Ch.280Chapter 280. Appointed as Strategist of the Serpina Army (1)

* * *

Shortly after being appointed as the State Strategist, a simple inauguration ceremony was held within the royal palace.

Honestly, I initially wanted to decline such an event, but Lady Serpina explained that while this ceremony was partly for me, it was primarily to honor Jenna, the former strategist.

She explained that even though positions are granted by royal decree, relinquishing one’s power—especially to someone who had only recently joined the nation—would inevitably be painful, so showing proper respect until the very end was the courteous thing to do.

‘I suppose there’s no need to create unnecessary problems…’

That was why I found myself kneeling in the middle of the royal audience chamber with everyone standing in formation.

Whether it could truly be called a show of respect was debatable, but it was quite a spectacle to see all the influential figures of Serpina’s forces lined up in formation specifically for this ceremony.

Commander-in-Chief Kransis of the occupation forces.

Deputy Commander Irene Juliette, the knight who had saved her life.

General Ian Lishfalt, currently the most prominent general in Serpina’s forces.

Reika Nighthart, the sorceress who terrified the continent with her near-miraculous achievements.

And all the warriors who had followed her for a long time without ever participating in any of the countless rebellions—it was no exaggeration to say that everyone present was the elite of Serpina’s forces.

The protagonist of this place, which exuded an overwhelming aura suggesting only chosen individuals could be invited, was not me who was inheriting the position of strategist, but Jenna, the former State Strategist, just as Serpina had said.

“Come forward and raise your head, Jenna.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Serpina, seated on the throne, stood up as Jenna approached her.

“Since the chaotic times when I resolved to ascend to the imperial throne and settle this war with my own hands, I have never once forgotten your loyalty.”

“I merely fulfilled my duty as your subject.”

“The duty of a subject… If it’s you, Jenna, you know better than anyone that fulfilling that duty was no easy task. Isn’t that right?”

The early days of Serpina’s forces, when succession issues were causing an uproar, must have been a continuous struggle to defend against rebellions breaking out all over the northern continent, almost like playing a defense game.

That’s why I could understand Serpina’s words.

If I understood this, then Jenna, who had served as State Strategist since Serpina took her first steps as a ruler, would understand it far better.

“Without your dedication, I could not have established my position. Had the legitimacy of the Einhart Imperial Family disappeared from the northern continent, countless lives would have been lost in the whirlwind of war, just as in the rest of the continent. You have not only worked for me but have essentially worked for the benefit of everyone in the northern continent.”

“I’ll give you time. If you have anything to say, feel free.”

“Then, if I may.”

Jenna turned her head to look at those standing in formation.

“Everyone, thank you for your trust in me. If I have accomplished anything, I believe it would have been impossible without all of you. As of today, I am stepping down from the position of State Strategist, but our will—the will of our forces—will not be broken. Without your trust, I would have been nothing. The same applies to the new strategist. So please, place your trust in our lord’s choice.”

“I will never forget that I was able to serve you all for such a long time.”

After she finished speaking, Serpina extended her hand to her.

At the end of her slowly outstretched hand stood the brown-haired strategist who had supported Serpina’s forces all this time.

“Jenna, I will never forget all the achievements you have made. Now, pass on that will to the new person with your own hands.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Jenna slowly approached me as I knelt.

Having been briefed beforehand, I sensed it was my turn and stood up to face her.

“Please accept this.”

What she handed me was an elegant but worn-looking round case.

Inside was a single sheet of aged paper.

“This is the appointment document stating your appointment as State Strategist. It’s an heirloom passed down through the imperial family.”

It was said that all State Strategists who had served the Einhart Imperial Family had inherited this document.

Though it was supposedly the original draft written by the first emperor, the text had faded so much that it held little meaning beyond its symbolism—

Nevertheless, such traditions were necessary to establish the prestige of the imperial family.

Serpina must have been desperate. With all her powerful brothers massacred, she needed to package herself as belonging to the Einhart family by any means necessary.

“I accept it gladly.”

