episode_0318

The moment when the war between the Roland Army and the Lunarian Army in the Southern Continent was about to begin in earnest was the very moment when Swen and Ioline moved to the Central Continent to gather intelligence on the Aesius Army.

Serpina, who was spending a day without Swen by her side for the first time in a while, was catching up on work in the fortress office near the front line.

‘If we clear out the Aesir forces and take over Rakline Castle, we will finally be able to border the Southern Continent.’

What she saw was the continental map that Swen had drawn.

He was extremely versatile, but his maps were so elaborate that I thought he could make a living just from making maps.

‘The first country you meet is Hesna.’

Next to the Hesna army led by Asuki Hesna, there was the Roland army led by Theta Roland.

Both of them were people I had heard of when I was young. Roland was a young rookie who had caught the eye of the Imperial Knights, and had gone missing while the Third Order he had been a part of was dying out in a tangled relationship with Sydmeade von Eingart.

Hesna was originally a lord who managed the territory of the southern continent. I remember that she also became independent during the time when Orlando Bran’s spurred the lords to become independent in large numbers.

Below that is the Ohana County. I had no information about this other than the fact that it was a country founded by a group of bandits.

And next to them… … is the rebel army that devoured the Karelian army, the very country that is shaking the peaceful southern continent.

‘… … Lunalian Inian.’

Serpina chewed on the word ‘Inian’ for a long time.

The image of the woman named Aria Inian was still vivid in her memory.

How could I ever forget those ruby-colored eyes that never lost their composure until the very end, despite having lost both of their legs, and that asked for peace to be brought to the continent?

Aria said she had a younger sister who was about Serpina’s age.

‘If Aria’s younger sister is Lunalien… … .’

Did Kyle von Eingart, who approached her, know about the existence of Arya Inian, who was only Algot von Eingart’s mistress?

What kind of potential did he see in her? Was the appearance of a wizard in her country a coincidence?

Having ascended to the position of Emperor’s successor, which he did not want, and having spent quite some time as a monarch, what has grown is his intuition as a monarch.

And that intuition was whispering strongly to Serpina.

――The Lunalian Army is a nation that can never be ignored.

This was a feeling I had never felt before, not even during the height of the Bran’s army or when the Aishus army declared war.

Besides, when talking about the Lunalian Army, I could clearly feel Irene’s eyes trembling slightly.

‘It seems like there’s still a lot I don’t know.’

After Serpina gathered her thoughts and finished all the pending work, she called the soldier who had come from Eingart Castle.

“You’ve been waiting for a long time.”

“No!”

“Take this. You can just hand this over to Jenna.”

“Yes, I understand!”

“While you have no leisure, is there no more news you need to know?”

“Oh, by the way… … The bookworm, no, the lady Jenna, asked me to pass this on.”

Serpina, who received the letter handed to her by the soldier, nodded and praised him.

“Yes. Thank you for your hard work. I have prepared a separate envoy to send to Eingart Castle, so you can return to your nearby territory and get some rest.”

“Thank you so much for your kindness, my lord!”

After sending the soldiers away, Serpina slowly read the letter Jenna had sent.

The remaining key sentence, excluding the ceremonial words and words of courtesy in the relationship between a ruler and his subjects, was that an ominous atmosphere was detected in the northwest of the continent.

It seemed that the strange rumor that the plague spreading across the central continent was none other than Serpina’s doing, which Yuuri had once raised and then died down, was suddenly and secretly circulating among the people of the northwestern territory.

Serpina let out a short sigh at the fear-mongering rumors that suggested she could become the target at any moment.

‘This is a problem I can’t solve with my own hands… … .’

Rumors have already spread, and the image has been branded.

No matter how much she tried to take action to resolve the situation, she knew better than anyone that it was nearly impossible to completely erase the story that had already spread.

‘There are no signs of rebellion, but we will still be cautious… … I see.’

Jenna is the temporary lord of the current Eingart Castle, and is in charge of the internal affairs of the Northern Continent.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that it was all thanks to Jenna that the monarch was able to go to the front lines and be away for such a long time.

‘… … .’

Serpina recalled the conversation she had with Jenna the night before she set out as the commander-in-chief.

* * *

“Are you talking about the lord’s seat?”

“That’s right. Jenna, I never thought of leaving Eingart Castle to anyone else but you.”

Jenna bowed her head and said in response to Serpina’s words from her throne.

