Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100% Accuracy

Serpina listened to the guard's report with one leg crossed over the other, resting her chin on her hand. At the mention of Anima, she extended her hand toward the guard in a dismissive gesture.
"Good. There’s no need for further reports on the prisoner. If anything requiring my attention arises, report it then."

"Understood!"
After saluting, the guard withdrew, leaving Serpina to her thoughts.
'If Anima is from Fibiola Academy… then that must be the source of her hostility toward me. There might be many others from that place within the Aishus Army as well.'

She recalled how unexpectedly sharp their response had been when she went to propose surrender—far too intense for a small nation. The pieces of the puzzle in her mind began to align, and she slowly closed her eyes.
'…Composure.'
A word she quietly murmured to herself whenever her emotions threatened to waver.

Now was not the time to dwell on the past. What mattered was not what had already happened but the present and the future.
Just as she was reorganizing her thoughts—
"Milady!"

A messenger hurried toward her.
"What is it?"
"The forces deployed to Zelstrom Castle have just returned."

Returned? That meant—defeat.
She had already known that victory was unlikely, which was why she had prepared a backup plan—successfully dealing a blow to the Aishus Army before retreating.
Yet, facing the reality of defeat left a bitter taste.

"I see. The remaining troops?"
"Approximately 23,000, including the wounded."
More than half were lost.

Serpina’s expression tensed slightly. Sensing this, the messenger cautiously added,
"However, the damage inflicted upon Zelstrom Castle was significant. It is unlikely they will attempt a counterattack anytime soon…?"
Serpina gave a slight nod.
"What about Bilans and Nemia?"

"General Bilans successfully led the retreating forces back safely, but… as for General Nemia…"
"…?"
Something felt off. Sensing the unease, Serpina stood up, making the messenger flinch and wave his hands hastily.

"N-No, milady! He has returned alive. However… he sustained serious injuries."
"Injuries?"
"Yes. He is in critical condition and requires absolute rest."

He wasn't dead.
Serpina felt a deep sense of relief settle within her, though she knew she could not allow such emotions to surface too openly. A ruler who repeatedly sent generals to the battlefield could not afford excessive sentimentality—doing so could weaken her dignity.
Still, she had no intention of ignoring the matter entirely.

"Take me to Nemia."
At her command, the messenger responded in a firm, loud voice, as if honored by the task.
"Yes! It would be our privilege. This way, please."

***
Serpina followed the messenger’s lead to the military hospital at Hisphil Castle.
Inside, doctors dispatched from the capital, Eingart Castle, were moving frantically. In one corner of the room, lying on a bed, was Nemia. She greeted Serpina with a weak, strained voice.

"Ah… Milady… you came…"
"There’s no need for unnecessary words, Nemia. Focus on resting."
Nemia—one of Serpina’s generals.

She wasn’t particularly outstanding in any field, nor did she possess extraordinary strength or talent.
But in Serpina’s mind, Nemia had always been a commander with a loud voice and eyes burning with passion for battle.
Yet now, she lay feeble and wounded, barely suppressing pained groans.

"I… I am ashamed, Milady… I swore that I would deliver Zelstrom Castle into your hands…"
"That is of no concern now."
Serpina turned her gaze toward the doctor standing beside her. Sensing the unspoken question, the doctor carefully responded.

"I was told there was massive blood loss in the midst of battle. If not for the decision to retreat quickly, she might not have survived."
"Blood loss…"
Serpina’s eyes trailed over Nemia’s body.

Yet there were no visible wounds severe enough to indicate life-threatening hemorrhaging.
Her head was bandaged, but… instinctively, Serpina felt that wasn't the real issue.
She had been told that Nemia had suffered serious injuries, so where—?

Then, her gaze landed on the white blanket covering Nemia’s lower body.
…No way.
Serpina slowly pulled back the blanket.

And at that moment, she finally saw the decisive wound that had forced the retreat.
Nemia’s right leg… was gone from the knee down.
As Serpina’s golden eyes widened in shock, Nemia let out a dry, self-deprecating laugh.

"Haha… I’m sorry. I ended up like this. If I had fought to the end, perhaps I could have taken Zelstrom Castle…"
"Nemia."
"Epinnel Rosenkross… she was exactly as powerful as the rumors say. As a fellow woman, I couldn't help but feel admiration for her strength. The moment our swords clashed, I knew—I could never defeat her. I did my best, but…"

"…"
"With a body like this… I can no longer serve as a general. After the war, I had hoped to return to my homeland and spend peaceful days with my family. But now, that dream feels as distant as a river that has already flowed past. Milady… I…"
"Nemia."

