Taking the Fortress
Capturing the fortress progressed much faster than I had anticipated.
It seemed that managing the newly acquired fortress would be Epinel's responsibility.
That's probably why she came all the way out here in the first place.
With the best general of the Aishers army positioned at the front, the Brands army must feel like they've been struck by lightning from a clear sky.
It couldn't be helped. Since we had earned their enmity, we needed to keep destabilizing the Brands army.
Considering Lynn's personality, she would never quietly step down, and having joined another army, she would certainly harbor resentment in some form.
In that case, bringing soldiers was a much better decision. I also wanted to avenge what happened to Irene.
Moreover, taking control of the central region from the Brands army and restoring balance was extremely important for me personally.
When the Lunarienne army eventually mobilizes, it would be much easier to deal with two balanced nations rather than facing one massive country.
After she secured our fortress.
I headed to Valhart Castle with Irene, following our new lord.
On the way to Valhart, I became lost in thought.
'It seems I've only gotten better at lying.'
She said she would make sure I never regret this decision.
Eventually, Irene and I will leave the Aishers army anyway.
Of course, unlike when we left the Brands army, we probably wouldn't betray them by taking soldiers with us—we'd likely just quietly resign—
but you never know how situations might unfold.
And another lie.
"Really? Then conversely, you think I'm the one who will become the unifying monarch?"
'Can Baranga Yuuri Aishers become the monarch who unifies the continent?'
[She cannot.]
Despite making that prediction, I shamelessly gave an immediate answer.
Well, why she is destined not to become the unifying monarch—I'll probably find out while staying here.
As I was lost in these trivial thoughts.
"Um... Swen."
"Yes?"
Irene grabbed my sleeve and said.
"That... um... what was that situation...?"
"Which one?"
"That... what you said at the end in front of Lady Yuuri... why did you suddenly say such a thing."
Ah.
I immediately understood what she was talking about.
"Lady Yuuri seems to have more of a playful side than I expected."
I said that while recalling what had just happened.
It seemed our new lord wasn't as serious as I had thought.
The way she showed intense interest in our escape together was more like that of a girl full of girlish sentiments rather than a ruler.
"Our lord seems to think I abandoned everything to follow you, Lady Irene, in some kind of romantic escape."
"What...!"
Irene turned pale and her face flushed deeply.
"Well, if that's what she thinks, there's no harm in playing along. Thanks to that, she accepted our surrender smoothly."
After hearing my words, she sighed briefly, then spoke with regained composure.
"...I... I see... So you were just playing along..."
"Well, it wasn't entirely playing along. After all, I truly do want to protect you, Lady Irene. I told you that night, didn't I?"
Hearing my words, Irene looked at me with slight surprise—
Then, with her face still flushed, she nodded with a smile.
"...Yes."
I stared at her smile, momentarily entranced.
She was truly a lovable woman. Her appearance was exceptionally beautiful, and her chest was ample enough to definitely catch a man's eye.
Just based on her looks alone, one wouldn't regret selling an entire country for her.
But I... didn't think of her as merely 'beautiful.'
As I said before, she was 'lovable.' That was the crucial difference between her and Yuuri, who was simply beautiful.
Now that we had come to a new country, I hoped she would regain her self-esteem.
Her self-confidence must have been thoroughly crushed during her days in the Brands army, where she wasn't recognized despite her achievements.
"It doesn't have to be now. When everything is over... make sure to tell me. I'll be waiting."
'...When everything is over, huh.'
I didn't plan to wait until then.
Pondering her words, I continued walking toward Valhart Castle.
*
Valhart Castle had a distinctly different atmosphere from Anel Castle or Kelstein Castle.
First, I noticed that people's attire was subtly different. There was definitely a difference from Jeilant Castle where I first settled, Anel Castle, and Kelstein Castle which was located on the way to the north.
The atmosphere among the territory's residents... if I had to compare it to somewhere, it was closer to the somewhat tense atmosphere of Jeilant Castle rather than the peaceful ambiance of Anel Castle, but there was still a sense of peace in the air.
The castle walls were extremely high, and well-trained soldiers patrolled the interior, working to maintain order.
To summarize, it was a situation where 'tension about war exists, but all residents clearly sense that they are safe.'
After all the soldiers had returned.
Yuuri approached us and said.
"You both worked hard coming all this way. I'll say it again, thank you for becoming part of my family. It couldn't have been an easy decision to defect to a smaller nation."
Irene bowed her head and said.
"Not at all, my lord. We are the ones who should thank you for taking us in."
"Thank you."
