Ch.377Chapter 377. The Most Efficient Method / Lunarien Army (1)

* * *

Turning time forward, to Ashan Castle, occupied territory of the Lunarian Army.

Ashan Castle was a location that served as a transportation hub in the central continent, allowing travel northwest to Anel Castle and east to Balhart Castle at the current point in time.

While the territory itself didn’t hold particularly significant value – at least for the current Lunarian Army, it was a sufficient place to establish as a base camp.

“Lord Ginor, I’d like to request your report.”

“Yes.”

At Lunarian’s words as she sat on the throne, Ginor bowed and responded.

“The Brans Army has gathered all their forces at Anel Castle as expected. Their soldier count is approximately 98,000. Our army can mobilize 210,000 troops.”

“How is the war situation?”

“To be frank… despite such a large difference in troop numbers, I believe it will take a considerable amount of time to break through Anel Castle.”

Ginor bowed his head to Luna once more.

“Anel Castle could be described as a natural fortress, blessed with favorable terrain. There will inevitably be significant difficulties in setting up siege weapons. Additionally, since the continent fell into war, it has never once been invaded, and being the capital castle, they would have spent considerable time reinforcing and repairing the walls.”

“You mean it’s the worst condition for a siege.”

“Unfortunately, that’s the case at present. Of course, what ultimately determines victory on the battlefield is troop strength. If we mobilize the former Ohana Army troops that were used to deal with the Hesna Army and invest sufficient time, I believe our army can certainly win… but the problem is Serpina’s army.”

If only the Lunarian Army and the Brans Army existed in this land, it would be clear that they could eventually push back the Brans Army successfully.

However, to the north, Serpina, the most powerful force on the continent, had established its position.

In a situation where the battle between the Lunarian Army and the Brans Army was dragging on—it would be strange if they didn’t take advantage of it.

“What is the situation with Serpina’s army?”

“It seems the rebellion at Einhart Castle has been successfully suppressed. I believe there’s a high probability they will mobilize troops to arrive at Balhart Castle, which serves as Serpina’s forward base.”

“What would be the most efficient method?”

Upon hearing those words, Ginor briefly assessed the situation before saying-

“I believe I need to speak with my lord privately.”

“I understand.”

Luna took Ginor to the adjacent conference room.

After confirming they were alone, Ginor pulled a map from his sleeve, spread it on the table, and said:

“I’ll be direct. If I were in your position, I would postpone the battle with the Brans Army and attack the Serpina Army first.”

“…!!”

“Even if we don’t touch them, the Brans Army cannot easily move their forces. From their perspective, it would be disadvantageous to weaken Anel Castle’s defense line just to occupy a few territories.”

“Moreover, from our army’s standpoint, approaching Anel Castle from the north after taking Serpina’s territory would be much more advantageous than approaching from Zeilant Castle. First, we could pinpoint attack the vulnerable parts of Anel Castle, which is a natural fortress, and since Serpina has pulled their elite troops to Einhart Castle to suppress the rebellion, our attack would be much easier than usual.”

“…”

After finishing his words, Ginor observed Luna’s expression.

Luna was clearly disturbed. Her eyes, which rarely trembled, were shaking rapidly.

Yes.

That’s why he couldn’t discuss this where others were present.

“My lord, do you understand what I’m saying?”

“I, I…”

“Attacking the Serpina Army is the best choice from our position.”

Looking at Luna, who couldn’t give a definitive answer, Ginor carefully made up his mind.

Now was the moment to speak not as a national advisor serving a monarch – but as an old man addressing a woman young enough to be his granddaughter.

“I understand, Lady Luna. This is not so much my opinion as simply finding the ‘most efficient method.'”

“You mean…”

“Swen is there.”

“!!!”

“Swen told me that serving Serpina was the path for everyone’s benefit. Shamefully, I honestly don’t understand what Swen is thinking. And from this old man’s perspective… Swen never does anything frivolous. If he truly serves you as his monarch… if being there is the path that benefits everyone.”

“Therefore, I cannot confidently tell you to attack Serpina. However—”

—At this point, that remains the most ‘efficient’ method.

“Then what… should I do…?”

“That is something you must decide yourself, my lord. Whatever decision you make, I will follow your will.”

“I…”

At that moment.

Someone knocked on the conference room door.

“My lord, are you there?”

“I’ll open it.”

