episode_0206

*

Irene, who had broken up with Swen, was heading to the barracks where she used to work for the first time in a while.

“Um, over there… … !”

When she turns her head when she hears someone calling her –

For some reason, a familiar looking woman was calling him.

“… … Prince Ioline?”

“No, that’s my sister… … .”

“… … Ah.”

After listening to the story, I felt that although they seemed similar, they were also strangely different.

The person who called me was clearly a man, not a woman, although he was pretty and had fine lines. It was Zenith.

Zenith is the younger brother of Irian Al Kasky and the twin brother of Ioline Al Kasky, and they had a rather close relationship not long ago.

A considerable amount of time had already passed since then.

“Has your life in prison ended safely?”

“That’s right. So, I wanted to say hello… … Despite my shame, I was waiting here.”

Zenith said that and bent her waist to 90 degrees.

Even though they are twins, they still look very feminine. His voice reached Iren’s ears as she thought the same thing.

“Thank you so much, Irene. I should have said hello to you earlier, but I’m sorry for being so late.”

“No. I just did what I had to do, so don’t mind.”

“I originally wanted to say hello to Swen, but… … Since I have been assigned to move to another territory, I feel like I need to leave soon, but perhaps-”

“I understand. I’ll tell it to my Swen too.”

“Thank you so much.”

Zenith bowed once more and spoke.

“We will continue to serve Serpina from now on, so I will definitely repay this favor someday.”

‘… … .’

After responding appropriately to Zenith, who suddenly came to visit, I sent her away.

Iren looked at his back as he walked away-

I thought about what Zenith said last time.

‘We will continue to serve Serpina from now on… … is it.’

Is it because of the weight felt in that word?

Naturally, you close your eyes and think about something that happened a few days ago.

* * *

Turn the clock forward a little bit –

Irene was able to hear a brief story from Serpina, who quickly returned to her position as monarch, about what had happened.

“Is that so? So it was Reika who treated me… … .”

“Okay. Airen, you probably also knew about Reika-dono’s abilities.”

An image of her spontaneously creating a fireball in her hand flashed through Irene’s mind.

In addition to that, when making chocolate, we made ice out of thin air.

Not only does it have that ability, but it also has the ability to heal wounds… … Although Irene herself could not feel it, there was no longer any doubt that mana really existed.

“… … Yes, that’s right.”

“It’s okay if you don’t worry. Because I have no intention of asking you why you hid it.”

Serpina said that and drew an arc around her mouth.

Irene suddenly thought that her expression had become much warmer than before.

No, not this.

Wouldn’t it be right to say what I couldn’t say because of something that happened so suddenly?

“… … My lord.”

Irene got down on one knee and bowed her head to the blonde-haired absolute person she currently serves.

“For saving my worthless life… … Thank you so much.”

This is not an empty remark, Irene was truly able to save her life thanks to Serpina.

Of course, he may not have died immediately from Shura’s attack. The situation at the time was chaotic, and not only Airen but also Shura seemed to have hastily attacked according to the situation rather than their own tempo.

Nevertheless, this does not mean that the fact that Serpina took the sword on his behalf loses meaning.

And, one more thing.

“I have nothing to say even if I were asked to take responsibility for the tragedy that occurred due to my failure to properly perform my duties as an escort… … I will never forget the grace you gave me.”

In the end, the fact that Serpina was injured was proof that Iren had not been able to properly carry out her mission.

In a situation where she had nothing to say even if she was executed, Serpina was not held accountable for anything, so it was like receiving a double favor from Iren’s point of view.

but.

Serpina once again gave an answer that Iren had never expected.

“Raise your head, Irene.”

Slowly raise your head and look up at the absolute being in your golden eyes.

“She has never done anything to deserve your gratitude. So, it doesn’t matter if you don’t think you have received a favor.”

“What do you mean by that, my lord? I definitely-”

“I’m sorry for interrupting you, but I didn’t throw myself away purely with the intention of protecting you.”

“… … ?”

What appeared on Serpina’s face this time was a slightly bitter smile.

And, what is clearly felt in those eyes is an emotion that inevitably raises questions for a monarch to have towards a bodyguard – jealousy.

“I really envy you, Irene.”

“Master… … ?”

“You are so loved by Swen.”

“… … !!!!!”

That moment.

Irene was uncharacteristically embarrassed.

The very solid posture of kneeling on one knee collapses in an instant.

“Well, that’s… … That, love, that, that… … !!”

Seeing Iren like that, Serpina covered her mouth with her hand and laughed as if she was having fun.

“Hehehe. Irene. That’s what you make when you hear something like this. This is the face of a truly lovely woman who could win Swen’s heart.”

“Well, that… … . Well, that’s very rude… … .”

Iren lowered her head without even being able to respond properly.

My face is hot.

My stomach feels itchy.

Just hearing about Swen reminds me of him.

This became a kind of switch that violently stimulated something in her as a woman.

“Well, even if it’s not love – it’s equivalent to strong affection and strong trust. Irene, I can vividly feel that you are standing next to me at the end of the place where those deep gray eyes reach, and I cannot tell what you are thinking.”

“Ah… … .”

“That’s why.”

Thanks to Serpina, who suddenly changed her expression, Irene barely regained her composure.

Was it simply because of Iren’s mood?

Serpina’s voice seemed to tremble ever so slightly.

