"Deloris, why did you tell him directly that we're going to subdue the Wise King of the Forest? Shouldn't we have come up with some excuse to conceal it? Saying it outright might make them wary," Ainz asked as he looked at the girl walking ahead.
"Big brother, you don't understand," Chu Lian replied lightly. "We could certainly use various excuses to skirt around it, but the objective would remain the same. The personality I've shown so far is someone who dislikes beating around the bush. If I suddenly changed too much, it would only arouse suspicion."
"Even if I don't particularly care, it's better to avoid unnecessary doubt when possible. After all, we'll be living in E-Rantel for quite some time. Even if they won't spread most of our information, it's best to take precautions."
With her arms spread slightly, Chu Lian walked in a straight line, placing one foot directly before the other. A gentle smile rested on her face as she patiently explained.
Ainz pondered for a moment. "Still, openly stating our purpose like that... If some existence were to notice, it might not be ideal."
He couldn't help but think of the recent anomaly. If those unknown beings became aware, it could indeed be troublesome.
"That's precisely why I want whoever might know to know—so they'll appear sooner," Chu Lian replied calmly. "An enemy hidden in the shadows is always more dangerous than one standing before you. If they're willing to show themselves, then we won't need to worry."
"This forest has already been quietly occupied by my magical beasts. However, there are certain areas even they cannot approach. It seems... those places are dangerous."
"I'm concerned something may go wrong, which is why I'm acting this way. Big brother, if a battle occurs, please display no more than level 50 strength. Even using magic is fine."
"You are my final trump card. Having power is fine, but we must not let the enemy take you too seriously. I'll draw their attention from the front. Big brother can remain hidden in the shadows and become the true player of the board." Chu Lian lifted her gaze toward the increasingly dim forest ahead, calmly revealing her plan.
"Lady Deloris, acting as bait should be the duty of your subordinates, shouldn't it?" Narberal's heart jolted upon hearing the plan. Such a role clearly belonged to those beneath her. Why should she stand at the forefront herself?
"Narberal, you are my fiancée—that much is certain. As your husband, how could I allow you to stand before me?" Chu Lian smiled faintly. "Besides, compared to me—a warrior-type with several spatial spells—you and big brother are relatively fragile magic casters."
"If the enemy locks onto you, things could easily spiral out of control. Big brother is fine. His strength stands at the very peak of this world. But Narberal, while you are not weak, your escape capability is far inferior to mine."
"Therefore, among the three of us, I'm the most suitable to serve as bait. You two are the trump cards I keep hidden. Normally, displaying hero-tier strength will suffice. Once the enemy lowers their guard, you'll become the most lethal strike."
Turning around, Chu Lian gently pulled Narberal to her side, soothing her with an unhurried tone that revealed her good mood.
Ainz considered her words. "If something outside can overhear us, then speaking here wouldn't that increase the chance of being eavesdropped upon?"
"Big brother, did you truly hear my voice just now?"
Chu Lian turned to face him. Her lips moved, yet no sound came from her mouth. Instead, her voice echoed directly beside his ear—as though he himself had permitted her to be heard.
"This is one of my special abilities. If I don't wish it, no one can eavesdrop on what I say," she explained with a blink. Then she shifted the topic aloud. "By the way, big brother, what use do we have for this so-called Wise King of the Forest? I don't think it could possibly surpass Aura's tamed beasts. It doesn't seem particularly valuable."
Ainz chose not to elaborate. He lacked the ability to transmit his voice directly like she could. If he spoke openly, hidden listeners might overhear. Just moments ago, without realizing it, they had already revealed quite a bit of information—including Chu Lian's true name.
"I understand. Big brother must have his own plans," Chu Lian said lightly.
Narberal listened to their cryptic exchange in confusion. Though she did not fully grasp it, she knew they were calculating something, so she remained silent.
"This spot will do..." After walking for some time, they stopped in a relatively spacious clearing. Chu Lian smiled faintly. "Then, to enhance my reputation, let's go and meet it."
"Yes, that's why I'm here!"
A voice suddenly answered from the branches overhead.
Narberal reacted instantly. Lightning gathered in her palm as she raised her hand, staring coldly upward.
"Ah..."
A blond, short-haired elf dressed in male attire perched above them. Narberal recognized her immediately. "Lady Aura, please don't startle me like that."
Aura grinned. "Sorry about that."
"When did you arrive?" Narberal asked, puzzled. There should have been no one from Nazarick aware of their movements.
"When Ainz-sama, Lady Deloris, and you entered the forest," Aura replied, standing upright on the branch. Then she frowned slightly. "Speaking of which, where did Lady Deloris go?"
"You didn't notice at all, did you?"
Chu Lian's voice suddenly sounded from behind.
Startled, Aura leapt into the air, flipping lightly before landing beside Ainz. She looked up at the girl who had taken her former position, pressing a hand to her chest. "Lady Deloris, when did you appear there? I didn't sense you at all."
"Although you are a dark elf closely related to forest elves, and your professions as beast tamer and ranger make tracking in forests second nature to you—combined with your racial traits and skills, most people would never be able to locate you here—"
Chu Lian smiled softly and descended gracefully to stand before them.
"—but who do you think I am?"
"Fine, fine. Lady Deloris' mysteries are beyond Aura's comprehension." The dark elf girl shrugged helplessly before turning to Ainz. "My mission is to help Ainz-sama locate the Wise King of the Forest and provoke it into attacking you, correct?"
"Yes. Can you manage it?" Ainz asked. He knew Aura's capabilities well. His only concern was whether she could successfully provoke the Wise King without harming it.
"No problem, no problem. I think it's that guy." Aura waved her hand dismissively, indicating she had everything under control. After glancing at Chu Lian, she leapt back onto a tree branch and vanished after several agile jumps.
