Chapter 83
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Ruby's Soul (4)
I'm screwed.
I'd sworn to myself that no matter what, I'd never resort to violence. But in the heat of the moment, I lost control and slapped her first. Damn it.
I quickly scanned the surroundings, hoping no one had seen. But unfortunately, everyone was staring right at us. In the middle of a battle, how the hell did they notice?
No, no. I need to play this carefully now. Regardless of the circumstances, striking a fellow ally is wrong. Especially a knight from the order...
Our job is to fight on the front lines, weapons in hand. If bad blood festers in a situation like this, friendly fire could happen all too easily. Shit.
Of course, in times like these, incidents like that are rare. The Royal Knights are already a total mess, and everyone's confidence is shot.
But that doesn't mean I can act recklessly. What if she snaps and attacks me out of spite? I racked my brain desperately. How do I explain this away?
"Sorry, Captain. I was too hasty."
In the brief stunned silence, Ruby apologized first. I ended up nodding reflexively. No, it was my fault.
But before I could speak—before I could even gather my thoughts—Ruby bolted forward without a backward glance. There wasn't a hint of hesitation in her movements.
Wait, please. Hesitate a little before charging in!! I tried to follow in shock, but I couldn't. Time Stop was on cooldown.
I chased after her as fast as I could, but I couldn't catch up. Meanwhile, Ruby closed the distance in an instant and swung her hammer. It struck like lightning from a clear sky, smashing into his head.
[Kieeeek!!!]
It let out a hideous screech like some monstrous bird and flailed its wings. From afar, they hadn't seemed that fast, but Ruby couldn't dodge it.
Damn it, do I have to save her again? Right as that thought crossed my mind, someone blocked my path. It was Captain Yuren. I shouted at him.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Calm down, Captain. I know you're worried."
"Then get out of my way."
"Didn't you show it to them yourself? Trust your knights."
"?"
Okay, fair point. But when it's obvious she's about to die? Standing back with my arms crossed isn't right! This time she could really die, so I was about to argue fiercely.
That is, until I saw Ruby pressuring Balak. Her hammer smashed into his head, and the massive impact sent his body staggering wildly.
"Huh?"
"Looks like she's finally loosening up."
"Loosening up?"
"Ruby and Clara are core members of the Royal Knights with no doubts about their loyalty. Even as rookies..."
"......"
"I saw their potential and took them in despite their lack of skill."
Captain Yuren crossed his arms, speaking proudly. The problem was I had no clue about the context, but the mood wasn't bad, so I just watched quietly.
Ruby was fighting way better than I'd expected. Balak's scariest trait was his lack of presence even up close, making his attacks hard to predict.
Yet Ruby was blocking them effortlessly. How was that possible? Had she realized something mid-fight? Either way, this was a huge win for me right now.
As I thought it wasn't looking bad, a tail suddenly erupted from the ground. Now that he was reacting, he'd hidden it completely for a surprise attack.
But Ruby blocked that too without issue. In fact, her hammer crushed it outright. Balak's tail shattered completely, and he let out a massive scream.
How was she fighting so well? I felt a twinge of doubt. But then I saw it—the flames enveloping her body like a protective shroud. I tilted my head.
"That's...?"
"So you knew too, Captain."
"Huh?"
"Ruby hasn't been using her true power until now."
"???"
Captain Yuren suddenly started rambling on his own. Since I had no idea, I quietly listened to what he had to say. He continued.
"It's probably mostly a mental block. Her past memories were holding her back."
"Trauma, huh."
"Yeah, but right now, Ruby's trying to overcome it."
Hmm, got it. I have no clue what any of this means.
To Ruby, family meant just one person: her mother. There had been a time when she considered her father family too, even if he was too busy to play much.
Still, she'd thought it was for the family, for the clan. In fact, back then, Ruby hadn't liked her mother much. Her mother's speech was just too weird.
Even to child Ruby, her mother's speech felt off. Truth be told, her mother was... well, not just a little sick. Quite a lot, actually. Not physically, but mentally—she had some issues.
To make matters worse, she mimicked the speech of a childhood friend even now, completely unaware it was wrong. That's why she'd stuck with that childish way of talking.
Ruby hated it. She was embarrassed when others heard her mother's speech and got confused. So she always nagged at her mother about it. And that became a regret she'd carry forever.
That day had started like any other, with her sleeping soundly. But then someone shook her awake. When she finally came to, it was her mother.
Looking back now, Ruby's mother could have escaped easily. If she'd abandoned her dismissive, disrespectful daughter, she might have survived. But she didn't.
That puzzled Ruby herself. Wasn't she that trash's worthless daughter? Did her mother really need to risk her life for her? The question haunted her.
In the end, her mother's desperate escape plan failed. Not due to some external issue, but because of Ruby herself. They'd hidden from patrols in a warehouse.
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed, startling young Ruby into an involuntary scream. That's how they got caught.
Ruby, still a child, was subdued easily by force. But her mother—who knew where she found the strength?—shoved back the knights trying to capture them.
Even then, she could have escaped. If one of the knights hadn't grabbed Ruby as a hostage. At that, her mother gave up resistance without a fight. She was bound.
That was the last sight Ruby had of her. After being released from her bonds, what Ruby saw was that inhuman trash staring ecstatically at the sword he'd forged from her.
Dwarven senses? Or because she was her mother's daughter? Ruby instinctively knew. Her mother had become the sword that trash held. She was gone.
Death. She'd never grasped the word so viscerally before. No more meetings, no more voices, nothing. At that young age, Ruby learned the weight of death.
Only then did she realize how much she loved her mother. If only once, she wanted to hear that voice again. That wish twisted into burning hatred.
From that day, she lived for one thing: killing that man called her father, that trash. She'd come this far for that alone. But... was that all? Just killing him and done?
......No.
At the very least, she wanted answers. Why did he go that far? Were we nothing to you? That's why, before she knew it, Ruby had started mimicking her mother's speech.
She didn't care if others mocked her. If she didn't, her mother would fade into mere memory. To keep her alive, Ruby chose that path.
Suddenly, fierce flames erupted from Ruby's hammer.
As if responding to her reignited will.
Hot. So very hot.