episode_0285

* * *

That night.

Serpina, lying in her bedroom, spent the night with her eyes wide open, unable to sleep for a long time, in agony.

Perhaps because she was wearing a negligee that was slightly see-through rather than her usual uniform, her current agony had the effect of seeming more like the worries of a woman than the majesty of a monarch – and indeed, it was.

‘Swen… … .’

The only thing that filled her mind right now was one man, Swen.

Serpina hugs her pillow tightly, burying her face in it, cursing herself and thinking of the lives lost.

Former subordinate generals who betrayed me because they could not die under me.

Traitors who were once loyal to the royal family, with eyes that cursed them clearly.

Everyone did it. Not a single person gave their life for it.

A monarch who appears to have everything, but in the end is nothing more than a castle built on sand.

A tyrant who deserves to die, even though she was not stripped of her power, and no one will readily accept her power. An evil villainess who has plunged the continent into chaos.

Despite this situation, Serpina did not stop trusting.

When a new general came, he treated each and every one of them with sincerity, because he wanted to make them his own people.

The new system was strict but fair, and ability was given top priority over background or lineage. It was based on the belief that if you were recognized first, someone would definitely recognize you.

Even when he was repeatedly betrayed by those he trusted, trusted, and favored, and when he faced traitors from all over the place, he never once wanted to let go of that bond.

Because I had to show the results. Since I had the Cross of Eingart on my back, I thought there was no other way to pay for this sin than to conquer the continent.

The moment when she collapsed was the moment of an assassination attempt not long ago.

The experience of being almost murdered by the man she had trusted her entire life and entrusted her back to was a huge event that shook her to her core.

Fortunately, Airen, who was basically an outsider, and Reika, who could use healing magic, were by his side, so he was able to avoid a major disaster… …

No matter how much magic Reika had, it wasn’t enough to heal the scars that had remained deep in her heart.

The answer that didn’t change no matter how many times I asked using Swen’s ‘mind’s eye’.

Swen’s face, who kept saying with a troubled expression, ‘Serpina cannot be unified.’

――In the end, I may be someone who is unfit to be a monarch.

The confidence he had as a monarch, which had not wavered even when facing that face, was broken after the assassination attempt.

Most of her subordinate generals were unaware of this because she tried her best to keep it a secret, but at this point, she had practically given up on building a unified empire.

That is to be expected, for what great undertaking could I accomplish without a single subject willing to die for me?

After realizing it, I began to feel terrible loneliness and isolation, and at the same time, I began to cling to Swen even more.

I don’t know when it started, but Swen as a man was needed more than the power of the mind’s eye that Swen possessed.

I wanted to forget everything for a moment in his arms.

She knew full well that this kind of thinking would never lead to good results, but she still wanted to run away. If only she could forget this loneliness for a moment before Swen disappeared.

If only we could forget everything by mixing our bodies… … .

Swen said that to me, who had developed such a weak mindset at some point.

Please die together.

‘Can you die with me?’

It was the first time.

Swen was the first person who willingly entrusted his life to her, despite everyone else’s denial.

Whether it was a subject, a colleague, or a friend… … it was the first time that someone had risked their life for me.

and–

The lord that Swen truly served was not himself.

The someone in his mind is… …not me.

That’s why she couldn’t hold on to Swen. She wanted him to be by her side for a little while, but she didn’t expect him to be by her side for the rest of her life.

And I was thinking that one day I would have to let Swen go.

At first, yes. At first, I wanted to continue to be with him no matter what.

It was true that she wanted to keep him by her side at all costs.

However, to Serpina, Swen was too precious to be acting like such a spoiled brat.

A strategist with the power of the mind’s eye, a man she admires, one of the few she can trust – these three titles all referred to one person.

Of course, there’s no way I could act like a spoiled brat. I think it’s okay if you just embrace me for a moment.

And I was thinking that one day I would have to let Swen go.

I definitely had made up my mind to let you go.

If you bring that up again.

‘no…….’

Tears began to flow from both eyes.

She, who never cried in front of anyone, was wetting her pillowcase alone in her dark bedroom.

I didn’t want to let him go.

I wanted to be by his side and look at the future he envisions.

I didn’t want to miss out. I wanted to be involved with him, no matter what form it took.

……no.

Swen, I don’t want to let you go… … .

If you just stay by my side, I――

――It might be okay not to do things like unifying the continent.

For the first time since ascending the throne.

