episode_0089

“Swen?”

“No, that… … Please wait a moment.”

If I go and negotiate in person, it will be resolved?

Should I go, myself, and not anyone else?

If someone else goes, there can be no negotiation, but if I go, can there be negotiation?

‘why???’

Because the results were such that I couldn’t get past them without thinking of the fundamental question, my mind started to quickly overheat again.

But no matter how many times I type the question in my head, the answer is the same.

I have to go, not someone else.

‘Huh, indeed.’

I feel this way every time this happens, but it would have been much easier to persuade people if I had at least given a clear reason.

I slowly looked at people’s thoughts… … I opened my mouth cautiously.

“I don’t think fighting is necessarily the answer.”

“What does it mean?”

“So… … This means that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to think about negotiation.”

Even though it was clearly a conclusion I came to in my head, I couldn’t hide the feeling that I couldn’t understand why negotiation was possible and let it slip into my words.

Well, no matter how much I think about it, there is no reason for Serpina to negotiate with our military.

Basically, negotiation was only possible if there was something to be gained from that side.

This side has nothing to give, so why is that side handing over troops from our side?

Of course – I have no doubt that this is the most efficient method.

It was the same way back when I was in Luna County and negotiating with Lin. Negotiations must take place in some form. That’s why I say ‘negotiation’.

but.

If there is anything different from then-

“Swen?”

“Ah… … Yes.”

Yuuri asked, tilting his head.

“When you say you are thinking about negotiation, do you mean that you can sign an armistice agreement with the Serpina Army?”

“Yes.”

“How on earth?”

This place was not Lunarien County, but Aethius County.

Yuuri, unlike Luna, was a monarch who did not trust me unconditionally.

It was clear that if I told Luna that “that’s right”, she would just listen and say that’s right.

But Yuuri is different.

In order to convince her, I had to logically explain, ‘Why is my opinion right?’

However, I can’t think of a suitable sentence.

“That… … I think I need to think about it a little more.”

“You think I need to think a little more? Didn’t you think about it and come to a conclusion?”

“So, I have it all sorted out in my head… … Due to my shortcomings, it is a bit difficult to summarize it neatly in one sentence.”

“Really? This answer is a bit difficult to understand… … .”

Yuuri touched his chin with his hand and made a gesture that seemed troubled.

“Anyway, if that were you, it would be a bit difficult to listen to that story. Opinions must have grounds, right? It’s hard for this side to accept that we’re just going to negotiate. Right now, it’s not like we’re getting what Serpina wants. Serpina has a strong personality, so she might be willing to negotiate or something like that.”

Maybe if I were given some time.

I couldn’t think of a sentence that could convince her.

I wish I could at least open a map and see what’s going on, but the information given to me right now is ridiculously small.

In order to cook, you need ingredients, but it would be appropriate to think of it as a situation where you don’t have any ingredients.

“So, Swen. Your opinion is rejected. I’m sorry, but.”

“No. I understand.”

Yuuri smiled bitterly after hearing what I said.

“You don’t have to be too upset. Actually, no matter what we say, I have no intention of negotiating in any way.”

Yuuri spoke in a somewhat sharp tone.

“This is a country that will have to clash anyway, and even if the situation is avoided through negotiations right now, it is only temporary.”

Well, if that story is true, it must be true… …

As my 100-point intelligence brain predicted, it would not only be the most efficient, but it would also be the ‘most correct decision’ for Atious.

“Besides… … .”

That moment.

A rare emotion, anger, was read in Yuuri’s eyes, which were usually very gentle.

“I don’t want to negotiate with Serpina at all.”

‘ah.’

I immediately understood Yuuri’s psychological state.

Although she doesn’t show it off as openly as Anima, she must have also gone through the hell called Piviola Academy.

The roots of the imperial army that attacked them at that time would soon reach Serpina.

In order to persuade her, you would have to bring not only logic but also something that would break through her resistance… … There was no way I, who had just made a prediction, would have such a thing.

‘Should I give up pushing this opinion?’

The one who lost by not listening to me was not me, but Yuuri, the ruler of the Aishous County.

Also, it is said that even if you fight back, ‘you will win’… …

Even if it’s not the most efficient, it’s not that bad of an answer, is it?

Moreover, although this decision may be overwhelmingly advantageous to the Aishous army, it is currently unknown whether it will ultimately be beneficial to the Lunarien whom I will serve.

Of course, rather than having the Serpina Army become a superpower that swallowed up more than half of the central continent and endure, it would be much easier for the future Lunarien Army to have various countries like the Aishous Army remain and take up a certain amount of the stake. It was true that the task could be carried out.

In any case, since it was predicted that Runarien would become the monarch who would unify the continent, it was inevitable.

Therefore, there was no reason for me to persuade her.

‘okay. Anyway, it’s just Acious-kun’s job. It’s not like Irene is in danger, and there’s no need to act too flashy.’

Our gratitude for accepting us has already been repaid in full during the battle with Branth’s army.

Rather than pushing for an opinion, it wouldn’t have been a bad decision to just move on.

“… … .”

Jinor looked at me strangely, but in any case, I was not given the opportunity to go further on this topic.

Even after that, several opinions were exchanged.

Seeing that ordinary generals with no reputation freely offered their opinions to Yuuri, it certainly seemed like she wasn’t such a tight-lipped person.

The problem would be if you never compromise on some issues.

“Thank you all for your opinions.”

Yuuri stood up, stretched out his hands and spoke.

