The Sunlight Scripture's troops had surrounded Carne Village. Gazef Stronoff knew these people were after him, but he didn't want to surrender without a fight. Even ants know to struggle, let alone him, the strongest Warrior Captain of the Re-Estize Kingdom. The kingdom still needed him for protection; he couldn't die here.
So, he requested the Magic Caster who had saved Carne Village to intervene.
Momonga did not agree to Warrior Captain Gazef Stronoff's request for employment. The reason for his refusal was simple: it would not benefit him and would unnecessarily create enemies.
Agreeing would seem foolish, and Momonga was not the kind of warm-hearted person who could instantly bond with strangers. His cordiality towards Gazef Stronoff was probably just the polite friendliness one would show to an insect.
If he were to get further involved in this conflict, the safety of The Great Tomb of Nazarick would also be threatened.
Momonga knew that every decision he made would affect the entire guild. Therefore, he had to remain calm and rational, and not make a decision that could lead to disaster due to temporary sympathy.
Otherwise, when he found his companions in the future, he would not be able to explain himself to them.
Gazef Stronoff was somewhat frustrated that he couldn't get help from Ainz. He knew there was no point in saying anything more.
He took off his metal gauntlet and reached out to grasp Momonga's hand. According to etiquette, Momonga should have also removed his glove, but he did not. However, Gazef Stronoff didn't mind; he held Momonga's hand tightly, his expression revealing a plea.
"Thank you very much for protecting the innocent villagers from being massacred. Also... although I know it's a huge imposition, I still hope you can protect the villagers here again... Um... I don't have anything to give you right now, but regardless, please accept my request... I beg you."
"Well..." Momonga hesitated.
It was true that he had saved these villagers, but his purpose in doing so was not out of benevolence, but because he needed to ascertain his strength in this world, and secondly, to gather information about this world.
If he had to choose between offending another force, Momonga would undoubtedly abandon these villagers without hesitation.
"If you grace the Royal Capital with your presence, I guarantee I will deliver whatever you desire. I swear this on the name of Gazef Stronoff."
Gazef Stronoff let go of his hand, intending to kneel and beg.
But Momonga quickly reached out to stop him, "No... there's no need to go that far... Alright, I will protect the villagers. I swear this on the name Ainz Ooal Gown."
"Thank you, Ainz. With this, I have no more worries and can charge forward." Gazef Stronoff let out a long sigh. Although it wasn't the ideal outcome, it at least saved him some trouble.
"...Before that, please take this." Momonga took out an item and handed it to the seemingly delighted Gazef Stronoff.
It was a small, strange carving that didn't seem to have anything special about it.
"As long as it's your gift, I'll gladly accept it. Then, Ainz, although I'm a bit reluctant, I'll be going now." Gazef Stronoff placed the item in the pocket at his waist.
"Don't you need to wait until deep night before setting off?" Momonga inquired.
"No need. The enemy will use magic like 'Night Vision'. Night is disadvantageous for us, but not necessarily for them. Also... it's to allow you to confirm whether we have retreated, so you can prepare." Although Gazef Stronoff said this, his expression showed no dejection.
"I see. As expected of the Kingdom's Warrior Captain, your thoughts are so thorough, it's truly admirable. Then, I wish you success, Warrior Captain." Momonga nodded and said.
"I also wish Ainz a safe journey ahead." Gazef Stronoff responded in kind.
Momonga silently watched Gazef Stronoff's retreating back. He originally didn't want to agree to such a request, but the other party's gesture of kneeling made Momonga flustered.
He was originally just a low-level employee in a company, working in sales, a humble and lowly profession. Every day, he would put on a mechanical smile to cater to others. If he made even a slight mistake, even kneeling prostrate to apologize might not earn him forgiveness.
But if he didn't do so, he would be fired from the company, and his source of income would be cut off. In his first half of life, only he had knelt to others, but no one had ever knelt to him.
And Gazef Stronoff was highly respected in the kingdom. One could tell a thing or two from the villagers' reactions. Although he didn't know how high the Warrior Captain's position was, being able to stay by the king's side, it certainly wouldn't be low.
When such a person knelt to him in entreaty, out of a conditioned reflex from his previous life experiences, he immediately stopped the other party's action and, in a panic, agreed to Gazef Stronoff's request.
Momonga felt a little regretful in his heart. He had even sworn on the name "Ainz Ooal Gown," but since the words had already been spoken, it was naturally difficult to change them.
After he agreed to Gazef Stronoff, the happy expression on his face, however, made Momonga feel admiration. He was happy simply because the safety of a group of unfamiliar villagers was secured.
Momonga questioned himself if he could possess such magnanimity. Out of admiration, he gave the "Substitute Doll" to Gazef Stronoff.
This was also a form of preparation. If Gazef Stronoff could resolve the trouble, that would be for the best, but if he couldn't, then Momonga would use the Substitute Doll to swap places with him.
Although he didn't want to get into trouble, in his nervousness, he had already sworn on the name "Ainz Ooal Gown." He didn't want to tarnish that name.
Nor did he want to let Gazef Stronoff, who possessed such magnanimity, perish. After their conversation, Momonga felt a sense of affection, like one would feel towards a small animal.
"Lord Ainz, why did you swear by such a noble name?" Albedo, clad in black armor, asked Momonga in confusion.
"Uh..." Momonga suddenly became speechless. He certainly didn't want to tell his subordinate that he had said such words because he was flustered and spoke without thinking.
Momonga pondered for a moment, "Perhaps... it's because his brave resolve to face death is worthy of such admiration."
"Oh? Does Lord Ainz think that ant will die?" Albedo continued to ask.
"Um... No, I don't think that. I mean he has the resolve to face death, but he might not necessarily die." Momonga quickly said.
"Ah? Is Lord Ainz preparing to intervene? Swearing by that noble name is enough for that ant to be eternally grateful. Lord Ainz doesn't need to go to such lengths." Albedo felt indignant.
"No, you can't say that. In any case... um... cough cough, for now, avoid making enemies with humans. This is also a means of obtaining information, so, don't mind it so much." Momonga explained somewhat flustered.
He didn't know why Albedo hated humans so much, probably because she was a heteromorphic race. However, as an Undead, he felt not a single shred of emotion when he saw humans die horribly.
Perhaps one day he would also come to dislike humans like Albedo. No, that might not necessarily happen. In any case, he didn't want to think about such troublesome matters.
"I see, Lord Ainz, your subordinate understands." Albedo's voice was filled with infinite adoration.
"Mm."