Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 265: Clashing Sincerity (1)

Reika, having just left the building where she had been with Swen, ran off to a secluded spot where no one else was around.

Only after reaching the outskirts of the camp—far from prying eyes—did she realize what she had done.

‘I-I... what... what did I just do?!’

What in the world had possessed her?

But it wasn’t as though she had done it intentionally. Her body had moved on its own.

Because Swen had been too kind.

Because of the scent he carried—one that she had never encountered before—one that instinctively told her he was a man, an entity completely different from herself.

Like a bee drawn to a flower, she had acted naturally—without hesitation—pressing her lips against his.

And the moment their lips met, as naturally as breathing, she had slipped her tongue inside.

Even now, the soft sensation lingered at the tip of her tongue.

Restless, Reika clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, tapped her teeth, and rubbed her tongue along them as if trying to erase the memory.

“~~~!!!”

Her face turned a deep shade of red.

She had kissed him.

She had kissed Swen.

And not in some innocent, fleeting manner, but recklessly, driven by impulse, pushing forward without restraint. And she, of all people, had done it!

It had been her first kiss.

She had always believed she would save her first kiss for the man she would marry.

Of course, it wasn’t as if she hated the fact that it had happened.

After all, no one could do something they despised unconsciously.

If anything, she had wanted to. At that moment, she had truly wanted to.

It was foolish, and she would surely be scolded if she admitted it, but... she had just wanted to give ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) something back to him.

He was always there, telling her that things would be alright when she was struggling, looking at her with unwavering eyes, promising never to abandon her.

He was... more wonderful than any man she had ever met.

‘Ugh...’

But even so, this wasn’t right.

A woman who suddenly kisses a man without consent—when there was nothing between them.

Sure, there had been talk of a marriage proposal, but that was all it was—just talk. And that, too, had faded into irrelevance ever since she was separated from her adoptive father, Jinor.

She knew full well that forcing herself on him like this could only be seen as a nuisance.

‘Why did I do that... idiot...!’

Reika collapsed onto the ground.

Thump, thump.

Her heart pounded harder than ever before, as if something truly catastrophic had happened. She couldn’t stay still.

She tried to focus on the sound of her own heartbeat as though attempting to meditate.

Feeling the powerful thudding echo within her chest, she recalled what had just happened.

Even as she had fled to this place, an unbearable ticklish sensation had swirled inside her stomach.

Her desires—her true feelings—were far more honest than the image of Reika she presented to others.

She wanted to do it again.

She wanted to kiss him again.

And not just a kiss. She wouldn’t mind going even further.

Because he was kind, because he was gentle, because he was warm...

Reika understood.

When Swen did things for Airen, or when he helped Serpina—he never voiced his burdens, but she knew.

He was carrying far too much on his own.

Otherwise, how could she explain the loneliness—the sorrow—that sometimes flickered across his face when he was alone?

That was what she truly believed.

She wasn’t aware that, in those moments, Swen was merely deep in thought, strategizing about the Lunarian Army.

And so, with the knowledge she had, this was the only conclusion she could reach.

She wanted to be by his side.

She might not be able to do anything grand. In the end, magic was just a tool for war, and all her achievements ultimately served Serpina, not Swen.

But Swen had said it himself—he had told her that even without magic, she was still someone of great worth.

Then maybe... maybe there were still many things she could do for him.

She could bake delicious bread for him. She could offer her lap when he was weary. She could sit beside him when he was troubled, and when he cried, she could cry with him.

And when she thought of all that, a simple, natural conclusion formed in her mind.

I...

I want to marry Swen.

She wanted to be his wife.

It was a completely different feeling from when she had first met him and vaguely thought, He seems decent enough.

This wasn’t just acceptable.

Now, she couldn’t imagine marrying anyone but him.

‘Swen...’

Reika might have been slow to act, but she wasn’t slow-witted.

Especially when it came to people she lived with.

There was no way she could miss the subtle tension between Swen and Airen.

But that was fine.

Swen was wonderful.

Airen was wonderful.

She liked them both.

It didn’t matter if she became his second wife.

Or his third.

Or even his fourth.

She would happily address Airen as her elder sister and get along with any other wives he chose.

After all, the women Swen picked would surely be just as incredible as he was.

But... right now, they were at war.

