Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 272: What It Means to Be Reborn as a Ruler (7)

After Vanessa Trinity was restrained, Lunarian’s Army swiftly took full control of Madralan Castle.

The number of prisoners they had secured this time, including Vanessa, was twenty-three.

In truth, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the Karelia Army had now been completely crushed.

On top of that, Violet had successfully captured Makana Karelia as she attempted to flee.

Although two territories under the Karelia Army still remained, they were little more than borderlands of no major importance.

And with their ruler Karelia captured, it was only a matter of time before they fell as well, so there was little need to worry.

What did linger in Luna’s mind was the absence of Cecil Lohengrin.

Still, it was possible she was simply in one of the remaining territories—and from Luna’s perspective, she wasn’t nearly as much of a threat as Vanessa or Karelia.

The current outcome had already been set in motion from the moment they lost the siege of Tepello Castle—a battle where Karelia had staked the future of her nation.

Yes.

It was no stretch to say the Karelia Army had finally been destroyed.

Luna slowly looked around the audience chamber of Madralan’s royal castle.

That very same place where, long ago—on Swen’s advice to “seek refuge with Makana Karelia”—she had arrived with Kyle, who had been using the alias “Cain,” and her close friend Tifa.

All three of them had knelt here together.

Back then, despite fierce opposition from countless retainers, Karelia had greeted them with bold laughter and faith.

And now that same woman was bound in rope, awaiting her fate.

“......”

A faint ache bloomed deep in Luna’s chest, but she quickly shook off the guilt that tried to rise.

In order to keep her promise to Lord Swen... she could not allow herself to show weakness.

Luna slowly walked forward and took a seat on the throne Karelia had once occupied.

Standing on either side of her were the people who had accompanied her on the path to this very moment.

Francis and Charlotte, Kyle, Violet, Metz, and former Karelia officers.

To her right stood Gustav and Aaron, Jonah and Kale, and newly recruited generals from Karelia’s ranks...

Compared to the days when she had held only Zeilant Castle, it was truly a complete transformation.

Turning her head slightly, she found her national strategist Jinor right beside her.

It wasn’t that she had any dissatisfaction with Jinor...

But she couldn’t help but think—how she wished that person were here.

What would Lord Swen say? Would he praise her, say she had finally come this far?

Or maybe he’d smirk and say something like, “Didn’t I tell you you’d win if you just held out to the end?”

“...No.”

Yes.

There was no time to waste on fantasies like that.

If she wanted to protect the place he would someday return to—safe and sound—

Then there was still much work to be done.

“My lord. Please decide the fate of the prisoners.”

“Let them in.”

With Jinor’s cue, they officially began deciding the treatment of those taken prisoner during the castle’s capture.

The first prisoner.

A familiar face.

Surely one of the people who had once opposed Luna’s recruitment.

Her approach was very simple.

First, she would ask:

“Would you be willing to work for me?” —an invitation.

If the answer was “yes,” they would be accepted on the spot.

“I will serve Lady Luna from this day forward.”

“I’ve been waiting to hear those words.”

Now that she had secured a major city like Madralan and endured a large-scale siege, she needed to focus on internal development.

And the more allies she had for that task, the better.

Even if someone lacked outstanding ability or initiative, as long as they ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) were willing to serve, there was no reason to turn them away.

Of course, this was Madralan Castle.

And naturally, it was filled with those who had refused to support Luna until the very end.

So it came as no surprise that more people refused than accepted her offer.

To all those who said, “I cannot work under you,”

Luna released them—unconditionally.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

It seemed like a generous gesture, but it was, in fact, highly political.

Because these were people who, even if released, posed no future threat in any form.

Whatever the motive behind the decision, it didn’t change the fact that, to the prisoners, it meant their lives had been spared.

“Thank you for your mercy...”

“...Thank you.”

And with two territories still remaining, showing some kindness now could pave the way for their eventual incorporation.

Jinor made no objections to her judgment.

And so, the prisoner decisions were being made swiftly.

After twenty-one prisoners had passed through—

“Next prisoner.”

“......”

The root of all this—Vanessa Trinity—was brought in, bound, and dropped to her knees before Luna.

“Good day, Lady Vanessa.”

“Kill me.”

“......”

Before Luna could even say a word, Vanessa spoke with a sharp and unwavering tone.

“Lunarian. I would rather die than serve under you. If you dare to release me, I swear I’ll make you regret it for the rest of your life.”

“Lady Vanessa...”

