Ainz Ooal
Gown heard the Sword Saint call him out and felt embarrassed to keep hiding. Moreover, he had indeed promised to protect Kain Village's safety and had already taken the payment. If he went back on his word now, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself. After all, that was a promise made using the significant name 'Ainz Ooal Gown'! Furthermore, judging from the conversation between the Warrior Chief and the Sword Saint, the Slane Theocracy seemed even more powerful than the information he had just gathered from the Village Head, with a status seemingly above the Kingdom and the Empire.
Therefore, if he wanted to get more information, those soldiers from the Theocracy outside would be the best subjects for interrogation. However, he would have to find a way to capture that group of soldiers. Additionally, he needed to test the strength of those Theocracy soldiers. After all, they were targets that both the Sword Saint and the Warrior Chief were wary of; they might be very troublesome, so it was truly not wise to rush in blindly.
The Warrior Chief saw a Magic Caster wearing a peculiar black robe and adorned with numerous pieces of magic equipment walking out of the village. Behind him followed a beautiful attendant wearing armor equivalent to a God-tier item. This luxurious lineup made the Warrior Chief highly suspicious of their identities and origins.
Could this also be some expert from the Empire? But looking at the distance between the two, they didn't seem like companions. From the distance between them, he could see that the Sword Saint and this Magic Caster were mutually wary of each other, prepared for the other to suddenly strike at any moment. In other words, was this a Magic Caster whose strength was not inferior to that Sword Saint? The Warrior Chief felt some shock and unease in his heart; for such a person to suddenly appear in the Kingdom at this time, he truly didn't know if it was a good or bad thing.
"And you are...?"
"Ainz Ooal Gown," Ainz Ooal Gown introduced himself simply, "a Magic Caster."
"A traveler?"
"That's right. I happened to be passing by and saved this village. I have also promised to ensure this village's safety, so the Warrior Chief need not worry about Kain Village's security." The confidence in Ainz Ooal Gown's words made the Warrior Chief feel some admiration. To dare make such a guarantee in the face of the Slane Theocracy's threat showed that this Magic Caster truly possessed great strength.
Moreover, the aura of mana emanating from him and that high-level magic equipment made it even harder to doubt the credibility of his words.
"I am very grateful to Your Excellency for your assistance."
"No need. I have already received the appropriate compensation from the Village Head. This is merely a transaction."
"Could it be that Your Excellency is also an Adventurer?"
"An Adventurer... I suppose so."
Ainz Ooal Gown had already guessed what the Warrior Chief was going to say next and felt somewhat impatient.
"Then, could I ask Your Excellency to help repel the Theocracy? I will pay the corresponding reward!"
The Warrior Chief was full of expectation.
Although this request was very rude, if this Magic Caster were truly an Adventurer with no allegiance, then theoretically, as long as he could afford the payment, he could invite this Magic Caster to help.
Beside them, Tsukasa couldn't help but shake her head upon hearing the Warrior Chief's unreasonable request. This guy had no discernment at all; couldn't he see how ominous the mana on this Demon King was?
That terrifying aura was clearly an Undead skill. Even if this Demon King used a mask to hide his true face, he clearly wasn't human. Besides, even if this Demon King were truly an Adventurer, do you have the payment to hire such a figure? As for why the Village Head could afford it? That was because the Demon King did it on purpose.
Ainz Ooal Gown shared a similar view to Tsukasa; he felt the Warrior Chief's request was far too presumptuous.
Moreover, he looked at the Warrior Chief's meager equipment. Even if the man might have rare items that could hide his level, it still wouldn't move him. After all, he was originally a heavy pay-to-win player; if he lacked anything, it wasn't rare items and equipment—his private storage was still filled with a large number of rare items with similar effects.
So he shook his head in refusal because the Warrior Chief simply couldn't afford the price. Furthermore, after walking up to the Warrior Chief, he found that Albedo's previous judgment was not wrong: this Warrior Chief was indeed just a weak warrior. No wonder he seemed to lack confidence when talking to the Sword Saint earlier; the strength between the two was simply on a different dimension.
He just didn't know how such a person could be as famous as the Sword Saint, or was there a second Warrior Chief in the Kingdom? No, the Village Head was talking about this Warrior Chief earlier; it was confirmed by the name. It seemed the Re-Estize Kingdom might be the weakest nation among the surrounding countries.
"I see. I have been presumptuous."
The Warrior Chief's mood was a bit dejected, but he quickly adjusted. It seemed he had also expected his request to be rejected.
This performance made Ainz Ooal Gown's evaluation of him rise slightly. This man was not stupid; he just knew the enemy was powerful, so he didn't want to miss even a slim chance. However, he was somewhat curious about the Warrior Chief's next move. Since Ainz Ooal Gown had already promised to protect Kain Village, the Warrior Chief could simply leave and let him deal with the enemies.
But doing so would be equivalent to abandoning Kain Village. After all, no one could guarantee that he, this Magic Caster, would definitely be able to repel the Theocracy's attack.
If he failed, the enemy would not show mercy to Kain Village. As for the Empire's Sword Saint, she had even less
of an obligation to protect Kain Village.
"What do you plan to do next?"
"Their target is me."
"Do you intend to face them bravely?"
"Lord Ainz, please protect the villagers' safety. Although I have nothing to give you right now, if I survive, I will definitely provide a reward that satisfies you. I know this is a lot to ask, but I beg of you."
"I've said it already. I have already received the appropriate reward from the Village Head. I guarantee the safety of Kain Village in the name of Ainz Ooal Gown. Even if you choose to retreat now, I will protect them."
"Thank you. This way, I have no more worries." After Gazef said this, he left with his subordinates, completely losing his previous hesitation. He was a man of great resolve.
Likewise.
He was also very foolish.
The Theocracy's forces were several times their number.
Moreover, their mental state was far better than those who had just undergone a long journey. It could be said that this was a battle where the outcome could be seen before it even began.
It's a pity. If there were a chance, he wouldn't mind saving this man. Ainz Ooal Gown glanced at the nearby Empire's Sword Saint. If she weren't here, he might have helped that Warrior Chief. But with her here, his actions had to be extremely cautious. Although it was a bit regrettable to see such a man die, it was a helpless matter. Besides, he didn't actually find it that much of a pity; after all, he had no friendship with that Warrior Chief.
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