Clementine Hazeia Quintia. That is my name.
I was born into what people would call a happy, harmonious family. My parents always wore gentle smiles. They were kind, calm, humble, and courteous to everyone.
Whenever one of their children showed even the slightest hint of exceptional talent, praise and rewards followed without hesitation.
But that had nothing to do with me.
The only one who received that treatment was the child they believed had perfectly inherited the bloodline of the Six Great Gods—my elder brother.
As for me, I was merely a failed byproduct of their union. Even if I were to suddenly disappear one day, dying somewhere without a trace, I doubt their emotions would stir in the slightest.
No… that's not entirely true.
If my death happened to delay my perfect brother's growth, they might even resent me for it.
"That useless thing. How can two children from the same parents be so different?"
"Compared to her brother, she's nothing but a defective product."
"They look similar, yet their talent is worlds apart…"
Those words became a constant background to my childhood. Over time, I grew used to them.
All I could do was train. Train harder. Grow stronger. I longed for the day I might surpass my brother.
I knew the chances were slim, but I still clung to that hope, believing that one day I might finally earn my father and mother's acknowledgment.
But the world is cruel.
When I was seven, something happened that changed my life completely.
That morning was no different from any other. I woke up alone, washed, ate, and went into the forest to train.
Then it happened.
I was attacked.
A group of men dressed in black subdued me with force. When I regained consciousness, I found myself inside a cave that reeked of rot.
The entire process went smoothly for them. Even after I had been taken out of the Slane Theocracy, no one noticed my disappearance.
Of course they wouldn't.
No one paid attention to me. In their eyes, there was only my perfect elder brother.
The criminals threw me into a cage and began skillfully demanding a large ransom from my family. I wasn't the only one there. Many other children my age had been kidnapped and locked up as well.
It was there that I met the first friend of my life.
For a brief moment, the anxiety in my heart eased.
But the kidnappers had greatly overestimated my importance to that family. From the very beginning, my parents and my outstanding brother had already decided to abandon me.
To them, someone named Clementine was optional. Disposable. Not worth mobilizing resources over.
When I learned that I had been abandoned, I wasn't surprised.
Perhaps, deep down, I had always known.
The criminals flew into a rage. And I became the target of their fury.
They hung me at the entrance of the cave and whipped me over and over again.
Blood dripped from my toes onto the ground, releasing a faint metallic scent that drew monsters from the forest.
Bait.
That was my only use.
From that moment on, I understood something clearly. Even if I were reduced to nothing but a shell, they would still squeeze every last bit of value out of me without mercy.
The only path left to me was escape.
Otherwise, what awaited me would be worse than death.
So I waited in silence, watching, enduring, searching for a chance.
Perhaps the gods answered my prayer. Or perhaps it was simply retribution.
During a chaotic clash, I tore free from my restraints and managed to escape.
The air felt different. It carried the scent of freedom.
Standing beneath the sunlight, covered in blood, Clementine wept.
My friend didn't make it out.
Once again, I was alone.
...
To survive and grow stronger, I chose to join a mercenary corps.
I never went back to that home. Maybe, deep down, I simply didn't want to. Or maybe I was afraid. In their eyes, the girl named Clementine had probably been dead for a long time anyway.
Day after day, I carried out missions like a machine. Gradually, my body began to show considerable talent as a warrior. My strength kept increasing.
Just when I thought this was how my life would continue, I made a mistake.
During one mission, I was captured on the spot by an opposing force.
To force out the information they wanted, they subjected me to inhuman torture.
They would torment me until I was on the brink of death, then use healing magic to restore me.
Again and again, in the midst of that endless suffering, I begged from the bottom of my heart.
Anyone, please… save me. A Demon, an Angel, I don't care. Even if it means killing me…
Why? Why won't anyone come? Why do I have to endure this over and over…
Heh… hehehe… hahaha…
And just like that, I finally went insane.
...
Staring at the figure ahead of her, Clementine felt the memories she had buried for years break free from their seal.
If this man had appeared before her back then, if he had saved her… maybe she would have become someone completely different.
But no one came.
No one ever reached out a hand to her.
This world had shown her nothing but malice.
The only memories she could call pleasant were the thrills she felt while carrying out missions—while killing.
Only when she killed, when warm blood slid across her fingertips, did she truly feel alive.
...
Before she realized it, it was deep into the night. When Clementine came back to her senses, she found herself already walking toward the city gates.
"Am I really going?"
She stopped in her tracks.
Instinctively, she didn't want to go. Or perhaps… she was afraid.
The word "friend" felt impossibly distant to her.
Reason told her that she should simply leave now, say goodbye without a word.
But another voice in her heart insisted that she had to go. If she didn't, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
Clementine stood there, caught in hesitation.
She wanted to go, yet she didn't dare. The conflict twisted her emotions into a restless knot.
"Never thought I'd see the day."
She shook her head, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. This really wasn't like her. The ruthless Clementine-sama, wavering over something like this.
Humans really are contradictory creatures.
After letting out a slow breath, the confusion in her eyes faded, replaced by firm resolve.
In the end, she chose to head toward the city gates.
Between running away and facing it head-on, she chose the latter.
Her life had already been miserable enough. After finally feeling something that resembled salvation, if she chose to run now, she would definitely regret it someday.
Heh.
Just this once, Clementine didn't want to regret her choice.