I woke up when the sky was nearing orange and vermillion. From the bed, I couldn't hope to reach the windows and I felt really sore, but at least my eyes haven't failed my perception of time.

"Huh... guess that my condition is still on the red." I yawned while trying to stretch comfortably.

Looking to my right, there was a silvery white sword gleaming in the rays of sunlight. I wasn't quite sure how since sunlight didn't bask it fully but nevertheless, I greeted it.

"Hey... I'm dead tired. You sapped so much of my mana instead of my Soul Essence huh?"

This time, the sword trembled as if protesting. I rolled my eyes as I grabbed Radiata, sheathed it back and placed it next to my bed.

"Yes yes. Whatever you say, you no-good OP weapon in name only." I commented with right amount of sarcasm that the Relixia Arma seemed like it was ready to fly and cut me down.

Uwah. It even had an aura of its own. Rather than a sword, I think calling it a wild horse is more correct. The one that will kick you to death if bothered, but it seems I really can't communicate with it properly without decent stats and experience.

*KNOCK* Then I heard the door being knocked, and one Fei Cruelheart entered.

"Oh, you're awake." He said.

I waved a hand at him, showing a sincere smile, "Welcome back. How's outside?"

"Same as always." Fei sighed. "Also, there's a bothersome person downstairs. It might be best if you change your clothes again."

Hm...? Why are you saying that as if you're going to have a meeting between your teacher and your parent? Or rather, you noticed my body's drenched in sweats but not pointing it out, huh?

I watched as Fei put down his cloak and revealed black clothes that seemed to combine a coat, high collared shirts and pants strapped with leather belts. Hm...

"That looks familiar." I mentioned to him and Fei grinned.

"Obviously. This is just the resized version of the clothes I always wore." He answered as he organized the objects in the room before taking another roll of clothes.

Ah, from eight years ago huh? If I remembered correctly, he was wearing a black forest bear pelt…

"You really like black color. Do you want to be a Hero so much?" I asked only to shy away when he tried to hand me another one-piece dress.

As in, the one that always got dramatic power up even if there's no limb left to use. But Fei's different since his personality was completely off, and he'd rather not be a Hero. Both he and I knew that we've grown from dreaming that kind of hectic fantasy.

That said, while reluctantly accepting my fate, I remembered a certain fairytale, "'The Black Sword of Tristan'–was it not? It's quite famous even in the village. A wandering swordsman who found a suitable lord to serve until his last breath."

"Tristan was crowned as a hero not only because of his excellence and wits, but also because he did not defy common sense by standing above man with blessings of the Gods. He was born as a human, lived as a human, fought as a knight, and died as a person with a humane heart," Fei elaborated, then sighed, "It is such a shame that the king and the kingdom he served was never found in the annals of history, so his existence is questioned often by the historians and the scholars."

"You're awfully knowledgeable of the topic…" I pointed out before shrieking. "Ah, hey! Why are you trying to remove the bandages too!?"

"Who wouldn't know of him? Even with variations or changes of identities or story elements, his existence has already been immortalized as 'the Black Hero' whose name was 'Tristan'," Fei replied sagely. "Also, your bandages are already dirty like this. Did you work out or something?"

Ugh… Maybe phantom pain caused my wounds to reopen, be it the old or the new. But it's starting to feel embarrassing staying still in this kind of state…

"What is it?" Fei asked after taking off all my bandages.

Of course, I was turning my back against him. As if I had the courage to face him when I'm already a step away from being bare naked. It was a good thing I already laid out the dress on my laps else they'll feel cold by the wind.

Thankfully, he wasn't commenting anything. I wanted to say something but could only stare intently at myself, identifying lines of small stitches, scars and new layer of skin over my latest wounds.

There are… unexpectedly many of them. I could count at least a dozen on my front. Touching one particular scar where a certain demon gave to me, I wondered if a scar was also made on my back. It went through my body after all.

"…Charlotte." Fei called out, a hand placed on my shoulder from behind.

I nodded feebly, "Ah. I'm fine, Fei. It's just, looks like even magic can't heal wounds from leaving scars."

"No, that's… I think…"

Hm? Does Fei know something? I glanced at him and found him looking very uncomfortable. Should I say, concerned, maybe?

"I won't get mad even if you explained it, you know?" I reassured the Black Hero with a smile, "These are all my trophies. I'm not going to be angry unlike most women would."

