Ch.138Chapter 138. Balance Broken (5)

Violet’s story made Luna’s world come to a momentary standstill.

A white-haired young man from the Brans army who earned the nickname ‘Magician’ and performed miracles…

‘It must be Lord Swen…!’

Luna was strongly convinced it was Swen.

But if so, why was Swen affiliated with the Aeshus army?

Wasn’t Swen supposed to have joined the Brans army—under Lynn Brans?

‘Was he in the Brans army… and then transferred to the Aeshus army?’

Though she didn’t know the details, she was aware that the Brans army had lost a significant amount of territory.

If he had been taken prisoner during that process and joined the Aeshus army, the story would make sense.

But.

If the rumors were true, it would mean that Swen was with the Aeshus army and then sold to the Serpina army by its ruler, Baranga Yurie Aeshus…?

That could only mean one thing.

‘Lord Swen is with the Serpina army…?’

Serpina von Einhart.

The woman who killed her only sister.

And Lord Swen, who should rightfully be her advisor, was serving under that woman…??

And he was sold to her by another ruler…????

While she was still reeling from this shocking information—

“Um… Lady Luna? Did I perhaps say something wrong…?”

Ah.

Only then did Violet’s presence reappear in Luna’s blank mind.

“No… it’s, it’s nothing. Um… Miss Violet.”

“Yes…?”

“Could you tell me more about that rumor?”

“The rumor… about the white-haired magician… you mean…?”

Violet answered with a slightly trembling voice, intimidated by Luna’s intensity.

But Luna didn’t notice her change and just upon hearing the words “white-haired magician”—

Having lost her usual calmness and composure, she grabbed Violet’s hands with both of hers with the ferocity of a predator pouncing on prey, and asked urgently:

“Yes! Anything! Tell me everything you know!”

“Ah, um, I…!!”

“Hurry! What happened? Is it true… is it really true that he was sold to the Serpina army?!”

Only after seeing Violet’s bewildered expression did Luna finally notice the face looking back at her.

Greatly flustered, sweating coldly… looking at her.

The most prominent emotion on that face was—fear.

“…Ah, well, that… I, that, I just heard rumors… so, precisely…”

Only after seeing Violet’s trembling eyes did Luna come to her senses, releasing her hands and bowing her head deeply.

“I’m… I’m sorry. I think I got a bit… um, excited.”

“Ah… well… no, it’s alright…”

Right.

Violet had merely heard rumors and was curious about the term “magician,” which was why she had asked Luna.

Having regained her composure, Luna apologized several more times before answering the question.

“Magician… I’m not entirely sure, but I… think it might be possible.”

“Is that so…?”

Luna closed her eyes and recalled those days that now felt so distant.

When they discovered the treasure chest and used it to aid the territory’s people…

When they resolved to join forces with two mercenary groups.

And when they saved the nation from imminent danger by forming an alliance with the Brans army…

Without exception, every one of these miracles would have been impossible without Swen’s advice.

It was understandable why some might call it magic.

But.

“I don’t think magic is what’s important, though.”

“Not important, you say…?”

“Yes.”

Indeed.

For Luna, Swen wasn’t necessary because he possessed insight that made him seem like a magician.

—It was because he saved me.

Swen didn’t just save her. He saved the country multiple times. When the nation was on the brink of destruction, he then protected her life. He sacrificed himself alone against the Brans army so that they could continue their journey.

The only person who had ever been recommended to her small nation, which was small even among small nations, barely qualifying as a state.

Thinking about it, Tifa and Cain only began to show enthusiasm after meeting Swen.

A small warlord group that seemed unlikely to even leave its name in history, let alone unify the continent and realize its ambitions—

Through his advice, it had briefly become a respectable nation that achieved small victories at Zeilant Castle.

The only person who shared my dream when no one else acknowledged it.

My… my precious advisor who still feels within reach in my dreams.

‘Lord Swen…’

Do you remember the autumn wheat field where wolves roamed, where we used to walk together?

Do you remember the moment when, after the battle, you embraced me in your broad arms?

Do you remember what you whispered to me that day… the day we fled the royal castle?

“Lady Lunarian. If you trust me, in return, I will place the world in your hands.”

I believe in you.

I would believe anything you say, no matter how implausible.

Even if every being in this world doubted your words—

I would be your only confidant, forever protecting your back.

For you, who sacrificed everything for me.

Just thinking about Swen… she felt something warm rising inside her.

It was a sticky, moist, and gloomy emotion.

