Before the prosthetic arm I ordered from the Dwarf Republic arrives, I decided to take a break. My doctor’s advice went unheard, but I could understand why. After all, I was an injured person.
It’s surprisingly common on the battlefield for an injured person to insist they’re fine and end up dying from overexertion. And I had no intention of dying foolishly. If I were just a member, it would be a different story.
Since I’m responsible as the Commander of the Royal Knights, I had no plans to die meaninglessly. The members strongly encouraged my rest, and I accepted it.
A strange sense of discomfort kept swirling in my head, but I thought it was just due to the absence of my arm. After all, I used to have two, and now only one remained.
So perhaps it was natural to feel strange. For now, that was the best I could guess. But aside from that, wasn’t this a bit too much?
I blankly stared at the object placed in front of me. It was a chair. A chair commonly seen in games. However, it had wheels at the end and armrests behind it.
“Isn’t this a wheelchair?”
“A wheelchair? The Dwarf Republic introduced it as a medical chair for patients.”
“I-I see. So that’s how they explained it.”
I cleared my throat and adjusted my tone. I couldn’t help but let out my original speech due to how ridiculous it was. At least in front of the members, I needed to maintain a serious demeanor.
But no matter how you look at it, sitting in this is a bit… Well, my two legs are fine, so it’s just my arm that’s missing. Yet for some reason, I couldn’t escape from her.
Cluna said nothing. She just stood behind the medical chair. She looked at me and smiled softly. Just that made me feel an immense pressure.
In the end, the only choice I had was to sit in the chair. As I sat down, Cluna took her place behind me and began to push the chair. It felt strangely overwhelming in many ways.
“Cluna, do we have to keep doing this?”
“Is there a problem?”
“I’m fine. I can walk on my two legs.”
“I’ve seen many people like that.”
“……”
“And most of them didn’t end well.”
Her voice, heavy with the weight of years beyond the commander’s responsibility, left me with no choice but to sit quietly. Let’s think positively. It’s somewhat comfortable, right?
“Do you have something to do, Ruby?”
“Oh no, I’ve been discovered.”
“Ruby?”
“Yes, I’ve been secretly following you since earlier.”
“Why were you doing that?”
As Cluna turned around, Ruby, who had been hiding, slowly walked out. I was startled because I hadn’t noticed her at all. Where had she been hiding?
While I was too surprised to say anything, Cluna fiercely interrogated Ruby. It was surprising enough to catch me off guard twice. I looked at Cluna.
“Cluna, that’s a bit excessive.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I totally understand.”
“Well, Ruby. What brings you here?”
“Nothing at all~!!”
With that, Ruby disappeared into the distance. I was completely perplexed. What the heck was that about? On the other hand, Cluna watched her retreating figure with a strange look.
“Cluna? Is something up?”
“Oh, excuse me. I’m sorry, Commander.”
“It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Thank you, Commander.”
Cluna and I arrived at the Table of Equality. On the day the Royal Knights were founded, all races gathered here to create a round table in the spirit of unity.
Now, it was being used much like a conference room. And at that moment, Yuren was carefully stroking the table. Just as I thought about leaving, wondering if I was interrupting.
“Commander, and Cluna has come with you too.”
“I’m just taking a little stroll to clear my head.”
“I see, walking is important. Especially considering the commander’s injury.”
“……Yuren, what are you doing here?”
Yes, my injury was serious, but I found it embarrassing to draw attention like this. Especially since I had sacrificed my arm as a cost, not due to a battle.
“I was just reminiscing about the past.”
“Are you talking about the time the Royal Knights were founded?”
“Yes, back then, everyone came together for a great cause.”
“……”
The invasion of the Demons had just begun, but initially, there wasn’t an immediate response. It was because no one was on good terms with each other. As the saying goes, the enemy’s enemy is a friend.
We merely watched as our enemies were attacked by the demons from afar. But, that mistake was realized shortly after. The demons pushed forward with overwhelming strength.
The Human Empire and countless kingdoms fell, and some races were even destroyed or absorbed by the demons. At least until the Royal Knights were established, we were at the mercy of the demons.
“Back then, everyone worked together to survive. I take pride in being the Commander of the Royal Knights.”
“That must feel so.”
“But if you ask me whether I acted rightly, I can’t boldly say so.”
“Because of the annihilation?”
“Yes, and because I couldn’t unite everyone.”
During the prime of the Royal Knights, we were powerful enough to defend our territory against the Blood Demons. However, we failed to stop the divisions between the races.
Of course, it would be harsh to place all the blame on Yuren, the commander, but I couldn’t say she was completely blameless. After all, the Royal Knights ended in annihilation.
“I think about it every time. Did I do the right thing?”
As a result, the divisions between the races worsened. In the future, with just a few small territories left, everything else fell to the demons. What came next was up to the player’s capability.
If the player lacked skill or had none, the continent would ultimately fall into the hands of the demons, becoming a second demon world. The demons’ goal was to turn this place into their realm.
At least that’s what the game’s setting revealed. However, through my battles against the Blood Demons, I’ve realized something. Even I, a veteran, do not fully understand the settings of this world.
For instance, in the original game, the Blood Demons didn’t even appear. The third in command among the demons was another type. So that leaves two possibilities. The Blood Demons either were killed before…
Or they were purged by their fellow demons. I scolded myself for being complacent. Just because I knew the game doesn’t mean I understood this world 100%.
From now on, I need to focus more on gathering information.
For the sake of me and the members of the Royal Knights.
However, for the time being, the demons likely wouldn’t move directly. The battles with the Royal Knights and the subsequent repulsion of the three Blood Demons depleted their strength significantly.
“Nothing is perfect in this world, unless you’re a god.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, so we live piecing together the missing parts.”
“……It seems the role of Commander suits you best.”
“You’re too kind.”
Yuren smiled and looked at me with a smirk. I felt a slight discomfort from that expression. I could have sworn I was thinking something else but couldn’t quite recall it.
“Um, you said you were taking a stroll? May I join?”
“I think I’m fine alone.”
“If you refuse, I’ll have to go back, you know.”
“It’s a stroll. It wouldn’t hurt to add one more person.”
“Right, so come out now.”
From where Yuren looked, someone soon revealed themselves. It was Ruby. Ruby showed up again? Come to think of it, Cluna did ask Ruby who she was following?
“Don’t tell me you were following me?”
“N-No, I was guarding you!”
“If you’re going to guard, just stay with me. That’s the best plan.”
“W-Well, if you put it that way… I have no choice.”
In that instant, Cluna shot a fierce glare at Ruby, but Ruby wasn’t bothered at all and pressed right against me. Yuren tried to pry Ruby away, but she wouldn’t budge.
“Get back. The Commander is uncomfortable.”
“I won’t! I absolutely won’t let go!”
“What are you so anxious about?”
“Because now, I have only one left.”
“Uh, really….”
For a brief moment, I felt like Ruby’s eyes glowed red. But now they returned to their usual color. Was that a trick of the light? No, it felt too strong to dismiss as a coincidence…
“What’s up?! Why is everyone but us gathered here?!”
“Teacher, are you okay with your wound?”
“Y-You mustn’t push yourself! I-I’ll help you!”
“It’s so noisy.”
“Okay, that’s enough. Any more and it becomes a burden for the Commander.”
For some reason, they all started gathering towards me as if they knew I was here. Meanwhile, Cluna began to hold them back. Well… At least everyone looks healthy, so I’m glad.
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