Ch.230Chapter 230. Anti-Aeshus Army, Retreating to Border (1)

“Hmph.”

As Serpina let out a slight chuckle, I felt my tension ease away.

Well, since she’s a quick-witted person, I should be satisfied that I don’t need to explain things in a complicated manner.

I looked straight into her golden eyes and said.

“…I believe it might be a vicious plague spreading. Other than that, while meeting the conditions of preparing for war—”

“It wouldn’t make sense to withdraw troops without engaging in battle.”

That’s right.

If a plague—an infectious disease—were to spread, garrison soldiers would collapse at an alarming rate.

Based on the games I’ve played so far, within the same country where borders aren’t sealed, the infection rate would be unbelievably fast.

Considering how the “meteor” mechanism recently followed the game’s exactly, it’s not difficult to predict that things would work similarly in this world where the game has become reality.

But… if my thoughts were limited to just the troops—

Serpina seemed to have taken her thinking one step further.

“In that sense, I’m considering relocating the residents of Hisfil Castle and its surrounding territories to the undeveloped lands of the northern continent. What do you think?”

“What? Um…”

I was momentarily dumbfounded, but I tried inputting the question I’d received.

The answer was simple.

It was [Unknown].

‘Is it because relocating territory residents for pioneering has nothing to do with military strategy, so no answer appears? No, that’s not the important part—’

“However, my lord. If you issue a forced mobilization order against the territory residents—”

“Are you saying I’ll lose the people’s hearts?”

“Yes. I believe it will also affect the morale of your commanders.”

In this world, monarchs were the heads of each country, but they were still feudal lords.

Serpina, with her legitimacy as the imperial bloodline, had more influence than most.

Moreover, she wasn’t the only one claiming the Einhart name now. With Karl von Einhart, who had been living in hiding as Cain Nerkis for a long time, revealing himself, Serpina’s authority had somewhat diminished.

Therefore, arbitrarily pushing around territory residents would not be well-received.

This created a culture where, unlike commanders, soldiers who frequently surrendered to enemy forces weren’t particularly treated as criminals.

After all, the source of military power was the residents living in the territories, and they were always in a position where their lord could change.

If you wiped them out for providing labor to other armies, you’d immediately become a worthless tyrant.

To issue a forced mobilization order in such a situation?

Strategically, it wasn’t a particularly good move.

Territory residents typically had great pride in their homeland.

This would probably add a few more lines to her reputation as a tyrant.

Of course, I understood why she had reached such a conclusion.

Beyond her soldiers, she—

‘She wants to save the territory residents living there.’

Otherwise, there would be no need to issue such a troublesome mobilization order.

“I understand your intentions, my lord, but…”

“If there are lives that can be saved, isn’t it right to save them?”

In this situation, I offered the advice that a strategist should give.

“I’d like to oppose this for two reasons, if that’s alright?”

“Huhuhuh. Come at me anytime, Swen.”

Setting aside her strangely competitive words, I pointed out the extremely practical aspect.

“This is all based on our hypothesis that ‘a terrible plague will spread around Hisfil Castle and the border area’… but as long as we don’t know the exact cause of the plague, while we might risk our soldiers, moving the territory residents who could be the source of the plague to the northern continent is an extremely dangerous choice.”

Serpina’s choice could be seen as idealistic.

But if the results weren’t good, even the most idealistic intentions would be meaningless.

Bringing the seeds of plague to the northern continent in an attempt to save everyone was certainly not a wise action.

Serpina seemed to understand this point as she slowly nodded and asked.

“First, Swen, I’d like to ask you a question.”

“Ask me anything.”

“Where is your ‘Mind’s Eye’ pointing?”

“…Pardon?”

“If, as you say, this decision would bring disaster by bringing plague to our army, wouldn’t your ‘Mind’s Eye’ indicate this is an inefficient method? So, it seems I should hear the answer to the question first.”

“Um…”

While advice to withdraw troops might be clear, the answer to the question about relocating territory residents was ‘Unknown.’

“Does your Mind’s Eye evaluate this as ‘inefficient’?”

“That… that’s not it.”

When I said that my Mind’s Eye couldn’t provide an answer to that question, she smiled even more amusedly.

“Swen. Your ability becomes more fascinating the more I learn about it. I’m beginning to understand why you haven’t already ruled this continent with such an ability.”

