Chapter 535

Hainrich was frozen upon seeing Reinhardt, who had entered his mansion at some point. The demon king was like a curse imposed on humanity. Although it was hard for Hainrich to believe that Reinhardt, who was hated by the Templars and the world, was the same existence as the demon king, it was not untrue. Reinhardt was the demon king and the mastermind behind all of this. Knowing this, Hainrich could only be confused. Reinhardt said that it was a thorn in his side and proceeded to explain what had happened so far, what they would do in the future, and what Hainrich could do. Hainrich never thought he would see Reinhardt again, but he had imagined it in the midst of the tragedy created by the countless deaths and gate incidents. He wondered why Reinhardt had done this and if he really hated humans that much. However, when Reinhardt appeared in front of him, Hainrich couldn't ask anything. He didn't think he could become a hero of humanity by killing the demon king here. Reinhardt's expression seemed to suggest that there was a reason for everything. Hainrich realized that Reinhardt, who was a bully at the temple, was not a villain. He had a feeling that the gods' choice was not wrong and that there was a reason why things had to be this way. He had come to accept that his brothers would eventually try to kill him, so he had no place in the Kernstadt army. Summary of previous part only for context: In this chapter, Hainrich realizes that his brothers will eventually try to kill him and that he has no place in the Kernstadt army. Reinhardt, who is the demon king, explains what has happened so far and what they will do in the future. Hainrich wonders why Reinhardt has done this and if he really hates humans that much. However, he realizes that Reinhardt is not a villain and that there is a reason why things have to be this way. If he joins Reinhardt, he will be seen as a traitor by his family and the Kernstadt army. Reinhardt gives him time to think. Hainrich considers joining Reinhardt if there is a valid reason for it and if it is not just for personal gain. He also believes that the sins of the ruling family should be shared by the people. "If it is known that Hainrich has sided with the demon king, not only the Schwarz royal family but also the entire Kernstadt army will become sinners. Whether there is a reason for it or not, only a few people will know. The treatment that Duke Saengtuan and his magicians receive will also be received by the Kernstadt army. This will lead to not only a decrease in morale but also a split in the alliance. There will be many who will be overwhelmed by betrayal within the Kernstadt army. It may not be known that he has sided with the demon king, and it may be known only as desertion. However, the decrease in morale cannot be helped. Hainrich is a hero of the Kernstadt army. Like Ellen, a hero has value in and of itself. There are things that come with it. Even if his brothers try to kill him, even if they try to do such things with shortsighted thinking, he cannot betray the people. He cannot leave those who believe in him and find hope in him. Hainrich does not ask Reinhardt much. There were many questions he could have asked, but they became meaningless. Reinhardt came to save him. Then what choice will he make? 'As you know, a lot has changed since then.' '....' 'I'm not the pebble you used to laugh at.' Reinhardt laughs wryly at his rather arrogant words. 'Yes, I'm not that anymore.' Hainrich can return the words Reinhardt used to laugh at him in the past. That much time has passed. He now has the ability to ignite a mountain, not just a pebble. As his strength grows, some fear Hainrich, while others find hope in him. 'So, now you can't just do this or that just because you said so.' 'Well, you've gotten pretty good at it.' Reinhardt, who gives a mixed answer, returns an evil answer, and to Hainrich, he doesn't seem to have changed from before. 'I can't go. I have to take care of my own business.' Reinhardt stares at Hainrich's eyes quietly in response. 'My words are a problem even if I die or kill. Do you understand that correctly?' 'I understand.' Even if he is killed. Even if he kills, it's a problem. He will take care of his own business. In the end, everything leads to a problem. Even if he is killed, it's a problem. Even if he follows the demon king, there will still be a problem. If everything is a problem, Hainrich can only choose which problem to take. 'Well, if that's your choice, there's nothing I can do.' If it were the old Reinhardt, he would have used force if things didn't go his way. 'You've changed a bit too, haven't you?' Hainrich asks with a smirk, and Reinhardt laughs wryly. 'Are you the only one who's changed?' Reinhardt returns the same smirk. And in this situation, Hainrich facing Reinhardt is surprising, but there was something he was curious about. It was something completely unrelated to the truth. '...Did you drink?'". Some context: Reinhardt asks Hainrich to join the demon king's side, but Hainrich cannot betray the people who believe in him. Reinhardt accepts Hainrich's decision and tells him that he has changed a bit too. Hainrich then asks Reinhardt if he drank, which is unrelated to the truth. Translate this text, return only the translated text:

Somehow, Reinhardt seemed to be shaking and not fully conscious in the darkness. He tells Hainrich that he didn't drink, but something similar. Hainrich realizes that Reinhardt's words are a problem even if he dies or kills. Hainrich has to choose which problem to take. Reinhardt accepts Hainrich's decision and tells him that he has changed a bit too. Hainrich then asks Reinhardt if he drank, which is unrelated to the truth. However, can Reinhardt's change guarantee Hainrich's survival?

There are variables, but they are too small to ultimately change the situation.

As long as Hainrich remains with the Allied forces, events will occur regardless of the variables.

No, there may be other incidents where Hainrich kills his brothers, which will ultimately lead to another problem.

If Hainrich survives and his brothers die, the confusion of the Allied forces will occur as planned.

