episode_0319

“What… … !!”

Unlike Serpina, who was very agitated, Jenna spoke in a very calm tone.

“My lord. I think you know that the marriages of the royal family are decided only for political reasons. It is not a matter decided by love or anything like that of the common people. I think you will understand.”

“That’s… ….”

“I don’t know what my lord thinks of you. However, if we look only at the abilities you have shown, I think both my lord and I will agree that you are a person worthy of passing on the name of Eingart, regardless of your family. Am I wrong?”

“… … .”

Even though Serpina didn’t respond for a while, Jenna continued her explanation without really caring.

“It doesn’t matter in any way. You must hold on to the strategist. The strategist’s presence will be of the greatest help to my lord, Lady Serpina’s cause. If the strategist shows any sign of wanting to leave our army in any way, then the strategist―”

“… … Get there, Jenna.”

At Serpina’s words, Jenna bowed her head again.

“Excuse me, my lord.”

“No. I know what you’re trying to say… …well.”

“Please think about it seriously, my lord. I hope you have a safe trip. Please leave Eingart Castle to me. Of course, I will be inferior to you, my lord, but I swear that I will do my best to fulfill my role as the lord of the castle, risking my life.”

* * *

After finishing her reminiscence, Serpina turned her head and looked out the window where sunlight was streaming in.

At that time, Serpina seemed to have guessed what Jenna was saying that she couldn’t say because she cut it off.

――At that time, you may have to get rid of the bookworm.

Make sure to take them as allies. If they don’t seem like they’ll be allies, get rid of them.

From the subject’s point of view alone, the advice was well-founded.

She also understood that before she knew him, she might not have known, but after she did, the fact that he was her enemy became the most fearful situation of all.

The problem was, Jenna didn’t know it existed.

that-

Me, Swen.

Loving that man.

As she thought about her marriage to Swen, she could feel her heart clearly.

This feeling was clearly one of longing. Serpina wanted Swen.

What she wanted was not his wisdom, nor his ‘mind’s eye’ ability, nor his incredible insight.

What Serpina wants is―the affection that makes her want to lean on him.

When he smiles, his eyes curve into a crescent shape.

It was the warmth he felt as he stroked her back.

‘marriage…….’

Will he accept my heart?

In her view, there was definitely a woman named Irene in his heart.

It is said that a man can have four wives… … but here again his status as a monarch is in question.

The question is, ‘Can a man who is the husband of a monarch, and especially an emperor, have another wife?’

Serpina herself didn’t care, but there was something called the gaze. As Jenna said, the royal marriage was an extremely political act.

But aside from all that – of course, things start going wrong from the very first step.

There is no way she can fully convey her feelings to him.

Because the real monarch he served was not me.

Serpina didn’t want to take another step forward and have Swen really leave her.

Just because he left, there was no way I could get rid of him as Jenna had advised. But that didn’t mean I could keep him either.

Serpina sometimes thought that she just wanted to get her hands on a white-haired man who would say warm words to her, rather than the world that she could not grasp no matter how hard she tried.

at that time.

‘……wait for a sec.’

At a really, really unexpected moment.

A thought crossed her mind.

Who is the real monarch that Swen serves, the monarch in his heart?

Unless something like a rebellion breaks out, there are really only a few feudal lords left on the continent.

Among them, Rin and Yuuri were naturally excluded, since they were countries that Swen had ‘passed through’ until now.

What remains are the four lords who divide the southern continent into four parts – Asuki Hesna, Seta Roland, Navidos Ohana, and Lunarien Inian.

So is it one of these?

If I had to pick the most likely person there――

Knock knock.

“… … !!!”

“My lord. I have news that the sage who went out to spy has returned safely.”

At the soldier’s words, Serpina blew away the question that suddenly came to her mind.

“Okay, I’ll get out of here soon.”

Okay. Let’s take care of the Aishus group first.

