episode_0087

* * *

“Is it true that Hispil Castle has fallen?”

“Yes.”

In response to Vanessa’s words, Karelia touched her chin with her hand and spoke.

“… … It feels like Serpina-kun has come right around the corner.”

Since there were still Roland and Hesna forces above, it was still outside the influence of Serpina.

Even from Karelia’s point of view, the fact that the Brans army, which was thought to be able to block the central region at any time, collapsed due to the force of the autumn leaves was a shock.

“It’s a huge blitzkrieg. As soon as Kelstein Castle was breached, it seemed like they were advancing like lightning.”

“We also need to prepare soon.”

“What do you mean by preparedness?”

Vanessa nodded.

“Even if Brans County has not been pushed back yet, at this rate, Serpina County will soon be adjacent to the border between Roland County and Hesna County. We must aim for that timing and attack.”

“Vanessa, I understand what you mean, but… … No matter how Serpina Army is, I don’t think it will be able to overcome it if the front line is expanded that much. Moreover, to the east is the Aceas County, which organized the surrounding countries. The monarch, Roland Zenith, isn’t an idiot, but he doesn’t seem like he would make the first move with Hessna next to him.”

Currently, the four southern countries were literally parallel in perfect balance.

It’s an ambiguous relationship where no one can attack who first, and neither can they propose an alliance first.

The situation that had somehow been maintained in a balanced state with each of the feudal lords on the continent began to shake completely due to the Serpina army’s advance into the central continent.

“The opportunity will definitely come. Serpina is a very warlike person.”

“Hmm… … However, even if we somehow manage to attack Roland’s army at the right time, then we will come into contact with Serpina’s army and the front line will increase… … Do you think we can handle it with our current military capabilities?”

Currently, Karelia is in contact with two countries.

Roland County above, and Ohana County to the east.

To the left, a rugged mountain range spread out, connected to the western continent beyond, and below it was in contact with the sea.

If you invade a country attacked by Serpina’s army, you will inevitably end up with Roland’s army.

but.

After hearing that, Vanessa shook her head and said.

“Master. That’s not it.”

“No?”

“We must not attack the Roland army.”

“… … What?”

Vanessa said with a strong tone of emphasis.

“When the Serpina Army invades the Roland Army and the Hesna Army, the place we should attack is the Ohana Army next to us.”

“… … !”

Karelia looked at Vanessa in surprise, then nodded as if she realized something and said.

“… … I guess so.”

“Yes. Yes.”

Vanessa bowed her head and explained to her in a very polite tone.

“Roland will not be able to pay attention to us because he is busy dealing with Serpina. Of course, attacking Roland’s army wouldn’t be a bad decision. However, if that happens, it will inevitably come into contact with the Serpina County border. So, we have to take advantage of Roland and Hesna’s distraction from dealing with Serpina and attack Ohana.”

If the Karelian Army can occupy Ohana County without interference from the two countries above.

The standoff between the four countries that has continued for several years will come to an end.

That meant that it was more likely that they would be the losers of the South.

“I see. Has the time finally come? … .”

Karelia was quietly lost in thought.

The most important place to attack the Ohana Army would be Tepelo Castle, the forward base.

“Master. Won’t you leave everything to me?”

“Please leave it to me?”

“Yes. In order to prepare for war efficiently, I would like to borrow for a moment my absolute authority as a monarch.”

The power of the Karelian army was centered on the monarch, Makana Karelia.

This was not due to her personality, but was largely due to the influence of Vanessa, a state strategist who was trusted by Karelia and guaranteed a considerable amount of autonomy, to create the power structure with her own hands.

Anyway, in this country, being given full authority by the monarch of Makana Karelia –

In fact, it was as if he could become the number one person who could control the country.

Karelia was worried for a moment, but if she thought about it a little, this wasn’t even a problem to worry about.

‘… … When it comes to war, objectively speaking, Vanessa is probably much better at it than I am.’

Her principle was to use outstanding generals at the right time, regardless of the high or low of their exploits.

That’s why we were able to appoint Runarien, who had only just joined the castle lord of Tepelo Castle.

Even now, we only operate under the same iron rules as then.

“I understand. Vanessa, I’ll leave it to you.”

“We will definitely bring you good news.”

Vanessa bowed and said hello.

In the Karelian military, it was the first time that someone other than Karelia had come to power.

* * *

“Are you saying we should conscription?”

“Yes.”

Luna, the lord of Tepelo Castle, expressed his disapproval.

“But, as you know, there is currently an epidemic in our castle. If we have to recruit soldiers at a time like this… … I think many residents of the territory will lose their guardians.”

A severe epidemic broke out in several territories on the Ohana County side, including Tepelo Castle.

Fortunately, things have been sorted out to some extent now… … The scars left by the epidemic still remained deep here and there in the territory.

Conscription would inevitably result in the conscription of healthy adult males, and recruiting adult males in this situation would inevitably be a huge burden on the residents of the territory.

However, the general who came to deliver the order spoke in a very firm tone.

“The lord’s order is to somehow expand the number of troops capable of combat above a certain size.”

“This is your lord’s order? Is that true?”

Luna couldn’t believe it when she heard that.

Karelia, who cares as much about Young Ji-min’s life as she does, or even more than herself, gave such a cruel order?

at that time.

The general told a strange story in passing.

“That’s right. In fact, it is the same as the master’s command, so please execute it quickly.”

“… … yes? What does that mean?”

The general hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head and spoke.

“Lord Seong. All I can tell you is that this is my master’s order. Please consider that part.”

