episode_0131

* * *

Turn the clock forward for a moment –

Balharat Castle, the capital of Aethus County, located in the eastern part of the central region.

“… … .”

Yuuri was looking out the window of the throne room with empty eyes.

How much time has passed?

I heard the sound of someone approaching this place.

“Yuuri.”

“… … .”

The main character of the voice is Anima Ingram.

She was the woman Yuuri wanted to save, even if it meant bearing all the stigma.

“Anima. Come on. How is Erne’s situation?”

“I think it’s completely improved. Thank goodness. That guy had no strengths other than being strong.”

Yuuri smiled and responded to Anima’s words.

“I’m so glad… … I was worried a lot.”

“… … .”

Anima looked at that and let out a short sigh, unable to bear to smile.

“Yuuri.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know what the situation is right now?”

“… … Yes.”

As of yesterday, the 9th officer resigned.

A total of 9 officers, including Jinor, left the Aethus Army.

From the perspective of the Aishus military, a weak nation where each and every person was precious, no matter how much its power grew, having this many people abandon their official positions and leave was bound to be a blow.

Returning prisoners in exchange for the longevity of the country they sent as envoys.

In an unprecedented situation that no monarch could think of, Epinel stepped in as a firefighter and managed to control the boiling situation – but you can’t cover the sky with your palms.

“Epinel went through a lot of trouble on my behalf. Really, it might have been right for Epinel to be the monarch, not me. All I have been given is the blood of the Acious family that runs through my body… … .”

“I didn’t come here to hear you cry, Yuuri.”

Seeing Yuuri smiling awkwardly, Anima feels her heart sink.

No matter what… … This woman did it only for herself.

Now, they say things like ‘I didn’t ask for it’ and have no intention of leaving me out.

From that day of oath onward, the only sun he would serve was Yuuri.

“What are you going to do next?”

“Well. I don’t know. First of all, I’m glad Serpina didn’t move, but… … The movements in the south are also unusual, so I think things will get confusing again. Anyway, shouldn’t we spend time strengthening our internal stability first? A total of three territories have increased.”

Walharat Castle, Lacline Castle, Zellstrom Castle, and Zeta Castle.

As they took over the territory of Charam County and Allefel County, and even a castle from Brans County, the size of the Aishous Army had grown considerably.

“I have a plan, Yuuri.”

“Plan?”

Yuuri looked straight into Anima’s eyes and said.

“What do you think our military needs right now?”

“… … well. First of all, wouldn’t the priority be for the waves to pass?”

“Okay. The wave has to pass… … This series of events must be quickly forgotten. In other words, internal solidarity is more important to us than ever before.”

“Internal solidarity… … Ira.”

The shaking started from the unprecedented situation of selling out the armed forces under one’s command.

In order to somehow calm this torrent, something bigger was needed to get everyone involved.

“Okay. In order to do that… … We must try war first.”

Yuuri looked slightly surprised at the word war.

“War? in other words… … Are you trying to attack first?”

“Yes.”

“But, the only one we can attack right away is Serpina-kun, right? Do you mean to go back to Hispil Castle?”

Yuuri said with disapproval.

“That’s impossible. In a situation where there are three territories near the border, it is difficult to carry out further invasions… … Anima, you know it well, right?”

“That’s right. It’s definitely difficult now. Especially Hispil Castle. Because of my wrong choices, things got even closer to impossible.”

“No, I… … Well, I’m not blaming you-”

“It doesn’t matter, Yuuri. Because I don’t want to be unnecessarily offended by something like that… … Would you like to come this way?”

Anima laid out a map on a nearby desk.

“Now. Once you look at the map… … Clearly, the only one we can invade is Serpina County to the west. If you take a little time, you can advance to the southern continent, but if you get attacked on the way, it will be a big problem in many ways.”

“… … Yes.”

“Of course we will attack Serpina Army.”

Yuuri looked at Anima in silence.

It was not difficult for Anima to realize that this was her own silent gesture while waiting for her story to be told.

“But. An invasion of Serpina’s army does not mean an attack on a castle near the border. Because the route that can reach Serpina County is not limited to the west.”

“What does that mean?… … I’m not sure.”

“Don’t you know? We don’t just have three last names.”

Anima said so and pointed to a castle located at the easternmost tip of the continent.

Zeta Castle.

“But, the area around Zeta Castle is our military territory, right?”

“No, Yuuri. Try changing your perspective… … You would know.”

After hearing those words, Yuuri looked at the map for a long time.

Since this is what Anima brought up, there must be something… … While thinking like that, I suddenly realize something.

“No way… … Are you talking about the river?”

“Yes.”

There was a large river flowing near Zeta Castle.

If you follow the river flowing into the eastern sea in reverse, you will reach Amir Castle in the corner of the northern continent.

“Invading Amir Castle. From that point of view, since it’s not a castle located on the border, there won’t be many troops. If we take as many as we can, we can definitely win. We are planting the red flag of Acious in the northern continent! Obviously, you can never even expect it.”

surely.

It would be very difficult to figure out such an extraordinary plan in advance.

That’s right – because the benefit to Acious-kun was not great.

“But… … Even if I acquire territory, it’s only for a moment, and I don’t think I’ll be able to maintain it. Then isn’t it meaningless?”

“I told you, Yuuri. What we need is not just one or two territories. Something to put this situation to rest. We need huge waves to fight against the oncoming waves.”

Yuuri could easily understand the meaning behind Anima’s words.

Let’s make up for the sacrifice of our subordinate general, Swen, by planting a flag on the northern continent in an unusual way.

That was the true meaning of Anima.

Even if you get a castle, it will be taken away again soon. But I’m sure we can clean up this mess… … is it.

