Ch.222Chapter 222. Why?

After leaving the palace.

Ginor recalled what had just happened.

‘That woman, Lunarian… is she really the one who will rule the world?’

Swen had said that the lord he served would be the one to grasp the world in their hands.

And as revealed in the letter – that person was the woman he had just met, Lunarian Iniang.

Honestly.

At first glance, she appeared extremely fragile.

During their conversation, especially when discussing Swen, she was such a naive woman that she couldn’t hide her emotions and revealed them plainly.

It meant she was transparent enough that one could quickly determine she was someone who would lose her composure just by discussing certain topics.

To be even more honest-

If there were a threshold for someone Ginor could place his bets on in his lifetime, Lunarian would be someone who struggled to cross it.

It was fine to be swayed by people. He knew that having someone who could love humans on the emperor’s throne was better than a cold-blooded ruler.

In the end, though he eventually cut ties, the reason he had placed his hopes in Yurie was because she was someone who could hold others in her heart while simultaneously leading exceptional talents around her.

But Luna was different.

Though there were circumstances, she had ultimately backstabbed Karelia, who was known for her popular support. She didn’t have renowned warriors around her, and her current situation was extremely unfavorable.

If asked without any evidence, “Does Lunarian Iniang seem like she could become a unifying monarch?” Ginor would have undoubtedly shaken his head without hesitation.

However, Ginor did have “evidence.”

It was the testimony of that man, Swen, who somehow seemed to see the future.

Some might feel it insufficient as evidence, but considering the experiences Ginor had and Swen’s track record, his testimony was something that absolutely could not be dismissed.

While it was true that he questioned whether that woman could really grasp the world-

Since Swen had guaranteed it, Ginor knew well that doubting it here would rather be a loss.

‘The man who can see the future wouldn’t have spoken nonsense.’

What he needed to do now was to help her achieve her great cause.

Seeing that Luna had also asked, “Why hasn’t Swen come?” it seemed that Swen would likely visit this place soon as well.

Come to think of it.

Suddenly, he recalled the news that “that man” had supported Lunarian’s uprising.

‘While I’m thinking about it, I should go see that man… Kalle after all this time.’

A connection he had made during his time as the former empire’s minister.

He was a man who lived quite a carefree life, a few steps removed from central political intrigue.

Perhaps that’s why he survived in this situation.

Anyway, he was very curious about why someone who seemed so nonchalant had issued a statement supporting Lunarian.

Besides that, if Kalle von Einhart was truly alive, there would certainly be plenty to discuss with him.

‘Well then, shall I go?’

Ginor began walking slowly to meet Kalle.

Perhaps because he was going to share stories that had been piled up over the years, waiting for someone to unfold them.

His steps were lighter than usual.

* * *

After parting with Ginor.

Luna remained alone, continuously calculating in her mind the situation of “Swen having gone over to Serpina’s army.”

Naturally, since the situation of Swen working for Serpina under her command was impossible in Luna’s mind – the only conclusion that naturally emerged was one:

‘Swen is now… imprisoned in Serpina’s underground dungeon.’

She didn’t know why they had imprisoned him.

But what mattered was the result, wasn’t it?

Ginor had also suggested that Swen might be detained.

Even if not in prison, it was certain that Swen’s movements were being restricted somehow.

After all, if that weren’t the case, there would be no reason for Swen not to have come here by now.

‘Now that I know Swen is imprisoned, I can’t just keep waiting for him forever.’

She had been waiting to ask him about the most efficient path in the current situation, but if he was imprisoned, she couldn’t waste any more time.

Even if it was a bit frightening, she needed to start moving now.

After all, if she continued spending time like this, Karelia would be the one laughing in the end.

‘Yes. I need to start moving little by little. Even without Swen, I must somehow succeed. Because Swen, even now…’

Suddenly, tears welled up in Luna’s ruby-colored eyes.

‘Even at this very moment… he must be groaning in pain under the violence of that witch-like Serpina…!’

What cruel fate had caused him to be taken to the Brans army to protect them.

Of all things, after being handed over to a woman like Yurie, he ended up being sold to Serpina – thinking about it made her heart ache terribly.

I, we were able to spend relatively peaceful time in the southern continent.

While we were regaining our daily lives and moving forward, you alone shouldered everything and walked the path of hardship again.

Luna continued crying for a while after that…

Then she shook her head, vigorously wiped her tears with her sleeve, and said:

‘Don’t worry, Swen. I will rescue you. From the cruel hands of Serpina who toys with you without reason… definitely…!!!’

As she composed herself once again, she realized.

Under this sky.

