Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100% Accuracy
Chapter 321: The Red-Eyed Dragon of the South (9)

News of Roland’s sudden 1-on-1 duel request.

While everyone was murmuring in surprise, Jinor was the first to voice his opinion.

“It’s an obvious provocation. Not even worth responding to.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Considering Roland’s temperament, it’s clear.”

Jinor, who answered Charlotte’s question, immediately turned to Luna and bowed his head.

“If anything were to happen to the sovereign during a duel between rulers, it would throw the entire situation into chaos. As supreme commander, Your Majesty must fulfill the role befitting that position. And that role is not to decapitate enemies on the front line. Taking the vanguard is acceptable, but there is no need to accept every duel request that comes your way.”

Having said that, he glanced at «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» Lunarian’s expression—

“Judging by various circumstances, it seems Your Majesty’s martial arts skills are exceptional... But since the opponent is Roland, there’s no harm in being cautious.”

“Excuse me, Strategist. I have a question.”

This time, it was Francis, standing beside Charlotte, who stepped in.

“Speak.”

“Is this Setta Roland truly that powerful? Honestly, it’s hard to grasp...”

“It wouldn’t be surprising for someone of General Francis’s generation not to know. Roland was a prodigy who, at an unusually young age, rose to the position of vice-captain in the 3rd Imperial Knight Division of the old empire. And the sole reason he climbed to that post was because of his unmatched skill in 1-on-1 combat.”

“By skill in 1-on-1 combat, you mean...?”

“Put simply, he was a cut above the other generals. His timing for strikes and retreats, his way of intervening, how quickly he read his opponent’s psychology, and how he adapted to different weapons... it was as if he was born solely to win one-on-one duels. He lacked nothing in other areas either, but if we’re strictly talking about dueling, even Epinnel Rosenkross—or yes, even Chel Brans—would not be able to let their guard down against Setta Roland.”

“You said... Chel Brans? He’s really that skilled?”

The moment a recognizable comparison was made, Francis’s expression began to harden.

Chel Brans. Though he had died recently, during the height of Brans Army’s dominance over the central continent, wasn’t he called “the strongest man on the continent”?

Even though his prime had passed, if one were to name the representative martial figure of this era, many would still think of Brans’ strongest sword. That remained an undeniable fact.

“Of course, unlike Chel, Roland hasn’t actually risked his life in recent battles and has lived peacefully in the southern continent for a long time, so his skill may have dulled... but there’s no reason to gamble on that possibility.”

Jinor once again turned to look at his liege.

“Their goal is likely to portray us as cowards for backing down... but there’s no need to be concerned. This won’t be the last battle. It’s just the first. There’s absolutely no need to be drawn into the enemy’s scheme from the beginning.”

“......”

Until now, Luna had remained silent.

Then at last, she slowly parted her lips.

“There is one thing I’d like to confirm.”

“What is it?”

“From the Roland Army’s side... it will be Setta Roland himself who comes out, yes?”

“Yes. Since the entire proposal was meant as a provocation toward Your Majesty, they would—”

Before Jinor could finish his sentence, Luna cut him off.

“Then I will accept.”

“...Excuse me?”

Jinor quickly read her expression.

There was not even a trace of contempt or disregard for his opinion on her face.

What her ruby-red eyes conveyed was firmness. And... overwhelming confidence.

“If I can defeat Lord Roland in a 1-on-1 duel, wouldn’t that immediately tip everything in our favor?”

Her logic was sound.

If the supreme commander of the enemy were eliminated, their morale would plummet instantly.

“That’s true, but as I mentioned, Roland—despite his time away from the battlefield—possesses incredible talent in one-on-one combat—”

“Which is exactly why this might be fortunate for us.”

Luna calmly ran her fingers along the hilt of her Adina Sword.

“I believe this is the only time we’ll ever get an opportunity like this. That’s why I think we shouldn’t let it pass us by.”

“...?”

Leaving behind the still-confused Jinor, Luna stood from her seat and spoke.

“Please relay to the scout who brought the message. Tell him I’ll meet their terms—I’ll be going out myself.”

“Y-Your Majesty! Please, wait—!”

Jinor tried to reach out in a panic—

“Don’t worry, Sir Jinor.”

Luna, with a benevolent smile, gently masked the flames in her ruby eyes with that smile and said,

“If it comes to the end... we win.”

