Chapter 406
three days later
I was watching a certain ceremony in Tetra, the central palace of the imperial castle Emperatos.
-One of the Five Lords, the great and pious lord of the frost, and the lunar operator who rules the cosmic void. An apostle of Mensis, and also a blood relative of Lagan Artorius, the savior of mankind and the hero who defeated Valie, the demon king of evil… … .
The pope of the Church of Mensis recited endlessly to the kneeling girl in the huge audience room.
Charlotte de Gradias, standing in front of him in a dress and cape.
While wearing a red cloak, I watched Ellen Artorius kneeling in front of him in uniform, mingling with the ministers.
I didn’t expect it to happen like this.
The engagement had never been announced, so this all made sense.
I will not become Charlotte’s fiancé, but Ellen will become an imperial knight serving Charlotte as her lord.
With that, secure Charlotte’s safety.
Just as Ellen was receiving attention, I, who was invited to the ceremony, was also attracting attention as the new owner of Alsbringer.
But, of course, Ellen was getting more attention than me.
It has to be.
Because the top-secret existence of Lagann Artorius’ sister appeared at the same time as she became a guardian knight of the imperial family.
Even many of the dignitaries in this room were looking at Ellen with awe.
Among those watching the ceremony was the emperor, as well as Bertus de Gradias.
Bertus and my gaze met for a moment.
The guy shrugs his shoulders slightly.
Didn’t know it would turn out like this
But Bertus was never displeased.
I’m on the side of the imperial family, even if I’m not engaged to Charlotte.
Ellen Artorius was added to that.
From the position of the owner of the imperial family, this situation couldn’t be bad. She has a trump card that could bring down Charlotte at any time, so she has no chance that Charlotte will become a dangerous competitor in the future.
This situation circulated around and eventually became a situation where the empire guaranteed safety for Charlotte and the support of the two heroes for Bertus.
It is a completely different matter for a hero to be an imperial citizen and for a hero to protect the imperial family.
Huge public support will be added to the imperial family, and thanks to that, the empire, which originally had a strong cause, will gain invincible legitimacy.
The hero is the protector of mankind, and Lagann Artorius killed the demon king to protect mankind.
And, the hero’s sister protects the empire.
That would be enough legitimacy to say that the Empire is humanity.
What is anti-imperial soon becomes anti-human.
The empire soon becomes ethics, and the words of the emperor become morality, not law.
The imperial authority, which had been strengthened by the victory in the Demon World War, was slightly shaken as it allowed the demon king to attack several times.
However, humanity has been united due to the fearful shape of the demon king, and the symbolism of the empire, which represents the will of the united humanity, is strengthened with the support of the warriors.
The empire needs a demon lord.
And, Bertus needs a demon lord.
The pope of the Church of Mensis reads the entire document, and Charlotte raises and lowers the silvery-white shining sword once on Ellen’s shoulders.
Ellen became Charlotte’s knight.
just the important thing.
Demonic Church.
We need to find them quickly.
They might try to kill me, Olivia, or Ellen in order to eliminate the threat of the demon king.
– clap clap clap clap
Applause resounded in the emperor’s audience room, where the appointment as the Imperial Guard Knight, not the regular knight, was over.
Through this.
I don’t have to be engaged to Charlotte.
but.
This allowed the Empire to reveal three important secrets to the public.
Ars’ champion, Reinhardt.
Tuan’s champion, Olivia Ranze.
And Ellen Artorius, the hero’s sister and the disciple of Mensis.
The three beings will become famous throughout the continent.
* * *
Understandably, Temple was upset.
After the owner of Alsbringer, the fact that the younger sister of the savior of mankind, Lagan Artorius, among the second year of the Royal Class, was in school, because it spread.
even.
-You know last year’s Miss Temple winner. They say that person is Artorius-sama’s younger brother!
-really?!
-no wonder… … . It didn’t look like anything normal.
-therefore.
Because of course the history of winning Miss Temple, Ellen had no choice but to become a more idol than Reinhardt.
-You say you’re the princess’s guardian?
-They both seem to be in the second year of the same royal class.
-No, isn’t he also in the second year? Reinhardt!
-Yep. that’s right.
Not only was the whole Temple in a mess, but it was the same within the Royal Class.
Harriet’s complexion turned white when she heard that Ellen had chosen Charlotte as her lord.
“Yeah, but… … . will it work?”
It was unimaginable before this happened, but after hearing about her appointment as a Guardian Knight, Harriet seemed to understand why Ellen made that decision.
“There is nothing that can’t be done.”
“Ellen… … . It’s going to be dangerous… … . clearly… … .”
Reinhardt’s work is important, but Ellen’s work is also important to Harriet.
Knowing that this would endanger Ellen, Harriet held Ellen’s hand and wept.
Ellen took Harriet’s hand and nodded with a firm expression.
“are you okay.”
Ellen sees Harriet.
“The Empire will protect me, and Reinhardt, and Liana, and Adelia, and… … .”
Ellen looks at Harriet with eyes full of trust.
“You are there too.”
There was no doubt in Ellen’s gaze, who believed that everyone would protect her.
“… … huh. Ellen.”
