Ch.141Chapter 141. Questions (3)

I opened the door, approached her, and greeted her with a slightly more special feeling than usual.

“Swen, I have come at my lord’s summons.”

As soon as she saw me greeting her, she smiled with satisfaction and said.

“Welcome, Swen. Things are flowing as I predicted.”

“Has another alliance proposal arrived?”

“An envoy from Hesna. They want to form a nine-month alliance with us.”

Hesna.

The nation that took the lead in breaking the balance of the southern continent.

Although news about what happened to Elgaim Castle hadn’t reached us yet—it seemed the envoy had arrived here first.

Since they’ve made the first move, do they intend to join hands with us and take control of the southern continent?

They probably need to prevent us from moving freely to avoid unnecessary interference later.

“So, what are the terms?”

“They’re offering 20,000 gold.”

20,000 gold.

28,000 gold for 12 months, and now 20,000 gold for 9 months.

If we only consider the amount, this offer seems slightly disappointing, but considering the shorter duration, perhaps this is a more reasonable condition to accept… I was thinking this when—

“That’s not all.”

“Pardon?”

“Swen. Are you perhaps knowledgeable about treasures?”

By treasures, she must mean items, right?

Well, considering I’ve played this game for 10,000 hours and know every item…

“Yes. To some extent.”

“Then you must know about the Holy Sword Rashtar?”

“…What?”

The Holy Sword Rashtar.

It was the best sword in this game.

Its effect was extremely simple. Power +7.

It just increased power, but being a weapon that raised the stat by 7 points made it the ultimate treasure among weapon items.

Isn’t it true that truly powerful things are often described in the simplest terms?

Sword A: Reduces the probability of falling for enemy schemes by 30%. Increases attack power against enemy units on snowy battlefields. Blah blah blah, etc. etc.

And then Holy Sword Rashtar: Power +7.

Comparing them like this makes it even more overwhelming.

The value of this great holy sword that simply increases power by 7 points without any conditions stands out even more.

It’s an item that spawns in random locations each time, so it must have fallen into Hesna’s hands in this timeline.

Wait a moment. Could it be…

“Are they offering the Holy Sword Rashtar?”

“That’s right.”

Really??

If that’s true, this is absolutely a deal we must accept.

In this game, power means strength, physical might.

Higher power meant greater strength. Lower power meant a lower chance of winning against a general with higher power.

Of course, now that this has become reality, it’s obvious the stats won’t function as absolute values like they did for me—

Nevertheless, as long as the rules apply, it would be fair to consider it an extremely powerful weapon.

‘As expected of an Intelligence 100 prediction.’

This weapon would be especially useful for Serpina von Einhart.

Serpina’s weakness was her complete lack of S-rank warriors, but this sword could allow an A-rank warrior to somewhat imitate S-rank performance.

But if I had blindly accepted Rolland’s offer because of the 28,000 gold, this opportunity would never have come.

‘The prediction that we would suffer a loss must have meant we would have missed out on the Holy Sword Rashtar.’

Serpina extended her snow-white hand toward me and said.

The gesture was so elegant it had a magical quality that made one stare in awe.

“20,000 gold and the Holy Sword Rashtar. Those are the terms for a nine-month alliance with Hesna. What do you think, Swen?”

I was about to answer that we should form this alliance. Nine months isn’t that long, and obtaining the Holy Sword Rashtar would be a great help—

But before responding, I decided to check with my ability just in case.

‘Would forming an alliance with Hesna be efficient for our forces?’

I expected the answer would be affirmative.

[In the long term, this alliance doesn’t offer significant benefits.]

‘……????’

Huh?

What?

The Holy Sword and 20,000 gold aren’t significant benefits??

‘Why???’

While it’s not bad enough to say we’d suffer a loss…

If it’s not very beneficial, that clearly means there must be a better decision for us.

Even though it’s just a nine-month alliance that would end on its own, it’s not very beneficial?

Will we receive another proposal during this period?

If no other proposal were coming, the conclusion would have been a clear “yes” rather than the ambiguous “not very beneficial.” This prediction had absolute certainty.

So should I let this opportunity pass too?

“Swen.”

“Ah… yes.”

“Your expression has changed.”

Did I fail to hide my expression?

I bowed my head slightly and answered in a deliberately serious tone.

“It’s nothing. I’m just thinking.”

“Oh? You’re suggesting we need to think even when faced with the Holy Sword Rashtar and 20,000 gold?”

“……”

I hadn’t even expressed my opposition yet…

Somehow, I felt like she had read that my thoughts were leaning toward ‘not forming the alliance.’

Sometimes Serpina would say things that made me wonder if she could read minds.

Whether she was perceptive or good at reading people’s expressions…

‘Anyway.’

How should I respond here?

Honestly, I was tempted to just say we should accept the Holy Sword Rashtar.

Of course it wouldn’t be the optimal answer—but it would be easier than having some strange option appear as “the optimal answer” and then having to come up with reasons to convince her.

And regardless of what greater benefit might exist, the Holy Sword Rashtar would actually be quite helpful. With this level of benefit, I wouldn’t need to feel guilty about lying to her, right?

But.

Two reasons held me back.

“Hehe……”

First was Serpina, who was silently giving me an enchanting smile.

Would she really accept it if I casually said “this is the most optimal method”?

She was quite perceptive, so she might notice if I was being dishonest.

Both at Hisphil Castle and during our conversations… Serpina was a woman who could read thoughts like a ghost.

