Chapter 115

* * *

A few days later.

Iren knelt down as Serpina entered the room.

Serpina, without a hint of embarrassment, coolly looked down at her and spoke.

“I’ve heard the rough story from Swoen. You said you wanted to serve me?”

“That’s correct, Lady Serpina.”

Iren answered while subtly glancing at Serpina’s face.

She truly was breathtakingly beautiful—arguably the most stunning woman Iren had ever met.

Even Lin Brance, whom she once served and considered quite lovely, paled in comparison to this woman before her eyes.

“Swen has mentioned your name. ‘Iren Julieat… the red-haired knight, specialist in siege warfare.’ Impressive credentials. Having someone of your caliber on my side would undoubtedly be a great help. Your skills need no further questioning—they’re more than satisfactory.”

“It’s an unworthy reputation, but I’m honored you recognize it.”

“Still…”

Serpina’s tone turned colder.

“I’ve heard that you betrayed Brance Army by handing over their fortress entirely to Aishias Army. And now, technically speaking, you’d be betraying Aishias Army and your lord Yuri again.”

“…”

“Of course, Iren, I’m not reprimanding you. In this Era of Chaos, all lords are essentially warlords except for myself. Placing much meaning in serving any one of them is rather absurd. However, I am curious why you’ve chosen betrayal twice.”

After a brief moment of worry, Iren looked directly into Serpina’s eyes.

There was no trace of malice or ill intent in those eyes.

Iren knew better than anyone what it felt like to be stared at with hatred—she’d lived through it countless times.

So here…

It would be best to speak honestly instead of fabricating excuses.

Iren cautiously parted her pink lips.

“I was abandoned by my first lord, Lin. My second lord, Yuri, abandoned Swen. If you call it betrayal, there’s nothing I can say. But I simply cannot serve someone who so easily abandons others. Moreover…”

“And?”

“When I was cast aside, Swen willingly shared the stigma of being a traitor with me. Now, it’s my turn to stand by him despite the consequences. That’s all there is to it—I have no ulterior motives.”

Upon hearing this, Serpina smiled faintly.

A small thought crossed Iren’s mind: So she does change expressions occasionally.

But even just smiling, how could she possess such magnetic charm?

Even as another woman observing her, Serpina was undeniably flawless in every way.

“I do not dislike those who uphold their own integrity without needing approval from others.”

Then, she gracefully extended her pale hand toward the kneeling Iren.

“Iren Julieat, I expect you to contribute to our army starting from this moment forward.”

“Yes!”

With that, Serpina turned around after informing her she could stay until further notice—

“Um, excuse me…!”

“Hmm?”

Reika, who had been lurking in the corner, hesitantly raised her hand to ask a question—though she stuttered so much she couldn’t form coherent words.

“Guh, guh, guh, GUH!! It’s, uh, I, umm… Se-Se-Se-Se-SERPINA LADY!!! Uh, ahaha, hah, ha, I-I-I-I have something to s-say, no, d-drink, nooo, talk about!!”

“…”

Serpina silently approached her slowly.

“EEEEEEKKKK!!!”

The closer Serpina got, the more Reika instinctively shrank back like a mouse facing a cat.

“Calm yourself. I’m not going to eat you.”

“A-A-A-AHHHHH!!”

Instead of calming down, Reika became even more flustered upon hearing Serpina’s words.

At that moment,

“Reika.”

Iren stepped beside her and gently nudged her, allowing her to take a few deep breaths before finally speaking again.

“…I, um, want to send a letter…”

“A letter?”

“Yes! Um, I mean, t-to Father… I’d like to send him a letter, but since I don’t know where exactly to go to handle correspondence…”

Though she had mentally prepared a well-structured sentence—”I’d like to send a letter to Father, but as this place is new to me, I don’t know where the facilities for handling mail are located. Could you kindly guide me?”—the imposing aura of Serpina prevented her from articulating it properly.

Fortunately—or unfortunately—Serpina responded indifferently.

“Bring it to me.”

“E-Eh? Y-Yes…?”

“I said bring the letter to me.”

“Oh! J-J-Just wait a moment please, Lady S-S-SERPINA!”

Ah.

She bit her tongue.

Despite the flustered state, she eventually managed to hand over the pre-written letter to Serpina.

“I’ll ensure this reaches its destination personally. Is that alright?”

“Wha? There’s no need for you to…”

“It’s fine. This doesn’t even count as extending special favor.”

“Ah… T-Thank you…”

With a polite bow, Reika expressed her gratitude.

To which Serpina responded with another question:

“You seem surprised.”

“Wha? M-Me?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Reika hesitated whether she should voice her thoughts, but eventually decided it wouldn’t hurt to speak up.

“Well… Lady Serpina seems somewhat different from what I’ve heard.”

“Ho?”

“I mean! No offense intended… According to Father, you’re supposed to be incredibly terrifying… but…”

“So, you’re holding a letter addressed to your father describing me as a demon, huh?”

