Ch.57Chapter 57. The End of the Lord-Vassal Relationship

Turning back time a bit, a few days before making the proposal to Lynn.

“A letter?”

“Yes. I have somewhere to send it. I just finished writing it.”

“Right. You said you had something to tell me? Wait a moment.”

After finishing the letter, I explained my future plans briefly while drinking the tea Irene had brewed.

“You’re sending me back to the battlefield?”

“Yes. As the administrator of the newly constructed fortress, you’ll receive full authority to command approximately 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers.”

“Full authority… But I’m not sure if that’s possible. My lord doesn’t trust me that much. In the previous fortress, it was essentially an order to die, so she might have handed it over momentarily, but leading an entirely new force is a different story.”

“We’ll use that to our advantage.”

“To our advantage?”

Irene asked with an intrigued expression.

“Lynn is strangely eager to eliminate you. So, we just need to set up a situation where that’s possible. If giving you full authority is the only way she can eliminate you, wouldn’t she do exactly that?”

“She needs to give me full authority to eliminate me…? I don’t quite understand what you mean… Anyway, specifically what kind of authority would I receive?”

I spoke with a confident tone.

“I plan to propose building a fortress in the front yard of Valharat Castle. And I intend to have you temporarily gain full authority over that fortress.”

“Valharat Castle… you mean the capital of the Aeshus Army?”

“Yes.”

“Why? No matter what you say, my lord is fundamentally suspicious by nature. Without any basis, if I just say ‘let’s build a fortress to attack the Aeshus Army,’ the chances of her agreeing are low.”

“I’ll create a situation where she can’t refuse. I have something prepared.”

“Prepared…”

Irene tilted her head momentarily, still not having all her questions answered.

But soon she smiled faintly and said.

“Alright, Swen. If you say you’ve prepared something, I’ll simply believe it. Even if you present the most implausible opinion, I’ve sworn to take up my sword for you.”

“I’m grateful for your trust.”

“So, what should I do once I get full authority? I don’t think you want me to fight the Aeshus Army as is. Even if I were to start a rebellion, it’s impossible with a fortress rather than a castle.”

Yes.

Why did I set up such a complicated situation?

It was time to explain that.

“Make contact with Baranga Yurie Aeshus, the ruler of the Aeshus Army.”

“Contact her and?”

I looked straight into her eyes and said.

“Surrender to her.”

“…!!”

Only then did Irene, who had maintained a calm tone, falter.

“Surrender to her…”

“Yes. Our new lord will be Baranga Yurie Aeshus of the Aeshus Army.”

We needed to leave the Brans Army.

The most important reason was to save Irene Juliette, who stood before me.

Inevitably, if she remained here, she would eventually lose her life at Lynn’s hands.

Now that I had succeeded in changing her loyal heart, leaving this place as quickly as possible was the only way to ensure her safety.

But—this was merely my own justification; it couldn’t be helped if outsiders saw us as traitors.

That part didn’t matter much to me.

After all, I was planning to eventually return to Lunarian, the lord who would unify the continent.

So far, so good.

However, simply surrendering with Irene wouldn’t be meaningful.

If we resigned from the Brans Army, inevitably Irene and I would incur Lynn Brans’s enmity, and regardless of her temperament, we couldn’t deny that she currently held considerable power.

In the worst case, I couldn’t rule out the possibility that Irene and I might be captured and killed by her.

Therefore, we needed to take as many surplus soldiers as possible to disrupt the balance of the Brans Army.

That’s why I was fixated on creating a situation where Irene would gain full authority over a fortress.

With full authority, we could take all the soldiers with us when surrendering!

Of course, since we’d be taking the soldiers with us, we were limited to border countries that could provide solid support immediately after surrender—

But that was fine, since empowering a country adjacent to the border would be the most efficient way to shake the Brans Army anyway.

So what remained was just one thing.

Which country should we go to?

The Brans Army was located in the exact center of the continent, with borders in all directions.

There were many countries on the map, but ultimately they could be divided into four main branches.

First, the north. The Serpina Army.

Serpina von Einhart was a tyrant. Even if we went to surrender, she might just behead us on a whim. She was famous for not showing mercy to enemy generals.

