Chapter 155

The capital of the Serpina Army, the Royal Palace of Einhardt Castle.

Serpina, seated on the throne, was listening to a soldier’s report.

“Is it estimated that a landslide occurred?”

“Yes, my lady.”

The news came from the transport detachment sent to deliver supplies to the front lines.

“We changed our course based on our own judgment, but felt the need to report and thus have come here.”

“When did this happen? Can you estimate?”

“Based on the testimonies of many territorial people living in nearby hamlets, it’s estimated to have happened about three weeks ago.”

“Hmm… I see…”

Fortunately, since the ravine was only used as a passageway, there wasn’t much damage. However, as it was a crucial route connecting the Northern Continent to the Central Continent, it needed to be restored for smooth communication with allied forces at the front and for future deployment of occupying forces.

“So, how long do you think the restoration will take?”

“From what we’ve heard, it may take quite some time… Nonetheless, the field commander requests your orders whenever you’re ready.”

Serpina thought for a moment, then stretched her hand forward and spoke.

“Understood. Dispatch reinforcements from the nearest castle to assist with the recovery. The operational authority of the transport detachment will be entrusted to General Estin.”

“Shall I relay that message?”

“Yes.”

After hearing Serpina’s words, the soldier replied loudly.

“Yes, my lady!”

Once the soldier had left, Serpina stood up and headed toward the large map hanging on the wall.

This map of the continent was often used during state conferences.

She picked up the quill pen next to her and marked the approximate location of the landslide ravine.

However…

“Huh?”

For some reason, the moment she looked at the map, Swen’s voice echoed in her mind.

“I mean, regarding the matter of your personal visit… it could lead to undesirable outcomes for our side.”

“I believe it would be best if our lord refrains from moving directly.”

The discomfort Serpina had felt back then wasn’t just because he called her “Lady Serpina,” but also because he seemed intent on preventing her from moving.

Swen’s stated reason was that allowing subordinate commanders to sympathize with Lin might weaken morale, yet he didn’t object when she summoned Lin here.

Then…

“Eh?”

Suddenly struck by an unsettling thought, Serpina felt her heart race and broke out in cold sweat.

“Just a moment…”

Serpina checked the map again.

It was a road she’d traveled many times. She’d even returned via this route from the front lines not too long ago.

Thus, estimating the timing of using this path wasn’t difficult for her.

Even considering weather conditions, which could affect travel time, those were concerns for future situations. Given the clear skies recently, there should’ve been no major issues.

What Serpina was thinking now…

It was about inviting Lin here rather than going herself to the Brance Army—precisely the original plan she had proposed to Swen.

“Definitely three weeks ago, right?”

Serpina slowly constructed a delegation in her mind.

This scenario was purely within her head, something she hadn’t shared with anyone.

She envisioned traveling herself to the Brance Army.

The destination was Kohart Castle, located near the border between Serpina’s territory and Anel Castle.

There was no need for her to go all the way to Anel Castle, and visiting a border fortress without proper troops would demonstrate to both the demoralized commanders and the uneasy territorial people her presence.

Therefore, Serpina calculated the situation where she, along with her delegation, would reach Kohart Castle, form an alliance, and return to Einhardt Castle.

Of course, this route included the landslide-ravaged ravine.

And then…

“!!!!!!”

Serpina dropped the quill pen in her hand.

The ink-soaked pen fell onto the desk with a soft thud, splashing black ink everywhere.

At that moment, the fact she realized was…

* * *

“Still no news?”

“Yes… We were supposed to receive contact by now, but still nothing…”

“Do you know where they’re heading?”

“No…”

Inside the dormitory,

I was chatting with Ilian Al Caskey, Zenis’ twin sister who was filling in for him in this room.

“What? There’s no way to communicate through letters or anything?”

“Unfortunately… I apologize deeply.”

“It’s not really something to apologize for, but…”

Pressuring Ilian wouldn’t solve anything, and since there was still time before entering Iren’s house, plus I was curious about what Zenis was up to, letting her stay a bit longer wouldn’t hurt.

“Alright. You can stay here a little longer.”

“Ah, yes… Thank you very much, Sir Swoen.”

As I watched Ilian bow her head in gratitude, I asked.

“Ilian-san, I’m curious…”

“Yes? Please ask me anything.”

“What kind of person is your brother Zenis?”

Though we had shared a room for a while, all I knew was that he was a carefree parasite-like guy.

We never had any serious conversations, so I had no idea what he thought.

“Zenis-nii is… a kind person. But sometimes, that kindness goes overboard.”

“Overboard?”

