Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 269: What It Means to Be Reborn as a Ruler (4)

――"Waaaaaaah!!"

With the resounding roar of Lunarian’s Army, the siege to capture Madralan Castle had finally begun.

Rather than suffering losses on their march here, Lunarian’s Army had only grown stronger, replenishing their forces. Under the precise orders of Francis and Charlotte, the troops advanced in perfect coordination.

Francis and Charlotte led the siege, while Gustav and Aaron took charge of countering the enemy’s intercepting forces.

"Direct all siege weapons forward!"

"Don’t be shaken by their counterattack! We outnumber them by far!"

"This is a battle we cannot lose! Do not let them take our rear!"

Outside the walls of Madralan Castle—a grand city of the southern continent that had enjoyed peace for decades—hell itself began to unfold.

Even in a battle they were doomed to lose, the Karelia Army fought with determination. Yet, despite defending from within their fortress, the difference in casualty rates between the two armies was not significant.

For Lunarian’s Army, this was an encouraging sign. For Karelia’s forces, it was a nightmare.

Rather than charging ahead this time, Supreme Commander Lunarian remained at the rear, focusing entirely on commanding her forces.

It was, in fact, the rational decision for a sovereign.

No matter how much of a warrior she was, no matter how divine her prowess in battle, she did not have multiple lives. And the death of a ruler and commander was tantamount to the fall of a nation.

Even so... it weighed on her. She couldn’t help but hesitate. Simply issuing orders from the rear while her comrades fought on the front lines—it did not sit well with her nature.

At that moment—

"My liege."

Jinor, the nation’s chief strategist and her chief of staff, approached her.

"I have deployed the forces as you commanded."

"You worked hard. Though, to be fair, I merely approved the strategy you proposed..."

"You accepted my proposal. That makes it your command, my liege."

"Does it...?"

Luna accepted nearly all of Jinor’s advice.

If he made ten suggestions, she would follow at least nine without much hesitation.

It was not because Jinor was an exceptionally brilliant man, nor because of his reputation for tactical and strategic ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) mastery.

It was simply because Swen had sent him here.

For Luna, following Jinor’s advice was akin to following Swen’s will.

Jinor hesitated for a moment, watching her carefully before lowering his head and speaking with a hint of caution.

"I understand how you feel, my liege. However, a ruler must not recklessly enter the battlefield. The time will come when your strength will be needed, but that time is not now. Trust in your subordinates here."

"It’s not that I don’t trust them. It’s just..."

"...I understand, my liege."

This woman—she wanted to fight alongside her soldiers.

Whether she saw hiding as cowardice or simply enjoyed the thrill of battle, Jinor could not be certain.

But to him, it seemed more like the former.

"Stand firm as the ruler of this army. That is your duty to your subordinates."

The duty of a ruler.

Yes. Even Swen had said it—those in command must act like leaders when the time calls for it.

"...I will keep that in mind."

Luna nodded, once again turning her gaze toward the battlefield where her comrades fought.

The time had come. She would have to bear the weight of everyone’s hopes upon her shoulders.

***

At the very onset of the battle—

Cecil, in order to fulfill the strategist’s final request, had disguised herself as a merchant and hidden the unconscious Karelia within a carriage.

Given that the Lohengrin family had built their fortune through trade, playing the role of a merchant was not a difficult feat for her.

This battle... we are going to lose.

Our soldiers are fighting bravely until the very end, but even so, I can tell whether a battle is winnable or not.

No. I don’t even need to analyze it in detail.

As someone who had managed the supply lines countless times, I could sense it instinctively.

We had no mercenary band suddenly appearing to aid us, like Luna did. We had no hidden talents who might awaken as powerful mages.

‘But that’s fine.’

As Vanessa had predicted, the northern gate—far from the main battle—was relatively quiet.

A battle was still taking place, but disguised as merchants, we were unlikely to be targeted.

Both Lunarian and Karelia were nations that valued honor. They wouldn’t harm civilians unless absolutely necessary.

At this rate, we could escape safely.

Thump, thump.

Cecil could feel her heartbeat pounding in her chest, terrified that it might betray her. She carefully made her way along the road, flanked by soldiers.

The enemy might be a threat, but our own soldiers—surely, they knew the situation. There was no need to be overly concerned.

