Chapter 258

The shocking claim by Jinoru wasn’t something that only surprised the monarch, Luna.

“…Just a moment. Hey, old man. You’re saying to minimize the troops guarding the castle? Are you telling me to send all of them out as interceptors?”

“That’s right.”

Tifa shook her head vigorously, clearly confused.

“Old man, do you even realize? It’s 90,000 versus 200,000. The reason this battle is even feasible is because we’re defending the castle. But with the enemy bringing siege weapons, we can’t use all 90,000 for defense alone, so we need to send out at least 30,000 to counter their siege weapons!”

“Tifa General, I understand what you’re saying. But let me ask one thing: Can you really take out the enemy’s siege weapons with just 30,000 troops?”

“Well… with me and Luna here, isn’t there nothing we can’t do?”

“The old man isn’t talking about possibility. It’s not about ‘can you do it or not.’ It’s about confidence!”

Jinoru glared directly at Tifa, his eyes wide.

“Can you capture them or not? Answer me clearly!”

“…Well, um… From the start, on the battlefield, there’s no such thing as absolute certainty…”

“Most likely impossible, I’d say. This isn’t due to any lack of ability from either Lady Tifa or our lord. Simply put, 30,000 soldiers cannot defeat 200,000 under normal circumstances—it’s a common-sense prediction.”

“Hmph…”

Tifa looked disgruntled but ultimately didn’t argue against Jinoru’s words.

Even she could see it—despite her bold claims of “we’ll definitely pull it off,” in reality, without a miracle, this was practically a suicide mission.

Of course, her life wasn’t precious. If it were, she wouldn’t have followed her reckless childhood friend to establish a nation at Jeilrant Castle.

Jinoru slowly turned his gaze toward where Luna sat.

“My lord, though it may seem sudden, allow me to ask: Will our army win this battle?”

The unexpected question caused a stir in the room—but Luna answered calmly, without hesitation.

“Yes. We will surely triumph over the Karelia Army.”

“With utmost respect, my lord, your conviction has led me to this suggestion: Form as many interception units as possible. Leave behind only the bare minimum required to defend the castle.”

“…”

Luna paused briefly before asking Jinoru seriously.

“What is your reasoning?”

“My lord’s declaration: ‘We will win this battle.'”

“…”

Luna blinked in surprise as she looked at Jinoru.

He… trusted her belief. More accurately, he trusted Swoen’s judgment since she herself had faith in him.

Realizing Jinoru’s implication, Luna nodded slowly and responded.

“Very well. I’ll follow Lord Jinoru’s advice.”

“Hey, Luna! Are you serious?”

Though startled by Tifa’s reaction after hearing Luna’s declaration, Luna remained perfectly calm.

“Don’t worry, Tifa… The strategist would never be wrong, right?”

“But… worry or not…”

What?

Tifa mulled over the last word Luna had uttered. “The strategist can’t be wrong.” As someone who was perhaps closest to Luna, Tifa knew that Luna referred to only one person as her strategist.

Whatever the exact circumstances might be, if this decision was akin to the ‘strategist’s verdict’ in Luna’s mind…

“…Alright. Anyway, I was planning to follow your orders anyway… Ugh.”

Even so, there was a sense of déjà vu. It wasn’t unpleasant. They had always felt this way when executing Swoen’s strategies—baffling yet exhilarating.

In any case—

The broad outline was now set.

Luna quietly surveyed everyone present.

These were her cherished comrades who had followed her this far.

Though half the hope rested on defeating Karelia, Luna was confident that no matter how difficult things got, she wouldn’t suffer more than Sir Swoen enduring under the cruel witch.

“Please give it your best, everyone.”

Luna bowed deeply to everyone.

“If Swoen saw this, he’d probably scold me for being unbecoming of a ruler… right?”

Thinking about it brought some relief to her tension. He had always been helpful, lighting her path effortlessly whenever she faced tough choices. For Lunarien Iniyan, Swoen was still the sole guiding light.

As thoughts of Swoen kept surfacing, her longing grew stronger.

So many people will die in this battle. That’s fine. I’m prepared to get my hands dirty if it means meeting you again. Thinking thus…

—I miss you, Sir Swoen. The only strategist I’ve ever had, irreplaceable by anyone else.

I’ll become a powerful ruler as quickly as possible to rescue you from Serpina Army’s torment. Please… wait for me just a little longer.

