episode_0241

* * *

After that day.

Yuuri entered into a large-scale war against Chell’s forces.

All the troops that had been gathered to take the lead in unifying the continent naturally went into war with the Chell army.

Chell also had no choice but to use up all the troops it had accumulated for the unification of the Brans army in the defensive battle.

The first round was a decision win for Aceers.

Aceers was literally achieving amazing results. Not only did they take Alkanwood Castle, but they also succeeded in occupying Rambow Castle, the existing territory of the Chell army and located to the west of Alkanwood Castle.

It was Chell County, which was known to be home to the most outstanding generals in Brans County… … In fact, there was no one in the country who was better than Chell, and let alone Chell, there was no general with enough skills to stop Emma and Epinel from the Aishous Army.

Hearing the news of defeat repeatedly, Chell sighed deeply and thought.

‘Maybe I did something for nothing.’

I had heard through rumors that the ‘internal solidarity’ within the Aishous Army was great, but I never thought it would stick to this level.

They decided that the decision to engage in a life-or-death battle with our military would not be very beneficial to them, and it probably was – because Yuuri now feels like a revenge demon rather than a monarch with a grand vision.

An ordinary monarch – even if it had been Kalinz, he might have gone beyond regretting this decision and suggested a humiliating peace agreement.

“… … Ha!”

Chell was a natural fighter.

To be honest, it was much more stimulating than the sluggish siege against Kalinz, and it was making his blood boil.

‘The spirit of throwing everything and charging into our military because of the death of only one of the founding contributors is so naive that it does not fit these times. okay. ‘I admit it.’

Not long ago, the day when Hernandov’s head was hung on the castle wall.

Seeing the look in his eyes right before he died, Chell realized something and began training his body again like he did when he was a general.

Although he was still lacking compared to his prime, he was confident that he would perform as well as before when he returned to the battlefield.

If things continue like this anyway, our side, which is relatively behind in national power, will only be pushed out by the Aishous army.

To deal with a stronger country, such an all-out war is not enough.

However, if there was one thing that was disappointing, it was Jang Soo-jin.

‘I wouldn’t know if a general like Irene would back me up… … ‘Currently, there is no one in our military with that level of skill, so it would be better to somehow make a breakthrough on my own.’

Back in the day, when we were expanding Brans County’s territory with Irene.

Chell, who was a natural warrior, was someone who could easily tell how big of a role Irene played.

Over there were Epinel and Emma. Although they were good opponents for me, 2:1 was inevitably a disadvantage for me, who was past his prime.

‘… … it’s okay.’

Thinking about unnecessary things like this is something that only people like my younger sister Rin or the tactician Farfalle do.

There was something else that Chell was good at. Going into battle and clashing swords.

Chell immediately began preparing for sortie.

The commander-in-chief is himself a monarch… … Chelbrans.

The man who was once called the First Sword of Brans began to thrust his blade towards the Aishous army in earnest.

* * *

Perhaps thanks to Chell’s direct action, the battlefield began to shake up.

The first thing Chell did was to boldly abandon Rambow Castle and attack Alkanwood Castle.

It’s not just the Rambou Castle that is being abandoned. Jog Castle, which the Aceers army immediately attacked, was essentially giving up.

Giving up Jog Castle was quite a big decision. If they succeeded in conquering only that place, they could advance without hindrance to Heisel Castle, the capital of Zell County.

In the end, Chell’s operation was a success.

As Alkanwood Castle fell into Chell’s hands, the supply route from the main base for the Aishous army was cut off, and naturally, the rapid advance began to take its toll.

After that, small-scale local wars continued to occur between the two countries.

Every other day, if a soldier dies or disappears, conscription is continued… … Continuing, a battle was taking place.

The blood that flowed from the end of Hernandov’s neck turned into a puddle, and a huge bloody smell began to emanate from the central continent.

Neither the Chell Islands nor the Aishous Islands, without getting anything they deserved… … The sluggish battle continued.

* * *

“Then, I hope you both do your best today.”

“Um, Swen. Let’s meet in the evening.”

“See you in the evening… … !”

After breaking up with the two people, I headed straight to the office.

It was Jenna, not Serpina, who greeted me.

“Lord Swen, are you here?”

“Master… … ? Where is my lord?”

“I was going to tell you about him, but… … Before that, I would like to ask you a question.”

Jenna said that, came closer to me, looked straight into my eyes, and asked.

“Is it Lord Swen’s will to appoint Lord Irian as the lord of the castle and to take a series of actions, including the blockade?”

“… … .”

I was momentarily taken aback by the question being asked so directly, and thought about just answering it appropriately, but-

‘Anyway, if you’re a national spy, you’ll find out for sure someday.’

Instead of covering up the situation with lies, I chose to just tell her honestly.

“That’s right. This is my advice.”

“… … okay. So then, Lord Swen, you think that is the correct answer?”

A timely question comes in, so I type it out carefully.

‘Is it the most efficient way to appoint Irian as the lord of the castle and then impose a blockade?’

And the answer was a little strange.

[I don’t know until that point.]

‘… … ???’

what?

It’s not that you don’t know, it’s that you don’t know that much?

Is there something different?

