Slane Theocracy? Tsukasa did not expect Gazef to suspect that that one Theocracy did this.
According to the information she knew, the Theocracy's actions were like those of a Guardian. While some of their methods might be unpleasant, the Theocracy had indeed been protecting human territory since ancient times.
And the Theocracy rarely participated in internal human wars. If they were to intervene, it could only mean that some major event was about to happen.
And does this Warrior Chief really know what he is saying? Since the Theocracy is intervening and seems to want to eliminate him, the Kingdom's Warrior Chief, it means the Theocracy believes that one Kingdom no longer has the value to continue existing.
"Are you serious? You must be clear about what it means for the Slane Theocracy to take action." Tsukasa narrowed her eyes. If this really was the Theocracy's doing, then the problem was quite serious.
She did not know why the Theocracy would do this. Given its position and status, it had no need to intervene in the struggle between the Empire and the Kingdom.
And as far as she knew, the Empire and the Theocracy were not allies, which meant the Theocracy would get no benefit from doing this. Why exactly was the Theocracy so eager for the Empire to conquer the Kingdom? And this place just happened to be that one Demon King's...
...place of seclusion. It would be strange if there were no connection between the two.
In short, this matter seemed to have a lot of inside stories. If it really was the Theocracy's doing, she could not think of their reason for doing so.
To crusade against the Demon King Ainz Ooal Gown living in seclusion here? No, if that were that one purpose, the quality of the soldiers sent out earlier was too poor. To lure out the Kingdom's Warrior Chief? But what benefit would the Theocracy get from that? There is no conflict between the Theocracy and the Kingdom, and since the Empire has planned for years to conquer the Kingdom, the Theocracy's intervention now would definitely be behind the Empire's.
Was it to provoke the Demon King Ainz Ooal Gown into attacking the Empire? That's impossible; the Demon King is not someone so easily manipulated.
From the Demon King's performance just now, one could see that one was not simple. Letting those knights go was likely to test their true identities; he was not a character with courage but no strategy.
If it really was the Theocracy's handiwork, then she admitted she truly could not understand the Theocracy's arrangement.
And the Theocracy could not possibly be unaware that she was also in the Kingdom now, so they would surely expect her to come to this place.
Could it be they want her and the Demon King to perish together, to get rid of the Empire's Sword Saint and the Demon King as potential threats, and then take over the Empire and the Kingdom in one fell swoop to achieve unification? Her heart was heavy; currently, this possibility seemed the highest.
They just underestimated the Demon King. Perhaps the Demon King had also noticed some clues earlier, which is why he let those knights go. And that one female warrior's move earlier was probably the Demon King secretly instructing his subordinate to come and test her strength.
Thinking of all this, Tsukasa's head throbbed for a moment, feeling like her brain was not enough.
She had not expected the Demon King's previous actions to have so much deep meaning; she had underestimated him. This Demon King was indeed a King who ruled the Demon Realm; his wisdom and cunning far exceeded a simple-minded ordinary person like her. If she had not been reminded by the Warrior Chief, she would not have even thought of the Slane Theocracy. The Sages of that one Theocracy were also terrifying, completing such a large layout without anyone noticing.
If the Demon King's wisdom were not equal to that one Sage and had not seen through the layout, she might have been screwed over by the Theocracy today without knowing anything! Although she felt very unhappy, she did not show it, nor did she think of retaliating; instead, she planned to act as if she did not know and stay far away from the Theocracy in the future.
The schemes of these two were too insidious. If that one naive person like her got involved, she would probably be sold without knowing and still help them count the money.
Gazef heard the Sword Saint's words and understood perfectly what they meant.
Since the Theocracy was taking action, it meant that the Theocracy, that one human Guardian, believed the Kingdom no longer had value and was no longer needed by the human race. If the commoners knew this, the Kingdom's prestige would likely plummet to rock bottom in an instant. But he held a different view from the Theocracy.
True, the Kingdom's current situation was very difficult. But he saw hope in the King.
that one old man was a wise King.
If there were no suitable heir, with His Majesty's methods, he would surely be able to lead the Kingdom to a new life. But heirs just need to be cultivated; they still have time and have not reached the point of judgment yet.
So what he had to do was simple.
Protect the Kingdom and His Majesty before that day comes, and then sooner or later prove to them that the Kingdom is far from over!
"Sword Saint, I believe the Theocracy will not let this mission failure go and will likely send more troops. Why don't we join forces to repel the Theocracy's ambush first?" Gazef knew how terrifying an opponent the Theocracy was. Even if the Sword Saint appeared and saved Kain Village, the Theocracy would surely strike at this village next.
But their target should be him. If he went to his death, the Theocracy should spare that one village. But he did not want to give up so easily, so he tried to win over the Sword Saint. Since the Sword Saint had saved Kain Village before, she might help Kain Village repel the Theocracy's ambush next.
Hearing Gazef's words, although Tsukasa's expression remained cold, a subtle change appeared in her eyes.
However, that was not the expression the Warrior Chief wanted to see, because his thoughts were seen through by the Sword Saint.
"Does this guy think I am easy to fool?" Tsukasa looked at him with somewhat dark eyes.
Although she truly did not understand the Theocracy's layout, for now, it was clear that the Theocracy prioritized dealing with the Demon King and this Warrior Chief; her turn was behind those two. And if she was not mistaken, the Theocracy was not in a hurry to deal with her and the Demon King. As for this Warrior Chief, being so weak, he was likely already on the death list.
"You should worry about yourself first. As for Kain Village's safety, I don't think you need to concern yourself with it. Am I right, Excellency?" Tsukasa had already noticed Ainz Ooal Gown eavesdropping from behind; the danger level of this Demon King in her mind had skyrocketed. Not only was he powerful, but his wisdom was also unfathomable. Most importantly, he was a sneaky lurker. He had clearly been hiding in the back just now, listening to their conversation to gather more information.
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