Chapter 26

I left the royal palace and joined the ranks of the Brance Army.

The streets of Jeilrant that I used to walk every day felt strangely unfamiliar.

When I turned my head suddenly, I could see the bright blue flag symbolizing the Brance Army proudly fluttering above the royal palace.

Hmm…

The castle and surrounding territories of Jeilrant now belonged to the Brance Army.

As I walked along, glancing back, there was the market Tifa had just revitalized.

A little further on, turning sideways, spread out the golden wheat fields I’d watched over with Luna.

And then, as I kept walking, the small village square where I danced with her came into view.

Though the townsfolk had all retreated indoors due to the gathering soldiers, making the scenery rather desolate…

I couldn’t help but recall the footprints she and I had left all over the city over these past few months.

“…Lady Lunarien.”

I let go of the thoughts about Lunarien lingering in a corner of my heart.

To survive, it mustn’t be discovered that I plan to return to the Lunarien Army.

The pale green flag that once flew over Jeilrant Castle…

Someday, I’ll raise that flag again.

Until then, I am Swen under Lin Brance.

No… I’m ready to be Swen for anyone.

Even if it means working like a dog under the tyrant Serpina.

So I will survive…

And join Luna when she establishes a unified nation.

As long as she continues to hold onto that destiny.

Thus, emptying my heart of her, I filled it with the new sun-colored blue and followed the procession out of Jeilrant Castle.

* * *

Upon arriving at Anel Castle, the first thing Lin did was reposition the massive 80,000-strong force back to their original frontlines across various regions.

“Big brother, I’ll leave the south to you. Let me know if anything comes up.”

“Yes! Understood!”

Chel nodded briskly and quickly exited the royal palace. Since most of the troops had come from the south, Chel needed to move fastest.

Several nations were competing in the southern continent.

Excluding some minor states with few territories, there were four major powers.

Brance Army’s neighbor Roland Army, relatively nearby Hesna Army.

And below them, non-adjacent Karelia Army and Ohana Army.

Thinking of these four nations together, their combined strength would easily surpass Brance Army’s power even though they’re divided.

Of course, they wouldn’t form an alliance – but to conquer the south, we need to narrow our battlefronts.

While dealing with Serpina in the north, we need to first consolidate the numerous minor states in the central region and the somewhat concerning Eastern Aishias Army before we can fully focus on the south.

So for now, place Brance’s top swordsman Chel in the south.

Meanwhile, quickly pacify the central-western part of the continent, preferably extending to the east.

This was Lin’s grand strategy for the Brance Army.

“Our location isn’t ideal, is it? Here.”

Though we own some prime land in the center of the continent, it’s undeniably a position where battles are unavoidable.

“Master, shall we assist Lady Chel in the south again this time?”

At Parphale’s question, Lin shook her head.

“Nope. Stay here for now. Something might happen in the south, but they won’t bother us immediately.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. We’ve received intelligence. Seems like there’s going to be some commotion.”

“Will Hesna Army make a move?”

“My goodness.”

Lin looked at Parphale with an amused expression.

“You seem to have some idea?”

“Probably because I was in the south until recently.”

Reports came in that forces were gathering at the border between Hesna Army and Ohana Army.

There’s a high possibility no war will break out, but if it does…

Roland Army would likely target neighboring Hesna Army rather than worry about us.

Then we can respond according to the situation.

Whether we raid the empty Roland or attack Hesna first – the initiative is in our hands.

“Right. So let’s wait and see for now. By the way, shouldn’t we call Swen?”

“Swen… the man who was abandoned by Lunarien?”

“Yeah!”

Parphale looked puzzled.

“I don’t see anything particularly remarkable about him…”

“Nope. I completely underestimated him. Though it might be because you weren’t around… Anyway, he’s definitely not ordinary! Now that he’s one of us, we should teach him various things, right? Heehee♡”

“…”

Listening to Lin’s cheerful words, Parphale fell into thought.

Was her master truly a ruler who cared deeply for each of her subordinates?

Objectively speaking, no.

She only paid attention to clearly useful S-class generals. The other commanders were merely treated as numbers to fill less important posts while handling internal affairs of the castle.

In Parphale’s opinion, Lin’s judgment of people wasn’t bad overall despite having some peculiar stubbornness.

Is Swen really a great talent? Parphale herself was becoming curious.

“Just a moment please.”

“Okay! Don’t be nervous, come in casually!”

“Yes.”

Parphale nodded and exited the royal palace.

Exactly ten minutes later – Swen, now a free man, walked in with Parphale.

Kneeling on one knee and showing proper etiquette, he delivered a sentence that was music to Lin’s ears.

“Did you summon me, my lord?”

“Yeah! Come on in! Seeing you again makes me so happy?”

That man who came as an envoy saying “I bring a message from my lady Lunarien” and teased me with his words is now addressing me as “my lord”.

What an exhilarating feeling!

Nothing excited her more than hearing talented individuals address her as “my lord”.

