Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 268: What It Means to Be Reborn as a Ruler (3)

Inside the royal palace of Madralan Castle.

Sovereign Karelia and her chief strategist, Vanessa, were having an unusually peaceful tea time—so much so that it seemed as if they were deliberately ignoring the dire situation at hand.

The quiet clinking of porcelain was the only sound filling the audience chamber.

Vanessa, with practiced hands, poured tea with measured precision.

――But both Vanessa and Karelia knew the truth.

The battle was about to begin.

And no matter what they did—

Karelia’s forces could not win against Lunarian’s army.

Their remaining troops numbered only 33,000.

Against a massive occupation force of over 100,000.

Even though they were defending a fortress, their soldiers' morale had already hit rock bottom.

Day after day, all they heard were reports of defeat.

Ever since the moment their 200,000-strong army had been crushed...

This outcome had been inevitable.

"It has been quite some time since I’ve had the chance to enjoy such a peaceful moment with you, Vanessa."

"..."

"To think that the great Vanessa Trinity herself would be personally serving me tea... Perhaps being a sovereign has its benefits after all."

Karelia spoke lightly, her expression casual.

But Vanessa remained silent, merely placing a teacup in front of her ruler.

"Please, drink."

The two of them drank their tea in silence.

After a while, Karelia finally spoke again, her voice steady, as if she had made her decision.

"I know what you are about to say, but... I am sorry, Vanessa. I will not run."

She spoke with unwavering resolve.

"My lord, you must flee. Staying here and fighting a hopeless battle will only lead to your death."

"That is of no consequence. If that is the case, then it simply means the heavens have chosen Lady Luna over me."

"My lord, this is my final plea. Do not be stubborn over meaningless pride. Every moment we waste is a moment lost! Once your life is taken, your cause will die with you. Surely you understand that!"

"No matter how many times you say it, my answer will not change!"

Karelia’s voice rose as she spoke to Vanessa.

No—it was more than just speaking.

She was nearly shouting.

Seeing Vanessa’s gaze waver for the first time, Karelia continued, her voice trembling.

"I... I will never run. How could I? Abandon you? Abandon my soldiers? Abandon the retainers who have placed their faith in me to the very end...? Even if I were to survive alone, what meaning would there be in that?"

Vanessa watched her ruler, who was now on the verge of tears.

With a quiet sigh, she lowered her head.

"My lord. You are a symbol.

All of us—everyone here—followed you because we believed in Makana Karelia.

Unlike the other lords, you valued loyalty above all else.

You always walked the path of righteousness.

To us, your footsteps were a beacon of hope, a path to a better future."

"Vanessa... It is rare to hear you speak so highly of me.

But I am merely one of many lords.

In the end, I was just someone who happened to claim my place in a fragile balance I was never strong enough to break.

Lady Luna, on the other hand, is different.

She shattered that balance with her own hands.

And now, she stands at the gates of Madralan Castle.

If peace is the end result, then does it truly matter who stands above us?

I believe that Lady Luna... will rule with compassion and justice."

"Lunarian Iniang betrayed you.

She committed treason.

How can you believe that she will now govern with righteousness?"

"Because it was my failure, not hers.

No one is to blame.

Not even you, Vanessa.

In the end, it is only I who was lacking."

"My lord..."

If only Karelia had blamed her instead.

If she had yelled at her, scolded her, cursed her—Vanessa might have found some sense of relief.

But instead, Karelia was trying to shoulder everything alone.

The betrayal? Her fault.

Sade’s death? Her fault.

The fall of the nation? Her fault.

"Vanessa... You are a talented woman.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

I know there is much history between you and Lady Luna...

But she is not the kind of ruler who would let personal grudges cloud her judgment.

I have no doubt she will recognize your brilliance.

It is not too late.

Surrender and continue serving as a strategist."

"..."

"From this moment forward... consider Lady Luna to be me.

The name 'Karelia' ends here.

I will carry the burden of our past so that you may stand by her side, defeat Serpina, and bring peace to the continent."

Vanessa did not answer.

She simply lowered her head—staring into the empty teacup before her.

Yes.

The teacup.

Karelia’s teacup was empty.

And now...

It was about time for its effects to take hold.

"My lord... As your strategist, allow me to offer you one final piece of advice."

"Vanessa...?"