Thus, Lunarien Iniang began to truly make her presence known across the continent.

* * *

And

Once everyone left the royal palace—

“Can you explain now?”

At Luna’s inquiry, Jinoru nodded slowly and began.

“Assuming what Lady Luna said is true, let us begin with the story of how our army can emerge victorious.”

* * *

This place was atop the walls of the royal palace.

Looking down revealed countless soldiers staring up at her.

The view of a ruler. Only those fit to rule could appreciate this grand vista!

The wishes and hopes of so many converging upon one single figure of absolute authority.

Ruler Luna scanned the sea of faces before her.

Taking a deep breath, memories surfaced of her past speech when she fled the castle, leaving Swoen behind, addressing 3,000 soldiers. It felt like yesterday… Now, she had so many more lives to be responsible for.

But I won’t shy away.

Luna closed her eyes slightly.

Miraculously, closing her eyes made her feel as though Swoen stood beside her.

Always protecting her, standing steadfast by her side.

With Swoen by my side, I can accomplish anything.

She opened her eyes and shouted.

“Everyone! The battle begins in a few days. As you know, our situation is dire. The Karelia Army is advancing here with overwhelming force.”

So many people listened silently, hanging onto every word.

“But we will surely win this battle. I, Lunarien Iniying, pledge my life to fight alongside you until the very end. History will not erase us but instead the marionette of the wicked Vanessa, Makana Karelia! So please, support me until the end! And… please survive until the end. In the new world I create, there will be a place for you and your families!”

—WAAAAAAH!!!

A thunderous roar erupted loud enough to shake Tevelo Castle.

Watching Luna bear it all alone, Jinoru finally understood what his old friend Kyle once said.

“You’ll soon understand too. Our lord is destined for greatness.”

Coupled with an inexplicable confidence in victory, indeed—

Lunarien Iniying was an extraordinary individual beyond outward appearances.

* * *

“Damn, I’m bored. Can’t we speed up the advance?”

Leading the charge on horseback, Sad spoke while Vanesa rode alongside.

“How many times must I remind you? Leading an army of 200,000 requires moving as slowly as possible. You should know better.”

“Not something you can tweak a bit? Aren’t you the strategist? Come up with some brilliant plan already.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Vanessa’s reply earned a snort from Sad.

“Tch, you’re still as uncharming as ever. Pretty face wasted on such a sour disposition.”

“As uncouth as ever, whether in the past or present.”

“Your skills haven’t changed either. How about testing them again?”

“Given your skill level, it seems one eye was thrown away willingly.”

“Haha! Still sharp-tongued as ever, aren’t you, wretched woman?”

Sad laughed heartily, but Vanessa’s lips didn’t budge.

Despite his crude mannerisms, Sad was undoubtedly our strongest card.

The terms for hiring him were simple: Acknowledge that Sad’s decisions during battles supersede Karelia’s.

Sad was exiled for pillaging civilians during supply runs—a necessary decision from Karelia’s perspective back then, though it was something she couldn’t condone at the time. Even now, it was a hard pill to swallow, but Vanessa considered herself fortunate that Karelia understood the stakes of losing this chance to eliminate Lunarien from the map.

Currently, what worried Vanessa more than Sad’s nonsense was Cecile’s complete silence and deflated demeanor.

“…”

“Cecile, the battle is near. You need to snap out of it.”

“A… Strategist…”

Truthfully, Cecile hadn’t been herself since Lunarien betrayed them at Tevelo Castle. She stopped eating and speaking properly.

Her expertise in logistics made her invaluable, so seeing her waste away troubled Vanessa greatly—hence her attempt to console her.

“Forget the past. What matters is the present. Trusting others isn’t a sin. Don’t act like a guilty party.”

“I suppose…”

Cecile sighed deeply.

To her, Luna was someone who would never betray anyone, making the shock even greater for someone as close to Luna as Cecile.

“…”

Though tempted to press further, now wasn’t the right time.

Vanessa distanced herself, thinking.

“Lunarien Iniying…”

In her eyes, no one could replace Karelia as the rightful ruler of this continent—not even Luna. Watching such a person ascend to power in place of Karelia-sama was simply unacceptable.

Vanessa was ready to do anything to take Luna’s life—even sacrifice her own, which Karelia had painstakingly saved.

She would hang Luna’s head high on Madlen Castle’s walls.

Suppressing her rising combat spirit, Vanessa marched toward Tevelo Castle.