episode_0217

In front of Karelia, who asked a question with a trembling voice, Vanessa lowered her head.

Anyway, it was something that would come someday.

There are two ways she can do it.

Either speak honestly or lie.

To be honest, Karelia, who values trust above all else, would be shocked.

Even if Luna chose to betray, she was such a pure person that it was impossible to accept the fact that she was the one who instigated it.

The possibility of losing the will to fight and, in the worst case, surrendering, could not be ruled out.

So, from the perspective of Vanessa, who dreams of becoming the world of Karelia, there is only one thing she can say.

Just telling a lie.

but.

Instead of telling a lie, Vanessa… … A slightly more shocking proposal is casually brought up.

“Yes.”

“What… … ?”

“I encouraged the Mets. They wanted to get rid of Runarien Yniang by any means possible – whether she betrayed her or not. It’s true that I planned it all on my own.”

“Uh… … Oh, how could that be… … Vanessa… … What on earth is that… … !”

Karelia trembles and makes an expression of disbelief.

“If what the Mets say is right… … Lord Luna didn’t mean to betray me until the very end… … !! How could you do such a mean thing… … To the girl who wanted to keep faith, you can do it without any worries!!”

“She is a threat to our country and Karelia just by her very existence. Even now, I still feel the need to get rid of her, even if it is in a mean way. So――”

――Execute me.

“What… … ?”

At the word execution, Karelia, who had four hundred eyes, barely managed to answer in a trembling voice.

Anyway, Vanessa’s expression as she pleaded for death was nothing short of peaceful.

“I will take everything with me. Cut off my head, reveal all the charges, and then hang them in the square. I will take full responsibility for using harsh military laws to conduct politics that did not suit Karelia, and for inciting Runarien into betraying me. And, since we will give the traitors a chance, you can suggest that they think again.”

Her choice was to throw away her life like she had decided to do.

Wouldn’t it be my life that I would have thrown away once everything was sorted out anyway?

As long as she could safely eliminate the entity called Runarien, Vanessa could do anything.

She said, looking straight into Karelia’s eyes without changing her expression.

“Vanessa… … What on earth are you saying right now… … ?”

“Our military will gain a great deal by your lord making a conciliatory gesture after publicly executing me. Not only will we be able to gain the support of the territory’s residents, which we lost somewhat during the preparation for war, but we will also be able to regain our cause from Runarien Inian. Since he betrayed her in the first place, Runarien himself, who clearly seems to have ambitions, is in a situation where he cannot come back to this side, but the story is different for the generals who participated under him. Since the generals of the Karelian army value faith and cause above all else, this will definitely be a huge advantage in the battle against her.”

“I asked you what you were talking about… … !”

“It is also true that it is entirely my fault that I was unable to properly understand the human called Lunarien and caused this sad situation. So, please severely punish me for acting on my own and messing things up here without my lord’s approval. This is the moment to show your determination as a monarch.”

“… … Vanessa Trinity!!”

“Karelia!!!!!”

Each raised their voices, but in the end, Karelia’s appeal was drowned out by Vanessa’s cries.

“… … Please, Karelia. Karelia’s world… … Please don’t give up like this. This is an opportunity. Eliminate the Lunarian Inian, who poses the greatest threat to the lord, and use that as a foundation to conquer the southern continent… … Please remove the wicked Serpina with your own hands. Isn’t Karelia the only one who can bring peace to the continent?”

How many minutes passed without any response?

“… … I am.”

“… … .”

“I can’t kill you… … You.”

Vanessa slowly looks up at her master.

Karelia was crying.

“You who, over and over again, stained your hands with blood for me… … In that way, to use… … I can’t kill you without leaving everything to you.”

“Master… … .”

Vanessa slowly closed her eyes.

She was smart and could tell.

This was a decisive turning point for the Karelian army.

if.

If Karelia decided to kill herself.

The Lunarien army, having lost its cause for rebellion, would have quickly become disorganized and disintegrated.

If it were officers who had been with Lunarien from the beginning, like Kyle or Tifa, the officers who were part of our military would definitely be shaken. As Metz said, the justification was all given by him, and our lord, even from the position of being the victim of treason, will be able to persuade the military officers after eliminating the cause.

The accumulated anger of the people of the territory will also calm down to some extent as the cause, himself, disappears.

Even within the Karelian military, Karelia’s charisma as a monarch will not be destroyed by showing that she is not swayed by Vanessa, contrary to her appearance.

In Vanessa’s opinion, there was no other more effective option for the current Karelian military than this, except that she would die.

Moreover, you wouldn’t think that a criminal would come up with a plan that would risk his own life, so if only Karelia kept quiet, he would be able to keep the fact that it was all his design a secret forever.

but.

Because she was smart, she knew.

Karelia… … That there was no way he could use himself like that.

Even in the face of an opportunity that cannot be missed… … That I am the type of person who cannot possibly seize that opportunity in order to keep faith.

“Haona… … .”

“I don’t want to hear it… … Vanessa. Don’t talk any more. Jim will not abandon you no matter what. You too… … Because you are a precious subordinate to me. Just like others… … You too, Vanessa. In the world I am drawing, there is also a place for you… … .”

And the point where it receded like this-

This was the reason why Karelia could not catch up with Runarien, who could make the decision to betray her.

That’s why I was trying to eliminate Runarien.

I should have cut off that lifeline long ago, even if it meant using more cruel tactics.

During the period of working under Karelia and admiring her… …

It made me think that maybe I resembled her a little bit.

