He stretched out his blood- and oil-stained fingers and gently patted Dominic's cheek.
The gestures were frivolous and full of insult.
Dark green viscous fluid dripped from his fingertips, landing on Dominic's pale face and emitting a pungent, fishy stench.
However, to Ragnar's surprise...
Despite his mockery and insults, Dominic showed no fear or despair.
Instead, he suddenly laughed.
It was an extremely carefree smile, even tinged with a hint of mockery.
Even though he had lost his left arm, was covered in wounds, and sat on the ground in a sorry state.
But his eyes still held the same pride and confidence as before.
It seemed as if the victor standing there was not Ragnar, but Dominic Ventria.
" Xenos, do you really think killing me means you've won?"
Dominic's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.
The smile on Ragnar's face froze instantly.
His face gradually darkened.
That kind of look is what he hates most.
That kind of superior gaze, as if everything is under control.
Just like those damned human generals before him, they always looked at him with that same gaze, at all the Orks.
It's as if they were born inferior.
What makes us humans great is never the strength of the individual!
Dominic raised his head and looked directly into Ragnar's eyes.
His voice grew louder and more resolute.
Even if I die, the remaining soldiers will keep coming to kill you!
Even if they all die, the Imperium will send even more fleets and more soldiers!
"They will raze Dorito and slaughter all the Orks!"
"Even the entire Gemstone can go down with us!"
"No matter what, you won't be leaving here alive!"
After saying that, Dominic burst into laughter.
His laughter was bold and unrestrained, full of a spirit of facing death without fear.
In the empty hall, his laughter drowned out Ragnar's heavy breathing.
Listening to Dominic's laughter, Ragnar felt extremely irritated.
An unnamed anger suddenly surged up from the depths of his heart.
He hated this feeling.
It's as if it was the enemy, not him, who just took the head of the enemy general amidst a vast army.
This feeling of being overwhelmed made him very unhappy, extremely unhappy!
He's going to tear this shrimp's mouth apart!
Make sure he never smiles again!
Ragnar did not continue speaking.
He simply raised his fist.
He used all his strength in that punch.
He's going to smash Dominic's head, along with his damned pride, into a bloody pulp!
"Go to hell, you arrogant little shrimp!"
Ragnar roared, his fist whistling through the air as he slammed it down toward Dominic's head.
Dominic closed his eyes.
He neither dodged nor begged for mercy.
He was prepared to sacrifice himself for the Emperor.
For an Imperial Army, dying on the battlefield is the highest honor.
But just as the fist was about to smash into Dominic's head...
"Whoosh!"
A dark figure darted out from the side.
He used his body to shield Dominic.
"Pfft!!!"
Ragnar's fist pierced through his chest without any doubt.
The immense force pierced through his entire body.
Blood, mixed with metal fragments and hydraulic fluid, gushed out like a fountain, splattering all over Dominic's face.
Hot blood splattered on Dominic's face.
He suddenly opened his eyes.
A familiar face came into view.
It was the Celestial Lions Firepower Guard who had been slapped away by Ragnar and embedded in the wall.
Half of his body had been smashed and twisted.
Fragments of the armor were deeply embedded in his flesh.
It's a miracle that he's still alive.
Blood kept gushing from the guard's mouth.
Looking at the unharmed Dominic, a relieved smile appeared on his previously pained face.
"I made it... I caught up..."
He used his last ounce of strength to utter those words.
Then, his head drooped limply.
His eyes were closed forever.
But his body remained firmly blocking Dominic's path.
" Heisen!!!"
Dominic let out a heart-wrenching roar.
His eyes instantly turned bloodshot.
Tears, mixed with blood, slid down his cheeks.
Heisen was among his earliest guards.
I've been with him for over ten years.
They went through countless life-or-death situations together.
He had long regarded Heisen as his brother.
Now, in order to save him, Heisen died "once again" in front of him.
But he still couldn't do anything.
An indescribable anger and self-reproach gnawed at Dominic's heart like a thousand poisonous insects.
He doesn't need anyone to sacrifice for him!
unnecessary!
He'd rather die here!
He also didn't want to see these loyal soldiers die one by one while protecting him!
"Ah!!!"
Dominic let out a beast-like roar.
He dragged his broken body and struggled to get up from the ground.
He picked up a sharp piece of metal from the ground.
Although he only had one right hand left, he was so weak that he could barely stand.
But he still charged towards Ragnar without hesitation.
He wanted to die together with this monster!
He will die a glorious death here!
Like every martyr of the Imperium!
"Lord Dominic, no!"
An anxious cry came from the mouth of a seriously wounded guard.
Meanwhile, the two surviving Sisters of Silence seized the opportunity to rush to Dominic's side.
They each took one of Dominic's arms, one on each side.
Without saying a word, they lifted him up and quickly moved away.
Their mission is to protect Lord Dominic's safety at all costs.
"Let me go! Let me go!"
Dominic struggled frantically.
"Let me go and kill that monster!"
"I don't need your protection!"
Let me go!!!
But he was already exhausted; how could he possibly compare to the rigorously trained Sisters of Silence?
No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't break free from their grasp.
He could only watch helplessly as he drifted further and further away from Ragnar.
Just as he was moving further and further away from Ragnar.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.
Ralfa.
That woman from the Black Ship, who was always silent, hard, and cold like the frozen soil of Brevis.
She didn't know when she had stood up from the medic's arms.
Her face was still pale, and her wounds were still bleeding.
The damage caused to her body by the high-voltage current is far from being repaired.
She was even a little unsteady on her feet.
But she did not retreat with them.
Instead, she went against the flow of people, towards Ragnar, and walked towards him step by step.
Her steps were firm and steady.
Every step she took proved that she was ready to fulfill her sacred duty.
As he passed by Dominic.
Ralfa turned his head slightly to the side.
She glanced at Dominic out of the corner of her eye.
Even though she was wearing a black mask that covered most of her face.
Dominic could almost see the faint, relieved smile on her lips.
It was a smile that came from letting go of all burdens and preparing to face death.
"No!!! Ralfa, no!"
Dominic let out a desperate cry.
He struggled desperately, trying to rush over and grab Ralfa.
But the two Sisters of Silence held him firmly, preventing him from moving an inch.
He could only watch helplessly as Ralfa's figure receded further and further away.
This is not the ending he wanted!
He doesn't want everyone to die for him!
He refused to live on, to bear the weight of everyone's sacrifice alone!