Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100% Accuracy
Chapter 315: The Red-Eyed Dragon of the South (5)

Hesna laughed again at Tera’s horrified expression.

It was a captivating laugh—seductive, yet far from lighthearted.

“And where exactly is the law that says we can’t take Serpina’s hand?”

“My lord. Have you forgotten the entire foundation of your rule—and of all the southern lords? ‘We cannot align ourselves with the rotten Aingart imperial bloodline.’ Did you not witness what happened to the Brans Army when they broke that unspoken rule and allied with her?”

“Honestly? I just think Lyn was unlucky.”

“...Excuse me?”

“She happened to be in the central continent. Plus, she reached out way too early, when Aishus was still in decent shape. That’s why the backlash hit her so hard. And let’s not forget—they were directly crossing swords with Serpina. But we’re different. The four southern nations have enjoyed a frighteningly peaceful time, even in the midst of this chaotic political climate. Which means our people don’t really hate Serpina. At least, not as deeply. Time erases everything.”

“Even so...”

“Well then—what do you think is the real reason we’ve been so peaceful until now?”

“Because we’re far from the central and northern continents, where the capital lies...?”

“If that were the case, how do you explain the Brans Army not coming south when they dominated the central continent?”

“They must have considered it a low priority.”

“And why would that be?”

“......!”

Only after that line of questioning did Tera seem to realize something, nodding slowly.

“Because there wasn’t much to gain... is that what you mean?”

“Exactly. The south’s just a backwater.”

Coming from someone born in the south herself, it rang with truth.

Why had the southern continent remained so untouched?

The peace wasn’t due to a single factor.

For one, reaching the south from the central continent required crossing a treacherous mountain range and an enormous river.

Even one of those obstacles would be enough to complicate an invasion—this region had both.

Of course, individuals could travel back and forth; after all, the continent was once a single empire.

But leading a large army with stable supply lines through that terrain?

That was an entirely different matter.

And even if one did manage to invade... there was little worth taking.

The south lacked fertile plains. No rich iron or gold deposits. No must-have metropolitan centers.

The only major city dating back to the imperial era was Mertian, their own capital.

It was a remote outskirt, the farthest from Aingart Castle.

An afterthought. A place that caused more trouble than it was worth.

That was the southern continent under the old empire.

“So let’s stay rational here. Yes, everyone claimed to fight for the noble cause of stopping Serpina.

But really, who didn’t use that excuse to start their own countries?

She was the perfect villain to build around.”

“But let’s be honest—can any of us actually defeat the Serpina Army as it is now? Even if they’re weakened?

Do you really think we’d win in a full-scale war with them?

And if we assume the rebel girl swallows Roland whole...”

――“Do you think we can defeat the Lunarian Army?”

“......”

“Don’t give me some loyal, patriotic answer. Tell me honestly.”

“I will speak honestly—because I am loyal. And no, I do not believe we can win.”

“Exactly.”

“I’m not saying the Roland Army is stronger than us. But... once you consider why there was a balance to begin with,

and how the tipping of that balance inevitably favors one side... the answer is simple.”

But Hesna shook her head.

“No, Tera. That’s not all.”

“...Pardon?”

“Let’s say we devour the Ohana Army. And Roland manages, somehow, to hold back Lunarian.

Does that mean we’ll be able to defeat Lunarian?”

“If the difference in national strength is that great, I believe we could.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“...Excuse me?”

“Think about it. When the Lunarian Army first raised their flag at Tepello Castle,

how big was the difference between them and the Karelia Army?”

“...!”

“It was at least three times their size, if not more.

And yet that girl crushed Karelia.

So can we really say for certain that she couldn’t defeat us, when the gap between our forces is smaller?”

“Then... what do you want to do, my lord?”

Hesna rested her chin on her hand and nodded seriously.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“Hmm... I guess this is the first time I’m telling you this. It’s something I’ve only been thinking to myself until now.”

Then, rising from her seat, she slowly walked forward.

“Whether it’s Serpina or Lyn—I plan to offer an alliance.

Not just an alliance. I intend to propose that we invest all of Hesna’s resources and military power

into helping them conquer the central continent.”

“Then what will become of our army...?”

