Ch.409Chapter 409. The Laying Dragon (3)

Sitting on the throne, Swen, who had said he would “make all decisions unilaterally,” glanced lightly around.

Everyone seemed somewhat surprised—but not a single person showed any resistance to his decision.

“…Well then, I’ll start with personnel assignments. There will be many changes to castle lords, but I ask that everyone move in an orderly fashion to minimize confusion. First, I’ll announce the lord of Amir Castle.”

Starting with Amir Castle, Swen changed the lords of nearly 70 percent of the territories in the northern continent.

It was truly a massive personnel reorganization, but—fortunately or unfortunately—most of the generals were novices who had just become lords, so they seemed to accept their fate without expressing any complaints.

In fact, there were even several military officers who were satisfied with stepping down from their positions as lords, as many had found themselves in those positions without any substantial experience.

“And regarding Einhart Castle…”

Swen, who had been making announcements without hesitation, paused briefly.

Einhart Castle. As it remained the capital castle even after becoming Swen’s territory, its importance was bound to be exceptional.

“Currently, Miss Ioline Al Kaski has been serving as the castle lord, but from today, Miss Ioline will be newly incorporated into the continental occupation force.”

“…!”

It was Ian who was surprised by this shocking announcement.

Meanwhile, Ioline, who was standing next to him, bowed her head and spoke in a remarkably calm tone.

“I will obey your command.”

From Ioline’s perspective, this could have felt like having her position taken away after being begged and pleaded with to take the role, and having stabilized it to some extent—

But she accepted Swen’s words with an extremely loyal tone, as if such thoughts hadn’t even crossed her mind.

Swen, seemingly grateful for this, responded by giving her a slight nod.

In truth.

The truly shocking personnel decision wasn’t that Ioline was stepping down.

“And for the vacant position of Einhart Castle’s lord… I will appoint Miss Lynn Brans.”

“!!!”

This time, it wasn’t just Ian who was surprised.

From major figures like Serpina and Reika to rookie officers who had only recently been commissioned into Swen’s army.

Even Lynn Brans herself, who had been named, was too shocked to say anything.

“…The atmosphere seems a bit strange, but if anyone wishes to express an objection, please feel free to speak up as I mentioned earlier.”

At that moment.

Someone from across the room hesitantly raised their hand.

It was Silin—a woman who would undoubtedly be well-known to both Serpina’s army, Swen’s army, and perhaps even Brans’ army.

“My lord. May I dare to offer an opinion?”

“Please speak freely.”

“Lynn Brans was, until recently, a warlord who independently led a nation. No matter how objectively exceptional she may be, it’s common knowledge—even to someone as humble as myself—that the authority given to a castle lord is far greater than that given to an ordinary military officer. I find it difficult to readily accept entrusting the position of lord of the capital castle, Einhart, to such a person.”

“Then, could you suggest an alternative?”

“An alternative… well… I believe Ioline has already proven her qualifications as a castle lord through her various achievements and improved financial stability. I think it would be best to keep Ioline as the castle lord.”

“To summarize, Miss Silin is essentially saying to continue using Ioline, but given that we need her for the occupation operation, that cannot be accepted.”

“That’s…”

“And even including Ioline, it should be obvious without asking that utilizing Lynn Brans, who has experience rising to the position of ruler and operating a state, as the capital castle’s lord would be most efficient. The issue ultimately comes down to whether she will betray us or not…”

“…”

Swen posed a question to Lynn, who was quietly saying nothing.

“Miss Lynn Brans.”

“…Yes, my lord.”

The woman who had once held a blade to Swen’s throat was now barely managing to squeeze out a response in a pitiful voice, as if she were a drowned mouse.

Swen, as if he had no intention of tormenting Lynn whose position had already become completely subordinate, sighed briefly and said:

“I’m sorry, but we will be taking care of Miss Farfalle.”

“What does that mean…?”

“It simply means that we will utilize her as a member of the occupation force.”

Though he said it that way—it was essentially the same as holding Farfalle, the person closest to Lynn, as hostage.

Just as she was about to say that such measures weren’t necessary as she had absolutely no intention of betraying him—

‘…Do I need to show something?’

She soon understood Swen’s true intention.

After all, if he truly didn’t trust her, he wouldn’t have assigned her as the lord of Einhart Castle in the first place.

In other words, Swen had a strong belief that she wouldn’t betray him. That was true. Lynn had no such ambition.

But to convince those around him, perhaps he needed to create this kind of narrative.

