Chapter 640

Anna told her to leave without saying anything, but there is no one who can leave the battlefield without a valid reason, unless they have suffered such serious injuries as Rudolf. If they leave without permission, it is considered desertion. Scarlet knew that Anna was not a bad person, despite her dark side. Scarlet, who was her teacher and is now a military officer, told Mustering, her superior, that she wanted to stop everything and go to the temple because she was too tired and in pain. Scarlet did not mention anything about the bomb that only explodes on the side of the allies. There must be a reason why Anna said that. There must be a reason for Anna's urgent gaze. Mustering was naturally surprised when Scarlet, who had been silently doing her job without complaining, suddenly said she was tired and wanted to leave. It was like a soldier asking to go home because of the food in the army during the war. If soldiers who appeal to such feelings could return home as they wished, the alliance would not be maintained. Some may want to stay because of the food they get in the army, but those who have experienced the fear of death are bound to want to stop everything. Therefore, Scarlet could not leave with no reason to go back. But the important thing is that Scarlet is not an ordinary student. She belongs to the Temple Royal Class and has accumulated many majors that cannot be compared to ordinary soldiers. And Mustering misunderstood Scarlet. She had been doing well so far, but everyone feels the same when their hearts are heavy and difficult. Even though she didn't express it, she guessed that her heart was hurting a lot, and that's why she finally burst out like this. "Okay, Scarlet. You've been through a lot. I'll talk to my superiors. You can go back and rest because you've done what you can. Leave the rest to the others. Don't feel guilty. You've done enough. Thank you for your hard work so far." That's why Mustering comforted Scarlet with those words. Scarlet, who had not explained the reason properly, was able to return to Hwangdo Gradium through the warp spot without delay. Translation: Therefore, she couldn't even say a proper goodbye to her friends. Only Anna's words, "Don't say anything and go back quickly," had meaning to her. * * * Normally, a soldier returning from the army would not be a big deal. However, in the Royal Class, where the numbers are relatively small, someone's sudden absence is noticeable. Scarlet, who had performed her duties well and seemed to have no problems, left without a word or farewell, causing a commotion. During a break for meals, Lannion Cerseaux heard from Kono Lint that Scarlet had returned. "What happened?" "I don't know. She didn't say anything, so it could be something she's keeping inside." Due to past grievances, Erich's expression was not good. They had both crossed too many lines to discuss their past torment. But feelings of guilt and resentment do not disappear. Christina remembered seeing Scarlet's pale face yesterday and sighed. If even the priests' divine power couldn't heal her, it was understandable that Scarlet had returned. Anna ate her bread quietly without saying anything. There weren't many people left. Ludwig and Ellen had started eating separately at some point. Heinrich was moving more frequently with the Kernstadt army. Ivia was the hardest to see because she was a messenger for the headquarters. Therefore, only a few second-year Royal Class students remained. Only Louis, Anna, Christina, Adelia, Kono Lint, Erich, Kayer, Cliffman, and Lannion Cerseaux were left. "Where did she hurt?" Christina nodded at Lint's question. "It didn't seem serious, so I gave her a painkiller, but it didn't work?" Anna tried to silence Scarlet. But unfortunately, Scarlet... Scarlet only talked about the Duke's golem and didn't mention who took her to the Duke's estate. Adelia's sudden words made Anna open her eyes wide. Christina remembers Scarlet's pale face and speculates that even the priests' divine power couldn't heal her. Anna's attempt to silence Scarlet was unsuccessful. The group discusses Scarlet's return and her ability to nullify other powers. Christina seems to have discovered something and confronts Anna about keeping secrets. Anna trembles in fear as Christina approaches her. Looking at Anna, Christina whispers, "I don't know if it's crazy to do crazy things and beg for forgiveness as if you haven't done anything yet. Anna, we created Immortal together. We also decided to join Black Order. You're not trying to stop now, are you? You're not trying to say you want to stop here...?" "..." "Why do you seem like you're pretending to be unrelated to anyone these days...?" "I... Christina..." "Isn't that the worst thing...?" Louis pulls Anna towards him as she looks like she's about to burst into tears and separates her from Christina. "Stop it. Anna must have had her own thoughts." "Why do you think I would do something bad to Scarlet if I found out about this? Because Scarlet can nullify Immortal's power?" Louis felt his heart skip a beat just facing Christina's anger, malice, and madness in her eyes. "Christina, I didn't mean it that way." "..." "Calm down. We need to calm down a bit." Christina grits her teeth at Louis's serious and restrained words, as if trying to suppress something. After a while, Christina exhales as if she's vomiting. "Yeah, I think I was too harsh. I'm sorry." "I'm sorry, Christina. I... I can't let Scarlet know like you said." But Anna had hammered a nail that Christina should never know like she did with Scarlet. Knowing that she was lying, Anna could only tremble at her fingertips. "I don't want to hurt Scarlet. That's impossible. Then, what I'm doing doesn't make sense. I started this to save Asher, but if I hurt Scarlet, hurt my friend, that's not right. That's obvious." Because she might be able to save her friend. That's what she held onto and what she had done. If she ended up hurting her friend by getting swallowed up in that work, it would be no different from denying everything. Anna finally starts to tremble and shed tears at Christina's words of reason. "I'm sorry, I was anxious... I was so scared... I was so anxious..." Christina approached Anna cautiously and began to comfort her. "I know. I think I've lost my mind a little. No, not a little, but quite a lot. I admit it. I admit it. I'm not as strong as you guys who can still think properly even after going through all this. I'm weak... I'm weak, so I went crazy." Louis and Anna both know that they can remain rational because they are stronger than others. They have become weak and crazy because they cannot handle what others can handle, and they cannot accept the truth that others can accept. However, just because someone is crazy does not necessarily mean they are irrational. "But... you know. There are traitors in the Alliance." "...." "...." "The Holy Knights fell a few months ago, but what about the others? That's too optimistic." They know through Ludwig that they have become the possession of the Demon God, and at this point, the Demon God would have increased the number of traitors. Maybe a third. Maybe half. Or everyone except them. They may have already become enemies. "It's not just us who know that Scarlet has that power. There will be people who want to use Scarlet somehow. And the Demon God already knows about Scarlet's abilities." The fact that Scarlet's abilities can be used in that way. Linehart already knew about Scarlet's abilities. But if they find out that the power can be used to neutralize Immortal just like it neutralizes golems? "We're not trying to hurt Scarlet." "...." "We have to protect Scarlet." The Demon God will try to use Scarlet, so they have to protect her. "That's why I was angry. It's not because I hate you." Anna wipes away her tears and looks into Christina's eyes. They have to protect Scarlet. That's why she didn't tell her the important fact and why she got angry. But in her eyes, it wasn't just about her concern for her friend. Only dark and ominous shadows were visible.