Ch.170Chapter 170. Before the Division

* * *

The capital of Aeshus, Valharat Castle.

“The Brans territory has been divided?”

“Yes. To be precise, it seems to have been split into three parts.”

“That can’t be… Why?”

In response to Yurie’s disbelieving words, Anima shook her head and said.

“I don’t know exactly, but according to our spies, Lynn Brans’s reputation among her commanders and soldiers isn’t what it used to be.”

“Even so, there weren’t any signs of rebellion, were there? Especially from her brothers who seemed to have little interest in politics.”

“People are fluid beings who change according to circumstances, so it’s not that strange… But the decisive reason is probably her alliance with Serpina causing significant conflict.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The timing of Lynn Brans’s reputation plummeting coincides with her grand announcement of the alliance. Yurie, you remember, don’t you? How she went all the way to Einhart Castle to publicly join hands with her.”

“Right. I did wonder if she really needed to be dragged around like that.”

“We’re talking about Serpina here. Lynn is lucky—that woman would commit far more vicious acts without batting an eye.”

“……”

Yurie silently recalled what had happened recently.

The strange proposal to release Anima in exchange for Swen.

At the time, her mind had been filled only with thoughts of somehow rescuing Anima, who could be executed at any moment under the tyrant Serpina… But looking back, she couldn’t help but question why Serpina had made such a demand.

At first, she thought Serpina might have had a grudge against Swen and wanted to capture him somehow.

After all, Swen was the man who had performed miracles in the northern continent against Serpina’s forces, which could have been reason enough for a grudge.

But with a little thought, it seemed strange. If Serpina had a grudge against Swen, he would surely have known about it…

Yet he had volunteered himself as an envoy.

It wasn’t Yurie who had chosen him; Swen had requested to be selected.

How many people would be reckless enough to volunteer to go to a woman who harbored ill will toward them?

Swen, although Yurie herself had never seriously employed his talents… was a man with decent insight.

In fact, after the negotiations with Serpina’s forces, they had been able to govern internal affairs stably without any external invasions.

Would such a man throw himself into enemy territory knowing he might die?

And taking Irene with him too?

Considering that Swen had betrayed his lord for Irene’s sake, this seemed extremely odd.

Questions that had been obscured by her need to rescue Anima now wandered through Yurie’s mind, but—

‘…No.’

All of those things were just past events now.

There was nothing she could do about them now, and hadn’t Ginor advised that there was no need to dwell on what had already happened?

Then what we need to think about is only the future of Aeshus.

Yurie divided the Brans territory marked on the map into three parts with her quill pen and said.

“So what should we do now?”

“The area under Lynn’s control would be the one allied with Serpina, and that alliance probably doesn’t extend to the Brans forces led by Kalintz or Chel… From Serpina’s perspective, to attack them, she’d have to break through Brans territory, and even if she occupies it, she can’t connect it to her lands, so it would become an exclave. It would be difficult to manage once the alliance ends. So, I don’t think they’ll make a move.”

Anima said this while taking the quill pen from Yurie’s hand, then tapped the location of Valharat Castle and continued.

“The Brans territory has been divided into three parts. Simply put, this is a golden opportunity for us to advance into Brans territory. However… I’m a bit skeptical about whether Serpina’s forces will remain idle if we make a move.”

“Right. They’ll probably move too. …From their perspective, we must be the biggest thorn in their side.”

Excluding the southern countries whose borders didn’t yet touch theirs, and excluding the currently allied Brans forces, Serpina’s forces could only advance toward Aeshus.

Though they had managed to avoid trouble by pouring all their national resources into defense… if they moved their army to expand territory, there was a very high possibility that Serpina would move as well.

“But, Yurie. Are we the only ones thinking this way?”

“Huh?”

“The Brans forces have split, so we should quickly gather our troops and launch an attack on their territory while they’re in chaos—are we the only ones who could come up with this idea?”

“…Honestly, probably not.”

“Right.”

Anima said this while drawing a circle on the southern countries on the map.

“They’re obviously thinking the same thing. And they have an advantage we don’t—they don’t share a border with Serpina’s forces. Of course they won’t miss this opportunity to take a bite out of the Brans territory. From their perspective, their dream of advancing into the central continent has suddenly become a real possibility, hasn’t it?”

“Weren’t they already at war?”

“Yes. They thought Brans had lost its teeth, but it wasn’t that easy, so they seem to be at a stalemate. Anyway, they’ll keep clashing because they think they can finally achieve definitive results. So, what we need to do is quietly build our strength and wait for the right moment. And the moment we need to wait for is—”

Anima pointed at the southern continent and said.

