Chapter 231

* * *

“Hmm… so there was an order to withdraw all troops?”

“That’s correct.”

Cranfis, the commander-in-chief of the occupying forces and current interim Lady of Hisfil Castle, responded with a tone that betrayed his disbelief.

“Didn’t I clearly report that Aishias Army’s movements were suspicious?”

“Well, I did relay it exactly…”

“And the reply was to pull back the troops?”

“Yes.”

“Tch…”

Cranfis slumped into the throne seat with a grave expression.

‘I know our Lord wouldn’t give meaningless orders. But…’

To order a retreat when we had good chances in this defensive battle?

Is this… because our Lord doesn’t trust me?

It wasn’t unreasonable to think that she didn’t trust him enough to keep him here at such a crucial fortress.

But that theory crumbled easily.

If she didn’t trust him, why would she have appointed him as the interim Lady of Hisfil Castle, one of the most important strongholds?

If we lose Hisfil Castle, we’d have to retreat north again.

Given the difficulty in defending the smaller territories further north, we could be pushed back to Kelshtain Castle in no time.

Wouldn’t that mean we’d be back to square one before entering the Central Continent?

We achieved entry into the Central Continent at the cost of countless lives. Cranfis couldn’t accept retreating like this, no matter how many times he thought about it.

‘Or is this because of that white-haired man again?’

That white-haired strategist Sir Swoen who had been getting awfully close to Serpina lately.

Ever since he joined our army, Serpina’s incomprehensible orders had increased.

Swoen was someone Cranfis had met briefly before. He opposed the invasion plan.

Back then, with the rebellion, it made sense. But it seemed too much like coincidence. Now he was opposing this invasion too, making it seem like he didn’t care about unifying the continent at all.

Frankly, Cranfis never trusted Swoen.

How could you trust a man who had served so many different lords?

Moreover, Cranfis remembered vividly – the battle at the northern fortress of Kelshtain Castle where Julian was forced into retirement after being severely wounded.

That man was the one who dropped the boulder during that fight.

While changing sides during chaotic times isn’t necessarily shameful, how could Cranfis fully trust him when he kept advocating for staying in the Northern Continent after joining our army?

Honestly, Cranfis didn’t think Swoen was truly working for Serpina.

He suspected Swoen might secretly be serving another master entirely, given how he kept delaying our continental expansion.

Though Cranfis had investigated, trying to find any secret communications between Swoen and others…

Swoen avoided all external contacts, not even exchanging letters.

Without any concrete evidence, Knight Iren who came with him and Mage Reika whom he discovered had become key members of Serpina’s forces.

Though it felt uneasy…

From Cranfis’s perspective, there was nothing he could do about it.

‘I should probably consult with the Strategist about this…’

Just as Cranfis was pondering…

“Ahh, and there’s another message to relay.”

“What is it?”

The soldier in front bowed deeply and replied.

“Besides withdrawing troops, there’s also an order to relocate the Territorial People to the Untamed Lands of the Northern Continent.”

“…What?”

Upon hearing this, all his previous thoughts seemed futile.

She wasn’t avoiding battle, was she?

“Was no reason given?”

“Well, they just said it was for developing the untamed lands…”

“Tch…”

Relocating the people who had settled well in their territory would inevitably cause unrest among them.

Of course, it wasn’t without benefits for us. The new landowners would be disheartened by the sudden loss of population. Strategically, it wasn’t a completely foolish decision, assuming we were abandoning this castle anyway.

‘But the losses outweigh the gains…’

Could this strange order also be related to that man Swoen?

After thinking more, Cranfis realized he couldn’t solve this puzzle alone and turned to the soldier.

“Where is the Strategist now?”

“He’s likely still at Kelshtain Castle…”

Fortunately, it wasn’t too far away.

“I’m sorry to trouble you, but could you please head directly to where the Strategist is? If possible, tell him I wish to meet immediately. I’ll handle the response to our Lord separately.”

“Understood!”

As the soldier left, Cranfis leaned back on the throne, ceasing his thoughts.

What was Lady Serpina’s true intention?

