Chapter 270

Think about it.

Cecile quickly racked her brains right there on the spot.

Even while doing so—Violet mercilessly urged Cecile for an answer.

“Make your decision quickly. Really, isn’t there no reason to worry unnecessarily?”

“No, how could such a thing be permissible….”

“If we failed to honor the contract, paying compensation would be enough. The amount we’re offering would leave you with plenty even after compensation.”

“But didn’t I already tell you! This is a matter directly tied to trust—”

“Name our army.”

“……!!”

Violet stared at Cecile with sharp eyes and said,

“I am Violet of the Lunarien Army. State my name and claim that I stole from you. These are chaotic times. It’s common during war for supplies to be taken. As long as responsibility lies with us, it won’t harm your reputation.”

“No… Is the Lunarien Army truly a group of bandits who plunder the belongings of territory dwellers like us?!”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“……!!!”

Cecile was lost for words.

Robbery treated as though it were completely normal? Why?

She had already accepted that the Lunarien Army prioritized pragmatism over trust…

But could the Lunarien she had spent time with really be this reckless?

Had many comrades, including Mets, attached themselves to a woman obsessed with raiding trade companies’ coffers?

That doesn’t make sense.

In fact, Cecile knew.

Why they were making such a proposal.

“This is strange. If it’s just worthless scraps, why not just take the money and let it go… Why resist until the end?”

As Violet pressed firmly, Cecile became even more convinced in her thoughts.

They… know.

That Karelia is planning to escape.

There’s absolutely no way it leaked. Only Cecile and Vanessa knew. Vanessa, being extremely cautious, wouldn’t have revealed this mission to anyone else.

The soldiers only knew that she disguised herself to leave but had no idea that their lord was hidden inside this carriage.

So if they know despite it not leaking, there’s only one reason—

Vanessa’s plan has been completely read by someone.

Meaning… we’ve been dancing right in the palm of their hand?

But even so, the person capable of pulling something like this off…

“…Wait.”

Didn’t a soldier just say ‘as the strategist instructed’ earlier?

To Cecile’s knowledge, the current strategist serving in the Lunarien Army is a man she knows well.

The last chancellor of the Unified Empire—

“Jinoru Knighthardt…!”

What started as a rebellion suddenly gained support from someone of Aingard bloodline, and the former imperial chancellor threw his lot in with her.

Mysterious mercenaries appeared out of nowhere during battles to aid her, and one of the generals even awakened as a mage.

What is this?

It feels like some unbeatable destiny surrounding Lunarien… and Karelia is getting crushed one-sidedly.

I was merely a supporting character all along. My role was nothing more than a fool easily deceived by Lunarien!

“What should I do?”

Cecile slowly surveyed the situation.

Number of soldiers… we’re lacking. We couldn’t bring many soldiers since we were disguised as traders; it would look suspicious.

If we fight like this, we’ll definitely lose. But handing over the supply carriage containing our lord? That’s impossible too.

With no options available, just as Cecile hesitated to speak…

“Everyone, stop right there.”

“……!!”

From the direction of the supply carriage, someone approached.

The owner of the voice was the person both she and Vanessa worked so hard to protect… Makana Karelia.

“It seems this is where it ends.”

“My, my lord…!”

When did my lord regain consciousness?

Vanessa said she’d remain asleep until leaving the castle…

No, more importantly… “here,” what does that mean?

“I’m not entirely sure what’s going on, but it seems both you and Vanessa have worked hard.”

“Uh… uh…”

“Makana Karelia.”

Violet drew her sword and pointed it at Karelia.

“Don’t put up any unnecessary resistance. It will do you no good.”

Karelia looked at Violet saying this, then smiled kindly and replied,

“Young one, I don’t wish for your blade to be stained with my blood.”

“…”

“Your purpose here is likely me. I won’t resist. I’ll comply with your wishes. I won’t beg for my life either. However, please ensure the safety of these people… That’s my final request.”

Karelia pointed at the soldiers behind him.

