"It’s waving so boldly in the wind."

    Chel remarked as the stark white flag fluttered above the castle.

    "What do you think?"

    Beside him, Airen responded,

    "We won’t know until we enter the castle... but I have a feeling they’re up to something."

    As she spoke, Airen recalled the last time she had stood before this castle and faced Lunarian.

    Those vivid ruby-red eyes.

    The way she had declared, with unwavering confidence, that neither Serpina nor Lyn were fit to rule the continent.

    For someone who ruled a minor nation, her resolve had been far greater than one would expect.

    Airen had faced many people on the battlefield.

    She had killed countless.

    Had nearly been killed herself.

    But those who could exert true dominance simply through presence were rare.

    And as of late—Lunarian was the only one.

    Was that kind of person really going to surrender so easily?

    Would she simply throw open the castle gates and raise the white flag?

    It didn’t sit right with Airen.

    "...Hmm."

    At that moment—

    A soldier came running from the rear ranks.

    "A message from Her Majesty! The vanguard is to enter the castle immediately! However, she warns that there may be traps, so proceed with caution!"

    "Traps?"

    Chel stroked his chin.

    "Honestly... I think our lady might be worrying too much. What could a minor nation possibly do?"

    "But Lord Carlints was ambushed, was he not?"

    "There’s a difference between 8,000 troops and 80,000. Sure, it’s a tenfold gap in numbers, but in terms of raw destructive force, the difference is far greater. This situation is nothing like back then."

    Airen didn’t respond.

    She knew Chel was a man of both immense skill and overwhelming pride.

    No matter what she said, he wouldn’t listen.

    "Well, whatever. Can’t ignore a direct order from our ruler."

    With a smirk, Chel raised his voice.

    "Listen up! We are entering Castle Zeilant! Siege engines will remain outside! Stay alert—there may be traps!"

    And so—

    The massive army of 80,000 marched through the wide-open castle gates.

    *

    "Your Majesty, the search is complete."

    Inside the castle, Airen reported to Lyn, who gave a lazy nod.

    "And?"

    "...Nothing. No signs of traps whatsoever."

    "What about the castle keep?"

    "We haven’t searched it yet, but considering there aren’t even guards stationed outside, it seems abandoned. They must have fled."

    "Fled? To where? They don’t have anywhere to go."

    "That... I cannot say."

    "They probably just abandoned the country to save their own hides. In the end, she was nothing more than a ruler of a weak nation," Parfalle commented.

    Lyn rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.

    "Is that really all there is to it?"

    She didn’t understand.

    Lunarian—who had Swen by her side—had simply run away?@@@@

    Without any kind of countermeasure?

    Even a ruler of a minor nation had to have some level of cunning to raise an army and lead it.

    This whole situation felt... unnatural.

    "There’s something off about this..."

    "Your Majesty, may I make a suggestion?"

    Lyn let out an annoyed sigh.

    "...What is it?"

    "Should we send out a pursuit force?"

    "A pursuit?"

    "Yes. I find it difficult to believe that Lady Lunarian would simply flee and disappear."

    Lyn had little interest in Lunarian.

    If Swen wasn’t here, sending a pursuit force would have made sense.

    They had enough troops to thoroughly sweep the entire area and track her down.

    But then—

    A soldier came sprinting toward them in a panic.

    "Oh? And why didn’t she take you with her? Could it be that Lady Lunarian has a habit of tying up handsome young men and leaving them behind? Ahaha?"

    I ignored her taunt and answered in a serious tone.

    "I do not know her reasons. However... she suspected that I was secretly working with you, Lady Lyn Brans."

    "Secretly working with me?"

    "Yes. I have no idea why she thought that, but..."

    "Hmmm~"

    She tilted her head, watching me in silence.

    Regardless, I had to say what needed to be said.

    "Since things have turned out this way, I would like to pledge myself to you, Lady Lyn Brans. I wish to lend you my strength."

    "Is that so?"

    Lyn’s expression changed in an instant.

    Her playful smile vanished.

    Her voice turned cold.

    "I don’t need you. What will you do now?"

    "...Is that so?"

    Stay calm.

    She does need me.

    My predictions have already confirmed it.

    There’s no way she can change that inevitable future.

    I don’t know why she’s saying this, but I refuse to waver.

    "That’s right. Why should I trust you? What if this is a scheme? What if Lunarian planted you as a spy? Honestly, don’t you think it’s a little too convenient that she fled, taking all the soldiers and gold, leaving only you behind?"

    She suddenly grinned, her teasing tone returning.

    "Could it be... Swen, is this part of your master plan? Did you figure out I’d come for you, so you staged a dramatic ‘sacrifice’ to protect your dear lady? If that’s the case—wow, that’s some serious loyalty~ Don’t you think?"

    Sharp.

    She was sharper than I expected.

    Well, it was only natural.

    A ruler who had risen to such a high position had to be extraordinary.

    But I couldn’t let any reaction show on my face.

    "If that is how you choose to see it, then there is nothing more I can say. However, I have spoken no lies."

    "Sure, sure. Of course you haven’t. Hehe...?"

    "And if you truly do not need me, then so be it. I will ask only for mercy. If you spare my life, I will quietly retire to a farm and live in peace."

    "What?"

    She blinked, then burst into laughter.

    Her voice rang out through the castle halls.

    "Hahaha! Oh, come on! Are you pouting? Alright, fine—I was lying. Of course I need you. Why else would I drag an entire army out here to this tiny, pathetic little castle? I’d have to be an idiot to not want you."

    She stepped toward me—her movements slow, deliberate.

    Then, she crouched down until our eyes were level.

    "Listen, Swen. Whether this is some grand scheme of yours or not—I don’t care."

    Her voice softened.

    "I want you to be mine. And you know what? There aren’t many people I’ve ever wanted this badly."

    She lifted a pale hand—just like before—and gently tilted my chin up.

    "I will make you mine. And let me tell you, the sights I’ll show you will be far more breathtaking than anything that little Lunarian could offer. You’ll love it—I promise you will. Soon enough, Swen... you’ll be dreaming the same dream as me...?"

    The same dream, huh?

    I nearly responded—Sorry, but my dream is to serve the ruler who will unify the continent.

    But I held my tongue.

    Lyn smiled as if she didn’t notice my true thoughts.

    Or perhaps she did, and simply didn’t care.

    "So, why don’t you work for me?"

    There was no need to hesitate.

    My answer had already been decided.

    "I will serve you, Lady Lyn Brans."

    "Wonderful? Just wait a second!"

    She moved closer—leaning in so her scent, the same perfume I had noticed when we first met, filled my nose.

    And then, with her own hands, she untied the ropes binding me.

    Once I was free, she extended a hand.

    I took it firmly.

    And I spoke.

    "From this moment forward, I shall serve you, Lady Lyn Brans."

    "Mm! I’m counting on you! Hehehe?"

    And with that—

    The Lunarian Army, a minor nation with only one territory, had fallen.

    And I had officially joined Brans Army.

    In a way, I had achieved my first objective ever since being thrown into this world.