The villagers, still shaken from the attack, hesitated before one of the older men cautiously stepped forward. In his trembling hands, he held a small pouch filled with coins.
"This is all we have… please take it."
I reached out and took the pouch, weighing it in my palm. It wasn't much—just a handful of low-value coins. Hardly enough to be called a proper payment.
Still, I wasn't in this for money. This was more about keeping up appearances.
"Not much," I muttered, shaking the pouch lightly before tucking it into my inventory. "But I'll take it. Consider it a down payment if you ever need my services again."
The villagers collectively exhaled, relief washing over them.
Demiurge, standing beside me, adjusted his glasses. "A mercenary who takes coin rather than gratitude? How fitting, my lord. This should ensure they do not mistake you for some benevolent fool."
Solution giggled. "I was rather hoping you'd ask for something more… interesting."
I shot her a look. "I doubt they'd have anything that would interest you, Solution."
She sighed in disappointment but didn't argue.
My business here was done. I had no intention of sticking around long enough for Gazef Stronoff to arrive. While I didn't mind meeting him, there was no reason to interact with him at this stage. Besides, I had already altered the timeline by interfering with the knights. I didn't want to complicate things further.
Just as I turned to leave, Demiurge suddenly spoke.
"My lord, a situation has presented itself."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
He gestured slightly, and in response, a small, shadowy creature materialized beside him, its form flickering like living smoke. One of his Shadow Demons.
"I had it survey the surrounding area in case there were any… additional elements we should be aware of," Demiurge explained. "And it appears that an army is stationed at the perimeter of the forest. A rather well-organized force, lying in wait."
I narrowed my eyes.
I knew exactly who they were.
"The Sunlight Scripture," I muttered to myself.
Demiurge smiled, clearly intrigued by my reaction. "Ah, so you are already familiar with them, my lord?"
I nodded. "They're an elite force belonging to the Slane Theocracy. Their primary mission is to deal with inhuman threats, particularly strong non-human entities. If I had to guess, they're here to eliminate the Warrior-Captain Gazef Stronoff."
Demiurge's smirk widened. "And since we have already changed the events of this village's attack, I wonder if their plans will remain the same…"
I thought for a moment. In the original timeline, Gazef would arrive at the village, barely managing to drive off the knights before they could finish their slaughter. Then, on his way back, he would have been ambushed by the Sunlight Scripture—only to be saved by Ainz.
But I was here now.
And that meant things could play out very differently.
I tapped my fingers against the hilt of my katana.
Since I was already here, I might as well pay them a visit.
"Let's go see what they're up to," I said. "Demiurge, Solution, follow me."
"As you command, my lord," Demiurge said with a bow.
Solution simply smiled in amusement.
I raised a hand and cast Gate, opening a swirling portal in front of us. With one last glance at the grateful, unsuspecting villagers, I stepped through, my subordinates following close behind—
We emerged in a secluded part of the forest, the thick trees providing natural cover. I immediately crouched, scanning the area.
Demiurge's Shadow Demon had been accurate—there was an entire force lying in wait.
A few dozen soldiers were scattered throughout the clearing ahead, all clad in white and gold armor. They were setting up an ambush, their weapons polished and ready. At the center of their formation stood a few individuals dressed in priest-like robes, murmuring amongst themselves.
One of them was unmistakably their leader.
Nigun Grid Luin.
The commander of the Sunlight Scripture.
I watched him carefully. This was the man who had planned Gazef's death, only to be humiliated by Ainz in the original timeline. A fanatic who placed absolute faith in the Theocracy's teachings, believing non-humans were nothing more than pests to be exterminated.
I smirked.
They had no idea that they were about to become the prey instead of the hunters.
Demiurge knelt beside me, his expression unreadable. "My lord, shall we wipe them out immediately?"
I considered it.
I have tried my two forms in my breathing technique, but other than being flashy, there is not much increase in my power. And I don't think the army in front gave me anything useful.
Wait a minute, they have a sealing crystal, right? I can use my breathing technique against it.
"No," I said. "I will fight them."
The demiurge's smirk deepened. I didn't know why.
With a flick of my wrist, I drew my katana. The air around me shifted, my breathing slowing as I activated Elemental Breathing once more.
The moment I moved, the nearest Sunlight Scripture soldier spotted me.
"Halt! Identify yourself!"
I smiled. "You don't need to know my name. You only need to know one thing."
I raised my sword.
"You picked the wrong battlefield."
Without another word, I launched forward.
~~~
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