episode_0057

*

Let’s go back in time a little bit, a few days before the proposal to Rin.

“Letter?”

“Yes. I have a place to send it to. I just finished writing it.”

“Okay. You said you had something to say, right? Just wait a moment.”

After I finished writing the letter, I briefly explained my future plans while drinking the black tea that Irene had made for me.

“You are going to send me to the battlefield again?”

“That’s right. As the manager of the newly built fortress, you will have full authority to handle approximately 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers.”

“Full authority… … But I don’t know if that’s possible. Because my lord doesn’t trust me very much. At the last fortress, it was practically an order to die, so I would have given it up for a moment, but leading a completely new force would be a slightly different story.”

“Using it in reverse.”

“To the station?”

Iren asked with an expression of interest in what I said.

“Lin strangely wants to get rid of Irene. If so, all you have to do is install a board that allows that to happen. If you could get rid of Irene only by giving him full authority, wouldn’t you do that?”

“They say they can only be removed if they hand over full authority… … ? I don’t really understand what you’re talking about… … Anyway, specifically, what kind of authority will I receive?”

I spoke in a confident tone.

“I plan to propose building a fortress in the front yard of Balharat Castle. And I would like to have Irene gain full control of the fortress, at least temporarily.”

“If you say Balharat Castle, do you mean the capital of Aethus County?”

“Yes.”

“Why? No matter how much it is your story, my lord is fundamentally a very suspicious person. Even if you say, ‘Let’s build a fortress to attack the Aethians army’ without any basis, it is unlikely that they will listen.”

“I’m going to create a situation where I can’t let go without listening. I have something prepared for you.”

“Get ready… … .”

Irene tilted her head for a moment as if all her questions had not been answered.

He then said with a faint smile.

“I understand. Swen. If you say you have prepared something, I just think so. No matter how unreliable your opinion may be, I have sworn to raise my sword for you.”

“I am just grateful that you trust me.”

“So, what should I do now that I have full authority? I don’t think I’m telling you to just fight the Aishous army. Even if there was a rebellion, it would be impossible with a fortress, not a castle.”

okay.

Why did I make such a complicated plan?

Now was the time to explain it.

“Contact Baranga Yuuri Acious, the ruler of the Acious Army.”

“By contact?”

I looked straight into her eyes and said.

“Surrender to her.”

“… … !!”

Only then did Iren, who had maintained a calm tone, shake.

“To her… … Surrender means.”

“That’s right. The new lord we will serve is Baranga Yuuri Acious of the Acious Army.”

We had to get out of Brans County.

The most important cause is to save Irene Juliette in front of me.

Inevitably, if Iren stays here, Rin will kill him someday.

Now that we had succeeded in changing her loyal heart, the only way to ensure her safety was to hit this place as quickly as possible.

But – this is just my own cause, and I can’t help it even if I feel like a traitor to outsiders.

This part didn’t really matter.

Anyway, I was going to return to Runarien, the lord who would one day unify the continent.

It was good up to this point.

However, there was no point in just surrendering as long as Irene was taken away.

If I were to resign from the Brans Army, Irene and I would inevitably incur a grudge against Lin Brans, but no matter what her personality was, we could not deny that she was currently securing a force that could not be ignored.

In the worst case scenario, I couldn’t rule out the possibility that Irene and I would be captured and killed by her.

In that case, there was a need to at least take away as many surplus soldiers as possible to shake up the balance of the Brans army.

That’s why I’m obsessed with building a fortress so Irene can gain full power.

If he surrendered while holding full authority, he could take all his soldiers with him!

Of course, in this case, since it was transferred to the soldiers, the scope was bound to be limited to countries adjacent to the border that could provide reliable support even immediately after surrender.

In any case, in order to shake up the Brans army, it was more efficient to give strength to the countries adjacent to the border, so that part did not matter.

Then there is only one thing left.

Which country should I go to?

Brans County was a country located in the very center of the continent, with borders on all sides.

There were a lot of countries on the map, but in the end, if you divided them into four major branches, there were four.

First, north. Serpina.

Serpina von Eyngart was a tyrant. Even if he went to surrender, there was a high possibility that he would just cut off his head based on his own whim. Because he was famous for not showing mercy to enemy commanders in the first place.

