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The Purgatory Workshop.
A workshop passed down in Dwarven legends.
The fiery flames of hell were a source of fear for the wicked, but for Dwarves, they were the ultimate flames, capable of forging any metal.
They werenât called madmen for nothing. The Purgatory Workshop was a testament to how the ancient Dwarves perceived hell.
Having dealt with the iron golems at the entrance, Hans and the Dwarves opened the door and went inside.
Beyond the tightly sealed vault-like door were countless decorations and patterns.
Its splendor was like that of a palace.
Considering that Dwarves, aside from their weapons, didnât usually prioritize aesthetics, this was a truly magnificent workshop.
However, there was a distinct difference from other workshops, the seemingly bottomless underground space below. Spanning dozens of levels downwards, it truly lived up to the name âPurgatory.â
âIt seems thereâs something down there.â
âWe should go down.â
âWe canât turn back now, can we?â
At the edge of the underground space was a spiral staircase made of steel leading down.
Hans stepped onto the stairs first, and everyone followed.
âWhat kind of person is Sir Hans?â
Bell, escorted by the Jewelâs Star, spoke to Ruby, who was walking beside her.
Ruby wanted to walk with the Commander, but Hans had ordered her to act as an escort. And since Bell was her first friend in the Dwarf Kingdom, Ruby obeyed without complaint.
Ruby, walking ahead of Bell, thought for a moment before answering.
âYou donât have any ulterior motives, do you?â
âExcuse me? Ulterior motives?â
âForget it.â
Ruby had wondered if Bell harbored any romantic feelings for Hans, but judging by her tilted head, it seemed she genuinely didnât.
Ruby was relieved.
She didnât want any more rivals.
âThe Commander is a very strong person. In many ways.â
âIn many ways? Do you mean he has a strong heart?â
âWell, of course. Heâs like perfectly tempered steel.â
âTempered steel... For a Dwarf to say that...â
Dwarves were engineers.
They were stingy with praise.
Part of it was because they found it embarrassing, but mostly, it was because they were so discerning that they were rarely satisfied.
Especially using steel as a metaphor for praise was the highest compliment for a Dwarf.
Therefore, it was rare to hear such praise from a Dwarf.
Perhaps a hero who saved the Kingdom? That level of accomplishment would warrant such praise.
She hadnât expected to hear it so easily.
Even Ambassador Viral had compared the Commander to heavy steel. And Bell had just witnessed the truth.
The power to instantly eliminate iron golems that even the Jewelâs Star struggled against.
Yet, he wasnât arrogant, carrying himself with a quiet strength and consideration.
A noble knight.
Is that the kind of person it takes to rebuild the Royal Knights?
He was a man of great character. And he possessed a level of strength that made him a dangerous enemy.
How could such a person suddenly appear?
Bell was amazed.
This was also proof that Hansâs image management was working.
While some still doubted him, the results he had produced were undeniable.
Who could refute them?
Finally, they reached the bottom of the stairs.
A giant iron golem came into view. If the golems at the entrance were human-sized, this one was a true giant.
To cover Bayard, Ruby moved.
WHOOSH!
Blazing flames engulfed the hammer in Rubyâs hand.
Just then, the Iron King reacted.
[Warning! Ancestral Flame detected! Designating as highest priority target!]
âAncestral Flame? Whatâs that?â
âThatâs...!!!â
With a strange, mechanical whirring, the iron ball attached to the Iron Kingâs right arm retracted, and something else emerged.
A cylindrical object that looked unmistakably like a cannon.
Oh, my god.
It even has a cannon?
Damn it! Are the ancient Dwarves monsters?!
But there was no time to hesitate.
Hans touched his middle and index fingers together, a familiar gesture.
The peculiar action stopped time.
Everything around him turned grayscale.
Initially, he had intended to move Ruby out of the way. But then he reconsidered.
Wasnât this an opportunity?
Hans pondered, arms crossed.
He would use that cannon to destroy it.
But what was the best method?
After some thought, Hans looked at the holy sword at his hip. It had been quite effective against the Mud Guardian.
Using the holy sword would be the most effective here as well.
The problem was how to get the sword inside the cannon.
Hans finally reached a decision. He would just throw it.
Fortunately, the Iron Kingâs cannon was pointed downwards, not upwards, and thanks to Bayardâs punch, it was kneeling on one knee.
He should be able to throw the sword inside.
Hans gripped the sword in reverse and slowly raised it.
Inside the cannon, there was a sphere that looked like a cannonball.
???? Important Notice ????
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Hans threw the sword with all his might.
Fortunately, the holy sword was sharp enough to pierce the sphere easily.
âGood, that should be enough.â
And then, time resumed.
Naturally, the Iron King didnât notice Hansâs handiwork and immediately fired the cannon.
KABOOM!!
A massive explosion erupted.
The explosion was so powerful that it shattered not only the arm with the cannon but also the torso and head.
As everyone stared in shock, only Hans moved. He slowly walked forward and picked up the holy sword from the wreckage.
From Hansâs perspective, he was simply retrieving his sword,
But to the others, it looked as if he had casually destroyed the Iron King and was now calmly surveying the surroundings.
Bell, in particular, was finally certain.
That was Sir Hans.
The Commander of the Royal Knights.
Possessing overwhelming power.
Someone who absolutely must not be made an enemy.
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[Translator Notes]