The Royal Palace of Aingart Castle
The royal palace of Aingart Castle, capital of Serphina's forces and former capital of the old empire.
"My Lord. The troops assigned to attack Kelstein Castle, led by General Irian at the vanguard, have safely departed on the date you specified."
"Hmm."
News of the rebellion within Brands forces and the failure to suppress rebels who had sided with Aishers forces had, naturally, already reached Serphina's ears. Though she didn't know exactly what had caused such a situation, Serphina wasn't the type of woman to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Of course, she had prioritized gathering soldiers and immediately launched an invasion of Kelstein Castle. She never expected her long-cherished ambition of advancing into the central continent would be realized in such an anticlimactic way... but she was a woman driven by practical benefits rather than honor.
For Serphina, the results mattered far more than the process of how they were achieved.
Serphina extended her hand toward the messenger who delivered the news with a satisfied expression. Perhaps it was because her face was so beautiful. Even the simple act of stretching her hand forward gave the impression of a goddess straight out of a fairy tale.
With her dazzlingly bright golden hair and intense golden eyes that seemed capable of devouring even her hair, anyone would have to acknowledge it.
That 'this woman was born to reign above us all.'
"You've worked hard. There's nothing more to relay, so rest until further orders."
"Yes, understood!"
After dismissing the messenger, Jena, the national strategist who had been standing beside Serphina, approached her and asked:
"General Irian is certainly..."
"The son of General Kremton Al Kaski who died last year. A young man who just came of age this year."
"I see. I heard he graduated at the top of his class from Aingart Academy."
Serphina tilted her head with interest at Jena's words.
"Really? That's the first I've heard of it."
"He's highly regarded by generals fighting across our borders. They say he possesses extraordinary spear skills, even among the prestigious Al Kaski family."
"Is that so."
Serphina spoke in a somewhat cold tone.
"Trivial things like family names mean nothing in this country. This isn't the imperial era when you could survive on claims of noble lineage or aristocratic status. If he's truly that exceptional, he can prove it on the battlefield."
"I agree with your assessment, my Lord."
Besides Irian Al Kaski, Serphina's forces had countless talented young individuals. Though the land was relatively barren compared to the central region, Serphina's forces controlled the vast northern continent where Aingart Castle, the former imperial capital, was located. Combined with the overwhelming legitimacy inherited from the old empire, Serphina's talent pool was incomparably superior to other forces.
While there weren't many legendary generals whose names would be remembered throughout the continent's history, Serphina's forces had the highest concentration of competent commanders who could more than earn their keep in any situation or location.
"More importantly. The report is late."
"By report... do you mean about the white-haired man?"
Serphina turned her head toward Jena for the first time.
"Yes. Didn't I say? I need to see that man's face myself."
"Well... I wasn't trying to delay informing you, but his movements have been quite erratic."
"Oh?"
Serphina raised one eyebrow slightly with interest. Just this simple change in expression exuded overwhelming beauty and dignity.
"First, regarding the rebellion in Brands forces..."
"You mean the red-haired female knight Irene defecting to Aishers forces?"
"Yes. Upon investigation, it appears she wasn't the only commander who betrayed them at that time."
"The fact that you're bringing this up now means..."
"That's right."
Jena nodded and said:
"The white-haired man also betrayed them alongside her."
"I still haven't heard his name."
"They call him Swen. He wasn't particularly renowned until he performed something resembling magic at the fortress."
'Swen...'
Serphina silently repeated the name several times to herself. It was certainly the first time she'd heard it. Yet, the way her lips formed the name brought a strange sense of comfort to her heart.
Why would merely murmuring the name of a man she'd never met evoke such feelings?
"Anyway, he's currently affiliated with Aishers forces. He hasn't distinguished himself in any particular way since then."
"I see."
Serphina drummed her fingers on the armrest of her throne.
"What would you like to do?"
"...Brands forces are already finished. Once the border that should never have fallen has collapsed, there's no hope left. As we advance into the central region starting with Kelstein, we'll inevitably share a border with Aishers forces, won't we?"
"So you mean..."
"It's simple. I'll just do what I've always done when I want something."
Serphina wore a relaxed smile on her lips. It was so seductive that it could truly be called a bewitching smile.
"If that man is hiding in Aishers forces, I'll simply crush them. Once they possess what I desire, I'll make them surrender it."
"..."
Jena carefully asked her lord:
"My Lord, may I ask one question?"
"What is it?"
"Why do you want to meet this man called Swen? Is he really such a necessary talent for our forces? I did mention he might be a magician, but there have been no reports of similar magic being used since the incident at the northern fortress of Kelstein."
Initially, Jena had thought they absolutely needed to bring Swen in if possible. After all, he might be a magician who had finally appeared on the continent.
But since that day, he hadn't performed any miracles, not even moving a stone, and had been living quite quietly. Crucially, the recent defeat of Brands forces by Aishers forces had nothing to do with any miracle of his.
