Hi all, author here. I'd like to say a belated Happy New Year to whoever reading this!
Your comments so far are appreciated. Also, let me express my answer to Fleece Johnson for his nicely written comment.
I guess yes, I will move this into crossover. Though I think will let this stay here for one more chapter. I don't plan my character to introduce technology everywhere, so no worries there.
Yes, I think your source being only the manga makes your information a bit lacking. In the LN his first order to Sebas is to "Peacefully interact with any intelligent being you meet and invite them to Nazarick". From this I envisioned Sebas reporting the tornado and the one who created it to Ainz and his following order was somewhere along "Approach him peacefully. If he responds well invite him to Nazarick. If he flees do not pursue. If he turns hostile retreat back to Nazarick with all your might. Prioritize your safety above all else."
So here is the next chapter. I'm sorry in advance if my envision of some characters here feel out-of-character to anyone reading.
The burial ceremony was held in a nearby communal graveyard. It was surrounded by a broken-down fence, and within were several circular stone slabs inscribed with people's names. Ryu stood along with the mourning crowd while Ainz was standing and watching from a distance. Albedo was nowhere to be seen.
As the village chief was praying for the recently deceased, Ryu noticed that the amount of bodies buried were less than the amount of casualties. Perhaps there were not enough manpower to bury all of them so they had decided to bury as many as they could before dusk.
Among the mourning crowd were the two girls rescued by Ainz earlier. It seemed that both their parents were among the buried casualties. They cried hard, which was natural for someone who had lost both parents in one morning.
As the ceremony went on, Ryu took glances of Ainz once in a while. He saw that Albedo had arrived at some point, and Ainz seemed to be talking to her. Though, something seemed weird.
Why is he facing to an empty space next to Albedo?
Albedo's helmeted head was also facing towards that empty space, so there was no mistaking it. Ainz was talking to something invisible.
I'm curious, but I have no way to detect invisibility.
Because of that, Ryu decided to ignore it and continue on with the ceremony.
Later, the prayer was over and most people returned to the village. The ones who remained were either digging graves to put the bodies into or were not done mourning yet.
"Ryu-san. We will be leaving this village soon. Our work here is done"
"Alright, Ainz-dono"
"Let's find the chief and say our farewell"
They found the person they were looking for soon enough. However, something felt off. The chief's face looked worried.
Is something bad happening again?
"...What's wrong, Chief-dono?"
The Chief's face lit up, as though he had glimpsed a golden shiny wire of hope.
"Oh, Ainz-sama. It would seem there are some mounted people who look to be warriors approaching us…"
Again? Well, it's not something Ainz-dono can't handle.
"I see…"
The Chief and the other nearby citizens looked at Ainz, worried expressions on their faces.
"Leave it to me. Gather all of the survivors into the Village Chief's house right now. The Chief and I will remain here."
A bell rang, and the villagers gathered. The Death Knight took up a position near the Chief's house, while Albedo remained behind him, awaiting orders. Ryu was among the civilians, standing by if the worse scenario would happen and he would be needed for healing again.
Soon, the mounted warriors arrived at the village square. Ryu could tell that they were not the same ones who had attacked the village. They lined up in front of the chief and Ainz, and one of them, seeming to be the leader, came forward.
Because of distance and the fact that the civilians around him were whispering to each other, Ryu could not make out the conversation happening. But there was a time when the village chief and the warrior leader took a glance at his crowd, or perhaps to be exact, at the large creepy knight Ainz had summoned before, which was now standing by near the crowd.
From their body gesture during conversation, Ryu could guess that the warriors were friendly and about to spend the night at this village. However, suddenly someone, seemingly a scout, came in a hurry and shouting a bad news. The village had been surrounded.
New enemy? This village sure is unlucky today.
Overcome by curiosity, Ryu approached Ainz to see how the conversation was going. However, before he got close, Ainz put up his hand towards him.
"Leave this to me, Ryu-san. Stand by near the villagers"
"Oh. Sure, Ainz-dono"
Ryu went back to the crowd of villagers while Ainz and the warrior leader went inside a nearby house.