Marrying Swen is something to think about later.

Serpina lightly adjusted her clothes and then touched her hair absentmindedly.

Seeing how happy I was at the thought of meeting Swen again after such a long time made me feel confident again.

I like Swen.

I loved him so much that now, I couldn’t even imagine a life or a world without him.

He coveted him, wanting to gain the world, but in his heart, which now yearned for him, there was no such thing as the world.

If.

Just in case.

If Swen said to me, ‘I’ll marry you if you give me the world,’ I would…

‘… … .’

Hug.

Make a firm fist, place it against your chest, and count to three.

One, two, three.

‘… … Shall we go?’

Serpina left the quiet office, once again becoming ‘Serpina von Eingart’.

To meet the man who, it would not be an exaggeration to say, constitutes everything to her at the moment.

* * *

Near the border between the Lunalian Army and the Roland Army.

Luna, who had built a few watchtowers and a small fortress, heard that Seta Roland was coming out to intercept with a large force.

And then, surprisingly-

“Is it true that the commander-in-chief and vanguard, the monarch Seta Roland himself, will appear?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Charlotte, who was standing next to Luna who was lost in thought, spoke in a serious tone.

“I don’t know if you’re ignoring us or if you’re really serious.”

“Probably both.”

The one who intervened was Jinor, the national strategist of the Lunalian Army.

“I have to step forward here, it’s a battlefield where I can step forward. I guess there are two ambivalent feelings.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. He is a very aggressive person, and he has a very high sense of pride in himself.”

“Are you talking about a belligerent person?”

At Luna’s words, Jinor turned his head and immediately bowed, showing respect to the monarch.

“He probably went out himself because he thought highly of his lord. At the same time, he probably went out himself from the first battle because he was confident that he would win anyway.”

“I see… … .”

“Our position remains unchanged. No matter who the commander-in-chief is, just think about winning the battle. ”

Luna nodded slowly and asked with a serious face.

“How do you think we should respond, Jinor?”

“Here is my suggestion:”

As if he had been waiting, he laid the map on the table and gave a briefing.

“I propose to place the Lord in the Commander-in-Chief, I, Zinor, in the General Staff, Violet in the Deputy Staff, and Francis and Charlotte in the Vanguard. I also propose to place the Chilean mercenary group in ambush between the mountains on the right.”

“Is there a reason?”

“The enemy will probably come in sequentially from three castles. If we can catch one of their units, we can turn the tide of battle in our favor despite our limited manpower. I think it would be possible with elite soldiers like the Chilean mercenaries.”

Luna thought for a moment, then looked straight into Jinor’s eyes.

“Can you tell me why you placed two people in the vanguard?”

“Roland is quite a powerful general. He is currently acting as a monarch, but he is a human who is closer to a warrior than a warrior. There is probably no general in Roland’s army who can match his skills. Since General Tifa, the strongest general in our army, is guarding Tepelo Castle, I put General Francis, who is considered to be the next strongest, in the vanguard. By adding General Charlotte to him, the power balance is roughly balanced. ”

“So you’re saying that you played the strongest card our army could against Roland’s army?”

“I see.”

Luna nodded her head several times and then-

“Then, I will take the lead.”

“… … Yes? But it is too risky for a monarch to go to the battlefield himself, and as the vanguard. During the rebellion, it may have been inevitable to boost the morale of the soldiers, but now, there is no need to take a reckless risk like Roland-”

“No, Genor. This isn’t some kind of reckless adventure.”

Luna smiled slightly, the corners of her lips raised.

Her ruby eyes sparkled with a wonderful luster.

“Just like Roland, we just put our strongest force at the forefront.”

“Yes… … ? What the-”

at that time.

Kyle, who had been listening quietly, put a hand on Genor’s shoulder.

“You still don’t seem to know.”

“… … ???”

“The most powerful person in our Lunalian Army is… …Luna-sama. In other words, my lord.”