Ch.135Chapter 135. Balance Broken (2)

Luna pondered the words Vanessa had just uttered.

Kill them?

For breaking military law… even their families?

Luna first whispered to Violet, who seemed bewildered beside her, to stay still, then assessed the situation.

Unlike Cecile who shouted in anger, Vanessa remained extremely calm.

“Going to the battlefield means risking your life. Those in the southern regions who have enjoyed peace without conflict may have forgotten this reality, but that’s how it is. Do you really think a soldier who can’t even follow basic military law can properly fight against the southern continent, the Brans army, and Serpina’s forces?”

“This is too extreme! I understand your intentions, Lady Vanessa. I agree we need to prepare. But… this doesn’t seem right. Have you listened to the soldiers’ opinions, to the sentiments of the territory’s people? Don’t you notice how laughter is gradually disappearing from the streets?”

“…”

Vanessa closed her eyes and let out a long sigh.

Then… as if having made a resolution, she slowly opened her eyes and looked directly at Cecile.

“Cecile Lohengrin. If you continue to shield those who have broken military law, I will consider it insubordination against Lord Karelia and punish you with the authority legally granted to me by our lord.”

After saying this, she continued in a somewhat softer tone.

“You are an indispensable talent to our army, Lady Cecile. Please stop here. I don’t want to harm you. Please make a wise choice.”

Hearing this, Cecile looked at the trembling girl beside her.

This tearful child… had to end her life here just because she was the daughter of a soldier who broke military law.

Is this the future of Karelia that I’ve dreamed of, that we’ve all dreamed of?

The answer to that question came easily.

And simultaneously—Cecile pulled out the sword hidden inside her collar.

“If the advisor says this is insubordination, then so be it. You have been legally granted authority by our lord. So, punish me.”

“!!”

“If you wish, you could execute me right here. Wouldn’t that set a good example?”

Vanessa’s pupils trembled slightly upon hearing Cecile’s words.

The soldiers watching… noticing how seriously the situation was unfolding, could only swallow dryly without saying anything.

After several minutes of silence—

Finally, Vanessa’s lips parted.

“…Please don’t resent me too much.”

After saying that, she nodded slightly.

One of the sturdy soldiers beside her drew his sword.

Simultaneously, another soldier moved toward Cecile to restrain her.

“Ad… Advisor!”

“Um, excuse me…!!”

The soldiers suddenly began to murmur—

But in the Karelia army where Karelia’s absolute power was established, Vanessa’s words, having been granted full authority, were equivalent to Lord Karelia’s own.

“Thank you for your hard work all this time. Farewell.”

“…”

Cecile slowly closed her eyes.

What came to mind was—that moment when they first planted the deep green flag in the ground.

‘May everyone regain a happy and peaceful life’—under that glittering banner, we had gathered.

She had never regretted donating most of the assets of the wealthy Lohengrin family to the Karelia army until today.

If my death could shock Karelia into realizing something.

If it could make her notice that Vanessa’s reign of terror is wrong…!

Tightly!

Cecile tightly closed her eyes, preparing to face the anticipated pain.

But… she felt nothing.

Given that she was still breathing, it seemed she wasn’t dead yet…?

At that moment.

“Stop this!”

Hearing a woman’s voice that she had heard once before, Cecile slowly opened her eyes.

In front of her… stood a woman with cream-colored hair.

Someone I know. A rare, diligent person who had been working the fields alongside the territory’s people, sweating profusely…

“Lady Luna…?”

Lunarian Ineanne.

The lord of Tefel Castle was now standing in front of her, just as she had tried to protect the girl—

Now confronting Vanessa—and the will of their lord—to protect her.

“Lady Vanessa. Please calm down and consider the situation more broadly. Do you really think executing Cecile right here is the right answer?”

“…Lunarian Ineanne.”

Vanessa muttered in a small voice, grinding her teeth slightly as she looked at the ruby-colored eyes glaring at her.

Then, quickly regaining her composure, she replied in a cold tone.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m asking you to stop this meaningless execution.”

“Do you understand what you’re saying?”

“I do. As a castle lord, I’m speaking to the advisor, aren’t I?”

Vanessa’s eyebrows twitched slightly upon hearing those words.

Castle lord. If there was a position that could speak to the advisor on equal terms—it would indeed be only the castle lord.

Sometimes, it was the castle lord who gave orders to the advisor from an even higher position.

“As a castle lord, you must know that I am the lord’s representative? Are you also planning to defy our lord?”

“…!”

Luna bit her lower lip slightly.

Vanessa’s eyes… were clearly different from when she looked at Cecile.

A distinctly perceptible wariness.

That woman… was extremely cautious of her.

Honestly.

She knew that her current action could be considered insubordination against the lord.

No matter her position as castle lord, she couldn’t disobey the monarch’s orders. Perhaps she would be bound and executed alongside Cecile right here.

But.

‘Swen said it… a monarch needs to have bold spirit…!’

It was what Swen had told her when they were at Zeilandt Castle, telling her not to use honorifics with him.

Strangely, just by recalling his voice… she could feel the fear that was about to rise in her heart disappearing.

Alright. Then, let’s take a step forward.

If it were Swen, what would he have said here?

Recalling his image, always giving extraordinary advice with confidence… Luna chose what she thought would be the most likely sentence he would have used.

“…I have no intention of defying our lord.”

