episode_0110

* * *

Hospital in the capital Balharat Castle.

Centered around Hernandorf, who was lying in the hospital room recovering, all the founding figures of the Aicious Army, except Yuuri and Anima, were gathered together.

“… … There was no need to come all the way to Epinel.”

Epinel clicked his tongue, looking at Hernandorf saying that with wide eyes.

“It’s noisy. What is the status?”

“I can’t die, I just live.”

“Don’t talk nonsense after eating expensive food, Ern.”

“… … .”

Hernandov’s hands were shaking.

It was something, the appearance of a person swallowing anger.

“Anima… … I couldn’t save it.”

“I heard. It was an unavoidable situation. You did your best.”

“If your family was tied up in a rope and taken away, you came back alone, saving your life.”

“Ern… … .”

Emma looked at him with a slightly sad expression.

Emma and Hernandorf had been in a relationship for a very long time as they were both retainers who served Yuuri.

To the extent that our life trajectories were somewhat similar, our ways of thinking were also similar.

“Didn’t you hear me tell you not to talk nonsense?”

“Epinel, please don’t say too much. If it were me, I would have acted like Ern.”

Epinel looked very displeased.

“I’m being emotional here, so what’s the solution? Don’t you think we need to attack quickly and bring Anima back or not? What are you doing Yuuri?”

“I think an envoy was sent. Through negotiation.”

“Negotiations, damn it!”

bang!

Even though it was a castle lord, it was not a word that could be used for a monarch.

No one specifically pointed out that part.

If Jinor had been there, he would have told me to refrain from speaking, but he wasn’t here.

“Hey, Ern. So, when do they say it will get better?”

“… … The injury seemed serious. It’s pathetic.”

“It means retirement for the time being. I understand.”

Epinel said, looking at Emma.

“Let’s get ready soon, Emma.”

“Ready?”

“Of course we are ready for battle. Anima is trapped, so are you just going to spend time mesmerizing yourself? Surely you don’t mean to say that we should wait to see the outcome of the negotiations or something like that?”

“Calm down, Epinel. You’re excited.”

“What am I doing!”

After that, Epinel huffed and puffed for a while, then sat down on a chair.

“… … Oh, it’s annoying!”

“I sent seven thousand nine hundred gold. Unless Serpina is too greedy, she will be released if she gets that much.”

“Do you think that crazy witch would even pay attention to money? I’ll be lucky if they don’t tell me to show my anger.”

“What is it that I can’t give you?”

“… … Haha.”

Epinel heard Emma’s words and covered her face with her hands.

“You don’t have the courage to see the anima.”

“… … .”

“What would you think if you found out that Anima handed over the territory as a condition of saving her, not long after she achieved the expansion into the West that she so desperately wanted?”

Emma had no answer.

“You know. Anima really worked hard. He… … He was the hardest worker among us. I don’t think I have such a sparkling talent, so how could I have come up with such a strategy or tactic? I’m sure you’ve seen me trying again and again without sleeping.”

“I know… … I know.”

At the moment when Jinor ascended to the position of national officer, how much loss did Anima feel?

This was even more so considering that Jinor was originally a person who was eating away at the empire.

Rationally, I understood Yuuri’s decision. For a monarch, it was important to have a broader perspective and make macroscopic decisions.

I also acknowledged that Jinor was objectively a very outstanding person.

But that doesn’t mean… …

Looking at Anima, it was also true that it could not be said that he was a foolish person who was running wild.

Without her transformation, it would have been impossible to bring down this rock called Atious County to the earth in the first place.

“So, we have to go rescue them somehow, even now. Wouldn’t that make you proud in front of Anima?”

“I understand the heart… … Honestly, it’s not easy.”

Emma bit her lower lip.

“I thought so too. I have to go rescue Anima right now, even if it means leading an army. but… … In reality, it’s not an easy task. In this mess, if Serpina kills Anima instead of keeping her alive… … It’s really the end.”

“So, what you’re saying is, don’t go against your will and give them everything they ask for while negotiating or begging, right? That’s a pleasant opinion. I think Anima would also applaud.”

“What? You are now-”

“Stop.”

at that time.

Yuuri walked slowly to Hernandorf’s hospital room.

