Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 155: Inevitability (2)

The Royal Castle of Eingart, the Capital of Serpina’s Forces.

Seated upon her throne, Serpina listened to the soldier’s report.

"A landslide, you say?"

"Yes, my lord."

The report had come from a transport unit deployed to deliver supplies to the front lines.

"They changed course at their own discretion, but felt the need to report the incident nonetheless."

"Do we have an estimate of when this occurred?"

"Based on the testimony of multiple local villagers in the surrounding area, it is estimated to have happened approximately three weeks ago."

"Three weeks ago... I see."

Fortunately, the landslide had only blocked a passage, meaning there were no significant casualties.

However, it was a crucial route—a key entryway from the northern continent into the central territories.

For the sake of maintaining smooth communication with allied forces at the front lines and ensuring future strategic advances, the path had to be restored.

"Understood. How long is the estimated recovery time?"

"The initial reports indicate that it will take considerable time... but the field commander is prepared to begin restoration efforts as soon as you issue the order."

Serpina hesitated briefly before extending her hand forward.

"Very well. Dispatch support troops from the nearest fortress to assist in the recovery. I will entrust the operation to General Estin, who is in charge of the transport unit."

"Shall I relay your command as such?"

"Yes."

The soldier responded loudly.

"Understood, my lord!"

Once the soldier had departed, Serpina rose from her seat and approached the large map spread out before her.

It was the same continental map often used during state meetings.

She picked up a quill from the side and prepared to mark the landslide site for reference.

But then—

"...Huh?"

The moment she laid eyes on the map, Swen’s voice flashed through her mind.

"Regarding your decision to visit in person... there is a possibility that it may result in an unfavorable outcome for our forces."

"I believe it would be best if you refrained from personally making the journey, my lord."

Back then, the unease she had felt wasn't just because he had called her "Lady Serpina" instead of his usual way of addressing her.

It was also because he had actively tried to stop her from going.

Swen’s stated reason had been, "You must not give your commanders a reason to sympathize with Lyn."

But if that were truly his only concern, he should have opposed bringing Lyn here as well—yet he had not.

And then—

"Wait...?"

A ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) chilling realization struck her, sending a shiver down her spine.

Her heart pounded violently, and cold sweat trickled down her back.

"...Hold on."

Serpina double-checked the map.

She had traveled this route countless times.

Not long ago, she had even used this very path to return from the front lines.

That meant she could estimate with reasonable accuracy the exact timing of the route’s use.

Of course, factors like weather could affect travel duration, but that only mattered when predicting the future—not when analyzing the past.

And for the past several weeks, the skies had been perfectly clear.

There should have been no issues with movement.

The thought now consuming her mind was not about bringing Lyn here.

It was about a different scenario—

The one where she had personally traveled to the Brans Army.

In other words, the original plan she had proposed to Swen.

"It was said to have happened three weeks ago, wasn’t it...?"

Serpina carefully reconstructed the timeline in her mind.

This was a simulation of events that existed only within her thoughts—

A plan she had never spoken to anyone.

In this scenario, she would have personally traveled to the Brans Army.

Her destination would not have been Arnel Castle, but rather Cohart Castle, the nearest border fortress under Brans Army’s control.

There had been no reason for her to push all the way to Arnel Castle.

Her presence at a border fortress would have been more than enough to demoralize the weakened defenders and the restless local populace, forcing them to acknowledge her authority.

Thus, she envisioned the scenario—

The delegation, including herself, reaching Cohart Castle.

Forming an alliance.

Then, returning to Eingart Castle.

And the route they would have taken on their way back—

It included the landslide-stricken pass.

And then—

"...!!!!!!"

The quill slipped from Serpina’s hand.

With a soft plop, the ink-laden quill hit the desk, splattering dark stains across the surface.

For in that moment—

She realized the truth.

***

"Still no news?"

"No... The agreed-upon date has passed, but there’s still nothing..."

"And you have no idea where he went?"

"None at all..."

Inside the dormitory.

I was speaking with Ioline, who had come in place of her absent twin brother, Janis.

"There’s no way to communicate with him? No letters, nothing?"

"I... I’m truly sorry..."

"There’s nothing for you to apologize for."

Pressuring Ioline wouldn’t solve anything.

Besides, I still had some time before moving into Airen’s residence, and I was personally curious about what Janis was scheming.

A slight delay in vacating the room wouldn’t be an issue.

"Understood. You’re welcome to stay here a while longer."

"Ah... Thank you, Swen."

As I watched her bow her head in gratitude, I asked,

"Ioline, I have a question."

The sourc𝗲 of this content is freēwēbηovel.c૦m.

"Please, ask anything."

"What kind of person is Janis?"

I had shared a room with him for a while, but all I really knew was that he seemed like an irresponsible playboy.

We’d never had a serious conversation, so I had no idea what he was truly thinking.

"Janis... is a good person. But sometimes, that kindness can be a little excessive."

