NOVEL NEXT Chapter 281
That day.
After being saved by Karelia, Cecile had barely survived and arrived at the western part of the continent when she heard the news – Vanessa and Karelia had passed away.
“Lord…!”
In the end, they had died.
And it was because they were betrayed by the person they trusted.
It wasn’t just the Lord who had been betrayed. During her time with the Karelia Army, hadn’t it been herself who strongly advocated for accepting Lunarien?
“It’s my fault. If only I hadn’t supported Luna…”
Even though she knew it wasn’t entirely her fault, she couldn’t shake off that thought.
But she also couldn’t afford to remain in despair forever.
She decided that no matter what, she had to stop Lunarien, who had betrayed her Lord.
Naturally, her steps led her to the Brance Army.
Yes, she would join Lin. Aishias had fulfilled its purpose, and even if Serpina offered, there was no way she’d join under someone who’d killed her own allies. The only option left was her.
Besides, her family already had a base in the western part of the continent!
Lin, on her part, had initially harbored doubts when Cecile first approached her with the intention to serve under her.
Cecile Loengrin, daughter of the prestigious trading company, the Loengrin family, and the de facto supporter behind the Karelia Army.
Without her, it would have been nearly impossible for the Karelia Army to establish such a strong foothold – this was something Lin was well aware of.
And yet, here she was, suddenly proposing to join our army.
Lin vividly remembered that moment. The seemingly gentle woman, with fiery eyes, pleaded as if spilling her soul.
“I will not ask you to avenge Lady Karelia. But please, stop the Lunarien Army.”
From Lin’s perspective, there was no reason to refuse such an offer.
Not only was Cecile a competent politician in her own right, but having the support of the Loengrin family could only be beneficial in numerous ways.
Indeed, as soon as Cecile joined the Brance Army, she immediately redirected the financial resources of the Loengrin Trading Company, located in the west, to the Brance Army.
This was like a life-saving rain for the Brance Army, which had lost Anel Castle and seen all their top commanders flee.
With money now available, they could recruit troops, repair the walls, and invest in the market to revitalize the territory. Given that the western territories of the continent were relatively underdeveloped, the effects were even more pronounced.
By providing these funds, Cecile quickly gained significant influence within the Brance Army. Parphale had also mentioned that while Cecile burned with a desire for revenge rather than ambition, it was safe not to worry too much about her.
The most surprising fact was that her target of hatred was Lunarien.
Lunarien Iniyan. Once a minor noble of a small country she had destroyed.
Yet, not long after instigating a rebellion, he swiftly wiped out the powerful Karelia Army from the south.
Now, Swen, the famed white-haired strategist whose reputation soared high, was known to have served Lunarien first. This was a fact known only to a very few individuals, including Lin.
She truly wasn’t an ordinary person. After all, Swen had served under her—something Lin hadn’t realized back then.
Had she only listened to Iren’s advice back then, perhaps none of this would have happened…
But…
“No…”
Lin quickly erased such useless thoughts.
For Iren’s sake, she had to revive the Brance Army, which she once sought to protect.
She knew too well that shedding endless tears of regret wouldn’t solve anything.
Anyway, what mattered was now.
Lin looked directly into the eyes of Cecile, who was kneeling before her, and asked:
“Have you heard? According to everything you’ve told me so far, the ‘person’ Luna keeps mentioning is Swen, right?”
Cecile said that she and Luna had been close since the time she joined the Karelia Army.
“I’m sure of it. Throughout the time we were close, she always said, ‘Thanks to that person, I survived.'”
Survived.
Because it was Lin, she could infer how Luna had managed to survive.
The reason was simple.
Back then, she had been too preoccupied with capturing Swen and didn’t pursue Luna.
Given that Luna kept saying, “Thanks to that person, I survived,” it seemed…
“All of it was part of Swen’s plan.”
He claimed his lord had left him behind, but in reality, he had intentionally created that situation.
We’re talking about Swen here. There’s no way he wouldn’t have noticed her true intentions.
So, he sacrificed himself to save his lord, Luna.
That’s the kind of man he was.
Only after hearing Cecile’s words did Lin genuinely realize:
Perhaps, from the beginning, she had never truly possessed Swen.
Still, there was one strange point.
If that were true, why did Swen become the strategist for the Serpina Army instead of the Lunarien Army?
A vassal who would stake his own life to save her—why would he accept a position under someone else, especially Serpina?