“We will choose to fight back. I understand the opinions of people, including Jinor, who argue that we must ‘take over our troops’, but we can never move forward if we confirm that we will be defeated without even confronting him. We won’t be sending reinforcements right now, but we may have to depending on the situation. The generals who will be participating in the battle will be told separately, so it would be a good idea to prepare your mind. Do you understand?”

“”Yes! Okay!””

In keeping with the people’s actions, I bowed my head to Yuuri and answered.

Is it ultimately a resistance war?

I wasn’t that worried since I heard I was going to win… … For some reason, a corner of my heart continued to feel uneasy.

“Everyone, please return to your mission first. Unless there are special instructions, I would appreciate it if you behave as usual.”

To me who goes on a rampage like that –

“Swen.”

Irene approached me with a worried expression.

“Irene.”

“Should we negotiate with Serpina? Is that the most efficient method our military can take?”

“Yes.”

“I see… … Well, it’s probably true because it’s you and not someone else.”

When I thought about it, Irene seemed like she would believe me.

Because she was the only person in this county who had seen all of my ridiculous claims turn out to be true since she was already in Brans county.

“In that case, I would like to try to persuade my lord.”

“Persuasion?”

“Okay. Because Yuuri-sama listens to the opinions of generals.”

“But how?”

“Well… … Now that I think about it, why is negotiation an efficient method? Are you holding on to Serpina-kun’s weakness?”

I hesitated for a moment about what to say, and then-

‘okay. There’s no need to lie to Irene.’

Soon, I simply answered her as I knew.

“Honestly, it’s just a feeling.”

“Persimmon?”

“Yes. I’m just confident that it will be the right answer.”

“I see… … .”

It may sound somewhat absurd and irresponsible, but instead of responding to what I said, Irene nodded and said with a serious expression.

“I think I understand why someone of your caliber could not persuade the lord.”

“No shame.”

“No. Well, Swen, if your senses are that bright, then it must be true. I trust you.”

Irene’s words of infinite trust in me reminded me of my old master, Luna.

Even Iren didn’t trust me this much from the beginning. As we spent time together and experienced various things, he naturally came to trust me.

On the other hand, didn’t Luna truly believe in me and support me as soon as she met me and recommended me?

‘How on earth was that possible?’

I once again became curious about her current situation.

Are you doing well?

“Thank you for your concern. First of all, I don’t think we will lose the battle, so I don’t think we need to worry too much.”

“Hmm. okay. See you later this evening. Then.”

After parting ways with Iren and leaving the castle, I raised my head and looked up at the sky.

Especially today, the face of Luna, who trusted me absolutely and unconditionally, came to mind.

She had a very weak personality, but her red eyes were very intense.

Are you well, my lord?

I have changed my master twice, but somehow I survive each day.

Until the Lord appears in the middle of history again… … We will try to survive somehow.

With that in mind, I walked out of the royal castle.

* * *

When Swen insisted ‘we have to negotiate’.

The person who took that opinion most seriously was Jinor, the national counselor standing next to Yuuri.

‘It’s a negotiation… … .’

Why on earth did Swen say something like that?

It’s not anyone else, it’s Swen.

Jinor thought very highly of him. This was all the more so because I was convinced that the point at which Brans County began to fall in the first place was when Swen turned his back on Branth County and moved over to Aethus County.

I told Yuuri that I don’t know exactly why negotiation is the right answer, but-

I thought maybe it wasn’t that I didn’t know, but that I couldn’t tell you for some reason.

‘If there’s a reason I can’t tell you… … Are you conspiring with Serpina-kun?’

There was a high possibility that that was not the correct answer.

Wasn’t Serpina the person he was throwing rocks at from the sky?

No matter how much of a spy he was, there was no one who would inflict such devastating damage on our troops by deceiving the enemy.

If you think about it that way, one thing.

There was a reason I could guess because it was Swen and not anyone else.

‘Magic… … is it?’

Swen himself claimed to be ‘asking the will of heaven’, but when he saw that Reika, a true magician, was able to perceive mana and was rapidly improving her skills, Jinor thought that he was a magician.

I just don’t want to get into trouble with him, so I don’t bother to ask.

This is a man who could become your son-in-law in the long run, so there’s no need for them to have a falling out, right?

then… …

Using some kind of magical power that Jinor doesn’t know, Yuuri doesn’t know, and no one else knows about, but only Swen knows… … Are you trying to persuade Serpina?

Since magic is an unknown power, the extent of its effects and influence was not exactly known. It was just not known to the world. It seemed like he might have a mysterious magic that could overcome this situation.

‘If that’s true, this could be a golden opportunity.’

If we could negotiate well with the Sarfina army, we could end it without losing anything, including castles and troops.

However, if the method was magic, it would not be easy to persuade Yuuri, the direct monarch.

then-

‘I guess I’ll have to take action here.’

If it was a proposal from a national strategist rather than a general, there was a high possibility that it would work to some extent.

Of course, Yuuri himself has animosity toward Serpina-kun, but-

She was basically a very wise person. Don’t you know from watching me that this is someone who will listen if you explain it well?

Jinor glanced at Yuuri’s side face.

She seemed lost in thought and was biting her nails slightly.

Biting her nails is a habit she does when she gets nervous. Jinor, whose role was to be by her side and assist her, naturally understood this.

It seemed like he was worried about the upcoming battle.

‘Now is not the time. A little more time passes… … It’s not too late to make a suggestion when Yuuri-sama calms down.’

like that-

In Jinor’s mind, Swen was becoming something strange, an archmage with mysterious powers that could even control people’s minds.