Chapter 406
Three days later.
I stood in the central palace of Tetra in the Imperial City of Emperatos, observing a certain ceremony.
O great and devout ruler of the swirling mist, one of the five guardians of the universe, and the overseer of the void, the Moon's traveler. The Apostle of Mencis, the savior of mankind, the hero who vanquished the Demon King Valier, the descendant of Ragan Artorius...
The Pope of the Mencis Order recited these words endlessly in the enormous virtual reality, facing the kneeling girl.
Charlotte de Gardias, dressed in a gown and cape, stood before her.
I watched from amongst the officials as Ellen Artorius, wearing a red cloak and kneeling in full armor, took part in the ceremony.
I hadn't expected it to turn out like this.
Our engagement was never announced, so it was as if it never happened.
Instead of becoming Charlotte's fiance, Ellen became the royal knight who served her.
In doing so, Charlotte's safety was ensured.
Like Ellen, I too had been invited to this ceremony and received attention as the new master of Alsebringer.
But naturally, Ellen drew even more attention than I did.
It couldn't be helped.
The top-secret existence of Ragan Artorius's younger sister, now revealed as a royal guardian knight.
Many of the high-ranking officials present looked at Ellen with a mix of awe and curiosity.
Among those observing the ceremony were the Emperor and Bertus de Gardias.
Bertus and I locked eyes for a moment.
He shrugged his shoulders slightly.
Was it his way of saying he didn't expect things to turn out like this?
But Bertus did not seem displeased.
One way or another, I was on the side of the imperial family without marrying Charlotte.
And now Ellen Artorius was added to the mix.
From the perspective of someone who would become the master of the royal family, this situation couldn't be bad. With a hidden card that could bring down Charlotte at any time, there was no possibility of her becoming a dangerous rival in the future.
The situation ultimately guaranteed Charlotte's safety, and Bertus secured the support of the two heroes for the empire.
It's one thing for a hero to be part of the empire, but it's entirely another for them to protect the royal family.
The massive support of the people would be added to the royal family, and the already powerful empire would obtain unrivaled legitimacy.
The hero is the protector of mankind, and Ragan Artorius killed the Demon King to protect humanity.
And now, the hero's sister protects the empire.
It's as if the empire represents humanity, giving them unparalleled legitimacy.
Opposing the empire equates to opposing humanity.
The empire becomes the embodiment of morality, and the emperor's words are not only law but also moral principles.
The imperial authority, which had been strengthened after the victory in the Great Demon War, had wavered slightly due to several attacks by the Demon King.
However, the terror of the Demon King had united humanity, and the symbol of the empire, representing the united will of the people, became stronger with the support of the hero.
The empire needed the Demon King.
And so, Bertus needed the Demon King.
The Pope of the Mencis Order read through the entire document, and Charlotte, wielding a silver-shining sword, tapped each of Ellen's shoulders, raising and lowering the sword in repetition.
Ellen became Charlotte's knight.
However, the important matter was the Demon Cult.
They had to find them quickly.
For they might try to kill Olivia and Ellen, claiming to eliminate the threat to the Demon King.
-Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap
In the emperor's hall, following the ceremony of the Royal Guardianship, applause echoed throughout.
With this.
I don't have to be engaged to Charlotte.
However.
Because of this, the empire revealed three significant secrets to the world.
The Champion of Als, Reinhardt.
The Champion of Tu’an, Olivia Lanze.
And the sister of the hero and Apostle of Mencis, Ellen Artorius.
Their names would shake the entire continent.
—---
Naturally, the academy was in an uproar.
After the owner of Alsebringer, the fact that the sister of humanity's savior, Ragan Artorius, was enrolled among the second-year Royal Class students spread throughout the academy.
Moreover.
“Last year's Miss Temple winner, right? She's Artorius's sister!”
“Really?!”
“Somehow... she didn't seem like an ordinary person.”
“Exactly.”
Due to her Miss Temple win, Ellen inevitably became an idol, even more so than Reinhardt.
“A guardian knight for the princess?”
“Both of them are in the same Royal Class, second year.”
“Isn't there another one in the second year? Lord Reinhardt!”
“Yeah, yeah. That's right.”
Not only was the entire academy in chaos, but so was the internal structure of the Royal Class.
Upon hearing that Ellen chose Charlotte as her liege, Harriet's face turned pale.
"Still... is that possible?"
Before such an event unfolded, it was unimaginable, but after hearing about the guardianship ceremony, Harriet seemed to understand why Ellen made such a decision.
"There's no such thing as impossible."
"Ellen... it's going to get dangerous... definitely..."
Reinhardt's matters are important to Harriet, but so are Ellen's.
Knowing that this could put Ellen in danger, Harriet choked back tears as she held Ellen's hand.
Ellen held Harriet's hand and nodded with a determined expression.
"It'll be alright."
Ellen looked at Harriet.
"The Empire will protect me, and I have Reinhardt, Liana, Adelia, and..."
Ellen looked at Harriet with eyes full of trust.
"You, too."
