Chapter 407

Translation:

Summary of previous part of chapter only for context: This is the first part of the chapter.

"How does it feel to have the support of two warriors?"

"I know I should feel a little flattered, but I don't want to react." Charlotte replied curtly to Vertus' words.

"What if Ellen Artorius became your guardian knight, and you couldn't refuse and got engaged to Reinhardt? Wouldn't that be a disaster?"

Charlotte narrowed her eyes at Vertus' malicious sarcasm.

"I don't want to be remembered in history as a princess who was killed by her own knight, you know?"

Vertus was rather surprised by Charlotte's frankness, as she was not someone who expressed her emotions so honestly.

However, after accepting her defeat, Charlotte became extremely honest in many ways.

"So, what's the reason for inviting your stepbrother, whom you don't particularly like, to your palace when you're not busy?"

The current visit was due to Vertus telling Charlotte to come to the Winter Palace.

Charlotte had to come because Vertus had the knowledge that Charlotte's soul and the demon king's soul had merged.

Although her support base was secure, Charlotte knew that she was always in danger as long as Vertus knew the truth.

"Well, is there any difference in the magic research of engagement spells?"

Charlotte's expression stiffened at his words.

"You're asking me even though you know?"

"...I know you think very little of me, but this time I really don't know. You got a magic book about engagement spells from somewhere, and that's all I know."

Charlotte couldn't understand Vertus' ignorance. She tried to keep it a secret, but Vertus was already playing with all the information in his hands.

If Vertus didn't know about the underground labyrinth of the demon king's castle, that would be even more surprising.

He didn't know what he had to know.

That means the information was blocked somewhere.

"Could it be Tana Kyung?"

Tana had to remain neutral, but at some point, she unknowingly sided with Charlotte.

She may have tried to prevent Vertus from hearing about the engagement spell, which could be Charlotte's last salvation.

Ultimately, Vertus found out about the engagement spell, but it was clear that he didn't know that the source was the underground labyrinth of the demon king's castle.

