"How refreshingly it flutters."
Chel, who was at the vanguard, commented as he watched the pure white flag fluttering.
"What do you think?"
Irene, who was beside Chel, answered.
"We'll need to enter the castle to know for sure... but I wonder if there might be some hidden scheme."
As Irene said this, she recalled Lunarienne's face from when she last visited this place.
Those two ruby-colored eyes that shone clearly.
The spirit and ambition unbefitting the ruler of a small nation who boldly declared that she couldn't entrust the world to Serphina, let alone Lynn.
Irene had faced many people on the battlefield.
There were those who died by her hand, and those who nearly killed her—but people with an overwhelming presence were extremely rare.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that recently, Lunarienne was the only one.
Would such a person declare surrender like this, with the castle gates wide open?
No matter how she thought about it, Lunarienne didn't seem like someone who would surrender so feebly.
"Hmm..."
Just then.
A soldier came running from behind.
"A message from our Lord! The vanguard is ordered to enter the castle gates immediately! However, she warns you to be careful of potential traps!"
"Traps?"
Chel stroked his chin.
"Well... I think our Lord is being overly cautious. What could a small nation possibly do?"
"But Kalinz was actually ambushed."
"There's a difference between 8,000 and 80,000 men. Numerically it's a tenfold difference, but in terms of destructive power, it's far beyond that. The situation now is different from then."
Irene simply nodded at Chel's words without adding anything.
He was a man whose pride and arrogance matched his skill. It was clear he wouldn't listen to anything else she might say.
"Still, we can't disobey our Lord's orders."
After saying that, Chel let out a slight chuckle, then spoke loudly as if shouting:
"Listen up everyone! We're now entering Jeilant Castle! Siege weapons are to remain on standby outside! There might be traps, so everyone move with caution!"
And so, 80,000 soldiers entered the castle through its wide-open gates.
*
"My Lord. The search is complete."
Inside the territory of Jeilant Castle.
Lynn nodded slightly as she looked at Irene who was reporting to her.
"The results?"
"...Nothing. We found nothing that appears to be a trap."
"Did you check the royal castle?"
"We haven't investigated it yet, but judging by the absence of guards, it seems no one is there. It appears they've fled."
"Where to? Don't they have nowhere to go?"
"That's hard to say..."
"Well, they probably abandoned their country to save their lives, right? After all, she's just the ruler of a small nation."
As Farfalle spoke, Lynn rested her chin on her hand and thought.
'Is that really it?'
It didn't make sense.
Would someone who had a person like Swen by their side flee so feebly like this?
Without any preparations?
Even as the leader of a small nation, raising an army and becoming someone's leader was never an easy task.
No matter how she thought about it, this situation didn't feel natural at all.
'There must be something...'
"Um, my Lord. May I make a suggestion?"
At Irene's words, Lynn responded with obvious annoyance.
"...What is it?"
"What about forming a pursuit team?"
"A pursuit?"
"Yes. I'm concerned about leaving Lunarienne alive..."
Lynn didn't really care about Lunarienne.
If Swen wasn't here, forming a pursuit team would make sense.
If they divided the 80,000 soldiers carefully and searched thoroughly, they could easily find the fleeing Lunarienne forces.
Just then.
A soldier came running hurriedly toward them.
"My Lord! There's someone in the royal castle!"
"What?"
Lynn asked the soldier.
"Who is it?"
"Well... a young man with white hair introduced himself as someone who belonged to Lunarienne's forces. He was tied up behind the throne."
'Swen!'
Lynn's expression immediately brightened upon hearing the soldier's words.
'He stayed behind!'
Her joy at his presence was momentary.
Farfalle, who was beside her, rested her chin on her hand and said:
"Did she leave her retainer behind while fleeing? It's a difficult decision to understand."
Lynn nodded at Farfalle's words.
"Well, I find it strange too... but we can just go ask him directly. After all, I came here to get him♡"
Then, looking at the soldier, she ordered:
"I'm going to the royal castle right now, so prepare for it."
"Yes! Understood."
Lynn slowly dismounted from her saddle.
Irene grabbed her and said:
"Um, my Lord. About forming a pursuit team..."
"No. There's no need to pursue. The prey seems to be right here anyway."
"But there's only that one man in the royal castle, right? That means Lunarienne is still fleeing, so it would be best to pursue and capture her. If you entrust me with minimal forces, I can pursue and capture Lunarienne as soon as possible—"
"Hey."
Lynn roughly cut off Irene's words.
"Why have you been telling me what to do? I already said there's no need to pursue. Are you planning to disobey me? Are you bored because your sword hasn't tasted blood today? Should I let it taste yours?"
"...No. I apologize."
Irene bowed her head as she answered.
In her opinion, letting Lunarienne go like this would surely become a significant threat to the Brands forces in the future.
She couldn't imagine someone of that caliber simply abandoning their country and living in hiding.
But.
Her lord was Lynn Brands, and as her retainer, she needed to obey her words.
"Good. If you understand, then stay quiet. Please."