Opening the door revealed a soldier in disheveled attire, as if he had just arrived.

“What is it?”

“A letter has arrived from Ohana, the commander of the Second Corps.”

“Ohana sent me…?”

What could this be about?

That person shouldn’t have anything particular to say to me.

The Hesna Army should have been properly dealt with, and the monarch Aski Hesna should have been successfully integrated into the Lunarian Army.

Luna slowly unfolded it.

And then…

“…!!!”

“My lord…?”

* * *

A small village in the southern continent under the occupation of the former Ohana Army, now the Lunarian Army.

“…”

A woman sat in a wheeled chair, blankly staring out the window.

Her eyes were slightly different in color – as if each contained a different sky.

Soon, the distinctive creaking sound of a wooden door opening reached her ears.

“Yurie. I’m back.”

The armless woman who entered the room – Anima – had brought plenty of food in her one arm and placed it on the table.

“The work I’m doing now pays quite well once you get used to it. I thought about joining the Lunarian Army… but I’m thinking maybe it’s better to just live quietly like this.”

The woman in the chair, Yurie, silently nodded.

Taking care of Yurie, who suffered from aphasia and couldn’t speak, was the responsibility of Anima, the only survivor.

“How about you? Did you sleep well? You seemed to be suffering from nightmares recently.”

“…”

“Well, after what happened… it’s understandable that it’s hard to bear. But still.”

Anima turned her head toward the window that Yurie had been looking out of until just now.

“For the sake of Emma, Erinandorf, Epinel… for the family members who went ahead of us, we must live on. Live to see who will establish the unified empire, right?”

“…”

Should it be called an age of chaos?

After the fall of the Aeshus Army, the continent was flowing in an unexpected direction.

First, the Brans Army, which was on the verge of collapse after being divided into three parts, somehow managed not to crumble, unlike their country.

The one who unified the chaotic southern continent was neither Karelia, Rolland, Hesna, nor Ohana, but a complete outsider, Lunarian.

Until they appeared, no one thought they would devour the southern continent at such a rapid pace… but as if accompanied by the goddess of victory, the Lunarian Army was raising victory reports with every flag they raised and every sortie they made.

At first, she had seriously considered joining the Lunarian Army.

After all, at this point, the Lunarian Army was the only country left that could stand against the Serpina Army.

But she didn’t. Yurie’s condition was too poor for state affairs.

Even if she could have been assigned a caregiver after settling in… it was better to give up on advancement rather than have Yurie, who couldn’t speak, receive inadequate care.

Anyway.

Yurie wasn’t the one chosen in this age of chaos.

If that was the case, spending each day quietly in a place like this wouldn’t be so bad.

That’s what she thought, but-

—Knock knock knock!

“Who is it?”

Someone was loudly knocking on the door.

Who could it be when there was no one who would visit?

“…”

“Wait a moment, Yurie.”

Anima slowly put on her outer garment, then opened the door without much thought.

“Who are…!!!”

She couldn’t finish her sentence.

Because what stood before her eyes were soldiers.

“This is where Baranga Yurie Aeshus is, correct?”

“…What is this about?”

“Answer the question.”

Anima examined the soldier’s eyes.

Though he spoke firmly… there was no sense of hostility.

In situations like this, it seemed better to speak honestly rather than lie.

“She is here, but she currently suffers from aphasia.”

“That is not important.”

The soldier turned his head to look at another soldier beside him.

With that, the soldier beside him ran off somewhere.

Shortly after, a red-eyed woman walked over from the distance, escorted by soldiers.

Though it was her first time seeing this person, she could easily tell from the aura of absolute authority emanating from her footsteps.

Is that woman… Lunarian Ineanne?

And until then – Anima couldn’t understand exactly what situation she was in.

Of course, she couldn’t know.

There was no way Anima could know.

How Lunarian Ineanne felt about Yurie – it was impossible to deduce with the information she had.

The woman who had now come right in front of her stood firmly before Anima and stared directly into her eyes.

“!!!!”

Only then did Anima realize, with widened eyes, that something was wrong.

She had to notice.

What she felt from those red eyes – unmistakable killing intent!

And.

That woman… in an ice-cold tone, as if she were an absolute being passing judgment-

Casually threw out words that didn’t seem to expect an answer.

“I am Lunarian Ineanne. I’ve come to see Baranga Yurie Aeshus.”