Ch.417Chapter 417. The Sky Remains Forever and the River Flows Eternally (3)

The prolonged stalemate at the front wasn’t just causing strange public opinion to swirl around Swen’s army. The Lunarian army was also beginning to leak complaints little by little.

“This invasion seems a bit excessive…”

“There must be a more efficient way to manage the front lines.”

However, there was one difference from Swen’s army—

“I’ll send troops to the vicinity of Hisfil Castle immediately. I’ll personally advance northward to execute a feint operation. Though I don’t think there will be any, do you have any objections?”

“…No, my lord.”

Unlike Swen’s army, where each soldier could freely express their opinions due to the influence of Irene, who was undoubtedly the most powerful military official, in the Lunarian army—where the warrior leading the battle from the front was also the sovereign—there was no one who could put a stop to this.

As if that weren’t enough, the military officials found themselves speechless because it was none other than Lunarian herself who rushed into every battle at the forefront, risking her own life, making it difficult to claim she treated life carelessly.

From the beginning, in a situation where Ginor, the national strategist, could not intervene, there was no one who could stop Lunarian, the center of all power.

“Very well. Everyone, please hold on a little longer for the future. Let’s erase all traces of Serpina, who is the very memory of the terrible old era, and create a new world together!”

As Lunarian drew her Adina Sword and shouted such encouragement, no one dared to casually mention, “Isn’t it Swen’s army we’re fighting now, not Serpina’s?”

Of course, it wasn’t that the generals of the Lunarian army were unaware of the current situation.

“Strategist, will this really be alright? If we continue this war of attrition, I’m concerned that even after proper unification, a new period of chaos might follow…”

Violet approached Ginor, who was playing chess alone, and asked.

Tak, tak.

The sound of him placing pieces on the table filled the quiet room.

Ginor, repeating movements that had no meaning to either the black or white side, said:

“Miss Violet. What do you think of Lord Lunarian?”

It was a somewhat abrupt question, but Violet, who had been studying under Ginor and was being groomed as his virtual successor, seemed familiar with this situation and answered without hesitation.

“…She was truly a brilliant person. In chaotic times, she refused to take the easy path and knew to wait until the perfect method came to her hands. I believe Luna’s righteous nature greatly influenced her ability to gain an advantage over Vanessa and bring down the Karelia army.”

Tak.

“I’m concerned about your use of ‘was’ brilliant.”

“…”

Violet bowed her head with an expression that looked like she might cry.

It was like the face of an adolescent girl who had realized that her parents weren’t such good people from an objective viewpoint.

“I don’t know. The current Luna… doesn’t seem like the person I used to know and follow. As much as I hate to admit it… I’m starting to think that Serpina might not have been as absolutely evil as portrayed.”

“There are two types of generals in this world. Those who pledge unwavering loyalty to their lord, and those who maintain their own identity and try to lead in what they believe is the right direction. It seems you, Violet, are closer to the latter.”

Ginor let out a light laugh and—

“Lord Lunarian is certainly an ideal sovereign. She possesses Karelia’s care for her territory’s people, Lynn’s charisma that captivates people, and Yurie’s benevolence that earns the trust of subordinate generals. And Serpina, in the end, is merely atoning for her sins rather than being evil. And—”

—there’s someone who has realized all these facts.

“That person…”

“Both Lord Lunarian and Serpina are greatly influenced by a specific individual. One abandoned the crown that was practically her reason for existence, and the other loses all reason and rushes into anything related to him.”

—Tak.

Checkmate.

The seemingly meaningless movements finally reached their conclusion—and only then did Ginor turn his head to look at Violet’s face.

“Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“…!”

Swen.

Both Luna and probably Serpina—everything changed when they became entangled with Swen.

That white-haired general wasn’t just a clever strategist. From the beginning, it felt as if everything on this continent was in that man’s hands.

The only two remaining countries ultimately just moved according to him.

One in the form of direct rule, the other through indirect influence.

