Chapter 28

I slowly rose from my seat, shaking off the drowsiness, and spoke.

“It was just a bad dream.”

“Is that so? Well, it’s fortunate… but you were groaning in such agony that I worried you might’ve fallen ill.”

Iren let out a deep sigh and then faintly smiled. Her tone still wasn’t fully comfortable, but she seemed to be a rather kind-hearted person nonetheless.

“Still, didn’t something major happen on your side, Lady Iren?”

“What do you mean?”

She tilted her head in confusion as I asked her this question.

“Or is it customary at home to walk around in your underwear?”

“…Ah.”

Realizing what I had said, her face turned beet red in an instant—

and she quickly retreated three steps back while covering her chest and hips with her hands. Of course, not everything was covered, but…

“This… It’s because… I was changing into my training attire when I heard your voice, Swoen, filled with anguish… So I just…”

“I get it, please hurry up and finish dressing. I’m feeling awkward too.”

“…M-m-my apologies… If I’ve caused any discomfort, please forgive me. It wasn’t done intentionally…”

“It’s fine.”

It didn’t particularly bother me. Honestly speaking, there were plenty of sights worth seeing—her large bosom was almost too big to describe without causing some embarrassment, but it was undeniably impressive. Her waist showed clear signs of the rigorous knightly training she underwent, with well-defined muscles. Her thighs were thick yet firm, supporting her body through countless battles.

Above her beautiful figure sat black lace-trimmed lingerie and a garter belt. To say the least, it was quite the scene to wake up to.

After that brief commotion,

“Hmm, hmm. You shouldn’t have seen that. My apologies once again.”

The now-dressed Iren stood before me in her training attire. The issue, however, was that this “training outfit” differed little from her earlier state—a tank-top-like top paired with shorts. Her thighs were tightly wrapped by something resembling stockings connected to her garter belt.

“Isn’t this basically the same as being in your underwear?”

“Huh? Of course not. This is training wear, isn’t it? Earlier, it was… uhh… undergarments…”

She blushed furiously.

So long as she wore something classified as clothing, did she no longer feel embarrassed?

Well, even in this fantasy game world, knights’ armor sometimes exposed their midriffs anyway.

“So, what do you plan to do today? Continue with assigned tasks perhaps?”

“Tasks…?”

She gave a bitter smile.

“If there were specific duties assigned to me, I would’ve done them already… But Lord hasn’t given me anything special to do.”

‘Huh, really.’

Iren was an S-ranked commander with exceptional martial prowess. Assigning her tasks like training or conscription would surely yield incredible efficiency due to her abilities.

Of course—I now understood why Lin didn’t utilize her more.

‘She must be incredibly disliked.’

Starting from placing a male servant under her care, to the obvious mistreatment by her ruler—it was heart-wrenching how unwavering her loyalty remained despite all this.

In-game terms, her ‘compatibility value’ was likely set at -100, and its cruelty became painfully clear in this reality.

“Then?”

“Why are you asking so many questions? What do you think about why I’m wearing this?”

Iren picked up a sword lying in the corner of the room.

“If I have spare time, I train. If I waste time doing nothing while having duties, I’d only end up rusting. When our Lord calls upon me someday, I must be ready to perform admirably.”

“Truly admirable resolve.”

“How about you? Would you like to join me? There’s a wooden sword prepared for beginners.”

She seemed to have instantly judged that I was inexperienced—not exactly strong in combat skills.

Though tempted for a moment, I declined.

“That’s alright. I have other things to take care of.”

“Is that so? Well, if you have work to do…”

“Before that, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

Pointing at the feather pen, ink, and paper on the desk, I inquired,

“Would it be alright if I use these items?”

“The paper? Feel free to use them.”

“Then, excuse me.”

“Hm.”

With that response, she approached the dummy with her sword, took a deep breath, and sighed—

“…Haa!”

She began swinging her sword at the dummy, shouting her battle cry. Though simple movements, repeated practice undoubtedly brought results. Could this be how an S-rank commander’s abilities were built step-by-step?

Anyway, since I had permission, I approached the desk and unfurled the paper. My most important task right now was drawing a map.

This game features the same continent layout every time, but the starting positions of countries vary each playthrough. Despite playing for 10,000 hours and memorizing which nations existed, I couldn’t precisely recall which castles or territories they occupied.

