Ch.268Chapter 268. What It Means to Become a Sovereign (3)

* * *

The royal palace of Madlan Castle.

Lord Karelia and Advisor Vanessa were having a rather leisurely tea time—as if ignoring the current state of emergency.

Only the clinking of porcelain filled the quiet audience chamber.

Vanessa was pouring tea with quite skillful hands.

――In truth, both Vanessa and Karelia knew well.

The battle would begin soon.

And no matter what measures they took—our army could not defeat the Lunarian forces.

Our military strength facing the enemy occupation force of over 100,000 was just 33,000 troops.

Even for a defensive battle, our army’s morale was at rock bottom. It was only natural, as all they heard daily were reports of defeat.

From the moment we were defeated despite leading an army of 200,000… this situation became absolutely unavoidable.

“Vanessa, it’s been quite some time since I’ve enjoyed such a leisurely moment with you.”

“…”

“To think that Vanessa Trinity herself would serve me tea—being a lord once in life doesn’t seem so bad after all.”

Karelia made a frivolous joke with a vacant expression, but Vanessa silently served the tea before her without saying a word.

“Please drink.”

Afterward, the two drank their tea in silence.

After some time passed… Karelia spoke with a serious tone, as if having made up her mind.

“I know what you’re going to say… but I’m sorry. I absolutely will not flee.”

She spoke with a voice full of determination.

“Please escape, my lord. Holding out here with no chance of victory will only lead to a meaningless death.”

“That’s fine with me. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it mean that heaven has chosen Luna over me?”

“My lord, this is my final request. Please don’t be stubborn for no reason. Even this moment is too late. How can you not understand that once your life ends, the cause loses all meaning!”

“No matter how many times you say it, it’s useless!”

Karelia spoke toward Vanessa.

No, rather than speaking… it was practically a shout.

Seeing Vanessa’s eyes waver momentarily at Karelia’s outcry, Karelia’s voice as she expressed her opinion was… trembling.

“I… will absolutely not run away. Leaving you behind, leaving the soldiers behind, leaving behind the retainers who believe in me until the end… even if I alone survive, what meaning would that have!”

Looking at the now sobbing Karelia… Vanessa let out a small sigh and bowed her head.

“My lord. Your very existence is a symbol. All of us gathered here with ambitious dreams, drawn to the great symbol that is Makana Karelia. Unlike other lords, you valued loyalty and always walked the righteous path—your footsteps were our hope and future.”

“We wanted to live under Karelia’s sky. We believed that Karelia could defeat the incompetent Einhart imperial family and the tyrant Serpina who covered her hands with imperial blood. I am still convinced that this belief is not wrong.”

“Even you have days when you’re wrong, Vanessa. I am merely one among countless lords. Someone who ultimately couldn’t break the balance of the southern continent with my own hands… just someone who was born in the right era and managed to secure a position.”

“But Luna is different. Didn’t she break the balance with her own hands and finally come here to Madlan Castle? If the continent can be peaceful, who looks down from above isn’t such an important matter. I think… someone like Luna will surely govern according to benevolence and righteousness.”

“Lunarian Ineanne betrayed your trust and committed treason. At that point, I don’t think she’s likely to govern according to benevolence and righteousness.”

“That too is ultimately because of my lack of virtue, isn’t it? It’s no one’s fault. Of course, Vanessa—it’s not your fault either. It’s simply because I was an inadequate person.”

“My lord…”

It would have been easier if she had just gotten angry and said “it’s your fault.”

Karelia was trying to shoulder everything herself.

Being betrayed was her fault. Saad’s death in battle was her fault.

The nation’s destruction… all of it was her fault.

“Vanessa. You are a talented person. Despite whatever happened between you and Luna… I’m certain that someone of Luna’s caliber will focus on your brilliant talents rather than personal grudges. So, it’s not too late. I wish you would surrender and continue your service.”

“…”

“From now on, please think of Luna as me. The name Karelia… seems to end here. I will shoulder everything, so please help Luna defeat Serpina and bring peace to the continent from her side.”

Vanessa gave no answer, merely bowing her head and staring at the empty teacup.

Yes, the teacup.

