perished of an accident under normal circumstances. However, things are different now. The north is tired and the south is ready to fight. In that case, it’s very likely that the south might support someone to be Holy King. Frankly speaking, it’s very likely that one of the great nobles from the South might end up as Holy King.”

「你在奉承我吗？确实，说不定妹妹在一般时期因为事故等事亡故的话会是那样。不过，现在的情况不同。疲惫了的北方和拥有战力的南方。那样的话南方推举的人成为圣王的可能性很高。明说了，南方的大贵族即使成为圣王也有可能」

“What!?”

「什么！」

Caspond smiled as he looked at SIliaco’s shocked face.

卡斯邦登露出微笑看着惊讶的希利亚科。

“I don’t think that’s something that should be so shocking… in that case, with regard to what Vice-Captain Montagnes said earlier, if things go well, the first thing the Southern nobles will do is request that Captain Custodio take responsibility for the whole affair and be placed under house arrest.”

「我觉得这并不是那么值得惊讶的事啊……那么，关于刚才蒙塔涅斯副团长说的话，如果话题就这样向着好的方向前进的情况，南方贵族首先要求的事就是让蕾梅迪奧斯·卡斯托迪奧负上全部责任蛰居吧」

“Why would they do that?”

「为什么会变成那样？」

“Then I’ll ask you, Vice-Captain Montagnes -- why would they not do that? Is a paladin who failed to protect Her Majesty not the perfect outlet for their unhappiness? And that’s not the only reason either. She can beat an army single-handedly. In that case, surely defanging your enemy is a basic tactic in warfare, am I wrong?”

「那我反过来问吧，蒙塔涅斯副团长你为什么觉得不会变成那样？没法守护好圣王女大人的圣骑士不正是个发泄不满的好对象吗？当然可不止那些哦？她能单骑打赢军队。既然这样，一开始就拔掉敌人的牙可是战斗的基本吧？」

“The enemy!? Who’s the enemy!?”

「你说敌人？到底是谁的敌人！？」

“The southern nobles are the enemy. In other words, the Holy Queen’s faction. Remedios Custodio was a confidant of the Holy Queen. Surely the paladins she leads would also be seen as the enemy, am I wrong?”

「南方贵族的敌人。换句话说就是圣王女派阀。蕾梅迪奧斯·卡斯托迪奧是圣王女大人的侧近。以她为首的圣骑士团也会被一并视为敌人吧？」

“In that case, what about the priests, that Kelart Custodio-sama led?”

「要是那样，葵拉特·卡斯托迪奧大人为首的神官们又会怎样呢？」

“While there are priests who climbed the ranks thanks to their connections with the Southern nobles… don’t you think that would be the case too? Priestly magic is indispensable in everyday life. While I feel that anyone knows how stupid it is to put someone incompetent in high office, people sometimes do things that can only be described as foolish by others.”

「是有与南方贵族有关系的神官们爬上来的可能性……不过会这样吗？神官所使用的魔法是生活中不可或缺的。虽然我觉得谁都清楚把无能者放在高位这种事有多愚蠢，不过有时人会有做出任谁来看都是蠢事的行为这种倾向」

“My Prince… what should we do?”

「王兄殿下……应该怎样做才好？」

“Vice-Captain Montagnes, what do you mean by that? Do you want to keep her from being placed under house arrest? Or do you want to keep the paladins from getting involved?”

「蒙塔涅斯副团长，那是什么意思？让她别受禁闭处分吗？还是能不让圣骑士们也受牵连的方法吗？」

“I mean, what should we do for a better future for the Holy Kingdom.”

「是为了更好的圣王国的未来」

“...We need to find my sister. Then, we need an achievement that all the people will accept as having saved the nation. For instance, by driving out the enemy without having to draw on the strength of the South.”

「……要找到妹妹。接着是立下能被称为是拯救这个国家的功绩，被人民全面地认同。比如说不借助南方的力量，只靠我们就驱逐敌军」

“That’s impossible… we can’t possibly win without the Sorcerer King’s power.”

「不可能……失去了魔导王的力量不可能会战胜」

Caspond looked at Gustav, who was confessing his hardships, and shrugged.

卡斯邦登对禁不住诉起苦来的古斯塔沃耸了耸肩。

“Still, that has to be done. Otherwise there won’t be any way to stop the pressure from the South after we win. Hm, yes, or we could damage the South as badly as the North. All that matters is that the balance of power is preserved in the end.” Caspond looked up at the ceiling. “If only we’d made a deal with the South sooner. She was too kind for her own good. And I understand how all this might have struck a nerve with Captain Custodio. After all, the only one who looked good in this battle was the Sorcerer King. If things go badly, the Sorcerer King might end up becoming the Holy King as well, am I wrong?

「不过，那点事一定要做到。不那样的话会承受不住胜利之后来自南方的压力。嗯，对了，或者是让南北双方都出现同样的损失。最后只要保住力量的均衡就没问题了」卡斯邦登望向了天花板「如果再早点就协商与南方和解就没问题。那家伙的理念过于温柔了。我也明白卡斯托迪奧团长会神经过敏的那种心情。因这次战斗而扬名的只有魔导王而已。不小心的话还有可能让魔导王兼任了圣王哦？」

The other two felt it was impossible, but neither of them could deny it.

两人虽然想着没可能那样，但是都无法否定。

“In that case, we need to start thinking about our plans from now on. While I would like Captain Custodio to be here, will she disobey a direct order?”

「那、因此要考虑从今开始的作战怎么进行了。虽然希望卡斯托迪奧团长一起来，不过她会反抗下令要去做的事吧？」

“...I feel it would be fine as long as it’s in keeping with this country’s justice.”

