Ch.353Chapter 353. A Regrettable Matter

A few days before the funeral.

Starting with the execution of rebel leader Nathan Al Kaski in the square—all those who participated in the rebellion vanished as dew on the execution ground.

The third magician, Marilyn, ended her life before she could fully utilize her talents.

Reclaiming the stolen territories was laughably simple.

The soldiers had already lost their central figure. There was no way they could maintain their fighting spirit.

The soldiers immediately surrendered, and the lords were captured without resistance.

It was a truly anticlimactic end for rebels who had managed to occupy the capital using a magician and capture someone as significant as Jenna.

After everything was settled, the Al Kaski family, though not officially exterminated, lost so many members that it was nearly the same as extinction.

Only three siblings of direct bloodline survived: the head of the family Irian Al Kaski, his younger brother Jenis Al Kaski, and Ioline Al Kaski.

With all the branch families wiped out, their family power had rapidly diminished, just like other noble houses that had been reduced to ruins during the Crown Prince War.

Nevertheless, Irian did not falter.

After all, wasn’t this an era where the word “prestigious family” no longer held much appeal?

Instead of resenting his fallen house, he decided to dispose of the Al Kaski family mansion that no longer needed to be so large.

Half of the servants had been killed by Nathan, and half remained alive. The surviving civilians were not held accountable. They had no choice if they wanted to survive.

Among the dead was the nanny who had helped Ioline escape, so Irian spent money to provide her with the most respectful grave possible.

Irian placed his hand on Ioline’s shoulder as she sobbed sorrowfully in front of the grave.

“You’ll have to follow me for a while, Ioline.”

Thus, the Al Kaski family fell.

However, the future wasn’t entirely bleak. As long as Irian, the head of the family, lived, the name would not be extinguished.

The Al Kaski family wasn’t the only one facing hardship.

Most of the generals in the capital had joined the rebellion. Some argued they did it “to survive,” but while that might be understandable for civilians or soldiers, betrayal at the level of military commanders was different.

A commander’s betrayal should never be forgiven. In times of chaos, those who broke this rule were always executed.

As a result, more than 70% of the internal affairs officials who had managed the capital were executed.

There might be confusion for now… but this was the best Serpina could do.

Considering that about three-fifths of the existing commanders had already lost their lives in countless rebellions, this was a painful decision—

Nevertheless, they had to move forward. That was the fate of one who had atoned for the sins of the Einhart family.

In the end, those who remained in Einhart Castle were those who followed Irian and a few commanders from the occupation forces.

After Jenna’s death and the execution of all the generals who participated in Nathan’s rebellion… there was one common trait among the commanders remaining in Einhart Castle.

That was—their support for Swen.

Most of the commanders in Serpina’s army neither suspected nor misunderstood Swen.

To them, Swen was their army’s great strategist, a tactician who had led them to victory in numerous battles.

Most of those who had questioned him were now dead.

Now, almost no one harbored any resentment toward him—

That fact carried more weight than the literal meaning of the sentence itself.

* * *

And today was the day of Jenna’s funeral.

Her funeral was conducted with unprecedented grandeur.

A massive portrait of Jenna. A high-quality memorial portrait that perfectly captured her long brown hair and lively eyes.

Soldiers from Serpina’s army stood in orderly formation in the square, while commanders guarding the capital and new lords from surrounding territories bowed their heads on either side.

Their expressions were extremely solemn. Many were visibly grief-stricken. At least, not a single person was there simply because they were forced to attend an event.

Jenna had been an enormously significant figure for Serpina’s army. Though cautious of others, she was the type of person who would embrace those she deemed her own people despite her young age as the empire’s second-in-command. Even if someone held a low position, if their testimony was reasonable, she was a woman who knew how to implement strategies using her influence.

Popularity.

Ironically for Jenna, who had distrusted humans during her lifetime, she had popularity.

This meant that even though Swen had objectively accomplished many outstanding achievements, there was bound to be gossip when talk arose of him replacing Jenna’s position.

At the very front stood those who currently moved Serpina’s army.

The occupation force’s vice-commander Irian, commander Kransis. The great magician Reika. Swen, who succeeded Jenna as the national strategist.

And at the very front was the woman who led all of them, Serpina, who had ascended to the supreme position.

“……”

Serpina silently walked toward Jenna’s portrait.

And gazed at it for a long time.

Serpina was an absolute ruler who never crumbled. At least, that’s how everyone saw her.

A tyrant, the Iron Empress, an ambitious woman who seized the emperor’s throne covered in the blood of her siblings.

Regardless of individual preferences and intentions, the sentiment that she was a cold and ruthless person was shared by many present.