“When they make their move.”

“Which means—”

“Yes. We’re heading south, not north.”

* * *

“The Brans forces have split?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Upon receiving Jenna’s report, Serpina’s expression turned amused.

“They’re making such moves now? Those Chel and Kalintz?”

“Well… according to our intelligence, it seems many people were displeased with the alliance formed with our forces.”

“…!!”

In that moment, Serpina’s pupils dilated and her lips curved into a smile.

Yes.

His words were right again!

‘Swen, so this is the “efficient outcome” you spoke of?’

The Brans forces had been virtually their only rival.

Even though they had lost some territory in the central continent, they were still arguably the most threatening presence on this continent.

And now those Brans forces had split not into two, but three parts—could there be a better outcome from their perspective?

Indeed.

Swen had consistently been right.

Sometimes he said things that seemed incomprehensible, but ultimately he always spoke the truth—a strategist who worked for her without demanding anything in return.

The more she learned about him…

The more she couldn’t understand Yurie, who had failed to properly utilize such a commander and instead handed him over to her.

Whatever the case, she was simply grateful.

“My lord, what will you do?”

“About what?”

“Are you not going to make a move?”

“……”

At Jenna’s question, Serpina slowly sank into thought.

‘During the alliance period, our movements are restricted… Should I simply observe this discord, or should I actively intervene to gain as much as possible?’

Neither option seemed particularly bad to her, and she soon stopped deliberating.

After all, she had a reliable man by her side with whom she could discuss the situation.

“I’ll need some time to think.”

“Understood. …Um, my lord.”

“What is it?”

“May I ask you one thing?”

“?”

Serpina gave a silent look to Jenna, who was showing an expression she had never displayed before.

“There are… some concerning rumors circulating.”

“Is someone plotting rebellion again?”

“No. Rather… it’s about you, my lord. I’m not sure whether to call it gossip or baseless rumors…”

“Jenna, you’re uncharacteristically beating around the bush. Speak plainly.”

Jenna hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a careful tone.

“Well… there are rumors that you might be keeping this man Swen too close.”

“The gist?”

“Since he’s a commander who dramatically defected from an enemy country… various stories are circulating. And, well…”

“I asked you for the gist, Jenna.”

“…Since he’s a young man with exceptional looks, some are saying he might be clouding your judgment… that kind of talk.”

“Ha!”

Serpina snorted and looked at Jenna.

“Jenna. Surely you don’t take these rumors seriously?”

“Of course I don’t take them that seriously. However… it appears that a significant number of commanders are displeased with how you favor Swen and Irene, who have only recently arrived. What I mean is, rather than debating whether these rumors are true or not—”

“You’re telling me to be careful.”

“Be careful? Not at all. How could someone like me dare to suggest such a thing to you…”

Jenna bowed and said.

“I simply believe that nothing is more important in governance than maintaining balance. Please don’t be angry; I just hope you’ll consider it.”

“……”

Honestly.

While Serpina’s forces had fairly strong royal authority, even she knew that her position wasn’t as secure as she might like.

She had witnessed several times how commanders who claimed to sincerely follow her as the sole and legitimate empress of the empire had risen in rebellion.

Even if they appeared on the surface to recognize and serve her as the only survivor of the Einhart family… she could no longer pretend not to know otherwise.

Even a monarch cannot fully exercise their power if they disregard their commanders, soldiers, and subjects—this had already been proven by various lords during the chaotic era.

And crucially—

She didn’t want Swen or Irene to be harmed because of her actions.

“Don’t worry, Jenna. I can take care of myself.”

“Let me emphasize again, I didn’t mean to imply that you couldn’t take care of yourself.”

“Yes. I know.”

Of course, she had no intention of distancing herself from Swen now.

The way to make them accepted by all the commanders of her country would be for them to establish military achievements.

‘I may need to start preparing soon.’

With Irene and Swen, it wouldn’t be difficult to achieve military merits.

Once they established their achievements, no one would dare treat them carelessly.

Serpina was convinced this was the way to protect them from any trouble.

Both Serpina’s forces and Aeshus’s forces—

With the fragmentation of the Brans forces as a turning point, they had begun to move little by little.

The shattered “dream” of the Brans forces was rising as fragments, becoming the “dreams” of each separate power.

* * *

‘Finally, today is the day.’

At last, that day had dawned—

The morning of the day I was to enter Lady Irene’s residence.