Chapter 406

Three days later, I was watching a ceremony at the central palace Tetra of Emperor Hwang Sung Emparatos. The Pope of the Mencius sect was reciting endless words towards a kneeling girl, Charlotte de Gradia, who was standing in front of him wearing a dress and cape. Ellen Artois, who was kneeling in front of her in a conquering outfit with a red cloak, had become a knight of the royal family serving Charlotte, ensuring her safety. The presence of Ellen, the younger sister of Lagan Artois, who had slain the demon king Bali, had attracted the attention of many dignitaries, including the emperor and Berthus de Gradia. The situation had become one where Charlotte's safety was guaranteed, and the empire gained the support of two heroes. The empire would gain even more legitimacy with the support of the people, and the symbol of the empire, which represented the will of the united people, would become even stronger with the support of the heroes. The empire needed the demon king, and Berthus needed the demon king. The Pope of the Mencius sect recites endless words towards Charlotte, who is now under the protection of Ellen, the younger sister of Lagan Artois. The situation guarantees Charlotte's safety and gains the support of two heroes, which would strengthen the symbol of the empire. The empire needs the demon king, and Berthus needs the demon king. Ellen's presence has attracted the attention of many dignitaries, making her an idol and causing chaos in the temple and among the royal class. Despite the danger, Ellen trusts that the empire, along with her companions, will protect her. Her decision to serve Charlotte as a knight was a big secret, but her friends forgive her for not telling them earlier. "It's okay. It's a good thing that a hero like you has a younger sister, and a pretty and amazing one at that," said Rianna, seeming more happy than surprised. Adelia seemed taken aback, feeling that Ellen, who she already thought was amazing, was an even greater presence. "What? You're, you're Artois' sister?" Olivia, who occasionally visited the temple, was also taken aback upon hearing Ellen's identity. "I had a feeling she was hiding something." "What?" Ellen asked. Olivia stared at Ellen and clicked her tongue. "But still, this useless junior is even prettier this time." Ellen struggled in Olivia's embrace, unable to break free from her grip. She knew that her actions played a decisive role in canceling Reinhardt's engagement. "What are you doing?" After a while, Ellen was released and took deep breaths with a pale face. Olivia tried to poke Ellen's cheek, but Ellen avoided her gesture. "The bear has the talent, but who gets the money. Hmph." Ellen declared herself a guardian knight, but Reinhardt acted as if she belonged to him. Olivia waved her hand with a smirk. "I'm busy, so I'll go for now! Think about what you want to eat! I'll buy you a meal!" "I don't want to." "Yeah, get lost." Olivia left the temple in a hurry, perhaps with real business to attend to. Ellen watched her back quietly. She had only heard of the inquisitor's work, but she didn't know exactly what it was. However, the shadow behind her back seemed much darker, and Ellen thought so. The reaction of the royal class had also changed significantly. The calm and talented junior of the second year was revealed to be the owner of Lament and Artois' sister. The first-year students were amazed that there were two senior knights who were almost impossible to approach in the second year, and they sent almost worshipful glances. Of course, something very important had changed. Ellen had received the position of guardian knight, so she was still a student but had become a high-ranking knight with significant authority and power as a royal guardian knight. Of course, Ellen was not interested in such things. What was important was the relationship between Ellen and Charlotte. Ellen and Charlotte were not originally close. They were not close or bad, except for the fact that they had Reinhardt in common. However, both of them were now in a relationship as a guardian knight and a lord, whether they liked it or not. "Ellen." "Yeah?" "You should call her 'my lord'." "But we're in the temple." Translation:

In the temple, Ellen's statement that social status and relationships are meaningless was sometimes true. However, Charlotte looks at Ellen with a serious expression and asks if she will call her "my lord" after graduation. Ellen responds with a vague answer, causing Charlotte to stare at her. Ellen has no loyalty to Charlotte, and only became a knight to protect herself from the demon realm and gain fame. Charlotte is no different, as she agreed to Ellen's request out of guilt for forcing Reinhardt to sacrifice so much. Despite their new roles as knight and lord, they do not like each other and are bound by a mutual debt. They both made sacrifices for each other, but Ellen has a sense of responsibility and will protect Charlotte if she is in danger. They stare at each other, both disliking the situation they are in. They argue about their similar speech patterns and their dislike for each other as guardian knights. "Still, I am grateful," Ellen muttered, grumbling. "So even if the whole world abandons you, I will protect you."

