Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight.

Answer to Chapter 108

Sebastian's problem came too suddenly.

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

"ah?"

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, Touch Me hurriedly made amends, saying, "Lord Sebastian, I do not possess any [innate superpowers]." His expression was frank, "Even Lord Rune did not possess such a divine gift, so I dare not ask for it."

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

"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.

Sebastian stood there, stunned, radiating an indescribable sense of loss.

Looking at Sebastian like this, Tachi Mi was momentarily at a loss, wondering why his answer had led to this result.

But Tachi Mi could sense that the old man in front of him was experiencing some kind of loss that he couldn't understand.

The sense of loss was so profound that even a composed man like Lord Sebastian could not completely conceal it.

"Lord Sebastian—"

He didn't know where the courage came from, but he took a step forward.

"However, I don't believe that innate abilities can determine a person's future."

Taji Mi's voice was a little louder than before; he wanted to comfort the old man who had taught him.

He stood up straight, his earnest eyes fixed on Sebastian without flinching.

"The others in the cavalry also possess [innate abilities]," Touch Me said confidently, "but they are far inferior to Lord Rune's strength. Whether in swordsmanship or tactics, Lord Rune far surpasses them."

Touch Me paused, took a deep breath, and said in a more determined tone, "[Innate Abilities] are merely a gift from a past life, but diligent training is what determines the heights one can reach in this life."

Sebastian looked at the boy who was still awkwardly trying to comfort him, and bitterness gradually accumulated on his wrinkled face.

He so desperately hoped that the person in front of him was the one he had been longing for.

They look so alike.

Even the tenderness of awkwardly trying to comfort someone when they are down seems to flow from the same soul.

However, there is no such thing as a "natural superpower".

Sebastian knew that the probability of the boy in front of him being the reincarnation of Lord Touch Me was extremely small, but he still couldn't help feeling disappointed.

He gave a wry smile.

"I never expected you to say something so philosophical."

Touch Me scratched the back of his head with a slightly embarrassed expression, a few strands of his short, golden hair being ruffled by his fingers, curling up in a small arc in the morning breeze.

"Actually, Lord Rune said this to comfort me." His voice carried a hint of embarrassment, but more so, genuine admiration. "He said that a person's future shouldn't be predetermined at birth."

Sebastian's heartstrings were gently touched by those words.

Oh, right, Rune.

If it is Lord Rune—

This thought was like a spark of light suddenly igniting in the darkness, rekindling a glimmer of light in Sebastian's dim eyes.

Lord Rune is the heir to the ancient noble family of Eindora in the kingdom. Back in the capital, Lord Rune was also his most reliable source of intelligence.

Perhaps Lord Rune knows more about this rumor.

Perhaps there are other ways to confirm reincarnation besides "innate superpowers".

Sebastian glanced at the boy in front of him, still unwilling to give up. Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, he wanted to seize it.

"—Thank you, Touch Me."

Sebastian wiped the wry smile from his face and resumed his composed demeanor.

He nodded slightly to the boy and gently patted him on the shoulder.

"That's enough for today. You did a great job." Sebastian's voice returned to its usual calm. "If you need anything in the future, feel free to come to me."

Sebastian turned around, said nothing more, and walked firmly toward the camp.

Sebastian arrived at Rune's main tent.

The guards outside the tent recognized him, immediately straightened their backs and saluted, and without making any announcement, stepped aside to make way for him.

This was as Rune had instructed beforehand; Sebastian could enter the main tent directly at any time without prior notice.

Sebastian lifted the curtain and went inside.

The interior of the main tent was simply furnished, with a simple table, a few wooden chairs, and a cot covered with a blanket.

On the table lay a map marking the battle lines in various parts of the Dragon Kingdom. The ink was still damp, clearly indicating that it had been marked after the latest battle situation was learned yesterday.

Rune was sitting in a chair, staring at the map on the table.

He looked up and saw Sebastian enter, a smile naturally appearing on his face.

"Sebastian, what brings you here so early?"

Sebastian sat down opposite Rune.

"Lord Rune," Sebastian said with a somewhat solemn expression, "I would like to ask you something."

"It's not really asking for advice," Rune waved his hand. "Sebastian, just ask away."

Sebastian met Rune's gaze.

"It's that legend about [innate abilities] and reincarnation."

Sebastian said, "I've heard that after the strong die, their souls return to this world, and [Innate Abilities] are proof of the reincarnation of those strong souls."

After he finished speaking, he looked quietly at Rune, waiting for his reply.

Rune was secretly pleased to hear this question, but he remained outwardly calm.

"Sebastian, you mean this?"

His tone was as relaxed as if he were chatting casually.

As he spoke, Rune reached out, picked up the teacup on the table, and took a small sip of the cooled black tea. The rim of the cup covered most of his face, as well as the subtle changes in the corners of his mouth.

His mind was racing.

Before yesterday, Sebastian's attention was focused on intelligence about dragons.

But this morning, Sebastian came specifically to ask about the rumors of "innate superpowers".

Sebastian must have talked to Touch Me about the topic of "natural abilities".

Rune deliberately slowed down his pace when answering.

He keenly noticed Sebastian's change from the corner of his eye.

The old butler's posture was exactly the same as before, but Rune could feel that Sebastian's fingers were slightly clenched and his shoulder lines were a little stiffer than usual.

This is a sign of eagerness.

For the usually composed Sebastian, this level of urgency speaks volumes.