Even Airen was restraining herself.

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It would be thoughtless of her to confess her feelings at a time like this.

She absolutely didn’t want to be a burden to Swen.

‘And yet... I still went and kissed him...’

Burying her head in her hands, Reika continued to agonize over her actions.

In this moment, she was no longer the greatest magician on the continent.

She was just... a girl hopelessly in love.

***

The royal castle of Eingart, the capital of Serpina’s forces.

As Serpina finished her duties for the day, it was Airen who greeted her—still serving as her personal guard.

"You've worked hard again today, my lord."

"Hmm. Airen. You as well. There were no issues, I presume?"

"No, my lord. Sir Siegfried is currently patrolling the outer perimeter, but there have been no reports of anything unusual."

"I see..."

Since the previous assassination attempt, Airen had voluntarily continued serving as Serpina’s guard.

For a deputy commander of an occupying force, it was hardly a position of honor—but that didn't matter. She wanted to repay the woman who had saved her life. That alone was enough reason.

Besides, before Swen left, he had asked her for a favor.

"Do you have something to report?"

"A message from the strategist. He relayed your orders to dismantle the relief camp."

The strategist—so, it must have been from Jenna.

It seemed she was reporting that the orders Serpina had given yesterday had been carried out.

Now that the plague had subsided, there was no reason to continue operating the camp.

They had already won the public opinion battle against Aishus, and more importantly... she wanted to see him again.

"I see. They have all worked hard. They acted in my name, enduring many hardships. When they return, they must be properly rewarded."

"...If anyone has endured hardships, my lord, it is you as well."

"...?"

Serpina tilted her head slightly at Airen’s words.

With her head bowed, Airen spoke in a solemn tone.

"There were rumors... that you used magic to spread the plague. Ridiculous slander. Even if they were mere whispers, to be spoken of in such a way, to be blamed for things you never did... that must have been painful. I’m truly relieved that those rumors have finally died down."

Airen smiled faintly as she spoke.

In truth, there was probably no one who understood Serpina’s suffering better than Airen.

Back when she served in Brans Army—despite her achievements—she had been ostracized due to the malicious rumors Lyn had deliberately spread about her. In the end, she had been relegated to overseeing the second barracks or standing guard at the capital’s gates, far from the battlefield where she belonged.

Of course, on a larger scale, Serpina was far worse off—her name was reviled not just within an army, but across the entire continent.

But arguing over who had it worse would be meaningless.

Serpina stared at Airen for a moment before letting out a dry chuckle.

"But the one who spread those rumors... was none other than your former lord, was she not?"

"She was nothing more than a passing acquaintance. I have never once considered her my true lord." freewebnøvel.coɱ

It might have sounded heartless—but Airen truly meant it.

She hadn't intended to sever ties so completely.

But once Yuri had crossed the one line she never should have—the line involving Swen—Airen had found herself viewing Aishus even more unfavorably than she had Brans.

If she had to choose between herself being slandered or Swen being harmed—she would rather take the damage herself.

That was her true feeling.

And as if she had read that very thought, Serpina quietly fixed her gaze on Airen.

"Airen."

"Yes, my lord."

"Once the relief camp is dismantled, he will return."

It might have been framed as small talk—but the topic she had chosen was anything but casual.

"...Are you referring to Swen?"

"Yes."

"..."

Airen hesitated, searching for the right words, but before she could answer, Serpina spoke again.

"Airen. There is something I wish to ask you."

"What is it, my lord?"

"Do you... harbor feelings for Swen? As a man?"

"Yes, I—what?!"

Airen’s eyes widened in shock as she whipped her head toward Serpina.

But Serpina merely smiled—amused, as if she had expected this reaction.

"I meant exactly what I said. I am asking if you love Swen."

"A-ah... I, that is..."

The suddenness of the question threw Airen into complete disarray.

But was this really something she needed to agonize over?

"...Yes."

The moment she admitted it, Serpina smiled again—this time, as if she found the situation entertaining.

"I see."

She said it so nonchalantly.

As if she were merely commenting on the weather.

"As do I."

"...Pardon?"

Airen, still reeling from her own confession, looked up in disbelief.

Serpina, her crimson eyes locked onto Airen’s, stated it plainly.

"I, too, have feelings for Swen."