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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“This is absurd. The eldest daughter of the Lichtenburg family, auditing a class? I hear there are penalties for being caught.”
“Just… pretend you didn’t see me… please…”
Erica fidgeted, her voice barely above a whisper. Sergei had definitely noticed her. He was simply letting it slide, being his usual lenient self.
I would also let it go, eventually, but I wanted something in return.
“What’s with the sudden interest in rules?”
“I just… I wanted to learn more about internal circuits. I got into trouble recently because I didn’t know enough about them.”
“Hmm…”
Internal circuits.
Mages often overlooked their importance. They rarely used them, and they were even less likely to be exploited by enemies.
But in the recent attacks, internal circuits had been weaponized, turned into undetectable suicide bombs. Perhaps that was what had prompted her interest. It wouldn’t hurt to learn more about them.
“Professor Sergei’s lectures are too advanced for you to understand, even if you audit the class. If you’re free, come to the chairman’s residence every morning at 7:00 am.”
“That’s where you’re staying, isn’t it?”
“The best teacher will be waiting for you there.”
Erica’s eyes widened.
I was planning on having Trie teach her. Trie was not only a skilled warrior but also an expert in internal circuits. She was the perfect teacher.
“Calling yourself the best teacher? Aren’t you a bit too confident?”
“…”
She had misunderstood. I decided not to correct her. I wanted to see her reaction when she found out she had been tricked.
“Regardless, I would prefer it if you stopped auditing classes.”
“I won’t! I won’t do it again… But Schlus.”
“What is it?”
“Are you… too busy these days?”
“…”
It was a strange question. I gave up trying to figure out her intentions and decided to answer honestly.
Overthinking had never led to good results.
“I’m definitely busier than usual. Why do you ask?”
“Well… you haven’t been visiting our house. Julia is looking forward to seeing you.”
Erica hesitated, biting her lip, before finally speaking. I had told her she could visit me at the residence.
To be honest, I hadn’t had time to visit her. And there was another reason. I had become a target for the cult.
Frequent visits to the Lichtenburg residence would put them in danger. My every move was being watched. I had to be careful.
“I’ll visit when I have the chance.”
“Okay… But Schlus.”
“What is it now?”
“The… the artifact you used to call your lover’s soul.”
She was talking about the miracle ring. It wasn’t an artifact, but that was how she understood it.
I had no intention of explaining it to her, so I decided not to correct her.
“Could you… lend it to me?”
“It’s useless. It can only be used once every hundred years.”
“Ah… that’s too bad.”
Erica smiled wryly.
She must have wanted to call her father.
“I guess I’ll have to live for another hundred years.”
“…”
How did she even arrive at that conclusion?
Her thought process was baffling.
“Schlus.”
“What is it now?”
“About… the South… Ah, never mind. It’s nothing.”
“…”
She had started to ask something, then stopped abruptly, avoiding my gaze. It was suspicious.
Had she done something wrong? If it was important, she would tell me eventually.
“If you have nothing else to say, I’ll be going.”
“Okay…”
I returned to the residence, a sense of unease lingering.
I hadn’t even reached the doorknob when—
BAM!
“You’re back— Mr. Hainkel?”
The door burst open, and Emilia rushed out. Her initial excitement quickly turned to suspicion as she scanned her surroundings, making sure no one was watching.
Then, she smiled. It seemed Trie’s presence had become a source of trauma for her.
“What were you talking about with Ms. Erica?”
“Just some small talk.”
“Secret small talk that required you to send me away?”
“…”
Emilia took off my coat, her voice cold and sharp. She had been following me all day, and she seemed displeased by the interruption.
“Yes. It was something you shouldn’t hear.”
“Hmm…”
I had sent Emilia away because I knew the conversation would inevitably turn to Julia and Han Ah-reum. I didn’t want Emilia to hear about it.
“Oppa, I used to be terrible at detecting your lies. Your eyes are so deep and empty.”
“I see.”
“But I think I can tell now. I can see how your mouth and cheeks move when you’re lying.”
“…”
Emilia’s casual tone as she untied my tie was unnerving.
“Oppa, do you think you can hide anything from me? I can see everything.”
“What do you see?”
“You know what I see. You’ve been making it so obvious.”
“…”
Emilia unbuttoned my shirt and pushed me onto the sofa. Damn it.
Had she figured it all out? That I knew her true identity? That I was using Hertlocker? That I was secretly controlling the entire intelligence agency?
I couldn’t speak until I knew how much she knew.
“Oppa, be honest with me.”
“Fine.”
I had been expecting this. I had prepared myself. I was ready to subdue her without causing any harm.
“Oppa, these days…”
“Yes.”
“Do you… have someone you like?”
“What?”
I was taken aback.
“Wh-What are you talking about?”
“You seem happy these days. Energetic. Like you have a purpose in life.”
“…”
I couldn’t deny that.
I did have a new purpose, to bring Han Ah-reum back to life, to manifest her physical form in this world. But it was a vague goal.
I didn’t know how to achieve it. It couldn’t be the reason for my sudden change in demeanor.
“Who is she?”
“…”
“Can’t you tell me? Are you embarrassed? Or is she someone you can’t talk about?”
“The latter.”
“I see…”
I couldn’t tell her about Julia and Han Ah-reum.
“Oppa…”
“What is it?”
“Have you ever… received a confession?”
“No. Never.”
I had confessed, but I had never received one.
“Then, oppa… what if… what if you received a confession? From someone other than the person you like.”
“It would be awkward.”
“Would you reject them?”
“It depends on who it is… but probably, yes.”
It would be difficult to reject Aria if she confessed. So, I had to be vague.
“What would you say? Tell me.”
“Well, I would say something like, ‘I don’t reciprocate your feelings. I have someone else I like.’”
“That’s direct…”
Emilia leaned her head against my chest and chuckled. Then, she stepped back and smiled.
“I’ll support you, brother. I hope your forbidden love comes true. But be prepared to face the consequences of pursuing someone you shouldn’t.”
“…”
How did she know that Julia wasn’t an adult yet? I almost choked on my own saliva.
I stared at Emilia as she walked away, amazed by her deduction skills.
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“The media guidelines have been distributed, and all news agencies have agreed to comply, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm…”
Gustav sighed.
The fact that he had to pressure the media was stressful. The ancient monster, Untier, thought to be eternally sealed, had awakened, and a pillar of light, visible from across the continent, had destroyed it.
And the hero of this story was Schlus Hainkel.
It was all too convenient. As if everything was going according to his plan.
And as expected, the media began to praise Schlus Hainkel, their adulation bordering on deification.
The people, starved for a hero since Gawayn’s death, were eager to embrace him. While a charismatic hero was useful for rallying the people, it couldn’t be Schlus Hainkel.
That cunning snake with unknown intentions…
‘This is unsettling.’
Ludwig had reported that the attackers at the university and the ones who had released Untier all possessed the power of a Majin.
A powerful force, led by a Majin, was attacking the Empire. That’s what he had said. If so, then there had to be a human intermediary, a leader.
Gustav thought Schlus Hainkel fit the bill perfectly. He didn’t need evidence.
Circumstantial evidence was enough. It would be enough to convince the public after Schlus Hainkel’s death.
The masses were always more interested in the tragic story of a villain than the triumphant tale of a hero.
“The commander of the First Division is about to retire, isn’t he?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. He has requested retirement due to his declining health.”
“Summon him to the palace. I have something to discuss with him.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The pieces were in place. He was ready. The risk of failure was catastrophic. He had to mobilize all available firepower.
Enough to eliminate Schlus Hainkel, even a Majin, in a single strike.
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