Chapter 146

“Swoen……?”

It seemed Serpina had called my name—

But I couldn’t bring myself to listen properly.

The fate of continental unification is about to fall into Serpina Army’s hands.

Serpina von Einhardt cannot unify the continent.

These two “correct answers” meant something incredibly simple.

That is—

the one sitting on the throne of this massive northern country, destined to become a unified nation—

Isn’t Serpina.

Naturally, with no other way to think about her achieving glory first, there’s only one conclusion—

Serpina von Einhardt will lose her life.

‘Wait a moment…’

Because of an event I’d never even considered, I could feel my legs trembling involuntarily.

Still, let me sort this out slowly.

Though I haven’t been asked any questions yet, it’s likely that Luna has the highest probability of becoming the unifying monarch, just like she always has.

However, if Serpina dies, the fate of the unifying monarch changes.

A change means the one originally holding that destiny moves away from it.

In other words—

If Serpina dies, then Lady Luna—

Lunarien Iniyan, who was destined to hold the fate of unifying the continent in her two hands—

“…won’t be able to unify the continent.”

If Serpina dies, control of the world slips through Lunarien’s fingers.

Her final condition for unification is—

“…”

The blond woman staring at me blankly with wide eyes turned out to be none other than Serpina von Einhardt.

‘How did this happen…’

Honestly, while spending time with her here, it kept bothering me.

Why can’t such a seemingly perfect state achieve unification?

Though the generals weren’t all top-tier talents, their numbers were significant.

Rather, because they weren’t extraordinary, their loyalty ran deeper. And there was an extremely capable ruler who controlled them perfectly.

Instead of subjective benchmarks close to obstinacy when dealing with subordinates, she set universally applicable standards.

She stayed close to those she should be close to and distanced herself from those she shouldn’t. She maintained an excellent pool of relatively talented individuals despite lacking resources.

She never disregarded anyone regardless of their status, always listening to their opinions.

Any general under her command could have a private audience with her at least once.

Considering her nation was the largest on the continent, this was quite an impressive feat—there was only one ruler wearing the crown: Serpina herself.

The largest territory, the most population. The northern continent absorbed all the infrastructure of the old empire’s capital, making it akin to the ‘Red in the longest map.’

And the lineage flowing through her veins held an overwhelming legitimacy unmatched by anyone else.

Even though her life might be riddled with infamy—

Ask any passing child, and you’d easily hear that Serpina would become the new ruler of this continent.

Only—I,

I alone knew.

Only I understood that Serpina couldn’t become the unifying ruler.

What could be the reason?

Why does fate favor Lunarien, who has lost everything, over Serpina, who has everything?

Turns out,

The very existence of Serpina herself.

Because she is the ruler of this country, her nation cannot become a unified one.

Judging from how this country is destined to unify as soon as she steps down from her position, this hypothesis must be correct.

What an ironic situation indeed.

‘Alright… calm down.’

Crushed under the immense weight of this “truth,” but…

I had to pull myself together and wrap up this conversation with Serpina in front of me.

At that moment.

“Swoen, are you calm now?”

“…Ah.”

Looking towards the source of the voice—

There she was, my lord Serpina von Einhardt, wearing an expression I’ve never seen before.

“I apologize. My… well, I felt dizzy for a moment. It’s embarrassing to admit, but as you see, my body isn’t particularly strong…”

“I understand. You can take your time answering. Just please don’t push yourself, Swoen.”

With those words, she showed concern for me.

A definite shadow of worry clouded her face, which usually exuded untouchable charisma.

So, Serpina also made expressions like this.

“…Thank you for your kindness, my lord.”

After taking another deep breath, I reorganized the situation carefully.

If my goal was the same as when I first reincarnated into this world—”to become a general of the unified nation and pass the time”—then my task would be very simple.

Encouraging her, who seems so enthusiastic right now.

Since she trusts me greatly due to this “Mind’s Eye” business, she would undoubtedly heed my earnest request.

No, there’s no need for an earnest request. Since the idea of her going personally came directly from Serpina herself.

Through this, the absolutely certain “gain” predicted without fail.

Our army securing the fate of unifying the continent.

Within that flow of destiny—when the one born to win cannot be due to her death, a new person ascends the throne, finally unifying the continent, allowing me to naturally return to my original world as part of the unified nation.

Since there’s no specific requirement for a particular ruler to unify for me to return…

However,

‘I made a promise… to her, my lord.’

That day.

On the last day of the Lunarien Army, when they faced the unavoidable fate of being unable to defeat Brance Army no matter what actions they took.

I remember the trembling red eyes looking at me amidst the empty royal palace, sniffling.

No matter how absurd the stories I told,

No matter how much I insisted “just trust me,” she believed in me without question—the only person who ever did.

Believing isn’t just a literal meaning—it’s like entrusting one’s life.

Neither Lin nor Yuri gave me that trust, but didn’t Luna?

