Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 150: An Unexpected Reunion (2)

"You're too slow! Faster!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"You cannot rely solely on your comrades. On the battlefield, assume that no one will protect you. If you wish to lean on someone, you must first be the one others can lean on. Understood?"

"Understood!"

The military barracks of Eingart Castle.

Airen, now the deputy commander of the occupying forces, was overseeing the soldiers’ training.

The level of training she demanded was rigorous, yet not a single soldier fell behind.

After all, these were no ordinary troops—this was the elite force of Serpina’s army.

These men had fought in the suppression of northern rebellions and had pushed into the central continent. They had already gained ample battle experience. That was why they could endure even Airen’s relentless drills.

And—

Watching the entire scene from a distance were two figures.

The golden-haired warlord, Serpina, and her closest confidante, Jenna.

"What do you think?"

"It’s impressive. We conducted a mock battle to compare them with the untrained occupying forces, and the difference was striking—the trained soldiers demonstrated nearly twice the combat effectiveness."

"Is that so? I assumed she’d struggle with training troops, given her experience as a frontline general... but it seems I was mistaken."

What neither Serpina nor Jenna knew—

Before Airen joined Serpina’s army, she had spent more time training soldiers than anything else.

In the early days of the Brans Army, alongside Chel Brans, she had campaigned endlessly across the central continent, conquering territory after territory.

Yet, contrary to expectations, she had spent most of her time in the barracks, organizing the placement of less prominent officers.

It was, in fact, Airen’s own request to be assigned to the barracks.

Since the occupying forces weren’t currently active, she had little else to do. If she could contribute to training, it was only natural that she would.

A woman even more formidable than her reputation suggests.

"I see. Understood. You have much to do, Jenna. You may leave if you wish."

"...My lady."

"What is it?"

Jenna hesitated as if she had something to say.

Then, she lowered her head.

"...Never mind. I will take my leave now."

Serpina did not press her for answers.

If Jenna wanted to speak, she would do so in her own time.

And so, after sending Jenna away, Serpina remained to watch Airen’s training until it concluded.

When the session finally ended—

"...My lady?"

Airen, wiping off her sweat, locked eyes with Serpina as she headed to change her clothes.

"You’re working hard, Airen."

"It is only what is expected of me. But... may I ask why you are here?"

"I have business with you."

"With me...? Has a rebellion broken out?"

"Not quite. Rather... you could say it’s something that concerns you directly."

Airen tilted her head, unable to guess what it could be.

Serpina chuckled at the sight.

"You have quite a feminine side, despite appearances."

"...Excuse me?"

"Never mind. You need not respond to every idle remark."

Airen blinked in confusion, processing two simultaneous thoughts.

First—Her smile is beautiful.

Second—Serpina enjoys making jokes more than I expected.

Then—

Just as suddenly as she had appeared, Serpina cut straight to the point.

"I am forming an alliance with the Brans Army."

"...!!"

The Brans Army.

The nation Airen had once dedicated everything to.

She had endured grueling hardships and unjust treatment, all for Lyn’s recognition.

Yet, Lyn had refused to look at her—until the very end.

If not for Swen, she likely wouldn’t even be alive now.

"You seem lost in thought, Airen."

"...!!"

Feeling as though her thoughts had been laid bare, Airen quickly bowed in apology.

"I’m sorry, I—"

"There is nothing to apologize for. Speak freely."

Lowering her head, Airen spoke in a solemn tone.

"As of now, I am a soldier of Serpina’s army. If this is my lady’s will, I will follow it."

"Well, I did not come all this way simply to inform you about the alliance."

"Then...?"

Serpina stepped closer.

The refreshing scent of citrus tickled Airen’s nose.

"She is coming here."

"...?"

"She—Lyn Brans. The woman who abandoned you."

"!!!"

Lyn Brans—

That woman—

Was coming here?

"May I ask... why?"

"Because that was my condition for the alliance."

Serpina smirked.

"Lyn is coming here after throwing away every last shred of her pride. She will extend her hand to me—the one woman the entire continent despises, Serpina von Eingart."

Hearing those words, Airen instantly understood Serpina’s intent.

So my lady plans to use her own reputation as a tyrant to isolate Lyn from the continent.

Even Airen herself had held a poor impression of Serpina before meeting her.

If an outsider were to witness Lyn kneeling before the infamous Serpina, their perception of Lyn would inevitably change.

Then—

"Airen."

"Yes, my lady?"

"You once said Lyn Brans abandoned you."

"...That is correct."

"Would you mind telling me what happened?"

Airen hesitated briefly.

Then, nodding, she gave Serpina a concise summary—

How she had been demoted despite her military achievements, how she had been cast aside time and time again, and how, in the end, she had met Swen and defected to Aishus' forces.

Serpina listened in silence.

Once Airen finished speaking, Serpina was the first to break the silence.

"This is quite the fortunate opportunity, Airen. Why not make an appearance before Lyn?"

"Me...?"

"Yes."

Serpina’s smile deepened.

"She must come to understand exactly what she has done. Don’t you agree? Fufufu..."

"......."

Airen thought of her former ruler.

The woman who had repaid her unwavering loyalty by casting her into the abyss.

It was a past she had already left behind.

It no longer mattered to her.