"Ryu-dono, what's happening?"
A worried villager asked him that question. Ryu wanted to give a comfortable answer, but it didn't sit well with him, so he decided to answer with the truth he knew so far.
"There is a new enemy group, and from the scout's worried face probably they are much stronger than the warriors here"
His answer of course sparked a panic. This village had taken a large amount of casualties this morning and now another threat emerged before they could recover from the shock.
"B-but, Ainz-sama will protect us, right?"
"I don't know what decision Ainz-dono will take, but I've made up my mind. Even if he decides otherwise, I will stay to protect you all"
The villagers calmed down hearing Ryu's words. Some expressed their gratitude.
"Still, I must warn you. If battle is imminent flee with all your might. My combat spells have high chance of collateral damage. I don't want any of you to get caught in it"
A while later, both Ainz and the warrior leader came out of the house. The warrior leader talked to one of his troops, and soon all of the warriors prepared to ride their horses and leave. Ainz just watched during that.
There are questions I'd like to ask, but I don't think I can barge in now.
While thinking that, the village chief and a group of villagers approached Ainz with worried look on their face. From the conversation that followed, Ryu learned a lot of things about the unfolding event, from the fact that the warrior leader, Gazef Stronoff, was very likely the person the new enemies was after, and the fact that now he is charging into them to give time for the villagers to evacuate. In the end, the villagers were ordered to gather in a warehouse large enough to fit all the villagers.
"Ainz-dono"
"Yes, Ryu-san?"
Ainz responded while casting a protective magic at the warehouse. The villagers were all already inside and the doors and windows were shut so none of them should be able to hear their conversation as long as they keep their voice low enough.
"Why didn't you go with them?"
"Because I have a plan"
Another protection magic was cast.
"What is your plan, then?"
"To observe"
"What?"
"That man, Gazef Stronoff. He is claimed to be the strongest warrior in this kingdom. I plan to observe and gauge the average combat strength of this world's people"
"You... let them march towards their death... for information?"
"Indeed I did"
Ainz gave that answer without any trace of remorse or such. At this moment Ryu felt his blood boiling, but he could not openly oppose Ainz. Not when the villagers inside the warehouse were depending on them for protection. Also, Ainz is much stronger than him so opposing Ainz would not be wise at all.
"Listen. In the long run, information is the greatest weapon. No matter how powerful you are, lacking information will eventually bite you. I told you this from the day we met"
Ryu just sighed.
"I see that our opinion don't match"
"Of course you see that"
"I'll let you know that I don't plan to let Gazef die"
"What? How?"
"You'll see it later. Just keep your healing spell ready"
After Ainz completed his protection magic, the two of them went into the warehouse. The warehouse had been completely emptied of all goods, leaving a single spacious room inside. It was large enough to contain all the villagers with enough room to spare.
For quite a while, Ainz just stood at the center without doing anything. Sometimes he made a gesture as if he was observing something.
Could it be a far sight spell or such?
While thinking that, suddenly Ainz said something.
"Looks like it's about time to switch"
Right after saying that, Ainz vanished without a trace and in his place was the warrior leader, Gazef. Also, the vacant space in the warehouse got filled with the warriors. Most of them, including Gazef, were badly injured.
In a flash, Ryu managed to grasp the situation and did what he had to do.
Resta!
The healing spell covered the entire warehouse, and all the injured men were fully healed. Gazef, who was battered and bruised all over, came back to his prime. Everything happened so fast that by the time the healing spell ended Gazef were still in battle stance.
"This, this place is..."
"This is a warehouse that Ainz-sama has protected with his magic"
"So you're the Chief… Gown, Gown-dono does not seem to be here"
"No, he was here just a moment ago, but he seems to have vanished without a trace, and in his place, you appeared, Warrior-Captain-sama"
"I see. What about the healing just now?"
"This man here, Ryu-dono, is an ally of Ainz-sama. That was his healing magic"
"Oh yes. I saw you back then. You have my gratitude"
"I'm glad to help. Though I'm sorry that some could not be saved"
Ryu looked at the transported men around him. Several of them were already dead upon arrival, so there was nothing he could do. Those who were still alive gave their respect to the fallen ones.