「……我觉得只要依据着这个国家的正义就没问题」

“I see… I’ve been thinking about how to attack the prison camps. The reason for that is--”

「原来如此……我在考虑应该去袭击收容所。之所以这样——」

Caspond began to explain.

卡斯邦登开始了说明。

Roughly 100’000 demihumans had attacked the nation.

攻进来的亚人军团大概有十万。

Since they had not heard of any movements from the demihumans squaring off against the forces of the Southern Holy Kingdom, they estimated that the 40’000 demihumans that had attacked them this time round were a large portion of the forces assigned to manage the prison camps in the North.

因为没有收到和南圣王国对峙的亚人们行动的情报，推测这次攻过来的四万人的军团是留在北方为了管理收容所的士兵们的大部分。

“I agree with your opinion. By attacking the undermanned prison camps, we can both destroy them piecemeal and increase our own forces at the same time. I feel it will kill two birds with one stone.”

「我也赞成那个意见。袭击人手少的俘虏收容所，一面将它们逐个击破，一面增强自军的兵力。我觉得是一石二鸟的作战」

“Captain Montagnes, I am glad to hear you approve. How about yourself, Priest Naranho?”

「蒙塔涅斯副团长，你能同意我很高兴。纳兰霍祭司怎么想？」

Siliaco also agreed with Caspond’s suggestion.

希利亚科也同意卡斯邦登的提案。

“The Sorcerer King is in this city. Since he can keep us safe, I would like the paladins to attack the prison camps… can you do that? Also, one more thing. I would like Captain Remedios to stay here while you are launching the attack. Make her think that she’s in charge of bodyguarding me.”

「这个都市有着魔导王在。虽然能确保安全，我希望能让圣骑士们转去袭击收容所……做得到吧？而且还有一点。我想让进行袭击的时候让卡斯托迪奧团长留在这里。让她觉得是在担任我的近身护卫」

“Thank you very much, My Prince!”

「王兄殿下！十分感谢！」

“...I don’t think I’ve said anything you need to thank me for, Vice-Captain Montagnes,” Caspond said as the smile faded from his face. “...The absence of the country’s strongest paladin means that if there’s someone like the Grand King at the prison camp you’re attacking, you might all be wiped out, am I wrong?”

「……我觉得应该没有说过需要让你感谢的话啊，蒙塔涅斯副团长」卡斯邦登把微笑的表情收起了「这个国家最强的圣骑士不会同行，意味着如果收容所那里有匹敌那个豪王的亚人的情况下有可能让你们全军覆灭哦？」

“Can we decide which camp to attack?”

「我们可以决定袭击哪个收容所吗？」

“But of course. I’ll leave it to you. There’s no need to force yourself to attack a large camp that’s more dangerous.”

「当然了。由你们决定吧。没有必要勉强去袭击有危险的大收容所」

“Understood. In that case, I feel only we should go.”

「得令。既然这样我觉得应该只让我们去」

“Captain Montagnes, may several of our battle-capable priests go with you?”

「蒙塔涅斯副团长，可以让我们神官们中选出数名能战斗的人同行吗？」

“Certainly. Then we’ll set out in a couple of days’ time.”

「可以。那就在这一两天出发吧」

***

Ainz used [Greater Teleportation] to reach his destination, which was the log cabin on the surface of Nazarick. While he did not know how long they had been waiting for him, Albedo, Demiurge and Lupusregina were all standing there already.

安兹以<上位传送>[Greater Teleportation]到达的目的地，是纳萨力克地表部分的小木屋前面。虽然不知何时起就在这里等安兹了，不过雅儿贝德、迪米乌哥斯、以及露普丝蕾琪娜已经站在那儿了。

Albedo and Demiurge had been summoned by Ainz, while Lupusregina ought to have been on duty in the cabin.

雅儿贝德和迪米乌哥斯是被安兹传唤来的，露普丝蕾琪娜应该是在小木屋当值的吧。

Since Lupusregina was in charge of all matters concerning Carne Village, she should have been excused from the log cabin’s duty roster, but that was not set in stone.

因为基本上把卡恩村的各种事情都交给了露普丝蕾琪娜，所以她应该不用在小木屋当值的才对，不过那也不是绝对的吧。

Perhaps someone else might have been on duty, but they had not been able to make it, so Lupusregina had rushed over instead. If that were the case, it would be great. After all, that would imply that even if there was a lack of manpower after completing a mission, there was a system to immediately swap someone else in to make up the shortfall.

说不定虽然今天当值的是别的什么人，但是因为什么情况来不了于是露普丝蕾琪娜急忙赶来。如果是那样的话可就是非常棒了啊。毕竟那意味着，即使完成了任务后突然缺人，也能马上以轮换的方式补位的机制。

Still, wait.

（不过，等等）

While the Pleiades each had completely different job abilities, their maid skills were all equal. It only made sense that they could substitute for each other in a professional capacity.

虽然昴宿星团拥有着各自完全不同的职能，但是作为女仆的能力是均一的。这样就确实能够理所当然地做到这种业务上的代替。

However, in contrast to that, there were also personnel who were hard to use. Starting with the Floor Guardians and the Guardian Overseer, there were some NPCs with highly specialized abilities who might need someone to take over them for one reason or another. In addition, Ainz had also been working hard towards establishing a vacation system.

但是与此相对也有不好使的人才。以各阶层的守护者和守护者统括为首，拥有着完全被专门化了的能力的NPC说不定也有因为什么事而不得不让谁来顶替的时候。何况安兹也在努力地想着关于什么时候引入休假制度的事。

After all, letting Pandora’s Actor substitute for all of them is also dangerous.

