Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 222: Why?

After leaving the royal capital.

Jinor recalled the events that had just transpired.

"That woman... Lunarian... Is she really the one who will seize the world?"

Swen had said that the lord he served was destined to grasp the world in her hands.

And just as he had revealed in the letter—the person in question was the woman he had just met, Lunarian Iniang.

To be honest, based on first impressions alone, she seemed incredibly weak.

Throughout their conversation, especially when they talked about Swen, she was unable to hide her emotions, revealing them openly.

She was the kind of woman whose thoughts were so transparent that one could discern her nature in a short amount of time just by discussing certain topics with her.

To be even more frank—

If Jinor had to describe the threshold for someone worth placing a bet on in his lifetime, Lunarian was someone who struggled to surpass it.

Being swayed by people was fine. He knew that an emperor who could love others was preferable to a cold-blooded ruler.

In the end, even though he had cut ties with Yuri, he had once placed his hopes in her because she was someone capable of embracing others in her heart while also gathering exceptional talents around her.

But Luna was different.

Regardless of the circumstances, she had ultimately betrayed Karelia, a nation known for its esteemed reputation,

she was not surrounded by renowned warriors, and her current situation was far from favorable.

If he had no evidence to go on and someone asked, "Do you think Lunarian Iniang will become the unifying ruler?"

Jinor would have shaken his head without hesitation.

However, Jinor did have evidence.

That man—Swen—who seemed to see the future, had vouched for her.

Some might say that wasn’t enough to serve as proof,

but considering everything Jinor had experienced and the impact Swen had made, his words were not something to be taken lightly.

It was true that he had doubts about whether that woman could truly seize the world—

but since Swen had assured him, Jinor knew that questioning it any further would only be a waste.

"A man who can see the future wouldn't utter nonsense."

What he needed to do now was assist her in achieving this grand ambition.

Since Luna had also asked, "Why hasn’t Lord Swen come to see me?"

it was clear that Swen himself would eventually appear here as well.

That reminded him—

He suddenly recalled hearing that "that man" had expressed support for Lunarian's uprising.

"Now that I think about it, it’s been a while... I should pay that man—Kyle—a visit."

An acquaintance from the time when he was serving the former empire’s chancellor.

A man who had lived a carefree life, keeping his distance from the central political struggles.

Perhaps that was the very reason he had managed to survive in times like these.

Regardless, he was intensely curious about why someone like Kyle von Eingart, who never seemed to care about anything, had suddenly issued a statement in support of Lunarian.

Beyond that, if Kyle was truly alive, there would be plenty of things to discuss.

"Well then, let’s go."

Jinor took slow steps towards Kyle.

Perhaps it was because he was on his way to unravel stories that had been layered with time, waiting for someone to bring them to light.

His steps felt lighter than usual.

***

After parting ways with Jinor—

Luna sat alone, continuously calculating the situation in her head.

Swen has been taken into Serpina’s army.

Naturally, the idea that Swen would serve under Serpina and work for her was impossible in Luna’s mind.

That left only one conclusion.

"Lord Swen... is imprisoned in Serpina’s underground dungeon right now."

She didn’t know why they had locked him up.

But in the end, wasn’t the result what truly mattered?

Even Jinor had suggested that Swen might be detained.

Even if it wasn’t a dungeon, it was certain that Swen was being restricted in some way.

After all, if that weren’t the case, there was no reason for Swen to have not come here by now.

"Now that I know Lord Swen is imprisoned, I can’t just ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) sit around and wait for him forever."

Up until now, she had been waiting to ask him the best course of action, believing that was the most efficient choice.

But if he was being held captive, she couldn’t afford to waste any more time.

Even if she was afraid, she had to start moving.

If she continued to hesitate, the only ones who would benefit in the end would be Karelia.

"That’s right. I have to start moving little by little. Even without Lord Swen, I have to find a way. Because Lord Swen, even now..."

At that moment, Luna’s ruby-colored eyes welled up with tears.

"Even at this very moment... he must be groaning in pain under that witch Serpina’s cruelty...!"

What kind of twisted fate was this?

He had been dragged away by Brans Army to protect them.

Then, as if it weren’t enough to have fallen into Yuri’s hands, he had ultimately been sold off to Serpina.

Thinking about it broke her heart.

She and the others had been able to spend their time relatively peacefully in the southern continent.

While they had regained their daily lives and moved forward,

he had been alone, shouldering everything and walking down yet another path of suffering.

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Luna continued to cry for a long time—

then, finally, she shook her head, wiped her tears away with her sleeve, and declared:

"Don’t worry, Lord Swen. I will save you. I will rescue you from the merciless grasp of that cruel Serpina, who treats you like a mere toy... I swear it...!!!"

As she hardened her resolve once more, she realized something.

