episode_0230

“Foot.”

As Serpina smiled slightly, I felt myself relax.

Still, since she is a smart person, it would be better to be satisfied that there is no need for a complicated explanation.

I looked straight into her golden eyes and said.

“… … I think there might be a nasty plague going around. Other than that, while meeting the conditions of preparing for war-”

“At the same time, there will be no conclusion to withdraw troops without fighting.”

okay.

When a plague, or infectious disease, broke out, the soldiers stationed there collapsed at an unbelievable rate.

If I had to guess based on the games I’ve played so far – within the same country with unblocked borders, the speed of transmission would be ridiculously fast.

Considering that the mechanism of ‘Meteorite’ followed that of the game not long ago, it is not difficult to predict that it will work similarly in this world where the game has become a reality.

but… … If what I was thinking was limited to military history-

Serpina seemed to have thought one step ahead.

“In that sense, I am considering moving Hispil Castle and its surrounding fiefdoms to the unexplored lands of the northern continent. What do you think?”

“Yes? uh… … .”

I zone out for a moment, then try typing out the question I was asked.

The answer was simple.

Because it was [unknown].

‘Is it because moving the territory’s residents to pioneer has nothing to do with military strategy, so there is no answer…? … ? No, this isn’t important-‘

“But, my lord. If a forced mobilization order is issued against the residents of the territory-”

“Are you saying that we will lose public support?”

“Yes. I think it will also affect the morale of the generals under my command.”

In this world, monarchs were the heads of their respective countries, but they were still feudal lords.

Serpina, who had the legitimacy of succeeding the royal family, only had a bit of influence among them.

Moreover, she was not the only one calling Eingart’s name now. Now that Kyle von Eyngart, who had been hiding for a long time under the pseudonym Kane Nerkis, has been revealed, Serpina’s weight has diminished.

Therefore, carelessly manipulating the people of the territory could not receive a good evaluation.

This gave rise to a trend in which, unlike armed forces, soldiers were not treated as criminals even if they frequently surrendered to other armies.

In any case, the source of the army was the territory residents living in the territory, and they were in a situation where the masters they served were constantly changing.

If you wipe out an army just because it sacrificed its labor for another army, it itself becomes a trash tyrant without any qualifications.

Would you issue a forced mobilization order in such a situation?

From a strategic point of view, it wasn’t a very good move.

This is because the residents of the territory were basically very proud of their hometown.

Perhaps her career will add a few more words to her nickname of tyrant.

Of course, it wasn’t as if she didn’t know why she came to that thought.

She crossed her soldiers-

‘They want to save the residents living there.’

Otherwise, there is no need to issue a complicated mobilization order.

“It’s not that I don’t know what my lord wants, but… … .”

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

I am in this situation.

He gives advice that any strategist should give.

“I would like to object for two reasons, but is it okay?”

“Hehehe. Come at me anytime, Swen.”

Leaving aside the strangely patronizing words, I pointed out a very realistic point.

“This is a story based on our hypothesis: ‘A terrible plague will break out around the border, including Hispil Castle.’ … Since we do not know the exact cause of the plague, it would be a very dangerous choice to move the territory residents who may be the cause of the plague, even our soldiers, to the northern continent.”

Serpina’s choice could be seen as ideal.

If the results were not good, no matter how ideal the intention was, it was meaningless.

Bringing the bud of plague to the northern continent in the hope of saving everyone was never a wise move.

Serpina also seemed to understand that part, nodding slowly and asking.

“First of all, Swen, I would like to ask you a question.”

“Tell me anything.”

“Where is your ‘mind’s eye’ pointing?”

“… … Yes?”

“If, as you say, this decision becomes a disaster that will bring about a plague on our military, wouldn’t your ‘mind’s eye’ naturally say that this is an inefficient method? So, I think getting the answer to your question comes first.”

“Uh… … .”

The advice might be to pull back the military, but the answer to the question about relocating the territory’s residents was ‘I don’t know.’

“Does your mind evaluate this as ‘not efficient’?”

“That… … That’s not true.”

When Siman said that she couldn’t answer that question, she smiled as if she was even more amused.

“Swen. The more I learn about your abilities, the more interesting they become. Even though you have that ability, I feel like I’m starting to understand why you couldn’t dominate this continent a long time ago.”

Well, the range is shorter than you think.

