episode_0020

*

At the place we visited, local residents were gathered in groups of twos and threes sharing food.

It seemed like some kind of harvest festival.

Several young people recognized Luna’s face when she came here and bowed to greet her.

“Aren’t you Lunarien?”

At the voice of the man in front, the excited atmosphere quickly turned solemn.

Of course, rather than the atmosphere suddenly becoming cold, it was closer to being slightly nervous about the unexpected appearance of a high-ranking person.

Nevertheless, I didn’t read any rejection.

In other words – Luna was being welcomed by the territory’s residents.

“Lunarien, welcome.”

“Meet the monarch!”

“If you don’t mind, try some of this!”

In no time, the people of the territory gathered around us.

Luna skillfully raised her hand and nodded.

“Everyone, please feel free to stay comfortably.”

‘… … .’

I told my subordinates not to use polite language as much as possible, but it is not easy to change the habit.

If this world had a political system similar to the world I was in, it would be natural for ordinary people who have the right to vote to be treated that way –

Unless there was such a thing, it was better for a superior to show dignity.

I thought about hinting one more time.

‘what… … Even in this era, it wouldn’t be a bad thing to have at least one type of leadership like that.’

It was not in front of the subjects he treated like limbs, but in front of the people of his territory.

In terms of public opinion, her approach could have been better.

Of course, what’s great about her is that every single action she makes isn’t the result of tapping this and that on a calculator like I do.

“Thanks to Lunarien, peace has returned to Zeeland Castle. It’s a place that no feudal lord has even looked at… … Thank you so much for caring so much.”

A middle-aged woman nodded repeatedly, half in tears.

Luna walked up to the woman, held her hand tightly with both hands, and spoke.

“It’s not thanks to me. It’s because you didn’t give up and kept trying. Please don’t forget that.”

“Lunarien… … !”

“Lunarien! Please unify this continent engulfed in war!”

“How can we entrust the country to a tyrant like Serpina?! Isn’t that right, everyone?”

That’s right, that’s right!

One or two testimonies about Runarien were coming out here and there.

but. As much as 6,000 gold was spent on rescuing the people of the territory, and they patrolled the territory very frequently, so it seemed like they had clearly captured the public sentiment.

Maybe that’s why, even when conscription was in place, the number of soldiers who voluntarily gathered was quite large.

Now, excluding the mercenaries, our troops numbered around 10,000.

Zeeland Castle is a small castle, so if it were a castle with a much larger population, it would have been possible to collect more.

Runarien, who was talking with the residents of the territory, finished talking and took care of things so that she could continue enjoying the festival, then came over to me.

“Swen.”

“Please tell me.”

“Hey… … .”

Luna pointed somewhere with her finger.

When I looked there, I saw a large bonfire lit and several couples dancing around it.

The sight of several bards playing lutes gave the impression that it looked like an illustration that would appear on the loading screen of a game set in the Middle Ages.

“It’s peaceful. It’s all thanks to my lord.”

“No. Well, that’s not it… … .”

“?”

I looked at Luna’s face.

She blushed slightly and hesitated, but soon let out a soft sigh as if she had made up her mind.

“… … No.”

It was said.

what?

Why do you stop talking?

What did you want to say?

‘… … no way.’

I guessed something and asked her.

“Do you want to dance?”

“Ah? Oh, yes, I, I mean… … .”

Seeing as I couldn’t answer clearly, it seemed like the answer was correct.

So, is this roughly it?

I want to dance and hang out together, but I’ve always said, ‘Having the dignity of a monarch is a virtue for a unified monarch,’ so I guess I can’t say it?

A monarch dancing together at a festival for the people of his territory may have been good for gaining public support, but it was far from the dignified appearance of a unified monarch.

But what about it?

Since he was now the ruler of a weak country, there was no need to worry about such things.

You must also know how to react flexibly depending on the original situation.

“It’s okay. Let’s go.”

“Yes?”

“You can forget what I said for a moment. You can hang out with the residents of the territory as much as you want.”

Luna was a monarch who had a particularly great care for her people.

As someone who often played this game, I thought that only Karelia had such a concept – caring for its citizens and loving peace – but that wasn’t necessarily the case.

So, it would be better to let them go so they can hang out here to their heart’s content.

however.

I thought she would hear me and take action right away – but she didn’t.

Instead, he spoke to me hesitantly again.

“Well, that’s… … .”

“?”

“S, if it’s okay with you, Swen… … Would you like to go dancing together?”

When I didn’t respond after hearing that, her face turned red and her eyes widened, and she desperately began to explain.

“That’s right! Everyone is paired up as a man and a woman, but it’s a bit difficult to go alone, and since I’m a monarch… … It can be a burden to the residents of the territory in many ways, so-”

“Are you asking me to dance with you?”

“Ah… … .”

She then lowered her head and spoke.

Her face was even redder than before, now almost reminiscent of blush.

“… … yes… … .”

“… … .”

This game actually had more events than I thought.

If something like this can be called an event, it is.

After living in this world for a few months, I developed a bond with the members of the Lunarien army, and a little pride began to bloom in this territory – I was always wary of this.

After all, I have a place to return to, and since this is a game world, there would be repercussions if I was swayed by emotions and made an unreasonable decision.

but.

