Chapter 75

* * *

At the same moment, at the western fortress of Falahart.

“Look! There are enemy troops ahead!”

As I was making a temporary shrine and pretending to perform rituals, a soldier’s shout reached my ears.

‘Is this the vanguard acting as bait?’

Although we brought out some fancy siege weapons, according to my predictions, the main force that actually came here should be quite small.

There were slightly less than ten thousand soldiers remaining in the fortress.

“General Epinal. Don’t worry and go intercept them.”

Jinoru’s words made Epinal nod.

“If it seems like there are too many enemy troops, we’ll retreat immediately… Swoen, please prepare accordingly when that happens.”

“Understood.”

With that, Epinal set off with several thousand soldiers to intercept the enemy.

It didn’t take long to easily figure out that the number of enemy troops wasn’t large.

Just as I had said, the main force of the enemy had launched a surprise attack, and the number of troops sent here wasn’t significant.

‘Hmm.’

I let out a sigh of relief internally.

Even though every time I make a ‘surefire prediction,’…

Until I confirm the results with my own eyes, my heart never feels completely at ease.

Sure, it’s called a ‘surefire prediction based on speculation,’ but all I’m doing is repeatedly piecing together knowledge I have to fit the situation.

Ultimately, you don’t know if it will work until you open the lid and see.

‘I wish they’d given me a bit more reliable and accurate cheat powers if they were going to make me reincarnate anyway.’

While I was having such half-hearted thoughts, Jinoru approached me after assessing the situation and spoke.

“It seems your words were correct, Swoen.”

With an expression brimming with confidence that would make it impossible to think I was just relieved moments ago, I replied.

“Didn’t I say so? From Brance Army’s perspective, there was ultimately no other decision to make. Anyone thinking about it could’ve come up with a similar conclusion.”

“No, that’s not true. You have the insight to see through situations. There might be talent in you as a strategist who discusses tactics.”

“You’re overestimating me; there’s nothing coming out of it.”

Jinoru chuckled at my words and said,

“I don’t praise just anyone. Anyway, the balance of power on the continent will change significantly from now on.”

His words were correct.

The delicate balance Brance Army had been maintaining on four fronts has collapsed.

It was certain that the power structure of the continent would inevitably be reorganized, whether for better or worse.

From atop the fortress wall, I watched Epinal’s forces deal with Brance Army’s vanguard.

Surely… they’re strong.

As Jinoru said, Epinal was a talented commander.

They say a great commander can change the battlefield dynamics just by being deployed, and it wouldn’t be wrong to say Epinal is showing exactly that.

The fact that he managed to hold out against Brance Army despite limited resources isn’t meaningless.

‘The central part of the continent will soon be plunged into chaos.’

Though it’s deeply regrettable for the territorial people who yearn for peace,… it was an ideal situation for me.

Until Lunarien Army rises and makes its presence known, it was crucial to prevent any particular faction from becoming overly powerful.

Even if Serpina, who has already subdued the north, couldn’t be helped, having a dominant force in the center would create a dangerous situation.

However, I believed…

In the end, it would be the only way towards a peaceful era for the territorial people if Lunarien unifies the continent rather than someone like Lin.

While pondering such thoughts,… I organized my own thoughts accordingly.

*

As soon as we returned to Falahart Castle, Yuri greeted us at the castle gate.

“Welcome back, Epinal! Jinoru! You guys really worked hard!”

“What about the soldiers who launched the surprise attack?”

“Ayren did all the hard work. Emma and Erhandorf also arrived just in time. Jinoru, you really worked hard. Wasn’t it you who insisted that there would be a surprise attack?”

“To be precise, it wasn’t me but Swoen’s opinion standing right here.”

“Really?”

Upon hearing that, Yuri approached me with a smiling face, extended her hand, and said.

I shook her hand.

“Thank you so much, Swoen! If we hadn’t noticed the ambush, it would’ve been a huge disaster… Thanks to you, we survived!”

Smiling, I responded lightly.

“With this, hopefully, I’ve repaid the favor of accepting both me and General Ayren.”

Of course, it was only half a joke—I was very serious.

Whenever I leave this place, regardless of the reason, I wanted to give something back to her who accepted my surrender once.

Naturally, it aligns with my interests too, but there’s no need to bring that up here, right?

Yuri took even my somewhat audacious remarks with a smile.

“Well, obviously! Not just Swoen, Ayren really worked incredibly hard. I heard from Emma—it was extremely dangerous.”

“Huh…?”

Was there a dangerous incident?

As soon as I heard that, I felt my heart sink.

“Could you perhaps tell me the details…?”

Through Yuri, I learned roughly what had happened.

From Ayren provoking Chel Brance to buy time, to engaging in a one-on-one duel where she almost got seriously hurt.

Thanks to Emma’s intervention, everything went smoothly without major issues, but if that hadn’t happened, she could’ve been in real danger.

Since this wasn’t a scenario I had anticipated, I couldn’t help but feel flustered.

‘Something like that happened…’

This is definitely something I need to address later.

“Anyway, we’ve dealt with all the remnants of Brance Army. They won’t dare attack this side anytime soon.”

“No, Yuri. This is our chance!”

Epinal said confidently.

“This is the perfect opportunity to plant a red flag at Raclaine Castle! Just give the order! I’ll head out with the remaining troops and capture Raclaine right away!”

‘Perhaps it’s better to observe the situation for now…’

Brance Army is practically destined to get torn apart everywhere, and it’s true that this is an opportunity for our army—

but there’s no need for Aishias Army to take the lead in this.

Serpina Army will almost certainly move since they’re itching to advance into the central region anyway.

