episode_0170

* * *

Balharat Castle, the capital of Aethus County.

“Brance County was divided?”

“Okay. To be exact, it seemed like it was divided into three parts.”

“That can’t be possible… … Why?”

Anima shook her head and spoke in disbelief at Yuuri’s words.

“I don’t know for sure, but according to spies, Lin Brans’s reputation among his generals and soldiers is not what it used to be.”

“Even so, there were no signs of treason, right? And her brothers who didn’t seem to have much interest in politics.”

“People are beings who change fluidly depending on the situation, so there is nothing strange about it… … The decisive reason is that I think joining hands with Serpina was a pretty big source of conflict.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The point at which Lynn Brans’s rating plummeted coincided with the point at which she announced the alliance in a big way. Yuuri, you remember too, right? He went up to Eingart Castle and announced widely that the two had joined hands.”

“That’s right. I wondered if I had to be dragged around like that.”

“The other person is not someone else, but Serpina. It’s a shame that the other person is Rin, isn’t she a woman who would calmly and viciously commit something even more vicious than that?”

“… … .”

Yuuri silently recalled something that happened not long ago.

A strange offer to release Anima if you hand over Swen.

At that time, my mind was filled with the thought that I had to somehow save Anima, who might be executed at any moment under the tyrant Serpina… … Looking back, I couldn’t help but wonder why she made such a claim.

At first, I thought he might have had a grudge against Swen and wanted to secure him somehow.

That’s right, the man who created a miracle in the northern continent was Swen, and the target was Serpina, so that alone was enough to hold a grudge against him.

But if you think about it a little, it was strange. If Serpina had a grudge against Swen, Swen wouldn’t know it either… …

He personally asked to be sent as a messenger with his own hand.

It wasn’t Yuuri who pointed him out, it was Swen who asked him to point out himself.

How many people would be so reckless as to raise their hands and say that they would go directly to the woman who holds a grudge against them?

As for Swen, although Yuuri himself has never seriously hired him… … He was a man with some decent insight.

In fact, after negotiations with the Serpina military, internal affairs were managed stably without any outcry.

Even though he knows he will die, he throws himself directly into the enemy camp?

Also, take Irene with you?

Considering that it was Swen who abandoned his master for Iren, isn’t this a very strange thing?

Questions hidden in the thought of having to save Anima wandered through Yuuri’s mind one by one, but-

‘… … no.’

All of that was already in the past.

There was nothing she could do now, and Jinor had also advised her that there was no need to cling to what had already happened.

In that case, all we have to think about is the future of Aishus County.

Yuuri spoke after dividing Brans County’s territory marked on the map with a quill into three sections.

“So what should we do now?”

“The alliance with Serpina’s army is likely to be an area controlled by Lin, and the alliance does not seem to apply to the Brans army led by Kalinz or the Brans army led by Chell… … From the Serpina Army’s point of view, in order to attack them, they would have to penetrate the territory of the Brans Army, but even if they occupied it, they would not be able to negotiate, so it would become a border area. If the alliance ends, it will be difficult to manage. So, maybe they won’t move.”

Anima said that, grabbed the quill that Yuuri was holding, and then patted the area where Balharat Castle was located.

“Brance County was divided into three parts. To put it simply, this is a golden opportunity to advance into Brans County’s territory. but… … I’m a little skeptical when I think about whether Serpina-kun will stay still even when we move.”

“That’s right. Maybe it will move. … … From their perspective, we will be the biggest thorn in their eyes.”

Excluding the southern countries whose borders have not yet been reached, and excluding the Brans Army, which is currently in an alliance, the only place where the Serpina Army could advance was Aethus County.

As a result of pouring all of our national power into defense, we are somehow able to survive without any problems… … If you move the military to expand your territory, there is a very high possibility that they will move.

“But, Yuuri. Are we really the only ones who think that way?”

“Huh?”

“The Brans army is divided, so we need to quickly gather the army and launch an attack on the territory of the Brans army, which is in a state of chaos. Is this really something that only we can think of?”

“… … Honestly, I don’t think so.”

“Yes.”

Anima said and circled the countries in the south.

“It’s obvious that they think that way too. And, they have advantages that we don’t have. It does not share a border with Serpina County. Of course, you don’t want to miss this opportunity and want to bite Brans-kun somehow. From their perspective, advancing into the central continent, which seemed like a dream, has become a reality, right?”

“Weren’t we already at war?”

“That’s right. I thought all my teeth had fallen out, but it wasn’t that easy and it seemed like a stalemate. Anyway, I think I can definitely achieve results, so I’ll keep bumping into it. So, what we should aim for is to quietly build up our strength and wait for our time. And, the time when we have to wait is-”

Anima said, pointing to the southern continent.

