Chapter 212

At the single word of Lady Luna, the audience chamber once again convened with all present.

However, this time, the atmosphere was different.

Unlike before when only a few, including Violet, were actively suggesting betrayal, now everyone who understood the situation began urging Luna to make her decision.

“I, Mets, will gladly serve as Lady Luna’s justification.”

“…”

“We feel the same way. Lady Luna, please make your decision!”

Luna closed her eyes and organized the current situation in her mind.

Certainly—this was a situation where justification had come knocking.

Thinking about Mets’ words, this was a clear-cut justification that she would never have obtained if she had chosen ‘pragmatism’ just moments ago.

However…

Objectively speaking, there was a possibility it wouldn’t be accepted as proper justification. Their opponent was none other than Vanessa. It was likely that no matter how much Mets argued the truth, Vanessa had the power to twist it at any moment.

With the trust of Karelia behind her, manipulating public opinion would be child’s play for her.

This plan wasn’t one Karelia would devise. It was probably Vanessa acting on her own without the sovereign’s approval.

Ultimately, even if they rose up claiming injustice, the stigma of being labeled a traitor would fall entirely on her.

Lady Luna’s plan was to wait for an opportunity that seemed even more justified.

But as things stood, there was a possibility her life would be in danger before a better chance arrived.

And there was no guarantee such an ideal opportunity would ever present itself. Even if she somehow managed to survive and retire from the Karelia army, could she secure a similar territory, troops, and resources elsewhere?

But deep down, these were all excuses.

The choice to betray remained unchanged.

Perhaps her heart might find some solace. After all, Vanessa had made the first move against her, so she could justify her betrayal as self-defense.

Even so, making that decision would essentially prove Vanessa’s actions correct up until now.

Perhaps the right course here was to speak openly with her liege about the current situation.

Given what she’d considered earlier, it was unlikely Karelia herself had devised this. She would surely understand and take Luna’s side.

Yes.

That was exactly where Luna’s judgment stopped.

In this situation, choosing not to betray Karelia and instead honestly reporting the current state of affairs would solve everything.

If she didn’t consult anyone else, she would likely have made that decision.

No.

To be honest, Luna…probably would have forgiven Vanessa.

She would have shouldered everything alone for the sake of Lady Karelia, sacrificing herself—not for her own benefit but solely for Karelia’s.

Others might call her foolish or naive, but like Karelia, Luna placed utmost importance on loyalty.

But Luna no longer thought alone.

There was always someone else lingering in her thoughts—a shadowy figure who stayed close.

“Don’t worry, Lady Luna. Trust me. I’ll definitely return to serve you again.”

He had said that.

“I swear to come back.”

“Lord! Stay safe! And when the opportunity arises, don’t let it slip! I’ll definitely return to your side!”

He had said that too.

That man…was waiting for her, wasn’t he?

So she couldn’t afford to cling solely to her ideals when such a clear justification had presented itself.

“What am I even worrying about at this point…?”

Betraying Karelia?

Even with justification, it wasn’t the duty of a vassal.

Vanessa created this situation. Knowing Karelia as she did, the lady wouldn’t overlook something like this, even for someone she trusted deeply.

Karelia entrusted this position to her because she trusted Luna greatly.

Considering how Karelia rejected even Vanessa’s advice despite favoring her, it was evident.

By betraying that trust, she might lose the right to criticize Serpina altogether.

But…

“Sir Swoen sacrificed himself for me….”

What good was endlessly debating justification while facing someone who had already acted?

When Brance’s army was on the brink of collapse and threatened Jeilrant Castle, he saved their lives and took on everything, sacrificing himself.

At this point, Luna had to seize this opportunity.

It was exactly the opportunity Sir Swoen had emphasized—the one he told her not to miss.

“I promised him I wouldn’t.”

“A ruler must sometimes reach into the dirt. There are times when one must soil their hands with blood.”

“Yes. After enduring so much, it’s not enough to simply spout polite words…”

Cecile felt the same way.

Karelia was too kind-hearted, which worried them sometimes.

Even if it meant surpassing the current sovereign, they needed to adopt her strengths while discarding her weaknesses.

