Chapter 154

Finally, we’ve formed an alliance with the Brance Army for six months.

During this time, I was incredibly curious about what might happen within the Brance Army… but upon seeing Lin, who looks like a human whose screws are completely loose, it’s clear the Brance Army will likely squander this opportunity and crumble.

Then again, will the southern nations take their place instead?

If the continent reorganizes in such a manner, it would certainly benefit Luna from a balance perspective, yet it seems she hasn’t risen in rebellion and is spending her time somewhere else.

Given who she is, I’m not overly worried, but honestly, I can’t help but wonder if she’s doing well.

By the way, what happened to Jinoru?

Is he still affiliated with the Aishias Army?

Back when we were together, he was always hard to read… but if he received my letter and made up his mind, perhaps he joined Lady Luna. Or maybe he became a wanderer or chose some other path—there are many possibilities.

“Damn, I really can’t foresee even a single step ahead.”

If only I could freely input any question into my own mind without limits…

Considering that in this game world I’ve been transported to, you need someone to ask a question before offering advice—it’s supposedly authentic, but does authenticity even matter now that it’s reality?

Of course, I’ve benefited greatly from this authenticity before, so I have no complaints.

Even though I have no idea how things will unfold in the future—

There’s one thing I’m certain of:

“I must absolutely protect Lady Serpina’s life.”

The condition for this country, or rather the Serpina Army, to become a unified nation is simple: Serpina stepping down from the throne.

However, Serpina is a young and brilliant female monarch highly trusted within the nation. She’s far too healthy to expect illness, and both the territories’ people and commanders hold her in extremely high regard. Although intermittent rebellions occur, they’re all remnants of the past Crown Prince succession war and carried out in utmost secrecy. Conversely, this proves that without hidden motives tied to the old regime, there’s no valid reason to oppose her.

At that moment,

A fundamental question arose in my mind.

“How exactly does she die?”

If she directly visited the Brance Army, she would have died.

Based on my 100% accurate predictions, this conclusion is undeniable.

Would she be assassinated inside the Brance Army?

That’s unlikely since she wouldn’t go alone, and we have the upper hand, so there’d be no reason to visit Anel Castle.

But if there’s a result, there must be a process leading to it, right?

“Serpina… why does she die?”

Although it’s something that won’t happen, I can’t help but wonder why.

* * *

The last person to bid farewell to the Brance Army delegation was Iren.

Lin, after fainting from losing consciousness, has refused to speak to me ever since.

Or rather, she walked away silently, pale-faced like a sick patient, without uttering a word, as if she had no pulse at all. Her eyes, which never acknowledged me, were empty, devoid of any ambition.

“…”

After silently dismissing Parphale, who looked at me with mixed emotions while taking care of her lord,

Iren slowly returned to where Serpina was to report.

“Lord. The Brance Army delegation has just departed from Einhardt Castle.”

“Hmm. Thank you for your efforts, Iren.”

“…”

Iren carefully observed Serpina’s expression.

It was… cold.

Yet strangely, there was a sense of humanity in that coldness.

Why did she—

Show Swoen and herself off so ostentatiously to Lin?

At that moment,

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

“Eh? Ah… um, it’s nothing.”

Iren bowed her head, looking apologetic, but

Serpina closed her eyes slightly, as if signaling it was fine to speak.

“It seems you don’t understand my actions.”

“Would I dare say I don’t understand the actions of my lord?”

“Isn’t pondering your ruler’s decisions a personal freedom? It doesn’t matter to me. In fact, anyone might think my treatment of Lin is cruel.”

“It’s not that—”

“Still.”

Serpina slowly opened her eyes and gazed at Iren.

“I admit there’s personal bias involved.”

“Bias, my lord?”

“Yes. I simply cannot forgive Lin’s choice.”

Forgive?

Though it seemed there was a deep rift between them, despite being rulers of rival nations, there didn’t appear to be any personal grudges… Was there something I wasn’t aware of?

“You mean… a choice?”

As soon as Iren cautiously asked,

Serpina, as if waiting for the question, replied while looking into Iren’s violet eyes.