We couldn’t possibly win against the Lunarien Army with this number anyway. Our side lacked mages too.

After remaining silent for a moment, Violet slowly nodded.

“Very well.”

“Thank you.”

“My lord!”

Karelia gazed intently at Cecile, who called out pitifully to him, then smiled and said,

“You… You’re a face I’ve never seen before. Sorry for not knowing. You must be someone working for me…”

“???”

Despite her disguise, anyone who knew Cecile even slightly would have noticed her immediately… Considering she hadn’t even managed to hide her voice due to her shock…

There’s no way the lord wouldn’t recognize her.

But by saying this…

“Lady, please escort these soldiers to a safe place… I ask this of you.”

“That, that’s impossible…”

Ignoring Cecile’s response, Karelia approached Violet again.

“Come now. Take me away. I won’t resist.”

“…Restrain this individual.”

“Understood!”

And thus, the last hope of the Karelian Army, Makana Karelia himself, was escorted away by Violet.

Cecile stood silently, watching her disappear without uttering a word.

‘My lord…!’

That last lie was… to save me.

Just thinking about it makes my chest feel like it’s tearing apart right now, but if I truly cared about Makana Karelia, I can’t afford to indulge in sentimentality.

At the very least, I must fulfill her last order… escort them to safety.

“…Everyone, let’s go.”

“A, alright…!”

The soldiers, who hadn’t expected their ruler to appear, followed Cecile in bewilderment.

Anyway, in the end, at least one person managed to escape this chaos.

* * *

“The gates have been breached! Charge!”

“Move in! Defend yourselves!”

“Focus attacks on the archers on the walls!”

Despite the fierce resistance of the Karelian Army, the gates fell far too easily.

An overwhelming difference in strength, and the morale—the will to fight—between the two armies was worlds apart.

The watchtowers guarding Madlen Castle, once the most peaceful stronghold in the south, burned fiercely, illuminating the dark night.

‘It’s over…’

As Luna sorted through her complicated emotions, Jinoru approached her and spoke.

“My lady.”

“What is it?”

“The times are about to change. A new history will be written across the southern continent. Many will shed blood because of your decisions. In this process, perhaps it’s an overly idealistic thought, but under no circumstances should the territorial people be touched… While noble in concept, remember, this is an era of chaos. Ideals without the power to protect them risk destroying everything. Do not forget the sight of Madlen Castle burning before you. To avoid shedding blood, sometimes our swords must be stained with it. If we don’t, the blood spilled won’t be theirs—it will be ours.”

In Jinoru’s view, those who followed Karelia previously might not want to admit it, but Luna resembled Karelia enough to be considered her successor.

Meaning, the reasons Karelia fell could also apply to Luna.

Of course, Jinoru believed in Luna’s resilience thanks to Swoen’s judgment—but still, he felt compelled to offer this advice.

Perhaps all his thoughts and advice were part of Swoen’s grand plan. With a bitter smile, Jinoru continued.

“When faced with difficult decisions in the future, please remember this. Don’t be swayed by ideals—rather, wield your ideals. There will come a time when this feels natural, and that moment… is when you truly become a ruler.”

“Master Jinoru…”

“The old man talks too much, I know. Still, I hope you’ll understand. You are the only one who can root peace across the continent.”

Luna clenched her fists tightly and stared at the burning Madlen Castle once more.

Karelia… Perhaps she had ample opportunities to suppress our rebellion.

Had she acted more ruthlessly earlier, it might have been us who perished instead of her.

But she couldn’t. And now… she finds herself pushed aside by the tides of history.

Let’s not forget.

For the sake of repaying the debt to Master Swoen… I vow not to let my guard down.

—Some time ago.

A novice vassal who struggled to properly command soldiers in a small territory gradually transformed into a true conqueror.

* * *

Not long after—

A flag rose above the Royal Palace of Madlen Castle.

Fluttering in the sky wasn’t the deep green flag symbolizing the Karelian Army, but a white flag of surrender.

―WAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

This was the moment the capital city of the Karelian Army, Madlen, fell.