Chapter 228

* * *

A few days before the Aishias Army began to stir…

Lin, the monarch of the now fractured Brance Army into three parts, was hearing an unbelievable story from Parphale.

“Is it true… that the leader of the rebellion within the Karelia Army is Lunarien…?”

“…That’s correct.”

“Did Kyle von Einhardt really declare his support for… her?”

No matter the actual circumstances –

Publicly, Kyle von Einhardt, not Luna, was regarded as the main figure behind this rebellion.

After all, Lunarien was an unknown vassal whose name hadn’t even been heard of, while Kyle von Einhardt was an old man from the nearly extinct Einhardt bloodline, including Serpina.

But Lin knows.

She might be one of the few remaining vassals on the continent who understands what kind of woman Lunarien truly is, perhaps even the only one.

She was… Swen’s first master.

Under the obscure figure of Lunarien lay Swen, an uncelebrated gem – and wasn’t it Lin herself who first recognized their potential?

“How could this be…”

The fact that someone under the royal family’s protection, someone who debuted more brilliantly than anyone else, turned out to be none other than Lunarien…

That revelation pierced Lin’s heart like a blade.

Lin collapsed onto the throne as if drained of strength.

What shocked her most wasn’t just Lunarien’s existence but…

“Should we consider forming a pursuit unit?”

“Pursuit?”

“Yes. Leaving Lunarien alive feels unsettling…”

Only that child would say something like that…

“No, there’s no need to pursue. The prey seems to already be here anyway.”

“That said, isn’t there just one man at the royal palace? If so, it means Lunarien is still fleeing, and pursuing her would be best. If you give me minimal troops, I can capture Lunarien in the shortest time possible…”

“Why have you been nagging about this since earlier? I already said there’s no need to pursue. Are you planning to defy me? Are you bored because your sword hasn’t tasted blood today? How about I stain it with yours?”

“…No, my apologies.”

Iren was right.

Lunarien was a dangerous woman, certainly not someone I should underestimate.

She had seen through everything. That’s why she told me those words.

And yet, without considering her reasons, I simply hated her… I hated her so much…

“Hmph… snif…”

Though Lin thought she was over it by now –

Tears once again trickled down her cheeks.

“Parphale… why… why didn’t I know?”

“My lord…”

“Why did I ignore Iren’s advice?”

At that moment, Iren’s counsel was nothing short of a turning point.

The proof being Lunarien’s current spectacular debut.

It was already impressive enough that she successfully instigated a rebellion within the highly loyal Karelia Army, but the fact that an elderly member of the imperial family became her closest confidant as if everything were prearranged…

Not to mention, wasn’t she the original master who instantly recognized Swen’s potential?

Lin had a gut feeling.

The Lunarien Army wouldn’t fall easily.

Given the situation where the dream of continental unification seemed further away, Serpina-level threats were emerging, and the most prominent one was undoubtedly her.

Lin, originally a sharp-witted woman, could accurately read the flow of the times.

There was an opportunity.

An opportunity to prevent things from getting this bad.

Had I listened to Iren back then…

Suddenly, thoughts of the mage who recently appeared in the Northern Continent resurfaced.

If only I hadn’t belittled Iren…

The ever-loyal general Iren wouldn’t have been lost.

Swen might have stayed with the Brance Army.

Even though Swen eventually left when the Lunarien Army reappeared, things would undoubtedly have been better than the current state where the nation is split into three.

The appearance of a mage wouldn’t have been worrying either, since Swen was a man capable of performing near-miraculous feats akin to magic.

“Why… why did I…”

“…My lord.”

Parphale slowly approached, gripping Lin’s hand firmly and spoke.

“You must grow stronger, my lord.”

“I know… I know that too. But…”

Now I understand.

How foolish I’ve been.

From being the dominant force in the Central Continent and Serpina’s sole rival, losing territories one after another, failing to control even my own siblings, resulting in the division of the nation into three parts.

It’s no one’s fault but mine.

“It’s all my fault… All because I was foolish.”

“Still, we can move forward. Isn’t our presence here the clearest evidence of that?”

