The negotiation with the Dwarf Republic is over, huh?
Time has passed rather uneventfully since then.
Of course, the overall situation right now is definitely not relaxed. But thanks to the information Commander Yuren has, at least for now, I could spend some leisurely time.
“We made a decisive resolve against the demons. There were those who fled in fear and ended up dead, but many fought bravely until the end.”
“Was the opponent that powerful?”
“They were the demon’s elite forces. All seven of the true progenitors were gathered, and there were over 50 blood demons beneath them. The low-level ones were countless.”
“Thanks. I can set our course of action now.”
Bayard couldn’t recall the details, probably due to trauma, but Commander Yuren seemed to remember the situation at the time quite vividly since she was in command.
Well, they weren’t just any random bunch; they annihilated the Royal Knights in their golden age. Naturally, the demons would have been going all out. In simple terms, it was an all-out war.
Even though the Royal Knights were defeated and annihilated, they inflicted significant damage on the demons. That means the demons’ activity has greatly decreased for now.
I finally understood a little. Instead of handling things during that golden time, they chose to survive on their own, and they ended up overwhelmed by the recovered demons’ attack.
That’s the situation from the original story.
However, unlike what happened in the original, I have no intention of falling for it again. For starters, unlike the original, four members of the Royal Knights survived.
And one of them is Commander Yuren, the highest power of the Royal Knights, who is a dragon. This should allow us to somehow rebuild the Royal Knights before the demon’s power recovers.
Moreover, for some unknown reason, the other members have been training diligently. Some of them even collapsed in the process. I’m not sure why, but it’s definitely a good phenomenon.
Training done voluntarily will surely serve as a significant stepping stone for their growth. I also focused on what I had to do, which was teaching Helia.
“Don’t underestimate the opponent just by their appearance. Mutual respect is the basis of martial arts.”
“I’ll engrave it deep in my heart.”
“…….”
Watching Helia kneeling and listening to me, I felt an inexplicable guilt rising up. But it couldn’t be helped. It’s not like I’m teaching the morals that come out in moral classes.
The crucial point is, I’m not even knowledgeable about moral subjects. All I can say is to live kindly. But that can’t be all there is to morality. So, I quoted some lines from martial arts literature.
“Power comes with responsibility, respect your opponent, and compassion is the basis of martial arts,” and so on. I tried to give her the best words possible. Helia is still young. She needs to be taught properly from now on.
That way, at least she won’t end up stabbing allies. It seems that the education is effective; she’s been seen interacting with the other members lately.
“By the way, Helia. Haven’t you seen the pendant?”
“The pendant?”
“Yeah, it’s a trophy obtained from Comprachicos.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t remember seeing it.”
“I see. That’s fine.”
Since Helia was the first to run over and support me before I lost consciousness, I thought she might know something, but she actually said she hadn’t seen the pendant.
The pendant itself didn’t seem to have any special power, but since it’s a demon’s item, I have to go search for it myself later. Just as I was finishing mental education, I heard the clattering of hooves and wheels of a carriage. Turning my head, I saw a very elaborately crafted carriage. Moreover, there was a dwarf sitting in the driver’s seat.
It was obvious, even to a fool, that it had come from the Dwarf Republic. My head involuntarily tilted in confusion. I thought there would be no requests for a while.
Moreover, the carriage had a red jewel-shaped banner hanging from it. In most cases where something is highlighted like that, it usually involved someone of high rank.
“That’s…!!”
“What? Why are you so surprised?”
“Is something going on?”
At that moment, all the members except those on guard duty were gathered in the courtyard for training. As they heard the sound of the carriage, everyone rushed over, and suddenly Ruby’s complexion darkened.
The carriage halted at its destination, and soon someone hurriedly got out from inside. He was a boy with brown hair, just like Ruby. At least, in appearance.
“Ruby! It’s Father! Your father has come!”
“……Why the hell is that trash here…?”
“……”
I had an approximate idea. The reason she was so reluctant to mention the past, why she craved power, and why her reaction wasn’t normal. I walked forward.
At least it seems the joy at seeing him is genuine; he tried to rush over to Ruby but was interrupted by me. He frowned at me. I opened my mouth.
“I am Hans, the interim commander of the Royal Knights. What brings you here?”
The fact that the guards let him in means he isn’t here for hostile reasons. Then, he must have come here at least for a request or something of equivalent value.
“And who do you think you are? How dare you! Do you even know who I am?!”
“Calm down, Sir Ruby. He is the commander of the Royal Knights. We must maintain basic courtesy.”
“……You are….”
“It’s been a while, Sir Hans. How have you been?”
A dwarf with one eye wearing a magnifying glass and green hair like his name, Emerald, got down behind him. I never would’ve thought he’d come again, Viral Emerald.
“Clara, Helia, take Ruby inside.”
“Okay, I got it.”
“Cluna, I know it’s sudden, but please prepare for our guest.”
“Yes, I’ll get it ready right away.”
Despite the unexpectedness, I took immediate action. The biggest issue was Ruby. She couldn’t even make eye contact right now. There’s only one situation for this.
Childhood abuse.
To express it more directly.
Domestic violence.
*
I wanted to get stronger.
Stronger than anyone, to escape from that nightmare. The scene I witnessed that day. From the beginning, that trash didn’t even consider us. Dwarves blindly pursue.
They believe their skills and what represents them are their values. In severe cases, even dwarves can be seized by madness and delusion. And unfortunately,
My father was that kind of person.
In the Dwarf Republic, there are four jewels that support the duchy: Emerald, Ruby, Diamond, and the encompassing Sapphire. They have existed as families, but among them, the weakest is Ruby.
At one time, even Sapphire was surpassed, reigning as the king of the Dwarf Republic, but over time, the decline of the family began to surface slowly.
As a result, they handed over the royal power to Sapphire, and even the position of the remaining jewel became precarious. To prevent that from happening, the family chose that man.
In fact, he succeeded in keeping the jewel’s position.
By sacrificing his beloved family. I hated that. The people of the family who were thrilled that they kept their positions disgusted me. That’s why I wanted to get stronger than anyone.
But look at where I am now. Unable to say a word to that man before me, just trembling and being led by the hands of the elf, who is practically my enemy. What a pathetic sight.
“It’s fine now.”
“Stop pretending to be strong. Your hands are still shaking.”
“It’s not a lie.”
“Ruby, you….”
A metallic taste of blood resulted from biting my lips hard. I could feel Clara looking at me in shock. I only felt sorry for her. But there was nothing I could do about it.
If I run away from here,
I feel like I won’t be able to return.
I forced strength into my arms and legs to stop the trembling. I turned my head away from the fear surging from deep within my chest. It can’t be left to anyone else. I must do this.
That guy is trash, but he’s not a fool. He must be plotting something under the guise of a request. And the commander has no choice but to accept that request. The situation is bad right now.
The Royal Knights are already on shaky ground.
Moreover, the opponent is the jewel of the recovered Dwarf Republic.
Naturally, they must have more than enough money.
I refuse to let a single member’s troubles affect the knight order. But I can’t turn tail and run now. It’s no different from my childhood.
So, I won’t even flee. I will fight with all my strength. That was the resistance I chose for the first time. And, with my hands still slightly trembling, I opened that door.
And…….
“Oops! My hand slipped, and I ended up smashing that head, huh?”
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