“… … .”

“Tch.”

In fact, even if the five people were living in a destiny community, Yuuri was like their representative character.

Because both Epinel and Emma knew it well, they obediently kept their mouths shut and remained silent.

After confirming that the situation was somewhat resolved, Yuuri slowly approached Hernandorf.

“Ern, are you okay?”

“… … First of all, I think I have passed the risk of death.”

“I’m sorry for not being able to come visit you often.”

“It doesn’t matter… … Yuuri, please do what you can.”

He was once the heir to the family he served.

Hernándov spoke to her, now his soul comrade, in the most kind tone he could muster.

“What I can do… … .”

Yuuri thought about Hernandorf’s words for a moment, then looked at everyone and said.

“I have something to tell you guys.”

“What is it?”

“Serpina has revealed that she intends to release Anima Ingram.”

“!!!”

Everyone was momentarily startled by Yuuri’s bombshell announcement.

Soon – you can easily understand the meaning hidden in the sentence.

“The intention is ”

“You’re saying it won’t work with bare mouth, right.”

“That’s right.”

Yuuri confirmed Epinel’s words.

“Seven thousand nine hundred gold won’t work? A bitch like a witch. Are you really going to rip off the territory? Yuuri, I’ll tell you in advance, but it’s not possible for you. Because Anima will definitely blame herself again if she says she brought him there under those conditions.”

“Don’t worry about what Epinel says, Yuuri. I think it’s okay to give at least one last name. I just need to get it back.”

“… … .”

Yuuri looked at Epinel and Emma’s faces alternately.

Two different colored eyes reflect two different opinions.

“… … No, guys.”

Yuuri let out a long sigh.

It was a somewhat weak side of her that was only seen in front of people she could really trust.

“If it had been a question of whether to hand over the territory or not, whether to Gellstrom or Lachline, I wouldn’t have even worried about it.”

“What do you mean? What on earth did you ask for?”

“… … Reaper.”

“?”

“They say that if you hand over the Shinigami, they will release the Anima.”

Rather than being surprised at the words, “Hand over the messenger,” the two people still tilted their heads as if they were puzzled.

Being shocked was only possible if it was something within the range of what humans can imagine.

For example, even if someone who appears to be a madman goes around bragging that the world will end tomorrow, not many people take it seriously.

Even in Emma’s common sense, and in that of Epinel and Hernandorf, something like ‘handing over the messenger’ was an unthinkable act.

“What do you mean?”

“So, I want you to hand over the new soldier who went as an envoy to our side. then… … I said I would release you.”

“What… … ?”

Emma and Hernandorf finally understood what he meant and looked at Yuuri with four hundred eyes as if they were astonished.

Epinel also let out an annoyed sound as if it was ridiculous.

“What kind of bullshit is that?”

“It’s literally… … Other than that, he says he has no intention of accepting anything. Gold, treasure, even territory.”

“Huh.”

“The person who went as an envoy… … Who is it?”

Yuuri answered Hernandorf’s question with a shaded face.

“Swen.”

“This is my first time hearing this name. Is there some connection with Serpina?”

“There he is. A white-haired wizard. My friend has quite the brain.”

“… … Ah.”

Hernandov, who did not react much when he heard the name Swen, responded to the keyword white-haired wizard.

“Aren’t they targeting you because of the rumor that you can use magic?”

Yuuri’s expression wrinkled at Emma’s question.

“I’m not sure either. Why are you making such a request? … .”

“Are you sure you didn’t hold a grudge against Serpina?”

“Grudge?”

Epinel nodded and said.

“Unless that’s the case, you wouldn’t ask me to hand over the Shinigami’s recruits, right? If I could have caught and locked up in the first place, I would have caught and locked up a long time ago. But if you don’t do that and instead make a counter-proposal to us, doesn’t that mean that there is something you want to resolve quietly with Swen, and that you will grant us what you want as long as we don’t interfere in the process?”

“Definitely. Unless there is a grudge, I don’t think I would make such a suggestion.”

Emma also agreed with Epinel’s opinion.

is it?

It wasn’t just a love affair with Irene… … Is there some reason why you keep running away from Serpina?

