<strong>Chapter 104: Encounter (2)</strong>
—
“This meal has been completely finished as well. It seems unlikely that they will refuse food any longer.”
“Is that so.”
Serpina, sitting with her legs crossed on the throne, extended her hand towards the guard reporting on Anima, resting her chin thoughtfully.
“Good. No need for further reports on the prisoner. If anything requiring action arises, report then.”
“Yes, understood!”
After saluting, the guard departed, leaving Serpina lost in thought.
“If Anima is from the Phybiola Academy… then that might be the source of their hostility towards me. Perhaps many from Aeshers Army hail from there.”
Recalling the sharp response from a small nation during her offer of surrender, pieces began to fit together in her mind.
“Calmness.”
A word she whispered to herself whenever her mind wavered.
Now was not the time to dwell on the past. What mattered was the present and the future.
As she realigned her focus,
“My lord!”
A messenger approached.
“What is it?”
“The forces that were deployed to Zelstrom Castle have just returned.”
Their return meant defeat.
She had known the chances of victory were slim, and although Plan B had been a success in delivering a blow to Aeshers Army,
accepting defeat still soured her mood.
“And the remaining forces?”
“Including the wounded, around 23,000, it seems.”
More than half lost.
Serpina’s expression tightened slightly, and the messenger hesitantly continued,
“However, we did manage to inflict significant damage on Zelstrom Castle as well. It’s unlikely they will launch another invasion soon…”
Serpina nodded slightly.
“What of Vilans and Nemia?”
“General Vilans has safely returned with the retreating troops… but General Nemia, well…”
“…?”
Sensing unease, Serpina stood up, prompting the messenger to hastily explain,
“No, they’ve returned safely! It’s just… they’ve sustained serious injuries.”
“Injuries?”
“Yes. They’re currently resting and must not be disturbed.”
So, they’re alive.
That knowledge alone deeply relieved her, though expressing too much emotion could undermine her authority.
Nonetheless, she couldn’t just overlook it.
“Take me to where Nemia is.”
Upon her request, the messenger responded loudly,
“Yes! It would be an honor. Please, follow me.”
—
Guided by the messenger, Serpina arrived at Hisfil Castle’s military hospital.
Amid the hustle of medics from Aingart, Nemia lay in a bed, weakly greeting her.
“Ah… My lord. You’ve come…”
“Save your strength, Nemia. Just rest.”
General Nemia wasn’t known for exceptional talent or strength, but to Serpina, she was always a fiercely passionate commander with bright, ambitious eyes.
Now, she lay pitifully, emitting soft groans of pain.
“I’m sorry, my lord… I swore I would capture Zelstrom Castle for you…”
“That doesn’t matter now.”
Serpina turned to a doctor nearby, who cautiously spoke upon catching her silent query,
“We heard there was significant blood loss on the battlefield. Quick retreat was the only reason they survived.”
“Blood loss…”
Serpina glanced back at Nemia, not finding any life-threatening wounds, though her head was bandaged.
But something felt off.
“Significant injuries, you said?”
Then, Serpina’s eyes fell on the white blanket covering Nemia’s lower half.
Could it be…?
She slowly removed the blanket, revealing the grievous wound.
Nemia’s right leg was missing from the knee down.
As shock registered on Serpina’s face, Nemia offered a weak laugh.
“Ha… I’m sorry for this state. Had I fought to the end, we could have taken Zelstrom Castle…”
“Nemia.”
“Epinel Rosencross, as formidable as I heard. A strong woman, worthy of respect. I knew I couldn’t defeat her, despite my best efforts…”
“…”
“Now, with this body… my role as a general is over. I dreamed of returning to my homeland, living peacefully with my family after achieving a peaceful world… but that dream now seems as fleeting as a river’s flow. My lord, I…”
“Nemia.”
Serpina took Nemia’s hands in hers, feeling their coldness despite the warmth of life.
“My lord…”
“You did your best. That’s enough for returning alive.”
“But my inadequacy caused us to retreat. If only we had more time, we could have taken the castle…”
“If you truly feel lacking, then dedicate the rest of your life to serving me.”
Nemia smiled bitterly at Serpina’s words.
“I… can no longer fight. My mere existence might burden you.”
“War isn’t only fought on the battlefield. Besides, Nemia, you still have a reason to work, don’t you?”
“My lord…?”
“Didn’t you say you have five younger siblings?”
Surprised, Nemia responded,
“You… remember?”
Serpina had never forgotten the family story Nemia mentioned when she first joined the army.
“They need you to provide for them, though it’ll be difficult for now. Rest, and you’ll receive your stipend as usual.”
“But…”
“Once you’re stable, help train the next generation. Teaching theory is as important as practical training. As a barracks instructor, sharing your battlefield experiences would greatly benefit the soldiers. A general who’s returned from death’s door has much to teach.”
Nemia realized this was Serpina’s way of showing care.
“My lord…”
“Remember when you joined my ranks? I asked for your loyalty with your life. If you intend to keep that oath, know I will never abandon you.”
“…”
“Leave the dream of uniting the continent to me. I will stand on my two legs and see through your eyes. I will never forget the dream you’ve entrusted to me.”
Nemia’s body trembled, tears streaming down her face.
Serpina, known as a ruthless tyrant, was to Nemia the only worthy ruler of the continent.
In that moment, another unfulfilled dream was added to the burdens carried by the absolute ruler’s legs.
—
Hours later, after leaving the hospital to return to her duties, a soldier informed Serpina that an envoy from Aeshers Army had arrived.
“An envoy from Aeshers?”
“Yes.”
An envoy from Aeshers likely meant negotiations regarding Anima.
She had planned to contact Aeshers Army first, but they had beaten her to it.
“If they’ve come so quickly, Anima must be crucial to them.”
She wouldn’t let Anima go easily.
Her way of surviving the tumultuous times was to be merciful to her people and calculative towards others.
If Anima was important to Aeshers Army, she saw no reason not to exploit that.
“Where is the envoy?”
“Waiting in the audience chamber.”
“Understood.
I’ll go there now.”
Serpina quickly made her way to the audience chamber, pondering her demands.
Not gold or treasure, but perhaps… the acquisition of Racline Castle crossed her mind.
Upon entering the chamber and taking a seat, she spoke,
“You may lift your head.”
As the envoy from Aeshers Army looked up, Serpina caught a full view of him.
A young man with short white hair.
And when he finally raised his head-
“!!!”
Her world momentarily halted.
Golden eyes trembled visibly at the sight.
Short white hair, grey eyes.
A face she recognized.
This man… resembled the man from her dreams.
But it wasn’t just that. If it were only his appearance, she wouldn’t have been so shocked.
She might know this man.
That thought stirred something deep within her subconscious.
And as she finally faced him, her heart raced, and a name she had never spoken before naturally escaped her lips.
“Swen…???”
