Chapter 232

*

Some time later.

A mobilization order was grandly proclaimed at Hisfil Castle, ordering relocation to the untamed lands of the Northern Continent.

“Does it even make sense to suddenly tell us to relocate?”

“What can we do about it? It’s not like we have any power to…”

“I can’t go even if they stick a knife to my neck! My family has been rooted here for generations!”

As expected, public opinion wasn’t particularly favorable—

but surprisingly, quite a number of people judged that moving to the Northern Continent, where only one nation resides, would be better than staying in the Central Continent, which is more likely to become a battlefield during these chaotic times.

“We don’t have much left either way. We might as well just go.”

“Can the elderly really make the journey too?”

In conclusion—approximately 50%, or slightly more, of the population decided to slowly begin relocating under the pretext of developing the untamed lands of the Northern Continent.

This idea of “sending mainly those who wish to go” was Swoen’s Opinion.

Even with a forced mobilization order, dragging every single person along would’ve caused an enormous backlash for Serpina to bear; thus, she also agreed with his suggestion.

So, all the troops guarding Hisfil Castle and over half of the territorial people began their migration to the Northern Continent.

It was a great migration unprecedented in the history of the continent.

* * *

During this process of extracting people near the borderline, she finally reappeared at the royal palace.

“My Lord. Jena, upon your command, has completed patrolling the Northern Continent and has just returned to Einhardt Royal Palace.”

The indisputable second-in-command of the Serpina Army and national strategist, Jena, had finally returned to Einhardt Royal Palace.

Since she was absent from the palace during the attempted assassination on Lady Serpina, it had been a truly long period without her presence by her side.

“You’ve worked hard, Jena. Thanks to you, I could focus entirely on official duties without worry. I will never forget your efforts.”

“Not at all. Is there anything special you’d like to instruct me to do, or any stories I should hear?”

“There’s nothing urgent right now. Take some time to rest and recover for a while.”

“I shall humbly accept your kindness, my Lord. Thank you.”

After saying this, Jena approached me, who had been standing nearby with my head bowed.

Though I felt somewhat tense, surprisingly, there was no vigilance emanating from this brown-haired female strategist.

“Sir Swoen, you’ve worked hard as well.”

‘…Huh?’

Hard work acknowledged?

Jena must’ve known that I essentially acted as the strategist in her absence. Rumors about how close Lady Serpina keeps me have already spread far and wide.

Her words imply… that she has no particular grievances about my actions?

Anyway, there’s no need to say something stupid in front of the strategist that would make me look bad.

“It was merely doing what needed to be done.”

“We’ll meet again soon. Farewell for now.”

Watching Jena’s back as she turned away, I became even more certain.

She no longer seemed to regard me with suspicion.

At the national council meeting, I distinctly felt her wariness toward me as an outsider—but now, whatever wind blew through, it was clear to even someone clueless that she no longer regarded me with vigilance.

Regardless.

Serpina, who readily accepted my advice, continued to seek counsel from me.

“Would it be efficient to withdraw troops from Jelin Castle?”

Jelin Castle was a small territory located north of Hisfil Castle.

[Yes.]

“It seems… that would be the case.”

“I see. Understood. We’ll proceed as you suggest.”

In this manner, we gradually abandoned all the territories in the Central Continent reclaimed from the Brance Army.

Although there might’ve been opposition, since we had already handed over the most critical core territory, Hisfil Castle, the remaining scraps weren’t worth defending or were too difficult to protect, so the process moved surprisingly smoothly.

Surprisingly, during this process, the national strategist Jena, who had officially returned to work, didn’t utter a word and fully supported her lord, Serpina’s decisions.

Moreover, she even helped persuade the senior officials who were dissatisfied with this opinion.

Without her, it would’ve been impossible to push things forward so naturally and smoothly.

Even though Serpina is an extremely charismatic ruler of an autocratic state, pushing through solely her own opinions versus doing so alongside the well-respected national strategist makes a significant difference.

Especially when taking actions that seem unusual, like abandoning hard-won territories, as we’re doing now.

Whether Jena underwent some kind of change in mindset or has some hidden agenda, I couldn’t tell—but from my perspective, there was no reason to complain as she was helping me without much fuss.

That day, while continuing to issue mobilization orders and withdrawing troops from the borderline by bringing as many territorial people as possible, Serpina asked the same type of question as always:

“Swoen. What do you think about pulling back the troops from Kelshtain Castle?”

‘Does it make the most sense to withdraw the troops from Kelshtain Castle to the Northern Continent?’

And once again, the response came.

The fact that a response came was the same—but—

[No.]

‘…!’

The answer was different this time.

I looked up at Serpina and said,

“My Lord.”

“…Hmm.”

Serpina nodded as if understanding something just from my single word “My Lord,” then asked another question.

“Swoen. Do you believe it’s most efficient to station troops at Kelshtain Castle?”

As usual, Serpina perfectly read my mind and asked the exact question I wanted.

If I say we feel like an inseparable team when moments like this happen, would that be going a bit overboard?

‘Is it most efficient to station troops at Kelshtain Castle?’

[Yes.]

‘There it is.’

Finally, we found our anchor point for deploying troops.

Kelshtain Castle—the first Brance Army territory recaptured by the Serpina Army, the gateway to the Central Continent, and simultaneously a fortress-like castle on the route to the Northern Continent.

There was no other territory around here with higher strategic value than Kelshtain Castle. It was an incredibly important location.

Had this place also been deemed unnecessary to keep troops, I might’ve worried about how Jena would react, despite her previous cooperation.

Fortunately, it seems we haven’t angered the heavens too much this time.

Heaven’s wrath.

Being by Serpina’s side, I find myself thinking such superstitious thoughts occasionally.

“That’s correct.”

“I understand. Then… it appears the plague will start spreading in the Central Continent. Many will die again.”

“It depends on how we respond, but…”

“…Hmm.”

Serpina fell into thought for a moment before casually asking me,

“How large is the scale of the relocation among the territorial people heading to the Northern Continent?”

“More than half from Hisfil Castle, and about 30-40% from the other territories.”

“I see…”

It felt like her golden eyes had dimmed a little.

The evaluation of her among the territorial people must’ve dropped again. Issuing a mobilization order was bound to feel like a sudden lightning strike from their perspective.

Even though coercion wasn’t used, the territorial people couldn’t help but consider the intentions of the monarchs above their lady castle master.

But Serpina didn’t care about adding such burdens; she wanted to save as many people as possible.

She believed my prediction about the plague—that’s why she could take such actions…

If the disease doesn’t spread, she might end up being seen as a tyrant for abandoning her people in the untamed lands.

“…Lady Serpina.”

“Speak your mind.”

“We cannot save everyone. I believe Lady Serpina has done her best.”

After a long silence, Serpina slowly nodded.

“You are truly a kind person, Swoen.”

“…Is there something specific on your schedule today?”

“No. Would you require anything of me?”

“Well, it’s less of an order and more of a personal favor.”

Serpina smiled at me.

“Would you join me tonight to help serve wine?”

Throughout all this, she must’ve had much on her mind.

If I can be her support, drinking together shouldn’t be too difficult.

“I would be honored to do so.”

“Good. Thank you, Swoen.”

Little by little, though slowly yet surely—

As this human named me became increasingly important to her—

Serpina… was becoming someone irreplaceable to me.