Chapter 23

“Of course, it’s surely a dangerous method as you said.”

When a good opportunity comes around, you can’t afford not to take it.

It was my unpredictable survival strategy.

“But don’t worry. There’s an extremely high chance I won’t die.”

Even though the future where I don’t die might be 100% certain, I didn’t want to flaunt it and instead used the word ‘possibility.’

Because that would resonate more with Cain regarding how little intention I have to betray him.

“Since Lin is targeting me personally, they’ll probably keep me alive. But if I’m not around, Lin will use their overwhelming troops to thoroughly track us down. We wouldn’t last long. Moreover, if Lady Lunarien were captured by Lin, she’d definitely meet her end. Lin has the habit of never forgiving those who’ve challenged them for power, no matter how small their nation.”

I looked straight into Cain’s eyes as I spoke.

I could feel the momentum shifting towards me.

“Cain, rebuilding an army from scratch is incredibly difficult. It could take years. But if we’re dead, that’s the end of everything. If we’re alive, there’s always hope. Even if it takes time, as long as our spirit remains unbroken, we can do anything. With Lady Luna still alive, we can accomplish anything. In this moment of crisis for the Lunarien Army, in order to keep the beacon burning, now is the time to retreat.”

“…”

Cain sighed briefly after hearing my words.

Then he smiled faintly and said,

“You really are putting your life on the line, aren’t you?”

Well, technically, with my Divinity 100 brain, it’s actually a pretty safe bet…

“I understand. I’ll trust you.”

“You won’t regret it.”

A way to save both Lunarien and Cain, rescue Tifa, preserve two mercenary units…

The best option is clear: staying behind alone in the castle while everyone else leaves, surrendering to Lin Brance.

This is undoubtedly the optimal choice.

I turned to look at the captains and said,

“Lord Gustaf and Aaron, please take your mercenary units and leave the central region for now. When the Lunarien Army reappears someday, you can join us then.”

“…Understood.”

“Well, it’s not too difficult a task…”

“And as I just mentioned, we’ll transfer half of our army’s forces to each of the mercenary units. You can take all of them with you.”

The two captains looked surprised upon hearing this.

“Sir Swoen… Are you serious about this?”

“That’s right.”

“…”

Gustaf slowly nodded his head before speaking.

“We’re mercenaries. We don’t pledge allegiance to any nation, taking jobs as they come. And since the Lunarien Army no longer exists on this continent, we could potentially use these forces to work for other nations.”

“That’s fine. The Lunarien Army will return to the scene of history. Helping us then will be sufficient.”

“…What incredible confidence. Sir Swoen, you’re truly remarkable.”

Upon hearing Gustaf’s words, Aaron nodded and said,

“Understood. We’ll depart from here for now. The soldiers will receive the same treatment as the existing mercenaries.”

“That’s very kind of you.”

I turned to Tifa and Cain and said,

“Lady Tifa, please assist Lord Gustaf in assigning soldiers to the Raven Mercenary Unit. Lord Cain, please help Lord Aaron with transferring soldiers to the Chirein Mercenary Unit. The enemy forces will soon arrive, so please move quickly.”

“Got it.”

“…Damn it, is this really the only way!?”

With that, the other four left.

And I gave instructions to Luna, who remained alone in the royal palace.

“My lord, please gather as many forces as possible without hindering your escape preparations. Take Lady Tifa and Lord Cain, and plan for the future. This will create new opportunities for our army.”

“…”

Luna couldn’t respond, just hanging her head silently.

“My lord?”

After calling out to her once more…

She finally spoke, her expression fragile like glass that might shatter at the slightest touch.

“…Sir Swoen.”

“What is it?”

“Are you… Are you really going to risk your life? Can’t you come with us?”

“…”

If going together were the right decision, I would have done so.

But my Divinity 100 brain insisted the Lunarien Army must leave without me.

For the sake of the future, I cannot stay with them at this moment.

“That’s correct. The goal of the Lin Brance Army isn’t the destruction of Jeilrant Castle or the Lunarien Army… It’s me.”

“Why…?”

“It seems they want to recruit me into the Brance Army.”

Upon hearing my words, Luna spoke with a trembling voice.

“But… I…”

Luna slowly raised her shaking hand and firmly grabbed my sleeve.

Only then did I realize – she was crying.

“I… I can’t leave Sir Swoen behind. I can’t abandon you to danger while I flee alone.”

“There’s no danger. I will definitely survive, and I will definitely return to my lord’s side.”

“But… But… Even so, even if it’s for the future, I can’t sacrifice Sir Swoen!”

At that moment…

I think I felt something well up inside me.

Had I grown attached to this woman during our time together?

I placed my hand firmly on her shoulder holding onto my sleeve.

The sound of my hand hitting her shoulder echoed through the empty royal palace.

And I shouted at her,

“Lunarien Iniyan!!!”

