I Became a Strategist with 100 Intelligence and 100% Accuracy

Luna gazes blankly at the broken quill in her hand with deadened eyes.

That’s right.

What am I doing here…?

I feel like I was just talking to someone…

Ah, it was Violet. But why…?

Oh yeah… Jinoru went on a mission, so Violet was acting as the nation’s strategist.

But…

Does it really matter that much?

Isn’t it all meaningless anyway?

Why did I rebuild this country again?

To save the suffering people of my territory?

Because I couldn’t hand the continent over to Serpina, who killed my sister?

Sure, those were reasons… but it was also because I wanted to be by that person’s side again.

I believed we could build an ideal nation together.

And I wanted to repay that person – my savior, the only one who ever chose me when no one else would.

That person knows…

Knows that Serpina is the woman who killed my sister.

Knowing that… why… why did you make such a choice…?

―I was the first one Sir Swoen chose.

I came first.

Meeting Sir Swoen, becoming his strategist – everything started with me…!

The broken quill offers no answer.

The shattered heart receives none either.

Not that answers don’t exist… they simply aren’t given.

“Why…”

Why…

The word pierces Luna’s mind like a needle over and over again.

“Why… why did you accept her proposal?”

If you wanted to refuse, you certainly had the chance to reject that position…

Why… why must the person who should belong solely to me take up that hateful woman’s strategist role!!!

*Crack*

“!!!”

Only when the quill in her hand shattered into pieces did Luna begin to regain her senses bit by bit.

As soon as she regained her composure, an unpleasant conclusion surfaced in Luna’s mind.

“Did you decide to serve Lady Serpina as your liege?”

Even though our army has reappeared on the map…

Even after defeating Karelia…

Considering all the information Luna possessed, it felt like the most likely scenario when she thought about Sir Swoen becoming the strategist for the Serpina Army.

Though she kept telling herself it couldn’t be true.

Someone of Sir Swoen’s caliber wouldn’t willingly serve an evil woman like Serpina.

She assumed he must have been coerced – that explanation fit better within Luna’s understanding.

Still…

Being offered the position of national strategist meant this wasn’t just a simple case of coercion…

Even Luna understood that much.

Serpina isn’t a foolish woman.

While there are cases like Yuri where seemingly normal women make irrational decisions, Luna knew Serpina wasn’t that kind of person if she managed to conquer the Northern Continent.

If Sir Swoen truly decided to serve Serpina…

Then it must be respected.

Though he promised to return, looking back, all Luna had done was take from him unilaterally.

After all, he was the one who saved her when she was about to die.

Sir Swoen had already given her more than enough opportunities to achieve greatness.

He gave her everything – her life, her chances, her motivation to move forward.

Therefore…

Being saved along with Tifa and Cain by him…

And receiving advice that helped establish the “New Lunarien Army”…

She should be satisfied with that and support Sir Swoen’s new decision as a human being ought to do.

“I… I…”

Luna simply couldn’t let go of her connection to Sir Swoen.

If she acknowledged that fact – if she admitted he chose Serpina over her… she felt like she might completely fall apart.

It felt like she truly couldn’t do anything about it since it was a matter for the ruler.

The sole beacon she had followed to reach this position…

She had never once imagined a future where someone other than Sir Swoen held the strategist’s position by her side.

Therefore… she steered her thoughts in another direction once again.

“Hold on…”

If Sir Swoen really decided to serve Serpina, why send Jinoru here?

Wouldn’t he have naturally guided someone like Jinoru to serve Serpina as well?

Yet he specifically sent him to serve her, which allowed her to capture the fleeing Karelia forces in time.

A small question became the spark that set off a whirlwind of thoughts in Luna’s mind.

It was hope – a tiny glimmer of hope.

Her instinct to maintain her sanity combined with her absolute trust that “Sir Swoen must have a plan” created this self-defense mechanism.

“So… originally… did Sir Swoen intend to come to our army?”

Jinoru’s presence, the mercenaries – everything ultimately seemed to fit into a grand strategy drawn up by Sir Swoen.

His advice to “not miss the opportunity” led Luna to seize her chance and defeat the Karelia army.

Clearly, when he made his original promise, he intended to return to her side.

Once she reached this conclusion, Sir Swoen’s actions began to make sense.

Moving from the Brance Army to the Aishias Army, then to the Serpina Army… transferring between nations felt natural now that she realized Sir Swoen intended to return to their army.

