Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Do You Know Why I'm Strong? Because I Escaped!(1)
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Do you know why I'm strong? It's because I escaped!
To be precise, Ruby and I weren't all that close.
Unlike Clara, who was gradually regaining her brighter personality despite her first impressions. Ruby rarely opened up to others. It felt like she was a hedgehog with her spines bristled up tight.
Yet in this situation, she chose Ruby of all people. Unfortunately, I had no other options. For starters, Lionheart Fortress needed someone to manage and defend it.
Right now, Cluru held over eighty percent of the shares in that operation. Cluru was out, and even though Helia would one day be called the Sword Empress, she was still just a kid, so she was out too.
That left Ruby and Clara, but I had no intention of interrupting a rare mother-daughter reunion. By process of elimination, Ruby it was. It was a bit awkward, sure.
And the Ruby I'd chosen turned out to be best friends with a deserter from the Royal Knights. That was a surprise. Thanks to that, I got to hear all sorts of stories from her.
Ruby and I were riding along a mountain path. The saddle jolted harshly with every rattle of the hooves, and my butt was starting to chafe and sting.
"Captain? You listening to me?"
"Of course. The deserter's name is Bayard, right?"
"Yeah. She used to be the vanguard leader of the Royal Knights."
Bayard. A beastman from the Bear Tribe, ranked seventh among the Twelve Tribes. She relied on her monstrous strength and durability to charge ahead, ripping enemies apart as the vanguard leader.
"But even someone like her got scared and ran?"
"That's how hellish what we saw was. Especially for Bayard—she was up front and witnessed countless deaths, unlike us in the rear guard."
"Yeah, she must have taken a much bigger hit."
In the setting, the Bear Tribe—seventh among the Twelve Tribes—was the lowest-ranked. They were barely recognized as one of the Twelve after five original tribes betrayed them.
Naturally, their political standing would be weak, and they'd face disdain within beastkin society. Yet she'd overcome all that through sheer skill to earn her place in the Royal Knights.
On top of that, as the vanguard leader fighting on the front lines, surviving that hell—right at the forefront—marked her as top-tier talent.
"But you know where Bayard is?"
"The kingdom got word. They figured out her location."
"Surprisingly competent."
"They've been searching nonstop since the Royal Knights' rout. It's about time."
His Majesty's decisiveness was beyond imagination. He'd elevated a human to captain of the Royal Knights, mobilized the intelligence department to track down members for reconstruction, and even planned to gather talents from human kingdoms to bolster them. He was the ultimate sponsor.
Anyway, the intel showed Bayard had settled surprisingly close by. A week's ride from Lionheart Fortress. The moment I heard, I set out immediately.
Even after months, she was still nearby—that meant she hadn't let go of the Royal Knights yet. I'd convince her and bring her back before that lingering attachment faded.
And now, a week later, I'd learned a ton about Bayard from talking with Ruby. She relied on Bayard more than I'd thought.
"Were you the closest to Bayard in the Royal Knights?"
"She was the one I could actually talk to. And being around her kept that bastard out of my head."
"That bastard?"
"Nothing. Forget it."
Ruby hastily denied it. Looked like she had some dark past too. I'd commit it to memory for now and ask later.
For the moment, focus on Bayard. Deserters' mental states were usually unstable. Especially a top talent like her, who'd shone as vanguard leader.
If she snapped and went berserk on her own, the damage would be unimaginable. Finally, Ruby and I arrived at the spot the kingdom had tipped us off about.
The first thing I noticed was a fence made of trimmed logs. Inside, beast hides were drying, and there was a massive cathedral-like building stacked from logs.
"...What's this place?"
"It's a temple for the King of Nature, patron deity of the Bear Tribe."
"Oh yeah, she followed that faith."
Even back when the Royal Knights were strong, Bayard made this pilgrimage weekly to pray. Meanwhile, Ruby dismounted and pounded on the temple door.
"Bayard! I know you're in there! Open this door right now!!"
[......]
"Ignoring me?! Fine, I'll smash it down!"
[W-Wait! Please don't break the temple...!]
"...?"
When Ruby couldn't hold back and drew her hammer, Bayard yelled from inside, sensing the killing intent. Though her voice was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz—which was unexpected.
No prejudice here—a Bear Tribe vanguard leader from the Royal Knights? Shouldn't she be aggressive? But her voice lacked any ferocity.
It felt utterly lacking in confidence. Bluntly put, like a total loser's voice. I shook my head. Judging by appearances was a bad habit.
"Nice to meet you. Bayard, right? I've heard a lot."
[R-Really? Probably nothing good...]
"Word is you're an outstanding vanguard leader for the Royal Knights."
[N-No way, that's ridiculous. Someone like me...]
Her denying voice trembled faintly. Honestly, just from the voice, she sounded like some country maiden. But judging by looks was foolish.
Ruby—far superior to me in skill—had praised her as an excellent vanguard. As captain, I'd trust my knight's word.
I called out to Bayard.
"Bayard, we need your help."
[H-Huh? My help? Someone like me?]
"Yes. Would you at least hear us out?"
The playbook for dealing with loser archetypes like Bayard was simple. Go overly polite—crush them with courtesy.
What? Where's the captain's dignity? Screw that!
This was a captaincy I'd quit in a year anyway.
Right now, results mattered more than empty titles.
About five minutes passed.
Finally, the firmly shut door began to creak open.
I have terrible nightmares every night.
She always knew it was a dream, yet couldn't hold back—she charged forward. This time, she'd protect them. Over and over, she vowed inwardly.
But every time, her eyes beheld a feast of blood and flesh. From comrades she'd laughed and joked with. In the end, she failed to save them and woke.
Awakening brought crushing self-blame, her body trembling uncontrollably. If the captain hadn't given her that scroll, she'd have died in that hell too.
She'd survived only through the captain and comrades' sacrifices. She'd thought she could at least help here. But no.
"I'm still useless."
Always had been. She'd watch everyone surge ahead from one step behind. She hated it. That's why she'd taken the vanguard role in the Royal Knights.
No more lagging. She wanted to protect her comrades with her own hands. But in the end, she was worthless. So why cling to this place with lingering regrets?
Maybe deep down, she hoped someone would come for her—a nobody like her. If someone needed her... But that hope was wearing thin.
"Nice to meet you. Bayard, right? I've heard a lot."
Yet just before her resolve shattered completely, someone came—like a miracle. Peering through the door crack, she saw a helmeted man. Probably the new captain.
"Bayard, we need your help."
[H-Huh? My help? Someone like me?]
"Yes. Would you at least hear us out?"
It was the first time. Even the old captain had never said that. The first to need her help. Could she finally be useful? If so...
Could she escape these nightmares?
Clutching that hope, she finally opened the door.