Chapter 221

“Perhaps he might be with the Serpina Army at the moment… But lately, I’ve been in seclusion, so I don’t really know much. In truth, it’s most likely that he was captured and is being detained somewhere. My apologies for not being more helpful to you, my Lord.”

Jinoru deliberately stated that Swoen was being detained by Serpina, avoiding any unnecessary provocation of Luna’s temper.

Though uncertain, something about the situation made him feel this was what he should say in front of Luna.

Unaware of his intentions, Luna slowly nodded, composing herself.

“No, that alone… is enough.”

Just knowing where Swoen currently was felt sufficient.

So, Swoen-sama is… being detained by the Serpina Army, huh.

The thought crossed her mind that perhaps the story Violet told wasn’t just idle gossip after all.

She couldn’t tell what purpose she had for exchanging hostages and Swoen.

But then again, isn’t that what tyrants do?

Maybe it was a fleeting whim, some twisted hobby, or perhaps they coveted Swoen-sama’s abilities and acted recklessly.

Whatever the case, just knowing he was still alive brought her some satisfaction.

At that point, another question came to mind.

Why was Swoen-sama with the Aishias Army?

“Excuse me… may I ask a few more questions?”

“Of course, my Lord.”

“Why did Swoen-sama… end up with the Aishias Army? I thought he would surely be with the Brance Army…”

Jinoru stroked his beard for a moment.

“I don’t know everything, but…”

“It’s fine. As I said, even a partial explanation would suffice.”

“He betrayed the Brance Army and defected to our forces.”

“Wha-? Betrayal?”

“Yes.”

Swoen-sama betrayed them?

Why?

No, from Swoen-sama’s perspective, it would be different from how I betrayed Karelia.

There’s no way someone as arrogant as Lin would have taken Swoen seriously, and besides, having Swoen-sama in the Brance Army was practically like stealing him away from me.

Still, why would he defect to the Aishias Army?

For some reason, I’m strangely curious about why Swoen betrayed them.

Is this a ruler’s intuition, or…

“By any chance, do you know why?”

―Could it be a woman’s intuition?

“Reason… I don’t know exactly why Sir Swoen betrayed them. He didn’t act alone. More accurately, it’d be better to say he followed someone who betrayed first.”

“Huh? Followed someone?”

“There was a knight who defected alongside him.”

“…Huh?”

Upon hearing the word “knight,” Luna’s eyes began to grow cold again.

“Judging from the circumstances, it seems likely he followed her. They seemed quite close.”

“????”

What?

Close?

Close enough to betray together?

The reason he left the Brance Army, betrayed them, and joined the Aishias Army… could it really be because of that?

Luna’s fingertips grew cold.

Of course, logically speaking, it’s not hard to accept.

This is something Swoen-sama did, so there must be a reason. I also know I have no right to comment on whatever path he chose after leaving the Brance Army.

Besides, if this betrayal means anything, it will eventually come back to me too, won’t it?

Whoever he meets along the way shouldn’t matter.

After all, Swoen and I weren’t in a lord-vassal relationship, were we?

So rationally speaking, this shouldn’t be such a shocking story…

But why…

Why does my heart feel so heavy?

This feeling is different from when I learned Yuri sold Swoen.

Whereas that was pure anger, what I feel now… is something deeper, more intimate.

Though Luna hadn’t yet realized what this emotion was, anyone observing her focus would easily recognize it as an extremely human sentiment.

At that moment, her feminine instincts screamed louder than ever.

“Um… what is the name of that knight?”

“A renowned general. You must know of Iren Julieat, the specialist in siege warfare?”

“!!!!!!”

Iren Julieat.

Of course.

Of course, I know that name.

When Swoen-sama went to negotiate diplomacy with Lin during the decisive moment concerning Jeilrant Castle’s fate, the commander leading the Brance Army’s invasion against us was none other than Iren.

Yet…

How could the knight Swoen-sama apparently held in such high regard,

Someone he followed through betrayal, be the very same Iren who attacked our army?

