Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100% Accuracy

Eingart Fortress.
Once the imperial capital of the old empire, it was now the heart of Serpina’s forces and the most bustling domain in the northern central region.
"Am I going to be stationed there?"
"Yes. It would be troublesome if you weren’t by my side."

"Troublesome?"
When I asked for clarification, she spoke with an air that suggested she wanted to test me for a while.
She wanted to verify whether the rumors about me using magic were true, and although I seemed useful so far, she needed to see with her own eyes if I was effective in real combat. That was the gist of it.
"One more question—am I going there alone?"

Serpina raised an eyebrow, looking at me as if amused.
"It seems you’re worried about the women."
I had no reason to lie or engage in an unnecessary battle of wits with her, so I admitted it outright.

"Yes. They are my companions."
"You needn’t worry. I spoke with Airen, and she also expressed her desire to stay by your side. I tend to be rather accommodating when it comes to my subordinates’ wishes.
Though personally, I would prefer you to fight on the frontlines… well, just because you’re in the capital doesn’t mean there won’t be work to do."
I already knew from my time staying in the annex that she was fairly considerate when it came to her subordinates' requests.
What concerned me, however, was her last remark—“Just because you’re in the capital doesn’t mean there won’t be work to do.”
I had a feeling I’d find out soon enough what she meant.

"This time, I have a question for you."
"Please, go ahead."
"What is your relationship with Jinor’s daughter? Are you engaged to her?"

"No, we are not."
"Then why is she traveling with you? She doesn’t seem familiar with the battlefield… Could it be she really is a mage?"
There was no need to confirm my magic abilities to Serpina.
For both Reika and Airen’s sake, ensuring their safe transfer to the Lunarian Army was more important.

"As I said before, magic doesn’t exist."
"If that’s true, then are you really traveling with a young lady like that for no reason? A girl at the prime of her youth—perfectly suited for bearing children."
"……."
She studied my silence, then smiled as if she found my reaction entertaining.
She merely lifted the corners of her lips, yet it was strikingly beautiful.
In fact, ever since she entered the room, the thought that she's beautiful had crossed my mind more than three times.

"I assumed as much just by looking at you, but it seems you have quite the complicated relationships with women. I won’t interfere much, but I would advise you to avoid foolish actions caused by being swayed by them. Pretty men, in particular, should be extra mindful of their conduct."
"Even if you flatter me, I have nothing to offer in return."
"You think that was a compliment?"

She said this with a chuckle, slightly shaking with amusement.
Whenever she visited, we always ended up exchanging these seemingly frivolous remarks, sharing light laughter.
Strangely enough, despite not having spent a long time together, conversations with her flowed effortlessly.
Not that we had encountered each other often, yet I found it oddly easy to talk to her.
After Serpina left the room, I pulled out a map.

It was a detailed map of the northern continent I had drawn in my spare time while staying in the annex.
It had been quite some time since I had possessed this body, yet I still found it fascinating how vividly I remembered the locations of fortresses, mountains, and rivers.
Then again, after spending ten thousand hours playing this monotonous game on repeat, it was only natural.
Eingart Fortress.
Located at the northern core of the continent, the fortress stood atop an island in the middle of a shallow river.
During the empire’s prime, it was the most prosperous place in the region. However, due to civil war among the imperial family, much of it had been destroyed, and it had lost its former brilliance—that was its established lore.

I wondered what it would feel like to see it in person.
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Yet, more than that, something else was weighing on my mind.

“Is it really safe for me to go this far north?”
Eingart Fortress was in the northernmost region of the continent. Not the absolute north, but still significantly distant from the southern territories where I had sent Lunarian.
Until now, I had never once doubted that I would eventually return to the Lunarian Army.
But this time…

Would I still be able to return to her side, even after being dragged into the heart of the north?
“An opportunity.”
I recalled the words she had spoken when we parted ways.

Luna might appear fragile, but she was strong-willed, with an unexpected stubbornness.
After all, for someone in her position to entrust someone like me—an outsider whose abilities she hadn’t even fully assessed—with such an important role, she had to be unwavering in her convictions.
So, she wouldn’t miss the decisive opportunity I had spoken of.
If she were the type to let such opportunities slip by, the prophecy that she would become the Unifying Monarch would never have existed in the first place.
Which «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» meant…

I would return to her safely, right?
Yet, for some reason—
For the first time, I was overcome by an unsettling feeling, one I had never experienced under any other ruler.

