episode_0018

*

After safely completing the agreement with Rin, I left the castle, looked around, saw that no one was around, and let out a short sigh.

‘I lived… … .’

I felt cold sweat running down my back.

I was confident in my prediction.

Since the outcome of the ‘armistice agreement’ was reached, I also knew that an agreement would be concluded unconditionally.

Still, I was scared the moment the knife was put to my throat.

There was a big difference between imagining that death was just around the corner and actually facing it.

Nevertheless, the momentum must never be lost.

If the momentum is lost, the initiative in the agreement will be lost.

Now that I had made a bet, desperately trying to maintain my composure with the spirit of ‘I can’t eat enough’ seemed to have worked out well.

‘The envoys were carrying out their work under greater pressure than expected.’

In the game, it was a simple mechanism called diplomacy button -> execution button.

Aren’t each and every one of them a player from the home team who gets thrown out to the away team?

The pressure must have been even greater for envoys from enemy countries at war. Just like now.

at that time.

A soldier came towards me.

“Are you a Shinigami from the Lunarien Army?”

“That’s right.”

The soldier handed me the pouch he was holding in his hand.

When I heard it, it was quite heavy.

It was not difficult to find out that this was 3,000 gold.

“Normally, it would have been transported by wagon… … Since you and I both need to deliver the news as quickly as possible, I would like to ride a horse. Is that okay?”

“It’s okay. Rather, I hope so.”

From my perspective, I need to get back as quickly as possible.

“Then, come this way. Because we’re leaving right away.”

I followed the soldier.

‘Everyone, please wait a moment. ‘I’ll be there soon.’

Now was the time to end the war.

*

Zeeland Castle.

In front of the East Gate, Tifa and Iren were engaged in a bloody fight.

Of course, at this point, the winner was clear.

“Heo Eok… … Hmm… … !”

Tifa was standing on the ground, relying on the ax she had somehow stuck to the ground, with blood dripping from all over her body.

He had already fallen from his horse. I realized that I was lucky that I wasn’t seriously hurt, and it would have been okay if I had backed off – but I was stubborn and fought Iren until the end.

Of course, Iren doesn’t look at Tifa like that.

The fight was fought on horseback with a one-sided advantage.

Irene had the upper hand both in terms of skill and environment.

Iren said, looking down at Tifa from the saddle.

“Hey. I’m saying this out of consideration for you, but if you don’t want to die, you’d better give up.”

“… … shut up… … You bitch… … !”

Tifa cursed, but Iren didn’t even move as if she wasn’t that offended.

He just shook his head gently and uttered one word.

“Manyong is not courage. friend. It’s too bad. If you were on the same side as me, I would have told you more.”

Tifa took a deep breath, somehow managed to catch her breath quickly, and then-

After spitting out blood roughly to the side, he managed to regain his balance and pointed the ax at Irene, squeezing it.

“What… … Like this, the tongue is long… … ? Come on, you bastard… … !”

Irene looked around.

Arrows were still raining down from the enemy’s walls, and although one catapult was broken –

The soldiers who came out to intercept with Tifa seemed to have almost succeeded in clearing things up.

‘The situation is in our favor.’

Even if time was lost in the duel here, it seemed unlikely that the Lunarien military would be able to turn the situation around.

Then, it would be important to demoralize the enemy and secure the supply and demand of the commander.

After thinking that, Iren looked at Tifa and spoke in a serious tone.

“… … I will do my best to deal with you until the end.”

“Come on… … !”

The exact moment when Tifa was about to run away.

“… … ?!”

Sensing that he was popular, Iren quickly turned his horse’s head to block the incoming attack.

visor!

‘… … strong!’

We were able to figure it out quickly just by clashing swords with each other.

He is a strong person.

Iren, who realized that at least someone stronger than Tifa, who had been with her just moments before, was charging towards her, quickly checked the person who attacked her.

Before her eyes-

Short cream-colored hair and two bright red eyes.

The lord of Zeeland Castle and the ruler of the weak nation of Lunarien-

Luna was riding a horse and pointing a sword.

Iren easily realized that she was Luna.

I had heard it through rumors, but when I saw those two ruby-colored, sparkling red eyes in person, it felt real.

“Are you Lunarien Inien?”

“Lu… … me… … !”

“… … Tifa. Run into the castle. Sorry for coming late. I wanted to come sooner, but that wasn’t the situation.”

“Well, it’s just that.”

“This is an order! Quick!”

“… … !”

After Luna sent Tifa away, she slowly turned her head and looked at Iren.

Iren said while looking at Luna.

“My name is Irene Juliet. Lord Runarien. As you know because you are a leader, there are times when you need to take down your flag to prevent further damage. Don’t you want to leave your name in history as an incompetent monarch who caused Zeeland Castle to be trampled by the fire of war?”

“The Zeeland Castle will not collapse. You can’t beat us.”

“Hoo. I also admit that such groundless bravado is a virtue of a leader. However, how about thinking seriously about whether now is the time to acquire other virtues?”

Iren said that in a very serious tone.

“Surrender to us. If so, the damage to your territory’s residents will be minimized. If you are a leader, please make a decision.”

Surrender advised.

This was Iren’s sincerity, without any hint of mockery.

Iren was not the type of general who would trample on an opponent who was already defeated.

I didn’t like to keep bullying the weak like that.

