Ch.29Chapter 29. Taking Refuge in Brans (4)

Yes.

I know that in this game, 99 out of 100 times, receiving gold for no reason means betrayal.

If someone makes an alliance proposal soon, you can assume with almost 100% certainty that they’re planning to betray you.

This was a strategy that could be used if you had an advisor with Intelligence of 95 or higher and the [Betrayal] specialty in your ranks.

Giving money was simply a necessary action included in this “betrayal” strategy within the game.

To detect this in advance, you’d need Intelligence of 99 or higher and the [Keen Eye] specialty… Farfalle was a good advisor, but his Intelligence was only in the early 90s, not even reaching 95, so he couldn’t have figured it out.

Besides, it wasn’t worth explaining since experienced players would inevitably notice the pattern after being tricked a few times.

Now that this had become reality, it was certainly possible that the money was given for genuinely “friendly” purposes—

But seeing how all my Intelligence 100 brain’s predictions were coming true, I couldn’t ignore the patterns that were common in the game.

However.

To perfectly explain all these hypotheses, one crucial piece was needed.

That is—’the existence of an advisor-type talent with Intelligence 95 or higher and the Betrayal specialty in a small nation like Charam.’

‘In such a small nation? What for?’

Of course, it wasn’t completely impossible—just highly unlikely.

But.

No matter how low the probability, my ability was Intelligence 100, wasn’t it?

Perhaps if I asked this question, I might get an answer?

“Um… Lady Irene. I have a request.”

“A request?”

Irene, who had been waiting patiently while I was lost in thought, tilted her head and asked.

Despite her formal speech, her gestures were undeniably adorable.

But.

‘It feels awkward to suddenly ask a question here.’

While I was hesitating to speak, she addressed me first.

“Swen?”

“Ah… yes.”

“Is something wrong? You suddenly went quiet…”

Irene looked at me with a concerned expression.

After deliberating, I changed my mind.

“…It’s nothing.”

Instead of pressing further, she nodded and continued with her explanation.

It seemed she was letting it go.

I felt strangely grateful to her for that.

“…Anyway, let’s move on to the south. Except for four countries, there aren’t many threatening nations there either.”

The southern situation was roughly as I remembered it.

Rolland, Hesna, Karelia, and Ohana.

If left to the CPU, Karelia would likely survive and conquer the south due to their superior talent pool, though Ohana or Hesna would occasionally emerge victorious.

Rolland’s victory was extremely rare, and the remaining minor nations were doomed to perish unless a player took control of them.

“That’s all for that region. And finally—”

She pointed to the upper part of the continent.

The northern continent.

The only region unified under a single country at this point.

“The entire northern continent belongs to Serpina. You knew that, right?”

“Of course.”

The minor nations attached to Serpina were quickly annihilated in the game after just one year.

In this world without deployment restrictions, they would have fallen even faster.

Thanks to Irene’s help, I was able to clearly check the current power dynamics.

There was a small benefit to confirming the situation.

“Thank you.”

After politely thanking her, I took out a new piece of paper and picked up my pen again.

“Hmm? What are you doing?”

“I thought I’d draw a map of the surrounding areas while I’m at it.”

Almost all the major battlefields in this game…

Having played for 10,000 hours, they remained vivid in my mind even after several months in this world.

It seemed useful to organize this information.

Besides, I had nothing better to do.

Irene nodded, then placed her hand on my shoulder and said:

“I’ll leave the lantern on. Just turn it off before you go to sleep.”

“Won’t it be too bright for you?”

“I’m used to sleeping by campfires.”

After saying that, Irene gave a faint smile and left my side to sit with her back against the wall.

Was she going to give up the bed again today?

As always, it was best to gratefully accept kindness when offered.

“Good night.”

Let’s start with the battlefields around the eastern border of Aeshus…

I slowly picked up my pen and began drawing lines.

*

The next evening.

While Irene was briefly away from home, I was alone drawing maps of the surrounding battlefields.

