civilwarnovels Chapter 510 The King of the Undead!
Chapter 510 The King of the Undead!
Chapter 510 The King of the Undead!
"Be my subordinate."
Gazef's eyes widened at these words. Brain and Climb also pursed their lips. They obviously had not expected that such a powerful magic caster would actually say such a thing to them.
"As long as you are willing to be my subordinate——"
Ainz snapped his fingers.
Without considering how a skeleton could snap its fingers, the important thing was that after Ainz snapped his fingers, the Dark Young that were destroying everything in their path stopped all movement, and the strange posture of them raising their feet and stopping in mid-air looked a bit like statues.
"This is temporary. It depends on how you answer. If you refuse, I don't need to tell you the consequences, right?"
——You don’t want the king you are loyal to to die.
This message is revealed between the lines.
Gazef was shocked. He didn't understand why a powerful figure like Ainz, who commanded such a mighty army, would want him. There must be a reason.
"What's the matter, Stronov, be my subordinate."
Ainz stretched out his bony hand.
Just holding that hand could save many lives.
Gazef’s heart wavered.
However, he could not hold that hand.
This was a wrong decision, and if he asked one hundred people, they would call him a fool, but Gazef could not betray the kingdom.
He shook his head firmly.
"I am the sword of the kingdom. I cannot give in on this matter, as I am betting on the favor the kingdom has shown me."
"Even if doing so would lead to more deaths, you still won't do that? You risked your own life to save the village of Kahn, but a man like you chose to watch them die without helping?"
Gazef felt as if his heart was being cut by a knife.
Even so, he could not hold Ainz's hand, and could not betray the kingdom.
This is his loyalty.
“So… what about you?” Ainz looked at Xiaolin again. “I admire you very much, even more than Stronoff. If you come here, I can also stop those black goats.”
Gazef, Brain, and Climb all looked at Lin.
It was expected that he would be appreciated by his enemies. After all, even the three of them had to admit the potential of this man.
Lin scratched his head: "Are you serious? Are you sure you are admiring me and not angry? I killed one of your summons."
“That’s why I appreciate it!”
Ainz laughed heartily and said generously, "The Black Young is an insignificant addition to me, but it is a chasm that humans can never cross. Yet you did it! So I admire you! Come and be my subordinate, and your magic will become even stronger than it is now!"
"Even if it's faith magic?"
"Even if it's faith magic."
"Is that so? Even if it's an opposing magic, it can make me stronger. It seems like there's really nothing I can do..."
Lin sighed slightly, and then, to everyone’s surprise, he made a strange gesture and even pointed at Ainz and said, “But I refuse! I love to say no to self-righteous people the most!”
Pointing at someone is undoubtedly an offensive act.
Ainz remained silent.
As expected, it is not possible to win him over so easily.
Before the war, Ainz discussed this matter with Demiurge, asking if he could take this opportunity to win over the other party. The result was just as Demiurge said - impossible.
The despair given to the opponent now is not enough, or it has not threatened the opponent's weak spot.
Rather than forcing the other party to surrender, it is easier to kill him, revive him and change his race.
Ainz was tempted, but he didn’t do it.
Even if it was to change race, he hoped that the change would be made with the other party's consent, rather than by brute force and threats. This was his last bit of kindness towards his fellow countryman, Kobayashi.
It doesn't matter whether it's suitable or not.
In the game, races are races, professions are professions, and even the vampire Shalltear has the LV10 priest profession.
No, there's no point in thinking so much now.
Ainz was silent for a long time, and Brain and Kram were extremely alert.
It would be normal for such a strong man to get angry and lose his temper after being rejected twice in a row, but Ainz just shrugged.
"So--"
Gazef stopped Ainz from continuing and pointed the tip of the Razor Blade at him.
"--how?"
Ainz saw the tip of the sword trembling. It was not because of injury or fear that it could not hold on, but because it was trembling with shame for what it was about to do. But even so, Gazef still burst out with fighting spirit.
"Sir Gong, please forgive me for being disrespectful to you, my benefactor. I hope to fight you in single combat."
Ainz’s face was a skeleton without skin or flesh, so his expression was unreadable and it was impossible to read his thoughts. However, Gazef had a feeling that he was too surprised to speak. Brain and Climb seemed to have the same idea, and they could clearly feel the hesitation without making a sound.
"……Are you serious?"
"of course."
"You're going to die."
"As you can imagine."
"I didn't intend to kill you even though I knew you were going to die... Do you have suicidal tendencies?"
"I thought I didn't."
His repeated kind words of advice were not accepted, and even though he admired him, Ainz became a little angry. His scarlet eyes glowed brightly in his pale eye sockets.
