episode_0070

I thought about the predicted results again.

[It depends on heaven’s will]?

I have seen this prediction before.

This was not to say that it was literally up to the heavens, but it was a prediction that meant that the outcome would depend on my own actions rather than something else.

but… … What does it mean that winning or losing a war depends on my actions and not others?

Although my intelligence was high, my strength was ridiculously low. Leadership will probably be low. Those were the virtues of a general, not a strategist.

Of course, it’s not that strange for a tactician to lead a battle to victory with ingenious tactics, but I was a tactician who liked words, but when it came to tactics, I was no better than a poor strategist.

But the outcome of the battle depends on my choices?

Also, how close is it to retreating?

I was completely fascinated by two predictions that were absolutely correct, but had no connection whatsoever.

“Swen?”

Epinel, who had no way of knowing that I was in confusion, repeatedly urged me to answer.

Only then was I able to answer in a somewhat calm tone.

“Yes? ah… … Yes, I think Epinel is right.”

Although the response was a little late, the situation seemed to have been overcome somehow.

“Everyone, listen! It has been decided that we will fight at the fortress, so we can prepare for battle. Musel, Jayden, and Irene. I have high expectations for you three.”

“”Okay!””

In this way, the decision was made not by Jinor’s opinion of retreat, but by Epinel’s opinion of resistance.

“Then, everyone can return to their respective positions.”

After Epinel finished speaking, everyone left and only Iren and I were left in the empty conference room.

“Swen? Is something wrong?”

“Irene.”

Iren is one of the main forces.

In a situation where one or two generals were lacking, she was destined to go to the battlefield and fight.

If I can’t find the ‘optimal number’ here… … It was she who became dangerous.

“If you have any concerns, it’s okay to tell me.”

“No. It looks like he’s just a little nervous ahead of the battle.”

“I see.”

Iren said with a faint smile.

“You don’t have to worry, Swen. Even if I have to turn my back on Acious, I will protect you as much as I can.”

“You’re turning your back on Acious. You’re prone to saying things that would cause big trouble if others hear them.”

“It doesn’t matter. What is important to me is not other people, but you, Swen. Didn’t I tell you? I will live for you.”

Iren’s words must be sincere, not bravado.

Just now, when Epinel told me to hold a ancestral rite, I tried to intervene and stop her.

Even though she had just arrived, and it was clear that she would be hated if the culprit who brought about the Brans army’s invasion carelessly intervened and expressed a strong opinion, she tried to step forward without any hesitation.

The reason was not difficult to guess.

She said I behaved like that… … I believed that when I performed a ancestral rite and performed a miracle, I was risking my life.

Maybe if the only way for us to win is for me to summon the meteorite again, she would rather choose to lose.

For Irene’s sake, I had to find the right answer.

“I would do the same, Irene.”

“Yes… … I know.”

It was so lovely to see Irene smiling while saying that.

Was that why?

I approached Irene and lightly hugged her.

Because it was a bit of an impulsive action, I felt her body flinch slightly –

She immediately opened her arms and placed her hands on my waist.

Instead of rejecting me, he accepted me into his world.

This feeling I get from her warmth.

It was a feeling that made me feel alive and made me live.

So we shared a silent hug for a while.

“… … Swen. I’ll be down there doing what I have to do, so feel free to come by whenever you need me.”

“Okay.”

After Iren left the conference room, I was left alone in this quiet place.

I sat down and whispered quietly to myself.

‘good. ‘Let’s try one more time.’

This is exactly what I, an ordinary modern person who can’t do anything except make predictions that are 100% accurate, and who doesn’t know anything about strategy and tactics, struggled to survive.

The moment has come to do some sort of ‘reasoning’ one more time.

Erasing all the impossible things.

As a result, the only thing left is the truth, even if it seems nonsense.

It will definitely happen this time too.

I started to think calmly.

There are two ‘absolute truths’ given to me.

Here, defeating the disease and retreating is [somewhat close].

And the victory or defeat of this battle [depended on the will of heaven], that is, it depended on my choice.

Let’s summarize them one by one.

When I first heard it, I was confused for a moment.

Here, ‘my choice’ means that the prediction made by a brain with 100 intelligence is not based on my position, but on the position of the ‘Acous County’, that is, the country, to which I currently belong –

Rather than me, Swen, it would be more correct to see this as meaning that our military can win if it makes some good choices here.

After thinking about it calmly, it came down to that.

Then, what does it mean for our military to do something? … .

‘Doing something first… … Or, preparing for something from the enemy… … ‘Is it one or the other?’

Only then did I slowly take out the paper from my clothes.

This place is west of Balharat Castle. In other words, it was the area east of Lacline Castle, the easternmost point of Brans County.

That meant that this place was included in the scope of the ‘map around the border area of Brans County’ that I had previously drawn.

If you need to prepare for something, you can definitely find a hint in the terrain.

I unfolded the map and carefully checked the terrain and surroundings of the fortress from Lacline Castle to Balharat Castle.

‘There’s a lot more forest here and there than I thought.’

Wouldn’t that forest around be a clue?

