The Karelia Army, stationed in Tepello Castle, southern territory.

Lunarian Iniang, ruler of Zeilant, wore an expression heavy with worry.

“So… they’re dead?”

“Yes.”

Thirty soldiers had been publicly executed for violating military law.

Luna’s objections—that execution was too extreme—had been ignored.

Of course, violating military law was a crime.

But no matter how she thought about it, the punishment was far too harsh.

Taking a life over a single minor mistake… was simply too cruel.

Especially considering that new recruits were being conscripted indiscriminately—so long as they had limbs and could move, they were being drafted.

Morale was bound to be low, and training quality wasn’t exactly stellar.

But all of this…

Was the will of Makana Karelia—

No, Luna knew by now that it wasn’t really her will at all.

This was Vanessa’s doing.@@novelbin@@

Ever since the strategist Vanessa Trinity had consolidated full control over Karelia’s military affairs, military law had become harsher, and training more brutal.

A strong army—a good goal.

Emphasizing the strictness of military law during wartime was something even Luna had thought necessary.

But executing soldiers for being thirty minutes late?

Most of the others who had died that day hadn’t committed any crimes severe enough to warrant death.

Even a public flogging would have been extreme, let alone execution.

It was nothing short of terror rule.

Vanessa, using Karelia’s name as her shield, was running the army through fear.

And despite the murmurs spreading among the ranks, “It’s necessary for the war effort” was the excuse that always buried the issue.

The southern continent had enjoyed a long, precarious balance—full-scale war had been avoided for years.

So Vanessa had an easy justification.

The soldiers and commanders had grown too lax. Morale was low. Training had to be stricter.

“Lord of the Castle.”

“…Speak.”

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