Nobody expected that the one confronting Gagaran Stroganov would be such a terrifying individual!
Klem was trembling nonstop, clearly not from excitement; his ashen face already spoke volumes.
Brian wasn't much better; although a slightly strange smile was on his face, the hand gripping his sword hilt was also trembling. Irubyue, who had just fallen from the sky, remained silent about it.
"A third strong individual, huh? Haha! What has become of my life? Klem, don't mind it, there's nothing to be ashamed of." Brian also noticed Klem trembling.
"I… I cannot run away!" Klem gritted his teeth and replied.
"Kid, that's not an opponent you can handle. Don't act rashly!" Irubyue added with an exceptionally grim tone.
"Lord Stroganov, still well, I see!" The terrifying individual floated down from the head of the giant beast and greeted Gazef with great composure, his tone as if he were greeting an old friend he hadn't seen in a long time.
"You too, Lord Cong, still well… Haha, I didn't expect… Am I saying this correctly? If you abandoned your human identity after that, then I apologize to you." Gazef, too, spoke as if conversing with a long-unseen friend.
"Haha! No need to apologize, I am the same as I was then, completely unchanged." The terrifying individual chuckled, landed on the ground, and slowly walked over.
"It's truly been a long time since I last saw you, Lord Stroganov. I haven't seen you since the events after Karn Village."
"Indeed, Lord Cong. So, what then? Did we meet on the battlefield? Did you come over to say hello?" Gazef also responded with a smile.
"Haha! Something like that, but I also have another matter to discuss with you." The terrifying individual extended his hand towards Gazef and said something that surprised everyone present.
"Be my subordinate?"
Everyone was surprised that such a terrifying Magic Caster would ask Gazef to be his subordinate.
"If you are willing, I can order them to stop attacking at any time." What "they" referred to was self-evident, and everyone knew it, as all those colossal beasts had already ceased their movements.
This was a threat, wasn't it? A naked threat, wasn't it? Yet, why would such a powerful figure threaten Gazef to become his subordinate?
There must be a reason, but no one present, except the individual himself, could guess what it was.
"What's wrong, Lord Stroganov?" The individual asked again, seeing Gazef's delayed response.
If… Gazef agreed at this moment, would more people be saved? Could this one-sided war be stopped here? Everyone was grappling with this question, only Brian, who understood Gazef very well, quietly said, "That man will not surrender."
Indeed, Gazef shook his head and raised his sword towards the individual.
"Please allow me to refuse. I am the King's sword, and I cannot yield on this point, staking the King's grace towards me." Gazef said.
"Hoh… Refusing me might cause more deaths, and you still won't?" The individual said.
"Mmm…" Gazef did not answer; silence was already the best reply.
"Is that your answer? Very well then!" The individual probably lost interest in Gazef and was about to turn and leave…
"Lord Cong! Please forgive my disrespect towards you, my benefactor! I wish to challenge you to a duel!" Gazef called out to him.
"You… are you serious?" The individual hesitated for a moment, then turned his head and asked coldly.
"Of course." Gazef responded without hesitation.
"You will die, you know?"
"I know."
"Even knowing you will die, you still challenge me? Do you intend to 'commit suicide'?"
"Perhaps!"
The incredibly simple dialogue left Klem and Brian unable to comprehend… Had Gazef gone mad?
"I don't quite understand your current thoughts. If you had a chance of winning, perhaps it could be excused, but you should know now that you are bound to lose." The individual said disdainfully.
"The enemy's leader is right before me, within the reach of the sword in my hand. Isn't it only natural to take the enemy leader's head?" Gazef gave his answer without hesitation.
"From a physical standpoint, it is indeed very close, but in terms of strength, there is an infinite gap!" As soon as the individual finished speaking, the tentacles of the giant beast behind him struck at an invisible speed, creating a large pit next to Gazef.
That speed and power were something Gazef could neither dodge nor defend against; if he were hit head-on, he would definitely be turned into a meat patty.
"Perhaps, Lord Cong." Gazef's determined gaze showed not a hint of wavering.
"Because I said I wouldn't kill you, are you taking advantage of that?" There seemed to be a hint of displeasure in the individual's tone.
"No, I don't mean that at all. I am merely fulfilling my duty as the Warrior Captain of the Kingdom." Gazef gave a bitter smile and replied faintly.
"In that case… it's truly quite regrettable. After so much talk, I still can't change your mind. As a collector, destroying a rare existence is indeed a bit of a pity." The individual shook his head and said.
"His Majesty the Sorcerer King Ainz Ooal Gown! My name is Gagaran Stroganov, the Warrior Captain of the Yestijia Kingdom! I challenge you to a duel!" At this moment, Gazef formally issued his declaration of a duel to the individual.
"Gazef!"
"Lord Gazef!"
Klem and Brian, standing nearby, clearly understood what dueling the Great Demon meant…
"If you are willing to accept, His Majesty the Sorcerer King… could these two be witnesses to the duel?" Gazef turned his head to look at them and said.
"Yes!" The individual agreed.
"Wait!! Wait a moment! Gazef! No! His Majesty the Sorcerer King! I beg you! I know this is shameless! But I sincerely request you! Can you fight both of us at the same time! It's not difficult for you!!" Brian cried out in shame.
"Kid! Do you want to defile Gagaran Stroganov's resolve as a warrior!" Irubyue, who had remained silent until now, said coldly.
Brian instantly froze. Gazef merely turned his head to glance at them.
"Thank you!" Gazef said to Irubyue.
"Tsk…" Irubyue also seemed to be holding back something as she turned her face away.
"Is this alright? I can handle both of you at the same time, or rather, it doesn't matter if you both come at once." The individual cast his gaze towards the others nearby and said.
"No… no need, His Majesty the Sorcerer King, I alone will suffice. There's no need for others to act." Gazef's face looked somewhat grim, and he quickly said.
"I see, very good… I've seen that look in your eyes before, the look of one resolved to die. It's truly excellent… truly admirable." The deep red glow in the individual's eye sockets flickered, and he continued.
"Very well then! I accept your challenge, a PvP between Lord Stroganov and me!"
As soon as the individual's words fell, Brian knelt on both knees. Although his face was not visible… from the traces of tears constantly dripping onto the dry mud, it was clear how sorrowful Brian's current mood was.
The subsequent result… goes without saying. In front of the three, it was over in an instant… Klem, Brian, and Irubyue, as witnesses, didn't even understand what had happened.
After the individual and Gazef created distance, and after Klem rang the signal bell for the duel to begin, the next second… Gazef fell into the individual's arms, maintaining his sword-raising posture…
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!