Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 225: Decision, and Another Decision (1)

As I stepped out of the royal castle, I was met with a now-familiar face.

Irian al Kasky.

A strikingly tall knight with black hair, wielding a spear.

Among the members of Serpina’s army, he was one of the few individuals I interacted with frequently.

"I see you’ve just finished an audience with Her Majesty? You must have had quite the task, Lord Swen."

I slowly nodded in response.

"Not at all. It is you, Lord Irian, who has had the arduous journey to the capital."

"It was simply my duty. There is no need for thanks."

His report had been part of the briefing I had just completed, so we had indirectly spoken earlier.

"Now that I think about it, there was something I didn’t get the chance to ask earlier."

"What is it?"

"When do you think the chief strategist will return to the capital?"

"It has been quite some time since I last saw her... I assume she will return soon, but I cannot say for certain."

"I see..."

Hearing my response, Irian placed a firm hand on my shoulder and spoke.

"It must be difficult for you, handling matters in her absence."

"Well, I suppose it’s better than idly doing nothing."

"Let me speak honestly, here and now."

Irian’s expression grew uncharacteristically serious.

"I believe you would serve exceptionally well as the nation’s chief strategist."

"Hah, Lord Irian, flattery won’t get you much from me, I’m afraid."

"I am not joking."

There was no jest in his voice—only firm conviction.

"Jenna is certainly a sharp strategist, but she is not a woman capable of surpassing our ruler. That isn’t a fault of her own—our lady is simply an extraordinary individual. However, Swen, you possess something even she does not. I have not lived long enough to call myself wise, but one thing I know for certain—you are no ordinary man."

I slowly bowed my head and responded.

"I am still lacking. I appreciate your high evaluation, but I believe that Chief Jenna, who has thus far maintained stability in state affairs, is best suited to remain by Her Majesty’s side. If nothing else, a ruler such as Her Majesty would find it burdensome to have someone with too strong of a presence near her."

"So you admit that you have a strong presence?"

"Excessive humility can sometimes be distasteful."

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Irian let out a hearty laugh before withdrawing his hand from my shoulder.

"Swen. I am certain that you are a necessary piece of Serpina’s army. Continue your efforts for our cause. No matter the rank, if it is your command, I will prioritize it above all else."

"I appreciate your words."

"Then, I’ll take my leave."

As Irian departed, I was finally able to let out a long sigh.

"A necessary piece, huh..."

Somewhere along the way, I had become more than just a strategist under Serpina’s command.

Even disregarding Serpina herself, the perception of me among others had changed.

I had been a foreigner, a supposed turncoat.

But now, those eyes looking upon me were no longer filled with suspicion.

The reason for that was clear—

Airen’s battlefield achievements and Irian’s unwavering support.

With repeated betrayals and purges, the number of powerful commanders had dwindled.

Irian, now holding a significant position of authority, had openly embraced me as an ally.

And as a result, the whispers branding me a traitor had begun to fade.

The decisive factor, however, was magic.

No one was unaware that I had played a pivotal role in securing Reika’s appointment.

After all, I had fought alongside her.

And as people’s perception of me improved, so too did the absurd rumors—claims that I had bewitched Serpina—gradually disappear.

In truth, this was the clearest proof that their hostility toward me had lessened.

I recalled the words Serpina had spoken earlier.

"As long as you remain by my side in some form, that is enough."

"So."

"You do not need to marry me."

"Just stay."

At some point, I had become an indispensable existence to her.

Right or wrong no longer mattered—

This was simply the reality before me.

I repeated Irian’s words in my mind, closed my eyes, and asked myself the same question once more.

"Will Lunarian Iniang become the ruler who unifies the continent?"

[Yes.]

"...For now, that remains unchanged."

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

If I were to leave, Serpina would most certainly fall apart.

And yet, I was bound to return one day to the ruler of the state I had sworn allegiance to—Lady Luna.

For both of them—

For their sakes—

What was it that I could do?

***

"So, you're saying... you intend to remain here for the time being?"

"Yes."

That night, after dinner, I sat with Reika and Airen, explaining the situation to them.

It wasn’t a grand declaration—just a simple matter of my current decision.

I would not immediately return to the Lunarian Army.