Harriet quietly hugged Ellen, and Ellen hugged Harriet.
Harriet already knew, but the reaction of the other classmates was, of course, shocking.
“It was too big of a secret to say that I was saddened to keep it a secret.”
“therefore… … .”
Liana and Adelia looked at Ellen and said that.
“I’m sorry though. I could have told you.”
“are you okay. Still, isn’t it a good thing that the hero has a younger sister, even such a pretty and amazing sister?”
Although Liana was surprised, she didn’t feel sad, as if she was happy. Adelia was perplexed as to whether she felt that Ellen, who was usually slightly difficult, seemed to be a greater being.
“What are you, are you that… … . Artorius’… … . A brother?”
“yes.”
Olivia, who used to stop by the temple from time to time, was also taken aback when she heard Ellen’s true identity.
“… … The reason why I didn’t say anything was because I believed in everything.”
“what.”
Olivia stared at Ellen, then clicked her tongue.
– Wow!
“!”
“Still, this nasty junior is going to die pretty this time.”
“Oops! town!”
Ellen, who was entangled in Olivia’s arms, struggled to see if she could not stand the force, but she could hardly release Olivia’s arm.
He couldn’t help but know that Ellen’s actions played a decisive role in canceling Reinhardt’s engagement.
“… … What are you doing?”
Ellen, who was released after a while, gasped for breath with her face flushed. Olivia tried to poke her on Ellen’s cheek, but with a nod of her head Ellen avoided the gesture.
“I heard that the bear is better at it and who gets the money. Hmm.”
It was Ellen who declared her a guardian knight, but Olivia smiled bashfully and waved her hand as if Reinhardt was hers.
“I’m busy, so I’ll go see you! Think of what you want to eat! Buy me a special meal!”
“no, I do not want.”
“Yeah, turn it off.”
Olivia left the temple in a hurry, as if she was really busy. Ellen was staring at her from the back.
He only heard that he worked as a heretic inquisitor, but Ellen didn’t know exactly what he was doing.
However, Ellen thought that the shadow on her back looked somewhat dark.
The reaction of all the Royal Classes has also changed a lot.
Because it was known that the calm second-year junior with extraordinary skills was actually the owner of Lament and the younger brother of Artorius. The juniors in the first year were astonished at the fact that there were two unapproachable seniors in the second year, and they looked at them almost in worship.
of course.
Something very important has changed.
Since she was appointed a Guardian Knight, Ellen still had the status of a knight, even though she was still a student. Even among the knights called the guardian knights of the imperial family, he became a high-ranking knight with considerable authority and power.
Of course, Ellen wasn’t interested in that.
What mattered was the relationship between Ellen and Charlotte.
Ellen and Charlotte weren’t really close friends. There was only a point of contact with Reinhardt, and it was neither close nor bad.
However, the relationship between the two was reestablished as they were both guardian knights and masters, half of their will and half of others.
So, whether you like it or not, the two have become a top-down relationship.
“Ellen.”
“huh.”
“You should call me Lord.”
“It’s a temple.”
Ellen’s statement that status is meaningless in the Temple, so the relationship between rulers and subjects is meaningless, was, in some cases, justified.
But Charlotte narrows her eyes and looks at Ellen.
“Are you going to call me master when you graduate?”
“Look.”
Charlotte stares at Ellen at Ellen’s brusque answer.
“… … .”
“… … .”
Ellen has no loyalty to Charlotte at all.
If left alone, Reinhardt would go beyond engagement and get married, and even risking his life, so he revealed his identity and became a knight with the idea of gaining greater fame and becoming dangerous instead.
Charlotte is no different.
He didn’t have as much personal trust in Ellen, and he seemed to be forcing Reinhardt to sacrifice too much, so he accepted Ellen’s request after feeling guilty.
So, from a distance, the descendants of the hero had a huge influence in supporting the empire, but in reality, the relationship between the two had become worse than a cow-chicken relationship.
To Ellen, Charlotte is the guy who almost stole Reinhardt.
To Charlotte, Ellen is the one Reinhardt devotes the most to.
so.
After both of them passed through a certain situation, they couldn’t like each other.
“You, do you know that I conceded a lot? Shouldn’t I be a little thankful?”
“I’m thinking thank you. That’s why I became your knight.”
Both Charlotte and Ellen made some concessions.
She could have Reinhardt if she kept her mouth shut, but Charlotte, who didn’t, also gave in, and Ellen, who supported the empire by accepting the situation in which the demonic forces were targeting her by revealing that she was the younger sister of the hero, also yielded.
Charlotte gave up her future, and Ellen decided to defend the empire even at the risk of her life.
So strictly speaking, the two exchanged rather than owed each other.
Also, even though she has no loyalty to Ellen, she has a sense of responsibility.
As promised, Ellen will risk her life to protect Charlotte if she is in danger, even if she is not loyal to her. She had no intention of abandoning her duties as a guardian knight.
Ellen and Charlotte stare at each other.
The two somehow got bizarrely intertwined.
The situation came to this, and we decided to stick together properly.
So, Charlotte kinda hates Ellen.
The same goes for Ellen.