*
For several days, we traveled north by carriage.
Past Kelstein Fortress, which once belonged to Brans’ Army—further, even beyond that.
At last, we arrived at Eingart Fortress, the capital of the north.
As we passed through the massive gates of the fortress, built in an entirely different architectural style from the central continent—

‘Wow…’
A breathtaking view unfolded before my eyes.
A river, winding like a natural fence, encircled the city.
Towering spires pierced the sky as if challenging its domain.
Around these spires stretched grand structures, seemingly taken straight from a storybook, their designs exuding an almost fantastical beauty.
And at the peak of the tallest spire, fluttering in the wind, was a golden banner—the unmistakable symbol of Serpina.
Even the massive shield-shaped emblem of the old empire, still affixed to the fortress walls, declared the city’s history as a former imperial capital.

"Amazing. This place is incredibly developed."
"I didn’t know a fortress like this existed…"
"It’s not just that. If they decide to defend it, this position would be nearly impossible to breach."

"Really? I don’t really understand those things, but… if Lady Airen says so, then I suppose it must be true."
Both Airen and Reika were overwhelmed by the grandeur of the sight, murmuring their admiration.
Even compared to the best fortress I had seen until now—Arnel Fortress—this place was on another level.
If this was how it looked after being destroyed and losing its former glory, I could only imagine how magnificent it must have been at its peak.
The interior of the fortress was just as peaceful as Arnel Fortress.
Perhaps because it had remained largely untouched after the imperial civil war, the faces of the citizens showed little concern or hardship.

Then—
Our carriage came to a halt.
A soldier opened the door.
"Lord Swen?"

"Yes."
"We have arrived. Please step out."
I exchanged a silent glance with Airen and Reika.

"Then, I’ll be going ahead."
"Swen…"
Airen looked at me with lingering reluctance.

It was inevitable.
After living together for so long, we were finally parting ways.
According to Serpina, there was a dormitory-like facility for new officers without proper lodging due to their distant origins.
Until permanent housing became available, they would reside there together.
From what I had heard, Reika was the first non-military individual ever allowed to stay there—a gesture of consideration on Serpina’s part, no doubt.
Since we were also newly assigned officers, we had no choice but to live there as well.
Naturally, the living quarters were separated by gender, which meant we had to say our goodbyes for now.

"According to Lady Serpina, they’re continuously building new housing for officers, so just hold out until then."
"…Alright. I’ll wait… so… yeah."
"……."

Reika, having sensed the subtle atmosphere between me and Airen, quickly glanced toward the soldier standing nearby.
Apparently, the soldier’s gaze toward us was somewhat unusual, making her feel awkward.
"Umm… I’ll contact you! So, uh… let’s meet again soon!"
After parting ways with them, I stepped out of the carriage.

Another soldier approached me.
His armor bore the royal insignia, meaning he had been dispatched under Serpina’s direct orders to escort me.
"Are you Lord Swen?"
"I am."

"Please follow me."
As I walked down the tree-lined street behind him, I caught a peculiar, almost ethereal fragrance in the air.
What kind of flowers were these?
Eventually, we arrived at a four-story building, not far from the royal castle.

"This is your residence. You will be staying in Room 303. Your roommate will explain the basic living rules."
"…Roommate?"
"Yes."

Right—this place had a two-person-per-room system.
The empire was vast, and there were many officers, so only a select few were even allowed to stay here.
"I understand."
"Then, I will take my leave."

As the soldier gave a short salute and turned to leave, he suddenly stopped and looked back at me.
"By the way—"
"?“

"Welcome to Serpina’s Army."
With that, he gave me a brief nod before walking away.
A soldier is different from a knight.
They can change allegiances freely if necessary, and most of them just work for their paychecks.
Yet, even in an ordinary soldier like him, there was a clear sense of belonging and pride in being part of Serpina’s forces.

Even the soldier who had once threatened me before—while I was still considered an envoy of an enemy nation—would not have been able to act that way unless he felt truly loyal to Serpina’s army.
Was this organizational cohesion the reason behind her continued success?
I had only just arrived at Eingart Fortress, yet I had already uncovered several strengths of Serpina’s military.
And yet, despite all this, fate dictated that the Unifying Monarch would be Lunarian, not Serpina?

‘How strange…’
I wanted to run a prediction, but ever since I switched allegiances, I hadn’t been receiving any prompts.
Should I have Airen ask subtle questions on my behalf?
Or should I wait for the right moment when Serpina herself would inquire?
Pondering such things, I made my way to Room 303.

At the door, I knocked a few times.
A voice responded from within.
"Come in."
‘Huh?’

The voice… was odd.
It sounded masculine, but also somewhat androgynous.
Well, voices varied from person to person, so I didn’t dwell on it and opened the door.
And then—

Not only was the voice ambiguous, but the person himself looked like… some kind of refined courtesan.
"You must be the new officer?"
"That’s correct."

"I heard from our lord that a new recruit would be arriving. We probably won’t be roommates for long, but let’s get along while we are."
As he spoke, he extended his hand toward me.
I took his hand and introduced myself.

"I’m Swen."
"Janis al Kasky. Nice to meet you."