Chapter 163

I immediately removed the gag from his mouth and shook him.

“Senior, can you hear me? Senior Jenis!”

“…!”

Fortunately, Jenis quickly opened his eyes and assessed the situation.

“…Swoen? Why are you here…?”

“I’ve come to rescue you. Your younger sister asked me to.”

“…Ah…”

Jenis sighed briefly and then nodded at me, seeming to have understood the situation clearly.

Now, it was time to hear his story.

* * *

Let’s rewind a few days.

As Jenis left the royal palace with a bitter expression, he thought,

‘Even though my older brother worked hardest on the battlefield, why can’t he receive any reward?’

The position of deputy commander of the occupying forces was obviously going to be given to the most promising young commander in the Serpina Army.

Everyone could see that this position belonged to Irian, who had achieved great merit in subduing the Brance Army.

At least, until that woman named Erin appeared.

‘I understand she’s impressive… but ultimately, it was my brother who fought for our army. And yet…’

He had always been loyal to Lady Serpina, believing that receiving nothing in return was only natural—

But it irked Jenis that this position would go not to the greatly respected elder brother, but instead to a commander who had only recently betrayed her own lord and joined them.

No matter how much he tried to talk things over with Irian, nothing got resolved.

Just as he was pondering whether he should just let it pass… a group approached him.

“Surely you also think this is unjust, don’t you?”

Back when he first joined the Serpina Army, an old commander kindly taught him various things. It turned out there were quite a few commanders within the army who shared similar thoughts.

Through introductions by the old commander, Jenis found himself greeted by an unexpected face.

“Oh, the renowned Jenis of the Al Caskey family! How pleasant to meet you. I used to drink with your father; it feels like just yesterday, and now his second son has grown up so well—it makes me envious!”

This leading figure among the group was Huton Agail, one of the 11 founding heroes of the Einhardt Empire, who had retired from frontline duties to quietly spend his remaining years.

He was a very wise old man, once considered the only person capable of succeeding Jinoor Nighthart as chancellor of the empire, and thus regarded as someone suitable to serve as the nation’s strategist amidst the confusion in the Serpina Army after things settled down—but he declined due to old age, passing the role to Jena, and chose to quietly enjoy his later years.

Of course, that didn’t mean he completely withdrew from central politics.

At first, Jenis mingled with them merely to soothe his frustrations.

After all, sharing such feelings with like-minded people tends to ease the burden.

However, at some point… Jenis realized they were planning something he absolutely shouldn’t get involved in.

“If Lord Algord were still around, he wouldn’t handle matters this way.”

“Knight Hutton, who was Lord Algord’s right-hand man, also deeply regrets this.”

“Jenis, surely you too believe Lord Algord was the true heir to the empire, don’t you?”

They were one of the countless factions that didn’t recognize Serpina.

Their focal point might have shifted to Algord von Einhardt and his favored Huton Agail—but they were no different from the countless groups that had previously invoked Algord and Sidemid’s names.

Once Jenis fully grasped the situation, his choice to survive was to simply nod along.

He did consider reporting everything truthfully to his lord immediately, but recent opportunities for private audiences with her hadn’t arisen. Moreover, many of his close friends and even personal benefactors among the old commanders were involved, making it impossible to act. If he reported, everyone would surely be killed.

Caught in indecision, Jenis found himself gradually treated as a member of the group. Before he knew it, he was secretly meeting with them, even lying to his younger sister about roommates.

And then, one day…

“My lord?”

“Yes. If Lord Irian agrees to help us with this matter, don’t you think it will lay the foundation for a ‘true Einhardt Empire’? Of course, if we succeed, both Lord Irian and yourself, Jenis, will gain appropriate positions. The Al Caskey family will finally become genuine founding heroes of the kingdom!”

After receiving this request from Huton to persuade Irian, Jenis felt he couldn’t just ignore it.

‘It’s already dangerous enough that I’ve been associating with them and having these kinds of conversations. At this rate, my brother, my sister, heck, our entire family could be in grave danger. So, I must confess everything honestly to my lord…!’

“Jenis, never forget that you’ve already taken a step. Do you know what you need to do to get what you want?”

What Jenis wanted was for Irian’s efforts to be properly recognized.

But he couldn’t risk dragging everyone into ruin with such a foolish plan. Countless rebellions, including far larger ones, had already vanished like morning dew. Sure, they called themselves founding heroes of the empire, but how much could a bunch of old men really achieve?

Besides—Jenis himself had never once thought of betraying Serpina.

“…I know.”

Thus, after fending them off for now, Jenis headed straight for the palace.

Even if it meant being rude, he intended to privately confess everything to Serpina.