Anyway.

If she can’t make a decision… … She had a mountain of work to do.

* * *

After a full-scale attempt to raise an army, declarations of support from Kane Nerkis and Kyle von Eyngart continued.

As Metz informed everyone about the espionage order given to him, the flag of Tepelo Castle was raised with a bright green flag instead of dark green.

In the process, all of the military officers serving at Tepelo Castle defected to the Lunarien Army, and this was a positive start for the Lunarien Army that could not have been better.

but.

No matter how much supplies you have taken out, you can take them out.

No matter how many 90,000 troops are prepared, which cannot be ignored-

That did not mean that they would immediately overwhelm the Karelian army, whose national power was several times greater.

“Are you saying that troops have been deployed on the border?”

“Yes. It appears that approximately 110,000 troops have been prepared.”

It was predictable that additional conscription would be enforced, but time was definitely needed to utilize the conscripts as useful soldiers.

The troops that are currently coming are probably gathered from the defense forces within the existing territory.

90,000 to 110,000. Of course, this side was at an advantage… … The big problem was that this was not the end.

“In addition, it seems like movement has already been detected as if a fortress is being built around the area.”

“Is that so… … .”

A situation where the radius of activity is restricted.

Even if you wanted to move your troops first, it was not easy to find a clear ‘moment’.

Moreover, from Luna’s perspective, that wasn’t the only problem.

“How are the negotiations with Ohana going?”

“It seemed like they had no intention of coming to the negotiating table at all. No matter what I gave, it seemed to be of no use.”

It was clear that Ohana, who was right behind him, didn’t even want to talk to me.

“The ruler of Ohana County is a very transparent person. It seems that they are trying to take advantage of the situation as soon as they lose strength in the battle with the Karelian army.”

“Do you think Vanessa will just sit there and watch?”

After hearing those words, Violet hesitated for a moment and then carefully removed her lips.

“… … This is just my speculation.”

“Tell me.”

“Perhaps, what made Ohana-kun have such thoughts… … I’m cautiously thinking that it might be Vanessa’s ploy.”

“If that’s what you’re thinking, are you saying that you’re trying to lure them into attacking this side by targeting the fisherman’s position?”

” Rather than pouring out all their capabilities to destroy us, wouldn’t they think it would be more beneficial if they could lend a helping hand to even a potential enemy country… … Because I want to.”

“But then, from the Karelia military’s perspective, we… … So, wouldn’t this territory be lost to the Ohana Army?”

“Maybe you think it doesn’t matter?”

Luna’s eyes widened slightly at those words.

“You will lose one castle, but if you can potentially get rid of Luna, you think it is okay to hand over at least one castle to Ohana-gun.”

“That… … .”

“Honestly, when asked who is more fearful when they have the same power, it is not difficult for even me, who has little experience, to know that Luna would be more fearful. I don’t think someone like Vanessa wouldn’t know that. It doesn’t look like the Ohana Army will be critical of Luna, who was once labeled as having betrayed her master… … We’ll probably all be executed.”

“… … .”

“If you think about it from that perspective, Vanessa’s plan may be unavoidable, but it doesn’t really conflict with their interests. It would be best for them to restore this castle themselves, but if they cannot do so due to various reasons… … That is, ”

After hearing Violet’s story, Luna became lost in thought.

then… …

Should I continue to wither away here?

Once the first invasion was adequately prevented, it was important to quickly take at least one territory under Karelia.

However, if the Ohana army comes this way in the meantime… … If I don’t somehow obtain the territory in the meantime, my dream that I once again unfolded will become crumbs and be scattered around. It was clear that everyone who believed in me and followed me would be beheaded, and we would remain in history as nothing but cowardly traitors.

“What will you do, my lord?”

Luna was lost in thought for a moment after hearing Violet’s words.

Although they raised their troops with great force, they were at a disadvantage in many ways.

Still, Luna wasn’t too worried.

Swen will be arriving soon.

‘Swen will come to visit. Because you promised that you would come. If news of a huge army spreads within the continent, they will come right away.’

In times like this, if Swen were by your side.

Surely, he will suggest an unexpected solution, saying, ‘This is the most efficient way to do it.’

So, Luna waits.

I firmly believed in his words that he would definitely come back to me.

“There is no need to move first now, we will just wait for the right time.”

“… … Okay.”

Violet seemed to be worried about something, but she didn’t complain about her master’s opinion.

To break through the 90,000-strong Mercury force, 110,000 were not enough. We had to bring a very large army to break through.

For the Karelia army, which was almost robbed by our army of the strategic materials needed to carry out the war smoothly, invading here right now would be a huge burden.

Moreover, considering that the defense of Tepelo Castle was very high, our army was not running out of time yet.

The Ohana Army would not be the first to think of using large forces. Because the Hesna military could suddenly point the blade at them.

of course.

When Violet thought about it, it was true that if we held on until the end, we would be at a disadvantage.

As time passes, and military supplies and troops are gathered in proportion to the large territory… … Obviously, our side, which has a small territory, will be at a disadvantage, but-

As a novice who had only just begun to become a strategist, I had no good ideas to overcome this situation.

‘are you okay. Luna must have thoughts on everything. ‘Because you are a cautious person.’

So, we each think slightly differently –

Time flows and flows aimlessly.

* * *

Days turn into weeks.

The weeks become longer again.

No matter how long I keep waiting… …

The white-haired trickster Swen did not show himself in front of Luna.