The royal castle meeting in the Lunarienne Army was, despite its name, essentially just a small gathering where four of us, including myself, huddled together to decide "what shall we do this month?"
Even then, since Lord Luna almost completely trusted my words, these meetings often ended in less than an hour.
But the Brands Army was different.
Every month, dozens of people gathered—from the most basic subordinate generals to the castle lords who handled the actual administration of surrounding castles—all proposing commands to Lynn and receiving missions to carry out.
Perhaps I was experiencing this "monthly meeting" for the first time only at this moment.
"First, I'll receive last month's reports. Castle lords, come forward and speak in turn. Same order as before."
"Yes!"
First, a middle-aged man with blonde hair from the far left of the line stepped forward firmly.
"I am Rasion, lord of Kelstein Castle. I will report on this month's objectives of 'training' and 'military reinforcement.' The number of soldiers has increased by 3,300, with a current total of 39,000 soldiers stationed."
It's nice to see a familiar face.
Rasion.
Just an average A-rank general, but someone who reliably does his job no matter what he's assigned.
He wasn't particularly loyal and would usually surrender when captured, but perhaps because of that, I saw him frequently whenever I played the game.
I utilized Rasion quite often myself.
His portrait in the game was just a pixelated extra, but in reality, he had quite a dignified charm.
It felt like all the pixel characters received tremendous upgrades when the game world became reality.
"Any other notable matters?"
"Two new talents have been recruited, and the small fortress that began construction in front of the castle under Kalinz's leadership should be completed by next month."
"I see. About the fortress defense commander—I think we should just keep Kalinz on it. Pass that along."
"Yes! Understood."
After Rasion bowed respectfully and stepped back, the man beside him came forward and spoke.
"I am Daltrick of Jog Castle. First, I would like to report on the achievements of the past month."
And so it continued—each castle lord giving their presentation.
The Brands territory was vast, with a total of nine castles, both large and small.
After the castle lords finished their presentations, Lynn looked down at everyone and said:
"Now. Today I plan to appoint a lord for Jeilant Castle, which has newly become part of our Brands territory. I've prepared a list of people to work there, so those who receive assignments should head to Jeilant. If there are personnel not present here, the castle lord they belong to should relay the message. Shall I call them?"
This atmosphere.
Unfamiliar yet familiar at the same time.
Yes, it felt like being a trainee waiting for unit assignments.
"I appoint Aneka Lem as castle lord. Banya, Mirika, Yuz, Diaka, Bran. These five will work at Jeilant Castle."
"Understood!"
Several voices responded.
After that, Lynn rose from the throne and said:
"Now, we'll determine this month's action plan. Does anyone have good ideas? Feel free to speak."
Though called an action plan, it was the same concept as the "opinion submission" we did in the Lunarienne Army meetings.
As a newcomer, I decided to listen rather than step forward, and kept my mouth shut.
Indeed, several people raised their hands and began offering opinions.
"I believe the most important thing now is to organize internal affairs. Implementing policies focused on commerce and agriculture would be best."
"As we are surrounded on all sides by enemy nations, I propose implementing policies focused on military reinforcement."
"Roland Army's Chellam Castle in the south has weak defenses, so we should prepare to attack. We should conscript and train new soldiers at Saintica Castle on the southern border, using all the nation's resources."
One by one, they raised their hands and presented their opinions.
I could instinctively sense something.
The people raising their hands and speaking their minds here were all decent talents who were pulling their weight in the Brands Army.
That's precisely why they could freely offer opinions to their lord.
Then.
"My Lord. May I also offer an opinion?"
At Farfalle's words, who stood beside Lynn, Lynn nodded.
"Go ahead."
"I've confirmed that you've been focusing on the west all last month, but I recently received intelligence that the Aishers Army in the east is planning to punish the Allepel Army in the west."
"Really? If that's true, isn't it quite a good opportunity?"
Farfalle nodded strongly in agreement with Lynn's response and said:
"Indeed. It's an excellent opportunity to mobilize 56,000 troops to invade the Aishers Army's Valhart Castle. I believe we should prepare for invasion as soon as the armistice ends."