In the first place, our surrender did not bring much benefit to her. Although it is said that it is a position to bow down, dealing with a super power will be difficult in many ways.

Moreover, in a situation where Kalinz had already invaded the north, it was difficult to persuade the monarch, Lin, to advance into the north again.

In other words, she was out of the question. pass.

Second, one of the two southern countries with a border.

It’s not a bad choice. but… … Basically, there was a high possibility that they would not accept Irene and I in order to avoid causing friction with Brans’s army.

From the moment they accepted the traitors, they would have an unconditionally hostile relationship with the Brans army. In the current situation where the southern continent has not been conquered, it would not be very pleasant for them to incur the resentment of the Brans army.

If you build a fortress and leave out soldiers, but they don’t accept you, it will be very difficult.

Crucially, there was the possibility of having to fight against the Runarien in Karelia County, which was located in a place that did not border the border.

third. Weak countries west of the central continent.

This place was also out of the question. In the first place, this is the place where the Brans Army flag would inevitably be planted if given time. pass.

The fourth was Aceas County to the east.

Although Charam County and Alefel County have not been taken care of yet, she was clearly the most powerful force in the East.

Although the territory was small, it had many S-class generals, so it was a country that could pose the greatest threat to the Brans army if additional soldiers were added.

In other words, the soldiers and fortresses we can hand over are bound to be very coveted not only by us but also by the Aishus army.

In that case, there was a high possibility that they would accept our declaration of surrender and protect us even if we had to pretend to be with the Brans army.

In any case, in order for Acious to expand somehow, he had to push Brans out.

There were many countries, but if we summarize them like this, in the end there is only one place left for us to go to.

“Baranga Yuuri Acious is a very wise woman. If getting us was a benefit, you will quickly realize that it is a benefit and not a loss. Moreover, I guess there is one very wise strategist in Aishous County. It would probably also be quicker to calculate the pros and cons. They are most likely to accept us.”

of course.

This may not be a flowery road.

This was the only way to save Irene.

“Both Irene and I will incur the resentment of Brans Army for betraying us, but if we are part of the Aishous Army, we will not be treated so leniently.”

“Having one trickster… … Is it okay if I ask the basis for that?”

“Because they tried to deceive our army by using Alefel Army and Charam Army.”

This ‘betrayal’ plan cannot be used unless your intelligence is 95 or higher and you do not have the [Betrayal] specialty.

I don’t know who it is, but there will definitely be someone there who has some brains.

“I see… … Baranga Yuuri Acious.”

Irene thought for a moment and then asked me very carefully.

“But, the destination isn’t Acious County, right?”

“That’s right. Someday, if the Lunarien army raises an army, I plan to go there.”

“I see… … .”

After saying that, she looked serious.

I thought I knew why she had that expression.

Irene was basically a deeply loyal person.

Even though the other person was out of sync, it basically meant that he was a person who placed great importance on the relationship between military and government.

From her perspective, it must be nerve-wracking to keep changing the master she will serve like a migratory bird.

Following me meant wandering around like me.

I bowed my head slightly to her.

“Sorry, Irene.”

“Huh? What’s going on?”

“Because of me, you have to keep changing masters. I don’t think it will be a very pleasant experience for Irene. I wanted to apologize for that.”

Irene, who heard me, started shaking her hand.

“Ugh… … ? No no, Swen. are you okay. That’s okay.”

“Irene… … ?”

“I just… … I was wondering what to do if Aceers County suspects you. Well, I have a good reason to be hated by my lord, but not you. It would not be easy to welcome a general who suddenly threatens to surrender… … It’s because of me that you’re branded a traitor, but I feel like that’s actually making things difficult for you… … I’m worried about what to do next to bring you safely to Lord Lunarien.”

“… … .”

“Actually, isn’t that true? You can make a name for yourself even here in Brans. No, it would be more convenient. Because there are things that have already been shown and proven. therefore… … I can’t help but notice that leaving this place is for me, not for others.”

When I heard those words and was shocked and frozen, she spoke as if she was saying something very obvious.

“I’m fine. Swen. My belief is to protect you. Who I serve has no meaning at that point.”

She said that and smiled brightly at me.

