Ch.124Chapter 124. Opinion Proposal Meeting (3)

“……Then, I’ll explain my reasoning.”

“Please, speak freely.”

However.

As for reasoning, I don’t really have anything to say.

My decisive evidence is the prediction result from Intelligence 100. There’s no way I could explain that in words.

Even if I tried to explain it, I didn’t think it would convince Serpina.

Considering the time with Ian, she would only move her troops if there was a thoroughly convincing reason.

So what approach should I take here?

‘If there’s definitely going to be a certain outcome anyway…’

It meant such a result was inevitable.

If I were Yurie and planning to secretly attack Serpina’s army from behind using the river—what would my thought process be?

I should start by thinking about that.

Just as I was about to open my mouth—

“Wait.”

Serpina said, slightly extending her pale white hand.

“Before hearing your reasoning, may I share my opinion first?”

“Please do.”

“Then I won’t hold back.”

Serpina spoke while slowly unfolding her hands.

“If the Aeshus army truly launches a surprise attack via that river, Amir Castle will certainly be in danger. If we’re caught completely unaware, we might temporarily lose the castle. However, no matter how many times I consider it, I’m not convinced this would benefit the Aeshus army significantly.”

After saying this, Serpina glanced at Jenna.

Jenna slowly nodded and continued her thought.

“Since their route is limited to the river, there’s a natural limit to how many troops they can deploy. Even if they continue to reinforce, we could easily recapture the castle by blocking them off. I don’t believe they would launch such a reckless attack when they must know this.”

Indeed, from the Aeshus army’s perspective, this plan was close to a gamble.

They would need to cross the river without being detected, which would take considerable time, and the limited supply lines would restrict the number of troops they could deploy.

While they might land one strong blow, they couldn’t seriously advance into the northern continent through this route.

“As my lord mentioned, losing Amir Castle would put us in a difficult situation momentarily. But as I said, if we’ll ultimately recapture it, then the Aeshus army gains nothing from going to such lengths. Currently, Swen’s opinion suggests that they would invade this area despite the difficulties just for a one-time impact, but—”

“That’s exactly it!”

“…!”

I quickly bowed my head to Jenna, who was startled.

“Please forgive my rudeness, Lady Jenna. However, what you just mentioned is precisely the Aeshus army’s aim, so I couldn’t help but interject.”

“Their aim, you say?”

“—Impact. Yurie needs something that will shock everyone.”

Ironically, hearing the word “impact” made the overall picture gradually become clearer in my mind.

“As my lord knows, I originally served Yurie in the Aeshus army.”

“Indeed you did.”

“Having spent time by their side, I certainly understand how they think and operate.”

Serpina tapped the armrest with her finger, showing interest in my words.

“Continue.”

“To explain simply, we need to consider the current situation of the Aeshus army.”

I spoke with exaggerated gestures, in a relaxed tone as if I were an eloquent speaker.

“Currently, Baranga Yurie Aeshus is likely going through a rather dangerous time as a ruler.”

“Why?”

She asks despite knowing full well.

Her clear intention to test me wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

It was better to deal with someone whose intentions were transparent than someone completely unreadable.

“My presence here is precisely the reason.”

“Meaning…?”

Jenna, who was standing beside her, chimed in.

Wondering if she already knew the general situation, I asked lightly, and she nodded slowly.

Then I wouldn’t need to explain multiple times.

“Baranga Yurie Aeshus made the worst possible move as a ruler by letting me go when I was sent here as an envoy.”

No matter how important Anima Ingram was to her, sacrificing another general for her sake was the worst move both microscopically and macroscopically.

The internal situation must have been shaken. Even Ginor, who sent me a letter, had visibly distanced himself from her.

“She cannot undo what has already happened. As a ruler, she must somehow restore the unsettled internal atmosphere. What she can do is—”

“Create a common enemy by striking outward.”

Serpina interrupted before I could finish, but—

It didn’t matter. Her words were exactly what I was going to say.

“Precisely.”

Create a common enemy, then redirect attention there to unify divided public opinion.

The target is Serpina’s army, which happens to be the starting point of all this. There couldn’t be a better justification.

Not only would failure be failure, but if they succeeded in planting the Aeshus flag on the northern continent even for a moment, her reputation would certainly rise.

“But if it’s just about attacking an external target, aren’t there much simpler options? If it were me, I would target a castle near the border. Even if they succeeded in capturing it, it would be much easier to defend.”

