Chapter 230

“Phew.”

Serpina let out a slight chuckle, and I felt my tension ease as well.

Still, since she’s sharp, it’s best to be satisfied that there’s no need for overly complicated explanations.

I looked straight into her golden eyes and said,

“…Perhaps it isn’t something other than a nasty plague spreading. Something that fits the condition of preparing for war without—”

“At the same time, not engaging in battle and withdrawing troops just doesn’t make sense.”

Yeah.

If a plague, or epidemic, were to spread, the stationed soldiers would collapse at an absurd rate.

Based on the games I’ve played so far—within the same nation where borders aren’t sealed, the infection speed is ridiculously fast.

Considering how the ‘meteor’ mechanism followed the game rules before, it’s not hard to predict that this world, where games have become reality, will function similarly.

However… if my thoughts are limited to the troops…

It seemed Serpina had thought one step further.

“In that sense, I’m considering relocating the people of Hisfil Castle and its surrounding territories to the untamed lands of the Northern Continent. What do you think?”

“Huh? Uh…”

I blanked out for a moment before processing the question.

The answer was simple:

[Unknown.]

“However, Lord, issuing a forced mobilization order to the territorial people might—”

“Mean losing the hearts of the people?”

“Yes. It may also affect the morale of our commanders.”

In this world, monarchs are technically feudal lords, with Serpina having slightly more influence due to her lineage with the imperial family.

Moreover, now that Kyle von Einhardt has revealed himself under the alias Cain Nerkis after hiding for years, Serpina’s authority has somewhat diminished.

Thus, arbitrarily forcing the territorial people into labor wouldn’t result in good evaluations.

Unlike armed forces, soldiers often surrender to enemy armies without being labeled traitors because their source comes from the territorial people who can easily change masters.

Treating them harshly would only paint you as an incompetent tyrant.

So issuing such a forced mobilization order?

Strategically, it wasn’t a great move.

Territorial people generally have immense pride in their hometowns.

This could earn her another title as a tyrant.

Of course, I understood why she’d consider this.

She wants to save—

‘Those living in that place.’

Otherwise, there’d be no need for such a complicated mobilization order.

“My lord, I understand your intentions, but…”

“Isn’t it right to save lives if we can?”

At this point, as a strategist, I offered the advice I should give.

“I oppose this for two reasons, but may I proceed?”

“Hehehe. Come at me, Swoen.”

With a strangely competitive tone, I pointed out the most realistic issue.

“This is purely hypothetical, assuming ‘a terrible plague spreads around Hisfil Castle and the borderline areas.’ Since we don’t know the cause of the plague, moving potentially infected territorial people to the Northern Continent is extremely risky, even if it doesn’t affect our army.”

While Serpina’s choice seems ideal, if the outcome isn’t good, even the noblest intentions lose meaning.

Bringing the seeds of a plague to the Northern Continent isn’t wise.

Seemingly understanding this part, Serpina nodded slowly and asked,

“Swoen, I have a question for you.”

“Anything, my lord.”

“Where does your Mind’s Eye point to?”

“…What?”

“If your words are correct and this decision brings a catastrophic plague upon our army, wouldn’t your Mind’s Eye deem this method inefficient? Thus, hearing your answer first seems necessary.”

“Eh…”

The advice to retreat troops made sense, but regarding the relocation of territorial people, the answer was ‘unknown.’

“Does your Mind’s Eye evaluate this as inefficient?”

“That… No, it doesn’t, but…”

When the Mind’s Eye couldn’t provide an answer, she smiled even wider.

“Swoen, your ability grows more fascinating the more I learn about it. Now I somewhat understand why you haven’t dominated this continent sooner despite possessing such a power.”

Well, the range is shorter than expected.

Unlike what Jinoru anticipated or maybe what Serpina expects… I can’t demonstrate a near-omnipotent ability.

“…Hmm?”

Wait.

Maybe there’s another way to figure it out.

“My lord.”

“Yes?”

“Could you make up your mind for a moment?”

“Make up my mind?”

I nodded.

“From now on, resolve to ‘relocate the territorial people of Hisfil Castle and the Northern Continent to the untamed lands of the Northern Continent.'”

“I don’t quite understand what you mean by resolving, but…”

“Just decide that’s what you’ll do, and I’ll handle the rest.”

Back then, when Serpina decided to personally meet Lin for peace negotiations, the advice results flipped, saving her life.

Now, I’m applying the same logic.

Once she makes the decision, asking the same question again might yield a different result since it wouldn’t be efficient for our army to suffer a plague. If the answer changes to [No], my prediction would be correct.

After briefly looking confused—

She slowly nodded and spoke.

“Very well.”

“Now ask again. ‘Is it most efficient to withdraw all troops from the borderline?'”

“Are you suggesting it’s efficient to withdraw all troops from the borderline?”

And the answer came:

[Yes.]

“…It doesn’t seem to have any impact.”

Even with the order, not everyone will evacuate entirely.

There will likely be enough people left behind for various reasons.

It’s clear that bringing hell over there here won’t happen, even if we gather the territorial people.

Then, at that moment—

“It seems that part is resolved.”

“…Huh?”

Surprisingly startled, she calmly replied.

“Didn’t the corner of your mouth twitch like you were relieved?”

“Ah…”

Seriously, trying to hide anything from this woman feels like an impossibly hardcore challenge.

“Even if that point is resolved, my lord gains nothing from this decision. To others, this will all seem like coincidence.”

My point was simple.

There won’t be a fairytale-like scenario where a plague hits Hisfil Castle and everyone says,

“Serpina saved us!”

In conclusion, even if she saves more lives—

Her reputation won’t improve; instead, it might reinforce her image as a reckless tyrant.

Efficiency-wise, it’s better to leave the territorial people alone.

No one will blame her if they can’t avoid the plague.

“Hmm. You might be right.”

Serpina, maintaining her shameless tyrant smile, confidently stated,

“Yet, someone aspiring to rule the continent shouldn’t abandon their purpose just because no one understands, right?”

“…”

“One or two more slanders won’t matter. The important thing is that more people can continue living.”

When I heard those words,

Something welled up inside me.

Outwardly, she’s known as the victorious prince of the royal war including the Pi Biolla Academy massacre and infamous as a tyrant.

Doing something like this won’t gain her recognition…

Suddenly, her teary face claiming “I didn’t kill you!” flashed in my mind.

I unconsciously clenched my teeth.

Why can’t she become the unifying ruler?

Noticing my expression change, Serpina approached me slowly.

“And didn’t you say, Swoen?”

Then, staring directly into my eyes,

“You realized, didn’t you.”

“Y-yes…?”

“It’s the same as back then. When I wagered against Yuri with you. Even if no one understands all my decisions—”

Then, gently brushing my cheek with her white hand,

“Sween, you see and understand everything with those eyes of yours.”

“My lord…”

“So, I believe that alone is gaining plenty. It’s certainly not an inefficient decision.”

She grinned foxily after taking a step back.

On the verge of deep thought, I barely managed to cut the loop and bowed my head.

“Then… please leave the aftermath to you.”

It might look like cowardice, retreating from a perfectly winnable battle prematurely.

Persuading vassals in such a situation is…

Her responsibility, not mine.

“Don’t worry, Swoen. As long as you’re behind me, I have confidence I won’t lose to anyone.”

Watching her golden eyes sparkle, I thought,

No matter what others say, she’s no tyrant.

Rather, she might surpass Algord or Sidemid in reviving the empire, becoming a celebrated monarch in the Einhardt imperial family…

At least for this moment—

I was curious about the world under her rule.