Her face illuminated by the lantern is more beautiful than any other moment… … Without realizing it, I let out my true feelings.

“Irene. As long as Irene protects me, I will definitely protect Irene as well. Even if it means carrying more than the stigma of a traitor. and… … When that time comes… … .”

“… … When that time comes… … ?”

“… … .”

I scratched my cheek.

And, at the very moment when I was about to open my mouth.

“Swen.”

Irene stretched out her arm and placed her hand on mine.

Then, with a very kind smile, he spoke to me.

“It’s okay if it’s not now. When it’s all over… … Please tell me. I’ll be waiting.”

“… … !”

My face was so hot.

Whenever I talked to Irene, I always felt strangely superior.

It’s not that I’m superior or anything, but she… … There was a strangely odd corner.

The facial expressions were more diverse than I expected.

Whenever I said something, she would always be drawn to me… … I thought so.

Right now at this moment.

I had to admit it.

At this moment, she is overwhelming me in this conversation.

Do you know this, Irene?

I am… … .

“Now. Then, all I have to do is wait for my lord’s orders, right?”

“Yes? ah… … Yes, that’s right.”

“Good. Will I be saying goodbye to this house soon? It was a place I had some affection for.”

After she got up, she cleaned up the table.

“It’s late. Let’s go to sleep quickly. Because it’s going to be busy from now on.”

After saying that, instead of using the bed as usual, he collapsed against the wall.

I got up from my seat and turned off the lantern… … .

Instead of going to the bed, I headed to the seat next to her.

“Swen… … ?”

“Let’s sleep together today, Irene.”

“… … !!!”

Even though it was dark, I could tell that her face was red.

She looked confused for a while as if she didn’t know what to do, and then-

Within.

“… … Yes.”

After saying that, he leaned his head on my shoulder.

I also leaned my face on top of her head.

We spent the remaining nights in Brans County together, leaning on each other like that.

* * *

“… … .”

Unlike Swen, who went to bed early.

Iren could not sleep for a long time and was staring at his sleeping figure with a red face.

“Irene. As long as Irene protects me, I will definitely protect Irene as well. Even if it means carrying more than the stigma of a traitor. and… … When that time comes… … .”

Excited, Excited.

Even now, my heart was beating like it was going to explode.

My heart felt hot. My stomach felt itchy.

so… … I hastily cut him off.

If the expected words burst out of his mouth… … I had an important event ahead of me, and I thought I might disturb him.

Of course, about half of us had different thoughts.

just… … It would have been more correct to say that I spoke quickly because I felt like my heart was going to explode and I was embarrassed.

‘Swen… … .’

She knew it too.

The reason Swen wants to leave this place is to protect me.

The man who risked his life for me.

Now, I am trying to beat the established location of Flower Road for me.

Suddenly that scene comes to mind.

From the fortress, he hugged me after I returned from defeat and told him he was glad I was alive.

‘… … .’

The feeling she felt for the first time in her life continued to stimulate her.

But if this is my heart… …

Iren had no intention of going against that feeling.

like that-

Iren spent the night unable to sleep for a long time, feeling his body temperature.

*

A few days later, the royal castle of Annell Castle.

Irene, who had received Lin’s call, was kneeling and listening to her master.

“Irene. I had a hard time not long ago.”

“No. I just did what I had to do. It is enough to know that I was helpful to my lord.”

Lin smiled kindly as she looked at Iren bowing to her.

And then… … It began to behave exactly as Swen had predicted.

“I believe in your abilities, and I’m thinking of using you again this time.”

“Old!”

Iren lowered her head further and spoke confidently.

“Please give me any mission. I will follow.”

“Okay. I like it very much.”

Lin said with a smile.

“I plan to invade Aethus County in the east. I think I’ll need your help there.”

As soon as she heard those words, Swen’s voice flashed through Irene’s mind.

‘… … ‘You are right, Swen.’

Irene slowly closed her eyes.

And then, in my heart… … At one point, she said goodbye to the only lord she had ever wanted to serve.

Goodbye, my lord… … No, Lynn Brans.

I hope you are in good health.

“Why don’t you go and give credit, Irene?”

“Yes! Okay!”

Iren answered with a braver voice than ever.

That was the end of this military-lord relationship.