Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 257: The Second Magician (3)

The words of Jinor were resolute and unyielding.

Luna remained silent, without a word in response, then slowly parted her lips.

"...Is that so?"

"Yes. I honestly don't see any chance of victory."

With 90,000 against 200,000.

No matter how advantageous the defensive terrain might be, a numerical difference of more than double would be impossible to overcome easily.

Moreover, it was clear that the enemy would bring siege weapons, and if they moved to intercept them, our already disadvantaged troops would inevitably be split into two.

Tifa, the commanding general, was a strong leader in her own right, but she wasn’t the kind of outstanding general like Hernandorf, Emma, or Epinnel, who could single-handedly turn the tide of battle.

Tepello Castle was relatively well-defended, but it didn't have ambush points or any terrain that could allow for a surprise attack.

In a situation with such a large difference in forces, attempting an ambush would risk catastrophic failure, making it clear that holding out was the only viable option.

No matter how much Luna thought about it,

she couldn't come up with a single innovative strategy to break the situation.

"I honestly don't see any way we can win..."

Luna repeated those words to herself for a while before turning to Jinor and asking,

"You're saying this is based on the information you have, right?"

"Yes."

"I have one more question. This battle, we really have no choice but to fight it, correct?"

Upon hearing Luna’s words, Jinor thought for a moment, then answered quickly.

"There's nowhere to escape to, so from our side, it's a battle we must fight."

"In that case, it’s fine."

Luna spoke in a somewhat ambiguous tone before slowly rising from her seat.

"Please gather everyone, Jinor."

"You intend to resist, I assume?"

"I believe you understand, Jinor, that there is no other option but to resist."

As Luna said, whether it was unfavorable or had little chance of success—these were not critical issues from their perspective.

If the rebels surrendered, there would be no mercy, so in the end, all they had left was to resist.

However, Jinor wasn't concerned with that.

"Milady. I apologize for the question, but may I ask something? Please understand that I ask this from the perspective of someone who has staked their life on your cause."

"Go ahead, Jinor."

"Is there some variable I’m unaware of?"

From Jinor's point of view, Luna wasn't the type of person to hide her emotions behind a perfect poker face.

On the contrary, Luna was someone with a very rich emotional depth.

She had shown clear embarrassment when talking about Swen, even though it was her first time meeting him.

For her to remain so calm after hearing that there was no way to win this battle—it was clear that she must have something she trusted.

Her earlier mention of "the information I have" was evidence of that.

And, somewhere deep down, Jinor wanted to test what kind of person Luna was.

The reason he trusted Luna was entirely because Swen had singled her out as someone destined to be the unifier of the continent.

If that was true, then it was natural to wonder why Swen, a person of such insight, could say that with certainty.

How would Luna navigate this situation? As someone in the same boat, Jinor was understandably curious.

But the answer Luna gave was quite unexpected.

"Yes. There is a variable."

"What is it?"

"I don't know."

"...What?"

Jinor, who had never been easily shaken by any ruler, found himself surprised.

This was only the second time in his life he had been caught off guard.

The first time was when he had seen Yuri casually mention selling out Swen.

"I don't know what the variable is, either. But... if there truly is no other way to avoid this battle... then we will win. Without fail."

Luna smiled, her ruby-colored eyes shining brightly.

Beyond those eyes was an immense, unwavering trust that no one, not even Jinor, could ever breach.

"In the end, we’ll win. Because that’s what the strategist said."

When Luna mentioned the strategist, there could only be one person she was referring to—

"So, we will win. Because we’ve seized the opportunity he spoke of."

'...Hah.'

Indeed.

This woman didn’t give off the kind of empty confidence one might expect from a blowhard.

She genuinely believed she would win, without any doubt.

And Swen, the man who seemed to see the future, had declared that she would become the unifier of the continent.

'...If I hadn't met Swen...'

At this point, Jinor might have considered fleeing in the middle of the night, but—

he decided to trust in the feeling he had when he first met Swen, that sense of auspiciousness.

He trusted the man’s judgment, the one who acted as if he already knew the future.

After all, it was because he trusted him that he had come this far.

"Jinor. Will you gather everyone?"

At Luna’s words, Jinor bowed to his new lord.

"As you command."

***

In the meeting room where everyone had gathered, Luna spread out the map and began briefing the situation.

"The enemy's total force exceeds 200,000, so naturally, we have no choice but to fortify. However, as I mentioned, they are bringing numerous siege weapons, which means we must send out an intercepting force. I believe everyone here understands this much."

"So, who will take the lead?"

At Tifa's question, Luna nodded and answered.

"The one leading the vanguard is... a man named Sade Astron."

"......!!"

As soon as that name was heard, some of the people began to stir uneasily.

Their common trait—none of them were originally from the Lunarian Army; they were all former members of the Karelia Army. fгeewebnovёl.com

"......Does anyone have any suspicions about this?"

"Milady."

Among those quietly listening, Metz raised his hand.

He was the person who had gained Luna's highest trust among the former Karelia soldiers who had joined the Lunarian Army.

"Speak, Metz."

"Milady, have you heard of the Astron Mercenary Corps?"

"......Ah."

It only clicked in Luna's mind once he mentioned it.

The Astron Mercenary Corps.

