episode_0075

* * *

At the same time, towards the western fortress of Balharat.

“I see an enemy soldier over there!”

After building a temporary shrine to hold a ancestral rite, I was just pretending to do the right thing when I heard a soldier’s cry.

‘Is this a vanguard that will act as bait?’

Although the siege weapons were brought in with great fanfare, if my predictions were to be believed, only a few people from the main unit would actually make it this far.

A little less than 10,000 soldiers remained in the fortress.

“General Epinel. Don’t worry, go ahead and intercept.”

Epinel nodded at Jinor’s words.

“If it looks like we have a lot of troops, we will retreat right away… … Swen, I want you to prepare it right then.”

“Okay.”

So Epinel took out several thousand soldiers to intercept.

It wasn’t long before it was easy to find out that there were only a few enemy troops.

As I said, the enemy’s main force went into a surprise attack, and the number of soldiers sent here was not that many.

‘Whoa.’

I internally breathed a sigh of relief.

Why, even if it is time to make an ‘unconditionally correct prediction’… …

I couldn’t relax until I saw the results with my own eyes.

Well, that’s fine, it was just a ‘guess based on an unconditionally correct prediction’, but I was just repeating the process of putting together the knowledge I had and putting it together.

In the end, you could only find out if this was right or not by opening the lid.

‘If you were going to do possession, it would have been better to give you a more clear and accurate cheat.’

While I was having such frivolous thoughts, Jinor, who understood the situation, approached me and said,

“I guess you’re right, Swen.”

I said with an expression full of confidence that I can’t imagine thinking just now, ‘I’m glad I got it right.’

“Didn’t I tell you? Ultimately, that is the only decision Brans can make. Whoever thought it would have been able to achieve similar results.”

“No. That’s not true. You have insight into the situation. You might have the talent as a tactician to discuss tactics.”

“Even if you float it, nothing comes out.”

Jinor snorted at my words and said.

“I don’t let just anyone fly. Anyway, now the landscape of the continent will change quite a bit.”

He was right.

This is because the balance weight that the Brans army was maintaining on all four fronts collapsed.

It was clear that this would reorganize the power structure of the continent, whether we liked it or not.

From the walls of the fortress, I watched Epinel’s forces clearing out the vanguard of Brans’ army.

surely… … strong.

As Jinor said, Epinel was a talented general.

Did you say that an excellent general can change the course of a battlefield just by deploying that general?

It would be safe to say that Epinel looks exactly like that.

This meant that it was not for nothing that they had been able to endure so far without being eaten by Brans’s army, despite having only a small base.

‘It won’t be long before the central part of the continent is engulfed in chaos.’

It was a very sorry story for the people of the territory who were hoping for peace, but… … For me it was an ideal situation.

Until the Lunarien army rose to prominence, it was necessary to avoid certain forces becoming too strong.

Even if Serpina had conquered the north, it was inevitable that there was a powerful person even in the central region, which was a dangerous situation.

But, I believed.

In the end, the people of the territory realized that the only way to peace was for Luna to unify the continent rather than someone like Lin.

Thinking like that… … I organized my thoughts in my own way.

*

As soon as we returned to Balharat Castle, Yuuri welcomed us in front of the castle gate.

“Welcome, Epinel! Jinor! You really worked hard!”

“What about the soldiers who made the surprise attack?”

“Iren worked hard for me. Emma and Hernandorf also arrived on time. Jinor also had a hard time. I heard you were the one who claimed there would be a surprise attack?”

“It wasn’t exactly my opinion, it was Swen’s opinion next to me.”

“Really?”

After hearing those words, Yuuri approached me and held out his hand with a smile on his face.

I held her hand together.

“Thank you so much, Swen! If I hadn’t noticed the surprise attack, it would have been a really big problem… … Thanks to you, I survived!”

I smiled and said slightly jokingly.

“If I can repay you for accepting me and General Irene, then I am satisfied with that.”

Of course it was only half joking, I was very serious.

I will have to leave this place someday, and whatever the reason, I have a strong desire to do my part for the woman who accepted my surrender.

Of course, it overlaps with my interests, but there’s no need to reveal it here, right?

Yuuri smiled and accepted my somewhat humorous story.

“Then, of course! Not only Swen but also Irene really helped me through a lot. I heard it from Emma. Something very dangerous happened.”

“Yes… … ?”

Did something dangerous happen?

As soon as I heard those words, I felt my heart sink.

“Can I hear more details? … ?”

I was able to hear roughly what happened from Yuuri.

From the story of Irene provoking Chell Brands and wasting time, to the story of almost getting very angry during a one-on-one fight with Chell.

I was able to get through Emma’s intrusion without any trouble, but… … If she hadn’t done that, she could have been in a really dangerous situation.

I couldn’t help but be embarrassed because it wasn’t a situation I had imagined for her to be in danger.

‘I can’t believe something like that happened…’ … .’

I have no choice but to investigate this later.

“Anyway, all the remnants of Brans’ army have been cleared out. I guess you can’t even think about coming in here for a while.”

“No, Yuuri. The opportunity has come!”

Epinel spoke in an energetic tone.

“Now is the perfect opportunity to plant a red flag at Rockline Castle! Just give me the command! I’ll advance right now with the remaining troops and try to occupy Rockline!”

‘I think it would be better to wait and see the situation for now.’

Now it was almost certain that Brans’ army would be attacked here and there, and it was true that an opportunity had come to our army –

There was no need for Aceers to take on the role of the vanguard.

Serpina, who is anxious to advance to the central region anyway, will almost certainly move.

When Brans’s army is at war with Serpina’s army, it would be easier to resolve the situation if they invaded at that time.

“General Epinel. I understand how you feel, but I don’t think it’s time yet.”

