Chapter 49
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Oops! My Hand Slipped and I Cracked His Skull?(2)
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Negotiations with the Dwarf Principality had wrapped up too.
After that, time passed relatively smoothly.
Of course, the overall situation wasn't leisurely at all right now. But thanks to the information Captain Yuren possessed, at least for the moment, we could afford some breathing room.
"We went all-out against the demons. Some died because they couldn't overcome their fear and fled midway. But far more perished fighting bravely to the end."
"Was the enemy that formidable?"
"They were the demons' elite forces. All seven of their True Ancestors were there. Over fifty Blood Ancestors under them. And countless lesser demons besides."
"Thanks. This gives me a clear picture for our strategy."
Bayard couldn't recall the details, probably due to trauma. But Captain Yuren, who had commanded back then, remembered the situation in vivid detail.
Well, they weren't some ragtag bunch. They were the ones who annihilated the Royal Knights at their golden peak. Naturally, the demons threw everything they had at them. In short, it was all-out war.
The Royal Knights lost and were wiped out. But they inflicted comparable damage on the demons in return. That's why demon activity has dropped sharply right now.
Now it made sense. Instead of regrouping during that golden opportunity, they scattered to fend for themselves, only to get pushed back when the demons recovered their strength.
That was the original story's setup.
But I had zero intention of letting it play out like the original. For starters, unlike the original, four Royal Knights members had survived.
And one of them was Dragon Captain Yuren, their top fighter. With this lineup, we could rebuild the Royal Knights before the demons regained their full power.
Plus, for some reason, the other knights had thrown themselves into training even harder. Some were collapsing midway. I wasn't sure why, but it was definitely a good sign.
Voluntary training would surely pave the way for major growth for them. I focused on my own task: educating Helia.
"Don't judge or underestimate someone based on appearances. Mutual respect is the foundation of martial arts."
"I'll engrave that in my heart."
"……."
Watching Helia kneel and listen intently to my words stirred an inexplicable guilt. But there was no helping it. This wasn't some morality class from school.
Besides, I wasn't great at ethics anyway. "Just be a good person" was about the extent of it, and that couldn't be all there was to morality. So I quoted lines from wuxia novels.
Power comes with responsibility. Respect your opponent. Mercy is the basis of martial arts. Things like that. I gave her the best advice I could. Helia was still young. I had to set her straight from now on.
That way, at least, she'd stop stabbing allies. And it seemed the education was working. Lately, she'd even been mingling with the other knights.
"By the way, Helia. Have you seen the pendant?"
"The pendant, sir?"
"Yeah, a trophy from the Compriachi."
"Sorry, I don't remember seeing it."
"I see. Alright then."
I'd thought Helia might know something since she was the first to rush over and support me when I lost consciousness. But she said she hadn't seen the pendant.
It didn't seem to hold any special power, but since it was a demon artifact, I'd have to search for it myself later. Anyway, just as the mental training was wrapping up...
The clatter of horse hooves and carriage wheels rang out. Turning my head, I spotted an exquisitely crafted carriage. And blatantly sitting in the driver's seat was a dwarf.
Anyone with eyes could tell it was from the Dwarf Principality. I couldn't help but tilt my head in confusion. I'd figured no commissions for a while.
Oddly, the carriage bore banners emblazoned with a red gem emblem. When someone flaunted a symbol like that, they were usually someone important.
"That...!!"
"What? Why are you so shocked?"
"Is something wrong?"
At that moment, all the knights except the guards were training in the courtyard. Hearing the carriage, they gathered, and Ruby's face suddenly darkened.
The carriage stopped at its destination. Soon, someone hurriedly disembarked. He was a boy with the same brown hair as Ruby. At least, appearance-wise.
"Ruby! It's your father! Daddy's here!"
"......Why the hell is that trash here......?"
"......"
I could guess the gist. That explained why she hated mentioning her past. Why she craved strength so much. And why her reaction wasn't normal. I stepped forward.
His joy seemed genuine, at least. He tried to rush to Ruby but was blocked by me midway. He glared at me irritably. I spoke up.
"I'm Hans, interim captain of the Royal Knights. What brings you here?"
The guards had let him in, so it wasn't a hostile visit. Which meant it was probably a commission or something similar.
"And who the hell are you? How dare you get in my way! Do you know who I am?!"
"Calm down, Lady Ruby's father. He's the captain of the Royal Knights. Mind your manners."
"......You......"
"Long time no see. Sir Hans, I hope you've been well."
A dwarf with a monocle over one eye and emerald-green hair fitting his name stepped down behind him. Virall Emerald. Who knew he'd come back.
"Clara, Helia, take Ruby inside."
"Got it."
"Cluna, on short notice... could you prepare some refreshments for the guests?"
"Yes, I'll get them ready right away."
Putting aside the surprise, I took immediate action. The biggest issue was Ruby. She couldn't even make eye contact right now. There was only one explanation for this.
Childhood abuse.
Or more bluntly...
Domestic violence.
I wanted to get stronger.
Stronger than anyone, to escape that nightmare. The scene I'd witnessed that day. From the start, we hadn't mattered to that trash. Dwarves chase blindly.
They believe their craft represents their worth. And in extreme cases, they fall into madness and obsession that even other dwarves condemn. Unfortunately...
My father was exactly that.
The Dwarf Principality is upheld by four gems: Emerald, Ruby, Diamond, and the Sapphire that unites them. They persist as clans.
Among them, Ruby was the weakest. Once, it had even surpassed Sapphire, reigning like the principality's king. But over time, the clan began to decline.
In the end, it yielded royal authority to Sapphire. And its seat among the remaining gems hung by a thread. To preserve it at any cost, the clan chose that man.
And indeed, he succeeded in holding onto the gem seat.
By sacrificing his own beloved family. I hated that. I despised the clan members who celebrated preserving their position. That's why I strove to become stronger than anyone.
But look at me now. Unable to say a word to the man before me. Just trembling and being led away by an elf no different from an enemy. Pathetic.
"You're okay now."
"Don't act tough. Your hands are still shaking."
"I'm not lying."
"Ruby, you......"
A metallic tang of blood filled my mouth from biting my lip so hard. I felt Clara staring at me in shock. I felt sorry for her. But I had no choice.
If I ran away here...
I'd never be able to face it again.
I forced strength into my arms and legs to stop the trembling. I turned my head away from the fear surging from deep in my chest. I couldn't leave this to someone else. I had to do it myself.
That guy was trash, but not stupid. He'd use a commission as an excuse to scheme something. And the captain had no choice but to accept. Times were tough.
The already crumbling Royal Knights were teetering.
Plus, the opponent was a gem from the Dwarf Principality, whose reputation was resurging.
They had more money than they knew what to do with, naturally.
I couldn't let one knight's personal issues harm the order. But I couldn't tuck tail and flee either. It'd be no different from my kid days.
So, at the very least, I wouldn't run. I'd fight back with everything I had. That was my first act of defiance. And with my still slightly trembling hand...
I flung open the door.
And......
"Oops! My hand slipped and I cracked his skull?"
I saw the captain smashing the trash's head with a mug.
......Huh?