Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 206: A Predetermined Future

As Airen parted ways with Swen, she made her way back to the barracks where she originally worked—something she hadn’t done in quite some time.

"U-Um...!"

Hearing someone call out to her, she turned her head—only to find a strangely familiar woman calling out her name.

"...Ioline?"

"No, that would be my younger sister."

"...Ah."

Now that she heard it, there was a resemblance, but something felt distinctly different.

The one who had called out to her was a strikingly handsome individual—delicate and refined in appearance, but unmistakably male. It was Janis.

Janis was the younger brother of Irian al Kasky and the twin brother of Ioline al Kasky. The two of them had been deeply involved in an incident not long ago. Quite some time had passed since then.

"Did your imprisonment end without trouble?"

"Yes. That’s why I wanted to thank you... I know it’s shameless of ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) me, but I waited here just for that."

Saying so, Janis bowed at a precise ninety-degree angle.

As Airen watched, she couldn’t help but think—despite being twins, he had an incredibly feminine appearance.

Then, Janis spoke again.

"I truly appreciate it, Lady Airen. I should have thanked you much sooner, but I regret that it’s taken this long."

"It’s nothing. I merely did what I was supposed to do. You don’t need to concern yourself over it."

"I had hoped to personally thank Swen as well... but I’ve been reassigned to another domain, so I’ll have to depart soon. If possible—"

"I understand. I’ll be sure to pass it on to Swen."

"Thank you very much."

Janis bowed once more, this time even deeper.

"In the future, we will continue to serve under Lady Serpina. One day, I will surely repay this debt."

...

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Airen sent Janis on his way.

Watching his figure grow smaller in the distance, she found herself lingering on the words he had left behind.

"We will continue to serve under Lady Serpina..."

Perhaps it was the weight those words carried.

Before she knew it, she had closed her eyes, recalling the events of just a few days ago.

***

Turning back the clock slightly—

After swiftly returning to her position, Serpina had given Airen a brief explanation of what had happened.

"I see... So it was Lady Reika who healed me."

"Yes. I assume you were already aware of her abilities, Airen."

A fleeting image passed through Airen’s mind—Reika effortlessly conjuring flames in the palm of her hand.

Not just that, but she had also created ice seemingly from nothing while making chocolates.

To think she also possessed the ability to heal wounds...

Even though Airen herself couldn’t sense it, there was no longer any room to doubt the existence of mana.

"...Yes, that’s right."

"You don’t need to worry about it. I don’t intend to question you about why you kept it a secret."

Serpina’s lips curled into a small, amused smile.

Airen found herself thinking—somehow, Serpina’s expression seemed much warmer than before.

No, that wasn’t it.

There was something else she needed to say. Something she hadn’t been able to voice due to the sudden chaos.

"...My lord."

Kneeling on one knee, Airen bowed her head to the golden-haired sovereign she now served.

"Thank you... for saving my insignificant life."

It wasn’t just empty gratitude.

Had it not been for Serpina, Airen would have died.

Perhaps she wouldn’t have been killed instantly by Shura’s attack—but the situation had been chaotic, and even Shura had been forced to attack hastily, adapting to an unplanned moment.

Even so, the fact that Serpina had taken the blade in her stead was something Airen could never dismiss.

And there was something else.

"I have no excuse for failing in my duty as your bodyguard, resulting in such a disaster... I will never forget the grace you have shown me."

The fact that Serpina had been injured meant that Airen had failed in her responsibilities.

Even if she had been sentenced to the harshest punishment, she would have had no right to complain.

Yet, Serpina demanded no responsibility from her. In Airen’s eyes, that was an even greater debt.

But—

Serpina once again gave her an answer that she had not anticipated.

"Raise your head, Airen."

Slowly lifting her gaze, Airen looked up at the golden-eyed sovereign.

"I have done nothing that warrants your gratitude. You don’t need to consider this a debt."

"What do you mean, my lord? I—"

"Forgive me for interrupting, but... I didn’t throw myself in front of you purely out of noble intent."

"...?"

This time, Serpina’s lips curled into a wry smile.

And in her golden eyes—

There was something a ruler should not hold toward their knight.

Jealousy.

"I envy you, Airen."

"My lord...?"

"You are deeply loved by Swen."

"...!!!!!"

At that moment—

Airen, who prided herself on her composure, felt it crumble.

The dignified posture she maintained, kneeling on one knee, shattered in an instant.

"T-That... L-Love, that’s... th-that’s not...!"

Watching Airen stammer in such an uncharacteristic manner, Serpina chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her hand.

"Fufufu... Airen, so this is how you react when someone brings it up. No wonder Swen is so taken with you—you truly do have a face worthy of love."

"I-I... That’s... I deeply apologize..."

Unable to form a proper response, Airen hung her head low.

Her face burned.

Her stomach fluttered.

Just hearing Swen’s name made her think of him.

And that thought alone—

Triggered something inside her.

Something distinctly feminine.

"Well, even if it’s not love—"

Serpina continued, watching Airen’s flustered state.

"It’s an intense affection. A deep, unwavering trust. Even if he’s unreadable, those gray eyes of his always seek you out, Airen. Even I, standing beside you, can feel it clearly."

"Ah..."

"And that is why—"

Serpina’s expression suddenly shifted.

