59 – Episode 59. First Face-to-face / Acious-kun
*
Just as he said, a crude camp was set up not far away.
Should I say that it feels like it was built solely for talks, with no fences installed at all?
“Please wait a moment.”
After saying that, the messenger of the Aceers army entered the tent.
I stood next to Irene and carefully whispered to her.
“It’s okay for her not to be nervous. She has no reason to refuse our surrender, even from her own perspective.”
Instead of answering, she slowly nodded her head.
In the way she looked at me, I could already read her trust in me.
And how long has it been?
Finally, inside the tent – the person who would become our new master appeared, accompanied by a woman.
Long straight black hair that gives an elegant feel.
Two different colored eyes, one blue like sea water and the other bright sky blue.
The sharp nose and lips were positioned where they should be, like a well-carved statue.
Although she was not the type of woman whose presence as a woman was tyrannically revealed through her body parts, as was Irene standing next to her –
What came out when entering and exiting was a beautiful body that definitely felt feminine.
On the contrary, I thought that many people would prefer this option if only considering balance.
‘Wow…… ‘It’s pretty.’
Baranga Yuuri Atious- In other words, as soon as I saw Yuuri’s appearance, I couldn’t hide my admiration.
She had a much more beautiful face than I thought.
I already knew Yuuri’s face.
Because there was a time when I picked her in the first place and played her games.
But.
Just like with Rin and Irene – there was a huge gap between the in-game graphics stamped with dots and the actual face.
Honestly, I wondered if she was ever that pretty.
And the woman next to him.
I was able to get to know that woman without difficulty.
In this game, she was the only general with her turquoise hair tied up in her ponytail and always carrying a bow – because she was the only one.
Epinel Rosencross.
One of the founding contributors to the Acious military, and an S-class general with excellent military power and leadership.
Among the subordinate generals of ‘Acous County, whose territory is small but whose general pool is S-class’, he was a Madam face-level general with particularly good abilities.
I didn’t know it when I looked at her dots, but I could feel that she had quite a strong feminine charm.
In terms of her immediate exposure, her stomach and thighs were clearly exposed, and only her breasts were covered.
It may be acceptable from a worldview perspective, but you can’t help but show up on the battlefield dressed like that.
Irene knelt on one of her knees and lowered her head just as her steps stopped in front of her.
I also did the same thing, roughly matching her speed.
“Meeting Baranga Yuuri Acious.”
Yuuri nodded at Iren’s words and spoke.
“Are you Irene Juliet?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve heard rumors, but this is my first time seeing her in person. It’s an honor to be able to meet the red-haired female knight Irene in person.”
After making her smile, Yuuri turned her head slightly and looked down at me and said,
“This way?”
“She is called Swen. She wishes to become a naturalized citizen of Eishers County with Lady Irene.”
“…….”
She looked at me without saying a word.
She spoke in the tone of a girl who discovered something interesting.
“You… Your hair is white? For a young man’s hair, it’s a color you don’t often see around here. Are you… The white-haired man who created a miracle by splitting the sky at the fortress of Brans County in the north? Are you the ‘wizard’?”
‘… ….’
The day when a meteorite fell, not a lightning strike.
Considering the number of eyes watching, I naturally thought there would be rumors about me –
Hearing the slightly cringeworthy title of ‘white-haired wizard’ in person made me feel embarrassed.
But, what about it?
Anyway, since she has this title, if she can covet me, then she is good for me.
“I’m embarrassed, but I’m right. It’s a bit ambiguous to call him a wizard.”
“Oh my. Really?”
Yuuri said that and laughed softly, covering his mouth.
It’s not like I’m laughing at you…… A sound of laughter as if someone is interested in something.
He was a distinctly different type of person from Lin Brans, who sometimes had a dark side that could not be hidden.
I don’t know if a style like Rin would be better for planning and dealing with things, but…… In order to save Irene, I couldn’t stay under her.
“Let’s see. You both want to surrender to our military?”
