episode_0172

* * *

“You’re in quite a hurry this morning.”

“I have a call from my lord.”

As I was getting ready to leave, Irene looked worried.

“By the way, Swen. Come to think of it, there is a story I heard.”

“A story?”

“I know you well, so I know that’s not true, but… … Swen, you and your lord Serphina… … There is a rumor going around that the relationship is becoming a bit inappropriate.”

“… … Yes?”

I was wondering what kind of nonsense this was, but when I put Irene’s case in perspective, I felt like I understood it right away.

okay. Irene is not the only one who is being secretly kept in check.

Just as many people, including senior Zenith, are dissatisfied with Irene, who has just arrived from another country, as the second-in-command of the occupation army –

It wouldn’t be strange for her to keep me in check, as I’m constantly being called and giving advice in a place that’s especially close to her.

Coincidentally, I was Serpina’s opposite sex. It goes without saying that strange scandals are more likely to spread than that of Irene, who is of the same sex.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean I think that way. In fact, I reprimanded those who said that. However, I know very well that it is difficult if a bad reputation continues to spread within the country… … .”

Iren said that and let out a small sigh.

Well, she probably knows better than anyone else what it feels like to be buried in bad rumors in a group.

I had the experience of being everyone’s target and not being able to hang out with anyone, even though I had done a great job by Lynn Brans.

I responded bravely with a smile.

“Don’t worry, Irene. Am I the kind of person who would be swayed by rumors like this? If you really want to do anything, take Reika and throw a few fireballs at her. ”

Irene laughed at my joke.

“Okay. If that’s the case, I’m glad… … Ah, Swen. Is it okay if I ask you something?”

“Which one?”

Irene paused for a moment, then asked in a cautious tone.

“I was curious about what they usually talked about when Serpina called.”

“Well, it’s about the future situation on the continent… … Is that so? First of all, I am acting as a strategist.”

I honestly feel like I’m closer to a prophet than a strategist, but anyway, the kids with the highest intelligence in this game were the strategists.

“Really? Other than that, there’s nothing else going on, right?”

“Yes.”

For a moment, the scent of citron that was in my mouth when I met Serpina’s lips came to mind, but I just answered ‘yes’.

“I see. Thank goodness.”

“But why are you curious about that?”

“Huh? What is that… … Swen, you too are a stranger here with me… … I was wondering if I was being tested for something. Of course, I don’t think my lord would do something like that… … .”

“You’re doing a pretty good job, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

“Okay. yes. Oh, and lastly-”

Irene hesitated for a moment again and spoke.

“If Lord Lunarien establishes a nation… … Are we leaving right away?”

“… … .”

It was strange.

Why didn’t I get an answer right away?

From the moment I thought it would be right to answer “yes” without much hesitation—

I realize that I have been thinking like this.

If Luna establishes a country, of course I will have to pass on it. That was the promise.

Even when I was in Brans County and Aceers County, that thought did not change at all.

But why is it that I am reminded of Serpina’s sad face that looks like she is about to collapse at any moment?

“… … sure. I think it will happen.”

Because I didn’t want to lie to her, I had no choice but to leave this vague answer –

Iren smiled and nodded as if she understood me.

“Whatever you decide, Swen. I will be by your side and protect you.”

“Thank you.”

After saying hello to her, I thought as I was seen off by the maids of the mansion.

Will I be able to boldly leave Serpina’s side?

‘… … ‘Let’s not think about things that haven’t happened yet.’

Now was the time to solve the problem at hand.

* * *

Irene, who was staring blankly at the door where Swen had left, only then realized what question she had just asked.

A question about what the two talk about when Serpina calls Swen.

‘why me… … ‘You asked that question?’

Swen was a tactician, so of course he wouldn’t discuss military strategy. When a ruler and a strategist meet, what else is there to do?

Are you really worried about him? Even though she treated herself so well, she knew that there was no way she would treat Swen, the person she originally wanted to bring in, so kindly.

What shook her heart was a strange rumor.

A ridiculous scandal in which Swen uses his charm to sway his lord Serpina by her hand.

He was a tall and handsome young man, and the lord was a young woman at the height of her beauty. In the meantime, I know that it’s not strange that such stories are coming out, since he continues to act like he is trying to punish Swen… …

For some reason.

The fact that he continues to spend time alone with Serpina… … I was so worried.

‘… … You need to calm down.’

Swen was someone he had to protect.

He was not the one to be restrained.

As much as I enjoy being with him, my heart may be shaken – but forgetting my duty as a knight is out of the question.

Even if that rumor.

If it were true that Swen was trying to seduce Serpina – what he should have done was not to care about it, but to protect Serpina, the woman Swen had chosen.

