episode_0163

I immediately removed the cloth sealing his mouth and shook him.

“Senior, are you out of your mind? Zenith senior!”

“… … !”

Fortunately, Zenith quickly opened her eyes and understood the situation.

“… … Swen? Why are you… … .”

“I came to rescue you. I received a request from my younger sister.”

“… … ah… … .”

Zenith sighed briefly, then looked at me and nodded.

Apparently, he understood the situation without difficulty.

Now, it was time to hear his story.

* * *

Turn back the clock, a few days ago.

Zenith thought as she left the royal castle with a bitter expression.

‘You are the one who went to the battlefield and suffered the most, so why can’t you receive any compensation?’

It was clear that the position of deputy commander of the occupation force would be given to the most promising young general in the current Serpina army.

From anyone’s perspective, that position belonged to Irian, who had made a remarkable contribution in subduing the Brans army.

Until a woman named Irene appeared.

‘I know he’s great, but… … In the end, it was you who fought for our military. And yet… … .’

I was always loyal to Serpina, and I thought I had to be that way even if there was no return, but-

It bothered Zenith that the person in question was not his brother whom he greatly respected, but even a general who had recently betrayed his master and had just arrived here.

Even after talking with Irian, nothing was resolved.

Just when I was thinking about whether I should just move on like this… … There was a group of people approaching him.

“Don’t you think this is unfair?”

This is the story of an old general who kindly taught me various things when I had just joined Serpina Army.

It turned out that there were quite a few generals in the military who had similar thoughts to him.

At the place she went to after being introduced by the old general, an unexpected face greeted Zenith and said,

“Oh, this is Lord Zenith of the famous Al Kaski family. Nice to meet you. It seems like only yesterday I was having a drink with your father, and I’m so jealous that you already have a second grown son!”

The leader of this group was Houghton Argyll, one of the 11 public servants of the Eingart Empire who retired from the front lines and spent the rest of his life quietly doing pastimes.

He was a very wise old man, and was considered the only person capable of succeeding Jinor Nighthardt, who served as chancellor of the empire, and as such, he was a person capable of taking on the role of national strategist within the somewhat chaotic Serpina military not long after the situation was resolved. Although he was a man who was considered one of the…

After he declined due to aging, the position was taken over by Jenna, and he was quietly spending his time doing pastimes in the background.

Of course, this did not mean that he completely withdrew from central politics.

At first, I hung out with them just to get my emotions out of my head.

Because the more I share my feelings of frustration with people who share the same thoughts, the less I feel.

But, at some point… … Zenith naturally realized that they were plotting something that should never be mentioned.

“If it were you, you wouldn’t have handled things this way.”

“Lord Houghton, who was Mr. Argot’s right-hand man, is also very sorry.”

“Zenith, don’t you also think that Algot is the true successor to the empire?”

These were one of countless forces that did not recognize Serpina.

The focal point was changed to Algot von Eyngart and his favorite, Houghton Argyll – they were no different from the gangs that had appeared countless times up until now, borrowing the names of Argot and Sidmid.

In this situation where she found out everything, what Zenith chose to survive was to respond appropriately.

I thought about telling the truth to my lord right away, but I couldn’t do that because there was no situation to meet alone with my lord these days, and in this meeting, in addition to people who were close to Zenith, there were also old generals who were Zenith’s personal benefactors.

Because it was obvious that everyone would be killed as soon as he told them.

While I was wandering around unable to make a decision, Zenith was suddenly treated as a member of the group, and when she came to her senses, she even deceived her roommate and was in contact with them, even asking her sister for a favor.

And one day.

“Are you talking about your brother?”

“Okay. If Lord Irian, who is very heartbroken over this incident, helps us, don’t you think it will become the cornerstone for the ‘right Eingart Empire’? Of course, if I succeed, I will guarantee that not only Lord Irian but also Lord Zenith will receive a worthy status. The Al Kaski family has finally become a true founding contributor!”

After hearing Hutton’s request to persuade Irian, I felt like I couldn’t just ignore it.

‘The situation is already dangerous enough just by continuing to hang out with these people and talk about things like this. If you’re not careful, your brother and sister, no, our entire family could be in danger. So, you have to tell your lord everything honestly right now… … !’

“Zenice, never forget that you too have taken a step forward. If you want to get what you want, you know what to do, right?”

What Zenith wants is for Irian to be recognized for his hard work.

But I couldn’t do something so stupid that it would inevitably lead to destruction for everyone.

Countless rebel forces, and even forces much larger than this one, have all perished as the dew of execution. It’s good to say that they are contributors to the empire, but how much will the power gathered by the old man in the back room grow?

Of course, apart from those things – Zenith herself has never even thought about betraying Serpina.

“… … I know.”

So, after looking around like that, Zenith headed straight to the royal castle.

Even if it means being rude, he wants to be alone with Serpina and confess everything.

I might be punished for speaking up late, but it was better than getting involved and having my family go extinct.

but-

“… … !!”

