Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 204: The Price of Choice (1)

The first mage in the continent’s history had appeared—

As the saying goes, "A rumor travels a thousand miles without legs." This news began spreading across the continent at an astonishing speed.

Brans Army, Veliar Castle

Veliar Castle was located in the westernmost region of the continent. In the fragmented western lands where small domains were scattered, it was one of the few places of significant size—

And now, it had become the new capital of the Brans Army.

Officially, it was designated as a temporary capital. If Carlints’ forces could reclaim Arnel Castle, which they currently occupied, the government would relocate there. However, everyone knew that such a prospect was still far off. As a result, various structures were being expanded, making the castle more active than ever before in its history.

The kingdom had been divided into three. Resources were scarce, and Lin had only the lords who had not betrayed her to rely on. To an outsider, the situation seemed utterly devoid of hope.

And yet, instead of despair, a vibrant energy filled the royal capital—hope.

Even the expressions of the soldiers were remarkably upright, far from what one would expect from a defeated nation.

Rather than the typical slouched posture of soldiers from a fallen state, they carried the sharp determination of warriors with a grand ambition, as if they were the foundation of a new nation.

At the center of it all sat Lin Brans, the blue-haired sovereign.

Dressed in simple yet dignified attire—modest for a ruler—she occupied the throne. Under normal circumstances, one would expect her to have lost the people's trust, being responsible for the tripartite division of the nation.

And yet, Lin had adapted swiftly to the crisis. As if she had become an entirely different person, she had managed to stabilize the situation and prevent the Brans Army from collapsing entirely.

Though both Chel Brans and Carlints Brans were of Brans blood, Lin still held the overwhelming legitimacy of being Oland Brans’ designated heir. That authority could not be easily disregarded.

When the Brans Army had nearly conquered the central continent, she would sit on the throne with a perpetually bored expression—

Yet now, as the ruler of a fractured kingdom, her gaze was sharper than ever as she attentively listened to her strategist Parfalle’s report.

"The victor of the battle for Arnel Castle is Carlints' forces."

"Oh? That must be quite distressing for Brother Chel."

After the Brans Army split into three factions,

Lin had been left with the westernmost and least valuable territories of their domain.

The key figures and elite generals had all positioned themselves around Arnel Castle in the heart of the central continent. They were intelligent enough to place their bets on the notion that Lin was unfit to rule.

Lin herself acknowledged this.

The capable commanders had chosen Carlints or Chel, while those who remained by her side were officers she had never paid attention to—soldiers she had stationed in remote areas with no expectations.

Yet ironically, in the final, most desperate moment, those very officers—the ones she had once discarded as worthless—chose to stand by her without hesitation.

Carlints had seized the heart of the Brans domain, including Arnel Castle.

Chel commanded an army of elite warriors, the finest of the Brans military.

So long as they kept each other in check, Lin—the rightful heir to the throne—was of no concern to them.

That was the irony.

With no solid foundation left, Lin found herself in an unexpected position—granted the invaluable opportunity to reorganize, free from the ongoing power struggle between her brothers.

"What about the troop movements?"

"We have conscripted every available recruit... but we severely lack skilled generals to train them."

"Is there anyone capable?"

"Rather than competence... There is someone who has been particularly insistent on being assigned."

Parfalle trailed off, her words hanging in the air. Lin, maintaining her composure, prompted her for more information.

"Tell me in detail."

***

A Short While Later

A man strode confidently into the audience chamber before kneeling before Lin.

"Bellut Luga, reporting as per my lord’s summons!"

He had a strong, masculine face, though his overall appearance was rather unremarkable.

Though well-built, he did not exude overwhelming presence. Rather than a seasoned general, he gave the impression of a well-trained soldier.

"Raise your head, Bellut."

"Yes, my lord!"

"You are asking for the authority to command troops?"

"That is correct!"

Bellut bowed once more, his voice resolute.

"From the moment my lord spared my life with mercy, I swore to repay that kindness no matter what. I have vowed countless times that I would serve you with my all. Now is my chance. If you grant me the honor, I will not only train these recruits but also march into battle. I will take back the land stolen by those treacherous usurpers and bring you the heads of Carlints and Chel!"

"......."

To be honest—

Lin could not remember who he was.

