Chapter 28 : Guardian of the Empire (4)

Revealing one’s weaknesses to an opponent is undoubtedly foolish.

It might be acceptable if you are certain they are an ally who would never betray you. 

But in most cases, it only invites trouble.

This holds especially true when dealing with enemies. 

Even trusted companions might one day use your disclosed weakness to stab you in the back. 

Naturally, Wolfgang was well aware of this.

The Winter War was not only a battle against unimaginable monsters but also a fight against the despair and fear that consumed her allies. 

Wendigos, after all, had the power to control humans.

Their control wasn’t absolute—it only worked on those who succumbed to fear or had lost their minds. 

Still, it led to numerous betrayals, with Wolfgang narrowly surviving dozens of assassination attempts.

Despite this, why had she revealed her memory loss so openly?

Because she didn’t see it as a weakness.

In fact, Wolfgang wanted to uncover the truth about the name tied to this body as quickly as possible. 

If another baseless rumor like before began to spread, she needed to address it swiftly and decisively.

Or perhaps it wasn’t entirely baseless.

After all, she might truly be Lana Frost.

And based on her experience reading web novels, Lana Frost seemed to be a central figure in this story. 

Whether she was a protagonist or an antagonist remained unclear.

Regardless, Wolfgang had chosen to speak freely about her amnesia. 

Even if the other party learned of it, there was no way they could exploit it against her.

Ironically, this openness left her opponents more flustered. 

Jaiha, for instance, tried to rationalize whether this was some kind of elaborate ploy. 

But the one most affected wasn’t him—it was Theodore.

“What on earth is she saying!?”

The only reason Theodore didn’t immediately explode was his composure, honed through years as the Frost family’s heir. 

He managed to suppress his emotions—for now.

But no matter how composed he appeared, the revelation was unbearable. 

He had believed she was living a peaceful, happy life somewhere far away.

He had endured loneliness and pain, holding onto the thought of her.

But now he was hearing this? Amnesia? She didn’t remember anything?

If she hadn’t said it herself, Theodore wouldn’t have believed it. 

Even now, after hearing it directly from her, he struggled to accept it.

Could she really have lost her memories?

“What do you mean by incomplete memory?”

“Exactly as it sounds. I have no recollection of my past.”

“That’s… hard to believe. Aren’t you the Commander of the Eastern Defense Corps?”

“What does that have to do with this?”

“It has everything to do with it.”

Amnesia meant losing all memories of the past. While muscle memory might remain to an extent, Wolfgang’s case was different. 

Her current self bore no resemblance to her past as a mere saint candidate.

The saints of her time—unlike the current Saint Jeanne—held purely symbolic roles. 

They neither wielded swords nor engaged in diplomacy.

Yet not only had she survived the Winter’s End in such a state, but she had also risen to become the Empire’s hero?

This was why no one who knew Lana Frost ever entertained the possibility of amnesia. 

Who could have imagined that someone with no memories could become a commander of such renown?

Or perhaps this is a calculated lie meant to sow discord.

Perhaps she feigned amnesia to gather intelligence or to drive a wedge between him and Jeanne. 

Jaiha, having experienced betrayal before, couldn’t dismiss the possibility.

“We have no way of knowing if your words are true.”

“That’s true. Then…”

“Your Highness, why must you speak so coldly?”

“…What?”

While Wolfgang had somewhat expected suspicion given the strained relations between the Kingdom and the Empire, it was Theodore who interrupted, visibly unable to contain his anger.

For him, hearing that his younger sister had lost her memories was devastating enough. Watching someone treat her harshly on top of that was intolerable.

“This is for the Kingdom, Frost. Please distinguish between public and private matters.”

“I assure you, Your Highness, I am making that distinction.”

Wolfgang, caught awkwardly between them, blinked in confusion.

“Whenever I think of you, my heart aches.

How much pain have you endured? How long did you carry it all alone?

I’m sorry I couldn’t understand you back then.

But what good are apologies now?

If regrets could change the past, I would have rewritten it a hundred times over.”

Theodore clenched his teeth. He had no time to wallow in regret.

The only thing that mattered was protecting her now.

The reason he had accompanied Jaiha on this mission was simple—to keep her safe. 

But the situation had taken an unforeseen turn.

“Amnesia, she says…”

Thinking back, he realized there had been signs—small inconsistencies only a close family member would notice. But he had ignored them.

“Have you truly forgotten everything?

All the days we spent together? All the experiences that shaped you?”

The thought of her losing everything pierced his heart.

Why?

All I ever wanted was for you to be happy. 

Why would the heavens deny even that?”

But there was no time to curse the heavens.

Jaiha Bakleon von Mines, the man who had abandoned her, was standing right there. Theodore refused to lose her again.

To Theodore, she was still his beloved younger sister, someone he was determined to protect.

But for Jaiha, she was no longer Lana Frost.

To him, she was Wolfgang Leonhardt.

And that distinction was something Theodore could not accept.

“How dare you reduce her to this?

She tried so hard to be the woman you deserved, sacrificing everything, only to be cast aside like garbage.

Was the pain so unbearable that she lost her memories?”

Teeth clenched, Theodore forced himself to stay composed.

He had no right to wallow in anguish.

The priority now was ensuring her safety.

Memories could sometimes return with a significant shock—be it physical or emotional. 

And the person who might have caused her amnesia was standing right in front of her.

“Your Highness, wouldn’t it be best to focus on the situation at hand first?”

Theodore’s words were sharp but calculated. 

Jaiha, still remembering Jeanne’s warning, reluctantly nodded and stepped back.

“Forgive me. It seems now isn’t the time for conversation.”

“Then I look forward to discussing this later.”

“Yes, when the opportunity arises.”

With that, Jaiha quickly left.

Left alone with Wolfgang, Theodore turned to face her.

“Before the troops withdraw, we’ll have a brief moment. I’ll tell you everything I know then, Leonhardt.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

Her distant tone, as if speaking to a stranger, made Theodore smile bitterly.

He had expected this, yet the pain in his chest was unbearable.