episode_0276

Memories that come to mind as soon as I hear the name Inian.

“It’s just that when I see the princess, I think of my sister. My sister is around the same age as the princess. She’s still a very immature sister with many shortcomings… … So maybe that’s why I’m attracted to the princess. Oh, of course, it’s not that the princess is immature or anything… … !”

‘no way…….’

……no.

There remains the possibility that they are just people with the same last name.

However, that was the only time I saw anyone using the surname ‘Iniang’. Considering that most of the Yeongji residents live without a surname…

“… … My lord? Is there something wrong?”

At Irene’s words, Serpina regained her composure and asked a question naturally.

“It’s not that big of a deal. More than that, you seem to know something about a woman named Lunalien.”

“Are you talking about me?”

“Yeah.”

Irene’s attitude had a strong nuance of acquaintance with the man, including the fact that she knew the unknown monarch’s surname.

Serpina’s thoughts were right on target, and Irene nodded slowly.

“Yes. I once crossed swords with her… …for a moment.”

“If it were in the past?”

“This is a story from when I was still in the Branson Army.”

Knowing the unfair treatment Irene had received from Lin, Serpina asked in an even more cautious tone.

“If it’s something difficult to say, you don’t have to explain it.”

“No. It’s a thing of the past anyway, and we’ve already overcome it.”

To Irene, Lynn was no longer a person who resonated with her.

A being who had no remaining regrets, and no desire for revenge whatsoever – a being who could be called a complete stranger.

So it wasn’t particularly difficult to explain.

“Lunarien was one of several minor lords who once ruled the Western Continent.”

Irene continued her explanation, recalling that time.

The fact that she had defeated the Bran’s army several times, that she was a very strong woman after several attempts at unity, and that she was finally defeated in battle and was only able to take over after the third invasion.

“I see. So she was originally a vassal.”

“Yes. She was just one of the many lords of the weak states that arose in the Western Continent… …but she certainly left a special impression.”

“Seeing that someone like you is called strong, it must be true… … .”

Serpina thought for a moment, then looked into Irene’s eyes and said.

“Then, do you remember her face?”

“Yes.”

“I wish you could explain it to me.”

Although she wondered why he was asking such a thing, Irene decided that it wasn’t information that she could ‘not tell you right now’, so she slowly described her appearance.

“She had light yellow hair… …and red eyes. She had incredible strength that came from such a delicate body… …Is that enough?”

“… … .”

For a moment, Serpina’s pupils shrank slightly, but Irene didn’t notice it.

“… … I see.”

“… … .”

If it were normal, Irene would have asked questions like, “Why are you asking that?”

Instead of discussing his doubts, he remained silent, fearing that he might slip up.

Well… … why did they invade that small country three times?

If she had asked how that small nation had managed to defeat the great nation of Bran’s twice, it would have been difficult to explain in many ways.

Fortunately, Serpina didn’t seem to have any questions about that part.

Instead, he sat there silently thinking for a while, then gave an order to Irene.

“Irene.”

“Yes.”

“I’m about to go on an inspection tour, so I’d like to ask you to prepare. Wouldn’t it be better to finish everything you need to do before meeting him?”

Is this the end of the story about Lunalien?

I felt a little uneasy, but as I had thought before, it was better than making a mistake for no reason.

If she actively wanted to deceive, then it could be possible… … But Irene didn’t actively want to deceive Serpina.

“Yes. After I’m ready, I’ll wait in front of the royal palace gate. Please come out when it’s convenient for you.”

After Irene left the palace.

Serpina walked closer to the window and gently bit her fingernails.

Her expression, slightly frowning and lost in thought, was so beautiful that it would have made others lose their senses for a moment if they had encountered her.

‘Red eyes… … hair color is light yellow… … .’

Two testimonies about Lunalian’s appearance.

As soon as Serpina heard that story, she could picture her face with great ease.

It was only natural. That’s what Arya Inian looked like.

Clear, red eyes that look like melted rubies, and light yellow hair that looks like cream mixed in.

Considering that we share the same surname, I feel like I can be confident now.

‘Is Aria’s younger sister Lunalian, the leader of the rebels?’

If that were true, it would make a little bit of sense why Kyle von Eingart was there.

I couldn’t be sure because he was such a capricious old man – but if he was the blood of a woman who had a connection with Algot, it was better than just choosing any lord.

Irene’s testimony that ‘she is a very strong person’, and considering that she is now showing full-scale performance in the Southern Continent, it also proves that Kyle chose her not just because of that.

