Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100% Accuracy Chapter 48

"Burn the fortress?"

Carlints stared at Taltin, his voice filled with disbelief.

Taltin nodded.

"Yes. That is our lord’s command."

"This... This can’t be."

Carlints lowered his head, fists trembling in frustration.

But rather than feeling sorry for him, I found myself admiring Lyn’s decision.

'From Brans Army’s perspective, this fortress has almost zero strategic value. If anything, if it fell into Serpina’s hands, it would beco a deadly weapon against us. The only reason it was tolerated was because Carlints was in charge of it. But after he recklessly made his own moves in a desperate bid for rit, trusting him any further would be risky. Burning it down and withdrawing is the most logical move.'

In fact, back when I first analyzed this situation with my 100 Intelligence, I had already predicted the most effective course of action—destroy the fortress and retreat.

However—

If Lyn was going to give this order anyway, she should have done it when Carlints was captured.

Instead, she had ordered the fortress to be defended—

And now that it had successfully been protected, she was telling them to burn it down?

This made her intentions even easier to read.

'I can’t stay in Brans Army much longer.'

I could handle it.

But I wouldn’t let Airen remain in danger indefinitely.

It was ti to start considering a move to another country.

"…Damn it…!"

Carlints Brans was an influential figure within Brans Army—

But that influence ca solely from his bloodline.

No matter how skilled he was, he couldn’t disobey a direct order from Lyn Brans, the ruler of Brans Army.

"Now that I’ve relayed the command, I’ll take my leave to begin preparations. Please have everything ready by the end of the day."

With a polite nod, Taltin turned and left the room.

Once he was gone, Carlints let out several heavy sighs—

Then turned to with an expression of regret.

"I’m sorry, Swen. The fortress you risked your life to protect… is going to be destroyed."

Well.

I hadn’t actually risked my life—

But there was no reason not to use that misconception to my advantage.

"It’s fine. If I was able to serve you, Lord Carlints, that’s enough for ."

"Really?! You truly think so?!"

Hearing my words, Carlints suddenly grabbed my shoulders, his face lighting up with excitent.

"Then I’ll try persuading our lord one more ti! If you could perform that ritual to commune with the heavens just one more ti—we could wipe out Serpina’s forces completely! Then, at last, we could plant the banner of Brans Army in the north!"

"So, Swen! What do you say?! Will you join and make history together?!"

'For the love of—'

I had assud that, after his previous failures, Carlints would be reflecting on his mistakes.

But no.

After seeing my so-called powers, he had convinced himself that it was worth the risk.

Of course, I didn’t have the ability to summon natural disasters.

Or teors.

So rejecting this was the obvious choice.

Just as I was about to speak—

"Lord Carlints."

Before I could say anything, Airen stepped forward.

"I will not allow Swen to be dragged into another reckless plan. Please restrain yourself."

Carlints looked at her in sheer disbelief.

"Airen… General Airen. I appreciate your efforts in defending the fortress, but… surely you didn’t stay by choice, did you?"

"……"

Carlints was one of Lyn’s closest allies.

Naturally, he knew that Lyn had little regard for Airen.

"I am asking Swen this question, not you. He stayed here and fought for of his own free will. I would appreciate it if you knew your place."

"Absolutely not. You will not involve Swen in another one of your reckless operations."

Airen’s voice was firm.

"If you insist on taking him, you will have to cut down first."

Carlints flinched at the intensity of her words.

"Are you… defying your superior, Airen Juliet?"

His tone hardened.

But Airen didn’t back down.

She t his glare head-on.

That alone was unusual.

Normally, Airen would have backed down by this point.

Yet now—

She stood her ground.

"This is not defiance. This is advice. Please listen, Lord Carlints. You must not sacrifice more of our n to another misguided decision."

"What did you just say?!"

Carlints’ hand drifted toward the hilt of his sword.

"You damned stray—!"

"Lord Carlints!"

I cut in before things escalated any further—

Imdiately bowing at a full ninety-degree angle.

"Please, forgive her outburst, Lord Carlints. I must apologize, but invoking the will of the heavens requires very specific conditions. Even if we were to attempt the ritual again, there is no guarantee it would succeed."

"Swen…!"

Airen looked at , startled.

Yes, this was annoying.

But antagonizing Carlints here would only create unnecessary problems.

I carefully chose my next words—

Mixing in just enough nonsense to appeal to him.

"Moreover, if you were to disobey our lord’s command here, it could damage your reputation. I have heard that a great general must know when to be patient. And if I may say so, among all the commanders of Brans Army, you, Lord Carlints, possess the most remarkable patience. Even Lord Chel, the finest swordsman of our army, acknowledges your discipline."

"…You really think so?"

"I do. That is why I have always wished to serve under you."

"…Hmm. Ahem."

Carlints cleared his throat several tis.

A mont ago, he had been furious.

Now, he was practically glowing.

'…Much easier to handle than I expected.'

Thank goodness.

"Both General Airen and I are still recovering from the battle. Right now, our judgnt may be clouded due to exhaustion. But what we both hope for is that you, Lord Carlints, will make the right decision. Please, as our commander, show us your wisdom and patience in this mont."