“The battle entered a lull recently. I took that to mean that Lord Swen, who has become sovereign, has started something. If that’s the case, we shouldn’t cause unnecessary confusion for him with pointless actions. Think about it. If we were to tell the current Lord Lunarian, ‘We must temporarily halt the battle with Swen’s army,’ do you think she would accept those words at face value?”

“If she wouldn’t accept it, the reason would be—”

“Serpina.”

Ginor continued while stroking his beard.

“As long as Lord Lunarian remains bound to Serpina, only Swen, whose fate is deeply intertwined with both of them, can stop her. Advising her in this situation would only provoke Lord Lunarian further.”

“I see…”

Violet recalled his face from the prisoner exchange ceremony.

Does the fate of the continent rest with that man?

Are countless lives at stake?

“Well, have a little patience. Since it’s clear he’ll move soon—”

—Knock, knock, knock.

“Strategist. The news you asked to be informed of has arrived.”

Hearing the voice from beyond the door, Ginor let out a hollow laugh.

Truly, Swen was a man who existed beyond what he had imagined.

“…It seems he has begun to move.”

“What?”

Instead of answering, Ginor stood up and said to Violet—

“Miss Violet. Prepare to depart. Our destination will be the base camp where our lord is stationed.”

“The base camp? Are we leaving now? But our lord—”

“The national strategist has the discretion to move military officials. Besides, if we continue to stay here, we’ll miss something important.”

“What do you mean by ‘miss’…?”

Ginor smiled at Violet’s question.

That expression was more like an innocent child expecting something than a crafty strategist.

“The world is about to be turned upside down.”

* * *

Lunarian Army, Base Camp near the border.

A military official was kneeling before Luna, bowing his head.

“I apologize, my lord…! I will pay for my failure in this important battle with my life.”

Unlike the military official with a serious expression who didn’t know what to do—

Luna, who sat in the sovereign’s seat and had to bear all these consequences, answered with an extremely calm face.

“It’s fine. I didn’t expect much from you anyway.”

“My lord… khuuk…! However—”

“She wasn’t there either, was she? Serpina von Einhart.”

“…That is correct.”

“Well then, it’s fine. Go back and wait for the next order. Understood?”

Though she wore a clearly benevolent smile, Luna’s words somehow felt colder than ice… The military official couldn’t say anything and simply bowed before leaving the makeshift audience chamber.

After confirming the official had left, Luna immediately fell into thought.

‘It seems she’s hiding… Though it’s unlikely that woman herself realized I’m targeting her, and since it’s not her but Swen who has ascended to the throne—’

—Is she hiding behind Swen?

Luna tapped her fingers on the armrest of the throne.

The sound of tapping echoed throughout the small audience chamber.

‘It’s fine. If she hides, I’ll just keep knocking until she crawls out. That’s the best way to deal with vermin, isn’t it?’

Anyway, should I set a trap if I want to confront her?

As she was thinking about visiting Ginor after a long time to seek wisdom—

“My lord, excuse my intrusion.”

“Come in.”

A soldier entered and knelt before Luna.

“An envoy from Swen’s army has arrived.”

“…An envoy?”

What’s this?

There’s no particular reason for them to come?

It’s not like they need a prisoner exchange more urgently than we do, and I was planning to refuse any peace treaty even if Swen himself came.

At that moment.

‘No. This might be an opportunity!’

Luna immediately regained her composure.

If Swen’s army had sent an envoy, it meant there was room for negotiation with Swen.

If so—couldn’t she make the first proposal?

‘I’ll accept any offer, even a peace treaty or surrender recommendation. Just one condition—hand over Serpina von Einhart.’

In truth, she didn’t think Swen would agree to this proposal.

If he would, Swen would have been by her side instead of Ginor long ago.

Nevertheless, she thought this would allow her to convey her firm resolve to Swen. That alone seemed meaningful enough.

‘Hehehe… Swen. Someday you’ll realize it too. That only I am worthy of being by your side…!!’

Luna smiled like a woman in love.

And—

* * *

“My lord summons you.”

“I understand.”

A woman with golden hair and golden eyes, born with the destiny of an absolute being.

A woman who loves the same person as her—carefully nods to the soldier and—

Step by step.

Advances toward the fateful meeting room.