Chapter 229

It is the right method to prepare against the Aishias Army.

In other words, it meant that it was a well-known fact that the Aishias Army was targeting our army.

However, at the same time—

Isn’t it wrong to deploy troops at the borderline?

For a moment, I was dazed by the two conflicting pieces of advice.

“Ho ho ho.”

Before I could utter a word, Serpina’s laughter rang out.

“It seems the results have once again put you in a bind, haven’t they?”

“Ah…”

Serpina knew that I needed her questions to deduce the correct result. Naturally, I nodded.

“It seems that way.”

“Judging from this situation… Perhaps deploying troops at the borderline isn’t such a wise decision after all.”

Every time, I can’t help but notice how perceptive she is.

“…There truly isn’t anything we can hide from our Lord.”

As I gazed at Serpina’s face, I couldn’t help but wonder:

Is she in danger again? If we deploy troops at the border, will the rebel forces rise up at an absurd timing and leave us in a tough spot?

The thought crossed my mind for a moment—but upon thinking more seriously, it wasn’t hard to realize that wasn’t the case.

‘If Serpina were in danger… There’s no way the answer would be ‘inefficient.'”

So…

If deploying troops at the border leads to rebellion and Serpina being endangered, then the prediction would likely suggest the downfall of the Unified Empire.

After all, my predictions are not about Serpina as an individual but about Serpina’s Army—this nation. The only reason Serpina’s Army cannot become the Unified Empire is because Serpina sits on the throne. It wouldn’t make sense for her removal to be deemed efficient from the nation’s perspective.

Then what is it?

As I pondered, Serpina’s voice reached me.

“What troubles you so much, Swoen?”

“Ah… My Lord.”

When I looked up at Serpina, she smiled again with amusement.

And from where the throne stood—

She walked over to where I stood.

Before I knew it, she was right in front of me.

Her body pressed close enough that not only could I smell the yuzu fragrance wafting off her, but her soft form was stimulating my senses.

My head spun… Her femininity was undeniable, proving every inch of her presence.

This proximity… If intentional, it was honestly terrifying.

And then…

With her beautiful lips, she uttered a sentence that could easily sound lewd.

“Wouldn’t it suffice to use this body?”

“…Pardon?”

“You may use it however you wish. This body… It’s yours to command. Anything, everything—I’ll adapt to your needs…♥”

For a moment, my face heated up, but I quickly grasped her true intent.

“So, you’re asking me to pose the question?”

“Ho ho ho.”

She slowly nodded.

“Why don’t you repeat the question multiple times until you uncover the ‘true answer’? Just as I use you as my strategist, you should use me to find the ‘perfect solution.'”

“Well, if you had said that from the start, it might have been better…”

“I don’t quite follow. Ho ho ho…”

Though tempted to respond, I decided to let it go. Honestly, I didn’t think I could win an argument with Lady Serpina.

Anyway—If she doesn’t know my abilities, one might expect otherwise, but since she does, continuing with these riddles will eventually lead to a resolution. After all, using my abilities in this manner is incredibly convenient.

But… The real question remains: What should I ask?

“Then, I shall now present a few questions.”

“Whenever you’re ready, Swoen. I trust you with whatever comes.”

Here she goes again, speaking in ways that could easily be misinterpreted. 100% deliberate.

Unfazed, I began questioning her.

“Please consider this: Is directly conscripting troops from the territories near the border the most efficient method?”

“Do you believe it’s efficient to directly conscript troops from the territories near the border?”

Question input.

The response rolled in immediately.

[No.]

Thus, we continued exchanging questions like a game of ping-pong.

From “Would it be efficient for Serpina herself to take the field as commander?” to evaluating each potential commander, including Iren, the answer was always [No].

I tried various other questions, but there was no clear resolution. Only endless replies of “No.”

It seemed like no matter what we did, the answer was always “No.” Drawing any reasonable conclusion from this was nearly impossible.

Without the proper ingredients, how could we even attempt to infer anything? What more could our army possibly do?

‘Hmm…’

Just as I felt lost, Serpina spoke up.

“Swoen. May I ask a question this time?”

“My Lord wishes to speak?”

“Yes.”

Given that I’d run out of questions, her initiative was nothing but helpful.

“Speak, my Lord.”

“Would doing absolutely nothing be the most efficient approach?”

“…”

“In other words, is it most efficient to skip battle preparations entirely? You’ve been throwing questions around without finding a proper answer, so I’m wondering if this might work. Am I mistaken?”

