episode_0236

*

After taking Hispil Castle, Yuuri spent time with Anima preparing for everything as best he could.

Contrary to my worries, nothing special happened and time passed peacefully.

I tried to spend a little more time doing nothing and strengthening my alertness, just in case, but how many more days had passed with nothing happening?

Slowly, scouts began reporting the situation one by one.

The stories I heard from them were different from what I thought.

“No troops were found in Zelin Castle?”

“That’s right. That’s not all. The scout said that a large-scale migration took place in Zelin Castle not long ago.”

“Really… … I don’t understand this. Is it true?”

“How could I tell a lie to you, lord?”

Looking at the soldier kneeling and speaking, Yuuri lightly gestured.

“Okay, I understand. Tell the scout that it’s okay to get some rest.”

“Old!”

After the soldier retreated.

Yuuri slowly approached the castle lord’s chair and asked Anima, who was standing silently next to it.

“What do you think, Anima?”

“One thing is certain.”

“Which one?”

“Serpina completely gave up her territory near the border, including Hispil Castle.”

“Is there a reason you can guess now?”

Anima shakes her head with a bitter smile at Yuuri’s words.

“If it had been there, I think it would have been explained first.”

“Of course, right?”

Perhaps bothered by Yuuri’s slightly weakened voice, Anima quickly added a few more words.

“But actually, it was strange to care about Zelin Castle when I gave up Hispil Castle.”

Since we had recaptured Hispil Castle, we could have taken Zelin Castle without difficulty.

It would have been an even stranger decision to abandon Hispil Castle like this and then welcome us at Zelin Castle, which was difficult to defend.

“I’ve been thinking about it, and I think something has happened in the northern continent.”

“Cases?”

“Yes. So, there is no time to put effort into this side of the border… … It’s like that.”

This is the only reasonable conclusion that Anima can come up with after thinking about it for days and days, and that can explain the current situation.

That was, ‘Something went wrong on the northern continent.’

Something came up and I couldn’t pay attention to this, so I decided to withdraw all my troops and give up the territory.

In the northern continent, intermittent rebellions were still continuing due to the karma of the tyrant Serpina. Not long ago, a wizard appeared and caused a stir while suppressing a rebel army.

So, while giving up the territory, they forcibly mobilized the people of the territory and sent them to the northern continent in order to lower the production capacity of the territory… … That was the best proposition she could come up with.

Although I was a little anxious.

It’s not like I have the materials to come up with anything more than this, and I absolutely wanted to avoid thinking about it all day and missing out on another chance at being a genius.

Sometimes the simplest thing is the right answer. No, in fact, sometimes – rather, most of the time. Because the world was relatively simple.

Anyway, Yuuri roughly summarized what was in his head and briefly briefed Anima.

After hearing Anima’s general explanation, Yuuri nods and asks a question.

“If that’s the case, can we now occupy the territory without worrying?”

“Yes. I think you better hurry.”

Anyway, if something happened to Serpina, it would be a genius opportunity for us.

If they abandon their territory, they just move quickly.

“Tell it to Epinel and Hernandorf. Please advance to Zelin Castle immediately. and… … .”

“And?”

“I’m thinking of bringing Emma in. What do you think?”

Emma remained in Balharat Castle, the current capital, and managed the existing fiefdom.

“It would be helpful if Emma was there… … Wouldn’t it be good to have at least one person in the capital?”

“No. If Serpina really gave up the territories on this side of the border. We need to mobilize the full force of our military to sort it out as quickly as possible. It would be a waste to devote Emma’s level of power to the defense of the capital. It would be okay to leave the management of the territory to Millay or Beliel.”

“Umm… … okay. Anima, I will do as you say.”

Yuuri quickly calls the soldier next to him.

“Go to Balharat Castle and tell it. I’m looking for Emma. You can choose any horse in the stable and ride it as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, I understand!”

Anima, who was watching the soldier leave, opened her mouth with eyes full of determination.

“Yuuri. Let’s move first. We’ve already spent too much time preparing for traps, so we can’t waste any more time. Next is Zelin Castle! Let’s fly the flag of our Acious Army across this central continent!”

“… … Yes!”

So, their occupation of the central continent-

The answer chosen at first, ‘invading Serpina County’… … It’s starting to look like a pretty good answer.

Until now.

* * *

We succeeded in recapturing Zelin Castle, established a castle lord there, and managed it… …

Up until this point, everything had been going very smoothly.

but.

