The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Nova’s gaze swept over the group huddled before her. Each face was drained of color, their expressions etched with dread, convinced that disaster was imminent. They crouched low, trembling like a cluster of frightened frogs, their bodies betraying their fear.

A few legs shook so violently that the movement was impossible to miss amidst the crowd.

“Tsk,” Nova clicked her tongue, her tone dripping with boredom.

*Honestly, these guys could use a serious lesson in courage,* she thought with a smirk. *If they were part of my crew, I’d drill them until they could face down a live bomb with only ten seconds left on the clock and not bat an eye.*

Her mind drifted involuntarily to memories of Ghost-Hammer, Marlie, Falcony, and Snowfang.

Setting aside Snowfang’s eventual betrayal, those four had been the very first mercenaries to stand steadfastly by her side.

Back then, Nova hadn’t commanded legions or wielded a fearsome reputation. She certainly hadn’t lived a life of luxury, nor savored gourmet meals.

Hungry? She’d gnaw on wild grass, chew on bark, even swallow insects and snakes if it meant survival.

Parched? She’d force down water painstakingly filtered from muddy, grimy puddles—nothing refined, just whatever she could scrounge.

Those four had been her most trusted allies, the ones she could always rely on without hesitation.

To them, she was their unacknowledged queen.

Through every hardship, they had her back, never once contemplating betrayal.

When the countdown to carpet bombing hit ten seconds, they risked everything for her, placing their faith in her without a flicker of doubt.

Even Nova wasn’t certain she could have pulled all four through alive.

It could be argued that Bloodforge’s entire rise owed itself to the unwavering loyalty and trust of those four. Without them, she would never have ascended to become the undisputed monarch of mercenaries.

Nova’s eyes flicked toward Andrew, Oliver, and Leanne. The trio looked shaken, as if death had just brushed past them.

*Compared to my old crew—maybe not the sharpest, but the way they believed in me without question—these new teammates don’t even come close,* she reflected silently.

A soft sigh escaped her lips internally.

*No matter how far I’ve climbed, Marlie and Falcony are gone, and Snowfang turned traitor…*

*Those days are lost forever. Nothing will ever bring them back.*

The four who had once been her most loyal comrades? They were gone, now only shadows fading in the recesses of her memory.

Her eyes hardened, glinting with a cold resolve.

Snowfang had once been loyal. Before Nova returned to the world stage and delivered final justice, she swore she would confront him face to face, demand his reasons, and then consign him to hell.

“Uh… Nova…” Andrew’s hesitant voice broke through her thoughts.

Andrew, Oliver, and Leanne were still sprawled on the ground, so terrified that their underwear was practically slipping down their legs.

After a painfully long pause, Andrew finally managed to push himself up and shuffle over to Nova.

“You’re insane! You actually… tore down an AK-18 right in front of us!” he exclaimed, still half in shock.

“If your brother saw how badass you are, he’d seriously lose his mind!”

Oliver, who had been snapping at Nova moments earlier, now wore his usual easygoing grin.

He added right after Andrew, a friendly smile spreading across his face.

“I don’t know if her brother would be stunned, but we’re definitely the ones picking our jaws up off the floor,” Oliver said, still grappling with disbelief.

As he spoke, Oliver stepped closer to Nova, raising his hands in an earnest apology.

“Sorry for snapping at you earlier. I honestly never imagined you’d actually dismantle an AK-18!” he blurted out, still stunned.

Even in his wildest dreams, Oliver hadn’t dared hope for something this extraordinary.

But Nova—a teenage girl—had just crushed it like it was nothing.

*Damn… this is unreal,* Oliver thought, struggling to process what he’d just witnessed.

It was so shocking it felt like his eyeballs might pop out.

Nova, however, paid no mind to Oliver’s apology; she never considered him part of her true crew.

His whole body trembled as his voice carried loudly across the venue.

“Bloodforge, the legendary weapons expert! She’s the absolute number one—light weapons, heavy ordnance, firearms, you name it. Nobody else even comes close!” Oliver practically shouted, on the verge of losing his mind.

“Every weapon she crafts instantly becomes hot property in the underground. The moment her creations hit the black market, bidding wars erupt. Every player in the shadows is desperate to get their hands on them!” Oliver went on, practically vibrating with enthusiasm.

“And the AK series? That’s Bloodforge’s specialty—her absolute masterpiece!” he added, his voice still trembling with awe.

‘Bloodforge’—the name alone spoke volumes: a life-or-death legacy, forged to the very last drop.

Yet even after Nova disassembled the AK-18—something only Bloodforge herself had ever managed—Oliver still couldn’t connect the teenage girl before him to that legendary name.

Bloodforge had ruled the international scene for nearly a decade.

How could someone like Nova possibly be that mythic figure? The idea was too wild to even consider.

So it never even crossed Oliver’s mind.

His excited shout echoed through the entire space, briefly pulling Violet out of her daze. She flinched in surprise, still shaken by Nova’s insane AK-18 takedown.

For anyone on the front lines, weapons weren’t just tools—they were lifelines. They lived and breathed guns and ammo, no matter the hour.

It was akin to how girls obsessed over makeup, lipstick, bags, and designer labels, always chasing the latest trends and hottest brands.

In the world of weaponry, Bloodforge’s status was like that of the hottest international designer reigning supreme in fashion—if fashionistas had their number one, she was the ultimate icon for guns and gear.

If Bloodforge ever called herself second best, no one else would dare claim the top spot.

Every weapon she produced was a masterpiece—flawless firepower, impeccable engineering, custom mods honed to pure perfection.

Her creations were pure gold to every major player lurking in the shadows—mercenaries, assassins, crime lords, even elite commandos from across the globe.

Oliver was practically buzzing with excitement, staring at Nova as if she were a living legend. His voice trembled as he spoke.

“I’m… I’m actually Bloodforge’s biggest fan. I’ve studied every single weapon she’s ever designed—I even dream about getting my hands on one…”

“And you actually met my idol! I know this is a lot to ask, but… could you tell me what she looks like? Is she beautiful?” Oliver blurted out, his voice shaking with excitement and awe.