Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight

Sebastian was dressed in a black tuxedo, his gray hair was neatly combed, and his back was ramrod straight.

“Mr. Sebastian,” Rune bowed slightly, his tone carrying just the right amount of apology, “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”

“Mr. Rune, you’re too kind.” Sebastian nodded slightly, his voice steady and gentle. “I apologize for coming uninvited and disturbing you.”

Rune waved his hand, a sincere smile appearing on his face, and invited Sebastian into the reception room.

"Mr. Sebastian, please come in."

As Rune spoke, he turned to look at Hill beside him, his tone casual, as if he were recounting a trivial matter.

"Hill, next time Mr. Sebastian comes, there's no need to announce your arrival. Just invite him in directly."

Hill's brow twitched slightly, and a hint of hesitation appeared on his expressionless face.

"But……"

“No need to worry.” Rune raised his hand to interrupt her, his tone gentle but unquestionable. “Mr. Sebastian and I hit it off immediately, so let’s skip the formalities.”

Hill paused for a moment, then lowered his head slightly.

"Yes."

Rune turned to Sebastian, who seemed about to say something, probably wanting to decline the privilege of "no notification." But Rune didn't give him the chance.

“Mr. Sebastian.” His tone was natural and gentle, as if he were greeting an old friend of many years, “Is there something you need to discuss with me tonight?”

Sebastian looked at him, his light gray eyes appearing exceptionally deep.

To be honest...

The old man's voice was unhurried, like a calmly flowing river.

"I just heard that Mr. Rune is the number one expert among the kingdom's nobles, and his strength is comparable to that of the kingdom's warrior captain, Gerdev Storonov."

Rune paused for a moment.

This script is wrong; shouldn't they be asking about dragons?

Could something have really gone wrong? The armor fragments weren't discovered? Or did the Platinum Dragon King pick them up beforehand?

These thoughts only lingered in Rune's mind for a moment, and his face showed no unusual expression.

“It’s all just rumors spread by nobles.” Rune waved his hand, a perfectly measured humility on his face, his smile gentle and frank. “My strength is far inferior to that of the Warrior Captain.”

When Rune said this, his tone was so sincere that even he believed it.

“Mr. Rune is too modest.” Sebastian’s tone was calm, but there was a serious glint in his light gray eyes. “It is said that Mr. Rune is skilled in a powerful martial art and once used it to kill a master orc.”

Sebastian took half a step forward, his wrinkled face gentle, but his tone held a hint of barely perceptible urgency. "I would like to witness Mr. Rune's powerful martial arts skills."

"So... Mr. Sebastian is interested in martial arts?"

Rune's tone remained enthusiastic, like that of a collector eager to share, "I've just collected some information on martial arts techniques, would Mr. Sebastian need it?"

This was collected by Rune a long time ago in an attempt to explore the possibilities of martial arts, but he didn't find anything. Today, however, he can use it to test Sebastian.

"If possible, I would be extremely grateful."

Rune looked at Sebastian.

The old man stood there, upright as a pine tree, his hands hanging naturally at his sides. But Rune could sense a hint of urgency in Sebastian's expression.

It was Ainz who sent Sebastian to inquire about martial arts techniques.

Rune made this judgment in his mind.

But then, an even bigger question arose in Rune's mind.

Why is Ainz not concerned about dragons, but instead interested in [martial arts]?

The Undead King who rules the Great Tomb of Nazarick should have his own logic in everything he does. But at this moment, Rune finds himself unable to comprehend that logic.

Does Ainz really think that [Martial Arts] can defeat Shalltear?

Rune stood up, walked to the bookshelf, and pulled out several neatly bound booklets from the third shelf.

This is a collection of martial arts materials he has gathered over the years. Some of them were purchased from the Adventurers' Guild, while others were recorded orally by soldiers in the army.

But its significance in being kept in this residence is negligible.

Therefore, Rune was handed over to Sebastian without any hesitation.

However, if the frame-up fails, the backup plan will have to be activated.

