Ch.146Chapter 146. Promise

“Swen……?”

It seemed like Serpina had called my name, but—

I couldn’t bring myself to heed that voice.

The fate of continental unification passes to Serpina’s army.

Serpina von Einhart cannot unify the continent.

What these two “correct answers” meant was extremely simple.

Serpina’s army, or more precisely, this enormous northern country that would become the unified nation—

The person sitting on that throne would not be Serpina.

Since I couldn’t imagine her voluntarily abdicating, there was only one natural conclusion.

—Serpina von Einhart would lose her life.

‘Wait a minute…..’

My legs naturally began to tremble as I faced a possibility I had never once considered.

Still, let me try to organize my thoughts slowly.

Though I couldn’t make predictions without being asked questions, most likely, as had been the case until now, the fate of becoming the unifying monarch had a high probability of belonging to Lady Luna.

But if Serpina died, the fate of the unifying monarch would change.

This change meant that whoever previously held that fate would drift away from it.

In other words.

If Serpina died, Lady Luna…

Lunarian Ineanne, who had held the fate of becoming the unifying monarch in her hands—

‘…would become unable to unify the continent.’

If Serpina died, the world would slip from Lunarian’s grasp.

The final condition for her unification was—

“……”

That blonde woman staring at me blankly with surprised eyes.

It was none other than Serpina von Einhart.

‘How could this be…..’

Honestly, something had been bothering me while staying here with her.

How could a seemingly perfect nation like this be unable to achieve unification?

The generals weren’t particularly outstanding, but there were quite many of them.

Rather, because they weren’t exceptional, they were more deeply loyal, and there was an extremely capable monarch who knew how to control them perfectly.

When dealing with subordinates, she set standards that applied universally to everyone, not subjective criteria close to personal stubbornness.

She herself kept close those who should be kept close and distant those who should be kept distant, gradually building a relatively outstanding pool of talent in an otherwise lacking situation.

No matter how unknown someone might be, she never dismissed them carelessly and always listened to their opinions.

At least any general under her command could have a private audience with her, their monarch, at least once.

Considering that her country was the largest on the continent, this was no small feat.

After all, there was only one person wearing the crown—only her as the monarch.

The largest territory and the largest population. “The red of an overpowered map,” having absorbed all the infrastructure of the northern continent, including the capital of the former empire.

Added to that, her overwhelming legitimacy flowing through her bloodline, surpassing anyone else.

Despite a life marked by infamy—

Even if you asked passing children, you would easily hear that Serpina was likely to become the new ruler of this continent.

However, I—

I alone could know.

Only I knew that she could not become the unifying monarch.

What could be the reason?

Why had fate favored Lunarian, a woman who had lost everything, over Serpina, a woman who had everything?

To think that the reason would be none other than Serpina’s very existence.

Because she was the monarch of this country, her nation could not become the unified country.

Judging by the fact that this country would be destined for unification as soon as she stepped down from the monarch’s position, this reasoning must be correct.

How ironic was this?

‘First… let me calm down.’

Though I felt like I might be crushed under the weight of this tremendous “truth”…

Now I needed to somehow gather my wits and finish my conversation with Serpina who stood before me.

At that moment.

“Swen, have you calmed down?”

“…Ah.”

Looking toward the source of the voice—

She, my lord Serpina von Einhart—

Was looking at me with an expression I had never seen before.

“I apologize. I… momentarily felt dizzy. It’s embarrassing to admit, but as you can see, my physical constitution isn’t particularly robust…”

“I understand. Take your time to answer. Please refrain from overexerting yourself, Swen.”

As she said this, she was—if anything—concerned about me.

A clear shadow of worry had fallen across her face, which had always possessed an unapproachable charisma.

So Serpina was capable of making such expressions too.

“…I am grateful for my lord’s kindness.”

I took a slow, deep breath, then organized the situation once more.

If.

If my goal was, as when I first possessed this body, “to become a general of the unified nation and pass time quickly,” what I should do would be extremely simple.

To encourage her, who seemed quite excited.

Since she greatly trusted me, mentioning my “mind’s eye,” she would surely listen if I earnestly requested it.

No, there wasn’t even a need to earnestly request it. The idea of her going in person was originally Serpina’s own suggestion.

And thus, the absolutely certain “benefit” predicted by an unfailingly accurate prediction.

Our side would grasp the fate of continental unification.

In that flow of fate—if she, who was born unable to be the victor, died and a new person ascended to the throne, finally unifying the continent, I would naturally become part of the unified nation and safely return to my original world.

After all, there was no condition that a specific monarch had to achieve unification for me to return.

But.

‘I made a promise… with her, with my lord.’

That day.

On the final day of Lunarian’s army, when they were fated to be unable to defeat the Brans army no matter what actions they took.

I remember those trembling red eyes looking at me and whimpering in the empty palace.

Even though I kept saying one unbelievable thing after another.

Even though I stubbornly insisted “my words are correct” without any evidence, I remember the promise I whispered to the only being who willingly believed me.

To believe someone meant more than just the literal meaning of the phrase.

It was like entrusting one’s life.

Wasn’t Luna the only one who did for me what neither Lynn nor Yurie would do?

And I… promised her that if she believed in me, I would place the world in her hands.

Therefore.

‘I absolutely cannot betray her who believed in me no matter what.’