From the beginning, our surrender wouldn’t be of much merit to her. Although we’d be approaching in submission, dealing with such an overwhelmingly powerful entity would be problematic in many ways.

Moreover, after already suffering a defeat in the north at Kalintz’s hands, it would be difficult to persuade Lynn, the ruler, to advance north again.

In other words, she was out of the question. Pass.

Second, one of the two countries bordering the south.

Not a bad option. However… they would likely refuse to accept Irene and me to avoid creating friction with the Brans Army.

From the moment they accepted traitors, they would inevitably become enemies with the Brans Army, and with the southern continent still unconquered, incurring the Brans Army’s enmity wouldn’t be a pleasant prospect for them.

If they refused to accept us after we had built a fortress and extracted soldiers, it would be extremely problematic.

Decisively, there was a possibility we would have to fight against Lunarian in the Karelia Army, which wasn’t adjacent to the border.

Third. The small countries in the western central continent.

These were also out of the question. From the beginning, given enough time, the Brans Army’s flag would inevitably be planted there. Pass.

The fourth was the Aeshus Army in the east.

Although she hadn’t yet dealt with the Charam Army and the Allepel Army, she was clearly the most powerful force in the east.

Despite having a small territory, she had many S-class generals, and with additional soldiers, she could become the greatest threat to the Brans Army.

In other words, the soldiers and fortress we could hand over would be extremely tempting not only for us but also from the Aeshus Army’s perspective.

Therefore, even if it meant becoming enemies with the Brans Army, there was a high probability they would accept our surrender declaration and protect us.

After all, for the Aeshus Army to stretch its wings, it would have to push back the Brans Army anyway.

There were many countries, but when organized like this, there was only one place left for us to go.

“Baranga Yurie Aeshus is an extremely wise woman. She will quickly realize that gaining us would be beneficial, not detrimental. Moreover, from my estimation, the Aeshus Army likely has a very wise strategist. They’ll probably be quick to calculate the advantages and disadvantages. They’re most likely to accept us.”

Of course.

This path wouldn’t be entirely smooth.

But to save Irene, this was the only way.

“Both you and I will incur the enmity of the Brans Army for our betrayal, but as members of the Aeshus Army, we won’t be easily defeated.”

“About there being a strategist… may I ask the basis for that?”

“They tried to deceive our army by using the Allepel Army and the Charam Army.”

This ‘betrayal’ strategy is one that can’t be used without an intelligence of at least 95 and the [Betrayal] specialty.

Whoever it is, there must certainly be someone with a good mind there.

“I see… Baranga Yurie Aeshus.”

Irene fell into thought for a moment, then asked me very carefully.

“But the final destination isn’t the Aeshus Army, is it?”

“That’s right. When Lunarian’s army eventually rises, I plan to go there.”

“I see…”

After saying that, she wore a serious expression.

I thought I knew why she had such an expression.

Irene was fundamentally a person of deep loyalty.

Even if her loyalty was misplaced, it meant she placed great importance on the lord-vassal relationship.

From her perspective, constantly changing lords like a migratory bird would probably bother her.

Following me meant wandering around like I did.

I bowed my head slightly to her.

“I’m sorry, Irene.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Because of me, you have to serve different lords continuously. I don’t think that’s very pleasant for you. I wanted to apologize for that.”

Hearing my words, Irene began to wave her hands.

“Hmm…? No, no, Swen. It’s fine. That’s not a problem.”

“Irene…?”

“I was just… worried about what would happen if they were suspicious of you in the Aeshus Army. I have a plausible reason for being disliked by my lord, but you don’t. They probably won’t just welcome a general who suddenly comes to surrender… Because of me, you’re taking on the stigma of a traitor, and that seems to be making things difficult for you… I’m just worried about how to safely get you to Lord Lunarian.”

“…”

“Isn’t that right? You could easily make a name for yourself here in Brans. No, it would be easier. You’ve already shown and proven things here. So… I can’t help but notice that leaving this place is an action for me, not for someone else.”

To me, frozen in surprise at her words, she spoke as if stating something completely obvious.

“I’m fine, Swen. My belief is to protect you. Who I serve doesn’t matter at that point.”

