Chapter 201

Serpina returned much faster than everyone had anticipated, and as a result, the ‘series of events’ quickly subsided.

First off, the situation itself didn’t escalate further. The longer she was away from the throne, the more chaos would have ensued—but with her swift return, things settled down to such an extent that it was almost as if nothing had happened, allowing governance to proceed without significant issues.

There’s quite a difference between a monarch being absent for several weeks versus just a day or so in an absolute monarchy.

*Ah, Reika-san, is it?*

Whatever trick she used, Serpina’s wounds healed remarkably fast by the next day, stabilizing enough for her to resume normal activities. Though judging by how exhausted she looked after sleeping nonstop for 24 hours, it seemed like she’d pushed herself pretty hard too…

The reason she could go this far… must be because it involved Iren-sama, right? After all, Reika-san has always followed Iren-sama very closely.

*Next up—Reni, the assassin’s punishment.*

As for Shula, who was already dead, let’s set that aside. But Reni survived. And since he lived, there was no avoiding brutal torture.

Just when Serpina was about to acknowledge his unwavering resolve not to reveal his backers no matter what…

“A fortress has been occupied?”

“Yeah. They’ve taken over the small fortress located northwest of Amire Castle and are declaring that they cannot tolerate the current ruler on the throne. This time… well, you see…”

“Don’t worry about offending me; just tell me exactly what happened.”

At Serpina’s words, the armed messenger hesitated before reluctantly explaining.

“They claim that even though their attempt to kill the Witch Serpina failed, this isn’t the end…”

Considering the short period Serpina was away, news hadn’t spread across the entire continent yet—

“So they’re basically confessing to being behind it?”

“Yes. However, the situation seems somewhat complicated.”

“Complicated?”

“It appears they originally planned to rebel at Terc Castle nearby but things didn’t go according to plan…”

“…”

So the assassination failure also disrupted their plans?

But really, none of that concerns Serpina.

“And—”

“I understand clearly. Keep investigating and reporting on their movements.”

“Yes!”

After the armed messenger left, Serpina turned her gaze toward me.

“What do you think, Swoen?”

Hmm…

Why did they launch another rebellion?

It wasn’t something Serpina needed to know, nor did it concern me.

“The rebels deserve severe punishment, don’t they?”

“But considering the fortresses near Amire Castle, we might need some time to gather troops.”

The southeastern part of the northern region is one of the remotest territories within Serpina Army’s lands, with low population density and few soldiers. Deploying forces to Amire Castle was indeed a bold decision.

However…

“There’s no need to mobilize a large force. How many people are stationed at the fortress again?”

“About ten thousand.”

“That number shouldn’t pose much difficulty.”

Indeed, this group of rebels differs significantly from previous ones.

Because…

*Iren-sama was endangered. That offense can absolutely NOT be forgiven.*

Not only Shula and Reni’s deaths, but whoever pulled the strings behind them needs to pay. If I don’t settle this cleanly, I won’t be able to forgive myself.

I stared directly into her eyes.

“Please assign me three thousand troops. It would help immensely if General Iren were appointed as vanguard.”

“Three thousand against ten thousand? There’s no real need for that. We can provide more forces if necessary.”

“No, dragging along too many soldiers will only waste valuable lives and supplies unnecessarily. Three thousand should suffice.”

Serpina gazed steadily into my eyes before carefully speaking.

“You plan to bring Miss Reika along, don’t you?”

“…”

Of course. She’s sharper than any ruler I’ve met so far. My intentions weren’t hard for her to discern.

As she said, now is the time to make the continent aware that a mage exists.

Continuing rebellions may stem partly from “karma,” but perhaps it’s also due to the lack of demonstrating “overwhelming power.” In this situation, I believe showing true strength is essential.

Anyway, hiding that she’s a mage forever isn’t feasible. If we’re going public, we might as well reap all possible benefits. I want to use this opportunity to repay Serpina-sama for saving Iren-sama and demonstrate that ‘magic’ belongs to her.

If possessing such abilities adds another variable to their considerations, then maybe fewer will dare act recklessly.

Besides, this is the perfect timing to perform a miracle where three thousand defeat ten thousand. With magic still largely unknown, now’s the ideal moment to catch them off guard.

“Your Majesty understands the meaning of ‘this power,’ does she not? It’s something only usable when you’re present…”

“For now, rumors alone should suffice to control others. Please don’t worry, Your Majesty. I’ll remain nearby…”

Serpina chuckled softly but didn’t press further. Rising from her seat, she extended her hand toward me.

“Swoen. I’ll assign you three thousand troops. Appoint General Iren as your vanguard. Teach these pretenders waving false flags who the true master of Aingart Empire really is.”

“Yes!”