I set aside the paper that had passed from Jenna’s hands to mine.

From her gesture, I realized it was my turn to speak.

“I’m not sure if I can perform as well as the former strategist, but now that I’ve been entrusted with this position, I will do my utmost for Lady Serpina.”

Not for Serpina’s forces. For Lady Serpina herself.

Even if it were to harm this country… if it could preserve Lady Serpina’s life, I would readily do so.

After finishing my speech, I left Jenna behind and approached Serpina, who stood nobly before the throne.

Those golden eyes that seemed to illuminate the path ahead. That nobility that naturally compelled admiration from all who beheld her.

The moment our eyes met, I was reminded anew of why she had become the absolute ruler above all others.

I had seen many girlish aspects of her recently and had momentarily forgotten… but ultimately, she was born to be above others.

“I look forward to working with you, Swen.”

“Yes.”

I could have said more if I’d wanted to, but even though this was an inauguration ceremony, the protagonist was Jenna.

Both Serpina and I knew it wouldn’t be appropriate to say more about me.

At the sound of applause that followed, I instinctively turned my head.

Everyone was looking at me.

Even Jenna, the actual protagonist of this event.

“…!!!”

Ian, Irene, Reika, and the former strategist Jenna.

All those who moved Serpina’s forces were looking at me in unison. Even Serpina, the ruler herself.

Only then did I realize what it meant for me to become the State Strategist of Serpina’s forces.

It meant—

The will of Serpina’s forces had fallen into my hands.

Here, I could do anything.

No one would oppose me. Those who might have opposed me had rebelled and died, and all the rising rookies were on my side.

Serpina, the ruler, trusted me more than anyone else.

Then, in a way, does this mean that I…

Am directly opposing Lady Luna with my own will?

With this unanswerable question, I officially became the State Strategist of Serpina’s forces.

And this news… spread throughout the continent much faster than I had anticipated.

* * *

Zeilant Castle.

When the plague swept through the central continent, it was one of the few places that remained unaffected due to a lockdown order.

The reason was simple: it was under the control of the Brans forces.

Lynn, the ruler, had quickly issued a lockdown order even before the plague began to spread, and thanks to that, this place and the territories in the central-western part of the continent were able to avoid disaster.

Although the lockdown order initially raised questions among many, this decision ultimately greatly enhanced Lynn’s reputation.

Considering that she had previously been rated so poorly—nearly at rock bottom—as a defeated ruler who had split the country into three parts due to several incomprehensible decisions and mistakes, this positive evaluation was tantamount to a resurrection.

Rumors that she had ‘regained her former intelligence’ had now become accepted fact, influencing not only her own troops but also soldiers from the rebellious Kalintz and Chel forces.

Especially as Chel and Kalintz continued to make relatively foolish decisions.

Regardless—Lynn was quietly attending to her official duties without acting rashly as she had in the past.

She had no intention of making the same mistake twice.

Even though her reputation had improved, she now understood that reputation was merely a measure of how well she was performing her duties.

Rather than being captivated by reputation, the true ruler was one who could control that reputation—something the current Lynn understood well.

Even for her, who had become somewhat detached, “that news” was quite unexpected.

“So the new strategist of Serpina’s forces is someone named Swen?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“I see.”

Lynn nodded with interest at the news Farfalle had brought.

It wouldn’t be a lie to say she felt some regret about losing Swen, but what strongly stirred her heart now wasn’t regret.

‘This is a bit different from what I heard.’

Lynn briefly twirled her finger through her hair.

The current Lynn had someone by her side with whom she could discuss this situation.

Lynn addressed the ‘new ally’ kneeling before her, who had recently defected to her side.

“Did you hear that?”

“Yes.”

The kneeling woman raised her head to look at Lynn’s face.

Lynn met her eyes and spoke.

“What do you think, Cecile?”

Cecile Lohengrin.

The last survivor of the Karelia Dream Team, carrying on Karelia’s will—the only one Luna’s forces had failed to capture—was kneeling before her new lord.