Interlude: Heinkel's Chaos Begins
—Time returns to the day after Reinhild disappeared from existence—
"Ugh~~~"
The man woke up, pressing his hand to his forehead as he groaned in pain. Instinctively, he reached out with his right hand for some water—but this time, he grasped nothing.
"…"
The man muttered his still-sleeping wife's name under his breath. His expression darkened slightly as he picked up a nearby bottle of liquor and drained the remaining contents in one gulp. Staggering, he tried to stand.
After a few steps, the man stumbled, then looked around at the messy floor. For some reason, a trace of irritation rose in his heart, as though someone should usually be cleaning his room for him.
"Am I still drunk? Louanna has been asleep for over ten years. How could someone come to clean my room? Better get some hangover soup."
The man let out a bitter smile. Looking at the chaotic room, he paused, then hesitated before bending down and tossing the empty bottles into the trash.
"Good morning, Lord Heinkel!" "Lord Heinkel! Thank you for your hard work!"
People greeted him respectfully along the way, their eyes showing hurried admiration.
It was natural, after all—he was the eldest son of the Astrea family, the vice-captain of the Kingdom's elite royal guard. Being treated this way should be normal. But—
"Lord Heinkel! I truly thank you for what happened last time."
Heinkel looked at the man bowing with gratitude before him, a man whose name he could not remember no matter how he tried. He could not recall what he had done.
—No, it wasn't just him.
Heinkel glanced at the people around him, secretly observing him.
—Am I really someone worthy of respect?
He could smell the stench of alcohol on himself. Looking into the glass beside him, the reflection staring back was of a disheveled, scruffy middle-aged man.
—Yes, this is the real me.
"Are you alright, Lord Heinkel? You look unwell. Take care of yourself." "Yes, I should take a rest."
.
.
.
"Is this… me?"
Back in his room, Heinkel stared at the documents in his hands.
Memories from his childhood suddenly surfaced. He remembered how everyone had high expectations of him, anticipating that the son of a Sword Demon and Sword Saint could surpass both to become the strongest Sword Saint.
Because he had loved wielding a sword more than anyone else, because he had admired his heroic parents more than anyone else, Heinkel had worked harder than anyone. Yet, he had eventually recognized the weakness of his own talent.
—No Dragon Sword, no Sword Saint's blessing.
"I'm not that kind of hero, am I? I'm just an ordinary mortal, right?"
Heinkel couldn't affirm the statement with certainty—not because he lacked the courage to admit his weakness.
"But why… I did actually do something? No… maybe I didn't?"
He looked at the records of his achievements. He clearly remembered taking on dangerous monster-hunting contracts from employees who spoke to him with disdain, tossing the completed contracts onto the table with annoyance, and casually taking the rewards.
"If the stakes are life and death, maybe there's a chance, but how could I have possibly completed so many at once!"
Heinkel sighed as he scanned the densely-packed list of completed contracts. Compelled by some strange force, he picked up his sword and swung it a few times.
"This is worse than when Louanna was around!"
Heinkel muttered under his breath, then frowned, trying to recall the details of completing each contract.
!!!
Heinkel was astonished to discover countless vague memories in his mind, interspersed with large gaps.
Any normal person would panic, realizing their memories were faulty. Yet every time the blank ended, he found himself waking among empty bottles. He dismissed it as blacking out from drinking.
"Drinking really causes trouble!"
Looking at the dense list of his deeds that had seemingly no effect, Heinkel hesitated, then sighed helplessly.
—I guess I have no choice but to ask him.
Heinkel thought of his senior brother, now Commander Marcos. If anyone had the ability to deal with so many monsters and secretly arrange the achievements under Heinkel's name, Marcos was the prime suspect.
Heinkel stood up, but noticing his filthy clothes, he paused.
—Better to tidy up first.
He took off his alcohol-stinking clothes and went into the bathroom.
Heinkel lingered in front of the knight commander's office. For some reason, he didn't want to see Marcos. The feeling was a mixture of jealousy and guilt.
—Why am I feeling guilty? Because I dragged Marcos forcibly back to the Knights?
Heinkel was confused. He remembered asking Marcos to return to the Knights, and also remembered feeling guilty when Marcos announced his return—but the process in between was utterly baffling.
"Heinkel, long time no see. Is there something you need?"
A deep, steady voice behind him interrupted his thoughts. Heinkel turned to see Marcos, instinctively feeling fear.
"Come in. I happen to have something to discuss with you too."
Marcos said while opening the office door.
"I don't want to waste your time, Lord Marcos, so I'll ask directly: was it you behind these missions?"
Heinkel placed the documents in his hand onto the desk in front of Marcos.
"Do you think it's possible?"
Heinkel carefully observed Marcos's expression, then sighed helplessly.
"I suppose not. With your personality, it's impossible. But do you really think I could have completed these tasks? Didn't you say my sword is just a mortal's sword?"
"Indeed, but after Lord Wilhelm left, you demonstrated potential unknown to others. You've upheld the vast Astrea family. With their help, it's not impossible."
"Astrea family? You mean Otto and the others?"
Heinkel gradually frowned.
"Alright, let's get down to business. You also become a knight dedicated to one of the candidate of the Royal Selection. I've already prepared the documents for you."
Heinkel stared at the documents in front of him in confusion, suddenly recalling that the Astrea family seemed to be supporting Felt.
—Why am I supporting Felt?
Heinkel felt dizzy, but soon remembered that he apparently wanted to use Dragon God's blood to save Louanna. Originally, he intended to support Priscilla, who had the highest chance of success and didn't worship the Dragon God.
Well… Felt wasn't bad either. She was easy to manage and had no fondness for the Dragon God.
"Looks like I should go back for a visit."