What made Ellie uncomfortable was not just the sudden change in personality, but also the fact that she already knew her true identity, didn't she?
Looking at her current attitude, it seems she doesn't intend to expose herself, so why would she do that?
Although Zesshi Zetsumei's personality is somewhat problematic, she isn't an idiot. She should know the severe consequences of keeping such a menace as a spy within the Slane Theocracy.
But before that, let's first probe Zesshi Zetsumei's background according to the original plan.
"Your special ability is truly amazing! Can you also copy the Ultimate Magic I just cast?" Ellie asked, deliberately adopting a casual tone.
"No, my special ability can only copy techniques and magic within my own capabilities. Ultimate Magic, which only exists in records in books, is far beyond my power," Zesshi Zetsumei stated directly and without reservation, not a hint of hesitation.
Such a straightforward attitude made Ellie very suspicious of whether this person was lying to her. This special ability of hers should be one of her trump cards, right? Is it really okay to tell her this?
"Hoh! Is it alright to tell me your weakness so readily? It makes me quite suspicious!" Ellie deliberately said this to remind her that they were still adversaries. Is it okay for her to directly tell her weakness to someone who should be an enemy? She wouldn't believe her so easily.
"Believe it or not, but didn't you completely disregard me? Are you still so wary of me?" Zesshi Zetsumei didn't even look at Ellie, still responding in that cold tone.
No, no, no... This crazy woman must have misunderstood something. You are the most troublesome enemy I've encountered since I transmigrated, the one who gives me the biggest headache! There was absolutely no intention of underestimating you.
When she fought Zesshi Zetsumei before, she went all out. If she hadn't understood the true performance of Warrior Takemikazuchi's final creation at that time, she probably would have had to use the Skyfall self-destruct method to win against her.
After all, she didn't have Ainz-papa's extremely high magic resistance. Using Skyfall at that distance would result in mutual death, and then she would revive with her accessories. Otherwise, she really wouldn't have had a good way to deal with her. Perhaps not directly killing her at the time made her misunderstand that she deliberately spared her life? However, that was not the case; she genuinely wanted to kill her directly at that time.
"Who told you that you are the ace of the Slane Theocracy? Just like your Chief Priest is still wary of me even now, isn't he?" Ellie said.
"Naturally, everyone would be wary of a princess from an unknown enemy country, wouldn't they?" Zesshi Zetsumei said.
Well! That makes a lot of sense. Although the Slane Theocracy already knows her true identity, it would be best to confirm whether those old geezers have indeed obtained information that she hasn't lost her memory.
You see, if those old geezers knew that she hadn't lost her memory and still kept her in the Slane Theocracy, then the problem would be quite serious.
It's clearly a plot of some kind, a plan to turn her own schemes against her. You see, she's been transmigrated for so long, and she's only ever schemed against others, no one has ever schemed against her!
"But I'm very curious how you knew my identity? I should have hidden it quite well, right?" Ellie asked.
"Heh heh! Quite well? You still underestimate the Slane Theocracy's intelligence department. The High Priests knew your identity from the very beginning," Zesshi Zetsumei snorted and replied.
They knew from the beginning? It seems I did underestimate the Slane Theocracy's intelligence department. But that's not the main point; the main point is whether those old geezers really know that I wasn't affected by Downfall of Castle and Country.
"As for how I found out your identity, the room we stayed in last time... that brick in the corner of the wall was very loose!" Zesshi Zetsumei continued.
So she overheard it? That means her affairs had already been discussed by those old geezers at the Theocracy's highest council. It seems they really value her.
"Since you discovered it from the beginning, why did you still allow me, the Slane Theocracy's strongest ace, to be on equal footing with you? Aren't you afraid I'll destroy you after acquiring your secrets?" Ellie asked with a smile, naturally an ill-intentioned one.
"Humans are creatures who love to take risks. Even knowing your true identity, to face the impending century-long crisis, they have no choice but to take a gamble. You see... my existence is a double-edged sword for the Slane Theocracy, so the Chief Priest's hope naturally falls on you," Zesshi Zetsumei replied with a self-deprecating laugh.
Wait a minute, Zesshi Zetsumei's words carry a lot of information, and there are many points to ponder. First of all... what the hell is that century-long crisis?
She had never heard of this before?
The original work also didn't mention this, but it did say in an interlude that the Slane Theocracy had always been preparing for something and needed to preserve its national strength, which is why it was so concerned about the suddenly appearing Magic Kingdom. Could the Slane Theocracy be preparing for the century-long crisis Zesshi Zetsumei mentioned? She must keep this in mind!
As for the double-edged sword she mentioned, it should be referring to her identity as a returning God-Human. The Slane Theocracy has always treated God-Humans as treasures.
In the original work, it was mentioned that the Slane Theocracy had three God-Humans: Zesshi Zetsumei, Yugali, Dark Scripture Jeros, and one more who was not mentioned in the original work.
And she had been in the Slane Theocracy for some time now, and she hadn't seen or heard of her, so it seems she is also one of the objects of attention. If that's the case, is the Slane Theocracy planning to use her as a pawn?
The existence of God-Humans cannot be made public, otherwise it will definitely lead to a conflict with the Evaluation Country. However, to face that century-long crisis, military power is needed, so is that why they allowed her to act so freely?
After all, she doesn't have the identity of a God-Human, so she can be sent out to cause trouble casually. But wouldn't these old guys consider her identity as the Magic Kingdom's princess?
These old geezers, don't let any of you bastards fall into her hands in the future, she will definitely throw all of you to Terror Duke!
"So that means you already know that I haven't been controlled by you?" An angry Ellie no longer bothered to beat around the bush with Zesshi Zetsumei and asked directly. Anyway, if they completely fell out, the Theocracy would be at a disadvantage.
"As far as I know, no. In their eyes, you are still Clementine, but given the current situation, even if they knew, they would pretend not to know, wouldn't they?" Zesshi Zetsumei replied.
"I have to say, you humans are really bold!" Ellie said with a mocking tone. If that were truly the case, she would have to admire the courage of those old geezers.
"To be precise, it's 'they'," Zesshi Zetsumei said, flipping her hair, revealing the pointed ears that had been hidden beneath, as if to remind Ellie.
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