I Became a Strategist with 100 Intelligence and 100% Accuracy

* * *

The former capital of the Brance Army and current capital of the Kalintz Army, Anel Castle’s Royal Palace.

Seated upon the throne that once belonged to Lin was her second elder brother, Kalintz, as several armed men knelt before him, pleading desperately.

“Lord Kalintz! Please reconsider… advancing now would be far too dangerous! The plague has already spread to the outskirts of Anel Castle… if we’re not careful, our entire force could be at risk—”

“Shut up! How many times must I say this is our chance?! If we can suppress the Chel Army who covetously eye this Anel Castle, taking down Lin’s forces gathered there will be no trouble at all! Can’t you see this is the opportunity to rebuild the true Brance Army?!”

“It’s not too late, my Lord! Issue a lockdown order like the Hesna Army, Roland Army, and Lin Army have done. Even assuming the outer areas are lost, the core of Anel Castle is still safe! For the future of the Kalintz Army, please, we beg you to reconsider!”

“…For the future, you say?”

At hearing this, Kalintz questioned sharply.

“So you’re saying my decision won’t help the future?”

“No, absolutely not what I meant…”

“You all ultimately don’t trust me, do you? It’s always been like that. Whether it’s Lin or Chel… those brilliant people you could never catch up to! Even in the situation where Lin fell, you still deemed me, Kalintz, unworthy and betrayed us to join Chel’s side, didn’t you?!”

“My Lord…!”

It was hardly surprising that Kalintz got so worked up when reminded of his current position.

But alas for Kalintz—his actions only proved those who chose Chel or Lin over him were right.

“My name is Kalintz Brance! The blood of the Brance Clan flows through me too! I’ve heard this plague isn’t highly contagious. Waiting for it to subside will just lead us back to the old days of locking the castle gates and defending endlessly. The time is now—I say NOW!”

With that, Kalintz waved off the armed men.

“Return immediately and prepare for war! If anyone refuses, they’ll be charged with insubordination, and I’ll personally execute them on the spot!”

In this situation, no one could stop Kalintz’s rampage.

All the upright or talented individuals had stayed with the Chel Army.

And all the dimwitted ones incapable of calculating costs and benefits remained with the Brance Army—or rather, Lin’s Army.

What was left here in the Kalintz Army were only those ambiguous types who fit into neither group.

They knew Kalintz’s choice was reckless. As long as their own lives weren’t endangered, they might try to dissuade him.

But if it came to risking their necks? From their perspective of stability and self-preservation, why bother?

Fortunately, Kalintz himself would lead the charge, dragging only a few warriors along. Most commanders would stay behind, holding out within Anel Castle’s walls.

Honestly, even if the Kalintz Army collapsed, who cared? They’d just find another lord to follow.

So—no more futile advice.

They quietly backed off, feeling they’d done enough.

Thus, Kalintz Brance personally led an army of 60,000 troops toward the Chel Army, weakened by both the plague and war.

And then…

* * *

Some time had passed since I confidently told Lady Serpina that “in the end, we will win.”

As we predicted, the plague began spreading across the Central Continent.

Just as things seemed to calm down, the Kalintz Army’s sudden intrusion worsened the chaos, leading to countless unnecessary sacrifices—a living hell unfolded.

Thankfully, the epidemic wasn’t highly contagious, though its mortality rate was alarmingly high.

While the Central Continent descended into ruin, the Northern regions enjoyed a period of peace thanks to Kelshtain Castle’s strict quarantine measures.

Of course, endless national chaos couldn’t possibly be the most efficient solution. There must have been a far better way.

Yet paradoxically, this somehow turned out to be the most effective method—though how exactly escaped my understanding.

I only foresaw the plague. How could I predict three nations would simultaneously begin their decline because of it?

Likewise, neither could Lady Serpina have imagined—

“This is terrifying, Swen. Your advice has always been unsettling, but this time the results are downright horrifying.”

“I never could have imagined it either.”

The first shocking revelation was Erhandorf’s death, which sparked a massive war between the Chel Army and Aishias Army. With battles ongoing, the previously powerful Aishias Army rapidly declined.

Their potential, once enough to declare war on our Serpina Army, was almost entirely consumed in meaningless conflict with the Chel Army.

Had Aishias crushed Chel or vice versa, it might not have been the optimal outcome for us. We certainly wouldn’t want a dominant power emerging from the Central Continent.

Indeed, the timing of the plague was impeccable.

This devastating disease spread so quickly it turned even the scraps of profit from the senseless wars into dust. Thankfully, the infection rate wasn’t high, otherwise even our army might have been at risk—at least until that thought crossed my mind.

“But… perhaps this line of thinking is irrelevant.”

If our army had been endangered, we’d have retreated further or devised some other absurd plan.

This is the power of Divinity 100. Simply saying “do this” often leads to outcomes no ordinary person could foresee.

“As I said before, in the end, we will win. Your decision, my Lord, was… correct.”

“Hmm…”

Personally, I couldn’t help but hope Serpina’s actions hadn’t been in vain when she made the difficult choice to relocate her citizens despite the stigma.

If the plague was inevitable, at least her efforts to save lives would carry meaning.

“Are you satisfied, my Lord?”

Serpina responded with a wry smile.

“Satisfied…?”

After hesitating for a while, she slowly stroked her golden hair.

“Just disappointing, that’s all.”

“Disappointing…?”

I wondered if she wasn’t pleased that three major powers in the Central Continent had fallen without our intervention.

But her answer surprised me completely.

“If the plague was unavoidable, perhaps we should have taken more drastic measures to rescue even more people… even if it meant creating more resentment. After all, they were once under the banner of the Serpina Army.”

“Ahh…”

She didn’t seem to be lying.

A tyrant regretting not saving more people sounded more like something Karelia would say—not Serpina.

Though I’ve never met Karelia, so I can’t be sure.

“Still…”

Then she smiled at me.

“I’m content knowing we saved at least those people. We didn’t do it for recognition after all.”

“…”

“A ruler may think whatever they wish, but in the end, they’ll inevitably get their hands bloody. And I know this whole thing is closer to self-satisfaction than anything else…”

Without responding, I simply stood by her side.

“…Swen.”

“Yes?”

Once again…

Her Yuzu Fragrance seeped into places I hadn’t expected.

“Thank you for your advice.”

“…Huh?”

“All of this happened because of your counsel.”

I momentarily lost my words and slightly bowed my head.

As a strategist advising my lord, it was only natural. Like eating when hungry.

Yet hearing “thank you” for merely offering advice felt… strange.

“…No, it’s my duty.”

“That’s right.”

She extended her hand toward me.

When I first saw her stretch out such a pure white hand to command, she seemed untouchable—an unreachable, aristocratic figure.

There were times when her excessive reliance on me made me feel trapped, unable to leave her side.

But now, it feels different.

It feels like I could easily reach out and grab her hand if I wanted…

It feels like I could easily push her hand away if I wanted…

The decisive choice in our relationship seems to have shifted—not to her, but to me.

“Somewhere down the line, you’ll leave. That’s fine. Until then, I entrust myself to you, Swen.”

Her words reaffirmed that this wasn’t just about mood.

* * *

Time flowed aimlessly onward after that.

* * *

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