“I thought about it a lot. In the end, it happened because of me, so I thought I had to fix it somehow. I thought, thought, and thought until my head exploded. It’s definitely a reckless operation and we have nothing to gain, but… … So you’ll never be able to predict it. With this, you can hit them in the back. Yuuri. Trust me one more time.”

The burden on the heart was bound to exist not only for Yuuri but also for Anima.

Because in the first place, this whole skit happened to save Anima Ingram.

So, she thought with all her might. I wanted to somehow help Yuuri, who was in danger.

Visible results. If he achieves that, he will definitely be able to sort out the chaotic atmosphere within the country – his eyes were sparkling as if he was convinced of that.

Yuuri looked into Anima’s sparkling eyes.

Even though he lost his arm, he said we could do it without even showing it. Even when you say you will be my wings… … Her eyes were sparkling like that.

but.

Therefore, Yuuri slowly shook his head.

“No, Anima. This plan will not go through.”

“Why?! The enemy will never notice. With this method, you can acquire territory even if only for a moment. Excluding the Serpina Army, planting a flag on the northern continent is a golden opportunity to become our Aishous Army!”

Yuuri also agreed with that statement.

I agreed, but… … There was something more important than that.

“Mr. Yuuri. It cannot contain water that has already spilled. Is the decision right or wrong… … That’s something no one can know for sure.”

“Accept what has already happened and the consequences of your decisions. Only by accepting the results will we be able to move forward. This is the final advice I can give you as someone who once served as a clergyman.”

Yuuri closed her eyes and remembered the final advice of the giant tree that had been by her side in this difficult time.

I ended up letting him go, but… … His last words were holding a corner of her heart.

“Anima. To cover up the past… … You can’t sacrifice the present or the future.”

“… … !”

“It’s already happened. If you accumulate achievements, you will definitely have an impact and the situation itself may calm down. But that would just be throwing the future away to sort out this situation. So, you can’t do it. I’m sorry.”

actually.

Anima also vaguely knew.

The reason I was confident that the enemy would not find out about this plan was because it would not be of much help to the Aishous army.

What kind of strategist could predict that our troops would carry out a strategy that would result in greater losses?

The flag of the Aishous County is temporarily planted in the northern part of the country –

Other than that, everything will be lost.

The soldiers sent to attack this castle, as well as the funds and supplies consumed in the process, all disappear for just one impact.

Still, I had no choice but to push on.

For Yuuri, who lost so much while bearing everything because of him.

Because I hoped that she would be able to shake off the burden and get back on her feet as soon as possible.

“But, if it continues like this, you… … It won’t be too hard for you. because of me. me… … Because I tried to save-”

“Anima.”

Yuuri lowered his head and rubbed the shoulders of the heartbroken Anima.

“It’s okay. It’s something I’ve decided to do. … … We are family, right?”

“… … .”

Anima swallowed the tears that were welling up.

And then he swore again.

Even if there comes a moment when she makes a wrong decision and everyone turns their backs on her… …

He said that he would remain until the end and cover all the filth with her.

and-

There was no way for her to know that it was Anima’s great luck that Yuuri remembered Jinor’s advice at a critical moment.

* * *

“Thank you for your hard work, Irene.”

“Hmm. Thank you for your hard work. Let’s take a look.”

After sending off the soldiers who were on patrol with her, Irene changed her clothes and headed to her lodgings.

The mission she received was to strengthen security in the capital city of Eingart.

It was nothing special, it was just patrolling the territory inside and outside Eingart Castle.

Although security was already sufficiently good, that was only thanks to a certain number of security forces continuously patrolling in shifts.

If you take it easy even for a day, public order is bound to deteriorate quickly, even in the capital city. Because these were difficult times.

Moreover, not long ago, after the patrol team of Amir Castle received a huge number of inquiries, the work load doubled due to orders from superiors to further strengthen patrols.

Of course, from Iren’s perspective, it felt rewarding just to have a job.

Considering the times when no one was looking for her, she was the type of person who could gain strength just by knowing that someone needed her.

“… … .”

As I was returning home like this, I suddenly remembered the time I was at Balharat Castle.

At that time, whenever I returned home from a mission, Swen would always welcome me.

The reason the walk back home was so enjoyable must have been because the white-haired man I wanted to protect, who always protected me when I got home, welcomed me with a smile.

‘… … I miss you.’

I missed Swen.

However, it was not possible to just go to the place where he was staying.

It wasn’t a very good decision to act out of the ordinary as someone who had just been appointed.

I don’t know if it’s only me that’s the problem, but I can’t do anything as I want because even Swen can use the blame.

‘It would be nice to have an opportunity to meet Swen… … .’

In that case, I could have naturally asked to meet, but I couldn’t think of anything suitable.

Irene said, ‘Swen. For a moment, I imagined myself saying, ‘I came here because I wanted to see you’ and then-

Soon, I felt my face getting hot and I lowered my head.

… … I felt like even if I died soon, I wouldn’t be able to say those words because I was too embarrassed.

How on earth can Swen say such embarrassing words so easily?

‘I wish I could convey my feelings as easily as Swen… … .’

That time when I was lightly blaming myself.

‘… … huh?’

There was a bustling atmosphere somewhere, so my gaze naturally turned in that direction.

At the end of the line of sight, there was a store selling desserts.

It seemed like they were holding a demonstration or something similar.

Iren looked up and checked the phrase written on the banner above.

[3 days until St. Valentino’s Feast! Prepare in advance!]

‘Saint Valentino’s Day?’

A woman wearing an apron approached Irene, who was puzzled about the anniversary since it was her first time hearing about it, and spoke with a gentle smile.

“Hello, driver! This is a new chocolate from our store. Would you like to try it?”