In this kind of world with a medieval-setting, women are valued from their purity. Or rather, beauty. While most commoners and Adventurers wouldn't mind at all, nobles would often fuss about appearances to the point of treating the topic as something sacred.

Of course, as a member of an aristocratic society, I'm sure I will be seen lowly if I exposed my scars in public. Scars are flaws. And flaws, especially on women, are seen as something unsightly or vulgar.

Fortunately, I never really cared about those silly etiquettes.

After another brief silence, Fei spoke up, "…Charlotte, Warriors have aura to protect them from attacks. One of its feature is an increased rate of regeneration. So… the Lagnaris and the Demon General might be the main causes. They are fully capable of wounding even souls after all."

Hmm… is that how it is? Does that mean wounds inflicted on a soul are reflected on one's body? But I don't feel pained so much.

"Well, I guess it couldn't be helped. I reaped what I sow." I muttered indifferently.

"How can you be so carefree like that…?" Fei voiced out his disbelief, "As a noble, you're already doomed to not have a marriage partner for looking like that."

Oh my? Are you implying something? Or are you insulting me for my 'barely passable' figure? Whichever is—

"Eeh… How unlucky I am. Looks like I can't be your bride then."

"Bfht!?"

Ah, ah. His face reddened. It's extremely red now! Oh my, how gullible you are, Black Hero-san! Even the tip of your ears are steaming red!

"Wai-hold on-what are you-no, stop! I didn't mean it like that!" Fei shouted out.

"Then you're fine with a woman who's covered with scars?" I tilted my head.

"No matter what, isn't it the heart that matters the most—wait, what are you making me to say!?"

Hmhmm…! You really are a gullible person in this subject. I've seen all sorts of expressions on his face but only 'this' particular one that set my mischievous side on fire.

Aaah… I didn't expect myself to enjoy teasing other people. Iris, I blame you for this.

"A-anyway," Fei coughed before taking out a new roll of bandages, "It's not like I dislike scars, even if they're on women. It's just… it unsettles me…"

"Hm…? Why is that?" I asked even though I had an inkling about his reasons.

Fei averted my gaze. Despite that, he was skillfully wrapping the bandages on my body with reasonable strength. I did winced sometimes but it was nothing compared to the training hell the Hermit gave. Yes, this is far better than getting thrown into a pit of dog-sized killer ants.

Once he was done, Fei answered, "…It reminds me of how useless I am. Especially when I saw yours."

"I know that I'm not supposed to be like this. You did your best and I too did what I was supposed to do. Even so, it still doesn't make it acceptable. I was there with you and yet I—"

"Bad!"

*SMACK!* A chop landed on Fei's head, in-between the eyes. He faltered with a grunt but I quickly pinched his cheeks and stretched them.

"You're seriously a really, reeeaaallly stupid to even think of that! Honestly, why do you always be so pessimistic when I always counted on you?"

"Hawha—?"

He was probably saying 'what' but I couldn't understand him. Mh… maybe doing this was a bad move.

Letting go of him, Fei deftly retreated from my reaches before I could say anything. He even scowled, saying 'what was that for' angrily.

So I shrugged, "Because you just don't get it."

"Don't get what?" He asked.

Really? Does he seriously need to ask? Still, I guess this is also my chance so…

"Do you know how much I kept relying on you? Have you ever counted it?" I asked as I began wearing the fresh dress.

Fei went quiet, jaw hanging up and down a few times before it closed alongside his eyes. He stood there in silence with arms crossed and then…

"No. I don't think you ever relied on me though? Though you did used me as a wall to lean to when you're fed up of everything but that's only once." He answered while tilting his head.

Yep. He didn't get it. Not at all, this dense eroge protagonist~

"Twice," I reminded him, "In that dark forest, then in the Academy's Dungeon. But aside from those two, do you know I've been relying on you to move forward?"

Fei blinked upon hearing my words, while I was honestly surprised by how honest I can come true to myself in front of someone I loved.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"…I didn't know…" Fei said, almost whispering. "You always seemed so happy and carefree after all."

"Am I?" I tilted my head before shaking my head. "Maybe so but I'm just not able to show it. I don't want to bother others after all so…"

"So you chose to hold it in even if it hurts you more?" Fei finished, getting the idea at last.

I confirmed it with a nod. I had no reason to lie and it was more or less the truth.

But then I heard Fei exasperating, "…You're so hopeless."

Ouch. It's not like I want to be like that, you know?

"But that doesn't make my love of you lessened." Fei smiled a sincere smile. "It simply reinforced it even further."

