Chapter 123

“Hmm? I must say, I’m curious about the reasoning behind this. If you don’t mind, could you explain it to me?”

At Shika’s words, I slowly nodded my head and replied.

“It’s simple. We need soldiers there.”

“…While I don’t intend to be rude, all I hear is a repetition of the obvious.”

Shika’s point wasn’t wrong.

Honestly, I don’t fully understand the reason myself.

Fortunately, Amin had brought a map earlier when he started the conversation.

“Amin, might I borrow the map?”

“Huh? …Here it is.”

Amin handed over the map with suspicion clearly written on his face and an uneasy expression.

As I spread it out on the table…

“…”

Serpina and Jena, who had been sitting quietly, approached.

It seemed they were also curious about what I was going to say.

Their movement alone caused noticeable unease among some participants in the strategy meeting.

“Please confirm the map.”

Taking advantage of everyone’s focus, I quickly examined the map.

Amire Castle.

A regular fief located at the far eastern edge, near a river and mountain range.

If placing troops here is correct… then this place wouldn’t be the site of rebellion.

Yeah, rebellion.

If deploying forces to the rear is the right answer, then rebellion is the only explanation.

Talk of stationing troops in the capital implies that the northern continent isn’t fully under control, which makes this scenario plausible.

But the problem is…

“Are you suggesting something will happen around here?”

Serpina, who hadn’t spoken a word, pointed at a castle with her finger.

That place was Haizer Castle, closest to Amire.

However…

“That’s not it.”

If a rebellion occurs at Haizer Castle…

Before I could say anything, Serpina spoke first, finishing my sentence for me.

“Well, assuming trouble arises nearby, positioning troops here rather than there would be more efficient.”

She pointed to Chorrel Castle located below-left of Haizer.

Stationing forces in a rebelling castle is risky due to potential defection.

Therefore, preemptively encircling nearby is best. Chorrel Castle is closer and more logical than distant Amire.

So, it’s not “rebellion.”

“Then… perhaps…”

This time it was Jena addressing me.

Tilting her head slightly, her brown hair swayed gently.

“Are you concerned about bandits appearing in this area?”

To the upper-right of Amire lies a settlement nestled in mountainous terrain.

When morale is low, it’s not uncommon for citizens to turn into bandits attacking the castle.

But this follows the same logic as before.

“That’s not it either.”

Jena stared intently at my face.

She seemed to roughly predict what I was about to say.

“If bandits emerge from this settlement, they’d likely attack Herder Castle above Amire instead. It has weaker defenses, fewer troops, and is closer.”

“…Certainly true. Then I must ask…”

Jena looked straight into my eyes.

“Exactly why should we station troops at Amire Castle?”

Not rebellion, not bandits.

Yet deploying forces to the rear rather than the border is most efficient.

“…”

I examined the map while exhaling softly.

Forcing a calm and collected expression, I scrutinized the map thoroughly.

“What is it? What remains?”

Why is this the correct place to deploy troops?

With Divinity 100 intelligence predicting this, it must be correct. No room for doubt.

This means there’s a situation here that requires troop deployment to prevent.

Not internal rebellion.

Not nearby settlement bandits.

The only notable geography around the castle is a large river running in front.

“…Hm?”

River…?

On impulse, I traced where the river connected.

The massive river crosses mountains and flows into central continent.

Amin’s map only shows up to here.

Focused on Serpina Army’s northern territories, it can’t show beyond.

Even if the map ends, I can visualize what lies beyond.

I’ve played this game 10,000 hours. The same map pattern burned into my retina countless times.

When the game starts, only the map is visible on screen. Memorization was unavoidable.

“Calmly…”

In my mind, I extended the map with an imaginary brush.

The river winds through mountain ranges, flowing eastward into central continent.

Reaching the easternmost point… there’s only one castle nearby.

“That castle is Zeta. Surely.”

Zeta Castle.

Former capital of Alepel Army, now belonging to Aishias Army – their fourth castle.

Located top-right of Falahart Castle, bottom-right of Jestrom Castle.

Aishias territory consists of four castles total.

Capital Falahart, upper Jestrom, left Raclaine, and finally right Zeta.

“!!!”

Finally, I began to grasp the implications of this prediction.

“Will Aishias forces come upriver?”

While tidal assistance may be necessary, outright impossible it isn’t.

