Ch.272Chapter 272. What It Means to Become a Sovereign (7)

After capturing Vanessa Trinity, the Lunarian army quickly took control of the entire Madellan Castle.

The number of prisoners secured this time was twenty-three, including Vanessa.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the Karelia forces had been completely wiped out.

Additionally, Violet had succeeded in capturing Makana Karelia as she attempted to escape.

Although two territories of the Karelia forces still remained… they were remote areas of little importance, and with their lord Karelia captured, their occupation was only a matter of time, so there was no need to worry about them.

What was concerning was that Cecile Lohengrin was nowhere to be seen—

But she could be in one of the remaining territories, and from Luna’s perspective, she wasn’t as much of a threat as Vanessa or Karelia.

This outcome had been determined from the moment they lost the battle for Tepel Castle, where they had staked everything.

Yes.

It was fair to say that the Karelia forces had finally been destroyed.

Luna slowly gazed at the audience hall of Madellan Castle.

This was the very place where, long ago—following Swen’s advice to “seek refuge with Makana Karelia”—Kyle, using his alias Cain, had knelt alongside his friend Tifa and herself.

Despite countless objections from her retainers, the woman Karelia had believed in her with hearty laughter. Now she was bound and awaiting her fate.

‘…’

A slight pain pierced deep in her chest, but Luna quickly brushed away the guilt that threatened to rise.

To keep her promise to Lord Swen… she couldn’t show any weakness.

Luna slowly approached and took her seat on the throne where Karelia had once sat.

On either side stood those who had accompanied her until she reached this position.

Francis and Charlotte, Kyle, Violet, Metz, and military officers from the Karelia forces.

On the right were Gustav, Aron, Yona, Kalle, and the newly subordinated generals from the Karelia forces…

Compared to when she had only held Zeilandt Castle, it was literally a complete transformation.

Turning her head, she saw the national strategist Ginor standing right beside her.

Though she had no grievances against Ginor… she couldn’t shake the thought that she wished that person were here instead.

What would Lord Swen say? Would he praise her? Would he say, “You’ve finally accomplished this much”?

Or would he say something like, “Didn’t I tell you that you’d win if you went all the way?” while acting smug.

‘…No.’

Right.

There was no time to indulge in such fantasies.

To preserve the place where he would surely return to stand by her side someday… Luna still had much to do.

“My lord. Please decide how to deal with the prisoners.”

“Have them brought in.”

With Ginor’s words, they formally began determining the fate of the prisoners captured in the castle.

The first prisoner.

A familiar face.

Surely one of those who had opposed her appointment.

Luna’s approach was extremely simple.

First, she would ask, “Will you work for me?” An invitation to serve.

If they answered “I will,” they would be employed.

“I will work for Lady Luna from now on.”

“I’ve been waiting for those words.”

Having acquired the major city of Madellan Castle as her territory and waged a large siege, she needed as many allies as possible to strengthen her internal affairs.

Even if they weren’t exceptionally talented or efficient, if they said they would work for her, she didn’t filter them out.

But this was Madellan Castle.

It was filled with those who had refused to follow Luna until the very end.

Naturally, there were far more people who claimed “I cannot work under you” than those who accepted employment.

Luna released all of them without any conditions.

While it seemed like a benevolent decision—it was actually highly political. Those she released now posed no threat to her in any form.

Regardless of the reasoning behind the decision, from the prisoners’ perspective, the fact that their lives were spared remained unchanged.

“Thank you for your kindness…”

“…Thank you.”

With two territories still remaining, she needed to show some mercy to win them over in the long run.

Ginor also didn’t express any opposition.

In this way, the fate of the prisoners was being decided very quickly.

After twenty-one prisoners had passed through…

“The next prisoner.”

“…”

The root of all this trouble—Vanessa Trinity was brought in bound and knelt before her.

“Hello, Lady Vanessa.”

“Kill me.”

“…”

Before Luna could say anything, Vanessa spoke in an extremely harsh tone.

“Lunarian, I would rather die than work under you. If you release me, I will make you regret that choice for the rest of your life.”

“Lady Vanessa…”

“You can’t even pretend to like me, can you? Let me give you one piece of advice. If you’ve betrayed your loyalty and started a rebellion, if you’ve decided to kill me… you should follow through.”