She said that and smiled brightly at me.

Her face, illuminated by the lantern, was more beautiful than at any other moment… and without realizing it, I blurted out my true feelings.

“Irene. While you protect me, I will also definitely protect you. Even if I have to bear a stigma worse than that of a traitor. And… when that time comes…”

“…When that time comes…?”

“…”

I scratched my cheek.

And just as I was about to open my mouth—

“Swen.”

Irene reached out and placed her hand on mine.

Then, with an incredibly benevolent smile, she said to me.

“It doesn’t have to be now. When everything is over… make sure to tell me. I’ll be waiting.”

“…!”

My face was burning hot.

I had always thought I had the upper hand when talking with Irene.

Not that I was superior, but she… had a strangely peculiar side.

Her expressions were more varied than I had thought.

Whenever I said something, she always seemed to be led by me… or so I thought.

At this moment.

I couldn’t deny it.

At this moment, she was overwhelming me in this conversation.

Do you know, Irene?

I…

“Well then, I just need to wait for my lord’s command, right?”

“Huh? Oh… yes, that’s right.”

“Good. Soon we’ll be saying goodbye to this house too. I’ve grown somewhat attached to it.”

She stood up and cleared the table.

“It’s getting late. Let’s go to sleep soon. We’ll be busy from now on.”

After saying that, as she always did, she sat down leaning against the wall instead of using the bed.

I got up, turned off the lantern, and…

Instead of going to the bed, I headed to sit beside her.

“Swen…?”

“Let’s sleep together today, Irene.”

“…!!!”

Despite the darkness, I could tell her face had turned red.

She fumbled awkwardly for a while, not knowing what to do—

Then.

“…Okay.”

After saying that, she rested her head on my shoulder.

I also rested my face on top of her head.

We spent the night together like that, leaning on each other, during our remaining time in the Brans Army.

* * *

“…”

Unlike Swen, who had fallen asleep early.

Irene couldn’t sleep for a long time, staring at his sleeping face with a flushed face.

“Irene. While you protect me, I will also definitely protect you. Even if I have to bear a stigma worse than that of a traitor. And… when that time comes…”

Thump, thump.

Even now, her heart was beating as if it would burst.

Her chest was hot. Her stomach was tingling.

So… she hastily cut off his words.

If the expected words had burst from his lips… she thought it might distract him before an important task.

Of course, half of her thought differently.

It would be more accurate to say she quickly changed the subject because her heart felt like it would burst, because she was embarrassed.

‘Swen…’

She knew it too.

That Swen wanted to leave this place to protect her.

The man who had risked his life for her.

Now he was willing to throw away his guaranteed promising position for her sake.

Suddenly that scene came to mind.

In the fortress, when he embraced her after she returned defeated, saying he was glad she was alive.

‘…’

The unfamiliar emotion she felt for the first time continued to stimulate her.

But if this was her heart…

Irene had no intention of going against it.

And so—

Irene spent the night feeling his warmth, unable to sleep for a long time.

*

A few days later, at the royal castle of Anel.

Irene, summoned by Lynn, was kneeling and listening attentively to her lord’s words.

“Irene. You’ve worked hard recently.”

“Not at all. I only did what I had to do. It’s enough that I was of help to my lord.”

Lynn looked at Irene bowing before her and smiled kindly.

And then… she began to act exactly as Swen had predicted.

“I believe in your abilities, and I’d like to use you again this time.”

“Yes!”

Irene bowed her head even lower and spoke boldly.

“Give me any mission. I will follow.”

“Good. I’m very pleased.”

Lynn smiled and said.

“I’m thinking of invading the Aeshus Army in the east. I think I’ll need your help with that.”

As soon as she heard those words, Swen’s voice flashed through Irene’s mind.

‘…Your words were right, Swen.’

Irene slowly closed her eyes.

And in her heart… she bid farewell to the one lord she had once so desperately wanted to serve.

Goodbye, my lord… no, Lynn Brans.

I wish you good health, she thought.

“Won’t you go and achieve merit, Irene?”

“Yes! I understand!”

Irene answered with a more valiant voice than ever before.

That was the end of this lord-vassal relationship.