He went a bit overboard.
With Albedo by his side, Ainz can’t act too weakly. A master has to look the part before his underlings. Even though this time he went a bit overboard, but he still did his best playing the role of a master.
He didn’t know whether he made the grade, but it’s fine if he didn’t let Albedo down.
Ainz couldn’t see Albedo’s “no good, Ainz is too cool. Fufufu” expression under her helmet, so he didn’t know what she was thinking. He reviewed the day’s activity.
“But Ainz-sama, why did you save Gazef?”
Why? Ainz can’t explain what he felt back then, so he tried to dance around the issue:
“We started this trouble, so we should be the one settling it right?”
“Then why did we gift him that item?”
“This is for the schemes in the future, we will benefit if he took that with him.”
The item Ainz gifted to Gazef was a YGGDRASIL cash items, which he possessed in great number. He might not be able to replenish his stocks, but it’s not a big loss giving it to Gazef.
Ainz was happy that the number of those items had decreased anyway.
Because that consolation prize from a 500 yen capsule vending machine reminded Ainz of his wasteful and impoverished days. After countless tries he finally got the super rare item from the machine, but his comrade from the past, Yamaiko, got it on her first try. The impact still left some trauma in Ainz’s heart.
Ainz had thought of throwing the consolation prize away countless times, but once he remembered that it cost 500 yen… He couldn't do it.
“It wouldn’t hurt me no matter where that item goes or if it will ever be used.”
“… Letting me handle it would be the best way right? Ainz-sama, you don’t need to act personally to aid these lowly creatures… The people that were encircling Gazef were no big deal, that was why I proposed that Ainz-sama need not to act in person.”
“I see…”
Ainz who didn’t have a power scouter can only answer that way.
In YGGDRASIL, it was possible to judge the strength of an enemy based on the color of their names. After that, you can only rely on information from comrades and online guides to determine their power level.
Ainz couldn’t help but felt nostalgia.
If only he leveled a bit in Information oriented magic — Ainz felt some regret. Of course, there was no telling if the spells can be used here or not, but if it could, he wouldn’t need to be so cautious.
There was no point lamenting over things he doesn’t have, Ainz decided to change the mood:
“… I know Albedo’s strength and I trust you. But I want you to abandon such naive thoughts, and keep in mind that an enemy stronger than me might turn up at any time. Especially now, as we are not familiar with the world, we need to be even more careful… That’s why I let Gazef work for us.”
“I understand now… He is a pawn used to judge how strong an enemy is. This role really suits the lowly human race.”
He couldn’t tell the emotions from her beneath her helmeted head, but her voice was cheerful like a flower in full bloom.
As a former human who is now an undead, Ainz had been feeling for some time now that Albedo seemed to dislike humans. But Ainz wasn’t sad or lonely over this. He thought it was only right for the alien races of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick to harbor such thoughts.
“… That’s right. But not just that. People who were in mortal danger would be more grateful to their saviour. And the enemies were a special unit, the higher ups in the country wouldn’t openly cause trouble over their disappearance. That’s why I interfered.”
“Ah… As expected of Ainz-sama, having such foresight before capturing these people, impressive!”
Ainz felt proud listening to Albedo’s praise. To think of such a logical plan without contradiction in such a short time, he might have the innate talent to be an overlord. But the moody voice of Albedo reaches Ainz’s ears:
“… But Ainz-sama, there was no need for you to take the hit of the angel’s sword with your esteemed body right?”
“Is that so? When we came to Carne Village, we had verified through the knights outside the village that high grade physical attack immunity was working normally.”
“Yes, you are right. I saw it with my own eyes too. But I can’t allow those lowly angels to pierce Ainz-sama’s body with their swords.”
“I see. You are protecting me as a shield, but I didn’t think about it from your perspective. I am really sor一”
“Even if I know you wouldn’t be harmed, no woman can bear seeing blades stabbing the body of the ones they love.”
Ainz didn’t know how to respond in this situation and quietly ignored it, continuing on towards the village. Albedo didn’t press for an answer and followed quietly.
The moment the duo entered the village, the death knight and the villagers encircled them.
Accepting the gratitude and praises of the all the villagers, Ainz saw the figure of Gazef among them.
“Oh, Sir Knight-Captain, I’m glad that you are okay. I should have went in earlier, but the item I gave you took some time to activate, I am sorry that I almost didn’t make it in time.”
“No need to worry, I am very grateful to you sir. I am safe thanks to you… That’s right, what happened to those guys?”
Noticing Gazef’s tone change, Ainz spied on him nonchalantly.
Gazef took off his armor and didn’t equip any weapon.
His face was bruised with half of it swollen, looking like a misshapen ball. But his eyes were still full of life.
Ainz shifted his gaze to look at something shining, his sights falling on the ring worn on Gazef’s left ring finger.
He was married. It’s great that his wife won’t have to grief. Ainz thought as he carefully began his act.
“Well, I chased them away. I couldn’t finish them all off.”
This was a lie, all of them were sent to Nazarick grand underground Tomb. Gazef squint his eyes for a moment, and the two of them stayed silent. A tense air lingered between them.
The one who broke the silence was Gazef:
“That was amazing, I don’t know how to repay Master Gown’s aid. Do visit my residence if you come to the imperial capital, I will give you a grand welcome.”
“I see… I will trouble you then.”
“… Master Gown, I don’t know what plans you have, but would you be willing to journey with us? We will be resting in this village for some time.”
“I see. I am planning to leave, but my destination isn’t set yet.”
“It’s already late, to travel now is a bit…”
Gazef paused at this point of the conversation:
“My apologies, this is unnecessary worries for a powerful man like Master Gown. If you drop by the imperial capital, please pay me a visit, my doors will always be open for you. Other than that, I am thankful for you giving me a set of equipment from the knights attacking the village.”
Ainz nodded and judged that the things he needed to do in this village were done. Unexpected events kept on popping up, it felt like he had overstayed his welcome.
“Let’s return, Albedo.”
Ainz spoke in a soft volume only Albedo can hear. She nodded happily immediately while still wearing full body armor.
Chapter 6
Epilogue