（毕竟把代理完全交给潘多拉・亚克特也有危险啊）

To take an extreme case, what if Ainz himself was not around? For instance, if he were imprisoned, or if he were charmed, or something else. While he did not think that everything would break down without him to make decisions, he had the feeling that Albedo and Demiurge would say, “Ainz-sama would never let that happen to himself” in the same voice and thus not think about such possibilities.

极端地说，安兹自己要是不在了会怎么样呢？比如被囚禁了，被魅惑了之类的情况。虽然觉得就算不会有失去了自己的裁决就能运营不下去这种事，不过总感觉雅儿贝德和迪米乌哥斯都会异口同声地说出「安兹大人不会陷入那种事态的」而没有去考虑不测的事态的可能性。

I need to seriously assess the need for this, and quickly.

（有认真地检讨的必要啊，而且得尽早地）

In a grave tone, Ainz bade the three people bowing to him to raise their heads.

安兹郑重地命令深深低下头的三人抬起头来。

“It has been a while, Demiurge.”

「好久没见了啊，迪米乌哥斯」

“Yes!”

「是！」

In truth, Ainz had headaches about the Holy Kingdom’s affairs every day, and he also thought about Demiurge every day, so he did not actually feel that way. However, it had been quite a while since the last time they had met in person.

实际上，每日都为圣王国的事而头痛的安兹，每天都在想着迪米乌哥斯，所以其实并没那么觉得。只不过仅限见面的话确实是隔了好久。

“Now then, you probably have questions about why I did that. While I would like to answer you, doing so in this place is not quite appropriate. Let us move somewhere else.”

「那么，恐怕你会对我为什么会做出那种事而抱持着疑问吧。虽然想回答你，但在这样地方说也有点那什么。就换个地方吧」

Ainz went into the log cabin first.

安兹走在前头进了小木屋。

He could have taken a shortcut here because there was a Gate Mirror set up, but he did not use it today.

因为准备好了用于移动的传送镜，可以从这里一口气抄近路到达，但是今天却没有使用它。

There was a table in the center of the room, and there were two chairs facing each other on either side of it. Ainz took the seat of honor without hesitation, as if he were used to it. He had already experienced his share of troublesome things that had happened because he had not taken that place. While he had once had to ponder which seat it was before sitting down on it, he had now reached the point where he would unconsciously take his place.

桌子置于房间中央，每边各放着对向的两张椅子。安兹以习惯的态度毫不犹豫地坐在上席。他已经体验过多次因为没走到上席坐下而发展成的麻烦事了。虽然也有过去详细思考、到底哪个才是上席再坐下的时候，但现在已经到了能无意识地去上席坐下的程度了。

As he approached the chair, Lupusregina immediately pulled it out for him.

刚站到椅子前，露普丝蕾琪娜就立即将椅子往后拉。

In truth, he was of the opinion that he ought to pull his chair out himself. However, his observations of Jircniv had made him understand that it was very important for a ruler to let his subordinates work. Still, letting them handle even trivial tasks like this gave Ainz the commoner a bit of difficulty.

老实说，虽然觉得椅子这东西自己拉一下就好，不过通过观察吉克尼夫中，也充分理解了让部下工作这件事作为支配者也是很重要的事。只是，尽管如此、连那种地方都让他们干对身为小市民的安兹来说实在是有些难度。

After settling down into his chair Albedo and Demiurge did not sit down, but instead knelt on the floor. Behind them, Lupusregina went to her knees as well.

安兹安稳地坐到椅子上后，雅儿贝德和迪米乌哥斯并没有就座，而是跪在地板上。在两人更后方的露普丝蕾琪娜也跟着他们跪下。

“--I permit the two of you to take a seat.”

「——你们两个，允许就座」

The two Guardians politely refused in unison. Ainz once again granted his permission to the two Guardians, whereupon they finally sat opposite Ainz after gushing their superlative gratitude to him. Lupusregina, on the other hand, stood stock still behind the two of them.

两个守护者异口同声地提出谢绝。安兹对两个守护者再一次提出许可，两个守护者总算说着极度感激的话语并排坐在安兹对面的侧席。露普丝蕾琪娜则在两人身后保持着直立不动的姿势。

This takes so long and it’s a waste of time. Couldn’t it be simpler like back then… ugh.

（时间又长又废功夫啊。不能像那样再简单点吗……哦）

“Then let us continue our previous topic. While I said there was nobody who needed to be saved, I rescued the people of the Holy Kingdom nonetheless. I am sure you have your questions about that, do you not?”

「那么就继续刚才的话题吧。尽管我说了没有要救下来的人，却救了圣王国的人民。你们一定是抱持着疑问吧？」

“No, not at all.”

「不，并没有那种事」

--Er? W-why?

（————呃？为、为什么？）

Demiurge shook his head gently, as though he could not resist the urge to sigh in admiration.

迪米乌哥斯以一脸无法忍耐感叹的神色左右轻轻摇头。

“Everything you do is correct, Ainz-sama. I feel that the reason why you acted was because you saw a value in it that I could not imagine.”

「安兹大人实行的事一切都是正确的。我认为安兹大人之所以会那样做，定有着我无从想象的价值」

“That is correct. If you feel it needs to be done, then it must be correct, Ainz-sama.”

「完全没错。只要安兹大人认为需要那样做，那就是正确的」

--Eh?

（————呃？）

Albedo’s words froze Ainz’s expression on his face. But of course, Ainz had no expression to speak of.

雅儿贝德接口说的话让安兹的表情完全冻结了。当然，其实根本没有浮现出什么表情。

The way the two Guardians -- who were also the most knowledgeable Guardians in Nazarick -- nodded in unison before him filled him with various flavors of terror and anxiety.

