Chapter 472

It exerts an absolute cutting force, as if projecting the universe of the night, and even if I become a master class that can use armor, it will not change. It can be defended as a relic, but that's all. The primary problem is not only that the attack performance of the lament is too excellent, but that my sword originated from Ellen. Ellen is my overwhelming superior in terms of swordsmanship. I have learned everything from Ellen, including swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and suppression techniques. Ellen knows everything about how I understand and use her swordsmanship, what my habits are, and what swords I mainly use. So strictly speaking, Ellen knows me better than I do. Therefore, today's fight with Ellen confirmed the fact that I am still weaker than her. Even if there is no absolute attack means like Lament and Rapht, I cannot beat Ellen. If Ellen really tries to kill me with her swordsmanship, I will definitely die. I don't want to kill Ellen or die, so I must be able to defeat her. I also don't want to use Alsvinger in the fight to break the last gate. I don't want to sacrifice my life by using Alsvinger. I don't want to die in a possible fight with Ellen. To do that, I must become stronger. I must find a way to do so. * * * Ellen sat on her bed in the dormitory room of the temple, feeling numb. "Take a few days off. There's nothing urgent to do right now..." Although there were instructions that were not from Verthus, Ellen was not in a state to do anything right now. The demon king appeared in the Hwangdo, and those who were suspected to be members of the secret society Black Order attacked and were defeated by Ellen. As always, stories will create more stories, and rumors will spread. The story that the hero hesitated at first will disappear, and the story that the great hero saved people in a situation where everyone was in despair from the demon king's attack will spread. Ellen was fine with that. Ellen realized some truths today. The most painful truth is that there will never be anything like working with Reinhardt forever. It's not a matter of forgiveness. Just as Reinhardt has things to do, Ellen also has things to do. Due to the issue of necessity, not emotion, Ellen must live as an enemy of the demon king. That's why Ellen realized that there is no chance of restoring this relationship. Above all, that cold gaze. Reinhardt's ruthless actions attacking her without hesitation. The cold gaze and expression that didn't show any emotions gave Ellen sadness, despair, and fear. Unlike herself who couldn't control her emotions and trembled, Reinhardt's iron-like expression and unhesitating actions were frightening. She doesn't deny that it was something that had to be done. She understands well enough that Reinhardt had to do it. But it hurt too much. The merciless hand speed that was as painful as physical pain, the ruthless violence that didn't hesitate to hurt herself. Even to the violence inflicted on herself, she wasn't afraid, just like she wasn't afraid of hurting Ellen. Ellen looks at her right hand. She can't even count how many times she has cut something. But today's eerie sensation made Ellen fall into fear. It was too easy. The sensation of Lament that easily and simply pierced Reinhardt's heart gave Ellen a sense of terror. She almost killed Reinhardt. Because of that chilling sensation, Ellen's right hand was shaking violently as if she had epilepsy. Will there be more incidents like this in the future? Like having to fight Reinhardt forcibly pushed by people today. "Will there come a time when I have to fight Reinhardt to the death, pushed by the demands of others? Ellen doesn't want to prepare for that or be ready for it. She's afraid of dying at Reinhardt's hands. She can't bring herself to kill Reinhardt. But today, even though she didn't want to fight, she was forced to stand in front of the demon king by the people. And Reinhardt pushed her to fight, saying that he had to. Reinhardt seemed to have already accepted that fate. He became stronger. But in his cold and ruthless expression, Ellen felt that Reinhardt's heart had become too strong. It was too sad and scary for her. Someday, during the Gate incident, her mother suddenly appeared and said that if Ellen wanted to forget all the pain and go back to her hometown, she could. But Ellen couldn't do that. She couldn't ignore her responsibilities and forget everything. She had to take responsibility for what had happened and couldn't just abandon everything." "I don't know what to do, but there's someone I have to meet again."

"I don't know what to do when I see them again... but I have to see them."

"Sorry, Mom."

"I can't go."

