Chapter 24

* * *

At the gate of Jeilrant Castle.

Gustaf, the captain of the Raven Mercenary Unit, and Aaron, the captain of the Chirein Mercenary Unit, were exchanging final words with Lady Luna.

“Well then, please take good care of our soldiers.”

To Luna’s words, Gustaf bowed his head and replied.

“You don’t have to speak so formally. It’s fine.”

“Since now I’m no longer a vassal anyway.”

Hearing this, Gustaf made a wry expression before turning serious.

“At some point in history, when Lady Lunarien reappears on the stage, we will surely come to your aid.”

“Until that moment, please stay healthy.”

Aaron also bowed deeply.

“Well then.”

“We shall meet again, Lady Lunarien.”

With that, the two captains departed with their respective troops.

The mercenary units had been augmented by about seventy percent of the original Lunarien Army’s soldiers, divided evenly between them. Those who wished to retire from combat were allowed to remain as civilians, while the rest chose to continue as soldiers, likely adapting well within the mercenary ranks.

Now only around three thousand soldiers remained—those who would accompany Luna to the southern continent.

Considering supplies and movement speed, taking more would drastically slow them down.

Luna thought as she bid farewell to the captains. Having trained under Tifa, she was confident she could fulfill her role as a soldier—

Somehow, Swen’s voice advising her during training at the barracks came back to her.

“Lord Swen…”

If you trust me, I’ll place the world in your hands.

Could I really rebuild a nation?

Survive… and establish a new territory?

She closed her eyes slightly, resolving not to doubt herself anymore.

I can do this.

Of all people, I’ll absolutely trust Lord Swen.

Because Lord Swen said so, I can do it.

“Lord. We’re ready to depart.”

“Hmm…”

Cain’s voice snapped Luna out of her thoughts.

Two generals and three thousand soldiers.

Was it coincidence that this matched the size of our army before meeting Swen?

At that moment,

Tifa scratched her head and said,

“Geez, this is bothering me.”

“What’s wrong?”

Tifa bowed slightly before addressing Luna.

“Really… Is this truly the best course? Leaving someone like Swen behind in the castle—is that right? Are we just abandoning him? I really hate that idea.”

Apparently, Tifa viewed this as a cowardly act to preserve lives.

Shaking her head, Luna replied.

“No, Tifa. Lord Swen said this path leads to success. I trust him. No matter what happens.”

Tifa looked into Luna’s face.

Her crimson eyes sparkled with unwavering belief and trust.

“Hmph. I may be uneducated, but everything he’s said has been true, hasn’t it? If we don’t believe someone who begs us to trust them, who will? Guess I’ll have to trust too.”

“That’s correct, Miss Tifa. Sir Swen possesses extraordinary talent. If he sees an opportunity, it will surely arise.”

Hearing Cain’s words, Tifa nodded.

Their overwhelming trust felt to Luna like the only way to repay Swen.

Right.

Then they must escape as quickly as possible.

It was the only way to honor his belief that she could seize control of the world.

Standing atop her saddle, Luna addressed the three thousand soldiers directly.

“Listen up, everyone!”

At that moment,

Every soldier fixed their gaze solely on Lunarien.

“We’re heading south now. We might end up serving another vassal along the way. If you wish to leave mid-journey, that’s fine. Or if you choose to settle in our new territory, that’s acceptable too. But—”

Her voice carried conviction.

An aura naturally leading others.

Despite her small stature and somewhat timid nature… she was undoubtedly a leader.

“If you follow me until the end, I vow to take responsibility for your lives forever. I promise I won’t abandon any of you midway or treat you as expendable chess pieces. That is my pledge!”

UOOOOO!!!

The soldiers’ roar shook the heavens.

It was undoubtedly the best morale booster before embarking on a long journey.

“Everyone, mount your horses! We depart immediately!”

Thus—

Luna left Jeilrant Castle, accompanied by Tifa, Cain, and three thousand soldiers, leaving behind her first stronghold.

For now, farewell to her first strategist.

Still, she trusted without doubt—he would surely return to her side.

“Lord Swen… we will definitely rise again. I’ll see you soon.”

And thus, the monarch of the Lunarien Army disappeared temporarily from history.

* * *

Near the old throne in the royal palace, reserved for monarchs,

I sat leaning casually against a pillar.

More precisely, I was tied to the pillar beside the throne with my hands bound behind me.

Publicly, I needed to appear abandoned by Lunarien.

After all, joining Brance Army without troops or gold meant this situation provided a convenient excuse for the state of the castle.

I chuckled involuntarily as I noticed how bizarre it looked—a soldier kneeling in front of me after tying me up, reporting diligently.

“Lord Swen. As instructed, I’ve raised a white flag over the castle.”

The white flag signified surrender.

Placed where it could be clearly seen, it would prevent unnecessary attacks.

Such actions would undoubtedly lose the hearts of the people.

“Thank you.”

“And here…”

The soldier handed me a neatly folded flag.

