Rewinding Time
Rewinding time a bit, a few days before making the proposal to Lynn.
"A letter?"
"Yes. I have somewhere to send it. I just finished writing it."
"Right. You said you had something to tell me? Wait a moment."
After finishing the letter, I explained my future plans briefly while drinking the tea Irene had brewed for me.
"You want to send me back to the battlefield?"
"Yes. As the administrator of the newly constructed fortress, you'll receive full authority to command approximately 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers."
"Full authority... But I'm not sure if that's possible. Our lord doesn't trust me that much. In the previous fortress, it was essentially an order to die, so she might have temporarily handed over control, but commanding an entirely new force is a different matter."
"That's precisely what we'll use to our advantage."
"To our advantage?"
Irene asked with an intrigued expression.
"Lynn is strangely eager to eliminate you. So, we'll set up a situation where she can do so. If giving you full authority is the only way she can eliminate you, wouldn't she be willing to do just that?"
"She needs to give me full authority to eliminate me...? I don't quite understand what you mean... Anyway, specifically, what kind of authority would I receive?"
I spoke with a confident tone.
"I plan to propose building a fortress in the front yard of Balhart Castle. And I intend to have you temporarily gain full authority over that fortress."
"Balhart Castle... you mean the capital of the Aishers army?"
"Yes."
"Why? Even if it's your suggestion, our lord is fundamentally suspicious by nature. Without any basis, if we simply say 'let's build a fortress to attack the Aishers army,' the chances of her agreeing are low."
"I'm going to create a situation where she can't refuse. I have something prepared."
"Prepared..."
Irene tilted her head slightly, still not having all her questions answered.
But soon she smiled faintly and said.
"Alright, Swen. If you say you've prepared something, I'll simply believe it. Even if you present the most implausible opinion, I've sworn to draw my sword for you."
"I'm grateful for your trust."
"So, what am I supposed to do once I get full authority? I don't think you want me to fight the Aishers army as is. Even if I were to start a rebellion, it's impossible with just a fortress, not a castle."
Yes.
Why did I set up such a complicated situation?
It was time to explain that.
"Make contact with Baranga Yuuri Aishers, the ruler of the Aishers army."
"Contact her and then?"
I looked straight into her eyes and said.
"Surrender to her."
"...!!"
Only then did Irene's calm demeanor falter.
"Surrender to her..."
"Yes. Our new lord will be Baranga Yuuri Aishers of the Aishers army."
We needed to leave the Brands army.
The most important reason was to save Irene Juliet, who stood before me.
Inevitably, if she remained here, she would eventually lose her life at Lynn's hands.
Now that I had successfully turned her loyal heart, leaving this place as quickly as possible was the only way to ensure her safety.
But—this was merely my own justification; to outsiders, we might seem like traitors, but that couldn't be helped.
This part didn't matter much anyway.
After all, I was planning to eventually return to Lunarienne, the lord destined to unify the continent.
So far, so good.
However, simply surrendering with Irene wouldn't be meaningful.
If we resigned from the Brands army, we would inevitably incur Lynn Brands' enmity, and regardless of her temperament, she had undeniably secured a significant force.
In the worst case, there was a possibility that Irene and I could be captured and killed by her.
Therefore, we needed to take as many surplus soldiers as possible to disrupt the balance of the Brands army.
That's why I was fixated on creating a situation where Irene would gain full authority over a fortress.
With full authority, we could take all the soldiers with us when surrendering!
Of course, since we would be bringing the soldiers with us, we were limited to border countries that could provide solid support immediately after surrender—
But that was fine, since empowering a country adjacent to the border would be the most efficient way to shake the Brands army anyway.
So the only question remaining was:
Which country should we go to?
The Brands army was located in the exact center of the continent, with borders in all directions.
There were many countries on the map, but they could be broadly divided into four directions.
First, the north. The Serphina army.
Serphina von Aingart was a tyrant. Even if we went to surrender, she might just behead us on a whim. She was known for showing no mercy to enemy generals.
