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nChapter 305

nIn the end, it took quite some time to dissuade Liana, who insisted on taking me home. Fortunately, after the others had spent a while convincing her that it seemed alright, Liana finally let me go with a reluctant expression.

nThere was talk about whether I should report to the guards, but I had to dodge the issue, sweating bullets, saying it wasn’t a big deal.

nIt was only after I had wiped off all my makeup and changed my clothes outside the temple that I returned to the dormitory.

nI left the dress in the basement of Eleris.

nIt was an expensive dress, so I figured it was better to recycle it rather than throw it away.

nOf course, I threw away the trophy.

nThere is an expression in martial arts.

nEssence of the Origin.

nIn essence, it’s a concept similar to the fundamental life energy of humans – a sort of emergency battery that, when used, could lead to death.

nI felt so drained that it was as if I had used such a thing.

nHaving wandered around all day, they probably didn’t see me at the dormitory. Of course, I wasn’t the only one who had been roaming around.

nNaturally, I returned quite late, and I could see the others who had been in entirely different appearances today.

n“Hey, what were you doing all day?”

nFor example, Liana de Grantz, who had confidently said her sister would take her.

n“I was wandering around because of the festival.”

n“Alone?”

n“Sometimes you just want to be alone.”

nUnnecessarily, strength surged into my shoulders.

nThey might try to find a connection between the me they just saw and the me now. Honestly, I would think it was only natural not to recognize me when looking in the mirror.

nIn reality, they couldn’t recognize me at all.

nBut facing them as Reinhardt now made my heart race with unease.

nYou?

nYeah.

nOh…

nYou were the one, weren’t you?

nI tried to act normal, but cold sweat ran down my spine, worried that they might say something like that.

nLiana chuckled and draped her arm around my shoulder.

n“Didn’t you see the cross-dressing contest?”

n“…Why would I go there?”

nIn truth…

nI did…

nNot only did I attend, but I was also a participant and even the winner…

nIt was even more surprising that they didn’t recognize me at all…

n“Oh, you missed a good show. You should’ve seen that person.”

nLiana laughed and went into her room.

nI did run into the three, no, four useless brothers, but there was no reaction from them.

nHowever…

n“…?”

n“…Why?”

n“Huh? No, nothing.”

nKono Lint did have a somewhat strange reaction.

nBut in the end, even he didn’t seem to have noticed.

nIt was only natural.

nI had returned as Reinhardt, not just with the makeup removed, but also with my original height, body shape, and facial structure restored.

nIt would be weirder if they recognized me!

nThat’s how it must be, right…?

n——

nSouthern outskirts of the Empire.

nA considerable number of people had gathered on the grounds of an abandoned monastery that occupied a large area. It was impossible to identify the people by their attire alone, but in the center of the place where the bonfire burned, someone was seated on an old wooden chair.

nThe Man Seated in the Chair

nThe former Holy Temple Knight Commander, Riverrier Lanze, gazed at the female student in temple robes standing before him.

nHer name was Lydia Schmitt.

nA finalist in the Unrestricted Tournament and a 6th-year student of the Temple Royal Class.

n“It doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

n“…I believe it’s worth a try. Bolton agreed to take necessary action if the situation unfolds as predicted.”

n“Eleion Bolton?”

n“Yes.”

n“Well, he’d have no reason not to welcome Olivia’s return.”

nLydia Schmitt’s expression was resolute, as if she had made up her mind.

n“But if things don’t go as you expect, we’ll proceed with the original plan, Lydia.”

n“Yes, Commander.”

nDespite the current Holy Knight Commander being Eleion Bolton, the female student addressed Riverrier Lanze as ‘Commander.’

nEveryone present unhesitatingly called the former commander, Riverrier Lanze, by that title. Lydia Schmitt, having completed her mission, turned to leave but then faced the commander again.

n“Commander.”

n“…Is there something else you want to say?”

nUnable to hide her regret, Lydia looked at a spot somewhere within the monastery.

n“Does it have to be… that child? That child, too, is ultimately… a loyal believer under God’s care…”

n“Enough.”

