97-097-Saint's answer, new answer

"128 years of St. King's history, red moon, 8th of the same day.

＜Jediite Imperial City.

After receiving official permission from His Majesty the Emperor, we came to the dungeon accompanied by Prince Raika and Swordsman Leopard.

It's the second time I've been here... or rather the first time since the last time I got out, but I'm still amazed at the size of this place.

"Wow, it's huge!

Satsuki seemed to be thinking the same thing and was looking at the vast space lined with cells with an impressed look, but Leopard muttered with an awkward expression after hearing her earlier impressions.

''It's nothing to brag about, though, that the jail is decent. The bottom line is that there are too many idiots.''

Oh, so that's what it comes down to.

When Satsuki answered brainlessly with a look of conviction, Prince Laika only laughed at him.

After going on for a while while talking about such a trivial matter, Leopard stopped in front of the old iron door and banged on it with a gun.

''........What's wrong?''

A gentle male voice came from inside.

Leopard was unsure of how to respond to him for a while, but then he opened his mouth with a look of determination.

''You're free to go.''

'What?　

The person on the other side of the door seems to have been upset because it was too abrupt.

Even Prince Raika, as expected of Prince Raika, was taken aback by Leopard's bluntness.

''Isn't that indeed too much to say...?

"Excuse me, Mr. Raika. I can't think of a better way to say it.

Well, it looks like I don't know Leopard, and even if he asked me to say something, that's impossible.

When he somehow pulled himself together and opened the door, he found a scrawny, middle-aged man in a stupor.

That's right, he is the man who was once the high priest, the highest authority in the Holy City Central Church - Einz himself.

''Oh, what the hell are you guys...?

As soon as Einz saw us, his face became tinted with confusion.

That can't be helped.

Upon receiving Einz's question, Prince Laika stepped in front of Leopard with a bit of reserve and spoke to him with a nervous look.

''Um........do you remember my voice?　I've spoken to you before through the door.

Einz stared at Prince Laika's face with a huff, and then smiled happily.

'Yes, I remember. When I had just entered this place and was anxious, I heard a very pretty voice... and at that time I thought it was like an angel had come.

Prince Laika, who was likened to an angel, laughed a little shyly, but quickly turned serious and communicated his own intentions to Einz.

''To Ainz-sama........I have something important to tell you.''

◇ ◇.

When I told him about the incident of summoning the Greater Demon that Zwei caused in the Holy King's Capital, as well as the Demon King's Army that would be attacking us tomorrow and that we had come to ask for cooperation, Einz muttered with a sad look of depression.

''How dare such a thing happen while I'm being held captive...!　I can't believe that I was so shallow that I caused Zwei-kun a painful experience and made him fall into sin...

"What are you talking about?　Originally, our people imprisoned Master Einz for an innocent crime!　You've done nothing wrong!

When Ainz refuses to say anything bitter or resentful about the Empire, Laika looks surprised and raises her voice at him.

But Einz shook his head and began to talk about his heart in a whisper.

I, as a young man, saw a child like Zwei, who was born without power, and who suffered because no one needed him, and I hoped to save as many children as possible who were suffering in the same way. And I believed that if I preached God's teachings in this country, it would come true.

"Yes...

'But I had overlooked something important. That this would take away the place of many in this country who can only flaunt their own significance by force...

Oh, no.

''And I've caused Zwei-kun a lot of pain with such a shallow idea... this is unquestionably my sin.

And just as soon as Einz uttered the "answer" that he would have derived in this dark room, Leopard, who had been silent until then, spoke up!

"That's not true, doctor!

What?

This is a country where no one is as smart as the teacher, and the strongest person is the righteous one, and frankly, it's a shitty country. Even an idiot can be a hero if he's strong, that's the kind of country we are. That's a simple fact!

Not only Einz, but even Prince Laika is stunned by the series of problematic statements that would physically make his head fly, even his position, if he were to be heard by the great people.

But if your power is justice, then it's only justice if you win against the new power of faith that you've been pulling in, by fighting in a slugfest like you have been doing until now!　But it's just a cowardly thing to attack a wagon and lock yourself in a cell without a fight!　You don't have to give him justice!　We soldiers don't risk our lives for people like that!

....

It's a good thing I'm saying that because I'm an idiot who has risen to power. If we allow people to think like you, our prince will be able to relax his shoulders a little and live more comfortably.

What are you...?

In response to Einz's question, Lepard's serious expression breaks down and he smiles with a light-hearted smile.

It's a good thing that you're an ordinary guy who's just rooting for a hard-working monk.

Leppard was still humble in saying so, but Prince Laika laughed happily at him and spoke out the fact that he had kept it hidden until now.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that Lepard has been watching over me since the day I was born. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get a good deal more than you think.

"No one must know a thing about this, my prince!

Apparently it was a top secret item, but Prince Raika laughed when he saw Leopard, who was impatient.

''It's okay, Leopard. Thanks to all of you, I've figured out my own way of fighting.

"Dear Mr. Leica...

"...despite the suffering my men have caused you, I am very aware of the selfishness of their wishes.

Prince Laika stood in front of Einz as he said that, and held Einz's right hand with both hands, just like Leopard did to me.

It's the highest expression of respect and reverence in the Jedite Empire.......

''Please, Saint-sama, please. .........Please save us.''