episode_0136

* * *

On the way back to the castle, Karelia turned her head and looked at Vanessa.

“Vanessa.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Isn’t it enough if you’ve watched this much?”

Vanessa doesn’t answer anything, just lowers her head.

“Dissatisfaction with your policy is rising everywhere. I also think that your hard-line approach is a bit excessive. Many people are presenting opposing opinions. I think you might want to change your mind a little now.”

“Master. Do you remember General THAAD?”

“… … !”

THAAD ASTRON.

A general who played a major role in the Karelia army when it was still a wandering army.

The last information she heard was that he was currently working as the head of a mercenary group without belonging to any country.

“He was a man with greater capabilities than any other general in our military. He was a man who wanted to become his master’s shield, even sacrificing one of his eyes. No one can deny that his contribution was significant in being able to capture Madlan Castle. But my lord, what did you do with that man?”

“… … I told him we couldn’t be together anymore. Because they plundered Young Ji-min.”

After that incident, thousands of soldiers followed THAAD and left the country.

“If we had not plundered it at that time, we would have probably been defeated due to lack of military supplies, and Madlan Castle would not have been ours. Maybe this country itself never existed. It was an unavoidable choice.”

“But if we go to war and take away the assets of innocent citizens, how are we any different from the Serpina army?”

“At that time, he was not even our territory. They would have paid taxes to the enemy country and produced food for the enemy country’s soldiers.”

“Even if they belong to another country, Young Jimin is just Young Jimin. Just a few decades ago, everyone was from one country. Even if you are a citizen of an enemy country, how can you take this lightly?”

“That’s the point. My lord.”

Vanessa spoke in a somewhat strong tone, as if appealing.

“The fact that you think about such things is your lord’s weakness.”

“What… … ?”

“Master. These are difficult times. You should not think that you can conquer the world just by showing kindness or virtue. Of course, Vanessa also greatly sympathizes with the lord’s wishes. I will not deny that many people gathered here, drawn by the master’s cause. However, even if it is possible to establish a nation, Serpina cannot be destroyed.”

Overwhelming military power, outstanding determination, and even the only legitimacy of the old empire that no one could deny.

Vanessa’s judgment was that unless there was something clearly that could surpass her, it would be nearly impossible to defeat her and become a unified monarch on this continent.

“Our soldiers have not experienced war for a long time. Compared to other southern countries that experienced some degree of unrest, we have had a relatively long period of peace. Peace paradoxically causes the army and soldiers to rot little by little. In such a situation, if thorough discipline is not established, it is highly likely that it will be difficult to achieve even unification of the South, let alone Serpina County.”

“But… … Isn’t the association too serious? Not only that, but the criteria for being a warlord… … Shouldn’t we turn a blind eye to simple mistakes?”

“Simple mistakes add up to become huge mistakes, and if a huge mistake occurs, the situation will become irreparable?”

“!!!”

Vanessa said again, bowing her head again.

“I will be honest with you, my lord. Before I took power, our country’s military discipline was extremely lax. Does it make sense for a soldier to skip training in which everyone participates under the leadership of a general, citing trivial personal reasons? That’s what the soldier said. Master Karelia also values each and every one of our soldiers, so why are you doing this?”

“… … .”

“This is not a normal army. No, it wouldn’t matter in peaceful times, but it’s something that should never be seen like now. It is a law that there must be a top and a bottom in a country and military. If you don’t do that, you won’t be able to run normally.”

Karelia could not bear to deny Vanessa’s words.

“In order to root peace on the continent, and to prevent this continent from falling into the hands of the tyrant Serpina, we must build a winning army and a winning nation. There may be blood in the meantime. But don’t you think that when the world comes where your lord can become a unified monarch and carry out his will, it will be the day when true peace will come to everyone?”

“… … .”

“Master. I will bury the blood needed in that process. When the time comes to roll around in the dirty mud, you’ll be happy to do so. Even if others say that I am a cocky bitch trying to play monarch, I will gladly accept that stigma. Please, I earnestly ask you to consider my heart.”

“Vanessa… … .”

Karelia made eye contact with Vanessa.

And, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.

Because he knew very well how many things she had done for him.

There was some silence.

Vanessa immediately bowed her waist and spoke.

“Please forgive my rudeness, my lord.”

“No. Rude, where can there be such a thing between you and me?”

