Chapter 149

“Did you really say to come directly?”

“Yes.”

After hearing Parphale’s story, Lin fell into thought for a moment, then sighed deeply and said, “Looks like someone’s out to embarrass me on purpose.”

“…”

Already unwilling to acknowledge the fact that an alliance proposal had been made, was it now necessary to be summoned just to complete the picture of swallowing pride?

Naturally, Lin could only come to such a conclusion.

After all, humiliation tactics were what she herself often employed.

But…

With too much time already wasted, Lin couldn’t afford to idle away any longer without doing anything.

“Parphale, what should I do?”

“Master…”

Since Parphale’s reinstatement and return as the Nation’s Strategist…

It was true that the Brance Army’s situation, which had been crumbling, was gradually improving. Though they had lost Elgaim Castle, if she hadn’t taken command, they would have lost far more territories much faster. There was even the possibility that Anel Castle might have been endangered.

Therefore… Lin trusted Parphale above all others. In fact, given her current inability to make proper judgments, she had no choice but to rely on her even more.

Ever since losing Iren and Swoen, and having several territories taken away, Lin herself couldn’t trust her own thoughts and decisions anymore.

Then, Parphale…

Spoke to Lin in a strong tone, almost forcing a decision: “Though it pains me greatly to say this, here you must shut your eyes completely for the sake of the country.”

“You mean going directly as requested?”

“Yes. Consider this: the humiliation served openly before your eyes can be endured many times over. Isn’t it better than the Brance Army falling and you being remembered as the dark ruler who brought down the once great Brance Army?”

Since realizing how much Lin trusted and relied on her opinions…

Parphale’s assertiveness had grown considerably. Compared to before when she hesitated to speak frankly for fear of hurting Lin’s feelings, this was quite the progress.

“…”

Lin bit her lower lip tightly. The metallic taste of blood rose to her tongue.

“Is it really necessary to go this far?… Already, just by us proposing the alliance… shouldn’t that count as their victory? Shouldn’t that be enough…?”

“The tyrant Serpina is known throughout the land. That witch could easily pull off something even worse, couldn’t she?”

Though Parphale thought privately that Lin wasn’t much different from that type, she didn’t bring it up. It didn’t matter what kind of person she was. Since she currently sat on the throne, supporting her was the practical way to save the Brance Army.

Rejecting countless offers and choosing the Brance Army, if it were to collapse now, that would mean her choice was wrong. She had endured imprisonment to be here; she had to avoid that at all costs.

So now was the time to tell her what she needed to hear.

“Please think about it, Master. Use this humiliation to sharpen our swords further and wait for the right moment – surely an opportunity will come. Serpina von Einhardt is not someone capable of ruling the whole continent, as heaven sees it. You know there are many people across the continent who hate her, right? Don’t forget that the empire split and the Era of Chaos began because many disapproved of her killing all the crown princes to ascend to the supreme position.”

“…I know that much. I know… sigh.”

Though Lin exhaled a long breath, Parphale felt relieved by that very sigh, recognizing the familiar pattern where her advice was being reflected.

“…Let me think about it some more.”

Thinking about it, but knowing full well what was coming next. Time to start preparing the envoy party. With the ruler traveling personally, it would require quite the preparation.

“Understood. Please make your decision quickly.”

Just as she was about to take her leave to prepare…

“Master!”

The doors to the Audience Chamber burst open suddenly.

Normally such rudeness would have sent her into a rage, but there were exceptions to every rule.

First case: A messenger.

Second case: Someone with considerable influence in the state.

This was the second case.

“Big Brother…?”

Bounding in was Chel Brance, who had finished convalescence and was waiting to reorganize the defense forces. Following behind was his younger brother and Lin’s second older brother, Kalintz.

“Is it true that we’re forming an alliance with the Serpina Army?”

“…”

Upon hearing those words, Lin turned her head sharply again. Some form of protest indicating she didn’t want to talk about it further, but from Chel’s perspective, this was an issue that couldn’t be ignored.

“This cannot be done, Master! You know well how cunning Serpina is. Joining hands with her will certainly result in an irreversible disgrace that will destroy the people’s support for our army. Moreover, there are quite a number of subordinate commanders who question this decision. Please reconsider!”

“I…”

“Master. My comrades, the brave soldiers who fought for our Brance Army and sacrificed their lives – not long ago they died not by anyone else’s hand, but by the Serpina Army’s. Even if there’s some gain through this alliance, it’ll only be temporary. Surely we’ll lose far more. Please reconsider…!”

Chel and Kalintz’s pleas made Lin tremble. Ever since losing confidence in her own decisions…

Lin had lost much of her former sharpness and charisma.

“I don’t… I don’t know. Talk to Parphale…”

“Master…”

Kalintz looked sorrowfully at his sister who seemed so changed. The girl who used to look ready to devour everyone, including her brothers, had become much weaker than even when she was young.

