Ch.211Chapter 211. Return of the King (5)

# 90,000 troops, the prime territory of Tepello Castle, and resources that could be gathered at will.

A once-in-a-lifetime moment.

After building Karelia’s trust all this time, this was her one fleeting chance!

In this continent where not a single piece of land remained unclaimed, this was truly the most opportune time for her to raise an army.

This “opportune moment” could vanish from her hands like a mirage at any time. If tomorrow Karelia suddenly ordered, “Luna, step down from your position as lord,” that would be the end. There wouldn’t even be time to consider whether to betray her or not.

Luna, despite ruling a small nation, had once dreamed of continental domination.

Naturally, she understood the advantages of the current situation all too well.

‘……’

Luna silently and seriously considered how events would unfold if she chose not to betray Karelia.

If they engaged in battle, their forces would diminish, and as their territory expanded, Karelia’s armed forces would flood in.

While she could currently use the Ohana army against Karelia since they were at the edge of the border, preventing Karelia from responding immediately, that would become increasingly difficult as the war progressed.

Moreover, though Luna’s ideals were lofty and she commanded respect, that was limited to Tepello Castle, and even here, many would abandon her if she betrayed Karelia.

These were Karelian troops, not those of another nation. The fact that they chose to follow her in these chaotic times meant that many valued loyalty and righteousness above all else.

Currently, people harbored resentment because Vanessa, who was like Luna’s shadow, had implemented oppressive policies under the pretext of war preparations—

But once the situation settled and Karelia resumed control of all internal affairs, those feelings would quickly subside.

In every aspect,

Now was the time to act.

This was precisely the “opportunity” Swen had spoken of.

As Luna’s expression grew serious, everyone around her maintained silence.

They all knew Luna wasn’t the type of woman to make such a choice.

But simultaneously, they knew that if Luna truly harbored grand ambitions, she wouldn’t find a better opportunity than this.

Ultimately, the decision rested with Luna alone.

Everyone tacitly acknowledged that further advice would be meaningless.

All they could do was follow the decision of their “true lord.”

And.

What their “true lord,” Luna, could do was—

‘……Lord Swen…..’

Lord Swen.

What should I do?

Because this is the kind of world it is… must I strike at the back of the one who took me in?

If I commit acts no different from the tyrant Serpina, can I be forgiven? Can I face those who suffer with a clear conscience?

With her eyes slowly closed—

Luna asks the Swen who always resides in her heart.

After parting with that man—

Whenever Luna faced difficult choices, she would close her eyes and think, ‘What would Lord Swen say?’

It was this mindset that had enabled her to make countless decisions on her own.

What would my strategist say now?

And, what would my strategist choose between efficiency and righteousness?

Remarkably,

As soon as she thought about it, the hesitation that had clouded her mind disappeared.

What would Lord Swen choose?

That would obviously be—

“…Tifa, and everyone, I understand your words. However.”

Luna slowly opened her eyes and looked at those who wished to elevate her as their new ruler.

Then, with an unwavering voice and dignity—

“I will not betray my lord… I will not break my loyalty to Lady Karelia.”

—The righteous choice.

And, simultaneously, the most efficient one.

Luna had never forgotten for a moment that this would have been Swen’s answer.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. And, that decision is also for his sake.”

“If it’s you saying it, not someone else, well, I suppose you’re right. Alright. My decision is the same.”

Unlike Tifa, who easily accepted and moved on, Metz couldn’t hide his agitation at this difficult decision.

“But, Lady Luna! Isn’t this a golden opportunity that shouldn’t be missed if you harbor great ambitions? Please reconsider—”

“No.”

Unlike the heated Metz, Luna responded with a remarkably calm tone.

“Metz, I didn’t bring this up simply out of loyalty.”

“What…?”

“As you said, this might seem like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but…”

“A ruler must sometimes extend their hands to dirty places. Sometimes they must stain their hands with impure blood. Noble ideals alone don’t make a ruler. However…”

“Above all else, we would lose our justification.”

“!!!”

—After all, my lord’s strength lies in the conviction that no matter what happens, he will never lose his noble ideals.

That’s right, Lord Swen.

I believe Lord Swen would say exactly this.

No matter how tempting what lies before you, you shouldn’t take it recklessly.

At least to become a ruler who can truly surpass Karelia, one must build even greater justification than her.

That would conversely be the most “efficient” method, that’s what he would say.

So.

Let’s not be hasty.

As Lord Swen said, surely, a much better opportunity will come again.

Besides, didn’t he say?

That if we go to the end, we will win.

I believe in Lord Swen.

I firmly believe that things will work out well… even without resorting to betrayal here.

