Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100% Accuracy

The underground prison of Hisphil Castle.

Anima, who had been imprisoned here not long ago, had refused to eat anything provided by Serpina’s forces, surviving only on the bare minimum amount of water.
"Hey."
"…"

"Hey! Answer me!"
"…"
"…Tch."

The prison guard occasionally tried to speak to her, but Anima remained completely unresponsive.
Since he hadn’t received any special orders, the guard didn’t persist in questioning her further, but—
‘At this rate, she’s going to die.’
Returning a completely untouched meal back to the kitchen wasn’t exactly a pleasant task for him either.
Maybe it was time to ask the higher-ups for new instructions.

Just as he was considering it, the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears.
Curious, he turned his head—
And there she stood.
A golden-haired sovereign, the absolute pinnacle of authority in his life.
A woman more exalted than any other, more refined than anyone.
If there truly was a Crown of the Absolute on this continent, she was the sole woman deserving of wearing it.

"My lord."
Serpina acknowledged the prison guard’s bow with a glance.
"Report the situation."

"As I informed you before, she continues to refuse all meals. She appears to be drinking only enough water to sustain herself."
"I see."
Serpina tilted her head slightly.
The guard immediately recognized the silent command to leave and, after bowing once more, quickly exited the chamber.

Now alone, Serpina approached the prison cell where Anima Ingram sat.
The one-armed woman sat slumped against the wall, her head lowered, not uttering a single word.
"Anima Ingram."
"…"
There was no response, but Serpina hardly seemed to care.

"Do you intend to keep acting foolish? I doubt your lord would wish to see you in such a state."
"…"
"I don’t know what you’re thinking, but this isn’t resistance. It’s nothing but childish, self-destructive behavior. It means nothing, changes nothing. I was told you were a woman of intellect, but I see no sign of it here."

Serpina’s voice remained detached, devoid of any emotion.
Then, just as bluntly, she asked—
"Anima Ingram. Let me ask you directly—would you consider working under me?"
"…What?"

For the first time, Anima broke her silence.
"Exactly as I said. I’ve heard of your talents. I’d like you to use them for me. I don’t expect you to accept, but if you change your mind, I won’t refuse you."
Anima slowly lifted her head and glared at Serpina.
In her eyes—an unmistakable fury simmered, threatening to explode.

If it had been anyone else, they would have cowered under such an overwhelming killing intent.
But Serpina remained utterly unfazed, meeting her gaze head-on.
"…Don’t make me laugh."
"…"

"I’d rather have my head cut off than serve under you, Serpina."
The words were as sharp and provocative as they could be—
Yet Serpina, unfazed, responded in the same composed tone as before.
"I see. That’s unfortunate."

She said it as though it were a passing thought—completely unbothered.
And Anima’s hatred only burned hotter.
"I will never forgive you, Serpina von Eingart. I will kill you with my own hands—I swear it."
"I hear that often. Not just from you."

"Ha! Then you’d better think carefully. If you don’t cut my throat now, I’ll be the one cutting yours."
Another taunt.
But no matter what she said, it didn’t shake the golden sovereign in the slightest.
"I don’t have a habit of damaging valuable goods that have fallen into my hands."

"…What did you just say?"
"Isn’t it good news? By capturing you, I’ve effectively secured a weakness for Baranga Yuri Aishus."
Crack!

Anima’s rage finally erupted.
"You… you wretched bitch!"
"Go ahead, struggle all you like. See what comes of it. You haven’t even eaten properly—do you think you can manage it? Even if you somehow force yourself to lash out, you already know it won’t change a thing. You’re intelligent enough to understand that, aren’t you?"

"Ugh…! Ghh…!"
Bang!
Anima slammed her fist against the iron bars, her glare seething with unbridled fury—
But Serpina, as expected, remained completely unaffected, looking down at her with an unreadable expression.

"Let me give you a word of advice—you should eat."
"…What?"
"You boasted that you would kill me with your own hands, didn’t you? Then you should at least keep yourself alive long enough to do it. A former chief strategist of a nation should be responsible for the words they speak."

"…!!!"
Anima’s eyes widened in shock.
From the moment Serpina had stepped into this place and started speaking, she had worn the same expression.
A look that could be called boredom—or oppressive authority.
A gaze empty of warmth, yet not devoid of inner fire.
A cold, distant expression, as if she was always just out of reach.