She couldn't run away and ignore everything. She had to save at least one more person. She knew it was impossible to fully take responsibility and pay for what had happened, but she couldn't just run away and end everything. Her mother didn't say much, just "Okay," like before. She kissed Ellen's forehead and disappeared with the moonlight, leaving behind words of hoping for the protection of the moon and sun. Ellen was afraid of what was to come, of the people, herself, and Reinhardt. The pale moonlight shining into her dormitory didn't give her any answers. The next day, she had breakfast with her core group, including the Four Heavenly Kings, and Charlotte, who was still struggling to face them. "Charlotte was in a state where she couldn't be fully human or demon, as her soul was mixed with that of an Archdemon. Although the darkness emanating from her body seemed to have stopped for now, her red-eyed, pitch-black hair that didn't reflect any light gave her a devilish appearance. Yet, there was a strange charisma that could be felt, perhaps due to Charlotte's original appearance. It would be better if that lifeless appearance could just disappear. 'Charlotte will inherit all my authority as a demon king and take responsibility for Edina's overall affairs.' The most surprised by those words was Charlotte herself. I looked at Charlotte, who couldn't hide her surprise and rolled her red eyes, and said, 'What did you think I would have you do other than act as the Empress and take care of Edina?' I can't live a life where I'm constantly plagued by guilt. My throat is dry, and there are many things I need to do. I have to do what needs to be done to completely resolve the Gate incident. There isn't much time left. I can't care for Charlotte's mental state forever, so I have to do it alone. Too much thinking won't create anything beyond more thoughts. People move forward when they are preoccupied with something. Usually, there is no time to wallow in despair when reality hits you in the back of the head. I didn't have time to tell Charlotte that I couldn't do such things or that I wasn't qualified to do them. After conveying the most important fact, we had breakfast. Charlotte pretended to eat, but I watched her and forced her to eat. I knew how to handle Charlotte, who had been ruined by her lost self-esteem. Rather than being kind and comforting, I just gave her orders. If I had tried to persuade her to take over the Edina archipelago, she would have refused, saying she didn't have the right. So, I just told her to do what I said, and she nodded her head. The once arrogant and haughty princess had become someone who believed that she had to do something once I told her to do it. If only it wasn't the result of her guilt. Charlotte wasn't immediately involved in government affairs. She seemed to already know that Sarkagar and Lucynil were the culprits behind the kidnapping of the Empress and the Queen. They must have known each other from the time they spent in the palace. " However, Charlotte seemed to have no energy to deal with her guilt towards me, rather than her fear and anger towards Sarkagar. She had no room in her heart to even spare hatred towards her mother's enemy. Also, since the Council of Elders does not interfere with government affairs, there will be little contact between Sarkagar and Charlotte in the future. Charlotte began to receive information about the overall situation of the Edina archipelago and what she needed to know from Harriet, who could be considered a secretary. Harriet seemed to have no special feelings towards Charlotte. Airi was different. Charlotte had the soul of a demon king inside her. Whether it was because of that or not, Airi seemed to feel a strange fear when she looked at Charlotte. Charlotte is the demon king's representative, but she is not just a representative. Charlotte is already a demon king herself. She is both human and demon, so she may be a more fitting ruler of this new Dark Land than me. Charlotte does not have full demon ruling abilities, but she definitely has some. Of course, not everyone was willing to accept this situation. "What can she do with such little power?" Rianna, who hopes for the empire's destruction in the long run, asked me with a worried voice as she prepared to return to Fort Mocna. "It may not seem like it now, but in the long run, she will be incomparable to me." "Tsk... I don't like it." Rianna could not help but dislike the situation where the imperial princess became the deputy leader of this Dark Land. In reality, although Berthus was the one who killed Duke Granz and destroyed the revolutionary organization, Charlotte also found out about it afterwards. "Anyway, I'm leaving." "Prepare for the base relocation. I'll prepare in my own way too." "Got it." Rianna headed towards Fort Mocna. And the person who is undoubtedly the most unhappy with this situation. "She'll figure it out on her own, right?" Olivia's attitude was not one of anger or inability to accept the situation at all. "We just need to know what to convey to her." Olivia smiled bitterly and looked at me. "Don't try to protect her the next time she causes trouble. Just let her be." Olivia looked at me with a firm expression. "If she causes trouble again after betraying us, I'll find a way to kill her." She just gave me a calm warning about what I should prepare for if the person who betrayed us causes trouble again.