Of course, Vertus may also know about the underground labyrinth of the demon king's castle. However, if the information about the engagement spell and the underground labyrinth of the demon king's castle were properly blocked, it cannot be connected. Vertus is likely to know about the engagement spell and the underground labyrinth as separate pieces of information. If the information was properly blocked, there are only three people who know about the underground labyrinth of the demon king's castle: Savioline Tana, Charlotte herself, and Reinhardt. It is unknown where the magic researchers who conducted the engagement spell research obtained the magic book. Therefore, while information about the engagement spell may leak out, its source cannot be leaked. Charlotte had heard the results of the engagement spell research a while ago. When she heard that she couldn't restore her condition with the engagement spell, she remained calm. Vertus was surprised by Charlotte's frankness, but he knows that Charlotte's soul and the demon king's soul have merged, which puts her in danger. If Charlotte dies, Vertus will have to give up his life to stop the demon king from resurrecting. Charlotte's body will be completely controlled by the demon king until he is resurrected, which will lead to a major incident that will require Vertus to stop him, but at a great sacrifice. Ellen has become her knight and Reinhardt cherishes her. Charlotte's life has become too heavy because of just two things. However, she trusts Reinhardt's enchantments and believes that she will be okay. Charlotte's hair turns red and her eyes turn black, revealing her demon king form, but she assures Vertus that she won't kill him. The engagement spell and the underground labyrinth may play a significant role in future events. Vertus acknowledges that his actions have succeeded in scaring them. "It's a strong reaction just to say you're scared. It's actually a normal response to faint when someone who was perfectly fine suddenly tries to kill themselves in the form of a demon. Clearly, to Vertus, Charlotte seemed to be handling the demon king's power properly rather than being controlled by him. Of course, it couldn't be certain that her state would be okay as Charlotte said, but it couldn't be denied that it was a stable state for now. However, it was a power that couldn't be revealed externally. Even those who didn't know the details would agree that if Charlotte showed her true power, it would be a very unpleasant and ominous sight. It was only a means of last resort and a secret weapon. Charlotte had that power. Although it was powerful, it was impossible to survive as a knight of the empire or even as a public figure on the continent. That's why the power to move countless forces with just one word was feared. 'Why did you bring that up? It's not like you asked me to give you medicine.' Charlotte asked, and Vertus looked at her with his arms crossed. 'Of course, I'm curious about the source. Where did you get a magic book about the principles of dealing with souls? Did you join some secret society?' 'Oh, that?' Vertus could understand the labyrinth, but he could tell that he didn't know that he had gone to the demon king's castle. He could tell her the source. But he thought that only he, who had the demon king's soul, could pass through the labyrinth. 'Why, isn't there anything else?' 'What's the point of telling you?' Neither Vertus nor Charlotte were magicians. They knew that rare magic books had great value. And they were not merchants who converted it into money, but sought to supply the magic to the army to enhance their power. Powerful magic was power in itself. It was a pity that there was no power for the ruler, no matter how dangerous the magic or the liquor was. It didn't matter if Vertus told her the source. Only she could enter there anyway. But there was no reason to give her the information. She couldn't become an emperor, but she could have a cooperative relationship with Vertus. Those things in the underground of the demon king's castle were Charlotte's property. It was a life that was indebted to Ellen and Reinhardt and was in debt. If Vertus found a use for her on his own, someday they might be able to face each other without debt. 'Okay. Then bring a few more.' 'Shall we make a deal?' 'It's natural to save what you have less of.' She said a few, but Charlotte would bring a considerable amount of magic books. It didn't matter if she found out that it was Darkland's vision and that she discovered it in the underground of the demon king's castle. Only she could enter there anyway. * * * 'Uh...' '...' Harriet passed by Reinhardt, who seemed a little hesitant when he saw her. She didn't know what to say, so she had been avoiding Reinhardt lately." Harriet saw Ellen and Reinhardt talking normally like before. She also saw the strange interaction between Charlotte, who became a guardian knight, and Ellen. Then she saw the three of them walking together. Harriet didn't know what to do. When Reinhardt mentioned his engagement, Harriet felt empty-headed. She couldn't focus on studying or researching. She couldn't tell Charlotte not to do what she decided to do to protect her life. So she could only watch. When Ellen became Charlotte's knight, the engagement became a thing of the past, like a lie. It was something only Ellen Arthurius, the sister of Lagan Arthurius and the owner of Lament, could do. Ellen had a stronger symbolism than Reinhardt, so becoming Charlotte's knight could guarantee Charlotte's safety. Harriet couldn't do what Ellen did, so Reinhardt didn't have to keep his engagement promise. Harriet didn't feel happy about it. Even when she saw Reinhardt and Ellen getting along like before, she couldn't do the same. She knew that she was always the last one, even though she used to think she was Ellen's next. She had become more humble and had given up on expecting anything. She felt pathetic for being satisfied with someone who didn't like her because of guilt. If her heart was just going to end up in a miserable defeat, it would be better to give up. When Adelia asked if she was okay, Harriet nodded her head, thinking that if her heart was not going to be rewarded, she should just give up. Reinhardt had become too high up for her, maybe even an unapproachable existence. Translation:

The seed that was planted in the soil of her heart grew into a flower, but like a flower that couldn't bear fruit, it withered away. If it withered, only her heart should have withered away. It was a feeling of the soil where the flower had taken root, even she herself was withering away.

Harriet leaves the temple and heads towards the palace. As she walks, she makes a promise to herself. Let's forget. Slowly. If everything becomes normal again and all these painful feelings disappear, then we can return to being ordinary friends. Harriet thinks that Reinhardt would want that too. Just like how she treats Reinhardt comfortably because Liana doesn't like him. Let's talk about it after a lot of time has passed. Then I'll tell you that I liked you. A lot. I liked you a lot.

"...."

Harriet, who came out onto the street, finally shed tears in the middle of the street. "Bad... bad... bad guy...." He knew that I liked him. Even though we didn't talk properly because something might break, he knew everything in the end. She couldn't bear the sadness and sorrow. Should I curse him and call him the worst guy in the world? He's a guy who has no reason to like him. He's just a terribly bad guy, and she knows that she liked him even though he was that kind of guy. It would be better to hate him. Let's just hate him and despise him. Let's shoot him as a bad guy in front of our eyes and pretend we don't know. Will we become friends later? There won't be such a thing. While making such a promise, Harriet walked on the street, took the magic train, and headed towards the palace.