"They went into battle knowing that this would happen. Their bravery will be remembered"
After saying that, Gazef went into one corner and sat down resting.
"Are you all right, Gazef-dono?"
"Yes, it's just that I know I no longer have part in the coming battle."
"I never have part in it to begin with"
Ryu said that with a bit of a chuckle. He was fully aware that he would be just an unnecessary presence if Ainz had brought him along.
"I believe Ainz-dono won't need a healer, so he trusted you to heal us"
"If you say it that way, I guess so"
Ryu sat down next to Gazef. He had nothing to do other than wait for Ainz to return.
"Speaking of healing magic, may I know what tier does that magic belong?"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you"
In truth, Ryu had no idea at all about it. All his photon techs had no tier or such. Their power depended on the photon particles around him, his own body's photon aptitude and alignment, and finally his weapon's channelling power. Right before Ur got destroyed by a Dark Falz, his body's alignment had been set up towards dark tech and thunder tech specialization, and since the only way to change alignment is through a special agent stationed inside the ship's barracks Ryu had to live in this world with his current alignment.
"You can guess from your knowledge. I will neither confirm nor deny, though"
That sentence was Ryu's attempt to gain info on where he stood on this world's power scale. Ainz had told him once that the giant Sazan tornado was equivalent to tier seven and the giant Razan which made Sazan explode had the strength of tier eight elemental magic. He would like to know where his Resta would be placed.
Still, Gazef's answer would very likely be useless. A warrior like him was not expected to know about magic. Moreover, Ainz was a visitor from another world like Ryu, so this world's power scale was probably different.
"I would say that it is at least a tier six, though I won't be surprised if it is actually higher"
"I see"
Like expected, there was not much that could be made from the answer. At this point Ryu was hesitating whether he should risk it and inquire more, or act like he knew everything to preserve himself.
Too bad that since Ryu is human, Gazef could notice his expression. The fact that throughout his life Ryu had been a person whom sharp people could easily read did not help at all.
"You seem to be having doubts. Is there something?"
Crap...
"There's no use hiding it, eh? But not here where people can be listening"
"Let's go outside then"
The two of them went to one of the empty houses near the warehouse. There were two chairs and a window overlooking the warehouse. They put the chairs by the window and sat there. This way they could talk in private while still keeping watch of the warehouse just in case.
"So, is there anything I can help, Ryu-dono?"
"First, I want to ask you. What has Ainz-dono told you about me?"
"Nothing actually. We were occupied on the topic that Slaine Theocracy sent an army just to kill me"
"Alright, I'll tell you this. I know nothing about this place"
"...huh?"
Gazef's expression did not change much, but Ryu could tell that he could not grasp the meaning of his sentence. Ryu was playing a dangerous game telling this, but he wanted information about this world as much as possible because he could not depend on Ainz forever. Sooner or later he would go on separate ways.
Still, he had to craft his story in a way that it wouldn't be a lie, yet would neither compromise on Ainz nor sound too crazy. This world's level of technology seemed to be very primitive, so anything about space travel should not be mentioned.
Come to think of it again, why did I tell Ainz about that? Ah well, what's done is done.
"There was a large scale disaster in the place I came from. I seriously thought that I was about to die. I don't remember what happened, but when I came to I was on a grass land. Ainz-dono found me there. This happened three days ago"
"Maybe you casted a teleportation magic from your survival instinct?"
"Maybe? I really don't know"
"Have you asked Ainz-dono about this place?"
This is the question I feared. How should I answer it without telling that Ainz is from another world like me?
"He... wouldn't tell me"
"Hmm..."
"Putting that aside, this place is nothing like where I came from. I need information about how this place works. Magic, laws, anything you can provide"
There was a silence for a few seconds. Gazef and Ryu looked at each other.