两个守护者——而且是纳萨力克里拥有最高智慧的守护者们在自己面前互相点着头的样子使安兹感到各种意义上的恐惧和焦躁。

“Wait, wait. Indeed… yes, it is true.” Ainz began to panic. The conversation had travelled a path that was slightly different from what he had foreseen, and so he had become confused and could not clearly think of what he wanted to say. However-- “--Indeed, under normal circumstances I would have acted as you had imagined.”

「等、等下。确实……确实没错」安兹焦躁起来了。因为对话的走向和预想的稍微不同，让他出现了混乱，没法清楚地想起自己想说些什么。但是——「——确实，如果是平时的话，我的确会采取与你们的构想一致行动」

Huh? Ainz was slightly baffled by how the topic was beginning to stray. Off course. He had been struggling to piece some words together and throw them out offhandedly, but even so, the two of them were nodding vigorously, and Ainz found that a little odd. However, he continued praying for a last minute miracle as he carried on.

啊咧？安兹因为话题的走向不对而感到了一些困惑。明明不过是些为了拼命地组织语，而随口扯出来的话，可即使这样，面前的两人却还是深深地点头这点，让安兹觉得有点古怪。但还是为了继续说下去而开始临时抱佛脚。

“But, er, but. This time was slightly different. I did not do this because I was planning something.” Having found a way to amend his words, Ainz delightedly continued, “This time round, I was deliberately introducing a flaw into the plan.”

「但是，嗯，但是啊。这次有点不一样。我并不是考虑到了什么才做出这次的行动」找出话题修正方向的安兹高兴地说着「这次，我是故意让计划产生破绽的」

“What would be the reason for that, Ainz-sama?”

「这究竟是出于何种缘由呢，安兹大人？」

Ainz slowly leaned on the back of the chair with a “Hm”. Then he adopted a long-drilled posture that was befitting of a ruler, which a master ought to have, and then spoke.

呼嗯的一声，安兹慢慢靠向椅背。拿出一直训练的、主人应有的，与支配者相应的堂堂的姿态，说道。

“Demiurge. Albedo. The two of you have always been more intelligent than me.”

「迪米乌哥斯。还有雅儿贝德，你们两一直都比我聪明」

“That--”

「那样的——」

Ainz held up his hand to stop the two of them from speaking.

想说些什么的两人被安兹抬手制止了。

“I am just saying that I have always felt this way. In that case, what would happen if something unexpected occurred during parts of the event described in your plan? If everything proceeded as you outlined, then everything would have been perfect and ended in excellent form.”

「我只是在说，我一直都这么认为的。那么，作为迪米乌哥斯所立案计划中的某部分，是否会发生一些状况外的事情呢。如果能正常按照你的作战书进行下去的话，事情应该全部都会完美的，以非常好的形式结束的吧」

That said, your plan was really over the top, Ainz grumbled in his heart. You threw all the details at me in your playbook and I had the feeling I would mess up somewhere.

虽然计划书的内容是很过分啦，安兹内心发着牢骚。把所有内容都扔给我计划书，感觉肯定会失败。

“Therefore, a question suddenly came to mind, Demiurge. A perfect tactical mind cannot only function when everything is going on course; it must also be usable when the situation changes dramatically or when it diverges from your expectations. That is to say, I wanted to know if your adaptability was also as laudable.”

「所以，我突然产生了这种疑问，迪米乌哥斯。所谓作出完美作战计划的头脑，可不能只是当计划在正轨上的时候，还要在发生急剧的状况变化或者计划有偏差的时候也能正常发挥作用的，这样。也就是说我想知道你的对应能力是否也同样优秀」

“I see, so that’s it!”

「原来如此，是这么回事啊」

Eh--!? He already got it!? And he sounds like he understands it all too!

（诶—！已经听懂了！？而且好像已经完全理解了的样子！）

Ainz resisted the urge to make a jab about Demiurge’s preternatural processing speed, something along the lines of “You’re already so smart, why do you think I’m smarter? Is this some new way of bullying me!?”

安兹拼命地忍着「明明头脑那么厉害，为什么还会觉得我更睿智啊！是一种新的欺负方式吗？」地吐槽迪米乌哥斯那异常的头脑回转速度。

“As expected of, ah… you’re as impressive as I expected, Demiurge.”

「真不愧是，啊......果然厉害呢，迪米乌哥斯」

“Thank you very much, Ainz-sama.”

「非常感谢，安兹大人」

“Still, I, ah, apologize, though it feels like I was testing you…”

「嘛、嘛抱歉，虽然弄得像是在试探你一样......」

“Certainly not, Ainz-sama. To me, the fact that you would wish to assess my abilities is an honor that knows no equal. I will assuredly return results that match your expectations, Ainz-sama!”

「完全没有这回事。安兹大人想调查我的力量，这对我来说是无上光荣的事。我定会为安兹大人带来与期待相符的结果！」

“Umu. I’ll leave that to you, Demiurge. In that case, during the course of our activities in the Holy Kingdom, I will cause problems as needed and you will amend the plan in response. Will that be alright?”

「呼嗯。拜托了，迪米乌哥斯。那么我会在这次圣王国的一连串活动里，适当地弄出破绽，并要求你去对应地修正计划，没问题吧？」

“Yes! I understand!”

「是！我明白了！」

All right--! Ainz rejoiced within his heart. He was so happy that the emotion was suppressed.

太好啦————！安兹心中一阵欢喜。实在是太高兴了，导致情绪被强制压制了。

Even so, excitement still remained inside him.

即使如此心里还是残留了些许的兴奋。

Very good, very good. This way, even if I screw up, I can say that I was doing it on purpose! No, of course, I need to be careful not to screw up under normal circumstances. If I’d known, I should have said this from the start.

