I like traveling the most

"Be my subordinate."

Gazef's eyes widened at this sentence, and Brain and Climb also pursed their lips. Obviously, they didn't expect such a powerful magic caster to say this to him.

"As long as you are willing to be my subordinate--"

Ainz snapped his fingers.

Let's not think about how a skeleton snapped his fingers. The important thing is that after Ainz snapped his fingers, the black goat kids that were destroying everything stopped all their movements. The strange posture of raising their feet and stopping in the air was a bit like a statue.

"This is temporary. It depends on how you answer. If you refuse, I don't need to tell you the result, right?"

--You don't want the king to die.

This message was revealed between the lines.

Gazef was shocked. He didn't understand why such a powerful figure like Ainz, who commanded such a powerful army, wanted him. There must be a reason.

"What's wrong, Stroronov, be my subordinate."

Ainz stretched out his bony hand.

If he held that hand, he could save many lives.

Gazef's heart wavered.

However, he could not hold that hand.

This was a wrong decision. If he asked one person, one hundred people 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 to the kingdom's favor to me."

"Even if it would lead to more deaths, you would not do it? You risked your own life to save the village of Carne, but a man like you chose not to help?"

Gazef's heart was broken.

Even so, he could not hold Ainz's hand and betray the kingdom.

This was his loyalty.

"So... what about you?" Ainz looked at Krillin again: "I admire you, even more than Stronoff. If you come here, I can also stop those black goat kids."

Gazef, Brain, and Climb all looked at Lin.

It was beyond reason that he would be admired by the enemy. 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 admire me and not angry? I killed one of your summons."

"That's why I admire you!"

Ainz laughed and said generously: "The black goat kid is an optional addition to me, but it is a gap that humans can never cross, but you did it! So I admire you! Come and be my subordinate, your magic will be stronger than it is now!"

"Even if it is faith magic?"

"Even if it is faith magic."

"Really? Even if it is opposing magic, you can say that it makes me stronger. It seems that I really can't do anything..."

Lin sighed slightly, and then, before everyone expected, he made a strange gesture and even pointed at Ainz and said: "But I refuse! I like to say no to self-righteous people the most!"

Pointing at others is undoubtedly an offensive act.

Ainz was silent.

Sure enough, it can't be easily won over.

Before the battle, Ainz had 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 he gave the other party now was not enough, or it was not enough to threaten the other party's weakness.

It would be easier to kill him, revive him, and change his race than to make him surrender.

Ainz was tempted, but he didn't do it.

Even if he wanted to change his race, he hoped that the other party would change it actively with his consent, rather than using brute force and threats. This was his last bit of kindness to his fellow countryman, Kobayashi.

As for whether it was suitable, it didn't matter.

In the game, race is race, and profession is profession. Even Shalltear, a vampire, has a LV10 priest profession.

No, it's useless to think so much now.

Ainz was silent for a long time, and Brain and Kram were extremely vigilant.

It would be normal for such a strong man to be angry and mad on the spot after being rejected twice in a row, but Ainz just shrugged.

"Then——"

Gazef stopped Ainz from continuing and pointed the tip of the Razor Blade at him.

"——What?"

Ainz saw the tip of the sword shaking. It wasn't because he was hurt or scared, but because he was ashamed of what he was going to do. But even so, Gazef still burst out with fighting spirit.

"Sir, forgive me for being rude to you, your benefactor.——I hope to fight you in a duel."

Ainz's face was a skeleton without skin and flesh, so his expression could not be seen and it was impossible to read his thoughts. However, Gazef had a feeling that he seemed to be speechless because of surprise. Brain and Climb seemed to have the same idea, and they could clearly feel the hesitation without saying a word.

"...Are you serious?"

"Of course."

"You will die."

"As you can imagine."

"I didn't intend to kill you even though I knew you were going to die...Are you suicidal?"

"I thought I wasn't."

After his repeated words of persuasion were not accepted, Ainz, who admired him, became a little angry. His scarlet eyes glowed brightly in his pale eye sockets.

