Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 276: I Missed You

The moment she heard the name "Iniang," the memory surfaced.

"It's just that... when I see the princess, I think of my younger sister. She's around the same age. Still immature and lacking in many ways... Maybe that's why I feel drawn to the princess. Ah, of course, I don’t mean to say the princess is immature or anything like that...!"

No way...

...No.

There was still a chance it was just someone with the same surname.

But the only time she'd ever seen someone use the name "Iniang" was back then. Considering that most commoners lived without surnames...

"...My liege? Is something troubling you?"

At Airen’s words, Serpina collected herself and asked calmly.

"It’s nothing serious. More importantly, you seem to know a bit about this woman, Lunarian."

"Do you mean that?"

"I do."

Knowing even the obscure surname of an unknown lord, and the tone she spoke with—it strongly suggested Airen had met her before. Serpina’s suspicion proved correct, as Airen slowly nodded.

"Yes. I once crossed swords with her, briefly."

"You say 'once'—when was this?"

"It was back when I was still in the Brans Army."

Serpina, aware of the unjust treatment Airen had received from Lyn, softened her voice further.

"If it's a difficult story, you don’t have to explain."

"It’s all right. It’s in the past, and I’ve already come to terms with it."

To Airen, Lyn no longer meant anything.

No lingering attachment, not even a hint of vengeance—she was just a stranger now.

So there was no difficulty in explaining.

"Lunarian was once one of the many small lords ruling the western continent."

Airen ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) spoke while recalling that time.

How Lunarian had managed to give the Brans Army a hard time more than once; how she possessed incredible strength for someone with such a delicate frame; how they eventually defeated her and conquered her territory on the third invasion.

"I see. So she was originally a minor lord."

"Yes. Just one among the many weak lords scattered across the west... but she left a distinct impression."

"If someone like you calls her powerful, then it must be true..."

Serpina fell silent for a moment, then looked into Airen’s eyes.

"In that case, do you remember her face?"

"I do."

"I’d appreciate it if you could describe her."

Airen briefly wondered why she would ask something like that, but it didn’t seem like classified information. She decided to describe her appearance slowly.

"She had light yellow hair... and red eyes. She had a level of physical strength you wouldn’t expect from such a slender frame... Would that be enough?"

"..."

Serpina’s pupils narrowed slightly, but Airen didn’t notice.

"...I see."

"..."

Normally, Airen might’ve asked, 'Why do you want to know that?'

But she kept quiet instead, fearing she might say something careless.

After all... if Serpina asked why Brans had invaded that small country three times, or how that little land managed to humiliate a major power like Brans twice... explaining all that would be difficult.

Fortunately, Serpina didn’t seem particularly curious about those parts.

Instead, she stood silently in thought for a while, then gave a quiet order.

"Airen."

"Yes, ma’am."

"I plan to go out for an inspection soon. Please make the preparations. Wouldn’t it feel better to take care of everything before he arrives?"

Was that all she was going to say about Lunarian?

It left a faint unease, but as she’d thought earlier, better to hold her tongue than risk a misstep.

Airen could lie if she really wanted to...

But she didn’t want to lie to Serpina.

"Understood. Once preparations are complete, I’ll wait by the castle gates. Please come out when you’re ready."

After Airen left the castle—

Serpina approached the window and gently bit her thumbnail.

The way her brows furrowed just slightly in thought only heightened her beauty.

If anyone else had seen her at that moment, they might’ve forgotten how to breathe.

Red eyes... light yellow hair...

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Two testimonies describing Lunarian’s appearance.

As soon as she heard them, Serpina could picture her face clearly.

It was only natural. That was exactly how Aria Iniang looked.

Eyes like molten rubies, vivid and crimson. Hair like whipped cream mixed with custard, a pale yellow.

Considering they shared the same surname—she felt certain enough now.

Aria’s younger sister... is the leader of the rebel army, Lunarian.

If that was true, then it also explained why Kyle von Eingart was there.

He was a fickle old man, so nothing was certain—but if the woman was a descendant of the one Algott had once been close to, then she was at least better than just some random noble.

Airen had called her very strong, and now she was showing real results in the southern continent.

It was proof enough that Kyle didn’t choose her on a whim.

Then... did Lunarian know that her sister was dead?

If so, how she died, and who killed her... had she thought about those things?

...

Serpina pressed her palm to her forehead.

