episode_0117

* * *

When I was getting used to living in the separate building, Serpina came into the room for the first time in a while.

“Welcome, my lord.”

Serpina looked at me and said without giving any specific answer.

“Follow me.”

“Are you talking now?”

“Yes.”

She nodded her head slowly.

I was almost distracted by the beautiful appearance and the deep citrus scent that wafted out every time I moved, but I caught myself again.

“I’m trying to move slowly. So, I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to test you.”

“Then… … .”

“It was about to resume the invasion.”

Are they already planning to engage in active conquest activities?

“Didn’t you run out of spare troops after the Battle of Zellstrom Castle? Are you planning on lending a hand to a mercenary group?”

“That’s right. There, reinforcements will arrive soon.”

ah.

I quickly understood and nodded.

Not anywhere else. This is the Serpina Army, the current strongest power that conquered the northern continent.

Even after expanding the front line this much, are there still troops to operate?

but… … Is it really the right answer to carry out further conquest activities here?

The enemy countries that are immediately in contact are the Brans Army and the Aethus Army.

I haven’t made any predictions yet, but I don’t think continuing the war here would be a very good move.

“What are you doing?”

Serpina, who had been walking towards me lost in thought, turned her head and asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing special. I will follow.”

You’ll find out once you get to the castle.

I quietly followed her.

*

The characteristic feature of Hispil Castle was that about 1/4 of it was destroyed.

It seemed like this happened during the process of usurping the territory of Brans County.

Aside from the fact that it was currently undergoing repairs and was a bit cluttered, it seemed to be doing its job as a building.

When I arrived inside the castle, I looked at the generals of Serpina’s army in Hispil Castle.

Except for Irian Al Kaski, who I met upon arrival, I didn’t see any familiar faces.

Serpina’s only weakness in this game. That is, there were almost no S-class generals.

In the first place, the base force was so strong that if there were so many armed forces that shook the battlefield just by the presence of the generals, the balance would have been lost, so I understand… … Still, I didn’t know that there were only generals who remained in my mind so far.

The generals whose names I don’t necessarily remember were just generals to fill the number of people.

I vaguely remembered the face of a man named Yuan who seemed to be the lord of the castle. I think it may have been something that stayed in my mind because I saw it a few times during the battle with Serpina when playing Random Lord.

at that time.

“Swen.”

A woman’s small voice came from behind me.

“Irene.”

As soon as she saw me, she smiled as if she was happy to see me.

“Did you also come here after receiving a call from your master?”

“That’s right. Irene too… … ?”

Nod.

“It seemed like you were thinking about battle.”

So do I and Irene.

Just when I thought it was a good thing that it didn’t seem like they were treating me like a duck egg from the Nakdong River after recruiting me-

From beyond, the blonde absolute figure was approaching this way, making the sound of footsteps.

The way he walked was very elegant, but… … The sound of footsteps heard was slightly different in that it was not the sound of shoes, but the sound of military boots.

“”Meet Your Majesty.””

As soon as Serpina arrived at the castle lord’s chair, the subjects all bowed their heads and greeted her.

What’s interesting is that he used the expression ‘Your Majesty’ rather than ‘Master’.

Since we are Serpina von Eyngart and not another army, do they think we are of a different class from an ordinary group of warlords?

The situation was resolved by Serpina lightly raising her hand and reaching forward.

“Everyone, listen.”

Serpina looked down at all of us with our heads down.

Every little gesture like that made me feel something like the gap that existed between her and us.

“I would like to ask your opinions before deciding what to do from now on. So that everyone can freely say what they think about what they would like to do in the future.”

Someone who heard those words spoke up.

A soft male voice. It’s a voice I’ve heard before.

“I have something to tell you, my lord.”

Are you calling me lord here?

Well, Serpina, whom I met for a few days, seemed like she wouldn’t be too concerned about things like titles.

“Tell me.”

The person who opened his mouth, Irian Al Kaski, said while cupping his fist and cupping his chest.

“We must attack Zellstrom Castle once more.”

“Zellstrom Castle?”

“Yes.”

Zelstrom Castle has already been pushed back once by Epinel and Emma’s momentum.

It must have been a great fortune for Yuuri that they were outstanding generals.

Even that luck was losing its luster.

“I am curious about your intention when you say we should attack again where we failed once.”

Well, if we had to continue our invasion activities here, there was only Zellstrom Castle.

“If we have to continue our invasion activities here, that is the only place.”

oh.

Still, he seems to be a bit of a smart guy.

I didn’t think it would be of much use since it was a military officer I didn’t remember.

“Why do you think so?”

“When it comes to invading the Brans army, we have already concluded that it would be more efficient to leave them alone. When you invade Lacline Castle, the number of adjacent enemy countries will increase. If we deal with them one by one, we will definitely have the upper hand, but if we continue to expand the front lines and they form an alliance, there is a high possibility that we will be at a disadvantage. So, if I were to steal it, it would be Zellstrom Castle.”