Serpina von Einhart, and Baranga Yurie Aeshus.

She could never be together with those two women.

* * *

After that day.

While investigating matters related to the magician, there was one more thing Luna had ordered Violet to investigate.

“A young man with white hair, you say?”

“Yes. Weren’t you already investigating Serpina’s army anyway?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Any information will do. If there’s any story related to him, I’d like you to tell me.”

Violet was slightly taken aback by Luna’s unusually firm demeanor.

But whatever the case, it was an order from Luna, her lord. Violet, having spent quite a long time with her in the same mansion, knew that Luna wasn’t someone who would give meaningless orders.

“Understood.”

After several days had passed.

Finally, Violet reported the results of her brief investigation.

“Are you saying it’s impossible to use magic continuously?”

“It’s still at the speculation stage, but it seems that way. After eliminating the rebels with magic, the whereabouts of that female magician became unclear. It seems she’s doing something inside Einhart Castle, but she doesn’t appear in public places. Moreover…”

“If she could use such power without any restrictions, I would have naturally ordered the conquest of the central continent, but Serpina’s army remains quiet without any significant movements.”

“I think that makes sense.”

“And…”

Gulp.

Violet, who hadn’t been nervous at all when talking about the magician, visibly tensed as she carefully moved her lips.

“Regarding the other keyword you mentioned… the young man with white hair.”

Even Luna’s voice trembled as she listened.

To anyone watching, it was clear they were discussing a topic far more important than the magician.

“Is there… any information that has come to light?”

“Is the name of that man possibly Swen, known as the white-haired magician?”

“…Yes, it is.”

“I see…”

“What is it? Is he in Serpina’s underground dungeon? Or has he been exiled to a small island in the northern continent…?”

“…Pardon?”

Violet failed to hide her confused expression at Luna’s question.

Seeing this, Luna sensed an ominous chill.

“Um… I’m not sure why you mentioned an underground dungeon, but… well.”

“…?”

“Do you remember the story about the pink-haired magician?”

“Yes, but…”

“There was someone who appeared to be helping her, standing beside her…”

“?”

“That person was a young man with white hair.”

“!!!”

Luna looked at Violet with a pale face and asked:

“Is that… true?”

“…Yes. That white-haired young man… appears to be the same person as Swen, the man rumored to have dropped stones from the sky.”

Wait a minute.

So Swen is part of Serpina’s army?

Not imprisoned in an underground dungeon or detained…

But working as her subordinate commander…???

“…If I may ask about this man named Swen… What kind of person is he that…?”

Violet, intimidated by Luna’s expression that she had never shown before, asked the question as if handling a glass that might shatter at the slightest touch-

But Luna ignored her words and instead asked about what was bothering her.

For someone who usually prioritized others’ opinions over her own, this was quite unusual behavior.

Even so – now that it was almost certain that Swen was under Serpina’s command.

There was something Luna needed to confirm before anything else.

“…Did he help her?”

“Pardon?”

“That man… is it true that he helped the female magician in Serpina’s army?”

“What do you mean…?”

“I mean… was he really there…? I wonder if his existence was brought up simply because magic was used, reminiscent of him who was known as a magician before…”

That’s right.

It can’t be.

There’s no way Swen would willingly work for someone as demonic as Serpina.

Moreover, the claim that he helped eliminate rebels was even more unbelievable.

You know, right? Swen also knows well how cruel a woman Serpina is.

And.

The answer that came was more shocking to Luna than any other news.

“While I’m merely relaying rumors I’ve heard and cannot confirm with certainty… it seems he is already serving in Serpina’s army and has achieved various merits. This has been cross-verified.”

“…What?”

What?

Swen is… really working as part of Serpina’s army?

…Why?

“According to rumors—— in the process—— rebels—— the monarch’s favor——”

After that, Violet continued to explain something, but… Luna’s ears no longer heard her voice, which had become an unpleasant noise.

Her mind became complicated.

Things visible before her eyes gradually disappeared.

Her ruby-colored eyes became increasingly empty as time passed.

Why?

Wasn’t Swen sold off?

So, she already knew that Yurie had sold Swen.

But if it was Swen, he would naturally have refused to work for her.

She had heard that it was Serpina who first made such a proposal to Yurie.

There’s no way he would work for Serpina who had manipulated him like that.

So of course.

Of course… of course!

Of course he would have been imprisoned in an underground dungeon.

Of course his movements would have been restricted.

Because there’s no way Swen would work for someone like her!

But.

My one and only strategist, my Swen…

The one who should rightfully be mine, why, of all people, for that hateful woman——

——Serpina von Einhart, why is he working under her, for her?