While many things didn’t make sense, one detail stood out.

Why specifically…

A woman?

Why?!

Right now, her female identity was asserting itself stronger than ever.

* * *

Similarly,

Sitting across from her, Jinoru had observed every subtle change in her demeanor while narrating Swoen’s story. By now, he was nearly 100% certain.

Her shifting expressions and current attitude whenever Swoen was mentioned led to only one conclusion.

This person, Luna… holds Swoen in particularly high regard.

More than just a ruler cherishing her vassal.

That’s why she reacts so strongly to his news and can’t hide her emotions even in front of someone she barely knows.

‘…It seems explaining things straightforwardly wouldn’t be wise here.’

Whatever happened between them in the past remains unclear, but there’s no need to stir up old wounds unnecessarily.

After clearing his throat a few times, Jinoru cautiously spoke.

“But remember, this is merely speculation on my part, my Lord.”

“Speculation… you mean?”

“Yes. All we truly know is that the two defected together. The rest falls under conjecture. Until you hear directly from him, it’s best to consider everything else uncertain.”

Everything is speculative…

That was Jinoru’s best approach.

After all, this woman… this Lord kept addressing Swoen as “Swoen-sama.”

It sounded less like a ruler calling her vassal and more like a lady referring to her beloved.

Details are unclear, but tales of wives envying their husband’s other consorts aren’t exactly rare.

Bringing up Iren instead of Reika earlier turned out to be the right choice.

Initially,

He considered subtly hinting that Swoen might become his son-in-law to gain her trust.

However, judging by her reaction, he now knew this would not be a good decision for their ruler-vassal relationship.

Since it was only a potential scenario anyway, not mentioning it wouldn’t seem odd.

There’s no need to provoke her unnecessarily, especially regarding details about that knight… Iren.

Especially…

The expression Swoen wore when looking at Iren…

It would probably be best to keep that hidden forever.

Smartly, Jinoru had grasped the essence of the situation.

Meanwhile, Luna’s ruby eyes wavered upon hearing Jinoru’s words.

‘Speculation… speculation.’

Right.

If it’s just speculation…

No, even if it’s not… it shouldn’t be such a big deal, should it?

Swoen-sama’s words always turned out to be correct in the end, so there’s likely some unknown context behind all this.

Surely he has his reasons… With that thought, she managed to compose herself.

Finally calming her trembling body, Luna bowed her head again and spoke.

“Ah, I apologize. I must have appeared quite disheveled…”

“Not at all. As I mentioned before, it’s perfectly fine… May I ask one question, my Lord?”

“Yes, please.”

“How did you meet Sir Swoen?”

“Swoen-sama…”

Luna lowered her head, recalling their first meeting.

After visiting him five times, he finally agreed to join our side and consistently guided us with advice no one else could have offered at critical moments.

To Luna, Swoen was a guide, our nation’s strategist, a reliable partner in governance, a trustworthy vassal… and…

“…Swoen-sama is my savior.”

“My savior?”

“Yes. Though you might not know… I was once among the minor lords ruling a small territory in the Western Continent. If not for Swoen-sama… I likely would have lost my life to Lin Brance.”

Jinoru silently nodded, finally understanding why Swoen sent him here.

“So, Swoen’s ultimate destination was here, then.”

Though commonly believed that his initial rise was with the Brance Army,

Even before serving Lin, he had already been loyal to this woman – Lunarien.

Probably even during his time with the Aishias Army or after being transferred to Serpina’s custody, his loyalty remained unchanged.

Once the conversation concluded,

“I’ll take my leave first. Please call me when orders are needed.”

“Understood. Thank you for choosing our army… and for today’s discussion.”

In response, Jinoru deeply bowed and looked straight into Luna’s eyes.

“No, thank you for allowing me to serve. Please look after me well, my Lord.”

With that, Jinoru officially joined the newly formed Lunarien Army, re-emerging on the continent.

Piece by piece, the pieces Swoen had laid out across the land began converging toward her.