"Oh? You must have something you're confident about?"
Instead of answering, Farfalle gave a faint smile.
Lynn nodded and then addressed us:
"Hmm... Any other opinions?"
At that moment, someone broke the silence and raised their hand.
"My Lord."
A now somewhat familiar female voice.
It was Irene who offered an opinion.
"...Speak."
"I believe the Serphina Army has been quiet for quite some time. Rather than focusing elsewhere, I think it would be better to station more troops at Kelstein Castle in the north to strengthen our defenses."
"Oh? The north?"
After hearing Irene's words, Lynn responded with an indifferent expression.
"Didn't we just build a new fortress there? Kalinz is there too. And we already have the most troops stationed there of all our borders. Do we really need to send more?"
"Well..."
As Irene tried to explain, Lynn raised her hand to stop her.
"No. Well, everyone is free to express their opinions."
Though Lynn said this with a smile, her words were clearly laced with thorns.
A strange atmosphere formed in the meeting hall.
The flow of the atmosphere itself, carrying the will of the absolute ruler, was targeting Irene.
This pressure...
Even I, a third party, felt intimidated... Had Irene always been treated this way?
"..."
Irene did not continue speaking, but bowed her head in submission.
Lynn summarized the situation:
"Well. Anyone else want to offer an opinion? No more?"
Shortly after, Lynn organized the opinions that had been presented.
"First. Implementing policies focused on internal affairs. Do you think this is the best approach for our Brands Army? If so, raise your hand."
Hearing this, several people in the hall raised their hands to indicate agreement.
I was beginning to understand this system.
In the game, generals would offer opinions, and the lord (the player) would typically implement policies decided by majority vote.
Of course, the lord could ignore the meeting results if they wished, but doing so would lower the loyalty of generals except those with deep devotion, and worsen relationships. Unless you were doing a concept play, there was no reason to do that.
It seems they're roughly deciding by majority vote here too.
Unlike the Lunarienne Army, which was a small nation with very few people, ignoring results decided by majority vote would be burdensome even for the lord here.
'Let's see.'
I input the question: "Is implementing policies focused on internal affairs most efficient for the Brands Army?"
The conclusion was [No].
'To give the impression that I'm working properly, I should choose what I think is right here.
Of course, since these were just opinions being offered, it was possible that the answer to all questions would be [No].
In such a case, if Lynn wanted to, she could ask me "What would be most efficient?" just as Luna had done, and that would resolve things.
But I just wanted to be moderately helpful, not ambitiously earn merit.
After all, Luna would eventually unify everything anyway, so there was no need to exert myself.
So I let it pass.
"Then second. Implementing policies focused on military reinforcement would be best. Raise your hands."
Again, several people raised their hands.
I did not raise mine.
"Third. Gathering troops in the south to prepare for invading Chellam Castle would be best. Raise your hands."
Surprisingly, only one person raised their hand this time.
The proposer, who had spoken confidently, looked a bit embarrassed, but what could they do?
If they didn't like the outcome, they should have established a proper line of supporters for their proposal.
Of course, I didn't raise my hand this time either.
"Fourth. Mobilizing 56,000 troops to attack the Aishers Army's Valhart Castle. Those who agree?"
And then, many of the ministers who had been hesitating until now unanimously raised their hands.
Farfalle, observing this scene, smiled with satisfaction.
Farfalle.
She was the Brands Army's national strategist—military advisor.
In this game, a national strategist was someone who served the lord from the closest position and could deeply influence the lord's various decisions—in a way, it could be considered the highest position a minister could reach.
Of course, as territory expanded further, positions like corps commanders could be established, but that was for later.
In any case, giving the impression that I agreed with Farfalle's opinion and strengthening my relationship with her would be good politics.
I input her opinion in my mind.
'Is attacking Valhart Castle the best opinion?'
[It is not.]
'Hooh.'
I know her intelligence exceeds 90.
So, I was planning to casually raise my hand for her opinion. High intelligence usually means correct statements.