“… … .”

In the end, it was said that it was the master’s order.

The phrase ‘the same as the master’s order’ meant that it was not an order that came from the mouth of the master Karelia.

That part really bothered me.

If not Karelia, who gave this order?

Luna, who was thinking about that, soon shook her head slightly.

okay.

This person just came here to convey to me an order he received from above.

Luna knew very well that asking such a person more questions would only make him more difficult.

“… … All right. I will obey my lord’s orders.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Seongju. Then.”

After the general retreated.

Luna sat in the chair of the castle owner and was lost in thought.

‘It’s about expanding troops… … .’

It was not desirable to conscript adult men from the territory’s residents right now.

However, he wanted to follow the orders of Karelia, who accepted him without any conditions.

Regardless of whether he wanted to follow it in the first place or not, since his master gave him an order, it was his role to carry out his order.

‘Isn’t there a better way… … ?’

As Luna was pondering, the man’s face flashed in her mind.

The white-haired man who always brightened his path when he didn’t know what to do.

‘Swen… … What should I do in times like this? … ?’

Luna asked the unanswerable question over and over again in her head.

Did I just want to ask him for advice, or did I miss the atmosphere of Zeeland Castle, where we held hands and danced together?

Although I don’t know the exact reason, one certain fact was shining brightly.

Luna missed Swen.

A lot of that too.

* * *

After talking about marriage with Reika.

Quite a lot has happened so far.

Hernandov moved to Castle Lacline, where Anima was the castle lord, and Epinel and Emma were assigned to Castle Zellstrom, which was the territory of Prince Charam.

Here, Epinel rose to become the lord of Zellstrom Castle.

The reason for this division was probably because both castles were adjacent to the border with Serpina County.

Balharat Castle was next to each other, but since it was the farthest away and Yuuri, the monarch, was there, it was safe to say that there was some level of preparedness.

The core generals of Acious were divided into separate groups to tightly guard the border.

Originally, there was an idea to quickly gather soldiers and attack the Brans army’s castle, but-

Once Serpina’s army came down and came into contact with his army, we had no time to do anything like that.

If you were to fight against the Brans army and get attacked by the Serpina army first, it was ultimately this side that would be in danger.

‘by the way… … It seems like the speed of Serpina’s army’s advance has slowed down a bit.’

After Kehlstein Castle was breached.

The Serpina army was moving south with tremendous momentum, as if it was going to swallow up the entire Brans army that ruled the central continent at once.

However, from the moment that Hispil Castle was occupied, it suddenly seemed like the front line had become quiet.

There was no news that the Serpina army and Brans army were fighting.

‘I feel a bit uneasy about something.’

Isn’t it originally said that the calm before the storm is the calmest?

As I was thinking that, I heard a woman’s voice that I was now somewhat familiar with.

“Um, Swen… … ?”

“… … Ah.”

I turned my head and looked at where the voice came from.

Reika’s pink eyes were looking at me intently.

“Perhaps that… … Oh, do you have any concerns? … ?”

“Yes? No, well… … .”

This is the garden of the Knighthart family mansion.

I was meditating with Reika.

I thought about going outside, but the weather wasn’t that great, so I spent some time in the garden today.

“It’s nothing. Rather than that, you should focus on meditation.”

“Oh, I’m sorry… … That, that… … Swen seems to be thinking about something… … .”

“Are you sure you know that?”

“Yes, yes… … I’m good at paying attention… … .”

Reika answered in a hushed voice.

As for whether her relationship with me had changed since we talked about getting married, it wasn’t really like that.

I just continued training together as usual and confirmed her magic.

She was now using ‘Ice Spear’ quite successfully.

It seemed like they were just thinking of it as an ‘ice spear’ now, but in any case, the increase in magic they could handle was a very encouraging achievement.

Now all that remains is ‘Thunder Storm’.

It is a magic that strikes lightning, and ‘Fireball’, a magic that sends fireballs, is grouped together and called the most basic elemental magic that exists in this world.

It just seems amazing and amazing now, but as time goes by and wizards appear here and there, it won’t be a very powerful magic.

Of course, I didn’t worry about that.

Because, like no other person, Reikani will grow on her own and use the next level of magic.

Even just now, mastering two magics during this time was an incredibly fast growth rate.

“Anyway, you don’t have to worry about me. Isn’t Reika more of a problem than that?”

“Um, me… … ?”

“It’s about self-talk.”

“Ah… … .”

Her face turned red at my words.

I lowered my head, not knowing what to do… … Soon he said nothing again.

Is it really that shameful?

Well, the only employees who dealt with her in the mansion were women, and the only man she encountered was her adoptive father, Jinor, so it must have been difficult for men.

“You don’t need to think about it too complicated. Just decide what you want. Whatever decision you make is okay.”

“… … Sorry, sorry… … .”

“It’s nothing to be sorry about.”

Around the time we were talking like that.

From far away, a maid came running towards us.

“Swen… … !”

“?”

Since the maid was coming, I thought she was looking for Reika and not me.

“You are here… … !”

“What’s going on?”

“They say they are looking for Swen in the royal castle.”

“Me?”

She was very embarrassed and was sweating in this cold weather.

If she had just called me, I don’t think the maid’s expression would be this serious.

After a while, just as I expected.

She told me some very bad things.

“That… … Well, the war… … !”

“!”

Reika was startled when she heard the word war and looked at me.

And right at this moment, I felt like I knew what she was going to say.

“Serpina… … It seems like there was an invasion into our territory… … !”