Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 130: Perhaps...

The beginning of everything lay in that prediction.

"Is it correct to station the gathered troops at the most easily accessible recruitment site?"

[Yes.]

My intelligence was 100. However, I hadn't suddenly become incredibly smart or shown a remarkable flair for strategy or tactics. What I could do was know what the outcome would be. And it would always be the right outcome.

This time 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 seemed 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 came 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 me, it seemed 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 members 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 me. 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 time 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 times continued.

'...What is this?'

At this point, I couldn't help but feel anxious. Was this the first time my guess had missed the mark? No, thinking back, it wasn't the first time. I had once been sure that lightning would strike, only for a meteor 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 game, 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 came 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.'

Time had passed long enough. If they were coming, they would have already arrived. If more time were needed, it would deviate from "the most efficient method."

However, if that were the case...

'Why did I predict that stationing troops there would be the most efficient method?'

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 come 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 me was the conclusion that was unconditionally correct.

I slowly raised the metaphorical 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 immediate attention."

The sound of footsteps echoed behind me, and suddenly, a general appeared.

His name was Jeffer. I thought I might have seen him before, but judging by how unfamiliar he seemed, he was just another typical general.

The real problem began at that moment 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 some emblem on it. It looked similar to the ones used by Serpina's army, but there was something subtly different about it.

And then—

Serpina’s expression slowly transformed into one of utter shock.

Seeing her so flustered in front of me was the first time 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 immediately 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 formed 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 method, 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 method.]

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 sometimes 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 some time, 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 me 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 me. Wait, hold on. Does this mean... she thinks I intentionally redirected the conversation?

"That's why you gave me a somewhat 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 {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} rebellions in surrounding castles, there wouldn't have been any need to place soldiers there!"

Serpina, clearly excited, spoke to me with a level of energy I had never seen from her before. This moment made me realize how varied her expressions could be— that was the only thought in my mind at that point.

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"However, Swen, you couldn't tell me everything, could you? One of the traitors was among that group, and without solid proof, I wouldn't have listened! So... you used your time with the Aishus army to craft that hypothesis. A very convincing theory to make me 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 some cover-up. At this moment, I felt as though I appeared as something 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 me.

"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 seemed 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 me...

I slowly lowered my head with what I hoped was the most graceful gesture. After mentally 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 me was yours, my lord. I am simply grateful to be of help to you."

Good. That should make her trust me, 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 game, Serpina was known for her brutal tendencies. After all, wasn’t it her who sentenced me to death?

I couldn’t afford to be overly incompetent. I had to earn some trust so that when the time came, 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 me." 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 something for the first time in my life. Can you feel it? My heart... do you feel it too?"

Her expression was like someone unable to contain their excitement, staring at me as if they had found something 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 something 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 me, her golden eyes fixed on me.

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 smelled a few times before, but this time, it was much stronger. It was an intensely personal fragrance.

It wasn’t just the yuzu scent... it was Serpina’s scent. Only someone who had shared a similar fragrance would understand the deep, intimate feeling it carried.

I could feel her intent focused on me.

"Be mine, Swen."

Chills ran down my spine, rising up my back and to the top of my head.

Every nerve in my brain screamed at me.

She’s going to... devour me...!

"Your body and your heart... serve me. 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 came 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 movement, all wrapped in that sweet yuzu scent...

―――I will break you.

In that moment, as Serpina leaned in so close that I could feel her breath on me, I realized something so clear it required no prediction.

I might have... stepped into something far beyond my control.