(Formerly).
"Death Knight. Enough, "Ainz gave his order.
They slowly descended to the ground.
The remaining knights stared at Ainz and his two comrades with open mouths. They hoped for salvation, but the man responsible for everything came and his arrival ruined their hopes.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Ainz Ooal Gown. "
(Now).
All the knights stared at the tall figure of Ainz without a word.
And what can they say? After all, only a couple of minutes ago they saw a massive monster staging a massacre, and now his "master" came and stopped him.
One of the knights swallowed. His heart began to beat faster while sweating profusely. He swore to himself that if he could somehow "survive" in this situation, he would leave his servant and become a mercenary. Meanwhile, the massive figure named "Ainz" continued:
"I will save your lives. Tell your master. If you attack this village again. I will bring death and destruction to your country, and now run, save your miserable lives, or ... "
The Knights did not need to speak twice, they all rushed towards the forest.
(Thoughts of one of the knights (future mercenary)).
(God ... I was able to survive !! It's good that I managed to sheathe my sword, unlike the others. After all, we are unarmed in the forest may lie in wait for danger), thought one of the smarter knights, meanwhile slowly stopping from a long run and giving the command to stop the others.
"Why are you stopping !? What if a massive creature catches up with us now !? We need to run as soon as possible! "Said one of the knights, in whose voice there was a note of fear.
" Wait a minute! We need to take a short break, we already ran away from the village for about a couple of kilometers! So also in armor! Look at some already exhausted, what if we meet a pack of wolves, what then? So you are still without weapons, only shields! - said the smartest of all the knights to the rest.
The knights heard the suggestion of their comrade and immediately shuddered, and one of the knights already began to give a panic attack. {
{1}}
"We're all going to die! Where can we run !? Where are we at all !? And what if ... ", - the panicked knight could not continue, as his comrade approached him and hit the body of the panicked knight with his shield. He, in turn, losing his balance and slipping falls to the ground.
The knight holding the shield said:
"Calm down! We don't need panic! We need to collect our thoughts and think what to do next ... Gleb will start with you, "the man turned and looked towards the knight with a sword in a sheath.
The knight (Gleb) sighed heavily and said:
"Time is moving towards night. First of all, you need to sit down and rest for a couple of minutes, after finding the source of water, I just have the artifact , then let's get ready for the night. Questions ?, - Gleb turned to the rest of the knights.
Those, in turn, did not say anything, just nodded their heads.
"So there are no questions. Then, the command is "rest". Fulfill, "said Gleb while looking for a comfortable place to rest. The rest of the knights followed his example and also began to look for a comfortable place to rest.
Meanwhile, in the 150 - 300 meters from the knights at the top of the trees, several dark figures were watching them.
(Karn village. After the escape of the knights).
After the knights disappeared in an unknown direction towards the forest. Ainz turned his attention to the villagers. He could more clearly see the confusion and concern on their faces.
"You are already saved, don't worry."
"You, you ...", - one of the peasants, apparently their leader, spoke, but even now they continued to look at the death knight.
"I saw that the village was attacked, and we came to help.
"Ohhh ...", everyone was surprised and sighed with relief. However, not all the peasants gathered here have completely calmed down.
(What a pain. Can I change my approach?), Ainz thought, and decided to take an approach he didn't like, but before he could tell what wants, Mailena intervened.
"We are not noble knights and for your salvation. We expect a reward, but depending on your position, we can agree on something else, "said Meilena with a smile of a" businessman ".
The peasants began to look at each other and whisper softly. Meanwhile, an elderly man approached Ainz carefully and said:
"I am the headman of this village. If it doesn't bother you, can we go to my house? And we will discuss everything there ... ", - the head of the village addressed the three" people "in front of him.
" We do not see any particular problem. Then ... "Before Ainz could finish his sentence, Mailena intervened.
" Ainz sorry to interrupt you. I'll go and fetch the girls who stayed in the forest. After all, danger can happen to them, right? And you, while with our companion, go to the headman, do you think? "Mailena said with concern in her voice.
Ainz thought a little. He was going to tweak the memory of the two sisters that could cause problems ... later.