Carlints rubbed his chin, looking deep in thought.

Then, after a long sigh—

"…Patience, you say. Hmph. You’ve given a lot to think about."

He shook his head.

"Swen, you’ve had a rough ti. And with our lord’s orders being what they are… I suppose this is the right course of action."

At least he wasn’t completely thoughtless.

A little reflection was all he needed to see the logic.

Spending ti in prison must have given him a lot to think about.

After another sigh, Carlints turned to Airen.

"Airen. No matter the reason, I will overlook your actions this ti, in light of your contributions to the fortress. But next ti, choose your words more carefully."

"Yes. I sincerely appreciate your generosity. I will take your words to heart."

Fortunately, Airen chose to bow instead of pushing back further.

"So, in the end… we have to destroy the fortress."

Carlints muttered to himself as he left the war room.

Now that we were alone, I finally turned to Airen.

"Lady Airen. You don’t need to be so openly confrontational with Lord Carlints."

"No, Swen. I won’t let you be thrown into danger again. It doesn’t matter if it’s Carlints or anyone else. On this, I will not compromise."

It seed that her sense of debt toward had grown even stronger than I had expected.

If that was the case…

Then perhaps—

It was ti.

Ti to ask sothing… bold.

"Even if it’s our lord, Lyn Brans?"

"……."

Airen slowly turned to face .

Her violet eyes locked onto mine with piercing clarity.

"Swen. There’s sothing I need to tell you. Now is as good a ti as any."

"What is it?"

Her expression grew solemn.

Then, in a deliberate motion, she drew her sword.

With a sharp sound, the blade slid from its scabbard—

And she drove it into the floor of the war room.

The tal glead under the dim light.

With both hands gripping the hilt, she spoke in a low, unwavering voice.

"Swen."

"Yes."

She closed her eyes.

I couldn’t be sure what she was thinking—

But I had a feeling it was about Lyn Brans, the woman she had once sworn to protect.

But now, she knew.

No matter what happened, she could never truly save Lyn.

She opened her eyes again.

Her expression was peaceful—

And her gaze was fixed only on .

"I will no longer live for Lyn Brans. From this mont forward, Swen—

I will live for you."

I said nothing.

I simply t her gaze, solemn and unwavering.

"My sword exists to protect you. My body will be used for your sake. I, Airen Juliet, from this mont on, belong only to you."

"If anyone seeks to harm you, no matter who they are—

I will stop them with everything I have."

Then—

For the first ti, her stern expression softened.

Her face flushed slightly as she looked down, as if embarrassed.

"And… if you don’t mind… I was thinking I could keep making tea for you from now on."

"That’s the most important part, Lady Airen."

Hearing my answer, she smiled.

It was a firm, unwavering smile—

One that wouldn’t break, no matter what happened.

"Even at a ti like this, you’re still lighthearted."

"Because it really is the most important thing."

Then, in a more serious tone, she continued.

"No matter where we are—whether in Brans Army or elsewhere—

I, Airen Juliet, will be your knight, Swen."

Her words finally sank in.

I had done it.

I had succeeded in changing fate.

The woman who was destined to die—

The woman who had clung to a dood loyalty—

I had saved her from that tragic fate.

Just that alone…

Made coming to Brans Army worth it.

"I’ll be counting on you, Lady Airen."

"Mhm."

After our short, private ceremony, she sheathed her sword and turned back to .

Her voice grew serious again.

"That aside, Swen, there’s sothing I want to ask you."

"Go ahead."

She narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Your true lord… isn’t Lyn Brans, is it?"

Hearing that, I gave a small shrug.

There was no reason to hide anything from her now.

"Was it that obvious?"

"Quite."

Before, as a devoted soldier of Brans Army, she might have hesitated to say such things.

But now—

Her loyalty was mine alone.

Even within Brans Army, she had no qualms about speaking such treasonous words.

"I’m curious, Swen. Who is your true lord?"

Her gaze was unwavering.

"Whoever it is—if you follow them, then I will as well."

A lord.

Yes.

From the very beginning, I had only ever had one.

"I serve the only person on this continent who can unite it under a single rule."

"Ho? And who might that be?"

"You’ve t them before, Lady Airen. A few months ago."

"……!!!"

Airen’s eyes widened.

Her breath caught.

"Swen… don’t tell —

You believe that Lady Lunarian Iniang will beco the ruler of this continent?"

Ah.

Thank you, Airen.

For asking exactly the right question.

It had been a while since I last inputted this particular query.

"Will Lunarian Iniang beco the ruler who unites the continent?"

And, just as always—

The answer ca imdiately.

[Yes.]

'Hah.'

A breath of relief escaped .

You’re still alive, my lord.

***

Madralan Castle.

The capital of Karelia Army.

The largest city in the southern continent.

During the era of the unified empire, it had been the comrcial hub of the south.

Its fertile lands and mountainous surroundings made it the perfect location for a thriving city.

And in that very city—

A petite woman with short, cream-colored hair and bright red eyes—

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone! Just a little more effort, and we’ll reach our target!"

Was plowing a field alongside the farrs.