A deeply personal and human feeling that even Luna, who was kind and gentle to everyone, kept hidden in the depths of her heart.

Someone so precious and dear to me.

Even though I want to be with him, it’s so painful that I can’t…!

‘…It must just be a baseless rumor.’

Thinking rationally, it was incomprehensible that a nation—especially one ruled by someone as renowned as Yurie—would sell off one of their retainers as a condition for returning prisoners.

Think about it. What ruler in their right mind would make the insane choice of selling their own commander to rescue prisoners?

So it must certainly be a false rumor.

The “white-haired magician” was a keyword that had gained notoriety across the continent simply because of the miracles he had performed.

It was a provocative term well-suited to add fuel to sensational rumors.

Crucially, as considered earlier, given that the other party was none other than the infamous Serpina army, it was likely Serpina’s plan to damage the Aeshus army’s reputation.

—However.

If this rumor were true.

If Baranga Yurie Aeshus had indeed sold my Lord Swen to the Serpina army…!

‘…I will never… never forgive this…!!!’

Her ruby-colored eyes were burning more fiercely than ever before.

Violet, who had been conversing with her, was overwhelmed by Luna’s unprecedented intensity—

She could only look up at her from the corner of the carriage, unable to say a word.

Violet thought to herself.

Today, her guardian seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

* * *

Crunch.

“Swen. What are you eating?”

As Jenis stared at me and asked, I answered without much thought.

“This? It’s chocolate.”

Since the day I received chocolate from Irene and Reika.

For a while, my snacks had been the chocolates they made with their own hands.

Yes. Surprisingly, they had apparently made the chocolates themselves.

While it made sense for Reika, who had an interest in making cookies and cakes, it was the fact that Lady Irene had made chocolate for me that strangely filled my heart with satisfaction.

“Chocolate? Ah, right. It was Saint Valentine’s Day a few days ago, wasn’t it? You… don’t tell me you received chocolate?!”

“Yes.”

“From a woman??”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing my words, Jenis covered his mouth with his hand and spoke to me, finding it somehow fascinating.

…As I always noticed, he had somewhat feminine mannerisms for a man.

“Wow… Swen, it seems your face has some value after all?”

“Flattery won’t get you anywhere. Did you not receive any chocolate, Senior Jenis?”

“Hm? Well, I… you know?”

That’s unexpected.

He’s quite good-looking, and even though his noble family might have lost prominence, it seemed to be a family still recognized within the Serpina army, so I thought he would have had at least three or four marriage proposals by now.

“How is it? Delicious?”

“Would you like one?”

I casually picked up a person-shaped chocolate and handed it to him.

“Oh, really? Thanks! Let’s see… mm, not bad!”

Jenis seemed pleased and stretched his white hand toward me.

I easily understood that he wanted another one and gave him a broken half-piece.

“By the way. Have you heard the news?”

“What news?”

“I heard an envoy from the Rolland army has arrived.”

“An envoy?”

Huh?

From the Rolland army?

The Rolland army was one of the four nations in the southern continent, maintaining a balance with the Ohana army, the Karelia army, and the Hesna army.

“Why, you know too, right? The Hesna army invaded the Brans army’s territory.”

Right.

Just yesterday, that news had arrived.

The Hesna army’s invasion of Elgaim Castle.

It would take some time for the news to reach here, so I couldn’t tell if the battle was still ongoing or had already ended—

But regardless, it was a monumental moment marking the breaking of the long-standing balance in the southern continent.

Come to think of it, the Karelia army was located below the Rolland army.

If nothing unusual had happened, Lady Luna should be there now… I wonder if she’s doing well?

Opportunities tend to come not in peaceful moments, but in times of upheaval when everything changes.

All I could do was hope that Lady Luna would seize that opportunity in time.

“My guess is that it’s probably related to that somehow? Though I’m not exactly sure what…”

I nodded in agreement.

Honestly, I had a good idea of why they had come.

‘They want to form an alliance.’

Forming an alliance with Serpina, a massive nation in the north, would give them an advantageous position on the unbalanced scales that the Hesna army had tipped.

The question then becomes what they would offer us in return.

Probably soon…

“Hm? Wait a moment.”

Hearing a tapping sound, Jenis checked the window.

A messenger bird seemed to have arrived.

He slowly examined the paper, then looked at me and said:

“Swen. It seems our lord is looking for you.”

‘As expected.’

…Even Lady Serpina summoning me soon was within my range of expectations.