Chapter 258

Xin Aili Du, Air Defense Sixth Lesson.

Asaba Yuuma wiped his eyes, stared intently at the scene on the skydome where Yinzhi deeply bowed to the potted plant, his brows furrowed enough to pinch a corpse to death.

"Am I mistaken? This guy…… is he talking to the potted plant?" Asaba Yuuma turned his head to look at Yuecheng Liu, "Liu, do you know what he's doing?"

"Ugh..." Yuecheng Liu adjusted her glasses, frankly admitting she couldn't fathom the red-haired knight's behavior logic; she spent a few seconds scanning all the knight novels she'd read since childhood, ultimately only able to conclude: "This might be a knight's…… pre-battle ritual."

"Huh?" Asaba Yuuma widened his eyes, "Is he getting ready to fight right off the bat?"

"In the tradition of classical knightly spirit, 'salutation' includes saluting swords, swearing allegiance to flags, even showing respect to enemies. In short, probably, perhaps…… that's the meaning…… right?"

"But this guy showers the potted plant with extravagant praise as soon as he appears, which doesn't seem like an oath." Asaba Yuuma's mouth twitched, "Besides, where did these spotlights come from? How does he get two spotlights above his head the moment he appears?"

"This…… probably only the Revered Sage can explain."

——

"As March 7 approached, another spotlight suddenly shone on her, startling her."

""A lady?""

"Yinzhi slowly turned his head, his tone filled with respect and surprise. He stepped forward slowly toward March 7, then bowed to her as he did to that potted plant."

"Yinzhi slightly inclined his body, fingertips lightly touching his chest, his silver armor flowing with a soft halo under the light."

""Please allow me to sincerely praise you.""

"His voice was neither light nor heavy, yet like a ray of sunlight piercing morning mist, carrying an undeniable warmth. He gazed at March 7, his eyes holding no frivolity or mere courtesy, only pure admiration and appreciation, as if what stood before him was not a girl but an artwork blessed by the Stellaron."

""You are like a flower on a winter snowfield——""

"Before his words had finished, he was drawn to the approaching Star, and began to praise her again: "Oh? Another beautiful living being.""

"Perhaps realizing his conduct was somewhat abrupt, Yinzhi stepped back a few steps with an apologetic gesture, left hand on his chest: "I haven't yet introduced myself—I am Yinzhi, of the Pure Beauty Knights; may I ask your esteemed names?""

"Seeing that he seemed harboring no hostility, March 7 and Star likewise politely returned their names."

""It's a pleasure to meet you both! Sorry for the rudeness—I was just explaining the meaning of beauty to this potted plant." Yinzhi smiled slightly, "Forgive my abruptness; out of habit, I wish to ask you both: as fellow life in the universe, are you aware of the goddess Idriella of 【Pure Beauty】?""

""Idriella?" Star looked bewildered; this Stellaron is a bit obscure."

""The Pure Beauty Knights roam freely among the planets, spreading the renown of Pure Beauty throughout the cosmos so that all beings know of Her existence. We, bound by the strict precepts of faith, temper our bodies and defend our honor.""

——

overlord

(Another Stellaron has appeared, the goddess of 【Pure Beauty】…… she sounds like she isn't very combat‑oriented.)

(But we shouldn't think that way—【Abundance】 likewise isn't as destructive as 【Destruction】, yet it is the arch‑enemy of 【Hunt】.)

In the throne room, Demiurge was using magic to record Yinzhi's every word and deed; any of his descriptions concerning 【Pure Beauty】 will be an important reference for their future analysis of this Stellaron.

"【Pure Beauty】's goddess"——this reminded Ainz of the legend of the Roman goddess Venus he had read before his transmigration. Although Stellarons and myth differ greatly, he still tried to discern some common ground.

"Shaltear, what kind of Stellaron do you think Idriella is?"

"Hmm..."

Shaltear fell silent for a long while, and Ainz also realized that posing such a question to a warrior like himself might be inappropriate. Aside from a few battle maids and attendants, the only women here are Albedo and Aura.

(Perhaps we should consult their opinions on this matter?)

As Ainz pondered, Shaltear finally spoke slowly: "Lord Ainz, please forgive my foolishness…… if it's only about appearance, she should be much like Albedo, right? And the relationship between Yinzhi and Idriella is like that of Albedo and her subordinate."

"Oh, I see, that's how you're thinking."

Regardless of whether his answer has any worth, Ainz did hear a pleased, satisfied little hum from Albedo beside him.

Using Albedo as a comparison is probably also because Shaltear has never seen a woman more beautiful than Albedo; frankly, Albedo truly has a goddess's visage, provided her expression doesn't collapse.

"Lord Ainz, I actually think we needn't dwell too much on the 【Pure Beauty】 Stellaron." Demiurge suddenly said from the side.

"Oh? Do tell your view."

Demiurge's face bore a faint smile as he bowed, saying: "In my view, Idriella differs from several other Stellarons—be they 【Destruction】, 【Abundance】, 【Wisdom】, or 【Preservation】—in that they do not need an organization like the 【Pure Beauty Knights】 to deliberately spread their fame across the galaxy."

"That's natural; many forces in the galactic universe follow them, so there's no need to specially promote them."

"Exactly as Lord Ainz said. But why does 【Pure Beauty】 in particular need this? I venture to guess…… the goddess Idriella of 【Pure Beauty】 may have already perished, her fate swallowed, and the Knights are spreading the name of a dead Stellaron across the universe."

"As for why they do this…… it's probably out of devotion."

——

""Wait, you're not here to help, are you? \"\" Star noticed the blind spot.

""Yes, but not limited to that. Just as I promote 'beauty' for this potted plant, what I seek is an encounter—a collision and exchange of spirit and idea.""

"Star furrowed his brows: \"Then were you sincerely praising me just now? \""

""Why? Why ask like that? Please don't doubt yourself, Star.""

""You even praised the potted plant! \""

"Faced with Star's questioning, Yinzhi's gaze remained steady, neither deliberate nor hypocritically reserved: \"My words and deeds are utterly sincere; I believe its heart is clear as a mirror. \""

"Yinzhi solemnly regarded Star, leaning forward slightly: \"Lady, I have now briefly introduced you to 【Pure Beauty】. I am most curious—do you accept this creed and believe in Idriella? \""