I have a dream.
The place seemed like a stage somewhere. She was always sitting in the audience, watching the scene unfold. Then, moments later, the curtain of the stage rose, and the actors appeared.
The actors all had familiar faces. A Lizardman wielding a great sword and a Rat Clan boy fought each other, resulting in mutual destruction. A Dwarf woman and a veteran Elf went for each other’s throats.
And the play always ended with a giant dragon appearing and eating the actors. At the same time, Bayard woke up. The dreadful nightmare had repeated.
“…Where am I?”
Bayard blankly looked around. This wasn’t a makeshift room made of broken wood and vines. It was a properly built chamber with sturdy stones and a comfortable bed supporting her.
Was that just a dream?
Or… something else?
I don’t know. At this moment, she couldn’t tell. If only she could say it clearly to someone else, maybe it would help, but for some reason, she couldn’t voice it aloud.
Like a heavy stone blocking her mouth. The suffocation made her unconsciously turn her gaze away. Ever since that day, the day she barely returned from hell, until now.
It hurts. My head hurts. It feels like pieces of glass are digging into my mind. Would I be liberated from this pain if I died? What good is my life if I can’t protect anyone?
“…It’s okay. You just need to prove it with your strength.”
“Commander…”
“If you prove it yourself, everyone will eventually see it again.”
“…Thank you, Commander. I’ll do my best.”
There’s no longer a Commander to tell her that it’s okay. All that remains is a piece of trash that couldn’t prove her self-value. The guilt of not being able to protect burned hot within her.
“First, I will officially sponsor the Royal Knights from the Dwarf Republic.”
“Of course, with the top-grade equipment prepared by the Dwarf Republic. I will also turn this fortress into a stronger fortress.”
“In return, you want me to hand over a recruit from Bayard?”
“That’s correct. Just one, only one will do.”
Beastmen have superior hearing compared to other races. Especially, Bayard’s hearing was far beyond that of a typical Beastman. So she could hear the conversation happening upstairs.
Dwarf Republic. Come to think of it, she had heard unsettling rumors before going on the expedition. But to think they were scheming like this…
There was no escaping. If she ran away again, it would definitely cause trouble for the Royal Knights this time. Instead, if this helps everyone…
“Of course, I refuse.”
“Wise choice… Huh?”
“…?”
Even she thought it was an excellent proposal. Unless one was like Yuren who thought extremely about her comrades, it would be an unavoidable offer for a typical commander.
The Royal Knights were in dire straits. Many issues loomed, but the biggest problem was that most of the factions that had supported the Royal Knights had turned their backs.
But if the Dwarf Republic officially sponsors them? Then, apart from improving the situation, other factions would also start moving to keep the Dwarf Republic in check.
Even Yuren would probably have to accept in such a situation. Being a commander means knowing when to cut off even a painful finger.
“For a long time, those who acted like you were always plotting something from behind.”
The Elf was right. Those who come off overly friendly usually had ulterior motives. That’s why Bayard was suspicious of the current commander instead.
“But how could anyone sell their family for money?”
“Family…”
The shock hit her like lightning, shaking her to her core. Was that why? Memories she had forgotten before coming here resurfaced. The time she rampaged and attacked.
Despite having the power to subdue them easily, he deliberately chose to embrace her. Even if his frail body could be torn apart and killed. Why could he do that?
That question barely clarified itself now.
He genuinely thought of everyone assembled here as family. Could she reach out her hand to that warm feeling? Someone like her, rejected even by her own blood?
“It’s okay. You’re alright now.”
“No one will torment you anymore.”
“I can accept all those feelings.”
“Let it all out, and cry.”
She had already heard that answer directly from the commander.
And Bayard threw up every ounce of buried anguish she had been holding back.
The guilt and sorrow of losing her comrades.
*
Without realizing it, a chilling thought crossed her mind.
No matter what, she swore she would never act like the Time Stop Breeding Uncle. Yet, she found herself thinking that she could just steal something. This totally wouldn’t do.
If she wasn’t careful, she might fall to the level of the Time Stop Breeding Uncle. Just imagining it was too terrifying. She slammed her fist into her head several times.
Even though it didn’t hurt because she was wearing a helmet, it was the jolt that helped her regain her senses. No matter what, becoming like the Time Stop Breeding Uncle was absolutely out of the question.
She smacked her lips. Even though she had clearly refused without really listening, she realized upon reflection that the Dwarf Republic’s proposal was much better than she had imagined.
“Since I refused the Dwarf Republic’s proposal, it seems the diplomatic relations between the kingdom and the republic will get quite complicated.”
“Not my concern. We are knights, not politicians.”
“You are quite a unique commander.”
“Really?”
“Yes, even Yuren prioritized her own kind.”
“It’s natural to look out for one’s own.”
In this world where races are tied together by names, taking care of one’s own isn’t something to fault. In fact, while they might be on shaky ground now,
these different races once were at odds, willing to wage war if necessary. But that was only when there was enough breathing space. Now that everything has gone to hell,
involving politics would simply be madness. In a way, this was an opportunity. Since everything was broken, the chances to build a new foundation arose.
But that was about all she could do. Completely excluding politics and creating a knight order that supports one another. A knight order that’s like family, to put it plainly.
“But I don’t belong here.”
“Teacher?”
Oh damn, I jumped!
“…Helia? When did you arrive?”
“I just got here, but what you just said…”
“It’s nothing. Let’s get to training quickly.”
She smoothly changed the subject. After sending the Dwarf Republic’s envoy away, she immediately moved to the next training session. However, with her current skills, she couldn’t teach the Royal Knights.
Thus, all their training was entrusted to Cluna. She had years of experience, and above all, she was a former party member of the first hero. In terms of skill and experience, Bayard could trust her.
In reality, Cluna was teaching much better than Bayard had anticipated. Clara and Ruby were following the training diligently. However, the problem was still Helia.
“You’re dodging all my attacks?!”
“I’m struggling to defend against that dwarf’s strikes.”
“……”
Helia was just 13 years old. Yet, she was holding her own against Ruby in sparring. Of course, in the end, Ruby would win.
But even being comparable to a formal member of the Royal Knights at the mere age of 13 was proof of Helia’s talent. That was the issue. Helia gleefully ran over to her.
“Teacher! Teacher! I still did my best! I did well, right?”
“Y-Yeah. You did well. Really great work.”
“Then praise me! Pat my head!”
This was becoming a problem. With her constantly asking for praises, the other members would naturally start to assume that Helia was Bayard’s pupil. This was absolutely intolerable.
“Let’s be clear. This is all because Helia is outstanding. I haven’t done anything at all.”
“No, it’s all thanks to you teaching me well.”
“A good teacher and a good pupil. That’s why good buds grow.”
“I want to learn from the commander someday too.”
“No, that’s not…”
Not wanting to induce any further misunderstandings, she endured the embarrassment and said it without anyone even asking. Thus, she inadvertently became the humble teacher praising her student.
However, she couldn’t finish what she was saying. Someone had placed their foot in the courtyard of the fortress. She turned her head. There stood a familiar face.
With reddish-brown hair, beast ears similar to a bear’s above her head, and wearing the red armor of the Royal Knights, she towered at about 2 meters tall.
“Commander, can I participate in the training too?”
“Of course.”
This was an unexpected gain. For some reason, she had somewhat overcome her trauma and managed to join the training. Did Ruby encourage her separately?
Well, who cares about the reason?
In the end, good was good.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
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Ugh…the pronouns in the latter part of the chapter is 100% wrong (she –> he)
And a few names were wrong too (Bayard –> Hans)