episode_0125

* * *

The throne room where Swen was sent away.

Serpina sat on a chair and was lost in thought for a while.

“… … My lord.”

“… … .”

There was no particular answer, but Jenna asked the question regardless.

“I would like to say something about the opinion I just made. What do you think?”

Serpina slowly turned her head and looked at Jenna.

Jenna, who had been with her for a long time, easily realized that this was an unspoken message telling her to keep talking.

“This is definitely a valid opinion. It’s just a rumor, but it has credibility. This is especially true in the sense that he knows a lot more since he was a member of the Acious Army not long ago. but… … ”

“I’m not sure if Yuuri will act that far emotionally. If his explanation is correct, it means that an invasion will eventually come this way… … .”

Jenna lowered her head slightly and spoke cautiously.

“With such confidence, there are some parts that are somewhat difficult to understand in the claim that this is the most efficient opinion. Wouldn’t it end up as a waste of troops?”

“But she is also the woman who actually handed over her subjects into my hands. It is great arrogance to think that humans will always follow common sense.”

“That’s true, but… … If there was an Anima Ingram at the time, isn’t there a situation where there isn’t anything at stake now? As mentioned earlier, there is not only one way to divert attention.”

“That makes sense.”

“Swen’s opinion is a bit puzzling. therefore… … I don’t know how to explain this… … I have to say that I feel like I’m being diverted from an important point. Should I say that I have the impression that the logic is being developed from somewhat peripheral aspects rather than the essence… … .”

Serpina slowly turned her head and asked Jenna, who was having trouble choosing words.

“You probably want to say that the central part of his opinion is not the ‘Aethus Army invasion’, right?”

Jenna said, slightly surprised by those words.

Sometimes, Serpina would organize and express her thoughts in clear sentences that even she could not explain in words.

“Yes. That’s right. It’s not a problem when the Aishous army invades… … Let’s listen to his opinion.”

“I was more concerned about stationing troops in Amir Castle.”

“As you said, Swen’s opinion was not that the Aethus army should be stopped, but that troops should be stationed at Amir Castle. Isn’t that the reason why the preceding content is just a symptom? … .”

Jenna and Serpina were grasping the situation quite keenly.

In Swen’s opinion, the central topic was not the ‘surprise attack of the Aishous army’, but rather the ‘replenishment of troops at Amir Castle’.

But, that was it. Jenna was certainly an excellent tactician, but she was not a very clever woman.

Rather, it would be no different to say that the smartest person in this country is Serpina, who reigns over her.

“Over there.”

“Huh?”

“Couldn’t this be some kind of magic?”

“What are you talking about?”

“So, it’s a magic that allows you to see the future… … Isn’t he most likely a wizard?”

“If you say so, Jenna. It looks like you aren’t even sure.”

“That… … He is a man who has the ability to drop stones from the sky, so there is a possibility that he has some abilities that we don’t know about… … Considering that a person who could use such magic was abandoned by his lord or constantly moved from country to country, it was quite strange… … .”

If you really knew how to see the future, I couldn’t understand why you were abandoned like this.

Now, Xena was judging that it was more likely that he was not a wizard.

“It seems that my wisdom is limited in coming to this level of conclusion.”

Serpina stayed quiet for a while after hearing Jenna’s words, then burst out laughing as if it was fun.

“Did you notice, Jenna?”

“What do you mean?”

“This is Swen’s expression. To be more precise, it could be said to be those eyes.”

That time when Swen was lost in thought before presenting his opinion at the opinion proposal meeting.

In that split-second moment, Swen’s eyes suddenly flashed as if he had realized something.

Even though others couldn’t see it, Serpina saw it clearly with her own eyes.

“What do you think?”

“Even if you say it’s the eyes… … I don’t know.”

“It’s okay. Because I thought you would say that.”

Jenna knew that those were not Serpina’s empty words.

She was strangely perceptive, and could read what the other person was thinking like a ghost.

Isn’t Serpina the type of person who can figure out something embarrassing even if she hides it with a poker face?

“Jenna. What is the status of troops on the border?”

“The troops are evenly distributed across most castles. Even if war breaks out, it will be possible to prevent it somehow.”

“So, you’re saying you’re relaxed right now?”

“Yes, but… … .”

Only then did Serpina’s head turn towards Jenna.

“Jenna. Immediately issue a conscription notice to Amir Castle.”

“Yes. What should I do after issuing a notice?”

“We can station them without leaving and prepare for defense.”

“Then… … ?”

At Jenna’s words, Serpina grinned and slightly tilted her head.

It was like the laughter of a nine-tailed fox that had managed to eat three or four livers.

“I plan to bet on the look in Swen’s eyes.”

“Are you saying that you will do according to his will?”

“Okay. However, you should check before quietly trusting.”

It’s magic.

If there really could be such magic as Jenna said, wouldn’t it be a good idea to test it?

Serpina smiled slightly as if it was fun, and thought to herself without saying anything this time.

‘How can he be so sure… … ‘I mean.’

* * *

“You had an opinion proposal meeting?”

At Zenith’s words, I nodded normally.

“Yes.”

“Already? It hasn’t been long since you came here, right? I haven’t done it yet!”

“Are there many people who want to do this?”

