Viral the Ambassador announced everything that had happened this time without leaving anything out. It was so overwhelmingly the truth that it made us worried instead.
Of course, there were many despairing dwarves. After all, for us, the Divine Sword was a point of pride. A legendary sword that could cut through anything. A sacred artifact that was straight out of a fairy tale.
We had been holding on until now with the pride of having created it with our own hands. Yes, it wasn’t just a sword; it was the pride that resided in the hearts of all dwarves.
However, that pride turned to dust and vanished. Moreover, some craftsmen, shocked at the fact that their incredible spirit of craftsmanship had been made a fool of by the demons, either put down their hammers or, in some severe cases, smashed all the weapons they had created. Viral could have easily hidden all this if he wanted to. He was quite competent, after all.
But Viral chose not to hide.
He chose to face it all.
We can’t be tied to the past forever.
Admitting mistakes and correcting them—that was the Ambassador’s choice. The path would surely be hard and laborious, but I believe there will be another glory at its end.
So, now I have to change too.
I can’t call being tied to the past stupid. Everyone is that way. I was the same. Even now, the stains of the past still plagued me.
But with new experiences built over time, those stains were slowly being covered. Bit by bit, as I pile them up, someday, the stains will completely disappear. I believe that.
In Viral’s office, which was more like a smithy with the stench of iron from a furnace and bellows rather than a typical ambassador’s office.
“Are you really okay with this?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The opportunity for revenge.”
“……”
Viral requested a private conversation with me. At first, I was curious, but he surprisingly made a proposal. If I wanted, I could hold that man accountable and have him executed.
It was only if I wanted to, of course.
It was quite a bold suggestion. Of course, the sins that man committed deserved death, but holding him accountable would mean that a considerable number of dwarves would also have to bear the blame.
You can’t punish some and let others go. So, finding a compromise was the best choice from the country’s perspective. However, Viral asked me.
Was I really okay with that? If I wanted, he would give me the chance for revenge. Could it be that he knows about my mother and me? A bit of wariness arose, but I soon realized.
“I’m really okay with it.”
“Surprisingly so. I thought you’d want to take revenge right away.”
“Because, if I don’t do it myself, it won’t count.”
“……”
“To be honest, all this is thanks to the Commander. I haven’t overcome it myself, right?”
Indeed, if it weren’t for the Commander, I would never have had this opportunity. I haven’t done anything. So, no matter how good the opportunity is, I have no choice but to refuse.
“The Commander moves forward stoically. Even with painful experiences in the past… So, I intend to follow in their footsteps.”
“Did you hear something from the Commander?”
“No, but can’t you tell? Why such a person would seclude themselves in a rural refugee camp. And their sacrificial spirit, neglecting their own health.”
“Certainly, their actions must have a story behind them.”
“So, I will follow the Commander to the end.”
I have to do it myself. Whether the end is revenge or something else. Of course, I won’t be carrying the burden alone like Bourbon. I have reliable comrades.
“You, that tone of voice…”
“Huh? Is something wrong?”
“……No, it’s nothing. It just felt similar.”
“That’s an illusion.”
“Yes, of course. Just an illusion.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
I stood up, lightly bowed, and left the office. Viral picked up the hammer for the first time in a while. He felt like making a sword again or something. How untruthful.
I can roughly guess who the owner of that sword might be. As I stepped out of the office, the blue sky caught my eye. Come to think of it, when was the last time I truly absorbed that sky?
Until now, I hadn’t had the leisure for it. I was only thinking about becoming stronger for revenge. Be it for my mother or for my fallen comrades. But now, I found myself with a little breathing room.
“Miner! Why the hell aren’t you coming?!”
“W-who are you calling a miner? I can’t use that!”
“But a miner is still a miner!”
“Clara?”
“S-sorry, mom.”
“What a lovely mother-daughter duo.”
In the distance, five people were loudly chatting and a monkey speaking human language. I laughed and ran forward. Seriously, there’s barely a moment of boredom!
But I’ve definitely set my sights on a goal.
