episode_0226

* * *

“Thank you for your hard work, Master.”

“No. Merlene, you are going through a lot of hard work. We will tell you all the military achievements we have made so far, so please do not worry and continue to focus on your mission.”

“Please leave it to me.”

By listening to the report from Merlene, the lord of Gran Isle Castle, located at the westernmost tip of the northern continent, Xena’s mission had crossed the 8th ridge.

Now all that remains is to investigate Kelstein Castle and its surroundings.

It wasn’t a good situation for a government official to be away for such a long time, but Serpina herself was a very smart person, and her job was also geared towards thoroughly assisting Serpina, so there was no reason to worry so much. It didn’t lift.

What I was worried about was a different problem… … In that part, the waters began to open in a slightly different direction.

“Master.”

A female general approached Jenna as she was leaving Green Isle Castle.

It was Mary, a new female general who had just started working for him.

“Did you wait long?”

“No. Ah, I have done everything you ordered. Please check!”

“I think Miss Mary did a great job.”

Originally, the general who helped Jenna in this situation was Erin.

However, Erin’s participation in the rebellion was discovered not long ago and she was sentenced to death.

Not only Serpina, but even Jenna indirectly had no choice but to realize how much her master was hated.

“Are you going to go back to the castle right now?”

“No. There are still places to look. I have to go to Kelstein Castle.”

“Ah… … .”

Mary hesitated for a moment, then looked at Jenna and asked in a cautious tone.

“But, is it really okay like this?”

“What’s going on?”

“That… … I mean Swen.”

After hearing those words, Jenna easily realized the true meaning of Mary’s question.

okay.

In fact, not long ago, Jenna was wary of the rise of the traitor Swen.

This was because, if Serpina, the lord, did not have any preconceptions when dealing with external personnel, it was right for the strategist himself to treat external personnel with a more meticulous standard.

In Serpina County, where everyone, from those who had been there for a long time to those who had just arrived, were prone to rebellion, Swen’s presence was quite unique.

The fact that he was abandoned by the Aishous County and passed through several countries before arriving here was unusual, but what bothered him the most was that he was strangely protected by Serpina.

Jenna also kept him in check at first. In a situation where Serpina trusted him too much, if he betrayed her, there was a possibility that the impact would be incomparable to the impact the rebels had had so far.

However, not long ago.

After hearing that he had brought the pink-haired wizard to Serphina, Xena completely retracted her thoughts.

“Lord Swen would be fine.”

“Is that so… … ? Not long ago, you said that it’s not a good idea to be away for too long… … .”

“It was definitely like that back then, but not now. For no reason, it would be more damaging to lose against Lord Swen than to keep him in check.”

Even if it’s not a wizard thing, if you consider that the female general Irene, who has made great contributions, is virtually one in the same body as Swen… …

It is inevitable that a conclusion will be reached without difficulty.

Sharpening the blade against Swen and then going against his will will inevitably result in a greater loss for our military.

For Serpina County, whose talent pool had already been shattered by the rebellion, Swen’s value was bound to increase day by day.

It’s okay.

I really thought that simply arranging an engagement with Serpina might be the path to becoming my true master… … These days, Jenna was considering it quite seriously.

Anyway – Jenna’s tone towards Swen has now changed.

From keeping him in check, to getting as close to him as possible.

“What… … If that’s the case, then that’s what you mean.”

Mary also doesn’t bother to ask questions.

At least in Mary’s opinion, in this Serpina county, with the exception of the lord Serpina, there was no one more intelligent than Jenna.

“Then shall we leave quickly?”

“Good.”

So, Jenna took Mary to Kelstein Castle.

Even the national strategists of the seemingly most powerful country were making their own decisions to survive.

* * *

Balharat Castle, the capital of Aethus County.

“Really? Jinor showed up again?”

“Yes.”

“The place where he appeared… … This time, is it the Lunarien army that rebelled in the Karelian army and raised an army?”

“They said yes.”

Yuuri was immediately lost in thought after hearing Anima’s report.

‘why… … ?’

Are you saying that the only place that leaves our military and enters is a group of rebels?

No matter how much you think about it, there were one or two strange things about Jinor’s smart choice.

I don’t know the details, but it seemed like the rebels had their own reasons for rebelling.

In addition, there was a declaration of support for Kyle von Eyngart, who was known to be dead, so it was as if the group that had launched the rebellion had a name value comparable to that of a powerful lord.

