Ch.300Chapter 300. Survival Instinct

# Large-scale civil engineering project.

If one were to list things a nation preparing for war should absolutely never do, this would certainly rank among the top.

While I was wondering why they were engaging in such behavior, Iolline spoke directly with several workers before approaching me.

“What is all this about?”

“It seems they’re building an altar…”

“An altar? What kind of altar?”

“Well, it’s… they say they’re constructing a building to honor fallen heroes…”

“What???”

I couldn’t believe such an incredibly creative answer and asked again in astonishment.

“It seems to be a building commemorating people named Erinandorf and Emma. Judging by how many times those two names were muttered…”

“That can’t be…”

I knew from what I’d heard that Erinandorf had been defeated by Chel, but had Emma also passed away?

Still, as soon as those two names were mentioned, I could understand what might be motivating Yurie’s actions.

‘If two of those five people have died…’

At first, I thought all this might be some kind of massive trap targeting our army.

Naturally, when someone acts so far outside common sense, ordinary people would suspect there must be some ulterior motive.

But if this incident involved two of the five core members of Aeshus?

Though I couldn’t truly understand it—it was likely exactly what it appeared to be: the construction of a lavish altar for memorial purposes.

Yurie had already once committed an incomprehensible mistake to protect someone precious to her.

I knew this better than anyone, having become collateral damage from that incident.

Beyond that, Iolline and I, accompanied by soldiers, spent considerable time exploring the outskirts of the Balhart territory, but—

Apart from the enormous resources and manpower being devoted to building this massive altar, nothing particularly noteworthy was happening.

As night fell deeper—

We set up a temporary camp at a suitable distance from Balhart territory and lit a campfire.

“What should we do? Should we look around more? I can’t help thinking there must be something hidden here…”

I shook my head at Iolline, who asked with a worried expression.

“No. I think today’s reconnaissance is sufficient. There’s likely nothing hidden behind this.”

“Is that so…? But didn’t you say, Swen, that something was likely to happen with the Aeshus army?”

“I did say that…”

Yes. Now I was facing a more “intuitive” problem.

Why wouldn’t attacking with our troops now be the optimal outcome for our army?

The current Aeshus army seemed like it could be destroyed without much difficulty if we invaded.

Certainly, Epinel was a great general, and though Aeshus had several other capable commanders even if not S-class like Epinel—I couldn’t imagine a scenario where we would lose against a country wasting their soldiers’ morale on such inefficient actions before battle.

Nevertheless, my prediction was never wrong.

When it said ‘not efficient,’ it meant absolutely not efficient even if the sky were to fall.

It was reasonable to assume that message appeared because there were several times more efficient methods available.

What concerned me more was that unlike last time when it said [Will win the battle], this time it clearly concluded [Not efficient].

Our army would definitely lose something. And compared to other choices, this would be a very significant loss.

Would there be a rebellion in our homeland again?

Would heaven and earth, unable to bear Serpina’s success, push us into the same pit of fate again—as if controlled by some cosmic force?

—No.

If not rebellion, then what…?

“Excuse me.”

Only then did I realize that Iolline, sitting beside me, had been desperately calling for my attention.

“I’m sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment.”

“It’s fine. I like how you look when you’re deep in thought, Swen.”

“Is that so?”

Thinking it strange to like such a thing, I looked at Iolline.

For some reason, she was looking down at the ground instead of at me.

Crackle, crackle.

As the sound of the burning campfire reached my ears, Iolline’s voice traveled through the air.

“Swen.”

“Yes?”

“Did you perhaps hear from my brother Ian?”

“About what?”

“Well, about…”

After hesitating for a while, she seemed to make some decision and looked directly into my eyes.

“About marriage.”

“…Ah.”

“If you already have a woman in your heart, I wouldn’t mind being your second, third, or even fourth wife.”

Come to think of it, Ian had mentioned something like that.

He had asked if I would consider taking Iolline as my wife.

At that time, Ian was my superior and made the suggestion casually, but now he had become my subordinate who addressed me formally.

‘Marriage, huh.’

Quite some time had passed since I was transported to this world.