Serpina reached out, taking Nemia’s hands in her own.
Though still alive, Nemia’s hands felt unnaturally cold.
"Milady…"

"You did your best. Simply surviving and returning is enough."
"But because of my shortcomings, I forced our forces into a retreat. If only I had a little more time, I could have taken the castle…"
"If you truly believe you are lacking, then dedicate the life you have left to me."

At Serpina’s firm words, Nemia gave a bittersweet smile.
"But I can no longer step onto the battlefield. Even if I offer my insignificant life, I fear I would be more of a burden than a help to you."
"War isn’t fought solely on the battlefield, Nemia. Besides… don’t you still have a reason to continue working?"

"Milady…?"
"You once told me—you have five younger siblings."
Nemia’s eyes widened in shock.

"You… remembered…?"
It was something she had mentioned in passing when she first joined Serpina’s army.
She had never expected Serpina—who commanded countless officers and soldiers—to remember such a trivial thing.

After all, she was not an outstanding general.
She had never accomplished anything truly remarkable.
"And to feed them, you must continue working. Though it will be difficult now, you should rest for the time being. Your stipend will continue without interruption."

"B-But…"
"Once your body stabilizes, I’d like you to help train new recruits. Practical training is important, but so is theoretical knowledge. If you become a military instructor, teaching soldiers the tactics and lessons you've learned firsthand, that would be of great value. A general who has faced the brink of death has much to teach."
Nemia understood.

Even if she became an instructor, it would be more efficient to have someone with all their limbs demonstrate combat techniques.
And she was not particularly skilled in theory.
But if she retired completely, she would have no means to support her younger siblings.

She could no longer do manual labor—not with her injuries.
Serpina had considered all of this.
She was ensuring that Nemia would not be discarded.

"Milady…"
"Do you remember when you first swore allegiance to me? I told you to risk your lives and pledge your loyalty. If you still wish to keep that vow, then know this—I will never abandon those who follow me."
"…"

"Nemia. The dream of unifying the continent—the one you risked your life for—entrust it to me. I will stand on my own two legs and see that dream fulfilled. I will never forget the vision you placed in my hands."
"…Hhk."
Nemia’s body trembled slightly.

Then—tears streamed down her face.
Serpina was known as a ruthless tyrant, someone without blood or tears.
She was indeed cold and calculating, making decisions like a sharpened blade.

But to Nemia, she was the only ruler in the entire continent worth serving.
The one and only rightful sovereign.
And so, as Nemia silently wept, Serpina simply remained by her side.

Until her sobs finally subsided.
At that moment, another unfinished dream was added to the burden carried by the sovereign standing on two unwavering legs.
Hours later.

After finishing her visit at the hospital, Serpina returned to the royal castle, resuming her duties.
A soldier approached her.
"An envoy from the Aishus Army has arrived?"

"Yes, Milady."
An envoy from Aishus… likely here to negotiate for Anima’s release.
She had already been considering reaching out to them first.

‘If they’ve come this quickly… then Anima must be extremely important to them.’
In that case, she couldn’t simply hand her over for nothing.
This was how she survived in an era of turmoil—showing mercy to her own people while calculating benefits with everyone else.

If Anima was that valuable to Aishus, there was no reason not to exploit it.
"Where is the envoy?"
"Waiting in the audience chamber."

"Understood. I will see them now."
Serpina swiftly made her way toward the chamber, already considering what demands she could make.
Gold or treasure? No… perhaps she could claim Laccline Castle instead.

Upon entering the chamber, she took her seat and spoke in a low voice.
"Raise your head."
Finally, the envoy from Aishus entered her view.

And in that instant—
‘…What?’
Her sharp golden eyes widened in shock.

A young man with short, silver-white hair.
And the moment he lifted his head—
‘!!!’

Serpina’s world froze.
Her golden eyes, usually so composed, trembled violently.
White hair.

Grey eyes.
A face she had seen before.
That man—he looked exactly like the man from her dreams.

No… that wasn’t all.
If that was all, she wouldn’t have been this shocked.
Somehow, she felt as if she knew him.

That thought stirred something deep within her subconscious.
And then—
As she stared at his face, her heart began pounding wildly.

Until finally, a name she had never once spoken aloud slipped from her lips so naturally—
"…Swen…???"