Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100% Accuracy

"Is it true that Hispil Castle has fallen?"
"It is."

At Vanessa’s words, Karelia stroked her chin and muttered.
"…It feels as if the Serpina Army is right at our doorstep."
For now, the Roland Army and the Hesna Army were still positioned in the north, keeping Serpina's forces from expanding unchecked.

However, seeing the Brans Army—once thought to be the bulwark of the central continent—crumble like autumn leaves was a shocking development, even for Karelia.
"It’s an astonishing blitzkrieg. The moment Kelstein Castle fell, they advanced like a lightning strike."
"We should begin preparations as well."

"Preparations? What do you mean?"
Vanessa nodded.
"Even if the Brans Army hasn’t been completely defeated yet, at this rate, the Serpina Army will soon reach the borders of the Roland and Hesna Armies. That’s when we must strike."

"Vanessa, I understand your reasoning, but… No matter how powerful the Serpina Army may be, they will struggle to hold such a vastly expanded frontline. Moreover, the Aishus Army is positioned to the east, having already consolidated the neighboring nations. Roland Zenith is no fool—he won’t make a move while Hesna remains at his side."
The four southern nations were in a delicate balance—none could attack another without inviting retaliation, yet none dared to propose an alliance first.
For years, this fragile stability had persisted, locking the southern continent in an unspoken stalemate.

But with Serpina's aggressive expansion into the central continent, that equilibrium had begun to collapse.
"A window of opportunity will present itself. Serpina is a war-hungry ruler."
"Hmm… But even if we time it perfectly and attack the Roland Army, wouldn’t that put us in direct contact with the Serpina Army? That would stretch our frontlines even further. Are we truly prepared for that?"

At present, the Karelia Army bordered two nations—Roland to the north and Ohana to the east.
To the west lay an impassable mountain range connecting to the western continent, while to the south stretched the sea.
If they attacked a nation under Serpina's assault, they would inevitably find themselves entangled with Roland’s forces.

However—
Vanessa shook her head.
"My lord, that is not the course we should take."
"Not the course? What do you mean?"

"We must not attack the Roland Army."
"…What?"
Vanessa’s voice was firm as she continued.

"When Serpina invades Roland and Hesna, the nation we should strike is the one beside us—Ohana."
"…!"
Karelia’s eyes widened, staring at Vanessa in shock.

Then, as if realizing something, she nodded.
"…I see."
"Yes, my lord."

Vanessa bowed slightly, her tone respectful as she elaborated.
"Roland will be too occupied dealing with Serpina to concern themselves with us.
Attacking them directly wouldn’t be a bad move, but it would inevitably place us in direct confrontation with Serpina.

Instead, we must strike Ohana while Roland and Hesna are too preoccupied to interfere."
If the Karelia Army could seize Ohana without interference from the northern forces—
The long-standing deadlock among the four southern nations would be broken.

In other words, Karelia would rise as the dominant power in the south.
"Then… at last, the time has come."
Karelia fell into deep thought.

The key to taking Ohana was undoubtedly Tepello Castle—a crucial forward base.
"My lord, may I take full command of this operation?"
"You want full authority?"

"Yes. To execute this plan efficiently, I require temporary absolute authority as ruler."
Karelia’s power was absolute within her own army.
Not because of her personality, but because Vanessa—her chief strategist—had carefully molded the power structure to ensure complete military control under Karelia’s name.

Granting Vanessa full authority, even temporarily, was tantamount to handing her absolute rule over the nation.
Karelia hesitated only briefly.
If she was being objective, there was no question—Vanessa was far more capable when it came to warfare.

Her governing philosophy had always been to assign people to roles based on their abilities, regardless of status or past achievements.
It was that same principle that had led her to appoint Lunarian as the lord of Tepello Castle, despite her recent arrival.
Now, she was simply following that same principle once more.

"Very well. Vanessa, I entrust this to you."
"I will bring you victory."
Vanessa bowed deeply.

This was the first time in Karelia's history that anyone other than Karelia herself had held absolute power.
***
"You’re saying we should conscript more soldiers?"

"That is correct."
Luna, the lord of Tepello Castle, frowned.
"But as you know, a plague recently swept through our lands. If we conscript soldiers now… many citizens will be left without caretakers."

Several territories, including Tepello Castle and parts of Ohana, had been ravaged by a deadly epidemic.
Although the disease had subsided, its scars remained.
Conscripting men now would mean taking away able-bodied adults from already struggling families.

It would be a heavy burden on the people.
But the officer delivering the order remained firm.
"The command is to raise a combat-ready force of a certain size—by any means necessary."

"By order of our lord? Is this truly Karelia’s command?"
Luna found it difficult to believe.
Karelia was more concerned about the welfare of her people than anyone—perhaps even more than Luna herself.

Would she really issue such a harsh order?
Then—
The officer muttered something curious under his breath.

"…It is effectively our lord’s command, so please see to its execution immediately."
"…What do you mean by that?"
The officer hesitated before bowing his head.

"My lady, all I can tell you is that this is the will of our lord. Please respect that decision."
"……."
The final wording confirmed it—

"Effectively Karelia’s command."
Which meant the order had not come from Karelia directly.
That detail gnawed at Luna.

If not Karelia… then who?
Luna shook her head slightly.
There was no use pressing this officer for answers.

He was simply a messenger, carrying out orders from above.
"…I understand. I will obey the command."
"Thank you, my lady. I take my leave."

After the officer departed, Luna sat in the lord’s chair, deep in thought.
"Military expansion, huh…"
She didn’t want to conscript her people—not now.

But this was an order from Karelia.
And more than that—
She had sworn loyalty to Karelia.

Personal feelings aside, as a vassal, it was her duty to obey.
"Is there a better way…?"
A face flickered in her mind.

A man with white hair—
The one who had always illuminated her path when she was lost.
"Swen… what would you do in this situation…?"

She repeated the question in her mind, over and over.
Did she seek his wisdom?
Or did she simply miss the air of Zeilant Castle, where they had once danced together?

She didn’t know the answer.
But there was one truth she could no longer deny.
She missed Swen.

Terribly.
***
Ever since the talks of Reika’s marriage had begun—

A lot had happened.
Hernandorf had moved to Raklein Castle, where Anima ruled.
Epinnel and Emma had been stationed at Zelstrom Castle, previously part of Charam’s territory.

Epinnel had been appointed as Zelstrom's new lord.
These castles all bordered the Serpina Army.
While Valharat Castle also stood at the frontlines, it was farther from immediate conflict and had the Aishus Army’s ruler, Yuri, present.

Their forces had been split strategically—key generals deployed to fortify their positions.
Some had proposed an immediate offensive against the Brans Army,
But with Serpina’s advance, such a plan was no longer feasible.

If they engaged the Brans Army now, they risked leaving themselves vulnerable to a sudden attack from Serpina.
"Still… Serpina’s advance seems to have slowed."
After taking Kelstein Castle, Serpina had stormed south as if intent on consuming the entire central continent.

Yet after capturing Hispil Castle, the frontlines had suddenly fallen quiet.
There were no reports of battles with the Brans Army.
"Something feels… off."

The calm before the storm was always the most unnerving.
Then—
A familiar voice called out hesitantly.

"Um… Sir Swen?"
"…Ah."
He turned to see Reika’s pink eyes gazing at him intently.

"Are you… worried about something?"
Just then, a maid rushed toward them.
"Sir Swen…!"

"What is it?"
She was pale, sweat beading on her forehead despite the cold.
And in the next moment—

She delivered the words he had feared.
"S-Sir… The Serpina Army… has invaded our lands!"