Chapter 176

Having finished preparations to head out early in the morning…

“Well then, let’s be off.”

“I’ll be back.”

“Please come back safely, Master. Sir Swoen.”

“Huh, fight hard…!”

After exchanging farewells with the Head Maid and Miss Reika who saw us off…

Iren of Amire and I began walking side by side toward the Royal Palace.

“It’s been quite a while since we’ve done this together, hasn’t it, Lady Iren?”

“Hmm?”

“Why? Does it bring back old memories? That time when you asked me to walk a bit further away from you.”

“Ah…”

Lady Iren smiled faintly at my words.

“That was indeed the case. Back then, I thought it would inconvenience you otherwise. Ah, good morning.”

Even as we walked along, many people recognized her and greeted her first.

Since becoming Deputy Commander, she seemed to have established her own standing within the Serpina Army. There were even some commanders who followed her, though on a small scale.

As for how I felt…

Watching Lady Iren interact with those who greeted her made me realize just how much things had changed.

Now she exchanged greetings with so many people, but back then, no one even acknowledged Lady Iren.

Though Seto’s devastated Brance Army and Lin Brance’s disheveled expression were rather pitiful, seeing Lady Iren’s smile gave me no sense of guilt.

I had merely protected the person I needed to protect.

“I’ve never regretted it once.”

Turning her head, she met my gaze with her violet eyes.

“Because I took Lady Iren’s side.”

“Swoen…”

“If the same situation happened again, no matter how many times, I’d do exactly the same thing, Lady Iren.”

Lady Iren said nothing but stared at my face intently before finally nodding with a soft smile.

“Yes.”

Just the other day, I thought I might get lost in Serpina’s enchanting smile.

But looking at Lady Iren’s maddeningly lovely expression now, I realized anew that human affairs can’t be so easily determined.

Truly beautiful, Lady Iren is.

A beauty that certainly doesn’t fall short of Lady Serpina’s.

Arriving at the palace entrance…

The Deputy Commander of the Occupying Forces had somewhere else to go.

Probably a different level from someone like me, just an ordinary commander.

“Swoen, then I’ll see you later.”

“Yes.”

After seeing Lady Iren off, I arrived at the meeting room alone.

There were already quite a few people gathered in the meeting room.

Seeing so many unfamiliar faces made me think I should perhaps get more involved in central politics.

“Eh? Sir Swoen!”

“?”

Turning at the sound of someone calling my name, a woman I knew stood before me.

“You remember me? It’s been such a long time!”

She smiled brightly upon seeing me, though honestly, I wasn’t particularly thrilled to see her.

We only briefly met during my time with the Brance Army.

Still, as a social person, giving an appropriate friendly response would be the right thing to do.

“What a surprise meeting you here, Miss Silin.”

“Actually, I knew you were here, Sir Swoen!”

“You did?”

“I heard from Lady Iren!”

Apparently, Silin was Lady Iren’s roommate.

Come to think of it, what are the odds of such coincidences?

It’s not like we’re some kind of Brance Army alumni association, yet here we are meeting like this…

“In any case, nice to see you. If we ever get a chance to work together again, let’s give it our best!”

After exchanging pleasantries with Silin, I wondered how much time had passed…

There were quite a few people gathered in the meeting room, and I could see Lady Iren positioned prominently up front where important figures would be.

‘She’s risen far.’

Then, after some time passed…

The quiet meeting room echoed with footsteps as the golden-haired Absolute Ruler, Serpina, slowly approached and sat on the throne.

Jena followed behind her.

Serpina’s presence was extremely elegant, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Have you arrived, my Lord?”

“Indeed. Thank you for waiting.”

Serpina asked Jena, the Nation’s Strategist, who was beside her.

“Are all present?”

“Yes, they are.”

“…”

She silently looked around before rising and extending a hand, saying:

“Then let us begin the regular meeting of our Serpina Army.”

“Yes!!”

With the voices of countless commanders resounding, the regular meeting began.

“First, let’s start with reports from the Ladies.”

One by one, the Ladies came forward to report on the current status.

This part took longer than usual because the Serpina Army oversaw far more territories than any nation I had encountered.

All of the Northern Continent and parts of the Central Continent. Indeed, the Serpina Army could undoubtedly be called the absolute power of the continent at this point.

After the Ladies’ reports concluded,

a few light merit awards were given out before the main topic began to emerge from her lips.

“Then, let’s set the direction for our army. If anyone has good suggestions, feel free to speak up.”

At that moment…

“May I offer my opinion?”

A middle-aged man sitting at the front of the left row raised his hand and spoke.

“This person…”

I felt like I had seen this face before.

He was one of the generals we often encountered when dealing with the Serpina Army.

Certainly, his name was Cranfis.

“Speak, Cranfis.”

See? My memory isn’t dead yet. After all, I’ve played this game for ten thousand hours.

“Our entire occupying force has been sharpening our swords waiting for this moment. I believe now is the time to move. We must mobilize all available troops and conquer four territories of the Aishias Army at this opportunity. My Lord, please make the decision!”

Cranfis bowed deeply after speaking.

In other words, he was suggesting we immediately march south and begin an occupation campaign.