Someone hit Zenith hard on the back of the head as she was heading to the castle.

“Tsk. That’s what I’m trying to say after all. Damn son of a bitch.”

“What should I do? Should I kill you?”

“You must not kill him. If you want to somehow capture Irian Al Kaski, it would be better to keep him alive. but… … It would be best not to go outside for a while.”

Just like that, he barely recognized the voices of those who attacked him-

Zenith’s vision gradually darkened.

* * *

Eingart royal castle.

I was in the throne room, kneeling before Serpina and talking to her.

“Swen. Since you came to see her first, I am very curious about what is going on. Do you want to spend some personal time with her?”

“… … .”

Serpina told a fairly light story with a smile on her face, but-

What I was going to tell her from now on was a very heavy story that could not be told lightly.

She also seemed to have read the mood expressed by my expression and asked in a lowered, serious tone.

“Something seems to have happened.”

“Master… … Don’t be surprised, just listen. I have some concerns, and as a result of my personal investigation -”

“It looks like someone is trying to take my life again.”

“… … !!!”

As soon as I heard Serpina’s words, I looked at her face in surprise.

she is… … He was smiling.

That smile does not contain the charisma that she showed as an absolute being, nor the seductiveness that she showed as a woman-

It was a very lonely smile that seemed somehow empty.

“Nothing to be surprised. Because your expression was so serious, I just thought it was about time. Besides, Swen, you found out there was a traitor last time and told me about it. Isn’t it unusual for something that happened once to happen twice?”

“Master… … .”

Contrary to my intentions, I once hunted down a traitor.

At that time, they were the remnants of Sidmid von Eyngart, and this time, there would be no difference between the two except that they were the remnants of Algot von Eingart.

I thought as I looked at her lonely expression.

… … okay.

There was currently an endless rebellion going on in the northern continent.

Even when playing as Serpina in the game, no matter how loyal you were, someone would always rebel.

At the time, I simply thought it was some kind of ‘balance patch’… …

In the real world, it also meant that she had to periodically watch the generals who believed in and followed her rebel against her.

“Tell me about it, Swen. What happened.”

“… … Yes.”

Even if what I tell you will make Serpina’s crown heavier –

I couldn’t let it go without saying anything.

Because I had to protect her.

So, I told her everything I had heard from Zenith.

* * *

that day.

Thanks to the activities of Swen and Irene, the group that was plotting treason in the name of Algoth von Eyngart was all arrested and detained at once thanks to the confessions of the people involved.

The leader was Argyle Houghton, an old general who had retired from the front line and had supported Argot in the battle for the successor. However, when he died and Serpina ascended the throne, he had retired from the front line and was living the rest of his life quietly.

As this incident surfaced, it was revealed that it was only an appearance.

and.

Among the traitors was Erin, a female general who followed her particularly well.

“… … Erin.”

“… … .”

Serpina asked, looking at the woman who always worked for her.

“Why on earth did you participate in such a stupid thing? This is a foolish act unbecoming of you, who was so intelligent.”

“Serpina. Do you know how many people are unhappy because of you? How long do you think you can rule after taking so many lives?”

“… … .”

“It’s not too late. Please resign. Please hand the coffin over to Lord Houghton, the rightful successor to Prince Algoth, who should have been the monarch. He said that if you do that, Serpina’s life will be specially guaranteed. It would be foolish to cling to Eyngart’s blood, which has become so tainted now.”

It was strange.

He felt like he couldn’t communicate at all with Erin, who had always sworn loyalty to him.

And then I realize.

Is this it?

Is this the feeling that Rachelven, who once taught me etiquette, was talking about?

“Princess. Since this is also fate, I will tell you something good at the end. I am… … This old man is just the first.”

“Didn’t you expect that when I drank the royal family’s blood with my own hand? Countless people are targeting the princess. … … It will probably be a difficult fight, but I think this is also a weight that must be overcome by the person who deceived everyone, aimed for something he should not have, and then took it.”

‘I am… … ‘Do you mean to have something you shouldn’t have?’

It’s something you shouldn’t have.

Actually, something like this. I didn’t even want to have it.

All these things. The Eingart family’s fate, bloodline, and will to unify the empire –

Aren’t they all things that were ‘given’ to Serpina?

On the way back from prison, Serpina leaned against the wall and thought.

How long will I have to see the eyes of those who worked for me change 180 degrees and hate me?

How long will this never-ending malice roam around me?

If you think about it that way… … This time too, it was not difficult to realize that ‘that man’ was involved.

‘Swen… … .’

The last treason and this one would not have been noticed without him.

Regardless of whether the rebellion was successful or not, it was no exaggeration to say that it was all thanks to Swen that no major damage was suffered.

Perhaps, if it were Swen, she might be able to answer.

On the way back to the throne room, Serpina decided to call Swen.

Is it simply to praise his hard work on this matter and discuss future work?

Or maybe I just wanted to see him… …

Even she couldn’t know that.