“Ah…”

Indeed, Lady Serpina. She noticed I hadn’t found a satisfactory answer.

Doing nothing efficiently… That certainly deserved testing.

‘Should we do nothing before the battle?’

The reply came swiftly, as usual.

[No.]

Hmm… Had the answer been “Yes,” that would’ve been problematic too, but clearly, doing nothing isn’t the solution either.

Lost in thought, I heard Serpina nearby.

“It seems that’s not the answer either.”

“Still… It’s fine. By eliminating possibilities one by one, we’ll eventually reach the correct answer.”

“True. I’ll stick with you forever, Swoen.”

Serpina said this and smiled softly at me. Though momentarily tempted to lean on that smile, I shook it off and thought of another question.

‘If doing nothing isn’t the answer, then what is?’

We’d already tested almost everything we could do.

We must prepare for war, yet everything we try is inefficient. Even doing nothing isn’t the answer.

Then what? Should we just flee from the battle?

‘Wait…’

Suddenly, cold sweat trickled down my spine.

If doing nothing isn’t the answer…

“Swoen, it seems something has come to mind.”

“Ah…”

I slowly nodded and cautiously voiced the question.

“Lady Serpina.”

“Speak.”

“Could you please ask me: ‘Is it most efficient to move all remaining troops stationed at the border to the castle in the northern continent?'”

“…!”

At that moment, Serpina, who had calmly responded to every question so far, showed a flicker of surprise with slightly contracted pupils.

Let’s summarize the questions we’ve covered so far.

The Aishias Army targets our army—it’s certain. We must prepare for ‘war’ against them.

Delving deeper, under the assumption of preparing for ‘battle’ at the border, nothing we’ve tried works. Even doing nothing isn’t the answer.

What we learn from these questions is simple.

Something must be done, but preparing for battle isn’t efficient for our army.

So… perhaps we need to thoroughly avoid the battle instead. Withdraw all troops and abandon the fight.

Abandoning the fight means surrendering the territory. While understandable if we’re in dire straits, even if the Aishias Army is fully prepared, compared to our mighty Serpina Army, they’re still a mid-sized power. How many people would accept fleeing without a fight?

Nevertheless…

This is the only option left.

Serpina silently stared at me in shock before slowly asked:

“Is it most efficient to relocate all troops stationed at the border to territories in the northern continent?”

The answer flowed effortlessly, as it always had.

[Yes.]

Exhaling deeply, I realized:

We must… abandon the border territories.

“Lord.”

I addressed her with utmost seriousness.

“Whatever I say next, will you carry it out as instructed?”

“Swoen, while I’m inclined to follow your words, I hesitate to make promises irresponsibly.”

Understanding her underlying willingness to listen, I maintained a calm tone.

“Please withdraw all troops from the border.”

“…”

“More specifically, I request that you move all troops to the north.”

“Ho ho ho.”

Serpina playfully wiped her lips with her pristine fingers.

“Are you claiming this is the most efficient method?”

“Yes.”

“So, you’re suggesting we pull back all troops from Hisfil Castle, which we barely managed to secure in the central continent?”

“Yes.”

If the Aishias Army invades, Hisfil Castle will undoubtedly be the frontline. Other routes hold little utility.

“Isn’t this essentially abandoning the fight and surrendering the territory?”

“I am fully aware.”

“Is that so…”

Serpina paused, contemplating my words.

She already knows my suggestions tend to be correct. Unlike before, she wasn’t demanding proof but rather reflecting deeply on the inevitable conclusion.

From my perspective, I don’t need to justify or defend myself, making this exchange quite smooth.

Anyway…

I also mulled over the conclusion while observing her.

Truthfully, I don’t understand why this is the right choice. It simply feels correct. Something significant might happen, but withdrawing our troops is the answer.

“…”

Wait.

What did Lady Serpina say earlier?

Abandoning the fight essentially amounts to surrendering the territory. And since this is the most efficient method…

‘Does something happen at Hisfil Castle?’

If occupying Hisfil Castle itself causes problems, the logical conclusion is—

Only one possibility remains, right?

“Swoen.”

“Ah…”

As I concentrated, Serpina’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Must we only withdraw our army?”

“Excuse me?”

“What I mean is, is this the end of the matter?”

Hold on.

The fact that Serpina posed this question to me implies—

“Perhaps… Are you also considering that?”

“Swoen, if you believe your ‘Mind’s Eye’ ability always hits the mark, then logically, the outcome in this situation can only be one thing.”

“That would mean—”

—Plague.

Our voices overlapped in unison.