“Yes. He always tries to shoulder everything himself… It seems like he doesn’t want to be a burden to his older brother, Irian-nii.”

A burden…

Maybe there were family issues, but I didn’t need to delve too deep.

“To my knowledge, this outing of his might… be to help Irian-nii in some way. Zenis only gets active when it involves Irian-nii. Everyone keeps hyping him up as the genius who’ll revive the Al Caskey clan.”

He didn’t seem that remarkable to me, but given his battlefield accomplishments at such a young age, he must be considered top-tier talent in Serpina’s army.

Anyway, the more I talked…

The more ominous thoughts crept into my mind.

‘No matter how I think about it, it feels like he’s up to something fishy.’

The first thing that came to mind was rebellion…

But on the surface, Irian seemed deeply loyal to Serpina.

He didn’t appear dissatisfied with his position either.

I had investigated a bit after learning that before Iren became deputy commander of the occupying forces, Irian was frequently mentioned as a potential candidate for that role, but found no irregularities.

So why did ‘rebellion’ keep coming to mind?

Because…

‘I don’t have any data on the Al Caskey siblings.’

Perhaps the reason I couldn’t recall their appearances despite playing this game for 10,000 hours was because they had died early for some reason and were already gone by the start of the game.

And that reason was likely rebellion.

Otherwise, one of them would surely have lingered in my memory.

Especially someone with Irian’s capabilities.

If he graduated top of his class from the prestigious academy in Serpina, his stats must’ve been impressive…

And I remembered every high-stat commander.

Yet, among the commanders I recalled, Irian’s name wasn’t there.

‘So is this just Zenis acting alone?’

Just then…

Someone knocked on the door.

I gave Ilian a signal, and she began tidying up the desk, pretending to be Zenis.

She looked convincingly like him, so this should work.

“Who is it?”

“Is Sir Swoen here?”

‘Huh?’

If it was someone looking for Zenis, I briefly wondered how to handle it…

But fortunately or unfortunately, the visitor was looking for me.

Opening the door, a soldier saluted and said:

“Sir Swoen, our lord urgently requests your presence.”

“Me?”

What could it be?

Maybe they needed advice on something?

The alliance with the Brance Army seemed to have gone smoothly, but I was bracing myself for another bizarre question…

Still, maintaining close ties with her was beneficial since I needed to keep her alive.

“Understood. I’ll follow immediately.”

“Yes, I’ll wait outside the door.”

After exchanging quick pleasantries with Ilian, I left the dormitory and headed toward the royal palace.

*

When I arrived at the audience chamber, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

“The throne is empty?”

But since she was supposed to be here, I looked around…

The absolute ruler with golden hair stood gazing down at a desk.

Without much thought, I addressed her.

“Lord Serpina, I’ve arrived upon your summons.”

“…Swoen.”

Serpina slowly turned her body and approached me, speaking softly.

Was it my imagination, or were her eyes trembling slightly?

She usually greeted me with an air of supreme confidence, but today, she seemed completely devoid of it, almost like our first meeting.

“You have something you wish to inquire about?”

If it was a question, it was likely a request for advice.

Since I wasn’t the one answering but Divinity 100, all I had to do was add plausible embellishments.

What would the question be?

Would it be about upcoming battles or strategies?

I hoped it would be something predictable, but…

“Swoen. I wish to hear your thoughts.”

She threw me a question I hadn’t anticipated.

“Regarding the alliance with the Brance Army, the reason you prevented me from going…”

“…?”

“You claimed it was because showing Lin Brance in a humiliating light might cause sympathy instead of hatred among our own commanders.”

“Yes, that’s correct, but…”

“However, that doesn’t make sense.”

Serpina took another step closer.

That was odd.

If it didn’t make sense, why bring it up now?

Moreover, the overwhelming aura she usually exuded during face-to-face meetings felt fragile and brittle today, like a thin branch.

“If your reasoning was true, shouldn’t you have also forbidden me from summoning Lin here? After all, the essence of seeing Lin in an alliance context would be the same whether here or at the front.”

“…My Lord, that-”

Right as I was pondering how to defend against her well-reasoned argument…

“Swoen. Allow me… to speak first.”

With a trembling voice, Serpina cut me off.

Silently, I nodded in agreement.

What was happening?

Before I could fully grasp the situation, she looked straight into my eyes and asked:

“The real reason you stopped me… wasn’t it something else?”

“…”

“I will tell you what I suspect.”

Now blushing slightly, with an almost tearful expression, Serpina stared at me and uttered the words.

“Weren’t you trying… to save my life?”