"When you wake, go into hiding and gather your strength.

Near the western border of Brans Army’s territory, there are treacherous mountains.

They would serve as the perfect refuge for you to preserve your life.

And when the time is right—

Establish yourself in the western continent.

Brans Army’s forces there are a mere shadow of their former glory.

In time, they will lose control of the region."

"...What are you saying?"

Karelia’s eyes widened in horror as she stared at Vanessa.

But Vanessa continued speaking in a calm, measured tone.

"Please, cherish the name of Karelia.

Your ideals and your legacy—

They are your greatest assets, ones that no other lord can claim.

You will have no trouble rallying supporters to your cause.

Just as you did here in the south."

"Vanessa... What are you saying...?"

Karelia’s voice faltered.

In the next moment—

She slumped back into her chair, her body collapsing like a puppet with its strings cut.

"Wh... w-what..."

Suddenly, her entire body felt impossibly heavy, as if it had been drenched in water.

She could feel the floor beneath her—

Yet at the same time, she felt as though she was sinking.

Falling into an abyss.

Something unseen was pulling her down.

Wait a moment.

"When you wake up"...?

"Y-you... don’t tell me..."

Only now did Karelia finally realize what Vanessa had done.

...She had put a sedative in the tea.

"And finally, allow me to say one last thing."

Vanessa slowly lifted her head.

She... smiled.

A soft, gentle smile.

For the first and last time in this lifetime—

She smiled at the only sovereign she had ever truly served.

"To have been born in this world and to have had the honor of serving someone like you, Lord Karelia... It has been the greatest privilege of my life. I will never forget it."

"Vanessa..." freeweɓnøvel.com

――Thud.

Not long after Karelia lost consciousness, a woman stepped into the room.

"You’ve arrived, Lady Cecil."

"..."

The woman—Cecil—stared at Vanessa’s face in silence.

"As I explained, please escort our lord safely to the western continent. Use the confusion of the siege to slip out through the northern gate. I will assign a hundred elite soldiers to accompany you. I would send more, but any larger force would increase the risk of exposure. I hope you understand."

"Chief Strategist... Is this really the end?"

Cecil’s voice trembled slightly, as if pleading.

"The current lord needs you more than anyone. If you are not there, Karelia’s army... we..."

But Vanessa remained firm.

"My role in this story ends here, Lady Cecil.

The rebellion began because of me in the first place.

If Lord Karelia is to rise again and surpass even Lunarian... then I must disappear."

As long as she remained, the people would never fully rally behind Karelia.

Vanessa understood that truth more clearly than anyone.

"That’s..."

"Do not concern yourself with me.

Lord Karelia was kind enough to extend my life a little longer—this is simply the natural conclusion."

Vanessa stood from her seat.

"You mentioned that you have relatives in the west, correct?"

"Yes. That territory is currently under Brans Army, but it should be safe enough for the time being."

"I see. That is good to hear."

Vanessa turned to face Cecil.

Cecil had never been particularly fond of her.

Even back then, she had chosen to side with Lunarian instead.

But that did not matter.

So long as Cecil bore the name Rosenkross, she was the most reliable person to entrust Karelia to.

Vanessa bent at the waist, bowing deeply at a perfect ninety-degree angle.

"Please... Take care of our lord, Lady Cecil."

"..."

Cecil did not respond immediately.

But after a moment, she gave a firm nod—then turned, leaving the room with a handful of soldiers, carrying the unconscious Karelia out of the palace.

Looking back—

The Battle of Tepello Castle had been nothing short of a testament to how much the world itself seemed to ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) favor Lunarian.

Two mercenary groups had suddenly appeared to aid her.

A magician had miraculously awakened to fight by her side.

It was as if every force in existence had been moving solely for her benefit.

And yet—

At the start of it all, she had been nothing but a failed lord, seeking refuge within Karelia’s army.

She had bided her time, waiting for the right opportunity.

If Lunarian had been able to do it...

Why couldn’t Karelia?

"Lord Karelia... I pray that you escape safely."

One final wish—

That the world would grant Karelia the same chance it had given Lunarian.

Holding onto that foolish hope—

Vanessa turned her attention to the coming battle.

The final battle of her life.

***

――And a few hours later.

The army beneath the green banners surged forward.

Charging toward Madralan Castle.