Jinor seemed to have the same thoughts as me, so I told her to wait a little while and briefed her on the current situation.

After listening to Jinor’s explanation, Epinel was lost in thought for a moment, then nodded and said.

“Okay, Inspector. I know that I was able to avoid major trouble this time thanks to your opinion.”

Fortunately, it seemed like there would be no needless stubbornness this time.

“I’ve told you this repeatedly, but it’s not my opinion… .”

At that moment, Jinor slightly rolled his eyes towards where I was.

I shook my head slightly.

There was no need to tell my story in detail, it was just a nuance.

Fortunately, he seemed to understand what I meant, so he didn’t bother mentioning my name further.

‘It wouldn’t be good if it stood out too much.’

In order to live without any problems here in Aishous County, it was important not to reveal the achievements one had made.

Even Jinor, whose reputation is widely known throughout the continent, is being checked by the founding public figures for holding the position of a strategist, so how can a general like me who only dropped a meteorite from the sky be so miserable?

Of course, the fact that he ‘dropped a meteorite from the sky’ was impressive enough, but unless he could do so freely, if he continued to use that reputation, an awkward moment would inevitably come at some point.

Anyway, that’s how the encounter with Yuuri ended.

I took a quick step forward.

The place I headed to was where Irene was.

*

Irene has always been a consistent person, regardless of her affiliation or location.

This time too, just like it was in Brans County –

Time was being spent treating the wounded soldiers who had played a major role in preventing the surprise attack.

Neither Emma, Hernandorf, nor Epinel are here… … She always took care of the soldiers who fought alongside her on the front lines.

“Irene.”

“Oh? Swen! I hope you came back safely.”

She smiled at me as if she was very happy to see me, but I couldn’t smile back at her.

She must have noticed that my expression was strangely different from usual, so she very carefully asked me a question.

“… … Swen? Did something happen? If you are unwell-”

“Irene… … I heard you had a fight with Chell Brans.”

“Ah, you mean that? huh. It was like that. Because I had to buy time.”

She said it as if nothing had happened, but-

Because of his casual attitude, I actually got a little emotional and spoke with emotion.

“Why did you engage in an unreasonable duel? I am absolutely not disrespecting Irene, but Chell Brans is a strong man with no one to compete with even within Brans County. Looking at it objectively, it is highly likely that Irene will not be able to defeat him. If you had made a mistake, wouldn’t Iren’s life have been in danger?”

Irene listened to my words with somewhat strong emotions, closed her eyes for a moment, lost in thought, and-

Soon, he slowly opened his eyes and spoke in a serious tone.

“… … A knight with a sword must fight when he must fight.”

“Now is not the time. we are… … Don’t you have a place to go?”

It may be a bit shameless, but… …

I suddenly thought that if something goes wrong with Irene while risking her life to fight for Acious, I might start to resent Acious from that day on.

To me, who was having such somewhat childish thoughts, she said with a small smile.

“That’s why we fought, Swen.”

“Yes… … ?”

“Because I wanted to go where I had to go with you. I don’t want you to be in danger before then.”

Iren was looking at me with eyes clearer than ever.

Those eyes. The look in the eyes of someone who wants to protect something… … It was momentarily overwhelming for me.

“If Chell had not been tied up there, there was a high possibility that he would have turned his soldiers around and retreated. That alone should be able to inflict some damage on the Brans army, but… … As you said, it couldn’t have caused enough damage to cause the balance weight to shift. If we miss this opportunity that has come to us, is there no guarantee that we will be able to seize it again?”

“… … .”

I couldn’t say anything.

That’s right, because Iren’s words were correct.

Because Chell fell for Irene’s provocation and fought, that is, because the commander was preoccupied with fighting with one general instead of leading –

It was true that the Brans army, whose ranks were disorganized after being ambushed while preparing for a surprise attack, fell into a state of chaos that could not be resolved and suffered great damage.

Rather, the problem was that I did not give her such instructions through Jinor.

If it weren’t for her wit, I wouldn’t have been able to make full use of the opportunity I had.

But why… …

Why is my heart pounding like this?

Why is something in my heart running wild as if it is frustrated?

“Swen. I am truly glad that my abilities have been of help to you. It’s okay to not feel too pressured. From the moment I quit Brans, I decided to live solely for you.”

I decided to live for you, D.

As soon as I heard that story, my true feelings that were hidden inside me came out of my mouth.

“… … If you have decided to live for me, no matter what happens, please do not die.”

“… … Huh?”

She looked at me in slight surprise at the words I blurted out without realizing it.

But what can you do? This is my truth.

“It doesn’t matter what the advantage is or what the opportunity is. It’s okay to blow an opportunity. Irene… … No matter what happens, I hope Irene doesn’t die. I hope you don’t fall into danger.”

“Swen… … .”

“So, next time, please don’t go into battle alone and forcefully. Please. If you don’t think it will work, just run away. Please do not risk your life at any moment. It may sound funny to ask a knight going into battle like this, but… … I’m serious.”

What was I thinking when I said that?

What is certain is that the person I am now is not speaking as my brain with 100% intelligence tells me –

Even now, my heart, still beating inside my chest, was telling me what to do.

After hearing what I said, she looked at me in silence for a while… …

Soon, his face blushed and he lowered his head slightly.

He had a girlish expression on his face that was very unbecoming of a knight… … He said in a hushed voice.

“… … Yeah, okay, so… Looking at you with those eyes, that’s… … .”

“Yes?”

“That… … Boo, because I’m embarrassed… … Yes.”

I looked at Iren, who was looking at me with a deep blush… …

At that time, I would probably do even more than help Luna and unify the world-

I thought maybe he just wanted to protect this woman.