episode_0112

“So, what can I do to help?”

Hermel looked at me with a confident smile, as if asking me to leave everything to him wasn’t a lie.

It would have been great if I had met such a trustworthy person a little earlier… … . I said quietly, looking towards the entrance of the mountain.

“Seria was kidnapped by Gryphon. So I’m going to go rescue it.”

After saying that, I looked towards Hermel again, and his smiling face was as hard as stone.

No, if you see them shaking under their eyes, they’re just so shocked that they can’t even react.

When I poked Hermel, who was standing blankly like a statue, on the cheek, Hermel opened his eyes brightly and took my hand.

“Charles! I feel like I just went deaf for a little while. If you don’t mind, why don’t you tell me again?”

“Seri――”

As soon as he uttered two syllables, Hermel showed his palm and closed his eyes as if asking to wait a moment.

“Wait a minute. I’m really sorry for interrupting you. Seriously, just wait a moment. Maybe I’m feeling weak these days, but I’m hearing auditory hallucinations. At that time, maybe I should have taken the elixir that the minister told me to take even if I used it because it was good for my health… … .”

“Hermel. You didn’t hear it wrong.”

“… … Are you really going to save Seria?”

“Yes.”

“No, no matter how much that may be… … .”

She trailed off, sighed, and stroked her bangs.

“Isn’t Charles angry? You even cried because of her, and then you said you were going to save her? Are you serious?”

Hermel seemed reluctant to do my request at all, but it wasn’t because he didn’t like me or because helping me was a bother.

What was in her eyes was not like that. I was feeling like, are you still trying to help me after all that happened? What would you do if I really weren’t there? There’s no such thing as a good person.

After he opened his heart to me, it became easier to read his emotions, and I was able to read exactly what he was thinking. I smiled a little while stroking Hermel’s head.

“Thank you for your concern.”

“No, there are people who know what to be thankful for… … . ha… … . As long as there aren’t more than two griffons gathered together, you can do anything… … . I understand with my head that I’m going to save that Seria or something, but I just can’t accept it with my heart.”

“Hermel… … .”

“I know very well that you are kind… … . But, I’m not as good a person as you, so I can’t tell you that I’m going to save that guy… … . ha… … .”

Hermel squatted down in his seat, looked up at me with a pitiful face, sighed, and lowered his head again.

“So, you won’t help me?”

“It’s Charles’ request, so of course I’ll help… … . I really don’t understand.”

“Am I helping Seria?”

Hermel nodded slowly.

“It may sound like an excuse to say this, but in fact, Seria is also a victim.”

“What?”

I shook my head and told him what had just happened with the crown prince. By the end of the story, Hermel’s face was filled with astonishment.

Hermel, who couldn’t say anything for a while and just gaped, flinched, the corners of his mouth trembled, and uttered just one word.

“That’s what a human bastard would do… … . ha… … . no. That’s it.”

Hermel sighed and shook his head, returned his sword to his waist, and crossed his arms.

“Lastly, I will ask you one more question. Why are you trying to save Ceria? It’s enough to leave it to someone else.”

“Because it is not right to let go of the hand of the other person who can sufficiently save you just because you have suffered something from them.”

After hearing what I said, Hermel slightly opened his mouth and said, huh… … . He let out a sighing laugh.

“Should I say it’s truly amazing or foolish… … .”

“It would be better to say it’s amazing.”

Although I said it myself. I almost laughed while talking. How can humans be so shameless? At this point, all I can say is that it’s really great.

Hermel, who was looking up at me blankly, nodded heavily and wrapped his arms around me.

“I have a new goal.”

“Huh? What is it?”

Hermel grinned and poked my chest.

“To inherit the throne and have your name engraved on the list of saints of all time!”

“Then you don’t know if you regret it? I’m not as good a person as you think.”

“If you are not a good person, instead of putting your name among the saints of all time, we should completely replace all of the saints of past times.”

“Speaking nonsense… … .”

As I shook my head and spoke, Hermel wiped the smile off his face and spoke.

“It’s not nonsense.”

“… … What?”

Hermel uncrossed his arms, gently grabbed my hand, brought it to his mouth, and kissed my palm.

“B. When I talk to Charles, I’m always sincere.”

Hermel, who had a wonderful smile that anyone would fall in love with, soon smiled mischievously and let go of my hand.

“Now! let’s go! I need to find Seria or something!”

“Ah, yes.”

Hermel began to walk vigorously, and I looked at her back for a moment and then started walking again.

Throbbing――

I stopped walking for a moment because of the pain that felt like my chest was being cut open with a knife. I felt an unbearable sense of nausea as I watched Hermel’s back moving away.

