Chapter 13: Silence! Feel the Power of a True Gentleman!

After bidding farewell to my new friends, I headed back to persuade Helle to help me stage a little act. This farce had dragged on for over a decade—it was time to end it. Though I couldn’t reveal the full truth, having Helle pose as the "Redhaired Witch" to ease their fears was still possible. There was no other way. Monaluna’s carefully crafted image as a well-behaved goddess had sunk deep into everyone’s hearts. Even if I spilled the truth now, no one would believe me!

Poor Helle. Not only had she shouldered the blame for her young mistress for nearly ten years, but now she’d have to sign a non-aggression pact with those clueless boys as the "Redhaired Witch." Just thinking about it made my chest tighten. Ugh! The more I dwelled on it, the more I regretted my plan. If Helle refused, I’d be utterly humiliated.

Lost in thought, I’d already reached the manor gates. Helle was watering flowers in the courtyard. She’d rolled up her maid sleeves for the work, revealing snow-pale slender arms that gleamed under the sunlight. Strands of hair, damp with sweat, were tucked behind her ears. Her delicate face flushed pink—a truly captivating sight.

"Klath, you’re back!" Helle spotted me, set down her watering can, and waved. Or was it my imagination? She always seemed livelier when we were alone.

"Mm. Just wandered around and met some good friends." I opened the gate and stepped into the yard. "Working hard? Tired?"

"Exhausted! My arms won’t even lift!" Helle instantly feigned weakness. "If only someone would help me..."

"Uh... Helle, stop joking. I need to discuss something serious."

"Tch~ You laze about all day, but the moment chores come up, you suddenly have ‘important business’?" She pouted. Was she being *too* lively now? Give me back my stoic little maid!

"Alright, alright. After this is settled, I’ll help with housework every single day." I gently turned her away from me and flicked her nose. "Happy now?"

"W-What? I’m not happy at all!" Her face flushed crimson as she fought back a smile. She looked unbearably cute.

"I actually need a favor, Helle."

"Fine. I’ll *grudgingly* listen... since you’re doing chores for me."

"It’s about those boys in town..."

The moment the words left my lips, Helle’s smile vanished. Understandable. Being falsely accused for over a decade would scar anyone. Every time she walked the streets, peers scattered like she was a ghost. Even adults grew stiff around her. Both sides were victims here—victims of Monaluna’s reckless whims.

"I know you’ve suffered terribly, Helle. I know you didn’t do any of it. But this needs closure, doesn’t it?" I placed my hands on her shoulders. "Because of Monaluna, I can’t fully clear your name. But I’ve already spoken to them. At the very least, we can erase their fear of you. Then you won’t have to avoid each other anymore. You can live peacefully... like any normal girl should."

"But... but they—" Tears welled in Helle’s eyes. That pitiful look tugged at my heartstrings. She’d buried her pain deep, silent all these years.

"Don’t cry, don’t cry! Look what I’ve got!" I hurriedly pulled out my trump card—thankfully prepared.

I held out my empty right palm. Helle blinked at it, then at me. "It’s empty?"

"Heh. *Really* empty?" I reached behind her ear. "*Come to my hand!*"

When my palm reappeared before her, a small silver box now rested there. I opened it to reveal two exquisite earrings. Tiny rare Life Magic crystals formed the studs, while slightly larger elemental crystals—blue for water, cyan for wind—dangled beneath.

Girls loved shiny things. Helle’s eyes locked onto them instantly. I breathed a silent sigh of relief. This might just work.

"These... are they for me? Your hand was empty! How did you pull this from behind my ear? Is it Spatial Magic?"

"Heh. Not Spatial Magic—I don’t have a Spatial Ring. It’s a *magic trick*. If you like it, I’ll show you more later." I’d practiced close-up magic for half a month before my last company event. Too bad it was only for small gatherings. But fooling people in *this* world? No problem.

"They’re beautiful! A gift for me?"

"A *reward*! For the brave little Helle who faces life head-on!"

"*Sniffle*..." Helle’s expression warred with itself.

I’ll admit—bribing an innocent girl with jewelry was shameless. But this was for everyone’s sake. Better to end this misunderstanding than let it fester. The boys would escape the shadow of their imagined demoness. Helle wouldn’t have to endure fearful glances on the streets. Besides... these earrings—"Youthful Radiance"—were meant for her anyway. A thank-you gift.

Like the "Monluna’s Roar" series, they were byproducts from days ago. More precisely, byproducts of my "Elemental Sniper" ability. The Old Mage once told me: engraving micro-runes was nearly impossible. The stronger a Runemaster’s spirit, the finer their runes—but those with strong spirits became mages instead, wasting no talent on a dead-end craft like rune engraving. Even if someone *could* manage it, carving runes for *three* elemental crystals onto earrings? Nearly unthinkable.

But my "Elemental Sniper" shattered those limits. Pinpoint elemental control and razor-sharp separation let me carve micro-runes with ease: "Dewdrop Glyphs" to preserve moisture, "Zephyr Dust-Repellent Runes," and the "Ode to Life" rune on the Life Element crystal—a legendary Rune Engraving Tool for preserving youthful beauty.

"O-Okay... I’ll go meet them." Helle finally surrendered to her nature. "Not for the jewelry! I’m saving those idiots!"

