Yes.
In this game, I know that 99 out of 100 times, gold gifts without reason are betrayals.
If someone makes an alliance proposal soon, you can assume with almost 100% certainty they're planning to betray you.
This was a strategy that could be used if your strategist had Intelligence of 95 or higher and the [Betrayal] specialty.
Giving money was just a necessary action included in this "betrayal" strategy within the game.
To detect this in advance, you'd need Intelligence of 99 or higher and the [Mind's Eye] specialty... Farfalle was a good strategist, but with Intelligence only in the low 90s, not even reaching 95, there was no way she could figure it out.
Besides, it wasn't worth mentioning since players who had been betrayed a few times would inevitably notice the pattern anyway.
Now that this had become reality, it was certainly possible that someone might give money purely for "goodwill"—
But seeing how all my Intelligence 100 brain's predictions were coming true, I couldn't ignore situations that were common in the game.
However.
To perfectly explain all these hypotheses, there was one essential piece missing.
That was—'the existence of a strategist-type talent with Intelligence 95 or higher and the Betrayal specialty in a small nation like Charam.'
'In such a small nation? What for?'
Of course, it wasn't an impossible proposition—but the probability was extremely low.
Still.
No matter how low the probability, my ability was Intelligence 100, wasn't it?
Perhaps if I asked this question, I'd get an answer?
"Um... Lady Irene. I have a request."
"A request?"
Irene, who had been waiting patiently while I was lost in thought, tilted her head and asked.
Despite her manner of speech, she was undeniably an adorable young lady in her behavior.
But.
'It feels awkward to suddenly ask a question here.'
While I was hesitating to speak, she addressed me first.
"Swen?"
"Ah... yes."
"Is something wrong? You suddenly went quiet..."
Irene looked at me with a worried expression.
After deliberating, I changed my mind.
"...It's nothing."
Instead of pressing further, she nodded and continued with her explanation.
It seemed she was letting it go.
I felt strangely grateful to her.
"...Anyway, let's move on to the south. Except for four countries, there aren't many threatening nations there either."
The southern situation was roughly as I knew it.
Roland, Hesna, Karelia, and Ohana.
If left to the CPU, Karelia would likely conquer the south due to their superior talent pool, but quite frequently Ohana or Hesna would also emerge victorious.
Roland's victory was as rare as finding a bean during a drought, and the remaining small nations were doomed to perish unless a player took control of them.
"That's it. And finally—"
She pointed to the top of the continent.
The northern continent.
The only region unified under one country at this point.
"The entire northern continent belongs to Serphina. You know that much, right?"
"Of course."
Small nations allied with Serphina were quickly annihilated in the game within a year.
In this world without deployment restrictions, they would have perished even faster.
Thanks to Irene's help, I was able to clearly check the current power structure.
There was a small gain from confirming this layout.
"Thank you."
After giving a proper acknowledgment, I took out a new piece of paper and picked up my pen again.
"Hmm? What are you doing?"
"I thought I'd draw a map of the surrounding areas while I'm at it."
Almost all the major battlefields in this game.
Having played for 10,000 hours, they remained vivid in my mind even after several months in this world.
It seemed useful to organize this information.
Besides, I didn't have anything better to do.
Irene nodded, then placed her hand on my shoulder and said:
"I'll leave the lantern on. Just turn it off before you go to sleep."
"Won't it be too bright for you?"
"I'm used to sleeping by campfires."
After saying that, Irene gave a faint smile and left my side to sit with her back against the wall.
Was she going to give up the bed for me again today?
As always, it was best to gratefully accept kindness when offered.
"Good night."
First, the battlefields around the eastern Aishers border...
I slowly picked up my pen and began drawing lines.
*
The next evening.
While Irene was briefly away from home, I was alone drawing maps of the surrounding battlefields.
'There are more mountainous areas around here than I expected.'
They weren't particularly steep cliff-like mountains, but there were quite a few hills.
While Anel Castle and its surroundings were vast plains, strangely enough, there seemed to be many difficult terrains right along the border.
I planned to continue checking the battlefields even after finishing this organization.
You never know when this information might come in handy.
Just then.
The door opened, and Irene returned from outside wearing armor.
"You're back?"
"Mm."
She was carrying something in both hands and placed it on the desk.
I checked what it was.
"Is this... meat?"
Several pieces of raw beef, along with various ingredients.
Irene looked at me with a smile and said:
"I realized that since you've become a new member of the household, I should properly welcome you, shouldn't I?"
So she bought meat?
Surprised by this unexpected kindness, I responded awkwardly:
"You really don't need to go to such lengths."
"It's fine. This makes me feel better. Besides, looking at you, you seem quite frail. Am I right?"
"..."
Honestly, I had nothing to say.
If I tried to follow Irene's routine, I'd collapse from exhaustion before two hours were up.
The reason I didn't refuse her offer of the bed was because sleeping on it genuinely helped my weak body recover strength.
"Don't be disheartened. No one is born with stamina. At times like this, meat is the answer. Eat meat and regain your strength. Have a seat. I'll prepare it right away."
Saying that, Irene removed the armor protecting her chest.
Her large breasts momentarily bounced.
Then, after changing into comfortable clothes for cooking, she picked up a knife and began preparing the meal.
'...'
Living with her, I noticed she had remarkably high survival skills.
Moreover, she possessed the mental strength to not be defeated by her circumstances, no matter how miserable.
Honestly, when I, a man, arrived—she must have felt humiliated.
What kind of ruler sends a new male retainer to live as a roommate in a female knight's home?
While obeying one's lord is a retainer's virtue, it must have been a humiliating situation.
Yet she showed none of this to me.
Instead, she was cooking meat she had bought for a welcoming meal.
'Why?'
