episode_0242

* * *

Zeeland Castle, located at the easternmost point of the current Brans County.

After Brans County was divided into three countries, this humble castle suddenly became an important point located at the forefront of Brans County.

Originally, it was only a castle on the road, so it was only a matter of time before the territory was taken away, but fortunately for Lin, while the Calinz and Chell armies were paying attention to each other, he was able to somehow build a wall and organize troops to fix the border line.

And now, the person sitting in the castle lord’s chair and receiving reports was not Rem, the existing castle lord, but Rin, the monarch.

“Master. As you ordered, we have issued a blockade order to the east.”

Rin nodded as if satisfied with Rem’s words.

“Thank you for your hard work. What about farfalle?”

“I have not returned from the blockade site yet. He told me that he would probably come late because he was paying more attention to this and that, but… … .”

“Really?”

If it’s farfalle, you can trust it.

Toward Rin, who had lost her mind, Rem hesitated and cautiously spoke out.

“I… … My lord.”

“Why? Is there anything you want to ask?”

“No, that’s… … Well, you don’t have to tell me.”

“What is it?”

Rem hesitated to ask a question for a while.

“Do you mind if I ask why you took this action?”

“What, was that something like that? I thought you wanted to quit your job or something like that.”

‘I couldn’t ask a question because I was worried that people would ask me if I was complaining about what I told them to do… … .’

Seeing Rin smiling empty-handed as she said that, Rem swallowed her true feelings inside.

“It’s nothing different, I did something similar in Serpina County.”

“… … Yes?”

“No, you know. You know that the Chell Army is currently at war with the Aishous Army, right?”

“Yes, I heard that much… … .”

“Think about it. Why are those two at war? What do you think?”

“That’s right… … Isn’t it because Chelbrans killed one of the founders of the Aethus Army?”

Rin nodded at those words, but twitched his fingers as if it wasn’t a perfect answer.

“That’s actually the result, not the cause, of the war. I mean, why did they meet? Why was Chell able to kill the founder of the Aishous Army?”

“Uh… … .”

To Rem, who was worried that if she said she didn’t know, she might be being criticized like Lin did before, Lin spoke in a very kind tone.

“If you don’t know, it’s okay to say you don’t know. I’ll let you know.”

“… … No, I don’t know.”

Rem was nervous for a moment, but-

Instead of getting angry or criticizing someone, Rin just shares her thoughts.

“In my opinion, I think the ultimate cause is that the Serpina army withdrew its troops from the border line. lets think. If they hadn’t pulled out their troops, would Chell and Aishus have met?”

As she said, the trigger for the war itself was Chell killing Hernandorf, who was credited with founding the Aishous army.

The reason this situation unfolded was because Serpina vacated her territory in the central continent.

Otherwise, there would be no need for the two countries to clash swords in earnest.

“Ah… … I think what you said is correct.”

“Right? And, it seems that the Serpina Army, which was the cause of this war, has issued a blockade order near Kelstein Castle, completely preventing the entry of outsiders, including residents of the territory.”

“In that case, simply because Serpina is doing it, the lord also ordered a blockade… … ?”

“That’s right.”

Rin began to slowly twist her blue hair with her fingers.

This is a habit she usually has when she is lost in thought.

“The world only talks about the war between Chell’s army and Aethus’ army, but what Serpina, who designed this plot, is actually doing is blocking the entrance to her country. So, the abandonment of the border does not mean that there will be a rebellion in the northern continent, as is known… … Could it be that they are trying to prevent disaster in advance on the central continent? … That’s what I thought.”

“If you say that it will be a disaster for the Central Continent, then… … .”

Rin, who heard Rem’s question, was like before, when she pushed aside her two grown brothers and became the successor and was newly crowned-

Her blue eyes sparkle and she speaks in a lively tone.

“Isn’t there a plague going around?”

“… … !!”

“Why would I issue a blockade order?”

Rin smiled brightly and continued to explain.

“So you gave up your territory in the central continent, right? If not, it doesn’t make sense. From the greedy Serpina point of view, would she give up the territory in the central continent that she had barely managed to advance to simply to make the two countries fight? No matter how much you think about it, you still have to lose money. If Chell or Aethus is destroyed like this, the weight of one power will only become heavier – it will never be advantageous to the Serphina army, right? It’s just my opinion, but perhaps the reason the two countries went to war was because it wasn’t something she had in mind.”

“Well, if everything you said is true, then… … How would Serpina know whether there would be a plague or not? When viewed objectively, Serpina’s actions, as is well known, appear to be nothing more than the capricious actions of a cruel witch… … .”

“… … .”

As soon as she heard Rem’s question, Rin, who had been speaking without any hesitation, became speechless.

She slowly closes her eyes.

“… … Serpina is not what I believe in.”

“Yes… … ?”

“How can you believe and trust that unlucky woman? This is a woman who killed her own flesh and blood to become crown prince… … Well, it might not be something I would say at a time when our military is divided.”

Rin said that and then gave a short, wry smile.