Why do you keep trying to shake my heart?

Why is this only happening now?

Why couldn’t we meet sooner?

I’m so ugly, how can you shine like that?

When you’re around, I see my ugly side so clearly that it hurts.

why. The dark emotions that started with the words poured out like a roar and stopped my legs.

“Charles! what’s the matter? Aren’t you coming?”

“It’s nothing. I’ll go now.”

I shook my head with a grin, trying to get my emotions together after hearing Hermel’s call.

As I followed her again, I organized my rushing thoughts.

I eliminated all the most disturbing things with this. If all goes according to plan, the matriarch will die soon, so there is no problem.

‘I guess I’ll have to move a little more boldly from now on.’

Before I collapse. I have to destroy this world first.

I smiled bitterly, quickly got my emotions under control, and quickly walked up to Hermel’s side.

As I approached, Hermel, who was walking, fixed his gaze forward and spoke.

“Charles. You said earlier that it was Gryphon who kidnapped that guy, right?”

“Yes. that’s right. I thought I was so excited that I didn’t hear it properly, but nope.”

Hermel, who looked at me intently for a moment, sighed and shook his head.

“Anyway. If it’s a gryphon, it must have gone to the Bneron Mountains. If you ride a horse, at least two days… … . I guess he’s still alive during this time?”

“He will be alive. Even though he looks fierce, he is a child who somehow finds a breakthrough when faced with a problem.”

“I see. Well, it’s better than leaving thinking you’re dead.”

Although Hermel was convinced by my persuasion, he seemed to still be dissatisfied with Seria himself and said that with a pout.

Then Hermel closed his mouth again, sighed and muttered as if he didn’t feel like it.

“… … ha. I can’t help it.”

“Huh?”

“Charles. I’m going to run a little faster, can you keep up?”

Hermel runs faster than anyone else… … . I immediately placed a load on my leg and nodded. Hermel immediately kicked the ground and started running down the mountain.

Thanks to Hermel asking first, I was able to follow behind her and meet Sir Germa, who was looking into the crystal ball at the entrance of the mountain we arrived at.

As soon as Hermel and I arrived, Sir Germa took his eyes off the crystal ball, looked at us, and said.

“The situation has already been reported. I heard that you were going to rescue Miss Seria. Am I correct?”

“Yes. Since I was captured by Gryphon, I had to hurry as soon as possible――”

“Ah, wait a minute, Charles. Grandpa can’t be persuaded with words like that.”

Hermel interrupted me and moved forward, standing face to face with Sir Germa.

Then he crossed his arms and lifted his chin slightly.

“Send it to me.”

“Princess. No matter what the princess says, I cannot listen to this matter. Since you are the pillar of the kingdom, you should value the jade body.”

“Maybe it was a long time ago. I can handle Gryphon well now. Even grandpa would know if he saw me fighting through that bead.”

“Even so, we cannot stand by and watch the princess jump into danger alone.”

Hermel shouted at Sir Germa’s words.

“You are not alone!”

“If you are saying that you are with Princess Charlotte, I cannot allow that either. It’s too dangerous. As for the matter regarding Miss Seria, please leave it to the Knights and the Academy’s faculty――”

“Then it’s too late.”

Hermel said that and shook his head.

“It is true that I am not alone, but I am with Charles. That’s not the story I’m talking about, Grandpa. You know. ‘That’ that my father personally gave me.”

“‘That’… … . No way.”

Hermel grinned, uncrossed his arms, placed his hands on his waist, and spoke confidently.

“I will move the knights under my direct command. Is that enough?”

Hermel raised his chin again as he said that, and Sir Germa, who was quietly looking down at her, sighed and said.

“… … All right. However, it goes beyond the duties of a student. The point is that I got out of this test on my own. These are all points deducted. You will probably get a failing grade on this test. If you do that, you may not be able to take swordsmanship classes at the academy. Are you okay with that?”

“Be persistent, grandpa.”

“… … The person who is like my granddaughter is trying to go to a dangerous place, and I have to do whatever it takes to stop her.”

Sir Germa smiled bitterly and looked down at Hermel. Hermel chuckled and lowered his arms.

“It’s okay. I’m no longer obsessed with swords. and… … .”

Hermel said that and looked towards me.

“Now I know why I picked up the sword.”

Are you going to send it to me? Heehee, Sir Germa looked at Hermel smiling. He smiled faintly and stroked Hermel’s head.

“You’ve grown. Hermel.”

“Because you can’t be a child forever!”

At those words, Sir Germa nodded slowly.

“I will send it to you.”

Please, please come back without getting hurt.

Sir Germa said that and lowered his head.