She spoke to her lord, pledging her loyalty.

"...You leave me speechless," Charlotte said, her face slightly red as she turned away from Ellen.

* * *

Ellen became Charlotte's knight. The engagement was no longer in effect, and they had discussed it separately with the emperor. The emperor still wanted Charlotte to be engaged and married, but he seemed to hope for it more than anything else.

Naturally, there was no need to do so, given the situation. It was a ridiculous situation. I had the right to choose in this situation.

The engagement was no longer in effect, but because of that choice, Ellen, Olivia, and I underwent a very significant change in appearance to the world.

And Ellen and I still hadn't talked properly about that issue. In a different sense than before, I couldn't figure out what to say to Ellen, and Ellen seemed to not know what to say either.

So after the swordsmanship lesson with Sabiolin Tana, Tana left, but Ellen and I sat side by side on the waiting room bench without saying a word.

We didn't leave our seats because we felt like we had to say something.

But any words of gratitude or apology would be strange.

I made a choice, and that was Charlotte. Ellen sacrificed herself to undo that choice.

So it's strange to say thank you. It's strange to say sorry.

"...."

"...."

So even though several days had passed since our knighthood ceremony, Ellen and I hadn't talked about anything. Ellen chose because of me, but we didn't have any conversation.

How long has it been?

Until the night when darkness fell outside the waiting room window.

We didn't say anything.

I eventually opened my mouth, but Ellen cut me off, looking scared.

"Just promise me one thing."

Ellen looked at me.

"Like last time... like before... don't lie..."

That lie was probably about the incident on Kamsen Island.

Ellen asked if it was a lie, and I answered yes.

Ellen sobbed.

"I knew it was a lie... I knew it was a lie... but still... it hurts so much..."

Ellen pleaded with me as she cried.

I tried to sacrifice something, and Ellen sacrificed herself instead.

But in the end, we both had to bear some burden to protect Charlotte. Ellen only wants one thing from me.

It's not to choose her or to like her.

It's just not to ruin herself with lies like before, that's all.

She can't say she likes me.

She can't even say thank you.

It may not be something that can be resolved with an apology.

"I'm sorry."

That's all I could say.

* * *

On the way back to the dormitory at night.

Ellen and I walked together with some distance between us. Guilt and obsession had tangled us into a strange relationship.

Although the engagement was no longer in effect, I found it difficult to say anything after Ellen had said such things.

Can't we go back to the way things were?

Can we just go back to our usual lives as if nothing had happened?

Do I have the right to do that?

I felt like I couldn't do anything, no matter what I did.

We walked back to the second-year dormitory in a daze.

Since it was night, we were going to rest after going in, but Ellen grabbed my collar. Ellen looked at me with her usual casual expression.

"I'm hungry."

She said that.

It was a trivial remark.

It was nothing.

Ellen always said such things casually, and after saying such things, she made something to eat.

A trivial remark.

Soon.

A common remark.

Now that the strange moments were over, let's go back to our daily lives.

Let's eat a lot before hitting the sword diligently and falling asleep.

Ellen's simple words were both forgiving me and a signal.

Let's go back to the way things were before.

Let's spend every moment together like this, as if nothing had happened.

It's not that the guilt disappeared or that something that had changed returned to its original state.

Just.

As if nothing had changed, as if there was no guilt.

We can pretend that.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Stew. With beef."

"Okay. Let's eat."

"Make a lot."

"...How much are you going to eat?"

How much are you going to eat.

Was Ellen happy that I said that?

"A lot, a lot."

She said that with a bright smile.