Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100% Accuracy

Serpina’s Army: The Capital of Eingart Castle, Former Capital of the Old Empire
"My lord, General Irian’s forces, leading the attack on Kelstein Castle, have departed on schedule."
"Mm."

The news of a rebellion within the Brans Army had already reached Serpina. The rebellious forces, who had allied with the Aishus army, had been sent to be suppressed—but that, too, had failed. Serpina didn't know why it had come to this, but one thing was certain: she would never let this rare opportunity slip away. Serpina was not an easy woman to defeat.
Of course, she quickly gathered her forces and immediately launched the invasion of Kelstein Castle.
She hadn't expected the long-awaited goal of advancing into the central continent to unfold so disappointingly, but she was a woman of pragmatism, not honor. The outcome was far more important than the journey it took to get there.

Serpina extended her hand toward the messenger with a satisfied expression. Perhaps it was because of her stunning beauty, but even the simple act of reaching out seemed almost ethereal, like something from a fairytale—a goddess in human form. With her shining golden hair and intense golden eyes, it was impossible for anyone not to acknowledge her extraordinary presence.
‘This woman… was born to rule over us.’
"Truly, you’ve worked hard. There is nothing more to report, so you may rest until further orders."

"Yes, my lord!"
After dismissing the messenger, Jenna, the national strategist who had been standing beside Serpina, moved closer and asked,
"If it's about General Irian...?"

"Yes. He is the son of General Crelmton Al Kasky, who died last year. He has just turned 18."
"I see. I heard he graduated top of his class from the Eingart Academy."
Serpina tilted her head slightly, intrigued by Jenna’s words.

"Is that so? That's the first I've heard of it."
"I’ve also heard he’s highly regarded by the generals fighting along the borders. He’s said to possess exceptional spear skills, even for a noble house like the Al Kaskys."
"Is that so?"

Serpina replied coolly.
"Names and titles mean nothing in this country. This isn’t an era where one survives just because they belong to a prestigious family or are a noble. If he’s truly that exceptional, he should prove it on the battlefield."
"I agree, my lord."
Aside from Irian Al Kasky, Serpina’s army was full of young, talented individuals. Though the northern continent, where Eingart Castle was located, was less fertile than the central regions, Serpina had seized the vast territory of the old empire, and the overwhelming legitimacy she inherited from the old regime made her army’s pool of talent incomparable to any other faction.

While there may not have been many legendary generals whose names would be remembered throughout the continent, Serpina’s army boasted more than enough capable commanders who could excel in any situation, in any place. Their ability to always exceed expectations made Serpina’s army the dominant force across the continent.
"But more importantly, the report is late."
"The report? Are you referring to the white-haired man?"

Serpina turned her gaze to Jenna for the first time.
"Yes. I told you, didn’t I? I need to see that man’s face for myself."
"Well... I didn’t mean to delay the report, but his movements have been so widespread that..."

"Mm?"
Serpina raised one eyebrow slightly, intrigued. Despite the small change in her expression, an overwhelming aura of beauty and grace radiated from her, captivating anyone who looked.
"First, the information about the rebellion within Brans Army."

"Are you talking about Airen, the red-haired knight, defecting to the Aishus army?"
"Yes. But I’ve found out that Airen wasn’t the only one who betrayed us."
"You're bringing this up now...?"

"Yes."
Jenna nodded, confirming the information.
"The white-haired man is also said to have betrayed us along with her."

"I haven’t heard his name yet."
"His name is Swen. Before performing what seemed like magic at the fortress, he wasn’t very well-known."
‘Swen...’

Serpina repeated the name in her mind. It was clearly the first time she had heard it. Yet, when she muttered the name, the shape of the lips forming 'ㅡ' and 'ㅔ' brought an oddly calming feeling inside her. Why was it that simply repeating this unfamiliar name brought such a strange sensation?
"Anyway, he’s now part of the Aishus army. Since then, he hasn’t really made any noteworthy moves."
"I see."

Serpina tapped the armrest of her throne with her fingers.
"What do you think we should do?"
"Brans Army is already finished. With the borders breached, there’s no chance left. Once we move toward the central region, we will inevitably come into contact with Aishus army’s borders. Isn’t that so?"

"Are you suggesting...?"
"It’s simple. I’ve always done what I’ve wanted when I had the chance. I’ll repeat the same steps."
Serpina smiled, her lips curling into a provocative grin—an alluring smile that could captivate anyone who saw it.

"If that man is hiding in the Aishus army, I’ll simply crush the Aishus army. Now that I’ve got what I want, I’ll make sure they release it."
"...."
Jenna hesitated, then cautiously asked her lord,

"My lord, I have one question."
"What is it?"
"Why do you want to meet that man, Swen? Is it... that he is truly such an essential asset to our army? I did mention the possibility that he could be a magician, but since the incident at the fortress in northern Kelstein, there has been no news of any similar magical feats."