Well, that’s because its scope is narrower than you think.

I can’t demonstrate an ability as versatile as Ginor expected, and perhaps as Serpina expects…

‘…Wait?’

Hold on.

Maybe I could find out through a different method.

“My lord.”

“?”

“Would you please make a decision in your mind first?”

“Make a decision?”

I nodded.

“Please resolve from now that ‘We will relocate the territory residents of Hisfil Castle and the northern territories to the northern continent.'”

“I don’t quite understand what you mean by ‘resolve.'”

“Just decide that you’ll do it, regardless of my answer.”

Back then, when Serpina was trying to make a peace treaty with Lynn.

At the moment she resolved to visit Lynn herself, the result of the advice changed.

That’s how I was able to save Lady Serpina’s life.

I’m applying the same principle now.

If the result changes when I ask the same question after Serpina has made this decision, the answer will be different.

Since it wouldn’t be efficient for plague to spread among our troops, if it changes to [No], it would mean all my predictions are correct.

She looked confused for a moment—

Then slowly moved her head and said.

“I have done so.”

“Please ask me again. ‘Is it most efficient to withdraw all troops from the border?'”

“Do you think it’s efficient to withdraw all troops from the border?”

And the answer comes.

[Yes.]

‘…It doesn’t affect it.’

Even with a mobilization order, not everyone would move without exception.

There would probably be quite a few people who would stay for various reasons.

What’s certain is that even if we gather the territory residents, the hell that would unfold there wouldn’t transfer here.

At that moment.

“It seems that issue has been resolved.”

“…Pardon?”

I was startled and responded without thinking, but she spoke in a calm tone as if wondering why I was surprised.

“The corner of your mouth moved. As if you were relieved.”

“Ah…”

…Truly, hiding anything from this woman is an extremely hardcore difficulty level.

“Even if that point is resolved, there’s nothing my lord can gain from this decision. To others, all of this will just seem like a coincidence.”

My point was simple.

A plague at Hisfil Castle!

So Lady Serpina forced mobilization to save us! …Such a fairy tale wouldn’t unfold.

In conclusion, even if she saved more lives—

Her reputation wouldn’t improve; rather, it would only reinforce her image as a willful tyrant.

If we’re talking about efficiency, it would be better to leave the territory residents be.

No one would blame her for not helping them escape the plague.

“Well. Your words may be right.”

Serpina, as she had always done, displayed a seemingly shameless tyrant’s smile and spoke in a confident tone.

“But shouldn’t one who aspires to be the ruler of the continent carry out their will regardless of whether anyone acknowledges it?”

“…”

“I don’t mind gaining another infamy or two. What’s important is that more people can continue to live.”

When I heard those words.

Something welled up inside me.

To the outside world, she’s known as the victor of the Crown Prince War, including the Piviola Academy massacre, and as a tyrant.

Yet even though no one would appreciate such actions…

Suddenly, I’m reminded of her tearful face when she claimed she hadn’t killed anyone.

I find myself clenching my teeth without realizing.

Why can’t she… become the unifying monarch?

Noticing the change in my expression, Serpina slowly approaches me.

“And didn’t I tell you, Swen.”

Then, looking into my eyes.

“You would know.”

“Pardon…?”

“It’s the same as before. When I made that bet with Yurie about you. Even if no one acknowledges all my decisions—”

Then, stroking my cheek with her snow-white hand.

“Swen, at least you will see everything with those eyes of yours and know.”

“My lord…”

“Therefore, I think I gain plenty just from that. It’s not an inefficient decision at all.”

She said that, then stepped back once more and smiled like a fox.

As for me…

Just before my thoughts deepened, I barely broke that chain, bowed my head, and said.

“Then… I’ll leave the aftermath to you.”

It might appear as if I’m backing out of a battle that seems quite winnable at first glance.

In such a situation, convincing the retainers was… her task, not mine.

“Don’t worry, Swen. As long as you’re behind me, I’m confident I won’t lose to anyone.”

Watching her golden eyes sparkle, I think.

No matter what anyone says, she is no tyrant.

Rather, she might have brought more prosperity to the empire than Algot or Sidmid, and would surely be a great ruler who would be remembered in the Einhart imperial family… that’s what I find myself thinking.

At least in this moment—

I was curious about the world under her rule.