Became a Strategist with a 100 Intelligence and 100\% Accuracy-Chapter 303: Blind Spot of a Hardcore Player (3)

While Yuri spent her days in constant prayer at the altar, the responsibility of managing the troops in preparation for the coming battle against Serpina’s army fell entirely to Epinnel.

With fatigue mounting from the grueling construction project, she didn’t implement any intensive training. Instead, she focused on maintaining basic discipline and giving the soldiers ample rest to keep their morale stable.

Epinnel was a warrior. When it came to handling soldiers, she was far more competent than someone like Vanessa, who had once acted as a strategist for Karelia’s army.

And because of that, she refrained from imposing unreasonable measures—like forcing discipline too harshly when there was no money to compensate the troops.

Still, it was inevitable that frustration would build.

A nation that had conscripted soldiers for exhausting labor without offering proper pay couldn’t avoid growing discontent, and sure enough, a sizable number of soldiers had deserted.

Epinnel understood better than anyone how unreasonable it was to demand blind loyalty from ordinary troops during times like these.

What she used in place of money—was Serpina’s existence.

“You don’t seriously think you can live with your head held high after kneeling to that damned bitch Serpina, do you?!”

Maybe it was due to Serpina’s infamous reputation, but it did help boost morale somewhat.

However, the truth was that even among the soldiers, the perception of Serpina had begun to shift in recent days.

“I’ve got a cousin at Alkanwood Castle. Says the fairness of her rule is better than it was back in Brans’ time...”

“My sister married into a northern family. She said they actually got relief supplies during the outbreak.”

—Setting everything else aside, if the people under her rule were genuinely satisfied... could she really be called a tyrant?

In an era like this, it was a dangerously radical and irreverent idea.

But these were chaotic times—times when even such impudent thoughts were allowed to take root.

Fortunately for Epinnel, a couple of feel-good anecdotes weren’t enough to erase the mountain of sins associated with Serpina’s name.

If public opinion had been just a bit more favorable, they might’ve had to surrender without even a proper fight.

Even the most talented general was powerless without soldiers.

This was a lesson she had learned, over and over again, even before her time as an academy instructor.

As she tried to keep things afloat, trimming down the army day by day, news arrived from intelligence.

“I see... So they’re building a fortress near Valharat Castle?”

“Yes. And reports from multiple sources confirm that they’re gathering troops there.”

From that location, they could feasibly launch an attack on Laccline Castle—

But the more logical assumption was that they intended to march directly on the capital, Valharat.

While they hadn’t gone as far as Chel—who outright abandoned his fortress—

Spreading troops across various territories in the face of Serpina’s massive army was the same as begging to be slaughtered one by one.

So the majority of troops had already been concentrated in Valharat Castle, leaving only minimal forces elsewhere.

Even then, after losing more than half of their army to plague and the war against Chel’s forces, what remained was barely a handful.

“What are your orders?”

“It’s time to start preparing for battle. Any sightings of someone who could be a mage?”

“No, not at the moment...”

“Understood. Report any unusual activity immediately.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Once the soldier had left, Epinnel’s longtime adjutant in the Aishus army cautiously posed a question.

“Um... General Epinnel, are you planning to hold the castle?”

“It’s the most logical choice.”

“But if we lock the gates, isn’t there a risk we’ll be helpless against a mage? That’s what concerns me...”

“That’s a fair point. But my personal view is this—mages might not be as all-powerful as we think.”

“You really believe that?”

Epinnel nodded.

“Think about it. If mages really were that decisive, then wouldn’t the most rational strategy be to just send them out first in every battle?

But Serpina doesn’t do that. Not in the war against Chel, not during the northern rebellion.

In every major conflict, it’s always been her massive army of over a hundred thousand that played the biggest role.

If mages were truly that absolute, why even bother with soldiers at all?”

“Then you’re saying...?”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“There must be some sort of drawback we don’t know about. They can’t be used freely. Most likely, they’re treated as trump cards—nothing more.”

