Chapter 104

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“Once again, the meal has been completely finished. It seems unlikely that there will be any further refusal of food.”

“Hmm.”

Seated with her legs crossed on the Lady’s throne, Serpina listened to the warden’s report regarding Anima. With her chin resting on her hand, she extended it towards the warden.

“Very well. Further reports on the prisoner are unnecessary. Should another situation requiring response arise, you may report then.”

“Yes, understood!”

After saluting and disappearing, Serpina gazes off into thought.

‘If Anima is a graduate of the Fiobella Academy… That must be the reason for her hostility towards me. Perhaps there are many from that academy gathered within the Aishias Army as well.’

She had thought their reaction was rather sharp considering it was a small nation when she went to offer surrender…

As pieces of the puzzle in her mind began to fit together, Serpina closed her eyes.

“…Tranquility.”

The word she quietly recites to herself whenever her heart wavers.

Now was not the time to dwell on past events.

What mattered to her were not the past, but the present and the future, wasn’t it?

Just as she was reorganizing her mindset…

“Milady!”

A messenger approached.

“What is it?”

“The forces deployed to Jestrom Castle have just returned.”

Does this mean… they ultimately suffered defeat?

She had known the chances of victory were slim, and thus prepared Plan B which successfully landed a blow on the Aishias Army…

But accepting defeat still didn’t sit well with her.

“I see. What about the remaining forces?”

“Approximately 23,000 troops remain, including the wounded.”

So more than half have been lost…

Serpina frowned slightly as the messenger cautiously responded.

“However, we’ve also inflicted significant damage on Jestrom Castle. They likely won’t be able to counterattack anytime soon…”

Serpina nodded slightly.

“What of Villans and Nemia?”

“General Villans returned safely leading the retreating forces… As for General Nemia, well…”

“…?”

Detecting an uneasy vibe, Serpina stood up, causing the messenger to panic and wave his hands.

“No, no! She survived! However… she sustained severe injuries.”

“Injuries, you say?”

“Yes. She’s currently under absolute rest.”

At least she’s alive.

There was a part of her deeply relieved by that fact.

But, as the Absolute Ruler who repeatedly sends commanders to the battlefield, showing excessive emotion could potentially tarnish her dignity.

Still, she couldn’t just let it go…

“You there. Can you guide me to where Nemia is?”

Upon hearing her words, the messenger replied loudly.

“Yes! Of course! It’s an honor to escort you. This way, please.”

*

Under the guidance of the messenger, she arrived at the military hospital of Hisfil Castle.

Among the busy doctors dispatched from the capital, Einhardt Castle, Nemia lay in bed greeting Serpina.

“Ahh… Milady… You’ve come…”

“There’s no need to speak unnecessarily, Nemia. Rest properly.”

The female general Nemia.

She wasn’t particularly gifted with extraordinary abilities or remarkable strength and talent…

In Serpina’s mind, she was always the fiery commander who answered with a loud voice, burning with fighting spirit.

That very same Nemia now lay helplessly in bed, groaning softly in pain.

“I am unworthy, Milady… I swore to deliver Jestrom Castle to you…”.

“That story doesn’t matter.”

Serpina turned her head to look at the doctor beside her.

Catching her unspoken question, the doctor carefully spoke.

“We heard there was tremendous blood loss right in the middle of the battlefield. It’s quite fortunate that the retreat decision was made quickly; otherwise, her life might have been lost.”

“Blood loss, you say…”

Serpina turned her head again to examine Nemia’s body lying in bed.

There was no visible wound that would cause life-threatening blood loss.

Though her head was bandaged, instinctively, Serpina felt that wasn’t the only problem.

She was clearly gravely injured…

Then.

Her eyes fell upon the white blanket covering Nemia’s lower body.

…Of course not.

Slowly, she lifted the blanket.

And only then did she see the decisive wound that forced the retreat.

Her right leg… was missing from the knee down.

Seeing Serpina’s shocked expression, Nemia chuckled awkwardly.

“Hehe… Sorry. I’ve ended up like this. If I had fought until the end, we could have captured Jestrom Castle…”

“Nemia.”

“The Epinal Rosenkross was truly formidable, as rumored. As a fellow woman, I respected her strength immensely. From clashing swords, I realized I could never defeat her… I did my best, but…”

“…”

“Now, with this body… My role as a general is ruined. I once hoped to return to my hometown after establishing peace and spend quiet times with my family, but now that feels like a distant dream. Milady… I…”

“Nemia.”

