Ch.145Chapter 145. The Weight of the Answer

The day after talking with Irene.

Once again, Serpina summoned me.

However, this time it wasn’t in the audience chamber, but in that same annex where we had suddenly engaged in a sword duel before.

‘Does Lady Serpina spend a lot of time here?’

As a national leader, having several annexes wasn’t unusual, but this place gave off a peculiarly strange feeling.

It was like… if I had to describe it, a space that had been taxidermied.

Though it wasn’t particularly far away and was definitely inside the castle walls, the eerie atmosphere made it difficult to find the right words to explain the feeling.

As I was heading toward the mansion at that moment.

‘Huh?’

A figure that looked like Serpina was crouching in front of a flower bed.

When I approached to check… the long straight blonde hair and the distinctively shaped hairpin confirmed it was indeed the Serpina I knew.

Looking at her profile – she wore such a peaceful expression that I wondered if this was really the same person I knew, as I’d never seen her look like this before.

She seemed to be tinkering with something, apparently busy with some task…

And at that moment.

Perhaps sensing my presence, she turned toward me and said:

“You’ve come, Swen.”

“What were you doing?”

“Just tending to the flower bed.”

I wondered if a monarch would really do such things, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask.

It’s not like kings and queens can’t have hobbies… and the expression on her face as she tended the flowers was remarkably pleasant in many ways.

“Today, by my lord’s summons, I’ve come here to-“

“Enough with the formalities. Follow me.”

“…Yes.”

I let Serpina take the lead, then followed behind her.

*

Inside a room in the annex.

In a place where a large map of the continent hung on the wall – Serpina looked at me and spoke with a dignified expression.

“Swen. This is about the ‘test’ you gave me. I’ve had time to think about many things. Today, I called you here to confirm whether this is the correct answer.”

‘A test…’

Right.

She was under the misunderstanding that I had given her some kind of test.

I wondered what kind of bold retainer would openly tell a monarch they were going to test them, especially someone like Serpina –

But in any case, thanks to her misunderstanding, I was able to avoid explaining why my prediction was correct.

Indeed, it was “an efficient alliance that presents a great opportunity for our forces.”

On the surface, no matter how many times you looked at it, the Brans forces seemed to gain more.

Aside from the fact that the proud Lynn had proposed this first, the conditions weren’t particularly unreasonable.

The only thing I could predict was that this alliance might not actually benefit the Brans forces.

Of course, saying it was an opportunity for our side meant that the Serpina forces would benefit. Since the interests of the Brans forces and our forces were in conflict, a win-win relationship couldn’t exist.

Based on that, I could think through various possibilities… but it was all in the realm of speculation, without the definitive material evidence I had before.

It meant it would be difficult to convince Serpina.

“Now, listen, Swen.”

But well-

Right in front of me was someone willing to rack their brains on my behalf.

There was no reason not to take advantage of that.

“…Understood. Please continue.”

“In my opinion… Lynn Brans’s intentions have certainly changed. From the moment this proposal came, it would be reasonable to think that she is no longer the needlessly stubborn woman she’s known to be, but rather someone who knows when to be practical.”

I thought the same.

It must have been very difficult for her to extend a hand first to what were essentially her enemies.

She pointed at the map with her finger.

“Swen. As you surely know, among all existing nations, the Brans forces stand to gain the most from an alliance with us. The southern nations don’t share borders with us, and if the Aeshus forces allied with us, their border routes would be blocked. Only the Brans forces can safely hold off the southern nations without worrying about our border. So, both on the surface and strategically, this alliance can be seen as tremendously beneficial to the Brans forces.”

Her voice as she continued her explanation was quite melodious.

She truly was a woman who possessed every element that could make a human being attractive.

“But you claimed this alliance would be efficient for our forces as well… What we gain is 12,800 gold. Yes, it’s certainly decent for a six-month alliance, but this doesn’t explain why you rejected all the previous alliance proposals.”

I silently looked into her eyes.

The sparkle in her eyes seemed to convey her intention to make me feel a strange sense of anticipation.

“It’s strange that both the Brans forces and our forces could be satisfied with the outcome. You clearly stated it would be a great opportunity for our forces. The Brans forces’ gain cannot be our gain. If the Brans forces become a more powerful nation from this, our nation would suffer the most. Do you agree so far?”

So Serpina could easily arrive at this kind of reasoning.

She was quite intelligent, so it wasn’t surprising.

After all, the most capable person in the Serpina forces was Serpina herself.

“I agree.”

“Satisfying. How do you feel? It seems I’m following your intentions quite well, don’t you think?”

As she said this, she raised the corners of her mouth in satisfaction… it was strangely cute.

Still, I wouldn’t dare utter that word even if tortured to death.

“Please continue.”

“Very well. Anyway, even if she has changed her mind – human hearts cannot always pursue reason and practicality. Countless Brans generals and soldiers lost their lives under our military boots. And that was not long ago.”

She then looked at me and spoke in a confident tone.

“How would the Brans retainers feel about this? The soldiers? Those who lost family or loved ones? This alliance – unlike its appearance – might have a different meaning for the Brans forces.”

‘Ah.’

I could roughly guess what she was getting at.

It was one of the few inferences I had anticipated.

So her reasoning was-

“Perhaps with this alliance-“

“”There’s a possibility of internal division within the Brans forces.””

“My goodness.”

Pleased that our thoughts aligned, Serpina gave a charming smile.

Yes.

One of the inferences I had made, and among them the most realistic speculation.

