The beginning of everything lay in that prediction.
"Is it correct to station the gathered troops at the most easily accessible recruitnt site?"
[Yes.]
My intelligence was 100. However, I hadn't suddenly beco incredibly smart or shown a remarkable flair for strategy or tactics. What I could do was know what the outco would be. And it would always be the right outco.
This ti was no different. All I had figured out was that this would be the most efficient option for Serpina's army. I couldn’t understand why stationing troops at Amir Castle was the most efficient, but the result seed to make sense.
What I chose was reverse engineering. If I arrived at a conclusion, I would calculate the scenario that inevitably led to that conclusion. Until now, I thought I had done a decent job at it.
So, I ca up with a hypothesis: "The Aishus army will attack by traveling up the river from Zeta Castle."
I created that hypothesis because, at least to , it seed like the only possibility.
"Traveling upstream?" I knew it was reckless. "The Aishus army wouldn't gain anything from it." Of course, I agreed with that too.
But why had I argued for it? Because I had my reasoning.
Before coming here, I had been with the Aishus army. And from what I had seen, they weren't always a rational group. For example, I was sure that Jinor would never propose an attack upstream, but Anima, on the other hand, might. The core mbers of Aishus saw Serpina as an enemy, and because of that, I felt they might launch a reckless attack like that to maintain internal unity.
After all, they had discarded . It wouldn’t be unusual for them to make such a decision.
This was my strong intuition, backed by my experience being abandoned by Yuuuri.
With this intuition and the absolute, correct prediction of [Yes.], I felt confident.
But—
No matter how much ti passed, there was nothing but silence around Amir Castle. Even though scouts were frequently sent around the river, no boats were seen passing by. Peaceful tis continued.
'...What is this?'
At this point, I couldn't help but feel anxious. Was this the first ti my guess had missed the mark? No, thinking back, it wasn't the first ti. I had once been sure that lightning would strike, only for a teor to fall instead.
I knew that one day, I would make a mistake, just like everyone else. Until now, I had been able to navigate things using the knowledge I had accumulated from playing the ga, but—
There were results, like when Tifa found the treasure chest filled with gold coins at Zeilant Castle, that were impossible to predict unless after the fact.
"Looking back, I think I just ca up with plausible-sounding phrases to cover up the situation."
And now, being called by Serpina and receiving questions like that, I had to admit that my hypothesis was completely wrong.
'The Aishus army is not coming.'
Ti had passed long enough. If they were coming, they would have already arrived. If more ti were needed, it would deviate from "the most efficient thod."
However, if that were the case...
'Why did I predict that stationing troops there would be the most efficient thod?'
Whether the Aishus army attacked or not was secondary. Once my mind predicted [Yes.], it was an undeniable fact.
The decision to station troops there was still correct.
Therefore, it was best to mix things up a little here. Like in my negotiations with Lyn, the truth would eventually co to light.
I quickly organized the most plausible-sounding words in my mind. My opponent was Serpina von Eingart. It would undoubtedly be the toughest battle yet... but behind was the conclusion that was unconditionally correct.
I slowly raised the taphorical brush of my tongue.
"My lord, first of all, what I would like to say is—"
No.
To be precise, I was about to raise it.
"My lord, General Jeffer has arrived. He says there is an important issue that requires your imdiate attention."
The sound of footsteps echoed behind , and suddenly, a general appeared.
His na was Jeffer. I thought I might have seen him before, but judging by how unfamiliar he seed, he was just another typical general.
The real problem began at that mont when things started to take an unexpected turn.
"Th-this was discovered...!"
I glanced at what he was holding in his hand.
It was a brooch with so emblem on it. It looked similar to the ones used by Serpina's army, but there was sothing subtly different about it.
And then—
Serpina’s expression slowly transford into one of utter shock.
Seeing her so flustered in front of was the first ti since we were alone together that I had seen her this rattled.
A few days later—
I learned that the emblem was that of Sidmid, Serpina's late second brother.
It was inevitable that I learned this. Suddenly, many of Serpina's generals were being arrested.
The most baffling part of the discovery was how it was made. A soldier had accidentally brought the item from a place he had stumbled upon.
So, when I heard that the discovery was a stroke of luck, I imdiately realized it wasn't luck at all.
Had I not stationed troops at Amir Castle, there wouldn't have been any patrols to cover the surplus troops. I didn’t know the specifics, but there were rumors that if the rebellion had succeeded, it would have put Serpina in a very difficult position.
After reviewing the situation, I finally understood why my intellect of 100 had predicted that stationing troops at Amir Castle was the most efficient choice.
'So... after stationing the troops, they ford a defense force but had nothing to do, so they were sent on a patrol, and in the process, one soldier accidentally discovered the rebels' hideout. And that's how the emblem was found... This is why it was the most efficient thod, right?'
When I finished thinking, I couldn’t help but laugh.
It wasn't a laugh I intended to let out, but rather an uncontrollable, natural chuckle.
'...How the hell could I have known that?!'
There's a limit to reverse engineering.
How could I have reverse-engineered this?
To sum it up:
[More troops stationed at Amir Castle -> Used as defense, but no battles occur -> No real work, so patrols are carried out -> By coincidence, a soldier discovers the rebel hideout -> The soldier accidentally brings back an item -> The item is an emblem -> Based on the item, the rebels are found early -> Serpina's army arrests the rebels -> The most efficient thod.]
But all I could know was this:
[More troops stationed at Amir Castle -> ??? -> It's still the most efficient.]
