Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100% Accuracy
Chapter 312: The Red-Eyed Dragon of the South (2)

What the officers brought back from exploring the territory were, without exception, extraordinary.

Foremost among them was a handwritten copy of a strategy manual, said to have been lost for centuries—originally authored by a renowned strategist of the old Eingart Empire.

At first, there was some doubt as to its authenticity—but after hiring experts skilled in the deciphering of ancient texts, it was confirmed to be a genuine manuscript of the original.

It was the kind of ultimate treatise on warfare that no strategist could resist reading at least once—and somehow, it had surfaced unexpectedly in the southern continent!

"This is not all that we brought back."

This time, another officer beside him knelt and raised a sword in both hands toward Luna.

Its golden hilt had not faded in the slightest, the eagle emblem carved in sharp detail, and the blade itself retained its razor edge even now.

The eagle emblem and the distinctive shape of the blade alone were enough to reveal the weapon’s identity to anyone who had ever walked the path of the sword.

Like the strategy manual, this too had been believed lost to time—

A legendary blade said to have belonged to Adin von Eingart, the founding hero of the Eingart Empire and a genius of both battle and military strategy—

The Adina Sword.

"You both did well."

Luna slowly rose, picked up the strategy manual, and without a moment’s hesitation approached Jinor, who stood loyally at her side.

"Lord Jinor. I believe this belongs more to you than to me. Please accept it."

"I accept it gratefully."

Jinor bowed in thanks but did not bother with false humility. He, too, had long known of the book’s existence.

He was not one to desire material wealth—but his desire for books, even at his age, was something he could never quite rid himself of.

"And as for this sword... I, Lunarian Iniang, will keep it in my care."

Luna slowly took the sword in her hands—

Then raised the Adina Sword high into the sky and declared:

‘...!’

Though it was merely a simple gesture, it felt as if she were proclaiming to the entire continent that she would be the one to lead a new era.

The moment stirred something in all who witnessed it—

And all at once, everyone there knew it instinctively:

That they would never forget this image for the rest of their lives.

That this woman was the true sovereign they were meant to serve.

Watching her, Jinor felt a chill crawl down his spine.

‘If she planned even this... her sense for showmanship isn’t half bad.’

She had once seemed almost naive—but as Violet had said, Luna was changing.

And it wasn’t just that her personality had shifted.

Jinor cautiously traced her trajectory as ruler thus far in his mind.

It had started behind Madralan Castle.

There, they had discovered a massive gold mine—

Untouched, unspoiled, with veins of remarkably pure gold.

It was so implausibly located that no one could understand how Karelia’s forces had failed to discover it for so long, despite having occupied the area for years.

Gold was one of the most valuable and versatile resources in any nation—

Gold funded the military, propped up the economy, and granted overwhelming financial superiority.

It was no wonder people said, “When in doubt, expand your territory.”

And now, a gold mine of unprecedented scale had been found—

Discovered with such perfect timing, almost as if the very act of raising the Lunarian Army’s flag had caused it to appear from nothing.

Naturally, it drew enormous attention, not only from the locals but from far beyond.

The rumors spread fast:

"This is a miracle. It’s proof the heavens recognize Lady Luna."

"What else could it be, if not a miracle?"

Exactly. To the people, magic wasn’t the only thing that qualified as a miracle.

The series of events they witnessed provided plenty of reason to believe Luna’s rise was guided by divine providence.

If Luna said, “I think we should explore that area,”

They would uncover hidden treasure or piles of gold no one knew existed.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

If she said, “We need to eliminate that bandit group,”

It would lead to unexpected goodwill from the citizens, strengthening her rule.

Even when unintended, her every decision seemed to yield the best possible outcome.

It naturally reminded people of how Karelia once devoured greater foes through sheer effectiveness, even when outmatched in strength.

Everything Luna did turned to fortune—

Not just regular good luck, but absurd, once-in-a-lifetime fortune most people would never experience even twice in their lives.

Even Jinor, normally grounded in cold reason, couldn’t help but think—

That it was as though the entire world were conspiring to make Lunarian Iniang the sovereign who would unify the continent.

What he didn’t know was that this was the direct mirror of what Swen once felt while serving in Serpina’s Army:

That the entire world seemed to conspire to despise Serpina von Eingart.

Thus, the newly unified Lunarian Army, now fused with Karelia’s remains, was absorbing the people's loyalty at an unprecedented pace.

