Upon arriving at the royal palace, Serpina did not remain seated on her throne. Instead, she stood up to greet .
["You've arrived, Swen."]
["My lord. I've heard the news... Is it a rebellion?"]
At my words, Serpina gave a bitter smile.
["Yes... It seems your prediction was right."]
Another rebellion.
Setting everything else aside, how had Serpina realized it in advance?
["Did you hear any rumors?"]
["Rumors?"]
["Yes. Considering what happened not too long ago, it seems reckless to launch another rebellion so soon. From my perspective, it doesn't seem very efficient. Security would obviously be tighter. If I were the leader of the rebels, unless I believed in so kind of superstition, I would have postponed it no matter what."]
There was no way Serpina hadn’t considered what I was thinking.
She was a capable ruler.
After the empire’s downfall, she had risen to her position amidst the chaotic battle for the imperial throne and managed to hold onto it until now. That wasn’t sothing just anyone could do.
Of course, I couldn’t deny that she had been given the opportunity due purely to her bloodline. But maintaining the weight of the crown was not sothing that noble lineage alone could accomplish.
That was the extent of 'common sense thinking.'
Naturally, I had anticipated the possibility of rebellion. That was why I had opposed advancing too far. But since Serpina didn’t have a cheat ability like mine, from my perspective, she had to have so sort of concrete basis for her judgnt. Until now, all her decisions had been grounded in sound reasoning.
Serpina listened to and let out a small laugh.
["I see... You were expecting so kind of story, weren't you? Sorry to disappoint, but there’s nothing like that. I only had one basis for my decision, Swen."]
Then, she stepped closer, whispering softly.
["Swen, didn't you say it yourself? That pulling troops away from the northern continent was unwise. I simply trusted your words... and judged based on everything you have shown until now. I chose the most likely outco from them."]
["...If trust is your only basis, aren’t there other possibilities that were just as likely as a rebellion?"]
I asked, aning to question why she had been so sure that a rebellion, specifically, would break out.
["If you insist on logic alone, then yes, one could think as you do. But... surely you understand that not everything in this world follows logic perfectly?"]
Serpina smiled slightly at my question.
["If I had to explain it... I simply thought that this was the mont when fate would strike again."]
She turned her gaze toward the throne.
["Fate has always pushed into the abyss at monts like these. Since the day I sat on this throne, not a single mont has passed... without feeling as though I carry the curse of the dead."]
["My lord..."]
["Perhaps they were right. Perhaps this is only the beginning... and I will continue to face despair like this. A punishnt for daring to covet the emperor’s throne—a throne that no one should have reached for. ...Isn’t it ridiculous? That a ruler of a nation would let herself be swayed by such superstitions?"]
Her voice lacked the usual firm strength.
Had this been weighing on her mind all along?
Like a cruel joke of fate, every decisive opportunity ca with an obstacle. If it happened once, it could be dismissed as coincidence. But if it repeated over and over, to the point where resignation settled in naturally—
It wasn’t so simple to argue that it was just a series of unlikely events.
Because in the end, her words had been proven right.
A rebellion had indeed broken out, and keeping our forces in the north had been the correct decision. By the ti the rebellion was crushed and an occupying army was assembled to resu the advance south, the turmoil would likely have settled to so degree.
The opportunity had slipped through our fingers.
Even if we had seized it, would it truly have been an opportunity? Considering how quickly the rebellion had thrown the northern continent into chaos, it was hard to say.
["In any case, the rebellion has begun, so we will suppress it. There is no reason to hand over the banner of the Eingart family to those who refuse to follow and instead chase the shadows of ghosts."]
["Where did the rebellion start?"]
["Linenheit Castle in the northwest. The lord there, Celine, claims that she is the rightful emperor, as she is practically the legitimate successor of Sidmid von Eingart."]
["A successor...? Does she have any legitimate claim?"]
["Other than being from the Zernst family, one of the now-aningless Seven Founding Houses, she has no basis whatsoever."]
Serpina clicked her tongue in irritation.
["She’s too stupid to realize that all of this is utterly pointless."]
Her words were harsh, but her eyes looked sorrowful.
What must it be like to have those who once followed her repeatedly betray her?
Of course, I wasn’t unaware that the purging of the imperial heirs had involved cruel thods. But after that conversation at the gravesite, I suspected Serpina had been sowhat distanced from the worst of it.
Even though she never denied the blood on her hands, I couldn’t shake that thought.
["Well, you needn’t worry too much. I have already sent forces. The closest stationed troops will suppress the rebels soon."]
["The closest stationed troops...?"]
And then—
A na escaped her lips. A na I couldn’t easily ignore.
["Yes. The closest force is stationed at Roze Castle. General Airen commands them."]
["...!!"]
Serpina smiled, as if entertained by my reaction.
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
["Oh my, Swen. That’s quite an adorable expression you’re making."]
["I, well..."]
["Are you that concerned about Airen?"]
She seed to enjoy my montary lapse in composure.
I had no reason to lie.
I simply lowered my head.
