Chapter 19: The Guardian of Humanity (10)
Demiurge hummed and fell into thought.
A being of keen wisdom, Demiurge rarely found himself troubled. Even when he did, he wouldn't normally spend so long pondering. But this matter demanded a long, careful deliberation. It was important enough that no amount of thought felt excessive. Prudence couldn't hurt, and he wouldn't let any gap be exploited. That was Demiurge's mindset.
The Kaiser legend.
It was vaster and more spectacular than he'd expected. If the people of this other world dismissed it as mere fiction, that was understandable.
Even so, Demiurge felt genuine admiration for the man called Kaiser—what a feat for a single human to have achieved.
He'd consulted Cocytus, and Cocytus, unsurprisingly, didn't seem shocked by Kaiser's legend.
As the only Nazarick member who had crossed blades with Kaiser, Cocytus appeared to respect Kaiser's warrior's spirit. In fact, Cocytus seemed somewhat pleased by the fact that he'd fought him.
Despite losing, the warrior's mindset didn't make Cocytus resent Kaiser. Albedo, meanwhile, had suggested there was some means to halt movement—some device or method that could immobilize—even though Albedo, fully armed and overseeing the guardians, had been stopped by it. But information about that was too thin to draw conclusions. For now, Demiurge had little to say.
"From what I've gathered, there's no one in this world worth special concern other than Kaiser."
Information coming from Ainz—operating as Momon—and from Sebas and Solution, who were dispatched in the kingdom, all indicated that the others were fairly weak.
Apparently in that world, third-rank magic was the common upper limit most mortals reached; 4th–5th ranks were significant territory, and 6th rank was considered the highest magic attainable by humans.
How quaint. Demiurge himself could use 10th-rank magic; Ainz, the supreme being, could even wield transcendent magic beyond that.
A world that believed 6th rank to be the pinnacle.
Part of him wanted to form a hunting party, throw down Kaiser, then slowly swallow that world whole.
But Ainz had been cautious, and Demiurge understood the reason. Ainz was a considerate ruler; even if Demiurge didn't mind, Ainz would not want his incompetent subordinates dying needlessly.
Although all Nazarick members were ready to die for Ainz, that same kindness and mercy deserved a careful, thorough plan for conquering this world.
Demiurge thought that aside from Kaiser, there wasn't much to worry about—but "not as worrying as Kaiser" didn't mean the rest posed no risk. There could still be other strong individuals somewhere. Ainz was already aware of that.
"Albedo, may I come in?"
"By all means."
Demiurge obtained Albedo's permission and entered Ainz's chamber—or rather, the room used by Ainz.
Albedo was lounging on the bed, and Demiurge suppressed the urge to tease her about it. He could understand her blind devotion; such love might become a blessing for Ainz's descendants someday.
He decided to ignore the scene and speak. Normally he would consult Ainz directly, but Ainz had gone out to work himself—unwilling to be hampered by incompetent subordinates. So Demiurge would ask for operational approval from Albedo, the guardian overseer second in authority there.
"I came to consult about Kaiser."
Demiurge produced a parchment for Albedo. Albedo snapped out of her lovestruck daze and read the sheet carefully, reverting to the composed overseer of Nazarick she was when examining the contents.
"The Roble Kingdom? Kaiser is from the Roble Kingdom?"
"No. I'm not certain. Only that many of the legends originate from that area. If we go there, we might obtain information we can't glean ordinarily."
Kaiser had once been human, after all.
Whether the land back then was still called the Roble Kingdom, he didn't know, but the concentration of Kaiser legends around that region was a fact.
The earliest tale associated with Kaiser—the "108 Demons" legend—also began near the Roble Kingdom. It wouldn't be strange if that place were his homeland. Of course, trying to take a hometown hostage to threaten someone of Kaiser's stature would be pointless now.
If that tactic had ever succeeded, he wouldn't still be living under the name "Guardian." Demiurge drifted for a moment in thought, then continued.
"I don't think the Roble Kingdom itself is a major threat, but if we're to eventually control the entire world, we should gather information. In general, things will come to us with time—but the information on Kaiser should not be collected sloppily."
"So you want to send someone there?"
"You're quick to the point."
Demiurge smiled with satisfaction. His smile, sharp as a demon's, carried no malice; rather, it was the pleasure of a comrade in the presence of a competent ally. Wasting time was the greatest regret, after all. Also, his companions' compassion and consideration pleased him genuinely.
"But the guardians are all currently performing their duties. Is this matter important enough to pull someone away? It's just a human—"
"That opinion is emotional, and I sympathize, Albedo. But you yourself have seen Kaiser's martial prowess. He bested Cocytus."
Even if the match could be called a draw, no one who witnessed it would describe it as such. Even if it had been Cocytus, Albedo's instinctive dismissal of human concerns was overridden when she recalled that Kaiser had beaten Cocytus. She pushed that cavalier attitude aside.
Albedo agreed quietly.
