Chapter 465

Upon returning, Harry had a satisfied expression on his face, indicating that he had finished his story. "It can take a few days." "No, it's okay. It would be difficult if it became known that I had returned. It's better to go quickly." The conversation is unknown, but it seems that the Duke and his family understood Harry. The fate of the Sangtu'an Kingdom is uncertain, and all city defenses outside the capital have failed. So, would it be okay if only the people of this city moved? Arknar is already a completed city, and it is unknown whether they can fully take responsibility for their lives in Edina. However, if they can move to Edina, they may be able to avoid the anger of humanity that will eventually come. "It may be a way to move all the people of Arknar to Edina, but I don't know how the Duke will accept it." Harry opened his eyes at my words. "Is it possible...?" "The problem is that there is no way at this point. But if a way is found, it can be done." They cannot use the warp gate at the moment. Physical movement is also impossible. Even if the Duke is a highly skilled magician, he cannot lead the entire population of the Sangtu'an Kingdom from the northwest of the continent to Port Mokna, the southernmost point of the continent. Teleporting the entire population is impossible, of course. "There won't be anything happening in Arknar right away. So let's think about the way gradually." Harry's face had a last shadow, but I could feel it disappearing to some extent. After reuniting with his family for a long time and having a good conversation, Harry was more energetic than before, perhaps because he thought he could save the people of Arknar. After returning to Edina, Harry's expression was much brighter. "After the gate incident is over, can't we improve the warp gate and make a gate that directly connects Arknar and Edina Island?" "It would be nice if we could do that... No, you can do it." "Yeah, if it doesn't work, we'll make it work." It was naturally a good sight to see such a lively appearance. They didn't show any signs of depression or difficulty, but it was just that everyone didn't show it. Harry's lively appearance, which had become much more peaceful, could not help but make me feel good. I didn't think that Harry's research on the warp gate at my request would be helpful in this way, but ultimately, what Harry researched could be a way to save his hometown. It was a daily task after the warp gate of the entire continent was destroyed, but Harry began to prepare a blueprint for the aftermath. Of course, there was more work to be done, and Harry, who was already busy, became even busier, but there was no reason not to take the task seriously as it was about saving people and even family. It was a job that could relieve the guilt and self-blame that he had been hiding for two years, so it was natural for Harry to think seriously about it. Harry continued to do what he had to do, and a month had passed since he returned from Arknar. The complete end of the gate incident was inevitable. As the warp gates continued to pour out stronger and stronger monsters, and their defensive capabilities increased, it became increasingly difficult to destroy each gate. Eleris also said that it was no longer possible to destroy the warp gates alone, and it was natural that the Empire's work of destroying the warp gates with Savion Tana's troops was becoming increasingly difficult. As the number of warp gates decreased, the speed at which the remaining warp gates were destroyed slowed down, and numerous casualties occurred. In the reality where the end was near but infinitely far away, events began to occur one by one, separate from the gate incident. "Great existence. It seems that the princess will soon be executed." And I had to face what was inevitably coming someday. "Why?" Berthus had not responded to the demands of the crowd until now. So I thought Berthus had enough will to keep Charlotte safe. "Is it because of what I revealed in the Yellow Empire last time?" If the demands of the crowd exploded due to their anxiety, the cause of this incident would ultimately be my responsibility. Antirianus smiled at my words. "That can't be the only reason, but the important thing is that it seems that they cannot refuse the demands of the imperial countries and the Odae Divine Sect, not the crowd." "...." "They are demanding that the princess be sacrificed to stabilize the political situation." The already uneasy Empire was now under pressure from the demands of the imperial countries and the Odae Divine Sect. The imperial countries are the most important members of the Empire, and the Odae Divine Sect is a powerful military force, even if the support of the crowd is weak. The Empire cannot ignore them. Even though the gate incident has not yet ended, they are already acting as if it has. The Odae Divine Sect wants to dilute their hatred by turning the arrows of criticism towards the princess, and the imperial countries want to confirm their faith with the removal of the unstable element of the princess in the crumbling Empire. So they had no choice but to accept it. "So Emperor Berthus has decided to execute the princess at noon on Sunday in the main square of the Yellow Empire in three weeks." "...." Did Berthus finally have to make the choice to exchange the Empire for Charlotte? But Antirianus was still smiling. "And, in addition, Lord Vampire and Sarkagar will be executed together." "....What?" "As you heard."

No.

Even Lord Vampire and Sarkagar are to be executed together with Charlotte?

Did Berthus forget my warning in two years?

He knows that if he touches Lucienil and Sarkagar, he will become my enemy.

Antirianus still seemed to find this situation too amusing.

I realized what this confusing and unpleasant situation meant because of his enjoyable expression that was irritating to his nerves.

Three weeks.

It's quite a long time.

It could be a loose time with too much leeway.

Berthus knows that I appeared in the imperial capital not long ago.

Soon, he will sense that I am watching the imperial capital wherever I am.

He doesn't want to kill Charlotte.

Lucienil and Sarkagar are also involved.

That says a lot.

They hold a public execution ceremony with plenty of time to spread the news.

"They will give you the two, so bring Charlotte with you."

It means that I should appear there and take them away somehow.

The crowd wants Charlotte to be judged, so I can't secretly give her to them, and even if I try to do so, the Empire doesn't know where I am.

So the moment they try to judge Charlotte in a public place, the Demon King will abduct her.

It would be a good picture for the Empire to justify many things.

We tried to do as you demanded, but what do we do if the Demon King appears?

In the end, Berthus can no longer protect Charlotte.

So his hidden intention was to give back two of his subordinates and ask me to take Charlotte with me.

"Really... it's an extraordinary and amazing way..."

