MTLNOVEL Chapter 273
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Before interrogating the prisoner.
Lady Luna was consulting with Jinoru regarding the events that had transpired earlier.
“If that’s the case, Lady Vanessa…”
“Shouldn’t be spared, I suppose. Simultaneously, there’s no way we can keep her alive either. She’s on a different level compared to the other prisoners who lack any means to retaliate. No matter what form it takes, she’s definitely someone who will hold our lord back.”
“…Is that really so?”
Though it was the answer she expected, still, there was no stopping the sigh that escaped her lips. Vanessa’s choices might not have been entirely correct in hindsight, but at the very least, from a purely results-oriented perspective, it was something she had to do considering she was an adversary. After all, as Vanessa herself had said, Luna had betrayed Karelia.
Luna’s expression darkened slightly, and Jinoru shook his head earnestly.
“Do not let sympathy cloud your judgment. Moreover, wasn’t there justification for our lord’s rebellion? From what I’ve heard, it was Vanessa who first planted spies intending to eliminate our lord. This isn’t something you should feel guilty about, nor does it mean her words were correct.”
Although Jinoru joined after the rebellion, as the Nation’s Strategist, he already knew everything about how the Lunarien Army had operated until now. In his opinion, Luna hadn’t done anything wrong. It was Vanessa who provoked Luna into having no choice but to rebel. Even if they brought in a third party or even Makana Karelia herself, they would have to agree with this conclusion.
However, Luna shook her head with a slightly sad look.
“No. That’s not it…”
“My Lord, but-”
“It’s not pity for Lady Vanessa.”
After saying this, Luna looked at Jinoru with a resolute expression. There was a certainty etched into her ruby eyes, one that only someone fully prepared could possess.
“I… never intended to stay under Lady Karelia forever. Not even once since the day she took us in. Because… someone promised me they wouldn’t miss their chance. Honestly, Vanessa was just the trigger, wasn’t she?”
“Lord…”
“I need a territory to raise troops, but currently, there are no territories outside the influence of the vassals on the continent. Raising private armies would take far too much time. The most efficient choice is just one: rebellion. So… I’m telling you that the result of instigating a rebellion hasn’t changed.”
Jinoru refrained from further commentary.
Indeed. As long as she harbored ambition, Luna couldn’t be content being a mere vassal under the Karelia Army. From that perspective alone, Vanessa did show some insight. Though her methods were chaotic, it was precisely because of that chaos that Luna seized her opportunity.
“It’s alright. Didn’t you tell me that if we don’t stain our hands, eventually it will be our blood that gets spilled? I haven’t forgotten your words.”
“If you understand that, I believe you know what needs to be done moving forward.”
“Moving forward, huh?”
“Yes.”
Jinoru nodded respectfully, his eyes shining.
“The ones we captured aren’t just Vanessa.”
“…!”
“If I may continue… surely you understand where this is going.”
“Wait, just a moment!”
Luna’s expression clearly trembled, contrasting sharply from before. Dealing with Vanessa was one thing, but dealing with others was another. Despite being upright and gentle, Luna was still human, not a saint. Depending on who it was, the weight of life felt different.
And Jinoru, without giving her any leeway, bluntly advised:
“Execute Makana Karelia.”
“But…! If we execute Lady Karelia, surely there will be those who harbor resentment! Such a decision could harm us in the long run!”
“The hearts of the territorial people, especially those in the Capital City, are already with our lord, not Karelia. Among the armed forces, anyone capable enough to pose a significant threat in the long term perished in the battle at Tevelo Castle. If sparing Karelia yielded more benefits than losses, I would’ve recommended it, but that’s not the case now.”
“But even so… the reason the territorial people are discontented stems from Vanessa…”
“Exactly why it must be dealt with now. Knowing ‘Karelia wasn’t that bad’ won’t help our lord at all. Instead, this is the best timing for the territorial people not to blame our lord despite executing their former ruler.”
“But…”
At that moment.
Jinoru, who had maintained perfect etiquette by keeping his head bowed, suddenly raised his gaze to meet hers directly.
“Forgive my rudeness, My Lord, but there is something I must say.”
“Jinoru-sama…?”
“Makana Karelia was one of the few vassals who made their mark on this continent. She stood out even in the Southern Continent. Many flocked to her side like clouds drawn to a storm. Such a person, whether they want it or not, could always reappear on this stage. Even if they didn’t intend to!”