After hearing our greetings, she nodded and briefly looked up at the sky.
The day had already grown dark, with stars scattered across the sky.
"It's late today, so there's no need to come to the royal castle to do anything. We've already completed all the necessary ceremonies. Our army's next regular meeting is in three weeks. I'll call you if something comes up, but if nothing special happens, you won't need to take on any missions until then."
Three weeks.
That was a longer idle period than I expected.
If it were an urgent situation, she would have given orders immediately, but perhaps the internal affairs were stable enough that there was no need to rush.
During this free time, it would be good to explore Valhart Castle and get familiar with the geography.
"Understood."
"Right. Speaking of which, you two need a place to stay, don't you?"
Yuuri put her index finger to her lips and made an "hmm" sound as she thought.
"Let's see... currently vacant houses... there's one that was recently built... yes, that should work. Irene?"
"Yes. Please tell me."
"There's a road leading southeast from the plaza called Shaman Street. Number 9 on Shaman Street. You can stay there. It's a newly built building so it should be clean, but there might be some dust."
"That's fine. I'll take care of the rest. I'm extremely grateful just for providing us with a place to stay."
"Really? That's good then."
Yuuri said with a smile.
"Then I'll be going now. You both worked hard today. See you at the next meeting if nothing comes up."
At that moment.
I called out to Yuuri as she was about to leave.
"Um... my lord."
"Yes?"
"Where should I go?"
Let's say Irene goes to Number 9 on Shaman Street.
Then where am I supposed to go?
Given all the talk about family, I didn't think she would treat me and Irene differently.
But.
Yuuri spoke as if wondering why I would even ask such a question.
"Hm? I already told you. Number 9 on Shaman Street. That's where you go."
"...So that's where I should go?"
"?"
At that very moment when I felt our conversation was misaligned—
I realized something.
"Um... perhaps."
"Hehehe."
Yuuri covered her mouth and laughed again.
To someone who doesn't know better, it might look very elegant and dignified... but that was unmistakably the laugh of a girl who enjoys playing pranks.
"You two will live together, of course."
"...!!!"
"No... that's..."
Irene tried to say something in embarrassment, but Yuuri cut her off as if she had no intention of listening.
"I'm not that insensitive. It's just the right space for two people, so stay there from now on. Got it?"
"..."
Well.
Come to think of it, hadn't we been living together before?
I nodded.
"Understood."
"Good. I'll be looking forward to good news. Well then."
After Yuuri left.
Irene and I stood there in silence for a while.
It was strange.
Just a moment ago, I was able to maintain my composure thinking, 'Hadn't we been living together before?'
Why... did my face feel so hot now?
And it seemed no different for Irene standing next to me.
With her face completely flushed... she was just fidgeting and glancing at me.
It was a bit awkward, but as I had just thought, this wasn't our first time living together.
In situations like this, dragging out the conversation would only make the atmosphere more awkward.
"Let's go, Lady Irene."
"Huh?! Oh... y-yes. L-let's."
So Irene and I headed toward what would become our new home.
*
Upon arriving at our new home, we lit a lantern.
It was indeed a clean and nice house that showed signs of being newly built.
It was more spacious than our place in East Anel, the kitchen area seemed more sophisticated, and the overall facilities felt better.
Crucially... the bed was large. Large enough to be a double bed.
I'm not sure why the bed stood out so much in my consciousness.
"We've... arrived."
After unpacking her things lightly, Irene once again said nothing.
I guess I need to take the lead here.
"Shall we clean first? There seems to be some dust."
"Cleaning..."
The day had grown dark, but it wasn't deep into the night yet.
People were still walking around on the streets.
Actually, that didn't really matter. To be honest, I just wanted to escape the awkward atmosphere quickly.
"Let's do that. Let's clean first. Yes."
Irene seemed to want to move her body too, as she agreed with my suggestion.
So we thoroughly cleaned the house where we would be staying.
Cleaning definitely made time pass well.
Moving our bodies until every corner of the house was clean seemed to clear away distracting thoughts.
After the cleaning was done.
Silence greeted us once again.
"Now, let's take a bath. We've been sweating. And we've traveled a long way."
"Hmm. Good idea."
So we took turns bathing.
After cleaning and washing our bodies, we felt refreshed in both body and mind.
Now... there was truly nothing left to do.
The night had deepened.
Silence descended once more.
And this time... Irene spoke to me first.
"Swen."
"Yes?"
With her face deeply flushed—
Looking at me with a slightly trembling voice... she moved her small lips.
"...Shall we sleep together?"