Ch.408Chapter 408. The Laying Dragon (2)

* * *

Today was the day of Prince Swen’s first state council after inheriting the throne from Prince Serpina.

One by one, Prince Serpina’s core warriors were gathering at Kelstein Castle, where the current king resided, instead of the capital city of Einhart.

Among them was someone whose background might be ambiguous but whose abilities made her stand out prominently in Swen’s forces—

The beloved daughter of House Brans with blue hair and blue eyes—Lynn Brans.

“It’s been quite a while since our flag has waved above Kelstein Castle.”

“…Indeed.”

Farfalle slowly nodded in response to Lynn’s pointed joke.

“Both my brother Kalintz and I… we wanted to protect this place so badly… hehe.”

“…”

“Don’t look so serious, Farfalle. I’m just selling memories? Something like that.”

Farfalle approached Lynn with a concerned expression.

“Will you be alright?”

“Hm?”

“That…”

Lynn looked at Farfalle with a somewhat cold expression—

Then let out a long sigh and spoke in a tone like a girl sharing trivial gossip.

“Sigh. I can’t keep hiding things anymore. I must be getting old, Farfalle.”

“…Seeing you joke like that, perhaps you are.”

“In the past, you’d have been thrown in prison immediately for saying that.”

“I said it because I knew you wouldn’t do that, didn’t I?”

“Pfft!”

Lynn’s shoulders shook with amusement, but then—

As if letting everything go—

“I’m prepared. Even when I face Irene… I won’t fall apart like before. No, I never had the right to fall apart in the first place.”

“Lynn…”

“You too, Farfalle. I appreciate you taking care of me, but we’re equals now. You don’t need to use honorifics with me. What if our lord thinks badly of you for it?”

“I believe our lord isn’t petty enough to judge someone based on something so trivial.”

“…That’s true.”

Meanwhile, there was also someone who had left the northern continent after a long time.

“Welcome, Castle Lord. It’s an honor to escort you.”

Iolline, now the proper lord of Einhart Castle, responded with a flustered tone to Irian who greeted her as she stepped out of the carriage.

“Brother Irian. You really don’t need to use honorifics with me…”

“What are you saying? Now that the position of Legion Commander is gone, you as the Castle Lord are clearly higher in rank than me. And not just any castle—you’re in charge of the capital castle of Einhart. That’s why I came to greet you.”

“…Then as the higher-ranked person, I’ll order you. Drop the honorifics. It’s so awkward that I want to run away.”

“I cannot—”

Irian stopped mid-sentence, thought for a moment, then let out a short sigh.

“…Alright. There’s no need to be unnecessarily stubborn…”

“What about Brother Jenis?”

“He’s guarding our lord. He asked me to send his regards.”

By “lord,” he must mean that he’s become Sir Swen’s knight.

In many ways, I felt that our family was deeply indebted to him.

“How is the situation?”

“As you know, not much has changed. Since making Kelstein Castle our final line of defense, it’s been peaceful without a single war. Of course, there are intelligence reports of troops gathering near the Lunarian army’s border… but it doesn’t seem like war will break out immediately. Though there is one concerning issue.”

“What issue…?”

“You know the name Tifa well, don’t you?”

“Tifa… you mean the Lunarian army’s mage?”

“Yes. She was severely injured in the battle with the Brans forces, but it seems she’s almost recovered. She’s not completely healthy yet, but apparently she’s regained enough condition to participate in battle.”

“Wow… how did you manage to get such information?”

“I’m surprised to hear you of all people say that, Iolline. You know perfectly well what House Al Kaski built its reputation on, don’t you?”

“Espionage and disguise.”

“Disguise is also a form of espionage. Anyway… today is the first council held by our new lord, so various opinions will be presented. Iolline, you’re now a proper castle lord, so feel free to express your opinions.”

“Castle lord…”

Iolline smiled bitterly.

Rather than being a castle lord, she had wanted to become the lord’s wife.

She too had ears and had heard the news that Swen had married General Irene and Serpina.

‘Except for Reika whom he always keeps by his side… there must still be one position left? If so—’

“Let’s go, Iolline. It’s about to start.”

“…Yes, brother.”

Iolline followed behind Irian.