（很好很好。这样一来即使失误了，只要说这是故意的就行了！不，当然，平时也要留意不出任何差错。早知道一开始就这样说好了啊）

While he did not have the bad habit of gloating when a subordinate’s plan went awry, it was possible that he might accidentally do something to make them worry. In this way, they would not have to guess if he had some intention in mind, but instead move on to revising the plan as needed. Ainz felt the sense of bliss which came with taking a heavy weight off his shoulders.

虽然没有在部下的计划失败时会感到高兴的恶趣味，但不小心做出让其困扰的事情的可能性也是有的。这样一来，他们就不用去猜自己是有着什么考虑，而是适当地去开始修正计划吧。安兹感到自己肩上一直以来的包袱一下子没了的爽快感。

“...Your servant understands your concerns, Ainz-sama. So does that mean that you will be simultaneously assessing the abilities of each Floor and Area Guardian as well?”

「......安兹大人的担心，属下明白了。那么各阶层守护者，以及领域守护者的能力是否也要同时进行调查呢？」

As he heard Albedo’s question, Ainz was briefly puzzled for a moment and thought, what’s she saying? However--

对于雅儿贝德的疑问，安兹一瞬间，在说什么呢，地困惑道。不过——

“There’s no need to be so hasty. I am doing so for Demiurge because he must work outside Nazarick for extended periods. As for the others, I will test them when it becomes necessary.”

「并不需要那么着急。迪米乌哥斯是因为需要长期在纳萨力克外执勤的缘故，才会如此。关于其他人就等需要时再去调查吧」

“I see…”

「这样啊......」

“Umu. Now, for the next topic… the initial plan was to take those people of the Holy King who were enthralled with me and proceed to the eastern part of the Holy Kingdom, to the Abelion Hills where the demihumans lived. However, I am going to amend this part of the plan. I will go there first. From there, spread the news of my death.”

「呼嗯。那么下一个话题......当初的计划是我和醉心于我的圣王国国民们，前往圣王国的东部、亚人们所住的亚伯利恩丘陵地带那里去的。但现在把这部分的计划变更下，首先由我一个人去。在那里传出我的死讯」

It felt like time had stopped for a moment. And then--

一瞬间，感觉时间像是停止了那样。然后——

“--Eh? What are you saying, Ainz-sama!? How could we announce the death of the Supreme One, Ainz-sama!?”

「——诶！？您在说什么啊，安兹大人！让至高的安兹大人逝去这种事！」

That protest came from Albedo. This might have been the first time he had seen Albedo’s expression crumble down like this. At least, the look on her face made him feel that way. But before Ainz could explain his true intentions to Albedo, it was Demiurge’s turn to speak up.

提出异议的是雅儿贝德。搞不好还是第一次看到雅儿贝德表情崩塌啊，那表情确实到了能让安兹不禁这么觉得的程度。但在安兹告诉雅儿贝德真意之前，迪米乌哥斯就开口了。

“Albedo. Since Ainz-sama has stated this, he must have some aim in mind that we cannot hope to imagine. Do you not think rejecting it on an emotional basis is inappropriate?”

「雅儿贝德。既然是安兹的考虑，那里面肯定有着我们无从想象的目的才是。仅靠感情去否定，我觉得有点不太合适吧？」

“Demiurge. I question where your calm comes from. Would you react in this way if Ulbert Alain Odle …-sama were to say the same thing? Or…?”

「迪米乌哥斯。你那份冷静，到底是从哪里来的啊？就算乌尔贝特·亚连·欧德尔——大人说出同样的话，你也能摆出现在这样的态度，是这样吗？又或者......?」

“Fufu… Albedo. Could you tell me what you mean by that? Or do you mean that you have something to say to me afterwards?”

「哼哼......雅儿贝德。能告诉我你这话的意思吗？还是说，我们之后再谈呢」

The two Guardians directed freezing-cold glares and blazing-hot stares by turn, and a strange atmosphere began to brew between the two of them. This choking sensation was just like what he had felt when he was fighting Shalltear. Perhaps it was fear or tension, but even Lupusregina was starting to pant heavily.

两位守护者一边用极寒般的视线，一边用烈火般的视线相互瞪着，两着之间飘起了异样的气氛。和过去与夏提雅战斗时那种窒息感很相似。恐怖、紧张，连露普斯蕾琪娜的呼吸也变得急促起来。

“--Enough!”

「——都给我住手！！」

The dangerous mood in the air instantly vanished as Ainz shouted. The sudden change made Ainz wonder if everything just now had been a delusion. However, Lupusregina’s labored breathing proved that it had not been a vision.

安兹怒吼的瞬间，危险的气氛瞬间消失了。这种变化的激烈程度，甚至让安兹产生刚才的仿佛都是错觉。但是露普斯蕾琪娜那慌乱的呼吸声证明了这并不是幻觉。

“Calm down, both of you. This is the reason why I must fake my death. There is an activity called a disaster drill. We must mentally prepare ourselves and plan ahead of time in case of an emergency. In that case, what would you do if I died? I’ll start with you, Albedo. Tell me what you have in mind.”

「两人都冷静点，这就是我为什么不得不假死的理由。有一种活动叫避难训练。为了应对紧急事态，提前做出打算，并做好心里准备。那么，如果我死了的话，你们会怎样行动？首先雅儿贝德，先说说你的想法」

“Yes! I would immediately subject the person who dared disrespect you to all the suffering in this world, and then prepare to resurrect you, Ainz-sama!”

「是！立即给予对安兹大人无礼的家伙这世上所有能品尝到的所有痛苦，并为安兹大人的复活作准备」

“I see. Your turn, Demiurge.”

「原来如此。接下来是迪米乌哥斯」

“Yes! While preparing for your resurrection, I would strengthen Nazarick’s defenses and then obtain information on the person who offended you.”