"What exactly are you planning?" With Aura's arrival, Narberal grew curious and asked the same question Chu Lian had raised earlier.
"Liliana intends to subdue it. To do that, she must draw it out," Ainz explained with his arms folded. "If she conquers this legendary magical beast by force, it will greatly enhance her reputation."
"Wasn't what happened yesterday enough?" Narberal recalled the seemingly endless hordes of monsters and magical beasts, along with the four giant dragons. That achievement alone should have been far more shocking than subduing a creature that had existed for centuries.
"Even if others witnessed those scenes and spread the story, anyone who didn't see it with their own eyes would remain skeptical," Chu Lian explained, reaching out to gently tap Narberal's nose. "It was too extraordinary—beyond what they can easily accept. Their first instinct would be to assume exaggeration."
"This magical beast, however, is different. Its strength may not far surpass the beasts I've already subdued, but it has been part of human legend for centuries. It is a confirmed existence. Once I subdue it, I can display it openly without issue. In that way, they will witness my strength firsthand—and gradually begin to believe what I accomplished yesterday."
"Humans are suspicious and fragile creatures. To change them requires either a massive incident affecting a vast population or a long, gradual process. Rarely does change happen overnight. But once they convince themselves, they will cling to that belief firmly. It's not so different from religious doctrine—another form of indoctrination, you could say."
Chu Lian herself was human. In her former world, countless analyses of human nature existed. Any number of them could explain such behavior. She wasn't fabricating anything—this was simply how people were.
"Ultimately, achievements told through rumor can never compare to what is witnessed firsthand. Humans are visual creatures. When struck by a powerful visual impact, they are far more willing to believe."
After she finished, Ainz added, "Indeed. Humans are complex. Though weak, they sometimes erupt with strength that even we cannot ignore."
Narberal nodded in understanding. "I see."
They did not linger any longer and resumed walking forward.
Meanwhile, Aura made her preparations and entered a cave. She walked calmly toward the slumbering Wise King of the Forest.
Looking at the magical beast before her, she murmured, "I'd like to have you myself, but for Ainz-sama's plan, it can't be helped."
Opening her mouth, she gently exhaled a puff of purple mist onto the creature.
The moment the mist settled upon its body, the sleeping beast's fur bristled. It roared in fury, leapt to its feet, and charged out of the cave.
Fortunately, Aura had already fled and concealed herself. Otherwise, it might have chased her instead of pursuing Ainz.
As it rampaged awake, the entire forest seemed to tremble in fear at the awakening and movement of the massive creature. Flocks of birds burst into the sky, crying sharply. Even the four members of the Swords of Darkness and Nfirea, who were gathering herbs, felt the vibrations beneath their feet and were startled.
As a ranger, Lukrut immediately crouched down to assess the source of the tremor. His expression darkened. "This is bad. Something big is heading our way."
His words shocked everyone present. Nfirea forced himself to remain calm. "Is it the Wise King of the Forest? Miss Liliana and Momon-san will surely be able to subdue it, right?"
"No matter what, it's still an ancient magical beast that's lived for centuries. We should prepare ourselves," Peter said, shaking his head as he and the others readied their weapons.
At the same time, Ainz's group halted their steps.
Narberal drew her sword.
Chu Lian merely yawned.
Ainz spoke calmly. "A distinguished guest has arrived..."
In the distance, the sheer mass of the charging creature kicked up clouds of dust. Upon spotting the three figures blocking its path, it let out a shrill cry and thrust its long, scale-covered tail forward.
Chu Lian stepped lightly ahead, extending one hand. Her palm met the tail mid-strike—and she gave it no chance to withdraw.
With a firm grip, she seized it.
Grasping the so-called Wise King of the Forest's tail with both hands, she pulled hard and executed a clean throw over her shoulder.
Boom—
Dust erupted as its enormous body slammed into the ground behind her.
The impact jarred the beast back to its senses. Realizing it was utterly outmatched, it immediately cried out, "Please don't kill me! I surrender, I surrender..."
"Pfft..." Even Ainz was momentarily stunned by its shamelessness, while Narberal burst into laughter.
"How useless," Chu Lian muttered with a dissatisfied pout. "Couldn't you at least last a little longer?"
"If I persisted, I would only suffer more. Surrendering quickly spares me unnecessary pain. Not just humans—magical beasts also avoid needless harm," it replied earnestly. Its voice, far from deep and imposing, was unexpectedly soft and somewhat timid—completely mismatched with its massive frame.
"How would you know whether you're outmatched without fighting properly?" Chu Lian asked curiously. A single throw had been enough to make it capitulate. That was absurdly spineless.
"I'd like to fight, but when my full-force charge can be so easily caught and I'm hurled through the air... My greatest strength lies in my body, yet in that regard you resemble a magical beast more than I do. After estimating how long I could survive against someone like you, surrendering was the most rational choice," the Wise King explained logically. In short: it was scared.
"You..." Chu Lian released its tail and pressed a hand to her forehead, utterly speechless.
By now, the dust stirred by her throw had settled, revealing the creature's enormous body. Strange symbols were engraved across its belly.
Seeing its appearance clearly, Ainz fell silent for a moment before finally asking, "I have a question. Your race wouldn't happen to be the Djungarian Hamster, would it?"
The Wise King jolted. "How do you know that?"
"What? You actually know my race?" it exclaimed, hopping up in shock.
"Mm..." Unsure how to respond, Ainz could only give a vague acknowledgment, inwardly lamenting how seriously he had regarded it.
Chu Lian nearly burst into laughter.
The so-called Wise King of the Forest was nothing more than a giant hamster...