Chapter 206

After parting ways with Swoen, Iren was on her way back to the barracks where she originally worked after quite some time away.

“Um… over here!”

Turning at the sound of someone calling her…

There stood a strangely familiar woman beckoning her over.

“…Lady Ilian Al Caskey?”

“No, that’s my younger sister. Though…”

“Ahh.”

Upon hearing this, it became clear there were both similarities and differences between them.

The one who had called out to her turned out not to be a woman at all, but rather a man – Jenis. Despite his feminine features, he was quite distinctly male. He was Jena’s younger brother and Ilian Al Caskey’s twin brother as well as Ilian Al Caskey’s twin older brother, someone she’d been deeply involved with not too long ago. It had already been quite some time since then.

“Did you survive your house arrest unscathed?”

“Yes. That’s why… despite my shamelessness, I’ve been waiting here to properly thank you…”

Jenis bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle. As Iren thought about how girlish he looked despite being twins, his voice reached her ears.

“Thank you very much, Lady Iren. I should have thanked you sooner, but I apologize for taking so long.”

“Not at all. It was simply my duty, so please don’t give it another thought.”

“I would have liked to greet Swoen as well, but due to receiving orders to transfer to another territory, I must depart soon… however, by any chance-”

“Understood. I’ll be sure to pass along your message to Swoen.”

“Thank you ever so much.”

Jenis bowed once more before speaking.

“As we will both continue to serve Lady Serpina, I will certainly repay this debt of gratitude someday.”

‘…’

After appropriately seeing off the suddenly appearing Jenis…

Iren watched as he walked away, pondering his final words.

‘To continue serving Lady Serpina together… huh.’

Could it be the weight of those words?

She found herself recalling events from a few days prior without even realizing it.

* * *

Rewinding the clock slightly…

Iren had managed to hear a brief explanation from Serpina, who had swiftly returned to her position as monarch.

“So Miss Reika healed you, did she…”

“That’s right. I imagine you were aware of Lady Reika’s abilities, weren’t you, Iren?”

In Iren’s mind flashed an image of her effortlessly creating a fireball above her hand. Beyond that, when making chocolate, she had conjured ice from thin air. To think she possessed not only such abilities but also the power to heal wounds… though Iren hadn’t noticed it herself, there was no longer any doubt in her mind about the existence of mana.

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not going to question you about why you hid it, so stop fretting.”

Serpina smiled faintly as she spoke. Iren couldn’t help but notice her expression seemed warmer than before.

No, that wasn’t it.

It wouldn’t be right to bring up something left unsaid due to recent events.

“…My Lord.”

Iren knelt on one knee and bowed her head to the golden-haired absolute ruler she currently served.

“For saving this insignificant life of mine… I am truly grateful.”

Not empty words, but truly thanks to Serpina, Iren had survived. Perhaps she wouldn’t have died immediately from Shura’s attack given the chaotic situation affecting both parties at the time, but that didn’t negate the fact that Serpina had taken the blade meant for her.

And furthermore…

“As there are no words to justify the responsibility for the tragedy resulting from my failure to fulfill my duties as a bodyguard… I shall never forget the grace you have shown me.”

Ultimately, Serpina’s injury was proof of Iren’s failure to perform her duties. In a situation where capital punishment would have been warranted, Serpina showed no interest in holding her accountable, thus doubling the favor in Iren’s eyes.

However…

Serpina delivered yet another unexpected response.

“Raise your head, Iren.”

Slowly raising her head to look upon the golden-eyed absolute ruler…

“I have never done anything worthy of your gratitude. So, feel free not to consider it a favor.”

“What do you mean, My Lord? I am certain-”

“I apologize for interrupting, but it wasn’t purely out of a desire to protect you that I threw myself into harm’s way.”

“?!”

This time Serpina’s face carried a somewhat bitter smile. And within her eyes could be seen a questionable emotion for a monarch to direct towards her bodyguard – jealousy.

“I find you quite enviable, Iren.”

“My Lord…?”

“You’re greatly loved by Swoen, aren’t you?”

“!!!”

At that moment.

Iren, unusually for her, was thrown into confusion. Her elegant kneeling posture crumbled in an instant.

“T-that… love, that is, this…!!”

Serpina covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled amusedly at Iren’s reaction.

“Hohoho. So this is the face you make when hearing such things, Iren. Truly, a lovely woman worthy of capturing Swoen’s heart.”

“I-I… Forgive my rudeness…”

Unable to respond properly, Iren bowed her head deeply. Her face burned hotly. Her stomach churned. Just hearing about Swoen and thinking of him stirred something fiercely within her as a woman.

“Not necessarily love, but an intense affection akin to it, and a strong bond of trust. Even I can clearly see that you stand at the end of that deep gray gaze which reveals so little of what he thinks.”

“A…”

“Therefore…”

Suddenly changing expressions, Serpina helped Iren regain her composure. Was it merely Iren’s mood?

Serpina’s voice seemed to tremble just slightly.

