Just as Tsukasa and Ainz Ooal Gown were wary of each other and didn't know how to speak, the Village Chief of Kain Village braced himself and stepped forward, saying to Ainz Ooal Gown, "Th-thank you very much for your life-saving grace, benefactor. May I ask who you are...?"
"I am a Magic Caster living in seclusion nearby to practice. Seeing someone attacking this village, I came specifically to help." When Ainz Ooal Gown spoke to the Village Chief, he also paid attention to the Sword Saint's expression. Unfortunately, he couldn't see anything from that expressionless face.
Ainz Ooal Gown felt nervous, only daring to speak each word after careful consideration.
"Oh, oh..."
Hearing Ainz Ooal Gown confirm he came to help, the villagers suddenly cheered in surprise. Although the Death Knight behind Ainz Ooal Gown was very frightening, the villagers felt incredibly reassured at this moment because a powerful Magic Caster had come to their aid. However, after the cheering, the Village Chief and some villagers looked at Ainz Ooal Gown with some hesitation. They weren't worried that Ainz Ooal Gown wasn't strong enough to protect the village, nor were they questioning if he was a bad person; they simply felt that their Kain Village had no value worthy of Ainz Ooal Gown's help. They worried that Ainz Ooal Gown would soon abandon them and leave, fearing the knights who had just fled would return for revenge.
At this time, some villagers looked at the young girl dressed in neutral clothing. Although this thought was disrespectful to their savior Ainz Ooal Gown, in the eyes of some villagers, this Imperial Sword Saint appeared even more reliable. Moreover, they remembered what the Imperial Sword Saint had said before—that those Imperial Knights were impostors, and the Imperial Sword Saint had come specifically to deal with this matter. Compared to Ainz Ooal Gown, who might just be passing through and could leave them behind, the Imperial Sword Saint might be able to resolve the issue from its root.
Of course, they would have the idea that an Imperial Sword Saint is more reliable than Ainz Ooal Gown, but the above were actually just excuses. The reason they mistrusted Ainz Ooal Gown so much was simply because he hid his identity, acted in a suspicious and secretive manner, and was a Magic Caster of Necromancy Magic who controlled the Undead. The reputation of Necromancy Magic in this world was also very poor; even if Ainz Ooal Gown appeared in the image of a savior, it would be difficult to gain the trust of the villagers.
Ainz Ooal Gown could naturally see the distrust in the eyes of these villagers. Although it was a bit annoying, he also knew this was the influence brought by the Death Knight's brutal game just now. Even if those knights were villains attacking Kain Village, the Death Knight was clearly a more evil and ferocious existence, whether in appearance or its previous actions. It was normal for the villagers to be wary of them. However, even if he could understand it, being annoyed was still being annoyed. Especially when he saw the expectant looks those villagers gave the Imperial Sword Saint, it made Ainz Ooal Gown feel as sour as if he had eaten a lemon. These shallow, ignorant people who only looked at faces reminded him of some unpleasant experiences back when he first entered the game.
Thus, Ainz Ooal Gown spoke in a cold voice: "Although I have come to save you, none of this is free. Depending on how many villagers survived, I will collect a reward equivalent to the value of those people. However, since I am collecting a reward, I will guarantee your safety. In this world, no one can kill the person I, Ainz Ooal Gown, wish to protect."
So majestic and overbearing; is this the Demon King?
Beside him, Tsukasa felt quite shaken hearing Ainz Ooal Gown's declaration. At the very least, she could absolutely never say such words. Because the waters of every world were too deep, she could not give such a promise.
But the Demon King was just that confident. Perhaps the Demon King was not the strongest in this world, but he was truly a king. Knowing full well that those knights earlier were coming for him, he didn't care in the slightest and even had the confidence to guarantee the safety of Kain Village.
As for the Demon King's claim that this wasn't free and required a reward, there was no need to take it seriously. Because the Demon King was merely using this method to soothe the villagers' emotions.
The possibility of the villagers being unable to pay the reward definitely didn't exist, because the Demon King would surely propose a reward that these villagers could afford.
Facts proved that Ainz Ooal Gown's methods were very effective. When he finished speaking, although the Village Chief looked troubled, his expression was clearly one of relief. Seeing that the Sword Saint had no intention of helping them, those villagers also cut off their previous thoughts.
Even though Ainz Ooal Gown was a Magic Caster who used Necromancy Magic and acted exceptionally mysterious, he was, after all, their savior. Now he had also promised to guarantee the safety of Kain Village, even if it wasn't free. However, the requirement for a reward further proved that this benefactor, Ainz Ooal Gown, was a trustworthy Magic Caster.
The Village Chief said, "Yes, we are willing to pay the reward, but given the village's current situation—"
Ainz Ooal Gown raised a hand to stop the Village Chief from continuing.
"We can discuss that later. Before I came here, I saved a pair of sisters. I will go bring the two of them over first; can you wait for me a moment?"
He had to ask those two sisters to keep it a secret; he couldn't let them leak his true face.
Without waiting for the villagers to react, Ainz Ooal Gown walked away on his own, leaving Albedo behind to keep the Sword Saint in check.
If the Sword Saint were worried about the safety of these villagers, she would not feel at ease letting Albedo stay here alone.
But if the Sword Saint didn't care about the safety of these villagers and insisted on following him to investigate his background—then even if he had to pay a certain price, he would likely have to find a way to eliminate the Sword Saint. While talking to the villagers just now, Ainz had already used the [Message] skill to contact the other Guardians in Nazarick, telling them to be ready for battle at any time, as he might return to Nazarick with an incredibly powerful opponent.
Furthermore, he specifically mentioned to the Guardians of Nazarick that the opponent might possess the World Champion class of one of the Supreme Beings (Players), Touch Me.
However, as Ainz Ooal Gown walked step by step with a nervous heart, he noticed that the Sword Saint had no intention of following. He cheered in his heart that he had gambled correctly; that Sword Saint indeed cared about the safety of the Kain Village villagers. It might be out of a sense of justice, but it was more likely to maintain the image of that Empire.
After all, if the villagers were killed, the Empire would certainly be unable to clear itself of suspicion in this matter. Thinking of this, Ainz Ooal Gown's mood relaxed significantly. Next, he only needed to get those two sisters to keep his true face a secret, and he would be fine for the time being.
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