Magic Caster of Destroy

“Then, my request is that you not think of doing such things. Besides, what did you mean by ‘kind to you’? Was it when we met again in the Capital?”

Brain’s answer was a bitter smile.

“Don’t worry about it, I just felt like you helped me out.”

“The more you tell me not to worry about it, the more I end up worrying about it…”

In the face of this unyielding refusal, Gazef decided to change the topic.

“Ah, speaking of which, you do know I had no particular reason for bringing you here, right?”

“Eh?”

Climb spoke, but Brain merely raised an eyebrow.

“…I was just thinking that it would be good for the three of us to have a chat while we had some free time, and that this was the only place where I could take my time to talk without worrying about what others would think of me. If we were in the capital, we could have a quiet drink too.”

“What, that’s really it? I thought you had some secret orders for me…”

“No, it’s not like that. How shall I put it…”

We could die at any time on the battlefield, and this could be the last time we see each other. Yet, how could he say such inauspicious things?

“Never mind. Oh, that’s right, Climb, that armor is extraordinarily distinctive. Wouldn’t it be better to paint it a different color? As it is, you might become a priority target on the battlefield.”

“I’m sorry, Stronoff-sama, I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

Climb’s quiet refusal was delivered with an iron determination.

“When I wear this distinctive armor and achieve excellence on the battlefield, I will bring credit to Princess Renner. In addition, many of the nobles know I wear white armor. If I change its color because I fear death, I will become the butt of jokes for them, and it will reflect badly on the Princess as well. Rather than that, I would prefer to meet my fate bravely on the battlefield, and serve her in death as well as in life.”

As he looked into Climb’s eyes, Gazef swallowed the words he wanted to say.

“Princess Renner doesn’t want you to die.”

“Don’t confuse bravery and foolhardiness.”

“Endure a little hardship now for a better future.”

He had prepared all these lines beforehand, but none of them were persuasive enough to change Climb’s mind.

It was as Climb said. His armor was like Princess Renner’s flag. His heroic actions would improve her standing, and conversely, shameful actions would stain her reputation as well.

Climb had been saved by Princess Renner, and in his heart was the notion that “my life belongs to the Princess”. Gazef had no way to shake that kind of conviction.

It was the same sort of thing as his loyalty to the King, and therefore―

“I would gladly throw my life away for Princess Renner.”

Gazef had no idea how to respond to the youth who had already made up his mind.

“Oi, oi, oi. Why’re you saying this like you’re going to die at any time? Don’t worry, Gazef, I’ll keep an eye on Climb. I won’t let him do anything stupid. No matter what kind of trouble he gets into, I’ll pull him out of it.”

“If it were only the Four Knights of the Empire, there’s no question you’d win, Brain. However…

against that man, Ainz Ooal Gown… I fear even you would lose your life.”

“…Is Ainz Ooal Gown really that powerful? Ah, I remember you mentioned him before at your place.”

After the demonic disturbance, Gazef and Brain had discussed how their lives had gone ever since the grand tournament over wine. That was how Ainz' name had come up.

“I can confidently say no Imperial knight can beat you. The Four Knights, strong as they are, will be no match for you. Even if the Empire’s mightiest magic caster, Fluder Paradyne, took the field, you could probably escape if luck was with you. But against Ainz Ooal Gown-dono… Brain, I’m sorry, but your life will end there.”

“That strong, huh. How powerful is he, really?”

“…All I can say, Brain, is that he’s beyond your imagination. And then you can take whatever you imagine after that and multiply that by a few times.”

“Well, if he’s that strong… I wonder if he could stand against Sebas-sama?”

“Sebas? Is that the old man Climb was speaking of? Although that old gent does seem to be astonishingly powerful, I still feel Gown-dono would be stronger than him.”

“I find that hard to believe, personally. I honestly can’t imagine anyone could be stronger than Sebas-sama… but more importantly, why do you address an enemy with such respect?”

“He is a worthy enemy. Although, saying that would be troublesome for the King, given the person of whom I speak.”

Brain shrugged.

“You’ve done a great deal for us, Warrior-Captain-sama. Climb-kun, you’ve done your fair share for the Kingdom. As for me, I’m okay with anything. That air-headed Princess-sama is really too kind for her own good.”

Words like those suited Brain well. However, his attitude toward the royal family couldn’t be dismissed just like that.