“Strategist.”

“…”

Chel looked Parphale straight in the eye and spoke.

“Strategist, I understand your reasoning for suggesting an alliance with Serpina. Certainly, if we don’t have to worry about the northern front for a while, we could effectively defend against the southern armies including Hesna. But what about after six months? Even if we extend the alliance, what do you plan to do after that? Do you truly believe focusing solely on holding onto our current territories is the best course?”

“We cannot afford to lose any more territories. We’ve already gone too… far around.”

At first, it was fine.

In the beginning, before Parphale was imprisoned – maybe pulling all soldiers and generals back to Anel Castle would have worked. Perhaps when the Serpina Army invaded, they would have quickly seized the territory, but we wouldn’t have lost too much since we had already declared it abandoned territory. We could have regrouped properly in Anel Castle.

But Serpina didn’t play along with the Brance Army’s plans. Instead, she added more border guards and stopped the invasion, leaving the Brance Army on its own.

Naturally, the anger of the generals and soldiers stationed in the practically abandoned border territories reached its peak. As time passed and manpower became available, there was no longer a need to focus everything on Anel Castle.

That is, while earlier losing territory quickly would have been advantageous…

Now, holding onto territory has become beneficial.

If only a quick decision had been made before losing Elgaim Castle, but alas, it couldn’t be helped. Even so, minimizing mistakes as much as possible now was Parphale’s thinking.

“General, I apologize, but shaking hands with Serpina is our only option right now.”

“So… are we simply supposed to follow along quietly? Shake hands with our enemies? With those who took the lives of our allies mere months ago?”

“…Yes.”

“!!!”

Hearing Parphale’s words, Chel was shocked and looked at Lin, but…

Lin, seated on the throne, turned her head away and avoided eye contact with her older brother.

“…Is that… so.”

“General Chel. I know it’s a difficult request, but please endure this humiliation for now. I beg of you.”

“…”

Without answering, Chel remained silent for a long time…

Then, after briefly bowing to Lin, he turned around.

“Let’s go, Kalintz.”

“…”

Normally he would have been punished for showing such disrespect to the ruler…

But Parphale could only watch them leave silently.

‘Even though many won’t understand now… when the results come, surely many will see things my way.’

Of course.

She knew there would be strong opposition to the alliance with the Serpina Army.

But since international relations are about gains, once the benefits are clear, they’ll change their minds and follow her decisions…

That was Parphale’s thinking.

Having achieved military merit on the battlefield, but always preferring to devise strategies from the rear rather than engage in direct combat…

Being more interested in military treatises than people themselves, she couldn’t help but think this way…

And Lin, who should have been controlling her, was instead heavily relying on Parphale in this serious situation.

With numerous mistakes causing the Brance Army’s national strength to be halved, Lin found it difficult to wield absolute power as before.

Shall we punish Chel?

When he fought on the front lines against the Serpina Army despite being injured…

Making him an enemy in this situation would be foolish. Quietly, there were quite a few generals loyal to the Brance Army who looked to Chel even if they weren’t personally loyal to Lin.

Originally, Lin wasn’t someone who gained her throne through popularity but through achievements, so naturally there weren’t many who followed her personally.

‘…It’s fine. We just need results.’

By the way, speaking of Serpina…

Not long ago, there were rumors that the Eishias Army was selling prisoners, and now she’s demanding that we bring our ruler directly to Einhardt Castle if we want an alliance.

There’s no way we could let someone so wicked rule the world.

‘I will definitely prove that the ruler I chose was the right one.’

Thus, Parphale pushed forward with what she believed to be the most beneficial decision for the Brance Army.

Even though she was intelligent…

She wasn’t someone who could lead people with charisma.

* * *

Leaving behind some uneasiness…

An envoy party was formed solely for the purpose of allying with the Serpina Army.

Lin and Parphale, along with a few dozen armed escorts and over ten thousand soldiers.

Though originally wanting to bring Chel or Kalintz as vanguards, Parphale judged it unnecessary to provoke them further.

Though entering enemy territory, the purpose was an alliance, and even if Serpina were a crazy witch, she wouldn’t dare touch the ruler of another country, especially the ruler of the Brance Army.

Doing so would destroy whatever remaining popularity she had, both domestically and internationally.

Parphale asked Lin, who was staring blankly at the envoy party:

“Master, are you prepared?”

Though it was a simple question about readiness – more precisely, it was asking about mental preparation.

“…Yes.”

That’s right.

She didn’t want to make mistakes anymore.

She didn’t want to stubbornly cling to her pride and lose Iren again in such a foolish way.

Parphale’s words were sound. If following her advice meant losing only pride, then that was obviously something that had to be discarded.

“Understood. We’ll depart soon, please board the carriage.”

“Got it.”

Thus, the envoy party, including Lin, set off on a long journey from Anel Castle to Einhardt Castle in the Northern Continent.