She declared it bravely, eyes still glued to the "Youthful Radiance." *Snap!* I shut the box. "Then let’s go!"

The moment the lid closed, Helle’s shoulders slumped. She unrolled her sleeves, smoothed her uniform, and tucked stray hairs back. The cold-faced maid had returned.

*******************************************************************************

I led Helle to the southeastern hillside, stopping before the abandoned warehouse dubbed the "Anti-Redhaired Witch Violence & Crescent Town Monaluna Salvation United Front Headquarters."

"What a ridiculous name! Who founded this bizarre association? Their president must be an idiot."

"*Ahem*... *heh heh heh heh heh*..." I forced a dry chuckle. Yep. Blame was heavy to carry.

"Everyone out! I’m back!" I shouted toward the warehouse.

"The president’s returned!"

"Hurry! Welcome him!"

A flurry of footsteps erupted. Boys burst out, beaming—until Martin, leading the charge, spotted Helle beside me. His joyful cry turned to a shriek: "*The Redhaired Witch!*"

Those in front scrambled backward. Those behind couldn’t stop. *Thuds! Clangs!* Bodies crashed together in a tangled heap. How utterly embarrassing.

"Your members seem... enthusiastic, President," Helle murmured, face blank as she stared ahead.

"*Heh heh heh heh heh*..." Cold sweat trickled down my spine. She’d heard them call me president. *Heavens!* This blame—I couldn’t shoulder it!

"Enough! Don’t be scared! I’m here!" I soothed the "Anti-Violence-Salvation-Front" "men." I tugged Helle’s sleeve. "Helle, begin! Just like we planned on the way here."

"*Yes, sir!* P-r-e-s-i-d-e-n-t!" Helle drawled the title out.

She stepped forward. The crowd recoiled two steps. I covered my face. Too painful to watch these clowns.

"Everyone. I am Helle. Helle Tina." She shot me a glare. I quickly turned to admire the scenery. "I’ve reached an agreement with *your president*." Another glare. I whistled innocently. "I won’t harm you unprovoked... *if* you don’t provoke me. That’s all!" She spun on her heel to leave.

Silence. Not a single reply. I sighed deeply at my hopeless brothers.

"You can rest easy now."

"*Sob*... *sob sob*..." Someone started crying. Then another. Soon, all the "men" were weeping in each other’s arms.

"We... we’ve waited for this day!"

"Alright, alright. No more living in fear," I coaxed.

"President! You’re incredible! How did you defeat that demoness? It’s a miracle!"

"No! Not a miracle! *The power of a gentleman!*" I seized the moment—time to rename that absurd association!

"*Gentleman*? Is it a warrior class like Swordmaster?"

"Nonsense! The President’s the Old Mage’s disciple! ‘Gentleman’ must be a *magic* class!"

Oh? Someone guessed right. Did this world know about otaku terms too? Come to think of it... "gentleman" (*hentai*) *was* a type of "mage." Before becoming fireball-casting "mages" at thirty, most men were "gentlemen" with... *varied interests*.

"A true gentleman embodies resilience, strength, integrity, and honor!" I couldn’t let these good kids become *that* kind of "gentleman." The sin would be too great. "Become such men, and courage, unshakable faith, and steadfast spirit will follow. You’ll stand on your own!"

"*OHHH!* It makes my blood burn! We’ll become gentlemen too!"

"Yes! Men as resilient as our President!"

The moment was ripe. I raised my voice: "Since Helle is no longer our obstacle—and you all strive to be gentlemen—I propose we rename our association: *The Gentleman’s Advance Association*! Advance together under this banner!"

"Well said, President!"

"Gentlemen forever! Long live the President!"

*********************************************************************

"Helle! I’m here!" I broke free from the ecstatic members and jogged to our meeting spot behind the hill. "Did you wait long?"

"*Hmph!* Why would I? *President*?"

"I didn’t found it! I was researching magic in the manor—you know that! Those boys started that absurd group and *forced* me to be president! But I made them change the name!"

"Enough talk. Where's my prize?"

"Hehe, impatient? Come on, let me put it on for you."

"You...? You're putting it on me?" Helle seemed a bit flustered. "Alright then, no pranks, okay!"

Helle lifted her crimson locks, revealing her delicate ear and the pale nape of her neck. My hand holding the earring trembled slightly. My breathing quickened, hot air rushing from my nose and blowing onto her neck. She shuddered, turning her face to scold me, "Didn't I tell you no pranks~?"

"Sorry, sorry! I'll be careful, I'll be careful!"

Totally focused on Helle and the jewelry, I didn't notice the members of the Gentleman's Advance Association lying on another hilltop. Those who'd been about to head home had spotted us, so they stayed put, quietly observing the scene.

"Look, look! The president's already put on one earring!"

"Amazing! No wonder our president advances so far on the gentleman's path—even the Redhaired Witch acts like a little kitten before him. I truly admire him."

"I was wondering why the 'Redhaired Witch' had a change of heart and reconciled with us! Turns out the president made such a huge sacrifice! Truly a gentleman!"

"Alright, alright, everyone quiet down!" Vice President Martin whispered sharply.

"Right, this is a rare chance. Everyone, be quiet!" Deputy Captain Luke added.

"Let's feel the 'Power of a Gentleman' with our hearts!"