Chapter 58
Translator: FusionX
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Ambassador Viral publicly announced everything that had happened this time without leaving anything out.
From our perspective, it was filled with nothing but the truth to the point of being excessive, and it was rather worrisome.
Naturally, many dwarves fell into despair.
Because to us, the divine sword was a source of pride.
A legendary sword that could cut through anything.A weapon that would only appear in fairy tales.
We had endured until now with the pride of having directly created it with our own hands.
Yes, it wasn’t just a mere sword.
It was the pride that resided in the hearts of all dwarves.
However, that pride turned to dust and vanished.
Moreover, upon learning that even our renowned spirit of craftsmanship had been toyed with by the demons, some shocked craftsmen put down their hammers.
In severe cases, there were quite a few craftsmen who shattered all the weapons they had made.
Ambassador Viral could have hidden it if he wanted to.
He was quite a capable person.
But Ambassador Viral didn’t hide it.
He chose to face all of this.
We couldn’t stay bound to the past forever.
Acknowledging one’s mistakes and correcting them.
That was Ambassador Viral’s choice.
That path would surely be arduous and difficult.
But I believe there will be glory at the end of it.
So, I too must change now.
I can’t say it’s foolish to be bound to the past.
Anyone would be like that.
I was the same.
Even now, the stains of the past hadn’t been erased and still tormented me.
But with the new experiences I’d accumulated so far, those stains were gradually being covered.
If I kept piling them up one by one, someday, even those stains would completely disappear.
That’s what I believe.
Ambassador Viral’s office.
Despite not fitting the position of an ambassador, it was a place where the smell of iron resonated with furnaces and bellows.
Rather than an office, it felt more like a blacksmith’s workshop.
“Are you really okay with this?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The opportunity to take revenge, I mean.”
“…”
Ambassador Viral requested a private conversation with me.
At first, I wondered what it was about, but he made an unexpected proposal.
He said if I wanted, he could charge that man with a crime and have him executed.
Only if I wanted, that is.
It was quite a radical proposal.
Of course, the crime that man committed deserved death.
But if we were to charge that man with a crime, we would have to charge the majority of the dwarves as well.
We couldn’t punish some and let others off the hook.
So compromising at a reasonable point was the best choice for the nation.
However, Ambassador Viral asked if I was really okay with that.
If I wanted, he would give me the opportunity for revenge.
Did he perhaps know about me and my mother?
I felt slightly wary, but soon I realized.
“I’m really okay with it.”
“That’s unexpected. I thought you would take revenge right away.”
“Because I have to do it with my own hands.”
“…”
“To be honest, all of this is thanks to the Commander. I didn’t directly overcome it myself, right?”
Yes, if it weren’t for the Commander, such an opportunity wouldn’t have come to me.
Because I didn’t do anything.
So no matter how good the opportunity is, I have no choice but to refuse.
“The Commander is calmly moving forward. Despite clearly having painful experiences in the past… So I want to follow in his footsteps.”
“Did you hear something from the Commander?”
“No, but you can tell, can’t you? Why someone of his caliber was holed up in a rural refugee village. And his spirit of self-sacrifice that neglects his own well-being.”
“Certainly, there must be a reason behind such actions.”
“So I’m saying I’ll follow the Commander to the end.”
Because I have to do it myself.
Whether that end is revenge or something else.
Of course, I won’t keep it to myself.
Because I have reliable comrades.
“You, that way of speaking…”
“Huh? Is something wrong?”
“…No, nothing. It just felt similar, that’s all.”
“You’re imagining things.”
“Yes, of course. It must be my imagination.”
“Then I’ll get going.”
I got up from my seat, gave a light bow, and left the office.
Ambassador Viral picked up a hammer for the first time in a while.
He said he felt like making a sword after a long time.
He was not being honest.
I had a rough idea of who the owner of that sword would be.
As I left the office, the blue sky came into view.
Come to think of it, when was the last time I properly gazed at that sky?
Until then, I had no room to spare.
I only thought about becoming stronger for revenge.
Whether it was revenge for my mother or for my fallen comrades.
But now, I have a little more room.
“You mineral! What are you doing, not coming quickly?!”
“M-Mineral, you say. If you say that, I can’t use it.”
“But a mineral is a mineral!”