Is it right to just watch that happen?

I understand the meaning of the advice to do nothing from the Buddhist monk.

He must have meant that Hainrich would refuse my help.

Then another advice.

How did Hainrich survive?

That vague advice.

I still don't know what it means.

What does it mean?

"...Let's just watch for now."

Extreme situations must be avoided.

Although Hainrich refused help, I will continue to watch the situation.

* * *

Four days after the occupation of Sektarian.

The Allied forces were preparing for the next march while also revising their future marching plans.

The path to the next destination had once again encountered abnormal weather, and the story that the monsters had almost been exterminated had already been conveyed to the headquarters.

Due to these things that most people did not know, the Allied forces did not need to deploy troops for reconnaissance, scouting, or annihilation as they had before.

Therefore, a considerable amount of troops could conserve their energy.

The problem of combat fatigue was also a very important issue for maintaining the military's combat power.

Thanks to the cooperation of the Demon King, the Allied forces had received significant help in maintaining their military strength.

Among the beneficiaries were Savioleene Tana and Ellen Artorius, and the superhuman abilities of the Temple were needless to say.

Therefore, Hainrich von Schwarz had not received any mission requests to speak of since the occupation of Sektarian and was taking a break.

But could this really be called a break for Hainrich von Schwarz?

He had learned the truth that he did not want to know, that he was a bastard.

And he had faced a presence that should never have been here.

As the relationship between his brothers deteriorated, the atmosphere became like walking on thin ice.

Still, Hainrich tried to be as polite as possible to his brothers. Although they maintained a cold, contemptuous, or sarcastic attitude towards him, there was still some conversation.

But the silence between the brothers was harsh.

The brothers knew.

That soon there would be a showdown.

It started with Louise von Schwarz.

Five days after the occupation of Sektarian.

As they were about to start their march, Louise von Schwarz called all the brothers together.

"It has been 'definitely' secured that the surrounding area of Sektarian is safe. Since we will end the day when we start the march on a day like this, let's look around."

"...."

"There are also things we need to discuss."

At Louise's words as she looked at him, Hainrich nodded his head.

They talked about a difficult topic to mention. Louise von Schwarz calls all the brothers together to discuss a difficult topic, which is not revealed in this chapter. I felt my heart pounding as Heinrich got off his horse. Was it right to follow Reinhardt? It doesn't matter now. It's just foolish to regret not taking his hand. Do we have to kill to survive? If we have to, isn't it better to attack first? We have to subdue Louise von Schwarz before the other brothers. The opponent is watching us. There's no better time than now to use our abilities. Heinrich quietly follows behind, ready to use his power to not die. But as he enters the warehouse, he can't help but freeze. There were people inside. "This is...?" Five people with their arms and legs bound and gagged. Alphonse and German seemed to recognize them. Louise von Schwarz draws her sword. "Alphonse. German. You know who they are, right?" "M-milord." "Milord, why are they here...?" Heinrich, Alphonse, and German don't know who the bound people are, but Louise von Schwarz seems to know. She draws her sword and looks down at the five people who are trembling in fear. -Swoosh! The blue magic-infused sword ruthlessly slices through one person's neck. Heinrich can only stare in horror at the blood spurting from the severed neck. "Youngest." Louise, who has just cut off one person's head, looks at Heinrich with a calm gaze. Neither Heinrich nor Alphonse and German know what's going on. "You're a bastard." -Swoosh! The second person's head falls off. -Ugh! Uuuuuuuugh! Those who saw the two heads being cut off and blood pouring out began to scream like animals. But Louise doesn't stop. Without even looking at the dying people, she looks at Heinrich. It's confirmed that he's a bastard. Why does she have to say it again? "But do you know whose bastard you are?" Louise says as she strikes the third person's neck with her sword. "M-milord?" "Milord...? What are you talking about...?" Alphonse and even German are confused by the strange words that don't match the situation. Heinrich is pale. "You're a bastard. Not your father's, but mine." -Swoosh! Louise cuts off the fourth and fifth person's heads in succession. "You're my son." Louise looks at German and Alphonse. "Right, you didn't know. I purposely kept it hidden so you couldn't find out. I had to keep it hidden too... because it was a promise with my father... so that I wouldn't kill Heinrich. I couldn't tell anyone. That's why, Alphonse, German, I had to force you to comply with me... Yes, I've been doing that all along..." Louise looks at her brothers with sad eyes. "But... you two... went so far as to try to kill my son." The dead were assassins who had received orders to kill Heinrich in the past few days. "I believed that you wouldn't do something like this, no matter how much you hated it, no matter how much you hated it..." Heinrich was stunned, and Alphonse and German, who learned the truth about the illegitimate child, were pale-faced as they faced their sister's cold gaze. "I have to kill you to save my youngest... no, Heinrich, my son, if he can live. I have to do it now. I can't just watch anymore." "Something's wrong, Your Ladyship. Something... something." "This can't be. This can't be happening! What are you trying to do...!" Louise von Schwarz. "I have to admit now that if you want to protect someone, you have to kill someone." The Swordmaster approaches her brothers. "Even if they are my brothers who share my blood." Heinrich was breathless, watching the gruesome execution.