nRiverrier Lanze cut her off, seemingly unwilling to hear more.

n“I’m not unaware that Reinhardt is more suited for this role.”

nThe mention of Reinhardt caused a flash of strange emotion in the female student’s eyes. Twisted hatred and anger swirled within them.

n“But Reinhardt is a Temple Royal Class student like you, and even a classmate of the Crown Prince and Princess. You know that he’s not someone we can touch carelessly.”

n“…”

n“Of course, if circumstances demand, we might have to involve him, but for now, this is the best course of action. Besides, we haven’t decided to sacrifice that child for certain. Depending on the situation, no one may get hurt.”

n“…Yes, Commander.”

nLydia Schmitt left the abandoned monastery after finishing her words.

nThe man beside Riverrier Lanze spoke cautiously.

n“Do you think things will go as that child expects?”

n“Not at all.”

nRiverrier Lanze shook his head with a stern expression.

n“Her idea is bold, but… things won’t go as she expects.”

n“Is that so?”

n“I’m uneasy. I know she’s talented, but…”

nRiverrier Lanze clicked his tongue as he looked in the direction where the female student had disappeared.

n“I can only hope she doesn’t do anything foolish.”

n“I apologize. I thought she could be of help to us, so I brought her to the Nameless Monastery.”

nThe man who had brought Lydia Schmitt to the Nameless Monastery bowed his head to Riverrier Lanze.

nHowever, what had happened had happened.

nLydia Schmitt’s usefulness wasn’t limited to just this one occasion. She was soon to graduate from the Temple, and her enlistment in the Temple Holy Knights was planned.

n“From now on, be more selective in choosing who to bring in.”

n“Yes, Commander.”

nWhether she liked it or not, Lydia Schmitt was a valuable asset to the group.

n“How is Adriana?”

n“… She’s keeping a low profile.”

n“I see.”

nRiverrier Lanze nodded and instructed the man beside him.

n“For now, just keep an eye on the situation. Monitor Lydia Schmitt’s plan as it unfolds, and if things don’t go as expected, send a letter to Olivia. If we mention we have Adriana, she’ll understand.”

nWith Adriana in their possession, luring Olivia out of the temple would be an easy task.

nThe real challenge would come after that.

nRiverrier Lanze stared intently at the flickering flames.

nOnly Olivia Lanze could restore the honor of the fallen former commander of the Holy Knights.

nThat would be their starting point.

nFrom there, Riverrier Lanze intended to write the history of the sacred land that would last a thousand years.

n——

nSitting on a hard wooden bed, Adriana gazed at the pale moonlight filtering through a small hole.

nHer room contained nothing but the wooden bed, and two knights stood guard outside.

n“…”

nAdriana buried her face between her knees.

nThe nameless monastery.

nLed here by Riverrier Lanze, Adriana lived under the watchful eye of the knights belonging to the monastery.

nShe had initially thought that Riverrier Lanze sought revenge against her.

nHowever, her value didn’t come from that.

n‘In a few days, Olivia will come here.’

n‘You just need to explain the situation to Olivia and persuade her to change her mind.’

nThat was all Riverrier Lanze had said.

nWhat situation was he referring to, and what exactly did he expect her to persuade Olivia to do?

nThe talk was about convincing the faithless Olivia to regain her faith, but Adriana couldn’t understand why she had to do that.

nAll she knew was one thing.

nShe was merely bait to lure Olivia.

nRiverrier Lanze wanted to change Olivia’s mind. Even if he failed to do so, he sought to regain his authority and honor by making her retract her statement as the royal daughter.

nAdriana was nothing more than bait for that purpose.

nShe had refused.

nOlivia had made her own choice, and she didn’t understand why she had to forcibly reverse it.

nSince then, Adriana had been imprisoned like this.

nThe nameless monastery.

nShe knew that they intended to create a new division among humanity after the Demon War had ended.

nShe had once been disappointed in those who had faith. She believed it was the fault of the believers, not the gods.

nBut still,

nIf the faithful were doing so much wrong, shouldn’t the gods warn their followers?