“I saved you. If you hurt Swen’s precious person, wouldn’t Yeo be hated by him?”

“Master… … .”

“I know at least that the whole world hates and hates women. I guess it doesn’t matter. Because I got used to it. However, if even Swen ends up hating him… … No matter how much I tried to open it, it seemed like it would collapse any moment. So, I didn’t ask for it with you in mind. That means it is not something to be thankful for.”

Iren looked at Serpina’s face for a moment.

It was strange.

Why is the blonde absolute, who has always seemed strong and gives off a very benevolent vibe despite his nickname ‘tyrant’, suddenly being seen as so dangerous?

“And, didn’t you do it well enough? This is even more so when you consider that if you had not quickly thrown yourself in, you could have lost your life at the hands of your trusted guard. So, it’s okay if you don’t have to thank me. Irene. You did your best. I know it well, so it’s okay to not worry about it.”

After hearing those words, Irene slowly shook her head and said.

“… … Nevertheless, in conclusion, there is no change in the fact that my lord saved my life. I will definitely repay this favor.”

Serpina walked quietly without answering anything.

One step, two steps, and a few more steps.

Only when I got close to the window where the sunlight was shining did I open my pink lips.

“… … I want to stand next to you.”

“… … .”

“If only I could do that, I would have been much happier.”

After muttering quietly like that.

“… … i get it. If that is your will, I will not bother to stop you. Let’s look forward to your future activities.”

“Yes!”

* * *

‘Master…’ … .’

As Swen said, Serpina County was not our ultimate destination.

Runarien Inian.

A strong woman with an unforgettable look in her eyes who aimed a knife at her eye to eye.

I knew because I had clashed swords with each other. Despite her somewhat fragile appearance, her martial arts skills were at a high level.

Because he instinctively recognized that she was strong, it was he who advised her to pursue her when she ran away.

Swen said that she was the only one born with the destiny of a monarch who would unify the continent, and that she was the lord he served.

What existed in Irene’s mind was Swen. No matter what decision I made, my resolve to be by his side had not changed at all.

but.

If Lord Luna raises an army again and appears on the continent… …

At that time, we were our lord’s… … It was like leaving Serpina’s side.

The first monarch who recognized him, believed in him, used him seriously, and saved his life.

The person who gave Rin what he could not have received even for a single moment, even if he had been loyal to her for years.

‘… … ha.’

I had no intention of changing the premise of following Swen’s decision.

Still, it was inevitable that I would be concerned.

‘… … are you okay. Before I raise an army, I may have a chance to repay the favor someday.’

The reason I felt so relieved when I left Atious County was because she had done enough for Yuuri there.

If Chelbrans had not been defeated, the Aethus army would have been destroyed that day.

So, that opportunity will come. There was no other way than to help Serpina meaningfully at least once.

As I walked with that thought in mind, I eventually arrived at the barracks.

Today was a special day to tour the barracks at Serpina’s command.

It wasn’t that he had quit his job as an escort, but it seemed that the person in charge of the barracks had requested to have his curriculum checked by him.

“Irene, are you here?”

“Um.”

As soon as I arrived, I looked around and noticed that the atmosphere in the barracks was somewhat chaotic.

Iren asked a question as she looked at the barracks commander whom she had not seen in a while.

“Did something happen?”

“For some time now, there has been a strange rumor going around.”

“Rumors?”

“That… … .”

and.

The story she heard there… …

* * *

“An unbelievable thing… … Woke up… … .”

“You mean this is unbelievable? What is that… … No, calm down for now, my lord.”

I cautiously approached her.

Serpina was trembling… … He said, holding my hand as he approached me.

“… … It was alive.”

“Yes?”

“The missing uncle… … It was alive.”

If it’s her uncle, then it’s her uncle – that is, her father’s younger brother.

and.

‘… … uh?’

As soon as I think of the keyword [father’s younger brother], my five senses freeze.

“… … It seems that he claimed to be his guardian, installed that person as a monarch, and then raised an army in the southern continent.”

me… … .

I know what this is.

I know everything.

In this game, there was one ‘wanggui-type character’.

The character is the monarch of a small country who starts with the only Martial General who has awakened to magic and the only survivor of the Eingart family, which seemed to have been extinct except for Serpina.

And now, her uncle – ‘the only survivor of the Eingart family except Serpina’ – has appeared on the continent.

“I never thought my uncle would be alive… … He had been missing for a long time, so I thought he was dead. Even though it is a collateral branch, it is hard to believe that the Eingart family lineage still remains… … I really didn’t know.”

From Serpina’s perspective, his appearance was bound to be shocking.

The biggest factor supporting her, who was already on this precarious thin ice, was the fact that she was the only survivor of the Eingart royal family.

Even if the cause was not the same, it was not a pleasant thing to be divided.

and.

Apart from her, my heart started pounding frantically.

It’s coming.

Even though I knew everything, I had no choice but to ask.

I am… … Slowly release your lips.

“Master. Could it be that… … Did you hear what the name of the person your uncle put forward as monarch was? … ?”

Serpina is what I have been waiting for so long-

However, at the same time, I was somehow afraid and brought up the name that I had been ignoring.

and–

“Lunarien.”

――Fate.

“The name of the woman whom his uncle, Kyle von Eyngart, put forward as monarch was Runarien.”

The predetermined future began to approach me.