Nevertheless, my sensibilities as a modern person hadn’t completely disappeared and still floated somewhere in my mind.

Even now, being accustomed to the concept of free love, I strongly felt that arranged marriages were not a particularly good approach.

“Iolline.”

“Yes?”

Iolline looked at me with a remarkably calm expression.

It was definitely different from how Lady Irene or Reika looked at me.

Wouldn’t it be courteous to respond appropriately here?

“You don’t need to marry a man you don’t care for just for your family’s sake. Besides, I’m not such an impressive person compared to the Al Kaski family.”

“…What?”

“I know it must have been difficult for you to refuse directly. Honestly, it’s hard for a family member to go against the head of the family’s wishes.”

Even in this era, I wanted to marry someone I loved.

With Lady Irene and Reika… I felt something beyond an ordinary relationship with both of them.

When discussing similar topics with those two, I could feel definite chemistry. My heart would beat rapidly, or I would notice their cheeks flushing bright red.

In contrast, Iolline seemed calm. Her tone was very businesslike, and her face wasn’t particularly flushed. Perhaps the marriage was less her wish and more Ian’s opinion to maintain connections with me, just as Ginor had once tried with me.

“Um…”

“Anyway, don’t worry too much. I’ll explain to Ian that I declined—”

“…Wait a moment!”

Iolline cut off my words and then repeatedly bowed her head with a surprised expression.

“I’m, I’m sorry! I think I’ve been terribly rude without realizing it…”

“No, not at all. But what’s the matter?”

“…I’ll tell you everything.”

At that moment.

For some reason, even the crackling sound of the campfire seemed to disappear, and I felt as if I were in a vacuum.

“This isn’t because of my brother’s wishes.”

“…What?”

“I think you’re a truly admirable person, Swen. So I brought up marriage first. If I must marry someone, I believe it should be a man I can look up to.”

Iolline said this while not avoiding my gaze at all.

Only then did I realize.

Her face, illuminated by the orange glow of the campfire, was very slightly flushed.

“Since I was young and taking nobility lessons, my dream has been to serve a husband I can sincerely respect. Like my father. The time I’ve spent with you has been very short, but… I could tell. You’re different from other men.”

“So, if it’s alright with you, I want to live serving you, Swen. If you wish, I’m willing to serve your other wives as well. You don’t have to take my family name. Apart from the family, when I marry you, I essentially become yours, don’t I?”

“Is… that so?”

I didn’t particularly hold such views on marriage, but her expression was so resolute that I couldn’t bring myself to object.

“Yes. But as I just said, if you already have a woman in your heart, I don’t intend to be pushy. I don’t want to be a troublesome woman.”

“I… see.”

Though she was essentially repeating what she’d said earlier with just a slightly different approach, Iolline smiled at my response.

“It’s fine if you ask me several times. I’ll tell you as many times as needed. If it’s alright with you, and if there’s still an empty space in your heart… I’d like to boldly step into that space. What do you think?”

Even if we’re talking about empty spaces, in this world one could have up to four wives.

So unless one was in love with four women simultaneously, there would generally be empty spaces, but why was Iolline asking such a question?

No.

For me right now, there was a much more important issue than why she asked such a question.

Namely, the fact that I couldn’t immediately respond with “That’s not the case.”

‘…!’

I barely managed to swallow what almost became a gasp at the unexpectedly audacious thought that crossed my mind.

Let’s calmly consider the certainties one by one.

I adored Lady Irene. I wanted to marry her. So, one position was filled.

With Reika, the relationship was complicated in various ways… but I didn’t want the kiss we shared to become meaningless. I would probably end up marrying her too. That made two positions filled.

These two weren’t really problematic.

They were people I was fully aware of and had mentally prepared for.

The biggest problems were twofold.

First, while thinking of Lady Irene and Reika, I also thought of Lady Serpina—someone I absolutely should not harbor feelings for.

And second, even if I added Lady Serpina, that would be only three people, clearly leaving one position open, yet somehow—

I instinctively sensed that accepting Iolline here would lead to unimaginable consequences.

Why…?