episode_0225

* * *

On the way out of the castle, I was able to see the face of a man who was now quite familiar.

Irian R. Kaski.

He was a tall-looking black-haired lancer, and one of the few people in Serpina Army that I was quite close to.

“It looks like you are coming to have an audience with your lord? Thank you for your hard work, Lord Swen.

I nodded slowly and answered.

“No. Irian, you worked hard to get to the capital city.”

“I just did what I had to do. I don’t think it’s time to receive a thank you.”

Since the report just now included Irian’s report, we had just talked about it.

“Now that I think about it, there’s something I didn’t ask you just now.”

“What is it?”

” When do you think you will return to the capital? ”

“It’s been quite a while since I last saw you… … It looks like I’ll be returning to the capital soon, but I’m not sure.”

“Is that so… … .”

After hearing what I said, Irian put his hand on my shoulder and said.

“It looks like you are having a hard time taking that position.”

“Well, it’s better than just sitting still and doing nothing.”

“Though I am saying this here.”

Irian said with a very serious expression.

“I think you would do very well as a national officer.”

“Haha, Irian. There is nothing I can give you even if you float it like this.”

“No. I’m serious.”

Irian spoke seriously in a tone without a trace of mischief.

“Jenna is definitely a person with insight, but… … In fact, he is not a person with abilities that surpass our master. Of course, the lord may be an extraordinary person… … But Swen, there is something extraordinary about you that cannot even be found in your master. I haven’t lived that long, but I know for sure that you are not a criminal.”

I slowly lowered my head and spoke.

“I’m still not good enough. Thank you for your high evaluation, but I think the most ideal situation would be for Zena, who has led the government stably so far, to assist her master, Serpina. My lord, it would be a burden to have someone with an overly strong personality next to you.”

“It seems like you acknowledge that you have individuality?”

“Excessive humility is sometimes undesirable.”

After hearing what I said, Irian laughed out loud a few times as if it was fun, then lowered his hand from his shoulder and said.

“Swen. I am confident that you will be an essential piece of our Serpina army. Please continue to work hard for our military. If it were your order, I would also take priority regardless of the level of command.”

“Thank you for your words.”

“Then.”

After sending Irian.

Only then was I able to let go of my heart and let out a long sigh.

‘A necessary piece… … is it.’

Before I knew it, even with Serpina out of the picture, the number of people looking at me favorably was increasing.

If I had to point out a reason, it would be Irene’s performance and Irian’s protection.

In a situation where all the influential generals who were already part of the axis are dying due to successive rebellions, and who are close to Irene, an outstanding general, and who previously had a fairly large stake, now there are no influential generals to compete for that stake, so the situation becomes even more solid. While Irian, who had formed a boundary, was viewed favorably, the perception that he was a traitor gradually became blurred.

The decisive trigger was magic. No one knew that I was the one who played a decisive role in Reika’s appointment. I was the one who fought with her in the first place.

In fact, as people looked at me better, the rumors about me bewitching Serpina with my face were slowly disappearing.

One way or another, it was conclusive evidence that people’s dislike of me had decreased.

I recall again the story I heard when I met Serpina just now.

“If you can be by my side in any form… … That’s enough.”

“So.”

“It’s okay if you don’t have to marry a woman.”

“If only I could stay by your side… … .”

Suddenly, I became an indispensable person to Serpina.

Regardless of whether this was right or wrong, it was the reality itself that had already unfolded to me.

I ponder what Irian said, close my eyes, and ask myself that question again.

‘Will Runarien Inien become the monarch who unifies the continent?’

[Yes.]

‘… … ‘It’s okay so far.’

If I leave, Serpina, there is a high probability that she will be ruined.

And Luna, the monarch of the country I will return to one day.

For the two of you, what can I do… …

* * *

“So you’re saying you’re going to stay here for a while?”

“Yes.”

That night.

After finishing dinner, I briefly explained the future situation to Reika and Airen.

What I announced was my future plans.

Even though it was a move, it wasn’t anything grand; it was just a plan to stay in Serphina County rather than immediately return to Lunarien County.

Irene thought for a while, took a sip of the tea she had brewed, and then spoke.

“Luna, is everything okay?”

