Chapter 226

* * *

“Thank you for your hard work, Strategist.”

“Not at all. Lady Merlen has worked hard as well. I will be sure to report all of your military accomplishments without fail, so please do not worry and continue to focus on your duties.”

“Leave it to me.”

With the report from Lady Merlen, ruler of Granail Castle located at the far west end of the Northern Continent, Jena’s mission was now over 80% complete.

All that remained was investigating Kelshtain Castle and its surroundings.

Though it wasn’t ideal for the Nation’s Strategist to be away from her post for so long, Serpina herself was quite sharp, and Jena’s role was firmly established in thoroughly supporting such a capable leader – so she didn’t feel too much concern.

What did worry her was something else entirely… though recent developments had started turning that situation around as well.

“Strategist.”

As Jena exited the Green Isle Royal Palace, a female commander approached her.

Mary, a new recruit who hadn’t been working directly under her for very long.

“Did you wait long?”

“Nope. Ah, I’ve done everything you asked! Please check it out!”

“I’m sure Miss Mary did an excellent job.”

Normally, the commander assisting Jena in these situations would have been Erin.

However, Erin had recently been executed after being discovered as part of the rebellion.

Both Serpina and Jena couldn’t help but realize just how disliked their liege must be by others.

“Now, are you heading straight back to the castle?”

“No, there’s still somewhere I need to check. We have to visit Kelshtain Castle.”

“Ah…”

Mary hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking, “But… is it really alright to proceed like this?”

“What do you mean?”

“S-sir Swoen…”

At those words, Jena immediately understood what Mary was trying to say.

Indeed.

Until recently, Jena had been wary of Swoen, the traitor. She believed that even if Serpina didn’t harbor any preconceived notions about outsiders, as the strategist, she should maintain stricter standards when dealing with them.

Everyone in the Serpina Army – from long-time veterans to recent recruits – seemed to keep inciting rebellions. Swoen’s presence stood out among them.

Not only had he traveled through several nations before being rejected by the Aishias Army and joining here, but what concerned her most was how unusually favored he seemed to be by Serpina.

Jena had kept a close eye on him at first. If he were to betray Serpina, the impact would far exceed anything caused by previous rebel groups.

However, after hearing that he’d brought a pink-haired mage to Serpna…

Jena completely rethought her stance.

“Swoen should be fine.”

“Is that so…? But not long ago, you said it wasn’t good for him to be away from his post for too long…”

“That was then, but things are different now. Trying to check or antagonize Swoen would only cause unnecessary losses for us.”

Even disregarding the fact that Commander Iren, who’d achieved great feats, was practically one with Swoen…

The conclusion was obvious.

Provoking Swoen and upsetting him would now result in greater harm to our army.

Especially given the talent pool depletion due to recent rebellions, Swoen’s value within the Serpina Army continued to rise day by day.

To the point where…

Jena had recently begun seriously considering whether arranging a marriage between him and Serpina might truly be the best path forward for their liege.

Anyway – Jena’s approach toward Swoen had changed.

From monitoring him closely…

To trying to get as close to him as possible.

“Well… if you say so, Strategist.”

Mary didn’t press further.

After all, in her opinion, no one in the Serpina Army was as intelligent as Jena aside from Lady Serpina herself.

“Shall we head out then?”

“Sure.”

And so, Jena set off toward Kelshtain Castle with Mary in tow.

Even the strategist of the so-called strongest nation was making necessary decisions to ensure her survival.

* * *

The capital of the Aishias Army: Falaharte Castle.

“So? Jinoru has resurfaced again?”

“Yeah.”

“The place where he showed up… was the Lunarien Army, which just rebelled against the Karelia Army?”

“That’s right.”

Upon hearing Anima’s report, Yuri immediately fell into thought.

‘Why…?’

Leaving our army to join mere rebels?

No matter how she looked at it, this wasn’t a sensible choice for the clever Jinoru.

She didn’t know all the details, but apparently the rebels had some justification for their uprising.

Plus, with Kyle von Einhardt’s supposed support – despite reports of his death – they now carried a name recognition that rivaled any influential vassal’s.

