Chapter 77

* * *

The Royal Palace of Einhardt Castle, once the capital of the old empire and now the seat of the Serpina Army’s capital.

“Lord. The assault team led by General Irian as the vanguard has departed safely according to the designated date for the Kelshtain Castle operation.”

“Hmm.”

Meanwhile, a rebellion had erupted within the Brance Army. Troops were sent to suppress the rebel forces aligned with the Aishias Army, but that too ended in failure—a fact which naturally reached Serpina’s ears. Though it was unclear what exactly led to this situation, Serpina wasn’t one to let such a golden opportunity slip through her fingers. She wasn’t some pushover woman; without hesitation, she immediately mobilized troops and launched an invasion toward Kelshtain Castle.

While the long-cherished goal of expanding into the Central Continent unfolded somewhat anticlimactically, Serpina was no idealist chasing after honor—she was all about pragmatism. To her, the process mattered far less than the results. And so, she moved swiftly.

Serpina extended her hand gracefully toward the messenger delivering the news, satisfaction evident on her face. Her beauty was so striking that even this simple gesture gave off an almost otherworldly aura, like something out of a fairytale. With her dazzling golden hair and piercing eyes that seemed capable of swallowing everything in their path, anyone would be forced to acknowledge: ‘This woman was born to reign above us.’

“Toil well done. If there is nothing more to report, you may rest until further orders.”

“Yes, understood!”

After dismissing the messenger, Jena, Serpina’s Nation Strategist, approached her side and asked:

“Irian, huh…?”

“The son of the late General Kremten Al Caskey who passed away last year. This young man just turned an adult this year.”

“I see. I’ve heard he graduated top of his class from the Einhardt Academy.”

At Jena’s words, Serpina tilted her head slightly, intrigued.

“Is that so? That’s new to me.”

“He’s highly anticipated by many generals stationed along the borderlines. They say he possesses exceptional spear skills worthy of mention even within the prestigious Al Caskey family.”

“Hmph.”

Serpina spoke in a cool tone.

“In this country, things like reputation mean nothing. We’re not living in the days of the old empire where noble lineage or aristocratic status mattered. If he’s truly remarkable, then let him prove it on the battlefield.”

“I concur with your assessment, my lord.”

Aside from Irian Al Caskey, the Serpina Army boasted countless talented individuals despite their relatively barren land compared to the Central Continent. Their dominance over the vast Northern Continent, once home to the old imperial capital of Einhardt Castle, combined with the overwhelming legitimacy inherited from the former empire, made their talent pool incomparably superior to any other force. While legendary commanders fit for history books might have been scarce, the Serpina Army certainly didn’t lack for reliable leaders who could deliver outstanding results regardless of circumstances or location. These were spread throughout the continent, outnumbering those in every other nation.

“But enough of that… Your report is delayed.”

“You mean… the matter regarding the white-haired man?”

At Jena’s words, Serpina turned her gaze directly toward her for the first time.

“Indeed. Didn’t I say I wanted to see his face myself?”

“Well, it wasn’t deliberate procrastination, but tracking this man’s movements has proven rather challenging…”

“Hmm?”

Serpina raised an eyebrow ever so slightly, her expression exuding an air of intrigue. Even this subtle shift radiated an overpowering grace and beauty that dominated the room.

“First, here’s information about the rebellion in the Brance Army.”

“About the betrayal of Knight Iren with her fiery red hair joining the Aishias Army?”

“Yes. It turns out Iren wasn’t the only general to betray at that moment.”

“And you bring this up now because…”

“Exactly.”

Jena nodded.

“It seems the white-haired man also betrayed alongside her.”

“You haven’t mentioned his name yet.”

“They call him Swoen. Until he performed something resembling magic near the fortress, he wasn’t particularly renowned.”

“Swoen…”

Serpina silently repeated the name several times in her mind. It was definitely unfamiliar to her. Yet, when she mouthed “Swoen,” the shape of her lips forming the sounds brought an inexplicable sense of calm to her heart. Why did merely muttering the name of a stranger stir such emotions within her?

“Currently, he belongs to the Aishias Army, though he hasn’t made any notable moves since.”

“Is that so.”

Serpina tapped the armrest of her throne with her fingertips.

“What do you plan to do?”

“The Brance Army is already finished. Once an unbreakable borderline collapses, there’s no going back. Considering we’ll inevitably clash with the Aishias Army while advancing into the central regions starting with Kelshtain, it makes sense to proceed accordingly.”

“So you mean…”

“It’s simple. Just continue doing what I’ve always done whenever I want something.”

Serpina smiled faintly, a seductive curve gracing her lips that could easily ensnare anyone.

“If that man hides within the Aishias Army, then crushing them will suffice. Once I set my sights on something, I can’t help but make them spit it out eventually, can I?”

“…”

Jena cautiously questioned her master.

“My lord, may I ask something?”

“What is it?”

