Chapter 271

* * *

Around the same time.

Karelia, with her entire body tightly bound by ropes, was being escorted by Violet.

“Regardless of how it happens, there will surely be those who attempt to leave the territory during battle. Inspect everyone. If they’re traders, confiscate their goods and calculate the cost based on shipping rates.”

‘The strategist’s words were true after all…’

Jinoru spoke. Vanessa would undoubtedly try to escape with Karelia, their monarch.

Following his orders, troops were stationed at every possible route leading into Tevelo Castle from other territories.

Considering our overwhelming numbers, even dispersing them like this wouldn’t affect the outcome of the battlefield—this move was nothing short of divine inspiration.

Had it not been for Jinoru’s judgment, our forces might have missed capturing the enemy monarch at such a critical moment, leaving me sweating bullets just thinking about it.

‘Now it should be safe to relax…’

Makana Karelia.

The mature woman with striking emerald eyes exuded an air of benevolence.

She was originally under Lady Luna’s service.

A woman praised by many for her great virtue.

But Violet thought differently—Karelia was overrated. Watching her get dragged around by Vanessa’s actions made her seem more foolish than kind.

However, seeing her now face-to-face…

It became clear why so many flocked to her like clouds.

Why it took so much persuasion to incite rebellion against her.

The presence of a great person. The overwhelming calmness radiating from this woman.

She truly was a ruler—a being above the clouds.

‘If only Vanessa hadn’t wielded military power so recklessly, most of the people from Karelia’s army working for us now wouldn’t have joined the rebellion…’

While pondering this and looking at Karelia, their eyes met.

Karelia smiled gently and said,

“Ho ho, you can relax. As I mentioned earlier, I have no intention of running away.”

Her words made the soldiers escorting her flinch slightly.

Even as a prisoner now, she remained a monarch—her regal bearing impossible to ignore.

Violet felt it too, so the soldiers couldn’t have missed it.

Violet stared directly into Karelia’s eyes for a moment before speaking in a somewhat aggressive tone,

“Don’t play games with me. I clearly told you to follow quietly.”

“Aha ha! Games? Look at me—I’m just a tied-up old woman. What could I possibly do now? Still, both your soldiers and you seem so tense… it must make breathing difficult.”

“…”

“Even if you untied these ropes, I’d still follow along… though I won’t ask for that. Instead, if you’d like, perhaps some idle chatter wouldn’t be unpleasant?”

“Our master isn’t someone easily swayed by cunning words. Your attempts are futile.”

“Aha ha! Cunning? It seems you view me as someone akin to Serpina. How disappointing. If we had more time, I could’ve shown you I’m actually quite decent.”

Karelia laughed heartily, then in a completely casual tone, like discussing tomorrow’s weather,

“Since this is likely my last outing, wouldn’t it be nice to make it memorable?”

“…!”

Violet was startled but quickly regained composure.

“Our master doesn’t handle lives lightly.”

“Master… you mean Lady Luna, right? Ho ho. That’s correct. Lady Luna doesn’t wield her sword carelessly. I know that. She’s a very gentle woman. But…”

After briefly examining Violet’s face, Karelia turned her gaze away and muttered,

“…You’re still young. Poor thing. The fact that youngsters like you end up on the battlefield is a tragedy of the times. I drew my sword to stop Serpina because I didn’t want this world to come to pass.”

“…”

Not fully understanding what she meant, Violet decided to cut off the conversation and turned her head sharply.

“Anyway, I have no intention of wasting time chatting with you. It’s best if you cooperate quietly, Karelia.”

“As you wish.”

Afterward, Karelia fell silent—but Violet couldn’t let her guard down.

This woman… she’s definitely dangerous. There’s something compelling about her presence.

‘My lord…’

Violet dismissed any further thoughts.

Yes. Everything is up to our lord to decide.

Whatever decision our lord makes, I’ll follow. That’s the duty of a vassal I’ve learned.

Thus, Violet headed toward the burning Madlen Castle, confident she had secured a valuable trophy.

* * *

When the battle ended and Luna entered the gates of Capital City Madlen—

Suddenly, a crowd of territorial people gathered like storm clouds and began cheering upon seeing Luna.

“Lady Lunarien! Welcome back!!”

“Thank you for freeing us from Vanessa’s tyranny!”

“Glory to the Lunarien Army! Glory to Lady Lunarien!”

“Everyone…!”

Surprised by the unexpected reaction, Luna saw the familiar figure of a farmer she once worked the fields with.

