episode_0184

*

When I arrived at the castle, Serpina stood up to greet me instead of sitting on the throne.

“You’re here, Swen.”

“Master. I heard the story… … Are you a rebel?”

Serpina said with a bitter smile after hearing those words.

“Okay… … Your prediction was correct.”

I never thought there would be another rebellion.

Aside from everything else, how on earth did Serpina notice that?

“Have you heard any stories?”

“You mean a story?”

“Yes. Even though something like that happened not long ago, it doesn’t feel very efficient to start a rebellion again without fear. It is already obvious that the security will be further strengthened, but if I were the leader of the rebels, I would have definitely postponed it unless I believed in some superstition… … .”

There was no way Serpina couldn’t think of what I was thinking of.

Because she was a capable person.

In the midst of great chaos in the midst of the crown prince’s battle after the death of the empire, I don’t think it’s something that anyone can do to rise to that position and maintain it to this day just through blood.

Of course, it cannot be denied that she was given this opportunity purely because of her ‘bloodline’, but up until now, bearing the weight of the crown was not something that a wealthy lineage could do for her.

This is ‘thinking along the lines of common sense’.

Of course, I expected a rebellion. My guess was not to advance. However, since Serpina does not have the same cheating ability as me, I can only assume that she has some basis. Because it was appropriate evidence that had the greatest influence on Serpina’s judgment so far.

Serpina smiled slightly after hearing what I said.

“I see. It’s a story… … I’m sorry if I made you expect something, but I don’t have anything to say. There was only one basis for my judgment, Swen.”

And then.

He came close to me and spoke in a whisper.

“Swen, didn’t you tell me? It is not appropriate to lead soldiers to vacate the northern continent. Yeo compared your words to what you had shown her so far and simply trusted you. Among them, we narrowed out the ones with the highest probability.”

“… … If faith is the basis for judgment, aren’t there many things that are a little more likely than rebellion?”

The question was meant to indicate that there was a reason for pointing out that a rebellion would occur.

“If I want to make sure it makes sense, I can think like you. but… … I don’t think you know that things in the world don’t always work according to reason, right?”

Serpina heard my question and said with a slight smile.

“If you really want to ask… … You could say that I thought this because it was the moment when a decisive opportunity came to me. Fate always pushed Yeo into the abyss at moments like these. After sitting on the throne, not even for a moment… … It was as if I had been cursed with the blood of the dead.”

“Master… … .”

“Maybe they are right. This is just the beginning… … We will have to continue to face this hopeless situation in the future. This is the price for aiming for the position of emperor, which should never be dared. … Isn’t it funny how the monarch of a country is swayed by such ridiculous superstitions?”

Serpina’s voice when she said that did not have the same clear power as usual.

Has it always been like this?

It’s like a trick of fate, when a decisive opportunity comes, you’re bound to get caught somewhere, and it happens again… … Did I naturally become half-resigned?

To claim that something with an extremely low probability just happened by chance is not the case – isn’t what she said right at this moment in the end?

In any case, our military’s decision not to leave the northern continent empty since the rebellion occurred was right, and even if we hastily formed an occupation force after suppressing the rebellion and attempted to re-enter the central region, the chaotic situation would calm down to some extent by then. There was a high possibility that there was.

It was as if a decisive opportunity had actually been lost. If I had taken that opportunity, I wondered if it would be right to see it as a real opportunity, considering that the northern continent was suddenly thrown into chaos due to the rebels.

“Anyway, since there was a rebellion, all we can do is suppress it. Is there no reason to hand over the flag of the Eingart family to those who do not follow the lead and are just following the ghosts?”

“Where did the rebellion take place?”

“Linenheit Castle in the northwest. The reason Seline, the lord of the castle, said was ‘because it makes sense for him to become emperor, as he is the actual successor to the true emperor Sidmid von Eyngart.’”

“Be the successor… … Does this have any basis?”

“This has no basis other than the fact that the family of that insignificant woman is the Zernst family, one of the seven meaningless founding families.”

Serpina clicked her tongue and said.

“It’s meaningless… … That stupid mind probably doesn’t know.”

Although the words coming out of her mouth were harsh, her eyes actually looked sad.

What did it feel like to live a life where those who followed you were constantly hitting you in the back?

Of course, in the process of purging the crown princes, I think there was an extremely cruel process that I don’t know the details of… … Considering the conversation they had last time when they went to the grave, it was possible that Serpina was the one who was caught in the middle of the problem.

Although she herself did not deny her bad karma, strangely enough, she continued to think that way.

“Well, you don’t have to worry too much. I already sent someone. The nearest unit located there will quickly suppress the rebels.”

“The nearest unit?”

at that time.

A name came out of her mouth that was hard to ignore.

“Okay. The one stationed closest… … This is General Irene of the nearby castle, Roger Castle.”

“… … !!”

Serpina looked at my expression and smiled as if it was fun.

“Oh my, Swen. For someone like you, you have a really cute expression.”

“Well, that… … .”