Zenith nodded at my words.

“Of course! It’s one of the few opportunities to appeal to your lord alone! It’s not just a dream to get into an important position if you get noticed there. How many people want to do that!”

“I just thought that all new people did it.”

“It’s all done. I do it once in a while… … Still, there must be so many military officers who serve their lord. Should I say it takes a bit of time? Anyway, Swen. Are you so lucky?”

As I was scratching my head, wondering if it was worth making such a fuss about, something was said again.

What I learned after spending a few days together was that Zenith had a quite chatty personality.

“That’s right. I have to tell you this too. You know, the tea leaves on that table!”

“Oh, that?”

These are the tea leaves that Irene gave me.

Zenith seemed to be interested, so she gave me permission to have a drink.

“That’s incredibly expensive. How did you get it? I guess you’re more of a gourmet than I thought?”

“Someone I know gave it to me.”

“Anyone you know? Are you a friend?”

“Yes.”

“He’s a precious person,” I said, stopping what I was going to say.

I didn’t think there was any need to bring up my story all that much.

“It’s tea leaves guaranteed by the Clement family, a famous black tea family. The peach scent is truly a work of art! It would have been better if there was something sweet, but it’s a shame.”

“Senior Zenith, you know a lot about black tea, right?”

“Huh?”

He asked, tilting his head.

I answered casually, just with the sense of small talk.

“No, well… … I don’t think usually men are very interested in that kind of thing.”

but.

For some reason, Zenith’s expression began to change immediately upon hearing those words.

“… … Huh?”

“?”

After saying nothing to each other for a while-

Soon, he broke the silence again.

“No, what! That, that… … Men might be interested too! Even though I look like this, I belong to the Kaski family! This is like common knowledge that any noble family should know! Isn’t it the quality of a noble man to be able to serve good tea to a lady?”

For some reason, it felt like he was desperately trying to make excuses, so I decided to just lose.

“That’s true too. Well, I didn’t know because I didn’t have any family ancestry.”

“It’s okay! Well, are aristocratic families a big deal these days? It’s just a name.”

Zenith said that and smiled awkwardly.

It’s a bit burdensome, but he’s definitely not a bad person.

However, the only thing that bothers me is-

‘Irian and Zenith are entities that do not exist in my memories.’

It bothered me that neither of them had ever met in-game.

Zenith, even so, if you just listen to the story, Irian Al Kaski comes from a fairly prestigious family and seems to be a promising talent in Serpina County… … Why don’t I remember seeing such a general?

Considering that he looked pretty good, he might have been memorable, but it didn’t stick in my mind at all.

Although there are no S-class generals in Serpina’s army, there are still a few people who keep appearing as madams, so you might have seen them at least once.

“What are you thinking?”

“Yes?”

“No, just. I was lost in thought.”

It was only then that I realized that I seemed to be frozen for a moment by Zenith’s words, so I nodded and returned to reality.

“It’s nothing. I was just tired for a while.”

“Really? Did I talk too much without realizing it? … Sorry. I won’t talk to you, so get some rest. I’m going on patrol tonight, so don’t wait and sleep first.”

“I understand.”

Well, I guess it’s not in my head because I don’t have any special abilities… …

Thinking simply, I lay down on the bottom of the bunk bed.

And, while lying in bed like this, I naturally think.

… … I missed Irene.

In the end, I found it quite funny that the last thing I remembered was Iren.

Who does she think of?

I rested in bed, thinking that it would be nice if it were me.

* * *

next day.

After hearing from Zenith, who had come out on night patrol, that Serpina had called me, I took turns sleeping with her and left the dorm.

The place she called me was… … It was not the royal castle, but a separate building near the royal castle.

I was curious about what was going on, but I thought I would find out when I got there, so I walked quickly.

“Swen, I’ve been waiting for you. This way.”

As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by a guard wearing armor with a very stylish pattern on it.

As I passed through the gate, I was greeted by a rather cutely decorated garden.

It certainly gave off a feeling of beauty, but from the perspective of a member of the royal family, it could certainly be seen as plain.

Open the door, enter the building, and arrive at the place where you are guided –

‘cellar… … ?’

Go down the stairs and enter the basement…

In the middle of a very large room, she was standing.

“Welcome, Swen.”

She was wearing the officer’s combat uniform she had worn when I first saw her.

A different aura swirled around her than when she wore a sparkling dress.

Even if you wear clothes like that… … The voluptuous feminine beauty that could not be hidden shook my gaze.

“See you, my lord.”

I lowered my head and looked around, and the atmosphere in the room was strange.

A few scarecrows dressed in what looks like armor.

And, various weapons were hanging on the wall.

In the middle of the empty space, something similar to a circular arena was formed.

“Master. This place… … ?”

“Swen.”

Serpina looked at me and spoke in a cold tone without changing her expression.

“Is it okay for you to have the weapons you want to use?”

At the end of her gaze was the green rapier that I always wore on my belt.

“Yes? A weapon, what is that… … ?”

Instead of answering, she walked over to where the weapons were hanging and picked up a rapier that looked similar to mine.

And then he walked towards me… … He spoke casually, as if whispering to me.

“It may be sudden, but I would like to ask you a favor, Swen.”