Going a bit deeper—

In fact, as the ruler, he could have easily issued orders separately on his own without this gathering.

But considering that if he did so, there was a possibility that the officers in Einhart Castle might not follow her despite her appointment as lord—

‘…You haven’t changed at all, Swen.’

His actions seemed to see through everything.

Experiencing his true worth after a long time, Lynn immediately bowed her head and said:

“I understand. I will do my best to stabilize the capital castle as you have trusted me to do.”

“Excellent. That’s reassuring. Miss Silin, do you have any further objections?”

“…No, I don’t.”

With that, the process of determining the castle lords was completed.

After that, following detailed orders regarding various internal affairs—

“Now then… Miss Irene Juliette.”

“Yes!”

“Miss Serpina von Einhart.”

“Yes.”

“Lord Ian Al Kaski.”

“Yes!!”

“Lord Belut Ruga.”

“Y-Yes!”

The four officers rushed forward in response to Swen’s call.

“The rest of you may disperse. Please respond promptly when called upon in the future.”

“Yes!!”

After a great many people had ebbed away like the tide.

Swen headed to a table with the four remaining people, spread out a large map, and said:

“Listen carefully. We will form a total of three attack units. The officers assigned to each attack unit must follow the unit commander’s orders and move as one, thoroughly. If even one person makes a mistake or misses something, the operation will inevitably fail.”

“Three attack units, you say…?”

“Lady Irene, Lord Ian, and Lord Belut will each serve as attack unit commanders.”

“M-Me, you say…?!”

Belut spoke with an expression of astonishment, but—

Swen responded with an unfazed expression.

“Is there a problem?”

“W-Well… for someone like me to be entrusted with leading an attack unit, that’s…”

“I’ve heard about your martial prowess since your time in Brans’ army. Didn’t you fight on equal terms with Charlotte von Einhart?”

“That wasn’t me, it was the soldiers who exerted themselves…”

“Lord Belut.”

With a touch, Swen quietly placed his hand on his shoulder.

“Please trust the lord you serve. I believe without a doubt that you are the most suitable general.”

“Ah…! Y-Yes…! I’ll keep that in mind!”

After hearing Belut’s response, Swen smiled briefly, then turned his head to look at Serpina.

“Lady Serpina, you will be in charge of the main force that supports the three attack units and coordinates the situation.”

“I will obey your command, my lord.”

After that.

Swen conducted a very detailed briefing with the four people.

Which castle to attack on which day.

Which direction to advance immediately after attacking the castle?

What to do next if things go according to plan.

“That concludes the explanation. Do you have any questions?”

His manner of explaining each aspect of the operation was more like someone who had read the heavenly secrets rather than a strategist or tactician…

In a situation where no one dared to ask questions.

“My lord.”

Carefully, Serpina raised her hand and asked.

“Yes, speak.”

“It would be fortunate if everything goes well, but it seems there’s no contingency plan in case of failure.”

In response to Serpina’s words, Swen smiled and said:

“There’s no need to consider such things.”

“By that, you mean…?”

“Because this operation will absolutely not fail.”

At those confident words, Ian and Belut were startled as they looked at their lord, but—

Serpina and Irene, far from being surprised, responded with smiles tinged with great relief.

“Understood, my lord.”

With that, as the first meeting concluded—

At last, the counterattack of the former Serpina’s army—now Swen’s army—had begun.

* * *

Left alone in the spacious audience hall after everyone had departed, Swen let out a brief sigh.

‘This should work.’

While Ioline would have been most suitable for the position of castle lord, she needed to be placed in the occupation force for the future.

Lynn was the next most suitable person.

Fortunately, he had successfully appointed her, but there were still many mountains to climb.

‘It’s alright. I will never fail.’

I clenched my fist tightly.

From now on… for the time being, it was time to reclaim the land taken by Lunarian’s army.

And after that——

* * *

It started with something small.

“Swen’s army has moved?!”

“Yes! We’ve received news that the fortress south of Kelstein Castle has been recaptured! According to intelligence, we cannot rule out the possibility that their forces might reach here!”

At the soldier’s cry near the border, Francis, who was standing guard, stroked his chin and fell into thought.

‘What’s he plotting? Even if he messes with that fortress now, it will only unnecessarily extend the front line…’

However, he already knew that there was no use in prolonging his deliberation.

Francis extended his hand toward the soldier and shouted:

“There’s a high possibility of battle soon! Prepare to move the army!”

“Yes, sir!”

With that order, the area around the border began to grow increasingly noisy.