When Death Walked the World

Chapter 6

On the bank of the Ooal River in the West side of the continent a little town flourished. The name of the town was Maz, and now it served as an important trade center for many local villages.

After the village was saved by the mysterious figure only known as "Ainz Ooal Gown" the news spread far and wide among the human and non-human populous. The tale of how "Death" himself descended from the sky, and purged all those who would dare lay harm to the denizens of Maz.

The frequent attacks stopped altogether in the vicinity of the village, and soon more and more people decided it was best to move there.

Many families relocated to the village, as it was deemed to be the safest option. In no more than a decade the village had grown out of itself, and the town of Maz was born, with over 5 000 citizens.

...

A hundred or so years later...

Ash was sitting in a wheelchair, a new invention made by one of his technicians employed directly under him. He was an old man, unbelievably so. This year he passed 113 years old. This age was thought to be impossible by many, as most died in their childhood, and even then, they would be prayed upon by demi-humans and monster. If one was lucky enough to be safe from all that, you would still get ill, and being ill would pretty much be your death sentence.

Nevertheless, he survived all of that. He and his sister had overseen this town, since its creation to its now flourishing state. He grabbed the medallion in his neck. Which shone ever so brightly in the dark room, with a warm green light.

It was an item of legends, an item of miracle, gifted to him and his sister by Ainz himself. The artefact would protect him from any illness known to man. He gathered that it protected even from those unknown to them. He was never sick, since the day he got that priceless gift.

His gaze never left the item, as he recalled his youth, how he hunted the beasts of the forest, how he sparred, and how he fought for the lives of the people in the past. He smiled as the memories returned to him, like it was only yesterday.

He heard a knock on the wooden door.

"Come in." He said in a weak voice.

The door opened and a woman came into the room. Said woman was his little sister, Selena. Who was over a hundred as well, though she still moved nimbly and had a cheerful voice as she did in her youth.

"Brother, d-do you think he will return?"

There was no need for more to be said, he instantly knew to whom she was referring to.

"I do not know sister, maybe... maybe not. The workings of his mind are beyond us, mere mortals."

His sister let out a soft laugh, before quickly covering her face.

"Oh, really? Us mere mortals? Even though we have lived already 4 times longer than the average humans do..."

"Yes, we have. Thanks to his mercy, and power."

"He had shielded us in the past century... He has given us the means to survive beyond length thought to be possible. But... do you think, he will continue to do so in the future? Don't you think he gave us his guidance and protection with reason?"

"Hmm, you are right sister." Said Ash as he elevated his gaze from the medallion to meet that of his sister's.

"Yes, and I believe it is time to pass your duties to the new generation."

"AH-ah -hah." Cough, cough. – "You say, I am no longer capable?" Cough, cough. "I am their protector, their guide in this dangerous world, I am the shepherd shielding the flock. Do you think, without me... without us, they could survive?" He said while gazing deep into her eyes with unwavering determination.