Ch.72Chapter 72. Defense of the Western Fortress of Bhalharat (5)

Finding Ginor wasn’t particularly difficult.

He was on the fortress wall, surveying the surroundings and occasionally sighing.

“Lord Ginor.”

“Hmm? If it isn’t Swen. What brings you here?”

I stood beside him and carefully broached the subject.

“Do you intend to let them engage in a head-on battle?”

“…What do you mean?”

“I apologize if my words sound presumptuous. I simply want to ask if you truly believe following Epinel’s opinion is the right answer.”

“…Haah.”

Ginor let out a long sigh before speaking.

“General Epinel’s words aren’t completely unreasonable. If we lose this fortress, we’ll end up back at square one. Perhaps confronting them directly might be the right answer after all.”

“I’m not so sure. My thoughts differ somewhat.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

I spoke in a serious tone.

“Lord Ginor. It’s quite simple. Suppose you became the strategist for the Brans army. Would you bring troops to attack this place?”

“Certainly, I think 50,000 men would be insufficient. But this is a fortress, not a castle. If it’s meant as an advance force, well, there’s no reason not to invade. If it were me, I would have brought 20,000-30,000 more soldiers… but the invasion itself wouldn’t have been completely absurd.”

“Even with me being here?”

“…?”

He didn’t immediately understand my words and looked into my eyes.

Then soon after.

With an “Ah,” he slowly nodded.

“…You, perhaps…”

“If I were the Brans army’s strategist, I wouldn’t attempt a frontal assault against this fortress’s forces, regardless of their number. Especially since there’s a high possibility that I, ‘Swen,’ would be here.”

He nodded, then stroked his beard thoughtfully.

After a moment, as if something had occurred to him, he looked at me and said:

“…But didn’t you say that your ability isn’t a ‘magic’ you can use freely? Wouldn’t they know that too? Especially since you were once part of their ranks.”

Ginor was the man who had heard the most about my abilities in the Aeshus army.

Since I couldn’t tell unsustainable lies, I had previously confessed to him that I couldn’t use it at will.

However.

I had never revealed all my cards to anyone.

“It’s not magic, but… honestly, there are things I haven’t told you.”

“Things you haven’t told me?”

“When I explained earlier, I said I couldn’t control any aspect of it and could only read the flow of the heavens… but that’s not entirely true.”

If the Aeshus army falls here.

If they lose the only Valhalart Castle – I would die.

Not only is my life at stake, but Irene would certainly suffer as well.

So here.

Once again, I had to risk my life and shamelessly tell a lie.

“With a ‘deeper’ communication… I can intervene in the flow of the heavens.”

“…!!!”

Ginor’s eyes widened as he stared at me for a moment—

Then, he parted his heavy lips.

“Why… did you hide this?”

“It’s simple. The price is my lifespan.”

“Your lifespan?”

“To manipulate the will of the heavens as I please, I must utilize an absurd amount of mana. Naturally, accepting that much mana into my body places tremendous strain on various parts of my body. That’s why I couldn’t carelessly mention this ability.”

“Hmm…”

Ginor frowned in thought for a moment, then carefully asked me:

“I wonder why you’re telling me this now. If your life is precious, shouldn’t this be something you keep to yourself?”

“Well, my life will be forfeit if we do nothing anyway.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

I looked around, then met his eyes.

Like someone divulging a celestial secret, I moved my tongue mischievously.

“A surprise attack, Lord Ginor.”

“!!!”

“The Brans army’s target isn’t this fortress. The soldiers are bait. Their real objective is… Valhalart Castle, which is currently vulnerable with troops deployed to invade Allepel. If Valhalart Castle falls, our entire army will become prisoners of the Brans army. And if that happens, I will certainly die.”

“…What’s your evidence?”

“Let me say it again. If I were the Brans army’s strategist, I wouldn’t have sent troops here knowing I was present. Especially the Brans army, where people who have actually witnessed my abilities firsthand exist. Lord Ginor, do you know who the Brans army’s strategist is?”

“It was definitely Farfalle.”

“If you know that, this will be quicker. In your opinion, do you think Farfalle would advance on this place without knowing what even a mere general like me knows?”

“…”

He hesitated briefly, then shook his head and said:

“She wouldn’t. The woman I observed was extremely intelligent.”

“It seems you have a history with her.”

“She was once my student.”

Oh? This was information even I didn’t know.

Given that Ginor was counted among the wisest men on the continent, it seemed his influence was not insignificant.

At this point, I decided to scratch where he itched.

“Of course, even if a strategist gives sound advice, it’s meaningless if the commander doesn’t accept it.”

Ginor’s eyebrows twitched at these words.

I could have pressed further, but I’ll leave it at that for now.

“The current commander of the Brans army is Chel Brans. While he has some arrogance and can be impetuous in battle, he’s not foolish enough to ignore his strategist’s advice. His title as the First Sword and his renowned reputation are proof of that.”

“And until recently, I belonged to the Brans army. Farfalle is highly trusted within the Brans army. Starting with Lynn, the ruler herself gives her special treatment. Under the rules of the Brans army, where the ruler’s influence is paramount, her opinions carry almost as much weight as Lynn Brans’s own. I can’t imagine Chel ignoring that.”

“…”

After that, I continued to present all the logical arguments I could to convince Ginor.

From why the number of soldiers was specifically 50,000, to the fact that they didn’t have much time left except for a surprise attack.

Ginor didn’t respond, but I could easily tell he was listening attentively to my words.

“What we need to do now is withdraw our troops from the fortress and turn their plan to surprise attack Valhalart Castle against them. There is no other option. I believe this is the only strategy that will allow our army to survive.”

