Ge Jiefu's Request

The Sunlight Scripture's troops had already surrounded Carne Village. Gazef Stronoff knew these people had come specifically for him, yet he had no intention of surrendering without a fight. Even an ant would struggle for its life, let alone the strongest warrior of the Re-Estize Kingdom; the kingdom still needed his protection, and he could not die here.

Consequently, he requested the magic caster who had saved Carne Village to intervene.

Momonga did not agree to the employment request put forth by the Warrior Captain, Gazef Stronoff. The reason for his refusal was simple: it offered him no benefit and would only create enemies for no reason.

Agreeing would be foolish, and besides, Momonga was not the type of warm-hearted person who could become fast friends with a stranger. His attitude toward Gazef Stronoff was likely nothing more than the polite, detached kindness one might show an insect.

If he were to involve himself further in this conflict, the safety of the Great Tomb of Nazarick would also be threatened.

Momonga knew that every decision he made would affect the entire guild. Therefore, he had to remain calm and rational, refusing to let a moment of sympathy lead to a decision that could bring about disaster.

Otherwise, if he ever found his companions again, he would have no way to answer to them.

Gazef Stronoff felt a sense of dejection at being unable to obtain the help of Lord Gown, and he knew that continuing to speak would be meaningless.

He removed his metal gauntlet and reached out to grasp Momonga's hand. According to etiquette, Momonga should have removed his own glove, but he did not. Gazef, however, did not mind; he gripped Momonga's hand tightly, his expression revealing a look of earnest supplication.

"Thank you truly for protecting the innocent villagers from being slaughtered. Furthermore... although I know it is a great imposition, I still hope Your Excellency might protect the villagers here once more... Ugh... I have nothing to offer you right now, but regardless, please accept my request... I beg of you."

"About that..." Momonga hesitated.

It was true that he had saved these villagers, but his purpose in doing so was not out of benevolence; rather, he needed to gauge his own strength in this world and, secondly, to acquire information about it.

If forced to choose between offending a faction or not, Momonga would have abandoned these villagers without a second thought.

"If Your Excellency ever visits the royal capital, I swear on the name of Gazef Stronoff that I will ensure you receive whatever you desire."

Gazef Stronoff lowered his hand, intending to kneel and plead.

But Momonga reached out with quick reflexes to stop him. "No... there is no need to go that far... Very well, I will protect the villagers. I swear it on the name of Ainz Ooal Gown."

"Thank you, Lord Gown. Now I have no worries and can charge forward with a clear mind." Gazef Stronoff let out a long sigh of relief; although it was not the ideal outcome, it at least spared him some trouble.

"...Before that, take this." Momonga produced an object and handed it to the visibly pleased Gazef Stronoff.

It was a small, strange carving that did not appear to have anything special about it.

"I am happy to accept any gift from you. Then, Lord Gown, though I am reluctant to part, I must be going." Gazef Stronoff placed the item into the pouch at his waist.

"Is there no need to wait until the night is deep before setting off?" Momonga asked.

"No need. The enemy uses magic like 'Night Vision,' so the night is disadvantageous for us, but not necessarily for them. Besides... I must allow you to confirm whether we have been defeated so that you can make your preparations." Although Gazef Stronoff said this, his face showed no signs of dejection.

"I see. Truly worthy of the Kingdom's Warrior Captain—your thinking is so thorough, it is admirable. I wish you success, Warrior Captain." Momonga nodded and said.

"I also wish Lord Gown a safe journey henceforth," Gazef Stronoff replied in kind.

Momonga watched the back of Gazef Stronoff in silence. He had not wanted to agree to such a request, but the sight of the man kneeling before him had caught him off guard.

He had once been a mere low-level employee at a company, working in sales—a humble, bottom-tier profession where he had to greet others with a mechanical smile every day. If he made even the slightest mistake, he might have to kneel and kowtow to beg for forgiveness, and even then, it might not be granted.

But if he did not do so, he would be fired, and his source of income would be cut off. In the first half of his life, he had only ever been the one to kneel to others; no one had ever knelt to him.

Yet Gazef Stronoff was highly respected in the kingdom—the behavior of the villagers was proof enough of that. Although he did not know how high the rank of Warrior Captain was, being able to stay by the King's side meant it could not be low.

For such a person to kneel and beg him—due to a conditioned reflex from his previous life experiences, he had immediately stopped the man and, in his panic, blurted out an agreement to Gazef Stronoff's request.

Momonga felt a tinge of regret in his heart. He had even sworn on the name "Ainz Ooal Gown," but since the words were already spoken, it was not easy to retract them.

The look of joy on Gazef's face after he agreed had stirred a sense of admiration in Momonga. The man was happy simply because the safety of a group of strangers was guaranteed.

Momonga asked himself if he could possess such a heart, and he knew he could not. Out of that admiration, he had given the "Swap Doll" to Gazef Stronoff.

This could be considered a contingency plan. If Gazef Stronoff could resolve the trouble, that would be best, but if he could not, Momonga would use the Swap Doll to trade places with him.

Although he did not want to invite trouble, under the pressure of the moment, he had sworn by the name of "Ainz Ooal Gown," and he did not wish to tarnish that name.

Nor did he want a man with such character as Gazef Stronoff to perish just like that. Through their conversation, Momonga felt a sense of attachment, much like one might feel toward a small animal.

"Lord Ainz, why did you swear by such a noble name?" Albedo, clad in black armor, asked Momonga with a look of confusion.

"Er..." Momonga was suddenly at a loss for words. He certainly did not want to tell his subordinate that he had said such a thing because he had panicked.

Momonga pondered for a moment. "Perhaps... it is because his determination to face death bravely is worthy of such admiration."

"Oh? Does Lord Ainz believe that ant will die?" Albedo continued to ask.

"Ugh... no, I do not think so. I mean, he possesses the resolve to face death, but he may not necessarily die," Momonga said hurriedly.

"Ah? Is Lord Ainz preparing to intervene? Swearing by that noble name is enough for that ant to be eternally grateful; Lord Ainz need not go to such lengths." Albedo felt indignant.

"No, you cannot say that. In any case... ugh... ahem, for now, avoiding hostility with humans is a means to obtain information, so there is no need to be so concerned." Momonga explained, looking slightly flustered.

He did not know why Albedo hated humans so much—perhaps it was because she was a heteromorphic species. However, as an undead, he felt not the slightest sensation when seeing humans die miserably.

Perhaps one day he would be like Albedo and develop a distaste for humans. No, that was not necessarily true. In any case, he did not want to think about such headache-inducing matters.

"I see. Lord Ainz, this subordinate understands." Albedo's voice was filled with infinite adoration.

"Mm."