Rather than rushing, we should remain calm and steady—slowly distancing ourselves from the battlefield of Madralan Castle.

How far had they traveled?

At last, the battlefield grew distant in the horizon.

But this was no time to relax.

Not until they crossed the river. Vanessa had drilled that lesson into her mind over and over.

The knowledge that everything depended on her made her hands sweat. But for the sake of the strategist who had risked his life to hold the line, she had to succeed.

‘We just need to cross the river. Once we do, we can pick up the pace. The border inspection with Roland’s forces will be a problem, but... I have a plan.’

Finally, they reached the bridge.

But then—

‘...!!!’

Waiting for them at the bridge was a group of stationed soldiers.

They bore bright green flags.

The same flags she had seen on the battlefield not long ago.

Lunarian’s Army.

‘Wha...? Why are they here?’

Hadn’t the entire army been deployed to the battlefield?

No way...

‘Did they position troops here even before the battle began... to block this escape route?’

As the thought raced through her mind, the soldiers’ voices reached her ears.

"So the merchants really did come."

"Looks like the strategist was right."

‘...Strategist?’

Right now, the strategist of Lunarian’s Army was undoubtedly Jinor Nighhardt, the man who had once served as the chancellor of the empire.

Had that old man... foreseen everything?

'No way... Vanessa predicted that our lord would be sent away, and he anticipated it?'

For a moment, Cecil’s vision went dark.

She felt as if she might vomit from the sheer rush of thoughts flooding her mind, but she forced herself to stay focused.

'Stay calm.'

Even if the situation was outside expectations, she had to maintain her composure at all costs.

We’re just a merchant caravan, right? If we say we’re simply passing through, they’ll let us go.

The soldiers approached her without hesitation.

"Apologies, but we need to conduct an inspection."

"As you can see, we’re just a merchant caravan..."

"It won’t take long. Please cooperate."

‘.......’

Refusing too insistently would only raise suspicion.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

It’s fine. Our disguises are nearly perfect, and I’ve altered my voice from the usual.

The chances of them finding where Karelia is hidden are slim.

"Understood. Please make it quick. We have an urgent schedule to keep."

"Yes, understood. Then—"

The soldiers moved toward the carriage, where the cargo was stored.

Thump, thump.

The sound of them rummaging through the cargo echoed in Cecil’s ears, but they wouldn’t find anything.

Not where Karelia was hidden.

"Are we done now?"

"Please wait a moment."

Then—

From beyond the soldiers, a familiar woman approached.

‘That woman...!’

It was Violet, the strategist girl who always accompanied Luna.

Cecil’s heart pounded at the unexpected sight.

But they had only crossed paths for a brief moment before, and she was in disguise.

She reassured herself—Violet wouldn’t recognize her.

"Has the inspection not been completed yet?"

"It’s nearly done, but we haven’t found anything suspicious."

‘.......’

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

Please, just let this end. Just like this.

Oblivious to Cecil’s silent desperation, Violet stepped forward, her boots tapping against the ground.

She stopped in front of the disguised Cecil and asked—

"Are you the caravan leader?"

"Yes, I am."

"What are you transporting?"

"Cloth."

"For this amount, may I ask how much it is worth?"

Cecil found the question strange, but it was within the expected range.

Without hesitation, she answered with a plausible price.

"I see. Are you certain?"

"I am."

Violet seemed to ponder for a moment—

Then, she looked directly into Cecil’s eyes and spoke.

"I will pay you five times that amount. Hand over the cargo to us."

"...Excuse me?"

What... what was she saying?

Handing over the cargo was impossible. Lord Karelia was hidden inside.

But outright refusing would be suspicious.

Fortunately, Cecil understood how merchant dealings worked.

"This cargo is already contracted for delivery. The price is indeed tempting, but as you know, trust is just as important in trade."

"You will have to find a way to deal with that yourself."

"I’m saying that maintaining trust is importa— Wait, what?"

Hold on.

Did she just say... that I have to deal with it?

That one sentence sent a wave of unease crashing through Cecil’s mind. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Then, Violet threw out bait she could never refuse.

"I will give you a choice. Either sell us the carriage for the price you named... or watch as it burns to the ground right here."