Still, it was necessary to sketch at least Brance’s surroundings.

My ability only reveals conclusions, not reasons. Organizing information through map-making would surely provide clues to understanding those conclusions.

Thus, I picked up the pen.

“Haaat!”

Though tedious and time-consuming, Iren’s battle cries served as pleasant white noise.

*

As the day drew to a close,

Iren lived an almost superhuman lifestyle. She woke early, cleaned herself lightly, and started training. Lunch followed—a modest meal of rye bread and butter. She always served tea alongside, though I couldn’t identify its exact type. Perhaps it was black tea, green tea, or simply brewed leaves. It wasn’t bad; the aroma was decent.

After lunch came more training, followed by dinner. Dinner consisted of dried fish, bread, and a mixed salad of vegetables.

Only after dinner did her training finally end. Truly, she embodied the image of a devoted swordsman walking the path of the blade.

After finishing dinner and bathing, I approached her as water dripped from her hair.

“Are you resting now?”

“Hm? Yes.”

“Do you go through this routine daily?”

“Generally, when there’s no assigned work, I follow this schedule.”

“Remarkable.”

Iren ignored my admiration and slowly nibbled on her bread while asking,

“Now that I think about it, you were drawing a map earlier, weren’t you?”

“Yes, I am trying to understand the situation around Brance.”

“The accuracy of your map is impressive. Do you have prior experience in cartography?”

It couldn’t help but be accurate. After seeing the same map thousands of times during gameplay, how could it not be?

Still, I couldn’t say that outright.

“Sort of.”

“Ah, unexpected talents.”

Seizing the opportunity, I posed another question.

“By the way, Lady Iren.”

“Hm?”

“Though I know the continent’s geography well, I haven’t yet grasped which countries surround Brance. If you know anything, could you assist me?”

Upon hearing my request, she nodded and replied,

“You’re asking for help with the map?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm. Not sure how much I can contribute, but…”

“Even a little will help. You’re a multi-talented individual, Lady Iren.”

Unintentionally revealing my thoughts, I praised her. Misinterpreting it as flattery, she gave a subtle smile.

“Compliments won’t make me reveal secrets. Still, it’s not unpleasant.”

Huh?

Based on her words, she seemed to enjoy it.

Perhaps, despite her efforts, being constantly mistreated by her lord left her craving recognition.

“Why wouldn’t you like it? Aren’t you fond of compliments?”

“…Do you say such things to everyone?”

“Of course not.”

Smiling slightly, I noticed a strange rapport developing between us after just one day. She didn’t seem overly guarded against me either.

“Alright, if I can help, I will.”

She moved closer to me. Inevitably, her enormous bosom pressed against me.

Not bad at all.

“First, various minor states exist in the west… but you’ve already filled that part in.”

“From my time serving in the Lunarien Army.”

“Then let’s move to the east. Three powers reside here, but the one bordering us is the Aishias Army. They’re the only nation we need to watch out for. Beyond them are the smaller states of Charan Army and Alepel Army governing small territories.”

Charan Army and Alepel Army.

All familiar names indeed.

Both were insignificant minor states with mediocre talent pools and rulers less capable than average. They never left a mark in history unless controlled by players. In this world I reincarnated into, they were located near Aishias.

Although better than spawning near Serpina, they still had little chance against Aishias.

However…

“Huh?”

Two minor states surviving… That was surprising.

Under normal circumstances, at least one should’ve been crushed by Aishias by now. Typically, within three months, Aishias would leverage its overwhelming talent pool to gradually annex neighboring forces, similar to how Serpina quickly consolidated surrounding weak nations.

Had these two minor states formed an alliance to counterbalance Aishias?

If true, there’s one issue.

If that were the case, Aishias would have two fronts to deal with. Given Brance’s divided frontlines, Aishias should’ve already invaded.

Something’s definitely up.

Though unsure what exactly, it was evident that an unusual situation unfolded.

Just in case, I asked her,

“Lady Iren, do the Charan Army and Alepel Army still exist on the continent?”

“Yes, Charan recently sent gold to our army.”

“???”

They paid money?

Certainly, diplomatic orders to enhance goodwill through financial gifts existed—but no one ever used them. Increasing goodwill held little meaning unless forming an alliance.

More importantly, such gifts often had ulterior motives.

“To stab us in the back later, probably.”