"Then come back soon, and I'll talk to the headman for now," Ainz said as he followed Albeda behind the head of the village. { {1}}
Meilena activated the
(Outskirts of Karn Village. Enri and Nemu.)
The sisters did not know how long it was. They did not dare to leave the barrier created by their savior. After all, the forest is not a small threat compared to the knights.
Suddenly the sisters noticed a woman descending from the sky and immediately began to tremble. They did not forget what the woman was going to do with them, thanks only to the compassion of the "savior" who did not demand anything in return, was able to get their favor.
Various bad thoughts began to enter Enri's head. Perhaps the woman came to convert them into slaves? The thoughts made her uneasy, but hope still lingered on her. She hoped for the barrier created by their savior, but ...
The woman walked through the barrier as if nothing had happened and said:
"Will not work.
And the next moment, Enri and Nemu fell into states of "hypnosis." Meilena began to change their memories little by little. After she finished. The sisters have not yet regained consciousness. Mailena decided to
Mailena finished the message and opened the
{ {1}} A small detachment of scouts emerged from the
"I am the leader of the reconnaissance squad - Hanzo, how can we serve you?", The squad leader asked Meilena. {{1 }}
"Not so long ago, there was a complete attack on the village, - meanwhile holding the image of the knights in his hand. - your task is to find a small detachment of "surviving" knights, they headed approximately north of the village and track them. Report to my butler Alfred. Did you understand the order?
"Exactly!" Said the squad leader and they all disappeared, using the "shunshin" from Mailen's eyes.
Mailena turned to the side sisters. She used the spell "Mass teleport" and in an instant they were in the central square of the village.
(Karn village. Central square).
On the ground, in the central square of the village, a magic circle of teleportation began to form. The villagers did not know what was going on, because they knew little about magic. Less than a minute later, the circle disappeared, instead the peasants saw two unconscious sisters and decided to approach them.
"Don't worry, they'll wake up soon, just a side effect of teleportation," she said Mailena went up to her sisters and woke them up with a snap of her fingers.
The first to wake up was Enri, who was holding onto her head with one hand, and Nemu was just starting to wake up, the villagers decided to help them.
Meanwhile, Ainz and the head of the village finished negotiations while leaving the house.
Ainz saw Mailena and said to her:
"Come on, we pay our respects to the dead."
Mailena just nodded.
(Cemetery. Near Carn village).
The burial ceremony was held at the neighboring communal cemetery. It was surrounded by a destroyed fence, and inside there were several round stone slabs with the names of people.
The headman of the village recited poetry to calm the spirits of the dead, and the words from his mouth addressed the god they never spoke of not heard in YGGDRASIL. It was a prayer for the spirits of the dead to find peace.
Ainz noticed the sisters they had saved among other villagers - Enri Emmott and Nemu Emmott. Their parents' bodies were among those that were to be buried today.
Watching the villagers from close range, he idly stroked a 30-centimeter stick under his robes.
{{ 1}} It was a
It was a magical item that could bring the dead back to life. Of course, Ainz only lacked one of these wands. He had enough to resurrect all the dead in the village, and there was still room.
According to the village headman, the magic of this world is not capable of resurrecting the dead. In that case, if he had used the rod of resurrection, he would have performed a miracle in this village. However, after the prayer ended when the burial ceremony was over, Ainz returned the wand to his inventory.
He could have brought them back to life, but Ainz decided not to. After all, this is of no use.
It was easy to say which would be more dangerous: a spellcaster who can take lives, or a spellcaster who can bring them back. In addition, the chances of the villagers keeping the secret would be very low, even if he ordered them not to talk about resurrection.
Everyone wanted the power to conquer death.
{{1} } Mailena lost herself in thought, oblivious to the burial as she had her own problems. She just now noticed a small system inscription.