So, I was really thinking that if possible, it would be good if they surrendered here. If we continue to fight, the number of casualties will only increase, and the outcome of occupying Zeeland Castle and the destruction of the Lunarien nation will not change.

It was about making a rational decision in her own way.

but.

“Irene. Thank you for your words, but I can never give up.”

“Do you mind if I ask the reason?”

Luna answered with a very heavy expression.

“… … Because I don’t think I can entrust the world to Serpina von Eingart.”

“Hoo.”

“and.”

Luna looked straight into Iren’s eyes.

“I don’t think we can entrust the world to Lin Brans either.”

“… … !”

Irene was momentarily startled.

In this small body, something resembling overwhelming spirit can be read.

The aura of a monarch that cannot be noticed unless you are a strong person who has reached a certain level.

That which exists even in his own lord, Lin Brans-

Does it also exist for the monarch of this weak country?

“The same goes for other people. To any monarch… … I can’t entrust this world to you. I will bring peace to the continent. which… … This is what I have to do.”

It was strange.

The woman standing in front of me certainly had great strength compared to her size, but-

In the end, he is merely the leader of a weak country making a last stand in a situation where defeat is likely.

But why?

There was no sense of arrogance at all from this woman who posted those words.

It was as if it had been ‘ordained’ from the beginning that he would conquer the continent and take control of the world… … He was speaking in a very confident tone.

Irene was almost overcome by her energy for a moment, but-

After quickly shaking it off, he pulled out his sword and pointed it at Luna.

“… … I will appreciate your spirit. However, the world belongs to our master, Lin Brans. I don’t think it’s a problem for you to worry about.”

“… … .”

After a very brief silence.

Irene ran towards her first, pointing his sword at her.

“… … !!!”

visor!

Our blades clashed with each other once.

The moment when the decisive battle between the two was about to take place –

“Irene!!!!!”

In the distance, a soldier on horseback was running at high speed toward Iren.

“This place is dangerous! Go away!”

Despite Iren’s cries, the soldier does not back down.

A general with a cruel personality could have been angry at this point and held a friendly soldier responsible.

Instead of doing so, she checked the surrounding situation to see if something had happened that would force her to go against her orders.

The number of enemy soldiers was noticeably reduced.

Although we were not without blows, we still had an overwhelming advantage.

‘The battle… … Our military is clearly ahead. Now, just a little more time will pass and Zeeland Castle will be ours.’

So why?

In this situation… … Are you coming running to me, desperately calling me like that?

“What’s going on!”

As soon as the soldier arrived in front of Irene, his complexion turned pale and he shouted.

“Retreat, General! The entire army must retreat!”

“… … What?”

“!!”

Iren and Luna both looked at the soldier in surprise after hearing the word ‘retreat’.

The gazes of the two women may have been burdensome, but as a soldier who had rushed here from Castle Agnel to deliver important information, he had to inform her of the new orders as soon as possible.

“This is an order from my lord! The war against the Lunarien army has been completely halted at this point! We must move our troops to Kelstein Castle in the north as soon as possible!”

“Kelstein Castle?”

Is Kelstein Castle in danger?

‘no way… … !’

Irene deduced the entire situation from that single word.

Because there was only one country with which Kelstein Castle bordered.

‘Serpina… … ‘It moved?!’

“General! Quickly order a retreat!”

‘… … ‘Damn it!’

Just a few more days.

No, at least one more day… … We could have taken over the castle!

However, she also knew that if problems arose in the North, she should not waste any more time here.

Iren said, looking at Luna.

“… … Lord Luna, you are lucky.”

“… … !”

Iren did not listen to the answer and immediately turned his head.

Not long after, it was felt that the Brans army’s great offensive, which seemed like it would never stop, was coming to a halt in an instant.

Luna got off the horse and slowly assessed the situation.

“Is it the end?”

“Brance guys, it looks like they’re running away?”

Soldiers of Luna’s army were buzzing here and there as they sensed the change.

And only then did the sentence given by Brans’ soldier come to mind.

‘for a moment. The fact that the war has stopped… … !’

at that time.

From the same place where the soldier ran – a man on horseback was approaching.

A white-haired man wearing shabby clothes.

He was the first to respond to a recruitment offer that no one had responded to.

The man who asked me to hold on because I would definitely stop this war, Swen… … It was approaching this place.

“Swen… … !!”

Swen arrived in front of Luna, got off his horse and approached her.

Then, he spoke to Luna with a serious expression.

“Master. There is no need to organize chase troops. Please send everyone to retreat. They won’t touch us any further.”

“S, Swen… … That means… … !”

“Yes.”

Swen nodded and-

He said with a confident smile.

“Successful in concluding an armistice agreement.”

“… … … !!”

“Didn’t I tell you? I will definitely try to prevent war, so please hold on just a little longer.”

When Luna heard those words, tears flowed from her eyes.

And then-

“… … !”

He fell into Swen’s arms and hugged his body with all his might.

“… … thank you… … Thank you, Swen… … Thank you very much… … .”

“… … .”

The position of leader may not be suited to her in the first place.

However, despite this, I want to bring peace to the continent. So, somehow, I will stand here and not turn my back on the task given to me –

Luna was thinking that way, but she still needed a place to lean on.

Did he understand her situation, or was it simply sympathy?

Swen said nothing, looking down at the woman in his arms –

Soon, he slowly placed his hand on her back.

“It is our victory. Luna.”

* * *