In the game, moving troops by river was possible but inefficient, requiring many turns and causing morale drops.

Though inconvenient, this world is based on the game yet remains reality.

Nothing can be ruled out.

Moreover, stationing troops at Amire only makes sense in this scenario.

If true, Aishias Army would strike us from behind.

Normally unnoticed, our army’s northern forces are concentrated at the central border.

Success in a surprise attack could destabilize our army.

Even if Amire is recaptured quickly, Aishias wouldn’t suffer significant losses.

“Whose idea is this? Jinoru’s? Anima’s?”

Considering our correspondence, unlikely from Jinoru.

If so, this must be Anima’s suggestion.

Indeed, having served as a nation’s strategist, she displays flashes of brilliance.

“…”

I slowly raised my head and glanced around.

Serpina, Jena, and other warriors waited silently for me to speak.

Now the question is how to explain this…

“Everyone, please pay attention.”

I nodded slowly and continued.

“There’s a river near Amire Castle. While it serves as a lifeline for surrounding fiefs, it also functions as the sole connection to secluded Amire.”

Despite Serpina’s intense gaze, remain calm.

They seem willing to respect even confusing opinions, making it worth explaining.

“The river eventually flows into the eastern sea, inevitably passing one castle along the way. Jena.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know which castle I mean?”

After a brief pause, she quietly nodded.

“Perhaps… Zeta Castle?”

“Correct, you’re aware.”

“I still don’t understand. Surely you’re not suggesting enemies will navigate this treacherous river to invade Amire?”

“Exactly.”

“…Pardon?”

Jena’s confident question turned to shock upon hearing my reply.

Serpina’s eyebrow twitched noticeably.

“Aishias Army is highly likely to advance on Amire Castle via the river.”

“???”

Jena furrowed her brow in confusion.

Not just her – the other warriors stared at me like I’d lost my mind.

Admittedly, even to me it sounds absurd. Suggesting enemies will invade through a remote location via river sounds ridiculous.

But one person remained unfazed.

Serpina maintained her composed demeanor,

treating me like any other warrior, and asked kindly:

“An interesting opinion. Here, anyone can freely express their thoughts. So, everyone, feel free to share your views on Swoen’s suggestion.”

Miles responded first:

“It seems rather far-fetched. The idea of advancing upriver lacks practicality.”

“While precautionary measures aren’t bad, I believe there are more efficient ways to deploy troops,” added Shika.

Their largely negative reactions were unsurprising.

Frankly, I couldn’t confidently provide detailed justification.

I merely reverse-engineered known results.

Thus concluded the twenty-eighth suggestion meeting.

“Everyone, thank you for your hard work today. I promise to review all your suggestions carefully.”

“Yes sir!”

And that concludes the suggestion session.

Suggestions only, no decisions required – definitely feels different from actual meetings.

Failure to station troops at Amire Castle would undoubtedly cause losses for Serpina’s forces, though beyond my control.

Even temporary instability in the northern continent won’t drastically alter the overall situation, as my predictions only select optimal strategies moment-to-moment.

Thinking lightly about this, I finished my greetings and was about to leave the royal palace when…

“Excuse me.”

“Hm?”

Turning at a hand on my shoulder,

it was Jena, seemingly rushing over.

“Swoen, might you return briefly to the audience chamber?”

“Uh? What’s the matter?”

“Lord’s orders.”

‘…’

She summoned me.

Though somewhat predictable, I followed Jena back to the audience chamber without comment.

“Glad you could join us, Swoen.”

Serpina extended her pristine white hand toward me again.

And as if she’d been eagerly awaiting this private moment…

She greeted me with an especially alluring smile.

“Your suggestion was fascinating. Using the river for a surprise attack – a method I myself hadn’t imagined.”

“…”

“So. With a suggestion comes justification, yes?”

Seeking justification meant Serpina viewed my suggestion as more than mere opinion – a proposal deserving scrutiny, much like how she questioned Irain earlier.

What to do…

Should I respond casually?

Still, acting under Serpina’s banner requires establishing credibility with her, similar to how I used Lin Brance’s psychology.

There may come a time to leverage that image.

Thus, I’ll engage seriously this time.

As if sensing my resolve, she asked again in her pleasant voice…

“Swoen, I wish to hear your thoughts. Care to explain? What evidence leads you to believe Aishias Army will attack there?”