“I’m sorry. There are many people in the Serpina Army who have served the Empire for a long time and are much more talented than me.”

“… … Is it okay if I tell you honestly, Jenna?”

Serpina smiled bitterly and lowered her golden eyes.

“These people have served our family since the days when the empire was still intact… … I can’t believe it.”

“My lord… … .”

Jenna looked at Serpina, who lowered her head in silence, unable to say anything.

Didn’t Jenna know better than anyone that all major rebellions, including Rahelven’s, had started with those who had pledged loyalty to the Empire, and thus appeared to be pledging loyalty to Serphina, its successor?

“Jenna. Now that I think about it, you were originally buried in the wilderness.”

Jenna was not a very senior general, having only been commissioned in Serpina’s army after Serpina had ascended the throne.

“Yes.”

“If you hadn’t been there, I would have been swept away by the pressure of the existing ministers in the early days of my reign. I have never forgotten that I was able to keep my position thanks to you.”

“That wouldn’t have been the case. At that time, and even now, the sole legitimacy of Eingart was ultimately the lord. If the lord had stepped down, our Eingart Empire – Serpina Army would have lost its center and become divided.”

“Kyle von Eingart might show up again.”

“That doesn’t seem very likely, after all, he’s just a side character.”

“You never say a word. That’s why I could trust you.”

Serpina smiled and joked, then asked in a serious tone.

“I have a question.”

“Please speak.”

“Why did you take the commission? At that time, our military was in complete chaos. With all the successors, including Algot and Sydmid, gone, it was a time when loyalists of the empire rose up here and there, saying they would not recognize Yeo. I think there would have been an easier path for you.”

Jenna hesitated for a moment, then said in a nonchalant tone-

“Can I be honest with you?”

“Anything is fine. Just tell me.”

“I was convinced that if there was someone who could hide their ambitions until this moment and get their hands dirty and finally achieve what they wanted, they would create a world different from the past.”

“Oh. You didn’t like the old world, did you?”

“The high-ranking nobles were corrupt, and the people of the land were suffering from excessively high taxes. Even though these are troubled times, wouldn’t it be enough if we didn’t have to hear about that disgusting bloodline story anymore?”

The caste system did not completely disappear. Even now, in the hearts of many people, there still exists a caste wall that can never be overcome.

Even so, the concepts of ‘nobility’ and ‘title’ have become virtually meaningless. In a time when it is easy to rise through the ranks with only outstanding ability, how effective can the values of the old era be in a situation where the monarchs ruling this land are constantly changing?

In addition, for better or worse, most of the powerful families had been massacred and eliminated during the power struggle between Algot and Sydmead, and only a very small number of powerful families remained, including the Al Kaski family, so naturally their influence was bound to diminish.

“That’s why I followed my lord. I threw myself into the change my lord wanted to bring about. I don’t know what other people think, but I’ve always been waiting for someone like Serpina to change the world.”

Serpina didn’t answer.

Because there was no way he could tell her that he too had simply been swept away by the waves.

Jenna changed the subject in an unexpected direction, whether she knew Serpina was thinking that way or not.

“My lord. You said long ago that you couldn’t trust those who had worked for the empire for a long time?”

“That’s right.”

“I won’t say the naive thing that you should first give your trust to those who are untrustworthy. However, I would like to say that it is time to start creating people who will be on your side no matter what happens.”

“A person who will take Yeo-ui’s side?”

“Yes. There are still occasional rebellions by those blinded by past glory. At times like these, it is not efficient for the lord to shoulder all of Eingart on his own. Now, you must find someone who will shoulder the symbol of Eingart together and be on your side at all times.”

“… … What are you trying to say, Jenna?”

“It’s simple.”

That was the time.

Jenna bent over more deeply than ever.

“My lord. Marry and create someone who will be on your side and succeed you. This is a necessary task to solidify the legitimacy of the human named Serpina.”

“… … !!!”

Marriage?

Serpina was startled by the sudden words and her eyes widened.

“Even if it’s marriage… … Now, I’m about to go to war… … .”

“It’s okay. You don’t even need to know the person. There’s just someone just right around you.”

“What did you say… … ?”

The disciple raised his head and looked into Serpina’s golden eyes.

To her with her slightly flushed cheeks… …she gave him the advice of a lifetime.

“Marry Swen and give her the name of Eingart. The bookkeeper is an indispensable figure in our army.”