“You couldn’t even pretend to like me, could you? Here’s a piece of advice. If you betrayed your honor and started a rebellion... if you’ve decided to kill me—

Then you should go through with it.”

Had she agreed to join Luna’s forces, she could have contributed on par with Jinor.

But with how strongly she resisted, that possibility was now close to zero.

And then, after lashing out at Luna—

“...Karelia... she’s still... useful.”

“...What?”

“Makana Karelia... unlike me, she’s a woman who can serve you without any personal ambition,” Vanessa said, her voice trembling.

It seemed she now understood that Karelia had been captured.

“You already know, don’t you? That it was entirely my own will to try and kill you. Every action that spurred the rebellion—was mine alone.”

At last, tears began to fall from Vanessa’s eyes.

But they were not tears of sorrow. They were tears of fury—tears born from the inability to control overwhelming emotions.

“...I acknowledge it. What Karelia could not do... you’ve done, Lunarian.

Heaven’s will did not come to us. It came to you.

All of this happened because of my own foolishness. I accept that. I will die without blaming anyone. So, please...”

“Kill me—and let it end. I know you’re not the kind of foolish woman who would take out her anger on the wrong person.”

“......”

“You don’t have to grant it. Refusing to take in someone like Karelia will only be your loss. The decision is yours. Even so... I’d at least like to ask.”

This woman—

Even at the end, she desperately wanted to save Karelia.

That’s why she had tried to help her escape. That’s why, having failed, she was now begging for her life to be spared.

Luna understood that moment all too well—when one stands at the edge of death.

Even the most hardened warrior would naturally feel the pull of survival.

And yet, it surprised her.

That even in her final moment, Vanessa’s plea was not for herself—but for someone else.

Because Luna, with her ever-compassionate heart, understood just how difficult it must have been for Vanessa to say those words...

to her, the one she hated more than anyone.

“Ruling the southern continent will not be an easy task. A capable figure like Karelia will surely become one of your greatest assets.

Remember—she once showed you kindness. If you harbor even a shred of gratitude, then surely you already know what the right decision is.

Well... the choice is yours. What is right or wrong—only a ruler’s judgment defines that. ...That’s all I have to say.”

“...I’ll take that into consideration.”

After saying that, Luna softly added,

“Rest well, Lady Vanessa.”

Then she silently turned her gaze to the nearby soldier.

The soldier understood what that meant.

“This way.”

Vanessa was led away—

To that place.

Neither release, nor recruitment. The third and final choice—execution.

Someone who had so fiercely sought Luna’s death could not be allowed to live.

Setting aside personal grudges, it was undeniable that Vanessa would eventually become a threat to Luna’s path.

It wouldn’t be long before she was no longer of this world.

Her severed head would roll across the floor, and the ambition she never fulfilled would vanish like blood seeping into stone.

Where had her path to death truly begun?

When she first plotted to incite Luna’s betrayal on her own?

Or was it the moment Luna joined the Karelia Army?

Neither Luna nor Vanessa would ever know for sure.

In the end... only the result mattered.

Vanessa had lost.

And as a prisoner, she was executed.

That was the simple truth.

Luna—

Did not regret her decision.

Vanessa had been the most aggressive in trying to take her life.

If spared, she would certainly stab Luna in the back someday—and even she had admitted that.

And yet, despite harboring such hatred for Luna...

She had begged her to make use of Karelia.

Even without thinking too deeply about it, it was clear—

For Vanessa, making that request had been a sacrifice of all her pride.

She must have known better than anyone how valuable Karelia could be to Luna’s forces.

‘...Haa.’

Luna felt utterly drained.

But there was nowhere for her to escape to.

“...Bring in the next prisoner.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Not long after—

The woman who had once been her liege knelt before her.

Though she looked somewhat worn, the gentle light in her deep green eyes had not faded in the slightest.

“Lady Luna. It’s been a while. I believe the last time we met was during the martial arts tournament. Have you been well since then?”

The final prisoner brought in—

The woman who had once ruled over her: Makana Karelia.

“...Lady Karelia.”

“You seem to be wearing a rather sorrowful expression.

Shouldn’t this be a joyous day—the beginning of your era?

What subject could possibly follow a ruler who wears such a gloomy face?”

“......”

“I am prepared, Lady Luna. I hope you’ll show me what it means to rule.”

Show what it means to rule...

Luna repeated Karelia’s words to herself as she turned to where Jinor stood.

Noticing her gaze, Jinor stepped in close and whispered to her—

With absolute clarity, not a trace of hesitation:

“Execute her. No loose ends must remain.”