Ch.137Chapter 137. Balance Broken (4)

Looking at her somewhat lonely appearance, Luna simply watched quietly without saying a word.

After a moment of silence, Cecile slowly opened her mouth again.

“Our lord, Lady Karelia, sincerely cherishes her territory’s people and treats each soldier with the utmost care. Naturally, she found it overwhelming to wield the power placed in her hands. She argued that while everyone shares the same love for the people, how could she alone possess special authority?”

The reason Makana Karelia could command such power.

It lay in her kind nature and her efforts to be righteous.

Once merely a daughter of a fallen noble family during the old empire, she became one of the final four who could establish a nation bearing her name in the southern continent, a land of opportunity where numerous potential warlords resided. It would be no exaggeration to say this was thanks to the many generals who rallied to her character.

“Currently, as you know, all authority in our army is concentrated in Lady Karelia’s hands. This is natural since she is our monarch. However, it wasn’t always this way.”

Luna didn’t respond specifically, but quietly listened to Cecile’s words.

“The generals attracted to Lady Karelia’s character were people who gathered with only that as their common denominator. Beyond that, they differed greatly. Each had a strong personality, and they were like oil and water, unable to mix. Lady Karelia, who needed to establish discipline and unite everyone as one team, couldn’t bring herself to speak harshly to others due to her nature. Inevitably, we fell into chaos and fragmentation.”

“…!”

Unable to speak harshly to others…

Hearing those words made Luna reflect on herself anew.

‘Was this what Lord Swen meant when he always said a ruler must maintain a ruler’s mindset?’

“It was Vanessa who established a firm power structure. She created systems, boldly punished those who spoke ill of other generals, and organized the hierarchy so that no one except Karelia could be superior. All power in the nation was concentrated solely in Lady Karelia, and once the system was in place, the efficiency of everything began to increase remarkably.”

After finishing her words, Cecile took a light sip of tea.

“And as you know, the result was a great success—we became one of the four nations that survived in the southern continent. To be honest, without Vanessa, our army would likely have failed to unite. The green flag would have disappeared, becoming dust in history.”

“I see…”

So, Vanessa was the person who contributed the most to building this nation.

And Karelia was well aware of this fact.

“Of course… if you ask whether our lord always made rational decisions, objectively speaking, that was probably not the case. She was the type who would firmly refuse to work with even the most excellent general if they didn’t align with her vision for the nation. In these chaotic times, that’s hardly the decision of a wise ruler.”

Luna could understand those words.

In times like these, it wasn’t idealistic figures with noble intentions who thrived, but rather cunning heroes.

In an era where the weak were devoured by the strong, obsessing over morality was foolish.

“So I understand our lord’s decision to trust Vanessa, who handles what she herself cannot… but…”

After saying this, Cecile’s hands trembled.

Was it anger, fear, or perhaps shame at her own baseness for ultimately doubting her lord’s decision?

“…I wonder if this is truly the right path… if my lord’s choice is correct. I despise myself for doubting as a subject. I’ve never felt this way before…”

“Lady Cecile…”

Luna stroked Cecile’s shoulder as if to comfort her.

The eyes of a loyal subject who had decided to serve her for life were wavering precariously, like the storm in the teacup moments ago.

And at that moment—

A somewhat audacious thought crossed Luna’s mind.

‘Perhaps… this could be the opportunity Lord Swen mentioned?’

He had said not to miss the opportunity when it comes.

There was a strange certainty in his words that went beyond mere encouragement.

Of course, Swen typically spoke with strong conviction about almost everything… but considering that everything he had said so far had been correct.

‘Come to think of it, it was Lord Swen who told me to seek refuge with Karelia’s army.’

Looking back, everything he said had meaning.

Just like how Tifa found the treasure chest, and how he said it would be good to share it with everyone.

In the end, things had been going smoothly because she had followed his advice.

So should I… prepare myself?

She thought about it briefly, but soon dismissed the idea.

Such concerns could wait until the time came. He had clearly said an opportunity would come, so she believed it would definitely arrive someday, even if not now.

But.

