Magic Caster of Destroy

That was why he was ashamed of himself; for abandoning the young swordsmen to serve the King, and because he was called a good man even though his deeds were not all that amazing.

No, I shouldn’t feel ashamed. If I have the time to do that, I should―

“―Ah, never mind, I’ll leave it at that. Since you’ve been so kind as to point out Climb’s weaknesses in front of me, I’ll do my best to beat them out of him.”

“Thank you, Gazef-sama.”

“…Would you mind not being so formal? You serve the royal family like I do ― that makes you my subordinate. Even so, I have not guided you, and have instead passed that job to someone else. You need not thank someone like that.”

The more Climb thanked him, the guiltier he felt.

“Isn’t that a pain in the ass, being someone with a foot in noble society. People drag you back for pointless things, and you can’t even do the things you want.”

“Since you’re Climb’s comrade, protecting Princess Renner alongside him, doesn’t that make you one of those people as well?”

“I’m not nearly as tight-assed as they are. Being that princess-dono’s flunky or… no. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Being the Princess’ guard is only a temporary thing. Once I’m tired of it, I’ll move on.”

Brain smiled, his expression as cool and clear as the autumn sky. The rain-drenched wreck of a human being Gazef had seen in the capital was nowhere to be seen.

He was envious of how Brain could live in such a free-spirited way.

“Come to think of it, is it alright for you to chat idly with us, Gazef-sama?”

“Well, I’m actually kind of busy right now. I just wanted to take a break… say, are you two free?”

Brain and Climb looked at each other in response to Gazef’s question.

“Free… huh.”

“Yeah, I guess. Don’t have much that needs doing, just prepping my wargear.”

“Then, I hope you… right,” Gazef said as he looked to one of the watchtowers on the city walls.

“Want to head over there?”

Nobody refused, and Gazef led the way.

As the Warrior-Captain, no soldier stopped him. In this way, they made it to the place Gazef had in mind, the place with the best view in the city.

E-Rantel’s outermost walls were the highest point in the city Which was to say, they had the best scenery and one could see furthest from there.

And because the air warmed by the many bodies below them did not reach this place, the cool, fresh air brought by the winter wind refreshed their bodies.

“What a great view!”

Climb exclaimed in heartfelt delight as he looked toward the southeast.

“These are the Kattse Plains, right?”

“Correct. They’re shrouded in mist all year round, and the undead wander around there. In a few days, it’ll be our battlefield as well.”

After answering, Gazef took a deep breath and then let it out forcefully. The fresh air filled his body, and he hoped it would drive out the uneasy feelings he had about Ainz Ooal Gown.

“This is a magnificent view. It was worth becoming the princess’ subordinate for this. Is this what magicians who can use the ‘Flight’ spell see all the time? No wonder they have so many crazy people among them.”

“Do you think their perspective changed after seeing the wide world?”

“I doubt it. Why don’t you bring a few nobles up here and see it if works? If they don’t change their tune, we’ll chuck them off the side of the wall. Either way, it all works out.”

Gazef smiled wryly at Brain’s joke. If people could be changed this way, he would drag them over in chains if need be.

Climb looked like he did not know how to respond, which made Gazef feel better.

“Ha… Coming here with you guys was the right thing to do. I feel relieved now.”

“Well, that’s good to hear. Then… why did you call us out here? Are you sure nobody’s watching us? Don’t tell me you gathered three strapping men together just to look at the scenery? Or is there someone you want dead?”

Brain’s sudden surge of aggression perturbed Gazef.

“Well, I guess I won’t be able to protect the Princess and it’ll be a shame to not be able to train Climb any more… but Gazef, I owe you. I’ll do any dirty deed you want with a smile on my face.”

Brain wasn’t kidding. The look in his eyes was serious.

“It’s nothing like that, Brain. I don’t want you to do that sort of thing.”

“…You do know my hands aren’t exactly spotless, right?”

“Indeed, they aren’t. Brain, your sword was quenched in blood. However, so was mine.”

“In your case, it was the blood of the Kingdom’s enemies, right? I’m the result of my own desires, and the blood I’ve shed is nothing like yours.”

“…Are you trying to atone for your sins?”

“No, nothing like that. I’ve done all sorts of things to beat you. I dedicated my life to it. But even after finding out that the goal I’ve been working toward is nothing special, I don’t feel any guilt for what I’ve done. But because you were kind to me, I want to return the favor. That’s all there is ―

don’t think too much about it.”