"Alright, I will fill you in"
"Thank you very much"
"You healed me and my men, so I will return the favor with the best of my ability"
Gazef told Ryu many things from his knowledge. From the name of the kingdom and the surrounding areas, the value of currency, the nearest large city, the existence of Adventurer's Guild, and many other things including the fact that tier two was the highest most magic casters could cast. Tier three to six could only be casted by very few, with the latter only four casters in the entire continent could cast. Tier seven to ten were essentially stuff of legend.
"Well, that's a lot of info"
"I can't imagine what kind of place you came from. You said that you're not special, yet you casted a spell that is pretty much equivalent to mythical stuff without breaking a sweat"
"I believe Ainz-dono is more powerful than me"
"Heh, the Kingdom better not make him their enemy then"
"I see. Though you were my shield, I did not take your feelings into consideration. You have my—"
"—And even if I knew you would emerge unscathed, which woman would want to see the man she loves being stabbed by swords?"
"...Ah, yes."
"Oh, Ainz-sama. An Eight-Edge Assassin is approaching us"
Just as Albedo said it, the spider-like figure swiftly approached the two and bowed in respect.
"Aren't you... the one assigned to watch Ryu-san? Is there something significant happening that you came here to report?"
"Indeed, Ainz-sama"
"It's dark already so it's better to save time. Report while we walk, and be as brief as possible"
"I believe Ryu-san has leaked information to the warrior captain"
Ugh... I can't really trust him after all.
"What information has he leaked?"
"That he came from another world"
"Ainz-sama, should I go there and kill everybody to leave no witnesses?"
"Albedo, I'm still hearing his report. Wait until he finishes"
"M-my apologies, Ainz-sama!"
"Continue..."
"He crafted his story to make it as if he is the only one from another world and Ainz-sama found him by chance. He was not good at it. The warrior captain looked at his face suspiciously"
"What was he doing that for?"
"He wanted information about how this place works, and the warrior captain agreed to give him that"
Ainz rubbed his chin and took a little time to think.
"Understood. Go back to your duty of watching him. Thank you for your hard work"
"As you wish, Ainz-sama"
The assassin swiftly went away.
"What is your decision, Ainz-sama? If you want me to leave no witnesses, I will gladly do exactly that"
"No. We will leave them be. Ryu-san's mistake is not fatal. We will proceed as planned"
"Understood, Ainz-sama"
For Ainz, Ryu had made a mistake. However, the mistake was not fatal. In fact, the payoff was probably worth it. As a warrior captain, Gazef should have more extensive knowledge compared to the chief of a remote village. The information Ryu had obtained from Gazef would very likely to be valuable. The fact that he also had tried to not leak sensitive information about Ainz was admirable, although he failed at that.
"Albedo"
"Yes, Ainz-sama?"
"I recently told Ryu-san that information is very important in the long run. He might have learned from me and attempted to gain it in his own way. He might have made a mistake, but he will learn. I respect him for that"
"If I may ask, what is the reason you put a human like him in high regard, Ainz-sama? He might be strong but all the floor guardians can slaughter him easily"
"I have my reasons, Albedo. And I wish to not disclose that. Do not inquire any further"
"Your wish is law, Ainz-sama"
The recent battle had confirmed one thing to Ainz. This world's technology level was about equivalent to medieval, just like any fantasy settings. Also, this world somehow had similar law of magic as Yggdrasil. In that regard, Ryu's claim of being part of space traveling army had a pretty high chance to be true. Otherwise, where did his knowledge of modern technology came from? His magic seeming to be following a different law also reinforced the possibility.
Ainz felt fear in his mind. What he feared was not Ryu, who was weaker than him.
Ainz feared the army Ryu was part of.
Ryu had told Ainz that among the army, he was just another operative with no special achievement. If there were so many others like Ryu, some of them possibly much stronger, even the entire Tomb of Nazarick would not stand a chance in the case they made their way here and be hostile to him.
City-carrying spaceship, and there are hundreds of them...
While the chance was minimal, Ainz did not want an army of unknown soldiers as strong as Ryu attacking him. Information about them was scarce to begin with, and the only way to obtain more was to keep in good terms with Ryu.
In short, I must not make enemies of him unless I want more problems than what I have now.
