2

Or not. . . .

"Princess Amelie, Starting today you are hereby dismissed from the school! Please pack all of your belongings and leave this school by tomorrow."

"But why . . .?"

I may not like the lesson, the teachers, or the students in this school. But it doesn't mean I'm just slacking off. My tuition is paid by the taxes of the people with my living expense covered by my mother. I'm not just going to waste them like that. Not to mention, I don't want to make trouble for myself.

So, while I grumble every day. I am attending the class just fine. My progress is not bad either. In fact I'm so good I literally aces every written test so far.

"Your personality"

"What? Just which part of my personality is problematic?"

"You lack the respect for the constitution. . ."

"Thank you very much! I understand!!"

In other words, I got expelled not because there was a problem with me. But because someone wants me to leave, in other words. Because there's a problem with someone else. And I can already guess who that person is.

“Is there truly no way for me stay?”

“His highness already give his consent”

So even my Dad got into trouble huh. Sigh. .

"Can you contact my escort? tell him to come back."

"Gladly, princess"

With that, the school staff left my room.

"Now what should I do?"

Problems just keep coming.

Being expelled from school is a big problem, but it's not the biggest problem I'm struggling with right now. My biggest problem is the fact that I'm pretty much broke.

Few days after the trial ended. I was visited by the slave trader whose slave I defended. I thought he wanted to thank me, so I welcomed him warmly. But instead, he came to protest and demanded compensation.

It seems that because of my actions, his business is now in trouble. No one wanted to buy slaves from him because they were afraid of getting into trouble with the nobility. Pushing his business to the brink of bankruptcy.

Hence he asked for compensation. Of course, I didn't accept his request just like that. First, I didn't need a slave, second, I didn't have a lot of money, and finally, I didn't care about the fate of someone whose business was to buy and sell humans.

But when I refused, he immediately threatened me. Not with a violence of course.

He said he would use his connections to get in my people's way when they are doing business. I do think that he is mostly bluffing. But I don't want to make him desperate enough to actually sabotage my territory.

I don't! want my mother to get punished for my mistake too. I can't let her suffer because of me.

In the end, I agree to buy almost twenty percent of his remaining stock of slaves. The crafty bastard even makes sure to adjust the price just right. It was high enough he still gets profit, but just low enough that I still actually can afford it and willing to pay.

Right now, this poor princess has just become even poorer. With almost all of my money go to the slaver. The thing I am still able to buy is just three loaves of bread.

"Aaaghhhhhh!!!!!"

I don't care anymore!!!!

After screaming, I returned to my room and jumped straight into bed.

The next morning, I went straight to Erwin's house with my escort who finally showed his face. He seemed unwilling, but a job is still a job so in the end he just drive me without complaint.

Since I live in a dormitory, I can't just bring anyone in. Moreover, the number of slaves I bought is not by any means small. That's why I left them all at Erwin's place and allowed his father to use them as free labor.

"Princess"

"What?"

"I saw young master Erwin."

I looked out the window of this loaned horse-drawn carriage. And as my escort had said. I saw Erwin walking alone in the opposite direction across the street.

Normally, a nobleman's child would not be allowed to wander alone like that. But for some reason, Erwin has always been allowed to walk wherever he pleased without any guards.

But then considering his strength, maybe that's not actually that weird?

"Where are you going, Erwin?"

"To your place. What about you?"

"To your place. I will take the slaves I bought and bring them home, as well as bid farewell to your father."

"Farewell?"

"Yesterday, I was officially expelled from school."

"What? Why?"

"How about we talk inside?"

A few days earlier, I had just defended someone who had become a scapegoat. But now, it seemed I am the scapegoat. And how lucky I was, it seemed that no one wanted to defend me.

My expulsion from school was likely related to Laster. I mean, who else would want to make me suffer beside him? It seemed that my outburst in court made him really angry. And as retaliation, he made his threat at that time a reality.

My father's decision to ignore Laster's wishes may have made the relationship between him and his supporter strained. They probably begin to doubt his stance after seeing he sided with his own child and even a slave.

This is just a conjecture. But what happened is probably. Laster used that chance to demand my expulsion. And to pacify everyone, my father caved in and let it happen.

