Chapter 25

“Man, that flag sure is flying proudly.”

Chel, stationed at the vanguard, watched the pristine white flag fluttering in the wind and spoke.

“How do you feel about it?”

Iren, standing beside Chel, responded.

“I think we need to enter the castle once to confirm… but there might be some other hidden agenda.”

As Iren said this, he recalled Lunarien’s face from the last time he had been here.

Her two ruby eyes shining brightly.

The ruler of a minor nation who boldly declared she wouldn’t entrust the world to anyone, not even Serpina or Lin.

Iren had faced many people on the battlefield.

Some died by her hand, others tried to kill her – but very few possessed an overwhelming presence. Recently, only Lunarien could claim that title.

Someone like that would just open the gates and declare surrender?

No matter how he thought about it, it didn’t seem like someone who’d give up so limply.

“Hmm…”

At that moment,

a soldier came running from behind.

“Message from our Lord! The vanguard is ordered to immediately enter the castle gates! Though we’ve been warned to be cautious of any traps!”

“Trap?”

Chel stroked his chin.

“Hmm… our Lord might be worrying too much. What can a small nation do?”

“But Kalintz-sama actually fell into an ambush before.”

“It’s different now. Back then it was 8,000 vs 80,000 – a tenfold difference in numbers, but in terms of destructive power, it’s far beyond that. The situation has changed.”

With that, Chel spoke without waiting for Iren’s reply. He was as proud and arrogant as he was skilled, and Iren knew any further words would fall on deaf ears.

“Well, we can’t disobey Lord’s orders anyway.”

Chel smirked and shouted loudly.

“Listen up everyone! We’re entering Jeilrant Castle! Siege weapons will wait outside! Be cautious of possible traps and proceed carefully!”

And thus, 80,000 soldiers marched into the open castle gates…

*

“My Lord. The search is complete.”

Inside Jeilrant territory,

Iren reported to Lin, who nodded slightly in response.

“Results?”

“…Nothing. No signs of any traps were found.”

“Did you check the Royal Palace?”

“We haven’t checked yet, but with no guards visible, it seems deserted. They must have fled.”

“To where? Where could they go?”

“That…”

“They probably abandoned their country to save their lives. After all, she’s just the ruler of a minor nation.”

Listening to Parphale’s words, Lin rested her chin thoughtfully.

‘Really?’

This didn’t make sense.

Would someone with Swen at their side flee so helplessly?

Without any preparation?

Even leading a minor nation required extraordinary ability.

The more she thought about it, the less natural this whole situation seemed.

‘There’s something going on…’

“Excuse me, My Lord. May I speak?”

At Iren’s question, Lin replied with obvious irritation.

“…What is it?”

“Should we form a pursuit unit?”

“Pursuit?”

“Yes. It feels uneasy to let Lunarien escape unchallenged…”

Lunarien? Lin didn’t care much.

If Swen wasn’t here, forming a pursuit unit would be reasonable.

Dividing 80,000 troops thoroughly would allow them to locate the fleeing Lunarien forces easily.

Just then,

a soldier rushed over hastily.

“My Lord! There’s someone in the Royal Palace!”

“What?”

Lin asked the soldier.

“Who?”

“It’s… a young man with white hair introduced himself as someone from the Lunarien army. He was found tied up behind the throne.”

‘Swen!’

Upon hearing the soldier’s report, Lin’s face lit up instantly.

‘He stayed behind!’

Her joy was short-lived.

Parphale, standing beside her, resting her chin on her hand, spoke.

“Did they leave a minister behind while fleeing? Quite an incomprehensible decision…”

Parphale’s comment made Lin nod.

“Well, I’ll just ask him directly. Since I came here to retrieve him anyway♡”

She then ordered the soldier.

“I’m heading to the Royal Palace now. Make preparations.”

“Yes! Understood.”

Lin slowly dismounted from her saddle.

Iren stopped her and spoke.

“Excuse me, My Lord. Shouldn’t we form a pursuit unit…”

“No. There’s no need to pursue. Seems like our prey is right here anyway.”

“But… there’s only that man in the palace, right? That means Lunarien is still fleeing. We should pursue and capture them. If you grant me minimal troops, I can capture Lunarien as quickly as possible-”

“Hey.”

Lin cut off Iren’s words harshly.

“Why are you nagging so much? I said there’s no need to pursue. Are you defying my orders? Bored because your sword hasn’t tasted blood today? Want me to fix that?”

“…No. Sorry.”

Iren bowed her head in response.

In her opinion, letting Lunarien go now would definitely become a huge threat to the Brance Army later.

She couldn’t imagine someone of that caliber abandoning their country so casually and hiding forever.

However,

her master was Lin Brance, and as her vassal, she had to obey Lin’s commands.

“Good. Got it? Then be quiet.”

After saying that, Lin turned around and headed toward Jeilrant’s Royal Palace.

Parphale followed her, glancing at the bowed Iren with a pitying expression.

“I understand General Iren’s concerns, but chasing after a fleeing ruler of a minor nation isn’t a good use of our troops. Now that we’ve achieved our objective, we should redistribute our gathered forces back to the front lines as soon as possible. Even with peace agreements, leaving the front lines empty is dangerous. So please don’t worry too much.”

Parphale seemed to be offering comfort.