She could have been as valuable as Ginor if she joined our forces, but with such a hardline stance, it would be nearly impossible to utilize her.

After lashing out at Luna like that…

“…Karelia… has many uses.”

“What?”

“Makana Karelia… unlike me, is a woman who can work for you without ulterior motives. That’s what I’m saying.”

Vanessa’s voice trembled as she spoke.

She must have learned that Karelia had been captured.

“You know, don’t you? That it was entirely my will to kill you. All the actions encouraging betrayal were mine.”

Eventually, tears began to flow from Vanessa’s eyes.

Those tears were not of sadness but of anger—the kind that spill out because one cannot control their emotions.

“…I’ll admit it. What Karelia couldn’t do, Lunarian… you did. Heaven’s will did not come to us. It went to you.”

“Everything happened because of my inadequate actions. I will… accept it all, die without blaming anyone. So.”

“By killing me… resolve all your resentment. I say this because I know you’re not stupid enough to direct your anger at innocent people.”

“…”

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t listen. It will be your loss not to accept a talent like Karelia. The decision is yours to make. Nevertheless… I can at least make this request.”

This woman—until the very end, wanted to save Karelia somehow.

That’s why she tried to help her escape but failed, and now she was simply begging for her life to be spared.

In the face of death, even the most stoic person would value their own life in such moments, and Luna understood this well.

That’s why it was surprising. Even in her final moments, she was begging for someone else’s life rather than her own.

Being compassionate by nature, Luna couldn’t help but think that it must have been difficult for Vanessa to speak like this to someone she hated so much.

“Ruling the southern continent won’t be easy for you either. Karelia, as an influential figure, could certainly serve as your arms and legs. You remember, don’t you? Your lord once showed you mercy. If you feel even the slightest gratitude, you know better what decision would be right. Well, the choice is entirely yours. The measure of what is right depends on the ruler’s capacity. …That’s all I have to say.”

“…I’ll take that into consideration.”

Luna said, and then.

“Rest well, Lady Vanessa.”

After bidding her final farewell, she silently looked at the soldier standing nearby.

The soldier, understanding what this meant—

“Come this way!”

Led Vanessa to “that place.”

Neither release nor employment, but the remaining option—execution.

She couldn’t let Vanessa live, who hated her so much. Beyond personal grudges, it was clear she would be an obstacle in Luna’s path.

Soon, she would no longer be of this world.

Her severed head would roll on the ground, and her unfulfilled ambitions would disappear like blood seeping into the floor.

What was the biggest turning point that led her to this fate?

Was it when she made plans alone to encourage Lunarian’s betrayal?

Or was it from the moment Lunarian eventually joined the Karelia forces?

Neither Luna nor Vanessa could know.

In any case… only the conclusion mattered. Vanessa was defeated and killed as a prisoner. That was the simple truth.

Luna—did not regret her decision.

Vanessa was the person who had most actively tried to kill her. If left alive, she would certainly stab her in the back someday, and she herself admitted it.

Despite surely hating her immensely… she begged for Karelia to be utilized somehow.

From her perspective, making such a request must have meant throwing away all her pride.

She probably knew which treatment of Karelia would be most effective for their forces…

‘…Haa.’

It felt like all her energy was being drained…

But she had nowhere to run.

“…Please bring in the next prisoner.”

“Yes.”

Not long after… the woman who had been her lord knelt before her.

Though she looked somewhat haggard, the gentle light in her deep green eyes hadn’t faded at all.

“Lady Luna. It’s been a while. I believe this is our first meeting since the martial arts tournament. Have you been well?”

The final prisoner brought in… the woman who was once her lord, Makana Karelia.

“…Lady Karelia.”

“You seem to have quite a sad expression. Isn’t this a good day when your era is about to unfold? What retainer could trust and rely on a ruler with such a gloomy face?”

“…”

“I am prepared, Lady Luna. I expect you to show the dignity of a ruler.”

The dignity of a ruler…

Luna pondered Karelia’s words and turned her head toward Ginor.

Noticing Luna’s gaze, Ginor immediately approached her and whispered.

In a very firm tone, without any hesitation—

“Execute her. We cannot leave future troubles.”

—he said.