Wow, this is insane!
That was Hans’s impression after facing Steel Lightning up close. Well, to be precise, he wasn’t exactly up close. He saw it grandly positioned beyond the castle wall.
Just by size alone, it easily surpassed a castle. In fact, the main cannon was towering high into the sky. Hans stared at it in disbelief and quickly turned his head away.
Cluna and Clara, who met Hans’s gaze, avoided looking back. This was because they also had a share in creating that thing. Hans was baffled. Did they really make that?
“So, all sorts of skills and resources went into that Steel Lightning, huh?”
“Yes, I’ve heard that 20% of the iron ore from the Dwarf Republic was used to make that thing.”
“And even demon technology was used.”
“Did you guys recover that… or something?”
At Hans’s jab, Clara quietly sealed her lips. He sighed. It seemed doubtful whether capturing demons with demon technology would work. But thinking about how people get shot by guns in the modern world…
It seemed possible enough. Moreover, it wasn’t like the best engineers and blacksmiths of the Dwarf Republic would make such a mistake if they used it clumsily.
To top that, Cluna personally inspected the magical aspects. Apparently, there were quite a few traps set by demons among the technologies recovered. Should he be happy about this?
“To think you would use even the things from the demons you hate so much. No wonder they call him a tyrant.”
Using everything that could be utilized to annihilate the enemy. Truly, a mindset close to that of a tyrant. Hans clicked his tongue. What on earth happened to turn the gentle Bayard into this?
As someone who had good feelings towards Bayard, Hans felt more disappointment than anger. But he couldn’t just click his tongue from afar, feeling sorry.
He needed to say something before Bayard crossed the line. Forget about exterminating the demons; if the ripple effects reached the continent, innocent people would die too. That had to be stopped at all costs.
“I need to hurry.”
“Understood.”
“I’m not just saying that; I mean it.”
To think that Bayard, who used to be so timid and considerate of others, was willing to sacrifice innocent people. This was a testament to how much he had become a mess, cornered into a predicament.
Cluna and Clara were also burning with hatred and fighting like their lives depended on it, unlike their usual selves. And after achieving such a broken ambition, there was only one destination, no matter how he looked at it.
Suicide. Taking one’s own life. In a way, it was only natural. After committing such deeds, how many people could remain sane? Hans quickly moved his feet.
“You can’t enter without permission.”
“…….”
And just like that, he was cut off at the entrance. The Beastmen guards protecting Thunder Hammer were thoroughly on watch. Naturally, Cluna tried to resolve the situation herself, but they remained unmoved.
“Why can’t we? Clara and I are collaborators and co-developers with you!”
“Even so, it doesn’t change the fact that you can’t.”
“Who exactly gave you that order?”
“The Chief ordered it personally.”
“The Chief… Bayard himself…?!”
Oh my god.
Hans felt his heart race as he realized the situation was more serious than he thought. If he had been rash, he would have forcibly entered using Time Stop.
However, the last bit of reason he had stopped him from doing something like that. Would Bayard actually stop his actions if Hans met him? He didn’t think so.
In unfavorable situations, retreat first and rethink the plan. That was the lesson Hans learned from all his experiences thus far. To put that lesson into practice, he stepped back for the time being.
“Let’s calmly rethink this.”
“Let’s just sneak over the castle wall and get in.”
“…….”
Clara, Clara. What did you just take from what I said? Hans replied with a tired sigh. It wasn’t an issue that could be solved by simply meeting Bayard.
“This issue needs a more cautious approach.”
“Why?”
“Things have escalated to this point. It’s not likely that simply meeting would solve anything.”
The Dwarf Republic used a huge amount of iron to create that thing. They utilized every other technological asset to finally make it. What’s more, they made a disposable weapon that would be ruined upon use.
But if he were to meet directly and say, “Actually, I’m alive, I’d prefer you to stop this,” would Bayard respond with a simple “Okay” and cease his actions?
At least that’s how Hans thought. No, it could be seen as common sense. Yet, Clara seemed to think differently, tilting her head.