“Yes. Me and Swen over here, along with the authority of the fortress and the 38,000 soldiers within it.”
Yuuri nodded her head and then asked carefully.
“Irene and Swen. Listen carefully. Your offer is so good that we have no choice but to accept it. But, usually, people don’t bring in soldiers like this, build a fortress, and surrender entirely, right? Think about it. If you’re going to surrender, it’s less troublesome and more convenient to just somehow escape with your body and come back to our side. If we surrender in the middle of the war because we’re losing, we might be able to come in with the soldiers, but we’re not really in a war right now. “No, right? It’s true that we don’t get along well.”
Her words were correct.
In fact, the reason why this situation came about was because I was able to achieve the goal of ‘shaking up the central continent where the Brans army holds the majority’ by leveraging the maximum amount of profit that can be obtained through the act of surrender. Because of the focus, it has become a bit complicated.
“So, what I’m saying is… Um.”
At that time when Yuuri was in trouble.
Epinel, who was next to me, spoke for the first time.
“Yuuri-sama is now saying that he does not completely trust you. What if this is a deceptive tactic disguised as surrender? If the soldiers you brought in revolt from within, we will It’s going to be very difficult. The fortress, the soldiers, the outstanding generals. It seems like the story is that our Aishous army is in overly good shape.”
In other words, are they afraid that this surrender itself will become a bait, like a ‘Trojan horse’?
Well, the suspicion itself wasn’t that strange.
I thought the right answer here was to be honest about why we must surrender.
“Actually-“
At that time.
Irene gently placed her hand on top of my hand that was trying to open her mouth.
It seemed like she was saying, ‘Leave this to me.’
Yes.
In the end, she was the one who surrendered, so what she said must be correct.
“I am…”
Irene slowly closed her eyes.
She said, looking up at Yuuri again, opening her eyes at the same speed.
“Master… So, I am sensing a strong murderous intent toward me from my former master, Lin Brans.”
“Murderous intent…?”
Both Yuuri and Epinel seemed surprised by Iren’s confession.
Of course. Usually, there are few people who harbor murderous intentions towards their subordinates.
However, everything she said was the truth. The strong aura felt from the truth can move people.
“Yes. He… Hates me. He has passed the stage of hating and resenting me and wants me to die.”
“…What? I kind of… Don’t understand. Are you Irene? A red-haired female knight. A siege specialist. I know your name. Most of the feudal lords probably know your name. Girl? Why on earth is a general with such a high reputation?”
“…….”
My words.
Why on earth do you hate me so much?
They say there is no reason to hate people, but Lynn Brans was the woman who definitely killed Irene Juliette in every world line.
“I’m very embarrassed, but it’s the truth. That’s why… I’m becoming a naturalized citizen in Acehers County in order to survive.”
“Umm…”
At that time.
Epinel turned her head towards her sister.
“Yuuri. I don’t think you’re lying.”
“Huh?”
One new fact I learned.
Epinel was speaking informally to Yuuri.
Even though it may not seem like much, it had a big enough meaning.
It was clear that she would have a very large presence within Eishers County.
“I told the spy I sent to Brans’ army. Even if it’s just a small rumor, please tell me everything. But, it’s true that such a story is coming out. Lin Brans hates Irene Juliet.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. It didn’t seem like it was very important information, so I didn’t tell you about it. Well, this is just gossip from other countries.”
“If we really are surrendering with some plan, we may be able to cause damage to the Aishous army, but neither of us will survive unscathed. And as the rumor goes… Lin Brans hates me. “I want to live. I have no intention of risking my life for her and attacking Yuuri-sama’s army.”
“Umm…Yes, I want to live, so I surrender to our military…”
There was only one life.
When one dies, everyone faces the end equally at that point.
There was no other reason that justified surrender as much as the reason for not wanting to die.
“…I understand. If the rumor is true, Iren understands. But.”
Yuuri turned his head and looked down at me and said.