Why expulsion? Well, you can't be considered a full-fledged noble if you didn't graduate from the academy. In the eyes of a noble society, you are a failure. Cementing my position as a useless child.

Unlike in the court, I can't object to this decision More so where everyone agrees that I need to be punished. If even my father can't overture this decision, no one can. . It is not a request but an order.

My grandfather? yeah. No! I never meet him but I'm sure he would prioritize political stability over a grandchild he never met even once.

"Well, rather than worrying about what other people think of me"

I'm more worried about what I have to say in front of my mother.

She sent me to school with the hope that I would become someone she could be proud of. She gave me her hard-earned money for me to use to study. And I'm sure she also hoped that when I come home. I would bring back good news.

"But what happened is the opposite."

I embarrassed her in the capital, I spent the money she gave me for personal use, and now I'm coming home with a new problem.

"I hope she will forgive me with just a slap on the face."

I don't want to be hated by her.

"Why are you so scared? She is your mom!"

". . . . . ."

Erwin moved next to me and then put his hand on my shoulder. After that, he pulled my body towards him before placing his right hand on my head and began stroking it gently.

Normally, I would resist and move away from him.

But this time I'm not in the mood of rebelling. It's the opposite even.

That's why I gave up and leaned my body against his chest. Right now, I just want to feel that in a place this far away from home. I still have someone who cares about me, someone I can rely on, and someone who wants to comfort me when I feel down.

I don't care if someone thinks I'm too spoiled or needy. Because the truth is. I do want to be spoiled. And I am being very needy.

Not long after. All the tension, worry, and unease that I had been feeling little by little began to melt away.

We are close. But I don't remember being this close to him. Yet, for some reason, his touch felt familiar. I didn't know why, but leaning on this boy reminded me of how I used to sit on my father's lap before my relationship with my family fell apart.

"She will forgive you! no! She will be angry for you even! I'm sure of it"

He keeps stroking my hair. The warmth of his body and his gentle words sounded exactly just like my father from my previous life.

"She is your ally after all"

Yeah, you just remind me of what my mother said a long time ago. Dad you are right. . .wait, no! Just because you miss your family doesn't mean you can just treat anyone being kind to you as one. Get yourself together Amelie!!

"So, what's your next plan?"

"I don't know, but I'll find a way to at least return back Mother's money."

"I will help then."

"I don't want to inconvenience you any more than this..."

"At times like this, you should say thank you"

I'm glad you think that way, Erwin.

"Thank. . . . mmm?"

As I turned around and wanted to say the sentence he wanted to hear. I suddenly realized that there was something strange about his face.

"What happened to your face, Erwin?"

There was a small cut on his cheek, a bruise under his eye, and his lower lips got split too. In other words, Erwin's face looked a little battered, like someone who had just been beaten up.

"This? It's nothing."

"Yeah, No way it's nothing"

"Don't worry, don't worry"

I wanted to know what happened to him, but he keep dismissing my concern. In the end, I agree not to pray deeper and we talk about nothing during the commute. After about twenty minutes, we finally arrived at his house.

Our carriage circled the fortress and entered through the back door. Once inside, I asked Erwin to show my guards where he could find the slaves I left here. While I headed to the office where his father is to inform him of my dismissal from school.

As if knowing of my arrival, the staff let me meet their boss without making any fuss. And as soon as I walked into his room. I didn't find plastering his usual awkward smile. Instead, he made a grim expression before saying. . .

"I'm sorry princess, for not being able to help . . . ."

Ahh, so he already knows.

"No, I should be the one apologizing."

He seemed to feel guilty for not being able to help when I'm in trouble. But I felt that I needed to apologize because got Erwin roped into my mess. I hope I didn't drag him into some political quagmire too.

I feel I should have compensated him. But unfortunately, I had literally nothing. Instead, I'm even coming intending to ask for another favor.

Holding back the shame, I asked him to lend me some horse carriages to transport my slaves.

Without hesitation, Erwin's father agreed to my request. And as soon as I said goodbye and promised to repay him someday. I went to where my slaves, Erwin, and my guards were.

3

"Maybe nobody wants to listen to a kid acting like a boss, but since I am your boss, please listen to me."

