episode_0124

“… … Well then, let me explain my own rationale.”

“So that you can say anything.”

but.

As for the evidence, there is nothing to say about it.

My decisive basis is the prediction result of intelligence of 100. There is no way I can explain this in words.

Even if I explained it, I didn’t think it would be able to convince Serpina.

If you think back to the time of Irian, she would only move the army if there was a compelling reason.

So what is the attitude I should take here?

‘If there is an unconditionally correct result anyway… … .’

This meant that such a result was inevitable.

If I were Yuuri, and I was in a position to use the river to secretly attack Serpina’s army – what on earth was I thinking when I did that?

It starts with thinking about it.

The very moment I was about to open my mouth.

“Wait.”

Serpina said, slightly extending her white hand.

“Before hearing the evidence, can I talk about your opinion first?”

“Please do so.”

“Then don’t hesitate.”

Serpina said, slowly unfolding her folded hands.

“If the Aishous army really comes down the river and makes a surprise attack, Amir Castle will definitely be in danger. I also think that if we are attacked without any knowledge, the castle may be temporarily taken over. However, no matter how many times I think about it, I’m not sure if it would be of such great benefit to Aishus-kun.”

After saying that, Serpina glanced at Jenna.

Jenna nods slowly and accepts what she says.

“As long as the route is limited to the river, there is a natural limit to the number of troops that can be dispatched, and even if the troops are continuously increased, it seems that if they block it on this side, they will be able to recapture it without difficulty. Unless you don’t know that, I don’t think you would launch an attack so recklessly.”

Certainly, this plan was close to a gamble from the Aishus Army’s point of view.

In the first place, you must never be detected while crossing the river, the time it takes will be enormous, and because it is difficult to secure supply lines, there is a limit to the number of troops that can be dispatched.

Although it is nice to hit hard once, you cannot seriously advance into the northern continent through this route.

” As you said, if Amir Castle is taken, you will be in a difficult situation for a moment. However, as I said, if all they can do is recapture it, the bottom line is that there is nothing for the Aishous army to gain by doing so. As of now, Swen’s opinion, no matter how many times I think about it, is that we will invade this place despite the difficulties just for the sake of making a single impact-”

“That’s it!”

“… … !”

I quickly lowered my head to Jenna, who was startled.

“Please forgive my rudeness, Jenna. However, I had no choice but to add this because exactly what you said is what Acious is aiming for.”

“Are you talking about aiming?”

“―Impact. Yuuri needs an impact that can surprise everyone.”

Ironically, after hearing the sentence ‘impact’, I felt like the overall picture was slowly becoming apparent before my eyes.

” As you know, my lord, I was originally a member of the Acious Army and was serving Yuuri.”

“It was like that.”

“The more time you spend with them, the more you can know for sure what they think and how things work.”

Serpina tapped the armrest with her fingers as if she was interested in what I said.

“Keep trying.”

“To explain simply, you can think about the situation that Acious County is currently in.”

I made exaggerated gestures and spoke in a relaxed tone as if I were an eloquent speaker.

“Currently, Baranga Yuuri Aceers is going through quite a dangerous time as the monarch.”

“Why?”

There’s no way he doesn’t know, so he doesn’t bother to ask.

It wasn’t that bad to clearly see the intention to test me to the limit.

The one where you can see what’s inside is better than the one where you can’t read anything at all.

“That’s why I exist here.”

“That means… … ?”

Jenna, who was next to me, added her voice.

I asked Jenna lightly, wondering if she knew the general situation, and she nodded slowly.

Then there is no need to explain it two or three times.

“Baranga Yuuri Acious made the worst move as a monarch, letting me go after I was dispatched here as an envoy.”

No matter how important Anima Ingram was to her, sacrificing another general for her could not have been the worst move from a micro or macro perspective.

The inside must have been shaking. I could see that even Jinor, who had sent me a letter right away, had lost interest in her.

“You cannot fix a situation that has already occurred. In that case, as a monarch, she must somehow sort out the cluttered internal atmosphere. So what you can do is-”

“Are we creating a common enemy by attacking the outside world?”

Before I could finish what I was saying, Serpina intervened, but-

It didn’t matter. Because what she said was what I was trying to say.

“Yes.”

After creating a common enemy, we turn our attention to that and sort out the divided public opinion.

The opponent is Serpina, who happens to be the starting point of all of this. There is no other justification like this.

Failure was also failure, but if she succeeded and could plant the flag of the Aethus Army in the northern continent even for just a moment, it was clear that her reputation would also increase.

“But, if it’s just an external attack, isn’t there a much simpler solution? If it were me, I would have targeted the castles near the border. Even if that side succeeds in the siege, it will be much easier to defend.”

