I’d rather not just break it but should have put it in storage instead.
Hans had maintained a confident demeanor in front of everyone, but the regret that flooded him after breaking it was unavoidable. No matter what, the power of Steel Lightning was truly immense.
Then, how could he improve that lightning to use it as a weapon? Such thoughts arose, but most of the dwarves chose to retreat at Hans’ words.
Of course, they hadn’t given up their hatred. However, they decided to watch Hans settle things with the demons. After all, what they wanted was to eradicate all demons.
There were also realistic issues to consider. For example, should they recognize the Anti-Demon Alliance they were cooperating with? If they did, how could they convince the vengeful ones with mere words?
“That can be solved slowly over time.”
Trying to solve everything at once never leads to solutions. Hans believed that if he tackled one small issue at a time, eventually everything would be resolved. Yes, just like right now.
Hans tried to pry Bayard, who was clinging to his waist like glue, off by applying some force. However, Bayard squeezed even tighter, refusing to let go.
Thanks to that, Hans felt a pain that nearly split his body in half and gave up on trying to remove Bayard by force. After all, his body was reinforced with the Dragon Heart. Was Bayard simply stronger?
Well, three years ago, he had held his own against the Dragon Yuren in a power struggle. What about now, three years later? Hans clicked his tongue. Instead, he felt it would be better to try persuading him with words.
“Bayard, how about letting go now?”
“Th-that’s not possible!”
“Why not?”
“Because I haven’t seen you in three years! I need a refill!”
“So, what?”
“The Commander’s aura… hehe.”
Oh boy. Bayard’s shy smile looked like a maiden clutching a man’s hand for the first time. Because of that, Hans was left speechless. At that moment, Clara noticed the situation.
“Bayard! What are you doing?!”
“Good timing, Clara. Help me with this guy.”
“I want to join too!”
“What?”
Clara rushed to the position opposite Bayard, right beside Hans’ right side. Suddenly, Hans ended up with two lumps at his sides. Naturally, he couldn’t move properly by himself. Hans’ sighs grew deeper with each passing moment. Cluna, who had entered the room, stuck out her tongue.
“What’s going on here?”
“He just suddenly latched on.”
“That’s understandable.”
“What?”
“More importantly, I have the information you requested, Commander.”
Cluna handed several parchments to Hans. It felt a bit off to casually switch topics, but there were more important matters at hand. Hans reluctantly accepted the information from her.
“Now I’m getting scared about finding the next chapter.”
Cluna and Clara were at least composed. While they had set up that nonsensical plan to collaborate with demons and hunt them down, it wasn’t as absurd as Bayard’s actions.
Let’s invent a new weapon and set the world on fire!
Bayard’s scheme was more colossal than imagined. Just how unbelievable were the others planning things? With a worried look, Hans read the information Cluna had brought.
“Who did you get this from?”
“I received it from Yuyoung.”
“I see…”
“She said she had a rough idea just in case.”
As Cluna said, they could at least accurately know where everyone was and what they were doing. Helia was currently active in the Human Kingdom, and Yuren and Ruby were on Sky Island.
Sky Island.
A homeland for all dragons, a place where only dragons could reach due to its height. How glorious it was for a dwarf like her to step foot there!
Shaking off pointless thoughts, Ruby hoisted her gigantic hammer onto her shoulder. Most of the dragons had already been subdued and were lying on the ground. Only one remained.
The Dragon Lord, leading all dragons. A dragon whose identity was unknown with many names and forms. Even now, he eyed Yuren, looking different from what he had seen before.
He appeared as a girl with long black hair. Her build was exceedingly small. Ruby, a dwarf, had to look up to see her. She coughed up blood and shouted.
“Yuren, do you even know what you’re trying to do…?!”
“Of course. I fully understand.”
“And yet, you still intend to walk the path of a monster?”
The Dragon Lord rose from the ground, spitting blood in anger. A powerful lightning bolt burst forth around him. While Ruby might have been able to hold her own against other dragons, the Dragon Lord was a being from an entirely different dimension. Because of that, Ruby found it quite overwhelming just to defend herself against his fierce aura. However, Yuren calmly swatted the lightning away with her hand.
She even reached out and grabbed the Dragon Lord’s throat. The Dragon Lord couldn’t even react to the sudden attack and choked helplessly. Yet, there was no mercy in Yuren’s gaze.
“Do you think the path I’m walking now is the path of a monster?”
“Ugh…!!”
“If so, then you should have done it right from the start.”
With all that balancing talk and whatnot, you should have just killed them from the beginning instead of letting them run rampant! Yuren’s fury ignited once more.
Watching her, Ruby clicked her tongue. Once Yuren reached that state, talking her down would be extremely difficult. Though she usually managed to suppress it, once the fire got lit at the core, that would be the end.
Even she wouldn’t be able to stop it. Ruby felt safe from her wrath only because she fell within the category of a comrade. If it weren’t for that, she might have been caught up in it.
‘Well, that wouldn’t be too bad, either.’
Ruby’s attitude had completely transformed from three years ago. It was a clear sign that she had lost all her leisure since then. Meanwhile, Yuren tossed the Dragon Lord away.
The Dragon Lord, hurled away by Yuren, collapsed helplessly onto the ground. Ruby ignored the fallen Dragon Lord and continued climbing the stairs. Yuren looked at Ruby and asked.
“Are we ready? How long will it take?”
“Three days should be enough. All the materials have been gathered.”
“So, we just need to wait that long?”
“Right. Then everything will end.”
If this plan succeeded, then perhaps not a single being would survive. Everything would return to nothingness. Nevertheless, Yuren and Ruby weren’t bothered by it.
Three years ago.
They had strived to protect the Royal Knights. They firmly believed their commander was alive and would return one day. They persevered through it all. However, the world did not allow for such a belief.
Look at reality.
The commander was dead.
The Royal Knights were no longer needed.
They repeatedly denied it, time and time again. They wandered, trying to prove their faith by searching for the commander. Yet, no one came to help. How could this be? How much had the commander done for them?
A terrible sense of betrayal filled them. If only someone had at least pretended to help them. Or if only they had acknowledged the meaning of the Royal Knights. Then, perhaps, none of this would have happened.
Was this the gratitude they received for risking their lives in battle?
Yes, if that’s your answer.
Then I shall respond accordingly.
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