CH 442

There is a saying that one avoids something not out of fear, but out of disgust.

Yet Olivia Lanze was both filthy and terrifying.

When Olivia pushed forward, daring anyone to stop her if they wished for war, swords were drawn against her, and in that instant, war broke out.

No one wanted to be the catalyst for a war that could potentially split the continent in two - except for Olivia Lanze.

Eventually, leading the Holy Knights, Olivia crossed the Temple Gate and arrived at the temporary detention facility where Reinhardt was imprisoned.

The knights and mages of Shanafel, as well as the Temple's forces, were blocking her from advancing any further.

The Empire should never have informed Olivia.

While it was prudent to keep an eye on her due to uncertainty about her allegiance to the Demon King, their decision now had terrible consequences for the Empire.

With the Holy Knights at her command, Olivia stood at the forefront, facing Bertus, who was blocking her path.

Behind Bertus were Shanafel and the Royal Mage Corps.

Behind Olivia were the Holy Knights of the Holy Order.

"Move aside."

"I'm afraid I can't do that, senior."

Bertus, at his breaking point with a mix of annoyance and anger, stared at Olivia.

"The authority over the Demon King's well-being is ours. Hand it over."

At Olivia's nonchalant demand, Bertus gritted his teeth.

There was no need to persuade her that her actions could potentially divide the continent and lead to humanity's downfall.

Outwardly, she might pretend to care, but inwardly, she would undoubtedly think, "So what?"

"The Empire is the representative of humanity. Therefore, it is only right that the Empire's royal family decides the fate of the enemy of humanity, the Demon King."

At Bertus's words, Olivia smirked.

"Humans are creations of the gods. The Empire may represent humanity, but isn't it only natural that the Holy Order, which represents the will of the gods, and the Five Great Churches have higher authority? Represent humanity all you want."

Olivia raised the corner of her lips.

"I represent the will of the gods."

Because the gods created humanity, their will is superior to human will. The gods' will is more righteous. And as the chosen champion, I represent the gods' will.

To oppose me is to oppose the gods.

Olivia relentlessly pushed this horrifying logic, which would arise if the champion of the gods used their authority violently.

As Eleris once told Reinhardt, relics are not only powerful items but also have immense political value.

Olivia Lanze was fulfilling that statement perfectly.

Facing Olivia's attitude, Bertus, as well as the Empire's knights and mages, were growing weary.

What was the difference between this and madness?

Was it permissible for a champion chosen by the gods to be so reckless?

Why had someone who behaved so outrageously been chosen by the gods?

Those not close to the gods began to doubt their intentions.

However, the Holy Knights, equally weary, gradually began to think differently as they witnessed Olivia's behavior.

The Holy Knights were close to the gods.

The gods were right.

Therefore, the owners of the divine relics, the champions, were the second most righteous.

The fact that Olivia Lanze, chosen by Tu'an, exhibited such behavior meant that the gods deemed it necessary to display such a radical will.

The champion's violent, aggressive, and somewhat insane actions were not because they had gone mad.

The gods desire such actions.

All things in the world are within the gods' purview.

The Champion represents the will of the gods.

Thus, the more radical, the more blind, and the more violent Olivia's actions are.

The conclusion is drawn that the gods desire extreme actions.

To those not close to the gods, she appears as a Champion driven by madness.

But as the holy knights witness Olivia's oppressive actions, the more extreme she is, the more they realize the gods support this extremity.

The atmosphere among the holy knights shifts momentarily, from the dread of a possible continental war.

Realizing that they can only support Olivia's actions, which must be righteous, and acknowledging that it is the will of the gods.

Gradually, determination fills their eyes.

Faith, and belief.

These bring about different conclusions and actions than the common.

"Regarding the Demon King's well-being, our argument is valid. Does the Empire have any evidence to deny this?"

As Olivia speaks, the holy knights gradually begin to exude a menacing aura.

With the Champion on our side, we are right.

Even if we die here, even if it leads to war, it is the will of the gods.

To die here is to die very close to the will of the gods.

How could this not be glorious?

"The Empire has identified and secured the true nature of the Demon King. The Order of Holy Knights is now trying to steal the Empire's achievement."

At Bertus's words, Olivia tilts her head.

"Yes, we appreciate your hard work. The Five Great Churches will express their gratitude to the Empire and pray for the blessings of the gods."

It is sophistry, but it becomes right under the name of the gods.

If the gods say to see white as black, one must do so.

The eyes that cannot do this become wrong.

