episode_0190

“Are you talking about the position of national officer?”

“Yes.”

It’s definitely an unconventional proposal.

If you only thought about my abilities, it was right to promote me. If I were playing this game as Serpina from the player’s perspective, I would have appointed Swen, who has 100 intelligence, as a national strategist immediately after being hired.

In the game, as long as the intellect is higher than him, he gave in clearly, saying, ‘Mr. XX can be asked to run the government with peace of mind.’

In reality, there are few cases where one can understand with open eyes that the power in one’s hands is being released.

No matter how excellent the successor is, he cannot be quietly pushed aside.

If we just look at the cases of Anima and Jinor, this would be the case. Of course, Jinor, who served as the last prime minister of the country, was a more suitable person for the position of national strategist than Anima, who was the least intelligent among the people who contributed to the founding of Aishus County, but the country was shaken to that extent.

“I’m asking just in case, but what is the public opinion about Jenna among the generals?”

“There is no need to go to the generals. When I killed everyone and was just inaugurated as the heir to the empire, she was the one who quickly resolved the chaotic situation and ensured that power was handed over to me. In other words, it is a relationship for which I am very grateful.”

In that situation, what if you kick Jenna out and bring me up?

I was different from Irene. At least Irene was at least proving herself on the front line, but all I did here were things that were difficult for others to notice.

For example, was it about dealing with Serpina in a secret room or helping Zenith prevent the destruction of the Al Kaski family?

Even if Serpina and Irian thanked me, at least on the outside, it meant that I had done nothing for this country.

Besides, weren’t Serpina and I involved in another strange rumor?

A situation ensued in which the young female monarch continued to personally call a young male general of similar age, and suddenly the male general was appointed to the position of national strategist, equivalent to the second in command of the country… …

I felt like this would only be seen as me giving up my place to my lover, even if I was a third party.

There was no way the clever Serpina did not know this fact.

So- I looked straight into her eyes and asked.

“Still, are you saying that you are going to lift me up, even though I am a stone that rolled in?”

Serpina looks at me as if asking something like that and asks.

“But isn’t that reasonable if you think about it?”

“I cannot agree. If I do something like that in a situation where there are already bad rumors about me, there is a high possibility that the hearts of the generals will be shaken.”

“Do you think that we should be cautious about appointing someone who can perform more outstandingly to a suitable position?”

“Here, I can’t help but think about the importance of humility that my lord mentioned earlier.”

She laughed, probably because my way of speaking was funny.

“You never try to lose a single word. How dare you do that in front of me. Hehehe… … ♥”

This is the position of a national officer.

Is it really possible for me to surpass Jenna?

No, in the first place… … I have to leave her someday, so is it okay for me to hold such a high position?

Of course, if I become a strategist, I will be able to leave her side much more safely.

The position of a strategist, the deep faith built up through what I have experienced so far, and even the rice cake called ‘mind’s eye’.

Because I succeeded in creating a situation where she wouldn’t listen to me and couldn’t tolerate me.

After becoming a strategist, you make moderately correct predictions, and when the Lunarien army appears again, if you say, ‘You must let me go from here,’ you can safely return to Luna’s side with Iren and Reika without any risk. There must be.

But, if that happens in the end-

‘Because I end up taking advantage of Serpina.’

I quietly shook my head because I didn’t want to take advantage of her, at least not for now.

“This position is too much for me. I think Jenna will do better than me, who can only rely on her ‘mind’s eye’.”

Serpina looked at my face for a moment, then turned her head again to look straight ahead.

“If that is what you mean, I will not insist until the end either. But, I want you to remember this one thing.”

Serpina released her lips again.

“Swen. If you wish, I will give you the position of counselor. That’s not all. Whatever you want, it will come true. So, if your mind has changed at all… … I wish you could tell me honestly.”

“… … .”

Changed my mind at least a little bit.

As expected, Serpina seemed to have a vague sense that I was serving someone other than herself as my lord.

Not just what she said now, but she also said things with that nuance several times. That he wouldn’t care who was in there, that he wouldn’t mind being second… …

‘Luna… … .’

I remember the ruby-colored eyes trembling as they looked at me in the humble castle of Zeeland Castle.

When you turn your head, golden eyes that shine beautifully but cannot hide the loneliness oozing from within come into view.

I am… …

What should I do?

‘Lunarien Inien and Serpina von Eyngart… … ‘Who should I follow?’

Since this is a question I have never been asked before, of course there is no answer.

Of course, even when asked that question, there was an expected answer. ‘Unknown’ will appear.

All I could do was smile bitterly.

This was a question I had to decide.

Things like intelligence scores were meaningless, at least for this question.

And, no matter what decision I made, I was responsible for it.

The time for that ultimate choice is getting closer… … Because I shouldn’t have avoided it.

So, I spent time with Serpina in the carriage.

The scent of citron was seeping deep into my body and mind.

* * *

After returning to Eingart Castle, one thing became clear.

It was not a natural disaster that threatened her life.

Nothing much happened while we were there, and it was quiet for several days without any news.

Then again-

‘There is a high probability that it was an assassination.’

Given the current situation, it was most reasonable to assume that she had escaped the risk of being assassinated.

Since there is nothing in this world that can be 100% certain, I cannot guarantee that it will be true, but in the current situation, it was reasonable to judge that it was correct.

