After listening to Sir Xi Neiding's description, everyone fell silent, carefully considering the details, looking for any issues that still needed careful deliberation.
"So, it can be directly confirmed that Clementine is not only Ainz Ooal Gown's daughter, but also E-Rantel's Saintess, Elizabeth, right?" Raymond said, and this time no one objected.
"If we accept this information, then it means that Clementine and her older brother, the Black Hero Momon, do not quite approve of their father Ainz Ooal Gown's methods, is that right? No wonder there was a direct conflict with Fei Fei when Ainz Ooal Gown's troops entered the city," Archgod-Official Maximilian said.
"I think this story itself is highly suspect, isn't it, Sir Xi Neiding? Didn't you say that the Adventurers' team was all under a curse? Would they say anything detrimental to the Magic Kingdom while under a curse? And I remember, isn't Karn Village the first place that Ainz Ooal Gown fellow appeared? Why would they be living in seclusion there? Just this point alone makes me think their words are unreliable," Senior Priest of Wind Dominic expressed his opposing view.
"There's nothing in the information revealed by that Adventurers' team that is detrimental to the Magic Kingdom, is there? Moreover, what they said about the Magic Kingdom's past background is basically consistent with the information gathered previously in places like E-Rantel, and that information is practically common knowledge in E-Rantel. So, I think the information Sir Xi Neiding provided can be trusted," Light Chief Priest Ion said.
"No... Chief Priest Ion, if you had seen Ainz Ooal Gown himself with your own eyes, you wouldn't think that way. It's very possible that all of this is a conspiracy by Ainz Ooal Gown himself. Perhaps he already knew that we would actively collect intelligence in E-Rantel, so he arranged for a few so-called Adventurers to deliver some false information to us!" Dominic said with a look of lingering fear.
That person is a monster... whether in appearance or in essence. This was Dominic's only assessment after seeing Ainz Ooal Gown himself. The sense of dread he felt during the meeting with the Emperor of the Empire in the Empire Capital... Dominic has not forgotten it even now.
"Assuming everything you said, Dominic, is true, but why would Ainz Ooal Gown do that? Doing so doesn't seem to benefit him or his Magic Kingdom at all, does it? You know, this information could mean a major intelligence that allows us to seize an opportunity to divide the Magic Kingdom's forces. If the release of this information was intentionally leaked by Ainz Ooal Gown, then what is the meaning of his actions?" Ion questioned Dominic in return. Everyone knew that Dominic had always been very prejudiced against Clementine, so it was natural for him to raise objections.
"I don't know... my intuition tells me that this matter isn't that simple. Perhaps... maybe it's to save his daughter that he did this," Dominic couldn't explain the reason, he just felt that way.
"Listening to Dominic, this is also a possibility. By conveying such information, is he telling us that the relationship between his daughter Clementine and himself is not good, so it's impossible to use his daughter to negotiate terms with the Magic Kingdom?" Benice offered her opinion.
"Ah! Yes! Chief Priest Benice is right! During the meeting in the Empire Capital, when Ainz Ooal Gown greeted us, his gaze lingered on Clementine for a period of time. Although Clementine's face was covered by a hood at that time, I could sense that Ainz Ooal Gown must have known Clementine's identity. I also reported this previously," Dominic immediately took over Benice's words and continued.
"Ainz Ooal Gown's appearance there must have been premeditated. I think his main purpose for being there was to convey this message to us, wasn't it? Afterwards, my subordinates who stayed in the Empire Capital investigated, and Ainz Ooal Gown's match with the Martial King was arranged a week in advance. That means Ainz Ooal Gown was already there waiting before Clementine and I even arrived at the Empire. I'm thinking, either someone within our Theocracy tipped him off, or... he foresaw our Theocracy's next move and made preparations in advance!" Dominic continued.
"Tipping him off is impossible. When the regular meeting decided to take Clementine to the Empire, only we, the high-ranking officials, were present. Clementine was only informed the day before we were to depart, and it only took you two days to teleport to the Empire. If that match was arranged a week in advance, then the timing doesn't match up, Dominic... Clementine is already ours now. You know the function and effect of Falling Beauty of a Nation better than anyone here, don't you?" Raymond said somewhat impatiently. Everyone knew that the person Dominic was referring to as tipping him off was Clementine.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"