water train, but looking at the situation today, Ainz, Chris, Lloyd, and Dill had no choice and took the carriage and headed for the castle.

「I’m sorry for showing you such a disappointing appearance, Ainz-sama! It’s only natural that I should be dismissed from my duties as your escort! I’m deeply sorry for bringing disgrace to your face, Ainz-sama!」

In the carriage, Dill continued to apologize to Ainz. He apologized to Ainz for showing his disgraceful appearance before he won. It was an apology because he thought that he had embarrassed Ainz, the target of his escort.

「You don’t have to apologize like that. You’ve won after all, so it’s okay」

「B-But...」

「You’re being stubborn, Dill. But it’s not that I object to what Ainz-sama says」

「...Yes, Your Excellency the Grand Marshal」

「Well, well, You don’t have to be so angry, Lloyd-san. You had such a happy face back then though」

「A-Ainz-sama, that was just...」

Lloyd scolded Dill, but this time Ainz admonished him in the opposite direction. Dill wondered what had happened to him.

「Dill. I’ll have to reward you for winning today」

「N-no, you don’t have to do something like that!」

「Ainz-sama, by any chance, what do you mean by reward is...」

「Well, you’ll have to take it, Dill. And also, when I heard that Dill’s dream was to defeat Lloyd-san and take his place, Lloyd-san was happy to hear that, right?」

「N-no... I don’t know what you’re talking about...」

Lloyd reacted as if he was embarrassed and didn’t know what he meant. But Ainz didn’t miss this chance.

「Hey, Chris-san? That’s true, right?」

「Yes, as Ainz-sama said, he made such a happy face」

「Ugh... What a thing to say, Chris!」

「Father」

When Dill heard those words, his expression brightened a little and he called out to Lloyd. He had called him “Father” instead of “Marshal”, and Lloyd had lost his chance to correct them.

「...What is it?」

「I’m not aiming to be a Grand Marshal. But... I will defeat you, father, and take the title of the Strongest Knight of Ishtalica into my hands」

Dill’s face, full of confidence, looked dazzling even to Ainz. He was radiant, and now he had a fine face full of courage to say those words.

「I’m not going to hand over this throne to you so easily. Don’t ever think you can take it from me until I’m dead!」

Lloyd’s expression was the same, somewhat radiant and happy. A lot had happened today, but even Ainz felt that it had been a good day.

「Hey, Dill」

「Yes!」

「Dill had promised me that you would be the strongest knight I’ve ever seen. So, I’m not going to say anything about it, because all I can do for you is waiting for the day when Dill becomes the strongest knight. I’ll be waiting for that day more than anyone else... Okay?」

「...As you wish. Your Highness」

Ainz smiled when he heard Dill’s reply.

For Dill, this was the day when he pledged his true loyalty to Ainz.

Without any worries or doubts. He just said he would wait for him to take Lloyd’s throne as the strongest.

He would continue to serve him, risking his life for him. That’s what he promised to himself. No matter what happens, he swore to be Ainz’s ally and shield.

This thought was the most important vow that Dill would keep until the end of his life.

***

Author-san notes:

Although the title was Ainz’s school life, Dill somewhat becomes the main character more than half of the time.

I wrote the first year as the scene where Dill pledged his loyalty to Ainz.

In his mind, Ainz’s words were significant for him...