Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100% Accuracy

"You’re in quite a hurry this morning."

"I was summoned by my lord."

As I prepared to leave, Airen watched me with a concerned expression.

"By the way, Swen, I’ve been hearing some rumors."

"Rumors?"

"I know you well enough to be certain they aren’t true, but... there are whispers that you and Lady Serpina are growing... inappropriately close."

"...What?"

At first, it sounded like complete nonsense, but after a moment, it made perfect sense.

Of course.

Airen wasn’t the only one being quietly kept in check.

Just as many—including Janis—were discontent that Airen, an outsider who had arrived not long ago, had been given the position of deputy commander, it was only natural that some would feel wary of me.

After all, I wasn’t just a random strategist—I was frequently summoned to Serpina’s side, giving counsel.

And, unlike Airen, I was of the opposite sex.

It was obvious which of us would be the subject of scandalous gossip.

"Of course, I don’t believe such nonsense," Airen continued. "I’ve even reprimanded those who spread such talk. But I also know how difficult it can be when unfavorable rumors take root..."

She sighed softly.

She would know better than anyone what it felt like to be buried under cruel speculation.

Lyn Brans had done everything in her power to isolate her—to turn her into a pariah, despite her achievements.

Smiling, I answered with ease.

"Don’t worry about it, Airen. You think something like this would shake me? Worst case, I’ll bring Reika along and let her throw a few fireballs."

Airen chuckled at my joke.

"I see. That’s a relief... Oh, Swen, may I ask one more thing?"

"What is it?"

She hesitated briefly before speaking in a cautious tone.

"When Lady Serpina summons you... what do you usually talk about?"

"Mostly the state of the continent, future strategies, things like that. I am acting as her strategist, after all."

...Though, to be honest, it felt more like I was a prophet than a strategist.

Still, in this game, intelligence-based characters were always given the title of strategist.

"I see. So nothing beyond that?"

"Nothing beyond that."

For a moment, the lingering taste of yuzu flashed through my memory—the faint trace left behind when our lips met.

But I simply answered, "Nothing."

"That’s good to hear."

"Why do you ask?"

"Oh? Well... You and I both came here as outsiders. I was just wondering if she might be... testing you in some way. Though, honestly, I doubt our lord would do something like that."

"She’s treated me fairly well, so there’s no need to worry."

"You’re right... I suppose so."

Airen nodded, then paused once more.

"And one last thing—"

Again, a moment of hesitation.

"When Lady Lunarian establishes her own nation... will we leave immediately?"

"..."

Strange.

Why ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) wasn’t my answer coming out right away?

I should have said "yes" without hesitation.

The fact that I even stopped to think about it—

The fact that I had even considered the question—

Meant I had already begun to doubt myself.

We were supposed to leave. That was the promise.

When I was in Brans' army, I never questioned it.

When I was in Aishus' army, I never questioned it.

And yet, now—why was Serpina’s sorrowful face the first thing that came to mind?

"...Yes. I believe so."

I didn’t want to lie to her.

And so, I could only give a vague answer.

Airen, however, merely smiled in understanding.

"No matter what you decide, Swen, I will stand by your side."

"Thank you."

With that, I bid her farewell and stepped out of the mansion, the maids seeing me off.

But as I walked away, a single thought lingered in my mind.

Would I really be able to leave Serpina’s side so easily?

‘...No. Don’t dwell on things that haven’t happened yet.’

Right now, I had more immediate matters to deal with.

***

Airen stared at the door, lost in thought.

Only now did she fully realize what she had asked.

She had asked what kind of conversations Swen had with Serpina.

‘Why... did I even ask that?’

Swen was a strategist.

Of course he discussed military tactics.

What else would a ruler and their strategist talk about?

Did she really need to know?

She already knew Serpina wouldn’t mistreat him—she had brought him here herself, after all.

And yet...

It was that rumor.

The absurd claim that Swen was using his charm to manipulate Serpina.

A tall, strikingly handsome young man and a ruler at the peak of her beauty—

It was natural for people to talk, given how much Serpina seemed to keep him close.

She understood all of that logically.

But for some reason...

The thought of Swen spending time alone with Serpina—

Bothered her.

‘...I need to calm down.’

Swen was someone she had sworn to protect.

Not someone she had any right to possess.

As enjoyable as it was to be with him, she couldn’t allow her emotions to shake her resolve as a knight.

Even if—

Even if that ridiculous rumor was true—

Even if Swen really was trying to seduce Serpina—

Her duty was not to concern herself with such things.