“When they move.”

“That means-”

“Okay. We’re going south, not north.”

* * *

“Brance’s army is divided?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Serpina looked amused after receiving Jenna’s report.

“You’re showing that kind of movement now? That Chell and Kalinz?”

“That… … According to intelligence, it seems that there are many people who are displeased with forming an alliance with our military.”

“… … !!”

In an instant, Serpina’s pupils grew larger and an arc was drawn at the corner of her mouth.

okay.

He was right again!

‘Swen, is this the ‘efficient result’ you’re talking about?’

The Brans army was almost their only rival.

Even though they have currently lost some of their territory in the central continent, it is no exaggeration to say that they are still the most threatening entity in this continent.

The Brans army was cut into three pieces instead of two. Is there a better outcome for our troops than this?

also.

Swen continued to tell the right story.

Sometimes he says things that don’t make sense, but in the end, he always says the right thing. He is a man who works for me without demanding anything from me.

The more I learn about him… …

He couldn’t understand Yuuri, who couldn’t even use this longevity properly and dedicated it to him.

In any case, she was just grateful.

“Master, what will you do?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you not moving?”

“… … .”

In response to Jenna’s question, Serpina slowly became lost in thought.

‘During the period of alliance, movement is restricted… … I’m wondering whether it would be beneficial to just watch this turmoil, or whether it would be better to actively intervene and take care of as much as possible.’

She thought that none of the options seemed that bad, but soon stopped worrying.

In times like these, isn’t there a man by your side who is more reliable than anyone else with whom you can discuss the situation?

“I guess I need some time to think about it.”

“Okay. … … Me, my lord.”

“What is it?”

“Can I ask you one thing?”

“?”

Serpina sent a silent look to Jenna, who had an expression she had never seen before.

“That… … There’s a story that’s a little concerning.”

“Is someone else plotting treason?”

“No. Rather than that… … This is a story about my lord. Should I call this a rumor, or a rumor? … .”

“Jenna, you keep changing the subject, which is uncharacteristic of you. Let’s say it calmly.”

Jenna hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a cautious tone.

“So… … I hear people say that you may be too close to a man named Swen.”

“The main point?”

“The target is a general who dramatically surrendered from an enemy country… … There are stories coming out one way or another. which… … .”

“I asked you what the point was, Jenna.”

“… … Since he is a young man of outstanding appearance, I wonder if he is clouding the master’s vision… … That’s the kind of story.”

“Ha!”

Serpina snorted and then looked at Jenna and said.

“Jenna. Surely you’re not taking that story seriously?”

“Of course I don’t take it that seriously. but… … It appears that they are quite dissatisfied with the actions of their lord, who favors Swen and Irene, who have just arrived in large numbers of armed forces. What I mean is, rather than questioning whether these rumors are true or not-”

“Are you saying take care of yourself?”

“Take care of yourself, I don’t think so. How dare something like that come to my lord… … .”

Jenna said, bending down.

“I just think that there is nothing more important than maintaining a sense of balance in political affairs. I hope you don’t get angry and think twice.”

“… … .”

to be honest.

Although Serpina’s military power was quite strong, Serpina herself knew that her position was not as strong as she thought.

I witnessed time and again the generals who prided themselves on truly following Serpina as the only and legitimate emperor of the empire rebelled.

Even if on the surface it seems like they recognize me, the only survivor of the Eingart family, and treat me as their monarch… … You can’t know that that’s not the case unless you know it now.

Many feudal lords in difficult times had already proven that no matter how much a monarch he was, he could not fully enjoy his power if he ignored his generals, soldiers, and citizens.

And crucially-

He didn’t want Swen or Irene to be harmed because of his actions.

“Don’t worry, Jenna. Because I can at least cover myself.”

“Once again, I didn’t mean to say that you can’t think ahead.”

“Okay. I know.”

Of course, I had no intention of staying away from Swen now.

The way for them to be recognized by all of their country’s generals would be to establish military merit.

‘I might have to get ready soon.’

If it were Irene and Swen, I’m sure they would be able to establish a military strategy without difficulty.

If they make a contribution, no one will be able to treat them poorly.

Serpina was confident that this was the way to protect them from harm.

Serpina Archipelago, Ayers Archipelago –

Starting with the division of the Brans army, things began to move little by little.

The fleetingly shattered ‘dream’ of Brans’ army was divided into pieces and blooming as the ‘dreams’ of their respective forces.

* * *

‘Is it finally today?’

Finally, that day-

The morning of the day I was supposed to enter Irene’s mansion dawned.