"tsskk... If only absorbing the essence of humans wasn’t seen as cannibalism."

Charles Abraham stood surrounded by the corpses of the fallen enemies.

All he saw was wasted potential.

He knew that it was still possible to make progress through his grade without absorbing essences. In fact, he could already feel that he was more than halfway through the Adept Rank already.

However, absorbing essences was one of the most efficient ways to learn techniques and spells.

Other methods consisted of reading certain books and being taught by someone with the same, or a similar, class as yourself.

Charles let out a deep sigh. Then, he heard footsteps approaching him. Many of them.

"How did you do it?"

He turned around to see Prince Cain high up on a white horse. His blonde hair and cape blew in the wind, making him look even more royal.

Behind him were five other cavalry knights, two of whom were Ruth and Mary, who also seemed to want to know the answer to the question.

Charles shrugged.

"I told you. If you put me on the front lines, we will win this battle."

All it will cost me is a lot of energy and mana.

Even speaking was hard now that the adrenaline had worn off. All he wanted to do was return to his camp and sleep.

"I’m aware, but what happened out there... it wasn’t natural. The horses threw their riders from their backs like they suddenly hated them. You aren’t any sort of magician, so it couldn’t have been a spell. So I wondered whether it was some sort of knight’s intimidation technique," Prince Cain said.

Charles thought that was a good excuse at first, so he was about to agree with it.

Then the Prince continued.

"But then, when the enemy started removing their armour, I knew that it could not be that. Is it some sort of ancient spell or technique that you have managed to acquire, one that must be far above the Adept Rank? If so, then how are you using it without any major mutations?"

All the questions were on the right track. It was clear to everyone that Charles was not just a regular Adept Rank.

Unfortunately, this was a secret that they could never learn the answer to, no matter what.

Learning such a truth would make them aware of the fact that this world was created by the very woman whom they believed to be their nation’s princess.

Charles smiled and chuckled quietly. Then, he shrugged his shoulders.

"Who says I have anything to do with those phenomena? I’m just a good fighter, and a guy who’s studied the arts of war. Let’s just be grateful that we managed to come out on top. Now, we prepare for tomorrow."

Without listening to another word, Charles walked away and started making his way back towards his tent.

The Prince and his knights stared at his back as he walked away, wondering just what sort of man they had brought onto the battlefield.

...

In the tent...

"You’re back!"

When Charles returned, Charlotte leapt from her bed with what seemed to be joy.

She had been reading through her journal but immediately put it to the side.

For a moment, it looked like she wanted to hug him but stopped herself from doing so.

Charles scratched his head and smiled.

"It’s almost like you thought I was going to die. Did you forget how powerful you made me?"

Charlotte relaxed slightly. Afterwards, she made her way over to the table on the far side of the tent.

"Even with the Editor Class, you’re not invincible, Charles. If you make one mistake, you risk losing all of your mana... Here, drink this."

She retrieved a cup of steaming red liquid and handed it to Charles. It smelled delicious.

"What is this?" he said before taking a sip.

The warmth of the liquid spread through his body and made him feel like a new man.

"It’s a tea I made. It has all the nutrients you need and will also fill your stomach. I figured it was better than the army meals they were going to give you," Charlotte explained.

Charles’ mind flashed back to the sights he had seen while walking back to camp.

There was a pot roasting over a fire that gave off a putrid smell.

Suddenly, his gratitude towards Charlotte grew even stronger.

A great wife...

Charles wasted no time downing the tea, and it did exactly as she said.

His stomach felt full, and it also tasted great.

However, he was still extremely tired, and his mana reserves were low.

Charlotte had already returned to sit down on the makeshift bed, which was just a mattress placed atop a bunch of crates.

Only then did Charles realise something.

There was only one bed in the tent.

...

I can’t sleep here, can I?

I guess I could sleep on the floor. I mean, we already shared a room together before, but that was when we had no other choice.

Now, there are thousands of tents in the camp. What reason do I have to stay here?

To look after her? She’s clearly fine at the moment.

"I want to ask about the battle, but I’m sure you’re tired and just want to sleep."

Charlotte’s words brought Charles out of his train of thought.

"Huh... yeah, I’m exhausted. I’ll head over to—"

"This bed isn’t as soft as the one I made on the top floor of Elurion Tower, but it should be good enough."

Charlotte scooted over and patted the bed.

At first, Charles stared at her, confused.

Then, he realised what she was doing.

She was asking him to join her.

A bead of sweat began to trickle down his forehead. For some reason, despite everything they had been through, this was the most difficult moment yet.

Not because he didn’t want to. If anything, there was nothing he wanted more.

It was just that he realised this was the first time he had ever shared a bed with a woman.