She felt a slight pang of guilt, but the truth was that she had never bothered to remember the names of unremarkable officers.

Despite his bold words, he was likely no match for Chel, the greatest swordsman in the Brans Army, or even Carlints, who could handle him with ease.

Even so—

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"That is reassuring, Bellut."

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Lin slowly rose from her seat. Stretching out her hand, she spoke in a firm and commanding tone.

"I will entrust you with 48,000 troops. Additionally, I will send reinforcements and skilled officers to assist you as quickly as possible. Show me a spectacular performance. Understood?"

"Yes, my lord!"

"And also—"

"......?"

Lin met Bellut’s gaze directly as he lifted his head.

"No matter what happens, I will never forget your name, Bellut."

"Ah... I-I understand! It is an honor!"

Bellut, looking slightly overwhelmed, bowed deeply before exiting with the same resolute energy with which he had entered.

Lin no longer disregarded those without outstanding abilities.

After all, in this era of chaos, for someone to choose her—despite # Nоvеlight # all odds, despite being overlooked—meant they were not guided by pure logic but by an unwavering sense of loyalty.

Lin carved Bellut's name into her memory.

Not just his—but every name of those who continued to stand by her. She would never forget them again.

"Parfalle. Where did Bellut serve before?"

"I believe he was with the Walnut Army."

Walnut Army... That was where Gurupa had been.

Back then, Lin had likely paid no attention to anyone except Gurupa.

She had never imagined that one of those nameless officers, someone she had appointed without much thought, would be the one to remain by her side until the very end.

Then—

‘...Come to think of it.’

As soon as another thought crossed her mind, Lin turned to Parfalle with a sharp question.

"Have you heard the news, Parfalle?"

"News, my lady?"

"A mage has appeared in Serpina's army."

"......."

Parfalle lowered her head, silent.

Lin quickly realized why—Parfalle had heard the news but had deliberately withheld it from her.

Lin let out a dry, bitter smile.

"...They say a pink-haired woman conjured flames with her hands."

"That is not all, is it?"

Parfalle closed her eyes briefly before lowering her head further.

"It is fine, Parfalle. Be honest. This is a moment we must face head-on."

"...A white-haired man was seen supporting her."

"As expected, it was Swen."

Lin let out a small chuckle, her voice laced with nostalgia.

"That boy... He did something similar when he was with us, didn’t he?"

"But this time, he did not set up an altar or perform any kind of ritual... From what it seems, he fought as a mage straight out of the legends. It is still a rumor, so we cannot be sure."

"Even if it is a rumor, if it was a white-haired man, then it was definitely him. Swen always hid things from me—even when he was here."

"......."

"It is alright. He is no longer under my command."

Lin spoke with a calmness that belied the slight tremor in her voice.

"And... as long as Swen is by her side... That is enough for me."

With that, she turned her head away.

The battlefield where this supposed mage had appeared—

The first name that had emerged from the reports—

A red-haired knight, known as a "siege specialist"—

"...Let’s go, Parfalle."

"Where are you going, my lady?"

"A simple inspection. We have conscripted a lot of soldiers—surely the people are restless. A ruler cannot just sit on the throne and ignore the state of their land."

‘If I fall here without a fight, I will have no face left to show Airen... At the very least, I must reunify the Brans Army that she fought so hard to protect.’

With that thought, Lin strode out of the royal castle.

Swen and Airen.

Perhaps she had lost the most important key to unifying the continent—

Or maybe, from the very beginning, they had never been hers to claim.

Either way, she could not allow herself to crumble in regret.

Everything she did now was for the Brans Army.

Even if she could never reach Airen again—

That no longer mattered.

This was a penance.

A pitiful, desperate struggle—

An attempt to atone for a mistake that could never be undone,

No matter how many times she regretted it.

***

For every person who chose to accept their circumstances and move forward,

There was another who only now realized the weight of their own actions.

"A... A mage has appeared?"

A trembling voice echoed through an empty throne room.

It was not surprising that this woman had such a reaction.

After all, the "mage" who was now shaking the entire continent—

Had once been under her control.

The woman with two mismatched eyes.

The one who had forged a nation through blood and unshakable conviction.

The leader of the Aishus Army—

Baranga Yuri Aishus.

Just like Lin—

Yuri would now have to face the consequences of her own choices.