“Currently, the Aeshus army is already struggling just to manage their territories. This is hypothetical, but they likely would have agreed if you had demanded Laclaine Castle in exchange for releasing Anima Ingram. In this situation, they know that actually increasing territory could backfire. It would also require far more troops than a surprise attack. Moreover—”

“—from the perspective of strengthening unity, our army is the perfect opponent for them. The Aeshus army doesn’t particularly like Serpina’s army.”

Hearing this, Serpina fell into thought for a moment.

In her intelligent golden eyes, I could see the glimmering ambition that had brought her to this position.

“I see. They attack via the river because there’s something definite to gain… unity and an impact significant enough to obscure her previous choice.”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to convey.”

I said with a grin, and Serpina tilted her head again, finding it interesting.

“Can you also explain why specifically now?”

“They must realize the border is becoming somewhat fixed. Both sides will continue to monitor each other’s movements. Isn’t now the perfect time to strike us from behind, when it seems additional invasions are unlikely?”

“……”

Serpina stroked her chin with her hand.

“Swen.”

As she called me, I met her eyes once more.

“Starting a war to stabilize the situation, using the river for a surprise attack on the northern continent for a big impact, targeting our army—these are all close to circumstantial evidence. The fact remains that her little game will end without any substantial gain.”

“……”

Serpina is truly a formidable opponent.

She’s someone who never gives trust without definite reasons.

If there’s anyone at the opposite end of Lunarian who showed unconditional trust, it would certainly be her.

“Yet you’re asking me to trust you?”

I… squeezed out as much as I could.

Under the assumption that ‘the Aeshus army will attack via the river’ would definitely happen, I had created the most plausible scenario.

After building it up this far, I almost started to believe it myself.

Serpina was the common enemy of the Aeshus core five. It wouldn’t be strange for them to judge that if they could land a solid blow against their enemy, they could somehow cover up the current unsettled situation.

Thinking about it, I suspected Anima might be the planner. Ginor wouldn’t propose such a plan with such insufficient practical benefits.

I had no more concrete evidence to bring forward.

If that was the case, rather than dragging it out, I needed to make my move first.

‘Time to wrap this up.’

I bowed deeply to her.

“Lady Serpina. My opinion is just one of many possibilities. As I mentioned, based on my experience in the Aeshus army, I believe there’s a very high probability they will attack via the river… but I want to say that whether to trust this opinion or not is up to you, my lord, not me.”

Serpina stared at my face without responding.

…Her exceptional beauty would probably continue to make my heart waver in the future.

“So you’re saying this? In your opinion, you have a suspicion but no certainty they’ll take such action. Whether to believe it or not is ultimately my choice. You’ve merely offered your opinion… is that right?”

“Yes.”

“Doesn’t that mean you lack sufficient evidence to convince me?”

At this point, I slowly closed my eyes and bowed my head.

Then, as if I had expected to hear something like this, I calmly replied.

“Lady Serpina. I cannot tell you everything straightforwardly. I cannot present incomplete reasoning to you, my lord.”

“It sounds like you’re hiding something again.”

“I’m merely asking for your understanding.”

I know the absolute outcome, but I don’t particularly know the reason, so I should just pretend to “know something.”

Once the conclusion is reached and my correctness is revealed, the seeds of language I’ve planted will gradually sprout and eventually bear the fruit of trust.

“Did you also follow your intuition when you called down that massive rock from the sky?”

“……”

When I didn’t answer, Serpina slowly nodded.

“Very well. I’ll take your opinion into consideration.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve worked hard today. You may go.”

I bowed deeply once more.

“Please call for me whenever necessary. I’ll be waiting.”

Leaving Serpina behind, I exited the audience chamber and slowly organized my thoughts.

For now, I predicted the Aeshus army would come up the river because I couldn’t see any other options, and I fitted in some plausible reasons.

But ultimately, Serpina was right.

Honestly, it wasn’t an action that would inflict that much damage on our army.

‘Well, it’s fine. Serpina said she’d handle it herself, right?’

Since maximum efficiency varies from situation to situation, preventing this level of disturbance might be the maximum efficiency our army could achieve.

Anyway, I felt tired after using my brain so much for once.

I thought about asking Irene to make me a cup of tea, but then I remembered we were no longer living together.

‘Lady Irene, I wonder how you’re doing.’

When the building is completed and I move in, should I propose living together again?

If circumstances allow, it wouldn’t be bad to subtly confirm her feelings.

What would happen to Reika then? Would she end up living with us too?

Thinking about the possibility that both of them might become my wives makes my head feel hot again, but—

‘I don’t need to think about all of that now.’

Let’s go back and rest for now.

Having organized my thoughts, I slowly left the royal palace.