"I don't understand what you are thinking. If you have a chance of winning, I can understand, but you seem to think you will definitely lose. ...Have you lost your normal judgment?"
"The enemy leader is right before our eyes, within the reach of our swords. Isn't it natural to try to take his head?"
"Indeed, the physical distance is very close. But..."
With a whoosh, the Dark Young standing behind Ainz swung its tentacles, punching a large hole in the ground next to Gazef. Even with Gazef's dynamic vision, he couldn't see the tentacles' movements clearly. Lin Ke could easily dodge them.
"From what I see, there seems to be an overwhelming gap between us. You can't even defeat my summon."
Ainz exudes the arrogance of an absolutely powerful man.
He has this qualification.
"So, what about me?"
"Forest?"
"Master Lin?"
Lin broke free from the support of Brain and Climb and slowly straightened his back.
At this moment, his complexion was rosy and his magic power was full. He did not look at all like he was listless after using his ultimate move.
"Lin, you..."
"Don't worry. I don't know why, but I'm in an unusually good state right now. No, it's even a little abnormally good."
It doesn't look like he's forcing himself.
Ainz was also surprised, and secretly used magic to detect, and found that Lin's magic power was constantly rising. Although it was far from his level, it was slowly rising without any sign of stopping.
“Gazef, I’ll take charge here…”
"No. I'll do it. I originally thought it was a useless sacrifice, but now it seems to be meaningful."
Gazef stopped Lin.
This is by no means a show of strength or a self-destructive tendency.
He wanted to leave seeds for Lin.
Just because Ainz Ooal Gown is a skeleton.
In the kingdom... no, among the people he knew, no one was more proficient in faith magic than Lin, not even the captain of Blue Rose, the priest warrior of the fine steel-level adventurer. If he had to place his hopes on someone, it would undoubtedly be Lin.
So even if the seed is very small, he will give it a try!
Being consulted with by others will naturally cause resentment.
Ainz said in a deep voice, “Don’t push your luck, the two of you! Are you so arrogant just because I said I wouldn’t kill you?”
“That’s not my intention at all. I just want to do my duty as the Kingdom’s Warrior Captain.” Gazef laughed heartily. “Besides, Lin is more useful alive than I am.”
This is true.
Instead, Ainz should thank Gazef for taking the initiative to stop Lin, otherwise it would be difficult for him to deal with him. After all, it would be difficult to kill him, and it would be difficult not to kill him.
"If you want to deal with me, I will kill you without mercy and will never hold back."
"I think so too."
"I see... I've said so much, but I still can't change your mind. It's a pity. As a collector, I feel bad to kill off rare characters."
Gazef had no intention of retreating.
This was a golden opportunity. First of all, Ainz, who led so many subordinates, was standing alone in front of him without any followers. And because of his pride as a strong man, he had no intention of using the young goat standing behind him.
There won't be a second chance like this.
The other person is standing at a height that is beyond his reach, but this moment is the moment when he is most likely to touch him.
The next time they meet, Ainz will probably be like a magic caster who is not good at close combat, and will be surrounded by guards. It is best not to think that he will stand within the reach of his sword again, so Gazef proposed a duel.
Of course, the most important thing is——
I hope this battle will leave some inspiration for Lin and sow the seeds of victory for future battles.
Then, Gazef made a formal declaration of battle.
“Your Excellency, Sorcerer King Ainz Ooal Gown! I am the warrior-captain of the Kingdom of Re-Estize, and my name is Gazef Stronoff! I challenge you to a duel!”
“Gazef!”
"Captain Warrior..."
Brain and Climb seemed unable to bear it any longer and screamed and groaned.
However, Gazef did not care and said, “If you are willing to accept, Your Excellency the Sorcerer King, I would like to appoint these three as witnesses of the duel.”
Ainz shrugged.
Gazef understood that he meant to leave it to his own convenience.
“Wait, wait! Wait a minute! Gazef! I am willing to die with you at any time! I will not let you go alone! Your Excellency the Sorcerer King! Please! I know this is shameless, but I beg you sincerely! Please fight both of us at the same time. This should not be difficult for you!”
"Brian, do you want to insult my consciousness as a warrior?!"
Brian had the resolve of a warrior, and so did Gazef. He would rather die himself than let others die with him.
Not only Lin, but also Brian and Clem will be seeds.
Even though the hope was slim, he would stay for the kingdom!
"How about this, Mr. Stronoff? I can deal with both of you at once."
"No need. I will fight you alone. The three people over there don't need to take action."
The red light in the hollow eye sockets of Ainz’s skull bloomed.
