Because of that, Gazef trusted his instincts over what Ainz had said. There was no basis or evidence for this at all. The bodies of the Sunlight Scripture were nowhere to be found, but they were not dead.
“…I don’t get it…”
The magic caster, who could annihilate without taking a scratch the opponents Gazef had lost to.
How powerful was he? At the very least, Gazef and his warrior band were no match for him.
If a being like that appeared on the battlefield and used his magic, what would happen?
Gazef once more looked at the people, filled with excitement, fear, desperation and frustration.
Between two magic casters using magic of the same tier, the stronger magic caster would naturally be able to bring forth a more powerful spell.
Then, what horrors would result if Ainz Ooal Gown was to cast a ‘Fireball’?
The fathers who had to feed their infant children, the sons who had to support their ailing parents, the youths about to be married, all these people who had left their families behind to come here.
How likely was it that they could take an attack like that?
It would be impossible, right?
Nobody could possibly survive when a great magic caster like that raised his hand to strike.
They would be incinerated by fire, frozen solid by ice, or electrocuted by lightning. That was beyond question.
Then, what about Gazef? Could he take it?
He was fairly certain he could take one hit without dying.
However, that sort of thinking might be too naïve.
“Ahhhh… why did it all turn out like this?”
Fighting against Ainz Ooal Gown was a mistake.
Gazef felt that Ainz Ooal Gown was not a monster, given the way he had saved Carne Village. Yet, at the same time, he sensed that he was no ordinary good Samaritan. The impression he had of Ainz was that he would show no mercy to those that opposed him.
What the Kingdom should have done was avoid conflict with him and treat him with politeness.
After that, he might have been amenable to selecting a different location.
As Gazef looked out on the people surrounding him, a weighty feeling in his heart, he caught sight of a white-armored youth from the corner of his vision. Along with him was a swordsman who seemed to float lightly on his feet. It was Climb and Brain.
There was a third person behind them, and they were eagerly discussing something.
“Who’s that? I feel like I’ve seen him before… ah! He’s one of the formerly orichalcum-ranked adventurers under Marquis Raeven.”
Because they were all commoners, Gazef was familiar with the former adventurer team, given that they were the ones whom the common folk pinned their hopes on. In some ways, they were his seniors, the ones who had come before him.
The paladin of the Fire God, whose job class excelled in battling evil-aligned monsters, the Evil Slayer, Boris Axelson, aged 41.
The priest of the Wind God, a warrior priest that could hold his own in combat with any fighter, Ulan Dixgort, aged 46.
The warrior who incorporated dancing swords into his four-sword style, Francen, aged 39.
The scholar who became a magician that had created several magic items bearing his name, Lundquist, aged 45.
And finally, the thief known as ‘The Unseen’, Lockmeyer, aged 40.
Gazef recalled them as he counted them off on his fingers. The one chatting idly with Climb was the thief, Lockmeyer. Speaking of which, he’d apparently worked with Climb and Brain during the demonic disturbance, helping them infiltrate enemy territory to rescue people.
They didn’t seem to have noticed Gazef, but it felt wrong to just barge in like that.
That being said, it would still be rude to not greet them at the very least. Besides, they would all be heading to the battlefield soon. Although the chances of them entering combat were low, given that they would be protecting the King, one never knew what might happen.
―It might be the last time they ever saw each other again.
If possible, he wanted to have a private chat with the two of them. As though the world was granting his wish, Lockmeyer waved to the two of them and departed.
Climb and Brain were left, laughing over something.
During the demonic disturbance in the capital, the bonds between the two of them had grown strong.
Be it as friends or disciples or companions, they had built a complex and mutually positive relationship.
And it was because of that relationship that Brain was now a comrade of Climb, a soldier under Princess Renner.
Gazef could not help regretting the fact that he had allowed a warrior who could have rivalled him to be snatched away.
However, he managed to calm down as he watched the two of them.
Gazef smiled as he approached the pair.