Ch.33Chapter 33. Just That and Nothing More

* * *

After the meeting ended, I checked the duties I had been assigned.

‘Commerce… is it.’

I don’t know what my politics stat is, but I’ll have to do what I’m told anyway.

I’m not sure exactly what I need to do at the market.

Well, in this game, intelligence wasn’t a stat that particularly affected commerce.

And I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do in the first place.

When I was in the Lunarian army, I did exploration once, but otherwise I just did maintenance work… Embarrassingly, since I lacked strength, Tifa and Luna did all the direct wall repairs while Cain and I worked in more of a supporting role.

‘I’ll figure it out when I get to the market, I guess.’

It seemed that official duties would begin the day after the meeting ended.

In the Lunarian army, things just rolled along without any systematic organization, but I suppose this is the difference with a major power.

Anyway, I’d done everything I needed to do today.

And as for the woman who came with me, Irene Juliette—

Once again, she wasn’t given any mission.

While there were several officers in the Brans army who had no assignments like her, they were all unremarkable C-rank officers.

Only Irene was being left idle despite her high abilities.

“…”

I silently followed behind her as she wordlessly headed home.

*

She only began speaking when we arrived at the house.

Her face, which had maintained an expressionless look, now clearly showed apologetic feelings.

“I’m sorry, Swen. I didn’t mean to ignore you, but I was worried that if you appeared too close to me in front of all those people… you might receive rather poor treatment.”

“Why bring that up now? I already publicly agreed with your opinion in front of all those people.”

“Yes. That’s exactly what I want to ask about!”

Irene asked me with strange excitement:

“What on earth… did you mean? That the Charam army has made a secret pact with our army and plans to betray us? Do you really believe that?”

Oh. Thank you.

After mentally thanking Irene for asking the very question I wanted to input, I entered “Does the Charam army plan to betray our army?” into my mind.

But the result was [Unknown].

This result wasn’t new to me.

It was the same result I’d seen long ago, before joining the Lunarian army, when that old man I used to chat with asked me if he would win or lose at gambling.

‘I thought this might happen, but it seems impossible after all.’

In this game, the advice a strategist with 100 intelligence could provide was limited to matters concerning the ruler and state, battle outcomes or strategy success, mission assignments, or the most efficient policies.

It seemed that such specific questions couldn’t be answered even with intelligence 100.

I would have to rely on my own thinking.

I don’t know the exact criteria yet, but I should be able to figure it out once more big data accumulates.

“And you said we should attack Serpina von Einhart’s territory in the north? What does that even mean? Isn’t that too reckless?”

I answered in a calm tone to pacify the excited woman before me.

“Lady Irene. If I may, before answering your questions, could I ask you something first?”

“…Go ahead.”

“Why did you suggest that we should send troops to the north to strengthen our defenses?”

Irene sighed briefly after hearing my question, then said:

“Let’s sit down first.”

She removed her heavy armor and hung it up, then took a seat at the table.

I naturally sat across from her and looked into her eyes, ready to listen.

“Do you know about the decisive battle our army fought against Serpina’s army in the north for several months recently?”

“I’ve heard about it.”

While I was enjoying peace at Zeilandt Castle, the Brans army must have had a hard time battling Serpina’s army.

“During that process, we managed to hold them off somehow… but despite it being a defensive battle, we couldn’t defeat the enemy forces that efficiently. Our army won the immediate battle, but in the long term, the reality is that our Brans army is falling behind.”

“You mean we lost in terms of exchange ratio?”

“That’s right.”

As expected of Irene with her siege specialty, she seemed to have some insight in this area.

“There’s quite a large population gathered in the north. The central region, which makes up most of our Brans territory, is also very good land, but it’s still chaotic here. Even if the area around Anel Castle is peaceful, the residents of territories near the border have already been heavily conscripted as soldiers. So in a situation where we can’t quickly raise troops from anywhere, I think it’s premature to mobilize 56,000 troops to subjugate the Aeshus army. I’m convinced that Serpina’s army will seize the opportunity to attack Kelstein Castle again.”

After saying this, Irene said [Wait a moment] and got up to prepare tea.

She was truly a diligent woman.

Soon after, I received the teacup she handed me and took a sip.

The tea had a subtle smoky aroma.

“Now that Farfalle has raised the issue, there’s a very high possibility that proposal will pass. She’s the most trusted woman in our army.”

“Is that why you raised your hand?”

“Yes.”

She nodded and sipped her tea.

I see.

Despite knowing she was disliked, she raised her hand out of concern for the country, believing the current course was wrong.

Even though Lynn wouldn’t appreciate it, and she herself no longer expected such recognition, she still spoke up when necessary.

