Ch.139Chapter 139. Questions (1)

* * *

“So that’s what you’re saying?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

In an empty corridor of the royal palace, Serpina von Einhart was having a private conversation with a soldier dressed in attire suitable for covert operations.

“Is this information reliable?”

“Yes. I’ve already cross-verified it with several soldiers from the Brans army.”

Serpina remained silent for a while, lost in thought—

Then, she spoke to the soldier in a resolute tone.

“I understand. However, since this is still at the stage of conjecture, make sure not to unnecessarily escalate the matter.”

“Yes, understood.”

After the soldier disappeared—

Serpina headed toward the audience chamber to meet him.

*

When I arrived at the audience chamber, Serpina greeted me with a smile.

Since that day when my advice coincidentally helped to weed out traitors early… she had become quite friendly toward me.

“My lord. I heard you called for me.”

“You’re here, Swen. Yes, I’ve been waiting for you.”

Good.

Since I’m meeting my lord after a while, I should try to be sociable.

“I’m truly glad to see you in good health.”

“Even insincere words please me. I shall acknowledge your courtesy.”

For some reason, she seemed quite pleased, wearing a smile of interest across her face as she asked me:

“This time, I would like to hear your advice on a matter.”

“Is it about the alliance with the Rolland army?”

“It seems the news has already reached your ears?”

Serpina crossed her legs and spoke in a somewhat coquettish voice.

“Yes. The Rolland army has expressed their desire to form a 12-month alliance with our army. I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter.”

‘An alliance…’

I wondered if it was appropriate to ask someone like me, just one of the civil officials rather than the national strategist, about such matters.

But since the question had been posed, I might as well input it and see.

‘Would an alliance with the Rolland army be efficient for our army?’

[This alliance will bring losses in the future.]

‘As expected.’

I thought as much—this is an alliance our army doesn’t need to form.

From our perspective, it’s a meaningless alliance either way, but from their side, it would be an enormous advantage to be able to seize the Brans army’s territory and advance into the central continent without our army’s intervention.

It could be considered our loss when only the other party gains merit without us receiving any benefit.

Even if the Rolland army is smaller than ours, it would amount to one-sided diplomatic generosity.

Even if we decided to terminate the alliance midway because we didn’t like it, our army would have to bear all the resulting reputation damage.

In that case—I need to check the conditions they’ve proposed.

“What are they offering in return?”

“They’re offering as much as 28,000 gold.”

“…Pardon?”

They’re offering 28,000 gold?

And in a lump sum payment?

‘They’re offering more money than I expected?’

It seemed that during the long period of peace that followed in the southern continent, they had focused on internal affairs and managed to generate quite a surplus of funds.

Even though the Serpina army didn’t struggle with tax collection due to its vast territory, in this world, the more gold, the better.

With 28,000, it might be worth forming a 12-month alliance if we just closed our eyes to other considerations.

Since this alliance doesn’t offer much merit to us, is the Rolland army deliberately overpaying?

If I were Serpina, I probably would have just accepted it, but…

My prediction said, ‘This alliance will bring losses in the future.’

If that gold was absolutely necessary for our army, such a prediction wouldn’t have appeared.

While the gold was certainly tempting… given the prediction of loss, it was like a poisoned chalice.

“What do you think, Swen?”

“If it’s alright, could I hear the strategist’s opinion first?”

“Jenna suggested forming the alliance. She said that 12 months isn’t that long anyway, and considering that, the offered amount seems quite reasonable.”

It wasn’t an incomprehensible judgment.

Honestly, if I couldn’t make predictions with an intelligence of 100, I would have taken a similar position to Jenna.

Besides, Jenna’s intelligence wasn’t particularly high. To maintain balance, the officers under Serpina weren’t particularly outstanding in their abilities.

Ultimately, the decision belongs to Serpina.

So, it should be fine for me to express my opinion.

“I believe we should not form this alliance.”

“I’d like to hear your reasoning.”

“In this alliance, only the Rolland army stands to gain strategic benefits. For our army, which is focusing on internal affairs, this relationship offers no help whatsoever. Rather, I believe there’s a possibility that it could become a hindrance. Even assuming our army were to engage in battle, I don’t think we would particularly need the Rolland army’s assistance.”

“I’m already aware of that fact. However, don’t you think that if we can receive 28,000 gold despite that, it would still be a profitable deal for our country? It’s only for a year, after all.”

‘A year… just a year.’

Right.

It’s only a year, so why did such a prediction appear?

Being given the correct answer means that somehow, something can be extracted from that answer.

If until now I’ve been tracking ‘why is this the correct answer,’ this time I need to track ‘why is this not the correct answer.’

“I think… there might be better opportunities ahead.”

“Better opportunities?”

Once an alliance is formed, it becomes difficult to form alliances with other countries.

This would probably apply to neighboring countries like Hesna, Ohana, and Karelia in the south, not to mention the Brans and Aeshus armies to the north.

From there, I arrived at the proposition: ‘Could another country be seeking an alliance with our country?’

If that could be an alliance of much greater value than 28,000 gold—then the prediction ‘This alliance will bring losses in the future’ would make sense.