It’s not an unreasonable decision. If it weren’t for the prediction given to me by my Divinity 100 brain, I probably would have said something similar.

The massive threat of the Brance Army has been split into three parts, the southern nation is still unsettled, and the Aishias Army is struggling to defend itself.

Isn’t this the best timing to move?

“Is there any other opinion?”

‘Show your ability, is that what this means?’

I sighed quietly inside before

slowly raising my hand.

“My Lord.”

At the sound of my voice, the gazes of many gathered here focused on me.

Serpina met my eyes and flashed a very subtle smile that few would notice before…

telling me to speak, “Speak, Swoen.”

And it felt like she was saying she trusted me…

“The choice to position the occupying forces throughout the continent for patrols while focusing on internal governance seems excellent.”

That’s how I brazenly stated it.

Upon hearing my suggestion to deploy the occupying forces across the continent and focus on internal governance, quite a few people, including Cranfis who had previously offered his opinion, shot me curious looks. However, I paid them no mind and kept my gaze solely on Serpina’s eyes.

“…Alright. Is there anyone else who wishes to propose something?”

Afterwards, opinions might have come forth, but it was surprisingly quiet.

Perhaps they didn’t want to directly oppose Cranfis, or maybe ‘fight’ and ‘don’t fight’ were the only viable opinions that could be presented at this point, thus setting up a 1:1 confrontation between me and Cranfis.

“If there are no additional proposals, I will now ask for the overall consensus. First, those who agree with Cranfis’ opinion, please raise your hands.”

At these words, most of the commanders on the occupying force side raised their hands.

Interestingly enough, though fortunately, the number didn’t seem to reach a majority at first glance.

About half raised their hands, but it definitely didn’t feel like a majority.

Notably, Jena, who stood beside Serpina, also raised her hand.

Given that she was the Nation’s Strategist, Serpina looked at her with an amused expression and asked,

“Ho. Jena. You agree with Cranfis’ opinion?”

“Yes.”

“I’d like to hear a brief explanation if possible.”

“Before that, may I request one favor?”

“Let me hear it and decide accordingly.”

“After my explanation, please allow another round of voting.”

She’s coming on stronger than expected.

Serpina calmly asked without showing any sign of confusion,

“So you’re trying to persuade them?”

“Yes.”

Serpina nodded and said,

“I think it would be unfair to only give you such an opportunity.”

Jena glanced at me and suggested,

“How about giving the opposing side a similar opportunity?”

“That’s fair,” Serpina agreed, directing it at me, “What do you think, Swoen?”

The ball suddenly came flying to me, but I calmly replied without hesitation,

“No problem.”

Only then did Jena nod lightly and began her explanation,

“The biggest concern regarding occupation is undoubtedly the defense line of the Aishias Army. The Aishias Army gathers highly renowned and capable commanders, and its castle defenses are solid, making them difficult to breach – that’s an undeniable fact. However, with the Brance Army in chaos, it’s not a place our army can’t occupy.”

“There may be some losses during the process, but we don’t have another opportunity to invest time in the Aishias Army. If we can somehow bring about their downfall, the continent’s landscape will change significantly. Once the chaos within the Brance Army settles down, everything will become much harder. Therefore, considering the optimal timing to occupy the Aishias Army is now, I hope you take this into account.”

After her explanation ended,

“Then, I’ll ask again. Those who agree with Cranfis’ opinion may raise their hands immediately.”

Again, quite a few commanders raised their hands.

Different from before, this time it clearly seemed to exceed the majority.

In other words, they had been persuaded by the Nation’s Strategist, Jena.

After appropriately assessing the situation, Serpina spoke again,

“Good. Now, those who agree with Swoen’s opinion may raise their hands immediately.”

Following Serpina’s words…

Most of the remaining individuals began raising their hands.

Lady Iren, as expected, supported my side.

Just knowing she trusts me enough to support me fills me with gratitude.

“Then, shall I persuade next?”

“Please wait a moment.”

At that moment,

Jena interrupted me, who was pondering what to say,

“Since Sir Swoen is the proposer of the opinion, I believe it’s fair to listen to others’ opinions at this point.”

“…Pardon?”

“Isn’t Sir Swoen also not the proposer of the opinion like Cranfis?”

‘Aha.’

Jena’s logic was this:

Since Cranfis himself didn’t conduct the second persuasion, it’s logical for someone else from our side to do the persuading instead.

Thinking why she insists on going this far, the answer comes quickly.

‘She’s checking on me.’

Just as many people check on Lady Iren, I’m also a target of scrutiny.

Moreover, I’m in a situation where strange rumors are spreading due to my connection with Lady Serpina.

It’s not unnatural for Jena, the Nation’s Strategist, to be wary of me.

So, what’s the best way to handle this?

Initially, starting this ‘persuasion’ was her idea, so there’s no need for me to comply entirely.

Serpina will surely support my side, so I was thinking of subtly bringing up the matter here to prevent unnecessary pressure, when…

“Strategist, may I speak at this point?”

“…”

A voice unexpected at this moment rang out from among the crowd who had raised their hands.

The owner of the voice was none other than the promising spearman with black hair and a handsome appearance— Irian Al Caskey.