When Brance Army is at war with Serpina Army, invading then would be far easier.

“General Epinal. I understand your enthusiasm, but it seems the timing isn’t right yet.”

Fortunately, Jinoru seemed to share my thoughts and gave her a brief explanation of the current situation.

After listening to Jinoru’s explanation, Epinal fell into thought for a while before nodding and saying,

“Understood, Strategist. I know we avoided a major calamity thanks to your advice this time.”

Fortunately, it seemed she wouldn’t stubbornly insist unnecessarily this time.

“As I’ve mentioned many times, it wasn’t my advice…”

Jinoru briefly glanced toward where I was standing.

I shook my head slightly.

It was a gesture implying that there’s no need to specifically mention me.

Fortunately, he understood and didn’t bring up my name unnecessarily.

‘It wouldn’t be good to stand out too much.’

To stay here in Aishias Army without any trouble, it’s important not to flaunt accomplishments I’ve achieved.

Even Jinoru, whose reputation is widely known across the continent, faces scrutiny from founding ministers simply because he holds the position of strategist—how much more so for someone like me, a commander who supposedly dropped a meteorite from the sky?

Of course, dropping a meteorite from the sky is indeed impressive, but if I can’t do it freely and keep relying on that reputation, there will inevitably be troublesome moments sooner or later.

Anyway, after the meeting with Yuri ended,

I hurriedly moved along.

My destination was where Ayren was.

*

Ayren was always the same person, regardless of her affiliation or position.

This time too, just like during the battle with Brance Army—

she was spending her time treating wounded soldiers who played a big role in repelling the ambush.

Neither Emma, Erhandorf, nor Epinal were present here,… but she, as always, was looking after the soldiers who fought alongside her at the front lines.

“Ayren-dono.”

“Oh? Swoen! You’ve returned safely.”

She smiled at me with obvious delight, but I couldn’t return the smile to her.

Noticing the difference in my usual expression, she carefully asked me.

“…Swoen? Is something the matter? Are you feeling unwell or-”

“Ayren-dono… I heard you engaged in combat with Chel Brance.”

“Ah, you mean that? Yes, I did. Had to buy some time.”

She said it as if it were nothing, but—

Because of her nonchalant attitude, I instead felt a surge of emotion and said earnestly.

“Why did you engage in such a reckless duel? It’s not that I underestimate you, Ayren-dono, but Chel Brance is an unmatched powerhouse within Brance Army. Objectively speaking, the probability of Ayren-dono defeating him is quite low. You could’ve been in mortal danger, couldn’t you?”

Ayren listened to my emotionally charged words, closed her eyes for a moment in contemplation, then slowly opened them and spoke solemnly.

“…A knight wielding a sword must fight when the time calls for it.”

“Now is not the time. We… don’t we have somewhere to go?”

It might sound a bit presumptuous,…

But if Ayren were to meet misfortune while fighting for Aishias Army, I feared I might start resenting Aishias Army from that day forward.

To such a somewhat childish thought of mine, she smiled gently and said,

“That’s why I fought, Swoen.”

“Huh…?”

“To reach the place we must go together. And to ensure you don’t fall into danger beforehand.”

Ayren was looking at me with the clearest eyes she ever had.

That gaze—the look of someone determined to protect something—was momentarily overwhelming me.

“If I hadn’t tied up Chel, there was a high possibility they would have turned back their troops. While that could inflict some damage on Brance Army, as you said, it wouldn’t have disrupted the balance enough to cause significant harm. If we miss this opportunity, there’s no guarantee we’ll get another chance, isn’t there?”

“…”

I couldn’t say anything.

Because Ayren’s words were undeniably reasonable.

Chel Brance fell for her provocation and got so distracted fighting a single commander that he neglected his duties as a leader—

and as a result, the disarrayed Brance Army suffered heavy losses. In fact, it was problematic that I hadn’t instructed her through Jinoru to act this way.

Without her initiative, we wouldn’t have fully capitalized on the opportunity we gained.

Then why…

Why does my heart beat so fast?

Why does something inside me churn with frustration?

“Swoen. I’m truly glad that my abilities have been helpful to you. Don’t feel too burdened. Since the moment I left Brance Army, I decided to live solely for you.”

Living solely for you, she said.

As soon as I heard those words, the truth hidden deep within me burst forth.

“…If you’ve decided to live for me, please, under no circumstances, die.”

Startled by my unintended words, she looked at me with surprise.

But what can I do? These are my true feelings.

“Whatever advantages there are or how opportune it may seem doesn’t matter. Even if we miss opportunities, it’s fine. Ayren-dono… I want you to survive no matter what. I don’t want you to be in danger.”

“Swoen…”

“Therefore, next time, please don’t recklessly charge into battle alone. I beg you. If it seems impossible, just run away. Please, whatever happens, don’t risk your life. Though it might sound ridiculous for me to ask this of a knight heading to the battlefield… it’s sincere.”

What was I thinking while saying these words?

One thing is certain: I’m not speaking now as someone following the instructions of a Divinity 100 brain—

but as someone following the heartbeat still pounding in my chest.

After listening to my words, she stared at me silently for a long time…

then, with a slightly blushing face, bowed her head slightly.

Her expression was uncharacteristically girlish for a knight…

and in a soft voice, she murmured,

“…Okay, so… stop looking at me with such intense eyes…”

“Huh?”

“U-Um… it’s embarrassing… okay.”

Watching Ayren, who was blushing furiously and glancing at me shyly,…

I realized at that moment that maybe helping Luna unify the world was less important than…

simply wanting to protect this woman.