nOlivia would soon come to this place. Knowing she was held hostage, Olivia would have no choice but to come.

nThat was just the kind of person she was.

nAlthough she was in despair from being held hostage, there was nothing Adriana could do.

nIn the Temple in the north, a festival was underway.

nMeanwhile, in a ruin to the south, Adriana crouched, silently resenting the gods.

n——

nThursday, breakfast time.

nKono Lint was having breakfast. Word had spread throughout Class A that Kono Lint had participated in a cross-dressing contest.

nHowever, the only one who was taken aback by this news was Cliffman.

n“Are you feeling okay today, Harriet? How’s your condition?”

n“Great, I’m fine.”

nEllen showed no interest, and Adelia and Harriet were busy discussing something between themselves.

nKono Lint expected Reinhardt, who had also not attended the event, to at least make some comment, but all Reinhardt said was, “Uh… why did you go to such a thing?”

nIt was surprising.

nKono Lint had expected him to be shocked or disgusted, or to criticize him.

nThat’s why Kono Lint couldn’t help but be conscious of Reinhardt’s reaction. Although Reinhardt wasn’t the type to provoke first, he could be spiteful.

nKono Lint had a strange feeling when he encountered Reinhardt the night before.

nIt was difficult to describe in words, but it was something peculiar.

nA subtle feeling that was hard to grasp, yet seemed familiar, but couldn’t quite be understood.

nSuch a subtle sensation.

nAlthough it was the festival period, the morning scene wasn’t much different.

nWith the exception of Bertus, who seemed busy with his own matters, everyone was in their usual seats.

nSuch a typical breakfast time.

nKono Lint cautiously observed Reinhardt’s reactions. Observing meant looking at him.

nLooking at him meant watching Reinhardt closely.

nAnd Kono Lint saw Reinhardt’s hand, as he ate next to Ellen not far away.

nThat hand.

nThe nails.

nTheir shape.

nThey looked as if they had been bitten and torn apart.

n“…!”

nUpon seeing those nails, Kono Lint felt an electrifying sensation throughout his body, an intuition almost like a revelation.

nThe uneasy number 40.

nThe nail-biting number 40.

nThe number 40 who asked if he could teleport himself.

nThe number 40 who obediently offered his hand when asked.

nThe ruined nails.

nThe bitten and torn nails.

n“Ah.”

n“?”

n“?”

nKono Lint muttered involuntarily and met the questioning gazes of Erich and Cayer.

nIt couldn’t be.

nThat person from yesterday, the silver-haired angelic figure.

nIt was difficult to describe, but that person.

nThat someone and.

nJust because Reinhardt’s bitten nails looked similar.

nIt was the silver-haired, golden-eyed number 40.

nReinhardt’s eyes were blue.

nHowever, that could be changed by wearing lenses.

n“Ah.”

n“…What’s up?”

n“Why are you acting like that?”

nKono Lint knew his thoughts were utterly implausible.

n“Aren’t you participating in the Unrestricted-class tournament today?”

n“Yeah.”

n“…Will you be okay?”

n“Whatever, I’ll manage somehow. But aren’t you participating as well? You won the first-year tournament.”

n“No, I decided not to. Lucky for you.”

n“What?! You think you’d lose to me?”

n“Heh, where on earth do you get the idea that you’d win?”

n“You, just wait and see!”

nTheir voices are strikingly different.

nCompared to the gentle and warm voice of the mysterious person from yesterday, Reinhardt’s voice sounds needlessly harsh, doesn’t it?

nIt’s natural for people to have qualitative differences.

nThe gentle and kind number 40 and Reinhardt have a gap as wide as that between an angel and a demon.

nKono Lint tried to suppress the unpleasant imagination that welled up in his head.

nBut still.

nAren’t there some similarities? If you put a silver wig on that face, golden eyes, a slightly shorter height, and a slender figure, then that’s…

nIsn’t that right?

n“Ah.”

n“Hey, what’s wrong with you?”

n“Are you feeling sick?”

nIn the end, Kono Lint let out three sighs in a row, attracting the attention of his friends who had been quietly eating their meals nearby.

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