"Burn the fortress?"

    Carlints stared at Taltin, his voice filled with disbelief.

    Taltin nodded.

    "Yes. That is our lord’s command."

    "This... This can’t be."

    Carlints lowered his head, fists trembling in frustration.

    But rather than feeling sorry for him, I found myself admiring Lyn’s decision.

    ''From Brans Army’s perspective, this fortress has almost zero strategic value. If anything, if it fell into Serpina’s hands, it would become a deadly weapon against us. The only reason it was tolerated was because Carlints was in charge of it. But after he recklessly made his own moves in a desperate bid for merit, trusting him any further would be risky. Burning it down and withdrawing is the most logical move.''

    In fact, back when I first analyzed this situation with my 100 Intelligence, I had already predicted the most effective course of action—destroy the fortress and retreat.

    However—

    If Lyn was going to give this order anyway, she should have done it when Carlints was captured.

    Instead, she had ordered the fortress to be defended—

    And now that it had successfully been protected, she was telling them to burn it down?

    This made her intentions even easier to read.

    ''I can’t stay in Brans Army much longer.''

    I could handle it.

    But I wouldn’t let Airen remain in danger indefinitely.

    It was time to start considering a move to another country.

    "...Damn it...!"

    Carlints Brans was an influential figure within Brans Army—

    But that influence came solely from his bloodline.

    No matter how skilled he was, he couldn’t disobey a direct order from Lyn Brans, the ruler of Brans Army.

    "Now that I’ve relayed the command, I’ll take my leave to begin preparations. Please have everything ready by the end of the day."

    With a polite nod, Taltin turned and left the room.

    Once he was gone, Carlints let out several heavy sighs—

    Then turned to me with an expression of regret.

    "I’m sorry, Swen. The fortress you risked your life to protect... is going to be destroyed."

    Well.

    I hadn’t actually risked my life—

    But there was no reason not to use that misconception to my advantage.

    "It’s fine. If I was able to serve you, Lord Carlints, that’s enough for me."

    "Really?! You truly think so?!"

    Hearing my words, Carlints suddenly grabbed my shoulders, his face lighting up with excitement.

    "Then I’ll try persuading our lord one more time! If you could perform that ritual to commune with the heavens just one more time—we could wipe out Serpina’s forces completely! Then, at last, we could plant the banner of Brans Army in the north!"

    "So, Swen! What do you say?! Will you join me and make history together?!"

    ''For the love of—''

    I had assumed that, after his previous failures, Carlints would be reflecting on his mistakes.

    But no.

    After seeing my so-called powers, he had convinced himself that it was worth the risk.

    Of course, I didn’t have the ability to summon natural disasters.

    Or meteors.

    So rejecting this was the obvious choice.

    Just as I was about to speak—

    "Lord Carlints."

    Before I could say anything, Airen stepped forward.

    "I will not allow Swen to be dragged into another reckless plan. Please restrain yourself."

    Carlints looked at her in sheer disbelief.

    "Airen... General Airen. I appreciate your efforts in defending the fortress, but... surely you didn’t stay by choice, did you?"

    "......"

    Carlints was one of Lyn’s closest allies.

    Naturally, he knew that Lyn had little regard for Airen.

    "I am asking Swen this question, not you. He stayed here and fought for me of his own free will. I would appreciate it if you knew your place."

    "Absolutely not. You will not involve Swen in another one of your reckless operations."

    Airen’s voice was firm.

    "If you insist on taking him, you will have to cut me down first."

    Carlints flinched at the intensity of her words.

    "Are you... defying your superior, Airen Juliet?"

    His tone hardened.

    But Airen didn’t back down.

    She met his glare head-on.

    That alone was unusual.

    Normally, Airen would have backed down by this point.

    Yet now—

    She stood her ground.

    "This is not defiance. This is advice. Please listen, Lord Carlints. You must not sacrifice more of our men to another misguided decision."

    "What did you just say?!"

    Carlints’ hand drifted toward the hilt of his sword.

    "You damned stray—!"

    "Lord Carlints!"

    I cut in before things escalated any further—

    Her face flushed slightly as she looked down, as if embarrassed.

    "And... if you don’t mind... I was thinking I could keep making tea for you from now on."

    "That’s the most important part, Lady Airen."

    Hearing my answer, she smiled.

    It was a firm, unwavering smile—

    One that wouldn’t break, no matter what happened.

    "Even at a time like this, you’re still lighthearted."

    "Because it really is the most important thing."

    Then, in a more serious tone, she continued.

    "No matter where we are—whether in Brans Army or elsewhere—

    I, Airen Juliet, will be your knight, Swen."

    Her words finally sank in.

    I had done it.

    I had succeeded in changing fate.

    The woman who was destined to die—

    The woman who had clung to a doomed loyalty—

    I had saved her from that tragic fate.

    Just that alone...

    Made coming to Brans Army worth it.

    "I’ll be counting on you, Lady Airen."

    "Mhm."

    After our short, private ceremony, she sheathed her sword and turned back to me.

    Her voice grew serious again.

    "That aside, Swen, there’s something I want to ask you."

    "Go ahead."

    She narrowed her eyes slightly.

    "Your true lord... isn’t Lyn Brans, is it?"

    Hearing that, I gave a small shrug.

    There was no reason to hide anything from her now.

    "Was it that obvious?"

    "Quite."

    Before, as a devoted soldier of Brans Army, she might have hesitated to say such things.

    But now—

    Her loyalty was mine alone.

    Even within Brans Army, she had no qualms about speaking such treasonous words.

    "I’m curious, Swen. Who is your true lord?"

    Her gaze was unwavering.

    "Whoever it is—if you follow them, then I will as well."

    A lord.

    Yes.

    From the very beginning, I had only ever had one.

    "I serve the only person on this continent who can unite it under a single rule."

    "Ho? And who might that be?"

    "You’ve met them before, Lady Airen. A few months ago."

    "......!!!"

    Airen’s eyes widened.

    Her breath caught.

    "Swen... don’t tell me—

    You believe that Lady Lunarian Iniang will become the ruler of this continent?"

    Ah.

    Thank you, Airen.

    For asking exactly the right question.

    It had been a while since I last inputted this particular query.

    "Will Lunarian Iniang become the ruler who unites the continent?"

    And, just as always—

    The answer came immediately.

    [Yes.]

    ''Hah.''

    A breath of relief escaped me.

    You’re still alive, my lord.

    ***

    Madralan Castle.

    The capital of Karelia Army.

    The largest city in the southern continent.

    During the era of the unified empire, it had been the commercial hub of the south.

    Its fertile lands and mountainous surroundings made it the perfect location for a thriving city.

    And in that very city—

    A petite woman with short, cream-colored hair and bright red eyes—

    "Thank you for your hard work, everyone! Just a little more effort, and we’ll reach our target!"

    Was plowing a field alongside the farmers.@@@@