“Are you that worried about Iren?”

She looked happy, probably surprised that I couldn’t control my facial expression for a moment, so I just lowered my head.

Because there is no particular reason to lie.

“Now that we’re at this point, I want to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“What does Irene Juliet mean to you?”

“… … Yes?”

At the unexpected question, I raised my head and looked at her face.

There was definitely a smile, but… … It didn’t feel like a simple joke or a question based on gossip-like interest.

It would be correct to say that it feels definitely different from when it was Yuuri.

“Irene… … .”

What kind of existence is Irene to me?

In fact, it wasn’t even a matter to worry deeply about.

“You are a very precious person to me. It’s safe to say that you want to protect it. I should say that he is someone I want to take sides with for very personal reasons. Even if this world turns its back on Irene, I am determined to stay by Iren’s side.”

“… … Are you prepared to stay by my side even if everyone turns their backs on me?”

Serpina nodded slowly as if she understood.

“Well, I thought it wasn’t an ordinary relationship, seeing as they changed the monarch they served twice, and both of them together… … Looking at your determined expression, it seems like the two of you have a closer relationship than I thought.”

She said that and lowered her head towards the floor-

He speaks in a very low voice as if muttering.

“… … I’m jealous.”

“Master… … ?”

“I envy General Irene. Even though he became emperor, in a situation where there was no one willing to risk his life for Yeo… … I guess I can’t help but be jealous of being able to receive your pure support.”

While saying that, he slowly drew an arc around his mouth.

Since the story about Irene came out, she has maintained a playful voice and expression, but-

I notice that her golden eyes are trembling.

“You don’t have to worry too much, Swen. There are good generals like General Irene as well as General Irene as adjutants. Considering the size of the rebellion, I don’t think General Irene is in any danger. She is a kind of commander, so she won’t go directly to the front line.”

After listening to Serpina’s words, I felt like my complicated mind calmed down a little.

Moreover, in addition to what she said, didn’t Iren repeatedly ask me to leave?

I told her to never overdo it and to avoid dangerous situations as much as possible, and Irene responded that she would do that.

So you don’t have to worry too much, it’ll be okay.

“You probably know better than me, but wasn’t General Irene a ‘siege specialist’? Considering the legendary exploits of the red-haired female knight when she tore through the central continent with Branth’s best sword, it’s probably not long before Castle Linenheit will raise its white flag. It will be resolved quickly without the need to dispatch additional troops. Don’t you think so too? Hehehe… … .”

As I said that and looked at her smiling face, I suddenly realized that I had just been asked a question.

Since it’s about Irene and not about anyone else, I’ll just type it in.

‘Even if we don’t have to dispatch additional troops, can we take over Linenheit Castle with just the troops we have?’

The answer came out all over the place, and it was very simple.

That too.

A truly shocking answer.

[The fate of continental unification will come.]

‘!!!!’

what?

We just take over one rebel… … Why does the fate of unification come?

“Swen?”

“I… … .”

Serpina asked me with a serious expression as I was speechless.

“… … Are you here again this time?

Only after hearing her words did I realize that I had not been able to hide my expression.

But now there was nothing more to argue about.

Instead of answering, I thought of ‘the question’ like I did last time.

‘Can Serpina von Eyngart unify the continent?’

[Not like that.]

After checking the results, I sigh involuntarily.

really.

Was this really, as she said, a kind of blood-soaked ‘curse’ that had enslaved her?

Once again, the shadow of death was cast over Serpina’s neck.

“What is it? What was the result?”

“… … .”

I was lost in thought as I watched her ask me with an urgent expression.

Serpina… … I was pretty close to 99% predicting what my abilities would be.

He said he wasn’t going to ask about it, and he actually was, but it was clear that he was probably convinced.

This was even more so considering that the only basis for not moving the military was my advice.

okay.

Let’s think about it first.

Since the fate of unification lies with Runarien, the need to save her remains unchanged.

“Master. Please wait a moment.”

“… … I understand.”

Serpina didn’t ask any more questions, but kept her mouth shut and quietly waited for me to talk.

The first thing to think about is why on earth does ‘Irene take over Linenheit Castle’ lead to an ‘opportunity for unification’?

And, if it was certain that it would lead to an opportunity for unification, why could Serpina not become a unified monarch?

The latter was the same as before. she will die Since she died, of course she could not become a unified monarch.

So why does she die? Irene took over Linenheit Castle? Not only is it completely unrelated, but it is also impossible to predict anything based on this alone.

‘information… … ‘I need more information.’

I looked into Serpina’s eyes.

okay.

If it were her and not anyone else.

If she has an almost perfect understanding of my abilities… … Maybe, isn’t it possible?

I look at those eyes that look so pitiful somewhere… …

I decided to throw the dice in my heart-

“Master.”

“Tell me.”

-For the first time, I carefully asked a question in a way that I had never asked anyone else.

“Could you please ask me a nuanced question, ‘Is it right for our military to leave the rebellion at Linenheit Castle unresolved?’”