Why do your eyes see white when they were told to see black?

Only the gods can say such things.

The Champion is their spokesperson.

"I am here to fulfill my duty, not to claim my rights. I have a duty to judge whether the Demon King is a noble being or not."

Bertus grits his teeth.

There are many things to say.

You, who share Tiamata with the Demon King, are ultimately doing this to protect the Demon King, aren't you?

Aren't you impure from the moment your soul was shared with the Demon King?

Haven't you had your life saved by the Demon King?

Aren't you, the enemy of humanity?

However, all these words will lead to great conflict.

To say that the Champion of Two Eyes is not noble is already a grave blasphemy.

Doubting Olivia's intentions ultimately means doubting the will of the gods.

Of course, the Empire is strong.

Thus, they can doubt the will of the gods.

Even if the gods are absolute, if they disagree, that is all there is to it.

The gods are transcendent beings who lend their power to the world, but they have not granted the right to represent their absolute will to those who wield that power, or so one could argue.

No matter how powerful the Order of Holy Knights and the Five Great Churches are, the Empire can easily push them aside if they wish.

However, religion itself is a focal point, and if the Empire tears it apart, it loses its grand mission of embracing all humanity.

The Empire can annihilate the Five Great Churches and the Order of Holy Knights, but then the Empire will collapse.

The Empire, founded on the idea of gathering numerous races, cultures, and beliefs to stand against the demons.

For such an empire to exterminate such a large group inevitably leads to a situation in which the empire loses its legitimacy.

Bertus had much to think about.

There were many things to protect.

The Empire, the Royal Family, humanity.

He had to speak and act to protect things that were overwhelmingly vast.

But Olivia wanted only one thing.

Reinhardt.

That's why she didn't think about what would happen later, but put everything into saving Reinhardt right now.

"I told you to step aside."

As Olivia took a step, the knights behind her also advanced with an oppressive force.

Shanafel, the Royal Mages, and Bertus did not back down.

However, if they continued, a clash would occur.

It was a highly tense situation.

If they hand over the Demon King to Olivia instead of going to war, the outcome was clear.

Olivia would argue that since the Demon King was chosen by the sacred relic, the Five Great Churches should support him.

No one knew where this would lead.

War was always the worst choice. Even more so when it was between humans.

This moment had to be stopped.

The mad march of Olivia had to be halted.

"How about talking with the Demon King for a moment?"

"What?"

"You know well that demanding the handover of the Demon King is absurd. But we don't intend to deny the legitimacy of the Holy Knights."

First, they had to stop the imminent collision.

A single word, a gesture could lead to war.

A bait was thrown.

"Talk with the Demon King for a moment, and discuss things in a calmer state."

"..."

Olivia stared at Bertus.

She knew that war was the worst option.

And she didn't think that taking back Reinhardt right now was possible.

She came to deliver a de facto warning that if they decided the Demon King's fate on their own, a catastrophic event would occur.

It was to make the Empire hesitate to execute Reinhardt immediately.

And in the long run, she planned to find another way to save Reinhardt.

He would allow her to meet Reinhardt.

So step back for now.

"Fine."

Olivia accepted the proposal.

"I'll guide you."

Of course, not all knights could enter, so only Olivia, their representative, could go inside.

As if not intending to overreach further, Olivia followed the guidance of Shanafel's knights and entered the prison building.

For now, they bought some time.

After confirming Olivia had left, Bertus approached one of the knights.

The legitimacy Olivia held.

The sacred relic.

An undeniable existence chosen by the sacred relic.

The Demon King and Olivia Lanze.

And one more person.

A person whose existence itself was legitimacy.

Someone who could stand against Olivia Lanze without losing, or even have a stronger legitimacy.

"Bring Ellen Artorius, immediately."

They needed Ellen Artorius.

—---

Temporary underground prison.

Guided by Shanafel's knights, Olivia was able to descend to the underground prison where Reinhardt was held.

As soon as she arrived, there was only one thing she felt.

'Escaping by force is impossible.'

The external forces were a problem, but the individuals within the underground prison surpassed even the boundaries of superhumans.

Grandmaster Saviolin Turner was present to prepare for any situation, along with numerous archmages and countless swordmasters.

Saviolin Turner, the person in charge, had been living here, not even taking shifts.

"… I wondered if there was trouble."

Seeing Olivia's stern expression, Saviolin Turner bit her lip.

"I have the prince's permission."

As if she had heard about the situation roughly, Turner narrowed her brow and stepped aside.

