What he knew now was that the other side had a way of gaining information from within the Empire. So did he have a far-reaching web of spies, or…
Ainz Ooal Gown is a person who carefully analyzes information. Then I must confirm this.
“He ordered you to come on a dragon?”
“Y-yes, Lord Ainz told us to do so.”
“I see… so that's what it is…”
“What are you getting at, asking all these weird questions? Are you apologizing? Or not coming? If you're not coming, we'll take your words back, but that means your country's doomed.”
There was a saying, “one cannot gain a dragon’s eggs without entering a dragon’s lair”.
It meant that one could not make great gains without taking great risks.
With that in mind, Jircniv steeled himself.
“Naturally, I wish to expiate my wrongdoings before him. Though I have no impression of sending anyone to a place called Nazarick, it is entirely possible that one of my underlings might have acted rashly, and independently of my orders. That being the case, the ultimate responsibility lies with their overall superior — namely, myself.”
From the corner of his field of vision, he saw the three scribes' eyes widening fractionally, while Fluder nodded in approval.
“Huh~ all right. Let's go now, then.”
“Now? Hold on, please. While I have no issue with leaving presently, I am still the ruler of this country, and I cannot simply vacate the seat of power all of a sudden. Perhaps, two, maybe three days…”
Jircniv glanced at the twins to make sure it was all right before continuing.
“…in order to get the affairs of state in order before I leave. After adding in the time to settle some other pressing matters and preparing the reparations for his Lordship, I think ten days should—”
“Ten days? That's a bit long, don't you think?”
“With ten days, I will surely be able to prepare adequate recompense. A thoughtless offering would be a grave insult to your lord. Then there is the matter of finding the parties involved. The Empire is large — scouring it will require an appropriate amount of time.”
The matter of compensation drove Aura into deep thought. Even Mare on the side didn't seem to know how to proceed.
I see… upon hearing the subject of an appropriate gift, they were distracted. That means they revere their master that much. I should be able to buy some time with this.
But before Jircniv could continue, Aura spoke first.
“Just kidding. Lord Ainz just told me to tell you to come over now, where ‘now’ was defined as
‘however long you think you need’.”
Though he wanted to spit on Ainz Ooal Gown, who had seen through his schemes, at the same time he also felt that his opponent was both intelligent and a worthy foe.
So he wanted to see how I'd react to the demand of "now", then. Well well, Ainz Ooal Gown, you're a tricky negotiator. You must be quite the sage to have foreseen the path this conversation would take.
“I said something, aren't you going to reply?”
Aura's cold voice made Jircniv feel like he was drowning in a swamp.
“Ah— ah, forgive me. I was merely contemplating what to prepare if I didn't have enough time.”
“Huh~ well, it doesn't matter. Then… can you give me an answer? How long before we can expect you to come over to Nazarick?”
“Just so,” Jircniv ignored Aura's provocation. “All preparations considered, I think I will be able to pay you a visit in five days' time.”
“Got it. Then, we'll let Lord Ainz know. Ah, that reminds me, should we help you dig out the guys buried alive out there? Though…”
Aura clapped her hands together, and her smile was far too malicious to be childlike.
“…They may have gotten just a teeny bit squashed. That might be a bit hard to fix.”
Jircniv continued smiling, because the opposition's aim right now was far too transparent.
People revealed their true nature during times of great emotion. So fear was their way of probing him. Jircniv had used this technique during negotiations himself, but times like these were also a chance to thwart one's opponent's aims.
“Then, I am grateful for your assistance. I shall leave the rest to you.”
Seeing the plain emotion on Aura's face, Jircniv allowed himself to smile honestly for the first time.