Still, joining them simply because of that didn’t make sense. They were still just a single territory, a flickering candle in the wind, liable to be extinguished at any moment.

“Do you know anything about Lunarien?”

“Not really. Doesn’t seem to be someone particularly well-known.”

“Why would Kyle attach himself to someone like that…?”

In response to Yuri’s question, Anima replied ambiguously.

“I’m not certain, but… the real mastermind might actually be Kyle.”

“Huh?”

“After all, the value of Kyle’s lineage only became significant after Serpina killed off all her other siblings. And given his age, founding and running a nation himself would have been burdensome. So maybe he put someone easily controllable in the spotlight while pulling the strings from behind?”

“Would he really take such risks at his age?”

“It’s just speculation. Still, there must be some reason. After all, this is the nation Jinoru chose.”

Anima said this before falling silent in contemplation.

“You think…”

“…Hmm?”

“Could that man… be related to Swoen somehow?”

“Eh?”

Facing Yuri’s total confusion, Anima explained hesitantly.

“Well… Jinoru’s resignation from our army was ultimately because of that incident…”

“…Yeah.”

“And since Swoen was deeply involved in that incident… Though explaining exactly how it relates is difficult, nothing comes to mind right now…”

‘That Jinoru joined the newborn rebel faction because of Swoen…’

Yuri tapped her fingers against the armrest, lost in thought.

“But if that’s true, shouldn’t Swoen also be on their side? According to the last report, he’s with the Serpina Army.”

“True. Honestly, I don’t know either. Maybe it’s just some old man’s whim, or perhaps he’s pinning his hopes on Kyle von Einhardt instead of Serpina…”

“…”

“Or do you have any evidence suggesting Jinoru needs Swoen to be in the same army?”

“Not exactly evidence… but…”

Yuri trailed off, reluctant to continue. She wanted to mention that Rayka, Jinoru’s adopted daughter and a mage, was with the Serpina Army, implying Jinoru would naturally join them too. However, revealing this would require admitting she’d personally sent the mage away.

While she hoped Anima would understand, bringing up such demoralizing information didn’t seem wise.

“Don’t worry, Yuri. At this stage, there’s no need to overthink things. No matter how much Kyle’s support helps, they’re still just rebels. Judging by their momentum, they’ll likely be dealt with by either the Karelia or Ohana Army soon enough.”

“Yeah…?”

“Yeah.”

Though her trusted friend and strategist spoke confidently, Yuri couldn’t shake the unease growing in her chest.

Swoen, who was currently active with the Serpina Army alongside a mage.

Jinoru, who abandoned us to join the rebellion led by a vassal whose status relied solely on Kyle von Einhardt’s backing.

Why she felt so uneasy, Yuri couldn’t explain, but it was instinct.

Something only she, among all the continent’s lords, could sense. To describe it…

―It was the intensity felt by someone who once held both men in her grasp.

“Anyway, cheer up, Yuri. We’ve got plenty to do ahead.”

“Alright…”

That’s right.

Regardless of anything else, hadn’t she managed to save Anima?

For now, all she could do was take comfort in knowing Anima was still alive.

The peaceful haven remained intact.

This miniature garden-like world hadn’t shattered yet.

“Anyway, that’s not important.”

“Huh? Oh… yeah. That’s right.”

Indeed.

She hadn’t called Anima here to reminisce about former members of our army.

“The preparations are complete. Just give the order whenever you’re ready, Yuri.”

“…”

Since sending away Swoen, Erin, and some armed forces and soldiers, the Aishias Army had spent considerable time recovering strength amidst prolonged turmoil, while the Brance Army split into three factions and the Serpina Army stayed inactive.

Being ready meant it was finally time to spread our wings again.

Which also meant Yuri’s moment of decision had arrived.

Realizing this was indeed the moment, Yuri slowly rose from her throne.

Then, looking at her irreplaceable strategist worth more than a thousand pieces of gold, she spoke.

“Gather everyone, Anima.”

“Understood.”

Yuri, Emma, Erhandorf, Epinal, and Anima.

The will of Aishias extended its hand toward the continent once more.

* * *