He conveys his reliance on me in this way when he doesn't know where I am.

It was a moment of admiration.

Did my unintentional appearance in the imperial capital become an opportunity for Charlotte, Sarkagar, and Lucienil to be returned?

Three weeks later, Sunday at noon.

They have to stage a manipulated kidnapping drama, although they haven't agreed on it.

* * *

At this point, Reinhardt doesn't know one thing.

"Three weeks later, on Sunday, brother."

"...."

Charlotte sat on the bed with a dark expression and nodded her head.

Berthus did not fail to endure.

Charlotte herself wanted it.

Because her existence was a burden to humanity and the Empire. If her useless life could give people even a slight relief, she would do it.

If she was forcibly kept alive, the Empire would collapse.

There were demands from the imperial countries and the Odae Divine Sect, but this was happening because Charlotte herself demanded to be executed.

Berthus naturally refused.

It can never happen.

There will be no such thing.

It was a request to kill her from the mouth of a brother who had not been opened for a very long time.

Kill me to prolong the life of the Empire even a little. As long as she exists as a catalyst for division, she must do something even if she dies. "And because all of this happened because of me, I can't go out and fight like Ellen. Shouldn't I do something like this?" Charlotte said, "I'm already dividing the empire in real-time just by existing, so wouldn't it be better to die?" She gave up, resigned, regretful, and had no attachment to life. Berthus did not make this decision because of the demands of the crowd, the empire, or the Odae religion. He was afraid that if he didn't execute her, she would commit suicide in the Spring Palace. So this was the only way he could squeeze out. Berthus didn't say anything to Charlotte. He didn't say anything about Reinhardt appearing in the imperial city, watching from somewhere in the imperial city, and still trying to protect people. He didn't say anything that would only add to Charlotte's self-loathing. Therefore, this was Berthus's unilateral decision. Charlotte only knows that she will be burned at the stake alone in the square in three weeks. So he didn't say that anyone else might come. Charlotte doesn't even know who will be hanged with her. He didn't say anything about that. Charlotte will never allow such a thing to happen to herself. She will hang herself if Reinhardt says he will come to save her because she thinks she cannot be forgiven. It's okay if Reinhardt doesn't show up at the appointed time in three weeks. Berthus will do whatever it takes to save Charlotte, even if it means staging a play. He can't come back to the imperial city anymore, but he will make sure she can live quietly somewhere. He doesn't know how to make his brother, who has given up on life, live, but all he can do is keep her from dying. Only Reinhardt can save Charlotte. Therefore, Berthus is talking to the invisible Reinhardt. Please. Let Charlotte live. It's an impudent request, but forgive Charlotte. I may not be forgiven, but please forgive Charlotte. In fact, it was no different from the emperor pleading with the demon king to protect Charlotte because the empire could not protect her. "Brother." Charlotte said nothing, thinking she didn't deserve forgiveness, so she would refuse if he told her his plan. So he didn't plan to tell Charlotte this story. Berthus approached Charlotte, who was silent, and brought a chair to sit down. Charlotte was trapped in self-pity because of the countless tragedies that had occurred, not just because she didn't trust the demon king, but because she couldn't accept herself being forgiven by Reinhardt and being protected by him in a safe place. Berthus looked at his brother who had become a demon and Charlotte's red eyes stared at him silently. "If Reinhardt takes Charlotte, she will be protected by the demon lord. Berthus cannot protect Charlotte himself. He doesn't know where the demon lord is and he won't tell. So, Berthus seeing Charlotte will be the last time for three weeks before she is burned at the stake alone. They hated each other enough to want to kill each other, and they actually tried to kill each other several times. They don't know when it became like this. But at some point, Berthus's thoughts changed when he saw Charlotte, who was too weak to be considered a rival. A rival with no value. From a defeated rival. When the misunderstanding about the demon lord was not resolved, he considered himself a poor brother who had been used by Reinhardt from the beginning to the end. And now, he can't even control himself. He feels guilty, self-blaming, and self-punishing, buried in the curse he had given himself and the world. The previous emperor died, and Berthus took his place. Since then, Berthus has wanted to protect Charlotte no matter what. Even when everyone in the world hated Charlotte and poured out suspicions that she was related to the demon lord, Berthus ignored all those words. He wanted his pitiful brother to survive somehow. And now, Berthus is forced to entrust something he cannot do to the demon lord. Berthus looks at Charlotte's red eyes staring at him silently. It's the last time. Because it's the last time. 'Brother...' '...' 'Can I hug you?' Charlotte's eyes widened slightly at Berthus's words. Seeing traces of emotions that had long been absent in her eyes, Berthus smiled bitterly, as if he was doing something like that. Charlotte also saw during this terrible time that her brother, whom she had hated so much, was trying to protect her in any way possible. After everything was destroyed. After ruining everything with her own hands. It was natural that brotherhood was born between them, which did not exist and could not exist. Charlotte doesn't know what's going on right now. That's why she thinks Berthus is apologizing for deciding to kill her, no matter how much he begs her. Charlotte chooses to die on her own. Because she's sorry. Seeing Berthus saying such things in guilt, Charlotte hesitates and slowly leans towards him. Berthus pulls Charlotte's small and delicate head towards his chest and hugs her. This was the first time they had ever done this. Was she really this small?" Berthus hugged his brother for the first time and thought, "You have to go to a good place...". Charlotte, crying, wondered if she was allowed to go to a good place even if she died. She felt guilty for everything that had happened and decided to die on her own. She thought that living with the demon lord would be better than living in the palace. Berthus believed that Reinhardt would come and take Charlotte away. He apologized to his brother and hugged him, and Charlotte apologized and thanked him for everything.