She was truly loyal, but in most timelines of the game, her loyalty ended in tragedy.

Will she end up dead because of this?

Because of her unbending personality?

One fact I know: ‘Lynn Brans kills her officer Irene Juliette, with whom she has poor compatibility, with her own hands.’

I felt like puzzle pieces were gradually coming together around this statement that only described the outcome.

As she stared blankly at her teacup, I carefully asked her a question.

“…Lady Irene. This might be impertinent, but—”

“It’s fine. I can’t grow if I take an officer’s words as disrespect. Feel free to speak your mind.”

“Then I’ll ask directly. Are you aware that you’re disliked by our lord?”

“…”

She smiled bitterly and said:

“Yes. I’m aware.”

“And yet you remain loyal?”

“Yes.”

“May I ask why?”

“…”

Irene Juliette.

S-rank officer. Red hair with purple eyes. [Siege] specialty and high martial prowess. An ill-fated officer who ultimately gets beheaded by her lord Lynn Brans.

This was all the information available about her in the game.

The tips were equally simple: [If you want to utilize Irene, you must either choose Lynn Brans directly or destroy the Brans army as quickly as possible! However, even if the Brans army is destroyed, Irene rarely gets recruited, so try with patience!] That was all that was written about this woman.

But.

This “that’s all” Irene Juliette practiced her disciplines every day, waiting for her lord to call for her.

This “that’s all” Irene Juliette always offered loyal counsel for the sake of the country, despite knowing she was disliked.

This “that’s all” Irene Juliette was generous to her subordinate officers, didn’t overestimate her abilities, and never took out her frustrations on those beneath her, even when she suffered humiliation.

I became curious.

Why was Irene so loyal to Lynn Brans despite being disliked?

Not because of a character setting that said [Deep loyalty], but why this living, breathing woman before me, who made tea and practiced disciplines daily, refused to betray a lord who hated her.

And if possible, I wanted to save her.

This woman before me, with a smile that looked like it might crumble at any moment.

“…This is somewhat personal.”

She said this while lightly scratching the rim of her teacup with her finger.

“It was my father’s request.”

“Your father’s?”

“Yes. After the empire fell, the man who seized the central region’s Anel Castle—the choicest land in the continent—faster than anyone else was the man known as the empire’s shield dog, Orland Brans. You know of him, right?”

Orland Brans.

A name I’d heard, but never actually controlled in the game.

He was already dead by the time the game started, and the Brans army had been inherited by his third daughter, Lynn Brans.

“My father, Kafka Juliette, was Orland’s personal guard knight.”

This was a name I’d never heard before.

Unlike Lynn Brans, a powerful ruler in the game, Irene was just an officer with good abilities.

The game didn’t go into detailed background settings for such officers.

“On the day I first held a sword, my father always said something. That we are people who live for the Brans family. That we exist because of them. Indeed, when Orland was alive, our family could live without worry.”

I focused on her story without adding any particular comments.

“My father died protecting Orland’s life.”

“What happened?”

“There was an assassination attempt on Orland.”

Ah.

I could roughly picture what had happened.

“At that time, it was right after the empire had collapsed, so people still had an ‘imperial citizen’ identity, and many still followed the Einhart family. After my father died, my mother also fell ill and passed away.”

“So you’ve been carrying on your father’s will… until now?”

“Yes.”

Irene looked at me more clearly than ever before as she spoke.

In her eyes, even if somewhat faded, there was a distinct pride.

“Serving the Brans family and living for them—serving Lynn Brans, who became the successor after Orland Brans passed away—is only natural for me. Don’t you think so, Swen?”

“…”

I took a sip of tea without answering.

Saying “I don’t think so” here wouldn’t convince her anyway.

In this game, the stat that most affected officer recruitment was charm.

With 100 charm, even officers who were difficult to recruit would usually bite eagerly.

Based on my ordinary appearance, my charm stat would probably be around 50 to 60, though this was just a meaningless thought.

Methods I used in the game to recruit generals with [Loyalty 100]:

1. Raise favorability to MAX.

2. Establish a special relationship (deeper friendship than others, etc.).

3. Use strategies to lower their loyalty.

These were just three that came to mind immediately.

Of course, from my perspective of just pressing buttons, I had no idea how to apply these in this world—but for now, doing what I could would be best.

No matter her circumstances, there must be ways to recruit Irene to our side.

‘Let’s start by raising her favorability.’

With that thought, I felt more at ease and carefully spoke with a considerate tone:

“I understand now. I see why your loyalty to Lady Lynn remains unwavering.”

“I’m glad you understand, but… I’m worried I might have burdened you by sharing such personal matters when we haven’t known each other long.”