"Yes… you're right, Demiurge. Perhaps he truly is the one being in this world capable of posing a genuine threat to Nazarick."
"Perhaps not the only one," Demiurge replied, adjusting his glasses with a clawed finger, "but I concur — he's a threat nonetheless. Gathering as much information on him as possible will serve Nazarick's future well."
For now, Kaiser maintained an implicit, almost peaceful relationship with Ainz and Nazarick — but no one knew how long that would last. Kaiser was, at his core, a protector of mankind.
And since Ainz's ultimate goal was world domination, their paths would inevitably collide. Thus, secrecy was essential. The ambitions of Nazarick — their plans for conquest — had to remain hidden until the time was right.
When the day came, Kaiser would have to die.
Preferably after they had stripped him of every secret he possessed.
"So," Albedo asked, "who do you intend to send? Preferably not one of the guardians."
"I already have someone in mind," Demiurge replied with a sinister, satisfied smile. "That's what I came to discuss."
Among all of Nazarick's denizens, Demiurge was second only to Ainz in understanding just how dangerous Kaiser could be. He knew full well that being human did not mean being weak. There had been other invaders, other humans, foolish enough to enter Nazarick's domain — and a few of them had displayed power approaching Kaiser's. He could not afford to underestimate anyone like that again.
All of this… for the sake of our supreme being, Lord Ainz… I must find an opportunity. I must eliminate Kaiser, the one who could threaten Nazarick…
He would have to die. Whether that was the act of a "protector" or merely a being clinging to life, Demiurge didn't care.
....
Later, far away…
It was a dark night — or at least, that's how Arche remembered it.
Her footsteps dragged, her body exhausted. Her shoes scraped across the dirt, too heavy to lift properly.
Even her staff — her companion and tool — felt unbearably heavy in her hand. The sky above was shrouded in thick clouds, as if mirroring her heart.
She had no money.
That simple, cruel truth suffocated her.
Her parents, lost in delusion, continued to waste what little they had on empty luxuries, still believing themselves nobles.
She had screamed at them — begged them to wake up, to realize that House Furt had been abandoned by the Emperor. They were no longer nobles. But they refused to listen.
She had dropped out of school, become a worker, a mage-for-hire — all to survive. Yet despite everything, there was still no money. None.
No money. No food. No hope.
Debt piled up, her parents stayed blind, and her little sisters starved day by day. Arche's sense of purpose — to protect her family — had rotted into exhaustion. Even her love for her sisters twisted into resentment.
She needed rest. Just… rest.
Her body finally gave out, and she collapsed onto the cold ground.
The world could end and she wouldn't care anymore.
Foresight's members had tried to help her. They worried, offered comfort, tried to make her stop working so much. But Arche had refused. She didn't need sympathy — she just wanted silence.
She thought she'd done her best for someone raised like a greenhouse flower. Maybe this was all she could manage.
"Are you all right? You look… very tired."
The clouds parted slightly, and moonlight spilled across the field.
For a moment, the earth itself seemed to shimmer.
Through her blurred vision, Arche saw a boy standing before her — frail-looking, his expression unreadable, almost hollow.
For a moment, she thought he might be a doll.
And yet, without hesitation, Arche reached out and took his hand.
Why? She didn't know. Maybe she just wanted to rest, or maybe…
maybe she saw something even more broken in his empty eyes than in her own.
....
"Lord Kaiser!"
"No need to call me that so many times. I can hear you. I'm glad you're safe."
The Life Demon recoiled with a strangled hiss.
Even Hekkeran, who had been braced for combat, felt a wave of confusion.
Did it just… back away?
The creature — the same overwhelming monster that had nearly killed them all — was now stepping back, visibly afraid.
Afraid of the small boy standing before them.
Hekkeran turned toward the newcomer. He looked delicate, slight, far too young and slender to be a warrior. Yet the sight that met his eyes was unmistakable:
The boy had stopped the demon's colossal fist —
with just one hand.
Hekkeran blinked, still reeling from the whiplash of events.
"A–Arche. You… know him?"
"Yes… It's all right. You can lower your weapons now. There's nothing to worry about anymore."
"Uh, forgive me, but… are you here to save us?"
Hekkeran asked, his voice cautious but hopeful.
Kaiser simply smiled — a warm, unhurried smile that didn't suit a battlefield. He looked more like someone who would be cooking dinner at home than someone who could face down a demon. His presence radiated calm, the direct opposite of Hekkeran's boisterous energy.
Before Hekkeran could even react, Kaiser reached out and patted his shoulder lightly.
"You did well. What you chose to do was something few humans are capable of. As a man — as a human — you've already achieved completion. Keep that humanity of yours strong."
"Eh? I–I see…?"
"Ah, and as for your earlier question—whether I'll help you—well, that's hardly worth asking, is it? One of ours owes you a debt, so let's call this repayment."
With that, Kaiser turned and began walking toward the Life Demon.
Hekkeran could only stare blankly at his retreating back.
