The three of us steeled ourselves before stepping into the audience chamber of the royal palace.
Beyond Carlints' broad shoulders, I could see Lyn Brans, the absolute ruler of Brans Army.
Normally, she would lounge lazily on her throne—resting her chin on her palm, twirling her fingers in her hair, exuding an air of boredom.
But today, there was none of that.
She sat upright and composed, watching us with a regal, piercing gaze.
Airen and I followed Carlints’ lead, stepping forward in sync with him.
And when he knelt before her, we did the sa.
"…Carlints Brans, returning from Kelstein Castle to Arnel Castle."
"Airen Juliet, likewise reporting my return."
"Swen, returning to pay respects to my lord."
"…"
Lyn said nothing at first.
She was never the type to maintain an air of regal dignity—she was far too playful and irreverent for that.
Of course, that didn’t an she lacked the presence of a ruler, but there was always an undignified energy about her.
Yet, at this mont—
Her face bore no hint of a smile.
Her expression was cold, serious, and utterly unforgiving.
"…Carlints."
"Yes, my lord."
"I heard what happened. You managed to escape, huh? That’s great news."
Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Thanks to that, we didn’t have to waste our army’s resources and political leverage negotiating for your release. And, well, we couldn’t just let a Brans family mber die in enemy hands, could we? So, I suppose in the very last mont, you managed to earn so rit, didn’t you? Congratulations."
Her mockery was blatant.
Carlints bowed even deeper.
"…I have no excuse, my lord. I will accept any punishnt you deem fit."
"Oh, co on now. How could soone as brilliant and accomplished as you possibly be at fault? No, no—this must be my failure as a ruler. Clearly, I lack virtue. If I were a better sovereign, perhaps I could have prevented my dear older brother from making such a monuntally idiotic decision in the first place, don’t you think?"
Lyn’s words were sharp, rciless.
Carlints remained silent, bowing his head even lower.
"But, well. I should thank you for proving sothing for ."
"…What do you an?"
"You confird that our father was right."
Lyn let out a soft chuckle.
"When I was nad successor, so many people couldn't understand why. So of them protested violently—I can still vividly rember one idiot setting himself on fire in protest."
She smirked.
"But now, thanks to you, I have undeniable proof that the decision was the right one. Isn't that great, dear brother?"
"…"
Damn.
That was brutal.
Carlints' trembling shoulders were visible even as he kept his head down.
I didn’t like him much, but watching him get utterly humiliated by his own little sister—right in front of his subordinates, no less—was almost pitiful.
Of course, he deserved it.
There was no question that the entire failure was due to his reckless decisions.
"Anyway, I'd appreciate it if you kept a low profile for a while. I'd love to give you a chance to redeem yourself right away, but, you see, too many people are watching."
Lyn smiled, but her eyes were cold.
"And you wouldn’t want a ruler who favors family over discipline, would you?"
She tilted her head.
"Of course, the fact that your head is still attached to your body is already a generous gift from the Brans family, don’t you think?"
Then she laughed—a high, clear sound that echoed through the empty chamber.
Carlints remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Finally, he forced himself to speak.
"…I accept your judgnt, my lord."
"Good. Now go ho and cool your head. Whether you waste your ti whoring around, or ditate under a waterfall, that’s up to you. I'll decide when you’re useful again."
"…"
Wait.
So he was a playboy when he was younger?
Well, not that it mattered to .
"What are you waiting for?"
Lyn’s voice hardened again.
Carlints lowered his head even further.
"…I will remain in seclusion until I receive further orders. I deeply apologize once again."
"Yeah, yeah. Just get out of here already."
Carlints finally left the chamber.
And now—Lyn’s gaze turned to Airen.
"…Airen."
"Yes, my lord."
"You worked hard. Good job."
Lyn’s tone was softer than when she spoke to Carlints.
But I could tell—there was still a blade hidden beneath her words.
"Still, what a sha. That fortress—it only existed because Carlints was stubborn enough to push for it. Leaving it intact would have been too much of a liability, so we had to tear it all down.
You put in so much effort, and now all of it was for nothing. I'm sorry about that."
Her mocking tone was obvious.
But Airen, ever composed, didn’t flinch.
"It is not a sha, my lord. I, Airen Juliet, take great honor in fulfilling your commands."
"Is that so? Well, that’s good to hear."
If this were the old Airen, she would have swallowed her pride here.
But now?
She looked completely at peace.
Because she had no expectations left for Lyn Brans.
And soone who expects nothing cannot be wounded by disappointnt.
"Next ti, do your best for again. Understood?"
"Yes, my lord!"
Lyn smiled and gestured.
"Good. You may go."
Airen stood, turned, and began walking away.
For just a mont, our eyes t.
A silent ssage.
"Co back safely."
That was what her gaze told .
And finally—
Lyn’s eyes landed on .
"…Swen."
"Yes, my lord."
Her voice was calm—not playful, not mocking.
It was different from how she spoke to Carlints.
Different from how she spoke to Airen.
"The first thing I want to ask you is… why didn’t you follow my orders to return to Arnel Castle?"
She let out a deep sigh.
"If you have sothing to say for yourself, let’s hear it."
I carefully analyzed her tone.
She wasn’t that angry.
Alright.
This was where it began.
I had rehearsed this mont over and over in my head.
Now it was ti to deliver.
