In the end, it took quite some time to dissuade Liana, who insisted on taking me home. Fortunately, after the others had spent a while convincing her that it seemed alright, Liana finally let me go with a reluctant expression.

There was talk about whether I should report to the guards, but I had to dodge the issue, sweating bullets, saying it wasn't a big deal.

It was only after I had wiped off all my makeup and changed my clothes outside the temple that I returned to the dormitory.

I left the dress in the basement of Eleris.

It was an expensive dress, so I figured it was better to recycle it rather than throw it away.

Of course, I threw away the trophy.

There is an expression in martial arts.

Essence of the Origin.

In essence, it's a concept similar to the fundamental life energy of humans – a sort of emergency battery that, when used, could lead to death.

I felt so drained that it was as if I had used such a thing.

Having wandered around all day, they probably didn't see me at the dormitory. Of course, I wasn't the only one who had been roaming around.

Naturally, I returned quite late, and I could see the others who had been in entirely different appearances today.

"Hey, what were you doing all day?"

For example, Liana de Grantz, who had confidently said her sister would take her.

"I was wandering around because of the festival."

"Alone?"

"Sometimes you just want to be alone."

Unnecessarily, strength surged into my shoulders.

They might try to find a connection between the me they just saw and the me now. Honestly, I would think it was only natural not to recognize me when looking in the mirror.

In reality, they couldn't recognize me at all.

But facing them as Reinhardt now made my heart race with unease.

You?

Yeah.

Oh...

You were the one, weren't you?

I tried to act normal, but cold sweat ran down my spine, worried that they might say something like that.

Liana chuckled and draped her arm around my shoulder.

"Didn't you see the cross-dressing contest?"

"...Why would I go there?"

In truth...

I did...

Not only did I attend, but I was also a participant and even the winner...

It was even more surprising that they didn't recognize me at all...

"Oh, you missed a good show. You should've seen that person."

Liana laughed and went into her room.

I did run into the three, no, four useless brothers, but there was no reaction from them.

However...

"...?"

"...Why?"

"Huh? No, nothing."

Kono Lint did have a somewhat strange reaction.

But in the end, even he didn't seem to have noticed.

It was only natural.

I had returned as Reinhardt, not just with the makeup removed, but also with my original height, body shape, and facial structure restored.

It would be weirder if they recognized me!

That's how it must be, right...?

Southern outskirts of the Empire.

A considerable number of people had gathered on the grounds of an abandoned monastery that occupied a large area. It was impossible to identify the people by their attire alone, but in the center of the place where the bonfire burned, someone was seated on an old wooden chair.

The Man Seated in the Chair

The former Holy Temple Knight Commander, Riverrier Lanze, gazed at the female student in temple robes standing before him.

Her name was Lydia Schmitt.

A finalist in the Unrestricted Tournament and a 6th-year student of the Temple Royal Class.historical

"It doesn't seem like a good idea."

"...I believe it's worth a try. Bolton agreed to take necessary action if the situation unfolds as predicted."

"Eleion Bolton?"

"Yes."

"Well, he'd have no reason not to welcome Olivia's return."

Lydia Schmitt's expression was resolute, as if she had made up her mind.

"But if things don't go as you expect, we'll proceed with the original plan, Lydia."

"Yes, Commander."

Despite the current Holy Knight Commander being Eleion Bolton, the female student addressed Riverrier Lanze as 'Commander.'

Everyone present unhesitatingly called the former commander, Riverrier Lanze, by that title. Lydia Schmitt, having completed her mission, turned to leave but then faced the commander again.

"Commander."

"...Is there something else you want to say?"

Unable to hide her regret, Lydia looked at a spot somewhere within the monastery.

"Does it have to be... that child? That child, too, is ultimately... a loyal believer under God's care..."

"Enough."

Riverrier Lanze cut her off, seemingly unwilling to hear more.

"I'm not unaware that Reinhardt is more suited for this role."

The mention of Reinhardt caused a flash of strange emotion in the female student's eyes. Twisted hatred and anger swirled within them.

"But Reinhardt is a Temple Royal Class student like you, and even a classmate of the Crown Prince and Princess. You know that he's not someone we can touch carelessly."

"..."

"Of course, if circumstances demand, we might have to involve him, but for now, this is the best course of action. Besides, we haven't decided to sacrifice that child for certain. Depending on the situation, no one may get hurt."

"...Yes, Commander."

Lydia Schmitt left the abandoned monastery after finishing her words.

The man beside Riverrier Lanze spoke cautiously.

"Do you think things will go as that child expects?"

"Not at all."

Riverrier Lanze shook his head with a stern expression.

"Her idea is bold, but... things won't go as she expects."

"Is that so?"

"I'm uneasy. I know she's talented, but..."

Riverrier Lanze clicked his tongue as he looked in the direction where the female student had disappeared.

"I can only hope she doesn't do anything foolish."

"I apologize. I thought she could be of help to us, so I brought her to the Nameless Monastery."

The man who had brought Lydia Schmitt to the Nameless Monastery bowed his head to Riverrier Lanze.

However, what had happened had happened.

Lydia Schmitt's usefulness wasn't limited to just this one occasion. She was soon to graduate from the Temple, and her enlistment in the Temple Holy Knights was planned.

"From now on, be more selective in choosing who to bring in."

"Yes, Commander."

Whether she liked it or not, Lydia Schmitt was a valuable asset to the group.

"How is Adriana?"

"... She's keeping a low profile."

"I see."

Riverrier Lanze nodded and instructed the man beside him.

"For now, just keep an eye on the situation. Monitor Lydia Schmitt's plan as it unfolds, and if things don't go as expected, send a letter to Olivia. If we mention we have Adriana, she'll understand."

