(Heartfelt thanks to 'This Guy Actually', 'Wufeng Haotian', 'Youyouzi's Lament', '? Ji Mo Ru Yan ?', 'Dark Night No Heart 52', 'Star¤Feather Sorrow', 'Bing Yue Ying', and 'Ming Qi Zi Fang Yuan' for their tips!)
Rubia's betrayal of the Fire Spirit King had stripped the Elstein family of its title, confiscated its territory, and even led to Rubia's parents being arrested by the Austia Empire and thrown into prison.
With her sister having defected, her parents imprisoned, and all their property confiscated, Claire had been left all alone.
"A little girl of only twelve or thirteen endured the hateful stares of others while silently honing her skills, all for the day she could win the Spirit Sword Dance Festival, learn the truth behind her sister's betrayal, and she endured that for four years." Noah looked directly at Rubia.
"Do you think that was a good thing?"
Faced with Noah's questioning, Rubia could not find any words to refute him and could only remain silent.
"Perhaps in your eyes, a few sacrifices were inevitable if you wanted to save all humanity. Perhaps you could even abandon your closest family." Noah let out a cold laugh.
"But in my eyes, if someone cannot even protect their own family, then forget about protecting the whole world. You were wrong from the very beginning."
Noah's voice echoed clearly through the surroundings, leaving Rubia silent and making Ren lower her head, unable to find anything to say.
The atmosphere suddenly became oppressive.
After an unknown amount of time had passed, Rubia suddenly spoke.
"On the border of the Austia Empire, there is a small city called Druss."
Noah and Ren were both slightly startled.
Ignoring their surprise, Rubia continued.
"Because of its climate, Druss had always suffered from poor harvests. Its people prayed for abundant