"I deeply apologize, my lord. It was never my intention to disregard your commands. However, I wanted to prove sothing."
"Prove sothing?"
"Yes. From the mont I swore loyalty to Brans, my only goal has been to make a na for myself. I wanted to achieve great rit and earn a position of importance within Brans Army.
I thought that if I could successfully defend Carlints' fortress, then I could beg for your forgiveness."
"And you thought that was worth defying my orders for?"
"I deeply regret my disobedience. But I humbly ask that you consider my intentions."
"…"
She said nothing.
I couldn’t see her face since my head was bowed, but… the atmosphere hadn’t changed.
How much ti had passed in silence?
Finally, Lyn spoke.
"…I heard everything. You built an altar, communed with the heavens, and made a boulder fall from the sky?"
"That is correct."
"How did you do it? Are you a mage, by any chance?"
"Of course not. I am rely soone who possesses a small talent for reading the movent of the stars."
"You can read the movent of the stars?"
"Yes. By studying the logic of the heavens and using the right thods to communicate, it is impossible to create a boulder outright… but adjusting where it will fall is not so difficult."
If she had asked for a detailed explanation, I would have embellished the sa story I told Airen.
But—thankfully, she didn’t seem interested in the specifics.
That was good for … but also strange.
Normally, if soone witnessed such a miracle, wouldn’t their first reaction be to demand how it was done?
"…"
Just as I thought the conversation was going smoothly—Lyn fell silent again.
Another long pause.
Then—
"Then… was it also through reading the stars that you knew Aleffel Army was colluding with Aishus to deceive us?"
"…Ah."
Right.
I had said that during my debate with Parfalle.
I had completely forgotten about it while dealing with the northern fortress situation.
After all, aside from the forces sent against us, the rest of our troops had moved in that direction.
I didn’t actually read the stars—it was just ga knowledge.
But since it turned out exactly as I predicted…
It was best to play along.
"I did not read the stars, my lord. I rely read the reason behind their actions.
'If one takes a certain action, then a certain result must inevitably follow.'"
I kept my answer vague but convincing.
If she pressed further, I would just continue spinning a believable explanation.
But again, silence fell.
"What’s going on?"
I could sense it now.
This wasn’t a normal conversation.
Sothing felt off.
Keeping my head bowed, I glanced up carefully to gauge her expression.
And that was when I noticed.
Her eyes… were trembling.
That’s right.
She was shaking.
As if she were staring at a being beyond her comprehension.
It was an absurd sight.
I was the one kneeling.
She was the ruler, the one who could command to do anything.
And yet—I remained calm.
And she was the one who was trembling.
Then—
Her voice, no longer hiding its shaking undertone, finally broke the silence.
"Then what about… back then? When we negotiated the ceasefire.
How did you know that Serpina’s Army was about to invade us?"
"That was—"
I had been prepared to give an explanation.
But she cut off.
"No. And this ti, too!
How did you know to send forces north?
How did you know a rebellion would break out in Aleffel Army?
How the hell do you know everything?!"
"My lord…?"
"Answer ! Now!"
Her voice cracked with emotion.
I slowly raised my head.
And at last—
My eyes t Lyn’s.
Her face had gone completely pale.
Her pupils were dilated.
Her once-sharp eyes were clouded with fear.
And in that mont—
I finally understood.
Why our conversation had felt so disconnected.
Why she had fallen silent so often.
Her trembling voice.
Her pale complexion.
Her wide, unfocused stare.
There was only one possible conclusion.
She was… afraid of .
"Well, damn."
I had predicted too much.
To the point where awe had turned into fear.
Of course, I had no control over it—my Intelligence stat was 100.
I didn’t even know why I was always right—I just was.
To outsiders, it must have seed supernatural.
No—beyond that.
I probably looked like soone possessed by a god.
Co to think of it—Lunarian was the exception here.
She believed in unconditionally.
A more typical ruler would likely feel both admiration and unease.
Because in tis of chaos, there was no guarantee that the blade of such a power wouldn’t turn against them.
"Swen… what are you?"
I hadn’t answered her yet—but she asked again.
Not good.
Lyn Brans was an emotional ruler.
If she saw as a threat rather than an asset…
She might decide to eliminate .
I had revealed too much.
I didn’t regret it—it saved Airen’s life.
But now—
"I really can’t stay in Brans Army much longer."
And then—
"Wait."
An idea struck .
A perfect way to exit Brans Army.
She was afraid of .
…Could I use that to my advantage?
My mind started working faster than ever.
I needed to leave anyway—Airen was in danger here.
And I needed to ensure she left safely as well.
So why not—take sothing else from Brans Army as well?
Why not claim the reward that Airen was rightfully owed?
This was the mont.
Ti to talk my way through this.
"Lyn, my lord. There is no need to worry."
"…No need to worry?"
I smiled gently—the kindest, most benevolent smile I could manage.
And in the most reassuring voice I could produce, I spoke.
"My abilities exist solely for your sake.
You have nothing to fear."
"…!!!"
Her eyes widened sharply.
As if she couldn’t believe I had read her thoughts.
She was more shaken than I expected.
Now.
This was my chance.
I lowered my head completely—to the point where my forehead touched the floor.
Then, I drove the final nail in.
"Use as your compass, my lord.
I will serve you willingly."
Reviews
All reviews (0)