“I saved you. If I had injured one precious to Swoen, surely I would have incurred his hatred, wouldn’t I? The whole world may hate and despise me, but I’ve grown accustomed to it. However, if even Swoen were to hate me… No matter who I am, I feel as though I might break. Thus, it wasn’t for your sake that I acted. That’s what I mean when I say there’s no need for gratitude.”

Iren stared momentarily at Serpina’s face.

Something felt off.

Why did the golden-haired absolute ruler known as “the Tyrant” suddenly seem so precarious despite always appearing so strong?

“And haven’t you done enough already? Had you not quickly thrown yourself into action, I might have lost my life to the hands of a trusted bodyguard. Therefore, there’s no need to express your gratitude. Iren, you gave your best effort. I know this well, so there’s no need to concern yourself further.”

Hearing these words, Iren slowly shook her head and spoke.

“…Even so, the fact remains that My Lord saved my life. I shall certainly repay this debt of gratitude.”

Without responding, Serpina quietly turned away. One step, two steps, then several more.

Approaching the window bathed in sunlight, she finally spoke.

“…I wish to stand beside you.”

“…”

“If only that were possible, I believe I would have been far happier.”

After muttering softly,

“…Very well. If that is your intention, I shall not hold you back. I look forward to your future endeavors.”

“Yes!”

* * *

‘My Lord…’

As Swoen had said, the ultimate destination for Serpina’s army wasn’t our final goal.

Lunarien Iniyan.

A formidable woman with unforgettable eyes who had once faced me sword-to-sword. Through clashing blades, I understood her martial arts skills were top-tier despite her seemingly frail appearance. Recognizing her innate strength led me to advise pursuing her when she fled.

Swoen claimed she alone was destined to unify the continent and was the true master we should follow. In my heart, Swoen remained. My resolve to stand by his side regardless of decisions made has not wavered.

But.

If Lady Luna were to rise again and reveal herself to the continent…

That would mean we would leave My Lord’s… Lady Serpina’s side.

The first ruler who acknowledged me, believed in me, valued me, and saved my life.

Someone who gave me in mere moments what years of loyalty to Lin never could.

‘…Hmph.’

Though I have no intention of changing the fundamental premise of following Swoen’s decision…

It’s impossible not to be concerned.

‘…It’s fine. Before she rises, perhaps an opportunity to repay her kindness will come.’

The reason leaving Aishias Army felt liberating was because I had done all I could for Yuri there. Had Chel Brance not been defeated, Aishias Army would have fallen that day.

So, the opportunity will come. At the very least, aside from helping Lady Serpina meaningfully at least once, there’s nothing else to be done.

Walking while thinking this way, I arrived at the barracks before I knew it.

Today, by Lady Serpina’s order, was a special day to inspect the barracks. I hadn’t resigned as a bodyguard; it seems the person originally in charge of the barracks wanted me to confirm their curriculum.

“Lady Iren, you’ve arrived.”

“Hmm.”

Looking around upon arrival, the atmosphere of the barracks seemed restless. Seeing the rarely seen armory responsible for the barracks, Iren asked a question.

“Was there some kind of incident?”

“Recently, strange rumors have been circulating.”

“Rumors?”

“That is…”

And.

The story she heard there…

* * *

“An unbelievable event… has occurred…”

“An unbelievable event? What do you mean… Ah, calm down first, My Lord.”

I cautiously approached her.

Serpina, trembling violently… grabbed my hand tightly as she spoke.

“…He was alive.”

“Huh?”

“The uncle who went missing… was alive.”

Her uncle would be her father’s younger brother.

And.

‘…Eh?’

The moment the keyword “father’s younger brother” came to mind, all my senses froze.

“…Apparently, he declared himself a guardian, set up a ruler, and rose in rebellion in the Southern Continent.”

I…

I get it.

I know everything.

There was one “King Return character” in this game.

The sole military general who awakened to magic and the ruler of a small nation starting with the only surviving member of the Einhardt family outside of Serpina, believed to have been wiped out except for her.

Now, her uncle – ‘the only surviving member of the Einhardt family other than Serpina’ – has appeared on the continent.

“Who would have thought my uncle was still alive… It’s been so long since he went missing, I assumed he was dead. Even though he’s from a collateral line, I never imagined there was still Einhardt blood remaining…”

For Serpina, his appearance must have been shocking.

After all, the biggest factor supporting her standing on the precarious thin ice was the fact that she was the sole survivor of the Einhardt imperial family.

Even if from a branch line, having the righteous cause divided wasn’t a pleasant situation.

And.

Separate from that,

my heart began racing uncontrollably.

Here it comes.

Knowing everything, I still couldn’t help but ask.

I…

slowly parted my lips.

“My Lord. By any chance, did you hear the name of the ruler proclaimed by your uncle…?”

Serpina mentioned the name I had been waiting for so anxiously –

Yet simultaneously dreaded hearing,

And —

“Rune.”

–Fate.

“The name of the woman proclaimed as ruler by my uncle Kyle von Einhardt was Lunarien.”

The predetermined future began approaching me.

“…”