After saying that, Lynn turned and headed toward the royal castle of Jeilant.
Farfalle, who was following behind her, looked at the bowing Irene with a sympathetic expression and said:
"I understand General Irene's concerns, but wasting troops to chase after the fleeing ruler of a small nation is not a good strategy. If we've succeeded in achieving our Lord's objective, we should redistribute our gathered forces back to the frontlines as quickly as possible. Even with agreements in place, leaving the frontlines empty is dangerous. So please don't worry too much."
Farfalle seemed to want to offer words of comfort.
Recognizing his intention, Irene nodded.
"It's fine. As a general of the Brands forces, I simply follow my Lord's orders. Thank you for your concern."
"..."
Farfalle nodded slightly, then followed behind Lynn.
Irene let out a short sigh and slowly followed after them.
*
This was the royal castle of Jeilant.
Until just moments ago, this place had been the headquarters and capital fortress of Lunarienne's forces, handling various affairs—but now it had fallen into enemy hands.
And I was kneeling, tied to a pillar near Luna's chair where I had been sitting.
And.
Before my eyes—she whom I had met as an envoy.
The blue-haired ruler Lynn Brands was looking down at me with an extremely satisfied expression.
"Hello, Swen♡ How have you been? It's been so long. How many months has it been?"
"..."
I didn't particularly answer.
She didn't wait for my response either and continued speaking.
"So, what exactly is going on here? Would you care to explain it to me?"
So it begins.
I spoke with the most expressionless face possible.
"My Lord... or rather, my former Lord Lunarienne tied me up here and escaped the castle with her troops."
"Really? But why didn't she take you with her? Don't tell me this Lunarienne woman has a fetish for tying up handsome men like you in places like this? Ahaha♡"
I didn't fall for her light provocation and spoke in a serious tone.
"I don't know the reason. However... Lunarienne suspected that I was in collusion with you, Lady Lynn Brands."
"Collusion?"
"Yes. I don't know why she thought that, but..."
"Hmm."
She looked down at me without saying anything.
In any case, I needed to say what I had to say.
"Since things have come to this, I want to rely on Lady Lynn Brands. I'll lend you my strength."
"Really?"
Lynn said that and then—
Instantly erasing the smile she had been wearing, she spoke in a cold tone.
"But I don't need you. What will you do?"
"Is that so?"
Don't panic.
She needs me.
My prediction proved it.
I don't know why she's saying such things, but there's no way she has the power to change this predetermined future.
"Yes. How can I trust your words? Conversely, Lunarienne might be planting you as a spy. Don't you think? Isn't this whole situation too contrived—leaving just you behind while taking all the soldiers and gold? Ah."
Lynn put a smile back on her face and spoke teasingly.
"Could this be your scheme, Swen? Did you notice that I came for you, and you're sacrificing yourself to save your Lord or something like that? If that's the answer, it's an incredible loyalty. Don't you think?"
Unexpectedly sharp reasoning.
Indeed, being in the position of a named ruler, she must be an extraordinary person.
Still, I shouldn't show a flustered expression here.
"If that's how it appears to you, I have nothing to say, but I haven't told any lies."
"Right. I'm sure you haven't. Hehe...♡"
"And well, if you don't need me, there's nothing I can do. Still, I beg for your mercy. If you spare my life, quietly farming would be enough for me."
"What?"
After briefly questioning my words, she soon burst into laughter for some reason.
Her laughter echoed throughout the royal castle.
"You're not upset, are you? Alright. It's a lie that I don't need you. I came all the way to this small, unremarkable castle with such a large force—you'd be stupid not to notice."
After saying that, she walked steadily toward me who was tied up, crouched down to match eye level with me who was kneeling and bound—
"You know what, Swen? Whether this is your scheme or whatever, I don't care. I want to make you mine. And there aren't many people I've wanted to make mine this badly. And."
Then, just as she had done before, she slightly lifted my chin with her snow-white hand.
"I'm confident I can have you. The scenery I'll show you will be far more splendid than the trivial landscape that someone like Lunarienne shows you. I pride myself on the fact that you'll find it very pleasing. Soon, you'll be dreaming the same dream as me, Swen...♡"
The same dream.
I was about to say, "I'm sorry, but my dream is to work under the unifying ruler," but I closed my mouth.
Lynn, either unaware of my inner thoughts or confident despite knowing them, smiled and said:
"So, won't you work under me?"
What was there to hesitate about now?
My answer was already decided.
"I will do so."
"Great♡ Wait just a moment!"
She approached me directly and spread both hands to untie the rope binding me.
Her face and body pressed against mine, and the same perfume scent I had smelled when meeting her as an envoy strongly pierced my nose.
The rope was untied.
And to me, now free, she extended her hand.
I took her hand and said:
"From now on, I will work for Lady Lynn."
"Yes! I'm counting on you, okay? Hehehe♡"
After the fall of Lunarienne's forces—a small nation with only one territory—
I officially became a member of the Brands forces.
In a way, I had achieved the goal I had set when I first possessed this body in this world.