Ch.206Chapter 206. Predetermined Future

After parting with Swen, Irene was heading to the barracks, her original workplace, after quite some time.

“Um, excuse me…!”

When she turned her head at the sound of someone calling her—

For some reason, a familiar-looking woman was calling out to her.

“…Lady Iolline?”

“No, that’s my younger sister…”

“…Ah.”

After hearing this, she noticed that while they looked similar, there was something subtly different about them.

The one who called her was not a woman but clearly a man with pretty, delicate features. It was Jenis.

Jenis was the younger brother of Irian Al Caskie and the twin brother of Iolline Al Caskie, someone with whom she had been quite deeply involved not too long ago.

Quite some time had passed since then.

“Did your imprisonment end safely?”

“Yes. So, I wanted to express my gratitude… I’ve been waiting here despite my impudence.”

Jenis said this and bowed at a 90-degree angle.

Even for twins, he looks extremely feminine, Irene thought as his voice reached her ears.

“Thank you so much, Lady Irene. I should have thanked you much earlier, I’m sorry for the delay.”

“No need. I only did what I was supposed to do, so please don’t worry about it.”

“I originally wanted to greet Swen as well… but I’ve received orders to transfer to another territory, so I need to leave soon, but perhaps—”

“I understand. I’ll convey your message to Swen as well.”

“Thank you very much.”

Jenis bowed deeply once more and said.

“Since we will both continue to serve Lady Serpina in the future, I will definitely repay this debt someday.”

‘….’

After appropriately responding to Jenis’s sudden visit and sending him off.

Irene watched his retreating back and—

Pondered his final words.

‘We will both continue to serve Lady Serpina… is it.’

Perhaps due to the weight felt in those words.

Naturally, she closed her eyes and recalled what had happened a few days ago.

* * *

Turning the clock back a bit—

Irene was able to hear a brief explanation from Serpina, who had quickly returned to her position as ruler, about what exactly had happened.

“I see? So Miss Reika treated you…”

“Yes. Irene, you probably already knew about Lady Reika’s abilities.”

In Irene’s mind flashed the image of her naturally creating a fireball in her hand.

Besides that, when making chocolate, she had also created ice out of thin air.

Not only those abilities but healing powers as well… Although Irene herself didn’t sense it, there was no longer any doubt that mana truly existed.

“…Yes, that’s right.”

“Don’t worry about it. I have no intention of questioning why you kept it hidden.”

Serpina said this with a slight curve to her lips.

Irene thought that somehow her expression had become considerably warmer than before.

No, this isn’t right.

Wouldn’t it be proper to convey words that couldn’t be said due to the sudden events?

“…My lord.”

Irene knelt on one knee and bowed her head to the golden-haired sovereign she currently served.

“Thank you very much… for saving my insignificant life.”

This wasn’t just empty words; Irene truly owed her life to Serpina.

Of course, she might not have died instantly from Shura’s attack. The situation had been chaotic, and not only Irene but Shura too had shown signs of attacking hastily, out of rhythm with the situation.

Nevertheless, the fact that Serpina took the blade in her place didn’t lose its significance.

And one more thing.

“As a knight guard who failed to properly perform her duty, I have no excuse for the tragedy that occurred… I will never forget the grace you’ve shown me.”

Ultimately, Serpina’s injury was proof that Irene had failed to properly perform her duty.

In a situation where she deserved severe punishment, Serpina wasn’t holding her accountable at all, so from Irene’s perspective, she was doubly indebted.

However.

Serpina once again gave an answer Irene never expected.

“Raise your head, Irene.”

Slowly raising her head to look up at the golden-eyed sovereign.

“I have done nothing deserving of your gratitude. So, you need not think you are indebted to me.”

“What do you mean, my lord? I clearly—”

“I apologize for interrupting, but I didn’t throw myself in harm’s way purely out of a desire to protect you.”

“…?”

This time, Serpina’s face wore a somewhat bitter smile.

And clearly visible in those eyes was an emotion that would raise questions if held by a ruler toward her knight guard—jealousy.

“I envy you greatly, Irene.”

“My lord…?”

“Because you are so deeply loved by Swen.”

“…!!!!!”

At that moment.

Irene became uncharacteristically flustered.

Her dignified posture, kneeling on one knee, instantly crumbled.

“T-that… l-love, that thing, it’s, um…!!”

Serpina looked at Irene and laughed slightly, covering her mouth with her hand as if amused.

“Hehehe. Irene. So this is the expression you make when you hear such things. Indeed, a truly lovable woman worthy of winning Swen’s heart.”

“I, um… I-I deeply apologize…”

Irene bowed her head deeply, unable to properly respond.

Her face felt hot.

Her stomach fluttered.

Just hearing about Swen made her think of him.

This had become a kind of switch that fiercely stimulated something feminine within her.

“Well, even if not love—something akin to intense affection and strong trust. Even I, standing beside you, can vividly feel that at the end of that deep gray gaze, whose thoughts are impossible to read, stands you, Irene.”

“Ah…”

“Therefore.”

Thanks to Serpina’s sudden change in expression, Irene barely managed to regain her composure.

Was it just Irene’s imagination?

