Chapter 50

[Translator Angel Dust]

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Chapter 50

Thank you for the kind response, Selena. Ill be leaving first.

Lavrenti stood up from his seat and greeted Selena.

Although she managed to stand up somewhat awkwardly, Selena was in a state where she didnt even know if she was returning the greeting properly, and after Lavrenti disappeared from her sight, she hesitated and sat back down.

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Because its not a relationship whatsoever.

Throbbing

It hurts. It feels suffocating, as if something is stuck inside. I want to scream out loud with all my might.

But I couldnt. I couldnt show any signs of pain. Because I have no right to. Regardless of the process and reasons, the conclusion remains the same.

I was the one who rejected Karl. He accepted it, and the fact that I cant go back to that time is also true. And because of that, when it comes down to it, my relationship with Karl is undoubtedly nothing.

Now, even if I want to go back and change things, would it happen as I wish? Its greed. No, beyond greed, its rude behavior.

Its behavior that doesnt consider the other person. Its more selfish than ending things and trying to negotiate a new start.

Sigh.

Regretful. The feeling rushes in like a flood, making me feel suffocated. Its a feeling of being unable to undo anything.

Most of all, whats unbearable is that even though I know its futile, I cant erase my feelings for Karl.

I keep wanting to do better. Despite knowing its selfish, I still do. Despite knowing its futile, I still do. Despite knowing we have no relationship, I keep trying to create one

Selena?

Karl.

What are you doing?

Karl, sitting opposite me. Selena, who had been staring blankly at him, sighed with a puzzled expression.

What, whats up? Werent you supposed to go to the Imperial palace?!

I went, took care of everything, and came back.

To take care of what.

I met with His Highness the Crown Prince and had a casual conversation.

.

Thats not something you casually talk about! His Highness the Crown Prince! His Highness the Crown Prince!!

The future emperor of ours! You know that, Karl?!

I felt my common sense crumbling. Looking at it this way, Karl felt more and more like someone from another world, even though hes a person of this world.

Do you want to know what happened?

Im curious. Not about what the Crown Prince said, but about what happened to Karl.

I want to hear that story. I want to have more conversations, laugh more, and support each other more. If he has any concerns, I want to listen carefully and give advice.

Laugh, chat, and then suddenly smile for no reason at all. I found myself wanting to do things with Karl that no one else had done before.

No. Its okay.

But I shook my head. I wasnt confident. Could I really approach him as if nothing had happened?

Is it possible to act selfishly and self-centeredly after pushing him away first?

I thought I could do it someday. But no, I couldnt. It seems impossible.

Today, I realized it. Despite being colleagues, or even friends, Karl and I are not more than that.

Yeah. Regardless of Lavrentis words, me and Karl were nothing. And couldnt be

Dont say that. Tell me. Selena.

Huh?

You should ask. So I can ask Lavrenti what happened earlier.

Huh? What?

What, you know I met with Lavrenti?

Selena was taken aback.

I thought he just arrived, but since when had he been watching?

* * *

Curious. Dying of curiosity. Why was Selena meeting Lavrenti?

I was wondering, but those four were teasing me.

Hehehe! Work hard, Karl!

Amen! You have to work hard. When there are two beauties like that.

Hey, you never know. There might be more.

Is this polygamy?

Starting with Shulifen, then Wilhelm, Alexander, and finally Joachim.

Four of them spoke with ominous smiles, making me feel uneasy.

And adding to that, the fact that Selena and Lavrenti were meeting made it even worse!

I want to ask about the situation. But I cant get a straightforward answer by just asking.

So Ill make the first move. Hey, Selena!

What happened with His Highness the Crown Prince?

Hes going to award me another Medal of Honor.

Selena nodded at my answer. For about, lets say, 3 seconds.

And then she sighed, saying Oh, I see. Then immediately after, she started spouting gibberish.

Wait, wait a minute?! A medal?! Another Medal of Honor?!

Yeah. He said hell give me another one. He said hell come to the academy himself.