["Now I’m curious about sothing."]
["What is it?"]
["What does Airen Juliet an to you?"]
["...What?"]
I raised my head at the unexpected question.
There was amusent in her expression, but it didn’t feel like a simple joke or idle curiosity.
It was different from how she had spoken about Yuri.
["Airen is..."]
What did Airen an to ?
It wasn’t sothing I needed to think deeply about.
["She is soone very precious to . I would go so far as to say I want to protect her."]
I continued, my voice unwavering.
["For purely personal reasons, she is soone I want to stand by. Even if this world turns its back on her, I am prepared to remain by her side."]
["...Even if everyone else turns away, you would stay by her side."]
Serpina slowly nodded, as if understanding sothing.
["Well, considering the two of you have already switched allegiance together twice... I figured you weren’t just acquaintances. But seeing the look on your face, it seems your bond is even stronger than I thought."]
Then, lowering her gaze to the floor—
She murmured softly, as if speaking to herself.
["...I envy you."]
["My lord...?"]
["I envy General Airen. Even after ascending to the emperor’s throne, I have no one willing to risk their life for ... but you, Swen, have such pure and unwavering support. I suppose it’s only natural that I would covet sothing like that."]
As she spoke, a slow curve ford at the corner of her lips.
Since the mont Airen’s na was brought up, she had maintained a playful tone and expression—
But I noticed it.
Her golden eyes trembled.
["You needn’t worry too much, Swen. General Airen isn’t alone. Competent commanders like General Irian are serving as her lieutenants. Considering the scale of the rebellion, I don’t believe General Airen will be in any danger. She is a commander, after all—she won’t be at the very front lines herself."]
Hearing Serpina’s words, my turbulent emotions settled sowhat.
Moreover, I recalled how Airen had reassured before she left.
She had told not to overextend myself, to avoid unnecessary risks at all costs. And she had promised to do the sa.
So, I shouldn’t worry too much.
["You probably know better than I do, but General Airen is the 'Siege Specialist,' is she not?"]
Serpina’s voice took on an amused lilt.
["Thinking back to the legendary feats that spread across the continent when the red-haired knight tore through the central lands alongside Brans’ strongest sword, I’d say Linenheit Castle will surrender in no ti. There’s no need for to dispatch additional troops. It will be handled swiftly. Don't you think so?"]
She let out a low chuckle, satisfied.
And in that mont, I suddenly realized—she had asked a question.
It was about Airen.
So, perhaps I should check.
‘Can Linenheit Castle be subdued without additional reinforcents?’
The answer ca rolling forth, as simple as ever.
But this ti—
It was truly shocking.
[The fate of continental unification will arrive.]
'!!!!'
What?
We’re just subduing a rebellion—how does that connect to the fate of unification?
["Swen?"]
["I..."]
I was unable to form the words.
Serpina, now serious, observed carefully.
["...Has it co again?"]
It was only after she spoke that I realized—I had failed to hide my expression.
But it was too late to feign ignorance.
Instead, I did what I had done before.
I asked that question.
‘Can Serpina von Eingart unify the continent?’
[No.]
A sigh escaped .
So it was happening again.
Was this truly, as she claid, so bloodstained 'curse' that had bound her fate?
Once more, the shadow of death lood over Serpina.
["What is it? What result did you get?"]
["..."]
She pressed with an urgent expression.
I fell into thought.
Serpina had already deduced my ability with nearly 99% certainty.
She didn’t pry, nor did she demand an explanation. But she was sure of it.
That much was clear, given that the only basis for not mobilizing our army had been my advice.
Alright.
Let’s think.
The fate of unification lay with Lunarian Iniang. That ant keeping her alive was paramount. That hadn’t changed.
["My lord, please wait a mont."]
["...Alright."]
Serpina didn’t press further. She rely closed her lips and quietly waited for my answer.
The first thing I had to consider was:
Why does Airen’s conquest of Linenheit Castle lead to 'the fate of unification' happening?
And if that is guaranteed, then—
Why can’t Serpina beco the ruler who unifies the continent?
The latter was clear. The sa as before.
She was going to die.
If she died, then of course, she could not be the one to unify the continent.
But why would she die?
Because Airen conquered Linenheit Castle?
There was no apparent connection. There wasn’t even enough information to make a proper prediction.
‘Information... I {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} need more information.’
I t Serpina’s gaze.
Yes.
If it were anyone else, it would be impossible.
But her—
She had nearly perfectly deciphered the nature of my ability.
Perhaps... she could help find the missing piece.
I looked into her golden eyes, so filled with silent sorrow.
And I made my decision.
To roll the dice.
For the first ti ever—
Cautiously, and in a way I had never asked anyone before—
I spoke.
["My lord."]
["Speak."]
["Could you ask a question?"]
["...A question?"]
["Yes. Specifically..."]
I took a slow breath, carefully choosing my words.
["Would you be willing to ask , 'Would it be beneficial for our forces to leave the rebellion in Linenheit Castle alone instead of suppressing it?'—or sothing with a similar nuance?"]
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