“Just help out when it comes time to clean up the south. That’s enough for us.”

“And after that? Once it’s just us and a nation that’s unified the north and central continents?”

Hesna smiled.

“I’ll surrender.”

“...What?”

“Well, not quite surrender.

I’ll offer, from the start, to become a vassal state.

Take some flashy title, maybe, and settle for becoming a duchy under the newborn unified empire.”

Tera, realizing the truth behind her sovereign’s vision, finally understood.

“Then you mean to say...!”

“Yeah. In all these alliances, I’ll only be asking for one thing.”

“The autonomy of the south.”

“In exchange for southern autonomy—

whether it’s Lyn or Serpina—

I’ll gladly become a dog for the new emperor.”

“...So that’s why you said it didn’t matter if we sided with Serpina.”

“Exactly. If Aishus was still a real nation, maybe I’d think twice.

But they’re practically a hollow shell now.

At this point, Serpina’s probably the most likely person to unify the continent.

It’d be wise to bet on that.”

The two great checks that had kept Serpina’s ambitions in line—Brans and Aishus—

had both collapsed in their own way.

Brans had barely survived.

Aishus was no better than a corpse.

There was no other logical conclusion.

After countless considerations, Hesna kept coming back to the same result.

Serpina’s odds of unifying the continent? Well over 70%.

“There’s no rule that says I have to be the ruler of the unified state, right?

The smart thing to do is pick the most realistic option from where I’m standing. Don’t you agree?”

“...I’ve served you long enough to know that whatever you choose, I’ll support it.

But... may I offer one word of advice?”

“Go ahead.”

“If you truly think this way, I believe it would be unwise to approach Serpina.”

“Why? Personally, I’d rather work with her than Brans. She’s got a better shot.”

“Exactly, my lord.

If we find the alliance attractive, that means she probably won’t.

From her perspective, what need would she have for us?”

“So basically, our offer would be meaningless. A pointless deal.

Not even worth considering.”

“I didn’t quite put it like that, but... seeing your response, it seems you already suspect as much yourself.”

Hesna let out a small sigh, nodding in resignation.

“You’re not wrong. Honestly, if I were Serpina, I’d bulldoze the south without a second thought.

And I doubt someone with Aingart blood would ever accept turning us into a vassal state.”

“But it’s all right, my lord. There’s still one place left, isn’t there?”

“...!”

At Tera’s words, Hesna’s eyes sparkled.

The only nation left that could still join hands with them now—

was...

***

The capital of the Brans Army—Arnel Castle.

There, several warriors were kneeling before Lyn.

“So, what you're saying is... you want to serve under me again?”

“Yes, that’s right.

We know we’re shameless to ask, but please grant us one more chance to serve House Brans.”

After the successful integration of the Carlints forces,

requests for reinstatement had been pouring into the Brans Army over the past few days.

Most of those asking to return were once part of the Brans Army—

officers who had followed Chel and split off to form their own forces.

“This is funny. You actually came all the way here just to see me?

You're aware you’re traitors, right?”

“Yes. We fully understand that you have every right to execute us on the spot.

But if you show us mercy just this once... we swear we’ll repay that kindness with our lives.”

“......”

Lyn twirled ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) a strand of her hair, then nodded, looking thoroughly bored.

“Fine. I don’t care about power games anymore. That crap is exhausting.”

“My lady...?”

“I said it’s fine. You’ve made your choice—you came back to the Brans Army.

So I’ll show you that your choice wasn’t wrong.”

—Just like that, Lyn accepted every last one of the remaining officers from Chel’s forces.

She valued practicality over pride or justification.

From her perspective—desperately lacking manpower—and from theirs—eager for revenge against Serpina—

it was a mutually beneficial transaction.

Unlike before, she now made an effort to listen to her subordinates,

and word began to spread: “Lyn Brans... she’s changed.”

What people think of me doesn’t matter.

What matters is the restoration of the Brans Army.

Even if we fall, I won’t let it all be in vain. I won’t let their sacrifices be meaningless...!

With that thought alone driving her forward—

of course, word of the Lunarian Army’s movements in the southern continent reached her as well.

***

“So? You’re saying Lunarian finally made their move?”

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