Ch.267Chapter 267. What It Means to Become a Sovereign (2)

The Frontlines of Brans Territory, Castle Zeeland.

“So you’re saying that the Kalintz territory has definitely calmed down?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Being in the central continent, the biggest topic of conversation was inevitably the strange plague that had swept through the region.

The Brans territory, which had locked down its borders early after observing Serpina’s actions, was the only nation in the central continent that remained unaffected by the plague.

“At this stage, it’s impossible to accurately determine the situation in Chel territory or Aeshus territory, which is presumed to be the direct source of the plague… but there are reports suggesting that those areas have also stabilized somewhat.”

“I see. Thank you for your hard work, Belut. It must have been burdensome to travel around gathering information in this situation. No one else could have done it.”

“That’s… I was simply doing my duty, my lord. If you commanded it, I would willingly jump into a fire pit.”

Looking at Belut, who was kneeling and speaking to her with a serious tone, Lynn smiled and said:

“Hehehe, that would be troublesome. You’re someone who will work hard for me above all else in the future.”

I’ve decided never again to make the foolish mistake of antagonizing people who work for me—

“It is my honor, my lord. I gladly dedicate this body to the revival of you and House Brans!”

After sending Belut away, she approached Farfalle, who was examining a map and assessing the situation.

“What do you think?”

“…From what I understand, Kalintz doesn’t have many troops available since they recklessly invaded Chel territory with their forces during the height of the plague.”

“The plague… by the way, what happened with that?”

“With what, exactly…?”

“What Yurie talked about. The claim that Serpina used magic to spread the plague.”

Farfalle was certainly aware of that topic.

It had been the hottest issue on the continent recently.

The appearance of a mage was one thing, but causing a plague? The statement itself wasn’t strange.

And if the perpetrator was the infamous Serpina, it sounded even more plausible—

“Well… compared to Serpina’s territory operating relief camps at the risk of their lives, the Aeshus territory ignored their dying people and did nothing. Because of this, the anti-Serpina sentiment she wanted to create didn’t materialize. Rather, it feels like the opposite happened.”

“The opposite?”

“Yes. It’s as if Serpina had drawn a bigger picture to induce Yurie to react that way… that’s what I think, though I don’t have much evidence for it.”

“…”

Lynn closed her eyes, thinking of the white-haired strategist, and asked:

Was this your doing?

Did you anticipate all of this and corner Yurie?

Naturally, no answer came.

In any case… in this massive battle of public opinion, Serpina’s territory had won and Aeshus had lost. Only the results remained.

“I had considered the Aeshus territory to be quite threatening… but seeing their recent behavior, I’m starting to think they may have been overestimated.”

“Well, even our defeat to Aeshus wasn’t exactly a defeat to Yurie herself.”

“My lord…”

Farfalle started to say something but then shook her head.

The past is the past. We must now move forward to the future.

She changed her expression and looked directly at Lynn.

“My lord. I believe we must not miss this opportunity.”

“What do you think will happen with the plague?”

“It will end soon enough. I think this will be a good time for our territory to make final preparations.”

“…I see.”

Lynn slowly opened her eyes.

Despite the Brans territory being divided into three and losing many things, she was still breathing.

As long as she was alive, she had to prove that House Brans had not yet fallen.

“It seems it’s time to show my foolish second brother, who proudly stepped up only to hide in his safe capital without achieving anything, just how fearsome his younger sister is—the one who pushed him aside and became heir despite being a woman. Don’t you think?”

“My lord…!”

It sounded somewhat arrogant, but… from Farfalle’s perspective, she was actually glad to see her regain her spirit.

Yes. This is how Lynn should be.

A conquering ruler of overwhelming ability, struggling to place everything beneath her feet. That is Lynn Brans!

“It seems we need to prepare for war in earnest. Our target is Kalintz territory. After conquering Kalintz… let’s also deal with Chel territory where my eldest brother resides. Farfalle, relay this to the rear. Can you do that?”

“Yes! Of course!”

Lynn slowly closed her eyes and thought.

Many things had happened, but… at this moment, she felt a sliver of opportunity shining down on her like a flash of light.

‘I will definitely show you who the true rightful ruler of the Brans throne is, brother.’

Lynn’s blue eyes were shining more brilliantly than ever before.

The proud talented woman of House Brans had just begun to raise the curtain on rebuilding her blue-tinted dream.

* * *

—In the southern continent, where balance had collapsed.

