Serpina listened to the guard''s report with one leg crossed over the other, resting her chin on her hand. At the mention of Anima, she extended her hand toward the guard in a dismissive gesture.


    "Good. There’s no need for further reports on the prisoner. If anything requiring my attention arises, report it then."


    "Understood!"


    After saluting, the guard withdrew, leaving Serpina to her thoughts.


    ''If Anima is from Fibiola Academy... then that must be the source of her hostility toward me. There might be many others from that place within the Aishus Army as well.''


    She recalled how unexpectedly sharp their response had been when she went to propose surrender—far too intense for a small nation. The pieces of the puzzle in her mind began to align, and she slowly closed her eyes.


    "The forces deployed to Zelstrom Castle have just returned."


    Returned? That meant—defeat.


    She had already known that victory was unlikely, which was why she had prepared a backup plan—successfully dealing a blow to the Aishus Army before retreating.


    Yet, facing the reality of defeat left a bitter taste.


    "I see. The remaining troops?"


    "Approximately 23,000, including the wounded."


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