Chapter 197

* * *

“Huh…?”

For a moment, I froze at the incredibly surreal sight of Lady Iren carrying Lady Serpina on her back while running.

Fortunately, Iren soon noticed me and rushed over with an urgent expression on her face.

“Swen…!”

The moment I heard her voice, I understood. Something had happened.

Reika and I immediately rushed to Iren’s side.

“What is it?”

“My lord…!”

Looking at the wounded Serpina being carried, I noticed her waist was tightly wrapped with torn pieces of clothing.

“!!”

So this is what happened…

After quickly assessing the situation, I asked Iren.

“How’s the current situation?”

She urgently responded, easily understanding the implication of my question.

“One is dead, the other is incapacitated. Both were…my lord’s bodyguards.”

“Good grief…”

What a cruel twist of fate. To be targeted for assassination by the very bodyguards she trusted most.

If I hadn’t placed Iren there as a precaution, things could have turned out much worse.

No, wait.

Even her survival might have been within the realm of possible predictions. The only change was the timing of the assassination attempt – perhaps this was the version where she survived.

But right now, that wasn’t the important thing.

“We should head to where the doctors are. As for cleaning up the scene…”

“I already instructed some soldiers to immediately detain them on our way here.”

“Understood. Then we should hurry.”

Nod.

Just then…

“At…that moment…”

We heard a weak voice from Iren’s side where Serpina lay.

“Making…a big deal out of this will only cause confusion. If we go to the hospital, rumors will spread…and it’ll be dangerous.”

If word got out that the ruler narrowly escaped assassination and was in critical condition, national chaos would be inevitable.

However, this wasn’t the time to debate that…

“Milady…”

“Separately…find a doctor…at another location…”

Iren glanced at me cautiously. This was her way of asking me to make the decision.

If we took her to the royal hospital, news would spread instantly. While Iren and the soldiers might try to contain the situation, it could still become quite troublesome. Especially considering her current position – maintaining stability would be crucial for both her safety and the nation’s.

I carefully looked at Serpina. If she was truly near death, we couldn’t afford to listen to her. But if her survival was certain, following her request would be more reasonable.

Though Iren seemed to have done a good job stopping the bleeding and the wound didn’t appear fatal, I needed more concrete evidence.

‘I need to find a way to figure this out…!’

Just as I was desperately thinking, Serpina spoke again in a faint voice.

“Swen…is not taking me to the hospital…the right decision?”

‘Serpina…’

Ah, she was trying to help me make this difficult decision by posing a question.

She knows about my abilities.

But…

[Unknown]

As expected, I received an “unknown” response. Even with Divinity 100, I couldn’t determine whether this decision was right or wrong based on her question alone.

Realizing this, she spoke again.

“…Of course…there’s nothing you can know either…forgive me…for burdening you…”

Feeling moved by her words, I leaned closer and whispered.

“My liege, please conserve your strength…I’m fine.”

Seeing her exhausted face made me regret not having stronger abilities. If only I could have received a dramatic answer like “the unification of the continent depends on it,” I would have taken her to the hospital without hesitation despite any potential chaos.

Wait…

‘Unification of the continent…?’

The moment the keyword “unification of the continent” came to mind, I realized there was one specific question that could confirm Serpina’s survival.

‘Is Lunarien Iniyan destined to become the ruler who unifies the continent?’

My heart raced as I awaited the response.

[Yes]

‘!!!’

It’s alright.

Lady Serpina won’t die.

There’s no immediate need to take her to the hospital. The fact that Lady Luna’s destiny remains unchanged even outside the hospital means she’s safe.

When I checked further about Serpina, receiving a “no” response indicated nothing serious would happen.

Since she won’t die, we can honor her request.

I nodded and said.

“We should move her to our manor first and call her personal physician.”

“Understood.”

Hearing Iren’s reply, I slowly turned to look at Reika.

She must have sensed the gravity of the situation, for she silently followed us without a word.

Why did this happen?

Was avoiding death simply a matter of escaping a lethal threat?

Or does this entire situation count as evading a fateful death?

Moreover, how could a knight of Iren’s caliber allow Lady Serpina to get injured?

‘These are questions I can consider later.’

Having organized my thoughts, I followed Lady Iren alongside Reika.

