episode_0336

“There are… three wizards?”

“Yes.”

No, wait a minute.

When the first wizard Reika appeared, it was expected that later wizards would appear.

In fact, in this game, once the first wizard appears, many wizards begin to become active.

Among the existing generals, such as Tifa, there were characters who opened their eyes to magic, and at the time when the magician was revealed, there were many characters who appeared on the new continent stage.

In any case, it was inevitable that from the moment Reika revealed herself to everyone, people who would open their eyes to magic would start to appear one after another.

Even so, three of them appear in one place at the same time?

No matter how much I think about it, this doesn’t make sense.

Of course, there were systems that even an old-timer like me didn’t know about, such as the rapier that could be imbued with magic, but it didn’t feel like a coincidence that three magicians appeared from a family that would have been extinct without my intervention, like the Al Kaskis.

“I also couldn’t believe it, so I asked several times, but no matter how much I think about it, if that wasn’t the case, then it doesn’t explain why everyone chose to follow their uncle, Nathan, and not me, the head of the household.”

“So, Irian, you think what Iolene said is true?”

“I dare say that it is reasonable to see it that way.”

After hearing Irian’s words, Serpina touched her chin with her hand and turned her head to look at the soldiers inspecting the area beyond.

“Yeah. They rebelled because it was advantageous to have three wizards… … Do you have any guesses?”

“No. I don’t even know how my uncle got involved with the wizard.… …I’m just embarrassed.”

Irian bowed at a 90-degree angle again and apologized.

“Okay, Irian. You don’t have to worry about it anymore. If you really feel sorry for me, take care of those who made the wrong decision with your own hands. It’s important for me, but it’s also important for you, the head of the household.”

“Of course. I will do whatever it takes to slaughter those who have made the stupid decision to turn their backs on me, the master of the house, with my own hands!”

Irian answered with force in his voice, but it was not difficult to tell that he was shaking slightly.

The trembling wasn’t that of fear. It was more of anger, an overwhelming anger that seemed ready to explode at any moment.

Of course, it was a rebellion from Serpina’s perspective, but Irian must have been worried about his reputation as the head of the household. The anger he couldn’t hide was seeping out from his face.

Serpina averted her gaze from Irian and turned her head to look at Irene.

“Irene.”

“Please speak.”

“It will take quite a while for the scouts to arrive. The soldiers will also be in a panic because of the news of the rebellion. It will not only be the soldiers here, but also those in the rest of the northern continent. So, for the time being, I plan to go around the northern continent ahead of the soldiers, check on the people’s feelings, and meet with the lords.”

After saying that, Serpina stretched out her pure white hand towards Irene.

Her appearance was so elegant that she had the aura of a queen that made others want to naturally submit to her.

“In the meantime, I would like to give you the position of Legion Commander.”

“… … !”

“Irene Juliette. I will grant you authority over all the castles in the central continent, including Castle Valharat, Castle Lakline, and Castle Zeta. While you clean up the fools in the northern continent, I will temporarily leave the future of the Serpina Army on your shoulders. ”

At those words, Irene was startled and looked at Serpina with her eyes wide open.

I was a little surprised too.

Corps Commander.

It was a very important position among important positions, one that allowed one to exercise authority over a specific region, on par with a national strategist – if not, perhaps even more so.

A commander could do anything within the territory he was granted. In effect, he could reign as the new monarch of that region!

In the game ‘Garland Eternity Saga’, which is the basis of this world, it was not necessary to form a legion unless it was right before unification. It was just a function that automatically managed the territory in the rear area that was annoying to manage, nothing more, nothing less.

It was usually easier for the monarch himself to directly manage the forward areas where many soldiers were stationed. It was much more efficient to lead battles directly, and he did not have to take on any significant risks.

What is that big risk?

That’s right, the commander of the corps betrayed him.

The betrayal of the legion commander was not simply one person taking care of one territory.

The commander also had the authority to appoint who would be the lord of the territory he had been granted. This meant that it was not a big deal to just plant one’s own people under him.

In fact, it is safe to say that all the territories under the legion commander will participate in the betrayal if he so desires.

That’s why I still remember in my head that the most stable way to play was to give two or three territories to several people each, creating several legions, rather than entrusting a lot of territory to one legion commander.

However, what Serpina entrusted to her was the entire Central Continent, which was under the command of Serpina’s army.