What! Unbelievable!

Sure, receiving another award doesnt make sense. Honestly, even I wonder if its okay.

Surely, if you look through the history of the empire, there are people who have accomplished far greater deeds than me. Those people received only one Medal of Honor.

Yet here I am, just a guy like me, receiving another award.

Its so embarrassing that I feel sorry for those people. While others say Im impressive enough

Well, I dont really know.

So, does that make Karl the only person to receive two Medal of Honors?

Probably. But lets leave out the only. Someone else might get one someday, right?

That time, Her Highness the First Princess came

His Highness the Crown Prince will come.

Cough!

His Majesty the Emperor showed interest, but I managed to stop it.

Cough! Cough!

Even though she hadnt eaten or drunk anything, Selena coughed as if she had choked on something.

Wondering if theres any water, I reflexively checked my waist. Looking for a water pouch. Seriously.

Cough! Clunk! So, does that mean His Highness the Crown Prince is coming to the academy?

Probably. His Highness the Crown Prince seemed a bit solemn at first, but when we had a conversation, he turned out to be quite playful. He has both serious and carefree sides.

It would have been nice if our platoon leader had some prince-like qualities.

Anyway, thats all for my story. Now its Selenas turn.

My turn

Why did Rav suddenly come here? The person who said she was going to see her family, why was she with Selena?

Even to my question, Selena remained silent for a while. Just fidgeting with her fingers.

I considered urging her, but I didnt really want to. And I felt like I shouldnt rush it.

So, instead, with a smile on my lips, I waited for Selenas response in a relaxed manner.

Karl.

Me?

What do you think about that person, Rav? Whats your relationship with Lavrenti?

What?

Such a sudden, completely unexpected question popped out.

I wanted an answer about what happened, so why did such a question come up?

Whats with the sudden question, Selena?

Just as the question goes. Karl. What do you think about Lavrenti?

Its such a sudden question that Im not sure how to respond, but

Well, since she asked, I should answer. And perhaps my answer is somewhat connected to the answer Selena will give.

Comrade, perhaps?

Comrade.

Yes, comrade.

Is that all?

What else is there? Oh, right. I forgot.

Rav calls me her master, but To be honest, I only gave her a few words of advice, and thats it. I think the title of master is too much. Rav managed everything on her own.

Selena continued to look at me. As if asking if there was anything else left to say.

Thats all, Selena.

Really Is that the end? Comrade, and regardless, youve taught each other something.

Yes. Thats it, isnt it? No matter how much I wish there was more, the only time I ever saw her face to face was for a few days at the front, and then I didnt see her again until now.

I see.

Continuously nodding her head, Selena threw another question.

Then, can I ask one more thing?

What is it?

What Whats our relationship?

To that question, I almost reflexively responded.

Friends?

Yes. Friends. Friends and colleagues. Of course, there was a little embarrassing incident in the past, but now were able to laugh it off and move on, like good friends.

Friends.

Yes. Friends.

Im a friend. Rav is a comrade. Both are similar. So, who is closer to Karl, me or Rav?

Selena.

Me?

Yes.

Of course. As I said, Ive only seen Rav for a few days. And we met again this time.

In contrast, Ive seen Selena before I took a leave of absence, and even after I returned to school, for a few months. Naturally, from my perspective, Selena would feel closer than Rav.

Thank goodness

I think I heard Selena muttering something to herself.

Its possible We might not have any relationship

Selena? What are you talking about? Saying we dont have any relationship.

Huh?! Y-You heard that?!

A little bit? So, when are you going to answer? Why was Rav with you?

That? W-Well

Finally, Selena began to reveal the answer I wanted to hear.

So She came to ask about the reason why you and I became closer?

Um, yeah.

And the answer?

Well I just said it was thanks to academy life.

Nodding slightly as I mulled over Selenas response. It makes sense.

Without the academy, there would have been no way for Selena and I to become close again.

[Translator Angel Dust]

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Chapter end