Drill Fang's Legacy

After leaving the painting behind, the three continued their exploration of the museum.

Ethan was still excitedly taking in the exhibits, while Darius had fallen quiet, his thoughts lingering on Mina.

But then—something caught his eye.

At the center of one exhibit was a long glass case, containing an old Arc-Lance.

Darius stepped forward.

The weapon was massive, sleek, and carried a similar rotating mechanism to his own Drill Fang.

"…No way," he muttered.

Ethan quickly read the plaque beside it. "'The Arc-Lance of Captain Roy—One of the Great Warriors of the Eclipse War.'"

He turned to Hugo. "Boss, you know this guy?"

Hugo stared at the weapon for a moment. Then, he nodded.

"Roy."

Darius glanced at him. "Who was he?"

Hugo's voice was calm but steady.

"The captain of my battalion. And the one who created Drill Fang."

Darius' eyes widened.

His weapon—the one he had fought with all this time—had a deeper history than he thought.

Darius stared at the relic, his grip unconsciously tightening around his own Drill Fang.

He never thought much about who created his weapon. To him, it was just his Arc-Lance—his strength, his pride.

But now, standing in front of its ancestor, knowing it once belonged to a warrior from the Eclipse War…

It felt different.

He turned to Hugo. "So… what was Roy like?"

Hugo's white eyes remained locked on the relic.

For a long moment, he didn't answer.

Then—he exhaled.

"Roy was…" Hugo paused, searching for the right words.

Then, finally—he smirked slightly.

"Loud. Annoying. Stubborn as hell."

Darius blinked. "…Wait, seriously?"

Hugo nodded. "He was one of the best warriors I knew. But gods, he never shut up."

Ethan chuckled. "Sounds familiar."

Darius scowled. "Hey."

Hugo continued, his tone becoming more thoughtful.

"But he was a great leader. Brave, always at the front lines. Never asked anyone to do something he wouldn't do himself."

His expression softened, just slightly.

"He fought because he believed in something. In people. In a future worth protecting."

Darius listened carefully.

Ethan glanced between them, then at the relic.

"…And now you're wielding the successor to his weapon," Ethan said, looking at Darius. "Kind of crazy when you think about it."

Darius stared at Drill Fang, his mind processing everything.

For the first time, his Arc-Lance felt heavier.

Not because of its weight—but because of the history behind it.

Darius stood silent for a moment, still staring at the relic of Roy's Arc-Lance.

Then—he spoke.

"Drill Fang… it wasn't originally mine."

Hugo and Ethan turned to him.

Darius gripped the weapon at his back. "It was given to me… by my old boss."

Ethan blinked. "Your old boss?"

Darius nodded. "He handed it down to me. Said I had potential."

His green eyes burned with determination.

"And I made a promise—that I'd surpass him one day."

He turned to Hugo, standing tall.

"And now… I'll surpass Roy too."

His voice was strong. Certain.

For a brief second—Hugo saw someone else standing there.

Not Darius.

But Roy.

The same reckless, loud-mouthed soldier who had once stood beside him, making a similar promise.

Hugo's white eyes softened.

Then—he smiled.

Not a smirk. Not a sarcastic grin.

But a real, genuine smile.

"I'll be counting on you, then."

Darius froze.

Ethan stared.

"Wait—Boss did you just—?" Darius started, but Hugo cut him off.

"Shut up."

Ethan grinned. "Nah, Hugo smiled. I saw it."

Hugo turned, already walking away. "Come on, let's keep moving."

But as they followed, Darius couldn't help but smirk.

That promise?

He meant it.

And one day, he'd prove it.