episode_0155

The capital of Serpina County, the royal castle of Eingart Castle.

Serpina, sitting on the throne, was listening to the soldier’s report.

“Do you mean it is presumed that a landslide occurred?”

“Yes.”

The news came from a transport unit dispatched to send supplies to the front.

“I changed course based on my own judgment, but I came here because I felt the need to report.”

“Can you tell when it happened?”

“Inferring from the common testimony of many residents living in the surrounding villages, it is estimated that it was about 3 weeks ago from today.”

“Does that mean…? … .”

Fortunately, there was no major damage as the valley was only used as a road.

As it was a key entry route from the northern continent to the central continent, it was a road that had to be restored for smooth exchange with allies on the front lines and for the ease of future advancement by occupying forces.

“Okay. How long is recovery expected to take?”

“From what I heard, it seems like it will take quite some time… … It is the field commander’s opinion to give orders at any time.”

Serpina thought for a moment, then stretched out her hand and spoke.

“I understand. Let’s send reinforcements from the nearest castle to help with recovery. The right to operate the unit will be delegated to General Estin, the person in charge of the transportation unit.”

“Can I say that?”

“Yes.”

The soldier who heard Serpina’s words answered in a loud voice.

“Yes!”

After sending off the soldiers, Serpina stood up and headed to where the large map was.

A place where maps of the continent are drawn, often used during national meetings.

The intention was to grab the quill next to him and mark the area near the valley where the landslide occurred so that he could recognize it.

but.

‘… … huh?’

For some reason, that moment when I checked the map.

Swen’s voice flashed through my mind.

“What you are talking about is that you will visit us in person… … Rather, there is a possibility that it will result in a bad outcome for our allies.”

“I think the lord should avoid moving directly.”

The sense of discomfort that Serpina felt at that time was because she called herself ‘Serpina-sama’… …

There were also times when he tried to stop himself from moving.

Swen’s ostensible reason was, ‘The generals under his command must not be made to sympathize with Lin,’ but… … If that were the case, he should have refused to be called here, but Swen did not do that.

at that time.

‘uh… … ?’

Serpina suddenly had an eerie thought, felt her heart pounding, and broke into a cold sweat.

‘… … wait for a sec.’

Serpina checked the map once again.

It’s a road I’ve taken many times. Didn’t he return here from the front via this road not long ago?

therefore… … It wasn’t that difficult for her to guess exactly when this route would be used.

Of course, even if there were problems with the time period, such as weather, it was only a problem when the perspective was in the future and not a problem as long as it was in the past.

The sky had been clear so far, so they must have come and gone without any trouble.

What she thinks now.

That is, rather than calling Lin here, he himself goes to Brans-gun-

In other words, it was about the original plan he had proposed to Swen.

‘I said it was 3 weeks ago… … ?’

Serpina slowly formed a delegation in her head.

The situation she simulates is a plan that exists only in her head and has not been revealed to anyone.

Serpina herself was visiting Brans County in person.

The destination was Kohat Castle, located above Annell Castle and the closest of the fiefdoms located on the current border with Serpina County.

In the first place, he had nothing to regret, so there was no need to go to Annel Castle, and the generals who were demoralized by the situation of guarding the castle without proper troops in the castle located on the border, and the residents of the territory who must have felt the evil atmosphere, were to witness it. Because that was the purpose.

therefore.

Serpina calculated the situation in which the delegation, including herself, would arrive at Kohat Castle, form an alliance, and then return to Eingart Castle.

Of course, the path included a valley where a landslide occurred.

and… …

‘… … !!!!!!’

Serpina drops the quill from her hand.

The ink-filled quill fell on the desk with a crash, scattering black ink everywhere.

There, the ‘fact’ she found out was… …

* * *

“No news yet?”

“Yes… … The date I was supposed to contact you has passed, but still… … .”

“You don’t know where it was headed?”

“Yes… … .”

Inside the dormitory.

I was talking with his twin sister, Ioline, who had come to this room as a substitute instead of Zenith.

“Why, there is no way to share letters or anything like that?”

“Unfortunately… … I’m really sorry.”

“Well, it’s nothing to be sorry about… … .”

Nothing could be resolved by urging Ioline here.

Anyway, there was still time left before I went to Irene’s house, and I was also worried about what Zenith was planning, so it was okay to leave the room a little late.

“Okay. Then you can stay here for a while longer.”

“Ah, four… … All right. Thank you, Swen.”

I asked as Ioline bowed her head and expressed her apology.

“Mr. Ioline. I have a question.”

“Yes. Please tell me anything.”

“What kind of person is your older brother, Janice?”

Although I shared a room with him for a while, all I knew was that he was like a gisaeng brother who wasn’t very serious.

We didn’t have a serious conversation, so I didn’t know what he was thinking.

“Jenice is… … He’s a good person. However, sometimes that is a bit too much.”

“Too much?”

“Yes. There is something that he is willing to carry on his shoulders… … It seems like he thinks he shouldn’t be a burden to his older brother, Irian.”

