Chapter 533

The base was in full swing with a party, including a party at the main headquarters where Berthus was in charge. Ellen Artorius was also invited but declined to rest at the barracks, although she was playing with her cat. Heinrich had the right to meet the emperor who was attending the party. Berthus took Heinrich to his barracks when he requested an audience. Berthus poured wine for Heinrich and himself and they talked about the upcoming battles. Heinrich had a problem he wanted to discuss with Berthus. "What would you do if you were me right now?"

"Hmm?"

Berthus cocked his head at the sudden question.

"I don't really understand what you're asking because it's such an abstract question."

"So, if you were in my situation...."

He couldn't even mention the details out loud, it was too cursed.

So he could only speak vaguely.

Berthus was smart and knew about politics as much as the emperor, so he thought he could get an answer he didn't know just by thinking about it.

"If you were in my situation...what do you think would be the best choice for me to make?"

His brothers hate him.

But his position will only grow, and that has nothing to do with Heinrich's intentions.

He feels like this unintended leak of information will explode, but he doesn't know what to do. He only knows that staying in the Kernenstadt army, or leaving it, is a problem.

He can only answer this under the assumption that Berthus knows Heinrich's situation and the internal affairs of the Kernenstadt royal family.

"I don't know about this kind of thing, I don't know what the right answer is. Whatever I do, it seems like a problem, and whatever choice I make, it seems like a problem. So, there's no one around me who knows this kind of thing except for you....so...."

That's why he was so rude.

Heinrich added quietly.

"Well...."

Berthus rolled the red liquid in his wine glass and fell into deep thought.

Berthus already knew what Heinrich was asking.

"Do you know what your sister, Louise von Schwarze, means by incorporating you into the Kernenstadt army?"

"A little, just a little."

"Yeah, it means she won't be swayed by the Supreme Command. No, she wanted to have something to catch and swing."

Heinrich knew that too.

"It's ridiculous to talk about what happens after the war is over, but....you're going to be a very important person in Kernenstadt or the Schwarze royal family no matter what. It's a natural flow."

"....Yeah."

"I don't know what you should do. Because I don't know what you want. I don't know what you should do, but I think I know what might happen to you."

"Something that will happen to me?"

"Yeah."

Berthus took a sip of wine and looked at Heinrich.

"Your brothers will probably try to kill you. Whether it's during the war or after the war."

Heinrich's eyes widened at Berthus' words.

He didn't know who sent the letter, but Heinrich knew it wasn't Berthus.

But Berthus also gave an answer like that mysterious letter.

"Why...do they have to go that far? What did I do wrong? I...."

"Heinrich, calm down and listen."

Berthus looked at Heinrich, exhaling hot breath after drinking all the wine.

"You might be a bastard." Charlotte de Gradias' knowledge is also known by Berthus de Gradias. Heinrich could only stare at Berthus with wide eyes. "It's not true... don't lie." Heinrich had to deny Berthus' cruel suspicion with trembling lips. Berthus suggests that if it is true, it would explain all the hatred and contempt Heinrich has received. Heinrich walks out of the headquarters, feeling dizzy. The word "bastard" keeps ringing in his head. Berthus only mentioned the possibility, not the truth. But Heinrich feels like the puzzle pieces are fitting together. He wonders why his brothers hate him so much and if he might be a bastard. He also wonders why they didn't just kill him after the accident. As he walks back to the Kernenstadt army base, he hears cheers and support from his fellow soldiers, but he can't bring himself to respond. He wonders what he should do if he really is a bastard and his brothers want to kill him. It's possible that it could happen even during the war. "If you ask me to protect you, I can do that. But if I bring back the recruit that Louise von Schwarz took, she will probably resist. It's me overturning something that she clearly expressed her intention on. She might doubt my intentions. It's a situation where she can do that. It's natural for you to become a war hero, and the symbolism of your existence will be comparable to Ellen's. I could say that I'm trying to do something useless by using you. And that's something I could say even if I don't actually have that intention. I would be giving them an excuse for interference in my affairs. The emperor can protect you, but in that case, he will bear a considerable burden. And it will undoubtedly make your life more dangerous. It's not easy to stay in the Kernenstadt army either because you are constantly exposed to danger... But if you stay at the Templar base by your own will, you will be suspected of having other intentions... Hmm. It's complicated." "Bastard. If that's true, Heinrich has no choice but to die no matter where he goes. His brothers want to kill him. Even if he receives the protection of the emperor, he will die, and if he stays in the Kernenstadt army, he will die. As long as he is a member of this alliance, and as long as Heinrich's uselessness remains, it is clear that his brothers will try to kill him someday. "What should I do then?" "Heinrich." "Yes?" "Isn't it obvious?" Berthus shrugged his shoulders. "If you want to live, you have to kill." "I don't want to see those people inside. Whoever they may be." Heinrich tried to go back to his tent behind the barracks. He didn't know what to do next. Since nothing was certain yet, he didn't have any plans. No, he even thought it might be better to be killed. "Where have you been?" However, behind the barracks, Heinrich had no choice but to turn around at the sound calling him. "Brother." The eldest son and the second heir to the Schwarz royal family. German von Schwarz. And the youngest, Alphonse von Schwarz. They were talking outside the barracks, whether they were trying to catch some fresh air or had something to talk about. Alphonse was the type to openly argue, but German von Schwarz seemed to treat him as if he didn't exist. "I went to see a friend." "Who are you talking about if it's a friend?" "Other than His Majesty the Emperor, who else could it be?" Only Ivia and Berthus were worthy of being called that in the headquarters barracks. When the word "emperor" was casually mentioned, Alphonse von Schwarz began to laugh. "Wow, our youngest brother is amazing. Are you being arrogant by saying you're friends with the emperor?" Heinrich rolled his eyes at his blatant sarcasm. "I don't think so, but His Majesty the Emperor seems to think so." "Hmph." Alphonse's expression stiffened at Heinrich's sharp words, which he didn't expect from someone who always slept. "You've become arrogant, little brother." It was German von Schwarz who spoke. "It's true that you are an important force, but you are a member of the Schwarz royal family. You claim to be friends, but you must consult with me or our eldest brother before personally visiting the emperor." It was a warning to report every step he took. As a member of the Schwarz royal family, there could be political implications in every move he made, so he had to be careful. The statement itself was correct. But is this the only time they treat him as a brother? And is it possible to consult with you guys about whether you are trying to kill me? "Don't act recklessly. Even on a good day, as a member of the royal family, you must maintain your dignity. If you don't want any unnecessary misunderstandings, refrain from such actions." Misunderstandings. What misunderstanding is he talking about? They are the ones who are wary of him, who has no thoughts. German's cold words and Alphonse's mocking attitude. "They turned away from Heinrich as if they had finished talking, and drank alcohol. Heinrich looked at his brothers with a stern expression and asked, 'Brothers, am I a bastard?' His brothers were surprised and asked, 'What?' He wanted to confirm if the possibility he had heard was true."