「是！在为安兹大人的复活作准备的同时，加强纳萨力克的防御，并搜出对安兹大人无礼之人的情报」

Albedo glared at Demiurge out of the corner of her eye.

雅儿贝德斜瞪着了一眼迪米乌哥斯。

“Merely gathering information is too lax. Regardless of who dares offend the Supreme One, they must be captured with all the strength Nazarick can bring to bear and then tormented to the point where their ego breaks down.”

「只是收集情报实在是太嫩了。无论对至高存在无礼的是何等的存在，都应该用尽纳萨力克所有的力量将其擒获，并给与足以让其自我崩溃程度的惩罚才行」

“Albedo, I feel what you say is very sensible. However, the enemy is someone who can kill Ainz-sama. Thus, we cannot be careless. Learning the enemy’s movements and strengths is vital. If the enemy is stronger than we can imagine, then the place in which we resurrect Ainz-sama will become very important.”

「雅儿贝德，我也觉得你说得很有道理。但是，敌人是能杀死安兹大人的存在。是不能大意的。敌人的动向、强度，这些情报是不能不去搜集的。如果敌人的力量比想象的还要强大，那么在哪里复活安兹大人就变得相当重要」

Before Albedo’s expression could turn even more grim, Ainz rapped his staff on the floorboards. The hard impact was like splashing a bucket of ice water on the two of them, and their faces immediately regained their calm.

在雅儿贝德表情变得更加险恶之前安兹用杖敲了下地板，硬物的声音像是给两人泼了冷水般，两人的表情瞬间取回了冷静。

“I did not say I was killed by someone. If things go badly… it is not impossible that I might end up dying naturally from some unforeseen circumstances.”

「我并没有说我是被某人杀死。弄不好......甚至会因为某种无法想象的自然现象而死的可能不也是有的吗」

In truth, he could not think of any natural cause from which he could die, which was why he was using such vague terms.

老实说，完全想象不出自己会因为某种自然现象而死，所以才会用这种非常模棱两可的说法。

“However, it would seem that even the two people that I consider the most intelligent of all have differing opinions. That distresses me. That is why we must undertake this training, so that there will be no problems if this imagined scenario comes to pass.”

「但是，就像现在这样，连我认为最有智慧的两人都会有不同的意见。这就很困扰了。所以这是为了在这种假设的事态发生时也能不出意外的训练」

The two of them bowed their heads.

两人一起低下了头。

“Of course, I am not the only one that this could happen to. Demiurge, as Nazarick’s defensive commander during a time of attack, if an unexpected situation occurs and you are struck down, could Nazarick continue functioning normally?”

「当然，不只是我。还有作为纳萨力克被攻击时的防御执行官迪米乌哥斯，当发生意料之外的事态时，如果你被讨伐了那么纳萨力克的机能还能正常运作吗？」

“Yes! I have made thorough preparations in that respect. I recall submitting a report on that to you in the past, Ainz-sama.”

「是！这方面已经做好了万全的准备。我记得以前，就有向安兹大人提出过相关的报告」

Eh, did I receive something like that? Ainz decided that it would be better to trust Demiurge’s memory than his own.

诶，我有收到过那样的东西吗？安兹决定比起自己的记忆还是相信迪米乌哥斯的记忆比较好。

“Umu. Still, that is only in documentation, is it not? The reason I am asking is because I would like to know if you have checked to see if normal operations can be continued.”

「呼嗯。但那说到底也只有书面形式吧？我会这么问是想要知道，是不是真的有测试过能否正常运作」

“I sincerely apologize! I have not carried it out!”

「是！非常抱歉！并没有进行过！」

Demiurge bowed his head, his face a mask of deepest regret and his voice trembling.

迪米乌哥斯带着眉毛都拧在一起般后悔的表情和颤抖的声音低下了头。

“My, my deepest apologies, Ainz-sama! I was utterly foolish for signing off on the document but not making that suggestion!”

「非、非常抱歉，安兹大人！明明有在提交的书类文件签名，却没有对此提议的我实在是太愚蠢了！」

Albedo had the same look on her face as Demiurge as she bowed her head.

同样的雅儿贝德也露出和迪米乌哥斯一样的表情低下了头。

Ainz was filled with a tremendous sense of guilt. Whose fault was it? The answer was that it was his own. If he had been more reliable, the two of them would not need to apologize like this. Was he not a scummy boss?

安兹心里产生了强烈的罪恶感。这是谁的错，答案是自己的。如果安兹能更可靠的话，那两人也就不需要如此谢罪了。明明是自己的失误却让部下来道歉实在是太差劲了，可恶，这不就弄得和**上司一样了嘛。

“--There is no need for you two to apologize. It was my fault for not properly explaining matters to you. I was the one who should not have noticed that no test had occurred. The mistake is mine.” Ainz bowed his head until his forehead touched the desk. “All this was due to my unworthiness, and I seek everyone’s forgiveness.”

「——两人都无需道歉。这全部都是没有好好说明的我的错。明明不能不注意到测试并没有进行的是我。这全都是我的失误啊」安兹低下了头，直到额头贴到了桌面「这全都是由于我的不德所致的，还望大家原谅」

“What!? Ainz-sama!”

「什！安兹大人！」

“Please, please do not do that!”

「请、请不要这样」

The two of them hurriedly tried to stop Ainz. However, Ainz did not raise his head. He was too ashamed to show them his face, because he knew that he was so shallow that he could not even come clean when apologizing.

两人慌张地想要阻止安兹。但是，安兹并没有抬起头。正因为知道自己那份在谢罪时都无法坦白的肤浅，才羞愧得不想让人看到脸。

“Lu-Lupusregina! Hurry and raise Ainz’s head!”

「露、露普斯蕾琪娜！快抬起安兹大人的头」

“Eh! Me? Please, please forgive me, I can’t possibly raise Ainz-sama’s head by force!”