Just as Jinor expected, and perhaps Serpina… … I can’t show off my omnipotent abilities that much.

‘… … uh?’

wait for a sec.

Maybe we can find out another way.

“Master.”

“?”

“Why don’t you make a decision in your heart first?”

“Make a decision?”

I nodded.

“From now on, please make the decision, ‘We plan to relocate the northern continent’s territories, including Hispil Castle, to the northern continent.’”

“I don’t really understand the saying, “Make a decision.””

“It’s just my answer and whatever, you just have to decide that’s what you’re going to do.”

Back in the day, when Serpina was trying to make a peace agreement with Rin.

There was a time when he decided to go to Lin himself and the results of his advice changed.

Because of that, Serpina’s life was saved.

It still applies today.

When Serpina decides to do that, if the same question is asked and the results are different, the answer will be different.

Since it wouldn’t be efficient for a plague to spread through our military, if it were changed to [No.], it would mean that all my expectations were correct.

She looked confused for a moment and then-

Soon, he slowly moves his head and speaks.

“So I did.”

“Please ask again. ‘Is it most efficient to bring back all the troops on the border?’ no see.

“Do you think it would be efficient to bring back all the troops on the border?”

And the answer that comes out.

[Yes.]

‘… … ‘It doesn’t affect me.’

Even if there is an enforcement ordinance, it does not mean that everyone will be moved without leaving a single person behind.

There are probably quite a few people who will remain for various reasons.

What was certain was that even if the residents of the territory were gathered, the hell that would unfold there would not be moved to this place.

at that time.

“I guess that part has been resolved.”

“… … Yes?”

I answered in surprise, but she spoke in a calm tone as if she was surprised.

“Didn’t the corners of your mouth move? As if it was fortunate.”

“Ah… … .”

… … Really, hiding something in front of that woman can’t be any more hardcore than difficult.

“Even if that issue is resolved, the lord has nothing to gain from this decision. To others, all of this will be nothing more than a coincidence.”

My point was simple.

There is a plague in Hispil Castle!

Serpina was forced to mobilize to save us!… … This meant that something like a fairy tale would not unfold.

So, even if she ends up saving more lives-

This meant that rather than increasing her evaluation, it would only add to her image as a self-indulgent tyrant.

If we were to really consider efficiency, it was right to leave Young Jimin alone.

No one will be able to blame us for not being able to avoid the plague.

“What. Maybe what you say is right.”

Serpina speaks in a confident tone, with the same shameless tyrant smile on her face as ever.

“There is no reason why anyone who wants to become the master of the continent should not carry out that wish just because no one understands it.”

“… … .”

“It doesn’t matter if it increases by one or two. What’s important is that more people can continue to live.”

When I heard her say those words.

I felt like something was stirring inside me.

To the outside world, he is known as a tyrant and the victor of the Prince’s War, including the Pibiola Academy massacre.

If I do it like that, no one will notice… …

Suddenly, I see her crying, saying I didn’t kill her.

I clenched my teeth without realizing it.

Why is she… … Is it impossible to become a unified monarch?

Serpina must have noticed the change in my expression, and slowly approaches me.

“And didn’t you tell me, Swen?”

And then, look into my eyes.

“Won’t you find out right away?”

“Yes… … ?”

“It’s the same as back then. When I made a bet with Yuuri about you. Even if no one knows about all my decisions―”

And then, he stroked my cheek with his pure white hand.

“Swen, because I see and know everything through your own two eyes.”

“Master… … .”

“So, I think you get a lot from just that. It’s not an inefficient decision at all.”

After saying that, she takes another step back and smiles like a fox.

As for me… …

Just before my thoughts deepened, I managed to break the chain, then lowered my head and said.

“Then… … Please take care of the rest.”

At first glance, it would look like he was getting scared and withdrawing from a battle that was worth fighting.

In such a situation, persuading your subjects is… … It was her responsibility, not mine.

“Don’t worry, Swen. Because as long as you are behind me, I am confident that I will never be defeated by anyone.”

I think to myself as I watch her golden eyes sparkle.

No matter what anyone says, she is not a tyrant or anything.

Rather, it was clear that he was someone who might have revived the empire even more than the likes of Algoth and Sidmid, and who would become a great leader that would leave a lasting mark on the Eingart royal family… … I think about it.

At least for this moment-

I was curious about the world beneath her.