Chapter 172

* * *

“Holy cow, you’re up early.”

“I received a summons from His Lordship.”

As I prepared to leave, Iren looked at me with a worried expression.

“Hey, Swoen… now that I think about it, I’ve heard some rumors.”

“Rumors?”

“While I know you well enough to know they’re false… but apparently there’s talk going around that you and Lady Serpina are having an… inappropriate relationship.”

“…Huh?”

At first I thought it was nonsense, but then it clicked when I put myself in Iren’s shoes.

Ah. So it’s not just Iren getting checked by everyone behind the scenes.

Many people, including Senior Jenis, were already unhappy that Iren, who had only arrived from another country recently, was appointed Deputy Commander of the occupying forces…

And it makes sense they’d be keeping an eye on me too, since I’m always being called in close to give advice. Especially since I’m technically Serpina’s fiance – rumors are bound to spread more easily about me than Lady Iren, who’s the same gender.

“Of course not. I don’t think that way at all. In fact, I’ve already reprimanded those spreading such tales. But… I do understand how damaging persistent bad rumors can be within the state…”

Iren sighed softly as she spoke.

She would know better than anyone what it’s like to be buried under nasty gossip in a group setting. After all, even after establishing merit through Lin Brance, she became everyone’s target and ended up isolated.

I grinned confidently in response.

“Don’t worry about me, Lady Iren. Someone like me isn’t going to be shaken by mere rumors. If it comes down to it, I’ll just bring Miss Reika along to throw a few fireballs or something.”

My joke made Iren smile.

“Good. That’s reassuring… Ah, Swoen, may I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

Iren paused for a moment before asking cautiously:

“When Lady Serpina calls you, what exactly do you two discuss?”

“Well, stuff about the future geopolitical situation of the continent… you know, strategy stuff. I am playing the role of strategist after all.”

Though honestly, I feel more like a prophet than a strategist sometimes. But in this game, high-intellect characters are usually strategists.

“Ah, so nothing unusual then?”

“Yes.”

Though at that moment, the lingering scent of yuzu from when Serpina’s lips accidentally brushed mine briefly surfaced in my mind. Still, I just replied “Yes.”

“That’s good.”

“But why are you asking?”

“Well… since you’re also a foreigner who came here with me… I wondered if perhaps you were being tested somehow. Though obviously Her Majesty wouldn’t do anything like that…”

“As long as things keep going this well, there’s no need to worry.”

“True. And one more thing…”

Iren hesitated again before speaking.

“When Lady Lunarien establishes her kingdom… will we be leaving right away?”

“…”

That felt strange.

Why couldn’t I answer immediately? I should have been able to say “Yes” without hesitation.

Of course we’d have to leave once Lady Luna establishes her rule. That was the agreement.

Whether it was during my time with the Brance Army or the Aishias Army, that thought never changed.

So why… did Serpina’s somewhat sad-looking face come to mind?

“…No, I believe that’s what will happen.”

Because I didn’t want to lie to her, all I could manage was this ambiguous answer…

But Iren smiled gently as if she understood, nodding her head.

“No matter what decision you make, Swoen, I will stand by your side to protect you.”

“Thank you.”

After exchanging farewells with her and being seen off by the manor’s maids, I thought to myself:

Can I really leave Lady Serpina’s side so easily?

“…Don’t think about things that haven’t happened yet.”

Right now, I need to focus on dealing with what’s right in front of me.

* * *

Still staring blankly at the door Swoen had left through, Iren finally realized what question she had just asked.

About what Swoen and Serpina discussed when she summoned him.

“Why… did I ask that?”

Of course Swoen, as a strategist, would be discussing military tactics with their ruler. What else would they talk about?

Was I really that worried about him? Even though I know full well that she treats everyone kindly, including me, and would never mistreat someone she specifically brought here like Swoen…

What unsettled me was the strange rumors.

The absurd gossip that Swoen was using his charm to manipulate Lady Serpina.

A handsome young man, paired with a beautiful young woman in her prime as a ruler. With Swoen constantly being called in close like this, it’s not surprising such stories would spread – I know all of this…

Yet for some reason…

The fact that he kept spending time alone with Serpina kept bothering me.

“I need to calm down…”

Swoen was someone I needed to protect.

Not someone I should try to control.

While spending time with him was enjoyable, and it might make my heart flutter… as a knight, forgetting my duty is unacceptable.