“… … Huh?”

Something started to squeak when troops were sent to invade Alkanwood Castle, one of the border territories of Serphina County, located northwest of Zelin Castle.

I’m sure I heard from the scout that there was only a pure white flag waving.

“That… … .”

Epinel, who was in the vanguard, checked the flag flying on the spire of Alcanwood Castle.

It is not white. that… … A flag with a brown X drawn in the color of the sky.

I was familiar with the sky-colored flag. The flag of Brans County. But, that… … It is not the flag of Brans County.

Not long ago, Brans County, which was like the second most powerful country on the continent, was divided into three different countries.

The Brans army, led by the original monarch, Lin, still has a sky-colored flag.

The Brans army, led by Kalinz, who swept away the golden territory including Agnel Castle, placed a yellow cross on the sky-colored flag.

And, the flag of the Brans Army led by Chell, where the most outstanding generals in the Brans Army are concentrated… …

“… … Chell Brans?”

Flying from the spire of Alkanwood Castle was the flag of Chell’s army.

* * *

Turn back time, a few days ago.

The royal castle of Heisel Castle, the temporary capital of Zell County.

“Damn it!”

bang!

Chell roughly threw the helmet he was holding in his hand.

Wow!

The helmet, which must have been made of iron, was broken into two pieces.

“Do you think it makes sense that we have not been able to capture even one castle of Anel?”

“Yeah, but… … We are concentrating a lot more of our capabilities on Mercury than expected, and aren’t you familiar with the defenses of Anel Castle?”

“… … Haha.”

The plan was perfect.

After taking over Anel Castle, which is occupied by his stupid younger brother, he captures Rin and becomes the true enemy.

At some point, Lin Brans was damaged to the point where she could no longer be considered the wise sister she once knew. I followed him because he was a person worth following, but it meant that he was no longer a person worth following.

Well, Kalinz was an inferior student of the Brans family who couldn’t keep up with him in all aspects to begin with.

therefore.

I thought that now I would be able to personally prove that my father’s insight was wrong.

“… … Go out.”

“Ha, but… … My lord.”

“It would be better if you don’t catch my eye right now. Because I might kill you… … Jim doesn’t want to do that.”

“… … !!”

“Go out. Right now.”

The general who brought news of Chell’s third defeat did not reply, but bowed his head as if he was sorry and hurriedly left the castle.

Let alone bringing legitimacy to the Brans army by capturing Lin Brans.

This is a situation where we are wasting time and wasting our troops without being able to suppress that stupid Kalinz.

This situation itself was making it very difficult for the proud Chell.

‘It’s not like I can step forward myself.’

I want to come forward in person, but honestly, his body has changed a lot from when he was called the First Sword of Brans.

Due to the intense work that came with becoming a monarch and the stress of situations not going as planned, it was nearly impossible to spend all day training my body without worrying about anything.

Just as a knife that is not used becomes dull, Chell’s body also had no choice but to gradually forget its sense of martial nature.

Although I felt sad about not being able to go to the battlefield, I could understand it. In the first place, it was not very desirable for the monarch to always take the lead.

‘It’s frustrating, really.’

One day, I was wasting my time unable to defeat a younger brother whom I always ignored, or to be more precise, always felt sorry for.

“Is that really true?”

“That’s right. How could I tell a lie to you?”

I heard a very unexpected story from a scout who went on patrol in the eastern direction.

It was news that the Serpina army was withdrawing its troops near the border line.

“… … What do you think, Daltrick?”

“That… … .”

Daltrik, who was once the lord of Jog Castle, but has now somehow taken over the position of Chell County’s national counselor, lowered his head and spoke in an uncertain tone.

“Isn’t there something wrong with the northern continent?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Otherwise, there is no reason to withdraw troops.”

Although he was a fairly outstanding talent in Brans County, objectively speaking, Daltrik was closer to an average person and quickly answered without much hesitation.

Chell also does not ask for further explanation.

Well, if it wasn’t for that, why would you do such a crazy thing like abandoning your territory?

‘… … then… … .’

Isn’t this an opportunity?

Rather than conquering the sluggish Anel Castle, the goal is to first increase the territory.

In a situation where a large territory is a national power, I thought that I might be able to overwhelm my brothers and sisters in a completely different way.

“Go and call everyone, Daltrik.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I plan to go to war right away. Oh, and.”

Chell said, regaining her confident expression for the first time in a while.

“This time, let me participate directly.”