That wasn’t the only reason.

Anyway, I wanted to avoid the outcome where the woman before me, Serpina, died a violent death.

Was this simple compassion, or…

‘There’s no need to think further.’

Since I couldn’t betray Luna, I had only one option.

The most important piece for Lunarian Ineanne’s unification—

I would save Serpina von Einhart.

“My lord.”

“Speak.”

“Regarding what you mentioned, that is, about going in person… there is a possibility that it could lead to unfavorable results for our side.”

“…Unfavorable results, you say?”

“Yes.”

As my purpose of saving Serpina became clearer—

The sensation of trembling at the shocking truth was remarkably quickly regaining composure.

Now, it was time to persuade the woman before me.

“As you said, I agree that it could create a greater shock within the Brans army… but conversely, it could also spark sympathetic public opinion toward Lynn Brans. No matter how many misjudgments she has made, or how incomprehensible her alliance might be, directly witnessing the monarch of one’s own country swallow humiliation would inevitably be extremely shocking.”

“Sympathy… you make a valid point.”

“In this case, let’s just leave it to the natural course of events. Even if we don’t do anything more, the smoke of suspicion that has already been lit will develop its own life force within the Brans army and continue to circulate among their minds. I believe that you should avoid moving in person, my lord.”

“……”

Serpina listened to my words and fell into thought—

Then slowly nodded.

“…I understand. You’re saying that I too need to exercise restraint.”

“I didn’t dare suggest such a thing to my lord—”

“No, Swen. Thank you for your advice. However.”

Serpina looked straight at me.

I thought I saw her pupils tremble ever so slightly.

“Would it be acceptable to have them come here from their side?”

“Their side… you mean the Brans army?”

“Yes. There’s nothing more efficient than meeting in person to announce the fact of our alliance throughout the continent.”

So, Serpina intended to use her image as a tyrant to isolate the Brans army?

Nothing spreads rumors more easily than meeting in person.

While distant southern continent nations might be one thing, since Lynn was in the central continent, the impact on the territory’s people would inevitably be different if she joined hands with Serpina.

In other words, it wasn’t a bad idea.

Moreover, adding the premise of “meeting in person” might add more credibility to my and Serpina’s speculation.

Looking at Serpina who had fallen into thought after finishing her answer—

I quietly entered that question once more.

The additional premise this time was that the Brans army would come here.

‘Is forming an alliance with the Brans army efficient for our army?’

[It is an efficient alliance that presents a great opportunity for our side.]

‘…It’s back.’

The advice appeared again as I had first seen it.

Not only that, it was the exact same answer as the initial advice.

This meant—

‘The inference that the Brans army is internally shaken is about 99% true.’

If it were a strange butterfly effect that benefited our army like before, the conclusion should have changed with the change in premises.

The fact that it remained the same meant that things would proceed as I thought.

I subtracted 1% just in case, but it should be safe to feel relieved.

I inwardly sighed with relief.

Here, in Serpina’s army—what I needed to do had become extremely clear.

Until Lunarian’s army reappeared on the stage of history someday—I would protect Lady Serpina.

No matter what happens, absolutely.

I will protect Lady Serpina from the danger of death.

With intelligence 100 and unfailingly accurate predictions, I was confident I could somehow manage it.

Hadn’t I accomplished much more difficult things with ease?

‘Right. Anything would be easier than summoning a meteor.’

As I bowed my head before Serpina who was lost in thought—

I addressed my lord with words that couldn’t reach her.

‘My lord. I will definitely, definitely come to you. I will keep my promise. Please stay well.’

* * *

After Swen left, alone in the empty annex.

On the table was a glass filled with not particularly expensive wine.

Serpina, her face slightly flushed perhaps from intoxication, sat in a chair recalling Swen’s appearance just moments ago.

‘Swen…..’

While they were conversing well, his expression suddenly changed drastically.

Then… he said this.

‘I… called you Lady Serpina.’

He, who had been calling her his lord since becoming her subordinate, had absentmindedly referred to her as Lady Serpina.

Swen was trembling slightly with an expression she had never seen before, so shocked that he seemed to have lost his senses.

In that situation, that response seemed like—

His true feelings flowing out unconsciously.

Due to her complicated feelings, she couldn’t examine his expression closely.

Though the conversation ended well, an inexplicable knot formed in her heart.

‘Swen. Who exactly is in your heart?’

Is there someone other than herself?

That wasn’t the only thing bothering her.

Serpina—

For some reason, felt that Swen’s purpose was to prevent her personally from moving rather than the result of the alliance itself.

After all, he had agreed to “having them come here.”

If sympathy shouldn’t be aroused, shouldn’t this also have been rejected?

There had been a similar incident recently.

Rather than defending Amir Castle, he had argued as if having troops there itself was what mattered.

Did he have some other hidden intention this time too?

She simply couldn’t understand his mind.

Serpina scratched the rim of the wine glass with her fingernail.

She had been confident that she could make him hers.

Today she detected that her heart, which had seemed absolutely unshakable, was wavering.

‘Swen…..’

Serpina thought.

How nice it would be if Swen would make such an expression while holding her, not someone else, in his heart.

Was this the manifestation of a monarch’s desire for an outstanding general? If not that, then…

She mixed the unanswerable question with the wine and swallowed it.

The wine that slid down her throat was extremely bitter.