Serpina’s voice seemed to tremble ever so slightly.

“I saved you. If I allowed Swen’s precious person to get hurt, wouldn’t I surely earn his hatred?”

“My lord…”

“I know that the whole world hates and despises me. It doesn’t matter. I’m used to it. But if even Swen were to hate me… even I would likely crumble quickly. So, I didn’t save you for your sake. That’s what I mean when I say it’s not something to be thanked for.”

Irene gazed at Serpina’s face for a moment.

It was strange.

Why did the golden-haired sovereign, who had always seemed so strong, who despite her epithet of “Tyrant” even gave off an extremely benevolent impression, suddenly appear so vulnerable?

“And you did more than enough. If you hadn’t quickly thrown yourself in harm’s way, I might have lost my life at the hands of a trusted knight guard. Thinking about that makes it even more so. So, you don’t need to thank me. Irene. You did your best. I know that well, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

Hearing those words, Irene slowly shook her head and said.

“…Nevertheless, the fact remains that you saved my life, my lord. I will definitely repay this debt.”

Serpina didn’t answer and quietly moved her feet.

One step, two steps, and a few more steps.

Only when she approached the window where sunlight was streaming in did she part her pink lips.

“…I wish I could stand beside you.”

“…”

“If only I could, I would have been much happier.”

After quietly murmuring that.

“…Very well. If that is your wish, I won’t stop you. I look forward to your future achievements.”

“Yes!”

* * *

‘My lord…’

Swen had said that Serpina was not our ultimate destination.

Lunarian Ineanne.

A strong woman with unforgettable eyes whom she had faced and crossed swords with.

Having clashed blades with her, Irene knew. Despite her somewhat fragile appearance, her martial skills were exceptional.

Instinctively recognizing her as a formidable opponent, it was Irene herself who had advised pursuit when she fled.

Swen had said that she was the only person born with the destiny to unify the continent, and that she was the lord he served.

In Irene’s heart, it was Swen who existed. Whatever decision she made, her commitment to stay by his side hadn’t changed at all.

However.

If Lady Luna were to raise an army again and show herself on the continent…

Then, we would be leaving our lord’s… Lady Serpina’s side.

The first ruler who recognized her, trusted her, valued her, and saved her life.

Someone who gave her what she couldn’t obtain even after years of loyalty to Lynn.

‘…Sigh.’

She had no intention of changing the fundamental premise of following Swen’s decision.

Nevertheless, it was inevitable that she would be concerned.

‘…It’s okay. Before she raises an army, perhaps an opportunity to repay the debt will come.’

The reason she felt unburdened when leaving the Aeshus army was because she had done enough for Yurie there.

If she hadn’t defeated Chel Brans, the Aeshus army would have been destroyed that day.

So, that opportunity would come. At least, there was no other way except to help Serpina meaningfully at least once.

With these thoughts, before she knew it, she had arrived at the barracks.

Today, by Serpina’s order, was a special day to inspect the barracks.

She hadn’t quit being a knight guard; it seemed that the person originally in charge of the barracks had requested her to review their curriculum.

“Lady Irene, you’ve arrived.”

“Yes.”

Looking around as soon as she arrived, the atmosphere in the barracks seemed somewhat unsettled.

Irene asked the military officer in charge of the barracks, whom she hadn’t seen in a while.

“Has something happened?”

“Strange rumors have been circulating recently.”

“Rumors?”

“Well…”

And.

The story she heard there was…

* * *

“Something unbelievable… has happened…”

“Something unbelievable? What do you… no, please calm down first, my lord.”

I carefully approached her.

Serpina, trembling… took my hand firmly and said.

“…He was alive.”

“Pardon?”

“My missing uncle… was alive.”

Her uncle would be her father’s younger brother.

And.

‘…Huh?’

As soon as the keyword [father’s younger brother] came to mind, my senses froze.

“…It seems he’s declared himself a guardian and raised an army in the southern continent after making that person the ruler.”

I…

I know what this is.

I know everything about this.

In this game, there was a “returning king” character.

A ruler of a small nation who starts with the only survivor of the Einhart family besides Serpina, who was thought to be extinct except for her and the military-type general who uniquely awakens to magic.

And now, her uncle—”the only survivor of the Einhart family besides Serpina”—has appeared on the continent.

“To think my uncle was alive… he’d been missing for so long, I thought he was dead. Even though he’s from a branch family, I never imagined another bloodline of the Einharts would still exist…”

From Serpina’s perspective, his appearance could only be shocking.

The biggest factor supporting her already precarious position was the fact that she was the only surviving member of the Einhart imperial family.

Even if he wasn’t from the main line, having the legitimacy divided was not a pleasant situation.

And.

Separate from her, my heart began to pound uncontrollably.

The inevitable has come.

Despite knowing everything, I couldn’t help but ask.

I… slowly parted my lips.

“My lord. Did you happen to hear the name of the person your uncle has put forward as ruler…?”

Serpina utters the name I had been waiting for—

But at the same time, the name I had somehow been afraid of and avoiding.

And——

“Lunarian.”

——destiny.

“The name of the woman my uncle, Kail von Einhart, has put forward as ruler was Lunarian.”

The predetermined future has begun to approach me.