“My lord. Now that the balance of the southern continent has been disrupted, our army essentially holds all the cards. Rather than immediately forming an alliance with the Rolland army, I think we need to observe the situation a bit longer. There’s no need for us to make a hasty decision, is there?”

“Is that your opinion?”

“Yes, it is.”

After saying that and bowing my head—

Serpina walked toward me and said:

“It seems your thoughts align with mine, not Jenna’s, Swen.”

“Pardon…?”

“28,000 gold is certainly a large sum. However, once the balance has been disrupted, from their perspective—wanting to advance into the central continent—our army would be the most intimidating. Isn’t it obvious they would want to join hands with us even if it means bearing the stigma of allying with a tyrant? We can’t give in so early when there are people lining up to beg us.”

After saying that, Serpina smiled as if amused.

As I always feel, if the composure of an absolute ruler were to be personified, it would undoubtedly be Serpina’s current appearance.

“And… decisively, seeing that a man as arrogant as Seta Rolland has made such a proposal, don’t you think it’s worth watching what other rulers who will approach us in the future might bring?”

The ruler of the Rolland army, Seta Rolland.

A ruler with no particular characteristics except for some physical strength and a bit of talent in one-on-one combat.

What good is strength alone? He’s not only foolish but also arrogant, falling for every provocation.

Chel and Kalintz were gentlemen compared to Rolland.

“Of course, Swen. You knew this, which is why you spoke to me that way, right?”

Huh?

“A petty man like Rolland has wagered such a large sum. So you confidently said ‘there will be better opportunities.’ Even without saying it, I can understand that much. Hehe…”

“…”

I said nothing and bowed my head.

Well… it’s not bad if she thinks that way, right?

“Yes. Thank you for sharing your opinion, Swen.”

“Not at all. I’m glad if it was helpful.”

The moment I said that,

She suddenly changed her tone and asked me seriously:

“Do you really think so?”

“…Pardon?”

“I asked if you really think you’re glad to have been helpful to me.”

?

What’s this all of a sudden?

Somehow… Serpina’s atmosphere has changed strangely, which is a bit disconcerting, but I spoke in the most respectful tone possible.

“Well… since I serve you, Serpina, of course I would, wouldn’t I?”

“Really? Then, can I assume that I have a place in your heart?”

“Of course.”

Step, step.

I could feel her approaching me.

“Swen. Raise your head and look into my eyes.”

When I raised my head—

Her beautiful face filled my vision.

Her golden, sparkling eyes were facing me with an intensely powerful gaze, as if trying to see through me… or more precisely, something within me.

“I’ll ask once more, Swen. In your heart, do I… Serpina von Einhart exist?”

Though I was concerned about why she kept persistently asking about this—

I nodded and spoke without showing my curiosity.

“Yes. From the moment you accepted the bet and showed me mercy, I decided to serve you, Serpina. Didn’t I say I would be your faithful hound?”

She stared intently at my eyes without answering.

I met her gaze without avoiding it.

Soon… her voice pierced my ears fiercely.

“…I understand. I will trust you no matter what, Swen.”

“…Yes.”

Although this situation was a bit sudden—

Somehow, it didn’t seem like a simple gesture of Serpina checking my loyalty.

Did she… hear some gossip about me?

Well, from Serpina’s perspective, I must be a thorn in her side.

From matters that should be discussed with the national strategist to minor administrative tasks, she always summoned me personally to seek my advice.

From the perspective of those who have served in Serpina’s army for a long time with ambition, it was quite plausible that they might slander me out of jealousy.

Moreover, I was a man who had already changed lords three times. Regardless of the circumstances, I was in a position ripe for criticism.

‘For the time being, I have no choice but to work for Serpina’s army as much as possible.’

Serpina is an extremely intelligent person.

Honestly… wasn’t what I just said a lie?

The lord in my heart wasn’t Serpina but another woman. So… in a way, those who wanted to slander me were speaking the truth.

To hide my suspicions, I move strictly for the benefit of Serpina’s army.

Since all I had to do was give correct advice, it wasn’t particularly difficult for me.

I also needed to gain Serpina’s trust to safely escape from here with Irene and Reika.

“Trust me, my lord. I am willing to dedicate myself to your great cause.”

“Didn’t I say? I will trust you. This is my decision.”

Serpina said that, just looking into my eyes.

The fragrant scent of yuzu brushed against the tip of my nose.

* * *

In the audience chamber after Swen had left,

Serpina sat on the throne, resting her chin on her hand, lost in thought.

“His actions when moving from the Brans army to the Aeshus army, and… until he became an officer of the Brans army, are suspicious.”

“Perhaps he…”

Recalling what the soldier had just told her, Serpina closed her eyes and cut off the sprouting seed of thought.

The stories she heard about him.

But she closed her eyes and let those speculations flow away.

‘I will trust Swen.’

Serpina wanted to make Swen hers.

She wanted to somehow win his heart.

How could she gain his heart if she couldn’t even give him trust?

She didn’t want to corner him over something without any evidence.

And even if those slanderous conjectures were true—

—I will win his heart through my own efforts.

Muttering that to herself… she stared at the red carpet of the audience chamber where he had disappeared for a long time.