Chapter 145

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on January 31, 2025

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The next day after talking with Iren.

Once again, Serpina summoned me. However, this time it wasn’t the Audience Chamber but the very annex where we had that sudden sword sparring session before.

‘Serpinna spends a lot of time here, does she?’

While it’s not strange for a leader to have several annexes, this place gave off a peculiar vibe. It was like… how should I put it? A space that has been preserved like a taxidermy exhibit.

Even though it wasn’t particularly far from other areas and was undoubtedly within the castle walls, the eerie atmosphere made it hard to find proper words to describe.

Just as I was heading toward the manor…

“Huh?”

An indistinct figure resembling Serpina was crouched in front of a flower bed. Upon getting closer, it was indeed her—long golden hair flowing freely, and her distinctive hairpin marking her unmistakably as the Serpina I knew.

Her profile revealed an expression so serene it made me question if this was really the same person I’d come to know. She looked completely at peace, something I’d never seen before on her face. Whatever she was tinkering with, she seemed busy doing something…

And then, at that moment,

As if sensing my presence, she turned to me and spoke.

“Ah, Swoen, you’ve arrived.”

“What were you doing?”

“I was just checking up on the flower beds.”

I thought about questioning whether a monarch really needed to do such things, but held back. After all, even kings can have hobbies… and seeing her tend to the flowers actually suited her well in many ways.

“Today, by the Lord’s summons…”

“The formalities are done. Follow me.”

“…Yes.”

With Serpina leading the way, I followed behind her.

*

Inside one of the rooms in the annex.

A large map of the continent hung on the wall. There, Serpina looked at me with a confident expression and said:

“Swoen. This is regarding the ‘test’ you set. It gave me much food for thought. Today, I’ve called you here to confirm if your conclusions are correct.”

‘A test…’

Right.

She believed I had given her some sort of test.

Honestly, who would dare openly tell their monarch they’re testing them? Especially someone like Serpina, but thanks to her misunderstanding, I didn’t need to explain why my predictions were accurate.

Certainly, “It’s an alliance that offers great opportunities for our side.”

On the surface, no matter how many times you look at it, Brance Army benefits immensely from this deal. Setting aside the fact that Lin proposed it first, the terms weren’t absurd either.

Still, what I could predict was that this alliance wouldn’t benefit the Brance Army. After all, benefiting our side means benefiting Serpina’s army, which conflicts with Brance’s interests. A win-win situation couldn’t exist here. While reasoning through this might lead somewhere, there was no concrete evidence like there used to be. Convincing Serpina would be tough.

“Well then, listen up, Swoen.”

But hey, there’s someone right in front of me willing to crunch the numbers for me. No reason to turn down that offer.

“…Understood. Please proceed.”

“In my opinion… Lin Brance’s intentions have clearly changed. When this proposal came in, it became evident that she isn’t the stubborn woman everyone knows but someone who knows when to prioritize practicality.”

I agreed with that. Reaching out to our army, essentially enemies, must have been difficult for her too.

She pointed at the map with her finger.

“Swoen, surely you already know this, but among all existing nations, the Brance Army stands to gain the most from an alliance with ours. Southern nations don’t share borders with us, and an alliance with the Aishias Army would block our own border entirely. Only the Brance Army can defend against southern nations without worrying about our borders. Strategically and superficially, this alliance greatly benefits Brance.”

Her explanation carried a sweet tone, making her all the more charming as a human being.

“But you claimed this alliance would also benefit us… We gain 12,800 gold. True, it’s decent for six months of an alliance, but it doesn’t explain why you rejected previous alliances.”

I silently stared into her eyes. Her gaze sparkled, as if daring me to challenge her assumptions.

“If both Brance and our army can be satisfied, that seems odd. You clearly stated this would be a great opportunity for us. But Brance’s gains cannot directly translate to ours. If Brance becomes stronger here, we would suffer the most losses because of it. Do you agree so far?”

This level of thinking isn’t hard for Serpina to reach. She’s quite intelligent after all. The most capable person in Serpina’s army is the monarch herself, Serpina.

“I agree.”

“Excellent. How am I doing in understanding your perspective?”

Saying that, she smiled contentedly, looking strangely cute despite myself.

