Chapter 4

“Huff, huff… let’s take a break here.”

*Thud.*

I collapsed by the roadside and called out to Luna who was leading the way ahead.

I have no idea how far we’ve walked already, but I’m exhausted. Never realized how inconvenient it can get with such low physical stats.

“A-Ah, yes sir!”

Luna, who was walking ahead, approached me where I sat and gently sat down beside me, apologizing softly.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t rent a carriage… We’ll reach our territory soon, so you’ll have plenty of time to rest. Here, have some water.”

I took the water bottle she handed me and drank greedily. As the liquid refreshed my tired body, I could feel my mind becoming clearer.

Only then did I notice her apologetic expression as she watched me carefully. I decided to cut straight to the point.

“By the way… are you still using honorifics with me?”

“Huh? What do you mean…”

“I’ve officially joined the Lunarien Army today. That means you’re my lord. I don’t think it’s appropriate for a lord to use honorifics with every subordinate.”

What I wanted to convey was that treating subordinates as subordinates is the right path for a ruler.

While modern people educated in equality might praise a leader for lacking authority, this is the medieval era where class distinctions exist, and it’s an Era of Chaos at that. A ruler lowering themselves excessively in such uncertain times isn’t exactly wise.

Upon hearing my words, Luna hung her head, looking deflated.

“B-But… I just feel so grateful towards Sir Swoen…”

“To me?”

She blushed slightly as she spoke.

“Yes. Aside from my original comrades, you’re the first person to join our army. Honestly, if you don’t mind, I’d like to treat you well.”

‘So, I’m practically the first subordinate in Luna’s army?’

I recalled playing as Luna before. Hiring subordinates was notoriously difficult. It made sense considering the weak state of her nation and her mediocre reputation. No one plays Luna unless they’re going for the King Return concept.

“In that case, let’s make a deal. When it’s just the two of us, you can speak however you want, whether using honorifics or not. But when there’s a third party, other vassals or soldiers around, I’d appreciate it if you treated me like other lords treat their subordinates. How does that sound?”

“Other lords… you mean?”

“That’s right. To lead many people effectively, it’s important to appear capable, even if it’s tough. Values may change with the times, but since you have ambitions, isn’t it natural to strive to be a ruler suited to this era?”

Unfortunately, this is an age of barbarism. To give countless soldiers a sense of stability, I need to be a strong leader.

However…

After hearing my words, Luna looked troubled and said,

“W-Well, ambition… I just wish for everyone to live in peace, so it’s less about ambition and more like a dream…”

“Lady Luna.”

I deliberately cut her off.

“A ruler without dreams will only be killed in a dreamless world. You said you wanted peace for everyone, right? A ruler who gets hung up on trivialities like word choice won’t bring peace to this war-torn continent. Do you understand?”

“…Peace to this war-torn continent… is what you mean?”

I stared directly into her eyes. Her crimson irises trembled pitifully.

No matter how many times I look, she doesn’t seem like someone who could unify this continent…

But I trust my Divinity 100 brain completely.

“That’s right. Don’t lose heart. If you grow into a ruler capable of unifying the continent… I, Swoen, will surely fill your vessel with the entire Garland continent.”

“…”

She blushed slightly upon hearing my words. She truly is beautiful—delicate and worth protecting. She gives off the impression of a flower blooming alone on a cliffside. It’s hard to imagine how she ever thought of becoming a leader.

“…Understood. If Sir Swoen says so… I will embrace my ambitions.”

“Good.”

To lighten the mood, I casually changed the subject.

“This place is farther from where I was than I expected.”

“Huh? Oh… well, it’s not impossible to travel here in a day, but…”

Luna nodded in agreement after hearing my comment.

This woman…

She came to recruit me five times. So all those times, she traveled this long distance back and forth?

The story of a certain novel where someone was recruited after being visited three times suddenly makes more sense now. It’s quite commendable that she kept coming to find me despite having no particular reputation.

‘Alright, since I’ve joined, I should do my best.’

I looked up at the sky. The sun was still up, but it would be better to return to the territory before it gets dark. My body hasn’t fully recovered yet, but I can’t keep resting forever.

“Let’s move on.”