Although this fate was somehow avoidable, there was no guarantee that another attempt would not occur in the future.

Therefore, it was necessary to make sure that she was free from the threat of death.

So, to Iren who returned with me –

“Are you talking about Lord Luna?”

“Yes. Yes.”

I brought up a story to induce ‘that question’.

“… … I haven’t forgotten what you said. I said I would return to Lord Luna someday.”

“Do you even remember what the reason is?”

“That’s right… … Isn’t it because you think that Lord Luna, whom you originally served, is the monarch who will take over the world?”

good.

I was finally able to ask that question again.

I typed that question with a bit of nervousness.

‘Is Runarien Inian destined to become the monarch who will unify the continent?’

I was wondering what I should do if the answer is no, but-

Fortunately, my plan didn’t seem to go astray.

[Yes.]

‘Whoa…’ … .’

I breathed a sigh of relief.

It’s still the same.

Luna becoming a unified monarch was the same as Serpina surviving without dying.

In any case, it meant that the shadow of death that had been cast over her was lifted once more.

“I’m glad you remember it well.”

“Swen… … .”

Iren thought for a moment and spoke to me in a cautious tone.

“I’ve said this many times, Swen. I will be by your side no matter what. No matter what choice you make, I will be by your side, so you don’t have to worry.”

I wondered for a moment why he was suddenly bringing up such a story.

Since she brought up the story about Luna in this situation, she must have had a lot to think about.

I felt grateful to her for caring so kindly, so I smiled and answered.

“Thank you. I think so too, Irene.”

“… … Yes.”

That’s how I ended the conversation with Irene.

The first thing I suggested when I met Serpina, who had safely returned to the castle, was-

“You mean the escort driver?”

“Yes.”

Even if she escaped that fate, there was no guarantee that there would not be another assassination attempt.

Since it was impossible to receive the right questions at the right time, it was necessary to prepare thoroughly.

“Even now, more than four armed forces are accompanying him to important places.”

“So, that’s… … I would like you to put General Irene in that position.”

Irene was the only one who told me about the possibility of Serphina’s assassination.

At least, I didn’t have a military officer that I could talk to enough to talk about this openly.

“Hmm… … .”

“Although he is in the position of second-in-command of the occupying army, he has not yet participated in the occupation war, and the position of guard knight is relatively low-level compared to that of second-in-command, so I think it is okay not to worry about being viewed as giving preferential treatment.”

“What is the reason?”

“… … .”

If she said out loud, “It looks like someone is trying to assassinate my lord,” it would only confuse her again.

I wanted to protect her as much as possible without breaking her heart.

However, I did not have the confidence to argue with such a complicated explanation here.

If I were to fight him seriously with just words, I might lose.

So here, let’s just compete with the straight attack method.

“I would like to see General Irene more often.”

“Ho?”

After coming to Serpina County, the thing I did the most was dealing with the monarch, Serpina.

Naturally, I accompanied her as her adjutant wherever she went, and after returning to Eingart Castle, I maintained a close relationship with her to the extent that my duties were virtually no different from those of Serpina’s bodyguards.

So, naturally, if Irene became an escort, she would have to face me a lot more.

She knows that I value Irene and tends to accommodate my convenience as much as possible, so she would probably accept it.

“If you don’t mind, I would like your permission.”

Serpina covered her mouth and laughed as if she was having fun.

“You’re bold, Swen. Who would have thought that he would interfere with the monarch’s personnel management just because he wanted to see it.”

“… … .”

“What is General Irene’s opinion? Of course, she has to obediently follow what she tells her, but it seems natural that she will be dissatisfied since she, who commands many people as second-in-command, is assigned to the position of a woman’s bodyguard.”

“You don’t have to worry about that part.”

Iren was not the type of person who was obsessed with his title, position, or status.

I just want people to know my usefulness and value, and that’s because I’m not a person who lives to reach high places.

If she were that kind of person, she would have already despaired when Rin was demoted one after another, but she knew full well that she did not despair and kept her flame burning brightly for Rin until the last moment.

Moreover, she was raised from the beginning as a bodyguard for the Brans family, or Lin, so there would be no particular objection – well, that’s what I meant.

Serpina seems to have taken it a little differently, giggling again as if it was fun.

“Are you confident that you will never refuse if it is your will? You are the one who thinks that way, but General Irene also has quite a girlish side.”

… … Honestly, as she said.

I can’t quite picture Irene refusing my request.

Maybe he would be willing to do it. Because she was that kind of person, I wanted to protect Irene even more.

Serpina nodded to me who didn’t answer anything.

“I understand. Let it be done as you wish. Anyway, for the time being, she will not be engaged in occupation activities but will act as a de facto guard guarding the northern continent, so I will make her my bodyguard until the date of entry into the continent is confirmed.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s okay to not be thankful. Isn’t it my fault anyway? Aside from the military, I am just a woman who wants to impress you, so how could I refuse that person’s request? but… … As much as I did you a favor, I don’t think it would be worth it if you didn’t get what you wanted.”

“If there is something I can do, I will do it.”

After hearing those words, Serpina put a smile on her face as if she was satisfied –

He approached me, blushed, and spoke in a clear tone.

“Swen, you will have to dedicate yourself even more to this body… … ♥”

* * *

After that day.

As she approached me with shining eyes and said –

I was ‘devoting’ myself more and more to Serpina.