No matter how many times I visited, I couldn't get used to the vast space of Anel Castle.
Even before entering the royal castle, I felt overwhelmed by the magnificent decorations lining both sides of the road.
When I reached the castle gate, a guard blocked my path.
"State your business."
"My name is Swen. I was summoned by my Lord."
I showed him the Brands family crest on my clothes.
The guard verified it, then lowered his guard and saluted me.
"Yes! My apologies. Please come in."
The guard clearly had a similar emblem on his armor, but perhaps there was some marking that identified someone of higher rank?
I made a mental note to ask Irene about it later as I made my way into the castle.
I entered, walked along the red carpet, and proceeded to the central audience chamber where the ruler was.
Upon entering the audience chamber, Lynn, who was sitting on the throne, spotted me and raised her hand.
"Swen, you're here? Come this way."
I walked steadily forward and took my place among the people who were already kneeling on one knee, then paid my respects.
"Swen, reporting as summoned by my Lord."
"Yes, yes. Welcome."
I glanced around.
One man and two women were kneeling on one knee like me.
Two of them were unfamiliar faces, but one was someone I knew.
'Lady Irene?'
Did Lynn summon her too?
Since Lynn rarely called for her unless absolutely necessary, I naturally became curious.
"Well then, is everyone here?"
It seemed I was the last to arrive.
We all answered our ruler loudly.
"Yes!"
"Good."
Lynn crossed one leg over the other and spoke while rhythmically tapping her finger on the chair.
"From today, you will take 10,000 soldiers and move to Kelstein Castle."
"Kelstein Castle, you say?"
The man beside me asked.
He was quite young, but... since he wasn't in my mental database, he probably wasn't a particularly talented retainer.
In this game, C to D-rank generals all looked remarkably similar, as if they were stamped from the same mold.
"Yes. The vanguard... Irene will lead it."
"I will obey your command."
Lynn heard Irene's response and smiled with satisfaction, then spoke in a somewhat exaggerated tone.
"Originally, these soldiers would have been used to attack Valhart Castle, but well... Irene, it's rare for you to voice an opinion on such matters. It may not be as many soldiers as you wanted, but I can give you this many. Go and try to achieve something. I'm giving you an opportunity."
She spoke with a smile, appearing to act benevolently—
But anyone who wasn't a fool could easily detect the thorns in her words.
However, Irene acted as if nothing was wrong—rather, she seemed grateful, bowing her head even lower and answering vigorously.
"Yes! Thank you very much. I will certainly achieve merit."
"Good. And... hmm."
Her gaze, which had been fixed on Irene, eventually turned to me.
"Swen. Raise your head."
I slowly raised my head.
Her blue eyes examined me thoroughly before breaking into a bright smile.
"I wanted to give you more soldiers, but I'm sorry I couldn't. As you know, I can't accommodate every proposal that lacks credibility. Still, since you spoke up, there must be something to it, right? I'd like you to show me something during this opportunity, if possible."
I see.
I was beginning to understand why she had summoned Irene and me.
The proposal I had brought up at the meeting—'We should send soldiers to Kelstein Castle and attack the northern territory.'
That opinion seemed to have bothered her.
So she was taking at least some action now.
But, well...
If there really was a rebellion, even combining with the troops stationed in the north would probably be insufficient.
But what could I do?
That wasn't my problem.
"I will do my best."
I put on the most loyal expression I could muster, then bowed my head deeply again as I answered.
Lynn seemed quite pleased with that response, smiling for a long time before standing up and extending her hand forward.
"Now, prepare to move out immediately. I've made all the departure preparations, so you just need to go and leave right away. Your current assignments are suspended. Go and achieve merit, won't you?"
"Yes, understood!"
We greeted Lynn and quickly left the royal castle.
"I'll give you about an hour. To prepare for the journey. Let's meet at the north gate."
After hearing Irene's words, Jack and Sillin left first.
Irene and I also returned home to prepare for the long journey.
What I did was gather the maps of the northern region that I had drawn in my spare time.
I wasn't sure if they would be useful, but since I had already drawn them, it would be good to bring them along.
Kelstein Castle.
The castle that once saved Lunarienne's army from a northern invasion—now I was entering it with my own feet.