I am still convinced.

Runarien Yniang will become a unified monarch.

So, in the end, I have to be by this woman’s side in order to return to the original world.

So, isn’t this okay?

“Let’s go.”

“Oh?!”

“We will deal with you as you wish.”

I held her hand.

She was startled, but didn’t shake my hand away.

Rather, I put a little pressure on the hand I was holding… … He said in a trembling voice.

“Yes, four! Thank you very much!”

So I danced lightly with her in front of the bonfire.

Her pure white skin reflected in the light of the bonfire.

Cream-colored hair that sways slightly every time you make a light movement.

Her ruby eyes looking at me… … It was clearly imprinted in my mind.

* * *

This is the royal castle of Anel Castle.

Lin Brans was sitting on the throne and receiving the messenger’s report.

“I’m back, Lin. We were able to safely conclude a three-week armistice agreement with the Aishus military.”

“Okay, good job. What about the south?”

Another Shinigami next to the man who spoke spoke.

“The armistice agreement with Roland County, which shares a border, was also successfully concluded… … We had no choice but to adjust the period to 1 month.”

“1 month? Wasn’t it 3 months on that one?”

At Rin’s words, the Shinigami bowed his head as if he had no shame and said.

“Sorry, sorry. Because Roland suggested an arbitration plan that would be difficult for 3 months… … We had no choice but to adjust for up to 1 month.”

‘The Roland guys, it seems like they are trying to do whatever they can if they see an opening. I didn’t want to worry about the south for the time being. But well, one month is enough.’

Lin, who thought so, said with a smile.

“It’s okay. Actually, even if it’s only for a month, it doesn’t really matter. Didn’t I say from the beginning that it was okay to go down to one month as long as we could reach an armistice agreement?”

“Yeah, but.”

“That’s it. That story is over. You both worked hard! Get some rest for now. If I don’t call you after a week, I think we can both work at the market from then on. Got it?”

“”Yes! I will obey your command!””

After the messengers went out.

One of the soldiers waiting next to him opened his mouth.

“Master. General Chell’s army has just arrived.”

Lin’s expression brightened after hearing those words.

“Oh, really? As expected, you are a great brother♡ You came up so quickly!”

“Should I ask you to come in?”

“Yes. Right now.”

“Old!”

Not long-

A very strong-looking man with short blue hair and wearing plate armor began walking towards me.

An overwhelmingly large body, sunken eyes, and scars all over the face.

He was a handsome man who boasted quite a handsome appearance despite his scars.

Following them, a beautiful woman with short purple hair and violet eyes, giving off a very seductive aura, was walking.

The two soon arrived in front of Lin and knelt down and spoke.

First, the man’s name is Chelbrans.

He was a man called the best swordsman in the Brans army.

“Chel Brans, I have just arrived from Saintica Castle in the south, as you ordered.”

And the woman’s name is Farfalle.

She was a strategist for Brans County, and she was a bright child who caught the eye of Lynn Brans early on, having been told that she was ‘the most intelligent woman in the central region’ since she was young.

He had just returned from a brief absence from her side to lend his strength as a strategist to the Great Southern Front where Chell Brands was the commander-in-chief.

“Farfalle, I have just arrived from Saintica Castle in the south, as your lord ordered.”

“Yes, yes. Welcome, both of you!”

Lin welcomed Chell and Farfalle with open arms.

Chell asked Lin a question with a puzzled expression.

“Why did you call us to Castle Anel? As far as I know, I heard that the northern front has become quiet.”

“That’s right. I have no intention of sending my brother to the upper town now. There’s already a little older brother guarding there.”

After somehow succeeding in stopping the advance force of about 55,000 people.

After that, about 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers from the Serpina army continued to invade.

As a result, we had to make quite a few sacrifices, but we were still able to safely defend Kelstein Castle three times –

We were somehow able to quell the Serpina army’s ambition to advance into the central region.

Of course, I don’t know if they retreated or gave up, but right now, the Serpina army was no longer planning an invasion.

In this situation, except for the troops to defend the north, it was necessary to stabilize the remaining front lines in order to quickly gather troops.

The two armistice agreements were for exactly that purpose.

“And, I heard that an armistice agreement was signed with the Roland army… … Is that correct?”

“Yes. So, it’s okay to not think about the southern front for a while.”

“Yes… … .”

Chell asked in a puzzled tone, as if he didn’t understand what she was thinking.

An agreement was made with the Aethus County in the east, and an agreement was also made with the Roland County in the south. I have no intention of sending it to the North.

So what’s left is the western part, and isn’t that just a collection of several weak countries that aren’t threatening at all?

However, the large unit that was protecting the south, including himself, was summoned to this Arnel Castle.

Lin nodded and said, as if she understood Chell’s intention.

“That’s right, brother. I don’t think you need your brother to clean up the West. but. What we go to get drunk is not just a small piece of land in a weak country.”

“That means… … ?”

Lin’s blue eyes sparkled momentarily as she answered Chell’s question.

He knew that look in her eyes well.

That was the image of my younger sister going on a ‘talent hunt’.

“From now on, we are going to take the pieces necessary to win the world!”