“Swen. Why are you surrendering? As long as you stay in Branth County, you will get a huge promotion. Don’t you think you will be treated properly since you are a magician who created miracles? You are a certain size of Branth Army. “Isn’t it a bit strange that after quitting, you came to our small, weak country, Aceers County?”
In other words, she is asking me, ‘Why are you doing something that will cause you harm?’
Because I somewhat expected this question to come up, I took out the message I had prepared.
“I thought that Lin Brans was not a monarch worthy of my service. In other words, I judged that she did not fit the ideal of a monarch who would rule the world.”
“Really?”
The answer was normal, but I could sense it.
When Yuuri heard those words, the corners of his mouth rose slightly.
“Yes. Just looking at Iren, who is right next to me, it is true. How can someone who treats a general like Iren with personal feelings and does not use them seriously become a unification monarch who will unite the continent? I am looking for a person who will become a unification monarch. “I want to serve you. It’s only meaningful to be active if you choose your master well.”
“Really? Then conversely, do you think that I am the person who will become the unified monarch?”
“Yes.”
He looked at me who responded immediately and smiled leisurely.
This should be enough.
However, she still asked me questions.
“Really? That’s the only reason? Anything else?”
“……?”
What is it?
Those eyes that seem to be expecting something…… ?
What I felt about Yuuri until just now was the aura of a determined lord, different from Rin or Lunarien.
Each person had a different tone, personality, and attitude towards me, but in any case, the spirit of being a person who carried someone else’s will on their shoulders was clearly present.
But now…… Instead of looking at me like a monarch, he was looking at me like a girl.
‘…… No way.’
I am careful…… She brought up the story she assumed she wanted to talk about.
“I want to be by Irene’s side and protect her.”
“……!!!”
At my words, Irene, who was kneeling next to her, looked at me in surprise.
Her face was very red and she was embarrassed and didn’t know what to do…… Honestly, it was kind of cute.
And Yuuri too.
She spoke with a satisfied expression only after hearing the answer.
“As expected. I knew that. What would be the reason for a man to follow a woman? That’s understandable. hehehe.”
“…….”
“Okay. Can you both stand up? Epinel, get that ready.”
At the same time we got up from our seats, Epinel went into the tent and brought something for herself.
It was a basket containing two glasses, alcohol, and a rather odd silver piece.
Epinel skillfully filled the glasses while holding the tray.
Yuri next to him held up his silver sword and opened it-
“…!”
I cut my finger slightly.
Then, he mixed a few drops of the flowing blood into the alcohol.
“Now.”
Iren and I accepted the cup.
The clear Cheongju was mixed with her blood and became cloudy.
“Drink that. With that, you become my family, sharing my blood.”
‘…… There are all kinds of strange rituals.’
It wasn’t something I should say after holding a ancestral rite for the thunderbolt.
I once again realized that this place was real.
The in-game information I know about Yuuri is: ‘He has excellent leadership skills that make many characters follow him’ ‘He has a very strong relationship with his colleagues’ ‘A monarch for intermediate players with a weak base but a good talent pool’ ‘ It would be about that.
But of course, unless you actually meet him in person-
It is difficult to clearly identify Yuuri from a few lines of ‘character introduction’.
Empty the glass lightly.
Only then did Yuuri speak in a somewhat serious tone.
“Irene Juliet. And Swen. Welcome to our Aicious army. I, Baranga Yuuri Aicious, will risk my life to protect your safety. Everyone who has shared my blood. Because they are my family.”
Then, he looked at Iren and said.
“Please take good care of me in the future, Irene.”
“Yes! We will do our best to live up to your expectations.”
“…And please take care of me, Swen?”
Yuuri tilted her head and asked me.
I smiled confidently at her.
“I will make sure you never regret this decision.”
That’s how Iren and I became members of the Aishous Army.
In conclusion, it was successful in rescuing Irene Juliet.
That alone made me think that it was a good decision to go through Brans County.