“Clara?”
“I-I’m sorry, Mom.”
“What a close mother and daughter.”
Five people chattering energetically in the distance, and one monkey that spoke the human language.
I ran forward with a smile.
Seriously, there’s not a single dull moment…!
But I’ve definitely set a goal.
To move forward without wavering, like the Commander.
Then someday, I too will be able to forget the past.
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Euhahaha.
My divine sword, damn it.
If I only had the divine sword, I wouldn’t need the Royal Knights or anything else.
I could handle everything on my own.
That perfect plan was shattered to pieces.
Anyway, those dwarf bastards.
There’s not a single thing I like about them from head to toe.
I could see why they were destroyed in the original story.
For a very brief moment, a personal thought came to mind.
But I soon shook off all those idle thoughts.
Not obtaining the divine sword was a very painful thing, but it wasn’t like there was no gain at all.
First, by resolving this matter, our relationship with the Dwarf Republic had improved tremendously.
They had a lot to say and a lot of troubles, but anyway, the technological prowess of the Dwarf Republic was top-notch that worked anywhere.
It wouldn’t hurt to be on good terms with them, and here was the second thing.
The Dwarf Republic even declared that they would take responsibility for the equipment of the Royal Knights!
In other words, we could now freely use the highest-grade equipment made by the Dwarf Republic to our heart’s content.
And the king didn’t miss this great opportunity.
A meeting between the Dwarf Republic and the Human Kingdom was set.
It was not for nothing that he wore a fancy hat.
Each and every one of them was moving swiftly.
But so what?
Give me back my divine sword.
Sob sob.
I tucked myself into a corner, trying my best to hide my gloomy feelings.
The other members were talking and laughing with each other.
Well, of course, they would be.
After all, we succeeded in saving the Dwarf Republic.
And thanks to that, we would receive support from the Dwarf Republic.
In the Dwarf Republic, there was a saying that a sword lying around would become a famous sword when taken elsewhere, that was how renowned their weapons were for their quality.
Anyway, for knights who made a living with swords, the thought of using weapons from the Dwarf Republic naturally made them excited.
But so what, the divine sword has already disappeared.
“I heard that the weapons of the Dwarf Republic are such famous swords!”
“For once, the ore is saying something right.”
“Not just swords. Bows, spears, and even maces. The weapons of the Dwarf Republic are famous for their excellent quality.”
“Because there are many stubborn people with an incurable spirit of craftsmanship~.”
“What about you, Teacher?”
“I don’t mind any of them.”
I meant it literally.
Unless it was the divine sword, no matter what I used, it would be equally weak when I use it.
There’s a saying that a master doesn’t blame his tools.
In other words, if you’re not a master?
However, it seemed they took it in a different way.
They all looked at me and let out a brief exclamation.
Why are they doing this again?
As I was thinking that, Yuren’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“As expected! Not relying on weapons, but believing in one’s own skills! Indeed, you are our Commander!”
“The commander is not me, but you…”
“Alright, alright! I’m fired up! Everyone, as soon as we return, we’ll have special training!”
“Special training?! Why is it suddenly like that?!”
“I said I wouldn’t run away, but I really hate special training!”
At a single word from Commander Yuren, who shouted with a different feeling, everyone seemed to be shocked and displeased.
Come to think of it, Commander Yuren’s special training was very intense.
I had watched it from afar before.
It was so tough that even I, who was just watching, felt exhausted.
Naturally, Clara and Ruby were disgusted by it.
Even Bayard didn’t have a happy expression.
Except for one person, that is.
It was none other than Helia.
“Please teach me.”
“Excellent! Indeed, the Commander’s disciple! Not shying away from training, I really like that attitude of yours!”
“Ugh, if Helia is stepping up like that…”
“That means we’re automatically participating.”
“W-Well, we have no choice. We just have to do our best!”
The noisy chatter inside the carriage didn’t cease.
Helia and Yuren were talking about training.
Clara and Cluna were having a cozy conversation as mother and daughter.
Bayard and Ruby were discussing the weapons of the Dwarf Republic with each other.
Thanks to that, I had finished sleeping, but it didn’t feel bad.
It was definitely getting better little by little.
But so what?
The divine sword is gone.
Waaaaah!
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