"Huh," I stuttered, unable to even stop myself from blushing, "I-is that so…?"

Fei nodded, "Ah, unfortunately–it is so."

Hey… what do you mean by that? Are you resigning yourself just because 'it can't be helped'? I feel somewhat insulted…

Still, the tension on my shoulders loosened and I felt like I could breathe a little easier than before. Iris was right, I should open up more whenever I could.

*KNOCK KNOCK* Next, as if on cue, the door was knocked. I raised an eyebrow while Fei instantly clicked his tongue and walked toward the door.

He opened it halfway through, and raised his head.

"Why do you all have the poorest time to interfere?" Fei asked.

"Hoh ho, but if left alone, things will just escalate in the weirdest direction, ain't it so?" An old man in cloak smirked while rubbing his beard…

Eh? Who the heck is this old man?!

----------------------------------------

And… for some reasons, it ended with the double room being fitted by four persons. Three of them were men ranging from a year below me, a legal over 18 years old boy and a mysterious white-haired elderly man in armors and cloak.

I'm quite uncomfortable with being the only female here but my experience outweighed my anxiety.

Meanwhile, the two males of my party were glaring at the elderly man with tremendously sharp eyes as if he killed their family. Why? Also, what's with you, old man? Why are you smirking like some perverted guy with a fetish of harassing female students in the train during rush hour?

"Ah, I see. I see. No wonder why." The old man nodded twice as if comprehending something, then his smirk widened, "You really do resemble your mother and the previous Sword Princess. It's almost terrifying how you look like both of them combined together."

What...? I frowned but Radiata inconspicuously glowed and I was fed with memories directly into my head. Among the fragmented memories I saw the figure of this old man a few times but for some reasons, it's always on a battlefield or somewhere similar.

Uhh… I don't think this changes anything at all. I have no idea who this old man is other than his approximate strength. Sorry, Radiata, but I think you're useless in other departments except combat.

"Well, as much as I'd like to talk about good old times, I have no time to spare. Allow me to introduce myself first." The old man coughed into his knuckle after he sat down on a chair at the corner of the room.

With a hand on his armor-covered torso, a rough smile appeared on his aged face. I noticed his entire figure oozed with charisma and battle-hardened aura. It was to the point of it being a bit too excessive to my comfort.

Next, with utter confidence, the man introduced himself, "My name is Alexander Judicea. The current head of the Judicea household and also a general serving the army."

"Eh!? You!?" I almost leaped off the bedside.

No way!? You're THAT asshole's parent!? Even though both of you looked so different that there's no similarity at all?!

THE General laughed jovially, "Well, of course I am! But be that as it may, I am Spatsel's grandfather. As of now, living a life as a field commander is all I can do so I rarely returned home to tidy the messes my children and overgrown relatives planted."

Uwaa... what a carefree person. Or rather, he's totally irresponsible if he chose to neglect family affairs for the sake of his life as a soldier…

"You should at least go back and see for yourself what kind of embarrassment your family has become." Fei retorted.

True enough, the general almost too easily nodded in agreement. But for some reasons, he said it as if he knew about it. Could it be he's got secret agents stationed to observe them?

"So, what do you want?" Fei asked. "How did you find us? And why are you here despite knowing we are indirectly the cause of your grandchild's death? Do you intend to arrest us, especially her?"

Me? Well, that's some valid argument to have… but the old man waved his hand and rubbed his beard.

"No no. I have no interest in exacting revenge, much less going out of my area of duty. I have heard of everything he has done so far. I don't have any shred of kindness in my heart to even pity his stupid death." The General reasoned in a matter-of-fact tone.

"...you don't care even though your descendant died like a beaten dog...?" Leon was perplexed to the point of disgusted, but the old man shrugged.

"Knowing arrogant children feuding and dying is quite honestly a far tamer occurrence in Raumia." The old General replied with a shrug. "Believe me, the Gods who permitted the kingdom to last this long must surely be drunk in their divine alcohols."

Geh... I think I don't want to know. I wanted to shout out and question his common sense but I didn't want to trouble myself more than necessary since I'm talking with a General of all people. He must be experienced enough to have such a cold view on atrocious deeds…

No matter what, something's off with this guy. The same could be said to anyone related to Raumia's aristocratic society, just like how I found something icky whenever I saw the noble-blooded students or how devoted the knights I fought against with.

It's just… it's like their mentality seemed to lean to an aspect a bit too far. And even 'a bit' was sugarcoating it.