“There is someone there you can trust.”

“… … ?”

It wasn’t Serpina that Rin believed.

A being who is believed to have directly advised Serpina on this seemingly incomprehensible action with a very high probability.

This way of solving problems was, at least, a method that was not unfamiliar to her.

A white-haired scheming man who was once in his power and who always said the right thing as a result… …

Lin opens his closed eyes.

Then, he smiled again and said.

“What… … It would be meaningless to keep talking about the past. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes… … .”

Although Rem’s curiosity grew due to the interruption in the explanation, he decided to keep his mouth shut instead of asking further questions.

I didn’t want to get on Rin’s nerves and get angry.

In fact, this Zen question itself was quite a challenge for Rem. Rem, who had risen to become the lord of Brans County, knew very well how difficult it was to please the arrogant and temperamental Lin.

Of course, I heard that Lord Rin has changed a lot and has become a completely different person… … After all, isn’t it the human mind that you can’t believe something until you see it with your own eyes?

It wasn’t for nothing that I asked the question carefully, anxious that I might catch something strange at some point.

As a result, Lin definitely felt like a different person compared to before.

They didn’t bother me when I asked questions, they didn’t ignore me even if I didn’t know, and they kindly explained things to me instead of criticizing me for no reason.

The way he spoke and his tone was similar to the old Rin, but… … Any adult could tell that the emotions contained therein were different.

‘Has the master really changed?’

The inspector also said it. The Lin of the past and the Lin after the country was divided are completely different people.

I could believe it to some extent when I saw it in person… … It was difficult to restore trust once it was broken.

‘As the situation becomes difficult, there is a high possibility that they are lowering their momentum for a while. ‘I shouldn’t expect too much.’

Rin looks at Rem, who bows her head to him.

Rin had also noticed early on that Rem had such thoughts.

I was used to the way people looked at me while I was talking. Because it was the image my retainer showed me in the past, when I was convinced that no one existed above me.

‘There’s no need to explain every single detail… … .’

Lin smiled bitterly.

All she can do is to continuously show her changed appearance to the subordinates who remain by her side.

Anyway, if her predictions – or, more precisely, the predictions of the man she trusts – are as expected, the Central Continent will fall into an even more chaotic situation.

It was not yet time to go to the front. little bit more… … If you accumulate strength and wait.

‘The time will surely come.’

Rin decides to curl up even more.

For the day when the sky blue flag of the Brans Army will once again cover the central continent.

* * *

Aethius Army’s field base camp.

“… … Does this mean we lost the war?”

“That’s right. There is no shame… … Please kill me.”

Bowing his head to himself, Joari spoke to the general and Yuuri spoke in a cold tone.

“Yes. I have nothing to gain by killing you, so what’s the point in saying that?”

“Well, but… … .”

“… … it’s okay. If you really want to show loyalty, pull yourself together. Go to the battlefield and make a mark. That’s all I want.”

“… … .”

“What are you doing? Let’s go.”

“… … Okay.”

After dismissing the commander, Yuuri sighed deeply.

I thought we could conquer Chell quickly… … It wasn’t as easy as I thought.

Due to the successive forced marches, repeated battles, and continuous sieges, the fatigue of the Aishous army soldiers was reaching its limit.

The soldiers were also exhausted, so it was impossible to fight in the same condition as the first time.

“… … Damn.”

Yuuri slammed his fist on the desk.

Even now, Hernandov is suffering in the underworld.

I can’t even spend each day in peace until I slit the throat of my enemy, Chell.

As commander-in-chief, catching Chell in an all-out war was not as easy as expected.

Even though he has become dull, he is the man who was Brans’ best sword. Although Emma and Epinel were working hard… … One clear shot was lacking.

‘… … I should think about recruiting a mercenary group.’

If we continue like this, we will just repeat the same war of attrition, so it is better to create a clear gap in our forces and conquer it.

In the process, a very large amount of gold will be consumed, so Plan B may not be possible… …

Right now, there was nothing more important to her than erasing the existence of a man named Chell Brans from the map.

‘okay. I’ll have to talk to Anima when she comes.’

After thinking about it that way, I finally realized the identity of the strange sense of discomfort I had been feeling all along.

why… …

Anima doesn’t come?

It’s already time to arrive and there’s still time left.

‘… … Are you still sleeping?’

no.

It was strange that Anima, who had the least sleep in the morning, was still sleeping.

Yuuri slowly got up from his seat and headed towards where Anima was staying.

It was strange.

I don’t know why it was strange… … I was so anxious. This was an instinctive feeling of anxiety.

And, Yuuri, who finally arrived at Anima’s residence, carefully asked a question.

“Anima, there is… … ?”

I don’t hear any answer.

Yuuri couldn’t hold back any longer and opened the door to his living room.

and… …

“… … !!!!”

What came into her sight was-

Whoosh, whoosh… … Gagging!!

“U… … We.”

Anima was lying in bed with a very distressed expression, coughing repeatedly and breaking out in a cold sweat.