Mercenaries would do anything for money, but the Astron Corps was known for being a ruthless group driven solely by monetary greed. Luna vaguely remembered hearing about them. Jinor also slightly reacted to the name. It was the same mercenary group that had been hired by Serpina to corner Anima.

"Then... you're saying Karelia has given the mercenary corps control of the vanguard?"

"No, that's not it. It would be absurd to entrust such a large army to mercenaries. General Sade Astron was originally a part of the Karelia Army."

"Is that so...?"

The thought of Sade, the leader of the infamous Astron Mercenary Corps, having been in the Karelia Army felt like a strange and mismatched combination, as though someone was forcing a square peg into a round hole.

"Yes. Although he made tremendous contributions during the founding of the nation, his cruel nature led to his exile by Lord Karelia. However, now that he has reappeared here..."

At that moment, Luna's mind briefly flashed to the image of the female strategist.

Vanessa Trinity.

It was probably her suggestion.

Of course, even if she had suggested it, nothing would have changed.

Ultimately, it was Lord Karelia who had decided to rehire Sade, breaking his own principles just to end us.

"Even in urgent times, to extend a hand to someone like that..."

"Lord Karelia's principles have clearly been broken."

"He's completely fallen. Tch."

Though she spoke, her voice trembled slightly—something Jinor couldn’t hide as he listened quietly.

For the traitors who had directly betrayed their leaders, accepting this situation as a serious crisis would be difficult.

Arrogance. Yes, definitely. Among those who had originally been part of the Karelia Army, including Metz, there was an undeniable sense of arrogance, unlike Luna.

Luna slowly closed her eyes, then opened them and continued with her explanation.

"...And, as for the advisors, Vanessa Trinity and Cecil Lohengrin have been named."

Karelia had filled the missing "warrior" role with Sade, placing Vanessa on the left and Cecil on the right.

This was undoubtedly the dream team of the Karelia Army.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Luna thought of Cecil’s face and shut her eyes tightly.

While she had no regrets about seizing the "opportunity" Swen had mentioned, she couldn’t help but feel guilty toward her, someone who had believed in her.

But...

That feeling of guilt was—clearly a "luxury."

When thinking of Swen, who had to do things under the cruel threats of the witch Serpina, it was clear that indulging in mere feelings of guilt was unacceptable.

Luna truly believed this and steeled herself, then continued in a determined tone.

"Since the enemy is using siege weapons, we will form a commando unit of about 30,000 soldiers. However... this will be a highly dangerous mission where lives will be at stake."

With 30,000, that ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) was about one-third of their total forces.

Luna considered it a maximum effort to mobilize her forces.

But still, it would be fighting against 200,000. The mission would undeniably be perilous.

And thus—

"I, Luna, will personally take the lead in the vanguard."

"......!!"

Luna thought that she could not send those who trusted her to the frontlines alone.

"Please, wait! Milady, it’s far too dangerous for you to lead! I can gladly take the lead of the commando instead!"

Frances, panicked, pleaded with Luna.

"No. This is something only I can do."

"But..."

At that moment, Kyle, who had been quietly listening, chuckled and intervened.

"Let it go. Milady’s decision is the right one here."

"Eh...?"

"Why is it a problem to send out someone strong for such an important role?"

"......????"

Frances, looking confused, was interrupted when Tifa’s hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.

"That’s right. Let’s trust Luna here."

Huh?

Luna... is she really that powerful?

From Frances' perspective, Luna had always seemed like a delicate flower blooming on a cliff, so this situation was hard to accept.

But... Tifa and Kyle weren’t the type to make light of such matters.

"Tifa, I think you’ll need to go with me."

"If you hadn’t said that, I’d have been in trouble! It’s a good thing you did!"

"Wait a moment! Milady! Then, please let Frances help out too..."

"Frances, you’ll have to stay here and guard the castle while we’re out. I trust you understand how important that task is."

"But..."

"Frances. Will you do as I ask?"

At Luna’s smiling request, Frances could no longer insist on going out himself.

But as he thought about it, wasn’t it really right to stay inside the walls while the lord herself led the vanguard?

"Milady."

Jinor, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

"If you don't mind, I’d like to offer my opinion on the strategy. May I?"

"By all means, Jinor. Please speak freely."

—Jinor thought.

"In the end, we’ll win. Because that’s what the strategist said."

And Jinor decided to bet on Luna’s trust.

If, due to some 'variable,' our army does 'win'...

Jinor naturally recalled what happened when they invaded Hisphil Castle.

The conversation he had with the white-haired strategist, who had absolute trust in Luna.

"But isn’t that right? If I could see the future, I wouldn’t be here walking on a tightrope, I would’ve presented a more convincing argument first, don’t you think?"

"If the future I can see is limited, that’s a different matter. For example, I could know whether we win or lose in battle... but not know exactly why that happens."

We will win.

But why we win, we don’t know.

Back then, Swen had acted as if he only knew the "result" and was fitting the process to match it.

It had been such a strange behavior that the memory still remained vividly in his mind.

Now, assuming the Lunarian Army will 'win' this battle as a fixed value, the most rational decision they could make would be—

"Please increase the commando's forces from 30,000 to 80,000, or if possible, even more."

"......What?"

Seeing Luna's slightly surprised expression,

Jinor felt, for the first time in a long while since the fall of the empire, that he was truly alive.

"Leave only a minimal force in the castle, and send the remaining troops to form the commando. Milady!"