At last, Olivia could see Reinhardt, lying stretched out and bound in chains.

A gag had been fastened around his mouth, and his eyes were open.

With her fists clenched tightly, Olivia approached Reinhardt and knelt before him.

To Reinhardt, who had watched over her for so long, protected her, and now found himself in such a miserable state.

To her Demon King.

Olivia employed her holy power to heal the battered Reinhardt.

"Reinhardt..."

As she tended to Reinhardt, tears welled up in Olivia's eyes.

His unfocused gaze shifted, and at last, he looked directly at Olivia. Though his eyes were still cloudy, he recognized her.

"Sister... you're here..."

"..."

"I promise... I'll save you."

With these words, Olivia gently embraced Reinhardt's bound neck.

After a brief hug, Olivia reached for the gag in Reinhardt's mouth.

Woosh!

"Don't touch it. There's a reason it's there," Saviolin Turner warned, pointing her sword at Olivia's neck.

"If you want to kill me, go ahead."

If she couldn't even exchange words with Reinhardt in this wretched state, she would rather die.

Unfazed by Saviolin Turner's sword touching her throat, Olivia removed Reinhardt's gag.

Thud

Though Olivia had healed him, Reinhardt still appeared weak and listless, his eyes unfocused.

In the end, Saviolin Turner couldn't bring herself to strike Olivia down.

"Reinhardt, you've done nothing wrong, right? You... you're innocent. We'll convene a meeting of the Five Holy Orders and prove that you're not evil. So, please..."

"Sister..."

Reinhardt called out to Olivia in a hoarse, strained voice.

It was the first time he had addressed her in such a manner, so Olivia stared at him with wide eyes.

"Don't do it..."

"What?"

"Don't... do something like that..."

With great difficulty, Reinhardt raised his head and spoke quietly, his eyes still unfocused.

"Sister... you'll die..."

Those words.

Even in his current state, he was worried for Olivia and told her not to do anything dangerous.

"Don't die... after saving me... Don't waste it... doing something pointless..."

Those words.

"It's a waste... how can you... after saving me..."

"Sob..."

Hearing this, Olivia finally broke down in tears.

She couldn't bear to see Reinhardt, who, even in his near-death state, was more concerned for her than for himself.

"Do you really think... he’s evil?"

Tears streaming down her face, Olivia looked at Saviolin Turner, who still held her sword to her throat.

"Do you really think... Reinhardt is evil?"

"Even if he's the Demon King, how can someone who's worried for me in a situation like this be evil? There's no way... There's just no way..."

"Reinhardt must have had his reasons..."

"There must have been a reason for everything Reinhardt has done up until now. We might not know... We need to listen... at least once..."

"Why he did it."

"Why it had to be that way."

"We can at least listen, can't we?"

"Just because he's the Demon King, and just because he's suspicious, is it right to tie him up like an animal, even gagging him? Is this... right? Beyond the will of the gods... beyond all that..."

"It's just too cruel..."

As Olivia sobbed, the tip of Saviolin Turner's sword wavered.

Is the Demon King truly evil?

Even in this situation, there was a being who had once saved Olivia, now warning her that she might be in danger and telling her not to try to save him.

Could such a being truly be evil?

Could this, too, be a deception?

"Leaving aside doubt and circumstance, what harm has Reinhardt done? What has he done, really...?"

The Demon King's first attack was to rescue demon captives being sold as slaves.

The Demon King was capable of that.

The assault on the Holy Knights was to rescue the close acquaintance, Olivia Lanze.

Reinhardt was capable of that.

The final attack was a farce orchestrated by the Empire.

The Demon King had not carried that out.

Saviolin Turner had done it under the orders of the Empire.

The Demon King...

Was he evil?

Saviolin Turner sheathed her sword, biting her lip as she looked at the weeping Olivia Lanze and Reinhardt.

The truth of it all.

What was true and what was false, from beginning to end.

She, too, felt like she would go mad from wanting to know.

Everyone wanted to believe that Reinhardt was not a bad person.

But let's say the Demon King didn't hate humanity.

'Why?'

With only reasons to hate, why on earth wouldn't he?

People felt betrayed by the Demon King because they couldn't accept that part.

However.

"Please... listen to Reinhardt's words... just a little... please... trust him... trust Reinhardt..."

Only Olivia Lanze, with her unwavering trust and love for the Demon King.

Only Olivia Lanze, who had received crucial help from the Demon King several times.

In this situation, she sobbed pitifully, asking them to trust Reinhardt.