I wanted revenge.
I will definitely make that trash pay for my mother’s blood. I’ll smash that scum’s flesh and bones to bits. The hatred that had taken root in me at a young age became fuel, burning my own body up in flames.
Of course, I had no thoughts of my own well-being there. Ruby gritted her teeth and worked hard to grow stronger. Choosing a hammer as her weapon was probably for that very reason.
As cruel as possible. Just like that trash loves to pound iron. I’ll pound it just the same to kill him. It was probably an unconscious choice made in line with dwarf instincts.
For her, the Royal Knights were an absolutely perfect opportunity. The Royal Knights, the first multi-racial alliance knight order. Each member could be called the best knights.
Even if Balak is trash, he is the leader of one of the four gems supporting the Dwarf Republic. Naturally, I never thought I could win in a fight without anything.
So, Ruby joined the Royal Knights. To become stronger than she is now. And to take revenge on that trash. At first, it was annoying. Starting with the pesky Kanff always hanging around her.
Even the seniors who treated her like a kid and made her train. She had no time for such things. However, as time passed, slowly, just a little, her hatred faded.
It wasn’t that she forgave that trash. He had wielded violence against her and her mother since childhood and later ultimately killed her mother. How could she forgive someone like that?
[Surely, you must have some purpose yourself.]
[……]
[I won’t ask what it is. B-but don’t cut the connection we have as comrades. A-After all, we’re comrades fighting together, risking our lives…….]
[…Isn’t it a bit funny to talk about that after I knock you out?]
Ruby’s mentor and supervisor was Bayard. At first, she thought he was a timid fool, but what the heck. Once the lid was opened, he was a knight with insane power.
However, it wasn’t just because of his strength that Ruby chose to follow Bayard. He always stayed by her side, trying to take care of her no matter what.
Thanks to Bayard’s efforts, Ruby gradually began to open her heart to the Royal Knights. The goal of killing Balak would never change. But she slightly adjusted her thoughts.
If she could kill Balak, she would be willing to sacrifice her life. That dangerous thought shifted to, once everything is over… wouldn’t it be better to have a place to return to?
[Royal Knights are fun after all. Each one is strong!]
[Stop the nonsense and kill. This is a total war with our lives on the line.]
[I think that’s a very dirty and cowardly tactic though?]
[For victory, I can do anything willingly.]
But, even that place to return to disappeared. Losing her mother, even the warmth she felt for the first time turned to ashes. If not for everyone’s sacrifice, we would’ve all died.
Precious things must be within sight.
Why is it? The teachings her mother had given came rushing back. We couldn’t die, we survived. The fears and memories of that hell continued to assault her unceasingly.
To lessen even a bit of that anxiety, Ruby and Clara clashed their weapons every day. If they didn’t, those nightmares kept coming back. And then, she met him.
The commander of the Royal Knights, recommended by the Human Kingdom. Just a human used as a shield to maintain the formality of the annihilated Royal Knights. That’s what she thought before meeting him.
“But that wasn’t the case.”
Ruby forced herself to rise. Blood continued to flow from the many wounds on her body. She landed considerable attacks on her opponent, but when she regained her senses…
For some reason, Ruby had more wounds than before. It was as if she could fly but wasn’t. The long, torn mouth seemed to mock her.
Her archenemy was right in front of her. An enemy she loathed so much she could tear him apart on sight. But she couldn’t win with her own strength. Should she retreat from here? Or is it better to fight until she dies?
‘…Ha.’
Ruby laughed. Right at the brink of breaking, the image of that man popped into her head. Throwing herself for a complete stranger. The image of some fool.
He always cared about others. Calling her as part of counseling, asking various questions. And at times, he would scold firmly. She really didn’t understand.
But she didn’t feel bad about it. Rather, his clumsiness felt cute. But Ruby already knew. That was the commander’s essence.
The commander wasn’t just a big mouth fool. For some reason, he chose to do things that made him hated. Yet, when we were in danger, he threw himself without hesitation. Why? She thought about that reason.
[Why does the commander deliberately choose to do things that make him hated?]
[It all felt so obvious due to his clumsy actions.]
[W-well.]
[Maybe he has a backstory?]
Cluna said there must be some story behind the commander. For example, he might not attach himself to new comrades because he lost his old ones.
[Then why does he risk his life to help us?]
[That’s just how the commander is.]
[I think he’s the kind of person who’s afraid of losing comrades but can’t leave someone in danger.]
In reality, the commander never turned a blind eye to those in danger. Bayard rampaging due to desertion, Yuren under mind control, the Dwarf Republic, the Twelve Tribes, even the Elven Forest.
Honestly, it wouldn’t be strange if he had several lives at this point, but the commander naturally chose to save everyone. So his words gained strength.
Before she knew it, Ruby found herself following the commander. And that was still the case now. Earlier, when the commander slapped her, his words lingered in her ears.
[Say that again.]
[Whose life is meaningless?]
“I’m sorry, Commander.”
She had lived until now for revenge. But after going through so much and having completely collapsed and lost all hope, the commander extended a hand to her. He showed her a different path.
Now, she had another goal. It was to follow the commander’s path to the very end. Therefore, she couldn’t be caught up here. She would definitely win.
Was it a reaction to that will? Suddenly, the hammer Ruby was holding ignited with a hot flame. That flame engulfed everything around. Even Balak, who became a monster.
[Cool the hot iron.]
[I’ll forge a sword by striking the anvil.]
[The flames are my soul.]
The intense flames left traces on the ground. Leaving behind a darkened mark, Ruby slid forward, charging at Balak. Though Balak responded skillfully, the outcome was vastly different.
In the searing flames that enveloped Ruby, Balak’s two wings burned entirely. Only then did Balak realize something was wrong, but it was already too late. His wings burn were completely scorched.
What have I become this monster for? All of it was for the family. To create the ultimate art, the best sword! Just for that! How dare you, you!
Yet that thought could not be sustained until the end. Ruby’s hammer wrapped in flames came crashing down on Balak’s head in an instant. The faint presence was useless before the scorching flames.
Kwah-chak!!!
Ruby’s gigantic hammer, engulfed in flames, completely crushed Balak’s head. If it were the old Ruby, she would have made him suffer before he died. But for some reason, she didn’t do that.
[Are you satisfied?]
Ruby lifted her head. Her childhood self stood before her. Was it an illusion? Or something else? Either way, since she heard the question, she had to answer. Ruby smiled.
“I am satisfied.”
If she could take revenge, even if it cost her life, the childhood her no longer existed. Instead, only the Ruby who wanted to follow someone remained.
“Oh my, it’s truly been a while since I’ve felt this power.”
“According to legend, it is said that the dwarf who adventured with the first hero used the power of flames.”
“Yes, that’s right. She could use flames at will. But not a single one since then…”
“Perhaps it reacted to her blazing soul.”
Cluna and Yuren spoke while watching Ruby return victoriously from a distance, ringing out victory cries. They had lived long, so they knew everything.
However, they didn’t explain in detail. Because they thought the commander would know to some extent. So what was that commander thinking?
‘What the heck is that? I don’t know, I’m scared.’
Bingo.
He got spooked by the powers not mentioned in the game and pretense.
Ding dong ding dong~♪
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