Understanding her intentions, Iren nodded.

“It’s fine. As a general of the Brance Army, I simply follow my Lord’s orders. Thank you for your concern.”

“…”

Parphale gave a slight nod and followed Lin.

Iren sighed quietly and slowly followed behind them.

*

This is Jeilrant’s Royal Palace.

Until just moments ago, this place served as the headquarters and capital of the Lunarien army – now fallen into enemy hands.

And I,

was kneeling with my body tied to a pillar near Luna’s throne.

Then,

before my eyes stood the person I once greeted as a lioness.

The blue-haired ruler Lin Brance looked down at me with a very satisfied smile.

“Hi, Swen♡ Long time no see! Has it been months since we last met?”

“…”

I didn’t respond.

She continued speaking without waiting for my reply.

“So, what’s going on here? Care to explain?”

Here we go.

I maintained a calm expression and spoke.

“Our Lord… rather, former Lord Lunarien left me tied here while escaping with the troops.”

“Really? Why leave you behind? Surely Lunarien didn’t have walls to lock handsome young men like you in? Hahaha♡”

I remained serious despite her teasing.

“I’m not sure why, but Lunarien suspected I was secretly cooperating with you, Lady Lin Brance.”

“Secret cooperation?”

“Yes. I don’t know why she thought that…”

“Hmm…”

She stared down at me silently.

Regardless, I needed to say what I had to say.

“In light of these circumstances, I wish to rely on Lady Lin Brance. I will offer my assistance.”

“Is that so?”

Lin said that, then wiped the playful smile off her face instantly, speaking coldly.

“I don’t need you though. What should we do about that?”

“Is that so?”

Don’t panic.

She needs me.

My predictions prove it.

I don’t know why she’s saying this, but there’s no way she has the power to change this predetermined future.

“Then I shall humbly request mercy. If my life is spared, I can quietly farm and live out my days, which should be sufficient, no?”

“Hmm?”

Hearing my words, she briefly questioned then burst out laughing.

Her laughter echoed through the royal palace.

“Are you pouting? No. Your words are lies. Of course I need you. I brought such a large force to this tiny, insignificant castle – if I hadn’t noticed that, I’d be stupid, wouldn’t I?”

She grinned again, teasing me.

“Come on, Swen. Is this your plan? Did you notice I was coming for you and decided to sacrifice yourself to save your Lord? If that’s true, that’s quite the loyalty. Isn’t it?”

Sharp analysis.

So this is what it means to be a named ruler – truly an extraordinary individual.

Still, I mustn’t show any startled expressions here.

“If that’s how it appears, then I have nothing more to say. But I’ve told no lies.”

“Hmm. Sure you haven’t. Hehe♡”

“And if I’m unnecessary, then so be it. Still, I beg for mercy. If my life is spared, I can quietly farm and live out my days – that should be enough, no?”

“What?”

Hearing my words, she briefly questioned then burst out laughing.

Her laughter echoed through the royal palace.

“Are you pouting? No. Your words are lies. Of course I need you. I brought such a large force to this tiny, insignificant castle – if I hadn’t noticed that, I’d be stupid, wouldn’t I?”

She grinned again, teasing me.

“Come on, Swen. Is this your plan? Did you notice I was coming for you and decided to sacrifice yourself to save your Lord? If that’s true, that’s quite the loyalty. Isn’t it?”

Sharp analysis.

So this is what it means to be a named ruler – truly an extraordinary individual.

Still, I mustn’t show any startled expressions here.

“If that’s how it appears, then I have nothing more to say. But I’ve told no lies.”

“Hmm. Sure you haven’t. Hehe♡”

“And if I’m unnecessary, then so be it. Still, I beg for mercy. If my life is spared, I can quietly farm and live out my days – that should be enough, no?”

“What?”

Hearing my words, she briefly questioned then burst out laughing.

Her laughter echoed through the royal palace.

“Are you pouting? No. Your words are lies. Of course I need you. I brought such a large force to this tiny, insignificant castle – if I hadn’t noticed that, I’d be stupid, wouldn’t I?”

She grinned again, teasing me.

“Anyway, Swen. You know what? I don’t care whether this is your strategy or what. I just want to make you mine. And there aren’t many people I’ve wanted this badly. Also…”

She then gently lifted my chin with her white hand, just like before.

“I’m confident I can possess you. The dull scenery Lunarien shows you can’t compare to what I’ll show you – I guarantee it’ll be far more magnificent. You’ll soon dream the same dreams as me, Swen…♡”

Same dreams, huh.

Sorry, but my dream is to serve under the Unified Ruler.

I closed my mouth, ready to say those words.

“So, won’t you work under me?”

There’s nothing to hesitate about now.

My answer is already decided.

“I will.”

“Great♡ Just wait a moment!”

She personally approached me and untied the ropes binding me with her own hands.

Her face and body pressed close to mine, and the same perfume scent I smelled during our first meeting strongly filled my nose.

The ropes were untied.

Now free, she extended her hand to me.

Taking her hand, I said:

“I’ll serve Lady Lin from now on.”

“Yep! Counting on you! Hehehe♡”

After the downfall of the minor nation Lunarien with only one territory,

I officially became part of the Brance Army.

In a way, I had achieved the initial goal I set when I first reincarnated into this world.