“So, everyone… I’m terribly sorry, but I’d like you to withdraw your proposal for now. However, I will never forget the ideals you’ve spoken of, no matter what happens.”

“……”

No further objections were raised to Luna’s words.

Karelia, who made a decision against her own beliefs by supporting Vanessa in the name of war.

And Lunarian, who chose to maintain her beliefs despite having such a favorable situation before her.

This situation was more than enough to profoundly shake the heart of “someone” present.

* * *

Afterwards—

Luna’s discussion shifted to ordinary “war preparations,” and no more radical ideas emerged.

But… there was certainly someone whose heart had been changed by that discussion.

“Encourage Lunarian to betray us.”

“Encourage, you say?”

“She is not a woman who will be satisfied remaining under Lady Karelia forever. If we shake her, she will surely respond. The moment she makes up her mind, report to me immediately.”

“But… what if she doesn’t betray us?”

“…There cannot be two suns in the sky, can there?”

“!!!”

“I believe… you understand my meaning well.”

‘……’

Metz, now clearly considered part of Lunarian’s faction.

In truth, he was a man who had initially approached Luna under secret orders from Vanessa.

Vanessa had said Luna was an ambitious woman.

He agreed with that part. From his own observations and the reactions of those around her, Luna was not someone who would be satisfied with the position of castle lord.

However, as he spent time with her, different feelings began to bloom in his heart.

He couldn’t help it.

Even objectively, Lunarian was far more qualified as a ruler than Karelia.

The two women were cut from the same cloth. But Karelia was an extremely rigid person.

Someone who would never take an unjust path, unsuited for these chaotic times.

Moreover, she lacked decisiveness and would hesitate at crucial moments. She frequently made wrong choices led by compassion.

If her convictions were truly unwavering, he could die alongside her… but since she had turned a blind eye to Vanessa’s tyranny despite giving her absolute trust, doubts about his original lord inevitably arose.

As his faith in her wavered significantly, he began to notice Lunarian more and more.

Unlike Karelia, Lunarian decided to maintain her convictions even when presented with an incredible opportunity and despite her own ambitions.

Although she said she “didn’t make that decision solely out of loyalty,” the fact remained that she didn’t choose to betray Karelia first.

Yes.

Perhaps this person wouldn’t be unilaterally manipulated by someone like Vanessa.

Perhaps this person could make firm decisions without hesitation at crucial moments, following her own thoughts.

Metz reassessed the situation once more.

Contrary to Vanessa’s expectations, Luna had not chosen to stab her lord in the back.

So, what should he do now?

Since two suns cannot rise… one sun must fall.

Then.

Is Lunarian truly the sun that must fall?

Is Karelia really the sun I should serve?

‘……’

After deep contemplation, his decision was…

* * *

While discussing the upcoming battle with Tifa and Violet in the audience chamber, Luna was shocked by the sudden news and asked with a pale face.

“You were ordered to… kill me?”

“Yes.”

At Metz’s confession as he knelt before her, Luna’s body trembled slightly.

Metz had chosen Lunarian.

After much consideration, he believed Lunarian, not Karelia who seemed to be unilaterally manipulated by Vanessa and couldn’t even maintain her own convictions, was the sun that should remain in the sky.

After maintaining silence for a moment, Luna carefully questioned Metz.

“That… wasn’t an order from Lady Karelia, was it?”

“No. It was a secret order from the strategist… from Lady Vanessa.”

“Then why are you telling me all this?”

“Because I don’t want to lose you here with some absurd false accusation.”

Metz closed his eyes and bowed his head.

“I wanted Lady Karelia’s unification of the continent. But that doesn’t have to be achieved by Lady Karelia alone, does it?”

“…!”

“What I want is for an excellent, wise leader who loves the people to unify the continent. And as I mentioned earlier, there’s no reason it must be Lady Karelia. Rather, I thought Lady Luna would be more suitable to stop Serpina’s tyranny.”

“May I ask why?”

“Whether you know it or not… Lady Luna, you always speak with a face full of conviction.”

“…!”

The reason she could be confident in all her decisions.

It was because of… that person.

Even now, that was the case.

Because she firmly believed his words that they would win if they went to the end, justification had rolled right before her eyes like a pumpkin!

“That’s why I, Metz, wish to entrust my fate to Lady Lunarian.”

As soon as Metz finished speaking, Tifa spoke with an agitated voice.

“Luna. Don’t you think we can’t just let this slide? No matter what choice we make, they’re only thinking about devouring you!”

“I agree with Lady Tifa, Lady Luna. It seems the time has come for you to make a decision.”

“……”

After several minutes of silence.

Finally, Luna breaks the silence that seemed like it would last forever.

“Tifa. Violet. I’m sorry, but could you summon everyone here right now?”