「诶！让我来！请，、请原谅，强行让安兹大人抬头什么的，我做不到！」

“Please, please raise your head!”

「「请、请抬起头！」」

It was only after the three of them -- Demiurge in particular -- started looking especially flustered that Ainz hurriedly looked up. After that, he heard sighs of relief from the three of them.

三人——特别是迪米乌哥斯，因为露出了异常混乱的样子，安兹才慌张地抬起了头。然后从三人那里听到了安心的吐息。

“...I am grateful that you have accepted my apology. Now then, when I reach the Abelion Hills, we will use my death as the basis for an exercise. Yes. Since this is a rare opportunity, why don’t we conduct other exercises as well? For instance, if Demiurge and I were killed off by someone, that sort of thing…”

「.....感谢大家接受了我的谢罪。那么在我到达丘陵地带的时候，就开展以我的死亡为前提的训练吧。对了。机会难得就同时也展开其他的训练如何？以我和迪米乌哥斯被什么人杀掉为假设，这样……」

At this point, Ainz began to feel uneasy about his own suggestions.

说到这安兹才开始对自己的提案感到不安。

“That said, even I have not fully planned out the details when it comes to this training. Therefore, if you have come up with an even better plan, then go ahead and carry it out. Ahh, no need to ask my permission. After all, this is an exercise founded on the premise that I am dead.

「话虽如此、关于训练的事，即使是我也还没有想出完整地计划图，所以你们如果想出了更优秀的计划、就照那样执行。啊啊，没有必要寻求我的许可。没错、毕竟这可是以我已经死了为前提的训练啊」

The two of them smiled bitterly.

两人一齐苦笑。

“Ainz-sama, having to consider you dead from the start of the exercise’s planning phase is a little…”

「从训练开始立案的阶段就得把安兹大人看做已经逝去实在有点......」

“It is as Demiurge says, Ainz-sama.”

「如迪米乌哥斯所说的一样，安兹大人」

Hahahaha, the laughter of three people rang through the cabin.

哈哈哈哈、三人开朗的笑声在树屋内扩散开来

Two of them were laughing from the heart, but one was merely pretending.

两个是发自内心、一个则是在装笑。

“Still, you don’t need to take it too seriously, you know? After all, the objective of this exercise is not to spread ill-will throughout Nazarick, like what happened with the two of you just now. However, I would like to conduct various kinds of training and storing up knowledge in that field, so that every Guardian can become interchangeable -- well, I know what I’ve said is pointless given your respective intellects. Do what you feel needs to be done, to whatever extent you deem fit. Can I leave that to you?”

「然后没有必要太过于认真哦？毕竟这次训练的目的，并不是像你们两人刚才那样、在纳萨力克内部散播不和的情绪啊。但是、今后也想要以各种形式进行训练，储备关于那方面的知识、让每一名守护者都能做到共有化——对身为智者的两人说了些无聊的事呢，只要是你们认为该做的，就全都放手去做吧。拜托了喔？」

Now that he thought about it, Suzuki Satoru had never been the type of person who had seriously carried out disaster drills, so was it really convincing when someone like that told others to do their best? That was why he could not forget to tell them to take it easy.

回想起来、铃木悟是属于那种不会认真进行防灾训练的人，那样的自己指示别人要认真做、说出这样的话有真的有说服力吗。所以、不能忘记要指示他们以轻松的方式去做。

After seeing the two of them had deeply bowed their heads, Ainz said, “Now then, while this is a different matter--”

确认两人严肃地点头之后、安兹说出「那么、虽然是另一件事——」

Let’s go, me!

（上吧、我！）

The reason why he had drawn up all these flowcharts and simulated ways of talking down the two Guardians was for this aim.

组织了好几次流程图、模拟了对两名守护者的说服方法，那些都是为了这个目的。

“--You are to freeze all progress on the planned giant statue of me.”

「——将现在计划中关于我的巨像的事项一切冻结」

“I understand. We will do as you direct.”

「我明白了，就照您所吩咐的做」

Albedo’s single sentence seemed to put an end to the entire topic.

雅儿贝德的一句话就结束了这个话题的样子。

Huh? Ainz’s attitude turned from baffled to fearful as he nervously asked what he had in mind.

啊咧？安兹产生疑问、然后以堂而皇之的态度、提心吊胆地问出了想问的问题。

“...Is that alright? It was your idea, was it not, Albedo?”

「......没有关系吗？一开始可是雅儿贝德提出想做的啊？」

“How could anyone contradict a decision that the Supreme Being has made, Ainz-sama? If you say it is white, then it will be white even though it is black. That is all, Ainz-sama.”

「由身为至高的至尊的安兹大人所决定的事项、会有任何人发出异议吗？只要安兹大人说是白、就算是黑的那也是白，就是如此」

Ainz gulped. That line of thinking frightened him, and he trembled.

咕噜一声安兹吞下不存在的口水，感觉那个思考方式很恐怖而颤抖。

“...I do not like that way of thinking, Albedo. That is just like abandoning all thought, and even I will most certainly make mistakes at some point.”

「......我并不喜欢那样的观念，雅儿贝德、那简直就像是放弃了思考一样，就是我也绝对会有犯错的时候」

He was just saying “most certainly”, but it felt like it had been happening all the time.

说是说绝对、但感觉经常在发生。

“And in that case, won’t everything be over if I’m captured? The person who brainwashed Shalltear is still out there, you know? While there is no need to question each and every one of my aims, if I suggest something and you think of something, you ought to bring it up.”

「而且那样的话，如果我被抓住了的话一切不就都结束了吗。洗脑夏提雅的某个人还在哦？虽然没有必要一一询问我的目的，但在我进行提案的时候、如果你们想到了什么就应该说出来」

“I understand.”

