Chapter 224

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During the time it took to return to the Royal Palace after carrying out Serpina’s orders, I was slowly organizing my complicated thoughts.

The Lunarien Army has risen in revolt.

Lady Luna, whom I’ve awaited for so long, has once again revealed herself on the continent, just as we agreed. Naturally, I should return to her side… but… my feet wouldn’t move.

…I couldn’t bring myself to tell Lady Serpina that it’s time for me to leave.

Lately, Lady Serpina has been relying on me quite heavily. If I suddenly blurted out, “I’m just leaving,” it would likely cause severe damage to her mental state.

In this situation, if I were to leave her side…

If I were to coldly abandon the person who saved Lady Iren, someone I hold most dear… the shock she might experience could go beyond anything I can imagine. Perhaps she might recklessly hand over the throne to someone else… or worse, make an extreme decision. Once Lady Serpina steps down from the throne, the fate of the Unified Empire will rest entirely with whoever inherits it. Given that this has been verified twice already, there’s no room for doubt about this fact.

After the attempted assassination incident, it wasn’t hard to notice how much more she had come to depend on me. She started calling me more frequently, and even though Lady Iren is technically a temporary bodyguard, she seemed to have developed a rather close relationship with her too.

Yeah, there’s something else I almost forgot.

My departure would also mean that Lady Iren and Miss Reika, who have recently been gaining prominence within the nation, would be leaving as well.

During my time with the Serpina Army, I’ve learned one thing—there aren’t as many people here who truly support her as I’d thought.

After all, not too long ago, she narrowly escaped assassination by a guard she trusted deeply.

Even though it may be for Lady Luna’s sake, the thought crossed my mind that perhaps the only person who genuinely wants to protect Lady Serpina’s life might be me—an outsider.

For me, her survival is also part of keeping my promise to Lady Luna.

Of course, there was another way—I could leave without saying anything.

By positioning myself, Lady Iren, and Miss Reika at the lower border under the guise of preparing for war, Lady Serpina would likely accept my plan without suspicion. That way, I could smoothly cross the border and return to Lady Luna’s side with no risks involved.

But…

No matter what, as a human being, I couldn’t choose that method.

Lady Serpina isn’t just someone who’s been kind to me; she’s the person who saved Lady Iren’s life. How could I possibly abandon her so cruelly without proper gratitude? I didn’t want to act cowardly in front of her. If I must leave, it’s only right to let her know.

When I betrayed Lin, there was a good reason. She kept trying to kill Lady Iren, and to me, Lin’s importance paled in comparison to Lady Iren’s.

As for Yuri, well, there’s nothing to explain. It wasn’t me who abandoned her—it was her who betrayed me first by making the unprecedented decision to sell our envoy. Though honestly, I was planning to leave her eventually anyway, so I don’t feel any particular regret toward her.

And then there’s Lady Serpina… She’s different from Lin and Yuri. She’s the most outstanding and wise ruler I’ve met since Lady Luna. Beneath her tyrant’s armor, she carries far too much alone, yet remains tender-hearted and vulnerable.

Even if morality doesn’t matter in these chaotic times, I simply couldn’t betray someone who trusts and relies on me so much. I’m just too modern and sensitive for that.

Even setting aside moral considerations, when I think about the shock Lady Serpina would endure if I left and its potential consequences…

Wouldn’t it be better for Lady Luna’s sake if I stayed here?

Could this actually be the path that leads Lady Luna to conquer the continent?

Besides, Jinoru will likely join Lady Luna soon. Maybe he’ll be more helpful to her than I am, considering I can only foresee certain outcomes. So, maybe she’ll do fine without me for now?

If only I had Divinity 100 intelligence, it’d be more efficient—but even then, questions would arise, and whether answers would come out of them is uncertain.

“…Alright. For now, I’ll stay here and observe the situation. At the very least, I need to accomplish something significant before I leave. That’s the least I owe Lady Serpina.”

That’s what I thought at the moment.

* * *

“You’ve worked hard today, Swoen.”

In response to Lady Serpina’s words after I finished my report, I bowed my head as usual.

Today, I was tasked with compiling updates on the activities of the occupying forces spread across the Northern Continent, including those in Irian.

“I merely did what needed to be done, my Lord.”

“…”

Serpina paused briefly before carefully asking me:

“You seem troubled.”

