Chapter: 165: Return of the Hero (2)
Sudden chaos. The faces of the overseers turned pale with shock and fear.
Even so, a few of them seemed to snap back to reality and get ready to deal with my attack. Not that it would matter.
In my hand, the Holy Sword is now gripped tightly.
I swing it casually towards them.
I’m not forcing any divine power into it. I didn’t pour all my strength into a concentrated blow either. Just a messy swing.
But that alone makes the ground tremble.
Light explodes forth, wiping out all foes in sight.
It’s as if those overseers never existed from the start, disappearing without even leaving ash behind.
‘…This feels strangely nostalgic.’
It’s an odd sentiment. The power from that casual swing rivals or even exceeds the desperate strike I made three years ago.
Well, this is that mining camp—the very first place I was thrown into this world.
‘Back then, everything was overwhelming.’
The horrifying situation of being thrown into a game I had never even played before.
I didn’t know a single thing. At that time, I didn’t realize that the only lifeline I thought I had—the spoilers—was just some deranged bait someone cooked up.
My physical abilities were pitiful, facing a guaranteed death sentence if I stayed here, fighting the overseers felt like a suicide mission, and I was on the verge of going insane.
But now?
That girl, Siel, who was once a complete stranger and ended up being the first chapter boss, is now my companion.
Those overseers, once seemingly invincible bosses who were designed not to be fought, are now no different from low-tier monsters that I can crush with a single blow.
Counting the years since I first possessed this body—it’s been a solid four years.
So much has changed in just four years.
I can’t help but feel sentimental.
As I reflect on the past, I suddenly recall the Holy Sword and turn my head.
Getting lost in nostalgia can happen any time; right now, I have a ton of pressing issues to handle.
Turning my head, I see that boy again.
The one who once shared bread with me.
When everyone was running away, calling Siel a dark mage and even locking the doors in panic, he was the only one waiting for us, holding the key.
‘But he’s a member of the Black Fangs now?’
The whole world is now part of the Black Fangs.
It’s harder to find someone related to me who isn’t affiliated with that group.
What’s going on? It seems everyone has secretly joined and is working hard behind my back.
“Wait, Commander? Is that really you?!”
He even knows my identity. How does everyone else seem to know my identity better than I do?
Maybe I was the only one in the world not aware that I was the commander.
If those who know me had just dropped a hint, I wouldn’t have been in such confusion—I felt a grumble rise up.
That thought didn’t linger long.
– I am the Commander of the Black Fangs.
– The Black Fangs have come to rescue you.
– We will topple the rotting Empire and create a fair world…
Reflecting on it, I probably shouldn’t be grumbling about this.
The one who spouted those lines didn’t even realize they were the Commander. How was I supposed to know something like that?
Maybe this is the karma I have to bear for abusing convenience by impersonating someone else.
“So yeah, I am the Commander of the Black Fangs.”
So, I surrender to the reality of it and nod my head.
Upon hearing my words, the boy’s eyes filled with shock and admiration. He starts babbling with excitement.
“Right, today makes exactly three years! The three-year resurrection theory is right on the mark! The Alliance of Guardians was right!”
I can’t make heads or tails of what he’s saying. At least it’s a relief that he seems to know quite a bit.
The head of the Alliance had initially suggested the “Three-Day Resurrection of the Black Saint” based on scripture, but then all the other resurrection theories have been wrong.
Even this time, the ambitious one-year resurrection theory was wrong, leading to the ignored three-year resurrection theory coming true—who would’ve thought it would actually hit the mark?
I looked at him and asked the question that had been nagging at me the most.
“What happened in the three years I was gone? Is everyone in the leadership okay?”
However, he made a troubled expression at my question.
He didn’t seem to know much about the details of the leadership’s situation.
Well, thinking it over, it makes sense. The Black Fangs are a notorious organization shaking the Empire to its core.
Details regarding the leaders are likely classified. It would be unreasonable to expect a low-ranking member to know that information.