Plus, she had asked me that meaningful question a few days ago about whether “the real me exists in my heart.”

And second… what happened just before.

Serpina had become Irene Juliette’s ally.

I didn’t know the details, but she was using her authority as ruler to protect Irene, who was receiving unfavorable glances from other officers.

She had been treating me, Irene, and Reika well… would it be too soft of me to not want to pursue maximum efficiency so ruthlessly?

‘…No.’

In this situation, helping her straightforwardly might actually be the correct answer.

Although I planned to return to Lunarian’s forces—there was no guarantee when she would raise her army.

Even though she was destined to become the unifying ruler, I wasn’t told exactly when that would happen.

Besides, although she showed no signs of it currently, Serpina was known far and wide as a tyrant.

In this situation, it seemed better to be helpful to her to preserve my life.

And decisively.

“Oh? You’re suggesting we need to think even when faced with the Holy Sword Rashtar and 20,000 gold?”

She was… predicting my answer in her own way.

If I defied her expectations here, I might face more questioning.

‘There’s no need to create opposition with her.’

I became convinced that simply telling her what I thought was the only way to avoid raising questions in her mind.

After all, it was the lord’s role to decide whether to follow the strategist’s advice or not.

“Perhaps it would be better to wait a little longer.”

“You believe there’s a possibility of receiving much better terms than this?”

“Yes.”

“……”

Serpina fell into thought for a moment, then nodded.

“I thought you would say that. This time, Swen, I will follow your opinion. Although it’s a shame to miss the holy sword, our future won’t change significantly without it… and you’ve proven yourself so far.”

‘She thought I would say that…?’

Having successfully chosen the correct answer, I silently bowed my head.

I just hoped that when some apparently less valuable condition appeared, the answer wouldn’t be “yes.”

*

Time passed again.

Rolland sent another envoy.

This time, the amount was reduced to 15,000 gold.

But—the duration was also reduced. Just 3 months.

If we maintained a short alliance for just 3 months, we could pocket 15,000 gold.

12 months might seem short in the grand scheme, but it’s also quite long in its own way.

And the result.

[This alliance offers no benefit whatsoever.]

‘Huh.’

Even though the amount was smaller, I thought this might be the right answer because of the shorter duration.

The longer the alliance period, the longer our forces would be tied down.

Of course, it seemed a bit stingy compared to passing up the holy sword, but… anyway, this wasn’t the right choice either?

“I understand. I’ll follow your opinion this time as well.”

Serpina said that and chuckled behind her hand.

It was somewhat concerning that she had been listening to me so well lately, when she used to always demand reasons…

Well, ultimately the decision was Serpina’s. I was just doing my job.

And a few days later—

This time, an envoy came from Ohana, located under Hesna’s control.

It seems everyone from the southern regions is desperate to join hands with the tyrant Serpina.

It struck me again that in times of chaos, values like loyalty and principles aren’t particularly respected.

“12 months of alliance for 8,900 gold, you say?”

“That’s right.”

This wasn’t even worth considering.

It was the worst offer we’d received so far.

‘…Wait.’

But.

Considering the pattern of my predictions so far… wouldn’t this be when it spits out something like [This is efficient.]?

I would then take that randomly generated prediction result and rack my brain thinking “Why on earth is this the most efficient option??” while trying to work backward.

‘Surely not this time…?’

As an ominous feeling crept up my spine—

Serpina looked straight at me and asked.

“Well, Swen. What do you think of this proposal?”

Is she deliberately calling me to ask about what is clearly the worst proposal?

I appreciated being asked… but I couldn’t figure out what she was thinking.

Anyway, let me input the question.

[An alliance that would cause great harm if formed.]

‘…Phew.’

I couldn’t help but sigh in relief at the conclusion that appeared in my mind.

Ah, that’s refreshing. This is what a prediction should be.

What a sensible conclusion!

After rejecting 28,000 gold for 12 months, 20,000 gold and the Holy Sword Rashtar for 9 months, and 15,000 gold for 3 months, if it had claimed that 8,900 gold for 12 months was the most efficient option?

Serpina would certainly have said “If that’s what you think, provide compelling reasons to convince me”… and I would have had to think until my head hurt, finding myself in a very troublesome and awkward situation.

‘At least it didn’t cross the line.’

These past few times, it had been frustrating to just get an answer without any explanation…

But if the predictions remained this sensible, that would be perfect.

I hoped for positive predictions for opinions that wouldn’t require me to convince Serpina.

For example, though it would never happen—an offer of 4,294,967,296 gold for a 12-month alliance.

That would need no explanation. “My lord, what is there to consider? You should accept this. 4,294,967,296 gold isn’t something to sneeze at!” That would be a reasonable explanation anyone would applaud.

‘By the way… what could be coming that’s making us reject all these offers?’

It seems like all the potential lords have already made their offers.

Karelia was known as a virtuous general, so she wouldn’t likely seek an alliance with Serpina who was rumored to be a tyrant, and the other two nations—Aeshus and Brans—had poor relations with our forces.

What could Rolland, Ohana, or Hesna possibly offer that would make my predictions consistently negative?

I was thinking this while waiting for the next proposal.

*

Yes.

I was definitely thinking this while waiting for the next proposal.

[An efficient alliance that presents a great opportunity for our forces.]

‘……??’

Once again, my Intelligence 100 prediction took off like a rocket into space, doing whatever it pleased.