“It’s fine. Learning about you, Lady Irene, is a truly wonderful thing for me.”

“…!”

At my words, Irene’s pupils dilated slightly—

Then she turned her head to the side, her face flushed.

Is she awkward around men?

Well, since I said it to raise her favorability, this kind of reaction is probably good.

“Ahem. Um… anyway, my story is fine to leave at that. Let’s get to the main point.”

She covered her mouth with her fist and cleared her throat several times before speaking again.

“I’d like to know the basis for your conclusion that we should attack Serpina’s territory in the north.”

“The basis, huh.”

To be honest, I don’t know either.

I just made inferences based on the results so far -> and when Farfalle conveniently asked a question, I applied my reasoning and it turned out to be correct.

But the fact that the result came out that way meant something was definitely going to happen.

“…”

I considered making something up right now, but it seemed better to wait until I was more certain.

We weren’t in the middle of a debate, the policy was already decided, and there wasn’t much Irene could do even if she heard my reasoning.

“I have some vague ideas, but my thoughts aren’t refined yet. Could you give me a little time?”

“Well, that’s fine with me.”

“That’s a relief then.”

I didn’t have anything to say right now anyway, so that worked out.

This was something I needed to think about alone.

At that moment.

“Swen.”

“Yes?”

“…Thank you.”

She said this with slightly flushed cheeks.

Why?

Perhaps because of her manner of speech, Irene had seemed like a strong warrior, but now she just seemed like a woman who needed someone to lean on.

“For supporting my opinion… thank you. …It’s the first time that’s happened.”

I spoke in a serious tone:

“Lady Irene. Let me say this: I didn’t raise my hand out of pity for you. I did so because I thought your opinion was the most reasonable. Please keep that in mind.”

“…I will.”

She smiled at me again.

This time, it wasn’t an expression that looked like it might crumble at any moment.

*

That night.

After Irene had finished her practice and fallen asleep.

I spread out the map of the northern region I had drawn and, by the dim lantern light, stared at it deep in thought.

‘Something is definitely happening in the north.’

The intelligence 100 prediction result was that attacking the north would be the optimal outcome.

But no matter how I looked at it, I couldn’t see the angle.

The castles in the north were all heavily garrisoned, and if we mobilized troops to enter from our side, it would inevitably create a perfect situation for someone else to attack Kelstein.

Even looking for variables related to newly built fortresses, nothing seemed to fit.

‘No wonder Farfalle was incredulous.’

Even I, who had cleared this game thousands of times, found it absurd, so how must she have felt?

Of course, since this world was based on a game that wasn’t very realistic in tactical terms, it wouldn’t be impossible if we used cheats to bring several SS-rank warriors and officers with [Siege] specialty.

But that was a meaningless assumption right now.

Anyway.

If “attacking the north” was indeed the most efficient method—it meant something seemingly impossible would actually happen.

I recalled all the variables within the game.

Everything that could happen in the game.

From these, I selected events that would put Serpina’s army in distress while creating an opportunity for our army to invade.

First, I eliminated events that wouldn’t particularly benefit our army even if they occurred.

Quite a few “variables” disappeared at this stage.

Then I organized what remained. There were three in total.

First: A natural disaster occurs.

Natural disasters existed in this game.

If you were really unlucky while playing, an earthquake could destroy your castle—something truly absurd.

What is an earthquake? It was more plausible than being destroyed by a meteor strike, though that possibility also existed, albeit remotely.

From the beginning, this was a somewhat arbitrary world where even magic-using wizards existed, so there were quite a few unfair events like this.

But the probability was too low. Even based on intelligence 100 predictions, it lacked plausibility to recall scenes I’d rarely seen while playing the game.

Unless this was the only possibility.

So let’s ignore this one.

The second was the sudden death of a ruler.

If a ruler died without designating a successor, countries with many territories would likely split into three or four parts.

That’s why some players used the trick of repeatedly saving and loading to assassinate rulers of large nations.

If a country split apart, it would certainly be a good time to advance into the north.

But… Serpina dying?

She was a major character who survived throughout the scenario, and in some ways was even the face of this game.

In most timelines, she was the absolute power who unified the continent.

Plus, she was young. And healthy.

So this also seemed about as likely as a natural disaster.

Right.

Only one possibility remained.

A sudden increase in fronts that Serpina’s army would need to respond to.

That is—

I marked two castles in the north with O symbols.

Chorel Castle in the northwest, and Cherien Castle in the northeast.

One of these two castles.

In one of them—

‘A rebellion… will occur?’

The third possibility.

Rebellion and troop mobilization in a castle due to a coup.

No matter how I thought about it, this seemed like the answer.