episode_0330

* * *

Eingart Castle.

Despite the long absence of Monarch Serpina, the territory was running smoothly without any major incidents.

“Your Majesty, we have started repair work on the irrigation facilities as you have instructed.”

“Thank you for your hard work. With this, I think we can increase next year’s harvest without any problems.”

For Serpina County, which was located in the barren northern continent and had a relatively small crop yield compared to its vast territory, it was of utmost importance to properly expand irrigation facilities to help with farming.

Because of its location as a large island between large rivers, the capital city of Eingart had little land for farming, except in the outskirts near the river.

Even if you conquer the entire Northern Continent, you will only be able to achieve half the efficiency of the fertile milk and honey flowing Central Continent.

“Was there anything else that happened?”

“As you said, I am keeping an eye on the powerful clans of the Inab region. And in the process, I was able to detect some strange movements.”

“Strange movements, huh?”

“I’m not sure, but… …it seems like they’re repeatedly deploying their garrisoned troops to other territories in the same region. I found out the reason is that it’s for the soldiers’ more effective reconnaissance… … .”

Move the soldiers?

The authority over these soldiers was held by the lord of the territory to which they belonged. This meant that simple matters such as sending a few thousand men to another territory or receiving them from another territory did not necessarily require the monarch’s approval.

However, the Inab region is experiencing relatively peaceful days after a period of chaos, so is it really necessary to keep moving soldiers like that?

‘Just to attract attention? If not… … .’

“What would you like to do?”

“I don’t think it’ll be a big deal, but I think I need to check. Without changing the affiliation, I will send 30,000 soldiers as a transport unit to scout the outskirts of Inab Province. Would you handle it that way?”

“I will follow the Lord’s words.”

Only after finishing all the day’s work in this way could Jenna sit on her throne and get some rest.

This moment of short sighing was the only respite she was given during the day.

‘I knew this wasn’t something to be taken lightly, but… … .’

The lord of Eingart Castle did not only rule Eingart.

All roads in the northern continent led to Eingart Castle, and all infrastructure was spread out like a spider’s web centered around Eingart Castle.

It was a position that had to govern the entire northern continent in a narrow sense and the north-central region in a broad sense.

As someone who was always there to assist Serpina, I already knew that she was doing a lot of work.

The reality these days is that the superhuman Serpina was doing it so effortlessly that I even started to think that maybe I had been underestimating the difficulty of the task.

‘You didn’t show any sign of fatigue even though you were suffering from such a heavy workload.’

If she has a weakness – it would be that she doesn’t have anyone who is truly on her side.

‘I wish you would make a decision soon… ‘

Jenna had a very valid reason for recommending Swen as Serphina’s companion.

First and foremost – Swen was an incredibly talented individual.

To be stripped of one’s position as a bookseller was an extremely humiliating and difficult thing for a human being to accept.

Yet there was one thing that made me accept it – a person who was obviously superior to me.

Swen was a character who fulfilled this part at least well. As long as there are people like Swen, it is inevitable that the position of the bookkeeper will be handed over. It is just a matter of timing.

Besides, this wasn’t something I’d necessarily told Serpina about – but it was clear to Jenna that Serpina had special feelings for Swen.

It was not that she didn’t show it because of the difference in status, but it was easy to tell that Swen was in Serpina’s heart just by looking at the way she looked at Swen.

No matter how political the royal marriage was, a relationship that was based solely on political logic and no love ultimately had difficulty developing into a relationship of true trust.

A truly outstanding ability, and the affection of the Emperor himself.

There was no more ideal candidate for a husband than Swen.

The only problem, if there was one, would be the aforementioned difference in status, namely, the fact that Swen, a commoner without even a surname, dared to become the husband of the Eingart Imperial Family… … Fortunately, this was a time of chaos that swallowed up all things that were not advantageous to survival, such as the gap in status.

Now all that remains is Serpina’s will.

If Serpina wanted to take Swen, she could have incorporated him into the Eingart royal family without any problems, at least in Jenna’s eyes.

And if that happens――

“Excuse me, Your Majesty. It’s patrol time.”

As I was organizing my thoughts, a woman walked into the audience room.

Mary was a smart woman who Jenna took with her as her de facto successor and taught her various things, although her story was somewhat blurred by Swen’s appearance.

“Okay. I’ll get ready quickly, so please wait at the entrance to the palace.”

With the destruction of the Aesir Army not long ago, we have effectively conquered half of the Central Continent, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a break and have a wedding at this point…

With that thought in mind, I started preparing for patrol.

* * *

That day was an ordinary day, no different from any other day of patrol.

The night sky was filled with stars, pouring down bright light as if to bless anyone who looked up at it.

“You’re here, my lord. Come this way.”

“Yes.”

Jenna went out on patrol, escorted by Mary.

Mary was a valuable presence who stayed by his side as before, even after he was pushed out of his position as national strategist and effectively lost the political battle that gave Swen control of the Serpina Army.

Even though he knew that he could no longer continue his career as the successor to the bookstore, he continued to help her without changing his attitude, so to be honest, I wanted to do something for him, but I also knew that Monarch Serpina would not tolerate that, so I could not take action myself.

I just hope that Mary will prove her ‘necessary value’ with her own hands in the future.

Still, Jenna thought she had a good chance of being a successor. She wasn’t just picking out anyone to be her successor.

That’s when I was patrolling here and there in the darkened Eingart territory with my soldiers.

Mary, who always followed him silently without saying anything unless he spoke first, spoke first for once.

“Your Majesty, I have something to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“If a situation arises where you have the opportunity to seize it, but you have to miss it for moral reasons, what decision would be right?”

It was a pretty specific question for such a sudden question.

Jenna glanced at Mary’s expression.

It looked no different than usual.

“I think you need some additional explanation before I can answer.”

“Then let me change the question. What is your assessment of Lunarien, Your Lord?”

“If you’re talking about Lunalian, are you talking about the leader of the southern rebels?”

“Yes.”

Even though he was the leader of a rebel army, he was now already a proper monarch of a country.

Rumor has it that the Roland Army was also eaten by the Lunarian Army. She may not be aware of it because she is busy paying attention to what is happening in the Northern Continent, but she cannot help but know that Lunarian, unlike any other person, is currently the hot topic of conversation on the continent.

“There were various incidents, but in conclusion, she betrayed Karelia, who trusted her and gave her the position of lord, and took the opportunity to swallow up the country and establish her own country. In this process, I would like to ask you, Lady Jenna, what you think about her choice – the decision to betray Lord Karelia.”

It was a strange question, but it was a topic worth thinking about if you wanted to develop a perspective on the great country.

Can we really only criticize someone for betraying the trust of his sovereign and taking advantage of the opportunity?

If it were a peaceful time, it might be okay, but in this day and age, when even the love between parents and children has faded?

In fact, the answer that was going to be given was practically predetermined.

In the first place, his lord Serpina was someone who could never escape from this ‘moral problem’.

The reason I followed her, who killed all of my brothers and sisters with her own hands. Because I thought that a human with her level of action and courage might be able to bring about a true change in this world.

“I think Lunarien made a very wise decision. Opportunities don’t come at all, and even if you seize them, it doesn’t mean that they will come to fruition. Even if she violated her duty as a vassal, who in this day and age can so carelessly criticize her and throw stones at her?”

“I see. So, you are focusing on ‘grabbing’ the opportunity when it comes?”

“Yes, but―”

――Push

The words, ‘But why did you suddenly ask that question?’ could not come out of Jenna’s mouth.

When he came to, he was in overwhelming pain… …only to realize that his stomach had been pierced by something sharp.