“You did it, Lady Lunarien!”

“Hello, Mr. Cage! Long time no see!”

Cage.

A middle-aged farmer who once worked the fields with her during her time at Madlen Castle.

She couldn’t forget him—he was one of the few who opened their hearts to her when others treated her with suspicion.

Luna dismounted and extended her hand to him as a gesture of greeting.

Farmer Cage bowed deeply and clasped her hand with both of his.

“Ever since we heard about your uprising at Tevelo Castle, we’ve been waiting for this moment.”

“Really…?”

“Of course! We believed you had purpose. Lady Lunarien, even while working the fields together, I sensed you weren’t someone destined for ordinary tasks.”

Apparently, Vanessa’s reputation among the territorial people was near rock bottom.

It couldn’t be helped. She demanded twice the usual conscription from the people, military law grew harsher, and many lost their lives. While her military strength increased, she ultimately lost the people’s trust.

Most importantly, the territorial people were unhappy that Karelia never opposed Vanessa’s unilateral decisions.

“One day, I’ll come help again.”

“No, no! You have greater things to do now… leave such work to us. Lady Lunarien should focus on what only she can accomplish!”

As she conversed with the territorial people, Jinoru approached her.

“My lord.”

“Ah, Mr. Jinoru.”

“Intelligence from Violet. At the northern riverbank… they’ve captured her.”

“…!!”

Upon hearing this, Luna’s pupils contracted instantly.

“So… it happened as Mr. Jinoru predicted?”

“Yes. That appears to be the case.”

“…”

I see.

You tried to escape, didn’t you, Karelia?

Or perhaps, as Jinoru suggested, you were ‘forced’ to flee against your will…

Still, the fact that she’s now in my custody means—

“—”

Luna smiled again and bid farewell to Cage and the territorial people.

“Stay healthy! Bring peace to the continent, Lady Lunarien!”

—Glory to Lunarien!!!

As Luna walked away amidst the cheers of the territorial people, Jinoru reflected.

“I knew she had the people’s support, but I didn’t expect this level.”

No one else—not Lin Brance, Baranga Yuri Aishias, nor even Serpina von Einhardt—could rival her in terms of public trust. Where had this woman been hiding all this time?

And how did Swoen manage to find her?

In any case, the cheers confirmed one thing:

From now on, the talk of the continent would no longer center around Lin Brance or Baranga Yuri Aishias or even Serpina von Einhardt—it would be about Lunarien.

* * *

“This way.”

Guided by Francis and the soldiers, Luna entered the Royal Palace of Madlen Castle to meet—

“You’ve arrived, Lunarien Iniyan.”

A fiery glare from a short-haired woman—Vanessa Trinity.

Before Luna could give any orders, the soldiers surrounded Vanessa and immediately attempted to bind her. Naturally, she was quickly restrained without much resistance.

“That pleasant expression won’t save you, filthy traitor.”

“You bastard! Watch your tongue! It was you who first—”

“It’s alright, Francis. Calm down.”

“But, my lord…!”

“Calm down. That’s an order.”

“…”

After calming the enraged Francis, Luna approached the bound Vanessa.

“I think we’ve both been unlucky. Me and you.”

“Hah! What an original way to mock a loser.”

“I’m not mocking you. I mean it sincerely. I simply believe… it might have been better if we’d never met.”

“What…?”

Luna looked at the struggling Vanessa, whose anger boiled beneath clenched teeth.

Vanessa froze as soon as she locked eyes with Luna.

That gaze… she’d seen it before. It was sincere, genuinely concerned for the other person… reminding her of Karelia-sama—

‘Wh-what is this…!’

No.

There’s no way someone so despicable could possess the same kindness as Karelia-sama.

Shaking her head violently to dispel the intrusive thoughts, Vanessa suddenly noticed something unsettling.

This was the royal palace.

Yet Karelia wasn’t here.

Naturally, Luna should suspect her disappearance—

Why…

Could she remain so calm?

‘Could it be…?’

“…We’ll meet soon.”

Luna slowly nodded and then said,

“Francis, imprison her.”

“Understood!”

“Wait… hold on! Lunarien, n-no, surely not…!!”

Vanessa was dragged away mid-sentence.

Once she disappeared, Luna closed her eyes and recalled Jinoru’s words from earlier.

If my sword remains unstained by others’ blood, someday it will bear my own…

‘…’

Luna reaffirmed her resolve.

The resolve to become a true sovereign.