NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 239
* * *
After taking drastic measures at Kelshtain Castle, several days had passed.
We hadn’t yet heard any news about an epidemic breaking out, but thanks to the support of Irian and Jena, there were no issues with quelling internal discontent regarding the abandonment of our territory.
Well, technically they weren’t exactly supporting me personally… they were just following Serpina’s orders without question. But hey, at the end of the day, result is result.
And on this day too, as usual, I made my way to Einhardt Royal Palace.
“Ah, you’ve arrived, Swoen.”
Looking around, I noticed that Jena, who was always by her side, wasn’t present.
“Where has the Strategist gone?”
“To the untamed lands of the Northern Continent. There are some matters she needs to oversee there.”
“Ah…”
The only problem was the displaced territorial people. Sure, it sounds good to “develop uncharted lands,” but in reality, we’d moved them to barren land where nothing grows easily.
Serpina claims she’s offering various benefits, which apparently are quite generous by this era’s standards. But from my modern perspective, they don’t seem all that great.
If no epidemic occurs and things go another way, we might end up losing the people’s loyalty for nothing…
‘But ah, it’ll probably be fine.’
There was still plenty of time to observe. After all, nothing definitive has happened yet.
At that moment…
I heard the voice of my current liege lady.
“Swoen. I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
Serpina, in her usual monotone…
“Apparently Erhandorf Arishian has died.”
“!”
She delivered quite a shocking piece of information.
Erhandorf Arishian – a name I know well. In fact, I even remember his face. Those days I spent in the Aishias Army now feel like distant memories.
He was one of the five heroes who silently held up the Aishias Army. A man with sturdy muscles, an unchanging expression, and vacant eyes – someone whose image remains vivid in my mind.
And now… he’s dead?
“What happened?”
“The Chel Army.”
“Pardon?”
“It seems the Aishias Army took over Hisfil Castle and Jelin Castle as we expected… but Mirage Castle and Alcanwood Castle fell to Chel instead.”
So while our troops were away, Chel made their move. Of course, the Central Continent isn’t solely dominated by the Aishias Army, and not all our borders face them alone. It appears territories once belonging to Brance Army are now under Chel control.
“For some reason, these two forces clashed, and… well, it seems Erhandorf met his end during that conflict.”
“So Chel killed Erhandorf?”
“It would seem so.”
“Was he captured as a prisoner? Or did it happen on the battlefield…?”
“I hear Chel personally issued the execution order, so it’s likely he was taken prisoner.”
“Is that really true…?”
I recalled the Chel I met during my Brance Army days. Though he was definitely hot-headed and focused solely on combat, killing someone of Erhandorf’s stature outright seems… odd. Could he have simply acted according to his battlefield instincts rather than considering the strategic advantages?
As if reading my thoughts, Serpina provided the exact information I wanted to hear.
“Apparently, his head was cut off and displayed on the castle wall.”
“If they went through the trouble of hanging it on the wall…”
“This is clearly a provocation.”
Just as our exchange flowed naturally, Serpina gave me an amused look.
“You know, every time this happens, it feels like you’re an extension of myself. No one else in our army sees things exactly as I do.”
I almost commented that I feel the same way about her, but decided against saying something unnecessary. Feeling slightly awkward without responding, I remained silent as Serpina moved on to her next question.
“So, what do you think will happen next?”
“For now, observing the situation further should be fine. The Chel Army and Aishias Army are about to enter full-scale war.”
“But now that our route is blocked, wouldn’t the most logical choice be to target Hesna Army below? Unless we want to create favorable conditions for Lady Yuuri, that is. Frankly, it’s hard to imagine she holds any special regard for us after everything.”
“At this point, with Erhandorf’s death, everything has already been decided.”
“…No one in the Aishias Army will be able to stop Yuuri’s decision. In fact, the most influential figures within the army will likely clamor for a fight to the death with Chel.”
Back when I served in the Aishias Army, I remember wondering about something when I realized the founding five heroes wielded more influence than even National Strategist Jinoru.
“What would they choose if one of the five were endangered?”
All five were exceptional individuals. When one of them faces danger or passes away, it signifies something extraordinary has occurred. Acting purely on emotion could lead to unforeseen consequences. I considered advising against this, but Yuuri never sought me out personally back then, and I was busy spending time with Reika at Jinoru’s residence, so I never brought it up.
Jinoru is likely no longer around… so the path Yuuri chooses will be clear.
“Perhaps the Aishias Army may unexpectedly lose its momentum in some unexpected way.”
Serpina smiled, finding this interesting.
“Hmm. Speaking of which, Swen, I seem to have forgotten how you came to be here.”
“…”
That’s right. Even at that moment, Yuuri remained consistent. To save Anima, who was precious to her above all else, she sold me out. An unfathomable action no lord would dare take lightly.
Sure, the person who brought me here can be understood, but what crime did the person sold commit? Selling a commander who should have been loyal to her was certainly an irrational decision. The reason I don’t harbor resentment towards Yuuri isn’t because I’ve forgiven her, but rather because I never truly regarded her as my liege in the first place. Besides, I’ve already settled my personal debts with Lady Iren.
Anyway… if she acts outside common sense regarding prisoner exchanges, how much more so upon hearing of someone’s death?
At that moment…
“I have one question, Swen.”
“Please ask.”
“I’m sure you’ve heard that Lady Irian, as the Lady of Kelshtain Castle, is controlling access to the castle.”
“Aah…”
Indeed, this is Irian, who managed to prevent an epidemic from spreading. The moment she received orders to seal off the entry routes, she must have sensed something and begun preparations accordingly.
“Does your conclusion remain the same?”
“…”
Once again, I processed the final question I interpreted:
“Is gathering troops at Kelshtain Castle the most efficient option?”
[Yes.]
The answer hasn’t changed.
I slowly nodded.
“Yes, it does.”
“…Understood.”
Serpina nodded and didn’t ask any further questions. I remained silent, reviewing the situation in my mind.
“We still have ample time.”
It’s not that a conclusion has been reached; rather, we’re at the beginning of something new unfolding. For now, our task is to observe the movements of the Chel Army and Aishias Army while holding our trump card.
What exactly will happen?
Even though making spot-on predictions has become routine, even fortune-tellers stay tense when riding a palanquin. Still, conclusions will come with time. We can decide our next steps then.
‘I should probably inform Lady Iren and Reika-san…’
Since they were also part of the Aishias Army, it would be wise to update them on the news.
With that thought, I spent the remaining time assisting Serpina with her work.
* * *
Inside the royal palace of Jelin Castle.
A knight with blue hair rushed forward with an urgent expression.
Her visibly distressed appearance drew the attention of several soldiers who approached her.
“E-Excuse me, General Emma. Please calm down…”
“Get out of my way!”
The knight, Emma, roughly pushed past the soldier and hurried toward the audience chamber where their monarch, Yuuri, awaited.
‘This can’t… this can’t be happening.’
The unbelievable news she received upon arriving here made her dizzy.
Her breathing grew increasingly labored. What she needed to do now was confirm the truth with Yuuri herself.
To find out if it was really true…
‘Begging your pardon! Begging your pardon!’
Holding onto the faint hope that might shatter at any moment, Emma rushed toward the audience chamber.