And yet—

If Serpina wished for her presence, then she would comply.

"You need only stand by my side. That alone will force her to confront the consequences of her actions. Whether she overcomes them or crumbles under them... that is up to her."

And then—

Serpina’s tone grew serious.

"She discarded a general who had sworn herself to her. That is something I cannot overlook."

"My lady..."

There was sincerity in Serpina’s voice.

Airen could not deny it.

Of all the rulers she had ever served, Serpina was the one who had treated her best.

"I understand. I will follow your command, my lady."

"Good. Ah, and one more thing."

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Serpina casually rested a hand on Airen’s shoulder—

And then, as if it were nothing, she spoke his name.

"What is Swen to you?"

"...Excuse me?"

The moment she heard that name, Airen’s eyes trembled.

Serpina, watching her reaction, thought to herself: Such an easy woman to read.

"Quite literally—what is Swen to you?"

"Swen is... well, he is... my comrade."

"A comrade?"

"Yes."

"......."

Serpina did not respond.

Instead, she simply patted Airen’s shoulder again and said—

"Airen, you and I will make excellent comrades as well."

Then, without another word, she turned and walked away.

Airen stood there, staring blankly at Serpina’s retreating figure.

She replayed their conversation in her mind.

...I never thought I would see her again.

Closing her eyes, she recalled her former sovereign.

Though she had left in haste, she had never truly said goodbye.

If I think of this as a final farewell, I suppose it’s not so bad.

She had no lingering attachment to Lyn.

Her heart already belonged to someone else.

So this...

Would truly be the last time.

With that thought, Airen turned and headed toward her quarters to wash off the sweat clinging to her skin.

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...Though Serpina’s words about being good comrades continued to nag at her—

She chose not to dwell on them.

***

For Lyn, the journey to Eingart Castle was anything but pleasant.

It was not only because she had rarely traveled such a long distance since becoming sovereign.

More than anything—

Every time she passed through a land that had once belonged to Brans, but was no longer under Brans’ rule—

An unbearable sense of regret swelled within her.

The feeling was at its worst when they passed Kelstein Castle—

The ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) gateway to the north.

Once, she had believed without a doubt that the towering fortress would never fall.

Yet now—

The sky-blue banner of the Brans Army was gone.

In its place, the golden flag of Serpina’s forces fluttered atop the castle spire.

It was torture.

And all of it—

Was her own doing.

If only she had not decided to kill Airen back then.

It’s unbearable...

At night, when she lay awake in anguish, Parfalle approached her.

"My lady. Harden your heart. You must not show weakness. You may be seeking an alliance now, but if you wait, an opportunity will surely come."

"I know that...."

And so, she forced herself forward, step by step, deeper into the northern continent.

How had things come to this?

She had fought so hard to plant her banner here.

Victory had been within her grasp.

If only—

If only she had listened to Swen.

She could have pushed into the north.

The opportunity had been right there.

And yet, because of her foolish decision, it had slipped away.

Once hailed as the ruler of the central continent, the only rival to Serpina’s forces—

Brans’ army was now losing land to Hesna.

She had finally come to accept that it was her fault.

But being forced to confront her failures with her own eyes...

It was devastating.

If Serpina had orchestrated this entire situation to torment her even further—

That damn witch...!

Lyn bit down on her lip, the taste of blood filling her mouth.

No matter how much humiliation she endured for the sake of her army’s survival—

If Brans ever got another chance—

Serpina von Eingart... I will personally sever your head...!

And so, after several more days of travel—

"My lady. We have arrived."

At last, they reached Eingart Castle.

The moment they arrived, Serpina’s soldiers approached.

"You are Lyn Brans, leader of the Brans Army?"

A sovereign had come in person to negotiate an alliance.

Proper etiquette dictated that she should be treated with respect.

But the soldier deliberately made no such effort.

The difference in power.

They knew she was the one at a disadvantage.

Lyn swallowed the burning anger rising within her.

Forcing a smile, she spoke in a calm tone.

"...Yes, that’s me. Where is Lady Serpina?"

"Wait here. You must undergo a body search before entering."

"What?"

One of Brans’ officers, unable to contain his rage, snapped—

"What nonsense is this?!"

But before he could say more—

Parfalle reached out and firmly restrained him.

"Hold your tongue. Do you wish to undo all of our lady’s efforts?"

"......Tsk...."

Lyn gave a slight nod, indicating her consent.

And so, she silently endured the indignity of being searched.

A few minutes later—

"Is the inspection complete?"

A voice rang out in the distance.

"Yes!"

...Wait.

Lyn, who had just finished the search, froze.

She knew that voice.

She recognized that voice.

From beyond the gathered soldiers, a woman emerged.

A warrior with crimson hair—

Wearing a silver circlet.

A suit of armor, engraved with the crest of the Eingart family.

Her violet eyes burned with unwavering loyalty to her liege.

!!!!!!

And at that moment—

Lyn understood why the voice had been so familiar.

"...No way."

"This... This can't be...!"

It wasn’t just Lyn.

Parfalle, along with the other Brans officers, stood frozen in shock.

"I-Airen...?!"

The crimson-haired knight—

The woman who had once sworn to serve her with absolute devotion—

Now stood before her, clad in Eingart’s colors.

And she was looking at her.