Thanks to that, Airen was able to regain some composure.

Or was it simply her imagination?

For the first time, she thought she detected a slight tremor in Serpina’s voice.

"I saved you. If I had let you die, Swen would have hated me."

"My lord..."

"I already know that the world despises me. I don’t care. I’ve grown used to it. But... if Swen were to hate me as well..."

Serpina’s voice wavered.

For just a moment.

"Even I don’t think I could endure that. That’s why—I didn’t save you out of selflessness. There’s no need for you to thank me."

Airen looked at Serpina in silence.

Something was strange.

She had always appeared so strong.

A ruler called a tyrant.

Yet, in this moment, the golden-haired sovereign seemed fragile.

"And besides, you did well. If you hadn’t reacted so quickly, I would have lost my life at the hands of my trusted knight. You performed your duty, and I acknowledge that. You don’t need to dwell on it."

Airen slowly shook her head.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight

"Even so, the fact remains—you saved my life. I will repay this debt, no matter what."

Serpina said nothing.

She simply turned and walked away.

One step.

Then another.

Until she reached a window where the sunlight streamed in.

Only then did her lips part.

"...I wish I could stand beside him."

"..."

"If only I could, I think I would be much happier."

Murmuring softly—

She turned back toward Airen.

"...Very well. If that is your resolve, I won’t stop you. I look forward to your achievements."

"Yes!"

***

"My lord..."

Swen had once said—Serpina’s army was not our final destination.

Lunarian Iniang.

The woman with those piercing eyes, someone she had once faced in battle with blades crossed—a woman she could never forget.

Airen knew it firsthand. Despite her somewhat delicate appearance, Lunarian was an exceptional warrior.

She had instinctively recognized her as a formidable opponent. That was why, back then, she had advised pursuing her when she fled.

And Swen had declared—Lunarian was the only person destined to unite the continent. The sole sovereign fated to rule. The one he had chosen as his lord.

In Airen’s heart, there was only Swen.

That had never changed. No matter what choices he made, she would remain by his side.

But—

If Lady Luna were to raise her banner once more and return to the battlefield...

Then, they would have to leave their current lord—Lady Serpina.

The first sovereign who had recognized her. Who had trusted her, valued her, and even saved her life.

Someone who had given her what she had never once received despite years of loyalty to Lyn.

"...Haah."

Airen had no intention of wavering from her fundamental conviction—she would follow Swen’s decision.

Yet, no matter how firmly she held onto that thought, she couldn’t stop herself from feeling uneasy.

"...It’ll be fine. Before the time comes, I’ll find a way to repay my debt to her at least once."

When she left Aishus’ army, she had done so without regrets—because she had done everything she could for Yuri.

If she hadn’t defeated Chel Brans, Aishus would have been destroyed that very day.

So surely, an opportunity would come.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

At the very least, she could ensure that she repaid Lady Serpina with a meaningful act before parting ways.

As these thoughts ran through her mind, she soon arrived at the barracks.

Today, she had been assigned by Serpina to conduct a special inspection.

Though she had not officially stepped down as a bodyguard, the officer in charge of training had requested her input on the current curriculum.

"Lady Airen, you’ve arrived."

"Hmm."

The moment she entered, she noticed something off about the atmosphere.

The barracks felt restless.

She turned toward the familiar officer in charge of training and asked,

"Did something happen?"

"There have been strange rumors spreading as of late."

"Rumors?"

"Yes, that is..."

And then—

The story she heard—

***

"Something... unbelievable... has happened."

"Unbelievable? What do you mean? No, first, please calm down, my lord."

I cautiously stepped closer to her.

Serpina, trembling, suddenly reached out and gripped my hand tightly.

"...He’s alive."

"What?"

"My uncle... the one who went missing... he’s alive."

Her uncle—her father’s younger brother.

And—

"...Huh?"

The moment I processed the words father’s younger brother, my entire body stiffened.

"It seems someone has claimed to be his benefactor, placing him on the throne and rallying an army in the southern continent."

I...

I knew what this was.

I knew everything.

In this game, there had been one character of royal exile.

A warrior who, against all odds, awakened to magic.

The only surviving member of the Eingart bloodline aside from Serpina—one who had been presumed eradicated.

And now—

Serpina’s uncle, the only other surviving member of the Eingart family, had reemerged on the continent.

"To think my uncle was alive... He had been missing for so long, I was certain he was dead. Even if he is of a collateral branch, I never expected there would still be an Eingart with our bloodline remaining..."

For Serpina, his appearance was nothing short of a shock.

Her entire foundation had been built upon the fact that she was the last survivor of the Eingart imperial bloodline.

No matter how distant their lineage, the mere existence of another rightful heir split the legitimacy of her rule.

It was not a matter to take lightly.

And yet—

While Serpina reeled from the news, my heart began pounding.

Loudly.

The moment had finally arrived.

Even knowing this was coming, I had to ask.

I had to hear it from her lips.

Slowly, I opened my mouth.

"My lord... Did you hear the name of the ruler he has placed on the throne?"

Serpina spoke the name I had been waiting for.

The name I had dreaded yet could never turn away from.

And then—

"Lunarian."

Fate had begun to move.

"The woman my uncle, Kyle von Eingart, has chosen as his sovereign—her name is Lunarian."

The predetermined future had finally begun.