“Currently, Aishus County is in a difficult situation just managing the territory it owns. This is a contingency story, but if you had asked for Castle Lachline in return for releasing Anima Ingram, it is highly likely that you would have granted it. They also know that in this situation, actually increasing territory is likely to be self-defeating. Additionally, much more troops are needed than for a surprise attack. Besides-”

“-From the standpoint of strengthening solidarity, our military is truly the optimal opponent from their perspective. Because Acious doesn’t like Serpina that much.”

After hearing those words, Serpina was lost in thought for a moment.

In her intelligent golden eyes, you can gradually see the sparkling spirit of victory that brought her to this position.

“I see. Since there is definitely something to be gained, we attack by riding the river… … . What you get is solidarity and an impact that can overshadow your choice.”

“That’s exactly what I want to say.

When I said that with a grin, Serpina tilted her head again as if she was amused.

“Could you explain why it is at this time?”

“There is no way they are unaware that the border line is being solidified to some extent. We will continue to monitor each other’s movements. Now that it looks like there will be no additional invasions, wouldn’t this be a good time to stab us in the back?”

“… … .”

Serpina smoothed her chin with her hand.

“Swen.”

When she called me, I made eye contact once more.

” Causing an illness to settle the situation, using a river to attack the northern continent to make a big impact, and targeting our soldiers are all, in the end, close to heartbreaking. In reality, it doesn’t change the fact that her little prank will end up with no real benefit.”

“… … .”

You really are a tough opponent, Serpina.

He is a person who is never trusted unless there is a clear reason.

If there was someone who was the antithesis of Runarien, who showed unconditional trust, it would definitely be her.

“Still, are you appealing to me for faith?”

I am… … I squeezed out as much as I could.

The most plausible scenario was completed under the assumption that ‘the Aethius army is coming down the river’ would definitely happen.

After seeing the build up to this point, I even thought that it might really be like that.

Serpina was the common enemy of the core five members of Acious. It would not be strange to think that if we can give the enemy a good blow, we can somehow turn over the current messy situation.

As I thought about it like that, I realized that the person who planned this plan was Anima. If it were Jinor, he wouldn’t have had the ability to come up with a plan like this, which had significantly less practical benefits.

There is no more solid evidence for me to bring here.

In that case, rather than dragging it on, I needed to take the initiative.

‘Let’s finish this soon.’

I bowed deeply towards her.

“Serpina. My opinion is just one possibility. As I said, based on my experience during my time in Aishus County, I believe there is a very high probability that the enemy will attack by river… … I would like to tell you that whether or not you trust this opinion is up to you, not me.”

Serpina stared at my face without any response.

… … Thanks to her outstanding beauty, it seemed inevitable that my heart would be slightly shaken in the future.

“In other words, this is what you are saying? I have a feeling you might do that, but I’m not sure you’ll take that action. Whether you believe this or not is ultimately your choice. He was just expressing his opinion… … That’s what you’re saying, right?”

“Yes.”

” Doesn’t that mean that there isn’t enough evidence to persuade me? ”

At this point, I slowly closed my eyes and lowered my head.

And then, he spoke resolutely, as if he had expected to hear something like this.

“Serpina. I can’t tell you everything straight away. It is not possible to report incomplete reasoning to my lord, Serpina.”

“It sounds like he is hiding something again.”

“I am just asking for your understanding.”

I know the absolute result, but I don’t really know the reason, so let’s just pretend it looks reasonable.

Anyway, when the conclusion is reached, it will be revealed that I was right, and at that time, the seeds of language I sowed will sprout little by little and soon bear the fruit of trust.

“Did you also follow your intuition when you prayed to the sky and dropped a huge stone?”

“… … .”

When there was no answer, Serpina nodded slowly.

“I understand. I will take your opinion into consideration.”

“Yes.”

“You worked hard today. You can go in.”

I bowed deeply once again.

“Please come to us whenever you need it. I’ll be waiting.”

I slowly cleaned things up as I left the throne room, leaving Serpina behind.

First of all, I didn’t see any other options other than ‘The Aceh army is coming up the river’, so I expected that and came up with a reasonable reason.

In the end, Serpina was right.

If I were to ask whether that was an action that would cause such damage to our military, it honestly wasn’t.

‘Well, it’s okay. ‘You said Serpina would take care of it, right?’

As the maximum efficiency differs at each time, there was a possibility that preventing this level of unrest would be the maximum efficiency that our military could achieve.

Anyway, it was the first time in a while that I woke up and felt tired.

For the first time in a while, I thought about asking Irene for a cup of tea, but then I realized that I was no longer living with her.

‘I hope you’re doing well, Irene.’

When the building we will be moving into is completed and we can move in, then shall we propose to live together again?

If the situation allowed, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to hint and check his feelings.

If that happens, what will happen to Reika? Are we going to live together in my house?

Thinking about the possibility of both of them becoming my wives, I feel a little warm again, but…

‘There’s no need to think about everything now.’

Let’s go back and get some rest.

After clearing my mind, I slowly left the royal castle.