episode_0012

*

A small castle in Zeeland.

In the central conference room, which was usually only used by a total of four generals including myself, today, as many as four new faces I had never seen before came to visit.

That too, while kneeling and paying homage to Lord Runarien.

“This is Gustav, leader of the Raven mercenaries.”

“This is Vice Captain Calle.”

“This is Aaron, the leader of the Chilean mercenary group.”

“This is Vice Captain Yona.”

Three men and the last woman who spoke were greeting Luna.

An interceptor team of about 1,300 people was able to block 8,000 soldiers.

It was two archer units that attacked the flanks of Brans’ army, throwing the ranks into confusion and dividing the large army of 8,000 into three chunks.

This was because they then entered the rear of the Brans army, surrounded it in a formation that seemed to embrace the Brans army, and annihilated it.

I already knew where the archer unit came from. Because the vice-leader of the Raven mercenaries introduced themselves.

However, the source of the rear troops could only be discovered at this moment.

Chilean mercenaries!

‘I never thought those damn bastards would be on our side.’

The Chilean mercenary group was a mercenary group that could only be used by the monarchs of the central continent by completing certain quests.

The unique class, ‘Heavy Infantry’, was a very good morale mercenary unit that was superior in every way to the existing spearmen, but the problem was that it required the territory of a specific castle in the central continent.

Therefore, due to the nature of the central continent where there is almost no empty land, if you start with a random monarch, you have to give up on recruiting, and even if you start with the central monarchs, they are usually suppressed by Branth’s army before you can clear the quest, so there is a low probability that Brans will be defeated. Unless the military respawns in a region other than the central region, recruitment was virtually impossible.

Brans is a mercenary group that is very annoying to me as I don’t play because it’s not fun!

There is a high probability that it was a mercenary group exclusively for the Brans Army, and the mercenary group that gave wings to the Brans Army, which was already a recommended monarch for beginners, was the Chilean mercenary group.

And their leader was now kneeling and showing respect in front of our monarch.

‘Can I be recruited even if I don’t do quests?’

Even after this world became reality, it strangely followed the rules of the game.

With an intelligence of 100, it was not difficult to see that my prediction came true despite all kinds of pressure.

but.

The same goes for the mercenary groups that are helping us now, and there were parts that were strangely different from the game, including going to war even though less than a year had passed since we first started.

‘I shouldn’t blindly trust the knowledge in the game.’

“… … It’s okay for you to raise your heads.”

At Luna’s words, the four people all raised their heads.

“First of all, I would like to say thank you very much for helping our military. Thank you so much. If it weren’t for you, our army could have failed to defend Zeeland Castle. and… … There is something I really want to ask you.”

“Please ask me anything.”

“Why on earth did you guys help our military?”

In response to Luna’s question, Gustav, the leader of the Raven mercenaries, opened his mouth.

“Aaron and I over here confirmed that a war broke out while we were heading towards Zeeland Castle. That’s why I helped the Lunarien army.”

“I’m sorry, but I definitely don’t understand. Could you explain why you decided to help our military?”

“That’s… … .”

This time, Aaron, the leader of the Chilean mercenary group, continued the story.

“Because our two mercenary groups were heading to Zeeland Castle to take refuge in the Lunarien Army.”

“… … !”

Taking refuge meant that you would help our military.

In fact, I had expected it because there was no reason to help other than that, so I ignored it without much thought, but the rest of Luna’s members were unable to hide their surprised expressions, as if they had heard something unexpected.

“… … Can I ask why?”

“Not long ago, I heard that you gave out a huge amount of food and spent a lot of money to repair the houses of common people that were destroyed by a typhoon.”

Aaron, who heard Gustav’s words, added one more word.

“I encountered many leaders while running a mercenary group, but I have never seen a leader who devoted so much to helping Youngjimin since the beginning of the turbulent times. Even for a powerful warlord with a large territory, this would be an incredible feat, but for a small-scale warlord who only runs a small city, it would be unthinkable.”

“That… … .”

Luna said it as if she hadn’t even thought about it, but Aaron wasn’t wrong.

6,000 gold was really a lot of money.

They were able to conscript over 5,000 soldiers, and still had enough money left over to reinvest in internal affairs.

Nevertheless, if you have some money left, you can buy even mid-level items that are not that expensive.

A whopping 6,000 gold was spent on Young Ji-min, so it was likely that rumors would spread.

Even more so considering that even if you invest only 500 gold a year, you will be praised as a saint.

“However, I don’t know exactly what the Lunarien army’s mark is, so I might not be able to help you properly during the war… … Fortunately, we found someone who had a similar outlook as the elderly person who was actively involved in relief work and was at the forefront. I’m glad I was able to help you in time.

‘ah.’

As soon as I heard those words, I was able to realize what kind of chain reaction all of this was taking place.

[Advice] Let Tifa do business -> Find a box containing money in a way only Tifa can.

[Advice] Use all of this money to help the people of the territory -> In this process, you gain public support and become impressed by the two mercenary leaders.