“The choice to abandon you.”

“!”

“She drove you to the brink and even tried to take your life. Doesn’t she deserve to know the consequences of her decision? As a bonus, losing the miraculous mage who once stopped our army with magic-like power must be heartbreaking for her. But…”

Serpina clenched her fist slightly.

Her dry, emotionless voice filled the space shared only by Iren and herself.

“I simply couldn’t forgive her. She never even considered how you felt… acting rashly and arrogantly. That’s why I specially invited you and Swoen here—to remind her that her foolish choices led to irreversible results.”

“My lord…”

Iren felt purely grateful toward her.

Serpina was angry at Lin—not the usual anger between warring nations, but something more personal.

And the reason for her anger…

Was for herself.

“I truly hate those who betray people, especially those who swear loyalty.”

After saying this, Serpina sighed briefly and resumed her emotionless expression.

“That was quite a long conversation. Nonetheless, I shall express gratitude for following my lead. Seeing your former lord must not have been pleasant either.”

“No, my lord… Thank you for considering me.”

Iren bowed deeply.

Since leaving Lin, one thing that hadn’t changed was her absolute loyalty to Swoen.

But… a genuine sense of gratitude toward Serpina was blooming in her heart.

I wondered if I would have served Lady Serpina if it weren’t for Swoen, but ironically, I wouldn’t have met Serpina at all if it weren’t for him.

She was a tyrant after all—a cunning witch disrupting the peace of the continent.

“…”

Serpina, too, was lost in thought.

Did helping Iren stem from pure goodwill?

Was it solely for her sake?

Perhaps not entirely true.

It wasn’t completely false either, since her anger toward Lin for mistreating Iren was real.

But—

If that were all, she wouldn’t have gone so far as to crush Lin.

She chuckled bitterly at her hypocritical self, then recalled the person she truly wanted.

Swoen. The white-haired mage she kept encountering in her dreams. The man presumed to possess the power of the ‘Mind’s Eye.’

Someone who exerts an inexplicable pull.

Since Swoen seemed to care deeply for Iren, it was inevitable that Iren would become special to Serpina as well.

“Swoen. This is my sincere wish. If I can obtain you, I’ll do anything.”

Though he’s now unconsciously called “Lady Serpina,”

One day, if I can push aside the unnamed figure lingering in his heart and become his sole ‘lord’…

Another purpose has arisen for Serpina, who had lived solely to unify the continent.

* * *

After securing the alliance and heading back,

Parphale approached the soldier driving the carriage and asked cautiously.

“How is the Lord?”

“The same. She hasn’t said a word… hasn’t eaten and only drinks minimal water.”

“I see…”

After fainting while screaming for Swoen and regaining consciousness,

Lin has spent her time in silence, like a living corpse.

No matter how much anyone talks to her, there’s no response, and no answers come when instructions are sought. Her once lively eyes have long turned dull.

Thus, adjusting the return journey and directing the delegation fell to Parphale, the Nation’s Strategist.

Fortunately, Parphale’s influence within the Brance Army was good, so everyone followed her orders without hesitation.

“Now, she’s just deeply saddened and shocked over losing Swoen. But… surely, once we return and achieve proper results, Lady Lin will return to her former self.”

All Parphale could do was stay positive and prepare for the future.

While contemplating ways to counter the Hesna Army day and night, one day,

A soldier approached Parphale cautiously and spoke.

“Parphale-dono. We should change our return route.”

“Is there a reason?”

The soldier wore a troubled expression and reported the already evident fact.

“It seems… there’s been a landslide blocking the shortest pass through the valley. We’ll have to detour.”

“I see.”

Why now of all times?

We need to quickly return to Anel Castle to reorganize the southern front… but there’s nothing we can do about facts already set.

“…Understood. Let’s adjust the route.”

“Yes.”

Thus, Parphale took a longer path back with Lin, who had lost all motivation.

The blocked road due to the landslide.

To the Brance Army, this ‘fact’ was merely a tedious time-wasting inconvenience.

*

But.

This ‘fact’ began to take on an entirely different meaning elsewhere, outside the Brance Army.