Ch.116Chapter 116. The Wanderer’s Fate, Pointing to Serpina (3)

“……Excuse me.”

Reika asked me a question as I was looking at the letter.

“Yes?”

“Why would Father ask such a question…? I mean, since you’re here with us, Swen, I thought it was obvious that you serve Serpina von Einhart… I’m not sure why he would need to ask that.”

“Ah.”

Right.

Looking at just the wording, it was certainly reasonable to think that way.

I’m currently at Hisfil Castle, and Ginor, being the state strategist, would likely know everything that happened in the Aeshus army.

Since his daughter was able to deliver a letter, the situation must have calmed down, and he could easily figure out that I had entered Serpina’s service.

However, someone who could deduce that wouldn’t ask such a meaningless question just for confirmation.

This means – he’s asking who I will “ultimately” serve.

“Well, it’s a simple matter. He’s just asking if I’ll continue serving Serpina von Einhart going forward.”

“Is that so…?”

Reika tilted her head in confusion but didn’t question it further.

I was worried it might be complicated to explain, so this was truly fortunate.

Ginor was the man who, among all the people I’d met, had come closest to guessing my true abilities.

Although his premise was incorrect – thinking I could ‘use magic to see the future’… he had accurately pinpointed that I ‘know the results but don’t know why they happen.’

Moreover, since I had volunteered to come here myself, he must have judged that I believed ‘joining Serpina’s army is the most efficient future.’

So, his question meant, ‘Is Serpina the right answer?’

Well… although I couldn’t give a self-contradictory answer now that I belonged to Serpina, based on my experiences so far, the answer was different.

My answer was – Luna.

So then.

Should I share this answer with Ginor?

Sharing my true intentions would be tantamount to saying we’d be on the same side going forward.

In that sense, was Ginor trustworthy?

If the question was ‘would he be helpful,’ the answer was obvious. The fact that he chose me over his lord Yurie in this situation showed he was sharp-minded.

But trustworthy…

I turned my head to look at Reika, who had shown me the letter.

She was someone Ginor had assigned to me. Looking at the letter, it seemed he didn’t mind if she didn’t return to his side.

But it was clear she wasn’t staying by my side as some kind of spy either.

Let me reach a conclusion then.

Ginor – wants a connection with me.

If someone is asking something of me, a relationship can be established by granting their request.

Therefore, I think it’s safe to consider him trustworthy.

“Reika. Do you have a quill pen?”

“What? Oh… just a moment. Since our rooms seem to have the same layout, there should be one here…”

Reika rummaged through the drawers and brought a pen and ink.

I wrote just one line on the letter, folded it, and handed it to her.

“This is my reply. Could you deliver it for me?”

“Of course…! I’ll deliver it. But, it seems a bit short…”

“I could write more if needed, but I think this will be enough for him to understand.”

“…?”

Reika tilted her head in confusion, not understanding.

But Ginor would understand what I meant.

I changed the subject and asked Reika:

“Reika, do you have any plans?”

“What? No… Later this evening, I’m supposed to have tea with Irene Juliette. Other than that, I don’t have any special plans…”

“Tea? Do we have tea leaves?”

“Irene Juliette seems to always carry some with her.”

Right. Irene always kept tea leaves with her, as she liked tea.

Her expression while drinking tea used to bring peace to people.

Come to think of it, Reika was good at baking sweets.

If she could make cakes, she must be quite skilled.

Suddenly, I imagined a future where Irene’s tea accompanied Reika’s confections.

Though I didn’t actually have the ability to see the future… if I did have such an ability, I’d want to see a peaceful scene like that.

“Reika.”

“Yes…?”

“Until then, shall we meditate together? It’s been a while.”

Considering how my rapier had spewed fire, meditation clearly had an effect.

It’s best to charge the battery when you can.

“Oh, shall we…? There doesn’t seem to be much mana here… but still.”

Reika said that with a bright smile.

It was a bit foolish, but it was a pure and cute smile without any hidden intentions.

“I’m glad… to be able to spend time with you again, Swen.”

“Me too.”

“…What?! Th-th-that’s…!!! I-I don’t mind, but, um…!”

Seeing her blush as she looked at me, I laughed lightly –

And spent a peaceful afternoon with her after a long time.

* * *

Balhart Castle.

The rush of departing commanders had somewhat subsided.

Though many had left the Aeshus army, Ginor thought it was remarkable that the situation had been contained this well.

The efforts of the founding contributors, including Epinel, in protecting Yurie had paid off.

Moreover –

Anima had succeeded him as the new state strategist.

“New” was just a formality; Ginor had merely stepped in during her absence.

