Volume 2 Chapter 38 Inexpressible True Feelings
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”You suffered, but I didn’t notice. I’m sorry, Tiet,” she said softly, her voice more gentle and protective than just kind, as she took Tiet’s hand and looked straight at her.
Tiet looked away with a sullen expression, uncomfortable and unable to meet her eyes.
”It’s not like I was suffering… I just hated it. I wanted to be freer. Those people who kept forcing us to go here and there—what do they think we are?” she said quietly.
…Tiet.
In a quiet, secluded room inside the Imperial City, reserved only for secret meetings, Princess Hermine and her companions gathered. This room was only used when she met with her sisters or close allies. Tonight, the Holy Knight accused of disloyalty sat surrounded by the Hero, Mage, and Cleric. Instead of blaming her, they came together quietly to comfort her—a soft, subdued gathering of friends.
”I understand what you mean,” Hermine said thoughtfully. “Honestly, I’ve thought maybe we are relying too much on the party. Especially with the Theocracy and the Federation—they should hold back a little.”
They were discussing Tiet’s plan to leave the party and resign as a Holy Knight. Right now, everything was paused. The resignation needed official approval from the government, and Tiet stayed because Hermine had withdrawn her objection.
”I’m sorry, Tiet-Tiet. I wish I could have helped somehow…” Oriana said sadly.
”Don’t blame yourself, Oriana. You’re in a delicate position, so it’s better not to say too much,” Hermine advised calmly.
”Yeah. If Oriana spoke to the Theocracy, she might even lose her right to represent them,” Tiet added.
Hermine shook her head at Oriana’s words. The four heroes all held official roles in their homelands. They were representatives sent to aid the world, but their countries still controlled them. They didn’t have total freedom.
”The hero party gives hope to humanity, but it’s also a heavy burden,” Hermine said, voice steady. “We have to keep proving we protect the world. But the endless requests from the governments are wearing us down. I understand how you feel, Tiet. It’s not your fault.”
Anna, the Hero, nodded and echoed her feelings with kindness. She cared deeply for her friends and had always accepted Tiet’s selfish moments. From the start, she never blamed her.
”Is it really okay? Even if I leave…” Tiet started.
”But—” Anna cut her off.
”The goddess told me Tiet must stay with us. Without you, we’ll fail for sure. Please, don’t leave,” she said, holding Tiet’s hands tightly and looking into her sapphire eyes.
”Ah, Anna…” Tiet breathed.
She knew Anna well. This was her true self—no tricks, no lies. Even when she made emotional pleas, it was because she truly wanted her to stay. If she was a stranger, Anna would just say goodbye without hesitation. But this was honest, and she couldn’t ignore it.
”…That’s unfair, saying it like that,” she muttered.
”Is it? Sorry, but I want to be with you, Tiet.”
Anna’s eyes softened as she leaned closer, her expression full of hope. Though they were both girls, her strong dependence made Tiet feel bad for disappointing her. It was hard to refuse.
”F-Fine. I’ll wait and see for a while. Is that good enough?” she agreed reluctantly.
”Really? Thank you, Tiet,” Anna smiled brightly and pressed her hands to Tiet’s chest. It was a bit much, considering she wasn’t promising forever.
”I’m just saying we’ll wait. If the Demon King moves, I’ll fight. But if nothing happens, I’ll quit for good,” she said clearly.
”I understand,” Anna nodded, her usual reserved smile replaced by sincere gratitude.
”Is that okay with you, AnnAnn? After we defeat the Demon King, we’ll go our separate ways, right?” Oriana asked softly.
”Yeah. Even if we part, you’ll always be my friend. I don’t really want to keep adventuring. After I finish the goddess’s promise, I plan to live quietly,” Anna said.
She had told them before she wanted to retire after the Demon King was defeated.
”You said you wanted to pretend the fight ended in a draw, right?”
Anna smiled faintly. “Because that would give people peace of mind.”
Anna was incredibly strong—unbelievably strong. So strong that even humanity united couldn’t imagine winning. That made her a living deterrent against the Demon King.
But after they were gone? Someone that powerful would only be a threat to the rulers. So it was better for her to vanish quietly after completing her mission. Anna preferred sewing to fighting and thought this was the best way.
”Well then, let’s talk about Klock next,” Hermine suggested, trying to change the subject.
Tiet felt resigned. It was time. There were still things left unsaid—like the demon coming to Noirev Highlands—but today’s main topic was clear. She pushed other thoughts aside.
”…By the way, Tiet,” Anna said suddenly.
”Huh?”
”I heard you and Klock… did something like that. Is it true?” Anna asked directly.
The room instantly tensed. Tiet, Oriana, and Hermine felt the air shift sharply.
”Um…” Tiet started.