Serpina took Nemia’s hands in both of hers.

Her hands were still connected by blood circulation since she was alive, yet they felt extremely cold.

“Milady…”

“You have done your utmost. Your safe return is enough.”

“But because of my inadequacy, we were forced to retreat. Given enough time, we surely could have taken the castle…”

“If you truly feel inadequate, use the rest of your life for me.”

Nemia gave a bitter smile at Serpina’s words.

“I… can no longer fight on the battlefield. Even offering my insignificant life wouldn’t help you; instead, it might hinder you.”

“Fighting on the battlefield isn’t everything in war. Moreover, Nemia, don’t you still have reasons to work?”

“Milady…?”

“You mentioned having five younger siblings, didn’t you?”

At Serpina’s words, Nemia was surprised for the first time.

“…You remembered that?”

The casual mention of her family during her initial appointment in the Serpina Army.

Nemia hadn’t expected Serpina, who commanded countless generals, to remember such details, making her even more astonished.

Objectively speaking, she wasn’t an outstanding general.

Honestly, she hadn’t achieved any incredible feats either.

“To feed them, you should still be working hard, shouldn’t you? For now, it’ll be difficult. Take some rest. Your stipend will continue uninterrupted.”

“But…”

“When your body stabilizes, it would be good if you helped train the next generation. Practical training is important, but so is theoretical teaching. As a professional instructor in the barracks, teaching tactics based on your battlefield experience would be greatly beneficial. Survivors from the brink of death often have much to teach.”

While talking about battlefield experiences and lessons, Nemia easily sensed Serpina’s consideration.

Even as a barrack instructor, demonstrating while training would be more efficient with all limbs intact.

Moreover, she wasn’t particularly knowledgeable in theory either.

However, if she retired from the army like this, she’d immediately face difficulties feeding her younger siblings. Even wanting to work, her current condition wouldn’t allow her to do manual labor.

Serpina had considered this aspect.

Maintaining employment, telling her it was okay to relax.

“Milady…”

“Do you remember the moment you joined me? I told you to swear loyalty with your life. If you intend to keep that oath, I will never abandon you, no matter what happens.”

“Nemia. The dream of unifying the continent you staked your life for, leave it to me. I’ll walk on my two legs and see through your vision. I will never forget the dream you entrusted to me.”

“…”

Hearing those words, Nemia’s body trembled slightly.

And tears began to stream down her eyes.

Though known as a tyrant without blood or tears, and indeed very cold and calculated, for Nemia, Serpina was the only ruler in the continent worthy of respect.

The sole person fit to be the continent’s absolute ruler.

Thus, as Nemia cried uncontrollably for a long time…

Serpina silently stood by her side without a word.

Until she regained her composure.

Another unfulfilled dream was added to the Absolute Ruler’s two legs.

*

A few hours later.

After finishing her visit at the hospital, Serpina returned to the royal palace to resume her duties when a soldier approached her.

“A envoy from the Aishias Army has arrived?”

“Yes.”

So the envoy from Aishias has come concerning negotiations about Anima.

I was planning to contact the Aishias Army soon anyway.

‘They came so quickly… Anima must be quite important to them.’

Then there’s no reason not to take full advantage of that.

Her way of surviving the era of chaos.

Showing maximum mercy to her people, while strictly calculating gains and losses with others.

If Anima is crucial to the Aishias Army, there’s no reason not to exploit that fully.

“Where is the envoy?”

“They’re waiting in the audience chamber.”

“Understood. I shall go there immediately.”

Serpina quickly headed to the audience chamber, pondering what to demand.

Not gold or treasures… perhaps she could receive Raclaine Castle.

Upon entering the audience chamber and settling into her seat, she quietly spoke.

“Lift your head.”

Only then did the envoy of the Aishias Army come into her view.

‘…Huh?’

Distinct features appeared before her eyes.

A young man with short white hair.

And finally, when he raised his head…

‘!!!’

Her world momentarily froze.

Beautiful golden eyes stared back, wide with shock, trembling violently.

White hair, grayish eyes.

She had seen this face before.

This man… looks exactly like the man in my dreams.

No, it goes beyond that. If it were just that, I wouldn’t have been this shocked.

<I might know this man.>

That thought strongly stimulated something deep within her subconscious.

And then.

The moment their eyes met, her heart started pounding wildly…

Before long, a name she’d never spoken aloud naturally flowed from her lips.

“…Swen…???”

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