episode_0058

*

After breaking up with Swen, who said, ‘I will join you soon.’

Arriving at Lacline Castle, located at the easternmost point, Irene was able to run into Farfalle, who was about to leave the castle at just the right time.

“General Irene?”

“It’s been a while, Teacher. Are you on a mission?”

“I was just about to go back… … General, what are you doing here?”

Iren responded to Farfalle’s words by slightly lowering her head.

“I have been assigned here by order of my lord. I would like to carry out a mission at Rockline Castle in the future.”

“Is that so… … ?”

Upon hearing those words, Farfalle tilted her head and was lost in thought.

Lord Lin is deploying Airen to the eastern border?

Deploying on the border meant that, at least in Brans County, they believed in the general’s abilities and used them in important places.

In fact, there were many generals along the border who were far superior to the generals stationed in castles other than the border.

But Lin hated Iren extremely much.

Therefore, no matter how much advice I gave her, I could never think of using her seriously.

Although he himself remonstrated several times, he seemed to have given up half the time.

But she personally deployed Irene to the Eastern Front, currently the most important front in Brans County?

Since Farfalle was all the way east, there was no time to give her any advice.

‘What on earth is going on…? … ?’

Was it the sense of a trickster?

As she wondered if something unexpected was happening, Irene lightly greeted her.

“Then please excuse me first, sir.”

“Ah… … Okay.”

After Irene left.

Farfalle took out a letter from his pocket.

This letter… … It was from Swen.

[Mr. Farfalle. It looks like something unusual is going to happen on the southern border. I would like to go there in person, but I am unable to do so because I need the lord’s approval and have work to do. Since you have the authority to act freely without the master’s approval, we ask you to confirm this as quickly as possible.]

At first, I wondered why he sent this letter to me instead of speaking directly to my lord.

In fact, it was not something she could not understand at all, as she had lived with Lin in Brans County for a long time.

Lin had an extremely picky personality. Since it was hit so hard in the north, it was probably quite low pressure.

From the perspective of a new general, it would be difficult to freely express one’s opinion to such a lord.

Of course, Swen had performed several incredible miracles, and was actually smart enough to see through the plans of the Aishous army, but-

The king of a country was a monarch, not a strategist or general, and the trustworthiness of a monarch was not directly proportional to his outstanding ability.

When I first received the letter, I just ignored it and tried to return to Annel Castle to assess the situation and head south…

Farfalle had a great deal of trust in Swen due to a series of events he had experienced in the East.

‘It’s not that far away, so it would be okay to go and check for a moment.’

Isn’t there Chell Brans, the first sword of Brans, on the southern border?

Even if something happens, it won’t take too long to fix it if you can provide a solution.

okay.

It would be okay to take a quick photo.

Farfalle’s trust in Swen, gained by seeing through the plan-

He was making her do what Swen wanted.

*

It hasn’t been long since I was appointed.

As expected, orders were given to Iren to build a fortress.

The fort was built very quickly.

Unlike in the north, where bricks were used for meticulous construction, the building was constructed with a rough wooden frame and a modest roof.

It’s a good thing these days, but if you play well at this level, it’s safe to say that it’s a ‘jin’ level.

Of course, from Iren’s perspective, it didn’t matter.

There was no major problem with stationing soldiers, and the longer construction took, the more likely it was that the position would become more ambiguous.

“Thank you all for your hard work. So that it can wait for a follow-up command.”

“”Yes! Okay!!””

The soldiers’ loud shouts pierced the sky.

Usually, most of the construction of forts was the responsibility of soldiers.

The commander literally only managed/supervised, and never directly carried materials.

However, Irene lived a life not much different from the soldiers, sweating, eating, and sleeping with them throughout the construction of the fortress.

Perhaps the sight itself was enough to boost morale for the soldiers.

There was a case in the north where a recently built fortress was immediately destroyed.

To put it simply, it was inevitable that he would be compared to a commander who was spinning his wheels.

The day the fortress was installed.

Not long after, a soldier was riding towards this place on horseback.

Seeing that the Brans Army emblem was engraved on it, it appeared to be a friendly soldier.

‘Is it a messenger…? … ?’

Irene sensed anxiety for a moment.

Did Rin notice something?

When I was thinking about what to do if she ordered me to return-

The soldier approached Irene and took off the helmet that covered his face.

Iren knew very well who this soldier was.

“… … Swen?”

* * *

After arriving in front of the startled Irene, I slowly got off the horse and said,

“Irene. You have successfully built a fortress. Well, it seems closer to Jinn than it is these days.”

She listened to me and smiled as if she was very happy to see me.

“I was wondering when I would join… … I didn’t know you would come as a soldier.”

“If they think I’ve disappeared, I might get in trouble. You might think that you are in contact with the sky inside a cave.”

okay.

Why do I go there regularly and spend hours, sometimes all day?

It was to make people aware of the image that ‘a person named Swen often meditates there to get in touch with the sky.’