The longer someone had served in the Aeshus army, the deeper their affection and trust for Anima. Some people seemed satisfied just by her return.

It wasn’t surprising that the founding contributors could wield influence, as many in this country looked up to them.

Or perhaps they were just easily pleased. One of the two.

Around that time, Ginor was tasked with commerce.

Originally, Yurie had intended to let him write his book in peace without assigning any duties, but he had volunteered.

Though he was planning to leave anyway, considering any unforeseen circumstances, there was no need to end things badly and leave troubles behind.

No matter how many times he thought about it, Yurie was not someone who could become a unifying monarch, but how many people in this world could guarantee anything 100%?

Unlike Swen, who was presumed to be able to see the future, Ginor, who couldn’t, had to consider all possibilities as a basic principle.

One day, as he was reviewing a newly published book on military tactics after tending to the market:

“Master.”

The head maid brought a letter.

It seemed to be a reply from Reika.

“Thank you.”

“Not at all, Master.”

Noticing the head maid’s beaming smile, he felt compelled to ask:

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

“What? No, it’s-“

“I’m not scolding you, so don’t worry.”

“…I was just thinking how fortunate it is that you care so much for Miss Reika. It shows.”

“…Me?”

She nodded.

“Yes, your expression brightened considerably as soon as you saw Miss Reika’s letter, as if you’d been waiting for it.”

“…”

“I was quite worried because you seemed to treat her so coldly… but I see now it wasn’t my place to judge.”

There was no need to tell her he was waiting for something other than Reika’s reply.

After politely dismissing the head maid, he immediately checked the contents of the letter.

In that letter –

*

Several days after reading the letter.

In the royal audience chamber, Ginor was kneeling before his lord Yurie, informing her of something.

“…I see. You want to resign.”

“Yes.”

“The market merchants will be disappointed. You barely worked there, but they were pleased that you completely overhauled the system. They asked if you were really a strategist, or perhaps a wealthy merchant who had made a name for yourself.”

“Unfortunately, as you can see, I couldn’t accumulate that level of wealth. However, if they speak so highly, perhaps I should consider changing careers after retirement. Living off war is limited to times of chaos, after all.”

Yurie smiled at his words.

After exchanging a few more light-hearted jokes, she asked with a somewhat melancholy expression:

“Is it because of… Swen?”

“…”

Ginor thought.

It would be cleanest to just say a few pleasant words and part ways.

But… she was once a woman he had staked his fate on.

She had indeed made things convenient for him since he came to the Aeshus army.

From her perspective, ousting the universally trusted Anima and installing him as strategist must have been an enormous decision.

At the very least, he could offer her some advice in this final moment.

“Lady Yurie. Spilled water cannot be gathered again. I understand your decision. I’ve served by your side for quite some time. Whether that decision was right or wrong… no one can know for certain.”

“…”

“Accept the consequences of what has already happened, of your own decisions. Only by accepting the results can you move forward. This is the final advice I can offer as someone who once served as your strategist.”

Yurie didn’t answer but nodded her head.

“I wish you good fortune, my lord. I will never forget your kindness. Take care of yourself.”

And so, leaving behind Yurie who couldn’t find the words to respond –

He relinquished all his positions in the Aeshus army and left Balhart Castle as a free man.

He had entrusted the handling of his estate to reliable people, so they would manage it well.

He had provided for everyone generously, so they wouldn’t face hardship.

Now, where he needed to go –

‘Going into the mountains after so long wouldn’t be bad.’

Before joining the Aeshus army, he had planned to train disciples in the mountains.

Despite his old age, mountain living didn’t frighten him.

The important thing was to survive for the new era to come.

To preserve one’s life, it was safer to retreat to the background than to stand at the forefront.

That day.

The single line he received from Reika, no, from Swen:

[Find Lunarian Ineanne.]

Lunarian Ineanne.

A name he had never heard before. There had been many nameless rulers when small military factions were rampant, but they had all been destroyed by the Brans army long ago.

However, this was the answer provided by Swen, who could see the future.

He wouldn’t have written a meaningless name in his letter.

The fact that he decided to keep Reika with him rather than sending her back suggested that trusting his words was likely the right choice.

He would make inquiries through his contacts, but he wasn’t in a hurry.

Even if he couldn’t find this person, that name would surely reveal itself to the continent someday.

‘Until the new era comes, it wouldn’t be bad to spend time writing books.’

In these chaotic times, confronting an opponent you cannot defeat is foolish.

He knew better than anyone that he lacked the power to surpass someone who could see the future through magic.

If you cannot overcome someone, shouldn’t you join them?

And so, the man who had briefly made his name in history once more disappeared from view.