Chapter 235

* * *

Inside the Audience Chamber of the Royal Palace of Einhardt Castle, the capital of the Serpina Army.

“So, you’re saying they’ve declared war?”

“Yep. Just as you predicted, it seems they’re targeting our Serpina Army.”

Serpina, seated on the throne, spoke, and I nodded in response before offering my advice.

“Send an order immediately to Kelshtain Castle.”

“An order? What kind of order?”

“Make sure no one can enter or leave. We’ll need to seal off everyone, including the continent’s civilians, our commanders, and soldiers alike.”

“…”

She slowly nodded, clearly understanding the implications of my words.

“Will that be enough?”

“Fortunately, the terrain around the Kelshtain territory is rugged. If we block the surrounding roads, we should effectively cut off any inflow from the Central Continent. And…”

“And?”

“If the disease starts spreading, please ensure everyone minimizes outside contact.”

“I see. Understood.”

It must be a plague. Given how things have unfolded according to plan, the chances of it not being a plague are slim at this point.

The question now is just how severe this plague will be. At the very least, our army should be safe—if not, there’s no way this would’ve been deemed the most efficient method.

“Oh, and may I make another request?”

“Anything. Speak your mind.”

“Please appoint General Irian as the temporary Lady of Kelshtain Castle.”

A few months ago…

Irian had successfully prevented a major disaster thanks to my advice. That incident deepened Serpina’s trust in me, and I couldn’t forget it even if I tried.

If my memory serves me right, that disaster was indeed a plague. Though I don’t know what methods he used, his wisdom will surely benefit us.

“Very well. It was necessary anyway since we were reorganizing the troops near the borderline.”

“Thank you kindly.”

The dice have been cast, whether for better or worse.

All that remains now is figuring out why THIS is considered the most efficient approach…

Alright, Yuuri-sama, how do you think this will play out?

* * *

At the base camp of the Aishias Army.

Epinel, leading the vanguard, returned to the camp after turning her horse around and reported to Yuuri.

“Is it true?”

“Yeah. Not only were there no troops stationed, but there was only a white flag fluttering atop the watchtower.”

“They’re surrendering? The Serpina Army?”

At Anima’s side, Epinel scratched the back of his head awkwardly as he replied.

“It’s true!”

“…”

Everyone knew the importance of Hisfil Castle all too well.

Even after Serpina’s forces halted their advance, conflicts along the borderline were avoided partly because Hisfil Castle, though not on par with Kelshtain or Anel Castles, was still highly advantageous for defense.

There was even a time when she herself struggled fiercely to capture that castle—though the outcome wasn’t exactly favorable.

Still, it seemed absurd that someone like Serpina would simply hand over such valuable territory without reason.

“Could it be a trap…?”

But what kind of trap would involve giving up an entire important stronghold?

Anima couldn’t easily come up with an answer, nor could anyone else, no matter how smart.

“Should we proceed into the castle?”

“There might be a trap…”

Yuuri turned to Anima with a questioning look.

“It does feel suspicious… but predicting what kind of trap it might be is impossible. Besides, from Serpina’s perspective, does setting a trap even make sense once they lose Hisfil Castle?”

“Did we definitely declare war?”

“Yeah.”

“…Huh. So, did they really give up the territory?”

“Hmm…”

Any ordinary vassal might conclude that they abandoned the land out of fear of us. But given that it’s Serpina, we can’t jump to conclusions so easily.

“Something feels off… Is pushing our troops forward really the right move?”

Right as Anima hesitated,

“Why don’t we just go ahead?”

Epinel suggested, causing Yuuri to tilt her head in confusion.

“You mean, just charge in?”

“Exactly. They’ve raised the white flag, so they won’t start a fight. We should take possession of it. What if the Chel Army or Kalintz Army—or even Hesna Army within range—takes it instead?”

“But this whole situation feels weird…”

Epinel then addressed Anima seriously.

“Look, I get why you’re hesitant, Anima. But unless you can provide solid reasoning against moving forward, I can’t follow your lead, can I? You know that better than anyone, right?”

“…”

“If this is truly Serpina’s trap, explain precisely what she hopes to gain from setting it.”

Epinel’s argument was sound.

An enemy waving a white flag isn’t going to stay that way forever.

Besides, this is Hisfil Castle! A place she once tried desperately to conquer but failed, suffering humiliation in the process!

And there’s always the possibility that armies like Kalintz or Chel could seize Hisfil Castle if we hesitate.

“In any case, the decision rests with you, Yuuri. Do you agree with Anima’s concerns? If so, we won’t enter.”

“…”

Ultimately, the final call—and the responsibility for it—rested on Yuuri, who stood above them all.

After a moment of contemplation, she slowly nodded and spoke.

“We’ll go in.”

“Yuuri…”

“Serpina might have something planned, as you suspect, Anima. But if she does, I want to face her head-on rather than run away.”

Yuuri looked earnestly between Epinel and Anima.

“If we can’t defeat Serpina, we’ll never achieve supremacy over the world. If this is her trap, I intend to confront her directly.”

Why was it?

Watching Yuuri speak confidently, Anima began to wonder if her own worries were meaningless.

Yeah. With all five of us together, what do we have to fear?

If we could logically deduce her scheme and avoid it, doing so might be foolish—but in this situation, drawing a conclusion felt impossible.

“Alright then, let’s proceed. Any objections?”

“Yeah. Let Erhandorf know too.”

“Got it. See you later.”

With that, Epinel mounted her horse and quickly disappeared from sight.

Hisfil Castle.

The stronghold that once pushed Anima to the brink of death but remained unclaimed… was finally falling into the hands of the Aishias Army.

* * *

When Epinel led her troops through the wide-open gates and entered the Royal Palace, everything seemed normal—at least, normal under the assumption that this was part of a trap.

“The territorial people… were forcibly mobilized to develop the Northern Continent?”

“That’s correct…”

Within Hisfil Castle, there wasn’t a single armed soldier from the Serpina Army.

Not only were there no armed soldiers, but not a single soldier remained.

Apparently, the white flag had been hastily placed by the remaining territorial people upon hearing that the Aishias Army was advancing.

“So this castle is empty?”

“In essence, yes. I don’t have much more detail than that…”

“What is this…?”

Was she trying to abandon this land?

It was strange not only that she’d withdrawn all armed personnel and soldiers but also that she’d forcibly relocated the territorial people. There was no clear logic behind such actions.

“Eh, whatever. This isn’t the first time Serpina’s actions have been incomprehensible.”

Deciding that trying to find meaning in the actions of an irrational tyrant was pointless, Epinel let out a hollow laugh.

In any case, after securing the castle, she informed both Yuuri and Anima, who had arrived from the base camp.

“What do you think, Anima?”

“What am I supposed to think…?”

The sole reason Anima couldn’t make sense of it all:

There was nothing Serpina could possibly gain from these actions.

Forcibly relocating the territories to the undeveloped north made no practical sense.

Moreover, no matter how erratic a tyrant she might be, it was hard to believe Serpina would make such a foolish decision.

Though she still hated Serpina deeply, she didn’t consider her a thug.

“Alright.”

Yuuri’s hand rested on Anima’s shoulder as she broke her train of thought.

“I don’t know what her scheme is, but we’ve taken Hisfil Castle. We’ll continue fighting the Serpina Army and win. Victory will solve everything.”

Listening to Yuuri, Anima hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“…Okay. I’ll follow your decision, Yuuri.”

“Thanks.”

Thus, they suppressed the growing unease lurking in the corners of their hearts.

Praying that all of this was merely an unfounded worry…