“Parphale…”

“It’s fine. We can rebuild slowly. Haven’t you done it once already, my lord? You can do it again.”

Lin wiped her tears with her sleeve.

“I get it. I don’t have the right to act childish… But today, it’s just… too hard. I’m… too exhausted…”

“My lord…”

Instead of saying more, Parphale quietly watched her cry.

At first, she wanted to ensure the success of Lin, chosen among countless vassals, to affirm her own choice.

But from the moment Lin started changing from her usual self, Parphale genuinely desired to stay by her side.

This wasn’t just Parphale’s sentiment.

Everyone who chose Lin over Kalintz or Chel, believed in her second rise and remained loyal.

Despite losing the incredibly loyal Iren, ironically, a few people as devoted as her started appearing lately.

* * *

As usual, upon arriving at the Einhardt Royal Palace, Serpina shared an intriguing piece of information.

“The Aishias Army, you say?”

“There have been signs of them deploying troops along the border.”

‘So they’ve finally made their move.’

It wasn’t unexpected. In fact, it was surprising they hadn’t moved sooner.

Their long silence likely meant they focused on internal affairs, increasing and training their forces.

In such an era of chaos, peace couldn’t last forever – another war was approaching.

“Swen, what do you think?”

“You’re asking about the direction of Aishias Army’s advance, aren’t you?”

“Hehehe… It’s refreshing how you understand immediately without explanation, Swen.”

“What else would you ask?”

After replying confidently, I examined the map.

The countries facing their border are the Serpina Army and the Hesna Army.

Even so, it wasn’t a problem worth pondering.

“Deploy troops along the border, my lord.”

“So you believe Aishias Army’s destination is our country?”

“Yes.”

Serpina chuckled amusedly.

“To assert so decisively without hesitation is impressive, though I’d like to hear your reasoning.”

“There’s no need for special abilities. Just one question to you will resolve this.”

I boldly looked at her and asked.

“If the Aishias Army invades the Hesna Army with their forces, what would you do, my lord?”

Her eyebrow twitched slightly upon hearing my question.

Exactly.

It’s not even worth contemplating.

Lady Serpina would probably…

“…Ah, forgive me for such a foolish question.”

Immediately raid their main camp while they attack Hesna.

She’s remained quiet until now due to numerous rebellions and assassination attempts, but with a new opportunity presenting itself, she wouldn’t let it slip.

“If Yuri can’t even read this situation, it’s best to end her here. If she does read it, then our country will inevitably go to war from that point.”

“War… Perhaps it’s not a bad timing for us either.”

After suppressing the last rebellion,

we showcased overwhelming power through ‘magic’ and Lady Jena has been traveling around to gauge public sentiment.

Reports from generals, including Irian, have been smooth and trouble-free.

No matter how I think about it,

the possibility of another rebellion occurring at this very moment is extremely low.

Of course, Serpina is exceptionally unlucky, always encountering events at seemingly perfect timings as if cursed by the world.

But considering she recently embarked on the conquest of the Central Continent without issues, there’s no need to think negatively.

“Even so, isn’t there still reason to use your ability?”

Serpina smiled amusedly as she looked at me.

Among everyone, Serpina is the one who can best utilize my Divinity 100 ability right now.

“Do you think preparing for war against the Aishias Army is the right course of action?”

I closed my eyes, adopting a contemplative pose,

then quietly entered the query: [Is it correct to prepare for war against the Aishias Army?]

[Yes.]

‘As expected.’

Yuri clearly aimed her blade at this place.

“It seems we were correct, my lord.”

“Indeed.”

Upon hearing that, Serpina rose from the throne and asked me,

“If so, I plan to immediately gather troops and deploy them along the border. What do you think?”

Once again, without much thought, I input her exact question:

‘Is gathering troops and deploying them along the border against the Aishias Army the most efficient strategy?’

And then…

[No.]

‘…?’

For the first time in a long while, I remembered that peculiar sensation.

The feeling of the answer mocking my question.

‘…What nonsense is this again?’

It was time to face off against another conclusion of mine.