Chapter 14: The Wise King of the Forest

After several days of travel, the group finally arrived near Carne Village.

From a distance, they could already see the village.

"Strange," Peter, the leader of Swords of Darkness, remarked.

"What's strange?" Momonga asked.

"I remember the last time I was here, there weren't any walls this sturdy."

As they approached the barricade, several goblins poked their heads out from within.

"Goblins!" The Swords of Darkness members immediately raised their weapons.

Suddenly, more goblins emerged from the bushes surrounding the convoy, encircling them.

"Brothers, we wish to avoid combat if possible," the goblin leader said.

"Especially the one in black armor—you radiate danger," he added, eyeing Momonga.

"Who are these guys?"

"What's going on?" a girl's voice interrupted from among the goblins.

"Enri!"

"Nfirea!"

"Momonga, these goblins... don't tell me they're..." Peroroncino approached Momonga, whispering.

"Yes, they're from the Horn of the Goblin General I gave to that girl."

After clearing up the misunderstanding, the group took a short rest within the village.

Enri and Nfirea had a private conversation, while Momonga and Peroroncino observed the changes among the villagers.

The villagers, regardless of age or gender, were practicing weapon use under the goblins' guidance.

"Should I summon some goblins of my own for fun? Nah, they're too ugly," Peroroncino thought, glancing at the goblins.

"The villagers have changed a lot, haven't they?"

"Indeed. When we first came here, they could only surrender or run. It must've taken a harsh lesson to make them pick up weapons to protect themselves."

"Mr. Momon, are you actually Ainz Ooal Gown?"

Nfirea suddenly ran up to Momonga, blurting the question.

Momonga froze momentarily, while Nabe unsheathed her sword in response.

Momonga raised his hand to stop her.

"Thank you so much for saving Enri. I truly appreciate it."

"..."

"Is it because of Albedo's name?" Momonga muttered.

"Yes, Enri mentioned that a magic caster named Ainz Ooal Gown saved the village, and that someone by the name of Albedo was with him," Nfirea explained.

"I deeply apologize for hiding something from you," Nfirea added.

"Nabe, Yulia, step back for now," Momonga instructed.

"Understood," Nabe and Yulia replied before leaving.

"Actually, Mr. Peroroncino visited my family's potion shop to have a red healing potion appraised. I later learned that the potion came from you, so I wanted to approach you to obtain its formula," Nfirea confessed, bowing deeply.

"What would you do with the formula if you had it?"

"I haven't thought that far... It's just pure curiosity..."

"If you really want it, I can give it to you, but any potions you make with it must not be sold externally," Peroroncino interjected.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Peroroncino!"

"Does anyone else know you think I'm Ainz Ooal Gown?" Momonga asked.

"No, only I know. I haven't told anyone. I assumed you had your reasons for keeping your identity hidden," Nfirea replied.

"Good. Do not tell anyone about it," Momonga warned.

"I promise I won't. Thank you again for saving Enri and the village."

After Nfirea left, Peroroncino apologized to Momonga.

"Sorry, it's my fault for causing trouble by having the potion appraised."

"Don't worry about it. We're friends, aren't we?"

"Lord Ainz, I deeply apologize for speaking Albedo's name earlier," Nabe said.

"Indeed, that was your mistake. But—"

"Allow me to atone with my life!" Nabe interrupted, drawing her sword to end herself.

Yulia quickly grabbed Nabe's blade, shaking her head. As Peroroncino's personal maid, Yulia had already grasped his thoughts and acted accordingly, even before he had the chance to signal her.

"Everyone makes mistakes, Nabe. What matters is learning from them and not repeating them. I forgive you, Narberal Gamma," Momonga said.

A short while later, the group arrived at the forest's edge, ready to begin gathering herbs for Nfirea.

"From here on, I'll leave the protection to you."

"With Momon here, we can be at ease," Peter said from the side.

"Um... Mr. Momon, if the Forest King shows up, please don't kill him. Just drive him away," Nfirea said.

Earlier on their journey, Ninya had introduced Momonga to the Forest King.

"Why is that?"

"Because the Forest King is the reason why Carne Village isn't troubled by magical beasts. If we defeat him... Carne Village would..."

"This is still too exaggerated, isn't it?" Lukrut said, clearly dissatisfied with Nfirea's request.

"No problem!"

"Isn't that a magical beast that's been alive for hundreds of years?" Lukrut replied skeptically.

"Now that's the attitude of a true strong individual!" Dyne remarked in awe.

"Then, I have a suggestion. Nabe can use similar magic, so we would like to wander around this area," Momonga added.

"That's fine, but please don't go too far," Nfirea responded.

"Of course."

"I'll also go for a walk with Momon. Let's have Yulia stay with you to ensure your safety!"

"Take care, Chino!" Ninya called out.

"It's fine, I'll be with Momon and Nabe, I won't be in any danger," Chino reassured.

Afterwards, the Swords of Darkness team and Nfirea went off to gather herbs, while Momonga, Peroroncino, and Nabe headed deeper into the forest.

"This should be far enough," Peroroncino said.

"Then, to boost my reputation, let's meet it!"

"Alright!" A voice came from above, from the trees.

Nabe immediately prepared to cast a spell toward the figure, but stopped when she saw it was Aura.

"Lord Aura, please don't scare me like that."

"Sorry!" Aura smiled cheerfully at Nabe.

"When did you arrive?"

"Just when Ainz-sama, Peroroncino-sama, and Nabe entered the forest."

"Didn't miss a single moment," Nabe remarked.

"So, my task is to lead the Forest King to fight with Ainz-sama, correct?"

"Yes."

"Alright, I'll go now."

"Can a humanoid still use special class abilities? Let's find out!" Peroroncino thought to himself.

[Eye of the Scout]

Peroroncino looked at Aura, who was surrounded by two magical beasts. One of the beasts threw Aura onto its back, while the other licked her face with its long tongue.

Peroroncino dismissed the Eye of the Scout and walked with Momonga to the herb gathering spot.

Before long, many birds in the deep forest took flight. The ground began to shake.

Lukrut felt the tremor, pressing his ear to the ground.

"This is bad, something big is coming."

"Could it be the Forest King?"

"Most likely. It's dangerous here, you should leave."

"Please be careful, Mr. Momon."

"Understood."

At that moment, a shadow charged at Momonga. He swiftly struck it away with a single sword swing.

End of chapter

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