episode_0059

*

Just as he said, a crude camp was set up not far away.

Should I say that it feels like it was built solely for talks, with no fences installed at all?

“Please wait a moment.”

After saying that, the messenger of the Aishous army entered the tent.

I stood next to Irene and whispered to her carefully.

“It’s okay not to be nervous. There is no reason for her to refuse our surrender.”

Instead of answering, she nodded slowly.

I could already read her trust in me from the way she looked at me.

And how long has it been?

Finally, inside the tent, the person who would become our new master appeared, accompanied by a woman.

Long, straight black hair that gives an elegant feel.

Two different colored eyes, one blue like sea water and the other bright sky blue.

The sharp nose and lips were positioned where they should be, like a well-carved statue.

I wasn’t the type of woman whose presence as a woman was revealed as tyrannically through her body parts as Irene, who was standing next to me, but-

What came out of the entrance and exit was a beautiful body that clearly felt feminine.

Rather, I thought that many people would prefer this option if only considering balance.

‘and… … ‘It’s pretty.’

Baranga Yuuri Atious – In other words, as soon as I saw Yuuri’s appearance, I couldn’t hide my admiration.

She had a much more beautiful face than I thought.

I already knew Yuuri’s face.

Because there was a time when I picked her to play a game in the first place.

but.

Just like with Rin or Airen – there was a huge gap between the in-game graphics stamped with dots and the actual face.

Honestly, it made me wonder if she was ever that pretty.

And the woman next to him.

I could easily recognize that woman.

In this game, she was the only general with turquoise hair tied in a ponytail and always carrying a bow.

Epinel Rosencross.

One of the founding contributors to the Acious Army and an S-class general with excellent military power and leadership.

Among the subordinate generals of ‘Acous County, whose territory is small but whose general pool is S-class’, he was a Madam face-level general with particularly good abilities.

I didn’t know it when I looked at her as a dot, but I felt that she had a strong feminine charm.

In terms of exposure, only the chest was covered, with the stomach and thighs clearly exposed.

It may be acceptable from a world perspective, but it’s okay to show up on the battlefield dressed like that.

Iren knelt down on one knee and lowered his head just as Yuuri’s footsteps stopped in front of him.

I also did the same thing, roughly matching her speed.

“Meeting Baranga Yuuri Acious.”

Yuuri nodded and spoke at Iren’s words.

“Are you Irene Juliette?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve heard rumors, but this is my first time seeing it in person. It’s an honor to be able to meet the red-haired female knight Irene in person.”

Yuuri smiled, then turned his head slightly to look down at me and said.

“Where is this?”

It’s called “Swen. I would like to become a naturalized citizen of Acious County together with Irene.”

“… … .”

She looked at me without saying a word.

She spoke in the tone of a girl who discovered something interesting.

“You… … Is your hair white? For a young man’s hair color, it’s a color you don’t often see around here. if… … Are you the ‘white-haired wizard’ who split the sky and created a miracle at the Brans military fortress in the north?”

‘… … .’

The day when a meteorite fell, not lightning.

Considering the number of eyes watching, I naturally thought there would be rumors about me…

Hearing the slightly cringeworthy title of ‘white-haired wizard’ in person made me feel embarrassed.

But what about it?

Anyway, since I had this title, it would be good for me if she could covet me.

“I’m embarrassed, but I’m right. It’s a bit ambiguous to call him a wizard.”

“Oh my. Really?”

Yuuri said that and laughed softly, covering his mouth.

I’m not laughing at you or anything… … A sound of laughter as if someone is interested in something.

He was a distinctly different type of person from Lin Brans, who sometimes had a secret dark side.

Rin’s style might be better for dealing with things with intention… … In order to save Irene, I couldn’t stay behind her.

“Let’s see. You both want to surrender to our military?”

“Yes. With me and Swen over here, and the authority of the fort, and the 38,000 men within it.”

Yuuri nodded and then asked carefully.

“Irene, and Swen. listen carefully. Your offer is so good that we have no choice but to accept it. But, usually, there aren’t many people who bring in soldiers like this, build a fortress, and then surrender entirely, right? lets think. If you’re going to surrender, it’s less troublesome and more convenient to just escape somehow and come back to us. If we surrender in the middle of the war because we are defeated, we might be able to come in with our soldiers, but we’re not really at war right now, are we? It’s true that we don’t get along well.”

Her words were correct.

In fact, the reason this situation came about was because I was focusing on achieving the goal of ‘shaking up the central continent where the Brans army dominates’ by somehow obtaining the maximum possible profit from the act of surrender. Because of this, it has become a bit complicated.

“So, what I mean is… … Umm.”

That time when Yuuri was in trouble.

Epinel, who was next to me, spoke for the first time.

“Yuuri is now saying that he cannot completely trust you. What if this is a deception tactic disguised as surrender? If the soldiers you brought in revolt from within, we will be in great trouble. Fortress, soldiers, outstanding generals. It seems like the story is too good for our Acious County.”

In other words, are they afraid that this surrender itself will become a bait, like a ‘Trojan horse’?

Well, the suspicion itself wasn’t that strange.

Here, I thought the right answer was to be honest about why we must surrender.

“Actually-”

at that time.

Irene gently placed her hand on top of my hand that was about to open my mouth.

It seemed like he was saying, ‘Leave this to me.’

okay.

In the end, she was the one who surrendered, so what she said was probably correct.

“I… … .”

Irene slowly closed her eyes.

He opened his eyes again at the same speed and looked up at Yuuri.

“Master… … So, I am sensing a strong murderous intent towards me from my former lord, Lin Brans.”

“Murderous intent… … ?”

Both Yuuri and Epinel seemed surprised by Iren’s confession.

Of course. Usually, there are few people who harbor murderous intentions towards their subordinates.