“Why are you so intent on meeting this Swoen? Is he truly indispensable to our army? While there is a possibility he’s a mage, there haven’t been reports of similar magic being used since the incident at the northern fortress of Kelshtain.”

Initially, Jena believed bringing Swoen aboard would be crucial since he might be the first mage to appear on the continent in ages. However, after that day, he remained eerily quiet, performing no miracles whatsoever. Moreover, the Brance Army’s defeat against the Aishias Army had nothing to do with his supposed miracles. On top of that, he was a traitor who had already betrayed his own lord. Frankly, she judged him lacking merit as a subordinate commander.

“…”

Serpina understood why Jena asked such a question.

But she couldn’t—or rather, wouldn’t—answer.

Because her desire to meet the white-haired man stemmed from a deeply personal longing unrelated to recruiting talent. At first, she thought perhaps he was someone she’d encountered repeatedly in dreams. But after learning he actually existed, somewhere along the line, she began feeling an inexplicable, primal pull toward him—a sensation entirely foreign to her life thus far.

“…Well, I don’t quite know myself. It might sound silly, but it’s the truth.”

“I see.”

Jena didn’t press her lord further.

“For now, it looks like another series of chaotic days await.”

“I simply strive for the day when Lady Serpina reunites the continent and restores the grand history of the Einhardt Empire.”

“…”

Serpina didn’t respond to Jena’s seemingly loyal declaration.

Once Jena left to attend to her duties, Serpina sat alone in the Audience Chamber, reflecting on her strategist’s words.

The “great Einhardt Empire”—the very name left a bitter taste in her mouth. Memories of all the things it had devoured over the years flooded her mind.

“…”

For a moment, past memories threatened to resurface, but she quickly banished them from her thoughts. They vanished like ink blots into mist, sealed deep within her heart.

She couldn’t afford to dwell on old memories now. All that remained for her was to become the perfect ironclad ruler and unify the continent.

[At that moment], ever since [that event] happened to her, she had lived solely for rebuilding the continent. She long abandoned cursing her bloodline or lamenting her fate.

Perhaps…

This strange yearning to meet Swoen was a small deviation from her otherwise rigid dedication to the empire. She just wanted to confirm his face, to verify if he matched the figure from her dreams. Then maybe she could stop wrestling with those recurring memories.

“Swoen… If you really are the man from my dreams…”

Just before her thoughts spiraled further, Serpina pushed aside her personal self. After all, she must remain Serpina von ‘Einhardt’ above all else.

Whatever happens, meeting him once should settle things.

And so, she waited—for something that wouldn’t come anytime soon.

* * *

As expected, the Serpina Army started another offensive against Kelshtain Castle. Though we could probably hold them off with full effort, doing so would expose our vulnerabilities to the Aishias Army.

The mighty Brance Army, which once held immense influence in the Central Continent, fell astonishingly fast.

A few days later, news arrived that the Alepel Army had vanished from the continent, absorbed into Aishias territory. Their ruler, Alepel, seemed executed. Given they were already on the brink of collapse before retreating, it wasn’t surprising they fell easily.

Though Charan still stood, Yuri’s focus wasn’t on them but rather on conquering Brance’s Raclaine Castle. Once Raclaine falls, we’ll likely establish ourselves as a significant vassal power.

Only now does the Aishias Army begin expanding its domain, asserting its presence across the continent.

Iren and I resumed our duties at Falaharte Castle after that day. The Lunarien Army was led by Epinal and the other “Three Maidens” of Aishias, while Iren stayed behind in the capital as the training general responsible for reinforcing defenses.

I, meanwhile, helped train Reika at Jinoru and Yuri’s request.

Yuri consistently favored her founding generals, rewarding them repeatedly with promotions. Though one might expect resentment from constantly rising through ranks based on achievements, both I and Iren were content with our treatment.

Most importantly, it kept her safe from dangerous battlefields. Besides, we planned to fight under the Lunarien banner eventually anyway, and we felt we’d already done our part for the Aishias Army.

“Then, I’ll be off.”

“Mm. See you tonight.”

“Could you brew that tea again? You know, the smoky one.”

“Sure.”

Iren smiled and nodded. Living together had become second nature to us. In fact, the absence of her presence would feel oddly empty now.

“…When will Lady Luna rise again?”

Lately, I found myself eagerly counting down the days until the Lunarien Army reemerges onto the historical stage. The moment we officially join them, I intend to propose to Iren.

Of course, there’s always the chance she might reject me… Still, I figured it was better to broach the subject somehow, lest I regret not trying.

“If only I could predict whether Iren would accept my proposal…”

Most likely, the answer would be “Can’t tell.” Even with Divinity 100 intellect capable of foreseeing war outcomes between nations, human hearts remained unpredictable. Annoying as it was, having this cheat ability still proved useful. After all, it allowed me to save Iren before.

With these thoughts swirling in my mind, I soon arrived at Nachtharde Manor. It was time to spend some quality time with Reika.

“Guess I’ll go inside.”

I stepped into the manor.