episode_0201

*

Serpina quickly returned, defying everyone’s expectations, and the ‘series of incidents’ quickly calmed down.

First of all, this situation itself did not get any bigger. The longer she stayed away from the throne, the more chaotic the situation would have been, but as long as she returned quickly, she was able to continue running the country without any problems to the point where this situation did not occur.

The difference between the monarch of a despotic state being away for several weeks and being away for a day was bound to be significant.

Should I really say Reika?

I don’t know what they did, but Serpina’s wounds healed very quickly the next day and she seemed to have stabilized enough to carry on as usual.

Seeing that she was having a hard time even after waking up after sleeping for 24 hours a day, it seemed like she was overexerting herself.

She was able to do that… … After all, it’s probably because it’s related to Irene. Because Reika followed Airen very well.

Next – the disposition of assassin Lenny.

Even though Shura was already dead, Lenny survived. And, because he survived – he had no choice but to undergo severe torture.

It was around this time that Serpina also tried to acknowledge her spirit of not revealing her true background no matter what happened until the end.

“You occupied the fortress?”

“Old. Occupying a small fortress to the northwest of Amir Castle, they claim, ‘We cannot tolerate the rule of the current monarch.’ this time… … That, that is.”

“I won’t care, so tell it like it is.”

At Serpina’s words, the military officer who came to report the situation hesitated and then spoke as if he couldn’t help it.

“I failed to end the life of witch Serpina, but this will not be the end… … I am claiming it.”

Considering that the period of absence was short, the news did not spread throughout the continent quickly –

“Are they confessing that they were behind this?”

“Yes. However, it seemed like a complicated situation in many ways.”

“Twisted?”

“It seems that they originally tried to rebel at the nearby Terk Castle, not the fortress, but contrary to the story, it doesn’t seem to have gone well… … .”

“… … .”

Did that plan go awry due to the failed assassination?

Well, those things probably aren’t Serpina’s business.

and-

“I understand. So that we can continue to investigate and report on trends.”

“Yes!”

After the commander left, Serpina looked in my direction.

“What do you think, Swen?”

okay.

Why did they attack treason again?

It wasn’t Serpina’s business, but at the same time, it wasn’t my business either.

“Isn’t it right that rebels be severely punished?”

“However, for the fortress in the direction of Amir Castle, it seems like it will take time to gather troops.”

The southeastern part of the northern region was the closest to a village among the territories in Serpina County, and had a small population and small number of soldiers.

There was a reason why deploying troops to Amir Castle was an unconventional plan.

but.

“There is no need to gather troops. How many people did you say there were in the fortress?”

“I heard it was about 10,000 people.”

“That’s enough to catch it without difficulty.”

okay.

This rebel group had a very significant difference from previous rebels.

as soon as… …

‘The crime of touching Irene can never be overlooked.’

It was the fact that I had put Irene in danger, not anyone else.

Shrana Leni’s life is not enough. If there was a mastermind, I felt like I wouldn’t be able to understand it if I didn’t clear it up.

I looked straight into her eyes.

“Please attach about 3,000 troops to me. I would be grateful if you could appoint General Irene as the vanguard.”

“Are you saying that 10,000 people will be eliminated for 3,000 people? There’s no need to do that, right? We can add enough troops.”

“No. If you try to drag a lot, you will only lose valuable soldiers and consume additional supplies. 3,000 is enough.”

Serpina quietly looked into my eyes and-

Soon, he carefully removed his lips.

“I’m thinking of taking Ms. Reika with me.”

“… … .”

also.

As she was smarter than any monarch I’ve ever met, she seemed to quickly figure out my plan.

As she said.

Now it was necessary to solidify the fact that a wizard had appeared on the continent.

“Rebels continue to arise… … The reason may be something like the ‘karma’ you mentioned, but I think it may also be due to the inability to show ‘overwhelming power’. So, I think it’s necessary to show it off in a big way at this time.”

Anyway, she couldn’t hide that she was a wizard forever.

If it has to be made public, wouldn’t the right answer be to seek all the benefits that can be found there?

To make Irene pay for messing with her, and to repay the kindness to Serphina who tried to save Irene… … I wanted to make it seem like the ‘magic power’ was hers.

If the fact that they have this ability can be another variable for them, then there will be fewer cases of them taking action.

Moreover, this was the only timing to achieve the miracle of winning 10,000 with 3,000.

In the sense that magic was not yet widely known, it was the perfect time to catch one off guard.

“I understand what you mean, but… … Isn’t ‘that power’ something that can only be enjoyed when you are by your side?”

“… … Since there are many things that are not known to the public, I think rumors alone will be enough to control people.”

“Don’t worry my lord, I will be by your side… … That’s something you don’t say. Hehehe.”

Serpina laughed as if it was fun, but… … I couldn’t meet her eyes.

Luckily, she didn’t say anything else, just stood up and extended her hand towards me.

“Swen. I will give you about 3,000 troops. Let’s attach General Irene as the vanguard. Let the rebels who are waving a false flag without knowing the subject know who the real owner of the Eingart Empire is.”

“Yes!”

I answered in a loud voice and thought to myself.