Even considering the failures near the end of Karelia’s rule,

It was still astonishing—especially since Karelia had once been a beloved and virtuous leader in the eyes of the people.

Now, even as she poured her heart into governance—

Though it was a calm before the storm—the southern continent was still slowly catching wind of what was happening in the central regions.

"It seems a war between the Aishus Army and Serpina’s forces is about to begin."

At Charlotte’s words, Tifa fell into thought before asking,

"Charlotte. Do you think Serpina’s Army will actually manage to establish itself in the central continent this time?"

"I’m confident in wielding a weapon, but... when it comes to reading the bigger picture, I think my sister Violet would offer a much more informed opinion..."

"Still, warriors have instincts too. You’re the one who just told me, ‘Looks like war’s about to break out between Aishus and Serpina.’"

"Ah, sorry. That’s because I heard it from my sister..."

"Pfft!"

Tifa laughed brightly and clapped Charlotte on the shoulder.

"You know, you’re funnier than I expected. Why are you out here swinging a sword instead of performing on stage?"

"Really? I’ve always been told I’m too serious and boring ever since I was little..."

"Nah, you’ve got talent. I think you’d make a pretty decent jester. Not that it matters right now—but hey, once the continent’s unified, no more reason to fight, right? Anyway, where’s your brother?"

"I believe he’s gone off to train alone again today."

"Hmph, he’s been disappearing nonstop lately. ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) Little punk’s probably hit puberty or something."

These days, the one spending the most time with Tifa wasn’t her childhood friend Luna—who had become increasingly busy with her role as ruler—but Charlotte, who was practically her student now.

Violet was a civilian type, so she and Tifa didn’t cross paths often.

Naturally, Tifa had grown close to those who fought beside her on the battlefield, like Charlotte and Francis.

But even Francis had been choosing to train on his own lately instead of under Tifa,

So since arriving in Madralan Castle, Tifa and Charlotte had spent far more time together.

"Shall I go bring him back? I have a good guess where he went..."

“No, no. Leave him be. Sometimes a man needs time alone to sort out his thoughts.”

“...Sorry?”

Charlotte tilted her head in confusion, clearly not understanding what Tifa meant.

But Tifa had a pretty good idea why Francis had started spending so much time alone lately.

That kid... I think he has feelings for Luna.

He probably thought he was hiding it well—but Tifa saw right through him.

What Francis felt for Luna wasn’t mere loyalty.

He’d declared more than once that he would protect her, and often made it known he would do anything for her sake.

Of course, it was bound to fall on deaf ears.

Tifa, who knew Luna better than anyone, understood: once Luna fell for someone, she never looked at anyone else.

Come to think of it... I wonder if he’s doing okay.

Her thoughts naturally wandered toward that white-haired man.

They’d only spent a short time together, but he was unforgettable. The one and only strategist their army had ever had.

The last she’d heard, he was working under that wicked witch, Serpina.

But then again, she had never considered herself a sharp thinker, so she’d never tried to puzzle out what that truly meant.

The one thing she was certain of—

Was that ever since the day they escaped Zeilant Castle, she, Luna, and Kyle owed their lives to him.

If it hadn’t been for him, she would’ve died for sure.

She never had any intention of serving under Lyn—and Lyn would never, under any circumstances, have let Luna live.

Well, I’m sure he has his reasons. That’s just the kind of guy he is.

“Anyway, enough of that. Let’s get to today’s work. Ready?”

“Yes, understood. I’ll be learning from you.”

As she sparred lightly with Charlotte, Tifa also focused on mastering the control of her magical energy.

Others might not notice, but she could feel it—because she was the one using it.

If she kept blasting out magic on the battlefield the way she always had, she’d be dead before long.

That’s why she trained even harder.

She focused on reading the flow of mana over and over again, trying to find that optimal balance where her body wouldn’t break down.

I need to learn how to use it safely—for as long as possible.

Tifa didn’t want to die.

Not because she feared death—

But because this life was essentially a borrowed extension, gifted to her by Swen.

To be exact—

She had no intention of dying until Luna had the foundation she needed to unify the continent.

***

And so ended that fleeting moment of peace, as each of them spent their time in their own way—

“You’ve made your decision, then, my lady.”

“Yes. I’d like to consult with you, Lord Jinor.”

In the audience chamber, Luna faced the nation’s strategist, Jinor, with a more serious expression than ever before.

“In your opinion, which direction should our army advance next?”

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.