Ch.190Chapter 190. Divine Eye (1)

“The position of National Advisor?”

“That’s right.”

It was certainly a bold proposal.

If we were only considering ability, it would make sense to appoint me. If I were playing this game as Serpina from a player’s perspective, I would have immediately appointed Swen with his Intelligence stat of 100 as the National Advisor.

In games, characters would simply accept such decisions with a clean “I can entrust national affairs to XX with peace of mind” as long as someone had higher Intelligence—

But in reality, people rarely accept losing power that’s already in their hands with open eyes.

No matter how excellent the successor might be, it’s difficult to quietly step aside.

Just look at Anima and Ginor’s case. Among the founding contributors of the Aeshus army, Ginor, who served as the last chancellor of the re-established nation, was clearly more suited for the National Advisor position than Anima, who was merely more quick-witted. Yet the country was shaken even to that extent.

“If I may ask, what is the public opinion about Lady Jenna among the generals?”

“We don’t even need to consider the generals. When I had just ascended as the imperial successor after killing everyone, she was the one who quickly stabilized the chaotic political situation and arranged for power to be entrusted to me. In other words, she is someone to whom I am extremely grateful.”

If she were to remove Jenna and appoint me in this situation?

I was different from Irene. At least Irene was proving herself on the front lines, but all I had done here were things difficult for others to notice.

For example, confronting Serpina in private or helping Jenis prevent the extinction of the Al Kaski family.

While Serpina and Irian might be grateful to me, from an outside perspective, I hadn’t done anything visible for this country.

Moreover, weren’t Serpina and I already entangled in strange rumors?

A young female ruler repeatedly summoning a young male general of similar age for private meetings, and suddenly that male general being appointed to the position of National Advisor, essentially the second-in-command of the nation…

Even as a third party, this would look like nothing but giving a position to a lover.

The astute Serpina couldn’t possibly be unaware of this fact.

Therefore, I looked straight into her eyes and asked:

“Despite that, you would appoint me, a newcomer who rolled in?”

Serpina looked at me as if wondering why I would even ask such a question.

“But don’t you think that would be rational?”

“I cannot agree. With unsavory rumors already circulating about us, such an action would likely shake the hearts of the generals.”

“Do you think I should be concerned about appearances when appointing someone more capable to a fitting position?”

“I can’t help but think about the importance of modesty that my lord once mentioned.”

She seemed amused by my roundabout way of speaking and let out a laugh.

“You absolutely refuse to back down, not even a single word. Right in front of me, no less. Huhuhu…♥”

The position of National Advisor.

Should I really rise above Jenna?

No, to begin with… I would have to leave her someday, so would it be appropriate for me to take such a high position?

Of course, becoming the Advisor would allow me to leave her side more safely.

The position of Advisor, the thick trust built through everything we’ve experienced, and the “Mind’s Eye” plot point.

I had succeeded in creating a situation where she couldn’t resist listening to me.

After becoming Advisor, I could make some accurate predictions, and when the Lunarian army reappears, I could say, “You must let me go now,” and safely return to Luna’s side with Irene and Reika without any risk.

But if that happened—

‘I would end up using Serpina.’

At least for now, my desire not to use her prevailed, so I quietly shook my head.

“It’s too generous a position for me. I believe Lady Jenna would do better than someone like me who can only rely on the ‘Mind’s Eye’.”

Serpina looked at my face for a moment, then turned her head to face forward again.

“If that is your wish, I won’t insist until the end. But I would like you to remember one thing.”

Serpina parted her lips again.

“Swen. If you wish, I will give you the position of Advisor. Not only that. If there is anything you desire, I will fulfill it, whatever it may be. So, if your mind changes even a little… I would like you to tell me honestly.”

“……”

If my mind changes even a little…

It seemed Serpina had vaguely noticed that I served someone other than herself as my lord.

Not just in her words now, but several times before, she had spoken with such nuances. That she didn’t care who else was in my heart, that she didn’t mind being second…

‘Lady Luna…’

I remembered those ruby-colored eyes trembling as they looked at me in the insignificant royal castle of Zeilant.

When I turned my head, golden eyes that shone beautifully but couldn’t hide the loneliness seeping from within entered my view.

I…

What should I do?

‘Lunarian Ineanne and Serpina von Einhart… whom should I follow?’

Since I had never received such a question, naturally no answer was forthcoming.

Of course, even if I were to receive that question, the expected answer would be “Unknown.”

All I could do was let out a bitter smile.

This was a decision I had to make myself.

Intelligence stats were meaningless in the face of this question.

And whatever decision I made, all responsibility would fall on me.

I couldn’t avoid the fact that the time for that ultimate choice was approaching.

And so, I spent time with Serpina in the carriage.

The scent of citron was seeping deep into my body and soul.

* * *

After returning to Einhart Castle, one thing became clear.

The threat to her life was not a natural disaster.

Nothing unusual happened during our journey, and several days passed quietly without any news.

Then, as expected—

‘The probability of assassination was high.’

It was most rational to assume that she had escaped an assassination attempt.

While nothing in this world can be 100% certain, given the current situation, that judgment was reasonable.

