The fire at Brantal Castle continued to rage intermittently.


    Betrayal is spreading. The enemies of Ailes Cartesian are on their side.


    Two days later.


    At last, a messenger descends from the castle to negotiate a surrender.


    The messenger was dressed in white. A color that means submission and death. He must have decided that there was no way to win.


    The messenger replied with a bowed head, "My lord is ready to accept any punishment.


    "Then may I ask you to answer my words honestly?"


    I thought I would ask what was on my mind before moving on to negotiations.


    "Yes, what is it?"


    "Was this rebellion orchestrated solely by Ailes and Brando and the others?　Or are there others behind this?"


    It''s such a big operation. There must have been someone else involved.


    Oda Nobunaga once said he was surrounded. I wonder if something like that is working for me.


    "If not hiding it will soften the sin, ......"


    The messenger''s eyes changed color.


    "I guess I''ll have to hear what you have to say first."


    "This is the Cathedral of Orsent of Josai Prefecture and the King of the West. ......"


    By King of the West, I mean the former king, Paphus VI. He has fled to the lands of the west.


    And the Cathedral of Orcent, where I once fought.


    "Originally, the King of the West sent several secret letters to his lords for this occasion. The regent will eventually go north for the disobedient lords, and they should rise up en masse at that time. ....... I do not know if Sightred, Count of Machar, intended to follow this, but I am sure that the lords of that area knew that.


    "I see. So the plan was to take away my place of return while I was on expedition."


    However, it was up to each lord to decide whether or not to comply, and many of them probably did not send out their troops.


    "Well, if you burn secret documents, there is no evidence of their arrival. Most of them will be opportunistic.


    Nevertheless, I felt a cold wind blowing in my heart.


    I had prepared in advance so that the situation would not become serious, but if I had made a mistake, I would have lost the place to which I should have returned.


    The more prepared I am, the less safe I will be. As my power becomes more complete, there will be those who will try to oppose me.


    "Now, as for the treatment of your lord, I would like to discuss it with my people and make a final decision, so please wait there.


    I headed to the rear of the camp.


    I entered the stone building of the council, one of the finest in the town under seizure.


    There, Serafina was living a temporary life.


    "Thank you, sir. I think it''s safe to say that we''ve almost won.


    Seraphina smiled at me and said, "Congratulations.


    Of course, Serafina was on my side. So there was no mistake in her words. However, it still pains me to have her say that to me, even after all this time. I have a human heart, too. I may have slain many people, but that does not make my heart disappear.


    "I''m in the middle of negotiating a surrender. Your father has sensed the end of the line.


    "Yes. Then we have won. The land will be at peace again.


    "So I was wondering if Serafina could give me her opinion on what the terms should be."


    Have I caused you some trivial mercy?


    Or would I cause my wife more pain?


    Either way, I chose to do it. That''s the way I am.


    For a while, Serafina and I looked at each other.


    Serafina was smiling as if she were in a castle. She didn''t look at me reproachfully, nor did she look at me as if she was having a hard time.


    I remembered again that Serafina was a saint.


    Serafina has always supported me. Seraphina will always be on my side. Even if my family was on the brink of extinction.


    "There is no reason to keep alive such an obvious traitor. At best, we can decide how to kill him, can''t we?"


    "Yes, it is not enough to confiscate half of the territory, but if, for example, the enemy has fled, we will make a separate decision on whether or not to pursue them."


    Serafina will be familiar with the castle''s construction." I let out a small "ah".


    "If we can open up the lintel of the castle, then, yes, they can fall toward the north."


    "It''s impossible for all of us to escape, but maybe Ailes and his companions can make it. We ride in on the chaos and we execute the main remaining men in the castle in retaliation. Mineria will be settled and your father''s life will be spared. What do you think?"


    Not a bad idea, I thought. This way, I thought, we could protect both the high road and Seraphina''s feelings.


    Serafina gently wrapped her hand around mine.


    "You are a kind person, Master. I am making you feel uncomfortable.


    Then Serafina shook her head.


    "If Ailes survives as general, he will be in trouble again. It''s better to kill him."


    Serafina said, as if calling Ailes an enemy.


    "No more love," Serafina said. I''ve made up my mind. Even if it''s hell where you and the Master are going."


    Serafina kissed the back of my hand lightly.


    "With the Master, I''m not afraid, and that''s all I want. So, hurry up and unite the world.


    I embraced Serafina strongly, strongly.


    Tears flowed down my cheeks without my knowing it.


    "Thank you."


    "This is not the way of the turbulent world. It''s nothing to worry about.