episode_0282

Madlan Castle.

Instead of a dark green flag, a bright lime green flag flutters here, and it was designated as the new capital of the newly formed Lunarian Army, succeeding Tepelo, the temporary capital.

Contrary to everyone’s expectations that even a small battle would leave a huge scar after such a long period of peace without fighting, the city was regaining its former vitality more quickly than expected.

There were many reasons to think that the battle was more one-sided than expected, but… …the decisive reason was that the new ruler was Luna.

Originally spending her time in the Madlan Castle, she quickly regained the popular support that Karelia had lost.

The people of the territory, the soldiers, and the warriors all mentioned Lunalien’s name. ‘Our worthy new lord’ Lunalien quickly absorbed the existing Karelia army at almost the speed of light.

And soon after, the Lunarian army’s occupation force, led by Charlotte, succeeded in occupying the last remaining Yukaia Castle.

This cleared out all remaining Karelian forces on the map.

That means only one thing――the destruction of the Karelia Army.

It was a very shabby sight to behold, the last of a nation that had once brought together so many people, including a monarch who was called a symbol of virtue.

Even after the country fell, it seemed that one of the generals succeeded the deceased Karelia’s legacy and took over as monarch and state strategist, but it was of little use.

With the exception of Cecil, all of those who had been active as key personnel were destroyed by the scars of war, and it was only natural that the only people left were a few rear-guard warriors who had not been able to stand out.

However, the one who inherited the monarchy did not surrender until the end and died on the execution ground while maintaining his own pride, and the one who inherited the position of strategist was promoted by Luna and served the new lord.

That’s it. Since we lost the center called Karelia, no miracle would happen even if we held the flag of the ruined country.

So, the name ‘Karelia Army’ was erased from the continent-

By the time everyone had become somewhat accustomed to the new wind blowing through the air called the Lunalian Army.

“Is that true?”

“Yes.”

When Violet heard the news that Swen had been appointed as the strategist for the Serpina Army, she became very serious and lost in thought.

‘This… … seems like something is not good… … .’

Violet recalled the conversation she had with Luna a while ago.

The moment when Luna, who was usually kind and gentle, lost her senses and scolded herself.

That’s when the story about Swen came up.

Luna was always dependable, but when she talked about that, she would become serious and act like a different person.

‘The reason I serve Serpina is because I am being threatened by her’ was it?

To be honest, it didn’t sound very logical to her-

It wasn’t a topic I could bring up lightly, as someone who didn’t know anything about Swen and what had happened with Luna.

After that, I tried to gather information about Swen by discussing it with Tifa, but-

Without any real solution in mind, time was wasted trying to occupy the Karelian Army.

In the midst of all this, news came that he had been appointed as a national strategist.

The position of State Counsellor was one that Swen could have easily refused if he wanted to, and it was a position that the monarch would not benefit from forcing into it, so it was logical to assume that Swen accepted the offer.

That’s why it was a ‘bad situation’. It was a fact that completely contradicted Luna’s previous claim that she ‘had no choice but to work under Serpina due to threats’.

‘Luna… … Are you okay?’

I was supposed to go to Luna right now and report the results of the discussion on Yukaia Castle’s policy…

Violet asked the soldier who brought the news.

“Does your lord know this news?”

“Various news are reported to the lord first. I think you probably know.”

‘… … .’

I felt a little uneasy, but there was nothing I could do about it, and it was something I couldn’t avoid.

All that remained was to face Luna head on.

‘… … Let’s calm down. Even though I’m a little nervous, I think my lord is already aware that there’s a man named Swen under her, so it might be okay.’

I tried to console myself like that, but it didn’t help.

That moment when she first felt fear towards Luna continued to haunt Violet.

If Genor had been there, I would have consulted him, but he was currently dispatched to the Yukaia Castle under the pretext of clearing out the remnants of the Karelian army.

This kind of report was originally Genor’s job, and now that he was away, he was carrying it out on his behalf.

The reason the soldier told us ‘what happened’ was because he was acting on behalf of Genor.

Yes. These feelings of unease will disappear when I meet Luna in person.

After gathering her thoughts, Violet headed to the throne room of the palace to report.

“Violet, are you here?”

“I came to see my lord.”

“The lord is in the conference room, not here. I will show you around.”

I followed the soldier and finally reached the conference room, where I was able to open the door and go inside.

As soon as she opened the door, what greeted Violet was――a sound.

Crunch, rustling.

Along with the sound of someone busily writing something down with a quill pen, Violet’s sight came into view of Luna, who was busy working on paperwork.

First of all… … it doesn’t seem like there’s any particular problem.