Just like the Commander, moving forward without wavering.
Then maybe someday, I too can forget the past.
*
Ugh.
My Divine Sword, damn it. If I had the Divine Sword, I wouldn’t care about the Royal Knights or anything else. Everything would be under my control. My perfect plan shattered into pieces. Dwarves, I swear…
Not a single thing I liked from head to toe. Now I understand why the original was destroyed. Just for a moment, a private thought popped up, but I quickly shook off all those distracting thoughts.
Not getting the Divine Sword was a painful blow, but it wasn’t completely without benefits. First, by resolving this issue, our relations with the Dwarf Republic improved dramatically.
They may have their issues, but anyway, the technological sophistication of the Dwarf Republic is top-grade and recognized everywhere. So, there’s no harm in being friendly with them. And then, the second point.
The Dwarf Republic boldly declared that they would be responsible for the equipment of the Royal Knights! Meaning, we could use the top-grade equipment created by the Dwarf Republic to our heart’s content.
And the King wasn’t about to let such a great opportunity slip by. Talks between the Dwarf Republic and the Human Kingdom were being arranged. It wasn’t just for show; everyone was moving quickly.
But what good is that?
Return my Divine Sword!
sniffle
I tried to hide my gloomy heart as I crammed myself into a corner. The other members were laughing and chatting together. Well, that’s to be expected. After all, they succeeded in saving the Dwarf Republic.
Thanks to that, we would receive support from the Dwarf Republic because it’s said that a sword lying around becomes a famous sword when it goes to other places; their weapons are known for their quality.
After all, we’re knights who make a living off swords. Thinking that we’d be using weapons from the Dwarf Republic, I couldn’t help but feel uplifted. But what good is it, the Divine Sword is already gone.
“I hear the weapons from the Dwarf Republic are famous for being excellent swords!”
“Wow, for once, Kanf is saying something right?”
“It’s not just swords. Bows, spears, and even clubs. The weapons from the Dwarf Republic are known for their high quality.”
“There are many craftsmen with an unyielding spirit of craftsmanship~.”
“What about the teacher?”
“I don’t care about any of them.”
That was the literal meaning of it. If it’s not the Divine Sword, anything I use would be weak just the same. There’s a saying: ‘A craftsman doesn’t blame their tools.’ In other words, if you’re not a craftsman…
But judging from their expressions, it seemed they took it another way. Everyone looked at me in admiration. Why are they looking at me like that? As I pondered that, Yuren’s eyes sparkled as she said.
“Indeed! Not relying on weapons, but believing in one’s own skills! Truly the commander!”
“The commander is not me, it’s you…”
“Good, good! The fire is lit in your souls! Everyone, when we get back, it’s special training!”
“Special training?! Why does it suddenly have to be that?!”
“You said you wouldn’t run away, so special training is something I really dislike!”
At Yuren’s declaration, everyone looked horrified. Come to think of it, Yuren’s special training was incredibly harsh. I had seen it from afar before.
Even watching made me tired. Of course, Clara and Ruby were horrified, and Bayard didn’t look too pleased either. Except for one person, that is. It was Helia.
“Please, allow me to have a round.”
“Excellent! As expected from the commander’s student! I love that you’re not avoiding training!”
“Ugh, if Helia is like that…”
“We’re automatically participating.”
“Well, it can’t be helped. We have no choice but to give it our all!”
In the carriage, the noise never ceased. Helia and Yuren were discussing training, while Clara and Cluna were having a cozy chat mother and daughter.
Bayard and Ruby were discussing the weapons of the Dwarf Republic. Thanks to that, I couldn’t sleep at all. But it didn’t feel bad. Gradually, things are definitely getting better.
But what good is that?
I still don’t have the Divine Sword.
Ugh!
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I get that he’s very2 disappointed. He’d be almost invincible if he had it. But it wasn’t even his in the 1st place, and it’s not like they already agreed to give it to him beforehand.
Even if it’s just inside his head, no need to be so damn whiny about it.. 😑