Chapter 2 - Ais Wallenstein had to be her own hero!
Walking towards the alley's entrance, Noah's attention gradually returned from the past to the present.
An unknown, alien world?
A new feeling of nervous excitement welled up in Noah's heart, reminding him of when he was twelve years old, carrying the best sword in the village and heading from the countryside to the capital.
At that time, he was like a newly forged blade, sharp and bright. He believed that his swordsmanship alone could cut down all ugliness and injustice and bring happiness to the world.
But in a joke of fate, Noah learned the art of power, understood strategy, and knew how to weigh the pros and cons, becoming a hero whose heart was filled with nothing but calculations and caution.
If he were a weapon now, he would be a rusty, broken sword, its edge long gone.
Even though he had hypnotized himself countless times with the words "this is for justice," Noah knew his soul had become tarnished long before his armor was ever stained by the Demon King's blood.
But now, he felt that excitement for the unknown once again, just like when he first stepped into the royal capital.
What will I encounter in this world?
With this thought in mind, Noah stepped out of the alley.
The bitter winter wind, mixed with icy rain, swept across the street, clearing Noah's vision.
He was immediately captivated by the scenery before him.
The wide avenue was paved with bluestone slabs, and shops lined both sides of the street.
Merchants in business robes, adventurers carrying weapons, and residents with baskets and backpacks filled the thoroughfare.
Most strikingly, there were powerful beastmen, scantily-clad Amazons, and elegant elves mingling naturally with handsome men and beautiful women of otherworldly temperament.
All kinds of races were mixed together.
More importantly, the street was framed by two incredible sights: at one end stood a massive city wall that encircled the entire town, and at the other, in the town's center, a colossal white tower - the Tower of Babel.
All of this seemed familiar yet completely different from his past, converging into a scene Noah had never witnessed in his previous life.
But the next second, his eyes widened.
"My God! They have child traffickers in this world too?"
...
On the empty streets slick with icy rain, an eight-year-old girl, Ais Wallenstein, ran with enough force to shatter the ground beneath her feet.
Hot tears streamed from her eyes, blown away by the oncoming wind.
Even as her damaged armor fell away, revealing hideous, bleeding wounds, she did not stop.
The pain and cold tore at her body, but she kept running, as if she could leave all her sorrow and troubles behind if she just went fast enough.
But it was no use.
The words she had said, sharp as swords that wounded both others and herself, still haunted her like a nightmare.
'You're not my mother!'
Riveria's pained and sorrowful expression flashed before her eyes, and Ais felt as if her heart was being stabbed.
It felt like it was being crushed in a vise; every breath brought a searing pain that made her tremble.
Why?
Why don't they understand?!
This world is full of danger and darkness. If you don't gain enough power quickly, you will be swallowed by the darkness of despair all over again!
Just like her father and mother!
Reality is not a fairy tale. A "hero" will not appear.
There was no such thing in the past, there is no such thing now, and there will be no such thing in the future!
No one will come to save me. No one will lend a hand. No one will come to my rescue.
Even when she was covered in bruises, when she cried until her throat was raw and her tears turned to blood, the hero she longed for never appeared.
So, she couldn't wait…
So, she couldn't hope…
So, she took up her sword…
Because Ais Wallenstein had to be her own hero.
When Ais came to her senses, she had already arrived at the entrance to the Dungeon.