‘Now that I think about it, the question of who should be seated as the governor of the castle… … Didn’t you answer last time?’

Similar to now, it was definitely like that when Irian was appointed as the lord of the castle.

Although it is impossible to know whether or not there will be a plague, it can be inferred depending on who the lord of the castle is.

So should we just ask that question separately?

‘Is it most efficient to appoint Irian as the lord of Kelstein Castle?’

[Somewhat efficient.]

… … I see

There is an answer to who is appointed as the governor of the castle, but there is no answer to whether the blockade order is right or not.

Rather than that, ‘somewhat efficient’ means… … This probably means that Irian is not the best answer.

It seemed like I had no choice but to skip this part for now.

In any case, the basis of the decision to set up Irian there is that we are somewhat closer to the ‘plague rising’.

After thinking about it like that, I slowly waited for Jenna’s answer.

I heard something unexpected from her.

“In that case, I will take care of persuading the opposing opinion. Would you please tell my lord that?”

“… … yes? Do you have an opposing opinion?”

“The public sentiment among the people of the territory is not so good about the inexplicable blockade in Kelstein Castle. There are many people who claim that the generals under Serpina’s military are also wasting their administrative power on meaningless things.”

“Ah… … .”

Now that I think about it, I haven’t heard anything about a plague spreading to the central continent yet.

I kept hearing that Chell and Aishus were fighting… … That was not a basis for blocking exchanges between the territory’s residents.

“But, Lord Swen. If it is your will, I believe there must be a reason.”

“Master… … .”

Was the reason why no direct complaints were heard from Serpina and me because she was blocking it?

I don’t know why, but at some point she became very cooperative with me.

“So, I will cooperate. Please don’t forget that we are on your side.”

Jenna said that, bowed her head slightly to me, walked away, and then turned her head away.

“The lord is in a separate building. Lord Swen is waiting for you.”

After saying that, he gradually got further and further out of my sight.

As I headed toward the annex, half dumbfounded, I pondered what she said last.

‘Please don’t forget that we are on your side.’

‘… … .’

Strangely enough, as soon as I heard those words, Luna’s face came to mind again.

… … no. I decided to find another way that would satisfy everyone, so there was no need to think about it any further.

I lightly cleared my head and headed to where Serpina was.

*

As soon as I arrived at the villa, Serpina welcomed me.

“Welcome, Swen.”

“I met the bookkeeper on the way. According to the teacher… … He asked me to leave the ‘persuasion’ to him.”

“Really?”

Serpina nodded without answering and changed the topic.

“You are familiar with the story between Chell and Acious, right?”

“Yes. It seems like we’re in a lull right now… … So many people are dying.”

After hearing what I said, she thought for a moment, then stretched out her hand to me and asked a question.

“Swen. Are you saying that this is the result of your ‘mind’s eye’?”

“… … .”

“If that’s the case, I may have done something unnecessary to the residents of the territory.”

Serpina smiled bitterly as she said that.

When you say it’s pointless, you’re talking about forced migration to the barren northern continent.

Even if they were in their hometown, they would have been able to get along well during the battle between Chell and Aishous, as long as there was no plague. Neither Chell nor Yuuri were stupid enough to directly touch the territory residents, who were just like civilians, during the war.

If this is the real result, as third parties say, she has merely committed the meaningless actions of a tyrant.

Did you read my thoughts?

Serpina spoke in an urgent tone that was a little uncharacteristic of her.

“Swen, I am not blaming you. All decisions are made at your leisure. So, I hope you don’t put a burden on your mind.”

I thought as I looked into Serpina’s eyes.

Is that really all there is?

In fact, this was not the first time this happened. Contrary to my expectations, there were many cases in which it ultimately benefited our military in completely different ways.

She may be right, since it would be beneficial to our military if Chell and Aishus lose their power due to antagonism –

‘… … ‘Something is lacking.’

For that purpose, giving up all the territories in the central continent that had barely succeeded in advancing could be seen as too great a loss to be an ‘optimally efficient answer.’

In the first place, the place where the retreat was stopped was Kelstein Castle, which was like an entryway to the northern continent.

Doesn’t the answer to Jenna’s question just now provide some basis as well?

“Master. I can’t guarantee for sure, but… … In my personal judgment, I don’t think this is everything.”

“Then… … ?”

“I think there will still be a plague. No, I am sure.”

No matter how much I thought about it, other than the plague, there was no suitable answer to the questionnaire called ‘the most efficient answer.’

We gave up four territories.

“I am not telling a lie to reassure my lord. So, please trust me and give me a little more time. In the end, if we reach the end, we will win.”

“… … !!!”

At the same time that I saw Serpina being surprised to hear those words, I realized what words I had just said.

The story is that you win if you go to the end… … I don’t think it was just said to her.

‘… … no.’

Now was the time to think about Serpina rather than those things.

Is that the result, or is there something more? The more plan B you have to prepare depending on the situation, the better.

“Master. There are a few things I would like to discuss. Do you have some time?”

“That’s an interesting question, Swen. I am sitting here to discuss national affairs with people like you. If I don’t spend time on you, what reason is there for me to be in the position of ruler?”

Serpina said that and answered with a bright smile.

“Go for it, Swen. I’ll hang out with you all day.”

* * *