For some reason, Sir Swoen decided to remain by Serpina’s side.

Accepting the position of strategist must have been his own choice. So why did he choose to stay?

Tricked by Serpina? No, Serpina may be talented but Sir Swoen wouldn’t fall for her tricks.

If not tricked, then the reason must be…

“…She’s manipulating him.”

The kind and compassionate heart of Sir Swoen is being cunningly exploited by the witch Serpina through clever words.

At least to Luna, Sir Swoen’s kindness was a given fact – someone incapable of compassion wouldn’t throw away their life for others.

Because of his sympathy, Sir Swoen can’t bring himself to abandon Serpina despite wanting to return here…

“!!”

Luna shot up from her chair.

Life began returning to her previously lifeless eyes.

“That’s right! Sir Swoen is being manipulated. For some reason, out of sympathy for Serpina… he can’t bring himself to leave her side!”

She must have used every method available to her.

While Serpina was an infamous villainess, one couldn’t deny her exceptional charm as a woman.

Even back when her sister was alive, she heard Serpina described as the most beautiful woman among those encountered.

Luna didn’t think Sir Swoen would be swayed by mere feminine beauty, but if Serpina played the tragic victim card, it made sense that the kind-hearted Sir Swoen could be influenced.

So she tied him down, unable to move either way, keeping him by her side. Naturally, his extraordinary abilities were her only purpose.

Thinking this way, the confusion that plagued her moments ago cleared up instantly.

That’s right.

It’s all that woman’s fault.

The legendary villainess and demon incarnate, Serpina von Einhardt, whose very name deserves endless curses.

“Serpina!!!”

Luna clenched her trembling fists.

Through ambition for the imperial throne, she murdered her brothers with her own hands.

She massacred countless territorial citizens, plunging the continent into chaos.

Not only did she kill her only blood relative, Luna’s sister, just for being related to her brother…

Now she dared to covet MY Sir Swoen?!

“Absolutely… absolutely cannot allow this…”

Upon reflection, the solution was incredibly simple.

Lunarien killed Karelia, who was practically their benefactor, to seize the opportunity and re-emerge on the continent.

Karelia stood directly in the way of Lunarien achieving its goals. Keeping her alive would have prevented swift recovery or even led to defeat and death.

It’s the same situation.

Just as they killed Karelia to seize the opportunity, if they want to keep Sir Swoen by their side…

All they need to do is eliminate the obstacle standing in their way – Serpina von Einhardt.

This would be far easier than dealing with Karelia. Karelia was a benefactor, but Serpina was a wicked woman deserving death.

With a thud, Luna slumped back into her chair.

That’s right. To obtain what she desires…

All she needs to do is kill whatever stands in her way.

Why waste time agonizing over such trivial matters?

Luna burst out laughing with her mouth wide open.

Unexplained tears welled up in her ruby-colored eyes.

“Sir Swoen… please wait just a little longer. I’ll definitely kill that wicked witch disrupting your heart and bring you back… just as you saved me…”

Whoever stands in her way…

She’ll kill them all…

Tears continued streaming down her cheeks as she muttered to herself.

At this moment, Lunarien realized this “incredibly simple truth.”

One undeniable fact remained – it was making her closer to becoming a unifying sovereign.

―Everything was flowing precisely as predicted by Divinity 100.

* * *

In the audience chamber of the Einhardt Royal Palace.

I was discussing the final plans for the Chel Army occupation with Serpina alone.

“So you’re referring to a replacement for Iren?”

“Yes. For an efficient occupation plan, I believe General Iren should return to her original position as deputy commander of the occupying forces.”

While she was suitable for protecting Serpina above all others…

Objectively speaking, using her solely as a bodyguard was extremely inefficient, and Serpina was someone who understood this better than anyone.

“I agree with that… however, I’m still cautious about who to trust.”

Serpina said this while resting her chin in her hand.

It couldn’t be helped. The mind of someone who nearly got killed by someone they trusted so much would surely remain complex for the rest of their life.

“If you haven’t considered anyone for the position, I’ll appoint someone directly.”

“Is that so, Swoen?”

“Yes.”

There was one person in particular.

Someone with decent swordsmanship skills, unlikely to betray easily under normal circumstances, and whose absence from the occupying army wouldn’t cause significant problems.

“Since it’s you recommending someone, Swoen, I can trust your judgment. Who do you suggest?”

Maintaining eye contact with Serpina, I responded.

“Appoint Jenis Al Caskey as your bodyguard.”

---