Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 180: The Tyrant Serpina (2)

Serpina looked up at Algott and spoke in a firm tone.

"Brother. I want to have a talk with you."

"If it's about what you said last time, I don't want to hear it."

Algott openly displayed his displeasure.

It was obvious to him why she had come to see him.

"But, Brother, if you don't try to resolve things with Sidmid through dialogue now, the empire might truly fall into division."

"......"

"I heard about Orland Brans' rebellion. If you don't speak with Sidmid as soon as possible, the other lords will see this chaos as an opportunity and start raising their banners left and right. The empire... the empire that has endured for hundreds of years might be destroyed!"

"So what are you suggesting? That I hand over the throne to Sidmid through a legitimate process?"

"That's not what I'm saying! I—I'll somehow convince Brother Sidmid to—"

"You? Someone with no foundation, no support—how exactly do you intend to persuade that throne-crazed bastard?"

"That...."

"Serpina, let me be frank. Why don’t you just side with me? He has three, but if I have two, that’s enough to fight. On top of that, I am the empire’s firstborn son. No one can say that Sidmid has a stronger claim than me. Think carefully. You know just as well as I do that someone without legitimacy cannot build a stable empire. The soldiers following Sidmid now will inevitably come to my side in due time."

At his words, Serpina's expression darkened, sadness flickering in her golden eyes.

"But... Brother, if even I take a side, then at that point... the empire’s division will truly become irreversible...."

"It’s only a matter of time. Stop wasting your efforts, Serpina. ...This is all because of Sidmid’s greed."

"But—"

Algott abruptly cut her off.

"Enough. Don’t say another word. I don’t want to hear it. ...I’m sorry, but I’d appreciate it if you quietly left for today."

"Brother..."

Algott let out a small sigh, then stood up, his voice heavy with frustration and regret.

"Do you think I want to turn my sword against my own siblings? Do you think I want this...?!"

Bang!

Serpina...

She couldn't bring herself to stop him as he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

She could only stand there in silence, gazing at the closed door with a look of deep sorrow.

***

Serpina walked through the quiet night streets after leaving the manor, letting out a long sigh as she gazed up at the sky.

Just what was so important about that damn imperial throne...?

How had it come to this, where siblings—born of the same blood, raised together under the empire’s banner since childhood—were now drawing swords against each other?

If only they could sit down and talk, perhaps this could be resolved peacefully.

Was it naive and childish of her to think that?

Even from Serpina’s perspective as the youngest sibling, it was clear that the legitimacy favored Algott.

He had already been de facto designated as the Crown Prince, and those who followed him still referred to him as “Your Highness.”

And yet, for some reason, Sidmid, who had never seemed particularly obsessed with the throne, had begun [N O V E L I G H T] to change—riding the overwhelming support of the nobility.

It was now undeniable. He was aiming for the emperor’s seat.

He had even started spreading claims that he had been chosen as the heir, not Algott.

Serpina wasn’t sure what he had done to gain so much support, but even Stadel and Lilirose had sided with him early on.

Algott wasn’t so lacking in popularity—so was there something else, something she didn’t know about?

"Is there truly... nothing I can do?"

A deep sense of helplessness washed over Serpina.

Algott was right—there was nothing she could do.

But—

"No. I can’t give up. There’s still a chance."

Sidmid had bared his fangs, but he had yet to openly direct them at Algott.

Which meant there was still hope.

If she could somehow convince Sidmid with logic and legitimacy, they could still maintain a united empire.

And at this point, the only one who could serve as a bridge between the two sides—was her.

The one sibling who had not taken a side.

"Should I go see Sidmid right now?"

But considering how calm Algott had been just now, that was nothing compared to Sidmid’s outright refusal to talk.

Even when she had visited him just a few days ago, he had exploded in anger.

"...No. I should wait a few days before trying again."

News of her visit to Algott would inevitably reach Sidmid’s ears.

Whether they liked it or not, rumors in the capital spread to everyone.

Just as Serpina decided to head home carefully—

"...Huh?"

A lone figure was walking toward her from the other end of the street.

It was a woman.

A face she knew well.

It was Aria, the woman who was essentially Algott’s concubine.

"Good evening, Princess Serpina."

"Aria, hello."

If there was anyone holding Algott together, it was undoubtedly her.

Serpina knew well that Aria played a major role in keeping her eldest brother from falling apart.

With gratitude, she greeted the woman.

"Please... take care of my brother."