I responded loudly, committing the order to memory.

Now was my turn to exact revenge.

*

Marching with our troops towards the vicinity of the fortress gave me plenty of chances to talk with Iren.

“Seems like Reni is dead.”

“Yeah, executed. He held out until the end.”

In the dark night, after leading the troops all day atop horseback, this brief resting period before sleep became the perfect chance to chat with her.

“Funny thing. I thought he was the most reliable among the bodyguards. The one I least trusted, Zeikufurito-knight, turned out to be the only one uninvolved with the rebellion. How poor my judgment was… Thinking back, it still makes my blood boil.”

“Iren-sama couldn’t possibly have foreseen that. You hadn’t been overseeing the bodyguards for long.”

“But only I could have stopped it.”

“Serpina-sama is alive because of Iren-sama.”

My words weren’t empty compliments. Without her, the fate of the Unified Empire might have fallen into someone else’s hands—not Luna-sama, but someone nameless. No matter how you look at it, Iren saved me once again.

“So please, don’t blame yourself too much. Nobody blames Iren-sama. Our Lord appreciates you greatly.”

“Swoen…”

Iren smiled faintly, seeming to understand my feelings. That smile I get to witness regularly thanks to Serpina-sama—it’s truly a great debt I owe her.

“…How’s Miss Reika?”

“She’s asleep in the carriage. Traveling with the soldiers must have drained her energy; she struggled all day.”

“I see.”

Iren knows Reika is a mage and understands the significance of her presence here.

“Still, I’m worried…”

“Reika-san?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s not hard to guess what you’re concerned about.”

Both Iren-sama and I are officially part of the Serpina Army—soldiers. While I stay in the rear offering advice, Iren-sama wields her sword on the battlefield, taking countless lives firsthand. She surely understands better than me the weight of stepping onto a battlefield. Therefore, seeing Reika-san—a civilian—here probably bothers her.

I’ve thought about it too, but…

“Reika-san said she wanted to do what she could for Iren-sama and Serpina-sama, who saved Iren-sama…”

“…”

“She comes from a powerful family but hasn’t grown up pampered like a greenhouse flower. She knows what she’s doing now. Since Reika-san wishes to contribute, I’d like to support her.”

“Is that so…”

Silence fell again.

The crackling sound of the bonfire filled the quiet night air.

I took a water bottle warmed by the fire, brewed some tea lightly, and handed it to her.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Under the star-filled sky, amidst the chirping insects and sipping sounds of tea, warmth flowed down my throat, making me feel drowsy. Just then…

“Hey, Swoen.”

“Yes?”

“I heard marriage talks came up between you and Miss Reika?”

“…?”

I shifted my gaze from the bonfire to where Iren-sama sat.

Her face flushed red as she asked while staring at the fire.

“How’s it going? Are you getting married?”

“…”

After moistening my throat with a sip of tea, I replied quietly.

“Well, we’ll have to discuss it with Reika-san first…”

“If everything goes smoothly, will you marry her?”

Turning her head toward me, Iren pressed urgently.

“Marriage… will you marry her?”

Slowly, I looked into Iren’s eyes.

Truthfully, I wanted to marry Iren-sama first. Every moment, I feel closer to her. Whenever she calls my name, my heart swells more than ever.

But…

“To be honest, I currently have no intention of getting married.”

“Currently means… it’s not about unwillingness, but rather timing?”

“Yes.”

I wanted to delay marriage until I could put down roots. Being a wanderer while trying to start a family wouldn’t be respectful to my partner. When Lady Lunarien raises arms—if she does—I intended to propose then, and that plan hasn’t changed.

Then why…

Why does Serpina-sama’s figure keep flickering in front of my eyes?

The frail, gentle woman who clung tightly to my hand, pleading me not to leave, despite her reputation as a tyrant.

That’s why I hesitate to casually mention…

“I plan to propose after returning to Luna’s army…”

Still.

Even now, I don’t want to lie.

So I stared straight into Iren’s eyes…

“…Do you understand?”

“…!”

Surprised, her violet pupils widened momentarily.

Then, blushing deeply, she lowered her head.

“Swoen…”

She mumbled my name repeatedly.

Did my feelings reach her?

Or did they not, but at least the atmosphere matched?

And soon…

Iren lifted her head and locked eyes with me firmly.

“…Yeah. I’ll wait for you, Swoen.”

Smiling warmly, Iren’s gaze softened under the countless stars threatening to pour down at any moment, enveloped by the sound of the bonfire.

Before long, Iren approached me, leaning her head slightly on my shoulder. Without rejecting her, we silently watched the bonfire together.

This was peace. Our peace, shared by two wandering warriors who had overthrown a monarch.

At that moment, I realized:

I will never forget this moment until the day I die.