“…”

“It’s none of my business, really…”

Actually, it was true.

Since Kyle von Einhardt announced his existence, the national situation has become somewhat unsettled. Of course, as a distant branch of the family, he doesn’t pose much threat. Lady Serpina still holds the most noble bloodline, but going from “the sole and noblest” to “the noblest among others” undoubtedly counts as a disadvantage for her.

“What do you think?”

“…Are you referring to Lord Kyle’s faction?”

“Yes. The Lunarien Army.”

“…”

I closed my eyes.

Yes, the Lunarien Army. The nation founded by Lady Luna, where I once served—a country destined to unify the continent.

It seems she betrayed the Karelia Army, which she was previously part of. Though as someone who has governed as a vassal, she wasn’t entirely without justification, but still, making the decision to betray must have been difficult for her upright character.

I casually replied:

“They still only control one territory. Even with Kyle von Einhardt on their side, they’re at the southern tip of the continent… Perhaps it’s best to just keep observing them for now.”

“There’s nothing we can do at the moment, anyway.”

It wasn’t our job to deal with her directly. That responsibility lay with neighboring armies like Karelia, Ohana, Roland, or Hesna.

The problem is… given her destiny to unify the continent, it’s unlikely she’ll fall to such minor nations. She’ll probably continue to triumph. Her nation overcoming seemingly impossible situations is a sight I can easily imagine.

“Swoen.”

“Yes, my Lord?”

“Can you share your story with me now?”

“My story?”

“I mentioned earlier that you look troubled.”

“Ah…”

“If there’s something troubling you that I can help resolve, I’ll take full responsibility.”

Her offer brought me unexpected comfort, and I responded with a smile.

“What if it’s something you can’t solve?”

“You’re teasing me in front of your lord, huh? Never mind that. There’s nothing I can’t achieve.”

She confidently declared this despite hearing countless times from me that “you won’t become the unifying ruler,” proving just how strong she is. Serpina is truly formidable.

“Still, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

“What is it?”

Serpina looked at me with her golden eyes sparkling softly and spoke gently:

“Be my husband, Swoen.”

“…Pardon?”

Caught off guard by an unexpected declaration in such a serious moment, she grinned mischievously, her face slightly flushed. In that moment, she seemed less like a ruler of a nation and more like an old childhood friend enjoying playful antics.

“Give yourself to me, Swoen. If you do, I’ll do everything for you. Any troubles you have… I’ll handle them all.”

“…My Lord, that’s…”

“I won’t wait for your answer. I already know it’ll be a refusal. I’m not the type to persist in losing battles.”

With that, she smiled amusedly again.

“But I can’t help but keep saying it. It’s too stifling not to express how I feel. Please consider it as the whimsical plea of a woman who sincerely cares for you.”

What a shameless statement, yet somehow, she’s endearing.

But I can’t afford to fall for that charm. After all, I’m someone who will eventually leave.

“It’s best not to lavish too much affection on someone as unworthy as me.”

“Is this advice coming from a strategist?”

“That’s fair enough.”

Serpina stared at me intently before slowly nodding.

“You’re such a kind person, Swoen.”

Her unexpected comment made me tilt my head slightly.

“Huh?”

“I’ve felt it several times—you’re careful not to hurt me.”

Without responding, I simply bowed my head.

It hurts.

Hearing such words strangely stirs my emotions.

“It’s alright.”

“…?”

“As long as you’re here in some form… that’s enough.”

“So…”

“You don’t necessarily have to marry me.”

“Just staying by my side…”

The moment I heard her request to remain by her side…

Her sincerity reached me.

The various faces she’s shown me flashed through my mind.

The moment she took me to the graves of her siblings to pay respects together, the emotion she first revealed to me, and the delicate expression she showed while lying in bed crying…

This feeling…

Now, I think I understand what I feel.

I…

Don’t want to leave Lady Serpina here alone.

While holding onto hope despite knowing failure is inevitable, struggling forward while bearing everything alone, I want to save this woman.

It’s the first time since I decided to save Lady Iren, someone unrecognized and living a lonely life, that I’ve had this thought.

Anyway, I—

Cannot betray either Lady Luna or Lady Serpina.

Only now do I fully realize the current situation.

I originally planned to return to Lady Luna as soon as possible, assuming nothing unusual happened—but…

Something unusual… has indeed occurred.

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