"What are you thinking? I can't understand what you mean. If there is a chance of winning, I can understand, but you seem to think that you will definitely lose. ...Have you lost your normal judgment?"

"The enemy leader is right in front of us, within the reach of our sword. Isn't it natural to try to take the leader's head?"

"Indeed, the physical distance is very close. But..."

With a whoosh, the black goat kid standing behind Ainz waved his tentacles, punching a big hole in the ground next to Gazef. Even with Gazef's dynamic vision, he couldn't see the movement of the tentacles clearly. ——Lin could easily dodge it.

"In my opinion, there seems to be an overwhelming gap between us. You can't even beat my summons."

Ainz exudes the arrogance of an absolute strong man.

He has the qualifications.

"Then what about me?"

"Lin?"

"Master Lin?"

Lin broke away from the support of Brain and Climb and slowly straightened his back.

At this time, his complexion was rosy and his magic power was full. He didn't look like he was in a slump after using the ultimate move.

"Lin, you..."

"Don't worry. I don't know why, but my current condition is surprisingly good. No, it's even a little abnormal."

It doesn't look like he's forcing himself.

Ainz was also surprised. He secretly used his magic power 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 do it 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 was by no means bravado, nor was it because of self-destructive tendencies.

He wanted to leave a seed for Lin.

It was just because Ainz Ooal Gown was 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 the Blue Rose, the priest warrior of the fine steel-level adventurer. If he had to pin his hopes on someone, it would undoubtedly be Lin.

So even if this seed was very small, he would try it!

Being discussed by others would naturally cause disgust.

Ainz said in a deep voice: "Don't push your luck, you two! Are you so presumptuous just because I said I won't kill you?"

"I didn't mean that at all. I just wanted to do my duty as the Kingdom Warrior Captain." Gazef laughed heartily: "Besides, Lin is more useful alive than me."

This is true.

Ainz should thank Gazef for taking the initiative to stop Lin, otherwise he would be in trouble. After all, it's not right to kill him, and it's not right not to kill him.

"If you want to deal with me, I will kill you mercilessly and will never hold back."

"I think so."

"Is that so... I've said so much, but I still can't change your mind. It's a pity. As a collector, it's really a pity to kill rare characters."

Gazef had no intention of retreating.

Now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. First of all, Ainz, who led so many subordinates, was standing alone in front of him without his followers. And because of his pride as a strong man, he had no intention of using the kid standing behind him.

There will never be a second chance like this.

The opponent was standing at a height that was beyond his reach, but at this moment, it was the moment when he was most likely to touch him.

The next time they met, Ainz would probably be like a magic chanter who was not good at close combat, and let the guards surround him. It was better not to think that he would stand within the reach of his sword again, so Gazef proposed a duel.

Of course, the most important thing was——

I hope that this battle can leave some inspiration for Lin and sow the seeds of victory for future battles.

So, Gazef made a formal duel declaration.

"Your Excellency Sorcerer King Ainz Ooal Gown! I am the warrior leader of the Kingdom of Re-Estize, and my name is Gazef Stronoff! I want to challenge you to a duel!"

"Gazef!"

"Warrior leader..."

Brian and Climb seemed to be unable to bear it anymore, and shouted and groaned.

However, Gazef did not care and said, "If you are willing to accept, Your Excellency Sorcerer King, I would like to appoint these three as witnesses of the duel."

Ainz shrugged.

Gazef understood that he meant to do whatever he wanted.

"Wait, wait! Wait a minute! Gazef! I'm willing to die with you anytime! I won't let you go alone! Lord Sorcerer King! Please! I know this is shameless, but I beg you sincerely! Please fight both of us at the same time. This shouldn't be difficult for you!"

"Brian, do you want to insult my consciousness as a warrior?"

Brian has the consciousness of a warrior, and so does Gazef. He would rather die himself than let others follow him.

Not only Lin, but also Brian and Climb, they will all be seeds.

Even though the hope is slim, he will survive for the kingdom!

"How about this, Lord Stronoff, I can deal with both of you at once."