At first, Jenna had thought that if they could bring Swen into their ranks, they should do everything to secure him, as he might be the long-awaited magician who had appeared in the continent. However, since that day, he had been rather quiet, doing nothing miraculous, not even lifting a stone, let alone performing any magic. The recent defeat of Brans Army at the hands of Aishus, she heard, had nothing to do with his so-called "miracle."
Moreover, he was a traitor, having betrayed his lord once. Regardless of his reasons, Jenna believed that such a man lacked merit as a subordinate general.
"...."

Serpina, too, easily understood why Jenna was asking such questions. However, she did not provide a clear answer.
No, to be exact, she could not answer.
Her desire to meet the white-haired man was, in fact, not about recruiting talent but a deeply personal wish.

At first, she thought the man might have been someone she had encountered in her dreams several times. But after realizing that a white-haired young man actually existed, she began to feel an inexplicable, almost primal pull toward him. This was a sensation Serpina had never felt in her life before.
"....I don’t know... It may sound foolish, but it’s true."
"I see."

Jenna, sensing the finality in her lord’s tone, refrained from pressing further.
"Looks like the noisy days are about to continue again."
"Yes, my lord. I will continue to work toward the day when you reunite the continent and revive the glorious history of the Eingart Empire."

"...."
Serpina made no response to Jenna’s seemingly loyal words.
After Jenna excused herself to attend to other matters, Serpina remained alone in the audience hall, contemplating the words she had heard.

The glorious Eingart Empire... that phrase left a bitter taste in her mouth.
The ‘glorious Eingart Empire,’ the empire that had consumed everything in its path, flashed through her mind.
‘...Tch.’

For a moment, the past began to surface, but she quickly pushed those thoughts away. Her memories, as if painted over with black ink, dissolved into the fog, sealed deep within her heart.
For Serpina, thinking about the past was no longer allowed.
What was permitted was only the relentless pursuit of unifying the continent as a perfect sovereign. After that moment—after that “event”—she had lived solely for the empire’s reconstruction. Any feelings of cursing her bloodline or lamenting her fate had long since been abandoned.

Perhaps...
This desire to meet the man, Swen, was a small deviation from her singular focus on the empire’s restoration. She simply wanted to see his face, to confirm that he was not the same figure from her dreams. If she could do that, she would no longer have to wrestle with the resurfacing memories.
‘Swen... if you are truly the man from my dreams...’

Before her thoughts could spiral further, Serpina quickly pushed her personal feelings aside. She had to be Serpina von Eingart, the ruler of this land, not a woman with personal desires.
Once she met him, everything would be settled.
She continued waiting for something that might never come.

***
As I had expected, Serpina's forces began their advance on Kelstein Castle again. We could hold them off with all our might, but doing so would only leave us exposed to Aishus’ forces.
The Brans Army, once the dominant force in the central region, had fallen at an astonishing speed.

A few days later, news came that the Aleffel army had disappeared from the continent and been absorbed into Aishus’ domain. The lord of Aleffel, Aleffel himself, was said to have disappeared, likely executed. The takeover had been swift, as Aleffel’s forces had been on the brink of collapse before their retreat.
Charam’s forces remained, but Yuri’s goal was never to defeat Charam; it was always to take Raklein Castle from Brans Army. She hadn’t sent out an additional expedition to conquer Charam, but if she took Raklein Castle, it would solidify her position as a powerful lord.
Now, Aishus had begun to expand its influence and assert its presence on the continent.

Since that day, Airen and I had returned to our duties at Valharat Castle. The Aishus Three—Epinnel, along with her two generals—were leading the invasion forces, and Airen remained in the capital to train the troops as the head of the capital defense.
As for me, I was assisting Reika with her training as per Jinor and Yuri’s request.
Yuri, the one who had helped me establish a powerful foundation, continued to promote and rely on her trusted generals. While it could have been a source of resentment for those who earned high positions through merit, both Airen and I were more than satisfied with this treatment.

The best part was that Airen no longer had to be sent to the frontlines. With the coming battles with Lunarian forces, and considering how much we had already done for Aishus, we were content.
"Well then, I’ll be off."
"Mm. See you tonight."

"Make sure to brew that tea for me. The one with the smoky scent."
"Yes."
Airen nodded with a smile. It felt natural to be with her now. In fact, I would feel empty if she weren’t around.

‘...I wonder when Luna will begin her campaign again.’
Maybe that’s why I’ve been so eager lately. I was counting the days until Luna’s army reappeared on the historical stage. Once we joined Lunarian forces, I planned to propose to Airen. Of course, there was a chance she would reject me, but I figured it was better to at least ask to avoid any future regret.
‘If I propose to Airen, will she accept? I wish I could predict the answer.’

I could almost predict that the answer would be “unknown.” A mind with 100 intelligence can predict the outcomes of wars, but it can never predict the heart of another person. It was a frustrating cheat ability at times, but at least I had it. After all, it had allowed me to save Airen.
With those thoughts, I arrived at the Nighhardt estate.
Now, it was time to spend some time with Reika.

‘Let’s go in.’
I stepped into the estate.