Chapter 130

The beginning of it all started with that prediction.

‘Is it right to simply station the forces gathered from the easiest place for conscription as they are?’

[bright red text on black background] [YES.]

My divinity was at 100. However, I didn’t suddenly become incredibly smart or show any particular talent for strategy and tactics.

All I could do was know what the result would be.

And these results were always absolutely correct.

This time too, I merely deduced that it was the most efficient method for the Serpina Army.

I didn’t know why stationing troops at Amire Castle was efficient.

What I did then was reverse-engineering.

If there’s a conclusion, calculating a situation where this conclusion must inevitably arise.

Until now, I thought it worked out pretty well.

So I formed a hypothesis.

That was, “The Aishias Army will launch a surprise attack from Zeta Castle by traveling up the river.”

I came up with such a hypothesis because, at least in my opinion, there was no other possibility.

Traveling upstream? Even I knew it was reckless.

Would the Aishias Army gain anything from going to such lengths? Of course not, I thought so too.

Still, I argued this way because I had my reasons.

Before coming here, I was part of the Aishias Army.

From what I observed, the Aishias Army wasn’t always rational.

For example, I was certain Jinoru would never propose ‘attacking up the river,’ but Anima was different.

Anima and the core members of the Aishias Army regarded Serpina as an enemy and might invade recklessly just to strengthen internal unity.

Besides, they abandoned me. It wouldn’t be strange for them to make such decisions.

Based on my own experiences of eventually being abandoned by Yuri, I had strong suspicions.

With those suspicions and the undeniable prediction of [YES], I was confident.

But—

No matter how much time passed, all around Amire Castle remained calm.

Even though I constantly sent scouts along the river, peaceful days continued without spotting any suspicious boats.

“…What is this?”

By this point, I couldn’t help but feel restless.

Had my guesses been wrong for the first time?

No, it wasn’t the first time.

There was that one instance when I was sure lightning would strike, but instead, a meteor fell.

Of course, as a human, I figured I’d eventually get something completely wrong.

Until now, I managed to muddle through with the knowledge I gained from games…

But there are things you can’t predict until after they happen, like when Tifa found a treasure chest filled with gold coins in Jeilrant Castle.

“Thinking back now, it only seems like I strung together plausible sentences to cover up the situation.”

And now, standing before Serpina, asked this question…

I had no choice but to admit my hypothesis was completely wrong.

“It wasn’t the Aishias Army invading.”

Enough time had passed. If they were going to invade, they would have done so already.

Moreover, requiring more time would contradict “the most efficient method.”

But if not that, then—

“Why exactly is stationing troops here considered the most efficient?”

Whether or not the Aishias Army invades is secondary.

Since my brain predicted [YES], it must be true.

Therefore, stationing troops itself was the right decision.

In that case, maybe some random reasoning would work.

Like during negotiations with Lin, eventually, the truth would come out.

I rearranged the most convincing words I could think of.

My opponent is Serpina von Einhardt. This will likely be tougher than ever—but behind me stands an infallible conclusion.

Slowly, I raised my tongue-like brush.

“Lord, the first thing I wish to say is—”

No.

To be precise, I tried to raise it.

“Lord, General Jepher has arrived. He says there’s an urgent matter that must be reported immediately.”

Footsteps approached from behind—then suddenly, a general appeared.

Jepher. His face seemed vaguely familiar, but since I couldn’t quite recall, he must just be another ordinary commander.

The real issue was—

From that moment, the situation began to unfold strangely.

“This…this was discovered!”

I glanced at what he held in his hand.

It was a brooch engraved with an emblem. It looked similar to Serpina’s army insignia but had subtle differences.

Then,

Serpina’s expression gradually filled with shock.

Since meeting her, I’ve never seen her so shaken—not even during our first private meeting.

A few days later,

We learned the crest belonged to Sidemid, Serpina’s deceased second brother.

There was no way we couldn’t know—it was revealed when several high-ranking officers of the Serpina Army were arrested one after another.

The most troubling part was how they found the emblem.

Apparently, a soldier stumbled upon it by accident while exploring somewhere he shouldn’t have.

Because of this, they claimed it was sheer luck.

—At that moment, I faintly realized it wasn’t luck.

If we hadn’t stationed troops at Amire Castle, there wouldn’t have been spare soldiers for patrols.

Though I don’t know all the details, rumors suggested that among those captured were some major figures. If their rebellion had succeeded, it would have been extremely troublesome for Serpina.

Understanding the context—I finally grasped why my divinity level 100 brain predicted stationing troops at Amire Castle was the most efficient.

“So…after stationing the troops, we formed a guard unit. Since they had nothing to do, we assigned them to patrol the territory…and in the process, one soldier miraculously discovered the hideout of the rebels. That’s why increasing troop numbers after conscription was the most efficient method?”

After finishing my thoughts, I burst into laughter.

Not because I consciously decided to laugh, but naturally, spontaneously.

A laugh that slipped out effortlessly.

“…How the hell was I supposed to figure THAT out?!”

Reverse-engineering has its limits.

How am I supposed to reverse-engineer THIS?!