While waiting for horse carriages from Erwin's father to be prepared. I gathered my slaves in one corner of the training area.

"Believe it or not, I want to free all of you."

As someone who grew up in the modern world where everyone loves shouting about human rights. I feel that slavery is not something that should be considered normal or common. So, if I could, I wanted to wash my hands of all this dirty business.

"But unfortunately, the money I used to buy all of you is not my own!"

That's why I can't just free them all. At least, I want to recoup the money I spent on buying them.

"And please don't think about running away or harming me to gain your freedom"

It's not worth the risk. Even if you do get your freedom, as long you are in Amteric you will die anyway. And this time, it would not just be you. But all your family too. Your spouse, your child, your parents, your siblings, everyone.

I'm a princess, remember? Harming me is the same as harming the royal family.

"I promise that I will not mistreat you, and once all your debts are paid off"

I guarantee your freedom. That's why I ask for your patience and hard work.

The amount of money I spent to buy them all is quite significant. But it is not an impossible amount to achieve if someone works hard enough and there is no one sabotaging them. Additionally, I plan to evenly distribute their debts.

By doing so, the burden on each individual should decrease. Those who work harder will receive the fruits of their labor more quickly, and the faster they earn money, the faster they can be free. If everything goes smoothly, within one or two years, everyone should no longer be indebted to me.

Well, Herman still has a fifty gold fine that needs to be paid. But once again, it was not the amount that was impossible to pay.

"This may sound strange, but I want to help you as much as possible."

After I finished my speech. Everyone looked at me like I'm a strange animal.

"I trust you, princess."

Or not. One of the slaves in front of me spoke firmly, saying that he believed in my words. Words that indirectly stated that I did not have the desire to exploit them.

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"Thank you, Mr. Herman."

"Please just call me by my name, Princess. I am just a slave."

"I see, then you call me by name too . . ."

"Princess, that's too much. . ."

Understandably, very understandable.

"I understand. . . call me whatever you see fit! I'm nobody"

I was born in a modern world where the idea of 'everyone is equal' has become the norm. So, I'm not really comfortable being treated as someone important even though I've never done anything that important.

In fact, right I'm being considered useless by the noble society and no different from a commoner.

"Maybe for others! But for me and everyone here, you deserve more respect than anyone milady"

"Ha?"

"Until a few days ago, I always thought that dying is better than living like this, but now I feel like there really is such a thing as a future."

"I don't know how Mr. Herman sees me, but I'm just a little girl who happened to help all of you because I was forced to."

I'm not a hero, I'm not someone who can sacrifice my life for others except for my own family. If it cost me too much, I would not help anyone.

"I helped for my own satisfaction, I helped because of the situation, and I also helped because I happened to be able to."

In other words. I am just an ordinary person.

You are not a saint for giving some chump change to a beggar just because you can't be bothered to keep it. You are no hero just because you beat up a thug who is clearly weaker than you. When It is clear that if you can do something and then do it, it is not heroism. It's just common sense.

"I see, it's just common sense for you princess"

"It is"

The most important element of a heroic act is sacrifice. Without sacrifice, the good that you do is just something normal. Something that you should already be doing in the first place.

A true hero is someone who continues to be a symbol of peace even though his body is battered inside and out. Someone who is willing to save anyone even though all he has is their unlucky right hand. Or someone who can keep rising up even though their comrades are being devoured one by one by a giant human-shaped monster.

Imagine what they would do if they were not special. The answer is easy, they would still move forward and keep trying even if they had to sacrifice themselves.

People like that are the true heroes.

You cannot call someone a hero just because they are given an invincibility by the gods, have a magical smartphone, or have stats far above everyone else. Why? Because when you do everything, you don't have to take any risks. They don't have to sacrifice anything and can see everything from a safe place.

Now imagine if they don't have any overpowered abilities, what would they do? The answer is even easier. Nothing. Because basically, they are ordinary people, normal people.

Without their power, they are literally nothing special.

"Anyway, I don't need excessive respect from all of you."

"Because princess didn't sacrifice anything to help us?"

"Exactly. . . ."