「我明白了」

Albedo and Demiurge glanced briefly at each other through narrowed eyes.

眼神一瞥雅儿贝德与迪米乌哥斯的视线交错了一下。

“Then, may I ask why you wish to cease construction? Is the aim of that statue not to let the world better understand your glory, Ainz-sama?”

「那么为何、要停止制作呢？那个的目的不是为了能够让世界更加理解安兹大人的威光吗」

“Umu,” Ainz laughed in his heart. “My greatness is not something that can only be expressed through material objects.

「呼姆」安兹在心中窃笑了起来「我的伟大可不是必须藉由物品才能让人理解的东西」

He recalled that this line had received approval from Neia.

回想起用这一句话就让宁亚认同的表情。

--It’s perfect.

——完美。

“Would it not be better to teach them with material objects? Fools, as they say, are those who can only understand what they see before their eyes.”

「用物品来让其理解不是更好吗？所谓的愚者就是只能够理解自己亲眼所见的东西」

Albedo’s words froze Ainz in place. It was just like a pitcher throwing a ball at a batter, but instead of having it being hit back at him the batter caught it and threw it back at full force.

因为雅儿贝德的话，安兹不禁愣在了原地。这简直就像是投手朝打击者投球，但球并不是被打击击回、而是被接住后全力投回来那样的心情。

“...I see. You have a point, Albedo, but--”

「......原来如此。雅儿贝德所言甚是、但——」

As Ainz thanked his voice for not trembling, he struggled to work his brain, and then gave up when nothing came to mind. While he nearly rounded his shoulders, he could not allow his image as a ruler to crumble before his subordinates.

安兹一边感动于自己的声音没有颤抖、一边拼命地让脑袋回转，然后因为什么也没有浮现出来而放弃，虽然差点垂下了肩，但在部下的面前可不能让支配者的形象崩坏。

“--No, forget it. I’m sure that Albedo can pick out at least five of the flaws I’ve spotted, and the merits outweigh them. In that case, there is nothing else for me to say.”

「——不、还是算了吧。若是雅尔贝德的话，肯定能看穿我所想到诸多缺点中的至少五个，并在这基础上判断优点更多吧。那么我也没什么好说的了」

“Five, five flaws? ...Demiurge, I need to discuss something with you later. May I borrow your intellect for a while?”

「五、五个缺点吗?.....迪米乌哥斯，待会有点事要跟你商量。可以稍微借用一下你的智慧吗?」

“But, but of course. I, I expected nothing less of you, Ainz-sama, to think you would say our minds were superior… truly, you are too humble.”

「那、那是当然。不、不愧是安兹大人，说什么我等的头脑更好什么的……真是太谦逊了……」

The two of them began to get flustered, and Albedo bowed her head deeply.

两人慌张起来，雅尔贝德深深低下头去。

“I, I am truly sorry, Ainz-sama. While my plan to build your statue has already received your approval, please allow me to temporarily suspend construction. I sincerely apologize.”

「真、真是对不住。安兹大人，我所提案建设的巨像尽管已经获得一次大人的许可了，但是请准许我暂时中止其建设，真是万分抱歉。」

“Hm, mm. Well, it can’t be helped then. Proceed, Albedo.”

「唔、嗯。真是没办法，那就这样做吧，雅尔贝德」

Ainz had merely tossed out an offhand remark, but Albedo and Demiurge seemed abnormally shaken by it. He could even hear Lupusregina whisper “amazing” from the rear.

安兹虽然只是随口说说，但雅尔贝德等两人却陷入异常的动摇。甚至还可以听见站在后头的露普斯蕾琪娜小声说「好厉害」

Ainz averted his eyes, feeling guilty because he had confused the two of them by talking nonsense. However, he was glad that the plan to build the giant statue would be briefly halted.

因为自己再度随口胡说而让两人陷入溷乱，出于罪恶感，安兹将视线稍微往下错开。但安兹巨像建设计画的暂时中止确实令人开心。

Next, I need to do something about the four festivals with my name on it, like the Sorcerer King Grand Thanksgiving, the Sorcerer King’s Birthday and so on! If the Sorcerer King Grand Thanksgiving is cancelled because the statue’s been cancelled as well, that just leaves three of them! Besides, if these were normal festivals, I wouldn’t want to stop them either!

（接下来，就是那些像是魔导王大感谢祭、魔导王诞生祭之类冠着我的名字的四个祭典，得想点办法才行啊！要是那个绕着巨像游行的魔导王大感谢祭因为这次的建设停止而中止的话，就只剩下三个！话说要是普通的祭典的话，我也不会想去阻止他们就是了！）

In truth, Ainz had once pretended innocence and suggested a plan for organizing festivals. However, that had led to the formation of a strange and embarrassing festival committee. Ainz sighed long and loud in his heart, and then looked at Demiurge.

其实安兹本人也曾经装成一副若无其事的样子，提出过举办祭典的企划。但却因此导致一个奇怪、且让人感到丢脸的祭典实行委员会的成立。安兹在心里深深叹了口长气，将视线投向迪米乌斯。

“Alright, that leaves the details which I need to discuss with Demiurge. After this, you’ll have the demon you summoned, that is to say, Jaldabaoth, attack that city, right?”

「好，剩下和迪米乌斯商量细节的事。接下来的预定是你召唤出的恶魔、也就是雅达巴沃，会来袭击那个都市对吧?」

“Yes. Indeed, that is so.”

「是的，正是如此」

“Therefore… I have a couple of requests. The first concerns a personal project I am carrying out which is not going too well, for which I will need your help. Ah, don’t worry, there’s no need to get too flashy with it. And the second thing is, can you command that summoned demon to fight a serious battle with me?”