"Ili, Young Miss…" At that moment, another figure appeared outside the Adventurer's Guild, surprising the other Adventurers present: the beautiful Nabe.
"Oh! Nabe, is something wrong?" Iri greeted Nabe with great warmth upon seeing her.
Hellank, who knew Iri's "background," understood from Nabe's address to Iri that Nabe must also be from Nazarick. He had previously seen Nabe accompanying Iri-meimei's Steel Rank older brother, Fei Fei, in the Empire.
"Ili, Young Miss, please return at once." Nabe spoke to Iri with utmost respect, a demeanor that struck the other Adventurers present as quite novel.
Although almost all Adventurers in E-Rantel knew that Iri was Fei Fei-daren's sister, the specific origins of Fei Fei-daren and Iri remained unknown.
Thus, various speculations abounded. Now, Nabe directly calling Iri "Ili, Young Miss" sparked even more wild conjectures.
"Alright, I'll head back now. Well then, everyone, please excuse me." Iri turned and bid farewell to the others, then left with Nabe.
"Hey! Brother, how do you know Iri?" As soon as Iri left, the curious Adventurers immediately swarmed around them.
"By chance, I suppose!" Hellank could only reply vaguely, after all, he couldn't very well say that Iri-meimei had actively approached them on the street!
"Damn it! We really envy you! Iri's big brother is the super strong Steel Rank warrior, Fei Fei-daren! Iri-meimei herself can use sixth-tier recovery spells, she's kind-hearted, and so cute!! Hey! Brothers! Are you still short-handed? We can carry luggage, loot, anything!"
The Adventurers nearby were filled with various degrees of envy, jealousy, and hatred, all expressing their desire to be like the Four Strategists and cling to Iri's powerful leg.
"Sorry! We're not short-handed anymore." Hellank's expression was strange as he shook his head, refusing each one.
To be honest, if he could choose, Hellank would rather not have gotten involved with Iri-meimei in the first place, nor accepted the quest to explore Nazarick. But now, it was too late to say anything.
…
Seeing Nabe coming to call her, Iri basically had an idea of what was happening; it had been so many days, it was about time.
The last time she and the Black Workers traveled from the Empire to the Kingdom was around this time. Given that the Blood Emperor still had to prepare various gifts, an extra day or two of delay was to be expected.
Yes, next should be the plot of the Blood Emperor's visit. Nabe calling her back clearly meant she wanted Iri to make an appearance when Ainz-papa met the Blood Emperor.
Needless to say, even if Ainz-papa didn't do it, Iri herself would insist on participating. How could she miss such an interesting plot!
So, Iri and Nabe returned to Nazarick and began preparations.
Actually, Iri didn't have much to prepare; just putting on the elaborate dresses Albedo usually made for her was enough.
However, when Iri pushed open the door to her room in Nazarick, she almost wanted to turn and flee, because inside her room, a bunch of maid sisters were on standby… at least ten of them.
And each of them held a gown in their hands. As soon as they saw Iri opening the door, wanting to come in, the maid sisters' eyes seemed to spit fire with excitement.
But fleeing was useless, so she could only imitate Ainz-papa's approach, using the excuse, "Please, troublesome sisters, just pick the most suitable one for me!" to deal with them.
Then Iri was tormented for an unknown amount of time by these incredibly excited maid sisters. The gowns were put on, makeup was applied, and then all sorts of strange accessories were worn.
After it was all done, Iri looked at her new appearance in the mirror and indeed, she looked quite like a princess of a nation.
A pure white gown, with golden openwork silk edges, lace, and various glittering gold ornaments.
This time, even a crown was used, but Iri glanced at the small crown perfectly placed on her head and found it a bit displeasing.
So she adjusted its position herself, making it look as if it was worn askew. This was perfect; Iri was quite satisfied with her current look.
Dressed, Iri waited in her room for quite a while before Solution Epsilon came to call her.
Normally, Big Sister You Li would be the one to inform her, but now it was Solution Epsilon, which clearly indicated something: Big Sister You Li and Lupisregina were at the main entrance receiving the Blood Emperor! Well then! Let's go!
When Iri appeared in the great hall, the Blood Emperor had not yet arrived, but the other Guardians were already present. Albedo and Shalltear's eyes went wide upon seeing Iri in her elaborate attire, both looking completely infatuated.
It was only at Aura's reminder that Albedo and Shalltear returned to normal, but something was off… why was Xiao Di still in human form? Was he only going to transform into a frog when it was almost time?
"Demiurge-uncle, aren't you going to transform?" Iri asked with considerable curiosity.
"As expected of Elizabeth-dono, you've seen through my thoughts!" Demiurge was instantly surprised.
"Not at all, I just simply thought Demiurge-uncle would face the Emperor of the Empire in his transformed state." No, no, no, that's only because I've read the script, Iri grumbled internally.
"Yes, Elizabeth-dono, I was planning to transform. Ah! No… As expected of Elizabeth-dono! I understand, I won't transform." Xiao Di scrutinized Iri for a moment, as if something had dawned on him, and spoke with considerable shock.
"Is that so? That's good then." Iri felt very strange… What's going on? Xiao Di hasn't overthought something strange again, has he?
While it's true that her involvement is indeed changing the world-line, there's no need for Xiao Di not to transform!
Originally, Xiao Di transformed to highlight Ainz-papa and disguise his own identity. If he doesn't transform, how can he trick the Blood Emperor? And Xiao Di still needs to operate as the Demon King Jaldabaoth; won't he be suspected if he doesn't transform?
Although Iri was utterly perplexed internally, since Xiao Di said he wouldn't transform, there must be a reason for it, so she could only go along with his words.
At that moment, Sebas said, "They're here!" Iri then consciously stood beside Ainz-papa. In a formal setting, she naturally couldn't sit directly on Ainz's lap as she usually did.
Soon after, the Blood Emperor and his retinue slowly approached. Iri smiled and fixed her gaze on the Blood Emperor.
When their eyes met, Iri could see a flicker of surprise and wavering emotion on the Blood Emperor's face.
After all, she had tricked him back in the Empire. The Black Worker sister who narrowly escaped death looked very similar to the princess in the ruins. Now that he saw her… he must be very surprised!
Are there really people in this world who look so similar? Of course, it's the same person!
Then, Albedo recited the prepared lines to Ainz-papa, and when she mentioned the Blood Emperor's full name, Iri thought it was truly troublesome to have such a long name.
Ainz-papa also grandly delivered a set of diplomatic pleasantries, which he must have practiced for a long time!
Now it was Xiao Di's turn to perform. Iri glanced at Xiao Di, who stood there looking completely unconcerned, with no intention of using the Ruling Spell.
This isn't right?
In the original work, Xiao Di transformed into a frog beforehand, then used the Ruling Spell in the great hall to make them all kneel, intending to play the role of a fool to highlight Ainz-papa's kingly Aura.
Why is there no movement? Iri grew a little anxious. If he didn't bring up the matter of the Blood Emperor offering an apology soon, there would be no other chance!
However, Xiao Di still showed no reaction. Alright! Since Xiao Di isn't reacting, I'll do it myself! I know the Ruling Spell anyway! Ainz-papa absolutely must maintain this facade! Iri thought to herself.
"How dare you! Father! Those who sent rats into our home are not worthy to speak with Father as equals!" Iri stepped forward! Taking Xiao Di's place to continue the act.
"All of you! Kneel!" Iri shouted loudly, simultaneously activating the Ruling Spell.
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