Instead, I would remain in Serpina’s army.

Airen took a long moment, sipping the tea she had prepared, before speaking.

"And what of Lady Luna?"

"What do you mean?"

"Unless you plan to remain completely hidden, she will hear of your continued stay here. If you do not return to her, might she not misunderstand? Shouldn’t you at least send her a letter—"

"No." I cut in before she could finish.

"As long as I am officially affiliated with Serpina’s army, exchanging letters with the ruler of another nation is not a wise move."

Doing something so obviously suspicious would only invite trouble.

I had no ability to predict every threat before it came.

The best course of action was to avoid creating unnecessary variables that could lead to risk.

"Hmm... that’s true as well."

"Besides, it will be fine. Lady Luna—"

She had always believed in me.

From the very beginning, when no one else had, she had placed her unwavering faith in me.

Luna... would understand.

"Well, as I’ve said before, I will follow your decision, Swen."

"Me too... I don’t know all the details, but I think your decision is right... Besides, we haven’t properly repaid Serpina yet..."

Reika nodded in agreement.

I did feel a tinge of guilt toward Luna for not returning immediately, but...

Jinor was there.

She would hold out.

Even if I went back now, Luna was destined to unify the continent.

Everything would eventually fall into place for her, whether I was present or not.

For now, staying by ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) Serpina’s side and supporting her—

That was my way of fulfilling my duty to Luna.

"Still, I’m relieved that both of you agree with me. Especially you, Reika. You don’t even know the full picture... Are you sure you’re alright with this?"

Hearing my words, Reika hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"I... already decided to follow you, Swen. As long as I can help you and Airen, that’s all that matters to me."

Airen knew who Luna was.

She had met her in person.

But Reika had no idea—

She didn’t even understand why we were supposed to return to Luna in the first place.

It would be natural for her to have questions, yet she never voiced them.

That, in itself, was very much like her.

"Alright. Thank you."

"I don’t know why you’re thanking me... Hehe."

She laughed awkwardly as I reached out and gently ruffled her hair.

She didn’t resist the touch—simply accepting it.

In moments like this, she really did remind me of a puppy.

She liked being petted and followed those she trusted without question.

Just then—

"Um... Swen."

"Yes?"

I turned toward Airen, who was sitting beside me.

Her face was slightly flushed, and she stared at me intently.

"That is... uh... well..."

It wasn’t difficult to guess what she wanted.

Smiling, I spoke before she had to ask.

"Come here, Lady Airen."

"..."

Wordlessly, she leaned in, resting her head toward me.

I raised my hand and gently stroked her crimson hair.

The cool touch of her silver circlet reminded me that I was touching her—Airen, who had stood beside me through everything.

"You did well today, Lady Airen."

"Mm."

She closed her eyes, a small smile on her lips, shifting her head slightly as if to better feel my touch.

Even now, Airen had never been good at hiding her emotions.

It amazed me that she had been able to endure so much under Rin’s rule.

‘...’

Suddenly, Luna’s face flashed in my mind.

I had sworn to return.

I had sworn to hand her the world.

That promise had not changed.

Staying with Serpina was a path leading to Luna’s victory.

But—

I could no longer imagine a world where Serpina was not a part of it.

I didn’t want a world where Luna’s reign existed without her.

I didn’t want to abandon Serpina—the woman who once trembled, saying she hadn’t wanted to kill anyone.

‘There must be a way.’

If any possibility existed, I would find it.

And even if it seemed impossible now—

I truly believed this path was right for Luna as well.

Only if Serpina remained on the throne could Luna become the ruler of a unified continent.

So, the time I had until Luna conquered the southern continent—

That was my deadline.

During that time, I had to find a way.

A way to keep my promise to Luna without betraying Serpina.

It seemed impossible.

But if anyone could make the impossible happen—

If anyone could find the path that didn’t exist—

It would be me.

For a future where both Luna and Serpina could smile.

It would be alright.

Luna believed in me.

She always had.

She would wait for me.

‘Lady Luna, please... just trust me a little longer. I will find a way... somehow.’

And so, I sent my silent vow into the sky—

A wish meant to reach my sovereign.

‘Stay safe, Lady Luna.’

Until the day we meet again...

Please, stay well.