And I… promised her that if she trusted me, I’d give her control over the world.

Therefore,

‘No matter what happens, I cannot betray her… the one who trusted me.’

There’s more to it than that.

Anyway, I didn’t want to see the lady in front of me, Serpina, meet a tragic end.

Is this mere sympathy? Or…

‘There’s no need to think further.’

I can’t betray Luna, so my choice is clear.

To Lunarien Iniyan’s unification, the most important piece—

Serpina von Einhardt—I will save her.

“My lord.”

“Speak.”

“The issue concerns your plan to go personally… it may lead to results unfavorable to our side.”

“Unfavorable results, you say?”

“Yes.”

As the purpose of saving Serpina became clearer—

The shock of discovering the truth quickly returned to calmness.

Now, it was time to persuade the lady in front of me.

“I agree with your statement that it could create greater shock within the Brance Army… However, it might also spark sympathy for Lin Brance. Even if they repeatedly made mistakes and formed incomprehensible alliances, seeing their ruler swallow humiliation firsthand would be incredibly shocking.”

“Sympathy… That makes sense.”

“Just leave it to natural progression. Even without us doing anything extra, suspicions already planted within the Brance Army will grow on their own, influencing their thoughts continuously. I believe you should avoid moving personally.”

“…”

After hearing my words, Serpina paused briefly—

Then slowly nodded.

“…I understand. It seems I need to exercise restraint.”

“That wasn’t my intention in addressing you, my lord—”

“No, Swoen. Thank you for your advice. But…”

Serpina looked straight at me.

For a moment, it seemed her pupils trembled slightly.

“Would it be alright if we invite them here instead?”

“You mean… the Brance Army?”

“Yes. To announce our alliance across the continent, nothing is more efficient than meeting directly.”

So, Serpina plans to isolate the Brance Army using her tyrant image?

Direct meetings spread rumors easily.

While distant southern continent nations might not care, Lin is in the central continent. If Serpina allies with him, the impact on the territorial people will differ significantly.

Thus, it wasn’t a bad idea.

Moreover, adding the premise of “meeting directly” might lend credibility to our speculation.

After finishing my response and watching Serpina ponder—

I quietly repeated the question again, this time with the added premise that the Brance Army comes to us.

‘Is forming an alliance with the Brance Army efficient for our army?’

[It’s an alliance highly beneficial to our side.]

“…It’s back.”

The same advice appeared exactly as before.

Not only that, it was identical to the initial prediction.

This means—

‘The conjecture that the internal situation of the Brance Army is unstable holds true 99% of the time.’

If this were a strange butterfly effect benefiting our army, changing the premise should alter the conclusion.

Since it hasn’t changed, things are proceeding as expected.

I can safely assume the remaining 1%.

I sighed in relief internally.

Here, in Serpina’s army, my task became crystal clear.

Until the moment the Lunarien Army returns to the stage of history—

Protect Lady Serpina.

No matter what,

I will protect Lady Serpina from the danger of death.

With Divinity 100 absolute predictions, I’m confident I can manage.

Didn’t I handle far more difficult tasks before?

‘Yeah. Calling down a meteor would be harder anyway.’

Bowing my head before the contemplative Serpina—

I whispered words that wouldn’t reach her.

‘My lord. I will definitely come. I will keep my promise. Please stay healthy.’

Like that.

* * *

After Swoen left, Serpina remained alone in the empty wing.

A moderately priced wine filled a glass atop the table.

Her face flushed slightly as if intoxicated, Serpina recalled Swoen’s earlier demeanor.

‘Swoen…’

He was conversing well until his expression suddenly shifted dramatically.

Then… he said it.

‘He called me… Lady Serpina.’

The man who had addressed her as ‘my lord’ since becoming her subordinate suddenly reverted to ‘Lady Serpina,’ dazed and trembling.

In that situation, the words sounded almost like—

An unconscious slip of the heart.

Her heart grew complicated, unable to scrutinize his expression thoroughly.

Though the conversation went smoothly, an indescribable lump formed in her chest.

‘Swoen. Who is the person in your heart…?’

Is there someone else besides herself?

What troubled her wasn’t just that.

Serpina felt—

As if Swoen aimed to prevent her from moving, rather than focusing on the alliance itself.

She agreed with inviting them, after all.

If showing sympathy was unacceptable, shouldn’t this also be rejected?

Something similar happened recently too.

When defending Amire Castle, he emphasized the mere presence of troops rather than its strategic importance.

Does he have another agenda this time?

His mind was impossible to read.

Serpina scratched the rim of her wineglass with her fingernail.

She had been certain she could make him hers.

Yet today, her unwavering heart began to waver.

‘Swoen…’

Serpina thought.

If only Swoen would look at her like that, cherishing her above all others…

Was this the manifestation of a ruler’s desire for an outstanding general? Or something else…

Unable to answer the question, she mixed it with her wine and swallowed it.

The wine tasted bitter as it slid down her throat.