“Wha? N-No, it’s not like that!! You’re NOT a demon!!”

Fufu.

Serpina chuckled softly, her lips curling upward.

“Whatever people say, it doesn’t concern me. If I can’t withstand mere rumors, then I have no right to wear a crown.”

And with that, showing the letter briefly—

“Rest assured, I’ll make sure it gets delivered safely.”

With those final words, she quietly left the room.

Iren and Reika stared at the door where Serpina had exited, both thinking the same thing: perhaps Serpina wasn’t quite the person the rumors made her out to be.

* * *

Falaharte Castle, Nightharte Manor.

Since Reika’s departure, the manor had grown quieter. Jinoru was passing the time idly, something rare for him.

Anima had returned.

There was no grand reunion.

Upon learning that Yuri had sacrificed Swen to save herself, Anima mercilessly berated her. As the smartest member of Aishias Army, she must’ve fully understood the repercussions of such actions.

However…

Mediated by Epinal and other founding members, things seemed to have settled down for now. Ultimately, Anima’s misjudgment played a significant role in this outcome.

Eventually, they’ll likely accept each other’s fates intertwined until death.

And at that point—

*

“The Nation’s Strategist wishes to resign?”

“That’s correct.”

Jinoru deeply bowed his head towards Yuri.

“My age has caught up with me, and my mind isn’t as sharp as it used to be. I wish to spend my remaining days writing books in peace. Please indulge this old man’s final whim.”

“But without you, Jinoru—”

“Isn’t Anima still here?”

Jinoru smiled kindly.

“As long as Lady Anima remains, I can leave this position with a clear conscience.”

*

Jinoru stepped down as the Nation’s Strategist.

Having lost heart for Aishias Army, there was no longer any reason for him to expend his wisdom reviving it.

Though Yuri appeared concerned, she couldn’t force him otherwise.

Already, upon hearing of Iren’s defection, over twenty thousand soldiers had deserted.

While punishment could theoretically be enforced, doing so would alienate the territorial people—a situation Yuri couldn’t afford.

She probably had her hands full dealing with the current mess.

Epinal’s efforts had somewhat mitigated the fallout, but the impact hadn’t been entirely avoided.

Soon, a few more armed individuals might abandon her too.

These were the burdens Yuri had to bear in exchange for rescuing Anima.

At that moment,

“Excuse me, Lord Jinoru.”

A maid arrived at the study where Jinoru resided.

“What is it?”

“A letter has arrived.”

“A letter?”

“Yes. It’s addressed to Miss Reika.”

So, she’s safe after all.

As expected, though it’s reassuring to receive confirmation.

I merely discovered her magical talent and brought her along, yet somehow she’s formed a bond.

Musing over how old I’ve become, I opened the letter.

Summarized, it read as follows:

[I’m doing well.

I plan to act alongside Lord Swen and Lady Iren.

Please don’t worry. I’d like to continue staying with them, if you could kindly grant your permission.]

‘Permission.’

What nonsense.

Wasn’t this precisely part of Jinoru’s strategy?

Regardless, if she can correspond with us here, it suggests she’s in a decent situation.

If Serpina desires Swen, she likely doesn’t wish to upset him.

In that case, asking wouldn’t hurt.

Jinoru promptly drafted a reply.

This message was less for Reika and more directed towards Swen.

* * *

It had been several days since joining Serpina’s forces.

She appeared busy managing the front lines around Hisfil Castle.

She promised to summon me soon, so I spent my leisure time waiting.

Knock knock knock.

Thinking it might be Serpina, I opened the door only to find—

“Ah, hello there… Lord Swen…”

“Reika?”

Reika stood there.

I invited her to sit on the sofa and fetched some snacks.

“Thank you very much!”

“You’re welcome. Unfortunately, this is all I have to offer. Tea would’ve been nice, but… Anyway, Reika, aren’t you eating the same snacks?”

“Yes… well, technically, but these are from you, so…”

Sharing the same wing, we naturally ate similar treats. Watching her munch happily made her look adorable, prompting me to ask:

“What brings you here?”

“Ah! Well, I… received a letter.”

“A letter?”

Nodding enthusiastically, she explained she’d exchanged correspondence with Jinoru.

All seemed fine until she mentioned something specific meant for me.

“For me?”

“Yes. Apparently, Father… wants to inquire about something regarding you.”

Hmm, could it be marriage-related? Though if that were the case, Reika would likely have been more obviously flustered.

“Alright. What’s the question?”

“Here it is!”

I took the letter she handed me.

Most of it contained Jinoru advising Reika to behave respectfully around me.

Skimming through, I found a direct inquiry addressed to me at the end.

[Is the lord you now serve Serpina?]

“Ho.”

Indeed, a testament to his intellect.

Jinoru was truly a brilliant old man.

* * *