episode_0151

Rin looked at the red-haired, violet-eyed female knight several more times.

That face. A face I can never forget.

The face of the person who always said he would do everything for you… …

“… … .”

At this moment, he was looking at Lin very coldly.

Irene lightly ignored Lin’s trembling gaze at her with a cold look on her face, and gave an order to the soldier next to her.

“Tell it to the lord. The messenger has arrived.”

“Yes.”

After the soldiers returned after completing the mission’s search.

Iren glanced at the envoys who were looking at her in astonishment and spoke in a very dry voice.

“Follow me this way.”

Iren’s voice was very rough.

That kind of voice that doesn’t contain any emotion at all.

There were many types of emotions. Feelings of joy, sadness, and anger… …

The fact that such emotions were contained in her voice was like proof that the other person was the one who made her emotional.

but.

There was no emotion whatsoever in her voice towards Rin right now.

“Hey… … !”

Rin tried to say something, but-

Before that, Irene stopped talking and looked at the rest of the group with a grave expression.

“You guys can wait here.”

“Are you saying we can’t go in?”

Iren nodded at Farfalle’s words.

“When meeting the lord of another country, isn’t it natural for only one envoy to enter?”

Iren’s voice when she says that is so cold.

Farfalle was embarrassed and couldn’t even answer properly at the sight of Irene, the loyalist who had once called her Sir Sir and whom she had sympathized with, whom she had never seen before.

Her words were correct.

It was natural for an envoy who came for diplomacy to enter the throne room alone.

However, since he came to me strictly as a monarch, and since we plan to form an alliance in the future, I thought he would treat me with some kind of hospitality… …

‘I know very well that it is our military that is disappointed.’

Farfalle looked at the expressions of the officers who followed behind.

It was not difficult to see the anger on their faces.

‘I don’t really care. I’m okay with this humiliation, but… … Lord, and the rest of the officers… … !’

So, the moment I opened my mouth because I thought I should at least say something.

“Haona-”

“… … Farfalle.”

Surprisingly, the one who stopped her was Rin, who barely stretched out his hand with a pale face.

“I… … I’ll take care of it. therefore… … Please wait here… … My, I… … Because he’s a monarch… … .”

“Master… … .”

This is something Lin has always said since Farfalle was reinstated.

The saying that you have to do something yourself.

As it was because of her misjudgment that the country was torn in half, using evil to somehow bear it was like her last pride as a monarch.

Since Farfalle didn’t know that, she could only lower her head.

“… … Please come back.”

“Yes… … .”

After Rin answered like that, he carefully turned towards Iren… …

He barely managed to open his mouth tremblingly towards the woman who had always risked everything for him.

“… … Take me, that… … Hey, Ren… … .”

As Iren watched Rin say her name, she spoke in a tone that still contained no emotion.

“Lin Gong. I know that you are the monarch of a country, but it is against morality to speak openly and condescendingly to the general of another country. I hope you take note of that.”

“Ah, okay… … .”

Nod.

I couldn’t answer and just nodded, but Iren didn’t make an issue of it.

“Yes. that… … Irene, you know… … .”

“Follow me.”

Iren walked ahead without even listening to Lin’s words.

Lin slightly stretched out her hand towards Irene and then slowly followed her without saying a word.

In the past, I would have been concerned about Rin, but now I knew for sure.

Before I saw her face, my feelings were a little complicated, but-

When I actually met her, that fact became clearer.

This woman is nothing to me anymore.

All emotions really disappeared from her.

Feelings of resentment or hatred toward her, sympathy that would easily arise when seeing the fall of the lord she once served, even the feelings of love and hate that encompass them all –

It was a feeling that did not reach Irene at all.

To what extent, it would be similar even if someone other than Rin was put in this position.

Right now, by my side, that man is Swen.

There was a very loving man who supported me no matter what, who told me with all sincerity that he only wanted me to survive.

As she was born as a sword to protect someone-

She had a strong presence to protect, and was able to maintain a stronger mentality than anyone else.

“… … .”

On the contrary, Rin’s feelings of regret, self-blame, and resentment were so mixed that it was difficult to figure out exactly what these feelings were.

I felt suffocated every time I looked at her back.

For sure.

She was definitely the woman who said that she would become a cornerstone that would always be trampled under my feet by me.

He was the kind of person who showed absolute loyalty to me no matter what orders I gave him.

‘Iren… … why… … ?’

why… … Not even Aceers.

You are under Serpina-kun, who is like a demon… … ?

“Lin. The only person who can stop Serpina von Eingart’s tyranny is Lin. I, Irene, will follow Lin until my body turns white. Please use it anytime. If my lord tells me to cut down, I will cut down without caring who they are.”

‘I told you so… … ? But why… … ?’

Even though it was none other than himself who kicked her out.

Even though it was he who ignored Swen’s advice and sent her to her death-

Stupidly, I thought back to the past and internally resented her.

Even though I reflected so much… … When I looked at Irene’s face, I felt like my heart was becoming complicated again.

‘you… … You shouldn’t do that… … ? But why me… … abandon me… … why… … ?’

Rin wanted to look behind her and ask her several times after that, but-

Now, I knew. That it is an absurd question that cannot even be reached.

‘no… … .’

Lin lowered his head.

I barely managed to stop the tears from welling up.

‘I… … I, I shouldn’t have done that… … .’

The whole time she was following her, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she herself had become a sinner.

The fundamental reason why the Brans army, which ruled the central continent, ended up like this.