So, does Lunalian know… …that her older sister is dead?

If you died, how did you die, who did you die to…? Have you ever thought about things like that?

‘… … .’

Serpina placed a hand on her forehead.

Strangely, as soon as she found out that Lunalien was her sister… … a feeling of guilt welled up deep in her throat.

The reason Irene didn’t say anything, even though she felt a strange sense of unease as she explained her story to her, was because I trusted that there must be a good reason why she didn’t bring it up – but it was also because I was a little afraid of talking more about the subject.

Algot killed all his brothers with his own hands, saying that he would leave everything to him.

Aria-san, who stayed by Algot’s side until the end and said she was sorry for leaving him such a heavy burden, had eyes that seemed to be losing their life…

‘If Lunalian finds out that her sister is dead and resents me, then I… … .’

Serpina just kneels there.

My body trembles. Once again, I feel like everything in the world is against me.

The sins of Eingart that she carried began to strangle her once again.

* * *

Irene, who was waiting to proceed with the inspection, soon heard that the schedule had been postponed to tomorrow due to urgent business.

I was thinking about going back to my lord’s side again, but the soldier said that he wanted to ask me to send off those who had been helping the strategist Jenna run the plague relief camp.

‘Is something wrong?’

As soon as I brought up the topic of Lunalien, the atmosphere strangely changed and I started to feel nervous… …

Naturally, Irene was in no position to be honest about everything in front of her.

‘If I even bring up the topic of Swen, Swen might get in trouble… … .’

The reason why the Bran’s army was obsessed with occupying the weak Lunalian army.

The reason why his army lost twice in battles where the difference in force was so significant that it was overwhelmingly advantageous to the Bran’s army, including the battles he was in.

Because in order to explain everything, I had to mention Swen’s existence.

Irene remembered Swen’s words.

Didn’t he tell you several times that the lord he serves is Lunalien, and that he would return to Lunalien’s side one day?

However, returning to Lunalien―at the same time, meant leaving Serpina.

The woman who saved his life, the woman who was closest to a monarch that he wanted to serve more than anyone else… … Will he have to leave someday?

‘ha…….’

Irene let out a long sigh inwardly.

Whenever my head was complicated, that person just came to mind.

Like I had done several times before, I wanted to be held in his arms.

Then all these complicated thoughts would fly away somewhere. Without any worries or concerns… … I wanted to hear the sound of his heart beating.

at that time.

“It looks like they’ve finally arrived. Please line them all up.”

At Jenna’s voice, Irene cleared her mind and straightened her posture.

And then, not long after, a man wearing armor with the emblem of the Eingart Imperial Family clearly engraved on it was walking towards me from beyond.

Irian Al Kaski.

Temporary lord of Kehlstein Castle and commander of the relief camp.

The soldiers lined up on both sides saluted him in unison.

Even though they say there is magic, the story of Serpina raising the status of the military by risking their lives in relief activities without fear of the plague in a situation where nothing was certain had already spread widely in the capital.

To put it simply – at this point, they are heroes. Heroes who have raised Serpina’s name without having to fight.

After that… … the soldiers who worked with him.

And then – the pink-haired wizard Reika, next to her…

‘Swen… …!’

“Meet the bookstore owner.”

“Irian-gong, thank you for your hard work. We have heard about Irian-gong’s activities through rumors. All the achievements you have made this time, my lord will never forget them.”

“I just did what I had to do.”

“I have prepared a grand welcoming ceremony, so I hope you can relieve your fatigue. Your Majesty’s orders are that you can report later.”

“The welcome party is fine even after the business report is finished… … Well, I learned that to some extent, behaving politely is the way to avoid being hated by the soldiers.”

“You’ve come to be able to say quite a few good things, Lord Irian.”

The somewhat tense atmosphere quickly eased as Jenna and Irian began joking around lightly.

After the situation was sorted out, Irian took the lead and headed to the palace to attend the welcoming ceremony.

Irene runs straight to the man.

“Ah, Irene… … ?”

I could hear Reika’s voice from the side… … but right now, the person in front of me was more important than that.

A white-haired scholar. A benefactor who saved his life many times.

The man smiled as soon as he saw me and asked me a question.

“Irene, how have you been?”

that’s right.

That voice.

What I missed was that voice… … .

Before Irene could answer Swen’s words―

I opened my arms and hugged him tightly, even though he felt a little unfamiliar.

“Irene… … ?”

“Swen… … .”

Instead of answering, Irene burrows into his arms with all her might… …and mutters several times.

――I missed you, he said.