Chapter 115: The Fate of a Wanderer, Pointing Towards Serpina’s Army(2)
—
Days later, Airen knelt before Serpina who had come to her room.
Without any sign of surprise, Serpina looked down at her indifferently and said, “I’ve heard the gist from Swen. You wish to serve under me?”
“Yes, Lady Serpina,” Airen replied, sneaking a glance at Serpina’s face.
She’s truly beautiful.
To say she was the most beautiful among all the women Airen had ever met wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Even Lynn Brans, whom she had served before, was considered quite a beauty, but compared to Serpina before her, she seemed merely passable.
“Airen Juliette… the red-haired knightess, a specialist in siege warfare. I’ve heard your name. Having someone of your talents would undoubtedly be a great help. Your skills are beyond question.”
“It’s but a humble reputation, but I’m honored you recognize it.”
“However.”
Serpina’s voice turned slightly colder.
“I’ve heard that you betrayed the Brans Army and handed over a fortress to the Aeshers Army. This time, it seems you’re betraying your lord Yuri and the Aeshers Army as well.”
“…”
“Of course, Airen. I’m not reprimanding you. In these troubled times, all lords except for myself are merely warlords, so placing significance on whom to serve may seem foolish. However, I’m curious about the reasons that led you to contemplate betrayal twice.”
After a moment of contemplation, Airen looked into Serpina’s eyes.
There wasn’t a hint of malice or scheming in them.
Airen knew too well the gaze of someone harboring hatred towards her, having always lived under such scrutiny.
In that case… it would be better to speak honestly rather than fabricate a story.
Airen cautiously parted her lips.
“My first lord, Lynn, abandoned me. My second lord, Yuri, abandoned Swen. If you call it betrayal, I have no excuses. However, I can no longer serve someone who discards others so easily. And.”
“And?”
“When I was abandoned, Swen willingly shared the disgrace of being labeled a traitor with me. Now, it’s my turn to face that disgrace for him. I have no other intentions but to think so.”
Serpina smiled faintly at her words.
A spoonful of thought that even this person could change expressions, and another spoonful wondering how someone could possess such magnetic charm with just a smile, stirred Airen’s mind.
Even to another woman… her beauty was unmistakably exceptional.
“I do not dislike those who, even unnoticed, keep their faith.”
Then, extending her graceful white hand towards the kneeling Airen, she said, “Airen Juliette, from this moment forward, I look forward to your contributions to our army.”
“Yes!”
After instructing her to stay put until further orders and turning to leave, Serpina was stopped by a tentative voice.
“Um…!”
“…?”
From a corner, Reika cautiously raised her hand to ask her question. Though she meant to ask, she stumbled over her words.
“That, th-th-th-that is, I-I-I mean, Lady Serpina…! Th-that, uh, I have, uh, something, no, a-a message…!”
“…”
Approaching her silently, Serpina’s presence only made Reika shrink back further, resembling a mouse in front of a cat.
“Calm down. I won’t bite.”
“A-ah, um, I-I…!”
Despite Serpina’s words, Reika became even more flustered, but with Airen’s gentle nudge, she managed to breathe deeply and speak.
“…I…wish to send a letter…!”
“A letter?”
“Yes! It’s, that, to my father… I wish to send a letter, but I’m not sure where… in this place…”
She had planned her question meticulously in her mind, but under Serpina’s aura, her words failed her.
Fortunately, or perhaps as expected, Serpina responded calmly.
“Bring it to me.”
“Eh, yes, y-yes…?”
“Bring the letter to me,” she repeated.
“Oh! J-just a moment, please, w-wait…!”
Ah.
She bit her tongue.
Despite the hurry, she managed to deliver the letter to Serpina eventually.
“I will see to it that it’s delivered. Is that alright?”
“Yes? You needn’t bother yourself with…”
“It’s fine. This hardly counts as a favor.”
“Ah… th-thank you…”
With a bow from Reika, Serpina then asked, “Surprised, are you?”
“…Yes? Ah, me, you mean?”
“Yes.”
“…”
Hesitant to speak, Reika eventually ventured, “It’s just… Lady Serpina seems different from what I’ve heard.”
“Oh?”
“It’s, well! Not that I’m complaining… it’s just, my father described you as very fearsome, and… well.”
“So, you’re saying I’m not the demon your father depicted, holding his letter in my hands?”
“No? I mean, not like, a demon, not…!!”
With a light laugh, Serpina remarked, “Regardless of what people say, it’s none of my concern. If I couldn’t handle such rumors, I wouldn’t be fit to wear the crown.”
Assuring her the letter would be taken care of, she left quietly.
Airen and Reika watched the door long after Serpina had gone, contemplating that perhaps Serpina was different from the rumors after all.
—
At the Nightart estate in Balhart Castle, Jinor spent his days in a mix of solitude and reflection following Reika’s departure.
Anima had returned, but their reunion was far from emotional. Upon learning that Yuri had traded Swen for her safety, Anima spared no harsh words for her. Given her sharp intellect, she likely understood the ramifications of the act.
However, with the intervention of Epinel and other founding contributors, and considering Anima’s own misjudgments played a role, the situation had somewhat stabilized.
Eventually, they would likely reconcile, bound as they were to face death and destiny together.
That’s when Jinor made his decision.
—
“I wish to resign from my position as the state’s advisor.”
“Are you sure?”
Jinor bowed deeply to Yuri, “Age has dulled my wit. I wish to spend my remaining days in quiet contemplation and writing. Please grant an old man this final whim.”
“But without you, Jinor…”
“Anima is here, isn’t she?”
With a kindly smile, Jinor added, “With Lady Anima, I can step down with peace of mind.”
—
Jinor resigned, feeling distant from the Aeshers Army. With no reason to invest his wisdom in its revival, he stepped back, leaving Yuri to handle the aftermath alone, including the mass desertion following Airen’s departure.
Despite potential consequences, Yuri was in a bind, unable to act decisively without risking public dissent.
Perhaps some officers would leave her side too, but these were the burdens she must bear for her choices.
Then, a maid brought Jinor a letter from Reika, confirming her safety and intentions to stay with
Swen and Airen, asking for his blessing.
“Permission,” Jinor mused, recognizing his own hand in guiding this path.
He promptly wrote a response, not just to his daughter but to Swen, acknowledging the intricate web of loyalties and plans now in motion.
—
Days had passed since joining Serpina’s army, with Serpina herself busily managing the frontlines, including Hysphill Castle.
As Airen awaited further orders, enjoying a rare moment of peace, a knock came.
“Hello, Swen…!”
“Reika?”
She brought news of a letter from Jinor, discussing her well-being and subtly inquiring about Swen’s intentions towards Serpina.
“Indeed,” Swen thought, admiring Jinor’s foresight, “a mind truly sharp.”
The letter’s contents, while mostly advising Reika on proper conduct, ended with a direct question to Swen about his allegiance to Serpina, showcasing Jinor’s keen intellect even in his retirement.