Besides, our surrender wouldn't be of much benefit to her. Although we would be approaching in submission, dealing with such an overwhelmingly powerful entity would be problematic in many ways.
Moreover, after already suffering a defeat in the north due to Kalinz, it would be difficult to persuade Lynn, the ruler, to advance north again.
In other words, she was out of the question. Pass.
Second, one of the two countries bordering the south.
Not a bad option. However... they would likely refuse to accept Irene and me to avoid creating friction with the Brands army.
From the moment they accepted traitors, they would inevitably become enemies with the Brands army, and in the current situation where the southern continent had not been conquered, incurring the enmity of the Brands army wouldn't be a pleasant prospect for them.
If they refused to accept us after we had built a fortress and gathered soldiers, it would be extremely problematic.
Decisively, there was a possibility that we would have to fight against Lunarienne, who was in the Karelia army, located away from the border.
Third, the minor countries in the western central continent.
These were also out of the question. From the beginning, this area would inevitably fall under the Brands army's flag given enough time. Pass.
The fourth option was the Aishers army to the east.
Although she hadn't yet dealt with the Charam and Alrepel armies, she was clearly the most powerful force in the east.
Despite having a small territory, she had many S-rank generals, and with additional soldiers, she could become the greatest threat to the Brands army.
In other words, the soldiers and fortress we could offer would be extremely tempting not only for us but also from the Aishers army's perspective.
Therefore, even if it meant becoming enemies with the Brands army, they would likely accept our surrender declaration and protect us.
After all, for the Aishers army to expand, they would need to push back the Brands army anyway.
There were many countries, but when organized like this, there was only one place left for us to go.
"Baranga Yuuri Aishers is an extremely wise woman. She will quickly realize that gaining us would be beneficial, not detrimental. Moreover, from my estimation, the Aishers army likely has a very wise strategist. They will quickly calculate the advantages and disadvantages. They are most likely to accept us."
Of course.
This path wouldn't be entirely smooth.
But to save Irene, this was the only way.
"Both Irene and I will incur the enmity of the Brands army for our betrayal, but as members of the Aishers army, we won't be easily defeated."
"About the strategist you mentioned... may I ask the basis for that?"
"They tried to deceive our army by using the Alrepel and Charam armies."
This 'betrayal' strategy is one that can't be used without an Intelligence of 95 or higher and the [Betrayal] specialty.
Whoever it is, there's definitely someone with a sharp mind there.
"I see... Baranga Yuuri Aishers."
Irene fell into thought for a moment, then cautiously asked me.
"But our final destination isn't the Aishers army, is it?"
"That's right. When Lunarienne's army eventually rises, I plan to go there."
"I see..."
After saying that, she wore a serious expression.
I think I understood why she had such an expression.
Irene was fundamentally a person of deep loyalty.
Even if her loyalty was misplaced, she placed great importance on the lord-vassal relationship.
From her perspective, constantly changing lords like a migratory bird would naturally be concerning.
Following me meant wandering from place to place like I did.
I bowed slightly to her.
"I'm sorry, Irene."
"Hmm? What's the matter?"
"Because of me, you have to serve different lords continuously. I don't think that's very pleasant for you. I wanted to apologize for that."
Hearing my words, Irene began to wave her hands dismissively.
"Hmm...? No, no, Swen. It's fine. That's not a problem."
"Irene...?"
"I was just... worried about what would happen if they were suspicious of you in the Aishers army. I have a plausible reason for being disliked by my lord, but you don't. They might not readily welcome a general who suddenly comes to surrender... Because of me, you're taking on the stigma of a traitor, and that seems to be making things difficult for you... I was just wondering how to safely get you to Lord Lunarienne, that's all."
"..."
"Isn't that right? You could easily make a name for yourself here in Brands. In fact, it would be more comfortable, since you've already shown and proven yourself. So... I couldn't help but notice that leaving this place is an action for me, not for anyone else."
Surprised and frozen by her words, she spoke to me as if stating something obvious.
"I'm fine, Swen. My belief is to protect you. Who I serve doesn't matter at that point."