He might be punished for reporting late, but that was better than getting his entire family wiped out because of accidental involvement.

However—

“—!!”

Someone struck the back of Jenis’ head hard as he was heading toward the palace.

“Tch. He was about to spill the beans after all. Damn brat.”

“What should we do? Should we kill him?”

“We can’t kill him. We’ll need to keep him alive if we want to recruit Irian Al Caskey. But for now… it’d be best if he doesn’t leave the house for a while.”

With that, barely recognizing the voices of those who attacked him—

Jenis’ vision faded to black.

* * *

Einhardt Royal Palace.

I was kneeling in the audience chamber, discussing with Serpina.

“Swoen. For you to seek me out personally like this, I’m quite curious. Could it be you wish to spend some personal time with me?”

“…”

Although Serpina lightly teased me with a smile, the news I was about to deliver to her was anything but light—it was extremely serious.

Realizing the gravity of my expression, she lowered her tone to a more solemn one.

“It seems something is amiss.”

“My lord… please don’t be shocked. Concerned about certain suspicions, I investigated personally—and…”

“Another group is trying to take my life, isn’t it?”

“…!!!”

Hearing Serpina’s words, I looked at her in surprise. She was smiling—a smile devoid of the charisma she displayed as an absolute ruler or the allure she showed as a woman. It was an empty, unbearably sorrowful smile.

“There’s no need to be surprised. Given your serious expression, I suspected it was coming. Besides, Swoen, last time you uncovered rebels and informed me. It’s not unusual for history to repeat itself.”

“My lord…”

Though unintentional, I had indeed exposed rebels once before.

That time, it was the remnants of Sidemid von Einhardt; this time, it’s the remnants of Algord von Einhardt. Other than that difference, there wasn’t much distinction between the two incidents.

Looking at her sorrowful expression, I thought…

…Right.

Currently, endless rebellions were erupting across the Northern Continent.

Even during gameplay as the Serpina Army, no matter how high I raised loyalty levels, someone always rebelled.

Back then, I thought it was just a “balance patch.”

But in this reality, it meant she had to repeatedly witness trusted generals turning against her.

“Tell me, Swoen. What happened?”

“…Yes.”

Even if what I revealed added weight to Serpina’s crown…

I couldn’t let it slide. I had to protect her.

So, I recounted everything Jenis had told me.

* * *

That day.

Thanks to the efforts of Swoen and Erin, all members involved in the rebellion under the name of Algord von Einhardt were arrested and imprisoned through confessions.

The ringleader was the retired old commander, Agail Huton, who had supported Algord during the succession struggle but stepped back after his death and Serpina ascended the throne.

This incident revealed that his quiet retirement was merely a façade.

And…

Among the rebels was Commander Erin, who had always particularly followed her.

“…Erin.”

“…”

“Serpina, why did you involve yourself in such a foolish act? This isn’t like the clever you.”

“Serpina-sama. Do you realize how many people have suffered because of you? After taking so many lives, do you truly believe you can rule forever?”

“…”

“Now is not too late. Abdicate. Hand over the crown to Knight Huton, the legitimate successor of Crown Prince Algord. He has promised to spare your life if you do so. Clinging to the defiled bloodline of the Einhardts is foolish.”

This was strange.

It felt like talking to a completely different Erin from the one who always swore allegiance to her.

And then she realized.

This is it.

This is exactly what Raherven, who once taught her etiquette, warned her about.

“Princess. Since we’re connected by fate, let me share one final piece of advice. I… this old man, am merely the first.”

“When you took the royal blood into your hands, did you not expect this? Many will come after you. …Perhaps it will be a difficult battle, but I believe this is the burden that must be borne by anyone who deceives all to obtain what they shouldn’t.”

‘So… I’ve obtained something I shouldn’t have?’

Something I shouldn’t possess.

In truth, I never wanted any of this.

All of it—the destiny of the Einhardt family, their lineage, the will for imperial unification—weren’t these all things ‘given’ to Serpina?

Lost in thought, Serpina leaned against the wall on her way back from the prison.

How long must I keep seeing the eyes of those who served me turn 180 degrees and fill with hatred?

How long must this ceaseless malevolence linger around me?

Thinking about it, she easily realized something else tied to ‘that man.’

‘Swoen…’

Had it not been for him, neither the previous nor this latest rebellion would have been discovered.

Regardless of whether the rebellion succeeded or failed, the minimal damage incurred was entirely thanks to Swoen.

Maybe… Swoen could provide answers.

On her way back to the audience chamber, Serpina decided to summon Swoen.

Was it to commend his efforts in this matter and discuss future plans?

Or was it simply because she wanted to see him?

Even she couldn’t tell.