‘There are more mountainous areas around here than I expected.’

They weren’t particularly steep cliffs, but there were quite a few hills.

While Anel Castle and its surroundings were vast plains, strangely enough, there seemed to be many difficult terrains right along the border.

I planned to continue checking these details even after finishing my initial mapping.

You never know when this information might come in handy.

Just then.

The door opened, and Irene returned from outside wearing armor.

“Welcome back.”

“Mm.”

She was carrying something in both hands, which she placed on the desk.

I examined what she had brought.

“Is this… meat?”

Raw meat, beef specifically, in several chunks.

Along with various other ingredients.

Irene smiled at me and said:

“I realized that you’ve become a new member of the household, and I should properly welcome you, shouldn’t I?”

So she bought meat for that reason?

Surprised by this unexpected kindness, I responded awkwardly:

“You really didn’t need to go to such trouble.”

“It’s fine. This makes me feel better. Besides, looking at you, you seem quite frail. Am I right?”

“…”

Honestly, I had nothing to say.

If I tried to follow Irene’s routine, I’d collapse from exhaustion before completing even two hours.

The reason I didn’t refuse her offer of the bed was because sleeping on it genuinely helped my weak body recover strength more effectively.

“Don’t be disheartened. No one is born with stamina. That’s why meat is important. Eat meat and regain your strength. Sit down. I’ll prepare it quickly.”

Saying this, Irene removed the armor protecting her chest.

Her large breasts momentarily bounced.

Then, after changing into comfortable clothes for cooking, she picked up a knife and began preparing the meal.

‘…’

Living with her, I’d noticed that she possessed remarkably high survival skills.

Moreover, she had the mental fortitude to not be defeated by her circumstances, no matter how miserable.

Honestly, when I arrived—a man—she must have felt some shame.

What kind of ruler sends a new male retainer to live as a roommate in a female officer’s home?

While obeying one’s lord is a retainer’s virtue, this must have been humiliating.

Yet she showed none of this to me.

Instead, she was cooking meat she had bought for a welcoming meal.

‘Why?’

Despite claims about compatibility, I couldn’t understand why Lynn treated someone like Irene so poorly.

Perhaps the reason Lynn couldn’t become a unifying ruler was due to this peculiar narrow-mindedness and gloominess?

While I was thinking about this—

“It’s ready!”

Irene brought the plate over with a somewhat proud expression.

The plate that usually held hard rye bread or dried fish now seemed incredibly sophisticated simply by containing freshly grilled meat.

I picked up a fork and knife and cut into the meat.

This sensation. How long had it been?

After cutting the meat and putting it in my mouth, chewing the piece made me feel truly alive.

“It’s delicious.”

The seasoning was perfect, and it was cooked just right.

Hearing my words, she smiled brightly.

She seemed genuinely happy to receive the compliment.

“I’m confident in grilling meat. When we camped, I usually handled all the cooking.”

“You mean yourself, Lady Irene?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

She patted my back and said:

“Swen. It must be uncomfortable staying in the home of an officer of the opposite sex, and you’ve probably seen things you shouldn’t have, which must be awkward… but I’m sorry I can’t resolve this situation right now. As soon as a vacant house becomes available, I’ll send you there immediately, so please bear with it until then.”

She spoke to me with genuine apology.

What a conscientious personality.

Hearing this, I smoothly replied:

“What are you saying? If it’s alright with you, Lady Irene, I’d like to continue living with you.”

And as for seeing things I shouldn’t have—those were the best views ever—but I kept that thought to myself.

“You’re quite the flatterer. As I’ve said before, you won’t get anything from it.”

“No. I’m being sincere.”

I answered with complete honesty.

It truly was sincere. Nothing was better for raising her affection than living together.

While Lynn sent me here to torment her, that choice was actually not bad for me—rather, it was beneficial.

Besides, she was beautiful. Seeing her large breasts every day would surely extend my lifespan.

Hearing my words, Irene became flustered and suddenly blushed.