Strangely, as soon as she realized Lunarian was Aria’s younger sister...

A guilt-like feeling surged from deep in her throat.

She hadn’t said anything to Airen, even when she sensed a strange familiarity in her description—

Part of it was trust. She believed Airen had her reasons for holding back.

But the other part... was fear. A quiet fear of digging any deeper.

Algott, who handed her everything—then killed all his siblings with his own hands.

Aria, who stayed by his side until the very end, and with dying eyes said, “I’m sorry for leaving such a heavy burden on you.”

If Lunarian knows her sister is dead, and if she blames me... then I...

Serpina collapsed to her knees right where she stood.

Her body trembled.

Once again, she felt as though the entire world was her enemy.

The sins of Eingart, which she carried on her back, were tightening around her throat once more.

***

In preparation for the inspection, Airen waited patiently—

but before long, she was informed that due to an urgent matter, the schedule had been postponed until the next day.

She considered returning to her liege’s side, but the soldier added that she’d been asked to see off those who had assisted the strategist Jenna in running the plague relief camp.

Did something happen?

The atmosphere had shifted subtly the moment Lunarian was mentioned, and it continued to weigh on her mind...

But of course, Airen wasn’t in a position to be completely honest in front of Serpina.

If I bring up Swen, he could end up in danger...

Why the Brans Army had been so obsessed with occupying the small nation ruled by Lunarian.

Why, despite overwhelming military advantage, they’d suffered defeat twice—once in a battle Airen herself was part of.

To explain it all, she’d have to mention Swen.

And that, she couldn’t do.

Airen still remembered Swen’s words.

That the one he served was Lunarian.

That no matter what, he would return to her side someday.

He’d told her more than once.

But if he returned to Lunarian, that would mean... leaving Serpina’s side.

The woman who had saved her life.

The one who, more than anyone, embodied the ideal of a ruler she longed to serve...

Would she really have to leave her one day?

Haah...

Airen let out a long sigh inwardly.

Whenever her thoughts became tangled like this, she found herself thinking of him.

Just like before, she wanted to be held in his arms.

If she could do that, these complicated thoughts would all disappear somewhere—no worries, no doubts...

She just wanted to hear the sound of his heartbeat.

At that moment—

"It seems they've arrived. Everyone, please line up."

At Jenna’s voice, Airen cleared her thoughts and straightened her posture.

And soon after—

A man walked toward them, clad in armor bearing the unmistakable insignia of the House of Eingart.

Irian al Kasky.

Acting lord of Kelstein Castle and the commanding officer of the relief camp.

The soldiers flanking either side saluted him in perfect unison.

Despite the presence of magic, none of the circumstances surrounding the plague had been clear. And yet, he had risked his life without hesitation to lead the relief efforts, elevating Serpina’s reputation across the entire capital.

In simple terms—

At this point, they were heroes.

Heroes who had brought glory to Serpina’s name without ever picking up a sword.

Behind him followed the soldiers who had worked with him.

And after them—

A pink-haired mage, Reika.

And beside her...

Swen...!

"Strategist, it’s an honor."

"Irian, you’ve done a tremendous job. We’ve heard rumors of your accomplishments, even from afar.

Know that every achievement you’ve made will not be forgotten by our liege."

"I only did what needed to be done."

"We’ve prepared a grand welcoming ceremony. I hope you’ll take the time to rest first. Reporting can come afterward—those were Her Grace’s instructions."

"I don’t mind doing the ceremony after the report... But I’ve learned that leaving a little flexibility helps avoid resentment from the soldiers."

"You’ve become quite the smooth talker, Irian."

With that light exchange between Jenna and Irian, the formal tension quickly began to ease.

Once the situation had settled and Irian took the lead toward the capital for the welcoming ceremony—

Airen rushed straight toward that man.

"A-Airen...?"

She heard Reika’s voice from the side—

But right now, none of that mattered.

What mattered was the man in front of her.

The silver-haired strategist.

The one who had saved her life more than once.

He smiled the moment he saw her, and spoke:

"Airen. Have you been well?"

Yes.

That voice.

That was the voice she had longed to hear.

Before answering—

Airen threw open her arms and wrapped him in a tight embrace, clinging to him in a way that felt unfamiliar even to herself.

"Airen...?"

"Swen..."

Rather than respond with words, she simply buried herself deeper in his arms, holding him tight—

murmuring softly, again and again:

――I missed you.