"Excessive?"

"Yes. He tries to take everything upon himself... I think he doesn’t want to be a burden to our eldest brother, Irian."

A burden, huh?

Sounded like a family issue, but I didn’t feel the need to pry too deeply.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

"As far as I know, I think this outing of his... is also something he’s doing to help Irian in some way. The only time he ever takes initiative is when it involves Irian. He keeps going on about how Irian is a genius who will revive the al-Kasky family."

He hadn’t struck me as particularly remarkable, but...

If he had performed well in battle at a young age, then in Serpina’s army—where talent was scarce—he might as well be considered a top-tier asset.

The more we talked, though, the worse my instincts felt about this.

"No matter how I look at it, this smells like trouble."

The most obvious possibility was treason.

And yet—

On the surface, Irian seemed genuinely loyal to Serpina.

He didn’t appear dissatisfied with his position.

I had looked into it before, since Irian was frequently mentioned as a candidate for deputy commander of the occupation forces before Airen took the role.

But nothing suspicious had come up.

And yet, the word treason kept flashing in my mind.

Because—

"I have no data on the al-Kasky siblings."

Maybe the reason I couldn’t recall anything about them from my ten thousand hours of playing the game...

Was because they had died early on for some unknown reason—

And that reason was treason.

Otherwise, at least one of them would have been imprinted in my memory.

Especially someone with Irian’s level of ability.

He had graduated at the top of Eingart Academy, the most prestigious institution in Serpina’s territory.

His base stats must have been well above average.

And I had memorized every general with exceptional base stats.

Yet, Irian’s name was absent from my memory.

"So... is this just Janis acting on his own?"

At that moment—

Knock, knock, knock.

Someone rapped on the door.

I glanced at Ioline, giving her a subtle cue.

She instinctively adjusted her posture and started tidying up the desk—just like Janis would.

A perfect imitation.

"Who is it?"

"Is Swen here?"

"...Huh?"

I briefly considered how to respond in case they were looking for Janis—

But, fortunately or unfortunately, they were looking for me.

When I opened the door, a soldier greeted me with a salute.

"Swen, my lord is requesting your presence immediately."

"Me?"

What now?

Did she need advice on something again?

We had managed to get through the alliance with the Brans Army smoothly enough, but what kind of absurd question would she throw at me this time?

Still, keeping a close relationship with her was beneficial for my goal—keeping her alive.

"Understood. I’ll head there right away."

"Yes, sir. I’ll be waiting outside."

After a brief farewell to Ioline, I left the dormitory and made my way to the royal castle.

***

Upon arriving at the audience chamber, I felt an odd sense of déjà vu.

"The throne is empty."

Yet, since I had been summoned here, I figured she had to be somewhere nearby.

Looking around—

There she was.

The golden-haired sovereign, standing by a desk, gazing down at it.

I called out to her without much thought.

"Swen, I have arrived at my lord’s summons."

"......Swen."

Serpina slowly turned toward me, stepping forward with deliberate movements.

Was it just my imagination?

Her eyes seemed to tremble slightly.

She always had an air of absolute composure when addressing me.

But today... she looked different.

Like the first time we met.

Like someone who had lost their usual confidence.

"I have something to ask you."

A question.

Meaning she was seeking advice.

As always, it wouldn’t really be me answering, but rather the 100 Intelligence of this body.

All I had to do was dress it up in a way that sounded plausible.

"Please, ask whatever you wish."

Would it be about strategy?

Military movements?

Politics?

Hopefully, it would be a predictable question.

But—

"......Swen. Tell me your true thoughts."

She threw me a question from a category I had never anticipated.

"In the alliance with the Brans Army... the reason you stopped me from taking action..."

"......?"

"You claimed it was because our commanders might feel sympathy toward Lyn Brans if they saw her humiliation firsthand."

"Yes. That is correct."

"But I find that difficult to accept."

Serpina took another step toward me.

Something was off.

If she hadn’t been convinced back then, she would have argued the point immediately.

So why bring it up now?

And more importantly—

The overwhelming presence she usually exuded...

Today, she felt fragile.

Like a brittle, wind-blown branch.

"If your reasoning was sound, then you should have also opposed bringing Lyn here. The effect would have been the same—her subordinates witnessing the alliance being formed."

"...My lord, that is—"

I was about to offer a response—

But she cut me off, her voice trembling.

"Swen. Forgive me, but... let me speak first."

She didn’t give me the chance to argue.

I fell silent, watching her.

What was this?

Before I could fully grasp the situation, she locked eyes with me.

And then—

"The real reason you stopped me... wasn't what you claimed, was it?"

"......!"

"I will tell you what I have come to suspect."

Serpina's face was slightly flushed, her expression wavering—

A rare, vulnerable look.

She stared at me, her violet eyes filled with something almost desperate—

And then, she spoke the words.

"You... you were trying to save my life, weren’t you?"