Then, nervously scratching the surface of the meat with her fork, she awkwardly said:

“…Ahem, hmm. Let’s finish our meal.”

She then silently cut the meat roughly and put it in her mouth.

Her shyness was quite adorable.

“Then, I’ll enjoy this meal.”

I first thanked Irene for preparing the meat for me—

And then, I silently thanked Lynn for preparing Irene for me, before continuing with my meal.

* * *

Three days had passed since my appointment to Brans.

That meant it was time for the “regular meeting of Brans.”

Though I’d been floating without duties until now, I’d probably be assigned tasks starting this month.

Irene, who had risen early and put on her armor, spoke to me:

“Are you ready to go?”

“Just a moment.”

I slowly got dressed, then put on the outer garment Irene handed me.

The front pocket area had the emblem of Brans engraved on it.

Just wearing this clothing made me feel more than ever that I belonged somewhere.

In the minor nation of Lunarian, there were no such uniforms.

I guess it’s better to serve at a major corporation after all?

“I’m ready.”

“…Ah. One last thing.”

“What is it?”

“It might be better for you not to be associated with me. I recommend leaving five minutes after I do. You know the way to the royal palace.”

“…”

I easily understood the implication of her words.

Since she was disliked by Lynn Brans, she was suggesting I keep my distance from her?

I was genuinely impressed that she could say such things even to someone who was essentially her houseguest, and I responded firmly:

“What would a mere newcomer like me know? Rather than engaging in politics from the start, wouldn’t it be better to show an innocent face that knows nothing?”

Hearing this, Irene smiled slightly as if amused and said:

In the three days we had spent together, we had grown closer than expected.

“…You really do say such things without hesitation. I almost want to learn from you.”

“I’ll teach you when the opportunity arises.”

She let out a small laugh and opened the door to leave.

Of course, I didn’t wait five minutes at all and immediately followed behind her.

*

The morning in East Anel was incredibly peaceful.

The sounds of bustling citizens and carriages moving here and there carrying goods.

The most notable feature was the large number of people wearing clothing with the same emblem as mine.

Were they all working under Brans?

Apparently, this distinctive emblem was given not only to officers but also to soldiers and lower-ranking members of the organization.

While in the game only “officers” used it, running such a large organization must require the hard work of many “Jameses” belonging to Brans who didn’t appear in the system.

Thinking about this gave me a somewhat bitter feeling, but there was no time to dwell on sentiments.

Soon, we arrived at Anel Palace.

I could hear people greeting each other.

By this point, people who recognized Irene should have approached to greet her—

But surprisingly, no one spoke to her.

The occasional people who did greet her were all lower-ranking individuals like servants or maids, not officers.

‘So this is what she meant.’

Perhaps they thought there was no point in personal interaction with Irene, who was disliked by Lynn Brans.

Feeling strangely resentful about this, I stuck even closer to her side.

Fortunately or unfortunately, people weren’t paying particular attention to me following behind her.

They probably thought I was her attendant.

Of course, whatever they thought wasn’t important.

After walking a few more minutes.

Irene and I entered the meeting hall inside the palace.

Inside the castle, there were truly, truly many people lined up on both sides.

Just at a glance, there were dozens of people.

Compared to Zeilandt Castle, where there were only five people including myself… this was a completely different world.

Since Lynn hadn’t arrived yet, the throne was empty.

“This way.”

Following Irene’s direction, I positioned myself appropriately behind her right side.

And soon after—

“The lord is coming!”

With the soldier’s resounding announcement, footsteps echoed through the now-quiet palace.

Long blue hair.

Cruelty hidden behind beautiful appearance.

The absolute will of Brans—Lynn Brans, accompanied by Farfalle behind her, arrived at the throne with dignified steps and sat down.

Then, addressing her retainers in a surprisingly solemn tone for someone who could be somewhat frivolous:

“Well. Is everyone here? We’re starting the monthly regular meeting of Brans. Any objections?”