Just two propositions!
And I was supposed to deduce the conclusion above from these two? Anyone else would find it impossible.
There are limits to guessing, but how could anyone guess this?
‘Hah.’
Yeah, I wasn’t just going to leave it at that. I sotis wish there was more detail, but the answer to "why" has never been given, so that’s just wishful thinking.
Anyway, the rebels were all executed, and—
After so ti, I was summoned again by Serpina.
The first thing I thought about after being called by her was how I would present this situation. Since my predictions had been correct, her gaze toward would have shifted, and I had to prepare how to respond.
I was ready, but—fortunately or unfortunately—she began to speak first.
"…Swen."
"Yes. Please, speak."
"Did you know... that this would happen? Did you know it all along?"
"..."
No. I'm not a god, how could I have known?
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
"You must also know, Swen. Among the captured rebels, that woman... Sika was among them."
Really??? I barely managed to hide my surprise. This was news to . Wait, hold on. Does this an... she thinks I intentionally redirected the conversation?
"That's why you gave a sowhat incomprehensible reason. 'We need to prepare for the Aishus army coming up the river.' In hindsight, that seems to have been the only logical conclusion... Right? If there was a potential for uprisings in nearby villages or rebellions in surrounding castles, there wouldn't have been any need to place soldiers there!"
Serpina, clearly excited, spoke to with a level of energy I had never seen from her before. This mont made realize how varied her expressions could be— that was the only thought in my mind at that point.
"However, Swen, you couldn't tell everything, could you? One of the traitors was among that group, and without solid proof, I wouldn't have listened! So... you used your ti with the Aishus army to craft that hypothesis. A very convincing theory to make believe it!"
‘Just as I thought...’
While I had been idle, the situation turned in my favor in a way that was almost terrifying. This... is the real power of having 100 intelligence, isn't it?
"That was... what was invisible."
Ah, right. I did say that.
I had a feeling that if I spoke vaguely enough, it would eventually be covered up. Because, after all, my predictions would always be correct. But this situation... this wasn’t just so cover-up. At this mont, I felt as though I appeared as sothing far more precious in Serpina's eyes—perhaps even a diamond.
It wasn’t just that... if it weren’t, Serpina’s golden eyes wouldn't be burning with such intensity, as though she was ready to devour .
"You... You knew everything...! And you did all this just to make sure I knew, didn’t you, Swen?"
What should I say?
For now, it seed best to simply agree.
After all, I needed Serpina's trust to be able to accomplish anything. Hadn't I felt that deeply both in the Brans army and in the Aishus army?
If this was an opportunity that had been given to ...
I slowly lowered my head with what I hoped was the most graceful gesture. After ntally reinforcing the mindset of "a loyal servant to Serpina," I replied in the most pitiful voice I could muster.
"There were many risks, but the decision to listen to was yours, my lord. I am simply grateful to be of help to you."
Good. That should make her trust , right?
To safely return to Lunarian's army, I needed to earn her trust. Honestly, I didn’t feel that way, but her title as "the tyrant" had already been established. Even in the ga, Serpina was known for her brutal tendencies. After all, wasn’t it her who sentenced to death?
I couldn’t afford to be overly incompetent. I had to earn so trust so that when the ti ca, I could leave here safely.
I could easily guess how she would respond. She would probably express her admiration with a few words along the lines of, "Impressive, Swen. I am greatly surprised by your insight. I hope you can continue using your abilities for ." She wasn’t the type to overreact.
...Or so I thought.
"Ah...!!"
Before I could even finish my thoughts, I saw Serpina’s expression change to one of absolute rapture.
‘Uh...?’
"Swen, truly... you are such an interesting man... I... I am feeling sothing for the first ti in my life. Can you feel it? My heart... do you feel it too?"
Her expression was like soone unable to contain their excitent, staring at as if they had found sothing they truly adored, feeling an uncontrollable shiver run through them.
No...
That’s not quite it, right??
Of course, my unspoken thoughts couldn’t reach her.
As a ruler, shouldn’t she be the type to coolly say sothing like, "Hmm, that’s all?" and move on?
But seeing her so amazed by just one thing aligning perfectly, perhaps I misjudged her. Maybe she wasn’t as composed as I thought.
Serpina then stood up from her throne and slowly walked toward , her golden eyes fixed on .
She raised her head, bringing herself closer to match my eye level, then gently cupped my chin.
...Yuzu scent.
It was a scent I had slled a few tis before, but this ti, it was much stronger. It was an intensely personal fragrance.
It wasn’t just the yuzu scent... it was Serpina’s scent. Only soone who had shared a similar fragrance would understand the deep, intimate feeling it carried.
I could feel her intent focused on .
"Be mine, Swen."
Chills ran down my spine, rising up my back and to the top of my head.
Every nerve in my brain scread at .
She’s going to... devour ...!
"Your body and your heart... serve . If you refuse...!"
She spoke those words and closed the distance between us, pressing her beautiful face so close to mine.
...She was beautiful.
Stupidly, that was the first thought that ca to mind. She was so stunning, I couldn’t help but think it.
Her golden eyes, her snow-white skin, her heavy breathing, and the way her body brushed against mine with every movent, all wrapped in that sweet yuzu scent...
―――I will break you.
In that mont, as Serpina leaned in so close that I could feel her breath on , I realized sothing so clear it required no prediction.
I might have... stepped into sothing far beyond my control.
Reviews
All reviews (0)