Not long after I was appointed as the national strategist, a brief inauguration and retirent ceremony was held within the royal capital.
To be honest, I would’ve preferred to skip any kind of formal event, but Lady Serpina insisted that the ceremony wasn’t just for —it was also a gesture of respect for Jenna, the outgoing strategist.
No matter how legitimate the appointnt might be, passing down one’s authority—especially to soone who’d only recently joined the nation—was bound to sting. According to her, honoring Jenna in this way was a matter of dignity and proper courtesy.
There’s no need to poke at a beehive for no reason...
That was why I found myself kneeling in the center of the audience hall, surrounded by rows of assembled officials.
And indeed, if this was about paying respects, then the sight before was fitting. Every powerful figure within Serpina’s army—those said to wield true influence—stood in solemn formation for this event alone.
Cransis, supre commander of the occupation forces.
Airen, deputy commander and the knight who had once saved Serpina’s life.
Irian, currently the most celebrated general in the army.
Reika, the mage who continued to achieve near-miraculous victories and terrorized the continent.
Even the veteran officers who had never once joined any of the countless past rebellions and had remained loyal to Serpina throughout—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say this was the elite core of her military.
And just as Serpina had said, the true protagonist of today’s event wasn’t , the one receiving the strategist’s position—it was Jenna, the one passing it down.
"Step forward and raise your head, Jenna."
"Yes, my liege."
Seated on the throne, Serpina rose as Jenna approached her.
"From the mont I resolved to claim the throne with my own hands, amidst chaos and unrest, your loyalty has never once wavered. I have not forgotten it—not for a single mont."
"I simply did my duty as a vassal."
"Duty as a vassal... Jenna. You, of all people, should know that following that path was anything but easy. Isn’t that right?"
In the early days of Serpina’s rise—when the northern continent was afla with internal strife—her forces must have felt like they were playing tower defense against constant waves of rebellion.
So yes, I could understand her words.
And if even I could understand that much, then Jenna, who had served as her strategist from the very beginning, must have understood it even more deeply.
"If not for your dedication, I would never have stabilized my rule. Without the legitimacy of the Eingart royal bloodline, the north would have plunged into the sa war-torn chaos as the rest of the continent. You didn’t just serve —you saved the north."
She paused.
"I’ll give you the ti. Say what you will."
"Then, if I may."
Jenna turned her head and addressed the gathered crowd.
"Everyone. Thank you for placing your trust in . If I achieved anything during my ti in this position, it was only because of all of you. As of today, I step down from the post of national strategist, but neither my resolve nor the army’s will shall waver. Without your faith, I would have been nothing. And the sa goes for my successor. Please, place your trust in our liege’s decision."
"I will never forget the honor of having served you all for so long."
As she finished, Serpina extended her hand.
And standing at her fingertips, her brown-haired strategist—the one who had supported her army until now.
"Jenna. I will never forget the achievents you’ve made. Now, with your own hands, pass your will to the ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) one who will follow."
"Yes, my liege."
Jenna approached as I knelt.
Having been briefed ahead of ti, I instinctively rose to et her.
"Please accept this."
What she handed was a round, ornate but visibly aged case.
Inside was a single, faded sheet of paper.
"This is your official letter of appointnt as national strategist. It’s an heirloom passed down through the royal line."
I’d heard that every strategist who had served the Eingart royal family had received this sa docunt.
Said to be drafted by the first emperor himself, the text had long since faded. While it held no practical value, the symbolism was undeniable.
And that symbolism was what Serpina had been desperate to preserve.
With all the stronger heirs having been purged, she had no choice but to wrap herself in as much of the Eingart legacy as possible, even if only in na.
"I accept it gladly."
I carefully tucked away the old scroll.
Jenna gave a small nod, indicating that it was now my turn to speak.
"I don’t know if I’ll be able to match my predecessor, but having accepted this role, I will do everything in my power for the sake of Lady Serpina."