—Thinking that matters she could decide on anytime could wait.

* * *

The royal castle of Kelstein.

Thirty minutes before the first meeting was scheduled to begin, most of Swen’s warriors had already gathered in the great hall of Kelstein Castle.

Among them was the former ruler—Serpina.

She was truly the lord Swen’s woman.

On either side of her were Swen’s strongest shield—Irene and Archmage Reika.

“I-it’s so strange to see you here, Lady Serpina… You were always sitting up there before.”

“There’s nothing strange about it, Miss Reika. You and I are equals now. In fact, perhaps you as the Archmage are higher ranked than me.”

“Uuugh…!!”

At Serpina’s formal speech, Reika rubbed her arms with both hands and said:

“L-L-Lady Serpina…! Please, please speak casually…! I-I’m so uncomfortable… I feel like I’m going to throw up…!!”

“…Is it really that bad?”

“Phew…”

Only when Serpina dropped the formality did Reika look satisfied—

“This suits you better, Lady Serpina. Anyway, you must never use honorifics with me from now on. Understood…?”

“Well, if that’s what you want…”

“The same goes for me, Lady Serpina. Please continue to treat me as you always have.”

Serpina slowly nodded at Irene’s words.

“I will do so. When it’s the first wife of my husband making the request, I should naturally comply. Hoho…”

“No, that’s not what I meant—”

At that moment.

“Greetings, Lady Serpina.”

“Hello.”

Irian and Iolline, recognizing Serpina, approached her.

“Good morning, Sir Irian. Miss Iolline.”

“…”

“How about it, brother? Do you understand how I feel now?”

“I have nothing to say, sister.”

“…?”

“No… it’s nothing. Ahem.”

Irian let out a short sigh and changed the subject.

“When do you think our lord will arrive?”

“I believe he’ll move a bit earlier than the announced meeting time. Even as a strategist, he always acted one step ahead.”

“I see…”

As they conversed, the attention of those around them became focused on their group.

Serpina. Irene. Reika. Irian. Iolline.

The mere sight of the core members of “Swen’s faction” gathered in one place seemed to boost the morale of Swen’s newer warriors considerably.

After a few minutes had passed…

“The lord is entering!”

Since there was no state strategist, it fell to the knight Jenis to make this announcement.

And soon after—the man who had been the white-haired strategist now entered carefully onto the red carpet as the white-haired ruler.

A fluttering cape and a neat strategist’s uniform. A green rapier fastened at his waist.

Only one thing had changed—the pure white snake emblem overlaid on the Einhart crest on his cape.

It clearly indicated his allegiance to Swen’s forces rather than Serpina’s.

“…”

Lynn and Farfalle, who had been quietly standing in the corner, bowed their heads to welcome Swen.

In fact, this was their first time facing Swen since their surrender.

Upon noticing Lynn, Swen showed no particular reaction before walking steadily to the throne and taking his seat without hesitation.

And simultaneously—everyone gathered here bowed at the waist to greet their new master.

“We greet our lord.”

Swen, seated, gave a light nod—

“Everyone, thank you for gathering here despite your busy schedules. Today is an important day when we will determine the overall policy of our forces, so I hope you won’t be displeased.”

He addressed people with honorifics uncharacteristic of a ruler.

In truth, his manner of speech didn’t matter much. What was important was not appearances but essence.

Wasn’t it said that even Lunarian used honorifics with his soldiers, showing meticulous courtesy to everyone?

“Now, without further ado, I’ll proceed to open the state council… however.”

“…?”

Swen slowly rose from his seat, looked around at everyone’s faces—

“To be honest, hearing your opinions, compiling them… that would be a typical ‘council,’ but our Swen forces are in an extremely urgent situation with Lunarian forces’ offensive approaching. At times like these, I believe it’s most important to follow one person’s opinion in an orderly manner.”

After saying this, looking at everyone’s curious faces—

“So, although this may seem sudden… from now on, I will skip the discussion and directly issue all instructions to you as your ruler.”

“!!!”

“Of course, if you can refute me, I will listen to your opinions as they are, but if not, I earnestly ask that you thoroughly carry out my orders.”

Autocratic, but in the most efficient direction—

He began to lead everyone forward with steady steps.