Karelia’s teacup was empty. So… soon, the effect would begin to appear.

“My lord. As your national advisor, I would like to offer you one final piece of advice.”

“Vanessa…?”

“When you regain consciousness, immediately go into hiding and gather strength. Near the western continent where the Brans forces are, there are many treacherous mountains that would be perfect for preserving your life. And when the opportunity arises, establish yourself again in the western continent. The Brans forces currently located in the western continent are mere paper tigers compared to their former reputation, and they will surely lose their dominance over the western continent before long.”

“What… what are you saying…?”

Karelia’s eyes turned white as she stared intently at Vanessa—

But Vanessa simply continued to calmly recite what she had to say.

“Please cherish the name of Karelia. Your beliefs and footsteps are your precious assets that no other lord possesses. You will surely be able to gather people who will help you without difficulty. Just as you did in the southern continent.”

“Listen, Vanessa. What are you… saying…?”

At that moment.

Karelia collapsed against the chair, unable to continue speaking.

“Wh… wh… at.”

Suddenly her body felt heavy, as if soaked in water.

Even though her body was clearly touching the floor, she felt as if she were falling into a pit—a sensation of being pulled by something began to envelop her body.

――Wait.

“When you regain consciousness”…?

“Y-you… don’t… tell… me…”

Karelia finally realized what Vanessa had done to her.

…Did you put… sleeping medicine… in the tea?

“And finally, I would like to say one last thing.”

Vanessa finally raised her bowed head.

She… smiled.

Vanessa smiled one last time at the only lord she would serve in this lifetime.

“In this one life, it has been my greatest honor to serve someone like Lord Karelia as my master. I will never forget it.”

“Vane… ssa…”

――Thud.

Not long after Karelia lost consciousness, a woman walked into the room.

“Lady Cecile, you’ve arrived.”

“…”

The woman, Cecile, silently looked at Vanessa’s face.

“As I told you, please escort our lord to the western continent. Take advantage of the confusion when the siege begins and leave through the northern gate. I will provide you with a detachment of about a hundred men. I would like to provide more, but there’s a possibility of being discovered, so I would appreciate your understanding on this matter, Lady Cecile.”

“Advisor. Is this really the end? I believe that our lord needs you more than anyone right now. Without you, our Karelia forces…”

Cecile spoke pleadingly, but Vanessa’s attitude was firm.

“My usefulness ends here, Lady Cecile. This rebellion happened because of me in the first place. For her to become a ruler who surpasses Lunarian once again… I must end here.”

If she remained, there was a possibility that public sentiment would not gather around Karelia.

Vanessa understood this fact more coldly than anyone else.

“But…”

“Don’t worry. This life was only extended a little by our lord anyway.”

Vanessa said as she rose from her seat.

“You mentioned having relatives in the western continent?”

“Yes. Although that territory is currently under the Brans forces, there… we should be able to stay safe for the time being.”

“I see. Very well.”

Vanessa stood facing Cecile.

Cecile wasn’t particularly fond of her. Even back then, she had taken Lunarian’s side rather than hers.

But that didn’t matter. As long as she bore the name Lohengrin, she remained the most reliable person to entrust Karelia to.

Vanessa bowed at a 90-degree angle and said:

“I entrust our lord to you, Lady Cecile.”

“…”

Cecile silently nodded and left the royal palace with Karelia, who had lost consciousness, accompanied by several soldiers.

Thinking about it now, that battle—the siege of Tepelo Castle—literally showed how much Lunarian was loved by the world.

The sudden appearance of two mercenary groups, and the sudden awakening of a mage.

It was a battle where she was swept up in her momentum so one-sidedly that it almost seemed as if everything in the world was moving just for her.

But—when she first came here, she too was just one of the failed lords.

She entrusted herself to our army and revealed her ambitions when the opportunity arose.

If she could do it, why couldn’t Karelia?

‘Lord Karelia. I only hope… that you escape safely.’

Lastly, I beg that you be granted the same opportunity that was given to Lunarian…

With such foolish thoughts, she prepared for the final battle.

* * *

――And, a few hours later.

An army led by light green flags began to charge fiercely toward Madlan Castle.