Gazef's Request

The Sunlight Scripture's forces had already surrounded Carne Village. Gazef Stronoff knew they had come for him, but he had no intention of surrendering without a fight. Even ants struggled when threatened, and he was the strongest warrior in the Re-Estize Kingdom. The kingdom still needed him to protect it. He couldn't die here.

So he asked the Magic Caster who had saved Carne Village to help.

Momonga didn't agree to Warrior Captain Gazef Stronoff's request to hire him. The reason was simple: there was nothing in it for him, and he would make an enemy for no reason.

Agreeing would be foolish. Besides, Momonga wasn't a particularly warmhearted person who could become fast friends with a stranger. His courtesy toward Gazef Stronoff was probably about the same as the polite friendliness one might show an insect.

If he got further entangled in this conflict, the safety of the Great Tomb of Nazarick could also be threatened.

Momonga knew every decision he made could affect the entire guild, so he had to stay calm and rational. He couldn't make a decision that might bring disaster just because he felt sorry for someone in the moment.

Otherwise, when he found his companions in the future, he wouldn't know how to explain himself to them.

Gazef Stronoff was somewhat discouraged that he couldn't get Lord Ainz's help. He knew there was no point in continuing to ask.

He removed his metal glove and reached out to shake Momonga's hand. According to etiquette, Momonga should have removed his glove too, but he didn't. Gazef didn't mind; he gripped Momonga's hand tightly, his expression pleading.

"Thank you so much for protecting the innocent villagers from being slaughtered. Also... although I know it's asking a lot, I still hope you'll protect the villagers here again... Mm... I have nothing I can offer you right now, but please, no matter what, accept my request... I'm begging you."

"Well..." Momonga hesitated.

It was true that he had saved these villagers, but he hadn't done it out of benevolence. First, he needed to test his strength in this world. Second, he needed to gather information about it.

If he had to choose between helping them and offending another faction, Momonga would abandon the villagers without hesitation.

"If you visit the Royal Capital, I promise I'll make sure you get whatever you want. I swear it on the name of Gazef Stronoff."

Gazef Stronoff lowered his hand and began to kneel to plead with him.

But Momonga quickly reached out to stop him. "No... You don't need to go that far... All right, I'll protect the villagers. I swear it on the name of Ainz Ooal Gown."

"Thank you, Lord Ainz. Now I can go forward without any worries." Gazef Stronoff let out a long breath. It wasn't the ideal outcome, but at least he could avoid some trouble.

"...Before you go, take this with you." Momonga took something out and handed it to Gazef Stronoff, who looked delighted.

It was a small, strange figurine that didn't seem to have anything special about it.

"I'd be happy to accept any gift from you. Well then, Lord Ainz, as reluctant as I am to leave, I should be going." Gazef Stronoff put the item in a pocket at his waist.

"Don't you need to wait until nightfall before setting out?" Momonga asked.

"No. They can use spells like 'Night Vision.' Nighttime would be bad for us, but not necessarily for them. Besides... you need to know whether we've been defeated, so you can prepare." Gazef Stronoff said this without looking dejected.

"I see. No wonder you're the Kingdom's Warrior Captain. Your foresight is truly impressive. I wish you the best of luck, Warrior Captain." Momonga nodded.

"I wish you a safe journey as well, Lord Ainz," Gazef Stronoff replied.

Momonga silently watched Gazef Stronoff walk away. He hadn't wanted to accept a request like this, but Gazef's attempt to kneel before him had thrown him into a panic.

He had been an ordinary company employee, working in sales—a lowly, humble profession. Every day, he had put on a mechanical smile to please his clients. If he made even the slightest mistake, he might not be forgiven even if he prostrated himself and begged on his knees.

But if he didn't do that, the company would fire him, and his income would dry up. In the first half of his life, he had only ever knelt before others. No one had ever knelt before him.

Gazef Stronoff was highly respected in the Kingdom. Momonga could tell as much from the villagers' behavior. He didn't know how high the Warrior Captain's position was, but since he could stay by the king's side, it couldn't be low.

When someone like that knelt and begged him, Momonga had stopped him immediately, a reflex born of his past experience. Then, in his fluster, he had agreed to Gazef Stronoff's request.

Momonga regretted it a little. He had even sworn on the name of Ainz Ooal Gown, but now that the words were out, he couldn't take them back.

After Momonga agreed to Gazef Stronoff's request, the look of happiness on Gazef's face filled him with admiration. He was happy simply because a group of unfamiliar villagers would be safe.

Momonga knew he himself couldn't show such magnanimity. Out of admiration, he had given Gazef Stronoff the Swap Doll.

It was also a precaution. If Gazef Stronoff could handle the trouble, that would be ideal. But if he couldn't, Momonga could use the Swap Doll to exchange places with him.

He didn't want to get involved in trouble, but in his panic, he had sworn on the name of Ainz Ooal Gown. He didn't want to sully that name.

Nor did he want Lord Gazef Stronoff, a man with such character, to lose his life. As he spoke with him, Momonga felt an affection for him akin to what he might feel toward a small animal.

"Lord Ainz, why did you swear on such a noble name?" Albedo, dressed in black armor, asked Momonga in confusion.

"Uh..." Momonga was at a loss for words. He didn't want to tell his subordinate that he'd said it because he'd been flustered.

Momonga pondered for a moment. "Perhaps... it was because his courage in facing death deserved such admiration."

"Oh? Do you think that ant will die, Lord Ainz?" Albedo pressed.

"Well... No, I don't think that. I mean, he has the courage to face death, but that doesn't mean he'll die," Momonga said quickly.

"Huh? Are you planning to intervene, Lord Ainz? Swearing on that noble name is enough to make that ant eternally grateful. You don't need to go so far." Albedo was indignant.

"No, that's not what I mean. In any case... ahem, it's best to avoid becoming enemies with humans for now. It's also a way to gather information, so don't be so concerned about it." Momonga explained, somewhat flustered.

He didn't know why Albedo hated humans so much. It was probably because she was a heteromorph, but even though he was undead, seeing humans die horribly didn't make him feel the slightest thing.

Perhaps one day he'd become like Albedo and develop a hatred for humans. No, that wasn't necessarily going to happen. In any case, he didn't want to think about these troublesome things.

"I see. I understand, Lord Ainz." Albedo's voice was filled with boundless admiration.

"Mm."