To summarize:

[Increase troops at Amire Castle → Use them as guards, but no battle occurs → To keep them busy, patrol the territory and strengthen public order → Coincidentally, a soldier discovers the rebel hideout → Soldier mistakenly takes an item from inside the house → The item turns out to be an emblem → Based on evidence, search leads to early capture of rebels → Serpina Army captures the rebels, making it the most efficient method]

But what I knew was this:

[Increase troops at Amire Castle → ??? → Anyway, it’s the most efficient]

Just two premises!

Am I supposed to derive the above conclusion from these alone?!

I guarantee, anyone else would find it impossible.

Even guessing has its limits, doesn’t it? How could anyone guess THIS?!

“Hmph.”

At least give me more details, right?

Sometimes you do offer slightly more information…but never an answer to “why.” That’s just wishful thinking.

Anyway, all the rebels were executed,

and after some time, I was summoned by Serpina again.

When called by her, my first consideration was how to frame this situation.

Since I was proven right, she probably viewed me differently now.

I prepared how I’d respond—but fortunately or unfortunately, she preemptively recounted everything I would’ve said.

“…Swen.”

“Yes, my lord?”

“Did you foresee all of this?”

“…”

No. How could I possibly know all this?

“You must understand, Swen. Among the traitors caught this time was that woman…Shika.”

Really???

I barely concealed my astonishment.

This was news to me.

Wait, hold on. Does this mean…she thinks I deliberately obfuscated things?

“That’s why you presented a somewhat incomprehensible reason. ‘We need to prepare for the Aishias Army coming up the river.’ Now looking back, that was the only logical choice…because there would be no reason to deploy troops if unrest occurred in nearby villages or rebellion broke out in neighboring castles…!”

Serpina spoke to me with unprecedented energy.

She really had a wide range of expressions—I only thought about that in this moment.

“However, Swen, you couldn’t reveal everything, could you! With one of the traitors lurking nearby, and without proper justification, I wouldn’t have listened! So…you used your past in the Aishias Army to fabricate such a hypothesis. Something very plausible that would convince me!”

‘Of course…’

While doing nothing, an incredibly advantageous situation unfolded for me.

Is this…the true power of divinity level 100…?

“That was…what remained unseen.”

Ah, right.

I said that too.

Generally speaking, I was confident that sounding plausible would pay off later since I’d ultimately be proven right.

But the current situation isn’t just gilding the lily.

Does she see me as a diamond right now?

Well, otherwise…

Serpina’s golden eyes burned like they wanted to consume me.

“If you knew everything…everything! And you were trying desperately to advise me…isn’t that right, Swen…?”

What should I say?

Affirmation seems best.

Fundamentally, I needed the trust of the monarch to accomplish anything.

Didn’t I painfully learn that lesson from the Brance Army and the Aishias Army?

If this is an opportunity given to me…

I slowly bowed with the most elegant gesture I could muster.

After mentally reinforcing my mindset as “a loyal vassal to Serpina,” I replied in the most pitiful tone possible.

“There were many dangers, but listening to my advice was your decision, my lord. I’m merely grateful for the chance to assist you.”

Great.

Now she’ll trust me, right?

To safely return to the Lunarien Army later, I needed her trust.

Honestly, it didn’t seem necessary, but her nickname is Tyrant.

Throughout the game, Serpina often displayed extreme cruelty. Wasn’t she the one who sentenced me to execution?

Thus, I judged that I couldn’t appear overly incompetent. Gaining moderate trust would allow me to leave safely when the time came.

Her response was easy to predict.

Roughly feigning surprise, then concluding with something like “Magnificent, Swen. Your insight greatly impresses me. Please continue to use your abilities for my benefit.”

She wasn’t the type to make a fuss, based on what I’d observed so far.

…so I thought.

Until I saw Serpina’s entranced expression.

“Eeeh…!!”

Serpina’s expression, drunk in ecstasy.

“What…?”

“Swen, truly…truly, you are a fascinating man… I am experiencing, for the first time in my life, a shiver. Can you feel it? My heart…can you sense it?”

She looked at me like a fanboy discovering his ultimate idol.

This…is excessive!

Such cries of mine naturally went unheard.

Shouldn’t a ruler here just mutter something like “Hmm, impressive” and move on gracefully?

Seeing her react so strongly to just one success made me realize—perhaps she’s under more pressure than I imagined.

Serpina soon rose from her throne and approached me.

Then she lifted my chin to meet her eye level.

Yuzu fragrance.

A scent I’d smelled a few times before…but now, mingled with an intensely personal aroma.

Not just yuzu, but Serpina’s natural body scent.

It felt like Serpina, as a person, was targeting me directly.

“Become mine, Swen.”

Creepy!

Cold shivers raced up my spine.

My neurons screamed a warning.

I’ll be devoured by this woman…!

“That body, that heart…serve mine. Otherwise…!”

She leaned her beautiful face close to mine.

Beautiful.

Stupidly, that was the first thought that came to mind. Her stunning beauty was overwhelming.

Golden eyes, snow-white skin, her ragged breathing, the inevitable brushing of her large bosom against me, and the sweet yuzu fragrance tying it all together…

―――[I WILL CRUSH YOU.]

At the moment Serpina delivered this unilateral decree, leaning so close I could touch her nose, I realized something crystal clear without needing any prediction.

Maybe…I’ve stepped into deep trouble.