Her deduction was, at a fundamental level, pretty accurate.

Whether there was a penalty or not, if mages were as powerful and practical as people imagined, they should’ve been playing a much larger role.

The fact that they weren’t meant there had to be some hidden blind spot.

And considering Serpina’s intent to preserve Reika’s lifespan and avoid deploying her too often—Epinnel’s guess wasn’t far off.

“I see... As expected, General, you truly are remarkable.

I heard Chel’s army panicked the moment they spotted a mage and charged out, only to get wrecked...”

“It’s nothing special. If I really were that remarkable, I would’ve done something before this nation collapsed.

Gotten Yuri to come to her senses... formulated a strategy that would’ve lifted Anima’s despair... something.

But I didn’t. So no, I’m not all that remarkable.”

“General...”

“Enough of that. Go inform the officers and soldiers to assemble in the barracks. I have something to say.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

As she watched the adjutant leave, Epinnel reflected.

The decision to hold the castle wasn’t solely based on her belief that mages had penalties.

In fact, if there were no penalties at all, and Serpina’s army used magic to attack the castle—

She would welcome it.

That might be the real goal all along.

If they used magic, they’d reveal where it came from.

Based on witness reports from previous battles, that much could definitely be figured out.

It would be better if they used magic. If I can identify the presence of a mage... if I can pinpoint their location—

—I can kill the mage.

At the very least, the mage can be killed.

Delivering an irreversible blow to Serpina’s army—that was Epinnel’s true plan, a secret she had told no one.

At first, she suspected Swen might be the mage.

But from what Anima had recently told her, it seemed Swen truly wasn’t one.

Which meant, most likely, the pink-haired woman who had recently appeared with Serpina’s forces was the mage.

Then again, it didn’t matter who it was.

If she could just catch the moment someone used magic—

She’d stake her life to end them, no matter who they were.

No matter what... I won’t let Serpina defeat us without consequence.

Even if I die in the end... I’ll find a way to make her pay.

If they were going to destroy the Aishus Army—

Then they would damn well suffer for it.

With that thought, Epinnel made her way toward the barracks.

***

Epinnel stood atop the platform in the barracks, addressing the assembled Aishus officers and soldiers with a voice heavy with solemnity.

“With all due respect, you all know the truth. The chances of us winning this battle are extremely low. No—perhaps it’s more accurate to say that we won’t win at all.

And yet, not a single one of you chose to hide at home, abandon the fight, or flee ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) back to the countryside. You are all here. And I believe that each of you knows exactly what that decision means.”

No one responded aloud to her words—

But among those gathered, a quiet wave of agreement stirred.

—We are here to die.

There wasn’t a single soul here who didn’t understand that staying meant dying.

“Those who serve a nation are often told that it’s only right to give their lives for it.

But we’ve seen countless people change their minds the moment death stared them in the face.

That’s why I want to thank you—for making a decision that is far harder than most realize.”

“We may not survive this.

But the pride of our spirits—the fact that we stood our ground and did not bow to the monstrous, merciless butcher Serpina—

That will live on, long after our bodies have fallen.

It will blaze across this continent until one day, someone throws the witch Serpina into the flames where she belongs.”

“So I ask you—shamelessly, desperately.

Fight with me to the very end.

If you choose to stand with me... I, your commander, and the entirety of the Aishus Army—will never abandon you!”

WAAAAAHHH—!

Perhaps it was a way to shake off the instinctive terror they all felt in the face of death.

One after another, they roared—so loud it seemed the very walls of Valharat Castle might come down.

Hearing the soldiers’ shouts as she prayed, Yuri kept her eyes closed and sent her heart out to her comrades.

“Hernandorf. Emma. Please... Please, give us your strength...!!!”

***

And then, a few days later—

“What... did you just say...?”

Epinnel, steeling herself for the final battle, received news she couldn’t believe.

“All of Serpina’s fortresses... have collapsed!

It appears her forces have been completely wiped out!

Reports say Serpina’s army has hastily withdrawn and is retreating from the front lines...!!”