Ainz didn’t know how to answer Nfirea, but he didn’t need to fudge it with weird excuse.
“We weren’t really… adventurers.”
As he remember his comrades in the past, it's understandable for his tone to become heavy. Even though he was an undead, he still had emotions, and his comrades from the past were the people Ainz missed the most.
Sensing Ainz had things he did not want to talk about, no one pressed him and the place turned silent.
It was so quiet they seem to be the only ones in the world. Ainz lifted his head gently and look at the night sky full of shining stars.
“When I was still weak, I was saved by a paladin dressed in pure white, who was holding a sword and shield in each hand. He introduced me to 4 other team mates. Including me, we were a 6 men party. Soon after, three other members who were weak just like me joined, and the nine of us founded the original team.
“Oh───”
With the crackling sound of the campfire, someone grunted. But Ainz wasn’t bothered and continued to remember the ‘original nine’ of his guild ‘Ainz Ooal Gown’.
“They were an excellent bunch. Paladin, swordmancer, priest, dark… bandit, dual wielding nin… dual wielding bandit, sorcerer, chef, blacksmith… Irreplaceable good friends. We experienced countless adventures, I still can’t forget those days.”
Thanks to them, he learned what friends are. He thought he would be ignored in YGGDRASIL too, but the reality was different, they were perfect teammates willing to lend a hand. As they slowly increased their members, they experienced an amazing life going through thick and thin.
That’s why the guild ‘Ainz Ooal Gown’ was an important treasure for Ainz. Even if he needed to give up everything and destroy the world, he wanted to protect its legacy.
“You will find comrades like them again someday.”
Ninya’s consolation made Ainz lashed out fiercely:
“There will never be such a day.”
His voice was full of hostility. Shocked by his own words, Ainz stood up slowly:
“… Excuse me… Nabel, I will eat over there.”
“I will join you.”
“I see… It can’t be helped since it is a religious issue.”
Peter felt it was a pity, but didn’t persuade him to stay.
Even though Ninya looked depressed, Ainz still decided to not say anything to him.
Just saying ‘I’m not taking it to heart’ will be enough.
The two of them seemed to be dining at the corner where the ropes were tied.
When the person who was here just now, the rest will discuss about him. Especially since the subject is the focus of attention, it was natural to do so.
As their conversation ends momentarily and everyone were silent, the camp fire crackled. Ninya looked at the sparks disappearing and reproach himself:
“… I think I said something I shouldn’t have.”
“Well, we didn’t know what happened earlier.”
Dyne nodded strongly while Peter continued:
“Maybe they were wiped out. People who lost all their comrades in battle will react that way.”
“That sort of things… is unbearable. Even for us who spend our lives on the edge of death, losing companions is still…”
“You are right, Lukeluther. I was careless with my words.”
“You can’t take back the words you said. So we need to do something for him to change his mind about those words.”
Ninya was depressed and mentioned softly: “I know how it feels to lose your companions, why didn’t I put myself in his shoes?” But no one responded to this.
In the silence, the firewood crackled and spit out sparks once again.
To change the heavy atmosphere, Nfirea cautiously said:
“… Momon-san was amazing today.”
Waiting for these words, Peter followed up:
“Yeah, I didn’t think he would be that awesome. Cleaving the ogre in half with one strike…”
“That was incredible.”
“Defeating an ogre with one attack is amazing, but how skilled is he to cleave it in two with a single hit?”
In response to Nfirea's baffled question, the Sword of Darkness members looked at each other.
The renowned young man Nfirea wasn’t only born with innate talent, he was also an excellent Magic Caster. He possessed talent that would allow him to shine brightly in the future, but there was no warrior around the same level as him, so it was hard for him to understand just how powerful Ainz was as a warrior.
Peter gave Nfirea a simple explanation:
“Normally, huge swords are used to inflict blunt trauma, but he’s actually using them to ‘slice’ his enemies apart. It is hard to cut a bulky guy like that with one hand… but there are exceptions.”
Nfirea seemed impressed by Peter’s explanation. But feeling the impression wasn’t intense enough, so Peter dropped a name for comparison:
“Frankly speaking, I think Momon-san is already at the same level as the Kingdom’s Knight-Captain.”
Nfirea opened his eyes wide with shock.
He finally understood what level the Swords of Darkness judged Ainz to be at.
“… You mean he is a match for adamantium ranked adventurers… the highest tier of adventurers, living legends and the pinnacle of human strength, right?”
“Absolutely.”
Peter nodded gently. Nfirea looked to other members of the Sword of Darkness, they all nod in agreement.
Nfirea was speechless.
Adamantium was a magical metal created with the most advanced technique. It was the peak of the pyramid of adventurers and very few in numbers. Both the Kingdom and the Empire had only two teams who managed to reach that level.
Their abilities reached the highest levels of humanity and they were literally heroes.
And Ainz could match people like them.
“Amazing…”
These words were full of praise.
“In the beginning… When we first met, I was jealous of the flashy full body armor on Momon-san despite him being the lowest copper medal adventurer. But since we witnessed that his power befits the armor, I am convinced that he is worthy of it. He — Momon-san’s full body armor matches his capabilities well. I’m envious of his strength…”
The warrior Peter wasn’t wearing a full body armor, but a weaker equipment known as chain mail. This wasn’t his equipment of choice, but the best armor he could buy with his budget.
“It’s fine, Peter can surely afford an excellent full body mail in the near future.”
“Yes, if you look forward to that kind of power, you have to work hard towards your goal. You should be grateful of how lucky you are, you can actually reach the goal you want to achieve.”
“Ninya is right, just set Momon-san as your goal and work towards that. We’ll help you, so let’s work hard together.”
“That’s right! Just work hard step by step! Judging from Momon-san’s appearance, he definitely spent a longer time training than you!”
Dyne’s words raised Nfirea's doubt.
“Have you seen Momon-san’s face under his helmet?”
Ainz didn’t take off his helmet after meeting Nfirea, even during meals. They didn’t even know how he drinks water.
“Yes we did. It was a normal face… but it wasn’t from around here, he has black hair and eyes just like Nabel-san.”