Even if that rumor turned out to be true – that Swoen was trying to seduce Serpina – my job would still be to protect Serpina, the woman Swoen chose.

To avoid showing him an unbecoming side of myself, now was the time for some serious self-discipline.

Just then…

“Um… Lady Iren?”

From beyond came Reyka, still in her pajamas and rubbing her eyes as she approached.

“Oh? Good morning, Miss Reyka. You’re up early.”

“Yeah… I just woke up earlier today for some reason.”

Reyka took a seat near Iren and asked:

“Where’s Sir Swoen?”

“He’s gone to the royal palace.”

“Eh? Why?”

“He said he received a summons from Her Majesty.”

“Ah…”

Reyka slowly nodded and said:

“Our master works so hard… We should probably prepare something sweet for when he returns.”

“…”

Watching Reyka casually think about what she could do, unlike myself who was overthinking everything, Iren realized anew:

That’s right.

No matter what choice he makes, if I’ve decided to be on his side…

Now is the time for me to focus on doing my part.

“We should probably prepare some appropriate tea then.”

“Really? Oh, but Lady Iren, aren’t you going to training today?”

“Just a short session this afternoon.”

“Is that so? Hehe, good. I was worried about being alone in this big mansion… but with Lady Iren here, it’ll be fine.”

“In the future, you’ll have to get used to being alone.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, right?”

With that cheerful laugh, watching Reyka, Iren smiled to herself:

How peaceful.

If things could stay this way even after arriving at Lady Lunarien’s side…

* * *

“Lord Swoen reporting as summoned, Your Majesty.”

Dropping to one knee, I offered my greeting, met with Serpina’s usual officer uniform-clad figure smiling to greet me.

“You came, Swoen.”

“What is the matter today?”

“Must there always be a specific reason for me to see you?”

‘…’

Looking at her teasing expression, I thought to myself:

–Your Majesty, given the rumors already circulating, perhaps you should avoid actions that would fuel them further.

That unspoken advice sank deep into my thoughts.

“There is another matter – I just received word that the Brance Army has split into three factions.”

“…Pardon?”

“Exactly as it sounds. Breaking news. It seems Cheol Brance and Kalintz Brance simultaneously rebelled from separate castles.”

“Is that true?”

“And what would I gain by lying to you?”

Cheol rebelling I can’t say I’m too surprised about, not knowing him personally… but Kalintz rebelling too? That guy doesn’t have the guts for it.

Could this really be because of Rin’s sudden change in condition after forming our alliance?

It seems Serpina had similar thoughts, laughing pleasantly as she continued:

“Of course, there aren’t many truly loyal fools in that army either.”

When we formed the alliance…

Rin was like a puppet whose strings had all been cut.

There was no life or vitality in the way she mechanically signed the alliance documents with dead eyes.

“Swoen, you understand what this means, don’t you?”

“…”

“It’s safe to say Rin’s current state was caused by our alliance. Once again, your predictions were correct. The Brance Army has shattered into three pieces. There is no longer any force on this continent that can rival our Serpina Army. This is indeed the great opportunity for our army that you foresaw.”

Given the result of the Brance alliance was their army splitting into thirds, it is accurate to say my predictions were right again.

This isn’t particularly surprising to me. After all, my predictions are always correct.

The problem is…

That “always correct” prediction includes her inability to achieve the unification of the continent.

With the Brance Army now in three pieces, the Serpina Army has become both the greatest disruptor of balance on the continent and a massive disaster for other nations like a tsunami… yet despite this, she is destined to fail at unification.

“With that in mind, I believe it’s time to make our move, Swoen. I’m curious about your thoughts. Don’t you think now is the perfect time for our army to resume our southern campaign?”

In her usual confident tone, Serpina posed this question to me.

Under normal circumstances, I would have replied: “I too believe there will never be a better time. I strongly recommend preparing for departure immediately.”

However, I knew exactly what the correct answer to her question was.

‘Is moving south and resuming conquest the optimal choice for our army?’

As always, military strategy questions produce instant answers.

[No.]

‘Hmph.’

I knew it would come to this.

When faced with an obvious opportunity for unification, knowing she is destined to fail…

This situation cannot be an opportunity for us.

Lifting my gaze once more, looking into Serpina’s sparkling golden eyes…

I had to gild her unavoidable fate.

“My Lord.”

“Speak.”

Please let this go smoothly again…

“Though it pains me to say, I believe now is not the appropriate time to move south.”