Come to think of it, the target he dropped the rock at was Serpina.

It wouldn’t be surprising if I assumed that I had incurred her resentment.

“… … .”

As Yuuri was lost in thought, Emma carefully expressed her opinion.

“There’s no need to worry, right Yuuri?”

“… … Huh?”

“Isn’t it dangerous in the long run to have a general who is holding Serpina’s grudge? Besides, keeping Anima captive for a long time is also a concern. You never know when your head will be cut off, so when the opportunity comes, you have to bring him back quickly.”

“But, if that happens, it would be like selling out a general who pledged loyalty to our military, who was only doing his duty as an envoy after receiving an order.”

“… … .”

Emma was unable to respond to Yuuri’s correct argument.

She also realized that what she said was an act of selling out Swen.

“… … Yuuri.”

at that time.

Epinel said with a very serious expression.

“The final decision is your choice. It’s your choice, just my opinion… … No.”

She slowly exchanged glances with Hernandorf and Emma.

This meant that the three people had the same meaning.

“In our opinion, we think this world is a series of choices anyway. just. Speaking calmly. It’s a matter of thinking and deciding what will be beneficial to our military. And don’t you already know the answer to this question?”

“… … !”

A beneficial choice for Aceers County.

A more important choice for Yuuri himself and for us.

“These are difficult times. What is all this about humanity? This is a world where even the laws of heaven are denied. Everyone is acting only for their own gain. I think Swen is definitely not a bad general. However, it seems to be true that the talent is somewhat unstable. I heard that every time you use something like magic, your lifespan is shortened. Even if we bring him anyway, the more we use him, the more we are wasting his lifespan. It’s still the same thing that’s sacrificing him in the first place.”

“That… … That is.”

“Just think about it carefully. Who is more important to us… … Whatever you decide, we will all follow your wishes… … Show your responsibility as a monarch here.”

‘As a monarch… … responsibility.’

Yuuri pondered Epinel’s words.

Everyone just chooses what is more important to them and moves on.

Anima’s image appeared in Yuuri’s mind as he left the hospital and headed back to the castle to answer the Shinigami.

The moment when he sacrificed his arm to protect himself.

The moment when everyone was saved from a crisis with brilliant resourcefulness.

She truly suffered to death in our military.

No matter how much I think about it, in a place like this… … I couldn’t lose her.

‘Responsibility… … .’

okay.

responsibility.

A leader is someone who takes responsibility.

Anima will be able to deny this decision. He might blame himself for doing something he shouldn’t have done as a monarch.

However, it was true that if she died, even that resentment would not be heard.

‘I will take responsibility.’

After making up her mind, her steps were weighted.

* * *

When we arrived at the royal castle, several of the castle’s generals, including Jinor, were gathered in the throne room.

Looking at the situation, it seemed like everyone had a general understanding of the situation.

“Master. I heard about it.”

Jinor naturally approached her as she sat on the throne.

“This is a suggestion that you don’t need to hear. Please refuse.”

“Why?”

“There is nothing I need to say. I have never seen anyone sell another subordinate to save another general.”

Yuuri nodded slowly.

“Right?… … I think so too, Jinor.”

Jinor internally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Yuuri like that.

to be honest… … I was worried about what to do if she fell for the words, ‘If you hand over Swen, I will release Anima.’

Although it was a decision that was difficult to understand based on common sense, what the character Anima Ingram symbolized in this Aethus group was by no means small.

Looking at the reaction, fortunately, it seemed like he didn’t make such an irrational decision.

“You know, can you hear my voice?”

“Yes, I am listening. Mr. Yuuri.”

The Shinigami answered with his head down.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting. I had to think about it.”

“It’s okay. What can I tell my lord?”

Yuuri heard those words and let out a small sigh.

Nope.

My childhood friend and my eternal shadow.

Even if everyone in the world, including you, blames me and points fingers at me… …

I will carry everything and move forward.

“Go and tell it. I will accept Serpina’s offer.”

“Yes? That means… … .”

In contrast to the Shinigami who calmly asked the question, Jinor’s pupils next to him shrank drastically.

now… … Master, what is this woman trying to say??

“I will hand over the new recruits of our envoy Swen. Please release Anima.”