She said this with a bright smile directed at me.
Her face, illuminated by the lantern, looked more beautiful than ever... and without realizing it, I blurted out my true feelings.
"Irene. While you protect me, I will also definitely protect you. Even if I have to bear a stigma worse than that of a traitor. And... when that time comes..."
"...When that time comes...?"
"..."
I scratched my cheek.
And just as I was about to open my mouth—
"Swen."
Irene reached out and placed her hand on mine.
Then, with an incredibly benevolent smile, she said to me.
"It doesn't have to be now. When everything is over... make sure to tell me. I'll be waiting."
"...!"
My face was burning hot.
I had always thought I had the upper hand when talking with Irene.
Not that I was superior, but she... had a strangely peculiar side.
Her expressions were more varied than I had thought.
Whenever I said something, she always seemed to be drawn to me... or so I thought.
At this moment.
I couldn't deny it.
At this moment, she was overwhelming me in this conversation.
Do you know, Irene?
I...
"Well then, I just need to wait for my lord's orders, right?"
"Huh? Oh... yes, that's right."
"Good. I'll soon be saying goodbye to this house too. I've grown somewhat attached to it."
She stood up and cleared the table.
"It's getting late. Let's go to sleep. We'll be busy soon."
With those words, as she always did, she sat down leaning against the wall instead of using the bed.
I got up, turned off the lantern, and...
Instead of going to the bed, I headed to her side.
"Swen...?"
"Let's sleep together tonight, Irene."
"...!!!"
Despite the darkness, I could tell her face had turned red.
She seemed flustered for a while, not knowing what to do—
Then.
"...Okay."
With that, she rested her head on my shoulder.
I also rested my face on top of her head.
And so, leaning on each other, we spent the night together, one of our last in the Brands army.
* * *
"..."
Unlike Swen, who had fallen asleep early,
Irene remained awake for a long time, her face flushed, gazing at his sleeping form.
"Irene. While you protect me, I will also definitely protect you. Even if I have to bear a stigma worse than that of a traitor. And... when that time comes..."
Thump, thump.
Even now, her heart was pounding as if it would burst.
Her chest felt hot. Her stomach tingled.
That's why... she had hastily cut off his words.
If the expected words had come out of his mouth... she thought it might distract him before an important task.
Of course, half of her thoughts were different.
It would be more accurate to say she quickly changed the subject because her heart felt like it would burst, because she was embarrassed.
'Swen...'
She knew.
Swen was trying to leave this place to protect her.
The man who had risked his life for her.
Now he was willing to give up his secure position for her sake.
Suddenly, that scene came to mind.
In the fortress, when he embraced her after she returned defeated, saying he was glad she was alive.
'...'
The unfamiliar emotion she felt for the first time continued to stimulate her.
But if this was her heart...
Irene had no intention of going against it.
And so—
Irene spent the night unable to sleep for a long time, feeling his warmth.
*
A few days later, at the royal castle of Anel.
Irene, summoned by Lynn, was kneeling and listening attentively to her lord's words.
"Irene. You've worked hard recently."
"Not at all. I only did what I had to do. It's enough that I was of help to my lord."
Lynn smiled kindly at Irene, who was bowing before her.
And then... she began to act exactly as Swen had predicted.
"I believe in your abilities, and I'd like to use you again this time."
"Yes!"
Irene bowed her head even lower and spoke resolutely.
"Give me any mission. I will follow."
"Good. I'm very pleased."
Lynn smiled and said.
"I'm thinking of invading the Aishers army to the east. I think I'll need your help with that."
As soon as she heard those words, Swen's voice flashed through Irene's mind.
'...You were right, Swen.'
Irene slowly closed her eyes.
And in her heart... she bid farewell to the one lord she had once so desperately wanted to serve.
Goodbye, my lord... no, Lynn Brands.
I wish you good health, she thought.
"Won't you go and achieve merit for me, Irene?"
"Yes! I understand!"
Irene answered with a more valiant voice than ever before.
That was the end of this lord-vassal relationship.