Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Do You Know Why I'm Strong? Because I Escaped! (2)
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Inside the church were wooden chairs carved from trees and symbolic decorations woven from grass and flowers. A moment later, Bayard returned from the back room carrying a teacup.
It was a far cry from what Ruby had described. Especially since she still refused to meet my eyes. Of course, having survived that hell, her skills were undoubtedly top-notch.
Or maybe her personality had twisted after going through hell. That was entirely possible. With countless comrades dying right before her eyes—and nearly dying herself—it was only natural for someone to change.
I swallowed hard. In my position, I had to persuade this broken woman somehow and bring her back with us. But was that really the right thing to do?
Bayard kept her head bowed low. It was heartbreaking, but I had no choice but to speak up. That's when Ruby—feet propped up on the desk—opened her mouth.
"Cut the act already. Let's head back, quick."
"S-Sorry. I really am useless..."
"Ruby, shut it."
Gentle coaxing clearly wasn't cutting it. And here Ruby was, needling Bayard even more. Thanks to her, I was the one stuck in an awkward spot. I stole a glance at Bayard.
Surprisingly, she just wore a bitter smile. But her reddish-brown hair and the beast ears atop her head trembled faintly. This was getting tricky.
Forcing her along would only drag our strength down. She wouldn't be any help at all. And we didn't have the luxury of time to win her over slowly. Damn it—what now?
"S-Sorry. Someone like me isn't any use at all..."
"No, that's not true. Just having you around is more than enough."
"Y-Yes?!"
"Captain? You proposing or what?"
"Quit the nonsense."
I was talking strictly in terms of Royal Knights combat power. Survivors like Bayard were invaluable to us—her skills went without saying. And above all, she had experience.
That hellish survival would become living flesh and blood for our team. Plus, she was from the golden generation. She could even step in as Royal Knights captain if needed.
Her personality might make that a stretch, though. Let's table that for now. She was already wavering on coming back at all. Pile on captain duties, and she'd bolt.
I got Bayard's situation completely. The depth of her pain was beyond anything I could imagine. But even so... I had to ask.
"Bayard, I need your strength. Can't you help me out?"
"T-That's..."
"Hold up, Captain. Problem to handle first."
"A problem?"
I voiced my confusion. I'd heard they were close. What issue could they have? That's when Ruby—who'd been sitting quietly—suddenly drew her weapon.
"Uninvited guests showed up."
"Yeah. Not demons... just monsters."
"Monsters...?"
"That's right. We've had monsters tailing us."
"..."
I hadn't noticed. Why didn't she report it? I shot Ruby a look, and she just shrugged.
"You knew too, Captain. You ignored 'em, so I did the same."
"..."
Don't act like it's obvious just 'cause I'm captain. Hell, I'm not even the real one. I let out a sigh. Point was, we'd picked up a tail on the way here.
Wait—this could be a golden opportunity. Monsters reaching this place meant our location was blown. I turned to Bayard.
"First, we head to Lionheart Fortress."
"Huh? B-But that's so sudden...!!"
"Location's compromised. No choice."
"T-True. Staying here's dangerous too..."
"Exactly."
I inwardly cheered. Success—I'd lured her to Lionheart Fortress. Proximity breeds affection, after all. That was my angle.
And with Cluna there now, her warm maternal vibe would surely ease some of Bayard's wounds.
But first things first: deal with our pursuers. Right then, though—Bayard kicked open the church doors and charged out. What the hell? Why's she—?
"She's already revved up."
"Revved up?"
"Yeah. Think that timid bear could lead the vanguard?"
"..."
"Her personality flips the second combat starts!"
Ruby dropped that bombshell like it was nothing. So, split personality? And battle mode fully transformed her?
I shook my head. So what? Split personality or not—if she's got the skills, I'll use her. Even a tumbleweed's gotta count in my spot.
BOOM!CRASH!
Ruby wasn't bluffing—explosions rocked the outside already. I bolted out a beat late. And finally caught sight of it.
"Die, die, DIE!!!"
Bayard—eyes bloodshot red, grinning like a maniac—literally exploding monsters left and right. Pure lunatic. I scanned the area wordlessly.
Our attackers: Blade Wolves like before, plus skeleton-types clad in bone armor. Trash mobs, every one.
But the numbers... An army besieging the church. Even I couldn't take that horde.
Or so I thought.
"That's why she led the vanguard."
"Yup."
"Risk of berserk team-kill?"
"Then she never makes Royal Knights."
"Fair."
I nodded at Ruby's logic. Yeah—with that flaw, no way she'd qualify. Blood-drenched slaughter was scary as hell, sure.
But ours, not theirs. I crossed my arms, kept watching. Soon, the encircling horde was shredded by Bayard in seconds.
"Bayard! Enough!"
"Grrr..."
"Huh?"
"Whoa. She's looking rough."
"!!!"
I dashed forward. Her bloodshot glare swung our way. No way it'd happen... Yeah, right—I wasn't banking on optimism.
And that saved Ruby. Split-second freeze—even blinking impossible—world turned gray. Let me see it clear.
Bayard—inches away, bloodied hand outstretched. I twisted, released time stop. Under a second. Blink-and-miss-it.
But she sensed the dodge instinctively, struck again. Damn—cooldown, can't evade...!! That's when—
"Huh?"
Time froze again. Why? Cooldown? No time to ponder. Released, dodged her strike.
"Captain?!"
"Back off—dangerous!!"
"GRRAAAAAHHH!!"
I gritted my teeth, glanced back. Not fully confirmed yet. Worth testing, though. I charged. Bayard swung instantly.
Bear-swipe power—death imminent—time stop triggered. Recognize attack, release while moving.
Sub-second window.
Dodge one? Next comes fast. Primal hunter instincts. None landed. I whistled inwardly.
"Never imagined this workaround."
Time stop had cooldown. Spam-use shortened it to ~1.8x better. But one discovery from clashing with Bayard:
Sub-one-second stops?
No cooldown.
Didn't fix squat, though. Spot attack and release to evade—no counter room.
Translation?
Save me, fuck.
What a pathetic showing.
Ruby seethed at her own inadequacy. Sure, she'd accepted him as captain. But he was Royal Knights newbie equivalent. She should guide him properly.
Overstepping, maybe—but this shattered that notion. Got cocky 'cause they're friends? Nah.
Just... couldn't react. Without his intervention, Bayard would've cleaved her in two. That raw power, speed—overwhelming.
Obvious, really.
Bayard was one of the elite few Captain Yuren acknowledged. Frontal duel? Even match with Yuren himself.
"Dodging everything...?!"
Ruby's eyes locked on Captain Hans—effortlessly evading Bayard. But no strikes back. Why? Why hold fire?
That casual? Subduing her'd be cake. Ruby knew why. To him, they were family.
He didn't want to hurt her.
Unlike that trash.