Chapter 209

Violet arrived at the manor with Tifa and Francis, to find most of the key figures already gathered.

“Big brother, you’re late.”

At the words of Charlotte, the second daughter who had come first and waited, Francis, the eldest son, tilted his head awkwardly and asked.

“What’s going on?”

“There’s something important Lord Luna wishes to say.”

“Luna?”

Nod.

For some reason, because of the rather solemn atmosphere, Francis didn’t press further and quietly waited for Luna’s appearance.

And then, after a little while—

“Did everyone wait long?”

A soft feminine voice accompanied by footsteps could be heard.

Her hair was an extremely bright yellow, like cream solidified into form, and her ruby-red eyes captivated gazes like strawberries placed atop a cake. Once a nameless, weak vassal who set out to save the continent, she now served as the Lady of Tevelo Castle, one of the most crucial strongholds of the Karelia Army in the Southern Continent, displaying remarkable prowess—

Lunarien Iniyan revealed herself before all present.

“I apologize for being late. I had something I needed to confirm briefly…”

“That’s fine. But why have you called us all here?”

This place was filled with people who could aptly be called the ‘Lunarien faction.’

First were Tifa and Cain, who had been with her since her days as a vassal. Then there were the three talented siblings Cain had requested—Francis, Charlotte, and Violet. And also, several commanders from the Karelia Army who, during her time as Lady of Tevelo Castle, were deeply impressed by Luna’s character and followed her closely. These individuals harbored significant resentment towards Vanessa’s unilateral actions and thus leaned heavily toward Luna, who stood against Vanessa despite being under the rule of Karelia.

Considering that this was the first time Luna had ever gathered them all in one place, it was indeed a rare situation.

“The matter is this: we’ve received a very important order from our Lord Karelia.”

“An order, you say…”

“A war, it seems.”

Cain, who had been listening silently beside them, furrowed his brow and asked. Luna looked into Cain’s eyes and slowly nodded her head.

“We are planning to deploy around 93,000 troops to Tevelo Castle in preparation for battle with the Ohana Army. Generals Aston, Knight Hutton, and Medea are expected to arrive here. The overall commander will likely… be me, as the Lady of the castle.”

“So that means…?”

She nodded at one of her following commanders’ inquiries.

“Yes. Everyone needs to prepare for battle. This will be quite a rare engagement for our Karelia forces, so mental preparation is necessary. I thought it would be good to discuss various matters regarding the upcoming battle with all of you present, which is why I’ve gathered you here.”

Saying this, Luna unfolded a map carefully.

It was a detailed map showing the southern continent surrounding Tevelo Castle.

“First off, let’s discuss which of the three neighboring castles we should attack. If anyone has any good suggestions, please raise your hand and speak freely.”

Just as she was about to start what seemed like a routine pre-battle military council…

“Hold on a moment.”

The one who raised their hand was Violet, the youngest but brightest strategist-in-training in the room. Even though she was still learning, instead of dismissing her, Luna addressed her with the seriousness one would give to a commander.

“Violet, do you have any good suggestions?”

“I’m not sure if it qualifies as ‘good,’ exactly.”

Violet sighed briefly, then looked straight into Luna’s eyes and dropped a bombshell—an idea Luna hadn’t even considered.

“Do you really intend to prepare for battle?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m asking if you, Lord Luna, truly intend to prepare for battle.”

Confused by Violet’s cryptic statement, Luna tilted her head and asked.

“Of course we must, right? It’s an order from our Lord—”

“Is your Lord Karelia?”

“Uh…yes?”

Taken aback by this question, Luna found herself momentarily speechless. Then Violet pressed on with a piercing gaze.

“Is it truly Lord Luna’s wish for all of us to assist Karelia in unifying the continent?”

By this point, even someone as perceptive as Luna couldn’t fail to understand what Violet was driving at.

“…What exactly are you talking about, Violet?”

“Are we certain aiding Karelia is the right path?”

Luna rested her hand on her forehead, sighed, and asked.

“You can tell me anything…please explain your thoughts clearly.”

“Betray Karelia.”

“!!!”

“We have over 90,000 troops rolling right into our hands. If the purpose enshrined in your heart is as grand as you’ve always proclaimed, I can confidently say there will never be a better opportunity than now.”