"No, I'll fight you alone. The three over there don't need to take action."

The red light in Ainz's empty skull eye sockets bloomed.

"I see. I've seen that look in your eyes before. It's the will of a person who is determined to go forward even if he dies. It's a strong look that I admire." Ainz said like a human being: "Okay, I accept your proposal. I will challenge Lord Stronoff in a duel."

Bran's knees softened and he knelt down.

His expression could not be seen, but water drops continued to drip onto the reddish-brown ground.

Climb also had a sad expression on his face.

Ainz said kindly: "I will return you a whole corpse. You can use resurrection magic..."

"No need. I don't want to be resurrected, so it doesn't matter if I just dump the body here."

Gazef's words left both parties speechless.

He doesn't think there's anything wrong with resurrection magic, it's just that he doesn'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 think of it as punishment for him, a sword-to-sword punishment for his former benefactor.

"Then, let's get started..."

Ainz stepped away from Gazef, as if measuring the distance.

"If the relative distance is five meters, that's about it. Furthermore... there is no countdown, so a signal is needed. Priest, please give a signal to start the war."

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 coming battle clearly.

Lin sighed slightly.

"Then, let's 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 position, letting strength surge from his body.

From behind, Climb felt that Gazef's body seemed to have expanded in a circle, with the overwhelming sword energy and the extremely familiar posture.

"——Mortal Sword?!"

Climb's heart contracted slightly.

Yes, this trick is not exclusive to him, it was even taught to him by Lin. Even if Gazef has never used it, that doesn't mean he won't use it, right? Rather, now is the time to use it.

One blow to decide the outcome?

Brian balled his hands into fists.

He had seen this move during the sword duel with Climb, and knew that it was the first and last trump card. At that time, even he was forced back by Climb.

If Gazef, who is more powerful, uses it, it might actually work!

"So, start the fire."

A ball of flame burst out from Lin's palm, shot into the sky and then exploded with a loud bang.

Gazef concentrated his nerves to the limit, stepped on the ground and circulated his whole body's energy, preparing to step into the enemy's arms at an unnatural speed.

Climb and Brian opened their eyes wide without blinking.

However--

Before anything else, the world stopped.

"Is that so...it won't work without time measures."

By activating the magic to instantly create and stop chanting time, Gazef maintained the posture of raising his sword above his head in front of Ainz, and then stopped.

During the period when time stands still, all attacks will be ineffective.

Even if Ainz used magic to attack Gazef now, it would not be able to cause any damage, so Ainz counted the time to use magic.

"Magic Delay·True Death."

He was using the ninth level of magic.

"...Goodbye Stronov, I quite like you as a person."

Magical contact restores the flow of time to the world. And the magic worked before anything else.

——Gadeff slowly fell down.

"Huh?"

"What……?"

Brain and Climb didn't understand what was happening at all, because just as they saw Gazef about to step into the enemy's arms, he suddenly collapsed.

Ainz caught Gazef's body.

The sword fell limply to the ground.

The winner has been decided, but they have no idea what's going on.

"What exactly is..."

"How could I know!"

Brian shouted to Gazef to stand 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? Didn't it even touch the opponent? !

"Wait until I put makeup on his body and return it to you."

"No, don't bother. We will take Gazef back ourselves without you having to worry."

"That's it."

Ainz quickly stood up and said to Lin, "You should understand now. You cannot defeat me, surrender 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 think of life. Now, can you tell me?"

"…………"

Ainz didn't answer.

But silence is the best answer.

"Really, that's it." Lin slowly took the floating body of Gazef and said, "I will admit it, you are the true king of the undead."

"The King of the Immortal?...Hehehe, hahaha, hahahaha——"

Ainz laughed suddenly, as if he was satisfied with Lin's title.

As expected, only Lin, who is also a time traveler, can understand him. The title given to someone from the Big Tomb is really awkward.

"Very good! Very good! From today on, I am the King of the Undead!"

"Then King of the Undead, I also declare this time that I am definitely the one who can defeat you!"

"...Okay, I'll wait for that day!"

The two of them agreed.