If this truly could become my opportunity…

‘I will absolutely not miss that chance…!’

Luna reaffirmed her determination to keep her promise to him.

* * *

Inside the carriage returning to Tepelo Castle.

“I’m glad you were able to find the military strategy book you wanted.”

“Yes. Thanks to you.”

Violet’s cheeks were slightly flushed as she nodded and spoke in a rather solemn tone.

That was the look of someone excited about accessing new knowledge.

To recognize it at a glance.

I realize I’ve spent quite a long time with these children.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t go to the market with you. It took longer than I expected…”

“It’s fine. I’m old enough to take care of myself now. I can explore the market on my own.”

“You say that, but weren’t you lost until I came to find you?”

“…”

Seeing Violet bow her head without saying anything, Luna smiled naturally and said:

“It’s okay. Wherever you are, Violet, I will certainly find you.”

“…Thank… you.”

Even though she had encountered it in her late teens, to Luna’s eyes, she was still just a young girl.

Still, not wanting to tease her too much and hurt her feelings, Luna appropriately changed the subject.

“How was the capital’s market? Was it very different from Tepelo Castle?”

“Yes. Indeed, there were so many books I’d never seen before. Not only that, but there were various types of bookstores. I think I could spend a generous day or two there without getting bored.”

“I see. It would have been nice if we had more time. Oh, by the way, there’s a very delicious restaurant in the northeast of the marketplace square. It specializes in fish dishes, and I’m certain it would suit Violet’s taste for seafood.”

“Is that so? …If only I hadn’t gotten lost, I would have had time to eat… I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. We’re planning to go there together again anyway.”

“What? Really?!”

Having spoken excitedly for a moment and then realizing it, Violet covered her mouth slowly with a reddened face.

“Of course. Next time, let’s have a meal together more leisurely. We’ll bring Charlotte and Francis too. It will be a fun time.”

“Ah, yes. Well, if that’s the case…”

Luna raised her hand and gently stroked Violet’s head.

The fact that she didn’t resist the touch at all made Luna feel proud, as it seemed Violet had begun to trust her.

“Was there anything else special? Being the capital, I imagine there were many shops that caught Violet’s eye.”

Luna’s intention was light small talk.

There was no harm in becoming closer to Violet.

However.

Her answer was something Luna had never once considered.

“Come to think of it… there was a strange rumor going around.”

“A rumor?”

“Yes. Do you know of a country called the Aeshus Army?”

“The Aeshus Army… that’s a country in the eastern part of the continent. Yes, I know of it.”

“There, an incident occurred where they sold one of their subjects to the Serpina Army.”

“What? Sold a subject…?”

When Luna asked to hear more details, Violet began explaining fluently.

“I only overheard this, so I’m not certain… but apparently, the Serpina Army demanded the handover of a subject who came to negotiate for the release of prisoners. And they accepted that demand.”

“Is that so…?”

It’s a story that’s hard to believe.

Baranga Yurie Aeshus, the ruler of the Aeshus Army, was known for being wise and especially caring toward her subordinates, with her love for her people becoming her reputation.

Such a person sold her subject?

Perhaps the Serpina Army was attempting some kind of matador tactic to damage the Aeshus Army’s reputation.

Serpina was certainly capable of such things.

…And then.

Violet, in an all too casual voice, mentioned ‘that word.’

“The person sold to the Serpina Army was apparently a man known as the white-haired magician.”

“…What?”

What… did she say?

What is she talking about…??

“I heard he’s called a magician because he once performed a miracle… but aren’t magicians just fairy tale characters? I was going to ask about this…”

“…”

“…Lady Luna?”

Violet’s question dissipates in the air.

White-haired magician.

I had heard… that term before.

“They say he’s a young man with white hair. They say he performed a ritual toward the sky.”

“Ah, you’re talking about that rumor. Yes. From what I heard, he does have white hair. They say he performed a ritual toward the sky.”

“After the ritual, the sky suddenly churned, and a massive stone, like divine punishment, fell directly on the Serpina Army.”

‘Lord Swen…???’

Why…

Why is he at the Aeshus Army…???