“What does it mean?”

“Unless you are working in secret, Lord Luna will hear that you are here… … If you don’t keep visiting, you might end up misunderstanding something, right? After all, sending a letter-”

“No. Since you belong to the Serpina Army, there is nothing good about exchanging letters with someone who is now the monarch of another country.”

Doing something that might be criticized by others was not a very wise choice.

I could only predict the questions I was asked, but had no ability to detect dangerous situations in advance.

This meant that there was no need to increase the number of variables and increase the risk.

“Well, that is correct.”

“And, it’ll be okay even if you don’t have that. Luna is.”

Because you always believed in me.

I remember the look in her eyes that trusted me even when no one else did.

Luna… … I’m sure it will be okay.

“Well, like I said before, I just follow your will, Swen.”

“Well, me too… … I don’t know the details, but I think Swen’s decision is right… … Se, I haven’t been able to properly repay the favor to Serpina yet… … .”

Reika also nodded and said as if she agreed.

I felt a little sorry for Luna because I didn’t go back right away… …

As I thought before, if I had Jinor, I would be able to survive somehow. Even if I were to go down right away, since she was destined to unify the continent anyway, everything would be on her side, so there might not be anything I could do.

Right now, I want to be by Serpina’s side and assist her.

The thought that this was a decision for Luna has not changed.

“Still, I’m glad you two agree. Especially Reika, you don’t know the details… … Is it really okay if I don’t have to explain it?”

After hearing what I said, Reika nodded her head carefully and said.

“Anyway… … I decided to follow Swen. All I can think about is helping Swen and Irene… … It’s okay.”

Irene knows who Runarien is. I have even encountered it in person.

But not Reika. She didn’t even know why we had to return to Lunarien County.

She might have doubts, but it seemed very characteristic of her not to ask questions.

“Okay. Thank you.”

“What am I? lol… … .”

I lightly patted the head of Reika, who was smiling shyly.

She did not reject my touch but accepted it.

At times like this, I thought she had a puppy-like side.

Because he liked being petted and was faithful to the words of the person he followed.

at that time.

“I… … Swen.”

“Yes?”

Irene, who was sitting next to me, was staring at me with a slightly red face.

“That… … Well, uh… … hmm… … .”

I easily understood her true intention and said it with a smile.

“Irene, please come here too.”

“… … .”

She puts her head closer to me without saying a word.

He raised his hand and stroked her red hair.

The feel of the silver circlet she always wore reminded me once again that I was stroking Irene’s head.

“Irene. Thank you for your hard work today.”

“Yes.”

She answered with a faint smile, closing her eyes and shaking her head as if she was concentrating on my touch.

Both then and now, Irene was a person who was not good at hiding her emotions.

It made me think that a person like this must have swallowed the harsh humiliation while working under Rin.

‘… … .’

Suddenly, Luna’s face came to mind.

I said I would definitely go back. He also said that he would take over the world. Even now, I had no intention of breaking that promise.

The reason I stayed by Serpina’s side in the first place was because it was ultimately Luna’s way to conquer the world.

But what is certain is that, through all of this, she… … I didn’t want to exclude Serpina.

I did not want to create a world just for Luna, excluding humans called Serpina.

I didn’t want to abandon her as she cried, saying she didn’t kill anyone.

‘There must be a good way.’

If there is even the slightest possibility, just follow that path.

Nevertheless, I thought that this path would ultimately be right for Luna.

Luna could become a unified monarch only if Serpina safely maintained her throne.

So what I have been given is the time until Luna conquers the southern continent.

In the meantime, I was thinking of finding a way somehow.

A way to keep the promise to Luna and at the same time not abandon Serpina.

It seems impossible, but maybe if it were me… … If you have a brain with 100% intelligence, a path that seemed non-existent may open up.

For a future where both Luna and Serpina can smile.

It will be fine.

Luna is someone who trusts me, so it will be okay.

‘Luna. Please trust me and wait a little longer. I somehow… … ‘I’ll try it.’

So, I hope to reach my master-

It was filled with wishes and sent out into the sky.

‘Take care of yourself, Luna.’

Until the day we meet again someday… …

Please, stay healthy.