"…"
Inside the underground prison of Hisphil Castle.
At last, Anima lowered her head.
Then, as if something had shifted within her, she grabbed the rye bread left in her cell and began devouring it with feral hunger.
There was no sense of dignity or restraint—just the sound of an animal feasting.

The loud chewing noises filled the dimly lit space.
And at that moment—
"…Fibiola Academy."

"!!!"
The moment that name left Anima’s lips—
For the first time, even if only for a fleeting instant, Serpina wavered.
Anima couldn’t have noticed since Serpina had her back turned, but her heart had undeniably trembled.

"You’ve heard the name before, haven’t you?
You erased that place just because it was supported by your rival."
"…"
"And it wasn’t just Fibiola Academy.
Serpina, there are countless others on this continent who seek your downfall.
One day… one of them will catch you off guard."

With those final words, the only sound that remained was the hurried chewing of bread.
Serpina didn’t turn back.
Without a single response, she left the prison.
Once she returned to the royal palace, Serpina sat upon the lord’s throne, lost in thought.

A story from the distant past.
Something that now felt like an eternity ago.
"Brother… why—why would you do such a thing?! What did those people ever do wrong—"
"Shut up! This was the only way!
To stop that fool from inheriting the throne, we had to consolidate our power!"

"But—!"
Smack!
"…Don’t overstep your bounds. Do you understand?"

"…"
Memories surfaced and then faded again.
Serpina slowly closed her eyes and forced herself to erase them.

It was pointless to recall them now.
From the moment she decided to carry the Eingart name—the grand vessel that would rebuild the empire—
She had accepted her fate.
She had to become the Empress who would unify the continent.

As her mind lingered on the past, the same recurring dream resurfaced.
A vision of a place she missed dearly,
A person she longed for,
A version of herself that looked… happy.
Me?
Happy… with someone?

‘What a sick joke.’
Serpina stopped thinking altogether.
She leaned back in the throne and closed her eyes.
A familiar ritual for when her heart grew too restless.
She exhaled, slowly, over and over again.

Until she could once again become what everyone expected her to be.
Until she could once again become the Absolute Tyrant of the North.
A woman who could face a thousand killing intents without flinching.

Whether this was truly the most efficient path…
She wasn’t sure.
But even so, she believed it was the best one.
And just as she always had, she would continue moving forward.

***
"Here, a total of 6,900 gold.
Your travel expenses are in the pouch at the top of the chest. An extra 1,000 gold has been included—it should be more than enough."
I accepted the wooden chest.
Inside, stacks of gold coins shimmered under the light, exuding an almost intoxicating sense of wealth.

"Thank you."
"Thank… me?"
"For bringing it all the way here. It must have been heavy."

"It’s nothing. This is part of my duty.
But still, I appreciate your concern, Lord Swen."
The soldier who had prepared my carriage saluted respectfully.
If I had the strength of a normal person, I would have at least carried it myself—
But unfortunately, I had to conserve my stamina for emergencies.

So, for now, it was best to accept the help.
"Are we ready to depart?"
At my question, the soldier suddenly remembered something.

"Ah, right. My lord, I have a message for you."
"What is it?"
"Our lord has assigned a bodyguard to accompany you.
They should be arriving shortly."

A bodyguard, huh.
It felt unnecessary since this was just a negotiation, but then again—
The opponent was Serpina.
If I succeeded in retrieving Anima,
having someone else there to help escort her back would be convenient.
"I understand."

"Yes, my lord. Then, if you’ll excuse me."
After the soldier left, I idly watched the clouds drift across the sky, passing the time.
And then—

"Swen."
A voice—one I had grown very familiar with—called out.
I turned toward it.

"…Airen?"
She stood before me, dressed in practical travel attire, her gaze steady.
It seemed she had been assigned as my escort.

Given her prowess, there was no better choice.
Wherever we went, I had nothing to fear with her by my side.
That much was expected.

But—
"…A-a-and… h-hello…!"
The problem was the pink-haired woman standing beside her.

A woman whose face I immediately recognized.
"…Reika?"
Airen and Reika.

A very… unusual combination.
I could only stare at them, speechless.