Lately, Cranfis had begun to feel it was becoming harder to understand her thoughts.

* * *

A few days later…

“I heard you were looking for me, Sir Cranfis.”

“You’ve come, Strategist.”

Shaking hands lightly with National Strategist Jena who entered the Audience Chamber, Cranfis consulted her about his concerns.

“So our Lord ordered to withdraw all troops behind the Borderline?”

“That’s right. And furthermore-”

“Not only soldiers, but the relocation of the Territorial People as well, correct?”

“…Yes.”

“…”

Jena fell silent in thought.

As far as she knew, there was no need to relocate people to the barren northern untamed lands. It was precisely because the land was unsuitable for farming that it remained undeveloped.

There weren’t even proper mining prospects.

Thinking it was an incomprehensible order…

“Could this be influenced by Sir Swoen perhaps?”

“Sir Swoen, you say?”

“Don’t you know? How our Lord keeps him so close.”

Of course, Jena was aware of the rumors surrounding Swoen.

Indeed.

When Cranfis brought this up, he believed they could discuss together how to persuade their Lord to defend against Aishias Army.

However, the response was completely unexpected.

“Then there’s no choice but to withdraw the troops.”

“…Excuse me? Strategist, what do you mean by that? Is this really utilizing him? To retreat from a battle we have good chances of winning, and to hand over Hisfil Castle, gained at the cost of our comrades’ blood, without a fight?”

“While I can’t provide clear evidence…”

Jena nodded understandingly at Cranfis’s unspoken thoughts.

“I understand. But now is not the time to check him. Now is the time to thoroughly utilize him.”

“To utilize him? But… is it really right to abandon a winnable battle and hand over Hisfil Castle without a fight?”

“While I can’t explain with solid proof…”

Based on past experiences, Jena didn’t think Swoen was deliberately harming our army. If he wanted to harm us, there would be more definitive ways than sacrificing a couple territories, wouldn’t there?

“Definitive ways?”

“If Sir Swoen truly held hostile intentions toward our army, and if Lady Serpina were being manipulated by his silver tongue…”

Jena paused.

“Wouldn’t there be easier ways to bring about our downfall than this ambiguous method?”

“Ah… yes, that’s true…”

“Also, General Iren and Mage Reika maintain close relationships with him. Rather than unnecessarily antagonizing him, supporting him actively and making him an indispensable part of Serpina’s forces would bring greater long-term benefits to our army.”

“But is giving up the battle really correct?”

“No.”

Jena answered firmly.

“If it were merely about abandoning Hisfil Castle, I would share Sir Cranfis’s view… However, upon hearing about relocating the Territorial People, my perspective has changed.”

“Huh?”

“It occurred to me that our Lord’s true intention might not simply be about abandoning Hisfil Castle itself.”

“…???”

“I apologize. I’d like to explain further, but the story isn’t clear enough at this stage. Still, don’t worry too much about it.”

Though Cranfis wanted to press further…

Since it wasn’t Sir Swoen but National Strategist Jena who had always dedicated herself to our army, he could trust her words.

“…Understood. I will proceed according to our Lord’s orders.”

“That’s wise.”

Though he felt uneasy about Sir Swoen’s involvement…

Cranfis had no intention of opposing Lady Serpina, knowing how diligently she performed her duties.

As Jena left the Audience Chamber, she reflected.

‘Maybe…’

Maybe Serpina was about to create another miracle no one could foresee.

And if, as Cranfis suspected, this was all based on Sir Swoen’s advice…

‘There’s no need to jump to conclusions yet. Let’s see the results first.’

Having visited all the way to Kelshtain Castle, it was time to return to Einhardt Castle.

No matter what, once back at the castle, she’d be able to understand what was happening.

There would surely be many stories to hear after being away for so long.

“Ahh, Strategist.”

Mary greeted her as she exited the castle.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, Mary.”

“Not at all. This is my duty.”

“Shall we go then?”

“Yes!”

Thus, Jena finally concluded her lengthy assignment and took steps to return to where the National Strategist should be – right beside our Lord.