Under this sky—

Serpina von Eingart.

And Baranga Yuri Aishus.

She would never be able to coexist with those two women.

***

Since that day.

While investigating the matter regarding the mage, Luna had given Violet another task to look into.

"A young man with white hair?"

"Yes. You were already investigating Serpina's army, weren't you?"

"That is true, but..."

"Any news at all would be fine. If you hear anything related to this, please be sure to inform me."

Violet was slightly taken aback by Luna's uncharacteristically firm stance.

But in the end, an order from her lord was an order.

Having spent a considerable amount of time together in the same household, Violet knew that Luna was not someone who gave meaningless commands.

"Understood."

And so, several days passed.

Finally, Violet came back with a brief report.

"So, using magic continuously is impossible?"

"It’s still in the realm of speculation, but it seems that way. After eliminating the rebels with magic, the whereabouts of that female mage became unclear. It seems she’s engaged in something inside Eingart Castle, but she hasn’t been seen in any public setting. Moreover..."

"If she could wield that kind of power without limitations, I would have undoubtedly ordered the conquest of the Central Continent immediately. And yet, Serpina’s army has remained completely still."

"That does make sense."

"And..."

Violet, who had spoken about the mage without a hint of hesitation, suddenly swallowed hard.

Her lips moved cautiously, her expression noticeably tense.

"Regarding the other keyword you mentioned... the young man with white hair."

Luna's voice trembled as she listened.

To anyone observing, it was obvious that this topic was far more important to her than the matter of the mage.

"Have you... heard anything?"

"Could it be... that the man’s name is Swen, the one known as the White-Haired Mage?"

"...Yes."

"I see..."

"Well? Is he in Serpina’s underground prison? Or... has he been exiled to a small island in the northern continent...?"

"...Excuse me?"

For the first time, Violet failed to conceal her bewilderment at Luna’s question.

Sensing something chilling from her reaction, Luna narrowed her eyes.

"I... I don’t know why you're assuming he's in the underground prison, but... well."

"...?"

"Do you remember the story about the pink-haired mage?"

"Yes, I do."

"There was someone seen beside her. Someone assisting her."

"?"

"That person... was a young man with white hair."

"!!!"

Luna's eyes widened as she stared at Violet in disbelief.

"Is that... really true?"

"...Yes. That young man with white hair appears to be the very same Swen, the one rumored to have dropped boulders from the sky."

Wait.

Then... Swen wasn’t a prisoner of Serpina’s army?

He wasn’t locked up in an underground prison, nor was he being held captive?

Instead, he was...

Working under her... as her subordinate...?

"...M-May I ask something about this Swen? What kind of person is he, that—"

But before Violet could finish her question, Luna completely ignored it and pressed on the point that mattered most to her.

For someone who normally prioritized others' opinions over her own, this was an unusual reaction.

But none of that mattered now.

Now that it was almost certain that Swen was serving under Serpina,

there was something Luna had to confirm above all else.

"...Did he assist her?"

"Huh?"

"That man... Did he assist the female mage under Serpina’s army?"

"What do you mean...?"

"I mean... was he really there? Or is it just speculation based on the use of magic? Could it simply be that people assumed it was him because he had been known as a mage before...?"

Yes.

That had to be it.

There was no way.

There was no way Lord Swen would voluntarily serve that demon, Serpina.

And helping her? Helping her crush a rebellion? That was even more impossible to believe.

He knew, didn't he?

Lord Swen knew better than anyone how cruel Serpina was.

And yet.

The response Luna received was more shocking than any news she could have imagined.

"I am merely relaying what the rumors say, so I cannot say with absolute certainty... but it is said that he has already contributed significantly to Serpina’s army. And this information has been cross-verified."

"...What?"

What did she just say?

Lord Swen... was really working for Serpina’s army?

...Why?

"According to the rumors— during the process— in the rebellion— the ruler’s favor—"

Violet continued speaking, but her voice turned into a meaningless blur of noise in Luna’s ears.

Her thoughts grew chaotic.

Her vision blurred.

Her ruby-colored eyes became emptier with every passing second.

Why?

Wasn’t Lord Swen sold off?

She already knew that Yuri had sold him out.

But of course, Lord Swen would have refused to serve Serpina.

She had heard that it was Serpina who had made the first offer to Yuri.

So then, Swen—who had been mocked in such a manner—

Would he really serve her of all people?

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Of course not.

Of course, he wouldn’t.

Of course, he wouldn’t!!!

Of course, she had thought he had been locked in an underground prison.

Of course, she had assumed his freedom had been restricted.

Because there was no way—

There was no way Lord Swen would work for her.

And yet.

The man who was supposed to be hers, her one and only strategist, her Lord Swen—

Why?

Why was he—

Serving that detestable woman—

Serpina von Eingart?