Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 239: Retreat to the Border, and What Follows (4)

After taking large-scale measures at Kelstein Castle, how many days had passed?

There was no news yet of an epidemic breaking out, but thanks to Irian and Jenna supporting me, there were no issues in pacifying ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) internal dissatisfaction when it came to abruptly abandoning the territory.

To be precise, rather than actively supporting me, they simply followed Serpina’s orders without questioning anything... but ultimately, the result was the same.

And today, as usual, I made my way to Eingart’s royal castle.

"You’re here, Swen."

Looking around, I noticed that Jenna, who was always by her side, was absent.

"Where is the strategist?"

"I had some matters for her to attend to regarding the uncharted lands of the northern continent. She should be looking into that now."

"Ah..."

The only issue was the relocated citizens.

Calling it land development sounded nice, but in reality, they had been dumped in barren land where it was nearly impossible to cultivate anything.

Serpina had provided various benefits, and by the standards of this era, they were considered extremely generous. But to me, as someone from modern times, they didn’t seem like much at all.

If, in the end, no epidemic broke out and some other result emerged, it would mean nothing but losing the people’s trust—

‘Well, it should be fine.’

There was still plenty of time to observe. So far, nothing had happened that would lead to any definitive conclusions.

At that moment, I heard the voice of my current lord.

"Swen. I have something to say."

"What is it?"

Serpina, in her usual emotionless tone—

"Hernandorf Arisian is dead."

"...!"

Delivered a rather shocking piece of news.

Hernandorf Arisian. I knew that name. No, I even knew his face.

The days I had spent with the Aishus Army, which were now only distant memories.

He had been one of the five pillars upholding the army, a silent but ever-reliable presence.

A man with a solid build, a face that rarely showed emotion, and eyes that always seemed empty—I remembered him vividly.

And now, he was dead?

"What happened?"

"It was Chel’s forces."

"What?"

"Swen. As we expected, Hisphil Castle and Zelin Castle have fallen under Aishus' control... but it seems Chel has taken Mirage Castle and Alkanwood Castle instead."

So Chel had made a move while our forces were spread thin?

Well, Aishus wasn’t the only force in the central continent, and they weren’t the only ones our borders faced.

What used to be Brans territory had now become Chel’s domain.

"For some reason, the two factions ended up clashing, and in the process... he was taken down."

"Then Chel killed Hernandorf?"

"That seems to be the case."

"Was he captured? Or did he die on the battlefield...?"

"I heard Chel personally ordered his execution, so he must have been taken prisoner."

"Is that really true...?"

I recalled the image of Chel from my time in Brans Army.

Certainly, he was hot-tempered and only knew battle, but if he had captured someone of Hernandorf’s caliber, there had to be better options than simply executing him...

Instead of weighing his choices carefully and making the most profitable decision, had he simply acted according to his battlefield instincts?

As if reading my mind, Serpina provided the exact information I wanted to hear.

"He had his head severed and displayed on the fortress walls."

"If he went out of his way to display it..."

"This is clearly—"

"—a provocation."

The moment our conversation, flowing like a well-practiced exchange, came to an end, Serpina looked at me with an amused smile.

"Every time something like this happens, I feel as if you are an extension of myself. You are the only one in our army who can perfectly anticipate my thoughts."

I considered saying that I felt the same, but it seemed unnecessary, so I kept my mouth shut.

Feeling somewhat awkward, I didn’t respond, but Serpina didn’t mind and simply continued with her questions.

"So, what do you think will happen?" freeweɓnovel.cøm

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

"For now, we can afford to observe. Chel’s forces and Aishus are bound to enter into full-scale war."

"But with our path blocked, wouldn’t the most logical move be to target the Hesna forces to the south? Unless, of course, Yuri intends to hand us a convenient advantage. I highly doubt Yuri holds any special fondness for us—if anything, she should despise us."

"The moment the deceased turned out to be Hernandorf, everything was already decided."

"..."

No one in the Aishus Army would be able to stop Yuri’s decision.

Rather than stopping it, the most influential figures in Aishus would all be crying out for war against Chel.

Back when I was still part of Aishus Army, I had pondered something after realizing that the Five Founders held even greater influence than the chief strategist, Jinor.

‘If something happened to one of the five, what decision would the others make?’

All five possessed exceptional abilities. If one of them were to die or even be put in danger, it would signify that something major had happened.

If they let emotions take over, they could suffer far greater consequences than expected.

I considered bringing this up as advice at the time, but...

Yuri had never personally sought me out, and back then, I had been too busy spending time at Jinor’s residence with Reika.

Now, Jinor was no longer there... meaning Yuri’s path was clear.

"Perhaps Aishus will lose its momentum from an unexpected direction."

Serpina smiled, intrigued.

"Hah. I seem to have momentarily forgotten how you ended up here, Swen."

"..."

Right. Even in that moment, Yuri remained the same.

To save Anima, who was more precious to her than anything, she sold me out.

An absurd action that no ruler would ever consider.

Even if I could understand the logic of the one making the deal, what crime had the one being sold committed? Considering that the general she sacrificed was still her own, it was undoubtedly an irrational decision.

The reason I held no resentment toward Yuri wasn’t because I forgave her... but simply because I had never truly considered her my lord in the first place.

Any personal debt had already been repaid alongside Airen.

Anyway—if she could act so far outside common sense even in matters of prisoner exchange, what would happen when she heard about his death?

At that moment.

"I have a question, Swen."

"Please, go ahead."

"You must have heard that Irian, as the lord of Kelstein Castle, has restricted access to the main entry routes."

"Ah...."

I suppose it was only natural, considering he had once prevented an epidemic from spreading.

The moment he heard the order to seal off entry, it must have given him a strong sense of foreboding, prompting him to hastily make preparations.

"Even now, do you still hold the same conclusion?"

"..."

The last question I had interpreted—

‘Is it most efficient to concentrate our forces at Kelstein Castle?’—I ran the calculation once more.

[Yes.]

The answer remained unchanged.

I slowly nodded.

"Yes, it is."

"...Understood."

Serpina nodded as well, asking no further questions.

I, too, remained silent, reviewing the situation carefully.

‘There’s still enough time.’

Right now, it wasn’t about reaching a conclusion but rather about something just beginning to unfold.

What we had to do was observe the movements of Chel’s forces and Aishus while holding the unbeatable trump card.

What would happen next?

By now, I should have been used to analyzing situations based on absolutely accurate predictions.

But then again, there is no such thing as a shaman who does not tremble when walking the razor’s edge.

Well, time would provide the answer. There was no need to rush—decisions could wait until then.

‘Should I inform Airen and Reika as well...?’

Since both of them were in Aishus, it would be best to deliver the news.

With that thought in mind, I spent the remaining time assisting Serpina with her tasks.

***

Zelin Castle’s royal hall.

A knight with blue hair was rushing forward with a desperate expression.

Several soldiers, noticing her visibly shaken state, hesitated before approaching her.

"General Emma, please calm—"

"Get out of my way!"

The knight, Emma, roughly shoved the soldier aside and ran toward the audience chamber where Yuri resided.

‘This can’t be... this can’t be happening.’

The devastating news she had heard upon arrival.

It was utterly unbelievable.

Her head was spinning.

She could feel her breathing becoming more ragged.

Right now, what she needed was—confirmation from Yuri.

To ask her if this was really true.

‘Please, please...!’

Clutching onto that fragile, desperate hope—one that seemed ready to shatter at any moment—Emma ran toward the audience chamber.