Not for Serpina’s army.
For Lady Serpina herself.
Even if it ant acting against this country’s best interest...
If it ant preserving her life, I wouldn’t hesitate.
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
After speaking, I turned from Jenna and approached Serpina, who stood tall before her throne.
Those golden eyes, shining as if to light the way forward. That noble presence—one that compelled reverence from all who saw her.
As I t her gaze, I was struck once again by just how naturally she stood above everyone else.
Lately, I’d seen many of her more girlish sides and nearly forgotten—but in the end, she was soone born to rule.
"I look forward to working with you, Swen."
"Yes, my lady."
We could’ve exchanged more words if we wanted, but today’s ceremony—both in na and in spirit—belonged to Jenna.
Serpina and I both knew better than to draw the spotlight away.
Then ca the applause.
I reflexively turned my head.
Everyone was looking at .
Even Jenna, the true protagonist of today’s ceremony.
...!!!
Irian.
Airen.
Reika.
Jenna.
Every major figure currently moving Serpina’s army had their eyes locked on .
Even Serpina herself.
And that was when I finally realized—what it ant for to beco the national strategist of Serpina’s army.
It ant—
That the will of Serpina’s forces was now in my hands.
From this position, I could do anything.
No one would oppose .
Those who would have stood against had already died rebelling.
And the rising stars—the ones making nas for themselves—were all on my side.
And Serpina, the ruler of this force, trusted more than anyone.
Which ant...
In a way, wasn’t I now directly opposing Lady Luna by my own will?
That silent question—one with no answer—echoed in my mind.
And so, I officially beca the national strategist of Serpina’s army.
And the news... spread across the continent far faster than I ever could’ve imagined.
***
Zeilant Castle.
One of the few places untouched when the plague swept through the central continent.
The reason was simple: it was under the command of Brans Army.
Its ruler, Lyn, had issued a lockdown before the outbreak began to spread. Thanks to that swift action, Zeilant and the surrounding territories in the midwestern region of the continent were spared.
At first, her decision had puzzled many. But in hindsight, it proved to be an outstanding one—her reputation had soared dramatically ever since.
Considering that she had once been denounced as a failed ruler who made incomprehensible decisions and mistakes, ultimately shattering public trust and splitting the nation into three factions... this was nothing short of a miraculous coback.
The rumors that she had "regained her forr brilliance" were no longer just rumors.
Even the troops of Kalints and Chel—those who had broken off through rebellion—were being influenced by the shift in perception.
Especially since Chel and Kalints had been making increasingly foolish decisions by comparison.
Whatever the case, Lyn wasn’t acting recklessly anymore.
She was quietly tending to her official duties, no longer repeating the sa mistakes.
Even if her reputation had improved, she understood clearly that public opinion was rely a reflection of how well she perford her duties.
And a true ruler wasn’t soone who got swept up by reputation, but soone who could manipulate it.
The Lyn of today understood that better than anyone.
And even with that calm, calculated mindset—that particular news caught her off guard.
"So Serpina’s new strategist... is Swen?"
"Yes, that’s correct."
"...I see."
At Parfalle’s report, Lyn nodded with interest.
It wouldn’t have been honest to say she felt no regret about losing Swen. But what shook her more wasn’t the disappointnt.
That doesn’t match what I heard.
Lyn absently twisted a lock of her hair around her finger.
But now, she had soone by her side—soone she could actually talk to about these matters.
She turned toward the figure kneeling before her, the woman who had recently defected and pledged herself to Lyn’s cause.
"You heard that, didn’t you?"
"I did."
The kneeling woman lifted her head to et Lyn’s gaze.
Lyn locked eyes with her and spoke.
"What do you make of it, Cecil?"
Cecil Lohengrin.
The last survivor of Karelia’s Dream Team—the one Luna’s army failed to secure.
The one who carried Karelia’s will.
And now, she knelt in allegiance before her new ruler.
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