”…That can’t be true. Surely not…” Hermine whispered, surprised.
Tiet felt cold sweat down her back. Hermine, ready to press Anna further, suddenly froze. The room grew colder and heavier.
”AnnAnn…” Oriana whispered quietly from behind Anna, unable to see her face but sensing her anger.
”Anna, that was a mistake. Y-yes, Tiet, right?” Hermine hurriedly said.
”Huh? Ah, y-yeah. Klock and I… there’s nothing like that between us! Not at all!” Tiet matched her hurried tone.
Seeing their reaction, Anna’s anger cooled a bit.
”…I see. I was surprised. But no, it can’t be true,” she said quietly.
The sharp tension faded away. Anna’s usual calm returned, but when Klock was involved, her emotions ran dangerously strong. As a hero, her passion could lead to disaster if she lost control. If Anna ever turned her strength against her friends, it would bring terrible consequences.
”…So, Tiet, why were you with Klock?” Hermine asked, regaining composure.
She looked tense, maybe regretting bringing Anna into this.
”That’s just it. After I left the party and was free, I wanted to see if Klock was really as bad as people said,” she answered hesitantly.
Actually, Tiet hadn’t told Anna and the others about what really happened the time she fainted. Only Hermine knew. She had apparently misunderstood and told Anna, thinking Klock was controlling her. That’s why the current confusion started.
”Really? What did you think of him?” Anna asked carefully.
Tiet had no strong feelings. Maybe Klock was a little trashy, but it was nothing serious. Klock didn’t even know Sylvia’s name, and Anna was probably the Cianie he mentioned.
She remembered how Anna once pretended to be Cianie when they adventured together. So, this was just a misunderstanding. If they talked it out, they could clear things up. But still—
Tiet paused her explanation to Anna. The feeling rising inside her was strange—an unwillingness for Klock and Anna to reconcile. She didn’t want them to make up.
Anna nodded slowly, saying, “I see. Maybe someone like you would think that way. Just an ordinary person, nothing special…”
Tiet frowned slightly as Anna continued, “Honestly, Anna clings to him too much. Wasting her life on someone like that is pointless. She should forget him quickly.”
Anna tried to sound convincing, but Tiet sensed the doubt beneath her words. As long as Anna chased after Klock, nothing good would come of it. She might stay quiet while on her mission, but once that was over, who knew what could happen?
Anna shook her head gently and said, “No, thank you for worrying. But I still think… I have to face him.”
Anna’s eyes hardened with resolve. She had been reincarnated, she said, but even after seventeen years, she hadn’t forgotten Klock. Simple words couldn’t stop her.
”I will kill him… but before that, I need to ask him one more time,” Anna said quietly, her voice trembling. “I want to know the truth. Why did he abandon me? What was that love he promised? I’m scared to ask… I don’t want to hear it. But I have to.”
Her sad expression deepened—the same face she always wore when Klock’s name came up. That sadness might never fade unless something happened to him.
Tiet broke the silence, “By the way, I want to ask you something.”
Anna blinked, “What?”
”How does it feel to be abandoned? To be discarded?” Tiet asked carefully.
Before Anna could answer, Hermine shot her a sharp look, silently warning her to stop.
Klock was a complicated man. No one dared bring up his past except Anna. Because whenever the topic came up, Anna changed—like a switch flipped. Klock approached women carelessly and didn’t seem to care about consequences, even crossing lines others wouldn’t. By most people’s morals, he leaned toward being a villain. But knowing him closely made everything confusing. He ignored Tiet when she fainted and spared Ada, who had come to kill him.
Was he really the kind of man to drive Anna to despair? Tiet doubted it. Maybe Anna’s memories were flawed beyond just the impossible idea of reincarnation.
Anna looked down, shadows crossing her face as she spoke calmly, “My house, Croce, was attacked that day. A nobleman from Amadei, a neighboring country allied with the Empire, led the attack. My grandfather and mother died in the surprise attack. I fled to Livorno, another nearby territory, hoping Klock would help me.”
She didn’t seem to be lying. That wasn’t her nature.
”But when he saw me, he ran away. I called after him desperately, chased him, but he disappeared immediately. Later, I learned Livorno had turned hostile toward Croce, so I returned home.”
Tiet stopped, caught off guard. “Wait, hold on.”
”I know all three families ended up at war,” she continued. “When we looked for Klock with four others, the locals testified. But did they know they were enemies then? How did they find out?”
”My family’s housekeeper told me. Livorno is an enemy.”
Tiet frowned. That sounded odd. Was a family member inside enemy territory? Or did they follow her there?
”Even so, it feels unreliable. Klock didn’t even know about the engagement alliances between the three families…” Tiet muttered, stroking her chin thoughtfully.
Suddenly, realization hit her, and she froze. Had she said too much?