But I couldn’t understand much just by looking at it. In the end, it has not changed that we have only one territory and are a candle in front of the wind that we don’t know when will be suppressed.

“Do you know what kind of person Lunarien is?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t think he’s a very well-known person.”

“But why did Kyle get attached to someone like that… … ?”

Anima answered Yuuri’s question in an ambiguous tone.

“I’m not sure… … Maybe the main body is Kyle.”

“Huh?”

“In fact, the value of Kyle’s bloodline, which is only a collateral lineage, arose because Serpina killed all of the remaining siblings with her own hands. Moreover, since he is old, it must have been a burden to establish and run the country himself. So, I think it’s just a way to appoint a person who is likely to listen well as a replacement and take control.”

“Why take such an adventure at that age?”

“It’s just a guess. Well, you have to have the ingredients to be sure. There’s probably something to it. Because it is the country that Jinor chose, not anyone else.”

Anima said that and then became lost in thought alone.

“That’s my opinion.”

“… … Huh?”

“I guess that guy… … Don’t you think it’s related to Swen?”

“Huh?”

To Yuuri, who seemed to have no idea what was going on, Anima also explained it in a vague tone that did not seem particularly certain.

“No… … First of all, the reason why Lord Jinor should be dismissed from our military is because of that… … That’s because.”

“… … Yes.”

“Because the person most deeply involved in that matter was Swen. Of course, there’s no way to explain what this has to do with anything, but since there’s nothing to point out now… … .”

‘I joined the new rebel army because of Swen… … .’

Yuuri tapped the handrest of the chair with his fingers for a moment, lost in thought.

“But then, shouldn’t Swen also go over to that direction? According to a recent report, Swen is a member of the Serpina Army.”

“Well, that’s right. Honestly, I don’t know, me either. Just what… … Maybe it was just a whim of old age, or maybe I had placed my hopes on Kyle von Eingart rather than on that woman.”

“… … .”

“Or is there any basis? On the grounds that Jinor and Swen should be in the same group.”

“There is no evidence to speak of… … .”

Jinor’s adoptive daughter, Reika – that is, the wizard – is in Serpina County, so I thought that Jinor would naturally go there too.

In order to bring this up, he had to say that he had blown up the wizard with his own hands, so Yuuri trailed off and did not bother to explain.

Although he thought Anima would understand him, it wasn’t a good idea to say something that would lower his morale.

“It’s okay, Yuuri. I don’t think there’s a need to think too deeply at this stage. No matter how much Kyle’s support they have, they are ultimately just rebels. Looking at the momentum, it looks like it will be settled in Karelia or Ohana County anyway.”

“I guess so… … ?”

“Yes.”

Anima, a trusted friend and national strategist, answered confidently, but Yuuri was unable to erase the anxiety in his heart.

Swen is active in Serpina’s army with a magician.

Jinor abandoned himself and joined the rebel army led by a prince who would have been nameless without Kyle’s halo.

She didn’t know why she was so anxious, but it was actually instinct.

At least among all the feudal lords on this continent, only Yuuri can feel the anxiety. Let me explain――

――It is a force that can only be felt by someone who once held both of those men in their hands.

“So, cheer up. Yuuri. There will be a lot of work to do in the future.”

“Okay… … .”

okay.

Whatever it was, couldn’t he at least save the anima in front of him?

All she could do now was feel relieved that Anima was alive.

The peaceful nest is maintained as is.

I am satisfied that this miniature garden-like world is not broken… … That kind of life.

“Anyway, this isn’t important.”

“Huh? uh… … huh. That’s right.”

okay.

I didn’t call Anima to talk about people who were in our military in the past.

“I’m ready. Just give me an order anytime, Yuuri.”

“… … .”

After sending Swen away, Irene leaving, and some officers and soldiers leaving.

After going through quite a long period of confusion, the Aishous army had been storing up its strength for quite a long time, with the Brans army split into three and the Serpina army not moving.

Being ready meant that it was time to spread our wings again.

For Yuuri, the moment of decision had arrived once again.

Convinced that now was the time, Yuuri slowly got up from the throne.

Then, he opened his mouth, looking at her cunning, which he could not give even if he were to pay a thousand gold.

“Please gather everyone, Anima.”

“Okay.”

Yuuri, Emma, Hernandorf, Epinel, and Anima.

Acious’ will began to reach out towards the continent again.