Her duty was to protect the woman he chose.

If that woman was Serpina, then her role was to stand by them both.

She needed discipline.

She couldn’t afford to lose herself.

At that moment—

"Um... Lady Airen?"

A sleepy voice called from behind her.

Reika, still in her nightgown, rubbed her eyes as she shuffled out of her room.

"Hm? Good morning, Reika. You’re up early."

"Ah, yes... I just woke up on my own today for some reason."

She stepped closer, settling near Airen before asking:

"Where’s Swen?"

"He went to the royal palace."

"Huh? Why?"

"He was summoned by our lord."

"Oh..."

Reika nodded slowly.

"Master works so hard... Maybe I should prepare something sweet for him when he returns."

"..."

Airen, watching her, suddenly realized something.

Unlike her, who had been lost in unnecessary emotions—

Reika was thinking about what she could do.

Yes.

If she had chosen to stand by Swen’s side, no matter his decisions—

Then she should focus on what she could do for him now.

"In that case, I should prepare the right tea to go with it."

"Really? Oh, that’s great! By the way, Lady Airen, aren’t you heading out for training today?"

"I only need to attend briefly in the afternoon."

"That’s perfect! I was worried about being alone in this huge mansion, but if you’re here, I won’t feel lonely."

"There will be plenty of times when you’ll be alone."

"Well... I’ll figure that out when it happens."

Reika giggled as she spoke, and Airen couldn’t help but smile as well.

So peaceful.

I hope we can still live like this... even when we reunite with Lady Lunarian.

***

"Swen, answering the call of my lord, I have arrived."

Kneeling, I greeted her.

Dressed in her usual officer’s uniform, Serpina welcomed me with a smile.

"You’ve arrived, Swen."

"What is the matter today?"

"Must there always be a reason for me to summon you?"

...

I stared at her, her lips curled in a teasing smirk.

—My lord. There are already strange rumors circulating. Perhaps it would be best if you didn’t add fuel to the fire.

I kept my thoughts to myself.

"It’s nothing much. Brans’ army has been split into three factions."

"...Excuse me?"

"Just as I said. The news arrived this morning—Chel Brans and Carlints Brans have each launched simultaneous rebellions from separate strongholds."

"Is that true?"

"Of course. What would I gain from lying to you?"

Chel and Carlints both revolted?

Chel—I never had the chance to speak with him, so I had no idea what he was planning.

But Carlints?

There was no way he had the backbone for such a thing.

For even Carlints to rise in rebellion...

Could it be that Lyn’s condition deteriorated drastically after our alliance?

Serpina, seemingly sharing my thoughts, chuckled with amusement.

"As expected, there aren’t many fools willing to serve a ruler who looks that way."

During our treaty negotiations—

Lyn Brans had been like a puppet with its strings cut.

A lifeless gaze, signing the documents without a trace of willpower or resistance.

"Swen, you understand what this means, don’t you?"

"..."

"This happened because of our alliance with her. Because of us, Lyn collapsed.

And, as always, you were right.

Brans’ army has fractured into three pieces.

And now, there is no force left on this continent capable of challenging us.

This is a golden opportunity for our army."

She was right.

If our alliance with Brans resulted in its collapse, then once again, my prediction had proven true.

But that wasn’t surprising. My words are always right.

The problem was—

That same unerring certainty also included the fact that Serpina would never achieve continental unification.

Even with Brans’ army shattered—

Even with Serpina’s forces now towering over the rest of the continent like a cataclysmic storm—

She was still destined to fail.

"And so, Swen, I believe the time has come for us to act.

What do you think?

Wouldn’t now be the perfect moment for us to resume our campaign southward?"

Serpina’s tone was confident, unwavering.

If this were any other time, I would have readily agreed.

I would have said, "Indeed. There will never be a better opportunity. I strongly advise you to begin preparations for the campaign immediately."

But I already knew what the correct answer was.

"Is it truly the optimal choice for our army to march south and resume our conquest?"

As always, when it came to military strategy—

The answer surfaced instantly.

[No, it is not.]

Ha.

I should have expected as much.

Even with unification seemingly within reach—

The fact that she was destined to fail meant that this situation could not be an opportunity.

I lifted my gaze once more, locking eyes with Serpina’s golden irises.

And once again, I had to gild her fate—

To wrap the inescapable truth in layers of silver and gold, so that it would be swallowed more easily.

"My lord."

"Speak."

Please, let me handle this well again...

Let her accept this answer.

"It is with great humility that I advise you—now is not the right time to march south."