Chapter 395

No more words were exchanged. Ellen and Harriet silently went to their own bedrooms to sleep, while I sat on the terrace and stared blankly at the waves crashing on the shore. I made this choice so as not to lose Charlotte. But in doing so, I lost something else. I can't explain exactly what I lost, but I lost something and will continue to lose it. This is not the end. I must become a hero. I need to gain public fame as the owner of Alspringer and gain political standing as the prince engaged to that hero. Integration into the royal family of heroes. Berthus wanted that. I don't know exactly what Berthus' intention was in reigniting the already finished fight, whether it was just for fun or whether there was some other hidden intention. But I must become a hero. To become a hero, it's not enough to just be known as the owner of Alspringer. I have to do something. I must do many things that are sure to be dangerous. On the beautiful beach where the sound of waves and the sound of insects mixed, I stayed up all night unable to sleep. Ellen approached Charlotte, who hesitated and took a step back as if she was afraid. Ellen was a commoner, but she was also the possessor of the lament and the younger sister of Lagan Artorius. Since she entered the temple, Ellen was a person who had a position that was not inferior to anyone, even though she did not know her status. However, Ellen had never used it to her advantage. Therefore, Ellen had never been intimidated by anyone. Ellen stared straight into the eyes of the princess. "Just tell me one thing." Charlotte's eyes shook greatly at Ellen's direct question. She looked embarrassed and seemed like she could run away. However, Ellen's demeanor made it seem like she would catch her by the neck if she tried to escape. Charlotte probably sensed what Ellen knew. The engagement. Knowing about the problem, Charlotte could not ask for anything other than that. Charlotte looked at Ellen with that look in her eyes. "Yes." In the midst of her miserable feelings, Charlotte spoke sincerely. "I really... really like him a lot." Ellen could feel it in Charlotte's eyes. At least, that Charlotte was not using Reinhardt for survival. If Charlotte was just using Reinhardt to survive, Ellen did not know what she would do. But Charlotte was sincere. At some point, Charlotte had expected a last hope. Because of that, it collapsed. Ellen muttered to herself, "I... I liked him first. I liked him more. I spent much more time with him." The more she spoke, the more pitiful she felt. She could not even finish her sentence in front of Charlotte de Gradia's distorted expression of guilt. Wasn't it unfair that Reinhardt had to choose her because her life was in danger? Ellen could not say that. "I'm sorry..." Ellen turned away from Charlotte's expression that seemed like it would break. It was painful for Ellen to see Charlotte, who had what she wanted the most, but was not happy. * * * In the dormitory, Ellen and Harriet passed each other without saying a word. Harriet didn't know what to say and Ellen just passed by with her head down. It seemed like avoiding each other was the best option now. It was funny how Charlotte also seemed to struggle with how to approach her. She hesitated and couldn't say anything when she saw Ellen. Thank you and sorry all felt strange. However, they were supposed to take a major class together with Ellen. It felt like when they first met in their freshman year. Ellen had a cold expression, trying not to feel any emotions. The tip of her sword was not emotional but rather restrained. The dry class continued, with Ellen not saying a word about anything personal. After class, Savioline Tana told them to rest and Ellen left without a word. Reinhardt stayed behind when she was called by Charlotte. She had heard about their engagement and the emperor was considering whether to make Reinhardt's existence public or not. It could be dangerous for both Reinhardt and Charlotte if his existence was made public. The nobility would spread rumors, but the imperial family would not take any position. However, the situation was unstable and rumors needed to be spread to prevent defection among Charlotte's supporters. It was a way to stabilize the situation without taking any official position. Charlotte probably had her own intentions in doing this. "If it becomes known that you are the owner of Alspringer, you will inevitably face a dangerous situation. Even if you are in the temple, there is no guarantee that you will be safe. The demon king may target you first. You know that, right?"

"Yes."

As for the demon king, how could I be a threat to him? That part is not a problem, so I don't have to worry about it.

What's important is not the fact that we are engaged.

I have to build up my achievements.

To appeal to the nobility and spread rumors about the owner of Alspringer, I need achievements.

Soon, I have to make a hero.

"There could be various things. There may be a demon subjugation in Darkland, or there may be small groups of bandits or thieves, and since you have Tiamata, it will be easy to exterminate the undead. Of course, if you just stay there to ensure your safety, Shanafer's support troops will take care of it for you."

The empire wouldn't like it if I became a danger. So, I'm not becoming a hero, but making a hero.

What's important is that I was there, and the actual fighting and battles will be handled by veterans who are better than me. And I'll package it as something I did. In other words, it's eating away at my reputation.

It's good for both me and the empire.

"I don't plan on doing that."

"...."

"I have to solve it myself, whatever it is."

"Reinhardt, I know you're not arrogant. But if you jump into something dangerous yourself and get hurt..."

"A fake skill inflated by fake reputation will be even more dangerous. If it's known that whatever I did was made up, the situation could worsen."

The larger the scale of what I didn't solve myself, the more my skills will be overestimated. Then I become even more dangerous. Of course, there's no threat from the demon king, but this is actually to avoid the temple's surveillance.

I'm actually more comfortable working alone.

So I have to solve something with my own hands, not just make a hero. Savioline Tana looked at me and nodded silently.

"I thought you would say that."

It seemed like she naturally guessed that I wouldn't like that.

I don't need the help of someone who is too strong compared to me. It would be nice to have them, but if there is such a person, it could become my shackles.

Savioline Tana was silent at my words that I didn't need help and stared at me.

"From now on, we will replace all classes under the pretext of special activities. Soon. The period you spent on special activities will be considered as performing the temple curriculum."

As a special student, it means that I can wander outside the temple without any problem.

"Do you know about Levaina?"

"Isn't that the place where there was an attack not long ago?"

"Yes."

A secret imperial operation site disguised as a demon attack. Duke Granz was killed there.

"Go to the capital of Levaina, Razine." Investigations are underway regarding the demon attack, but I know that it was not actually a demon attack. Are they sending me there because there is no threat from demons? I know that I have nothing to gain from going there. "Olivia Lanche will be at the special investigation headquarters there." Olivia Lanche. I was a little surprised by the unexpected name. "Go and help Olivia. Even if there is an emergency, Olivia and the investigation team should be able to handle it. The possibility of something dangerous happening is also low." Come to think of it, it's been quite a while since Olivia came to see me. Or was she not even at the temple?