Now it was time for revenge on my part.

*

While leading the troops and marching near the fortress, I was able to talk a lot with Irene.

“It looks like Lenny is dead.”

“Okay. They said it was the death penalty. Looks like he held out well until the end.”

dark night.

After leading the troops on the saddle all day, the short break before going to sleep was a time when I could talk to her.

“It’s funny. I judged him to be the most trustworthy of the group of escort knights. Sir Siegfried, who was the most unreliable, was the only one not connected to the rebels, so I never thought he would have such a lack of insight into people… … Even thinking about it now makes me angry.”

“Irene, how would you know that? It hasn’t been long since you started working as an escort.”

“But, I was the only one who could stop it.”

“Because Irene is here, Serpina is also alive. ”

My words were not empty words.

Actually, if she wasn’t there… … The fate of the unified empire must have been passed from Luna to someone else whose name is unknown.

One way or another, Irene had saved me again.

“So, I hope you don’t blame yourself too much. Because no one can blame Iren. My lord is also very grateful.”

“Swen… … .”

Irene smiled slightly as if she understood my thoughts.

Being able to keep seeing that smile in my eyes… … It must be thanks to Serpina.

No matter how many times I think about it, I cannot deny that I have truly been blessed.

“… … What about Ms. Reika?”

“He’s sleeping in the carriage. Coming a long way with the soldiers must have drained his energy in many ways, so he didn’t know what to do all day.”

“I see.”

Iren was one of the people who knew that Reika was a wizard.

Naturally, I knew what it meant for her to follow him.

“I guess I’m worried.”

“Reika?”

“Yes.”

“… … .”

It was not difficult to figure out what Irene was talking about.

Nana Airen was officially a general in the Serpina Army. In other words, they were soldiers.

Unlike me, who gives various advice from the rear, Irene, who holds a sword and takes the lives of dozens or dozens of people with her own hands, knows much better than me what the weight of going into battle is.

So, it seems like they are really worried about Reika, who is actually a civilian, coming here.

It’s not like I never thought that way either.

but-

“Reika said. Thinking of Iren and Serpina, who saved Irene… … I want to do what I can.”

“… … .”

” Although he belongs to an influential family, he has not grown up like a flower in a greenhouse. You probably know what you’re doing. If that’s what Reika thinks, I’d like to support it too.”

“I see… … .”

I’m at a loss for words again.

The sound of the crackling bonfire filled the quiet night air.

“Wait a minute.”

I took out the bottle from the bonfire, brewed some tea, and handed it to her.

“… … Thank you.”

“No.”

The sound of insects in the grass, the sound of drinking tea under a night sky filled with countless stars… …

That time when my body felt tired due to very static sounds and warm tea flowing down my esophagus.

“You know, Swen.”

“Please tell me.”

“With Ms. Reika… … You said you were talking about getting married, right?”

“… … ?”

I turned my gaze from the bonfire to where Irene was sitting.

She asked, blushing and looking at the fire.

“How about it? marriage… … Are you going to do it?”

“… … .”

I moistened my throat by taking a sip of tea without saying a word.

“Well, I need to talk to Reika-”

“Assuming all goes well, will you marry her?”

Iren turns her head towards me and asks urgently.

marriage. Because it’s marriage… …

I slowly looked into Iren’s eyes.

The purple eyes were filled with my image.

As for me, I wanted to marry Irene first.

I felt every moment that I was very close to her.

Every time she calls my name, I feel my heart fill more than ever.

but.

“… … Honestly, I have no intention of getting married right now.”

“Right now… … It’s not a matter of thought, it’s a matter of timing… … ?”

“Yes.”

I wanted to postpone marriage until I took root.

Because it was not polite for the other person to start a family while wandering around.

The place I had always thought of as the root – when Lunarien raised an army, I was planning to propose to her at that time, and that thought will not change even now.

why.

Why does Serpina’s image keep flashing before my eyes?

The appearance of a very delicate and weak woman compared to the nickname tyrant, who held my hand tightly to ask me not to leave her.

so I.

I can’t say things like ‘I plan to propose to you after I return to Luna’.

“When the time comes, I will propose to you. Reika is also Reika… … .”

Nevertheless.

Because I didn’t want to tell a vague lie until this moment.

I looked straight into Irene’s eyes… …

“… … Did you know?”

“… … !”

As if startled, her purple pupils dilated for a moment.

And then, with a deep red face, he lowered his head and-

“Swen… … .”

Mumble my name a few times.

Did my feelings get through to her well?

Or was it just that it wasn’t delivered, but it vaguely set the tone?

And, not long after-

Iren raises her head and looks straight at me with her eyes.

“… … huh. I’ll wait forever, Swen.”

As Iren said that, she made a half moon with her eyes.

The sound of a bonfire under countless stars, as if they were about to pour down at any moment, enveloped us.

Before long, Irene came closer to me and-

He leaned his head slightly towards me.

I didn’t reject her, and we looked at the bonfire together in silence.

It was peace. The peace of the two of us, the wanderers who changed the monarch together.

I was sure at that moment.

I will never forget this moment until I die.