“…”

“Even in these chaotic times, Lord Karelia has bestowed great favor upon you. There’s a story I haven’t shared with everyone here: many within Madlen Castle opposed allowing an outsider like me to hold the position of Commander. Yet Lord Karelia trusted me. So isn’t it only proper to repay that trust?”

“To the contrary, that’s precisely why this is our only chance. If half or more of the Capital City’s factions are already scheming against you, your appointed position as Commander could easily be taken away at any moment. Besides, isn’t Vanessa effectively the true power behind the throne? And hasn’t she made it clear she doesn’t get along well with you?”

Violet was the sole witness to the heated argument between Vanessa and Luna. She was unusually mature and sharp for her age. It was impossible for her not to have picked up on the hostility Vanessa openly displayed toward Luna. Even Luna herself wasn’t blind to the fact that Vanessa was fiercely keeping tabs on her.

“So, if Lord Luna truly intends to reassert yourself as a noble ruler, this is an unparalleled opportunity. Therefore, betray Karelia. That is all I wanted to say.”

When they first met, Violet was just a shy young girl. Now, months later, her tongue wielded cunning phrases and sentences that only seasoned strategists could craft. Had I bought her too many military books?

Though Violet said no more, Luna could feel it—the atmosphere in the room had become peculiar. Looking around, she noticed no one appeared shocked by Violet’s audacious suggestion.

In fact, the situation was beginning to spiral out of control.

“Lord Luna!”

Mets, one of the armed followers of Luna stationed in Tevelo Castle, suddenly knelt down.

“Everyone knows Lord Luna once held grand ambitions as a noble ruler. Under the oppressive regime of Baroness Vanessa, the people of Karelia’s territories suffer greatly. As long as the premise remains helping the territorial people, does it truly matter who achieves it?”

“Mets! What are you saying…!”

“Mets is correct, Lord Luna.”

Charlotte, standing beside Mets, bowed her head and spoke.

“I am well aware Lord Luna holds lofty ambitions, as told to me by my uncle. Though I may not be as wise as Violet, I instinctively understand there won’t be a better opportunity than this while we’re still under the banner of Karelia.”

More voices chimed in supporting Violet’s suggestion. Thus, every single person gathered here—

—truly wished for Lunarien to stab Karelia in the back.

“…But…”

How could a vassal possibly act in such a manner? While it was true she had temporarily sought refuge and awaited her moment, she never intended to obtain her goals through such despicable means.

Moreover, through Cecil’s letter accompanying the news of her appointment as Commander, Luna understood fully how she came to occupy this position. Was she supposed to destroy with her own hands the trust Lord Karelia extended to her, overcoming even Vanessa’s objections purely because he believed in her?

Surely, this was not behavior befitting a human being.

Ruby-red eyes trembled more intensely than ever before. Up until that moment, Luna had not entertained even a fragment of thought about betrayal. She merely pondered how to calm this inexplicably heated atmosphere.

She had worked alongside these people. She knew full well what Vanessa had done, the injustices of her actions, and the deep resentment her comrades harbored against her. Nevertheless, did Karelia deserve such treachery? She simply couldn’t betray the trust Lord Karelia had placed in her, so somehow, she needed to persuade them otherwise.

But…

“Hey, Luna.”

Tifa, who had known Luna longer than anyone else present, pierced straight through her unspoken thoughts even before she could open her mouth.

“Eh…?”

“I know what you’re thinking.”

Tifa sighed briefly, scratching her head as she continued.

“We can’t keep playing pretend under someone else’s shadow forever, you know?”

“B-but…”

“I get it. I really do. Betrayal isn’t pleasant. There’s honor involved. I’ve watched closely how much Lord Karelia cherishes you, and I understand that too. You both are honorable people. I get all that. But listen…”

Then, in a tone far more serious than her usual playful banter—

“But we made a promise, didn’t we? With him.”

“!!!!!!”

Carefully treading on what could be considered the fatal weakness of Lunarien—

“He’s waiting for us, isn’t he? We can’t keep dragging our feet forever, can we?”

That’s right.

As Tifa said…he…

That man…

‘Sir Swoen…!!!’

Sir Swoen, the first and eternal Strategist of Lunarien, who sold himself to the Brance Army on their behalf, was waiting for them.