“Then please step aside.”

“However.”

Luna, not backing down from Vanessa’s wary gaze, spoke in a clear voice.

“I do intend to oppose the advisor’s opinion.”

“What… did you say?”

“I serve Lord Karelia. I will follow Lord Karelia’s will, but I have no intention of blindly following Lady Vanessa’s will.”

Vanessa, who had somehow maintained her composure until now—

Upon hearing those words, lost her calm and glared at Luna.

This was an enormous bombshell declaration.

Regardless of having full authority, it essentially meant she didn’t care about that and wouldn’t listen to what Vanessa had to say.

“…Lunarian Ineanne. Are you saying you’re challenging the lord’s authority now?”

“Not at all. I’m merely exchanging opinions with the advisor from an equal position.”

“My words!!!”

Vanessa shouted loudly, as if making a declaration.

“…My words are as good as Lord Karelia’s words!”

“I don’t think so. Lord Karelia would never issue such a cruel order.”

“Kuh…!”

Vanessa trembled for a while, as if unable to contain her indignation—

Then, in a tone so cold it seemed it would freeze anything it touched, she said:

“Fine. If that’s what you want, I should comply.”

“…”

And then.

After taking a sword from a soldier standing nearby—

She pointed it directly at Luna with her own hand and said:

“I will execute you with my own hands. The charge is insubordination against our lord. Do you have any objections?”

“Advisor. Come to your senses. You are not the lord. Your will cannot become the lord’s will!”

“Is that the end of your last words?”

“…!”

The killing intent flowing through the tip of the sword.

Feeling the fierce murderous intent directed at her, Luna suddenly felt that a moment of choice had come to her.

Should she meekly accept her sword?

No. She couldn’t do that.

“My lord! Stay healthy! And if an opportunity comes, never miss it! I will definitely return to your side!”

Hadn’t she promised that person? To survive no matter what.

Hadn’t she promised to survive and meet Swen again…!

So here, she had no choice but to fight her.

She would think about the consequences later; now she just needed to focus on neutralizing her.

She was an advisor, not a general. Though her mind worked well, Luna was confident she wouldn’t lose in a fight.

Thinking this, as she carefully moved her hand to the sword hilt at her waist—

“What are you all doing?!”

Everyone gathered there simultaneously turned their heads toward the voice.

There stood Makana Karelia, the monarch of the Karelia army.

Seeing that she was accompanied by a soldier, it seemed that a soldier who noticed the seriousness of the situation had quickly gone to fetch her.

“Stop this immediately!”

“…”

Vanessa immediately erased her killing intent, handed the sword back to the soldier, and knelt on one knee.

Luna also immediately knelt to greet her rightful lord.

After saying nothing for a while—

Karelia approached Vanessa first and spoke in a voice deep with concern.

“…What is going on here, Vanessa?”

“We were merely discussing the disposition of those who broke military law.”

“And what’s this about Cecile? What exactly is happening here? And…”

“…”

“Why… why are you and Lady Luna pointing swords at each other?”

Behind the bewildered Karelia…

The three remained silent for a long time.

* * *

Afterwards—

After understanding the general situation through Vanessa’s explanation, Karelia spoke in a very solemn tone.

“Vanessa. I truly appreciate your actions out of loyalty to me. But looking at the current situation, I think it seems a bit excessive.”

“My lord, but—”

“I know. I’m not unaware of your feelings. However, please uphold my dignity for now.”

“…”

Vanessa bowed her head deeply and couldn’t say anything.

Karelia sighed briefly, then turned to look at Luna and Cecile.

“And Cecile, Lady Luna. For both of you, considering your past contributions, I will specially overlook this incident. But Vanessa’s orders are equivalent to my orders as the monarch of this country. I hope such unfortunate incidents won’t happen again.”

“But my lord. Punishing even a young child through guilt by association is too harsh. Regarding this—”

“Cecile.”

Karelia cut off Cecile’s urgent question…

And spoke in a tone that suggested it was truly regrettable but unavoidable.

“I have entrusted military authority to Vanessa. …Please follow her opinion.”

“But…!”

“I won’t say it twice, Cecile. …I’m sorry.”

“…”

Cecile bowed her head deeply.

Luna, standing beside her, could naturally notice that she was biting her lip, unable to contain her indignation.

“Well then, I’d like today’s incident to be forgotten. The punishment for that child, I will specially pardon just this once. Understood, Vanessa?”

“Yes, my lord.”

Being the words of the monarch herself, Vanessa immediately bowed her head.

“…I’ll go to the royal castle first, so please prepare for the meeting. Well then.”

After Karelia left—

Vanessa approached Luna and Cecile.

“Lady Cecile. Please don’t forget our lord’s words just now.”

“…”

“And…”

Unlike the somewhat softened tone she used with Cecile—

To Luna, she spoke with undisguised hostility:

“Castle Lord, it would be best for you to follow this country’s laws if you want to stay out of trouble in the future.”

After saying that, Vanessa left the barracks, following Karelia.

…So I somehow avoided trouble?

‘Haah…’

“Are you alright…?”

Violet supported Luna from the side as her steps faltered from the released tension.

Luna, entrusting her body to her, let out a long sigh… and spoke to her hero.

‘Swen… I managed to hold on somehow.’

It’s all because you were with me, she wanted to tell him. So very much.

She wanted to convey to him, who was always her strength in her heart.