“…Hmm.”

Ginor stared blankly at the horizon, lost in thought for a while—

Then he turned to face me.

“The fact that you’re telling me this means…”

“Yes. I believe you’re the only one who can convince Epinel.”

Of course, no matter how hard I tried to persuade her as a newcomer, she wouldn’t listen.

In the end, Ginor, the national strategist, was the only one with any chance of convincing her.

…Or so I thought, but Ginor surprised me with an unexpected comment.

“…I see. Despite being here for such a short time, you seem to have grasped my situation.”

‘?’

He said something quite meaningful, but… honestly, I didn’t understand what he meant.

Yet somehow, my intuition strongly told me that this was a turning point.

I nodded and replied in the most composed tone I could manage:

“You’re correct in your assumption.”

“I see.”

Good.

There was a bit of delay in my response, but… it seemed to have gone over well.

I didn’t know what circumstances Ginor was in, but from my position, I couldn’t help but take advantage of it.

‘For someone who can only make predictions, I need to use whatever I can.’

“Very well. I’ll try to convince her once more.”

“I’ll accompany you.”

“However, I have one request.”

Huh?

A request?

“What might that be?”

“If things go well, I’d like you to grant me one favor.”

“A favor? This is quite sudden.”

“I promise it won’t be burdensome or unreasonable for you.”

A request from Ginor that wouldn’t be burdensome to me?

Nothing specific came to mind, but… honestly, I wasn’t in a position to have options.

Still, it would be good to have some insurance.

“If it’s something I absolutely cannot do, I might not be able to fulfill it, but if that’s acceptable to you.”

“Do as you wish. My request won’t be of that nature.”

“In that case, I have no reason to refuse.”

With our conversation concluded.

Ginor and I immediately headed to where Epinel was.

She was busy training soldiers.

As we approached her, she noticed us coming and tilted her head curiously.

“Strategist? And Swen, you’re here too. What’s the matter?”

“General Epinel. I’d like to have another discussion with you.”

“A discussion, you say?”

“Yes.”

After that, Ginor conveyed our opinion to her based on what I had told him.

He explained that the deployed soldiers were likely bait, the real target was Valhalart Castle, a surprise attack was imminent, and we needed to withdraw our troops.

Ginor even included my explanation about not speaking up earlier due to fear of shortening my lifespan, summarizing everything clearly for her.

Perhaps because he was intelligent, he had an excellent ability to explain things in an easy-to-understand manner.

“Is that so? A surprise attack… hmm.”

Epinel pondered for a moment, then looked at us and said:

“If we withdraw our troops and there’s no surprise attack, this fortress will be taken by those 50,000 soldiers… in that case.”

“As I mentioned, I’ll risk my lifespan and try to open a path in the heavens.”

“Hmm…”

Epinel thought for a long time, then looked directly into my eyes.

“Swen. I don’t want to force you to do something that puts your life at risk.”

“Pardon…?”

“No, why are you so surprised? I mean exactly what I said—I don’t want to burden you unnecessarily.”

“But without this method, everyone will be in danger.”

“I understand what you’re saying. I’ll specifically send scouts. If the Brans army intends to split their forces, won’t the scouts confirm it? We can decide what to do then.”

‘We can’t waste time unnecessarily…’

Since this was a prediction made with Intelligence 100, my words would prove correct, so there was no need to be so cautious.

In fact, if we delayed and missed the timing, it would be disastrous.

Of course, Epinel couldn’t know my circumstances… but that caution seemed like it would become poison.

“Um… well.”

I was tempted to say she could behead me if my words turned out to be wrong.

But I knew that my previous “insistence” had worked only because Luna was the ruler.

Speaking up now probably wouldn’t convince her.

“Anyway, we can’t withdraw troops right now, so keep that in mind. I’ve already sent messengers to Emma, who has set out to conquer the Allepel army. If necessary, Emma’s army can protect Valhalart Castle. We Aeshus soldiers are warriors of reversal who have always overcome such chaotic situations.”

“But there’s no guarantee she’ll return to Valhalart Castle in time—”

“I believe in Emma’s judgment. Swen, you may not know this, but she’s a great warrior who makes the impossible possible. I, Epinel, guarantee it. Perhaps you should see for yourself this time.”

Epinel said, patting her chest.

Is the result they’ve created with their longtime comrades her pride?

Pride is good, but… I wondered if prioritizing trust in comrades above all else was truly the right path.

“Strategist, I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t worry too much and prepare for battle.”

‘Haah.’

I don’t understand why she’s so fixated on the fortress…

In the end, even bringing Ginor didn’t convince her.

I had thought this might happen once Ginor’s initial proposal to “withdraw all troops and send them to Valhalart Castle” was rejected, but it really did turn out this way.

‘Should I secretly flee with Irene instead?’

Looking at it objectively, the Aeshus army’s downfall wasn’t my concern.

Fleeing before a battle would spread unsavory rumors about us, but weren’t we already branded as traitors?

Simply ensuring our survival wouldn’t be so bad.

As I was thinking this… Ginor spoke in a serious tone.

“General. Withdraw the troops now to prepare for a surprise attack. On the condition that you do so, if there is no surprise attack as you say and we lose this fortress, I will immediately step down from my position as national strategist.”

“…!!!”

At that moment.

Epinel, who had been unmoved by any argument, looked at Ginor in shock for the first time.

‘Step down from his position as national strategist?’

Is that condition so appealing to Epinel?

While I was pondering this, Ginor continued speaking nonchalantly.

And after hearing what he said next.

I could somewhat guess the “circumstances” Ginor had mentioned earlier.

“And I will pass this position to Anima, the original national strategist.”