The position of national strategist was typically appointed, but no ruler in their right mind would force someone unwilling into such a role.
It was a position of immense power, second only to the monarch. Forcing someone who refused to take the position would be foolish.
Thus, Swen could have easily declined if he wanted to.
Of course, given that it was the notorious Serpina, there might be some unknown circumstances—but that still didn’t explain why he hadn’t returned to the Lunarien Army by now.
“…What do you think?”
In response to Lin’s question, Cecile respectfully answered her newly sworn blue-eyed lord.
“I may not know the exact details, but I can make some educated guesses.”
“Guesses?”
“First, let’s assume I don’t know much about this man. Please consider that as a premise.”
“Understood.”
“First possibility: He’s scheming under Serpina while pretending to serve her. However, this seems unlikely. Serpina is as cunning and intelligent as she is cruel. Even if Swen is a brilliant individual, Serpina would likely notice any schemes and could easily eliminate him if she wished.”
Lin understood that much.
If Serpina were stupid, she wouldn’t have lasted long enough to conquer the northern continent.
Lin herself had once faced her across borders, leading a nation on par with hers.
Considering what the Serpina Army had shown—she was no mere incompetent noble relying solely on her bloodline.
“Second possibility: He changed his heart.”
“Changed his heart?”
“Simple. He chose to serve Serpina as his new lord. Isn’t it common during chaotic times to change lords? Just like how I am now serving you, Lin.”
Is that really true?
Would he so easily abandon the lord he risked his life to save?
No, he wasn’t that superficial kind of man. Lin, who had once worked alongside him, was certain of it. There must be something she doesn’t know.
“Materials are lacking…”
The missing link between the Brance Army and the Serpina Army.
Perhaps it would be worthwhile to learn more about Swen during his time with the Aishias Army.
Regardless, understanding Swen was crucial.
They would inevitably face Luna across the border—and knowing Swen could provide effective leverage against her.
This was Lin’s intuition.
Two facts only she knew:
The strange attachment Luna had for Swen, as described by Cecile, and Swen’s consistent behavior of switching lords as if predicting the future.
“Alright. I’ll meet Luna soon, and when I do, I’ll stop her as you wish.”
“Yes? You mean you’ll meet her soon?”
“The southern continent will unify under her name.”
“!!”
Cecile was shocked, her wide eyes fixed on Lin.
Parphale, who had quietly listened until now, cautiously interjected.
“So you see it that way, my lord.”
“Yes. It’s the woman Swen sought to protect. The hidden imperial lineage and the second mage appeared by her side. The highly regarded Karelia fell unexpectedly in a short period. Do you think Roland, Hesna, or Ohana could possibly stand against Lunarien?”
Parphale agreed.
The balance of the southern continent had persisted due not only to the similar strengths of the four nations but also because the rulers weren’t particularly capable.
Karelia had some virtue, but the others were merely lucky opportunists, according to Parphale’s honest judgment.
That’s why they aimed to conquer the Serpina Army first.
Though everything went awry while dealing with the Aishias Army.
“And I can’t just be the ruler who lets Lunarien have her way. If I do, I’ll regret it even in hell. I can’t let the Brance Army, which Iren sought to protect, end like this.”
“…”
“Therefore—I will stop Lunarien. I’ll reclaim the former glory of the Brance Army by defeating her after consolidating the central continent. And I will personally deal with the mastermind behind this chaos, Serpina.”
“I will follow you to the ends of the fiery abyss, my lord. Whenever you command.”
“I will do whatever it takes to stop Lunarien.”
At their words, Lin smiled with her usual confident grin.
Her bright blue eyes held no trace of arrogance.
“Then let’s get moving, Parphale.”
“!”
Surprised for a moment, Parphale soon bowed.
The plague had subsided. Naturally, the time had come.
“Command me, my lord.”
Lin said with her sparkling blue eyes:
“Tell my second brother—if he surrenders, I’ll spare him out of old friendship, but if not, it will be war.”
Serpina von Einhardt’s blade was aimed at Chel Brance.
Lin Brance’s blade was aimed at Kalintz Brance.
There would be no second chance for those who had lost everything to the plague.
Such was the era.
* * *
Southern Continent, under the Lunarien Army / Former capital city of the Karelia Army, Madlen Castle.
The ‘news’ from the Serpina Army had, naturally, reached this place as well.