It included the entire vast river area where the Chell and Ashes counties were previously located.

Since we already knew that large systems such as natural disasters were based on games, it wouldn’t be impossible for Irene to betray them if she wanted to.

If the ‘Irene Army’ were to come into existence, the continent that was being organized would fall into chaos again. Since all the quality troops were included in the occupying forces, it was possible that Serpina might suffer an irreparable blow.

And yet, the fact that she can say something like that means that Serpina trusts Irene that much.

“I… … .”

To Irene, who was unable to answer easily, Serpina spoke in a voice without a single tremble.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to hear you reject me. Only Irene, you are the right person for the job. Someone who is both strong and trustworthy, and has the skills to lead this kind of territory… … I can’t think of anyone else besides you.”

“Oh my lord-”

Instead of answering Irene, Serpina looked at me, who was standing next to her, and asked.

“Swen, don’t you think so too?”

“… … Yes?”

I answered somewhat absentmindedly, not knowing that she would ask me a question, but Serpina smiled brightly as if she didn’t care and asked me the question again.

“I am asking for your opinion on the decision that General Irene is suitable for the position of Corps Commander.”

If you’re asking for my opinion, are you asking me to walk into your heart?

Well, it’s true that, as she said, the only person here who wouldn’t betray was Irene, and since there wasn’t a single person with outstanding abilities, I wondered if it was really necessary to enter it-

Still, since it’s a question that rolled in, there’s no harm in typing it out.

‘Is it most efficient under the current circumstances to appoint Irene Juliette as the legion commander to rule the central continent?’

And, after checking the answer, I――

[It depends on the will of heaven.]

‘… … !!’

――I barely managed to swallow the surprise I almost had.

It depends on the will of heaven. What it means is very simple.

The only thing that my intelligence of 100, which can predict all futures, cannot predict is my own will.

What I was saying was that whether this decision was effective or not depended on how I acted.

I could easily see the real meaning hidden in this sentence.

‘Irene, if I tell you to betray, you betray right away.’

The feeling that touches my heart along with the strange eerieness I feel there is―a sense of relief.

The confidence that no matter what happens, I can trust Irene.

But at the same time, what I feel is sympathy for Serpina.

It’s a pity that even though she believes in Irene so much, she may end up being abandoned by my will.

“… … Swen?”

Hearing Serpina’s voice, I immediately lowered my head and answered.

Did she notice that I was surprised?

“I agree with your lordship. There is no one else who can take that position except General Irene.

are you okay.

There was no need to pity her.

I have no intention of saying something like ‘betray me’ to Irene.

If it was up to my will, it meant that appointing Irene would be the most efficient answer.

I will protect Serpina. Didn’t I swear that just a little while ago?

“Swen… … .”

“The scribe says so too, Irene. I believe you know that too much humility is worse than too little.”

Irene hesitated for a moment after that, then finally bowed her head and saluted as if she had made up her mind about something.

“… … I understand. I, Irene Juliette, will take the position of commander of the legion by the order of my lord. ”

“Yes. I believe that I will let the people of the newly acquired territory know that Eingart’s rule is the most reasonable way to rule on the continent.”

“Leave it to me!”

From the national strategist to the legion commander, to the sole wizard.

If we simply look at the situation, it was clear that the Serpina Army was within my grasp.

* * *

After parting ways with everyone, I head back to the building where Serpina resides.

“You guys guard this area.”

“Yes!”

“Swen. You continue to practice the woman.”

“I will do as you wish.”

I followed her in silence, leaving my escort knights stationed around the mansion.

The door opened, and Serpina and I were the only ones left in the mansion.

I honestly had an idea why you called me here.

‘You must have read my hesitation when I asked you about Irene.’

At that time, I paused for a moment after seeing the unexpected answer, ‘It depends on the will of heaven.’

No matter how much she hid her expression and suppressed her emotions, it was difficult to believe that Serpina, who was extremely quick-witted, had missed that fleeting moment.

In fact, up until now, she had seen through all my poker-faced actions.

Wasn’t it a consideration on Serpina’s part not to question my actions on the spot?

So, up until this point, I had been worrying about what I could explain to her so that she would feel reassured and convinced.

“… … Swen.”

“Huh?… … Huh?”

Until Serpina suddenly turned around and hugged me.

“I… …did I do well?”