Despite what Lin said about compatibility, I couldn't understand why she treated someone like Irene so poorly.
Perhaps the reason Lin couldn't become a unifying ruler was due to this peculiar narrow-mindedness and gloominess?
While I was thinking about this—
"It's ready!"
Irene brought the plate with a somewhat proud expression.
The plate that usually held hard rye bread or dried fish now seemed incredibly sophisticated just by containing freshly grilled meat.
I picked up the fork and knife and cut into the meat.
This sensation. How long had it been?
After cutting the meat and putting it in my mouth, chewing that piece made me feel alive.
"It's delicious."
The seasoning was just right, and it was cooked perfectly.
Hearing my words, she smiled brightly.
She seemed genuinely happy to receive the compliment.
"I'm confident in grilling meat. When camping, I usually handled all the cooking."
"You mean Lady Irene?"
"Yes, that's right."
She said that while patting my back and continued:
"Swen. I know it must be uncomfortable staying in the home of an officer of the opposite sex, and you've seen things you shouldn't have, so you must be concerned... but I'm sorry I can't resolve this situation right now. As soon as a vacant house becomes available, I'll send you there immediately, so please bear with it until then."
She spoke to me with genuine apology.
What a conscientious personality.
Hearing this, I smoothly replied:
"What are you saying? As long as you're fine with it, I'd like to continue living with you, Lady Irene."
And as for seeing things I shouldn't have—it was the finest view ever, but I kept that comment to myself.
"You're quite good at flattery. As I've said before, you won't get anything from it."
"No. I'm being sincere."
I answered very seriously.
And I truly meant it. There was nothing better than living together to raise her affection level.
While Lin probably sent me here to torment her, that choice was actually not bad for me—rather, it was a good one.
Besides, she was beautiful. Seeing her large breasts every day would surely extend my lifespan.
Hearing my words, Irene became flustered and suddenly blushed.
Then, scratching the surface of the meat with her fork, she awkwardly said:
"...Ahem, hmm. Let's finish our meal."
And she silently cut the meat roughly and put it in her mouth.
Her shy demeanor was quite adorable.
"Then, I'll enjoy this meal."
I first thanked Irene for preparing the meat for me—
And then, I silently thanked Lin for preparing Irene for me, before continuing with my meal.
* * *
Three days had passed since my appointment to Brands.
That meant it was time to participate in the "regular meeting of Brands."
Though I had been floating around without work until now, I would probably be assigned duties starting this month.
Irene, who had woken up early and put on her armor, spoke to me:
"Are you ready to go?"
"Just a moment."
I slowly got dressed, then put on the outer garment Irene handed me.
The front pocket area had the emblem of Brands engraved on it.
Just wearing this clothing made me realize more than ever which faction I belonged to.
In the small Lunarienne nation, there were no such uniforms.
I guess even being a servant is better at a large corporation?
"I'm ready."
"...Ah. One last thing to say."
"What is it?"
"It might be better for you not to be associated with me. I'll go ahead first, and I recommend you follow five minutes later. You should know the way to the royal castle."
"..."
I easily understood the true meaning behind her words.
Since she was disliked by Lynn Brands, she was saying she'd understand if I kept my distance?
I was genuinely impressed that she could say such things even to someone who was essentially her housemate, and I responded in a firm tone:
"What would a mere newcomer like me know? Rather than engaging in politics from the start, wouldn't it be better to show an innocent appearance of knowing nothing?"
Hearing this, Irene smiled slightly as if amused.
In three days, we had grown closer than expected.
"...You really do say such things without hesitation. I almost want to learn from you."
"I'll teach you when the opportunity arises."
She let out a slight laugh and opened the door to leave.
Of course, I didn't wait five minutes at all and immediately followed behind her.
*
The morning in East Anel was incredibly peaceful.
The sounds of bustling citizens and carriages moving here and there carrying goods.
The most notable feature was the large number of people wearing clothing with the same emblem as mine.
Were they all working under Brands?
Interestingly, not only officers but also soldiers and lower-ranking organization members seemed to be given this distinctive emblem.
While in the game only "officers" used it, to run such a large organization, there must be countless "Jameses" belonging to Brands who were working hard but not visible in the system.
Thinking about it gave me a somewhat bitter feeling, but there was no time to dwell on sentiments.
Before long, we arrived at Anel Castle.
The sound of people greeting each other could be heard.
By this point, people who recognized Irene should have approached to greet her—
But surprisingly, no one spoke to her.
The occasional people who did greet her were all lower-ranking individuals like servants or maids, not officers.
'So this is what she meant.'
Did they think there was no point in personal interaction with Irene, who was disliked by Lynn Brands?
Feeling strangely resentful, I stuck even closer to her side.
Fortunately or unfortunately, people weren't paying particular attention to me following behind her.
They probably thought I was Irene's attendant.
Of course, whatever they thought wasn't an important issue.
After walking a few more minutes.
Irene and I entered the meeting room inside the royal castle.
Inside the castle, there were truly, truly many people lined up on both sides.
Just at a glance, there were dozens of people.
Compared to Jeilant Castle, where there were only five people including myself... this was a completely different world.
Since Lynn hadn't arrived yet, the throne was empty.
"This way."
Following Irene's direction, I positioned myself appropriately behind her right side.
And shortly after—
"The Lord is coming!"
With the soldier's resounding announcement, footsteps echoed through the now quiet castle.
Long blue hair.
Cruelty hidden behind beautiful appearance.
The absolute will of Brands—Lynn Brands, accompanied by Farfalle behind her, arrived at the throne with dignified steps and sat down.
Then, addressing her retainers in a rather solemn tone that was somewhat uncharacteristic of her typically frivolous manner:
"Well. Is everyone here? We're going to start Brands' monthly regular meeting. Any objections?"