episode_0048

“The fortress… … Burn it?”

Taltin nodded at Kalinz’s words.

“That’s right. This is my lord’s order.”

“That… … That can’t be possible.”

Kalintz lowered his head and was shaking his fist as if he was not convinced.

I actually thought that Lin’s decision was very wise.

‘The strategic value of this fortress is close to zero for the Brans military. Rather, if it is taken away by Serpina’s army, there is a high possibility that it will become a fatal blade aimed at our allies. Still, what was being tolerated must have been the fact that the leader was not someone else but Carlinz, and since Carlinz was acting arbitrarily with the sole intention of achieving success, it would be difficult to trust him any longer. ‘The most reasonable decision is to tell them to burn the fortress and come back.’

Actually, I first thought that a brain with 100 intelligence would predict, ‘Destroy the fortress and run away.’

but.

In the end, if he was going to give such an order, he should have done it when Kalinz was taken prisoner.

But after ordering a resistance war and succeeding in defending it, they are now telling us to burn the fortress?

In this part, her thoughts were a little easier to read.

‘I can’t stay in Brans County for long.’

Even if you think you’re okay. Because I can’t put Irene in danger.

I felt like it was time to move countries.

“… … Damn… … !”

Although Kalintz Brans had a fairly high status within the Brans military.

That status came solely from being a member of the ‘Brance family’.

No matter how much he flew and crawled, he could not refuse the orders of his lord Lin Brans.

“Now that I have given my order, I will quickly go get ready. I think you should prepare to move out within today. Then.”

Taltin bowed his head and slowly left the room.

After he left.

Kalinz continued to sigh a few times, then looked at me and said as if he was very sorry.

“I’m sorry, Swen. This fortress that you risked your life to protect… … It’s going to be destroyed.”

what.

I didn’t really risk my life, but that’s not a reason not to take advantage of that illusion.

“It’s okay. If I could work for Carlinz, that would be enough for me.”

“Is that so?! Do you really think so?”

Kalinz, who heard my flattering greeting, suddenly approached me, placed his hand on my shoulder, and said,

“I will try to persuade my lord one more time! Your… … If only I could do that ritual to pray for heaven’s will just one more time! By completely defeating Serpina’s army and gathering our forces, we will be able to plant the flag of our Brans army in the north this time! Okay, how about it? Won’t you help me and leave your name in history?!”

‘That’s right.’

Since he had already carried out an unreasonable operation, I thought he would be reflecting.

After seeing ‘my abilities’, he seemed to think it was worth a try.

Of course, I don’t have the ability to summon a natural disaster. Of course, there was no ability to drop meteorites from the sky.

So, the very moment I thought that it would be better to just decline here.

“Carlinz.”

Irene, who was standing next to me, opened her mouth much before me.

“I can never entrust such a dangerous task to Swen again. Please be considerate.”

“… … What?”

Kalinz looked at Iren with an expression of disbelief.

“General Irene… … I am grateful that you stayed in the fortress and fought, but you probably did not stay here and fight of your own will. Am I right?”

“… … .”

Kalinz Brans was Lin Brans’ closest associate.

I couldn’t help but know that she didn’t really like Irene.

“I am now asking Swen, who fought for me ‘of his own will’, not because his master told him to. I wish I could figure out where to fit in.”

“Absolutely not. Please do not arbitrarily drag Swen into Mr. Kalintz’s unreasonable strategy. If you really want to take Swen, cut off my head first and then take her.”

Kalinz shouted, slightly embarrassed by Iren’s strong words.

“Are you going to protest against the words of my superior, Irene Juliette?”

Although Kalinz’s tone was very strong, Irene did not back down at all and was looking straight at Kalinz.

Considering that she usually retreated around this time, it was surprising.

“It’s not a nickname. This is advice. Please listen to my advice, Kalinz. Shouldn’t we sacrifice many people and put our allies in a dangerous situation due to wrong judgment again?”

“What?! Yes, your bitch dares me… … !”

“And now, the lord has ordered, ‘Demolish the fortress and retreat.’ I believe that not following the master’s orders is defiance, but what do you think, Kalintz?”

Seeing Iren speaking harshly, Kalinz couldn’t hold back his anger and placed his hand on the sword at his waist.

“This abandoned wild bitch-!”

“Kalinz!”

and.

To prevent the atmosphere from getting any hotter, I immediately jumped in and bent my back to 90 degrees.

“Please stop your anger, Mr. Kalintz. I am very sorry, but shaking the will of heaven requires many conditions. Even if a ancestral rite is held again, there is no guarantee that it will happen.”

“S, Swen… … !”

It’s annoying, but we shouldn’t uselessly provoke Kalinz here.

I said a rough mixture of words that he might want to hear.

“And here again, I am concerned that if I do not listen to my lord, there will be a problem with Kalintz’s prestige. I’ve heard that every good general knows when to be patient. And as far as I know, I think the most patient general in this Brans army is Kalinz. In this respect, I think that the first sword, Chell, is one step ahead of Kalintz.”

“… … Well, you think so… … ?”

“That’s right. That’s why I wanted to work under Carlinz.”

“… … Hmm, hmm.”

Kalinz cleared his throat a few times for no reason.

I could see where the angry look from before had gone and he had completely regained his composure.

He’s a lot easier to deal with than I thought.

That was truly fortunate.