“Since we’re family now, shouldn’t we formally exchange greetings?”

Lin immediately spoke with high energy and a bright smile.

“I’m Lin Brance! As you know, I’m the ruler of Brance Army. I’m the one who will unify this continent. What do you think, Swen? Do you agree?”

Standing beside her on the throne, Parphale felt sympathy for Swen.

Whatever trick he used to tease the master, earning such attention… Though she didn’t know how, Lin valued results above all else.

Without notable achievements, one would quickly fall out of favor and have to settle for a low position, wasting away.

For someone who just wanted to eat and live, it might be fine… But for someone with ambition, it would be unbearable treatment.

Moreover, this wasn’t the first time Lin had made such a fuss over a new talent.

And not a single person had ever lived up to her absurdly high expectations.

“…”

Listening to Lin, Swen bowed his head and carefully responded.

“I will do my best to assist in achieving Lady Lin’s goals.”

“Great! I like your attitude! Yes! From now on, I hope you’ll use your abilities for me?”

“Would I dare refuse?”

Lin looked at Swen approvingly…

Then suddenly remembered something and spoke up.

“Ah, right. Speaking of which, do you have a place to stay here? You do?”

“Not particularly… but I can use an inn.”

“Inn? What are you talking about? While Anel Castle’s inns are decent, we can’t treat our precious subordinate like that. Wait a moment. Parphale, is there any vacant room?”

“Yes, none available… but…”

Of course, she didn’t personally provide rooms for all her subordinates.

Clearly, she was treating Swen specially.

“Hmm… any good places…”

Lin pondered for a bit, then snapped her fingers as if remembering something.

“Ah, right. There’s East Anel Street No.32 on the right side of the royal palace. There’s a general living there with spacious quarters. Go share with him.”

“Share?”

“Yeah! Kind of like a roommate situation. All the buildings in that area are managed by the state, so you can just move in. The person living there is also my subordinate, so feel free to ask them questions.”

Swen bowed and replied.

“Yes, understood. I’ll follow your orders and reside there.”

“Great!”

Lin smiled happily again.

“You can go now! The next regular meeting is in three days, so come to the royal palace then. Your roommate can explain the details. See you then?”

“Yes.”

With that, Swen rose, maintained proper etiquette until the end, and slowly exited the royal palace.

As soon as Swen left, Lin turned to Parphale and asked.

“How’s he look? What do you think?”

“Uh… well…”

Parphale struggled to find appropriate words.

Frankly, her first impression of Swen was that he was a fairly handsome but weak-looking, unremarkable general.

Looks alone aren’t enough to use someone, right?

She couldn’t understand why her master was so fixated on this man.

However, there was no need to deliberately upset her mood.

Finally, Parphale came up with a suitable response.

“Definitely has an unusual aura.”

“See? I told you so.”

‘That should do.’

Parphale secretly sighed in relief.

There was nothing worse than upsetting her moody master.

At that moment…

‘Wait a minute.’

Lin had clearly instructed him to go to East Anel Street No.32.

And mentioned sharing quarters with someone there.

Parphale knew that area well since she also lived in East Anel.

She knew exactly who lived at No.32…

‘Absolutely…!’

Creepy!

Looking at her master Lin on the throne, Parphale saw her smiling cheerfully while tidying up documents on the side table.

…It was deliberate.

She deliberately sent Swen, a “man”, to that place.

‘…Those who displease the master suffer greatly.’

The way to survive in Brance Army.

Never fall out of Lin Brance’s favor.

* * *

Outside Anel Castle, within the territory.

“”

“I’m Lin Brance! As you know, I’m the ruler of Brance Army. I’m the one who will unify this continent. What do you think, Swen? Do you agree?”

At that exact moment, I could clearly input the question.

“Will Lin Brance be able to unify the continent?”

And as usual, the result came out embarrassingly fast.

[No.]

“That’s what they say, new master.”

The same result as when I first met Luna.

She is not destined to become the unifying ruler.

But there’s no need to voice this aloud.

To avoid her unnecessary suspicions, I need to be helpful and gain her trust.

Checking the map of the village square, I headed toward East Anel Street.

It was clearly different from the run-down buildings of Jeilrant Castle.

Even at evening, many people were walking around. Unlike Jeilrant’s dilapidated wooden houses, here stood beautiful two-story brick homes with medieval charm.

After walking for a few minutes…

I finally arrived at East Anel Street No.32.

“Here?”

An ordinary brick house surrounded by splendid trees.

It was certainly better than the single bed I had back in Jeilrant.

Normally, I would have felt like I’d advanced in life… but somehow I wasn’t very happy.

Where is Lunarien now?

Somewhere along the southern route?

Are Cain and Tifa following her safely without incident?

“…”

Thinking about her now wouldn’t solve anything.

With that thought, I emptied my mind and slowly knocked on the door.

Then…

A voice came from behind the door.

“Who is it?”

“Huh?”

…A woman’s voice.