In Ellen's gaze, which believed that everyone would protect her, there was not a shred of doubt.
"...Yes, Ellen."
Harriet gently hugged Ellen, and Ellen hugged her back.
Harriet already knew, but the reactions of the other classmates were bound to be shock and disbelief.
"It was too big a secret to complain about it being kept secret."
"That's right..."
Liana and Adelia said as they looked at Ellen.
"I'm still sorry. I could have told you."
"It's okay. It's a good thing for the Hero to have a younger sister, especially one as pretty and amazing as you."
Although surprised, Liana didn't seem hurt, and even seemed rather happy. Adelia appeared flustered, as the already slightly intimidating Ellen now felt even more significant.
"What, you're that... Artorius's... sister?"
"Yes."
Olivia, who occasionally visited the temple, was also taken aback upon hearing Ellen's true identity.
"...I guess I believed you because you were so brazen."
"What?"
Olivia glared at Ellen, clicked her tongue, and then...
-Wham!
"!"
"Even so, this cheeky junior of mine is just too adorable this time."
"Ugh! Ugh!"
Buried in Olivia's embrace, Ellen struggled but couldn't free herself from her grip.
Ellen played a crucial role in canceling Reinhardt's engagement, and she couldn't have not known that.
"...What are you doing?"
Ellen, finally freed after a while, caught her breath with a flushed face. Olivia tried to poke Ellen's cheek, but Ellen dodged her gesture just by moving her head.
"They say the money goes to whoever catches it. Heh."
Though Ellen declared her guardianship, Reinhardt acted as if it was his own, and Olivia laughed and waved her hand.
"I'm busy, so I'll go now! Think about what you want to eat! I'll treat you to a meal!"
"No, thank you."
"Yeah, get lost."
Whether Olivia truly had urgent matters or not, she quickly left the temple. Ellen quietly watched her retreating figure.
Ellen had only heard that Olivia worked as an Inquisitor but didn't know the specifics of her job.
However, Ellen thought the shadow that seemed to loom over Olivia's figure appeared unusually dark.
The reactions of the entire Royal Class had changed significantly.
It became known that the calm and exceptionally talented second year student was in fact the master of Lament and the younger sibling of Artorius. Naturally, the freshman students were astonished to find that they had not one, but two seniors in the second year who were practically untouchable in terms of skill. They sent looks of near reverence.
Of course.
Something very important had changed as well.
Having received the title of a Guardian Knight, Ellen was a knight, even though she was still a student. Moreover, she had become a high-ranking knight with considerable authority and power, as a Guardian Knight of the Royal Family.
Of course, Ellen had no interest in such things.
What was important was the relationship between Ellen and Charlotte.
Ellen and Charlotte hadn't been particularly close to begin with. They had the connection of Reinhardt, but neither were they close nor on bad terms.
However, both of them were half-willingly, half-forced into the relationship of a Guardian Knight and a Lord, which led to a reestablishment of their relationship.
So, whether they liked it or not, they had become a superior-subordinate relationship.
"Ellen."
"Yeah?"
"Shouldn't I call you my Lord?"
"We're in the Temple."
In the Temple, where status is meaningless, Ellen's words that the relationship between a lord and a knight is also meaningless were, in some cases, quite reasonable.
But Charlotte looked at Ellen with narrowed eyes.
"Will you call me Lord after graduation?"
"We'll see."
Charlotte stared at Ellen, who answered nonchalantly.
"..."
"..."
Ellen had no loyalty towards Charlotte whatsoever.
If left alone, Reinhardt would go beyond engagement to marriage, and she had even risked her life, revealing her identity and becoming a knight to gain greater fame to become a target instead.
Charlotte was no different.
She had no personal trust in Ellen, and she had accepted Ellen's request out of guilt for imposing too much sacrifice on Reinhardt.
So, from afar, it seemed like the descendants of heroes supporting the empire had a huge influence, but in reality, their relationship had become worse than that of strangers.
To Ellen, Charlotte was someone who almost took Reinhardt away.
To Charlotte, Ellen was the person Reinhardt devoted most of his attention to.
Thus.
Neither of them could like each other after overcoming certain situations.
"Do you know that I've made a lot of concessions? Can't you be a little grateful?"
"I am grateful. That's why I became your knight."
Both Charlotte and Ellen had made some concessions.
Charlotte, who could have had Reinhardt if she kept quiet, and Ellen, who had risked attracting the attention of demonic forces by revealing her identity as the hero's younger sister and supported the empire, had both made concessions.
Charlotte had given up her future, and Ellen had decided to protect the empire even at the risk of her life being threatened.
Therefore, strictly speaking, they had not so much incurred debt to each other as exchanged it.
Moreover, while Ellen had no loyalty, she had a sense of responsibility.
As she had vowed, even if Ellen had no loyalty to Charlotte, she would risk her life to protect Charlotte if she were in danger. She had no intention of forsaking her duties as a Guardian Knight.
Ellen and Charlotte stared at each other intently.
Somehow, the two had become oddly entangled.
The situation had come to this, and they decided to have a proper showdown.