*
On the road to Kelstein Castle, with Irene as the vanguard, leading 10,000 soldiers.
Since all the routes were within Brands army territory, we were moving comfortably without any special security measures.
During rest breaks along the journey, I exchanged introductions with the other two.
Since Irene was the vanguard, her rank was the highest, so she naturally became the leader among us.
"I'm Irene Juliet. I look forward to working with all of you."
"Sorry for the late introduction. My name is Jack. I've been with the Brands army for about three years."
"My name is Sillin. I look forward to working with you on this mission."
Surprisingly, everyone seemed to be meeting for the first time.
Well, in such a vast nation, it would be difficult for all retainers to know each other's faces.
It's a bit unfortunate to say, but there probably wouldn't be many occasions for a major military officer like Irene to meet with the other two who weren't particularly distinguished.
"I'm Swen. I look forward to working with you."
"Ah, Mr. Swen."
After my introduction, Sillin approached me with a question.
She was a very ordinary-looking young woman with plain brown hair in twin tails.
"Don't you recognize me?"
"Pardon?"
Had I seen this woman before?
I racked my brain, but couldn't remember.
Rather than pretending to know her and stepping on a landmine, it was better to be honest.
"I'm sorry. I'm not very good at remembering faces."
"That's okay. It's understandable. We work together at the market. You're the one who manages the tavern counter, right?"
"Ah..."
Only then did I recall the woman who had been investigating the market's commercial status behind me while I was working at the counter.
So she was Sillin.
I thought she was just an ordinary person working at the market, but to think she was affiliated with the Brands army...
"Now that you mention it, I do remember."
"Hehe. I'm glad a handsome person like you remembers me."
"You're quite good at flattery for someone I just met."
And so, we exchanged trivial small talk throughout our journey to Kelstein Castle.
What surprised me anew was Irene's attitude toward them.
Sillin and Jack.
The fact that their names didn't register in my database after 10,000 hours of playing this game meant they were not even D-rank officers, but E-rank—or perhaps, like "James," they were entities who definitely existed and worked in this world but didn't appear as officers in the game.
They were the kind of characters who were chosen when someone needed to fill an empty space but didn't have anyone special to use.
As such, from Irene's perspective as a proper military officer and renowned general, it would have been natural for her to treat them with condescension, and it wouldn't have been strange if she actually did—
But although she spoke informally, throughout the journey she made efforts to accommodate everyone, including me.
She took on menial tasks that soldiers could have handled, and preferred to do things herself rather than delegating to others.
It was enough to make me think, so this is how someone earns people's respect.
She even took night watch duty with the soldiers.
'She's certainly a woman with remarkable mental fortitude.'
Well, considering that she didn't chase me away when I suddenly showed up at her home but welcomed me and got along well with me, it wasn't hard to see that she was an extraordinary person.
After riding horses northward for several days, passing through numerous castles, we finally arrived at Kelstein Castle, located near the border at the northernmost point of Brands army territory, adjacent to Serphina's forces.
'So this is Kelstein Castle.'
It was slightly smaller than Anel Castle, but still the largest compared to the other castles we had encountered within the territory.
Entering through the castle gate and looking around the domain... there were many people gathered, but none of the peaceful vibrancy that could be felt in Anel Castle.
Rather, it was very busy, but with an atmosphere that was somewhat difficult to approach.
Being a castle adjacent to the border, it would be hard to present a peaceful scene even as a formality.
Of course, people's expressions weren't as desperate as those in early Jeilant Castle.
"Everyone, good work. I'd like to rest right away, but I think we should report to the royal castle first."
"I think it would be best to follow Lady Irene's wishes."
"I agree."
Having obtained our consent, Irene gave a light bow and said:
"Thank you. Then, let's handle this quickly."
With those words, we moved to Kelstein royal castle at once.
*
Kelstein royal castle wasn't as luxurious as Anel Castle's royal palace, but it wasn't unimpressive either.
The minimally restrained decorations were each sophisticated and refined, and the eyes of the soldiers standing guard were much sharper than those at Anel Castle.
We followed Irene to the audience chamber.
In the audience chamber, a man with a familiar face I had seen once before was sitting in the lord's chair, waiting to receive us.