“… … It’s quite ridiculous to say this from the perspective of asking for forgiveness, but I think I would have been able to leave for the afterlife with peace of mind if you had just cut my head off for being rude.”

“You also tell some pretty clever jokes.”

Seeing Karelia smiling after saying those words, Vanessa made another promise.

No matter what I do, I will send you up to the sun in this sky.

* * *

“Thank you so much just now, Luna. Thanks to you, I survived.”

“No. Even if it wasn’t me, I think someone else would have done it.”

“That’s not true! really… … If it weren’t for Luna, who would have dared to rebel against Vanessa?”

After the regular meeting ends.

At Cecil’s request to spend time together after a long time, Luna was currently visiting her house.

It’s just a casual chat over tea, but-

This time felt quite special to both Cecil and Luna.

When Luna had just entered the Karelia army, wasn’t it Cecil who helped her the most to help her adapt safely?

From then on, I wanted to repay the favor someday, so this helped relieve some of the burden on my heart.

“By the way… … The girl next to me… … ?”

Cecil asked, looking at Violet standing quietly next to Luna.

“This is a child being cared for as a guardian.”

“Hello.”

Cecil responded with a kind smile.

“You have received support from someone you have a lot to learn from. I hope you can make good use of the blessings that have come your way.”

“Thank you. I will not forget what you said today.”

After saying a light congratulatory message, Cecil looked at Luna suggestively.

Luna noticed the nuance in which she was looking at herself and asked Violet with a smile.

“Violet. I’m sorry, but can you leave the room for a moment?”

Violet was the most perceptive of the three children under her care.

After quickly reading the subtle atmosphere flowing in this room, he bowed his head with an elegant gesture.

“Yes. Please come and talk slowly.”

So Violet leaves.

“You’re a very brave friend. The power in his eyes shows that he is a child who will achieve anything.”

“Thank you. From my perspective, it’s okay if I don’t achieve anything, so I just hope that you stay healthy… … .”

and.

Cecil slowly said what she really wanted to say.

“What do you think, Luna?”

“… … .”

As for what I think, I’m sure it’s about what happened just now.

No, beyond that – it would be safe to say that we are talking about Vanessa’s ‘politics of terror’.

I was hesitant about how to answer, so I tried my luck by first floating a little bit.

“What is the atmosphere in the capital city like?”

“Public sentiment is getting worse. Not only among the residents of the territory who were conscripted as soldiers, but also among the officers under his command… … Voices are growing louder that they cannot understand the manager’s decision.”

“Is that so… … .”

Luna looked blankly at the quiet teacup.

“On the surface, it may seem like we are building a strong army with strong discipline, but-”

After saying that, Cecil tapped the teacup in front of Luna with her finger.

With that, the world in the teacup, which had been breathtakingly quiet, shook.

“If there is just a small trigger… … I can’t shake the feeling that dissatisfaction is about to explode.”

“… … Isn’t there anyone who spoke to your lord separately?”

“Why not? I have been pleading with you several times. Including myself, General Mirion and General Gid also spoke.”

Mirion and Gid were senior generals who would have been sad to be second in command in the Karelia army.

It would be appropriate to say that they are almost like founding contributors.

“I understand what you mean, but I think it’s going too far. If things continue like this, internal problems will arise, and there is a possibility that we will become a ragtag group rather than a strong army. You can’t rule Young Ji-min with fear, right?”

“My lord… … ?”

“… … Haha.”

Cecil sighed deeply.

As she felt a strong sense of pride in being a member of the Karelia Army, her eyes were slightly trembling as if she was genuinely worried.

“It’s similar to what you just heard… … Military authority was delegated. It seems like you’ve decided to trust her for now… … .”

“But, are you just watching with open eyes your lord’s reign of terror? The master I know would never be like this-”

At Luna’s words, Cecil closed her eyes and nodded slowly.

“Yes. I think so too. but… … My lord, you must be feeling some kind of debt.”

“Are you talking about debt?”

“Vanessa was like her master’s shadow. Any monarch going through difficult times cannot always recite only good ideals. It is a position where you must have ideals in your heart, as well as the ability to take action, determination, and the readiness to get blood on your hands.”

and.

Willing to get blood on his hands –

No, the one who dipped her hands in a puddle of blood was none other than the state agent, Vanessa Trinity.

After saying that, Cecil let out a bitter laugh.