Unfolding it revealed the bright light green banner symbolizing the Lunarien Army.

It seemed they retrieved it before raising the white flag.

“What should we do with this?”

“…”

I briefly considered keeping it, but…

Would it look good for a surrendering commander to personally keep the defeated nation’s flag?

Certainly not in the eyes of the new ruler.

“Just dispose of it appropriately.”

Given its temporary insignificance.

“Yes! Though discarding it seems wasteful… if you don’t mind, I’d like to keep it.”

The soldier carefully gathered the worn flag.

“Is there anything else you need me to do?”

“No, that’s all. You’re free now, so feel free to go wherever your feet take you. Thank you for your hard work for our army.”

“It’s nothing. It’s my duty.”

Listening to him, I scrutinized the soldier’s face.

Realizing something anew—he was one of our messengers who always rushed to the ruler during war.

Seeing him reminded me that even messengers are real people, not just a system.

I asked him a question.

“So, neither the mercenaries nor Lady Luna followed, huh?”

“Yes. This is my hometown. My parents and grandparents’ graves are here, and my family too. Moving around with them would be burdensome.”

“Then you plan to stay here?”

“Yes, though I’ll remove my armor.”

The messenger-turned-soldier smiled faintly.

“If I keep wearing this, I’d have to serve the Brance guys, wouldn’t I? So, I’m quitting soldier life and going back to farming. If they try conscription again, maybe I’ll cut off a finger or something.”

“I hope you don’t do that.”

“Joke. Haha.”

Removing his helmet, the soldier continued.

“I may be uneducated, never attended the academy, but I firmly believe only rulers like Lady Lunarien can unify this world. She spent vast sums generously aiding her people without hesitation and never forced conscription like other leaders.”

“…”

“Therefore… I trust Lady Luna and strategists like Lord Swen and the generals. I’m certain Lady Lunarien will raise arms again. Until then, I’ll live doing my part.”

Looking at his face,

His eyes were incredibly clear.

He was an extra, not a leader-level talent, not even a C-rank general. Just a number added by pressing the conscription button.

Yet, he was stirring my heart powerfully.

Rising slowly, he bowed deeply to me, still bound.

“So, please stay healthy until then, Lord Swen. I’ll await the day we reunite under Lady Luna. Farewell.”

“Hey.”

I called out as he was leaving.

“May I know your name?”

“Me? I’m James. A commoner, so no surname.”

A name so generic it broke immersion completely.

Still, James’s universe shone brightly.

“Please survive, Mr. James.”

James smiled upon hearing my words before departing.

Now only I remained in the royal palace. Not a single guard was left; I was utterly alone.

Lunarien Iniyan.

A minor extra-nation from the central region, one of many wandering monarchs.

Even with the King Return concept, it required a long time,

And among players, unless they wanted to play the concept, she wasn’t worth touching.

Not even meme-worthy among hardcore concept players, just another forgettable leader ABC.

Yet, someone here believed she could rule the world.

My prediction still stood—”She will become the unifying monarch.”

I recalled her face.

The ruby-like shine in her eyes during our dance…

‘We will definitely meet again.’

Now my important task was surviving this Era of Chaos without drawing too much hatred.

After all, to return to my original world, I needed to stay under the unified ruler, Lunarien.

Whatever happened until that day—I would avoid being swept away by the tides of history. Definitely.

My Divinity 100 brain would guide me like a compass.

Now it was time to wait.

We had to move forward, whether we liked it or not.

To welcome the new master.

* * *

Leading an army of 81,000 was Lin Brance herself, the monarch.

It was rare for her to personally command such a large force. Leaders venturing onto battlefields weren’t wise decisions unless they were combat-oriented.

But she couldn’t wait any longer.

Soon, they would capture prey “ripe for the picking”… sitting idly in Anel Castle was unbearable.

Leading the vanguard were Chel and Iren.

Originally, only Chel was appointed, but Parphale, reassuming her role as strategist, repeatedly advised Lin.

“Make full use of General Iren. He will surely be of great help. Even if just placed alongside Chel in the vanguard. He’s not someone meant to guard the safe walls of Anel Castle.”

Truthfully, Parphale had suggested using Iren several times before—

“How do you deal with someone you just don’t like?”

Just a general skilled in sieges, not essential to the Brance Army’s operation without her, right?

Besides, the fact she failed to capture Jeilrant Castle remained.

Still… rejecting someone after one failure wasn’t quite the attitude of a proper leader, was it?

So, she reconsidered and called Iren back.

Whether right or wrong—it was absolute faith within the Brance Army.

Because their monarch was Lin.

At that moment,

“My lord!”

A soldier rode up from afar.

“What is it?”

Had the Lunarien Army prepared something special?

Though excited to learn what preparations Swen might have made against such a massive force—

“The outskirts of Jeilrant Castle… a white flag hangs there.”

“Hm?”

Lin obviously knew what the white flag meant.

Surrender.

And for the single-territory Lunarien Army to raise this flag meant—

The fall of the Lunarien Army.

* * *