So, Charlotte was a bit annoyed with Ellen.
The feeling was mutual for Ellen.
"Honestly, you know you're quite unpleasant, right?"
"You, who made it this far with just pity, are rather cowardly."
"Wow... that's harsh. Seriously, that's really harsh, you know!"
"I just wanted to show you what being truly unpleasant is like since you mentioned it. No hard feelings."
"What kind of guardian knight is like this..."
"Find another one, excluding Reinhardt."
"Ever since you got close to Reinhardt, your speech has become so annoying!"
"Well, you don't seem to have gotten close enough to imitate his speech. Such a shame."
"Wh-what? Seriously, this is... this is really..."
Bound together by the oath of being guardian knights, Charlotte and Ellen had come to really dislike each other.
"But still, I'm truly grateful."
Ellen grumbled before adding that.
"So, even if the whole world abandons you, I'll protect you."
In her own way, she pledged her loyalty to her lord.
"...You leave me speechless."
Charlotte, her face slightly flushed, turned away from Ellen as she said this.
Ellen became Charlotte's knight.
Their engagement was as if it never happened. They had discussed the matter separately with the emperor.
The emperor still wanted to honor the engagement and even the marriage, if Reinhardt wished. It seemed he would even prefer it.
However, they withdrew from the idea, thinking there was no need to go that far since the situation had come to this.
It was an absurd situation. The power to choose lay in my hands in such circumstances.
The engagement was as if it never happened, but this choice brought about a significant change, revealing Ellen, Charlotte, and Olivia to the world.
And yet, Ellen and Reinhardt hadn't properly discussed the issue. Unlike last time, Reinhardt didn't know what to say to Ellen, and Ellen seemed unsure of how to begin their conversation.
So after the sword lesson guided by Saviolin Turner ended and Tana left, Ellen and Reindhardt sat side by side on the waiting room bench, not saying a word.
Feeling that they should talk, neither of them left.
However, neither knew what to say to start the conversation.
Words of gratitude and apologies both felt strange.
Reinhardt had made her choice, and it was Charlotte.
Ellen had sacrificed herself to blur that choice.
So, wasn't it strange to say thank you?
And wasn't it strange to say sorry?
"..."
"..."
Thus, even days after Ellen became a knight, she and Reinhardt hadn't exchanged any words. Ellen had chosen Charlotte, but he couldn't even have a conversation with her.
How much time had passed?
We couldn't speak a word until darkness fell outside the window, overlooking the waiting room.
I had to say something, so I finally opened my mouth.
"I am..."
"Just promise me one thing."
But before I could even speak, Ellen cut me off. She looked at me.
"Like last time... like before... just like that time..."
Tears welled up in Ellen's eyes as she tried to speak.
"Don't... lie like that... again."
She must be referring to the incident on Kamsencha Island.
She asked if it was a lie, and I said it was.
Ellen sobbed.
"I knew it was a lie... but knowing it was a lie... of course, I knew..."
"It hurt... too much."
Ellen pleaded with me through her tears.
I had intended to sacrifice something, but Ellen had sacrificed herself in my place.
But in the end, I also faced some risks by revealing my identity to the world.
Before I could sacrifice more to protect Charlotte, Ellen intercepted it.
Both of us had shouldered a burden to protect Charlotte.
Ellen only had one request for me.
Not to choose her, nor to like her.
Just like before.
Just don't destroy yourself with lies, that's all she asks.
I couldn't say I liked her.
I couldn't even say thank you.
Though it may not be something that can be resolved with an apology.
"I'm sorry."
That was all I could say.
—---
On the way back to the dormitory at night.
Ellen and I walked together, slightly apart from each other. A strange relationship had formed between us, entangled with guilt and obsession.
Even though the engagement had been canceled and Ellen had spoken about it, it was difficult for me to say anything.
Could we go back to the way things were?
Could we go back and live as if nothing had happened?
Do I even deserve that?
I felt like I couldn't do anything because whatever action I took seemed wrong.
We walked in silence back to the second-year dormitory.
As it was night and I intended to go inside and rest, Ellen grabbed my collar. Looking at me with her usual calm expression, she said,
"I'm hungry."
It was a casual remark.
It meant nothing.
Ellen always made such remarks nonchalantly, and after saying them, I Qwould cook something to eat.
A casual remark.
Soon.
An everyday phrase.
Now that the strange moments had passed, let's return to our daily lives.
Let's go back to those days when we would diligently clash our swords, get bruised and battered, eat a lot before bed, and fall asleep.
Her simple words were both forgiveness and a signal.
Let's live like we used to.
Together, let's share these seemingly insignificant moments.
The guilt hasn't disappeared, and something that has changed can't simply return to the way it was before.
However.
As if nothing has changed, as if there is no guilt.
We can pretend.
"What do you want to eat?"
"Stew. With beef."
"Alright. Let's eat."
"Make a lot."
"...Just how much are you planning to eat?"
How much indeed.
Ellen seemed delighted that I asked her like that.
"Loads and loads."
She said with a bright smile.