When Rune handed over the booklet, he noticed that Sebastian's fingers tightened slightly the moment they touched the cover.

Sebastian accepted the booklet but did not leave.

The old man stood there, his fingers gently stroking the cover of the booklet, as if weighing something.

Then, Sebastian spoke.

“Mr. Rune.” Sebastian’s tone was gentle, but there was a layer of expectation in his light gray eyes. “Martial arts techniques are hard to truly understand just by reading written records.”

Rune looked at the old man but didn't reply.

"Only through actual combat exercises can one truly appreciate its subtleties."

Sebastian raised his head and met Rune's gaze. A faint smile appeared on his wrinkled face, like the warm sun in early winter.

"I humbly request that Mr. Rune spar with me."

A night breeze blew in through the window, and the living room fell silent for a moment.

Rune could hear his own heartbeat.

Is it true or not?

I?

Are you going to fight Sebastian?

Chapter 59 Rune VS Sebastian

The moonlight, like water, spilled into the courtyard behind the mansion.

The courtyard was small, but it was kept extremely tidy. The stone-paved ground shimmered with a faint silvery-white light under the moonlight, and the low hedges around it were neatly trimmed, with a few flowers scattered among them, their fragrance carried on the night breeze.

This place, which was originally where Rune occasionally practiced his swordsmanship, has now become the arena where he confronts Sebastian.

Rune stood in the center of the courtyard, a longsword in his right hand, its blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight. He wore light leather armor for training, and his golden hair fluttered slightly in the night breeze.

Sebastian stood ten steps away on the opposite side.

Sebastian, dressed in a black tuxedo, stood with his hands hanging naturally at his sides and his back straight, like an old pine tree rooted in a crack in a stone slab.

"Mr. Sebastian."

Rune's voice broke the silence of the courtyard.

"Don't you need a weapon?"

When Rune said those words, he himself felt they were somewhat superfluous.

He knew, of course, that Sebastian didn't need weapons. A level 100 dragonman could probably deal with a warrior like him, a so-called "hero," without even needing to use a single finger.

But in order to maintain this persona, these kinds of things still have to be said.

A gentleman's demeanor should not be lost.

Sebastian shook his head slightly, a gentle smile appearing on his wrinkled face.

"I'm not good at using weapons."

His voice was steady, as if he were stating a very simple fact.

"It's alright, Mr. Rune, please come and attack."

Rune's lips twitched slightly.

...not skilled in using weapons.

Sebastian's professional levels are: Monk Lv10, Martial King Lv10, Forward Lv5, Inner Qi Monk Lv15, Outer Qi Monk Lv5, and others.

The total combat power is Lv100.

He is the number one fighter in Nazarick in terms of pure melee combat ability.

It's true that I'm not good at using weapons.

Rune took a deep breath and suppressed those distracting thoughts.

"Then I'm going to go."

Even if you know you can't win, you still have to give the necessary reminders.

Try to build up your goodwill, lest you actually get punched in the head by Rune.

Sebastian nodded slightly, raised his hands to his chest, and assumed a fighting stance.

Rune lowered his waist, shifted his weight slightly forward, and gripped the sword hilt tightly with his right hand.

He silently recited it in his heart.

[Accelerated water flow]

The moment the martial skill was activated, a cool sensation spread from the top of my head, as if something had gently stirred my mind.

My nerves were on high alert.

Everything around slowed down: the path of moonlight, the rustling of the night wind through the hedges, even the occasional sound of horses' hooves from the distant street were all drawn out into slow, drawn-out tones.

This martial skill temporarily accelerates the user's nerves, increasing attack speed. The cost is the accumulation of fatigue in the brain; the more it is used, the more exhausted the user becomes afterward.

But Rune only needs one sword strike now.

[Super Slash]

The longsword slashed down from above.

It moved so fast that it left only a silvery-white afterimage in the moonlight.

The blade tore through the air with a sharp whistling sound, heading straight for Sebastian's shoulder.

Rune showed no mercy with this sword strike.