"Oy, 'human'." Leon raised a half-glare at Fei. "Is this truly how your people are? Are all the humans populating this wretched kingdom like 'this'?"

The [Black Hero] didn't respond with words. Instead, I saw him grimacing with darkened complexion and I even saw clouds hanging in his eyes as well as above his head. W-what…? What is that supposed to mean—

"The more you kill, the more you fail to protect, the more you lose your family and comrades... you'll end up getting used to other's passing." The General interjected before heaving a sigh. "Death… is as common as breathing in air, boy. At least for those who were born here or descended from those who saw the kingdom's birth. But malice?"

He tilted a head. It was just a simple gesture yet I involuntarily jerked. No, a chill coursed down my body, my eyes wincing and reflexively dodging the old man's gaze. W… why?

He ignored my odd behavior and simply continued on, "Malice is a necessity to survive here. The will to commit atrocity is required to protect people, and evil is necessary to make sure the 'Everlasting Holy Kingdom' stands as humans' stronghold against the nonhumans."

"…what… kind of principle is that…?" I inadvertently voiced out my honest opinion.

Shock wasn't close enough to describe my state right now. I was… I was frightened. Scared of a person who could say such horrible thing as if stating the weather today. However, he murmured 'this is not my intention to come here though' and he shook his head, wiping that blank face with the air and composure expressing sternness.

"For the time being—who among you killed Orleans?" General Alexander questioned.

Ignoring my shrill gasp, Fei snorted in annoyance, "So you found his dead body?"

"Ah, indeed, my liege. We also found remnants of Lagnaris, the corpse of your sister which oddly looked as if someone gave her a burial ceremony, also her broken Lagnaris as well. However, since they concerned with the Court's interests, I will refrain to bring it up here." He replied.

Fei closed his eyes, nodding as he allowed the old man to keep on speaking.

"I'm not fond of preaching so I'll get to the point. Who among the three of you defeated Orleans? I am quite certain there are only two survivors of this… tragedy. Or do you have an accomplice?"

Glancing over my brother and knight, the two looked unfazed even though they were glared by a more experienced fighter. Even so, I knew way too well what was running in their minds. At this point, it wouldn't be strange if one of them took the blame.

If so, I—

"Then I will answer your suspicion. You are facing the person herself, General Alexander." I announced with a hand on my chest.

"C-Charlotte...!?" Fei almost shrieked.

I raised a hand to stop the two males in my group. Drawing the full brunt of the general's cold gaze, I stared back at him, trying my darnedest in not showing any weakness.

"The one who slaughtered his army is me. These two have nothing to do with it." I stated. "It was a straightforward battle."

"Hoo...? It was you...? Then pray tell, why answering honestly? You do know the consequence of your action right?" He reaffirmed.

I exhaled. As much as I wanted no repeat of the same thing, I doubt I can get away from this. At least, this one is already too deep to leave with batting an eyelid. Also…

I wouldn't want to tarnish that Royal Knight's honor by saying 'it's not my fault'. Only children can do that and I'm long past my childhood in this world.

"I have already prepared myself. Sir Orleans wished to capture me under the command that I am to be brought back under 'custody' of the Royal Family; I refused his offer." I explained the circumstances that started it out.

"So you are saying because you refused, you engaged an army made of elites among elites? All by yourself?" General asked again. "Surely you jest."

"Unfortunately, I am not. Tell me, General. How was your last fight against the Sword Princesses before me?" I leveled my stare to meet his, a grin slowly made its way to my face.

And I could tell. After I memorized most of Iris' battle experiences, I could simply recall one scene as if playing back a video file. Unlike my battles that always resulted in me getting bedridden in medical wards, my other Fragment's battles were mostly colored with complete victory.

It was almost enviable how she came out of it unscathed but well… Iris seemed to have a rotten ties with this guy.

And the old man for the first time winced, "Ouch. That's not fair, kiddo. You know that all the previous generations were demi-humans, or purely nonhumans. Of course this old bone ain't gonna cut it out soundly against the Sword Princess."

Eh? That's quite… odd. But lots of bandits searcher for someone with my feature—oh, wait. They never mentioned about the race of the subject. Just some random girls with golden hair and green eyes. And lots of girls can be not humans at all here.

How come I missed the details already when I was taught to pay more attentions to both myself and everything else…? Haa. I need to train more seriously.

"Still, 'Custody' huh...? Now, why would we demand you under our protection? You are one of the Augmund. Illegitimate heiress you may be, only your grandfather alone is allowed to make claim over your custody." General Alexander rubbed his beard.