Is there a way to use that, or… … .

‘… … no.’

Let’s change our thinking.

Is it time to think from the other person’s perspective, rather than from our own perspective?

‘If I were in Brans County, how would I act?’

If I were Chell Brans.

If it was Farfalle, Brans’s military strategist, what were his thoughts?

On what basis was the decision to ‘send 50,000 troops to the fortress’ made?

I slowly cleared my head and focused on my thoughts.

If I were in Brans’ position… … .

‘… … If that was the case, I wouldn’t send any soldiers.’

When I thought about it, I felt like I couldn’t understand the fact that I had suddenly dispatched troops.

That’s why.

It might feel a little funny from a listener’s perspective, but… … Still, I couldn’t help but upload it.

‘On this side… … ‘Because I have ‘Swen’.’

‘Because we can’t ignore Swen’s existence… … ‘He wouldn’t have hit the soldier like that.’

I predicted a natural disaster and acted as if I had caused it.

This is also from the time when he was a member of the Brans Army.

It occurred to me that there was no way Brans, let alone other countries, would have missed this point.

Farfalle, the current national strategist of Brans County, was not a woman so stupid that she did not even consider such basic things.

Of course this would have been taken into consideration.

Nevertheless, the reason for sending the soldiers… … .

* * *

Lacline St.

There, Chell and Farfalle were talking alone.

There was only one map depicting the surrounding terrain on the table.

“Master. I’m really glad that you seem to have been doing well without any problems so far.”

“I heard about it. I heard your lord told you to occupy the territory of Aethius County?”

“That’s right. It feels very reassuring to know that Teacher Farfalle is with you.”

“I feel like I have gained a lot of strength by having General Chell at the forefront.”

A proper greeting has passed.

Chell got straight to the point.

“First of all, the enemy commander guarding the fortress is Epinel Rosencross.”

Epinel Rosencross.

A woman who is evaluated as the most outstanding general in the Aishous Army, with excellent abilities in every area.

The famous 3 girls of Acious that Farfalle is also familiar with.

Among them, Hernandorf was the most powerful, and Emma was the one with excellent leadership skills and a sharp mind.

And it was Epinel who could embrace these two people through leadership.

If there is a problem with the identity of Baranga Yuuri Acious, the fact that the person who will take over the throne afterward will almost 100% be Epinel will be a sufficient explanation of what kind of person she is.

“After checking, there were about 48,000 troops. Of course, since it is a fortress and not a castle, there should be a good chance of victory if you bring a lot of siege weapons and organize the troops that intercepted you… … My lord said that he would send additional troops here as soon as the western front is cleared. I’m wondering if it’s better to wait for those troops, or if I should go in right away without giving the opponent time to prepare.”

After finishing speaking, Chell looked straight at Farfalle and said.

“I would like to ask the inspector’s opinion.”

“… … Can I tell you what I think?”

Farfalle said, pointing his finger at the map in front of him.

“It is correct to say that in the current situation, it is impossible to attack the fortress no matter what tactics are used. It is unreasonable to wage an all-out war in the first place.”

“Impossible? I’m sorry, but I don’t quite understand what you’re saying.”

“Have you forgotten, General? What happened in the northern fortress?”

“… … !”

What happened in the North.

Within Brans County, it has long since become a thing that occurred when a stone fell from the sky.

And, after hearing that, I felt like I knew what Farfalle was talking about.

“Ah… … .”

“The traitor is not just Irene Juliette. Under her, there was a general named Swen. He is a very insightful man, and is smart enough to see through Aceus’s plans. According to the rumor, Swen caused such a miracle by communicating with heaven by making a big fuss and holding a sacrifice in the fortress. What if our army exposes its full strength and rushes into the fortress? Will they obediently intercept and fight? Wouldn’t you like to perform the same ritual this time and knock on heaven’s door once more?”

Chell didn’t answer anything and just listened to her with a serious expression.

“I don’t know exactly how his abilities are manifested, or whether it’s really magic like the rumors going around, but from our military’s perspective, there’s no need to test his abilities, right?”

“… … Hmm.”

“Of course, if you think about it that way, the question remains as to ‘Why didn’t they come in with that ability a long time ago?’… … As I said before, there is no reason for us to test his abilities.”

“Then what should I do? Isn’t there virtually no chance of winning?”

“It’s not that there is no way.”

Farfalle moved his finger to where Lacline Castle was located.

“First of all, in order to achieve ultimate victory in this battle, we need to sortie to the fortress immediately. No, to be precise… … The very fact that you went on a sortie is something that is necessary.”

After listening to that, Chell nodded and said, as if she realized something.

“Then what the inspector said was… … .”

“Yes.”

Farfalle nodded.

“Soldiers sortie towards the fortress are-”

* * *

“… … The soldiers sortie towards the fortress are bait to tie me up… … Is it?”

I muttered without realizing it.

After thinking about it over and over again, this is the answer sheet I came up with after thinking about ‘What would I have done if I were Brans?’

bait.

The thought that the advance team approaching this place might be bait could not leave my mind.