Ch.343Chapter 343. That’s the Truth

When I arrived at the reception room where my visitors were waiting, two young men I had never seen before bowed to me in greeting.

“Hello. Might you be Swen?”

“Yes, I am Swen.”

“It’s truly an honor to meet the esteemed Swen in person.”

After exchanging handshakes with the two, I got straight to the point.

“First of all, regarding this talk about ‘the person who will become the elder’…”

“Ah, we’ve come here on Ginor’s orders.”

The one who answered was a black-haired young man with clear eyes.

As I had expected, the sender was indeed Ginor.

“Why have you come to see me?”

“Ginor is curious about your intentions.”

“My intentions?”

At my question, the somewhat naive-looking young man standing next to the black-haired one answered.

“Well, we were only instructed to convey that ‘he is curious about your intentions,’ but we weren’t told any details…”

I see. Perhaps he’s taken precautions in case important information might leak.

After all, the term they used to approach me was the ambiguously vague “person who might become the elder,” so I should think along the same lines.

“Ah, you don’t need to understand our response either.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. We’ll simply relay whatever you tell us, exactly as you say it. So you can speak freely… That is the entirety of Ginor’s message to you, Swen.”

Then all that remains for me is to interpret his cryptic message.

In truth, there was nothing to interpret. There was only one “intention” of mine that Ginor would be curious about.

That would be—

‘He’s probably wondering why my stay in Serpina’s army has been longer than expected.’

Ginor was currently serving under Lunarian. His decision to serve her from the time she was hiding on the continent was less his own will and closer to mine.

He mistakenly believed that I could accurately predict the future through some mysterious power, and therefore concluded that the ruler I had chosen must be the one destined to unify the continent.

His judgment wasn’t wrong in its conclusion. The fate of the unified empire belonged to Lunarian, no matter how much Serpina struggled.

The question about my intentions could be summarized like this:

—Why do you continue to serve Serpina von Einhart? Lunarian’s army has already established itself sufficiently, so why haven’t you come to us?

I could also guess why he was asking this question now, when he must have been curious for a long time.

He probably judged it was safe to ask now that nothing significant had happened even after Irene became a commander.

After all, Ginor had been in the Aeshus army and knew there was a special connection between Irene and me.

In that case, there was only one answer I needed to give.

“Can you memorize what I’m about to tell you?”

“Of course. Even if it’s an extremely long answer, we’ll commit it to memory without writing anything down.”

“I also promise to do my utmost to remember it.”

“No, that won’t be necessary. It’s not a particularly long answer.”

After clearing my throat lightly, I gave my answer in a way only Ginor would understand.

“Please tell Ginor: ‘Everything I do, whatever it may be, is ultimately for everyone’s benefit.'”

“Everything I do, whatever it may be, is ultimately for everyone’s benefit…”

It wasn’t a lie.

If Serpina were to step down from the throne, the fate of the unified empire would pass to Serpina’s army. That would make it impossible for me to keep my promise to Lunarian.

…Of course, I now acknowledged that my reason for staying with Serpina’s army wasn’t solely because of my promise to Lunarian.

I liked Serpina. It was a feeling close to love. That’s why I wanted to protect her. Though I felt sorry toward Lunarian, ensuring that Serpina didn’t shoulder everything and sink was now my greatest goal.

The two young men repeated the sentence several times, then nodded and said:

“We’ve committed it to memory.”

“That’s reassuring. Then I’ll leave it to you.”

“Yes, sir!”

After sending back the young men from Ginor, I let out a light sigh.

‘Come to think of it, I wonder how things are going in the southern continent…’

I had heard that Roland’s army was nearly destroyed following Roland’s death, but there had been no news since then.

Still… according to fate, Lunarian must be doing well.

While in Serpina’s army, I had never experienced “overpowered luck,” but it was a daily occurrence in Lunarian’s army.

Ordering simple commerce would result in finding treasure chests, and providing relief would lead to mercenary groups pledging allegiance. Such “windfalls” never happened even once while I was with Serpina’s army.

Instead, what came were unbelievable betrayals, rebellions, nearly dying by the blade of someone trusted, and the tragic deaths of those who followed and believed in her.

Compared to Lunarian’s world, Serpina’s world was unbearably harsh and barren. As if claiming that someone who shouldn’t exist was in that position.

Lunarian Ineanne will become the unifying monarch.

Serpina von Einhart cannot become the unifying monarch.

‘The prediction of Intelligence 100… is absolutely never wrong.’

From the moment I was first possessed in this world, the weight of this absolute truth that I had taken for granted—

Today, it felt unbearably heavy.

* * *

Madlan Castle, the capital of the newly established Lunarian army.

Today was the day when Ruler Lunarian would return after a very long time.

The last two territories of the former Roland army fell at an unprecedented speed.