The possibility of internal division within the Brans forces because of this alliance.

Clearly this is beneficial for the Brans forces.

But humans cannot always make rational judgments based solely on benefits.

Just as Lynn Brans shook in her heart and discarded Irene, her unparalleled loyal subject, with her own hands.

Just as Baranga Yurie Aeshus made an incredibly foolish choice as a ruler, unable to break free from past shackles-

Humans are not beings who always think rationally.

“Swen. You told me this: ‘It’s something one would inevitably feel in that position.’ That statement literally contained something quite decisive. Well, because I am a tyrant.”

That wasn’t what I meant when I said it, but if she wanted to interpret it that way, it fit perfectly.

A tyrant… is that so?

Since my arrival, she hadn’t acted like a tyrant even once, but it was an undeniable fact that she had a terrible reputation.

“Lynn Brans joining hands with Serpina, a tyrant who is like an enemy… It’s certainly a situation that could shake those who have served the Brans forces despite continuous humiliation. In fact, Lynn has been experiencing nothing but defeats for some time now.”

“That’s not all, is it?”

“Oh?”

Since she had gone to such trouble, it would be courteous for me to share my thoughts as well.

“The Brans forces are likely in a state where internal cohesion has been shattered due to Lynn Brans’s consecutive misjudgments. The one thing that kept them united was their hostility toward you, my lord, but if they join hands with you of all people, they might lose even that remaining focal point.”

So, the person who proposed this alliance must be someone who can read the situation but not people’s hearts.

‘Probably Farfalle.’

“Indeed, just as you say, Swen. The way you so neatly fill in my deficiencies… it makes me wonder if we weren’t originally one body. Huhuhu…♡”

She said that and came closer to me.

I could see her chest slightly bouncing.

Even though I didn’t want to think about it, I couldn’t help but recall how those enormous watermelon-like things had pressed down on my body yesterday.

“What do you think, Swen? My answer? Have I passed your test?”

A test.

It certainly sounded plausible – but since that unbelievable incident not long ago, I couldn’t make assertions without material evidence.

So it was better not to give a definitive answer here. To safely escape from her, I needed to build trust with her.

“I’m not sure if ‘test’ is the appropriate word… but I’d like to say you’re quite close.”

“Of course, I don’t intend to be satisfied with just this.”

And then.

She turned around and said quietly:

“For this alliance, I will take action personally.”

“You’ll act personally, my lord?”

“I plan to visit Anel Castle.”

“…What?”

“Just the fact of forming an alliance might be enough to shake things up internally, but I’ve been thinking. What scene would make me tremble the most if I were a Brans general? And naturally, an image came to mind.”

At that moment, Serpina turned her head to look at me.

Her yellow hair swayed lightly.

“The sight of Serpina, their sworn enemy, shaking hands with their lord – witnessing it with their own eyes.”

‘…!’

“If we can imprint that scene in the Brans forces, it will surely destroy their morale even more thoroughly. Swen, don’t you think so? Huhuhu…”

After saying this, she laughed like a mischievous child.

It would certainly be more shocking, but that premise needed to be certain.

Of course, given that I had the definitive answer that it would “benefit our forces,” the premise was likely correct.

Still, I hadn’t expected her to take such an active role.

In any case – the premise has changed to “Serpina going in person,” right?

‘Since the conditions have changed, maybe I should try inputting again.’

Without much thought, I entered “Is forming an alliance with the Brans forces efficient for our forces?”

And the answer…

—That damned “speculation.”

That speculation which carried the weight of an absolute truth.

[It’s an enormous benefit to our forces, to the extent that the fate of continental unification will shift.]

‘!!!!!!!’

“…Swen?”

My legs gave way, and I unconsciously steadied myself by placing my hand on the nearby desk.

What did it say…?

“What’s suddenly wrong?”

“No… I, that, um… Lady Serpina. Just, give me a moment…”

As I staggered, she came over to support me.

Forgetting even to thank her, I mulled over the prediction that had just appeared.

The prediction had changed.

Just by adding the condition that Serpina would move personally, the future had changed.

Wait a minute.

If it benefits our side enough to change the fate of continental unification—

Does that mean the unifying monarch will change?

Just to be sure, I entered a question I had received when conversing with Jenis.

‘…Can Serpina von Einhart unify the continent?’

[No, she cannot.]

‘It hasn’t changed…’

This hadn’t changed at all.

Even in a situation where Serpina had decided to “visit,” that prediction remained unchanged.

But here, “our forces” means…

‘As long as I belong to the Serpina forces, it refers to the Serpina forces, right?’

If I could also input questions about Lady Luna, the outline would become clearer—

Since changing affiliations, I hadn’t asked whether she could become the unifying monarch.

No, before that—

It’s before that. The real issue wasn’t about Lady Luna, but something that came before.

‘If the fate of continental unification shifts… doesn’t that mean the Serpina forces, not the Lunarian forces, will get the chance to unify the continent?’

But why…

‘But why… can Lady Serpina still not unify the continent?’

Thump!

Thump!

My heart suddenly began to beat violently.

My mind was racing faster than ever before.

——And then I realized.

※ The fate of continental unification shifts to the Serpina forces.

※ Serpina von Einhart cannot unify the continent.

Like a revelation from heaven—

No, this is not a revelation.

As if I had glimpsed into a divine realm that should never be peeked at—

I blankly realized one fact that could be derived from these two results.

‘Lady Serpina… is going to die?’