Chapter 318

Sister Marianna’s letter was handed to Count Lambert.

Count Lambert cherished his younger sister more than anyone else.

He was also the first to notice that his sister had been chosen by God.

But he kept it a secret.

Because he didn’t want to let his only sister go.

However, Marianna eventually realized that she was a special person who had received God’s revelation.

She decided to leave.

The story of Count Lambert weeping bitterly as he sent his sister away was well known.

Few people knew that his tears were mixed with guilt for keeping his sister’s special ability a secret.

I knew, because I had heard it from him personally.

Anyway,

‘It will definitely work.’

I was certain.

This plan had been meticulously crafted, utilizing all the information I had gathered.

Professor Lawrence’s impulsive action had actually helped.

This was bound to succeed.

I waited patiently for the next development.

* * *

Count Lambert’s hands trembled as he checked the seal on the letter.

The emblem of two crossed bows.

It was undoubtedly the Lambert family’s seal.

And there were only three people who could use this seal.

Himself, Lawrence, and Marianna.

His sister, who had joined the Church, had technically lost the right to use the family seal, but he had insisted on giving it to her.

‘It’s definitely her.’

After confirming multiple times that the seal wasn’t a forgery, Count Lambert broke it.

And then,

*Rustle.*

A tarnished silver cross necklace fell out.

Count Lambert’s eyes widened.

He recognized it instantly.

It was the necklace he had given his sister as a farewell gift fifteen years ago, when she left the family.

“…It’s definitely her.”

He muttered, his voice trembling.

This was definitely his sister’s letter.

He hurriedly unfolded the letter.

His sister’s familiar handwriting came into view.

He knew his sister’s character better than anyone.

The fact that she had asked someone else to deliver this letter meant that it was important.

He took a deep breath and started reading.

– My dearest Count Lambert, or rather, my beloved brother,

I’m writing this letter not as Sister Marianna, but as your younger sister.

I’m hesitant to write to you at a time like this, as a sister who has left the family.

But this is a matter of great importance, so I’ve gathered my courage to write to you.

But it’s still difficult.

Because what I’m about to tell you is God’s revelation.

‘God’s revelation?’

Count Lambert paused.

If anyone else had said that, he would have dismissed it as nonsense.

But his sister was different.

He was the first person to witness the miracle that God had bestowed upon her.

He swallowed nervously.

And then, he continued reading.

– Perhaps I’m doing something wrong.

No, I’m definitely sinning.

As a servant of God, I shouldn’t be revealing His revelation to anyone.

But I’m writing this letter, overcoming my fear.

Even now, as a nun… my family is still precious to me.

So I have one request.

Please don’t tell anyone what’s written in this letter.

Help me avoid committing a greater sin.

“Marianna…”

Count Lambert’s hand trembled as he held the letter.

‘Good, very good.’

Max, who was watching him, suppressed a smile.

He could see the emotions welling up on Count Lambert’s face.

Yes, that’s right.

That’s what a human lord should be like.

“Phew.”

Count Lambert took a deep breath and turned his attention to the most important part of the letter.

– I don’t know much about the complex political situation in the empire.

But I can tell you God’s revelation.

And that revelation is…

That Princess Oscar will win this war.

“What?!”

Count Lambert jumped to his feet, his face pale with shock.

“What’s wrong, my lord?!”

“What happened?!”

The officials exclaimed in surprise.

But Count Lambert quickly regained his composure and sat back down, waving his hand dismissively.

“It’s nothing. I was just lost in thought.”

At that moment,

Lawrence, who had stepped back, moved.

“What does the letter say? I must see it.”

“Don’t be so hasty.”

“Brother!”

“I told you!”

A conflict between brothers.

Max, who knew the contents of the letter, had already anticipated this.

‘The Count won’t back down.’

He smiled inwardly.

As he had expected, Lawrence eventually backed down.

His face was grim.

He hadn’t imagined that a single letter brought by an envoy would lead to this.

Count Lambert continued reading the letter, his face still grim.

– That’s all I wanted to tell you.

I’m not capable of judging such complex matters.

I believe that you will make a wise decision after hearing this.

I’ll be praying for the well-being of our family here.

Sincerely,

Marianna Lambert, who always loves her family.

“…”

Count Lambert lowered the letter, his gaze fixed on the empty air.

His mind was in turmoil.

He was a man of principles.

He valued trust.

Betraying someone was something he could never tolerate.

But,

‘…The princess will win?’

He closed his eyes.

This was different.

This was a matter that transcended social reputation and the honor of a noble family.

It was a matter of life and death for his family.

And it was a sign that he had made the wrong choice.

That’s why his devout sister had risked revealing God’s revelation and sent him this letter.

‘I… I have to correct this.’

He clenched his fists, his lips pressed into a thin line.

His reputation didn’t matter.

What mattered was his family.

His family name.

His people.

He had made up his mind.

“Bring me my bow!”

He shouted, his voice filled with authority, and jumped to his feet.