Violet let out a short sigh and carefully removed her lips.

“… … My lord. This is Violet.”

Crunch, rustling.

“You’re here, Violet. Are you seeing me?”

Luna asked the question in a calm and affectionate tone, her eyes fixed on the documents.

Violet carefully watched her lord’s person.

At the desk, which was filled only with papers and nothing else, Luna was holding a quill pen in her hand and continuing to write something down.

So far, her attitude and tone of voice are not much different from her usual affectionate self.

I was a little worried that he wasn’t looking this way… … but since he was busy at the time, his expression seemed to be relatively calm.

Violet opened her mouth towards her cautiously, without letting her guard down.

“Yes. I would like to report the results of the meeting of the ministers regarding the castle of Yukaia and the surrounding territories. ”

After that, the conversation continued as usual.

Luna continued to play with her quill, signing something on the papers with a rustling sound, while at the same time listening to Violet’s report as kindly as usual.

According to what the soldier said, he must have heard that Swen was appointed as a strategist for the Serpina Army.

How can she be so quiet after hearing that news…? Has Lady Luna finally sorted out her feelings?

Or maybe you simply have so much to do that you can’t seem to focus.

The position of the monarch of a country was one that was bound to be buried in work, and now it had absorbed the entire Karelia Army and become one axis of the southern continent.

That is, it has grown to a size that is quite large for a small country, so it will be even busier.

Whatever the reason, as long as Luna could remain calm, Violet was okay with it.

“… … That’s all. Please give us your opinions and we will actively reflect and process them. ”

“Okay.”

Crunch, rustling.

“… … I… … .”

“What’s going on?”

“Do you have any comments?”

“I’ll tell you later as soon as I sort it out.”

You’ll tell me after it’s sorted out?

Since it was an opinion that had already been organized, I thought it would be okay to just answer with either “Please do it that way” or “Don’t do it that way”… … .

Are you saying you’ll think about it some more, or else…

‘……no.’

After hearing the story about Swen, I started to think that maybe I was worrying about something useless.

At first glance, Luna looked pretty okay.

If the soldier’s story was true, he must have heard the news, and it was unlikely that the monarch would not know about it once it reached his ears.

So, did Luna overcome it well? If not… … .

“… … Okay. Then I will take my leave. If you have anything else to do, please call me anytime.”

“Yes.”

Crunch, rustling.

Luna finished speaking and continued to focus on her paperwork without even looking in this direction.

Violet felt like saying something more, but decided it would be best to step aside for now, so she slowly left the conference room.

‘after…….’

Only after I closed the door and went out did I let out a sigh of relief.

The crazy tension I used to feel when I was with Luna started to dissipate, and my head started to work a little better.

‘You’re just trying not to show it, but it’s definitely not good news… … But I think you’ve overcome it well to this extent… … .”

As Violet was thinking like that, the object came into view.

The thing that should naturally be there next to the quill pen, among the various writing instruments on the table next to the conference room door.

‘This is… … .’

It is a container containing ink.

Without this, the quill cannot function as a writing instrument, so it was always an object that followed like a shadow wherever there was a pen.

Well, that’s… … I guess it’s a good fact.

The problem was the crazy sense of discomfort I felt the moment I saw this thing.

It’s just an ordinary ink bottle, but why… … does it keep bothering me?

‘… … !!!!’

Violet, who thought about it that far, realizes something.

The true nature of the crazy sense of discomfort I felt upon seeing a simple inkwell.

‘Come to think of it, wasn’t this… on Luna’s desk?’

I remembered it clearly because it was such a strange sight. There were only documents on Luna’s desk, nothing else.

Moreover, Luna was writing something without stopping for a moment during the long time she was talking to herself.

In order to properly leave a mark, the amount of ink must be continuously applied.

Then, of course, the inkwell should be behind the desk, but why isn’t it there?

If you think about it, you wouldn’t be able to write without this – Luna also notices that she didn’t make any moves like stamping something while she was playing with the pen.

then……

Luna… …what are you doing now?

* * *

Crunch, rustling.

The sound of Luna’s pen moving fills the quiet conference room.

Crunch, rustling.

The sound made when a sharp object rubs against paper.

A sound like scraping a wooden table. A rustling sound.

The tip of the pen Luna is holding in her hand is… …pure white.

Crunch, rustling.

Crunch, rustling, rustling, rustling… …

CRUSH …

Bam

“… … Ah.”

The feather is broken.

Luna looks at what I’m holding in my hands with blank eyes.

It’s broken.

It’s broken.

It’s broken.

all.

They’re all broken.

The feeling that everything was breaking was the only thing that was hovering around Luna like a ghost.