“…”
“Lin Brance executed every captured vassal regardless of their abilities. Being a monarch without ambition is impossible. That’s why Lin acted cautiously. And Karelia isn’t exactly incompetent either. Doesn’t our lord also have unyielding goals and dreams? Wasn’t that the point you were making earlier when discussing Vanessa?”
Upon hearing this, Luna lowered her head, unable to find a retort.
I have to… do it myself.
To the one who accepted me…
“This is an era of chaos, My Lord. A time when loyalty holds immense value. Whatever decision you make, I will follow you. However, please remember… the respect everyone has for you now might not last forever.”
* * *
Recalling Jinoru’s bold declaration, Luna once again thought about that conversation.
Execute Makana Karelia.
And now, as if reminding her of that moment, Jinoru spoke firmly.
Luna gazed at Karelia with trembling eyes.
The bound Karelia stared back at her without flinching. There was no trace of fear of death in her demeanor. But this calmness wasn’t born from relief thinking she’d survive.
Rather, it was a peaceful acceptance, as if she had no intention of resisting anything.
“Karelia-sama…”
“I bear no grudge against you. On the contrary, I tried to kill you. You know that, don’t you?”
But before Luna could interject that it was all Vanessa’s doing—
“All of this happened under my command. It’s my fault. I took on the role of a monarch knowing I’d bear the consequences of every outcome. Isn’t that how it works?”
—Karelia cut her off preemptively.
“I feared you and tried to eliminate you, but I failed. Had I succeeded in suppressing your rebellion during the Tevelo Castle siege, it would’ve been you tied up here instead of me. The authority to send soldiers to die on the battlefield comes with these kinds of consequences. So, I hold no resentment.”
But…
Isn’t she bitter?
Despite the fact that the person who accepted her turned against her.
Despite the strategist making mistakes that shortened her own lifespan.
She was still trying to shoulder everything with confidence.
An indescribable emotion pierced through Luna’s heart.
If she had scolded her, even once, accusing her of forgetting her kindness and betraying her…
If she had blamed Vanessa for pleading for her life, would this feeling have lessened even a little?
Then…
“Lady Luna.”
“…Yes.”
“You look like you’re about to cry any moment now.”
Only then did Luna realize her eyes were moist.
“When I first became a monarch, I often heard that a ruler shouldn’t show tears. How many years ago was that now? Like Vanessa said, you and I share quite a few similarities, don’t we?”
“My Lord…”
Karelia chuckled softly a few times before fixing Luna with her unwavering emerald eyes.
“It may sound funny coming from a prisoner, but allow me one final piece of advice: don’t repeat my mistake.”
“!!!”
Luna instantly grasped the meaning behind Karelia’s words.
Her mistake—having ambitious vassals under her command.
“Mistake…”
“My dream isn’t over yet. For the sake of everyone who sacrificed their lives for me… I’ll never give up on this dream. Even if you spare me, I cannot abandon my dream for you. And isn’t that… the same reason, Lady Luna, why things came to this between us?”
Mistake.
Finally, Luna collapsed into tears upon hearing that word, despite holding on so tightly until now.
“Because of you, we… survived…”
Karelia’s mistake.
Had it not been for that mistake, had Karelia supported Vanessa’s faction, or worse, handed herself over diplomatically to Lin Brance during her peak influence…
Various alternatives that never came to pass flickered through her mind.
“Lady Lunarien, you are someone who can surpass me. That’s probably why Vanessa feared you so much. To the territorial people, as long as peace returns, the identity of their ruler matters little, as long as it’s not Serpina.”
“And right now, I am genuinely pleased. I believe that no one other than you, Lady Luna, can stop Serpina, the wicked woman who plunged the continent into turmoil.”
Watching Karelia speak like this, Jinoru confirmed his suspicions.
Even facing death, she remained calm enough to offer advice.
Karelia was dangerous. She was someone who could never serve under anyone else.
“So, stop crying… strike my neck. And if you feel remorseful, promise me this: end the turmoil and defeat Serpina to bring peace.”
For a long while, Luna trembled without responding. Then, wiping away her tears with her sleeve, she met Karelia’s gaze unflinchingly.
“…I promise.”
“Thank you.”
“Take her away.”
“Understood!”
Following Jinoru’s order instead of Luna’s, the soldiers led the bound Karelia to the same place Vanessa had gone.
Just before being taken away, Karelia smiled brightly at Luna, almost like a child.
It was the last image Luna ever saw of her.
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