At the gathering place, the territory’s residents were gathered in small groups, sharing food.

    It seemed to be a kind of harvest festival.

    When a few of the townsfolk recognized Luna, they quickly bowed in greeting.

    "Isn’t that Lady Lunarian?"@@@@

    At the voice of the man leading the group, the previously lively atmosphere swiftly became more solemn.

    Of course, it wasn’t as if the mood had turned cold—rather, it was the kind of tension that came with the unexpected appearance of someone of high status.

    Even so, there was no sign of rejection or discomfort.

    If anything—Luna was being warmly welcomed by the people.

    "Lady Lunarian, welcome."

    "We greet our sovereign!"

    "If it pleases you, please have some of this!"

    In an instant, the townsfolk gathered around us.

    Luna raised her hand skillfully and gave a small nod.

    "Everyone, please feel free to continue as you were."

    ‘.......’

    I had asked her to avoid using honorifics when addressing those of lower status, but as expected, breaking old habits wasn’t easy.

    If this world had a political system similar to the one I came from, treating commoners this way—people with voting rights—would be the natural course of action.

    But in a world without such a system, it was actually better for a ruler to maintain an air of dignity.

    I considered nudging her about it again.

    ‘Well... having a leader like her in this era might not be a bad thing.’

    This wasn’t in front of her direct retainers, whom she ruled over like her own hands and feet—it was in front of the common people.

    From a public sentiment perspective, her approach might have been the better one.

    Of course, what was truly remarkable about her was that her every action wasn’t the result of cold, calculated thinking like mine.

    "Thanks to you, peace has returned to Zeilant Castle once more, Lady Lunarian. No other lords ever spared a glance at this place... We are truly grateful for all the care you have given us."

    A middle-aged woman, on the verge of tears, nodded repeatedly as she spoke.

    Luna approached her, gently taking her hands in both of hers, and said:

    "It’s not because of me. It’s because all of you never gave up and continued to work hard. Please, do not forget that."

    "Lady Lunarian...!"

    "Lady Lunarian! Please, I beg you—unite this war-torn continent!"

    "How can we entrust our lands to a tyrant like Serpina?! Don’t you all agree?!"

    "That’s right! That’s right!"

    Voices of support for Lunarian began to erupt from all directions.

    Well, that was only natural.

    She had spent six thousand gold on relief efforts for the people and frequently patrolled the territory in person.

    It made sense that she had firmly secured public support.

    That was likely why, even when conscription was enacted, many soldiers willingly volunteered.

    Our forces, excluding mercenary groups, now numbered around ten thousand.

    If Zeilant Castle weren’t such a small stronghold, but instead one with a larger population, we could have gathered even more.

    After conversing with the townsfolk for a while, Luna wrapped up the discussion so they could continue enjoying the festival, then made her way over to me.

    "Swen."

    "Yes, my lady?"

    "Um..."

    Luna pointed at something in the distance.

    Following her gaze, I saw a large bonfire with several couples dancing around it.

    A few bards were playing lutes, creating a scene that looked as if it had been plucked straight from the loading screen of a medieval-themed game.

    "It’s peaceful. All thanks to you, my lady."

    "No, that’s not what I..."

    "?"

    I turned to look at Luna.

    Her face had turned slightly red, and she hesitated for a moment before letting out a small sigh, as if she had made up her mind.

    "...Never mind."

    What?

    Why start talking and then stop?

    What was she trying to say?

    ‘...Could it be?’

    A thought crossed my mind, and I decided to ask her directly.

    "Do you... want to dance?"

    "Ah? Ah, no, I mean... well..."

    ‘Those Roland bastards... They''re itching for an opening to strike, huh? I was hoping to avoid dealing with the south for a while. But well, one month is enough.’

    With that thought, Lyn smiled and said:

    "It''s fine. Honestly, one month doesn’t make much of a difference. I told you before—so long as the ceasefire was secured, I was willing to go down to a month if necessary."

    "B-But still..."

    "Enough. That’s the end of that discussion. You both did well! Take a well-deserved rest for now. If I don’t summon you within a week, go help out at the market. Understood?"

    "Yes, my lady! We will obey!"

    After the envoys left, a waiting soldier stepped forward and spoke.

    "My lady. General Chel has just arrived with his forces."

    Lyn’s expression brightened.

    "Oh, really? As expected of my dear big brother? He got here fast!"

    "Shall I let him in?"

    "Yes, right away."

    "Understood!"

    Not long after—

    A man with short blue hair, clad in plate armor, strode confidently into the hall.

    His physique was overwhelmingly large, his eyes sharp and sunken, his face covered in scars.

    Yet, despite the scars, he possessed an undeniably handsome appearance.

    Behind him walked a woman with shoulder-length purple hair and deep violet eyes, exuding a sultry, enigmatic aura.

    The two knelt before Lyn as they reached her throne.

    The man’s name was Chel Brans.

    He was known as the greatest swordsman of the Brans Army.

    "Chel Brans, reporting as ordered. I have just returned from Saintica Castle in the south."

    And the woman’s name was Parfalle.

    A brilliant strategist of the Brans Army, she had been hailed as "the most intelligent woman in the central region" since childhood.

    Having assisted Chel in commanding the southern front against the Saintica forces, she had temporarily been away from Lyn’s side—but now, she had returned.

    "Parfalle, reporting as ordered. I have just returned from Saintica Castle, my lady."

    "Yes, yes! Welcome back, both of you!"

    Lyn spread her arms wide, welcoming them.

    Chel, puzzled, looked at her and asked:

    "What prompted you to summon us to Arnel, my lady? From what I have heard, the northern front has settled down."

    "That’s right. I have no intention of sending you north. My little brother is already stationed there, after all."

    After successfully repelling the 55,000-strong vanguard force—

    Serpina’s army had continued its invasion, sending waves of 20,000 and 30,000 troops in succession.

    The Brans Army had suffered considerable losses, but they had managed to defend Kelstein Castle through three consecutive battles.

    In doing so, they had managed to curb Serpina''s ambition of advancing into the central region.

    Of course, it was uncertain whether Serpina had merely retreated for the time being or if she had genuinely abandoned her campaign.

    But for now, Serpina''s forces were no longer advancing.

    With the northern front stable for the time being, consolidating forces required securing the other war fronts.

    That was precisely why Lyn had arranged the two ceasefire agreements.

    "And I have heard that we reached a ceasefire with the Roland Army... is that correct?"

    "Yes. So we don’t need to worry about the southern front for a while."

    "I see..."

    Chel’s tone was uncertain, as though he couldn’t grasp her true intentions.

    A ceasefire with Aesias in the east.

    A ceasefire with Roland in the south.

    And no plans to reinforce the north.

    That only left the western front—but the west was composed of nothing more than a few weak, insignificant minor states.

    Yet, Lyn had summoned him and his large army, which had been guarding the south, all the way to Arnel.

    Seeing his confusion, Lyn nodded knowingly and said:

    "That’s right, brother. The west isn’t something that requires your personal attention. But."

    Her voice lowered slightly.

    "The thing we’re going to seize isn’t just some small piece of land in a minor state."

    "Then you mean...?"

    Chel asked, his expression sharpening.

    For a brief moment, Lyn’s blue eyes gleamed.

    He knew that look all too well.

    That was the look of his sister when she was about to go hunting for talent.

    "We’re about to claim the piece that will win us the world!"