Anna’s eyes narrowed sharply, “What? I haven’t heard any of that. Tiet, what does that mean? What did Klock tell you?”
Tiet blinked, caught. The information was from Klock himself. Both Anna and Hermine leaned in, eager to hear more. If Klock really didn’t know, it could change everything.
”Ah… well, Klock was cut off from information. He knew the engagement was a political marriage, but didn’t even know who the bride was. So, the marriage was meant to tie three noble families together—”
Hermine interrupted, “What?! Why didn’t you say that earlier, Tiet? If that’s true, it could change everything!”
Anna’s eyes widened, “Did Klock really say that?”
Tiet nodded slowly. She felt like she’d crushed a bitter bug in her mouth. But this had to be said. If Anna’s memories were wrong, this was the first step to fix them. Maybe they could even reconcile. But was that really possible?
”I’ll call a magical detective,” Anna said firmly.
”No, I can handle this,” Tiet replied. “It’s fine.”
”Is that a Unique Skill? Or—”
”It’s a Star Skill. I can tell truth from lies. I’ll take care of it.”
Hermine nodded and stepped back, leaving Tiet and Anna in quiet tension. Oriana seemed to understand something unspoken.
”Wait, can you explain it simply for me?” Oriana asked.
Tiet smiled faintly. “Magical detectives are experts we hire. They have a Unique Skill that can tell if something is true or false.”
Hermine brushed her hair back proudly. It was clear she was proud of her homeland’s abilities, which made Tiet a little envious. Her own team had just three unmotivated juniors.
”So you’ll definitely find out Klock’s true intentions.”
”Exactly. If it’s a lie, fine. But if it’s true… then we have questions to answer.”
All three looked at Anna. She froze, her eyes wide.
”Anna, keep yourself together,” Oriana said softly. “Even if seventeen years were wasted—”
”It’s okay,” Anna cut in sharply, her voice suddenly sharp as a fish breaking the water’s surface. “Even if it’s a mistake, I can accept it.”
Oriana smiled, sensing Anna’s true feelings. Hermine watched, arms crossed, confused but understanding. They all knew Anna’s feelings hadn’t faded. She might recover lost time. But—
Why did everything feel so dull?
Tiet broke the silence with an odd note, “Hey, I know this is strange now, but I learned how to make brownies recently. A kind pastry chef in Scheffield shared the recipe with me. If you want, I can make some.”
She said nothing about Klock or what she’d learned. Even though it might be pointless, she couldn’t bring herself to speak more.
Later, as the night deepened, they ended the conversation and parted ways. The plan shifted to detain Klock for now. Cynthia’s case was postponed.
The day passed without change, but Tiet lay awake, restless. Sleep came late and fitful.
Suddenly, a commotion in the castle woke her. She heard that Elna had been found in a terrible state. The news hit her the moment she opened her eyes.
Notes:
• Tiet – A companion and friend of Anna. A holy knight from the royal capital. She wears light armor and carries a shield adorned with a dragon holding a sword, indicating her affiliation with the National Military Police. She is concerned about Anna’s well-being and tries to support her emotionally.
• Hermine – A companion and friend of Anna. The mage. She is pragmatic and encourages Anna to focus on her duties as a hero rather than her personal revenge.
• Oriana – A Princess. A companion who assists in explaining the situation to the kingdom. She is supportive and helps Anna navigate her responsibilities. Her appearance is slender, with dark hair and sharp features.
• Anna – The legendary Hero, chosen to defeat the Demon Lord. Her past life is Sylvia Croce. She is described as a heavenly being with overwhelming skill and a merciless attitude.
• Noirev Highlands – A dangerous mountainous region northeast of the Fossil Wasteland. Known as the ‘Wicked Noirev,’ it is home to exceptionally strong monsters and is best avoided unless with a high-ranking adventurer party.
• Sylvia – The hero who accuses Klock of abandoning her in her past life. She was reborn as Anna after dying in a fire and holds a grudge against Klock.
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Ada – Female. Ada the Wild Wind. An A-rank adventurer. Her appearance is striking, with black hair mixed with fiery red, multiple earrings, and an axe spear as tall as she is. She is incredibly strong and fast, with a Unique Skill called the ‘Blessing of the Wind’ that enhances her speed and agility. Ada is ruthless in combat but shows a surprising willingness to negotiate. She is highly respected in adventurer circles and feared by criminals. Her relationship with Klock is adversarial, as he stole from her and escaped using trickery.
• Elna – Female. A young apprentice mage. Her appearance is that of a child with white hair reaching her shoulders. She wears a black hooded mantle with strange patterns. Her relationship is as an apprentice to Hermine, the Great Mage. Her power involves advanced magic, including spatial teleportation. Her combat style is magical, and she is described as childish and easily provoked.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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