episode_0196

* * *

When I returned to the mansion earlier than usual, Reika greeted me at the door.

“Swen… … ! Uh, welcome… … !”

“What’s going on?”

“No, just… … .”

After squirming for a moment, he approached me with cautious steps and whispered.

“Since you came early today, it’s been a while… … If it’s okay with you, Swen, wouldn’t you like to go for a walk together? … So.”

I thought it was cute that she didn’t know what to do, so I placed my hand on her head without realizing it.

“… … !!!”

Reika looked embarrassed for a moment, but soon did not refuse and placed her head in my hands.

Reika and Airen are both really cute people when you see them like this.

It’s a walk.

Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since I went out with her, since the library.

Shall we spend time with Reika today?

“Is there a place you want to go?”

“Yes? No, that… … As long as I can be with Swen, anywhere is fine… … !”

For some reason, I was a bit suspicious of her as if she had made a big decision.

I didn’t think it was a question I needed to inquire about, so I left the mansion with her.

As I left the door of the mansion, Reika spoke to me as if something had occurred to her.

“Ah, that… … Swen! There is something I want to show you.”

“What is it?”

“That… … I learned a new magic.”

I hesitated a bit, pressing my fingers together.

“An opportunity to show you soon… … When you come… … !”

“Yes.”

Since he’s been spending a lot of time alone lately, he seemed to want to report various things to me.

It wasn’t that difficult to listen to her, and I was grateful if she could motivate me to this extent.

I was worried about being left alone because I was busy.

“Joe, I like it… … ! lol… … First, let’s go for a walk together.”

So, for the first time in a while, Reika and I wandered around the interior of Eingart Castle.

For me, it was like a break for the first time in a while.

*

I walked around the interior of Eingart Castle with Reika.

There were more street vendors than usual, as if it were a small festival, and it was quite enjoyable to walk around one by one and buy good tea leaves or cooking utensils.

“You bought a lot.”

“Ehehe… … Well, since I came out with Swen… … I guess it’s because I’m excited.”

Seeing Reika smiling brightly, I realized that she had changed a lot since I first met her.

The look of hesitation and not knowing what to do was similar, but should I say that the darkness I felt from the shadow that first fell on my face seemed to have completely disappeared.

He looked a lot brighter and seemed to smile more than before, which made me feel relieved.

“Shall we go back soon?”

“Yes… … !”

The moment I was about to return to the mansion.

“… … Huh?”

From beyond, a woman with a familiar face was running towards me.

Red hair, silver circlet, somewhat torn clothes… …

‘Iren?’

Irene was running here with a very urgent expression.

Of course, that wasn’t all.

She… … He was carrying someone.

That person… …

‘uh?’

* * *

Turn time forward for a moment –

Serpina has been going out to inspect the interior of the estate quite often these days.

It was a natural thing for a monarch to look down on the people of his territory, but for Serpina, who was not a feudal lord of a weak country but a monarch of a huge old empire, to lead the person herself, was almost unconventional in many ways.

Recently, Serpina has been making efforts to really cut down her body.

His fate that Swen told him about. The harsh reality that it is impossible to become a unified monarch.

However, Swen clearly explained that this prediction is based on the present moment. If things can change depending on whether or not you put in effort, is there no reason not to try?

In fact, the public sentiment toward Serpina had improved considerably.

When she had just become a monarch, no matter how much it was her country’s business, she said she would take care of it, but all the prominent candidates for emperor, such as Algoth and Sidmid, had died, and she, who had no foundation, became a monarch and continued to purge, and the capital of the old empire was destroyed. As citizens, it was not something they were comfortable with.

Since she had somehow overcome all the rebellions that followed, and was doing quite well at keeping Eingart Castle inside, many people had opened their hearts to her.

actually.

In any case, the fact that a person who may have become an emperor is coming out for an inspection is bound to be seen as quite impressive by the subordinates, the people of the territory.

Humans were simpler animals than we thought. When anyone looks at the blonde empress, who has an outstanding beauty that looks as if she was sculpted, one naturally thinks that she is a person made from heaven.

At this point, the escort’s job was not much different.

Follow her like a shadow and guard her.

Lenina, a veteran guard knight, Shura with outstanding abilities, and Irene, who was recognized for her military achievements in suppressing the rebels.

Of course, it was as close to marriage as nothing happened today.

but.

There was only one person, Irene, who still did not let go of her tension.

I kept thinking about the worst case scenario that something might happen to Serpina.

No matter what she did, she never let go of her gaze.

That is why.

“I guess I should go back soon.”

I was able to notice ‘that moment’ without missing it.

That moment.

Leni, who had been by Serpina’s side and guarded her for the longest time, approached her and-

“… … Lord!!!”

Irene, who had grown up as a faithful guard of the Brans family and never let down her guard for a moment because of Swen’s instructions, instinctively rushed at Leni.

“!!!!”

While everyone was shocked, Irene quickly slapped Lennie’s wrist hard.

Clink!