Although we managed to avoid this fate somehow, there was no guarantee there wouldn’t be another attempt.

Therefore, I needed to check whether she had truly escaped the threat of death.

So, to Irene who returned with me—

“You mean Luna?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I brought up the conversation to induce “that question.”

“…I haven’t forgotten what you said. You mentioned that someday you would return to Luna’s side.”

“Do you also remember why?”

“Well… because you believe that Luna, whom you originally served, is the ruler destined to grasp the world, don’t you?”

Good.

Finally, I could receive that question again.

With a somewhat tense heart, I entered the question.

‘Is Lunarian Ineanne destined to become the ruler who will unify the continent?’

If the answer came back negative, I wasn’t sure what to do—

Fortunately, it seemed my plans weren’t that twisted.

[Yes.]

‘Phew…’

I let out a sigh of relief.

It’s still the same.

Luna becoming the unifying ruler meant that Serpina would survive.

In any case, it meant that the shadow of death hanging over her had been lifted once more.

“I’m glad you remember well.”

“Swen…”

Irene thought for a moment, then spoke to me in a careful tone.

“As I’ve said many times, Swen. I will be on your side no matter what happens. I will stay by your side whatever choice you make, so you don’t need to worry.”

I wondered briefly why she suddenly brought this up.

Perhaps in this situation, when I mentioned Luna, she had many thoughts from her perspective.

Feeling grateful for her concern, I smiled and replied.

“Thank you. I will do the same for you, Lady Irene.”

“…Yes.”

After ending my conversation with Irene.

The first thing I proposed to Serpina upon her safe return to the royal castle was—

“A guard knight?”

“Yes.”

Even though she had escaped her fate, there was no guarantee there wouldn’t be another assassination attempt.

Since I couldn’t always receive the right questions at the right moments, thorough preparation was necessary.

“I already have four or more armed guards accompanying me in important places.”

“That’s why… I would like General Irene to be among them.”

Irene was the only one I had tipped off about the possibility of Serpina’s assassination.

And I had no other military officer I could openly discuss such matters with.

“Hmm…”

“Although she holds the position of Deputy Commander of the occupation forces, they haven’t yet engaged in occupation activities, and the position of guard knight is relatively less prestigious than deputy commander, so I don’t think we need to worry about accusations of favoritism.”

“What is your reason?”

“……”

Directly saying “Someone seems to be trying to assassinate my lord” would only confuse her again.

I wanted to protect her without disturbing her mind if possible.

But I wasn’t confident I could win this argument with complex explanations.

If I seriously engaged with her through words alone, I might lose.

So here, let’s just go with the direct approach.

“I want to see General Irene more often.”

“Oh?”

Since joining Serpina’s army, what I had done most was dealing with Serpina as the ruler.

I naturally accompanied her as an aide wherever she went, and after returning to Einhart Castle, my duties were essentially no different from Serpina’s guard warriors, maintaining a close relationship with her.

So naturally, if Irene became a guard knight, she would have more opportunities to meet me.

Since Serpina knew I valued Irene and tended to accommodate me as much as possible, she would probably agree.

“If it’s alright with you, I would appreciate your permission.”

Serpina covered her mouth and laughed as if finding it amusing.

“How bold, Swen. To interfere with a ruler’s right to appoint personnel simply because you want to see someone.”

“……”

“What about General Irene’s opinion? Of course, she would dutifully follow my orders, but as someone who commands many as Deputy Commander, she would naturally be dissatisfied with suddenly being assigned as my guard knight.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

Irene wasn’t the type to be obsessed with titles, positions, or status.

She only wanted her usefulness and value to be recognized—she wasn’t living to climb to high places.

If she were that kind of person, she would have despaired when Lynn repeatedly demoted her, but instead, she burned her flame brightly for Lynn until the very end.

Moreover, she had been raised from the beginning as a guard knight for the Brans family, specifically Lynn, so she wouldn’t have any particular aversion—that’s what I meant, but.

Serpina seemed to interpret it differently, giggling again as if amused.

“You’re confident she wouldn’t refuse your wishes? That’s quite something coming from you, but General Irene also seems to have quite a girlish side.”

…Honestly, as she said.

I can’t imagine Lady Irene refusing my request.

She would probably do it gladly. Because she’s that kind of person, I wanted to protect her even more.

Seeing that I didn’t respond, Serpina nodded.

“Very well. I’ll do as you wish. Since we’ll mostly be acting as a security force monitoring the northern continent rather than engaging in occupation activities for the time being, I’ll make her my guard knight until we set a definite date for continental advancement.”

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. It’s not like I’m the one at a disadvantage, am I? Beyond ruler and subject, I’m just a woman who wants to look good in your eyes, so how could I refuse your request? But… having granted your request, it seems only fair that I should also get what I want.”

“If it’s something I can do, I will certainly do so.”

Hearing those words, Serpina put on a satisfied smile and—

Approaching me with a flushed face, she said in a clear tone:

“Swen, you must devote yourself even more to me…♥”

* * *

Since that day.

As she had said to me with shining eyes—

I was indeed “devoting” myself more and more to Serpina.