We’d probably get caught later anyway, but from our perspective, buying a little time was enough.

The key is ultimately to buy time.

In order to buy time, he sent a letter to the bookman Farfalle, inducing him to walk in vain, and overcome the boring time in the cave.

I had to surrender as quickly as possible without Rin noticing.

“Is there anything else to talk about yet?”

“That’s right. There wasn’t even an order to advance yet. It looks like a messenger will arrive soon.”

“Good. Let’s quickly contact Acious.”

“Okay. Before that, I have work to do.”

“Something to do?”

Iren nodded.

“I need to talk to the soldiers. I’m thinking of changing my master from now on. If I don’t think they agree, I plan to send it back.”

“Yes… … ?”

As I was unable to hide my confusion at the unexpected word, she spoke in a very straight tone.

“Isn’t it obvious? Because you and I are not the only ones who have the right to choose a lord.”

‘… … .’

wait for a sec.

Systemically, unconditionally… … When a general who gained full authority surrendered, the soldiers under him changed their affiliation.

Ian’s rebellion has already proven that the system is followed to some extent, so is there a need to go that far?

… … After thinking about this, I felt like I was once again reminded of how weak this thought was.

If you think about it, isn’t Iren like that too?

Through the game, it was impossible to know what thoughts she had or what insults she endured to stay under Rin.

Is it her pride?

The pride of a commander who did not treat his soldiers roughly.

‘… … I guess I’ll trust Irene here.’

There may have been some deviation due to Iren giving the choice, but in any case, it was a world where the prediction of 100 intelligence was exactly correct.

Here, I wanted to choose to protect her pride rather than efficiency.

“Okay. Then, let’s leave the ones who stay behind and let the ones who leave go.”

“Um.”

After saying that, she slowly walked away.

I followed Irene.

*

The highest point of the fortress.

At best, it was a small fortress, so it was only about the height of a two-story building, but in any case, Irene stood in a place that was just right to attract the soldiers’ attention and began to speak loudly.

” Gentlemen, listen!”

The soldiers were all looking up at Iren.

It’s been quiet so far… … As the next sentence came out, a little murmuring began to be heard.

“I plan to change my master from now on!”

The soldiers were perplexed and each showed different reactions.

Like looking at the face of the soldier next to me, or looking at Irene in fascination.

Irene simply explained her intentions to the soldiers.

“There are detailed circumstances, but I know very well that in the end it is just a traitor’s excuse. I have no intention of asking you to understand me. Of course, I understand that this decision may be difficult to accept for those of you who have worked hard as members of the Brans Army. So, you may leave this fortress, except for those who will come with me!”

“… … .”

“Those who want to leave can leave immediately! It’s okay if you don’t notice!”

“… … .”

And surprisingly.

The soldiers just looked up to her, not a single one leaving their position.

Irene was confused for a moment.

“Irene.”

When I gently placed my hand on her shoulder from the side, she regained her composure and shouted again in a loud voice.

“I will assume that those who remain will follow me. There will be no complaints!”

And starting with those words-

Only then were their voices heard from the group of soldiers.

“No!”

“The person we will be serving is General Irene!”

“I will follow General Irene!”

“Please take us away!”

“… … .”

I thought about it.

Is this an act of coercion by the ‘system’?

I can assure you that it will not happen.

Although this was a world created based on a game, it was stark reality.

Just as the James I met had his own microcosm, those soldiers also had the right to choose a worthy superior to serve.

Irene… … It must have definitely captured their hearts.

I could tell, having continued to travel long distances with her.

How much the soldiers trust and follow Iren.

The trajectory she walked, and the hearts of the soldiers who want to follow that trajectory… … It is not a ‘system’ or anything like that.

And so the speech ended.

In conclusion, we were able to secure a total of 38,000 soldiers without a single soldier leaving.

Now there is only one thing left.

It was to meet Baranga Yuuri Acious.

* * *

On the day of the speech.

A soldier rode to Balharat Castle on horseback, carrying a letter containing his intention to surrender.

And a few days later.

“There, a soldier from the Aishous army is coming!”

A soldier on horseback was running towards this place.

He carefully carried the red flag that symbolized Acious County.

When he arrived at the fortress, he passed through the gate without difficulty and arrived in front of Irene.

I could clearly feel that the attire was strangely different from Brans’s.

However, if there is a familiar mark, it would be that he is wearing a red armband.

He seemed to be a messenger sent as an envoy to convey the opinions of the Aishous Army.

“Are you really General Irene?”

“That’s right.”

“Master Baranga Yuuri Acious said he would like to talk. Not far away, he set up a light camp accompanied by soldiers. I would like to take you there.”

“Um.”

good.

It seemed like he was listening.

If you would just listen to me… … Somehow, we will be able to make a breakthrough.

‘Let’s go see the new master’s face.’

I, Irene, and a small group of soldiers followed behind the messenger from the Aishous Army.