“Honestly, you know you’re a bit unlucky, right?”
“You who came all the way here with only one pitiful thing are a bit cowardly.”
“and… … . Are you serious? Gee, really. You’re really bad!”
“I was told that I was unlucky, so I wanted to tell you what unlucky really is. It is not true.”
“No, something like this is called a guardian knight… … .”
“Then find another article, except for Reinhardt.”
“I’m really annoyed that you and Reinhardt became close friends, and then only the way you talk resembled each other!”
“It seems that you weren’t close enough to even speak alike. Unfortunately.”
“Muh, what? Gee, this is really… … . this is really… … .”
Charlotte and Ellen came to hate each other because they were bound by the oath of guardian knights.
“Still, I am really grateful.”
After grumbling, Ellen added:
“So, even if the whole world abandons you, I will protect you.”
I will be loyal in my own way, I tell my lord.
“… … It makes me speechless.”
Charlotte, her face slightly reddened, fired at her while turning away from Ellen.
* * *
Ellen became Charlotte’s knight.
The engagement became non-existent. I had a separate conversation with the emperor about that.
The Emperor meant that if he still wanted to be betrothed and married to Charlotte, that was all he could do. Rather, it seemed to want it.
Naturally, I took a step back, saying that now that the situation has turned out like this, I don’t think it’s necessary.
It’s an absurd situation. That I have the right to choose in this situation.
Engagement was out of the question, but the choice brought about a very significant change in the appearance of Ellen, me, and Olivia in the world.
And, Ellen and I hadn’t really talked about it yet. Unlike the last time, I didn’t know what to say to Ellen, and Ellen didn’t seem to know what to say to get her first rhyme.
so.
After the swordsmanship lesson taught by Saviolin Tana, Tana went back, but Ellen and I sat side by side on a bench in the waiting room, not saying a word.
It seemed like they had to say something, so neither of them left.
Both of them, however, did not know what words to begin with.
Saying thank you and saying sorry are all strange.
I made a choice, and it was Charlotte.
Ellen sacrificed herself to undo that choice.
So, isn’t it a bit strange to say thank you?
So, isn’t it a bit strange to say I’m sorry?
“… … .”
“… … .”
So Ellen and I hadn’t talked to each other for several days after being knighted. I chose Ellen because of me, but she never had a conversation with me.
how long has it been
Until the night when darkness falls on the window outside the waiting room.
We couldn’t talk anything.
I had to say something, so I finally opened my mouth.
“I am… … .”
“Promise me one thing.”
But as soon as I opened my mouth, Ellen cut me off and entered. Ellen sees me.
“Like last time… … . Like last time… … . Like last time… … .”
Tears welled up in Ellen’s eyes as she said something.
“That’s a lie… … . don’t do it… … .”
That lie is probably referring to the events of Kamsencha Island.
Was it a lie, Ellen asked, and I said yes.
Ellen sobs.
“I know it’s a lie… … . That it’s a lie… … . of course. know… … place… … .”
“too… … . too… … .”
“It hurt so much… … .”
Ellen cries and begs me.
I was willing to sacrifice something, and Ellen sacrificed herself instead.
But I ended up taking some risks by revealing my identity to the public.
Before I could sacrifice anything more to protect Charlotte, Ellen took it.
Both of us, to some extent, had to shoulder something to protect Charlotte.
There is only one thing Ellen wants from me.
I’m not asking you to choose me, I’m not asking you to like me.
like last time
I am only asking you not to destroy yourself with lies.
can’t say i like it
can’t even say thank you
It’s not something that can be resolved by saying sorry.
“sorry.”
All I could do was say something like that.
* * *
On the way back to the dorms for the night.
Ellen and I walked together, keeping some distance. Guilt and obsession intertwined, and Ellen and I had a strange relationship.
The engagement was off the table, but even after Ellen talked about it, I had a hard time coming up with anything to say.
Can’t it go back to normal?
Can I go back to normal and live as usual as if nothing happened?
Do I deserve that?
No matter what I did, it seemed that I was not able to do anything.
We walked absentmindedly back to the 2nd year dormitory.
Since it was nighttime, I was about to go in and rest, but Ellen grabbed my collar. Ellen looked at me with her usual nonchalant expression.
“I’m hungry.”
said that
It was a word thrown around as if it was nothing.
It was nothing.
Ellen always said that casually, and after saying that, she made something to eat.
casual words.
soon.
everyday speech.
Now that the weird moments are over, let’s go back to our daily lives.
Diligently clashing swords, becoming a wreck, eating a lot of something before going to bed and falling asleep.
Let’s go back to those normal days.
Ellen’s simple words were both an apology and a signal.
let’s stay like before
Let’s spend every moment together like it’s nothing.
It’s not like the guilt has gone away, and it’s not like something that’s changed isn’t going back to normal.
but.
As if nothing had changed, as if there was no guilt.
You can fake it.
“What do you want to eat?”
“stew. With beef.”
“okay. let’s eat.”
“Do a lot.”
“… … How much are you going to eat?”
how much to eat
Ellen was rather glad that I said that.
“Very, very much.”
He smiled brightly and said so.