“Please continue.”

“Alright. Even if Lin has changed her mindset—human hearts aren’t always driven by reason or practicality. Under our army’s hooves, countless commanders and soldiers of Brance have lost their lives. And that happened not long ago.”

She confidently asked me, her gaze steady.

“What do you think Brance’s vassals feel about this? The soldiers? Those who lost family or loved ones? Perhaps this alliance carries a different meaning for Brance than it appears.”

‘Ah.’

I now understood what she was getting at. One of the few predictions I had anticipated.

In short, her theory was—

“Perhaps this alliance will—”

“There’s a possibility of internal division within the Brance Army.”

“My goodness.”

Apparently pleased that our thoughts aligned, Serpina gave a seductive smile.

Indeed.

One of the theories I established—and probably the most realistic—was that this alliance would cause internal division within the Brance Army.

Of course, this alliance benefits Brance. But humans aren’t always rational beings. Just as Lin discarded her loyal vassal Iren due to emotional turmoil, and Baranga Yuri Aishias made foolish decisions as a ruler clinging to past grievances—

Humans aren’t purely rational thinkers.

“Swoen, you told me that if someone were in that position, they would inevitably feel certain things. That statement held immense significance. Because, after all, I am a tyrant.”

That wasn’t exactly what I meant, but it fits if you want to interpret it that way. Tyrant… Despite showing no tyrannical behavior since I arrived, her notorious reputation remains undeniable.

“The tyrant Serpina, akin to an enemy, shaking hands with Lin Brance… Those who endured humiliation while serving Brance could easily become shaken. Especially since Lin has been experiencing repeated failures recently.”

“Not only that?”

“Indeed?”

Given her efforts thus far, it’s polite to share my thoughts.

“The Brance Army likely suffers from fractured unity due to Lin’s continuous misjudgments. What kept them together was hatred towards their lord, but by forming this alliance, they risk losing even that remaining cohesion.”

Thus, whoever proposed this alliance understands the strategic landscape but lacks insight into human emotions.

“Perhaps Parphale.”

“Certainly, Swoen. Your insights fill the gaps in my knowledge so thoroughly it feels like we were meant to be one entity. Hohoho…♡”

She approached me as she spoke. Her chest subtly swayed.

Unavoidably recalling the massive watermelon-like object that crushed me yesterday.

“Well, Swoen? What do you think of my answer? Did I pass your test?”

Test.

Though convincing, I couldn’t make definitive statements without solid proof after witnessing impossible events recently. To safely distance myself from her, building trust was essential.

“The term ‘test’ may not be appropriate, but I believe you’re quite close.”

“Of course, I’m not satisfied with just this.”

Then, turning her body, she quietly added,

“I will personally handle this alliance.”

“Lord, you will handle it yourself?”

“I plan to visit Anel Castle.”

“…Pardon?”

“Even forming an alliance alone could sufficiently shake their internal stability, but I reflected on what scene would most terrify me if I were a commander in Brance’s army. Naturally, an image came to mind.”

Serpina turned her head to look at me. Her blonde hair fluttered softly.

“The sight of an enemy like Serpina shaking hands with her own lord, witnessed firsthand.”

“…”

“By imprinting that scene upon the Brance Army, we can more effectively shatter their morale. Don’t you agree, Swoen? Hehehe…”

She chuckled like a playful child.

Undoubtedly more shocking, but confirmation of this theory is necessary. With the definite advantage for ‘our army,’ the likelihood is high. Still, I didn’t expect her to go this far. Anyway, the premise has shifted—”Serpina going herself.”

‘Let’s try inputting once.’

Without much thought, I entered, “Is forming an alliance with the Brance Army efficient for our army?”

And the answer…

—That damnable “speculation.”

The speculation carrying absolute certainty as an answer.

[To the extent that the fate of unifying the continent shifts, it brings tremendous benefits to our side.]

‘!!!!!!!’

“Swoen?”

I leaned unconsciously on the nearby desk as my legs went limp. What…?

“What’s wrong all of a sudden?”

“It’s… um, well… Lady Serpina, please give me a moment…”

She supported me as I wobbled. Ignoring gratitude, I mulled over the recent prediction.