Because the woman in front of me tried to kill Iren for no reason.

I wanted to express my apology, but

Neither the time nor the place given to her nor anything else helped her convey those words.

All Lin could do was bite her lip and barely keep up with her pace.

It was a very late regret.

* * *

As he followed her into the royal castle, a more fundamental sense of anxiety was weighing on Rin’s mind.

To escape from that anxiety, Rin tried to empty her thoughts again and again as much as she could.

How could he have followed the woman who had once been his sword, with his head down as if he were a criminal?

When I came to my senses, I could hear her voice.

This time it was a more familiar tone.

“Master. I have just arrived here, taking Lord Lyn Brans with me.”

Iren knelt down, facing the blonde Absolute who had stepped over the pattern on her armor.

Her new master, the king and tyrant of the Northern Continent – Serpina von Eingart, looked at her and smiled very seductively.

“Yes, Irene. Good work. You worked hard.”

“No. I just did what I had to do for my lord.”

Serpina got up from her seat and walked towards where Rin was.

“Lin Gong. My name is Serpina von Eyngart. It’s nice to meet you like this.”

Rin buried his lingering feelings for Iren in a corner of his mind, but somehow managed to come to his senses and spoke.

“… … This is Lynn Brans.”

“Okay. Did you say you wanted to form an alliance with our military?”

“Yes.”

“I see. I never thought that we would form an alliance with the Brans army, with whom we had been crossing swords just a moment ago… … Still, in difficult times, there is no such thing as your eternal side and my side. I understand Lord Lin’s decision. You made a very reasonable choice.”

Rin didn’t answer, but managed to smile awkwardly.

Serpina didn’t really care about Rin – she just silently proceeded with her next plan to trample on her.

“Of course I welcome the opportunity to work with Brans. However, the reason for specially enshrining Prince Lin in Eingart Castle is…”

After saying that, Serpina walked closer to Rin.

The smell of Rin’s perfume is completely drowned out by Serpina’s strong citron scent.

“Shouldn’t we let as many people know as possible that we have joined hands to pursue peace on the continent? Hehe… … . Hello. Be prepared to be slightly tired before dinner.”

“Yes!”

‘… … ‘See what’s inside, Serpina.’

I knew from the moment I called here in the first place.

He probably plans to use his notoriety to isolate the Brans military’s diplomatic network.

However, in a situation where the country itself could truly disappear if she continued to lose her territory, she had no choice.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the situation was a lot calmer than when I had just met Irene because she was acting so secretly.

Rin responded with the most relaxed smile she could muster.

“… … I hope that the friendly relationship between the two armies will continue forever in the future.”

“Me too. Then come this way.”

Rin followed her in silence.

Trying to ignore the red-haired female knight who was following her closely, as if she was escorting Serpina.

*

As we exchanged very meaningless words in the banquet hall, I was able to naturally calm my mind.

‘Let’s quickly form an alliance and leave. I just do what I have to do.’

I didn’t want to talk to Irene, but it seemed like it would be difficult at the moment.

Thinking it would be better to quickly disappear from sight, I hinted and asked Serpina about her future schedule, and she answered with a smile.

“Well, for alliances, all you have to do is fill out the documents. You seem to be in a hurry. Hehe… … .”

Rin smiled lightly without responding.

I promise myself that no matter what happens from now on, I will not be swayed by her.

Serpina smiled when she saw Rin like that, then looked at Irene from the corner of her eye and said.

“Bring the documents.”

“Yes.”

After saying that, Irene disappeared somewhere.

Only after she disappeared, Rin felt that his heart, which had been pounding ceaselessly, gradually became quieter.

‘Let’s calm down… … Let’s quickly form an alliance and go back. Once we block the northern front… … Hess and the military can be stopped. It starts from there. If we achieve results this time, we will be able to calm all the complaints of the generals, my brother, and the soldiers who were left alone on the border… … Because Farfalle said so… … Surely, surely it can be done.’

I don’t know why Iren was part of Serphina’s army, but it didn’t matter.

For now it’s just… … I wanted to somehow apologize and move forward while forgetting about her.

okay.

You’re doing great, Lynn.

In order for my father, who chose me, to not be criticized, I shouldn’t have collapsed like this.

Everything for Brans.

I drink the glass of wine I received from her and calm my mind as much as I can.

‘I will definitely repay you for all this humiliation after I conquer the continent. Serpina.’

That time when I was smiling like that and swallowing my hostility towards her.

‘… … ?’

Serpina’s expression… … It was strange.

No, to be exact, I was smiling… … It was clear that he was expecting something.

what?

What else is behind this?

And, at that moment-

“Master.”

A voice came from beyond.

It’s a man’s voice.

It’s a voice I know well.

And, as soon as I sensed that it was a ‘well-known voice’ –

That ‘essential anxiety’ that followed Iren and came after her.

‘… … no way… … !!!’

It opened its ferocious maw wide and began glaring at Rin as if he were going to eat her.

A fact that Rin hadn’t thought of, or rather didn’t want to think about, while coming here.

――If Irene is here, where is Swen, who was with her at that time?

And the answer is… …

For Lin, it was revealed in a very cruel way.

“I brought the documents, my lord.”

When I slowly turn my head, there is a white-haired man there.

The man who always said the right thing and told people to use themselves to their heart’s content-

“You’re here, my Swen… … Hehe… … ♡”

Serpina was called ‘my Swen’.