I dare to defend him because I am a member of the royal family. In other words, even if I lose, I will still be safe because no one would dare to demand outrageous things from me.

I buy them because I do have the money. If not, I would not borrow even a penny for their sake.

Well, it was not my money. They are my mother's, but you get the idea.

Finally, I'm brave enough to take their ownership because I have a place to go back to. And I have a vague idea of how to wash my hands of the responsibility later.

In other words, I only fight because I know I can win.

"So that's it. ."

"That's it."

I do think my explanation is too long-winded and complicated. But I'm sure everyone would understand that in the end, I'm just a child doing childish things.

". . ."

Herman still looks unconvinced, but hey. I didn't come to convince him. He can think however he wanted.

"Amelie, can I ask one thing?"

"What do you want to ask, Erwin?"

It seems like I have been chatting too long with my slaves because as soon as I turn around. I can see Erwin approaching with the few horse-drawn carriages.

"You have so many reasons not to help them"

"What?"

Erwin jumped off the carriage and landed in front of me. Then he exaggeratedly shrugged his shoulders while looking at me with a smug face.

“But you still helped Herman and the others anyway, not to mention you also sacrificed your status right? And finally . . .”

Maybe for you, doing what you can is normal.

But out there, many people don't even want to move even though they can walk. Don't want to help even though are able to. And don't want to lend a hand even though they have both the time and opportunity.

“I respect that sense of responsibility!”

This time Erwin lowered himself and matched his height with mine. He doesn't forget to pat my head too.

“Maybe you are not a saint nor a hero, but you are a good kid.”

Ok, that was a smooth one. It was so smooth I can't even react or come up with anything to answer him. In the end, I could only turn my face away because of the embarrassment.

4

“I want to ask something, Erwin.”

“What?”

“Why are you here?”

“Because I want to go home with you.”

“You mean, escort me home?”

“No! I want to stay with you”

“Why?”

“Because I want to help you.”

“Help me with what? I don't even know what I want to do”

“Well, I will help think about it too”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course!”

“Does your father allow it?”

“Of course not!”

“I knew it! So, how did you manage to get here?”

“We talked for a bit, shouted at each other, then punched each other! After that, he let me go.”

I've seen scenes of two men talking heart-to-heart with their fists in a manga, but I never expected someone to be stupid enough to try it. And actually succeeded.

Now I know why he looks beaten up. And why he wore simple clothes fit for travel.

“The feeling alone is enough, it's better if you go back.”

"I have thought about it, and my answer is to go with you."

"Do you realize that you just threw away your future?"

"What future? You can't lose something you don't have, Besides..."

What kind of future would await him in the first place? He is just a third son. Even with nepotism, his future Is pretty much stuck at becoming someone's lackey. If he is lucky, maybe he can get a decent master. But if not, someone like Laster is a dime and a dozen in the capital.

"Yeah, No thank you!"

If he stays in the capital. He feels that it is just a matter of time until he too becomes corrupted. Not to mention, doesn't like the idea of getting into a position using nepotism.

If he wanted to work, it's better if it was work he loves to do. And If he is going to serve someone anyway, it's better if you like the person.

"After performing some elimination, I decide to go with you"

"Are you out of your mind!!!"

I can take care of his accommodations, food, and drink, but I cannot guarantee anything else. My territory has nothing. Like, it doesn't even have any industry. How are you going to live there? are you fine being paid with bread?

“Don't worry, I said I want to help you! Not just leech of you"

He can fight. And he has a lot of skills that I can use to make money. Farming? he can do it. Cooking? he is good at it. Manufacturing fancy items? as long he has the material. He pretty much can make anything.

"That is a bit too much for a boast"

"Sigh, You still don't believe me?"

I mean, yeah. How can I believe all of that? Fighting aside, who taught you to cook? to farm? to craft things? Who wants to teach a noble child like him things like that? Who will allow him to learn all of that in the first place? I doubt even his doting father would give him the chance.

"Forget that, are you sure you want to move to my place?"

"I'm! So stop asking! I can't wait to prove that I'm not lying!"

Looking at how confident he is. I'm sure no matter what I say, he will still come along anyway. Not to mention, it's not like I hate to be with him. Scratch that, I'm actually happy to have him on board.