The situation had gone far beyond his understanding. It was already absurd enough that a demon strong enough to destroy a nation had appeared — but now, a seemingly frail boy was overpowering it without effort.
Something deep inside Hekkeran twisted, unable to make sense of what his eyes saw.
"What's wrong?" Kaiser asked the demon lightly. "Why not come at me like before?"
Arche frowned.
"Lord Kaiser? What do you mean 'like before'? Don't tell me… you were watching us from the start?"
"There's such a thing as timing your entrance, you know."
The members of Foresight all gave him identical, exasperated looks. Kaiser coughed awkwardly.
In truth, he had planned to intervene only if things got dangerous. Foresight's sudden involvement had been unexpected, and he'd missed his chance to step in gracefully. He had assumed the group would flee — but the demon's intent to kill them had forced his hand.
"We can talk about it later, Arche."
"Yes… later."
"Don't give me that look. You're making me feel guilty."
What… what the hell is this guy…?
The Life Demon was watching the exchange like a man forced to sit through a comedy skit in the middle of a battlefield.
He didn't understand why he had retreated — why his hands were trembling. Every instinct screamed at him to run.
But his pride — his fury — overrode that voice.
Stronger than me? this weak little human?
He clenched his teeth. I'll crush him in one blow.
The demon's fist tightened, his body bursting forward.
"Die!"
BOOM!
Kaiser blocked the punch — casually — while continuing his conversation with Arche.
Everyone froze.
Even the demon's expression contorted in disbelief.
"Ah, my apologies," Kaiser said softly. "Normally, one ought to fight seriously when facing an opponent. But…"
His eyes turned cold — sharp, like ice.
It was a gaze Arche knew well.
Hekkeran realized it instantly. The same chilling depth that sometimes surfaced in Arche's eyes — that calm, distant focus — it hadn't come from her mentor Fluder Paradyne. It came from this man.
"Since you've turned my adorable pupil into what she is now," Kaiser said quietly, "I can't really bring myself to take you too seriously. Sneak attacks, underhanded tricks… ah well. You hit me, after all."
You didn't even get hit!
You blocked it — with one hand!
The thought screamed silently through every member of Foresight — and even the demon himself.
Imina and Roberdyck both instinctively wanted to tackle Kaiser to stop him — but before they could even move, Kaiser clenched his fist.
He was no monk. He was a warrior — one who relied on his blade. And yet, he didn't reach for it. He didn't need to. His fist alone would suffice.
"Paang."
BOOM!
Kaiser's punch tore straight through the Life Demon's abdomen.
It wasn't a metaphor — his fist had literally pierced the creature's body, leaving a gaping hole that sprayed blood across the floor.
The Life Demon looked down, bewildered, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Kaiser calmly withdrew his hand and flicked off the blood. The demon staggered, and only then did realization — and fear — dawn in its eyes.
"W–What… are you…?"
With a dull thud, the demon collapsed backward.
A being strong enough to threaten an entire nation — felled in a single blow that didn't even seem serious.
Kaiser exhaled lightly, his tone relaxed as if brushing off the end of an errand. He stepped past Roberdyck, murmuring casually:
"Heal."
A faint shuuung echoed, and the injury around Roberdyck's ankle vanished instantly.
"W–What in the…?" Roberdyck stammered.
He can heal, too?
To wield such overwhelming might, and also cast restorative magic… it was absurd. To Roberdyck, the man before him was the truest definition of a hero among heroes.
Kaiser turned, gently scooping up the fallen Arche in his arms.
"Heal."
A soft glow enveloped her, and color returned to her face. Arche blinked weakly.
"...Ugh. I can walk now. Please, put me down."
"Unlike our priest over there, you've taken far too much internal damage," Kaiser said with a small smile. "You'll need to rest. Wouldn't you agree, priest?"
"Y–Yes… indeed. Her injuries were critical — it's a miracle she survived at all. Even healed, she needs rest."
"You heard him," Kaiser said, looking down at her with a playful expression.
Arche sighed, struggling faintly before giving up.
Against Kaiser's strength, resistance was pointless.
And truthfully… being held like this wasn't unpleasant.
She didn't like being treated like a child — but considering his age, perhaps every human was a child to him.
"You've grown strong, Arche."
"...Is that sarcasm?"
"Why does everyone assume that? That's becoming a real problem lately."
"It would be easier to believe if I'd actually won. I lost completely."
"For someone your age, you've achieved a lot."
Arche almost pointed out that most of it was thanks to the Sage's Rosary — but she didn't have the energy. The exhaustion was catching up to her fast. Kaiser was right — healing magic could mend wounds, but not replenish blood or stamina.
"Oh, right," Kaiser added with a faint smile. "I forgot to mention it. …I came to pick you up."
"...You're far too late."
"I've lived a long time. My sense of time's gotten a bit loose."
Arche let out a tired sigh, closing her eyes.
"I waited… for you…"
And with that whispered confession, relief and fatigue finally overtook her, pulling her into sleep in Kaiser's arms.
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