Moreover, he was a traitor who had once betrayed his lord. Regardless of his reasons, her honest assessment was that his merit as a subordinate commander was rather low.
"..."
Serphina easily understood why Jena had asked such a question.
However, she didn't provide a specific answer. Or more precisely, she couldn't provide an answer.
The desire to 'meet the white-haired man' was, in fact, a deeply personal wish that had little to do with recruiting talent.
At first, she thought he might be the man she had encountered repeatedly in her dreams. But after learning that a young man with white hair actually existed, she had begun to feel a fundamental attraction to him that seemed to transcend everything else. This was the first time in her life she had experienced such a feeling.
"...Well... I'm not sure myself. This might sound ridiculous, but it's the truth."
"I understand."
Jena didn't press her lord any further.
"It seems we're in for some noisy days ahead."
"We're simply working toward the day when Serphina will reunify the continent and continue the history of the great Aingart Empire."
"..."
Serphina didn't respond to Jena's seemingly loyal words.
After Jena temporarily left to attend to her duties, Serphina, now alone in the audience chamber, sat on her throne and pondered Jena's words.
The great Aingart Empire?
She couldn't help but feel a bitter taste in her mouth.
All the things that this so-called 'great Aingart Empire' had devoured flashed through her mind.
'...Kuh.'
For a moment, memories of the past threatened to surface, but she quickly erased them from her mind. The memories of the past disappeared into a fog like black ink had been spilled over them, sealed deep within her heart.
She was no longer allowed to dwell on old memories.
What was permitted to her was only to become a perfect iron ruler and unify the continent.
Ever since [that moment], when [that incident] happened to her... she had lived solely for the reconstruction of the continent.
She had long since abandoned any feelings of cursing her bloodline or resenting her fate.
Perhaps...
She thought that this feeling of wanting to meet the man called Swen might be a small deviation for someone who lived only for the empire.
She just wanted to quickly confirm his face and verify that he was different from the man in her dreams.
Then she wouldn't have to wrestle with the old memories that kept surfacing.
'Swen... if you are indeed the man from my dreams...'
Just as her thoughts began to wander again, Serphina quickly pushed away her identity as 'Serphina.'
Right now, she needed to be Serphina von 'Aingart.'
Whatever the case, once she met him, it would be over.
With that thought... she continued to wait for something that might never come.
***
As I expected, Serphina's forces have begun advancing on Kelstein Castle again.
We could stop them if we used all our strength, but that would be the moment our Aishers forces would be caught by the tail.
Brands forces, which had demonstrated overwhelming influence in the central continent, collapsed with ridiculous speed.
And a few days later.
News arrived that Alepel forces had disappeared from the continent and been incorporated into Aishers territory.
It seemed their lord, Alepel, had been executed.
Having been driven to the brink of destruction even before our troops withdrew, they were apparently conquered without much difficulty.
While Charam forces remained, Yuuri's goal wasn't Charam forces, which could be overthrown at any time, but Brands forces' Raclaine Castle, so she wasn't sending additional expeditionary forces.
If she were to take Raclaine Castle, she would certainly become a lord with considerable influence.
Only now had Aishers forces begun to expand their territory and demonstrate their presence on the continent.
Irene and I returned to our duties at Valhalart Castle after that day.
The occupation forces were led by Epinel and the Three Champions of Aishers, while Irene remained in the capital as a general in charge of training troops for capital defense.
For my part, I had to help with Reika's training at the request of Ginor and Yuuri.
Yuuri was the type to repeatedly employ the founding meritorious generals who had helped her.
From the perspective of being rewarded with important positions for achievements, one might have complaints, but neither Irene nor I had any complaints—rather, we were quite satisfied with this treatment.
What I appreciated most was not having to send her to dangerous battlefields.
She would fight plenty under Lunarian forces later anyway, and I felt we had already done enough for Aishers forces.
"Well, I'll be going now."
"Mm. See you this evening."
"Brew that tea for me tonight. You know, the one with the smoky aroma."
"Sure."
Irene nodded with a smile.
Living together with her now felt completely natural.
In fact, I would probably feel empty if Irene weren't in the room.
'...I wonder when Lady Luna will raise her army.'
Perhaps that's why.
These days, I was eagerly counting the days until Lunarian forces would reappear on the historical stage.
I planned to propose to Irene as soon as our affiliation changed to Lunarian forces.
Of course, there was a possibility my proposal would be rejected... but I felt I should at least say something to avoid regrets later.
'I wish I could predict whether Irene would accept if I proposed to her.'
Most likely, the answer would be 'unknown.'
My intelligence of 100 could predict the outcome of wars between nations, but it couldn't predict people's hearts.
At times like this, it felt like an inconvenient cheat ability, but having this ability was better than nothing.
After all, it was thanks to this ability that I was able to save Irene.
Lost in these thoughts, I arrived at the Nighthart family mansion.
It was time to spend time with Reika.
'Well, let's go in.'
I stepped into the mansion.