The officials were dumbfounded by his sudden action.

Lawrence frowned.

“What are you doing, brother?”

“I said bring me my bow!”

Count Lambert roared again, and a knight hurriedly brought him a bow that was hanging on the wall.

The Black Eagle, the symbol and heirloom of the Lambert family.

Count Lambert grabbed the large black bow.

“An arrow!”

“Y-Yes, my lord!”

The knight who had brought him the bow presented him with an arrow.

Count Lambert nocked the arrow without hesitation.

*Creak!*

The bowstring stretched taut.

The arrow was aimed at Max.

“M-My lord! Please don’t kill the envoy…”

“C-Calm down!”

The officials pleaded.

Lawrence, on the other hand, had a strange expression on his face.

He knew better than anyone that his brother wasn’t the type to kill an envoy.

He had been like that until just now, so there was no reason for him to suddenly change his attitude.

‘What did my sister’s letter say…?’

It was then that,

*Twang!*

Count Lambert released the arrow.

*Whoosh!*

But the arrow changed direction at the last moment.

*Thud!*

It pierced through a large map that was spread out on the table, where they had been holding their war council.

The arrow had struck the center of the map, where the Imperial City was located.

Where Crown Prince Adolf was currently residing.

The meaning was clear to everyone.

“Gasp?!”

“Brother, what are you doing?!”

“M-My lord?!”

Lawrence and the officials were shocked.

Count Lambert lowered his bow and said in a voice filled with authority, “From this moment forward, we turn our backs on the patricide and pledge our allegiance to Princess Oscar! Those who oppose this decision will meet the same fate as this map!”

Everyone was stunned into silence.

Except for one person.

Max.

* * *

“U-Urgent report! Urgent report!”

A messenger shouted, his voice hoarse.

Adolf frowned.

“What is it now?”

“T-The Lambert family…”

“The Lambert family?”

Adolf’s languid expression vanished.

A bad feeling washed over him.

“What about the Lambert family?”

“They’ve betrayed us! They’ve sided with the traitorous princess!”

“What?!”

*Crash!*

Adolf stomped his foot, shattering the floor of the throne room.

His rage was immense.

The Lambert family, a key family in the central region that he had put so much effort into winning over,

Instead of dealing a blow to that damn Celtrine bastard, they had stabbed him in the back.

Even a saint wouldn’t be able to tolerate this.

And Adolf was far from a saint.

“Those damn traitors! How dare they! How dare they betray me?!”

He flew into a rage.

This time, even Galbraith couldn’t calm him down.

He wasn’t in the right state of mind.

He was the one who had been in charge of winning over the Lambert family.

He was the one who had confidently declared that the Celtrine army wouldn’t be able to advance any further.

Because he knew that Count Lambert wasn’t the type to betray them.

But,

The unthinkable had happened.

“Impossible! Tell me again! Are you sure the Lambert family has betrayed us?”

Galbraith, unlike his usual calm self, was agitated.

“Y-Yes! It’s true! I confirmed it multiple times! Count Lambert opened the gates and welcomed the Celtrine army!”

“Ugh, impossible.”

Galbraith grimaced and clutched his forehead.

“I’ll kill them all! I’ll personally lead an army and slaughter those damn traitors!”

Adolf roared, demanding to lead an army again.

The officials had to work hard to calm him down, their bodies trembling with fear.

The atmosphere in the Imperial Palace was in turmoil.

* * *

“Hahaha, today is a joyous occasion, as we welcome a new ally. Let us all set aside our burdens and enjoy ourselves.”

Count Lambert said.

It was an unusual banquet, considering that they had been enemies just a short while ago.

But it was a banquet that demonstrated the Count’s resolve.

It was a way to show everyone how determined he was to switch sides.

When a leader’s will was this strong, even those who had objections wouldn’t dare to voice them.

“Thank you for the warm welcome, Count Lambert.”

I played along.

It didn’t matter that this alliance had been formed hastily.

What mattered was whether it would last.

And this alliance would last until the end of the civil war.

So I couldn’t help but smile and enjoy the banquet.

“I commend your wise decision.”

Regina also played along.

She also knew how significant this victory was.

Five thousand elite soldiers who had been supporting the Crown Prince had switched sides.

It was a double blow to the Crown Prince and a double gain for us.

And with this, we had practically secured control over the western part of the central region.

The Crown Prince’s ambition to conquer the central region, riding on the momentum of his capture of the Imperial City, had been completely thwarted.

By my consecutive victories on the battlefield, the Crown Prince’s defeat at Celtrine Castle, my swift southward advance, and the Lambert family’s betrayal.

‘I’ve done too much.’

I smiled, a glint in my eyes.

The Crown Prince must be furious, and the princess must also be feeling uneasy.

But it couldn’t be helped.

I knew from the beginning that I couldn’t walk the same path as the princess.

‘Let’s see what you’ve got, Your Highness.’

I smirked.