“I see. I’ve seen this look in your eyes before. It’s the will of a person who is determined to move forward even at the risk of his life. It’s a strong look that I admire.” Ainz said like a human being, “Okay, I accept your proposal. I will duel with Lord Stronoff.”
Blaine's knees weakened and he fell to his knees.
No expression can be seen, but drops of water continue to fall onto the reddish-brown land.
Climb also had a sad expression on his face.
Ainz said kindly, “I will return your body to you intact, and you can use resurrection magic…”
"No need. I don't want to be resurrected, and it doesn't matter if I leave the body here."
Gazef's words left both parties speechless.
He didn't think there was anything wrong with resurrection magic, he just didn't like it.
He cannot be resurrected either.
Just as Lin knew that giving up the fortress city would result in the loss of the eldest prince, in order to ease the relationship with Ainz Ooal Gown, the kingdom's warrior captain must also die here.
and……
Just consider it as a punishment for him, a punishment for his former benefactor by turning his sword against him.
"Well, let's get started..."
Ainz moved away from Gazef step by step, as if he was measuring the distance.
"If the relative distance is five meters, that's about it. And then... there's no countdown, so we need a signal. That priest, give the signal to start the battle."
This task was given to Lin.
Gazef nodded to Lin, suggesting that he could choose his own pace, as long as he could see the upcoming battle clearly.
Lin sighed slightly.
"Then, use my magic as a signal."
The duel concerning the life and death of the kingdom was decided in this simple way.
Gazef raised his sword to the middle and let strength surge through his body.
From Climb’s perspective, Gazef’s body seemed to have expanded. The overwhelming sword energy and the extremely familiar posture made him look so powerful.
"——Mortal Sword?!"
Climb’s heart skipped a beat.
Yes, this move is not exclusive to him, and it was even taught to him by Lin. Even if Gazef has never used it, it doesn't mean he can't use it, right? Rather, now is the time to use it.
Will the outcome be decided by one strike?
Brian clenched his hands into fists.
He had seen this move when fighting with Climb, and knew it was the first and last killer move. At that time, even he was forced back by Climb.
If the stronger Gazef were to use it, maybe it would actually work!
"Then, start a fire."
A ball of fire emerged from Lin's palm, shot into the sky and exploded with a bang.
Gazef concentrated his nerves to the limit, stepped on the ground, mobilized all his strength, and prepared to step into the enemy's arms at an incredible speed.
Climb and Brain opened their eyes wide without blinking.
however--
Before anything else, the world stood still.
"I see... We can't do this without a time plan."
Using magic to instantly stop time, Gazef stood in front of Ainz with his sword raised above his head.
During the period when time stops, all attacks will be ineffective.
Even if Ainz used magic to attack Gazef now, he would not be able to inflict any damage, so Ainz calculated the time and used magic.
"Magic delay, true death."
He was using ninth-level magic.
"...Goodbye, Stronov. I quite like you."
The magic came into contact, and the world resumed the flow of time. And the magic took effect before anything else.
——Gazef slowly fell down.
"what?"
"What……?"
Brain and Climb had no idea what was happening, because just as they saw Gazef about to step into the arms of his enemy, he suddenly fell down.
Ainz caught Gazef’s body.
The sword fell limply to the ground.
The outcome was already decided, but they had no idea what was going on.
"What exactly is..."
"How could I know!"
Brain yelled at Gazef to get up quickly, but Ainz told him in a cold voice that Gazef was already dead.
Only then did he have to accept this cruel reality.
What kind of mortal sword is this? It didn't even touch the opponent!
"I'll return his body to you after I've made up his body."
"No, don't bother. We can take Gazef back by ourselves. You don't need to worry about it."
"That's it."
Ainz quickly stood up and said to Lin, "You should understand now. You cannot defeat me. Submit to me."
Lin lowered his head slightly and couldn't see his expression clearly.
"I, actually wanted to ask you before those monsters came out, what do you regard life as. Now, can you tell me?"
"........."
Ainz did not answer.
But silence is the best answer.
“Really? That’s how it is.” Lin slowly took over Gazef’s body and said, “I admit it. You are the true King of the Undead.”
“The King of the Undead? ...Hehe, hahaha, hahahaha—”
Ainz suddenly laughed, seeming to be very pleased with Lin's address.
As expected, only Lin - who is also a time traveler - can understand him. The title given by the people in the Great Tomb is really awkward.
"Very good! Very good! From today on, I am the king of the undead!"
"Then, Undead King, I declare this time too. I am the only one who can defeat you!"
"...Okay, I'll wait for that day!"
The two agreed on this.
(End of this chapter)