Maybe the fastest way is for me to go out and investigate directly—just as I was thinking that, I noticed his expression darkening. He had asked me a question but was sweating for some reason.
After hesitating for a moment, the boy opened his mouth.
“I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off.”
“…What do you mean by ‘off’?”
“I’ve been lying low here. My role was to carry out groundwork before the Black Fangs came to liberate the mining camp.”
Is that what he’d been doing?
Could it be that the organization has grown significantly larger than I thought?
Is this the work of Rubia or Kishua?
As I entertained those thoughts while listening to him…
“But the attack wasn’t supposed to be today.”
Now I’m stunned.
I can’t not be shocked.
“I initially thought it was just a simple mistake. But the more I think about it, it seems impossible that the upper management could make such a rookie error.”
Just as that boy mentioned. As long as Rubia and Kishua are at the helm, such mistakes shouldn’t happen.
What’s coming now isn’t support from the Black Fangs to liberate the mining camp.
That much is certain.
But if that’s the case… then who the hell is charging this way now?
Footsteps draw near.
I can sense that those mysterious intruders are barreling right toward us.
“…Please take care of the kids who haven’t escaped yet.”
I directed that at the black-haired boy. He hesitated, wanting to object and say he couldn’t escape alone—but then he bit his lip in frustration and took off.
He’s figured it out.
Staying here would only hinder the battle rather than help.
With him gone, I wait alone for the enemy.
The mana I sense isn’t that strong, so I think I can handle them with ease—but I won’t let my guard down.
I don’t know who sent them or what purpose they have in coming here.
I keep my guard up and await the enemy’s arrival.
The footsteps grow louder. It won’t be long before the attackers are in front of me.
And…it’s a face I know all too well.
Naturally, my face flushes with shock. The culprit of my surprise greets me casually.
“Welcome back, Commander.”
…So, it turns out Rubia is standing right in front of me.
*
The situation with Rubia being reunited after a long time.
However, I couldn’t be purely happy about this reunion. I keep questioning if the Rubia in front of me is really the one I know.
“Can you give me a situation report?”
My voice is stiff, prioritizing hearing the report from the boy over a warm greeting.
Her emotionless tone triggers memories of the heartless businesswoman I saw through the crystal ball compared to the goofy sister I know. Right now, she seems much closer to the former.
‘She always tends to turn cold when she’s on business, but…’
This is too much. She practically feels like a machine instead of a person.
Naturally, all sorts of ominous theories began to pop up in my head.
What if this Rubia is an intricate counterfeit created by the Emperor to extract information from me?
Or perhaps some twist in fate where the original Rubia has reclaimed her identity, taking over the persona of the Rubia I’ve known?
“Important things need to be conveyed to you, Commander.”
As I was caught in anxiety, Rubia opened her mouth first. Looking at the subordinates she brought and then glancing over at the boy.
“Everyone, please step back for a moment.”
At her words, those who looked like subordinates shouted ‘Yes, Ma’am!’ with stiff voices and moved aside.
Now it’s just the two of us in this space. The question of what Rubia wants to tell me rises naturally.
But… what escapes her lips is not a report about events that unfolded over the past three years.
Rubia lunges at me, and her overwhelming warmth buries my face. Before I can adjust to this bizarre situation, she speaks up:
“W-Why did you take so long to return?! I-I was so scared because I didn’t know what to do all alone…”
She’s not merely whimpering; she’s crying now.
Her wails echo throughout the entire mining camp.
I can feel the eyes of everyone in the vicinity on us. No matter how much I asked for privacy, cries like that can’t be overlooked in this underground space.
But Rubia pays no mind, continuing to sob. Upon closer inspection, it appears she rushed out in a bear pajama underneath her hood.
Only then do I feel a sense of relief.
That’s our lovable, bumbling lady!
I’ve finally returned to where I belong, my home, my true place.
To Be Continued…
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