Editing Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 5 Chapter 3 (section)

===Part 11===
 
The heavy atmosphere wasn't caused by superficial words, but the weight of the truth.  
 
Zechs put everything out in the open about the truth of the tragedy five years ago. Listy heard all his words, however she still was able to completely accept the hard truths right away. There were still things she needed to hear by all means. Therefore, a little doubtful it took a few moments for her to get the first question out.
 
"...... How come you never told me?"
 
"Well, that was because of Akatsuki...... you should be able to understand, right?"
 
Like a sigh, Zechs said his name,
 
"That guy didn't seem to want to tell you...... and asked us not to."
 
To prevent the cruel truth from ever hurting Listy.  
 
"For my sake? He said that, right?"
 
Listy stared into Zechs's eyes. She was frankly grateful to Akatsuki and Zechs for their consideration. But still in these five years -- there was probably an opportunity to tell her truth before now.
 
At first Akatsuki went to seek help from Zechs, then the both of them went to find Loutier, and then the three consulted with Listy's father. A natural progression seeing as he was the former King of Sherfied. At least Listy thought so. Unfortunately the possibility of her learning the truth before now was virtually zero.
 
For the country, but also for Listy's sake her father probably choose to conceal the truth. Maybe even imposed a gag on Zechs and Loutier.
 
But five years ago -- father the King, and the rest of the royal family were murdered. Even if there wasn't a formal coronation ceremony, Listy had become the next leader of Sherfied.
 
"As the Queen of this country, I should of been informed about this national tragedy...... as well as the right to know about father's death."
 
"Yes...... You're right."
 
Zechs nodded,
 
"However -- Akatsuki also has his rights."
 
"Akatsuki's rights?"
 
Listy couldn't help but ask. Zechs nodded "Uh huh", and answered.
 
"Yes, Akatsuki also had the right to do it for your sake!"
 
And at last Listy El Da Sherfied heard the final truth.
 
"In fact...... Lulu and I wanted to report the truth about Leon to you."
 
Zechs sighed,
 
"We at that time were a knight and a officer of this country, and there was an obligated to report this critical information which could influence the country to you, the princess...... And we absolutely thought it wasn't fair for Akatsuki to suffer through all those public incrimination for causing the Hero's death."
 
"In that case...... then why?"
 
"Because Akatsuki begged us with all he had not to say a word to you."
 
That day five years ago, Listy was forced to abandon the capital city of Erudia, exiled to a foreign country to live on as the last member of the royal family of Sherfied. It could be said her life was thrust to the depths of despair, however she was not lost in self-pity, because in Listy was the responsibility of a Princess.
 
What was still left in her spirit was the need to move towards retaking the capital city of Erudia.
 
"At that point in time, there was no guarantee that telling you the truth wouldn't have cause your mental state to collapsed entirely."
 
And it was also the same for the people of Sherfied. Almost all of their royal family was killed overnight, their castle and their capital falling to the demons were already a big enough blow to them. Moreover, if they knew it was all an act of the Hero that they all believed in. The country of Sherfied would of fell to ruin.
 
So Akatsuki said to Zechs. When all was said and done I am one person, an outsider compared to Listy and the other surviving people of Sherfied. Who should be given priority was obvious.
 
Thus Akatsuki chose to conceal the truth deep inside himself, and repeated the same words over and over.
 
Leon died -- to protect him.
 
As a result, it was decided that Leon died to save Akatsuki from Demon King Galious. With the honor of Hero Leon intact, and the hope of regaining the capital in her heart -- Listy was barely able to keep her sanity.
 
However, in exchange for hiding the truth Akatsuki sacrificed his reputation.
 
"At that time Lulu and I's reaction was just like yours now, and not entirely convinced. I even told that guy to his face...... he was in the wrong."
 
Zechs paused.
 
"Then that guy said "Still...... I do not want to see anymore of her tears," and smiled with his face in tatters. He bared with the infamy and its hardship without saying one word of complaint. Listy, how could we have told you?"
 
"......Zechs."
 
The red-headed general's voice trembled, Listy didn't have any words either. She finally understood that Zechs and the others chose to remain silent after a very serious struggle. More than anything else was -- the tragic determination of Akatsuki's deeply moved her. And,
 
"In order to stop a woman's tears, even at the expense of hell -- That guy's aesthetics were born at that time."
 
What Zechs really spoke of was the beginning of the hagure aesthetics of Ousawa Akatsuki. Even if the world casts him aside as long as it can reduce the sorrow of the woman a little he wouldn't mind a bit. If it was essential to hide the cruel truth, then what harm was there in telling a lie. So,
 
"The first time Akatsuki fought for Sherfied...... was not when he freed the capital."
 
In the same manner Zechs reported the truth about Leon.
 
Which was to slowly reveal the -- unknown truth about Ousawa Akatsuki.
 
 
 
"That day five years ago, that guy alone protected you and this country."

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