I slowly got up. Moving my body still feels burdensome, but adapting to this body is ultimately my responsibility.

“A-Ah, yes!”

Luna stood up upon hearing my words and resumed walking ahead through the bushes.

*

“Huff, huff.”

Damn it.

My body, which I had resolved to adapt quickly, was already testing me.

Just climbing this hill has left me in this state. It seems my physical stats might be lower than my estimated 10~15.

“Almost there, but are you tired?”

The sun is setting already.

It’ll be dangerous at night, and camping would waste a whole day.

From the perspective of the Lunarien Army, which could be attacked at any moment, wasting time on the road like this isn’t ideal.

“No… let’s hurry. I’m fine…”

Rather, doing something exercise-like might help build stamina…

But in this game, there’s no command to level up abilities like in old-school games.

Judging by my predictions so far, this world might follow strict game rules despite appearances, but until I know how it applies, I can’t act decisively.

“…”

Luna hesitated for a moment, then approached me and said,

“Sir Swoen.”

“…What is it?”

Luna turned her back to me and bent over, speaking nonchalantly.

“Would you like a piggyback ride?”

“…Huh???”

Did I hear that right?

“Sir Swoen, you seem very tired… If it’s alright with you, I can carry you. We’re almost there.”

“But, that’s not the issue…”

Trying to say something, my legs wobbled, and words failed me.

I recalled Luna’s physical stats. They were slightly above average, but is it really okay?

Looking closer, she showed no signs of fatigue.

Still, I’m a man and a subordinate. Being carried by a female lord seems too pathetic.

But…

“Isn’t wasting time here more embarrassing?”

Thinking realistically, just accepting the ride is the right move here. With that decision, I leaned against her without hesitation.

“Please take care of me.”

“Of course!”

She skillfully balanced while carrying me and stood up. Am I unusually light?

My arms and legs are thin, and I generally have a slender build. I haven’t been eating much either.

As I rested on her back, I glanced at her profile and thought,

‘To unify for peace…’

Some users might have the desire to unify this continent for peace…

But this game already has a concept tailored for that.

Makana Karelia, the ruler of the Karelia Army, inherits the royal bloodline of the Makana Kingdom, which was destroyed by Serpina, the once-unified empire. With her emerald-green eyes, she embodies righteousness and serves as the main rival to Serpina’s tyrant role, exuding an arch-enemy vibe.

Considering that tutorial scenarios often involve leading the Karelia Army to learn the basics of the game, she’s practically the protagonist faction. Despite having a limited talent pool, they’re all SS-rank, making them manageable after enduring the early stages, though not beginner-friendly.

So what I’m saying is—

The Lunarien Army is basically irrelevant in this game.

They lack standout qualities and have never taken the lead in anything. Even in-game random adjustments confirm this.

Always among the first to fall in the early game, they’re just another minor country. That’s why, unless someone goes for the King Return concept, the Lunarien Army ‘never’ achieves unification.

Even so…

I, or rather my Divinity 100 brain, am certain.

The Lunarien Army will unify this continent.

Including the armies of Serpina, Brance, and Aishias—all deemed impossible.

“It doesn’t make sense, but…”

Since my predictions always come true in this world…

Whether it turns out well or poorly, I must stay by her side under this premise.

And thus, I safely arrived at the small town of Jeilrant, the Lunarien Army’s territory.

“Is this it?”

A dilapidated little castle.

Dark alleys devoid of vitality.

A scenery exuding ominous vibes.

My first impression of Jeilrant, classified simply as a ‘small town’ in the game, was this:

An abandoned city.

“Yes, that’s correct. Sir Swoen, this is where you’ll reside.”

She pointed to a rundown wooden house with a calm face. Though disappointing, I didn’t expect luxury living here, so I wasn’t upset.

“When the sun rises, please visit the central castle. Until then… good evening.”

After bidding farewell to Lunarien, I entered the wooden house. The creaking door opened to reveal a tiny room with a single small window letting in moonlight. Inside, aside from an old bed for sleeping, there was no furniture.

Though the house is in bad shape now…

The larger the city grows, the better places I’ll get to stay in.

‘Time to sleep.’

I laid down on the old bed. My life as a strategist was about to begin.