Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy

In a hurry, I arrived at the royal palace’s audience room, where Yuri greeted me warmly. I knelt respectfully and spoke in a formal tone.

"I am Swen, arriving at the royal palace upon my lord's command."

"Swen! Welcome. It’s been a while. How have you been?"

"Thanks to you, I’ve been doing well."

"And Airen? Is she doing well? It’s been a while since I’ve seen her face."

"Yes, she is well."

"Good. No news yet, though?"

"...What?"

I lifted my head, confused by her question. Yuri chuckled as if she found it amusing.

"It’s just a joke, a joke. I hope we get some good news soon, though."

"..."

In that moment, I had an idea of what she was trying to say, but I didn’t feel the need to comment further.

Fortunately, Yuri quickly shifted the conversation to the main topic.

"Alright. Actually, I need you to bring someone here."

"Someone?"

Yuri let out an awkward laugh, as though embarrassed.

"Well... the only person I can ask right now is you, Swen. The other generals are all busy with their tasks... Of course, I’m not saying you’re doing nothing because you’re helping us, but..."

"That’s fine. But may I ask who you need me to bring?"

"One of our officers has gone on a training trip."

'Training?'

Hearing that, I figured out who she meant.

"I’d like you to go find her and tell her to come back. And tell her I really miss her."

"Could you provide more details, please?"

Yuri nodded at my question.

"Her name is Anima Ingram. She’s someone we’re really grateful to and hold dear in our army."

'Of course.'

Anima Ingram. She had been one of the officers in the Aishus Army, serving as the national strategist.

Jinor had told me that after stepping down from the position of national strategist, she went on a training journey to further refine her skills.

'But why is she being sought now?'

If the coup hadn’t happened, Jinor would have likely remained in his position. But since it was a coup, he was still active as the national strategist. I found it odd that Anima wasn’t by Yuri’s side now, but at least she wasn’t dismissed.

"I’ll let you know where she is. Please go and tell her to return and lend us her strength. Oh, and make sure to pass on this message as well."

Yuri spoke with an unusually serious tone.

"Tell her we’d like her to take the position of Lord of Raklein Castle, and we really hope she comes back."

'Ah.'

The bait to lure her back was the position of lord of Raklein Castle. It wasn’t as high as the position of national strategist, but for someone who sought power, it would be an irresistible position. Perhaps, for some, being the lord of a castle, with some of the power of the ruler, might even feel like a higher position than national strategist.

I wasn’t sure of Anima’s character, but someone who had been driven out of the national strategist position could very well be tempted by the opportunity to take a prestigious position like that.

"Is that the entire mission?"

"Yes. Sorry. I know you’re busy helping Jinor and me... but I’ll make sure to reward you well for the expenses and with a generous bounty."

"It’s no problem, but as a matter of etiquette, I’ll accept everything you offer."

Yuri smiled slightly at my response. It was clear that she didn’t act like a ruler who dominated others; rather, she emphasized her position while showing respect. This wasn’t the typical image of a ruler in this era, but in the world I came from, she would make a great boss.

Such is the irony of the times.

"Well then, I leave it in your hands, Swen."

"Yes."

I nodded and offered my respects before leaving the royal palace.

***

After I left, Yuri sat for a long while with her chin resting in her hand, lost in thought.

'Anima...'

"Yuri. We can do this. No, let me be clear. You can do this. And I’ll be your wings."

"Don’t be afraid, Yuri. Epinnel, Emma, Hernandorf—they’ll all follow your decision. You’ll get used to it in time."

"We’re going to end this troubled era with our own hands. Imagine the scene of red flags flying across the continent. Isn’t it magnificent?"

The Anima in my memories had once instilled the mindset of a ruler into me when I was uncertain and unsure of myself. She had been a tremendous support.

On that day—the day the empire fell—both she and Anima were at the Viovola Academy, which was also destroyed. In that moment, it wasn’t anyone else who saved her life from the looming threat of death, but Anima.

"I feel like there’s still so much I lack. I’m thinking of going on a training journey to reflect on myself."

Lacking? At her current state, Anima was irreplaceable in Aishus Army. At least to Yuri, she was.

I longed to visit her in person, and I had made several attempts. But when Yuri went herself, Anima hadn’t been there to meet her.

Epinnel, Hernandorf, Emma—none of them had been able to meet with her.

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Maybe, just maybe, if Swen were to go, she might agree to meet him.

'Please come back, Anima...'

Yuri let out a long sigh.

***

'Is this it?'

This place was situated on the mountainside, not too far from the Valharat territory. It wasn’t very different from the spot where I had taken Reika for meditation before. I had ventured much deeper into the mountains this time, and I found myself panting heavily as I struggled to find my way.

'It should be around here somewhere.'

According to Yuri, there was supposed to be an old shack somewhere nearby. However, no matter how much I looked around, I couldn’t see a house, let alone any sign of a person.

'Let’s take a break...'

I decided to sit on a rock and rest. Reika had mentioned that she had felt an overwhelming amount of mana around here, and now I was starting to think that this place might indeed be a spot for some sort of spiritual training or cultivation. While pondering these thoughts, I allowed myself a brief respite.

'Huh?'

Through the trees ahead, I spotted a small shack hidden among the branches. It was so well camouflaged that it seemed almost invisible, tucked away in the middle of the mountain.

'No wonder I couldn’t find it...'

It was a bit anticlimactic to find it so soon after deciding to rest, but now that I had found it, I couldn’t just waste more time. I immediately got up from my seat and headed toward the shack.

Crunch, crunch.

As I walked through the grass, the sound of my footsteps became more distinct, and before I knew it, I was standing right in front of the door. I gently knocked on it.

"Is anyone there?"

For a moment, I felt as if I were a tax collector or something, but that thought disappeared quickly as a very fragile, glass-like voice echoed from the other side.

"...Who are you?"

"Are you Anima Ingram?"

There was a long silence before the voice responded.

"...Yes, I am."

"I’ve come here on the orders of my lord, Yuri. I have a message for you from her."

"..."

There was more silence, but after a while, a small voice pierced through the stillness, barely audible.

"Please wait a moment."

A few minutes later, the door creaked open.

And there she was—Anima Ingram.

Her brown, short hair looked somewhat unkempt, and though her eyes had a tired, distant quality, there was a sharpness to them that stood out. Her outfit was fairly unremarkable, except for one detail—her right arm was completely concealed by a cloak, completely covering it.

"Did Yuri send you?" she asked.

"Yes."

"You’re a new face... May I ask your name?"

"My name is Swen. I haven’t been in Aishus Army for long."

"I see."

She closed her eyes for a moment, then nodded and spoke.

"It’s humble, but please come in."