It’s a burden.

I wondered if there was some kind of family problem, but I guess there was no need to go into it too deeply.

“As far as I know, this outing is probably… … I think I’m doing something that can be of some help to Irian. The only time my brother is active is in relation to Irian. By encouraging him to be a genius who will bring back the Al Kaski family.”

He didn’t seem like an outstanding talent, but if he was active on the battlefield at a young age, he would be considered a top talent in Serpina County, where there are no outstanding people.

Anyway, the more we talk –

For some reason, I could only think of bad things.

‘No matter how much I think about it, it seems like I’m doing something lame.’

What immediately came to mind was treason… …

At first glance, Irian seemed to be deeply loyal to Serpina.

It didn’t seem like he was dissatisfied with his position.

In fact, before Irene became the second-in-command of the occupation force, I was concerned about the fact that Irene had been mentioned a lot as a person to take up that position, so I looked into the situation, but I couldn’t find any abnormalities.

Nevertheless, the reason why ‘treason’ comes to mind is-

‘Because I don’t have a database on the Al Kasky siblings.’

Maybe the reason I couldn’t remember them while playing this game for 10,000 hours was because they died early for some reason and were already dead by the time the game started?

And the reason for this is treason.

Otherwise, at least one of the three will definitely remain in your mind.

Especially if you are a person with abilities similar to Irian.

It is said that he graduated at the top of his class from the most prestigious academy in Serpina County, so it was clear that his basic stats would be somewhat outstanding –

I had memorized all the generals with excellent basic stats.

And, among the generals I memorized, Irian’s name did not exist.

‘Then is it just Zenith’s solo action? … ?’

at that time.

Knock knock, I heard someone knocking on the door.

After giving Ioline a notice, she took actions such as adjusting her posture and organizing her desk.

From what I could see, Zenith looked flawless, so I guess that’s fine.

“Who are you?”

“Swen, are you there?”

‘huh?’

I thought for a moment about how best to deal with someone who was looking for Zenith, but-

Fortunately or unfortunately, the person who came was looking for me.

When I opened the door, a soldier saluted me and said,

“Swen. My lord is urgently looking for Swen.”

“Me?”

What’s going on?

Is there something else you need advice on?

I think I managed to get over the issue regarding the alliance with the Brans army, but I was worried about what kind of unusual answer I should give this time, but-

Anyway, as I had to save her life, there was no harm in maintaining a close relationship with her.

“Okay. I will follow right away.”

“Yes. I’ll be waiting at the door.”

After briefly saying hello to Ioline, I left the lodgings and headed to the royal castle.

*

When I arrived at the throne room, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

‘The throne is empty?’

But I looked around, thinking it was because I said it was here… …

A blonde-haired absolute figure was standing looking down at the desk.

Without thinking, I called her.

“Swen, I have just arrived after receiving my lord’s order.”

“… … Swen.”

Serpina slowly turned her body, then slowly approached me and spoke.

Was it because of my mood?

I thought her eyes were trembling ever so slightly.

He always had a very relaxed expression on his face when he called me… … Today, like when we first met, I didn’t feel relaxed at all.

“To you… … There is something I want to ask.”

If you want to ask, it’s probably to ask for advice.

In any case, it’s not me but a brain with 100% intelligence, so all I have to do is add some flesh to it somehow.

“Please discuss anything.”

What kind of questions will come up?

Is a battle slowly breaking out, or is it a story about a plan or scheme?

I hope this is a question that can be guessed as much as possible, but since I was thinking the same thing… …

“… … Swen. Your thoughts… … Tell me.”

She started asking questions in categories that I had never expected.

“The reason why I was not allowed to step forward in the alliance with the Brans army… … .”

“… … ?”

“The reason… … You claimed that showing the humiliating scene of Lin Brans was so that the country’s generals might harbor sympathy rather than hatred.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“But that’s hard to understand.”

Serpina took a step closer to me.

It was strange.

If it’s hard to understand, why bother bringing it up now when the person who should have talked about it back then is saying it.

And, she always gave me an enormous intimidation just by meeting her in person… … Today, for some reason, it feels like a very precarious and bare tree branch.

“If what you say is true, shouldn’t Yeo have also been prohibited from calling Rin here? In any case, the generals under Lin’s command are likely to face the alliance in person.”

“… … Master, it is-”

At that time, I was wondering whether I should make an excuse for the clearly stated opinion.

“Swen. I’m sorry, but I… … Give me a chance to talk first.”

Serpina cut off my words in a trembling voice.

I did not respond in any way, but silently agreed to her words.

What on earth is going on?

Before I could figure out what was going on, she looked me straight in the eyes and asked a question.

“The reason you stopped me… … Isn’t that actually true?”

‘… … !’

“… … I will tell you what I guess.”

Serpina was now slightly blushing and had a pitiful expression on her face, as if she was about to cry… …

He looks at me and takes out those words.

“You are… … Wasn’t this meant to save my life?”