Not letting one subordinate sway her too much.

And maintaining lofty ideals until the very end.

Through all this, the inevitable stigma—being branded “a cowardly woman who betrayed her trusting lord”—was something Luna herself had to bear.

Just as Swoen had sacrificed himself for them.

How could she prioritize mere reputation when he had willingly given his life?

Only now did she realize…

Maybe she had been hiding behind “the right and efficient path” during moments of choice.

Such a method might exist, but Luna wasn’t Swoen. Predicting what he would say was impossible; it could never match reality.

Then at least, she shouldn’t keep him waiting any longer.

Whether he was with the Brance army, perhaps the Aishias army, or maybe the Serpina forces—or somewhere else entirely—he continued to wait for her.

Realizing this, the tangled thoughts in her head and the slight trembling in her body finally settled.

Sir Swoen.

I’m always indebted to you.

Even in moments of decision, in every day I’ve endured, it’s all because of you that I’ve come this far.

So…

I can’t keep you waiting any longer.

I can’t break our promise.

I want to see you again as soon as possible.

I want to share important stories with you. I want to open up and talk about many things like we used to. Not just about governance but everything else. I want to dream and plan the future with you again.

With you by my side, I believe I can build the nation of universal happiness I’ve dreamed of.

You, my strategist, my one and only Swoen.

I’ll keep waiting. Please return to me—I’ll be waiting…

“Everyone.”

Hearing her voice, slightly deeper than usual—

Tifa, who had worked closely with her for years, instinctively understood.

Lady Luna had made a final resolution.

“I’ll do my best to gather as many supplies as possible for our lord. If questioned about preparing for war, I won’t deny it and will ensure sufficient resources are gathered. Once the soldiers arrive, I’ll reconvene all of you here. Please stay nearby. And remember, today’s discussion must not leave this room under any circumstances.”

“Lady Luna, does that mean…?”

“Yes.”

At Cain’s question, Luna nodded and replied.

“Once the troops are stationed in the castle and we’ve stockpiled as much as possible, upon receiving the invasion order…”

Luna’s ruby-red eyes blazed like they swallowed the sun.

Within them burned the resolve to become a unifying sovereign, willing to bear the stain of betrayal. Alongside that, a deep longing and sticky emotion for someone dear.

“I, Lunarien, shall raise the Lunarien banner once more.”

“――Please, come back to my side.”

Her relentless oath, borne of months of patience, drove her to endure everything and take action.

* * *

Afterward.

The first thing Luna did after making her decision was request supplies. Given the need to handle multiple territories alone, securing ample resources was logical.

Since this reasoning wasn’t suspicious, Karelia readily sent gold and provisions in abundance to Tevelo Castle.

Stockpiled over long years of peace, the amount was vast enough to sustain a massive army for several months.

A few weeks later, as planned, 90,000 troops arrived at Tevelo Castle alongside several generals.

“Knight Hutton, I greet the Lady of the Castle.”

“Seria Jale, I greet the Lady of the Castle.”

“My apologies for the delay. Muegendorf, I greet the Lady of the Castle.”

Luna warmly welcomed the three arriving generals.

“Welcome, General Hutton, General Seria, General Muegendorf. Though I may lack experience as your commander-in-chief, I humbly ask for your support.”

“There is no question. On the battlefield, we will fight as though you are our lord. Give us orders, and we shall surely win.”

“It’s reassuring to hear you say that.”

Luna smiled brightly, then turned her head and asked.

“Mets, is the banquet prepared as requested?”

“It is ready.”

“A banquet? That’s unnecessary…”

At General Hutton’s protest, Luna responded with a gentle smile.

“The journey has been long for all of you. It’s crucial to relax before the war. The soldiers are also surely tense, so please rest well tonight.”

“If you insist…”

Indeed, as a general, it was vital to maintain soldier morale. For the Karelia army, this was their first real combat in a long time.

“Well then, please follow this way.”

As the three generals followed Mets to the banquet hall,

Francis quietly approached her.

“Lady Luna, shall we proceed as planned?”

“…I leave it to you.”

Hearing Luna’s firm voice, Francis realized.

Now truly, something irreversible was about to happen.