But it seems that wasn't the case this time.
If you agree with an opinion, your favorability with the general who proposed it increases.
If the strategist Farfalle's opinion wasn't absolutely correct, I should just agree with Irene's opinion to raise her favorability.
I was really taking this matter quite lightly.
"It's pretty much decided."
Lynn added a needless comment before opening her mouth again.
"Lastly. Adding more troops to Kelstein Castle in the north to strengthen defenses and prepare for the Serphina Army's invasion would be the best approach. Those who agree?"
And this time, except for the proposer Irene, not a single person supported her opinion.
Irene had fallen out of Lynn Brands' favor. Only her talent allowed her to participate even in meetings like this.
But it seemed that in organizational life, finding people loyal enough to side with someone who had fallen out of favor with the leader was just as difficult in this world as in any other.
'If I raise my hand alone, will her favorability increase?'
At that moment, I thought this and casually input her question in my mind.
'Is it right to gather troops at Kelstein Castle to prepare for the Serphina Army's invasion?'
And the result came.
[Very close.]
'...Huh?'
What?
Not "No," but "Very close"?
'What's happening in the north?'
Honestly, I had thought about supporting Irene's opinion, but as Lynn said, they were already building a fortress there and had the most troops stationed there.
It seemed unnecessary, so did this mean her opinion was actually the most efficient one?
"No one?"
I hastily raised my hand at Lynn's words.
My action drew the attention of every general in the room.
Their gazes were quite varied, but could ultimately be summarized as:
'What are you thinking, siding with her?'
Even Irene seemed a bit surprised that I would raise my hand, as if she hadn't expected it.
Lady Irene, hold your head high. Surprisingly, your opinion is the most efficient among these.
At that moment.
"Hooh."
Lynn, seemingly amused by the situation, slightly raised the corner of her mouth, then pointed at me and said:
"Swen. You raised your hand for Irene's opinion?"
At Lynn's words, the attention already directed at me became fixed on my face.
It would have been natural to feel intimidated, but compared to when Lynn had once held a knife to my throat, this was nothing.
"Yes."
"Oh? Why?"
"Because I agree with her words."
"So you think we should send troops to the north? To a place that's already building a fortress and has the most soldiers?"
"Yes. That's right."
"Hmm."
She smiled as if finding it amusing, then looked at Farfalle beside her and said:
"That's what he says, Farfalle. What do you think?"
"Well, umm..."
What was Lynn thinking?
By this point, I had one guess.
'Could it be.'
"Farfalle. Would you like to have a debate after a long time? Don't you want to hear what the newcomer thinks?"
"..."
Debate.
More commonly known to users as a "war of words," it referred to a 1:1 debate within the game.
Debate was the intelligence version of 1:1 combat where generals with high strength compete against each other.
As this world was based on the game world, it seemed that system existed at least formally.
Hearing those words, Farfalle seemed to realize something and nodded.
"I see. Understood."
Lynn, satisfied with that answer, now looked at me and asked:
"What do you think, Swen? It's okay if you're scared."
It seemed she wanted to test me.
Why?
Because I sided with Irene, whom she didn't like?
Or perhaps she recognized my abilities to some extent and conversely wanted to be persuaded?
Either way, I couldn't back down now.
The more enthusiastically I defended Irene's opinion here, the more her favorability toward me would increase.
Thinking only of that, I said:
"If you put it that way, I dare to try convincing my Lord, the Strategist, and everyone here in the Brands Army."
"Ahaha. How interesting!"
Lynn laughed heartily, seemingly pleased with my bold attitude.
Then, Farfalle slowly walked forward to face me.
I also took a step forward to stand before her.
"Is this acceptable, Strategist? I would like to request your guidance."
I spoke in a very respectful tone with my head bowed.
Hearing my words, Farfalle slowly nodded and said:
"I should be the one requesting your guidance. I welcome it anytime. If you can convince me, I will follow General Irene's opinion."
"Then."
I slowly walked to the center.
She too walked from beside the throne to face me.
Facing each other—
I began my first 1:1 debate.