[Advice] Place Kane (who is most active in the rescue effort and is known for his face) at the vanguard -> Recognize Kane at the vanguard and have the mercenaries help our army at the right time.

Now there really was no doubt, not even 0.01%.

My intelligence is 100. And, my prediction is absolutely correct.

All the laws of physics in the world follow my advice, even if they have to force it!

“… … .”

“Huh… … .”

I felt Kane and Tifa next to Luna looking at me with shocked expressions.

Their expressions were very easy to read.

It looked at me and contained a message like, ‘Did you really expect all of this?’

Yes, it must feel that way from their perspective. In the end, I did as I was told and cleared the seemingly impossible mission.

At this moment, what I had to do was simple.

He slowly nods his head with a very serious expression on his face.

As if he had expected all of this.

The thing is, I didn’t expect this whole situation.

To others – it was important to ‘look’ like I had expected this whole situation.

Anyway, if the conclusion is right, all you have to do is piece the rest together.

By showing it that way, it will have the effect of giving authenticity to my unconditional advice and making people follow my opinion without opposing it, no matter how incomprehensible it may be.

Since I was a strategist and not a monarch, it was very important to form a driving force within my power to push my opinions in this way.

Of course, since the monarch was Lunarian Inian, I thought he would most likely listen to me-

Because I didn’t even know what my fate would be in these difficult times.

I approached Luna and gave her advice as if I were a wise man.

“Master. Please accept it. It is clear that it will be a great help to our military.”

“Swen… … .”

Luna looked at me and thought for a moment.

He then looked at the leader and vice-leader kneeling in front of him and said.

“Thank you very much for helping our military. I will definitely not forget this. In the name of Runarien, your actions will become the actions of our army.”

Putting it under the name meant accepting refuge.

The leaders who understood this bowed their heads and answered.

“Yes! I will be loyal.”

“We will become Lunarien’s sword and shield.”

Raven mercenaries, total of 7,000 people.

Chilean mercenaries, total of 6,000 men.

A total of 13,000 mercenaries joined the Lunarien army.

Considering that they were not ordinary soldiers but a well-trained group of mercenaries, the result was too poor for the price of 6,000 gold.

* * *

This is Annell Castle, the headquarters of the Brans Army.

Kalinz was kneeling with his head bowed and speaking to Lord Lin Brans as if he were speaking softly.

“No shame. It’s all my fault. Please kill me.”

“… … .”

The 8,000-strong invasion force was destroyed.

Countless adjutants lost their lives.

The only survivors were about 120 soldiers and their general, Kalinz Brands.

It was a crushing defeat that could never have occurred in the history of Brans County.

Nor did she fight against a famous country like the Aishous army, but against the Lunarien army, a weak nation that had not even been entered into her mind.

Lin Brans asked thoughtfully.

“Brother. What happened? If you really don’t care, please explain so I can understand.”

“… … I was ambushed. As I found out later, it seems like mercenary-level soldiers joined in.”

“Mercenary group?”

“Yes. One of the soldiers recognized their marks, and it was the Raven mercenaries and the Chilean mercenaries… … It looks like he participated in the war to help the Lunarien army.”

“… … What?”

At this point, Lin could not help but be greatly surprised.

The Raven mercenary group and the Chilean mercenary group were mercenary groups that she was familiar with.

In particular, the Chilean mercenary group was struggling to somehow obtain cooperation from the Brans military.

‘You’re helping the monarch of such a weak country, not me?’

This situation itself was absurd… …

As a monarch, she knew very well that continuing to be dumbfounded by a situation that had already happened would not solve anything.

“If it’s a surprise attack, there’s nothing we can do. What can you do if you lose because of lack of information? It’s a bit broken though. For the time being, I would like to help with maintenance from the back instead of going to the front lines. I think it would be a good idea to come down from your position as the leader and cool off.”

To a third party, Rin’s words could have been heard as those of a benevolent monarch protecting a failure, but-

Kalinz could feel it. This was a demotion for failure.

The reason his life was saved was because this battle was a result of a surprise attack and his last name was Bransgi.

but.

What excuse can a leader have?

“… … I will obey your orders.”

“Okay. Come in.”

After sending out Kalintz, Lin was lost in thought.

‘If there are two mercenary groups attached to the Lunarien side, I would have to show my sincerity to take over this side as well… … However, it is not possible to bring Brother Chell from the south.’

Rin continued to be lost in thought and then sighed.

And then I remembered someone’s face.

‘That woman… … ‘Do I have no choice but to use it?’

I really hate it though.

I really, really hate it, but is it inevitable for the greater good?

Lin spoke to the soldier on guard duty next to him.

“Hey.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“There is a second barracks where new soldiers are trained, right? Go there and call Irene.”

“Okay!”

Even though she was the one who had been demoted with her own words, there was nothing she could do now.

Because she was the only one who could use a knife right now.

‘Well, if you become a monarch, you have to know how to do things you don’t like.’

Lin rationalized his actions like that.