Rune felt more confident.

It seems that his carefully orchestrated first encounter between Sebastian and Touch Me was quite effective.

Not only was it good, but it was progressing even faster than he had expected.

Sebastian had clearly developed some feelings for Touch Me during their interactions, even to the point of being so eager that he would come to him in the morning to verify the reincarnation legend.

This means that his meticulously designed plan is progressing steadily along the predetermined trajectory.

Rune raised his head and met Sebastian's gaze again.

"This legend," Rune put down his teacup, his tone becoming more serious, "I do know a little about it."

""

"It is said that this legend comes from the legacy of the Eight Greed Kings five hundred years ago." Rune raised his eyelids, his expression revealing a calmness as if he knew the answer. "It came from the desert city in the south."

Rune immediately distanced himself from the legend and the theocracy, shifting the blame to the long-dead Eight Desires King.

Sebastian nodded. As expected of the learned and talented Lord Rune, he knew so much.

The intelligence he had been gathering these past few days consisted mostly of embellished rumors, none of which could explain their origins and context as clearly as Rune.

"Although the Eight Greed Kings are legendary figures, the history of the Eindora family clearly states that they did exist," Rune continued. "Therefore, the legends associated with them do have a certain degree of credibility."

Sebastian's eyes lit up; he had just realized it. Lord Rune's personal confirmation of the legend's credibility meant that reincarnation was indeed a very real possibility.

"Then, Lord Rune," Sebastian leaned forward, "besides innate abilities, are there other ways to verify a person's reincarnation?"

When he asked that question, his expectation was practically written all over his face; for the usually composed Sebastian, such an emotional outpouring was rare.

Rune slowly shook his head.

"Unfortunately, in the original legend, there is only one way to prove it: innate superpowers."

Sebastian's shoulders slumped almost visibly.

"To be honest," Rune paused, as if recalling some long-forgotten record, "there are also some rumors that the reincarnated person's personality is highly similar to that of their previous life, and even their name may be similar to some extent."

Sebastian suddenly raised his head.

They have similar personalities and the same name.

The face of Tachi Mi appeared before him, that unwavering resolve in the face of justice, and that identical name—did this mean—

But the most crucial thing is still the innate superpower.

"Then—" Sebastian's voice was a bit hoarse than usual, "Tatchit Mita—"

He stopped halfway through his sentence, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

Rune raised an eyebrow slightly. He was somewhat surprised that Sebastian would ask him so directly. It seemed that he had underestimated Sebastian's trust in him.

But Rune reacted quickly.

"That brat, Touch Me?" Rune's tone became relaxed, with the tone he used when talking about his good-for-nothing junior.

"I remember I arranged for him to bring you food yesterday. Did that kid upset you? Sebastian, don't blame him. He's actually a nice guy, just young and might be a bit immature in some ways. I'll teach him a lesson later."

"No, no, it's not like that, Lord Rune." Sebastian interrupted almost immediately, waving his hand slightly with a rare hint of panic. "—Tatch Mee, he's quite good. It's me—"

He paused, then lowered his eyes.

"I think he looks a lot like someone I knew before—an old friend."

The last two words were almost uttered as a sigh.

The tent was quiet for a moment, then the sound of hooves from patrolling cavalry changing shifts came from outside, along with the aroma of cooking smoke wafting from the camp kitchen in the distance.

Rune seemed to have only just understood the purpose behind Sebastian's words.

He instantly switched to a kind and gentle mode, lowering his voice to a whisper.

"This old friend—Sebastian must have respected him greatly."

Sebastian's breath hitched for a moment, probably as he recalled the face of this old friend.

The wrinkles around her eyes, deepened by disappointment, gradually smoothed out, and the corners of her mouth were no longer droopy.

Sebastian seemed to be bathed in some kind of invisible light at that moment.

"Yes." His voice was firm, filled with power surging from the depths of his chest. "He is the strongest warrior in the world, far surpassing me in strength."

Sebastian's light gray eyes reflected an image that did not exist in this time and space.

"Therefore, I firmly believe that even if something unexpected happened to this person, he absolutely meets the standards of a powerful being required for reincarnation in legends."

His tone was without the slightest hesitation, as if it were a certainty etched into his very soul.

"Is that so?" Rune's voice was gentle. "It seems that this gentleman, like Touch Me, is a very kind type."

Sebastian refocused his gaze, and then nodded decisively.

"That's right. He is also the most righteous and kindest person in the world."

After saying this, Sebastian's gaze lingered on Rune's face for a moment, then he added, "Of course, Mr. Rune's character is also second only to the Forty-One."

Rune was taken aback by Sebastian's sudden praise, revealing a smile that even he himself couldn't quite tell if it was a smile hidden behind a mask.

"Sebastian, is that a compliment you?"

Sebastian looked at him, a faint smile appearing on his wrinkled face.

"Of course."

Sebastian's previous frustrations evaporated silently, like morning mist meeting the rising sun, thanks to Rune's few flattering words.

The tent was quiet for a moment.

This silence was different from the heavy, dejected, and struggling silence that had preceded it.

It's a relaxed feeling, like a brief respite that naturally comes when two friends finish their business.

Rune looked at Sebastian again. "Actually, I'm not as noble as Sebastian thinks. It's Touch Me who's truly kind."

"However, Sebastian, I regret to inform you," Rune changed the subject, "that guy Touch Me may resemble the lord you know, but he will likely disappoint you."