On this chaotic continent, the only Claymores who remained loyal to the Organization were those who truly believed the Organization carried the burden of saving humanity's future.
But after serving for a while, most Claymores eventually discovered the Organization's many dark secrets.
For example—
The Organization sometimes lured Yoma to attack villages, deliberately creating orphans so they could recruit new Claymores.
The Organization was like a black hole devouring happiness.
And Claymores were the most unfortunate victims of all.
"If that's your decision, Teresa," Duran said,"then of course I'll support you fully."
"But even if we destroy the Organization… what then?"
"Behind the Organization stands an Empire."
"And after destroying the Empire… what happens next?"
Teresa thought about it.
Then she smiled slightly.
"You once told us about your homeland, Duran."
"I envy it."
"So I've decided."
"I want to build a country without oppression."
Duran blinked.
"Whoa… that escalated quickly."
But after a moment he shrugged.
"Well, if you've already decided…"
"Let's go all the way."
The first thing Duran did—
Was invent the steam engine.
Soon a new city appeared on the continent.
It was called:
The City of Miracles.
Every day, white smoke rose endlessly into the sky.
Steam engines ran day and night, filling the air with steam and ash.
Standing before the towering steel city—
A boy named Raki felt incredibly small.
His brother had turned into a Yoma and was killed by a Claymore.
After being rescued, Raki wandered the continent alone.
Eventually he heard rumors of a miracle city by the eastern sea, and decided to travel there.
The city amazed him.
Even the Holy City didn't have roads like these.
Wide roads with four lanes stretched across the city.
And traveling along them were strange four-wheeled vehicles that moved without horses.
Tall buildings rose into the sky—
Even the grandest temples were dwarfed by them.
Everyone in the City of Miracles worked hard.
If you wanted to eat—
You had to work.
Lazy people couldn't survive there.
After a blood test confirmed he wasn't a Yoma, Raki quickly found work with the railway company.
The continent's first railway line was about to open.
It connected the City of Miracles and the Holy City.
The railway had taken one year to complete.
Mountains had been flattened.
Forests cut down.
Even Awakened Beings had been killed during construction.
But finally—
The railway was finished.
Raki's job was to work as a train attendant.
His responsibility was to assist passengers and explain how the train worked.
The railway was a revolutionary achievement.
The Twin Cities Line stretched 21 kilometers, passing through six towns.
What once required half a month of travel could now be completed in 20 hours.
Passengers bought tickets at the station.
Passed through ticket inspection.
Entered the waiting hall.
Then boarded the train.
The seats were padded with soft animal fur.
The train had 20 carriages:
2 locomotive cars
12 passenger cars
6 cargo cars
"Ready!"
The conductor shouted.
The signal light turned from red to green.
The continent's first train journey began.
The train wheels screeched.
Then—
The train slowly started moving.
"WOOOOOO!"
The whistle echoed across the landscape.
Raki was assigned to the eighth carriage.
He nervously introduced passengers to the train and helped them with their questions.
It was an easy job—
But he had never spoken in front of so many people before.
Fortunately—
Clare was also traveling in the same carriage.
And once again—
Their destinies crossed.
The train raced through:
forests
mountains
rivers
Without stopping.
It demonstrated the overwhelming power of industry.
With Duran's support, industrial power spread rapidly outward from the City of Miracles.
Neither Yoma nor Claymores could stop it.
Not even the Empire behind the Organization could stop it.
Then gunpowder appeared.
The Organization's influence rapidly shrank.
Even Yoma—once humanity's greatest enemy—were forced into the background.
Humanity, empowered by industry, began reshaping the world.
Mountains were flattened.
Seas were reclaimed.
Even the sky was conquered.
During the Organization's northern campaign—
Aircraft from the City of Miracles bombed the territory of the Silver King Isley.
It was a declaration to the world:
Humans were no longer helpless livestock.
Soon afterward—
The Kingdom of Miracles officially declared its independence.
Three fleets were sent to negotiate with the Empire.
Eventually the Empire recognized the new nation.
However—
The Empire never ordered the Organization to withdraw.
It simply abandoned them.
When the Organization tested the Empire's support—
No help came.
The Organization realized they had been discarded.
Still, they possessed many secret weapons.
For example:
the Abyssal Ones
the Devourers of the Abyss
But they would never get the chance to use them.
Because—
Duran had arrived.
Inside a dark hall, Duran stood calmly.
Figures in black cloaks hid in the shadows around him.
"You people really nailed the villain aesthetic," Duran joked.
A voice answered from the darkness.
"So you are the famous Duran."
"No homeland."
"No family."
"Your only close companions are the strongest Claymore Teresa and her adopted orphan."
"That's right," Duran replied casually.
"You should already know why I'm here."
"So let me ask you directly."
"Will you join the Kingdom of Miracles… or not?"
The cloaked figures remained silent for a moment.
Then one answered.
"Even if the Empire has abandoned us…"
"We will not betray it."
"It is our homeland."
Duran nodded.
"Very loyal of you."
"But I have one question."
"Why did you spend hundreds of years researching Yoma?"
"Tell me the truth."
After a long silence—
An elderly voice spoke.
"Hundreds of years ago…"
"The Emperor feared a powerful weapon possessed by a rival nation."
"So he ordered us to research the unique creatures of this demon continent—Yoma."
"Our goal was to create warriors capable of matching that weapon."
"The Claymores were our first success."
"But male Claymores always awakened."
"So we switched to female warriors."
"Elegant. Obedient. Perfect weapons."
"But before they could be deployed…"
"The war ended."
"And the awakened males became a threat to the Empire itself."
"So we confined them to this continent."
"And released the female Claymores here."
"And since then…"
"The cycle continued."
Create Claymores.
Some awaken.
Create more.
Repeat.
Duran frowned.
"So after hundreds of years… that's all you accomplished?"
The old man sighed.
"Not exactly."
"In recent decades the Emperor ordered us to focus on another goal."
"Immortality."
Duran rolled his eyes.
"Of course."
"Every villain either wants to destroy the world… or live forever."
"But whatever your goals were…"
"Now you have only one choice."
"Join my country."
"Or be destroyed."
Duran tossed several capsules onto the floor.
They burst open—
Revealing a line of Terminator-like robots.
"If any of you move…"
"My guards will kill you immediately."
"You have one month to decide."
"But you will remain in this hall during that time."
"Try to leave…"
"And you die."
One man tried to test him.
The robot's eyes flashed—
A laser beam fired.
The man instantly turned to ash.
"We agree!"
The Organization surrendered immediately.
Soon afterward—
All Claymores—both active and trainees—were recalled.
Duran cryogenically froze them inside capsules.
This was necessary.
After all, every Claymore carried the risk of awakening.
Duran claimed he was protecting them.
"Of course," he added jokingly,
"I already have Teresa."
"But if the other Claymore girls need my help…"
"I'll gladly assist."
Finally—
Duran handed the Organization's leaders several red documents.
"Congratulations."
"You are now citizens of the Kingdom of Miracles."
And just like that—
The era of the Organization…
And the age of the Claymores…
Came to an end.
Meanwhile—
With artillery and modern weapons—
Even Yoma were no longer a serious threat.
----------------------------------------------------------------
for more 10+ Chapters -- https://www.patreon.com/cw/OzFalor