This is what gave her peace. She decided to tackle this problem later and, to distract herself, turned to Ainz
The village is located near the borders of two neighboring countries - the Baharuth Empire and the Slane Theocracy. Finally, I got the head of the village to check and measure the value of our gold coins. he believes that the value of the coin is at least double the value of the common gold coins used in this country>. {{1 }} Ainz finished "He wanted to pay his respects to Ainz-sama, so I took him with me." "It is a great honor for me to meet Momonga-sama ..." {{ 1}} "No need for pleasantries. Are you from the reserve squad? " " Yes, besides me, we prepared four hundred servants to attack the village. Attack? How did it turn out like this? Ainz thought involuntarily. Sebas really has no talent for delivering messages. "... No need to attack, the problem has been resolved. Whose command are you under? " " Lady Aura and Lord Mara. Mister Demiurge and Mistress Shalltear are at the ready in Nazarick, while Mister Cocytus is patrolling the Nazarick area. "I see ... too many of us will just get in the way. All but Aura and Mara, step back. How many assassins are there? " " Fifteen. " " Then you can stay with Aura and Mare. " {{1 }} Seeing the Eight Pointed Assassin nod in gratitude, Ainz looked at the grave again. They were going to fill up the graves, and the two girls cried without stopping. In order not to interrupt the funeral, Ainz leisurely headed towards one of the roads leading to the village. Albedo, Meilena and the Death Knight followed him. Ainz wondered how he should join one of the countries only by whom? He just shook his head thinking about it like he was tired. After all, he has been using his mind continuously for the past few hours, and it has been overwhelming. "Sigh ... That's it for today, we're done here. Albedo, back. " " Understood, "she answered very tensely. Why is she so wary? After all, the danger has already passed. Only one reason came to Ainz's mind. He quietly asked: "... Do you hate people?" "I don't like them. Humans are fragile and inferior. If I crush them like insects, it will be a magnificent sight ... although those two girls are an exception. " Albedo's words were sweet as honey, but their meaning was terribly cruel ... "You know Albedo. To some extent, I do not hate them either, but one thing is to hate, and the other is not to evaluate them. Indeed, among them, there are champions who are able to defeat you. Remember this, "Meilena said with a serious tone in her voice, addressing Albedo. Meilena came up with the image of an unremarkable bald guy in a raincoat, who is heroic for fun. She immediately felt a bit uncomfortable. Albedo felt a shiver all over her body at what she said and just nodded. Ainz looked at her, he felt disappointed. Her likes or dislikes wouldn't be a problem now, but the future was a different matter. Realizing this, Ainz started looking for the village headman. It was common practice to say goodbye to someone before leaving. He almost immediately found the chief talking to some of the villagers. He had a stern expression on his face, but it didn't seem normal. Indeed, he looked rather nervous. What was happening now? Ainz approached the headman. After all, he once saved them; it meant that they were grateful to him. "Is something wrong, headman?" A glimmer of hope appeared on his face: {{1} } "Oh Mr. Ainz. It seems like people on horseback are approaching the village and they look like soldiers ... " " I see ... " The headman looked at Ainz with worried eyes like the rest of the villagers. Ainz raised his hand, telling everyone to calm down: "Leave this to us. All residents must hide in the headman's house. We will stay here. Don't worry, headman. I'll help this time for a gift. " The headman quieted down and forced himself to smile. He must have mentally prepared himself to say goodbye to his homes in order to pay for Ainz's services. He was willing to do this for the villagers who believe in him. After a while, several horsemen appeared on the road and slowly marched into the square. "What are they like them?" Ainz was puzzled. The previous knights had the symbol of the Empire on their armor, and they wore a full set of armor and were armed with the appropriate swords. But these riders, while wearing armor, do not have a distinctive uniform. Some wore leather armor, and some wore no armor at all, only chain mail. Some wore helmets, others not. They had only one thing in common - the face was open. They all had similar swords, but some still had a bow, or maybe a pistol, a mace, and some other spare weapon. The riders finally came out to the square. Of all the others, a man stepped forward. The man seemed to be the leader of the horsemen. He looked like the most cruel and lovable of his people. He looked around long enough, but when he realized that the other side was not moving, he suddenly glared at Ainz. {{1} } After examining the surroundings, the captain spoke in an impressive voice: "... I am the warrior-captain of the Kingdom of Re - Estiz, Gazef Stronoff. By order of the King, I came with a punitive squad to fight against the knights of the Empire and now I am patrolling the surrounding villages. "