It was a time when self-discipline was needed more than anything else in order not to show an unsightly side to Swen, who was like a benefactor.

at that time.

“I… … Irene?”

From beyond, Reika, still in her pajamas, walked out, rolling her eyes.

“Hmm? Miss Reika, good morning. You woke up early?”

“Ah, yes. Today is a little… … I woke up early.”

Reika asked after taking a seat around Airen.

“What about Swen?”

“Headed to the royal castle.”

“Yes? Why?”

“They said it was a call from the lord.”

“Ah… … .”

Reika nodded slowly and said.

“Master, you are having a hard time too… … I think it would be a good idea to prepare something so that you can have something sweet when you come back.”

“… … .”

Iren realizes this again when he sees Reika, who, unlike herself, is casually thinking about what she can do.

okay.

No matter what choice he makes, if you decide to be by his side and by his side –

For me, now is the time to do what I have to do.”

“Then I guess I should prepare a suitable car.”

“Oh, really? By the way, Irene, you’re not going to training today?”

“I just need to see you briefly in the afternoon today.”

“Really? Ehehe… … Great. I thought it would be lonely to be alone in a large mansion, but I’m glad Irene is here.”

“You will probably be alone a lot in the future, right?”

“That’s it, if you think about it at that time… … Wouldn’t it work?”

Looking at Reika smiling while saying that, Irene thought with a smile.

It’s peaceful.

When I arrived at Lord Runarien’s side, I thought it would be nice if we could stay like this.

* * *

“Swen, I have just arrived after receiving a call from my lord.”

As I knelt down and bowed, Serpina, wearing the officer’s uniform she always wore, smiled and greeted me.

“You’re here, Swen.”

“What’s happening today?”

“What must happen to be able to meet you?”

‘… … .’

I thought as I looked at her as she spoke provocatively towards me with a seductive expression.

――Master. There are already strange rumors going around, so why not refrain from doing anything that might add fuel to those rumors?

The advice that I couldn’t say out loud sank deep into my heart.

“Nothing else, they said Brans-kun was divided into thirds.”

“… … Yes?”

“It’s literally like that. The news just came in today. It is said that Cel Brans and Kalinz Brans simultaneously rebelled in different castles.”

“Is that really true?”

“Okay. What would I have to gain by telling you a lie?”

Chell and Kalinz both rebelled?

Chell, I don’t know because we’ve never talked to each other, but there’s no way Kalinz would have that level of spirit, right?

The fact that even Kalinz chose treason… … Could it be that Rin’s condition suddenly became abnormal after forming the alliance?

Serpina seemed to have similar thoughts as me, and smiled happily.

“Of course, there won’t be many people out there who are stupid enough to truly serve a lord with such an expression.”

When concluding an alliance –

What Rin felt like was like a doll with all its strings cut.

I couldn’t read any life or vitality in the way he just signed the alliance papers with dead eyes.

“Swen. You know what this means, right?”

“… … .”

“It is not safe to say that her alliance with our military was ultimately the cause of her becoming like that. In other words, you were right this time too. The Brans army has been cut into three pieces, and there is no force on this continent that can now rival our Serpina army. As you said, it is safe to say that a truly great opportunity has come to our military.”

If the result of the alliance with the Brans army was to cut the Brans army into three pieces, then my prediction was definitely correct this time too.

It wasn’t that surprising to me. That’s right, because what I said is absolutely correct.

the problem is-

That ‘what I say is absolutely true’ also includes the fact that she will never be able to achieve the feat of unifying the continent.

Now that Brans’s army has been cut into three pieces, Serpina’s army has become the biggest balance destroyer on the continent and a major disaster that will feel like a tsunami to other countries… … Nevertheless, she is destined to never be able to achieve unification.

“So, I think it’s time to move on, Swen. I’m curious what you think. What do you think? Don’t you think now is the time for our army to begin moving south again?”

Serpina asked me that question in a confident tone.

If it were like usual, I would also say, ‘I also think there is no better time than now. I would have answered, ‘I strongly recommend that you prepare to go out immediately.’ …

I was able to find out exactly what the correct answer to her question was.

‘Is it the optimal choice for our military to move south like this and resume conquest?’

As always, questions about military strategy are answered as quickly as a ghost.

[Not like that.]

‘under.’

I thought so.

Anyone can see that there is an opportunity for unification ahead, but the fact that she is destined to not be able to achieve unification-

Because this situation meant that there was no opportunity for us.

I raised my head again, looking into Serpina’s twinkling golden eyes… …

For her, she had to gild a fate that she could not possibly escape.

“Master.”

“Tell me.”

I hope we can get through this time too… … Hoping.

“I am very grateful to you, but it does not seem like the right time to move south.”