How fortunate she proved to be so resilient.

*

After moving her to our manor’s bedroom and having the best royal physician examine her through a maid, I finally got to hear Iren recount the events.

“You were trying to protect Lady Iren?”

“Yeah…My lord tried to protect me and got hurt.”

Iren clenched her fists tightly, tears welling up in frustration.

“It’s a failure as a bodyguard…despite all the training. We’re taught to give our lives to protect our charge…”

“You did nothing wrong, Lady Iren. It was beyond anyone’s control.”

How could she have possibly anticipated that two of her fellow bodyguards were assassins? I didn’t foresee it either, nor did Serpina despite their close relationship. Especially since the perpetrators had been guarding her since she ascended to the throne.

That’s when I remembered her calm acceptance of the prophecy that she wouldn’t unify the continent. She mentioned something about sensing malice directed at herself…

Was she referring to situations like this? Her followers suddenly turning against her?

Even though she eliminated all the crown princes, I’ve heard the imperial family’s internal conflicts were much fiercer during her brothers’ reigns. All she did was clean up the mess at the end, albeit somewhat excessively…

In this chaotic era where ethics and morality hold little value, why does she seem to be universally despised to such an extent?

I snapped out of my musings, realizing we didn’t have time to dwell on these thoughts. Taking Iren’s trembling hand, I spoke.

“Lady Iren, let’s focus on what needs to be done now. That will be the best help for our lord.”

“Okay…”

“Head to the palace and handle the situation as discreetly as possible. Citing ‘the lord’s orders’ should suffice. As both a deputy commander of the occupying forces and a bodyguard, you’ll be able to manage. Also, regarding the treatment of the assassins…since Chief Strategist Jena isn’t present, you’ll need to make executive decisions.”

“But the lord hasn’t given any orders…”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take full responsibility.”

Though I said that, I didn’t think Serpina would reprimand either of us over this. She wasn’t that rigid.

“Duly noted, Swen.”

Wiping away her tears, Iren stood up resolutely.

“I’ll handle the aftermath. Please take care of our lord.”

“Leave it to me.”

Watching Iren walk away, I felt fortunate she had established some authority. With her established position, her words would carry more weight.

Speaking of which, why did Serpina risk herself to protect Iren? Just as I was pondering this irrational action for a ruler, the door opened.

The chief physician and two nurses emerged. Standing up slowly, I asked.

“How is she?”

“Fortunately, her life isn’t in danger, but she’s lost quite a bit of blood. She’ll need absolute rest for now. We’ve taken all necessary measures, but several weeks, perhaps months, of rest would be ideal.”

Though they’ve taken all necessary measures, medical science in this world isn’t as advanced as in mine.

In that sense, it’s extremely fortunate the wound wasn’t deeper.

Whether this outcome was due to my foreknowledge or simply good luck, I couldn’t say.

“Is there anything else that needs to be done?”

“No. All we can do now is ensure she rests…”

“Understood.”

“If you need me tonight, I’ll be staying here at the manor.”

After seeing off the physician…

I carefully opened the door and entered where Serpina lay.

*

Serpina rested peacefully in the bedroom.

Was she asleep?

Approaching her bedside as quietly as possible…

‘Serpina…’

She appeared to be sleeping soundly. Having expended so much energy, it was natural for her to rest to recover. Her white gown was wrapped with bandages around her waist.

The nurses must have felt quite uneasy treating the emperor’s sacred body.

Though the wound wasn’t deep, the extensive area covered by bandages suggested otherwise.

Despite being slashed by a blade to such an extent, she didn’t utter a single groan on the way here while protecting her bodyguard.

A ruler sacrificing herself for her bodyguard…the irony of such a title struck me as I gazed at her face.

Then it hit me. In the end, she did end up saving Lady Iren.

Hold on.

Why exactly…

Just as I was about to delve deeper into this thought…

“!!”

Something grabbed my wrist. Looking down, I saw Serpina’s pale, delicate hand holding onto me. Turning my head, I found her looking at me, now awake.

“Have you awakened, my liege? You should rest-”

“Swen…”

“My liege.”

The one who always looked down on me now lay below, looking up at me…

With her soft, fragile voice, she delivered a sharp remark.

“…Please don’t leave, Swen…”

*