With Adriana in their possession, luring Olivia out of the temple would be an easy task.

The real challenge would come after that.

Riverrier Lanze stared intently at the flickering flames.

Only Olivia Lanze could restore the honor of the fallen former commander of the Holy Knights.

That would be their starting point.

From there, Riverrier Lanze intended to write the history of the sacred land that would last a thousand years.

Sitting on a hard wooden bed, Adriana gazed at the pale moonlight filtering through a small hole.

Her room contained nothing but the wooden bed, and two knights stood guard outside.

"..."

Adriana buried her face between her knees.

The nameless monastery.

Led here by Riverrier Lanze, Adriana lived under the watchful eye of the knights belonging to the monastery.

She had initially thought that Riverrier Lanze sought revenge against her.

However, her value didn't come from that.

'In a few days, Olivia will come here.'

'You just need to explain the situation to Olivia and persuade her to change her mind.'

That was all Riverrier Lanze had said.

What situation was he referring to, and what exactly did he expect her to persuade Olivia to do?

The talk was about convincing the faithless Olivia to regain her faith, but Adriana couldn't understand why she had to do that.

All she knew was one thing.

She was merely bait to lure Olivia.

Riverrier Lanze wanted to change Olivia's mind. Even if he failed to do so, he sought to regain his authority and honor by making her retract her statement as the royal daughter.

Adriana was nothing more than bait for that purpose.

She had refused.

Olivia had made her own choice, and she didn't understand why she had to forcibly reverse it.

Since then, Adriana had been imprisoned like this.

The nameless monastery.

She knew that they intended to create a new division among humanity after the Demon War had ended.

She had once been disappointed in those who had faith. She believed it was the fault of the believers, not the gods.

But still,

If the faithful were doing so much wrong, shouldn't the gods warn their followers?

Olivia would soon come to this place. Knowing she was held hostage, Olivia would have no choice but to come.

That was just the kind of person she was.

Although she was in despair from being held hostage, there was nothing Adriana could do.

In the Temple in the north, a festival was underway.

Meanwhile, in a ruin to the south, Adriana crouched, silently resenting the gods.

Thursday, breakfast time.

Kono Lint was having breakfast. Word had spread throughout Class A that Kono Lint had participated in a cross-dressing contest.

However, the only one who was taken aback by this news was Cliffman.

"Are you feeling okay today, Harriet? How's your condition?"

"Great, I'm fine."

Ellen showed no interest, and Adelia and Harriet were busy discussing something between themselves.

Kono Lint expected Reinhardt, who had also not attended the event, to at least make some comment, but all Reinhardt said was, "Uh.. why did you go to such a thing?"

It was surprising.

Kono Lint had expected him to be shocked or disgusted, or to criticize him.

That's why Kono Lint couldn't help but be conscious of Reinhardt's reaction. Although Reinhardt wasn't the type to provoke first, he could be spiteful.

Kono Lint had a strange feeling when he encountered Reinhardt the night before.

It was difficult to describe in words, but it was something peculiar.

A subtle feeling that was hard to grasp, yet seemed familiar, but couldn't quite be understood.

Such a subtle sensation.

Although it was the festival period, the morning scene wasn't much different.

With the exception of Bertus, who seemed busy with his own matters, everyone was in their usual seats.

Such a typical breakfast time.

Kono Lint cautiously observed Reinhardt's reactions. Observing meant looking at him.

Looking at him meant watching Reinhardt closely.

And Kono Lint saw Reinhardt's hand, as he ate next to Ellen not far away.

That hand.

The nails.

Their shape.

They looked as if they had been bitten and torn apart.

"..!"

Upon seeing those nails, Kono Lint felt an electrifying sensation throughout his body, an intuition almost like a revelation.

The uneasy number 40.

The nail-biting number 40.

The number 40 who asked if he could teleport himself.

The number 40 who obediently offered his hand when asked.

The ruined nails.

The bitten and torn nails.

"Ah."

"?"

"?"

Kono Lint muttered involuntarily and met the questioning gazes of Erich and Cayer.

It couldn't be.

That person from yesterday, the silver-haired angelic figure.

It was difficult to describe, but that person.

That someone and.

Just because Reinhardt's bitten nails looked similar.

It was the silver-haired, golden-eyed number 40.

Reinhardt's eyes were blue.

However, that could be changed by wearing lenses.

"Ah."

"..What's up?"

"Why are you acting like that?"

Kono Lint knew his thoughts were utterly implausible.

"Aren't you participating in the Unrestricted-class tournament today?"

"Yeah."

"..Will you be okay?"

"Whatever, I'll manage somehow. But aren't you participating as well? You won the first-year tournament."

"No, I decided not to. Lucky for you."

"What?! You think you'd lose to me?"

"Heh, where on earth do you get the idea that you'd win?"

"You, just wait and see!"

Their voices are strikingly different.

Compared to the gentle and warm voice of the mysterious person from yesterday, Reinhardt's voice sounds needlessly harsh, doesn't it?

It's natural for people to have qualitative differences.

The gentle and kind number 40 and Reinhardt have a gap as wide as that between an angel and a demon.

Kono Lint tried to suppress the unpleasant imagination that welled up in his head.

But still.

Aren't there some similarities? If you put a silver wig on that face, golden eyes, a slightly shorter height, and a slender figure, then that's...

Isn't that right?

"Ah."

"Hey, what's wrong with you?"

"Are you feeling sick?"

In the end, Kono Lint let out three sighs in a row, attracting the attention of his friends who had been quietly eating their meals nearby.