Oho! As expected, he said the same thing Fei said! A grin slowly reached my face but I quickly erased it before it became too apparent. Gotta keep my composure on the negotiation table…!

"If so, I believe this is nothing but a ruse to abduct a noble of a different land. That was the case for the Warlord incident, right?" I closed an eye as I cued a reminder of the past.

The old man frowned and glared this time. Even Leon perked up since admittedly… we haven't seen everything from this guy yet.

"...where did you hear that?" General Alexander inquired with a deep, cold, and penetrating tone of voice.

I smiled, I placed a hand on my chest, and I revealed my ace.

"That's my secret to tell, old man." I closed an eye, placing an index finger onto my lips as I grinned audaciously.

Now I can hear my knight exasperating in shock over what I said. Silence prevailed for several dozen seconds, and…

"Fuh... FUHA HA HA HA HAAAAAAA!"

Uwah!? The geezer laughed?! Eh? Why...!?

"Hah! As I thought, you are truly her daughter! To think that even her sharp intuition was passed down...! But you have the same cunning nature her friend had! What a twist of fate!"

Truly amusing, the general slapped and gripped his kneecaps, smirking at me as if he received the second wind in life.

Eeeh...? I didn't trip a flag, right? RIGHT…?

"Ah, well. It is as you said, the Royal Family always desired for more sacrifices. From the simplest to the most complex ploys, they, including the Ruler have never stopped in killing people just to increase the battle prowess of the Vagnalos." The General explained but his glee was still apparent. "Still, I'm surprised that you know of this as well, Missy. Have your parents told you?"

Hm...? I shook my head and sighed, "When I attended the alliance gathering a few months ago, I had to repel a Demon General that liked to use words just to destroy my focus."

"Ah, then it was Vladimir. Demons are unexpectedly privy in certain matters but he's the most intelligent among the other Generals." Old man Alexander nodded while stroking his beard down.

Oh, so he also encountered him before. I somehow recognized his gaze so I sympathized with him. It couldn't be helped that that one was a very troublesome one. He just casually dropped a bomb as if he wanted to troll me around.

Damn, two Demon Generals are already discovered to have sadistic dominatrix traits. I fear for my future encounter against the third one…

"In any case, it seems my worry is unfounded. Now I understand the situation." General Alexander concluded with a slight bow of head.

"Is that so...? I'm glad we have come to an agreement." I replied with a tilt of my head.

Well... I guess all's well that ends well?

"Mm. Although there are something that is missing, you passed. I can confirm that none of you are at the wrong, even after all that you have done."

Oooh... this noble is amazingly understanding! If only the rest of the nobles are like him, then I wouldn't have to worry about the boys leering at me… wait, what kind of thing did I just pass?

"If so..." Fei chimed in. "Do you think you can allow us to find a quick access back to the Academy?"

"Of course not."

...

"Err, wait! Then why did you ask me!? Also, what's the point of this all then?!" I accidentally broke out of my stupor with words sputtering out.

The white-haired war veteran raised an eyebrow. Taking a pose that seemed to speak 'haven't you got it at all?' like a certain famous detective would, he looked as if he was reading a book for a child.

"As much as I want to screw up the Royalty's longtime trickery, as if I can risk my children's and grandchildren's safety. I already lost the next heir's replacement; what else do I have to lose next? Their future prosperity? My entire bloodline?" The General shrugged.

Guh... His words... are incredibly convincing. To think this guy from that Judicea house would be one that prioritized his family first... what a family man. But he's cold-blooded as well so he might… be… uh… calculative? Or the clan comes first before blood ties?

"Even more... The capital's situation has been rather strange for the past recent years. It's the right time to strike it."

...really? How come? And what do you mean by the right time to strike? Why do I have a bad tugging in my heart now...

"Well, the three of you certainly displayed something most nobles don't have. That's good… being aware of your own weaknesses and saying them out loud truly showed your maturity." He laughed at the end just like that big-bellied old man with red clothing. "It's even better that you possess the right mind to trudge down your path. You all passed."

Ergh, those words again… I really, really wanted to not ask but my curiosity got the better of me and…

"You've said that to me before... Just what are you saying, General?"

But then, without a care as if flipping his hand over, Alexander Judicea nodded and answered, much to everyone's soon-to-be bewilderment.

"Simple, really. I would very much like you three to join the Coup d'état that will happen one month before now."