However, everything she said was true. The strong aura felt from the truth can move people.

“Yes. That person… … He hates me. After going through the stage of hating and resenting me, he wants me to die.”

“… … what? a little… … I don’t quite understand. Are you Irene? A red-haired female knight. Siege warfare specialist. I know at least your name. Most of the feudal lords probably know your name, right? Why on earth is a general with such a high reputation?”

“… … .”

I know yeah.

Why on earth do you hate me so much?

They say there is no reason to hate people, but Lynn Brans was the woman who definitely killed Irene Juliette in every world line.

“I am very embarrassed, but it is the truth. so… … In order to live, I am becoming a naturalized citizen of Acious County.”

“Umm… … .”

at that time.

Epinel turned her head towards Yuuri.

“Yuuri. It doesn’t seem like I’m lying.”

“Huh?”

One new fact I learned.

Epinel was speaking informally to Yuuri.

Even if it didn’t seem like a big deal, it had a big meaning.

It was clear that she would probably have a very wide presence within Aishus County.

“I told this to the spy I sent to Brans County. Even small rumors are okay, so please tell me everything. But, that kind of thing definitely comes up. Lynn Brans hates Irene Juliette.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I didn’t give it to you because it didn’t seem like very important information. Well, this is just gossip from another country.”

“If we really are surrendering with some plan, we may be able to cause damage to the Aishous army, but neither of us will survive unscathed. And as the rumor goes… … Lin Brans hates me. I want to live. I have no intention of risking my life for her and attacking Yuuri-sama’s army.”

“Umm… … Yes, I surrender to our military because I want to live… … D.”

There was only one life.

When one dies, everyone faces the end equally at that point.

There was no better reason to justify surrender than the reason that one did not want to die.

“… … okay. If the rumor is true, Irene understands. By the way.”

Yuuri turned his head and looked down at me and said.

“Swen. Why are you surrendering? As long as I stayed in Brans County, I would get a huge promotion. Since you’re a wizard who created a miracle, don’t you think you’ll be treated well? Isn’t it a bit strange that you left Brans County, which is relatively large, and came to our small country, Aishous County?”

In other words, is she asking me, ‘Why are you doing something that will cost you money?’

Since I somewhat expected this question to come up, I took out the message I had prepared.

“I felt that Lin Brans was not a monarch worthy of my service. In other words, it was judged that he did not fit the ideal of a monarch who would take over the world.”

“Really?”

The answer was normal, but I could sense it.

When Yuuri heard those words, the corners of his mouth rose slightly.

“Yes. Just look at Irene right next to you. How can someone who treats a general like Irene with personal feelings and does not use them seriously become a unified monarch who will unite the continent? I would like to appoint someone who will become a unified monarch. Acting actively is only meaningful if you choose your lord well.”

“Really? Then conversely, do you think that I am the person who will become the unified monarch?”

“Yes.”

He looked at me, who answered immediately, and smiled leisurely.

This should be enough.

However, she still asked me questions.

“Really? The only reason? Anything else?”

“… … ?”

what?

Those eyes that say they’re expecting something… … ?

What I felt about Yuuri just a moment ago was the aura of a determined lord, different from Rin and Lunarien.

Each person had a different tone, personality, and attitude toward me, but no matter what, the spirit of being a person who carried someone else’s will on their shoulders was clearly present.

But now… … Instead of looking at me like a monarch, he was looking at me like a girl.

‘… … no way.’

I carefully… … I brought up the story I assumed she wanted.

“I want to be by Airen’s side and protect her.”

“… … !!!”

At my words, Irene, who was kneeling next to me, looked at me in surprise.

His face was blushing profusely and he was so embarrassed that he didn’t know what to do… … Honestly, it was kind of cute.

And Yuuri too.

Only after hearing the answer did he speak with a satisfied expression.

“As expected. I knew it. What is the reason a man follows a woman? That much is understandable. Huhuhu.”

“… … .”

“I understand. Could you both stand up? Epinel, prepare that for me.”

At the same time we got up from our seats, Epinel went into the tent and brought something.

It was a basket containing two glasses, alcohol, and a rather odd silver piece.

Epinel skillfully filled the glasses while holding the tray.

Yuuri next to him held up his silver sword and opened it-

“… … !”

He slightly cut his finger.

Then, he mixed a few drops of the flowing blood into the alcohol.

“Now.”

Irene and I accepted the glasses.

The clear rice wine was becoming cloudy as it mixed with her blood.

“Drink that. With that, you become our family who share my blood.”

‘… … There are all kinds of strange rituals.’

Although it wasn’t something I should have said as I performed a ancestral rite in honor of the thunderbolt.

I once again realized that this place was real.

The in-game information I know about Yuuri is probably something like, ‘He has excellent leadership skills that make many people follow him,’ ‘His relationship with his colleagues is very strong,’ and ‘He is an intermediate-level monarch with a weak base but a good talent pool.’ .

But of course, unless you actually meet him in person-

It is difficult to clearly identify Yuuri from a few lines of ‘character introduction’.

Lightly empty the glass.

Only then did Yuuri speak in a somewhat serious tone.

“Irene Juliette. And Swen. Welcome to our Atious County. I, Baranga Yuuri Aceus, will risk my life to protect your safety. Because everyone who shares my blood is my family.”

Then, he looked at Iren and said.

“Please take care of me in the future, Irene.”

“Yes! We will do our best to live up to your expectations.”

“… … And, please take care of me, Swen?”

Yuuri tilted his head and asked me.

I smiled confidently at her.

“We will make sure you never regret this decision.”

That’s how Iren and I became part of the Aishous Army.

In conclusion, it was a success in rescuing Irene Juliette.

That alone made me think that it was a good idea to go through Brans County.