From his hand, a small memorabilia fell.

Serpina, understanding what this fact meant, opened her eyes and looked at Leni’s face.

“This is… … !!”

Leaving behind the startled Serpina.

Irene, who discovered the weapon, quickly plunged her knife into Lennie’s ankle without any hesitation.

Iron weaving, which I have learned over and over again since childhood. There will be no compromise with the assassin.

“Kaaa!!!”

assassination.

And the person who worked as her escort for several years?

My head was a mess, but I thought I could ask who was behind it since I had suppressed it so that I couldn’t take proper action.

but… … Are you missing something?

Irene’s head started spinning faster than ever.

Lenny is attempting an assassination today. Even so, he recklessly carried out the assassination while Shura and I were there?

Even though one player was missing, it was clear that 2:1 would be difficult for him as well.

wait for a sec.

2:1?

‘uh… … ?’

That moment.

A black shadow wrapped around Iren’s back.

The person who is in position 1 in 2:1 is not Lennie, but maybe… … !!!

“Haaa!!!!”

‘Damn it!’

It was a shame that Irene herself threw herself into it, convinced by the evidence, even though there was no sign of it yet. There was no way she would have gone ahead with the assassination attempt alone under unfavorable circumstances.

Considering that one person was excluded due to a falling horse accident as an opportunity, of course… …

Iren, who heard Shura’s scream, quickly turned his head.

Could know.

That it’s late.

‘I should have dealt with Shura next to me first… … Damn… … !’

She knew it too.

To act with such foresight is itself a problem that lies in the realm of God, not humans.

Nevertheless.

I heard from Swen that he might be assassinated in advance.

I said I would never push myself too hard.

If you get hurt here, no, if you die… … Swen’s request. I can’t fulfill your request not to get hurt.

Why didn’t I suspect the existing escorts?

okay.

At best, let’s save Serpina.

Since Swen had even asked her to be an escort, saving Serpina must have been important to him, and he also received a favor from this person.

With that promise in mind, I turned my head and strengthened my hand holding the knife to resist the upcoming future.

“… … Huh?”

Instead of Shura, who was supposed to be in front of me, I saw someone else.

Long blonde hair.

The person you need to protect… … He stood tall in front of the person who attacked him.

“What a foolish bitch.”

Sigh!

“Ugh… … uh… … .”

“I will pay my respects to you for spending so much time by my side for this moment. Shura. But whatever you thought, you were wrong. In the afterlife, do not chase after illusions and rest in peace.”

Serpina said so and removed the sword stuck in Shura’s body.

Fu shoot!

Irene had a hunch as she saw red blood pouring out.

You’re dead.

This is a sight I have seen many times on the battlefield. If a person bleeds that much, he or she dies.

The flame of life goes out without even a single word left behind.

No, more than that… …

“Master! Are you okay?”

“… … Lenny?”

When I turned my head to check on Leni, I saw that she was whining and unable to do anything because her knees were quickly restrained by Irene.

“I’m still hiding.”

“Don’t kill… … Leave it. The actions of a solitary criminal… … I can’t see it… … You need to know what’s behind it.”

“Yes, I understand… … .”

I answered quickly, but for some reason, Serpina’s condition was strange.

Out of breath… … The vitality of the eyes gradually fades.

Irene sensed something unusual in her vision –

Pop, do it.

Her fresh blood dripped onto the floor.

“Master… … ?”

Only then.

I could notice blood flowing from Serpina’s side.

Iren, who had been through the battlefield several times, was able to quickly figure out why this situation had come to be.

Shura’s blow towards him… … It was like she stopped him instead.

“… … What are you doing, Irene… … ? Take Lennie… … To the king… … Behind the scenes… … .”

“Master… … ! Blood, blood… … !”

“This much… … Okay. Go to the royal castle… … Take action… … .”

why?

It’s not like the escort driver throws himself away for the escort.

Are you saying that the object of the escort threw himself away just for the sake of the escort driver?!

‘… … no!’

There was no time for meaningless Zen questions with her, whining about how the situation had happened and how it was my fault or whatever.

What needed to be done right now was to save the escort target.

Although the wound on his side was deep, it was not fatal enough to cause instant death.

Irene quickly raised the knife and stabbed Lennie in the remaining thigh.

◦ at

“You won’t die, but if you do something stupid, it will be really dangerous. Doing it in moderation will be good for your health.”

Then, he tore off the outer garment she was wearing and wrapped it around her waist.

“Master. Don’t say anything. We will take steps to ensure that you receive treatment immediately.”

After roughly completing first aid, he bent down and picked her up and carried her.

“Please be patient even if it is inconvenient.”

“… … I’m sorry, Irene… … .”

“… … .”

As soon as I heard that I was sorry, I felt like tears welled up.

If I were to waste time with something like emotional selling, there was a real possibility of missing the golden time.

So, Irene picked up Serpina and started running to a place where she could receive treatment.

and… …

* * *

The person being carried by Iren running from afar.

that… … It was Serpina.