It was Rasion, the lord of Kelstein Castle.
"Irene Juliet, and three others. We have arrived at Kelstein Castle with 10,000 soldiers as commanded by our Lord."
"So you've come, General Irene. I've been waiting for you."
Rasion spoke with a somewhat displeased tone while remaining seated.
"I appreciate receiving the troops, but... unless something happens or orders come from our Lord, I and our Kelstein Castle soldiers will focus on defense. We might be dispatched to General Kalinz's fortress, but we have no plans for direct invasion yet, so I hope General Irene keeps that in mind."
Rasion was one of the few people who had closely observed the debate I had with Farfalle.
It seems that since they sent troops including Irene, who had proposed this plan, he naturally couldn't help but think about 'northern invasion.'
She could have said that it wasn't her opinion but that of Swen standing beside her, but instead of saying that, she bowed her head and answered:
"Yes, I understand. I await your orders."
"Well, I'd appreciate it if you just stay quiet. Such absurd ideas as invasion... tsk."
Rasion clicked his tongue once, then briefly glanced at my face.
No matter how intently you stare, you won't get anything out of me.
"I heard from our Lord that you haven't been officially assigned to Kelstein Castle. So you don't need to take on duties within the castle. I'll call you when needed, so feel free to rest until then. I'd appreciate it if you could stay quiet."
"Yes!"
After that brief audience with the castle lord ended.
Jack, who had left the castle, let out a short sigh and said:
"Whew... Lord Rasion is as intimidating as they say."
"I want to go back to Anel Castle soon..."
Sillin agreed, but I couldn't possibly concur.
Intimidating?
Rasion, the representative fair-weather friend of Garland Eternity Saga who would definitely join you if you captured him as a prisoner and pressed 'recruit'?
"Is Rasion... I mean, Lord Rasion known to be intimidating?"
"Ah, Mr. Swen might not know since you haven't been here long. Kelstein Castle, well, because there are so many wars... the military discipline is much stricter than other castles. It's not a preferred posting among retainers."
"I see..."
It feels more like witnessing the woes of civil servants rather than state retainers.
At that moment, Irene spoke as if to change the atmosphere:
"I'll secure rooms at a nearby inn. As the castle lord said, you're free to do as you please for now. You must be tired after moving around busily for quite a long time, so feel free to rest until orders come."
"Ah, then I'll go to the market for a while. I have some business there."
"Me too. Is that okay?"
"Of course. Come to the inn later, mention my name and you'll be able to get a room."
With that, Jack and Sillin left.
'Free to do as we please for now, huh. But if my prediction is correct...'
Something will definitely happen soon.
I discreetly approached Irene, who was leading the way.
"Hmm?"
"Lady Irene. I think it would be good to tell the 10,000 soldiers we brought to be ready to march out at any time."
"...!"
Irene heard my words, looked around briefly, then spoke:
"You think there will be a reason to march out?"
"Yes. Probably."
"...Hmm."
"It's just preparation. If nothing happens, that's the end of it. There's no harm in preparing for the future, is there?"
That's right.
I wasn't saying to take them out right now, just to be prepared.
"Understood."
I slowly stepped away from her.
Well, 10,000 men would be woefully insufficient to make a meaningful impact even if a rebellion occurred—
I wanted to let Irene know that her proposal wasn't wrong.
'The problem will be what comes next...'
And so we temporarily moved our residence from Anel Castle to Kelstein Castle.
* * *
A bedroom with sunlight gently shining through.
Extremely beautiful decorations, and curtains embroidered with luxurious silk.
Between them stood a massive bed carved from mahogany wood, the kind you might only see in an imperial palace.
And in the middle of the bed—
Sat a woman with long golden hair so bright it dazzled the eyes.
Skin like white jade.
Beauty so exquisite it would naturally inspire worship in anyone who beheld it, approaching that of a goddess.
Eyes that seemed to capture the golden light reflected in the sunshine, and a large bosom that looked as if it might burst through her snow-white nightgown.
This perfect beauty, as if sculpted with all of God's might, had just awakened from sleep and murmured:
"...Was that... a dream?"
Today too, she had the same "dream" that she repeatedly experienced without being able to sleep soundly.