"Okay, starting today you are a part of us... Wait! No! From now on, you are part of our family!"

"Thanks, I promise I will protect. . . ."

Before he could finish his words, suddenly our carriage stopped.

"Wait here! I have a bad feeling!"

Erwin got out of the carriage and I peeked out from the window. Then, as soon as I looked outside, I found about ten people who looked like bandits surrounding our carriage.

“What do you want?”

Shout Erwin fearlessly.

“Leave the slave behind!”

“. . . .?”

Just like Erwin, I was also a bit confused. Normally, bandits would ask for valuables to be left behind. Although slaves could be sold again, they are not by any means easy to carry. Something like plain money or jewelry would be usually preferable to a living human.

Heck, I or Erwin alone were already worth far more than the slaves. Kidnapping us would be more profitable.

So why?

“Who sent you?”

Asked Erwin, voicing what I wanted to ask too.

“You don’t need to know!”

Well. . that was easy.

Erwin and I looked at each other. Neither of us expected the leading question to be answered that easily. Even for a bandit, that was a bit too dumb. Now, that we knew they were acting on someone's orders. We can already guess who is the mastermind.

It is either Laster who wants me to suffer more. Or the slave trader who changed his mind and thought he can take back his slave.

“What do you think, Erwin? Leaving the slave is out of question! but I think we still can negotiate”

I say while putting on a brave front. I'm scared, but I can't let them know. It was important to maintain some semblance of calm to get us into a negotiation.

They are bandits after all. If we can offer something better. We should, theoretically able to resolve this peacefully. Well, for now, let's throw valid concerns like what if they are just a bunch of ruthless killers or people who just love torturing people out of the window.

I need some hope.

“Nah! Don't bother! Just leave it to me”

“Leave them to you? Don't you see how many they are?”

In terms of numbers. We have a lot too. I bought around 50 slaves from the shrewd merchant.

But we have a lot of women and some children among my slaves. Besides, we have no weapons. Not to mention, none of my slaves looks like they have any fighting experience. Only my guard and Erwin can actually fight.

Meanwhile, our enemies have looked ready to fight, and from how they brandish their weapons they are ready to attack at any time too.

“I can feel it! none of them is strong!”

"This is not time for a joke!"

"I'm not joking! This time I will show that when I say I'm strong, I'm not lying! No need for help too! Mr. guard!"

Erwin Frank [https://krita-artists.org/uploads/default/original/3X/9/6/96b96257a4929e6f0e15fddf0a41acd6de652202.jpeg]

"Erwin!!!"

With that, Erwin begins to walk and talk.

"Don't act tough! You brat!"

One of the bandits slashes at Erwin but without any fear. Erwin just parry the sword with his left hand and immediately counter with a powerful punch straight to the bandit's face in one smooth motion. Knocking the bandit unconscious.

". . . . . ."

I know that he is physically strong. But that move clearly lacks any clumsiness of the people who have no real fighting experience and only practice on with safety margin.

"If you want to run away! do it now! I will not chase after you!"

All the bandits decide to run. But not away from him, but instead towards him. They no longer underestimated Erwin, looking at what just happened. It was easy to guess that Erwin is someone with a special power.

If they can't win in one on one, they just need to surround and attack together.

"Well, thanks!"

With everyone surrounding him. Erwin now doesn't have to think about protecting anyone. He just needs to attack.

"Come!!!!!"

And they come at him.

But even when he is surrounded. He effortlessly weaves around between the bandit's attacks. And anything he can't evade, he just parries or blocks his own body. Not only that, but he also uses his power cleverly.

Sometimes he just hardens part of his body like usual, sometimes he hardens the body of his opponent to stop their movement, and sometimes he hardens things like his clothes or some random stick lying around to be used as a makeshift weapon.

He is. . . strong.

And not just in terms of physical power. He is simply in control of the battlefield.

"That should do it"

Yeah. If he is this strong, no wonder he never needs any bodyguard and is generally left alone. And yeah, I'm not going to underestimate him anymore. The fact he still can spare all of the bandits is proof enough that he is probably even stronger than my guard.

"Don't worry and just relax Amelie! Why?"

Why?