“…!!!”

She looked up at me in shock.

Her ruby-colored eyes trembled like a lost puppy.

“Haven’t you spoken of bringing peace to the world? Haven’t you said yourself that you would unify the continent, recommending me for the task that day?”

“T-t-that…”

“I remember when you said you had infinite trust in me. Was that a lie?”

“…No, it wasn’t. I, it’s just…”

I spoke sincerely to her.

“I’m not choosing to be a sacrificial lamb. As your vassal, I’m simply selecting the best option. I will definitely survive. And we will certainly meet again.”

And then, looking deeply into her eyes…

I made a promise that was sure to come true someday.

“Lady Lunarien, if you trust me, I will place the entire world in your hands as repayment.”

“!!!”

Her pupils visibly contracted in surprise.

These words weren’t lies.

This decision would accelerate her unification of the continent.

“So… For the sake of the future, please flee now. I’ll deal with the Brance Army.”

“…Hiccup.”

Tears began streaming down her face again.

And then… Without saying a word, she hugged me.

Naturally, I embraced her back.

I comforted and consoled her until she regained her composure.

“Don’t worry, Lady Luna. Please trust me. I will definitely return to serve you again.”

“…Alright.”

She slowly pulled away from me, wiped her tears, and opened her trembling mouth.

“…You absolutely, absolutely must come back.”

“I promise. I will definitely return to your side.”

These words weren’t lies either.

Since the ruler who will unify the continent is Lunarien, being by her side is the right choice.

“…Then.”

I turned around and shouted after Luna as she ran away.

“My lord! Stay safe! And when the opportunity comes, don’t let it slip! I will definitely return to your side!”

She stopped momentarily, looked back at my face-

And then turned away again, quickly leaving the royal palace.

‘…’

Thinking about it now…

Luna might have been the only ruler who would believe me based solely on the words “Trust me.”

Without any further explanation, just believing me on my word…

That thought occurs to me now.

Even if I said “Cut off my head if I’m wrong,” and she responded that she didn’t know if my head was worth that much, that would have been the end of it.

No matter how small the nation, no matter the lack of talent… Ultimately, trust is something only the ruler can decide.

The fact that I could push my opinions so freely was because she, as the ruler, trusted me completely.

Having Divinity 100 advice means nothing if the ruler chooses not to listen.

Thinking about all this, I realized tears were welling up in my own eyes.

I roughly wiped them away with my sleeve.

‘This isn’t the time to indulge in emotional drama.’

I had work to do.

As the strategist of the Lunarien Army, I moved to fulfill my final duty.

* * *

After fleeing the royal palace, Luna quickly ran to the barracks where the soldiers were gathered.

Even as she ran…

Tears continued to stream down her face.

‘Sir Swoen… Sir Swoen…’

Swoen had confidently stated that Lin Brance would spare him.

But – Luna had heard those words.

The heartfelt conversation with Cain.

There was a “high possibility” he would survive.

The always confident Swoen using such an ambiguous term for the first time.

A high possibility isn’t 100%. It means there’s still a chance, however small, that he could die.

So, Swoen was…

Essentially sacrificing himself for the Lunarien Army, risking death.

‘I’m sorry, Sir Swoen. I’m such an incompetent ruler… Such a weak leader who can’t do anything in this situation…’

The only person to ever come to this small nation despite countless recruitment attempts.

Far from opposing her sudden use of gold to help the territorial people, he supported her actions and understood her desire to avoid excessive conscription for the people’s sake.

If only I had been a firmer leader…

If only I had invested all the gold in city development and built a larger army through maximum conscription…

Would that have been enough to avoid sacrificing Swoen?

Of course, she knew even then it wouldn’t have changed anything.

The enemy has an army exceeding 80,000.

From the moment they caught Lin’s attention, their fate was sealed.

‘…Sir Swoen…’

Muttering his name over and over, she realized…

Continuing to regret past decisions and apologizing to someone who can’t hear her solves nothing.

If she truly cared about Swoen, who was sacrificing everything for their army…

Now was the time to fully believe his words that this was the best option for their situation.

Swoen had said:

Trust me, and I’ll place the world in your hands.

He also said: Don’t miss your chance. If you do, I’ll definitely return alive to your side.

‘…I believe in you, Sir Swoen. I’ll survive no matter what. Even if it means making harsh decisions, I won’t miss any opportunities. I’ll live remembering every single word you’ve said to me today. Sir Swoen.’

Luna thought:

If there is any qualification within me to unify this continent in human form, it must be this man named Swoen.

‘So please, definitely, absolutely… Absolutely meet again, Sir Swen. If you can’t find me, I’ll do whatever it takes to find you… Definitely…’

In the heart of Lunarien Iniyan the ruler – Luna the woman…

A piece settled deep within her soul, something she could never remove.

A fragment firmly embedded in her deepest core.