The Karelia forces, which had suffered near-annihilation in the battle for Castle Tepel, were in no position to stop the Lunarian forces that had reorganized and begun pushing into their territory.

In fact, the Lunarian attack force was incorporating Karelian territories one by one at a historically unprecedented pace.

The commander-in-chief was Ruler Lunarian, with Ginor as chief of staff, and Kail in charge of supplies.

Leading the vanguard were two young bloods of the Lunarian forces—Francis and Charlotte. And the department heads, including Metz, were backing them up.

Additionally, the newly appointed generals Aron and Gustav were also lending their strength to this lightning campaign.

Though it was called a territory occupation, it was essentially like robbing an empty house, which naturally meant territories were falling at the speed of light.

With an attack force of this scale, there was no need for Tifa, who used magic, to unnecessarily stand at the front.

Ginor had also strongly recommended that Tifa take a rest for the time being.

Karelia’s dream team—Vanessa, Sad, and Cecile—had been shattered, with Sad dead and the other two barely escaping with their lives.

Naturally, mere castle lords had no way of stopping the Lunarian army’s rapid advance.

Among them, some realized they couldn’t reverse the situation and opened their castle gates themselves.

Given that the Karelian forces valued loyalty above all else, and the Lunarian forces had somewhat inherited this principle, there were quite a few voices strongly condemning such actions—

“If our ultimate goal is to create a peaceful world, I believe it’s not necessary to fight to the bitter end.”

Instead of blaming these people and executing them for dishonor, Luna chose to allow them to continue serving as castle lords.

After all, since people were needed to manage the Karelian territories, repeating meaningless bloodshed in the name of loyalty was neither reasonable nor particularly efficient.

Besides, for the newly established Lunarian forces, whose career began with rebellion, they needed as many collaborators as possible.

In this way, as they continued to occupy Karelian territories with unstoppable momentum—

Eventually, the spires of the capital city Madlen, with its dark green flags fluttering, came into the vanguard’s view.

“Castle Madlen…”

Seeing the spires, Luna’s expression became complicated, and Ginor approached her.

“You’re one step away, my lord.”

“One step…”

There were a few territories behind Castle Madlen as well.

Even so—once the symbolic fortress of Madlen fell, those places would likely join their side without a fight.

Luna recalled her first visit to Castle Madlen.

When everyone was wary of her as an outsider who had once ruled a small country, Karelia had welcomed her with a kind smile and even entrusted her with the position of castle lord… that memory flashed before Luna’s eyes at this moment.

‘…’

Luna buried her guilt deep in her heart.

She had simply seized an opportunity when it came. In fact, if she hadn’t taken this chance, her life would likely have been endangered by Vanessa, so she didn’t regret her actions.

This feeling of regret was also part of the weight she had to bear as a ruler.

Whether tyrant or wise ruler, those with the title of monarch were ultimately beings who bloodied their swords.

What they could do was fulfill the wishes contained in the weight of spilled blood that constantly pressed down on both shoulders.

Driving out the villainess Serpina, establishing peace on the continent, and… keeping her promise to that person.

“…Everyone.”

Luna turned her head to look at the grateful people who had followed her.

Strategist Ginor, Kail who had helped her since her days as Cain, Charlotte and Francis, Gustav and Aron who had kept their promises and come running, and including Metz, people who had bet everything on Lunarian rather than Karelia.

“This will likely be our final battle with the Karelian forces. The enemy will defend with the determination of fighting to the death. Please lend me your strength just a little longer until the end.”

The strategy was simple.

To attack the enemy’s capital Madlen, with its remaining 35,000 soldiers, using 100,000 troops.

It was essentially an unlosable battle, but… they could never be careless.

“Lord Ginor. If you sense anything unusual, please tell me immediately.”

“Understood, my lord.”

Even as he said this, he wasn’t particularly worried.

The Lunarian forces would win anyway.

Ginor no longer doubted the ‘victory of the Lunarian forces’ at all.

His words were always right. Since that man had said she would be ‘the ruler who unifies the continent,’ it was as good as absolute fact.

After finishing her conversation with Ginor, Luna sighed softly and finally addressed everyone.

It was Luna’s foolish sincerity, born from the fate of having to send comrades into battle.

“Everyone… please, don’t die until the end.”

* * *

And so, after the forces had been somewhat reorganized—

At last, the boots of the Lunarian occupation forces marched rapidly toward the Karelian capital, Madlen.