“...!!!”

What must Jinor have felt in that moment?

In truth, something like this had happened before.

Back during his days in the Aishus Army, when Yuri betrayed Swen.

No matter what he said, it wouldn’t get through to her—when he saw that same unshakable resolve in her eyes, the very first thought that crossed Jinor’s mind was: I cannot follow Yuri any longer.

So then what about now?

If there was a difference between then and now... back then, his desire to cut ties with Yuri had surged without a second thought. But now...

"I..."

It was instinct.

An intuition forged from over sixty years of serving—not from a throne, but behind one.

That instinct was screaming at him now: Luna is nothing like Yuri.

Jinor recalled Swen’s bold claim.

That this was the woman who would one day rule the world—Lunarian Iniang.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

From the moment she sparked the rebellion to now, her path had been so full of incredible luck that it could only be described as miraculous.

If, as she said, “we win if it comes to the end”...

"......"

Jinor no longer tried to stop Luna.

His clumsy advice might just derail her fate.

Instead, he bowed his body to her will.

If her words proved right once again, there would be no more reason to doubt Swen.

Depending on how this turns out... a great many things will change.

Perhaps this would be the turning point, where the fate of Luna—and all the continent’s lords—would be decided.

And with that thought, he fixed his gaze upon the back of the warlord who would shape a new era.

***

“What? She accepted the duel?”

“Yes! Lunarian Iniang herself will be stepping forward.”

“You made it clear her opponent would be me, Setta Roland?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Ha!”

Roland let out a short scoff, then tilted his head back and burst into thunderous laughter, as if the heavens might collapse.

“I really must have grown rusty! I should’ve crushed Hesna or Karelia long ago instead of rotting in the south!”

“Are you planning to head out?”

At the soldier’s question, Roland replied in a low, gravelly voice.

“What, should I turn my back on some no-name arrogant woman?”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant...”

A one-on-one duel between sovereigns—unprecedented.

It was a ludicrous situation, full of unpredictable variables, and one would have wanted to advise caution... but those who served under Roland already knew.

To him, insulting his pride was the ultimate taboo.

So none of them dared speak up. Besides, the subtle belief that “there’s no way our lord would lose to a young woman” served to justify their own silence.

“This battle may end sooner than expected. Hey, you there!”

“Sir!”

“Tell the soldiers stationed at the front to join the vanguard once this is over! We’re pressing south immediately!”

“Does that mean... you intend to invade Lunarian territory?”

“You didn’t think I’d attack and expect not to be attacked, did you? Perfect. I’ll crush that rebel girl, claim dominion over the southern continent, and clean up Hesna and Ohana while I’m at it!”

Roland laughed again, clearly delighted, then rose to his feet and took hold of his sword.

The sword that had made him the 3rd Knight Division commander. His armor. His trusted steed.

“I haven’t felt this excited in ages!”

With a pounding heart, he stepped out to herald a new age.

Convinced, without a shadow of doubt, that this new age would be his.

***

In the center of a desolate plain, two sovereigns faced each other on horseback.

Setta Roland. And across from him, the lady sovereign whose ruby-red eyes shone—Lunarian Iniang.

“My name is Setta Roland! You filthy traitorous wench, who repaid kindness by slaying your lord! I’ll make you regret accepting my challenge for the rest of your afterlife!”

Even after that, Roland continued to hurl insults at her.

He knew better than anyone that getting agitated before battle was dangerous, but he was determined to shake her composure.

Luna, without the slightest movement, waited patiently for him to finish.

“Mr. Roland.”

“Got some last words before you die?”

She gazed straight into Roland’s eyes and softly said—

“Recklessness is not courage.”

“...What?”

“Let me greet you in advance. Farewell.”

Roland quickly realized what she meant.

Recklessness is not courage?

So... she thought his duel challenge was mere recklessness?

Crack—

Roland had no choice but to accept it.

He had been the one provoked.

Even so, it didn’t matter. There was no way he would lose!

“You damned wench... This will be your grave!!!”

He gripped his weapon tightly and charged straight at Luna on horseback.

Luna, matching his timing, drew her Adina Sword and charged toward him with equal ferocity.

――Haaaaaaaahhh!!!!!

And then――

With a clash of metal,

Clang.

A weapon fell to the ground.

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