Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight.

Chapter 107 Awakening

Before the morning light had penetrated the entire town, the open space on the east side of the camp was still shrouded in a hazy gray hue.

Sebastian stood in the center of the open space, his hands behind his back, the shoulders of his black tuxedo damp with fine dew, glistening faintly in the thin morning light.

He had been standing here all night.

Footsteps came from the camp, sounding slightly hurried.

Touch Mee practically ran over, stopping a few steps behind Sebastian, his breathing slightly rapid.

"Lord Sebastian! I'm sorry I'm late!"

The boy bent down to apologize, his voice full of remorse.

Sebastian turned around, his wrinkled face showing no displeasure.

"No. I'm early, according to the agreed time."

Sebastian naturally blamed himself for the problem.

Tajimi straightened up, a trace of lingering self-reproach still in his eyes.

Sebastian's gaze fell on the sword at his waist.

"Is that your sword?"

"Ah, yes, yes."

Taqi Mi quickly unfastened the sword from his waist and presented it to me with both hands.

Sebastian took the sword, his fingers lightly tracing the blade, his sharp gaze sweeping over every inch of the edge.

"This must be a backup weapon."

"How did you know?"

Taji Mi stared wide-eyed, a look of surprise on his face.

Sebastian flipped the sword over, pointing to a tiny wear mark on the blade.

"I knew it. Look, there's a dent here. If it were your main weapon, you would probably take much better care of it." He raised his eyes and looked directly at the boy.

Sebastian himself was unaware that he had automatically projected the personality of his creator onto the boy in front of him.

Taji Mi lowered his head slightly, feeling somewhat ashamed that the elder had seen right through him.

"—Yes. The main sword was a gift from Lord Rune, so—"

Tachi Mi didn't finish his sentence, but Sebastian understood; he couldn't bear to damage the main weapon during training.

For a soldier, a weapon is a mirror reflecting his character, and he admired the young man even more.

"Lord Rune," Sebastian began slowly, "is he someone you care about deeply?"

Sebastian's words fell lightly.

But Tachi Mi seemed to be taken back to a very distant place by this question.

"Yes."

Once he came to his senses, Taqi Mi's voice was exceptionally firm.

"When I was a child, I was an orphan who couldn't even get enough to eat. I wandered the streets of the capital every day, picking up food that others had thrown away, and sleeping in the dirtiest and darkest corners of the alleys."

He spoke these words in a calm tone, like someone who had turned the darkest page and could no longer make out the words when looking back.

"Back then, I was just living to survive. I didn't know what tomorrow would bring, and I didn't care. Even if I died on the street one day, probably no one would notice."

He paused.

"Until Lord Rune took me in."

The boy's voice was tinged with warmth, like the cozy warmth of a fireplace in winter, seeping into his features little by little.

"Lord Rune gave me a place to live, food, and clothes to wear. Not only that, he also sent me to school, taught me swordsmanship, and showed me that there are more important things in this world than just surviving."

Tachi Mi took a deep breath, raised his head, and met Sebastian's gaze.

"I have seen the darkness of the capital. Those nobles don't care about the lives of commoners. The weak are toys to them, trash that can be discarded at will."

His voice trembled slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"But I have also witnessed the light of the Aindora Territory. There, children have enough to eat and can study in schools. The elderly are cared for, and the sick are treated. Lord Rune said that everyone deserves to live like a human being."

The boy's right hand clenched unconsciously, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

"Therefore, my goal in life is to help more people who are as weak and helpless as I am, so that they can also see the true light."

Taki Mi clenched his right fist and pounded it on his left chest.

"For justice."

He spoke softly, yet his words carried more weight than any shout.

Sebastian stared at the boy in front of him for a long time before finally speaking.

"After hearing your answer, I've already decided how I'm going to train you."

"However, if I may be frank," Sebastian changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious, "I don't see any talent in you. If I were to really train you in martial arts, it would take a considerable amount of time."

Touch Mee's body stiffened slightly; he knew Sebastian was telling the truth. He himself knew that in terms of talent, he was far inferior to those geniuses.

All the power he possesses is built up little by little through sweat and time.

"If you want to do a type of training that shows results in a short time," Sebastian's voice was slow, with a hint of struggle in it, "the conditions are—quite strict."

Taqi Mi made a sound in his throat.

It was an instinctive reaction because Sebastian's eyes had changed.

The gentle colors faded away, replaced by a sharp edge that could almost cut.

It was like a sword without a physical form, hanging over Touch Me's head, making him feel a pressure that went beyond words.

"I'll be frank, it might cost me my life."

Sebastian's tone carried a resolute determination.

He wasn't joking.

Touch Mee's intuition was screaming at him; a chill ran down his spine, he could feel his heart racing, and his palms were sweating.

He is not afraid of death.

Touch Mee had long been prepared to give his life for the path he had chosen. It was the price he paid for justice, and he was willing to pay it.

But things are different now.

This is not a battlefield, nor is he facing an enemy. Yet, he must make a choice: whether to willingly put his life in danger in order to become stronger.

Swallowing hard, Tachi Mi hesitated.

He's not a coward. No, maybe he actually is.

Silence spread between the two, and the eastern horizon began to glow with a faint golden hue.

Sebastian didn't urge him; he was waiting for the boy to give him the answer himself.

Whether you lose your life depends on your awareness.

Sebastian stared directly at Tapie Mee and added softly.

"If you're committed enough to upholding justice," he said, "I think it should be fine."

Tachi Mi 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 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 the Tachi Mee Noodles, 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 mannerisms, but also in that unwavering commitment to justice that emanates from the depths of his soul.

Is he really the reincarnation of Lord Touch Me?

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 Touchi Mie?

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

No, it won't happen.

Sebastian made up his mind.

He believed that if he was truly the reincarnation of Lord Touchi, he would 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.

"Then————"

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.

Taqi Mi'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.

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

He remembered the vow he had made "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 Touch Me's vision, the fist was expanding infinitely, as if it were taking over the entire world.

—This is instant death.

The thought flashed through Tachi Mi'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.

Taki Mi recognized this.

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

It was anger towards himself.

What a joke.

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, Touch Me 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 Tapie Mi'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 created a shallow ditch on the ground, sending grass clippings flying.

Taqi Mi was panting heavily.

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

Taji Mi'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 do you feel about overcoming the fear of death?"

""

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

He stumbled 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."

Tachi Mi nodded heavily, his breathing still rapid and his face covered in cold sweat, but the excitement in his eyes indicated that he had gained a lot.

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.

"—Tatch Mee, do you possess [innate superpowers]?"

His eyes gleamed with an almost cautious anticipation.

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