Serpina had a strong desire for something other than unification.

* * *

After a while.

The occupation force began to be organized to invade Chell in earnest.

Before the inauguration ceremony, Serpina called Irene aside to congratulate her on her achievements.

“Irene. You have worked hard to protect Yeo while reappointing the position of Deputy Commander. Yeo will never forget everything you have done for me.”

“No, my lord. If it weren’t for you, I would have already died. I will consider it an honor to have served you for the rest of my life. I will definitely repay my debt to you by performing meritorious deeds.”

Hearing those words, Serpina smiled and looked at Irene.

“No. You have already done everything you had to do… …so it is okay to think that you have not owed me any favors.”

‘… … !’

“So, whatever decision you make from now on… …I will bless your future path.”

Irene easily discerns the implications of Serpina’s words.

It means that even if you leave my side someday, I won’t feel resentful.

That is, did Serpina… … notice that she and Swen were leaving at some point?

It was unclear exactly how she had come to that conclusion, but Irene had noticed while performing her duties as an escort knight that her senses were exceptionally distinct, so she quickly came to terms with it.

I… … can’t lie.

Because the one I will always follow is Swen.

Even so, my gratitude towards her was sincere –

“As long as I serve you, I will become your unwavering light.”

Irene closed her eyes and offered some of her loyalty to her lord.

Since Lin, this was the first time I had shown allegiance to any ‘monarch’.

“… … Yes. I believe you, Irene. ”

After the light conversation between the two people ended like that.

Zenith, who arrived at Eingart Castle after a very long time, met with Serpina.

“Zenith Al Kaski, arrived at the Eingart Imperial Palace at the call of the lord.”

“Yes, Zenith. You must know the details from the messenger, right?”

Zenith bowed her head and said.

“I have never forgotten the heavenly grace that forgave me when I almost went astray, even though I did not participate. I may not be as good as my older brother Irian, but I will do my best to support you.”

“The past is the past. You don’t have to talk about it anymore. You’ve already been punished enough. ”

“My lord… … !”

Zenith seemed moved and soon began to cry, then carefully wiped her eyes and said.

“I will do my best… … !”

After Zenith was selected as the new escort knight, the official departure ceremony was held in the afternoon.

This inauguration ceremony was not particularly extravagant.

If Serpina had not participated as the commander-in-chief, they would have held the most splendid departure ceremony possible to boost the morale of those going on an expedition.

Because the moment the monarch himself came into power, a splendid inauguration ceremony had to become extravagant.

However, it is not flashy.

A sufficiently formal inauguration ceremony was underway with the participation of the monarch.

Serpina, who has taken up a position slightly higher in front of the palace, and Swen, the new national strategist, who is guarding her side.

Before them are the talents who are currently leading the Serpina Army.

And behind that, countless soldiers stood in line all at once.

Serpina looks at them and stretches out her pure white hands.

“Gentlemen! We will advance to the Central Continent once again. Many things have happened, and the results have not been good – but we must still take steps to advance to the Central Continent once again, in order to establish peace on the continent and to continue the history of the Eingart Empire!”

With so many people gathered, no noise could be heard except Serpina’s voice.

Naturally, everyone gathered here looks at Serpina.

With her graceful gestures and appealing voice, many people had no difficulty concentrating on her speech.

“This body will be with you as a commander in this expedition. It may be a difficult battle. No matter how favorable the situation is for our army, a battle can take on a completely different appearance if even one part is out of alignment. Since a one-sided battle without sacrifice is impossible, I am sure that quite a few people will die. ”

“But! This body will not just watch you die for the Empire! This body, too, will die for you who fell for the Empire! Eingart! I, Serpina! Will die for you!!”

Swen’s pupils slightly wavered at Serphina’s words that she would die for him, but she continued her speech without noticing it.

“I swear here that I will stand with you, my lords, no matter what happens! So, follow me! I will eliminate the remnants of Orlando Branth, the first to rise up against the Eingart Imperial Family, and raise the flag of the Empire again in the Central Continent. I will eliminate the incompetent Branth family’s footsteps that have repeatedly waged meaningless wars and driven the people of the territory into a pit of misery, and bring true peace to the Central Continent! ”

After Serpina finished speaking while clenching her fists, a thunderous roar was heard.

The enthusiastic response from those who each had Eingart’s will engraved on their armor.

Immediately after the speech –

A large force of occupying forces began to advance toward the territory of the Chel Army.

Once again, war was breaking out.