Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight

“If you are committed enough to upholding justice,” he said, “I think it should be fine.”

Tapi took a deep breath, then glanced at the Dragon Kingdom citizens in the distance, his mind filled with the image of them being finally rescued.

"I've already come to my senses."

His eyes held only unwavering determination.

"Please, Lord Sebastian."

The morning light slowly spread from the eastern ridgeline, bathing the open space on the east side of the campsite in a pale golden glow.

Sebastian stood before Taphimi, looking at the boy's tense body, which was taut with the awareness of facing death.

The boy gripped the sword in both hands, the tip of which was still trembling slightly, but his azure eyes were burning with a belief that he was willing to give everything for justice.

A surge of indescribable joy welled up within Sebastian.

He knew that if he was truly the reincarnation of that great man, he would also have such unwavering resolve.

This boy is so similar, not just in name and behavior, but also in the unwavering commitment to justice that shines from the depths of his soul.

Is he really the reincarnation of Lord Tapimy?

Sebastian's rational mind told him that the probability of such a thing was extremely low.

Reincarnation is just a legend in this world, and he doesn't hold out much hope for it.

But Lord Ainz is also paying attention to this matter, which suggests that this is indeed a possibility.

The boy gripped the sword hilt tightly, adopting a defensive stance. He took a deep breath, his voice slightly hoarse from nervousness.

"Lord Sebastian, I am ready."

Sebastian raised his right fist and slowly clenched it.

He raised his fist to his eyes, his fingers clenching one by one. His wrinkled face was expressionless, but deep in his eyes, a complex mix of emotions surged.

He hesitated.

Sebastian's fist froze in mid-air.

What if this boy really is the reincarnation of Lord Touchimi...?

A thought surfaced in Sebastian's mind: what if the boy's body couldn't withstand his killing intent, and the vessel carrying Lord Touchmy's soul shattered...?

No, it won't happen.

Sebastian made up his mind.

He believed that if he was truly the reincarnation of Lord Tapimit, he would surely be able to overcome this ordeal.

But what if something unexpected happens...

Sebastian has prepared for the worst; he will ask Lord Ainz for the resurrection magic.

He would not let the boy truly die, no matter what.

"So……"

Sebastian's voice was deep.

"Prepare to die."

Killing intent surged forth from Sebastian's body like a tangible wave.

This was the oppressive force unleashed by Nazarick's strongest melee fighter, the air seemed to freeze instantly, and even the morning breeze was forced back by this killing intent.

Tachimi's pupils suddenly contracted.

He felt a deep-seated fear, like being targeted by a giant beast.

It's like standing alone on the edge of a cliff, with a bottomless abyss below and destructive power rushing towards you in front of you.

He wanted to run away.

Every cell in his body was screaming for him to run away, his heart was pounding like a drum in his ears, and his blood was surging wildly in his veins.

His hand holding the sword trembled violently, the tip of the sword wobbled wildly, and an indescribable bitter taste rose in his throat, as if a tangible fear was churning up from his stomach.

We cannot escape.

Tajimi clenched his teeth, the sound of them chattering clearly audible in the silent open space.

He recalled his vow: "For justice."

If he backs down here, what right does he have to call himself a partner of justice?

Sebastian's fist flew out like a fully drawn arrow.

"buzz"

The fist tore through the air, and the resulting gust of wind caused the surrounding withered grass to flatten to the ground.

The speed of that strike was extreme; in Tapchimi's vision, the fist was expanding infinitely, as if it were taking over the entire world.

This is instant death.

The thought flashed through Tapchimi's mind, and the premonition of death completely dominated his consciousness at that moment.

Even if he raises his sword to defend himself, the sword will be shattered along with his body.

The whole body was unable to move; under excessive tension, the body became stiff.

There was no way to escape the death before our eyes.

Tacimi recognized this.

A surge of intense anger welled up from the bottom of my heart.

It was anger towards himself.

Are you kidding me?

If I were to die here because of my own fear, how could I face Lord Rune's expectations, how could I face the justice I hold dear?

He wanted to live.

If death is inevitable, he should never die here out of cowardice.

The chains of fear were shattered by this outburst of emotion.

My body can move now.

He opened his eyes with difficulty, intending to close them, trying to capture the approaching iron fist at supersonic speed with his naked eyes.

All of their senses are heightened to the extreme, allowing them to perceive even the slightest vibrations in the air.

Within the extremely compressed timeframe, Tapchimi found himself moving at a hopelessly slow pace.

But he didn't give up. He twisted his body desperately, focusing all his attention on dodging the attack.

boom

The force of the punch grazed Tapchimi's cheek.

A few strands of golden hair were snapped off by the wind pressure and scattered in the air. The force of the punch grazed his ear, creating a buzzing sound.

Behind him, the force of the punch carved a shallow furrow in the ground, sending grass clippings flying.

Tajimi was panting heavily.

His chest heaved violently, each breath feeling like it was filling his lungs completely.

Tapchimi's eyes were wide open, filled with the relief of surviving the ordeal and the lingering fear.

He confirmed it; he had survived.

Sebastian stood still, his right fist still in the swinging position, and then he slowly retracted his fist.

As the one who threw the punch, the relief in his eyes was even stronger than that of the boy.

“…Congratulations.” Sebastian’s voice trembled slightly more than usual. “How does it feel to overcome the fear of death?”

Tajimi opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found that he barely had the strength to stand up.

He staggered and knelt on one knee. The sword in his hand supported him on the ground, preventing him from falling completely.

“…Phew, I understand now…” He looked up, “…the real danger.”

“Fear can stimulate the survival instinct.” Sebastian looked at the boy kneeling on the ground. “...Fortunately, you didn’t die from shock. Sometimes this happens because people are certain they will die and give up trying to maintain life.”

Tajimi nodded heavily, his breathing still rapid and his face covered in cold sweat, but the excitement in his eyes indicated that he had made a great harvest.

Sebastian watched him silently.

After hesitating for a long time, Sebastian finally decided to ask the question that he had never dared to ask before.

Legend has it that after the passing of those powerful figures, their souls will return to the world as a gift, carrying with them their innate abilities.

A rare hint of tension appeared on Sebastian's face, and he even used honorifics because of it.

"...Tatchimi, do you possess [innate superpowers]?"

His eyes gleamed with an almost cautious anticipation.

Answer to Chapter 30

Sebastian's problem came too suddenly.

Tapchimi's thoughts paused briefly, as if something was stuck in his mind, causing all the gears in his machine to stop for a moment.

"what?"

When he made that sound, his face was full of confusion, and he blinked twice, clearly not understanding why Lord Sebastian would suddenly ask this.

But quickly realizing his rudeness, Tapimy hurriedly tried to make amends:

“Lord Sebastian, I do not possess any [innate superpowers].” His expression was calm. “Even Lord Rune did not possess such a divine gift, so I dare not ask for it.”

After speaking, Tapimi lowered his head slightly, as if expressing a slight apology for his "mediocrity".

"Yes, is that so..."

Sebastian's voice suddenly became very weak, like the murmur of a terminally ill person.

The light in his eyes dimmed the instant he heard those words, like a candle flame extinguished by the wind.