Lunarian proudly led the vanguard in all those battles. The soldiers of the southern continent, having heard of the Red-Eyed Dragon’s reputation, lost their morale just from Lunarian’s appearance and couldn’t properly engage in battle. Nothing was easier than dealing with demoralized soldiers, so the outcome was inevitable.

A great many people shed blood. With that, finally, one nation in the south vanished without leaving a trace.

Kill one person, you’re a murderer; kill ten, you’re a serial killer.

And kill a thousand on the battlefield, you’re a hero.

For the enemy, the Red-Eyed Dragon’s existence was fear and terror incarnate—

But for allies, there was no greater hero.

The appearance of an overwhelming warrior who seemed capable of ending this chaotic era with her own hands.

—Naturally, the way the armed forces and territory residents near the capital viewed Lunarian had changed from before.

So of course, just because “Lunarian is returning,” the atmosphere in Madlan Castle became excited—

And when it was finally time for her return, territory residents who hadn’t even been summoned gathered voluntarily to see her return procession.

“Long live Lunarian!”

“Welcome the new hero!”

“Drive out Serpina’s army and usher in the era of Lunarian’s army!”

The residents each projected their new hopes as they worshipped the hero on horseback.

Serpina’s army’s successive victories, the absurd collapse of the Brans and Aeshus armies.

At the moment of despair when it seemed they would have to fall under the rule of the Einhart Empire again, the Red-Eyed Dragon of the south appeared like a comet.

Both narratively and timing-wise, she couldn’t have been a more perfect superhuman.

“This is…”

Before entering the castle, Ginor approached Lunarian, who was sitting on horseback.

“It’s the sound of people calling for their lord.”

“I see…”

“Return to the royal castle slowly and wave to the territory residents. It’s an excellent opportunity to win public support with minimal effort.”

Lunarian slowly turned her head toward Ginor and asked:

“Is that the most efficient method?”

“It is.”

“Then… I’ll do it.”

I shouldn’t hesitate anymore… she thought to herself.

She took her first step toward becoming a “new symbol” for many people.

* * *

The royal castle of Madlan Castle.

“You’ve worked hard. Was everything alright?”

“What special events could there have been, my lord? I too heard the news of victory. They say you performed remarkably against those Roland bastards…!”

The general who had been temporarily in charge of Madlan Castle during Lunarian’s absence spoke with an overwhelmed voice.

“It’s truly amazing! To think the balance in the south would finally be broken. And by your hand, my lord! It’s my honor to serve you!”

“Thank you. You must have worked hard, so I won’t assign any duties for a while. Feel free to rest.”

“I accept your kindness! But please call upon me anytime if there’s anything you need, my lord!”

After sending the general away, Lunarian, sitting on the throne after a long time, let out a long sigh.

‘…I destroyed the Roland army.’

Now her Lunarian army was undisputedly the strongest in the southern continent.

While the Hesna army, which had recently formed an alliance with the Brans army, was one thing, they were definitely superior compared to the Ohana army.

She was clearly achieving results. Moving forward. The “continental unification” that had seemed like an empty fantasy was gradually coming within her grasp.

But why?

Why did a corner of her heart feel so empty and hollow?

Despite being on an overwhelmingly successful path as a ruler… why couldn’t she shake the feeling that she was missing something most important?

“Advisor…”

In the empty audience chamber, Lunarian muttered that word aloud to herself.

Advisor. If she called out like this, it felt as if the person who first recognized her true worth when no one else would might appear before her.

“Advisor. My advisor… Swen…”

I miss you.

I miss you so much.

You were deceived by Serpina’s cunning tongue because you’re too kind… but it’s alright. Now it’s my turn to save you…

‘Hurry…’

I must quickly restore clarity to Swen’s clouded eyes.

I must deal with that woman who clings to Swen like a leech.

And, together with Swen… establishing a unified nation and saving the people from Einhart’s tyranny is my mission…

Even thinking this, the trembling wouldn’t stop.

Whenever she thought about Swen, something inside her continuously whispered questions:

—What if Swen chose Serpina over you?

‘…No.’

Isn’t it Swen’s freedom to choose whoever? Swen already saved you. Hasn’t he done his part?

‘No…!’

—Slap!

Lunarian struck both her cheeks hard with her hands.

It stung a bit, but it helped her regain her senses.

‘That can’t be. Once I deal with Serpina… Swen will return to my side. Swen must be waiting for me to come. Yes… that’s the truth.’

That’s the truth, that’s the truth, that’s the truth…

—That MUST be the truth.

‘Quickly… let’s conquer the south as quickly as possible. And then, Serpina—’

—I’ll kill her.

Day by day, as her longing for Swen grew, her “anger” toward Serpina grew proportionally…

And this quiet feeling of anger was growing, very slowly but surely.