“Of course. Our commander has returned.”
“So, what I mean is…”
“I think that’s quite a reasonable argument.”
Just as Hans was trying to persuade Clara, Cluna, who had been silently listening and lost in thought, agreed with Clara’s words. Hans wore a bemused expression.
“Cluna, you too?”
“It’s not nonsense, Commander. It’s quite a feasible idea.”
“…….”
Hans shook his head. Now, he had no idea anymore.
*
Cluna’s plan was like this.
Sneak over the castle wall, knock out the sentries, and then infiltrate inside to track down Bayard’s traces to arrange a meeting with Hans. If that happened, the problem would be resolved.
No matter how he looked at it, it was a plan with numerous issues, but Hans had no better ideas, so he had no choice but to agree reluctantly. At the very least, they needed to meet so he could persuade them somehow.
But he never thought they would be caught right from the beginning. Hans sighed as he looked at the soldiers in front of him. All the Beastmen were frustratingly bare-chested.
The reason they were caught was absurd. They had just attempted to sneak over the castle wall at night and were immediately surrounded by soldiers. As if they were reading their movements. Cluna apologized while looking at Hans.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think it would come to this…”
“It was my plan to begin with. So the responsibility lies with me.”
“Commander…”
Cluna looked touched by Hans’s words, but for Hans, it was just natural. That’s part of the weight of being a leader.
At that moment, someone stepped forward.
“Excuse me for interrupting your little chat, but could you spare a moment of your time?”
“……That voice… You’re not…?”
“I was hoping it wasn’t true. But you really are alive.”
It was a familiar voice, yet also one he hadn’t heard in a long time. Soon, a girl appeared in Hans’s eyes. She had short hair, cropped into a bob, unlike before.
“It’s nice to meet you again. I’m Yuyoung.”
The girl who was once the leader of the Twelve Tribes and chief of the Rat Clan. Yuyoung had personally come out leading the soldiers. Seeing her figure, Hans clicked his tongue. Did she really predict this with just that scant information?
“It’s been a while, but you’re still impressive.”
“You flatter me.”
“Well, okay. I’d like to negotiate if possible.”
“For what purpose?”
“To save Bayard.”
Hans’s overly confident response startled not only Yuyoung but also the nearby Beastmen. If it had been before, he would have tried to escape the situation with excuses and justifications.
However, Hans had now decided to put those things aside. He didn’t want to be ambiguous any longer. It was that ambiguous attitude that led to this mess. Of course, their actions weren’t right.
However, at the very least, to talk face to face, he needed to abandon the same ambiguous stance he had before. Yuyoung’s expression soon turned cold. She spoke sharply.
“It seems you’ve come with ulterior motives.”
“We’re not here for that…”
“Would you kindly leave? The grand undertaking is nearing completion.”
Yuyoung’s words were like a cold dagger. It was so intense that even Clara, Lua, and even Cluna momentarily found themselves speechless. But Hans was different.
“As the commander, is it unreasonable for me to save my member?”
“……”
“How absurd.”
Even though it was in the past, he had once been a ruler overseeing all the Twelve Tribes. Faced with such a ruler, Hans stood his ground without retreating. Cluna and Clara admired him internally.
‘Not backing down to Yuyoung. Truly our commander.’
‘How I’ve longed for that back figure.’
‘Damn. Can’t you get out of the way faster?’
While Hans was getting irritated, it didn’t matter that he had the Dragon Heart. Generally, he wouldn’t back down under any ordinary momentum, but they couldn’t know that.
“Are you saying you’ll get through here no matter what?”
“Of course.”
“What if the entire Beastmen clan stands in your way?”
“Then so be it.”
Judging that further discussions were pointless, Hans slowly placed his hand on the hilt of the Divine Sword at his waist. Just at that moment, Yuyoung suddenly knelt.
Then she looked at Hans and said.
“I’m sorry, Commander Hans. Please forgive my rudeness for testing you without permission.”
“Testing? ”
“That’s right.”
Yuyoung spoke with a desperation that wasn’t like her.
“Please, save my friend.”
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