“General Irene and I have accumulated fatigue from risking our lives to defend the fortress, so it is currently difficult to make a proper decision. We both just hope that Kalinz makes the right decision. I earnestly request that Commander Kalinz take this into consideration and make a decision that will show the patience of Kalinz.”

“… … Hmm… … hmm. It’s patience. but… … Swen You must have had a hard time in many ways, and there are orders from the lord… … It would be right to do so.”

Kalinz wasn’t that stupid.

When your head cools down, you will be able to figure out what is right if you think about it for a bit.

You must have thought about this and that while spending time alone in prison.

He sighed and looked at Irene next to me.

“Irene, whatever the reason for this incident, I will put it on my special record in consideration of your contribution in fighting for the fortress. But next time, you might want to think a little more about how to say it. Do you understand?”

“Yes. Thank you so much for forgiving my rudeness. I will keep what you said in mind.”

Fortunately, Iren also lowered his head instead of sharpening his edge further.

‘Whoa.’

“Do we have to destroy the fortress in the end…? … .”

Carlintz muttered that and walked out of the conference room.

In the conference room with only the two of us left, I was finally able to look at Irene and talk to her.

“Irene. There is no need to be too confrontational with Kalinz.”

“No. Swen, I don’t want to put you in any more dangerous situations. Even if it was someone other than Kalinz, it would be the same. I can never give up on this part.”

It seemed that her debt to me was greater than mine.

then… … Maybe it’s time.

I cautiously asked a somewhat provocative question.

“Lord Lin, do you mean this too?”

“… … .”

After Iren heard those words, she slowly turned her head towards me.

Her purple eyes were looking at me more clearly than ever.

“Swen… … I have something to tell you. Even if I say it now, it’ll be okay.”

“What is that?”

Irene, who heard me, made a very solemn expression.

And then, he pulled out his sword from his waist.

With the sound of the sword coming out of the scabbard, she plunged the sword into the ground.

Her sharp blade stuck to the conference room floor.

She held the sword with both hands and spoke in a very serious tone.

“Swen.”

“Yes.”

After hearing the answer, she closed her eyes.

I wasn’t sure exactly what he was thinking, but-

I wondered if it was about Lin Brans, who she really wanted to protect.

But now she knew.

The fact that she herself cannot protect Rin no matter what happens.

She slowly opened her eyes.

With a very calm expression, he spoke in a whisper with only me in his eyes.

“… … I am no longer Lin Brans, but Swen. I will live for you.”

I didn’t say anything, but just looked at her face seriously.

“My sword will exist to protect you. My body will be used for you. From this moment on, I, Irene Juliet, belong only to you, Swen.”

“If someone wants to harm you, I will do my best to stop it, no matter who it is. … … And.”

She, who was very solemn, blushed with a somewhat girlish expression.

“If it’s okay with you… … Should I continue to make tea for you in the future? … I’m just thinking about it.”

“That’s the most important thing. Irene.”

A faint smile appeared on Irene’s face after hearing what I said.

It was a very strong smile that would not break no matter what happened.

“You seem to have a somewhat light side even in moments like these.”

“But the most important thing is the fact.”

Iren spoke again in a serious tone.

“While in Brans County… … No, no matter which army I belong to, I, Irene Juliette, will be a knight only for you. Just like you said you would protect me.”

It was only after hearing those words that I began to feel it vividly.

I have finally succeeded in changing my fate.

She will die because she cannot give up her faith… … I was able to be saved from that unfortunate fate.

This alone made me feel fortunate to have come to Brans County.

“Please take care of me, Irene.”

“Um.”

Just like that, a short ceremony just for the two of us passed.

She sheathed the sword and asked in a slightly serious tone.

“By the way, Swen. There is something I want to ask you.”

“Please tell me.”

“It seems like the master in your heart is not Lin.”

After hearing Iren’s words, I shook my shoulders.

There would be no point in hiding anything from her now.

“Have you noticed a lot?”

“I guess so.”

It would have been different if she had been as loyal as ever, but now her body and mind were mine, not Lin Brans’s.

Therefore, even though he belonged to the Brans Army, he had no hesitation in saying such disloyal words.

“I’m curious about your real master. No matter who it is, Swen, if you want to follow me, I will follow you too.”

My lord.

Yes, my lord.

There was only one person from the beginning.

“I am serving as my lord the only person who can conquer this continent and become a unified monarch.”

“Hoo, you’re the only one? Who is that?”

“You probably know Irene. Didn’t you meet in person a few months ago?”

“… … !!!”

She asked me in surprise if I had any guess.

“No way… … You think that Lord Runarien is the one who will become the unified monarch… … ?”

ah.

Thank you, Irene.

Just in time, you asked another pertinent question.

For the first time in a really long time, I was able to type ‘that question’.

‘Is Runarien Inian the person who will become the unified monarch?’

And this time too-

The answer comes blearily quickly.

[Yes.]

‘under.’

I breathed a sigh of relief.

You are safe, my lord.

* * *

Madelan Castle.

This place, the capital of Karelia County, was in name and reality the largest city in the southern part of the continent.

During the time of the unified empire, it served as the commercial center of the south. The land was fertile and there were mountain ranges nearby, making it an ideal location for building a city.

And here, a red-eyed woman with cute short hair the color of cream puffs-

“Thank you all for your hard work! Please hold on a little longer! Because we can achieve our goal soon!”

Together with the farmers, they were plowing the field with farming tools.