Chapter 47

As Kalintz stood frozen in shock, Lady Iren approached me with a gentle voice.

“Ah, Swoen. You were unconscious… so you wouldn’t know much.”

I turned my head to look at Iren.

And from her, I learned what had transpired while I was out.

* * *

Let’s rewind the clock.

After successfully escaping from Cherryen Castle’s prison, Kalintz swiftly rode off toward the fortress on a stolen soldier’s horse. It seemed Serpina’s army, numbering over 50,000 troops, was marching against this very castle – Cherryen – whose defenses he had weakened and whose forces he had thinned out.

Using the ensuing chaos to his advantage, Kalintz managed to escape imprisonment. But then came the problem…

“How foolish I’ve been.”

Thinking clearly for the first time in prison, Kalintz realized just how stupid his actions had been. The morale of Cherryen’s soldiers hadn’t dropped at all. Though Serpina had conquered the north, she hadn’t fully won the people’s hearts – something Kalintz knew well. That meant the rebels might still be loyal to Ian…

Regardless, the results of his battle were disastrous. By handling things poorly, Kalintz had done all the hard work for Serpina’s army! Thanks to him, they’d easily crush the rebellion. Instead of building merit for Brance’s army, he’d built it for their enemy.

“Damn it!”

How humiliating! Only now did he feel the weight of his arrogance and idiocy.

Moreover, the fortress he’d championed constructing was surely about to be taken. He’d insisted on its construction despite warnings that, if captured, it could benefit the enemy. Built hastily after embarrassing defeats against Lunarien and in the north, it was supposed to prove his worth as not just any general but as Lin Brance’s blood relative.

Tired of being compared to his siblings, he’d rushed into this project. Even though objectively he was a skilled commander, he’d always been underrated next to them. Desperate to prove himself, he’d made reckless decisions.

If the fortress fell so soon after completion due to his poor judgment…

That fortress had already received multiple warnings during planning stages. Ignoring them now felt like a huge mistake. Looking back, everything he’d done seemed pointless.

“Shit!”

Kalintz thought. At this point, begging for his life would be disgraceful. Better to die fighting here for the honor of House Brance. If nothing else, he needed to take responsibility for his mistakes. How could he face his younger sister or his older brother, Brance’s greatest swordsman?

But…

He feared Lin might have already ordered retreat. She wouldn’t waste lives needlessly.

If the flag flying above the fortress was yellow instead of blue when he arrived…

Kalintz had even considered standing alone against the fortress.

“Please… hold on just a little longer!”

Somehow, his prayers were answered. The flag above was indeed Brance’s blue.

However…

Something felt off.

“What is that?”

On the castle wall, some man was making strange gestures between two drums, shouting loudly. Getting closer, Kalintz recognized a young white-haired man – someone familiar from the fortress…

But he had no more time to think.

“…Huh?”

Looking up at the sky…

* * *

From Iren’s explanation, I understood the situation.

“So, an escape.”

Capable generals rarely get captured, and when they do, they often escape frequently. Therefore, they’re usually promoted quickly or used diplomatically early on. Given the circumstances, Ian’s forces hadn’t handled things wisely. Understandable, considering they were newly raised rebels in the middle of battle. Likely, Serpina’s main force was dispatched…

Kalintz nodded meaningfully to his horse, giving me an intense stare.

“Swoen! Is that your name?”

“Yes.”

“Good! I, Kalintz Brance, will remember your name forever! Never forget it!”

?

Why is he suddenly acting like this? Still, I decided to play along.

“Thank you.”

“Thank me? From what I heard, you’re the only one who refused orders and fought to protect this fortress…”

Not sure when he heard that, but it’s true, so I’ll agree.

“Yes.”

“Exactly! You risked your life to defend this fortress against my orders! For me, Kalintz Brance!”

???

What is he talking about? Why would I fight for him?

But Kalintz, oblivious to my thoughts, continued enthusiastically.

“Swoen! I saw the miracle you created with my own eyes while riding here!”

‘Ah…’

Now it makes sense. He didn’t infer my defiance, he witnessed my ‘show.’

Meaning…

Kalintz Brance now firmly believes I’m an extraordinary person.

‘Scary…’

Even though I did it, sometimes it’s terrifying how things unfold.

“Building an altar, barely surviving on minimal food to communicate with the heavens… continuously beating drums to open the gates of heaven, right?”

The story has grown more dramatic. Might as well let it be.

“Ho! That surprised look means you’re wondering how I know!”

Kalintz kept talking without waiting for my response.

“The soldiers we fought alongside told me everything! Swoen, I’m truly proud of you! Having such incredible talent in our army proves our lord knows how to choose good people!”

“Thank you.”

“Hmm! That’s the spirit!”

Kalintz smiled confidently, clearly expecting me to be moved by his words.

“I’ll never forget that you risked your life for me in this battle! As long as you’re in Brance’s army, no one will dare disrespect you! I swear it on Brance’s name!”

“…”

Though slightly annoying…

Still, letting him praise me however he wants is easier than arguing.

After causing quite a commotion, Kalintz left the room, leaving just Iren and me.

Turning to Iren, I saw her watching me worriedly.

“Swen, please rest for a while.”

“I’ve slept enough.”

“I’m asking you. Please.”

“…”

Fine, maybe I should rest a bit more to recover stamina.

“Alright. But please call me if anything happens.”

“Hmm. I will.”

Once again, silence filled the room. I finally asked.

“Lady Iren…”

“Yes?”

“Will you stay here indefinitely?”

“Yes.”

She nodded immediately.

“Swen, taking care of you is my duty now. With General Kalintz back, others can handle fortress matters.”

“But shouldn’t you have other duties?”

“No. Right now, caring for you is my most important task.”

Her tone was firm, but her gaze was warm rather than cold.

Your attitude seems different since before I passed out…

Though, I don’t mind her concern too much.

“Then, thank you.”

“Yep.”

She smiled at me.

Seeing that smile preserved…

For the first time, I felt grateful for my Divinity 100.

*

Days later in the fortress,

news arrived that all of Ian’s castles, including Cherryen and Mati, had fallen to Serpina’s army. The rebellion ended with Ian Rashpalt’s execution, and all rebel leaders, including Solaris Rashpalt, were beheaded.

What a short-lived rebellion.

Even knowing it couldn’t last long, why did they start it?

Those answers are lost now that Ian is gone.

This complete suppression and execution sends a clear message:

Anyone opposing Serpina will die without exception.

Serpina’s influence in the north will grow stronger.

When the north stabilizes…

Naturally, Brance’s army will be their next target.

“Our lord needs to prepare.”

But I’m sure she’ll handle it.

All I need is to find the right timing to escape with Iren.

More days passed.

Reinforcements from Lin finally arrived at the fortress. Iren and I greeted them in the meeting room where Kalintz was.

“Following Lord’s orders, I, Taltin, have just arrived, General Kalintz.”

“Hmm, good.”

“I’m relieved to hear you escaped safely. Our lord must be pleased too.”

“…”

Kalintz changed the subject without responding.

“So, these reinforcements will operate from this fortress, right?”

“Well, that won’t happen.”

“What?”

To Kalintz’s question, Commander Taltin replied firmly.

“This is Lord’s order. General Kalintz Brance and all subordinate officers are ordered to return to Anel Castle.”

“What? Return? Then who will stay here?”

“…”

Taltin hesitated slightly before carefully continuing.

“And secondly… Lord orders us to gather all movable supplies… and destroy the fortress.”