"BECAUSE I'M HERE!"

Wait! That punchline. I know it.

"Erwin... are you?"

Just like me?

5

Their battle lasted only for a few minutes. Because all of Erwin's attacks are targeted toward their weakest part like the throat, solar plexus, and even the groin. Everyone always got one shotted by him.

Once everyone was down, my slaves helped to tie up all the bandits. And while we waited for my other slaves to summon some soldiers patrolling the border. I invited Erwin to talk alone.

"So you really are the same as me"

"I already felt an inkling, but to think it was the truth"

Yes, just like me Erwin is also a reincarnated person. And since we both know about The Number One Hero, I guess he also came from the same place or at least from the same timeline.

"So, what are you going to do now? Erwin?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, now that you know I'm not just a kid! Do you still want to come with me?"

Erwin said he came with me because he wanted to help. And from his stance that "being kind to children is common sense" I'm sure that my current appearance has a lot of sway in making his decision.

In other words, he probably just felt sorry for such a small child to have such a big burden. But the truth is, I'm not a small child. Well, at least mentally.

He should have no longer any reason to help me.

"Of course, what's the problem?"

What?

"Don't you feel . . . .betrayed? cheated, or used?"

“Nah, not at all. . "

"But. . . ."

"Well, if you feel that you've done something bad to me . ."

Then I'll tell you something that I feel very bad about too. .

"What kind of bad thing?"

"The real reason I want to help you"

The truth is. While all the reasons he wanted to help me previously aren't lies. They are not his main reason.

"You remind me of my daughter"

"Your daughter?"

"Yes, just like you. . ."

She has such a nice smile that makes everyone want to smile too.

She keeps dreaming big even though everyone straight up says that it was impossible for her.

She keeps working hard even though most of her effort just straight-up fails.

"At long last, she finally succeeded but . . . ."

People begin to forget all the achievements she had earned. Is something she can only attain through hard work, sweat, and blood.

"And I'm included in that group too"

I begin to think that her being an overachiever is just the norm. The more she achieves something, the more I expect from her. I thought that as long as she wants something. She will be able to get it with no effort.

"After that, I begin to start to less and less involved in her life"

Thinking that I can give more freedom to her. To show that I trusted her. But, I never thought that all of my "trust" is nothing but just pressure for her.

"I never realized that until it was too late"

One day, his daughter reached her limit and just gave up. She gives up on her dream, on her friends, on her parents, and on society. It was almost a miracle she doesn't give up on her life too.

"I didn't realize that I have never been there to comfort her when she failed, when she is sad, and when she is struggling with everything"

It was after he decide to apologize and try to mend their relationship that he. . . . Died.

"If only I can ask to be sent back! I will gladly pay any price"

But we have no choice. We don't even know who we should ask. When we are brought here, we didn't meet any god or anything like that. When we realized it, we are just here.

"So. . ."

Erwin looked like he wanted to say something, but I also could see he was struggling to come up with anything. Which is, very understandable because what he is trying to say is. . .

"Basically, I'm just your daughter's replacement. ."

Hearing that, Erwin lowered his head and said. .

"I'm sorry."

"Now I understand. ."

Erwin pick up his face and look at me with a worried face.

"So I'll ask you back! Don't you feel . . . betrayed, cheated, or taken advantage of? Do you feel that I'm disgusting?"

"Of course not, what's wrong with that?"

"Amelie. ."

"If there's anything wrong, it's your image of me! I'm not as good as your daughter."

The old me was a massive piece of work who always caused trouble for her parents, made their lives difficult, and made them sad.

"You and I are the same."

We want to ask for forgiveness but can no longer do so. We do so many mistakes in the past that we want to be better. And we hurt the one we love so much we want to take amend even toward their replacement.

Erwin towards his daughter's replacement, that is me.

And me towards my parent's replacement, that is my mother.

"That's why I won't criticize you"

After that, Erwin and I looked at each other. And without needing to say anything, we understood what to do next.

I would make my mother's life better to gain forgiveness for my past actions. While Erwin would help me to achieve my goal so he can finally do what he once failed to do.

That is, supporting his daughter.

With a smile, I shook hands with him.

And with that, our friendship got restarted.