—Therefore.

“…!!”

“My, my lord…!”

No one expected that she would weakly fall to her knees.

No one thought she would sit like that, head raised… and sob loudly.

“Jenna…!”

“I, I… I will never forget you…! Never…! The vision you spoke of, the revival of the new Einhart Empire… I, I, I will definitely…!!!”

Wailing.

It was wailing.

The first sign of weakness that Sovereign Serpina von Einhart had shown in front of her subordinates, other than Swen.

Yet that sight paradoxically pierced people’s hearts.

The sight of a woman who seemed like she wouldn’t bleed a drop even if stabbed with a sword, wailing over the death of a comrade—even if there were ulterior motives or schemes behind it, it was ultimately exemplary behavior for a ruler.

With Serpina’s sobs, the funeral hall grew solemn.

Those with keen perception could understand.

—An era was ending.

And naturally, those who noticed this fact could easily reach the next conclusion.

Who would be the standard-bearer opening a new era after Jenna.

Everything pointed to the white-haired strategist—

Anyone in Serpina’s army with even a modicum of intelligence was realizing this fact.

* * *

“I’m sorry. You didn’t need to accompany me…”

“No. Thank you for participating despite your physical discomfort.”

“Of course I had to go. Besides, Reika also attended despite her difficulties.”

After returning from Jenna’s funeral, I immediately had to lie down in a hospital bed.

There were no external injuries. Outwardly, my body appeared fine.

However… the effects of the magical power that had raged inside me just before being sent down to earth were still strongly pressing on various parts of my body.

It wasn’t exactly unbearable… but it definitely made daily life uncomfortable. My head was constantly pounding, and I couldn’t properly digest any food I consumed.

‘This is why internal illnesses are so frightening…’

“For the time being, you don’t need to think about your duties as strategist. It will take time to rebuild Einhart Castle.”

“Rebuild? It’s not that badly damaged, is it?”

“Swen, it’s like you. The exterior is intact, but the interior is completely empty. You know that well, don’t you?”

…That’s right.

Most of the internal affairs officials had died, caught up in the rebellion.

Due to the absolute shortage of commanders, there was a possibility that internal affairs couldn’t be properly managed at this rate.

“I’ve already told Irene to focus on internal affairs for the time being.”

“I see…”

So I won’t be able to see her until my body recovers?

Just as I was thinking that was disappointing—

“Do you miss Irene?”

I looked at Serpina with slight surprise.

She could now make playful expressions like before.

She must have properly said goodbye to Jenna by crying at the funeral…

So I too should become a little more honest.

Just as she had moved forward.

“Yes. I miss her.”

“I see.”

At that moment.

“…!”

Serpina… came close to me.

Close enough to fall on my nose.

Her enormous chest, covered by her uniform, pressed against my chest—

“Don’t worry, Swen. I don’t know what Irene has done for you… but I can do everything for you that Irene has done.”

“W-what…?”

“I mean exactly what I say. Hehehe… I don’t know what you want as a man, but everything. I can accommodate everything.”

Wait… what is she suddenly talking about?

How does she see my relationship with Lady Irene…!

“Tell me. What did you… do to pass the time with Irene?”

For a moment, I almost had a heart attack as I recalled kissing Lady Irene while lying in bed at Balhart Castle, but…

“We drank t-tea.”

“…Tea?”

“Yes. Lady Irene enjoyed tea time.”

Serpina stared blankly at my face for a moment.

Then she burst out laughing and—

“I see. I’ll keep that in mind.”

She left the room, saying she would need to find good tea leaves.

I stared blankly at the door she had closed behind her.

…What was that just now?

* * *

After closing the door, Serpina leaned against the wall and placed her hand on her chest without moving forward.

Thump, thump. Her heart was beating fiercely. Her face felt hot.

—Marry Swen.

That was Jenna’s final advice before she died.

Not only that. Because of Swen, she had been able to escape the sense of loss from losing Jenna.

Serpina loved Swen. Therefore, she wanted to respect his wishes.

She didn’t care if she was second or third. She promised not to resent him even if he went to the side of the true lord he served, though she wished he would stay by her side.

But now.

“…I’m sorry, Swen.”

Serpina murmured very quietly to herself.

I.

I think it has to be you.

Not because you’re an outstanding strategist, but just… I want to be your first.

And then, though she had uttered it several times before, she repeated a sentence with a distinctly different weight—

“It seems you… must become mine.”

Yes.

Swen. You… must be mine.

Serpina clenched her fist.

Regardless of who his true lord might be, she could never yield him.

Her determination to make Swen hers alone.

—It was the moment when the heart of a ruler in love finally caught fire.