It was exactly what I thought.

If you can obtain the Anima without spilling a single drop of blood, regardless of the condition of handing over the Anima, it would be better to aim for Castle Rachline rather than Zellstrom –

From a position where we had to fight, the conclusion had to be a little different.

If you could just get the territory for free and absorb it without destroying the walls or disrupting the public sentiment of the people of the territory, it was possible to manage somehow.

Rather, if the occupation was to be carried out, it would have been right to invade Zellstrom Castle without disturbing the Brans army.

“Then, do you think you can win?”

okay.

The problem, looking at it objectively, was that there was no room to breach Zellstrom Castle.

It might be possible if we gather all our troops and attack them. However, when you show that level of movement, will Brans just watch you do it?

Lynn Brans may be emotional, but she is not a stupid woman.

No matter how many mercenaries were mobilized, it was clear that if they did not gain a complete advantage, they would eventually be defeated again.

At this point, I wondered what kind of plan he had prepared, so I kept my mouth shut.

but.

The words he uttered were truly disappointing.

“If it were me, it would be possible. My lord.”

Irian spoke in a voice that seemed to be burning with fighting spirit.

“I have lived until now only to make merit. I know this is a bit of an unreasonable request, but please attach sufficient troops to me. We will make sure to retake the castle and make our contribution.”

It’s not the first time I’ve seen something like that. Kalintz felt exactly the same way.

The difference from Kalinz is that back then he was overconfident in his abilities, and in Irian’s case, I don’t know if it was because he was still young, but it felt like he was just riding the momentum.

‘I think that’s a bit arrogant considering I’m still young.’

When I was thinking about that, Serpina spoke in a cold tone.

“Irian R. Kaski. What will you do if you lose? You know very well that if we lose even this battle, we may have to narrow the front line rather than expand it.”

“Yes. But it’s okay.”

“Are you saying there is an unconditional way to win?”

“I will definitely prove that Eingart’s soldiers cannot be defeated.”

Irian spoke in a very motivated voice, but-

The answer that came back was nothing short of cold.

“I didn’t ask you to say something nice to hear.”

“… … Sorry.”

“I will ask again. What exactly is the way to win unconditionally?”

“… … .”

Serpina changes the question to Irian, who cannot answer.

“Then let me ask you this. If you lose, how will you take responsibility?”

“At that time… … .”

Irian hesitated for a moment, then answered bravely again.

“You can cut my head off.”

“Really?”

Serpina slightly raised the corners of her mouth.

For some reason, I felt like I knew. That smile is not a smile expressing satisfaction with loyalty.

It’s different from that… … It’s a smile filled with cynicism.

“What can you gain by cutting off your head?”

“Well, that is.”

“If you kill someone who failed, well, it could be something to vent your personal anger on. Because there is a good justification for punishment for personal injury. But what does leisure actually gain? What to lose comes to mind easily, but what to gain is invisible. I’m sure you’re not going to claim that there’s something in the act of cutting off the head that goes beyond the value of one or two fiefdoms. Why don’t you tell me?”

“… … .”

At those words, the crowd fell silent.

Actually, Luna is unique. If you think about it a little, you’ll be right.

Life is a very important value, but if you wanted to be treated with that value, you should not have been born in a difficult time.

“Let’s ask other people’s opinions as well. Speak freely.”

After that, several more comments were posted.

There was also an opinion that it would be better to catch Brans off guard and attack him… … As already concluded earlier, it was an opinion that did not need to be listened to very carefully.

Nevertheless, Serpina listened to the opinions and responded by asking questions based on logic, just like she did with Irian.

I was able to realize her true intention when she claimed, ‘I want to test myself,’ in that she listened to advice without ignoring it, even if it did not make sense at first glance.

‘Now that you’ve come under my wing, are you saying I can run wild as I want?’

Well then, let me share my thoughts.

I’m not asking you to make a prediction, but it’s okay to just have a sense of ‘If it were me, it would be like this.’

“Now. Do you have any other opinions?”

At this point, I slowly opened my mouth.

“Master.”

“Yes.”

She looked in my direction.

Perhaps because it was my first time seeing this face, I felt the subtle gaze of those around me, but I didn’t really pay any attention to it.

Because what was important to me was Serpina’s gaze, not anyone else’s.

I have cold eyes that don’t give me special treatment just because I’m there.

In order to bring life to those eyes, I had to somehow prove my ability.

“Can I tell you what I think?”

“You are asking the obvious. Say as much as you want.”

If I were Serpina, I would just… … .

“I think it would be best to stop here when entering the Central Continent.”

“What does that mean?”

I nodded and said.

“Return to Eingart Castle and work on internal affairs.”