Aria gave a soft smile and bowed slightly.

"I should be the one saying that, Princess. Please, do your best... to keep the continent from falling into chaos."

Normally, Serpina would have just said thank you and walked away—

But she must have been tired.

Before she realized it, she let out a short sigh.

New novel 𝓬hapters are published on freёwebnoѵel.com.

"I appreciate your words, but... is there really anything I can do? I have no supporters, no foundation to stand on. I may have royal blood, but I’m the furthest from power... No matter how hard I try, I don’t know if I can stop my brothers."

"Princess..."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that."

"No, Princess. You’re doing more than enough. Most people wouldn’t even be able to decide what to do in your position. Especially someone as young as you."

"Aria..."

Aria glanced up at the sky for a moment, then smiled wistfully.

"You know, Princess... you’ve heard that I’m an orphan, right?"

"...Yes. That’s what I’ve been told."

"That’s not entirely true."

"...What?"

Aria nodded.

"I do have a younger sibling. I kept it a secret because I didn’t want them to suffer for my mistakes, but... they’re probably living a normal life, chasing their dreams."

As she spoke, a warm smile crossed her lips.

"I’m only telling you this because... well, you remind me of them. You’re around the same age. They’re still young and reckless, and they have a long way to go... Maybe that’s why I feel drawn to you. Ah—of course, I’m not saying you’re reckless or anything, Princess!"

Serpina smiled as she watched Aria frantically wave her hands in apology.

Was she trying to comfort her?

At times like this, she could understand why Algott cherished Aria so much.

"Thank you, Aria."

"It’s nothing. Stay strong. I’ll do everything I can to convince Lord Algott...!"

After parting ways with Aria—

‘Alright.’

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Yes. She would get some sleep, eat a proper meal, and try again.

There had to be a way forward.

The empire was on the verge of division, but it hadn’t shattered yet.

There was still a chance that the succession could be settled without bloodshed.

A chance to restore the glory of the empire.

"I need to meet with Sidmid again."

Under the bright full moon, Serpina took another determined step forward.

Only later would she realize—

This was the calm before the storm.

***

The moment Orland Brans raised his banner in rebellion at Arnel Castle, the continent plunged into chaos as if an unrestrained beast had been set loose.

One by one, the empire’s loyal vassals abandoned their allegiance and began rallying under their own banners instead of the imperial standard.

At the forefront of these growing factions stood the Walnut Army in the west and the Ohara Army in the south.

Inside the Royal Palace of Eingart Castle

Seated upon the throne, Algott wore a grave expression as he received the latest reports.

"General Roland is preparing to rebel as well?"

"Yes, Your Highness..."

The longer the throne remained unclaimed—

The faster the empire was torn apart.

‘I need to find a solution before it’s too late...’

Was Serpina right?

Was dialogue truly the only way left?

‘Even Aria said there might be a chance to talk... I shouldn’t be too stubborn. But...’

Sidmid’s intentions were crystal clear.

He would accept nothing except the imperial throne.

He had no interest in compromise.

And of course, Algott had no intention of surrendering the throne either.

To outsiders, his stance might have seemed arrogant—but the truth was that he far surpassed Sidmid in competence, legitimacy, and rightful inheritance.

If their father hadn’t hesitated for so long in naming a successor, Algott would have been crowned long ago.

Even now, though he had yet to be officially crowned, he was governing as Crown Prince in all but name.

He had already compromised plenty.

Any further concessions would be an insult to his pride.

‘Still... I need to meet with him at least once.’

If things dragged on any longer, the empire itself could collapse.

If the empire were to fall into division under his reign, how could he face his ancestors in the afterlife?

‘One last talk. If it’s impossible to negotiate, then... at that point...’

Algott’s hand instinctively brushed the hilt of his sword.

Yes. He could give it one chance.

After all, he was the eldest son. The legitimacy was his.

Killing two or three siblings in a succession war was nothing unusual in imperial history.

But—

Had he already waited too long?

"Your Highness!"

A soldier burst into the throne room, his face twisted with despair.

...Why?

The moment Algott saw the soldier's face, a chill ran down his spine.

A terrible premonition.

Something irreversible had happened.

"The Imperial Army... They’ve committed a massacre—!!"

"What...?"

"Soldiers—believed to be from the Imperial Army—have slaughtered the students and professors of Fibiola Academy! Every single one—without distinguishing friend from foe—massacred!!"

...

His worst fears had come true.